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 Chinese solution provides 'early warnings for all' China Daily) 09:44, January 13, 2026 China is actively sharing its experience and technological achievements in early warning systems with the world, offering technology, capacity building and risk identification systems to contribute to the United Nations' Early Warnings for All initiative, officials and experts said. From embracing World Meteorological Day in March to launching the homegrown MAZU early warning system in July, and initiating a collaborative action plan for its urban application in October, the country translated the early warning concept into practice in 2025. Launched in 2022 by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Early Warnings for All initiative aims to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027. In October, a Chinese delegation delivered a presentation on MAZU, an artificial intelligence-powered Chinese solution for early warnings for all, at the special session of the World Meteorological Congress held in Geneva, Switzerland. The World Meteorological Organization praised China's efforts and contributions in applying AI to strengthen the four pillars of the UN initiative risk management, monitoring and forecasting, warning dissemination and response capabilities, according to the China Meteorological Administration. After the session, representatives from several WMO member states approached the Chinese delegation to explore cooperation on co-developing and sharing the MAZU system, it said. The name Mazu comes from that of a sea goddess, a mythological protector against maritime disasters revered for centuries in China and across Southeast Asia. In July, the CMA unveiled the Early Warnings for All China Solution, naming it MAZU, the acronym of which stands for multi-hazard, alert, zero-gap and universal. "MAZU represents a seamless integration of our excellent traditional culture with modern technology," said CMA head Chen Zhenlin. "It is designed to provide customized warning systems and proven disaster prevention wisdom to developing nations," he said. The solution is a comprehensive package of soft measures and hard technology, including sharing the country's emergency response framework, its disaster prevention system, and the "call-to-action" mechanism that ensures high-level warnings trigger immediate responses. China has also developed the AI forecasting models Fenglei, Fengqing and Fengshun, covering time scales from minutes to seasons. At MAZU's core is a cloud-based early warning system that offers customized and sustainable technical solutions, the administration said. The MAZU solution has been implemented across China to protect lives and fuel economic growth, it added. The MAZU system is on display at China Meteorological Administration's booth during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 26, 2025. CHEN HAOMING/XINHUA Coastal connections In Fujian, the cradle of Mazu culture, the ancient prayer for safe voyages is now answered by precise, hourly weather warnings. As a coastal province frequently battered by typhoons, Fujian has developed a sophisticated "1262" meteorological disaster prevention model utilizing the MAZU system. The model works by pinpointing key risk areas 12 hours in advance, pre-positioning rescue forces six hours ahead, and identifying township-level high-risk zones two hours before a forecast weather event. In July, when Typhoon Danas approached Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, the urban drainage center, acting on meteorological warnings from the system, emptied 139 inner-city rivers in advance. "Meteorological early warning is the vanguard for urban drainage," said Xue Yubin, deputy director of the Fuzhou Urban Hydrographic Net Joint Drainage and Dispatch Center. "It transforms our work from passive defense to active fortification," Xue said. The model has benefited the province's fishery industry, especially the local farmers who make a living by raising abalone or growing seaweed. In the aquaculture hubs of Putian and Ningde, early warnings have played an important role in protecting the livelihood of fishermen and increasing farmers' income. Yang Jianbin, an agronomist with the Xiuyu district aquatic technology extension station in Putian, said the value of early warnings for aquaculture comes from precise forecasting, advance prevention and loss reduction. Specialized services for seaweed farmers in Xiapu have helped avert losses exceeding 100 million yuan ($13.8 million) in recent years, according to local authorities. The "1262" model has become a flagship case study of the MAZU solution, with its expertise in marine forecasting being shared with island nations such as the Solomon Islands. A fisherman checks a precise weather forecast near his aquaculture base in Putian, Fujian province. ZHAO YIMENG/CHINA DAILY Business benefits At the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, the world's busiest port by cargo throughput for the past 16 years, weather can disrupt a multi-million-dollar business. Located in a region in Zhejiang province prone to gales and sea fog, the port faces up to 1,000 hours of operational downtime annually. The local meteorological bureau has developed an early-warning and control platform that integrates real-time meteorological, maritime and port data, delivering minute-by-minute alerts directly to dispatchers and operators. During Typhoon Co-May in late July, chief forecasters updated wind forecasts in real time, enabling port managers to adjust work schedules and recover 10 hours of operating time. In November, based on European forecasts of severe offshore winds, the safety team at Mediterranean Shipping Company in Geneva ordered several vessels to skip scheduled calls at Ningbo. According to Lian Sheng, deputy director of the port's dispatch center, daily charter costs can run to $100,000 per vessel, so such a decision might result in massive losses. Port officials communicated that their localized forecasting showed winds inside the harbor were milder, shielded by the Zhoushan Islands. The clarification built immediate trust. During the next cold air event a week later, MSC relied fully on the port's guidance, and its vessels operated on schedule. "It shows how precise weather services and a smart early warning system can empower port operations," Lian said. According to port statistics, the early-warning system added an estimated 98 hours of workable time in 2024 and generated 370 million yuan ($51 million) in direct economic benefits. Meanwhile, MAZU-Urban, an urban multi-hazard early warning agent developed in Shanghai, has benefited other developing countries in realizing early warnings for all and reducing losses. The agent integrates Shanghai's self-developed AI models, which have pushed the average lead time for severe convective weather forecasts to over four hours, said Cao Yuan, head of the Shanghai AI meteorological application innovation center. The agent was used to successfully forecast rainfall over Kampala, capital of Uganda, and winds at Lake Victoria in Africa in March. The Uganda National Meteorological Authority sent a letter to the Shanghai Meteorological Service, expressing gratitude for the support provided by MAZU-Urban. "The agent allows for targeted policy for each country and region," said Liu Haobo, a senior engineer from the information center at the Shanghai Meteorological Service. The team developed guidance based on specific disaster data for Mongolia, fine-tuning the system with the help of a visiting Mongolian forecaster. When Typhoon Wipha threatened the Macao Special Administrative Region in July, MAZU-Urban was integrated with local disaster standards and rescue frameworks to provide tailored impact forecasts, Liu said. Zhao Yang, director of the information center at the Shanghai Meteorological Service, said the model can be accessed from computers, tablets and phones, to serve professional departments, key industries and the public. Access to the AI early warning system was handed over to representatives from Djibouti and Mongolia in July, marking the official start of MAZU-Urban's application overseas. It is now on trial in 35 countries and regions across Asia, Africa and Oceania, Zhao said. The CMA said it plans to focus on building an open and inclusive global cooperation network for early warnings, prioritizing the needs of the least developed countries and small island developing states. Over the next three years, it will provide training for 2,000 people, 100 scholarships and 50 visiting scholar positions, said Chen Zhenlin, head of the administration. "The introduction of the MAZU solution marks China's shift from an active participant in global meteorological governance to a contributor to major international agendas and a provider of global public goods," Chen said at a news conference in October. He added that China will continue exploring the use of AI and other new technologies to further enhance the role of MAZU in global climate governance and disaster risk reduction. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today FinanceBuzz, a personal finance website focused on helping consumers build financial confidence, announced the winners of its 2026 Best of FinanceBuzz Credit Card and Banking Awards. FinanceBuzz Announces 2026 Credit Card and Banking Awards The 2026 FinanceBuzz awards recognize the brand's top picks in credit cards and banking, helping consumers navigate the complex search for financial products to meet their money goals. Award categories span a wide range of consumer profiles, including students, travelers, business owners, savers, and everyday consumers looking to better manage their money in 2026. "Our goal at FinanceBuzz has always been to meet consumers wherever they are in their financial journey and help guide them in a way that makes sense for them," Melinda Sineriz, Managing Editor at FinanceBuzz, said. "With our awards, we were intentional about creating categories that align with different needs to simplify the decision-making process around choosing the right financial product." To compile the list of award winners in 70 categories across credit cards, checking, high-yield savings, and credit unions, FinanceBuzz editors and personal finance experts evaluated more than 500 credit cards and banking products against an in-depth scoring system designed to measure value to consumers. Please visit the 2026 Best of FinanceBuzz Awards page to see the full list of award winners and scoring methodology. Best of Credit Card Award Winners 2026 Travel Credit Cards Best Overall Travel Credit Card: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Best Premium Travel Card: Chase Sapphire Reserve Best Airline Card: United Explorer Card Best Hotel Card: The World of Hyatt Credit Card Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Card: Wells Fargo Autograph Card Best for Simple Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Best for Lounge Access: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Best for Everyday Spending: Citi Strata Premier Card Best for Everyday Spending: Citi Strata Premier Card Best for Luxury Travel: The Platinum Card from American Express Best Travel Card Debut: Citi Strata Elite Card Best Travel Card Revamp: The Platinum Card from American Express Cash Back & Rewards Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card: Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Best for Dining Out: Chase Freedom Unlimited Best for Food Delivery: American Express Gold Card Best for Groceries: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express Best for Streaming: U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card Best for Gas: Citi Custom Cash Card Best for Gas: Citi Custom Cash Card Best Retail Store Card: Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Best Online Store Card: Synchrony Amazon Store Card Best Cash Back & Rewards Card Revamp: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card 0% Intro APR and Balance Transfers Best 0% Intro APR and Balance Transfer Card: Wells Fargo Reflect Card Best for Balance Transfers: Citi Simplicity Card Best Intro Purchase APR Card: U.S. Bank Shield Visa Card Best for 0% Intro APR and Rewards: Chase Freedom Unlimited Best 0% Intro APR Card Debut: U.S. Bank Shield Visa Card Student Best Student Credit Card: Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students Best Student Card for Building Credit: Discover it Student Chrome Best for Off-Campus Living: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Best for Flat-Rate Cash Back: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students Credit Builder Best for Building Credit: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card Best for No Credit: Chase Freedom Rise Business Best Overall Business Credit Card: Capital One Venture X Business Best for Solopreneurs: Ink Business Cash Credit Card Best for a Brick and Mortar Business: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card Best for Online Businesses: American Express Business Gold Card Best No-Annual-Fee Business Card: The American Express Blue Business Cash Card Best Debut Business Card: Sapphire Reserve for Business Best for Flat-Rate Cash Back: TD Business Solutions Credit Card FinanceBuzz Best of Banking Award Winners 2026 Checking Best Overall Checking Account: Capital One 360 Checking Best Online Checking: SoFi Checking and Savings Best for Rewards: Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus Best Low or No Fee Checking: LendingClub Rewards Checking Best for Bonuses: U.S. Bank Smartly Checkin Best Checking and Savings Combo: SoFi Checking and Savings Best for Overdraft Protection: Truist One Checking Best for High Net Worth: Chase Private Client Best for High Net Worth: Chase Private Client Best for International Travelers: Betterment Checking Best for Kids and Teens: Greenlight Best for College Students: PNC Virtual Wallet Student Student Best for Bad or No Credit: Chime Checking High-Yield Savings Best Overall High-Yield Savings Account: Capital One 360 Performance Savings Best Online High-Yield Savings: Marcus by Goldman Sachs Best for Low or No Fee Savings: Barclays Tiered Savings Best for Large Deposits: Wealthfront Cash Account Best for New Savers: Current Best for New Savers: Current Best for Kids and Teens: Capital One Kids Savings Account Best for Automated Savings: Ally Bank Savings Account Best for Automated Savings: Ally Bank Savings Account Best for Customer Service: American Express High Yield Savings Account Best for Consistent Savers: LendingClub High-Yield Savings Account Best for High APYs: OpenBank by Santander Credit Unions Best Overall Credit Union: Alliant Credit Union Best for Military and Veterans: Navy Federal Credit Union Best Online Credit Union: Alliant Credit Union Best for In-Branch Access: PenFed Credit Union Best for Checking Accounts: Connexus Credit Union Best for Savings Accounts: Quorum Credit Union Best Regional Credit Union: Digital Federal Credit Union Best for Debit Card Users: Andrews Federal Credit Union About FinanceBuzz: FinanceBuzz offers the expert resources and support necessary to navigate the complexities of personal finance. FinanceBuzz empowers consumers to build financial confidence at every life stage, via its personal finance website covering a wide range of topics, including credit cards, insurance, banking, investing, retirement, and more. FinanceBuzz, a Launch Potato brand, was founded in 2016, and the company is headquartered in Delray Beach, FL. For more information, visit FinanceBuzz.com. Media Contact: Chris Lewis (650) 704-8237 [email protected] SOURCE FinanceBuzz Drazen_/Getty Images A couple exploring the magical streets and canals of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Key Takeaway The Netherlands was ranked the safest country for travelers in a new study based on safety, health, and inclusivity. Women, LGBTQ+ travelers, and people of color report feeling especially welcome in Dutch cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. When it comes to safe travel destinations, the Netherlands consistently ranks at the top, especially for women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ travelers. Its progressive values, strong social systems, and long-standing reputation for peace create an environment where visitors feel welcome and secure. That sense of safety and inclusion is more than anecdotal. Its reflected in how travelers recently rated the country. A study by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection surveyed American travelers about the countries they visited during the past five years. The research combined traveler safety ratings with external indices and data to calculate an overall safety score. The Netherlands ranked the highest for safety, public health measures, and inclusivity. Women often report feeling comfortable walking alone, even at night, while LGBTQ+ travelers point to the countrys visible acceptance and its role as the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage. Travelers of color also share positive experiences, highlighting the cultural diversity and openness found in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. The study draws on the Global Peace Index, which rates the Netherlands among the most peaceful countries in the world, reflecting the countrys low crime rates, political stability, and strong quality of life. In city-level data from Numbeo, The Hague and Eindhoven earn spots among the 12 safest cities globally. Another factor contributing to the countrys sense of security is infrastructure. Public transportation is efficient, clean, and safe, making it easy to move around without relying on cars. Health care standards are also high, and emergency services are reliable and accessible. That said, no destination is entirely without its quirks, and in the Netherlands, one of the biggest things to watch out for isnt crimeits bicycles. Because bicycles outnumber people in the Netherlands, pedestrians must exercise caution when navigating the streets. In Amsterdam, travelers can experience the countrys bike culture by renting bikes or joining guided tours through operators like Amsterbike. In addition, several hotels, including the Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam and The Highlander, offer convenient bike packages. Rounding out the studys top five safest destinations are Australia, Austria, Iceland, and Canada. For more information on the study, visit Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protections website. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Wild online death theories about Osama bin Laden are spreading online.MEGA Osama bin Laden was officially declared dead in 2011 aged 54, but RadarOnline.com can reveal the terror mastermind has become the center of a resurgent wave of online conspiracy theories claiming the al-Qaida leader was never killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in Pakistan and may never have been buried at sea at all. The claims have gathered pace more than a decade after American forces announced bin Laden was shot dead during a nighttime raid on May 2, 2011, in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Online Conspiracy Theories Surge As Doubts Resurface US Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden during a raid in Pakistan.MEGA According to the official account, elite Navy Seals stormed a fortified compound in the garrison city, killed bin Laden, identified his body, and later buried him at sea. But the decision not to release photographs or produce independent witnesses has since fueled suspicion across social media platforms, conspiracy forums, and comment threads as what would have been bin Laden's 70th birthday approaches in March. One influential conspiracy forum is arguing the U.S. government itself helped sow doubt by disposing of the body at sea. A contributor to one forum said: "Osama bin Laden has long been a focus for conspiracy theorists, with many claiming that he did not in fact play a role in the 9/11 attacks on the United States. "Such theories are of course bunk. But the U.S. government appears to have given the conspiracy theorists grist for their paranoid mill by deciding to dispose of Osama bin Laden's body at sea." Online forums questioned the official account of his death.MEGA Another forum user questioned the religious justification for the burial, saying: "I don't think his burial in the sea had anything to do with Islamic custom. In Islam the body of the deceased needs to be buried in the ground a maximum of 24 hours after death." The poster added: "There is no provision for burial at sea. It seems to me that it was a U.S. attempt to perhaps avoid making his burial place a shrine." Social Media Amplifies Claims Of A Cover Up Social media users spread doubts about the raid in Abbottabad.MEGA Similar skepticism appears across Reddit, where one widely shared post questioned the lack of evidence. The anonymous user wrote they were asked to believe Seals "found him in a house in Pakistan during a nighttime raid with no witnesses and shot him" before disposing of the body. They added how without photographs or testimony they "just don't know why anyone believes this happened" and said: "I hope it's not just because the president said it happened." On Instagram, the Ride the News account amplified doubts by focusing on Abbottabad itself. A post claimed: "bin Laden lived in the nicest neighborhood that we saw anywhere in Pakistan. (We) say allegedly, because no-one in Pakistan actually believes bin Laden was there, and certainly they don't believe the U.S. came and killed him there." The post claimed residents believed bin Laden "cannot kill anyone" because of his status as a Muslim leader. Conflicting Seal Stories Keep Mystery Alive US officials rejected claims that bin Laden survived.MEGA Experts monitoring extremism say the burial decision intersected with long-standing regional mistrust. One conspiracist wrote: "Conspiracy theories have a long tradition in the Middle East." The post added burial at sea would inevitably "fuel conspiracy theories," even if bin Laden himself was "yesterday's news in the Arab world." Accounts by former members of the SEALs raid team have further complicated public understanding. Competing narratives from retired SEALs describing who fired the fatal shots at bin Laden, and books and interviews recounting the mission, have been cited online as evidence of inconsistency. As one forum contributor put it, conflicting stories are seen as proof "there's no evidence" of bin Laden's death, only "variations of memory." Others say the U.S. government wanted to "push the narrative" bin Laden was dead so they could "show it always gets the 'bad guys.'" U.S. officials have consistently rejected claims bin Laden survived the SEALs raid. But in the absence of publicly released physical evidence, online conspiracies continue to thrive, reframing one of the most documented counterterrorism operations in modern history as an unresolved mystery rather than a closed chapter. SOMALIA-UNREST (Photo by THOMAS MUKOYA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) A Somali lawmaker described to the Daily Caller how his government functions as a fraud pipeline, siphoning U.S. tax dollars from foreign aid, health care and day care into one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world. Dr. Abdillahi Hashi Abib, a sitting member of the Somali Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of the People, told the Caller the corruption surfacing in Minnesota and across the United States did not emerge spontaneously, but is a downstream consequence of Somalias deeply entrenched system of corruption. Abibs analysis, shared exclusively with the Caller, draws both from his experience working within what is widely considered the second-most corrupt country in the world and from his collection of specific numerical data tied to alleged fraud involving political figures. (RELATED: Healthcare, Daycare And Food Aid: Somali MP Shares The Source Of The Scams) Abib asserted that despite repeated efforts to share the data with U.S. agencies, he has been ignored as the problem continues to grow only recently coming into partial public view through investigations and reporting. He claims that captures a just fraction of what he has warned the United States government about for years. Abib also shared with the Caller the roadmap he has attempted to present to U.S. agencies, which he said would address Somali-U.S. tax dollar theft at its source by rebuilding Somalias government while aligning with President Donald Trumps America First agenda. In a 2023 letter detailing what Abib described as a sample of Somalia government fraud, the committee compiled more than 400 gigabytes of data from reported itemized expenditures between July 2022 and June 2023. The report outlines what it characterizes as illegal spending by Somalias executive branch. Somalia has a roughly $600 annual GDP per capita, according to data from the World Bank Group. The executive branch allegedly defrauded public funds through cash withdrawals lacking receipts of disbursement, inflated travel expenses and the purchase of unnecessary items including furniture, vehicles and office space at inflated prices from family-owned businesses without public bids, according to the committee. The report also cites monthly payments to allegedly fake senior advisers and advisory firms. NEW YORK, NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 25: President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters on September 25, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) The letter also accuses the general manager of the Central Bank of Somalia of tax evasion, alleging that he reclassified roughly a quarter of his salary as bonuses to avoid paying taxes. As you are undoubtedly aware, corruption poses a significant threat to global economic growth, hinders development, undermines democracy, and provides fertile ground for criminal and terrorist activities, the 2023 letter states, adding that the Biden-Harris administration failed to hold Somalias leadership accountable. A follow-up letter from Abib to the auditor general, sent Sunday, expands on what he calls the systemic looting of humanitarian aid funded overwhelmingly by U.S. taxpayers. More than $3.5 billion has been allocated to humanitarian assistance in Somalia by international partners, with approximately 90% coming from the United States, amounting to a direct defrauding of U.S. taxpayers, the letter claimed. Funds intended for humanitarian assistance have been captured and monetized by family-run enterprises, according to the letter. It further alleges that three brothers of the chairman of the Somali Disaster Management Agency have received monthly consultancy fees registered under their wives names. The fees have totaled $1.53 million over the past 36 months, effectively turning the agency into a family-controlled criminal enterprise, according to the letter. This is not incidental nepotism. It is deliberate structural capture, designed to defeat oversight and facilitate theft, the letter claims. The chairman has allegedly purchased multiple properties, amassed luxury vehicles and financed frequent international travel, despite being publicly known in 2022 to lack even the personal means to purchase a cup of coffee. The Relief Department, which should be the last line of defense for starving citizens, has become the engine of food aid theft, Abib wrote. The letter further claims that international food donations intended to feed between 8,000 and 12,000 families suffering from Somalias drought are instead being sold in Mogadishu markets for roughly $500,000 per month. The aid is first used for staged photo-ops involving internally displaced persons, who are allegedly paid $5 to $10 to pose with food that was originally meant for them, according to Abibs letter. As a result, Abib said that struggling Somali families may be the largest victims of the theft tied to U.S. taxpayer dollars. Women collect supplies brought by the World Food Programm distribution at the Internally displaced person camp (IDP) of Farburo in Gode, near Kebri Dahar, southeastern Ethiopia, on January 27, 2018. (Photo credit YONAS TADESSE/AFP via Getty Images) Abib also accused the World Food Program (WFP) of holding a monopoly over Somalias humanitarian aid system. He said that once U.S. Congress-approved funding flows to the WFP, it is inadequately monitored on the ground by third-party agencies, which he alleges accept bribes in exchange for falsely certifying proper use of funds. Abib detailed the extent of the alleged fraud to the Caller. His investigators found that 70% of Internally Displaced Person sites, where the aid is supposed to be going, did not exist at all despite continued claims by the WFP and other UN agencies that food had been delivered. He then outlined what he described as the mechanics of the fraud. Abib said a nongovernmental organization (NGO) may subcontract a project through the WFP for several million dollars, gaining approval from the World Bank. A side arrangement is then made between the NGOs project manager and World Bank-linked actors, in which a cash broker diverts roughly 20% of the contract to the head of the NGO. Abib added that, due to cooperation agreements between the FBI and Kenya, large cash deposits are easily traceable within Kenyan banks, noting that roughly 90% of the money never even passes through Nairobi. This is how the system works, Abib said. A World Bank spokesperson pushed back, telling the Caller that all cash transfers were made directly to beneficiaries by the government and its partner, WFP, through leading Somali mobile transfer operators without the engagement of any external agents, including NGOs or Kenyan intermediaries. The project leverages extensive layered risk management procedures, including Third Party Monitoring, phone surveys and on-site verification as well as fiduciary controls to ensure that funds are appropriately implemented and utilized in line with strict standard operating protocols. The World Bank told the Caller that they take allegations of misuse of funds seriously. All World Bankfinanced projects in Somalia are subject to strict fiduciary and procurement standards. We work closely with implementing partners to ensure compliance with these safeguards and have zero tolerance for fraud or corruption, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that concerns about fraud and corruption can be filed on their website. A Somali whistleblower also told the Caller that al-Shabab, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, uses Kenya as a laundering hub to move money into Somalia. Al-Shabab exports roughly $30 million every Thursday money extorted from Somali businesses and diverted from World Bank projects and United Nations (U.N.) aid depositing it into Nairobi banks, laundering it through Kenyan real estate purchases, and ultimately transporting it by hand through Mogadishus airport, the whistleblower alleged. CCTV footage shared exclusively with the Caller purportedly shows the $30 million exchange between al-Shabab operatives. The video, recorded Nov. 6, 2024, was allegedly shown to U.S. security agencies at the time but no action followed. When asked whether the $30 million per week flowing to terrorists originated from U.S. tax dollars, the whistleblower laughed, telling the Caller that nearly all money circulating in Somalia traces back to the U.S. taxpayer. Abib told the Caller that Somali fraud cases making headlines in Minnesota, Maine and across the country are not isolated incidents, but predictable outcomes of Somalias governing structure. He emphasized that only a small percentage of Somalis living in the U.S. participate in or benefit from the billions of dollars in alleged fraud tied to health care and day care programs, while most legally send portions of their earnings home to support family members. Instead, Abib placed responsibility on political leaders in Somalia and Somaliland recently recognized as an independent state by Israel whom he said enable and profit directly from the fraud. Critics point out that while many Somalis do not actively commit fraud, approximately 81% of Somali households receive some form of welfare, compared with 21% of native Minnesota households, according to data from the Center for Immigration Studies. (RELATED: USDA Pauses Grants To Minnesota Amid Somali Fraud Crackdown) Abib said he sympathizes with Americans viewing Somali immigrants through this lens, as the U.S. should not be paying the livelihood of Somalis nor contributing to their fraud, but he attributes a majority of the blame to the Somali Government. And these people, when they come to the United States, have no education. And the only means by which they can survive is subsidized housing and welfare, Abib told the Caller. What else can they do when they come to the United States? And whos forcing them to come to the United States? Abib further alleged that a Somali presidential appointee facilitated the mass movement of uneducated Somalis to the U.S.-Mexico border through connections in Cuba, leaving the U.S. taxpayer responsible for people the Somali government neither educated nor provided for. I cannot sleep at night knowing that I have shared this information with all the agencies and nothing has been done, Abib said. I showed them the proofs; nothings been done. And that pisses me off. EAGAN, MN JULY 01: People hold up Somali flags during a protest calling for justice for Isak Aden on July 1, 2020 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) While Abib said his appeals to U.S. officials have largely been ignored, he continues to receive a steady flow of messages from Somalis. He claimed many are death threats designed to deter his reporting, while others come from young Somalis inside the government who risk their livelihoods to provide information corroborating fraud. Abib said he has presented U.S. agencies with a detailed roadmap so far ignored that he believes would allow the United States to halt the flow of billions of dollars into Somali fraud networks while still giving Somalia a chance to confront corruption and rebuild. He argued that meaningful reform could dismantle what he described as a transnational corruption syndicate within six months by following three steps: establishing a one-year transitional cabinet, separating the branches of government, and applying coordinated, high-pressure intervention from the Trump administration. According to Abib, the first step would be forming a one-year transitional government composed of competent and transparent officials. He argued that structure would allow for real checks and balances between the executive and judicial branches, creating accountability for those who profit from corruption. He pointed to Somalias court system as a critical pressure point, arguing that restoring judicial legitimacy would weaken al-Shabab, which many Somalis turn to as an alternative to bribing judges. Soldiers of the Somalia National Army (SNA) raise their weapons when they gathered near their camp for a talk from visiting senior officers at Awdheegle, one of several towns recently liberated from the Al-Qaeda-linked militants, Al-Shabaab, by the SNA in Somalias lower-Shabelle region on November 11, 2025. (Photo by TONY KARUMBA/AFP via Getty Images) Abib said none of this is possible without Trumps backing. If Trump says it, Somalia will listen. This is what I know, and they are scared of Trump, Abib said. That is the system where you can really shut down all this nonsense.WO Trump addressed Somalia in December, calling the country garbage and saying Somalis in Minnesota had ripped off that state for billions of dollars, billions, every year, while contributing nothing in return. These arent people that work. These arent people who say, Lets go. Come on. Lets make this place great, Trump said. These are people that do nothing but complain. (RELATED: Trump Admin Ending Deportation Protections For Somali Nationals) Abib said he would agree with the presidents characterization of Somalia if Trump were referring to the country itself, but he rejected the idea that the Somali people are garbage, instead describing many as victims of systemic government corruption. Abib told the Caller he believes Trump would ultimately support his roadmap because it aligns with an America First approach eliminating Somali fraud and eventually welfare while strengthening allies in a strategically vital region, one that has long been plagued by piracy. There are so many Somalis ready to serve this country and clean up the corruption going in Minneapolis, corruption going in Seattle or whatever other place, Abib said. When you have a system working inside Somalia and cooperating with the United States, that is the system that you can really shut down all this nonsense. WFP and the Somali Disaster Management Agency have not responded to the Callers requests for comment as of publication. NEED TO KNOW An 11-year-old girl was shot in the head in the parking lot of an Antioch, Calif., apartment complex on Jan. 5 The girl's father recalled the heartbreaking words she told him after the shooting, as she began to lose her vision Police have identified the shooting suspect as 23-year-old Ryan Hardy, who remains at large A father is recalling the heartbreaking words his young daughter said after she was shot in the head. The 11-year-old girl, whose name has not been shared publicly by authorities, was shot in the head while sitting in her familys car in the parking lot of an Antioch, Calif., apartment complex on Jan. 5, according to the Antioch Police Department (APD). The child was admitted to an Oakland childrens hospital, and two days later, a GoFundMe that was created on her familys behalf said she is able to hear loved ones and respond by moving parts of her body when spoken to, but she has lost 100% of her vision. KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco/YouTube Speaking anonymously with The Daily Mail, the victims father recalled the moments that followed the shooting, as his daughter lost her sight. The man, who kept his identity private for safety reasons, said the young girl asked, Dad, why can't I see? The father, who described that hearing his daughter say the words was unbearable, further explained that the Jan. 5 shooting left him numb and fearful. It hurts me so much, he told The Daily Mail in Spanish. Those are words I don't think any dad could handle. "I feel like my heart is being ripped out, continued the father, who added that family is everything to him. The girls aunt, identified as Anahi Ramirez, also spoke with The Daily Mail, telling the outlet that she is in shock after the incident. I can't believe everything that's happened, she said. It's very difficult. "It's very hard to see her like that, added Ramirez. 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. Antioch Police Department Ryan Hardy, suspect in a Jan. 5 shooting in Antioch, Calif Antioch police identified the shooting suspect as Ryan Hardy "through a combination of video surveillance, witness statements, and forensic evidence." Hardy, 23, remains at large. Police warn that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The 11-year-old girls family including her three siblings is now relocating, as the suspected gunman remains at large, according to the GoFundMe. Because the attacker has not been apprehended, the family lives in constant fear of retaliation and no longer feels safe returning to their home in Antioch, the fundraiser states. Police previously said, "The family does not appear to have been the intended targets. As for the status of the young girl, the fundraiser states, "Her road ahead is uncertain and will require extensive medical care, therapy, and long-term emotional healing. The investigation into the Jan. 5 shooting is ongoing, the APD said. Read the original article on People Block of Philadelphia cream cheese with vegetables - Philadelphia Cream Cheese Philadelphia is probably the most famous brand of cream cheese in the world and rightfully so, since it actually invented cream cheese back in 1872, though it was made in New York, not in Philly. Today, the brand has a worldwide presence, but its products are not the same everywhere you go. The standard block of cream cheese that Americans are used to is not available in Europe. In Europe, the only type of Philadelphia cheese is the one in the tub. It's not only the packaging that's different, though. The two cheeses differ in ingredients (despite both being called Original Philadelphia), and as a result, they can't be used interchangeably in recipes. American block Philadelphia is commonly used in baking because it's thicker and sturdier, yielding a more compact texture that's easier to work with. European tub Philadelphia, on the other hand, is much softer and is primarily used as a spread because it's so pliable. If you were to follow an American recipe for the classic New York-style cheesecake or cream cheese frosting and simply change out the cheese for the tub version, the end result would not hold shape like the recipe intended. The main reason for that is the thickening agents used for each variety of cream cheese. Read more: 10 Cheese Storage Mistakes Everyone Makes How thickening agents differ in American and European Philadelphia cream cheese Tubs of Philadelphia cream cheese with German writing - MP_Foto/Shutterstock American brick Philadelphia uses carob bean gum as a thickener, while the European tub version uses guar gum. Carob bean gum, also known as locust gum powder, is hot soluble meaning, the cream cheese can soften with heat but will remain firm when cold. In contrast, guar gum is cold soluble, so the tub cream cheese always stays soft, no matter how long you refrigerate it. That's precisely why it's less favorable for baking. Something to keep in mind is that European Original Philadelphia is akin to American Original Cream Cheese Spread, which also uses guar gum and is also sold in the tub. So, if you're in the States and plan to bake yourself a cheesecake, definitely look for the brick cream cheese. You'll also be able to find the brick version in Australia. But what about if European Philadelphia is all you have to work with? According to some home bakers on Reddit, there are a few workarounds that might be able to mimic the thicker texture of the brick cream cheese. Some squeeze out the extra liquid with a cloth, others mix the tub cream cheese with thicker mascarpone. Some recipes call for adding cornflour as a thickening agent. For cream cheese frosting, common advice is to entirely beat the butter with sugar before adding the cheese. Best of luck. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and legislative Democrats present the finished $50.1B budget on Nov. 12, 2025. Photo: Christina Lengyel / The Center Square (The Center Square) - As Gov. Josh Shapiro prepares to present his proposal for the coming budget year, which hell make before the Pennsylvania General Assembly in February, advocacy groups and legislators are making their priorities known. A health care sector stretched especially thin has pressing demands, including, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association says, following through with recommendations laid out in the states own studies of the industry. Last month, 69 of the states Democratic House members signed onto a letter urging Shapiro to include funding increases for the homecare industry in the next budget. While commending a $21 million investment made in participant-directed care in 2025, the lawmakers urged more attention to the industry as a whole. Your administrations OLTL rate study found that agency PAS requires a 23% increasenearly double the 12% needed for participant-directed PAS, wrote the legislators. Yet only participant-directed PAS received a 10% boost in the enacted budget. Aligning next years budget with these findings would send a clear, data-driven message that agency-employed caregivers are equally valued. Agency workers make up 94% of the states home health care workforce. In-home care, for many, means the difference between living independently and life in a nursing home or institution. Yet, even when home care is available to patients through Medicaid or insurance, the availability of home care workers often leaves them high and dry. The industry has struggled to keep up with retail and service jobs that pay far higher wages, offer consistent hours, are often less emotionally taxing, and dont require significant travel. Even those who are committed to their work within the industry have a hard time staying in their roles while earning enough to support their families. These caregivers are the heart of our home and community-based services, supporting hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians every day with compassion, skill, and dedication. Their work allows countless individuals to live safely and independently in their homes, and they deserve recognition and fair compensation for the vital role they play in our communities, wrote the legislators. Key to the home care crisis are Medicaid reimbursement rates, a figure set by the state. In Pennsylvania, the rate sits at $20.63, meaning that after overhead, most workers are taking home between $13 and $16 per hour. This figure sits well below every neighboring state, from Marylands $25.58 reimbursement to New Yorks $36.31. West Virginias rate is now $26.96, up from about $19. Advocates have called for incremental adjustments and ultimately tying reimbursement rates to the cost of living to avoid falling into the same funding gap in the future. With Shapiros re-election this year and potential 2028 presidential candidacy in the balance, Pennsylvania Homecare Association CEO Mia Haney framed the issue as one of consequence for future elections in an interview with Axios. "We know that Governor Shapiro has high aspirations, and we are supportive of those aspirations to the extent that he is prioritizing his responsibilities and the need ... here in Pennsylvania," Axios reported. How Shapiro will navigate challenges like this one and other direct threats to his reputation as a leader will likely have an impact far beyond his gubernatorial future. With Pennsylvania often cast as the nations most decisive swing state, issues of health care, wages, and affordability are bound to carry considerable weight across elections in both the mid-terms and looking ahead to 2028. Five human heads were found hung on display at a tourist beach in Ecuador on Sunday, police said, as the country feels from a wave of gang violence. Images on social media showed five heads tied with ropes on two wooden posts on the beach in Puerto Lopez, a popular whale watching destination in the country's southwest. Beside them, a wooden board bore a message threatening gang members who extort protection payments known locally as "vaccine cards". "The town belongs to us. Keep robbing fishermen and demanding vaccine cards, we already have you identified," it read. At the same beach in December, at least nine people, including a baby, were killed in violence that authorities blamed on clashes between local gangs. Ecuador ended 2025 as its most violent year on record, with a homicide rate of 52 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the Ecuadorian Observatory of Organized Crime. President Daniel Noboa has pledged to fight criminal organizations that have expanded their operations in Ecuadorian territory in connection with international drug cartels. But two years of military activity have failed to stem the bloodshed. Since 2021, Ecuador has experienced growing criminal violence by gangs operating in coordination with Colombian and Mexican cartels involved in drug trafficking. Strategically located between Colombia and Peru, two of the world's largest cocaine producers, it has become a major transit hub for narcotics. Video shows ICE officer's point of view, Renee Good's last words before being shot People mocked his mangled truck, until one man stepped up to help Senate votes to hang Jan. 6 plaque after yearslong stalemate Five decapitated heads were strung up and put on display at a popular tourist beach in Ecuador on Sunday in what appeared to be a gruesome warning to gangs. The heads were suspended between two wooden poles and tied to a length of green rope on a beach in the Pacific resort of Puerto Lopez, the Ecuadorian outlet Primicias reported. A sign was found alongside the decapitated heads with a warning to gangs about extorting local fishermen, the outlet reported. The town belongs to us. Keep going out to rob the fishermen. And keep asking for vaccine cards, because we already have them all, the sign reads in part. 5 decapitated heads have been found on a popular tourist resort beach in Ecuador. Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Their decapitated bodies are yet to be found, but police were able to identify the five men. Only one of the five, 24-year-old Bernardo Ramon Medranda Mendoza, had a criminal record. Mendoza had a record for possession and carrying firearms. Ecuadors government has declared war on the drug cartels in recent years. AFP via Getty Images No arrests have been made in connection to the discovery. Puerto Lopez is currently experiencing a wave of extreme violence tied to international drug cartels. On Dec. 28, a violent shooting in front of the beach left six dead, including a baby, and three wounded. The gruesome discovery was accompanied by a warning note to gangs. Ecuador is a key hub in the global cocaine trade, located between Peru and Colombia, which produce much of the worlds supply. The countrys young, conservative president, Daniel Noboa, 38, launched an armed campaign against drug gangs two years ago. Despite that, in 2025 Ecuador experienced a record homicide rate of 52 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the Organized Crime Observatory. A senior sits in a wheelchair at a nursing home. Photo: Annabel Podevyn / Unsplash (The Center Square) Illinois residents now have until Jan. 31 to enroll in health insurance through Get Covered Illinois, as the state extends the deadline by 16 days to give consumers more time amid uncertainty over federal Affordable Care Act subsidies. State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, a practicing physician, said the extension highlights one of the core advantages of Illinois operating its own health insurance exchange rather than relying solely on the federal Healthcare.gov platform. I dont think theyre going to struggle to get enrollees, Hauter told TCS. I think that actually is probably exactly what they wanted, in that you couldnt extend the enrollment deadline with the federal plan. Get Covered Illinois says the extension gives consumers more time to compare plans amid record enrollment. Marketplace Director Morgan Winters said the state-run exchange has the authority and resources to expand access to affordable coverage. Illinois decided to go with its own system. We used to go through the federal government, but with how often the state is at odds with federal policy, lawmakers anticipated those changes and moved to Get Covered Illinois, like many other states have done. That gives Illinois more control especially in situations like this, where the state can extend enrollment deadlines multiple times, said Hauter. Hauter said flexibility matters as Illinois residents face uncertainty over federal funding and potential changes to ACA subsidies. Now that Illinois and other states are facing kind of the unknowns, changes to federal funding and to the subsidies for the ACA, being able to do it from a state administrative website has made it easier for them to extend the deadline in the face of all these changes, Hauter said. According to a news release, Illinois invested nearly $7 million in navigator grants and deployed more than 140 navigators and 9,000 certified brokers to help residents enroll through Get Covered Illinois. Hauter acknowledged that navigators can be useful, but questioned whether the states cost estimates will hold up. Id be very surprised if thats all it was, Hauter said of the $7 million figure. They say its one price, and then we find out its much more. I anticipate when the final budget numbers come out that its going to be much, much higher for the whole process. Hauter also warned that while consumers may see lower premiums through Get Covered Illinois, the state-run marketplace still carries taxpayer costs. Under the current system, Illinois residents seeking ACA coverage must enroll through Get Covered Illinois rather than Healthcare.gov. Hauter said the plans and premiums remain largely unchanged, with administration shifting from federal to state control. Theyre offering the same programs and healthcare premiums, he said. Its now being administered by Illinois instead of the federal government. Despite those concerns, Hauter said the extended enrollment period benefits patients caught between jobs, subsidies, and shifting federal policy. I think extending the enrollment deadline is good for patients, Hauter said. The state-run marketplace is more flexible, and thats probably been better for families right now. While supportive of flexibility during a period of federal uncertainty, Hauter said long-term healthcare affordability depends on moving more residents into private, employer-based insurance rather than subsidized programs. The best thing for the state is getting people onto private insurance, ideally through their employer, Hauter said. Thats better than keeping people in heavily subsidized marketplaces or Medicaid. ### US Military Exercises Increase In Puerto Rico Photo is not from story. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images) A judge sentenced a former U.S. Navy sailor convicted of espionage in August 2025 to over 16 years in prison, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a Monday press release. Jinchao Wei, also called Patrick Wei, was apprehended on espionage charges in August 2023 as he showed up for work on the amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Essex at Naval Base San Diego, according to the DOJ. Prosecutors accused Wei of selling national defense information to an intelligence officer employed by the Peoples Republic of China. A federal grand jury later indicted him. He has now been sentenced to 200 months behind bars. The jury found Wei guilty of six crimes, among them conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of, and conspiracy to export, technical data related to defense articles in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Wei was a machinists mate with a U.S. security clearance and was privy to sensitive national defense data regarding the vessels weapons, propulsion and desalination equipment, according to evidence put forward during his trial. (RELATED: Elderly Lady Donates Late Husbands War Possessions, Good Will Calls In Bomb Squad) Wei sent images and footage of the U.S.S. Essex to the Chinese intelligence officer who recruited him via social media in February 2022 and portrayed himself as a naval enthusiast employed by the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, according to the DOJ. From March 2022 and his apprehension, Wei sent images and footage of the U.S.S. Essex to the officer. He also detailed issues with the ship and sent technical and operational information about surface warfare ships such as the Essex to his contact despite telling a friend he was suspicious of the contacts true identity and motive, the DOJ said. Wei received $12,000 over the course of 18 months in return for the information. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reiterated that the U.S. will not tolerate such behavior. Members of the United States military swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, he said. This active-duty U.S. Navy sailor betrayed his country and compromised the national security of the United States. The Justice Department will not tolerate this behavior. We stand ready to investigate, defend, and protect the interests of the American people. Ahead of his sentencing, Wei wrote a letter to the judge apologizing for his actions, CBS News reported. The former petty officer second class said introversion and loneliness compromised his thinking. Prosecutors said Wei was born in China and was first contacted by the intelligence officer while working to get U.S. citizenship, according to USA Today. He was not convicted on a count of naturalization fraud. LONDON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The global gas turbine market has demonstrated strong and consistent growth over the past few years, reflecting its critical role in modern power generation and industrial applications. Valued at USD 13,379.41 million in 2018, the market expanded significantly to reach USD 27,358.34 million by 2024, driven by rising electricity demand, rapid industrialization, and the growing need for efficient and reliable energy solutions. Gas turbines are widely favored for their high power-to-weight ratio, operational flexibility, and ability to support both base-load and peak-load power generation, making them an essential component in power plants, oil & gas facilities, and large-scale industrial operations worldwide. Looking ahead, the market is poised for substantial expansion, with revenues projected to reach USD 54,957.00 million by 2032, growing at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.49% during the forecast period. This anticipated growth is supported by increasing investments in natural gas-based power generation, the transition from coal to cleaner fuel sources, and technological advancements that enhance turbine efficiency and reduce emissions. Additionally, the integration of gas turbines with renewable energy systems to ensure grid stability is expected to further accelerate adoption, positioning the global gas turbine market as a key pillar in the evolving global energy landscape. Key Growth Determinants The growth of the global gas turbine market is primarily driven by the rising demand for reliable and efficient power generation across both developed and emerging economies. Rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and increasing electricity consumption are placing significant pressure on existing power infrastructure, encouraging governments and private utilities to invest in advanced gas turbine-based power plants. Compared to conventional coal-fired systems, gas turbines offer faster start-up times, higher operational flexibility, and lower capital costs, making them an attractive solution for meeting peak and base-load power requirements. Another crucial growth determinant is the global shift toward cleaner energy sources and stricter environmental regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Natural gas, which is the primary fuel for gas turbines, emits significantly fewer pollutants than coal or oil, supporting national and international decarbonization goals. Continuous technological advancementssuch as improved turbine efficiency, enhanced combined-cycle systems, and digital monitoring solutionsare further strengthening market growth by reducing operational costs and extending equipment lifespan. Additionally, the increasing integration of gas turbines with renewable energy systems to balance intermittent power generation is reinforcing their importance in ensuring grid stability, thereby accelerating market adoption over the forecast period. Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gas-turbines-market Key Growth Barriers Despite strong growth prospects, the global gas turbine market faces several challenges that may restrain its expansion over the forecast period. One of the primary barriers is the high initial capital investment required for gas turbine installation and associated infrastructure. Costs related to advanced turbine technology, combined-cycle configurations, and grid integration can be substantial, particularly for developing economies with limited financial resources. Additionally, ongoing maintenance and repair expenses, along with the need for skilled technical personnel, further increase the total cost of ownership, discouraging small-scale and budget-constrained end users. Another significant growth barrier is the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, which are becoming more cost-competitive due to technological advancements and favorable government policies. In some regions, aggressive renewable energy targets and subsidies have reduced investments in conventional gas-based power generation. Furthermore, fluctuations in natural gas prices and uncertainties in fuel supply can impact the economic viability of gas turbine projects. Environmental concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions and regulatory pressures to achieve net-zero targets, may also limit long-term market growth, especially in regions prioritizing fully renewable and carbon-free energy systems. Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gas-turbines-market Key Market Trends The global gas turbine market is witnessing notable technological and operational shifts aimed at improving efficiency, flexibility, and environmental performance. One of the most prominent trends is the increasing adoption of combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) systems, which significantly enhance power generation efficiency by utilizing waste heat to produce additional electricity. Power utilities and industrial users are increasingly investing in advanced CCGT plants to optimize fuel consumption, reduce operating costs, and comply with stringent emission regulations. Additionally, the integration of digital solutions such as predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and artificial intelligencebased performance optimization is transforming gas turbine operations by minimizing downtime and extending equipment life cycles. Another key trend shaping the market is the growing role of gas turbines as a balancing and backup solution for renewable energy integration. As wind and solar power generation expands globally, the need for fast-ramping and flexible power sources has intensified to address intermittency challenges. Gas turbines, with their rapid start-up and load-following capabilities, are increasingly deployed to stabilize power grids and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. Furthermore, the development of hydrogen-ready and low-emission gas turbines is gaining momentum, reflecting industry efforts to align with long-term decarbonization goals. These evolving trends are expected to strengthen the strategic importance of gas turbines within the global energy transition framework. Segmentation By Turbine Design Type Heavy-Duty Gas Turbines Aero-Derivative Gas Turbines By Application (Energy & Power Only) Power Generation Industrial Power & Captive Generation Oil & Gas (Non-propulsion) By End-User Utility Companies Independent Power Producers (IPPs) Oil & Gas Companies Industrial & Commercial Users By Technology Simple Cycle Combined Cycle Cogeneration (CHP) By Capacity Range Below 50 MW 50200 MW Above 200 MW By Fuel Type Natural Gas Hydrogen-Blended Gas Synthetic & Low-Carbon Fuels Dual-Fuel By Component Combustion Systems Turbine Blades & Rotors Compressors Generators Control & Monitoring Systems Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs) Based on the Geography: North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe UK France Germany Italy Spain Russia Belgium Netherlands Austria Sweden Poland Denmark Switzerland Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan South Korea India Australia Thailand Indonesia Vietnam Malaysia Philippines Taiwan Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Peru Chile Colombia Rest of Latin America Middle East UAE KSA Israel Turkey Iran Rest of Middle East Africa Egypt Nigeria Algeria Morocco Rest of Africa Regional Analysis North America holds a significant share of the market, driven by the region's well-established power generation infrastructure and abundant natural gas reserves. The United States, in particular, continues to invest heavily in gas-based power plants as part of its transition away from coal-fired generation. The replacement of aging power infrastructure, coupled with the need for flexible and efficient power systems to support renewable energy integration, is sustaining steady demand for gas turbines across the region. Europe represents another prominent market, supported by strict environmental regulations and a strong focus on reducing carbon emissions. Many European countries are adopting gas turbines as a cleaner alternative to coal and oil, especially in combined-cycle power plants. The region is also witnessing increasing investments in hydrogen-ready gas turbines as part of long-term decarbonization strategies. However, market growth in Europe is relatively moderate compared to emerging regions, due to market maturity and the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period, driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and rising electricity demand in countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asian nations. Expanding manufacturing activities, large-scale infrastructure projects, and increasing investments in power generation capacity are fueling the adoption of gas turbines. Additionally, supportive government policies aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing air pollution are accelerating the shift toward natural gas-based power generation in this region. Tailor the report to align with your specific business needs and gain targeted insights. Request Here - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gas-turbines-market Credence Research's Competitive Landscape Analysis According to Credence Research, the global gas turbine market is characterized by moderate to high competition, with the presence of several well-established multinational players alongside regional and niche manufacturers. Leading companies continue to dominate the market through strong brand recognition, extensive product portfolios, and long-standing relationships with utilities, industrial operators, and government bodies. Market leaders such as GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, and Ansaldo Energia maintain their competitive edge by investing heavily in research and development, focusing on high-efficiency turbines, combined-cycle systems, and low-emission technologies. These players leverage advanced engineering capabilities and global service networks to secure long-term maintenance and service contracts, which significantly contribute to recurring revenues. Strategic initiatives such as technological innovation, capacity expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships remain central to competitive positioning in the market. Companies are increasingly developing hydrogen-ready and fuel-flexible gas turbines to align with global decarbonization goals and future energy transition pathways. Additionally, digitalization has emerged as a key differentiator, with leading manufacturers integrating data analytics, artificial intelligence, and predictive maintenance solutions to enhance turbine performance and reduce lifecycle costs for end users. Regional players, particularly in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, are strengthening competition by offering cost-competitive solutions and customized products tailored to local energy requirements. Credence Research further notes that aftermarket services, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), play a crucial role in shaping the competitive landscape. As a large installed base of gas turbines continues to age, demand for efficiency upgrades and life-extension services is increasing, providing significant growth opportunities for both global and regional players. Overall, competition in the gas turbine market is expected to intensify over the forecast period, driven by evolving regulatory standards, the push for cleaner energy solutions, and continuous technological advancements aimed at improving efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability. Key Player Analysis General Electric Siemens Energy Mitsubishi Power Ansaldo Energia MAN Energy Solutions Recent Industry Developments In February 2025, Siemens Energy expanded its gas turbine manufacturing operations in Houston, Texas. The new facility focuses on advanced, high-efficiency turbines for combined-cycle and peaking plants. The expansion supports flexible, lower-emission power generation as utilities shift cleaner energy mixes. The project is expected to create about 400 skilled jobs and strengthen U.S. turbine manufacturing capacity. expanded its gas turbine manufacturing operations in Houston, Texas. The new facility focuses on advanced, high-efficiency turbines for combined-cycle and peaking plants. The expansion supports flexible, lower-emission power generation as utilities shift cleaner energy mixes. The project is expected to create about 400 skilled jobs and strengthen U.S. turbine manufacturing capacity. In November 2025, Aster Power announced a USD 150 million investment in a hydrogen-ready gas turbine. The design integrates heat recovery with chemical units at its energy and petrochemical hub. The project targets fuel flexibility and lower carbon intensity. announced a USD 150 million investment in a hydrogen-ready gas turbine. The design integrates heat recovery with chemical units at its energy and petrochemical hub. The project targets fuel flexibility and lower carbon intensity. In July 2025, Crusoe secured 29 LM2500XPRESS aeroderivative gas turbine packages from GE Vernova . The turbines will power high-density data centers. The deal highlights rising turbine demand from AI infrastructure growth. secured 29 LM2500XPRESS aeroderivative gas turbine packages from . The turbines will power high-density data centers. The deal highlights rising turbine demand from AI infrastructure growth. In April 2025, GE Vernova introduced the AGP XPAND upgrade for 9E.03 gas turbines. The solution enhances efficiency and output through advanced gas path improvements. Operators can extend turbine life with reduced downtime. In February 2025, Morocco's ONEE awarded Mitsubishi Power a contract for two M701JAC turbines. The Al Wahda plant will add 990 MW to the national grid. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2027, supporting renewable integration. awarded a contract for two M701JAC turbines. The Al Wahda plant will add 990 MW to the national grid. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2027, supporting renewable integration. In March 2023, GE deployed a high-efficiency gas turbine at the 435 MW Tallawarra power station in Sydney. The unit reduces natural gas consumption while maintaining output. The project supports Australia's cleaner power goals. In January 2023, Mitsubishi Power received an order for an H-25 gas turbine for Taiwan's Chang Chun petrochemical project. The company also upgraded the Miaoli Factory cogeneration system. The conversion improved efficiency and lowered CO emissions. Reasons to Purchase this Report: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the market through qualitative and quantitative analyses, considering both economic and non-economic factors, with segmentation and sub-segmentation details provided in terms of market value (USD Billion). Identify regions and segments expected to experience the fastest growth or dominate the market, with a detailed analysis of geographic consumption patterns and the factors driving or hindering market performance in each region. Stay informed about the competitive environment, with rankings of major players, recent product and service launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions from the past five years. Access detailed profiles of major market players, including company overviews, insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis, to understand competitive advantages and market positioning. Explore the present and forecasted market landscape, with insights into growth opportunities, market drivers, challenges, and constraints for both developed and emerging regions. Benefit from Porter's Five Forces analysis and Value Chain insights to evaluate various market perspectives and competitive dynamics. Understand the evolving market scenario, including potential growth opportunities and trends expected in the coming years. Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gas-turbines-market Discover additional reports tailored to your industry needs Organic Waste Converter Machine Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/organic-waste-converter-machine-market Oilfield Equipment Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/oilfield-equipment-market Oil Immersed Current Transformer Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/oil-immersed-current-transformer-market Telecom Power Systems Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/telecom-power-systems-market Solar Powered Gadgets Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/solar-powered-gadgets-market Software Turbine Control System Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/software-turbine-control-system-market Follow Us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/credenceresearch/ https://x.com/CredenceResearc https://www.facebook.com/CredenceResearch About Us: Credence Research is a viable intelligence and market research platform that provides quantitative B2B research to more than 2000 clients worldwide and is built on the Give principle. The company is a market research and consulting firm serving governments, non-legislative associations, non-profit organizations, and various organizations worldwide. We help our clients improve their execution in a lasting way and understand their most imperative objectives. Contact Us Credence Research Inc Tower C-1105 , S 25, Akash Tower, Vishal Nahar, Pimple Nilakh, Haveli, Pune 411027, India Europe - +44 7453 598 606 US Phone: +1 6282 627 656 [email protected] www.credenceresearch.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562161/5715879/Credence_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Credence Research Inc. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield attend the "Nymphes D'Or - Golden Nymphs" Nominees Party during the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 19, 2023, in Monaco. NEED TO KNOW Melissa Gilbert met director Timothy Busfield at a bar in 2012 The Little House on the Prairie star and the Thirtysomething actor got married in April 2013 On Jan. 9, the Albuquerque Police Department issued an arrest warrant against Busfield, who faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse Melissa Gilbert's husband Timothy Busfield is facing allegations of child sex abuse. The Little House on the Prairie star and the Thirtysomething actor got married in 2013, nearly one year after meeting at a bar. Both of them had been married twice before and welcomed children with their previous partners. On Jan. 9, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) issued an arrest warrant against Busfield, alleging that he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two child actors, whom he met on the set of FOX's The Cleaning Lady, which he had joined as a director. According to the warrant, one of the 11-year-old twins alleged that the incidents began several years earlier, when he was 7 years old. The warrant states that Officer Marvin Brown conducted a phone interview with Busfield on Nov. 3, 2025, during which Gilbert listened via speakerphone when her husband allegedly said the boys parents were upset their children had been replaced by a younger actor. Warner Bros. Television released a statement to PEOPLE via a representative, saying that the "health and safety of our cast and crew" is always their "top priority," and that they would "cooperate with law enforcement" through the investigation. Busfield faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. Reps for Busfield and Gilbert did not respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. So who is Melissa Gilbert's husband? Here's everything to know about Timothy Busfield. He is an actor and director Arturo Holmes/ABC via Getty Timothy Busfield After graduating from East Tennessee State University in 1979, per his LinkedIn, Busfield began his career in Hollywood in the '80s and has been working across film and television since. He is most known for appearing as Danny Concannon in NBC's The West Wing and ABC's Thirtysomething, for which he won an Emmy Award in 1991 for his role as Elliot Weston. Busfield has also directed across television series, including an episode of NBC's This Is Us and several of NBC's The Night Shift. Outside of their Hollywood careers, Gilbert and Busfield launched a podcast together in 2020. He has three children Noam Galai/Getty Timothy Busfield visits People Now on Feb. 19, 2020, in New York Busfield is a father of three: sons Wilson and Samuel, and daughter Daisy. According to his Instagram, Wilson goes by Willy and is a cinematographer. In November 2021, Busfield shared a photo of Willy and his wife, Angella, on their wedding day. Samuel and Daisy keep their personal lives out of the spotlight. Meanwhile, Gilbert is also the mother of two adult sons, Dakota, whom she welcomed with ex-husband Bo Brinkman, and Michael, whom she shares with ex-husband Bruce Boxleitner. Busfield and Gilbert are grandparents to eight grandchildren through their blended family. He married Gilbert in 2013, one year after first meeting Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield attend the "Nymphes D'Or - Golden Nymphs" Award Ceremony during the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 20, 2023, in Monaco. Gilbert and Busfield met at a bar in 2012 and got engaged during the holiday season that year. On April 24, 2013, they got married in a small ceremony at the historic San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, Calif. The pair then lived in Busfield's hometown of Howell, Mich., for five years before moving to New York together. Busfield is facing an arrest warrant for alleged child sex abuse Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Timothy Busfield poses at the 34th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Feb. 7, 2019, in Santa Barbara, Calif. Busfield is currently facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. According to an arrest warrant issued by the APD and obtained by PEOPLE on Jan. 9, authorities allege that the director engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two 11-year-old twin boys. One of the minors, whose identity was withheld, alleged that the incidents began when he was 7 years old. Authorities launched an investigation in early November 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) reported suspected sexual abuse. According to the warrant, the boys' parents said their sons were child actors who met and grew close to Busfield on the set of The Cleaning Lady, where he served as a director. Their parents told the officer that they both discovered that there were allegations against Timothy of "sexual assault against both women and minors." After the father was told that "there had been multiple rumors that Timothy had been 'handsy' with women," the siblings' mother asked her sons if anyone had ever touched them in a manner that had made them feel uncomfortable. Per the warrant, the children allegedly responded by asking, "You mean like Uncle Tim?' " The parents said an attorney advised them to take the boys to UNMH, where professionals indicated the children may have been "groomed," per the warrant, which states that Busfield has faced prior sexual assault allegations dating back to 1994, though they did not result in charges. 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 Music executive Antonio Marquis "L.A." Reid has averted a trial by settling a 2023 lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and harassment in the early 2000s. On Jan. 12, U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas signed an order, reviewed by USA TODAY, dismissing Drew Dixon's lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. Earlier that day, Dixon's and Reid's lawyers submitted a joint stipulation of voluntary dismissal. The trial was scheduled to begin the morning of Jan. 12. The terms of the parties' settlement were not made public. "Mr. Reid has amicably resolved this matter with Ms. Dixon without any admission of liability," Reid's attorney, Imran H. Ansari, said in a statement to USA TODAY. Chairman and CEO of Epic Records L.A. Reid speaks onstage at EpicFest 2016 at Sony Studios on June 25, 2016, in Los Angeles. In a statement to USA TODAY, Kenya Davis, Dixon's attorney and partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, called Dixon "an extraordinarily talented music executive" and added that "this resolution will empower her to move forward with her creative pursuits on her own terms with her reputation, her voice, and her career reaffirmed. I, for one, cannot wait to see what she does next." Describing Dixon as "one of the most courageous and outspoken supporters of survivors of sexual abuse," Davis said the Adult Survivors Act advocate "has helped shift the balance of power in the music industry, creating a path to justice for survivors." Davis concluded, "We would like to thank the many individuals who generously spent their time and energy getting prepared for the trial that would have begun today, including Roy Lott, John Legend, and Aku Orraca-Tetteh." Accuser Drew Dixon hopes for 'a safer music business' after lawsuit settlement Dixon, who has also alleged Russell Simmons raped her while she was an executive at Def Jam Records, has credits on Whitney Houston's album "My Love Is Your Love" and 1995's "The Show: The Soundtrack." In her 2023 lawsuit, Dixon claimed that Reid sexually assaulted her twice in 2001, when he was the CEO of Arista Records and she was vice president of A&R. After rejecting his advances, she alleged, he retaliated "by punishing the artists Ms. Dixon had already signed" and "blocking the artists she attempted to sign." In a statement shared by Davis, Dixon said, in part: "I hope my work as an advocate for the Adult Survivors Act helps to bring us closer to a safer music business for everyone. In a world where good news is often hard to find, I hope for survivors that today is a ray of light peeking through the clouds." The statement continued, "Music has always been my greatest source of comfort and joy. Even as a kid, I had an uncanny knack for predicting the next cool artist or album, the more eclectic the better. While I have focused on sexual assault advocacy in recent years, I have never stopped fighting for my place in this industry. I have big ideas for future projects that will be guided by creativity and integrity." Between 2022 and 2023, New York City's Adult Survivors Act gave victims of sexual abuse a one-year window for claims that would otherwise be barred by time limits. Reid, who helped skyrocket Usher, Mariah Carey and OutKast into new tiers of stardom, left his chairman post at Epic Records in May 2017, Variety reported at the time. Days later, Billboard reported that an employee had accused Reid of harassment. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Espanol RAINN.org/es. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: L.A. Reid settles sexual assault lawsuit on the verge of trial John Nacion/Variety via Getty Marcello Hernandez and Isabel Cancela at SNL50: The Homecoming Concert on February 14, 2025 in New York. NEED TO KNOW Marcello Hernandez's mom and dad are from Cuba and the Dominican Republic, respectively His parents inspire his comedy, especially his mom, Isabel His mom has appeared in a T-Mobile ad with him Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernandez is frequently inspired by his parents. Hernandez whose first Netflix comedy special, Marcello Hernandez: American Boy debuted in January 2026 was born and raised in Miami by his mom and dad, who are from Cuba and the Dominican Republic, respectively. Hernandez often references his upbringing in his comedy, taking inspiration from his culture and his mom in particular for his sets. A lot of the jokes I say and the stuff that I write has to do with our relationship growing up, the SNL star told Variety in August 2024 of his mother. She went through a lot to get to the U.S. and to make a name and a world for herself, so I respect her very much and I trust her judgment. In fact, one of Hernandez's breakout SNL moments was when his "Protective Mom" sketch inspired by his own mother became one of the top five most-watched live sketches of season 48. From how they provide content for his comedy sketches to starring in commercials alongside him, here's everything to know about Marcello Hernandez's mom Isabel and dad. Hernandez's mom is from Cuba and his dad is from the Dominican Republic Marcello Hernandez/ Instagram Marcello Hernandez with his mother Isabel backstage of the 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' show. Hernandez has roots in two countries, with his mom immigrating from Cuba and his dad from the Dominican Republic. The comedian joked during his 2022 Montreal Just For Laughs stand up set that them being from those two countries "means that they are divorced." "It doesn't work out," he said. "They came to America with the same idea, just a little bit different. My mom got here and she was like, 'Oh my god, look at all of these opportunities.' " "And then my dad got here and was like 'Oh my gosh, look at all of these opportunities. This is not a place to be married, this is the land of opportunities,' " Hernandez jokingly continued. Per Variety, Isabel fled Cuba with her family when she was 12 years old and moved to Spain and the Dominican Republic before coming to the U.S. alone. She put herself through college and graduated while she was pregnant with Hernandez. His parents weren't afraid to scold Hernandez when he complained Marcello Hernandez/ Instagram Marcello Hernandez with his mother Isabel at Super Bowl LVIII between the San Fransico 49ers and Kansas City Cheifs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Coming from an immigrant family that faced hardship along their journey to the U.S., Hernandez's parents didn't shy away from putting their son in his place when he complained as a child. During his Just For Laughs set, Hernandez joked that he could never talk back to his mom the way other kids might because "I have a Cuban mom that escaped communism." "The only reason I know that is because she told me every morning," he said. "For me, it's 'Good morning Marcello, have a great day, but just remember ... I free you.' " The comedian continued the bit, joking that in his household, he wasn't allowed to have a bad day, or it'd be compared to his mother's struggles. For example, if he came from school and said he struggled that day, his mom would respond, "'What happened that was so bad? Did somebody steal your freedom today?' " Isabel inspired his famous SNL sketch Getty Pedro Pascal as Mama and Marcello Hernandez during the "Protective Mom 2" sketch on 'Saturday Night Live' Saturday, October 21, 2023. In February 2023, Hernandez's "Protective Mom" SNL sketch featuring Pedro Pascal went viral. The comedian played a man who introduces his new girlfriend (Chloe Fineman) to his Latina mom (Pascal). His mom has many questions and is doubtful of the relationship until Chloe's character curries her favor when she asks to say grace. Hernandez wrote the sketch after Pascal had the idea to play "his protective mother," The Last of Us actor told Variety. Though the bit isn't "physically" based on Isabel, Hernandez said during an October 2023 appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers that he had her antics in mind when writing. "One of the pieces of the sketch is that my mother doesn't believe in ADD, so one of the lines is 'My son don't have ADD, he just like to jump,' " Hernandez said. "So that kind of sounds like her." He often talks about his parents in his stand-up shows Getty Marcello Hernandez and his mother Isabel attend Variety's 2024 Power of Young Hollywood party at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, in Santa Monica, California, August 8, 2024. Hernandez's experience as a son of immigrant parents comes up often in his stand-up bits, including his debut set on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In the performance, Hernandez jokes that his parents have "different levels of English" and that leads to some interesting conversation. "I brought my dad to SNL recently, and all the writers were like, 'It's so nice to meet you,' " he said. "And my dad's response was, 'Me too.' " He went on to share that his mom is "much better" at English and is even somewhat of a "philosopher" with the "most interesting" questions. "One day at dinner, she asked me, she looks at me and she goes, 'Marcello, what's the difference between a butt dial and a booty call?' " he joked. "I was like, 'Wow that is an amazing question. Touche, my queen. I don't know.' " Isabel appeared in a T-Mobile ad with him Getty Marcello Hernandez attends La Cena Los Angeles at NeueHouse Hollywood on January 05, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Isabel has often joined Hernandez on various red carpets and been by his side for important events, but in October 2024, she also starred in a commercial alongside him. T-Mobile posted a TikTok of the two getting ready to shoot the spot, including behind-the-scenes footage of Hernandez pestering his mom by shoving mics in her face, to which she responded, "Stop, stop, stop." In another segment, Isabel tosses her hair back and says, "I feel famous." Later in the clip, she compliments Hernandez by saying he looks "cute" and has a job. He shouted out his mom during his first late night show appearance Getty Marcello Hernandez's mother Isabel supports her son in the audience of 'The Late Night Show with Seth Meyers'. Hernandez made his first late night appearance in October 2023 on Late Night with Seth Meyers. During the segment, one of the first things he did was shout out his mom, who was sitting in the audience. "Mom very quickly I just want to say, I'm so grateful for you and everything that you've sacrificed for me in my life," he said. "Everything I do, including this, is always for you." He went on to say, in Spanish, that he loves her with all of his heart. The camera then panned to Isabel, who was tearing up. Meyers went on to joke that he met her backstage and asked if she was proud of her son, to which she responded, "Eh." "That sounds like her," Hernandez admitted while laughing. Read the original article on People After declaring Iran was in "big trouble" and close to crossing a red line over its crackdown on anti-government protests, members of President Donald Trump's national security team met at the White House Tuesday morning to discuss his options for intervention in the Islamic Republic, although press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump himself did not attend. One U.S. official tells ABC News that among the options under consideration are new sanctions against key regime figures or against Irans energy or banking sectors. In an online post Monday, Trump said he was already prepared to impose a 25% tariff against "any country doing business with Iran" on "any and all business being done with the United States of America." Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP - PHOTO: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt listens as President Donald Trump speaks to reporters while in flight on Air Force One to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 11, 2026. Former U.S. officials say other options likely to land on the presidents desk would range from large-scale military attacks to more targeted strikes on specific Iranian leaders or police infrastructure that have helped the Iranian government allegedly violently put down protests. The U.S. also is likely to consider cyberattacks against the government, as well as online "influence operations" aimed at boosting the messaging of protesters online and undermining the Iranian government. "I think 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 on the table for the commander in chief. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president, Leavitt told reporters on Monday. Sen. Rand Paul warns bombing Iran 'not the answer' to protests against regime At the same time, Leavitt said the Iran regimes public messaging is different from the private messaging being communicated to the White House. "I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages. However, with that said, the president has shown he's unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary," Leavitt added. Mick Mulroy, an ABC News contributor who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East at the Pentagon, said the president would likely receive an intelligence assessment on the impact of a direct military strike and whether it could lead to regime change. "I believe if they chose to move forward [on a military strike] it will be focused on regime targets specific to controlling, or oppressing, the protests," he said. That would include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Basij forces or other internal security elements, he said, which have been blamed for the deaths of the protestors. Leavitt said Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, is negotiating directly with Trumps Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Araghchi on Monday had said Iran is "prepared" for war with the United States but also open to diplomatic negotiations. The Associated Press - Iran Protests Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the communication channel between Araghchi and Witkoff "remains open" and "whenever necessary, messages are exchanged through that channel," in remarks made during a televised meeting in Tehran. ABC News - PHOTO: Special Envoy Steve Witkoff speaks with ABC News while appearing on This Week, May 18, 2025. He added that "certain points and ideas have been presented by the other side," referring to the U.S. Last Friday, amid reports of protesters being killed in Iran, Trump told reporters that Iran was in "big trouble" and that the government in Tehran "better not start shooting because well start shooting, too. "We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts. And that doesn't mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts, he added. Aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, Trump said Iranian officials had called him over the weekend to negotiate and indicated a potential meeting is in the works. "They want to negotiate. I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States," he added. "We may meet with them. I mean -- a 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," Trump said. Iranian leader, Trump trade threats as activists say protest deaths rising Among those the White House said attended Tuesday's principals meeting were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The State Department said Rubio spoke by phone this weekend to his counterparts in France and Cyprus to discuss the ongoing protests in Iran. Rubio also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the events unfolding in Iran, an Israeli official told ABC News. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with oil company executives in the East Room of the White House in Washington, January 9, 2026. The State Department has been posting in Farsi in recent days on X, including one post warning Tehran: "Don't play games with President Trump." But another major military operation in Iran is considered by experts to be less likely by Trump than other options because of the risks involved. There are currently 30,000 U.S. troops deployed to the Middle East and Persian Gulf region, including 2,500 in Iraq and 1,000 in Syria. The Pentagon would likely want to move additional assets to the area to help protect those troops against possible retaliatory strikes. There are six Navy ships in the region, including three guided missile destroyers, which would be capable of defending troops against ballistic missile threats. Currently, there is no aircraft carrier in either the Middle East or Europe, with the USS Gerald Ford and its strike group currently in the Caribbean Sea after being moved there from the Mediterranean to help conduct operations in Venezuela. ABC News' Steve Beynon and Lalee Ibsaa contributed to this report. Missing Chicago special education teacher Linda Brown found dead in Lake Michigan. A womans body that was dredged out of Lake Michigan on Monday was that of a missing special education teacher from Chicago, officials confirmed. Linda Brown, 53, was found dead in Lake Michigan near the South Side of Chicago just before noon Monday, according to the Chicago Police Department. The Cook County Medical Examiners Office confirmed that the recovered corpse was Brown, a local teacher who vanished over a week ago after a cozy movie night with her husband, Antwon. Linda Brown, 53, was found dead in Lake Michigan on Monday. Family Handout Browns distraught family also positively IDd the body and told ABC 7 in a text message that they are all absolutely heartbroken. Brown was last seen on Jan. 3 in the 4500 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Bronzeville, about two miles southwest of the White Soxs Rate Field, according to police. At the time, she was behind the wheel of a blue 2021 Honda Civic and presumably en route to her weekly acupuncture appointment. Brown was reported missing on Jan. 3. NBC Chicago Investigators discovered her abandoned car near East 35th Street and South Lake Park Avenue on Jan. 7 just two miles away from where she was last seen. On Friday afternoon, police said that they recovered surveillance video that showed Brown in the same area where her car was located. Her family told ABC 7 that in the video, Brown is seen walking alone over a pedestrian bridge that leads to the lakefront around 3 a.m. Saturday. Browns husband, Antwon, begged for her safe return. Family Handout Antwon said that he broke down when he woke up early Saturday morning and realized Brown was nowhere to be found. I dont know what to do. Ive done everything. Im talking to people, weve got people searching for her. Im out of options, Antwon pleaded. Police are still investigating Browns death and awaiting autopsy results. Its unclear how Brown wound up in the water. Her cause of death has not been announced. A Virginia man imprisoned in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks for encouraging young Muslim men to travel to the Middle East and defend Afghanistan had his final convictions overturned by a federal appeals court, the latest development in a major 20-year legal battle over free speech. "The First Amendments protection does not depend on the popularity or palatability of the message conveyed," the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Jan. 9. "On the contrary, it is most vital when speech offends, disturbs or challenges prevailing sensibilities." Geremy Kamens, a federal public defender who represents Ali Al-Timimi in the long-running legal fight, said his team was "incredibly relieved and gratified by this decision." "When courts refuse to allow convictions based merely on the expression of ideas no matter how alarming those ideas may be to some they vindicate the First Amendments core promise and demonstrate the strength of our system of government," he said. Thomas Huff, who represented Al-Timimi for several years, echoed Kamens comments, saying he was "thrilled" that the court "secured justice for our client in a remarkably high-profile case that implicated a number of sensitive and emotionally charged issues." The ruling is an "important victory for free expression, and an overdue repudiation of the government overreach that marked the post-9/11 era," Brian Hauss, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, told USA TODAY. "Were glad the court stood firmly behind the First Amendment," he said. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia declined to comment on the matter. U.S. marks 24th anniversary of 9/11 terror attacks. See the memorials. The United States flag is unfurled at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2025, in Arlington, VA. On Sept. 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon, killing 184 people. How this case unfolded Prior to the 2001 attacks, Al-Timimi was a lecturer at the Dar al-Arqam Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia, which he helped establish, the court's opinion said. He was "viewed as a respected elder and a person knowledgeable about Islam," and the center fostered young Muslim mens connections with each other and Al-Timimi, the court said. A group of them "began making preparations to engage in jihad in the form of combat," which included playing paintball for training purposes, at least as early as 2000, the court's opinion said. At a gathering of one of their homes on Sept. 16, 2001, Al-Timimi told the group they needed to "repent," leave the country and "join the mujahideen," according to testimony one of the men gave during the trial and included in the appellate court's ruling. The man reported that Al-Timimi said "it doesnt matter if we fight the Indians or the Russians or the Americans, that this is all legitimate jihad" and that it was "obligatory on all Muslims to go and defend Afghanistan." He also encouraged them, according to the court, to go to Pakistan to "join the LET and get some training from the LET camps," a reference to Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, a Pakistan-based militant group that the United States designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 2001. Several men in the group ultimately went to Pakistan and trained at the camps, though they never "made it to Afghanistan or anywhere else to engage in combat," the court said. A 20-year legal fight Numerous people associated with Dar al-Arqam were investigated in the years following the 2001 terrorist attacks, and Al-Timimi was ultimately indicted by a grand jury on 10 counts in 2004. The charges included soliciting others to levy war against the United States, attempting to contribute services to the Taliban and encouraging others to support the Taliban. Al-Timimi was found guilty on all charges, and he was sentenced to life in prison in July 2005. He appealed the convictions shortly after sentencing, the court said, though a "multitude of procedural detours" led to the 20-year span between his appeal and the decision to overturn the convictions. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Al-Timimi was released from prison and put on house arrest. A district judge overturned three of Al-Timimi's convictions in 2024, but he remained on house arrest to complete other sentences. Keeping convictions would 'undermine the rule of law,' court says Judge James Wynn, who wrote the appellate court panels opinion, noted that the government may only imprison someone for their speech if it is unprotected by the First Amendment, which includes speech that incites violence or facilitates specific crimes. The panel ruled that Al-Timimi's speech did not reach those standards because his comments were "vague and general" and he "did not help anyone to commit crimes," though he did "encourage them." "But the most that he did to further the commission of these crimes was to advise individuals in quite general terms on how to react to the September 11 attacks: Leave the United States, '[j]oin the mujahideen,' and fight India or Russia or the United States," the court said. Its not the first time the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on cases centered on inflammatory speech. Hauss referred to the opinion in Al-Timimi's case as a "companion piece" to the courts 1997 opinion in Rice v. Paladin Enterprises, Inc. In that ruling, the court said the First Amendment did not protect a publisher against liability in a murder case after publishing a book with instructions on carrying out a hit job. Ultimately, the judges said in their ruling, allowing Al-Timimi's convictions to stand "would be to endorse a system in which speech may be punished simply because it alarms, offends or challenges prevailing norms." "The result would undermine the rule of law by allowing constitutional protections to fluctuate with political and social pressures," he wrote. "Our Constitution does not tolerate such a result." BrieAnna Frank is a First Amendment reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at bjfrank@usatoday.com. USA TODAY's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Muslim man's convictions in 9/11 free speech case overturned A doctor reviews paperwork with a senior male patient in an office. Photo: DC Studio / Freepik (The Center Square) - The federal government dolled out $50 billion to the states to support rural health care at the end of 2025, with Nevadas sum the eighth lowest at $180 million. The rural cash influx will go toward infrastructural upgrades in some of Nevada's most neglected hospitals. It comes shortly after an estimated $553 million in Medicaid was cut from the states rural areas over the next 10 years. This is the most money we've ever invested in rural healthcare in my lifetime, said Gerald Ackerman, director of the Nevada State Office of Rural Health and Assistant Dean at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Ackerman has worked in Nevadas rural health care for over 35 years. So I think this is a wonderful opportunity over the next five years for states to work with local communities, to work with urban communities," Ackerman told The Center Square. The $180 million, announced Dec. 29, comes from the $50 billion national Rural Health Transformation Program fund included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July. The budget reconciliation bill also cut an estimated $911 billion in Medicaid over the next 10 years. The $50 billion from the RHTP makes up slightly more than one-third of Medicaids 10-year $137 billion rural spending across the country, as per a Kaiser Family Foundation study. In Nevada, the $180 million RHTP grant designated for the next five years is less than a third of the $553 million rural Medicaid the state would lose over a 10-year period, according to the KFF study. There will still be those [Medicaid] cuts that come, but hopefully what we can do is get the system healthier, said Ackerman. It's almost like the hospitals themselves are they're not sick but they're struggling financially. They operate on some small margins. If you look at national closures for rural hospitals across the nation, it's scary. The funds are designated for hospital improvements and upgrades, not to replace Medicaid payments. Between 2017 and 2024, a net of 62 rural hospitals closed across the country, with fewer than 1,800 in total, as per the KFF and the American Hospital Association. The number is expected to continue to drop with Medicaid cuts. States individually applied for the grants, which will then decide how the money is used locally. Ackerman said the state-by-state funding was likely decided by a variety of factors, including population. Its not a cookie-cutter approach. Thanks to this landmark investment, Nevada is positioned to make meaningful advancements in support of the states rural health care system, Gov. Joe Lombardo said after the Rural Health Transformation Program sums were announced. These funds will help connect rural Nevadans to health care by strengthening critical infrastructure, attracting a more robust healthcare workforce, and accelerating health care technology innovation in our rural communities," the Republican governor said. Half of the total RHTP funds will be evenly distributed between 2026 and 2030, according to the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services. It is yet to be determined how Nevadas RHTP grant money will be used. Ackerman said he was aware of some tech-focused innovations that had been proposed. Im hoping for some financial stability programs. This is a once-in-a-lifetime investment in rural health care, Ackerman told The Center Square. Hopefully rural [Nevada] can be good stewards of this money and really make some impactful programs and development to support a rural health care system that we haven't really paid a lot of attention to for a long time. MEGA _ Prince Harry will not return to his Sentebale charity after being accused of bullying its chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka. Keep reading to learn why... MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news MEGA _ After Dr. Sophie Chandauka accused Prince Harry of bullying, racism and misogyny, he stepped down from his position. "The idea that Harry was ever going to return has been completely extinguished. There's absolutely no way now. It's all too tarnished," a source told The Times. MEGA _ The charity, founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, aimed to assist people living with HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa. According to the source, the foundation was "not working at all" and was facing a "real cash flow problem" in Lesotho. MEGA _ Prince Harry refuted Dr. Sophie Chandauka's claims. "From the inception of Sentebale nearly 20 years ago, Prince Seeiso and I have had a clear goal: to support the children and young people in Southern Africa in memory of our mothers [Princess Diana and Queen Mother Mamohato Bereng Seeiso]," he said in a statement. "What has transpired over the last week has been heartbreaking to witness, especially when such blatant lies hurt those who have invested decades in this shared goal. No one suffers more than the beneficiaries of Sentebale itself." MEGA _ Dr. Sophie Chandauka slammed Prince Harry's stance and blamed the "unleashing of the Sussex machine" for the situation. "There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people and then play the victim card use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct," she told Sky News. Gary Roth/MEGA _ The Charity Commission for England and Wales' investigation found no evidence of "systemic bullying or harassment" or any "over-reach" by Prince Harry. "Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebale's co-founder and former patron, Prince Harry," a representative for the Duke of Sussex told NBC News. "They also found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny and misogynoir at the charity, as falsely claimed by the current Chair. Despite all that, their reportfalls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chair's actions will not be borne by her but by the children who rely on Sentebale's support." Drew Harris was the Garda commissioner from 2018 - 2025 [PA Media] One of the island of Ireland's most recognisable police officers has said there would be "nothing in it" for his family if a case was opened into his father's murder. Drew Harris was a police officer for 35 years in Northern Ireland before serving as head of An Garda Siochana, the Republic of Ireland's police force, from 2018, from 2018 until 2025. His father, Alwyn Harris, was killed in 1989 in Lisburn when an IRA bomb exploded under his car as he was on his way to a church service with his wife, who survived the attack. Dealing with Troubles-related deaths has been controversial, with the UK government introducing a new bill to address the issue of legacy cases. This replaced the 2023 Legacy Act. which was opposed by many families of victims due to the offer of a conditional amnesty from prosecution for those willing to cooperate. Speaking to The Royal Irish Academy podcast My Identity, Harris spoke about the impact of his father's murder on his family. His father was a RUC superintendent who served for 33 years before his death and was "coming towards probably the end of this service", Harris said. "It was just like somebody took a white hot poker to your soul," he said. "It just really ripped me and the family in two." Harris said the murder did not stop his career in the police. "I think, I had a desire to make my father proud in terms of being a success in policing," he said. "I think perhaps that's one of the best answers to such an event...to go on and lead a fulfilling life, almost in contradiction to what the legend would be of you." More than 3,500 people lost their lives during the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland [PA Media] Harris said 37 years on, his family had heard nothing in relation to his father's murder. "I'm actually, in truth, I'm a little bit jaded about it all," he said. He recalled going to reviews of cold cases from the Troubles in 2002 with his mother, and how the process seemed to be too late even then. "There was a huge amount of work bringing all the murder files together," he said. "There was a huge archive piece of work that was undertaken by PSNI and those archives still exist...but it's all a little bit too late." 'I don't know the answer' Harris said he did not "know what the answer is" to addressing legacy cases. "In some ways, I've disengaged from it because I just feel there's nothing in it for me there and there's nothing in it for my family either," he said. He said it would be "the worst thing" if a case on his father's murder was reopened. "Practically, what difference does that make? My mother's still alive. She's been now nearly 37 years without my father," he said. However, Harris did accept that all victims are entitled to their own view. "I think very little thought was given to the victims for years and years...it's all a wee bit too late now," he said. "The magnitude of the loss and the magnitude of the ongoing loss is such that two years in prison hasn't gone to weigh the scales around that. " New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin speaks at a press conference regarding the detention of a City Council employee by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 13, 2026. Photo: William Alatriste / New York City Council via Flickr / Used with Permission (The Center Square) New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and other New York Democrats are demanding the release of a City Council employee who was detained by federal agents at a recent immigration court hearing. Menin said the employee, a Venezuelan man who wasn't identified, was detained Monday by federal immigration officials in Nassau County during a "routine" appointment. She claimed he had legal authorization to remain in the country until October, despite claims by federal authorities he had overstayed his 2017 tourist visa and lacked work authorization. "We are doing everything we can to secure his immediate release, and we demand swift and transparent action by the federal government on this apparent overreach," she said in a statement. In a statement, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin defended the man's detainment on alleged immigration violations, saying he entered the U.S. in 2017 on a tourist visa that required him to leave by Oct. 22 that year. He lacks federal work authorization, she said. "Under Secretary Noem, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States," McLaughlin said. "If you come to our country illegally and break our law, we will find you and we will arrest you." But Menin and other Democrats ripped the Trump administration's immigration crackdown at a press briefing Monday afternoon, where they called for the man's release from custody. "Across the nation, we have seen aggressive escalations by ICE that raise serious concerns on the use of excessive force and a lack of accountability," Menin said. "As New Yorkers, we will stand up for the rights and dignity of every neighbor." Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman, a frequent ICE critic, portrayed the incident as part of a broader crackdown on immigrants, even those with legal status. He noted that the man's detainment comes days after a Minneapolis woman, Renee Good, was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer in an incident that has prompted protests and heightened scrutiny of ICE enforcement. Secret masked police are killing Americans, are yanking anyone they can find out of cars, out of homes, out of courtrooms, Goldman said in remarks. "And now [ICE] is targeting those who are trying to serve the public as employees of the New York City Council.' New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also chimed in on the man's arrest, saying he was "outraged" in a social media post that called on federal authorities to release him. "This is an assault on our democracy, on our city, and our values," he said. "I am calling for his immediate release and will continue to monitor the situation." AUSTIN, Minn., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, will hold its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in person at Austin High School's Richard L. Knowlton Auditorium (300 NW 4th Street) in Austin, Minnesota. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, and is open to all registered stockholders or beneficial owners of the company's common stock as of the close of business on Nov. 28, 2025. Eligible stockholders may attend with one guest. To attend the annual meeting, stockholders must present a government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID card or passport, and establish proof of ownership of the company's common stock. Please see the company's proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of the acceptable methods to establish proof of ownership. Presenting an account statement from a bank or broker will not be sufficient to establish proof of ownership. Doors will open at 5 p.m. CST on the day of the meeting. The company will have an expedited check-in process available for individuals who pre-register for the annual meeting. To receive access to expedited check-in, please pre-register by submitting your attendance request and proof of ownership to [email protected]. Pre-registration requests will be processed in the order in which they are received and must be received no later than Jan. 22, 2026. Attendees who do not pre-register for the meeting should allow ample time for same-day registration. Both pre-registered and same-day registering attendees must present identification to be admitted to the meeting. Following the business portion of the stockholder meeting, there will be a question-and-answer session. All questions must be submitted in advance of the meeting. The company will not be taking any live questions during the meeting. Stockholders of record and proxy holders who provide their valid 16-digit control number may submit questions in advance at proxyvote.com through 10:59 p.m. CST on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. Gift boxes will be available for pick up at the SPAM Museum during its regular business hours for registered stockholders or beneficial owners of the company's common stock as of the close of business on Nov. 28, 2025. Gift box pickup begins Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, through Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, while supplies last . Stockholders must present the Notice of Internet Availability, proxy card or voting instruction form to receive a gift box. For information on the SPAM Museum's hours and address, visit spam.com/museum. Gift boxes are only available for pickup in-person and will not be shipped. They must be picked up by the stockholder. Limit one gift box per stockholder. A recording of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be posted at investor.hormelfoods.com following the meeting. About Hormel Foods Inspired People. Inspired Food. Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS, SKIPPY, SPAM, HORMEL NATURAL CHOICE, APPLEGATE, WHOLLY, HORMEL BLACK LABEL, COLUMBUS, JENNIE-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement Inspired People. Inspired Food. to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com. Contact: Media Relations [email protected] SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation Information trickling out of Iran on Tuesday suggests that a crackdown by authorities to end more than two weeks of widespread anti-government protests has likely been far more deadly than activists outside the country have reported. With phone lines opening back up for calls from inside the Islamic Republic, two sources, including one inside Iran, told CBS News on Tuesday that at least 12,000, and possibly as many as 20,000 people have been killed. Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said in Parliament on Tuesday that the U.K. government believed there "may have been 2,000 people killed, there have been more. My fear is that the number may prove to be significantly higher." The truth has been incredibly difficult to piece together due to Iran's hardline rulers cutting off internet access and phone service in the country for the last five days. While a complete internet shutdown in Iran remained in place for a fifth day, some Iranians were able to make phone calls out of the country on Tuesday, though it was still not possible to call into Iran from outside. A source inside Iran who was able to call out told CBS News on Tuesday that activist groups working to compile a full death toll from the protests, based on reports from medical officials across the country, believed the toll was at least 12,000, and possibly as high as 20,000. Pedestrians pass a burned-out building on Jan. 10, 2026, in Tehran, Iran, following widespread protests against the regime. / Credit: Stringer/Getty The same source said security forces were visiting the many private hospitals across Tehran, threatening staff to hand over the names and addresses of those being treated for injuries sustained in the protests. CBS News has not been able to independently verify the massive death toll indicated by the source, which is some many times larger than the numbers reported by most activist groups independently in recent days though those groups have always made it clear that their tallies are likely underestimated. The opposition Iran International television network said Tuesday that its information suggested about 12,000 people were killed. A source in Washington with contacts in Iran told CBS News on Tuesday that a credible source had told him the toll was likely between 10,000 and 12,000. Iranian officials have not provided regular official estimates of overall deaths from the unrest. Reuters quoted an unnamed Iranian official Tuesday as saying about 2,000 people had been killed since the protests began on Dec. 28, and blaming the violence on foreign influenced "terrorists," even suggesting that agitators had been paid to foment chaos. CBS News has verified that video posted online Tuesday shows the bodies of at least 366 and likely more than 400 people killed amid the protest piled up at a morgue in a Tehran suburb. The video appears to show forensic personnel documenting gruesome injuries on the bodies, and crowds of people seemingly trying to identify the dead. The injuries visible are extensive and include gunshot wounds, "birdshot" shotgun wounds, gashes and other severe injuries. New video shows badly injured bodies lined up at morgue An Iranian activist and blogger who identifies himself only as Vahid Online first posted the shocking 16-minute clip. Vahid said it was sent to him from a source who traveled about 600 miles to upload the video amid the communications blackout. The graphic video shows people with what appear to be injuries caused by bullets and shotgun pellets, as well as other wounds, and piles of bloody clothing inside the morgue compound. Bodies lie in body bags on the ground outside Kahrizak Forensic Medical Centre in Tehran, Iran, in these images from video obtained from social media, Jan. 11, 2026. / Credit: Social Media/via REUTERS The protests which drew warnings of a U.S. military intervention by President Trump were sparked in late December by anger over a new spike in the cost of living in Iran's sanctions-hobbled economy. They quickly grew into mass rallies in all of Iran's 31 provinces, with tens of thousands of people chanting for the downfall of the country's Islamic rulers. Even the lower death toll reported by Cooper in Britain on Tuesday, if confirmed, would surpass any officially reported casualty figure from past anti-regime protests in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which brought the current government to power. When Mr. Trump was asked Tuesday how many people have been killed in the protests in Iran, he responded, "Nobody's been able to give me an accurate number." Mr. Trump warned multiple times as the protests escalated last week that if the Iranian regime killed protesters, the U.S. would take action, without ever specifying a red line that might prompt a response, or what the response might be. President Trump tells Iranian protesters help is on the way "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY," Mr. Trump said in a social media post on Tuesday. Again he offered no details about what help the U.S. might provide to Iran's long-stifled domestic opposition. The president's national security team was scheduled to hold a meeting at the White House on Tuesday to discuss his options, according to several sources familiar with the matter. It was unclear whether the president himself would attend. He has been briefed on a wide array of military and covert tools that could be used against Iran, well beyond conventional airstrikes, according to two Pentagon officials who spoke to CBS News on the condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters. A crackdown "much worse than we can even imagine" "The information that we are receiving shows that the violent crackdown [against] the protests has probably been much worse than we can even imagine," said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, who leads the Norway-based activist organization Iran Human Rights. "The whole international community's red lines have been crossed," said Amiry-Moghaddam. "We have a mechanism called responsibility to protect civilians against grave human rights violations, against mass killings so not only [the] United States, not only President Trump, but the European Union, basically all countries have a responsibility to stop these atrocities." He didn't call for U.S. military action, but urged world powers to "provide Iranians with more means to communicate with the world, because this is what the regimes do they shut off the internet. Basically, it's like solitary confinement. They put Iranian people into solitary confinement and start torturing and killing them." He told CBS News his organization had received a video Monday night showing the aftermath of one purported attack by security forces that left 75 people dead in Mazandaran province, about a three-hour drive north of Tehran. Amiry-Moghaddam said he could not share the video or specific town where the alleged assault occurred as the information "can be tracked," and would thus endanger his sources. "This is what indicates that the extent has been much worse than we anticipated," said Amiry-Moghaddan. Internet access and text messaging services were still blocked in Iran on Tuesday, leaving largely in place the blackout initiated on the evening of Jan. 8, when thousands of people appeared to heed a call by Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to make their voices heard. The protests and the security forces' action against them appeared to escalate sharply for a couple of days from that evening. On Tuesday, Iran's police chief claimed the protests had been ordered from outside the country and that "terrorists" paid to cause unrest had been confronted inside Iran. Iranians want "anyone who can remove the Islamic Republic" Amiry-Moghaddan told CBS News many Iranians wouldn't believe that narrative from their leaders. "Iranian people are so fed up with the regime, and so desperate to come out of this system," he said. "I remember that I used to ask many people, with different backgrounds, 'Who would you support?' And all of them basically say that we would support anyone who can remove the Islamic Republic. Iran is a country with a lot of different kinds of people, different opinions. Some would like to have monarchies, some are opposed to monarchy, but I think the priority is to remove this regime." Pahlavi has said he's ready to return to lead Iran, despite not having been there since his father, the U.S.-backed shah, fled almost 50 years ago amid intense public outrage over his rule. He told CBS News' Norah O'Donnell on Monday that the Iranian people "need action to be taken." "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 said. Pahlavi said he has communicated with the Trump administration, but he didn't reveal any details of those conversations. Amiry-Moghaddan said an "absolute majority" of Iranians "don't want the regime, like more than 80%." But he said that 80% was "roughly divided into three groups, those who would like to have [the] shah's son, those who oppose a monarchy, and those who haven't made up their minds." Sneak peek: The Blackout Murder of Livye Lewis Emotional testimony from teacher about Uvalde shooting in trial of former cop Tony Dokoupil's final thoughts from Detroit Empty tables in a restaurant. Photo: Alan Wooten / The Center Square (The Center Square) A Democratic state legislator is looking to bring the federal no tax on tips policy to the Land of Lincoln. Illinois decoupled from various provisions of federal tax policy last fall, impacting things like loss deductions and other corporate taxes. Legislators did not change the states tax policy to reflect President Donald Trumps campaign promise of no tax on tips. With that policy now federal law, Illinois state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, said the state should act. This is another one of those issues. This keeps more money in people's pockets and helps them deal with the affordability issues that are out there, DeLuca told TCS. So I believe if there's enough support to approach it from that standpoint, if we can somehow manage to put the politics of the issue aside, this is good policy. DeLuca filed House Bill 4329 last week. State Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, filed similar legislation with House Bill 1383 in March 2025, which has other Republican legislators as sponsors. Spains measure remains in the Rules Committee, where its been since April. Last week, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, said hes looking for unity in the Democratic party when it comes to legislation. If you can get to 60 Democrats in this caucus, that bill is going to go on the board, Welch said in general about legislation. And it might slow things down a little bit, but I think that just makes things better. DeLuca knows the idea of no tax on tips is connected to President Donald Trumps campaign promise, but hes encouraging his caucus to put their partisan disdain aside. For Democrats who would never consider supporting this, because this was a President Trump supported initiative, I would just say that former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned on it and supported it as well, DeLuca said. The Illinois Senate is in this week. The House returns for three days next week. Spring session ends May 31. ### Oh, Christmas tree, youre off to Albany. A Brooklyn-born mom illuminated the 2025 Rockefeller Christmas Tree for the final time early Saturday in a small ceremony that marked the beginning of the spruces second life. Domonique Williams-Abubaker is one of the lucky few who will get a slice of the massive 74-foot-11-inch-tall tree inside her new Habitat for Humanity home after it makes its journey back to the Empire States Capital Region this summer. Brooklyn native Domonique Williams-Abubaker participated in the final Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting of the season on Jan 10, 2026. Habitat for Humanity/Facebook Its a surreal feeling. I had to shed a tear a little bit, Williams-Abubaker, 35, told The Post as the glow of the lights lit up her tear-streaked face. This tree Im looking at it in its full form now and to know that a piece of this is going to be on my home, this is really, its really a surreal feeling. Williams-Abubaker, her husband and her 5-month-old son will close in on their Habitat for Humanity home in Albany next week, a dream the new mom previously didnt think was in the cards. Williams-Abubaker, originally from East New York, moved to Albany a few years ago and was gutted to realize home prices were not much more affordable than in New York City. She began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity as a means of contributing to her new neighborhood and soon applied to get a house of her own with the nonprofit. Williams-Abubaker will get a piece of the Christmas tree in her familys new Habitat for Humanity home in Albany. Habitat for Humanity/Facebook Within a year one less than she had hoped for Williams-Abubaker heard the good news that she was a winning candidate. My friends call me the manifestation person. I made that happen. Im closing in on my house, the IRS taxpayer advocate service representative said. I can say I can afford my own home. Now Im married, and I have a baby, and my baby can grow up in this house, and he has his own room from the start. Thats really big. Williams-Abubaker applied for a Habitat for Humanity home after volunteering with the organization. Getty Images Its not yet clear where the Christmas tree lumber will appear in Williams-Abubakers home, or what form it will take, but the soon-to-be homeowner plans for it to be a centerpiece of the house. I want it to be something close to me. A lot of people come from very far to see this and to know that this right here is getting ready to be in my house somewhere Im going to show this off, she said. At least seven other families in Albany will have the same honor, though Habitat for Humanitys Capital Region hopes that there might be enough lumber to spread the holiday joy even further. This year marks the first time the Rockefeller Christmas Tree will be sent to Albany since the center and Habitat for Humanity struck their partnership back in 2007. Judy Russ and her son Liam donated the tree from their home in East Greenbush in upstate New York. Angus Mordant Judy and Liam at Rockefeller Center for the arrival of the Christmas tree on Nov. 8, 2025. It is something of a homecoming for this years towering spruce, which grew for 75 years on Rensselaer County farmland before it was donated by Judy Russ and her son, Liam, in honor of her late husband, Dan who always dreamed of the tree one day lighting up the Big Apple. To know that their legacy not only inspired so much joy during the holiday season, but that it also continues on in Habitat communities homes, its really incredible, and I hope that the family knows that they are having a really lasting impact, said Christine Schudde, Habitats Capital Region executive director. She added that the 5 a.m. call to light the tree one final time was certainly worth it. I cant believe how beautiful this tradition is and just how joyful it is. Plans are still in the early phases, but Schudde teased that the lumber might appear in shelving, cabinetry or windowsills. But first, the tree will be sent to New Jersey, where it will be milled, dried and cleaned. Law enforcement officers assist with immigration enforcement efforts in New York on Jan. 28, 2025. Photo: Tia Dufour / U.S. Department of Homeland Security / Public Domain (The Center Square) Seattle city leaders continue to condemn U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minn., earlier this month, while some of Washingtons conservative leaders warn the rhetoric could contribute to further civil unrest. Video footage from the Jan. 7 incident shows Goods Honda Pilot SUV stopped sideways on a snowy street. As ICE officers, including Ross, approach the vehicle, one officer attempts to open the drivers door and the SUV briefly reverses. The vehicle then moves forward as Ross steps aside and fires three shots, with differing views over whether Ross was intentionally struck by the vehicle. After the shots were fired, the SUV veered to the right and crashed into parked cars. Good was transported by paramedics to Hennepin County Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson initially urged residents to sign up for the "Washington All ICE Mobilization Alerts," as previously reported by The Center Square. The alert system is organized by the Washington Indivisible Network, a progressive organization formed in 2016 in opposition to Trump-era policies. Since the Jan. 7 incident, Wilson has continued to emphasize that Seattle is a welcoming city for all residents, including immigrants and foreign nationals. She reiterated that message Saturday during a rally at Cal Anderson Park in Seattles Capitol Hill neighborhood. Whatever the status of your immigration paperwork, this is your city you deserve to be safe, to live a dignified life, and to have a say in your government, Wilson told the crowd. Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh said Wilsons recent remarks were reckless and irresponsible, adding that he interpreted her comments as suggesting foreign nationals in Seattle should be able to vote. This is flagrantly illegal, and in my opinion, reckless, Walsh told The Center Square in a phone call. Some of her other rhetoric walks right up to the line of inciting violence it probably doesnt cross that line, but it comes very close. Other Seattle leaders have continued to escalate their criticism of ICE. During the Seattle City Council briefing on Monday, all eight council members in attendance referenced the protests and federal law enforcement actions since Jan. 7. Councilmember Maritza Rivera said the council was unified in condemning Goods killing, which she described as disgusting, unconscionable and cruel actions by ICE. This is not the United States we deserve to have bands of masked arm zealots snatching people off the streets is deeply wrong and shameful, Rivera said. I for one want to really determine what is legally possible for Seattle and the state to prevent these actions." Councilmember Dan Strauss called the actions from federal agents over the last week completely un-American while Councilmember Bob Kettle said if the federal government actually wants to help Seattle with its public safety issues, it should intercept the flow of guns and drugs primarily along Interstate 5 and Interstate 90. The rhetoric, combined with the numerous protests, have coincided with increased threats and attacks against federal law enforcement. Following the Jan. 7 incident, the Department of Homeland Security released statistics reporting that assaults against ICE agents have increased more than 1,300% over the past year, while vehicular attacks against them have increased 3,200%, and death threats have increased 8,000%. Europes night train revival is about to take a decisive turn. A Berlin-based startup called Nox Mobility has revealed plans for an all-new overnight rail network built entirely around private rooms, with the long-term ambition of linking more than 100 cities across the continent. If the timeline holds, the first Nox sleeper trains will begin operating in 2027. By 2035, the company aims to run a Europe-wide network designed to function as a true alternative to short-haul flightsone that prioritizes privacy, sleep, and city-center-to-city-center travel. Designed Around Privacy View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nox (@nox.mobility) Traditional European night trains often rely on shared couchettes, where solo travelers frequently end up sleeping alongside strangers. Nox is deliberately rejecting that model. Every cabin on its trains will be private, available as either a single or double room, with no shared berths. The company refers to these cabins as rooms, and the distinction is intentional. Each room is planned to function as a compact, self-contained space rather than a simple sleeping bunk. According to Nox, all configurations will include two-meter-long beds, armchairs, tables large enough for eating or working, and dedicated storage. Some room types will also feature panoramic windows. Three room layouts are planned, including loft-style rooms with elevated beds and double rooms where the bed converts into seating. The goal is to make overnight rail travel feel closer to a hotel stay than a transport compromise. Prices Meant to Compete With Flying Image via Getty Images/JackF Affordability is central to the pitch. Nox says it intends to price its sleeper services competitively with short-haul flights. Current projections suggest fares starting around 79 ($92.15) for single rooms and 149 ($173.79) for doubles, depending on route and demand. The pricing strategy is designed to remove one of the biggest barriers that has limited night train adoption in recent years. While sleeper services are often praised for comfort and sustainability, they can be more expensive than budget flights. Nox is betting that private rooms at flight-comparable prices can shift traveler behavior. A Network Built at Continental Scale Unlike boutique night train operators focused on a handful of flagship routes, Nox is thinking in network terms. The company argues that sleeper trains only make sense when travelers can reliably find an overnight rail option for most short-haul journeys. Its long-term plan calls for connections between major European hubs, including Stockholm, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Barcelona, Milan, Vienna, and Budapest, among many others. The idea is to create a dense mesh that mirrors the logic of airline networksovernight departures, early-morning arrivals, and consistent availability. By running trains overnight, Nox also emphasizes the practical benefit of saving daytime hours. Travelers board in the evening, sleep through the journey, and arrive the next morning in the city center, thus avoiding airports, transfers, and hotel check-in delays. Sustainability and Business Travel in Focus Image via Wikimedia Commons/Superalbs Environmental positioning also plays a major role in Noxs strategy. Sleeper trains are widely regarded as far less carbon-intensive than short-haul flights, particularly within Europe. Nox explicitly frames its service as a way to reduce aviation emissions without sacrificing convenience or comfort. The company is also targeting business travelers, a segment that has been slower to return to overnight rail. Private rooms, onboard workspaces, and planned partnerships with hotels for early check-ins are intended to make sleeper trains viable for corporate travel. Nox has highlighted ESG targets, productivity, and traveler well-being as key reasons companies might shift employees from planes to night trains. The startup was founded by Thibault Constant, known online as Simply Railway, who has documented hundreds of night train journeys around the world, and Janek Smalla, a co-founder of FlixTrain. Together, they bring both operational experience and deep familiarity with the shortcomings of existing sleeper services. The company states that it has consulted extensively with frequent travelers, travel agencies, and businesses to shape the design and service model ahead of its launch. Financing rounds and regulatory approvals are still underway, but cabin designs and network planning are already well advanced. A Different Vision for European Travel If Nox succeeds, it could help redefine how Europeans move between cities at medium distances. Instead of choosing between budget flights or daytime rail, travelers would have a third option of private overnight rooms that combine transport, accommodation, and rest in a single experience. With a planned launch in 2027 and an ambitious expansion path through the next decade, Nox Mobility is positioning itself as a modern replacement for short-haul air travel. Space crew Four astronauts are expected to be back on Earth by Thursday four months earlier than expected after a crew member involved in the mission suffered an unspecified medical problem, NASA officials said. Members of the SpaceX Crew-11 will be coming home sooner than originally planned with the US space agency preparing to undock from the International Space Station around 5 p.m. eastern time Wednesday, officials said. The crew will then travel inside the Dragon spacecraft and land off the Californian coast around 3:40 a.m. on Thursday, NASA said. Crew-11 mission astronauts walk out of the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building before heading to pad 39A for launch to the International Space Station. Anadolu via Getty Images The abrupt change in plans is the result of a crew member dealing with a medical concern, NASA said, though the agency could not reveal more due to privacy rules. The agency did make clear the astronaut was in stable condition. NASA astronaut Mike Fincke handed over command of the space station to Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov early Monday. We got a great team, everybody really rose to the occasion for our expeditions and its really been a pleasure to be here, Fincke said during the hand-off. Fincke will be traveling back with Zena Cardman, who is another NASA astronaut, as well as Kimiya Yui of the JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and Oleg Platonov of Roscosmos. International Space Station Configuration. Seven spaceships are parked at the space station including the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft. NASA Three crew members who were shot up to space in November will remain aboard the orbital outpost until SpaceX Crew-12 members arrive in February for a nine-month mission. The four members coming home were first launched into space in August and were supposed to get back on solid ground by May. Im proud of the swift effort across the agency thus far to ensure the safety of our astronauts, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said at a press conference announcing the sudden end of the mission last week. With Post wires FILE PHOTO: Police officers leave the "Le Constellation" bar, following a deadly fire during a New Year's Eve party, in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland, January 9, 2026. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo By Emma Farge and Cecile Mantovani GENEVA, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Switzerland's criminal investigation into a fire in a bar in the ski town of Crans-Montana should be broadened to include local authorities, a lawyer acting for some of the victims said, adding he would seek millions in compensation. The fire killed 40 people, most of them teenagers, and injured 116. Romain Jordan, who represents more than 20 burn victims from the New Year's blaze, said he would claim damages of up to several million for each injury and up to 100,000 Swiss francs ($125,390) for each death. "For me, there is absolutely no doubt that the municipality must be put on the list of those responsible and it should be asked to give answers," Jordan said in an interview late on Monday, saying he expected total claims in the hundreds of millions of francs. "What is certain is that we will request for (officials) to be heard (by prosecutors), to obtain the documents, for the full correspondence, to understand how so many errors, so many safeguards that are normally in place in a risk management system, could all fail." The mayor's office for Crans-Montana did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ANNUAL SAFETY CHECKS MISSED Prosecutors believe sparkling candles set the soundproof foam on the basement ceiling of "Le Constellation" bar alight early on New Year's Day. Panicked crowds then fled up a narrow staircase to a narrow exit, which became a fatal choke point as the inferno spread, witnesses said. The town's mayor said last week that the venue had missed multiple annual safety checks, and expressed regret. For now, only the French owners are under investigation for crimes including suspected negligent homicide. The couple, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, say they are cooperating with the investigation and have voiced grief over the tragedy. The husband has been detained. Jordan called it a "bad joke" that the upscale town sought to be a party in the case - a request that has not been granted. "That cynicism hurt the families." Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani said the state had also asked to join the proceedings as a plaintiff - a move which would grant them access to prosecutors' hearings. Swiss prosecutors for the Valais canton did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Jordan's clients are Swiss, French and Italian and most were injured, with most of them in artificial comas in European hospitals. "The families have had their lives shattered. They are living an endless nightmare consumed by unanswered questions," he said. Under Swiss law, victims of a criminal act can seek emergency financial assistance, but Jordan said a state fund was needed to cover further expenses until a ruling. "Ideally there should be direct compensation for victims - no double punishment." ($1 = 0.7975 Swiss francs) (Reporting by Emma Farge; Additional reporting by Crispian Balmer in Rome; Editing by Alex Richardson) The suspect charged with setting a fire inside a historic Jackson, Mississippi, synagogue over the weekend admitted it was because of the building's "Jewish ties," according to an FBI criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Mississippi on Monday. Security footage showed the arson suspect, Stephen Spencer Pittman, inside Beth Israel Congregation around 3 a.m. on Saturday, pouring what appeared to be gasoline, according to the complaint. Pittman was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive. Authorities said Pittman's father reached out to the FBI, saying his son confessed to starting the fire, which was later corroborated by map data from a location-sharing app Pittman had on his phone. Pittman also texted his father a photo of the back of the synagogue, writing, "There's a furnace in the back," the complaint alleges, noting that his father "pleaded for his son to return home." Hours later, Pittman's father confronted his son after noticing burns on his ankles. Pittman "laughed as he told his father what he did and said he finally got them," the complaint said. Damage from a fire that investigators say was arson at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, Jan. 11, 2026. / Credit: Beth Israel Congregation (Beth Israel Congregation) That evening, investigators at the Jackson Fire Department and Hinds County Sheriff's Office interviewed Pittman, who admitted to starting the fire and called the building "the synagogue of Satan," according to the complaint. He told investigators he stopped to purchase gasoline, removed his license plate and broke into the building through a window with an axe, using a torch lighter to start the fire after pouring gasoline. "As we learned that it was arson, the anger really comes to the top of what your mind thinks," Beth Israel congregation president Zach Shemper told CBS News on Monday. Jackson Mayor John Horhn condemned "acts of antisemitism, racism, and religious hatred," which he said will be treated as acts of terror against residents. "Targeting people because of their faith, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation is morally wrong, un-American, and completely incompatible with the values of this city," he said in a statement posted to social media on Sunday. Beth Israel, established over 160 years ago, is Jackson's only synagogue and was the first synagogue in the state. "We are grateful that he was apprehended so quickly and he appears to have admitted to committing this heinous act out of hatred for the Jewish people," Beth Israel said Monday following the release of the criminal complaint. "This news puts a face and name to this tragedy, but does not change our resolve to proudly - even defiantly - continue Jewish life in Jackson in the face of hatred." In 1967, Beth Israel was bombed by Ku Klux Klan members. Two months later, they bombed the home of the congregation's rabbi as well, according to the Beth Israel website. The rabbi wasn't home at the time and no one was hurt in the bombings. There are still congregants at the synagogue who were members during those bombings, according to a representative for Beth Israel. A note attached to a bundle of flowers left outside the Beth Israel Congregation reads, I am so very sorry, Parts of the building are damaged by water, smoke and soot. The sanctuary, where worship services are held, needs restoration but is still standing. Five Torahs the sacred scrolls with the text of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible located inside the sanctuary were assessed for damage. Two Torahs inside the library were destroyed. One Torah rescued during the Holocaust and kept behind glass was undamaged. The attack on Beth Israel comes amid a nationwide spike in antisemitism. There's been an 893% increase over the past decade in antisemitic incidents, according to the Anti-Defamation League. A 2024 audit by ADL recorded more than 9,000 incidents - it's the highest number recorded since the organization began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1980. "We are still assessing the damage to the building, but will be continuing our worship services and other programs locations to be determined," Shemper said in an earlier statement to CBS News, adding that several churches have offered their spaces for worship. "We are a resilient people. With support from our community, we will rebuild," Shemper said. Patrick Torphy contributed to this report. Extended Interview: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes remembers Bob Weir as "a sharp guy who knew things about everything" Jacksonville Jaguars coach gets pep talk from reporter after playoff loss While the snowstorm that struck Washington D.C. 44 years ago today was not necessarily one to be remembered in terms of snow totals, it has gone down in history for a much more somber reason. On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 was set to take to the skies en route to Tampa, but it never made it there. And weather played a role. But first, lets back up and set the scene. Leading up to the 13th, a blast of arctic air kept temperatures from crawling out of the 20s leaving the nations capitol shivering for days. And then came the snow. The winter storm ushered in heavy snowfall on the morning of the 13th, causing commuter chaos and shutting down Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, known then simply as Washington National. As the snow began to taper off in the afternoon, the airport reopened allowing for the Tampa-bound plane to finally be readied for departure. But one key step was done improperly, according to officials: de-icing. Snow and ice had accumulated on the wings of the plane and was not properly treated prior to takeoff, resulting in the plane crashing into the 14th Street Bridge before plunging into the icy Potomac. Associated Press 78 passengers, crew members and motorists died as a result, with only 5 people being saved from the frigid river waters. Although the 6.4 inches of snow reported at Washington National that day would not flag any notable remembrance, this tragedy stands as one where weather had a devastating part to play. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Students and educators to celebrate educational options during School Choice Week DENVER, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 450 students, parents, and teachers will gather at the Capitol in Denver on Tuesday, Jan. 27 with a common goal: to celebrate the success of school choice for Colorado families. Coloradans are invited to join the celebrationbring the whole family, hear inspiring stories, and pick up your iconic yellow National School Choice Week scarf! The event, organized by the Colorado-based Parents United in collaboration with the nonprofit National School Choice Awareness Foundation, is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week. The event will take place from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Tuesday, Jan. 27 on the West Steps of the Colorado Capitol (200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203). The event provides the public with an opportunity to hear from students, parents. educators, and legislators about how school choice has impacted their lives and what it means to their community. "Each year this celebration grows because more Colorado families are recognizing the life-changing impact of educational freedom," said Lori Gimelshteyn, Executive Director, Parents United. "School choice is not about one type of school; it's about all types: public, charter, private, homeschool, and everything in between. Governor Polis' recent decision to opt Colorado into a federal tax-credit scholarship program is a promising step forward, and a powerful reminder that when families raise their voices, leaders listen. School choice empowers parents, honors students, and strengthens our communities and we are proud to stand united in that mission." National School Choice Week runs Jan. 2531 and includes 28,000 events across America. The goal of the week is to raise awareness about the various education options available to families, empower parents to find the learning environment that best suits their child's needs, and help them feel confident in navigating those choices. For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/events/denver-capitol-celebration. The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K12 school choice can change their children's lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children's needs. Our three charitable programsNational School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolaresraise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government. SOURCE National School Choice Week President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One in Washington, DC, on January 13, 2026. - Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images President Donald Trump is working to tighten his grip on his party this week as he faces an unusual threat from Congress: an embarrassing rebuke of his military actions overseas. On the cusp of a key Senate vote that would rein in Trump from further actions in Venezuela without Congress approval, an agitated Trump and his team are dialing up critical GOP lawmakers to pressure them to stay in line. Already, one of the five GOP defectors Sen. Josh Hawley appears to be reconsidering his position just days after bucking Trump in a procedural vote on the matter. Hawleys hesitation comes after several days of calls from Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and officials at the Department of Justice. On Tuesday, Hawley spent nearly an hour in a secure Senate basement room to review classified details of legal rationale of the presidents actions in Venezuela, he said. That came after a call Monday with Rubio and a one-on-one discussion with Trump after his vote with Democrats last week. The president made the point during that call, Hawley said, that he felt that the war powers resolution was tying his hand. I am talking to anybody who wants to talk, which is a lot of people, Hawley said. This was good. I need to think through what they just presented to me. I asked a lot of questions. Trumps one-on-one outreach to Senate Republicans underscores that he is tuned in and troubled by the small rebellion within his party over his recent actions in Venezuela. While Republicans in Congress are still firmly behind the president, cracks in his coalition have begun to show in recent weeks, threatening party unity ahead of the midterms. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, whos also been in close touch with the president on the matter, told CNN that he spoke to a very, very fired up Trump just before the initial vote last week. Final decisions from senators like Hawley will be critical. If the Missouri Republican sticks with Trump, Senate GOP leaders would only need to flip one more Republican to avoid a humiliating defeat for Trump this week. If the measure does pass, it would be mostly symbolic at least for now. Democrats across the Capitol are planning to force a vote on a similar measure in the House next week and are engaging in their own behind-the-scenes campaign to win over GOP votes, according to multiple people familiar with the outreach. Republicans are also eying another escape hatch: keeping the measure from coming up at all. One of Thunes deputies, Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, said Republicans are weighing a parliamentary move that would keep the measure off the floor by stripping it of its privilege arguing that there are no ongoing hostilities in Venezuela and therefore a war powers measure does not apply. A simple majority of the Senate could vote to set it aside. A GOP aide added that a decision has not been finalized on this approach but it is a leading option and was discussed at the conferences lunch. Privilege motion has to do with current war activities, and since there arent any, I dont think that this ought to be able to come to the floor, Barrasso said. House Democrats, with the help of Trump antagonist Thomas Massie, are targeting over a dozen Republican votes in the national security or libertarian wing of the party. They need to pick off just a handful of Republicans to pass their version enough to deliver a formal rebuke to Trumps desk. Sen. Rand Paul, who is leading the effort on the Venezuela war powers resolution, told CNN on Tuesday that Trump called him three times last week, though he declined to comment on the tone of the discussions, calling them private conversations. Paul was again critical of the Trump administrations handling of the matter on Tuesday, blasting the White House for keeping its legal justification for the Venezuela operation classified. Legal arguments and constitutional arguments should all be public, and its a terrible thing that any of this is being kept secret because the arguments arent very good, he said. The presidents phone calls to all five GOP defectors come after he publicly harangued them last week, blasting on Truth Social that they should never be elected again. And several of those Republicans made clear that a phone call from the president was not enough to sway their vote. GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski, one of the five Republicans to side with Democrats on the initial vote, said she has since had a short conversation with Trump about war powers but is not going to change her vote. No, I am not considering changing my mind, a defiant Murkowski said, adding. It wasnt much of a conversation. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine who is up for reelection in the midterms, also received an angry screed from the president shortly after she voted on the Senate floor. During the course of the call, which included some profane language, the president made an offhand comment he could support her opponent in the midterm, according to a source familiar with the discussion. GOP Sen. Todd Young, meanwhile, confirmed he recently spoke to Trump about the war powers vote, but declined to say if he is reconsidering his position, as hes not speaking to that matter. The issue spilled into the Senate GOPs party luncheon Tuesday where multiple lawmakers described a robust discussion that included Paul speaking out on his position and other lawmakers asking clarifying questions about the scope of the resolution. Following the lunch, Collins said she still was a yes on the resolution. The Senate vote is expected to take place later this week, which will include a slew of amendment votes known as a vote-a-rama that could further complicate the politics of the war power resolution. Any amendment needs just 51 votes to pass. Regardless of whether the Senate resolution succeeds, House Republicans will soon face a similar headache. Democrats there plan to force a vote next week on a similar measure to rein in Trumps authority to conduct further military strikes in Venezuela. This will be the second time in recent weeks that the House is taking up a war powers measure related to Trumps actions in South America. The last measure, which specifically focused on the Trump administrations boat strikes, failed by just two votes. Democrats there have already begun their behind-the-scenes whipping operation. Its been led by Rep. Greg Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee. Other Democrats with national security backgrounds have also been having private discussions with GOP colleagues as they strive to win the vote later this month. Ive had multiple conversations with veterans of our last two forever wars in the Republican party who are specifically troubled, Rep. Pat Ryan of New York said of the effort, adding that he is optimistic that well see more folks speak up the anxieties over dragging the US into further conflicts without a clear end. Meeks told CNN on Tuesday that Democrats are actively courting votes from Republicans and believe they may only need to flip two members to win it. Folks are starting to decide they are up for reelection, not Donald Trump. And the stakes are high. So they have to do the right thing, he said. This story has been updated with additional details. CNNs Morgan Rimmer and Ted Barrett contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com As nationwide protests shake Iran and security forces respond with lethal force, U.S. President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of American intervention, reviving a familiar question in Washington: what, exactly, would U.S. action in Iran look likeand to what end? Publicly, the Administration has kept its options deliberately broad. The White House says that Trump has been briefed on military and nonmilitary alternatives, from cyber operations to targeted strikes, but has not yet reached a decision. Yet on Tuesday, Trump signaled that he may soon authorize U.S. military strikes against the countrys leadership, calling on Iranians to keep protesting and promising that help is on its way. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS, Trump wrote, days after he told reporters that he was willing to negotiate with Iran even as "the military is looking" at "some very strong options and that if Iran does retaliate, we will hit them at levels that theyve never been hit before." Despite the bellicose rhetoric, the Pentagon has not surged aircraft carriers or strike groups into the region. Gulf allies, still wary after Iranian missile strikes during last years brief war with Israel, have also shown little appetite for hosting American attacks on Iran. "This is another example of the United States inserting itself into something happening in the Middle East with no clear end game, warns Jon Hoffman, a Middle East expert at the Cato Institute. Is a single strike going to overthrow the regime? I dont think so. And clearly thats going to lead to further calls for more activity. Full push for regime change unlikely The unrest inside Iran is among the most serious challenges the clerical system has faced in decades. What began in late December as protests over soaring prices and a collapsing currency has spread nationwide, evolving into direct calls for the fall of the Islamic Republic. Human rights groups say thousands of protesters may have been killed, though those figures cannot be independently verified amid an internet blackout imposed by the government. Iranian leaders insist the situation is under control. Abbas Araqchi, the foreign minister, blamed foreign interference for the violence and warned that any attack would be met with retaliation against American and Israeli targets. At the same time, he has confirmed that communication channels with the White House remain open, even as Iran decries U.S. threats as incompatible with diplomacy. The most likely scenario that would push the U.S. to become engaged militarily would be if it became irrefutably apparent that massive numbers of protesters were being killed by the regime, says Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Trump himself has framed lethal repression as a potential trigger for action, but Yacoubian cautioned that the lack of verifiable information makes such a determination difficult. Absent that threshold, she said, Washington may see more value in continuing to weaken Tehrans position short of war. If the Trump Administration felt there was a way to sufficiently weaken the Iranian regime such that it is compelled to come to the table on U.S. terms, she said, that might be another driver. What seems less likely, several experts said, is a full-throated American push for regime change. Yacoubian argued that military overthrow runs counter to how Trump approaches Iran. Given its position in the Middle East, she noted, Iran is a vastly more complex case than, say, Venezuela, and lacks a unified, organized opposition capable of governing. An effort to decapitate the regime leads to some level of chaos. And I think the Trump Administration is wary of getting enmeshed in that level of chaos and unpredictability, Yacoubian says. Is the President seeking regime change? asks Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of FDDs Iran Program. I would say, thus far, the President has not articulated what he's seeking. That absence weighs heavily on the military options under consideration. A limited strikeperhaps against an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facility, an intelligence ministry building or a command centercould be designed to signal resolve without igniting a broader conflict. But such strikes risk rallying nationalist sentiment around the regime and foreclosing the possibility of defections within the security forces. By attacking those security elements themselves, its hard to see how that would push [the Iranian regime] toward dropping their weapons and joining the protesters, Yacoubian said. It would likely have the opposite effect. Any strikes would likely be carried out in a way that helps protesters rather than drive them back into their homes, Taleblu says. All eyes should be on the repression apparatus, he says. The layered security force structure of the Islamic Republic, as well as the systems, the command and control, the infrastructure of the regime's repression apparatus and what theyre doing to throttle the internet. Other options Officials have also discussed less combative measures, such as cyber operations against Iranian military and government networks, covert action and efforts to restore internet access inside the country. Trump has publicly floated the idea of helping Iranians get online, even suggesting outreach to Elon Musk, whose Starlink service has been partially jammed by Iranian authorities. Read more: Starlinks Quiet Role in Venezuelas Political Crisis Sanctions, long a staple of U.S. policy toward Iran, offer diminishing returns, analysts say, given the breadth of existing restrictions. More discreet measures, including cyber intrusions, intelligence operations or actions with plausible deniability, could allow Washington to apply pressure without forcing Tehran into a direct military response. The Administrations internal debate reflects broader tensions in Trumps foreign policy. After campaigning on restraint and skepticism of forever wars, the President has increasingly leaned on threats, coercion and displays of force, even as he insists he wants to avoid major conflicts. The result, analysts say, is an approach that is unpredictable. The greatest risk is an actual military strike on Iran, Hoffman said, describing an administration pulled between hawks urging decisive action and officials wary of another Middle Eastern entanglement. This is another example of the United States inserting itself into something with no clear endgame. For now, that ambivalence is reflected in Washingtons posture. Military assets have not surged toward Iran. Diplomatic channels remain open. And the menu of options remains just that: options. Israel and the United States would rather see a collapsed, dysfunctional, ruined Iran than the current regime, because they view that as less threatening to their interests, Hoffman says. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. This article is part of Pastors and Prey, a series investigating sex abuse allegations in the Assemblies of God. TULSA, Okla. The women kept their eyes fixed on the man seated three rows ahead of them as they waited for his case to be called in a Tulsa County courtroom. It had been decades since they had seen pastor Joe Campbell, the Pentecostal preacher they say sexually abused them as children. The hearing was procedural. But for the four women, it was anything but. Theyd come to send a message: Were not those little girls anymore, Lisa Ball said. Nearly a month after his arrest, Campbell, 68, appeared before an Oklahoma district court judge Monday on charges that he sexually abused two girls, including Ball, in the 1980s. The brief hearing focused on the terms of Campbells release while he awaits trial. For his accusers, the appearance marked a long-awaited reckoning. Its exciting knowing that its here, what weve been waiting for all these decades, said Kerri Jackson, now 53, who has said Campbell sexually abused her repeatedly in Tulsa in the early 1980s, beginning when she was about 9. From left, Kerri Jackson, Cheryl Almond, Kim Williams and Lisa Ball outside the Tulsa County Courthouse on Monday. (September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News) (September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News) Campbell is charged with first-degree rape in connection with Jacksons allegations and one count of lewd or indecent acts against Ball, 56, who says Campbell invited her to live with him after she became a teen mother and then sexually abused her repeatedly. Campbell has not entered a plea. If he is convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison. Neither he nor his lawyer responded when a reporter approached them for comment outside the courtroom. Campbells appearance was the latest development in a case that grew out of an NBC News investigation last year documenting years of sexual abuse allegations against the longtime preacher. Jackson, Ball and three other women told NBC News that Campbell sexually abused them as children in the 1970s and 80s when he was a young pastor in the Assemblies of God, the worlds largest Pentecostal denomination. Nine other people, including four men, said Campbell showed them pornography, made lewd comments or touched them inappropriately when they were children during the same period. Beginning when they were still teenagers, some of Campbells accusers reported his behavior to pastors, law enforcement and child welfare officials. Time and again, they said, the complaints went nowhere and Campbell remained in ministry. Campbell built a thriving children's ministry at Eastland Assembly of God in Tulsa. (September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News) (September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News) Oklahoma authorities opened their criminal investigation after NBC News published its reporting in May. Prosecutors later presented the case to a multicounty grand jury, which returned an indictment in December. U.S. marshals arrested Campbell last month at Camp Bell, a Christian youth camp he founded in the Missouri Ozarks, and spent Christmas in a Missouri jail awaiting extradition to Oklahoma. He was transferred to Tulsa last week and released after he posted a $150,000 bond. The original conditions of his release required Campbell to remain in Tulsa County and stay at least 1,000 feet away from schools, parks, day care facilities and community centers. On Monday, Judge Shannon Taylor approved a request from Campbells attorney to modify those terms, allowing him to return to his home in Blue Eye, Missouri, while the case proceeds. The judge added that Campbell may attend religious services in Missouri with permission of church leadership. Campbell, dressed in a gray suit, sat quietly during the brief hearing Monday. Pastor Joe Campbell consults with his lawyer at the Tulsa County Courthouse. (September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News) (September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News) Kim Williams, who says Campbell sexually abused her while she was a teenager visiting his parsonage in Missouri the late 1980s, said his criminal charges stripped away the authority that once protected him. He cant hide behind the pulpit or behind people who believe in him anymore, she said. Jackson was among the first of Campbells accusers to raise concerns with church leaders. In 1988, when she was 15, she traveled to Springfield, Missouri, to testify before an Assemblies of God disciplinary panel. Jackson said church officials questioned her in detail and then invited Campbell and his wife to challenge her account. The denomination ultimately allowed Campbell to remain in ministry in Missouri freeing him to abuse again, his accusers say. Campbell was expelled from the Assemblies of God the following year after another girl, Phaedra Creed, 14 at the time, reported that he had raped her repeatedly while she was living in his home. In a statement following Campbells arrest last month, Assemblies of God leaders said they were grateful to the women who bravely shared their stories and continue to pray that justice will be served. From left, Kim Williams, Cheryl Almond, Phaedra Creed, Kerri Jackson and Lisa Ball as children. (Photo Illustration by NBC News) (Photo Illustration by NBC News) After his expulsion from the Assemblies of God, Campbell continued working with children. By the early 1990s, he had founded a nondenominational church and established his childrens camp in southern Missouri. A decade ago, he joined the PTL Television Network, the Christian broadcaster founded by disgraced televangelist Jim Bakker, and became a regular presence on the networks programming. PTL removed Campbells sermons from its website following inquiries from NBC News last year and later said he was placed on administrative leave and subsequently stepped down. PTL respects due process and the presumption of innocence and trusts that God and the justice system will prevail in doing what is right, the network said in a statement after Campbells arrest. In the days leading up to Mondays hearing, Jackson said, her anxiety spiked. The last time I saw him, he was pointing his finger in my face with an evil look on his face, saying, Youre a liar, Jackson said on the drive to the courthouse, recalling her 1988 encounter with Campbell and church leaders. Well, Williams responded from the back seat, now hes got an ankle monitor on. Campbell's accusers, along with supporter DeWana Connell-Long, speak with reporters outside the courthouse. (September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News) (September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News) After the hearing, Campbells accusers gathered outside the courthouse, embracing one another and speaking with reporters. Seeing the man they say abused them sitting before a judge was both painful and affirming. This is something that we really have been praying for for 40 years, over 40 years for me, said Cheryl Almond, 62, who has said Campbell sexually abused her when she was a teenager in the late 1970s. The women said they plan to attend each future hearing. Jackson said she wants their presence to be a reminder to the man they say robbed them of their innocence. Your past, she said, can come back to haunt you. Not far from where I live, an ICE agent shot and killed a woman. At first, I didnt know her name, just the location. That morning, I received the news via text from an old friend of mine, a Latino activist and a fellow poet. The block where she was killed34th and Portlandis the Minneapolis neighborhood right next to mine, a little over half a mile away from where George Floyd was murdered in broad daylight by Officer Derek Chauvin in 2020. Later, I learned her name: Renee Good. She was a poet and a mom. Her wife bore witness to her murder. Even as I watch the video, I cannot imagine it. There are colorful bits of stuffed animals jutting from the glove compartment, splashed with her blood. My child attended daycare and summer programs at Pillsbury United Communities center just four blocks away, where a multiracial cohort of kids happily play through the winter, swishing around in bulky jackets and snow pants, bouncing towards their parents. Two blocks from that, community activists have painted names of Minnesotans and others who have lost their lives to state-sanctioned violence, among them Jamar Clark, Philando Castile, and Fong Lee. Community activists in Minneapolis painted names of Minnesotans and others who have lost their lives to state-sanctioned violence. Bao Phi Minnesota was already reeling from other recent tragedies. A few months ago, about three and a half miles from where Good was murdered, a shooter opened fire during mass at Annunciation Catholic School, injuring 17 and killing two children. And a few months prior to that, State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered in their homes in Brooklyn Park, a suburb about 15 miles away. I think of the distance my family and I traveled to come to this country, to Minneapolis. Fifty years ago, my father was a Vietnamese soldier who fought as an ally to the United States Armed Forces in Vietnam. When the Communist military rolled into Saigon in 1975, I was three months old. My family had to flee everything that they knew and loved to avoid my fathers possible imprisonment, torture, and execution. We arrived in the United States, a country where the majority of the population did not want us, even though we were their allies. The Phi family in the mid-1970s, shortly after arriving in Minneapolis from Vietnam. Courtesy of Bao Phi Even though I was sworn in as an American citizen when I was in grade school, I carry three forms of I.D. when I leave the house. I fearnot for the first timethat the color of my skin and the shape of my eyes puts me at risk. I worry about my mother and father, elderly now, both legal residents for five decades, who have done nothing against the law, and yet could be scooped up at any time by ICE. All around me, my fellow Minnesotans are being violently dragged away by masked and armed men empowered by the federal government. The majority being accosted and disappeared are Black, Muslim, Latinx, and Asian. There are stories of Native American citizens getting detained by ICE agents who do not recognize tribal IDs. Others are afraid to leave their homes to do mundane things like getting groceries or shoveling snow and clearing ice from their sidewalks. Now, we have witnessed ICE shoot and kill a white queer woman in the face on a residential street, in broad daylight, caught on multiple cameras. Hours later, ICE agents detained a teacher outside of Roosevelt High school shortly after the end of classes, allegedly using tear gas. For the safety of students, public schools shifted to remote learning. And its not just Minnesotans who have been dealing with tragedy: On New Years Eve, almost 2000 miles away, an off-duty ICE agent shot and killed Anthony Porter, a father of two, in Los Angeles. As I write this, over 30 people have died in ICE custody at sites across our 2,800-mile-long country. All of this calculation of distance and I cant reconcile the most important space of all: the distance between myself and some of my fellow American citizens, who believe that the actions of ICEfrom the racial profiling, imprisonment, and detainment of people on American soil, to the killing of Good and Porterare acceptable. I have felt sick all week. This vast gulf between us, not just as Americans but as human beings, has drained me of hope. Still: I step out my front door and walk a few short blocks on Minneapolis sidewalks pockmarked with ice in 20 degree weather, which the 17 mph winds make it feel like 7 degrees. This is a place where the cold physically hurts. And yet there they are, thousands of my fellow Minnesotans. We march. We shout. We hold space with one another. My grandfather was outspoken against the brutal French colonial regime back in Vietnam. One day, he vanished, and my mother never saw him again. Many times, shes told me she worries something like this will happen to me in America, for standing up and speaking up for what I believe in, but she understands why I choose to do it. Thousands gathered at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis on Jan. 10, 2026 to protest ICE's presence in the city. Bao Phi In the days since Good was killed, people from all walks of life have stood together: people of different races, faiths, genders, sexualities, and economic backgrounds. We march together no matter the temperature, no matter the fear inflicted, no matter the hatred weaponized, because of our love for humanity. We love our friends and our family and our neighbors, even the ones we dont know so well, even the ones we may on occasion disagree with. And this love makes violence and injustice unacceptable. I hope that the rest of the country and the world will stand with us in outrage and sadness that ultimately comes from a place of deep and unwavering love. When we stand together, the distance between us closes. Contact us at letters@time.com. Timothy Busfield made his first court appearance in New Mexico on Wednesday to face child sexual abuse charges alleging the 68-year-old Emmy-winning actor and director abused 11-year-old twin boys on a film set. Busfield, in an orange prison jumpsuit, appeared via video from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County, where he is being held without bail. He did not enter a plea. A lawyer for Busfield told Judge Felicia Blea-Rivera that Busfield was advised of the charges against him. The judge informed Busfield that a pretrial detention motion seeking to keep him in custody had been filed by the Bernalillo County district attorneys office, and that he will remain in jail until a hearing on the motion, scheduled for Jan. 20. Busfield turned himself in to authorities in New Mexico on Tuesday, four days after an arrest warrant was issued by the Albuquerque Police Department. He was booked into jail on two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. According to the pretrial motion, the parents of a third alleged victim came forward this week accusing Busfield of sexual abuse. The alleged incident occurred several years ago at B Street Theatre in Sacramento, Calif., according to the filing. While auditioning for [Busfield] at B Street Theatre, the 16-year-old reported that [Busfield] kissed her and put his hands down her pants and touched her privates, the newly filed motion alleges. Busfield founded B Street Theatre, originally called Theatre for Children, in 1986. The actor begged the family to hold off on reporting the alleged incident to police if he received therapy, and the girls father, who is a therapist, agreed, according to the filing. Timothy Busfield. (Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center) Busfield has not been charged in relation to the new allegation. A representative for the actor did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Stanton Stein, an attorney for Busfield, said in a statement to Yahoo on Tuesday that his client is determined to clear his name. Tim voluntarily appeared before New Mexico authorities after traveling across the country to confront these false and deeply troubling allegations, Stein said. He is innocent. Busfield is best known for his TV roles on The West Wing and Thirtysomething and in the movie Field of Dreams. He is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, who starred in Little House on the Prairie. Gilbert deleted her Instagram account after the allegations against Busfield became public. In a separate statement, a representative for Gilbert said she would not be making any public comments about the case at the request of Busfields lawyers. Her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment, the statement said. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. What are the allegations against him? Allison Janney and Busfield in 1999 on NBCs West Wing. (Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) According to the criminal complaint, an investigation into Busfield began in November 2024 when a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted police about suspected sexual abuse of the twin boys, who were both child actors. The minors are not identified in court documents. The alleged abuse occurred on the set of The Cleaning Lady, a now canceled TV drama Busfield directed and acted in, between 2022 and 2024. According to the complaint, Busfield would tell the boys to call him Uncle Tim. When the mother of the boys asked if anyone had ever touched them in a manner that made them feel uncomfortable, the children responded by asking, You mean like Uncle Tim? At the time of the initial investigation, in November 2024, the boys said that Busfield would tickle them, but did not disclose any sexual contact, and police determined that the case did not meet their acceptance criteria. In October 2025, the mother reported to Child Protective Services that both of her children disclosed that they had been sexually abused by Busfield. One of the children told a forensic child interviewer that the alleged abuse first occurred when he was 7 years old. The child said that Busfield touched him five to six times over his clothing in his poop and pee area. The child described a similar incident when he was 8 years old, in which Busfield touched him in the same areas over his clothing three to four times. He said he was afraid to tell anyone because Tim was the Director, and he feared Tim would get mad at him, the complaint states. According to the complaint, the boy previously told a therapist he was having nightmares about the director touching him and waking up scared. The boy also disclosed that the director had touched and rubbed his penis 3 or 4 times and appeared to be ashamed. The other boy told the forensic child interviewer that Busfield started touching them for the first two years they were on set. The boy said the touching occurred as they were filming in the house, and that he did not like being touched, but did not say anything because he did not want to get in trouble. What did Busfield tell police? Melissa Gilbert and Busfield in 2023. (Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images) (Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images) Busfield denied the allegations when he spoke with investigators in November 2025. During a phone interview with police, Busfield was asked if he ever had any physical contact with these boys and if he ever picked them up and tickled them. He said it was highly likely because, as a director, he wanted to foster a playful environment. I dont remember it, Busfield said, according to the complaint. If it happened, I dont remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldnt be uncommon for me. Busfield and Gilbert told police that they had a relationship with the alleged victims and their family outside of work. The couple advised that they did buy the two boys Christmas gifts and were together on several social functions, per the complaint. Busfield said that the boys were eventually replaced by another child actor on the show, and that he was told by another actor that their mother wanted revenge on him for not bringing her kids back for the final season. Busfield and Patricia Wettig in 1989 on ABCs Thirtysomething. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) In my training and experience, pedophiles often infiltrate families under a trusted role, like Timothy, who, as a producer, exploited the hectic film sets to tickle and touch [the boy] on his penis and buttocks, masking it as play, Albuquerque Police Officer Marvin Brown wrote in a conclusion to the complaint attached to the arrest warrant. He would invite the family to off-set gatherings, with his wife buying Christmas gifts to foster closeness, making [the boy] feel special and dependent classic grooming to erode boundaries, isolate the victim, and silence suspicions by blending abuse into normalcy, Brown continued. This dual tactic, charming parents while secretly violating the child, builds a web of complicity that is hard to unravel, delaying detection, as families trust the abusers facade. What did Warner Bros. say? According to the complaint, attorneys for Warner Bros. Television, which produced The Cleaning Lady, told police that in February 2025, the studio conducted an independent investigation into allegations that Busfield kissed a minor male actor on the face in a makeup trailer, but could not find evidence to support the claims. On Monday, a Warner Bros. spokesperson said in a statement that we are aware of the current charges against Mr. Busfield and have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement. In a video taken at his lawyers office shortly before he turned himself in, Busfield said he drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque to confront these lies. Im sure most of you know, that are watching this, that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque Im here now, he said in the video, which was published by TMZ. I got the call Friday night. I had to get a lawyer. Saturday, I got in the car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. Theyre all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and Im gonna fight it, Busfield continued. Im gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong. He added: So hang in there and hopefully Im out real soon and back to work. I love everybody for supporting me, thank you. Eric Adams, mayor of New York, speaks during the Crypto Summit in New York, US, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 (Adam GrayGetty Images) On Monday night, hours after announcing his NYC Token at a press conference in Times Square, former New York City Mayor Eric Adams launched his cryptocurrency. The purpose of the token was unclearbeyond a vague promise by Adams that it would combat antisemitismbut investors bought it up anyway, briefly sending its market cap to $600 million. Then it crashed. It didnt take long for crypto observers to declare NYC Token had all the hallmarks of a dreaded rugpulla common scam where someone launches a cryptocurrency then quickly extracts the value, leaving retail investors with worthless tokens. According to Nicolas Vaiman, the founder of the crypto analytics firm Bubblemaps, as well as blockchain transactions reviewed by Fortune, the developer likely netted around $1 million in proceeds after withdrawing profits from the market. Though it remains unclear whether Adams received any of the proceeds, the incident recalled similar debacles of celebrity memecoin launches, including Argentina President Javier Mileis Libra scandal in early 2025 and Haliey Hawk Tuah girl Welchs failed launch in late 2024. This is such an obvious rug, said Vaiman. After publication, Elissa Buchter from the public relations firm Peoples Revolution sent Fortune a statement from NYC Token: The team has not withdrawn any money from the account, she wrote. We are excited to see the response for this Token. It shows many people realize fighting anti-Americanism and antisemitism is important. Were focused on transparency and building for the long term. $NYC Token When Adams revealed his NYC Token project to a gaggle of reporters in Times Square on Monday morning, he was short on specifics. The former mayor declined to clarify who else was involved with the cryptocurrency, and instead pointed to a website without functioning buttons. He added that the project would teach New Yorks children about the virtues of blockchain technology and fund initiatives fighting antisemitism. Adams has long been a crypto booster. He started his mayoral term by declaring he would receive his first three paychecks in Bitcoin and palling around with Brock Pierce, the former Mighty Ducks star who earned his fortune on blockchain projects including the stablecoin Tether. Eddie Cullen, a former NYC mayoral candidate and founder of the crypto company Crescite, claims that he began sharing ideas with Adamss inner circle for a NYC token around June 2025. A press release from his political action committee Innovate NY describes plans to support a trademarked initiative called NYC Token that would channel blockchain technology to drive new city revenue, and Cullen shared a presentation with Fortune detailing the project that he says he also shared with Adamss team. Cullen says that he had no warning about Mondays announcement and plans to send Adams a cease-and-desist. Im going to hold him accountable, he told Fortune. Im more shocked that he would just go out and do this. It remains unclear who besides Adams was involved with the tokens launch, with a new website listing C18 Digital as an associated entity. Delaware corporation records indicate that a limited liability company called C18 Digital was incorporated on Dec. 30, 2025. The muddled history of the tokens origination is just the tip of the iceberg. When a cryptocurrency launches, the developers behind the project will typically fund the new market with other assets such as USDC, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, or the popular cryptocurrency Solana in a so-called liquidity pool so that users can both buy and sell the new token. But the NYC Token did not follow that approach, instead doing a one-sided liquidity pool that only comprised the token itself. When users began to buy it, injecting the liquidity pool with USDC, a wallet associated with the developer withdrew $2.5 million of those USDC. According to Vaiman, this kind of sell-off is more subtle because it doesnt look like the wallets are selling the token itself. Hayden Davis the infamous figure behind the Argentina Libra scandal, which saw investors lose $250 million in a memecoin associated with the countrys presidentused a similar approach. After reports of a rugpull went viral on X on Monday night, a new account associated with the token announced that it had added new funds to the liquidity pool. Still, according to Vaiman, the developers likely were able to net around $1 million in profit. I truly have no explanation on why they did it, Vaiman said. Is this as simple as just pure grift? Maybe Im overoptimistic and I dont want to believe thats the case, but maybe this is what it is. Updated on 1/13/2026 at 1:50 PM ET to include a statement from NYC Token. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com G. Edward Johnson (CC BY) Macys is set to close 14 more underperforming stores as part of its Bold New Chapter turnaround plan. The iconic department store is nearing its goal of 150 closures, which it first announced in February 2024. Macys permanently shut down 55 locations in 2024 and another 66 stores in 2025, putting the company at roughly 80% of its planned closures. Macys, Inc. continues to execute its Bold New Chapter strategy, making targeted adjustments to its store footprint to better serve customers and support long-term growth. These actions allow us to reinvest in go-forward stores and digital capabilities, the company told USA TODAY. What Is the Bold New Chapter Plan? Bold New Chapter is a turnaround strategy introduced in 2024 by Macys CEO Tony Spring, aimed at improving sales, revitalizing the brand, and positioning the company for long-term growth. In addition to closing underperforming locations, the plan includes investing in 125 so-called Reimagine stores, which are receiving increased staffing and targeted upgrades in departments such as womens shoes. The strategy appears to be gaining traction. In the most recent quarter, those 125 stores posted comparable sales growth of 2.7%. searching_for_flow/Reddit.com We have made meaningful progress and remain clear-eyed about the work ahead, Spring said in a memo sent to employees. We are seeing customers respond through strong performance in our go-forward business, record Net Promoter Scores, and improved results over the first three quarters. Which Macys Stores Are Closing? A list of the newly announced store closures was first reported by Axios and includes the following locations: 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa, California 3400 Naglee Rd., Tracy, California 4880 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 7900 Ritchie Hwy., Glen Burnie, Maryland 3850 Rivertown Pkwy. SW, Michigan 4101 W Division St., Saint Cloud, Minnesota 50 Fox Run Rd., Newington, New Hampshire 112 Eisenhower Pkwy., Livingston, New Jersey 225 Interstate Shopping Center, Ramsey, New Jersey 1255 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, New York 3801 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 100 Pittsburgh Mills Cir., Tarentum, Pennsylvania 5488 South Padre Island Dr., Corpus Christi, Texas 17855 Southcenter Pkwy., Tukwila, Washington According to the memo, Spring said the company will continue evaluating its store portfolio and will provide support to impacted employees, including transfer opportunities where available, as well as severance and outplacement services. More From Cheapism bgesaman/Reddit.com ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods speaks at the Milken Institute's Global Conference on May 6, 2024 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images) In todays CEO Daily: Fortune energy editor Jordan Blum reports on how Exxon got too cute in the presidents eyes. The big story: Fallout from the criminal probe into the Fed. The markets: Mixed globally, with the South Korea KOSPI continuing its record surge. Plus: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune. Good morning. As President Donald Trump has initiated tariff wars and threatened individual companies, his second term has been marked by pilgrimages of CEOs from Big Tech and beyond to bestow gifts upon POTUS and perform public acts of praise. Big Oil executives took their turn Friday when they were called to the White House to discuss the prospect of investing billions of dollars in revitalizing the dilapidated Venezuelan industry. But Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods politely poured cold water on Trumps preferred expediency, calling Venezuela uninvestable until a prolonged period of reforms can be enacted. A clearly miffed Trump on Sunday called Exxon too cute, and he said hes inclined to keep the worlds largest Big Oil giant out of Venezuela. Woods, an Exxon lifer who succeeded Rex Tillerson as CEO in 2017 when his boss went to work for Trump, is a reserved but strong-spoken chief who has emerged as an unofficial industry spokesman. Woods is a believer in the famed, disciplined Exxon way. Hes always cordial but blunt. Hell tell you Exxon wont invest in renewablesExxon is about molecules, not electronsand that Exxon shouldnt be blamed for climate change. And hes not going to appease the president by upsetting Exxon shareholdersan ongoing conundrum for the business leaders. Energy analysts said Exxon stock likely would have suffered if Exxon overcommitted to spending billions in Venezuela in its current, uneconomic state. Exxons stock ticked down only slightly by 0.5% on Mondaydespite Trumps critical wordsand maintained a market cap of about $529 billion. There was nobody to say anything, except Darren, and hes eloquent as heck, said Jim Wicklund, veteran oil analyst and managing director for PPHB energy investment firm. Sometimes it comes down to who has the most leverage. This is Trumps problem. Theres no urgency by the industry at all to go back into Venezuela. And theres almost no inducement other than guaranteeing profitability, which they cant do, Wicklund said. You can sweeten the terms, but the political risk outweighs that variable by a factor of 10.Jordan Blum Contact CEO Daily via Diane Brady at diane.brady@fortune.com This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods (R) listens as U.S. President Donald Trump (L) speaks during a meeting with oil company executives in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Jan. 9, 2026. President Trump is aiming to convince oil executives to support his plans in Venezuela, a country whose energy resources he says he expects to control for years to come. U.S. forces seized Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a sweeping military operation on Jan. 3, with Trump making no secret that control of Venezuela's oil was at the heart of his actions. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images) As other oil executives lavished President Trump with praise at the White House, Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods bluntly said the Venezuelan oil industry is currently uninvestable, and that major reforms are required before even considering committing the many billions of dollars required to revitalize the countrys dilapidated crude business. Two days later, a miffed Trump told reporters Jan. 11 that he would probably be inclined to keep Exxon out of Venezuela. I didnt like their response. Theyre playing too cute, Trump said. Woods, an Exxon lifer who succeeded Rex Tillerson as CEO in 2017 when his boss went to work for Trump, is a reserved but strong-spoken chief who has emerged as an unofficial industry spokesman as the leader of the worlds largest Big Oil giant. But hes inadvertently crossed swords with the president who wants U.S. Big Oil players to invest more than $100 billion in the Venezuelan oil sectorand to do it quickly. There was nobody to say anything, except Darren, and hes eloquent as heck, said Jim Wicklund, veteran oil analyst and managing director for PPHB energy investment firm, noting that Exxon stock most likely would have fallen if Woods had overcommitted to Venezuela. This is Trumps problem. Theres no urgency by the industry at all to go back into Venezuela. And theres almost no inducement other than guaranteeing profitability, which they cant do, Wicklund said. You can sweeten the terms, but the political risk outweighs that variable by a factor of 10. We dont need Venezuelan oil. Its going to hurt everybody else (including U.S. producers) if we boost Venezuelan production because, right now, were awash in oil. But Trump also wants more oil to keep lowering prices because it means cheaper prices at the pump to help win the midterm elections. Exxon and ConocoPhillips, specifically, had their Venezuelan oil assets expropriated by the government in 2007, costing them billions of dollars. Although Venezuela has the worlds largest proven oil reserves, its oil output has plunged to one-third of its volumes from the turn of the century because of mismanagement, labor strikes, and U.S. sanctions. Trump has used the 2007 expropriations as a pretext for the shocking Jan. 3 military attack and arrest of leader Nicolas Maduro. Trump has repeatedly called the expropriations the largest theft in American history. He called an impressive group of global oil executives to the White House on Jan. 9 to discuss how they will go into Venezuela, invest, and turn the industry around. But Woods more than anyone put a damper on Trumps enthusiasm to move fast and spend big. Woods promised to set a technical team to Venezuela within two weeks to assess the situation. But any major financial commitments would take much longer. The questions will ultimately be: How durable are the protections from a financial standpoint? What do the terms look like? What are the commercial frameworks, the legal frameworks? Woods said. All those things have to be put in place in order to make a decision to understand what your return will be over the next several decades for these billions of dollars of investment. Exxon did not respond to requests for comment Jan. 12, and the White House declined further comment. Oil desires meet reality Dan Pickering, founder of the Pickering Energy Partners consulting and research firm, said he expected cheerleading from the oil executives, and they delivered in spades except for Woods. If you only had to have one snippet about whats actually going to happen, Exxon gave it to you, Pickering said. We could have hung up after that. The reality: More than doubling Venezuelas current oil production likely would take until 2030 and cost about $110 billion, according to research firm Rystad Energy, while tripling back to levels from 2000 would take well over a decade and cost closer to $185 billion. Exxon Mobil recently pioneered the oil industry offshore of Guyana, Venezuelas southern neighbor, and it makes more sense to keep investing there than to move back into Venezuela, Wicklund said. If you have the choice of committing capital to another well in Guyana, an offshore well in Brazil, making an acquisition in the Permian basin, or spending $20 billion and waiting a couple of years to get an incremental drop of oil out of Venezuela, then it comes in last, Wicklund said. You must spend to rebuild the infrastructure in Venezuela long before it can return to profitability and, even though the oil is already discovered, it isnt cheap to produce because the extra heavy grade of Venezuelan crude requires extra effort to get out of the ground. Diluentessentially a very light oilis needed to thin it out and get the heavy crude to flow out of wells. Youre talking about having to bring in oil to get the oil out. Its basically sludge, Wicklund said. Maybe Woods could have sugarcoated his message a bit more, but he did still promise boots on the ground quicklyjust not money, Wicklund said. He may regret saying that today, but none of it would have changed reality. That said, Trump remains in a position of strength in Venezuela because controlling the oil can force the acting Venezuelan government to cooperate. The U.S. doesnt need the oil, but its a perfect way to control Venezuela, Wicklund said. Why did you leave everybody in place? Stability. They all hate you, yes, but now Trump owns on the purse strings. It is kind of brilliant, and nature will take its course in the economics of the oil and gas industry. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Cavan Images/Getty Canyonlands National Park, Utah 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. 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. 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 Statement of Brian King, Executive Vice President for U.S. Programs, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oklahoma Supreme Court today delivered a huge victory for public health by ruling that a new state law undermining the independence of the state's Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) violates the Oklahoma Constitution. This ruling ensures that TSET can continue, free from political interference, with its critical mission of protecting kids from tobacco addiction and saving lives in Oklahoma. TSET was established in 2000 following a ballot measure approved by Oklahoma voters, which enshrined TSET in the state Constitution and gave it the authority to receive and allocate the majority of the annual payments Oklahoma receives under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The MSA requires various tobacco companies to compensate states with annual payments in perpetuity for the costs caused by smoking. Oklahoma has been a national leader in using its tobacco settlement revenues to fund programs that prevent kids from using tobacco and help tobacco users quit, driving down tobacco use in the state. Under the voter-approved constitutional amendment that created TSET, members of TSET's Board of Directors serve seven-year terms. However, in 2025, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a law allowing elected officials to replace members of the board "at their pleasure." As the Oklahoma Supreme Court found, this law violated voters' intent in creating an independent body to allocate the state's tobacco settlement funds in the public interest and protect its decisions from political interference. Today's decision is a monumental win for public health that will ensure TSET's lifesaving work continues without political interference. TSET has contributed to significant reductions in tobacco use in Oklahoma. Since its launch in 2003, the TSET-funded Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline has served over 600,000 individuals in all 77 counties. These efforts have contributed to a 51% decrease in adult smoking prevalence in Oklahoma, falling from 28.7% in 2001 to 14.1% in 2024. In August, eight leading medical, public health and community organizations filed an amicus brief supporting TSET's lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the 2025 law. The brief was filed by the Oklahoma State Medical Association, Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians, Oklahoma Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The groups were represented by Wyatt McGuire of McGuire Law Firm. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Getty Stock image of a monkey NEED TO KNOW Multiple monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis, city officials confirmed on Jan. 8 As of Jan. 13, the primates are still at large, with AI-generated sightings making it more difficult to confirm details All non-human primates are prohibited in St. Louis, but anyone who turns in one of the monkeys will not face legal repercussions, officials said It sounds like the plot of a science fiction movie, but its real life: There are monkeys running around the streets of St. Louis, and officials are not sure where they came from. The earliest confirmed reports of primates roaming the Missouri city emerged on Thursday, Jan. 8, with officials unsure of the animals origins, local NBC affiliate KSDK reported, citing the citys Department of Health, and Animal Care and Control division. As of Tuesday, Jan. 13, the primates are reportedly still on the loose, and officials are still not sure where they came from, according to a later report from KSDK. Justen Hauser, environmental health bureau chief at the St. Louis Department of Health, previously confirmed that there were multiple monkeys are on the loose near OFallon Park in a statement obtained by The Guardian. Initial sightings suggested there were four monkeys, but Hauser said officials were unable to confirm the exact number. While first confirming reports of the loose critters which a St. Louis Zoo expert identified as vervet monkeys, according to NBC News Hauser admitted that the situation was unprecedented: "This is the first time we've had a situation dealing with monkeys at large in the city of St. Louis. Getty Stock image of a vervet monkey Officers with the Department of Health attempted to locate the primates near the park where they were first spotted on both Thursday, Jan. 8, and Friday, Jan. 9 to no avail, according to NBC News. We are working to get an idea of where they may be hiding or seeking food, Hauser said, according to NBC News. We are engaging with partner agencies that are properly trained and equipped to safely capture these animals. Once captured, the monkeys will be transported to a facility certified to care for exotic animals. The St. Louis Department of Health did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment, nor did the citys Animal Care and Control division. As varied reports of the primates emerged on social media, Hauser also issued a warning about AI-generated images, and said that the faux sightings have made it harder to confirm the details of the unprecedented situation. "Many unverified or AI-generated posts have contributed to confusion about whether animals are still loose," the environmental health bureau chief said, according to KSDK. Department of Health spokesperson Willie Springer echoed this in a statement obtained by CBS News. "It's been a lot in regard to AI and what's genuine and what's not," the department spokesperson said before adding: "People are just having fun. Like I don't think anyone means harm." 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. As reports AI-generated and otherwise of monkey sightings swirl online, a report of a loose goat in the streets of St. Louis also emerged on social media, according to FOX 2. The report is unconfirmed. Exotic pets, including all non-human primates, are prohibited in St. Louis city limits, according to St. Louis Animal Care and Control. But Hauser said that anyone who comes forward to turn in an illegal monkey will not face legal repercussions, according to KSDK. If you have secured one of these animals, the department of health will be waiving any charges or fines that pertain to prohibited animals in the city, the environmental health bureau chief said, so that these monkeys can be safely and humanely turned in. The department warned St. Louis residents that the seemingly escaped primates may be unpredictable or aggressive under stress, and should not be approached, per NBC News. Read the original article on People BOISE (KIVI) Participants gathered at Lucky Peak for the 23rd annual Make-A-Wish Idaho Polar Bear Challenge, Boises coldest fundraiser and one of the nonprofits most anticipated events of the year. The annual cold plunge challenges individuals and teams to jump into the chilly water to raise money for wishes benefiting children with critical illnesses. Among those taking the plunge was Dahlia Thompson, who participated for the second year in a row alongside her dad, John D. Thompson. The pair has turned the Polar Bear Challenge into a family tradition. Im doing the polar bear plunge for the second time, Dahlia said. I was crying when I got out last year. Beyond braving the cold, the Thompsons also helped raise hundreds of dollars for Make-A-Wish Idaho. To me, its a pretty easy event to earn money for a great cause she out-earns me every time, John D. said, pointing to his daughter. Dahlia says her motivation is simple. I just really like giving back, she said. Make-A-Wish Idaho says the Polar Bear Challenge has continued to grow over the years, raising more than $100,000 annually. This years event is expected to support more than a dozen wishes for children across the state. Its grown every single year, said Jamie Best, president of Make-A-Wish Idaho. This year, I think were probably a thirty percent increase over last year, and people love coming out to support Make-A-Wish Idaho. One of the children highlighted during this years event is Zoe, a young girl currently undergoing treatment for leukemia. Her wish is to go to Disney World. While Zoe wasnt able to attend in person due to health challenges, organizers say her presence was felt throughout the event. She was our featured wish kid for this year, Best said. Unfortunately, she was unable to be with us in person today because shes having some health struggles, but she is with us in spirit for sure. Organizers say events like the Polar Bear Challenge offer more than just financial support they also bring the Treasure Valley community together around a shared purpose. It gives them hope and strength and joy and something to look forward to in getting over a really difficult time, Best said. The post Hundreds take icy plunge at Lucky Peak to support Make-A-Wish Idaho appeared first on East Idaho News. The Department of Homeland Security released the names and IDs of its latest round of "worst of the worst" criminal migrant offenders as the largest immigration operation in Minnesota history is set to get even bigger. ICE captured another round of illegal immigrant criminals in Minneapolis over the weekend including alleged child abusers and drug pushers as the largest-ever operation of its kind will reportedly soon be reinforced by up to another 1,000 agents. Among those arrested and now slated from removal from the US are a Somalian national with multiple arrests for credit card fraud and drug trafficking, a Mexican citizen previously arrested for child cruelty and battery and an illegal alien from Thailand busted for possessing 200 tablets of ecstasy, officials told The Post. The Department of Homeland Security released the names and IDs of its latest round of worst of the worst criminal migrant offenders as the largest immigration operation in Minnesota history is set to get even bigger. DHS The agency charged ahead with Operation Metro Surge even in the face of headwinds from anti-ICE protesters emboldened by lefty pols following last weeks deadly shooting of Renee Good, who was killed when she veered her SUV into the path of an agent while attempting to flee after blocking the street. As rioters and sanctuary politicians demonized and attempted to obstruct our brave ICE law enforcement, they continued to remove the worst of the worst from Minnesota, said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. We will not let rioters or sanctuary politicians slow us down from arresting and removing the worst of the worst from Minnesota neighborhoods. Some 2,000 immigration agents have been deployed to the Twin Cities over the last week, the largest such enforcement operation ever in the region, netting hundreds of arrests so far. But the surge of agents is still ramping up, according to sources cited by CNN, which say another 1,000 immigration officers are joining the effort. Immigration officers have faced a surge of protest activity following the shooting death of Renee Good at the hands of an ICE agent last week. AP Immigration agents are working in coordination with local police in rounding up and deporting criminal illegal aliens. REUTERS Some of the criminal illegal immigrants busted by ICE over the weekend in Minnesota include: Mohamud Farah Mohamed, a criminal illegal alien from Somalia with arrests for multiple counts of credit card fraud, drug possession and controlled substance possession and drug trafficking. He was issued a final order of removal in 2022. Saeb Sivixay, of Laos, who has three prior convictions for selling amphetamines as well as convictions for assault and contributing to a minors delinquency. His final order of removal was issued in 2009. Ignacio Gonzalez-De La Rosa, in the US illegally from Mexico, who was previously arrested for child cruelty and battery. Ever Joel Lopez Del Cid, previously arrested for carrying a weapon, aggravated assault and obstructing justice. Miguel Salvador-Reyes a Mexican national arrested previously for cruelty toward a child. Mario Yubany Fuentes-Sanchez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras previously arrested for terroristic threats and domestic violence. Tong Sphabmisay, a criminal illegal alien from Thailand, with a conviction for possession of 200 tablets of Ecstasy. Tong Sphabmisay, a criminal illegal alien from Thailand, with a conviction for possession of 200 tablets of Ecstasy. Danny Yasmani Suares Munoz, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador, with previously arrested for multiple counts of domestic violence and aggravated assault. This criminal illegally entered the U.S. in July 2023 and was released into the country under the Biden administration. Ansar Abdullahi Samatar, a criminal illegal alien from Somalia previously arrested for dangerous drugs and possession of narcotics. The agency has vowed to see these criminal thugs, some of whom were issued final orders of removal more than two decades ago, deported from the US once and for all. NBC has pulled an upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU after charges of alleged child sexual abuse were brought against guest star Timothy Busfield. Last Friday, an arrest warrant was issued for Busfield, 68, who is facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and an open count of child abuse. The actor is best known for playing Danny Concannon in The West Wing and has also appeared in films including Field of Dreams and Revenge of the Nerds. The Law & Order: SVU episode in question was titled Corrosive and was expected to air this week on January 15. In it, Busfield was set to play a respected judge whose life is threatened after an anonymous video is posted to the SVU tip-line. Every episode of the show, which focuses on a Special Victims Unit, opens with the lines: In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories... Timothy Busfield, pictured in New York in 2020, is facing allegations of child sexual abuse (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images) Deadline reports that the episode will be replaced on NBC schedules by the subsequent episode, originally slated for January 22. The arrest warrant for Busfield was issued in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where local station KOAT reported that one child told law enforcement that Busfield allegedly touched them inappropriately at the age of 7, according to court records. Busfield was reportedly directing the Fox crime series The Cleaning Lady when the alleged acts took place, beginning in November 2022. The incidents allegedly occurred around five or six times. Court documents show that Albuquerque police began their investigation of Busfield in November 2024 after staff at the University of New Mexico Hospital told police it appeared children were being groomed on the set of the television show. According to those records, two children at the hospital did not accuse Busfield of sexual contact but did state that Uncle Tim would tickle them on the stomach and legs, and that they did not care for the tickling. Busfield was born in June 1957 in Lansing, Michigan. He has worked extensively in theatre as an actor and director, with Broadway credits including A Few Good Men and Brighton Beach Memoirs. He has been married three times. He has a son from his first marriage to actor and director Radha Delamarter. After they divorced in 1986, he married fashion designer Jennifer Merwin in 1988 and they had two more children. They divorced in 2007, and in 2013, he married Little House on the Prairie actor Melissa Gilbert. Myanmar targeted the Rohingya for destruction and made their lives a nightmare, the top UN court heard on the first day of the proceedings in a landmark case accusing the Southeast Asian country of committing genocide. Dawda Jallow, justice minister of the Gambia, which brought the case, said no one was held accountable for the persecution of the Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority, and the perpetrators then felt emboldened to overthrow the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. He said there were credible reports of the most brutal and vicious violations imaginably inflicted upon a vulnerable group. This is the first genocide case that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing in full in over a decade. The case centres around the Myanmar militarys operations in 2016 and 2017 that sent over 700,000 Rohingya refugees fleeing into neighbouring Bangladesh to escape persecution. Proceedings began on Monday and are expected to last three weeks, with Gambia presenting its case over four days and Myanmar responding on Friday. The world court will also hear from Rohingya victims of the violence during a closed session. Dawda Jallow waits for the start of the first hearing in the Myanmar genocide case at the ICJ in the Hague (ANP/AFP/Getty) Mr Jallow told the court on Monday that the Rohingya had endured decades of appalling persecution and dehumanising propaganda. This culminated in the savage genocidal clearance operations in 2016 and 2017, which were followed by continued genocidal policies meant to erase their existence in Myanmar, he said. He noted the Gambias case involved members of the Rohingya community, including some who had travelled from refugee camps in Bangladesh. He said the Rohingya were a simple people with dreams of living in peace and dignity. They have been targeted for destruction, Mr Jallow said. Myanmar has denied them their dream, in fact its turned their lives into a nightmare, subjecting them to the most horrific violence and destruction one could imagine. The Gambian minister said his country had brought the case to the ICJ as a sense of responsibility and that Myanmar was trapped in a cycle of atrocities, referring to the militarys overthrow of the Suu Kyi government. At a 2019 preliminary hearing of the case, Ms Suu Kyi, then the leader of Myanmar, had rejected the Gambias accusations of genocide as incomplete and misleading, a move that tarnished the Nobel Peace laureates reputation as a defender of human rights. A displaced Rohingya man at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia (AFP/Getty) Speaking in The Hague before the ICJ hearing, Rohingya victims said they wanted the long-awaited case to deliver justice. Were 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, 52, who said he was tortured by the Myanmar military, told Reuters. Another survivor, Monaira, told the news agency they did not just hope to get justice, we demand it and we would like to ask the court to take action against the Myanmar dictators, the leaders of the Myanmar military who committed the genocide. The Rohingya come mainly from the Rakhine state. They claim to be the descendants of Arab traders and other Muslim populations that lived in the region for generations. Myanmar, however, accuses them of being illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Although the ongoing case wont result in individual sentences, experts say it will set a global precedent for what the world is willing to tolerate. In particular, the proceedings are expected to set precedents that may affect South Africas case of genocide against Israel over the war in Gaza. Myanmar denies genocide, as does Israel, whose lawyers dismiss the South African case as an abuse of the genocide convention. 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. 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. 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. 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. Illustration: Eddie Marshall | Instagram 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. 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. 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. 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. 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." 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. 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. 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. Never-before-seen video shows the dramatic moment that scientists encountered a new anaconda species while filming the National Geographic travel series "Pole to Pole with Will Smith." This is Ecuadors Wild Wild West. Never-before-seen video shows the dramatic moment that scientists encountered a new anaconda species while filming the National Geographic travel series Pole to Pole with Will Smith. The footage was captured last year, but was only recently released to the public. The newly named northern green anaconda or Eunectes akayima is reportedly the largest in the world, capable of exceeding lengths of 20 feet with anecdotal reports of serpents measuring 25 feet long. The wild clip shows the host and I Am Legend actor cruising down a river with venom expert Bryan Fry and Indigenous Waorani guides in an area of the Ecuadorian Amazon, where researchers were sampling the snakes in 2022 for a genetics study, Livescience reported. The Woarani capture a northern green anaconda, a species that can exceed 20 feet in length. National Geographic All of a sudden, they happen across one of the behemoth constrictors resting on the bank. Thats when their native fixers jump on the serpent to immobilize it while Smith, 56, looks on in awe. Let them try and control this, Fry remarks as the Bad Boys star remarks, Thats gigantic! The biologist, who teaches toxicology at the University of Queensland in Australia, estimated that the particular anaconda measured around 17 feet long around the size of a small SUV. At one point, one of the indigenous guides exclaims, Hold her carefully, she could escape, as the water monster attempts to wriggle free. Fry then enlists the A-lister to help take a scale from its belly so they could measure the accumulation of pollutants in the water. Smith initially turns down the proposition, confessing he was a bit nervous, but ultimately obliges after some encouragement from Fry. Will Smith helps sample scales from the snake. YouTube / National Geographic The northern green anaconda (pictured) diverged from its southern counterpart 10 million years ago. Jesus Rivas / University of Queensland The clip concludes with the Oscar-winner helping wipe debris away from the serpents belly, before Fry snips a scale and places it in a vial, prompting Smith to breathe a sigh of relief. Theres our sample. We can do all the research on this animal with just that one tiny little piece, exclaimed Fry. Pole to Pole with Will Smith premieres January 13 on Disney+. Finding a new species is so often not a case of actively searching but rather having rigorous scientific process in place so that serendipity can strike, said Fry (pictured snipping scales from the snake). National Geographic/Tom Barbor-Might The scale sample, and others harvested in 2022, revealed that green anacondas, which were previously thought to all belong to one species, are actually two distinct species that diverged 10 million years ago. They are Eunectes murinus, the already-identified southern green anaconda, and Eunectes akayima, the northern green anaconda. While similar looking, the two species differ genetically by 5.5% for reference, the DNA discrepancy between human and ape clocks in at approximately 2%. Finding a new species is so often not a case of actively searching but rather having rigorous scientific process in place so that serendipity can strike, Fry told Livescience. The research into the genetics of the iconic green anaconda is textbook in this regard. The two occupy different geographic regions, too. The Northern slitherer resides in the Amazons northern basin, encompassing Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Its southern counterpart, meanwhile, occupies Amazons southern basin, spanning Brazil, Peru and Bolivia and French Guiana. Both species of anaconda which is the worlds heaviest snake, weighing in at up to 550 pounds reside in wetlands and rivers, where they pursue large prey such as capybaras, caimans and deer. Flames lick around the edges of Omar's passport. "It's burning well," an unseen woman says in Russian in the video. Omar, a 26-year-old Syrian construction worker, had been deployed for about nine months on the front line of Russia's war in Ukraine when the clip arrived on his phone. He knew the woman's voice. It was Polina Alexandrovna Azarnykh, who he says had helped him sign up to fight for Russia, promising lucrative work and Russian citizenship. But now she was angry. In a series of voice notes from Ukraine, Omar, speaking under a pseudonym for his safety, describes how he ended up trapped and terrified in the war zone. He says Azarnykh had promised that if he paid her $3,000 (2,227), she would ensure he stayed in a non-combat role. But, he says, he was sent into battle with just 10 days of training, so he refused to pay and she eventually responded by burning his passport. He says he tried refusing to take part in a mission, but his commanders threatened to kill or jail him. "We were tricked this woman is a con artist and a liar," says Omar. Polina Azarnykh frequently posts images of herself with new recruits, including the Syrian group Omar travelled with [Telegram] A BBC Eye investigation has followed how Azarnykh, a 40-year-old former teacher, uses a Telegram channel to lure young men, often from poor countries, into joining Russia's military. The former teacher's smiling video messages and upbeat posts offer "one-year contracts" for "military service". The BBC World Service has identified nearly 500 cases where she has provided documents, referred to as invitations, which allow the recipient to enter Russia to join the military. These have been for men - mainly from Syria, Egypt and Yemen - who appear to have sent her their passport details in order to enlist. But recruits and their relatives have told the BBC that she misled men into believing they would avoid combat, failed to make clear they could not leave after a year and threatened those who challenged her. When contacted by the BBC, she rejected the allegations. Twelve families told us of young men they say were recruited by her who are now dead or missing. Azarnykh frequently posts videos of herself encouraging people to serve in the Russian military [Telegram] Domestically, Russia has expanded conscription, recruited prisoners and offered increasingly generous sign-up bonuses to maintain its operation in Ukraine, despite substantial losses. More than one million of its soldiers have been killed or wounded since the full-scale invasion in 2022, with 25,000 killed in the month of December 2025 alone, according to Nato. Research by BBC News Russian, based on obituaries and other publicly available death records, suggests Russian troop losses in Ukraine rose faster than ever last year. It is difficult to determine how many foreigners have joined Russia's military. BBC Russian's analysis - which also looked at the number of foreigners killed and injured - suggests at least 20,000 may have signed up, including from countries such as Cuba, Nepal and North Korea. Ukraine has suffered significant troop losses too, and has also taken foreign fighters into its ranks. 'Bodies everywhere' Omar's first contact with Azarnykh was when he was stranded with barely any money at a Moscow airport in March 2024, together with 14 other Syrians. Jobs in Syria were scarce and low paid. Omar says a recruiter there had offered the men what they understood to be civilian work guarding oil facilities in Russia. They flew to Moscow, only to learn they had been scammed. Searching online for options, Omar says, one of the group found Azarnykh's channel and messaged her. She met them at the airport within hours, and took them by train to a recruitment centre in Bryansk, western Russia, he says. There, he says, she offered them one-year contracts with the Russian army, with a monthly salary equivalent to about $2,500 (1,856), and a sign-up payment of $5,000 (3,711) - sums they could only dream of in Syria. Omar says the contracts were in Russian, which none of the men understood, and she took their passports, promising to arrange Russian citizenship. She also promised they could avoid combat roles if they paid her $3,000 (2,227) each from their sign-up payments, he says. Omar described fierce fighting and frequent explosions on the front line [Roman Chop/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images] But, he says, within about a month, he was on the front line with, he says, just 10 days' training and no military experience. "We're 100% going to die here," he says in one of his voice notes, sent to the BBC investigative team. "A lot of injuries, a lot of explosions, a lot of shelling. If you don't die from the explosion, you'll die from the debris landing on you," he says in May 2024. "Dead bodies everywhere I've stepped on dead bodies, God forgive me," he reports the following month. "If someone dies, I've seen it with my own eyes, they put him in a rubbish bag and throw him next to a tree," he adds. After nearly a year, he had discovered what he says Azarnykh had failed to explain - a 2022 Russian decree essentially allows the military to extend soldiers' contracts automatically until the war ends. "If they renew the contract, I'm screwed - oh God," he says. His contract was continued. 'Recruited from university' Azarnykh's Telegram channel has 21,000 subscribers. Her posts have often told readers wanting to apply to join the Russian military to send her a scan of their passport. She has then posted invitation documents, sometimes with a list of names of the men they are for. The BBC has identified more than 490 such invitations that she has sent over the past year to men from countries including Yemen, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Her posts have mentioned recruitment for an "elite international battalion" and made it clear that people in Russia illegally - including those whose visas have expired - are eligible. Outside the UK, watch the film on YouTube. We have spoken to eight foreign fighters including Omar who were recruited by her, as well as the families of the 12 men who are missing or dead. Many felt Azarnykh had misled or exploited recruits. They told us the men knew they were joining the military, but did not expect to serve on the front line. Several, like Omar, felt they had inadequate training or thought they would be able to leave after a year. In Egypt, Yousef - whose name we have also changed - told the BBC his older brother Mohammed, began a university course in Yekaterinburg in Russia in 2022. But he struggled to pay his fees, Yousef says, and told his family a Russian woman named Polina had begun offering him help online, including work with the Russian military that he believed would allow him to continue his studies. "She promised him housing and citizenship monthly expenses," he says. "Suddenly he was sent to Ukraine. He found himself fighting," says Yousef. His last call was on 24 January 2024, Yousef says. About a year later, Yousef says a message arrived on Telegram from a Russian number, containing images of Mohammed's body. The family eventually learned he had been killed almost a year earlier. 'Some lost their minds' Azarnykh became "one of the most important recruiters" for Russia's army, says Habib, another Syrian who has served in Russia's military. He was willing to be filmed but spoke under a pseudonym for fear of repercussions. Habib says he and Azarnykh "worked together for around three years on visa invitations to Russia". He gave no further details and we have not been able to confirm his role in the process. An image from social media in 2024 shows him alongside her. Azarnykh, who is from Russia's south-western Voronezh region, ran a Facebook group helping Arab students come to Moscow to study, before starting her Telegram channel in 2024. Habib told the BBC: "Polina would take the men, knowing that they were going to die" [BBC] Habib says most foreign recruits arrived expecting roles securing facilities or standing at checkpoints. "The Arabs who are coming are dying immediately. Some people lost their minds - it's hard to see dead bodies," he says. Habib says he met Omar and the group of Syrians at a military training site. "She had promised them citizenship, good salaries and that they'd be safe," Habib says. "But once you sign a contract here, there's no way you can leave." "None of them knew how to use a weapon. Even if they were shot at, they would choose not to shoot back if you don't shoot, you will be killed," he says. "Polina would take the men, knowing that they were going to die." He says she "received $300 (223) from the army for every person she recruited". The BBC could not confirm this, although other recruits also told us they believed she received payment. 'Nothing happens for free' Azarnykh's posts from mid-2024 begin to note that recruits will be "participating in hostilities" and mention foreign fighters who have died in combat. "You all understood well that you were going to war," she says in one video in October 2024. "You thought that you could get a Russian passport, do nothing and live in a five-star hotel?... Nothing happens for free." In another case, in 2024, the BBC has heard a voice message sent by Azarnykh to a mother whose son was serving in the military. Azarnykh says the woman has "published something horrible about the Russian army". Using expletives, she threatens the son's life and warns the woman: "I'll find you and all your children." The BBC made multiple attempts to contact Azarnykh. Initially she said she would do an interview with us if we travelled to Russia, but the BBC declined for safety reasons. Later, when asked in a voice call about claims that recruits were promised non-combat roles, she hung up. In voice notes sent afterwards, she said our work was "not professional" and warned of potential defamation proceedings. She also said: "Our respected Arabs can stick their accusations up their arses." The BBC contacted the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence for comment, but received no response. Previously, in March 2022 President Putin backed the recruitment of men from the Middle East, insisting they were ideologically, not financially, driven: "There are people who want to come voluntarily, especially not for money, and provide assistance to people." An image shared on Azarnykh's Telegram channel in January 2024 shows Habib standing next to her [Telegram] 'Cash incentives' Journalists and researchers following the issue say individuals like Azarnykh are part of a web of informal recruiters. The BBC has found two other Telegram accounts in Arabic making similar offers for joining Russia's military. One includes posts showing invitation documents and lists of names, the other has advertised large sign-up payments for joining an "elite battalion". In September, Kenyan police said they had broken up a suspected "trafficking syndicate" that they said was luring Kenyans with job offers, but sending them to fight in Ukraine. Kateryna Stepanenko, a research fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, told the BBC some municipal and regional authorities in Russia have been offering cash incentives of up to $4,000 (2,970) to individuals such as HR professionals and local residents who recruit Russians or foreigners into military service. She says the Kremlin initially used larger entities such as the Wagner private military group and prison system for recruitment, but since 2024 has also been "leveraging locals and smaller companies". This "suggests to me that those earlier versions of recruitment are no longer generating the same number of recruits", she adds. Meanwhile, Habib is now back in Syria after, he says, having bribed several commanders to terminate his contract. Omar eventually received Russian citizenship and has also managed to return to Syria. Two of the Syrians he served with are dead, according to their families. Azarnykh "sees us as numbers or money - she doesn't see us as people", he says. "We won't forgive her for what she did to us." Additional reporting by Olga Ivshina, Gehad Abbas, Ali Ibrahim, Victoria Arakelyan, and Rayan Maarouf A missing surfer was rescued in Puerto Rico on Friday, following a huge search effort that involved multiple federal and local agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The surfer had been missing for more than 30 hours by the time he was ultimately found, in a dramatic ordeal that was captured on video. The 68-year-old man had gone surfing near Surfer's Beach in the city of Aguandilla at around noon local time on Thursday afternoon, his daughter said, according to the Coast Guard. No one heard from him after that, according to the daughter, and the man's Airbnb host proceeded to report him missing Friday evening, after he failed to return to the rental home for more than 24 hours. Video of the eventual rescue was shared online, showing the Coast Guard crew hovering above the stranded surfer and, later, hoisting him from a reef into the aircraft. After the successful rescue, the Coast Guard released audio of an emotional call between the surfer's family and Capt. Robert Stiles, the deputy sector commander of the Coast Guard Sector San Juan, who relayed the good news. "I'm sure he's dehydrated, I'm sure he's had a rough night, but he's conversant," Stiles says. "We're gonna have paramedics standing by to check him out but he's alive and well." "Oh my gosh, thank you so much, thank you so much!" a woman replies on the phone. "Thank you so much for what you do for him." TEAMWORK SAVES LIVESAfter 30+ hours missing, a stranded surfer near Surfers Beach, Aguadilla was rescued through flawless coordination between Coast Guard watchstanders, aircrews, and federal, territorial, and local partners. Press release: https://t.co/k0UsMoXhrE#USCG pic.twitter.com/ROikaTIrcF U.S. Coast Guard Southeast (@USCGSoutheast) January 10, 2026 Coast Guard watchstanders worked with the Puerto Rico Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, a specialized Puerto Rican maritime unit and local emergency responders as they began to probe land and sea for the lost surfer. The Coast Guard launched a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from its Air Station Borinquen, which proceeded to search for the surfer offshore and along the shoreline north of Aguandilla, the agency said. While scanning the shoreline, the helicopter crew discovered a man who matched the missing surfer's description and was stranded on rocks outside of Surfer's Beach. When the Coast Guard spotted him, the man was standing next to a surfboard and appeared to be trying to communicate with the aircraft. He was standing in an area surrounded by rocks and reefs that, along with challenging seas, made the location impossible to access by foot or boat, the Coast Guard said. The helicopter crew went on to rescue the man by hoisting him up from the rocks and pulling him up into the aircraft to safety. "What a terrific outcome!" Capt. Stiles said in a statement. "This case could have easily had a different outcome. We urge all mariners and anyone entering the water to have a plan, communicate your intentions with someone and wear all proper life saving equipment." 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 BOSTON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - The John Hancock Closed-End Funds listed in the table below announced earnings1 for the three months ended December 31, 2025. The same data for the comparable three-month period ended December 31, 2024 is also available below. Three Months Ended 12/31/25 Ticker Fund Name Current Fiscal Year End Net Investment Income Per Common Share NAV Total Managed Assets Total Net Assets HEQ Hedged Equity & Income Fund 12/31 $1,479,416 $0.123 $12.20 $147,093,835 $147,093,835 BTO Financial Opportunities Fund 12/31 $2,870,553 $0.145 $36.04 $844,255,276 * $714,255,276 Three Months Ended 12/31/24 Ticker Fund Name Current Fiscal Year End Net Investment Income Per Common Share NAV Total Managed Assets Total Net Assets HEQ Hedged Equity & Income Fund 12/31 $964,518 $0.080 $11.64 $140,789,344 $140,789,344 BTO Financial Opportunities Fund 12/31 $2,032,664 $0.103 $35.11 $823,070,628 * $693,070,628 *Total managed assets include assets attributable to borrowings under a Liquidity Agreement. 1 Earnings refer to net investment income, which is comprised of the Fund's interest and dividend income, less expenses. Earnings presented represent past earnings and there is no guarantee of future results. Amounts distributed by the Funds may vary from the earnings shown above and will be announced in separate press releases. Up-to-date distribution rate information is available on John Hancock Investment Management's web site at www.jhinvestments.com by clicking on "Closed-End Funds" under the "Daily Prices" tab. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. About Manulife John Hancock Investments We serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship. About Manulife Investment Management Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com. Media Contact: Gordon Haight (617) 572-0034 Investor Contact: (800) 843-0090 SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management Distributor Bluechip Infotech has teamed up with Sectigo, an automated Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM) and digital certificates provider. This will give the distributor to Sectigos CLM and cybersecurity solutions across its reseller and MSP network, who want to provide Australian businesses adapt to shorter certificate lifespans and in preperation for a quantum future. Bluechip Infotech will have access to Sectigos products, including Sectigo Certificate Manager for both public and private PKI and a suite of web security offerings, while the vendor expands its regional footprint to meet growing demand for automated certificate management. Partnering with Bluechip Infotech represents a significant milestone in expanding Sectigos presence across Australia, said Sectigo vice president of sale Ray Garnie. The vendor will look to leverage Bluechip Infotechs strong channel relationships and deep understanding of the local cybersecurity landscape in Australia, he noted. We are enabling partners to deliver scalable, automated certificate lifecycle management and digital trust solutions that support not only todays security and compliance requirements, but those of tomorrow, he said. by Gregory The second phase of the general elections promoted by Myanmar's military junta took place on 11 January. Voting also reached disputed areas and conflict zones, where the military threatened civilians and made accusations of coercion. According to the United Nations and independent observers, the process lacks democratic credibility and represents an attempt to gain international legitimacy for a regime that continues to rule by force. Yangon (AsiaNews) - Myanmar's military junta has also conducted the second phase of controversial general elections, while civil conflict continues to rage in the country. On Sunday 11 January, voting took place in over 100 municipalities, including disputed areas where armed ethnic groups maintain significant control over the territory. The military junta launched the first national electoral process since the military coup in February 2021, in which the army overthrew the government led by the National League for Democracy (NLD) and democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The junta, which changed its name first to the State Administration Council (SAC) and now to the State Peace and Security Commission (SSPC), is seeking international legitimacy, but several human rights organisations consider the elections a sham lacking democratic credibility. The UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, has called the process a form of institutionalised coercion. For many Myanmar citizens, the elections are seen as a matter of survival under a regime that also uses the ballot box as a tool of control. The results only exist in the mouths of the military, said a Yangon resident who wished to remain anonymous. These elections have nothing to do with ending our suffering. On the contrary, the military is keeping the weight of its boots on our necks. Unlike the first phase on 28 December, which was limited to areas under the army's tightest control, the second round of elections extended to regions marked by conflict. Explosions and artillery fire were reported in several locations near polling stations, while the Burmese armed forces intensified military operations in the weeks leading up to the vote. According to some independent observers, the army sought to temporarily secure certain areas for the time necessary to set up polling stations, often accompanying election officials to towns that had been almost completely abandoned by the civilian population fleeing the fighting. The situation appeared particularly serious in Shan State, Kayin State and some areas of Sagaing and Magway regions. In Hpapun, described by witnesses as a ghost town, voting took place exclusively within military posts. In large cities such as Yangon and Mandalay, coercion took less visible but equally pervasive forms. Local administrators warned families that failure to provide proof of voting (represented by an ink-stained finger) could result in the loss of documents needed to access public services, enrol children in school or obtain medical care. Several accounts also indicate that at some polling stations, younger voters were warned that participating in the vote could affect their position on the lists for compulsory military conscription. In camps for internally displaced persons in Shan and Kachin States, other witnesses reported receiving threats that humanitarian aid and travel permits would be suspended if they refused to vote for the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). Most of the popular political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi herself, are still in prison, while the USDP (which in the first phase on 28 December claimed to have won over 90% of the seats) faced minimal competition. Some symbolic opposition figures did participate, such as Lwin Myint of the People's Party, a former political prisoner and leader of the 1988 student protests, but without access to state media and with severe restrictions on campaigning. In numerous constituencies in the Sagaing and Tanintharyi regions, USDP candidates ran unopposed, eliminating even the appearance of electoral competition. According to Ben Lee, executive director of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, this second phase also confirms the lack of credibility of the elections. The first round, he noted, was marked by widespread boycotts and much lower turnout than that declared by the junta. In his view, the same dynamics will be repeated in the subsequent phases. Lee pointed out that the main political parties, including the NLD, remain banned, while, according to some estimates, the army controls less than 40% of the national territory. Furthermore, millions of people in at least 65 municipalities will not be able to vote at all. At the international level, he called for stronger sanctions and an arms embargo (the junta currently purchases most of its arms from China and Russia), while ASEAN should reject the election results and continue to exclude the junta from regional forums. Local sources indicate that in many areas, turnout in the second phase did not exceed 35%, well below the 52% claimed by the regime for the first phase in December. The third and final phase of the process is scheduled for 25 January. Despite the appointment of Nyo Saw as prime minister under the new SSPC structure, real power remains concentrated in the hands of General Min Aung Hlaing, the general who has been in command of the country since the coup. Company welcomes court decision and defense verdict BETHLEHEM, Pa., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- B. Braun US Device Manufacturing LLC shares that the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County ruled against certification of a class action in a recent lawsuit concerning the company's use of ethylene oxide (EtO) to sterilize medical devices at its Allentown, PA, facility. The case, Mourad Abdelaziz v. B. Braun US Device Manufacturing LLC, was brought by a local resident who claimed B. Braun's use of EtO increased his potential health risks and sought a class action for medical monitoring of the surrounding community. B. Braun opposed these claims. After reviewing extensive testimony and evidence, the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County denied the plaintiff's request for a class action. In its detailed 49-page decision, the Court held that the claims did not satisfy nearly all of the requirements of a class action. Among other reasons, the Court found several of the plaintiff's expert witnesses to be unreliable. This decision follows a Philadelphia jury finding B. Braun not negligent and not liable on all counts in another EtO case in December 2024. B. Braun subsequently resolved the majority of cases against it. B. Braun welcomes the Lehigh County court decision and the defense verdict and will continue to defend against any of these cases. About B. Braun B. Braun US Device Manufacturing LLC is part of the B. Braun Group of Companies in the U.S. B. Braun is a leading medical technology company. With more than 64,000 employees globally, the family-owned Group of Companies is a true partner, developing integrated solutions and setting standards to drive advancements in health care. For more information, visit www.bbraunusa.com. SOURCE B. Braun Today's news: economy and security at the centre of today's meeting between the Japanese Prime Minister and the South Korean President. Colombo has asked Beijing for help in post-typhoon reconstruction. Activists in Bahrain concerned about the conviction of opposition leader Sharif. ASIA A planet running a fever due to climate change, with the Asia-Pacific region among those facing the most critical challenges. This is what emerges from Munich Re's 2025 report released today, which cites, among other examples, the twin cyclones that killed over 2,000 people and were among the worst disasters of last year. In 2025, Asia-Pacific will account for 13,600 of the 17,200 total climate-related deaths worldwide, with global losses of 224 billion, including 73 billion in the region from natural disasters such as fires, floods and severe storms. Weather disasters, fuelled by climate change, accounted for 92% of all losses. JAPAN - SOUTH KOREA Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met today in Nara, the Japanese prefecture where the government leader is from, with the aim of strengthening security and economic cooperation. Other topics at the centre of the talks included the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, and cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. SRI LANKA - CHINA Colombo has asked Beijing for help in rebuilding key infrastructure damaged by the devastating Typhoon Ditwah, which left 641 people dead. The announcement was made yesterday by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who reportedly made the request during talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, who stopped off on the island after visiting Tanzania and Lesotho. MYANMAR - UN The historic trial of Myanmar, accused of committing genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority, opened yesterday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN's highest judicial body. It is the first such case in over a decade and could also have repercussions on the case brought by South Africa against Israel over the war in Gaza. The Burmese authorities have denied all charges. BAHRAIN Activists in Bahrain are expressing concern for opposition leader Ebrahim Sharif, who was sentenced to six months in prison after criticising the kingdom's ties with Israel. Sharif, a popular and outspoken left-wing activist, has been detained since November on charges of spreading false news on social media and making offensive comments against Arab brother states and their leaders. INDONESIA - PAKISTAN The Indonesian Defence Minister met with the head of the Pakistani Air Force in Islamabad to discuss a potential deal that includes the sale of fighter jets and killer drones to Jakarta. This was reported by security sources familiar with the meeting, which comes as Pakistan's defence industry is promoting a series of procurement negotiations, including agreements with the Libyan and Sudanese national armies as part of a regional expansion project. RUSSIA A court in St Petersburg has issued an arrest warrant in absentia for Elena Popova, founder of the Conscientious Objectors' Movement 15 years ago. The woman had already been arrested in July for fake news against the army and placed under house arrest with a ban on leaving the country, but a month later she managed to leave Russia by taking a taxi to Belarus and then boarding a flight to Tbilisi. Now, from abroad, she continues to support the right of men not to take up arms. A. CENTRAL ASIA - IRAN The five Central Asian countries are maintaining strict confidentiality regarding the unrest in Iran, aware that any destabilising scenario in the Islamic republic could upset the balance throughout the Middle East and neighbouring states. Faced with condemnation from many European governments for the repression by Iranian security forces, which Tehran considers legitimisation of the unrest, and support from Moscow and Beijing for the ayatollahs, the nations of the region are keeping a low profile and holding their breath. 13 January 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Possession of abundant natural resources has long been regarded as a defining economic asset for nations - yet it can also present significant challenges. Whether resources become a lasting foundation of prosperity or a source of political and economic vulnerability hinges on governance. Effective management requires governments to cultivate a stable legal and regulatory environment that can attract and retain longterm investment, while also safeguarding national interests and resource ownership. Oversight, commercial predictability, and mutual trust between host states and investors are central to this balance. Current tensions in the United States illustrate these dynamics in practice. In early 2026, President Donald Trump publicly encouraged major U.S. energy companies to commit substantial capital to revitalizing Venezuelas oil industry, a push that followed dramatic political events in that country. However, ExxonMobils CEO described Venezuela as uninvestable under existing conditions, citing concerns over legal protections and commercial frameworks that would be necessary for major capital deployment. This prompted President Trump to suggest that ExxonMobil might be excluded from future investment opportunities there, underscoring the political and strategic complexity of resourcesector decisions. The U.S.-Venezuela episode highlights a broader point: naturalresource development is not automatic wealth. Investment decisions by global energy firms are shaped not only by resource potential, but by perceptions of legal certainty, investment protection, and political stability. In jurisdictions where these elements are viewed as uncertain, even large reserves may remain untapped. By contrast, Azerbaijans longstanding cooperation with ExxonMobil demonstrates a different model of engagement. A clear indicator of this is the long-term presence and active participation of ExxonMobil in the countrys energy sector. The U.S. oil giant, despite current controversies in its home country regarding Venezuela, has maintained steady cooperation in Azerbaijan for decades, beginning with its involvement in the landmark Contract of the Century for the development of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) oil fields in the Caspian Sea. Today, ExxonMobil retains a 6.79 percent stake in ACG, a consortium that includes BP (30.37%), SOCAR (31.65%), and other international partners. Beyond oil production, ExxonMobil is a shareholder in the Heydar Aliyev Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) main export pipeline, holding a 2.5 percent stake. These investments reflect more than mere commercial activity - they demonstrate a long-term commitment to Azerbaijans energy sector and confidence in the countrys regulatory and economic environment. Regular high-level engagements reinforce this strategic partnership. In March 2025, Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov met with ExxonMobil Vice President John Ardill to discuss opportunities for expanding cooperation. The discussions highlighted the application of modern technologies to reduce methane emissions, lower operating costs, and increase production efficiency. The conversation also covered electrification initiatives in the hydrocarbon sector, hydrogen development, and renewable energy expansion - aligning with Azerbaijans goal of reaching 35.5 percent renewable energy in electricity production by 2030. Further formalizing their collaboration, SOCAR and ExxonMobil signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the Baku Energy Week in June 2025, followed by a Memorandum of Cooperation signed in Washington in August of the same year. These agreements demonstrate mutual interest not only in oil and gas projects but also in modernizing the energy sector and exploring new investment avenues. This engagement must also be seen in the broader context of Azerbaijan-U.S. relations. President Ilham Aliyevs working visit to Washington, at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, marked a significant thaw in bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the United States. Prior to the Trump Administration, relations had often been described as underdeveloped or unsatisfactory. During this visit, a key milestone was achieved with the initialing of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia by the foreign ministers of both countries, signaling a renewed commitment to regional stability. Although the full repeal of Amendment 907 by the U.S. Congress has not yet been realized, the discussions during the Washington meeting represented a substantial diplomatic step forward. Beyond the South Caucasus peace process, the visit served to open a new chapter in BakuWashington relations, emphasizing strategic collaboration. A central outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum on the Establishment of a Strategic Working Group, intended to develop a U.S.- Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership Charter. This document, formally titled Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States of America on the Establishment of a Strategic Working Group to Develop a Charter for a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America, provides a structured roadmap for bilateral cooperation. It encompasses a broad range of priorities, including regional connectivity, energy, trade and transit, economic investment (covering digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence), defense sales, and security cooperation, including counterterrorism efforts. The visit and resulting agreements underscore Azerbaijans growing importance as a strategic partner for the United States and highlight the countrys potential as a stable and attractive destination for investment and long-term cooperation. Analytically, ExxonMobils long-term presence in Azerbaijan is significant. It is not simply a matter of accessing oil reserves but an indicator that the country offers a stable, predictable, and profitable investment climate. Unlike Venezuela, where resource wealth has often been undermined by political instability and misaligned investment strategies, Azerbaijan has cultivated both resource stewardship and investor confidence. Foreign companies, particularly major U.S. energy firms, continue to see Azerbaijan as a viable, long-term partner, a fact underscored by repeated expansions of joint projects and high-level governmental engagement. In conclusion, Azerbaijan exemplifies how resource-rich countries can transform natural wealth into sustainable economic growth. The enduring partnership with ExxonMobil - spanning decades, multiple projects, and strategic agreements - serves as a clear signal: Azerbaijan is a country worthy of investment, not only for its abundant hydrocarbon resources but also for its forward-looking policies, commitment to innovation, and stable investment environment. For companies seeking reliable opportunities in the energy sector, Azerbaijan has proven itself to be a secure and strategically important destination. 13 January 2026 18:14 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The protests that began on December 28, 2025, and engulfed all of Iran, exposed many internal cracks within the country. While the global media and the media of neighbouring countries mostly highlighted fractures within the government, it was also noticeable that there were certain cracks among the protesters themselves. One of these cracks was the limited or partial participation of Iranian Azerbaijanis in these protests. It should be noted that Azerbaijanis hold a unique place in Irans statehood and history. In detail, no ethnic group in Iran makes up 50% of the population. It is not clear whether the national ethnic majority belongs to the Persians or the Azerbaijanis. Additionally, with only minor interruptions from the Arab conquest until the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty in the 1920s, Iran was officially ruled by the Azerbaijani dynasties. In fact, even today, Irans highest-ranking religious leader, Khamenei, and the countrys president, Masoud Pezeshkian, are Azerbaijani. Furthermore, the founder of the Safavid Empire, who is considered the founder of the modern Iranian state, was also Azerbaijani. Although from 1920 to the 1970s, Iranian governance linked state traditions to the Persian empires of the Medes and the Achaemenids, they were forced to share power with Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis. More precisely, it is known from history that the state religion of both empires was Zoroastrianism, and when the shahs ascended the throne, they had to visit on food the centre of Zoroastrianism in Atropatene (Azerbaijan) from the capital. This legitimised their rule. In other words, Iranian Azerbaijan has been one of the states most dominant and active ethnic groups. Despite all this, the fact that Azerbaijanis stayed away from the protests raises doubts about whether the protests could achieve their goals. So, what is the reason for Azerbaijanis keeping their distance from these protests? Ahmad Obali, the founder of Gunaz TV, an Azerbaijani activist and political emigre, expressed his view on the matter. Ahmed Obali noted that Southern Azerbaijanis initially did not join these protests. In fact, during the first week, they largely stayed away. First, our national activists, as well as Azerbaijanis active on social media, stated that they did not join the protests because they were called upon by Raza Pahlavi and the Peoples Mojahedin Organisation. There is a sensitivity and resentment toward these two groups, especially toward the Pahlavi dynasty and its current heir. The response is that if they invite us, we do not join, Ahmed Obali noted. On the other hand, Obali emphasised that in several of his television appearances, he stressed that staying at home is not the solution. He warned that a vacuum cannot remain emptyif people do not act, others will step in to fill it. We must take the squares, the streets and protest locations, and express our national demands and grievances. Finally, organisations in Southern Azerbaijan also called people to the streets. Although the calls were formally made last Saturday, they began to circulate two days prior. Following these calls, seven cities in Southern Azerbaijan joined the protests on Thursday, and, if I am not mistaken, eleven cities participated on Saturday. Interestingly, videos emerged from the protests in Khoy on Thursday showing people chanting: Azerbaijan is honour, Pahlavi is dishonour. At the same time, they also chanted Azerbaijani slogans such as Neither Shahist nor Sheikhist, nationalist, nationalist. In Tabriz, Ardebil, Marand, and Maragha, essentially all cities where protests took place on Friday, there were anti-Pahlavi slogans alongside demands specific to Southern Azerbaijan, such as freedom, justice, and national governance. From this perspective, we can say that Azerbaijanis participated partially. However, they were expressing their own demands, not the ones coming from Tehran, he opined. Obali also reminded that most leaders of the Southern Azerbaijani national movement are imprisoned. He named the political figures like Alireza Farshid, Abbas Lisani, and Tahir. Obali underscored that the movement is, in a sense, leaderless. On the other hand, Azerbaijanis have historically been very active and have protested frequently. The most notable protests include reactions to the Iranian press calling Azerbaijanis cockroaches, the drying of Lake Urmia, and the lack of government response to the consequences of the earthquake in Karadag. These protests were never covered by the Persian-language press. Worse, some activists outside the press even protested against Azerbaijanis themselvesthat is, they sided with the Iranian regime. I remember that Raza Pahlavi said at the time that if Azerbaijanis weakened and divided Iran by demanding their rights, he would stand with Khamenei and fight against Azerbaijanis. That was his statement. Now the nation says: when we raise our voice for our rights, they did not support us, so why should we support them now? he opined. Obali is sure that the Iranian government is actively using these factions to calm the demonstrations. However, Iranian Azerbaijanis declare on every platform that they oppose both the clerical regime and the Shahs regime. Our nation has already awakened. The people understand that even though the clerical regime is called a religious regime, its ideology creates a synthesis of Persian nationalism and religion to shape Iran as a single nation, while openly trying to assimilate non-Persian nations and establishing internal colonialism in Iran. All of Irans non-Persian regions mines, economic resources, and even intellectual talent are drained into Persian regions. We can say that almost half or more of Southern Azerbaijans intellectuals have been forced to migrate to Persian-majority regions because that is where the work is. Of course, price increases are observed across Iran, and dictatorship dominates the entire country. However, in regions inhabited by Azerbaijanis and other non-Persian nations, in addition to price increases and dictatorship, additional oppression is observed, as I have noted. In short, Southern Azerbaijanis have not forgotten the cruelty and oppression of either the Shah or the clerical regime. Both regimes are dictatorships, and both have been directed against the Azerbaijani nation. The nation has now awakened and views both regimes equally, Ahmed Obali concluded. 13 January 2026 14:06 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) currently manages an investment portfolio in Italy with a market value of $2.8 billion, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov announced during the sixth session of the AzerbaijanItaly Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 13 January 2026 17:36 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center, operating under the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan, continues to play a key role in strengthening humanitarian, cultural, and educational ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Through its wide-ranging initiatives, the Center actively promotes Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage while enhancing academic dialogue and long-term cooperation between institutions of the two countries. As part of ongoing efforts, a meeting took place between the leadership of the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center and the Tashkent University of Economics and Pedagogy, Azernews reports. The meeting brought together Akif Marifli, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center, and Shakarbay Janikulov, Rector of the Tashkent University of Economics and Pedagogy. During the discussions, the sides explored prospects for implementing joint projects in the fields of science, education, and culture. They also highlighted the dynamic development of high-level relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, noting that these ties continue to strengthen thanks to the far-sighted and consistent policies of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The talks concluded with the signing of a cooperation agreement. Under the agreement, the establishment of the Khalid Said Khojayev Azerbaijan Studies Teaching and Research Center is planned at the university. The new center will serve as a specialized platform for the study of Azerbaijan's history, culture, language, and literature, as well as for the development of academic and scientific cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Plans include conducting joint research projects, implementing academic exchange programs, organizing scholarly and educational events, and supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing the intellectual potential of young people. The center will bear the name of Khalid Said Khojayev, an outstanding scholar, poet, and translator who played a significant role in shaping scientific and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Tashkent, is an institution that operates under the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan. The center strengthens cultural, educational, scientific, and humanitarian ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. It hosts museums that highlight the history of Azerbaijan, the legacy of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, and the historical friendship between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The center facilities also support cultural and educational activities, including music, dance, and folklore ensembles, and provide space for events that promote Azerbaijani traditions. Over the years, the Cultural Center has played a significant role in advancing bilateral cooperation through diverse programs and initiatives. It has been recognized as one of the most active foreign cultural centers in Uzbekistan, engaging media, public figures, and civil society in cultural dialogue. Through exhibitions, presentations, and collaborations with local institutions, the center fosters greater understanding of Azerbaijans culture, history, and language. In addition to its own events, the center contributes to broader educational and cultural cooperation by supporting initiatives such as establishing Azerbaijani cultural corners in libraries and facilitating academic exchange programs, further reinforcing the cultural bridge between the two nations. 13 January 2026 12:32 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Tartar Electromechanical Plant following its reconstruction on January 13, Azernews reports. The head of state first laid flowers at the bust of National Leader Heydar Aliyev erected in the plants courtyard. Minister of Defense Industry Vugar Mustafayev briefed the President on the facilities established at the plant. The plant was established in 1976 as the Tartar branch of the Lianozovo Electromechanical Plant. It began operations in April 1977, producing electrotechnical industry products and special-purpose items. In its early years, the plant manufactured tachometer and speedometer products for motorboats. National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who laid the foundation of the plant, attended its official opening ceremony in 1978. Under an order signed by President Ilham Aliyev in 2005, the Ministry of Defense Industry was established, and the Tartar Electromechanical Plant was placed under its subordination. A range of modern, high-precision technological equipment acquired from advanced countries has been installed at the facility, where various types of military-purpose products will be manufactured. The design of technological lines, establishment of production flows, and adaptation to serial production were carried out by local specialists of Azersilah Defense Industry Holding CJSC. Currently, production processes are being aligned with national military-technical standards and international quality standards. For this purpose, a quality control laboratory has been established. Large-scale construction and reconstruction works have been carried out on the plants territory. New production and auxiliary buildings have been commissioned, while existing facilities have undergone reconstruction. Special polygons for ballistic and resource tests have also been created in line with technological requirements. President Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to the development of the defense industry. Local companies are being established in this field, cooperation with foreign partners is expanding, and production volumes are increasing through the application of technologies that meet modern challenges. Last year, Azerbaijan produced military-purpose products worth 1.4 billion manats, part of which was supplied to the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, while another part was exported. Currently, Azerbaijan exports military-purpose products to nearly 20 countries. 13 January 2026 14:33 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev reviewed the reconstruction and development work carried out in the village of Childiran in the Aghdara district on January 13, Azernews reports. The Head of State was briefed on the projects currently being implemented in the village. Childiran is situated in its namesake administrative-territorial district within the Aghdara district, in a foothill area. Prior to the occupation, the local population was primarily engaged in animal husbandry and crop production. The village previously featured a school, a house of culture, a library, and a medical station. The area is rich in historical heritage, housing the 12th-century "Albanian Temple" and the 13th-century "Red Temple" architectural monuments. The occupation of the village ended following the anti-terror operations conducted by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in September 2023. There are 177 private houses in the village, of which 69 were deemed unusable and 108 were partially usable. To date, 28 houses have been made ready for occupancy, and the restoration of an additional 30 houses is planned for this year. Currently, an initial group of 13 families (48 people) has returned to the village. In Childiran, two existing transformers and power and gas lines have been restored, while entirely new electricity, gas, and communication lines have been installed. Additionally, a water pump has been commissioned, water reservoirs with a total capacity of 190 cubic meters have been cleaned, and a sub-artesian well has been repaired. Furthermore, 8.4 kilometers of internal village roads have been restored, and a new park has been established. Following the inspection, President Ilham Aliyev visited the home of Verdi Abdullayev, who recently resettled in the village with his family. OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Solutions, one of the nation's leading healthcare workforce partners, is proud to celebrate Rebecca Rogers Tijerino, Chief Executive Officer of Medical Solutions, who was named to the 2026 Staffing 100 North America list by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA). Now in its 15th year, the annual list recognizes staffing leaders whose influence, innovation, and leadership are shaping the future of the workforce solutions industry. The list is an aggregation of 100 executives who have made significant contributions to the industry through business growth, strategic transformation, and market impact. As CEO of Medical Solutions, Rogers Tijerino leads the company, which partners with hospitals and healthcare systems to address complex workforce challenges and support sustainable, high-quality patient care. Under Rogers Tijerino's leadership, Medical Solutions has expanded its capabilities across managed services, contingent staffing, direct hire, and international staffing, helping healthcare organizations navigate evolving labor dynamics while maintaining access to highly qualified clinical talent. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and long-term workforce sustainability. With more than 25 years of executive leadership experience across global staffing and workforce organizations, she has played a key role in scaling operations, advancing technology-enabled workforce solutions, and strengthening Medical Solutions' position as a trusted healthcare workforce partner. "Rebecca is a highly respected leader whose strategic vision and operational excellence continue to elevate both Medical Solutions and the broader healthcare staffing industry," said Linda Galipeau, Chair of Medical Solutions' Board of Directors. "Her ability to align people, technology, and partnerships around the evolving needs of healthcare systems has been instrumental in helping customers deliver exceptional patient care." Staffing Industry Analysts will celebrate the 2026 Staffing 100 honorees during its Executive Forum North America, scheduled for March 23-26, 2026, at the JW Marriott Austin in Austin, Texas. ABOUT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS Medical Solutions is one of the nation's leading healthcare workforce partners, delivering workforce solutions, advisory services, technology, recruiting, and staffing. With expertise across managed services, internal resource pools, virtual health, workforce disruption, contingent staffing (including PRN, local, and travel), interim leadership, domestic and international direct hire, and dedicated managed staffing, Medical Solutions empowers healthcare systems to optimize labor costs, improve patient care, and prepare for future workforce needs. Learn more at www.medicalsolutions.com. SOURCE Medical Solutions LLC 13 January 2026 15:28 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A protocol marking the outcomes of the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Intergovernmental Commission has been signed, Azernews reports. The signing took place today in Baku during the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy. The document was signed by Azerbaijans Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and Italys Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli. During the event, a two-year Action Plan (20262027) was also adopted, outlining the implementation of 65 measures across 18 sectors aimed at strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. 13 January 2026 17:18 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more On January 13, 2026, a high-level meeting took place in Baku between Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, and Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, who is visiting the country, Azernews reports. According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the officials expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy and discussed the prospects for deepening their multidimensional strategic partnership across political, security, economic, trade, energy, humanitarian, and educational spheres. Particular attention was given to joint initiatives in the fields of energy and education, including the work of the Italy-Azerbaijan University, which was highlighted as a key platform for fostering cooperation. The officials also noted the successful conclusion of the 6th session of the Azerbaijan-Italy Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation held in Baku the same day, emphasizing that the agreements reached are expected to give a further boost to bilateral relations. In addition, the meeting addressed the current state of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union, with discussions focusing on energy and transportation projects, as well as alternative energy initiatives. Other international and regional issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the talks. On the same day, political consultations were held between the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Italy. The consultations were led by Azerbaijans Deputy Minister Fariz Rzayev and his Italian counterpart, Edmondo Cirielli. 13 January 2026 17:40 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with residents of the villages of Ashaghi Oratagh, Childiran, Heyvali, and Chapar in Ashaghi Oratagh village of the Aghdara district on January 13, Azernews reports. The residents warmly welcomed the head of state. Addressing the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev said: You have been settled in four villages of the Aghdara district for three days now. I congratulate you on this occasion. I have visited all these villages Chapar, Heyvali, Childiran, and Ashaghi Oratagh. The houses have been beautifully repaired and restored. Over the past two years, we have conducted monitoring in all settlements and villages of the liberated Aghdara district. In the first phase, we identified the villages to be restored, and former internally displaced persons have already returned to nine villages in the district. The longing of many long years is now behind us; justice and righteousness have triumphed with victory. Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Azerbaijanis have returned to their ancestral lands and will live here with pride, happily, and comfortably. I am confident that from now on there will be no more war. The Azerbaijani state is a strong state. What makes us strong is our people our nation united like a fist. Over the past two years since the anti-terror operation in 2023 life has been restored across these regions: Aghdara, Khojaly, Khankendi, and Khojavend. Five years ago, displaced persons began returning to other formerly occupied territories. Today, already 73,000 people both former internally displaced persons and those who are working, employed, or studying in the liberated territories have settled there. Every month, the number of citizens returning to Garabagh increases. All necessary conditions have been created here: electricity, water, gas, roads, and jobs. Today, we marked the opening of the hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of nearly 15 megawatts in the village of Gozlukorpu. This region is now fully supplied with electricity, and the energy produced here is also transmitted to other regions of Azerbaijan. Roads are being built and expanded from here to Tartar and up to Kalbajar. Today, I also familiarized myself with the operations of the Damirli Ore Processing Complex, where nearly 1,000 jobs are being created. There will be no problem with employment. Both the state and the private sector are creating conditions. At the same time, taking advantage of this beautiful and refreshing nature, it is essential to engage in agriculture, animal husbandry, beekeeping, and fruit growing so that you can live here comfortably and prosperously. May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs in peace. Thanks to their blood and lives, and the heroism and bravery of our valiant fighters, we are here on this land today. We will forever keep the dear memory of our martyrs in our hearts. I must also note that we avenged the blood of our martyrs on the battlefield. Their blood has not gone unavenged. During the occupation period, we heard and repeated these words many times and lived with these aspirations. Because the loss of lands and the martyrdom of a large number of our heroes deeply pained us as a nation, but it did not break us. We did not bow down; we showed our will and, on the battlefield, we both avenged our martyrs and reclaimed our lands. In the last 80 years, no other country has achieved such a complete and absolute Victory like Azerbaijan. There have been wars and conflicts, and they continue today, but none have ended in a full and absolute Victory. Yet we, as a great nation, achieved this in just 44 days, and then in one more day. We divided our glorious Victory and Victory march into two stages, also protecting our youth. Because if the war had not stopped on November 10, 2020, we might have had to sacrifice thousands more martyrs. Including here, in these mountains, in the Aghdara mountains, Kalbajar mountains, Lachin mountains, and the mined corridors of Aghdam. We protected them; we did not sacrifice them. But we knew that the day would come when we would reclaim all of Garabagh, restore our territorial integrity, expel the vile enemy from our lands, and achieve complete Victory. Now here, standing together with you with a martyr's mother on one side and an elderly woman on the other this is a very happy feeling, a happy day, a beautiful day. I sincerely congratulate you; live happily here. Thank you. x x x The meeting continued with commemorative photographs. x x x President Ilham Aliyev continued: Of course, we will have many more meetings. Today, the new Master Plan for the city of Aghdara will be presented to me. We will rebuild the city of Aghdara as well, just as we have already revitalized nine villages. We will construct the city too. This place will become a beautiful industrial and tourism center. These refreshing places are a delight to the eye. Mountains, forests, fresh air, springs, and rivers everywhere. That is why the future development of Aghdara will be very bright. The occupiers left virtually no intact building in this area. Look, all these restored buildings today have been rebuilt by the state. But they engaged in looting. From the Damirli ore deposit, they perhaps took away copper worth 2 billion dollars, or even more. This is looting, illegal exploitation. Now we have returned, and operations have been established there. As I mentioned, more than 900, approximately up to 1,000 jobs will be created there. Moreover, I have given instructions that the citizens to be employed there should be from this region. Additional investments will definitely be made to expand it. Agriculture, tourism in other words, this is a natural paradise. But the vile enemy devastated it, leaving not one stone upon another. Every year, they collected hundreds of millions from Armenian organizations. They did not invest a single manat or dollar here; they looted everything. They burned our homes, displaced you, displaced 1 million people, razed Aghdam to the ground, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli too. They illegally settled in Kalbajar, Lachin, Khojaly. They even gave Khojaly an ugly name, but none of it stuck. Because the owners of these lands are us; we have returned, and we are building and creating. From now on, we will live only as a victorious and proud people. Inshallah. The residents expressed their gratitude to the President. 13 January 2026 12:44 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more More than 54.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been transported to Europe through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) to date, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said at the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy held in Baku, Azernews reports. According to the minister, cooperation with Italy within the framework of the Southern Gas Corridor plays an important role in strengthening Europes energy security. So far, TAP has supplied 54.3 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe, including 45.4 billion cubic meters to Italy, Shahbazov said. He also highlighted new opportunities emerging from regional green energy corridor initiatives linking Azerbaijan with Central Asia, Turkiye, and Europe. Shahbazov noted that the Italian company CESI is acting as a consulting partner in preparing feasibility studies for the CaspianBlack SeaEurope and Central AsiaAzerbaijan green energy corridor projects. The minister added that Italy could become a key logistics hub for Europe within the framework of the Middle Corridor project. Shahbazov underlined that AzerbaijanItaly relations are developing across a wide range of sectors, including military-technical cooperation, and noted that Italy was among the first countries to participate in projects in Azerbaijans liberated territories. Italian companies, he said, are particularly active in renewable energy projects in these areas. According to the minister, Azerbaijans renewable energy potential extends beyond the Caspian Sea. The liberated territories, including Garabagh and East Zangezur, have a solar and wind energy potential exceeding 10,000 megawatts, he said, adding that these regions have already been declared green energy zones and large-scale projects are underway. He noted that Ansaldo Energia is closely involved in the construction of substations and the restoration of energy infrastructure in the liberated territories. Shahbazov expressed confidence that Azerbaijans transition to green energy would elevate cooperation with Italy to a new level. We will not only remain a supplier of traditional energy resources, but also become an important partner in the green energy of the future, he said. The minister also pointed to significant cooperation potential in agriculture, industry, transport, and logistics, citing Italys advanced technologies and Azerbaijans favorable business environment as key enablers of joint success. Looking ahead, Shahbazov announced that 65 joint events across 18 areas are planned between Azerbaijan and Italy in 20262027, adding that political consultations between the two countries are also taking place. All this shows that relations between Azerbaijan and Italy are at a strategic level, he concluded. 13 January 2026 16:59 (UTC+04:00) Italy imported 9.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Azerbaijan last year, accounting for 38 per cent of Azerbaijans total gas exports, Azerbaijans Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said. As reported by Azernews, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Shahbazov noted that productive discussions were held with Edmondo Cirielli, Italys Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, within the framework of the 6th meeting of the AzerbaijanItaly Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. According to the minister, the talks focused on strengthening the countries multidimensional strategic partnership and reviewing new projects on the bilateral cooperation agenda. We assessed achievements that reinforce our strategic partnership across all areas, as well as promising opportunities for cooperation with Italy - our key energy partner, which received 38 per cent, or 9.5 billion cubic meters, of Azerbaijans gas exports last year - covering energy, transport, investment, and technological innovation, Shahbazov wrote. He also emphasized that the meeting resulted in the adoption of an Action Plan for 20262027, envisaging the implementation of 65 measures across 18 priority areas. Azerbaijani gas is supplied to Italy via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), one of the core components of the Southern Gas Corridor, which delivers natural gas from the Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea directly to European markets. As of January 1, 2026, TAP has provided additional long-term transmission capacity under a new Gas Transportation Agreement (GTA), further enhancing Azerbaijans role in ensuring Europes energy security. 13 January 2026 08:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Coca-Cola has introduced a decorative cosmetics collection in collaboration with Brazilian beauty brand Bruna Tavares. The limited-edition line features eyeshadow palettes, lip glosses and balms, mascara, stick-format blush, as well as makeup accessories, Azernews reports. All products are designed in Coca-Colas iconic visual style. The eyeshadows come in bright red branded cases with the logo on the lid, while one of the lip balm shades mirrors the brands signature red color. The blush stick resembles a classic Coca-Cola can, and the mascara shade echoes the deep tone of the drink itself. In total, the collection includes 15 products. The creators invite consumers to view makeup as a refreshing ritual, comparable to the feeling of opening a bottle of ice-cold Coca-Cola on a hot day. This concept reinforces the emotional connection between the brand and everyday moments of pleasure. Coca-Cola has previously experimented with beauty products. In 2021, the company released a collaboration with Morphe inspired by cherry-flavored cola, featuring eyeshadows, lip glosses, blushes, and makeup sponges. The new Bruna Tavares collection continues Coca-Colas expansion beyond beverages, positioning the brand as a lifestyle icon and tapping into the beauty and social media-driven culture. 13 January 2026 12:10 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Armenian authorities are planning to remove Russian border guards from the Akhurik border checkpoint on the border with Turkiye in the near future, a diplomatic source told Armenian media, Azernews reports. According to the source, a decision to hand over control of the Akhurik checkpoint has already been taken, and preparatory steps, including the installation of a flagpole, have been completed. At the same time, Russian border guards are expected to remain present at the checkpoint. The condition of the railway line connecting Armenia with Turkiye is also reportedly being assessed. Other sources indicate that the Turkish side has already begun construction work in the Margara checkpoint area. Taken together, the launch of construction activities by Turkiye and the reported preparations at Akhurik point to serious intentions by both sides to move toward opening the border in the foreseeable future. At the same time, Armenian law enforcement officials have privately expressed concerns over a potential increase in border violations. Official data show that 160 cases of illegal border crossings were registered in 2024, compared with 78 cases in 2023, representing a significant rise year on year. According to officials, individuals involved in illegal crossings are often citizens of third countries, including Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who view Armenia as a transit route. The situation is further complicated by Armenias practice of releasing such individuals or granting them refugee status, which, officials warn, may contribute to a continued increase in illegal migration flows. 13 January 2026 14:32 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more At least 12,000 people have reportedly been killed during the ongoing protests in Iran, the editorial board of Iran International stated, describing the events as the largest massacre in Irans contemporary history. The mass killings are said to have occurred mainly over two consecutive nights, January 8 and 9, Azernews reports. According to Iran International, the information was gathered from multiple sources, including individuals close to the Supreme National Security Council, officials in the presidential office, members of the Revolutionary Guard in cities such as Mashhad, Kermanshah, and Isfahan, as well as eyewitness accounts, families of the victims, medical reports, and field information from doctors and nurses. The editorial board said it carefully verified the data in multiple stages according to professional standards. The statement alleges that the massacre was carried out on the personal order of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with the explicit approval of the heads of Irans three branches of government. It also reports that the Supreme National Security Council issued direct firing orders, leading to the large-scale suppression. This development comes amid months of unrest in Iran, which began with widespread demonstrations over economic hardship, social restrictions, and political grievances. The death toll reported by Iran International far exceeds previous estimates and highlights the scale of violence used against protesters. Human rights organizations and international observers have previously condemned the Iranian authorities crackdown on protests, citing excessive use of force, mass arrests, and reported extrajudicial killings. The new figures, if confirmed, would represent an unprecedented escalation in the governments response to public dissent. Iranian authorities have not independently confirmed the reported number of deaths. International reactions are expected as the scope of the alleged crackdown continues to emerge. 13 January 2026 16:35 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Istanbul Civil Court has ruled that former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, currently in detention, must pay compensation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for moral damages. As reported by Azernews, citing foreign media, lawyers for both parties attended the hearing at the 23rd Civil Court of Istanbul. Ferah Yldz, the lawyer representing the plaintiff, stated during the session that Imamoglu had openly targeted President Erdogan and state institutions in his social media posts, and the defense had failed to provide credible evidence to refute these claims. The defense lawyer requested a postponement of the hearing, but the court rejected the request. The presiding judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff in part, ordering Imamoglu to pay 150,000 Turkish lira in compensation, along with legally accrued interest from the date of the incident, to President Erdogan. According to the lawsuit, on March 20, 2025, Imamoglu posted statements on social media containing untrue claims directed at President Erdogans personal and professional conduct. S. Oregon Coast Fire Captain Describes Harrowing Rescue at Stranded Ship Near Port Orford Published 01/12/26 at 6:55 p.m. - Updated 01/12/26 at 11:55 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Port, Orford, Oregon) A variety of rescue agencies from all over the south Oregon coast responded Sunday morning in the overnight hours to a fishing vessel stranded on the beach, having to retrieve three men and two dogs from a dangerously-pitching ship. (Photo courtesy Sixes River Fire Dept) The beach access at Paradise Point is currently closed and will be for awhile as salvage efforts are now underway for the F/V Texas Lady, after it became trapped on the sands. How or why it became stuck is not known at this point, and officials say be cautious of the speculation online. The US Coast Guard (USCG) told Oregon Coast Beach Connection it began in the wee hours of January 11, as the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a MAYDAY call from the 67-foot commercial fishing vessel, Texas Lady. The vessel had three people on board and had been anchored prior to grounding, the USCG said. Responding to the Texas Lady were the Sixes River Volunteer Fire Department, Sixes River Fire SCARR team (search and rescue dive team), Port Orford Fire Department RFPD, Cal Or Ambulance, and the US Coast Guard. Ashley Moore, a captain with the Sixes River Volunteer Fire Department, talked to Oregon Coast Beach Connection at length on the ordeal, describing a rather harrowing set of events. That area is quite dangerous, she said. People die there almost every year. There is a horrendous undertow in that spot, compounded by a marine shelf, but making all this more hazardous was fairly large waves with sets about six seconds from each other. Also, it was an incoming tide. That left little time to conduct even quick rescue maneuvers like setting up a ladder against the ship so the crew could dart down. Texas Lady still on the beach Monday: photo Dave Foley / Port Orford and PNW Whale Watchers That undertow there is bad, Moore said. You get sucked in there fast, and then the sand gets sucked out from underneath you and then you're just sent out to sea. The vessel itself was in a kind of manic motion. It was about ten feet high as well, higher than it looked in the videos, Moore said. Wave action here made even that more dangerous. The boat was rocking back and forth, and trying to get them off the boat was really difficult, Moore said. If you jumped off you would've twisted your ankle. One man aboard did get off that way, however, and in spite of the heavy waves was able to scramble onto shore. Moore said he was runnin' for his life. Minor and major problems like this kept occurring, she said. At one point, a boom on the vessel came loose and started swinging to the west, making for an extra danger. Yet overall the rescue went smoothly, once crews were able to overcome whatever new obstacle came their way. Moore had particular praise for the USCG rescue swimmer and the helicopter pilot, who continuously risked much but performed exceptionally well. The helicopter had to dart off and refuel at one point. By the time they were pulling the remaining men off the boat, the pilot held the aircraft remarkably still, she said. Then there were the two dogs to rescue. This actually occurred before they rescued the two men. For that they got rather inventive. "The Sixes SCARR team threw the rope line (the captain tied the end) and the Texas Lady crew put one dog's harness through the line to zip line," Moore said. The other dog was small enough to put inside a bag that went down the line in the same manner, she said. Moore had special thanks for the volunteers from the public, who even helped provide ATV's on scene. The USCG said the owner will be working to handle the salvage of the vessel. The Coast Guard will continue to monitor and coordinate with the owner and local and state partners, the agency said. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) Manzanita's Ocean Inn Adds More Ways to Preserve, Give Back to Oregon Coast E... About to become an Ocean Friendly Hotel through Surfrider. Manzanita hotel reviews, Manzanita hotel news Laidback Rockaway Beach, Ocean in View from Hidden Oregon Coast Condo Rental Luxury and an unstoppable view meet. Rockaway Beach hotel reviews, lodging news Cannon Beach Hotels - North Oregon Coast, Haystack Rock Cannon Beach Hotels, Cannon Beach hotel reviews, vacation rentals South Oregon Coast Hotels S. Coast Hotels: Reedsport, Winchester Bay, Coos Bay, Bandon, Gold Beach, Brookings. S Coast Hotel Reviews More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted This collaboration will expand affordable housing options and drive investment in neighborhoods and the local economy GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercantile Bank ("Mercantile") in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBank Indianapolis), is proud to announce the allocation of $2.2 million in Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants to three nonprofit organizations in West Michigan. These grants will support projects that collectively add over 10,000 square feet of housing and create 28 new affordable units, addressing a critical shortage of housing options for individuals and families. "Affordable housing doesn't just change individual lives, it strengthens communities. When people have a stable home, it creates ripple effects. Children thrive in school, health outcomes improve, and neighborhoods become more resilient," said Sonali Allen, SVP, Community Development Officer at Mercantile Bank. "These grants represent an investment in the long-term well-being of West Michigan, and we're proud to work alongside FHLBank Indianapolis and our nonprofit partners to make that vision a reality." Along with FHLBank Indianapolis awarded grants, Mercantile Bank contributed funds toward each of these initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to community development and housing stability across Michigan. The projects funded through this collaboration include: Well House Expanding long-term affordable rental options for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or severe housing insecurity. Building Community Phase III will construct an ADA-compliant duplex that provides sustainable and accessible housing. Additionally, the project will seek LEED certification. Expanding long-term affordable rental options for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or severe housing insecurity. Building Community Phase III will construct an ADA-compliant duplex that provides sustainable and accessible housing. Additionally, the project will seek LEED certification. Habitat for Humanity of Kent County- Building new homes for first-time homeowners, helping families achieve stability and generational wealth through affordable homeownership. Building new homes for first-time homeowners, helping families achieve stability and generational wealth through affordable homeownership. Mel Trotter Ministries Developing an innovative and efficient tiny home community that aims to serve families and individuals with limited income. These projects will serve households earning below 80% of the area median income (AMI), with many units reserved for those earning significantly less. Beyond housing, the developments will provide stability and access to essential resources, helping residents build for the future. "Our Affordable Housing Program is designed to empower local organizations like Mercantile to meet the unique needs of their communities," said MaryBeth Wott, SVP Community Investment and Strategic Planning Officer at FHLBank Indianapolis. "Collaborations like ours ensure that families have access to affordable homes and the essential support they need." About Mercantile Bank Mercantile Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercantile Bank Corporation. Mercantile provides financial products and services in a professional and personalized manner designed to make banking easier for businesses, individuals, and governmental units. Distinguished by exceptional service, a knowledgeable staff, and a commitment to the communities it serves, Mercantile is one of the largest Michigan-based banks with assets of approximately $6.9 billion. For more information about Mercantile Bank, visit www.mercbank.com, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) @MercBank, and LinkedIn @merc-bank. Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis: Building Partnerships. Serving Communities. FHLBank Indianapolis is a regional bank included in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with particular attention paid to providing solutions that support the housing and small business needs of members' customers. FHLBanks are privately capitalized and funded and receive no Congressional appropriations. FHLBank Indianapolis is owned by its Indiana and Michigan financial institution members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. For more information about FHLBank Indianapolis, visit www.fhlbi.com and follow the Bank on LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter) at @FHLBankIndy. Please note that content the Bank shares on its website and social media is not incorporated by reference into any of its filings with the SEC unless, and only to the extent that a filing by the Bank with the SEC expressly provides to the contrary. SOURCE Mercantile Bank Driver Arrested on Oregon Coast After Narrowly Missing Construction Crew, Then High-Speed Chase Published 01/11/26 at 9:35 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Newport, Oregon) A high-speed chase through tight and winding central Oregon coast roads began Saturday after a man allegedly endangered construction crews by zooming through the work area. (Photo ODOT) Lincoln County deputies arrested a man Saturday after a high-speed pursuit that began when a vehicle was reported driving recklessly through an active construction zone on Highway 101 near Milepost 106, narrowly missing road workers and striking traffic cones. According to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office (LCSO), a deputy spotted the vehicle at about 8:37 a.m. as it entered Newport at a high rate of speed while traveling in the oncoming lane. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to yield, the department said. Assisted by the Newport Police Department and the Oregon State Police, deputies pursued the vehicle south bound through Newport and the community of Seal Rock. The driver - who was later identified as Johnathan Grimm - reportedly maintained speeds between 90 and 110 mph during the chase through the small Oregon coast villages. Grimm eventually left the highway near NW Fox Creek and continued attempting to flee until reaching a residence, where he ran from the vehicle. He was quickly taken into custody without further incident. Oregon Coast Highway 101 / Coast Range Traffic Highway 6 to Oregon Coast Declared an Emergency Situation by Washington County - The move will hopefully initiate federal assistance Lincoln City Police later confirmed that the vehicle involved in the chase was the same one that nearly struck highway workers earlier that morning. Grimm was booked into the Lincoln County Jail on charges of reckless driving, reckless endangering, reckless endangerment of highway workers, and attempting to elude. There is no word on whether the suspect was local or from out of town. The Sheriffs Office thanked all assisting agencies for their role in the arrest. Two Videos Show Different Angles on Near-Deadly Oregon Coast Wave - The incident from 2021 just surfaced, showing a wave knocking people around Cape Kiwanda Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) Where Astounding Oregon Coast Views Just Don't Quit: Depoe Bay's Ocean Paradi... Lots of very close whales, extravagant comfort and incredible views. Hotel reviews, lodging Warm Sunsets to Raucous Oregon Coast Storms: Upclose at Cannon Beach's Schoon... One of the major highlights is that beachfront lawn. hotels, lodging reviews Oregon Coast Hotels Oregon Coast Hotels and hotel reviews: Astoria hotels, Seaside hotels, Cannon Beach hotels, Manzanita hotels, Nehalem hotels, Wheeler hotels, Rockaway Beach hotels, Garibaldi hotels, Tillamook hotels, Oceanside hotels, Pacific City hotels, Lincoln City hotels, Depoe Bay hotels, Newport hotels, Waldport hotels, Yachats hotels, Florence hotels, Reedsport hotels, Winchester Bay hotels, Coos Bay hotels, Bandon hotels, Gold Beach hotels, Brookings hotels Early September and Oregon Coast's Second Summer: Rentals That Are Still Open... Still a couple vacation rentals with availability but getting thin. Cannon Beach hotel reviews, hotel availability More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Mussel Harvesting Reopened on South Oregon Coast Published 01/10/26 at 7:55 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Port Orford, Oregon) The south Oregon coast is again really yummy. Mussel harvesting has reopened from Cape Blanco south to the California border after new testing indicated marine biotoxin levels had fallen below the states alert threshold, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The region includes Port Orford, Gold Beach and Brokings. That area was closed in late November when officials detected elevated concentrations of paralytic shellfish toxin, a naturally occurring biotoxin capable of causing serious illness in humans. Recent samples confirmed levels have returned to within safe limits. State agencies continue to urge harvesters to check conditions before heading out. The Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 and ODAs Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures webpage provide the most current information. Current recreational shellfish harvest closures and openings: - Mussels: OPEN coastwide. - Razor clams: OPEN from the WA border to Cape Blanco. CLOSED from Cape Blanco to the CA border. - Bay clams: OPEN coastwide. - Crab: OPEN coastwide. ODA will continue testing for marine toxins along the Oregon coast at least twice per month as tides and weather allow. Any closed area requires two consecutive clean tests before reopening. More information is available through ODAs shellfish biotoxin hotline, the ODA Food Safety Program at 503-986-4720, or the agencys Shellfish Food Safety webpage. ODFW provides details on recreational licenses, permits, rules, and harvest limits. Seaside Aquarium photo This has been a lucky year for biotoxins. Frequency of the issued greatly increased for a couple of years, shutting down or delaying shellfish seasons by months sometimes. Back in May of 2024, over 21 people became extremely ill from consuming mussels that were affected by the marine biotoxin paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). This and the presence of domoic acid in some species caused the shore-wide closure of all recreational clamming and snagging mussels. All areas in Washington and Oregon were closed to recreational gathering. Up on the Washington coast, those biotoxin closures were still in effect in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor until later in the year, but beach shellfish gathering was not in season at that time, anyway. It was eventually cleared. Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) Outstanding Hotels / Places to Stay at Gold Beach: Quirky Gems of S. Oregon C... Gold Beach boasts a lot more than many may know. Gold Beach hotel reviews Secluded N. Oregon Coast Villa Overlooks Cannon Beach, Peaks A massive vacation rental home near the Ecola State Park. Cannon Beach hotel reviews, Cannon Beach vacation rentals April Gets Even Cheaper Midweek at Depoe Bay, Lincoln City: Oregon Coast Deals Off-season rates plus more at Keystone Vacation Rentals. Depoe Bay lodging specials, Lincoln City hotel reviews, Newport hotel reviews Manzanita Hotels, Lodging Manzanita Hotels, Manzanita hotel reviews, vacation rentals, Lodging Arizona Beach / OPRD More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted 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. Scroll down to submit your pitch for your chance to win a share of our 60k prize pot Accelerator Community Manager at Ulster Bank John Ferris with Belfast Telegraph Business Editor Margaret Canning and Gabi Burnside from Ulster Bank Entries are now open for the 2026 Pitching Competition at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards in partnership with Ulster Bank. The contest offers entrepreneurs a chance to make a short pitch for their business in front of an audience of leading figures from NI business. Ulster Bank are marking a decade of their Accelerator Programme with the biggest prize pot yet, a 60,000 fund to be split between participants. Four applicants will be selected to make their case to the guests at the Business Awards on Wednesday 25 March, when the winner will be crowned. Those interested in applying can submit a 60-second video pitch for their business below. Submissions will have be in either mp4 or mov formats, be 30mb or under and made no later than 5pm on Friday 6 February. Run in partnership with Ulster Bank, the competition is open to UK residents over the age of 18 who have a limited company which has been registered for between 1-5 years. Businesses applying should have a turnover of up to 1m, and must not be an employee or strategic partner of the NatWest Group of companies. The 12 top entrants will be invited to a live semi-final event in which theyll pitch in front of a panel of judges and their video pitch entries will also be put forward to a public vote on the belfasttelegraph.co.uk website. Of the four entrants selected to go to final round, the winner will receive 50,000, with the runner up getting 5,000 and the third and fourth placed entrants each getting 2,500. Giving advice to prospective applicants, Gabi Burnside from the Ulster Bank Accelerator hub said: When making your pitch, keep it short and punchy and try not to be too modest. "Tell us what makes your business special and how the prize fund will make a genuine difference to your growth. We need to hear about your USP so be authentic and try to let your personality shine through. Its also important to think about production, you dont need a film studio but good lighting, clear sound, and a nicely framed shot will enhance your pitch. "Be concise, stick to your most powerful points, rehearse and make every second count. This prize could really propel your business growth so give it your all and good luck! Criteria To enter the competition, youll need to be: a registered Limited Company registered in the UK trading up to five years turning over up to 1m 18 or over and a UK resident You dont have to be an Ulster Bank customer to apply You must not be a Strategic Partner, an employee of NatWest Group of companies, their families or anyone associated with this competition. If you have been a Finalist or have won a prize in another Ulster Bank Accelerator Pitch Competition you are not eligible to participate in any future competitions. To support your application, you should: Prepare and upload a 60-second video pitch and complete the form below. Make sure you are using good lighting, clear sound and a steady camera. Its important to position your camera at eye level and make sure you are cantered in the frame. Please not files must note exceed a maximum size of 30mb and be uploaded in either mp4 or mov format. Please read the full terms and conditions and privacy policy. Please note, T&Cs are specific to each competition. Ask Allison: My son tells me his wife screams at him and knows how to push his buttons. He feels so lost. How do I help? Immigration enforcement officers take part in an immigration raid in Warrenpoint in County Down, Northern Ireland (Liam McBurney/PA) 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. Education Minister Paul Givan has said tackling teachers workload is next on his agenda after a resolution on increased pay was agreed. The unions representing teachers here have accepted a pay rise of 4% for 2025-26. Mr Givan said the pay award reflects the value that I place on those working in education. The pay rise will be backdated to September 1 last year. The agreement includes a 4% increase to all teacher salary scale points, with a 4% increase to teaching and special needs allowances. The Department of Education said the pay increase will cost about 38.3million in 2025/26, with an annual recurring cost thereafter of 65.6million. Mr Givan said the uplift will now see the starting salary for graduate teachers increasing to 32,916, with an experienced teacher at the top of the upper pay scale moving to 50,876 in line with salaries in England and Wales. Unions welcomed the agreement and said their focus will now shift to reducing teachers' "excessive workload". Justin McCamphill, the chair of the NI Teachers Council, said: "The 4% consolidated uplift is a fair and necessary recognition of our members dedication and hard work during a period of significant financial pressure. Our member unions conducted thorough consultations with their memberships, and the collective feedback has been clear. While the broader campaign for better funding and working conditions continues, this offer represents the best achievable outcome on pay for this year. Mark McTaggart, the secretary of the NITC, added: Acceptance of this pay offer provides welcome certainty for teachers and brings the 2025/26 pay round to a close. "Our focus now shifts to ensuring the Minister delivers on the parallel and critical agenda of reducing teacher workload. The recommendations of the Independent Panel on Workload provide a clear blueprint for meaningful change, and we expect swift and tangible progress. Meanwhile, Joanne Whyte, NAHT NI president, said: We welcome this cost-of-living pay uplift, which restores parity with colleagues in England. "This outcome reflects the strength of our collective voice and the importance of constructive engagement. We acknowledge the ministers efforts within the Executive to make available the funds to provide this much-needed uplift. While this agreement provides some financial relief, it does not resolve the systemic challenges facing our profession. "Our focus now turns to the host of other significant issues including, of course, the intolerable levels of school leader workload and shortfalls in school funding, both of which continue to undermine the sustainability of school leadership. In recent years, schools have been disrupted by a series of industrial disputes over pay negotiations, though the new offer is separate from ongoing negotiations over workload issues. The Northern Ireland Teachers Council (NITC) has formally accepted the pay offer (Danny Lawson/PA) News Catch Up - Tuesday 13 January Mr Givan welcomed the pay resolution, saying it represents a "further step forward in maintaining positive industrial relations between management and the teachers unions. Extensive work has taken place to offer a pay increase which is in line with the increase received by teachers in England and Wales, he added. "I am pleased that the five trade unions which make up the Northern Ireland Teachers Council have now formally accepted this on behalf of their members. Todays pay award reflects the value that I place on those working in education, despite the severe financial issues facing education and the wider public sector in Northern Ireland. It firmly demonstrates my support for teachers and recognises the vital contribution they make to childrens life chances. In addition to recognising their value through the pay award, I also want to assure teachers that I will respond to the Independent Review on Teacher Workload within the coming weeks. SAN DIEGO and SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rakuten Medical, Inc. and LOTTE Biologics today announced that they have signed a biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing agreement during the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco to strengthen Rakuten Medical's production capabilities for its innovative oncology therapy, Alluminox platform-based photoimmunotherapy. Under the agreement, LOTTE Biologics will provide advanced manufacturing services for monoclonal antibody intermediates and their conjugates, supporting Rakuten Medical's global clinical development and future commercialization. Rakuten Medical's proprietary photoimmunotherapy technology is designed to selectively target cells in solid tumors, by combining cell-targeting moieties, such as antibodies, with light-activatable agents, enabling focal and selective destruction of solid tumor cells upon light exposure. In Japan, the therapy is approved for recurrent head and neck cancer, and its footprint has expanded steadily, through broader site adoption and sustained yearoveryear growth in treatment numbers. In parallel, a global Phase 3 clinical trial is underway in the United States, Taiwan and Japan, with plans to start treatment in Ukraine and Poland soon. Rakuten Medical also plans to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial in Japan for other solid tumors beyond head and neck cancer this year. These clinical and commercial dynamics are driving increased demand for Rakuten Medical's bioconjugates. LOTTE Biologics has been expanding its capabilities as a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), particularly in the field of monoclonal and multispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and advanced bioconjugation services. LOTTE Biologics will support the production of monoclonal antibody intermediates and their conjugates for Rakuten Medical's programs, through its specialized ADC manufacturing facility at the Syracuse Bio Campus in New York. The facility is equipped with dedicated ADC production capabilities and advanced bioconjugation technologies, enabling the company to deliver high-quality manufacturing services while meeting global regulatory requirements and ensuring stable supply for customers worldwide. About Rakuten Medical, Inc. Rakuten Medical, Inc. is a global biotechnology company developing and commercializing its Alluminox platform-based photoimmunotherapy, which has been shown to induce rapid and selective cell killing. Rakuten Medical's photoimmunotherapy is currently investigational outside Japan. Rakuten Medical is committed to its mission to conquer cancer by developing its pioneering treatments as quickly as possible to as many patients as possible all over the world. The company has offices in five countries/regions, including the United States, where it is headquartered, Japan, Taiwan, Switzerland and India. For more information, visit www.rakuten-med.com. About the Alluminox Platform The Alluminox platform is Rakuten Medical's investigational technology that combines pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical technology and other peripheral technologies. Rakuten Medical is developing Alluminox platform-based photoimmunotherapy, which involves two key steps: 1) drug administration, and 2) targeted illumination using medical devices. The drug component consists of a cell-targeting moiety conjugated to a light-activatable dye, such as IRDye 700DX (IR700), that selectively binds to the surface of targeted cells, such as tumor cells. The device component consists of a light source that locally illuminates the targeted cells with red light (690 nm) to transiently activate the drug. Rakuten Medical's preclinical data have shown that this activation elicits rapid and selective necrosis of targeted cells through a biophysical process that compromises the membrane integrity of the targeted cells. Therapies developed on the Alluminox platform may also result in local and systemic innate and adaptive immune activation due to immunogenic cell death of the targeted tumor cells and/or the removal of targeted immunosuppressive cells within the tumor microenvironment. Photoimmunotherapy was originally developed by Dr. Hisataka Kobayashi and his team at the National Cancer Institute in the United States. Outside Japan, Rakuten Medical's Alluminox platform-based photoimmunotherapy is investigational. About LOTTE BIOLOGICS Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, LOTTE BIOLOGICS was founded in 2022 with a mission to deliver therapies that contribute to a healthier world. At the Syracuse Bio Campus in New York, LOTTE BIOLOGICS provides high-quality GMP manufacturing services for drug substances. The facility offers a total production capacity of 40,000L, supported by eight 5,000L stainless steel bioreactors. Additionally, the campus includes extensive analytical QC testing laboratories and warehouse facilities that have received approval from over 62 regulatory agencies worldwide. LOTTE BIOLOGICS is also advancing into a new area of expertise with Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) conjugation services. With over $100 million invested in ADC modalities, including both drug substance and conjugation capabilities on-site, we offer a seamless, end-to-end service from drug substance manufacturing to conjugation. Looking ahead, LOTTE BIOLOGICS is constructing three advanced bio plants in Songdo, South Korea. With construction of the first plant already underway and expected to be operational by 2027, each facility will feature eight 15,000L stainless steel bioreactors for large-scale commercial production to meet production needs. Collectively, these plants will provide a manufacturing volume exceeding 360,000L in bioreactor capacity. More information about LOTTE BIOLOGICS, please visit: www.lottebiologics.com SOURCE Rakuten Medical, Inc. Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days on Tuesday after authorities severed communications during a crackdown on nationwide protests that activists say killed at least 646 people. The calls give a glimpse of life after being cut off from the outside world. Witnesses described a heavy security presence in central Tehran, burned-out government buildings, smashed ATMs and few passersby. Meanwhile, people remain concerned about what comes next, including the possibility of strikes after US president Donald Trump said he could possibly use the military to defend peaceful protesters. Protesters on the streets of Tehran (UGC via AP) Mr Trump has also said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington. My customers talk about Trumps reaction while wondering if he plans a military strike against the Islamic Republic, shopkeeper Mahmoud, who gave only his first name out of concerns for his safety, said. I dont expect Trump or any other foreign country cares about the interests of Iranians. Reza, a taxi driver who also gave just his first name, said protests remained on many peoples minds. People particularly young ones are hopeless but they talk about continuing the protests, he said. The demonstrations began on December 28 (UGC via AP) Several people in Tehran were able to call The Associated Press (AP) and speak to a journalist there. The AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was unable to call those numbers back. The witnesses said SMS text messaging was still down and that internet users in Iran could connect to government-approved websites locally but nothing abroad. Anti-riot police officers, wearing helmets and body armour, carried batons, shields, shotguns and tear-gas launchers, according to witnesses. Police stood watch at major crossroads. Nearby, the witnesses saw members of the Revolutionary Guards all-volunteer Basij force, who similarly carried firearms and batons. Security officials in plainclothes were visible in public spaces as well. Several banks and government offices were burned during the unrest, they said. ATMs had been smashed and banks struggled to complete transactions without the internet, the witnesses said. But shops were open, although there was little foot traffic in the capital. Tehrans Grand Bazaar, where the demonstrations began on December 28, was to open on Tuesday. But a witness described speaking to multiple shopkeepers who said the security forces ordered them to reopen no matter what. Iranian state media had not acknowledged that order. At least 646 people have been killed as a result of the protests, activists said (Iran state TV via AP) Meanwhile, it appeared that security service personnel were searching for Starlink terminals as people in northern Tehran reported authorities raiding apartment buildings with satellite dishes. While satellite television dishes are illegal, many in the capital have them in their homes and officials had broadly given up on enforcing the law in recent years. On the streets, people could also be seen challenging plainclothes security officials, who were stopping passersby at random. State television also read a statement about mortuary and morgue services being free a signal some likely charged high fees for the release of bodies amid the crackdown. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a statement carried by state TV, praised the tens of thousands who took part in pro-government demonstrations nationwide on Monday. This was a warning to American politicians to stop their deceit and not rely on traitorous mercenaries, he said. The Iranian nation is strong and powerful and aware of the enemy. A screen grab from videos circulating on social media purportedly showing images from a morgue after a crackdown on the outskirts of Irans capital (UGC via 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 warned that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an enemy of God a death-penalty charge. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to the Qatar-funded satellite news network Al Jazeera in an interview aired on Monday night, said he continued to communicate with US envoy Steve Witkoff. The communication continued before and after the protests and are still ongoing, Mr Araghchi said. But he added: Washingtons proposed ideas and threats against our country are incompatible. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Irans public rhetoric diverges from the private messaging the administration has received from Tehran in recent days. I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages, Ms Leavitt said. However, with that said, the president has shown he is unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran. Mr Trump announced on Monday that countries doing business with Iran will face 25% tariffs from the United States. A picture of Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is set alight by protesters outside the Iranian embassy in London (Alastair Grant/AP) He announced the tariffs in a social media posting, saying they would be effective immediately. It was action against Iran for the protest crackdown from Mr Trump, who believes exacting tariffs can be a useful tool in prodding friends and foes on the global stage to bend to his will. Brazil, China, Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are among economies that do business with Tehran. Mr Trump said on Sunday 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. Iran, through the countrys parliamentary speaker, warned on Sunday that the US military and Israel would be legitimate targets if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators. US President Donald Trump said he has cancelled talks with Iranian officials amid a protest crackdown, telling Iranian citizens help is on its way. Mr Trump did not offer any details about what the help would entail, but it comes after the Republican president earlier this week said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington DC after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic that has killed more than 2,000, according to human rights monitors. Mr Trump with his latest message on social media appeared to make an abrupt shift about his willingness to engage with the Iranian government. US President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One from Florida at Joint Base Andrews (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Mr Trump wrote in a morning post on Truth Social. Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. The president has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action if his administration finds the Islamic Republic is using deadly force against anti-government protesters, but he has not said whether he has made a decision on a response. Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran (AP) On Monday, Mr Trump said he would slap 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran effective immediately, but the White House has not provided details on that move. China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Brazil and Russia are among economies that do business with Tehran. US vice president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and key White House National Security Council officials began meetings on Friday to develop options for Mr Trump, ranging from a diplomatic approach to military strikes. Iran, through the countrys parliamentary speaker, has warned that the US military and Israel would be legitimate targets if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators. More than 600 protests have taken place across all of Irans 31 provinces, the Human Rights Activists News Agency reported on Tuesday. The activist group said 1,850 of the dead were protesters and 135 were government-affiliated. Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran (AP photo) It said more than 16,700 people had been detained. Understanding the scale of the protests has been difficult. Iranian state media has provided little information about the demonstrations and online videos offer only brief, shaky glimpses of people in the streets or the sound of gunfire. Iranian state television offered the first official acknowledgment of the high death toll on Tuesday, quoting an official saying the country had a lot of martyrs and that it did not release a toll earlier because of the dead suffering gruesome injuries. However, that statement came only after activists reported their toll. Mr Trumps push on the Iranian government to end the crackdown comes as he is dealing with a series of other foreign policy emergencies around the globe. Its been just over a week since the US military launched a successful raid to arrest Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and remove him from power. The US continues to mass an unusually large number of troops in the Caribbean Sea. Mr Trump is also focused on trying to get Israel and Hamas onto the second phase of a peace deal in Gaza and broker an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to end the nearly four-year war in Eastern Europe. But advocates urging Mr Trump to take strong action against Iran say this moment offers an opportunity to further diminish the theocratic government that has ruled the country since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The demonstrations are the biggest Iran has seen in years protests spurred by the collapse of Iranian currency that have morphed into a larger test of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis repressive rule. Ukraine called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting after recent Russian bombardment with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) The US has accused Russia of a dangerous and inexplicable escalation of its nearly four-year war in Ukraine at a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance negotiations towards peace. US deputy ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce singled out Russias launch of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile last week close to Ukraines border with Poland, a Nato ally. She told an emergency meeting of the Security Council that the US deplores the staggering number of casualties in the conflict and condemns Russias intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructure. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Ukraine called for the meeting after last Thursdays overnight Russian bombardment with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including the powerful, new hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which Moscow used for only the second time in what was a clear warning to Kyivs Nato allies. The large-scale attack came days after Ukraine and its allies reported major progress towards agreeing on how to defend the country from further Moscow aggression if a US-led peace deal is struck. The attack also coincided with a new chill in relations between Moscow and Washington after Russia condemned the US seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic. And it came as US president Donald Trump signalled he is on board with a hard-hitting sanctions package meant to economically cripple Russia. US president Donald Trump indicated he is on board with hard-hitting sanctions on Russia (Alex Brandon/AP) Moscow has given no public signal it is willing to budge from its maximalist demands on Ukraine. And Russias UN ambassador on Monday blamed the diplomatic impasse on Ukraine. Europes leaders condemned the attack using the Oreshnik as escalatory and unacceptable, and US envoy Ms Bruce was equally tough on Monday. At a moment of tremendous potential, due only to President Trumps unparalleled commitment to peace around the world, both sides should be seeking ways to de-escalate, she said. Yet Russias action risks expanding and intensifying the war. A residential building burns after a Russian strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine (Mykola Myrnyi/AP) Ms Bruce reminded Russia that nearly a year ago it voted in favour of a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine. It would be nice if Russia matched their words with deeds, she said. In the spirit of that resolution, Russia, Ukraine and Europe must pursue peace seriously and bring this nightmare to an end. But Russias UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that until Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky comes to his senses and agrees to realistic conditions for negotiations, we will continue solving the problem by military means. He was warned long ago, with each passing day, each day which he squanders, the conditions for negotiations will only get worse for him, Mr Nebenzia said. Similarly, each vile attack on Russian civilians will elicit a stiff response. Ukraines UN ambassador Andriy Melnyk countered that Russia is more vulnerable now than at any time since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Its economy is slowing and oil revenue is down. Russia wants to sell to this council and the whole UN family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion, he told the council. The carefully staged image of strength is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely detached from reality. 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. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon. High 27F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Snow showers will become more widely scattered later on. Low 12F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 50%. 2 killed, several missing as massive fire guts market in India's Himachal Pradesh Xinhua) 09:46, January 13, 2026 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) As project delivery grows more complex and constrained, the company is sharpening how it presents itself to the market. LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Revizto, the leading collaboration platform for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) industry, today announced the launch of a refreshed brand identity, marking the company's next phase of global growth. Revizto's brand refresh mirrors the increasing scale and coordination demands of modern construction. Post this Reflecting the realities of modern project delivery. The update reflects how Revizto is applied today across large-scale projects, where rising expectations, tighter timelines, constrained budgets and cross-disciplinary coordination leave little margin for error. While Revizto's mission and product remain unchanged, the refreshed brand and new website are designed to better reflect the realities of modern delivery and the role the software plays in supporting it. Revizto is relied on by more than 1,000 customers and has supported over 80,000 initiatives built worldwide to date, with 280 terabytes of 3D model data stored and rendered on the platform. By bringing architects, engineers, contractors and owners into a shared 2D and 3D environment, Revizto helps streamline workflows, surface issues earlier and support more confident decision-making throughout the lifecycle of a program. Arman Gukasyan, Founder and CEO of Revizto, said: "Our DNA hasn't changed. We're still focused on helping people work together better and avoid unnecessary friction. What has changed is the reality of today's work. Projects are bigger, faster-moving and far less forgiving. This evolution reflects that reality and the responsibility we take on when organizations rely on Revizto to power efficiency. At the same time, it reflects our ambitious growth goals as we step into a larger and more visible role across the industry." The announcement follows the platform's recent Revizto for Infrastructure release, which introduced new capabilities aimed at reducing tedious, manual work and improving navigation across long, linear projects, helping railways, roads, bridges and tunnels be delivered on time and on budget. Revizto is trusted on some of the most demanding programs globally, including Australia's Snowy 2.0 hydroelectric project. In the United States, the platform has been used on major developments such as the recently unveiled Pittsburgh International Airport Airside Renovation, the Tennessee Titans Stadium, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and the UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital in California. The refreshed brand launches alongside a new website, providing a clearer and more consistent expression of Revizto as it continues to support work across infrastructure, healthcare, aviation and commercial construction sectors. More information is available at revizto.com. About Revizto Revizto enables the people behind the world's most important structures to do their best work. We connect architects, engineers, contractors and owners to deliver projects on time and on budget. By uniting teams in one shared 2D/3D space across the entire building lifecycle, we drive maximum collaboration and results. From airports to hospitals to data centers, Revizto empowers clients like Jacobs, AECOM, AtkinsRealis, Skanska, and Stantec to deliver critical infrastructure without risk or waste, for a world that's built to last. Our technology is built on a gaming engine, making it unbreakable for construction's toughest conditions and most complex projects. It works everywhere teams need itin the office or on-site, across all devices. Backed by Summit Partners, Revizto is headquartered in Switzerland and has team members across the globe. SOURCE Revizto We got a surprise Christmas present this year: a new grandbaby born on Christmas Day, four weeks early! Mom and baby are doing fine, and, in fact, he was 6 pounds 9 ounces at birth, so quite good for 36 weeks! The less good news is that the new baby and his two-and-a-half-year-old sister and his parents live in Grand Rapids, Mich. As they say, you cant get there from here. The closest, regular, direct flights are out of LaGuardia or Newark, both of which would be a long drive, with worries about traffic, not to mention expensive parking! Driving to Albany or Bradley would be shorter, but that involves a flight change, usually in Chicago or Detroit. Even if we were to take a direct flight to Detroit and rent a car, its another 2-plus hours to Grand Rapids. When its all said and done, door-to-door, any of these options is at least 8 hours if everything goes perfectly smoothly, which is certainly less likely with air travel these days. And so most of the time we drive. Lenox and Grand Rapids are at the same latitude, and its pretty much a straight shot across New York State into Canada, across southern Ontario and into Michigan, then continuing to Grand Rapids. The drive time is 10 and a half hours, and we have done it in as little as eleven, with stops only for gas and restroom breaks, most notably when we were coming back, literally an hour ahead of a snowstorm moving east! (We do have NEXUS, which provides express border crossings to make this drive time possible. During the pandemic, when we couldnt go through Canada, the drive time was 12 hours.) Most often, however, we stop overnight, usually in Canada, frequently in London, Ontario, where we have always had a fabulous dinner, having tried several places there! At one restaurant, in the middle of winter, I ordered the ale and onion soup, topped with a slice of bread and melted cheddar, and I wondered, How would this be made with hard cider? Fabulous, of course! We have wonderful producers here in the Berkshires, including the Berkshire Cider Project and Hilltop Orchards, and any number of other cideries nearby in New York State, which adds to the appeal of this recipe. As is my practice, when possible, I check variations, and the vegetarian version was just as tasty. I also tried making a slice of toasted bread with melted cheese to float on top, in case you dont have broiler-safe soup crocks, and it works just fine. Its vegan without the cheese, and can be gluten-free with gluten-free bread, although I did not taste either of these options. And if youre ever driving west across New York or through southern Ontario and want to know some places to stop, Im keeping a running list! CIDER-ONION SOUP Makes about 6 cups INGREDIENTS 2 slices bacon, chopped, omit for vegetarian 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 4-5 tablespoons for vegetarian, plus more as needed 2 pounds onions, sliced into half-moons or quarter-rounds if large 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste Generous grinding fresh pepper 8 ounces hard cider 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock, preferably low-sodium Per serving to finish: 1 slice good bread (gluten-free should work fine), no more than inch thick 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, preferably not pre-shredded, preferably extra sharp DIRECTIONS Place the bacon in a large saucepan or small pasta pot and turn on the burner to medium-high. Allow to cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the fat has rendered out. If not using pork or making it vegetarian, heat 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil in the pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add about half of the onions and the salt, and saute, stirring occasionally, until they soften and theres room to add the remaining onions. Depending on how much fat the bacon has given off, and the moisture of the onions, you may need to add more olive oil as you cook down the onions fully. Continue to saute the onions, stirring frequently and with great patience, until all the onions are fully softened and some are beginning to brown and stick to the pan, about 10-15 minutes. Add the cider and use a spoon to scrape up any bits sticking to the pan. Add the broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for another 10-15 minutes. Taste and add salt as needed. (The saltiness of both the bacon and the broth can vary, so its best to under-salt at earlier stages of cooking.) Soup can be made to this stage and kept refrigerated until ready to serve. If so, bring to a strong simmer before proceeding. Toast as many bread slices as the intended number of servings. Turn broiler on to high. If you have broiler-safe bowls, place on a foil-lined half sheet pan and portion the soup into them. Float a piece of bread in each bowl and top with shredded cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is fully melted. If you dont have broiler-safe bowls, place the slices of toast on a foil-lined sheet pan and top with the shredded cheese. Broil until cheese is melted, portion soup into regular bowls, and top each with a slice of the cheese toast. Quality local journalism needs your support Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Subscribe today. Cancel anytime. Subscribe now for 99 Subscriber Sign In | Return Home Changes to Pittsfields tobacco sales rules will go into effect April 1 following an unanimous vote by the Board of Health Wednesday night to update the city policies for the first time since 2019. GREAT BARRINGTON Former Police Chief Paul Storti received recognition from the Select Board and state Rep. Leigh Davis at Mondays meeting, where the police department also announced it has once again earned state reaccreditation. Storti retired Jan. 4 after more than 35 years in law enforcement, most of which he spent in the Great Barrington department. Second-in-command Capt. Adam Carlotto was named interim chief of the department for one year. During the meeting, Storti and Carlotto announced the department has achieved its fourth state reaccreditation by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission for continuing to comply with about 300 policies and standards. "It's a pretty intensive process," Storti said. "It shows that your agency not only has the proper policies in place, but that you're actually following them." Great Barrington is the only police department in Berkshire County to be accredited, Storti said. Getting reaccredited included a three-day evaluation of the department's operations, policies, procedures and fiscal plans. The reaccreditation announcement came after an emotional celebration of Storti and his service to the town. Select Board Chair Steve Bannon described Storti's departure as "bittersweet," calling him a "very good" police chief before reading a proclamation honoring his leadership and service. "Chief Storti strengthened the department through a leadership approach grounded in professionalism, integrity, accountability and respect, while fostering strong internal teamwork, community, trust and collaborative partnership, including expanded engagement with mental health providers," Bannon read. Davis presented a citation on behalf of the House of Representatives that congratulated Storti on his many years of "exemplary service." "You've touched so many lives, and you're one of these role models that when I think of someone in law enforcement, I think if we had a Paul Storti in every single town as a nation, as a community, and we're so lucky and so fortunate to have you here," Davis said. Storti said it has been "an honor" to work for the Great Barrington Police Department. Storti received a standing ovation from everyone at the meeting, including around 10 people from the department. "And to be able to spend thirtysomething years and still love your job, I hope everybody can find a career that they love that much and it's just been a pleasure to serve my home community," Storti said. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide), a 54-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs and well-being of our State's more than 3.6 million senior citizens, today announced its Medicare Fraud of the Month for January: Scams Involving the Medicare 2026 Prescription Cap. The StateWide Fraud of the Month is a component of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), the definitive resource for New York State's older adults and caregivers to detect, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. StateWide is New York's grantee/administrator for this Federal Program. Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of StateWide, advises seniors to be aware of the new Medicare rules concerning drug coverage. "Medicare drug coverage (Part D) can be confusing, and many people still worry about the "donut hole," # even though it no longer exists. Scammers know this and may use Medicare drug changes as an excuse to contact you. Knowing the facts can help you save money and avoid costly scams." About the 2026 Medicare Prescription Drug Cap: The Medicare Part D coverage gap ("donut hole") has been eliminated. In 2026, there is a $2,100 yearly limit on what seniors pay out of pocket for covered prescriptions. Once the cap is reached, Medicare Part D recipients pay nothing more for covered drugs for the rest of the year. A voluntary payment plan lets seniors spread drug costs evenly over the year instead of paying large amounts at the pharmacy. How Seniors Can Protect Themselves from Scams Beware of unsolicited phone calls claiming to offer assistance with Medicare Part D benefits, especially if they ask for personal information like a Medicare number. Scammers may tell you that in order to qualify for the new cap, you need to pay an upfront fee or "processing" fee. Remember, no legitimate Medicare program will ask for payment before benefits can be accessed If enrolled in a Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, nothing extra is required to be shown (like an additional card) when picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy. Instead, enrollers will get a monthly bill from subscribed health or drug plans. Seniors who have questions about the 2026 Medicare changes or need to report suspected Medicare fraud, StateWide certified counselors are ready to help. "If you suspect your Medicare number has been compromised or you've been enrolled in a plan without your permission, contact the New York State Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 800-333-4374, or visit www.nysenior.org. We have trained counselors to help Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against fraud,' Alvarez concluded. StateWide also provides information and educational presentations, assistance regarding any Medicare questions, plan comparisons, appeals, billing issues and patients' rights to all seniors throughout New York State. It is estimated that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion dollars nationally per year. To help combat this illicit industry StateWide announced its Fraud of the Month program in 2022 to highlight these scams being perpetrated on the State's seniors. # About the "donut hole." Medicare discontinued the Medicare Part D donut hole as of 2025. The donut hole was a gap in prescription drug coverage, where an insured person had to pay more for prescription drugs. A new out-of-pocket cost cap has replaced the Medicare Part D donut hole as of 2025. Beneficiaries will not have to pay for prescription drugs for the remainder of the year once they reach $2,100 in 2026. Additionally, Medicare has introduced a prescription payment plan option that enables individuals to spread their prescription costs over the year. SOURCE New York StateWide Senior Action Council, Inc. Executive Office of Aging and Independence Secretary Robin Lipson speaks alongside Gov. Maura Healey, right, during a visit last July to Fall River, where 10 residents of an assisted living residence died in a fire. Changes in state regulations "will make a real difference in the lives of the people who are served and who reside in assisted living residences," Lipson said on Monday. Amit Shah lays foundation stone of BSL-4 Bio-Containment facility of Gujarat Biotechnology Research Center January 13, 2026 | Tuesday | News To conduct research on infectious and deadly viruses in a safe environment image credit- freepik Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility, at Gujarat Biotechnology Research Center in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Several dignitaries including Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi were present on the occasion. Amit Shah said that this will be India's second high-level lab after the Virology Institute in Pune. But this is the first lab being built by a state government, the credit for which goes to Gujarat. A huge complex with an area of 11,000 square meters at a cost of Rs 362 crore is going to be a strong fortress of biological security of the country. He said that we were lagging behind for many years due to the cutting-edge research being done in the world, but the BSL-4 bio-containment facility will provide new opportunities to the youth working in the biotechnology sector and India will be able to move ahead in this field. This facility will provide a platform for scientists to conduct research on highly contagious and deadly viruses in a safe environment. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility is being prepared by studying BSL labs around the world. There will also be a world-class system to study diseases that reach humans through animals. Shah said that according to a study, 60 to 70 percent of diseases reach humans through animals, so India has started a programme to ensure the safety of both humans and animals through the One Health Mission. He said that now our scientists will not have to depend on foreign countries to test samples of dangerous viruses. Ending dependence on foreign countries will speed up the investigation and we will become self-reliant. The Home Minister said that BSL-4 will provide all the facilities. We need research-based permanent security and this lab will meet all our needs. Amit Shah said that we have set a target of investment of Rs 20,000 crore and 1 lakh jobs under the Biotech Policy. Special assistance for mega projects has also been announced. Govt launches first-of-its-kind national initiative Breaking Barriers Fellowship 2026 January 13, 2026 | Tuesday | News Nurturing young professionals, strengthening state capacity, and advancing disability empowerment Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC), the Nipman Foundation and the India Autism Center, in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of India, have formally launched the Breaking Barriers Fellowship 2026, with the support of the United Nations in India. The Breaking Barriers Fellowship is a first-of-its-kind national initiative designed to bring exceptional young professionals into institutions under DEPwD to support policy processes and advance the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. Speaking at the launch, Rohit Kumar, Co-founder, YLAC, highlighted the role of young people in strengthening public systems, noting that When you give young people platforms, it breaks cynicism and helps them move into policy spaces and create change. As India continues to strengthen its disability rights and governance framework, there is growing emphasis on sustained policy support, research inputs, and coordination to complement the work of public institutions. The Fellowship has been designed to provide such support while also building a pipeline of young professionals with practical exposure to disability governance and public systems. Placement institutions include the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD), the National Trust, the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDUNIPPD), the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD), the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (AYJNISHD), and the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID). 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. ATLANTA, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyView Atlanta, the iconic observation wheel located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, will be temporarily closed as it undergoes a comprehensive maintenance and repair process. Following a recent assessment, SkyView Atlanta believes the wheel's main axle was struck by lightning and, as a result, must be removed and repaired to ensure continued safe operation. The scope of work requires the complete dismantling of the observation wheel, including the removal of the ring beams and spokes, so the axle can be safely transported to the specialists in Warrenton, Missouri for repair. Once the axle is rebuilt, the wheel will be reassembled and returned to service. SkyView Atlanta, the iconic observation wheel, will be temporarily closed for a comprehensive maintenance and repairs. Post this This extensive process is a carefully planned and routine safety measure designed to uphold the highest standards of reliability, performance, and guest safety. Dismantling of the wheel is scheduled to begin Monday, January 12, with SkyView Atlanta expected to reopen on February 12, 2026. Maintenance Schedule: Start dismantling: January 12 Main axle rebuilt: January 26 Start re-installation: February 2 Re-opening: February 12 "We appreciate the patience and understanding of our guests during this temporary closure," said a SkyView Atlanta representative. "While this repair is extensive, it is essential to ensure the long-term safety and quality experience our guests expect. We look forward to welcoming everyone back very soon." Updates regarding progress and reopening will be shared through SkyView Atlanta's website and social media channels. SkyView Atlanta looks forward to spinning again on February 12 and welcoming guests back for breathtaking, 360-degree views from the top of the city. About SkyView Atlanta SkyView Atlanta is a premier downtown attraction offering stunning panoramic views of Atlanta's skyline from climate-controlled gondolas. Located near Centennial Olympic Park, SkyView Atlanta provides a unique and memorable experience for visitors and locals alike. For more information, visit: skyviewatlanta.com SOURCE SkyView Atlanta Author Eddie Baker's definition of success was the doorway to his real calling BERLIN, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1988, author Eddie Bakker was a high-achieving professional determined to become a millionaire by the age of 30. However, one life-changing introduction sparked a shiftfrom boardrooms to Bible studies and from climbing the corporate ladder to serving on missions across Europe. Excited to share his faith journey, Bakker publishes his new memoir, "No Ordinary Life." Book Cover In the book, Bakker invites readers to discover how a single encounter transformed his path from an ambition-driven career as a CPA to a global missionary. With forewords by respected leaders such as Dr. Jannie Botha and Ray Oliver, his story reveals how even a silent yes to God can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Now, with over 25 years of ministry in Europe, Bakker's journey stands not only as a testament to his transformation but also as a reminder that "faith without action is dead". "My memoir will resonate with anyone questioning their path," Bakker said. "Through trials and triumphs, this book reveals how obedience, even when costly, leads to a life of meaning, miracles, and joy beyond measure." In Bakker's perspective, it's normal not to have everything figured out, whether it's the beginning pages of life or navigating a new season. When readers place their trust in the lord and allow him to do his work in them, they will find the reassurance, direction, and fulfillment their hearts long for. "God's plans are always greater as his timing is always perfect," Bakker said. "He doesn't need your clarity, but your surrender. When we trust him with the unknown, he will fill our life with purpose and show us the direction of fulfillment." "No Ordinary Life" By Eddie Bakker ISBN: 9798385029105 (softcover); 9798385029112 (hardcover); 9798385029099 (electronic) Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Author Website About the author Eddie Bakker became a certified public accountant at age twenty-three with the sole goal of becoming rich. After becoming a born-again Christian, he gave up his career and did not receive a salary for 13 years. He then started and led a mission school for 12 years, planted a church, and watched it grow in a foreign nation and culture. His story reveals the possibility of what life can be like when you work for God and learn from your mistakes. To learn more, please visit http://en.noordinary-life.com/. General Inquiries: LAVIDGE Phoenix Taylor Moralez [email protected] SOURCE WestBow Press A female-led mart which developed the first Irish online system to auction cattle from TB-restricted herds has hit over 1000 sales since its first sale six months ago. Lisa Keenan's idea to auction cattle from TB-infected herds to CFUs (Controlled Finishing Units) has opened up the market to competition and better prices for farmers, many of whom may otherwise be struggling financially. The new livestock sale option is facilitated through the MartEye app, and only CFUs are allowed to bid on the cattle from herds restricted under the Department of Agriculture TB eradication scheme. "During Covid-19 lockdowns, farmers were in a similar position in that they could not bring cattle to the mart, so we went to the farm, took marketing footage of the cattle, and advertised them for sale on Facebook. They were then weighed in the mart," said Lisa. Advertisement "So I thought this was not really any different. This process is an extension of that. Over the years, farmers who had their herd closed due to TB had to wait for two clear tests over four months and were left with little option but to sell to a CFU. "The CFU that was contacted may or may not be interested in the cattle or offer a bad price. "So we now go to the herd and take marketing footage and the information of the cattle. Then the various lots for sale are circulated as videos to all our registered CFUs around the country, who can then bid for them on auction. "This way, more CFUs get the opportunity to bid on the cattle which means more competition and a better price for the farmer. "It's similar to Covid times except back then, it was just me and my little lunchbox going around the farms in isolation," she laughed. "This time, there is a team of us." Kingscourt Mart has had almost a dozen such sales since July, selling over 1000 cattle this way. and a few other marts around the country are now following suit with similar auctions. "Farmers are delighted to have this kind of service. I met one particular farmer who didn't know how they were going to manage financially when their herd became restricted so it's great to be able to give them that option now." "Farmers also run into problems with not having enough space for these cattle, especially during the winter months if sheds are full and then there is often the issue of insufficient feed. Both these things often lead to welfare issues. Advertisement Lisa, along with her mother Mary head up the 30-strong workforce at the mart, one-third of whom are female. These include two drovers, who Lisa believes are the only female drovers at an Irish mart, and Lisa would love to see more women getting involved in this kind of work. A drover is someone who moves livestock, usually sheep, cattle, and horses. "We have two female drovers, which is quite unusual, and they are brilliant at their job" said Lisa "What really annoys me is that we advertise for drovers and all the applicants are male. We advertise for clerical staff, and they are all female. I cannot understand why more women are not drovers and more men are not applying for clerical positions. You need a mix of female and male in all working environments. "It's not a particularly dangerous job being a drover if you keep an eye on what's going on around you and stay off phones, which can be a distraction "Droving, like a lot of manual work, has an element of risk if youre not paying attention. If someone gets careless or distracted, thats when the danger creeps in As livestock prices soar, Lisa said beef farmers are now turning to buying sheep and calves. "At the start of the summer, I noticed that many cattle on a sales day were making over 3,000, when prices for heifers rose to 3000 each, fast forward a few weeks and many of the cattle on a sales day were fetching over 4,000 then I found myself saying 'wow'. Advertisement "Seven years ago, cattle were selling for about 2 a kilo. "Some farmers who sold their cattle early on in the year were holding off buying more in the hope that the prices would drop. Ireland Government to fast-track fines for tech companies over AI abuse Read more "But Instead when they went back out to replace them, their buying power was well erode,d so those farmers began buying sheep to graze their land because they couldn't afford to buy more cattle. As Irelands only female mart auctioneers, Lisa says the mart is first and foremost about business. "The mart is a big ecosystem sellers, buyers, hauliers, onlookers, drovers, and the office staff all playing their part. Its a hive of activity every sales day. Around the ring the action can get tense, but it never fails to entertain." Sales are held every Tuesday at 10am on the MartEye App. 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 the 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) 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. Advertisement 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) 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) 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 21st. 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) 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. Advertisement 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) 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 18th at 9pm. A business student publicly exposed his genitals in front of three different women, a court has heard. Rishabh Mahajan (20) of Gardiner St Lower, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of offensive conduct of a sexual nature likely to cause fear, distress or alarm to named persons. He also pleaded guilty to carrying out a sexual assault relating to these incidents, which took place late at night on various dates in October and November 2024. Garda Patrick Hynes told Simon Donagh BL, prosecuting, that at around 1am on October 23rd, 2024 a woman was working a night shift in a city centre office building with a large glass front when she saw a man standing outside looking at her with his genitals exposed. Mahajan was masturbating while looking directly at the woman. The court heard the interior of the building was well lit up and the defendant could see the woman. Advertisement The victim went to the window to tell the defendant to go away, but he laughed at her. She called gardai and Mahajan left when he saw her making this call. A few days later, Mahajan appeared again at the woman's workplace at around 1.15am. He pulled his pants down and began masturbating while looking at her. The woman felt disgusted and was scared she might encounter him while on her way to work, the court heard. The defendant returned a few days later and exposed himself again. He came up to the window and wiped his hands on the glass before walking away. Victim impact report Gda Hynes told Judge Martina Baxter that all three incidents were captured on CCTV which was clearly in place. He agreed with the judge that the offending was quite brazen and took place in quite an exposed part of the city. The court heard that the complainant had outlined the effects of the offending in a victim impact report. Garda Stephanie Traynor told the court just after 6pm on the morning of October 11th, Mahajan was standing outside a youth hostel when a member of staff saw him standing looking at her. He opened his coat and she saw his pants were pulled down and his genitals were exposed. Mahajan then began masturbating. The court heard that the fourth victim was walking home from a night out on Hallowe'en night when she saw Mahajan standing on a corner masturbating. She walked past and began to call gardai on her phone when Mahajan ran up to her and touched her bottom. Advertisement The woman screamed at him. The sexual assault was recorded on CCTV and Mahajan was identified and arrested in early November. He told gardai he couldn't remember carrying out the offence. The court heard that Mahajan was standing in a very public place waiting for anyone to go by. Gda Hynes agreed with Patrick Flynn BL, defending, that while committing these offences, the defendant made no attempts to conceal his identity with face coverings. Counsel said his client had his clothes back on when he carried out the sexual assault by touching the woman. Mr Flynn said his client is an Indian national who had arrived in Ireland a month earlier to study at the Smurfit business school in UCD and was living in the Smithfield area at the time. He said the defendant was now in homeless accommodation and has not come to adverse garda attention since these offences. Counsel said he was instructed to offer an apology on his client's behalf to all victims. He said on the night of the Hallowe'en offences, Mahajan had been celebrating Diwali, a Hindu religious festival. Judge Baxter adjourned sentence to May 19th next and remanded Mahajan on continuing bail. She ordered the defendant to provide the Probation Service with his contact details. A Co Clare woman accused of stealing a 6.5 ft tall Christmas tree worth 120 from Tesco in Ennis declared in court, Do you know what with social media, I am a famous woman." At Ennis District Court, Charlene Keenan (28) appeared in connection with being charged with the theft of the 120 Christmas tree from Tescos Ennis outlet at Francis Street on November 14th last, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Solicitor, Tara Godfrey, for Ms Keenan of Church Drive, Clarecastl,e told Judge Alec Gabbett that her client denies the offence and actually paid for the tree on the day. Ms Keenan - who celebrates her 29th birthday later this month - told Judge Gabbett that she has a Tesco receipt for the tree. Sgt John Burke of Ennis Garda Station told the court that the tree was recovered. Judge Gabbett said: Ms Keenan says it was paid for - that is the difference." Ms Godfrey said, Maybe it was recovered and paid for. Ms Godfrey asked the court not to record a conviction against Ms Keenan. She said, Charlene wanted to show the tree to her mother before paying for it. She temporarily deprived them of the tree when she went outside the door. Ms Godfrey said, She paid for it. Ms Keenan said: Gardai have the photocopies of the receipt and Tesco has a photocopy of the receipts as well. I have paid for the Christmas tree. She said: If you look back at the CCTV everything was paid for. Judge Gabbett said that he would adjourn the case until next week in order for the Garda file on the case to be brought before the court. Ms Godfrey said to Ms Keenan, We dont want you to have a record for theft. Ms Keenan laughed when she said to Judge Gabbett: Do you know what, with social media I am a famous woman." Ireland Three men jailed over Kevin Lunney kidnap and torture lose appeal against convictions Read more Judge Gabbett told Ms Keenan that the receipt for the tree could be on her TESCO Clubcard App. Ms Keenan first appeared in court concerning the charge on December 16th last at Ennis District Court and failed to show up in court for the case on January 7th last, resulting in Judge Gabbett issuing a bench warrant for Ms Keenan. The bench warrant was executed and Ms Keenan told Judge Gabbett that she will be in court on January 21st when the case will be finalised. Ms Keenan told Judge Gabbett: I wont let you down, I promise. CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AIR Asset Management ("AIR") today announced that Taylor Garvey has been formally welcomed as a Board Member of the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA) and promoted to Managing Director at AIR, effective January 2026. These milestones reflect Ms. Garvey's growing leadership role within the firm and her increasing influence across the life settlement and alternative investment industries. Taylor Garvey, Managing Director, Corporate Strategy & Marketing at AIR Asset Management Ms. Garvey was officially welcomed to the LISA Board at the organization's 31st Annual Meeting in New York City in October 2025. LISA is the leading trade association representing the life settlement industry, and her appointment underscores AIR's commitment to advancing industry standards, transparency, and investor education. In this role, Ms. Garvey is expected to contribute meaningfully to industry dialogue, strategic initiatives, and the continued evolution of the life settlement market. Concurrently, Ms. Garvey was promoted from Senior Director to Managing Director at AIR, where she plays a central role in shaping the firm's strategic direction. She works closely with executive leadership on corporate planning, growth initiatives, and capital-raising efforts, while also overseeing the firm's marketing and communications platform, including fundraising materials, brand strategy, and investor engagement. In her expanded role, she now serves as a voting member of the firm's valuation committee and oversees multiple team members across strategy and marketing functions, reflecting her increased leadership and governance responsibilities. "Taylor's formal welcome to the LISA Board and her promotion to Managing Director are a direct reflection of her impact on our organization and the broader industry," said Richard Beleutz, Chief Executive Officer of AIR. "She brings a rare combination of strategic insight, capital markets experience, and execution discipline. Her leadership has been instrumental as we continue to scale AIR and strengthen our position as a leader in the longevity investment space." Ms. Garvey brings more than a decade of experience in strategic marketing, communications, and corporate positioning within the alternative investment industry. Prior to joining AIR, she served in senior marketing and communications roles at GCM Grosvenor, where supported brand strategy and communications around the firm's IPO and supported firmwide positioning across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and absolute return strategies. Earlier in her career, she focused on product positioning, advisor engagement, and thought leadership initiatives at Calamos Investments. Individuals interested in learning more about AIR Asset Management and its investment strategies can visit www.airassetmanagement.com. Additional information on the Life Insurance Settlement Association is available at www.lisa.org About AIR Asset Management AIR Asset Management is a diversified alternative investment firm specializing in strategies across life settlements, annuities, private credit, and private equity - growth & venture. With approximately $700 million in assets under management, AIR seeks to deliver differentiated, non-correlated returns through deep industry expertise, innovative approaches, and a vertically integrated platform. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Chicago, AIR serves institutions, RIAs, family offices, and high-net-worth investors seeking capital preservation, income, and uncorrelated growth. SOURCE AIR Asset Management Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Fianna Fail unrest As the Dail resumes for 2026, Taoiseach Micheal Martin was hoping to put the Jim Gavin controversy and a difficult year in the rear view mirror. However, there is still unrest within Fianna Fail over his leadership. The Taoiseach "takes zero notice of what Fianna Fail backbenchers say", according to a TD. In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Cork East TD James O'Connor said: "Micheal Martin takes zero notice of what Fianna Fail backbenchers say, that is my personal position, he knows I think that." One of the youngest TDs in government at 28, Mr O'Connor is not afraid of criticising party leadership and he said "my own personal view is that Fianna Fail needs to change how it does business". Advertisement Looking forward, he described a frustration among backbench TDs at how the party leadership currently conducts its business. "My own personal view is Fianna Fail needs to change how it does business. There's a level of difference between the Taoiseach's Office and the team around him; you also have a team in Fianna Fail headquarters in Mount Street... then you have the backbenchers. "That's not a triangle that's working properly. A big focus for this year needs to be around how the decision makers at a Cabinet level in Fianna Fail actually view their backbenchers and take what they say with a lot more gravity and seriousness. "If we don't do that, Fianna Fail is going to be in serious trouble at the next general election. "Micheal Martin takes zero notice of what Fianna Fail backbenchers say; that is my personal position, he knows I think that." Referring to Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary's recent criticism of the Taoiseach over the Dublin Airport passenger cap, Mr O'Connor cited comments by Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien as an example of how civil servants "have become the real decision makers". Immigration reform Before Cabinet this morning, Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan brought measures restricting the right of those granted asylum to bring family members to Ireland. Refugees would have to wait at least three years for reunification, which has drawn criticism from the Irish Refugee Council, who argued rules are tight enough as is. The plans were widely criticised by Opposition. Advertisement Green party leader Roderic O'Gorman, who was previously in charge of immigration as a minister, said the Government should be focusing on accommodation issues. Labours Duncan Smith said it is not what Ireland should be about. Aontu leader Peadar Toibin said the plans do not go far enough. He said immigration needs to be controlled, including student visas. Taoiseach and McDonald clash over salary increases At the first Leaders' Questions of 2026, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald clashed with the Taoiseach over salary increases for the heads of semi-state bodies. Ms McDonald said the head of CIE received an increase of 35,000, while there was a 50,000 hike for the chief of Bus Eireann, and a 75,000 hike for the chief of Iarnrod Eireann. Ms McDonald said 1.4 million workers in this state earn less than 45,000, describing their disbelief to see those pay hikes. Increases far beyond that which is earned by those who keep the country going young nurses, gardai, the teachers, those working in retail, in factories, in hospitality, cleaners, carers. No big pay hike for them, no. On the contrary, your bumper budget of 9.4 billion abandoned those working people, and in fact, left them worse off. The daily struggle of low and middle income workers to keep their heads above water, to look after their children, to pay their bills and put food on the table is very, very real, but your priorities that of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in Government are clear. You, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will always show up for those at the top, and meanwhile, ordinary working people are taken for granted, brushed aside and short-changed over and over again. Advertisement Can you explain to them how you can stand over big pay hikes for semi state CEOs when they dont get a red cent of a break on their income tax? Mr Martin said: "Thats a record for the Irish labour market and if you compare us to other EU member states in respect of the creation of employment and a robust economy, I think you will not find an equal. That is why in the budget, we focused on services, a substantial increase in allocation to education, to disability and to health and those increases will make a difference, and are making a difference. Abroad Greenlandic foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt and Danish foreign minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen are set to meet with US vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio at the White House on Wednesday to discuss president Donald Trump's threats to take over Greenland. Europe will be watching on anxiously amid fears that US action in Greenland could spell the end of the Nato alliance. Meanwhile, the ongoing protests in Iran continue with the death toll now standing at over 2,000. Mr Trump is believed to be considering military options. Frances far-right leader Marine Le Pen denied any wrongdoing as she appeared in court to appeal an embezzlement conviction, with her 2027 presidential ambitions hanging on the outcome of the case. A convicted killer and a man with over 270 convictions have both been sentenced for their roles in a fight outside a Dublin shopping centre three years ago. Keith Smithers (42) and Peter White (41) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to affray on November 21st, 2022, at Barry Road, Finglas, Co. Dublin. Smithers, of Barry Close, Finglas, Dublin 11, was handed a nine year sentence last June after he was convicted of the unlawful killing and robbery of Brian Hogan on January 13th, 2023 at Collins Place in Finglas. His earliest release date for this offence is in 2030. White, of Casement Drive, Finglas, was jailed last June for four and a half years for the robbery of Mr Hogan on the same date. He was acquitted of the unlawful killing of Mr Hogan. Both men were handed a sentence of two years on Tuesday. Advertisement Garda Niall Mangan told Kieran Kelly BL, prosecuting, that a fight took place between Smithers, White and a third man outside some shops on Barry Road. CCTV footage An investigation started, but some witnesses did not wish to speak with gardai, the court heard. CCTV footage of the incident was played to the court, which showed Smithers and White being approached by the third man before an altercation took place between them. Gda Mangan agreed with Karl Monahan BL, defending White, that the third man approached his client, who had two bikes with him. This man started to talk to White, then grabbed and pulled at a bike before he threw a punch. The incident involved punching and kicking. A small screwdriver and a steel pole was also produced. Evidence was heard that both defendants used the steel pole during the incident. The third male did not make a statement, with the court hearing that he was received a fine at the District Court for his involvement. Smithers has 98 previous convictions including for theft, robbery, road traffic offences and drugs. White has 274 previous convictions, including 102 for theft and 111 for road traffic offences. He has an earliest release date in 2027 for the sentence he is currently serving. Counsel for both men said their clients are apologetic and remorseful. They asked the court not to extend the men's time in custody, noting that this incident occurred before the offences for which they are currently serving sentences. Both men developed drug addiction issues as teenagers which they are making efforts to address, the court heard. Advertisement Aidan McCarthy BL, defending Smithers, said his client has spent most of his adult life in and out of custody. He has some work history as a labourer. He noted his client will have plenty of time to mull over his life and actions while in custody. 'Over the top' Ireland Three men jailed over Kevin Lunney kidnap and torture lose appeal against convictions Read more Mr Monahan, defending White, asked the court to consider the context of his client's offending, adding White's reaction was over the top and unacceptable. White has some work history, and intends to remain drug-free and find work upon his release from custody. Imposing sentence, Judge Orla Crowe said the CCTV footage is very clear and that the encounter between the three men became violent towards the end. She noted that both men are making serious efforts to deal with their addiction. She handed both men a sentence of two years, to run from the date they each pleaded guilty. Migration, housing and a controversial EU trade deal are among the issues that politicians will be grappling with as they return to the Dail chamber after the Christmas break. International issues such as the crackdown on protesters in Iran, the crisis in Venezuela and the suggestion that Donald Trump is mulling whether to acquire Greenland by funds or by force are also expected to feature. The coalition government is expected to kick off the parliamentary term with a draft law to introduce a series of migration and asylum reforms as part of an EU-wide change due to take effect by June. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan was bringing his bill to Cabinet on Tuesday, containing stricter rules on the reunification of refugees with their families, on refugees applying for citizenship, and other issues. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan was bringing his bill to Cabinet on Tuesday (Conor O Mearain/PA) The country's record-high homeless numbers with 16,996 in emergency accommodation as of November and sky-rocketing house and rent prices will also be a priority for the Government in the coming year. It had signalled before the Christmas break that clearing infrastructure blockages would help unlock greater housing supply, as its latest housing plan scrapped annual new-build targets. Advertisement Promises made during the 2024 general election campaign, around childcare and disability issues in particular, will remain a pressure point for the Government as families struggle with accessing services and the cost of living. Billions of euros in corporation tax revenues collected mostly from a handful of tech multinationals will also prove contentious after Irelands budgetary watchdog warned last year that the Fianna Fail-Fine Gael government was budgeting like theres no tomorrow. People protested against the EU-Mercosur trade deal in Athlone on Saturday (Cillian Sherlock/PA) The Dail is also returning after thousands of farmers gathered in Athlone at the weekend to protest against an EU trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Ireland voted against the deal after Irish farmers raised concerns that beef exports to Europe could be at risk due to the introduction of cheaper Brazilian beef; a debate on the EU-Mercosur deal was due in the Dail later on Tuesday. As Ireland gears up to host the Presidency of the Council of the EU in July, ministers will be preparing issues to focus on during its six-month term media minister Patrick ODonovan has said the theme for communication ministers will be protecting the child online, an issue more relevant now after controversy over sexualised deepfakes on social media X. The EU presidency will give Ireland an element of influence at a time of political instability across the world. Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council has unanimously agreed to progress plans to develop a dog DNA scheme aimed at tackling dog fouling across the county. The scheme would work by taking a DNA swab from dogs at the point of microchipping. As Irish law already requires all dogs to be microchipped, this would involve no additional step for owners, Councillor Pierce Dargan said. If DNA evidence were later found following a dog attack on livestock or an incident of dog fouling, a sample could be taken and compared against a national database. This would allow the offending dog to be identified and the owner fined and/or prosecuted. At Monday nights Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council meeting, two complementary motions were passed, one proposed by Fine Gael Cllr Pierce Dargan and the other by Social Democrats Councillor John Hurley, both seeking to address the persistent problem of dog fouling and irresponsible dog ownership. Advertisement Cllr Dargans motion called on the council to examine similar dog DNA schemes that have been successfully implemented in countries such as Spain and France. This was supported by Cllr Hurleys motion, which seeks to write to the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon to advocate for the establishment of a national dog DNA database. Such a database could be used to match DNA taken from dog fouling to registered dogs, allowing for enforcement through fines. With the passing of both motions, Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council will now begin work on developing a local scheme while simultaneously advocating for the creation of a national dog DNA database. Cllr Pierce Dargan said: "I would like to see the creation of a national dog DNA database that local authorities, through dog wardens, could access when investigating incidents of dog fouling or livestock attacks. "The cost of such a scheme could be offset through fines, which in similar schemes in countries such as Spain, have reached thousands of euro. These systems have also acted as a strong deterrent, with reported reductions in dog fouling. "Dog fouling and attacks on livestock are a growing problem in my area of GlencullenSandyford and across the country. We need to tackle this issue using modern technology. The current system, which relies on dog wardens physically witnessing an offence, is not fit for purpose. "Councils simply cannot employ enough wardens to police this effectively, and we should not be trying to enforce modern problems using outdated methods. "Given that other European countries have successfully implemented similar systems, it makes sense for Ireland to do the same. "If the Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, supports the principle of a national dog DNA database, I would like Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council to be ready to act as the first local authority to pilot such a scheme. A Brazilian man charged with the murder of his ex-girlfriend smiled and told her cousin who arrived at the scene that it wasnt me before then stating that he had choked her, a murder trial has heard. Miller Pacheco (31) of Formiga in Minas Gerais in Brazil is on trial at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork, having pleaded not guilty to the murder of Bruna Fonseca (28) at Liberty Street in Cork on January 1st, 2023. The trial has heard that Bruna, who was a college graduate and librarian, had arrived in Ireland from Brazil in September 2022 in pursuit of a better life. Her then boyfriend Miller Pacheco moved in November of 2022. However, the couple broke up within days of his arrival in Cork. Marcela Fonseca, who is a first cousin of the deceased, has lived in Ireland since 2018. Advertisement She indicated that she was contacted on her phone by a friend of the accused in Brazil called Pedro at around 6am on New Years Day 2023. Pedro had been in contact with the accused and informed her that Bruna may have been killed. Marcela said that she was scared and contacted her friend Juliana Souza. The friends went to the house in which the accused was living in Liberty Street in the city centre. She noticed that Miller was standing at the front door with what looked like a pillow case in his hand. I said where is my cousin? I asked if he had killed her and he smiled said It wasnt me. I asked him if you killed my cousin how you killed my cousin. He said, I choked her. I tried to get in to the house to see my cousin. But he had locked the door (of the room). I kicked the door saying Bruna, Bruna. Juliana (her friend) called the garda. Ms Fonseca also told the jury of seven women and five men that she was the person who identified Bruna in the morgue on New Years Day in 2023. Ms Fonseca agreed with a statement put to her by defence senior counsel Ray Boland that the breakup between Miller and Bruna was one sided. She also agreed when his assertion that Bruna had been trying to arrange for Miller to go back home to Brazil following the breakup and that her cousin had concerned he might try to self harm. Advertisement Ms Fonseca said that she had briefly called to the room in Liberty Street on the afternoon of New Years Eve. She stated that the accused and Bruna had been crying and had red eyes. Marcella left the apartment to go to a nearby Tesco shopping centre. The trial heard that whilst she was in the supermarket she received a message from Bruna which read Miller has a knife in his bag but it is not for me it is for himself. Her follow up text read : It is okay the knife is with me. Mr Boland put it to Ms Fonseca that her exchange with the accused outside the door on the morning of January 1st, 2023, was in Portuguese. He suggested the word used might have been the Portuguese word for suffocated rather than choked. Ms Fonseca said that that words were similar. Mr Boland said his instructions were that his client was not smiling but was was in shock at the scene. Meanwhie, evidence was also given by Juliana Souza who said that she arrived at the house in Liberty Street shortly after 6am on January 1st, 2023. She said that Mr Pacheco was standing outside the property holding what looked like a white sheet in the his hand. Ms Souza said that they managed to get in to the hallway of the flats. Despite kicking at the flat door where Bruna was they could not get inside. She said when they went back outside the accused was still standing there. Howver, the fabric was no longer in his hands. Advertisement Evidence was also given by a woman who was renting a room in the Liberty Street complex at the time. Cristina Martinescu, who is Romanian, said that she woke at around 5am on New Years Day 2023 after she heard a scream. Ms Martinescu thought it was the scream of a female but her then boyfriend Lucan Leon felt that it could have been the sound of an animal. Mr Leon, who is a Brazilian national, said that they had heard steps and screaming. He felt that it could have been an animal running upstairs. He said that the noise was over within a minute or two. About a hour later they heard an exchange between two women and a man in his native tongue of Portuguese. Mr Leon said that a female voice stated : You killed her you are a murderer. The trial continues. It is expected to last up to three weeks. A variety of stories feature on Irish front pages on Tuesday morning, from politics to crime and court stories. The Irish Times lead with former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris saying there is little point in prosecuting the IRA men who killed his RUC officer father, the Iranian regime warning the US as protests go on, and a judge saying that cyclists have become a nightmare. The Irish Examiner lead with hospital overcrowding and long waiting lists posing a safety risk, the trial of a man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend, and the Government being expected to announce a 100 million Tyndall expansion. The Irish Independent lead with Ministers fast-tracking new laws to fine tech giants for AI abuse. The Echo lead with 823 homes being in the pipeline in Cork, and 18 people awaiting deportation, none of whom had a criminal conviction, being held in Cork prison last year. Advertisement The Irish Daily Mail lead with nine inmates being released from jail by accident over the last three years. The Herald lead with the mother of a murdered four-year-old boy giving a victim impact statement at a pre-sentence hearing for her son's stepmother, who killed the boy. The Irish Daily Mirror lead with the anniversary of Ashling Murphy's death, saying that Jozef Puska, her killer, has been taking music classes in jail. The Belfast Telegraph lead with tributes being paid to a pregnant woman who died in a car crash in Co Antrim at the weekend. The Irish Daily Star lead with Jessie Buckley's Golden Globe win for her role in Hamnet. Former US president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton say they will refuse to comply with a congressional subpoena for them to give evidence in an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The Clintons claimed a Republican-controlled committees attempts were legally invalid as Republican legislators prepare contempt of Congress proceedings against them. In a letter released on social media on Tuesday the Clintons told the chairman of the House oversight committee, Republican representative James Comer, he is on the cusp of a process literally designed to result in our imprisonment. Documents that were included in the US department of justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files (Jon Elswick/AP) We will forcefully defend ourselves, wrote the Clintons, who are Democrats. They accused Mr Comer of allowing other former officials to provide written statements about Epstein to the committee, while selectively enforcing subpoenas against them. Advertisement Mr Comer says he will begin contempt of Congress proceedings next week. It potentially starts a complicated and politically messy process that Congress has rarely reached for. No ones accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have questions, Mr Comer told reporters after Bill Clinton did not show up for a scheduled deposition at House offices Tuesday. He added: Anyone would admit they spent a lot of time together. No ones accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have questions Republican representative James Comer Mr Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein but had a well-documented friendship with the wealthy financier throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Republicans have zeroed in on that relationship as they try to wrestle control over demands for a full accounting of Epsteins wrongdoing. Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. He killed himself in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial. Former US president Bill Clinton, left, and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton (LM Otero/AP) Multiple former presidents have voluntarily given evidence before Congress, but none has been compelled to do so. Mr Comer also indicated that the committee would not attempt to compel testimony from President Donald Trump, a fellow Republican, saying that it could not force a sitting president to give evidence. Months before a US immigration agent fatally shot a motorist in Minnesota on Wednesday, president Donald Trump had fixated on the state, repeatedly criticising its Democratic leaders and the large Somali-American community there. The president called Somali immigrants garbage, railed against a sprawling welfare-fraud scandal and ridiculed governor Tim Walz, a Democrat who ran on the partys ticket in the 2024 presidential election against Mr Trump. Minneapolis also was one of several Democratic-led cities subject to major immigration crackdowns. The agent who shot Renee Nicole Good, 37 and a US citizen, was among 2,000 federal officers flagged for deployment to the MinneapolisSt Paul area, home to the largest Somali diaspora in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security has called the operation its most expansive ever. The agents name has not been released by DHS. Advertisement George Floyd killing The shooting, which inflamed the already charged political climate and sparked protests, unfolded against a backdrop of what political analysts describe as mounting animus toward a state led by Mr Walz, whose conflict with the president traces to the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020 during Mr Trumps first term. "There's no secret that the president of the United States does not like Governor Walz and has paid particular attention to the fraud that occurred here," said Mark Osler, a professor at the University of St Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis. Prof Osler said Minnesota seems to "trigger" Mr Trump in several ways, pointing to his repeated attacks on representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American Democrat representing a Minneapolis district, and his losses in all three presidential elections there. The White House has defended the shooting of Ms Good as self-defence by a law enforcement officer merely doing his job and says the recent surge in federal resources to Minnesota was aimed at rooting out fraud. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said president Trump's "only motivation is doing whats best for the American people". Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a news conference on Thursday that DHS would "continue to operate on the ground in Minnesota, not only to remove criminal illegal aliens, but also to continue conducting door-to-door investigations of the rampant fraud that has taken place in the state". Launched in December, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in the Minneapolis area follows similarly controversial deportation efforts in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte and New Orleans - all Democratic strongholds. Advertisement While California and Illinois governors Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker emerged from their battles with Mr Trump with larger national profiles, Mr Walz this week said he would end his bid for a third term to focus on welfare fraud allegations that have become a rallying point for Mr Trump and his Republican allies. Spotlight on fraud scandal Nearly 100 people have been charged with felonies for what federal prosecutors say was an abuse by some nonprofit groups of Minnesota's social service programmes. Most of the people prosecuted are from the area's Somali community. Mike Griffin, a community organiser in Minneapolis, said he believes Mr Trump and his allies are putting a new spotlight on a fraud scandal that dates to the Biden administration to paint the city as corrupt and justify his immigration crackdown. "We can make sure that we end waste, fraud and abuse, but also make sure that we're supporting our immigrant communities and supporting civilians," Mr Griffin told Reuters. "We can focus on those two things, but those are two separate conversations." Mr Griffin was one of the thousands of protesters who gathered in the streets of Minneapolis on Wednesday night calling for a prosecution of the agent who killed Ms Good. In a press conference on Thursday, Mr Walz said he would push for the state to be part of the federal investigation into the shooting and that Minnesotans would not accept an investigation where US Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem is the "judge, jury and executioner". Federal law enforcement agents take a person who was standing in a residential neighbourhood into custody when he was unable to produce citizenship documentation on January 12th, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images "This is a brazen use of force. They want us to bend the knee. They want us to capitulate," Mr Walz said. Advertisement Dan Myers, an associate professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, said the showdown between the federal government and the state reflects a second Trump term marked by a more aggressive use of executive power. Mr Trump, Prof Myers said, has pushed "well past the boundaries of executive authority," using the machinery of the federal government to target political adversaries, even as some states have so far managed to push back. World Trumps exercise of raw power upends world order, sending friends and foes reeling Read more Francesca Taylor, who lives near where Ms Good was shot, told Reuters she believed the Trump administration was targeting her city and state because of their openness to immigrants and other marginalised groups. I think its easy for the Trump administration to target a state thats politically opposed to them, she said, adding, Trump hates Tim Walz. Dan Hofrenning, a political science professor at St Olaf College in Minnesota, said it remains to be seen if the administration can retain enough political support to continue its surge of federal resources to Minnesota after the shooting. "The political question of the hour is: how is it playing out for Donald Trump?" Prof Hofrenning said. "There seems to be growing opposition to the aggressive ICE tactics." Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days on Tuesday after authorities severed communications during a crackdown on nationwide protests that activists say killed at least 646 people. The calls give a glimpse of life after being cut off from the outside world. Witnesses described a heavy security presence in central Tehran, burned-out government buildings, smashed ATMs and few passersby. Meanwhile, people remain concerned about what comes next, including the possibility of strikes after US president Donald Trump said he could possibly use the military to defend peaceful protesters. Protesters on the streets of Tehran (UGC via AP) Mr Trump has also said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington. My customers talk about Trumps reaction while wondering if he plans a military strike against the Islamic Republic, shopkeeper Mahmoud, who gave only his first name out of concerns for his safety, said. Advertisement I dont expect Trump or any other foreign country cares about the interests of Iranians. Reza, a taxi driver who also gave just his first name, said protests remained on many peoples minds. People particularly young ones are hopeless but they talk about continuing the protests, he said. The demonstrations began on December 28 (UGC via AP) Several people in Tehran were able to call The Associated Press (AP) and speak to a journalist there. The AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was unable to call those numbers back. The witnesses said SMS text messaging was still down and that internet users in Iran could connect to government-approved websites locally but nothing abroad. Anti-riot police officers, wearing helmets and body armour, carried batons, shields, shotguns and tear-gas launchers, according to witnesses. Police stood watch at major crossroads. Nearby, the witnesses saw members of the Revolutionary Guards all-volunteer Basij force, who similarly carried firearms and batons. Security officials in plainclothes were visible in public spaces as well. Several banks and government offices were burned during the unrest, they said. ATMs had been smashed and banks struggled to complete transactions without the internet, the witnesses said. But shops were open, although there was little foot traffic in the capital. Tehrans Grand Bazaar, where the demonstrations began on December 28, was to open on Tuesday. But a witness described speaking to multiple shopkeepers who said the security forces ordered them to reopen no matter what. Iranian state media had not acknowledged that order. At least 646 people have been killed as a result of the protests, activists said (Iran state TV via AP) Meanwhile, it appeared that security service personnel were searching for Starlink terminals as people in northern Tehran reported authorities raiding apartment buildings with satellite dishes. While satellite television dishes are illegal, many in the capital have them in their homes and officials had broadly given up on enforcing the law in recent years. On the streets, people could also be seen challenging plainclothes security officials, who were stopping passersby at random. Advertisement State television also read a statement about mortuary and morgue services being free a signal some likely charged high fees for the release of bodies amid the crackdown. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a statement carried by state TV, praised the tens of thousands who took part in pro-government demonstrations nationwide on Monday. This was a warning to American politicians to stop their deceit and not rely on traitorous mercenaries, he said. The Iranian nation is strong and powerful and aware of the enemy. A screen grab from videos circulating on social media purportedly showing images from a morgue after a crackdown on the outskirts of Irans capital (UGC via 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 warned that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an enemy of God a death-penalty charge. Advertisement Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to the Qatar-funded satellite news network Al Jazeera in an interview aired on Monday night, said he continued to communicate with US envoy Steve Witkoff. The communication continued before and after the protests and are still ongoing, Mr Araghchi said. But he added: Washingtons proposed ideas and threats against our country are incompatible. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Irans public rhetoric diverges from the private messaging the administration has received from Tehran in recent days. I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages, Ms Leavitt said. However, with that said, the president has shown he is unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran. Mr Trump announced on Monday that countries doing business with Iran will face 25% tariffs from the United States. A picture of Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is set alight by protesters outside the Iranian embassy in London (Alastair Grant/AP) He announced the tariffs in a social media posting, saying they would be effective immediately. It was action against Iran for the protest crackdown from Mr Trump, who believes exacting tariffs can be a useful tool in prodding friends and foes on the global stage to bend to his will. Brazil, China, Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are among economies that do business with Tehran. Mr Trump said on Sunday 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. Iran, through the countrys parliamentary speaker, warned on Sunday that the US military and Israel would be legitimate targets if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators. He has toppled Venezuelas leader, vowed to control its vast oil reserves and threatened other Latin American countries with similar military action. He has talked openly about annexing Greenland, even by force. And, beyond the Western Hemisphere, he has warned Iran that the US could strike it again. Ushering in the new year with a flurry of aggressive moves and fiery rhetoric just days before the first anniversary of his inauguration, president Donald Trump has taken a wrecking ball to the rules-based global order that the US helped build from the ashes of World War Two. That has left much of the world reeling, with friends and foes alike struggling to adjust to seemingly altered geopolitical realities. Many are uncertain of what Mr Trump will do next and whether the latest changes will be long-lasting or can be undone by a more traditional future US president. Advertisement Everyone expected Trump to return to office with bluster, said Brett Bruen, a former foreign policy adviser in the Obama administration and now head of the Global Situation Room consultancy. But this bulldozing of the pillars that have long undergirded international stability and security is taking place at an alarming and disruptive pace. Spheres of influence While much is still unclear, Mr Trump in a matter of months has demonstrated a taste for exercising raw American power, as he did with the bombing of Irans nuclear sites in June and the January 3rd attack on Venezuela. And he has signalled that he may intervene again, especially in the Western Hemisphere, where he has vowed to restore US dominance, despite having campaigned on an America First agenda of avoiding new military entanglements. This assessment of Mr Trump's shakeup of the global system draws on interviews with more than a dozen current and former government officials, foreign diplomats and independent analysts in Washington and capitals around the world. On the global stage, Mr Trump is resuscitating what much of the international community had long spurned as an outdated worldview spheres of influence carved out by the big powers. Monroe Doctrine vs 'Donroe Doctrine' The inspiration is the 19th century Monroe Doctrine that prioritised US supremacy in the Western Hemisphere and which Mr Trump has embraced and reworked into the Donroe Doctrine". Experts say that while the revival of this playbook may have unnerved some US allies, it could also serve the interests of Russia, locked in a war in Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, and China, which has long had its sights set on Taiwan. Advertisement Following the US attack on Venezuela and Mr Trumps transparent play for the OPEC states vital resources - some of Americas staunchest allies have shown increasing concern about the undoing of the world order. At stake is an international system that has taken shape over the past eight decades largely under US primacy and though subject to occasional reversals had helped stave off worldwide conflict. It has come to be based on free trade, rule of law and respect for territorial integrity. A White House official said the policies Mr Trump is pursuing, including heavy focus on the Americas, the display of military might, a border crackdown and sweeping use of tariffs, were what he was elected to do and "we are seeing world leaders respond accordingly". Stephen Miller, an influential White House adviser, appeared to summarise the administration's worldview when he told CNN on January 5th: We live in a world, in the real world ... that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power." Europeans, already shaken by doubts about Mr Trumps willingness to defend Ukraine against Russia, have spoken out more openly in recent days, especially over his fixation with Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, a fellow Nato member. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller is influential in Donald Trump's administration. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier last week accused the US of a breakdown of values and urged the world not to let the international order disintegrate into a "den of robbers". Mr Trump said on Friday that the US needs to own the Arctic island to prevent Russia or China from occupying it, though Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a US move to take Greenland would mean the end of the transatlantic alliance. Advertisement Amid the growing unease, some European leaders have suggested Nato should deploy forces in the Arctic to address US security concerns. Safeguarding their interests Even before the latest developments, some US allies had begun taking steps to safeguard against Mr Trumps sometimes erratic policies, including growing European efforts to boost its own defence industry. Mr Trump also has stirred anxiety among Washingtons Asian partners. Itsunori Onodera, an influential Japanese ruling party lawmaker and former defence minister, wrote on X that the US operation in Venezuela was a clear example of changing the status quo by force". Mr Trumps berating of European allies and seeming tilt toward Russia last spring prompted a contingent of senior Japanese lawmakers to consider that the only nation to have been attacked with atomic bombs might have to develop one of its own. In South Korea, Kim Joon-hyung, lawmaker of the progressive Rebuilding Korea Party, said Mr Trumps actions in Venezuela opens a Pandoras box where the strong can use force against the weak". In contrast, former Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba told Reuters he did not see Mr Trumps Venezuela action as an earth-shattering development for the world order, though he questioned whether Mr Trumps increased focus on the Western Hemisphere was a message that Europe, youre on your own". Most friendly governments have had a largely muted response on Venezuela, reluctant to antagonise the U.S. president. Publicly scolding Trump is not going to help achieve our aims, said one British official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Advertisement Leftist-governed Mexico was quick to criticize the US ouster of Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelas authoritarian socialist leader, but with so much at stake in relations with its northern neighbor, a senior Mexican official said it will not go beyond publicly condemning the use of force". Mr Trump, who has threatened unilateral military action targeting drug cartels inside Mexico and Colombia, told The New York Times in an interview last week that his authority as commander in chief is constrained only by his own morality, not by international law. A new imperialism? While critics accuse Mr Trump of a new imperialism in Latin America, his defenders say it is long overdue, especially given Chinas economic and diplomatic inroads in the region. The White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mr Trump was "rightfully restoring American influence," especially by taking out Maduro, who he had accused of "poisoning" Americans with a flow of illegal drugs and sending Venezuelan migrants to the US. While the administrations actions in Venezuela have shocked the world and sent a strong message to US rivals in Beijing, Moscow, Havana, and Tehran, they are likely only the starting point for a longer-term and more comprehensive reappraisal of US core interests in the hemisphere, Alexander Gray, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and former foreign policy adviser in Mr Trumps first term, wrote on the think-tanks website. Mr Trump's approach carries risks for the US. Key regional players such as Brazil could be pushed even closer to China as they hedge their bets against Mr Trump's pressure, some analysts say. Most unsettling for US allies has been Mr Trumps focus on Venezuelas oil as a driving force behind the removal of Maduro. Washington has left the deposed presidents loyalists in power for now while strong-arming them to grant US companies privileged access. That use of US power without any reference to international norms could, experts warn, embolden China and Russia to intensify coercive moves against their own neighbours. The White House official countered that US adversaries had "undoubtedly taken note of the president's strength". Zhao Minghao, an international affairs expert at Shanghai's Fudan University, said the US had hyped up the notion of a China threat in Latin America". Soon after taking office, Mr Trump spoke of taking back the Panama Canal and pressed the Panamanian government to reconsider Chinese-run facilities near the strategic waterway. Mr Trumps appetite for further foreign military action may continue for targets well beyond the Western Hemisphere. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images But Mr Zhao also noted that Mr Trump appeared supportive of major powers spheres of influence, an approach that many believe carries appeal for Beijing. The prevailing view in Russia is that the US attack on Venezuela, including taking Maduro to New York to face narco-trafficking charges, was a pure power play. "That Trump just 'stole' the president of another country shows that there is basically no international law - there is only the law of force, Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, told Reuters. But Russia has known that for a long time. Explained Denmark's Greenland dilemma: Defending a territory already on its way out Read more Mr Trumps appetite for further foreign military action may continue for targets well beyond the Western Hemisphere. Even amid the fallout over Venezuela, he has threatened to intervene on behalf of protesters in Iran where Muslim clerical rulers are facing one of the stiffest challenges to their control since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. On Sunday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One he was weighing possible responses, including military options. "We may have to act because of what is happening," he said. JAMAICA, N.Y., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Terminal One at JFK has announced a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to secure a provider for aircraft de-icing and de-icing fluid recovery services. Qualified service providers are invited to submit proposals to support safe and efficient winter operations at New Terminal One. The New Terminal One is a key component of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport into a world-class gateway, which will include two new terminals, the modernization and expansion of two existing terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an entirely new, simplified roadway network. The RFP seeks partners with a proven track record in providing environmentally responsible de-icing solutions, ensuring both operational reliability and regulatory compliance. The selected provider will operate at the New Terminal One under a common-use arrangement, offering de-icing and de-icing fluid recovery services to the terminal's partner airlines. "As we prepare to welcome global travelers to the New Terminal One, ensuring the safety and sustainability of our winter operations is paramount," said Marisa Von Wieding, Vice President of Operations, The New Terminal One. "We look forward to partnering with a proven service provider that shares our commitment to operational excellence and can deliver best-in-class aircraft de-icing services in support of our mission to redefine the airport experience." Aligned with the New Terminal One and the Port Authority's commitment to creating economic opportunities in the local community, the developer encourages local, minority, women and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses to participate in the RFP. Interested participants may contact [email protected] for further information on how to take part in the RFP. About The New Terminal One The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport is a bold and exciting project to develop a best-in-class international terminal that will serve as an anchor terminal in the Port Authority's $19 billion transformation of JFK into a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area and the United States. The New Terminal One will set a new standard for design and service, aspiring to obtain a top 5-star Skytrax ranking. The New Terminal One is being built on sites now occupied by Terminal 1 and the former Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, where it will anchor JFK's south side. Construction is taking place in phases with full completion in 2030. The first phase, including the new arrivals and departures halls and first set of 14 new gates, is expected to open in 2026. At completion in 2030, the New Terminal One, with a total of 23 gates, will be 2.6 million square feet, making it the largest terminal at JFK and nearly the same size as LaGuardia Airport's two new terminals combined. The New Terminal One consortium of labor, operating, and financial partners is led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle. The New Terminal One is being built by union labor and is committed to local inclusion and labor participation, focusing on diversity and capacity-building opportunities, including a commitment to target participation goals of 20% for minority-owned business enterprises, 10% for women-owned business enterprises, and 3% for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, with an emphasis on local businesses. To learn more about the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport, visit https://portauthoritybuilds.com/redevelopment/us/en/jfk/planned-projects/terminal-1.html SOURCE The New Terminal One at JFK US President Donald Trump said he has cancelled talks with Iranian officials amid a protest crackdown, telling Iranian citizens help is on its way. Mr Trump did not offer any details about what the help would entail, but it comes after the Republican president earlier this week said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington DC after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic that has killed more than 2,000, according to human rights monitors. Mr Trump with his latest message on social media appeared to make an abrupt shift about his willingness to engage with the Iranian government. US President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One from Florida at Joint Base Andrews (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Mr Trump wrote in a morning post on Truth Social. Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. Advertisement I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. The president has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action if his administration finds the Islamic Republic is using deadly force against anti-government protesters, but he has not said whether he has made a decision on a response. Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran (AP) On Monday, Mr Trump said he would slap 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran effective immediately, but the White House has not provided details on that move. China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Brazil and Russia are among economies that do business with Tehran. US vice president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and key White House National Security Council officials began meetings on Friday to develop options for Mr Trump, ranging from a diplomatic approach to military strikes. Iran, through the countrys parliamentary speaker, has warned that the US military and Israel would be legitimate targets if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators. More than 600 protests have taken place across all of Irans 31 provinces, the Human Rights Activists News Agency reported on Tuesday. The activist group said 1,850 of the dead were protesters and 135 were government-affiliated. Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran (AP photo) It said more than 16,700 people had been detained. Understanding the scale of the protests has been difficult. Iranian state media has provided little information about the demonstrations and online videos offer only brief, shaky glimpses of people in the streets or the sound of gunfire. Advertisement Iranian state television offered the first official acknowledgment of the high death toll on Tuesday, quoting an official saying the country had a lot of martyrs and that it did not release a toll earlier because of the dead suffering gruesome injuries. However, that statement came only after activists reported their toll. Mr Trumps push on the Iranian government to end the crackdown comes as he is dealing with a series of other foreign policy emergencies around the globe. Its been just over a week since the US military launched a successful raid to arrest Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and remove him from power. The US continues to mass an unusually large number of troops in the Caribbean Sea. Mr Trump is also focused on trying to get Israel and Hamas onto the second phase of a peace deal in Gaza and broker an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to end the nearly four-year war in Eastern Europe. But advocates urging Mr Trump to take strong action against Iran say this moment offers an opportunity to further diminish the theocratic government that has ruled the country since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The demonstrations are the biggest Iran has seen in years protests spurred by the collapse of Iranian currency that have morphed into a larger test of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis repressive rule. Despite Iran's nationwide protests and years of external pressure, there are as yet no signs of fracture in the Islamic Republic's security elite that could bring an end to one of the world's most resilient governments. Adding to the stress on Iran's clerical rulers, US president Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action over Tehran's severe crackdown on the protests, which follow an Israeli and US bombing campaign last year against Iran's nuclear programme and key officials. Responding to Reuters, a White House official said "all options" were at Mr Trumps disposal to address the situation in Iran. But unless the street unrest and foreign pressure can prompt defections at the top, the establishment, though weakened, will likely hold, two diplomats, two government sources in the Middle East and two analysts told Reuters. Advertisement Around 2,000 people have been killed in the protests, an Iranian official told Reuters, blaming people he called terrorists for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. Human rights groups had previously tallied around 600 deaths. Iran's layered security architecture, anchored by the Revolutionary Guards and Basij paramilitary force, which together number close to one million people, makes external coercion without internal rupture exceedingly difficult, said Vali Nasr, an Iranian-American academic and expert on regional conflicts and US foreign policy. For this sort of thing to succeed, you have to have crowds in the streets for a much longer period of time. And you have to have a breakup of the state. Some segments of the state, and particularly the security forces, have to defect," he said. Iran's Foreign Ministry declined to comment. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, has survived several past waves of unrest. This is the fifth major uprising since 2009, evidence of resilience and cohesion even as the government confronts a deep, unresolved internal crisis, said Paul Salem of the Middle East Institute. For that to change, protesters would have to generate enough momentum to overcome the states entrenched advantages: powerful institutions, a sizeable constituency loyal to the clerical rule, and the geographic and demographic scale of a country of 90 million people, said Alan Eyre, a former US diplomat and Iran expert. Survival, however, does not equal stability, the analysts said. The Islamic Republic is facing one of its gravest challenges since 1979. 'Axis of Resistance' Sanctions have strangled the economy with no clear path to recovery. Strategically, it is under pressure from Israel and the United States, its nuclear programme degraded, its regional Axis of Resistance proxy armed groups weakened by crippling losses to allies in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. Advertisement Mr Nasr said that while he didn't think the Islamic Republic had reached the moment of fall," it was "now in a situation of great difficulty going forward". The protests began on December 28th in response to soaring prices, before turning squarely against clerical rule. Politically, the violent crackdown has further eroded what remained of the Islamic Republic's legitimacy. US-based rights group HRANA says it has verified the deaths of 573 people, 503 protesters and 69 security personnel. More than 10,000 have been arrested, the group said. Iran has released no official toll, and Reuters was unable to independently verify the figures. Trump weighs options amid Iran crackdown What sets this moment apart, and raises the stakes, analysts say, is Mr Trumps explicit warnings that the killing of demonstrators could trigger an American intervention. On Tuesday, Mr Trump urged protesters to take over institutions and said "help is on the way," while saying he was cancelling meetings with Iranian officials. Earlier, he threatened tariffs on countries that trade with Iran. China is Tehran's top trade partner. 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, according to an Israeli source present for the conversation. Mr Trumps interest in the protests, the analysts said, is likely tactical rather than ideological, Salem said. The aim could be pliability - weakening the state enough to extract concessions such as curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme, he said. The White House did not respond to a request for comment about Mr Trump's goals in Iran. The White House official said Mr Trump had demonstrated with military operations in Iran and Venezuela last year "that he means what he says". Advertisement 'Venezuela model' The idea of a Venezuela model has growing appeal in some circles in Washington and Jerusalem, a diplomat and three of the analysts said. It envisions the removal of Iran's top authority while signaling to the remaining state apparatus: stay in place, provided they cooperate, they said. Applied to Iran, however, it collides with formidable obstacles - a security state entrenched for decades, deep institutional cohesion and a much larger and ethnically complex country. Two regional officials and two of the analysts told Reuters foreign military action could fracture Iran along ethnic and sectarian lines, particularly in Kurdish and Sunni Balush regions with histories of resistance. For now, constraints remain. US military assets are stretched elsewhere, though the diplomats said that deployments could shift quickly. David Makovsky at The Washington Institute, a think tank, said that if Mr Trump acts, he expects a swift, high-impact action rather than a prolonged campaign - consistent with the president's preference in recent conflicts for a single decisive action rather than deploying ground troops. World Trumps exercise of raw power upends world order, sending friends and foes reeling Read more "He looks for this one gesture that might be a game changer, but what is it?," said Mr Makovsky. Options range from maritime pressure on Iranian oil shipments to targeted military or cyber strikes, all carrying serious risks. Some measures, all the sources said, could stop short of force, such as restoring internet access via Starlink to help protesters communicate. The White House and State Department did not respond to Reuters questions about what action, if any, Mr Trump might take. Trump sometimes uses threats to delay decisions, sometimes to deter adversaries, and sometimes to signal he is actually preparing to intervene, said Mr Makovsky at The Washington Institute. We just dont know yet which applies here. The US has accused Russia of a dangerous and inexplicable escalation of its nearly four-year war in Ukraine at a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance negotiations towards peace. US deputy ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce singled out Russias launch of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile last week close to Ukraines border with Poland, a Nato ally. She told an emergency meeting of the Security Council that the US deplores the staggering number of casualties in the conflict and condemns Russias intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructure. Here's my full statement today at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. https://t.co/dd7ljyL9L7 Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) January 13, 2026 Ukraine called for the meeting after last Thursdays overnight Russian bombardment with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including the powerful, new hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which Moscow used for only the second time in what was a clear warning to Kyivs Nato allies. The large-scale attack came days after Ukraine and its allies reported major progress towards agreeing on how to defend the country from further Moscow aggression if a US-led peace deal is struck. Advertisement The attack also coincided with a new chill in relations between Moscow and Washington after Russia condemned the US seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic. And it came as US president Donald Trump signalled he is on board with a hard-hitting sanctions package meant to economically cripple Russia. US president Donald Trump indicated he is on board with hard-hitting sanctions on Russia (Alex Brandon/AP) Moscow has given no public signal it is willing to budge from its maximalist demands on Ukraine. And Russias UN ambassador on Monday blamed the diplomatic impasse on Ukraine. Europes leaders condemned the attack using the Oreshnik as escalatory and unacceptable, and US envoy Ms Bruce was equally tough on Monday. At a moment of tremendous potential, due only to President Trumps unparalleled commitment to peace around the world, both sides should be seeking ways to de-escalate, she said. Yet Russias action risks expanding and intensifying the war. A residential building burns after a Russian strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine (Mykola Myrnyi/AP) Ms Bruce reminded Russia that nearly a year ago it voted in favour of a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine. It would be nice if Russia matched their words with deeds, she said. In the spirit of that resolution, Russia, Ukraine and Europe must pursue peace seriously and bring this nightmare to an end. Advertisement But Russias UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that until Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky comes to his senses and agrees to realistic conditions for negotiations, we will continue solving the problem by military means. He was warned long ago, with each passing day, each day which he squanders, the conditions for negotiations will only get worse for him, Mr Nebenzia said. Russia wants to sell to this council and the whole UN family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion. The carefully staged image of strength is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely detached from reality Ukraine's UN ambassador Andriy Melnyk Similarly, each vile attack on Russian civilians will elicit a stiff response. Ukraines UN ambassador Andriy Melnyk countered that Russia is more vulnerable now than at any time since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Its economy is slowing and oil revenue is down. Russia wants to sell to this council and the whole UN family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion, he told the council. The carefully staged image of strength is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely detached from reality. A US invasion of Greenland would be an attack on all Nato allies, the territorys energy minister has said. Greenlands energy minister Naaja Nathanielsen told a press conference in Westminster on Tuesday that American military action would represent the breakdown of the rule of law and leave Western allies having to figure out what is this new world order is about. Asked whether Greenland would expect Nato support in the event of an invasion, she said: I really cannot answer your question, because it implies that it would be one country being attacked by another Nato partner, but actually we would all be under attack. Ms Nathanielsen said Greenland felt betrayed by Donald Trumps demands to annex the semi-autonomous Danish territory. Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, where the territorys energy minister says it feels Donald Trumps rhetoric is offensive (Alamy/PA) She said: We feel that the rhetoric is offensive, as we have said many times before, but also bewildering because we have done nothing but support the notion that Greenland is a part of the American national self-interest. Earlier, Ms Nathanielsen addressed MPs at an event organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Greenland, whose chairman, Brendan OHara, said the view of his colleagues was unequivocal in saying that the future of Greenland is a matter for the people of Greenland, and only for the people of Greenland. Advertisement Her visit came as the US continued to threaten to take over the territory, which Mr Trump insists is vital for American national security. On Monday, a member of Donald Trumps Republican Party introduced legislation to annex Greenland as the 51st US state. And the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland are set to visit Washington on Wednesday for a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Ms Nathanielsen said her ministerial colleagues had no intention of becoming American, she added the people of Greenland were under massive pressure and had difficulty sleeping due to the threats against the territory. But while she acknowledged there were contingency plans in place, she declined to say whether they would resist a US invasion by force. Naaja Nathanielsens visit to Westminster came as the US continued to threaten a takeover of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Nato ally Denmark (James Manning/PA) She told reporters: We are not a country that finds itself at war with the US. We want a peaceful solution, and we will work towards that for as long as we can. We see no point in using weapons against each other. We should be friends. We are allies. The US president claimed over the weekend that he needed to take Greenland to prevent Russia or China from doing so. Advertisement Ireland Government accused of muted and confusing response to Grok abusive images Read more But while Ms Nathanielsen said Greenland was open to more security monitoring or even a Nato deployment, she told reporters there was no imminent threat from either Russia or China. And she reiterated calls for the people of Greenland to have a say over their future a call that has been echoed by European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. She said: My deepest dream, or hope, is that the people of Greenland will get a say no matter what. I think were the ones to have a say in the decision about our future. Advertisement Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals soars on stem cell tech results Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS James Pearson January 13, 2026 12:48pm 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 In the high-octane world of biotech, nothing speaks louder than results in real patients. And thats exactly what NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals appears to have delivered, with fresh data showing its StemSmart stem cell therapy is making a meaningful difference for people living with the debilitating bowel condition, fistulising Crohns disease. Judging by todays response, the market agrees with the companys shares up as much as 52 per cent to 17.5c on the highest turnover in more than six months. Neuroscientific Biopharmaceuticals has successfully tested its StemSmart cell therapy in patients with fistulising Crohns disease. The companys innovative StemSmart therapy uses a specialised class of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), prepared as a simple intravenous infusion. These cells are harvested from adult donor bone marrow and then run through a patented refinement process designed to dial up their therapeutic punch and improve clinical outcomes. Advertisement Better still, mesenchymal stem cells are universal donor cells, meaning no donor-recipient matching and no waiting lists. In practical terms, StemSmart is shaping up as a genuine off-the-shelf cell therapy. These treatment results provide critical validation of the StemSmart MSC platform, NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals chief executive officer Nathan Smith Under Australias Special Access Scheme, patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options can apply for case-by-case access to new and unapproved therapies. Through this pathway, four people with the debilitating bowel condition were put forward by their clinicians to receive Neuroscientifics StemSmart treatment. The results were striking. Despite Crohns disease often being severe and stubbornly resistant to treatment, three of the four patients achieved a successful clinical response. At the same time, the fourth recorded a partial response with ongoing improvement. NeuroScientific hasnt wasted any time celebrating the early win and with good reason. A clinical response in this setting is hard-earned, defined as closing at least half of existing fistula openings or slashing discharge by 50 per cent or more. For people living with chronic pain, infection and repeat surgery, that sort of turnaround is potentially life-changing. Advertisement Adding extra weight to the outcome, these treatments played out in the real world, where advanced disease doesnt follow a script, rather than in a sanitised lab trial engineered for perfect data. According to the company, that gritty clinical setting has given the results far more bite, offering a clear window into how StemSmart might perform under everyday conditions. Management says the outcome is more than just a tick for the StemSmart platform. It also vindicates the companys $5.1 million move last June to snap up unlisted Perth-based stem cell specialist Isopogen, the original owner of the intellectual property behind the therapy. NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals chief executive officer Nathan Smith said: These treatment results provide critical validation of the StemSmart MSC platform in presenting a potential therapeutic solution to patients with debilitating fistulising Crohns. This data, along with our previous clinical trial results in refractory Crohns disease, provides a strong foundation for our commercialisation plans for StemSmart moving forward. NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals chief medical officer Dr Cathy Cole added: The response rate to StemSmart MSC treatment seen in these patients in a real-world setting is exceptional and offers hope for clinical recovery when there was previously little. With strong, early signs of validation now in hand, NeuroScientific says its shifting its focus to the next phase of execution. Encouraging signals from earlier phase two work in refractory Crohns disease have already flagged strong efficacy and safety, and the latest real-world data only strengthens that case. Advertisement The company plans to fold these insights directly into the design of its next round of clinical trials, pencilled in for the second half of this year. Behind the scenes, the heavy lifting has already begun, with manufacturing scale-up, regulatory planning and trial development all moving in parallel to keep momentum building. While Crohns disease alone represents a global market worth about US$13 billion, NeuroScientific believes its StemSmart platform has far wider potential. The company sees the technology extending into broader anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating applications, with possible pathways into organ transplant tolerance, lung inflammatory diseases and graft-versus-host disease. In a sector where promise often runs well ahead of proof, NeuroScientific appears to be closing that gap. Real-world results, a clear clinical pathway and a platform technology with multiple shots on goal are now lining up. If the company can carry this momentum into its next round of trials, StemSmart could quickly shift from an encouraging experiment into a top-notch biotech growth story. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Bulls N' Bears Shares Sharemarket Advertisement Exclusive BusinessConsumer affairsAI AI bots could collude to fix prices and harm consumers: ACCC chair Elias Visontay January 13, 2026 10:53am 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 Consumer tsar Gina Cass-Gottlieb has sounded a warning over the proliferation of artificial intelligence systems in online retail, saying bots deployed by rival businesses could collude to fix prices. Speaking to this masthead, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chair highlighted the risks of AI agents or bots, which will be a key focus for the watchdog this year. AI-powered bots can act on behalf of consumers, but there is a risk they are tricked into higher-cost deals. Michael Howard As well as highlighting the risk of cartel conduct by AI-powered bots, Cass Gottlieb also warned of AIs potential to supercharge scams, and an emerging trend among companies of overplaying the extent to which machine learning actually features in their software or products to justify charging consumers more, in a practice dubbed AI washing. Cass-Gottlieb said a key concern for the regulator in 2026 would be the rise of AI agents, which have risen in prominence over the past year as tech companies race to release more sophisticated models. Advertisement Artificially intelligent bot agents can act on behalf of a user to search for products, compare prices and execute transactions based on previously gathered information on their needs and preferences. Related Article AI Would you let a bot choose your insurance for you? Equally, AI agents can be used by companies to tailor marketing to specific consumers, as well as conduct other business such as sourcing products and dealing with suppliers. Multi-agent systems, where several AI agents work together on a shared goal, are increasingly used by businesses to boost efficiency. Cass-Gottlieb said that AI agents could also collude with each other to fix prices, meaning that consumers comparing prices might be misled into accepting prices that arent the cheapest. Even AI agents acting on behalf of a shopper could be fooled into such purchases. Her warning comes as an ACCC research paper found that while AI agents had the potential to help shoppers and firms, as businesses increasingly incorporate AI agents, agent-to-agent communications and dealings will become more commonplace. Advertisement AIs ability to learn from a customers personal data means it can manipulate their preferences and the purchasing decisions of an AI agent theyve deployed, more effectively than traditional nudges, the ACCC has found. ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said the rise of AI-powered bots raised the risk of cartel conduct. Edwina Pickles Even without an AI agent acting for a consumer, AI agents deployed by businesses can use personal data to tailor marketing to an individuals real-time consumer behaviour such as their emotional vulnerabilities, something that would amount to a hypernudge in pressuring them into a sale. In terms of cartel conduct, while some businesses could instruct algorithms to price fix deliberately, the ACCC has warned the widespread use of AI agents by businesses could give rise to the risk of AI agents learning to collude with one another, even when collusion is not intended by their developers or operators. It referenced research that competitors using the same AI agent may end up exchanging competitive pricing information, without knowing or intending to do so. Advertisement On Monday, Cass-Gottlieb said there are some pretty serious risks for cartel conduct. There have already been some cases internationally looking at algorithmic collusion, so looking at the problem of anti-competitive conduct and once you ask the question whether AI systems are intelligent enough to work out that it is in the interests of the people deploying them to co-ordinate their conduct, Cass-Gottlieb said. Related Article Food On gelato and in coffee: Australian olive oils health-led boom She referenced a recent matter in the United States where the Department of Justice reached a settlement with a real estate platform over allegations an algorithmic rent-setting software allegedly allowed landlords to compete less and boost prices they charged tenants. There is manifestly a capacity for this to be done at an incredibly sophisticated level, informed by highly up-to-date data with very rapid analysis using AI, Cass-Gottlieb said. Advertisement In such cases of algorithmic collusion, the ACCC has noted businesses may lead to corporations disputing their liability for the outputs or actions of their agents. However, a Treasury review of AI and consumer law in October found that existing laws were suitable. Cass-Gottlieb said it was important for laws to keep pace with the development of AI technology to ensure Australians werent worse off in the end. The hope is that its a net positive, that it enables better informed consumers (but) the fear is that it enhances the capacity to do these sorts of negative (methods). Increasingly sophisticated AI-image, voice and website generation is also a prime concern for the ACCC. Fake reviews are another issue Cass-Gottlieb expects to grow worse with AIs proliferation, due to its ability to generate convincing reviews. It also means that ghost stores are easier to set up, she said. These are websites purporting to be the online presence for local bricks-and-mortar small businesses running closing down sales but which dont actually exist and instead drop-ship poor quality products from overseas. It can supercharge scams, so that the messages that we receive just appear so much more believable because theyre targeted to us in a more effective and believable way, even before you ask about AI voice replication, Cass-Gottlieb said. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Advertisement CultureMoviesStreaming The 10 best Rose Byrne performances to watch after her Golden Globes win Nell Geraets January 13, 2026 4:28pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Rose Byrne is on a roll. Since December, the Australian star has won four best actress awards for her performance in A24s haunting comedy-drama If I Had Legs Id Kick You, the most recent of which was delivered on Monday at the 83rd Golden Globes. We shot this movie in 25 days for like $8.50. This is like a tiny film, so this is a huge thing to be up here, the 46-year-old Balmain-born actor said during her acceptance speech. Loading Since having her screen debut with Ann Turners Dallas Doll in 1994, Byrne has enjoyed an extremely varied career, starring in the X-Men series, horror franchises, buddy comedies, romantic crime capers and auteur-led hits. Shes even become the face of recent Domain ads. The question now is whether shell clinch the win at the biggest night in Hollywood, the Academy Awards in March. In the meantime, here are 10 of Byrnes best performances to stream before the Oscars. Advertisement Related Article Golden Globes Where to watch the films and TV that won the 2026 Golden Globes Two Hands (SBS On Demand, ABC iview) This 1999 crime caper, directed by Gregor Jordan (Buffalo Soldiers, Dirt Music), is where Byrne truly broke onto the scene. She plays a quintessentially sweet country girl who, after travelling to the big city, is drawn into the criminal underworld by her newfound crush, small-time hustler Jimmy (played by a 19-year-old Heath Ledger). Its an offbeat adventure that chaotically weaves together comedy, crime and romance. But its the chemistry between Byrne and Ledger, two little-known Australian actors at the time, that truly sells it. The camera scene in particular, in which Ledger is left speechless by Byrne as she poses for a photo, displays their undeniable chemistry. Their charm didnt stop after the credits ended either Byrne and Ledgers quirky US promotional campaign is surely one of the most fun movie marketing efforts to date. Advertisement Troy (Binge, HBO Max) From eccentric crime caper to Greek mythological epic, Byrnes filmography is a varied one. In Wolfgang Petersens Troy (2004), a retelling of the Trojan War, she plays a Trojan priestess given to the Greek hero Achilles (Brad Pitt) as a war prize. Despite his power over her, the pair fall in love. Its a complex love story, one that begins with Byrne as Achilles slave-concubine, but she performs it with appropriate nuance. Though Byrne was already well-known in Australia, the star-studded Troy propelled her into the Hollywood mainstream. Advertisement Marie Antoinette (Netflix, Stan*) Byrne took a stroll through French history in Sofia Coppolas 2006 historical drama Marie Antoinette. Playing the Duchess of Polignac, the Queens close confidant who has a penchant for gossip and manipulation, Byrnes performance leans into opulence and glamour a perfect contrast to the volatility brewing beyond Versailles. Damages (10Play) Byrne has done a bit of television, but Damages is arguably her most critically lauded turn on the small screen. The legal thriller explores the complicated relationship between ruthless litigator Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) and her brilliant but naive protege Ellen Parsons (Byrne) as they take on massive cases against powerful figures. Advertisement The series ran for five seasons, beginning in 2007 and concluding in 2012. Byrne held her own beside Close, earning two Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nods for her performance. Rose Byrne held her own against the powerhouse that is Glenn Close in Damages. Insidious (Stan) Though Byrne featured in 28 Weeks Later in 2007, the Insidious franchise really strengthened her horror chops. Beginning in 2011, James Wans supernatural horror series follows families who are terrorised by demons from a spiritual realm called The Further. Byrne plays the mother in one of these families, whose son becomes a vessel for spirits, his soul trapped in the alternate realm. There are now five Insidious films, and Byrne features in three. While the creepy red-faced demon tends to steal focus, Byrne still manages to bring family dynamics to the forefront, making this horror series more than simple haunted house fare. Advertisement Rose Byrne has starred in three of the Insidious films, including Insidious: The Red Door. Nicole Rivelli/Sony Pictures Bridesmaids (Binge, Stan, Prime Video) Byrne has said she was useless at comedic acting early in her career, but if Bridesmaids is any indication, she was born to make people laugh. In the 2011 Paul Feig comedy, two women Kristen Wiig and Byrne battle it out for maid of honour duties in their mutual friends upcoming wedding. Byrne is almost too convincing as the snobby, two-faced superwoman, and the scene in which she and Wiig try to one-up each other during an engagement party speech, eventually diving into a duet of Dionne Warwicks Thats What Friends Are For, never gets old. Advertisement Bad Neighbours (Binge) After Bridesmaids, Byrne went on something of a comedy crusade. In 2014, she paired up with comedy legend Seth Rogen and Zac Efron to release Bad Neighbours, an adult comedy that follows new parents Mac (Rogen) and Kelly (Byrne) as they go to war with the wild fraternity next door. Its filthy fun with a dose of pathos, and Byrne and Rogen sublimely play newbie parents still dying to be young and cool a relatable struggle for many. Special mention must also be given to the scene featuring a party filled with Robert de Niros. Its comedy gold. Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen are not to be messed with in Bad Neighbours. Universal Pictures Spy (Stan, Disney+) Advertisement A year after Bad Neighbours, Byrne went from annoyed first-time mum to Bulgarian arms dealer. Reuniting with director Feig, Byrne played Rayna Boyanov, a well-off criminal who is bent on creating a nuclear crisis. However, a formerly deskbound agent, played by Melissa McCarthy, goes undercover to stop her. Byrne nonchalantly delivers biting lines to great comedic effect, such as when referring to her childhood in Bulgaria, a place where poor people [are] everywhere and cabbage is constantly cooking. It turns out playing the villain suits her. Juliet, Naked (Stan, Amazon Prime) Byrne and Ethan Hawke shine in this 2018 rom-com directed by Jesse Peretz and based on Nick Hornbys 2009 novel. Byrne embodies Annie, a woman disillusioned with her music-obsessed boyfriend. However, after writing a negative review about an acoustic album by her partners idol, Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke), the artist reaches out to her and romance unexpectedly blossoms. Advertisement Only stars as confident and proficient as Byrne and Hawke could take such a contrived plot and turn it into a genuinely moving love story. It also shines an interesting light on music and male fandom. Ethan Hawke (left), Rose Byrne (centre) and Chris ODowd (right) enter a complicated love triangle in Juliet, Naked. Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions/AP Platonic (Apple TV) Byrne reunites with Rogen in this refreshing take on the buddy comedy, which demonstrates how men and women can (more or less) be friends. The duo play Sylvia and Will, two best friends who fell out following a disagreement over the latters fiancee. However, they reconcile later in life when Will is divorced and Sylvia is a slightly disenchanted stay-at-home mum. All sorts of hijinks ensue, and good news for Byrne fans: the show has been renewed for a third season. Advertisement *Stan is owned by Nine, the owner of this masthead. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday. Advertisement CultureTheatreSydney Festival I was told not to drool: For Dan Daw, just being himself is a radical act Matthew Westwood January 14, 2026 4:30am 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 Sydney Festival is upon us for another year. Here is everything you need to know - reviews, previews and interviews - to plan your festival experience. See all stories . Dan Daw had some very specific requirements for fellow performers when putting together his new show, Exxy. Daw, an Australian dance-maker based in Britain, launched a series of auditions across the UK and eventually found three performers whose physicality resembles his own. They all responded to our open call, we held auditions up and down the country, and we found these gorgeous souls, he says. Performers Joe Brown, Tiiu Mortley, Sofia Valdiri and Daw will appear at the Sydney Opera House from Thursday when Exxy opens as part of the Sydney Festival. Two of the performers are survivors of strokes; the other two, including Daw, were born with cerebral palsy. Dance maker and performer Dan Daw. Steven Siewert Advertisement Daw arrives for this interview at a cafe in Surry Hills on a hot summer morning, his T-shirt revealing full-sleeve tattoos. He orders an iced coffee and explains the idea behind the show: imposter syndrome, or the feeling of not living up to ones own or others expectations. In Daws case, there was the excitement and terror of producing his biggest show to date, and also the childhood memory of endless medical appointments and therapies. Subconsciously, Im being told that I need to walk straighter, I need to not over-balance, I need to not drool, I need to speak clearly, I need to make sure my handwriting is legible so that I can pass in the world as able-bodied as I can, he says. Of course, [the specialists] are doing it to help me, but it also comes as a cost. Exxy is exploring that cost: what if I dared to just be myself, and let myself stumble, and let myself drool and whats going to happen if I do that? He continues: Thats why we recruited the three other performers who move very similarly to me, so I could have the experience of actually blending in, and what that feels like. Advertisement Daw grew up in Whyalla, SA, and cites his grandmother Heather as a formative influence. He recently spent Christmas with her before coming to Sydney for New Year and the local premiere of Exxy. Related Article Sydney Festival Your ultimate guide to the 2026 Sydney Festival Heather, a callisthenics choreographer, encouraged him when he was growing up to keep doing his physical exercises, but also to be himself. I think most of us have doubted ourselves at one point or another, Daw says. Most of us have had a grandmother or a significant family member who means the absolute world to them. In a way, [Exxy is] reflecting on how far Ive come, and opens up the door for audiences to reflect on how far theyve come. Its a moment to gather and reflect on where weve been. Daw has worked with Australian companies including Restless Dance Theatre and Force Majeure but, finding only limited opportunities in this country for a performer with his physicality, he moved to Britain in 2010. Advertisement He successfully auditioned to join the ensemble of Londons Candoco Dance Company and also worked with Skanes Dansteater in Sweden, before forming his own company, Dan Daw Creative Projects, in 2015. A decade on, Daw is building an international reputation with shows including Beast and The Dan Daw Show, which caused a sensation at the Edinburgh International Festival and the Under the Radar theatre festival in New York. Other opportunities are on the horizon in Canada and in Asia. In the Sydney Festival season, as elsewhere, each of Daws productions begins with a pre-show access session to demonstrate the shows maximum levels of brightness and sound, allowing ticket-holders to familiarise themselves with the theatre. Its available to people who do need it and find it beneficial, Daw says. We are holding audiences in the way that they deserve to be held. Exxy had its world premiere at Battersea Arts Centre in London last October and toured to four other venues in Britain, supported by a partnership called New Dimensions. Advertisement The hour-long performance explores vulnerability and the greater good that arises when people work together, rather than against each other. A hardy desert plant, familiar from Daws youth, is used as a symbol of sharing and mutual care. We use saltbush as a metaphor to talk about how we can nourish each other, he says. Growing up in the outback, in a desert landscape, I grew up around saltbush. So (the show) is using saltbush as the wider metaphor to beg the question: What if we shared the resource, rather than keeping it for ourselves? Its touching on community, on resilience, and working together and making sure that we can be better humans to make sure that no one gets left behind. Exxy, Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, January 15-18. Coal power generation fell in both India and China last year as a result of a massive surge in renewable energy deployment, marking what one leading analyst described as a historic moment in the global transition to clean energy. It is the first time since 1973 that coal use fell in both nations at once, and it occurred as energy demand in both countries increased, according to Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. This suggests that renewables are displacing coal, the worlds dirtiest energy source, in the first and third most polluting nations on Earth. A molten salt tower solar thermal power station in Jiuquan, China. Getty Images Together, the power sectors of China and India drove 93 per cent of the rise in global carbon dioxide emissions from 2015-2024, Myllyvirta writes in Carbon Brief, a UK-based website specialising in climate and energy. His analysis shows power generation from coal fell by 1.6 per cent in China and by 3 per cent in India in 2025, even as China continued building new coal power plants. Many of the plants are used for peaking during periods of high demand, so while the Chinas sectors coal power capacity has been expanding, its coal use has been falling. Advertisement LifestyleLife & relationshipsAutism Groundbreaking: Chloe Hayden, disability advocates celebrate first autistic Barbie Lauren Ironmonger January 13, 2026 3:40pm 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 Barbie has created its first autistic doll in a move towards greater inclusion and diversity for the iconic brand, owned by US toymaker Mattel. Heartbreak High actor and disability advocate Chloe Hayden grew up loving Barbie, and celebrates the new doll. Mattels first autistic Barbie wears noise-cancelling headphones and carries a fidget spinner and Augmentative and Alternative Communication device. Mattel I always loved Barbie because even when I couldnt see representation of the person I was currently, I saw dreams of the person I wanted to be. When I was three and wanted to be a mermaid, I had mermaid Barbie. When I was four and wanted to be a marine biologist, I had marine biologist Barbie I had the Midge, and Rapunzel, and cowgirl Barbie, and vet Barbie, and a Barbie-Big-Sister for every stage of my life, said Hayden, who has a paid partnership with the brand to promote the new doll. Advertisement To now have a Barbie that is autistic is so genuinely groundbreaking. Shes cool, and shes beautiful, and she uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device and headphones and sensory toys and shes showing little girls that who they are, right now, is enough. You can still be Barbie while requiring support, or being different. Chloe Hayden, actor and disability rights advocate, says the first autistic Barbie is genuinely groundbreaking. Louise Kennerley Designed with American charity The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, the doll has features designed to reflect the experiences of those on the autism spectrum, including articulated elbows, wrists to enable stimming (repetitive behaviours used by people with autism to reduce stress) and eyes that veer slightly to the side to reflect how some autistic people avoid direct eye contact. She also wears flat shoes, a sensory-friendly purple striped dress and noise-cancelling headphones, and holds a hot pink fidget spinner as well as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication Device. Paul Faulkner, Mattels Asia Pacific senior vice president and managing director, said in a press release: Our goal is to ensure more children can find a Barbie that feels familiar to them and reflects the way they experience and express their world. Advertisement Editor's pick Autism What is a sensory space and why are they so important? In 2022, there were 290,000 autistic Australians, with higher prevalence in those under 25. Historically, the way autism is diagnosed and represented has been gendered. While recognition is growing for the nuanced ways in which autism presents in girls, there is still a way to go. Boys are currently four times more likely than girls to receive a diagnosis. Katie Koullas is the chief executive of Yellow Ladybugs, a non-government organisation dedicated to supporting autistic women and girls that has partnered with Mattel for the Australian launch of the doll. This matters because autistic girls and women are so often missed, misunderstood, or told they dont fit the picture people have of autism, Koullas said. Our community spans many races, genders, body types, cultures, ages, and ways of expressing ourselves. No single doll can reflect that diversity. And it shouldnt be expected to. This Barbie is one character who happens to be autistic. She doesnt define autism. She adds another option. Advertisement Autistic Barbie is the latest addition to Mattels Fashionistas collection, an inclusive line of dolls that includes a Type 1 Diabetes Barbie doll and models with a range of hair textures, body types, skin colours and abilities. Mattel launched its first Barbie in 1959 the blonde, white and thin doll most people still associate with the brand but it wasnt until 2019 that it introduced its first doll with disability: a wheelchair-using doll. Chris Varney, founder of I Can, Australias largest autistic-led organisation, praises the move from such a recognisable brand. It builds up peoples positive autistic identities and strengthens their belonging. It helps them feel seen, he said. Advertisement This is a big signal to a lot of other toy makers out there, so its very exciting in that way. Its a watershed moment. Loading Varney is thrilled the doll was designed in collaboration with autistic-led organisations, and hopes it helps reduce the stigma around autism for both parents and children. This is a massive brand coming out, and I think it helps break down the intense shame we have towards labels with kids This is another thing that helps parents who are a bit overwhelmed and a bit resistant to the label to just embrace it. For Hayden, 28, having an autistic Barbie in her stable of beloved dolls growing up would have been huge. Advertisement Editor's pick Streaming Neurodivergent TV characters used to be rare. Now they take the lead If I knew I was autistic when I was a little girl, having a character that genuinely is canonically like me would have made me feel so much safer outside of my make-believe games and toys, she said. An autistic Barbie doesnt necessarily change the way kids will see themselves in the toys, it will change the way they see themselves outside of the toys. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday. Leading Automotive Styling Franchise Secures the #1 Category Ranking and Jumps 24 Spots in its Overall Ranking Since Last Year BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tint World Automotive Styling Centers, was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, the world's first and most comprehensive franchise ranking. For 47 years, The Franchise 500 has been recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, and placement in the ranking has been a highly sought-after honor within the franchise industry. In the 2026 Franchise 500, Tint World earned the #1 ranking in the Window Tinting category and ranked #206 overallclimbing 24 spots from last year. This achievement showcases the brand's outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, operational and marketing support, and brand power. Tint World Ranks #1 in Category "Being ranked for the 13th consecutive year in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 is an incredible honor, especially being recognized as #1 in our category," said Charles Bonfiglio, Founder and CEO of Tint World. "We wouldn't be where we are today without the dedication of our franchise owners, the trust of our customers, and the strong relationships we've built along the way. This accomplishment reflects the strength of our model, the passion behind our brand, and our continued commitment to supporting our franchisees as we grow." In Entrepreneur's continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company's 47-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. Each franchise is thoroughly evaluated and given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. The 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order. "For 47 years, the Franchise 500 has been the gold standard for identifying franchise excellence. This year's ranking proves that the best brands don't just survive changing markets; they thrive in them," says Jason Feifer, Entrepreneur magazine's editor in chief. "These 500 companies represent some of the most reliable pathways to business ownership in America, each one vetted through our rigorous analysis of what actually drives franchisee success." Over its 47 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for prospective franchisees. Tint World's position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity. Tint World has consistently been recognized among the top automotive styling franchise brands, with a reputation for high-quality service, multiple revenue streams, and a systems-driven business model that supports long-term franchisee success. To view Tint World in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2026 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 13th. For more information on Tint World and available franchise opportunities, please visit www.tintworld.com/franchise-opportunities. About Tint World Automotive Styling Centers Founded in 1982, Tint World Automotive Styling Centers is America's largest and fastest-growing automotive accessories and window tinting international franchise, specializing in window tinting, protective films, vehicle wraps, ceramic coatings, automotive electronics, and vehicle accessories. Tint World Mobile Services includes Residential, Commercial, and Marine window tinting films, solar films, decorative films, safety and security films, and protective ceramic coatings. Tint World has locations across the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with master franchise opportunities available worldwide. To find out more, please visit www.TintWorld.com or https://www.tintworld.com/franchise-opportunities. SOURCE Tint World 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 NationalAntisemitism Opinion As a Jew who knows antisemitism, I need answers, not the stifling of free speech Max Kaiser Jewish Council of Australia executive officer January 13, 2026 2:30pm January 13, 2026 2:30pm 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 Im writing as someone who has studied antisemitism for decades, and as a Jew living through its resurgence. Like many in our community, Im desperate for answers. I want to know how the Bondi massacre was allowed to happen, and I believe that a royal commission could help us to understand this, but its terms of reference thoroughly misunderstand the wider problem of antisemitism. Supporters of Israels conduct in Gaza and elements of the media have steadfastly defended the indefensible the atrocities against Palestinians and this campaign has deliberately created a serious confusion in our national discussion about what antisemitism is. The flower memorial for massacre victims at Bondi Beach. Oscar Colman Antisemitism is not criticism of Israel or Zionism, nor is it a timeless or mystical hatred. It is not something caused by migration. Its a political and historical form of racism that takes different shapes in different contexts. Right now, it is real, escalating and sometimes lethal but it is being tackled in exactly the wrong way. We have heard calls not only to investigate how a massacre occurred, but to place universities, protest movements, migrants, cultural institutions and human rights bodies under suspicion. As though they are responsible for bloodshed. Advertisement Related Article Literature Adelaide Writers Week cancelled after director quits I want antisemitism confronted. I want it named and addressed with urgency. But I do not want it treated as a political tool, a justification for silencing dissent or expanding state power in ways that will ultimately harm us all. There is a temptation, in moments like this, to believe that safety comes from control. But antisemitism has never been defeated by widening the circle of suspicion. It thrives when governments and media normalise fear politics and when far-right and racist networks are allowed to spread antisemitic propaganda with impunity. Jewish safety has never existed in isolation. It has always depended on the health of the broader society we live in. On whether racism is resisted or rewarded, whether power is accountable or unchecked. Jews are safer as a result of robust protest movements that have expanded freedoms and rights for all. Sections of the media and politicians have been relentless in erroneously associating the Bondi attack with Muslims, migrants and the Palestine solidarity protest movement, resulting in the Islamophobia Register Australia reporting a 740 per cent rise in Islamophobic incidents since the Bondi attack. Thats what happens when tragedy is framed as a licence to suspect whole communities. Advertisement Related Article Opinion Censorship Politicians shouldnt decide who appears at writers festivals. Its a dangerous path Richard Flanagan Writer My communitys security will not be possible at the expense of others. That is not safety. It is scapegoating. The royal commissions terms of reference appear to frame antisemitism as an issue of religiously motivated extremism that can be solved through security responses and migration settings. Such an understanding demonises faith groups and migrants and fails to see antisemitism as one expression of a deep problem of racism in Australian society. If we turn this inquiry into a spectacle we will pass right by the very answers we say we seek. We will harden divisions, inflame resentment, and make it harder, not easier, to confront antisemitism as a lived reality. Jewish safety is inseparable from the safety of Muslims, Palestinians, migrants and everyone targeted by racism. If antisemitism is treated as a justification for suppressing protest, expanding surveillance, or scapegoating minorities, Jewish people will not be safer we will simply be living in a more authoritarian society. Advertisement If the royal commission becomes a stage for ideological hearings about religion, universities, protest movements or migration, it will fail its core purpose and deepen the racial divisions that make all of us less safe. Dr Max Kaiser is executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia and a researcher of antisemitism and Australian Jewish history. Advertisement Updated NationalCrime Kazem Hamad arrested in Iraq, declared one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world Chris Vedelago and Marta Pascual Juanola Updated January 14, 2026 6:20am ,first published 10:49pm 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 Exiled gangland boss Kazem Hamad has been arrested by the Iraqi government on behalf of Australian law enforcement authorities after being labelled one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world. Rumours have been circulating in the underworld for more than 24 hours that the head of Australias most powerful illicit tobacco cartel had been detained in his native Iraq, where he had been accused of running a transnational crime empire worth billions of dollars. Kazem Kaz Hamad in 2015. The Australian Federal Police said it had deployed officers offshore for intelligence gathering and passed on information about Hamad to law enforcement agencies in Iraq late last year. Iraqi officials have made an independent decision to arrest this alleged offender after launching their own criminal investigation, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said in a statement on Wednesday. Advertisement This arrest is a significant disruption to an alleged serious criminal and his alleged criminal enterprise in Australia. A statement from Iraqs National Center for International Judicial Cooperation, posted online late on Tuesday, said Hamad had been arrested in response to an official request from Australia. The accused individualwas arrested in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, after obtaining the necessary approvals from the Supreme Judicial Council to conduct investigations against him. The proceedings were initiated by the First Karkh Investigation Court, which specialises in drug cases, the statement said, which has been translated from Arabic. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive Organised crime Hes one of Australias most wanted criminals. This is why hes untouchable The accused is one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world. He is responsible for importing large quantities of drugs into Iraq and Australia, as well as smuggling heroin. He is also involved with the most prominent organised crime gangs in Australia Sydney, responsible for shootings, murders, kidnappings, violent assaults, extortion, and drug imports. Furthermore, he is involved with outlaw gangs that have extensive influence within Australia and the Middle East and are responsible for carrying out murders, shootings, money laundering, fraud, assaults, arson, and drug trafficking on a global level. Advertisement The statement refers to Hamad as Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush welcomed news of the arrest. We will continue to work with the AFP and our international law enforcement partners to assist as required. Victoria Police is determined to drive down organised crime in this state and the havoc it wreaks on innocent members of the community. As the matter remains ongoing, we are not in a position to comment further at this time. Advertisement Since his release from prison in July 2023 and deportation to Iraq, police suspect Hamad and his gang have taken control of large sections of the illicit tobacco market and forced a new order on Melbournes gangland scene. The Hamad syndicate are responsible for a significant number of serious offences, including arsons, extortions [and] shootings linked to the illicit tobacco trade as well as the importation and distribution of illicit tobacco, a police intelligence report obtained by this masthead says. Law enforcement sources say Hamad tops the list of Australian priority organisation targets, a designation used by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission for the most significant organised crime groups in the country. During a recent Senate Estimates hearing, Barrett declared Hamad a national security threat over his involvement in the illicit tobacco industry, alleged links to serious violence and suspected involvement in the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in December 2024 on behalf of the Iranian government. Advertisement On Wednesday, Barrett once again referred to Hamad as her No.1 target and said a number of significant events had led to the AFP supercharging its efforts to apprehend him. A source familiar with the law enforcement operations against Hamad said it was unclear whether the Australian government would be able to extradite Hamad to Australia or whether Iraqi authorities would continue to hold him. Hamad had come to be regarded as almost untouchable in his base in Iraq, where he lives in a fortified compound and conducts business through encryption technology. Hamad is suspected of having deep and influential links to the Iraqi security services, in part due to family connections and in part due to his massive wealth. Advertisement 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 NationalNSWNSW State Parliament Muslim groups critical of push to ban intifada slogan Mostafa Rachwani January 13, 2026 10:45am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A The peak body for Imams in Australia has criticised the Minns governments proposed ban on hate slogans, saying they are unnecessary, legally problematic and risk disproportionate impact on particular communities. The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), the peak body for Muslim religious leaders headed by Shadi Alsuleiman, argued in their submission to the parliamentary inquiry examining how to ban hateful slogans, that existing criminal and public order laws were sufficiently strong enough to deal with any slogans that incite violence. The Australian National Imams Council president Shadi Alsuleiman. Steven Siewert The inquiry was established following the Bondi terror attack on December 14, where Islamic State-affiliated gunmen killed 15 innocent people. The law and safety committee was asked to consider how the state government could ban phrases such as globalise the intifada, and had a short window in which it accepted public submissions. Advertisement Only submissions made by experts or community organisations will be made public, and the inquiry will not be holding any public hearings. Related Article Analysis Bondi shooting Two years have flipped the script on free speech. Now Australia is in new territory The chair of the committee, Labor MP Edmond Atalla, said that it was working to deliver a report by the end of the month, ensuring Parliament can act quickly when it returns in early February. Given that timeframe, the inquiry will not hold public hearings. However, engagement remains broad and substantive, he said. Submissions have now closed, but weve received a substantial amount which we will work through. Were not commenting on individual submissions. Advertisement The inquiry comprises four Labor MPs, independent Philip Donato, Greens MP Tamara Smith and Nationals MP Paul Toole. The imams submission argued that the government risks inconsistent or disproportionate enforcement of any future laws focused on slogans, without a complete list of the slogans being targeted. Laws that depend on the interpretation of isolated words place frontline police officers in the position of determining political meaning, intent, and legality in fast-moving protest environments, they said in their submission. This creates a real risk of inconsistent application, over-policing, and discretionary enforcement based on subjective interpretation rather than clear conduct. They also said there was no evidence slogans such as globalise the intifada resulted in violence or threats to safety, and a move to ban the slogan by the government could discourage civic engagement, deepen marginalisation, and weaken trust between communities and institutions. Advertisement The Muslim Legal Network (MLN), the peak body for Muslim lawyers in Australia, also made a submission, arguing that the word intifada was not used exclusively regarding Israel, and that banning an Arabic word risks the politicisation of the Arabic language. They said such a move could reinforce racist tropes that suggest that Arabic and Arabs are inherently violent. These tropes are repeated ad nauseam in mainstream media and on social media, and cause an increase in Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred in the community, they wrote. The MLN NSW cautions the NSW Government against implementing laws that misattribute blame to Arabs, criminalise the Arabic language, and reinforce well-worn racist stereotypes. They also argued there was no inherent or proven link between the Bondi attack and the pro-Palestine movement. They said there was no evidence that the individuals even took part in any pro-Palestine protests held across Australia over the last two years. There is simply no causal nexus between the two. They said the governments move to restrict protest in light of the attack effectively designated Palestinian solidarity organising a potential security threat. Advertisement To now further restrict chants and slogans of solidarity would be another draconian measure which will fuel more negative community sentiment and distrust from the broader community towards the government. A spokesperson for ANIC told the Herald that the Muslim community is feeling targeted for partaking in protests. The Muslim community feels as though the movements that are important to them are unfairly treated as security problems, and their regular political expression is considered inherently dangerous or suspect. Islamophobia festers when ordinary Muslims are treated as a problem category for engaging in the same protest rights every other community enjoys. The organisers of the pro-Palestine protests in Sydney, Palestine Action Group, said in their submission that the move to ban the slogan was authoritarian overreach and would chill dissent. Advertisement They denied that the slogan globalise the intifada was a chant used at their rallies, and that it was a historical phrase that is a call for global civil, non-violent resistance. Related Article Literature Adelaide Writers Week cancelled after director quits They also questioned why the government was focused on that slogan, and not on far-right chants such as F--- off, were full and Send them home, which they say have been overtly used to incite hatred against minority groups and threaten community safety. Such an obvious oversight shows that these proposed laws would not genuinely prevent inherently hateful speech, they said. All three submissions were critical of the vague nature of the approach and questioned the constitutional validity of any potential ban on slogans. Advertisement The terms of reference for the inquiry ask the committee to specifically consider the threat posed by the phrase globalise the intifada, and others like it, to community cohesion. They are also to consider how to prevent the use of phrases that lead to incitement of hatred and the constitutionality of any bans. The government is also sitting on a report into existing NSW hate speech laws that was handed to the attorney-general in November last year. The Herald revealed in December that just two charges had come from a controversial new law against the public incitement of racial hatred, with at least one of those charges dropped by prosecutors. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Police scour bushland in case of missing mum Police have been scouring bushland in the South Australian outback as they hunt for clues in the case of missing mum Trisha Graf. Advertisement Graphic content NationalQueenslandWorkplace safety A disgusting dish: Maggots on the menu at remote Queensland hydro project Dominique Tassell Updated January 13, 2026 6:26pm ,first published 5:22pm 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 Workers have allegedly been served maggot-infested meals at a renewable energy project in far north Queensland, with union leaders blasting the hygiene and food safety standards at the workers camp. Photos of food allegedly served to workers on January 10 at the Genex Pumped Storage Hydro Project at Kidston a remote town inland of Townsville show larvae in a meal. But Genex chief operations officer Arran McGhie said no workers with gastrointestinal illness or symptoms had presented to the on-site nurse since the incident was reported. Maggot-infested meals allegedly served at the Genex Pumped Storage Hydro Project at Kidston in Far North Queensland. The incident was contained to a single pre-packed crib meal, he said. Advertisement The health, safety, and wellbeing of every person working on the project continues to be Genexs highest priority and Genex is taking this matter very seriously, he said. The camp operator immediately commenced an investigation and Genex is currently awaiting the outcome. Genex will continue to act swiftly to ensure the wellbeing of all personnel on site. Three hours from the nearest shop, the only meals workers on the remote Kidston Hydro Project are being fed is infested with maggots, CFMEU regional coordinator Chad Bradgon said. This is a serious health and safety failure from Genex and ISS and shows exactly why we need mandatory living standards on all remote work sites and camps. Advertisement Electrical Trade Union state organiser Robert Hill said the standards were unacceptable, and he would not feed the food pictured to his dog. The old Kidston gold mine, 280km south-west of Cairns, is being turned into a pumped hydro project by Genex. Brian Cassey Hill said the presence of larvae had workers concerned about what they could consume when their food was covered in sauces, such as gravy or curry. The presence of larvae in meals constitutes a clear breach of food safety standards and raises serious concerns about negligence in the handling, storage, and preparation of food as well as the standard and frequency of audit, he said. Multiple workers have reported gastrointestinal illness over an extended period, and I experienced the same during my last visit. Advertisement Related Article Renewables Turnbull pushes pumped hydro, even if Australia goes nuclear This is a fundamental breach of food safety obligations and raises serious concerns about the camps ability to provide safe, nutritious meals. Concerns have also been raised about the possibility of the camp running out of supplies amid road access constraints due to recent floods. A stop-work action was made at the project late last year over unacceptable conditions at the camp. Unsafe food standards and unclean accommodation conditions were among concerns raised at the time. Advertisement The project is a joint venture between John Holland and McConnell Dowell, who promised to increase cleaning staff to ensure standards would be met. Workers have since reported mouldy and unserviced rooms. Workers are also still experiencing Wi-Fi issues at the remote site. If standards could not be met, the ETU said, workers should be sent home. Workers should not be forced to choose between earning a living and risking their health, it 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 Updated NationalQueenslandBrisbane Airport It was messy: Brisbane Airport evacuated, flights delayed as smoke triggers alarm Felicity Caldwell January 13, 2026 9:38am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Up 1000 people were evacuated from a floor at Brisbane Airports international terminal, causing delays to flights, after testing of an air-conditioning unit caused smoke. Just after 8am, testing of an air-conditioning units heating element created smoke, which activated the fire alarm. Flights were delayed and many passengers were evacuated after an alarm at Brisbane Airports international terminal. All passengers on level four of the international terminal were evacuated, causing delays for some departing international flights, and traffic congestion around the precinct. Among the flights delayed was a Qantas flight to Tokyo, which was scheduled to depart at 9.20am, but later estimated for 12pm, while a flight to Wellington at 8.50am was expected to leave at 10am. Advertisement One passenger said the evacuation seemed extremely disorganised, with people rushed onto the road at the international drop-off area, and then told to get back onto the footpath when a fire truck arrived. It was a very disorganised exodus of the terminal, he said. Everybody when the alarm went off milled around until staff started yelling to go outside. It was messy. The passenger said he was worried security screening was lax on the return to the departures area, as people were told to remove items from their pockets but not to empty bags. Advertisement But a Brisbane Airport spokesman said: categorically, every single person going back in was screened, and the screening process was entirely normal. Security screening rules were updated in mid-December with the arrival of new technology, which allows laptops and toiletries to remain inside bags. View post on X The spokesman said vehicle access was blocked on level four to allow passengers to leave the terminal onto the footpath and road. Emergency vehicles were, of course, allowed into this area with traffic control teams providing a safe escort, he said. Advertisement A Queensland Fire Department spokesman said five fire crews attended, and were cleared to leave at 8.35am. A video from the terminal showed passengers walking towards the exit while an emergency alarm blares, while another passenger reported it became super hot, like the air conditioning had been turned off. The airport spokesman said passengers had returned to the terminal, and processing was being prioritised based on flight schedules. Brisbane Airport apologises for delays as a result of this mornings evacuation, he said. Incoming international flights continued, and there was no impact to the domestic terminal. 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 NationalQueenslandCrime Carer found dead hours before police chase identified as Brisbane artist William Davis and Courtney Kruk Updated January 13, 2026 2:09pm ,first published 11:04am 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 carer found dead hours before her client was allegedly involved in a high-speed police chase has been identified as a Brisbane performer as police call for possible witnesses to come forward. The family of 46-year-old artist Velvet Pesu reported her missing about 1am on Monday. Police travelled to the house of client Wael Abdallah Saleem Alfar on Waterford Tamborine Road in Buccan, Logan, where they allegedly found her body with significant injuries. Investigations led police to a property on Waterford Tamborine Road in Buccan, south of Brisbane, to conduct a welfare check. Nine News Officers tracked him to northern NSW, and police from that state attempted to stop him near Coffs Harbour about 3pm. Advertisement He allegedly refused to pull over, and a high-speed chase continued about 80 kilometres through Valla, Nambucca Heads, Macksville, Warrell Creek and Eungai Creek. The 36-year-old driver crashed into a culvert at Stuarts Point Road in Yarrahapinni, where he was arrested. He was taken to Kempsey Police Station and charged relating the pursuit. Alfar has not been charged with any offences linked to the death of Persu. Velvet Pesu from Ashgrove was found dead at the home in Logan. Velvet Pesu Media teams were camped outside her home in Ashgrove on Tuesday afternoon, and her family were yet to decide if they would make a public statement. Advertisement Pesu has a significant online following and played at several major venues and events across the region including the Woodford Folk Festival. Velvet describes her art and life as inseparable, a professional profile said. Her work seeks to provide a glimpse into the incomplete and ephemeral nature of human experience, and aims to magnify that beauty within society that is often unnoticed. Forensic police remained at the Logan crime scene late into Monday night. Advertisement The man is expected to face court in NSW and detectives will be travelling to speak to [him], a Queensland police spokesperson said. Police will await results of a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of the womans death. On Tuesday afternoon investigators said they were appealing for anyone with dash-camera or CCTV footage from the area to come forward. 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 Investigations remain ongoing, a statement said. Advertisement Logan district Acting Detective Inspector Justin Anderson said SES workers would search the five-acre Buccan property, including a dam. Well be looking for anything that may assist in bringing us answers as to what has happened leading up to this womans death, he said. Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie said the sudden death was a tragic circumstance and the homicide squad was involved in the investigation. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. DANVERS, Mass., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a recent propane leak incident in Littleton, New Hampshire, that resulted in evacuations and road closures, Townsend is reminding residents and businesses about the critical importance of proper propane tank filling procedures and selecting reputable service providers. On December 22, 2025, an overfilled propane tank in Littleton began actively venting gas, creating a vapor cloud and forcing local evacuations. According to the Littleton Fire Department, the tank had been overfilled during a recent cold snap, highlighting a safety concern that can affect any property using propane fuel. The 80% Rule: A Critical Safety Standard Industry standards require that propane tanks be filled to no more than 80% capacity. This safety margin allows room for propane to expand naturally in response to temperature changes, particularly during weather fluctuations common in New England. When temperatures rise, propane expands. Without adequate space in the tank, this expansion can cause dangerous pressure buildup, leading to gas venting through relief valves. Understanding the Dangers of Overfilling When a propane tank is overfilled beyond the safe 80% threshold, several hazardous situations can develop. As temperatures increase, the expanding propane has nowhere to go, forcing the tank's pressure relief valve to open and vent gas into the surrounding area. This creates an immediate fire and explosion risk, as propane is highly flammable. Additionally, the release of propane gas can displace oxygen in enclosed or low-lying areas, presenting an asphyxiation hazard to anyone nearby. In residential areas, these leaks can endanger families, neighbors, and first responders who must evacuate the area and work to disperse the vapor clouds. Choose Safety-Focused Propane Providers Townsend emphasizes that homeowners and businesses should partner with established propane companies that prioritize safety standards and proper training. When selecting a propane provider, customers should verify that the company maintains proper licensing and insurance, employs certified technicians who follow industry safety protocols, offers reliable emergency response services with accessible contact information, adheres strictly to the 80% fill capacity rule, and performs regular tank inspections and maintenance. "Proper propane delivery isn't just about convenience it's about protecting lives and property," said Lowell Richard, a Townsend representative. "We encourage all propane users to ensure their provider is committed to safety standards and has the resources to respond quickly in case of emergencies." Warning Signs and What to Do Residents should be aware of warning signs that may indicate a propane leak, including the distinctive smell of propane (often described as similar to rotten eggs), a hissing or whistling sound near the tank or gas lines, or visible frost or ice formation on the tank or piping. If you suspect a propane leak, immediately evacuate the area, avoid using any electrical switches, phones, or devices that could create a spark, call 911 from a safe location, and contact your propane company's emergency line. The Littleton incident serves as an important reminder that proper propane handling requires professional expertise and unwavering commitment to safety protocols. Townsend encourages all propane users to review their current provider's safety practices and reach out with any questions or concerns. About Townsend Founded in 1931, Townsend is a family-owned and operated company serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. With over 90 years of experience, Townsend provides comprehensive HVAC, electrical, and fuel delivery services to residential and commercial customers throughout New England. The company's NATE-certified technicians are committed to delivering professional, reliable service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Townsend operates with core values of integrity, legacy, commitment, and excellence, maintaining 24/7 availability for emergency services. For more information, visit www.townsendtotalenergy.com or call 978-717-0490. Media Contact: Townsend 27 Cherry Street Danvers, MA 01923 Phone: 978-717-0490 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Townsend Advertisement Updated NationalQueenslandExtreme weather Sitting ducks: Crisafulli doubles down on BOM criticism William Davis and Dominique Tassell Updated January 13, 2026 4:54pm ,first published January 13, 2026 9:13am 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 David Crisafulli doubled down on criticism of the Bureau of Meteorology, with the Queensland premier again blaming the federal agencys flood gauge system and radar coverage for failing to provide sufficient information during flooding disasters. Crisafulli delivered the broadside during a tour of rural regions in central Queensland, where flash flooding near Clermont wiped out 50,000 head of cattle and triggered a number of swift-water emergency rescues. Loading The trail of destruction comes after ex-cyclone Koji made landfall in north Queensland. The weather system crossed the coast between Ayr and Bowen about 10am on Sunday, just after being downgraded from a category 1 cyclone. Crisafulli has repeatedly criticised the bureaus radar range and communication tools throughout the wet season, initially labelling the service as flawed when south-east Queensland residents were caught off-guard by severe storms in October. Advertisement On Tuesday, he said outdated rain gauges and stretched radar coverage in remote regions meant residents were sitting ducks during disasters. Up to 100 homes in Clermont, west of Rockhampton, were inundated by floodwater by Monday. Nine News In many cases, youve got areas where youve got two radars so far apart that youve got areas that arent covered, Crisafulli said. It hasnt had the investment in facilities and you wouldnt cop it if it was in a capital city. There is no world that says if there was a couple of streets in Sydney or Melbourne where they werent given information that could put them in harms way, that that wouldnt be fixed by lunchtime thats the truth. Advertisement Crisafulli said the blame did not lie with the bureau but with a lack of investment in resources for far north Queensland dating back multiple federal governments. Information is the difference between life and death and communities are flying blind because there hasnt been the investment in things like rain gauges and in many places, radar to warn of the impending danger, he said. Regions west of the coast have been inundated by the recent weather system, with up to 200 millimetres falling in the worst-hit areas and more rain expected. About 2.30am on Tuesday, a man driving a truck on the Gregory Highway near Clermont became trapped, with a swift-water emergency crew called to the scene. Advertisement Another vehicle with two men inside was found nearby by emergency teams, and the trio was rescued as both vehicles became submerged. Thunderstorms as far south as Brisbane remained possible, but predictions from the bureau the capital could be soaked all week were downgraded by Monday night. Emergency teams were told floodwater in Clermont would subside slowly, due to the complete saturation of the wider region after ex-cyclone Koji moved inland. Nine News On Monday afternoon, nine people four adults and five children were rescued by a private helicopter on Fraser Lane in Clermont, and two others were recovered by the SES on Old Showgrounds Road. At least nine other people in the area were rescued from vehicles and homes that day, and up to 100 homes were flooded. Advertisement Daniel Hayes from the Bureau of Meteorology said storms remained possible in the areas already hardest hit, and could drift as far south as Brisbane for the remainder of the week. On Wednesday, the premier was grilled on the Today show about minister Amanda Camm who is responsible for overseeing community recovery and represents the impacted seat of Whitsunday being on an overseas holiday during the emergency. Flooding in the suburbs of Clermont, west of Rockhampton. Nine News Weve had different events over the course of the last couple of weeks, and Ive been on the ground for all of them, and I lead that team, Crisafulli said. To see the way that the SES and fire and police have been there as well, but also the way that ministers have worked together Im very proud of the response. 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 NationalVictoriaCrime Underworld kingpin Kaz Hamads gang gets a new name Chris Vedelago and Marta Pascual Juanola January 13, 2026 10:25am 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 gangland crew run by underworld kingpin Kazem Kaz Hamad have begun referring to themselves as the 313s in an apparent nod of loyalty to their leader, and as a symbol of their fierceness. Underworld sources say various members of Hamads gang have been getting the number tattooed on their chests and forearms as a sign of dedication to their leader, who has become one of the most powerful criminals in Australia in recent years. Kazem Hamad was recently declared a national security threat by AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett. The Age Since his release from prison in July 2023 and deportation to his native Iraq, Hamad and his gang have taken control of large sections of the illicit tobacco market and forced a new order on Melbournes gangland scene. The number is a reference in Sunni and Shiite theology. There were 313 men who fought alongside the Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Badr in AD 624, and this same number of soldiers according to Shiite belief will wage war again alongside the 12th Shiite Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, in an apocalyptic battle before the Day of Judgment. Advertisement Hamad, according to materials tendered at his 2019 sentencing for drug trafficking, identifies as a Shiite Muslim. The 41-year-old now runs a cartel that is the dominant force in Australias multibillion-dollar illicit tobacco trade following a two-year tobacco war during which there were more than 200 arson attacks, multiple shootings and several murders in Melbourne. Related Article Exclusive Organised crime Hes one of Australias most wanted criminals. This is why hes untouchable Previously, Hamads crew were known in criminal circles as Kazs boys or The Iraqis, the latter because a core group of his lieutenants and soldiers were born in Iraq or have parents who migrated to Australia from Iraq. Hamad was born in Iraq but migrated with his family to Australia when he was a teenager. According to police intelligence tendered to court in a bail hearing in 2024, Hamads gang members refer to the boss as old mate. The number 313 has previously been used by others in the underworld, with a Shiite-oriented group known as Al-Salam-313 operating in Western Europe along similar lines to an outlaw motorcycle gang. Advertisement A 313 tattoo is also popular among some Muslims keen to show their adherence to the faith, further muddying the waters about who may or may not be a part of Hamads nationwide syndicate. Its adoption is also disturbing for the faithful who disagree with the use of a religious belief as a gang sign. A Victoria Police source said it appeared the use of the name originated from members of Hamads gang as a sign of loyalty. Dr Rachel Woodlock, deputy director of the National Centre for Contemporary Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne, said: What the number is invoking is the idea of true, loyal Muslims, supporting the Mahdi in an end-times battle. There is probably much to be said about the psychology of gang/cult leaders invoking fantasies of the apocalypse and using symbolism to inculcate a bond of loyalty (even as fighters to the death, so to speak). Woodlock said a Christian parallel could be South American cartel members invoking the Santa Muerte mythology. Advertisement Underworld sources say Hamads gang could number as many as 100 dedicated members and associates across Australia and in the Middle East. Dozens more street gang members and unaffiliated criminals have been contracted to carry out arson attacks in the tobacco war via anonymous apps and encrypted communications. Hamad and his gang have taken control of large sections of the illicit tobacco market. Jim Rice Theres an old saying: Dont f--- with anyone whos got money, a source said. The gang has acquired a reputation for lavishly rewarding its members, including first-class travel, luxury cars, and top-notch lawyers when they are arrested. The Hamad syndicate are responsible for a significant number of serious offences including arsons, extortions [and] shootings linked to the illicit tobacco trade as well as the importation and distribution of illicit tobacco, one police intelligence report says. Advertisement The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police declined to comment on the 313 branding of the gang. But law enforcement sources say Hamad has rocketed to the top of the list of Australian priority organisation targets, a designation used by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission for the most significant organised crime groups in the country. Hamad was recently declared a national security threat by AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett over his involvement in the illicit tobacco industry, links to serious violence and suspected involvement in a terror attack on the Australian Jewish community in December 2024 on behalf of the Iranian government. 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 8:33am January 13, 2026 8:33am 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 PoliticsWAFishing Fisherman locks boat to Geraldton fisheries office in demersal ban protest Hamish Hastie January 13, 2026 2:42pm 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 Geraldton shark fisher locked his boat to the gate of a WA government department complex overnight in the latest protest against Labors controversial demersal fishing ban. John Higham of Highams Fresh Fish said he locked his boat to the gate of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development facility out of frustration that bureaucrats were not listening to fishers affected by the ban. John Higham locked his boat to the DPIRD facility in Geraldton on Tuesday morning. Facebook/Higham's Fresh Fish Its just been kicked in the guts really, like, how am I gonna pay my mortgage now? he told this masthead. Higham uses a net to catch sharks off the Geraldton coast and said he had been successful in avoiding picking up fish like dhufish and snapper, but the demersal ban announced in December had, by extension, removed his ability to fish for shark. Advertisement He said he had tried to explain the situation to Fisheries bureaucrats, but it had fallen on deaf ears, and now his business was in peril. Basically, on all these pieces of paper ... theres no phone number, all you can do is email. I dont know how to email, even when I do get my wife to email, we never hear back. So thats very frustrating, he said. Higham said he had been offered a $2000 act of grace payment ahead of full compensation for his fishing licences. He said he was told his licence compensation would be about $6000, an amount he claimed significantly undervalued his business which could make up to $2500 on a good day of fishing. Higham said Tuesday mornings protest was about sending the government a message. Advertisement The message was, if I cant go to work, why should they be allowed to go to work?, he said. Staff used an angle grinder to cut the chain used to lock Highams boat to the gate and Higham picked it up on Tuesday morning. John Higham locked his boat to the DPIRD facility in Geraldton on Tuesday morning. Facebook/Higham's Fresh Fish The demersal fishing ban off the western coast zone, which took effect on January 1, has prompted significant backlash from WAs commercial fishing community. On December 29, three men were charged after dumping shark heads on the doorstep of Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis electorate office. Advertisement On Tuesday, Premier Roger Cook defended his governments ban and the consultation undertaken ahead of Decembers announcement. Related Article Updated Fishing WA fishing ban challenge lands in court as industry mounts fightback We undertook a significant process of consultation with the fishing community ahead of the announcements that we made towards the end of last year, and that included our fishing forum, he said. We had all the stakeholders in the one room in the Parliament House to actually talk about what is the future. What is not an option is to continue to have the reduction of our demersal fish stock that we have been seeing, witnessing over the last 20 years. Advertisement Someone had to act, and weve all had to contribute to ensure that we can sustain this fish stock into the future. The only winners out of this are the dhufish. The only winners out of this are the environment. We all have to play a role to make sure that we can preserve this fish stock for future generations. On Monday, Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas confirmed it was likely his party would support a Nationals disallowance motion to reverse the demersal commercial fishing ban when his party met again ahead of the return of parliament. I can be very clear, we stand in support of our fishers, and we do believe that what has taken place is broadly not fair, he said. DPIRD and Jarvis were approached 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. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Fishing 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 Analysis WorldMiddle EastProtests Iranian leaders brutal gamble in showdown with Trump David Blair January 13, 2026 10:59am 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 death toll from the crackdown on protesters in Iran is vivid evidence not only of the regimes brutality but also of a monumental gamble by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the countrys supreme leader. This blinkered and ruthless old man has staked everything on the proposition that maximum cruelty against protesters will not trigger Americas threatened military intervention or, if it does, that the regime will survive anyway. Loading In short, Khamenei is wagering that his own ability and resolve to preserve the Islamic Republic no matter what the human cost will outweigh US President Donald Trumps determination to topple it. Khamenei has no thought of domestic reform or economic revival. He will not ease the weight of oppression or deal with official corruption. Advertisement He has no ideas for escaping the burden of sanctions by settling Irans decades-long confrontation with America, which would require ending its nuclear program. But there is one course of action he will take, and that is to allow the Revolutionary Guard and its Basij militia to massacre protesters. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and US President Donald Trump. AP And, judging by the murderous events of the weekend, there are plenty of men with guns who are still willing to go about this atrocious task. Khamenei presides over near-total regime paralysis in all respects save this one. And mass killing on the streets was the logical outcome of his speech on Friday. Throughout his 37-year rule, Khamenei has always accused protesters of being the treacherous tools of malign foreigners. Like every tyrant, he nurses the comforting delusion that no true Iranian could possibly oppose him: that those who do must have been recruited by ruthless outsiders. Advertisement In his latest appearance, Khamenei duly condemned the demonstrators as a bunch of people bent on destruction who were supposedly causing havoc simply to please the president of the US and make him happy. He added: Whoever you are, if you are the hirelings of foreign countries and have worked for them, the nation rejects you. That was the signal for the regimes militias to do their worst. One indicator of Khameneis intentions is that state television has made no effort to minimise the scale of the bloodshed. On the contrary, one reporter even appeared at a morgue, surrounded by corpses in body bags, and noted how the majority of them are ordinary people. Advertisement This was the regimes propaganda of the deed, designed to spread terror and convince Iranians of the price of dissent. Related Article Analysis Middle East tensions Biggest moment in Iran since 1979: World on edge as protests grow But it also amounts to a gamble. When Khamenei faced even bigger mass protests in 2009, triggered by a rigged presidential election, the American president of the day was reluctant even to comment on what was happening, let alone intervene with force. Barack Obama would later regret his reticence as the regime crushed that challenge with its customary brutality. Today, by contrast, Trump is not just talking about the unrest in Iran; he has claimed that if the regime kills protesters, then the US is locked and loaded to strike with all its might. Now the moment of decision is coming. People on the streets of Tehran and many other cities have surely been killed in large numbers. Advertisement And Khamenei is rolling the dice on Trumps threat being exposed as an empty bluff. Remarkably, he is taking this risk despite having misjudged Trump twice before. Last year, Trump gave Iran 60 days to settle the confrontation over its nuclear program, a deadline that Khamenei believed to be fake and meaningless. Yet, on day 61, Israel began bombing. A burnt building in Tehran, Iran, following mass protests there last week. Getty Images Khamenei then convinced himself that the US would not join this campaign, whereupon Trump sent B2 stealth bombers to attack Irans nuclear installations at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan. Having misread Trump twice in less than a year, you might think that Khamenei would be more cautious this time. But apparently not. After all, few ayatollahs are noted for flexible thinking, particularly when they are 86 years old. Advertisement In fairness, Khamenei will also be gambling that even if his regimes brutality does provoke America to intervene, the Islamic Republic will survive anyway. The recent bloodshed proves two vital propositions. Khamenei is determined to ride out this unrest, just as he has always done in the past. Protesters block a road in Tehran. Getty Images And the regimes violent enforcers remain prepared to obey his orders and kill their own people, perhaps genuinely believing that the protesters in the streets are nothing but the hirelings of foreign countries. For as long as both of those factors remain true, the regimes survival is more likely than not. Advertisement Related Article Updated Middle East tensions Fashion student shot in back of the head among hundreds killed in Iran Could an American military strike change either? Any US operation might paralyse the command and communications of the Revolutionary Guard, degrading its ability to suppress the unrest, even if its will remains. Perhaps Khamenei himself might be a target. But until and unless Trump intervenes, all this must be speculative. For now, Khameneis obdurate determination and the regimes proven willingness to use overwhelming force have strengthened the Islamic Republics chances of survival. His gamble could pay off. A crowd gathers during a pro-government rally in Tehran on Monday. Getty Images Advertisement 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. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaEpstein fallout Clintons refuse to testify in Epstein probe designed to result in our imprisonment Stephen Groves January 14, 2026 5:21am 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 Washington: Former US president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton are refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena to testify in a House committee investigation of the late sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The Clintons, in a letter released on social media early on Wednesday (AEDT), slammed the House oversight probe as legally invalid, even as Republicans prepared contempt of Congress proceedings against them. Former US president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. AP The Clintons wrote that the chair of the House oversight committee, Republican congressman James Comer, is on the cusp of a process literally designed to result in our imprisonment. We will forcefully defend ourselves, wrote the Clintons, who are Democrats. Advertisement They accused Comer of allowing other former officials to provide written statements about the Epstein to the committee, while selectively enforcing subpoenas against them. The intensifying clash adds another dimension to the fight over Epstein, raising new questions about the limits of congressional power to compel testimony. It also comes when Republicans are grappling with the Justice Departments delayed release of the Epstein files after a bipartisan push for their release. Comer said he would begin contempt of Congress proceedings next week. It potentially starts a complicated and politically messy process that Congress has rarely reached for and could result in prosecution by the Justice Department. No ones accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have questions, Comer told reporters after Bill Clinton did not show up for a scheduled deposition at House offices on Tuesday, Washington time. Advertisement He added, Anyone would admit they spent a lot of time together. Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein but had a well-documented friendship with the wealthy financier throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Clinton together in an undated image released last year as part of the so-called Epstein files. AP Republicans have zeroed in on that relationship as they wrestle with demands for a full accounting of Epsteins wrongdoing. We have tried to give you the little information we have. Weve done so because Mr Epsteins crimes were horrific, the Clintons wrote in the letter. Advertisement Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex-trafficking and conspiracy charges. He killed himself in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial. Multiple former presidents have voluntarily testified before Congress, but none has been compelled to do so. That history was invoked by President Donald Trump in 2022, between his first and second terms, when he faced a subpoena by the House committee investigating the deadly January 6, 2021, riot by a mob of his supporters at the US Capitol. Trumps lawyers cited decades of legal precedent they said shielded an ex-president from being ordered to appear before Congress. The committee ultimately withdrew its subpoena. Comer also indicated that the oversight committee would not attempt to compel testimony from Trump about Epstein, saying that it could not force a sitting president to testify. Trump, a Republican, also had a well-documented friendship with Epstein. He has said he cut off that relationship before Epstein was accused of sexual abuse. Advertisement Related Article Updated Epstein fallout Trump breaks silence on Epstein files to defend Bill Clinton Meanwhile, the congressional co-sponsors of legislation that forced the public release of investigative documents in the sex-trafficking probe of Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell asked a New York judge in a letter to appoint a neutral expert to oversee release of the materials. The letter, dated January 8, was delivered to the judge on Monday night, New York time. Congressmen Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, and Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, told US District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer they had urgent and grave concerns that the Justice Department has failed to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required the files to be released last month. They said they believed criminal violations have taken place in the release process. Engelmayer presides over the Maxwell case. Maxwell, a former Epstein girlfriend, is serving a 20-year prison sentence after her 2021 sex-trafficking conviction for recruiting girls and women to be abused by Epstein and for sometimes joining in the abuse. Advertisement Related Article Epstein fallout Unredacted Epstein files and the Clintons subpoenaed by US House panel Last month, Maxwell sought to set aside her conviction, saying new evidence had emerged proving constitutional violations spoiled her trial. Justice Department officials, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, have said the files release was slowed by redactions required to protect the identities of abuse victims. In their letter, Khanna and Massie wrote that the departments release of 12,000 documents out of more than 2 million documents being reviewed was a flagrant violation of the laws release requirements and had caused serious trauma to survivors. Put simply, the DOJ cannot be trusted with making mandatory disclosures under the act, the congressmen said as they asked for the appointment of an independent monitor to ensure all documents and electronically stored information were immediately made public. Advertisement Related Article Epstein fallout Dramatic day as Democrats and Republicans threaten impeachment over Epstein files They also recommended that a court-appointed monitor be given authority to notify and prepare reports about the true nature and extent of the document production and whether improper redactions or conduct have taken place. Engelmayer directed the Justice Department and Maxwell, if she wishes, to respond to the allegations by the congressmen by Friday. AP 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. The Land Development Agency (LDA) and IDA Ireland have reached an agreement on the transfer of a 41-hectare site at Kilbarry in Cork City, which has the potential to deliver approximately 1,000 homes. The land being transferred by IDA Ireland to the LDA forms part of the North Blackpool-Kilbarry Expansion Area, one of the key locations identified to accommodate the growth requirements of Cork City to 2040. This greenfield site has historically been earmarked for industrial use by IDA Ireland, in line with its core function to enable and deliver property solutions which support balanced regional development for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and indigenous clients of Enterprise Ireland. However, following a review as part of the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028, the site is now zoned for residential use, public open space and has been identified for long-term strategic development. IDA Ireland facilitated the LDA in identifying the Kilbarry North land as a suitable location for housing development which will complement IDA Irelands development lands to the south. The site lies to the north of Kilbarry Enterprise Park and adjoins Delany Rovers GAA Club. Blackpool Village and Blackpool Shopping Centre are located less than 2km away. The LDA has already appointed a design team for the project and intends to undertake a comprehensive public consultation process on emerging proposals, in advance of any planning application. The proposals will also be informed by the emerging Framework Plan for the area that is being prepared by Cork City Council. The new homes will benefit from planned transformational infrastructure projects including the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route, which will traverse the site and Blackpool-Kilbarry Rail Station further to the south, off Dublin Hill. The plans will include a range of housing tenures, alongside a mix of other uses and public open space. Subject to the emerging Framework Plan, a planning application is targeted for 2027. "Delivering 1,000 new homes in Cork City is a significant step forward," said Taoiseach Micheal Martin. "It will provide families and individuals with the opportunity to live in modern, sustainable communities close to jobs, schools, and amenities. This will ease housing pressures, support local economic growth and enhance quality of life for people across our city." Contract awarded for products that bring improvement to healthcare industry LOS GATOS, Calif., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tulavi Therapeutics announced its allay Hydrogel Cap has received an Innovative Technology contract from Vizient the nation's largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company. The contract was awarded based on review of the allay Hydrogel Cap from hospital experts who serve on one of Vizient's client-led councils, and it signifies to Vizient clients its unique qualities that potentially bring improvement to the healthcare industry. Innovative Technology contracts are recommended after review and interaction with products submitted through Vizient's Innovative Technology Program. Vizient client-led councils identify technologies that have the potential to enhance clinical care, patient safety, healthcare worker safety, or improve business operations of healthcare organizations. "Vizient's Innovative Technology award further validates Tulavi's progress in improving peripheral nerve surgery and the lives of those with peripheral nerve injuries," said Josh Vose, CEO of Tulavi. "We are honored to have our hydrogel technology platform recognized by Vizient's client-led councils as a meaningful innovation that improves clinical care and patient outcomes." Each year in the U.S., approximately 600,000 amputations and 1.9M peripheral nerve surgeries are performed. When a peripheral nerve is injured or severed during amputation or surgical soft tissue repair, regenerating axons may grow erratically, leading to the development of symptomatic neuromas. Despite advanced surgical techniques, many patients experience chronic phantom or neuroma pain which can significantly impair mobility, prosthetic use, and overall quality of life.1,2,3 The allay Hydrogel Cap is built on a proprietary hydrogel platform technology that has been safely used in over 5 million patients worldwide and is now engineered specifically to support nerve healing. allay is a novel, fully absorbable, and entirely sutureless surgical device that provides a perfectly conforming barrier to the injured nerve, supporting nerve recovery while reducing the risk of symptomatic neuroma formation. Once deployed, the hydrogel cap remains in place for approximately eight months, protecting the nerve and blocking axonal escape during the critical period of neuroma formation.4 "After a review of the allay Hydrogel Cap, Vizient's client-led council agreed this technology offers a unique benefit over other products available in the market today and recommended it for an Innovative Technology contract. We are pleased to award this new contract to Tulavi Therapeutics," said Kelly Flaharty, associate vice president, contract operations for Vizient. Vizient represents a diverse client base that includes academic medical centers, pediatric facilities, community hospitals, integrated health delivery networks and non-acute healthcare providers and has a portfolio that represents more than $140 billion in annual purchasing volume. Through its Innovative Technology Program, Vizient works with client-led councils and task forces to evaluate products for their potential to bring real innovation to healthcare. If it is determined that a product is innovative, Vizient may award a contract outside of the competitive bid cycle. About Tulavi Therapeutics Tulavi Therapeutics, based in Los Gatos, CA, is a privately held medical device company with a mission to redefine peripheral nerve surgery through innovative biomaterial solutions. The company's proprietary in situforming hydrogel technology represents a breakthrough approach to nerve repair and protection, addressing critical unmet needs in peripheral nerve surgery. Tulavi is committed to advancing patient outcomes and improving the standard of care for surgeons treating peripheral nerve injuries. References Rivera, J. A., Churovich, K., Anderson, A. B., & Potter, B. K. (2024). Estimating Recent US Limb Loss Prevalence and Updating Future Projections. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 6(4), 100376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2024.100376. Doring K, Trost C, Hofer C, Salzer M, Kelaridis T, Windhager R, Hobusch GM. How Common Are Chronic Residual Limb Pain, Phantom Pain, and Back Pain More Than 20 Years After Lower Limb Amputation for Malignant Tumors? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2021 Sep 1;479(9):2036-2044. doi: 10.1097/CORR.0000000000001725. PMID: 33739309; PMCID: PMC8373555. Dellon, A. L. (2001). Treatment of symptomatic neuroma and chronic pain in the upper extremity. Journal of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, 1(2), 193200. Based on product volumes from four hydrogel companies across multiple specialties, developed by Incept LLC. SOURCE Tulavi Therapeutics, Inc. 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Local man Paul Carberry who has long campaigned about the historical importance of the site said: What we would have said for years, going back to the start of the campaign, is that the protection of the entire area is very important for future generations. There is enough of it intact to see an incredible landscape that could be hugely valuable into the future for education, for archaeologists and for tourists. The study, which was completed by researchers at Queens University Belfast, also proposes the Wicklow mountain site as Irelands earliest proto-town a large Neolithic settlement that started to develop features that are assciated with towns and cities of later eras. This would mean the settlement at Baltinglass Hillfort would predate the Viking towns considered to be Irelands earliest urban settlements by two millennia. Paul, along with other Baltinglass locals, has long campaigned for the preservation of the site and, in 2020, he was part of a local community that objected to a planning application for a wind farm on an adjoining hill. Going forward, Paul would like to see Wicklow County Council do more to promote the sites historical importance as a destination for tourists. The site really has potential. The county council have potential there to work with local people, work with farmers and make it attractive for them. But to unlock that potential, it has to be done in a sensitive way. In response to queries from The Nationalist about any future plans for the site, Wicklow Co Council said that it welcomed the latest research from Queens University recognising the significance of the site. The statement read: The Baltinglass Hills Megalithic Hillfort complex has long been identified as an area of archaeological potential and significance in the Wicklow County Development Plan with a stated objective to protect the integrity of Baltinglass Hills archaeological landscape, including identified monuments and their wider setting by resisting development that may adversely impact upon the significance and understanding of this important landscape. In recent years, the council has played a key role in supporting research to uncover the significance of this landscape of co-funding a range of activities, namely; test excavations, LiDAR survey, the drawing up of a statement of archaeological significance and, in 2024, the production of a publication Baltinglass and the Prehistoric Hillforts of Ireland by James ODriscoll, Alan Hawkes and William OBrien. Lead author of the research project at Queens, Dr Dick Brandherm, said that despite the extensive survey work done at the site over the past two decades, critical questions about the settlement remained unanswered, which is why they embarked on the recent series of excavations. IRELAND South MEP Kathleen Funchion has tabled new amendments in the European Parliament aimed at tackling the growing risks posed by unregulated artificial-intelligence (AI) tools and social media platforms, especially for children and young people. Ms Funchion, speaking as chief negotiator for The Left group on the European Parliaments Committee on Womens Rights and Gender Equality, said current AI-powered tools online can be dangerous when used to create harmful content like deepfakes and non-consensual images. She emphasised the need for stricter safeguards, better reporting systems, and tougher accountability for big tech companies that host these tools. The measures are part of an EU report examining how social media affects young peoples safety and wellbeing. She warned that AI technologies are being misused to make sexually explicit and manipulated images without consent - with women and young people often targeted - and called for stronger enforcement of human rights laws to protect users and more cooperation with law enforcement. Social media, when misused, can have a devastating impact on young people, Ms Funchion said. Big tech platforms must be held to account. Her amendments also urge gender-sensitive approaches to online safety and better mechanisms to report abuse. Concerns about harmful AI tools have entered the headlines recently, with international scrutiny focused on an AI chatbot called Grok, developed by Elon Musks company, xAI, and embedded into the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Grok has been used by users to generate non-consensual sexually explicit and manipulated images, including deepfakes of real people and children. That has sparked backlash from regulators and governments around the world. The UK is investigating Grok under its Online Safety Act and considering possible fines or even a ban on X if it fails to deal with the harmful images. Meanwhile, Europe's independent media watchdog has raised concerns with the European Commission about Grok being used to digitally undress women and children and spread illegal content, urging enforcement of EU laws. In response to the global outcry, Grok has limited its image-generation and editing features to paying users, but regulators and safety advocates argue this does not address the underlying harm. In Ireland, politicians including the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence have criticised the platform and are seeking meetings with Xs operators, while rights groups call for stronger laws to ban AI tools that enable nudification and other abusive content. Michael McAleer One of Irelands largest motor distributors and retailers, the Cedar Motor Group, has been bought by the Portuguese-based Salvador Caetano Group. Cedar employs 600 people in Ireland, distributing the Nissan, Renault, Dacia, and Alpine brands, as well as owning the Windsor Motor Group. Its car brands recorded 12,527 new passenger car registrations last year, and a further 5,723 van sales. Meanwhile, Cedars retail arm, Windsor, sold 10,000 new and used vehicles last year through its 11 dealer outlets. Alongside handling the Cedar brands, it also holds dealer franchises for Peugeot, Opel, Mazda, Citroen and Suzuki vehicles. For nearly 50 years, it has been under the ownership of the Kuwaiti-based al-Babtain family, who purchased the Datsun franchise for Ireland in 1977 from the Brittain Group. In 2023, the Cedar Group bought out the Renault franchise for Ireland, adding it along with Dacia and Alpine to its portfolio. Before this, Renault was handled by a directly-owned subsidiary of the French car brand, which itself had bought back the Irish distribution rights from businessman Bill Cullen in 2007. The Group also holds a 50 per cent stake, along with AIB Bank, in Autolease Limited, a vehicle leasing company which trades as Nifti Business. The Cedar Group reported revenues to the end of December 2024 of 659 million and earnings before tax of 1.79 million. The Salvador Caetano Group has automotive operations in 48 countries across Europe, Africa and South America, with over 8,900 employees. It recorded a turnover of 4.3 billion in 2024, with aggregated group earnings before interest and tax of 318.4 million. It is involved in distribution, retail, bus manufacturing, industrial equipment, aftersales service, information technology and renewable energy solutions. The Salvador Caetano Group started in 1968 as the distributor for Toyota in Portugal, and now handles dozens of automotive brands across Europe, Africa and South America. These range from both Audi and BMW in Portugal, to Volkswagen in Angola, Nissan in Rwanda and Chad, and Renault in Venezuela. Across its brands in 2024, it reported vehicle sales of 167,125, of which 55 per cent were sold in Portugal, 21 per cent in Spain, eight per cent in Denmark, seven per cent in Hungary, six per cent in Sweden and two per cent in Africa. In a statement on the takeover, the Cedar Group said the Irish management team remains unchanged and will continue to lead the development of the Group into the future. James McCarthy, chief executive of The Cedar Group, said: Our Group is now part of a dynamic international automotive group with interests on three continents, allowing us to benefit from international best practice and 80 years of industry experience as we continue to grow and expand in Ireland. Sergio Ribeiro, chief executive of Global Automotive Distribution at Salvador Caetano Auto described Ireland as a dynamic and growing market. 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. By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association The Taoiseach has defended proposed changes to asylum law which would add a waiting period before successful international applicants can avail of family reunification. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan is to bring the draft International Protection Bill 2025 to Cabinet on Tuesday. The Bill seeks to introduce immigration reforms as part of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, coming into effect from June this year. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan is to bring the draft International Protection Bill 2025 to Cabinet (Brian Lawless/PA) It has been reported that the changes will include lengthening the time refugees must be in Ireland before applying for family reunification to three years. Asked about the aim of such proposals while on his way into Cabinet, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said it was important to get the balance right in asylum law. He said: I think we have to have a fair system in terms of the asylum process. The most important aspect of that, I think, is to have a faster application process that people get results to their applications earlier, both in terms of the initial phase of the application and then subsequently in relation to any appeals and that work is under way and quite significant progress has been made in terms of speeding up decisions in relation to applications for asylum. Mr Martin added: And then what were doing aligns with the wider European Union experience, and I think its important to get the balance right. The move was met with criticism from some quarters, with the Social Democrats Gary Gannon calling the changes performative toughness. Just over 1 per cent of migration to Ireland occurs through family reunification, he said. Restricting this pathway will not create housing, speed up processing, or relieve pressure on public services. Aontu leader Peadar Toibin has welcomed the changes (Brian Lawless/PA) It will only keep families apart. Aontu leader and Meath West TD Peadar Toibin welcomed the changes and said the Government had not done enough on migration. Family reunification is not specifically for the purpose of providing shelter for those fleeing war and violence, he said. It goes beyond that objective. If there are family members that need asylum, that route is open currently. Chinese-invested car tire plant inaugurated in SE Cambodia Xinhua) 09:54, January 13, 2026 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you relevant advertising. To find our more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy Accept and continue Its been a prolific couple of years for manga artist Tatsuki Fujimoto. The continuing sensation of his manga Chainsaw Man carried over into the runaway success of the recent feature film adaptation, Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc, which grossed over $174.7 million internationally, placing it among Japans top 20 highest-grossing films of all time. The year prior saw the critical acclaim of Look Back, an adaptation by director Kiyotaka Oshiyama of Fujimotos one-shot manga of the same name. And then, in October, came a new adaptation but this time an anthology of niche stories rather than the artists most popular works. That would be Tatsuki Fujimoto 17 to 26, which animates stories from two collections of short manga written and illustrated by Fujimoto from his teens to his mid-20s (as the title states). 17 to 26 shares a producer with Look Back in Ryo Ohyama, who traces the beginnings of the former to production on the latter. He looked at Fujimotos Imouto no Ane, which he explains was also a source of inspiration for Fujimoto when writing Look Back. Feeling that this story and the accompanying seven others would fit as a collection, he went on to produce 17 to 26 with Avex Pictures and in collaboration with multiple studios: Zexcs, Lapin Track, Studio Graph, 100studio, Studio Kafka, and P.A. Works. After a screening of the anthology at the Scotland Loves Anime Festival late last year, we spoke to Ohyama about the making of the series, as well as his work on some of animes most famous adaptations, including Bleach, Paradise Kiss, and both versions of Fullmetal Alchemist. Cartoon Brew: Look Back was quite a small production staff, and this is a much larger project. What was the key to finding balance as you scaled up and worked with these different teams of creators? Ryo Ohyama: With 17 to 26, the unique appeal is that it showcases the breadth of Fujimotos talents and creative works; there are lots of variations. Thats why it made sense to work with seven different studios, to really showcase different approaches and strategies and highlight the breadth of his talent. Yes, there were challenges, but because this collection of short-form manga was written across a long period of time, Fujimotos style itself changed during that span. The way he drew characters was different from story to story, so there wasnt a strong focus on creating a single cohesive look. Across the eight stories and stylistically different studios, I think the thematic connections in Fujimotos work are still evident. Considering the popularity of Goodbye, Eri and Fire Punch, and the demand for adaptations of those works, what made you want to pick these stories rather than those longer-running series? I love Goodbye, Eri and Fire Punch, but this goes back to my work on Look Back. These stories were created when Fujimoto was between 17 and 26 years old, when he was younger and really at the beginning of his creative process. There are links not only to Look Back, but also to the story Nayuta the Prophet, which connects to Chainsaw Man through both theme and character. There are also many Easter eggs that we werent fully aware of at the time. Its been such a big year for Fujimotos work, with the popularity of Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc and Look Back last year. From your perspective, what is the essence of his stories that has made them so popular? There are many elements, but the one that speaks most strongly to me is the importance of communication. For example, there are characters who are unlikely to encounter one another humans and mermaids or mermen, aliens and other aliens, or two sisters who struggle to communicate with each other. They overcome those challenges to connect, and I really love that gentleness. This is also linked to Chainsaw Man, with Denji, who really struggles to open up. That difficulty in trying to communicate with others is something thats strongly drawn out in that work as well. Speaking of this being part of Fujimotos formative years, I read in a prior interview that he was initially embarrassed by the idea of using his early work. How did he react to the finished version? I havent spoken to him since the completion of 17 to 26, so his reaction is still to come. But yes, he did say that he felt a little embarrassed about revealing what he had written and seeing it turned into animation. He sent a message to all the studios and directors saying that, since we were doing this, they should tap into their own uniqueness and create the work in their own styles. I feel that we achieved that, based on his advice he really encouraged the individuality of each piece. Fujimoto didnt give any input during the animation process for 17 to 26 or Look Back. However, with Look Back, he did mention the musician Haruka Nakamura, whose music he listened to frequently while drawing manga. We approached her to become the films composer, since her music had been an inspiration, and we liked it as well. How did you balance planning across seven different studios? It was five times more challenging than normal. Each project had its own issues to overcome, but we really hoped audiences would feel a thematic throughline across all of them. Even as we embraced different studios, colors, and sensibilities, we wanted it to feel cohesive. That was the challenge finding a smooth joining between projects that werent from the same studio or even the same story. When we launched the project in Japan, we invited all seven directors onstage, which is very unusual. Even though it was a single film, it had something of a film festival atmosphere, which made it an interesting task. I hope you dont mind if I ask about your career. One of your earliest projects was the 2003 adaptation of Fullmetal Alchemist. What was that experience like, especially as your debut as a producer? When the project was assigned, we knew it would run for a full year about 50 episodes. Based on where the manga was at the time, it was obvious from the beginning that we would need to create original content. We worked with the production studio Bones in a collaborative process. The lead producer was Masahiko Minami, president and CEO of Bones. He was extremely skilled and assigned director Seiji Mizushima and writer Sho Aikawa, both of whom were capable of creating strong original material. Minami must have known we needed a very strong team. You also worked on the second adaptation, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Rather than asking why it was remade, what was the goal in making it feel different from the 2003 series? The first series stayed very loyal to the manga until around episode 25, when Hughes is killed. After that point, the anime diverged more significantly. With Brotherhood, we wanted to honor the original manga, but there were many internal discussions about whether we should start again from the beginning or pick up after Hughess death. We also debated whether to reopen with the boys failed alchemy. You worked as a music producer on Bleach and Eureka Seven, and as a sound producer on Honey & Clover. Can you talk about those roles? In those three works, my role was primarily as a music producer, because there was a separate overall producer. In many other projects, including Look Back, I take on both roles. With Bleach, Eureka Seven, and Honey & Clover, this was partly because I belonged to Sony Music at the time, so the music producer role was assigned to me. If I were approached specifically as a music producer again, I would definitely consider it. Most of your adaptation work has been under the umbrella of shonen manga, but youve also been involved in adaptations of Ai Yazawas work, including Paradise Kiss. Given the different audiences, what changes behind the scenes? Its completely different. Youre right to point out the different audiences. For example, Fuji Television has a programming slot called Noitamina, which targets whats referred to in Japanese marketing as the F1 demographic women aged 20 to 40. Noitamina was created specifically for that audience, and Honey & Clover was the first anime to fill that slot. At the time, Sony Music was the sponsor, and I was heavily involved as a producer. Given your role in music production, and since were in Scotland, I wanted to ask about one of my favorite ending themes: Do You Want To by Franz Ferdinand in Paradise Kiss. How did that come about? For Paradise Kiss, we were initially looking for an artist from the Sony Music label, so the discussion was open-ended. There was also an artist management producer on the project. We wanted someone who wasnt Japanese an internationally known, well-established artist. The suggestion to go with Franz Ferdinand came from that producer, and it became an interesting challenge. Advertisement Cemex has been included on CDPs 2025 A List for climate action, the highest rating awarded by the global environmental disclosure platform, recognising the companys transparency and performance on climate-related issues. The designation places Cemex among a small group of companies worldwide judged to demonstrate environmental leadership through comprehensive disclosure, effective climate risk management and measurable action aligned with global decarbonisation goals. The assessment is based on Cemexs response to CDPs 2025 Climate Change questionnaire. We are very proud to have achieved this recognition for our efforts in climate change disclosure, said Ricardo Naya, Cemex executive vice president of sustainability, operations and ventures. Disclosure is vital to taking meaningful action, and we remain committed to driving change in profitable decarbonisation for the benefit of all our global stakeholders. In 2025, more than 22,000 companies disclosed environmental data through CDP, representing over half of global market capitalisation, with only four per cent achieving an A rating. Cemex also received an A- score for water security, reflecting its practices in transparency and water management. CDP scores are increasingly used by investors and supply chains to inform decision-making, underlining the growing importance of environmental disclosure and performance across global industries. Other cement companies to recieve the highest rating for climate included Holcim, Heidelberg Materials, Cementir Holding and Asia Cement Corp. Advertisement Sinoma Overseas has signed an EPC contract with Yamama Cement Co for a cement silos project, marking its first contract award of 2026. The agreement follows the successful execution of Yamamas clinker line relocation project, which involved moving a 10,000tpd line and upgrading it to 12,500tpd. The new contract further strengthens the long-standing partnership between the two companies. Sinoma said the project reflects the effective implementation of its development strategy and highlights its continued focus on localisation, sustainable growth and long-term cooperation. While financial details were not disclosed, the silos project forms part of Yamama Cements broader modernisation programme following the commissioning of its new integrated cement plant in Saudi Arabia. Sinoma Overseas said it will continue to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, targeting further EPC opportunities as cement producers in the region invest in efficiency upgrades and capacity optimisation. 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 Japanese city council meeting Japanese tea making ceremony Sharing Morning Pointe gift with president of the Japanese committee Previous Next What began as a cultural exchange luncheon at Morning Pointe Senior Living has grown into an international conversation about aging, family and respect for older adults.In October 2025, Cristy Winkler, executive director of Morning Pointe of Richmond Assisted Living, traveled to Japan as part of the Madison County International Committees sister city exchange with Hokuto City.The opportunity traces back to November 2022, when Morning Pointe of Richmond hosted delegates from the sister city exchange program for lunch.During that visit, delegates shared insights about Japanese culture and the value of international exchange. Ms. Winkler continued to stay in touch with the committees president, Kent Gilbert, who attended various events hosted by the community. When the committee planned a 2025 visit to Hokuto City to present to the Japanese City Council, Ms. Winkler was invited to participate and share perspectives from the U.S. senior living industry.My overall experience visiting Japan was amazing, Ms. Winkler said. Being able to visit a country that would have otherwise never happened was unreal to me.Once in Japan, Ms. Winkler said the experience quickly became about more than travel.What I found when I arrived was that the culture of Japan was one of deep respect and hospitality, she said. The people value their families and their environment.The visit coincided with the 100-year anniversary celebration of Paul Rausch, a Kentucky native who helped transform Hokuto City into a self-sustaining farming community. During a two-day festival attended by more than 40,000 people, the International Committee hosted a tent that allowed delegates to connect directly with local residents.Watching the families enjoy each other without technology, video games or other distractions was so eye-opening, Ms. Winkler said. They respected each other and their land. Everywhere we traveled was clean, with no signs of trash or destruction.While meeting with the Japanese City Council, Ms. Winkler shared her professional experience in senior care and outlined how Morning Pointe delivers quality care to residents. Conversations included financial assistance options, independent insurance and veterans benefits. In Japan, citizens over age 40 are required to pay premiums to support care beginning at age 65, with care options limited to hospitals, nursing homes and in-home services."Japanese leaders expressed strong interest in assisted living as an additional care option, particularly as the country faces a rapidly aging population," officials said. "In Japan, family remains central to elder care, with many older adults remaining at home until care needs exceed what families can manage."Although Ms. Winkler did not tour formal senior care communities, she observed multigenerational caregiving woven into daily life. Many small businesses were family-operated, with elderly members either working alongside relatives or spending time in designated areas within the business.What resonated with me most was that every person I met had a deep respect for the elderly population, Ms. Winkler said. It was very apparent they had respect and appreciation for their roots.When describing Morning Pointe and the U.S. assisted living model, Ms. Winkler emphasized dignity, independence and quality of life for seniors.I explained that Morning Pointe had the highest regard for the seniors we care for, she said. The aspect of assisted living was to allow seniors to interact with other seniors in an environment that is safe, and enables them to continue to have their independence and dignity.She explained that assisted living can ease the strain on families by helping them stay connected as family members, not solely as caregivers."The exchange created space for meaningful dialogue between the two cultures, offering Japanese leaders insight into assisted living as a potential complement to existing care models, while reinforcing Morning Pointes commitment to learning from global perspectives on aging, respect and community," she said. "This experience served as an inspiration, highlighting how shared lessons can guide leaders across cultures." The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has been nationally recognized for its "long-standing commitment to community engagement," earning the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification - awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in collaboration with the American Council on Education.Officials said, "UTC was one of a select group of U.S. colleges and universities chosen in the 2026 cycle for the elective designation. Widely regarded as the nations most visible and selective validation of community engagement in higher education, the classification recognizes institutions that demonstrate deep, sustained partnerships with their communities and embed that work across the academic enterprise and institutional mission."Higher education is a vital economic engine for us all.Our colleges and universities not only fuel science and innovation, but they build prosperity in rural, urban and suburban communities nationwide, said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation, in the announcement. We celebrate each of these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors - fostering civic engagement, building usable knowledge and catalyzing real-world learning experiences for students.This recognition affirms what our campus and our community have long understoodthat community engagement is fundamental to who we are at UTC, Chancellor Lori Bruce said. As a public university, we have a responsibility to educate students and contribute to the well-being and future of the region we serve. This designation recognizes the intentional work our faculty, staff and students do every day to align learning, research and service with community priorities.Institutions are invited to apply for the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification based on demonstrated evidence of institutional commitment, infrastructure and impact. The designation, first offered in 2006, is not automatic; it is awarded only to campuses that can document meaningful, reciprocal engagement over time.UTC first earned the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification in 2008 and was reclassified in 2015. The Universitys current designation is valid through 2032.Universities are critical in shaping the future of a region, and UTC has embraced that responsibility through community engagement and collaboration in sectors that are critical to Chattanoogas economy, including finance, mechatronics and mobility, said Charles Wood, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. This designation reflects UTCs leadership in connecting education, research and civic impact and we look forward to supporting UTC in future collaborations across the community.Officials said, "UTC has taken a coordinated, institution-wide approach to community engagement. From students earliest experiences on campus, engagement is tied directly to academic identity, encouraging students to connect classroom learning with community-identified challenges and shared responsibility."Across disciplines, students and faculty collaborate with nonprofit organizations, public agencies and industry partners on projects that address regional priorities, including health and economic mobility, transportation, energy and public safety. These efforts range from faculty-led research and service-learning courses to large-scale initiatives that connect academic expertise with on-the-ground solutionsensuring that engagement is both meaningful and measurable."Community engagement strengthens academic excellence, Chancellor Bruce said. When students work alongside community partners, education becomes personal and relevant. They gain hands-on experience, develop a sense of purpose and graduate better prepared to lead in complex, everyday environments."Those partnerships are supported by institutional structures designed to ensure engagement is sustained and coordinated rather than dependent on a single office or individual," officials said. "The Universitys work also reflects a deep understanding of place. UTCs engagement efforts are shaped by Chattanoogas history and its ongoing civic evolution, recognizing that lasting progress requires listening, trust and collaboration. That awareness has guided the Universitys efforts to strengthen access, build partnerships and acknowledge that meaningful engagement grows from long-term relationships rather than short-term outcomes."The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification recognizes the power of sustained, reciprocal partnerships, Chancellor Bruce said. Progress happens when universities and communities work together, bringing shared knowledge and perspectives to the table. Our partners help inform our work, and together we pursue solutions that strengthen both UTC and the region.Journey Health Foundation, led by president and CEO Tracy Wood, is one of those partners.The Journey Health Foundations partnership with UTC is rooted in the belief that data-driven insight and community collaboration are essential to improving health and economic outcomes, Ms. Wood said. This recognition underscores how universities and community partners can work together to create lasting, equitable change.Officials said, "Community engagement is a central pillar of UTCs 20252030 Strategic Plan, reinforcing the Universitys commitment to institutionalizing this work for the long term. The plan outlines clear objectives to strengthen partnerships, track engagement activity and expand the Universitys economic, social and cultural impact across Southeast Tennessee and beyond."Those goals reflect a deliberate effort to move from documenting engagement to sustaining it by embedding community-connected work into planning, assessment and decision-making across the institution."As we look to the future, this designation reinforces our responsibility to continue listening, collaborating and investing in relationships that create opportunity, Chancellor Bruce said. We are committed to building on this momentum and ensuring that UTC remains a trusted partner and an engine for impact in our community.The application process itself reflected that shared commitment. More than two years of cross-campus collaboration went into documenting UTCs engagement efforts, guided by a committee led by Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement Stacy Lightfoot.The process, she said, required revisiting past work, reconnecting institutional memory and capturing years of engagement that had often been led by faculty and staff closest to the community.This recognition reflects years of sustained, collective work across UTCfaculty, staff and leaders partnering intentionally with our community, Vice Chancellor Lightfoot said. The Carnegie classification affirms that community engagement is not an initiative at UTC, but a core institutional practice. Previous Next A Trader Joe's could be headed to North Chattanooga as part of a major retail/residential development on Cherokee Boulevard at Manning Street. The developer, Southeast Capital Partners of Atlanta, specializes in the acquisition, financing, development, and leasing of Class A grocery anchored shopping centers. Renderings of the project include a major tenant on Cherokee Boulevard with 15,140 square feet. That is in the range of a Trader Joe's, which builds much smaller stores than major grocery outlets. There is also 15,530 square feet for retail shops, which would have frontage on either side of the major tenant. The development is to include 214 apartment units. Plans are for a four-story section on the northwest corner and a five-story section to the east of it. Those units would be clustered near a swimming pool. There would be 240 parking spots, mainly in an interior five-story precast parking deck. Developers said, "The proposed development will revitalize the subject property and bring a mix of residential and commercial uses in the area. The adjacent pent at 328 Cherokee Blvd. is of similar character." They said the project will be sufficiently screened from adjacent single-family homes. The developers are before the Form Based Code zoning panel seeking a variation to allow the five-story height. The current regulation calls for four stories. There is also a request to decrease the side setbacks. The location is by Stringer Street across from the site of the old Loft Restaurant. The Chattanooga Jewish Federation will host former US Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro, on Monday at 7:15 p.m. at Jewish Cultural Center. This "no cost" event does require an RSVP in advance. Please click here to register. The event includes a dessert reception, interview with Amb. Shapiro and Q&A to end the evening. Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati President and CEO Andrew S. Howell announced the recipients of 56 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants totaling nearly $51.9 millionmarking FHLB Cincinnatis largest grant announcement in AHP history. Awarded to 30 member financial institutions, grant funds will be used to help create 2,990 units of affordable housing benefiting residents throughout Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. Hamilton County and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area has been awarded a $140,000 grant. The affordable housing landscape is changing with many of our members and the organizations they support facing unprecedented challenges in the development and rehabilitation of housing throughout our region, Mr. Howell said. We are proud to illustrate our commitment to affordable housing through our largest ever announcement of Affordable Housing Program grants. The nearly $52 million that was awarded this year will look to support organizations throughout Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee develop new housing opportunities and improve housing stock for those in need. FHLB Cincinnati allocates 10 percent of its net income annually to the AHP, which makes housing more affordable for households at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Subsidy is awarded to members through an annual AHP competitive offering and through the Welcome Home Programs down payment assistance grants. This years AHP allocation was enhanced by an additional $4.3 million in voluntary funds. An additional $39.98 million in funding was also allocated to support FHLBs voluntary programs focused on mortgage rate relief, CDFI lending, disaster reconstruction, first-generation home ownership and emergency rehab and repair for those with special needs. Since the first awards in 1990, the FHLB has disbursed significant funds to support affordable housing through the AHP and Welcome Home Program. These programs have enabled thousands of families to access decent, affordable housing. Robert "Bob" Roza, 81, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Bob lived a full life of love, friendship, architecture and the arts. Bob was born on March 23, 1944, in Omaha, Ne., to Richard and Arlene Roza. After discharge from the Air Force in l969, Bob attended the College of Architecture and Design at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He began his long, distinguished architectural career in Chattanooga in l973, most recently with MBI Companies, Inc. Outside of his professional career, Bob enjoyed and excelled at performing with local theater and choral groups, most notably Signal Mountain Playhouse, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, Chattanooga Theatre Centre, and others, much of it shared with his wife of 57 years, Anne. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Arlene Roza and a nephew, Bryon Grizzard. Survivors include his wife, Anne Tipton Roza; sisters, Merry Roza Hartrick and Susan Roza Haveman, as well as Annes sisters Susan Tipton Brandon and Ellen Tipton Robison who always considered him their big brother; and several nieces and nephews. Bobs family would like to express their gratitude to the medical teams and caregivers who have provided compassionate care to Bob during his illness. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Signal Mountain Playhouse, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera or Chattanooga Theatre Centre in Bobs memory. Arrangements for a celebration at a later date are in progress. Please refer to the Lane Funeral Home - Coulter Chapel website, www.lanefh.com, for additional information. Chattanooga Police used the License Plate Reader system as well as photo lineups to help nab a man with a history of vehicle break-ins and other thefts. Damon Payne, 40, of East Lake, is facing a number of charges relating to several incidents. On Nov. 20, an investigator for the Chattanooga Police Auto Theft unit was advised that a theft incident that started at 5:13 p.m. was caught on camera. The video showed a tan Chevrolet Suburban enter a parking lot from Holtzclaw Avenue and pull up to a truck that was parked off to itself. The suspect spends an extended time walking back and forth between his vehicle and the truck. The investigator set a filter on the LPR system for a tan Chevy Suburban and got a hit. A Suburban was at the corner of Holtzclaw and Bailey at 5:12 p.m. That is a half mile from the theft site. The vehicle was headed north in the direction of the incident, and the suspect entered the parking lot from the entrance that is only accessible from Holtzclaw Avenue. The vehicle was found to be registered to a woman who said she had agreed to register the vehicle for Payne as he was not able to in his name. The day before, Home Depot loss prevention personnel at Commons Boulevard said they observed a tan SUV park next to a truck. The suspect took several tools from the truck and drove off. Home Depot loss prevention personnel identified the thief as Payne. Police said on Dec. 9 Payne broke into work trucks at 7815 Shallowford Road and stole equipment. Again, Payne was picked from a photo lineup in this theft. On Jan. 5, a woman called police to say that there had been a burglary at Street Cuts on Rossville Boulevard. She said she had video of suspects coming onto the property. Taken were a Hilti chop saw valued at $2,000 and a Hobart welder valued at $1,600. Burglary detectives said they were able to identify Payne in the video. They said he has a distinct gray patch on his beard. An investigator said, "I have charged Mr. Payne in the past, and I know him to flee from law enforcement. He has a lengthy criminal history to include recent burglaries and thefts throughout Chattanooga and North Georgia." Foeth announces the acquisition of the Italian equipment dealer Intimac, strengthening its position as the European market leader in refurbished process, formulation and packaging machines for the pharmaceutical, chemical, recycling and food and feed industries. Following this acquisition, Foeth offers machines for the entire pharmaceutical value chain: from production to formulation and packaging of medicines. Foeth is determined to challenge the industry to increasingly operate circularly. No matter how the world changes, industry will always need to mix, grind, dry and package raw materials into end products. These machines can therefore often be reused, even across different industries. Since 1908, Foeth gives such process and packaging machines a second life with new end-users. With its entrepreneurial and pragmatic approach, rooted in family values, Foeth has grown into the European leading player, holding more than 2,800 machines in stock and selling around 1,000 annually. Giving used equipment a second life Foeth observes a growing supply of used, redundant machines in the Netherlands and across Europe, as business units close or production relocates. Foeths CEO, Michiel Schreurs, explains: Companies are often unaware that their machines can be reused, even in other industries, and that selling them contributes to the still nascent circular economy. Intimac CEO Sergio Ferretto Clementi: By joining forces with Foeth, we can convince an increasing amount of industrial companies to adopt circular practices and reduce their emissions by using refurbished machines. Using a refurbished machine avoids the CO emissions of the production of a new machine: on average 4.4 tonnes of CO (equivalent to the average annual CO emissions of three households from using their car). Foeth gives refurbished machines a second life and sells those, among others, to SMEs and innovative start- and scale-ups. An increasing number of companies require process and packaging machines quickly and at lower cost, for example to test new products or scale up production. Several companies have purchased their first machines at Foeth, including Those Vegan Cowboys, de Vegetarische Slager, SeaO2 and Protix. Events are planned every day between 1-3 p.m. from March 16 to 20 to keep kids learning and entertained during their school break. The VITA program has helped submit over 20,000 tax returns in the last decade, helping taxpayers receive $30 million in tax refunds including earned income tax credits. Home News Chick-fil-A celebrates 80 years and thousands could win free food for a year Quick Summary AI Summary Chick-fil-A celebrates 80 years in business with the Golden Fan Cup sweepstakes, which runs until July 1. Customers can win free food for a year if they receive one of 3,000 gold cups randomly distributed nationwide. The company is also offering new menu items and merchandise. 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 Chick-fil-A, the American fast-food restaurant chain founded by a devout Southern Baptist who built the company on Christian principles, is celebrating 80 years in business by offering customers a chance to win free food for a year. The popular fast-food chain announced last Monday that it had launched its first-ever year-long nationwide "Newstalgia"-inspired celebration, offering new menu items and merchandise to coincide with the event. As part of the celebration, Chick-fil-A customers can purchase and collect four retro-inspired cup designs, available for $3.99 each. The cups feature designs that celebrate Chick-fil-As past and present in honor of its 80-year heritage, according to the companys website. The cups are wrapped so that the designs remain hidden until they are opened. As part of the Golden Fan Cup Sweepstakes, 3,000 customers who find themselves drinking from one of the specialty Gold Fan Cups can redeem a prize of free Chick-fil-A for a year. Each of the specialty Gold Fan Cups is randomly distributed across restaurants nationwide, according to Chick-fil-As website. The sweepstakes will run until July 1. Inside the 3,000 Golden Fan Cups are instructions and a QR code that customers can scan to claim their prize. The prize includes 52 entrees, according to the fast-food chains website, with customers able to choose from the original Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, the spicy chicken sandwich, the grilled chicken sandwich or the Chick-fil-A nuggets. This year marks more than an anniversary its a celebration of the memories, meals and meaningful moments that have brought people together at Chick-fil-A for generations, Khalilah Cooper, vice president of brand strategy, advertising and media said in a statement last Monday. We have so much in store this year, delivering menu items and experiences that are fresh and exciting yet firmly rooted in Chick-fil-As renowned quality, care, generosity, and hospitality, Cooper continued. Were inviting Guests old and new to join us in celebrating our heritage, while looking ahead to the future with us. Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy began his food empire in 1946, launching The Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia. The location became the birthplace of the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich that is commonly associated with the brand. In 1967, the first Chick-fil-A restaurant began in Atlanta's Greenbriar Shopping Center, and the fast-food franchise currently operates over 3,000 locations across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom and Singapore. In addition to the Golden Fan Cup Sweepstakes, the company is adding frosted sodas and floats to its permanent menu. According to the website, the two new beverage items are inspired by nostalgic soda fountain favorites. The drinks are made with Chick-fil-As classic Icedream frozen dairy dessert, and customers can choose from a variety of soda options to mix with one of the beverages. Chick-fil-A will also serve its original chicken sandwich for a limited time in retro packaging, according to the company, which it says is inspired by the fast-food restaurants earliest designs. The retro packaging features vintage-style graphics pulled from the Chick-fil-A archives, with the new packaging available at restaurants nationwide. In addition to its famous chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A has developed a reputation as a family-owned business that promotes family-centric policies. The business has faced backlash over the years, notably after CEO Dan Cathy expressed support for the "biblical definition of the family unit in 2012. Following pressure from some LGBT activist groups, Chick-fil-A stopped donating to the Salvation Army and Fellowship of Christian Athletes in 2019, organizations that also support the biblical definition of marriage. Home News Feds ask court to end oversight of desegregation in Texas school district as 'demographic composition' shifts White student population drops from 76% to less than 13% Quick Summary AI Summary Federal prosecutors seek to end over 50 years of court oversight of desegregation in the Garland Independent School District in Texas. The district's white enrollment has dropped to below 13%, prompting claims that desegregation policies are outdated. If approved, the motion would lift federal oversight of the district that has long offered public school choice. 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 Federal prosecutors are calling for an end to more than five decades of court oversight over a Texas school districts half-century-old desegregation policies that the U.S. government says are outdated. A motion filed in December by U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould, representing the Justice Department in the Northern District of Texas, argues that the Garland Independent School District (Garland ISD) has long eliminated vestiges of its former segregation practices and that ongoing federal supervision is no longer justified. The original 1970 order stemmed from the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1954 that ended school segregation. According to Garland ISD, "Elementary-aged students continued at Carver until 1970 when the school was finally closed." The school district also implemented a freedom-of-choice plan that allows students to select their top three choices of public schools to attend, along with non-discrimination policies for faculty, transportation, and facilities. If approved, the declaration of unitary status would dismiss the case and lift federal jurisdiction. According to a copy of the motion obtained by The Christian Post, prosecutors say district-wide white enrollment in Garland ISD now stands at approximately 13%, rendering certain "ethnicity band" requirements outdated. These bands, part of the plan modified in 1987 with involvement from the NAACP, limit white enrollment at individual schools to no more than 20 percentage points below or above the district average. "Garland ISD eliminated its system of formal segregation many years ago, including by doing away with the former segregated Carver school, and the demographic composition of its schools today with no school having a percentage of white students greater than 36%, according to the districts latest report indicates that there are also no remaining vestiges of any former discriminatory policies," the motion states. The filing argues that federal supervision was designed as "a temporary measure to remedy past discrimination" and "not intended to operate in perpetuity." It also highlights dramatic demographic shifts since the 1970s, when the district was predominantly white over 76% in 1987 and the original oversight focused on discrimination against black students, including a "Bi-Racial Committee" of only black and white representatives. As of Dec. 11, 2025, Garland ISD enrolled 50,930 students, using the following racial and ethnic breakdown: 12.83% White (6,533), 17.64% African American (8,983), 55.31% Hispanic (28,171), 10.31% Asian (5,249), and smaller percentages for other groups. White enrollment varies by school from a low of 1.12% at Bullock Elementary to a high of 35.81% at Keeley Elementary. "The fact that district-wide white enrollment is now approximately 13% highlights the outdated nature of any 'ethnicity band' requiring each individual school to have a white population no more than 20 percentage points below or above this figure," the motion continues, pointing out the mathematical impossibility of achieving negative white enrollment percentages under the current rules. Garland ISD, the only remaining Texas district still under such a court-ordered plan, is said to operate the nation's oldest school choice desegregation program, allowing students to select from any of its campuses or magnet programs while adhering to ethnicity guidelines. While Texas has been subject to a federal court statewide desegregation order since 1971, all but nine school districts statewide were released from federal oversight following a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in 2010. As of January, there are at least six school districts under desegregation orders. Last May, the DOJ ended a school desegregation order in Louisiana and referred to it as a historical wrong, The Associated Press reported. Also known as consent decrees, federal prosecutors opened several cases in the 1960s to ensure schools permanently eliminated segregation. Home News Massacre of Christians ongoing in Nigeria: 'Fulani herdsmen killing innocents almost daily' Quick Summary AI Summary Fulani herdsmen killed 13 Christians in Benue State, Nigeria. Four Christians were shot in their homes on January 1, and nine others were killed on January 5-6. Residents report ongoing violence and missing persons following the attacks. 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 ABUJA, Nigeria Fulani herdsmen in Benue state, Nigeria, killed four Christians on Monday and nine others on Jan. 5-6, sources said. In Otobi Akpa village, Otukpo County, Fulani herdsmen arrived at midnight on Monday and shot four Christians who had been asleep in their homes, said resident Franca Akipu, who said dozens of others remain missing. The attack was carried out by Fulani herdsmen, she told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. They shot at people who were sleeping. The gunshots were so loud that my mom was in panic throughout the night. Please keep my community in your prayers. Akipu identified the slain Christians as Ochi Igbade, Eje Uzu, Alinko and Achibi. Previously, Fulanis had attacked the village on April 15, killing 13 Christians and burning down 50 houses, she said. Community leader Adikwu Ogbe said they were attacked at about 6 p.m. on that day. The armed herdsmen invaded our community, shooting sporadically at anyone they sighted, Ogbe told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. And when they retreated, 13 of our Christian members had been killed, while 50 houses were destroyed. In two other counties in Benue state, herdsmen killed five Christians on Jan. 6 and four others on Jan. 5, residents said. In Kwande County, Fulani herdsmen on Jan. 6 killed five Christians as they were working on their farms in Udeku Maav-Ya village at about 4 p.m. This incident is not the first in this area, as these Fulani herdsmen have been persistent in attacking our communities, said Tersua Yarkwan, chairman of the Kwande Local Government Council. Council member Akerigba Lawrence also noted that residents of the areas predominantly Christian villages have constantly faced sustained attacks and destruction of their homes and farms. In Ikyaghev village, Guma County, herdsmen on Jan. 5 killed four Christians, said Maurice Orwough, Guma Council chairman. The farmers were working on their farms when the herdsmen attacked them around 10 a.m., Orwough told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The four Christians are members of the same family. James Melvin Ejeh, Agatu Council chairman, said there have been deliberate and systematic attacks against Christians in some of our communities by herdsmen which have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property. In Ukum County, armed herdsmen on Jan. 8 attacked farmers in predominantly Christian Adogo village, destroying crops, said resident Thomas Ikyase. Community leader Aule Gba added, Farmers in my community were attacked by Fulani terrorists. They forced our people to flee from their homes. Herdsmen attacks also took place in December. In Okpokwu County, Fulani herdsmen on Dec. 30 attacked a funeral in Owewe village, said resident Isaac Audu. Sunday Oche, chairman of the Ado Local Government Council, noted that herdsmen also attacked the predominantly Christian villages of Ijigban, Ulayi and Utonkon on Dec. 9. The herdsmens pattern of violence includes attacking mourners, ambushing farmers, and inflicting machete cut wounds on Christian victims, Oche said. In an attack on predominantly Christian Mbamondo Ukembergya village in Logo County on Dec. 7, herdsmen killed four Christians, said resident Simon Chia. Fulani herdsmen are killing innocent Christians almost daily, Chia said. This is the situation we are facing in Logo Local Government Area of Benue state. Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report. They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states. Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam, as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds. This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News Home News Hillsong Church says property plans arent final after reports of multi-million-dollar development Hillsong Church has confirmed it is in talks with experienced development partners about plans to develop its sprawling Hills Campus for the "long-term mission of the church and the benefit of the wider community," but nothing is final. You may have seen recent media coverage regarding planning approvals connected to land on our Hills campus site. At this stage, no final development plans have been confirmed and there is no commencement timeline, Hillsong Church said in a statement posted on their website on Saturday. Like many organizations, we are exploring future options and approvals to steward our property responsibly for the long term mission of the church and the benefit of the wider community. In due course, as we always do, we will inform our church community clearly and directly should any plans be finalized, church officials added. Hillsong Church and developer Capital Corporation recently filed a proposal for a mixed-use development, Century Hills, with the state government for land owned by the church, The Daily Telegraph reports. The development, which proposes subdividing the churchs land into three lots and increasing building heights to up to 209 meters, is expected to cost more than $718 million, or just over $1 billion Australian. The plan would also reportedly see the development of up to 915 apartments on the land where Hillsongs convention center currently sits. As a church, we have made thoughtful and strategic property decisions in recent years to support the vision God has entrusted to us, including the planting of new churches. Last year, we announced the launch of Hillsong Melbourne South East as part of our commitment to seeing life giving churches established in communities across Australia, the church said. Any proposed plans prioritize the continued servicing of church life, including weekend services and weekday ministries, and are designed not to impact but to enhance our ability to meet the needs of the local community. The church, which is located less than 100 meters from the Norwest Metro station, intends to focus on high quality design, public amenity, and long term community benefit in any final proposal. We will continue to work constructively with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and Council as part of this process, officials said. In 2021, Hillsong Church faced a $20 million lawsuit in Australia stemming from its connection with Sydney Christian Life Centre, a developer and part of the churchs property arm. Owners of nearly 300 Sydney apartments alleged that Hillsong and the construction firm hired to build its housing complex made their homes structurally unsound. Were worried we will find it difficult to sell our apartments, one owner, who requested anonymity, told the Daily Telegraph of the units sold for between $440,000 and $945,000. The lawsuit accused the SCLC of breach[ing] their duties of care in causing or permitting the defective work." It is also alleged that residents were prevented from inspecting the common property before buying their units. In 2019, structural engineers allegedly found that the windows and balconies in the units were not up to code. Hillsong argued in a counterclaim that the construction firm, Icon Construction Australia, is at fault. In the U.S., the global megachurch network also amassed a real estate portfolio that was expected to appreciate to over $40 million since launching its first U.S. location in New York City in 2010, according to private investigator Barry Bowen of the Trinity Foundation, an organization that monitors church fraud. Home News ICE arrests immigrants convicted of child rape, murder in Minnesota: 'Worst of the worst' The federal government has announced the arrests of nearly two dozen criminal illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes, including murder and rape, in Minnesota amid social tensions following the shooting of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis last week. In a statement published Saturday, ICE shared information on what it called "the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens that our brave ICE officers arrested, despite the efforts of rioters and sanctuary politicians to protect them." Regardless of staged political theatrics, ICE is going to continue to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota and elsewhere," ICE Director Todd Lyons said in a statement. Some of these criminal aliens have had final orders of removal for 30 years, but theyve been free to terrorize Minnesotans. ICEs arrests prevent recidivism and make communities safer, but it feels like local politicians want to ignore that part and drum up discontent rather than protect their own constituents. Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported that its surge of enforcement in Minnesota has resulted in more than 1,000 arrests, with at least 150 arrests made on Jan. 5 in Minneapolis. One man captured by ICE in Minnesota, Laos-born Kou Lour, was ordered removed from the U.S. in 1996. His criminal convictions include sexual assault, rape, rape with a weapon, statutory rape without force, burglary and shoplifting. Another Laos-born man arrested by ICE, Pao Choua Xiong, was ordered removed in 2003. His rap sheet includes convictions of rape, fondling a child, domestic violence, burglary, larceny and disorderly conduct. Also from Laos are Chong Vue and Tou Vang, who were ordered removed in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Vue was convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl, kidnapping a child with the intent to sexually assault her, and vehicle theft, while Vang was convicted of sexual assault and sodomy of a girl under the age of 13 and procuring a child for prostitution. Vannaluet Keomany, also from Laos, was ordered removed in 2009. He was convicted of two counts of attempting to commit strongarm rape. Ge Yang, also from Laos, was ordered removed in 2012. He was convicted of strongarm rape, strongarm aggravated assault against a family member, aggravated assault with a weapon, an additional sex offense and domestic violence involving strangulation. Thai Lor, also from Laos, was ordered removed in 2009. He was convicted on two counts of homicide. Nearly 10 years after he was ordered removed in 2018, Laos-born Sriudorn Phaivan remained in the U.S. until he was captured by ICE. He has a lengthy rap sheet of convictions of strongarm sodomy of a boy, strongarm sodomy of a girl, another aggravated sex offense, larceny, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fraud, vehicle theft, drug possession, obstructing justice, possession of stolen property, receiving stolen property, burglary and check forgery with charges of receiving stolen property, flight to avoid prosecution or confinement and burglary pending. ICE also captured Gabriel Figueroa Gama, a Mexican-born man who was ordered removed in 2002. He was later convicted of homicide, battery, assault and amphetamine possession. Aldrin Guerrero Munoz, another Mexican-born man ordered removed in 2015, was convicted of homicide and assault. Hernan Cortes-Valencia, also from Mexico and ordered deported in 2016, was convicted of sexual assault against a child, sexual assault-carnal abuse and driving under the influence. Somalian-born Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed was ordered removed from the U.S. in 2022. He was convicted of negligent manslaughter with a vehicle, driving under the influence, larceny and damage to property. Also ordered removed in 2022, Aler Gomez Lucas of Guatemala was convicted of negligent homicide with a vehicle and driving under the influence. A third illegal immigrant ordered removed in 2022, Mariama Sia Kanu, has multiple homicide, DUI, larceny and burglary convictions. Gilberto Salguero Landaverde of El Salvador, ordered removed in 2025, has three homicide convictions. Others arrested by ICE in Minnesota include Shwe Htoo of Burma, convicted of negligent homicide with a weapon; Galuak Michael Rotgai of Sudan, convicted of homicide and assault; Mongong Kual Maniang Deng, convicted of attempted murder, weapon possession, and DUI; and Abdirashid Adosh Elmi of Somalia, convicted of homicide. The ICE statement comes as the agency faces intense criticism after an ICE agent shot and killed protester Renee Good last Wednesday. While the Trump administration maintains that the shooting was justified self-defense, pointing to video footage that appears to show Good driving forward toward an ICE agent, critics contend that the shooting was an unnecessary use of force and allege that Good posed no threat to the agent. The Good shooting has inflamed the already-simmering tensions over ICE raids in American cities. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, told ICE to get the f out of Minneapolis following Good's death. Home News 'Our nation is in trouble': Franklin Graham calls Americans to 'prayer and repentance' The Rev. Franklin Graham is calling on Americans to join him in a time of prayer and repentance this week, warning that our nation is in trouble amid a volatile political climate. In a social media post on Monday, Graham, the CEO of Samaritans Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, announced what he called "a time of prayer and repentance" scheduled for Wednesday at noon. If you think our nation is in trouble now, just wait," Graham, the 73-year-old son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham, asked. As our streets boil over with hate, anger, crime, drugs, and just sheer hopelessness, is there something we can do? You bet there is, he responded. As a nation, our sins are so great. We have increasingly turned our backs on God and His commands, embracing godless secularism. We need to ask His forgiveness and seek His face. Amid protests in the aftermath of the shooting of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week, Graham urged Americans to pray for our leaders, and pray that God would bring calm to our streets." There are many who would like to stir things up there are even those who would like to destroy this great country," Graham added. Pray that these efforts would be thwarted and their plans would be brought into confusion. Ask God to use His church to be instruments of peace in this time of great uncertainty. Graham concluded his post by reiterating his call to stop and pray on Wednesday at noon. Millions of people remembering our sins and asking for forgiveness, repenting and seeking His face will make a difference," he wrote. Grahams call for a nationwide time of prayer and repentance comes just days after the Evangelical leader asserted in a Facebook post that protests happening across the country against immigration law enforcement operations are "underpinned by the radical socialist left, whose goal is to make the United States like Venezuela, ultimately destroying the America we know. He decried protesters chanting "unbelievable" things like "Save a life, kill ICE!" or calling for the hanging of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Lying, stealing, cheating nothing is out of bounds in order to grab power, he warned. Unfortunately, many people joining these protests have no clue that they are just being used as pawns. Good was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last Wednesday. While the Trump administration maintains that the shooting was justified self-defense, pointing to video footage that appears to show Good driving forward toward an ICE agent, critics contend that the shooting was an unnecessary use of force and allege that Good posed no threat to the agent. Graham weighed in on the Good shooting in a statement published Thursday. It is tragic that Renee Good was killed in Minneapolis yesterday. Pray for her family and loved ones, he wrote. This incident serves as a strong reminder that everyone needs to obey law enforcement. If they tell you to raise your hands, raise your hands; if they tell you to get out of the car, get out of the car. Argue with them in court and let a judge decide who is right or wrong, but you should not take a chance of getting hurt. Home News Nearly 2K Christians killed, 3K abducted or assaulted in past 2 years: watchdog Africa remains epicenter of martyrdom Quick Summary AI Summary Nearly 2,000 Christians were killed globally due to faith-based violence in the past two years. Approximately 3,000 verified abductions or assaults against Christians were documented during the same period. Nigeria reported the highest number of killings, with 590 documented cases. 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 U.S.-based nonprofit watchdog organization dedicated to tracking global Christian persecution released its latest findings last week, documenting nearly 3,000 verified abductions or assaults and close to 2,000 killings of Christians due to worldwide faith-based violence over the past two years. The 2026 Global Christian Relief Red List, which was released Jan. 8 after being compiled by a team of persecution experts, found that from Nov. 1, 2023, to Oct. 31, 2025, there were at least 1,972 verified Christian murders in the world related to religious violence. The list relies on information provided by the Violent Incidents Database, which was launched last year and is maintained by the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF), serving as an events-based resource that logs reported cases of religious freedom violations worldwide. Three of the top five deadliest countries for Christians were in Africa, which remains the epicenter of systemic violence against them because of groups affiliated with the transnational jihadist Islamic State. Noting that religious violence is driven for different reasons depending on the country, the report found that all of them share the presence of the Islamic State, weak state protection and a lack of accountability for perpetrators. Nigeria emerged as the deadliest country, with 590 documented killings, though the report noted that the documented figures do not necessarily reflect the full scale of the violence in the African nation, where religious identity is often underreported, many regions are inaccessible, and many incidents cannot be independently verified. While the violence spilling into Nigeria's Middle Belt region from extremist groups in the north is multifaceted and also afflicts Muslims, field investigators with Global Christian Relief who visited the country found "repeated, coordinated attacks on Christian populations in which pastors and churches were deliberately targeted, and survivors reported being attacked explicitly because of their faith," according to the report. The investigators discerned that "the cumulative impact on Christian communities [in Nigeria] through targeted attacks on leaders, places of worship and homes reflects sustained persecution rather than isolated criminal activity." The report cited the Rev. Yakubu Muton, a Nigerian pastor who described the night that Fulani militants murdered nine people in his rectory while his wife hid in the bathroom and he hid with his goats. "We were hearing their noise, hearing their cries before they killed them. And they killed them. They cut them to pieces. They burned them," he said. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia followed close behind Nigeria, with 447 and 177 killings, respectively. Russia, which also has Islamic State-affiliated cells, was the fourth-deadliest, with 167 killings. Mozambique, which continues to suffer an ongoing insurgency from Islamic State-Mozambique (ISM) militants, was fifth, with 94 killings; it was also the country where the most Christians were forced to flee because of their faith, with 13,298 verified incidents of displacement. Rwanda was the country where Christians experienced the most violence and intimidation against churches, with 7,700 incidents that included preventing Christians from worshiping together, often through restrictive government-ordered church closures under the guise of "infrastructure compliance." Mozambique, Myanmar and Nicaragua followed Rwanda in such incidents. Ukraine featured fifth, where many churches have been destroyed amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The report also documented intensifying non-lethal persecution in countries such as China, where the Chinese Communist Party increasingly spies on Christians and asserts state control over religion. China bore the distinction of arresting the most Christians, with 709 verified arrests, which the report called "a leading example of extensive religious control enforced through registration requirements, surveillance, and mandatory alignment with state ideology." Russia, Iran, Vietnam and Nicaragua followed China in the number of Christians arrested because of their faith. Mexico led in the number of abductions and assaults against Christians in the world, with 376 verified incidents, though such violence was typically related to criminal governance rather than religious ideology. The drug cartels that wield power in Mexico reportedly target Christian pastors, lay leaders and youth workers because their efforts at drug prevention and community organizing are seen as a threat against cartel control. The report also highlighted an "abrupt and unmistakable" shift in tone from the United States under the Trump administration toward global Christian persecution, pinpointing Vice President JD Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference last February as a "watershed moment" that raised the alarm regarding the ebbing tide of religious liberty in the West. During his speech, Vance rebuked European leaders for suppressing free speech and discriminating against Christians, condemning restrictions on public prayer and silent protest near abortion clinics in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The report also acknowledged the impact of the U.S. State Department officially updating its designation for Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" last November, a month before the U.S. military exerted military force against Islamic State militants in the country on Christmas Day. Brian Orme, president and CEO of Global Christian Relief, said in a statement that modern persecution sometimes manifests in subtle ways. "Persecution today does not always arrive in obvious or dramatic ways. Often it unfolds quietly, through pressure that restricts worship, through laws that narrow religious space, or through systems that steadily erode the ability of Christians to live openly as followers of Jesus," he said. "The Global Christian Relief Red List exists to share the realities of the global Christian Church and to be a resource to those who are working together to advance religious freedom around the world. It remains critical in analyzing the drivers behind persecution as it captures the real-world effect of violence on communities whose vulnerability stems from both who Christians are and where they live." "Our mission is to help global travelers make informed decisions. Many visitors come to the US unaware of how expensive medical care can be. Our guidance delivers the clarity and reassurance families, seniors, and students need before stepping on a plane." Chiranth Nataraj, Owner, Visitor Guard Post this Growing Concerns Around US Healthcare Costs With emergency room visits costing an average of $2,000$4,000 and hospital admissions often exceeding $10,000 per day, international visitors are increasingly searching for reliable information on how to stay protected. This guide aims to remove confusion by helping travelers understand: What type of insurance they actually need Which plans best fit their age and travel purpose How deductibles and coverage limits work How to avoid common mistakes when choosing a policy "Our mission is to help global travelers make informed decisions," said Chiranth Nataraj, the owner of Visitor Guard. "Many visitors come to the US unaware of how expensive medical treatment can be. Our guidance delivers the clarity and reassurance that families, seniors, and students need before stepping on a plane." A Simplified Overview of Visitor Insurance Basics Understanding Deductibles A deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance begins covering eligible medical expenses. Visitor insurance plans generally offer a range of deductible options. Plans with a $0 deductible provide immediate coverage but usually come with a higher premium. Plans with deductibles ranging from $100 to $2,500 offer lower premiums but require you to pay more upfront if medical care is needed. Selecting the right deductible depends on your budget, health condition, and risk tolerance. Knowing Your Network Providers Many visitor insurance plans include access to PPO networks such as First Health or UnitedHealthcare. These networks allow travelers to receive care from approved hospitals and clinics at discounted rates. Using in-network providers often results in lower medical costs and may also allow for direct billing, where the healthcare provider bills the insurance company directly. This can reduce or eliminate the need to pay large medical bills upfront. Understanding the Claims Process Knowing how the claims process works can prevent delays and frustration during a medical situation. After receiving treatment, travelers typically need to submit a claim along with required documents such as itemized medical bills, receipts, and a completed claim form if they have paid upfront. In many cases, direct billing may apply, meaning the insurance company pays the provider directly, making it easier for the insured. During claims review, the insurer verifies coverage, evaluates submitted documents, and may request additional information before issuing payment. Understanding these steps helps travelers know what to expect and ensures a smoother claims experience. Comparative Overview of Top Visitor Insurance Plans for 2026 1. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive UnitedHealthcare PPO network $125 well doctor visit Covers an acute onset of pre-existing conditions Emergency medical treatment for pregnancy up to $1,000 Offers optional coverage options with additional premium A (Excellent) Rating 2. Patriot America Plus UnitedHealthcare PPO network Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions Emergency eye exam covered up to $150 Covers doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation Covers dental accidents and some dental emergency A- Rating 3. Visitors Protect Offers limited coverage to pre-existing conditions $25 copay for Urgent Care and $15 copay for Walk-in clinic Covers 75% up to the chosen policy maximum for doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospitalization Covers dental emergency and accidents Includes coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation A- Rating 4. Safe Travels Elite Offer coverage for an acute onset of pre-existing conditions with pre-defined limits. $125 Well Doctor Visit Covers dental accidents with pre-defined limits Covers a predefined amount for medical evacuation and repatriation A (Excellent) Rating These plan recommendations focus on protecting travelers with different needs, short stays, long visits, academic programs, or senior travel with pre-existing risks. Real-Life Scenarios Scenario 1: "If your child gets sick at college" Your 19-year-old lands in the US and develops a high fever due to weather changes. Without insurance, an ER visit can cost $1,800$3,000, whereas, with visitor insurance, urgent care, tests, and prescriptions may be covered significantly, depending on the plan. Scenario 2: "If your elderly parent slips and fractures a wrist" Falls are among the most common injuries for seniors. Without insurance, emergency room + X-ray + cast can cost $5,000$12,000. However, with coverage, plans like Visitors Protect or Safe Travels Comprehensive or Elite help reduce financial burden dramatically. Scenario 3: "If you face a medical emergency during a road trip" Families often explore multiple statescreating risk of accidents, food allergies, or dehydration. With coverage, emergency medical evacuation, hospitalization, and urgent care are included in most plans. Scenario 4: "If a pre-existing condition suddenly worsens" For older visitors with diabetes or heart problems, plans that cover acute onset of chronic pre-existing conditions are essential. Coverage for immediate treatment within 24 hours of the first symptom can help reducing out-of-pocket costs. FAQs 1. Is visitor insurance mandatory for entering the US? It is not mandatory but strongly recommended due to the high cost of medical care. Visitor insurance is not legally mandatory for most visitors, but it is strongly recommended due to the high cost of medical care. 2. Do plans cover COVID-19? Yes, most comprehensive visitor insurance plans treat COVID-19 like any other illness. 3. Can seniors above 80 get coverage? Yes, many plans provide coverage for travelers over 80, although policy maximums are typically lower, often in the $10,000$25,000 range and some up to $50,000. 4. Does visitor insurance cover routine checkups? No. Visitor insurance is designed for unexpected medical emergencies, accidents, and new illnesses, not routine or preventive checkups. 5. Can I extend my insurance if my stay gets longer? Most plans allow extensions if requested before the policy expires if eligibility criteria are met. 6. Do plans cover pre-existing conditions? Not fullyonly an acute onset of pre-existing conditions can be covered, not routine or ongoing treatment. Standard visitor insurance does not cover ongoing treatment of pre-existing conditions. However, many plans offer coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions, subject to definitions and limits. 7. Can a family buy a single group plan? Yes, many visitor insurance products allow multiple family members to be included under one application for simplified policy management, subject to age and eligibility rules. About Visitor Guard Visitor Guard is a trusted provider of travel and visitor medical insurance for individuals traveling to the United States and abroad. With specialized plans for families, seniors, students, and business travelers, Visitor Guard offers affordable, flexible, and comprehensive coverage to protect unexpected medical expenses during international trips. For more information, visit www.visitorguard.com. Media Contact Pallavi Sadekar, Visitor Guard, 1 8043251385, [email protected], https://www.visitorguard.com/ SOURCE Visitor Guard Home News 'Dilbert' creator Scott Adams dies after cancer battle, accepts Jesus Christ in final days Quick Summary AI Summary Scott Adams, creator of 'Dilbert,' died at 68 after a battle with prostate cancer. Adams accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in his final days. His ex-wife announced his death during a live stream, sharing his final statement. 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 Political commentator and "Dilbert" creator Scott Adams claimed to have accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior before he died Tuesday at 68, following a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. Adams' ex-wife, Shelly Miles Adams, announced his death in a live stream Tuesday morning and read his final statement, which noted that he had decided to convert to Christianity in his final days. "My body failed before my brain," Adams said in the statement he penned on Jan. 1 in preparation for his death, noting he was "of sound mind as I write this." Adams wrote that "many of my Christian friends have asked me to find Jesus before I go." Noting he is "not a believer," he acknowledged that "the risk-reward calculation for [accepting Jesus] looks attractive." "I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I look forward to spending an eternity with him. The part about not being a believer should be quickly resolved if I wake up in Heaven. I won't need any more convincing than that. And I hope I am still qualified for entry," he wrote. Adams went on to express gratitude for what he described as "an amazing life," adding, "I gave it everything I had." He exhorted his readers to "be useful, and please know I loved you all to the very end." A Final Message From Scott Adams pic.twitter.com/QKX6b0MFZA Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) January 13, 2026 Born June 8, 1957, in Windham, New York, Adams graduated from Berkley Business School and drew from his own experiences as a corporate worker at Pacific Bell to launch "Dilbert" in 1989, a comic strip that satirized office culture and appeared in more than 2,000 newspapers around the world at its peak. After years of drawing the comics in the early morning before he went to work, he was ultimately able to become a full-time cartoonist in 1995. Adams also authored numerous books about self-improvement, including Reframe Your Brain: The User Interface for Happiness and Success and How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big. Adams began to rise in prominence for his political commentary when his popular podcast "Coffee with Scott Adams" launched in 2018, where he often expressed right-leaning political views, even though he identified as a lifelong liberal who rarely voted. Some newspapers dropped "Dilbert" in 2023 after Adams was accused of making racist comments regarding a Rasmussen poll that found only 53% of black Americans agree with the statement, "It's OK to be white." "If nearly half of all blacks are not OK with white people ... that's a hate group," Adams said at the time, and urged white Americans to "get the hell away from black people." He was also strongly critical of China's role in the fentanyl crisis in the United States after his stepson, Justin Miles, died from a fentanyl overdose at age 18. Adams' final statement echoed what he said during the Jan. 4 episode of his morning podcast when he revealed his intention to embrace Christianity because it would mean he would "wake up in Heaven if I have a good life." "I do believe that the dominant Christian theory is that I would wake up in Heaven if I have a good life," Adams said at the time. Echoing the famous philosophical argument known as "Pascal's Wager," Adams said, "I'm now convinced that the risk-reward is completely smart. If it turns out that there's nothing there, I've lost nothing, but I've respected your wishes, and I like doing that." "If it turns out there is something there, and the Christian model is the closest to it, I win," he added. Adams' assertion that living a "good life" plays a role in one's eternal destiny drew concern from some Christians, though such sentiments align with new research showing that many self-identified Christians think doing "good things" for others is enough to earn them a place in paradise. Adams went public with his metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025, and originally intended to take his own life last June before finding a treatment that made his pain tolerable for the next seven months. Adams was a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, predicting in 2015 that he would win the presidency. In November, Trump personally intervened when Adams appealed to him for help expediting treatment with the FDA-approved drug Pluvicto after his provider, Kaiser Permanente of Northern California, allegedly "dropped the ball." Trump issued a statement praising Adams upon the announcement of his death. "Sadly, the Great Influencer, Scott Adams, has passed away," Trump said in a TruthSocial post. "He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasnt fashionable to do so. He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease. My condolences go out to his family, and all of his many friends and listeners. He will be truly missed. God bless you Scott!" Vice President JD Vance also expressed condolences. "Scott Adams was a true American original, and a great ally to the President of the United States and the entire administration," he said. "My prayers go to Scott and all of you who loved him. We lost one of the good ones but we'll never forget him." Home News Suspected Tren de Aragua member charged for attacking Border Patrol agents in Oregon The U.S. Department of Justice has charged an alleged gang member, who was shot by Border Patrol agents last week, with launching a violent attack on federal officers in Oregon. Authorities have charged Luis Nino-Moncada, identified as a member of the Venezuela-based transnational organized crime syndicate Tren de Aragua, with aggravated assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon and also depredation of federal property exceeding $1,000. The DOJ said in a statement Monday that Nino-Moncada repeatedly struck a law enforcement vehicle with his own vehicle during a traffic stop, threatening the lives of multiple Border Patrol agents and causing considerable damage to government property. The attack came after Border Patrol agents initiated an immigration enforcement operation targeting a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring. After being apprehended, Nino-Moncada reportedly confessed to purposely ramming the vehicle with the full knowledge that there were Border Patrol agents within it. Anyone who crosses the red line of assaulting law enforcement will be met with the full force of this Justice Department, said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. 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. Nico-Moncada and his passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, garnered national headlines last week when news surfaced that authorities had shot two people in Portland after he had attacked Border Patrol agents. That news came amid the social turmoil from the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minnesota last week. DHS issued a statement stating that Nico-Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras were in the U.S. illegally and are suspected members of Tren de Aragua. The DHS statement didn't specify if Zambrano-Contreras is facing charges. Prosecutors say that when Nino-Moncada refused to exit the vehicle, he placed the car in reverse and rammed into the unoccupied Border Patrol car. He continued to drive forward and reverse, ramming the vehicle multiple times. Nino-Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras fled the scene. The DHS states that Nico-Moncada illegally entered the U.S. in 2022 and was RELEASED into the country by the Biden administration" and was later arrested for DUI and unauthorized use of a vehicle, with a final order of removal. Zambrano-Contreras illegally entered the U.S. in 2023 near El Paso, Texas, and was RELEASED into this country by the Biden administration, the DHS said, adding that she played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and was involved with a prior shooting in Portland. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, a Democrat, issued a statement last week in which he condemned the shooting of the two individuals, calling it another deeply troubling incident. Portland is not a training ground for militarized agents, and the full force threatened by the administration has deadly consequences, stated Wilson last week. Federal militarization undermines effective, communitybased public safety, and it runs counter to the values that define our region. I will use every legal and legislative tool available to protect our residents' civil and human rights. Home Opinion Europe needs to calm down about Greenland Is the United States about to invade Greenland? If you listen to EU politicians and much of the U.S. legacy media, and actually take them seriously, then you might answer yes. President Donald Trump is going to unleash Delta Force to spirit away the prime minister before we nuke Nuuk (the capital of Greenland) and send in the Army to mop up survivors. If youve followed this issue from the beginning and have tried to accurately understand how the president operates, then you should conclude that this brouhaha is all about negotiating. You also may think that the U.S. is just pursuing a long-term policy more vigorously, and that our allies in Europe really need to chill. The issue of Greenland suddenly popped back up in the news recently, and I kid you not, because White House adviser Stephen Millers wife posted this on X. This sent the European elite straight to their oft-used fainting couches, which they had to stay firmly emplaced on when Trump himself weighed in and said he still aims to acquire Greenland. This has been his goal since 2019 and has been, off and on, a U.S. strategic aim since the 19th century. When White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if Trump meant to use the military to acquire Greenland, she said that utilizing the U.S. military is always an option. Was Katie Miller being a bit of a troll? Yes. Is Trump putting Denmarks collective feet to the fire with his aggressive insistence? Yes. Heres Austrias Gunther Fehlinger-Jahn, the chairman of a committee to bring his country into NATO, saying that European countries should seize U.S. bases on the continent if the U.S. takes Greenland. NEW: If the U.S. annexes Greenland, we must confiscate all American bases in Europe, says Austria's NATO enlargement committee chairman Fehlinger. "If you take Greenland, you have to leave". pic.twitter.com/FYzd3hATpY Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) January 7, 2026 Keep in mind, the U.S. has been practically begging NATO allies to spend more on their defense, so this is hardly a credible threat. Its also strange to witness European belligerence on these issues when European countries continue to demand increased American involvement in Ukraine. For those less hysterical than the very serious Western elites who go into a tizzy any time President Donald Trump says something outside their bland, corporate, and respectfully conventional framework, its worth taking a step back and considering whats really happening. Trump is basically using his well-worn tactics as a negotiator to secure a long-term goal of the U.S. He has made it plain from the beginning that he intends to buy Greenland from Denmark. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly communicated as much, assuring lawmakers that the administrations intent was not to invade the sparsely populated, North American island owned by a NATO ally. Id hazard to guess Trumps reason for potentially using the military is because he virtually always says as much. It is an option, one that he would almost certainly never take. What he wants is to create maximum urgency on the part of a negotiating partner to get a deal done. And thats what hes done in the Greenland case. We are closer to acquiring the territory than any time since World War II, despite Danish and European protests. And thats a good thing. Ive written about why Greenland is important for the interests of the American people as far as security, economics, and even to a certain extent national pride. Bringing the island territory fully into the American orbit is not just a pointless media stunt. It has real implications for U.S. strategy vis-a-vis major competitors like Russia and China, countries that have a keen desire to have access to and control of the Arctic. China has already made overtures to Greenland to control and mine its rare earths mineral deposits. Is the current security arrangement enough to keep China out and America in? Maybe. But consider this, on top of the current tension, its clear that there is a significant independence movement within Greenland. Its very possible that the tiny population may go independent, enter the market so to speak, and seek out an arrangement with a rival of the United States. The issue can be seen in this joint statement issued by Denmark and a coalition of European countries. Denmark committed years ago to accepting any decision the people of Greenland make about their independence. If Greenland, with a population of around 56,000 people, decides to go independent, they can do so theoretically without the Danes stopping it. And as of now, independence is quite popular. But Greenland is also highly dependent on Danish subsidies for its economy and welfare state. Whats to prevent Greenland from going independent and then selling itself to the highest bidder? At the moment, not much. And given how much pressure Trump is globally putting on U.S. rivals, it makes sense that hes essentially playing hardball to ensure that Greenland remains and becomes an even more integral part of U.S. national security. Trump was quite serious about the return of the Monroe Doctrine, or the Donroe Doctrine as he calls it. Nothing personal to the Danes, who have been good allies, or other European nations whove been, well, uneven allies. This is just how Trump does business. Dont take it personally. Originally published at The Daily Signal. Home Opinion Things Catholics should know about our relationship to the Jews especially now I was recently asked to comment on a popular reel circulating in Catholic circles about Israel, the Jews, and the Church. Let me begin with a necessary clarification. The individuals involved are friends, colleagues, and serious Catholics. They are acting in good faith, animated by a genuine desire to defend truth and oppose error. Nothing that follows should be read as an indictment of their intentions. The difficulty lies elsewhere. Much of the contemporary Catholic conversation about Israel is not so much wrong as it is thin. A subject that belongs properly to theology is too often reduced to apologetics. Apologetics has its place, but it cannot sustain the full weight of this question. When apologetics becomes the dominant sometimes the only mode offered to lay Catholics, it forms people who can argue but not contemplate. Israel is not a position to be defended or refuted. It is a mystery to be received. St. Paul is explicit that a mystery is involved here (Romans 11:25). Mysteries demand formation before they invite explanation. Beyond reactive theology Catholic discourse on Israel frequently proceeds as a reaction often an understandable one to Protestant theology. Yet Catholics possess their own intellectual inheritance, with categories and resources that need not be borrowed secondhand. Serious Catholic thinkers have already done the difficult work of reflection here, though their contributions are rarely engaged beyond academic circles. Fr. Thomas Joseph White, for example, has articulated a natural-law case for supporting Israel that does not collapse theology into politics. Dr. Gavin DCosta has explored what he terms a minimalist Catholic Zionism, entering explicitly theological territory without succumbing to ideological enthusiasm. These are not hot takes or internet apologetics; they are sustained arguments grounded in Scripture, tradition, and reason. Likewise, Dr. Andre Villeneuve has offered a compelling theological account of Israel and the Church that deserves far wider attention. His work reminds us that interpretations such as Joe Heschmeyers reading of the Israel of God represent one orthodox position among others. Some questions in this domain are settled by the Churchs teaching authority. Others remain open to legitimate theological disagreement. Catholics should be taught to distinguish between the two. What is taught and what is still debated That distinction is not a luxury. It is essential. The Catholic Church teaches unequivocally that antisemitism is a grave sin; that crude forms of replacement theology are incompatible with Catholic faith; that the Jewish people remain beloved of God; and that the covenant God made with Israel has not been revoked. These are not optional opinions. They belong to the Churchs authoritative teaching. At the same time, there remain open questions: the theological meaning of the modern State of Israel; the precise contours of the Churchs relationship to the Jewish people within salvation history; and how St. Pauls language about Israel is to be interpreted in light of both tradition and contemporary history. To blur these categories treating open questions as settled or settled teaching as optional leaves Catholics either overconfident or confused, sometimes both. Theology before politics The Church is not a political actor. She is the mystical Body of Christ, ordered toward the salvation of souls and the formation of consciences. From this intelligence of faith flows culture; politics follows downstream. When the Church recalibrated her relationship with the Jewish people in the 20th century, she was not engaging in political maneuvering. Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Councils declaration on the Churchs relation to non-Christian religions, is a theological and spiritual document. That it carried political consequences including diplomatic ones is undeniable. But it arose from theological reckoning, not policy analysis. In the shadow of the Holocaust, the Church recognized that something had gone catastrophically wrong at the spiritual level. Anti-Jewish dispositions had become embedded not only in Christian society but, more disturbingly, in Christian imagination. Nostra Aetate sought to address that rupture at its root. The mystery of Israel Pope Benedict XVI, particularly in Grace and Vocation Without Remorse, insists that the Churchs relationship with Israel remains a profound mystery. The Church must hold together two claims without dissolving either: that Jesus Christ fulfills Gods promises, and that Gods covenant with Israel endures. This tension may require careful reexamination of certain inherited theological categories. Benedict also advances a claim many Catholics find uncomfortable: that there is something mysterious, even providential, about the modern return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel. This is not a political endorsement, nor a theological endorsement of every action of the modern state. It is an acknowledgment that history, theology, and prophecy sometimes converge in ways that resist easy classification. Prophecy here is not prediction. It is the capacity to see history under the aspect of divine providence. A relationship, not a problem Several theological truths ought to shape Catholic instincts in this domain. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that believing Jews implicitly believe in Christ. In the Summa Theologiae (III, q.106, ad 2), he explains that even before the formal establishment of the Church, there were persons who belonged to the New Covenant by grace. This does not erase real theological differences, but it reframes Jewish fidelity to God in a way that resists caricature. The Jewish people are related to the mystical Body of Christ in a way unlike any other. This is why Jewish-Catholic relations fall under the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and why the Church conducts no institutional mission directed toward Jews. Our relationship is singular, familial, and irrevocable. The 2015 document The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable affirms precisely this: the Church neither conducts nor supports institutional mission to the Jewish people, while still calling Christians to bear humble witness to Christ, especially in light of the Holocaust. Even modest attentiveness to these teachings recalibrates Catholic posture toward humility rather than triumphalism, reverence rather than suspicion, formation rather than reaction. Israel is not a debate topic. The Jews are not a theological problem to be solved. They are a mystery bound up with the Churchs own identity. And mysteries demand patience, seriousness, and reverence especially now. 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Barnabas Aids latest accounts state that about three-quarters of the payroll left the Christian charity between April 2024 and November last year. Some 25 staff were employed by Barnabas Aid in the year ending 31 August 2024, before the departures, the report states. The trustees criticised obstruction and delays caused to the audit by staff at Nexcus International, Barnabas Aids global wing, which has reportedly claimed the charity owes it 6.4m. Their report alleges that Nexcus International has day-to-day control of Barnabas Aids finances, refusing access to its bank accounts and information about staff. Nexcus International, which has since rebranded as Barnabas Aid International and is described as a non-profit corporation in Virginia, USA, said the report contains a number of inaccurate or misleading statements. Income decline Barnabas Aids income, most of which is from donations and legacies, declined from 19.5m in 2022-23 to 16.5m in 2023-24. It reported a deficit of 297,000 for the year 2023-24, with its charitable expenditure standing at 16.6m. The report says a loss of income due to reputational damage and change of ethos and values were the greatest risk facing the charity since 23 April 2024. It adds that the steady loss of staff was compounded by dwindling personal relationships with supporters which were previously a high priority for the charity. Despite the declines, the report says: The trustees believe the statement of financial affairs shows a strong performance by Barnabas Aid in the context of a difficult economic environment. The trustees claimed that the UK charity was unable to control its cash reserves, which were valued at 9.7m at the end of 2023-24, a decrease from 12.5m a year earlier. Global organisation claims report inaccurate In September 2024, the Charity Commission launched a statutory inquiry into allegations of authorised payments to trustees and related parties at Barnabas Aid. A month later, it restricted Barnabas Aids ability to spend money, with any payment over 4,000 now requiring the regulators approval. Then in November 2024, two people were arrested as part of a police investigation into fraud and money laundering allegations at a linked Barnabas family charity. The following month, the commission announced it was investigating four Barnabas family charities - the Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life plus the Wiltshire-based TBF Trust, Reconciliation Trust and Servants Fellowship International. A commission spokesperson today said: "All the inquiries remain ongoing". The report states that, since April 2024, Nexcus has prevented the majority of the trustees from accessing the charitys bank accounts. Trustees expressed concerns that some funds donated to the charity have not been used by Nexcus for the purposes for which the donors gave them. They also said that Nexcus Internationals name change to Barnabas Aid International had caused confusion to the supporters of the charity and possible inadvertent deflection of their giving. In response to the claims, a Barnabas Aid International spokesperson said: Sadly, the trustees report contains a number of inaccurate or misleading statements by the trustees, which the leadership of Barnabas Aid [International] were not privy to before publication. The role of the auditors is not to check the factual accuracy of every statement in the trustees report. Their responsibility is limited to ensuring the information shared in the report is materially consistent with the financial statements. The spokesperson added that they were supporting the Charity Commission with its investigation. Statutory inquiry and police investigation ongoing The trustees report states that the commissions statutory inquiry has been damaging to the charitys reputation. A commission spokesperson confirmed that its inquiry was ongoing and would not comment on whether spending restrictions were still in place. The accounts state that the arrests made by Wiltshire Police involved a trustee and senior executive following an investigation which commenced in April 2024 by a law firm, appointed by Nexcus International, which was not chosen or approved by the majority of the charity's trustees. Wiltshire Police confirmed that the two people arrested in connection to fraud and money laundering at a Barnabas family charity have since been released under investigation. 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, Spains Catholic bishops agreed to let the Spanish governments ombudsman have the final say in the churchs compensation of victims of sexual abuse by clergy members who have died or whose possible crimes are too old to be prosecuted. The agreement, which envisages a one-year window for claims, marks a rare concession by the Catholic hierarchy. It is aimed at resolving disagreements between the left-wing government and church authorities over reparations after victims criticized the churchs original in-house compensation proposal. The Spanish bishops conference said in a statement last week that the new agreement will allow victims who dont want to seek help directly from the church to turn to the government and the states ombudsman, who has taken a lead role in shedding light on abuse. The ombudsman will evaluate the claims and ultimately will have the final say on any possible awards. Related: Archdiocese of New York Pledges $300M to Mediate Clergy Sex Abuse Claims Spains Justice Minister Felix Bolanos said in a press conference in Madrid that hundreds of victims whose aggressors had passed away or were now very old could finally receive recognition of the abuse and receive economic reparations paid by the church. Today, we have paid a debt to the victims, Bolanos said. It is true that the State has acted late, but we are acting now. Yesterday, the victims couldnt do anything because these crimes had proscribed. While church authorities in many Western European countries have created compensation plans for abuse victims, either run by the church or independent experts, the Spanish process is unusual because of the involvement of the state itself in the process. The Troubled Path In recent years, the once staunchly Catholic Spain has begun to reckon with a decades-long legacy of abuse by priests and cover-up by generations of bishops and religious superiors, mainly thanks to the initial reporting by newspaper El Pais. Spains parliament tasked the Spains ombudsman to investigate and in 2023 the ombudsman delivered a damning 800-page report that investigated 487 known cases of sexual abuse and included a survey that calculated the number of possible victims could reach the hundreds of thousands. Spains bishops rejected that estimate by the ombudsman, saying its own investigation had uncovered 728 sexual abusers within the church since 1945. It said that most of the crimes had occurred before 1990 and that 60% of the aggressors were now dead. In 2024, the government announced its intention to force the church to compensate victims. That was followed a few months later by the bishops saying they were creating a special committee to hear from victims, assess their claims and ensure their economic, spiritual and psychological reparation. But victims groups were critical of the bishops plan since it relied on them approaching the church and had no outside oversight. Ombudsman Has The Final Word On Thursday, Archbishop Luis Arguello, the president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, acknowledged that some victims didnt feel comfortable approaching the church offices. Now, victims can turn to the government instead. Under the new agreement, victims can approach Spains Justice Ministry with their initial petition. The ministry will pass it on to the ombudsman, who will study it and propose a compensation package that the churchs committee will then assess. If no agreement can be reached with the church and the victim, the case will go to a joint committee with representatives of the church, the ombudsmans office and victims associations. If that committee cant agree, the ombudsmans decision will stand, Bolanos said. The victims association Robbed Childhood said that it supported the arrangement, after it had criticized the church-only plan for lacking oversight. Related: Vatican Report Calls for Reparations for Abuse Victims And Tougher Sanctions for Abusers We consider it to be completely positive, association spokesman Juan Cuatrecasas told The Associated Press. We believe it was time for the victims whose cases had been proscribed to see the truth served. The window for filing claims will be open for one year. After that, the agreement can be extended for an additional year if needed, according to Bolanos. In addition to victims groups and the Spanish bishops, Bolanos thanked the work of late Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV in uncovering abuse in the church. Arguello said the church had already paid out 2 million euros ($2.3 million) in compensation after taking up petitions by more than a hundred victims since its special committee opened in 2024. Payments to victims will be free of taxes in the new deal. Compensation Programs Vary Worldwide Only a handful of countries have had government-initiated or parliamentary inquiries into clergy sex abuse, although some independent groups have carried out their own investigations. The issue of compensating victims of abuse has long vexed the church, with wide disparities in programs and payouts around the world. In the United States, where the abuse scandal erupted in 2002, litigation, settlements and abuse compensation programs have cost the church billions of dollars and led several dioceses to seek bankruptcy protection. Elsewhere, church-run compensation programs have awarded smaller amounts to victims and paired financial reparations with services offering therapy and spiritual assistance. The French church, for example, paid out an average of about 35,000 euros ($41,000) to each of the 358 victims whose claims were received in 2023. Compensation awards were approved in 2024 for another 489 people, 88 of whom were given the maximum 60,000 euro ($70,000) claim, the church reported. The Vaticans child protection advisory board said in its report last year that the Catholic Church had a moral obligation to help victims heal, and that financial reparations for the abused, and tougher sanctions for the abusers and their enablers were essential remedies. Nicole Winfield reported from Rome. Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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 access, 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 Never before has the insurance industry faced such big losses tied to floods, severe thunderstorms and wildfires, according to a fresh study that links rising temperatures to increasingly dangerous weather patterns. Insured losses for so-called non-peak perils also sometimes referred to as secondary perils reached a record $98 billion last year, Munich Re said in a report released on Tuesday. Overall insured losses from natural disasters, including peak perils such as hurricanes, were $108 billion, it said. Tobias Grimm, the German reinsurers chief climatologist, says secondary perils are now becoming more severe and more frequent in many parts of the world. And the evidence points to climate change playing an increasing role in this development, he said in an interview. On The Rise The threat posed by secondary perils has steadily mounted in recent years, forcing both insurers and investors in insurance-linked securities such as catastrophe bonds to rethink their approach to risk. Investors have also noted that its more challenging to model such weather events than it is to model peak perils. Wildfires that engulfed Los Angeles in January last year were by far the costliest natural disaster of 2025, according to Munich Re. But losses were also driven by severe thunderstorms in central and southern US states in March, it said. Last year likely matched 2023 as the second-hottest on record, according to data by the European Union-backed Copernicus Climate Change Service. The warmest year was 2024. Grimm says Munich Re and other reinsurers and insurers have invested heavily in models to help them better predict the losses that secondary perils can cause, noting that these are already working very well for wildfires and floods. But its somewhat more challenging with severe weather such as hail and tornadoes, because these are very local phenomena, he said. Ways to reduce losses include avoiding building in high-risk zones and improving construction standards, Grimm said. At Munich Re, there is a strong will to continue growing in this area, he said. As long as risk-adequate pricing is possible, he added. Top photo: Homes destroyed in the Eaton Fire. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg. Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohio officials on Monday authorized $130 million in spending to begin constructing smaller, more therapeutic youth prisons in Bedford and Grafton, the first major step in replacing the long-troubled Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility. The funding was unanimously approved by the Ohio Controlling Board, the states budgetary oversight committee. The move clears the way to start transforming the states juvenile justice system, starting with replacing the aging Cuyahoga Hills complex in Highland Hills. The facility, built in the 1960s, has been the focus of concerns over violence staffing shortages and safety. Instead of having one big facility with an open-door layout, the new campus will feature smaller, 12-bed housing pods that state Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, a Westlake Democrat who sits on the Controlling Board, says will be more conducive to rehabilitating youth and staff safety. Changes to Ohios youth correctional facilities are long overdue, Sweeney said in a news release Monday. These smaller facilities will protect both staff and residents. According to Controlling Board documents, roughly $113 million of the funding will go toward construction services and site preparation, including utility installation, ground improvements, renovations to an existing building and long-lead equipment purchases such as heating and cooling systems. Another $12.6 million is set aside for construction contingencies, with about $4.4 million allocated for Ohio Facilities Construction Commission fees. The contract period runs from mid-January through the end of June and brings the total project cost to just over $138.2 million, records show. Gilbane Building Company is serving as construction manager. Once completed, the Bedford and Grafton facilities are expected to house 144 youth across multiple specialized housing units. Facilities will also include classrooms, vocational training space, visitation areas, medical and mental health services, dining rooms, gyms and outdoor recreation areas. The state purchased the Bedford site in late 2024 with plans to convert a 79,000-square-foot office building on Rockside Road into two of the new housing units. State documents described the property as secluded but accessible, with surrounding green space intended to support a more therapeutic environment. The remaining two facilities are planned for Avon Belden Road in Grafton, adjacent to the states adult prison a location that has drawn concern from some juvenile justice advocates but support from local leaders who point to job creation and economic impact. Theyre the centerpiece of a multi-year plan to overhaul Ohios juvenile justice system to move away from mass incarceration and focus more on therapeutic interventions, as recommended by a state-supported working group . The state is also planning to replace juvenile facilities in Pickaway and Stark counties when future budget cycles allow. But in addition to improving outcomes for youth, officials believe the smaller-facility model will also help address persistent safety and staffing challenges that have plagued the states youth prisons. During testimony to the Controlling Board, Anna Garver, deputy director of finance and planning at the Ohio Department of Youth Services, said roughly half of the agencys staff statewide have less than one year of experience. She believes the high turnover is driven in part by large, hard-to-manage facilities where high-profile incidents involving violence among youth and assaults on staff have frequently made headlines. The new facilities will have fewer kids in one area and clearer lines of sight, making direct supervision easier. The result: Its not only better outcomes for the youth, but its safer environments for the staff, Garver said. The Cuyahoga Hills replacement is just one step in a broader state strategy to bring Ohios juvenile corrections system in line with national best practices, which emphasize smaller facilities, lower youth-to-staff ratios and keeping young people closer to home whenever possible. Another piece is building more Community Correctional Facilities (CCFs) to help divert youth from state prisons altogether. COLUMBUS Hunters in Ohio tagged 13,055 white-tailed deer during the four-day muzzleloader deer hunting season, which ended Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife said on Wednesday. The count includes deer taken with muzzleloaders and those taken with bows during the same time. This years total was slightly below last years count, when hunters checked 13,495 deer during the muzzleloader season. The three-year average for deer taken during the same period is about 13,269. Out of the deer checked during the muzzleloader season, 3,473 were antlered deer about 27% and 9,582 were antlerless deer, or 73% of the total. The antlerless category included does, button bucks, bucks with shed antlers and bucks with very short antlers. The ODNR also shared the top 10 counties with the most deer taken, led by Coshocton County with 557 deer, followed by Tuscarawas (491), Carroll (451) and Muskingum (437). Other counties in the top 10 included Knox, Harrison, Licking, Columbiana, Guernsey and Jefferson. Hunters can continue pursuing deer with archery equipment through Sunday, Feb. 1, the end of the statewide archery hunting season. So far this season, Ohio hunters have tagged 222,648 deer. This keeps the total above 200,000 for the fourth year in a row. The number of deer checked by season so far includes 99,551 taken by archery hunters, 9,759 during youth gun season, 84,448 during the regular gun season, and 15,835 in the additional gun weekend. All gun harvests, including controlled hunts, totaled 124,104 deer. This season the Division of Wildlife has also worked with groups to donate deer meat to food banks. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections meat processing facility at the Pickaway Correctional Institution has helped process venison from deer donated by hunters. So far, more than 3,870 pounds of venison have been turned into food for people in need. Hunters may bring deer they want to donate to one of 34 certified processing shops across the state. The Division of Wildlife is also working with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry to support food banks with donated venison. Last month, Ohio hunters reportedly checked 15,835 white-tailed deer during the states two-day gun hunting weekend held Dec. 2021. In a Monday interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer, Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar suggested the new pill format of the pharmaceutical giant's weight loss drug will allow more people to use the medicine which had previously been available only as an injectable. "We are seeing, actually, that the pill is able to expand the market for a large group of people that have been waiting," Doustdar said. "Predominantly, I would say the major barrier has been the taboo." Many people have a needle phobia, Doustdar said, and he suggested that injectables have societal taboo. He also said injectable GLP-1s come with "the burden of refrigeration," not only for users but for supply chains. Doustdar added that pill and injectable GLP-1s have the same level of efficacy. The Wegovy maker developed the first GLP-1 pill to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Novo Nordisk launched the drug in the U.S. last week. Doustdar said about 100 million people in the U.S. are obese, but only around 15 million use GLP-1 drugs. Many are not taking the drugs because they can't afford to do so, he continued. Doustdar said the initial dose of the pill starts at $149, and with insurance can cost $25 lower than the standard patients have been paying for the injections. He advocated against compounded GLP-1 drugs, many of which are custom-made alternatives to the name brand medicines. The compounded products are often cheaper, but the FDA does not review their safety and efficacy. "They're knock off products. So this should be completely illegal," Doustdar said. "And I'm very surprised that in this country this is still legal." US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, DC, US, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. Trump said there will be "serious retaliation" after two US Army soldiers and an interpreter were killed in Syria on Saturday, and three other Americans were wounded. President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Monday that Microsoft will announce changes to ensure that Americans won't see rising utility bills as the company builds more data centers to meet rising artificial intelligence demand. "I never want Americans to pay higher Electricity bills because of Data Centers," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Therefore, my Administration is working with major American Technology Companies to secure their commitment to the American People, and we will have much to announce in the coming weeks." Ahead of this year's midterm elections, President Trump is trying to find ways to lower prices for consumers, as the effects of tariffs he imposed last year on goods imported to the U.S. ripple across the economy. In December, Trump announced a $1,776 "warrior dividend" for U.S soldiers. Earlier this month he demanded the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds with the hope of reducing mortgage rates. Meanwhile, the biggest tech companies are rapidly constructing power-hungry data centers and telling Wall Street that they'll be bolstering their capital expenditures as the AI boom continues. Last week Meta announced agreements with three nuclear power companies for a data center in Ohio. Trump congratulated Microsoft on its efforts to keep prices in check, suggesting that other companies will make similar commitments. "First up is Microsoft, who my team has been working with, and which will make major changes beginning this week to ensure that Americans don't 'pick up the tab' for their POWER consumption, in the form of paying higher Utility bills," Trump wrote on Monday. Microsoft didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Utilities charged U.S. consumers 6% more for electricity in August from a year earlier, including in states with many data centers, CNBC reported in November. Microsoft is paying close to attention to the impact of its data centers on local residents. "I just want you to know we are doing everything we can, and I believe we're succeeding, in managing this issue well, so that you all don't have to pay more for electricity because of our presence," Brad Smith, the company's president and vice chair, said at a September town hall meeting in Wisconsin, where Microsoft is building an AI data center. While Microsoft is moving forward with some facilities, the company withdrew plans for a data center in Caledonia, Wisconsin, amid loud opposition to its efforts there. The project would would have been located 20 miles away from a data center in the village of Mount Pleasant. WATCH: Meta signs nuclear energy deals with Oklo, Vistra, and TerraPower to support its AI ambitions Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Tuesday as traders shrugged off geopolitical flashpoints in Iran and Venezuela, as well as a criminal investigation into the U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 jumped 3.1% to close at 53,549.16, leading gains in the region after resuming trading following a holiday, while the Topix rose 2.41% to 3,598.89. Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is expected to dissolve the country's Lower House later this month and opt for a snap election likely in February, according to public broadcaster NHK. Index heavyweights SoftBank advanced 4.32%, while Advantest and Tokyo Electron jumped 8.54% and 8.23%, respectively. Yields on the 10-year Japan government bond rose over 5 basis points to 2.15%, while yields on the 20-year surged over 8 basis points to 3.137%. The Japanese yen weakened marginally to a one-year low of 158.25 per dollar. South Korea's Kospi added 1.47% to 4,692.64 while the small-cap Kosdaq was flat, closing at 948.98. Rising memory prices and disciplined capital spending across the industry should provide tailwinds for Micron , according to Bank of America. Analyst Vivek Arya, who has a buy rating on the stock, raised his price target to $400 from $300. That implies that shares could rise 16% from here. Shares of Micron Technology have climbed nearly 264% over the past 12 months. MU 1Y mountain MU 1Y chart Arya pointed to a continued increase in spot price for dynamic random access memory, or DRAM, as a tailwind for the stock. "The last few weeks, spot/contract pricing for both DRAM and NAND have been exceptionally strong. While we view the near-term pricing trends as potentially abnormal and aggressive, we expect the current strong price outlook to generally continue into 1Q26, before decelerating (still growing a lot) in 2Q26," he wrote. Still-disciplined capex spend from competitor Samsung could continue to keep supply tight as well. "While SK Hynix and Micron have planned for substantial capex hikes this year, we flag industry clean room space remains limited, with material equipment installation and volume production still likely 2-3 years away," Arya said. The analyst added that his price objective, at three times Micron's price-to-book ratio for the 2027 calendar year, is historically expensive. However, an ongoing memory upcycle and earnings expansion justifies this premium. Micron shares are well liked by the Street. Of the 44 analysts who cover the stock, 40 rate the stock a buy or strong buy, according to LSEG. However, the stock may be over its skis, as the average price target signals a 12% pullback. A Boeing Co. 737 Max airplane at the company's manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington, US, on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. Boeing logged net orders for 1,173 airplanes last year, marking the first time it outsold its European rival Airbus since 2018, the latest sign of Boeing's recovery. Boeing handed over 63 jetliners to customers last month, bringing its annual delivery total to 600 aircraft, the most in seven years, before two deadly crashes and a host of other problems derailed its output. Forty-four of those deliveries were 737 Maxes, Boeing said Tuesday. Airbus still delivered more aircraft last year than Boeing, with 793, though that sum is below the record 863 airplanes the European manufacturer handed over in 2019. Airbus had 889 net orders for 2025. CNBC's Jim Cramer is doubling down on Alphabet , arguing the stock can build on its strong 2025 rally with another 20% jump. "I don't think Google stops here," Cramer said Tuesday on "Squawk on the Street." "I think Alphabet goes straight shot to $400." Shares of the Google parent Alphabet hit another all-time Tuesday, rising 2% to $338 per share. The previous record was Monday's close of $334. The stock posted a 65% gain in 2025. Despite that recent run, Alphabet continues to attract investors, even as the broader Magnificent 7 cools off. Investors have been rotating out of high-valuation tech names and into more defensive sectors like industrials, energy, financials, and health care. "The market has really soured on these big-cap names," Cramer said. "The one to own is Alphabet it goes much higher," he added. Indeed, Alphabet is up nearly 5% to start 2025, while Meta has fallen 4.7% year-to-date, Nvidia is down 1.7%, and Tesla has slipped 0.6%. GOOGL 1Y mountain GOOGL stock 1-year performance. Sentiment toward Alphabet has strengthened as it's increasingly seen as a leader in generative AI. The company has landed a series of significant wins, most notably its multi-year partnership with Apple to bring Google's Gemini AI models to Apple products. That integration is expected to meaningfully increase Gemini's usage and solidify its position as the leading large language model versus rival ChatGPT. That helped push the company into the $4 trillion market-cap club alongside Nvidia, Microsoft , and Apple. But for Alphabet shares to continue advancing, Bank of America noted that the company needs to hit on several cylinders, including Gemini continuing to demonstrate its technological leadership, cost advantages from its custom tensor-processing units (TPUs), and increased search monetization. The positive narrative on the stock suggests the "AI cycle is moving in the right direction for Alphabet," Bank of America wrote in a note to investors Tuesday. Regarding the Investing Club's portfolio, we want to add to our Alphabet position, which was initiated in late December. Since the stock is trading above our cost basis, we would wait for a pullback before buying more. We maintain our $350 price target on Alphabet and a 1 rating on the stock. Investors are piling into a European defense spending "mega-trend," turbo-charged by a mix of EU, national and private capital funding that's set to run well into the next decade. As several of Europe's leading defense stocks surged to near-20% returns in the opening week of 2026, investors now see the sector as a long-term bet, shaped both by current tensions over Venezuela and Greenland , and longer-term concerns over the continent's defense capabilities and the future of NATO . Raphael Thuin, head of capital markets strategies at Tikehau Capital , said multiple factors including the ongoing threat from Russia, and the end of the U.S. defense umbrella in Europe underpin what he called a "mega-trend in the making." Thuin said the "depleted state" of European security, after decades of underinvestment, now urgently needs to be addressed. "Regardless of Ukraine, regardless of the peace plan which we hope obviously will be signed soon this trend should go much beyond. When you think of Russia, and the potential threat that Russia represents for European countries, it's not going away," Thuin told CNBC's "Europe Early Edition" last week . He added that the end of the U.S. defense "umbrella" over Europe is a central pillar of the investment theme. "Whatever administration comes next, it will certainly not pay for European security," he added. RHM-DE YTD mountain Rheinmetall. Defense stocks soar Global defense capabilities have been thrust into the spotlight by the geopolitical turmoil underpinning the first week of 2026. The overthrow of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces on Jan. 3 was followed by renewed tensions over Greenland and potential fissures within NATO. President Donald Trump maintains that the U.S. "needs" Greenland for "national security," raising questions over the future of the Transatlantic alliance and placing long-term European defense capabilities under fresh scrutiny. Separately, France and the U.K. signed a declaration of intent last week to deploy troops to Ukraine in the event of any peace agreement. Aneeka Gupta, director of macroeconomic research at WisdomTree, said the stalled Ukraine peace efforts, Greenland tensions and Venezuela operation all provide fresh catalysts for defense in 2026, following a record year in 2025. "[They] validate Europe's decision to lock in much higher spend and to localize critical capabilities, reinforcing the multi-trillion rearmament pipeline," Gupta said in a note. German defense giant Rheinmetall is up 22.8% year-to-date, while Italian peer Leonardo has risen 19.7%. Tank parts maker Renk had advanced 23.1%, while radar and surveillance specialist Hensoldt gained 25.6%. Saab , the Swedish fighter jet maker, has notched a 29.9% year-to-date return. The Stoxx Europe Total Market Aerospace and Defense Index finished 2025 up 56.5%. Despite stronger growth and profit expectations, European defense stocks still trade at a discount to U.S. peers, at about 28 times earnings versus over 30 in the U.S. "There is limited room for error this is part of the risk of investing in defense stocks," Thuin said. "We might also see a bit of differentiation between stocks now, but if you project over two, three, or five years, those stocks are not that expensive anymore." Follow the money Investors point to spending commitments at both the national and European Union level, including the 800-billion-euro ($841 billion) Rearm Europe initiative , as well as the growing political support for mobilizing private capital. "Defense companies are supported by long-term EU and NATO military spending plans, in our view regardless of near-term fluctuations caused by geopolitical developments," said Helen Jewell, international chief investment officer, BlackRock Fundamental Equities, in an equity market outlook. Thuin said: "We know that we are now collectively targeting 2.5% of GDP in military equipment and military spending, and up to 5% if you include security and cybersecurity this is going to take years to deploy." LDO-IT YTD mountain Leonardo. He added: "There is also a strong willingness among European governments to ensure private capital is also invested in this space. European savings can also finance this push towards more resilience, more sovereignty, in defense and elsewhere. That's also a very encouraging sign, and is probably a long-term trend in the making." Fawaz Chaudhry, chief investment officer at Fulcrum Asset Management, told CNBC's "Europe Early Edition" on Jan. 5 that the U.S.' demonstration of "hard power" in Venezuela on Saturday was a "signaling exercise" that would prove a catalyst for "more military spending, more rearmament, of Europe, of Asia." Rebuilding capacity Thuin, meanwhile, said European defense stocks stand to benefit both from the drive towards greater regional sovereignty and higher military spending within the bloc, as well as growing demand from beyond the continent, where these companies are major exporters. "We see this military horse race happening elsewhere," he added. "We have the potential to see order books building from both Europe and outside Europe." Gupta also underlined the importance of this new hard power era for investors in defense. "The new catalysts tilt the balance further toward European contractors: they enjoy cleaner capital return stories, direct budget tailwinds from multiple theatres, and a growing premium on European strategic autonomy versus a more politically volatile US security umbrella," Gupta noted. Tikehau itself is already "very much invested" in the trend, Thuin said, with $3 billion of assets allocated to defense and cybersecurity. He conceded the potential for short-term volatility if a lasting peace agreement in Ukraine emerges, acknowledging the late 2025 defense stock sell-off , but urged investors to focus on the longer-term picture. "Right now, many of those military equipment producers in Europe are focused on delivering equipment for Ukraine mainly tanks, armored vehicles, ammunition," he said. "But very soon after that we will have to rebuild our military capacity in Europe. Missiles, air defense systems, fighter jets, warships there is a broad range of equipment to be addressed." A trader works at his desk on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) after the opening bell in New York on December 3, 2025. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed the session almost 0.2% lower, with major regional bourses in mixed territory. LONDON European stocks ended Tuesday trading mixed, as investors continued to weigh geopolitical developments in Iran, and the launching of a criminal investigation into the U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Looking at individual stocks, shares of Danish offshore wind developer Orsted leapt 5.4% after a U.S. judge ruled it can continue work on a $5 billion project that was suspended by the Trump administration in December. Elsewhere, Swiss lender UBS was 0.1% higher at the end of dealmaking after the Financial Times reported its CEO Sergio Ermotti will step down in April 2027. A spokesperson for the bank declined to comment. Over the weekend, it emerged that Fed chief Jerome Powell is being investigated by authorities relating to the $2.5 billion renovation of the central bank's headquarters and his congressional testimony about the remodelling. Powell said Sunday that the investigation was another attempt by President Donald Trump to influence the central bank's monetary policy and that he would not bow to the pressure. His term as chair is due to end in May. The president renewed his attacks on the Fed chair Tuesday, saying Powell was either "incompetent" or "crooked." Market watchers are also keeping an eye on the developments in Iran this week after widespread protests have been met with a violent crackdown by the Iranian authorities. Trump is reportedly weighing options to take action against Iran and on Monday said that any country doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff "on any and all business being done with the United States of America." Winton's interim results for FY26 will be announced before NZX trading begins on Friday 20 February 2026. A conference call for investors and analysts will be hosted by Chief Executive Officer Chris Meehan and Chief Financial Officer Jean McMahon at 10:00 am NZST / 8:00am AEDT on the same day and can be accessed in the following ways: o Live via webcast - https://webcast.openbriefing.com/wtn-hyr-2026/ for the investor and analyst webcast o Live via telephone - https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10052170-asmms44.html for a link to register for the conference call Participants will need to use the dial in via telephone to ask questions at the end of the presentation. o Replay via webcast - the replay will be accessible on the Winton website in the investor centre following the live cast. Please register in advance of the conference call using the links provided. Upon registering you will be provided with participant dial-in details, passcode and a unique registrant ID. Ends. 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Related News: RYM - Refreshed strategy and new capital management framework ENS - Clarification of Gina Tuzcets status BGP - 4th Quarter Sales to 25 January 2026 Contact Energy 2026 Half Year Results Presentation February 2nd Morning Report VHP - Half year results announcement date and webcast details Devon Funds Morning Note - 30 January 2026 AIA - Auckland Airport new board appointment General Capital (GEN:NZ) Subsidiary General Finance Update January 30th Morning Report Greenland's Head of Government (Naalakkersuisut) Jens-Frederik Nielsen (L) and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen give a statement on the current situation at a press conference in the Mirror Hall at the Prime Minister's Office in Copenhagen, Denmark, on January 13, 2026. Liselotte Sabroe | Afp | Getty Images Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Tuesday that the Arctic island chooses Denmark over the U.S., pushing back against Donald Trump's repeated takeover threats. "If we have to choose between the USA and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO, the Kingdom of Denmark and the EU," Nielsen said, according to translated comments reported by Danish public broadcaster DR. He was speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at a news conference in Copenhagen, ahead of crunch talks between U.S., Danish and Greenlandic officials at the White House on Wednesday. "The time has come to stand together," Nielsen added. "It has not been easy to stand up to completely unacceptable pressure from our closest allies for a lifetime. But there is much to suggest that the hardest part is still ahead of us," Frederiksen said. Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland follows an audacious U.S. military operation to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3. Trump, who has long advocated for control over Greenland, has said the U.S. needs the Arctic island to prevent Russia and China from doing the same, telling reporters that Washington would acquire the self-governing Danish territory "one way or the other." watch now The global hedge fund industry delivered a 12.6% annual return last year across all strategy types, its biggest since the Global Financial Crisis. The returns were driven mainly by stock-picking strategies that bet long and short on equity markets, as well as macro managers that use stocks, bonds, commodities, and currencies to trade big-picture macroeconomic themes. Both these strategies were up more than 17% for the year, according to new data published by industry tracker Hedge Fund Research (HFR). HFR numbers also showed comprehensive gains across a range of strategies and asset classes, with many in double-digit territory. Its main Fund Weighted Composite Index a broad snapshot of manager performances across all strategy types advanced 1.56% in December. That made its full-year gain in 2025 the strongest annual showing since 2009's near-20% rise, when hedge funds capitalized on the subprime mortgage meltdown. Fertile terrain HFR president Kenneth Heinz highlighted 2025's buoyant stock market driven by AI and technology and infrastructure spend, adding that hedge funds successfully traversed "oscillating cycles of risk-on and -off sentiment", such as the "Liberation Day" tariffs announcement volatility, cryptocurrency depreciation and tech stock reversals arising from valuation concerns. .GSPHC 1Y mountain S & P 500 Health Care Sector. Healthcare, energy and commodities markets also offered fertile terrain for returns, as sector-specialist strategies successfully traded on the drug pricing themes and weight-loss treatments driving pharmaceutical stocks, and the ongoing rally in gold and silver. Healthcare -focused equity hedge funds finished last year up 33.8%, according to HFR data, while stock pickers focused on energy and basic materials rose 23.4%. Only one strategy type finished the year in the red. Quantitative diversified funds computer-based strategies that use statistical algorithms and models instead of human traders to invest in markets ended 2025 down 0.65%, wrong-footed by the volatility spike during April's tariff announcements and November's tech sell-off. 'Diverse engines of performance' Edgar Allen, founder and chief investment officer of High Ground Investment Management, a $2 billion long/short equity firm which takes a fundamental stock-picking approach to companies, said his fund performed well both from long positions, as well as alpha from short wagers, which can be tricky in rising markets. Allen highlighted defense stocks including BAE Systems and Leonardo , and financial names such as Allied Irish Bank, as key contributors to High Ground's 39.4% annual gain after fees. LDO-IT 1Y mountain Leonardo. "It's a market where there's a very large amount of dispersion, so in general that makes stock-picking on the long side and on the short side a bit easier," he told CNBC. Citadel 's flagship multi-strategy Wellington fund, the largest managed by billionaire Kenneth Griffin's long-running firm, rose 10.2% in 2025. AQR Capital, the quantitative trading giant founded by Cliff Asness, saw its Apex multi-strategy vehicle rise 19.6% for the year. Bloomberg data showed big moves among Melqart Opportunities, an event-driven strategy run by Michel Massoud's Melqart Asset Management, which surged 45.1%; Bridgewater Associates' macro-focused Bridgewater Pure Alpha II, notching a 34% return, and D.E. Shaw's multi-strategy Oculus fund, which added 28.2%. "The impact of these diverse engines of performance highlights the sophisticated nature of the modern hedge fund industry to deliver uncorrelated performance gains across a wide range of financial market environments," HFR's Heinz said. Jerome Powell, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, during a news conference following a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. Global central bankers issued a statement Tuesday defending U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell following the launch of a criminal investigation into the central bank chief. "We stand in full solidarity with the Federal Reserve System and its Chair Jerome H. Powell," central bank chiefs including European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, said in a joint statement. "The independence of central banks is a cornerstone of price, financial and economic stability in the interest of the citizens that we serve. It is therefore critical to preserve that independence, with full respect for the rule of law and democratic accountability," they added. Powell has served with "integrity, focused on his mandate and an unwavering commitment to the public interest," the statement said. "To us, he is a respected colleague who is held in the highest regard by all who have worked with him." Other signatories to the statement included the central bank chiefs of Brazil, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, South Korea, Australia and Canada. Microsoft on Tuesday promised that consumers won't pay more when the software maker sets up data centers near their communities. The company also committed to replenish more water than it uses and to add to local tax bases in places where it has data centers. "Our pledge to each of these communities is that we will pay our way as a company, to ensure that our data centers don't increase your electricity prices," Brad Smith, Microsoft's president and vice chair, said at an event held in Great Falls, Virginia, less than 20 miles from the White House. The company will sign deals with utilities in advance, so they can afford to invest in infrastructure that can support new data centers, Smith said. Smith made a similar statement in September in Racine, Wisconsin, near a company data center that's set to come online in early 2026. "We will pay utility rates that are high enough to cover our electricity costs in part by collaborating with utilities on plans to add the electricity supply that we will need," Smith said. The move comes as utility prices rise across the U.S., where technology companies are racing to build data centers that can run generative artificial intelligence models such as the ones that power OpenAI's popular ChatGPT assistant. Municipal bond prices are off to a strong start so far this year. Yields fell by about 10 basis points last week thanks largely to rising demand meeting less supply, said Tom Kozlik, head of public policy and municipal strategy at HilltopSecurities. Bond yields move inversely to prices. "Lower yields are a reminder for investors to stay engaged and be ready to act," he wrote in a note Monday. "The risk is investors could miss the window, and yields fall substantially while waiting for a perfect entry point." Kozlik anticipates that investors are shifting from a "bracing" mentality to a "building" mentality. MUB 1Y mountain iShares National Muni Bond ETF's one-year performance While investors may have been spooked last year by things like tariffs, there is a bit more calm now, which has them eager to add to their portfolios, he said. In addition, overall credit quality remains good, he noted. "It's really creating an ideal moment for fixed income buyers to really lean into municipals," Kozlik said in an interview with CNBC. Yields remain attractive While yields have come down, they are still attractive, said Cooper Howard, director of fixed income research and strategy at the Schwab Center for Financial Research. The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index has a yield-to-worst around 3.5%, which means about a 5.8% tax-equivalent yield for investors in the top tax bracket, he said. That yield would be even higher for those in high-tax states like California and New York, he noted. Yield-to-worst is the lowest possible yield on a callable bond, barring default. Cooper expects those yields to remain range-bound, at least in the near term. Demand is key to the asset's performance this year, he said. JPMorgan is expecting a record supply of $600 billion into the overall muni market, while Bank of America Securities is projecting $640 billion in new issuance. "Demand is going to be a very important figure," he said. "If demand continues to be relatively favorable, which it has been then that should help with positive total returns and help with munis kind of staying in the middle of the pack relative to other fixed income investments." SCMB 1Y mountain Schwab Municipal Bond ETF's one-year performance JPMorgan expects rates to be range-bound, but with some volatility this year. It is projecting an average total return of 3.4% for investment-grade munis. Meanwhile, Bank of America Securities expects muni yields to fall in the first half of the year, with an inflection point reached when 10-year AAA-rated munis drop to the 2% area. Yields will rise some in the back half of the year during the "consolidating phase" of the two-to-three year bull market that began in April, strategist Yingchen Li said in his 2026 outlook, released in December. He has a target return of 5.3% on ICE BofA Muni Master Index in 2026. Finding opportunities In this environment, investors should focus on investment grade municipal bonds, Schwab's Howard said. Credit spreads aren't attractive, but the economy doesn't appear to be slowing significantly, he said. "If we go into a downturn, since spreads are relatively tight, you're not getting that adequately compensated for taking on credit risk, and we just don't think that it makes much sense to take credit bets in this environment," he said. In addition, investors should stick with intermediate-term duration since the yield curve is expected to steepen, Howard said. Right now, his expectation is one or two rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year, with the first one coming midyear. That should pull short-term rates lower, he noted. Investors can either build a bond ladder of varying maturities or buy an exchange-traded fund, which can provide easy diversification, he said. Bank of America's strategy for 2026 is to buy and hold long-duration, higher-grade munis in the first half of the year and then partially hedge in the second half. It believes 4% coupons will outperform those with 5% or higher coupons. "Investors should keep in mind that the consolidating phase of the market is part of the overall 2-3 year bull market and should be used as opportunities to add," Li said. Hilltop's Kozlik likes state and local municipal bonds since credit quality is still very strong. He also likes housing bonds. "It's mostly the large State Housing Finance Agency issues that I know the credit quality is AA or higher," he said. "It's very, very strong in that sector." He would tread carefully in education bonds, like K-12 and higher education. The area has suffered amid enrollment problems and headline risks, so credit selection is key, he said. A turbine blade is lifted onto a rack near tower sections at the Revolution Wind project assembly site at State Pier in New London, Connecticut, US, on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Shares of Danish renewables giant Orsted rose nearly 5% on Tuesday morning, shortly after a U.S. judge cleared the company to resume work on its nearly finished Revolution Wind project. In a statement, Orsted welcomed the ruling from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, saying the action would allow the company "to restart impacted activities immediately." The ruling is a legal setback for the pro-fossil fuel Trump administration, which moved to block the $5 billion Revolution Wind project. The White House halted five major offshore wind developments at the end of last year, including Orsted's project off the coast of Rhode Island. Officials cited national security concerns identified by the Pentagon as the reason for the suspension. Orsted filed a legal challenge to the Trump administration's decision earlier this month, saying that the lease suspension would cause "substantial harm" to the Revolution Wind project. In a hearing on Monday, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said the Court should be "very skeptical of the government's true motives" for putting a stop to the project, according to Reuters news agency. "You want to stop everything in place, costing them one-and-a-half million a day, while you decide what you want to do?" Lamberth asked Justice Department attorney Peter Torstensen. A spokesperson for the U.S. Interior Department did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. In this article LHX Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images The U.S. government will invest $1 billion in L3Harris Technologies' growing rocket motor business, guaranteeing a steady supply of the much-needed motors used in a wide range of missiles such as Tomahawks and Patriot interceptors. Shares were up 11.4% in pre-market trading in New York. The deal represents the latest U.S. government investment in Corporate America, which has included a 10% stake in chipmaker Intel and investments in critical mineral producers. It comes just a few days after President Donald Trump blasted defense contractors for slow production of weaponry. L3Harris said on Tuesday it is planning an IPO of its growing rocket motor business into a new publicly traded company backed by a $1 billion government convertible security investment. The securities will automatically convert to common equity when the company goes public later in 2026. "We are fundamentally shifting our approach to securing our munitions supply chain," said Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. "By investing directly in suppliers we are building the resilient industrial base needed for the Arsenal of Freedom." Pentagon's direct investment marks shift in strategy The investment in a defense contractor is not a total surprise after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last August said the Trump administration was weighing equity stakes in major defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin. The investment in Intel has been a boon for the company, whose shares have more than doubled since the announcement. But the government's equity position in L3Harris could face blowback from L3Harris' rivals, given that it creates a potentially significant conflict of interest for the U.S. government. The Pentagon will have an ownership stake in a company that regularly bids on major defense and other government contracts. The investment marks the first direct-to-supplier partnership of this kind and is an outcome of the department's new Acquisition Transformation Strategy and its "Go Direct-to-Supplier" initiative. The strategy calls for the department to negotiate and invest directly with critical suppliers to save money. L3Harris' Missile Solutions unit, which produces missile propulsion systems for many missiles including Patriot, THAAD, Tomahawk, and the Standard Missile, will be carved out from the company. L3Harris will retain majority ownership and control of the new entity. The deal all but guarantees a steady flow of business for the new unit. "Recent Trump Administration actions have placed renewed emphasis on strengthening the defense industrial base and reinvigorating competition following a 30-year wave of consolidation," Christopher Kubasik, Chairman and CEO, L3Harris said in a statement. "Building on several years of sustained investment and operational improvements by L3Harris, this new company will serve as a key partner," to the Pentagon. The Pentagon said in a release that the "partnership" with L3Harris positions it "to negotiate multi-year procurement framework agreements for solid rocket motors, vital to several critical munitions, pending Congressional authorization and appropriations." Last week, the U.S. inked a separate seven-year agreement with Lockheed Martin to increase production of the PAC-3 missile, the type launched by the Patriot system, to 2,000 units annually from about 600. Unusual deal structure could face scrutiny TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan on October 30, 2025. She warned the situation could easily spiral into fresh rounds of tit-for-tat escalation, not to mention dashing any hopes of U.S. soybean exports to China. "The last time we played this game, we ended up with tariff levels at 145%." If Trump is serious about the 25% rate, "that is a massive escalation from current tariff levels," said Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at the Hinrich Foundation. In response to Trump's tariff threat China said it "firmly opposes any illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction," while warning that it would take "all necessary measures" to defend its interests, according to a post on X by a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. The world's top two economies had secured an interim trade deal in late October that saw a roll back of punitive U.S. tariffs on China, while Beijing paused its sweeping rare earth export controls. Trump said Monday night stateside that the U.S. will start charging a 25% tariff on imports from countries that do business with Iran. The order is "effective immediately," he said in a Truth Social post . President Donald Trump's threat of 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran has raised the risk of derailing Washington's fragile trade deal with Beijing Tehran's largest trading partner. As the world's largest importer of oil, Beijing has long bought crude from Iran and other countries sanctioned by the U.S. offering a crucial economic lifeline to the Middle Eastern regime reeling from Western curbs. Iranian crude oil shipments to China more than doubled between 2017 and 2024 on a per-day basis to over 1.2 million barrels, according to estimates by Muyu Xu, senior analyst at commodity intelligence firm Kpler. As of 2022, fuel accounted for more than half of China's imports from Iran, according to World Bank's latest data. However, China has since stepped back its trade amid tighter U.S. sanctions. Imports from Iran were on track for a fourth-straight year of decline in 2025, falling 28% to $2.9 billion in the January to November period from a year earlier, according to the official customs data. China is expected to release full-year trade data on Wednesday. Beijing will not reduce its economic cooperation with Iran due to Trump's tariff threat, Cui Shoujun, an international studies professor at Renmin University of China, told reporters Tuesday morning. "The Iran situation has certainly entered a very dangerous period. We should all pay closer attention," Cui said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC. He attributed Trump's interest in Iran to energy resources more oil production than Venezuela, just when U.S. electricity demand is surging in order to power AI. While Cui declined to directly address the implications for U.S.-China relations, he said that in-person meetings are an important indicator. After Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea last fall, the two sides agreed to a 1-year trade truce. Tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.S. were set to stay around 47.5%, down from a high of more than 100% during the peak of trade tensions in the spring. The U.S. president is expected to visit Beijing in April, followed by a reciprocal visit by Xi later in the year. "Trump is eroding the thin trust built around [the] trade truce," said Dan Wang, China director at Eurasia Group. "Trump was already widely viewed by Chinese public and government as inconsistent." The U.S. and China have had a history of piling on pressure to build leverage ahead of major diplomatic meetings. Tensions had escalated sharply ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting in October, with Beijing expanding export controls on rare earths and launching anti-trust probes into U.S. chip maker Qualcomm, while Washington reportedly planned to curb chip-design software to China. "There will likely be several rounds of similar tit-for-tat, leading up to April meeting," said Wang. Wang said China could respond with sanctions on U.S. firms tied to Taiwan arms sales, or antitrust probes of American tech firms operating in China, while ruling out additional rare earths restrictions. It remains to be seen to what extent the tariffs materialize. The U.S. Supreme Court could make a ruling Wednesday on the legality of Trump's use of duties. The threat of tariffs on Iran's trading partners appeared to be driven by Trump's "ever shifting focus of attention, not as part of an intentional strategy to gain new leverage over China in advance of the likely April summit," said Scott Kennedy, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Still, "China will not hesitate to retaliate in a way that imposes serious costs on the U.S. [and it] has prepared for a variety of scenarios, including this one," Kennedy added. Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Tuesday: Evercore ISI initiates Reddit as outperform Evercore ISI says it sees a "significant opportunity." "We are initiating coverage of Reddit (RDDT) with an Outperform rating & a $320 price target (30% upside), based on 35X '27E EBITDA of $1.8B." Read more. Compass Point upgrades Mastercard to buy from hold Compass Point says shares have more room to run. "We are upgrading MA to BUY from NEUTRAL with a PT of $735..." TD Cowen upgrades KLAC to buy from hold TD Cowen says the semiconductor capital equipment company is a share gainer. "KLAC is a Buy given its exposure to leading-edge Foundry WFE (Wafer Fab Equipment) spending." Barclays upgrades Kodiak Gas Services to overweight from equal weight Barclays says the natural gas company has a robust track record. " KGS owns a premier set of assets in a critical part of the natural gas value chain." Bank of America reiterates Micron as buy Bank of America raised its price target to $400 per share from $300. "We also raise estimates and our PO for MU given a robust pricing environment" Read more. HSBC reiterates Tesla as reduce HSBC says it sees "volume pressure" for Tesla shares. "With the end of the EV tax credit in the US, we see volume pressure and therefore Q4 margin at 4% well below consensus and sequentially below Q3, which was at 5.8%." Goldman Sachs upgrades Via Transportation to buy from neutral Goldman says shares of the public mobility software company are compelling at current levels. "We upgrade shares of VIA t o Buy from Neutral and lower our 12-month price target to $44 ($52 prior)." Jefferies upgrades Kennametal to buy from hold Jefferies says the machinery company has earnings durability. "Tungsten's unprecedented price spike (+190% y/y, & 47% Since Nov) should drive KMT 's near-term earnings sharply higher on immediate price and delayed costs." JPMorgan reiterates Apple as overweight The firm says it likes the company's partnership with Google Gemini. "Google and Apple have confirmed a multi-year partnership to integrate Google's Gemini AI models into Apple products." KeyBanc upgrades Intel to overweight from sector weight KeyBanc says it sees server demand helping Intel shares. "Our checks indicate INTC is almost sold out for the year in server CPU, and given the strength in demand, the Company is considering a 10-15% ASP [average selling price] increase." Read more. KeyBanc upgrades Advanced Micro Devices to overweight from sector weight KeyBanc says it sees improving demand. "Our supply chain checks indicate the recent surge in hyperscaler demand has led to AMD to almost being completely sold out of server CPU in 2026 and is potentially considering a price increase of 10-15% in 1Q26." Read more. Deutsche Bank upgrades Diamond Rock to buy from hold Deutsche says the hotel REIT stock has an attractive valuation. "Our call on DRH is a blend of relative valuation and the apparent availability of company-specific catalysts on the horizon." Jefferies downgrades Five Below to hold from buy The firm says the upside is already priced in. " FIVE delivered a strong holiday beat and continues to benefit from a strategic merchandising reset under CEO Winnie Park, driving DD% comps and record sales." Jefferies upgrades Vail Resorts to buy from hold Jefferies says it sees a "low bar" for outperformance in 2026 for the ski company. "We view MTN's leadership change, stock underperformance, and hist. low valuation ( < 9X 2026E EBITDA) as setting a low bar for FY26 and outperformance in FY27." Mizuho upgrades Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to outperform from neutral Mizuho says it sees plenty of upside for the hotel company. "We are upgrading WH to Outperform from Neutral, based on our view that Economy RevPAR [revenue available per room] could accelerate beginning in March/April, with potentially more robust YoY growth in June/July." Bank of America reiterates Alphabet as buy Bank of America raised its price target on the stock to $370 per share from $350. "Alphabet well positioned to lead in AI era." TD Cowen reiterates Netflix as buy The firm lowered its price target to $115 per share from $142 ahead of earnings next week. "We think investors will largely focus on 1Q/FY26 guidance (incl FY26 op margin), when NFLX r eports 4Q results on 1/20;" Wolfe reiterates Nvdia as outperform Wolfe says the stock is a favorite idea for 2026. "NVDA is up 'only' 36% over the past year, underperforming other AI related names. We think the reason for underperformance is threefold the late launch of Blackwell, concerns about the sustainability of AI spending in general, as well as concerns about share losses to custom AI solutions." BMO upgrades Centerpoint Energy to outperform from market perform BMO says the energy company is firing on all cylinders. "Upgrading CNP to Outperform. Our 2025-2030 forecast remains unchanged, driving a highly visible 8.6% EPS CAGR. However, we see several upside drivers that could push our outlook at or above the top end of the company's 7-9% LT growth rate." Deutsche Bank upgrades SQM to buy from hold Deutsche says it sees a "more constructive and bullish outlook" for the lithium market. "We are upgrading SQM to Buy from Hold with a new 12-month price target of $88 (vs $55 previously), implying ~19% upside from today's pricing." Deutsche Bank upgrades Albemarle to buy from hold Deutsche raised its price target to $185 per share from $125 and says it sees the "energy storage demand." "We are upgrading Albemarle to Buy from Hold with a 12-month price target of $185, upside of 15%." Wells Fargo downgrades Charter to underweight from equal weight Wells says it's concerned about a challenging backdrop. "Previously, we believed CHTR's earlier + more aggressive go-to-market efforts around mobile bundling and video packaging would bear fruit in terms of steadier broadband market share. We now conclude that the industry backdrop is too challenging for meaningful performance differentiation between CHTR and its Cable peers." Bank of America downgrades Arm to neutral from buy The firm says it sees a "revenue slowdown." "For ARM, we flag revenue slowdown (both royalties/licensing) and increasing SoftBank reliance into CY26." Loop upgrades Thor Industries to buy from hold Loop upgraded the RV company and says it sees "improved unit sales mix." "We are upgrading THO to BUY with a $133 PT after visiting the Ohio RV Supershow this past weekend and learning dealers had started to see an improved unit sales mix driven by customers trading up to more expensive models." Read more. Wells Fargo downgrades Alcoa to equal weight from overweight Wells says the stock's valuation is full. "We downgrade AA to Equal Weight from Overweight as valuation seems to fully reflect the recent strong run in aluminum prices." Gordon Haskett upgrades Target to buy from hold The firm says the retail giant is a "contrarian idea." "In the spirit of both a new year/clean slate along with the never-ending search for contrarian ideas ... we are upgrading Target t o Buy-Rated from Hold-Rated establishing a new $140 Price Target, which suggests over 30% upside from current levels." Goldman Sachs downgrades HP to sell from neutral After a change in analyst coverage, the firm downgraded the stock as it sees limited upside. "We are Sell-rated on HPQ ($21 PT) and SMCI ($26 PT), given less attractive upside to consensus estimates..." Goldman Sachs upgrades Hewlett Packard Enterprises to buy from hold After a change in analyst coverage, the firm says it sees "attractive upside." "Buy Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) for business transformation with attractive upside." Bank of America reiterates IBM as buy Bank of America raised its price target to $335 per share from $315. "After a strong year in 2025, where IBM s tock was up 38% (SPX up 18%), we expect a more modest year given a weaker close to F25 and several headwinds in F26." Bank of America reiterates Carvana as buy Bank of America raised its price target to $515 per share from $455. "We expect CVNA' s efforts in New Cars to remain a small piece of the overall pie near-term, but still like TAM expansion as a 2026 catalyst." In the final stretch of his tenure atop Berkshire Hathaway , Warren Buffett was still pursuing that elusive elephant. The 95-year-old legendary investor, who handed over the CEO reins to Greg Abel at the start of 2026, made it clear that deal size was not the constraint, it was lack of opportunities. "It's external circumstances. Believe me if after we get finished talking you say, 'I've got a great $100 billion new idea.' I would say, 'Let's talk,'" Buffett told Becky Quick in a special interview in May after he said he was stepping down at the end of the year. The never-before-seen interview is part of the "Warren Buffett: A Life and Legacy" special airing Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. on CNBC. The remarks underscore a central paradox at Berkshire today. The company is awash in liquidity, with its cash hoard swelling to a record $381.6 billion at the end of the third quarter, but Buffett found no opportunities in 2025 large enough to move the needle at prices he considers sensible. "It means that when I look at the stock market, when I look at companies of a size that would make any difference to our total, I don't see anything. Well, we're buying one or two things, but it's peanuts. But I'm willing to spend $100 billion this afternoon, you know," Buffett, now chairman, told CNBC. In October, Berkshire closed a deal to buy Occidental Petroleum's chemical business, OxyChem, for $9.7 billion in cash, marking its largest purchase since 2022, when it paid $11.6 billion for insurer Alleghany. Berkshire's cash has grown significantly after Buffett aggressively dumped enormous pieces of his two largest holdings, Apple and Bank of America. Buffett doesn't want to be sitting on this much cash. He has long warned that cash is a poor long-term asset, even as he insists on holding ample reserves to weather unforeseen shocks. "I'd rather have $100 billion and a really good business at a sensible price than have $100 billion in cash," he said. "At certain levels, cash is necessary, but cash is not a good asset." He likened liquidity to oxygen, cheap to maintain and catastrophic to run out of at the wrong moment. "You always want to have enough," Buffett said. "You don't have to pay a lot for it. But you do need oxygen. And cash is that way. You always need to have it available because you do not know what will happen. I do not know what the stock market will do, and I do not know what business will do." Abel has been a longtime lieutenant who played a central role in several of Berkshire's acquisitions particularly in energy, and helped transform Berkshire Hathaway Energy into a powerhouse. While Abel's deal-making credentials are established, Berkshire shareholders may not extend him the same patience they have long afforded Buffett. With the conglomerate sitting on a mountain of cash and shares underperforming the market, pressure to deploy capital could quickly become a defining challenge for the new CEO. January 11, 2026: Last year, on November 10, a car bomb exploded near the seventeenth-century Mughal-era Red Fort in New Delhi, India. The car bomber was a Moslem medical doctor Umar Un Nabi, and an assistant professor at Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana. Dr Nabi and twelve nearby civilians died while 32 others were wounded. Such attacks are rare for India. The last one also took place in New Delhi in 2011, when a briefcase exploded outside New Delhis High Court. Four other medical personnel at a local hospital were arrested for helping Dr Nabi plan and carry out the attack. All five men were radicalized by a paramedic at the hospital they all worked in. Attacks like this by Indian Moslems are rare. Pakistan-based Islamic terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed planned the attack to avenge the death of 10 family members of its leader, Masood Azhar. This attack took place just a few months after Operation Sindoor, an Indian military operation that sought to discourage Islamic terror groups based in Pakistan . The Red Fort attack was revenge for recent Indian counter-terrorism operations. Indian Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the Pahalgam attack of April 22, 2025, that killed 25 Indian and 1 Nepalese in Baisaran Valley in Indias Jammu and Kashmir. Operation Sindoor led to four days of intense tit-for-tat conflict between India and Pakistan. So far this year there have been 198 terrorism incidents in India, a country of over a billion people and one of the most peaceful in the world. In 2025 there were 642 deaths in India from all forms of terrorism, compared to 630 in 2024, 480 in 2023, 434 in 2022, 585 in 2021, 621 in 2019 and 940 in 2018. In 2020 54 percent of the dead were in Kashmir, which was higher than usual. In most years non-Islamic terrorist violence accounts for most of the violence, but in 2020 leftist Maoist rebels in eastern India only accounted for 41 percent of the deaths with another five percent caused by tribal separatists in the northeast. The decline in Maoist activity began in 2009 when India assigned 75,000 additional police to deal with the Maoists. Initially this did not increase Maoist losses but did result in more dead policemen. The Maoists eventually lost many of their rural camps and, in general, were forced to devote more time to security and less to attacking the government or extorting money from businesses. As always, the government failed to effectively address the social and economic problems in the countryside, where feudalism and corruption are rampant. India has more Moslems than Pakistan and Pakistan has a difficult time radicalizing Indians. Eight years ago, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh celebrated the 70th anniversary of British India and centuries of British rule being replaced with independent India and Pakistan, which, after 25 years, split into Bangladesh and what is now Pakistan. By 2017 these three nations had a population equal to China but have fared differently when it comes to economic growth. After 70 years India has seen its GDP per capita increase 5.5 times, Pakistan 3.9 times and Bangladesh 2.4 times, Neighbor China saw an increase of 17.9 times. Back in 1947 the GDP per capita in India was 38 percent higher than China while in what is now Pakistan it was 50 percent higher and in Bangladesh 21 percent higher. In 1947 China had just ended four decades of rebellion, civil war, invasion and one more civil war that put the communists in power. During that time British India was much more peaceful and undergoing the industrial revolution and the attendant changes. The Chinese economy didnt grow much more quickly than that of India until the 1980s when the Chinese government decided to give economic, but not political, freedom a chance. India always had political freedom, but the economy was crippled by corruption and state control. In the 1990s India introduced more economic freedom but still, like Pakistan and Bangladesh, suffered more from corruption than neighboring China. There were also cultural differences between the four nations, but it is interesting to see how the four did after 70 years of independence. The Donald Trump administration is nearing a trade agreement with Taiwan that would greatly increase Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s planned investment in chip production on US soil and reduce US tariffs on imports from the self-governing island.As per reports from Bloomberg, the import duties would drop from the current 20% to 15%. At that level, Taiwan's shipments would be comparable to those from South Korea and Japan, both of which signed deals last year.According to the reports, TSMC would commit to constructing at least four additional chip manufacturing facilities in Arizona under the terms of the agreement, in addition to the six factories and two sophisticated packaging facilities it has already committed to opening there.The commitments would supplement current plans for TSMC, the world's leading manufacturer of cutting-edge semiconductors used in artificial intelligence, to invest up to $165 billion in the US. TSMC has drawn more attention in Washington due to China's military actions against Taiwan.Given that constructing a single factory can cost up to $20 billion, TSMC's extra investment would probably come close to or exceed $100 billion. The source stated that the four additional factories would be finished in the 2030s.Requests for comment were not immediately answered by the Commerce Department, the Office of the US Trade Representative, or the White House. A request for comment from TSMC was not immediately answered, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US stated that it had nothing to say.A signed pact would culminate months of talks between President Donald Trumps team and the Taiwanese government, which has repeatedly said a deal was close. Taipei would secure a reduced tariff rate that aligns with the levies the US applies to imports from its neighbours, Japan and South Korea. Trump would gain another investment pledge from a major overseas manufacturer, which he could tout as another win for his trade policy. #WATCH | Delhi: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says, "We need missile force. Today, you will see that rockets and missiles have become intertwined because if we want to achieve an impact, both rockets and missiles can deliver it. We are looking towards a rocket missile pic.twitter.com/LRLmNytToP ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday called for the creation of a dedicated rocket missile force, saying it has become a necessity for India. The need is driven by growing regional threats, especially from Pakistan and China. The two countries have already set up specialised rocket forces, the Army Chief said at a press conference.We are looking towards a rocket missile force because Pakistan has established a rocket force, and China has also created such a force. It is the need of the hour that we also establish such a force, General Dwivedi said.A rocket missile force is a specialised military unit that combines long-range rockets and missiles under one command.According to the Army Chief, modern warfare no longer treats these systems separately. We need missile force. Today, you will see that rockets and missiles have become intertwined because if we want to achieve an impact, both rockets and missiles can deliver it, he said.General Dwivedi said, We have tested the Pinaka system with a range of 120 km. We have also signed several other contracts that will explore ranges up to 150 km and later we will see it reaching a range of 300-450 km. You must have also heard about Pralay and BrahMos too.Pinaka is an indigenous multi-barrel rocket launcher developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. Designed for rapid, high-volume fire, it targets enemy troop concentrations and infrastructure. The latest guided Pinaka has a range of 120 km, with contracts in place to extend it to 150 km and future variants expected to reach 300-450 km.Pralay is a conventional short-range ballistic missile with a range of 150-500 km. Road-mobile and highly manoeuvrable, it is meant to strike high-value targets such as airbases, radar stations and command centres deep inside enemy territory.- BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. Flying at speeds of up to Mach 3, it has a range of 290-450 km and can be launched from land, sea or air platforms for precision strikes on critical targets.The Army Chiefs remarks came amid continued tensions with Pakistan . He said India has warned Islamabad to stop drone intrusions along the Line of Control, after five such incidents were reported on Sunday evening in the Jammu sector.He also confirmed that Operation Sindoor , launched last year after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack by a Pakistan-based terror outfit, remains active. India carried out cross-border strikes on May 7 targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing over 100 terrorists. General Dwivedi said the Army is fully mobilised and ready for ground action if Pakistan makes any mistake. Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday, Januaey 13, said there was no nuclear discussion between Indian and Pakistani military officials during Operation Sindoor in May last year. Addressing a press conference, the army chief said Indias security forces were fully prepared for ground operations during Operation Sindoor and had mobilised troops accordingly. India launched the operation on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation against the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians were killed. Pakistan responded to the Indian strikes with a swarm of drones and missiles, all of which were tracked and destroyed by Indian forces. After four days of intense cross-border drone and missile exchanges, India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict following a request from Islamabad. General Dwivedi said Operation Sindoor remains ongoing and warned that any future misadventure by the adversary would be dealt with firmly. As you may be aware, Operation Sindoor remains ongoing, and a future misadventure will be resolutely responded to, he said. Commenting on nuclear rhetoric, he stated, As far as nuclear rhetoric is concerned, I would like to say that there was no discussion on nuclear in the DGMO talks and whatever nuclear rhetoric was given was given by the politicians or given by the local public in Pakistan. The army chief also said the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China remains stable but requires constant vigilance. His remarks come amid repeated claims by US President Donald Trump that he played a key role in preventing a war between India and Pakistan. Trump often says tensions between the two countries had reached a dangerous level, further claiming they were on the brink of a nuclear conflict when he intervened. The Supreme Court of India on Monday asked Abu Salem, a convict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, to clarify his claim for an early release. Salem's lawyer, senior advocate Rishi Malhotra, approached the court claiming he had already served 25 years in prison.The bench Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta sought a response from Malhotra. Salem was extradited from Portugal on November 11, 2005, after a prolonged legal battle. He is now seeking early release based on the extradition agreement between India and Portugal, which says he should not serve more than 25 years.The court asked his legal team to produce Maharashtra state prison rules to clarify whether Salem's time in jail, including any remission for good conduct, can be counted toward completing a quarter of a century behind bars, following his conviction under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act."Let's see the prison rules of Maharashtra. Whether in a case where the accused is convicted for TADA, he would get a single day's remission or not?" said Justice Mehta."How 25 years are you calculating? How do you calculate 25 years from 2005?" the bench asked.Salem approached the Supreme Court after the Bombay High Court refused to give him interim relief in July 2025. He said he should get credit for three years and 16 days of remissiontime reduced from his sentence for good behaviour in jailwhen calculating his 25-year prison term.Earlier, in July 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that once Salem completes 25 years in prison, the Central government must advise the President to release him under Article 72 of the Constitution. The court also said the Centre could consider remission under Sections 432 and 433 of the erstwhile Code of Criminal Procedure.However, the apex court refused to start counting his 25 years from September 18, 2002, when Salem was in Portugal for a different offence, saying that India's criminal law does not apply outside the country. He was arrested on charges of using a fake passport and extradited to India.Salem argued that his sentence was illegal, stating that LK Advani, who was Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, had assured a Portuguese court that Salem would neither get the death penalty nor serve more than 25 years in jail.Salem and five others were found guilty in a series of bomb blasts in Mumbai that killed 257 people in 1993. In June 2017, a Special TADA Court convicted Salem under multiple Indian laws, including sections of the IPC, TADA, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. China has rejected Indias objections and reaffirmed its territorial claims over the Shaksgam Valley, asserting that infrastructure projects undertaken by Beijing in the region are beyond reproach.The response came after India, on January 9, criticised Chinas infrastructure development in the Shaksgam Valley, maintaining that the area is Indian territory and that New Delhi reserves the right to take necessary steps to safeguard its interests. Pakistan had illegally ceded 5,180 sq km of Indian territory in the Shaksgam Valley to China in 1963 from areas under its illegal occupation.Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement signed in 1963 and have consistently maintained that it is illegal and invalid, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.The dispute has resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny of infrastructure activity in strategically sensitive border regions, where construction is often seen as a means of reinforcing long-term territorial control.Before the Partition in 1947, the Shaksgam Valley was part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. In the winter of 1948, Pakistan illegally occupied parts of Jammu and Kashmir, laying the foundation for the ongoing dispute in the region.In 1963, Pakistan signed a border agreement with China under which it ceded the Shaksgam Valley part of the illegally occupied territory of Kashmir to Beijing. The area spans approximately 5,180 square kilometres and lies to the north of the Siachen Glacier.The Shaksgam Valley holds strategic significance as it sits at the crossroads of India, Pakistan and China, with proximity to Afghanistan and Iran. Its location places it close to key military and logistical corridors in the region, and India has consistently rejected and does not recognise the 1963 China-Pakistan boundary agreement.Jaiswal also reiterated Indias opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stating that New Delhi does not recognise the project as it passes through Indian territory under Pakistans forcible and illegal occupation. He added that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India, a position that has been conveyed repeatedly to both Pakistan and China.Responding to Indias remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the territory in question belongs to China. It is fully justified for China to carry out infrastructure construction on its own territory, she said, adding that China and Pakistan, as sovereign nations, had signed a boundary agreement in the 1960s to delimit their border.On Indias criticism of the CPEC, Mao reiterated Beijings position that the corridor is an economic cooperation initiative aimed at promoting local development and improving livelihoods. She maintained that Chinas activities in the region are unrelated to the sovereignty dispute between India and Pakistan, and said the China-Pakistan boundary agreement and the CPEC do not alter Chinas position on the Kashmir issue.China has consistently maintained that the Jammu and Kashmir issue is a historical dispute that should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. India, however, has repeatedly pointed out the contradiction between this stated neutrality and Chinas acceptance of territory ceded by Pakistan from areas India claims as its own.The 1963 agreement was significant for China and Pakistan as it established a common boundary between the two countries.It also includes a clause stating that following a settlement of the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, the sovereign authority would reopen negotiations with China to conclude a formal boundary treaty.India cites this clause to argue that the agreement has no legal validity until the Kashmir issue itself is resolved. India Case China is scrutinising how Jane Street Group and other foreign firms participate in its $859 billion exchange-traded fund market, seeking information on such activities carried out by brokers, according to people with knowledge of the matter.Chinese regulators are keen to understand trading patterns in the fast-growing industry, especially after a crackdown on Jane Street in India, said the people, asking not to be identified, discussing a private matter. Indian regulators last year accused Jane Street of misleading retail investors through alleged index manipulation claims the New York-based firm has denied.Jane Street was the biggest foreign ETF market maker through the countrys qualified foreign investor program as of June 30, followed by the Amsterdam-based Optiver and US firms Susquehanna International Group and Hudson River Trading, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Jane Street accounts for less than 2% of overall ETF trading in mainland China, according to a person briefed on the matter.Chinas queries led UBS Group AG to pause some trades from Jane Street via the QFI program late last year, the people said. UBS accounted for a relatively small portion of Jane Streets China ETF transactions before the pause, according to one person. Barclays, another top broker for foreign ETF market makers, declined to comment when asked about its trading relationship with Jane Street in China.Jane Street said in an emailed statement that the firm is conducting business as usual with its counterparties globally, including UBS, across asset classes. Representatives for Susquehanna, Hudson River and UBS declined to comment. Representatives for the China Securities Regulatory Commission and Optiver didnt respond to requests for comment.UBSs move was a precautionary measure that didnt impact Jane Streets other strategies for China, the people said. No firm is accused of any wrongdoing. Theres no indication that trading relationships among Jane Streets peers have been impacted by Beijings queries.The increased scrutiny of foreign market makers underscores Chinas sensitivity to the performance of its stock market, which is dominated by retail investors and is prone to swings. Beijing has long used a mix of regulations, pressure behind closed doors and occasional buying by state-owned investment funds to dampen volatility.Some of the worlds largest firms have flocked to Chinas market in recent years as ETFs become popular with investors. Yet few official numbers exist to show how active they are in real time. The Bloomberg Intelligence calculations are based on financial reports filed by the ETFs, which are required to disclose their top 10 holders on a semi-annual basis. The rankings dont capture all volumes of foreign market makers.Jane Street is fighting market manipulation allegations in India, which led to a temporary trading suspension last year. In July, Indias securities regulator accused Jane Street of using its immense financial and technological prowess to influence price action in the futures and cash markets in favour of its index option positions. Jane Street has denied those allegations.The trading firm is now awaiting the next step in its India case. The Securities and Exchange Board of India lifted the temporary trading ban on the company after it complied with an order to put $570 million in escrow. The firm filed an appeal, which will be heard on Jan. 19. Kuwait is looking to rebid the tenders as the bids came in over budget for five major upstream contracts. MEED is a media company that reports on the economic and business news of the Middle East. As per analysts, L&T was the lowest bidder in tenders worth over $4.5 billion. Its current consolidated order book is at 6.5 lakh crore. L&T's order inflow guidance for the financial year 2026 was 10% higher than the previous fiscal. CNBC-TV18 had reached out to L&T in the morning for a comment, but the response was awaited. It then issued a clarification to the exchanges in the afternoon. L&T wins 'significant' order Larsen and Toubro Ltd. (L&T) on Tuesday, January 13, afternoon issued a clarification regarding the report on Kuwait discussing the cancellation of oil project tenders.L&T said the projects referred to in the report were not part of its order book.Earlier in the day, it was reported that Kuwait was discussing the cancellation of oil project tenders worth $8.7 billion, as per the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED).As per the MEED report, On another note, L&T on Tuesday said its transportation infrastructure business vertical won a "significant" order for an arterial cable-stayed bridge over the Muri Ganga River in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. L&T classifies orders in the 1,000 crore to 2,500 crore range as "significant". The firm's scope of work includes construction of 2+2 lane, 3.2km extradosed cable-stayed bridge with a maximum span of 177 metre, along with 0.9km approach road on Kakdwip Side nd 0.65km approach road on Sagar Island side. The bridge will be equipped with advanced traffic management system, bridge health monitoring system, architectural bridge lighting and hybrid street lighting and essential road furniture, it said. The bridge will provide direct, all-weather connectivity to Sagar Island, which currently depends on ferry services that are often disrupted during adverse weather conditions. It will benefit over 2 lakh residents of the island, L&T said. It will also boost pilgrimage by ensuring safe and convenient travel for millions of devotees, from across India, to the annual Ganga Sagar Mela, the second-largest religious congregation after the Kumbh Mela, L&T said, adding that it will also help transform the socio-economic landscape of the island. L&T shares, which declined over 4% in trade after the MEED report, witnessed recovery after the firm issued a clarification to the exchanges. L&T shares were down 3.1% at 3,894.2 apiece around 2.45 pm on Monday. The stock has gained 12.4% in the past year. Australia's ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd is stepping down, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday (January 13), a year earlier than expected following criticism from US President Donald Trump.Rudd, a former Australian prime minister, is returning to head the Asia Society think tank and will finish his posting in March, Albanese told a news conference."Australia and the United States are the closest of friends and allies, and this will never change," he said. "We will continue to take forward the important work that Kevin has done, some of it is, of course, ongoing work."Rudd had secured continued support for the AUKUS nuclear submarine programme, Australia's largest defence project, from the Trump administration, and negotiated a critical minerals agreement with the US, Albanese said.Rudd made several comments criticising Trump before he became ambassador, including calling him "the most destructive president in history." He later deleted that comment from social media when he was appointed ambassador.When asked during an October event at the White House during a visit by Albanese about Rudd's past comments, Trump gestured to the ambassador across the table and said "I dont like you either, and I probably never will".Following criticism from Australia's opposition, who called for him to be sacked over his remarks about Trump, Albanese said in October that Rudd would serve out his four-year term.Albanese said the decision to leave the role early was "entirely Kevin Rudd's decision". An announcement of Rudd's replacement would be made at a later date, he said.A White House official told Reuters when asked about Rudd's departure: "Ambassador Rudd worked well with President Trump and the administration. We wish him well."Rudd wrote on social media platform X that he would remain in the United States, working on "the future of US-China relations, which I have always believed to be the core question for the future stability of our region and the world".He had hosted a dinner for Pentagon Under Secretary of Defence Elbridge Colby, who conducted a review of AUKUS last year, two days ago, Rudd wrote in an earlier post. Two oil tankers were attacked near the Black Sea loading terminal for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, according to a person familiar with the matter. The two ships the Delta Harmony and the Matilda were due to load oil barrels from Kazakhstan at the CPC offshore mooring, the person said, asking not to be identified because the information isnt public. Prior to the attack, the vessels had moved away from the CPC facility, awaiting their turn to collect the cargoes, the person said. The extent of the damage to both ships wasnt immediately clear. The attacks may further disrupt loadings at CPC, the main conduit for Kazakhstans oil exports, which have already significantly declined due to bad winter weather and a mooring damage in a November drone strike. The incidents are likely to make owners more wary of collecting CPC Blend cargoes, premiums for which have been rising because of the reduced supply. The press office of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium declined to comment. Delta Tankers, which manages Delta Harmony, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Calls and an email to Thenamaris, which manages Matilda, went unanswered. Attacks on oil infrastructure and tankers crossing the Black Sea have intensified over the past six weeks, with Ukraine launching salvos on a host of vessels linked to Russia, aiming to disrupt the Kremlins petroleum exports and cut the revenues used to fund the war. Kyiv says that Russia is also striking merchant ships. Also Read: Jaishankar rolls out new BRICS 2026 logo Largest nurses strike in NYC history starts as contract talks stall Xinhua) 10:04, January 13, 2026 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) January 11, 2026: While China is a major trading partner with NATO nations and Russia, the Ukraine War is providing China with some valuable opportunities. China backs Russia, but discreetly so to avoid Western economic sanctions. China does not give expensive aid to its loyal neighbors. With Russia under onerous economic sanctions, Russia benefits from all the non-military goods China sells to them. For China, a Russian victory in Ukraine means China will get a quick and thorough look at captured Western weapons. A Russian victory would also mean European nations would concentrate on defense spending and not compete for sales of goods to Chinese customers worldwide, especially in East Asia. Whoever wins, China senses opportunities. Even before Russia actually invaded Ukraine, China advised that such an operation would be unwise. Russian leader Vladimir Putin ignored that advice, which implied that Putin did not have an accurate assessment of what the Russian military was actually capable of. Chinese leader Xi Jinping was further dismayed when Putin also ignored Chinese calls for withdrawing from Ukraine and limiting the long-term damage to the partnership with China. Successful Chinese leaders tend to be more mindful of historical lessons and seek not to misinterpret them. Russia insists that Ukraine is part of Russia and must be reunited with the motherland. China has a roughly similar situation with Taiwan. Some believe that, unlike Russia, China does not consider a major attack on Taiwan a suitable solution because of the side effects and risks. The Ukrainian experience has already persuaded most Taiwanese that they could reliably defeat or disrupt Chinese attack plans. Taiwanese also note that CCP/Chinese Communist Party rule in China is failing, especially since Xi Jinping reversed many of the reforms the CCP implemented in the 1980s to get the Chinese economy going and curb most government efforts to disrupt that economic growth. Democracies have similar problems but, because they are democracies have an effective way to fix things by electing new officials. China, Taiwan and the United States are all studying the Ukraine War for useful lessons and one of the few they could all agree on was that the huge quantities of artillery ammunition expended exceeded peacetime estimates. This might have an impact on a Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan by force. Taiwan has been increasing its weapons and munitions stockpiles for years as well as training more men for combat duty. While China has long planned to use over a thousand ballistic missiles and lots of airstrikes, they still have to get troops onto the island and deal with Taiwanese ground forces. At that point both sides would be depending on artillery a lot and the Ukraine War has demonstrated that a lot more artillery ammunition is needed than anyone planned for. Transporting that extra artillery ammunition ashore in Taiwan complicates Chinese logistical planning and delays its readiness to attack. Then there was the drone revolution triggered by Ukraine Taiwan has noted that and now Chinese invaders will have to deal with thousands of naval and aerial drones attacking their amphibious invading force, The Ukraine War also demonstrated the importance of motivation and morale. The Taiwanese identify with the Ukrainians while the Chinese note that they, like Russia, are basically police state dictatorships while Ukraine and Taiwan are democracies that are highly motivated to innovate and fight to preserve their way of life. China would also suffer much more than Russia from any economic problems an attack on Taiwan would lead to. China, like Russia, has internal economic and population problems. Chinas working age population is dramatically shrinking and that is having an impact on the military because not enough Chinese are willing to serve. Its economic problems were amplified by large-scale covid19 related shutdowns in 2022. This triggered widespread and very open public resistance. The government backed down, unwilling to literally go to war with its people over this. Chinese leaders were then obsessed with there being no covid19 infections at all in China and so imposed the shutdowns. Most Chinese, however, paid attention to what was happening in the rest of the world, concluded that some infections and deaths were preferable to the shutdowns, and took to the streets to coerce the government into shutting down the shutdowns. The breadth and depth of their protests was unprecedented in the history of Communist China and so threatened the power of the Chinese Communist Party that it submitted to public demands. This set a dangerous precedent for the future. One of the economic risks associated with China attacking Taiwan is the economic backlash and damage to China. Western sea power will immediately block Chinese imports and exports for at least the duration of hostilities, and sanctions will block or greatly diminish those for longer. Worse, the ensuing worldwide financial and economic chaos will dramatically reduce Western demand for Chinese products long-term. Chinas economy is far more dependent on its exports than the West is on imports from China. Next is the unique position of the Taiwanese electronics industry, which is the sole or primary manufacturer of several key electronic components. China and the rest of the world are very dependent on Taiwanese computer products. Destruction of Taiwanese computer products industries during an invasion would result in world-wide economic disruptions for several years before America, Japan and South Korea could replace Taiwans former production. Taiwan has made veiled threats of destroying the plants producing those unique products at the onset of any Chinese attack. This issue will become more prominent during the immediate run-up before the invasion, and cause increasingly greater anxiety and turmoil in both Western and Chinese markets as they prepare for both the loss of Taiwans unique products plus all Chinese imports and exports for an uncertain period. Chinas economy would suffer most of all because China is as dependent on the West for Taiwanese electronics, and on Western imports of Chinas non-electronic products that would plunge due to lack of Western demand during a recession. The West would certainly not export its computer electronics to China given that China would have caused such economic chaos, and China lacks the ability to manufacture its own advanced electronics without imports of key Western components and materials. The price of a successful Chinese invasion of Taiwan could easily be destruction of CCP rule in China. As an invasion gets closer, the risks of trying it will become more and more apparent to Chinas very risk-averse Communist Party leaders, and President Xi is just one man. Another problem is the lack of accurate information on key aspects of the government and economy. All this is nothing new, and over thousands of years Chinese have realized that you cannot eliminate corruption, but you can try to minimize the most dangerous side-effects, like a hollowed out military that looks great but cannot win at endeavors like a sudden attack on Taiwan. Chinese analysts, discussing this in public forums like mass media, professional journals and so on, conclude that one should honor the ancient advice of Sun Tzu by convincingly threatening war but not actually fighting unless there is no choice. That would mean using your forces to defend China but not to get into a war of aggression you cant win. Sun Tzu also advised ignoring advice from military leaders that the troops are ready for any contingency, including an order to attack a neighbor. Unless you have a military with recent successful military experience, any claims to military capabilities and success in a war are suspect. 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 Zip Code January 13, 2026: Ukrainian partisans have added hacking to their toolbox. Last month the Atesh group carried out a hack that disabled reestrpovestok.RF, the Russian electronic military draft network. This network sends out draft notices to men in Russia plus Russian-occupied portions of Ukraine. It took weeks to get the system fully functional again. Atesh also carries out attacks on Russian railroads, usually by disabling engines or switching systems. These attacks take place deep inside Russia, where security is thin to non-existent. Three years ago, Ukraine began organizing partisan groups within Russian-occupied portions of Ukraine as well as in Russia itself. Many Russian civilians were unhappy with this war, which was getting lots of Russian soldiers killed and causing economic problems inside Russia. This led to the formation of several armed groups of pro-Ukraine Russians as well as making it easier for Russian-speaking Ukrainian operatives to operate inside Russia collecting information and organizing sabotage missions. Most of the sabotage was made to appear as an accident or lack of maintenance, both of which are common inside peacetime as well as wartime Russia. Since the Americans would not supply Ukraine with satellite photos of possible targets inside Russia, Ukraine used its agents to locate or confirm the location and condition of potential targets. This is what made the drone attacks possible on eighteen Russian fuel refining and storage locations in one year. This caused fuel shortages and higher fuel prices inside Russia. Attacks were also on manufacturers of key components for military equipment as well as warehouses containing military equipment, including explosive items. Those nighttime attacks, even more than the ones on fuel depots, produced dramatic explosions and fires that could be seen for many kilometers. So many of these occurred that the state controlled mass media could not effectively conceal what was happening and that it was the Ukrainians who were doing it. Ukraine deliberately carried out these attacks near major cities like Moscow, St Petersburg, and more distant cities like Kazan, which is 730 kilometers east of Moscow. Nearly half the population of Kazan are native Tatars who would rather live in a Tartar nation than one dominated by Russians. There are many other ethnic minorities in Russia and Ukraine can find locals willing to aid the Ukrainians in their fight against Russia. The Ukrainians had already organized and in some cases armed thousands of Ukrainian civilians living in Russian controlled areas. These partisans devote most of their efforts to obtaining detailed information on what local Russian forces are doing and what shape these Russian troops are in. It can take days to get status reports to Ukrainian forces about Russian military activities. These reports often result in Ukrainian drone attacks on key Russian targets. Russia has had less success maintaining agents inside Ukraine. At the start of the war, it was revealed that Russia had lots of agents, some of them in the Ukrainian government and military. During the first year of the war most of these Russian agents were revealed, often as they sought to carry out acts of sabotage. By the second year of the war Russia had few agents left inside Ukraine while Ukraine had a growing number of agents inside Russia. This was because few Russians could see any justification for Russia invading Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has become increasingly unpopular inside Russia and more Russians are acting against their own government. Ukraine appears to have little contact with these anti-government Russians other than not interfering with them if they base themselves on the Ukrainian side of the border in between attacks inside Russia. In response to these partisan attacks, the Russian army has deployed over 30,000 soldiers in border areas where the partisans, both Russian and Ukrainian, were operating. The partisans are numerous, with up to 100,000 Russian members of these pro-Ukrainian groups who support and carry out operations inside Russia. As the war in Ukraine gets more Russian soldiers killed and does more damage to the Russian economy, the Russian partisans inside Russia become more active and troublesome. According to information provided to Reuters, India is considering a new security requirement that could require smartphone manufacturers to share their source code with the state. The proposal is part of a package of 83 security standards designed to strengthen protection against data breaches and fraud. The requirements include that manufacturers must allow Indian authorities to review the source code in special test labs and notify the government before major software updates are released. Manufacturers must also allow pre-installed apps to be removed, apps to be blocked from using the camera and microphone in the background, and logs of system activity to be stored for at least one year. The industry organization MAIT, which represents companies such as Apple, Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi, is reported to have told the authorities that it is not possible for them to review the source code. In a comment to Reuters, Indias IT department says it is currently in dialogue with the industry. At the same time, the department denies that the government is formally considering requiring access to source code. The Guardian has published a number of articles highlighting the risks of asking health-related questions to chatbots or other AI tools. For example, Googles AI overviews provide directly dangerous answers about liver values, which can lead people with serious liver diseases to believe that they are healthy. Following the review, Google has decided to remove some of the criticized AI summaries. However, there is still a risk that they will appear if the user changes to a different wording. January 13, 2026: Late last year Taiwan successfully conducted sea trials for six SeaShark 680 naval drones. These drones, including, eventually, the larger SeaShark 800, carry payloads that include an autonomous guidance system, navigational sensors, explosives and an AI/Artificial Intelligence enhanced navigation and communications system that enables groups of SeaSharks to form and maintain a swarm formation despite enemy use of electronic jamming. Taiwan is buying 1,350 SeaSharks at a cost of $750,000 each. The larger SeaShark 800 will carry a ton of explosives. American military analysts believe that the successful Ukrainian use of airborne and naval drones against Russia in the Black Sea provides a realistic solution to the problems Taiwan faces in defending itself against an attack by the Chinese navy. As a major supplier of military aid to Ukraine, the Ukrainians share details of their experience with new weapons against the Russians. The problem is that the United States refuses to adopt the Ukrainian designed drones and instead sticks with similar, but much inferior, systems developed by politically favored defense contractors in the United States. Among the U.S. Navy-developed drones is the Remus 100 that the navy successfully used in the Persian Gulf during 2008. Remus 100 is a 37 kg vehicle that looks like a small torpedo. It is 1.6 meters long and 190mm in diameter. Carrying side-scanning sonar and other sensors, a Remus 100 can stay underwater for 22 hours, traveling at a cruising speed of five kilometers an hour. Top speed is about nine kilometers an hour. Remus is actually a UUV/Unmanned Underwater Vessel that can operate up to 100 kilometers from its operator and dive up to 100 meters. The UUV keeps costs down by using GPS, in addition to inertial guidance. The UUV surfaces every hour or two to get a GPS fix, and then goes back to doing what it was programmed to do. Ukraine could use them to find and eliminate Russian bottom mines in shallow coastal waters, but that has not been a problem for Ukraine because the Russians have already been defeated by Ukraine designed and manufactured drones. Worse, the U.S. proposed Remus 100 was designed mainly for civilian applications like inspecting underwater facilities, pollution monitoring, underwater survey, or search. In theory there are similar military and police applications, notably searching for naval mines. Russia did try to use naval mines, the floating kind, not the ones that lie on or are chained to the sea bottom. Russia tried to block Ukraine from importing or exporting goods via their main port of Odessa, which is in western Ukraine near the costs of NATO members Romania and Bulgaria. Those mines were cleared in 2023 using conventional methods, plus the drones that forced the Russian navy to move over a thousand kilometers away, to the distant Sea of Azov in the northeastern portion of the Black Sea. Even there, Ukrainian drones continue to threaten and attack Russian warships taking refuge in ports there. The Ukrainian drones prevent Russia from importing or exporting any goods via the Black Sea route. Remus is not an offensive weapon, which the Ukrainian designed drones are, and it was with these drones that Ukraine defeated the Russian Black Sea fleet. That was quite an accomplishment for a country that does not have a navy. The Russians were not only defeated, but they were also humiliated. If the United States wants to give Taiwan useful advice and assistance, they must adopt what worked for the Ukrainians, not try to create something new that can be described as made in America. Currently the US Navy established USVRON\Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 at a navy west coast base. The squadron operates drones known as GARCs/Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft. These are small, 1.6 ton, 4.8 meter long drones with a top speed of 65 kilometers an hour. Range varies depending on cruising speed. At 54 kilometers an hour max range is 750 kilometers. At 11 kilometers an hour the range is 1,300 kilometers. GARCs are designed to handle 2.5 meter waves and moderate winds. Any more than that and a GARC will be blown off course until the seas return to normal. GARCS were developed to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance missions and transmit their video images back to another ship or land station for a human operator to monitor if needed. GARC can also carry sonar and use that to detect submarines. Any contacts are reported to a warship which can then use anti-submarine torpedoes or dispatch helicopters equipped with one or more anti-submarine torpedoes. GARC is also well suited to detecting and destroying naval mines. GARCs autonomous behavior and sensors make it ideal for port patrol and identifying and reporting any actual or potential threats. GARCs have been successfully used this way in the Persian Gulf to protect ports where American ships are berthed. In addition to GARC and Remus, there are several other autonomous vessels including surface and underwater craft that can spend months at sea monitoring and recording conditions. These vessels include surface vessels like the 7 meter long Saildrone Explorer that stay at sea for a year while moving along at a speed of 5.6 kilometers an hour. Speed depends on how much wind there is because Explorer actually has a small sail. This includes conditions underwater, which are valuable to submarines, especially USN nuclear submarines that remain underwater for months at a time. What the U.S. Navy has not been able to produce are the cheap, effective, armed drones and drones the Ukrainian used to cripple the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The problem is situational and political. The American situation is peacetime, not wartime. When you are at war things are done quickly, effectively, and inexpensively. Ukraine demonstrated that with its domestic drone and USV programs. In the United States peacetime defense procurement is a lot more expensive and takes longer than it would in wartime. That means the Ukrainian type drones and UUVs will cost the USN far more than the Ukrainian models and take years to reach the U.S. Pacific Fleet. If China goes to war over Taiwan, that situation will change overnight. Meanwhile you go to war with what you have when war is declared. Right now the American navy has few of those clever and effective Ukrainian drones and drones. Keep in mind that it took the Ukrainians over a year after the Russian invasion to come up with their brilliant and effective drone designs and tactics that crippled and defeated the mighty Russian Black Sea Fleet. The United States knows what Ukraine did in the Black Sea but that knowledge does not quickly translate into similar American weapons. The primary problem is so few American naval commanders understand exactly what the Ukrainian did and how to replicate that for the American Pacific Fleet, where such Ukrainian technology is needed. Four years ago, Taiwan produced a novel and apparently effective anti-radar drone. Their Chien Hsiang drone is a 2 meter wide and 1.2 meter long propeller-driven drone that weighs about 100 kg. Taiwan has not revealed the actual weight. Chien Hsiang has a top speed of 185 kilometers an hour, which is apparently used once it finds a target and attacks it as quickly as possible. This drone is built for endurance and apparently moves slowly most of the time so it can stay in the air for up to 100 hours. The guidance system can be programmed to follow several different strategies while the difficulty in spotting the small drone makes it a threat to enemy ships or land-based radars. Chien Hsiang is launched from launch/storage containers that are mounted on a flatbed tractor-trailer truck carrying the launcher boxes stacked four high. Chien Hsiang apparently launches from the box via a small rocket. Each stack of boxes can be raised at an angle so the drones can easily gain altitude. Chien Hsiang bears a resemblance to the earlier Israeli Harpy anti-radar drone. The Harpy was heavier at 136 kg, larger and had an endurance of five hours. Taiwan believes that smaller with longer endurance is better. Did small and midsize businesses are among the most vulnerable targets in cyber security? They make up nearly two-thirds of the global supply chain, but most still lack the resources and the protections to defend against today's cyber threats. Hi, I'm Joan Goodchild and welcome to another episode of Cyber Sessions. Today we're talking with Senthil Ramakrishnan. He is a cyber expert with AT&T. We're really excited to talk to him about why SMBs are such vulnerable targets and how they can better protect themselves. So, welcome Senthil. Thank you for having me. Joan, it's a privilege to be on this video series. Great. So, let's just dive right in. let's just start with the big picture. Why are small and medium businesses such vulnerable targets for cyber attacks today? , the way SMBs are doing business today has fundamentally changed, right? They're no longer this mom and pop, unconnected little entity that's , part of the supply chain. Today, there are a lot more connected, especially connected to the internet. , you think is for an example, point of sale systems, IoT systems, even API transactions for ordering. All of this is happening over the internet and the internet has become their new lifeline or corporate network. Now, there's a lot of goodness that comes along with that, but it also exposes these SMBs to this , massive attack surface that they previously didn't even have an idea existed, right? And so, you couple this with the minimal budgets they have and the lack of knowledge of talent from a cyber perspective. Now, so large attack surface not able to protect themselves. it's a perfect target and also I think SMBs are now very attractive from an attack surface too right everything from customer records payment details intellectual property you talked about the supply chain and how big they are there and so that also gives indirect access to larger enterprise so all of this together perfect perfect target for cyber criminals today yeah these these the size of these businesses obviously ly they they can't afford the kind of robust security program like a Fortune 500 company has a CISO often several people dedicated to maybe even executive leadership around security it's just not an option for SMBs but yet like I was saying up at the top they are part of the twothirds of the global supply chain so let's dig into that a little bit more like why does SMB security affect the larger global supply chain yeah I mean it's they've become so critical to just you the the global supply chain and they serve as vendors they're logistics providers they're IT service partners they're supplying parts and components and a single compromised SMB can become an entry point for these attackers into multiple organizations because these SMBs are not just serving one customer they're serving multiple customers and so that amplifies the the impact across the entire ecosystem there's that old saying right a chain is only as strong as its weakest link and the SMBs make up that supply chain today and there's this challenge of cascading risk too like the supply chain is no longer constrained to your little region like a large enterprise has parts and components and partners in China there's IT services from India we've got support coming out of Europe so it's spread out everywhere and all of these partners either have to communicate between themselves or are communicating through the large enterprise. So that gives ample opportunity to weaponize any vulnerability that that each of these partners have. And from a statistics point of view I think Foley produced some statistics that since 2021 there's been a greater than 400% increase in supply chain related cyber attacks related to just SMBs. So it's a massive it's a massive opportunity today. Is there any sort of specific or I should say attack techniques that SMBs are more vulnerable than to say your really large organization with that budget we mentioned earlier. or is it kind of the same tricks packaged up in the same ways? It's just that it's sort of easier entry point because of the size of the organization. No, I think it's different. It's still a blend of traditional attack methods and newer advanced technologies like AI today. But I think the primary factor is the human factor or the f the primary vulnerability is the human factor. I think about 95% Gartner had this statistic 95% of SMB related breaches happen due to some type of human error. So you think of the older tools like fishing and business email compromise that that still exists today. that's probably the most common way of reaching or breaking into SMB business but now AI powered fishing is there right so so attackers are using generative AI to craft like highly convincing emails and messages that that mimic their customers their partners even their own executives to bypass the very basic spam filters that that these SMBs are using today and then it comes down to human trust right I see it on my screen came from my boss. I'm going to go clink click on this link and then boom. you have credential theft, unauthorized software installation. So, so I think that still continues to be the top threat. the second one I'd call out is ransomware. , the same attack methodology to get into the systems, some type of intrusion to get in, but now it's a double threat. It's a dual threat. They're not only encrypting your data and holding it ransom, but they're also threatening to leak it and so they're attacking you from two sides. And as a small business, reputation is so important, right? When this is threatening your livelihood for a large enterprise, they can yeah, have some incident response, fix it, and move on. But for an SMB, this could be the death knell. So, so ransomware continues to be a big one. And then the last one I call out is because of the lack of knowledge or lack of talent, it's also unpatched systems and the ability to exploit open vulnerabilities, right? We have so much democratization of attack tools these days that within 20 minutes I can download a set of tools and be able to be up and running compared to the last decade or so where you need to be a expert at cyber crime to be able to go attack somebody. Um, so, SMBs often delay these patches and updates due to resource constraints and cost. So, it's another reason why they're easy targets. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I know we've been talking about the human target or the human weakness. it just continues to be a huge entry point to them. But then, yes, of course, the patching part of it comes in too. again stretched thin, budgets are tight, maybe don't always have people on staff to be able to keep systems up to date and handle the patching. So, what kind of recommendations do you have here? We keep hearing, and a lot of conversations like, well, with the with the adoption of a lot of AI, perhaps some of these things might become easier because we might be able to automate some of these some of these more manual processes now so that , teams can get back to more mission critical kinds of work. I mean is that what you're hearing too or what kind of advice do we give to SMBs about the importance of keeping those systems patched and how to accomplish it? No, absolutely. I think tools like AI are working in both for the customer and then across the across the table for the attackers as well. Right? So for an SMB I think it's pretty critical I think the first one is training is trying to fix that human effect or human factor and saying hey you need to have the ability to know what devices you have what software you're putting on your device. unlike a large enterprise they don't have the luxury of having a full endpoint detection solution running on all their machines or larger XDR or a sock or something like that. So it comes down to almost personal responsibility to manage what you're doing on your business device. And so that asset discovery and inventory becomes a becomes a personal issue rather than a a a departmental or enterprise wide situation. Right? So I think that's first one is you got to train your people. teach him that when there's a popup that says, "Hey, you got to update your , your iPad because of a security update is pushed out by Apple, go ahead and do it." That 5 minutes is not going to , the impact of that 5 minutes is much larger than not doing it as well. Right? the ability to use AI to do automated scanning of what's on your network, I think tools like that is what we need to start looking at. It's becoming a lot more simpler. Lot of software is available. But it's very important to find a trusted partner, right? There's there's over I think some statistic I was like 6,500 cyber security vendors out there with probably double triple the number of tools and everybody's selling to SMBs cuz they know that's where the market is today. So trying to find a trusted partner whether it's a managed security service partner or an IT services company that can help you I think that's that's pretty critical pretty critical as well and then layering defense right if email is one of the major points of attack then adding some advanced email protection could be an example even the email providers today you take somebody like a Microsoft or an office 365 outlook based solution they offer cap capabilities that these SMBs can take advantage of. So, so it's becoming a lot more easier to implement some of these layered approaches, but that also means you have to educate yourself a little bit. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And , you mentioned too like like the toolkits now, like the the tool kits that have been available on the dark web for people to purchase have been around for a while, but now AI only uplevels that even more. what I mean? So the the bar the threshold for professionalized crime is even is even easier now because you can you can obtain these things easily for a price. in terms of again going back to sort of techniques and that talk about you things like bulk fix bulk fishing and malware as a service and how how criminals are able to kind of buy into these now in order to be even more stealth with the kind of exploits that they're able to pull off. Oh absolutely. fishing and malware right was always a foundational tool in the cyber criminals arsenal but now AI has just scaled that right like if you take bulk fishing now that just means I'm able to send thousands and sometimes even millions of fraudulent emails or messages that are essentially designed to trick the recipients into clicking these malicious links right or downloading some some software now with AI especially generative AI I can I can not only create emails I can create video now I can create images a lot more easier for people to be able to create this stuff. So it's really scaled it and there's a lot of tools available today and you don't even have to go to the dark web zone. You can just download them off of the web you and I are using on a daily basis right and you don't need any technical skill to be able to use this. Now you couple this with things like malware as a service. Now we all know what malware is but with malware as a service it's essentially platforms that are available where attackers have compromised a set of devices usually in like the millions and you can go rent or buy compute on these devices in order to be u install your own software or take advantage of the software that's already on there . So think ransomware, key loggers to steal credentials, remote access tools, they've all become very very easy. It's amazing. We were we were shown one and it was actually more easier to use than a firewall dashboard that that you'd get from any of the firewall vendors. It was so userfriendly. It blew my mind. I was like why wouldn't like a teenager sitting in India just pop this open and use it right now? You put all this together and you have a fishing email that comes in sent to thousands of employees. Somebody clicks it. It's compromised. Now it's a waiting game on who's going to go use it. Right. I think if you remember there was a a mai botnet attack a few years ago that essentially took advantage of IoT devices which I think SMBs are unknowingly installing across their business. Cameras know everybody buys cameras off of Amazon. , nobody knows where it's coming from. It it works. I'm sticking it in there. And I think that Mariah botnet was used as a DNS was used to attack the DNS infrastructure and took down I don't know a large part of the internet. So it's amazing how simple things have become these days. But that just means the SMBs have to be more prepared to protect themselves. There's the last point I want to make that is on the education front there's this it's a small target illusion right these SMBs just believe that I'm too small for anybody to care to attack me but because these tools are so easy to use and so simple to use they're now the big targets yeah yeah I know I think that again that that mindset of like well what do I have that's worth anything I mean even from a personal standpoint people have been thinking that for years And I mean the the answer to that is everything. There's everything can be weaponized these days. and there's the old sort of cliche too that's been around for years about because sort of in the early days of cyber crime since I've been covering security for 20 years there was sort of this notion that these criminals are so intelligent if only they would use this intelligence to do something legitimate. But it's kind of really not the argument anymore, right? Cuz you can buy a kit and if especially if you're living in a country where you can make a tremendous amount of money for compared to what you would would make if you went out and found an actual job I think that's a tough sell sometimes for for for the person that's considering buying an exploit kit online. It it is it is right. , you talk about , video and voice , cloning using AI. It becomes so easy these days and I can pay a dollar to get access to these tools today. And I I just need it for a few hours so that I can I can build, a set of emails or messages that I can then use to attack and , we talked about the supply chain aspect, right? this just doesn't affect just the SMB space alone. It is much more farreaching like the target hack came through the HVAC vendor, right? And we're adding more and more connected devices which means more and more partners, more and more access across the board, no matter what the size of your business is. And so, it's challenging. at the house. We bought a we we did a kitchen remodel and we got a new fridge and the fridge was connected and I was like I don't know why my fridge needs to be connected but you expand that into the into the commercial space and it becomes more challenging. Yep. Yep. It's just another entry point. Okay. now you mentioned a minute ago too but I want to go back to it too like sort of these misconceptions the I'm too small to be a target. We now know that that is absolutely not true. But are there any other misconceptions out there that you hear among SMB security practitioners or that there there's this idea that isn't necessarily true that we should sort of warn folks about. I think the other one is compl regulatory compliance equals security. a lot of these businesses have to be PCIDSS or HIPPA or GDPR if you're global. So they're meeting a lot of these regulatory compliances, but it never guarantees protection of security, right? Compliance again is a minimum set of standards. It doesn't cover any of the evolving threats like ransomware or fishing kind of like what we talked about. to me, true security means there's continuous monitoring, there's continuous patching, there's layered defenses beyond just a compliance checklist. So I think that's another one. Um, and then the simplest one to me is antivirus equals security, right? Traditionally, everybody's like, I got an antivirus on my computer. I'm good to go. And I I don't think that's valid anymore. and the last thing is training. , people overlook that training aspect so much. , we were talking to as part of work, we were talking to a SMB customer who was compromised and they were like, "Oh man, I spent, $10,000 on this firewall and I thought I was good to go." But, it came down to user error on whether how it was configured or what got through and what got clicked. So, that that human error piece, just because I have a piece of technology doesn't mean I'm I'm protected. I got to make sure my humans are trained and are acting intelligently, too. Right. Right. Right. Yeah. And I mean, and it's it's tough again because budgets are so much tighter, too. , that $10,000 on a firewall, that's that's big money. I heard for an SMB, and I heard a a statistic the other day when I was at an event where the person who was speaking mentioned a really massive company that was down for seven minutes. It was in healthcare. and they were down for 7 minutes and the cost of that breach and the being out of so not being able to operate for just that 7 minutes the cost to them was in the billions but for an SMB what I mean where it's like it's a very different budget landscape and what they're working with that that $10,000 feels like a tremendous investment and so so kind of what is the lesson there about what the stakes are you're not a Fortune 500 company maybe seven minutes down isn't going to cost you billions of dollars. But I mean for an SMB that it could potentially mean reputational risk that means you're out of business in a year, I mean it's right. Yeah. Mhm. Yeah. The impacts are bigger, right? Like like that 7 billion for that enterprise is is a big number, but they might have ins they might have cyber insurance and so they're covered or they have some contingency plan for an SMB like you said. I think it's it's reputational damage leading to the deathnell of their business, right? one or two partners are compromised because of them or if they're not able to fulfill orders or they're losing sensitive data, that could be the end of an SMB. And so it's and it also limits them from scaling, right? I don't think these SMBs want to stay SMBs. They want to kind of grow up the stack and , and a cyber security breach just takes them back so far that it's almost like restarting to try to get back to where you are. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Well, we like to leave people with , some takeaways. So, do you have any recommendations for any of our SMB, affiliated viewers who might be watching? I mean, what are a couple of things that they could take back to what they're doing today to try to improve their security posture? Well, no, absolutely. While they might not have like enterprise level budgets, I think there's a few practical steps that they can take, right? Like first one, like I said, I always it's always number one for me. Teach your staff, train your staff to recognize fishing, social engineering, and suspicious behavior. It's not expensive to do that. , a couple thousand dollars a year to bring in a training company to go do that. Um, second one is email filtering, right? , enable multiffactor authentication, add some advanced email filtering into whatever you're using. Um, last one is is have an incident response plan. I think unfortunately Joan, you and I know this. It's not a question of if. Now it's become a question of when am I going to be impacted. So having a incident response plan so that you're ready when when the worst case situation happens, both legal, technical, and communication, I think is critical. And then go change your passwords, change them often, change. I I I just I know the Lou Museum is not a small business, but when I read that their password was Lou, I was like, what? Yeah. I literally just read that right before we got on to record our episode here and I was like you cannot make this stuff up. I I was shocked to read that. Yeah. Just for for those who are those who are watching for clarification, we're recording at the time when the Louve was just robbed a few about a week or so ago and today in the news that has come out that the password for some of their sensitive systems was literally Lou Lra. I'm not I don't speak French but yeah. So what's the takeaway there? Sometimes it's the simplest things, what I mean? Budget or not, the simplest things. Cyber hygiene, right? Exactly. like cyber security is no longer optional. I think it's no matter the size of your business, it's business imperative, right? and SMBs that invest in basic protections and more importantly foster a security aware culture are far less likely to suffer some cat catastrophic breach. Great. All right. Well, Senthil from AT&T, AT&T cyber expert, thank you so much for joining us today. It was great having you as a guest. Thanks for having me. All right, great. And thanks to you for watching. If you liked what you saw and you want to see some more episodes of Cyber Sessions, we encourage you to like and subscribe and follow along for more. For now, I'm Joan Goodchild. See you next time. [Music] Photo: Joe Polowczuk Its not easy to get inside most of Paul Rudolphs buildings, especially when they keep disappearing. The works of this baroque brutalist, who was active until his death in 1997, have been steadily demolished over the past few decades his Riverview High School in Sarasota in 2009, the Shoreline Apartments in Buffalo in 2020, his Burroughs-Wellcome Building in North Carolina the following year. Multiple Rudolph houses have been lost in the same period. Others remain at risk; the fate of his still-polarizing Boston Government Service Center is exceptionally unclear. Nature has been cruel as well, washing away his Sanderling Beach Cabanas in Sarasota in a 2024 hurricane. New York has a few survivors, including his Tracey Towers in the Bronx, which anchor the north end of the Grand Concourse, and his former penthouse at 23 Beekman Place, which is on sale for nearly $16 million (you can see it briefly in The Royal Tenenbaums as Ben Stillers residence). Tom Ford owns his Hirsch House in Manhattan (which was formerly owned by Halston you can see an interior mockup in the Netflix series). But good luck getting inside either of those unless you have a larger wallet or better connections than most of us. Theres one exception lurking in plain view on East 58th Street. Unlike so many of Rudolphs commissions, which were not protected, the Modulightor Building is New Yorks most recent and youngest interior landmark (the exterior was landmarked in 2023). The building dates from Rudolphs last decade of work, completed just three years before his death. The architect designed the ground floor to house his lighting company, Modulightor, which he founded with life and business partner Ernst Wagner. It also held his architectural office on the second floor along with two duplex apartments on the top floors, which were rented out to tenants. You could say that after his home on Beekman Place, it was his personal laboratory in the latter decades of life. He may not have lived there, but he was essentially his own client and played with its interiors as he saw fit. The buildings facade features a lattice of three different sizes of I-beams. Photo: Annie Schlechter For the past 25 years or so, since Rudolphs death, the duplex has been Wagners residence, and for much of that time, it has also functioned as a house museum. Wagner died in December 2024 and left the property to the Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture, which has since expanded its schedule of events and openings. Now, you can visit it twice a month and do basically as you wish within the bounds of cocktail-event propriety peer around, flip through the books, sit on the furniture, and, as of late, take in some exhibitions. Most recently, it opened Weaving Annie Albers, which features reissued Albers designs by Dedar, an Italian textile company. It might easily have gone the other way. Any townhouse in Manhattan lacking a landmark designation is at constant risk, even those by architects who dont seem as hexed as Rudolph. Saving Modulightor required decades of dogged efforts to keep it intact and accessible, and it survived one very acrimonious split among Rudolph devotees. Rudolph wasnt always a tragic figure. Starting early in his career, in the 1960s, he made a great splash with a cluster of works around Sarasota and then rapidly elsewhere. He became chair of the Yale School of Architecture at 40 and enjoyed a brief interval of success. His projects from the era include the Art & Architecture Building at Yale, which now bears his name, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus, Boston Government Service Center, and a great number of excellent offices, residential towers, churches, and schools. His fall was about as abrupt as his rise. He left Yale in 1965. While peers such as I.M. Pei and Philip Johnson became international stars with offices that ballooned into megafirms, he became regarded as a brutalist dinosaur, especially as public antipathy toward the style grew. Although Rudolphs concrete architecture was more complex and soulful than that of many of his imitators, that difference was often overlooked. And unlike Pei or Johnson, he kept his practice small, remaining close to the work, which meant less of it, while his peers ran multiple offices and were only thinly attached to their output. There has been some overdue recognition. The Metropolitan Museum of Art held the first substantial retrospective of the architect last year, leaning heavily on his artful drawings. There have been a few books this century; one on his Florida houses and another on his later work (both are out of print), and Timothy Rohans The Architecture of Paul Rudolph, the first career-spanning biography from 2014. Still, his is not a name that the average person might distinguish from the reindeer. Photo: Annie Schlechter The buildings top two floors have been host to a variety of exhibitions and events, featuring the work of Rudolph and Goldfinger, architectural posters, the photographs of Paul Clemence and more. Photo: Peter Aaron/OTTO Photo: Anne Broder Rudolph had always hoped his own residence at Beekman Place would be preserved and open to the public and tried to donate it to the Library of Congress as a study center. But this effort fell through. He willed his portion of the Modulightor building to Wagner, which was lightly reconfigured by former Rudolph employee Donald Luckenill into a single apartment. Wagner moved in along with their possessions. Wagner began allowing open houses in 2005. Kelvin Dickinson, an architect and now president of the Paul Rudolph Institute of Modern Architecture, attended one of these the following year. He explained, At that point, there were no websites about him. There were no books in print. When I met Ernst, I sat down on the floor in front of him and I said, Tell me everything. Stair treads become bookshelves in the duplexs main living area. Photo: Annie Schlechter Dickinson soon got permission to come in on weekends to work on cataloguing the possessions remaining there. There were over 30 pairs of Rudolphs Corbusian glasses in the first box he opened, thousands of slides of unpublished projects, a letter from Walter Gropius, and all of it needed to be organized. Over the nearly 20 years since, he and other volunteers have sifted through this jumble of content, digitizing items, creating a website, and holding events. Wagner continued to hold court, spreading word of Rudolphs work, and in that time, he became president of the Paul Rudolph Foundation, begun in 2002. Architect Mark Squeo added another two floors to the building between 2010 and 2016, using earlier Rudolph plans for a taller building. But then a dispute developed in the foundation and Wagner was voted off the board in 2014. Some members believed that Rudolphs former partner was less than effective at advocating for the preservation of Rudolphs work. The next year, Wagner, Dickinson, and a number of others founded a new organization based in the Modulightor building, establishing the Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation in 2015. In 2020, the older foundation filed a lawsuit against the newer one over the rights to Rudolphs estate, which was settled on confidential terms in 2023. Now both organizations advocate for Rudolphs work; the newer institute, led by Dickinson, represents the estate, and the foundation focuses on a mission to further the knowledge, understanding, and preservation of the work of Late Modernist architect & educator Paul Rudolph. Essentially, there are now two organizations dedicated to preserving Rudolphs work without the legal tussle of earlier decades. After the dispute was settled, the open houses at Modulightor doubled to twice a month. The goal was simply to expose as many visitors as possible to Rudolphs work. As Dickinson explained: The idea was that if someone sees the interior, they would go, How could you ever tear down a Paul Rudolph space? As a calling card, the Modulightor Buildings facade of irregular I-beams stands out next to its more conventional neighbors. It solves the classic New York rowhouse dilemma of windows being impossible to place anywhere but at the front and back by dedicating nearly all facade space to them. But its inside where Rudolphs design philosophy really shines; instead of the typical open-plan solution, where nearly nothing is going on inside except an expansive floor plate, its an Escheresque space full of corners and partial levels that provide vistas up, down, and through the duplex. Photo: Peter Aaron/OTTO Its in line with a message that Rudolph presented at a 1954 convention of the American Institute of Architects, where he argued that architects must relearn the art of designing buildings that create different kinds of space; the quiet, enclosed, isolated, shaded space; the hustling, bustling space, pungent with vitality; the paved, dignified, vast, sumptuous, even awe-inspiring space; the mysterious space; the transition space which defines, separates, and yet joins juxtaposed spaces of contrasting character. The Modulightor demonstrates this at every opportunity: Stairway treads become bookcase shelving. Nooks abound. Corners hardly meet. The built-in furniture doesnt meet the walls or ceilings, and the resulting gaps and recesses make spaces feel much larger than they are. Its a device he borrowed in part from John Soane more than mildly well. As Dickinson explained, Most apartments are a simple rectangular box. As soon as you walk in, you know how big or small the space feels. In Rudolphs design, he overloads you with corners so that you dont know where to look. The space feels bigger due to its complexity. In architecture lingo, Rudolph thought intensely in terms of section about vertical space over plan or what is a traditional layout. The house is also a result of constant tinkering and experimentation. Dickinson explained that when it came to Modulightor, Rudolph would hold up some plywood or some cardboard and say, I like it, and the next day, say, I dont. He would tweak as he went along. It probably helped that the materials he used were the definition of off the shelf, with the basic building block being three-quarter-inch plywood you could buy anywhere. He used Benjamin Moore white, the cheapest contractor-grade white he could get. I never have a problem if something needs to be repainted. If youre good at design, you dont need marble. Thats what I love about his work. Its so approachable. Just look around. Youll get it! Beyond the design of the house, the stuff of Rudolphs life is displayed throughout. The Modulightor is not one of those pristine modernist residences that lack any signs that a human might have resided there. On the living-room bookshelves, there is a model of Corbusiers Open Hand monument in Chandigarh a gift from the man himself. Nearby, theres a maquette of an unrealized Picasso sculpture. A terra-cotta panel from Louis Sullivans demolished Schiller Theater in Chicago stands in a rear window. Theres even a Richard Serra painting that Rudolph salvaged from the trash in New Haven. But beyond the architectural artifacts and artwork, the duplex is jammed with eclectic objects, from statuary and ceramics from around the world to boomerangs, cigar molds, and shoe forms. Theres also a wall full of Voltron figurines that Rudolph bought in a moment of delight in Mexico City then hand-painted. The duplex features a few tables that he designed; also, you can try out his surprisingly comfortable Lucite and tubular-steel chairs. A gift from Le Corbusier, a model of his Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh, sits on the bookcase. Photo: Anne Broder Like Rudolph himself, the institute seems to relish tinkering with its purview. Modulightor house museum, Rudolph archive has also made room for the work of other notable architects. Dickinson recalled a tip-off years ago that architectural photographer Tom Yee had a massive trove of architectural photos, including images of Rudolph works. But Dickinson was too late to save them Yee and his wife had just died, and the materials were gone. It was all probably thrown in the garbage. I realized that I could be one phone call away. Photo: Peter Aaron/OTTO So when Dickinson learned that June Goldfinger, widow and design partner of Myron Goldfinger a Rudolph student at Princeton and another often overlooked modern architect who designed hip 70s and 80s residences, from a Roberta Flack apartment to a Hamptons beach house featured in The Wolf of Wall Street had an exhibit ready, he was curious. He met her and soon offered to take her full archive: 14 garbage cans of drawings. Theyre glamorous 1970s and 80s interiors with mirrored finishes and walls of glass and giant plants and shag carpets. Just amazing stuff. You might think that universities would leap at these prospects, but they often want substantial sums of money to accept this material. The Rudolph Institute doesnt. They digitized close to 3,600 Goldfinger drawings in a year and a half with the help of about 20 volunteers. Theyve since been doing the same for another mid-century architect, Andrew Geller, whose archive they took on early last year, which included dozens of models of experimental homes and drawings. Dickinson was all too aware of just how endangered such items are. How much work just as significant as Rudolphs is at risk of being thrown away or lost forever? We have the space lets fill it up and then scan everything to share it so the work is not forgotten. The archiving, and the exhibits that sometimes result, serve the dual purpose of not just saving the materials but also luring people back to Modulightor. As Dickinson explained, Most house museums have a lifespan of 30 years. People will go and say, Ive seen it. I dont need to go back. There are only so many onetime visitors, even for the best-known architects. Thats why the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation started selling sneakers, he added. The institute sustains itself however it can. Volunteers like Dickinson keep the foundation running. Theres a membership program and a $30 admission fee for the open houses. The foundation is also seeking grants, especially to cover the cost of capital improvements it intends to make. It even has air rights to sell, if youd like to build a tower nearby. Occasional rentals also bring in some cash, along with fashion shoots for brands, from Bottega Veneta to Ivy Getty to Bulgari. As for its mission of spreading the gospel of Paul, that seemed to be going well on a recent open house visit. The company is usually great, with architects, students, Rudolph homeowners, former Halston models, and all sorts of others turning up. I sighted architect Steven Holl at an exhibit opening and asked him, afterwards, what he thought. He wrote to me that the Modulightors incredible spatial fluidity, a Rudolph trademark, must be experienced in person to understand. Modified: Monday, 12 January 2026 21:01 BST Frank Davies STORY LINK Pound to Euro Holds Near 1.15 as Dollar Slumps Euro (EUR) Wobbles amid Geopolitical Concerns Save on Your GBP/EUR Transfer Get better rates and lower fees on your next international money transfer. Compare TorFX with top UK banks in seconds and see how much you could save. Compare the Best GBP/EUR Rates Pound (GBP) Holds Firm despite Sparse Data GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Forecast: Geopolitics Stays Centre Stage Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound to Euro exchange rate (GBP/EUR) traded without clear direction on Monday, as investors weighed up fresh comments from the US regarding Greenlands future.At the time of writing, GBP/EUR was hovering around 1.1525, little changed on the day.The Euro (EUR) traded unevenly at the start of the week, as investors reacted to renewed geopolitical noise surrounding Greenland.Comments from US President Donald Trump late on Sunday unsettled markets after he claimed the US would take control of Greenland one way or the other, reviving speculation that Washington could even contemplate military action against Denmark, a fellow NATO ally.The remarks underscored simmering strains between the US and the EU at a delicate moment, with Brussels still looking to Washington for backing in efforts to bring the Russia-Ukraine conflict to an end. These tensions limited demand for the single currency.That said, losses in the Euro were kept in check by its strong inverse relationship with the US Dollar (USD). As the Greenback weakened on Monday, EUR was able to find a measure of underlying support despite the uneasy political backdrop.The Pound (GBP) traded in a narrow range on Monday, as a quiet UK data calendar and a cautious broader market environment limited volatility.With no high-impact domestic releases to guide direction, the increasingly risk-sensitive currency struggled to find momentum. Even so, Sterling proved relatively resilient, managing to hold its ground and in some cases tick higher against softer counterparts.This steadiness came despite an absence of clear fundamental drivers, suggesting that a lack of selling pressure helped the Pound remain supported amid subdued trading conditions.Looking ahead, a sparse economic calendar in both the Eurozone and the UK on Tuesday may leave the Pound Euro exchange rate driven primarily by broader market sentiment rather than hard data.For the Euro, attention is likely to remain on developments surrounding Greenland. Markets are braced ahead of a scheduled meeting on Wednesday between the Foreign Ministers of Greenland and Denmark and the US Secretary of State. Any renewed rhetoric from the Trump administration hinting at a willingness to pursue military options could place fresh pressure on the single currency.Separately, headlines linked to the Russia-Ukraine war may continue to influence EUR exchange rates, with the protracted conflict acting as a lingering headwind for the Euro.On the Pound side, Sterlings scope for gains against the Euro could be limited. Geopolitical uncertainty does not stop at the UKs borders, and a cautious or risk-off mood in markets may curb demand for the increasingly risk-sensitive British currency. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound Euro Forecasts At first glance, it was impossible not to swoon over the photographs Conor McGregor posted for his 46million Instagram followers a magical marriage to his long-time partner and mother of his four children, Dee Devlin, resplendent in virginal white lace inside one of the Vaticans oldest chapels which was festooned with more roses than Kate and Williams Westminster Abbey wedding. But there are a few people whom the pictures certainly wont impress: Nikita Hand, the woman he was ordered to pay 210,000 damages to, after she accused him of raping her and he was found liable for sexually assaulting her in a civil trial in 2024 after they met at a Christmas party in a Dublin hotel six years earlier. Also, the unnamed bikini-clad brunette he was snapped kissing on a Florida beach last year, and Azealia Banks the US rap artist who claims he sent her unsolicited naked pictures of himself. Oh, and the two other unnamed women who claim he has sexually assaulted them. This litany of troubling allegations must leave us wondering: is Dee, now Mrs Conor McGregor, the most deluded woman in the world? How many red flags does she ignore before she wakes up to the reality that her new hubby is not just a money-hungry social media sensation but a complete narcissist, a serial cheater and a sexual predator? When pictures of him kissing that mystery woman in Florida emerged, his then fiancee responded by posting on Instagram a photo of her muscle-bound, bare-chested partner alongside a heart-eyes emoji with the bizarre choice of caption: My monster. One observer at the time said of her relationship with Conor: Shes terrified, I feel really sorry for her. She must be dying inside. Newlyweds Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin share their first dance at a lavish reception, after tying the knot at the Vatican's Chapel of Santo Stefano degli Abissini in December Dee Devlin and Conor McGregor at the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund's Charity Day 2025 in New York. They have stayed together despite the UFC fighter's string of cheating scandals We are being told to believe that this is a happy, loving relationship behind all the headlines. I think a lot of things clearly point to the fact that she is not. The unnamed source added: From early on in the relationship, she has had a great deal to cope with. I would be very concerned about how much she can take. The contrast with the romance of the couples early years could not be more stark. Yet, after the scandal, the couple continued to push the narrative of an idyllic family life on social media: their Instagram pages were full of happy snaps from sunny climes, trick-or-treating with their kids, and date nights. Perhaps its easy for Conors long-suffering fiancee to turn a blind eye to his past indiscretions when she can hide away inside his $3million family home in Ireland, or his $4million Nevada home. Or comfort herself by helping to spend his 235million fortune, being driven around by a chauffeur in his 300,000 Rolls-Royce and frolicking with their children on holidays aboard Conors 2.6million luxury yacht. But the most bewildering and confusing chapter in this saga is that, despite all his former indiscretions, he and Dee both born devoted Catholics married in a deeply religious ceremony last month. American rapper Azealia Banks claims Conor McGregor, pictured at a UFC fight in Las Vegas in 2021, sent her unsolicited naked pictures of himself Conor revealed how he woke up with an intense need to wed Dee Devlin after undergoing a hallucinogenic treatment in Mexico. The wedding had originally been scheduled for a later date, but McGregor has now told how a request from the Vatican led to them holding it earlier timing he described as divine orchestration. The fighter posted on X: I married the love of my life, Dee, on the 12th of the 12th at exactly 12:12pm. We wed in the Chapel of Santo Stefano degli Abissini the Vaticans oldest church. He added that Gods hand guided every detail, conforming his blessing on our union and His presence in my life. Somehow, Conor, Im not buying it. Im sorry to say that I dont think God would approve of your serial cheating antics. Once, I felt sorry for Dee, whom I saw as a victim a pawn in Conors craving for fame and fortune and social media hits. Now Im not so sure. What woman in her right mind would marry a person found liable for sexual assault, a serial philanderer with his numerous well-documented dalliances with other women splashed all over social media? Most of us would have run a mile if not for our own protection, then for that of our children. So, yes, Dee might be the most deluded woman in the world. But she might too be the most calculating. They lie where they fell. Young men and women. Faces split by batons, skulls crushed by rifle butts, shirts soaked dark with blood already drying in the winter air. One body is twisted at an angle that no functioning spine could tolerate. Another stares upward, eyes open, mouth frozen as if still trying to shout. Around them, pools of red mark the asphalt where this week the Islamic Republic's security forces mainly comprising its loathsome Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have once again done what they were founded to do after the 1979 revolution: crush Iranians who dare to demand a future not ruled by clerics, fear and guns. In protest after protest in 2009, 2019, 2022, after the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini for not complying with the country's Islamic dress code and again now Iranians are shot, beaten, tortured and disappeared. Thousands are arrested and hundreds killed. The IRGC, established by the ayatollahs to uphold and enforce theocracy, and its wretched volunteer militia the Basij auxiliaries, act as judge, jury and executioner. For years, Britain has dithered over proscribing the IRGC. We sanction individuals. We express 'grave concern' and, most excruciatingly of all, we urge 'de-escalation'. But we stop short of the one step that would signal moral and political clarity: formally designating the IRGC as a terrorist organisation under British law. The argument from the Foreign Office has been depressingly consistent. We are told that we must 'maintain lines of communication' and that proscription would be 'escalatory'. Dozens of bodies in body bags laid out for family members at the courtyard of the Forensic Diagnostic and Laboratory Center of Tehran Province in Kahrizak A man grieves next to a row of bodies, a glimpse into the horrific situation in Iran We are informed it would limit Britain's diplomatic flexibility, that it would make it harder to deal with Iran on nuclear issues, regional stability or the release of detained dual nationals. Once, I had some sympathy with this logic. I could persuade myself the Islamic Republic might be reformed and that engagement might empower 'pragmatists'. That time has passed. As crowds gather across the world in solidarity with the Iranians hunted by their own state, waving the 'lion and sun' pre-revolutionary Iranian flag and chanting for freedom, there is another, more sinister spectacle outside Iran, too. This week, there were reports of crowds gathering in central London outside Kilburn Mosque in northwest London, roaring their support for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, wearing balaclavas and dressed in black, cosplaying as Isis and Hamas in a mix of homegrown Islamists and dictator fetishists, as the police watched on. It was no surprise to me. About 18 months ago, I and the immensely brave British-Iranian activist Kasra Aarabi, director of the campaign group United Against Nuclear Iran, took a tour around what I christened Britain's 'Little Tehran'. Mourners weep over coffins during a funeral procession for members of security forces and civilians said to have been killed in protests Mourners carry coffins during a funeral procession for members of security forces and civilians said to be killed in protests It is a knot of institutions in central London that function as an extension of the Islamic Republic's ideological and political apparatus over here. In one of them, the School of the Islamic Republic of Iran, footage has emerged of children as young as eight singing an IRGC-linked anthem and pledging loyalty to Khamenei. Some of the institutions enjoy charitable status and have even received public funds. This is not abstract influence or distant extremism: it is the Iranian regime operating in plain sight on British streets. Under the protection of British law, people rally in support of a theocracy whose security services shoot teenagers for chanting, whose prisons rape and torture, and whose judges sign death warrants after five-minute trials. The IRGC is sanctioned across much of the Western world except Britain. This is not simply a foreign policy issue. It is a national issue. And it is a political failure. The IRGC is more than a military force. It is the backbone of the Islamic Republic's system of control. It commands the Basij, who club and shoot protesters. It runs the intelligence units that kidnap dissidents. It runs proxy armies across the Middle East: Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen and networks in Syria and Gaza. It whacks its enemies on European soil, too. It threatens journalists, activists and former officials living under UK protection. And it has tried to kill British and dual-national citizens on our soil, including the stabbing of Iranian TV journalist Pouria Zeraati in March 2024. The US President may not appear to have a great grasp of global affairs, but Donald Trump's administration designated the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) in April 2019. Protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire as they take to the streets Protesters set on fire a portrait of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei Trump recognises it for what it is: not merely a branch of a state military, but a transnational ideological army that runs militias, terror networks, assassination plots and repression both at home and abroad. Sadly, this truth has escaped large parts of the British political class and the big grey blob of EU technocrats that has congealed for decades in Brussels, wittering endlessly and acting rarely. Both still behave as if the problem is a misunderstanding or insufficient dialogue, rather than the nature of the institution itself. But to pretend that this organisation can be treated as a conventional state actor is wilful self-deception. And the cost of that deception is not abstract. It is paid in Iranian blood and in the corrosion of our own security at home. When regime-linked institutions operate freely in Britain, when their supporters mobilise openly, when their front organisations enjoy charitable status and public legitimacy, we are not being tolerant. We are being indefensibly negligent. This is not about Islam. It is about radical Islamism, a political ideology that fuses totalitarian theocracy with coercive power and the IRGC is one of its most sophisticated and ruthless instruments. Our long-standing reluctance to confront Islamism in its most organised, state-backed form has left us intellectually and institutionally disarmed. We are so fearful of appearing 'illiberal' that we hesitate to defend liberal society against those who openly reject it. Proscribing the IRGC wouldn't necessarily solve everything. Intelligence sources argue that IRGC threats are already covered by terrorism and national security laws, while chasing online sympathisers achieves little. Proscription therefore becomes a symbolic act that buys diplomatic trouble without delivering meaningful security gains. Proscribing it would, however, criminalise support, funding and organisational activity linked to it in Britain. It would give law enforcement and intelligence agencies sharper tools to go after its assets and agents of influence. It would send a message to Tehran that the age of appeasement is over. And, most of all, it would tell Iranians risking their lives in the streets that Britain stands with them not just in words but in law. Solidarity is not a slogan, it is a policy. If we truly believe in national security and opposing terrorism, we must proscribe the IRGC. If we truly believe in confronting virulent forms of Islamism, at home and abroad, then we simply have no other choice. The decision is no longer engagement or isolation; it is a choice between allowing a brutal theocratic security state to do its worst or standing up for those lying bloodied on the asphalt whose only crime is that they dared to say: enough. What possessed Lord Mandelson, the so-called high priest of the black arts of political spin, to give that toe-curling, ill-judged and tone-deaf interview to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday? Did he really think it would wipe the slate clean over his long friendship with the world's most famous paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship that cost him his beloved job as ambassador to the US? Arrogant and clumsy in equal measure, he first flatly refused to apologise to Epstein's victims, some of whom were as young as 14. 'If I had known if I was in any way complicit or culpable, of course I would apologise for it,' he declared. 'But I was not culpable, I was not knowledgeable of what he was doing.' This was straight from the playbook of the former Prince Andrew the boorish royal also refused to apologise in his now infamous BBC interview with Emily Maitlis which abruptly ended his career in public life. But there was worse to come from Mandelson, 72, a man who has the dubious record of being sacked three times, twice from the Cabinet and once as ambassador, by two Labour prime ministers. He pleaded total ignorance of Epstein's notorious proclivities, claiming he knew nothing of them because he is gay. 'I think the issue is that because I was a gay man, in his [Epstein's] circle I was kept separate from what he was doing in the sexual side of his life,' claimed the former minister, who has been in a relationship with his civil partner Reinaldo da Silva since 1998. A photo shows Peter Mandelson with the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein Mandelson called Epstein his 'best pal', and sent him the above birthday message I am gay myself. But this nonsense made my skin crawl and my blood boil. It's one of the most pathetic excuses from a political heavyweight I have heard since I first started reporting on Westminster in 1988, back when Mandelson was forging his reputation as a skilled and ruthless media operator. He's clearly lost his touch. The truth is that his fawning relationship with Epstein continued for years after the American's conviction for procuring a child for prostitution in 2008. The victim in that 2008 case was 16 years old when the offences began. However, the initial police investigation was prompted by the parents of a 14-year-old girl who claimed in 2005 that the billionaire had molested her. By 2008, Mandelson was the powerful EU Trade Commissioner with a huge public profile in Britain and Brussels. Yet rather than distance himself from Epstein after the financier had been charged, he urged him to 'fight for early release'. In a cache of leaked emails from the Epstein Files, he went on to declare he was his 'best pal', adding: 'Your friends stay with you and love you. I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened. 'I can still barely understand it. It just could not happen in Britain. You have to be incredibly resilient.' He even offered advice on how to fight the prosecutors, telling Epstein, whose nickname for Mandelson was 'Petie': 'You need strategy, strategy, strategy. Remember The Art Of War.' Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in jail but was released on probation in 2009 after serving 13 months. Join the debate What's YOUR take on Mandelson's claim? Mandelson in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump as British ambassador last year A shameless Mandelson stayed in one of Epstein's homes while he was behind bars even though 'Petie' was by now the Business Secretary, with a peerage, in Gordon Brown's Cabinet. Why was Mandelson so convinced of his friend's innocence. Did he talk to the prosecutors? Epstein's defence lawyers? Read the court transcripts? Try to contact Epstein's school age victims? Or did he refuse to believe that Epstein was guilty because he was so in thrall to his unbelievable wealth? Perhaps the answers lie in the gushing messages he wrote to his billionaire friend. They were included in a 50th birthday book of tributes to Epstein compiled for him in 2003 by Ghislaine Maxwell. She is now, of course, serving 20 years in prison for sex trafficking and conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse underage girls. In one message, Mandelson, whose fatal attraction has always been other people's riches, waxes creepily about the 'glorious homes [Epstein] likes to share with his friends (yum yum)'. Another message, accompanied by a photo of an airborne yellow parachute, says: 'Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call 'mysterious' parachuted into my life. 'You would spend many hours just waiting for him to turn up. And often, no sooner were you getting used to having him around, you would suddenly be alone again.' The 'Prince of Darkness' with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Washington DC last year Mandelson is interviewed on the BBC by Laura Kuenssberg I find it impossible to believe that Peter Mandelson did not know what was going on, certainly after Epstein was convicted. Whether he is gay or not is irrelevant. Can we really accept the claim that an intelligent and sensitive man like him blithely ignored the possibility of what the known paedophile might be up to? Apparently so, for he maintained his friendship with Epstein. In 2010, when Mandelson was still Business Secretary, and after the financier's release from jail, he allowed Epstein to help broker a deal for JP Morgan to buy part of a commodities firm from the UK government-owned RBS bank. It was nine years later that Epstein killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting further charges of trafficking young girls. Over the years I've had many run-ins with Mandelson. He made dark threats about my family when I revealed the name of his partner Reinaldo several days after he had been outed as gay on the BBC by the former Tory MP Matthew Parris. A little over two years ago I had just arrived at a swish champagne reception for Mandelson's international lobbying firm Global Counsel at the Labour Party conference. It was in the aptly named Liverpool restaurant The Alchemist. I then heard a familiar voice hissing the question: 'What's he doing here? Get him out.' The noble Lord Mandelson had no intention of allowing me to observe him schmoozing senior Labour politicians who were rubbing shoulders with the wealthy clients of his lobbying firm who had helped him acquire his millionaire lifestyle. There are many more unpleasant episodes I could recount which underline Mandelson's reputation as a bullying control freak who always liked to be in charge. In February, shortly before he took up the ambassador's post, he was questioned by a reporter from the Financial Times about his relationship with Epstein. His reply was classic Mandelson. 'I'm not going to go into this. It's an FT obsession and frankly you can all f*** off. OK?' Yet it was the Epstein relationship that caused his humiliating public dismissal from the ambassador job seven months later. In my view, no one should believe that Mandelson, once seen as one of the most consummate political operators, failed to ask serious questions of Epstein or his associates during a friendship that spanned two decades. Or that he failed to notice anything because because he is 'gay'. No one doubts Mandelson's quick wit and perceptive intelligence but his attempt to present himself as the innocent shows yet again he has no judgment. The BBC interview was an unmitigated disaster, and damagingly condemned by Labour ministers. One associate of Mandelson told me: 'It was intended as the start of the long road to yet another comeback. 'But if there was ever a remote chance of his coming back for a fourth time, this graceless interview has put paid to that.' At the Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday, in a show crammed with ostentatious virtue signallers, not a single Hollywood star spoke out in support of anti-government protesters risking their lives in Iran. Plenty of lapel pins were on display calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, even though an uneasy truce is already in place. A-listers including Mark Ruffalo and Wanda Sykes wore badges urging everyone to 'Be Good', the slogan of opposition to President Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bully-boys after the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis last week. But despite the murder of more than 600 protesters in the uprising against Tehran's autocratic mullahs and with many young women killed in cold blood none of the grinning actors and actresses on the red carpet had a word to say about it. What hypocrisy. What cowardice. Their silence exposes how hollow their much-vaunted principles really are. That goes for everyone on the Left, and for the Labour Government most of all. There is a true feminist revolution going on in Iran right now, and the self-righteous brigade are struck dumb. They are quick enough to condemn wolf-whistling, or the 'male gaze', and other perceived 'micro-aggressions'. But when there is real, unrestrained aggression on a massive scale, suddenly they lose their voices. I can't help remembering how, at the 75th Golden Globes in 2018, A woman sets fire to a photo of Iran's Supreme Leader with her cigarette in a picture posted on social media. Her location is not known. The images of women coolly destroying the image of the Ayatollah, a grave offence in Iran, have spread across social media and were imitated in London during protests at the weekend The Handmaid's Tale scooped two of the most prestigious categories with the show winning best TV drama and its star, Elisabeth Moss, named best actress. The series, based on the wonderful novel by Margaret Atwood, depicted an American dystopia where women were slaves, forced to submit to their owners' sexual demands and made to wear robes that covered them from head to foot. The Left interpreted this as an attack on American Right-wing Christian fundamentalism and celebrated its success. Yet Atwood was inspired to write the novel by the oppression of women, not in the US but in Iran. Copies of the book now circulate there in secret, and some brave protesters have even worn the red robes of the handmaids, as a symbolic statement. You might think that the actors and actresses whose careers were supercharged by The Handmaid's Tale would be at the forefront of demonstrations against the Islamic Republic in London or Los Angeles, highlighting the connection between the fictional series and the struggle for freedom in the real world. I have yet to hear a peep from any of them. If the problem was simply that celebrities are shallow and self-serving, nobody would be very surprised. But the root causes of their silence are much more insidious. Hardline Left-wingers are intent on sabotaging the Iranian freedom movement, because they are in thrall to Islamism. They refuse to see the Ayatollah and his brutal Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps for what they are gangsters in religious robes. No actor at an awards night wants to risk speaking out against them, for fear of being accused of Islamophobia. The irony is that Islamophobia is a word that was first weaponised by the Ayatollah Khomeini and his cronies in the 1970s, before they seized control of Iran and imposed fundamentalist Sharia law. They use it to make their 'religious' beliefs, however radical or chauvinistic, impervious to criticism. Any word spoken against them is analogous to racism. This makes it easy for their supporters to deflect attacks. For instance, the Guardian columnist and former BBC presenter Sangita Myska used social media this week to denounce those cheering on the Iranian women. 'It's cynical posturing to cover for the fact that you (and others) have abandoned the women and girls of Palestine/Gaza during an ongoing genocide,' she wrote. 'It's a facet of privileged-white feminism.' Student Robina Aminian, 23, was brutally killed with a bullet to the back of the head by regime heavies during protests in Iran In an image from protests in 2022 over the heath of a young woman, a young woman risks her life by standing on a car with her head uncovered Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party, reposted her words and added an emoji of a dart hitting a bullseye. This is where they feel comfortable, flaunting their support for Palestinians. It's far more uncomfortable for them that millions of women in Iran are rejecting the oppression of male Islamic rule. For decades, Iran has been the paymaster of Hamas and Hezbollah, the terrorist organisations that control the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and who are responsible for some of the suffering of so many of their own people. Hundreds of millions of dollars in oil revenue have been poured into arming and training their forces. That funding will end if the 86-year-old Ayatollah Khamenei and his thugs are replaced with a democratic government in Tehran. Iran has been the staunchest opponent of Israel, and is also an ally of Russia. That's one reason why the hard-Left refuses to condemn the regime, however many protesters it kills, however many women are beaten up, thrown into jail and raped for daring to wear their hair uncovered. Anyone who truly wants to see peace in Gaza and across the Middle East will rejoice when the Islamic Republic tumbles in Iran. Remove their proxy warmongering and real negotiations will have a chance of success. But that will also remove the excuse Left-wingers exploit to disguise their own prejudice against Jewish people. With an internet blackout imposed in recent days, Iran became more isolated than ever. That makes it even more important for everyone with an audience on social media to speak up and raise awareness of the struggle for freedom and women's rights there. Most people in the West know little of what is going on. If just a few celebrities had taken the opportunity presented by the Golden Globes to back the protests, they could have done real good. Silence enables the regime to continue its brutal suppression, without fear of repercussions. They have little to fear from Keir Starmer, certainly. He is terrified of upsetting the Islamic elements in his party, and many of his MPs live in fear of being denounced by Muslim leaders in their own constituencies, where their parliamentary majorities are at risk. Meanwhile, in cities across Iran, young idealists are being shot or beaten to death such as 23-year-old Robina Aminian, who was killed with a bullet to the back of the head as she set off from college to join a demonstration in Tehran. Her uncle told reporters: 'She was a strong girl, a courageous girl. She fought for what she knew was right. She was thirsty for freedom, thirsty for women's rights.' How can anyone who calls themselves a feminist fail to support Robina and women like her with all their heart? They deserve to be free of Sharia law and the curse of the hijab. They deserve to live their lives as free women. I am inspired by these women. Though the scenes captured in footage smuggled out of the country are frightening and sickening, it is so moving to see the courage and bravery of people who refuse to be cowed any longer. Their slogan, chanted on the streets in defiance of the guns of the Revolutionary Guards, is 'Zan, Zendegi, Azadi'. I have those words tattooed on my arm they mean, 'Women, Life, Freedom'. We should all be shouting them. All those who call themselves feminists but stay silent are cowards and hypocrites. Khadija Khan is Politics and Culture Editor at A Further Inquiry magazine, and co-host of the A Further Inquiry podcast. When my family and I narrowly escaped the clutches of Saddam Hussein's brutal secret police to settle in Britain almost half a century ago, little did I know how far my fortunes would change. Britain has been wonderful to me. I have set up and sold a number of successful businesses and gone on to hold some of the highest political offices in the greatest country on earth. Even now there are times when I stand in front of the bathroom mirror in the morning and have to pinch myself. How on earth did a boy from Baghdad, who ended up on these shores at the age of 11 without a word of English, go on to be Chancellor of the Exchequer? Which is why it breaks my heart to see what has happened over the past 18 months to the country that so generously took me in all those years ago. You really don't have to look very hard to see that Britain is now fundamentally broken. That's the reason I have decided to join Reform UK, to offer my experience and insight to help Nigel Farage and the confident team he is building. I could very easily spend the rest of my life back in business, which I have been enjoying since leaving Parliament at the last election. But frankly I could no longer sit on the sidelines and watch Britain slowly suffocate under Labour's economically illiterate policies. It's no exaggeration to say our economy is on life support. Unemployment is on the up, growth remains stagnant. Everywhere you go, businesses are dying. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage with Nadhim Zahawi at a press conference on Monday 'Britain needs Reform. Britain needs Nigel Farage as Prime Minister,' argues Mr Zahawi But then what do you expect from a Government that seems to actively despise capitalism and all the dynamic, creative benefits it brings? Just take a took at the current Cabinet. Not an ounce of business experience or real world involvement between them. Small wonder financial incompetence seeps through every government department. We have an out-of-her-depth Chancellor who hasn't got a clue what she is doing. An Energy Secretary hell-bent on pursuing a Net Zero policy which will bankrupt the country. A Foreign Secretary who's not just giving away British territory but making us pay for the pleasure of doing so. Meanwhile, we have an Attorney General so fixated with the European Court of Human Rights that he admits he would never attempt to overrule it, presumably even when it comes to deporting child rapists. That is not to say the Conservative government of which I was part was perfect. Far from it. When I look back on our time in office, we were too timid too weak, dare I say in the way we approached tackling the problems facing the country. It shames me to admit, but far too often we allowed our bureaucratic behemoth of a civil service to run rings round us whenever we tried to introduce real change. Not so much the individuals in the various departments in which I worked, many of whom were outstanding, talented and capable people. I mean the quangos, the regulators, the administrators. 'It's all too complicated and too big to change', they told us. And we believed them. My own personal regret is that when I entered politics from the world of business, I prided myself as one of life's straight-talkers. After all, a businessman is only as good as his word, as the old adage goes. But on reflection, it didn't take long after arriving in Westminster before I found myself falling into that peculiar, jargonistic speak we hear politicians spout all the time across the airwaves, talking around issues as opposed to tackling them head on. Well, not any more. From now on, I want to be absolutely up front with the public and honest about the unvarnished fears I have for our country. Because believe me when I say we have reached a dark chapter in our nation's history. As calamitous as this lot are, far more sinister forces are patiently waiting in the wings. I'm talking about the threat of radical Islamists who plan to enter Parliament at the next general election. Already we have seen how these fifth columns like to stir up hate and division in Jewish communities. Make no mistake, the rest of the country are every bit as much in their sights, too. It is my firm belief there is only one political party and one man who can rescue us from all of this. Britain needs Reform. Britain needs Nigel Farage as Prime Minister. For years, policymakers and analysts have obsessed over how the Islamic Republic of Iran might fall. Far less attention has been paid to the more important question: whether it should. To many of the several million Iranians who have fled their homeland since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the answer is obvious and deeply personal. Before the mullahs seized power, Iran was a modern, secular state. Women enjoyed far greater political and social freedom. Western culture was welcomed, not criminalised. Oil wealth fuelled economic growth instead of terror abroad. By any honest measure, what replaced that Iran has been an unmitigated failure. For some, the case against the regime is moral. Iran's Shia theocracy enforces a medieval interpretation of Islamic law, brutalises women, executes dissidents, and rules through fear. It seeks to export its extremist ideology far beyond its borders. That alone makes it a threat to all freedom-loving people. But the most compelling argument is strategic and it aligns squarely with the principles of America First. The Islamic Republic is not merely a repressive domestic dictatorship, now widely suspected of killing thousands of demonstrators during the largest popular uprisings since the regime's founding. It is the world's most aggressive state sponsor of terrorism the central node of a proxy empire stretching from Yemen to Lebanon, and from Gaza to Venezuela. Over four decades, the regime and its proxies have killed and maimed thousands of Americans, from Beirut to Iraq and beyond, making Iran one of the most lethal adversaries the United States has faced since World War II. Even today, Tehran is threatening renewed militia attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, reconstituting its nuclear weapons program and building a massive missile arsenal including an expanding intercontinental ballistic missile capability that threatens the American homeland, Israel, U.S. forces, and key regional allies while supplying Russia with Iranian-made drones to fuel Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. For years, policymakers and analysts have obsessed over how the Islamic Republic of Iranmight fall. Far less attention has been paid to the more important question: whether it should (Pictured: Anti-regime protests in Iran) The Islamic Republic is not merely a repressive domestic dictatorship, now widely suspected of killing thousands of demonstrators during the largest popular uprisings since the regime's founding (Pictured: Videos puport to show bodies of Iranian demonstrators after regime crackdown in Iran's Tehran province on January 11) These are not isolated acts. They are components of a single, coherent Iranian strategy: to bleed American power, destabilise U.S. allies, and reshape the regional order in Iran's favour. As long as the mullahs rule in Tehran, the United States remains under constant threat. No diplomatic agreement has changed this reality. Sanctions relief did not moderate the regime's behaviour. Engagement did not empower reformers. On the contrary, every outreach to Tehran strengthened the Revolutionary Guard and expanded Iran's external aggression. After four decades, the lesson is unmistakable: the problem is not Iran's policies. It is Iran's regime. Critics warn that calling for the end of the Islamic Republic risks chaos or a nationalist backlash that could prop up a wobbling government. This fear rests on outdated assumptions. For almost two decades since 2009 Iranians have flooded the streets, chanting 'Death to the dictator' and 'Our enemy is right here.' A majority have rejected clerical rule that has delivered only economic collapse, repression, and international isolation. The mullahs remain in power through violence, censorship, and fear not popular consent. Supporting the Iranian people is not about imposing a Western system or engineering a revolution. It is about aligning American policy with the clear aspirations of a population that overwhelmingly rejects theocracy. Importantly, Iran's democratic opposition abroad has spent years developing a detailed, credible plan for the day after the regime's fall addressing governance, economic recovery, and relations with the outside world undercutting claims that collapse would mean chaos. What would come after the mullahs? No one should pretend the transition would be easy. But the choice is not between a perfect democracy and the status quo. It is between a collapsing theocracy that exports terror and a post-Islamic Republic Iran that, at minimum, no longer wages permanent war against its neighbours and the United States. A post-regime Iran would not need to become a Jeffersonian democracy to represent a dramatic strategic improvement. A government more accountable to its people would have powerful incentives to rebuild an economy shattered by corruption and sanctions and to redirect resources from foreign militias to domestic needs. For the first time in decades, regional de-escalation would become possible. For almost two decades since 2009 Iranians have flooded the streets, chanting 'Death to the dictator' and 'Our enemy is right here' (Pictured: Protests in Tehran on January 8) Until recently, Hezbollah's arsenal of more than 150,000 rockets threatened Israel, Hamas's war machine hung over Israel like a sword, and Houthi terrorists endangered global shipping lanes. A combined U.S.Israeli response after October 7 severely degraded these threats. The world is safer for it but only temporarily. Given time and space, Iran's proxies will rebuild. The United States does not need to invade Iran to end this menace. But it must abandon the illusion that the Islamic Republic can be reformed or indefinitely managed. A strategy of targeted military and cyber strikes, maximum financial pressure, diplomatic isolation, information support for the Iranian people, and clear political alignment with their demands for change is not reckless. It is overdue. Ending the Islamic Republic is not about revenge or ideology. It is about removing the single greatest driver of instability, terrorism, and nuclear risk in the Middle East. The truth is uncomfortable but unavoidable: as long as the mullahs rule in Tehran, the Middle East will remain a factory for terror, missiles, and nuclear blackmail. Every delay buys the regime time. Every illusion of reform prolongs the danger. The Islamic Republic has spent 45 years declaring war on the United States and its allies and it has never meant peace. History will not judge America by how carefully it managed this regime, but by whether it finally had the resolve to end it. The moment is coming. The only question left is whether Washington has the courage to act before the next catastrophe forces its hand. Mark Dubowitz is the chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies A 'fit and healthy' mum was slapped with a 'death sentence' after bloating and stomach cramps turned out to be signs she had terminal bowel cancer. Cecilia Capolupo, 46, went to her GP after coming back 'bloated' from a family holiday to Devon where they feasted on Cornish pasties and fish and chips. Ms Capolupo, originally from Argentina but now living in Clapham, London, said: 'I came back bloated from holiday, then had stomach cramps and went to get checked out.' The mother-of-two was told she was likely suffering from an infection, but a colonoscopy revealed she had stage-four bowel cancer in September 2025. Doctors explained an eight-centimetre tumour had spread to the finance worker's abdominal wall, liver and lungs - leaving her with two years to live. She said: 'I went to a routine colonoscopy and they gave me a death sentence on the same day. 'I had a panic attack which I've never had in my life. I woke up at two o'clock (in the morning) crying. 'I don't wish this for anybody. Cecilia Capolupo has been given two years to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer 'On the weekends, I call my friends and family to tell them I'm dying and say goodbye.' Ms Capolupo's nightmare began in August last year, when she had a week's getaway in Devon with her Scottish husband Mark, 45, and two boys Maximo, six and Rocco, four. Before the trip, the 'always slim' Pilates loving mum 'felt so healthy and never thought about having stomach checks'. Five days after returning home with bloating and stomach cramps, she clocked 'a tiny bit of red' in her poo. Having gone to her GP to be checked 'straight away', Ms Capolupo was assured it was probably an infection but booked in for a 'routine' colonoscopy at Lister Hospital on September 26. On the day, she 'knew it was bad news' when Mark was called in from the waiting room to listen to medics. 'They said we have something that looks like a tumour,' she said. 'It was a massive shock. I never had the typical symptoms. Never constipated or had diarrhoea. I go to the loo perfectly fine. Ms Capolupo is now undergoing chemotherapy to prolong her life She was diagnosed after a family holiday to Cornwall 'The same day, the consultant called me and said it was incurable. 'He said you have it everywhere - all my abdominal wall, liver and lungs. 'I thought 'how can it be my lungs? I do bike class, I go dancing with my friends until 2 o'clock in the morning'.' Ms Capolupo now has fortnightly chemotherapy sessions as well as receiving treatment at home. After four rounds of chemo, she feels 'like a 90-year-old lady' with the 'worst hangover of all time'. She said: 'I'm not planning to die any time soon. 'The doctors told me I probably have two years. 'In five years with stage-four cancer, there is a 13 per cent survival rate. Your browser does not support iframes. 'I'm going for it and more if I can. 'I'm planning on going back to work. I have to get on with my life. 'I've started going back to my Pilates class.' Bowel cancer is the UK's third most-common cancer, affecting one in 20 women and one in 15 men. While Australia has rolled out universal bowel screenings for people aged 45 and up, patients in England, Scotland and Wales are only sent faecal test kits from age 50. Ms Capolupo said: 'I rushed when I had my first symptom and it was too late. 'If I had had the check at 45, I'd be in a much better situation.' Witnessing her daughter desperately gasping for breath had become a normal, if terrifying, feature of Sophie Hafford's life. From the age of three months, Amelia-Rose, now six, had experienced such severe breathing difficulties due to asthma that her mother would call an ambulance regularly and she'd been admitted to hospital on average once a fortnight, sometimes staying a week or two at a time. Each time she had a bad flare-up she was prescribed high-dose steroid tablets to get the inflammation in her airways under control, leading to weight gain and fears that the medication would affect her growth (a known risk for oral steroids, which contain higher doses of steroids than inhalers). 'There were times when I thought I'd lose her during an attack because she deteriorated so quickly,' says Sophie, 31, a stay-at-home mother of four from Manchester. Amelia-Rose is one of two million children in the UK with asthma, which causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways in contact with a trigger such as pollen, cat fur or dust mites. Up to 5 per cent 100,000 children are thought to have severe asthma, like Amelia-Rose, according to the charity Asthma and Lung UK. This means their symptoms are harder to control, even with high doses of medication. But, remarkably, Amelia-Rose hasn't had an asthma attack or hospital admission for more than a year simply thanks to changing her inhalers. Following her asthma diagnosis at the age of three, she had been using a traditional blue reliever (containing salbutamol, which quickly relaxes narrowed airways) and a brown preventer inhaler (used morning and night, this contains a low dose of steroids to minimise inflammation). But in 2024 she was switched to a combination inhaler, which her mother says transformed her life. Six-year-old Amelia-Rose, who suffers from sever asthma, with her mother Sophie Combination inhalers contain steroids and fast- and long-acting bronchodilators (drugs which open up the airways) such as formoterol. They are usually taken morning and night this is known as maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) as well as when needed to treat a flare-up, and mean that people only have one inhaler to remember to use. There is a 'significant issue' with patients who have separate preventer and reliever inhalers not taking their preventers enough which treats the underlying inflammation causing the symptoms, says Dr Andy Whittamore, a GP based in Portsmouth and clinical lead at Asthma and Lung UK. 'We know that reliever inhalers work very quickly so people get a good response and trust them,' he explains. 'But it doesn't treat the background inflammation that causes the symptoms.' Another advantage of a combination inhaler is it prevents an over-reliance on reliever inhalers, which contain drugs such as salbutamol. Overuse can be harmful, as the medication becomes less effective; it can also cause a racing heart, shakiness and anxiety, says Professor Louise Fleming, a consultant respiratory physician at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London. Combination inhalers don't contain short-acting relievers such as salbutamol, but rely on longer-acting drugs such as formoterol. 'Formoterol works as quickly and for longer than salbutamol, and using it with steroids within a combined inhaler also treats the underlying inflammation,' says Dr Whittamore. Research shows people using combined inhalers twice a day are less likely to need additional puffs to treat symptoms as their overall asthma has improved. They also need fewer steroid tablets (which usually contain 20mg, 200 times as much as the 100mcg in inhalers) in emergencies, as combined inhalers make flare-ups less likely, explains Dr Whittamore. Combination inhalers are now commonplace for adults and children over 12 years but until recently were not routinely offered to the under-12s due to a lack of research about their safety and effectiveness (although some respiratory consultants may prescribe them to severe cases and, last September, a licence was granted for one combined inhaler to provide a low dose of MART in children aged six to 11 with moderate asthma in the UK). However, the combination inhalers are not offered widely to children, and with more than 16,000 aged 15 and under admitted to hospital in England due to asthma in 2024-2025, it's clear that many children would benefit from better asthma management and experts are now calling for this change. Indeed, research published in The Lancet in September suggests combination inhalers almost halved the risk of potentially life-threatening asthma attacks in children. The trial in New Zealand involved 360 children, aged five to 15, with mild asthma who were randomly assigned either a combination inhaler (containing low-dose steroid, budesonide plus formoterol) or a salbutamol inhaler. The researchers found that the combination inhaler reduced asthma attacks by 45 per cent. It's thought the difference was due to the addition of the steroid in the combined inhaler. Importantly, there was no significant difference in the children's growth or lung function. Amelia-Rose's mother say that 'her asthma is very well managed now' and she can lead a normal childhood There's research showing that for adults, adopting a combined approach is 'safer, leads to fewer asthma attacks and hospital admissions and less need for steroid tablets', says Dr Whittamore. It's hoped that the New Zealand study may now help change the approach for children, particularly those with mild asthma 'who might be going back and forth to their GP or to hospital because they're struggling to manage the condition', he adds. It's important to recognise that even mild asthma can be serious 'any asthma attack can be life-threatening', adds Andrew Bush, a professor of paediatric respirology at Imperial College London and a co-author of the New Zealand study. 'If your asthma treatment is right, you should not be having attacks or getting symptoms that prevent you going to school or work,' he says. Now, a new UK study, led by Imperial College London, will examine the safety and efficacy of using different doses of combination inhalers for children with varying severities of asthma, whether as part of MART treatment or just when needed. The study, the first of its kind in the UK to examine combination inhalers as relievers in children aged six to 11, aims to recruit around 1,350 children half will use a combination inhaler for a year, while the control group will remain on their current treatment. Although some children are currently prescribed the new combination inhalers, the prescriptions are not always used appropriately for instance, there may not be clear instructions about the maximum number of puffs taken at one time or in a day, according to Professor Fleming, chief investigator of the UK trial. It's hoped the study's findings will form the basis for more consistent clinical guidance as well as new combination inhaler licences. Yet there are challenges in making combination inhalers a mainstream treatment for all children with asthma. Correct use is key but combination inhalers can be harder to suck in and are best used with spacers (a plastic tube attached to the mouthpiece enabling the medicine to be more effectively inhaled), says Professor Bush, who adds: 'I would encourage parents of children aged five and over to ask their GP about using a combined inhaler.' Before Amelia-Rose was prescribed a combination inhaler, she was taking a cocktail of different medicines including her preventer and reliever inhalers, frequent steroid tablets and antibiotics, as well as montelukast (a drug which blocks chemicals that cause inflammation in the airways) and antihistamines (one of her asthma triggers is dog hair). The situation was 'hugely stressful' for Sophie, who'd get up early every day to ensure Amelia-Rose's medication was ready. She says: 'She missed a lot of school due to poor health and being in hospital. I also have three other children to look after so my mum had to go with Amelia-Rose to hospital. It was a nightmare.' All of this changed once Amelia-Rose was offered the combination inhaler through her specialist respiratory consultant once she was five. 'As soon as she gets wheezy or starts coughing, she uses it and then she's like a different child,' says Sophie. 'She no longer needs steroid tablets and was taken off all her other medications a few months later.' Amelia-Rose now has excellent school attendance and can run around with other children at parties without getting breathless, says Sophie. 'Her asthma is very well managed now. It's given Amelia-Rose the freedom to lead a normal childhood.' asthmaandlung.org.uk 'I've been diagnosed with breast cancer.' That was the sentence I heard four times last year. Four separate friends. All in their 30s and early 40s. One had been told she had two years to live thanks to a terrifying stage four diagnosis. One was in the middle of a divorce. Another was preparing her eldest daughter for primary school. And the fourth had just put her family home on the market ahead of an exciting new chapter with her husband and two young children. Because that's the thing about cancer. It doesn't wait until you're ready. It doesn't arrive when your life is calm and neatly organised. It turns up in the middle of a Tuesday when you're juggling work, school drop-offs and future plans, and suddenly all of those plans are shoved aside so you can fight for your life, fight for your hair, and fight for your sanity. By the time the fourth friend shared her diagnosis, I began to feel as though the universe was playing a cruel joke. Surely it was no coincidence for so many women to be affected at once. Shaken, I booked myself in for a full-body check-up. When my doctor asked why, I told her about my friends. She didn't brush it off. She told me, quietly, that her clinic had also seen a noticeable rise in cancer diagnoses in women my age. That it really did seem to be happening younger and more often. My friend Nikki (right) was recently diagnosed with breast cancer age 45 Today, Nikki (pictured) is thankfully out of the woods - but forever changed Now, cancer is not new to my family. My aunty died of breast cancer in her late 40s and my mum fought it in her late 50s. But these women? My friends are in their 30s and early 40s. They are not worried about missing out on grandchildren one day. They are worried about not seeing their kids finish high school. The first friend to be diagnosed was Nikki, 45, newly separated after 17 years with her childhood sweetheart. She had built a full life: three kids, a successful handbag business, a home that had once felt secure. When her diagnosis was confirmed, we rallied around her as women so often do. There were spreadsheets. We rotated doctor appointments, school pick-ups, meal deliveries and babysitting. Today she is thankfully out of the woods after a double mastectomy, radiation, painful implants and medication she will take for years. Out of the woods, but forever changed. The second was Emma. She was 43 when she found a lump in her right breast and went to have it checked. She was told not to worry. That it was probably nothing. She was placed on a seven-week wait list for a mammogram. Only after that did she learn it was cancer. By then she had already had multiple biopsies and more delays. 'My biggest regret is listening and waiting,' she told me. 'I trusted reassurance when my body was clearly telling me something wasn't right. Looking back, I wish I had acted faster and followed my instincts.' One thing that haunted her was what happened after the biopsy. The lump doubled in size. She cannot say why, but it was confronting and reinforced how deeply she felt that something was wrong. It made her question the delays and pushed her to advocate harder for herself. In hindsight, there were signs she did not recognise at the time. Crushing exhaustion that went beyond normal tiredness. Persistent itching in her armpits that she would never have linked to cancer back then. Small things that only make sense once you are forced to look backwards. Emma Johnson (pictured) was 43 when she found a lump in her right breast. She was eventually told she had stage four breast cancer and a grim prognosis 'I share my story to raise awareness that there are other ways to fight cancer,' says Emma (pictured with her family) She was eventually told she had stage four breast cancer and a grim prognosis. As I write this, she is flying to Mexico, pouring every cent she has into treatment because she refuses to give up. Over the past year she has lost her business, her savings and parts of her old life, but she has gained something else entirely: faith, clarity and an unshakeable will to live. 'I share my story to raise awareness that there are other ways to fight cancer,' she says. 'But also so people trust their instincts. Ask questions. Don't wait. Explore every option.' The third was Collette, a powerhouse publicist who had just put her coastal home on the market so that she and her husband could move their family back to the city. She shared her diagnosis online because she did not want to have to say it over and over, and because cancer, in her words, does not get to be a secret. She welcomed love and support but not unsolicited medical advice or horror stories. Her journey has been marked by missed symptoms, prolonged uncertainty and a harsh sense of limbo. Still, she chooses to focus on her sons, personal growth, and rebuilding herself from within. The fourth friend has asked to remain anonymous. What I can say is that she was just 34 when she was diagnosed. A young mum raising two beautiful daughters while running a successful business with her husband. Collette (pictured on her wedding day) shared her diagnosis because she did not want to have to say it over and over, and because cancer, in her words, does not get to be a secret After learning four of her friends had been diagnosed with breast cancer, Jana Hocking went for a full check-up. Her doctor told her she was seeing an increase in cancer in young people One moment she was planning birthday parties and business strategies. The next she was sitting in oncology waiting rooms, staring at scans that would change the rest of her life. These aren't isolated stories. They are my friends, but they are also part of a broader trend that doctors and researchers are seeing with increasing concern. In Australia, around three women under 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer every day, and it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women aged 20 to 39. Over the past few decades, the number of new cases in women aged 20-39 has nearly doubled, rising from approximately 500 diagnoses a year to more than 900 - and the trend continues upward. And it's not just breast cancer: early-onset cancers overall, including bowel, kidney and thyroid cancers, have also increased among people in their 30s and 40s in recent decades. What doctors and researchers can't yet fully explain is why this is happening, but the numbers show that it is happening - and it's not something to be dismissed as coincidence. But I understand what it looks like when it hits your world. It looks like school lunches packed beside chemo schedules. It looks like IVF hopes replaced with oncology referrals. It looks like women who were meant to be worrying about work deadlines and weekend sport suddenly fighting for their lives. Cancer does not wait for the right time. And neither should the conversation. So let this be your reminder: demand breast checks from your doctors many of them will tell you to wait until you're over 40, and only bi-annually. But I would recommend annually. In fact, I would recommend today. New to DailyMail+? Here are our most-read stories from the last week Chumpy Pullin's dad reveals heartbreaking rift with his late son's partner Ellidy that has torn him away from his only grandchild - and the 'hurtful' suggestion that triggered their estrangement Is nobody going to say the bloody obvious about Ellidy Pullin? We fell in love with her story - now a bitter truth stares us in the face: AMANDA GOFF I think I've discovered Tess Crosley's true agenda after the Lachie Neale scandal. I know you're reading... if this really is your plan, I promise it won't end well for you: JANA HOCKING Naked pop star Yungblud parties with 50-year-old socialite Dina Broadhurst at raucous private yacht party attended by Sydney's elite Regrets? He's had a few: It's all over for Lachie Neale as he moves into bachelor pad after his wife Jules left him... as we uncover telling post from the woman at the centre of their divorce Noughties Aussie heart-throb Didier Cohen faces YEARS in an American prison for allegedly kidnapping his rich father and stepmother. Read the shocking full story - as an insider reveals what may have triggered his meltdown Shocking suspicions about celebrity dentist Dr David Hurst's sudden death at a casino revealed a year later - as we track down his elusive widow at $8million home Poison pen email from the house of Woman's Day reveals dire state of business... Plus, Cosmopolitan Australia crashes and burns under new owner - our sources have the full story: INSIDE MAIL Why everyone's talking about Ellidy Pullin's luxury life and the celebrity couple she considers 'family' - after Chumpy's dad revealed their heartbreaking rift The madness continues: Jessica Camilleri hacked off her mother's head in a crime that shocked Australia. She's just done something so grim behind bars that it may get her MORE jail time Bethanie Parsons vividly remembers the moment she realised something had gone terribly wrong during the birth of her first child. After hours of pushing, she was told her babys heart rate was slowing and a doctor said forceps were needed to get her baby out quickly. There was no time for pain relief. The doctor inserted the forceps without waiting for a contraction, she says. During a contraction the uterus tenses to help push the baby through the birth canal. Bethanie, 28, recalls: I was pulled down the bed as they wrenched my baby out. Both her partner Josh, 33, a plumber and on-call firefighter, and mother-in-law had to hold Bethanie to stop me being dragged off the bed by the force of the pulling, she says. Bethanies screams from the labour ward at St Marys Hospital on the Isle of Wight were so loud her mother heard them from the hospital car park. Straight after the delivery, Bethanie was told she had a routine (the doctors description) second-degree tear where the skin and muscle between the vagina and anus splits. But as doctors began to stitch up the injury, they realised the tear had, in fact, ripped through the muscles that keep the back passage closed and into the lining of the bowel. It was a not a second-degree tear, but a fourth-degree tear: the most severe kind, known as an obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI). The most severe kind of tear - an obstetric anal sphincter injury - affects around 44,000 new mothers each year and can have life-changing repercussions, including faecal incontinence This affects around 44,000 new mothers every year. But, as many discover, the fact that such vital muscles are damaged as a result of an OASI can have life-changing repercussions. The day after giving birth, Bethanie began losing bowel control, soiling herself if she didnt get to the bathroom in time. I had less than a minute to get to the loo, she says. But because it was my first child, I thought at first that it was something that came with being a new mother. I had less than a minute to get to the loo. But because it was my first child, I thought at first that it was something that came with being a new mother. So Bethanie didnt seek help and was too mortified to raise it at two emergency appointments arranged to deal with heavy bleeding that she was still experiencing weeks after giving birth. She was asked briefly if she had any bowel issues at her six-week check. But she didnt mention her faecal incontinence, still thinking this was a normal part of recovery and something that came with being a new mother my primary focus was on the bleeding. This is common most women think incontinence is normal or dont get asked, and those who raise it are often told its hormonal or temporary, according to research in the British Journal of General Practice in 2024. It was very embarrassing but I thought thats just what I had to deal with from now on, says Bethanie. She continued to suffer in silence fearful of travelling more than 30 minutes from her home in case she got caught short. But it inevitably led to accidents once, when she was trying to get her then toddler son to nursery. Bethanie Parsons, 28, still has nightmares about the intense birth of her first child which left her unable to control her bowel and fearful of travelling away from home I rang my husband Josh in tears as the nursery workers asked why we were late and my little boy replied, Mummys pooed herself, recalls Bethanie. More women than ever are having to endure similar indignity, as OASIs become increasingly common. A review of studies, published in the journal Midwifery last July, found that rates of OASIs among first-time mothers tripled in England between 2000 and 2012, rising from 1.8 per cent to around 6 per cent, with as many as 20 per cent of those given forceps deliveries affected. Partly, this increase reflects the rise in older first-time mothers (with a 9 per cent rise in new mothers aged 35 and above over the past two decades), as tissue is less stretchy with age, increasing the risk of tears. But also the fact that women are giving birth to bigger babies (tens of thousands weighing 4kg 8lb 13oz or more are born in England each year), with high birth weight linked to a greater risk of severe tears. However, experts warn that the figures must also be seen against the background of report after report pointing to failings in maternity care and needless suffering. Last summer, the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation was launched by Baroness (Valerie) Amos, to examine standards at 12 NHS maternity trusts and recommend ways to improve maternity care generally. HOW TO GET SPECIALIST HELP Even if your birth injury occurred years ago, you can still be referred for specialist help. In the first year after birth this will be at a perinatal pelvic health clinic, but GPs can refer women at any stage to colorectal or urogynaecology services. If you suffer from bowel or bladder symptoms after giving birth, ask your GP specifically about Perinatal Pelvic Health Services in your area. In some areas you can self-refer to NHS pelvic floor physiotherapy. If youve had a third or fourth-degree tear, you should be automatically referred to specialist services. Remember, dont accept any injury as normal bowel and bladder incontinence after birth are common but treatable, says Professor Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Advertisement Announcing her interim findings in December, Lady Amos described the situation as much worse than anticipated this despite the fact that there have been no fewer than 748 recommendations to reform NHS maternity care made over the past decade, something Lady Amos described as staggering. The initial findings of her investigation included a lack of empathy from medical teams and women feeling blamed and guilty for failures in care. She wrote: Nothing prepared me for the scale of unacceptable care that women and families have received and continue to receive. The failure to prevent and then to help women affected by OASIs is symptomatic of this inadequacy of care. Bethanie believes the rushed delivery of her son was a major factor in causing the damage thats changed virtually every part of her life. Doctors and midwives usually wait for a contraction before pulling with forceps the idea being that they utilise the force of the contraction to help get the baby out (at the same time, the vagina and surrounding tissues soften and stretch to allow for the babys emerging head). But pulling without a natural contraction can mean having to pull harder at a time when the tissues around the babys head arent properly stretched increasing the risk of severe tears. And there is evidence that the use of forceps is associated with a higher risk of tearing, says Professor Julie Cornish, a consultant colorectal surgeon at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Yet despite the use of forceps and an OASI no one asked Bethanie at any of her postnatal checks (including when her stitches were examined) whether she was having problems with her bowel control, even though theyre common after this sort of birth injury. Astonishingly, serious injuries affecting the sphincter can and do get missed by doctors So many women live with these symptoms because no one ever told them they werent normal, says Professor Cornish. If you dont ask about bowel control at postnatal checks and the women wont tell you the injury gets lost so the real damage is never picked up. And that damage ruins lives, she adds: Typically, when I first see a woman, shes with her partner. Next time, shes on her own. The time after that, theyve separated. It has huge implications for mental health, sex life, work and family life. There are two ring-shaped sphincter muscles around the anus either may be torn during labour, says Professor Cornish, who is also vice president of MASIC, a charity that supports women who have sustained serious childbirth injuries. They form rings around the back passage the external sphincter which you can control voluntarily, and the internal sphincter which works automatically. When these are damaged, women lose the ability to control faeces and wind. There are four types of perineal tear a first-degree tear involves only the vaginal skin and should heal naturally. A second-degree tear includes the vaginal tissue and the muscle between the vagina and anus; stitches are needed, usually by a midwife. A third-degree tear includes the anal sphincter muscle controlling the bowel, and should be repaired in theatre by a doctor with anaesthetic. And a fourth-degree tear includes the rectal lining as well as the sphincter muscle; this requires surgery under a spinal or general anaesthetic, She was told she had IBS; multiple doctors never connected it to her birth injury so neither did she. Astonishingly, serious injuries affecting the sphincter can and do get missed by doctors. A study published in the journal Midwifery in July 2025 found that a quarter of first-time mothers whod delivered vaginally most of whom were thought to have not torn who were then scanned with ultrasound were found to have damage to the sphincter muscles that control the bowel. Left untreated, this damage can leave women with a lifelong loss of bowel control: Professor Cornish says some only develop symptoms years later around the menopause when oestrogen drops and muscles weaken. Others never recover properly if the tear was missed or inadequately stitched. I saw a lady recently with a third-degree tear from 21 years ago, says Professor Cornish. Shes been leaking waste four times a week all that time, and cant go out for dinner with her family. She was told she had IBS; multiple doctors never connected it to her birth injury so neither did she. Generally, the earlier the injury is spotted and treated, the better the outcome. When severe tears are repaired immediately, around seven in ten cases are symptom-free 12 months later. But for the three in ten of these women who develop ongoing incontinence, symptoms may persist for years even permanently without further treatment, such as physiotherapy or surgery, says Professor Cornish. Often, something can be done to help women if only they can find the right help. Yet there are real hurdles to getting this. Post-birth bladder and bowel problems are treated by different parts of the NHS the OASI Care Bundle for bowel injuries, and the Perinatal Pelvic Health Services for bladder and pelvic-floor problems (set up by NHS England in 2024, these are physiotherapy-led clinics that aim to improve the prevention, identification and treatment). Yet many obstetricians who manage women who develop symptoms after a severe tear dont know who to refer them to, according to a UK study published in the journal Colorectal Disease last year. Theres a lack of a clear pathway in many hospitals, says Professor Cornish. If youre not sure what to do with it, you avoid it. In Bethanies case, it wasnt until she mentioned the leaking to a friend in December 2020 (her son was then 20 months old) who encouraged her to ask for help that she was finally seen by a hospital specialist in June 2021. She was offered surgery, but it came with a one-in-five risk of needing a colostomy bag. But even given the discomfort and embarrassment I was suffering, I was only 24 and having to have a colostomy bag for life was something I couldnt contemplate. says Bethanie. Perinatal Pelvic Health Services provide specialist care for bladder and pelvic-floor problems, yet many GPs and midwives remain unaware of their existence Within two months of her symptoms appearing, Rebecca Middleton was in a wheelchair Then, in 2022, Bethanies consultant put her forward for a trial of a sacral nerve stimulator a small device implanted under the skin that sends electrical pulses to nerves that control the bowel. The device sends gentle electrical pulses to the nerves in the lower back, which helps control bowel movements. Its available on the NHS for severe cases after other treatments have failed. Instead of less than a minute, I now get a couple of minutes to reach the bathroom its been life-changing, says Bethanie, who now runs a nail business from home in the Isle of Wight so she can stay close to the bathroom, but she has more flexibility. There are different solutions for women with other post-birth problems. Each year in the UK roughly 200,000 women are left with bladder leaks and almost 50,000 with symptoms such as painful sex and pelvic pain caused by prolapse (when one or more pelvic organs such as the bladder, bowel or womb slip down and bulge into the vagina). However, most women dont know services such as the Perinatal Pelvic Health Services exist, says Kim Thomas, of the Birth Trauma Association. Even many GPs and midwives dont know either. It means women may miss out on seeing specialist pelvic-health physiotherapists trained to carry out internal vaginal examinations and techniques such as internal manual therapy, scar release and bowel rehabilitation skills general physiotherapists do not have. This is something Rebecca Middleton, 38, a fund manager from London, discovered after developing pelvic girdle pain during her first pregnancy. The condition, which affects around one in five pregnant women, is caused by the joints of the pelvis becoming unstable in pregnancy, with the surrounding muscles tightening up to protect them. Rebecca was referred to a general physiotherapist, who gave her pelvic-floor exercises, but because her pelvic floor and hip muscles were already clamped tight, every attempt left her in agony and made the pain worse. At a second appointment she was told, Youre too severe to treat . . . get some crutches and go on your way, recalls Rebecca. I was literally being overtaken by people on Zimmer frames, she says. Within two months of her symptoms appearing, she was in a wheelchair. It was only when she paid to see a private womens health physio, recommended by the Pelvic Partnership, a charity offering support and information, that she was correctly diagnosed and treated with internal massage to relax her pelvic floor muscles. The internal physiotherapy was game-changing every time you walk out of a session you feel better, says Rebecca. It was incredibly healing I felt like I was walking on air. For Bethanie, despite the improvement in her physical condition, her injuries have had a huge impact on her life. The natural birth left me needing a nerve stimulator for life, with surgery every eight to ten years to replace the battery in the nerve stimulator device, she says. When she became pregnant again in 2023, Bethanie was terrified and didnt want to give birth naturally again. She had a caesarean in May 2024. My first birth deeply affected my mental health, causing nightmares and constant anxiety to this day, she says. And the inadequate care ruined my quality of life. I should never have been left this way. Florida could ban controversial paper straws over fears of exposure to cancer-causing forever chemicals. Last month, the state introduced Senate Bill 958 alongside identical house bill HB 2195, which would restrict local bans or limits on the use of plastic straws and instead ban paper straws. Many states, including California, New York and Connecticut, have banned the use of plastic straws in restaurants due to fears of environmental pollution. These states have replaced plastic straws with paper alternatives because they decompose faster and are recyclable, while plastic takes decades to degrade. However, the Sunshine State is now taking aim at the environmentally friendlier straw over toxic chemicals it may contain. HB 2195 states: 'Many businesses and communities in this state are using paper drinking straws and stirrers as a purportedly better option for public health and the environment. 'However, independent university studies have shown that most paper straws contain harmful PFAS chemicals, exposure to which is linked to concerning health risks.' PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are toxic chemicals that don't break down in the body, instead leeching from nonstick cookware, waterproof textiles and takeout containers into food and the skin and building up in vital organs, increasing the risk of organ failure, reproductive complications and some forms of cancer. The bills introduced in Florida suggest the potential health risks of PFAS in paper straws outweigh the environmental benefits, even though plastic straws also contain harmful microplastics. A Florida bill could ban the use of paper straws across the entire state over potential risks of PFAS (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. HB 2195 states that any regulation of drinking straws must be based on 'government policy driven by science.' If passed, the law would go into effect on the same day it is passed and have a deadline of January 1, 2027, for local governments to update their existing straw laws. The proposed rules would not apply to hospitals, medical centers or nursing homes, nor would they impact prepackaged drinks. It would instead apply to restaurants and food businesses. The bills come after an executive order from President Donald Trump last year banning federal use of paper straws. The executive order reads: 'Plastic straws are often replaced by paper straws, which are nonfunctional, use chemicals that may carry risks to human health, are more expensive to produce than plastic straws and often force users to use multiple straws.' Florida originally tried to overturn plastic straw bans in 2019, but the measure was vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis because he believed the issue was best addressed at the local level. Emerging research has pointed to the risks of PFAS in paper straws. One 2023 study published in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants found that nine in 10 paper straw brands tested contained PFAS, which the team suggested could have been used as water-repellent coating. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, pictured above, has previously vetoed measures to overturn plastic straw bans However, the team noted that the PFAS concentrations were low, and since most people only use the straws occasionally, there is a limited long-term health risk. The study authors recommended either using stainless steel straws or going without. Another 2021 study found the toxic forever chemicals PFOS and PFOA in paper and other plant-based drinking straws made of materials like bamboo or wheat. They also found these chemicals leached from the straws into beverages. Plastic straws, meanwhile, have been shown to break down into microplastics, tiny particles smaller than a grain of sand that seep from food containers, water and baby toys into the blood. From there, they accumulate in the brain, heart and other vital organs and lead to widespread inflammation, infertility and potentially some forms of cancer. Virtually all humans have microplastics circulating in their body, and studies estimate the average person ingests 50,000 of these particles every year. On the opposite end of the spectrum, New Jersey introduced a bill that would ban restaurants from providing single-use plastic utensils to customers unless requested. Restaurants would instead have to provide reusable, washable utensils for people eating their meals on site. More than 100 people in South Carolina have been struck by highly contagious measles in the past week, health officials have warned. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) said Tuesday the state has seen 124 measles cases since Friday, bringing its total to 434 since September 2025. The outbreak has forced 409 residents into quarantine and another 17 into isolation. The latest round of quarantines will end for these residents on February 6. Health officials also noted one person was confirmed to have attended the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia while infectious on January 2 between the hours of 1pm and 5pm, leaving anyone at the museum during that time potentially exposed. The person did not know they were infectious at the time. No further details about the individual were revealed. DPH said in a statement: 'DPH is asking anyone who was at the museum during that specific day and time to contact a health care provider if you believe you may have been exposed and you develop symptoms, or if you do not have immunity to measles. 'People who were exposed, especially those without immunity through vaccination or previous disease, should monitor for symptoms through Jan. 23.' Among those infected, six people had received both doses of their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, leaving them with just a three percent chance of becoming infected. The vast majority of measles cases are seen in those who are not vaccinated. More than 100 residents in South Carolina have been found in the last week to have measles, an extremely contagious disease that leads to flu-like symptoms, a rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body, and, in severe cases, pneumonia, seizures, brain inflammation, permanent brain damage, and death Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Of the 434 cases since September 2025, 105 were under five years old, 287 were between ages five and 17, 36 were over 18 and six were minors under 18 whose exact ages were not disclosed. Measles is an infectious, but preventable, disease caused by a virus that leads to flu-like symptoms, a rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body, and, in severe cases, pneumonia, seizures, brain inflammation, permanent brain damage, and death. The virus is spread through direct contact with infectious droplets or through the air. Patients with a measles infection are contagious from four days before the rash through four days after the rash appears. DPH urged those who may have been exposed to watch for symptoms for 21 days. 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 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is typically given once between ages 12 and 15 months and again between ages four and six. The vast majority of infected people in South Carolina, 378, were unvaccinated. Three were partially vaccinated, 47 were unknown and six were fully vaccinated. 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. A sign reading 'measles testing' is seen as an outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, has raised concerns over the disease's spread in February 2025 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. 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 areas like airports and planes 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. Two women who fell victim to one of Scotland's most notorious catfish scammers have recalled the moment when they learned their love interest was not the handsome male doctor they believed they were talking to, but a woman. Along with multiple others, former Miss Scotland finalist Abbie Draper, 35, and Samantha, whose name has been changed at her request, had received a Facebook friend request from someone claiming to be 'Dr David Graham' in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Living in the small town of Kilmarnock at the time, Abbie accepted the request from the attractive doctor, who claimed he had been caring for her ill grandfather at the time. A year later, retail worker Samantha from Glasgow received the request at random, but was instantly attracted to David and enjoyed his initial compliments about her 'lovely smile'. The medic built a relationship with the women via messages and later phone calls using a voice-changing app, sending Samantha bouquets of flowers and gifts, drawing them deeper into his world. But after he came up with a variety of excuses to avoid meeting them in person, they became suspicious and turned into real-life sleuths to uncover his secrets and unmasked him as a female nurse named Adele Rennie. Now, in a BBC documentary, The Beauty Queen and the Catfish, the two women have revealed how they discovered the catfisher was Rennie in 2015, who has since been jailed multiple times. Suspicion first arose for keen dancer Abby after the catfish asked her to perform at a charity ball for medics. At first, she gladly accepted the offer, but after posting about the event online, she received a message from a person she had never met before, warning her not to trust 'Dr David'. 'Catfish' Adele Rennie lured people in by pretending to be a handsome 'Dr David Graham', pictured Samantha, pictured, whose name has been changed at her request, was in utter disbelief when she learned the handsome doctor she was chatting to was actually a woman Acting on the message, she rang the venue and asked after the medic, the event, or any other details they might have - but they had no booking under his name at any date or time. The mother-of-two investigated further, before setting up a group chat called 007 with other women who had communicated with the catfish via Facebook. Ms Draper said: 'When I started looking deeper into David Graham's Facebook, I started noticing it was all the same people commenting on his things. Then I started asking myself, "Are they real?" 'We would reverse image search so you can put an image into Google and find out where it came through. We found these profiles had actually been stolen from Instagram. 'There was a web of people - so you've got David here, and then you've got all these profiles validating that David is a real person. We screenshotted the other profiles as well. 'Time went so fast, and I didn't sleep. I was sitting on my phone looking for things and my laptop. Before I knew it we were on like five, six in the morning - and then I'd have a quick sleep and then I'll wake back up again. I was consumed by it all.' Abby's online sleuthing led her to realise Rennie was behind the scam, an additionally difficult discovery given she was a nurse looking after her late grandfather, who was in hospital at the time. Recalling the moment, she said: 'I was in such disbelief', adding, 'I've seen her side-by-side with my granddad, it's actually quite sickening. That was someone we put our trust in, it's terrifying to be honest. Who does that?' Former Miss Scotland finalist Abbie Draper, pictured, from Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, recalled her experience in the new BBC documentary Adele Rennie, pictured, was jailed for 22 months in 2017 and again two years later for her disturbing cons She called it 'sickening' and told the documentary: 'It's a very vulnerable ward. If you really wanted to take an advantage of people that would be the ward to be in.' After a bit more online probing and telling the hospital about Rennie, it became a 'race against time' to collect evidence before the devious nurse blocked her victims or deleted her fake online profile. Meanwhile, Samantha learned that Rennie had catfished her after she tracked down the hospital that David had claimed to work at via a photograph the scammer sent her earlier of a parking ticket. Arriving at the hospital with her mother and sister, Samantha waited there until David rang her saying that he had arrived at work, but when she saw the car from the previous photograph arrive, a woman stepped out. 'It's a woman,' she said, in the BBC documentary, adding, 'All three of us were in shock, we were like "no way".' But it wasn't just any woman; it was one she had spoken to several times, a person claiming to be a florist, who had visited her to deliver flowers from David. 'I was like hold on a minute, it's the florist, it's the girl I've been talking to who has been delivering these flowers. It sent shivers through me.' Other victims, including Lilly, Chloe, Kirsty and 'Charlotte' who did not want to be identified, also recounted their stories for the TV crew explaining how devious Rennie managed to dupe them into believing he really was the social media hunk he pretended to be. The catfish claimed to be a doctor working on a hospital ward - and even shared photographs of a forged NHS pass Rennie was first jailed for 22 months in December 2017 for cyber stalking and again two years later for similar offending. She was given 28 months behind bars in 2024 and could be released later this year. Cyber security expert Rory Innes told the documentary: 'When I first heard of the Adele Rennie case, I think the most surprising element is how long it went on for.' He pointed out catfishing wasn't a criminal term and pointed out: 'It's almost impossible that the police take that on because what is the crime? 'The moment you say they've stolen 1,000 there's a real clear pathway, it's fraud. We can investigate that, we can follow the money.' Mr Innes added that as victims are forced to investigate their own cases the risks for them get 'higher and higher' and later asked: 'If your perpetrator doesn't go to prison then how safe do you feel?' The documentary also heard from a psychologist about Rennie's potential motives for the offending with a glimpse into her childhood with an alcoholic father who took his own life. Her sister Nicole told of her disbelief of the charges levelled at her 'happy big sister' while her mother, Christine, said: 'It's just such a horrible feeling. 'You can't just believe that your daughter has gone to one of them vans and taken off to a prison. She's in sex offenders register. It's so complex it's very hard to make any sense of it.' She added: 'I was mortified. Ashamed. I went through every emotion.' However, she told the documentary she believes Rennie's latest stint in prison due to end in March - has changed her. Rennie even released a statement from behind the bars to apologise to her victims, vowing she has received help. All three episodes of The Beauty Queen and the Catfish are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. An American man has ignited an online firestorm after his fiancee was tricked into thinking she was getting a free lunch at her corporate workplace. 'My fiancee told me she got an email from her job that said, "On Tuesday, everybody come to the office. We're doing free Chipotle as a team building thing",' Matt Pena recalled in a TikTok video. The NYC-based comedian said his partner was excited about the prospect and immediately replied to 'put in her order'. But the office worker never predicted what was coming next. 'She went to work on Tuesday and it turns out it was one of those phishing email tests - and she failed miserably,' Matt said. 'So now she has to sit in on a three-hour course to learn about the dangers of clicking on dangerous emails.' With most of today's corporate workplaces heavily reliant on online technology, it's commonplace for employers to vigilantly educate their employees about the threat of digital dangers, like phishing and scam emails. Matt concluded that although he understood why businesses undertook such measures, he was stunned at the extent of this particular one that fooled his partner. NYC comedian Matt Pena recounted that his fiancee was stunned to discover the lunch offer email was in fact a phishing test - and that she had failed The comedian's video quickly exploded on TikTok and Instagram, viewed over 700,000 times on the former and receiving over 11,000 comments across both platforms. The predominant sentiment among the replies was astonished outrage on behalf of Matt's fiancee. 'Phishing with burrito bait is diabolical,' declared a much-liked comment. 'That's entrapment,' agreed another. 'This would be my villain origin story,' another person humorously responded. One person observed that it must have been a sad realisation when she worked out it was all just a test. 'Her arriving to work with no lunch and then being punished with a three-hour course - and the shame,' they wrote. Quite a number of people felt that dangling the offer of free Chipotle was too good to refuse - and that her workplace should at the very least 'provide a Chipotle lunch for the people in the course'. Matt shared the story about the fake free Chipotle email offer to his @mattpenacomedy social media accounts and it quickly went viral, with commenters claiming what happened to the office worker was 'diabolical' Many commenters also hoped that Matt at least stepped up as the ultimate partner by getting his future wife some Chipotle that evening. But the entire episode sparked a broader discussion among other workers who confessed to having also fallen for too-good-to-be-true emailed offers that they thought were from their employer. 'I fell for a free pizza phishing email test at work. I had to watch a video about the dangers of phishing emails - with no pizza and I was 7 months pregnant,' read one reply. 'I got a phishing Valentine's card Rude!' 'They did this with us but it was Beyonce tickets,' another worker confessed. 'My company sent me a phishing email that said "Congrats, the team all signed a card for you, check it out!" - ON MY BIRTHDAY.' 'I got an email from HR in January saying "Click here to add your annual raise to your current job contract", and then I had to take a two-hour training on phishing. Note: I'm part of the IT team,' another said. Chipotle Mexican Grill is a takeaway chain renowned for their Mexican fare including burritos, bowls and tacos Although the comments were filled with grumblings about whether a generous and enticing offer was a fair way to test employees' online savviness, a number of replies felt it was an important reminder to always be vigilant online. 'Always check the sender! There are clues!' advised one reply. Another responder was stunned the woman fell for this email, 'no matter how many times they send the email, no matter the training.' One person explained that it was clever for the company to set up such a believable phishing test. '[These] emails are set up by the company to try to trick people into clicking links. Usually they misspell something or make it look like it's an external email.' Another agreed that the enticement was essential to keep employees on their toes so that they can recognise how easily anyone can be tricked 'to click on the link and give them something - usually information/data'. 'She filled it with what she wanted to eat as well as giving her work email and additional sensitive data they could have asked her to fill,' they elaborated. 'My husband works in IT and he is the one responsible for making these training emails. Sometimes, he lets me pick the phishing emails (there are dozens of templates to choose from) and then he'll tell me how many people fell for it. It's the highlight of my month hahaha. Sorry,' another woman replied. However, there was a silver lining to the story. A day after Matt posted the video, the official Chipotle account weighed into the comments with the reply: 'This isn't a phish. Check ur dms.' Sure enough, Matt told Daily Mail that the popular casual Mexican chain replied to him saying: 'Hi Matt, this dm's for real! Tell your fiancee not to worry, this one's on us - enjoy these two free entree codes.' The reply directly from Chipotle warmed the hearts of many who had watched the video online. 'Chipotle for the save!' one replied. Another cheeky response simply suggested: 'She should go in to the meeting eating her order.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been showing off her growing baby bump just a few weeks after she announced that she was expecting her second child - a daughter - with 60-year-old husband Nicholas Riccio. In a new photo posted to her Instagram story on Monday night, Leavitt posed alongside President Donald Trump's Special Assistant and Communications Advisor, Margo Martin, as they twinned in maroon-colored outfits. Leavitt, 28, cradled her baby bump as she wore a long-sleeved, burgundy sweater with a cream ruffle at the hem, along with matching, dark-colored flared pants. She wrapped her hands around the growing bump as she smiled standing next to Martin, who was wearing belted, burgundy-colored flare pants and a matching, form-fitting, crewneck long-sleeved sweater. 'Matching today with Margo Martin,' Leavitt wrote in the caption of the photo, adding in the 'twin' emoji next to it. The photo comes nearly one month after Leavitt revealed that she is expecting her second child, due in May 2026. Leavitt already shares son Nicholas 'Niko' Robert Riccio, one, with her husband. The 28-year-old made the announcement in an Instagram post just one day after Christmas, standing in front of the tree as she showed off her growing belly in a white bodycon dress. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, is showing off her growing baby bump just a few weeks after she announced that she was expecting her second child, a daughter, with her 60-year-old husband, Nicholas Riccio Leavitt already shares son Nicholas 'Niko' Robert Riccio, one, with her husband The 28-year-old made the announcement in an Instagram post just one day after Christmas, standing in front of the tree as she showed off her growing belly in a white bodycon dress 'The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for - a baby girl coming in May 2026,' Leavitt wrote in the caption of the post. 'My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can't wait to watch our son become a big brother. My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth,' her message continued. She also gave a shout-out to both President Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in her announcement, thanking them for creating a 'pro-family' environment at work. 'I am also extremely grateful to President Trump and our Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for their support, and for fostering a pro-family environment in the White House,' Leavitt typed. '2026 is going to be a great year and I am so excited to be a girl mom!' she concluded. So far, Leavitt has dressed up this pregnancy by wearing long statement jackets and colorful blazers. Previously, she spoke to The Conservateur about balancing her demanding job with raising her son in a rare 2024 interview. Leavitt notoriously came back to work just a few days after she gave birth to Niko in July, after President Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. She also gave a shout-out to both President Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in her announcement, thanking them for creating a 'pro-family' environment at work So far, Leavitt has dressed up this pregnancy by wearing long statement jackets and colorful blazers 'I felt compelled to be present in this historic moment,' she explained to the outlet. 'The President literally put his life on the line to win this election. The least I could do is get back to work quickly,' she said. At the time, Leavitt was the national press secretary for Trump's presidential campaign, even working up until the last days of her pregnancy. She told the outlet that their campaign headquarters at the time, in Palm Beach, was a very welcoming environment for working parents. 'We have a really welcoming environment for children at the office, the headquarters in West Palm Beach,' Leavitt shared. 'You know, we joke that on Saturdays, it's bring-your-kid-to-work day,' she said, as both Danielle Alvarez, who was a senior adviser to the campaign, and Sonny Joy Nelson, who was the director of media bookings, also had young children. 'Sonny and I will be on the phone with one another late at night or early in the morning,' Leavitt recalled. 'Her baby's crying. My baby's crying. We're working together through the chaos. And it's a crazy but very rewarding thing all at the same time.' Since becoming the face of the White House this year, Leavitt's marriage to Riccio, a real estate developer, has raised eyebrows due to their 32-year age gap In March, Leavitt admitted they have a 'very atypical love story,' and said they first met when she unsuccessfully ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022 However, although she said she loves working for Trump, the 28-year-old admitted at the time that it was hard to leave her son at home some days. 'Leaving the baby every day to go to work, it does break your heart,' Leavitt confessed. 'It's incredibly challenging emotionally, physically, spiritually.' Leavitt told the outlet that she hopes the one value her son learns from her is the importance of having 'confidence.' Since becoming the face of the White House this year, Leavitt's marriage to Riccio, a real estate developer, has raised eyebrows due to their 32-year age gap. In March, Leavitt admitted they have a 'very atypical love story,' and said they first met when she unsuccessfully ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022. 'A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband,' Leavitt told Megyn Kelly at the time. 'I was speaking. We met and we were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love.' Social media influencer Esther Thomas known as Sunshine has died, her family has confirmed. The Nigerian content creator, who had nearly half a million followers across Instagram and Facebook, died suddenly on January 9 after undergoing surgery. Confirming her passing in a statement shared online, Thomas's family said: 'We the family of Esther Thomas (A.K.A. Sunshine) with pain in our heart we regret to announce the sudden demise of our beloved sister and daughter. 'We are trying to put things in place so we could put her to rest.' Fellow social media star Chidera Madu shared details of Thomas's passing. He explained that she started experiencing stomach pain on December 28, which led to a hospital trip on New Year's Day. After a series of scans, Madu claimed that doctors determined Thomas had a fibroid that had 'grown so big.' Doctors reportedly recommended surgery to remove the fibroid and while they said that the procedure had been a success, Madu believes Sunshine experienced complications. Social media influencer Esther Thomas known as Sunshine has died Thomas's family announced news of her death in a statement shared on Instagram He shared his sentiments in a video posted to his Instagram. According to Mayo Clinic, uterine fibroids are common growths of the uterus. They often appear during the years you're usually able to get pregnant and give birth. Uterine fibroids often aren't dangerous, but they can cause pain, and they may lead to complications. Thomas grew a huge fan base thanks to her comedic, skit-style videos. She often collaborated with other Nigerian internet stars, including Ifedilimuo Ifeanyi Prosper, Lucy Antem and Madu. Shocked fans are struggling to process news of Thomas's death. 'I'm still trying to believe this,' one wrote. 'Oh God this is so sad,' penned another. 'May her soul rest in peace.' Thomas grew a huge online following thanks to her comedic videos Her shocked fans are struggling to process news of her sudden passing A third continued: 'No way! What? Sunshine pleaseAh this is heartbreaking. My sincere condolences to the family. May her soul rest in perfect peace.' 'I have no words in the face of this sad news,' added a fourth. 'My deepest and sincerest condolences. 'I wish you a lot of strength and courage during this very difficult time. My heart is broken, I still can't believe it.' Thomas's family are making arrangements to lay her to rest. A lot is spoken about divorce when it comes to the couple themselves but what about their parents, some of whom fear theyll never see their grandchildren again? Psychoanalyst Juliet Rosenfeld reveals the golden rules to follow when your adult child gets divorced. Gill* was the perfect grandmother. She had done pick-ups, drop-offs, escorted her two grandchildren to ballet and rugby lessons, as well as teaching them to play chess and poker. But when her 55-year-old son Max suddenly left Joanna, his wife of 15 years, Gill was told by her former daughter-in-law not to contact her under any circumstances. A brutal text added she would not be required for any pick-ups or sleepovers. All time spent with the grandchildren was withdrawn. Gill, retired after a long career in the civil service, had devoted herself to the grandchildren for a decade. What on earth was she to do? Its a harrowing tale, but as a psychoanalyst I know that such situations are not uncommon. Gill came to see me in an act of desperation, being very much of the stiff upper lip generation who didnt like to make a fuss. For people born before 1950, divorce may still feel stigmatising even if the numbers mean it is not uncommon. According to UK government statistics, 4.4million children live in separated families. When divorce happens, the most obvious fear for a grandparent is that they wont see their grandchild any more. Juliet Rosenfeld is a psychoanalyst. She says the key to navigating your adult child getting divorced is to keep your opinions to yourself According to UK government statistics, 4.4million children live in separated families As a parent you must recognise however much your child resembles you, that you are different and separate Today grandparent often means childcare. Rising living costs, unaffordable housing, and both parents working means granny and grandpa become in loco parentis. As a result, children today may spend a lot of their childhood with them. There are obviously often huge benefits all-round to this. However, if an adult child separates from a partner, the impact not just on children but on their grandparents can be profound and frequently overlooked. Another rarely documented risk is the harm done to previously good relationships between parents and their adult children. Because when a grandparent gets involved in a couples row, the boundaries can blur and rupture irreparably. In Gills case, she initially saw it as a weakness in her son and daughter-in-law that they hadnt done more to save their marriage. Had she voiced these feelings, it could have ended very badly for her relationship with both. However, in finding the courage to seek professional help, she was able to vent her anger safely. In time she was able to see this decision as theirs alone, and to trust they were doing what was best for them. Gills relationship was eventually restored with both, which was a great solace for them all, especially the grandchildren. Things dont always end so well. Thirty-seven-year-old Mary was devastated by her mothers reaction when she eventually told her she was separating from her husband Luke. Her normally restrained 75-year-old mother said that Luke had been a decent husband and was a good man. She felt Mary was being extremely selfish leaving her marriage, especially as they shared a small daughter who adored her father. Mary felt deeply unsupported and angered by her mothers attitude. I had treated Mary for depression for several painful years while she tried to leave her marriage, which was both depriving and very unhappy. I also knew that Marys own childhood had been miserable. An only child, her father had left her mother when she was at primary school for another woman. She recalled her parents marriage as a cold and lifeless relationship. She felt relief when she could visit her father in his flat and had had a good relationship with him away from her mother. But her mother had never forgiven him for leaving. Mary and I were eventually able to see her mothers attitude as a powerful repetition which related to her own inability to work through and accept her husbands departure from a very unhappy marriage. As you can see from the stories above, each family situation is different from the next. However, if you do find yourself as the parent of an adult child who is getting divorced, these are my guidelines which may ease the discomfort of life post-separation. Keep your opinions to yourself. Your children are not your friends in this scenario. They are an adult in a couple, poised to separate or divorce. Keep lines of communication open as usual with your son-in-law or daughter-in-law. If your offspring asks you not to, acknowledge it is painful, but say that while your role may be changing, you will continue to behave in a civilised manner as a parent-in-law and (if they have kids) respect them as a parent to your grandchild. However, this may not apply if the son- or daughter-in-law is doing something completely unacceptable, for example domestic violence. Acknowledge what you know about the situation when you are asked but also say you think it is better to keep out rather than to take sides. Be loving to your child, not punitive and angry. It took Mary many years to recover from what she felt was her mothers attack on her, even if we were able to work through the reasons her mother behaved in the way she did. Try to keep any arrangements as consistent as possible. Marys mother had her two children after school every Wednesday. Even when Mary felt very angry with her mother, she did not disturb this pre-agreed arrangement. Find an outlet to talk about how it makes you feel, be that a very discreet friend or a therapist if possible. Your childrens marriage is their business, not yours, and respecting that will benefit everyone. Recognise that, however much your child resembles you, you are different and separate. They are an adult, even if they were your baby. So, comfort, love them and be their parent in whatever way you can, but keep boundaries clear. This was their relationship, not yours. *All names have been changed An 'exhausted' mother-of-four has revealed why she decided to call the police on herself during a moment of desperation. When Kylie Grimes, from Utah, called 911 in July, it wasn't to report a crime or a medical emergency. Her husband was working late so she was alone watching their four young children. She was 'completely drained' from sleeping less two hours in a row for weeks. It was close to 10pm , dinner hadn't been served yet and her infant son was eating a house plant. 'It felt like everything hit at once. I was completely drained after months of running on very little sleep,' she recalled during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail. 'My husband was working late and wasn't home. I was exhausted in every sense... physically, mentally, and emotionally.' Grimes explained that two of her children had recently been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which added to the stress that already came with being a mother-of-four. 'My days and nights revolved around alarms, blood sugar checks, constant fear and responsibility that never paused,' she said. Mother-of-four Kylie Grimes, from Utah, called the police on herself back in July during a moment of desperation 'I wasn't sleeping for long stretches, and I felt like my nervous system was constantly in overdrive. I felt empty and overwhelmed.' She recalled hitting her breaking point after her youngest son, 15 months, 'got into a houseplant' and started eating the soil. 'He began choking, I handled the immediate situation and called poison control, but once things quieted down, I realized I was not okay,' she explained. 'I needed immediate help and support.' Grimes decided to call 911, and when the dispatcher asked what the emergency was, she told them that 'she was the emergency.' 'I explained that I was overwhelmed and struggling mentally. The dispatcher was steady, calm, and treated the situation seriously,' she dished. The dispatcher stayed on the phone with her until officers arrived. Once they got there and 'made sure everyone was safe,' Grimes explained that they simply sat with her while she let everything out. 'One first responder let me put my head on his shoulder while I cried,' she shared. 'They were all sitting with me, listening to all my worries and frustrations.' Once she had calmed down, the police arranged for a crisis therapist to follow up with her. Grimes recently shared a snap of the moment police showed up at her door to social media, writing, 'I called the cops on myself' They left and she went on with her night as usual, finishing up with dinner and putting the kids to bed. And while it didn't seem like much, the simple phone call to the police changed everything for her. 'Internally, something shifted,' she continued. 'My husband and I realized we couldn't keep doing everything alone. 'We started allowing people to help... even with small, everyday things. Some support has been simple, like errands or school pickups. 'Other support has been more complex, especially as family members learn how to care for our youngest, whose medical needs can be challenging even for professionals.' Now, Grimes vowed that she is in a 'much steadier place' and is more 'aware of her limits.' 'I no longer feel like I'm carrying everything by myself. Knowing that people are willing to show up even in small ways has made a big difference,' she said. Grimes recently shared a snap of the moment police showed up at her door to social media, writing, 'I called the cops on myself.' Grimes (seen with her husband and youngest child) explained that two of her children had recently been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which added to her stress 'My days and nights revolved around alarms, blood sugar checks, constant fear and responsibility that never paused,' she said It resonated with parents across the globe, as thousands rushed to the comment section to share their support. Grimes admitted that while she was 'afraid of being judged or misunderstood,' she felt it was important to post. 'I shared the video because I know there are other caregivers who feel overwhelmed and isolated, and I wanted them to see they aren't alone in that,' she explained. 'I never imagined it would resonate with so many people or reach such a wide audience... it opened my eyes that everyone is going through something.' In the end, she hopes that others learn from her story that you can be a great parent but also lean on others for support. 'Loving your children deeply doesn't make you immune to burnout,' she stressed. 'Reaching out for help... doesn't mean you're incapable, it means you're human. And sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit you need support.' Forget diet and supplements, sharper brains come down to socialising A neurologist with more than 217,000 followers has revealed the simple habit shared by those people who stay mentally sharp well into their 80s and 90s. According to US-based neurologist Dr Baibing Chen, the sharpest ageing brains tend to be in those who stay connected to other people. In a recent TikTok video, the Michigan physician explained that researchers now use the term super agers to describe older adults whose memory and thinking skills rival those of people decades younger. As a practising neurologist, Dr Chen said he occasionally encounters these rare patients in real life, and their active lifestyles often surprise people. 'As a neurologist I sometimes see super agers in my clinic,' he said, adding that while exercise and nutrition remain important, they are not what sets these individuals apart. 'The one thing that super agers have in common is that they stay social.' Research into this group has even found physical differences inside the brain, and according to Dr Chen, studies show 'super agers' have a thicker region known as the anterior cingulate cortex an area linked to emotion, attention and social connection. Researchers found that retaining a sharp mind had less to do with what these people were eating or taking, and more to do with regularly interacting with others. According to US-based neurologist Dr Baibing Chen (pictured), the sharpest ageing brains tend to have one thing in common: staying deeply connected to other people 'When the researchers compared their lifestyles... the super agers had stronger and more meaningful relationships and stayed deeply engaged with others.' Dr Chen said the reason social connection is so powerful comes down to how many parts of the brain it activates at once 'When the researchers compared their lifestyles... the super agers had stronger and more meaningful relationships and stayed deeply engaged with others.' Dr Chen said the reason social connection is powerful because it stimulates many parts of the brain at once. 'Social interaction is actually like a full body workout for your brain,' he said, explaining that every meaningful interaction fires up networks responsible for memory, empathy, attention and language. Those connections don't just sharpen thinking in the moment, they also protect the brain chemically and structurally over time. According to Dr Chen, deep relationships help 'lower stress hormones like cortisol and boost protective brain chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine', which play a role in preserving brain structure as people age. The neurologist said this is why isolation and loneliness are increasingly linked to cognitive decline, while connection appears to slow the ageing process of the brain. For those hoping to protect their mental sharpness, Dr Chen said traditional brain training tools may not be enough on their own. 'If you want to keep your brain young, don't just do crosswords or sudoku every day,' he said. Research into this group has even found physical differences inside the brain, and according to Dr Chen, studies show super agers have a thicker region known as the anterior cingulate cortex an area linked to emotion, attention and social connection 'Instead, he urged people to prioritise real human interaction whether that's picking up the phone, joining a group or spending time in their community, adding that social connection is 'one of the strongest predictors of staying sharp as you get older'. It comes off the back of Japan announcing that it has broken yet another longevity record with staggering, newly released figures. The nation is now home to 99,763 people aged 100 or older, according to new government data released by the health ministry. It marks the 55th year in a row the number has climbed, reinforcing Japan's position as the world's longest-living society. For decades, researchers have looked to Japan to understand why so many of its residents not only reach old age, but do so with remarkable health, sharp minds and a sense of purpose that doesn't dim with the passing years. Japan is now home to 99,763 people aged 100 or older has engineered its longevity through an environment that naturally supports healthy ageing like 'ikigai'. The term refers to 'one's reason for being', and it remains one of the strongest psychological predictors of long life And contrary to popular belief, experts say the secret isn't rare genetics or chance. Instead, Japan has engineered its longevity through culture, daily habits and an environment that naturally supports healthy ageing. Ask Japanese elders what keeps them going and many will give the same answer: ikigai. According to the popular longevity platform, Never Ageing IQ, the term refers to 'one's reason for being', and it remains one of the strongest psychological predictors of long life. Purpose acts as a natural buffer against stress, helping regulate hormones, improve immunity and protect against depression and cognitive decline. Even in their 90s and beyond, many Japanese centenarians maintain routines, hobbies, friendships and responsibilities that give them a clear direction each morning. That sense of purpose is closely linked to community. Japan's social structures remain deeply interconnected, with multigenerational households, regular festivals, neighbourhood traditions and a cultural expectation to stay socially engaged. Loneliness, a major health risk in ageing populations elsewhere, is far less common, and that alone has profound effects on long-term wellbeing. Also returning is the Milo McFlurry and brand new Milo Shake The range includes the original El Maco Beef and two new chicken items Two popular but discontinued McDonald's Australia menu items are making a long-awaited comeback in January 2026. The iconic El Maco range is back, with the limited-edition menu in stores as of Wednesday January 14. The range sees the return of its signature original burger, the El Maco Beef. The iconic, zingy burger was last available at Macca's almost four years ago. But in 2026, the rebooted El Maco range also adds two brand new items to the flavour fiesta: the El Maco McCrispy and the El Maco Chicken McWrap. It's not the only previously beloved Macca's menu item making a comeback this month also back by popular demand is the sweet treat Milo McFlurry. The nostalgic chocolate powder-flavoured dessert returns in-store after almost three years. But it doesn't stop there, with the classic Macca's Shake also being upgraded by the addition of delicious Milo. Amanda Nakad, Marketing Director of Menu and Brand for McDonald's Australia, said that the decision to bring back the range and McFlurry made with Milo was a direct response to fans' pleas to resurrect the old favourites. 'Aussies have been calling for El Maco to make a comeback and we've listened.' The original El Maco Beef burger is back by popular demand at McDonald's Australia for the first time in almost four years Also returning for a limited time only at Macca's is the McFlurry made with Milo Amanda also noted that this year sees some exciting new twists on the popular items. 'This range is all about big flavours with two new twists in the El Maco McCrispy and El Maco Chicken McWrap,' she said. 'And for those with a sweet tooth, we're bringing Milo into the mix with a McFlurry and Shake. 'Whether you're grabbing lunch on the go or treating yourself after a long day, this is the comeback you'll want to sink your teeth into.' The classic El Maco Beef Burger is exactly as hungry customers will remember: stacked with two juicy 100 per cent Aussie beef patties, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, cheese, bold El Maco salsa and sour cream - all encased in a soft sesame seed bun. This tasty burger is the throwback Aussies have been craving since the legendary item first made its debut in the 90s. The two new additions to the El Maco range are also destined to be crowd pleasers. The El Maco McCrispy is a spin on the McCrispy that fans already know and love, featuring a juicy 100 per cent Aussie RSPCA Approved chicken breast fillet with a crunchier-than-ever coating, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, cheese, chunky El Maco salsa and smooth sour cream, all on a soft potato bun. The 2026 range sees the return of the El Maco Beef, along with the addition of two new limited-time-only menu items: the El Maco McCrispy and El Maco Chicken McWrap Milo has also been added to level up the classic McDonald's Shakes Then there's the El Maco Chicken McWrap, the ideal grab-and-go feast. It includes RSPCA Approved chicken breast, crisp lettuce, tomato, cheese, chunky El Maco salsa and smooth sour cream, wrapped in a soft tortilla. The only thing that could level up an El Maco order is the addition of a little Milo magic as a sweet finisher. The returning McFlurry made with Milo is a classic Macca's dessert, featuring creamy vanilla soft serve mixed with generous amounts of chocolate-malt Milo powder. Or, there's the new Milo Shake, which captures that rich, malty, chocolatey taste reminiscent of childhood homemade Milo treats. Whether you choose to crunch, flip or stir your Milo, there's no wrong way to enjoy this Aussie icon. The El Maco range, along with the Milo treats, are available at Macca's via drive-thru, front counter, kiosk and the MyMacca's app. The special items are officially available from Wednesday, 14 January, but only for a limited time - so taste them while they last! A rarely seen Hollywood billionaire's appearance at the Golden Globes has sparked speculation it was message about the fate of Warner Bros. Aviv Nevo, 60, was spotted sitting between Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive David Zaslav and co-chair Mike De Luca at Sunday's ceremony. The mysterious media mogul who runs California-based venture capital firm NV Investments is worth at least one billion dollars, according to Showbiz411. He seldom appears at the glitzy Hollywood events and but emerged in a pointed 'signal' to Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, the outlet reported. Ellison has attempted to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes stations like CNN, TBS and TNT for $108billion. The hostile bid dwarfs the $82.7billion offered by preferred buyers Netflix which had been accepted. Ellison's all-cash offer was turned down last week and prompted him to sue in an attempt to gain more information about why their bid was rejected. Nevo's appearance alongside Zaslav has lead to speculation it was intended to remind Ellison that Zaslav has friends in high places and that Paramount's hopes of acquiring Warner are slim. Mysterious Hollywood powerbroker Aviv Nevo was seen at the Golden Globes on Sunday sitting next to Warner chief executive David Zaslav and co-chair Mike De Luca Nevo, pictured with Sofia Vergara and Lenny Kravitz at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, is an 'international man of mystery' who turned millions of dollars of inheritance into a vast fortune Nevo turned an inheritance of around $10million into his current fortune, The New York Times previously reported in 2008. He was a long-time shareholder in Time Warner, as the company was known then, although he never owned more than five percent. That would require public disclosure. The nature of Nevo's business largely remains unknown. 'He's sort of like a media Wizard of Oz,' Tyler Goldman, the founder of BuzzMedia, told the outlet. 'He had some strategic advice, but mostly relationship advice,' Goldman added. 'We were working on a number of deals with bigger media companies, and he had advice on how to approach those.' Friends described Nevo - better known by his nickname Vivi - as an 'international man of mystery' who was also incredibly guarded. 'He's a great character, so that draws attention to him,' Lachlan Murdoch, now the chairman of News Corp, said in 2008. Nevo is the godfather of Murdoch's son. Nevo's presence at the Golden Globes was reportedly meant to be a 'signal' for Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison The billionaire owns homes in Malibu and Brentwood in California, New York City, London and Tel Aviv, according to The Times. He counts Madonna and Lenny Kravitz among his extensive list of friends. Nevo was an only child born in Bucharest, Romania, and raised in Israel. His father was a chemical engineer, while his mother was an anesthesiologist. The couple later divorced. When Nevo's mom died, she left him a sizeable inheritance worth multiple millions of dollars. He used that to invest in the likes of eBay, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, News Corp and Viacom. Nevo has attributed his success and wealth to his late mother. 'I look up at the stars and I thank her every day,' he told Vanity Fair in 2011. 'She gave me my start, my opportunity,' Nevo added. 'She taught me the importance of work. If it wasn't for her I'd have nothing.' CEO and President of Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav was spotted next to Nevo at the Golden Globes On Monday, Paramount announced that the company had filed a lawsuit against Warner to gain more information about why its takeover bid was spurned in favor of Netflix's. 'We are surprised by the lack of transparency on WBD's part regarding basic financial matters,' Ellison said. He added: 'It just doesn't add up - much like the math on how WBD continues to favor taking less than our $30 per share all-cash offer for its shareholders. Warner has agreed to a $72billion deal with Netflix. It slammed Paramount's suit in Delaware Chancery Court as 'meritless.' '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. said in a statement, according to Deadline. The statement added: '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.' David Ellison, CEO of Paramount, announced Monday that his company was suing Warner in Delaware Chancery Court to get more information on why their takeover bid was rejected Paramount has argued that their offer 'provides superior value, and a more certain and quicker path to completion.' Ellison said the bid would 'create a stronger Hollywood' and was 'in the best interests of the creative community, consumers and the movie theater industry.' He added: 'We believe they will benefit from the enhanced competition, higher content spend and theatrical release output, and a greater number of movies in theaters as a result of our proposed transaction.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Warner Bros. Discovery for comment. Rachel Reeves could cut VAT on public EV charging to reduce the cost for drivers without home chargers as concerns grow that electric car demand will tank when pay-per-mile tax comes in. Treasury officials are looking at slashing public charging VAT to five per cent - down from the 20 per cent it currently is, according to The Telegraph. This would bring the level of public charging VAT in line with the reduced VAT rate those with home chargers pay, eradicating the EV 'pavement tax'. The move - which the car industry has been campaigning for for years - was touted as a possibility in the Autumn Budget, but has since reportedly been prioritised after worries mounted over the impact of the Chancellor's controversial road pricing move which will see EVs pay 3p-per-mile from 2028. A source involved in the discussions told The Telegraph that anxiety is growing within the Treasury that the levy will 'kill EV demand'. Officials have reportedly met industry experts in recent weeks to discuss the matter. EV public charging VAT to be slashed: Rachel Reeves is reportedly looking at reducing VAT on public charging from 20 to 5% The Government is also said to be looking at reducing the VAT rate charged at service stations and supermarket, as well as residential streets - with all cut by 15 per cent. It often costs four times less to charge an electric car at home than it does to charge using the public network. A Whitehall source told The Telegraph: 'The way we convince people to switch to EVs is by showing people it is easy and it is cheap. There are savings to be had here for many people.' Another source added that the Treasury has accepted that tax cuts may be needed to soften the impact of pay-per-mile. When Ms Reeves introduced pay-per-mile in the Budget, it was estimated that it would cost the average EV driver (who drives 8,500 miles) around 255 extra a year. The OBR said this would 'reduce demand for electric cars as it increases their lifetime cost', with an estimated 440,000 fewer EV sales across the next five years. However, the Treasury disputed the OBR's figures, saying it will be closer to a 120,000 EV shortfall between now and the end of the decade. The Treasury commented: 'The Government is boosting the EV transition by saving drivers up to 3,750 off a new car, with almost 50,000 people benefitting already, and investing over 7.5billion into the UK electric vehicle sector. 'Were also reviewing the cost of public EV charging which will look at the impact of energy prices, wider cost contributors, and options for lowering these costs for consumers.' How much does the 'pavement tax' cost in reality? The AA Recharge Report for November 2025 found the average cost of domestic charging (7kW) to 80 per cent cost just 5.88 while slow charging (8kW) cost around double that at 11.30. The disparity between home charging and public charging can be even more pronounced. Pavement charging solution company Kerbo Charge calculated that the difference between off-peak home charging (at 10p/kWh) versus a public charging station at 55p/kWh (Slow/Fast charging average price) is 450 per cent. If you then rapid charge this difference can rise to 690 per cent. The Society for Motor Traders and Manufacturers says that 'the current system actively discourages drivers without access to a home charger such as those in housing with no off-street parking from moving to an EV, by charging them four times more tax than homeowners with driveways'. Your browser does not support iframes. What is pay-per-mile tax? It's a road pricing scheme which will see EV owners having to pay a 'modest' 3p charge for ever mile they drive. This is on top of the 195-a-year VED standard rate, which was only levied on EVs from April this year. Plug-in hybrid cars will also be hit with eVED at a reduced 1.5p per mile charge to reflect the fact they're also paying fuel duty on petrol. The charge, which will arrive in 2028, is predicted to raise the Government 1.9billion by 2030. It's been introduced to fill the 40billion fiscal black hole created by the switch to EVs and the loss of motoring taxes including fuel duty. The revenue will go towards maintaining the UK's roads and infrastructure in the same way fuel duty does. This is Money has reached out to The Treasury for comment. Europe and China are one step closer to resolving their dispute over electric vehicles - a dispute that's seen subsidised Chinese EVs hit with huge EU tariffs. The European Commission has published new guidance under which Chinese-made EV makers would set minimum prices for their vehicles, potentially replacing the tariff system currently in place. Tariffs on imported Chinese EVs were introduced in October 2024 and have seen producers subject to levies of up to 35.3 per cent, creating trade tension between Brussels and Beijing. Both sides have been negotiating since, and Monday's 'guidance document' shows a meeting point is possible where Chinese producers would be allowed to submit price offers for EV exports. While China was pushing for broad, minimum pricing, the EU says, that due to wide variations in EVs, specific pricing is needed for each configuration and model 'to remove the injurious effects of the subsidisation'. The European Commission published new guidance under which Chinese-made EV makers would set minimum prices for their vehicles Chinese EV manufacturer plans for 'future investment' within the EU would also be taken into account the document says. Chinese car makers - such as BYD, SAIC and Geely - would limit the number of electric vehicle they import and also pledge minimum prices in order to be exempt from the EU's 35 per cent tariffs. However, the EU will require any offered prices to remove the harmful effects of China's subsidies and be equivalent to duties, as well as minimising cross-compensation. 'Each price undertaking offer is subject to the same legal criteria and the European Commission will conduct each assessment in an objective and fair manner, following the principle of non-discrimination and in accordance with WTO rules,' the Commission's statement said. The move towards an agreement comes after Volkswagen volunteered to limit shipments of its Cupra Tavascan EV - built in its factory in Hefei, China - and to set an undisclosed minimum price for its cars in Europe. The petition was made by Volkswagen Anhui, which is a joint venture with JAC. They made the offer because the tariffs of 20.7 per cent are 'serious threat' to its business, the company said. The EU's reported decision to review the tariffs based on the company's arguments has led to a wider look at reviewing similar requests from other car makers. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce said: 'This is conducive not only to ensuring the healthy development of China-EU economic and trade relations, but also to safeguarding the rules-based international trade order'. Beijing wants automakers with factories in China to negotiate as a bloc with the European Commission and not submit their own offers. While guidance signals approval is far from guaranteed and could take months to iron out, and the EU has already stipulated that submissions will be subject to a thorough internal analysis before further steps can be taken. Chinese car makers haven't seen the tariffs make too much of a dent in sales, with Chinese car brands increase volumes by 111 per cent in May 2025 alone. And following the EU's guidance document, Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, projected Chinese EV exports to the EU will maintain an average annual growth rate of around 20 per cent between 2026 and 2028, despite potential short-term fluctuations. Premier Inn owner Whitbread has warned that proposed changes in business rates will cost the company 35million from 2027. While the cost is lower than Whitbread had expected, the hospitality group stressed the changes announced in November's Budget are still 'damaging' for the industry and is pushing the Government to change its policy. Whitbread had previously said it expected the changes to business rate relief to cost between 40million and 50million. The Chancellor promised to pay for a reduction in business rates bills for smaller firms by hiking taxes on larger properties, and the Government has also hit firms by taking away a Covid-era relief discount. Not sleeping easy: Premier Inn owner warns of 'damaging government policies Chief executive Dominic Paul said: 'We continue to believe the proposed changes to business rates are damaging for the overall sector and will impact future investment and job creation and we, along with the wider hospitality industry, continue to press the UK Government for changes.' He joins other business leaders who have criticised the business rates system, which disproportionately hits the retail and hospitality industries. Despite the business rate hit, Paul said the company was 'well-positioned' to adapt to shifts as it reported a strong performance in the third quarter. Premier Inn's UK business returned to growth with a 2 per cent increase in total sales, while Germany jumped 12 per cent, having previously posted weaker-than-expected numbers. This was partially offset by weaker numbers in its food and beverage business as it plans to transform some of its restaurants into hotel extensions. Total group sales were up 2 per cent to 781million, offset by a fall in food sales. In the six weeks to 8 January, total UK accommodation sales and revenue per room available both increased by 4 per cent. Total sales in Germany jumped by 11 per cent while room revenue increased 5 per cent to 56. Paul said: 'We delivered a strong performance in the third quarter, with positive momentum across the business. 'We remain highly disciplined regarding our strategic actions and by focusing on what we can control, we have continued to make great progress against our key initiatives and will deliver a higher level of efficiencies in FY26 than previously expected.' Shares in Whitbread were up 3.64 per cent to 2,678p on the open. Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor said: 'Much has been done, but there remains much to do, although the positive reaction to the update is a step in the right direction. 'The share price has suffered in a tough environment, falling by 10 per cent over the last year, as compared to a gain of 23.3 per cent for the wider FTSE100, and by 29 per cent over the last two years. 'Even so, this long-established and well-regarded company continues to attract the support of investors with the market consensus holding steady at a buy, although it is increasingly clear that patience will be required for the long haul as it moves through its five-year transformational plan.' Paramount Skydance is bidding to win seats on the board of Warner Bros Discovery in its battle to take control of its Hollywood rival. In the latest twist in the blockbuster takeover saga, Mission Impossible studio Paramount said it intends to nominate directors for election at the Warner Bros annual meeting in June. If successful, these directors would vote against the planned takeover of Warner Bros by Netflix and do a deal with Paramount, whose films also include The Godfather, Titanic and Top Gun. Warner Bros last week rejected Paramounts 81billion offer, which is backed by boss David Ellisons father Larry the billionaire co-founder of Oracle. Instead, Warner Bros bosses are backing a 62billion offer from Netflix, although this involves just its film studios and streaming business and not its cable-TV assets, which would be spun off. As well as seeking seats on the Warner Bros board, Paramount yesterday filed a lawsuit to force its rival to disclose fresh details of the Netflix deal, to help shareholders decide. Lucrative: Tom Cruise stars in the first instalment of the Mission Impossible franchise in 1996 And it urged Warner Bros investors to reject the Netflix offer. Warner Bros Discovery (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, Paramount wrote in a letter to Warner Bros shareholders. Unless the WBD board 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. Netflix struck an agreement to buy Warner Bros last month in a deal handing the streamer one of Hollywoods most prized assets. Warner Bros was set up in 1923 three-quarters of a century before Netflix and is behind films from Casablanca to Harry Potter while its HBO arm made Sex And The City, Game Of Thrones and The Sopranos. But Paramount is seeking to gatecrash the deal and bring together two of Hollywoods most famous studios. Paramounts argument one it is using to sway investors is that its all-cash offer for the whole of Warner Bros offers more certainty than the deal with Netflix for the studios and streaming assets and will more easily clear regulatory hurdles. More than 5,000 pubs face a staggering rise in business rates after their property tax valuations doubled, it emerged yesterday. The head of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) told MPs that 13 per cent of pubs a total of 5,100 have been hit with a 100 per cent rise in their so-called rateable value. This is used to calculate their business rates bill leaving publicans facing huge tax increases in yet another bruising assault on the sector under Labour. The average pub faces paying 1,400 a year more initially and 12,900 over three years, though those with the largest rises in property tax valuations face even bigger increases. VOA chief executive Jonathan Russell suggested minsters were aware before the Budget that rateable values were set to rise undermining claims by Business Secretary Peter Kyle that the Treasury didnt have access to crucial information. Analysis by the British Beer and Pub Association suggests pubs will need to sell an extra 1.3billion pints of beer a year to offset surging taxes under Labour. Last orders: Pubs face soaring taxes under Keir Starmer Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: Labours business rates chaos wasnt an accident - it was a choice. Ministers were warned about the damage to pubs and high streets and pressed ahead anyway. Now businesses are left in limbo while Labour dither. This Government doesnt understand business and would rather reward welfare than work. Temporary fixes wont save our high streets. We need permanent cuts to business rates so pubs and local businesses can survive, grow and thrive. The Treasury last week signalled a major U-turn following warnings that hundreds of pubs could be forced to close after a big hike in rates. But Rachel Reeves Reeves is resisting pressure to offer support to the wider hospitality industry such as cafes, restaurants and hotels as well as theatres, music venues and shops. A report by UK Hospitality warned six such venues will close every day this year without support a total of more than 2,000. It is calling for ministers to quadruple the level of discount applied to business rates for hospitality firms. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, a former Cabinet minister and possible challenger to Sir Keir Starmer, called for a rebalancing of taxation so that we help the High Street not just pubs. I would support relief for the high street, he said. I think what is needed is a root and branch review of land and property taxation overall and business taxation linked to that. Appearing before MPs on the Treasury Select Committee yesterday, Mr Russell said pubs saw an average increase of 32 per cent in their rateable value, which is based on how much rent the property would attract. But he also revealed that 5,100 pubs would have seen their valuation doubled. Asked by Tory MP Dame Harriet Baldwin if he had flagged this huge increase by historic standards to the Treasury before the Budget, he said: We make it very clear there are changes in rateable value because of the work were doing. John-Paul Marks, chief executive of HM Revenue and Customs, noted that the Chancellor announced a 4.3billion relief package for pubs having received data drops on valuations from the VOA ahead of the Budget. In the Budget, the Chancellor announced a reduction in the so-called multiplier used to calculate business rates. But she also confirmed that Covid-era discounts for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses would be phased out. Alongside soaring valuations in part due to a rebound in trading following the pandemic it means business rates bills are rising rather than falling. UK Hospitality chief Kate Nicholls said: This is yet another example of just how hard hospitality businesses are hit by significant increases to rateable values, which have driven staggering business rates rises. The Treasury was warned, by UK Hospitality, to expect significant increases to rateable values, due to the previous revaluation being based on valuations during Covid. We laid out, in no uncertain terms, that the maximum 20p discount to the multiplier was absolutely necessary to offset these rises in rateable values. Sadly, our warning was not heeded, and now the level of business rates increase over three years will be simply unsustainable for many businesses to absorb. This is a hospitality-wide problem that needs a hospitality-wide solution. The Government needs to deliver the full 20p reduction to the hospitality multiplier. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: This illustrates just how sharp a rise some pubs will feel from April. Many of these closures are the inevitable result of a heavy tax and rates burden, which is why its never been more vital for a pub-specific business rates relief. Its key for jobs and communities that we do not lose our cherished locals and we await the detail in the Governments announcement.' Products featured in this article are independently selected by This is Money's specialist journalists. If you open an account using links which have an asterisk, This is Money will earn an affiliate commission. We do not allow this to affect our editorial independence. Shoppers are regularly bombarded with cashback offers that promise you can earn money while carrying out your everyday spending. These can range from a pop up that appears on your screen after you book train tickets online to your bank promising you can earn money just by paying your monthly direct debits. But while some of these are lucrative paying out thousands of pounds in some cases others are poor deals and could even leave you out of pocket. Others may require you to move a huge sum of money, to make the most of them. For example, investing platforms regularly offer bumper cashback deals and you could currently get 10,000 - but only if you move a pot worth 1million. We sort through the best cashback offers out there and explain how you can earn the most cash and the offers you should avoid. Cashback could be a decent earner in 2026 - but you need to know the rules and stick to them What is cashback? Cashback is where you receive a financial incentive for spending money using a particular payment method, or for buying a specific product or service. It is paid by some banks and credit card providers to incentivise you to spend using their cards or current accounts, for example. Some financial firms pay huge sums in cashback if you open an account such as an Isa or self-invested personal pension with them. And some companies such as TopCashback and Quidco are standalone cashback companies that offer free money to customers for carrying out their online shopping. Cashback just for buying essentials Banks including Santander, Nationwide and digital bank Chase pay cashback when you spend using the debit card they have issued you. They do this to encourage customers to sign up for their accounts. If you hold an eligible account, you may receive cashback automatically when you spend, or you may need to tell your bank that you would like to opt in. Chase is one of the most generous. It pays 1 per cent cashback when you use your debit card to buy essentials such as groceries, fuel and train tickets and other everyday transport costs. You can earn up to 15 a month in cashback, although that would require you to spend 1,500 a month on essentials. There is no fee to pay for holding a Chase current account. Nationwide offers new FlexDirect customers 1 per cent cashback on most debit card purchases for 12 months, but this is capped at 5 a month. Santander offers 1 per cent cashback on supermarket and travel costs, up to 10 a month but only through its Edge Explorer account, which has a 17 monthly fee. You will need to weigh up whether the perks offered with this account including the cashback outweighs the monthly fee. Some banks offer cashback at particular retailers. You will typically need to opt in to these deals using the banks internet banking or mobile app. If your bank offers these, there is little downside to signing up except that you will be sharing some of your spending data with them and the retailers. For example, the digital bank Monzo has limited-time cashback offers that you opt-in to through its app. It is currently offering 3 per cent cashback on spends of 100 or more at Currys although offers are personalised and vary from account to account. Once you have opted in, you will receive the cashback automatically when you use your Monzo account to make a purchase at Currys. The cashback builds in a separate pot, which you can then move into your main account. Santander Boosts, NatWest MyRewards and Barclays Blue Rewards are all cashback schemes for current account holders. You typically need to opt in. For example, if you shop regularly at Asos, Caffe Nero or Greggs you could sign up to receive cashback when you spend at these retailers. Our verdict: If you already have an eligible current account, you may as well earn cashback where you can. You may be handing over some of your spending data, but it does not cost you anything to take part. Check what is available through your bank. However, some banks only offer cashback to holders of paid-for current accounts. It is unlikely to be worth paying for a bank account simply to benefit from the cashback deals available. The cashback deal from Chase is among the best because the account is free and the offer is not time limited. You can operate its current account alongside your main one, transferring money between them and shifting essential spending on to your Chase card to maximise cashback. Keep in mind that its app-only. Cashback on bills Some banks pay cashback on your regular direct debits. For example, Santanders Edge accounts pay cashback on selected household bills, including payments to British Gas, BT and local councils. However, these accounts charge a monthly fee and have a minimum that you must pay in each month to be eligible: Edge costs 3 a month and pays 1 per cent on select household bills that you pay by direct debit, capped at 10 a month. Edge Up costs 5 a month and pays the same rate of cashback, only capped at a higher 15 a month. Edge Explorer costs 17 a month, also paying 1 per cent on selected bills, capped at 10 a month. At these caps and rates, youd need to spend either 1,000 or 1,500 a month on bills to get the maximum cashback available through each account. The challenger bank Zopa offers a more generous 2 per cent cashback on direct debits, with no restrictions on the type of bill but its only available on 1,500 worth of direct debits each year. This means the maximum cashback youll receive annually is 30. Our verdict: Its unlikely to be worth switching to a particular bank account just to receive cashback on bills youll need to look at your own spending to see how much you would make. However, they are a nice perk if you already have one of the accounts. Credit card cashback Some credit card deals pay cashback every time you use your card. With strong introductory deals for new customers, American Express is a top pick. It pays introductory cashback at a rate of 5 per cent, up to a maximum of 125 so you need to spend 2,500 during the introductory period of three or five months to get the top amount. American Express regularly offers even higher cashback rates for select retailers. You need to opt-in to through its mobile app to benefit. For example, its currently possible to opt in and receive 10 per cent cashback when spending at Moss Bros using your American Express card. The Amex Cashback Everyday Credit Card is an enticing option as it has no annual fee. It pays 5 per cent cashback up to 125 in the first five months. After that the cashback rate falls to 0.5 per cent on up to 10,000 and 1 per cent above that. The Amex Cashback Credit Card costs 25 a year to hold, but enjoys a higher regular cashback rate of 0.75 per cent on spending up to 10,000, and 1.25 per cent above that. If youre a big spender, it might be worth forking out for the annual fee. Our verdict: Credit card cashback is most profitable if youre eligible for the introductory deal as a new customer and will be spending big soon, for example by investing in a new laptop, booking a holiday or buying new furniture. You must pay off the balance in full each month to avoid hefty interest charges, which will easily outweigh any cashback you receive. You should also only apply for credit that youre confident about receiving. You should be able to check your eligibility first without affecting your credit score. Cashback from savings and investing platforms If you are considering moving your savings or investments to a different platform, you could make some serious cashback. The more cash you move, the more you could make. Investment platforms are making very generous offers to lure new customers and they know that once you move you are unlikely to switch again in a hurry. The months leading up to the new tax year starting on April 6 are usually the best for deals, with savers and investors looking to maximise tax allowances so nows the right time to be looking. Youll often see cashback offered in tiers. For example, 100 back when investing between 20,000 and 49,999, 300 back when investing between 50,000 and 99,999 and so on. The investment platform Freetrade* has two good offers currently available one for Isas and one for pensions both paying 1 per cent back up to a maximum of 5,000. This means theres potentially 10,000 available, but youd need to shift 1million to the platform by April 5 500,000 into an Isa and 500,000 into a pension. Youll need a minimum 10,000 needed to qualify per account. The trading platform IG* is currently handing out up to 2,000 when you transfer your investments to its Isa, self-invested pension or general account by January 30. At a rate of 1 per cent youd need to transfer 200,000 to get the top amount. But even with a more modest 10,000, your pot would still get a 100 boost. Other popular platforms also have deals on: Charles Stanley Direct*: Between 300 and 1,500 when transferring your investments to one of its accounts. We like that this is an open-ended offer, with no set closing date. A minimum of 20,000 is needed to get 300, while 200,000 or more will bag you 1,500. Fidelity*: Between 300 and 3,000 cashback on investments made or transferred by April 5. Investing or transferring the minimum 50,000 will net you 300, but you need 1million to get the top 3,000. Interactive Investor*: Between 100 and 3,000 cash when investing in or transferring to its self-invested pension. You need 20,000 to get the minimum 100, while a whopping 2million is required to bag 3,000. The deal closes on January 31. Our verdict: There are a few hoops to jump through to qualify for this type of cashback, so you should scrutinise each offers terms and conditions carefully before going ahead. But with good amounts of money on offer, it can be rewarding to spend the time and effort. In many cases you wont get cashback quickly, with platforms wanting you to stick with them for a good length of time before paying out. For example, if you qualify for one of the Freetrade deals, you wont receive your cashback until December and if you withdraw money before then, Freetrade calculates cashback on the lower amount. Dont decide which platform to invest with solely based on cashback available. Make sure you pick the right account for you. For example, if you trade regularly but pick a platform that charges high dealing fees, these costs could vastly outweigh the amount of cashback you receive. Discover which provider could suit you in our guide to the best investment platforms. Cashback websites Standalone cashback websites such as Topcashback* and Quidco* are among the easiest ways to earn free cash. These websites are hubs for cashback offers and deals, acting as a gateway to other online retailers. After signing up for an account, youll be able to check which offers are available, then click through to a specific retailer to complete your purchase. Cashback builds within your online account at the cashback website, which you can withdraw to your bank account. Our verdict: These websites are a good way to earn money back on a transaction youre already intending to make online, provided you remember to check whether the retailer is available through the platform. Cashback websites can be lucrative when making large spends on travel or electronics, for example. Keep in mind it can take several months for cashback to be confirmed as payable to your bank account. Cashback on travel When booking train travel at websites such as Trainline* and National Rail, you may see a pop up inviting you to join a cashback scheme called Complete Savings. Be careful, because this is an online membership scheme that costs 18 a month, in return giving you up to 10 per cent cashback at more than 1,000 retailers. It works in a similar way to the cashback websites listed above, allowing you to search for online retailers that offer cashback available through the platform. Then you click through to complete your purchase. The money builds in your Complete Savings account, which you can withdraw to your bank after youve earned at least 5. Complete Savings is currently advertising 10 per cent cashback at retailers such as Anyvan, Clarins and Snow Rock. Ten per cent cashback means youd need to spend 180 a month online to claw back the monthly membership fee, although Complete Savings may waive this fee by giving you a monthly bonus, provided you make a qualifying purchase and claim through the platform each month. Our verdict: You must read all the terms and conditions very carefully before using a scheme like Complete Savings, with plenty of hoops you need to jump through to make it worthwhile. Its possible to get stung by paying the monthly fee, receiving nothing back in return. Youre probably better off checking whether the travel booking retailer is listed on cashback websites such as TopCashback and Quidco. A woman who has been begging the Canadian medical system for a surgery to cure her rare disease for eight years was left stunned when she received the green light for euthanasia after a one-hour consultation. Jolene Van Alstine, 45, of the Saskatchewan province, has battled normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism in agony for nearly a decade. The condition has left her suffering from unbearable pain, daily nausea and vomiting, overheated body temperatures and excessive weight gain. The illness has also taken its toll on her mental health, with her husband, Miles Sundeen, claiming her days are plagued by depression and hopelessness. She has spent months in and out of the hospital and undergone multiple surgeries, but is still in need of a complex operation to remove her parathyroid gland that no doctor in her province is available or qualified to perform, Sundeen said. Van Alstine, whose pain has become unbearable, applied for the medical assistance in dying (MAiD) program and was reportedly approved to end her life this week. Sundeen said the pair are frustrated that getting approved for the euthanasia program, which is run by the Canadian healthcare system, was easier and quicker than getting surgery scheduled. 'I'm not anti-MAiD. I'm a proponent of it, but it has to be in the right situation,' he told the Daily Mail. 'When a person has an absolutely incurable disease and they're going to be suffering for months and there is no hope whatsoever for treatment - if they don't want to suffer, I understand that.' But for Van Alstine, that is not the case. Jolene Van Alstine, 45, of the Saskatchewan province, has battled normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism for the past eight years. Here she is pictured before the illness took hold The condition has left Van Alstine suffering from unbearable pain, daily nausea and vomiting, overheated body temperatures and excessive weight gain 'She doesn't want to die, and I certainly don't want her to die,' Sundeen continued. 'But she doesn't want to go on - she's suffering too much. The pain and discomfort she's in is just incredible.' Sundeen and Van Alstine have petitioned the government for help twice, but have still been unsuccessful in securing a surgery date and are frustrated by the repeated failures of the Canadian healthcare system. 'I've tried everything in my power to advocate for her,' he told the Daily Mail. 'And I know that we are not the only ones. There is myriad people out there that are being denied proper healthcare. We're not special. It's a very sad situation.' American political commentator Glenn Beck has launched a campaign to help save Van Alstine's life and has offered to pay for her to undergo the procedure in the US. The Blaze Media chief executive discussed his outrage with the failures surrounding her case on social media. 'This is the reality of "compassionate" progressive healthcare,' he wrote on X. 'Canada must end this insanity, and Americans can never let it spread here.' Beck reportedly has surgeons on standby who are eager to help Van Alstine. Two hospitals in Florida have reportedly offered to take on her case and, according to Sundeen, are reviewing her medical files. The couple are in the process of applying for passports so they can travel to the US. Sundeen, who said he has spoken directly to Beck, alleged the multimillionaire 'offered not only to pay for the surgery or treatment, but whatever is required for Jolene.' This allegedly includes travel, accommodation and a medevac, if needed. 'If it wasn't for Glenn Beck, none of this would have even broken open. And I would have been saying goodbye to Jolene in March or April,' Sundeen continued. 'It's unbelievable. You can have a different country and different citizens and different people offer to do that when I can't even get the bloody healthcare system to assist us here. It's absolutely brutal.' Van Alstine, whose pain has become unbearable, has applied for the medical assistance in dying (MAiD) program and, after approval, is expected to end her life in the spring Her husband, Miles Sundeen (center, in between his wife and his mother) told the Daily Mail that his wife 'doesn't want to die' but she also 'doesn't want to go on, she's suffering too much' Van Alstine first became ill around 2015 and was referred to a number of specialists who were unable to properly diagnose her, Sundeen claimed. 'She gained a great deal of weight in a very short period of time,' he said. 'I remember feeding her about three ounces of rice with a little steamed vegetables on top, for months and months... and she gained 30lbs in six weeks. 'It's not normal, not for her caloric intake - which was 500 or 600 calories a day.' She underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2019, but her symptoms did not subside. Van Alstine was referred to an endocrinologist in December that year. Sundeen said the endocrinologist conducted a series of tests and bloodwork, but could not figure out what was causing her pain, and by March 2020, she was no longer being serviced as a patient. Van Alstine was admitted to the hospital three months later by her gynecologist after her parathyroid hormone levels skyrocketed to nearly 18 (normal levels are 7.2 and 7.8, according to health authorities). A hospital surgeon diagnosed her with parathyroid disease and determined that she needed surgery. But the procedure was marked 'elective' and 'not urgent', so it took 13 months to receive the operation, Sundeen told the Daily Mail. She finally underwent surgery in July 2021 and had multiple glands removed, but her hormone levels never decreased. Van Alstine and her husband claim they have petitioned the government for help twice, but have been unsuccessful in securing a surgery date. They are frustrated by the repeated failures of the Canadian healthcare system Van Alstine was referred to another doctor that December, but due to a backlog in cases, she was told she would have to wait three years for surgery, Sundeen claimed. 'She was so sick,' he told the Daily Mail. 'We waited 11 months and were finally fed up.' The couple went to the legislative building in November 2022 through the New Democratic Party (NDP) to urge the health minister to reduce hospital wait times. Sundeen said his wife was given an appointment ten days after they petitioned the government, but the doctor to whom they were referred was not qualified to perform the surgery she required. Van Alstine was passed around several specialists until one finally took up her case and performed a surgery to remove a portion of her thyroid in April 2023. As with her first procedure, this surgery only provided temporary relief and Van Alstine was back on the operating table that October. Her hormone levels dropped after the third surgery and remained somewhat normal for 14 months, but skyrocketed again in February last year. It was determined that she needs her remaining parathyroid gland removed, but Sundeen said there is no surgeon in Saskatchewan who can perform the procedure. She can seek treatment in another region of Canada, but cannot do so without a referral from an endocrinologist in her area - none of whom are currently accepting new patients, her husband said. A clinician associated with Canada's euthanasia program came to the couple's home in October to carry out an assessment. Van Alstine's application was verbally approved on the spot and she was given an expected death date of January 7, Sundeen claimed. An alleged paperwork error has now delayed the process until March or April The couple's case went viral last month, with American political commentator Glenn Beck launching a campaign to help save Van Alstine's life Van Alstine applied for MAiD in July after 'being so ill for so long' and reaching what Sundeen described as the 'end of her rope.' 'She hasn't left the house except for medical appointments and hospital stays. She spent six months in the hospital [in 2024],' he said. 'You've got to imagine you're lying on your couch. The vomiting and nausea are so bad for hours in the morning, and then [it subsides] just enough so that you can keep your medications down and are able to get up and go to the bathroom.' Van Alstine's friends have stopped visiting her and she is isolated to the point where she cannot stand to be awake any longer. A clinician associated with the MAiD program came to their home in October to carry out an assessment. Her application was verbally approved on the spot and she was given an expected death date of January 7, Sundeen said. 'He finished the assessment, was about to leave and said, "Jolene, you are approved,"' he recalled, adding that the doctor 'even gave her a date that she could go forward with it if she wanted to.' An alleged paperwork error has now delayed the process until March or April. Van Alstine will need to be assessed by two new clinicians before she can move forward with euthanasia, Sundeen said. Van Alstine and Sundeen visited the Saskatchewan legislature again last month and desperately begged Canadian health minister Jeremy Cockrill for help. 'Every day I get up, and I'm sick to my stomach and I throw up, and I throw up,' she told the legislature in November, 980 CJME reported. 'I'm so sick, I don't leave the house except to go to medical appointments, blood work or go to the hospital.' Two Florida hospitals have reportedly offered to take on Van Alstine's case and are reviewing her medical files. The couple are also applying for passports so they can travel to the US Sundeen echoed her pain. 'I understand how long and how much she's suffered and it's horrific, the physical suffering, but it's also the mental anguish,' he said, according to a statement from the Saskatchewan NDP Caucus. 'No hope - no hope for the future, no hope for any relief.' The couple's case went viral after Jared Clarke, the Saskatchewan NDP Opposition's shadow minister for rural and remote health, called on the government to take action and urged Cockrill to meet with the family. They met last month, but Sundeen claimed Cockrill was 'benign' about their situation. He told the Daily Mail that Cockrill said he would support their efforts to seek care outside Saskatchewan and suggested five clinics they could try, but Sundeen said it has 'really come to naught,' adding, 'They have not been very helpful.' Cockrill's office declined CBC's request for comment on Van Alstine's case, citing patient confidentiality, but said the provincial government 'expresses its sincere sympathy for all patients who are suffering with a difficult health diagnosis.' 'The Ministry of Health encourages all patients to continue working with their primary care providers to properly assess and determine the best path forward to ensure they receive timely access to high-quality healthcare,' the statement added. Beck, Cockrill's office and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment. No politician is more of an enigma than Somali-born Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. For years she has been rumored to have married her brother allegations she has called 'absurd and offensive'. Her family fortunes, steered by her white, American husband, have curiously skyrocketed to $30million. And more recently, her Minneapolis community has been mired in shocking fraud allegations. But even more disconcerting is the question about her citizenship. Is Ilhan Omar really an American? Under the Constitution, members of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state they represent when elected. However, eligibility is typically self-certified and there is no routine requirement for candidates to publicly prove their citizenship unless formally challenged by Congress itself. Omar contends that she obtained her US citizenship via her Somali-born father, who she claims became a naturalized citizen in 2000. Ilhan Omar has long been dogged by allegations that she married her brother and conspiracy theories about her US citizenship Republican Nancy Mace on Wednesday asked the House Oversight Committee to subpoena Omar's immigration records If that was the case, she would possess a federal document, N-560 or N-561, aka a 'Certificate of Citizenship' that she would easily be able to produce. She has declined to do so. Since the Minnesota Democrat was elected in 2019, former Minnesota Republican candidate AJ Kern has alleged that Omar is not a US citizen, supported by federal records searches she requested through immigration agencies. Kern, 65, is one of several conservative Minneapolis activists who have been challenging Omar's citizenship and marriage claims as well as disclosing much of the rampant, estimated $9billion social services fraud in the state of Minnesota for more than a decade. They all say they brought documentation to lawmakers and the media for years but were met with silence or being told they were racist. This week, however, the allegations reached the lower house of Congress when Republican Nancy Mace asked the House Oversight Committee to subpoena Omar's immigration records. Mace sought to formally examine the long-circulating claims about Omar's marriage and citizenship status on Wednesday, but the Committee ultimately halted the effort, after members ruled it was an issue for the House Ethics Committee to review. According to documents obtained by Kern, there is no record of Omar's father, Nur Omar Mohamed, who died in 2020 from COVID complications, ever becoming a naturalized citizen. Omar has always claimed that she became a citizen at 17 by something called 'derivation of citizenship,' meaning that Omar's citizenship came through her father after he became a naturalized US citizen while she was still a minor. Join the debate Should Congress do more to investigate politicians' backgrounds, or is this just political targeting? Omar has claimed she obtained US citizenship through her Somali-born father, Nur Omar Mohamed, who died in 2020, though there are no records of her or her father's naturalization have been found In 2020, a Daily Mail investigation aligned with the President's assertion that she skirted and took advantage of immigration rules to bring her brother, Ahmed Elmi (right), to the US by marrying him, shortly after separating with her first husband Ahmed Hirsi (left) 45, the father of her three kids 'That requires two things,' Kern told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview. 'He had to have been naturalized, and she had to be a minor.' She said she found no proof that either was true. Kern said she has pursued records all viewed by the Daily Mail related to Omar's father and says the federal government could not locate naturalization records for him. She began her quest when covering refugees for a column she had with the St Cloud Times. She discovered that Somalis who emigrate to Minnesota are immediately given a Social Security number which enables them to get a driver's license and in turn vote. 'I found out many of them never bother to get citizenship because why bother and it made me wonder about Omar's whole story. That's when I dug in.' One letter from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security, says they searched their database and they searched all variations of his name, and he is not in their database. She also has what is called a 'certificate of non-existence,' from the DHS saying it could find no record of him.' Former Minnesota Republican candidate AJ Kern has claimed Omar is not a US citizen - which she says is supported by federal records searches she requested through immigration agencies A 2023 letter from US Citizenship and Immigration Services showed the agency could not find any records of Nur Omar Mohamed's naturalization upon Kern's request The Department of Homeland Security also confirmed the 'nonexistence of an official Service record' for Omar's father 'So he did not naturalize,' Kern claims. 'They don't have him in their database. And that means that there is no record of her father becoming a citizen.' Naturalization which involves gathering paperwork, testing and an oath ceremony is the standard process by which a foreign-born person becomes a US citizen. Minors of a naturalized parent can get a certificate of citizenship. Kern also alleges that Omar could not have derived citizenship from a parent's naturalization because, she says, Omar would not have been a minor at the time her father was eligible to apply. 'Omar and her family came on March 8, 1995,' Kern said, describing what she said was a five-year waiting period before eligibility to apply. 'So March 8, 2000 he was eligible to apply for naturalization.' Kern said Omar's publicly listed birth year has been a key part of her allegation that neither Omar or her father ever became US citizens. 'She always had a birth year or a birth date of October 4, 1981,' Kern said, adding that by 2000, 'she was already 18' and therefore not eligible for automatic citizenship via a naturalized parent. Kern also shared emails between her friend and a staffer at the state's Legislative Library in 2019, confirming that Omar's team had reached out to them two days after Kern's video posted, asking them to correct her birthdate to 1982 Omar has refused to put the allegations and speculation to rest by providing proof or documentation Kern told the Daily Mail that she documented what she noticed as a change to Omar's birth year on a Minnesota legislative biography page after Kern publicized her claims. 'On her original state Minnesota State Legislative page she had a birth year of 1981,' Kern said. Kern made a video about it and posted it on Facebook on May 15, 2019. 'Two days later, after I posted on social media, she changed her birth year,' she said. Kern showed the Daily Mail a letter sent by a staffer at the state's Legislative Library confirming that Omar's team had reached out to them two days after Kern's video posted, asking them to correct her birthdate to 1982. A friend of Kern's had written the library asking for an explanation of why her birthdate changed by a year. 'On May 17, 2019, Library staff were informed by Rep Omar's congressional staff that her birth year was incorrect and requested that we change it to 1982,' wrote Elizabeth Lincoln, who was then on the reference desk of the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Kern said she has attempted to obtain Omar's own naturalization records, which Kern acknowledged would require Omar's consent for a private individual to request. 'Omar's whole story is a lie,' Republican gubernatorial candidate Phil Parrish told the Daily Mail. 'But nobody has had the fortitude to stand up and say so. 'Her father should never been allowed in; I've seen classified and unclassified data and they lied about birthdates and relationships. 'A lot of this was systematically enabled by a flawed immigration agenda in Minnesota built on political activism. 'Omar's story is at the root. 'They sold this whole thing as a big humanitarian project when it was anything but.' Liz Collin, a longtime reporter and anchor for WCCO, Minneapolis's premier TV news station, felt compelled to leave and join Alpha News, a small digital news outlet in 2022 when she found that her bosses were reluctant to pursue any stories post-George Floyd that were not in line with a woke, left wing viewpoint. Collin was the only reporter in Minnesota to air Kern's claims. 'There are a lot of questions about Omar's marriage, her citizenship, her finances etc,' Collin told the Daily Mail, adding that she has received numerous death threats and protests at her family's suburban home because of her reporting since 2022. Omar has become influential not only in the United States but also in her home country. She met the president of the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, which considers itself part of Somalia but does not recognize the current government in 2022 Somali people in Mogadishu participate in a demonstration after Trump launched a tirade against Somali immigrants and in support of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in December 'Ironically a lot of the tips we get about the Somali fraud come from (local) reporters who can't tell the true story because it's not allowed. 'I've asked her permission,' Kern said. 'I've sent a letter to her and asked her permission, if I could request hers. And she didn't respond, of course.' Kern said that Minnesota's voter registration system creates opportunities for non-citizens to register. She recorded a conversation she had early on when she went to the Minnesota Secretary of State's office to ask them if they verify citizenship or not. 'She said no. So we have non-citizens registering to vote.' Kern said she believes the constitutional responsibility for policing a member's qualifications ultimately rests with Congress. Asked why she believes lawmakers have so far not pursued the matter, Kern said: 'I think it's about votes and money. I think they don't want to be seen as a racist.' Last November, when Trump went after Omar on Truth Social, urging her to leave the country, the congresswoman said she was unbothered. 'I have no worry, I don't know how they'd take away my citizenship and like deport me,' she said on The Dean Obeidallah Show. 'But I don't even know why that's such a scary threat. Like I'm not the eight-year-old who escaped war anymore. I'm grown; my kids are grown. 'I could go live wherever I want if I wanted to. It's a weird thing to wake up every single day to bring that into every single conversation, 'we're gonna deport Ilhan',' Omar said. Kern told the Daily Mail: 'I've always really been driven by the truth, but I almost feel, does the truth even matter anymore in Minnesota? 'You're automatically labeled a racist if you speak up. This is scary, and fear is a powerful thing.' Omar did not return messages from the Daily Mail. More than 10,000 foreign nationals who came to Britain as health care workers have claimed asylum here, shocking new figures have revealed. There were more than 5,600 asylum claims in 2024 alone by people who secured visas from the Home Office supposedly to work as carers. Although the care worker visa has been closed to foreign applicants the figures raise serious new questions about Britain's porous borders. MPs have repeatedly raised concerns that the visa was widely abused by foreign nationals who had no intention of gaining employment in the care sector, and who simply wanted to gain permission to enter Britain. The new figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, showed a rapid escalation in asylum claims by foreign care workers. There were four such claims in 2021 and 36 in 2022, before jumping to 856 in 2023. By 2024, the annual figure had escalated to 5,669. And in the first nine months of last year there were a further 3,671 claims. It means that over five years there were 10,236 asylum claims by foreign care workers. Your browser does not support iframes. More than 760,000 foreign nationals, including dependants, have applied for the work visas since the route was created in 2020. Since July last year, care workers can no longer be recruited from overseas following changes to the Home Office's rules. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the 10,000 claims were likely to be 'bogus' because most visa applicants came from safe countries and called for them to be rejected. 'These social care visas have been massively abused on an industrial scale to get into the UK,' he said. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the majority of the 10,000 asylum claims lodged by care workers were likely to be 'bogus' 'Many who came brought multiple dependants and many never even worked in the care sector - if they even worked at all. 'When care visas expire, the people concerned should leave the UK unless they find high-paid alternative work. 'It is sick that over 10,000 likely bogus asylum have been made to enable these people to cheat the system and stay here.' He added: 'The asylum test should be made a lot tougher so only people genuinely in personal danger get asylum. 'Most social care visas were given to people from safe countries, so the vast majority of these asylum claims are likely to be bogus. 'They should be rejected and the people concerned returned to their country of origin as quickly as possible.' Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK which campaigns for tougher border controls, said the figures were 'shocking but inevitable'. He added: 'It was a colossal policy failure which senior officials should have anticipated.' Home Office figures published last year showed there were 13,427 asylum claims lodged in the year to September by all categories of work visa holders. It was up from 9,392 the previous year. The abuse is worsening under Labour. The most recently published data, covering the three months from July to September last year, saw asylum claims by foreign workers tip over the 4,000 mark for the first time, with 4,057. By comparison, between 2018 and mid-2023 the Home Office saw between just 100 and 1,000 such claims per quarter. In all, there were just under 41,500 asylum claims lodged by migrants who had previously come here on a visa or other permit. They made up 38 per cent of a record 110,051 asylum claims in the year. Asylum seekers - including small boat migrants - now make up 44 per cent of net migration to Britain, which stood at 204,000 in the year to June. A Home Office spokesman said: 'Net migration is at its lowest level in nearly half a decade, and has fallen by more than two-thirds under this government. 'We have ended overseas recruitment for social care, following significant concerns of abuse. 'As the Home Secretary has set out, under our proposed new settlement model, individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society. 'We have launched the consultation and encourage health and care workers to take part.' They are locked in a legal battle over construction of a beach house A high-stakes legal battle has erupted between the siblings of the Myer retail dynasty over the development of a multimillion-dollar house in an upmarket Victorian coastal town. Celia Burrell and her brother Richard Shelmerdine are fighting over her plans to build a beach house next door to his in Sorrento, the Mornington Peninsula town known as the Hamptons of Australia. The $3million, three-storey home, facing Sullivan Bay, will join a row of expensive beachfront homes. It will be built on land which Ms Burrell purchased from her brother in 2011 for $3.4million, which is undeveloped except for an old boat shed. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council approved the building plans but Mr Shelmerdine is seeking to overturn the council's decision and has lodged an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Court documents show one of Mr Shelmerdine's major concerns is that the plans would enable people to look into his house. His objection states: 'As a result of the topography of the land, if the driveway is built as planned, pedestrians and people arriving in cars will look directly into my private open space including my children's bedrooms and my dining room. Car lights at night will also cause significant disruption.' Also contesting the planned new home is property developer Martin Strode, who owns a multi-storey beach house next to Ms Burrell's land. Celia Burrell (pictured) and Richard Shelmerdine, of the Myer family, are fighting in the state's planning tribunal over Ms Burrell's plans to build a beach house next door to Mr Shelmerdine's in Sorrento, a township on the Mornington Peninsula The $3 million, three-storey home, facing Sullivan Bay, would occupy an exclusive row of beachfront homes on land previously owned by Mr Shelmerdine The land, which Ms Burrell (pictured, with husband Will and her eldest daughter) purchased from her brother in 2011 for $3.4million, is undeveloped except for an old boat shed The duo argued the dwelling is too bulky, exceeds the approved building envelope, is unsympathetic to the landscape and would require unacceptable destruction of local flora. Mr Shelmerdine noted the dwelling would ensure the loss of a 'significant moonah tree', which has already been 'aggressively and extensively pruned', the removal of a section of shared driveway fence without approval, and excavation for a staircase that is 'contrary to retaining the flowing and continuous nature of the 1803 Parade Ground'. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council defended its decision to approve the building plans, arguing in VCAT that Ms Burrell's planned beach house 'is consistent with the character and form of nearby housing'. The council also maintained the dwelling would not cause unreasonable overlooking, overshadowing or building bulk, an argument shared by Ms Burrell in her submissions to the court. She submitted to VCAT that the house 'will not unreasonably impact the amenity of surrounding properties and is appropriately respectful of the immediate neighbourhood character'. Mr Shelmerdine purchased a 122-hectare site in 2008 for a then-record $18.4million, and although his plans to sub-divide it into five properties was initially blocked by council, he made a successful appeal to VCAT in 2010. Ms Burrell referenced that decision in defending her current development proposal, saying it 'is not contrary to the tribunal's decision in Shelmerdine v Mornington Peninsula SC'. A three-day hearing was held in December with a decision due to be handed down this year. Daily Mail has contacted Ms Burrell and Mr Strode for comment. A police officer has been sacked after being found guilty of assaulting his neighbour over a parking dispute. PC Daniel Traynor, 38, pushed Joshua Smith on November 29, 2024, after he returned to his home in east London to find a vehicle 'blocking access to his property'. A misconduct hearing in south London on Monday heard that Mr Smith then punched the officer and the pair 'grappled and fell to the floor', leading to the police being called to the address. The hearing heard Mr Smith was hurt after falling backwards onto the ground. PC Traynor was found guilty of assault by beating at Westminster Magistrates Court on November 12 - a decision he is now appealing. He has now been dismissed for gross misconduct by Commander Andy Brittain, who found that his conduct was 'wholly unbecoming of a police officer'. In an impact statement, Mr Smith said the incident had a 'big impact' on his mental health and was 'traumatic' for himself, his partner and son. He added that it was 'terrifying' a police officer would behave in such a way. PC Traynor did not attend the hearing as he said he 'was unfit to attend in any capacity whatsoever' as per a medical note. PC Daniel Traynor, 38, pushed Joshua Smith after he returned to his home in east London to find a vehicle 'blocking access to his property' PC Traynor was found guilty of assault by beating at Westminster Magistrates Court on November 12 - a decision he is now appealing Jennie Oborne, representing the appropriate authority, told the hearing that PC Traynor had 'made various inquiries' to find the owner and driver of the vehicle on the date of the incident. It was heard that after Mr Smith had come out of his property, the pair 'engaged in a conversation that turned into a verbal argument'. Mr Smith then approached PC Traynor's property to speak with the officer's partner, but there was no answer at the door. After this, PC Traynor and his partner went to Mr Smith's home, and when the neighbour answered, another argument 'broke out', leading to the fight. Commander Brittain told the hearing that PC Traynor denies the allegation and 'maintained that he acted in a reasonable self-defence and in defence of another'. He added that the officer has lodged an appeal against his conviction. Ms Oborne said the incident caused harm both to Mr Smith by virtue of the assault and to 'public confidence in policing'. 'The ability for a police officer to keep their temper even when provoked is, in my submission, of paramount importance in maintaining public confidence in policing,' she added. Commander Brittain found PC Traynor had committed gross misconduct and he was dismissed without notice. He told the hearing that the officer's actions where 'deliberate' and 'targeted' and that the officer could have 'walked away' but chose to stay and dispute a matter which became 'increasingly heated'. PC Traynor caused 'reputational harm' to the police force as well as his neighbour, Mr Smith, Brittain added. He described the 38-year-old's actions as 'wholly unbecoming' for a police officer and that it would undermine public trust and confidence in the police. PC Traynor was found guilty of assault by beating at Westminster Magistrates' Court on November 12, 2025. He was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, to do 15 rehabiliation activity days as well as to pay 500 as well as 114 to Mr Smith. He is set to appear at Snarebrook Crown Court on February 2 for his appeal. Is Tulsi Gabbard being quietly pushed out? That is the question rippling through Washington after a flurry of reports claimed the Director of National Intelligence was shut out of planning for President Trump's audacious Venezuela operation. There were claims that her long history of skepticism toward regime change explained she was frozen out from the president's inner circle. Photos posted from a vacation to Hawaii during preparations for the audacious operation didn't prevent intensifying whispers that she is losing influence inside the intelligence community. Rumors that her authority is being hollowed out as the CIA and the Pentagon tighten their grip on high-stakes foreign operations. Some even went further, claiming she had been deliberately excluded as Trump's team quietly laid the groundwork for action against Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro. Gabbard's more cautious inclinations remain a thorn in the side of entrenched interests in the intelligence community, who prefer narrow intelligence delivery to bolster direct action. Her skepticism about the intelligence surrounding the 12-day war in Iran inspired some in Washington, DC, to seek any opportunity to push her away from the president's orbit. President Donald Trump signs Tulsi Gabbard's commission for her new role as Director of National Intelligence CIA Director John Ratcliffe, FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard testify before a Senate Intelligence Committee Behind the scenes, the White House is furious at any suggestion of cracks in Trump and Gabbard's relationship. Senior officials tell the Daily Mail the reports are not only false but part of a coordinated attempt to undermine Gabbard's standing and paint a picture of a power vacuum at the top of the intelligence apparatus. An insider also added that she has no intention of resigning and is fully committed to her role as long as the president wants her to stay. Far from being sidelined, they say, Gabbard was repeatedly at the White House last week, personally leading the president's intelligence briefings as the Venezuela operation moved from planning to execution. A senior administration official confirmed that Gabbard and the president were in contact multiple times over the Christmas holiday, speaking while she was in Hawaii and Trump was at Mar-a-Lago. Gabbard used secure communications and a SCIF to remain in constant touch with the president and his national security team. Exact details of when she was read into the Venezuela operation remain classified. But officials told the Daily Mail it is 'absurd' to suggest she had been cut out as the Pentagon and CIA began deploying assets to the region over the holiday period. Allies of Gabbard believe the sidelining narrative is being driven by rivals who want to shrink her influence or push her out altogether as the administration navigates one of its most sensitive foreign policy gambits. 'Tulsi's got real intelligence,' the source said. 'She's a hero on Trump's team. They have a good relationship.' Washington insiders acknowledge there are sharp internal debates on foreign policy. But they say the idea that Gabbard is being stripped of power is wildly overstated. 'At the end of the day, the president makes the call and they all back the president,' a senior administration official told the Daily Mail. White House communications director Stephen Cheung told the Daily Mail: 'Efforts by the legacy media to sow internal division are a distraction that will not work. 'President Trump has full confidence in DNI Gabbard and she's doing a fantastic job.' Vice President JD Vance also swatted down the claims, calling them 'completely false' in a press briefing on Thursday, though he declined to spell out her exact role in the mission in Venezuela. Tulsi Gabbard was home in Hawaii when the president launched the operation to capture Nicolas Maduro Tulsi Gabbard speaks during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in December 2025. They point to a pattern of leaks that have repeatedly attempted to cast her as isolated or out of favor, particularly after past operations involving Iran. In reality, sources say, Gabbard fully backed Trump's unprecedented but narrowly targeted move against Maduro, viewing it as a law enforcement action rather than a traditional regime change war. The former Democrat and Iraq War veteran has long warned against open-ended interventions. But insiders say the limited scope of the mission allowed even the most intervention-skeptical officials to support the president's decision. The number of people aware of the operation was kept extremely small, a senior official told the Daily Mail, in part because of the unprecedented nature of the mission and its sensitive legal footing. CIA Director John Ratcliffe handled the operational intelligence side because of the agency's role on the ground, sources explained, while Gabbard's office focused on analysis and coordination across the intelligence community. Ratcliffe himself vocalized his support for Gabbard in a statement to the Daily Mail. 'DNI Gabbard has been a strong partner in leading the intelligence community's analytic and coordination enterprise and has always been very supportive of CIA's role in collecting foreign intelligence and conducting covert action,' he said. The State Department also rejected claims that Secretary Marco Rubio had worked to keep Gabbard out of the loop. 'This is a tired and false narrative attempting to promote a fake story of division when there is none,' Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told the Daily Mail. An Alabama mother has been charged after one of her children found a loaded gun inside the family home and fatally shot a two-year-old boy. Evelyn Etress, 40, is charged with manslaughter, aggravated child abuse, and drug offenses after her son Noah was shot through the head on Wednesday. Deputies responded to a shots-fired call at around 10am, where they found the two-year-old with a gunshot wound to the head, still breathing, according to Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon. Despite paramedics' efforts, the boy was rushed to the hospital and later pronounced dead. The 40-year-old was the only adult in the home with six children when the shooting occurred, Law & Crime reported. Three children were playing in the master bedroom when Etress heard a loud bang from the room. She ran to the bedroom and found her son with a gunshot wound, and a .380-caliber handgun lying in a closet. Evelyn Etress, 40, is charged with manslaughter, aggravated child abuse, and drug offenses after her son Noah was shot through the skull on Wednesday Deputies rushed to a shots-fired call at around 10am, where they found the two-year-old with a gunshot wound to the head At a press conference, Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey said six children were inside the home: Noah, two 4-year-old girls, an 8-year-old girl, a 9-year-old girl, and a 13-year-old boy. Casey did not reveal who pulled the trigger but made clear that the deadly gunshot wound was inflicted by someone else, not the child himself. 'Crime scene investigators determined that the projectile had gone through the two-year-old's skull, through the wall, hit the ceiling and then landed on the couch,' Casey said during the conference. While no other children were harmed, authorities say they discovered at least four guns left where the kids could easily access them. Casey warned of the dangers of unsecured guns in the home, urging that all firearms be stored safely where children cannot access them. 'They're children, a firearm is not a toy, and it's not a teaching moment for a toddler, and in this case, as we see, that teaching moment came too late,' she said. She noted that kids can't distinguish a real gun from a toy, and in seconds, a deadly accident can occur. While no other children were harmed, authorities say they discovered at least four guns left where the kids could easily access them Despite paramedics' efforts, the boy was rushed to the hospital and later pronounced dead Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey speaking at the press conference 'When a gun's left out, a child doesn't see danger, they see something familiar,' the prosecutor said. 'If you think about it, our children play with water guns and with Nerf guns and things of that nature, and these young children just don't know and as a result a misunderstanding can turn into tragedy in seconds.' The children's father was a convicted felon but had received a pardon about a year ago, legally allowing him to own guns, WBRC reported. 'Parents, take a moment tonight... evaluate what you have and where it is,' Casey said in the press conference. 'We can do that and keep our rights and also protect our children.' The 40-year-old is being held in jail on a $90,000 bond. Speculation is mounting that woke Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will run for the presidency amid her out-of-character behavior on X. The New York Democrat has not posted about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross gunning down Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis this week. But she has denounced pro-Hamas protesters who gathered outside a synagogue in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Queens, and expressed her support for the ongoing protests in Iran - something that eagle-eyed netizens have taken note of. 'AOC's activity on X over the past week: 1 post condemning pro-Hamas chants, 1 post supporting the protests in Iran, 0 posts about Renee Good and ICE,' the End Wokeness X account pointed out over the weekend. 'In other words, AOC is running in 2028,' it concluded. The account also pointed out that the only time the 36-year-old mentioned Renee Good or ICE on either her personal or professional accounts was when she reshared an interview she gave outside of Congress in which she slammed the agency. 'This has now become what we feared most about ICE for a long timethat it would be used as an anti-civilian force with no accountability,' Ocasio-Cortez told reporters in the immediate aftermath of the shooting last Wednesday. 'At the end of the day, what we saw today was a murder, and murders in cold blood need to be prosecuted.' Speculation is mounting that woke Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will run for the presidency. The 36-year-old is pictured waving to the crowd ahead of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's inauguration The New York Democrat has not posted about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross gunning down Renee Nicole Good (pictured) in Minneapolis this week She went on to say that ICE 'has less accountability than virtually any law enforcement agency in the US, yet they are some of the most well-funded, operating with impunity and we just saw them murder an American citizen in cold blood in the street... 'I hope this is prosecuted to the full extent of the law,' Ocasio-Cortez added. 'This is an agency that must be reined in.' Yet she has apparently never shared her support for Good directly, who witnesses have said was acting as a legal observer and was filming the protest. The congresswoman instead only seemed to deny in the interview that Good 'weaponized her vehicle' when she struck Ross. Meanwhile on Sunday, Ocasio-Cortez shared her support for the Iranian protesters. 'The Iranian government's violent crackdown on demonstrators is horrific and must stop now,' she wrote. 'All people have the right to protest their government without fear or violence. 'I support the Iranians taking to the streets to call for a better future.' AOC also spoke out when protesters started chanting their support for Hamas outside a New York City synagogue on Friday. 'Hey so marching in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood and leading with a chant saying "We support Hamas" is a disgusting and antisemitic thing to do,' she posted. 'Pretty basic.' She has not mentioned Good by name, only arguing that she did not 'weaponized her vehicle' when she struck Ross Internet sleuths now believe AOC's behavior on X is indicative of a decision to run for the White House in 2028 New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz shared that post, writing: '(She's running),' while another X user shared, 'I love how AOC has changed her tune on several topics now that she is running for POTUS.' The woke congresswoman has worked to make a name for herself across the country last year as she toured the US with Sen. Bernie Sanders for their Fighting the Oligarchy tour. She has also brought in some of Sanders' former senior advisors, and spent millions of dollars on social media and on acquiring lists of potential donors to expand her grassroots fundraising potential, Axios reported in September. 'Her team has spent more on digital advertising than almost any other politician in 2024 and as a result, they have brought in hundreds of thousands of new small-dollar donations, Kyle Tharp, author of media and politics newsletter Chaotic Era, which closely tracks online spending, told the outlet. 'She's also seen record-breaking organic growth on social media, adding several million new followers across Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, X and Facebook.' Some former aides to Senator Bernie Sanders now see her as the heir apparent who could expand the Vermont senator's appeal beyond the Democratic Party's left wing and immediately raise tens of millions of dollars in a presidential race. AOC is pictured with Sanders at a rally in California in April Some former Sanders aides now see her as the heir apparent who could expand the Vermont senator's appeal beyond the Democratic Party's left wing and immediately raise tens of millions of dollars in a presidential race. 'She has a supporter base that, in many ways, has a larger potential width than Bernie's,' said Ari Rabin-Havt, a longtime Sanders aide. 'She's been in the glare of the spotlight from day one and has the national campaigning experience a lot of other potential candidates are now trying to get. 'It would be the height of arrogance to assume she couldn't win the 2028 nomination,' he argued. An early December poll by Argument/Verasight even showed Ocasio-Cortez defeating the likely Republican nominee, Vice President JD Vance. Her edge was in the margin of error, with 51 percent of voters backing her in the theoretical match up, while 49 percent supported Vance. Still, AOC added fuel to the fire when she shared the results online. An early December poll by Argument/Verasight showed Ocasio-Cortez defeating the likely Republican nominee, Vice President JD Vance. She is pictured delivering the opening remarks at Mamdani's inauguration One month prior, she also insisted that Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York City was an omen to the 'Old Guard' of the Democratic Party. 'I do think that this moment - a lot of people who are willing to talk about party unity when it serves everybody, it puts those folks on notice,' AOC said at the time. 'And I think it also puts folks on notice that we have a future to plan for, we have a future to fight for and we're either going to do that together or you're going to be left behind.' Ocasio-Cortez went on to argue that this fight for a better future was 'not a partisan issue.' 'It's not about progressive, it's not about moderate, it's not liberal - this is about do you understand the assignment of fighting fascism right now?' she said. 'And the assignment is to come together across differences no matter what.' A Bulgarian woman who played a role in Britain's biggest ever welfare fraud has been ordered to pay back all of her ill-gotten gains after the Daily Mail uncovered she was back on benefits after being released from jail. Tsvetka Todorova was jailed for three years in May 2024 for her role in the conspiracy, which stole more than 54million. But as the Daily Mail revealed yesterday, 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. Following our report, the Department for Work and Pensions launched a review into Todorova's benefits claims and has since confirmed she will need to return all the money she has received. Todorova is also likely to be ordered to pay back some of her ill-gotten gains under proceeds of crime laws, with the rest of the gang recently told to repay just 2 million from the 54million made. The criminal is now waiting for her own confiscation hearings. But in a new boast from her home in Erith, south-east London, she claimed that all her assets were beyond the reach of British officials. She told the Daily Mail: 'Our place in London is rented. We have a two-bedroom house in Bulgaria that the prosecution has valued at 90,000 but they can't touch it. 'We are married and the house is in both our names. My husband has no connection to the case.' 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 Asked what she used the house for, Todorova replied, 'We go there for vacation'. The criminal confirmed she had heard from the DWP that her entitlement to benefits was being reviewed, before it was revealed she would have to pay the money back. She said she felt 'very stressed' and wanted money to fix her 'broken' teeth, which were causing her pain. In her earlier interview, Todorova said she 'loved it' in Britain, adding: '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.' 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. 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. 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 has rejected the 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: 'We cannot comment on individual claims. When someone is convicted of benefit fraud, a loss of benefit is applied to any future claims.' An argument broke out at an awards show in London after two transgender women were filmed using the venue's female toilets. The confrontation, which was filmed by attendees and circulated on social media, took place inside the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square during the annual awards for the Not All Gays group on Friday night. Annaig Birdy, president and co-founder of the group - which promotes the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people - told the Daily Mail the argument began when a young woman spotted the pair in the toilets. The woman alerted security but they told her 'nothing could be done' and instead a group of around six women entered the toilets to ask the transgender women to leave, Annaig explained. 'Six women, myself included, entered together, not to argue, but to assert our lawful right to single-sex spaces. We did so as a group because confronting two adult males alone in a confined space is plainly unsafe, regardless of how those males personally identify,' she added. Both transgender women were eventually escorted out by security staff, during which one shouted at one of the women 'I will smack the s*** out of you' before the second added: 'I'll show you what a man is.' The incident was captured on video by Octavia Evans - the woman who first alerted security about the presence of the transgender women in the toilet. In a post about the incident on X, which was later reposted by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, she said: 'Women are not people who wear make-up or dresses, they are adult human females and they deserve single sex spaces.' A transgender woman is seen confronting a group of women during a row in the female toilets of the Hippodrome Casino in London The transgender woman and another woman can be seen arguing as a security guard (right) tries to intervene Recalling the confrontation, Annaig told the Daily Mail that Octavia spotted the two transgender women using the toilet as the awards night was coming to a close. 'They were not simply using the facilities and leaving, but were sitting at the mirrors and talking for an extended period,' she said. 'Feeling uncomfortable, she left the toilets to alert security and was told that nothing could be done because the men were "dressed like women". We are unclear what that means, given "woman" is not a dress code. 'Given that there are clearly signposted gender-neutral toilets on every floor of the casino, and that access to female-only facilities is lawfully restricted by sex under the Equality Act 2010, a small group of young women, mostly lesbian and bisexual women, accompanied Octavia back to the toilets to ask the men to leave.' Last year's Supreme Court ruling - that clarified the definition of a woman in equality law is based on biological sex - means trans women with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) can be excluded from single-sex spaces if 'proportionate'. But there has been little clarification as to what this means in practice and businesses are still waiting for guidance to inform their provision of single and separate-sex services, such as toilets and changing rooms, following the ruling in April. Annaig continued: 'Six women, myself included, entered together, not to argue, but to assert our lawful right to single-sex spaces. 'We did so as a group because confronting two adult males alone in a confined space is plainly unsafe, regardless of how those males personally identify.' The two transgender women (pictured) were eventually escorted out by security staff But as they are being escorted out, one can be heard telling one woman: 'I'll show you what a man is'. Footage of the incident shows the group of women arguing with the transgender pair inside the female toilets as a member of security attempts to resolve the situation. A number of people can be heard telling the staff member they are 'men in the women's toilets' and saying they feel 'uncomfortable' with their presence there. 'You're a man, why are you in the women's loo? Why do you feel the need to be in here with women?' one person asks, before the security guard intervenes and urges them all to 'relax'. The pair of transgender women eventually agree to leave to toilets before being escorted out by security, at which point one can be heard threatening to 'smack the s*** out of' one of the women, before the other trans woman tells another person: 'I'll show you what a man is'. 'These threats demonstrate precisely why women do not feel safe when male people are permitted into female-only spaces based solely on self-identification,' Annaig said. 'The existence of gender-neutral facilities did not resolve the situation; instead, the men involved disregarded the law upon accessing women's toilets and responded with intimidation and threats of violence when challenged. 'This shows clearly that third spaces are not a solution when womens spaces and boundaries are treated as optional.' Annaig said the situation 'was entirely avoidable', adding that 'ongoing delays' to issue updated guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission following the Supreme Court ruling 'have left service providers and frontline staff uncertain and unsupported in enforcing lawful single-sex provisions'. The Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, where the incident took place. It has since confirmed it provides both womens and mens toilet facilities as well as gender-neutral toilets She added: 'Where venues provide womens, mens and gender-neutral facilities, they are entitled to protect single-sex spaces where requested, in order to ensure safety, dignity and privacy for all users. 'Women and girls asserting their rights under the law are not required to be placid, deferential or silent, nor should we obliged to confront adult males alone in spaces specifically designated for females. 'The discomfort of trans-identifying men in using the mens toilets does not override womens legal rights to their own spaces. In 2026, women and gay people cannot be expected to simply remain silent when their boundaries are being crossed, for the comfort of those who identify as trans.' The Hippodrome has since confirmed it provides both womens and mens toilet facilities as well as gender-neutral toilets. It said in a statement: 'The Hippodrome is an inclusive venue and we take the safety, privacy and comfort of all guests seriously. 'Were aware of the footage circulating from Friday night. Our team intervened after concerns were raised in the toilets area and the situation was brought to a close. 'As this involves private individuals and a sensitive incident, we wont be commenting on specific identities or personal details.' A surfer who disappeared for more than 30 hours was miraculously rescued off the coast of Puerto Rico on Friday. Video shared online showed the unidentified 68-year-old man being hoisted onto an MH-60 Jayhawk Coast Guard helicopter after he was found standing on a reef with his surfboard next to him. He was in stable condition and was safely transported to first responders who were waiting for his arrival at Coast Guard Air Station Borninquen, authorities said. 'What a terrific outcome,' said Captain Robert Stiles, deputy command sector commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan and the search and rescue mission coordinator in this case. 'We activated the interagency search and rescue effort as soon as we received the information, especially after realizing that it had been more than 24 hours,' Stiles said. 'It was truly a team effort and I appreciate the responsiveness and professionalism of Coast Guard Air Station Borninquen, the Sector San Juan Command Center and our local emergency responders,' he continued, noting: 'This case could have easily had a different outcome.' Authorities said the Coast Guard Sector San Juan first received a notification the night of January 9 about a person who was reported missing by an Airbnb host after he failed to return to the rental property for more than 24 hours. The man's daughter later confirmed that he had gone surfing at noon the day before at Surfer's Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and had not been heard from since. A surfer who had disappeared for more than 30 hours was found standing on a reef off the coast of Puerto Rico on Friday Coast Guard authorities were able to hoist the unidentified 68-year-old man to safety Almost immediately afterward, the Coast Guard coordinated with the Puerto Rico Police Department, Joint Forces of Rapid Action, US Border Patrol and local emergency responders. At the same time, the Coast Guard launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from the air station to conduct shoreline and offshore searches north of Aguadilla. The Joint Forces of Rapid Action maritime assets as well as local authorities also conducted their own shoreline and offshore searches. Eventually, a Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted an individual matching the description of the missing surfer stranded on rocks outside Surfer's Beach. He was apparently trying to signal the helicopter for help, but due to the surrounding rocks, reefs and sea conditions, the location was inaccessible by foot or boat. The Coast Guard crew also battled nighttime conditions and low visibility as they successfully hoisted the man to safety. The Coast Guard launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from the air station to conduct shoreline and offshore searches north of Aguadilla. A Coast Guard helicopter is pictured Once the man was safely onboard the helicopter and on his way to Air Station Borninquen, Stiles relayed the good news to his daughter and her mother. 'We located your dad,' he said in audio of the phone call released online. 'He was actually on a reef.' 'I'm sure he's dehydrated, I'm sure he's had a rough night, but he's conversant,' the captain noted. 'We're gonna have paramedics standing by to check him out, but he's alive and well.' The daughter then thanked the Coast Guard profusely for their efforts. 'Oh my gosh, thank you so much, thank you so much,' she could be heard telling Stiles. 'Thank you so much for what you do for him.' A new survey reveals that young Aussies are increasingly pushing back against companies that allow staff to swap the Australia Day public holiday. The poll, conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs, asked Australians whether it was wrong for corporations to make the holiday a voluntary day off rather than a fixed national holiday. It found that 50 per cent of Australians believe it is wrong for Australia Day to be a voluntary day off. Opposition is strongest among younger Australians, with 72 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds holding this view, compared with just 44 per cent of people aged 65 and over. Institute of Public Affairs deputy executive director Daniel Wild said the results demonstrated a growing disconnect between corporate policies and community sentiment. 'Mainstream Australians believe that Australia Day is for all Australians, and a time for our nation to collectively reflect on and celebrate what makes our country what it is,' Mr Wild said. The polling follows reports that several major companies continue to allow employees to work on Australia Day and take an alternative public holiday instead. Firms named include Insignia Financial, CSL, AGL, AustralianSuper and CBUS. Nearly three quarters of young Aussies believe it is wrong for Australia Day to be a voluntary day off Last year, Telstra, Commonwealth Bank and AustralianSuper allowed their staff to work on Australia Day. Supporters of holiday-swapping arrangements argue the approach provides flexibility for staff and recognises that Australia Day is viewed differently by some employees. Under current workplace laws, public holidays can often be substituted with another day if both parties agree. However, Mr Wild said allowing Australia Day to be treated like any other interchangeable holiday undermines its national significance. 'Allowing staff to swap the Australia Day public holiday, as if it were just another day on the calendar with no meaning, is an insult to Australians who understand how important it is that we celebrate our national day together,' he said. Mr Wild said younger Australians in particular were rejecting what he described as 'corporate activism' around national symbols. 'Australians have had a gutful of corporations playing politics with our national day,' he said. Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has urged businesses and their workers to 'stand up for our country' and celebrate the national public holiday. Institute of Public Affairs deputy executive director Daniel Wild (pictured) said the results demonstrated a growing disconnect between corporate policies and community sentiment The patriotic billionaire has declared that Hancock Prospecting corporate offices will be closed on January 26, giving staff a long weekend. 'Australia Day is a day to refresh national pride, to celebrate all the great things about our beautiful country, including our hardworking pioneers who had it tough and struggled day after day to help build our country,' Mrs Rinehart told The Australian. Meanwhile, Indigenous-owned fashion business Clothing The Gap has launched a change.org petition calling for the January 26 public holiday to be replaced by a 'floating' long weekend, with a day off on the second-last Monday of the month. It has gained nearly 15,000 signatures. Australia Day falls on January 26, marking the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Harbour in 1788, when Governor Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. However, many Australians, particularly Indigenous and First Nations people, see it as 'Invasion Day' or a 'Day of Mourning.' Every year, rallies take place in major cities, with thousands of protesters calling for the holiday to be scrapped or moved. Pauline Hanson has called for tighter restrictions on immigration, claiming Australia has 'brought in the wrong people' over the last 30 years. Speaking to Sky News on Monday, the One Nation leader backed business figure Stephen Lowy's call for a Royal Commission into immigration policy after the Bondi Beach terror attack, saying urgent cultural change is needed. 'It has to come down to the immigration, the people that we've brought into the country over the past especially three decades,' Hanson said. 'We're bringing in the wrong people. They don't want to assimilate, they have no time for Australia and hate our culture, our way of life, Western civilisation.' Hanson claimed radical Islamic ideology has gained a foothold in Australia, warning hate speech laws alone will not curb extremism. 'If they have dual citizenship, I'd strip them of their citizenship and deport them out of the country. I wouldn't have them here. We don't want this in the country,' she said. Her comments come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalls parliament to debate new laws banning extremist groups - including Hizb ut-Tahrir and neo-Nazi organisations - and criminalising incitement of racial hatred. Hanson also raised concerns about radicalisation in Islamic schools and prayer rooms, calling for surveillance. Pauline Hanson has called for tighter restrictions on immigration, claiming Australia has 'brought in the wrong people' over the last 30 years 'My concern is in Islamic schools,' she said. 'Parents are assimilating, but their children are being radicalised in some of these schools or online. 'Unless we put the spotlight onto the Islamic schools, I'd have cameras or people there to watch what they're teaching. We can't allow this to be swept under the carpet.' Hanson also blasted Australia's immigration policies, arguing that Muslim-majority countries refuse to accept certain migrants. 'Why are we taking them if they won't accept them? We have to get hard on a lot of these countries,' she said. 'I'd allow citizenship for 10 years until you can get your citizenship. No one gets citizenship if you break the laws here or don't blend in.' The One Nation leader said Australians have 'lost faith' in major parties after the Bondi massacre. 'People are looking for leadership. People are really hurting in this country,' she said. A new Demos AU poll released on Sunday shows One Nation tied with the Coalition on 23 per cent primary vote, while Labor has slumped to 29 per cent (stock image) 'The Bondi massacre got people to wake up and take note. They've lost faith in the major political parties to really address this.' A new Demos AU poll released on Sunday shows One Nation tied with the Coalition on 23 per cent primary vote, while Labor has slumped to 29 per cent. Hanson declared the Liberals are 'in dire straits' and accused them of being too moderate. 'You can't define the difference between Labor and Liberal these days. People are looking for strong leadership and policies to get our country back on track,' she said. A number of supporters left positive messages backing Hanson. 'Go Pauline. Continue spreading the truth,' one person wrote. 'A lot of people are getting nervous about the support for One Nation,' a second added. 'I say well done to you and your party for supporting the everyday Aussie and dealing with the real issues that matter to people.' 'Thank God for Pauline's plain honesty,' another added. A furious Queensland mayor has unleashed a blistering attack on the Bureau of Meteorology, accusing it of relying on 'antiquated' data to issue a flood warning. Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson claimed BoM issued major flood warnings at Mirani, 40km west of Mackay, on Sunday based on 'antiquated readings'. The weather bureau issued a major flood warning for the Pioneer River at 2pm on Sunday, but data from Mirani township showed the river didn't even reach the moderate flood level stage. Williamson, who has been the mayor of Mackay for 10 years, told Daily Mail that the BoM was in danger of losing the public's trust. 'We know what the rivers are doing, it's not going to be a major flood level at Mirani at any stage and so that's what we're fighting against here we're fighting against a lack of investment in the technology,' he said. 'It puts me in a difficult situation because if we come out and say the BoM is wrong, then it builds a distrust in people that rely on the BoM for forecasts. 'For God's sake, fix it. They can spend millions and millions on a new website but we're dealing with an antiquated system which affects people's lives on a regular basis, every season. 'We should have the best equipment in the world on the ground in regional Queensland when you consider all the natural disasters we have.' Some of the Bureau of Meteorology's rain gauges in Queensland are producing inaccurate readings and causing the wrong alerts to be sent out Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson (picture) slammed BoM over 'antiquated readings' Some farmers say they can't simply look at the weather on the BOM for fear it's inaccurate The criticism comes as large parts of Queensland's outback start to recover after weeks of rain caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said he 'wouldn't accept' rain gauge inaccuracies and called for more investment in the life-saving technology. 'You can't have communities that don't have adequate rain gauges and you can't have big portions of the state that isn't covered by radar,' he said. 'You wouldn't accept it anywhere else you wouldn't accept people being exposed and not having information if it was in a populated area in Sydney or Melbourne, so I don't accept it for western Queensland.' Crisafulli also disputed the BoM's claim that his government had been briefed in November about its rain gauges. A BoM spokesman said: 'Projects are already under way to increase automation of gauges in these areas, and further details on these initiatives will be shared in the coming weeks.' Queensland's farmers have also hit out against the BoM, claiming that many rain gauges failed during major floods in the state over the New Year period, resulting in the deaths of 50,000 cattle. Grazier Ashley Gallagher told the ABC that some of his animals were still stranded on a small island cut off by the inland floods. It's been claimed that around 50,000 cattle have been lost in the recent Queensland floods Queensland premier David Crisafulli has demanded more investment in his state's rain gauges He said crocodiles were waiting for the cattle to move into the water, making it impossible to rescue the animals. He claimed that four flood gauges upstream of his Sawtell Station did not work on the Norman River catchment. 'You don't know what's coming so you're back to the old days I guess of ringing around stations to find out what's happening up the river instead of taking five minutes to look on the [Bureau of Meteorology] page and see what's going on,' he said. 'Working river gauges, they're a lifesaver. They're saving the cattle's lives anyway, and sometimes, a human's life when they're working.' The BoM admitted two automatic gauges in the Flinders River catchment were not working during ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji. The bureau has been contacted for further comment. White Minneapolis families have flooded social media with their emergency plans that teach kids what to do if an ICE agent knocks on the door. Families took to Reddit and posted that they are 'rehearsing what to do, and where to hide' if ICE approaches their home. One user wrote they're a 'white, blonde, blue-eyed, US citizen,' and still prepared a drill with their three year old. Another Reddit user posted they're 'pale Midwest white,' and also sat down with their first grader to explain 'why people in the neighborhood are feeling scared.' One reply agreed, writing, 'I'm a white female too and I'm terrified.' A Minneapolis native described himself as a white male and US Air Force Veteran, and is also discussing a plan of action with his children. 'They're in every store and on nearly all corners, going door to door and breaking every constitutional right,' he wrote on social media. 'I'll stand my ground.' One user wrote they're a 'white, blonde, blue-eyed, US citizen,' and still prepared a drill with their three year old Minneapolis Public Schools families, educators and students hold signs during a news conference at Lake Hiawatha Park in Minneapolis, on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, demanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement be kept out of schools Many agreed, and one user wrote they practiced 'walking quietly to a safe room' with their kids. The thread sparked backlash on X, with many calling the discussions 'traumatizing' and 'sickening.' 'White liberals in Minneapolis are discussing on Reddit how they're traumatizing their own children to prepare them in case ICE agents break into their homes and kidnap them,' Senior Editor of The Post Millennial, Andy Ngo, wrote on X. 'The political indoctrination and abuse is similar to what liberal and leftist parents did ten years ago when Trump won election, as well as what they did again for BLM by saying police are trained to kill black and brown people on sight.' Others compared the emergency drills to 'communist thinking.' 'They wanna be oppressed so bad because theyve been taught to believe that the only way you can be a good person is to be oppressed,' one user wrote. 'Classic communist thinking.' Another labeled the white families as 'liberal self hating racists,' writing, 'They feel like they have to describe what they look like. Make it look as white as possible. Another Reddit user posted they're 'pale Midwest white,' and also sat down with their first grader to explain 'why people in the neighborhood are feeling scared' A Minneapolis native described himself as a white male and US Air Force Veteran, and is also discussing the raids with his children The thread sparked backlash on X, with many calling the discussions 'traumatizing' and 'sickening' Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot dead by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota A member of the Special Response Team (SRT) holds his weapons at a protest against the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good 'Lets be clear if you feel that the government is going to illegally seize you and your family for your race then you should find a way to get them to safety. '[Live action role playing] online and for attention actually puts people in danger.' Since Renee Good's death, a 37-year-old mother who was shot dead while protesting against ICE, the Minneapolis school district has offered remote learning for the month as tensions rise. 'This meets a really important need for our students who are not able to come to school right now,' a Minneapolis school administrator wrote in an email to their staff on Thursday. 'This will keep them safe and help them keep up with their work,' the school administrator explained in one of the emails obtained by the AP. 'It will also allow them to be counted present, so we dont have a ton of dropouts next week.' A group of miners have shared disturbing photos of a 'UFO' they spotted in a remote region of Western Australia during an early-morning drive. The six workers were stunned when they saw the airborne object near Fortescue Metals Group's Solomon mine site in the Pilbara region at about 5am on December 7. The group spotted the strange object while driving from their laboratory worksite to catch a bus back to camp in the Hamersley Ranges. According to one witness, it stood out clearly against the morning sky. 'There were six of us in the car,' the witness said. 'The people in the front noticed it first and commented that it looked weird.' The driver initially thought the object was a cloud, but decided it looked more like a triangular UFO shape often seen in other sightings around the world. 'It can't be,' the shocked witness said. The object in the WA sky stunned a group of six miners as they travelled in a car It eventually disappeared into the distance as the workers drove off The UFO was seen in the Pilbara region of remote WA His friends in the back seat of the vehicle noticed the object shortly afterwards. 'Look at that,' one said. Another suggested it could be a medical evacuation helicopter, but others disagreed. 'It was in no way shaped like one,' they said, while admitting the distance made it hard to identify clearly with the naked eye. One of the workers, Afrasiab Khan, took photos of it on his phone. 'That is a genuine UFO, guys,' he told his workmates. No official explanation has been provided for the sighting. Last year, a bizarre object was found on fire in remote WA with no visible signs to indicate how it got there. This mysterious object was spotted in WA last year Police coordinated a multi-agency response after the item was found in October near a mining site near the small town of Newman. The large black object was similar to other known space re-entry debris, WA Police said in a statement. It sparked intrigue similar to previous UFO sightings across the country. A month earlier, there were reports of strange lights in the sky near Point Moore in Geraldton, 420km north of Perth. Perth Observatory received a number of reports of lights across a widespread area which a spokesperson described as 'very confusing'. The Department of Defence said there were no military training activities in the area on the night of the sightings. The Red Arrows have appointed a former England lacrosse international as their first female commander. Wing Commander Sasha Nash, a Tornado pilot, has taken charge of what is known officially as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. Her appointment comes after the squadron was hit by a string of sexual abuse and harassment scandals. Wg Cdr Nash, who has flown tours in Afghanistan, said she was incredibly proud and excited to take charge. She will be in command of 150 air and ground crew and responsible for all aspects of the Red Arrows, including staff welfare. She added: This is an excellent team of dedicated, diligent and enthusiastic people, exemplifying the ethos and values found in units right across the RAF. 'I am excited to work with them to continue to deliver the levels of excellence the Red Arrows are globally renowned for. Wg Cdr Nash, who decided at the age of six she wanted to fly fast jets in the RAF and enlisted in 2005, was previously chief of staff at the RAFs Display Wing headquarters and worked at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Handover: Wing Commander Sasha Nash, a Tornado pilot, has succeeded Adam Collins Wg Cdr Nash, who has flown tours in Afghanistan, said she was incredibly proud and excited to take charge Her appointment marks a pivotal moment for the Red Arrows. Three years ago an official probe found pilots assaulted and harassed females and covered up their mistreatment. Two male flight lieutenants were sacked after Daily Mail revelations about their predatory behaviour. The teams leader at the time, Wing Commander David Montenegro, also engaged in an affair with a female subordinate resulting in her pregnancy. He was removed from his post as Red One. The worst abuses went on while the Red Arrows were touring the world, including sexual assaults and inappropriate touching. Pilots also exposed their genitals and bullied junior colleagues. The RAF admitted unacceptable behaviour had been normalised. A report found senior officers lacked diligence and professional curiosity when it came to dealing with accusations. It led to calls for the Red Arrows to be disbanded. Former military intelligence officer Philip Ingram, who counselled many of the victims, said: I hope Wg Cdr Nash can change the culture. Rachel Reeves is resisting mounting Cabinet pressure to offer business rates support to the wider hospitality sector. The Treasury signalled a major U-turn on pubs last week following warnings hundreds could be forced to close after a big hike in rates. But industry chiefs say that other sectors such as cafes, restaurants and hotels will also be hit hard, along with music and theatre venues and independent shops. They warned six such venues will close every day in the next year without support a total of more than 2,000. Kate Nicholls, chairman of UK Hospitality, said: 'A whole hospitality problem needs a whole hospitality solution.' The average hotel will see its business rates bill increase by 28,900 in the first year and by 205,200 in total over three years, the trade group said. The average pub faces paying 1,400 a year more initially and 12,900 over three years. UK Hospitality is calling for ministers to quadruple the level of discount applied to business rates to the maximum possible for hospitality firms. Despite more than 2,000 pubs facing closure amid business rate hikes, Rachel Reeves remains resistant to mounting Cabinet pressure to offer support to struggling hospitality venues Your browser does not support iframes. One Government source yesterday indicated that Downing Street is pushing for a wider package to avoid having to make further debilitating U-turns. 'There is a view that we want to do it once and get it right,' the source said. Business Secretary Peter Kyle, who will discuss the issue with the Chancellor this week, also hinted support should not be restricted to pubs. He told the BBC the Government had been 'in listening mode for some time' on the issue, and that talks were held with the hospitality industry in Birmingham last week. Mr Kyle said conversations with the Treasury had been 'vigorous' but 'collegiate'. But the Treasury insisted there are still no plans to extend help on business rates to other sectors. A source said hotels and restaurants may benefit from wider licensing reforms, but help on rates would be 'pub specific'. East Thanet MP Polly Billington, chairman of Labour's group of coastal MPs, said ministers are having 'genuine conversations with us' about support for small hospitality and retail businesses. It came as Labour was accused of a 'wanton desire' to destroy pubs. A leading brewery boss said business rates reform piled further pressure on a sector already being battered by higher alcohol duty, minimum wages, National Insurance, VAT, corporation tax, green energy levies, packaging taxes and inheritance tax. Richard Bailey, chairman of the Independent Family Brewers of Britain, said: 'The measures taken by this government to increase tax and the burden of law on landlords and pubs will decimate this beloved and critical sector. 'You can only assume from the Government's recent actions and policy decisions that there is a wanton desire to wipe them out, destroy employment and vandalise our communities.' He said that going to the pub is 'becoming increasingly unaffordable', adding: 'Your local may not even be open every day due to ever-increasing taxes and legislation. 'Pubs are being used as a whipping boy by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Treasury, who are deaf to the voices of industry that warn of hardship, closure and cultural obliteration.' Some 1,500 pubs banned Labour MPs from their premises after the Budget. Mr Bailey, also chairman of Daniel Thwaites brewery, said: 'This political leadership appear to have completely lost sight of the vital role that pubs play or maybe they really don't care.' Keir Starmer last night warned Elon Musk to shut down an AI tool allowing users to create disgusting images on his social media site, saying: If X cannot control Grok, we will. Addressing Labour MPs, the Prime Minister said he was determined to act fast to prevent the AI chatbot Grok from being used to undress images of women and children. Earlier, the Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she was bringing forward regulations this week to tighten the law on so-called digital stripping. Ministers have been locked in a stand-off with X for days over the use of Grok to create sexualised images of real people, including removing the clothes of women and children and putting them in bikinis. The social media site responded last week by limiting the function to paying subscribers, arguing that the details of anyone using the tool to create abusive images would then be available. But Ms Kendall said the change amounted to monetising abuse and called for a total ban. Media regulator Ofcom, which has powers to levy fines running into billions of pounds, yesterday launched an investigation into whether the social media site has broken the law. The spat risks reopening Labours bitter row with the worlds richest man, who has argued that the use of Grok is a free speech issue and accused the Government of fascism. Ministers have been locked in a stand-off with X for days over the use of Grok to create sexualised images of real people, including removing the clothes of women and children and putting them in bikinis He also posted his own picture of the Prime Minister in a bikini. It could trigger a wider row with members of the Trump administration in America who have already raised concerns about free speech in the UK. The Prime Minister told a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party: 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 wont stand for it. If X cannot control Grok, we will and we will do it fast because if you profit from harm and abuse, you lose the right to self-regulate. Some Labour MPs have urged the Government to quit X in protest. But Ms Kendall said that the Government was not currently planning to leave a site which is used by a quarter of its 19million UK users as their main source of news. Our views, and often simply the facts, need to be heard wherever possible, she added. Elon Musk (pictured) has argued that the use of Grok is a free speech issue and accused the Government of fascism Ms Kendall said all options are on the table if X refuses to comply. But Government sources have played down the prospect of a total ban on the website. Privately, ministers believe Mr Musk will be forced to act because of a worldwide backlash, including in the US. Some of the pictures generated by Grok were not harmless images, Ms Kendall said, adding: They are weapons of abuse, disproportionately aimed at women and girls, and they are illegal. The Technology Secretary said that she was tightening the law by bringing in regulations making it an offence to ask artificial intelligence to generate non-consensual intimate images. So-called nudification apps are also being banned. Conservative technology spokesman Julia Lopez said Ofcom was right to act against illegal material online. However, she warned that ministers should also do more to protect women and girls in the real world as well as on the internet. She hammered home her point by referring to what she described as Labours failure to advance the rape gang inquiry, its failure to stop puberty-blocking trials, its failure to implement single-sex spaces, its inability to deport illegal migrants who have committed sex offences. Ms Lopez added that banning X would be an extraordinarily serious move against a platform that can be used for good. A wealthy landscaper accused of killing his wife and leaving her body in a remote field has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Barry Morphew, 57, entered the plea to a first-degree murder charge Monday in a Colorado courthouse about 40 miles south of where his wife Suzanne's remains were found in 2023, according to CPR. He arrived at the court flanked by his two daughters, who have stood by their father's side and maintain his innocence, the Denver Gazette reports. Morphew then waived his right to a speedy trial to give his attorneys ample time to prepare their defense. 'There is a huge amount of information your attorneys have to go through to represent you, and having a trial within six months would not give them the opportunity to represent you effectively,' 12th Judicial District Chief Court Judge Amanda Hopkins advised. She then set his trial for October 13. It is expected to last up to six weeks. The trial will now mark the second time Morphew faces murder charges for his wife's death since the 43-year-old vanished from their $1.5 million home in Marysville, Colorado on Mother's Day 2020. He was previously charged with Suzanne's murder in 2021 by then-11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley, but the case fell apart because overwhelmed prosecutors could not keep up with the pace of court deadlines and Suzanne's body had not yet been located. Barry Morphew, 57, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges on Monday The trial will now mark the second time Morphew faces murder charges for his wife's death since the 43-year-old vanished from their $1.5 million home in Marysville, Colorado on Mother's Day 2020 Meanwhile, the district attorney conducted inappropriate interviews with YouTube true crime shows while the case was still active and launched an investigation into the judge in the case over their rulings against the prosecution. Stanley was ultimately disbarred in 2024, in large part due to her handling of the Morphew case. But prosecutors say the big break in the case came one year prior, when Suzanne's body was found dumped alongside a rural road in Saguache County, in a patch of wasteland known as 'The Boneyard.' An indictment against Morphew now claims that Suzanne's body was likely moved, and that it was 'unlikely Suzanne decomposed from a fresh body to a skeleton at this location' based on the lack of animal activity on Suzanne's body and a lack of decay on the clothes she was wearing. It remains unclear how Suzanne died, as an autopsy was inconclusive. However, an earlier indictment revealed that she had a powerful animal tranquilizer called butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM) in her body at the time of her death. Prosecutors then said Morphew was the only citizen in the entire area of Colorado where they lived to own BAM at the time of her death. He had previously used the substance to sedate and transport deer on his farm when he lived in Indiana. Prosecutors say Morphew killed Suzanne (pictured) on the morning of May 9, 2020- one day before her disappearance was reported when her daughters were unable to reach their mother on the phone Her body was discovered dumped along the side of a rural road in Saguache County, Colorado in September 2023 in a patch of wasteland known as 'The Boneyard' Morphew has since allegedly admitted to using BAM in Colorado as recently as April 2020 to tranquilize a deer on his property, ABC News reports. Records of BAM prescriptions also showed he last purchased the tranquilizer in March 2018 and that no other individual or business in the Colorado region where the Morphews lived and where Suzanne's remains were found had purchased BAM prescriptions from 2017 through 2020, the indictment claims. 'Ultimately, the prescription records show that when Suzanne Morphew disappeared, only one private citizen living in that entire area of the state had access to BAM: Barry Morphew,' it reads. Prosecutors now say Morphew killed Suzanne on the morning of May 9, 2020 - one day before her disappearance was reported when her daughters were unable to reach their mother on the phone. Several days prior, on May 6, 2020, prosecutors say Suzanne texted her husband saying: 'I'm done. I could (sic) care less what you're up to and have been for years. We just need to figure this out civilly.' But Morphew has claimed he left home early on the morning of May 10 to go to work in the Colorado city of Broomfield, three hours from their home. He said that Suzanne was asleep in their bed, having told him she was planning a bike ride for her day. It is alleged that Morphew killed his wife in a jealous rage He has been supported by their two daughters since the first time he faced charges in 2021 Investigators now say Suzanne was already dead for hours at that point. They note that Barry's phone entered and exited airplane mode several times over the next 24 hours, authorities said. The door of his truck was also opened numerous times between 3.25am and 5am and was backed up into the homes garage at least once. He claimed he was on a landscaping job but spent just 90 minutes on site and the rest in a hotel room that cleaners reported stank of chlorine after he checked out. Barry was then captured on surveillance making several trash runs at numerous locations around town, but appeared to be doing little work, police noted. During a subsequent police interview, Barry claimed the couple's marriage was 'the best' and that they'd just had a 'wonderful weekend together.' But prosecutors say that was a lie, claiming that Suzanne had been having a two year affair with an old school friend called Jeff Libler and despised her husband. When cops then began to search the property, they found Suzanne's bike abandoned down a steep embankment close to the family home. Morphew is seen here in the hallway of a hotel room leaving with a filled trash bag. Cleaners said his room stank of chlorine after he checked out A search of the Morphew home found a live .22 caliber bullet by Suzannes bed, and a needle cap from a tranquilizer dart was found in the dryer, tangled up among washed bed sheets. Investigators also recovered empty tranquilizer darts, a needle used to inject tranquilizer chemicals into the darts, and a dart gun. Morphew admitted to using a tranquilizer gun to shoot deer so he could harvest their horns, but said he was unsure how the cap got in the dryer, court records show. But officers noted that Barry had scratches on his hands and arms two days after Suzanne disappeared. Meanwhile, Suzanne's loved ones have claimed Suzanne had feared for her safety. One friend even claimed Suzanne had complained to her about Barry shoving her into a closet and putting a gun to his head while screaming: 'Is this what you want?' Morphew was taken into custody once again on June 20 in Arizona, where he had moved following his wife's disappearance Morphew was then taken into custody once again on June 20 in Arizona, where he had moved following his wife's disappearance. It is now expected that Morphew will use an 'alternate suspect' defense, as unknown DNA was found in Suzanne's car after she vanished. In the Suzanne Morphew case, her husband was arrested on June 20 in Arizona after being newly indicted for his wife's killing. 'I would expect the defense to advance any evidence they [have] relating to alternate suspect evidence,' Colorado deputy district attorney Colin McCallin told Fox News in July. He added: 'One of the things that has always permeated this case is the existence of these unknown DNA profiles that were found on some of the items of evidence that were found initially when she went missing, that pointed to maybe someone else being involved in this.' Idaho quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger famously tried to invoke a similar defense strategy initially, but the move was rejected by the judge. He eventually pleaded guilty in a deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The US issued a travel warning for this popular paradise destination over fears of 'violent crime.' A Level 2 travel advisory was issued to Grenada, an island country in Caribbean, due to 'risk of crime' that have targeted American tourists. 'American citizens in Grenada have been victims of armed robbery, assault, burglary, and rape,' the advisory stated. 'In some cases, American citizens have been killed. Police response times are not as fast as one may expect in the United States.' The US State Department sounded alarms for the country on January 5, urging travelers there to 'exercise increased caution.' A lengthy list of precautions to take when visiting Grenada were also released from the State Department. Tourists are warned to 'not physically resist any robbery attempt, and use caution when traveling at night.' Commercial and tourist docks of St George's in Grenada 'Keep a low profile, stay aware of your surroundings, and do not answer your door at your hotel or residence unless you know who it is,' the advisory stated. Almost 17 million Americans traveled to the sparkling blue-water getaway in 2024, per the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Grenada is about 125 miles north of Venezuela, which the State Department ranks as a Level 4 Do Not Travel country. There are four levels for US travel warnings to keep Americans safe when jetpacking to other destinations. Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Level 3: Reconsider Travel; and Level 4: Do Not Travel. Venezuela has a 'high risk of wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure,' per the advisory. 'All US citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents in Venezuela are strongly advised to depart immediately.' Another popular getaway that the State Department urges travelers to reconsider is Jamaica. Woman with backpack just landed on Sandy Island, an island famous for its beauty, in Grenada St George's capital of the Caribbean island of Grenada seen from the sea 'Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime, health, and natural disaster risks,' the advisory stated. If tourists decide to visit, they are warned to not bring firearms, have an independent emergency departure plan, and avoid night travel. Travelers are also urged to avoid public buses, and remote areas, stay aware of surroundings, keep a low profile, and never resist a robbery. Young Chinese people seek opportunity as low-altitude economy takes off Xinhua) 10:08, January 13, 2026 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Lawyers for accused DC pipe bomb suspect Brian J. Cole Jr. say he should '100%' be pardoned under President Donald Trump's sweeping pardon for defendants of the Jan 6 riots. Cole Jr., of Woodbridge, Virginia, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing him of transporting explosives and attempting to use them. The allegations are tied to two explosive devices planted outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee buildings on the night of January 5, 2021. His alleged crimes came just hours before Congress met to certify Joe Biden's election victory and before a mob stormed the US Capitol. Now, in a wide-ranging interview with Fox 5 DC, defense attorney Mario Williams says Cole voted for Donald Trump twice, and he is preparing to argue in court that Trump's sweeping January 6 pardon covers Cole's case, too. Williams is not speaking in hypotheticals but in fact laying the groundwork for a direct legal challenge. 'For purposes of the pardon, I absolutely agree with it,' Williams said. 'I think you have to employ some kind of common sense as applied to the allegations.' Williams set out his logic by tying the government's allegations to the timeline and discovery of the devices. Mario Williams, a lawyersfor Brian J. Cole Jr. says a January 6 pardon should wipe out charges tied to alleged pipe bombs outside party headquarters Brian Cole Jr, 30, has reportedly confessed to planting pipe bombs outside of the Democratic and Republican national committees on January 5, 2021 Cole's arrest marked the first major breakthrough after the bureau offered a $500,000 reward and released new surveillance footage 'So, if the allegations are that he went out there and he set down these components and that they were found on January 6, the judge says that it's a part of January 6 and says that you were allowed to get a pardon for everything related to the events that occurred on or at the Capitol building on January 6,' he said to Fox 5 DC Asked directly whether he believes his client should be pardoned, Williams responded: 'Oh, 100%!' Cole's legal team plans to file the argument in court soon. Cole's defense claim hinges on the breadth of Trump's January 6 pardon language, which can be best summarized as extending to 'offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.' Prosecutors describe the pipe bombs as being planted the night before, steps from the political nerve centers of both parties, while the defense appears poised to argue the case is still 'January 6 adjacent,' in the judge's words, and therefore pardon-eligible. Federal prosecutors say Cole admitted building the homemade devices, traveling to Washington, and placing the pipe bombs outside the DNC and RNC headquarters. According to prosecutors' court filings as described by the Associated Press, Cole said he hoped the explosives would detonate and 'hoped there would be news about it.' Prosecutors also say Cole told investigators he believed someone needed to 'speak up' for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen, and that he targeted both parties because they were 'in charge.' Cole has pleaded not guilty to charges of transporting explosives and attempting to use them Cole was allegedly caught on surveillance cameras around the capital on January 5, 2021 Cole told federal investigators that he was relieved that his weapons did not detonate, claiming he did not want to kill anyone Federal authorities were seen searching the home Cole shared with his parents last month, but Cole told investigators he threw all of his bomb-making materials into a nearby dump Attorney General Pam Bondi (at podium) announces the arrest of the man accused of placing pipe bombs in Washington, on December 4 2025 The defense argues the case is 'January 6 adjacent' - and therefore covered by President Donald Trump's sweeping clemency Williams is also attacking the government's public portrayal of what it calls a confession. After prosecutors included details of Cole's alleged admissions in a public filing, Cole's lawyers demanded to see the evidence, and Williams says he has now watched footage of Cole's post-arrest interview. Williams claims the government's version strips out the context. 'I believe the manner in which the government made those statements is incorrect and acontextual, and in some instances, absolutely false,' he said. 'Some of the representations that the government made, in our opinion, are false.' While the argument for Cole to be pardoned has yet to be made, a federal magistrate judge, Matthew Sharbaugh, ruled earlier this month that Cole should remain jailed until his trial. The judge concluded there were no conditions that could reasonably protect the public from the danger prosecutors allege he poses. Sharbaugh, in the AP's account of the ruling, wrote that the alleged plan could have been catastrophic. 'Mercifully, that did not happen,' Sharbaugh wrote of the failure of the devices to detonate. Prosecutors said he took the same route as the bomber the night of January 5, 2021 Cole was allegedly caught on surveillance footage placing the devices. The government alleges Cole hoped the bombs would detonate and 'there would be news about it.' A screengrab from surveillance footage released by the FBI of the suspected pipe bomber Last month, Cole was charged with laying explosives outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters, which did not detonate After confessing to planting the bombs, Cole allegedly told investigators how he built them 'But if the plan had succeeded, the results could have been devastating, creating a greater sense of terror on the eve of a high-security Congressional proceeding, causing serious property damage in the heart of Washington, D.C., grievously injuring DNC or RNC staff and other innocent bystanders, or worse.' Defense attorneys argued for home detention with GPS monitoring. They also said Cole has no criminal record, has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and lived with his parents in a stable home. 'Mr. Cole simply does not pose a danger to the community,' defense attorneys wrote, according to the AP report. But prosecutors pointed to allegations that Cole continued buying bomb-making components for months after January 6, and that he told the FBI he planted the bombs because 'something just snapped.' Sharbaugh cited concerns about how quickly 'abrupt and impulsive conduct might recur.' Cole faces two counts. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years on one charge and up to 20 years on the other, with the longer count also carrying a five-year mandatory minimum. The first deadly US strike on an alleged narcoterrorist boat in the Caribbean was reportedly launched by military plane disguised as a civilian air craft in what one expert labeled a 'war crime.' The September 2 strike that killed 11 was ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who claimed that every person on the supposed drug trafficking ship was on a military target list. In addition to the plane being disguised, the Pentagon also hid the munitions by not visibly carrying them under the craft's wingers. Ever since, the military has started using MQ-9 Reaper drones and more traditional military aircraft. Retired Maj. Gen. Steven J. Lepper told The New York Times that these acts of subterfuge may have led the US to commit an offense known as 'perfidy,' which is a war crime. 'Shielding your identity is an element of perfidy. If the aircraft flying above is not identifiable as a combatant aircraft, it should not be engaged in combatant activity,' said Lepper, who served as a deputy judge advocate general for the United States Air Force. The Trump administration has defended the legality of the attacks by stating that the US is in an armed conflict with narcoterrorists. 'The U.S. military utilizes a wide array of standard and nonstandard aircraft depending on mission requirements,' Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson said in a statement. 'Prior to the fielding and employment of each aircraft, they go through a rigorous procurement process to ensure compliance with domestic law, department policies and regulations, and applicable international standards, including the law of armed conflict.' The first of several US strikes on alleged narcoterrorist boats in the Caribbean is accused of being disguised as a civilian air craft in what could be labeled a war crime The September 2 strike that killed 11 was ordered by Pete Hegseth because everyone on the supposed drug trafficking ship was on a military target list A spokesperson for US Southern Command declined The Daily Mail's request for comment. The White House did not return request for comment. The Department of War's communications account shared a post by Lee Zeldin, current EPA Administrator. Zeldin, who taught the law of armed conflict in the US Army, called the claims idiotic.' 'What the military cant do is add certain symbols to pretend the plane is Red Cross, UN, or something otherwise protected,' Zeldin explained. 'Likewise, if you paint a Delta or American Airlines logo on the side, for example, that feigns a civilian aircraft.' He then determined: 'A military plane not having any of these symbols at all doesnt just make it a de facto civilian aircraft no matter how much TDS has overwhelmed your system.' Multiple sources told The New York Times that the aircraft's transponder was sending along a military tail number. But retired Navy Captain Todd Huntley said that would not solve the perfidy issue and still remain legally tenuous and added this sort of aircraft was not meant to be used for offensive attacks. 'The critical question is whether there is a credible alternative reason for using an unmarked aircraft to conduct the attack other than exploiting apparent civilian status to gain some tactical advantage,' added Geoffrey Cron, a retired lieutenant colonel JAG officer. Ever since the initial strike, the military has started using MQ-9 Reaper drones and more traditional military aircraft. The Trump administration has argued that its attacks are legal because the president is 'determined' the United States is in an armed conflict with those he calls narcoterrorists It's not known what sort of plane was used in the strike but users of r/Aviation have suggested they could be modified 737s. The September 2 strike began a series of at least 35 boat attacks that have killed 123 people. Legal experts say the attack in question could be a crime if the survivors were targeted. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have demanded accountability. Admiral Frank 'Mitch' Bradley told lawmakers in early December that all of those onboard were known to officials as narco-terrorists and as such could be lethally targeted, according to NBC News. The admiral reportedly testified that the list includes individuals who are eligible for being targeted with lethal action if the opportunity should arise, two officials and one other source told the network. All 11 on board the boat that was hit on September 2 had been identified, Bradley reportedly told lawmakers. The admiral was summoned to Capitol Hill to answer questions from concerned lawmakers over the legality of the strike. The sources also told NBC News that Bradley made it clear in these meetings that he acted legally throughout the bombing. It's not known what sort of plane was used in the strike but users of r/Aviation have suggested they could be modified 737s Admiral Frank 'Mitch' Bradley, seen here on Capitol Hill in December, told lawmakers that all 11 on board the boat that was hit on September 2 have all been identified Bradley said that he carried out orders from Hegseth as instructed, killing everyone on the list, destroying the drugs onboard and sinking the boat, the sources added. It emerged that some onboard survived the initial strike. Bradley confirmed this to lawmakers adding that a third and fourth strike followed to sink the boat. Hegseth mentioned the operation during a speech at the Reagan Defense Forum earlier that month. He also outlined the country's defense priorities and attacked the post-Cold War foreign policy of the nation. The secretary also declared the age of American 'utopian idealism' was over, while demanding allies now defend themselves and suggested a shift in policy concerning China's defense. 'Out with idealistic utopianism. In with hard-nosed realism', he told those who gathered the defense forum, Politico reported. Hegseth also refused to back down over the strikes, saying: 'If you bring drugs to this country in a boat, we will find you and we will sink you.' He also confirmed that it was himself that gave the order, and confirmed he left the room five minutes after the first strike. According to Hegseth he was told that Bradley had ordered a second strike due to their being several survivors, Hegseth said he was told those who survived could 'still be in the fight', according to the Wall Street Journal. Hegseth also said that he agreed with how Bradley carried out the attack, adding: 'I said "Roger, sounds good". 'From what I understood then and what I understand now, I fully support that strike. I would have made the same call myself.' Donald Trump has stood behind Hegseth as he defends his handling of the attack, but pressure is mounting on the defense secretary. Hegseth has said the aftermath of an initial strike on the boat was clouded in the 'fog of war.' He has also said he 'didn't stick around' for the second strike, but that Bradley 'made the right call' and 'had complete authority' to do it. Democrats are demanding that the Trump administration releases the full video of the attack, as well as written records of the orders and any directives from Hegseth. While Republicans, who control the national security committees, have not publicly called for those documents, they have pledged a thorough review. A hospital accused of negligence after the death of an elderly couple has now infuriated their daughter by offering to waive the fee for collecting their dead bodies. To add insult to injury, Mandy Wing says her parents Margaret Wing, 64, and Steven Jackson, 76, were pensioners - and wouldn't have had to pay those costs anyway. The couple died of Influenza A on November 16 after a worker at Inverell Hospital in northern NSW allegedly told them there were no available doctors. As the couple's health deteriorated, Ms Wing called the hospital for help on Friday, November 14, but was allegedly told they could not be seen until after the weekend. They were later found unresponsive at their home on Sunday evening. Paramedics declared them dead at the scene and their bodies were removed by ambulance. Ms Wing blames the hospital for their deaths and claims hospital bosses have failed to apologise for the blunder - and instead offered what she said was a 'paltry sum'. 'They said they are still investigating but will waive the ambulance fees, $480.77 for my mother and $480.77 for my father,' she told Daily Mail. 'No amount of money is going to bring them back. I have heard, "Sorry for your loss" and "Condolences" - but no, "Sorry this happened".' Steven Jackson, 76, and Margaret Wing, 64, died of Influenza A in November The couple's daughter, Mandy Wing (pictured), believes the hospital failed in its duty of care Ms Wing claimed she made multiple complaints but has yet to hear from the hospital Ms Wing says her parents held Pension Concession Cards meaning they are exempt from paying emergency and non-emergency ambulance transport fees. 'They were both pensioners so I don't think we had to pay it anyway,' she said. The young mother said her parents initially became unwell with what seemed like a minor sniffle but after being unable to secure a doctor's appointment in town, their symptoms rapidly worsened. 'It turned into the flu and they were really unwell,' she said. 'I have never seen my dad so weak like that, so they decided to pack a bag and mum called the hospital. 'She asked if she could see a doctor and when one would be available and she was told she would have to wait until Monday because there was no doctor available.' Concerned there may have been a misunderstanding, Ms Wing said she rang the hospital herself. 'I spoke to the nurse who answered the phone with "Hello, emergency" and I stressed how sick they were. Mum was wobbly on her feet and I knew they needed medical help. Mr Jackson initially became unwell with what seemed like a small sniffle (pictured with his grandson) Ms Wing said both she and her mother (pictured with a grandchild) had called the hospital 'The nurse was a bit rude really. Maybe they were understaffed, maybe she was trying her best, but that's no excuse. 'They have a duty of care and I was just told there was no doctor available.' Ms Wing's parents were found unresponsive at their home by her 18-year-old son two days later on Sunday evening. She maintains it was only after their deaths that the family were informed they could have received alternative assistance. 'We didn't know they could go by ambulance and be seen at Armidale Hospital, which is about an hour and a half drive from here,' she said. 'We were never told they could still go to emergency at Inverell and access the digital doctor service. 'The nurse simply said there was no doctor until Monday, November 17.' Last week Daily Mail revealed health chiefs had launched an investigation into the hospital following the tragedy. The family are struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of both parents But Ms Wing says while she is glad they are taking action, she believes the issues remain ongoing and she is not satisfied the same situation will not happen again. 'It's all very well saying they have policies in place and that people answering the phones will inform people of options,' she said. 'But I called last week and the phone kept ringing out. No one even answered. 'And none of this will bring my parents back.' Ms Wing maintains she believes her parents' deaths were preventable. 'If my mum or dad got to see a doctor, one of them, or maybe both of them, would still be alive,' she added. 'We live in Australia and this sort of thing just shouldn't happen.' A Hunter New England Local Health District spokesperson told Daily Mail they had contacted Ms Wing about her concerns. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park offered his condolences 'NSW public hospitals will never turn people away needing urgent or emergency treatment. 'Inverell Hospital continues to provide safe, high-quality emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.' The spokesman insisted patients are given other options if a doctor is not on site. 'Patients are supported through on-demand virtual care, with specialist emergency medicine doctors working closely with our highly skilled local nursing staff to guide diagnosis, treatment, admission decisions and, where required, transfer to other facilities,' they said. The NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park, also offered his condolences to the family while maintaining that emergency care is available for everyone. 'My heartfelt sympathies go to the family for their loss,' he said. 'I want to be very clear, EDs will never turn away people requiring emergency care or treatment. 'I understand the local health district is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the family's contact with the hospital and that the family is being updated as that progresses.' Jacinta Allan has been confronted by a furious local who accused the Victorian Premier of abandoning communities during the state's bushfire disaster. Allan had been walking to deliver a press conference on Tuesday when she was ambushed by the woman. 'Shame on you, shame on you for what you've done to cause this situation, for what you're doing to not help us out,' the woman shouted. Victoria continues to battle catastrophic bushfires, with nearly 500 homes and buildings destroyed or damaged. Speaking to Sky News, the heckler launched a scathing attack on the Premier's handling of the crisis, claiming the government had misled the public over cuts to firefighting services. 'The policies of this government are what's caused this situation,' she said. She claimed frontline crews had been left without enough resources. 'To see even this morning the statement issued denying that funding had been cut to our services when we had firefighters on our doorstep crying, apologising for not being able to get trucks to us sooner, before having to leave fires, pick the ones they could help, they couldn't fight them all,' she said. Jacinta Allan (centre) was heckled by a woman in a hat while arriving to a press conference The woman also accused Allan of refusing to take responsibility. 'To see her go on TV and deny that she has any culpability and then the way they're managing the aftermath of this, people can't leave their homes to get supplies, all in the name of keeping people safe, which is of course the most important thing,' she said. The fires have turned deadly, after authorities on Tuesday confirmed the death of cattle farmer Max Hobson, who was killed in the Longwood fire near Seymour. His body was found just 100 metres from his vehicle. In December, the Victorian Opposition accused the Allan Government of cutting funding from the Country Fire Authority (CFA), a volunteer fire service that serves regional communities. They claim the budget showed a $7 million shortfall in the CFA budget over the financial year. Speaking on radio 3AW on Tuesday morning, Allan dismissed claims of funding cuts, reaffirming the government has consistently increased investment in Victoria's emergency services. 'We allocated an additional $80 million for earlier deployment of aircraft, extra equipment and staff, community awareness campaigns and better access to bulk water at fire grounds,' she said. The heckler (pictured) accused Allan of not providing enough resources to firefighters 'Now is not the time for politics, and I want to be clear: claims of a reduction in funding are wrong.' The CFA released a statement rejecting suggestions that funding had been cut or that volunteers and brigades were not prepared for the current fire season. 'The CFA budget has increased every year since Fire Services Reform in 2020, including a further $20.3 million this financial year,' CFA chief executive Greg Leach said. Mr Leach defended the government, confirming additional money had been provided on request. 'On advice from the Chief Officer, the board sought extra government funding to boost readiness and community preparedness ahead of this challenging fire season,' he said. 'This request resulted in an extra $11.6 million for Strategic Bulk Water Supply and a statewide engagement and awareness campaign.' Leaders of Iran's regime last night claimed that the country was back under their 'total control' after a brutal crackdown that has seen 648 confirmed fatalities and thousands more protesters feared dead. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the republic had quelled the unrest which he alleged was intended to force a US intervention. Araghchi vowed to 'hunt down' supposed foreign elements within Iran who he said had 'stoked and fuelled' the protests against the hardline Islamic government. To present an image of normality in the religious dictatorship the Iranian leadership turned the internet largely limited to state news and government websites back on after a fourday blackout. But with bodies piled up on the streets and hospitals and morgues full, human rights organisations indicated the death toll could be much higher. To add to the confusion, tens of thousands of progovernment demonstrators rallied in Tehran's Enghelab Square yesterday as the Iranian regime downplayed the protests. It came as Norwaybased Iran Human Rights (IHR) group suggested there was evidence more than 6,000 may have died. IHR director Mahmood AmiryMoghaddam said: 'The international community has a duty to protect civilian protesters against mass killings by the republic. 'According to some estimates more than 6,000 may have been killed but with the blackout imposed by the Iranian authorities it is extremely difficult to independently verify these reports.' Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Ayatollah condemned the US and Israel for attempting to overthrow the regime, while Russia condemned 'foreign powers' for interfering A car burns in the street of Tehran on January 9 2026. Leaders of Iran's regime last night claimed that the country was back under their 'total control' after a brutal crackdown that has seen 648 confirmed fatalities US President Donald Trump insisted last night that 'all options' including air strikes were still being considered by the White House. He also claimed that the Iranian government, fearing imminent US intervention, had been in contact to begin unspecified 'negotiations'. But on the surface Tehran kept up its belligerent tone. The regime summoned the UK, French, German and Italian envoys to protest at the countries' socalled support for the protesters. In a titfortat move, the European Parliament banned all Iranian diplomats and representatives from the assembly's premises. Last night, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke to Araghchi, calling on the Iranian government to 'immediately end the violence, uphold fundamental rights and freedoms and ensure British nationals are safe'. Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the US and Israel for attempting to overthrow the regime, while Russia condemned 'foreign powers' for interfering. The regime appears to have been boosted at least in the shortterm by Mr Trump's failure to follow through with a pledge to strike should protesters be killed. With possibly thousands already lying dead, reports from the White House that Khamenei was looking to leave Iran and that Russia could provide sanctuary appeared to be unfounded. Mass killings and economic impoverishment have characterised his 37year rule, during which previous uprisings were violently quashed. But in a move that indicated a US military intervention could still occur, France last night sent home nonessential staff from its embassy in the Iranian capital. Hundreds of protesters on the street of Tehran. While there has long been opposition to the regime's strict Islamic ideology, the current unrest in Iran was sparked by dire economic conditions including food shortages Progovernment demonstrators rallied in Tehran yesterday as the Iranian regime downplayed the protests Last night, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke to Araghchi, calling on the Iranian government to 'immediately end the violence, uphold fundamental rights and freedoms and ensure British nationals are safe' Mr Trump said he is considering what he termed 'very strong options' for a possible military response. And White House spokesman Karoline Leavitt said: 'One thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all his options on the table. And air strikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commanderinchief.' Iran remains crippled by US sanctions applied because it has refused to sacrifice its nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer last night refused to make it illegal to support Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the UK because he believes proscribing the group will only make Britain feel 'better about ourselves'. No 10 also said the Prime Minister 'utterly condemns' violence being used by authorities in Iran. While there has long been opposition to the regime's strict Islamic ideology, the current unrest in Iran was sparked by dire economic conditions including food shortages. Since protests began, 53 mosques and 180 ambulances have been set on fire. The regime claims ordinary Iranians would never target places of Islamic worship. Disney will launch its final cruise from Sydney Harbour next month in a major blow to millions of fans. Disney Cruise Lines announced last year it would be wrapping up its operations, which began in November 2023, with the final ship setting sail on February 2. 'We're always looking at different destinations to explore with our guests, along with our crew members,' Tristan, from Disney Cruise Line's shoreside guest services leadership team, told Yahoo in August. 'Sailings from Australia and New Zealand remain on our list for future consideration, however since future itineraries have not been released past the 2026/2027 season, we're not able to make any comments on that regrettably.' Instead, the closest Disney cruise for Aussies will now be stationed out of Singapore. It's understood one of the reasons for Disney Cruise Lines' demise was its high prices compared to other cruise lines sailing from Sydney. Some keen cruisers voiced their disappointment online and said they wouldn't be going on another Disney voyage unless it returned to Australia. 'It's too expensive as it is. Can't justify paying to travel somewhere to get on a cruise,' one person said, while another commented, 'I was on it in November last year and miss it so much. Hopefully one day in the future it comes back.' Disney's promise of making 'Dreams Come True' has fallen flat Down Under Politicians suggested five locations for Australia's first Disneyland, including Werribee, Fishermans Bend, Dandenong, Cranbourne and Frankston Another added: ' I won't be going on another one. I'm so sad.' Others said it was a great opportunity to get to explore other parts of the world. 'For Aussies, Singapore is the closest and airfares are pretty good. Changi Airport is great for easy access to Japan, Hong Kong or Shanghai to pop in a park visit,' one fan said. Disneyland's current locations include California, Hong Kong, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo, with Florida 's flagship park called Magic Kingdom. Plans have also been unveiled for a Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi. The move comes after Disney executives shot down rumours that a theme park may be built in Australia. Rumours that the Walt Disney Company was planning to build a park have swirled for years, with fans, politicians and tourism bodies alike joining in on the calls. Potential locations for the park were considered across Melbourne and the Gold Coast, with one Victorian politician even narrowing down three spots in his electorate. Disney Cruise Lines will set sail out of Sydney Harbour for the final time on February 2 Libertarian MP for South East Metro David Limbrick told the Victorian Parliament in 2024 that south-east Melbourne was the 'only logical place for the happiest place on earth', as his electorate is filled with tens of thousands of families with children 'looking for things to do'. However, Disney executives said Australia doesn't have the base population to support a park, unlike in California, where Disney's first theme park was built, which has a population of 33.5million, and Tokyo which has 39million residents. According to data gathering platform Statista, Disneyland Tokyo alone hosted approximately 15 million visitors in 2023 - a far cry from the 1 million visitors Australias largest theme park Dreamworld attracts each year. Village Road Show, who own Warner Bros. Movie World, SeaWorld, Wet Wild and Paradise Country and Australian Outback Spectacular, said they hosted over 4million guests across all of their theme parks by the end of financial year 2024. Pete Hegseth joked about Star Trek being 'real' during an event named after a dystopian episode of the sci-fi television series. The defense secretary appeared alongside Elon Musk at the billionaire's SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas on Monday as part of his high-profile 'Arsenal of Freedom' tour. As Hegseth walked on stage to promote the Pentagon's push for a non-woke artificial intelligence, the rock anthem 'Seven Nation Army' by The White Stipes played in the background. 'How about this,' Hegseth said as he flashed a Vulcan salute while standing next to Musk. 'Star Trek real.' Musk laughed at the pop culture reference from Hegseth. The lectern on stage read: Arsenal of Freedom, which is also the title of a Star Trek episode about a civilization destroyed by its own weapons. In his speech, Hegseth spoke about the global arms races, government bureaucracy and technological stagnation. 'Department of War AI will not be woke,' he said. 'We're building war-ready weapons and systems, not chatbots for an Ivy League faculty lounge.' The Arsenal of Freedom campaign aims to reshape how the US military builds weapons, adopts AI and partners with Silicon Valley. Musk also addressed the crowd to make clear his ambitions extend beyond defense contracts and into outer space. Pete Hegseth cracked a Star Trek joke making a Vulcan Salute while unveiling the Pentagon's non-'woke' AI push alongside Elon Musk at SpaceX's Starbase The Pentagon chief said the military must become an 'AI-first warfighting force' to stay ahead of adversaries (artist impression of robots fighting a war) 'We want to make Star Trek real,' Musk said describing a future of interplanetary travel and even journeys beyond the solar system as he welcomed brought Hegseth to the company's rocket manufacturing and launch hub. Hegseth's visit to Starbase marked a major stop on his month-long 'Arsenal of Freedom' tour, which the Defense Department says is designed to rebuild the military by engaging directly with the defense industrial base and speeding up innovation. 'You are the foundation of our defense industrial base - the foundation of great American manufacturers - who we trust to usher in that new golden age of peace through strength under President Trump,' Hegseth told the crowd. He declared the United States 'deadly serious' about dominating space, calling for 'a larger, more modern and more capable constellation of American satellites launched by American rockets from American soil, built by American engineers.' The secretary framed his message as a sharp break from the past, criticizing what he described as years of bureaucratic inertia at the Pentagon. 'Until President Trump took office, the Department of War's process for fielding new capabilities had not kept up with the times,' Hegseth said, lamenting 'endless projects with no accountable owners' and 'high churn with little progress and few outputs.' 'That sounds about like the exact opposite of SpaceX,' he added, calling the contrast 'a dangerous game with potentially fatal consequences.' The Defense Department published a lengthy document detailing how AI will be used Hegseth slammed what he called 'woke' AI while pushing an aggressive military tech overhaul The most pointed lines of the speech came as Hegseth took aim at what he called a 'risk-averse culture' inside the defense industry and vowed to upend it. 'This is about building an innovation pipeline that cuts through the overgrown bureaucratic underbrush and clears away the debris Elon-style - preferably with a chainsaw,' Hegseth said. As part of that effort, he confirmed that the Defense Department plans to integrate Musk's Grok AI platform into Pentagon systems, alongside Google's Gemini model, deploying them across both classified and unclassified networks. Hegseth said he has directed that 'all appropriate data' be shared across every service and component so it can be 'fully leveraged for warfighting capability development and operational advantage.' 'We must ensure that America's military AI dominates,' he said, warning that adversaries could exploit the same technology if the US hesitates. Hegseth also took aim at what he labeled 'woke' artificial intelligence, signaling that the Pentagon under his leadership will push past previous efforts to limit military AI use. 'We can no longer afford to wait a decade for our legacy prime contractors to deliver a perfect system,' he said. 'Winning requires a new playbook.' Hegseth said his vision for military AI systems means that they operate 'without ideological constraints that limit lawful military applications,' before adding that the Pentagon's 'AI will not be woke.' Musk framed the moment as part of a much larger vision turning science fiction into operational reality Hegseth's sci-fi quip carried irony, as Star Trek's 'Arsenal of Freedom' storyline warns of the dangers of unchecked military technology. Pictured, the USS Enterprise from Star Trek Musk introduced Hegseth at Starbase underscoring his growing influence in US defense policy Musk developed and pitched Grok as an alternative to what he called 'woke AI' interactions from rival chatbots like Googles Gemini or OpenAIs ChatGPT. In July, Grok also caused controversy after it appeared to make antisemitic comments that praised Adolf Hitler and shared several antisemitic posts. SpaceX has become one of the government's most important defense partners, authorized to launch sensitive national security satellites and holding billions of dollars in contracts with NASA and the US military. Starbase itself serves as the primary production and launch site for Starship, Musk's massive next-generation rocket designed to carry cargo, and eventually people, to the moon, Mars and beyond. The Biden administration enacted a framework in late 2024 that directed national security agencies to expand their use of the most advanced AI systems but prohibited certain uses, such as applications that would violate constitutionally protected civil rights or any system that would automate the deployment of nuclear weapons. It is unclear if those prohibitions are still in place under the Trump administration. During his speech, Hegseth spoke of the need to streamline and speed up technological innovations within the military, saying, 'We need innovation to come from anywhere and evolve with speed and purpose.' He noted that the Pentagon possesses 'combat-proven operational data from two decades of military and intelligence operations.' 'AI is only as good as the data that it receives, and were going to make sure that its there,' Hegseth said. A renewed push to resolve the long-running dispute over Australia Day is gaining momentum, with more than 14,000 people backing a proposal to shift the public holiday from January 26. The petition, launched by Indigenous-owned fashion label Clothing The Gap, calls for the creation of an 'Australian Long Weekend' by moving the holiday to the second-last Monday in January each year. Under the proposal, the public holiday would always fall between January 18 and January 24, ensuring it never coincides with January 26. 'For First Nations people, this day marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession and ongoing trauma, and has been resisted and protested for generations,' Clothing The Gap said. 'We are calling for the creation of an Australian Long Weekend by moving the Australia Day public holiday to the second-last Monday in January each year, creating a three-day national event. 'This is a small but meaningful shift that offers a practical, unifying alternative - one that reduces harm and respects the lived experiences of First Nations communities. 'This proposal would create a consistent summer long weekend, with the public holiday always falling between January 18 and January 24, and never on January 26. 'It would also create a three-day national celebration that is inclusive of First Nations people, supports truth-telling, and acknowledges our history before colonisation.' People marching during an Invasion Day rally in Sydney on January 26, 2025 Aussies celebrating Australia Day on Break Island on the Gold Coast The organisers have urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to consider the proposal. 'As a nation that prides itself on multiculturalism and equality, Australia must strive to commemorate a time that unites rather than divides its people,' they said. 'By changing the date of Australia Day, we can take a significant step towards reconciliation and healing.' Australia Day falls on January 26, marking the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Harbour in 1788, when Governor Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. However, many Australians, particularly Indigenous and First Nations people, see it as 'Invasion Day' or a 'Day of Mourning.' Every year, rallies take place in major cities, with thousands of protesters calling for the holiday to be scrapped or moved. Federal investigators are reportedly investigating ICE shooting victim Renee Good's possible connections with activist groups protesting President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. FBI investigators - who have kicked local police off of the probe and are now leading it - have said they are conducting a thorough inquiry into the fatal shooting, including an analysis of the actions Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross took as well as physical evidence like the handgun used to kill Good. Those familiar with the investigation reportedly told The New York Times that the civil rights division of the Department of Justice, which typically investigates police-involved shootings, has not opened a probe into whether Ross violated Good's rights under federal law. Ross is 'increasingly unlikely' to face criminal charges, the Times reported. Instead, the Justice Department is reportedly planning to look into a wide group of activists who took part in a Minneapolis neighborhood ICE watch activities, believing they were 'instigators' of the shooting. It remains unclear whether Good, a 37-year-old mother-of-three, was involved in any activism in Minneapolis besides participating in the protest against ICE actions on the day that she was killed - however the FBI is reportedly determined to find out. Witnesses have said Good and her wife, Rebecca, were acting as legal observers and filming the protest. In harrowing footage from the scene, Rebecca admitted she encouraged Good to confront agents. 'I made her come down here, it's my fault,' she cried. Friends, though, have claimed Good became involved in activism through her six-year-old son's charter school and its local 'ICE Watch group,' which is a coalition of activists who seek to disrupt immigration raids. Federal investigators are said to be looking into ICE shooting victim Renee Nicole Good's possible connections with activist groups The 37-year-old was fatally shot in Minneapolis by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross (pictured), who sources said is not expected to face criminal charges Good was shot last Wednesday after she drove her Honda Pilot toward Ross 'She was a warrior. She died doing what was right,' a mother named Leesa who has a child at the same school as Good's son told The New York Post. '[Renee Good] was trained against these ICE agents what to do, what not to do, it's a very thorough training. 'I know she was doing the right thing. I watched the video plenty of times but I also know in my heart the woman she was, she was doing everything right.' In surveillance footage, Good was seen apparently blocking 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 - exited the vehicle and eventually began filming. There is 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. Other footage from the shooting shows an officer approaching Good's stopped SUV. He grabbed the handle as he allegedly demanded she open the door. Good was seen apparently blocking 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 (pictured) - exited the vehicle and eventually began filming Her Honda Pilot then 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. Almost immediately after the shooting, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described Good's actions as 'an act of domestic terrorism' as she defended Ross as an experienced law enforcement professional who followed his training. She claimed he shot Good after he believed she was trying to run him or other agents over with her vehicle. President Trump also called the Good a 'professional agitator' and claimed she was shot in 'self-defense.' He then reiterated that message on Sunday, saying Good was 'very violent' and 'very radical,' calling her and her wife 'professional agitators' and suggesting that federal authorities would 'find out who's paying for it.' Witnesses have said Good and her wife, Rebecca, were acting as legal observers and filming the protest on Wednesday In harrowing footage from the scene, Rebecca admitted she encouraged Good to confront agents Experts in domestic terrorism cases now say the Trump administration jumped the gun in claiming that Good was a 'domestic terrorist' and failed to follow traditional procedures for determining whether a case should be classified as domestic terrorism. 'There used to be a process, deliberate and considered, to figure out if behavior could be legitimately described as domestic terrorism,' Thomas E Brzozowski, former counsel for domestic terrorism in the Justice Department's national security division, told the Times. 'And when it's not followed, then the term becomes little more than a political cudgel to bash one's enemies.' Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo last month that greatly expanded the federal government's definition of domestic terrorism, classifying it as not just recognizably violent crimes like rioting and looting, but also including things like impeding law enforcement officers or doxxing them. The memo asserted that domestic terrorists use violence or the threat of violence to advance 'political and social agendas,' all of which are traditionally associated with progressive activism, according to The Times. Among the causes the memo listed were opposition to immigration enforcement, anticapitalism and 'hostility towards traditional views on family, religion and morality.' 'When you have a memo like this, it complicates things because it builds in a set of assumptions about what domestic terrorism is and what is not,' Brzozowski said. 'If you're an investigator in the field, you can't simply run away from this new definition,' he added. 'You have to deal with it.' The Trump administration has defended Ross (pictured with his wife), saying he is an experienced law enforcement professional who followed his training Meanwhile, officials in Minnesota are trying to take matters into their own hands by suing the Trump administration in an effort to block immigration enforcement operations. The lawsuit asks a federal court in Minnesota to declare the surge of new ICE agent arrivals unconstitutional and unlawful, alleging that Operation Metro Surge violates federal law because it is arbitrary - noting that other states are not seeing equitable crackdowns. State officials are also seeking 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. They are further asking a judge to prevent the federal government from arresting US citizens and visa holders without probable cause that they have committed a crime. While the Trump administration says the surge in immigration raids in Minnesota is about fighting fraud, the lawsuit says ICE agents have no expertise in combatting fraud in government programs. It instead claims the federal government is targeting Minnesota over politics, which it says is a violation of the First Amendment. She received more than $376,000 in donations by Tuesday A hero police officer who single-handedly took down Joel Cauchi's murderous stabbing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction has surpassed the donation goal for her cancer treatment. 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. She went on to perform CPR until paramedics arrived but he was unable to be revived. It was revealed on Monday by NSW Police Legacy that she had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. The fundraiser set up for her has now received more than $376,000 in donations - more than 10 times the goal of $25,000. Comments under the fundraiser showed people donating were grateful to give back to the policewoman who saved lives during the 2024 attack. 'Your actions at Westfield directly helped to keep our family safe. We are forever grateful,' one person wrote. 'We are thinking of you and your family as you face this battle.' Inspector Amy Scott (pictured) has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive breast cancer More than $376,000 was raised by Aussies to help fund treatment for Insp Scott (pictured with her wife and children) Insp Scott (left) single-handedly took down knifeman Joel Cauchi (right) during the 2024 Westfield Bondi Junction attack Another person wrote: 'Best wishes for a quick recovery, Amy, you are a true hero.' The Inspector Amy Scott Appeal was created by a third party on the NSW Police Legacy website. 'Our beautiful friend and colleague, Inspector Amy Scott, has recently been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer,' the description reads. '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. '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.' Cauchi killed six people during the stabbing (pictured top left to bottom right: Ashlee Good, Faraz Tahir, Jade Young, Dawn Singleton, Pikria Darchia and Cheng Yixuan) More than 6,000 people donated to the fundraiser in 24 hours (pictured, Insp Scott receiving the Commissioner's Valour Award from former NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb) Police Minister Yasmin Catley on Tuesday said 'the generosity of our community is tremendous and a measure of the enormous regard in which Amy is held by the public of NSW'. 'On behalf of the NSW Government, I cannot thank everyone who has donated enough,' she told news.com.au. 'So far, more than 6,000 people have joined the effort to support Amy and her family.' NSW Premier Chris Minns has also said he was devastated by the news. 'I spoke to Amy a couple of weeks ago. She's a genuine, bona fide Australian hero. Someone that 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. The Inspector Amy Scott Appeal described her as a 'devoted wife' and 'a loving mother of two young boys' (pictured with her sons) Insp Scott (pictured with her wife) was extremely humble following her brave actions '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 the NSW Police Force community to get her through the tough memories of the day and 'back on the tools'. 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 into 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. The Palestinian author at the centre of the Adelaide Writers Festival controversy has issued an extraordinary statement about the Bondi terror attack, just hours after the event was axed. Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah was disinvited from the Adelaide Writers' Week last week amid concerns over 'cultural sensitivity' in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. The decision sparked a mass exodus of the festival's talent, with more than 180 writers and commentators, including former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, planning to boycott the event in late February. However on Tuesday afternoon, Adelaide Festival confirmed the event had been axed and that the entire board of directors would step down. In a statement posted to her Instagram, Dr Abdel-Fattah slammed the board for its actions. 'The Bondi terrorist attack was abhorrent and horrifying. Yet it is astonishing to see the Board's erasure of terrorist attacks against First Nations' peoples in Australia, as well as the erasure of the Australian-perpetuated terrorist attack in Christchurch,' Dr Abdel-Fattah said. 'This is not about oppression Olympics, but truthful reckoning with the violence of this colony and understanding the connections between violence not the exceptions.' Dr Abdel-Fattah continued: 'And this is why it is never more important to understand that whilst this was all triggered by a blatant act of anti-Palestinian racism against me as an individual person, it is clear that settler colonial and white supremacist violence against one marginalised person represents violence against all marginalised people.' Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah was disinvited from the Adelaide Writers' Week last week Adelaide Festival also issued a public apology to Dr Abdel-Fattah for how the decision to disinvite her was represented - something she refused to accept. 'Because I have too much respect for myself and for my people, for those who have suffered irreparable harm by the Board's conduct, for the brilliant Louise Adler who was forced on principle to resign, I refuse and reject the Board's apology,' Dr Abdel-Fattah said. 'It is disingenuous. It adds insult to injury. It is clear that the board's regret extends to how the message of my cancellation was conveyed, not the decision itself.' The news comes just hours after the Adelaide Writers' Week director Louise Adler publicly resigned from her post in an opinion article on Tuesday morning. 'The Adelaide festival board's decision despite my strongest opposition to disinvite Abdel-Fattah from the Adelaide writers' week weakens freedom of speech and is the harbinger of a less free nation where lobbying and political pressure determine who gets to speak and who doesn't,' she wrote. 'I cannot be party to silencing writers so, with a heavy heart, I am resigning from my role as the director of the AWW. Writers and writing matter, even when they are presenting ideas that discomfort and challenge us.' Ms Adler's resignation was just one of many departures, with half of the board having resigned over the weekend, following its decision to disinvite Dr Abdel-Fattah. Director Louise Adler publicly resigned from her post in an opinion article on Tuesday morning In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Adelaide Festival said the decision to axe the event was a 'deeply regrettable outcome.' '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,' they said. 'We recognise and deeply regret the distress this decision has caused to our audience, artists and writers, donors, corporate partners, the government and our own staff and people.' Dr Abdel-Fattah had been criticised for past anti-Zionist comments, which included the statement, 'If you are a Zionist you have no claim or right to cultural safety.' SA Premier Peter Malinauskas has also denied accusations that he pressured the board to cancel her appearance. Greg Bovino, the face of Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, praised ICE agent Jonathan Ross for his work during the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good. The Border Patrol commander spoke to Fox News Monday about the escalation in rhetoric on both sides and new footage that has emerged in the days since Good was killed which shows both she and her wife taunting Ross. Bovino said that Good and her wife Rebecca's actions leading up to the shots fired were 'a means, intent and opportunity.' 'Means, Opportunity, Intent' is a common framework for law enforcement on whether to justify using force. 'Did that individual have the intent?' he said. 'Look at those minutes leading up to the shooting and we will see what I would consider some pretty important intent.' He then describes Good's vehicle as a 'four-thousand pound missile' headed toward Ross and surmises that she also had the opportunity and the means to attack Ross. 'A four-thousand pound missile is not something anyone wants to face, especially in a split second decision-making process in a very inhospitable environment,' Bovino said. He concluded: 'Hats off to that ICE agent, I'm glad he made it out alive, I'm glad he's with his family.' Greg Bovino (pictured), the face of Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, praised ICE agent Jonathan Ross for his work during the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good The Border Patrol commander spoke to Fox News Monday about the escalation in rhetoric on both sides and new footage that has emerged in the days since Good (pictured) was killed which shows both she and her wife taunting Ross Democrats have almost universally condemned Ross for the shooting, with liberal celebrities even wearing pins in honor of Good at Sunday's Golden Globes. 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. 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. ICE agent Jonathan 'Jon' Ross fatally shot Good six months after he was dragged 100 yards by a car in a separate incident 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. 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. The GoFundMe campaign to support Good's wife, Rebecca, as well as Good's children amassed more than 38,500 donations in the four days since it was started. An online fundraiser to support the family of Renee Nicole Good (pictured) has closed after raising more than $1.5 million in donations Meanwhile, a separate fundraiser for Jonathan Ross has raised over $300,000, with help from hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman Funds poured in quickly after 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. Meanwhile, a separate fundraiser for Ross has raised over $300,000, with help from hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman. 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. Neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network (NSN) has announced it will disband ahead of new laws set to classify them as a terrorist organisation. The group confirmed they would be 'fully disbanded' by 11:59pm on January 18 in a message posted to Telegram on Tuesday afternoon. 'The disbandment includes not only the National Socialist Network, but its co-projects White Australia, the European Australian Movement and the White Australia Party,' the statement read. 'If the laws pass, there will no way to avoid the organisation being banned. The legislation allows the government to ban any organisation that has given Roman salutes in the past. 'The disbandment is being done before the laws take effect to avoid former members of the organisations from being arrested and charged. 'These are some of the most draconian laws the West has ever seen, 'In Australia, political freedom is effectively dead and buried. The Australian government, on behalf of the Jewish lobby, is criminalising peaceful opposition groups based on their political expression. 'Blood and Honour.' Thomas Sewell (pictured) announced that the National Socialist Network would be disbanded The statement released by the NSN on Tuesday afternoon declaring they were disbanding The statement was signed by leader Thomas Sewell, Jacob Hersant, Jack Eltis, Timothy Lutze, Gabe Seymour, Hagen Palme and Joshua Leverington. The Albanese government will next week unveil sweeping measures to crack down on neo-Nazi and other extremist groups across Australia, following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. Central to the reforms is a new power to declare 'hate organisations', allowing authorities to ban groups that promote violence or vilification - even if they haven't committed terrorist acts. The changes are designed to target neo-Nazi networks that have previously operated in legal grey areas. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has named the National Socialist Network (NSN) and radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir as key organisations set to be outlawed under the new laws. Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Jonno Duniam welcomed the news in a statement, but said the Albanese government must ensure there is no replacement. 'Groups whose operating model is to espouse racism and antisemitism should have no place in Australia,' Duniam said. 'We call on the Government to make sure that this group wont simply recreate themselves through another means, whether that is a political party or otherwise, to circumvent these changes and escape prosecution. Members of the NSN staged a rally in front of the NSW Parliament in November last year Matthew Gruter (right) lashed out against media when arriving in South Africa 'The Albanese Government must also clarify whether this disbandment actually makes it harder to prosecute the individuals responsible for spreading hate, intimidation and extremism.' Duniam also said law enforcement must also retain the strongest possible powers to pursue extremists as individuals, not just as members of a named organisation. The NSN has ramped up recruitment in recent months, staging a protest outside NSW Parliament, a demonstration controversially approved by authorities. Immigration controls will also form a key part of the crackdown, with the Home Affairs Minister able to cancel visas for foreign extremists, a measure already used against NSN members. South African civil engineer Matthew Gruter was detained after joining the rally outside NSW Parliament. His visa was revoked under Section 116 of the Migration Act on 'character and public interest' grounds, and he left Australia voluntarily with his wife and infant child. Gruter was filmed physically lashing out at photographers at Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in December. Daily Mail footage showed the young family pushing trolleys piled high with luggage after landing, with the engineer clearly frustrated by the media attention trailing him overseas. He shoved a cameraman, snapping, 'that's enough now', before asking photographers if they were 'trying to get [his family] attacked and murdered in South Africa'. Ryan Turner, a British national living in Western Australia and believed to be linked to the NSN, had his visa cancelled under Section 501. Burke cited Turner's extremist affiliations, triggering his detention and pending deportation, despite no criminal conviction. It remains unclear whether the new laws will affect the group or its members after disbandment. Daily Mail has contacted Home Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office for comment. He was granted bail but cannot leave WA Best-selling Australian children's author Craig Silvey has been charged with child exploitation offences. Silvey, 43, was allegedly found 'actively engaging with other child exploitation offenders online' when police raided his home in Fremantle, which he shares with his partner Clare Testoni and daughters just 22km south of Perth CBD, on Monday. 'On Monday, detectives executed a search warrant at the man's Fremantle home where they allegedly located him actively engaging with other child exploitation offenders online,' WA Police said in a statement. 'He was immediately arrested, and his electronic devices were seized.' Silvey, best known for writing Jasper Jones and Runt, was charged with one count of distribution of child exploitation material and one count of possession of child exploitation material, court documents show. The father of three appeared in Fremantle Court on Tuesday but wasn't required to enter a plea. Magistrate Thomas Hall granted Silvey bail with both a $100,000 surety and a $100,000 personal undertaking, noting 'imprisonment is a likely outcome' of his case, the ABC reported. Silvey cannot leave WA or engage in any work involving children, per his bail conditions. Best-selling children's author Craig Silvey (pictured) has been charged with child exploitation offences Police raided Silvey's Fremantle home, which he shares with his partner Clare Testoni (pictured together) and daughters, on Monday Silvey (pictured) was charged with one count of distribution of child exploitation material and one count of possession of child exploitation material Silvey (pictured) is not permitted to leave WA as per his bail conditions His internet access has also been restricted to legal advice, banking and medical purposes. Prosecutors alleged Silvey had used adult websites under the username 'Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy'. Silvey's lawyer argued it would be difficult for the author not to use the internet as he is self-employed. However, the magistrate addressed Silvey directly, saying: 'I'm sure you appreciate these are serious charges.' Silvey is expected to face court again on February 10. The Daily Mail has contacted Silvey's publisher for comment. He was due to publish another instalment of the Runt series in November 2026. Surveillance footage has been released of the moments before a man set Mississippi's largest synagogue ablaze in an antisemitic attack. Stephen Pittman, 19, was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive. In footage shot in the middle of the night, Pittman can be seen emptying a can of gasoline all over the hallway to the synagogue, ensuring that any fire would spread with ferocity once lit. Pittman is seen both masked and hooded as he pours liquid on the floor and a couch in the building's lobby. The fire ripped through the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson shortly after Pittman was done with dousing the interior just after 3am on Saturday. No congregants or firefighters were injured in the blaze. Firefighters arrived to find flames billowing out of windows and all doors to the synagogue locked, the chief of investigations for the Jackson Fire Department, Charles D. Felton Jr., said. Local and federal officials, including from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, arrested Pittman for investigation of arson at a hospital where that he had non-life threatening burns. The teen suspect confessed to lighting a fire inside the building, which he referred to as 'the synagogue of Satan,' according to an FBI affidavit filed in US District Court in Mississippi on Monday. Surveillance footage captures the suspect methodically pouring gasoline across floors and furniture inside the synagogue, ensuring the fire would spread rapidly once lit The video shows the arsonist masked and hooded, moving through the building in the middle of the night moments before the blaze erupted Fire damage to the Beth Israel Congregation synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi is seen At a first appearance hearing Monday in federal court, a public defender was appointed for Pittman, who attended via video conference call from a hospital bed. Both of his hands were visibly bandaged. He told the judge that he was a high school graduate and had three semesters of college. Prosecutors said he could face five to 20 years in prison if convicted. When the judge read him his rights, Pittman said, 'Jesus Christ is Lord.' Pittman is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary and detention hearing on January 20. Photos showed the charred remains of an administrative office and synagogue library, where several Torahs were destroyed or damaged. Attorney General Pam Bondi said she has instructed prosecutors to seek 'severe penalties,' according to a statement provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi. The suspect's father contacted the FBI and said his son had confessed to setting the building on fire. Pittman had texted his father a photo of the rear of the synagogue before the fire, with the message, 'There's a furnace in the back.' His father had pleaded with his son to return home, but 'Pittman replied back by saying he was due for a homerun and `I did my research,' the affidavit said. Investigators say the footage provides a chilling visual record of how deliberately the fire was set just after 3am Beth Israel Congregation, Mississippi's largest synagogue, has been razed in an arson attack over the weekend, and a suspect, Stephen Pittman, 19, has been taken into custody The fire tore through Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson around 3am on Saturday During an interview with investigators, Pittman said he had stopped at a gas station on his way to the synagogue to purchase the gas used in the fire. He also took the license plate off his vehicle at the gas station. He used an ax to break out a window of the synagogue, poured gas inside and used a torch lighter to start the fire, the FBI affidavit said. The FBI later recovered a burned cellphone believed to be Pittmans and took possession of a hand torch that a congregant had found. Yellow police tape on Monday blocked off the entrances to the synagogue building, which was surrounded by broken glass and soot. Bouquets of flowers were laid on the ground at the building's entrance - including one with a note that said, 'I'm so very sorry.' Local and national officials, religious figures and activists condemned the fire at the 160-year-old synagogue, the largest in Mississippi and the only one in Jackson. It was the site of a Ku Klux Klan bombing in 1967 - a response to the congregations role in civil rights activities, according to the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, which also houses its office in the building. The home of the synagogue's rabbi, an outspoken critic of racial segregation, was also bombed two months later by the same group. 'That history reminds us that attacks on houses of worship, whatever their cause, strike at the heart of our shared moral life,' CJ Rhodes, a prominent black Baptist pastor in Jackson, said in a Facebook post. The arson underscores the importance of interfaith solidarity in standing up to hate and bigotry, said Jim Berk, CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Los Angeles-based organization focused on combating antisemitism. This photo provided by Beth Israel Congregation shows damage sustained during a fire Beth Israel Congregation President Zach Shemper said there was 'significant' soot and smoke throughout the building, but nobody was injured Boards cover the charred remains of the Beth Israel Congregation library, which was set on fire Burnt debris from a fire at the Beth Israel Congregation glint in the sun on Monday A note attached to a bundle of flowers left outside the Beth Israel Congregation reads, 'I am so very sorry' 'It was an assault on the heart of Jewish life in the South, and on a legacy shaped in partnership with the Black community through the long, unfinished struggle for civil rights,' Berk said in a statement. 'This attack is not only an act of antisemitism, it is an assault on that legacy, testing whether the lessons of that era still hold.' 'That it has been attacked again, amid a surge of antisemitic incidents across the US, is a stark reminder: antisemitic violence is escalating, and it demands total condemnation and swift action from everyone,' Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of The Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement. 'This news puts a face and name to this tragedy, but does not change our resolve to proudly - even defiantly - continue Jewish life in Jackson in the face of hatred,' the Beth Israel Congregation wrote in a statement. The congregation is assessing damage but will continue its regular worship programs and services for Shabbat, the weekly Jewish Sabbath, likely at one of the local churches that reached out, said Michele Schipper, CEO of the Institute of Southern Jewish Life and a past president of the congregation. 'We are a resilient people,' said Beth Israel Congregation President Zach Shemper. 'With support from our community, we will rebuild.' One Torah that survived the Holocaust was behind glass and was not damaged in the fire, Schipper said. Five Torahs - the sacred scrolls with the text of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible - inside the sanctuary are being assessed for smoke damage. Two Torahs inside the library, where the most severe damage was done, were destroyed, according to a synagogue representative. The floors, walls and ceiling of the sanctuary were covered in soot, and the synagogue will have to replace upholstery and carpeting. The fire ripped through the Beth IsraelCongregation in Jackson shortly after Pittman was done with dousing the interior just after 3am on Saturday Jackson Mayor John Horhn described the suspected arson as an act of 'religious hatred' Beth Israel Congregation, pictured before the fire, is the only synagogue in the city, and is the largest of the 14 synagogues in Mississippi The midcentury modern building not only housed the congregation but also the Jewish Federation, a nonprofit provider of social services and philanthropy that is the hub of Jewish society in most US cities. The synagogue is pictured in 2018 With just several hundred people in the community, it has never been particularly easy being Jewish in Mississippi's capital city, but members of Beth Israel have taken special pride in keeping their traditions alive in the heart of the Deep South. Nearly every aspect of Jewish life in Jackson could be found under Beth Israel's roof. The midcentury modern building not only housed the congregation but also the Jewish Federation, a nonprofit provider of social services and philanthropy that is the hub of Jewish society in most US cities. The building also is home to the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, which provides resources to Jewish communities in 13 southern states. A Holocaust memorial was outdoors behind the synagogue building. Because Jewish children throughout the South have attended summer camp for decades in Utica, Mississippi, about 30 miles southwest of Jackson, many retain a fond connection to the state and its Jewish community. 'Jackson is the capital city, and that synagogue is the capital synagogue in Mississippi,' said Rabbi Gary Zola, a historian of American Jewry who taught at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. 'I would call it the flagship, though when we talk about places like New York and Los Angeles, it probably seems like Hicksville.' Beth Israel as a congregation was founded in 1860 and acquired its first property, where it built Mississippi's first synagogue, after the Civil War. In 1967, the synagogue moved to its current location. A former real estate agent who slammed a cream crepe into the face of a chief minister has been given a 12-month suspended jail sentence for aggravated assault. Suzanne Lee Milgate was found guilty in December after being filmed hitting then-chief minister Natasha Fyles with the thin pastry at Darwin's Nightcliff Markets in September 2023. Sentencing Milgate in Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, Judge Julie Franz ruled the crepe was an 'offensive weapon' that had caused injury to Ms Fyles who was left with bruising around her eye. Milgate, who has had her real estate agent's licence revoked for harassing tenants, described the crepe incident as an act of 'protest' against COVID-19 vaccine mandates by Ms Fyles. She told the court during her trial her husband had suffered a stroke in January 2020 and required an operation, but could not get a vaccine exemption. Milgate represented herself on Tuesday, first making applications for the judge and the prosecutor to disqualify themselves from the case, claiming they were biased and had colluded with Ms Fyles against her. 'I feel like all of you are her agents ... when the battle is just between me and her,' she said, standing at the lawyers' bench. Milgate, who was 56 at the time of the crepe incident, said she had been on national television to say sorry but Ms Fyles had refused her apology. Suzanne Lee Milgate (pictured) was found guilty after being filmed hitting then-chief minister Natasha Fyles with a cream crepe at Darwin's Nightcliff Markets in September 2023 Judge Julie Franz ruled that the crepe was an 'offensive weapon' that caused injury to Fyles Ms Fyles (pictured) suffered bruising around her eye following the incident Judge Franz rejected both applications to disqualify herself and the prosecutor, saying she was not of the view there was bias in the matter. Milgate said she had never been a bad person and would 'never hurt a fly'. Judge Franz accepted Milgate's offending in the crepe incident was out of character and that she had previously been of excellent good character. But when Milgate kept interrupting sentencing remarks, the judge warned her she would call security in. The offending was not a legitimate protest against COVID mandates, but an aggravated assault that had hurt and distressed Ms Fyles, Judge Franz said, noting the maximum penalty for the offence was five years in jail. The offending was premeditated, as Milgate had asked someone beforehand to film the crepe attack, with no remorse shown later, the judge said. She took into account Milgate had been suffering stress, anxiety and depression at the time of the incident, had lost her real estate business and livelihood and had spent 24 days in jail after being arrested. When Milgate heard she had been given a 12-month suspended jail sentence she began to cry and thanked the judge, saying 'you redeemed yourself'. Outside court Milgate told reporters the result was not fair because it stopped her getting her real estate licence back, but she would appeal. Cabinet splits are emerging over whether to ban social media for under-16s, with ministers facing mounting pressure to act after Australia took the step last month. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said an Australian-style ban was 'not the right way to go', but Wes Streeting voiced interest in it because of the impact on children's health. The comments follow Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's commitment to ban under-16s from social media such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Downing Street said ministers were monitoring the Australian scheme, which fines companies for breaches instead of punishing children and parents. But Mr Kyle told Times Radio the Government was not looking at a ban, while the Health Secretary said: 'We're allowing a lot of unsupervised use of technology.' Now you can have your say in the Daily Mail's latest poll do you back such a ban? In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Should Britain get involved in military action against the Iranian regime?' Some 76% of you said 'no' and 24% said 'yes'. A British burger bar boss is facing up to a year in prison for reckless driving and exposing his genitals while allegedly high on drugs in Thailand. Lee Terry Obrien, 24, from Clacton-on-Sea, allegedly took a mixture of meth and caffeine before racing through the roads of Phuket with his friends on January 10. While allegedly high, the tourist was behind the wheel of a rented bright yellow jeep speeding through the busy highway. Dashcam footage appears to show him hurtling past cars, sparking alarm as he drove over the central reservation. The shirtless driver later shocked motorists when he stepped out of the vehicle to urinate in the middle of the road during a traffic jam. Thalang Police arrested Lee the next day, January 11, following reports from outraged locals who slammed his 'reckless' behaviour. The Brit, who is listed as the director of Billy's Burger Bar, was driving along the same road, in the same jeep, when he was detained at around 2pm local time. Holidaymaker Lee is said to have admitted to being the driver in the videos. An alcohol breath test returned negative, but a drug test showed he had 'Yaba' - an combination of methamphetamine and caffeine - in his system. The Brit was hauled to the police station, where he was charged with 'public obscenity, driving under the influence of a Category I narcotic, illegal consumption of a Category I narcotic, and driving without a licence'. Lee Terry Obrien, 24, from Clacton-on-Sea, allegedly took a mixture of meth and caffeine before racing through the roads of Phuket with his friends on January 10 While allegedly high, Lee (pictured) was behind the wheel of a rented bright yellow jeep speeding through the busy highway Holidaymaker Lee is said to have admitted to being the driver in the videos. He now faces up to a year in prison for the catalogue of alleged offences. Officers said in a statement: 'Mr Lee Terry Obrien was detained at the Thalang district station for legal proceedings. He admitted to being the person in the video and will be prosecuted for the behaviour.' Yaba is produced largely in the crime-ridden Golden Triangle Region, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Meth is classified as a category 1 substance in Thailand, where consumption is punishable by up to three years in jail and a fine of up to 60,000 baht. Public obscenity is punishable with a fine of up to 5,000 Baht or a month in prison. Meanwhile, driving under the influence of a Category I narcotic such as meth carries a jail term of up to a year. The once-pristine island of Phuket has been marred by over-tourism as the Thai government implements a visa-free scheme to boost revenue following the barren pandemic years. However, angry locals claim the push for tourist dollars has attracted crowds of 'low-quality' visitors. Donald Trump has taken a swipe at Europe by posting an image of him gazing out of a White House window at a map of Greenland. The official White House account took to Instagram on Monday night to upload an edited image of what was originally the US President looking out at the construction site of his future ballroom. The revised image, however, swapped out the building works for a map of Greenland alongside the caption 'Monitoring the situation', just hours after Trump insisted the US would take control of the territory 'one way or another'. It comes after Trump confirmed that he wants to make a deal with Greenland, as it will be 'easier' than taking control of the Arctic territory through military means - warning that if the US does not make a move, Russia or China will. He then doubled down on his demand for control, claiming the takeover would happen, even if it strains relationships with NATO and upsets the military alliance. 'If it affects NATO, then it affects NATO,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday. 'But, you know, they need us much more than we need them, I will tell you that right now.' The president said that 'Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,' adding that the territory would benefit from closer ties with the US, particularly when it comes to defence. 'Greenland, basically their defense is two dogsleds,' he continued. '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.' The White House uploaded an edited image of Donald Trump looking out of a window at a map of Greenland The original image shows Trump looking towards the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House, the future site of his ballroom, as he attended a meeting with oil industry executives, at the White House, January 9, 2026 The construction of US President Donald Trump's White House ballroom continues in Washington DC, January 12, 2026 Trump provided no evidence to back up his claims that Russian and Chinese vessels are operating near Greenland - something that Denmark disputes. Responding to Trump's claims that the US needed to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future, Beijing said the United States should not use other countries as an excuse to advance its own strategic interests. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: 'The Arctic concerns the overall interests of the international community,' adding that China's activities in the Arctic aim to promote stability and sustainable development in the region. Mao also said that all countries' rights and freedoms to operate lawfully in the Arctic should be respected. 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. 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. On Sunday night, Trump again insisted that US acquisition of Greenland is a national security necessity. It comes as the mayor of Greenland's capital city, Nuuk, told of her dread of the day that American warships appear on the horizon. Avaaraq Olsen added that there were rising concerns and distress due to the 'fake news' being spread by Trump and his team. In a statement shared by The Mirror, she said: 'To Donald Trump I would say I don't want him here... I really do think that they have to stop lying about Greenland... like when he said that we have Russian and Chinese ships surrounding Greenland. 'That kind of statement is also hurting people in Greenland. Really the lying has to stop.' Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, is defended by Denmark, whose military is far smaller than that of the United States. 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 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 Arctic territory inevitable Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 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. NATO member countries are now discussing the next steps on how to collectively keep the Arctic safe, alliance chief Mark Rutte said on Monday. 'We are working on the next steps to make sure that indeed, we collectively protect what is at stake here,' Mr Rutte said while visiting Zagreb, Croatia. 'All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security,' he added. 'With sea lanes opening up, there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active.' He said talks on Arctic security started last year and member countries were now looking at 'how to make sure that we give practical follow-up on those discussions'. 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. US secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to hold talks with Denmark about Greenland at White House on Wednesday. The UK is also believed to be in discussions with other NATO countries to send British troops to Greenland to deter 'Russian aggression'. On Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer told Trump in a call that 'more could be done to protect' the Arctic region and agreed with the president on the 'need to deter an increasingly aggressive Russia in the High North'. Germany has also confirmed talks are underway in NATO to bolster security in the Arctic. White House officials have floated the idea of purchasing the territory instead of taking it by force, and Reuters reported on Thursday that they are exploring the possibility of offering payments directly to Greenlanders to encourage them to break away from Denmark and possibly align with the United States. This is the extraordinary moment a gunman fired into the front door of a family home on a residential street before a terrified mother called 999 for help. The masked man was filmed walking onto the driveway of the property in Luton, Bedfordshire, before pulling out a double-barrelled shotgun from his backpack. Footage captured on a Ring doorbell at night showed the porch light coming on as the gunman stood outside before firing at the front door then running away. The clip formed part of evidence for a major drugs bust which features in a new episode of 24 Hours In Police Custody airing on Channel 4 at 9pm this evening. A woman inside the home calls 999, telling the call handler: 'Yeah, somebody is shooting on my door, shot, they're shooting seven people in the house, children.' She adds that the 'somebody's outside, somebody shot the door' before telling others inside the house: 'Don't go anybody, don't go near the door, come back.' The distressed woman is also asked by the call handler: 'Do you know who could have done it, have you seen anybody?' But she replies: 'I have no idea, no idea.' The handler says: 'We're on the way, alright, just stay on the line with me.' The woman then replies: 'Please, I have children in the house.' And the handler says: 'Yep, we're going to get there. Right, calm down, we'll get there as soon as we can.' The man is filmed walking up to the door of a home in Luton, Bedfordshire, with a backpack The man takes a double-barrelled shotgun out of his backpack before firing it at the front door The shooter later fled Britain but police saw encrypted messages from a local drug supplier known as 'Frontrunner' which led them to suspect he supplied the weapon. A message he sent on Encrochat said: 'Gave mine to a mate the other day, mine's a shotty.' Officers believe the man is 28-year-old Ethan Mitchell and try to find him. The documentary shows Mitchell taking police on a high-speed chase, mounting a kerb and eventually being caught after a detective spots him walking down the street. He is arrested and a search of his van and property finds cocaine, ecstasy and about 40,000 of cash in a safe. Mitchell was later found not guilty of conspiracy to to supply a firearm, after his defence argued that messages he sent about the shotgun attack were not intended to be taken seriously. However he was jailed for five years in February 2021 for possession with intent to supply MDMA, cocaine and possession of criminal property. Then in June 2023, Mitchell was jailed for a further four years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, cannabis, ketamine and MDMA. The documentary also looks at how police smashed a major Luton drugs ring operating on EncroChat, an encrypted chat network. The episode shows Polish cocaine importer Blazej Holub being arrested at Luton Airport when he got off a flight from Warsaw after police worked out his identity from EncroChat messages about a drugs shipment. The 43-year-old Polish national who lived in Luton was known as 'Krissy' within the drugs ring, which had sold hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine. Damage to the front door is pictured following the shot being fired by the masked gunman Holub was later jailed for more than 16 years after admitting conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to avoid prohibition on the importation of cocaine. Detectives identified Holub as well as Kamran Bashir, Ibraz Iqbal and Krysztof Kozon by their usernames from Encrochat between January and June 2020. Bashir was jailed at Luton Crown Court in July 2021 for a total of more than 16 years, Iqbal for more than 12 years and Kozon for 11 years. It came months after law enforcement agencies across Europe hacked EncroChat a communication system used by organised criminals trading in drugs and guns - in one of the biggest operations of its kind. Thousands of officers from the National Crime Agency, regional crime squads and every police force in the UK were involved in the massive international sting in 2020. After four years of work by international teams, French investigators managed to access Encrochat, a platform used by 60,000 people worldwide, including around 10,000 in the UK, for what law enforcement agencies claim were purely criminal purposes. The company, which charged 1,500 for a device on a six-month contract, sent out a warning to users in June that year to say that its servers had been hacked by a government entity. This left investigators with a race against time to make the most of the wealth of information available on the platform, targeting 'Mr and Mrs Bigs' before they could cover their tracks. Ethan Mitchell as later cleared over supplying the weapon but jailed for drugs offences in 2021 Bedfordshire Police Detective Chief Superintendent Duncan Young said: 'Our longstanding partnership of over a decade with 24 Hours in Police Custody gives the public a transparent view of the realities of modern policing. 'It shows the skill, determination and compassion our officers bring to every single case, and I'm proud of the professionalism on display throughout this episode. 'The harm caused by drugs is the common thread running through so much of the criminality we deal with. Drugs fuel violence, exploitation and fear in our communities, and remains one of our highest priorities. 'By exposing how these organised networks operate - and demonstrating the tireless work that goes into dismantling them - we hope the public will have a stronger understanding of both the scale of the threat and of our commitment to tackling it.' The episode captures the early stages of Operation Costello against serious and organised crime which has achieved 279 arrests, 544 years in sentencing, 49 weapons seized and 10 firearms recovered since 2020. Bedfordshire Police said drugs seized as part of the operation include 288kg of cannabis, 7,551 cannabis plants, 26kg of cocaine and 2.6kg of heroin. '24 Hours in Police Custody: The Secret Network' is available to watch and stream on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm Welsh civil servants have been working with academics including taking part in an 'away day' just to translate eight English words. A four-part initiative was carried out to come up with Welsh equivalents for eight descriptions of 'soundscapes', or noise affecting planning applications. Yet despite discussions which ultimately involved 43 officials and eight academics, they only managed to come up with four unanimous agreements. Critics have poured scorn on the process aimed at providing Welsh equivalents for the terms 'pleasant', 'calm', 'uneventful', 'monotonous', 'annoying', 'chaotic', 'eventful' and 'vibrant'. Welsh is spoken by 17.8 per cent of the country's population - an estimated 538,000 people, the lowest on record, according to the most recent census in 2021. An official report accompanying this translation programme also noted that 'all Welsh speakers are by now naturally bilingual'. The research was for the Soundscape Attributes Translations Project, said to 'provide translations for these attributes to facilitate data collection in places where English is not the primary or only language' and headed by University College London. Some 10 Welsh Government translators initially came up with a first draft, followed up by a two-hour workshop attended by 13 civil servants. Welsh Government officials have been taking part in a research scheme aimed at translating eight English words, in what critics have called a 'waste' - pictured is the Senedd in Cardiff Their findings were then sent for review by five researchers from UCL, who were taking part in the Research England-backed programme. And finally there was a what was described by researchers as 'a Translation Service away day' at government offices at Cathays Park in Cardiff, featuring 30 Welsh Government translators as well as three Welsh language scholars from Cardiff University and the standard Welsh dictionary Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru. 'Soundscapes' have formed a key element of the Welsh Government's approach to planning since 2015 legislation aimed at improving 'social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being'. But the most recent efforts only came up with agreed single-word Welsh translations for four of the terms. ENGLISH TO WELSH SOUNDSCAPE TRANSLATIONS Annoying: Niwsans/Amhleserus Calm: Llonydd Chaotic: Caotig Eventful: Cynhyrfus/Llawn digwydd Monotonous: Undonog Pleasant: Dymunol/Pleserus Uneventful: Digynnwrf/Diddigwydd Vibrant: Bywiog Advertisement 'Llonydd' was chosen for 'calm', 'undonog' for 'monotonous', 'caotig' for 'chaotic' and 'bywiog' for 'vibrant'. Yet even here there were misgivings expressed by some taking part, with 'caotig' described as an example of an English loan word or 'Wenglish'. Another example of this was 'niwsans', one of two suggested translations for 'annoying' - the other being 'amhleserus'. Other cases involving two potential alternatives rather than one were 'dymunol' and 'pleserus' for 'pleasant', 'digynnwrf' and 'diddigwydd' for 'uneventful' and 'cynhyrfus' 'llawn digwydd' for 'eventful'. John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance campaign group, said: 'If you sat down to write a sketch on government waste, this real life episode might be deemed too unrealistic.' Andrew RT Davies, a Conservative member of the Senedd for South Wales Central and the party's former leader in Wales, said it was 'ludicrous' to put such efforts 'towards translating eight words'. It is not known how much the work cost, but the Welsh Government said it did not provide the funding. A spokesperson said the 43 employees taking part did so 'most through informal, brief discussions in short meetings' or via Teams. Andrew RT Davies, a Conservative member of the Senedd and the party's former leader in Wales, said it was 'ludicrous' to put such efforts 'towards translating eight words' They added: 'We did not fund this research. A small number of staff voluntarily contributed their expertise to an international multilingual research project as part of their usual work.' The Government said the project discussed as one item during a routine training day for Translation Service staff in a Welsh Government office and staff did not visit the UCL campus in London. Writing in the journal Applied Acoustics, the team behind the project said: 'This article represents a groundbreaking achievement for sound studies in Wales. 'This is the first time that experts in acoustics and the Welsh Language have collaborated, coming together to translate an annex to an international standard.' A waitress filmed wearing a crash helmet and carrying the sparklers that allegedly started the fatal Swiss nightclub fire was among those who perished. Cyane Panine, 24, was one of 40 people who died in the New Year's Eve inferno, and has now been revealed as the woman wearing the helmet in footage taken moments before the fire ensued, according to 20minuten. Photos and videos show the young woman sitting on a colleague's shoulders holding two champagne bottles with sparklers attached, before the ceiling catches fire. The owners of Swiss bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana recounted last week how Cyane, who they viewed as 'a stepdaughter' suffocated 'in a pile of bodies behind a locked door'. According to interrogation transcripts seen by Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, the owners clearly identified the deceased 24-year-old in photos taken during the incident. Providing a detailed account of the disaster, 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, 40, to 'get the atmosphere going' at Le Constellation, in the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, in the early hours of January This included getting waitresses to put sparklers in champagne bottles, before some were lifted up on the shoulders of waiters in the bar's basement. Cyane Panine, 24, was one of 40 people who died in the New Years Eve inferno High quality photographs show the very first moments of the Swiss Constellation Bar fire in Crans-Montana The pyrotechnics are thought to have lit soundproofing foam in the ceiling, triggering a massive fire in which 116 others were also severely burned. Mr Moretti, 49, 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. Meanwhile Mr Moretti's wife is said to have driven herself home, after allegedly escaping as quickly as possible from the bar with the till containing the night's cash takings. Mr Moretti is currently in custody, while his wife has been bailed with an electronic bracelet, as they await possible trial on a range of charges, including manslaughter and causing bodily harm by negligence. Referring to Cyane in a day-long interview by prosecutors on Friday, Mr Moretti said she was the girlfriend of a close family friend whom the Morettis had 'raised as if he were my own'. The pyrotechnics are thought to have lit soundproofing foam in the ceiling, triggering a massive fire in which 116 others were also severely burned Mr Moretti is currently in custody, while his wife has been bailed with an electronic bracelet 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.' 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'. Cyane, a French national like the Morettis, died within the hour. The family of the deceased woman issued a statement through their lawyers, Tages-Anzeiger reported. It reads: 'Whatever the investigation reveals, this young woman followed her employers' instructions. She did what was asked of her by the managing director. This was nothing unusual. (...) This young employee bears no responsibility whatsoever.' The BBC will fight to have Donald Trump's $10billion lawsuit over its editing of a speech in a Panorama programme thrown out, court documents show. The US president filed the lawsuit in a Florida court last month, accusing the BBC of defamation and violating trade practices, and seeking $5billion on each count. In the clip at the centre of the row, Mr Trump appeared to encourage 2021's Capitol riots by saying: 'We're going to walk down to the Capitol and I'll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.' But in reality, that message was formed from two clips around 54 minutes apart that had been spliced together and aired a week before the 2024 presidential election. The BBC previously apologised to Mr Trump and withdrew the report, but refused to pay any compensation - prompting the lawsuit. Tim Davie, the BBC's Director General from 2020, resigned in November alongside his head of news, Deborah Turness, amid the editing scandal storm. Now, court documents reveal the BBC's strategy is to get the mammoth suit dismissed. Its lawyers will argue that the Florida court does not have 'personal jurisdiction' over the BBC, the court venue is 'improper' and that Trump has 'failed to state a claim'. The BBC edited a speech of Donald Trump's that made it appear he was encouraging the Capitol riots of 2021 On January 6, 2021, hundreds of Trump supporters stormed and broke into the Capitol Building in Washington They will claim that, since the documentary was not created, produced or broadcast in Florida, the case should be thrown out. Trump's lawyers have claimed that the documentary aired on BritBox, a service that streams BBC content around the world, but the corporation will insist this is incorrect. 'Simply clicking on the link that plaintiff cites for this point shows it is not on BritBox,' the court documents read. It will add that Trump has failed to 'plausibly allege' the documentary was published with 'actual malice', which public officials are required to prove when filing defamation suits in the US. The documents note that the clip is just 15 seconds of an hour-long programme containing extensive coverage of his supporters and balanced coverage of his path to re-election. Mr Trump's legal filing claimed the doctored speech, broadcast a week before the 2024 election, was designed to interfere with the vote and is in keeping with the 'disgraced' corporation's 'Leftist political agenda'. The BBC has asked the court to 'stay all other discovery', which would mean pausing the pre-trial information gathering process, until a decision has been reached on its new motion. Former BBC Director General Tim Davie resigned amid the row over the doctored speech In asking for discovery to be delayed, lawyers for the BBC said: 'The plaintiff will seek broad, objectionable discovery on the merits, implicating the BBC's entire scope of coverage of Donald J Trump over the past decade or more and claiming injury to his entire business and political profiles.' A 2027 trial date has been proposed should the case continue. A BBC spokesperson said: 'As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.' If the motion to dismiss is unsuccessful, Mr Trump will need to prove the edit was false and defamatory and the BBC knowingly misled viewers or acted recklessly, in order to overcome the US Constitution's legal protections for free speech and the Press. The BBC was previously warned against fighting Mr Trump. Christopher Ruddy, chief executive of the conservative US network Newsmax, told the Today Programme: 'I don't think it's good for the BBC for this to go forward. The purpose here for the President is not to get $5billion, it's to demonstrate a point and maybe also get some money. 'If I was looking into a crystal ball, I might say this case would settle probably around $10million. 'The cost of litigation for the BBC to go through a case like this in the United States with attorneys would be probably about $50million to $100million and the President has an excellent attorney. 'I'm sure that BBC has enough money to cover a settlement that size.' A freak 'meteo tsunami' has killed one person and left dozens more injured, with footage showing panicked tourists fleeing as waves engulfed a beach in Argentina. In a dramatic clip filmed on Monday afternoon in the coastal town of Santa Clara del Mar, rapid surges of water can be seen sweeping across a packed beach as people scramble out of the water to seek safety on the sand. Although the footage did not capture the giant main wave, eyewitnesses told local media that the water rose to around 30ft before striking several beachgoers. A 29-year-old man, who was on holiday in Argentina with his girlfriend, was killed after being swept out to sea and crashing head-first into rocks. The talented horse rider, Yair Amir Manno Nunez, had been at the mouth of the coastal lagoon at Mar Chiquita in Buenos Aires when he was dragged away. When the waves had settled, lifeguards rushed out into the water in an attempt to perform CPR, and he was rushed to A&E in nearby Santa Clara del Mar. Preliminary reports suggest he struck his head, which rendered him unconscious and triggered a fatal cardiorespiratory arrest, or drowning. Another man suffered a heart attack after being dragged into the water, and at least 35 people were left with injuries, as per Diario de Cuyo. In a dramatic clip filmed on Monday afternoon in the coastal town of Santa Clara del Mar, rapid surges of water can be seen sweeping across a packed beach as people scramble out of the water to seek safety on the sand Although the footage did not capture the giant main wave, eyewitnesses told local media that the water rose to around 30ft before striking several beachgoers Those on the beach told local media of the chaos and desperation, as the water surges swept away bags, umbrellas, and beach chairs Beachgoers were forced to help each other to avoid being dragged out to sea 'A black whirlpool formed; I've never seen anything like it,' a lifeguard told an Argentinian newspaper, describing the impact of the wave A 29-year-old man, who was on holiday in Argentina with his girlfriend, was killed after being swept out to sea and crashing head-first into rocks A precautionary evacuation of all beaches in the area was ordered while emergency teams visited health centers to assess the condition of the injured The freak killer wave is believed to have been a meteo tsunami, which often behaves in this manner: The sea draws back first, as many witnesses reported seeing on Monday, before fast-rising, high-energy surges roll in due to sudden atmospheric pressure drops from weather systems. 'It's an unpredictable event; we don't know if it could happen again,' Fabian Garcia, head of Civil Defense for the province of Buenos Aires, said. Lifeguard union head Nahuel Nardone said the waves reached 'unimaginable heights,' affecting people who were resting, sunbathing, or cooling off in the water. He stressed the phenomenon is highly unusual for the region, calling it a kind of 'mini tsunami' driven not by an earthquake, but by sudden changes in atmospheric pressure and strong winds. Those on the beach told local media of the chaos and desperation, as the water surges swept away bags, umbrellas, and beach chairs, forcing people to help each other to avoid being dragged out to sea. 'A black whirlpool formed; I've never seen anything like it,' a lifeguard told the Argentinian newspaper, describing the impact of the wave. Another recalled the sea abruptly receding moments before a towering wave, described as 'like a wall,' came crashing ashore. Garcia detailed that the water behaviour affected various towns, including Mar Chiquita, Santa Clara del Mar, and Mar del Plata. A precautionary evacuation of all beaches in the area was ordered while emergency teams visited health centers to assess the condition of the injured. Experts agreed that Monday's wave was a random episode, mainly concentrated in Mar Chiquita. But flash floods were also recorded in Mar del Plata, where lifeguards had to carry out rescues after observing water levels rise from waist to neck in a matter of seconds. Keir Starmer is facing renewed pressure to block Chinese plans for a new mega-embassy in London over major security fears. A group of Labour MPs have urged the Government to reject China's plan to build a huge complex near the City, amid claims that it could be green-lit as soon as this week. They raised security concerns and warned the embassy could be used to 'step up intimidation' against dissidents in a letter to Communities Secretary Steve Reed, seen by the BBC. The MPs, including Sarah Champion who is a member of parliament's Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, said concerns about the proposal are 'significant and unresolved'. They cite 'the recent track record of Chinese espionage cases, interference activities, and issuing of bounties against UK-based Hong Kongers', as well as 'the fact that this embassy would sit above sensitive infrastructure critical to both the UK's economic and national security'. It came as it was revealed Beijing is planning to build a secret underground room that could be used to spy on the UK. 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. 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 A group of Labour MPs have urged the Government to reject China's plan to build a huge complex near the City, amid claims that it could be green-lit by the PM as soon as this week. MPs from across the political spectrum have urged the Government to reject China's application for a new embassy on the site of the former Royal Mint, citing security concerns. 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. 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. China wants to create a huge diplomatic headquarters on a historic site near the City of London 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 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.' An 80-year-old man was stopped from boarding a flight at a Tenerife airport after trying to take his dead wife through security. Staff at Tenerife South Airport noticed the elderly man's wife was unresponsive as he pushed her in a wheelchair to board a plane. After the couple passed through security, staff checked on her and realised there were no signs of life. An airport employee told Spanish newspaper Diario de Avisos: '[A] security guard approached the woman, and the man gave her his wheelchair. 'When she took the womans hand, she noticed she had an abnormally low temperature and wasnt breathing. 'The worker immediately notified her supervisor. Within minutes, the emergency protocol was activated, and numerous security agents, Civil Guard officers, and forensic personnel arrived at the scene'. The husband, who has not yet been identified, is said to have told investigators that his wife had died a few hours prior. However, employees claim that the elderly man tried to attribute his wife's death to the airport, a matter that investigators are looking into. An 80-year-old man was stopped from boarding a flight at a Tenerife airport after trying to take his dead wife through security (File image of Tenerife South Airport) The man, who was arrested following the incident, cooperated with officers. The investigation into the woman's passing remains open, and aims to understand how she died and whether there is any criminal liability. Last month, horrified holidaymakers claimed that an elderly British passenger was wheeled onto an easyJet flight from Malaga, Spain, to Gatwick when she was already dead. The 89-year-old was helped on board the aircraft by five of her relatives who, witnesses say, told airline staff she was unwell and had fallen asleep. But just before take off, cabin crew were alerted that the woman had passed away. The plane was turned around before it left the runway - and the flight was delayed by 12 hours. Fellow passengers told how the body had been pushed by a wheelchair to the group's seats at the rear of the aircraft and lifted into her seat, assisted by five members of her family. They claimed the group had only been permitted to get onto the plane because they told a boarding clerk, who had questioned the woman's apparent ill health, that she was 'just tired'. One passenger even claimed to have heard one of the group tell the clerk: 'It's OK, we're doctors'. Keir Starmer's Chagos 'surrender' deal has faced renewed criticism as peers again refused to back it. The House of Lords last night threatened to derail the legislation to cede control of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius. The upper chamber eventually send it back to the Commons for MPs to consider a series of changes made during so-called 'ping-pong' between the two arms of the legislature. But they also attached a regret motion pushed through by the Tories, with Conservative shadow foreign minister Lord Callanan branding it a 'dreadful deal' that amounted to a 'betrayal' of the Chagossian people that would ultimately cost 34.7 billion. He said: 'This is an astonishing sum to give away when we are imposing financial sacrifices everywhere else in our public sector.' The Government signed a treaty back in May to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which will also see Britain lease back the strategically important military base on Diego Garcia the largest island within the remote Indian Ocean archipelago. The agreement followed long-running negotiations started under the previous Tory administration after a 2019 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice said the UK should cede control. As well as establishing a 40 million fund for Chagossians expelled from the islands, the UK has agreed to pay Mauritius at least 120 million annually during the 99-year agreement, a total cost in cash terms of at least 13 billion. The House of Lords last night threatened to derail the legislation to cede control of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius. The upper chamber eventually send it back to the Commons for MPs to consider a series of changes made during so-called 'ping-pong' between the two arms of the legislature. The Government, however, estimates the bill will be lower at around 101 million a year, while opponents argue it will be much higher. The Bill, which is needed to implement the treaty, has already been approved by MPs but was given a bruising ride in the Lords. Revisions demanded by peers included a demand for the publication of the total cost of the deal, a move to ensure parliamentary oversight of government spending linked to the treaty and a referendum to gauge the views of the Chagossian community. The upper chamber also supported a call by former military chiefs that payments linked to the agreement would cease if the military base on Diego Garcia could no longer be used for a range of reasons from environmental changes and legal restrictions to an attack by a hostile state. A short time later, in a rare move, critics of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill moved to force a vote against its third reading, which would have threatened to derail the legislation wholesale, including the censure measure. Labour former defence minister Kevan Jones, who sits as Lord Beamish and chairs Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, said: 'In terms of Diego Garcia, the agreement is vital not only to our national interests but to our international allies, including the United States.' He added: 'It is not something we can play party politics with. Alas, I accept that some people are playing party politics with this.' Former Labour MP and non-affiliated peer Baroness Hoey said: 'This is not a party-political issue. It is about giving away part of our country's British territory and then paying Mauritius to take it.' Liberal Democrat leader in the Lords Lord Purvis of Tweed said: 'A casual observer would not be aware from this debate that the previous (Tory) government chose to open negotiations to cede sovereignty in November 2022, without a mandate or consulting the Chagossian people.' He added: 'The Conservatives have chosen, with the fire and fury that we have heard in opposition, not to oppose the Bill today but to complain about it.' Foreign minister Baroness Chapman of Darlington said: 'Some members of the opposition appear to be wilfully ignoring the facts to score political points. This is, frankly, shameful. 'It puts at risk the UK's national security for an unedifying and unconvincing political jab. I understand the temptation, but it is fundamentally wrong to do that.' Referring to Lord Callanan, she added: 'This Government have one priority. The safety and security of our citizens, the British people. 'The member opposite has one priority, and that is to play politics with the hopes and dreams of the Chagossian community. That is what he has done, without any concern about what that might mean for this nation's security.' But responding, Lord Callanan said: 'We had a lot of party-political insults but, yet again, no dealing with the actual issues that we raised.' The school attended by 17th century diarist Samuel Pepys has re-named a house named in his honour following a vote by pupils because of his 'abusive' treatment of women. Hinchingbrooke School, in Huntindgon, Cambridgeshire, was attended in the 1640s by the chronicler of the Great Fire of London and the Great Plague. Pepys House is one of five houses at the school that are named after famous people connected with the area. But questions were raised by two members of staff after a recent transcription of lesser-known parts of Pepys diary resurrected accounts of his serial philandering and rape. The proposal to rename the house triggered a furious debate, with one parent branding it an attempt to erase history. Others pointed out Pepys misdeeds were hardly a shock as they were recounted in his writings. But pupils at the school have now voted for change, with 1,054 out of the 1,764 who took part deciding to seek a new figurehead for Pepys House. The school's website described Pepys as having been 'highly successful and respected by many'. The school once attended by diarist Samuel Pepys has decided to rename a house named after him because of his 'abusive' treatment of women Pupils who are members of the house 'work hard to achieve success throughout the wide variety of activities that Pepys himself enjoyed; music, theatre, mathematics, literature and public speaking', the school adds proudly. But parents received an email late last year about his exploitative relationship with women after concerns were raised by associate principal Femi Solano and history teacher Tom Wheeley. They said in an email to parents: 'While Pepys is an important historical figure who attended our school, recent research on his personal behaviour, recorded in his own diaries, includes actions that were harmful, abusive and exploitative, especially in his relations with women. 'These behaviours do not align with the values we hold as a school - respect, equality, kindness, and high standards.' The teachers added that it is 'right to ask the question: Should Pepys House be renamed?' They also insisted: 'This re-evaluation is not about erasing history. Instead, it is about ensuring that the figures we celebrate as role models reflect the values we want our students to live by.' In October, Ms Solano announced plans for a new project about toxic behaviours in relationships to educate staff and students about misogyny. The email followed historian Guy de la Bedoyere's transcription of more obscure parts of the diaries which recount how Pepys, who was at the school when it was known as Huntingdon Grammar School, was a serial adulterer and rapist. Hinchingbrooke School, in Huntindgon, Cambridgeshire, was attended in the 1640s by the chronicler of the Great Fire of London and the Great Plague One angry parent said at the time: 'It's another attempt to erase history that doesn't suit modern times when really we should be learning about those times. 'He was candid enough to write about it and in a way we are learning what the attitudes to women were like at that time. 'We should read it and learn from it and do better.' Journalist Nigel Pauley, a former pupil at the school, wrote on X: 'Looks like famous Ex-pupil Samuel Pepys is being cancelled by his (and my) old school Hinchingbrooke - aka Huntingdon Grammar. 'No more Pepys House! His behaviours? Hardly a shock or recent discovery. He wrote about them in his diary!' Pepys' diaries openly reveal the extent of his wrongdoing. On one occasion, he described how his wife, Elizabeth, called him a 'dog and a rogue' after he was caught groping their 16-year-old servant. According to De la Bedoyere: It's too glib to dismiss him as a "sex pest" or a "sex offender". Instead, he concluded, Pepys' behaviour was 'consistent with the neuropsychological disorder of addiction'. Pepys also had a string of extra-marital lovers dotted across London. Of one, called Betty, he wrote: 'I f****d her under the chair two times.' Another, a poverty-stricken naval widow, appears to have only slept with Pepys because she knew he was the gatekeeper to her pension. And of his treatment of Mrs Bagwell, the wife of a naval officer who wanted a promotion, he wrote: 'Many hard looks and sighs the poor wretch did give me and I think verily was troubled at what I did but at last after many protestings I did arrive at what I would, with great pleasure.' He was, at one point, so violent that he injured his hand while holding her down. 'Nevertheless in the end I had my will,' he added. Pepys concealed much of his poor behaviour by using a made-up mixture of foreign languages, English and his own shorthand. School principal Andy Hunter said after the vote: I am proud of the way that the school community conducted itself over the course of this process. The students have been curious, reflective and, above all, respectful throughout. The school, which was founded in 1565, asked Chip Colquhoun, warden and current tenant of Pepys House in nearby Brampton to moderate the process. Mr Hunter added: It is important to note that there are no plans to rename the Pepys Building (a modern block which houses the geography department), nor to change long-established references such as the Pepys Stairs. These aspects were never under consideration. The school maintains a strong and valued historical association with Samuel Pepys and remains proud of that connection. A Greater Manchester primary school has announced plans to prioritise churchgoing youngsters in its new admissions policy. St Chad's Church of England Primary School in Uppermill, Oldham, revealed the sweeping measures for children starting school in 2027 as part of an online consultation launched last month. The proposals are being brought in by the Forward As One Trust, and will apply if the school receives more applications than the 30 spaces it has to offer. Children who are currently or have previously been in care will be allocated places first, followed by siblings of children already at the school. Spaces will then be allocated to children - most of whom will be just four years old - who have fulfilled strict church attendance quotas. Parents will be asked to provide proof from a 'relevant church official' that their child has attended services for them to be prioritised under this measure. Those who have attended worship at least 24 times over the past two years will be allocated spaces at St Chad's first, followed by those who have been at 12 services in the past 12 months. If there are any remaining spaces after the faith-based measure has been used, these will be given to children with 'exceptional' medical needs that can only be catered to at St Chad's. St Chad's Church of England Primary School in Uppermill, Oldham, revealed the sweeping measures for children starting school in 2027 as part of an online consultation launched last month Only after all these criteria have been fulfilled will other local children be given the remaining spaces based on how far they live from the school site. The school states in its consultation that it is 'welcome to all', regardless of faith, and that applying under the faith-based priority is entirely optional. The policy at St Chad's has sparked debate in the local community, with some expressing concern that local children may be forced to travel long distances to alternative schools as a result. One local resident said that as Uppermill only has one school, it should be 'open to everyone regardless of faith', as families did not have a nearby option to send their children to a state school that is not affiliated with any religion. 'Parents should be able to take their children to the nearest primary school not have to drive them to the next village. A 4 year old can't be expected to walk to Diggle or Greenfield from Uppermill to get to primary school when there is a good school in their own village,' they said. Another described the policy as 'ludicrous'. But others disagreed, arguing many families have the capacity to take their children to schools that are further away, and that there are many schools of different faiths available around the country. The trust is appealing for views and feedback on its admissions policy from local families and residents until January 28. Parents will be asked to provide proof from a 'relevant church official' that their child has attended services (File image) Other schools under the trust are holding consultations with similar measures prioritising churchgoing families, including St Peter's Smithalls Dean CE Primary in Bolton, St Paul's CE Primary in Bury and St Anne's CE Primary in Lydgate. In total, some 16 schools' policies are open for feedback from parents. Applications for school places open on September 1 and will close on January 15, 2027. Karen Bramwell, CEO of Forward As One, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'The proposed admissions arrangements for 202728 are still under consultation, and no decision has been made. We want to reassure families and our community that we are listening to all feedback to ensure any policy reflects our Christian ethos and serves the whole community. 'We welcome families of all faiths and none, and we are committed to being inclusive of all children, including those with an Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), Special Educational Needs, and those with English as an Additional Language. 'All comments will be considered carefully by the admissions authority before a final determination is made by 28th February 2026, in line with the Admissions Code.' Pro-Scottish independence accounts on X have gone dark after Iran's Internet shutdown - after experts exposed their links to the regime in Tehran. Multiple accounts, which regularly pumped out pro-independence messages, abruptly stopped posting on January 8 - the date the Iranian authorities began their blackout in a bid to quell nationwide protests. The profiles claimed to be ordinary Scottish people, with names including 'Scottish Lad' Jake and 'Proud Scottish lass' Fiona. Stephen Kerr, a Scottish Conservative MSP, called for the government in Westminster to launch an investigation into the network. He also accused independence supporters and the SNP of 'not seeming to care' that an 'evil regime' was seeking to influence Scottish politics. The accounts, which appear to have now been suspended by X, have shared dozens of conspiracy theories and negative stories about the UK in recent weeks. One post from the 'Fiona' account claimed that a series of 'massive pipelines' were being constructed near the border to divert water to England. A post from an X account that reports suggest is linked to Iran The same account shared comments praising the Iranian leadership The same account falsely claimed that 'huge tracts' of the Highlands were being fenced off by the British government for a 'drone testing range'. False claims from other accounts in the network included the British Army staging a 'coup' in Scotland, with tanks 'rolling down the Royal Mile'. Meanwhile, 'Jake' had claimed that vital supplies of insulin and antibiotics were being diverted from Scotland to the south-east of England, 'gambling with Scottish lives'. The suspected Iran-linked accounts were first identified by the UK Defence Journal, which found they stopped posting as soon as Iran's Internet was cut off. Research by disinformation firm Cyabra also found a quarter of 5,000 pro-independence accounts it checked in the summer were Iranian-linked fakes so-called 'Natbots' . And when a recent X transparency feature identified the country of origin for posts, large numbers of separatist cheerleadering accounts were traced to Iran. The issue is acknowledged by senior ministers, with Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander recently announcing that a new UK inquiry into foreign political inference will look at links between Iran and Scottish independence campaigners. 'There's been a lot of research in recent years indicating that there was Iranian activity in relation to the constitutional future of Scotland,' he said. Former Scottish Government civil servant Philip Rycroft will lead the inquiry. Activists now say that the death toll from the brutal suppression of nationwide demonstrations in the Middle Eastern nation is at least 646 people A previous Westminster security report in 2020 found 'credible' evidence Russia had tried to influence the independence referendum. Asked on a visit to Grangemouth in December if the investigation would include Iran and the independence debate, Mr Alexander said: 'Yes. When the Americans took the action that they did, we saw a significant reduction in the number of Iranian bots promoting Scottish independence on Scottish social media sites. 'So it is right and appropriate that the investigation that is being undertaken looks at all actors who are trying to influence democratic decisions being made here in the United Kingdom.' Israeli and US strikes on Iran in June also led to multiple pro-independence accounts on X falling silent. More than 600 protests have taken place across all of Iran's 31 provinces, with the death toll reaching 646 and more than 10,700 arrests. The Internet blackout is continuing in the country, with Iranians able to connect to government-approved websites locally but nothing abroad. The protests have been linked to economic hardship and concerns over political repression and civil rights. Sir Keir Starmer appears to be quietly boycotting X amid the furious row over Elon Musk's website allowing the creation of sexualised images of women and children. The Prime Minister hasn't posted on the social media platform in nearly a week, since 8 January, leading to speculation he might be deliberately snubbing the site. Sir Keir has continued to post on other social media sites, such as Instagram and TikTok, over the same period. The use of Grok an AI tool embedded into X to create sexually explicit content, including child sexual abuse, has prompted a widespread outcry. X last week limited Grok's image generation and editing features to only paying subscribers of the site. But this only sparked further fury with Mr Musk accused of 'monetising abuse' in a move that was branded 'insulting to victims' by Government ministers. Ofcom is now carrying out an official investigation into X under the Online Safety Act, with ministers not ruling out banning the site once the regulator's probe is completed. Downing Street said on Monday it was keeping its presence on X 'under review', amid calls from Labour MPs for the Government to shut down its official accounts. Sir Keir Starmer appears to be quietly boycotting X amid the furious row over Elon Musk's website allowing the creation of sexualised images of women and children The Prime Minister hasn't posted on the social media platform in nearly a week, since 8 January, leading to speculation he might be deliberately snubbing the site The use of Grok an AItool embedded into X to create sexually explicit content, including child sexual abuse, has prompted a widespread outcry But Technology Secretary Liz Kendall later played down the prospect of the Government quitting X. She told the House of Commons: '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.' Neither Sir Keir's official X account, nor that of No 10 Downing Street, titled 'UK Prime Minister' have posted on the site since last week. The last time the PM posted on X was on 8 January when he commented on Labour's U-turn on scrapping the two-child benefit cap. A number of Sir Keir's most recent posts have had a 'community note' attached, in which fellow X users have 'added context they thought people might want to know'. Speaking to Labour MPs in Parliament on Monday night, Sir Keir issued a warning that if X cannot control Grok then 'we will'. Addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, the PM said: '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. 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.' A retired British couple have been killed in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives. Elaine Richmond, 70, died on December 19 while swimming off the remote Indian Ocean island of Ellaidhoo. Her husband Malcolm, 71, died in hospital three days later. It is unclear how the couple died and few details of the accident have emerged. A funeral director where the couple live in from Inkersall, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, confirmed their deaths following a tragic 'scuba diving accident'. Simon Hope said that the wife died on December 19 with her husband losing his battle for life three days later on December 22. He declined to go into detail of the tragedy. He said there were no criminal or suspicious circumstances. Elaine Richmond, 70, (pictured, left) died on December 19 while swimming off the remote Indian Ocean island of Ellaidhoo. Her husband Malcolm, 71, (pictured, right) died in hospital three days later It is unclear how the couple died and few details of the accident have emerged Mr Hope said the couple did not have any children but that their next of kin, a niece living near Manchester, had been informed. Their funerals will be held on January 29 at noon at Brimington Crematorium. A post on the funeral directors website states: Elaine and Malcolm Richmond of Inkersall have tragically passed away just days apart at Christmas. All who knew them are welcome to attend (the funeral) and celebrate their lives. Any donations received will be given to Ashgate Hospice. An inquest into the couples deaths is due to be opened at Chesterfield Coroners Court on January 30. The Richmonds had visited the resort where they died 60 times and celebrated Christmas there for the past 17 years. Pat Scannell on a Facebook group called Maldives Holidaymakers posted a tribute, stating: With deepest regret and sadness, we would like to inform you that two of our dearest members of the Ellaidhoo group Elaine and Malcom Richmond sadly passed away whilst on the Maldives over the Christmas holiday period. Their funerals will be held on January 29 at noon at Brimington Crematorium An inquest into the couples deaths is due to be opened at Chesterfield Coroners Court on January 30 'They were members of Maldives Holidaymakers and they were known to a lot of members but they regularly visited Ellaidhoo. 'Elaine and Malcolm visited Ellaidhoo over 60 times, three times in 2025, and in addition had been going to the island for the last 17 years at Christmas. 'They will be sadly missed by family and the many friends that they made over their many visits. 'They were very popular with all the staff they had made friends with and will be sorely missed. 'RIP Elaine and Malcolm.' Their next door neighbour Rachel McManus posted a tribute on social media, saying: So sad. They were lovely neighbours and we are still in shock. Thoughts go out to both family and friends. The Maldives - a holiday destination favoured by Sir David and Lady Victoria Beckham and where they have previously hosted their close friends celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana - are located southwest of India and Sri Lanka and forming the smallest country in Asia. The islands are one of the world's most geographically dispersed states, known for its coral atolls spread across a vast submarine ridge. The couple did not have any children but that their next of kin, a niece living near Manchester, had been informed The Richmonds had visited the resort where they died 60 times and celebrated Christmas there for the past 17 years Ellaidhoo, located 26 miles (42km) from Male is only accessible by seaplane or speed boat. Tour groups encourage visitors to 'dive into the world of wonder with one stating: You wont regret visiting the underwater guests at Ellaidhoo Maldives. The swimming or diving in warm cerulean waters as clear as glass, its easy to fall under the spell the vivid corals the reef, which will leave one pleasingly intoxicated.' In some ways Paula Mullan wants the inquest into her niece's death to be over because she's worried about the impact that the horrific details of Katie Simpson's murder will have on Katie's mother. 'You're going to have to listen to it all again,' she says. 'I worry about my sister Noeleen having to go through all that and my parents.' As the oldest of her siblings, Paula is the one who speaks for the family as much as she can. But since showjumper Katie's death in August 2020, life has never been the same for the Mullan family. The initial trauma that this beautiful 21-year-old with everything to live for had taken her own life soon spiralled into a nightmare, during which the family tried in vain to get the Police Service of Northern Ireland to listen to their fears that she had in fact been murdered. Had it not been for the courageous actions of a journalist, a police detective from a different jurisdiction and the concerns of a family friend, horse trainer Jonathan Creswell the partner of Katie's eldest sister Christina would have got away with murder. Creswell battered, raped and strangled Katie, then pretended she had hanged herself from the bannisters of the home she shared with Creswell and her sister, their children and another woman from the horsey set, Rose de Montmorency Wright. The women were all working with Creswell in a business along with his former girlfriend Jill Robinson. He was a known abuser, having been convicted and jailed for serious assaults on his ex-girlfriend Abigail Lyle, but Paula says she knew nothing of Creswell's past crimes when he was with her niece. During his trial for Katie's murder, the 36-year-old could see that the odds were stacked against him and while he was out on bail, he took his own life. Later three women, who had also at some point been in sexual relationships with Creswell, were given suspended sentences for withholding information from police about the circumstances of Katie's death. Now Paula says she hopes the upcoming inquest will bring some kind of peace for the family, when it finally happens. She is frustrated that it is taking this long. Jonathan Creswell battered, raped and strangled 21-year-old Katie Simpson, then pretended she had hanged herself from the bannisters of her home The young showjumper succumbed to her injuries six days after the attack in August 2020 'The system needs to be looked at, because you feel as if you've moved on a wee bit and then, bang, you're back to square one again,' she says. She was angry, she says, when Creswell took his own life, as the family never got to see him stand in the dock and be punished for what he did to Katie. 'We were sort of waiting for that,' she says. 'But now you sort of feel, well, it's the best outcome because he'll never be near them children, he will never hurt any other girl.' It's something of a cold comfort, given what the family has been through in the last five years. The Mullans are a Catholic family from Middletown in Co. Armagh, close to the border with Monaghan. Noeleen married Jason Simpson, a Protestant from nearby Tynan, and they had four children Christina, Rebecca, Katie and John before the marriage broke up. Katie was brought up in Tynan, in the thick of an equestrian community where horses were everything. She was a keen rider and sought work within the industry that was her passion, which was the reason she moved to Greysteel in Co Derry with Christina, Jonathan and Rose who, along with Jill, also worked in the business. Paula lived close by but says she rarely saw her nieces, who called to see her occasionally, but only when Creswell was away. She never really warmed to the ruddy-cheeked, blue-eyed horseman but couldn't put her finger on what it was she didn't like about him. She kept her counsel, though, as most would do in a family situation. When she was called to Altnagelvin Hospital on that terrible day in August 2020, Katie was her priority and she didn't think of anything else, apart from the fact that her niece had seemed like such a happy girl. As she lived nearby, she got to the hospital before her sister, who was faced with a drive of almost two hours. The police were in the family room, speaking to Creswell at the time, Paula remembers. Shortly after that, they left, before Noeleen and Jason had arrived. 'Katie was being treated, the doctors and nurses were trying to save her life,' says Paula. 'I was trying to keep my parents updated and keep in contact with my sister. 'The police left before my sister got there. I just thought that was very strange. Why would you not meet the parents and explain to them what they had found, that this had happened to their daughter, you know what I mean?' There was no case number, no one to ask questions to. The PSNI had decided it was a suicide attempt at that stage, despite nurses expressing concerns about the bruising on Katie's body and about the fact that she was experiencing vaginal bleeding. Katie didn't recover from her injuries and died six days after she was admitted to hospital. While suicide is a devastating blow to any family, worse was to unfold. A friend of Katie's named Paul Lusby, who has since died, came to Paula's house, and spoke to her partner James. 'We knew him very well and he said to James that he had real doubts [about the death],' she says. Paul had offered to help Creswell and Christina move house from the one they shared with Katie in Co. Derry. But he told James that he had seen blood spatters at the top of the stairs and bloody fingerprints in the house at Greysteel, and he was worried that Katie had come to harm at the hands of Creswell. Former Armagh detective James Brannigan stands with Katie's aunts Paula Mullan (left) and Colleen McConville It was something Paula couldn't let lie so she went to Strand Road Police Station in Derry herself. 'I wanted to say to them, I don't think this is suicide, and I went to the station but they just said: 'We'll pass that on,' she recalls. 'I had never been in a police station in my life so I didn't know I should have asked to make a full statement.' Others approached the PSNI in Derry too but it wasn't until local journalist Tanya Fowles contacted James Brannigan, a detective from Armagh, over suspicions she had about Creswell that anything happened. Brannigan contacted the family. 'This policeman on the phone says: 'How are you? How are you all doing?' recalls Paula. 'Well, my God, it just hit me like a tonne of bricks because nobody had asked that. 'Up until this point, this was suicide as far as the police were concerned, so we had no liaison officers, nobody visiting, nothing. There was the wake, the funeral and then you were just left to it.' Paula says she told Brannigan everything about how she had been to Strand Road and what her concerns were. That was the beginning of the family's contact with Brannigan, who fought to get the case investigated and pushed to get it into court. He has since left the police force and, with the blessing of Paula and her sister Colleen, has set up The Katie Trust, a charity to help families like theirs, who might find themselves in a similar, horrific situation. The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland found that the PSNI investigation was 'flawed' and while the then assistant chief constable Davy Beck apologised to the family following the ombudsman's report, there is still to be a full independent review into how Katie's case was handled. 'We're very supportive of James and what he is doing,' Paula says of The Katie Trust. 'We just think it's a great thing for people to have somebody to listen to them because when you're going through that, it's just like a nightmare, like an explosion going off. 'So to have someone to guide you, to help you even with what to say or what to ask...' But it wasn't only the PSNI who let the Mullan family down. After being charged with Katie's murder, Creswell was allowed out on bail, which had been posted by members of the equestrian community. Paula was afraid of what Creswell might do to her own family. Ex-assistant chief constable of the Northern Ireland Police Service Davy Beck has since apologised to Katie's family members after the force originally deemed her case a suicide 'When he got out on bail, I had the fear he was coming here to the house because it does happen, if you stir the pot, people like that don't like it,' Paula says. 'It felt like everything was going against us.' It meant she was also faced with having to see him in the area, and for Paula that happened when she was grocery shopping. 'There was always that fear of bumping into him, which I did once in the supermarket, which was very traumatic,' she says. 'He came round the corner and just bumped into my trolley and he was like: 'Oh, I'm sorry.' I don't think he recognised me,' she says. 'I recognised him right away and I said: 'You will be sorry for what you did.' 'He answered me and he was so calm and his body language was almost as if he was asking me for a ten-minute chat to explain it all away. 'I just said: 'Oh my God, get out of my way.' It took him a while to move and then he went on over towards the fridges and he was roaring and shouting because I said to him: 'You will be sorry.' He was shouting: 'You'll see all the whole truth has come out,' and 'just wait and see'. That was a hard day.' The family are also still angry that three women who either were or had in the past had sexual relations with Creswell, received only suspended sentences when they were brought to court in 2024 for withholding evidence surrounding Katie's death. Hayley Robb, then aged 30, admitted to withholding information and to perverting the course of justice by washing Creswell's clothes and by cleaning blood in his home. She was sentenced to serve two years in prison, suspended for two years. Jill Robinson, then 42, admitted to perverting the course of justice by washing Creswell's clothes, and was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years. Rose de Montmorency Wright, then 23, admitted to withholding information while knowing of Creswell's alleged assault on Katie, and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. Although no one has been jailed for Katie's murder, Paula can only hope that by telling Katie's story, it could help other families and it could help other women in coercive and abusive situations see that they aren't alone, that there is help out there. 'You are always thinking, I should have done this or I should have done that,' Paula says. 'But he was smart, in that part of coercive control is isolating people. 'When my niece was moving up here, I never was in their house because he isolated them away. The only time that they visited here was when he was away somewhere at a show or something. We thought they were busy working.' But the work itself was part of the abuse, Paula explains. 'He was abusing her,' she says. 'That's different. A relationship is where you go on a date and you take them out for dinner in the cinema and you're happy to tell your family and all that. 'That was not a relationship, that was an abuse. He was raping her whenever he wanted. He felt he could do whatever he wanted. 'He had that confidence around him,' she says, insisting that Creswell would have made her niece feel that if she went against him, no one else in the industry would take her on. Katie's death has affected the family in different ways. Paula says it has aged her parents, Katie's grandparents, with what she describes as the heartbreak of it all. As the eldest, Paula is the one with the broadest shoulders but each family member carries the others through their good days and bad days. 'It's brought us closer in a way,' she says. Paula is passionate about speaking up on the subject of coercive control and instilling in the younger generation what this looks like. 'There are times when you feel so stupid that you didn't see things,' she says. 'That's why speaking out about it is good because it gives people a wee bit more knowledge. We are just an ordinary family and if this can happen to our family, it can happen to any family.' Telling someone at work that they are having a breakdown counts as harassment under UK employment law, a tribunal has ruled. The new ruling comes after a recruitment manager was sacked for hanging up the phone on her boss when she was told she was 'not about to have a breakdown, you are IN a breakdown'. Georgina Sowden has now won 87,000 in compensation after winning a disability discrimination and harassment case. 'Nobody wants to be told that they are in the middle of a mental breakdown', Employment Judge Rebecca Eeley said as she found that it is not helpful to make such a remark. Mrs Sowden, 56, had suffered a 'massive panic attack' while carrying out her role and her dignity had also been 'violated', it was found. Ms Sowden worked as a senior recruitment consultant at Optimal Recruitment Solutions Limited in Halifax, West Yorks. She was put in charge of training up a new employee - Sharna McWilliams - who was the managing director's daughter-in-law. When she returned to work in-person after the Covid-19 pandemic in November 2021, she agreed to work two days a week from home. Georgina Sowden had suffered a 'massive panic attack' while carrying out her role and her dignity had also been 'violated', it was found An employment judge found Mrs Sowden's dignity had been 'violated' by her employers and granted her 87,212 On occasions when she had to work at home - for reasons including taking her daughter to the hospital - the company docked her pay. Issues began when they demanded that she came in on her agreed upon work from home days. Ms Sowden was judged to be disabled because of her anxiety and depression - a fact which her employer knew and it was found that she could manage her symptoms better at home. The tribunal heard that in August 2022 she became unwell and went off work sick. This was down to her daughter's health struggles, issues in her domestic life, and breakdowns in her relationships at work. In one email exchange with her bosses, she was told that they were 'shocked' and 'disappointed' with her claims on commission payments. She later had a call with her managing director, Melanie Stead, who 'immediately spoke and over me' and stated 'Georgie, I am telling you now you are not about to have a breakdown, you are IN a breakdown'. She was later asked what medication she was taking and was told that her previous trainee had left because she 'spoke to him like he was a piece of s***'. This accusation made her start crying and struggling to breathe. Ms Stead later said that 'it is not me doing this Georgie, you are doing this all by yourself' - leading to Ms Sowden hanging up the phone due to a 'massive panic attack'. She sent Ms Stead a follow-up email after a call stating how 'devastated' she was. She later said she would not be able to come into work due to her health. In September 2022 her contract was terminated due to her absences from management meetings and health appointments - despite attending the last one on the phone. After being sacked, Ms Sowden successfully took claims of disability discrimination, disability harassment and a breach of duty to make reasonable adjustments to an employment tribunal in Manchester. At the Manchester hearing Employment Judge Rebecca Eeley said that her dignity had been 'violated' by her employers and granted her 87,212. Optimal Recruitment Solutions Limited filed for insolvency in October 2024. Judge Eeley said it was an 'illogical' decision to sack Ms Sowden. Judge Eeley also said the comment about her having a 'breakdown' was harassment. 'That comment was evidently unwanted', the judge said. 'Nobody wants to be told that they are in the middle of a mental breakdown. The comment was not supportive or designed to help. 'It seems to be an accusation or a disparaging remark. It certainly does not seem to be constructive. 'Further, if it is looked at in the context of the conversation, it is not relevant to the topic of the conversation. 'In reality that sort of comment 'torpedoes' the conversation from the start. 'Given the surrounding circumstances, the evident souring of relationships between the parties, and the factual content of the comment, we are satisfied that this comment did have the effect of violating (Ms Sowden's) dignity and creating a hostile, degrading, offensive or intimidating environment for her.' Following the case, Mrs Sowden, a mother-of-two, said: 'It seems like something of a hollow win. I won't get a penny because they've gone into insolvency. That doesn't seem fair.' Mrs Sowden, from Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, said she had been unable to work since being sacked more than three years ago, adding: 'I'm still struggling to even think about working. My mental health has really suffered through all of this.' The devastated mother has made a desperate plea for information after her daughter went missing a month ago, as police continue to hunt for answers. Trisha Graf, 41, was last seen driving near Andamooka, in South Australia's far north, on December 12. SA Police, who declared the case a major crime on January 6 and are treating it as suspicious, combed the area on Tuesday. But Ms Graf's mother, Anne, who lives 600km south of Andamooka in the Barossa Valley, doesn't believe Trisha would leave her children 'in a million years' and fears she has met with foul play. 'There's no way Trisha would have left them willingly, especially so close to Christmas and with Lily's 11th birthday coming up on the 19th,' she told The Advertiser on Tuesday. 'Trisha was a big girl. You'd have to have someone else involved. 'The bad thing is there's that many mines out there I don't know if police will be able to find her. 'They're going to have to be smart about it. I do think she's been left in one of those [old shafts].' Trisha Graf (pictured) was last seen driving in Andamooka on December 12 Ms Graf was last seen in a white 2012 Ford Territory (pictured) near Andamooka Trisha moved to Andamooka from Cadell last year with her partner and their two children, 10 and 12. She also has four adult children. It is understood the two young children were at a friend's home on the night of their mother's disappearance. Anne Graf has made an appeal for anyone with information to come forward. 'We need answers and her kids especially deserve to know why their mum isn't with them,' she added. SA Police will conduct door knocks around Andamooka on Wednesday, focusing on several locations where Ms Graf was last seen. 'We have established Trisha's movements on the evening and morning she was last seen,' Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said on Monday. 'But we believe there are people who may have seen her within the town who have not yet contacted police. 'We know there were people who were with Trisha at both the Roxby Downs Hotel and who saw her after she returned to Andamooka and we need to speak with them.' Ms Graf's mother fears her daughter (pictured) would not willingly leave her children Ms Graf was last seen at the Roxby Downs Hotel at 12.19am on December 12, leaving a short time later in a white 2012 Ford Territory (SA registration S254BCX), accompanied by a friend. She drove towards Andamooka, colliding with a kangaroo just outside the township. Despite the accident, Ms Graf and her friend continued into town and visited a house in the north-western area. Shortly before 2am, Ms Graf left that address to make the short trip home. She was last seen driving along Dunstan Drive in Andamooka. Just after midday on December 12, Ms Graf's partner and a friend, who were searching for her, found her Ford Territory perched on a dirt mound near the Blue Dam, east of the township. The vehicle had sustained damage from the collision and could not be driven from its position. Police and SES initially conducted ground and aerial searches, followed by a community search in Andamooka. Police divers later searched the Blue Dam, but Ms Graf was not found. Police will return to Andamooka to renew the search for Ms Graf on Wednesday (pictured) Since then, police from the Far North, Port Augusta, the Missing Persons Section and PolAir have carried out further ground and aerial searches. A community page stated Ms Graf was wearing black pants and a black top at the time of her disappearance. Her hair was also up in a plait, away from her face. Ms Graf is known to have a nose piercing, lip piercing and ear piercings as well as a skull tattoo on her upper right arm and a mermaid tattoo on her lower forearm. Anyone with information about Ms Graf's whereabouts or her movements leading up to her disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. China's new super-embassy could be used to spy on the whole of Europe, a security expert warned today - as plans revealed a secret chamber next to sensitive cables. Unredacted papers - unveiled last night - supposedly show a hidden room in the north-west corner of the building - just metres away from a vital fibre-optic cable network transmitting financial data from the City of London and Canary Wharf. Professor Anthony Glees, a professor of intelligence and security at University of Buckingham, said it would be 'absolutely mad' to allow China to proceed with the development. 'You can see from the plans how close rooms run to those cables - they can be tapped very easily,' he told LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast. 'There are also heating systems suitable for large servers. In my view, this would not just spy on the UK, it would become the Chinese intelligence hub for the whole of Europe.' Professor Glees also raised concerns about the size of the embassy complex, suggesting it could be used to intimidate and detain critics - citing a 2022 incident when a Hong Kong democracy protester was dragged into the Chinese consulate in Manchester and assaulted. His warning coincides with a letter from a group of Labour MPs who are urging Sir Keir Starmer to reject China's plans - which could be greenlit as soon as this week. In a letter to Communities Secretary Steve Reed, they raised security concerns and said the embassy could be used to 'step up intimidation' against dissidents. 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 China's President Xi at a Communist Party event yesterday The MPs, including Sarah Champion who is a member of parliament's Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, said concerns about the proposal are 'significant and unresolved'. They cite 'the recent track record of Chinese espionage cases, interference activities, and issuing of bounties against UK-based Hong Kongers', as well as 'the fact that this embassy would sit above sensitive infrastructure critical to both the UK's economic and national security'. But today, Downing Street insisted that national security issues linked to the Chinese super-embassy planning application had been 'considered and addressed'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters: 'This is a quasi-judicial process and an independent planning decision will be made by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in due course. 'Obviously I'm not going to get into detail on security issues and, because of the quasi-judicial process, there is a limit to what I can say. 'National security is the first duty of any government, it has been the core priority throughout this process. 'Any potential national security issues associated with this planning application have been considered and addressed.' Asked if a planning decision was expected on Thursday, the spokesman added: 'We have said previously the decision is with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. 'The department has set out that the decision will be made by, or on, 20 January.' The secret room seen in the plans is triangular and measures up to 40 metres across and 2-3 metres deep. It includes at least two air extraction systems, according to The Telegraph, 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. MPs from across the political spectrum have urged the Government to reject China's application for a new embassy on the site of the former Royal Mint, citing security concerns. 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. Your browser does not support iframes. China wants to create a huge diplomatic headquarters on a historic site near the City of London Documents 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. 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. 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 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.' An Oklahoma mother who killed five people, including two of her own children, in a firetruck collision while she was high on drugs was sentenced to life behind bars. Keiosha Rucker, 30, pleaded no contest to manslaughter and DUI charges for the deadly February 2024 crash that also left her paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Rucker was driving the vehicle with her one-year-old son and five-year-old daughter, as well as 23-year-old Tamia Ray, four-year-old Makiya'Lynn Chatmon and an unidentified pregnant 26-year-old woman when the crash occurred, Fox 23 reported. Tulsa police said Rucker was under the influence of cocaine and marijuana when she failed to yield to a firetruck responding fire with its lights and sirens on. During her sentencing hearing on Friday, the driver of the firetruck testified that Rucker did not move out of the way, so he attempted to pass by using open oncoming lanes, News on 6 reported. Rucker then turned in front of the firetruck, causing the crash, killing her children, Ray, Chatmon and the 26-year-old's unborn baby, prosecutors said. While Rucker and the 26-year-old survived, court records indicate she was left partially paralyzed from the crash and cannot move the right side of her body. Police found cocaine and marijuana in her car, and testing indicated that the drugs had been used within 12 hours of the crash. Keiosha Rucker (pictured), 30, was sentenced to life behind bars for the deadly February 2024 collision with a firetruck Police said Rucker was under the influence of cocaine and marijuana when she failed to yield to a firetruck and caused a crash that killed her two kids Rucker's attorney, Nathan Milner, argued that she tried to turn and get out of the way and that the firetruck was driving at unsafe speeds. A crash report found that the firetruck was moving at about 67mph. Prosecutors offered Rucker a plea deal in exchange for a 50-year sentence, but she declined. At sentencing, prosecutors played a recording of a jail phone call where Rucker said she had no intention of stopping her drug usage, KJRH reported. When asked about no longer using marijuana. Rucker responded, 'Hell, no, when I get out, I'm going to smoke a blunt.' 'The calls that she made showed what her mindset was, that she really didn't feel that bad and that she was not remorseful at all,' said John Tjeerdsma, Tulsa County Assistant District Attorney. This reportedly infuriated Judge David Guten, who said if losing her own children could not make her change her ways, she never would. He sentenced her to five life sentences, four of which will run concurrently, with the last one running consecutively, meaning she will spend at least 40 years behind bars before she is eligible for parole. Tamia Ray, 23, and Makiya'Lynn Chatmon, four, were both killed in the crash, as well as the unborn baby of a 26-year-old woman Rucker has also filed a negligence and wrongful death lawsuit against the city and the Tulsa Fire Department. The lawsuit stated that 'Rucker survived but suffered severe, permanent, and catastrophic injuries, including paralysis, significant physical trauma, neurological damage, emotional distress, and lifelong medical needs.' Daily Mail contacted Milner and the Tulsa Fire Department for comment. Former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot was sued at the end of last year after allegedly failing to pay more than $11,000 in credit card bills, records show. The Democrat, 63, was served with a lawsuit from JPMorgan Chase at her $900,000 home in the affluent Wrightwood neighborhood in October. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, claimed Lightfoot did not dispute with the bank when it declared the debt a charge-off in March 2025. She later paid $5,000 in August that year, which was her last payment on the card, the Chicago Tribune reported. The former lawmaker's money troubles mark a sharp decline from her legal career, which saw her report an average adjusted gross income of $971,626 from 2014 to 2017 while a partner at law firm Mayer Brown. During her historically unpopular time in office from 2019 to 2023, Lightfoot earned $216,000 as mayor. The Tribune claimed that in 2021, the most recent year the outlet requested her returns, Lightfoot reported $402,414 in adjusted gross income. That same year, Lightfoot also said she took out $210,000 in early distributions from her retirement accounts to supplement her salary as mayor. Since becoming the first Chicago mayor to lose re-election in 40 years, Lightfoot has taken on roles as professor at Harvard University, the University of Chicagos Institute of Politics and the University of Michigans Ford School of Public Policy. Former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot, 63, was sued at the end of last year after allegedly failing to pay more than $11,000 in credit card bills, records show The Democrat and her wife, Amy Eshleman, who live together in the affluent Wrightwood area Lightfoot left office in 2023 with historically low approval ratings, and in a 2024 survey by The Harris Poll, just 14 percent of residents said they saw her as the best recent mayor in Chicago. Alongside working as a visiting professor since leaving office, Lightfoot was also hired as a special investigator in a corruption probe into the former mayor of Dalton, Illinois, Tiffany Henyard. Henyard was dubbed 'America's worst mayor' for her alleged financial mismanagement of her town. She has denied any wrongdoing. But in a 73-page report, Lightfoot found that Henyard charged $779,638 to town credit cards in 2023, including glamorous getaways to Las Vegas. Amid Henyard's multiple legal challenges, Lightfoot was quietly facing money troubles of her own, according to records. Despite her own legal troubles, Lightfoot has remained active in the community and recently waded into the controversy surrounding President Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. Last week, Lightfoot launched an initiative called the 'ICE Accountability Project', which she touted as a tool to document alleged criminal behavior from federal agents. Join the debate What's YOUR take on Lori Lightfoot's financial downfall? Lightfoot's $900,000 home in Wrightwood, Chicago, where she was served the lawsuit Lightfoot was the first black woman and first LGBTQ person to serve as mayor of Chicago Lightfoot told Axios as she launched the project that she disagreed with the Trump administration's argument that ICE agents have immunity while conducting official duties. 'Federal immigration officers do not have blanket immunity,' she said. 'While federal authorities may take control of an investigation, that does not prevent state or local officials from conducting their own investigations, gathering evidence, or holding accountable those agents who have allegedly engaged in criminal conduct or used excessive force.' Lightfoot launched the project amid controversy surrounding the fatal ICE shooting of Minneapolis protester Renee Nicole Good. As some call for Jon Ross, the ICE agent who shot the mother of three last week, to face charges, Lightfoot said her project, 'exists to make sure those facts are documented and visible so accountability can occur at every level of government'. The Daily Mail has contacted Lightfoot for comment. The Chicago Tribune reported that she declined to comment through a spokesman. A blind Utah teen who was the only survivor of his dad's murdersuicide spree, which killed his mom and siblings, has died just a week after starting college. Sha Reh, 19, was 17 years old when his father killed himself, his mother, brother and two sisters in December 2024. Reh survived a gunshot to the head that left him blind and critically injured. He miraculously recovered and began pursuing his dreams of attending college to study law at the University of Utah. Reh started his freshman year last week but on Sunday his sudden passing from 'natural causes' was announced on GoFundMe. 'While we are devastated at the news of his death, the knowledge of the joy of his reunion with his family exceeds our pain,' a statement issued by his extended family said. 'He was among those who were once blind, but now can see. He has a perfect vision of his and his family's eternity, and his home is now with them.' As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser for Reh's funeral and memorial expenses had raised about $13,500 of its $20,000 goal. Sha Reh, 19, who was blind, died unexpectedly on Sunday from natural causes. He started studying at the University of Utah last week The teenager, right, was the sole survivor among his family after they were killed in 2024 Reh was the sole survivor of a murdersuicide rampage in December 2024 that killed his mother, Bu Meh, 38; brother, Boe Reh, 11; and sisters Kristina Ree, eight, and Nyay Meh, two. His father, Dae Reh, 42, was found dead on top of a small handgun, according to police. The teenager was shot in the face during the rampage and was critically injured. He lost vision in both eyes as a result. Reh had learned Braille and was 'determined to pursue his dreams despite the obstacles he faced,' per the GoFundMe started by family friend Michelle Schmidt. He began studying at the University of Utah last week, but died 'unexpectedly' at his aunt and uncle's house on Sunday. 'He was living independently and was excited to work toward his dream of obtaining a college education,' Reh's extended family said. Reh was studying prelaw after being awarded a fullride scholarship to cover all his university expenses, according to KSLTV. Reh was awarded a fullride scholarship to the University of Utah and was studying pre-law before his sudden passing 'My brother had a specific learning disability and he often had troubles at school, he told the outlet. 'So I wanted to be the inspiration to my siblings.' Reh added that he 'strived to do good things in this world.' 'I think my one major goal is to be happy and to make others happy,' he told the outlet. The teenager and his family first arrived in the United States more than a decade ago. His mother, 'fled a violent situation in her home country of Myanmar, where her people were being ethnically cleansed by their government,' per a separate GoFundMe started after the murdersuicide. 'She came to the United States with her husband and young family with little more than the clothing on their backs,' it added. The fundraiser alleged that, 'her husband robbed her and their children of ... their very lives'. Reh was shot in the face during the murder-suicide spree and was left blind in both eyes Reh suffered 'new vision loss' as well as brain trauma after the murdersuicide. He was cared for by his aunt, uncle and cousins after being released from the hospital. The teenager did not immediately remember the spree. He said he was 'aware of and [had] expressed sadness over the circumstances of his family members' deaths.' Their funeral was on the day of his 18th birthday. Reh previously said he had leaned on his religion to get through the tough times. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints about ten years ago. 'Religion is a big part of why I'm always so positive,' Reh told KSL. 'It gets me thinking that I will be able to see my family again in the afterlife.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Charles K Ingram, listed as the Reh family's point of contact, for comment. Support for Reform has slumped to its lowest level in eight months in the latest poll suggesting Nigel Farage's party could be stuck in a rut with voters. Reform is on 24 per cent, down two points in a week and four points ahead of the resurgent Conservatives (+2), a survey by YouGov revealed today. Labour has also clawed back ground on Mr Farage's party after a torrid few months for the government, up a point on 19 per cent. It suggests that Reform needs to re-up its game to win over voters after a stratospheric 2025. A separate poll yesterday showed that Mr Farage losing to both Sir Keir Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch in a head-to-head to determine who would be the better prime minister. The poll was carried out at the weekend, before Mr Farage yesterday unveiled Reform's latest Tory defector, former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi. Your browser does not support iframes. The poll was carried out at the weekend, before Mr Farage yesterday unveiled Reform's latest Tory defector, former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi. Labour has also clawed back ground on Mr Farage's party after a torrid few months for the government, up a point on 19 per cent. Today The Conservatives will step up attempts to put green grass between them and Reform by attacking Nigel Farage on the economy. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride will tell a conference that a Tory government would protect the UK's budget watchdog, which Reform has pledged to scrap. Sir Mel will accuse the Reform leader of seeking to 'play fast and loose with the public finances' as he defends the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) as key in preventing chancellors 'from marking their own homework'. Mr Farage earlier this month said he was giving 'serious thought' to axing what he called 'a Blairite-style quango' that is 'dictating policy to elected politicians'. But Sir Mel will use a speech at the Institute for Government think tank on Tuesday to stress the Conservatives' commitment to safeguarding the independent forecaster. The shadow chancellor is expected to say: 'The OBR has become a vital part of our fiscal framework. 'It prevents chancellors from marking their own homework. 'But their role has been questioned in some quarters. 'It is not hard to see why a politician like Nigel Farage might want to get rid of the OBR when he fought the last election on a manifesto which made 140 billion of fantasy unfunded commitments. 'Funnily enough, it is usually those who want to play fast and loose with the public finances who seem to have a problem with the OBR.' The OBR has come under pressure since the inadvertent early release of its assessment of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' November budget. Richard Hughes, who resigned as OBR chairman in December following the leak, is set to face the Lords Economic Affairs Committee on Tuesday. A mother who lost her six-year-old son when a stranger shot him dead from a car after she gave him the finger is now being sued by her ex, who is the boy's father. On May 21, 2021, Joanna Cloonan was taking her son Aiden Leos to kindergarten, when a white Volkswagen SportWagen cut her off in the carpool lane. Cloonan responded by holding up her middle finger, and Marcus Eriz, who was in the passenger seat of the Volkswagen, pulled out a Glock 17 and fired a single shot. The bullet struck Cloonan's son, Aiden Leos, through his heart, lung, and liver, and she helplessly held him as he died in her arms at the side of the California freeway. Eriz, now 29, was sentenced to 40 years to life behind bars in April 2024 after being convicted of second-degree murder and shooting an occupied vehicle. Now, Cloonan will likely have to relive the trauma in civil court, after her late son's father, Jose Leos Jr., sued her over the death of the little boy. Leos has claimed in a lawsuit seen by the LA Times that Cloonan provoked the killing with the gesture she made at Eriz in the moments before he pulled the trigger. 'It is reasonably foreseeable that if [Cloonan] had not engaged in dangerous acts of road rage, and no shots would have been fired by [Eriz], as a direct retaliation for [Cloonan's] act of road rage ... Aiden Leos would still be alive,' the suit reads. A mother who lost her six-year-old son Aiden Leos (pictured) when a stranger shot him dead from a car after she gave him the finger is now being sued by her ex, who is the boy's father Joanna Cloonan is pictured center alongside her son Aiden and her sister Alexis Cloonan Now, Cloonan will likely have to relive the trauma in civil court, after her late son's father, Jose Leos Jr. (pictured above with Aiden), sued her over the death of the little boy Cloonan's lawyer said during Eriz's trial that she felt 'regret beyond comprehension' for holding up her middle finger - but she said this doesn't mean she is responsible for her son's killing at the hands of a stranger, who she has described as 'Satan'. 'Honestly, that day it felt like Satan came out of nowhere and attacked us,' the heartbroken mother told the LA Times. 'Nothing made sense. I know I'm not to blame. I did nothing to hurt my son. 'In my six years of knowing that beautiful soul, I did everything I could to protect him - everything.' Leos' suit also claims that after his son's death, Cloonan launched a GoFundMe to raise money for his funeral and help support his parents as they mourned the unimaginable loss. He said the fundraiser garnered around half a million dollars, but he never received any of the funds. Cloonan told the LA Times that she never spoke with him about it nor promised him any of the money, and that he received compensation from his own separate GoFundMe page. The estranged couple have been in court before, as records show she filed a restraining order against him in 2019 as an alleged victim of domestic violence. A judge granted a temporary order prohibiting Leos from contacting Cloonan or their son in April 2019. She later withdrew the request for a permanent restraining order and instead sought mediation. Court records are sealed so further details are not available. Marcus Eriz (pictured at the time of his arrest) was sentenced to 40 years to life behind bars in April 2024 after being convicted of second-degree murder and shooting an occupied vehicle Six-year-old Aiden Leos was killed in May 2021 after a bullet tore into his mother's car Leos (pictured above with AIden) has claimed in a lawsuit that Cloonan provoked the killing with the gesture she made at Eriz in the moments before he pulled the trigger Their lawsuit is likely to see the trauma of the day their son died rehashed in court for a second time. The horror unfolded on May 21, 2021, when Cloonan was driving Aiden from their home in Costa Mesa to Calvary chapel Pre-School in Yorba Linda. He was strapped into his booster seat behind her. As they drove along the 55 Freeway, a Volkswagen SportWagen 'swerved out of the carpool lane' and in front of her car, Cloonan testified. After cutting her off, Eriz's girlfriend Wynne Lee - who was driving - flashed a 'peace sign.' 'I didnt want to be near these people,' Cloonan said. 'I left the carpool lane. We were next to each other. I made a gesture. And I started to merge away from them.' The 'gesture,' she acknowledged, was the middle finger - one that prosecutors said she would 'regret beyond comprehension.' Cloonan testified that she made eye contact with Eriz, who sat in the passenger seat, before merging into the lanes to her right. 'He looked at me and smiled after the gesture,' Cloonan said. 'I tried to get away as much as I could.' Moments later, something hit her car and Aiden cried out. 'I looked behind me and his head was hanging down,' Cloonan said. The mother pulled over to the side of the freeway and tried to speak to a 911 dispatcher between gasping breaths. In the audio from the call, which was previously played in court, Cloonan called her son's name multiple times. Eriz's girlfriend Wynne Lee (pictured) was driving the car he was in when he fired the shots. She was sentenced to four years in home confinement with an ankle monitory for helping him conceal his firearm during the week after the killing of the six-year-old boy in California When encouraged to consider his own motives, Eriz (pictured above) replied: 'I don't have an answer. Because I'm stupid? I didn't think of the consequences or anyone' The preschooler (pictured with mom Joanna Cloonan, left, and sister Alexis, right) was pronounced dead at the hospital on May 21, 2021, less than an hour after the road rage incident 'I put my hand over his belly, held him up to my body to try to save his life,' Cloonan said. An off-duty police officer and paramedics tried to save the little boy, who was pronounced dead at the hospital. Investigators later determined a bullet tore through the trunk of Cloonans car before passing through Aiden's back, piercing his liver, lung and heart before exiting his right abdomen. When the prosecution showed a photo of the little boy, his mother broke into tears. She denied ever posing a danger to the couple. Eriz initially tried to hide from law enforcement by shaving his beard and cutting his hair while concealing the vehicle he was in when he fired the fatal shots, along with the Glock. But he quickly confessed to his role in the child's death in the courtroom. 'We went in front of that lady, the lady came up to us and started acting hostile toward us,' Eriz told police. 'I dont know why, I have no answer why, but I pulled out my Glock and pulled the trigger and it was gone.' He was unable to recall if he stuck the gun out the window or fired from inside the car, saying he shot 'without really taking time to aim.' Lee was upset with him afterward, he added. When encouraged to consider his own motives, Eriz replied: 'I don't have an answer. Because I'm stupid? I didn't think of the consequences or anyone.' His girlfriend, Lee, was sentenced to four years in home confinement with an ankle monitory for helping him conceal his firearm during the week after the killing. A pair of rebellious teens were arrested in California after they were allegedly caught surfing on top of a train as it rode past a stunning coastal sunset, according to police. Joseph Medina-Rivera and Brad Ellgen, both 18, were spotted by concerned onlookers as they rode atop a fast-moving Coaster train headed for Del Mar on Friday around 5pm, NBC 7 San Diego reported. Footage of the daring stunt showed one of the teens running as the four-car train, which can reach speeds of up to 90 mph, rushed past. The other was seen lying on his stomach while he appeared to be recording the dangerous moment. Multiple people reported the unbelievable sight, leading deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office to arrive at the scene. By the time officers arrived, Medina-Rivera and Ellgen had fled, but they were both found nearby after witnesses gave police descriptions of the teenagers. After being located by police, Medina-Rivera and Ellgen confessed to being on top of the train. They were then arrested for trespassing on railroad property. No injuries were reported, authorities said. After being cited for the misdemeanor, both teens were released, Lieutenant Josh Stone, a spokesperson with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, told the outlet. Joseph Medina-Rivera and Brad Ellgen, both 18, were arrested after they were allegedly caught surfing on top of a train in California Several witnesses reported the dangerous scene to police, as one teen was seen running along the roof of the Coaster train, and another was spotted lying on his stomach Stone declined to confirm if the teen seen lying on the train was in fact recording the other. Locals were left shocked after seeing the now-viral video, as one man said: 'That was crazy!' Another said he first thought the clip was AI because it was hard for him to believe anyone could do that. 'Yeah, I definitely thought it was AI. I was like, there's no way anybody could climb up there,' a man stated. He went on to add that in the age of social media, where posts can go viral and be monetized, people are more inclined to do 'outrageous' things. 'People make so much money on Instagram, getting content out there,' the man said. 'I guess it just drives people to do more outrageous stuff.' Another resident, Gina Gunderson, said she was just relieved the teens were not harmed. 'Be safe. Don't jump on moving trains or risk your life. You've got a long life ahead of you. Go surf in the water,' Gunderson said. The deadly trend has just appeared to make its way to the West Coast, but it is no stranger to New York, after at least five people died and more than 50 were injured last year while subway surfing. Many of the people who ride on top of trains often record themselves doing so in a bid to go viral online. In October, two young teenagers, Zemfira Mukhtarov, 12, and Ebba Morina, 13, were tragically found dead on top of a J train in Brooklyn after participating in the act. The girls were a part of a group of roughly 15 teens who were running around the train before being found on the roof. Just days before their deaths, the teenage girls were seen performing the same dangerous stunt. Following Medina-Rivera and Ellgen's arrest, North County Transit District (NCTD) Chief of Staff Mary Dover said that although the act is rare in the Golden State, people need to be aware of the dangers associated with it. After being located by police, Medina-Rivera and Ellgen confessed to being on top of the train. They were then arrested for trespassing on railroad property 'Anybody that thinks that this is a good idea if they're interested in doing it for going viral or for their 15 minutes of fame, it's not worth your life, and it's not worth potential legal action that we will take,' Dover told NBC 7 San Diego. The incident remains under investigation, according to NCTD. Dover said the agency plans to press charges against the teens to keep passengers and those around the train tracks safe. The Daily Mail contacted the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and NCTD for comment. A six-year-old boy was brutally killed by a Great Dane that prosecutors allege saw children as 'toys that run' after his grandmother dropped him off at a babysitter's house. The boy, a first grader named Loyalty Scott, was found dead two years ago after two Great Danes attacked him at his babysitter Koko Miller's house. Miller, 57, was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide, maintaining a dangerous dog that killed a person, and two counts of criminal mistreatment in the first degree, according to Multnomah County Court records. Her trial kicked off in an Oregon circuit court on Monday. Prosecutors recounted the horrific details that led to the child's death on December 5, 2023. Prosecutor Chuck Mickley argued in his opening statement that there were 'obvious and clear dangers' to the child that she neglected while Loyalty was in her care. 'Ms Miller essentially left it to a 6-year-old to protect himself,' Mickley told the jury, according to a report by Oregon Live. Prosecutors alleged that Miller knew her dogs were aggressive and could have prevented Loyalty's tragic death. The horrific morning began like any other. Rena Scott, Loyalty's grandmother, dropped him off at Miller's home so she could take him to school. Loyalty Scott, 6, pictured above, was killed on December 5, 2023, after two Great Danes attacked him at his babysitter's house Koko Miller, 57, pictured above with one of her dogs, was babysitting the child when the attack occurred Miller, pictured above in court on Monday, faces a slew of charges in relation to the attack, including criminally negligent homicide, maintaining a dangerous dog that killed a person, and two counts of criminal mistreatment in the first degree Scott and Miller were longtime family friends, with Loyalty's grandmother noting that the two even spent holidays together. Miller's two Great Danes, Carlos and Lola, were in the garage when Loyalty arrived with his grandmother. The attack occurred when Miller called for Carlos as Loyalty opened the door. Miller's defense attorney, Ryan Corbridge, called what happened next a 'perfect storm.' 'Ms Miller immediately ran towards the dog to protect the child. She was not fast enough. The dog attacked the child,' Corbridge said in court, according to local NBC affiliate, KGW. 'What followed was chaos, terror and unimaginable trauma. Ms Miller fought the dog for what felt like an eternity.' After Carlos lunged at Loyalty, Lola joined in. Miller's attorneys argued that she fought the dogs to protect the child and ran to grab a gun when she couldn't fend them off. When Miller returned to shoot the dogs, they had already killed the child. Officers found Miller covered in blood with injuries on her hands. Miller told police at the hospital that the dogs were kept in the garage to prevent attacks, and Loyalty knew he wasn't allowed to open the door. Loyalty, pictured above, was like an 'animal whisperer,' his grandmother testified in court Attorneys recounted Loyalty's horrific attack that began when he opened the garage door and a Great Dane lunged at him Prosecutors said Miller told police that Carlos hadn't been around children and had previously chased a child. Miller's husband also allegedly told officers that the Great Dane viewed children as 'toys that run.' However, prosecutors accused Miller of changing her story during the police investigation. They noted that when officers returned for questioning, Carlos was described as a 'lover' and a 'big goofball.' Loyalty's grandmother testified on the first day of trial. She said she believed Miller's dogs were 'well mannered' when she dropped her grandson off with them. Scott described Loyalty as an 'animal whisperer' and recalled a previous incident where the dog was friendly with her grandchild. Rena Scott, Loyalty's grandmother, pictured above in court on Monday, testified that she believed Miller's dogs were 'well mannered,' but would be in their crates when her grandson was at the home She testified that she believed the dogs would be in their crates when her grandson was at the home and that she previously told Loyalty not to open the garage door. However, prosecutors argued that the dogs were placed in crates to prevent fights among themselves, not attacks on humans. The prosecution also noted that Lola attacked Miller just two weeks before Loyalty's death, and she owned two different dogs involved in canine deaths. Miller was convicted in 2008 for owning a dog that was a public nuisance, according to Multnomah County Court records. Scott told the court that Miller has attempted to reach out since Loyalty's death, but that she couldn't bring herself to speak with her. Defense lawyers argued that Miller, pictured above on January 16, 2025, fought off the dogs and grabbed her gun to save the child Portland Police said in 2024 that the two dogs involved in the attack were euthanized. Miller had previously posted a photo of one of her dogs, pictured above, on February 23, 2023 Scott previously told KSW: 'It breaks my heart in more ways than one, you know. Not only because its my grandson, but Ive known her for so long. 'Our families knew each other. We used to spend holidays together, so thats hard.' Miller was indicted in July 2024. Portland Police confirmed at the time that the two dogs involved in Loyalty's attack were euthanized, and Miller's third dog was taken by animal services. Miller has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. Her trial is set to resume on January 20, according to the court docket. The Daily Mail has reached out to Miller's representation for comment. A school nurse who stabbed her estranged husband twice after he had their two dachshunds put down has been cleared of attempting to murder him after the jury heard she may have suffered temporary amnesia. Claire Bridger, 64, accepted that she drove the blade into husband Keith's chest and abdomen while screaming that he had killed 'my dogs' when she 'saw red' after he told her they had been euthanised. The mother-of-two denied a charge of attempted murder and the jury - which heard she could have suffered the amnesia due to a combination of distress and alcohol - took just two hours and 34 minutes to clear her unanimously after a five-day trial. However, Bridger had earlier admitted a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to her husband, who suffered life-threatening injuries, and she was remanded back into custody. Judge Katharine Moore said she was adjourning sentencing because she wanted the probation service to draw up a report on her potential 'dangerousness'. The trial heard how Bridger and her husband, who had been together for 37 years and married for 30 years, split up when Mr Bridger suddenly announced he was leaving her as they ate breakfast with their two daughters on April 27 last year. Bridger initially kept their two rescue dogs, which they had taken on in 2020 and 2021, as she remained at the home they had shared in Taverham, Norfolk, while he had moved to a one-bedroom rented home in Bramerton around 15 miles away. She handed them over to her car dealer husband to look after when she went to stay for a week with her sister and niece in London. Claire Bridger, 64, is left estranged husband Keith with life-threatening injuries after lunging at him with a knife when she learned their two rescue dogs had been put down But Bridger ended up signing herself off work and staying with her relatives for several weeks because she 'felt in pieces and couldnt cope' following her marriage break-up. During her trial, she told jurors she believed that her daughters had taken her husbands side and revealed one of them had phoned her to urge her to come home otherwise they would have to put the 'noisy' and 'quite bitey' dogs down due to difficulties looking after them. Giving evidence, the defendant said: 'I thought it was nonsense. I thought that they would never put the dogs down, no matter what. 'There was no need I thought it was a demand to make me come home.' Bridger eventually returned to Taverham to clear out her family house as it needed to be sold and decided to return two bags of her daughters possessions to them after drinking a double gin and tonic on the evening of July 17 last year. When she found they were not around, she went to her husbands new home in case one of them was there and found him on the driveway after returning from a motorcycle ride, she told Norwich Crown Court. She said she at first asked him if he was willing to pay for a session of mediation which she could not afford and he agreed to do so. Bridger added: 'I just suddenly thought "I cant hear the dogs" because they were yappy. The couple's dachshunds, which came from a rescue home, pictured with one of their daughters 'I shouted "Where are the dogs?" and he didnt answer me. He was taking his helmet off and I beeped my horn and shouted it again.' After shouting a third time, she told jurors: 'He turned round facing me in the car and he said "You know where the dogs are. The vets wrote to you".' 'I said I had a text from the vets and he said You know what happened to the dogs. The dogs are dead. I had them put down. Describing her reaction, Bridger added: 'It was like an explosion in my head. I could see my feet getting out of the car and that was it 'I dont know what happened to me. I would never have intentionally tried to hurt Keith, let alone try to kill him.' The next thing she was aware of was a neighbour trying to pull her off her husband, she said. When police arrived, the Bridger told them he killed my dogs, adding: I just saw red. The defendant told the court the knife she used in the attack was in the car because it was slightly bent and had been in a bag of rubbish she was taking to her local tip. Bridger, who took in the first dog with her husband in 2020 and the other in 2021, was cleared unanimously of attempted murder She later discovered it had fallen out of the bag and down the side of the driver's seat, so she threw it onto the front passenger seat. Tim Hunter, defending, asked if she 'accepted as a matter of fact' that she was responsible for assaulting her husband with a knife and 'intended to do him really serious harm'. She answered: 'Yes.' Mr Hunter also read an agreed statement to jurors saying that a medical expert who had carried out a psychiatric assessment on Bridger had stated that 'a combination of alcohol and extreme emotional arousal' during the incident could have caused amnesia. Bridger insisted her husband would have been aware that the dogs had come from a charity which had a rule to take back any rehomed dogs if people couldn't cope with them. Her older brother, Graham Skelton, 72, gave evidence, describing her as 'a very much-loved younger sister' and 'a very loyal wife to Keith regardless', with many long-term friends who 'care and love her dearly'. Lloyd Jones, a friend of Bridger's for 30 years, said in a statement she was 'a woman of exceptional character with unwavering love for her daughters' who had worked tirelessly to support her family and had cared for elderly neighbours. Mr Bridger admitted in the witness box that he had not told his wife that the dogs had been euthanised but insisted he believed she already knew that he had done so after he unsuccessfully tried to rehome them. He described her becoming 'almost hysterical' when he told her what had happened on the driveway outside his new home. Mr Bridger, pictured with a different dog, said he had to act as he was unable to keep the dachshunds at the single-bedroom flat he had moved to after the separation 'She was screaming "You killed my dogs, you killed my dogs". The next thing I knew the knife went in me.' Mr Bridger, whose injuries included a punctured lung and who was also bitten by his wife repeatedly, said it had taken all his strength to hold her off as neighbours emerged and prised the knife from her hands. Bridger will be sentenced on March 20. A massive Maryland home was left in ruins overnight after a chicken coop heat lamp is believed to have sparked a vicious fire beneath the deck. More than 50 firefighters rushed early Sunday morning to a nearly $1 million mansion on the 15800 block of Phillips Oak Drive in Montgomery County as a sprawling fire rapidly tore through the home, according to a news release. The fire was eventually contained, but officials said it triggered a partial collapse and caused an estimated $1 million in damage. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service later revealed that the fire broke out beneath a rear deck, in a chicken coop just outside the home. A heat lamp is believed to have sparked the blaze - a device commonly used in winter to extend daylight hours and keep chickens warm so they continue laying eggs. The department confirmed in the press release that there were no injuries and that the fire remains under investigation. Around 12:40am, fire crews were dispatched to the 5,100-square-foot home off Spencerville Road after an automatic fire alarm signaled an emergency. The home's sole resident also heard a noise outside, spotted flames on the deck and escaped safely, later calling 911 from a neighbor's house, fire officials said. A massive Maryland home was left destroyed overnight Sunday when a chicken coop heat lamp reportedly ignited a vicious blaze beneath the deck More than 50 firefighters rushed early in the morning to a nearly $1 million mansion on the 15800 block of Phillips Oak Drive in Montgomery County as a fire rapidly tore through the home The fire was eventually contained, but officials said it triggered a partial collapse and caused an estimated $1 million in damage Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service later revealed that the fire broke out beneath a rear deck, in a chicken coop just outside the home Firefighters on the scene were met with 'heavy fire conditions' as the flames raced through the home, quickly swallowing the entire structure by 1:06am. Haunting images captured towering orange flames bursting from the roof and windows, while thick smoke poured into the night sky. The home partially collapsed and forced firefighters to switch to defensive operations, including deploying an aerial tower ladder pipe as dozens battled the blaze. Fire crews - including multiple engines, trucks, medic units and command staff - worked through the night to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby homes. The flames were eventually contained, though emergency crews stayed on site in case of any further hazards. Devastating photos of the aftermath showed firefighters outside the home using a hose to douse the remaining structure. The five-bedroom home, estimated at $993,521 according to Redfin, was once a luxurious brown-bricked residence with pale yellow siding in the back and a brown deck overlooking the expansive backyard. But photos taken after the catastrophic fire showed the home in ruins. The windows were blackened with soot and the back of the residence flattened to blackened rubble. The department confirmed in a press release that there were no injuries and that the fire remains under investigation Around 12:40am, fire crews were dispatched to the 5,100-square-foot home off Spencerville Road after an automatic fire alarm signaled an emergency Photos taken after the catastrophic fire showed the home in ruins, with windows blackened with soot and the back of the residence flattened The five-bedroom home, estimated at $993,521 according to Redfin, was once a luxurious brown-bricked residence with pale yellow siding in the back and a brown deck overlooking the expansive backyard Officials used the incident to warn the public about smoke alarms, saying the first call came through an automatic alert, according to the department's news release. 'Working smoke alarms save lives!' the department wrote. 'Test your alarms monthly and have an escape plan in place.' The fire comes just weeks after a 21-year-old sorority student - the daughter of a General Electric executive - died on Christmas Eve when 'heat spots' ignited a blaze that destroyed her family's mansion. Kayla Corrigan was killed when her $4 million home in Needham, a Boston suburb, erupted in flames. Two other adults inside at the time escaped unharmed. The search for a missing Illinois special education teacher has ended in tragedy after the 53-year-old's body was pulled from Lake Michigan. Linda Brown's family said her body was recovered from the 31st Street Harbor on Monday near the South Side of Chicago following a 10-day search, according to Fox 32. The teacher, who worked at Robert Healy Elementary, vanished after a night in with her husband Antwon on January 2. The coupe watched a movie together and she went to bed early. The teacher was last seen driving the following day in the 4500 block of South King Drive in the Bronzeville neighborhood. Her blue 2021 Honda Civic was later found on January near East 35th Street and South Lake Park Avenue close to where her body was discovered. Footage showed the teacher parking her car and walking across a bridge to the lake at 3am the day she went missing. Chicago Police marine units pulled Brown's body out and she was positively identified by her family, according to ABC 7. 'This is not the outcome we were hoping or praying for, but we are grateful that she has been found and can now be brought home to our family,' her loved ones said in a statement. Linda Brown, 53, was a special education teacher at Chicago's Robert Healy Elementary. Her body was recovered from Lake Michigan on Monday near the South Side of Chicago [Pictured with her husband, Antwon] A surveillance camera showed the teacher parking her car and walking across a bridge to the lake at 3am the night she went missing 'We want to extend our deepest and most sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us during this unimaginable time. 'The outpouring of support meant more to us than words can express.' 'At this time, we are respectfully asking for privacy as we grieve, process this loss, and come together as a family to honor Linda's life. Thank you for continuing to hold our family in your thoughts and prayers.' Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement: '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.' Her cause of death has not yet been determined. Brown was scheduled to return to work on January 6 after taking a leave of absence, NBC Chicago reported. She had faced mental health challenges and was receiving help before her disappearance. During the search, her husband told Fox 32 how desperate he was to find his wife: 'I'm broke down.' Brown worked at Robert Healy Elementary in Chicago and vanished after a night in with her husband Antwon on January 2 Chicago Police marine units pulled Brown's body from the the 31st Street Harbor following a 10-day search 'I don't know what to do. I've done everything. I'm talking to people. We've got people searching for her. I'm out of options.' Antwon did not immediately suspect that anything was wrong the morning his wife went missing. 'She took her purse and credit cards, but I'm thinking she was at acupuncture,' he added. But when she did not show up for her scheduled appointment and did not respond to his messages and calls, Brown's family contacted the authorities to report her missing. 'That was her main thing, helping kids. She loved it,' Lisa Quintana, Brown's sister, told WGNTV. She claimed Linda had 'never missed a day of work,' making her disappearance even more uncharacteristic. Quintana added: 'She always went and she always had a smile on her face. Positive attitude all the time.' Loved ones paid tribute to the dedicated teacher, who had been receiving mental health support during a leave of absence from work prior to her death She insisted that Brown would not desert her loved ones on purpose, especially her husband. 'No matter where she goes [or] what she's doing, he knows where she is at,' Quintana said.' Her sister said Brown was 'in contact with Antwon all the time', which set off alarm bells when she stopped responding to him. Jen River, Brown's niece, said Antwon is devastated after learning his wife was found: 'He is beside himself, he is very, very upset. 'This wasn't the outcome any of us hoped for He really thought that we would bring Linda home safely and she would be alive and well.' River added that Antwon is grieving and having a hard time speaking about the tragedy. 'He just lost the love of his life,' River said. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Chicago Police Department for comment. Around 12,000 protestors have been killed by the Iranian regime, according to claims made by Iranian opposition website Iran International. The figures are much higher than previous reports, with an Iranian official admitting to Reuters today that around 2,000 people have been killed in protests, blaming 'terrorists' for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. This comes as human rights groups have warned that the regime has imminent plans to execute a 26-year-old man who was arrested on Thursday during a protest in Fardis, Alborz Province. Sources told the National Union for Democracy in Iran and Iran Human Rights that the government plans to execute Erfan Soltani on Wednesday, after he was sentenced to death for taking part in the demonstrations. He has apparently been denied access to a lawyer. Tehran's attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, warned on Saturday that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an 'enemy of God', punishable by a death-penalty charge. The Editorial Board of Iran International released a statement saying: 'At least 12,000 people were killed in the largest massacre in contemporary Iranian history, mainly on the nights of January 8 and 9, and this massacre will not be buried in silence.' The opposition website claims the numbers are based on multiple sources, with the killings carried out by the Revolutionary Guards and Basij forces on the orders of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The opposition website claims the numbers are based on multiple sources, with the killings carried out by the Revolutionary Guards and Basij forces Sources told the National Union for Democracy in Iran and Iran Human Rights that the government plans to execute 26-year-old Erfan Soltani (pictured above) on Wednesday Graphic videos circulating online show dozens of bodies in a morgue on the outskirts of Iran's capital, south of Tehran It says these killings were not 'unplanned' or the result of 'scattered clashes', adding that the death toll is the estimate held by Iran's own security authorities. According to The Times Of Israel (TOA), the opposition website put together and cross-referenced information from insiders, including a source close to the Supreme National Security Council and the Iranian presidential office. They also reportedly received information from sources in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, witness accounts and information from medical officials. Iran International said: 'This data was examined and verified through multiple stages and in accordance with strict professional standards before being announced,' TOA reported. Thousands have been injured while almost 10,700 people have been arrested since protests began late last year, over frustration at the collapse of the Iranian currency and economic mismanagement. Witnesses have described how streets have turned into 'warzones', as security forces open fire on unarmed protestors with Kalashnikov-style assault rifles, and morgues fill up with body bags. People are seen walking by bodies in body bags laid out in a large room, attempting to identify them Witnesses have described how streets have turned into 'warzones' 'It's like a warzone, the streets are full of blood,' an anonymous Iranian told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme. 'They're taking away bodies in trucks, everyone is frightened tonight. They're carrying out a massacre here - it's officially a massacre.' A young woman from Tehran said last Thursday felt like 'the day of judgement'. 'Even remote neighbourhoods of Tehran were packed with protesters - places you wouldn't believe,' she told the BBC. 'But on Friday, security forces only killed and killed and killed. Seeing it with my own eyes made me so unwell that I completely lost morale. Friday was a bloody day.' She added: 'In war, both sides have weapons. Here, people only chant and get killed. It is a one-sided war.' Graphic videos circulating online show dozens of bodies in a morgue on the outskirts of Iran's capital, south of Tehran. People with knowledge of the facility and the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency say the video shows the Kahrizak Forensic Medicine Centre. People are seen walking by bodies in body bags laid out in a large room, attempting to identify them. Some of the bags were seen on mortuary trollies while others were lined up on the floor. In one video, a mother screamed while begging for her motionless child to stand up from the table. German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that Iran's theocratic regime was living out its 'last days' US president Donald Trump has been briefed on a range of covert and military options to target Iran Protesters attend a rally in support of the nationwide mass demonstrations in Iran against the government, in Zurich, Switzerland, January 13, 2026 A woman shows a sign during a rally in support of nationwide protests in Iran, in Rome, Italy, January 13, 2026 German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that Iran's theocratic regime was living out its 'last days' as pressure grew on the government over violence against protestors. 'When a regime can only hold on to power through violence, then it is effectively finished,' chancellor Merz told reporters in Bengaluru during a visit to India. 'I believe that we are now witnessing the last days and weeks of this regime.' Iran's leaders have 'no legitimacy' as they were not elected by the people and the population was now 'rising up', Merz said, adding: 'I hope that there is a way to end this conflict peacefully.' US president Donald Trump has been briefed on a range of covert and military options to target Iran, according to two Department of Defense officials. The tools presented to Trump include long-range missile strikes, but Pentagon officials also presented other options, including cyber operations and psychological campaign responses, sources told CBS News. The US president's national security team is understood to be holding a meeting at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the approaches, but it is unclear whether Trump himself will be present. Karen Read broke down in tears as she revealed she has been left traumatized after being acquitted in the high-profile murder trial of her Boston cop boyfriend. Read, 45, grew emotional as she told Stephanie Soo, the host of the Rotten Mango podcast, of the impact the ordeal had on her life. The formerly accused murderer said she has been unable to move on since being spectacularly acquitted over the January 2022 death of John O'Keefe. The nearly two-and-a-half-hour episode, released on January 12, was the first extensive interview Read has given since she was acquitted in June last year. 'Every waking hour, every hour, I thought about my freedom and if I could lose it, and those feelings just don't disappear when a jury foreman says not guilty,' said the woman from the acquitted woman. While there is some relief, Read added that she is no longer living the same life that she was five years ago. 'I do feel I've had this delayed to the persecution,' said Read. 'Not a delayed reaction to the acquittal. I'm finally reacting to this horrible thing that happened to me, and I had to swallow it and and and and roll with it.' Read was accused of backing her SUV into her former boyfriend and then driving off, leaving him to die on the snowy front lawn of Brian Albert, a fellow Boston police officer, on January 29, 2022, while being intoxicated. Karen Read, 45, grew emotional as she sat down for her first extensive interview since her acquittal in June 2025 over the murder of her cop boyfriend John O'Keefe Read told the Rotten Mango podcast she has been left traumatized by the ordeal Despite Read telling Soo she is 'out of tears about the tragedy of January 29th,' after mourning for years, she noted life is hard without O'Keefe. 'John was in my life so much so thickly, and then he wasn't anymore - it was the only relationship I've had, and I've had many, I mean I'm 45, and I've been dating since I was a teenager that ended with such finality,' said Read. 'I can't call him when I'm out in Boston at 1am when the bar closes, like I did when I was in my twenties. I can't miss him in a few weeks and say just thinking of you, or can I drop by and see you?' She added that she has never been forced to deal with the finality of death with someone she was so close to. She also complained she has no money, noting that she used her final asset, her house, to pay for most of the trial. Read now lives with her parents and added that she plans to leave Massachusetts because she doesn't feel safe. She explained her plans to write a book with her lawyer Alan Jackson: 'I want this to be a story about corruption.' Read had been accused of drunkenly ramming her SUV into her boyfriend, former Boston police officer John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in blizzard conditions on January 29, 2022 'I want to have some impact on the state where I've lived most of my life and where my family's from and where we battled this,' she said. 'I want to make an impact on what people think about politics, about the government, about the dangers of a one-party political system, which is what Massachusetts is.' She added that one-party systems are dangerous and were the reason she ended up in the ordeal, and believes the book will help women in a similar position to hers. Read and her legal team are gearing up for a civil trial - a $50,000 wrongful death lawsuit filed by O'Keefe's family against her and two local bars. She has long maintained her innocence and insisted that she was framed by his cop friends. She alleged in court that she was framed by the Boston Police Department. But multiple jurors said the 'sloppy investigation' into O'Keefe's death left them with too much reasonable doubt. Although the panel found Read not guilty because of police blunders, some jurors added that they didn't believe her claims. Prosecutors portrayed Read as a scorned lover who chose to leave O'Keefe dying in the snow, after striking him with her SUV The jury ultimately returned a not guilty verdict on the charges of murder and leaving the scene, resulting in death, on Wednesday. However, Read was found guilty of operating under the influence and was sentenced to probation. Read had already faced the charges at a trial in 2024. But after five days of deliberations, Judge Beverly Cannone declared a mistrial as the jurors remained split on whether she intentionally killed her boyfriend. Dr Anne Woodhouse has no case to answer. It was a welcome, long-awaited conclusion for the highly-skilled clinical psychologist and mother-of-two from the Highlands. Unlike nurse Sandie Peggies high-profile case against NHS Fife, Dr Woodhouses fitness to practise investigation, brought by regulator - the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) - bubbled along quietly for years. It centred on five gender-critical social-media posts she liked or shared, and above all - accusations from an ideologically-driven headteacher, Mr John Naples-Campbell, who also performs as drag queen Miss Lossie Mouth. In December, the HCPC tribunal panels conclusion ended a bizarre few years. Welcoming me into her home, Dr Woodhouse is relaxed, smiling, wearing a comfy hoodie with Woodmoose printed on the back. Woodmoose is her anonymous Twitter/X handle, whose interactions online so incensed Mr Naples-Campbell, then Deputy Head at her daughters school, he reported her not just to her regulator, but to Police Scotland. Over freshly-brewed coffee and Tunnocks teacakes, Dr Woodhouse relates the full story, backed up by meticulously gathered screenshots, emails, and other correspondence. Her determination to speak frankly demonstrates characteristic defiance in the face of gender wars injustice, also evident in other women whove found themselves in comparably discombobulating situations. Dr Anne Woodhouse had 'no case to answer' a fitness to practice hearing ruled John Naples-Campbell made a complaint about Dr Anne Woodhouse Woodhouse is the Drs maiden name, used professionally. Her daughters secondary school know her by her married name. Alongside her anonymous Woodmoose Twitter/X account, her Facebook handle - an approximation of her married name made her unidentifiable online without strenuous effort. In 2021, pleased to hear her daughters one of whom loves performing - had a new Depute with a drama background, she followed Mr Naples-Campbell online. She soon unfollowed. Hed robustly argued Laurel Hubbard, a biologically male weightlifter, had every right to compete in the womens category at the 2021 Olympics. (Naples-Campbell) claimed he faced waves of abuse from anon accounts afterwards, Dr Woodhouse says. Id say almost 100 per cent of responses were critique really. Crucially, Woodmoose didnt interact. She nevertheless soon felt compelled to write to the school and Highland Council about something more serious. Mr Naples-Campbell supports the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) Scotland campaign, tweeting supportively their suggestion trans-identifying children could transition at school without parental knowledge. A safeguarding disaster, the doctor says. If a childs struggling, parents need informed. Adults need to show responsibility for that childs welfare. I wanted to confirm if his tweets were school policy, and what staff social-media policies were too. It wasnt a formal complaint. But, I wanted to say are you aware of the massive liabilities here. Dr Woodhouse requested confidentiality, mainly to protect her daughters from potential issues in school. John Naples-Campbell performs as drag queen Miss Lossie Mouth Naomi Cunningham acted for Dr Anne Woodhouse But, Mr Naples-Campbell, once aware of the complaint, demanded to know whod sent it. He was told. The Council justified this to Dr Woodhouse as the employee concerned had to balance your request for confidentiality against the welfare of the member of staff, who was extremely distressed over the ongoing abuse he was being subjected to. This logic takes Dr Woodhouses breath away. She says: Hes upset about online abuse I wasnt responsible for from anonymous accounts - so the Council hands him the real-life name of a woman offline? Mr Naples-Campbell received a homophobic, anonymous letter in the post around this time, which he reported to police. Dr Woodhouse, obviously, wasnt responsible. Hed nevertheless claim to the HCPC shed complained to his employers about them hiring an openly-gay headteacher. He also reported her to Police Scotland. Dr Woodhouse wouldnt be aware of this for some time. In the meantime, an escalation. Armed with both her married name and her professional one, Mr Naples-Campbell worked out her Facebook handle based on an innocuous comment she made on the schools page. He screenshot her cover photo - a celebration of International Womens Day featuring the gender-critical slogan Women Wont Wheesht. He included this as proof of her wrongdoing when reporting her to the HCPC. He also claimed she was under active police investigation. Hed worked out the Woodmoose account was likely hers too. He went through her likes scrolling back to 2014 screenshotting what he deemed examples of anti-trans prejudice. As Dr Woodhouses counsel conceded, if someone holds gender-identity beliefs, the tweets might be offensive. But, does subjective offence mean Dr Woodhouse should be struck off? She was informed of the HCPC investigation in 2022. It was only then she heard police were investigating - according to the HCPC. In fact, police had told Mr Naples-Campbell his accusations about Dr Woodhouse amounted to political differences, declining to investigate. She remains astonished: At every stage Ive thought, surely this will end up in the hands of someone intelligent and itll stop. I told (the HCPC) I could show them my correspondence, proving I never complained about him being gay, and wasnt even making a complaint! Do you know what they asked Police Scotland when THEY told them I wasnt under investigation? Are you sure? Its like they were so beholden to him (Naples-Campbell) theyd believe anything he said. Mens vengeance powers the gender wars. But its the regulators, institutions, professional bodies who allow that who are really at fault. (Naples-Campbell) has possibly convinced himself he IS my victim But its total fantasy. One the HCPC facilitated. By December 2025, every bit of evidence from the HCPC, including a highly personal, vicious character assassination from Mr Naples-Campbell, were proven irrelevant by her legal team. All, but five tweets, swiftly dealt with. The last four years have felt insane. A month on, Dr Anne Woodhouse is relieved, and also resolute. This process couldve broken someone. Thankfully, the long-game is my superpower, she laughs. Ill continue working. Ill continue speaking about the dangers of gender-identity activism and child-safeguarding. Its a professional duty to. Too many have forgotten that. Andy Burnham heaped more pressure on Rachel Reeves to provide financial aid for ailing hospitality businesses, saying the whole rate system needed 'rebalancing'. The Greater Manchester mayor, a former Cabinet minister and possible challenger to Keir Starmer, said changes were needed as part of wider reform that includes revaluing council tax. His remarks to the Institute for Government (IfG) conference came as the Chancellor resists mounting Cabinet pressure to offer business rates support to the wider hospitality sector. The Treasury signalled a major U-turn on pubs last week following warnings hundreds could be forced to close after a big hike in rates. But industry chiefs say that other sectors such as cafes, restaurants and hotels will also be hit hard, along with music and theatre venues and independent shops. They warned six such venues will close every day in the next year without support a total of more than 2,000. 'I would support relief for the high street,' Mr Burnham said today, suggesting it could be funded by greater taxes on web retailers. 'What is needed is a root and branch review of land and property taxation overall, and business taxation linked to that business rates I think are in need of rebalancing.' It came as the boss of a Government agency warned that more than 5,000 pubs are set for sharp jumps in business rates after their property tax valuations doubled following the Budget. The Manchester mayor, a former Cabinet minister and possible challenger to Keir Starmer, said changes were needed as part of wider reform that includes revaluing council tax Despite more than 2,000 pubs facing closure amid business rate hikes, Rachel Reeves remains resistant to mounting Cabinet pressure to offer support to struggling hospitality venues Your browser does not support iframes. Jonathan Russell, chief executive of the Valuation Office Agency, confirmed a significant increase in the figures used to calculate property taxes for pubs at Parliament's Treasury Select Committee on Tuesday. It comes after weeks of criticism from pub bosses, industry chiefs and politicians over changes to business rates in the Budget announced in November. In the Budget, the Chancellor announced a reduction in the multiplier used to calculate business rates payments for UK businesses. However, the Treasury also confirmed that it would phase out Covid-era discounts for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses, which mean property taxes for these firms are cut by up to 40 per cent. Ministers confirmed a 4.3 billion fund to help provide transitional relief as these discounts phase out, but this will only run until 2029. Alongside these changes to business rates calculations, businesses will also see their taxes impacted by new property valuations. Valuations based on calculations from 2024 will take effect when the new financial year begins in April. While some properties have seen their valuations fall, most businesses in the hospitality sector have seen valuations jump due to a rebound in trade following the coronavirus pandemic. On Tuesday, Mr Russell said 5,100 pubs have seen their properties' rateable valuations rise by at least double. He said that pubs have seen valuations jump by an average of 32% but stressed that around 15% have seen their valuations fall. Mr Russell said: 'There has been an increase but if you go back to the 2017 list, the rateable change between 2017 list and 2026 list is about 8%. 'There was an obvious blip linked to Covid, which had an impact on trade and rentable evidence, so that had an impact on valuations.' Kate Nicholls, chairman of UK Hospitality, said: 'A whole hospitality problem needs a whole hospitality solution.' The average hotel will see its business rates bill increase by 28,900 in the first year and by 205,200 in total over three years, the trade group said. The average pub faces paying 1,400 a year more initially and 12,900 over three years. UK Hospitality is calling for ministers to quadruple the level of discount applied to business rates to the maximum possible for hospitality firms. One Government source yesterday indicated that Downing Street is pushing for a wider package to avoid having to make further debilitating U-turns. 'There is a view that we want to do it once and get it right,' the source said. Business Secretary Peter Kyle, who will discuss the issue with the Chancellor this week, also hinted support should not be restricted to pubs. He told the BBC the Government had been 'in listening mode for some time' on the issue, and that talks were held with the hospitality industry in Birmingham last week. Mr Kyle said conversations with the Treasury had been 'vigorous' but 'collegiate'. But the Treasury insisted there are still no plans to extend help on business rates to other sectors. A source said hotels and restaurants may benefit from wider licensing reforms, but help on rates would be 'pub specific'. East Thanet MP Polly Billington, chairman of Labour's group of coastal MPs, said ministers are having 'genuine conversations with us' about support for small hospitality and retail businesses. It came as Labour was accused of a 'wanton desire' to destroy pubs. A leading brewery boss said business rates reform piled further pressure on a sector already being battered by higher alcohol duty, minimum wages, National Insurance, VAT, corporation tax, green energy levies, packaging taxes and inheritance tax. Richard Bailey, chairman of the Independent Family Brewers of Britain, said: 'The measures taken by this government to increase tax and the burden of law on landlords and pubs will decimate this beloved and critical sector. 'You can only assume from the Government's recent actions and policy decisions that there is a wanton desire to wipe them out, destroy employment and vandalise our communities.' He said that going to the pub is 'becoming increasingly unaffordable', adding: 'Your local may not even be open every day due to ever-increasing taxes and legislation. 'Pubs are being used as a whipping boy by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Treasury, who are deaf to the voices of industry that warn of hardship, closure and cultural obliteration.' Some 1,500 pubs banned Labour MPs from their premises after the Budget. Mr Bailey, also chairman of Daniel Thwaites brewery, said: 'This political leadership appear to have completely lost sight of the vital role that pubs play or maybe they really don't care.' It's been almost 25 years since Rusty Yates received the worst phone call of his life: His then-wife Andrea asked him to come home immediately. When he arrived at the house in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake, it was to find his children murdered all five drowned in the bathtub by their mother. The subsequent trial gripped America as Andrea Yates, then 35, was found guilty of quintuple murder. The verdict was then overturned in 2006 when she was acquitted on insanity grounds due to the severe postpartum psychosis she was suffering from at the time. Now the horrifying events of June 20, 2001, have been revisited in a new documentary: The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story which premiered on HBO Max last week and advances a novel theory that Yates was influenced to kill her children by apocalyptic preacher Michael Woroniecki. Woroniecki, now 71, declined to take part in the documentary and has denied contributing in any way to the death of the Yates children. But in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Rusty who also appears in the show said he still believes the real driving force behind the killings was Yates' postpartum psychosis and, in a stunning act of compassion, revealed he has forgiven her for what happened to their children. The NASA engineer, 61, also told how he still calls Yates once a month to reminisce about happier times together and visits her once a year at the Kerrville State Hospital a secure mental health institution where she has lived since 2007. 'It's just that we shared a special time in life and we're the only ones remaining who can reminisce about those good times that we had,' Rusty told the Daily Mail. 'That's really all it is. I cherish that time, she cherishes that time. The tragedy obviously has been really hard on both of us. Andrea Yates was found guilty of capital murder after drowning her five children in a case that shocked the world in 2001. Her conviction was later overturned in 2006 when she was found not guilty by reason of insanity Andrea and now ex-husband Rusty Yates appeared to be the picture perfect family before the devastating events of June 2001; they are pictured before their daughter Mary was born 'I think in most respects, it's been harder on her than me because we both dealt with a serious mental illness, but she was the one who was mentally ill.' He added: 'You know, we both lost our children, but it was by her hands. We both dealt with a cruel state prosecuting her for this, but she was the one on trial. 'The only thing that helped her some was that she was pretty heavily medicated during that time and she hasn't had to interact with the public which has helped also. 'In those two respects, maybe it was a little harder for me, but on the whole, it's been harder for her.' Yates, 61, was a registered nurse when she and Rusty met in the summer of 1989. They wed just over three years later in April 1993. Both devout evangelical Christians, the couple wanted as many children as possible with their first son Noah arriving the following year. Four more children followed in quick succession: Paul, John, Luke and Mary a little girl to complete what appeared to be a picture-perfect family. But behind the scenes, mental illness was lurking with Yates, who had suffered from an eating disorder and depression during her teens, plunged back into depression following the birth of fourth son Luke. Rusty Yates, who later remarried and had a son with his second wife, appears in a new documentary that revisits the case, The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story which premiered on HBO Max last week Rusty is seen holding a family portrait while speaking at a news conference in front of the family's home in the wake of the murders The Yates' boys Luke, two, Paul, three, John, five, and Noah, seven, were drowned in the bathtub by their mother in June 2001 In June 1999, Yates attempted suicide twice inside of a month and in July the same year, suffered a nervous breakdown. Although diagnosed with postpartum psychosis and advised not to have any more children in January 2000, Yates became pregnant with Mary a few months later and stopped taking her medication while pregnant. That would prove to be a tragic mistake. 'I didn't know she was psychotic,' Rusty told the Daily Mail. 'I thought she was depressed. There's a big difference. She was quiet. She wasn't like stripping her clothes off and running down the street, you know? 'She was just quiet. If someone's quiet, you assume they're thinking the same things they've always thought but she wasn't.' At the same time, preacher Woroniecki had come into the couple's life regularly mailing them video cassettes laying out his doctrinaire version of Christianity. Implicit in the new documentary is the theory that Woroniecki's teachings contributed to Yates' dire mental state and in some way led to the murders of her children. Rusty isn't buying it. The couple's fifth child, daughter Mary, was born in 2000, after Andrea had been diagnosed with postpartum psychosis following her previous pregnancy Police , seenthe Yates family home in Clear Lake, Texas, in the aftermath of the killings The new documentary explores the theory that Yates's unthinkable act was influenced by the teachings of apocalyptic preacher Michael Woroniecki, seen here in 1987 'I think she definitely would have become psychotic with or without him and she definitely would have had concerns about the wellbeing of our children and her abilities as a mother and her standing before God. 'All that would be present without his influence. She was raised Catholic. So, I don't think it's fair to say: "Hey, without the street preacher's influence, this wouldn't have happened". 'But I can definitely say that without the [mental] illness, it wouldn't have happened. I can definitely say that if she'd gotten better care, it wouldn't have happened.' On the day his children died, Rusty went to work as usual but received a call from Andrea a few hours later telling him to come home immediately. When he did, it was to a scene of pure horror. Yates had drowned all five children in the bathtub, laying out the body of baby Mary in her older brother John's arms. Yates had also dialed 911 and confessed the murders and was found guilty and sentenced to life with a chance of parole a year later. In 2005, the conviction was quashed on mental health grounds and a 2006 retrial found her not guilty due to insanity. Rusty, meanwhile, tried to move on with his life: filing for divorce from Yates in 2005 and remarrying in March 2006. Rusty Yates went on to marry second wife Laura Arnoldin 2006, but the couple split in 2015 He and second wife Laura Arnold, also 61, split 10 years later in 2015 but not before having a son of their own: Mark, now 17. Throughout it all, Rusty remained in touch with Yates and spoke to her before agreeing to take part in the documentary which he filmed in New York last autumn. 'I gave her heads up that it was coming,' Rusty told the Daily Mail. 'She was not thrilled she's a private person and she'd rather me not do any interviews at all. 'I told her I had to balance that with defending our family and really, to try to do what I can to prevent something like this from happening to any other families.' Yates is now receiving proper care for her mental illness and could, in theory, apply for release but that's something Rusty believes will never happen. 'No judge would ever want to be the one to sign off on an order releasing the infamous Andrea Yates,' he said. 'But I don't think she would ever want to be released either.' JD Vance said Nick Shirley should receive a Pulitzer Prize in journalism for exposing alleged fraud in Somali daycares, but the conservative hero is being branded 'stupid' and 'illiterate' following a shocking interview. Shirley, 23, uploaded a viral video alleging that 10 Somali-run daycare centers had misappropriated over $100 million in taxpayer funds in Minnesota. The daycares were accused of not taking care of children by being empty during normal business hours. Shirley's video received hundreds of millions of views across social media with billionaire Elon Musk promoting it across X. State and federal officials say there is no evidence that the specific daycare centers highlighted in Shirley's videos misappropriated $100 million or were broadly non-operational, noting inspections found many were licensed and open. The vice president, at the time, said Shirley 'has done far more useful journalism than any of the winners of the 2024 [Pulitzer] prizes.' However, the up-and-coming viral zoomer is facing new allegations that he may be 'slow' and 'illiterate' after failing to grasp basic English. In a video uploaded by Channel 5 YouTuber Andrew Callaghan on Monday, Shirley struggled to understand the definition of the word 'benevolent.' 'Who do you think are the three most benevolent billionaires?' Callaghan asks. 'What do you mean by the word 'bellevolent?' Shirley responds appearing to mispronounce the word, which means having positive intentions. Nick Shirley, who has been praised for his journalism by Vice President JD Vance, appeared unaware of how to pronounce the word 'benevolent' Shirley sat down for an interview with Channel 5 Youtuber Andrew Callaghan Shirley's viral video accused Somali daycare centers in Minnesota of fraud After Callaghan defines the word for Shirley, the 23-year-old activist names Donald Trump, Musk, and David Sacks as three most well intentioned billionaires. The clip of Shirley struggling to answer Callaghan's question went viral on social media with one user on X writing, 'You can't argue with people who are this stupid. This guy needs a chaperone, not a Pulitzer. All the people saying Somalis are stupid sound like this guy.' One of the top comments on Callaghan's video with Shirley states, 'Straight up did not realize Shirley is borderline illiterate. Tracks though.' Another left-wing X account also mocked Shirley by claiming he is 'so stupid that he had to ask Andrew Callaghan for the definition of 'benevolent' and mispronounced it after literally hearing the word two seconds ago.' Following Shirley's video, the Department of Homeland Security launched a deportation effort in the twin cities aimed at deporting illegal Somali migrants. A DHS spokesperson also added in a statement that the Trump administration is 'all hands on deck to root out criminals in Minnesota who are defrauding the American people.' Moreover, FBI director Kash Patel in December also addressed Shirley's video by writing on X that the bureau had 'surged personnel and investigative resources' to Minnesota for the purpose of dismantling 'large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs.' Currently, no arrests have been made by the administration over alleged fraud uncovered in Shirley's video. While Minnesota has faced fraud in social-services programs, authorities stress those investigations are separate from Shirley's viral claims. South Korea's ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol is facing a possible execution after prosecutors demanded the death penalty for his declaration of martial law. Yoon's criminal trial for insurrection, abuse of power, and other offences linked to the 2024 declaration drew to a close on January 13 after 12 hours of proceedings. In closing remarks, prosecutors accused him of being the ringleader of an 'insurrection' motivated by a 'lust for power aimed at dictatorship and long-term rule'. They accused Yoon, 65, of showing 'no remorse' for actions that threatened 'constitutional order and democracy'. 'The greatest victims of the insurrection in this case are the people of this country,' they said. 'There are no mitigating circumstances to be considered in sentencing, and instead a severe punishment must be imposed.' Yoon, who is accused of masterminding the insurrection, could now face the death penalty or life in prison under South Korean law if found guilty. South Korea has not executed a death-row inmate since 1997, although it has not abolished the death penalty. Yoon's defence team, meanwhile, has made theatrical arguments in a bid to help him and his alleged accomplices. South Korea's ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol is facing a possible execution after prosecutors demanded the death penalty for his declaration of martial law Soldiers advance to the main building of the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in Seoul, South Korea, December 3, 2024 On January 13, they compared the disgraced former leader to great historical figures, including Italian scholars Galileo Galilei and Giordano Bruno, who were wrongfully condemned. 'The majority does not always reveal the truth,' they said. Prosecutors also asked that former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun be sentenced to life imprisonment. Proceedings were expected to wrap up on January 9, but were postponed after 15 hours of deliberation it took eight hours to examine evidence alone for Kim. Kim's lawyer insisted 'a short tongue' was preventing him from reading more quickly. Prosecutors have alleged that Yoon and then-defence minister Kim Yong-hyun began devising a scheme as far back as October 2023 to suspend parliament and assume legislative powers. Prosecutors accuse Yoon of seeking to brand his political opponents - including then-opposition leader Lee Jae Myung - as 'anti-state forces' and to detain them. They have said Yoon and Kim also tried to manufacture a pretext for martial law by escalating tensions with North Korea through a covert drone operation. While the botched bid to impose martial law lasted only about six hours, it sent shockwaves through South Korea, which is Asia's fourth-largest economy, a key US security ally, and was long considered one of Asia's most resilient democracies. Yoon has denied the charges. The conservative former career prosecutor has argued he had the powers as president to declare martial law and that his action was aimed at sounding the alarm over opposition parties' obstruction of government. The current trial features eight defendants seen as ringleaders of the martial law bid, including Yoon and Kim. If found guilty, Yoon will become the third South Korean president convicted for insurrection, alongside two military leaders in connection with a 1979 coup. Even if he is convicted and sentenced to death, it is highly unlikely that it would be carried out, as South Korea has had an unofficial moratorium on executions since 1997. Prosecutors are also seeking a 10-year prison term for Yoon on obstruction of justice charges, with a Seoul court expected to deliver a verdict in that case in February. And he faces a trial on charges of aiding the enemy over allegations he ordered drone flights over North Korea to strengthen his effort to declare martial law. A Porsche-racing Colorado socialite claimed her ex-husband forced her to sue her billionaire best friends in the latest fallout from their messy divorce. Renee Brinkerhoff, 69, accused her ex-husband, 71-year-old William Brinkerhoff, of fraud and conspiracy in her latest lawsuit. She alleged that William moved $1.1 million out of Brinkerhoff Exploration, the oil and gas company she acquired through the split. However, the court filing also required Renee to sue two of the company's limited partners, Bill MacMillan and Cargill MacMillan III, billionaire heirs to the Cargill agribusiness. 'The MacMillans are wonderful people, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for them. They have been lifelong family friends, and it grieves me to be put in this position,' she told BusinessDen. 'Unfortunately, this legal matter is another instance of Bill (Brinkerhoff) deceiving and manipulating well-meaning friends to help him carry out self-interested, corrupt and injurious business practices and leaves me again with no recourse but to seek help from the court.' It is the latest court battle for the former couple, who are well known in Denver as the owners of La Loma, a chain of Mexican restaurants, which have since been divided up following their divorce. Renee also made a name for herself by using a 1965 Porsche to become the first person to race a car across all seven continents, through her non-profit Valkyrie Races. Renee Brinkerhoff (center), 69, claimed her ex-husband forced her to sue her billionaire best friends in the latest fallout from their messy divorce She accused her ex-husband, 71-year-old William Brinkerhoff (right), of fraud and conspiracy for allegedly moving $1.1 million out of the oil and gas company she acquired through the split Last year, Renee was hit by scandalous claims of child abuse, infidelity and extravagant greed. In March, she sued her ex-husband over allegations he stole business shares, after the judge in their divorce found that he had used a 'series of concealed machinations' to ice her out. In filings first obtained by the Denver Post, Renee accused William of infidelity and coercive control, which she claimed was rooted in fundamentalist Christian beliefs about men's superiority to women. She alleged that he schemed to swindle her out of her share of ownership in the restaurant and secretly handed it over to their younger son, Mark. Mark and his father have categorically denied her claims and are also being supported by the couple's younger daughter, Juliette. In an affidavit, Juliette claimed her mom would routinely beat her and her siblings with 'anything she could find to hit us - a pipe, wooden spoon, belt, anything to inflict pain' if they failed to get top grades or messed up in piano practice. In her lawsuit, Renee accused William of chronic infidelity, which she said she disclosed to a therapist. However, both Juliette and Mark's wife, Johanna Brinkerhoff, claim that their mom flirted with the young male navigators she worked with as part of her charity Porsche racing. The former couple, who are well known in Denver as the owners of La Loma, a chain of Mexican restaurants, have hurled accusations at each other throughout their acrimonious split 'While travelling for races, Renee rarely checked in with William. He would often reach out to ask how things were going, and she would dismissively say she was tired,' Johanna's affidavit reads. 'In reality, she was socializing with other men at the races, often not wearing her wedding ring.' Daily Mail contacted lawyers for Renee and William for comment, as well as representatives for the Macmillans. President Donald Trump is ordering thousands of Somalis to leave the US. The White House is ending Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Somalia, meaning thousands of Somalis in the US under that program must leave, after an alleged fraud scheme exploded in Minnesota and made national headlines. Those affected must leave the country by March 17. There are roughly 2,500 Somalis in the US under TPS, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sources revealed to Fox News. Just under 1,400 of those are in the country with pending applications. An estimated 24 percent of them reside in Minnesota, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been carrying out deportation operations in recent weeks. Somalia is one of the poorest and most dangerous countries in the world, which has been destabilized by clan division, insurgent groups and humanitarian crises since the central government there collapsed in the early 1990s. Following the collapse of the government in January 1991, Somalia was given TPS. Former President Joe Biden renewed that status in 2024. The move from the Trump administration to wipe protections from Somalis in the US comes after at least 85 Somali individuals in Minnesota have been charged in fraud-related cases. Trump has said that Somalis in Minnesota have been committing major fraud. His administration has now ended Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Somalia, meaning thousands of Somalis need to leave the US by March 17 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, Minnesota, U.S., December 5, 2025 Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali-born US congresswoman representing parts of Minneapolis, has pushed back against Trump for his targeting Somalis 'They stole $18 billion, that's just what we're learning about,' Trump said of the Minnesota fraud. Minnesota's Somali community has been under scrutiny over the fraud scandal that has enveloped state leaders. The outcry 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. 'We're getting rid of a lot of people that are criminals that shouldn't be in our country,' Trump said of his deportation efforts on Tuesday morning. 'They came in through Biden's open borders, and we're getting them out of our country. That's why our crime numbers are so good. We have record-low crime numbers.' 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. US Border Patrol agents detain an unidentified man of Somali descent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 8, 2026 That's higher than the 24 percent who said they made a good impact and the 29 percent who viewed the community neutrally. Haitians, Colombians, Venezuelans, Chinese, Africans, Filipinos, Mexicans, Indians, British and Europeans all polled more positively. 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.' The Pentagon shelled out a staggering eight figure sum for a weapon believed to be the cause of the mysterious 'Havana Syndrome', insiders say. The weapon has been blamed for a series of unexplained ailments impacting US spies, diplomats and military servicemembers for the past decade. According to military sources speaking to CNN, the Defense Department has spent more than a year testing the device, which was reportedly purchased in an undercover operation for 'eight figures'. The device was clandestinely purchased in the final days of the Biden administration and is said to produce pulsed radio waves that penetrate a person's body, according to insiders. It has been linked to so-called 'Havana Syndrome', a controversial disease which is yet to be formally recognized but has been put forward as an explanation for dozens of anomalous ailments hitting US officials. The condition was first documented in 2016, after officials said a localized sound wave caused symptoms including headaches, dizziness, nausea, cognitive impairment, memory lapses, balance issues and insomnia. The device was purchased by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to sources. The weapon contains Russian-made components, although it is not clear where or from whom the device was purchased, insiders said. The Pentagon purchased a weapon believed to be the cause of the mysterious 'Havana Syndrome', insiders say. The device is believed to be a much smaller version of this high-power microwave generator US officials reportedly shelled out an eight figure sum and acquired the device as part of a covert operation The condition was first known to have started in 2016, as US government officials said a localized sound wave caused symptoms including headaches, dizziness, nausea, cognitive impairment, memory lapses, balance issues and insomnia Sources said the mysterious device could fit in a backpack, but details over the exact makeup of the weapon remain unclear. According to insiders who say they were briefed on the device, investigators have long struggled to understand how the weapon could be so potent and yet still portable, reports CNN. Incidents of US officials being struck down by 'Havana Syndrome' are currently classified only as 'anomalous health episodes', and there remains skepticism surrounding links between the incidents. The 'episodes' first began in 2016 as a number of US diplomats in the Cuban capital of Havana were hit with severe illness. In years since, similar cases involving US officials have been reported around the world. Russia has often been blamed as the chief suspect and some victims have expressed frustration over a lack of action in proving Russia was targeting and attacking US government officials. Former CIA Director Bill Burns vowed to get to the bottom of the unexplained ailments when he took the office in March 2021. In 2024 US official Marc Polymeropoulos said he didn't feel it was being taken seriously after he was hit with the random illness in Moscow eight years prior. 'There is so much anger among the victims right now,' he told CNN at the time. Polymeropoulos said he was upset that intelligence insiders repeatedly said there was no evidence Havana Syndrome exists. 'Thats psychologically damaging,' he added. Symptoms of Havana Syndrome include loud noise, ear pain, intense head pressure or vibration, dizziness, visual problems, and cognitive difficulties Mysterious 'episodes' impacting US government officials first began in 2016 in the Cuban capital of Havana (pictured). In years since, similar cases involving US officials have been reported around the world US official Marc Polymeropoulos said in 2024 he didn't feel it was being taken seriously after he was hit with the random illness in Moscow In 2022, an intelligence panel concluded that some of the 'anomalous health episodes' could 'plausibly' have been caused by 'pulsed electromagnetic energy'. However, in 2023, intelligence officials said there was no clear link between the cases to a targeted attack by a foreign adversary. According to the recent report, defense officials went against the public narrative that there was no evidence, and last year briefed the House and Senate Intelligence Committees on their findings. These briefings included references to buying the device and testing it, the sources said. In a statement following reports that the US purchased the device linked to 'Havana Syndrome', Polymeropoulos said he felt vindicated. 'If the (US government) has indeed uncovered such devices, then the CIA owes all the victims a f***ing major and public apology for how we have been treated as pariahs,' he said. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Pentagon and DHS for comment. Sacha Lord has condemned Chancellor Rachel Reeves as being worse for pubs than the pandemic as landlords say a government rescue package does not go far enough to save the industry. The Treasury signalled a major U-turn on business rate hikes for pubs last week amid warnings hundreds could be forced to close. But industry chiefs say that other sectors such as cafes, restaurants and hotels will also be hit hard, along with music and theatre venues and independent shops. And pub landlords today told the Mail that say they still face closure and put pressure on the government to cancel the hike for all hospitality venues. Industry heads have warned six hospitality venues could close every day in the next year without proper support - more than 2,000 premises. The government is said to be putting together a rescue package for the industry, but no details have yet been confirmed. Now Chair of the Night Time Industries Association Sacha Lord, who used to advise Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, has warned the government is doing more harm to the hospitality industry than Covid. Addressing the rumoured U-turn, which the government has been forced to make following Reeves' decision at the Budget to end Covid-era relief to business rates, Mr Lord said it would be 'unfair' if it only applies to pubs. He told the Daily Mail the reversal 'has to be applied to the whole of hospitality'. Now Chair of the Night Time Industries Association Sacha Lord, who used to advise Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, has warned the government is doing more harm to the hospitality industry than Covid did The Treasury signalled a major U-turn on business rate hikes for pubs last week following Rachel Reeves' Budget, in which she announced the end of Covid business relief rates 'I watched the budget and [Rachel Reeves] stood there and said we have listened to hospitality and we are going to reform business rates,' he said. 'Then an hour later people began looking at their numbers and said this was untenable.' He continued: 'This Labour government has been worse for pubs than the pandemic. They needed our support during the General Election. 'We were told business rates are unfair, we are going to reform them to benefit hospitality. We were told they would reduce our bills and they would throw attention towards Amazon, parcel force, huge warehouses. 'They have done exactly the opposite.' Under the measures announced in November's Budget, a 40 percent relief on business rates introduced in the aftermath of the pandemic would be scrapped. Pubs were facing an average rise in rates of 76 percent over three years, while hotels were to go up 115 percent. UK Hospitality estimated this would see the average hotel's business rates bill increase by 28,900 in the first year and by 205,200 in total over three years, with the average pub paying 1,400 a year more initially and 12,900 over three years. But pub landlords told the Mail how they are already facing closing down and having sleepless nights over numbers that 'just don't add up'. They hit out at a raft of measures from government including the increase in employers' national insurance contributions and minimum wage rises, as well as the hike to business rates, saying current tax levels are simply unsustainable. Many are calling for a cut to VAT, arguing the UK's rate is one of the highest in the whole of Europe. Simon Delaney, 60, who runs The Firbank Pub and Kitchen, in Wythenshawe, Manchester, told the Mail the industry was already in a 'real mess' even before the last Budget and the hike to business rates would have seen his bill double. Simon Delaney, 60, who runs The Firbank Pub and Kitchen, in Wythenshawe, Manchester, told the Mail the industry was already in a 'real mess' even before the last Budget More than 1,500 publicans have banned Labour MPs from their venues in protest of government policies affecting the hospitality industry One of those behind the campaign is Andy Lennox, who runs The Old Thatch in Wimborne, Dorset Mr Delaney, who has been in the industry for four decades, said he has seen his business go from earning 'a very good profit' to 'none whatsoever' since the pandemic. At the same time, prices have almost doubled with a premium lager rising from 4 to almost 7 at his pub since the pandemic. 'Now we're just focussing on keeping the business running, keeping our 20 people employed, continuing to serve the community,' he said. 'What we can't do is run a business when it's constantly making a loss.' Mr Delaney continued: 'It's not just the business rates hike, it's the national minimum wage increase, the national insurance rise, all going up in real terms means an increase to our wage bill of 300 a week. 'We've got a government that has broken every single promise they made from day one. When you're not making a profit in the first place where does that come from? 'I have sleepless nights where I just don't know what to do. 'If the government does a U-turn that would be great, but it won't be enough to save pubs from closing at an alarming rate. If I was younger, if I had a mortgage, I'd have to call it a day and close. 'If you keep taxing everything at some point there's no money left and that business is going to go under.' Andy Lennox, who runs The Old Thatch in Wimborne, Dorset, as part of a business that oversees multiple pubs and restaurants, recently banned Labour MPs from his venues. He is one of the landlords behind the campaign which has seen some 1,500 publicans bar the parliamentarians, and has previously said he and other pub owners could go on strike if the government does not act to support the industry. He told the Daily Mail: 'We are waiting for the details on the rent relief reversal, we haven't had any details at all so far. 'The main thing is that it needs to apply to all hospitality and not just pubs. What [the government] will do is they will come back after this reversal and say we've given you a massive support package. Some pub owners are even warning they may be forced to go on strike as they say their businesses risk closure Your browser does not support iframes. 'Getting rid of a bill we are not paying yet is not support for landlords. The rates reversal is just removing a tax rise that we can't afford to pay - but we can't afford to pay the current taxes anyway.' Mr Lennox is campaigning for a cut to VAT for hospitality to 13 percent in a bid to protect business owners and drive growth in the economy. He accused Labour of 'utter incompetence', adding: 'The first Budget cost my business 350,000, and we stripped it back to the barest bones. 'My business is absolutely at risk. I've been in the industry for 20 years, I know what I'm doing, I'm pretty good at what I do and I cannot make it work, I cannot make the numbers add up, they just don't anymore. 'In 2017 we were making about 15 percent profit. I reckon we've cut that to around 4 percent.' Mr Lennox told how his business is only 'marginally' in profit, and that venues that were profitable two years ago are now making a loss. 'You can't afford to keep loss making venues on,' he said. 'This is all down to government policies that have been taken out. 'If a busy pub that employs 50 people, has a good margin and is well run can't make money, then there is something seriously wrong.' It comes after weeks of criticism from pub bosses, industry chiefs and politicians over changes to business rates announced in November. In the Budget, the Chancellor announced a reduction in the multiplier used to calculate business rates payments for UK businesses. However, the Treasury also confirmed that it would phase out Covid-era discounts for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses, which mean property taxes for these firms are cut by up to 40 percent. Ministers confirmed a 4.3 billion fund to help provide transitional relief as these discounts phase out, but this will only run until 2029. Business Secretary Peter Kyle, who will discuss the issue with the Chancellor this week, also hinted support should not be restricted to pubs. He told the BBC the Government had been 'in listening mode for some time' on the issue, and that talks were held with the hospitality industry in Birmingham last week. Mr Kyle said conversations with the Treasury had been 'vigorous' but 'collegiate'. But the Treasury insisted there are still no plans to extend help on business rates to other sectors. A source said hotels and restaurants may benefit from wider licensing reforms, but help on rates would be 'pub specific'. But the UK hospitality industry is calling for the government to go further. Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said: 'Staggering increases to business rates will affect the entire hospitality sector and without a hospitality-wide solution, we will see significant business closures. 'Thousands of venues, particularly neighbourhood restaurants and local hotels, will be forced to close for good as a result of the significant rates rises they're facing. 'This is yet another blow to a hospitality sector that bears the highest tax burden in the economy, and has already been disproportionately burdened by increases to NICs, wages, energy and other inputs. 'Hospitality is one of the nation's biggest employers and has an incredible potential to grow and create jobs, but the money coming in the front door is simply not enough to offset the rocketing costs of doing business. All of this undermines the Government's objectives to grow the economy and help more people back into work. 'We need a hospitality-wide solution that averts damaging business rates hikes in April.' An Ibiza-based tattoo artist has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a British tourist and jailed for five years. Edgardo Jesus Milessi Oviedo learnt his fate just over two months after protesting his innocence at a one-day trial at a court in the Majorcan capital Palma. His victim, 21, told the court the Argentinian who inked her during a holiday on the party island had 'his tattoo gun in one hand' and 'the other on her genitals.' State prosecutors had demanded the 50-year-old, bailed after the trial while he waited to learn his sentence, receive a six-year prison sentence if he was convicted of the June 15 2022 sex assault at a tattoo parlour in San Jose. Prosecutors said in a two-page pre-trial indictment he targeted his alleged victim, 21 at the time, after she asked to have a butterfly tattoo done on her left hip. They claimed he put his fingers inside her after she laid down on a stretcher in an assault they said lasted 25 minutes and caused her 'great anguish and fear.' The holidaymaker reported him to police in Scotland when she got back home, prompting his arrest on August 11 2022. Court officials said today after a written sentence was issued following the November 4 trial: 'The First Section of the Provincial Court of the Balearic Islands has sentenced E.J.M.O. to five years in prison for sexually abusing a client he was tattooing in Ibiza in June 2022. Edgardo Jesus Milessi Oviedo (pictured) learnt his fate just over two months after protesting his innocence at a one-day trial at a court in the Majorcan capital Palma His victim, 21, told the court the Argentinian who inked her during a holiday on the party island had 'his tattoo gun in one hand' and 'the other on her genitals.' Pictured: Aerial drone photo of a beach in the town of Sant Antoni de Portmany on the island of Ibiza The court has imposed a seven-year ban on him communicating with or going within 300 metres of the victim. 'The court also ordered him to pay 15,000 (13,000) in damages. 'The judges considered it proven that on 15 June 2022, the victim who was on holiday in Ibiza, went with a friend to the defendant's establishment to get a tattoo. 'The two girls agreed to get the same design tattooed. 'To get the tattoo, they had to go into a small room with a couch, while the other waited on a sofa in an adjoining room. 'The victim was the second to get the tattoo.' The judge stated in their sentence: 'A few minutes after starting the tattoo, taking advantage of the victim's position and the fact that she was not wearing knickers, the defendant while tattooing her, inserted his left fingers into her vagina without her consent and began to move them inside her, all this for approximately twenty-five uninterrupted minutes. 'Their ruling says the victim suffered great distress and fear of the defendant and was "unable to react to what was happening, remaining paralysed, fearing that the defendant might do something worse if she moved."' The judges went on to describe the British tourist's evidence in their ruling as 'coherent and persistent.' Convicted sex offender Milessi, who had previous for a similar offence, has been told he can appeal. It was not clear this afternoon whether he intended appealing but if he is does he is likely to be allowed to remain on bail until the appeal process is exhausted. An Algerian migrant who stole laptops worth 31,000 from City workers during a two-month crime spree has been jailed for 18 months. Munir Ghilas, 28, targeted 16 separate victims at bars in central London between August 5 and September 25 last year. Ghilas grabbed a laptop worth 2,700, from Matthew Bourn in All Bar One, on Byward Street and another worth 3,450 from Matthew Bayman on August 5. He also took Jacob Wyatt's Apple MacBook from that pub. The following day, Ghilas stole another Apple MacBook worth 3,500 from Daniel Lloyd, who was drinking at the Aldgate Tap House. On August 15, he swiped four laptops worth 3,750 in a day from The Banker pub. Ghilas was arrested on August 21 but continued to offend despite being released on police bail with conditions not to return to the City of London. He went on to steal five laptops worth 7,280 from Nicholas Fletcher, Andrew Bell and Stefan-Howard Rigby at the Lord Raglan pub in Holborn on September 24. The next day he grabbed five laptops and a passport from drinkers in The Oyster Shed Public House on Angel Lane, central London. He went back to his happy hunting ground at The Banker to steal a laptop computer from Christopher Hall the same day. Munir Ghilas, 28, targeted 16 separate victims at bars in central London between August 5 and September 25 last year Ghilas, pictured standing in a white hoodie, brazenly swipes a drinker's bag in a London pub during a summer stealing spree Ghilas assaulted a police officer when he was arrested on September 25, before running away and successfully evading arrest. He was finally arrested on October 23 after being caught unwrapping a laptop belonging to architecture firm Rodney Melville & Partners from tinfoil and handing it to an accomplice. As he was jailed for one year, he will be liable to automatic deportation. Ghilas originally moved to the UK from Algeria and claims he is a trained chef. He claims he began stealing laptops to finance his cocaine and alcohol addiction. Wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit and assisted by an Algerian interpreter, he appeared at Southwark Crown Court today via videolink from HMP Wandsworth. The thief, of Southwark, admitted 18 counts of theft, handling stolen goods and assaulting an emergency worker. Laura Jeffrey, prosecuting, said: On seven dates over a period of two months Mr Ghilas targeted victims who were drinking and socialising in pubs in the city of London. He targeted his victims in the evening after work as this inevitably meant that many patrons would have rucksacks containing high value laptops. It also meant that his victims were distracted as they were socialising, often in large groups. She continued: All of Mr Ghilas victims had put their bags on the floor - normally a pile of their bags under their table or where a group was standing outside, in a pile near to the group. Mr Ghilas attended the pubs, often in the company of another. The modus operandi was simple - Mr Ghilas, often with his accomplice, would attend pubs in the city of London, sometimes having a drink to blend in, often with their own rucksacks. They would then either use their feet to drag an entire rucksack towards them, or bend down with their own rucksack next to the victims bag, before transferring a laptop from the victims bag to theirs. Each of the thefts involved theft of a laptop, all 18, with some involving the theft of other items such as AirPods, phones and a passport. Another clip shows the moment Ghilas's crimes finally catch up with him as he is arrested by police officers on the street The prolific thief briefly escapes the police's grasp and runs along the pavement After bumping into a parked car, Ghilas gets up again to make one last attempt to avoid arrest but is eventually wrestled onto the tarmac by officers who also snatch a phone from his hand Ms Jeffrey said Ghilas was identified by police via CCTV footage but carried on offending even after being arrested. On August 21 of last year, in the middle of the thefts, Mr Ghilas was arrested from his home address and released on police bail. This did not deter him, with nine of the thefts on two dates occurring after this time. The subsequent offences were in breach of his police bail conditions to not enter the city of London. Ghilas was re-arrested on 21 September but managed to evade arrest. Ms Jeffrey continued: 'When PC Blake was about to put Mr Ghilas in handcuffs, Mr Ghilas grabbed PC Blakes left hand and twisted it, causing a mild pain. As a result, PC Blake let go of Mr Ghilas - PC Blake then chased Mr Ghilas for a considerable distance but Mr Ghilas was able to evade apprehension. The total value of the thefts was 31,717 - the highest single theft was 3,900 with another of 3,500. Ghilas' final offence came on 23 October 2025 when he was caught by on-duty officers unwrapping a laptop from tinfoil and handing it to an accomplice. It was at this stage he was arrested, Ms Jeffrey said. In a victim impact read out to court, Stuart Chalmers said he was left feeling angry and frustrated after having his 700 laptop stolen by Ghilas. Ms Jeffrey said the thefts required some sophistication as Ghilas was able to steal multiple laptops, often from the same group, whilst being entirely undetected. She said laptop-theft caused high levels of inconvenience because the devices inevitably hold an individuals documents, work and data which individuals are reliant on for carrying on work. Daniel Darnbrough, defending, said: Mr Ghilas is an Algerian national, before his arrest and before these matters hed never been in trouble before. In Algeria he is a trained chef with qualifications, he worked in hotels specialising in Italian food, he was living a good life. Ghilas grabbed a laptop worth 2,700, along with other items, from Matthew Bourn in All Bar One, on Byward Street in the City (General view image of the bar) He grabbed another five laptops and a passport from drinkers in The Oyster Shed Public House on Angel Lane, central London There came a breakdown in a long-term relationship - trying to get over that breakdown he moved to the UK hoping for a change and a new start. He had been told that for somebody with his skills it would be very easy to find work in London. It certainly wasnt easy, or as easy as hed hoped, and his life went horribly wrong. He fell in with the wrong crowd, he started drinking too much, started taking cocaine and Pregablin, and ended up stealing to fund his drug use. Mr Darnbrough pointed out that Ghilas would sell his laptops to his drug dealer. He has expressed his remorse in conference to me, he said hes very sorry for his actions and stealing laptops, but especially for hurting the police officer as he tried to flee,' he siad. Judge Sally-Ann Hales KC said Ghilas targeted people out drinking and socialising in London, often doing so in large groups after work in the evening, and stole from them. She told him: You are now 28 years old, soon to turn 29, you have never been in trouble before, and this is your first experience of custody, having been remanded now for some three months. I bear in mind everything that has been said on your behalf by your counsel, you arrived in the UK from Algeria as a trained chef and moved here with, I do not doubt, the sincere belief that you would be able to find work to support yourself. She added: The fact is that these offences seen as a whole are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate. For the lead offence of theft committed on September 25, Ghilas was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He was also given 19 weeks each for the 15 thefts admitted to at crown court and 16 weeks for the two thefts admitted to at the magistrates court, all to run concurrently. For handling stolen goods, Ghilas was handed a 19 week concurrent sentence and no separate penalty was ordered for the assault of an emergency worker. The migrant also stole four laptops worth 3,750 in The Banker Public House in the City on August 15 before returning to nab more the following month Sat upright, Ghilas appeared unmoved over video-link from HMP Wandsworth as the sentences were handed down. Investigating officer Police Constable Pradip Gurung, of the Volume Crime Unit at the City of London Police, said: 'Munir Ghilas is a professional thief, targeting the valuable property of victims who are out and about in City pubs and he showed no signs of stopping his criminal activities. 'We remain committed to tackling bag thefts and ensuring those responsible for such crimes are brought before the courts. We have already made significant arrests which have led to a number of successful prosecutions. 'Through increased patrols, targeted operations and using our extensive camera network in the City, we are enhancing our ability to deter criminal activities and respond swiftly when incidents occur.' A nurse asked takeaway workers if a wrap contained nuts before she had a fatal allergic reaction, a court heard. Hannah Walters tragically suffered anaphylaxis and died after eating at London's Burger MaxX in 2023. Owner Shapor Iasq, 45, and manager Lutfullah Abdullah, 36, were both charged with her alleged manslaughter. The nurse fell ill after tucking into a wrap she bought at the takeaway in Hillingdon, west London, while out for the night with her partner on December 7, 2023. Ms Walters had asked staff if the food had any nuts in it, as she knew she was allergic, and was assured it did not, it is claimed. She was taken to the hospital but could not be saved. Wearing a long beige coat with a scarf, Abullah appeared at Isleworth Crown Court alongside Iasq, who was wearing a black suit. Both men, of Uxbridge, west London, denied one count of manslaughter. Burger MaxX owner Shapor Iasq (pictured), 45, and manager Lutfullah Abdullah, 36, were both charged with manslaughter following the death of Hannah Walters The men also denied one count of failing to comply with a hygiene improvement notice, and three counts of failing to comply with a health and safety prohibition notice. Pictured: Abdullah The pair denied five counts of breaching a health and safety duty, one count of failing to comply with an improvement notice relating to food information. They also denied one count of failing to comply with a hygiene improvement notice, and three counts of failing to comply with a health and safety prohibition notice. Burger MaxX is still trading in the same location, according to its page on Google. Gordon Menzies, for Hillingdon Council, told the court that pathological and food safety experts will produce evidence reports. Judge Martin Edmunds KC told both men: 'Arrangements have been made for your trial to take place. Judge Edmunds added: 'It is very important that you keep in touch with your lawyers so they can contact you and do their job properly on your behalf. 'If you do not attend the trial, you may miss out on giving evidence to the jury. 'If you do not come to court when required, that is a separate offence which you might be punished for separately.' Both men, of Uxbridge, west London, were released on unconditional bail ahead of their trial at the same court on September 7 this year. The Foreign Office has summoned the Iranian ambassador over the country's response to protests against the ruling regime, Yvette Cooper has told the Commons. The Foreign Secretary said she spoke to her Iranian counterpart yesterday, 'setting out the UK's total abhorrence of the killings, the violence, and the repression that we are seeing'. Some 12,000 protestors have reportedly been killed by the Iranian regime since the protests began, according to claims made by Iranian opposition website Iran International. The figures are much higher than previous reports, with an Iranian official admitting to Reuters today that around 2,000 people were killed in protests, blaming 'terrorists' for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. It came after Keir Starmer last night refused to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation. The Foreign Secretary told MPs that Iran's claim that its domestic protests are due to foreign influence and instigation are 'lies and propaganda'. She said: 'Just as they did in 2022, it's absolutely clear the Iranian regime are trying to paint these protests as the result of foreign influence and instigation. 'They're using that accusation to try and whip up opposition to the protests amongst anti-Western Iranians and try to justify their vicious and sickening attacks on the ordinary civilians marching through the streets. 'These are nothing but lies and propaganda being spread by a desperate regime.' The Foreign Secretary said she spoke to her Iranian counterpart yesterday, 'setting out the UK's total abhorrence of the killings, the violence, and the repression that we are seeing'. Some 12,000 protestors have reportedly been killed by the Iranian regime since the protests began, according to claims made by Iranian opposition website Iran International. 'They must not be allowed to undermine a genuine grassroots movement drawing together people from all parts of Iranian society and spreading across multiple cities and regions. 'And that is why we and other governments across the world are determined not to play into the hands of the regime or to allow our words or actions to be twisted to support their lies and propaganda 'The world is watching Iran, and the UK will continue to confront the regime's lies, to call out its repression and to take the steps necessary to protect the UK's interests.' No 10 has 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 on the IRGC would have no 'practical effect'. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel questioned why the Iranian ambassador was not summoned sooner. Ms Patel said the Conservatives stood with the 'brave Iranians' calling for the end of the regime but questioned what further sanctions would be put in place. Speaking in the Commons, she said: 'Where is the Government's resolve to stand up to Iran, back those protesting and work to bring about the end of the cruelty of this regime, as Iranian citizens are sacrificing their lives in the fight for their own liberation, what message of hope and reassurance does the Foreign Secretary give to those risking their lives on the streets of Iran each day.' She added: 'What is her assessment of the numbers killed and injured? It is right that the Iranian ambassador has finally been summoned, but why has this only happened today?' Downing Street today condemned 'intolerance' after a Jewish MP's visit to a school was cancelled following a campaign by pro-Palestinian teachers and parents. Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, had been due to speak to students at Bristol Brunel Academy in his constituency. But the visit was called off due to 'safeguarding' concerns after activists highlighted his links to the Labour Friends of Israel group. The cancellation took place in September but has been highlighted now after Cabinet minister Steve Reed told a recent conference about a Jewish MP being banned. Asked about the incident involving Mr Egan, No10 told reporters on Tuesday that 'clearly questions need to be answered'. The Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'The law is clear. Schools must be impartial and freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental value in this country and one we must absolutely protect. 'We cannot have a society where intolerance is accepted practice and those holding opposing views are barred or banned from certain environments. 'Particularly our schools, which are shaping young minds and teaching them how to behave in the world.' Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, had been due to speak to students at Bristol Brunel Academy in his constituency After Mr Egan's planned visit was cancelled in September, the Bristol branch of the National Education Union (NEU) hailed a 'victory for education workers, parents and the community' Speaking at a Jewish Labour Movement conference on Sunday, Mr Reed said a Jewish MP was refused permission to visit a school 'in case his presence inflames the teachers'. 'That is an absolute outrage,' the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary added. '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.' After Mr Egan's planned visit was cancelled in September, the Bristol branch of the National Education Union (NEU) hailed a 'victory for education workers, parents and the community'. Bristol NEU posted on Facebook: 'Damian [sic] Egans 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.' The Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign also posted the same message on its Facebook page. Mr Egan converted to Judaism after meeting his Israeli-born husband Yossi Felberbaum Home Office minister Ales Norris told Times Radio on Tuesday that the NEU should 'relect' on Mr Egan's cancelled visit. 'Children, young people are actually very interested in the issue, you know, around Gaza, around the Government's policies,' he said. 'Closing young people off from that actually is a really bad thing to do.' 'Certainly, as a lifelong trade unionist, I would never have suggested that to colleagues. 'They really ought to reflect on that as to whether that was the right situation to put teachers into. 'And whether that was, whether that really supported, that helped their children, that I know is their priority, have the best possible education.' Mr Egan converted to Judaism after meeting his Israeli-born husband Yossi Felberbaum. A spokesperson for Bristol Brunel Academy said: 'Damien Egan MP... 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.' James Bulger's parents have blasted Jon Venables and the Parole Board for forcing them to reopen 'unimaginable trauma' after the twisted paedophile was granted another full parole hearing. Venables was just 10 years old when he and Robert Thompson were found guilty of abducting, torturing, and murdering two-year-old James Bulger in Merseyside in 1993. They were sentenced to indefinite detention and remained in custody until 2001 when they were release on a life licence at age 18 with lifelong anonymity and new identities. Thompson has never reoffended, but Venables, now 43, was sent back to prison in 2010 for possessing child pornography images on his computer and was released on parole in 2013. In 2017, he was again found with more child pornography images and a 'paedophile manual' and was sent back to prison where he remains to this day. The warped killer had an application to be freed rejected in 2020 following an assessment, and was last refused parole in 2023 after the board concluded he still posed a danger to children and could go on to reoffend. But the depraved paedophile now has another chance to convince the board he should be released again after it granted him a parole hearing in September. The decision has left James Bulger's mother Denise Fergus struggling with 'uncertainty and distress'. James Bulger (pictured), aged two, was abducted, tortured and beaten to death by 10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993 in a horrific crime which shocked the nation Aged 11, Thompson and Venables (both pictured) became the youngest ever to be convicted of murder after James' body was found on a railway track two days later. They were both convicted in 1993 and given life sentences before being released on a life licence aged 18 The decision to grant Venables a parole hearing has left James Bulger's mother Denise Fergus struggling with 'uncertainty and distress' Kym Morris, the spokeswoman for Ms Fergus, said: 'Once again, Denise has been forced to confront a process that reopens unimaginable trauma. 'Denise was hoping for a redirection, with no hearing granted allowing her a measure of peace and protection from further distress. 'That hope has now been taken away.' Ms Fergus and her ex-husband Ralph had their applications to attend the hearing, in which they will both deliver victim impact statements, granted by the board. Ms Morris said: 'While this provides her with access to the process, it does not lessen the emotional burden she is being asked to carry, nor does it offer the reassurance or closure she so desperately deserves. 'Instead, Denise now faces yet another prolonged period of uncertainty and distress, with limited clarity around how decisions are being reached or how ongoing risks are being assessed.' Due to the anonymity order, Venables' face will be hidden during the hearing and his voice will be changed using distortion technology. He has also been given the option of giving evidence in writing from his cell. After reviewing written submissions from prison workers, counsellors, psychiatrists and impact statements from members of James' family, including Ms Fergus, Parole Board officials decided it was fair to grant Venables an oral hearing. Venables and Thompson became the youngest convicted murderers in modern British history for their brutal killing of James. Two-year-old James had been holding his mother's hand as she shopped at New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, Merseyside, on February 12, 1993 (Pictured: James and his mother Denise) CCTV footage showed James Bulger being led out of the New Strand Shopping Centre by Venables and Thompson James Bulger (pictured) was abducted and tortured by Venables and Thompson before they left him to be run over by a train on railway tracks Two-year-old James had been holding his mother's hand as she shopped at New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, Merseyside, on February 12, 1993. When Denise momentarily let go of her son while she paid for items in a butcher's shop, Venables and Thompson struck. They were seen on CCTV luring him away from his mother and taking him by the hand as they led him out of the shopping centre. The sick pair then took little James to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, just 400metres away, where they joked about pushing him in and dropped him on his head. After walking around the town with the terrified toddler, the boys took him to a railway line and tortured him. They threw paint they had shoplifted in his eyes, kicked him, stamped on him, and threw bricks and stones at him. The boys then stuffed batteries into the toddler's mouth and anus, before dropping a 10kg railway fishplate on him, resulting in ten fractures to his skull. In an attempt to make his death appear accidental, they laid James down on the railway tracks and weighted his head down with rubble. A train eventually struck and killed the toddler after Venables and Thompson had fled the scene and his body was found two days later. A schoolboy filled with hate and racism joined a banned neo-Nazi group and collected a stash of weapons including an airsoft gun and explosives as he prepared a far-right attack on a synagogue, a court heard today. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, also kept a diary in which he expressed his desire to launch a terrorist attack against black people and homosexuals, Leeds Crown Court was told. He went on to research a synagogue in Newcastle as a potential target and joined a neo-Nazi paramilitary hate group called The Base which encourages followers to carry out acts of violence in order to ignite a race war, it is alleged. When officers raided the cottage he shared with his father in a remote village in Northumberland on February 20 last year they found his bedroom was adorned with white supremacist flags and he had a collection of knives, crossbows and nails for use in a bomb. In short they found an arsenal, one worthy of any young right-wing terrorist, Michelle Heeley KC, prosecuting, told the jury on the first day of the teenager's trial. Opening the case, she said: The defendant in this case is 16 years old, and he wanted to be a terrorist. He believed in a race war, in white supremacy and he planned to carry out acts of terrorism in furtherance of his beliefs. He became a member of a right-wing terrorist group and shared his beliefs with others. She added that the boy, who spent a lot of time online, had a hatred of Jews, of black people, of anyone who didn't conform to his racial ideals. The teenager denies preparing acts of terrorism, membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation, possession of terrorist documents and dissemination of terrorist documents. The schoolboy is currently on trial at Leeds Crown Crown accused of preparing acts of terrorism and dissemination of terrorist documents The court was told that police found that he had plastered recruitment stickers across his village stating: The Base learn, train, fight. Survivalism and self-defence network. In his diary on January 30 2023, shortly after he turned 13, the boy allegedly wrote a list ranking white supremacist killers, placing Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway, at the top of the list. He said: Ultimately the best. He killed the most amount of people to get his point across to people in the world. Four months later, in May 2023 he started to sketch out plans for bombs and weapons, annotating the notes with swastikas, the court was told. Ms Heeley said matters became more serious in June when he started to actively experiment with making weapons and shared images of his knife collection and military equipment and memorabilia including military body armour and a Nazi officer's cap. The plans became more concrete by August 14, when the boy wrote: I don't want to survive this. 'I think the main reason I'm targeting the police and government is that they are the reason white people are killed, raped and discriminated against by the invaders, the reason for this is to inspire others in countries as restrictive as mine and also to start a race war. The same month he purchased a crossbow and practised using it. Preparations have taken a step up. These are not just words anymore they have become actions, Ms Heeley said. On December 1 2024, the youth also put up recruitment stickers on lamp posts across his village and wrote to another user: I have always admired Hitler but only in the last two years have I become NS, a reference to national socialism, the ideology of the Nazis. On December 22, he used the Amazon website to purchase purchased potassium nitrate powder and watched a video on how to make black powder explosives. On Christmas Eve instead of Christmas films he watched videos showing the loading and firing of a homemade black powder rifle, and a video of a mass stabbing by Arda Kucukyetim in Turkey in August 2024, along with videos of school shootings, Ms Heeley said. On December 29, a few weeks after turning 15, he researched Brenton Tarrant, who shot dead 51 worshipers at two mosques in Christchurch New Zealand. Immediately after researching a man who had attacked a place of worship, this defendant researched local synagogues, including the Newcastle Reform Synagogue, Ms Heeley said. On New Year's Eve, he looked for homemade .22 ammunition and a 3D printed firearm known as an FGC-9. The nature of the searches tells you everything you need to know - the prosecution case is that he was gathering weapons and identifying targets, she said. He was preparing for acts of terrorism. Ms Heeley added: This was a young man obsessed with white power and he collected information to help him carry out his plans for an attack. This was a young man actively preparing for a terrorist act and had the police not got there in time who knows what he may have done. We will point to the multiple times the defendant referred to taking part in action in real life, how he professed support for white supremacists and stated how he hated blacks and Jews, the research of synagogues. These were not empty words, these were the words of a teenage boy filled with hate and racism, a boy who was planning to channel his anger into committing an act of terrorism, who idolised those who had carried out such atrocities previously. The trial continues. Donald Trump's estranged niece has revealed that she quietly married her second wife in an intimate ceremony last fall. Mary Trump, 60, shared the news on Sunday in a newsletter to her Substack subscribers, titled 'Reader, I Married Her.' 'There is a human impulse during dark times to turn away from the light, especially when the darkness encroaches in a way that feels inescapable,' she wrote. 'Luckily, the opposite impulse also exists; despite the increasing onslaught of deliberate cruelty, lost ground, and assaults on our very understanding of who we are over the last year, our better instincts prevail - our instincts not only to subsist and survive, but to thrive.' Mary shared that she met her second wife on January 20, 2025, noting the irony that she found love on the day that her estranged uncle was inaugurated. She has been a fierce critic of the President throughout his political career. She campaigned against him and endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024, writing that she was 'proud and honored' to support the Democratic candidate. Trump's niece added that the wedding was last October and only a small group of family and close friends attended. She gushed over the newfound love in her life, adding: 'There is more to the story, of course - including the reason for my not having spoken of my marriage publicly before this - and times continue to be challenging.' Mary Trump, 60, announced this week that she quietly married her second wife in the fall Mary's father is Fred Trump Jr (above middle). The President (second from right) has four siblings, including (left to right) Robert, Elizabeth and Maryanne Mary revealed that she met her wife on January 20, 2025, acknowledging the irony of the date Mary also took the opportunity to condemn her uncle's administration, calling the first year of his second term 'as shocking as it is predictable.' Although she didn't reveal her wife's name in the post, author E Jean Carroll commented: 'MARY! MARY! AMERICA NEEDED SOME JOY! And you and Ronda are giving it to us!!!' Carroll was awarded $83 million in a New York civil court after she accused the President of sexually abusing her. Mary has a daughter, Avary Linden Trump, from her first marriage. Her father, Fred Trump Jr, was the President's older brother. He died in 1981 from a heart attack linked to alcoholism. Fred was one of Trump's four siblings, including Maryanne, Elizabeth and Robert. Elizabeth is the only one of Trump's siblings still alive. Trump has previously said that Fred's alcoholism was the reason why he never drank, telling the Washington Post in 2019: 'He was so handsome, and I saw what alcohol did to him even physically... and that had an impact on me, too.' Mary, a trained psychologist, revealed the family's tumultuous dynamic in her 2024 memoir, Who Could Ever Love You. She wrote about her father's alcoholism, how he competed with his siblings for their father's attention, and how his death at 42 impacted her. Mary has been a vocal critic of her uncle's administration and endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024 Mary's father, left, was the President's older brother. She and her brother, Fred Trump III, right, have been critical of Trump's administration 'Inadequately and only conditionally loved, there were no adults in her life except for the father she loved, but lost before she could know him; and a mother abandoned by her ex-husbands rich and powerful family who demanded her loyalty but left her with nothing,' the memoir's description reads. Mary's brother, Fred Trump III, has also repeatedly spoken out against Trump's policies. In response to the President's use of the 'R' slur, the 63-year-old wrote on X in December: 'As the parent of a young adult with severe disabilities, the use of the 'R' word is never acceptable and is very hurtful. Where has this country gone that we even have to discuss this?' Fred Trump III also wrote a book about the family's dark secrets titled All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way. For the second time in four months a bank robber had pulled a gun on him, and Scott Adams realized he needed a new job. New York born, he had moved to California to 'find luck', he later said. It evidently wasn't shining down on him on the floor of that San Francisco bank. So Adams moved upstairs into management, taking an MBA at Berkeley and rising through the ranks: management trainee, computer programmer, budget analyst, commercial lender, product manager, and supervisor. The scramble up the corporate career ladder gave birth to Dilbert - the beloved cartoon character, created by Adams in the late 1980s. 'I had several different bosses during the early years of Dilbert,' Adams told the New Yorker in 2008. 'They were all pretty sure I was mocking someone else.' Adams, whose death from prostate cancer at the age of 68 was announced on Tuesday, was modest about his ability. But there was no denying his impact. Dilbert entered the world in 1989, and rapidly became a household name: at its peak, the bespectacled office worker with the white shirt and jaunty tie could be found in more than 2,000 newspapers across 65 countries. The strips were translated into 25 languages. An estimated 150 million readers followed Dilberts travails worldwide. 'Im a poor artist,' he told Forbes magazine in 2013. 'Through brute force I brought myself up to mediocre. Ive never taken a writing class, but I can write okay. Adams, poses for a portrait in his home office on January 6, 2014 in Pleasanton, California. His death from prostate cancer at the age of 68 was announced on Tuesday The scramble up the corporate career ladder gave birth to Dilbert - the beloved cartoon character, created by Adams (pictured here with two Dilbert characters at a party in 1999) Adams pictured during a livestream on January 1 when he delivered an update of his grim prognosis.He was modest about his ability. But there was no denying his impact 'If I have a party at my house, Im not the funniest person in the room, but Im a little bit funny, I can write a little bit, I can draw a little bit, and you put those three together and youve got Dilbert, a fairly powerful force.' Adams credits his father Paul, a postal clerk, for his sense of humor. 'The cynical part of me comes from my dad,' he told the San Francisco Chronicle in 1998. 'I dont know whether hes had a serious thing to say about anything as long as Ive known him.' Born in Windham, a ski town in the Catskills Mountains 140 miles north of New York City, Adams was drawing from the age of five and dreamed of becoming a cartoonist. But he concluded that following his heart was unlikely to pay the rent. 'When you when you reach an age when you understand likelihood and statistics, you lose that innocence that anything is possible,' he told the New York Times in 2003. Instead, he studied economics in upstate New York, graduating in 1979 from Hartwick College in Oneonta before moving to the Bay Area. 'The first thing I did when I got out of college in my small upstate New York life, is I said, "Where is all the luck?"' he told a Hoover Institute panel in September 2017. 'I was thinking opportunity, but really they're so correlated. I said, "I got to get out of here." I said, California.' He began work at Crocker National Bank in San Francisco in 1979, but those two robberies soon taught him it was safer on the upstairs floors. By 1986 he was working at telecoms company Pacific Bell, getting up at 4am to draw for several hours before work, and doodling during the day to while away the boredom of corporate meetings. Soon his colleagues were passing his musings around the office and faxing them to others. So, he decided to pitch his work to the papers. 'The short version is that I bought a book on how to become a cartoonist and followed the directions on submitting work to the big comic-syndication outfits,' he told the New Yorker. 'I was rejected by all of them but United Media.' In 1989, United Media, a syndicator who carried Charles Schulzs Peanuts, agreed to publish his work. Dilbert and friends soon became firm favorites across the country, and within a couple of years Adamss income from the cartoon dwarfed his Pacific Bell salary. Adams pictured with Dilbert cartoon characters in September 1998. United Media, a syndicator who carried Charles Schulzs Peanuts, agreed to publish his work in 1989 By 1986 Adams (pictured here in 'Dilbert's Ultimate Cubicle') was working at telecoms company Pacific Bell, getting up at 4am to draw for several hours before work He added his email to the cartoons, so people could respond and suggest new storylines. 'I heard from all these people who thought that they were the only ones, that they were in this unique, absurd situation,' he told the New York Times in 1995. 'That they couldnt talk about their situation because no one would believe it. Basically, there are 25 million people out there, living in cardboard boxes indoors, and there was no voice for them. So there was this pent-up demand.' For years Adams kept his day job, plowing through the drudgery inside the confines of cubicle number 4S700R - in part for the fodder it provided. 'There were days when stuff would happen and I would literally lose control of myself,' he told the New York Times in 1995. 'I'd see the things that I was doing and the things that were going on around me and I'd laugh so hard that tears would come down my cheeks. I would hold myself in the fetal position, just thinking of the absurdity of my situation and that I was getting paid for it.' Later that same year Adams would leave Pacific Bell and focus full time on creating his comics. Dilbert made Adams a very rich man: by the time of his death, he is estimated to have earned around $20 million. He married his first wife, Shelly Miles, in 2006, divorcing eight years later but remaining close friends. He was married to his second wife, Kristina Basham, from 2020 until 2022, and had no children. His fame also brought controversy. Adams was open about his interest in Donald Trump as a political figure, describing Trump as a master showman and powerful persuader. Adams saw himself as an 'ultra liberal' socially, but agnostic 'on stuff like international relations, what do we do with trade deals and stuff like that.' He also gleefully mocked workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies, and corporate social goals. In 2022 he had been dropped by some newspapers for a flurry of Dilbert scenarios taking aim at DEI, with a black worker, who identifies as white, being asked to also identify as gay to boost his company's environmental, social, and governance ratings. In 2023 he was more widely 'cancelled' for using his podcast, Real Coffee With Scott Adams, to discuss racial attitudes in an off-the-cuff way many found offensive. While discussing a Rasmussen Reports opinion poll that found that 53 percent of black Americans agreed with the statement, 'Its OK to be white' he declared: 'If nearly half of all blacks are not OK with white people', they are a 'hate group.' 'So far every black person I've talked to has said, "I get what you're saying,"' Scott Adams (right) told Chris Cuomo on News Nation. 'It's almost entirely white people that canceled me' He was married to his second wife, Kristina Basham, (pictured) from 2020 until 2022, and had no children Adams added: 'I dont want to have anything to do with them. And I would say, based on the current way things are going, the best advice I would give to white people is to get the hell away from black people.' The backlash was swift. Adams later admitted it was 'hyperbole', and that he should have chosen his words with more care. He bounced back, publishing in March 2023 Dilbert Reborn, available via online subscription. 'If you believe the news, it was because I am a big ol racist,' he wrote. 'Context: No news about public figures is ever true and in context. Never. If you look into the context, the point that got me canceled is that CRT, DEI and ESG all have in common the framing that white Americans are historically the oppressors and black Americans have been oppressed, and it continues to this day. 'I recommended staying away from any group of Americans that identifies your group as the bad guys, because that puts a target on your back. 'I was speaking hyperbolically, of course, because we Americans dont have an option of staying away from each other. But it did get a lot of attention, as I hoped. (More than I planned, actually.)' Adams announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025, saying the disease was aggressive, and he doubted he had long to live. In November, he wrote on X that his health was 'declining fast,' and appealed to Trump for help in securing a drug that his insurer had approved but not yet given him. Trump replied: 'On it!' Adams once described his 'perfect life' as being born selfish as a baby and gradually becoming more giving. 'That was always the life arch that I've pursued,' he said in 2017. 'Start perfectly selfish and on your last day give it all away. Literally you die, your estate is going. 'By then, you should've given all of your wisdom, any kindness you had, anything you could contribute.' An illegal migrant will be deported from the UK for the fifth time after he was found hiding in the back of a trailer. Since 2017 Romeo Zani, an Albanian national, has repeatedly tried to enter Britain. Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday heard he first came to the attention of the Border Force nine years ago, when he confessed he had come to the country in the 'back of a lorry' and been working illegally. Since then, he has been caught trying to enter the UK through various means - including via a yacht in Falmouth. Zani, 32, once spent a year in hiding and has also served prison sentences for his crimes. He has been issued an indefinite deportation order, too. Now, the illegal migrant has been locked up and told he will be removed for a fifth time after admitting another breach of his deportation order. Mr Recorder Nicholas Worsley sentenced Zani to two years behind bars for his 'blatant attempt to flout deportation'. The recorder told him: 'This will be the fifth occasion upon which you have ended up being removed from the UK. Romeo Zani, an Albanian national, has an indefinite deportation order but since 2017 he has repeatedly tried to reenter the UK. He has now been has been sentenced to two years behind bars and will be removed for a fifth time for his third breach of the deportation order Migrants on a small boat in the English Channel in November 2025. Zani has illegally entered the UK on multiple occasions using different methods - including via a yacht 'This offending undermines the fabric of society and enables criminality.' Prosecutor Michael Bunch told the court Zani was found in the sealed trailer heading to the Nissan factory in Sunderland. He confessed he had travelled from Albania to Belgium, where he paid someone 5,000 to get him into the UK. Mr Bunch said Zani claimed he made the illegal journey because his 'life was in danger'. Mark Harrison, defending, said: 'He will be returned back to Albania even though he maintains it is not a safe place for him to reside. 'He didn't set foot properly on UK soil, he was arrested hiding in a lorry. 'He chose the UK because he has friends and extended family here. He understands he cannot return.' The court heard Zani was first questioned by the authorities in August 2017, when he confessed he had entered the UK in the 'back of a lorry'. Your browser does not support iframes. He admitted he had been working illegally, had no fears about returning to Albania and signed a voluntary departure order which meant he was removed from Britain in December 2017. Zani entered the country again and was arrested in January 2018 then convicted in December 2018 at Bristol Crown Court for offences including possessing fraudulent identity documents, conspiracy to possess a class B drug and money laundering. He was sentenced to 20 months behind bars. On January 11, 2019, he was made the subject of an indefinite deportation order and removed from the UK for the second time on March 7, 2019. Two years later, in January 2021, Zani was back in the UK and identified as having returned in breach of a deportation order but was then 'in hiding' and categorised as an absconder for more than a year. On August 27, 2023, he was arrested by Bedford Police. Then, in January 2024, he was arrested by West Yorkshire Police - and launched a claim for asylum. The claim was refused and, on May 3, 2024, he was removed from the UK for the third time. This was the first breach of the deportation order. Less than a year later, on April 13, 2025, Zani was found on a yacht in Falmouth and two days later was convicted of a second breach of the deportation order at Cornwall Magistrates Court. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the breach and, on August 14, was removed from the UK for a fourth time. On December 12 last year, he was back in Britain again and was found hidden in a trailer bound for the Nissan factory in Sunderland. He has been sentenced to two years behind bars and will be removed for a fifth time for his third breach of the deportation order. School workers who barred a Jewish MP from visiting students also got their bosses to cancel a speaker from an Israeli tech firm. Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, was due to speak at Bristol Brunel Academy in his constituency back in September. But the visit was cancelled after a campaign by far-left protesters from Bristol's National Education Union (NEU) branch and its local Palestine Solidarity Campaign group. It has now emerged that the multi-academy trust which oversees the school no-platformed a speaker from Check Point - an Israeli-owned security company - for an event in July, The Times reports. Michaela Wilde, NEU branch secretary for the schools, led the movement to stop Mr Egan from addressing students and bragged about no-platforming Check Point. Ms Wilde, who is a pastoral support worker at City Academy, said NEU representatives in the Cabot Learning Federation were 'very proud' of no-platforming Mr Egan. She added that it came after the 'cancelling' of an Israeli arms funded speaker to the [multi-academy trust] conference, cancelled due to our collective action', she wrote on Facebook. Michaela Wilde (pictured), NEU branch secretary for the schools, led the movement to stop Mr Egan from addressing students and bragged about no-platforming Check Point Jewish MP Damien Egan was 'banned' from visiting a school in his constituency amid fears his presence would 'inflame teachers' 'Don't mess with NEU in CLF, we are not here to play,' she added. Separately, Ms Wilde told the Bristol Cable that the NEU had successfully pressured the schools trust to remove Charlotte Wilson, who works for Check Point. 'If we feel strongly about these things, we will take action,' Ms Wilde said. Daily Mail has approached Check Point and Ms Wilde for comment. Mr Egan 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. NEU 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'. Check Point's Charlotte Wilson was reportedly no-platformed by the NEU '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.' 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. The Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign boasted about the cancellation of the Labour MPs visit to the school 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 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 rogue oil tanker intercepted by the US on its way to Russia from Venezuela was yesterday anchored a few miles off Scotland's coast. The Marinera was spotted off Burghead near Lossiemouth on the Moray coast. The tanker, seized last week in an American-led operation in the North Atlantic, was anchored three miles off the coast near to the deep water port and former naval base at Invergordon. The vessel was flanked by three tug boats and a US coastguard ship and is believed to have been shadowed by a Royal Navy ship on its journey. Last week's capture of the Marinera , which the White House described as being part of a 'Venezuelan shadow fleet ' brought to an end a two-week game of cat and mouse as the US chased the ageing tanker from the Caribbean. The operation took place in the icy waters between Iceland and northern Scotland, as Moscow tried desperately to defend the ship flying under its flag with the menacing presence of a Russian submarine nearby. The tanker, seized last week in an American-led operation in the North Atlantic, was anchored three miles off the coast near to the deep water port and former naval base at Invergordon The Marinera was spotted off Burghead near Lossiemouth on the Moray coast The tanker, seized last week in an American-led operation in the North Atlantic, was anchored three miles off the coast near to the deep water port and former naval base at Invergordon US aircraft took launched aircraft from RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, and from Wick, in Caithness during the operation. UK military planes involved included a Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft. Onlookers said there was little movement around the ship, which along with the US coastguard vessel did not show up on maritime tracking websites. One said: 'It seems to have dropped anchor around three miles out. Whether it's an issue with space at Invergordon or a mechanical problem is unclear, but there were three tugs heading in that direction for a while and then they just came to a stop.' Earlier this week, the US released two Russians aboard the Marinera tanker following a Kremlin request. The remaining crew face potential criminal charges in the US for sailing a sanctioned vessel. Russia condemned the seizure as 'outright piracy' amid warnings from United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that the US military was 'prepared to continue' its course of action and that President Trump was 'not messing around'. The Marinera, previously known as the Bella 1, claimed a Russian flag in an effort to evade seizure by the US - its fifth flag change in as many years. The rusting tanker was previously subjected to criminal sanction for carrying Iranian oil. She has also been used to transport Venezuelan oil. The US Coast Guard had a warrant to seize the ship, and had tried to board it in the Caribbean. Join the debate Are YOU worried about the Russian tanker's proximity to Britain? The vessel was flanked by three tug boats and a US coastguard ship and is believed to have been shadowed by a Royal Navy ship on its journey 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 But it dramatically changed course, changed its name, and re-registered as Russian. Her crew also turned off the ship's transponders so she was invisible on tracking systems. Defence minister John Healey said that degrading the Russian shadow fleet was a priority for the UK Government, as he announced new sanctions against hundreds of such vessels. When these were switched back on, the Marinera was located hundreds of miles off Ireland's west coast. The sighting triggered the joint US-UK operation culminating in last week's raid. The Russian captain of a cargo ship that crashed into an oil tanker in the North Sea did 'absolutely nothing' to stop the collision that killed one crew member, a court has heard. Vladimir Motin, 59, was on sole watch duty when his vessel smashed into the US oil tanker the Stena Immaculate, causing the death of Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, on March 10, 2025. The container ship Solong, which had 14 crew members, was carrying mainly alcoholic spirits and some hazardous substances, including empty but unclean sodium cyanide containers, the court was told. Opening his Old Bailey trial on Tuesday, prosecutor Tom Little KC said the case involved the 'entirely avoidable death' of the seaman. Mr Little said that despite the 'obvious collision course', Motin 'did not deviate' from the cargo shop's path and the 'impending catastrophe that lay ahead'. The location of the Stena Immaculate would have been visible on the Solong's radar display about 36 minutes before the vessels collided, Mr Little said. The cargo ship was on a direct collision course for much longer than a matter of minutes, jurors were told. The collision course was obvious when the tanker became visible to the naked eye and, before that, on computer equipment available to the defendant, the court heard. Solong is towed by tugs into Aberdeen Harbour on March 28, 2025 in Aberdeen, Scotland Smoke is seen billowing from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast earlier following the collision Water can be seen flowing through the torn and damaged hull of the Stena Immaculate Motin had a 'constellation of information' telling him he needed to act but did the opposite and failed to avert the collision, jurors heard. There were a number of things the 'highly trained' captain 'could and should have done', Mr Little said. 'It is this gross breach of duty to the man he killed, and indeed to his own crew, that led inexorably to a death and to him being on trial before you at the Old Bailey,' the prosecutor said. He told jurors: 'Ultimately, he would still be alive if it was not for the grossly negligent conduct of the man in the dock, the defendant, and who was the captain of the very vessel upon which the seaman who lost his life was working. 'The captain owed him a duty of care to keep him safe and the defendant, we say, manifestly breached that duty of care and caused his death. The risk of death was serious and obvious and negligence was so bad that it was gross.' Solong, which was 130 metres long and weighed 7,852 gross tonnes, had departed Grangemouth in Scotland at 9.05pm on March 9, 2025, bound for the port of Rotterdam in Holland. The Stena Immaculate, with a crew of 23, was 183.2 metres long and was transporting more than 220,000 barrels of JetA1 high-grade aviation fuel from Greece to the UK. Its engine was shut down on the evening of last March 9. Restarting it would have taken about 30 to 45 minutes and about 35 minutes to manoeuvre away from an incoming ship, the court heard. The two vessels crashed just over 12 hours after the Solong set off from Grangemouth. The location of the Stena Immaculate would have been visible on the Solong's radar display about 36 minutes before the vessels collided, Mr Little said. On the morning of March 10, 2025, the Solong was in the North Sea approaching an area where other ships, including the Stena Immaculate, were anchored. The container ship the Solong, which was involved in a collision with a tanker in the North Sea, is towed into the port of Aberdeen The US-registered tanker was carrying large quantities of aviation fuel, which leaked out, causing fire to spread across both ships, jurors were told The Solong had been travelling at just over 16 knots in the minutes before the collision and was going 15.2 knots on impact with no warning to the Stena Immaculate. Mr Little said: 'Despite an obvious collision course, the defendant did not deviate his vessel from its path and the impending catastrophe that lay ahead. 'The defendant was responsible for navigating the ship, not only because he was the captain but because he was on sole watch duty at the time and ultimately, he did nothing, absolutely nothing, to avoid the collision.' At about 9.47am, the front of the Solong crashed into the side of the anchored Stena Immaculate. The US-registered tanker was carrying large quantities of aviation fuel, which leaked out, causing fire to spread across both ships, jurors were told. In dramatic CCTV footage of the collision, there was a loud bang and huge plumes of flames and smoke engulfed the Stena Immaculate and Solong. Reacting to the spreading inferno, an American seaman aboard the Stena Immaculate could be heard to say: 'Holy s**t, what just hit us?' There was silence from the bridge of the Solong for a minute before a voice could be heard speaking in a foreign language. Mr Pernia was working at the front of the Solong and died in the collision, although his body has never been found, Mr Little said. Motin, from Primorsky, St Petersburg, denies manslaughter. The trial continues. A Virginia husband accused of murdering his wife and another man so he could be with his au pair lover sobbed as the 911 call from the night they died was played in court. Brendan Banfield was overcome with emotion during the hearing at Fairfax County Court on Tuesday. Prosecutors allege that he murdered his wife, Christine Banfield, 37, along with stranger, Joseph Ryan, 39, as part of a twisted plot to be with his 25-year-old Brazilian au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes. The disturbing call was made on February 24, 2023, from the Banfields' home in Herndon, where Christine was found inside her bedroom suffering from stab wounds alongside Ryan, who was shot. Prosecutors said Magalhaes and Banfield worked together to lure Ryan to the home through a BDSM website and staged the scene to make it look like he killed Christine. Banfield, a former IRS officer, stared down at the desk in front of him as the recording of Magalhaes frantically asking a 911 operator for help began playing. The alleged murderer hardly glanced up as the phone call continued except to jot some notes down as his voice was heard for the first time on the call. 'There's somebody here I shot him (Ryan), but he stabbed her (Christine),' Banfield was heard stating, per NBC's report. The husband added during the call that his wife had several marks on her neck and was bleeding as he asked the operator what to do. Brendan Banfield appeared in Fairfax County court on January 13, for allegedly murdering his wife and another man as part of a plot to run off with his au pair lover Nanny Juliana Peres Magalhaes (pictured with Banfield) pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for her cooperation in his prosecution As the call played, Banfield began to rub away his tears with his eyes locked on the table in front of him. 'She's got a very big hole in her neck,' he told the operator during the nine-minute call. On the day of the killings, prosecutors said Magalhaes called 911 at least twice within minutes, but ended the calls before speaking with first responders. More than 10 minutes later, prosecutors alleged in court, Magalhaes called 911 a final time and reported the emergency. Prosecutors said evidence suggested Ryan was gunned down as part of a scheme to get rid of Christine. Investigators first became suspicious about Magalhaes' story after she and Banfield failed to disclose their alleged romance when speaking to detectives. Police said they uncovered evidence of a secret lovers' getaway and pointed out that just eight months after the killings, Magalhaes had moved into the main bedroom. Christine Banfield was found stabbed to death in her bedroom on February 24, 2023 Banfield and Magalhaes allegedly tried to frame Joseph Ryan for Christine's murder after someone created a fake account for Christine on a BDSM site and made plans to have 'rough sex' with Ryan before they were both killed Throughout most of the nearly nine-minute phone call Banfield wiped tears away from his face as his eyes remained locked on the desk in front of him They submitted a picture showing a framed photo of Magalhaes and Banfield on her nightstand while her clothes were in Christine's closet. They allege that someone created a fake account for Christine on a BDSM site and made plans to have 'rough sex' with Ryan before they were both killed. In court, it emerged that the fetish website account Ryan had been messaging on was maintained on Christine's computer under the username Annastasia9. However, there was 'not one iota of evidence that she was into knife play, binding, BDSM,' said prosecutor Eric Clingan. Ryan and the account user discussed rough sex and bloodplay, an act where someone deliberately cuts another. During the chats, Annastasia9 wrote that she cheats on her husband 'whenever she wants to'. Banfield also faces child abuse and neglect charges because his 4-year-old daughter was at home when the murders occurred 'We're here today because Brendan Banfield, the man seated behind me, killed his wife, Christine Banfield, and another man, named Joseph Ryan,' said Prosecutor Jenna Sands during her opening statement. 'Those two individuals had no reason to know each other but for the plotting and planning of Brendan Banfield.' She added that the physical evidence should be focused on. 'Without a doubt, the blood cannot lie, and the blood puts Brendan Banfield standing over Christine, stabbing her in the neck, in the neck until she died.' Banfield also faces child abuse and neglect charges because his four-year-old daughter was at home when the alleged murders occurred, in addition to his four charges of aggravated murder and firearm offenses. Magalhaes told police she had left the family home to take the child to the zoo, but returned after realizing she had left their lunches. She said she left the child in the basement after she and Banfield heard what sounded like an intruder before they discovered Christine being attacked. Magalhaes pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter as part of a plea deal in exchange for cooperating in Banfield's prosecution. Banfield's defense sought to undermine Magalhaes' testimony and claimed that she 'flipped' in exchange for a sweetheart plea deal Authorities became suspicious after Magalhaes and Banfield failed to inform officer of their alleged romance In his opening statement Banfield's lawyer sought to undermine her testimony. 'The whole reason she was arrested was to flip her against my client,' John Carroll said. He admitted the two were having an affair but insisted, 'theres an awful lot more to look for'. Banfield's trial continues. The Daily Mail has approached his attorney for comment. A former CEO recently put behind bars over a $1.3million bribery plot has quietly launched an audacious plan that could see her get pardoned. Anne Pramaggiore, 67, was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of bribing former Illinois House of Representatives speaker Michael Madigan. Pramaggiore, the former CEO of Illinois electricity giant Commonwealth Edison, was also found guilty of falsifying corporate books and records. She reported to FCI Marianna - a medium-security prison about 70 miles southeast of Tallahassee, Florida - on Monday, according to the Chicago Tribune. But Pramaggiore is hoping for her stint in prison to be as short as possible and has already started making moves to obtain her release. The disgraced executive has paid a Washington DC lobbying firm $80,000 to get advice on what getting pardoned could entail, public filings showed. She currently has a pending clemency filing before the Office of the Pardon Attorney, which helps President Donald Trump administer executive clemency. Mark Herr, her spokesman, told The Daily Mail: 'Ms. Pramaggiore reported to her assigned site, as expected. Every day she spends in federal prison is another day Justice has been denied.' Anne Pramaggiore, 67, was sentenced to two years in prison for bribing former Illinois House of Representatives speaker Michael Madigan, as well as falsifying corporate books and records Pramaggiore was the first woman to ever serve as president and CEO of Commonwealth Edison Pramaggiore was sentenced to prison in May 2023 after being found guilty of bribing Madigan, a Democrat. She was the first woman ever to serve as president and CEO of ComEd. Her bribery scheme targeted Madigan so that she could 'gain his assistance with the passage of certain legislation', the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois said. Until this week, her prison start date had been pushed back multiple times for a litany of reasons that included a recent hip surgery. However, Pramaggiore's aspirations to seemingly avoid life behind bars began immediately after she was sentenced. A lobbying disclosure report from last year showed that she hired Washington DC lobbying firm Crossroads Strategies LLC on July 15 - just days after her conviction. Pramaggiore paid them $80,000 in the third quarter of 2025, according to a separate filing. 'Ms. Pramaggiore faces two years in prison for "covering up" a crime the Supreme Court says never was,' Herr told the Chicago Tribune last year. Pramaggiore paid Washington DC lobbying firm Crossroads Strategies $80,000 in the third quarter of 2025, as she explores a pardon At the same time as Pramaggiore potentially seeks a pardon, she is also appealing her conviction. The oral arguments in the former ComEd chief's case will be heard over the next weeks. Pramaggiore's spokesman explained even that outcome could prove unsatisfactory for his client. He said: 'Even if she prevails on appeal, there is a real chance that she will have lost two years of her life while innocent.' Pramaggiore's convictions on underlying bribery counts were tossed out by US District Judge Manish Shah due to a separate Supreme Court ruling. However, Shah maintained the guilty verdict for conspiracy, as well as for falsifying corporate books and records. 'This was secretive sophisticated criminal corruption of important public policy,' he said. 'You didn't think to change the culture of corruption,' Shah added. 'Instead you were all in.' The announcement of Pramaggiore's appeal referenced what US President Donald Trump had said about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Trump would be in charge of pardoning her Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has called for Trump to pardon Pramaggiore for being 'a victim of the Illinois Democratic machine' Pramaggiore's appeal is based on her remaining counts falling under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. ComEd is not a foreign company, as it is based in Illinois and a subsidiary of American public utility giant Exelon Corporation. However, the act applies to Pramaggiore's case because it bars individuals, 'from knowingly and willfully circumventing or failing to implement the required system of internal accounting controls or knowingly and willfully falsifying any book, record, or account that issuers were required to keep.' Herr called on the words of US President Donald Trump to make his argument last year. He said: 'In February when President Trump paused FCPA enforcement, he said the law "has been systematically, and to a steadily increasing degree, stretched beyond proper bounds and abused in a manner that harms the interests of the United States". That has happened here.' He added: 'Ms. Pramaggiore faces jail despite the documents at issue being true. Chicago is not a foreign jurisdiction.' Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, has called for Trump to pardon the former executive. 'Anne Pramaggiore is 100% innocent, a victim of the Illinois Democratic machine, prosecutorial lawfare, and this case is exactly the kind of prosecutorial overreach that President Trump has railed against,' Blagojevich told the Chicago Sun-Times. The US president pardoned Blagojevich of corruption charges in 2025 after previously commuting his prison sentence. Pramaggiore reported to Florida medium-security prison FCI Marianna (pictured) on Monday. Her prison start date had been pushed back multiple times The other perpetrators involved in the fraud scheme have all been sentenced to prison. Michael McClain received two years, John Hooker received a year and a half and Jay Doherty received one year. Madigan was convicted and sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. He was also fined $2.5million. The 83-year-old could eventually be granted home confinement due to his advanced age. He is also seeking a presidential pardon, although a group of Illinois House Republicans publicly urged Trump in December to not consider Madigan's clemency. The Daily Mail has reached out to Mathew Lapinski, who is listed as Pramaggiore's contact for Crossroads Strategies, for comment. Sharon Osbourne breaks down in tears as she takes to the stage at the 2026 Grammys for Yungblud's win as he honours 'idol' Ozzy Osbourne - six months on from his tragic death At least two Starbucks baristas were fired after a sheriffs deputy was given a cup with a pig drawn on it. The deputy received the drink during his 16-hour shift last Friday at one of the chain's coffeehouses in Norwalk, a city about 17 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. 'When I received my drink, I noticed an employee had drawn a pig on the cup. 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 officer wrote on his private Instagram, according to KTLA. Using the word 'pig' as a slur against police originated in 19th-century England but became popular in the United States during the hippie and civil rights movements of the 1960s. Anti-police protesters would use the term to dehumanize cops and cast them as dirty or corrupt. The slur was also popular with the Black Panthers, a far-left black power organization. Jaci Anderson, a Starbucks representative, told the Daily Mail that two baristas were 'separated' from the company as a result of this incident. Anderson clarified that the pig drawing was not intended to disparage the officer and that it depicted John Pork, a popular meme. 'The drawing was placed on the cup earlier in the day, intended to uplift partners working behind the bar - the drawing occurred hours before the officer arrived at the store and placed his order,' Anderson said. The coffee cup that was handed to a Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputy last Friday The ensuing investigation by Starbucks, which is ongoing, led to the firing of two employees Still, the decision was made to fire the two employees because giving cups to customers with drawings on them violates company guidelines, whether the client is a police officer or not, Anderson said. 'This was unacceptable. We have reached out to the customer several times and leaders in the sheriffs department to apologize. In addition, we attempted to make it right with the customer in real time in our coffeehouse,' Starbucks said. The chain immediately launched an investigation, which is still ongoing, Anderson said. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department issued a statement on Sunday regarding the incident. 'The department is aware and deeply concerned about an incident that occurred at a local coffee shop in the city of Norwalk on Friday, January 9, in which a deputy, who had stopped for coffee, was deliberately served a cup bearing a hand-drawn image of a pig, which is commonly used to demean law enforcement,' it began. '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. 'Upon learning about this incident from the employee, the Sheriff immediately escalated the matter and contacted an individual in the coffee companys corporate security division to formally raise concerns and to ensure accountability.' The statement added that Sheriff Robert G Luna '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.' The statement was posted on Facebook, and comments ranged from outrage to others believing that it was satire. Controversial Attorney General Lord Hermer has been accused of making clandestine visits to the Prime Minister's flat to water down government policies that would impinge on human rights law. Ministers have voiced frustration that Lord Hermer is exploiting his close personal friendship with Keir Starmer to bypass normal Cabinet government and lobby the PM to ditch ideas that offend his liberal principles. Two government sources told the Daily Mail that the lifelong human rights lawyer is the only Cabinet minister routinely invited to the PM's flat for political discussions. One described him as the 'most powerful man in government', adding: 'He's one of the PM's few friends in politics - he's the only Cabinet minister who is invited up to the PM's flat and he uses that to his advantage. 'Things will get agreed with the PM in his office and then the Attorney goes up to the flat and the PM changes his mind. 'The PM is actually more pragmatic than people give him credit for but Hermer brings out the human rights lawyer in him every time.' The arrangement echoes the much-criticised 'sofa government' run by Tony Blair in which key decisions were often taken by a handful of ministers at informal meetings, which were not minuted by officials and which excluded the wider Cabinet. It will also put a fresh spotlight on the role of Lord Hermer, who has become a lightning rod for those critics of the Government who accuse Labour of putting international human rights law ahead of the public interest. Lord Hermer has been a close friend of Keir Starmer for decades An ally of Lord Hermer on Tuesday dismissed the claims as 'baseless', saying it was normal for ministers to speak to the PM about policy concerns. But shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said Lord Hermer appeared to be effectively running the Government, to the detriment of the country. 'The Prime Minister has been reduced to a puppet of the hard Left with Lord Hermer left pulling strings,' he said. 'From the surrender of the Chagos Islands to an ally of China to the betrayal of veterans who have served in Northern Ireland, Hermer has consistently subverted the interest of the British people. He epitomises everything wrong with this Labour Government.' Lord Hermer was a surprise appointment as Attorney-General after last year's election, supplanting veteran Labour lawyer Dame Emily Thornberry who had been expected to continue in the role she held in opposition. The 57-year-old is a former head of Matrix Chambers, which was co-founded by Cherie Blair. He has never been elected and was parachuted into the House of Lords within hours of Labour's election victory. He and Sir Keir had worked closely for years at the liberal barristers' set Doughty Street Chambers, which the PM co-founded. They remained close friends after Sir Keir entered politics, with Lord Hermer donating to his leadership campaign in 2020. A source close to Lord Hermer did not dispute claims that he holds policy discussions in the PM's flat but dismissed suggestions that he wields undue influence The source said: 'Cabinet minister speaks to Prime Minister isn't a story. The Attorney General's job is to work with other ministers to ensure this Government delivers the promises we made to the British public in the most effective way possible. That's what his focus is. 'If some ministers haven't managed to persuade the PM or No 10 of their idea, that is on them. Claims otherwise are baseless and the fact no examples are able to be given of what alleged policies have been watered down speaks volumes.' Guantanamo Bay prisoner Abu Zubaydah, a former client of Lord Hermer, is reported to have received a 'substantial' compensation payment from the UK this week Lord Hermer advocated for Jihadi bride Shamima Begum before joining Government Former Sinn Fein boss Gerry Adams is another of Lord Hermer's controversial former clients Lord Hermer's time in Government has been marked with controversy. Concerns have also been raised over 'conflicts of interest' issues, with the Attorney General coming under fire earlier this year for refusing to disclose his earnings for representing the likes of Gerry Adams as well as Liberty, for whom he acted in their intervention in Shamima Begums appeal to be allowed to return to the UK. This week it emerged that Guantanamo Bay detainee Abu Zubaydah, whose case was taken on by Lord Hermer before he joined Government, has been handed 'substantial' compensation following allegations that the UK was complicit in his torture. Lord Hermer has previously indicated he is recused from dealing with cases he was involved in before joining Government. He is said to have been a key player in the decision to hand Mauritius 9billion to take control of the Chagos Islands. Whitehall sources believe he is also behind recent curbs on intelligence sharing with the US in protest at the Trump administration's hardline tactics against drug gangs operating in the Caribbean. The peer has vowed to put respect for human rights 'at the heart' of Government, even arguing that they are essential for economic growth. He has pledged that Britain will 'lead on international law issues' and vowed the UK will never leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), despite Home Office concerns it is hampering the fight against illegal migration. Last year he was forced to apologise for a 'clumsy' speech in which he likened those calling for withdrawal from the ECHR to the Nazis. It wasn't your typical day of staid diplomatic greetings in India's capital. Sergio Gor, a long-time loyalist of President Trump, brought a distinct touch of Mar-a-Lago to his Monday inauguration in New Delhi. The new US ambassador did not arrive quietly as he made a rousing entrance, stepping out of a black BMW SUV to a curated soundtrack of rally favorites, according to the Washington Post. Embassy officials said Gor personally selected the music, which saw him walk on to soul classics and exit to the beats of the Village People's YMCA a staple of Trump's own campaign rallies. Staff were reportedly given orders by deputy spokesman John Brown to gather in a show of support behind the new ambassador, with instructions to make sure their cheers were loud and clear as he took the stage. 'Act like Elvis just walked into the building,' Brown said, trying to hype up the crowd. Cheers or not, Gor is now stepping into a diplomatic firestorm. His theatrical debut comes at a perilous moment for US-India relations, possibly its roughest patch in thirty years. The early promise of the Trump-Modi era has been replaced by a series of high-stakes missteps and communication barriers. Sergio Gor, a long-time loyalist of President Trump, brought a distinct touch of Mar-a-Lago to his Monday inauguration in New Delhi Both leaders were all smiles last February, but US-India relations are now at a perilous moment Gor, speaking as he assumed office yesterday, is stepping into a diplomatic firestorm Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, with US Vice President JD Vance, center, and Second Lady Usha Vance, at Panchavati in New Delhi last April Gor greeted officials upon his arrival at the US Embassy in New Delhi on Monday Ex-US Ambassador to India David Mulford with former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit at the American Embassy in the Indian capital in 2009 At the heart of the rift? India's defiant reliance on Russian energy, a bruising trade battle, and a lingering dispute over how to handle the Pakistan military crisis. Gor's hand-in-glove relationship with the President could prove to be a powerful asset for New Delhi, but also a challenge. 'You have access to one of the best Trump whisperers out there,' Milan Vaishnav, senior fellow and director of the South Asia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Washington Post. 'But what he's whispering is what you might not want to hear.' Diplomats say Ambassador Gor has to first be 'received' to become the official ambassador meaning he must present his credentials to the president of India. Gor has already been formally installed, with the State Department recognizing his full ambassadorial authority. However, he won't be unpacking at the historic Roosevelt House just yet. The ambassador is currently holed up in temporary digs as the official residence undergoes a massive 'modernization' facelift, according to embassy spokesman Christopher Elms. He went on the offensive to calm nerves over the alliance, saying, 'Real friends can disagree, but they always resolve their differences.' 'Gor offers a direct political line to Trump, something Delhi has been struggling with in recent months,' Constantino Xavier, a senior fellow for foreign policy and security studies at the Center for Social and Economic Progress in New Delhi, told the Washington Post. 'The next few months will tell whether his role will help achieve a trade deal and normalize ties.' Gor said Trump hopes to visit India 'in the next year or two.' Tennessee Highway Patrol released dashboard camera footage eviscerating claims that an anti-ICE activist was struck by a police car during a protest in Memphis. Volatile protests erupted across the country over the weekend over the fatal shooting of a Minnesota activist, Renee Nicole Good, by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. In Memphis, tensions appeared to escalate when hundreds of anti-ICE protesters gathered on Sunday, WMC reported. A video circulating online appeared to show a person getting hit by a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) vehicle, sparking outrage. However, THP released dashboard camera footage of the incident, disproving that narrative. The video showed a man in an orange reflective vest walking in front of the car as the vehicle came to a complete stop. He then grabbed its bull bars and gently lowered himself onto the road. 'In this case, video clearly shows the individual holding onto the front of the troopers vehicle, lying down, then standing right back up afterwards and leaving the scene under his own power,' THP said. 'At no point does the video show the individual being run over or injured, despite the narratives circulating on social media.' Police dashboard camera footage destroyed claims by anti-ICE protesters that an activist was hit by a patrol car in Tennessee over the weekend The video showed a man in an orange reflective vest walking in front of the car as the vehicle came to a complete stop THP said the footage shows the claim that someone was hit is 'false' and warned that walking in front of a patrol car is a public safety risk. 'We respect and protect the right of people to protest peacefully. That right, however, does not include entering active roadways or placing themselves in danger,' THP said. 'Our priority is always public safety for motorists, protesters and certainly our troopers. 'When someone enters the roadway, it creates a serious and immediate risk, and troopers are trained to respond to prevent injuries or worse outcomes.' One person appears to have been arrested during Sunday's protest in Memphis, according to WMC. Rebecca Ann Leathers was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting detention after she stood in front of a THP vehicle. She allegedly stood in front of the vehicle as troopers drove to navigate through the crowd and attacked the windows. THP officers said Leathers would not cooperate during her arrest and became violent. He grabbed onto the front of the troopers vehicle, laid down, then stood back up Tennessee Highway Patrol said the man was not hit by the vehicle and walked away from the scene by his own volition Protests spread across the country over the weekend as the killing of Good has become a flashpoint in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. In Austin, Texas, at least five people were taken into custody on Saturday night as police charged into a screaming crowd of anti-ICE demonstrators who had blocked traffic near the J.J. Pickle Federal Building. In Los Angeles, hundreds of demonstrators flooded downtown streets on Saturday night, prompting police to issue dispersal orders and form skirmish lines outside federal facilities. Sir Keir Starmer is expected to accept an offer to sit on Donald Trump's new 'Board of Peace' to run Gaza following October's ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. As part of his 20-point peace plan for the Middle East, Mr Trump has proposed a new international transitional body to oversee the redevelopment of Gaza. The US President will head and chair the Board of Peace alongside other world leaders, with Sir Keir reportedly poised to take up an offer to join. A senior British official told The Times the group's first meeting is expected to happen next week during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. When the White House first unveiled Mr Trump's 20-point peace plan, there were plans for ex-prime minister Sir Tony Blair to sit on the Board of Peace. But the former Labour premier is now expected to join a separate 'executive board' following claims Middle Eastern states have objected to full membership for Sir Tony. During his time in Downing Street, Sir Tony committed British troops to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. At the weekend, Mr Trump told reporters that the Board of Peace was in the process of being formed. Sir Keir Starmer is expected to accept an offer to sit on Donald Trump's new 'Board of Peace' to run Gaza following October's ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas As part of his 20-point peace plan for the Middle East, Mr Trump has proposed a new international transitional body to oversee the redevelopment of Gaza Displaced Palestinians inspect their tents amid heavy rainfall west of Khan Younis city, southern Gaza Join the debate Should Starmer focus on global peace missions or prioritize fixing issues at home first? 'Essentially it's the most important leaders of the most important nations,' the US President told reporters on board Air Force One on Sunday. 'You take the most important leaders and nations, that's who the Board of Peace is going to be. Everybody wants to be on it.' A Government source said that no formal invite had been extended for Sir Keir to join the Board of Peace. On Monday night, Sir Keir defended the amount of time he devotes to foreign affairs as he addressed Labour MPs in Parliament. The Prime Minister has been dubbed 'never here Keir' due to his frequent trips abroad, with pressure growing on him to renew his focus on the Government's domestic agenda amid Labour's dwindling poll ratings. But he told a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party: 'One thing that is crystal clear is that we are moving into a world that is very different to the one most of us grew up in. 'And in a world this volatile you have to be on the pitch. You have to be in the room to tackle the issues working people care about. 'The cost-of-living crisis will not be solved by isolationism. You cannot deliver peace in Ukraine without being in the room. 'And you do not secure trade terms for companies like JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) by putting gesture politics first.' A Californian CEO has been accused of embezzling millions of dollars meant for a camp founded by philanthropist Paul Newman that cares for sick children. Christopher Butler, 49, was arrested on New Year's Eve on 15 felony counts of grand theft, forgery, and fraud for allegedly pocketing $5.2 million from a nonprofit camp for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors believe Butler started the scheme when he was hired as The Painted Turtle's CEO in 2018 and continued the fraud until he left in the summer of 2025. Butler also served as the organization's controller and supervised its accounting. He allegedly embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, peaking at $1 million in 2022, according to a criminal complaint. Butler allegedly wrote fraudulent checks, changed data on company computers, and even stole the devices when the company hired a new controller. 'Abusing a position of power to steal funds from a camp dedicated to helping children with serious medical conditions is an affront to both the law and our deepest values, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. 'My message is crystal clear: If you steal from the most vulnerable members of our community or the organizations that serve them, this office will use every tool the law allows to hold you fully accountable.' Newman and philanthropist and actress Page Adler founded The Painted Turtle in 1999 to create an escape for kids with medical conditions. Christopher Butler, pictured above at an event in 2017 in New York City, was arrested on New Year's Eve for embezzling millions during his tenure as the CEO of The Painted Turtle The Painted Turtle, pictured above in 2004, is a nonprofit that provides a camping experience for children with serious medical conditions free of charge Philanthropist and actor Paul Newman, pictured above at The Painted Turtle in 2004, founded the camp in 1999 'The Painted Turtle supports childrens medical needs, inspires them to reach beyond their illnesses, and provides care, education, and respite for their families,' their mission statement reads. All campers attend The Painted Turtle free of charge. The camp runs on donations from individuals and corporate donors. The organization's 2023 financial report detailed that $4.7 million was raised by 1,633 donors. The camp served over 42,000 families and spent a total of $4.5 million throughout the year. A breakdown of expenses showed that 80 percent was attributed to programming, while 18 percent was attributed to development. Newman, pictured above in the 1960s, wanted kids to attend the camp without their parents having to pay The Painted Turtle's top contributors in 2023 were listed as LA Arena Company LLC and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Other donors included Johnny Depp, Tyson Foods, Rite Aid, Abercrombie & Fitch Co., and The George Lopez Foundation. 'Guided by a bold, new three-year Strategic Plan aimed at serving as many children with serious illnesses and their families as possible, we increased our reach this year for the third year in a row, while continuing to ensure that Camp is always free of charge,' Butler wrote in a letter to contributors at the time. The Painted Turtle said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times that Butler had committed 'serious financial crimes,' adding, 'This was a shocking and saddening discovery for us. 'Our primary commitment is always to the children and families that we serve.' Glenn Bozarth, a spokesperson for the company, told the Times, 'We all have the same question: "How can someone do this?"' The organization added that it has conducted an independent audit and is cooperating with law enforcement. The nonprofit will continue programming after the investigation, although it's unclear if the embezzled funds will ever be recovered. The Painted Turtle relies on donations from corporate donors and individuals. A 2023 financial report said the nonprofit received $4.7 million in one year Butler lived in a condominium in Porter Ranch, pictured above. The neighborhood is a wealthy suburban enclave of Los Angeles According to property records, Butler lived in a condominium in Porter Ranch, a wealthy suburban neighborhood in Los Angeles. His unit was purchased in 2014 for $525,000. According to Zillow, it is now worth over $1 million. Butler is currently in custody at the North County Correctional Facility with a bail of $835,000, according to inmate records. His arraignment is scheduled for January 15. Butler has yet to enter a plea in the charges against him. He is being represented by the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office. The Daily Mail has reached out to his representation for comment. At least six federal prosecutors resigned after the Justice Department allegedly ordered them to investigate Renee Nicole Good's wife. Good, 37-year-old mother-of-three, was shot three times in the face by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis on Wednesday after she ignored demands to get out of her car, reversed it, and tried to drive off during a protest. Witnesses have said Good and her wife, Rebecca, were acting as legal observers and filming the protest. In harrowing footage from the scene, Rebecca admitted she encouraged Good to confront agents. 'I made her come down here, it's my fault,' she cried. The Justice Department allegedly ordered prosecutors from the US Attorney's Office in Minnesota to investigate Rebecca in the wake of the shooting, reported the Minnesota Star Tribune. No further details of the crimes she is suspected of committing have been shared. This order, along with the FBI's decision to kick state officials out of the investigation into the shooting caused at least six federal prosecutors to resign, including the lead on the massive Somali fraud scheme case. Joe Thompson, the former acting US Attorney of Minnesota who spearheaded the prosecutions in the Feeding Our Future food fraud case, submitted his resignation on Tuesday. 'It has been an honor and a privilege to represent the United States and this office,' Thompson wrote in an email obtained by the local newspaper. At least six federal prosecutors resigned after the Justice Department allegedly ordered them to investigate Renee Nicole Good's wife, Rebecca Good Joe Thompson (pictured), the federal prosecutor leading the massive Somali fraud investigation, resigned from the Minnesota US Attorney's Office on Tuesday Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother-of-three, was shot three times in the face by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on Wednesday His resignation was followed by at least five other senior members of the office, including Assistant US Attorneys Harry Jacobs, Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and Melinda Williams. Jacobs was the lead prosecuting attorney on the case against Vance Boelter for the assassination of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Governor Tim Walz appeared to blame Donald Trump for Thompson's resignation in a post on X. 'Joe is a principled public servant who spent more than a decade achieving justice for Minnesotans. This is a huge loss for our state,' he wrote. 'Its also the latest sign Trump is pushing nonpartisan career professionals out of the justice department, replacing them with his sycophants.' Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara echoed Walz's sentiment in a statement shared with local media. 'The legitimacy of the justice system depends on institutions not rhetoric. Joe Thompson is an institution within law enforcement,' O'Hara wrote. 'When you lose the leader responsible for making the fraud cases, it tells you this [immigration enforcement] isn't really about prosecuting fraud.' There is 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 In harrowing footage from the scene, Rebecca admitted she encouraged Good to confront agents Since Good's death, claims have been made that she has a criminal history and that she committed 'domestic terrorism' that day by allegedly purposely trying to hit Ross, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, President Trump and other top officials. Her family denied the claims of criminal behavior on Tuesday. Public records show no criminal history beyond a minor traffic infraction. Federal investigators are reportedly investigating her possible connection with activist groups protesting Trump's immigration crackdown. FBI agents - who have kicked local police off of the probe and are now leading it - have said they are conducting a thorough inquiry into the fatal shooting, including an analysis of the actions Ross took as well as physical evidence like the handgun used to kill Good. Those familiar with the investigation reportedly told The New York Times that the civil rights division of the Department of Justice, which typically investigates police-involved shootings, has not opened a probe into whether Ross violated Good's rights under federal law. Ross is 'increasingly unlikely' to face criminal charges, the Times reported. Instead, the Justice Department is reportedly planning to look into a wide group of activists who took part in a Minneapolis neighborhood ICE watch activity, believing they were 'instigators' of the shooting. It remains unclear whether Good was involved in any activism in Minneapolis besides participating in the protest against ICE actions on the day that she was killed; however, the FBI is reportedly determined to find out. The Daily Mail contacted the Justice Department for comment. My feng shui is a little rusty but Chinas proposed mega-embassy created some notably adverse-harmony vibes in the Commons. Not a single backbencher supported the planned London spy base sorry, I do apologise, I mean embassy. Even some of Labours most assiduous greasers criticised the proposal. Sir Keir Starmers impis are revolting. Beijing is hot, hot, hot for this embassy. Such ravening ardour from a capital normally so reserved has created suspicions that the Chinese intend to turn their mega-embassy into a hotbed of espionage and suppression. The site is near the Tower of London, next to a pipeline of communication cables on which the City of London and its billions of pounds of foreign earnings are said to depend. Newly disclosed architectural plans show peculiar new rooms near that pipeline. Alicia Kearns (Con, Rutland) alleged that the proximity of those cables would give the Chinese Communist part a launchpad for economic warfare against our nation. Ms Kearns, who is shadow security minister, is a wonderful blunderbuss. One of lifes roarers. Beijing would not need sophisticated eavesdropping devices for her. Alicias baritone honkings are generally audible from the Cromwell Road. Concept plans for the embassy which will be located on the former Royal Mint site Sir Keir Starmers impis are revolting as not a single backbench MP backed the new embassy With Sir Keir soon to visit China, the Government did not want some Foreign or Home Office bod to answer Ms Kearns urgent question. Any minister with inside knowledge might drop a diplomatic brick. Downing Street therefore arranged for the urgent question to be answered by Matthew Pennycook, the conveniently under-briefed minister for planning. Beanpole Pennycook has a moony face shaped like a shoebox. He is obedient and likeable enough. The only thing that really niggles him, it is said, is when people mistakenly call him Pennycock. To the despatch box he ambled to say that, er, he could not say anything. As minister for planning he was in a quasi-judicial position on the embassy planning application. No decision has been made, he claimed. Likely story! And it would be entirely inappropriate for him, as a planning minister, to discuss security matters. Speaker Hoyle was unchuffed by this. If young Pennycock was unable to say anything, why had he been chosen to answer the urgent question? As the session played forth, Labour MP after Labour MP rose to say what a stinky idea the embassy was. They included not only the experienced Sarah Champion (Rotherham) and Alex Sobel (Leeds C), but also newbies such as Uma Kumaran (Stratford & Bow) and Lillian Jones (Kilmarnock). Even Mark Sewards (Leeds SW & Morley) had a tilt. For little Sewards to criticise the Government was like Piglet turning into a Millwall fan. Im not going to comment on the security services, intoned Mr Pennycrock repeatedly. Another of his refrains was, all material considerations will be taken into account. I counted that 23 times. There was also a lot of we will not provide a running commentary. MPs snorted with derision. What made the thing all the madder was that the man who could have given an informed view, Security Minister Dan Jarvis, was sitting just next to Mr Pennyclock on the front bench, but was unable to say anything. Former soldier Jarvis looked miserable. He may be hating the Starmer Governments diplomatic wetness and regretting that he ever accepted his job from a regime that has Tony Blairs sometime bag-carrier Jonathan Powell as its in-all-but-name foreign secretary. To complete the sense of absurdity, a Lib Dem leviathan, North Devons Ian Roome, said he had some advice for the Government. It is one word: common sense. While MPs fell about laughing, Mr Roome blinked uncomprehending, maths clearly not his forte. Mr Pennyworth replied: All material considerations will be taken into account when reaching a decision on this case. As for Mr Pennysock, his performance was so woodenly obstinate, so palpably ridiculous, such a disavowal of the core ideal of parliamentary accountability, that he must surely be in line for the Beijing regimes Friendship Medal. The citation could read: To esteemed Comrade Poppycock, for services to heroic misinformation. The pedestrian bridge where two gunmen allegedly unleashed a hail of bullets during the Bondi Beach terror attack, killing 15 people, could soon be demolished. On 14 December 2025, father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram allegedly opened fire on families celebrating 'Chanukah by the Sea' from the northern bridge. The bridge, built in the late 1920s, is heritage-listed under the Bondi Pavilion, Beach and Park Plan of Management, and protected by the Crown Lands Management Act. Its future is now under intense scrutiny. In the aftermath of the attack, Waverley Council released a statement noting that they were 'aware of a wide range of views regarding the future of the footbridge at Bondi'. It followed calls from community members for it to be destroyed. 'Any decision-making regarding the bridge will require consultation from the Jewish community, the Waverley community, the families of the victims and the NSW Government,' the Council said. A 2024 structural review warned that both the north and south pedestrian bridges were deteriorating, and recommended replacement 'within the next few years'. The northern bridge (pictured) at the centre of the Bondi Beach massacre could be destroyed The northern bridge, now synonymous with tragedy, sits at the centre of a fierce debate. Council has asked officers to prepare a detailed report on 'the cost, timetable and approvals process for a replacement and/or restoration of both heritage-listed pedestrian bridges'. Officials maintain that no final decision has been made but stress any move will be considered 'in the context of future discussions on establishing a permanent memorial in Bondi Park to honour the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack'. Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh, in a mayoral minute to be considered at Thursday's meeting, has proposed assessing the bridge's replacement alongside plans for a memorial. If backed by councillors, staff will be tasked with preparing a report to 'determine the cost, timetable and approvals process', with a final decision to follow at a future meeting. The debate forms part of council's broader response to the atrocity, which is also on Thursday's agenda. Other measures include nominating Boris and Sofia Gurman and Reuven Morrison posthumously to the Prime Minister's Special Honours List for bravery after they tried to stop the alleged gunmen. Council will also consider granting 'Keys to the City', which includes a lifetime beach permit, to Ahmed al-Ahmed, who tackled and disarmed Sajid Akram. A report by the Council in 2024 found that the bridge was 'reaching the end of [its] useful life' The honour is also set to go to Leibel Lazaroff, who used his shirt as a tourniquet to help save wounded officer Scott Dyson, and Gefen Bitton, who was shot three times. Councillors will also review several initiatives in response to the tragedy, including hosting a formal event to honour emergency personnel. Other proposals include allocating sections of the Bondi Beach Sea Wall for community art over the next year and staging an exhibition at the Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery. Families of the 15 victims have been invited to attend the meeting. NSW Premier Chris Minns told media on Wednesday that, in his view, 'it would be better if it would be knocked down', although he made clear that the decision rests with the Council. 'Id hate it to be a ghoulish reminder, or exploited by reprehensible people in the future,' he said. THE SNP rose to power promising a new kind of politics driven by compassion and characterised by transparency. Amid growing anger over the cronyism of the once- dominant Scottish Labour Party, the Nationalists pledged they would never lose touch with the people they sought to serve. A vote for the SNP was a vote for openness and respect. Aye, as the saying goes, right. Almost 19 years after the SNPs first Holyrood election victory, those high-minded principles have long been forgotten. Last week, it emerged the Scottish Government has launched a fresh legal bid to prevent the release of evidence gathered during a probe into the actions of former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon during an investigation into allegations of sexual impropriety by her predecessor, the late Alex Salmond. Scotlands information commissioner, David Hamilton, last year ordered the government to release information about Ms Sturgeons conduct in dealing with the matter. Instead of complying, First Minister John Swinney has green-lit an appeal against Mr Hamiltons ruling. The SNP government will now spend tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money trying to keep the truth from taxpayers. Grubby doesnt even begin to describe it all. Theres much to untangle, here. In 2018, a number of women who had worked under Alex Salmond while he was First Minister between 2007 and 2014 came forward to accuse him of multiple cases of grave misconduct, including sexual assault and attempted rape. In 2020, Mr Salmond was acquitted in a criminal trial of any wrongdoing. Long before this got to the High Court in Edinburgh, the Scottish Government launched its own investigation into the claims against Mr Salmond. Rather than sitting back, he went on the attack, seeking a judicial review into irregularities in the investigation. The late First Minister Alex Salmond giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament in 2021 where he claimed he had been 'set-up' by former allies The Hamilton report found that Nicola Sturgeon misled the Scottish parliament about her knowledge of allegations against Mr Salmond but that it was not a deliberate act. This led, in 2019, to a court ruling that the probe had been unlawful on procedural grounds. Mr Salmond, who died of a heart attack aged 69 in 2024, was awarded costs of more than half a million pounds. But he also won something more valuable to him than any sum of money. In defeating the government, the former FM gave credence to his claim that he had fallen victim to the most monstrous of conspiracies. Mr Salmond claimed that he had been set up by former allies who wished to discredit him and remove him from public life. Finding herself on the back foot, Nicola Sturgeon referred herself, in January 2019, to the Scottish Governments independent adviser on the ministerial code of conduct, James Hamilton, KC. This led to a full inquiry which focused on whether Ms Sturgeon had failed to handle the case against Mr Salmond properly. I n 2021, Mr Hamilton concluded that Ms Sturgeon had misled the Scottish parliament about her knowledge of allegations against Mr Salmond but that this had been a genuine failure of recollection rather than a deliberate act. Shortly after the Hamilton Report was published, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request was made to the SNP government for the publication of all written evidence used during the inquiry. And then the resistance began in earnest. In the first instance, the government argued that since James Hamilton was an independent adviser rather than a civil servant, he was not bound by FOI laws. That didnt wash with Scotlands information commissioner, David Hamilton (no relation to James Hamilton, KC) who ordered ministers to look again at the matter. Rather than complying, ministers launched a costly legal challenge, urging the Court of Session to agree that they should not be compelled to hand over private documents. The court rejected the governments appeal and, in January 2024, some information was released but ministers withheld much of what had been requested claiming a number of exemptions under FOI laws. To his great credit, David Hamilton whose diligence as information commissioner marks him out as the very best kind of troublemaker was having none of it. He ruled that the SNP government had failed to properly consider the request for information, branding its handling of matters particularly disappointing. The government had, said Mr Hamilton, been wrongly withholding some information under the exemptions. It's now emerged that John Swinney is challenging an order to publish all evidence gathered during the Salmond probe The latest legal action by the SNP government highlights not only the partys contempt for the principles of openness and integrity that its senior politicians espouse, but exposes deep splits in the independence movement over the way in which Alex Salmond was treated by former colleagues. When it emerged last week that John Swinney was challenging the order to publish evidence gathered during the Salmond probe, former SNP health secretary Alex Neil posted on social media: This is disgraceful behaviour by the SNP. Its clear theyve got a lot to hide! Joanna Cherry, KC, the former SNP MP for Edinburgh South West, claimed the truth would be difficult for both Mr Swinney and Ms Sturgeon if it became public. Plus, she wrote on social media, its not their money theyre spending on defending themselves, its public money. Our money. Taxpayers money. Its disgraceful. In death, Alex Salmond the man who once united the independence movement is its most divisive character. In one camp are those loyal to Nicola Sturgeon who believe she and the SNP behaved with the utmost integrity at all times, acting as soon as concerns were first raised about Mr Salmonds conduct during his time in office. In the other are those who believe Mr Salmond was the victim of a vast conspiracy involving SNP members and civil servants who fabricated accusations against their hero. The truth, Im afraid, lies somewhere in between. Within a year of the SNPs 2007 Holyrood victory, rumours about Mr Salmonds conduct were widespread within the Scottish political bubble. Attempts to get to the truth were thwarted. Over the following years, I along with numerous other journalists asked ministers about claims female civil servants had been warned by their bosses not to work alone with Mr Salmond at his official residence, Bute House. Senior Nationalists were outraged by the impertinence of such a suggestion. Later, during the former First Ministers criminal trial, evidence was presented that this had, in fact, been the case. Supporters of Mr Salmond continue to believe that the information being suppressed by the Scottish Government will prove he was the innocent victim of a conspiracy. Im certain that they are wrong. Rather, I believe the SNP suppressed the truth about Mr Salmonds behaviour until following complaints from civil servants they could no longer do so. The Scottish Governments bid to prevent the release of information about the investigation into the former First Ministers actions means at the very least it is unlikely to be made public before Mays Holyrood elections. If those details are, in time, released, I believe they will show not that Alex Salmond was the victim of a set-up but that he benefitted, for years, from a concerted cover-up of his indefensible behaviour. Waiting for a budget for growth from the SNP has been the economic version of Waiting for Godot. And yet, in the run up to the Holyrood elections, and against the backdrop of a government in Westminster that has implemented a litany of anti-business measures, Scotlands employers had hope that for once, the SNP would deliver a budget to help employers and workers alike. The SNP has missed a massive opportunity by failing to act on the concerns of Scotlands employers, about business rates, funding for training, and incentives for investment. Robison and John Swinney - the real architect of this budget have blown the chance that Westminsters Labour government handed them on a plate. Keir Starmers Labour government has put a target on the collective back of UK businesses with the increase in employers national insurance, the spike in corporate taxes, and the increase in costly red tape and environmental regulations. The SNP had a golden opportunity to show our struggling businesses that it could be different. But there is not a single measure in this budget, once again read verbatim by Robison, that will boost growth or mitigate the myriad problems facing Scottish businesses. Robison and John Swinney- the real architect of this budget have blown the chance that Keir Starmer's government handed them on a plate Paisley, one of hundreds of towns across Scotland, where retailers have shut up shop Entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter said there were no incentives in the budget for businesses to grow and create more jobs or for workers to strive Look at the facts. Robison was gifted an additional 820 million in Barnett cash in the last Westminster budget. Its correct to point out that this sum is spread out over five years, but at least 300 million of that cash will be paid in one tranche in 2026-27. Moreover, this cash injection comes on top of a record increase in Westminster funding in the previous year. At the same time, the SNP has saved between 120 million to 155 million of revenues since it no longer needs to mitigate the impact of the two-child cap, which UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves scrapped. And lest we forget, Robison is also sitting on 170 million that Holyrood has siphoned off from Scotlands 900 million Apprenticeship Levy Scheme. At least some of that windfall, for once, should have found its way to Scotlands businesses, the people who generate the revenues that pay for our public services, who create jobs, and who have seen costs and burdensome regulations sky rocket in the last decade courtesy of Holyrood and Westminster. Robison, unlike any of her predecessors at Holyrood, could have announced a budget for business. She could have gone for growth and put some clear blue water between the SNP in Scotland and a fumbling Labour government at Westminster. Instead, she has stuck with her partys mantra of tax and spend, and rely on the Barnett Formula to do the heavy lifting of paying for it all. Dont take my word for it. Sir Tom Hunter, one of Scotlands most successful entrepreneurs, told me: There was a lot in this budget about how the government will spend money, but there was very little about how the government will get all this money. I keep repeating it, but governments dont have any money, they get it from businesses and workers, and there are no incentives in this budget for businesses to grow and create more jobs, or for workers to strive. Business groups echoed Sir Toms view. Robisons commitment to reduce business rates while providing relief worth up to 184 million over three years is frankly laughable. The measure was correctly described by CBI Scotland director Michelle Ferguson as tinkering around the edges. She said: The three-year transitional relief and the 15 per cent retail, hospitality and leisure relief announced on business rates will have a limited effect overall. David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, whose members are the largest private sector employers in Scotland, said the relief fell well short of the permanent business rate discount on offer to retailers in England. He warned the SNPs failure to match the rates regime in England will impact on investment in Scotland. The Budget falls short of the industry and governments shared ambition of making Scotland the best place in the UK to grow a retail business. Despite the changes to Scotlands lower income tax thresholds - worth at best around 30 a year, or 2.50 a month to those impacted - Scottish employers will continue to have to pay higher salaries to attract skilled workers north of the border. Taxpayers with earnings between the Scottish and UK higher rate thresholds will continue to pay a marginal rate of tax of 50 per cent, compared to 28 per cent elsewhere in the UK. Ellen Milner, director of policy at the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) summed up the tax situation in Scotland:** **Todays limited tax changes retain a system that is more generous to those on lower incomes and increasingly less so for those higher up the income scale. The so called MacMansion Tax, yet another SNP attempt to pick the pockets of hard working Scottish achievers, will add to the cost of living crisis for anyone with homes valued at 1 million. As ever with the SNP, there are no details about how the tax will be levelled when it is introduced in 2028. However, it would clearly appeal to the SNPs increasingly centralised rule to take the additional cash the tax generates directly into Holyroods coffers, not those of local councils. A report by property group Winkworth last year revealed Scotland has more than 11,300 homes worth more than 1 million plus, most of which are in one place Edinburgh. Its worth pointing out that a flat annual tax of say 1,500 would raise circa 17 million a year. David Lonsdale of the Scottish Retail Consortium falls short of making Scotland the best place in the UK to grow a retail business And of course, once you have this new tax on the statute book it can easily percolate down to encompass less expensive homes. Finally, the perennial budget announcement about dualling the A9 got another airing yesterday as part of a wider infrastructure investment announcement, and was predictably met with laughter from businesses. A government that has continually spent the bulk of taxpayers money on social welfare over the last two decades is hardly likely to have undergone a Pauline conversion to improving Scotlands increasingly third world roads and rail service. Scottish Financial Enterprise chief executive Sandy Begbie said: It is not realistic for the Scottish government to fund all the investment that is necessary to enable Scotland to catch up with comparable countries around the world. The Scottish government should collaborate closely with the private sector on different investment models so we can accelerate the investment this country badly requires. Ultimately, this budget, like all the other SNP budgets down the years, has failed to prioritise growth, failed to prioritise investment, and failed to prioritise the people who pay the taxes that support our failing public services. Like Vladimir and Estragon, Scottish businesses, along with its hard working achievers, are still waiting for a government that values those who generate Scotlands wealth. Satellite imagery has captured vast plumes of smoke billowing from Victoria's bushfires, as blazes continue to burn across the state. The fires have also generated towering pyrocumulus clouds, massive storm-like formations created when intense heat and smoke from bushfires force hot air high into the atmosphere. As fire conditions ease in some areas, residents are beginning to return to their ravaged communities, while authorities roll out expanded financial assistance for those affected. The fires, which have burned more than 400,000 hectares since they started during last week's heatwave, eased on Tuesday on the back of more favourable weather. But several major fires continue to burn out of control, including the massive Longwood blaze, which has destroyed 90 homes and burned 144,000 hectares The fires have razed at least 500 buildings, including more than 200 homes, damaged 1000 farms and been linked to the death of farmer Maxwell Hobson, whose body was found on Sunday in a fireground in the state's northeast. That fire, near the town of Alexandra, was suspected to have ignited from a trailer causing sparks on the Hume Freeway, authorities said, adding arson had not been ruled out. Premier Jacinta Allan said a $15 million recovery package would kickstart clean up in bushfire-affected regions, with an initial $10 million to help uninsured residents remove damaged structures and hazardous materials. Satellite imagery clearly shows smoke from Victoria's bushfires Bushfire smoke and pyrocumulus cloud captured from Holbrook, NSW, just north of the Victorian border The biggest fire is in Longwood, where dozens of properties and cars have been damaged Another $5 million will be spent to waive waste levies in eligible local government areas and fully cover landfill operator gahectareste fees. 'This is to provide that immediate support to start that rebuilding journey. It's a long one, but we need to start it with the cleanup work, which is what this funding is for,' Ms Allan said. It comes after the premier on Monday announced emergency relief of up to $52,250 for uninsured residents to re-establish homes. 'We have hundreds of structures that have already been lost or damaged. We know that number will grow,' she said. The Insurance Council of Australia said insurers had received 1386 bushfire-related claims since January 7, including for property, commercial, motor, and business interruption losses. Agricultural losses continue to climb, with Victorian Farmers Federation estimating statewide livestock deaths at 16,500, made up mainly of sheep. 'We're expecting those numbers will climb particularly in areas like Longwood,' federation president Brett Hoskins said. Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said he expected conditions to aid firefighters until at least Thursday. But authorities warn hotter temperatures towards the end of January could cause fires to flare. A fire broke out just kilometres from Melbourne Airport in Tullamarine on Friday afternoon A photo taken by a passenger on a flight from Melbourne to Sydney flight showed a terrifying plume of smoke on Friday, illustrating the extent of the fires At the hard-hit town of Ruffy, in the state's north, fifth-generation farmer Colleen Furlanetto said her house had been spared, but fire had destroyed a relative's property. 'My family has never seen anything like this. This is off the charts,' Ms Furlanetto said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his condolences to Mr Hobson's family and friends, saying the entire local 'community will be grieving' following his death. Authorities have described the bushfires as the worst to hit southeast Australia since the 2019-2020 Black Summer, which killed 33 people. A man arrested after allegedly wearing a duct-taped weighted vest in Bondi, triggering a bomb squad response, has apologised and offered an extraordinary explanation. Victorian man Cleophias Machaya was granted bail after being charged with offensive behaviour, after police from Operation Shelter were called to Bondi Junction in Sydney's east following reports of suspicious behaviour. He had been wearing a puffer jacket with a weighted vest at 10:10pm on Sunday night while asking where Bondi Beach was. Police searched his car, where they allegedly found another duct-taped vest, a face mask and a tin believed to contain prohibited drugs. Both vests were later deemed safe after being examined by bomb disposal unit officers. He described the matter as a 'misunderstanding'. 'I'm completely sorry,' he told 9News. 'I literally just walked around with a weight vest to get some training in.' Mr Machaya claimed he did not expect the vest to raise alarm. Victorian man Cleophias Machaya (pictured sitting) was charged with offensive behaviour after police received reports about a man wearing an allegedly suspicious vest in Bondi Junction Machaya (pictured) was granted bail on the condition he does not return to NSW except to attend court hearings Prosecutors argued Machaya wore the suspected bomb vest (pictured) to cause fear 'The weights were falling out of the weight vest so I wrapped it up to keep it all tied together,' he said. He said he could understand why officers acted following the Bondi attack but felt they went too far. 'A bomb threat is a bomb threat,' he said. 'I don't think they needed to keep me in jail for about 14 hours for a weight vest that they could have just looked at right then and there. 'I was brought up in this country and I am for Australian values.' On Tuesday, police conceded they were likely to drop the charges against Machaya. The Victorians lawyer confirmed he had received an undertaking that his client was likely to be in the clear. 'I've received a strong indication in writing that the charges that attract the most significant concerns may well be withdrawn,' Liam McKibbin said in bail court on Monday. Before the revelation, the 33-year-old, who has no criminal record, was sobbing and shaking his head as the prosecution laid out its arguments. 'I just made a mistake,' Machaya said, before his lawyer advised him not to speak. After hearing he would be allowed to leave custody immediately, Machaya clasped his hands together and said 'thank you' repeatedly. Machaya was granted bail on the condition he will not be allowed to re-enter NSW unless it is for future court hearings. 'You need to get in your car and leave the state,' Mr McKibbin told his client. A picture of the vest presented to the court showed a camouflage-coloured weighted vest with silver duct tape haphazardly wrapped around areas that would have lain on the wearers chest and back. Though Machaya said he was wearing the weighted vest to train for mixed martial arts, the prosecution argued his actions raised significant alarm, and magistrate Margaret Quinn added it was 'most unusual'. 'To go around with a camouflage vest in a place where there's been severe distress to people is extraordinary,' she told the court on Monday. A few kilometres away at Bondi Beach, thousands had gathered to commemorate the 15 people killed when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration in mid-December. A heavy police presence surrounded the event as locals and members of the religious community marked the Jewish period of mourning. Given the circumstances, the police lawyer argued Machaya's intention was to cause fear. Machaya will return to court on February 9. Operation Shelter was established in 2023 to address anti-Semitism and other hate crimes. A transgender man was raped within an hour of being admitted to an all-male ward of a secure psychiatric NHS hospital, a court heard. The biological female was earmarked immediately by other patients, with one alleged attacker shouting 'no Adam's apple, no Adam's apple,' prosecutors said. The alleged victim went into a side room to avoid the men asking, 'Are you a girl?' but was followed by a man and Davointe Thomas. Six-foot and heavily built Thomas, 25, then blocked a doorway, pushed the alleged victim into a cupboard, forced their trousers down and raped them, jurors heard. The five-foot-tall complainant then fled to their room before heading to the television area, where they were followed once again by Thomas and another man, prosecutors said. One man 'kept a lookout' while Thomas pushed them onto a sofa and raped them again, Kate Bex KC, prosecuting, told Inner London Crown Court. This man is jointly charged on this count for allegedly acting as Thomas's accomplice. The attacks allegedly took place on the Eden Ward secure psychiatric unit of Lambeth Hospital in south London on April 12, 2022. Thomas (pictured) blocked a doorway, pushed the alleged victim into a cupboard, forced their trousers down and raped them, jurors heard The ward is for men with severe mental health problems, some of whom have been brought in by police having been sectioned under the Mental Health Act. 'The fact that (the complainant) is biologically female with female anatomy, if it was appropriate to transfer him to a male ward at all, the hospital ought to have provided one-to-one monitoring, but this did not happen as a result of staff shortages,' Ms Bex told the jury.' 'He was therefore left unattended and without appropriate supervision. 'Whilst this may no doubt be of concern to you, or indeed anyone listening, the hospital is not on trial here; whether it has questions to answer is for a different type of enquiry. 'Importantly for your purposes, the institutional failure, or the failure of any individual member of staff, does not excuse what happened to (the complainant) or provide either of these defendants with a defence in law.' The alleged victim claims they told Thomas they did not want sex, and staff did not help them after the attacks. The alleged rapes only came to the attention of support workers when a fight broke out between Thomas and another patient who had been told what had happened, the court heard. The transgender complainant phoned the police and was taken to King's College Hospital, where they were interviewed. On April 25, Thomas, who was still on Eden Ward, called police to tell them he wanted to put his side of the story across. In a phone call played to the court, he said: 'I've been accused of rape but I've not been interviewed. 'All I did was kiss the girl. It's a gender fluid girl that was admitted to Eden Ward saying she was a boy. She's a girl but she says she's a boy. 'We both said we love each other so I don't understand what's going on here. Nothing happened, I'm telling you. 'Staff keep saying "you raped someone" as a tool to wind me up.' The same month, the alleged accomplice was transferred to the same hospital as the alleged victim due to an admin error. His alleged rape victim recognised him at the Bethlem Royal Hospital in south-east London on April 27, 2022, and phoned 999. Thomas was interviewed by police in October 2022 and answered 'no comment' to all questions until he was told his semen had been found on the alleged victim's underwear. He then provided a statement which said: '(The complainant) and I were very friendly to one another, and I didn't force him to do anything.' The alleged accomplice told police he could not recall any of the events when he was questioned that December. Hospital support worker Pedro Egharavba told the trial he saw Thomas standing with his trousers halfway down his legs with the alleged victim in front of him. The alleged accomplice had rushed over and asked the staff member to make him a cup of tea as he walked past the door, he added. Mr Egharavba said it had not occurred to him whether the person before Thomas was male or female. He had been called in as bank staff due to shortages and had not been informed of any transgender patient on the ward, he added. Charlotte Godber, defending Thomas, told the jury her case that there had been consensual sex with a female within a short space of time on the ward. Thomas denies three counts of rape, the alleged accomplice denies one. The trial continues. Labour was forced into another humiliating U-turn on Tuesday night after abandoning its plans for mandatory digital IDs for workers. Keir Starmer had vowed to crack down on illegal immigration by making digital identification compulsory to verify a person's right to work in the UK. But he has been forced into a 13th U-turn since becoming Prime Minister, and has watered down the mandatory element of the ID scheme following a public backlash. Digital IDs will now be optional when they are introduced in 2029 with workers allowed to use other documents to verify their identity digitally. All other aspects of the scheme were set to be voluntary meaning Britons will not have to adopt an official digital ID at all when they are introduced. On Tuesday night the Conservatives welcomed the scrapping of the mandatory element of the scheme but branded the move 'yet another humiliating U-turn from the Government'. Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said: 'Keir Starmer's spinelessness is becoming a pattern, not an exception. 'What was sold as a tough measure to tackle illegal working is now set to become yet another costly, ill-thought-out experiment abandoned at the first sign of pressure from Labour's backbenches.' Sir Keir Starmer had originally vowed to crack down on illegal immigration by making digital ID compulsory to verify somebody's right to work in the UK Protesters march against UK Government's plan to introduce a digital identification card in central London on October 18, 2025 Your browser does not support iframes. Tory justice spokesman Robert Jenrick added: 'This was always a terrible idea which wouldn't have made any difference to tackling illegal migration. Starmer just lurches from one appalling misjudgment to the next.' Silkie Carlo, director of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, which is campaigning against the policy, welcomed the U-turn, but called for Labour to go further and scrap digital IDs entirely. 'The case for the Government now dropping digital IDs entirely is overwhelming,' she said. 'Taxpayers should not be footing a 1.8billion bill for a digital ID scheme that is frankly pointless.' The Liberal Democrats mocked Labour for performing yet another U-turn, joking that 'No 10 must be bulk-ordering motion sickness tablets at this rate'. The party's Cabinet Office spokesman Lisa Smart said: 'It was clear right from the start this was a proposal doomed to failure, that would have cost obscene amounts of taxpayers' money to deliver absolutely nothing. 'The Government now needs to confirm that the billions of pounds earmarked for their mandatory digital ID scheme will be spent on the NHS and frontline policing instead.' The Prime Minister announced plans to introduce digital ID on the eve of last year's Labour Party conference, saying they would be mandatory for anyone working in the UK. The plans were sold as a way of deterring illegal immigration by making it harder to work illegally in Britain, with Sir Keir saying, 'We need to know who is in our country.' Campaigners protesting outside Parliament last month ahead of a debate on Digital ID Pictured: Mock-ups of what 'Brit Cards' could look like Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Join the debate Is Starmer's latest U-turn proof the Government has lost control? Under the scheme, anyone starting a new job would have been required to show the digital ID, which would then be automatically checked against an official database of those entitled to work in the UK. The latest U-turn is the 13th of this Labour Government and comes after the Prime Minister backtracked on plans to raise business rates for hospitality firms and watered down his inheritance tax raid on farms. A government source told The Times that the compulsory element 'was stopping conversation about what digital IDs could be used for generally'. They added: 'Stepping back from mandatory-use cases will deflate one of the main points of contention. 'We do not want to risk there being cases of some 65-year-old in a rural area being barred from working because he hasn't installed the ID.' A government spokesman said: 'We are committed to mandatory digital right-to-work checks. 'Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people.' A worker at the Ford factory in Michigan was suspended but said he had 'no regrets' after he accused Donald Trump of being a 'pedophile protector' during a visit on Tuesday. TJ Sabula, a 40-year-old line worker, was given the penalty after Trump cursed him out and gave him the middle finger while touring the factory, according to The Washington Post. 'As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,' Sabula told the outlet. 'I dont feel as though fate looks upon you often, and when it does, you better be ready to seize the opportunity. And today I think I did that.' A video shows the president walking across a gangway as he points to a heckler below, mouthing, 'F*** you.' Trump then gives Sabula the middle finger as he walks away. Earlier, the heckler could be heard calling the president a 'pedophile protector', an apparent reference to the Jeffrey Epstein saga. 'A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the president gave an appropriate and unambiguous response,' White House spokesman Steven Cheung told the Daily Mail. A Ford spokesman said: 'One of our core values is respect and we dont condone anyone saying anything inappropriate like that within our facilities. When that happens, we have a process to deal with it but we dont get into specific personnel matters.' Trump remains under pressure to release the Epstein files after the Department of Justice offered up only one per cent of the total archive, weeks after a legal deadline issued by Congress at the end of last year. Trump flipped off a heckler accusing him of protecting pedophiles during a Tuesday visit to a Ford factory Trump appears to mouth 'f*** you' to the heckler before walking away Trump was a longtime associate of pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein but the pair had a falling out in the early 2000s Join the debate Is this presidential behaviour or pure provocation? The president sparked a Republican rebellion after dismissing bipartisan efforts to release the Epstein files as a 'Democrat hoax' at the end of last year. Trump was a longtime friend of Epstein's in the 1990s and early 2000s but expelled him from his Mar-a-Lago club for being a 'creep'. The president has never been accused of any wrongdoing. The furor has also swept up former president Bill Clinton who, along with his wife Hillary, defied a subpoena on Tuesday to testify before Congress over his relationship with Epstein. The House Oversight Committee's Republican chairman James Comer promised to bring contempt proceedings next week, setting off a potentially protracted and politically fraught legal battle that would be the first time in history a sitting or former president has been held in contempt by Congress. In an astonishing letter to Comer, the Clintons launched a broadside at Trump and the Republican lawmakers carrying out his 'cruel agenda'. They claimed a legal analysis proved they were not required to testify, and insisted the subpoenas were an extension of Trump's 'weaponization' of the law. 'The Justice Department has been used as a weapon, at the direction of the President, to pursue political opponents. And most recently and searingly, an ICE agent killed an unarmed mother only days ago,' the Clintons wrote. 'Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time.' The Clintons cited the precedent set by Trump in October 2022, when he defied a congressional subpoena demanding his testimony over the Capitol riot. Clinton has acknowledged traveling on Epstein's private plane during Clinton Foundation trips before the financier was charged with any sex crimes but denies wrongdoing and says he cut ties years before Epstein's 2006 arrest. Former president Bill Clinton traveled on Epstein's private plane No evidence has emerged implicating either Bill or Hillary Clinton in criminal conduct related to Epstein. Epstein was convicted of sex crimes and later jailed pending trial for allegedly trafficking underage girls. The financier died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial, a death officially ruled a suicide but long the subject of conspiracy theories amplified by Trump's base. Donald Trump has promised 'very strong action' against Iran if the regime goes ahead with hanging protesters, amid reports that a 26-year-old will be executed tomorrow. The president previously warned Tehran that he would take military action if it harmed protesters. Since then, at least 2,000 demonstrators have been killed. Trump was asked on Tuesday about the substantial death toll and reports that Iran has ordered hangings - and whether this would constitute the crossing of a 'red line'. 'I haven't heard about their hangings,' Trump told CBS as he toured a Ford factory in Detroit. 'We will take very strong action if they do such a thing.' CBS' Tony Dokoupil asked, 'And this strong action - are we talking about - what's the end game?' Trump replied, 'If they wanna have protests, that's one thing. When they start killing thousands of people - now you're telling me about hanging - we'll see how that works out for them. It's not gonna work out good.' It comes as the first protester set to be executed was named today as Erfan Soltani. The 26-year-old will be allowed a final ten minutes with his family before he is hanged on Wednesday morning for allegedly protesting against the regime last Thursday. Soltani is one of 10,700 individuals who have been arrested since protests began on December 28, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists New Agency. Trump was interviewed by CBS News' Tony Dokoupil at a Ford plant in Detroit, MIchigan, on Tuesday Trump and CBS News' Tony Dokoupil at a Ford plant in Detroit Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old Iranian protester, is set to be the first victim to be executed amid the Islamic Republic regime's brutal crackdown, say human rights groups Around 2,000 people were killed in protests, an Iranian official admitted to Reuters, blaming 'terrorists' for the deaths of civilians and security personnel, while Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights warned of a death toll that is 'according to some estimates more than 6,000'. Trump issued a message to Iranians on his Truth Social platform earlier, telling them that 'help is on its way' as he called on protesters to 'take over' the country. He said he had canceled all talks with the Iranian side. The president has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action if his administration found the Islamic Republic was using deadly force against antigovernment protesters. Trump told reporters on Sunday he believed Iran is 'starting to cross' that line and has left him and his national security team weighing 'very strong options'. Vice president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and key White House national security council officials began meeting on Friday to develop options for Trump, ranging from a diplomatic approach to military strikes. Iran, through the country's parliamentary speaker, has warned that the US military and Israel would be 'legitimate targets' if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators. More than 600 protests have taken place across all of Iran's 31 provinces. Understanding the scale of the protests has been difficult. Iranian state media has provided little information about the demonstrations. Online videos offer only brief, shaky glimpses of people in the streets or the sound of gunfire. Join the debate Do YOU believe Trump will follow through on this threat? Debris set alight by protesters in the northern city of Gorgan on January 10 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's regime has been accused of carrying out a lethal crackdown on anti-government protesters, detaining around 10,700 individuals The courtyard of the Forensic Diagnostic and Laboratory Centre of Tehran Province in Kahrizak on January 12, with dozens of bodies in body bags laid out for family members Trump's pressure comes as he deals with a series of other foreign policy emergencies around the globe. It's been just over a week since the US military launched a successful raid to arrest Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and remove him from power. America continues to mass an unusually large number of troops in the Caribbean Sea. Trump is also focused on trying to get Israel and Hamas onto the second phase of a peace deal in Gaza and broker an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to end the nearly four-year war in Eastern Europe. But advocates urging Trump to take strong action against Iran say this moment offers an opportunity to further diminish the theocratic government thats ruled the country since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The demonstrations are the biggest Iran has seen in years - protests spurred by the collapse of Iranian currency that have morphed into a larger test of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's repressive rule. Im worried he will do all the above again to me, or our children or potentially kill one of us.' That was the grave warning from Angel Boley, now 31, in December 2021, one day after her husband Jameson Kyle Boley, now 40, allegedly violently attacked and choked her inside their home in Jasper, Alabama. Almost exactly four years later, the couple's four-year-old son Johnathan John John Boley would be found dead in the woods surrounding that same home while visiting his father for the holidays. A preliminary autopsy found no signs of foul play and Johnathan's death so far appears to be a tragic case of a little boy wandering off into rough terrain and never making it home. But it was the desperate two-day search for the little boy that also uncovered a more disturbing situation taking place at the property near Highway 195. A stash of homemade explosives was found in and around the home, as well as methamphetamine, leading to Boley's arrest and charging with drug and weapons offenses. Now, as questions mount over the safety of Johnathan and his six-year-old brother James in their dad's care, the Daily Mail can reveal that the warning signs and red flags had been there for many years. Court records, exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail, reveal that Angel filed for a protection order against her husband on December 23, 2021, fearing that she and their two sons were in danger. Johnathan Boley - known as John John - went missing from his father's home in Jasper, Alabama, on New Year's Eve and was found tragically dead two days later In the petition for a protection order from abuse, filed in Walker County, Angel claimed that Boley put his hands around her throat, held her down, threw her into the kitchen island, and choked her until she couldnt breathe then sat on me holding my arms down one day earlier. Im worried he will do all the above again to me, or our children or potentially kill one of us, she wrote in the documents. Angel also filed for divorce and custody of the children the same day. Boley responded to her request for a protection order in a handwritten letter, saying: I love my wife and my children and would never hurt them. I can only hope my wife can forgive me for all the things she considers faults of mine. The note, dated January 6, 2022, concluded: Lord be with us, Jameson Kyle Boley. He later denied all the allegations made by Angel in documents filed by his attorney. At the time, Johnathan was eight months old and James two years old. A judge granted Angel the temporary protection order and Boley was banned from having contact with his wife or coming within 300 feet of her home. The 2021 protection order request did not apply to the children, however. Further court records, seen by Daily Mail, show that in January 2023 Angel and Boley - who wed in 2018 - reached a settlement agreement around their divorce and custody of the children. Under the agreement, Angel would have legal and physical custody of both Johnathan and James while Boley would have visitation daytime hours every other weekend, Fathers Day and some holidays. The document states that the visitation would increase to full weekends once Boley reestablishes a relationship with the children. Boley also agreed to pay child support. That February, Angel also filed a motion to dismiss the pending protection order, saying the former couple no longer lived together, had reached an agreement to dissolve their marriage and citing their efforts to co-parent their children. The motion was granted by the court. Angel later moved with her sons to Palmetto, Florida, in May 2025. Jameson Kyle Boleys ex-wife Angel Boley warned that she and the couples two young sons Johnathan and James (pictured together with Angel) could be in danger after he allegedly attacked her in 2021, court documents show Jameson Kyle Boley, 40, is now charged with unlawful manufacture of a destructive device or bacteriological or biological weapon, as well as two counts of chemical endangerment of a child after explosives and methamphetamine were found on his property after his son's disappearance This December, Johnathan and James had gone to visit their father in Alabama for the holidays. Boley had visitation with his sons just five days each year as part of a custody arrangement, the sheriff told reporters. It is not clear when or for what reason Boleys visitation rights were reduced from the 2023 agreement to just five days. But it was during this five-day period that little Johnathan went missing. Johnathan was last seen at around 11.30am on December 31, following the family dog Buck into the woods surrounding the home, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith told reporters, citing the account of his six-year-old brother. Around an hour later, Boley reported his son missing. A huge search was launched with police K-9 units and helicopters as well as local volunteers scouring the dense, rural terrain. Two days later - on January 2 - a group of volunteer searchers found Jonathans body partly in a creek-like body of water, around two miles from his fathers home. Buck was found alive next to him. At least eight explosive devices (including the one pictured above) were found on Boley's property. Neighbors had heard blasts coming from the area for a year The two-day search for the little boy ended in tragedy on January 2 when his body was found An autopsy has ruled out trauma or assault-type injuries and suggests Johnathans cause of death was likely hypothermia. Toxicology results are still pending. It is not yet clear when Johnathan died but the search was hampered on the first day by the discovery of multiple explosive devices on Boleys property, which forced investigators to call off all volunteer search efforts until the area was deemed safe. The FBIs bomb and explosives unit was brought in and at least eight explosive devices were found in the woods around the house. Controlled detonations were carried out on the devices which Smith said were enough to level an entire house. It is not clear what Boley, who previously served in the military, planned to do with the stash of explosives. Investigators are yet to offer a theory. The 40-year-old told police he knew that what he was handling was dangerous but that he was just at a point where he didnt care anymore, the sheriff told AL.com. Boley was arrested on December 31 and charged with unlawful manufacture of a destructive device or bacteriological or biological weapon. He was also charged with two counts of chemical endangerment of a child after methamphetamine was found inside the home. According to the criminal complaint, obtained by the Daily Mail, Boley did knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally cause or permit a child to the opportunity to be exposed to, ingest or inhale, or to have contact with a controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia. According to a neighbor, explosions had been coming from the property for a long time. Angel filed for custody of the children, divorce and a protection order in December 2021 after Boley allegedly choked her and threw her against a kitchen island Stacy Dunn, who lives across the highway from Boley, told the Daily Mail there were loud blasts almost every day, at least a couple of times a week going back at least a year. The explosions took place at all times of the day and night, she said. Dunn said the blasts were something of a talking point among her neighbors but they had been unable to pinpoint exactly where they were coming from. Dunn said some of her neighbors had even reported the incidents to police. The Daily Mail has contacted Walker County Sheriffs Office for comment. The sheriff said the charges brought against Boley are not connected to his sons disappearance or death and are totally separate from missing John John. However he confirmed that the explosive devices had hindered the search for the missing boy. Johnathans grandfather Michael - Angels father - told the Daily Mail his grandsons death was very tragic. Its just very tragic, he said. Its hard to talk about it. Angel released a statement Friday, thanking everyone who had helped the search and supported the family. Your kindness, patience, and care have carried my family through moments we never imagined we would face, she said. In our deepest sorrow, you surrounded us with compassion and reminded us that we were not alone. John John (pictured) and his brother lived full-time with their mom in Florida but were visiting their dad for the holidays Boley was moved to Blount County Jail after his sons body was found to keep him separated from the county and people he may know in the jail in Walker County, the sheriff said. He is being held on $300,000 cash bond, with the bond hearing order citing him being danger to community - explosives around children. Boley is due in court for his preliminary hearing on January 20. John Johns funeral was held in Jasper on Saturday. The first husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco - who was regarded as a dashing society playboy in his youth - has died at the age of 85. French businessman Philippe Junot 'peacefully' passed away on January 8, his daughter Victoria has revealed. In an emotional Instagram post shared over the weekend, the eldest child of Philippe and Danish model and socialite Nina Wendelboe-Larsen said the venture capitalist and property developer died 'surrounded by family' in Madrid, where he lived. Describing her father as a 'true gentleman', Victoria wrote: 'To my legendary Papa, oh how we love you, we will miss you, no adequate words'. Alluding to her father's famously debonair appearance, she wrote: 'Almost every picture I selected, hes wearing a suit.' Philippe had been born into an esteemed family, as the son of former Deputy Mayor of Paris, Michel Junot, who had worked with US President John F Kennedy. The Junots were direct descendants of France's General Junot, who had served under Napoleon and whose name is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. However, it was Philippe's high-profile and controversial marriage to Princess Caroline, who was 17 years his junior, in 1978 which he will be best remembered for. The glamorous young couple had met at a Parisian nightclub while Prince Albert's sister was studying philosophy, psychology and biology at the Sorbonne. A love match that captivated royal fans: Princess Caroline of Monaco pictured marrying her first husband Philippe Junot in Monaco on June 29, 1978 The ensuing courtship fascinated royals fans. Caroline - already drawing plenty of attention on the international stage thanks to her stylish persona - was just 21 years old, while Philippe was 38 at the time. The pair were photographed suntanned on beach breaks, enjoying the kind of jet-set life such a gilded heritage affords. In 1978, just a few months after they fell in love, the pair announced their plans to marry. Caroline had already rebelled against her mother, Grace Kelly, and father, Prince Rainier, when she insisted she studied in Paris instead of attending a university in America as her parents wanted. While in France, the Monegasque Royal Family 'winced' at photographs of the princess in nightclubs, 'showing too much cleavage', the Daily Mail reported at the time. Despite his high social status, Junot was a 'commoner' in the eyes of her parents and the press - but that didn't deter the young princess. 'I will not tolerate an arranged marriage. The man I love must be dark and handsome,' Caroline once said. An eight-month disagreement and 'battle of wills' between Caroline, Rainier and Grace ensued. Spanish businesswoman Carmen Lomana (pictured right) and Philippe Junot attend a party on August 9, 2013 in Marbella, Spain The couple, who had a 17-year age gap - Princess Caroline was just 21 when she fell for Junot - had met at a Parisian nightclub while she was studying at the Sorbonne (pictured in Monaco in 1978) Princess Grace, Princess Caroline and Philippe Junot in New Jersey in 1978 Princess Caroline and Phillipe Junot in New York City in 1977 The princess's parents sent their daughter on a tour of Ecuador to try and put a stop to the relationship, while Grace then travelled with Caroline to the remote Galapagos Islands, reportedly in another effort to thwart the romance. But after the princess declared she would marry Philippe without her parent's consent if they did not agree, a wedding went ahead. Aged 21, Caroline married the 38-year-old through a civil ceremony in a 16th-century throne room on June 28, 1978. They then spent a night apart and wed the next day in a religious ceremony in the palace chapel due to Roman Catholic customs. Prince Rainier wanted to keep the wedding low profile, compared to his own regal ceremony with Grace. Wearing a long Dior bridal dress, Caroline reportedly burst into tears as she exchanged vows with Philippe under a custom altar outside of the chapel in front of the 300 guests. All eyes were on the parents of the bride, however, and their reaction to the union. After the service, Caroline and Philippe walked through Monte Carlo arm in arm in a 'triumphal march' before heading on their honeymoon to Tahiti. Princess Caroline and Philippe Junot on July 30, 1978 at Ocean City Beach in New Jersey Princess Caroline pictured on her wedding day to Philippe Junot in 1978, with her father Prince Rainier pictured left and her mother Grace Kelly behind Caroline's parents were said to be dismayed by the relationship. Here the couple are pictured on their honeymoon However, the romance did not last and the couple divorced two years later in October 1980 after Caroline saw photos of Philippe and another woman in America, according to Vanity Fair. Caroline went on to marry again on December 29, 1983, to Italian entrepreneur Stefano Casiraghi, whom she had met at a nightclub in Monte Carlo. Six months after the wedding, she gave birth to her first child Andrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi on June 8, 1984. They had two more children together, Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi and Pierre Rainier Stefano Casiraghi. Tragically, Caroline's husband Stefano, who was an avid speed boat racer, was killed when his powerboat overturned during a racing competition. Five years later, Caroline found love a third time in an old family friend, Prince Ernst-August of Hanover. They wed on the princess's 42nd birthday in 1999, and six months later Caroline gave birth to her fourth child, Alexandra. Caroline and Prince Ernst-August have since separated but not legally divorced, according to Tatler. Philippe Junot and his second wife Nina Wendelboe-Larsen in Madrid in March 2024 Philippe also remarried. He tied the knot with Nina Wendelboe-Larsen in 1987. They went on to have three children: Victoria, Isabelle and Alexis. The couple separated in 1997, and in 2005, the venture capitalist welcomed a baby girl, Chloe Junot Wendel, with the Swedish model Helen Wendel. Taking to her Instagram account over the weekend to announce his passing, Philippe's eldest daughter wrote: 'With an emotional heart, sad to announce the passing of my father. 'He departed this side of the world peacefully surrounded by family in Jan 8, 2026 in Madrid after a long beautiful adventurous life. A grandfather of 3 almost 4. 'To my legendary Papa, oh how we love you. We will miss you, no adequate words thank you for all the laughs and the adventures, showing us *your* world & the inspiration to reach greater heights, thank you for your love which will never leave us. 'What a privilege to have lived by your side. A true gentlemen that he was. A difficult chapter to close but we will continue smiling and living and laughing to the max just as he would want us all to do. Until we meet again.' The Duchess of Sussex has released the latest product in her As Ever range, a limited-edition leather bookmark retailing for $18 (13.40) - and has already sold out, just minutes after launching. The 'bespoke' piece is touted as a 'keepsake designed for those who linger, pause, and return', and is created in collaboration with a small British studio, Sbri. It is crafted from 'supple black leather and finished with gold lettering written in Meghan's handwriting'. The bookmark is also handmade in the UK, with 'sustainably sourced' materials. 'Our "Fell Asleep Here" Leather Bookmark was made in collaboration with Sbri, a small UK-based female-owned workshop specializing in handcrafted, made-to-order keepsakes,' Meghan shared in her As Ever newsletter. The New Forest-based brand says it's 'all about celebrating the extra things in life'. 'Working with natural materials means each piece we make is completely unique. We hand-draw our designs in house, then carefully print them onto beautiful British and Italian leather,' the workshop shared. 'And because we're made to order, it's up to you to add the finishing touches. Select the design, choose the initials, maybe write a secret message on the inside if you like, and we'll set about making. 'With care but with speed too, so you can get your pieces sooner and enjoy them for longer. An object of love with as much character as the person who owns it.' The Duchess of Sussex has released the latest product in her As Ever range, a limited-edition leather bookmark retailing for $18 (13.40) - and according to the website, it has already sold out, just minutes after launching It is crafted from 'supple black leather and finished with gold lettering written in Meghan's handwriting'. The Duchess pictured last year Sbri also uses sustainably sourced vegetable tanned leather and makes everything in-house, ensuring full control over production. Yesterday, the wife of Prince Harry teased the new product drop, telling her followers to 'save the date'. Posting a cryptic message on the As Ever Instagram story and feed, Meghan shared a picture of a blank journal with the bookmark inside. The picture was posted with the caption: 'For the chapters you want to savor most... 1.13.26.' A 'save the date' note told followers to keep an eye out for the new product release at 9am PT, which was 5pm on January 13 in the UK. It would mark the first As Ever product release of the New Year, as the brand is set to celebrate its first anniversary in April. The new product comes following claims that the Duchess will release a cookbook in 2026; off the back of With Love, Meghan. Her culinary manual may include recipes for her 'single skillet spaghetti', 'rainbow-themed fruit salad' as well as her beloved jams and marmalade, according to an insider. Join the debate Does Meghan's luxury branding empower small businesses or simply cash in on her celebrity status? The new product comes following claims that the Duchess will release a cookbook in 2026; off the back of With Love, Meghan The Duchess of Sussex with husband Prince Harry in the Christmas episode of With Love, Meghan, where Harry joked that her mother Doria's cooking was better 'Tips and tricks' about hosting at home, which formed a major part of her Netflix TV series, are also expected. It is said to be pencilled in for the spring, and will likely coincide with an expansion of her As Ever brand into a wider range of non-food products such as candles. The Daily Mail's insider said: 'Meghan is looking at a cookbook for early 2026 and there will be more lifestyle products coming in the spring.' It came after months of rumours of another Sussex relaunch, dubbed 'Meghan 3.0' by experts - and the departure of another two senior aides. The Duchess of Sussex will widen the As Ever range she sells, especially in candles and homeware, the insider has predicted. Her wine offering is also expected to expand beyond her bottles of white, rose and sparkling. Meghan is known for her love of a full-bodied red wine - her former blog The Tig was named after one - with a California cabernet sauvignon rumoured to be in the pipeline. But she will move away from her crepe and biscuit kits, which were among the first products she produced when her business launched in March 2025, the Daily Mail's source claimed. Meghan's cookbook, likely to include recipes from her With Love, Meghan series plus other favourites she has devised at home, would be her first for adults. When she moved to the UK after falling in love with Harry, she wrote the foreword for Together: Our Community Cookbook in the wake of the Grenfell fire disaster in London in 2018. She has also written a children's book, The Bench. '2026 is looking like another big year for her. There will be more wine and definitely more homeware too,' the Daily Mail's insider said. 'But she will ease off selling her biscuit and crepe kits.' The world's biggest iceberg has turned bright blue, as scientists warn this transformation heralds its imminent disintegration. The iceberg A-23A first separated from Antarctica's Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986 and has been drifting around the Southern Atlantic ever since. However, new satellite images taken by NASA show that the former 'King of the Seas' is now covered with meltwater and 'blue slush'. Experts say these signs suggest one of the largest and longest-lived icebergs now has only days or weeks before total collapse. At its peak, A-23A boasted an area of around 1,540 square miles (4,000 km squared) - more than twice the size of Greater London. However, as it drifts through warmer waters between South America and South Georgia Island, known as the 'graveyard' of icebergs, A-23A is rapidly shrinking. In January, scientists from the US National Ice Centre estimated that A-23A's area had dwindled to just 456 square miles (1,182 square km). Dr Chris Shuman, a scientist from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who has tracked this iceberg his entire career, says: 'I certainly don't expect A-23A to last through the austral summer.' The world's largest iceberg has turned bright blue, as experts warn that this transformation means the structure could collapse within days or weeks. Pictured: Iceberg A-23A as seen by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station on December 27, 2025 Satellite images captured by NASA's Terra satellite on December 26 show just how extensive the collapse of A-23A has become. The blue areas show regions where meltwater has collected and pooled on the surface in vast 'melt ponds'. An astronaut on the ISS captured a closer view a day later, revealing an even larger melt pond than before. The incredible patterns of blue and white stripes revealed by these pictures are actually striations that were scoured hundreds of years ago when A-23A was still part of a glacier. As the glacier moved and dragged itself over the ground, it carved deep grooves parallel to the direction of movement that now direct the flow of meltwater. Dr Shuman says: 'It's impressive that these striations still show up after so much time has passed, massive amounts of snow have fallen, and a great deal of melting has occurred from below.' These stunning images also show a thin white line extending all the way around the edge of the iceberg. This 'rampart moat', which holds back the blue meltwater, forms as the edge of the iceberg melts at the water line and bends upwards. The iceberg A-23A first separated from Antarctica's Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986, but NASA's satellites now show that the surface is covered in meltwater. Pictured: A-23A as seen by NASA's Terra satellite on December 26, 2025 Your browser does not support iframes. How do icebergs form? An iceberg is a piece of freshwater ice that has detached from a glacier and is floating in the ocean. Icebergs form when pieces of ice break off the end of an ice shelf or a glacier that flows into a body of water. This is called 'calving' and it's a natural process that is responsible for ice loss at the edges of glaciers and ice sheets. Source: antarcticglaciers.org Advertisement However, NASA's satellite image suggests that the rampart wall has now sprung a leak. In what Dr Shuman describes as a 'blowout', the weight of the water piling up in the melt pools became so great that it punched through the edges and spilt out into the ocean below. This might be the explanation for the white, dry region on the left side of the iceberg. Dr Tedd Scambos, a senior research scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, says: 'You have the weight of the water sitting inside cracks in the ice and forcing them open.' This is not a good sign for the former largest iceberg on the planet, as scientists predict that its total collapse is likely to come soon. After being released into the South Ocean in the 1980s, A-23A grounded itself in the shallow waters of the Weddell Sea, where it remained almost unchanged for over 30 years. After freeing itself in 2020, the iceberg spent several months spinning in an ocean vortex known as the Taylor column, before heading North. After almost colliding with South Georgia Island and becoming stuck for several months, A-23A finally escaped into the open ocean, where it has been breaking up since 2025. At its peak, A-23A (pictured) had an area of around 1,540 square miles (4,000 km squared) - more than twice the size of Greater London. The iceberg has been rapidly shrinking since entering the open ocean After reaching open water at the start of 2025, A-23A has been rapidly shrinking. In July (left), it had an area of 969 square miles (2,510 km squared). In September (right), this had fallen to just 580 square miles (1,500 km squared) In January 2025, A-23A had an area of roughly 1,410 square miles (3,650 km squared). However, by September, it had shrunk to just 656 square miles (1,700 km squared), after several large chunks broke away. A-23A is already in water that is about 3C (5.4F) warmer than around Antarctica, and currents are pushing it into even warmer waters in the iceberg 'graveyard'. Dr Schuman adds: 'A-23A faces the same fate as other Antarctic bergs, but its path has been remarkably long and eventful. It's hard to believe it won't be with us much longer. 'I'm incredibly grateful that we've had the satellite resources in place that have allowed us to track it and document its evolution so closely.' Your iPhone's battery life might be impressive, but it's nothing compared to the longevity of these ancient 'walkie-talkies'. Prehistoric shell trumpets used to communicate over long distances have played a tune for the first time in over 6,000 years. Archaeologists tested 12 Neolithic trumpets found in what is now Catalonia, Spain, dating back to between 3650 BC and 4690 BC. Amazingly, eight of the instruments still worked perfectly, with the loudest toot reaching 111.5 decibels - as loud as a powerful car horn or trombone. Researchers believe that these trumpets would have been used as an ancient form of communication technology, with simple codes shared between communities. These blasts could easily travel the three to six miles (five to 10 km) between the Stone Age villages where the horns were discovered. They could have been used to communicate between different settlements, warning of attacks or coordinating harvest times. Others, found deep within abandoned mines, might have been used to send messages through the underground darkness. Ancient shell trumpets have been used to play a tune for the first time in 6,000 years, as scientists say they were used for long-distance communication These ancient instruments, analysed in a study published in the journal Antiquity, were found in five archaeological sites clustered in a small region along the Llobregat River in Catalonia. The closeness of the sites, which were no more than six miles (10 km) apart, suggests that this might have been part of a shared cultural practice. Two locations were farming communities, located just far enough apart that they would be out of eyesight over flat land. However, the researchers argue that these shell trumpets were more than loud enough to enable communication between the villages. During times of harvest or planting, as people spread out into the surrounding fields, this could have allowed for coordination much faster than sending out messengers. One trumpet came from a cave called Cova de L'Or, high in the mountains, where its blast would have bounced around valleys and peaks far further than anyone could see. Another seven trumpets were found inside the Neolithic mines of Espalter and Can Tintorer. During the Stone Age, people used these sites to excavate variscite, a green mineral used in jewellery. These ancient instruments were found in five archaeological sites clustered in a small region along the Llobregat River in Catalonia. Some were close enough that the horns could have been used to communicate between settlements Archaeologists tested 12 Neolithic trumpets found in what is now Catalonia, Spain, dating back to between 3650 BC and 4690 BC, eight of which (pictured) could still produce sound Co-author Dr Margarita Diaz-Andreu, from the University of Barcelona, told the Daily Mail that these might have been used for 'signalling for dangers in the mine or a form of communication in a dark and very sonorous place'. Each trumpet is made from the modified shell of the Charonia sea snail, also known as Triton's Trumpet, with the tip carefully removed to make a mouthpiece. The fact that these large shells showed damage from wormholes and sea sponges suggests that they were gathered dead from the sea floor. This means that Catalonia's ancient people were specifically gathering the snails for their musical properties, rather than collecting them to eat. Likewise, the musical properties of the eight functioning horns suggest that extreme care was taken in their construction. Lead author Dr Miquel Lopez-Garcia, from the University of Barcelona, is not only an archaeologist but also a professional trumpet player - putting him in a unique position to put the horns through their paces. He found that horns with clean, regular cuts and a 20-millimetre-wide mouthpiece enabled loud, stable notes. The best trumpets could produce three distinct notes, with an extremely consistent pitch. Each horn was made by carefully removing the tip of a Charonia sea snail shell to make a mouthpiece. Horns with clean, regular cuts and a 20-millimetre-wide mouthpiece enabled loud, stable notes The researchers say that this would have allowed for more complex melodic sequences rather than just simple alarms. Horns with mouthpieces cut wider than this had the potential to make a more powerful sound, but weren't as consistent in their tone. Some horns had small holes drilled into them that are likely for attaching a carrying strap, since they didn't alter the tone when covered or released. But the bigger mystery may be why this form of communication technology inexplicably vanished around 3600 BC. The archaeological records suggest that horns were widely used for communication for about 1,500 years. Horns then disappear from about 3,000 years before reemerging during the Ice Age. Given that other Mediterranean regions kept using Charonia shells as horns, it must have been something specific that caused Catalonia to give up this useful tool. However, scientists currently have no idea what this mysterious cause might have been. Thousands of Americans are breathing unhealthy air across parts of Georgia, South Carolina and Oregon, as officials warn residents to stay indoors whenever possible. Air quality maps on Tuesday showed sharply elevated levels of PM2.5, microscopic particles consisting of toxic organic compounds or heavy metals emitted from vehicles, industry and wood burning, creating hazardous conditions. In Augusta, Georgia, and neighboring areas of South Carolina, including North Augusta, Air Quality Index (AQI) readings reached 166, classified as unhealthy for all residents. Southern Georgia's Valdosta is also grappling with persistently poor air, with forecasts suggesting more days exceeding AQI 100 due to ongoing environmental stressors. Central Oregon is under similar alerts, as stagnant air in Bend and surrounding Deschutes County is trapping pollutants, pushing levels into the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' range and prompting health advisories. Air quality levels are measured on a scale from 0 to 500: good (050) carries little risk, moderate (51100) may affect sensitive individuals, unhealthy for sensitive groups (101150) poses increased risk and unhealthy (151200) impacts everyone, limiting outdoor activity. Health experts caution that prolonged exposure can trigger respiratory problems, aggravate asthma, strain the heart and contribute to long-term lung damage. Authorities in all affected states are urging residents to minimize outdoor activity and monitor local air quality forecasts. In Augusta, Georgia (top right, red), and neighboring areas of South Carolina, including North Augusta, Air Quality Index (AQI) readings reached 166, classified as unhealthy for all residents The poor air quality in the red zones on the maps stems from a combination of local emissions sources and weather conditions that trap pollutants. In Augusta, Georgia, and neighboring South Carolina, unhealthy air is being driven primarily by PM2.5 from vehicle traffic, industrial emissions and occasional controlled burns. Winter weather, including temperature inversions and high-pressure systems, has trapped pollutants close to the ground, keeping haze and particulates in the breathing zone. Seasonal factors, such as elevated pollen levels, can also affect the AQI, though PM2.5 remains the main concern. Urban areas like Augusta regularly see spikes in moderate-to-unhealthy air quality, reflecting Georgias broader national struggles with pollution. Valdosta faces similar challenges, as traffic, industrial activity and emissions of volatile organic compounds combine with the Coastal Plains geography to slow natural dispersion. In central Oregon, Bend and southern Deschutes County are under an extended Air Stagnation Advisory through the week. High-pressure systems and light winds are trapping pollutants, including smoke from residential wood-burning, vehicle exhaust, and other sources, near the ground, creating unhealthy conditions for sensitive residents. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until 7am PT Friday. Central Oregon is under similar alerts, as stagnant air in Bend and surrounding Deschutes County is trapping pollutants, pushing levels into the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' range and prompting health advisories Thousands of Americans are breathing unhealthy air across parts of Georgia, South Carolina and Oregon, as officials warn residents to stay indoors whenever possible. Pictured is Portland, Oregon during wildfires in 2020 Officials warned that stagnant air keeps harmful particles where people breathe, increasing risks for children, older adults and those with heart or lung conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) has also issued a freezing fog advisory in several Oregon regions, which is prompted when fog develops and surface temperatures are at or below freezing. Benton, Linn, and Lane counties, including Eugene, Corvallis, Albany, and Springfield, are under the alert until 11am PT Tuesday. Drivers are warned of visibility as low as a quarter mile and slick surfaces from rime ice, while pedestrians and cyclists are urged to wear reflective clothing. At the same time, an Air Stagnation Advisory remains in effect across much of the Willamette Valley, the Tualatin Valley, Portland Metro and surrounding lowlands through Friday morning. The yellow regions highlight moderate levels, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups and red signals the air is unhealthy for everyone Stagnant air combined with light winds is trapping pollutants, leading to deteriorating air quality that may affect people with respiratory problems. Residents are strongly advised to limit outdoor burning and residential wood heating. Similar conditions are affecting central, eastern, and northern Oregon, including the Columbia River Gorge, Deschutes County, Klamath and Lake counties, Jackson, Josephine, and Douglas counties and extending into parts of southeast Washington. Cities under alert include Bend, Medford, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, The Dalles and Yakima. Poor air quality is expected to persist through Friday in these regions, with frozen fog further reducing visibility in some valleys. Officials emphasized that people with respiratory illness, young children, and older adults should take precautions, including staying indoors and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity. Motorists should slow down and exercise extra caution during morning commutes. A former US Navy sailor has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for selling military secrets to the Chinese Communist Party. Jinchao Wei, 25, was convicted of trading technical secrets about the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, as well as information on the location of other Navy vessels, to a Chinese intelligence officer for $12,000. According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Wei started talking to a Chinese agent on social media in early 2022, where the foreign operative pretended to be a fan of naval ships. However, when Wei suspected the naval enthusiast was really a spy, DOJ officials said the disgraced sailor continued speaking with them and even switched to a more secure encrypted messaging app to keep their chats hidden. Over 18 months, the DOJ said Wei sent thousands of pages of Navy technical manuals directly from his work computers, along with photos, videos of the USS Essex, fleet locations, and details about weapons systems on board his ship. The stolen information included restricted details on important ship systems, such as steering controls, weapons controls, aircraft elevators, and ways US sailors handle damage or emergencies. On Monday, Wei was sentenced in federal court to 200 months in prison. US Attorney Adam Gordon declared: 'He betrayed his oath, his shipmates, the United States Navy, and the American people, a level of disloyalty that strikes at the heart of our national security and demanded this powerful sentence.' Jinchao Wei (Pictured) was serving on the USS Essex in 2022 when he was contacted by a Chinese intelligence agent offering money for military secrets After his arrest in 2023, Assistant US Attorney Fred Sheppard revealed that Weis mother encouraged him to betray the US when he went home to Wisconsin for Christmas. Wei also searched online for flights to China after his handler in Beijing promised to fly him and his mother over to meet them in person, Sheppard added. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said in a statement Monday: 'Wei swore loyalty to the United States when he joined the Navy and reaffirmed that oath when he became a citizen.' 'He made a mockery of these commitments when he chose to endanger our Nation and our servicemembers by selling US military secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer for personal profit.' The FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) discovered the spy ring after examining Wei's phone messages, audio recordings, handwritten payment receipts he sent, and other digital records that proved he contacted a real Chinese spy. Wei was arrested in August 2023, right as he showed up for work on the Essex. During questioning, he admitted to the FBI that he had shared 'thousands of pages' and called his own actions 'espionage.' This past August, he was found guilty of espionage, conspiracy to commit espionage, and unlawfully exporting restricted defense information - a violation of US arms export laws. Cyberwarfare expert James Knight of DigitalWarfare.com warned that the FBI considers China the top counterintelligence threat to the US, adding that they're focused on acquiring secrets from both the military and private sector by any means. Join the debate What should be the punishment for betraying national secrets to a foreign government? Wei, now 25 years old, was a machinist mate onboard the Essex (Pictured) at the time. The US Department of Justice revealed Wei later admitted to committing espionage 'The number one thing China is seeking from US spies, and broader espionage, is advanced technology and intellectual property to accelerate its own development and reduce reliance on foreign innovation,' Knight told the Daily Mail. In terms of military tech, the expert said this includes stealing data on naval ship systems, aircraft designs, and the latest breakthroughs in semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing. 'The sale or theft of secrets benefiting China is a very common and growing concern,' Knight said. Wei used tricks like deleting messages right away, using 'disappearing' digital drop boxes that erased themselves after 72 hours, and even received a new phone and computer from the Chinese agent to help keep the spying operation secret. Knight, who has three decades of cybersecurity experience, said Wei's tactics to avoid getting caught were classic examples of modern spycraft, which make it challenging for US intelligence agencies to find potential traitors selling secrets. The expert said groups like the FBI and NCIS were 'well-equipped' to catch spy rings in the country, relying on modern tools such as device forensics and network monitoring that can flag anomalies like unusual file access or contacts. However, Knight said 'human factors often remain the weakest link' when it comes to espionage, as Wei actually confided in another sailor that he was offered money for information on various ship locations in 2022. A US Air Force RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft was spotted flying over several US states on Tuesday, including regions home to Americas land-based nuclear missile force. The Cobra Ball is a highly specialized intelligence aircraft designed to collect measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) on ballistic missiles, using advanced optical and electronic sensors to track launches and re-entry phases. The aircraft supports arms control treaty verification, missile defense analysis and threat assessment. Flight tracking data showed the jet departing Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska, at about 9:05am ET, before heading north through the Dakotas. The aircraft made several looping passes near Carrington, North Dakota, a region surrounded by active missile facilities, before continuing westward. North Dakota is home to roughly 150 active Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile silos, overseen by Minot Air Force Base. South Dakota, while no longer hosting operational missiles, once housed about 150 Minuteman II silos during the Cold War, which were decommissioned and dismantled by the early 1990s, though some underground control facilities remain. The US currently maintains about 400 silo-based Minuteman III missiles across North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, forming the land-based leg of the nations nuclear deterrent. Officials have not confirmed the reason for the flight, but the flight most likely reflects routine training, calibration or missile-defense support operations, which the Air Force conducts regularly to maintain strategic readiness. Flight tracking data showed the jet departing Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska, at about 9:05am ET, before heading north through the Dakotas. FlightRadar24 first showed the Cobra Ball leaving Offutt Air Force Base, where the craft is primarily housed under the control of the 55th Wing and 45th Reconnaissance Squadron. It is still circling Carrington, which hosts Minuteman II missiles and Space Force assets, including a radar facility. A Minuteman II missile was an upgraded US intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with better range, speed, and targeting, featuring an advanced guidance system and a powerful warhead. The US Air Force operates only three Cobra Ball jets, which are equipped with a sophisticated array of optical and electronic sensors, recording media, and communications equipment. The Cobra Ball routinely flies long-duration missions over the U.S. and overseas for training, sensor calibration, and support of missile tests. Its crews undergo intensive, specialized training to operate the sophisticated sensors and accurately interpret missile data, making it a critical part of the nations strategic intelligence and nuclear deterrent infrastructure. The craft can fit a minimum of two pilots, one navigator, three electronic warfare officers, two airborne systems engineers and two or more airborne mission specialists. The flight, while likely a training exercise, comes hours after Iran 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. The Cobra Ball is a highly specialized intelligence aircraft designed to collect measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) on ballistic missiles, using advanced optical and electronic sensors to track launches and re-entry phases (STOCK) It comes as the 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 Program. 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, and 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 as 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. Crystal Kung Minkoff has given her opinion on the toxic mom group scandal involving Ashley Tisdale and Hilary Duff. The drama kicked off after Ashley published an essay in The Cut called 'Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group,' which detailed her feelings of feeling frozen out by friends during her postpartum period. She had previously raved about her 'village of moms', which included Hilary, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor, after welcoming her first daughter Jupiter in 2021. Weighing in: Crystal Kung Minkoff has given her opinion on the toxic mom group scandal involving Ashley Tisdale and Hilary Duff Fans quickly speculated that the unnamed group included Hilary and Mandy, particularly after Ashley unfollowed both women on Instagram. Crystal has now weighed in on the drama, revealing on Threads last Tuesday: 'Me, realizing I wasn't mentioned in Ashley Tisdale's "losing friends" article. Didn't I literally start that trend back in 2021?' Speaking about the it further on Monday's episode of her podcast, Humble Brag, she said: '[Tisdale's] publicist came out this morning saying, "Oh, that's not the group," but I know it's the group. I just wonder, what was she thinking was gonna happen?' She 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".' Crystal noted that the toxic mom 'can't be Hilary' because 'everyone loves Hilary'. She went on: 'So now Ashley's getting like 90 per cent hate. I will say someone like Hilary, I've known her for ten 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].' Drama: The toxic mom group scandal involving Ashley Tisdale and Hilary Duff has caused a stir in Hollywood Crystal hopes Ashley's essay 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. She said: 'There's going to be a time where you don't care. When you start heading into applications for kindergarten, all your best friends suddenly become your enemies. It's really crazy... '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.' While flying is widely considered one of the safest ways to travel, recent high-profile incidents, including crashes and runway near-misses, have raised passenger concerns about airline safety. In December, passengers had to be evacuated from a Faro-bound Ryanair plane when it crashed into a fuel truck at Edinburgh Airport. Just two months prior, a Ryanair flight came within six minutes of 'running out of fuel' mid-air. The flight was heading to Glasgow's Prestwick Airport from Pisa in Italy on October 3 when it issued a 'fuel Mayday' and made an emergency landing in Manchester. With millions of holidaymakers making use of the January sales to book their next trip, many will be looking for reassurance that their journey will be safe. Today, Australian-based company AirlineRatings.com has published its ranking of the world's safest airlines for 2026. The site assesses the flight records of 320 carriers, as well as account audits from aviation governing bodies, crash and serious incident records, safety initiatives, pilot training, fleet age and more. In a list of the 25 safest long-haul airlines worldwide, Etihad ranked in first place with Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Qatar and Emirates rounding off the top five. In a list of the 25 safest long-haul airlines worldwide, Etihad ranked in first place British Airways ranks among the top 25 safest full-service airlines British Airways, the UK's flag carrier airline, ranks 18th in the world, a drop from 15th last year In a separate ranking of the top safest low-cost airlines for 2026, EasyJet, TUI, Jet2 and Ryanair rank within the top 20. However, multiple UK carriers have dropped in the ranking since last year. Last year, Ireland's Ryanair ranked as the third safest low-cost airline. However, this year, it dropped to 18th place. EasyJet was ranked the fourth safest low-cost airline in 2025, dropping to fifth place this year. Jet2 also dropped down in the rankings, from 14th to 17th. The top spots went to HK Express, Jetstar Australia, Scoot, Fly Dubai and EasyJet Group. AirlineRatings CEO Sharon Petersen said: 'One change for this year is that we are placing a greater emphasis on turbulence prevention, as it remains the leading cause of in-flight injuries.' Ryanair ranks among the safest low-cost airlines, despite some negative passenger perceptions due to its budget model The top spots went to HK Express, Jetstar Australia, Scoot, Fly Dubai and EasyJet Group TOP 25 FULL SERVICE AIRLINES FOR 2026 1. Etihad 2. Cathay Pacific 3. Qantas 4. Qatar 5. Emirates 6. Air New Zealand 7. Singapore Airlines 8. Eva Air 9. Virgin Australia 10. Korean Air 11. Starlux 12. Turkish Airlines 13. Virgin Atlantic 14. ANA 15. Alaska Airlines 16. TAP Portugal 17. SAS 18. British Airways 19. Vietnam Airlines 20. Iberia 21. Lufthansa 22. Air Canada 23. Delta 24. American Airlines 25. Fiji Airways Source: AirlineRatings.com Advertisement TOP 25 SAFEST LOW-COST AIRLINES FOR 2026 1. HK Express 2. Jetstar Australia 3. Scoot 4. Fly Dubai 5. EasyJet Group 6. Southwest 7. AirBaltic 8. VietJet Air 9. Wizz Air Group 10. AirAsia Group 11. TUI UK 12. Vueling 13. Norwegian 14. JetBlue 15. FlyNAS 16. Cebu Pacific 17. Jet2 18. Ryanair Ireland and UK 19. Spring Airlines China 20. Transavia 21. Eurowings Group 22. Volaris 23. WestJet Group 24. GOL 25. SKY Airline Chile Source: AirlineRatings.com Advertisement She added: 'While incidents occur daily and are a normal part of operations, the skill of the pilots and cabin crew regularly determines whether an incident escalates into something far worse. 'We also look at the reporting culture, noting that an airline with a completely incident-free record would suggest a serious lapse in reporting rather than a flawless safety record. 'Every airline that features in our 2026 lists has recorded incidents, from tail strikes to on-board fires and engine shutdowns, yet the actual incident rate per flight sits between 0.002 and 0.09 across our list, which is a true credit to the industry as a whole. 'In the modern era of aviation, where serious incidents are rare, inclusion in the Top 25 reflects not just excellence in aircraft and operations, but the crucial role of skilled aircrew and robust safety practices across the airline.' Chinese automaker launches new Hongqi electric model in Israel Xinhua) 10:39, January 13, 2026 JERUSALEM, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese automaker FAW Group on Monday launched a new electric car model of its luxury brand Hongqi in Israel, Hongqi's official importer and dealership Samelet said. The Hongqi E-HS5 is available in Israel in three versions, equipped with either a 62-kWh or 85-kWh battery. It offers a range of 426-550 km and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 to 7.3 seconds. Having entered the Israeli market in 2022, Hongqi now expands its EV lineup with this latest model, joining three other electric vehicles. In the past year, the brand sold 841 EVs in Israel. Chinese automakers dominated Israel's electric car market in 2025, accounting for 79.2 percent of its total sales. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) As airport drop-off fees continue to increase, holidaymakers are left to find alternative areas where they can be dropped off and picked up free of charge. Otherwise, they may face racking up a hefty bill before they've even stepped foot on the plane. According to analysis, airport forecourts are now among the most expensive places in the UK to stop your car. Drop-off charges are most extortionate at London Gatwick, which has seen its 7 charge for a 10 minute stop rising by 3 to 10 - an increase of 43 per cent year-on-year. London Heathrow's 6 drop-off fee is now 7, an added stress for holidaymakers who are already at risk of being issued a penalty notice at the airport for overstays. The UK airport falling in third place with costly drop-off fee is Bristol, where travellers must now fork out 8.50 to stop their car in comparison to last year's 7 charge. Belfast City was named fourth most expensive airport with 4 fees, followed by Newcastle Airport (5), Birmingham Airport (6), Leeds Bradford (7), Liverpool (6) and Glasgow (0.50). Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, commented: 'Airport drop-off fees have quietly become one of the fastest rising costs of going on holiday. Experts at Holiday Extras have revealed which major airports UK travellers could be hit hardest by rising airport drop-off costs - and it's not looking food for those headed to Gatwick Airport London Gatwick, which has seen its 7 charge for a 10-minute stop rise to 10 this year, has been named the UK's costliest airport for drop-off fees 'What used to be a quick goodbye can now cost up to 10 and thats before you factor in fines if it takes a little longer than anticipated. 'Holidaymakers should agree clear pick-up points close to the airport, if possible and where they cant, keep in mind that automatic number plate recognition systems used by most airports will issue fines if payment is not received by midnight on the same day so be diligent and set reminders so that youre not caught out.' To help travellers hold on to their holiday cash, Holiday Extras has issued its top tips to avoid fees and fines at select airports - including making use of free airport shuttles, long stay car parks and alternative parking options in the wider area. Passengers heading to London Heathrow are advised to get dropped off at Hatton Cross Tube station, which is a part of the Heathrow free travel zone - meaning you can tap your Oyster card to travel to any of the terminals, but it won't be charged. As for the driver, Hatton Cross car park allows a five-minute window for dropping off and picking up, and the vehicle must also be ULEZ compliant. For London Gatwick travellers, it's best to get dropped off free of charge at the Long Stay car parks and head to the terminal by jumping on the shuttle bus. The same journey from the car park can be done on foot, which takes about five minutes. Those travelling from Birmingham Airport can cut costs by driving to Birmingham International station and making use of the free drop off and pick up point in the Short Stay car park, before boarding the free, swift, two-minute Air Rail link to the airport. Meanwhile, those picking up travellers from Liverpool John Lennon Airport can await their arrival at a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant situated just five minutes away at the New Mersey Retail Park, or alternatively park in spaces for shops on Western Avenue. At London Heathrow, the 6 drop-off fee is now 7 - an added stress for travellers who are already at risk of being issued a penalty notice at the airport for overstays To combat extortionate drop-off charges, passengers heading to London Heathrow are advised to get dropped off at Hatton Cross Tube station (pictured), which is a part of the Heathrow free travel zone And for those travelling to and from London City Airport, they're advised to get dropped off on the corner of Drew Road and Leonard Street, before heading through the tunnel to the airport - a walk that takes less than 60 seconds. News of the increased drop-off fees has left Britons enraged as picking up family and friends from the airport will now cost more than fuel and mileage. On one Instagram post, viewers commented in outrage at the news, with one saying: 'Honestly, is living in the UK just death by fees and fines?' On Gatwick's X update regarding the charges, comments were furious, with one saying, 'You are a disgrace to the travelling public!' as another added, 'Profiteering is alive and well. What a joke. Like there is a viable public transport alternative early in the morning or late at night'. A holidaymaker has revealed how he was offered a 'cheap replacement' after his 299 suitcase became damaged while flying with 'the world's best airline'. Patrick Gottelier flew from Sri Lanka to the UK via Doha with Qatar Airways on 18 November, 2025. Before boarding his flight, he explained how he checked in his Muji hard-shell suitcase - which was part of a set of three designed to fit inside each other and worth 299. However, when he arrived at London Heathrow and approached the baggage belt to pick up his luggage, he discovered a 'big crack' on one side of his suitcase and a lost wheel on the other. After reporting the damage to K2 Global - the largest luggage and baby buggy repair centre in the UK and Qatar Airways' appointed 'repair agent' - Patrick revealed he was offered a 'cheap replacement case'. Once Patrick had factored in the vast price difference, along with the fact his original suitcase had been part of a multi-set, he claimed he had refused the offer. He was subsequently advised by K2 Global to contact the airline directly to discuss the matter of compensation after the suitcase was officially deemed 'irreparable'. Explaining his dilemma to the Telegraph's destination expert, Gill Charlton, he continued: 'I am now in a doom loop where Qatar Airways customer services tells me to contact K2 Global, which says it has no authority to approve a cash refund'. Patrick Gottelier flew from Sri Lanka to the UK via Doha with Qatar Airways on 18 November - but after arriving at London Heathrow, he discovered a 'big crack' on his 299 Muji suitcase Patrick further revealed he spent close to an hour 'trying to get through to someone in authority' at Qatar Airways, before he was passed on to a sales supervisor who promised to 'escalate the problem.' At that point, the traveller called on the Telegraph's Gill to help him come to a resolution with Qatar. Just days after the destination expert contacted the airline 'at a higher level', and pointed out its liability under the Montreal Convention - which says customers can claim up to 1,580 for lost, damaged or delayed luggage - Patrick received a call. A supervisor from Qatar's Heathrow office offered the holidaymaker 50 per cent of the amount claimed - equalling just under 150. Had Patrick produced a purchase receipt for the Muji suitcase, she claimed the airline would have paid out 70 per cent of the replacement value. Gill warned: 'Airlines, naturally, try to minimise the amount they have to pay out. 'They will penalise customers who dont have a purchase receipt for the damaged bag and will also deduct an amount, which they can set, for wear and tear. 'Fortunately, Patrick had jumped through the hoops in time and also had cover under his annual multi-trip insurance policy with Trailfinders, which deducts an excess of 75 for wear, tear and depreciation.' Qatar offered Patrick a 'cheap replacement case,' which the traveller refused to accept after he factored in the price of his original case (pictured: Muji suitcases) and the fact it had been part of a multi-set Despite being offered the 150 payment in cash, Patrick asked the Qatar agent whether he could instead be issued a flight voucher equivalent to the full cost of replacement - an offer that was refused by head office. Qatar was crowned 2025's best airline in the Skytrax awards - often known as the 'Oscars of the aviation industry'. It marked the ninth time the airline has won the award. A spokesperson for Qatar Airways told the Daily Mail: 'In line with the Montreal Convention and Qatar Airways internal policies, the customer was offered a settlement equivalent to 50% of the items market value, as a proof of purchase wasnt provided. 'The customer accepted this offer on 8 January 2026, and the airline is currently awaiting details from them to proceed with the payment.' With plenty of flight and accommodation options, as well as the promise of warm weather during the winter, the Spanish spot is a solid option for British Holidaymakers. Tenerife has proved to be the most popular island destination for 2026, according to search analysis by Travel Supermarket. Over the past year, the Canary island has seen an impressive 50 per cent increase in interest. It's perhaps not surprising, as the sunny spot boasts high temperatures when the UK starts to drop and has expansive coastlines to enjoy. Lanzarote followed in second place, but saw a 40 per cent decrease in interest, while Malta ranked third. Gran Canaria, which has been a popular spot for Brits to head to for a sunshine holiday for years, placed fifth but experienced a 38 per cent decrease in searches. It comes as last year anti-tourism protests took place across various locations in the Canary Islands, including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. 'These remain hugely important and popular destinations for British holidaymakers,' Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket notes. Tenerife has proved to be the most popular island destination for 2026, according to search analysis by Travel Supermarket Over the past year, the Canary island has seen an impressive 50 per cent increase in interest 'Lanzarote holds the second position overall in our rankings, and Gran Canaria ranks fifth.' Despite any protests, the Spanish destinations are still managing to prove popular with Brits. Chris adds, 'The scale of tourism to the Canaries means even with some shifts in search patterns, they continue to dominate British holiday choices.' Elsewhere, Fuerteventura ranked fourth, Majorca placed sixth, followed by Crete, Cyprus, Rhodes and Mauritius making up the top 10 island destinations for 2026. Brits seem to remain undeterred by any tourism politics in Tenerife, and its warm weather certainly helps. The sunny destination reaches highs of around 21C in January and February. It placed fifth in Good To Go Travel Insurance's recent top destinations for winter sun rankings. Another Spanish location, Benidorm, is also proving to be popular with British holidaymakers. Last year anti-tourism protests took place across various locations in the Canary Islands, including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria Top 20 island destinations for 2026 Tenerife Lanzarote Malta Fuerteventura Gran Canaria Majorca Crete Cyprus Rhodes Mauritius Maldives Zante Sri Lanka Kos Corfu Barbados Madeira Cape Verde Gozo Ibiza Advertisement Brits now outnumber Spaniards staying in the famous Costa Blanca resort for the first time in seven years. National tourists claimed the number one spot in 2017 and it stayed that way right through to 2024, even though most foreign holidaymakers were still British. But UK holidaymakers can now boast of surpassing every nationality, including homegrown tourists, according to new hotel stay figures released by a local association. HOSBEC, the Valencian Community's Hotel and Tourism Business Association which has a massive presence in Benidorm, says last year's stats show visitors from the UK made up a staggering 42.5 per cent of all those who stayed in the Costa town's hotel accommodation. A Ryanair pilot was forced to intervene on a couple who got too cosy during a flight from Malaga to Liverpool, reminding them to 'tone down' their 'overly amorous' behaviour. An eyewitness claimed the incident occurred on a 8.15pm flight from Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport to Liverpool John Lennon Airport on 7 January. The pilot, who addressed a message directly to the couple over the plane's intercom, began humorously before sternly warning the pair to be mindful of other passengers on board. As reported by GB News, the pilot announced: 'Sorry to have to say this, we thought there was a problem and we couldn't land at Liverpool, but I have had reports that a couple on board tonight are engaging in overly amorous displays of affection. 'While it's very nice that you are so fond of each other, there are children on the flight and your behaviour is totally unacceptable.' He added that the couple 'know who they are,' before 'kindly' suggesting the pair 'tone it down' for the remainder of flight - or face consequences. The message was issued just before the plane touched down at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. It has not been made clear whether the couple - who remain unidentified - followed the pilot's instructions or if they faced further action once the plane touched down. A Ryanair pilot was forced to intervene on a couple who got too cosy during a flight from Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport to Liverpool John Lennon Airport on 7 January (stock image) Addressing his message to the couple over the intercom, the pilot announced: 'I have had reports that a couple on board tonight are engaging in overly amorous displays of affection' (stock image) The Daily Mail has approached Ryanair for comment. It comes as a man was convicted after 'excessively' kissing his girlfriend on board a flight - despite attendants repeatedly asking them to stop. Reuben Jeremy Finn was travelling on an Air New Zealand flight when the offence took place and was also sentenced for a string of theft and drug offences. Shortly after take-off, Finn and his partner reportedly began 'kissing excessively' before escalating to sexual behaviour in front of 48 passengers and cabin crew. Flight attendants intervened, asking the pair to stop after complaints from passengers and told them the situation would be escalated to the pilot. Witnesses said they saw Finn with his hands inside his partner's bra and later down her trousers. When confronted again, the pair pretended to be asleep while continuing the behaviour. They were arrested when the flight landed. The prosecutor told the court the incident had placed the public in an 'extremely uncomfortable position'. It is not clear whether the unidentified couple followed the pilot's instructions or if they faced further action after landing (stock image) Finn was sentenced to six months' community detention with a curfew from 8pm to 5am weekdays, along with 12 months' intensive supervision. Rules around PDA on planes seem to vary depending on the country you are travelling to or from. Kissing on a plane is not inherently illegal unless it escalates into indecent exposure, public indecency, or causes discomfort to others. Such behaviour could lead to criminal charges or being escorted off the plane. Budget airline Wizz Air has launched a new 'business class'-style ticket for passengers, offering premium features for an additional fee. 'Wizz Class' perks include the ability to block off the middle seat for more elbow space and leg room, priority boarding, two cabin bags and a complimentary snack and non-alcoholic drink onboard. After a trial was carried out in December, the service is available for purchase on the selected flights to and from Budapest, Bucharest Otopeni, Warsaw, London Luton, London Gatwick and Rome Fiumicino. When a customer chooses Wizz Class, one of the middle seats closer to them (1B and 1E) will be reserved on their flights. As the first row also includes extra legroom, the service will ensure more space and comfort to relax or work while flying in the efficient, single-class cabin. The product is available as an add-on when booking Smart and Plus seats. According to the airline, Wizz Class uses dynamic pricing, starting from 50 Euros (around 43). These bundles include priority boarding with a 10 kg carry-on suitcase. With additional Wizz Class service, passengers will also get a booked middle seat and a complimentary non-alcoholic drink and snack. Wizz Air, a Hungarian low-cost airline group, has launched a new 'business class'-style ticket With Wizz Class, passengers will get a booked middle seat and a complimentary non-alcoholic drink and snack Silvia Mosquera, commercial officer at Wizz Air, said: 'Business travel is growing across our network, and we've listened to what our passengers want. 'They're asking for a bit more space and speed, but they don't want to pay legacy airline prices for business class. 'Wizz Class answers that demandoffering passengers the room they crave and the service they deserve, without compromising our simple, convenient model. We are also committed to staying a single-class carrier with our efficiency targets' It is not the first time budget airlines have pivoted towards upmarket experiences, with many US low-cost carriers looking to compete with major airlines. Southwest announced it will be transitioning from open to assigned seating in 2026 and is also launching premium seating options. JetBlue has already established its low-cost, upmarket hybrid business model with 'EvenMore', a premium perks scheme which offers customers early boarding, extra legroom and front-of-plane seats, plus free alcoholic drinks and exclusive snacks. Ryanair allows passengers to book extra seats for comfort while easyJet customers can choose certain seats for extra legroom. It comes after Wizz Air announced that it is bringing back the highly-prized 'All You Can Fly' pass for a third time, having originally introduced it in 2024. After a trial was carried out in December, the 'Wizz Class' service is available for purchase on the selected flights to and from Budapest, Bucharest Otopeni, Warsaw, London Luton, London Gatwick and Rome Fiumicino For the equivalent of around 439, travellers can fly as many times as they want throughout the year to 34 destinations across Europe and the Middle East. However, actually getting your hands on a pass could prove a bit challenging, as only 10,000 will be up for grabs. The deal also comes with some caveats: a booking fee for each flight costs 9.99 (8.80), meaning passengers are still technically paying for each journey they take. In addition, flights cannot be booked in advance. Subject to availability, all journeys must be booked within a 72-hour window. According to Wizz Air, the average 'All You Can Fly' member flies nine times a year using their pass. Once a bustling hub during the Second World War, an abandoned airport has a rather different future ahead of it. Downsview Airport, located in north-west Toronto, Canada, closed in 2024 but has an interesting history. It first opened in 1929 and was operated as a base for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Years later, it was used as a test site by aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Aviation. The site is now owned by Northcrest Developments, which shut the airport back in 2024. They have ambitious plans for the area, aiming to transform it into a huge city worth over 16 billion ($21 billion). Construction is expected to begin this year, CNN reported. The city council green-lit the plan in May 2024. A former bustling hub during the Second World War might have a new purpose Northcrest Developments, which shut the Downsview Airport in 2024, has big plans for the area and hopes to transform it into a huge city worth over 16 billion ($21 billion) The sprawling community spread across 370 acres of land should be big enough to house 83,500 residents. Split into seven neighbourhoods, developers believe the city will support 41,500 jobs. The area will be called 'YZD' and is expected to cost $30 billion Canadian dollars (16 billion or USD $21 billion). Downsview Airport will not be completely erased from the site and will instead become a focal point for the city. Northcrest is preserving 11 airplane hangars and more than a mile of runway to give its first neighbourhood a unique feel. The runway will be converted into a park for pedestrian use and will connect the seven neighbourhoods. Chief executive of Northcrest Developments Derek Goring told CNN the site's history as well as the new community will be brought together while also 'respecting and celebrating the aerospace legacy of the site'. The developer's website reads, 'A chance like this to build a city within a city comes along once in a generation. Downsview Airport won't be completely erased from the site and will instead become a focal point for the city According to CNN, the runway will sit as a park used by pedestrians and connect the seven neighbourhoods 'We'll ensure that it changes forever what it means to live in Toronto and what true community brings to big city life.' Plans for the city include making use of what already sits on the site. Goring explained: 'There's a lot of embedded carbon in the existing buildings and rather than tearing them down and building everything new, there's a big carbon benefit to retaining those buildings.' This includes old hangars being used as commercial buildings, among other things. Each year, families across the country pack up their cars and journey along the M6 for a camping trip to the Lakes. As England's largest National Park, the Lakes are home to soaring mountains - known locally as 'fells' - picturesque valleys and a sandy coastline. From the scenic valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere and the wilder Wasdale and Western Lakes, each lake and valley has a distinct character of its own. Around 18 million people visit the Lake District each year, with a large percentage of people camping. Tourism in the Lake District is very valuable and is thought to contribute 2.3billion to the local economy, as well as supporting some 65,000 jobs. But the sheer number of visitors to beauty spots in recent years has had negative consequences on the environment. There have been increasing reports last year of tents left abandoned, burned grass from the use of disposable barbeques and littering. A survey by Friends of the Lake District found 97 per cent of people encountered litter when they visited The Lakes, 80 per cent saw barbeques or small fires in the summer months, while 77 per cent witnessed fly-camping. Many visitors to the Lake District are drawn in by its magnificent nature and dramatic scenery, popular for both challenging hikes and gentle lakeside walks. Buttermere lake with Fleetwith Pike fell in the background, is pictured Ambleside, Windermere, is pictured. The area is a popular tourist destination, offering a wide range of lakeside activities, including walking, boating and lake cruises Rubbish and BBQs are pictured after being left behind by wild campers on the shores of Thirlmere Reservoir in the Lake District In a council crackdown, a new wave of fines will hit tourists who don't clear up after themselves on their camping trips. In some areas, holidaymakers could face a 100 for using disposable barbeques, fly-camping, abandoning tents, littering and 'irresponsible alcohol use'. Westmorland and Furness Council will introduce Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in the Askam, Dalton, Blea Tarn, Coniston East Shore and Windermere West Shore (National Trust sites). This could be extended to an additional nine locations, including Ullswater, after an additional consultation on January 6 (although this is yet to be announced). These PSPOs will allow Cumbria Police to issue Fixed Penalty Notices of up to 100 for breaches and if you don't pay, you can be prosecuted and fined up to 1,000. These Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are set to come into effect in early 2026, after the council's consultation in September last year saw 90 per cent of people say they supported these measures. Meanwhile, a proposed PSPO requiring dogs to be kept on leads within 200 metres of public highways across Eden will not go ahead. Councillor Judith Derbyshire, cabinet member for Housing and Community Safety, said: 'This partnership allows us to take a targeted, lawful approach that ensures landowner support is granted and the Order that reflects what the public wants to see.' Wast Water in Wasdale, a valley in the western part of the Lake District National Park, is renowned for being voted 'Britain's Best View' She added: 'Our goal is for everyone to enjoy Westmorland and Furness responsibly and to leave no trace, rather than issuing fines. 'These orders are used to safeguard the places that matter to us all, ensuring our communities and treasured landscapes remain safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.' It comes as Expedia's annual global report, Unpack '26, found the 'slow travel' movement is gaining ground, with 84 per cent of travellers expressing interest in staying on or near a farm. Mentions of farm-related experiences in Vrbo guest reviews have also surged 300 per cent year-over-year, signalling how travellers are searching for starlit skies over busy city lights in 2026. More airports across Europe have had to temporarily close due to icy weather conditions. Major hubs in Budapest, Hungary, Vienna in Austria and Bratislava in Slovakia have been forced to shut down this morning. Budapest Airport issued an update on X, formerly Twitter, that the closure was caused by black ice and 'extreme icing'. It posted: 'Due to the adverse weather conditions, and similarly to several airports in Central Europe, a temporary airport closure has been implemented at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, due to the increased safety risks caused by black ice and extreme icing. 'For safety reasons, the airport has temporarily suspended all arrivals and departures since 10:25.' Meanwhile, runways in Vienna were reportedly coated by a thick layer of ice and kept refreezing, forcing it to close temporarily. An update on Vienna Airport's website reads, 'Due to current weather conditions, disruptions to flights to and from Vienna are expected on January 13, 2026. 'We recommend that all passengers regularly check their flight status with the airline. Information on arrivals and departures can be found at https://www.viennaairport.com/abfluege.' Major hubs in Budapest, Hungary, Vienna in Austria (pictured) and Bratislava in Slovakia have been forced to shut down this morning Runways in Vienna were reportedly coated by a thick layer of ice and kept refreezing, forcing it to close temporarily (pictured) Many arrivals at the airports are currently showing as delayed or cancelled for Vienna, as are departures. An airport spokesperson told Sky News that flight departures would continue from 11am local (10am UK time) and arrivals would resume from 12pm local, (11am UK time). Bratislava reopened at 11.15am (local time) this morning after a brief closure, with many flights earlier today either cancelled or diverted. Its website states, 'Due to adverse meteorological conditions on the runway, the airport will be closed on 13. 1. 2026 until 11:15 a.m. 'As a result, flight delays are expected during the morning hours. 'An emergency operations team is in session to assess runway braking action and determine when the airport can safely resume operations. 'Passengers are advised to follow the airports website, their airlines mobile applications, and airport public address announcements for the latest information regarding their departures.' Elsewhere, Vaclav Havel Airport Prague 'is operating in a restricted mode' according to its website. Runways in Vienna were reportedly coated by a thick layer of ice and kept refreezing, forcing it to close temporarily It continues, 'As of 11:00, the number of permitted arrivals has been increased from 2 to 6 per hour due to de-icing operations and to ensure the operational readiness of runways and other airside areas. 'Safety of flight operations, passengers, and employees remains the top priority. 'Passengers are advised to follow the latest updates on our website and from their airline.' It comes after several other hubs were forced to close due to icy weather conditions earlier this month. Yesterday, on January 12, British tourists told of their 'nightmare' in Finland's Lapland as they were among thousands stranded after flights were cancelled due to the severe cold. Temperatures at Kittila Airport plummeted to nearly -40C (-40F) following several days of freezing weather that saw lows of -37C (-35F). Cancelled flights included those heading to London, Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam - while the first scheduled flight was axed last night. Passengers were desperately waiting for updates at the airport but officials said the weather was extremely difficult for de-icing aircraft, maintenance and refuelling. A file photograph of tourists arriving at Kittila Airport in northern Finland in December 2024 Stranded tourists board a bus for a transfer as severe weather continues to hit Kittila 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, was among the Brits stuck in Kittila with her family after her flight to London Gatwick was cancelled on Sunday night. She told the Daily Mail yesterdau: '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.' Meanwhile, on January 5, Amsterdam's Schiphol airport saw 700 flights cancelled which accounted for more than half of those scheduled to take off or land that day. Authorities at the Dutch airport blamed wintery conditions for the cancellations. Videos from Schiphol appeared to show airport staff enjoying the weather by making snowmen and taking part in a brief snowball fight. Budapest Airport issued an update on X, formerly Twitter, that the closure was caused by black ice and 'extreme icing' At the same time, Meteo France, the French meteorological society, issued an orange alert for snow and ice for much of northwest France, including Paris where Charles de Gaulle and Orly airport reduced their flights by 15 per cent. Flights were also grounded at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on January 5 after its runway was forced to close due to snow and ice, with easyJet planes cancelled and dozens of other services delayed. Loganair cancelled some flights in Scotland, while Belfast International Airport said there had been several delays and cancellations. On the same day, Eurostar said trains from London could not reach the Netherlands due to the weather - with passengers going to Rotterdam or Amsterdam urged to postpone their journey. Lucy Worsley's Victorian Murder Club (BBC2) Rating: Jack the Ripper's gory murders in late Victorian London are not only the most famous unsolved crimes in history. The five killings (or perhaps more) are also the most widely investigated, the subject of thousands of books, with amateur detectives accusing dozens of suspects including Queen Victoria's grandson Prince Albert Victor, Alice In Wonderland writer Lewis Carroll and the artist Walter Sickert. One online resource, casebook.org, comprises around four million words, including about 10,000 newspaper articles. No detail, however tiny, is ignored, and all the facts have been scrutinised to exhaustion . . . or so you'd think. The astonishing truth, historian Lucy Worsley reveals in her Victorian Murder Club, is that the Ripper was not the only serial killer at large in London's East End at the end of the 1880s. This three-part true-crime documentary makes a convincing case that another maniac was stalking and butchering women and he has been almost completely overlooked. Who, until this series aired, had heard of the 'Thames Torso Murderer'? The killings are still shocking, nearly 140 years later, with victims dismembered and their body parts dumped in the river or discarded in alleyways. One obvious theory is that the crimes were committed by a sailor, a bargeman or a docker someone working on the Thames. But another intriguing suggestion is that the murderer traded in horseflesh a 'cats-meat man', pushing a cartload of raw pet food around the city. He could have trundled a barrow piled high with human remains through Petticoat Lane market and no one would have looked twice. The astonishing truth, historian Lucy Worsley reveals in her Victorian Murder Club, is that the Ripper was not the only serial killer at large in London's East End at the end of the 1880s, CHRISTOPHER STEVENS says This three-part true-crime documentary makes a convincing case that another maniac was stalking and butchering women and he has been almost completely overlooked. Who, until this series aired, had heard of the 'Thames Torso Murderer'? Prof Lucy has a taste for murder. Her podcast Lady Killers, covering cases ranging from the infamous to the forgotten, numbers more than 60 episodes. Small talk of the night: Posh copper Tommy (Leo Suter) moaned about his future duties as 8th Earl of Ashton over dinner with an old college friend, in Lynley (BBC1). His date, Helen (Niamh Walsh), whinged about the burden of her family fortune. Problems, problems, eh? Advertisement This is her most painstaking investigation yet, enlisting the aid of three experts in her murder club: two more historians, Kate Lister and Rose Wallis, and novelist and TV presenter Nadifa Mohamed. Their biggest challenge was convincing us that these murders were not also the work of Jack the Ripper. One expert, Dr Drew Gray, argued the link was obvious a prime suspect for the torso murders lived in a house where the Ripper's second victim, Annie Chapman, was found in the back yard. That seems too much of a coincidence to be dismissed. But pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy insisted the killers had to be two different men, with very different psychological profiles. The Ripper's victims were mutilated but not chopped into pieces nor bundled up in sacking. Though the 'murder club' has echoes of Richard Osman's bestsellers, these were certainly not cosy killings, and Lucy's handling of the story sometimes felt too lighthearted. Inspecting one crime scene, where segments of a fourth corpse were found, she gave a shudder and murmured, 'Ooh . . . creepy!' But the clues and red herrings are well presented, and the insights into London's brutal past are fascinating. It's . . . well, a ripping yarn. An Only Connect contestant admitted he 'completely lost his composure and was reduced to a wreck within minutes' of being on the BBC Two show. The competitor, who appeared on the quiz series alongside his team Pitchers, took to social media to reveal more about the series, which airs weekly as part of the BBC's Quizzing Mondays and is hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell. The Pitchers, who are made up on Alexia Jarvis, Paddy Pamment and Jonathan Gibson, went head to head with the Worker Bees, Cath Foster, Charlotte Jackson-Orland and Peter Flynn in the latest instalment. They were put head-to-head through the tricky show's three rounds of quizzing for the second time - having met before earlier on in the competition. Just minutes before the action, Paddy, a quiz enthusiast who has also appeared on fellow BBC quiz show Pointless, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to offer up some behind-the-scenes insight. And he admitted that he was struggling to keep his cool this time round, joking that he was a 'wreck' just minutes into the episode starting. An Only Connect contestant admitted he 'completely lost his composure and was reduced to a wreck within minutes' of being on the BBCTwo show The competitor, who appeared on the quiz series alongside his team Pitchers, took to social media to reveal more about the series, which airs weekly as part of the BBC's Quizzing Mondays and is hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell Addressing the show's fans, he wrote: 'Nearly Only Connect time. I completely lose my composure and am reduced to a wreck basically immediately, before any of the actual gameplay. I hope that this is edited out.' However, he soon backtracked on his statement, once again returning to X to wrote: 'Not nearly as bad as I thought.' As the episode began, Paddy did an impression of comedian Michael McIntyre as he was asked by host Victoria how he felt about playing for a place in the final. 'I'm going to go into this thinking its going to be the best of them all, thank you darling for giving me the opportunity,' Paddy joked, leaving Victoria cackling. Fans at home were equally impressed by Paddy, sharing their thoughts about him on social media and calling him a 'legend'. One penned: 'I absolutely love Paddy, what a legend,' as a second chimed in: 'Loving Paddy's energy!'. 'I haven't got any friends. But if I DID have a friend, I think I'd want it to be Paddy!' a third wrote, as a fourth gushed over him as the 'best bit of the show'. Thankfully for viewers, they will get to see more of Paddy on screen after his team the Pitchers emerged victorious in the semi-final round. Just minutes before the action, Paddy, took to X with some behind-the-scenes insight As the episode began, Paddy did an impression of comedian Michael McIntyre as he was asked by host Victoria how he felt about playing for a place in the final They won against the Worker Bees with an impressive final score of 27. It comes after host Victoria debuted a VERY different look on Only Connect, flashing her bra straps and debuted a new hair style in a pub-quiz style episode. The show's host, Coren Mitchell, 53, got into character and appeared to dress up as a barmaid for the occasion. Admitting that she had 'broken a few rules' in the episode, namely by giving away more points than usual, she described the radically different format as 'something of an experiment.' Just like in a real pub quiz, the contestants were forced to battle their way through the questions with a team member down whenever one of them left to get a 'round'. She wrote on Twitter/X: 'The Only Connect specials begin tonight! The first one was something of an experiment. I think we might have broken a few rules so I wont say more than: I hope you enjoy it. Cheers!' On the off chance that you're unfamiliar with the show's format, it is a notoriously difficult quiz show where contestants put their brains to the ultimate test as they attempt to work out what connects seemingly unrelated clues. The new format went down a storm with fans of the show, with viewers admitting that, for once, they were actually able to work out the correct answers. The show's host, Coren Mitchell, 53, also got into character and appeared to dress up as a sexy barmaid for the occasion, putting her bra straps on show Only Connect fans were treated to a Christmas special to remember in the form of a pub quiz-themed episode One penned: 'Loving the pub quiz variation of #OnlyConnect this evening, not least when a member of a team goes off to get a round in! Wonderfully entertaining genius.' 'I loved it, was interesting to see how different teams scored when faced with identical questions. The format still worked surprisingly well. Cheers!' another said. 'Thank you! Absolutely inspired episode. Loved all the little details. I've lived in Texas for 15 years and made me reminisce my old east end pub quiz team,' wrote a third. 'Loved it! Got a lot of the answers right too for a change!' a fourth penned. However, not everyone was impressed that the typically standard quiz looking quiz show had taken on such a dramatically different look for the festive period. One unhappy viewer wrote: 'Oh just realised Victorias doing it like a pub quiz. Nah don't like it #OnlyConnect.' Another added: 'Not keen on the pub quiz format. Even more annoying is VCM eating while conversing. Mind you, she annoys me anyway.' Only Connect continues Monday at 8pm on BBC Two and is available to stream on iPlayer Kara Tointon delivered an emotional health update on Monday's episode of Good Morning Britain after undergoing a double mastectomy. The former EastEnders actress, 41, revealed that she had surgery to remove both of her breasts, as well as her fallopian tubes, back in May last year, after learning that she carries the deadly BRCA1 gene. 'The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes usually protect us from cancer. A variant in either of these genes reduces the level of protection. Over time, this may mean some types of cancer are more likely to develop,' according to Macmillan Cancer's website. Talking to ITV GMB hosts Ed Balls, 58, and Susanna Reid, 55, about why she went through with the surgery, Kara said: 'We're living in a time where we're so lucky to become aware of personal genetics, and there's a choice in that, sometimes that can be a daunting thing we wish we didn't know about. But we do know about it now. 'Losing my mum in 2019, and my auntie in early 2000s, there was this generation trauma within the women in my family, without even knowing it, my mum just put it off, she just didn't want to know. 'She always believed she was going to die of cancer, but didn't know about the gene, but it was just there. Kara Tointon delievered an emotional health update on Monday's episode of Good Morning Britain after undergoing a double mastectomy The former EastEnders actress, 41, revealed that she had surgery to remove both of her breasts, as well as her fallopian tubes back in May after learning that she carries the deadly BRCA1 gene Kara opened up to Ed Balls and Susanna Reid about why she went through with the surgery 'For me to be given the opportunity to make a choice and see what it's done to my family, in all honesty, it was a no-brainer for me. So it's very kind when people say "Goodness, you've been brave". 'I suppose I've had a lucky shot. Everyone has the BRCA gene, but some people have the gene that's faulty, and it's a 50 per cent chance that it is passed down. 'My sister hasn't got it, I have. My sister was so upset that she didn't have it and I said "Are you kidding? Are you crazy?" 'I think she just wanted us to go through this together, but of course, we have gone through it together because she's held my hand every step of the way.' Kara who won the 2010 series of the BBC's Saturday night favourite Strictly Come Dancing explained that the most difficult part of the process was making the call to book her first appointment. She explained: 'I think my message to people is, honestly making that first appointment and first call is the hardest part of the process. 'Once you do that, you've done your bit and it's left the the professionals.' In a message to viewers, the actress added: 'Don't be scared, facing things actually is empowering.' Back in May Kara shared her decision to have the operation with fans on Instagram. The star, who played Dawn Swann in EastEnders, ook to her profile to share an emotional post detailing her decision after losing her mother to ovarian cancer in 2018. Kara announced that she has undergone a double mastectomy and had her fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure. Her operation came just six years after her mother Carol passed away following her own battle with the disease. As an ambassador for the Eve appeal, a charity that raises awareness of gynaecological cancers, the actress opened up to her followers about the journey that led to her discovery that she carries the BRCA1 gene. Kara Tointon has revealed that she's undergone a double mastectomy after learning that she carries the deadly BRCA1 gene Speaking ahead of the charity's Get Lippy campaign to highlight the causes and symptoms of various gynae cancers, Kara revealed that after she losing her mother to ovarian cancer in 2018, she underwent genetic testing which revealed that she is predisposed to the disease. She said: 'You may have heard of the BRCA genes type 1 and 2 and as a carrier it means that I am at a greater risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. 'Back in 2018 when my mum was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, I was asked to take a genetics test. 'There is a history of both cancers in my family but for various reasons including generational trauma of which I'll talk more about another time, we hadn't looked into it until that point. 'But it was put to us, we took the test and it was confirmed that my mum and I both carried the gene.' As a mother-of-two, Kara told how her family were her main consideration in her decision making. She said: 'I was pregnant with my first child at the time, knew I wanted more children if possible so over the next couple of years I was invited to various meetings by the NHS to really become informed and to understand all my options. 'Last year having had my second son in 2021 and deciding that our family was complete, I underwent two preventative surgeries. What is the BRCA gene and how does it affect people's risk of cancer? Having a mutated BRCA gene - as famously carried by Angelina Jolie - dramatically increases the chance a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, from 12 per cent to 90 per cent. Between one in 800 and one in 1,000 women carry a BRCA gene mutation, which increases the chances of breast and ovarian cancer. Both BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce proteins to suppress tumours. When these are mutated, DNA damage can be caused and cells are more likely to become cancerous. The mutations are usually inherited and increase the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer significantly. When a child has a parent who carries a mutation in one of these genes they have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the mutations. About 1.3 per cent of women in the general population will develop ovarian cancer, this increase to 44 percent of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 mutation. Advertisement She announced that she has undergone a double mastectomy and had her fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure (pictured at the Olivier Awards in April) 'The first a double mastectomy and the second a two part protector study, a trial. 'They believe that ovarian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes so by removing them first checking out you can remove the ovaries later.' Kara revealed that after having several medical investigations, she decided that surgery was the best option. 'We are finding out more and more about personal genetics and most people believe in surveillance, but after doing this for a couple of years, having MRIs, waiting for biopsy, we decided that this was the right decision for me and my family,' she said. 'I wasn't an easy decision, but one I am very glad that I made and I can now with hindsight talk about it properly.' The actress is not the only woman in the public eye to talk openly about her procedure. Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie also had a double mastectomy as well as having her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, after she was found to have a 50 per cent risk of developing ovarian cancer.' The actress rose to fame as Dawn Miller in BBC soap EastEnders (pictured, tussling with carly Wicks, played by Kellie Shirley) Tointon raises two sons Frey, 6 and Helly 4, with her Norwegian partner Marius Jenson, a chiropractor. The family divide their time between Britain and Norway where Kara's sister Hannah and her father still live. Her own mother died of ovarian cancer in 2019, months after the actress revealed she had been struggling with poor health. Speaking to HELLO! in 2018 about her plans to marry Jenson, she said: 'We are hoping next year, perhaps in Norway or maybe in London. 'My mum hasn't been too well over the last year or so and I want her to be able to enjoy it. 'Seeing her with Frey and dealing with everything she has to right now is overwhelming and I couldnt be more proud. 'I just want her to be back to herself again. Thats our priority.' Paying tribute to Carol in a moving Instagram post shortly after her death, Tointon wrote: 'I miss you. I miss your voice. I miss your smile. I miss your smell. I miss your hug. I miss your jokes. I miss how you made me feel. I miss your everything.' She added: 'God I was so lucky muma. Do laugh that Im reaching out to you on INSTAGRAM. I love you.' The actress gave birth to youngest child Frey in 2018, with her partner subsequently confirming the news in a short message. 'On Thursday at 11.04am, 3.2 kilos of happiness joined our lives,' he wrote. 'Kara and I couldn't be happier and our four legged companions Elfie and Winston have been guarding our new family member since.' Second child Helly was born in 2021, with Tointon later describing the child as 'very zen, chilled and wonderful' during a subsequent interview with HELLO! Jensen added that his name was inspired by his native country Norway, adding that he also has the middle names Juel and Parsell. He explained: 'The first Helly we found was an old Norwegian sea captain, from a place in Norway called Moss, a tiny little town where my grandmother is from.' Signing off from social media, Tointon paid tribute to the doctors and the Eve appeal charity and their support. She said: 'I'd like to thank my surgeons Dr Adam Rosenthal and Dr Gerard Cuie, I can't thank them enough. 'I wanted to talk about it because hearing other people's experience, helped so much and knowledge is power, communication is key, getting to know our bodies, our cycles is only a good thing, but I'll be talking about this a lot more. 'Happy Lippy month and take care.' It is the much-loved cosy BBC crime drama thats been on our television screens for the last 15 years, and is currently on its fifth detective. But while new Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, 58, has finally settled in to life in Saint Marie after taking over from Ralf Little, Death in Paradise bosses have brought in a sassy new sergeant to star alongside him. And the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that BBC bosses reckon they are onto a winner after casting up-and-coming actress Catherine Garton, 27, in the role. The actress and musician impressed bosses while appearing in the Dr Who spin-off series The War Between the Land and Sea. The five-part mini-series, broadcast last month on BBC One, saw Catherine play Corporal Jane Hart, which she filmed at the end of 2024. So when she auditioned to become the newest recruit to join the Honore Police Station, bosses already knew what she was capable of and offered her the part. The Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that BBC bosses reckon they are onto a winner after casting up-and-coming actress Catherine Garton, 27, in Death In Paradise The actress and musician impressed bosses while appearing in the Dr Who spin-off series The War Between the Land and Sea So when she auditioned to become the newest recruit to join the Honore Police Station, bosses already knew what she was capable of and offered her the part Catherine then flew out to the Caribbean last April to film her exciting new role. A source said: Catherine was over the moon when bosses called to say shed got the part. Its a huge role for her and shes very excited for the viewers to see her in action. London-born Catherine is engaged to musician Dominic Darmanin, 30, after he proposed to her in 2022. As well as acting she also sings and writes music. The source added: Catherine brings something a little different to the role and the camera just loves her. 'Everyone is very excited as they are certain the fans will love her. 'Death in Paradise has got an army of loyal fans so it was important they got the casting right and with Catherine they believe theyve done just that. 'She's certainly going to turn one or two heads on the Island.' Death in Paradise is one of the BBCs top performing dramas. During series 14, which was Don Gillets first full series in the new role, Naomi Thomas, played by Jamaican actress Shantou Jackson, was promoted to the role of DS after joining in series 11 as an officer. Sara Martins, 48, who played DS Camille Bordey, and Josephine Jobert, 40, who played DS Florence Cassell, had previously brought the glamour to the island. During the Christmas special officer Darlene Curtis, played by Ginny Holder, appeared via video link, but she is expected to feature in series 15. The actress had a filming clash with gritty BBC drama The Capture, where she plays DI Nadia Latif, alongside Holiday Grainger. Both shows started filming last April. During series 14, which was Don Gillets first full series in the new role, Naomi Thomas, played by Jamaican actress Shantou Jackson, was promoted to the role of DS after joining in series 11 as an officer Death in Paradise is one of the BBCs top performing dramas Death in Paradise was first aired in 2011 with Ben Miller in the main role until series 3 when Kris Marshall took over. When he left in series 6, Irish actor Ardal OHanlon took over and stayed until series 9 when Ralf Little took on the role. He left at the end of series 13 and Don Gilet was unveiled as the new detective when he arrived in the 2024 Christmas special. The popular show has spawned spin-offs Beyond Paradise, which follows Kris Marshall's Humprey Goodman in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott in Devon, and Return to Paradise which is set in Australia. Don Warrington, who plays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, and Elizabeth Bourgine, local bar owner, and Camilles mum Catherine Bordey, have both been in Death in Paradise since the very beginning. Danny John-Jules played the much-loved as Officer Dwayne Myers for the first seven series and has been back over the years as a special guest, much to the delight of the fans. An Australian music lover was humiliated when his public proposal at a Brisbane music concert on the weekend was brutally rejected. In footage shared to social media, a male fan brought his girlfriend up on stage at a concert for indie-rock band Bootleg Rascal so he could ask her to marry him. 'My partner and I came to watch Bootleg Rascal about two, three years ago. Jamie, where are you? Can you come up on stage quickly?' he begins in the clip. She then joined him on stage as he got down on one knee. However, things didn't go according to plan when he popped the question, with his girlfriend seen shaking her head no, while trying to pull him up. She then ran off stage as he sadly asked 'No?', before slumping over in disappointment. An Australian music lover was humiliated over the weekend after his public proposal at a Brisbane music concert was brutally rejected Bootleg Rascal vocalist Carlos Lara exclusively told Daily Mail the man had contacted them beforehand to arrange it, and were as shocked as the crowd by the outcome. 'I don't think I have ever felt more awkward on stage in my life. I had no idea what to do or say, I was just like, "The show must go on,"' Carlos said. 'Our manager told us a fan wanted to do a proposal on stage and we were like, "Cool!" I almost spat my beer out [upon seeing the rejection], I was like, "Oh my gosh."' He also denied suggestions the proposal was a 'stunt' to promote his band's latest single. 'In a world of fake news and AI, it does seem that way. But it was as real as can be; we had no idea what was going to happen with it,' he said. Carlos said the band felt terrible about what had happened and had reached out to the rejected man to offer him support. 'We spoke to the guy and he was doing all right. He was definitely seeking some beers after the show. 'We threw him a free T-shirt and said, "Hope you're doing okay", so he at least got something out of it, some free merch which is better than nothing,' he said. However, things didn't go according to plan when he popped the question, with his girlfriend seen shaking her head no, while trying to pull him up The band shared footage of the proposal to their social media Carlos finished by saying the band still had a romantic streak and had no problems with other fans proposing at their future concerts but hoped it would go better than this one. 'I am not against it. If anyone else wants to do a Bootleg proposal, we would love for that to happen,' he said. 'We are all about love. If anyone else wants to do a proposal or anything else at our gigs, just hit us up!' The band also shared footage of the awkward proposal to their social media. 'First show off to a great start. Not sure we'll be helping out with another public proposal for a while,' they wrote in the caption. Fans quickly took to the comments section to share their thoughts. 'I don't think I have ever felt that awkward on stage in my life!!!' one person wrote. 'Poor fella anyone know if he's okay?' a second asked. 'Damn. Bro didn't even plan a speech other than, "We saw this same band two years ago so it's probably the thing to do." Romantic stuff,' another sniped. Meanwhile, others suggested it was a staged stunt to promote the band's latest breakup single, called Reasons. 'Amazing way to advertise the tour,' one follower quipped. Married At First Sight star Jack Millar has announced his engagement to his long-time partner Courtney Stubbs. A hidden camera captured the emotional moment Jack, 30, popped the question to the Love Island star. The clip shows Courtney, 27, jumping for joy after accepting the proposal, which took place in a beautiful bush setting. Other scenes show the couple, who have been together for nearly four years and share two children, celebrating the milestone moment with champagne. The clip shows Jack getting on one knee and holding out a ring, before launching into a speech, also recorded with hidden microphones. 'Cos I love you so much, and I've seen you be the best mum,' a tearful Jack began, adding: 'You're going to make me cry.' Married At First Sight star Jack Millar has announced his engagement to his longtime partner Courtney Stubbs. Pictured: A scene from the engagement video created by videographer Joseph Plumm (@joeplumb_) The couple have been together for nearly four years and share two children. Pictured: Jack and Courtney celebrate the milestone moment with champagne 'I've loved every moment with you in almost four years not quite we've had two beautiful children, and you've become the best mum in the whole wide world I would love to ask you will you marry me?' he continued. An excited Courtney embraced her delighted partner, knocking him off balance until finally exclaiming: 'That's a yes, yes! I'm so happy.' Former MAFS star Cameron Merchant was among many of the pair's followers to send best wishes. 'What a moment,' he gushed over the clip, and added: 'Huge congratulations guys!' Love Island's Margarita Smith also sent a message, telling the couple, 'Awwww congrats!!!!!' Former star of The Bachelor, Cass Wood, also sent her congratulations. It comes after Jack and Courtney hard-launched their relationship on their platforms back in August 2022. Last October, the reality TV star couple welcomed their second child, a baby boy, Paxton Jenkins. A hidden camera captured the emotional moment Jack, 30, popped the question to the Love Island star. (Pictured) An excited Courtney embraced her delighted partner Confirming the exciting news on social media, they shared a precious clip in which they introduced their newborn to his older sister. The loved-up duo welcomed daughter Penelope in November 2023. They announced the joyous news via Instagram, sharing a gallery of photos showing the pair cuddling up to their newborn baby girl at hospital and later at home. One photo showed the besotted parents posing in bed with their daughter as well as Jack's dog Finn. 'Penelope June Millar. A love so magical words cannot describe! 10/11/23,' they wrote. Courtney had been dating Jack for eight months when she discovered she was pregnant. The dark-haired beauty found fame on Love Island Australia in 2021, dating emergency responder Noah Hurah during her time in the villa. Jack made headlines on the 2022 season on MAFS when he was paired with Domenica Calarco. Em Rusciano has weighed in on the first-ever 'autistic' Barbie, telling followers that the doll set her 'teeth off'. Announced this week by toymakers Mattel, the toy features a fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones and a shifted eye gaze. Taking to her stories on Monday, the 46-year-old former radio star, who is autistic, appeared to have deeply mixed feelings about the new product. Admitting that her 'heart and gut were aching' after learning of autistic Barbie's release, Em wrote: 'I'll interrogate my feelings more and report back.' She continued: 'Something about it [the doll] feels minimising and simplistic, the noise cancelling headphones and stim toys. I dunno, I'll sleep on it.' 'If you love it and or your kids do, that's wonderful, and that's valid. I'm just one autistic woman feeling off about it maybe it's my internalised ableism.' Em Rusciano has weighed in on the first-ever 'autistic' Barbie (Pictured) The toy features a fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones and a shifted eye gaze Em later shared a screenshot of a post from Sonny Jane, a neurodivergent advocate who is autistic, alongside her own statement in which the one-time Project star claimed she now supported the new doll. 'People are screaming that autistic Barbie isn't autistic representation but are failing to realise that for many autistic people with higher support needs, this IS representation. For them,' Sonny Jane said on her Lived Experience Educator platform. She continued: 'Autism doesn't have a single 'look' but for autistic people with higher support needs, autism IS visible through AAC devices, ear defenders, fidets [sic], etc. 'And it is autistic people with higher support needs who deserve and need that representation because they are the ones who are often the least represented. 'Autistic Barbie may not represent you, but it represents someone who needs it.' Em then commented: 'Yep, this is where I've landed too. It's not perfect, but it's something. 'And if it's helping any autistic kid or parent, then it's a good thing.' The new doll has been developed in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), headquartered in Washington, DC. The 46-year-old appeared to have deeply mixed feelings about the new product Em later shared a screenshot of a post from Sonny Jane, a neurodivergent advocate who is autistic (Pictured) The doll aims to represent some of the ways autistic people may experience, process, and communicate about the world around them. Along with a new face sculpt, its features include elbow and wrist articulation to enable stimming and hand flapping. These and other gestures are used by some members of the autistic community to process sensory information or express excitement. The doll is also designed with an eye gaze shifted slightly to the side to reflect how some autistic people may avoid direct eye contact. Em was diagnosed with level one autism in November 2022, one year after her ADHD diagnosis (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Ben Affleck dropped by Katie Nolan's SiriusXM Podcast Casuals on Monday, where he was joined by Joe Carnahan and Matt Damon. The 53-year-old Oscar-winning acting was there to promote their upcoming Netflix film The Rip, which comes out on January 16. Affleck, known for his animated expressions, once again communicated a range of emotions with his different faces. He wore a black bomber jacket, dark button-up shirt, black trousers, and lace-up brown boots. And the Hollywood vet's dark hair was closely cropped and his grizzled beard was neatly trimmed. It comes after Leonardo DiCaprio, 51, drew attention for his own meme-worthy mug at the 2026 Golden Globes on Sunday. Ben Affleck dropped by Katie Nolan's SiriusXM Podcast Casuals on Monday, where he was joined by Joe Carnahan and Matt Damon Affleck, known for his animated expressions, once again communicated a range of emotions with his different faces The 53-year-old Oscar-winning acting was there to promote the upcoming Netflix film The Rip, which comes out on January 16 His hilarious displays at the star-packed awards show quickly went viral on social media. He attended the event with the cast and crew of his acclaimed film One Battle After Another, which earned him a Best Actor nod and a coveted Best Picture win. The tuxedo-clad heartthrob was seated next to his mother Irmelin Indenbirken, 82, and co-star Sean Penn during the three-hour ceremony held in Beverly Hills and aired live on CBS. DiCaprio was the unexpected life of the party as the notoriously private star was frequently caught making sassy expressions at other celebrities and the cameras. In a now-viral clip, he put on a lively display while interacting with someone at another table during a commercial break. He pointed at his own eyes before playfully pointing at the offscreen person, letting them know he was 'watching' them before excitedly waving his fingers around and clapping. He also lifted one eyebrow in a suspicious manner followed by a flurry of bizarre facial expressions, including one where he pressed his index finger to his lips before erupting with laughter. Fans admitted that they 'loved' seeing this rare side of DiCaprio, who often hides himself behind N95 masks when in public. Leonardo DiCaprio may have dethroned Affleck as the king of memes after his hilarious displays at the 2026 Golden Globes went viral on social media In a now-viral X video, DiCaprio was seeing making wild faces and gesturing excitedly during a commercial break 'I am literally howling... this is the most animated i've ever seen him in my entire life,' said one X user. '[DiCaprio] usually gives us absolutely nothing, so seeing him this hyped is actually a historic moment.' Another added: 'Obsessed with this. sass x 1000.' Many wanted to know what exactly made the star so excitable, with one X user jokingly guessing he saw 'a woman under 26' - a jab at the star's infamous age-gap dating habit. 'I need to know what is happening like right now,' demanded one X user, while others encouraged fans to 'leave the man alone.' Australian actress Rose Byrne scored a major career win on Monday after taking home a Golden Globe for her role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You. And now it appears the 46-year-old's acceptance speech for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy award created a stir online - but not for the right reasons. During her chat, Rose said that her husband, Bobby Cannavale could not make the ceremony because he was at a reptile expo buying a 'bearded dragon'. Rose's good-natured jest has created a storm of criticism from keyboard warriors who cannot seem to forgive the 55-year-old Boardwalk Empire actor for missing his wife's big night. 'Rose Byrne deserves a better husband,' wrote one viewer on X. Another person tweeted: 'My wife was up for a career-making award, I really want a bearded dragon, so instead of going with her to support and celebrate, I drove to New Jersey for a reptile exhibition.' Australian actress Rose Byrne (pictured) scored a major career win on Monday after taking home a Golden Globe for her role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You Rose's revelation after her win that her husband was at a reptile expo has created a storm of criticism. Pictured: The couple in New York last week 'Why would you miss this for that?' agreed another viewer. 'Bobby really didn't want to go to the Golden Globes, apparently,' said another X user. Other people online took the opportunity to knock the award show, with one person posting: 'Even the actress's husband doesn't care about the award. Many of us out here don't care.' Rose had already spoken up for her husband ahead of the Golden Globes, revealing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last week that Bobby's trip was planned well in advance. Rose explained that Bobby was committed to the reptile expo so he could buy the special pet lizard for the couple's two boys, Rocco and Rafa. The Bridesmaids star 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. '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's good-natured jest has created a storm of criticism from keyboard warriors who cannot seem to forgive the 55-year-old Boardwalk Empire actor for missing his wife's big night '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! '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 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. The actress and Bobby Cannavale have been together since 2012 and according to Marie Claire, are not married 'legally' but always refer to each other in public as 'husband and wife'. They welcomed their first child, a son, Rocco, in 2016. Their second son, Rafa, was born in 2017. Thorn Birds star Rachel Ward has hit back at trolls who criticised her appearance as she promoted her ethical meat initiative Farmthru. The actress, 68, took to Instagram last month to thank customers for their patronage throughout 2025. Rachel runs a beef cattle farm in Australia with husband Bryan Brown, 78, who she married in 1983 just months after meeting on the set of the mini-series The Thorn Birds. The couple - who played husband and wife Luke O'Neill and Meggie Cleary on screen - went on to have three children Rosie, 42, Matilda, 39, and Joe, 34. While promoting her farm work, Rachel's post was met with some cruel comments from followers. 'I read she's 68. Looks way older! I'm 62 and can't believe she's only a few years older than me,' one wrote, while another offered a similarly cutting: 'OMG what the hell happened to u? U were so pretty???' Another critic claimed that Rachel's appearance was due to 'years of neglect'. Several followers leapt to Rachel's defence, with one saying: 'For god's sake, horrible comments she was, is beautiful and doing an incredible job.' Rachel Ward has hit back at trolls who have criticised her appearance online when she took to Instagram last month to promote her ethical meat initiative Farmthru Rachel said that she felt sorry for those who were critical of her appearance in the clip Ward attends the World Premiere of 'Beautiful Kate' as part of the Sydney Film Festival 2009 at the State Theatre on June 13, 2009 in Sydney, Australia Replying to the comment, Rachel said that she felt sorry for those who were critical of her appearance in the clip. 'Thanks, you dear lady, coming to my defence,' Rachel wrote. 'I just feel sorry for those poor souls who fear ageing so much. They will learn that it's ultimate freedom as a woman to let youth and beauty go. 'It was lovely while it lasted, but so much more to life. You can't know its pleasures until you get there.' Speaking in 2019, Rachel revealed the undeniable chemistry that existed between her and Bryan on the Thorn Birds set. 'He had nice pecs. I mean, you know, it's pretty chemical, isn't it? It's pretty basic,' she admitted. 'There's not much thought goes into it. I fancied him. You know, that was about it.' When asked who made the first move, Rachel couldn't resist throwing her husband under the bus. 'He was slow as a wet week. Really took forever. I think I probably did,' she said. Thora Birch appeared to lose her cool over the weekend during a tense confrontation with a pushy autograph seeker in Beverly Hills. In video obtained by the Daily Mail, the 43-year-old former child star can be seen screaming at the autograph seeker as her husband Michael Adler tries to pry her away from the man. His efforts don't seem to defuse the situation much, as Adler begins shouting at the autograph seeker shortly afterward and accusing the man of 'threatening' him. At one point, Birch who recently appeared along Imogen Poots in Kristen Stewart's feature directorial debut, The Chronology Of Water steps between her husband and the autograph seeker to ask if the man if he's 'from Israel.' The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Birch for comment. The video appears to begin partway through the confrontation, which happened shortly after Birch and her husband had left the BAFTA Tea Party at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, so the beginning of the argument isn't shown. Thora Birch appeared to lose her cool over the weekend during a tense confrontation with a pushy autograph seeker in Beverly Hills In video obtained by the Daily Mail, the 43-year-old former child star can be seen screaming at the autograph seeker as her husband Michael Adler tries to pry her away from the man At one point, Birch who recently appeared along Imogen Poots in Kristen Stewart's feature directorial debut, The Chronology Of Water steps between her husband and the autograph seeker to ask if the man if he's 'from Israel'; pictured Saturday at the BAFTA Tea Party At the start of the video, Birch warns the autograph seeker, 'I'll f***ing knock you out.' Then Adler pulls her back and steps in between her and the man, who appears to say, 'You're on video. You're on video for that.' 'Do I care?' Adler seems to reply, and the autograph seeker responds, 'You should.' Then Birch's husband raises his voice and shouts, 'Are you threatening me?' The autograph seeker denies threatening him as Adler repeats the question, before the autograph seeker then claims, 'You hit me.' 'What?! I didn't hit!' Adler replies, and as the man claims for the camera that he hit him before the video started, Adler hunches over with laughter. Birch, who had walked farther down the block, then strutted back toward the autograph seeker and shouted at the man: 'Did you just f***ing call him trash?' Adler then interceded again and started gently pushing his wife away from the autograph seeker. At the start of the video, Birch warns the autograph seeker, 'I'll f***ing knock you out.' Then Adler pulls her back and steps in between her and the man, who appears to say, 'You're on video. You're on video for that.' Birch's husband raises his voice and shouts, 'Are you threatening me?' The autograph seeker denies threatening him as Adler repeats the question, before the autograph seeker then claims, 'You hit me' 'What?! I didn't hit!' Adler replies, and as the man claims for the camera that he hit him before the video started, Adler hunches over with laughter He and the autograph seeker both argued over who had touched the other person, and then Thora walked back to order the man to behave. Adler and the autograph seeker both gestured to people out of frame to claim that they were the ones being accosted. After the autograph seeker claimed that Adler had put his hands on him, Adler shot back, 'Are you dead? You'd be dead if I hit you.' 'You are threatening me!' the man replied. As Adler requested someone nearby to get rid of the man, the autograph seeker accused him of tearing his photos before the video had started. 'Why did you tear my photos, motherf***er? Give me 30 bucks!' the autograph hound replied. Adler then took his jacket off and began to walk away down the sidewalk with Birch as the autograph seeker repeatedly yelled for them to pay him for his allegedly torn photos. As the confrontation continues, Birch shouts, 'I'm a nice person, but you went out of line, man!' Birch, who had walked farther down the block, then strutted back toward the autograph seeker and shouted at the man: 'Did you just f***ing call him trash?' After the autograph seeker claimed that Adler had put his hands on him, Adler shot back, 'Are you dead? You'd be dead if I hit you.' 'You are threatening me!' the man replied As Adler requested someone nearby to get rid of the man, the autograph seeker accused him of tearing his photos before the video had started. 'Why did you tear my photos, motherf***er? Give me 30 bucks!' the autograph hound replied As they walk in front of a new building, a new man appears who urges both men to tone down the argument. 'People live here,' he tries to remind them. As Birch and Adler get to the end of the block, the autograph seeker eventually turns around and waves his hand in a gesture of futility. In a second video, the autograph seeker can be heard asking where Adler's glasses were and seems to suggest that he and the person who was filming should grab them, but he sounds disappointed when the person filming informs him that a security guard picked up the glasses and gave them back to Adler during the confrontation. Then the autograph seeker tries again and crosses a street to follow Birch and Adler, who now sounds furious. But Birch grabs her husband and sternly tells him to go to their car while she will sign autographs that the man now has in his hand in order to end the confrontation. While Birch proceeded to sign her headshots, Adler confronted the person filming and claimed that the autograph seeker had been hounding his wife 'all weekend.' 'For all you people out there, don't listen to this stuff. These people are wrong. They're bad people. All we were trying to do is walk out,' Adler says directly to the camera. As the confrontation continues, Birch shouts, 'I'm a nice person, but you went out of line, man!' The autograph hound then crossed the street to follow them, which elicited more shouts from Adler and Birch But Birch grabs her husband and sternly tells him to go to their car while she will sign autographs that the man now has in his hand in order to end the confrontation While Birch sign her headshots, Adler confronted the person filming and claimed that the autograph seeker had been hounding his wife 'all weekend.' 'For all you people out there, don't listen to this stuff. These people are wrong. They're bad people. All we were trying to do is walk out,' Adler says directly to the camera The autograph seeker doesn't seem to be totally satisfied with her signing the pictures, which he claims were ripped. 'Take it as compensation and don't be a d**k,' Birch seems to say as the video ends In a statement to TMZ, Birch and Adler said they were 'deeply regretful' for the incident. They claimed they were followed from a private area, and claimed Birch only asked if the man was from Israel because 'is Jewish and has close family in Israel and was simply trying to place an accent'; pictured Saturday at the BAFTA Tea Party The video ends as Adler walks back to his wife who is having a more muted argument with the autograph seeker, who doesn't seem to be totally satisfied with her signing the pictures, which he claims were ripped. 'Take it as compensation and don't be a d**k,' Birch seems to say as the video ends. In a statement to TMZ, Birch and Adler said, 'Thora Birch and I wanted to address the incident Saturday. We are deeply regretful for its escalation. 'As we left an event, my wife, Thora, was accosted by a professional autograph seeker who followed us to our car from a private area. Thora was trying to deescalate the situation,' they claimed. 'She is Jewish and has close family in Israel and was simply trying to place an accent. Again, we deeply apologize for this being misunderstood.' Love Island's Molly Smith showcased her jaw-dropping figure following her latest workout on Monday. The reality star, 31, took to her Instagram Stories with snaps as she posed up a storm while displaying her rock hard abs. Molly wore a skimpy purple bralette and skin-tight leggings while pulling down her waistband to ensure her gym toned body could be seen in all its glory. Sharing the secret to her incredible physique she captioned the eye-popping post: 'Consistency is key'. Molly won the ITV2 reality show's All Stars season in 2024 alongside Tom Clare, with the couple announcing their engagement last September. Her latest sizzling post comes after she slipped into a festive red bikini during a romantic trip to Lapland with her fiance last month. Love Island's Molly Smith showcased her jaw-dropping figure following her latest workout on Monday She looked incredible in the two-piece as she relaxed in the outdoor hot tub surrounded by snow. Molly wrapped up in a stylish pair of white fur mittens and a matching eye catching hat as she beamed and threw her hands in the air while posing for the camera. She wrote: 'Keeping warm'. Molly also posed in the daring Christmas bikini which boasted a triangle top and skimpy tie side bottoms, last week. She pulled on a pair of white snow boots as she posed in the snow outside the lodge the couple were staying in. The influencer and Tom announced their engagement in September with a romantic photo from their trip to Dubai. They captioned their snaps: 'SHE SAID YES!!!' as Tom sweetly lifted her into the air. Molly looked gorgeous in a white silk dress as she showed off the sparkling ring while surrounded by candles and white flowers. Her latest sizzling post comes after she slipped into a festive red bikini during a romantic trip to Lapland with her fiance Tom Clare last month Molly wrapped up in a stylish pair of white fur mittens and a matching eye catching hat as she beamed and threw her hands in the air while posing for the camera Molly won the ITV2 reality show's All Stars season in 2024 alongside Tom, with the couple announcing their engagement last September Tom and Molly have been one of the only couples to stand the test of time from the All Stars spin-off series. Their fellow Love Island pals were quick to congratulate them as Tom's best pal Casey O'Gorman reshared the post alongside crying emojis. Liberty Poole, Paige Thorne and Luca Bish also offered their best wishes in the comments section. Season one of All Stars was won by returning Islanders Molly and Tom with Callum Jones and Eve Gale coming in second place. Molly was a bombshell arrival, to the shock of her ex-boyfriend Callum, who she met filming the winter addition of the show in 2020. Viewers became invested in the possibility of Molly and Callum rekindling their three-year relationship, but the fitness model pursued her romantic connection with Tom instead. Callum and Eve split weeks after the show finished amid reports he cheated with another woman, which Callum insisted was untrue because the couple had already separated. Since winning All Stars, Molly has secured several lucrative deals, including with clothing retailer boohoo, US fitness supplement Alani Nu, jewellery brand Abbott Lyon and global makeup giants L'Oreal Paris and Maybelline. She recently unveiled a glamorous makeover at the 2025 TikTok Awards. And RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi Maehashi turned up the heat yet again on Tuesday as she surfaced on Instagram with a sultry new look. The Sydney cook and author, 46, uploaded a quick video of herself asking for recommendations for restaurants in her local area, but it was her plunging singlet top that captured fans' attention. Smiling at the camera, Nagi swapped her usual short-sleeve T-shirts for the sexy low-cut attire. Nagi also wowed on the red carpet at the TikTok Awards in November, sporting a crimson halterneck gown designed by Carla Zampatti. The head-turning frock stopped just above the knee and featured a frilled hem for a touch of drama. RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi Maehashi swapped her usual cooking attire (pictured) for a racy new look on Tuesday The Sydneycook and author, 46, uploaded a quick video of herself asking for recommendations for restaurants in her local area, but it was her plunging singlet top that captured fans' attention She added to the look with gold accessories, including strappy heels, a statement clutch and stacked bangles. Nagi shared a clip on social media of herself having the time of her life, alongside a hilarious caption. 'Ditched the apron, donned a frock, slapped on some lippie and even brushed my hair!!' she began. 'What an honour to present FOOD CREATOR OF THE YEAR! Congrats to all winners and nominees, what a night,' she continued. Many of Nagi's celebrity friends took to the comments section to praise her stunning red carpet look. 'You were sensational,' wrote veteran presenter Jessica Rowe. 'Looking FABULOUS,' added fellow celebrity chef Becky Excell. In April, Nagi famously accused baker Brooke Bellamy, the founder of Brooki Bakehouse, of plagiarising her caramel slice and baklava recipes for use in her best-selling cookbook Bake With Brooki. Smiling at the camera, Nagi swapped her usual short-sleeve T-shirts for the sexy low-cut attire Nagi wowed on the red carpet at the TikTok Awards in November, sporting a crimson halterneck gown designed by Carla Zampatti The claims sparked weeks of online scrutiny, with Bellamy forced to issue a series of statements defending her work. In a video posted to her followers, Bellamy admitted her recipes were not wholly original but insisted that they were still personal. 'While all of these recipes are personal to me, I cannot say that I have invented the cookies, cupcakes, brownies or cakes in the recipe book. They are all inspired from somewhere and someone before me,' she said. She also revealed her biggest inspiration had always been close to home. 'I have been so inspired by bakeries and bakers the world over but the biggest inspiration in my life is my mum, because I learnt to cook and bake with her in the kitchen growing up.' Bellamy rejected the suggestion that her work was stolen, pointing out that many recipes inevitably share similarities. Amanda Seyfried was pictured ditching her glam and opting to wear a comfortable sweater to a Golden Globes after party on Sunday. The Housemaid star, 40, attended a bash at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles after the star-studded awards show, and swapped her stunning white Versace gown for a more casual look. She kept cozy in a $298 dark navy Reformation Jadey Cashmere oversized v-neck sweater that fell off her shoulder. The actress who was caught grimacing at the glitzy ceremony paired the laid back look with black pants and a matching handbag. She also let down her blonde tresses, after wearing them in pinned-up curls for the ceremony. Seyfried who recently sparked controversy with her comments about Charlie Kirk following his assassination appeared to have taken off some of her glam as the night went on and was later seen leaving arm-in-arm with a female pal. Amanda Seyfried, 40, was pictured ditching her glam and opting to wear a comfortable sweater to a Golden Globes after party on Sunday The Housemaid star attended a bash at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles after the star-studded awards show, and swapped her stunning white Versace gown for a more casual look It seems the sweater is a favorite fashion item of the star's, as she was previously seen wearing it on a number of occasions this month, including at an airport in Palm Springs and a Chanel party at the Chateau last week. Later on Monday, the star took to her Instagram stories to poke fun of her viral grimace at the Golden Globes. She shared two photos of her facial expressions paired with a headline about how 300,000 New Yorkers might lose food-stamp benefits following President Donald Trump's cuts. She captioned the post, 'Me reading another headline about funding cuts.' Seyfried raised eyebrows at the Golden Globes after cameras caught a series of awkward reactions she made during the night's major acting announcements. She appeared visibly disappointed when she lost the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture to Rose Byrne. In a viral clip from the evening, the Emmy-winning star, who was nominated for The Testament of Ann Lee, was caught grimacing briefly before forcing a smile, clapping and standing to applaud the winner. While some viewers interpreted Seyfried's reaction as petulant, body language expert Judi James offered a more nuanced take to the Daily Mail, explaining that award-season reactions have evolved - and honesty now often replaces forced cheer. 'There are two contrasting ways to react to losing out on an award when you know you're on split-screen,' James explained. 'The old-school way, which some of the other nominees are doing in this reaction shot, is to perform overkill body language responses of joy, looking more as though they've just won, with screams and open mouthed grins of fake delight.' She kept cozy in a $298 dark navy Reformation Jadey Cashmere oversized v-neck sweater that fell off her shoulder It seems the sweater is a favorite item of the star's, as she was previously seen wearing it on a number of occasions this month, including at a Chanel party last week (pictured) Later on Monday the star took to her Instagram stories to poke fun of her viral grimace at the Golden Globes She added that in recent years, celebrities have increasingly leaned into humor rather than pretense. 'Recently there has been a growing tendency to reveal or act out the more honest emotions of losing as a kind of a joke though,' James said. 'Celebs will often now show signs of comedy annoyance or anger at losing rather than pretend to be delighted.' According to James, Seyfried's now-viral grimace appeared more playful than truly irritable. 'Amanda's facial expression here suggests she was joking with the comedy grimace,' she said. 'Unlike the others on the split screen she doesn't prep any smiling "losers" face, instead she looks down before the winner is called suggesting she had no plans to opt for the fake bravado route.' However, the expert noted that Seyfried's body language still betrayed how much the moment mattered to her. 'She does look tense here, showing how important a moment it was for her,' James continued. 'She seems to laugh at a joke from the stage, leaning sideways as she does so and the only real "tell" of having found losing hard comes from a hard blink that she does as the winner's name is called and she starts to clap.' 'The exaggerated grimace does look like an attempt to be funny and perhaps more honest than losers who whoop and scream as though they've won,' James added. 'She converts quickly to a smile and a chat, which is her version of the "good losers" face.' Seyfried's reactions drew renewed attention later in the ceremony when another category was announced. She looked angelic at Sunday's red carpet in a stunning white Versace gown Cameras appeared to catch her applauding before the winner was revealed and mouthing what some viewers interpreted as 'she's not even here' when Michelle Williams was announced as the winner. In recent months, the outspoken actress has divided the public after voicing her political views - with many Americans vowing to 'boycott' her work. There have been calls to 'cancel' Seyfried, who ironically just starred in The Housemaid with Sydney Sweeney, who has also caused ire with her political beliefs. Seyfried sparked outrage last year when she described Charlie Kirk as 'hateful', days after the MAGA influencer was shot and killed on September 10 at the age of 31, during one of his famous on-campus debates at Utah Valley University. Despite the backlash she faced, Seyfried refused to apologize for the comment when questioned about it two months later. She told Who What Wear: 'I'm not f**king apologizing for that. I mean, for f**k's sake, I commented on one thing. I said something that was based on actual reality and actual footage and actual quotes. What I said was pretty damn factual, and I'm free to have an opinion, of course.' Timothee Chalamet has finally made his relationship with Kylie Jenner Instagram official. The Marty Supreme actor, 30, celebrated his Golden Globes best actor win by sharing a number of Instagram snaps on Monday, one of which featured his billionaire mogul girlfriend's, 28, hand. The photo showed the Oscar nominee who walked the red carpet solo posing with the golden gong, which rested in Kylies manicured hand. It marked the first time Chalamet has acknowledged his other half on his social media account. 'THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!! SO TREMENDOUSLY GRATEFUL!!!!!!' he captioned the post. Though the mom-of-two proudly showed off the statue in snaps shared to her own Instagram earlier in the day, Chalamet did not include any of them in his post. Timothee Chalamet, 30, finally made his relationship with Kylie Jenner, 28, Instagram official, as her hand was visible in an image of him celebrating his Golden Globe win It marked the first time Chalamet has acknowledged his other half on his social media account; The pair seen together at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles on Sunday Another black and white image showed him holding the award on the ride back home. He also posted an image of himself during his acceptance speech, during which he told Jenner he 'loved' her. Earlier on Monday Jenner shared a number of snaps from the glitzy ceremony. The makeup mogul stole the show in her revealing metallic gown that left little to the imagination. The Los Angeles native clutched onto Chalamet's Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, for his turn in Marty Supreme. The reality TV icon held the gold trophy like it was her very own, with the prized award already engraved with the actor's name at the bottom. Before he picked up his big win for his starring role in Marty Supreme, Chalamet was a dutiful boyfriend to Jenner as he held her hand, put his arm around her and kissed her on the lips for the world to see. In his acceptance speech, the New Yorker called Jenner his 'partner' adding that he 'loved' her which drove fans wild. He ended his speech by saying: 'To my parents and partner, I love you. Thank you so much.' Join the debate Is the public romance a help or hindrance to Timothee's career? 'THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!! SO TREMENDOUSLY GRATEFUL!!!!!!' he captioned the post He also posted an image of himself during his acceptance speech, during which he told Jenner he 'loved' her Though the mom-of-two proudly showed off the statue in snaps shared to her Instagram earlier in the day, Chalamet did not include any of them in his own post In his acceptance speech, the New Yorker called Jenner his 'partner' adding that he 'loved' her which drove fans wild The makeup mogul stole the show in her revealing metallic gown that left little to the imagination. The couple did not walk the red carpet together Chalamet also proclaimed his love for Jenner as he picked up the Best Actor accolade at this year's Critics Choice Awards. After praising his team, his fellow nominees, and his Marty Supreme director, Josh Safdie, in his acceptance speech, Chalamet turned his attentions to his partner. He said: 'And lastly, I'll just say, thank you to my partner of three years. Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn't do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.' In the audience, Kylie could be seen mouthing back: 'I love you, too.' The romantic moment came after the couple had kissed when it was announced Chalamet had scored victory. Earlier this month the couple subtly put their long-standing no-social-media boundary to the test after Jenner supported Chalamet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where he was honored for Marty Supreme. Following the ceremony, Jenner shared photos of her Marty Supreme-inspired look on Instagram, showing off an orange sequined Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown. She captioned the post simply with orange heart emojis, a nod to the film's press-tour color theme. Chalamet responded in kind by 'liking' the post and leaving several orange heart emojis in the comments. The couple have been private about their three-year relationship up until his shock professions of love during the Critics Choice Awards earlier this month; They are seen arriving at the show The couple subtly put their long-standing no-social-media boundary to the test after Jenner supported Chalamet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival earlier this month Chalamet 'liked' a photo she shared showing off her outfit at the event, and left several orange heart emojis in the comments The interaction marked the first time the pair have publicly commented on one another's social media accounts. Until now, they had only exchanged discreet likes. The unlikely pairing of the busty, bikini-loving reality star and the arthouse-starring, indie actor left some fans scratching their heads - and on Sunday night their differences were perfectly illustrated in a hilarious snap at the Golden Globes. The couple 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' - Chalamet remained entirely straight-faced and glared into the camera. 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. 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 Chalamet's usual indie style. Chalamet previously dated Lily-Rose Depp (pictured, left, in 2019) while Kylie shares two children with rapper Travis Scott (pictured, right, in 2022) Industry sources told Page Six: 'Timmy's been "Kardashian-ized.' The pair started dating in 2023, shortly after Jenner split with the father of her two children - Stormi, 7, and Aire, 4 - rapper Travis Scott. Chalamet previously dated his The King co-star Lily-Rose Depp, Extrapolations actress Eiza Gonzalez and Madonna's eldest Lourdes Leon. Kylie is said to have previously dated Cody Simpson, Jaden Smith, Justin Bieber, Tyga and PartyNextDoor. On paper at least, his penchant for MC Hammer and Michael Jackson suggests he's no different to any other teenage boy in the early 1990s. Only this one would grow up to become one of the most successful actors of this, or perhaps any other generation, with an array of awards to prove it. Indeed, Leonardo DiCaprio has come a long way since sitting down for a quick-fire interview with the long since folded Teen Beat magazine in 1991. Now 51, DiCaprio was approaching his 17th birthday and already developing a name for himself with starring roles in US sitcoms Parenthood and Growing Pains when the pop culture publication came calling. And the fresh-faced star was happy oblige by revealing his favourite food - 'pasta, pasta and more pasta' - his favourite band - Pink Floyd - and his favourite song, the international hit You Can't Touch This, by MC Hammer. Elsewhere, DiCaprio cited Michael Jackson's legendary Thriller as the first album he ever bought and Europe as his favourite holiday destination - fitting, given he's spent so much of his adult life cruising its oceans with an assortment of friends, family and girlfriends. Leonardo DiCaprio has come a long way since sitting down for a quick-fire interview with the long since folded Teen Beat magazine in 1991 The actor has become one of the most successful actors of this, or perhaps any other generation, with an array of awards to prove it The 35-year old interview has subsequently found its way to the surface following DiCaprio's meme-worthy appearance at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday evening. The actor found himself the butt of numerous jokes courtesy of host Nikki Glaser, with the American comedienne frequently calling him out for dating a string of notably younger models and actresses, among them 27-year old Vittoria Ceretti. Commenting on his teenage chat, fans praised DiCaprio for exhibiting a broad taste in music, while others poked fun at his favourite car - a solar powered 1982 Jaguar - despite the star later establishing himself as an outspoken environmentalist. One fan saw the irony in DiCaprio citing Parenthood as his favourite film after getting his big break after being cast in the serialised version of Steve Martin's 1989 film. On Sunday evening, Golden Globes host Glaser showed no mercy when the actor's colourful love life fell under the spotlight. The 41-year-old comedian, hosting the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, gleefully took aim at several A-listers in the room - with the One Battle After Another star firmly in her sights. After applauding DiCaprios glittering career, Glaser went straight for the jugular, poking fun at his well-documented taste for younger women The most impressive thing is that youve been able to accomplish all of this before your girlfriend turned 30, she quipped. Nikki Glaser showed no mercy when DiCaprios love life came under the spotlight at the Golden Globes on Sunday evening, with the comedienne targeting him in her opening monologue DiCaprio has developed a reputation for dating a string of notably younger models and actresses, among them 27-year old Vittoria Ceretti (pictured) Commenting on his teenage chat, fans praised DiCaprio for exhibiting a broad taste in music, while others poked fun at his favourite car - a solar powered 1982 Jaguar - despite the star later establishing himself as an outspoken environmentalist Cameras immediately cut to DiCaprio, whose sheepish, visibly uncomfortable reaction - complete with averted eyes - quickly became the moment everyone was talking about. He even offered up an awkward thumbs up. Glaser swiftly followed up with an apology for the cheap joke, admitting the famously private actor rarely gives the public much to work with beyond his dating history. She then capped off the roast by asking whether pasta, pasta, and more pasta was still his favourite food - a nod to his Teen Beat interview - prompting an amused Yes from DiCaprio as the crowd erupted. Ceretti, who first sparked romance rumors with DiCaprio in 2023, did not accompany him to the Golden Globes. Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz broke cover on Monday - just after the reason he sent a legal letter to his estranged parents David and Victoria was reportedly revealed. Last week the Daily Mail revealed that Brooklyn instructed his parents to only speak to him through lawyers. The aspiring chef, 26, said he didn't want his parents to contact him, or make public statements about him on social media. It has since been reported that the letter was intended to protect his mental health, as online posts from David and Victoria in which he was tagged or mentioned had affected him. After the claims Brooklyn and actress Nicola, 31, were seen out in West Hollywood together as he picked her up from a friend's house in his swanky Porsche. On the low-key outing Brooklyn kept things casual in shorts and sneakers while Nicola wore a black co-ord and appeared to be wearing a facemask. Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz broke cover on Monday - just after the reason he sent a legal letter to his estranged parents David and Victoria was reportedly revealed After the claims Brooklyn and actress Nicola, 31, were seen out in West Hollywood together as he picked her up from a friend's house in his swanky car 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,' they told the publication. 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. The row escalated on Saturday when Nicola wiped all traces of the Beckhams from her Instagram. In contrast, Brooklyn has not followed suit. The actress, 31, removed all traces of the Beckham family from her social media after her husband Brooklyn blocked his parents and brothers. She notably deleted a post which included a birthday tribute to her mother-in-law Victoria, among others. Brooklyn's younger brother Cruz previously confirmed that Brooklyn had blocked his entire family on social media following reports they had unfollowed him. On the low-key outing Brooklyn kept things casual in shorts and sneakers while Nicola wore a black co-ord and appeared to be wearing a facemask Last week the Daily Mail revealed that Brooklyn instructed his parents to only speak to him him through lawyers It has since been reported that the letter was intended to protect his mental health, as online posts from David and Victoria in which he was tagged or mentioned had affected him And soon after Nicola 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. Over the weekend Nicola erased all content of the Beckham family from her Instagram account. 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. 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. The row escalated on Saturday when Nicola wiped all traces of the Beckhams from her Instagram (including this snap with Victoria) 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.' Nicola later confirmed the rumours had begun after she didn't wear Victoria's design. While she denied there was a 'feud', she explained that Victoria's atelier simply hadn't had time to make the dress, as she insisted: 'No family is perfect.' Nicola said: 'It's not a feud! I keep seeing everywhere that word, "feud, feud, feud!?" I mean, maybe they picked up on something? And now they're labelling it feud?' 'I think it all started, and I've said this before, because I didn't end up wearing Victoria's wedding dress, but the real truth is, I really, really wanted to wear it and I thought it was so beautiful that Brooklyn's mom got to make that for me!... 'And I was really excited to wear it! And I didn't end up wearing it. But I, truthfully, was really excited to wear her dress. It makes me sad when I read things that people say I was never planning on wearing it. That's just not true.' Nicola and Brooklyn were hardly seen with the Beckham family in the months that followed but continually quashed any speculation of a row - until recently. Last month, Cruz confirmed that Brooklyn had blocked his entire family on social media following reports they had unfollowed him. In an update, he wrote: 'My mum and dad would never unfollow their son... Let's get the facts right. They woke up blocked... as did I.' The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Brooklyn for comment on Cruz's claims. It was the most public sign yet that there is no communication between them amid their spiralling family feud. Then, on Thursday, the Daily Mail revealed that relations between the Beckhams broke down so completely last summer that at one point, Brooklyn asked his parents David and Victoria to contact him only via his lawyers. It was also claimed that despite his feud with his parents, he has been in regular contact with four family members - both sets of his grandparents. Brooklyn said he didn't want his parents to contact him, or make public statements about him on social media. There was no legal action between them and no legal basis for the letter, which was simply a request. Nicola has since 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 Last month, Cruz confirmed that Brooklyn had blocked his entire family on social media following reports they had unfollowed him But it followed what Brooklyn considered to be a series of 'nasty' briefings about his wife Nicola, including the suggestion that he was a 'hostage' being 'controlled' by his wife. This week, publicists and friends on both sides refused to discuss the matter, still hoping that things will calm down and be resolved. However, one source said: 'David was told to speak to them via Schillings. That was the only way for them to communicate.' The 'talk to my lawyers' move might explain why Brooklyn opted to block his parents and siblings Romeo, Cruz and Harper on social media just before Christmas. The family had been viewing and liking his cooking posts. And it was felt this was contrary to Brooklyn's wish they would leave him and his wife alone. It comes as Brooklyn appeared to copy estranged dad David while celebrating wife Nicola's 31st birthday on Friday as their family feud rages on. He lavished the heiress with a bouquet of white roses, identical to the blooms Victoria was sent by her husband when turning 51 last April. Brooklyn also treated Nicola to a 5,000 bottle of his mum's favourite Screaming Eagle wine, sharing a snap of them enjoying a glass with the caption: 'Special bottle for a special day.' Back in 2017, Victoria posted her own photo after cracking open a bottle of the wine with David and Brooklyn, before their bitter estrangement. Meanwhile on Monday David reflected on his 'amazing' weekend in the countryside after his daughter-in-law Nicola deleted all traces of her in-laws from her social media. Following the move, David, 50, took to Instagram as he shared snaps from his weekend in the countryside, away from the noise and bustle of the city. The dad of four put on a brave face amid the family turmoil as he shared wholesome snaps from his walks in the snow while bringing his dogs along for the stroll. David could be seen wrapped up in two selfies, wearing a tweed jacket and hat to keep his head warm. He also held onto his walking stick as he trekked through the blanket of snow at his lavish Cotswolds mansion. Alongside the snaps, he captioned the post: 'Amazing weekend in the country and nice and chilly Simba not so happy.' While fans commented on David's picturesque view, others mentioned his estranged son Brooklyn. One wrote: 'Oldest son, someday he'll regret (be strong)'; 'Stay strong papa'; 'So much peace in the countryside. Nothing like it'; 'TEAM DAVID'. Montana Brown has revealed she is ending her breastfeeding journey. The Love Island star is mother to Jude, two, and Miley, who turns one next month, with her fiance Mark O'Connor and often chronicles her parenting online. On Tuesday, she shared a lengthy post revealing she was stopping breastfeeding Miley, as feeding and co-sleeping had left her 'irritable, impatient and angry' while suffering poor mental health due to 'not sleeping in three years'. In a post over the weekend, Montana showcased her incredible figure in a bikini and discussed how she is 'committed to feeling her best'. In her post regarding priorising herself, she wrote: 'I feel like Ive co-slept for 3 years, breast fed and just given every damn inch of myself to those babies and it has felt really nice to spend more time to focus on personal goals.' Montana Brown has revealed she is ending her breastfeeding journey with daughter Miley, 12 months, after 'giving her all to her babies' In a post over the weekend, Montana showcased her incredible figure in a bikini and discussed how she is 'committed to feeling her best' On Tuesday, she shared a lengthy post revealing she was stopping breastfeeding Miley, as feeding and co-sleeping had left her 'irritable, impatient and angry' while suffering poor mental health due to 'not sleeping in three years' In the post, Montana wrote: 'How I really feel about stopping breastfeeding Completely Relieved! Im going to be honest, I have really not enjoyed breastfeeding the last 4 months... 'I have persisted because I know its good for Miley and weve had things planned which I know it would be more convenient to continue... 'Its a truly beautiful and natural thing which Im extremely grateful to be able to have done for both my children HOWEVER personally it has ALWAYS come at a cost of my mental health... 'I think because Ive breastfed AND coslept I have always reactively fed with little routine because I do not like the idea of scheduled feeding... 'Ive not slept properly in 3 years because I breastfed Jude for 10 months and Miley nearly a year and the lack of sleep has made me feel like an insane person... 'More irritable, less patience, more anger. I just want to say here and now, there is no award for breastfeeding the longest, I have really struggled with my sleep on both occasions due to breastfeeding through the night... 'So if youre a mum struggling breastfeeding please know it is ok to stop and prioritise yourself if its making you unhappy. Happy mum, happy baby. Im so glad Im done. Thank you and goodnight.' She shed light on the breastfeeding in her lengthy caption shared on Monday She also discussed how it felt to 'get herself back' In a recent TikTok entitled: 'First proper screen time on the flight at 2.5 years old' she spoke about a long-haul family flight' It comes after last year opinionated Montana was blasted for claiming teachers 'make pupils watch films all day and feed kids doughnuts,' in a TikTok video She previously shared her bikini-clad, in which she followed the social media trend of listing what she is 'walking into 2026 with'. Her list comprised: 'More focus, better fitness, less f**ks to give, more girl time, more boundaries, therapy, less toys for my kids, more adventure, better health, better phone ettiquette, more cooking with my kids'. She added a caption reading: 'Proud of myself for committing to feeling my best after 2 babies back to back. I dont know if any other mothers relate but I felt so shell shocked after Miley and was desperate to feel back to myself and have some confidence... 'I feel like Ive co-slept for 3 years, breast fed and just given every damn inch of myself to those babies and it has felt really nice to spend more time to focus on personal goals... The former Love Island star, 30, shares son Jude with her fiance Mark O'Connor and they also have a baby girl called Miley, 12 months 'Mums, dont feel guilty you have brought humans into this earth and you deserve some time to focus on yourself'. Last week, Montana Brown boasted that her son Jude, who is two and a half, had only just had his 'first proper screen time' - before fans claimed she had actually tripped up by admitting he'd previously actually watched YouTube. In a recent TikTok entitled: 'First proper screen time on the flight at 2.5 years old' she spoke about a long-haul family flight. She said: 'Guys I am marking this moment. We had an eight and a half hour flight to go away for Christmas and Jude actually watched his first film. Montana recently opened up about the challenges of having a home birth when her baby daughter Miley was breech 'Well... he watched it for about 10 minutes, didn't put on his headphones and then asked me 'can I have the next song', so I think he just thought it was like a song with a video... 'As sometimes he loves music from The Sound of Music or sometimes I will get a YouTube clip and he will watch the song when they are doing the yodeling. 'So he didn't really get the concept of it but it's the first time we actually let them do that and it was a fun little experiment, he wasn't too fussed by it which is good - so just thought I'd be open and honest about that right now.' Her fans were quick to point out that she had mentioned him watching YouTube in her video as they penned: 'Oh, so he does have screen time then.', Another said: 'Sohe watches YouTube?', to which she attempted to clarify things by replying: 'Only once when I was preggo with norovirus for 2 weeks.' Other added: 'Slipped up that he watches you tube... Soooo when it suits.' Former Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite has announced the closure of his Lancashire bakery after struggling with a 'relentless workload' and the aftermath of a near-fatal car accident. Whaite and his husband Paul Atkins opened the Ruff Puff Bakehouse at Cedar Farm in rural Ormskirk last year, but the pair will now channel their energies into a pre-existing online business, Ruff Puff Brownies. Taking to Instagram on Monday, the talented baker, 36, said the decision to close the Bakehouse had been 'painful' and admitted both he and Atkins had underestimated how much work was involved in the day-to-day running of a customer-facing shop. He wrote: 'This has been a painful decision, but after a great deal of reflection, weve decided to close the Bakehouse and refocus our energy on Ruff Puff brownies. 'Over the past six months, the pressure of running a bricks-and-mortar bakery has steadily intensified. 'The workload was relentless, the margins unforgiving, and the emotional toll heavier than wed allowed ourselves to admit.' Former Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite has announced the closure of his Lancashire bakery after struggling with a 'relentless workload' and the aftermath of a car accident Whaite and his husband Paul Atkins opened the Ruff Puff Bakehouse at Cedar Farm in rural Ormskirk last year Whaite also admitted his hospitalisation after a recent car accident made him confront his own mortality and accept that he was struggling to cope. He added: 'More recently being knocked over by a car brought everything into sharp focus. 'It was a frightening, physical jolt that forced me to stop quite literally and confront the reality that I had been running on empty, pushing to hard, and holding too much together.' Whaite was rushed to hospital following the incident, with doctors later telling him his 16 stone weight and muscle mass had saved his life. The former Bake Off star will now return to his online brownie business after temporarily shutting the website down to establish the Cedar Farm Bakehouse. Ruff Puff Brownies currently remains inactive, with a homepage message informing visitors that the site is 'taking a little break' until 2026. He said: 'Over the coming months, I'll be taking a proper step back to rest and recover. This pause is necessary, it gives me the space to reset, to protect my health, and to rebuild with intention rather than urgency. 'Ruff Puff Brownies will relaunch in the autumn, refreshed, refined, and centred around a model that makes sense - one that allows us to focus on what we do best: making exceptional brownies and sending them out across the UK.' Whaite found fame after winning Great British Bake Off, then a BBC show, in 2012 (pictured) Taking to Instagram on Monday, Whaite said the decision to close the Bakehouse had been 'painful' and admitted he had underestimated how much work was involved in running it Ruff Puff Brownies currently remains inactive, with a homepage message informing visitors that the site is 'taking a little break' until 2026 Whaite's marriage to graphic designer Atkins is going strong, with the couple recently celebrating their one year wedding anniversary Confirming his car accident in January, Whaite told Instagram followers: 'Last night I got run over (seriously). 'I rolled up the bonnet damaging it and the windscreen, before splatting onto the road and crawling to the pavement where some angel of a human threw his coat around me and waited with me for an ambulance. 'The doctors said "thank god you're 16 stone of muscle because it could have been fatal". 'Moral of the story - build strong muscle and core strength, and don't wear black while crossing the road in the dark when an idiot comes speeding without looking...' 'I've been scanned and poked and prodded and I'm ok. Still gay though.' He later added: 'For the avoidance of doubt, in my last post I said "speeding". I used the term figuratively rather than literally. 'I meant: It was sudden and shocking. I don't know what speed the driver was going. But it was enough to skittle me up onto his windscreen and down onto the floor.' She's one of Hollywood's biggest stars, with a career spanning more than three decades, an Academy Award under her belt, and still holds the record as the highest-paid actress for a single production. But, in recent years, Sandra Bullock has all but disappeared from the spotlight, after the tragic death of the love of her life, Bryan Randall, in August 2023. The movie star, 61, enjoyed an eight-year romance with photographer Bryan, until he tragically passed away at the age of 57, after a private three-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Following his diagnosis in 2020 and in the months since his passing, Sandra has dialed back her public appearances and stepped back from the spotlight to grieve and focus on her two children. The Blind Side star is the proud mother of son Louis, 16, and 13-year-old daughter Laila, who she adopted as a single parent in 2010 and 2015, respectively. She first met Bryan - a model-turned-photographer - in January 2015, after she hired him to take photographs at her son Louis's birthday party. In recent years, Sandra Bullock has all but disappeared from the spotlight, after the tragic death of the love of her life, Bryan Randall, in August 2023 (pictured together in 2018) The movie star, 61, enjoyed an eight-year romance with photographer Bryan, until he tragically passed away at the age of 57, after a private three-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pictured in 2022) It marked the first serious relationship for the actress since her divorce from ex-husband Jesse James in 2010, after it was revealed that he had cheated on her. Sandra and Bryan quickly struck up a romantic connection and began dating, with him joining her at the wedding of her close pal Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux in August that year. The couple went public with their relationship in October 2015, as they made their red carpet debut at the premiere of her movie, Our Brand is Crisis. According to those within the couple's circle, they were all but inseparable from there on in, with Bryan accompanying Sandra to press junkets, movie premieres and becoming a firm fixture on set when she was on location filming. In a 2021 Red Table Talk interview, Sandra described Bryan as the 'love of my life,' and said he set a great example for her children. While they never tied the knot officially, the couple exchanged 'vows' on the beach in the Bahamas in an intimate ceremony witnessed by friends and family in December 2017. Exclusive video obtained by Daily Mail shows them dancing together following the ceremony, which was not legally binding and involved no officiant but saw the couple profess their love for each other. According to one friend: 'They really did this for the children, to kind of seal the deal and show them this was a forever thing. After the ceremony Louis and Laila started calling Bryan dad.' According to those within the couple's circle, they were all but inseparable from there on in, with Bryan accompanying Sandra to press junkets, movie premieres and becoming a firm fixture on set when she was on location filming (seen in 2018) While they never tied the knot officially, the couple exchanged 'vows' on the beach in the Bahamas in an intimate ceremony witnessed by friends and family in December 2017 On their last public sighting together, in July 2020, Bryan was pictured gazing adoringly at his love as they arrived to an intimate gathering in Studio City with her two children. That year saw Bryan receive his devastating diagnosis with ALS - a rare and incurable degenerative condition that impairs the nervous system over time and causes the muscles to increasingly suffer from paralysis. About half of ALS patients have a life expectancy of three years after the initial onset of symptoms, though some can survive for decades. Bryan kept his battle with the disease private and spent his final months 'closeted away' in his and Sandra's Beverly Hills home. The actress began to keep to an increasingly lower profile after the diagnosis to care for her partner and secretly oversaw and funded his round the clock care. Daily Mail previously revealed that Bryan and Sandra were 'more together than ever' at the time of his passing. While on the promotional trail for The Lost City in the summer of 2022, she announced she was taking a break from both acting and her production company to spend more time with her children. Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter at the time, she admitted being 'so burnt out and tired' and that she 'really didn't know' how long the break would last. The actress began to keep to an increasingly lower profile after the diagnosis to care for her partner and secretly oversaw and funded his round the clock care (seen in 2022) 'I dont want to be beholden to anyones schedule other than my own. Im so burnt out,' she said. 'Im so tired, and Im so not capable of making healthy, smart decisions and I know it. 'I just want to be 24/7 with my babies and my family. Thats where Im gonna be for a while.' In a statement announcing the sad news of his death to PEOPLE, his family said: 'It is with great sadness that we share that on Aug. 5, Bryan Randall passed away peacefully after a three-year battle with ALS. 'Bryan chose early to keep his journey with ALS private and those of us who cared for him did our best to honor his request.' 'We are immensely grateful to the tireless doctors who navigated the landscape of this illness with us and to the astounding nurses who became our roommates, often sacrificing their own families to be with ours,' the family statement continued. 'At this time we ask for privacy to grieve and to come to terms with the impossibility of saying goodbye to Bryan.' The statement was signed off by 'His Loving Family.' Following her heartbreaking loss, Sandra took time away from Hollywood, to focus on navigating her grief and parenting her children. In July last year, almost a year after Bryan's death, an insider close to her longtime pal Jennifer Aniston, revealed how she was coping with the bereavement. In July last year, almost a year after Bryan's death, an insider close to her longtime pal Jennifer Aniston, revealed how she was coping with the bereavement (seen with Jennifer in 2020) The following month, the film star delighted fans by making a surprise television appearance on the Today show to share a special 60th birthday video message for her friend and host Hoda Kotb (Seen) 'Shes doing okay now. Her kids are amazing. She's very happy to be a mom,' the source explained to People magazine. 'Her friends gave her the support that she needed both during his illness and afterwards. She is grateful for all the love. Everyone helped to lift her up after Bryan passed.' The following month, the film star delighted fans by making a surprise television appearance on the Today show to share a special 60th birthday video message for her friend and host Hoda Kotb. In the clip, Sandra admitted that she was feeling 'too tired,' but said her own experience turning 60 was 'pretty damn great' as she spoke directly to the camera from her lavish Los Angeles home. Later that year, she resurfaced for a very rare public outing at the Crypto.com Arena to watch a Los Angeles Lakers game in December. However, in the last few months there have been notably more public sightings of the Oscar-winning star, as she is seemingly gearing up to step back into the limelight. In November, Sandra was seen driving through Los Angeles with Louis and the family's beloved poodle Sweetie. The following month, she was then spotted taking both Louis and Laila out for a shopping spree, and also leaving a meeting with some friends carrying a box of sweet treats. While, the week before Christmas saw her reunite with her longtime friend and Speed co-star, Keanu Reeves, in New York City (seen with Keanu in 2023) While, the week before Christmas saw her reunite with her longtime friend and Speed co-star, Keanu Reeves, in New York City. Sandra stopped by to show her support for the Matrix star during his run on Broadway in a limited revival of Waiting for Godot. In photos shared by People, the two movie stars beamed as they posed together backstage, three decades after starring opposite each other in 1994 action thriller, Speed. A source told the outlet that the actress had been 'incredibly sweet and kind to everyone she met' after the performance, adding: 'And watching her with Keanu, it felt like no time had passed at all'. And after taking a hiatus from work, with her last film being the 2022 action comedy The Lost City, last year also saw Sandra lining up two big projects to make her return to the silver screen. She was first announced to be starring in an upcoming romantic thriller from Amazon MGM Studio, opposite none other than pal Keanu, marking their third collaboration after Speed and The Lake House. The film is being penned by A House of Dynamite and Jackie writer, Noah Oppenheim, but plot details have remained under wraps. While Sandra is also set to produce and star in the sequel to her 1998 film Practical Magic, reuniting her with co-star Nicole Kidman (seen) Nicole and Sandra are reprising their roles as sisters Gillian and Sally Owens for the sequel, with early reports saying that the story will be based on a later installment in the Practical Magic book series (Seen in first film) While Sandra is also set to produce and star in the sequel to her 1998 film Practical Magic, reuniting her with co-star Nicole Kidman. The pair were seen filming the highly-anticipated movie for the first time in July, with Nicole sharing a video of them hugging each other in a makeshift cemetery with the caption: 'The witches are back. Owens sisters' first day on set! #PracticalMagic.' The first film - based on the same name by Alice Hoffman - followed two witch sisters harnessing their powers to fight off a curse that kills the men they fall in love with. Nicole and Sandra are reprising their roles as sisters Gillian and Sally Owens for the sequel, with early reports saying that the story will be based on a later installment in the Practical Magic book series. Love Island stars Will Young and Jessie Wynter shared a slew of sweet post-engagement snaps from their trip to the Maldives on Instagram on Monday. The pair, who met on the iconic reality series in 2023, secretly got engaged in Australia on December 9, 2025, then jetted off to the Maldives to celebrate their engagement. Now, Will and Jessie have shared a series of loved-up snaps on the beach as they enjoyed their engagement bubble, celebrating the next chapter to come. In one sweet snap, Jessie, 29, showed off her engagement ring as Will hugged her from behind, planting a kiss on her cheek. She looked effortlessly chic in a white milkmaid crop top and matching low-rise maxi skirt as she put on a loved-up display with her fiance. Meanwhile, Will, 25, matched his fiance in a relaxed-fit white T-shirt and cream wide-leg trousers. Love Island stars Will Young and Jessie Wynter shared a slew of sweet post-engagement snaps from their trip to the Maldives on Instagram on Monday The pair, who met on the iconic reality series in 2023, secretly got engaged in Australia on December 9, 2025, then jetted off to the Maldives to celebrate their engagement He appeared on cloud nine as he posed with Jessie on the beach, with a beautiful pink sunset in the backdrop. In another stunning snap, Jessie beamed from ear to ear as she gave a closer look at her sparkling diamond ring during their private beach dinner. Will captioned the new post: 'After I proposed in December, we kept it just between us but I knew I wanted to celebrate Jessie in a way that felt just as special! He continued: 'A few years ago, we travelled to the Maldives together and we had the most amazing time! Weve spoken for so long about how we wanted to go back one day. 'Jessie even admitted if we did the trip we were planning next year (she didnt know we were an about to go) she thought I might propose there next year. 'So after proposing in Tasmania, surprising her with a trip back to the Maldives felt right. 'Just the two of us, in a place that already held so many memories, celebrating this next chapter together. 'Everything about this trip felt so special and Im so glad we could celebrate just the two of us. Im also glad I managed to book all the flights right (well almost, but thats a story for another day).' Now, Will and Jessie have shared a series of loved-up snaps on the beach as they enjoyed their engagement bubble, celebrating the next chapter to come In one sweet snap, Jessie, 29, and Will, 25, embraced each other on the beach, with a beautiful pink sunset in the backdrop In another stunning snap, Jessie beamed from ear to ear as she gave a closer look at her sparkling diamond ring during their private beach dinner It comes after Jessie and Will revealed they are ready to start a family together as they opened up about taking their relationship to the next level. Jessie and Will have been living at his family's 700-acre farm near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, since leaving Love Island and have revealed they are 'currently building a home' on Will's family farm. Jessie revealed that she has 'ticked off' her travel plans and is now open to having children with her fiance, Will. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Jessie previously said: 'I told Will, I'm not having a baby until I've travelled, I've got a house, and I feel complete. 'So, do you know what he did the next week? Let's go travel Italy, for a month and that's what we did. So, you know, all of them things are now ticked off, we've done everything now.' Will added: 'We can have a baby and get married and we're currently building a home on the farm at the moment. 'We've already got two donkeys, five alpacas, three goats, two pigs and 10 baby lambs. We're starting our family.' Despite not being engaged at the time, the happy couple also revealed their future wedding plans as they hope to tie the knot in Jessie's native country Australia followed by a second wedding in the UK. Jessie and Will pictured on Love Island 2023 It comes after Jessie and Will revealed they are ready to start a family together as they opened up about taking their relationship to the next level Jessie detailed: ''We're obviously not engaged but we want to get married in Australia, it's happening in Tasmania with my close family. Will said: 'We're having an intimate wedding in Tasmania and then we're having an influencer party. So Tasmania is like closest friends that we've had since we've been together and the second one will be a UK party wedding.' 'Weddings can be stressful and I was like, we wanna have a really small intimate wedding in Tasmania where we don't have to worry about getting the photos we can just enjoy it', Jessie explained. Will added: 'I just want to make Jessie the happiest guy.' Jessie Buckley got her groove on backstage during a 'Hamnet dance party' with her co-stars Paul Mescal and Jacobi Jupe as they celebrated her Golden Globes win. The actress, 36, who was the toast of Hollywood on Sunday evening, was awarded the Best Actress gong for the Shakespeare drama, which also picked up Best Film. In a new TikTok video posted to Access Hollywood's account, Jessie could be seen enjoying their big win with her co-stars. In the clip, the actress could be seen showing off her moves to Paul, 29, and Jacobi, 12, as they clapped before filmmaker Chloe Zhao, 43, took the lead. Beaming with joy, Jacobi said: 'We love dancing,' as the cast sang Rhianna's hit song We Found Love. On Sunday, 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. Jessie Buckley got her groove on backstage during a 'Hamnet dance party' with her co-stars Paul Mescal and Jacobi Jupe as they celebrated her Golden Globes win The actress, 36, who was the toast of Hollywood on Sunday evening, was awarded the Best Actress gong for the Shakespeare drama 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'. 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 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. In a new TikTok video posted to Access Hollywood's account, Jessie could be seen enjoying their big win with her co-stars Filmmaker Chloe Zhaos Hamnet took home the best motion picture drama at the awards 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 on Sunday, 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. '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 the Best Female Actor in a Drama category. On Sunday, 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 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). 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.' Rose Byrne landed her first ever Golden Globe award on Sunday night. And the NSW Department of Education paid tribute to the Australian actress on Tuesday by sharing a throwback photo of her time attending local Sydney schools. In the image, which was shared on Facebook, the 46-year-old is a fresh-faced young pupil and looks to be in her tweens or early teens. 'A huge congrats to Balmain Public School, Hunters Hill High School and Bradfield Senior College alumna Rose Byrne for her Golden Globe win!' the caption read. There was plenty of support for the beloved homegrown star in the comments below the image. 'Rose Byrne was a success long before the Globes. Globes just finally caught up with what the rest of Australia knew for ages. Huge accolades with Aussie pride!' commented one fan. Rose Byrne landed her first ever Golden Globe award on Sunday night. And the NSW Department of Education paid tribute to the Australian actress on Tuesday by sharing a throwback photo of her time attending local Sydney schools (pictured) 'A huge congrats to Balmain Public School, Hunters Hill High School and Bradfield Senior College alumna Rose Byrne for her Golden Globe win!' the caption read Another said: 'What a wonderful example of an incredible talented beautiful woman who is a product of NSW public education.' One more wrote: 'Have watched her for years from Heartbreak High to Two Hands. I remember reading years ago that a photographer named her the most photogenic Australian actress of all time. Congratulations Rose Byrne.' Rose scored a major career win on Monday after taking home a Golden Globe for her role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You. The Bridesmaids star 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. '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. '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. Rose scored a major career win on Monday after taking home a Golden Globe for her role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You 'Thank you for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. We shot this movie in 25 days for like $8.50! '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 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. The actress and Bobby Cannavale have been together since 2012 and according to Marie Claire, are not married 'legally' but always refer to each other in public as 'husband and wife'. They welcomed their first child, a son, Rocco, in 2016. Their second son, Rafa, was born in 2017. Kevin Clifton has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his friend Jonathan Clough who has sadly died at the age of 37. Former producer Jonathan was living with an incurable brain tumour after being diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma in 2024. An appeal had been launched to help raise funds for Jonathan whose hit shows include Strictly, The Apprentice and Gogglebox to fund specialist treatment for the dad-of-two. On Saturday, Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin, 43, took to Instagram as he paid tribute to his beloved friend. He shared that Jonathan put up a 'heck of a fight' as he posted a throwback selfie with him at the Britsh Grand Prix wearing matching McLaren bucket hats. He wrote: 'An amazing friend, an amazing man , an amazing father and a heck of a fighter for his amazing family. I will miss you forever'. Kevin Clifton has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his friend Jonathan Clough who has sadly died at the age of 37 Former producer Jonathan was living with an incurable brain tumour after being diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma in 2024 On Saturday, Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin, 43, took to Instagram as he paid tribute to his beloved friend Kevin was inundated with messages of support from friends and fans as they offered their condolences. His girlfriend Stacey Dooley was one of the first to react as she shared a heart emoji. Kevin and Stacey first met in 2018 when they were partnered on Strictly Come Dancing, going on to win the coveted glitterball trophy. Theyve been together ever since and welcomed their daughter Minnie in January 2023. Kevin left BBC's Strictly in 2020 after seven years on the show, and has since starred in stage hits such as Chicago and Everybody's Talking About Jamie. It comes after long-serving presenters Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman quit Strictly last year leaving the Saturday night hosting gig up for grabs. And head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed that her mum wants Rylan Clark to replace the duo. Shirley, who lives with her mother Audrey Rich, 88, told the Wimbledon BookFest: 'If my mother had her way, it would be Rylan Clark who replaces them.' The This Morning presenter is one of the favourites to replace the duo, however other frontrunners in the mix to replace the hosts include Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby as well as Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton. An appeal had been launched to help raise funds for Jonathan whose hit shows include Strictly, The Apprentice and Gogglebox to fund specialist treatment for the dad-of-two Kevin was inundated with messages of support from fans and girlfriend Stacey Dooley as they offered their condolences Asked if she had any ideas who she'd like to see replace them, Shirley said: 'Oh absolutely darling, but I couldn't reveal.' Shirley also confessed that she will also walk away from the much-loved dance show one day. She added: 'I have a very good relationship with them. But sometimes in people's lives and we have to respect this they are ready to move on. 'We don't want them to move on, but they are ready to move on. And one day I'll be ready to move on, and that will be my choice when I feel I'm ready to go. 'And somebody else will come in, and after a show or two you'll fall in love with the next person.' Shirley, who has worked with the hosts since joining the judging panel in 2017, said: 'I will miss them tremendously. I can only wish them both well wherever they land, and they're going to do an amazing job.' Shirley said that the show would continue to 'thrive' without the presenting duo despite recent controversies which have plagued the show. She said: 'Strictly Come Dancing will thrive as long as it's bringing joy to the general public. There'll always be outrage and always, "Oh, this is going to die, that's going to die, the show won't be anything without them." 'I will actually miss them myself but things move on. It's bigger than anybody bigger than any star, celebrity, judge, presenter. Strictly is for the public. It comes as Kevin and Stacey are reportedly in the running for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's Strictly hosting gig after the pair shocked fans by quitting last year 'You are the people it is there for, and I'm sad to see them go because from the very beginning, particularly Claudia and Tess were there to show me every single step.' She described the pair as 'great anchors' of the show and was effusive in her praise of them backstage. She said: 'If you saw the relationship I'm fortunate enough to have the changing room next to them Motsi and all the other guys, they're a bit further down the corridor, but I'm right next to them. 'The laughter, the fun, the relationship they've got and how serious they take their jobs has been and I've learned so much. It's a sight to behold. It's fantastic.' Jonathan Ross' wife, Jane Goldman, looked unrecognisable as she showed off her incredible weight loss in a new holiday snap, shared to Instagram on Sunday. The British film producer, 55, who has been married to the TV personality, 65, since 1988, showcased her new figure in a beige top and black trousers while posing with her daughter, Honey, 28, and her husband at a Japanese market. The mother-of-three beamed alongside her family as they enjoyed strawberry and fruit sticks at the market. It comes after Jonathan made a rare appearance with his wife, Jane, as they stepped out for a date night last year. The chat show host was all smiles as he posed with Jane for the launch of the West End musical The Producers. Jane looked radiant in a nude-coloured crochet dress for the evening out, pairing it with a brown boot heel. Jonathan Ross' wife, Jane Goldman, looked unrecognisable as she showed off her incredible weight loss in a new holiday snap, shared to Instagram on Sunday (L-R Honey Ross, Jonathan, and Jane) Jane, 55, pictured with her daughter and husband at a special screening of Barbie in 2023 Previously known for her eye-grabbing red hair, Jane wore her now blonde locks down with subtle curls. Meanwhile, Jonathan donned black suit trousers with a checkered jacket, completing his look with a pair of black and white trainers. Jane, who has been married to Jonathan for over 35 years, is a woman of many talents as she works as a screenwriter, author and producer. She has co-written screenplays for the Kingsman: The Secret Service, and X Men: First Class, and she accomplished her first solo screenplay with the 2012 film, The Woman In Black. Jane met her husband-to-be when she was just 16 years old at an event where she was a budding showbiz journalist, and they married two years later, in 1988. Jonathan, who is almost ten years her senior, was at the beginning of his talk-show hosting career when he struck up a conversation with the young journalist. The couple have three children together, Betty Kitten, Harvey Kirby and Honey Kinney. Previously speaking about how she met Jonathan, Jane told The Times: 'I met Jonathan at some sort of promotional event. It comes after Jonathan made a rare appearance with his wife, Jane, as they stepped out for a date night at the theatre last year (pictured September 2025) He said he and his wife were like a pair of dirty 'hamsters,' and he 'resents' the fact that he has to wash regularly. 'He'd just started his show, The Last Resort. He'd only been doing it for two weeks, I think.' 'I can't remember what we talked about. I wish I could. Honey's always asking me that, but I really can't remember. 'I think I invited him to some other thing, hoping to see him again. Maybe I was less socially awkward back then.' Last year, Jonathan bizarrely revealed he and Jane shower less than once a week. He said: 'Do you think I give enough of a s**t about anything to bother spending any extra time on grooming whatsoever - I resent the fact that I have to shower. 'I sometimes go at least a week without showering - at least. So does Jane sometimes. We're like a couple of hamsters in their own straw in that bed.' Jane met her husband-to-be when she was just 16 years old at an event where she was a budding showbiz journalist, and they married two years later, in 1988 The couple have three children together, Betty Kitten, Harvey Kirby and Honey Kinney (pictured 2011) Speaking on the Parenting Hell podcast, he said he hadn't showered on the morning of the interview after comedian Josh Widdicombe asked him when he'd last had a shower. Jonathan, saying he hadn't done anything to work up a sweat, said: 'It was yesterday. Why bother doing it two days in a row, what's wrong with you? I didn't do any exercise.' He even confessed he once went two weeks without washing in the Florida heat because he thought he'd been in a swimming pool - but then discovered he still smelled badly. He added: 'When we were on holiday - we have a place over in Florida - because it's sunny and I'm jumping in and out the swimming pool, I probably didn't shower properly for two weeks.' Nicola Peltz liked a social media comment about Brooklyn Beckham 'joining such a nice family' amid their bitter feud with his parents David and Victoria. The aspiring chef, 26, and his actress wife, 31, are currently not speaking to his parents amid a long-running feud. It emerged last week that Brooklyn had instructed his parents to only speak to him through lawyers and over the weekend Nicola deleted all traces of the Beckham family from her Instagram. As the feud continues to escalate, she has been 'liking' certain comments on recent social media posts, as first seen by The Sun. One comment read: 'I'm glad Brooklyn was able to join such a nice family.' Another comment that she liked said: 'I'm sorry but no one knows what goes on behind closed doors There's obviously a reason why Brooklyn doesn't speak with his parents. Nicola Peltz liked a social media comment about Brooklyn Beckham 'joining such a nice family' amid their bitter feud with his parents David and Victoria One comment reportedly read: 'I'm glad Brooklyn was able to join such a nice family' (Nicola is seen recently with her parents Nelson and Claudia) 'No child would ever choose to cut off their parents without good reason.' Brooklyn and Nicola broke cover on Monday - just after the reason he sent a legal letter to his estranged parents was reportedly revealed. Last week the Daily Mail revealed that Brooklyn instructed his parents to only speak to him through lawyers. He said he didn't want his parents to contact him, or make public statements about him on social media. It has since been reported that the letter was intended to protect his mental health, as online posts from David and Victoria in which he was tagged or mentioned had affected him. After the claims Brooklyn and actress Nicola were seen out in West Hollywood together as he picked her up from a friend's house in his swanky Porsche. On the low-key outing Brooklyn kept things casual in shorts and sneakers while Nicola wore a black co-ord and appeared to be wearing a facemask. 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. One comment Nicola liked read: 'I'm glad Brooklyn was able to join such a nice family' Another comment that she liked said: 'I'm sorry but no one knows what goes on behind closed doors There's obviously a reason why Brooklyn doesn't speak with his parents' The aspiring chef, 26, and his actress wife, 31, are currently not speaking to his parents amid a long-running feud As the feud continues to escalate, The Sun has now claimed that Nicola has been 'liking' certain comments on recent social media posts 'It had been leading to issues with his mental health.it was to protect himself,' they told the publication. 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. The row escalated on Saturday when Nicola wiped all traces of the Beckhams from her Instagram. In contrast, Brooklyn has not followed suit. The actress, 31, removed all traces of the Beckham family from her social media after her husband Brooklyn blocked his parents and brothers. She notably deleted a post which included a birthday tribute to her mother-in-law Victoria, among others. 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 Nicola 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. Over the weekend Nicola erased all content of the Beckham family from her Instagram account. 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. The row escalated on Saturday when Nicola wiped all traces of the Beckhams from her Instagram (including this snap with Victoria) 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.' Nicola later confirmed the rumours had begun after she didn't wear Victoria's design. While she denied there was a 'feud', she explained that Victoria's atelier simply hadn't had time to make the dress, as she insisted: 'No family is perfect.' Nicola said: 'It's not a feud! I keep seeing everywhere that word, "feud, feud, feud!?" I mean, maybe they picked up on something? And now they're labelling it feud?' 'I think it all started, and I've said this before, because I didn't end up wearing Victoria's wedding dress, but the real truth is, I really, really wanted to wear it and I thought it was so beautiful that Brooklyn's mom got to make that for me!... 'And I was really excited to wear it! And I didn't end up wearing it. But I, truthfully, was really excited to wear her dress. It makes me sad when I read things that people say I was never planning on wearing it. That's just not true.' Nicola and Brooklyn were hardly seen with the Beckham family in the months that followed, however continually quashed any speculation of a row - until recently. Last month, Cruz confirmed that Brooklyn had blocked his entire family on social media following reports they had unfollowed him. In an update, he wrote: 'My mum and dad would never unfollow their son... Let's get the facts right. They woke up blocked... as did I.' The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Brooklyn for comment on Cruz's claims. It was the most public sign yet that there is no communication between them amid their spiralling family feud. Then, on Thursday, the Daily Mail revealed that relations between the Beckhams broke down so completely last summer that at one point, Brooklyn asked his parents David and Victoria to contact him only via his lawyers. It was also claimed that despite his feud with his parents, he has been in regular contact with four family members - both sets of his grandparents. Brooklyn said he didn't want his parents to contact him, or make public statements about him on social media. There was no legal action between them and no legal basis for the letter, which was simply a request. But it followed what Brooklyn considered to be a series of 'nasty' briefings about his wife Nicola, including the suggestion that he was a 'hostage' being 'controlled' by his wife. This week, publicists and friends on both sides refused to discuss the matter, still hoping that things will calm down and be resolved. However one source said: 'David was told to speak to them via Schillings. That was the only way for them to communicate.' The 'talk to my lawyers' move might explain why Brooklyn opted to block his parents and siblings Romeo, Cruz and Harper on social media just before Christmas. Nicola has since 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 Last month, Cruz confirmed that Brooklyn had blocked his entire family on social media following reports they had unfollowed him The family had been viewing and liking his cooking posts. And it was felt this was contrary to Brooklyn's wish they would leave him and his wife alone. It comes as Brooklyn appeared to copy estranged dad David while celebrating wife Nicola's 31st birthday on Friday as their family feud rages on. He lavished the heiress with a bouquet of white roses, identical to the blooms Victoria was sent by her husband when turning 51 last April. Brooklyn also treated Nicola to a 5,000 bottle of his mum's favourite Screaming Eagle wine, sharing a snap of them enjoying a glass with the caption: 'Special bottle for a special day.' Back in 2017, Victoria posted her own photo after cracking open a bottle of the wine with David and Brooklyn, before their bitter estrangement. Meanwhile on Monday David reflected on his 'amazing' weekend in the countryside after his daughter-in-law Nicola deleted all traces of her in-laws from her social media. Following the move, David, 50, took to Instagram as he shared snaps from his weekend in the countryside, away from the noise and bustle of the city. The dad-of-four put on a brave face amid the family turmoil as he shared wholesome snaps from his walks in the snow while bringing his dogs along for the stroll. David could be seen wrapped up in two selfies, wearing a tweed jacket and hat to keep his head warm. He also held onto his walking stick as he trekked through the blanket of snow at his lavish Cotswolds mansion. Alongside the snaps, he captioned the post: 'Amazing weekend in the country and nice and chilly Simba not so happy.' While fans commented on David's picturesque view, others mentioned his estranged son Brooklyn. One wrote: 'Oldest son, someday he'll regret (be strong)'; 'Stay strong papa'; 'So much peace in the countryside. Nothing like it'; 'TEAM DAVID'. Tabitha Willett has sparked debate as she criticised 'commuting men on their phones' for not offering her a train seat - despite wearing a 'baby on board' badge. The Made In Chelsea star, 34, who is expecting her second child, took to Instagram on Tuesday to tell London commuters to 'do better'. Sharing a short video of a busy train showing a number of people sitting and standing on their phones, Tabitha penned: 'I don't want to be a moan but... 'On the way back from the school run and a carriage full of men on their phones and no one stood up for a pregnant woman with a badge or elderly couple next to me. 'Do better London'. She later hit back at a fan in a video as she reflected on her pregnancy experiences after a 'female' follower criticised her saying, 'being pregnant isn't a disability'. Tabitha Willett has sparked debate as she criticised 'commuting men on their phones' for not offering her a train seat - despite wearing a 'baby on board' badge The Made In Chelsea star, 34, who is expecting her second child, took to Instagram to share a short video of a busy train showing a number of people sitting and standing on their phones Tabitha said: 'To be honest if I was really struggling being pregnant and standing I would have gone over and asked an able body, "I'm so sorry I'm pregnant do you mind if I could sit down till the next stop or something?" but luckily I'm perfectly capable. 'With Ottilie [her first child], however, I was pretty much on bed rest and couldn't physically stand up or take steps on my own, I was given crutches towards the end. 'Things like that though is why I think, yes pregnancy isn't a disability but you just don't know and I don't think it hurts to ask. That's my stand point.' Transport For London says: 'The "baby on board" badge is a free pin for pregnant passengers to discreetly signal to other commuters that they need a seat, helping to reduce awkwardness and encourage people to offer their spot on busy buses, Tube trains, and trams. 'It works as a visual cue, alerting others to the need for a seat, especially for those who might not look obviously pregnant but need to sit due to fatigue, morning sickness, or other pregnancy-related discomforts.' Tabitha revealed in December that she is expecting her second child with fiance Harry Hoare. She is already mum to her daughter Ottilie, six, with whom she shares with former partner, Fraser Carruthers. She wrote: 'On the way back from the school run and a carriage full of men on their phones an no one stood up for a pregnant woman with badge or elderly couple next to me. Do better' She later hit back at a fan in a video as she reflected on her pregnancy experiences after a 'female' follower criticised her saying, 'Being pregnant isn't a disability' She said: 'To be honest if I was really struggling being pregnant and standing I would have gone over and asked an able body but luckily I'm perfectly capable' It comes after Tabitha revealed how she knew how she was going to marry her fiance Harry after their first date lasted an incredible three days. The pregnant star revealed she began dating Harry at the beginning of last year after 'sliding into his DMs'. The couple had been together just ten months before Harry got down on one knee during a family holiday to Dubai in October, before they announced it weeks later. Tabitha 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." '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. Tabitha revealed she began dating Harry at the beginning of last year after 'sliding into his DMs' to ask him to grab a drink Just days after confirming the engagement, Tabitha took to Instagram to say that a 'low-key small wedding' is planned for January 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 as they splashed out on a 1,800-a-night (2,170) stay at the five-star Hotel Plaza Athenee. 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. 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.' 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. Jennifer Lawrence has claimed that she identifies as a 'stay-at-home mom'. The Die My Love actress, 35, who has son Cy, three, and a second baby born last year with husband Cooke Maroney admitted she is only truly busy during the hectic press tours for her movies, and for the rest of her time, she relishes a quiet life. Speaking on the Smartless podcast this week, she said: 'That's me. I identify as a stay-at-home mom. But I am obviously working. 'I'm not used to being busy like this. I normally have a busy like three months while I'm filming, but even in that sense, it's calm because there is nothing else to do. 'I just go to work, I do that, I come home, I sleep, and then I do it again. And then, like, two weeks while you promote it is hectic.' However, the Hunger Games star admitted she won't do interviews after 9pm because she is ready for bed. Jennifer Lawrence has claimed that she identifies as a 'stay-at-home mom' despite her busy work schedule The Die My Love actress, 35, has son Cy, three, and a second baby born last year with her husband Cooke Maroney (seen together) She said: 'Oh. I'm in bed. Kindle is lit until like 9:15.' And over the Christmas period, Jennifer turned down an invite to a party because it started at 9pm and she had no desire to be hungover around her children. She said: 'You can't be hungover with a nine month old. Even a three year old is just not an option.' Elsewhere in the interview, the actress revealed she and Cooke have found the secret to keeping their marriage 'alive'. Jennifer told how she and Cooke are total 'opposites', but she has learned to adapt since having children. She said: 'I married somebody who is the opposite of me. He is so organised. He's an anchor. 'Everything is ordered. I have to keep the closet doors closed, and I have my little jobs that I work really hard to do 'I get it now, I get it. [The kids are] on a very strict schedule. You know, it's like breakfast: 7:30. 'He's good at keeping it. But we've learned, to keep our marriage alive, I have a 15 minute wiggle room.' Jennifer cited having attention deficit disorder (ADD) as to why she struggles with tight timing. Speaking on the Smartless podcast this week, she said: 'That's me. I identify as a stay-at-home mom. But I am obviously working' She said: 'I think I should go to, like, occupational therapy for that.' Jennifer made a rare award show appearance with husband Cooke at the Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton on Sunday night. The actress turned heads in a daring 'naked dress' which showed off her incredible figure. Designed by Givenchy's Sarah Burton, the see-through dress was embroidered with delicate pink, ivory, and green flowers, leaving little to the imagination. Artfully placed embroidered flowers covered her modesty on the night and she wore a satin padded matching cape which was slung across her back. Jennifer's dress had cut-outs on the mesh section and she elongated her legs with a pair of sexy vertiginous nude heels. She was sporting bangs on the night which framed her pretty features. American art gallery director Cooke, 41, looked dapper in a black tuxedo and was seated alongside Jennifer at the table inside the venue. One fan gushed, 'Jennifer Lawrence looks absolutely stunning!' Jennifer even joked with ET about hitting the after-parties saying: 'I'm going to hang. I'm naked, I might as well,' adding that her kids wished she stayed home: 'They would prefer I not be here.' It's been years since Lawrence took such a bold red-carpet risk - the last time was 2017, when she stunned fans at the London premiere of Mother in a sheer, distressed Atelier Versace Fall 2017 Couture gown. In Die My Love, which also stars Robert Pattinson, Lawrence takes on the role of Grace, a new mother grappling with postpartum depression. Jennifer made a rare award show appearance with husband Cooke at the Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton on Sunday night The actress has admitted that her own experiences as a mom of two helped her connect deeply with the character. 'I didn't really end up having really bad postpartum [anxiety] until my second [baby],' Lawrence told People in November. 'I think that just added another layer. I mean, I don't think that you have to have kids to play a parent by any means, but having that information about, you know, what a tiny person needs, and is looking for. 'Just having that information was helpful.' Ben Affleck and Matt Damon opened up about their decades-long friendship while promoting their new film The Rip on the Today show this week. The Boston natives - Affleck, 53, and Damon, 55 - revealed to journalist Craig Melvin what their 'least favorite' things about each other are on Tuesday morning's episode. 'Um, [he's] not great at cleaning up around the house,' Affleck said about Damon, to which his friend objected, 'Hey! [That was] when I was younger.' The Air director then quipped, 'Well, that's all I have to go by,' before joking, 'I mean, we could ask your wife and see if it's gotten better.' Damon later named Affleck's lateness as the thing that bugs him most. 'We got here this morning and Ben was three minutes early. He got here before me and that's the first time in 45 years he has not been late,' he teased. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon opened up about their decades-long friendship while promoting their new film The Rip on the Today show The Boston natives - Affleck, 53, and Damon, 55 - revealed to journalist Craig Melvin what their 'least favorite' things about each other are on Tuesday's episode The banter continued as Affleck hit back: 'Oh my god, that's a complete myth. I work hard. I'm doing other stuff.' He also joked that his acting counterpart lives 'the life of luxury' as he went on, 'You come out of the trailer and everything's done magically. How do you think it gets that way? But it's fine.' The frequent collaborators - whose 1997 movie Good Will Hunting earned them an Oscar - will next star in Joe Carnahan's thriller about Miami cops who seize millions of dollars. It comes after Damon revealed on SiriusXM's The Howard Stern Show that his wife Luciana thought Affleck was 'the cute one' in the classic film. The actor and Luciana, 49, met at a Miami bar in 2003 before going on to tie the knot three years later. However, months into their relationship, he found out his wife was more attracted to his co-star. 'After we'd been together for a little while, probably a few months, she admitted that - I think I met her best friend from high school, and it came out that the two of them went and saw Good Will Hunting together, and her best friend thought I was the cute one, and she thought Ben was the cute one. 'So she admitted to me... I'm like, "You got the wrong one?" She told me that 23 years ago,' the star confessed. When asked if hearing something like that 'stays with you' over the years, Damon pointed out the trio now work together often. His wife is a producer on The Rip, as well as Affleck's next directorial project Animals. The frequent collaborators' 1997 movie Good Will Hunting earned them an Oscar in 1998 Affleck (top right) and Damon (bottom right) seen in a still from 1997's Good Will Hunting On Monday night, Affleck was pictured hitting the Big Apple streets The two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker combatted New York's 40F-degree winter weather in a black bomber over a grey cardigan, black T-shirt, matching jeans and Nike high-tops Affleck was glued to his phone as he made his way back to his car Affleck said about the matter: 'She's a great producer and a really good friend, and yeah, I never got that vibe from her. So I think something I did in real life rubbed it off.' 'Finally she met him and all that went away,' Damon lightheartedly added. The filmmaking duo were the screenwriters and stars of the 1997 hit movie, a film that earned them Oscars for best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Robin Williams. Damon met Barroso six years later in Miami while filming his movie Stuck on You. The pair share four daughters: Alexia, 25, Isabella, 19, Gia, 17, and Stella, 15. On Monday night, Affleck was pictured hitting the Big Apple streets. The two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker combatted New York's 40F-degree winter weather in a black bomber over a grey cardigan, black T-shirt, matching jeans and Nike high-tops. Affleck was glued to his phone as he made his way back to his car. Matt Prokop's mugshot has been revealed following his Christmas Eve arrest and shocking child pornography charge. In the new photo obtained by the Daily Mail, the 35-year-old former Disney star could be seen gazing at the camera while a Victoria County booking board was held in front of him. The actor, who is known for starring in projects such as High School Musical 3: Senior Year, also had a scruffy beard while wearing a patterned sweater. Prokop is being held without bail at a jail in Victoria County in Texas. He was initially booked for violating his bond conditions from a previous set of charges filed in 2024, as well as evading and resisting arrest. But an additional charge for 'possession or promotion of child pornography' was tacked on after a warrant was signed on December 31. Matt Prokop's mugshot has been revealed following his Christmas Eve arrest and shocking child pornography charge He was initially booked for violating his bond conditions from a previous set of charges filed in 2024, as well as evading and resisting arrest; seen above in 2010 Prokop's ex-girlfriend has since broken silence on his arrest late last month. His former partner told the Daily Mail last week: 'After many years of abuse, the effects are still very real and continue to impact my life. 'Right now, I'm taking time to heal privately, with the support of close friends and family. 'Taking this time does not lessen the seriousness or harm of his actions. 'As more information comes out, I ask that all victims be treated with care, dignity, and respect.' Prokop's ex met him on social media at a young age, but their romantic relationship didn't begin until she was an adult. The pair became engaged in January 2024. The Daily Mail reached out to Prokop's representatives for comment regarding the allegations, but did not immediately hear back. Prokop was previously arrested in Texas, where he is from, in May 2024 after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. His former partner told the Daily Mail last week: 'After many years of abuse, the effects are still very real and continue to impact my life' Prokop's ex met him on social media at a young age, but their romantic relationship didn't begin until she was an adult. The pair became engaged in January 2024; the actor seen in 2013 in West Hollywood According to Victoria Police Department at the time, the pair was on a weekend outing when Prokop's girlfriend allegedly told someone he assaulted her. Officers responded to a disturbance in another area about an hour later, where they found Prokop and his girlfriend. The woman sustained enough injuries to warrant an arrest, as the investigation found that Prokop allegedly pushed her and slammed her head into something. Prokop reportedly tried to pull away from officers and run as they arrested him. Prior to that incident, his ex-girlfriend and former Disney co-star Sarah Hyland, now 35, filed a restraining order against him. The actors dated from 2008 to 2014, after meeting at an audition for High School Musical 3: Senior Year, in which he played Jimmie. He appeared in a 2012 episode of Modern Family with the actress, as well as the movies Geek Charming (2011), Struck by Lightning (2012) and April Apocalypse (2013). Prokop was also credited as a producer on her 2015 movie See You In Valhalla. Hyland claimed that Prokop was verbally and physically abusive for four years of their relationship, until her Modern Family onscreen mother Julie Bowen stepped in and helped her end things. Prokop was previously arrested in Texas, where he is from, in May 2024 after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend Hyland claimed that Prokop was verbally and physically abusive for four years of their relationship, until her Modern Family onscreen mother Julie Bowen stepped in and helped her end things; the pair seen in 2014 in London In her legal filing she recounted an incident in which Prokop allegedly pinned her against a car and choked her. 'His grip was so tight that I could not breathe or speak,' Hyland said in the court documents. 'I was scared and in fear for my life.' After Prokop entered rehab in August 2014, someone from the institution called to warn her of his mental state when he was released, recommending she get a restraining order. Hyland was granted a temporary restraining order that September, which became permanent a month later and required him to stay at least 300 feet away from her and her dog. Prokop's representatives did not respond to Daily Mail's or other outlets' requests for comment at the time about Hyland's allegations. Back in October 2024, the actress said that she is still 'triggered' by a past abusive relationship. She talked about her experience as a domestic violence survivor during an interview with Variety. Hyland expressed that it is 'really important' to openly have conversations about domestic violence and talked about the long-lasting PTSD survivors can have. After Prokop entered rehab in August 2014, someone from the institution called to warn her of his mental state when he was released, recommending she get a restraining order The actors dated from 2008 to 2014, after meeting at an audition for High School Musical 3: Senior Year, in which he played Jimmie; seen above (middle) in High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008) However, the Modern Family alum did not name the boyfriend who hit her at the time. '[It stays] in that abused place of your soul, where you think it's your fault the whole time and you could have done better, you could have gotten out sooner, you could have told people.' The actress added that eventually, 'you don't wanna talk about it anymore. You want it to be done, and that's that. 'I completely understand the dissociation pattern of it. I am very much guilty about it myselfuntil something happens where I'm triggered, and I didn't realize that part of myself had been healed.' Hyland then admitted, 'I don't know if that part [of] any woman will ever be fully healed from that. Hyland then admitted, 'I don't know if that part [of] any woman will ever be fully healed from that'; the actress and Prokop seen in 2013 in L.A. 'It's something that kind of scars her soul a little bit. It's more so putting love towards that scar instead of hating it and ignoring it.' Hyland also said of domestic violence that, 'For thousands of years now, we didn't talk about it. The community hasn't shared enough, I believe. 'And I feel that if we talk about it more, more women - and men and just human beings in general in abusive relationships - will feel more comfortable to be able to talk about it with their loved ones. 'Instead of letting their abuser isolate them from everyone, which is the first thing that they do, so that you don't have that community.' George Clooney has blasted director and his former co-star Quentin Tarantino over his viral remarks branding Paul Dano 'the weakest male actor in SAG.' Clooney, 64, famously already had beef with Tarantino over the filmmaker calling him 'not a movie star' in 2024 after they portrayed the Gecko brothers in Robert Rodriguez's 1996 vampire flick From Dusk till Dawn. Now Clooney has further fueled their Hollywood feud as he accepted the trophy for best actor at the 25th AARP Movies for Grownups Awards recently. In his speech, Clooney addressed the 62-year-old director's insults on Bret Easton Ellis' Patreon podcast about Dano, Matthew Lillard and Owen Wilson. Per Variety, the two-time Oscar winner said onstage at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel: 'By the way, Paul Dano and Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, I would be honored to work with those actors. Honored.' Clooney previously co-starred with Lillard in Alexander Payne's 2011 Hawaiian-set grief family drama The Descendants, in which he played the man his comatose wife had an affair with. '[My movie Jay Kelly was] made by people who love actors that's an important part,' the Good Night, And Good Luck thespian explained. George Clooney (R) already had beef with Quentin Tarantino (L) for calling him 'not a movie star' in 2024 after they portrayed the Gecko brothers in Robert Rodriguez's 1996 vampire flick From Dusk till Dawn But the 64-year-old Jay Kelly star further fueled their Hollywood feud as he accepted the trophy for best actor at the 25th AARP Movies for Grownups Awards last Saturday 'People I've known most of my life actually, most of them are actors. I have a great affinity [for them], and I don't enjoy watching people be cruel.' Clooney concluded: 'We are living in a time of cruelty. We don't need to be adding to it.' Tarantino's prior controversies include repeatedly dropping the N-word onscreen, his flagrant foot fetish, numerous collaborations with producer Harvey Weinstein, defending Roman Polanski, forcing Uma Thurman to film a dangerous car stunt and emasculating the legendary Bruce Lee. The Kentucky-born silver fox was presented with the age 50+ honor by his former ER castmate Noah Wyle, who won the best actor in TV trophy thanks to his performance in HBO Max's The Pitt. Clooney called the script for Noah Baumbach's critically-acclaimed dramedy, now streaming on Netflix, 'beautiful.' 'I couldn't believe my luck that I got to play the part,' the Nespresso brand ambassador gushed onstage. Jay Kelly also featured Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup, Laura Dern, Greta Gerwig, Isla Fisher, Riley Keough, Emily Mortimer, Patrick Wilson, Stacy Keach and Jim Broadbent. But Clooney will have to wait until January 22 to find out whether he scored an Academy Award nomination. The four-time Golden Globe winner will soon begin filming David Leitch's fifth installment of the star-studded heist film franchise, Ocean's 14. 'Yes, I have seen a script,' co-star Julia Roberts told Variety on Sunday. In his speech, Clooney addressed the 62-year-old director's insults on Bret Easton Ellis' Patreon podcast on December 2 about (from L-R) Matthew Lillard, Owen Wilson and Paul Dano whom he called 'a weak, uninteresting guy' and 'the weakest male actor in SAG' The two-time Oscar winner said onstage the Beverly Wilshire Hotel: 'By the way, Paul Dano and Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, I would be honored to work with those actors. Honored' Clooney previously co-starred with Lillard (R) in Alexander Payne's 2011 Hawaiian-set grief family drama The Descendants, in which he played the man his comatose wife had an affair with The Good Night, And Good Luck thespian explained: 'I don't enjoy watching people be cruel. We are living in a time of cruelty. We don't need to be adding to it' Tarantino's prior controversies include repeatedly dropping the N-word onscreen, his flagrant foot fetish, numerous collaborations with producer Harvey Weinstein, defending Roman Polanski and forcing Uma Thurman to film a dangerous car stunt (pictured November 12) The Kentucky-born silver fox was presented with the age 50+ honor by his former ER castmate Noah Wyle (R), who won the best actor in TV trophy thanks to his performance in HBO Max's The Pitt 'And I was kind of surprised, because I was like, "Oh, what is the story going to be?" And it's good. I mean, we wouldn't do it if it's not good.' Clooney's other upcoming acting projects include Emilie Noblet's French workplace dramedy Dix Pour Cent (Call My Agent) for Netflix. On the personal front, the Casamigos co-founder welcomed eight-year-old fraternal twins - son Alexander and daughter Ella - during his 11-year marriage to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, who turns 48 next month. Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas has shared a string of loved-up snaps with his husband Stephen, after revealing the stigma he still faces from others because of his HIV positive status. The sportsman, 51, captained both Wales and the British and Irish Lions during his career, and after coming out as gay in 2009, revealed in 2019 that he was HIV positive with undetectable status, which means that he is not infectious. Gareth shared the sweet images with his spouse including two of them sharing a kiss. In June, the rugby legend celebrated his eighth wedding anniversary with his husband with a touching Instagram tribute. He wrote: 'Eight years ago today I married the most amazing human being I could ever wish to meet. Even on bad days he makes me smile. I love you so much Stephen.' Gareth broke ground by becoming rugby union's first openly gay professional player. Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas has shared a string of loved-up snaps with his husband Stephen, after revealing the stigma he still faces from others because of his HIV positive status After coming out as gay in 2009, the sportsman revealed in 2019 that he was HIV positive with undetectable status, which means that he is not infectious Since going public about his HIV diagnosis, Thomas has championed HIV awareness and acceptance. Medical advancements over the last decade mean that most people who contract HIV will live long and full lives. New treatments also mean transmission becomes incredibly unlikely for those on effective medication. The worst outcomes typically affect those diagnosed late, either through lack of knowledge about symptoms or fear of discrimination. Last year, Gareth shared how despite his undetectable status, he is still treated differently by people in public. 'I know, and my husband and family know, through sharing the same knife and fork or sharing the same drink, or sitting on the same toilet seat, that it cannot be contracted,' he told The Telegraph. 'Yet, when you walk into a restaurant and people leave... or people don't want to share a drink or shake your hand. It has happened often enough for me to be aware that when I walk into a restaurant the next time, I'll know if it's happening. 'It's not a case of it happening once and it made me afraid; it's happened enough times that every time I walk into a restaurant now I feel like I have to assess, for my own happiness, or my husband's, or the family that I am with.' Gareth shared the sweet images with his spouse including two of them sharing a kiss In June, the rugby legend celebrated his eighth wedding anniversary with his husband with a touching Instagram tribute Last year, Gareth shared how despite his undetectable status, he is still treated differently by people in public Thomas has campaigned for many years in order to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV, and has said how that stigma is 'the one thing that frightens me' in public. The police got involved when former partner Baum accused him of 'deceptively' transmitting HIV to him. The allegations, which referred to a period between 2013 and 2018, came before Thomas that he was carrying HIV. Thomas was sued for 150,000 in damages by former partner Ian Baum over claims he had failed to take 'reasonable care' before allegedly passing the virus onto him. The former Wales captain though made the decision to settle with Baum, and pay 75,000 plus costs 'for my own mental health and that of my family' - insisting that the move was 'not an admission of liability or guilt'. He was also formerly married to Jemma Thomas between 2001 and 2009. Andy Serkis looked every inch the proud parent as he and his wife Lorraine Ashbourne joined their son Louis Ashbourne Serkis at the premiere of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple in Waterloo, London on Tuesday. The actor, 61, was all smiles as he posed alongside his son, 21, who plays a character named Tom in the film, the latest film in the 28 Days Later franchise. Andy cut a casual figure on the red carpet in a blue patterned bomber jacket which he wore with dark chinos. Louis opted for a maroon shirt with matching trousers which he wore with a black T-shirt and silver necklace. Lorraine, 65, wrapped up in a green and black houndstooth jacket which she wore with a black dress and matching shoes. Andy and Lorraine have been married since 2001 and, along with Louis, they are also parents to Ruby, 28, and Sonny, 26. Andy Serkis and his wife Lorraine Ashbourne joined their son Louis Ashbourne Serkis at the premiere of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple in Waterloo, London on Tuesday The actor, 61, was all smiles as he posed alongside his son, 21, who plays a character named Tom in the film, the latest film in the 28 Days Later franchise Louis opted for a maroon shirt with matching trousers which he wore with a black T-shirt and silver necklace Louis' first on-screen appearance was in 2012's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which featured his dad's return as Gollum. The role, credited as 'Cute Young Hobbit', marked the beginning of what has become a successful journey so far into the family business. In 2018, he appeared as the wolf cub Bhoot in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, directed by and co-starring his father. He then landed the lead role in the 2019 film, The Kid Who Would Be King, co-starring Sir Patrick Stewart and Rebecca Ferguson. He also starred alongside Anya Taylor-Joy in the hit Netflix series, The Queen's Gambit, and more recently, played the troubled teen son of Martin Clunes' character in ITV's Out There. Louis' sister Ruby, is also an actress, best known for The Letter for the King on Netflix, while his brother Sonny has dipped into acting too. 'I was never obliged to take part in what they do and they never forced it on me and said 'this is what your going to do',' Louis told The Mirror earlier this year. 'But I love it, I have always loved entertaining and bringing joy through that. Louis is in a relationship with British equestrian-turned-stuntwoman Amelia Haynes Ralph Fiennes pictured as Dr Kelson in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple 'I think if you get the opportunity to tell a story and to inspire people I think you should take it. 'I was young and in a way stumbled into acting, and tried it when I was around seven or eight.' Louis is in a relationship with British equestrian-turned-stuntwoman Amelia Haynes. Helena Bonham Carter put on a striking display in a floral gown as she joined her glamorous co-star Mia McKenna-Bruce at the premiere of Seven Dials. The gripping three-part adaptation of Agatha Christie's 1929 novel sees Mia putting on her detective hat in the role of Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent, as she set out to solve an enigmatic murder. She is joined in the exciting mystery by acting icon Helena as her mother, Lady Caterham and Martin Freeman in the role of Superintendent Battle. Stepping out for the premiere in London on Tuesday, Helena, 59, showed off her ageless beauty. Helena wore a black and pink floral lace midi-dress in a sheer tulle fabric, which featured a bejewelled belt, high neckline and a tiered skirt. She paired the dress with chunky black, tan and white patent loafers, with her dark locks in tight curls and a bright red lipstick. Helena Bonham Carter put on a striking display in a floral gown as she joined her glamorous co-star Mia McKenna-Bruce at the premiere of Seven Dials in London on Tuesday Stepping out for the premiere in London on Tuesday, Helena, 59, showed off her ageless beauty Meanwhile How To Have Sex star Mia, 28, who won the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2024, looked sensational in a black velvet figure hugging gown. The strapless gown featured a lace lining at the bodice and ruched fabric, with the actress pairing it with a feather boa shawl. Mia posed for snaps on the red carpet with Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story star Corey Mylchreest, who plays Gerry Wade in the Netflix Agatha Christie adaptation. Corey opted for an all-black ensemble, featuring a tailored blazer with a t-shirt and high-waisted pants, as he sported a full beard. Also in attendance was Sherlock star Martin, who plays Superintendent Battle. Martin looked dapper in a navy pinstripe double breasted suit, paired with a patterned tie and brown suede loafers. Edward Bluemel, who also stars in the series as Jimmy Thesiger, wore a striking navy cape coat over a pale blue shirt and black trousers. Elsewhere model Lady Amelia Windsor, who is 44th in the line of succession to the British throne, made a glamorous appearance. The gripping three-part adaptation of Agatha Christie's 1929 novel sees Mia putting on her detective hat in the role of Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent and is joined by Helena as her mother Mia is joined in the exciting mystery by acting icon Helena as her mother, Lady Caterham and Martin Freeman in the role of Superintendent Battle Meanwhile How To Have Sex star Mia, 28, who won the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2024, looked sensational in a black velvet figure hugging gown The strapless gown featured a lace lining at the bodice and ruched fabric, with the actress pairing it with a feather boa shawl Mia posed for snaps on the red carpet with Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story star Corey Mylchreest, who plays Gerry Wade in the Netflix Agatha Christie adaptation Corey opted for an all-black ensemble, featuring a tailored blazer with a t-shirt and high-waisted pants, as he sported a full beard All three episodes of Agatha Christie's Seven Dials are set to land on Netflix on Thursday, January 15 Also in attendance was Sherlock star Martin, who plays Superintendent Battle Martin looked dapper in a navy pinstripe double breasted suit, paired with a patterned tie and brown suede loafers Edward Bluemel, who also stars in the series as Jimmy Thesiger, wore a striking navy cape coat over a pale blue shirt and black trousers Elsewhere model Lady Amelia Windsor, who is 44th in the line of succession to the British throne, made a glamorous appearance Amelia wore a black tulle ruffled gown featuring polka dots and a slim belt, as well as chunky boots. The trailer begins at a masquerade ball in the mid-1920s, where the handsome Gerry Wade is seen flirting and dancing with Bundle, before being interrupted right as it seems he is about to propose. However, the next morning the household are disturbed by the noise of a cacophony of alarm clocks from Gerry's room, sparking the ire of Lady Caterham. A shocked and devastated Bundle investigates only to find her future fiance lying dead in his bed, with seven clocks arranged on his mantelpiece. Channelling her grief and despair into vengeance, she vows to uncover who is responsible for Gerry's death, telling her mother: 'Im not going to rest until I find out what happened to him'. But as she begins to delve into the mystery of 'the Seven Dials', she received repeated warnings to stay away by her friends Ronnie Devereux and Jimmy Thesiger, as well as Battle, a Scotland Yard superintendent looking into the case. Ronnie warns: 'Be careful who you speak to about this', as Battle echoes: 'This is treacherous with a high degree of peril.' But ignoring their warnings, Bundle is seen stubborn continuing her investigation to get 'the full picture' while Lady Caterham insists: 'People who go looking for trouble usually find it'. Mia oozed glamour later in the evening as she was spotted sipping on a cocktail at the premiere's after party The raucous party saw a host of famous faces, including Nabhaan Rizwan and Ella Rae Smith, join the cast members Mia and Corey enjoyed a boozy night as they drank cocktails and wine and flashed a smile for the camera Martin was seen posing for a snap with co-stars Mia, Edward and Corey as well as Tim Preston And the trailer shows that trouble is indeed brewing, as scenes flash of someone being shot, a masked figure, Bundle weeping over a bloodied body and then falling from a window. However, she proclaims she will keep going until she finds out who murdered Gerry, vowing: 'I am not going to stop until I get to the truth'. The timeless mystery has been reimagined for a modern audience by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall and is directed and executive produced by Chris Sweeney. Speaking about the ways they've adapted it, Mia told Tudum: 'It was really important to make Agatha Christie feel accessible to people who hadnt read her work but also hold on to the heart of those murder mysteries. I really feel like we did what we set out to do.' While she explained how her character, Bundle, also behaves differently to how upper-class women were expected to in the 1920s. All three episodes of Agatha Christie's Seven Dials are set to land on Netflix on Thursday, January 15. It marks the latest adaptation of one of the Queen of Crime's novels for the small screen, following a slew of versions by the BBC, including Witness For The Prosecution, And Then There Were None and last year's Towards Zero. Jonathan Ross' wife Jane Goldman displayed her impressive weight loss as she joined the presenter at the premiere of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple on Tuesday. The screenwriter, 55, recently unveiled her new look in a snap from her family holiday, and showed off her physique on the black carpet in London. Enjoying a date night with Jonathan, 65, who she married in 1988, Jane opted for a boho-inspired brown dress and a leopard print kimono for the event. The couple joined stars including Jack O'Connell and Cillian Murphy for the premiere of Danny Boyle's latest instalment in the 28 Years Later series. Taking place after the events of the first film, The Bone Temple sees young Spike (Alfie Williams) inducted into Sir Jimmy Crystal's gang of acrobatic killers in a post-apocalyptic Britain ravaged by the Rage Virus. Sir Jimmy (played by Jack O'Connell) is the leader of a sinister cult known as The Jimmys, while Ralph Fiennes also returns as Dr. Ian Kelson. Jonathan Ross' wife Jane Goldman, 55, displayed her impressive weight lossas she joined the presenter at the premiere of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple on Tuesday The screenwriter, 55, recently unveiled her new look in a snap from her family holiday, as she joined her husband and daughter Honey at a Japenese market Jane had previously shared a snap of her weight loss to Instagram on Sunday. The British film producer, 55, who has been married to Jonathan, 65, since 1988, showcased her new figure in a beige top and black trousers while posing with her daughter, Honey, 28, and her husband at a Japanese market. Jane, who has been married to Jonathan for over 35 years, is a woman of many talents as she works as a screenwriter, author and producer. She has co-written screenplays for the Kingsman: The Secret Service, and X Men: First Class, and she accomplished her first solo screenplay with the 2012 film, The Woman In Black. Jane met her husband-to-be when she was just 16 years old at an event where she was a budding showbiz journalist, and they married two years later, in 1988. Jonathan, who is almost ten years her senior, was at the beginning of his talk-show hosting career when he struck up a conversation with the young journalist. The couple have three children together, Betty Kitten, Harvey Kirby and Honey Kinney. Previously speaking about how she met Jonathan, Jane told The Times: 'I met Jonathan at some sort of promotional event. Enjoying a date night with Jonathan, who she married in 1988, Jane opted for a boho-inspired brown dress and a leopard print kimono for the event The couple were in high spirits as they joined a string of big stars on the black carpet He said he and his wife were like a pair of dirty 'hamsters,' and he 'resents' the fact that he has to wash regularly. 'He'd just started his show, The Last Resort. He'd only been doing it for two weeks, I think.' 'I can't remember what we talked about. I wish I could. Honey's always asking me that, but I really can't remember. 'I think I invited him to some other thing, hoping to see him again. Maybe I was less socially awkward back then.' Last year, Jonathan bizarrely revealed he and Jane shower less than once a week. He said: 'Do you think I give enough of a s**t about anything to bother spending any extra time on grooming whatsoever - I resent the fact that I have to shower. 'I sometimes go at least a week without showering - at least. So does Jane sometimes. We're like a couple of hamsters in their own straw in that bed.' Speaking on the Parenting Hell podcast, he said he hadn't showered on the morning of the interview after comedian Josh Widdicombe asked him when he'd last had a shower. Jonathan, saying he hadn't done anything to work up a sweat, said: 'It was yesterday. Why bother doing it two days in a row, what's wrong with you? I didn't do any exercise.' He even confessed he once went two weeks without washing in the Florida heat because he thought he'd been in a swimming pool - but then discovered he still smelled badly. He added: 'When we were on holiday - we have a place over in Florida - because it's sunny and I'm jumping in and out the swimming pool, I probably didn't shower properly for two weeks.' Usually when women get older, they cut off their long hair. But not Demi Moore. The 63-year-old Landman actress likes to wear her locks long all that way down to her bottom, and she has no plans to go shorter. 'There's a real freedom in letting your hair simply be itself and allowing it to tell your story,' the Oscar nominated actress said in a press release for Kerastase, which she has become a Global Brand Ambassador for. 'That, to me, is what beauty is all about being authentic and embracing who you are,' added the ex-wife of Ashton Kutcher. 'As I've gotten older, I've become more thoughtful about how I care for it,' she told People. The ex-wife of Bruce Willis also said the long locks 'feels most like me.' Usually when women get older, they cut off their long hair. But not Demi Moore. The 63-year-old Landman actress likes to wear her locks long all that way down to her bottom, and she has no plans to go shorter 'There's a real freedom in letting your hair simply be itself and allowing it to tell your story,' the Oscar nominated actress said in a press release for Kerastase, which she has become a Global Brand Ambassador for And she feels she is a perfect fit for the brand. 'Partnering with a brand that I already use felt natural. It's iconic, high quality, and aligned with where I am in my hair journey. It isn't just about repair, it's about care that creates longevity.' Moore is 'gentle' with her hair, she told the site, and makes sure it is properly hydrated: 'The goal is strength and shine without overworking it.' That means letting it alone when she is off set: 'When I am not working, I keep styling minimal and heat low. And, with long hair, conditioning is essential. Weekly, I treat it with Chronologiste Masque Intense.' And to not leave the salon with a surprise cut Moore instructs her hairstylist that 'just a dusting' will do. 'I'm protective of the length, so it's about health over inches.' Moore says the 'simplicity' of having long hair is her favorite part, that's why, even though she's 'loved' many past looks, if given the chance to revisit them, 'I'd go right back to long,' she says. Being able to change my look with wigs and pieces feeds my need for change but at the end of the day I love taking it down seeing my hair fall past my waist. It's like coming home.' 'That, to me, is what beauty is all about being authentic and embracing who you are,' added the ex-wife of Ashton Kutcher 'As I've gotten older, I've become more thoughtful about how I care for it,' she told People. The ex-wife of Bruce Willis also said the long locks 'feels most like me' 'Partnering with a brand that I already use felt natural. It's iconic, high quality, and aligned with where I am in my hair journey. It isn't just about repair, it's about care that creates longevity.' Moore is 'gentle' with her hair, she told the site, and makes sure it is properly hydrated: 'The goal is strength and shine without overworking it' There's one previous cut, however, that had a lasting impact on how she views beauty: when she famously shaved her head for the 1997 movie G.I. Jane. She shares that doing so, 'probably was the most illuminating experience and one that deepened my appreciation for my hair!' This comes after Moore revealed that she and Bruce Willis used to have Neil Diamond days where they would play only his music. Daily Mail reported that Moore made the comments when at the Song Sung Blue screening with Kate Hudson at SoHo House in Los Angeles last week. The mother of three said, 'On a personal note, Bruce loved Neil Diamond. When we first together, one day he blasted Neil Diamond. I'm like: 'What are you doing?' He said: 'It's Neil Diamond day!' For many years in the 1990s, the star wore her hair short 'And he played Neil throughout the day. He kept on doing that for years. He was a huge Neil fan. And so am I!' Demi made the revelation during a chat with Song Sung Blue star Kate at the Soho House screening for a star-studded audience which included Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Pacino. Demi was married to the Die Hard star from 1987 until 2000 and they are parents to three grown-up daughters, Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and 31-year-old Tallulah. Bruce went on to marry Emma Heming and they are parents to daughters, Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11. The actor has retired from Hollywood as he battles frontotemporal dementia, and Emma has been open about how their lives have changed since the devastating diagnosis. Greg Bovino, the face of Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, praised ICE agent Jonathan Ross for his work during the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good. The Border Patrol commander spoke to Fox News Monday about the escalation in rhetoric on both sides and new footage that has emerged in the days since Good was killed which shows both she and her wife taunting Ross. Bovino said that Good and her wife Rebecca's actions leading up to the shots fired were 'a means, intent and opportunity.' 'Means, Opportunity, Intent' is a common framework for law enforcement on whether to justify using force. 'Did that individual have the intent?' he said. 'Look at those minutes leading up to the shooting and we will see what I would consider some pretty important intent.' Why the Trump administration is backing agent Ross He then describes Good's vehicle as a 'four-thousand pound missile' headed toward Ross and surmises that she also had the opportunity and the means to attack Ross. 'A four-thousand pound missile is not something anyone wants to face, especially in a split second decision-making process in a very inhospitable environment,' Bovino said. He concluded: 'Hats off to that ICE agent, I'm glad he made it out alive, I'm glad he's with his family.' Democrats have almost universally condemned Ross for the shooting, with liberal celebrities even wearing pins in honor of Good at Sunday's Golden Globes. 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. Governor Walz slams FBI for seizing evidence 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. The conflict over Renee Goods role in Minneapolis 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. 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. The viral surge that secured Renee Goods legacy The GoFundMe campaign to support 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 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 crowd funder 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. Meanwhile, a separate fundraiser for Ross has raised over $300,000, with help from hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman. Why the Ross fundraiser is sparking new controversy 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 sexual 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. Hillary Clinton joins calls for prosecution in Renee Good death Hillary Clinton has sparked an onslaught of criticism after the Democrat condemned the ICE shooting in Minnesota with the claim Renee Nicole Good was 'murdered' by federal agent Jonathan Ross. The liberal former first lady, senator and secretary of state praised protesters who demanded the agency leave Minneapolis after the death of the 37-year-old woman. 'Last night, at the corner where an ICE agent murdered Renee Good, thousands of Minnesotans gathered in the frigid dark to protest her killing. In the face of this administrations lawless violence, solidarity is the answer. They want to mold America to their cruelty. We refuse,' she wrote. Conservatives immediately jumped on the statement as in bad taste. 'This is disgusting. Youre directly endangering lives with this post, madam. As you sit in your country manor with your guards and full staff,' Megyn Kelly wrote. Charles Gasparino asked: 'Again, murder? Now theres a specific legal definition for the word murder and do we really know that what happened the other day was in fact a murder? Isnt Hillary a lawyer? This stuff is 101. Democratic Party elites very much want riots, violence, and dead protesters in Minneapolis. They are openly agitating for it,' John Daniel Davidson added. Clinton joins the rest of the Democrat Party in being unified in anger over the death of Good. Hyper-woke Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told ICE to 'get the [expletive] out' of Minneapolis in a fiery, expletive-ridden speech. In a monologue for his show on Wednesday, liberal comedian Jimmy Kimmel spoke of the shooting and Trump's response, calling him a 'maniac'. He lambasted Trump's characterization of Renee's behavior during her final moments: 'Now, I saw this video. It didn't look like anybody got run over to me. It looked to me like a woman got scared, tried to drive away, and they shot her'. He was quick to add, however, that a ruling on blame was for 'the court to decide'. Read full story here Renee Goods family trust tops $1.5M following ICE tragedy 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 crowd funder 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.' Read full story here Americans may finally be nearing their tipping point as expectations around gratuity continue to creep higher. Before the pandemic, a 15 percent tip was widely seen as perfectly acceptable even generous for average service. Today, many diners say anything below 20 percent is treated as a snub. Customers at a casual seafood eatery in Maryland were outraged when they received their bill for a $260 meal with the 15 percent tip option scribbled out by the server. The diners had been eating at G&M Restaurant Linthicum Heights and said their waitress was friendly and service was decent enough, though nothing excellent. But when the check was returned, the 15 percent gratuity amounting to $36.75 had been scratched out. It made it appear, the diners said, as though it wouldnt be good enough for her. The waitress had also written Thank you on the receipt in advance a move the diners described as entitled and infuriating. 'I was not the one footing this bill, or else I wouldve given a big fat zero for this alone,' one of the diners complained on Reddit. Customers at a casual seafood eatery in Maryland were outraged when they received their bill for a $260 meal with the 15 percent tip option scribbled out by the server Just a decade ago, 15 percent was considered the standard tip for average service. Now, that number has spiked to 20 percent or often more 'The entitlement is infuriating, and just another reminder of how screwed up the whole system is,' they continued. 'We have got to end this nonsense, Im so sick of dining out.' Others on the forum echoed the anger. 'Its just crazy to me that they think they deserve 50 bucks for bringing out a handful of plates and refilling drinks,' one wrote. 'I wonder how many servers understand just how off putting the entitlement is,' another said. Someone else wrote: 'It's insane how normalized the idea of tipping on any transaction involving food is becoming, even if no service is involved. Best to nip it in the bud by not tipping.' Users also questioned why tips should increase simply because a bill is higher. Ill never understand why me ordering something more expensive means you expect a better tip, one commenter wrote. The plates weigh the same. The incident has become a flashpoint in the growing backlash against so-called tipflation the expanding expectation to tip more often, in more places, and at higher rates than ever before. When a customer ordered themselves a pizza for pick-up, they were horrified to find that they were being forced to tip Another industry to spark outrage amongst customers is the frozen yogurt business, where diners are being asked to tip on desserts they create themselves In another recent example, a Reddit user said they were shocked to be effectively forced to tip when ordering a pizza for pickup. As they were paying, they were hit with a message saying 'Don't forget a tip!' and given options of 15, 20 or 35 percent. There was also a 'custom' box, but no option to leave nothing. However, when the customer attempted to make the custom amount $0, the screen wouldn't allow the order to move forward displaying a bright red message: 'Please enter a valid tip amount.' 'How can it be a tip when I don't have a choice,' the customer asked on Reddit. 'Well I did have a choice and went elsewhere,' they wrote. Self-serve frozen yogurt shops have also become a lightning rod for customer anger. Chains such as 16 Handles and Yogurtland have drawn criticism after customers say they are asked to tip despite serving themselves entirely from selecting flavors to adding toppings. For what? frustrated froyo fans have asked online, arguing that the workers do not serve the frozen yogurt or scoop the toppings. A survey last year found that three-quarters of Americans believed tipping culture has gone too far. The research also found that two in three Americans often 'guilt tip' where they feel forced to add gratuity by prompts at check-out machines. Costcos annual membership fee can pay for itself surprisingly quickly if you buy the right things. Shoppers and fans of the membership-only warehouse club say that the annual $65 fee is more than worth it if they are clever about what they put in their cart. For many, the upfront cost of a Costco membership which also comes in a $130-a-year version offering extra perks like early store entry is a turn off. While the annual fee may seem steep at first, it can be recouped many times over thanks to Costcos bulk pricing on household essentials and food staples that mean items cost less than at most grocery stores. The fastest and easiest way to offset the fee is to splurge on a big-ticket item such as a TV, couch, or even an engagement ring. Buying everyday essentials such as water filters, diapers, coffee beans, and cheese can also quickly earn back the $65 you spent on accessing the warehouse. Experts at Business Insider compiled a list of the best Costco purchases for recouping the $65. They created a 'payback score' which measures how much of the cost could be offset by savings after one year of buying only that item at Costco instead of a traditional retailer. A payback score of 100 means the savings cover the full fee, 200 means they cover twice the fee, and 50 means they cover half. This is a conservative estimate because it assumes you buy nothing else at Costco, which is unlikely. The $65 price of a Costco membership is enough to deter many people from shopping at the famously discounted emporium While the membership fee may seem steep at first, it can pay for itself many times over The fastest and easiest way to counteract the fee is to splurge on a big-ticket item - of which Costco offers many - such as TVs, couches, or even engagement rings One of the biggest saving items on offer is pet food. A 38-pound bag of Blue Buffalo dog food costs $65 at Costco but about $111 at a regular store. That means the membership fee is paid for in less than two bags. If you buy it 10 times a year, the savings are so large they cover the fee many times over. Costco also sells a well-reviewed Kirkland brand dog food for $35 for a 40-pound bag. Next up was diapers: A large pack of Huggies diapers costs $50 at Costco but about $70 for the same 156 diapers at other stores. With that price difference, the membership fee is covered in fewer than four purchases. Buying one pack a month means the savings more than pay for the fee several times over. Costco also offers its own Kirkland brand diapers at an even lower per-diaper cost. Baby formula is another big-saving buy: Costco sells large containers of Similac for $55, about $13 cheaper than at a regular store. That means the membership fee would be covered after five purchases. Buying one a month gives a payback score of 240. Shoppers and fans of the membership-only warehouse club say that the $65 fee is beyond worth it if you're clever about what you buy For those not in the market for a monumental purchase, buying everyday essentials such as water filters, diapers, coffee beans, and cheese can also quickly earn back the $65 you spent on accessing the warehouse One of the biggest saving items on offer is pet food Costco also offers generic baby formula at roughly half the price per unit, made by the same supplier, Perrigo, that produces store-brand formulas for other retailers. Coffee beans are another steal. Costco sells Starbucks Pike Place coffee for $8.40 per pound, compared to about $12 elsewhere. The savings cover the membership fee after nine purchases (18 pounds). For a household drinking 30 pounds a year, the payback score is 166. Additionally, Costco offers local and specialty coffees at lower prices than regular stores. Cheese is also a great money saver, Costco sells 2.5-pound blocks of Tillamook cheddar for $4 per pound, about $2.60 less than typical stores. If a household uses half a pound a week (around 25 pounds a year), the savings nearly cover the membership fee, giving a payback score of 102. Bacon is a great way to get the most bang for your buck with a Costco membership. Bacon preferences vary, but a similar thick-cut bacon costs $4.33 per pound at Costco versus about $8 per pound at a typical Midwest grocery store. Cheese is also a great money saver, Costco sells 2.5-pound blocks of Tillamook cheddar for $4 per pound, about $2.60 less than typical stores Bacon is another great way to get the most bang for your buck with a Costco membership Another excellent way to make the most of your membership is to hit up the members-only food court - where $1.50 will get you a signature Costco hot dog and a soda With three pounds per pack, thats about $11 in savings per purchase, enough to cover the membership fee after six purchases. A household buying 15 pounds a year (five packs) would get a payback score of 85. Other items with high payback scores are chicken stock, Greek yogurt, paper goods such as toilet tissue and kitchen roll, pasta, water filters, dishwasher pods, HVAC filters, contact lens solution, allergy medication, cooking oil, laundry detergent, and vitamins. Another excellent way to make the most of your membership is to hit up the members-only food court where $1.50 will get you a signature Costco hot dog and a soda. Roughly one Costco combo a month (14.4 a year, to be exact) will also save you $65 compared to similar deals from chains like Portillo's or Nathan's. Standex International Corporation (NYSE:SXI Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the five brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $264.00. SXI has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Standex International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Standex International in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $260.00 price objective on shares of Standex International in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Roth Capital lifted their price objective on Standex International from $205.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, DA Davidson reissued a buy rating and issued a $272.00 target price on shares of Standex International in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Get Standex International alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Standex International Insider Buying and Selling Hedge Funds Weigh In On Standex International In related news, Director Thomas E. Chorman sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.31, for a total transaction of $223,310.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 13,229 shares in the company, valued at $2,954,167.99. This represents a 7.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, CEO David A. Dunbar sold 18,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $235.00, for a total transaction of $4,230,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 103,973 shares of the companys stock, valued at $24,433,655. The trade was a 14.76% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . In the last three months, insiders sold 21,473 shares of company stock worth $5,024,509. 2.52% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SXI. Wasatch Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Standex International by 62.4% during the second quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 866,830 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $135,642,000 after purchasing an additional 332,941 shares during the period. Champlain Investment Partners LLC raised its position in Standex International by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC now owns 603,095 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $94,372,000 after purchasing an additional 12,544 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Standex International by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 286,756 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $44,877,000 after purchasing an additional 7,522 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in Standex International by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 245,244 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $51,778,000 after buying an additional 4,621 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of Standex International by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 207,608 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $43,992,000 after buying an additional 6,092 shares during the last quarter. 90.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Standex International Stock Performance NYSE:SXI opened at $239.42 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.91 and a beta of 1.12. The business has a 50 day moving average of $233.19 and a 200 day moving average of $211.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 2.87 and a quick ratio of 2.07. Standex International has a 1-year low of $128.85 and a 1-year high of $252.78. Standex International (NYSE:SXI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $217.43 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $215.96 million. Standex International had a net margin of 6.29% and a return on equity of 14.20%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 27.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.84 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Standex International will post 7.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Standex International Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were given a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This is an increase from Standex Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Standex Internationals dividend payout ratio is presently 31.19%. About Standex International (Get Free Report) Standex International Corporation is a diversified global manufacturer specializing in food service equipment, engineered components, and industrial products. Operating across multiple markets, the company designs and produces commercial cooking and warming solutions, precision-engraved nameplates and decorative products, fluid power hydraulics, and magnetics-based electronics. These offerings serve a broad array of end markets, including quick-service restaurants, automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and consumer appliances. With business organized into key segmentsFood Service Equipment, Engraving & Decorating, Hydraulics, Industrial Electronics, and Technical Graphical SolutionsStandex delivers a combination of proprietary technology, automated manufacturing processes, and custom engineering services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Standex International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Standex International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Saturday morning. A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of CMS Energy from $71.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of CMS Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of CMS Energy from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on CMS Energy from $85.00 to $80.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, KeyCorp lifted their price target on shares of CMS Energy from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $78.25. Get CMS Energy alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on CMS Energy CMS Energy Stock Down 0.2% CMS stock opened at $69.82 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $71.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $72.10. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84. The company has a market cap of $21.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.49. CMS Energy has a 52 week low of $63.97 and a 52 week high of $76.45. CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $2.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.83 billion. CMS Energy had a return on equity of 12.10% and a net margin of 12.62%.CMS Energys revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.84 earnings per share. CMS Energy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.800-3.870 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 3.560-3.600 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that CMS Energy will post 3.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. CMS Energy Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a $0.5425 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $2.17 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. CMS Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.72%. Insider Buying and Selling at CMS Energy In other news, SVP Brandon J. Hofmeister sold 4,000 shares of CMS Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.47, for a total value of $289,880.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 64,259 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,656,849.73. The trade was a 5.86% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.49% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. HM Payson & Co. increased its holdings in shares of CMS Energy by 65.6% in the third quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 356 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA grew its holdings in shares of CMS Energy by 10.1% in the 3rd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,562 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $114,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Tobam raised its position in shares of CMS Energy by 35.0% during the second quarter. Tobam now owns 559 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in shares of CMS Energy by 52.0% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 424 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the period. Finally, Cim LLC lifted its position in shares of CMS Energy by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Cim LLC now owns 19,038 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,395,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.57% of the companys stock. About CMS Energy (Get Free Report) CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) is an energy company based in Jackson, Michigan, whose principal business is the regulated utility operations of its subsidiary, Consumers Energy. The company is primarily focused on providing electric and natural gas service to customers in Michigan, operating the generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure necessary to deliver energy to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Headquartered in Jackson, CMS Energy conducts its core activities within the state and is regulated by state utility authorities. Through Consumers Energy and related subsidiaries, CMS Energy develops, owns and operates a portfolio of generation assets and delivers a range of customer-facing services, including electricity and natural gas supply, grid management, energy efficiency programs and demand-response offerings. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for CMS Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CMS Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Haemonetics (NYSE:HAE Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Saturday. Several other research analysts have also commented on the company. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Haemonetics from $87.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and set a $90.00 price objective on shares of Haemonetics in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Haemonetics from $78.00 to $64.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Barrington Research increased their price target on shares of Haemonetics from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Haemonetics in a report on Monday, December 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $84.40. Get Haemonetics alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Haemonetics Haemonetics Trading Up 1.1% HAE opened at $82.90 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.29. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $78.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.92. Haemonetics has a 1-year low of $47.31 and a 1-year high of $87.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Haemonetics (NYSE:HAE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.15. Haemonetics had a return on equity of 27.22% and a net margin of 12.67%.The firm had revenue of $327.32 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $311.61 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.12 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Haemonetics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.800-5.00 EPS. Analysts expect that Haemonetics will post 4.55 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Haemonetics Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in Haemonetics by 3.4% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 29,541 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,877,000 after purchasing an additional 971 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Haemonetics in the first quarter valued at $216,000. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new stake in shares of Haemonetics in the 1st quarter valued at $212,000. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in Haemonetics by 9.1% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 4,458 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $283,000 after acquiring an additional 372 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its stake in Haemonetics by 6.2% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 156,138 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $9,923,000 after acquiring an additional 9,051 shares in the last quarter. 99.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Key Stories Impacting Haemonetics Here are the key news stories impacting Haemonetics this week: Haemonetics Company Profile (Get Free Report) Haemonetics Corporation is a global provider of blood management solutions that support the collection, processing and transfusion of blood and blood products. The companys offerings are designed to enhance patient safety and operational efficiency for blood centers, hospitals and plasma collection facilities. Haemonetics serves healthcare providers worldwide by delivering integrated systems, software and consumables that address critical needs throughout the continuum of blood management. The companys product portfolio includes automated apheresis and plasma collection systems, surgical blood salvage and coagulation monitoring devices, and pathogen reduction technologies. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Haemonetics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Haemonetics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HTH Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the five brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $34.00. HTH has been the topic of several research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Hilltop in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Stephens upped their target price on Hilltop from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Hilltop from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Get Hilltop alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Hilltop Hilltop Trading Down 0.3% Shares of HTH opened at $34.83 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $2.14 billion, a PE ratio of 13.88 and a beta of 0.91. Hilltop has a 12 month low of $26.74 and a 12 month high of $36.13. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $34.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $33.13. Hilltop (NYSE:HTH Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $330.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $309.68 million. Hilltop had a return on equity of 7.18% and a net margin of 9.86%.During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.46 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Hilltop will post 1.51 EPS for the current year. Hilltop Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 21st. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were given a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. Hilltops dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.69%. Insider Activity In related news, CAO Keith E. Bornemann sold 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.00, for a total transaction of $77,000.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 8,692 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $304,220. This represents a 20.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 29.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Hantz Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Hilltop in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Hilltop by 584.7% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,075 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 918 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Hilltop by 141.8% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,400 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 821 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in shares of Hilltop in the third quarter valued at about $43,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Hilltop by 42.7% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,334 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 399 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.13% of the companys stock. Hilltop Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hilltop Holdings, Inc (NYSE: HTH) is a Dallas, Texasbased financial holding company offering commercial banking, mortgage lending and capital markets services through its three primary subsidiaries: PlainsCapital Corporation, PrimeLending and HilltopSecurities. PlainsCapital provides deposit, lending and treasury management solutions to small and mid-sized businesses, professionals and individuals. PrimeLending specializes in home purchase and refinance loans, serving retail, wholesale and correspondent channels. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hilltop Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hilltop and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Hydro One Limited (TSE:H Get Free Report) traded down 0.3% on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$53.53 and last traded at C$53.77. 1,193,225 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 58% from the average session volume of 755,474 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$53.95. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. CIBC upped their target price on shares of Hydro One from C$52.00 to C$54.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Raymond James Financial upped their price objective on Hydro One from C$49.00 to C$53.50 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Hydro One from C$51.00 to C$53.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, National Bankshares boosted their price target on Hydro One from C$49.00 to C$53.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$52.95. Get Hydro One alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Hydro One Hydro One Price Performance The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 140.53. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of C$53.59 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$51.22. The stock has a market cap of C$32.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.21. Hydro One (TSE:H Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported C$0.70 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$1.22 billion during the quarter. Hydro One had a return on equity of 9.58% and a net margin of 13.59%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Hydro One Limited will post 2.0572195 EPS for the current year. Hydro One Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a $0.3331 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $1.33 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. Hydro Ones dividend payout ratio is 59.66%. About Hydro One (Get Free Report) Hydro One operates regulated transmission and distribution assets in Ontario. The areas largest electricity provider serves nearly 1.5 million customers. Transmission accounts for roughly 60% of the companys rate base, with distribution accounting for the remainder. Hydro One operates a small telecom business, Acronym Solutions, with annual revenue contributing less than 1% to consolidated results. The province of Ontario holds an approximate 47% common equity stake. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hydro One Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hydro One and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SFOSF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 301,151 shares, a growth of 6,375.0% from the December 15th total of 4,651 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 105 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2,868.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 105 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2,868.1 days. Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Stock Performance SFOSF remained flat at $2.78 during trading on Monday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $3.12 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $2.84. Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical has a twelve month low of $1.62 and a twelve month high of $3.50. Get Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) alerts: About Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) (Get Free Report) Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co, Ltd. is a Chinabased healthcare company and a core subsidiary of Fosun International. The company operates across drug manufacturing, distribution and retail services, and health management. Its product portfolio includes generic and proprietary smallmolecule drugs, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and traditional Chinese patent medicines. Through integrated R&D capabilities and strategic partnerships, Fosun Pharmaceutical pursues innovation across therapeutic areas such as oncology, cardiovascular, metabolic and infectious diseases. The pharmaceutical manufacturing segment encompasses chemical pharmaceuticals, Chinese patent medicines and biological products, while the distribution arm manages one of the largest drug distribution networks in China, supplying hospitals, clinics and retail pharmacies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Siemens Healthineers AG (OTCMKTS:SMMNY Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Buy from the seven ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has issued a hold recommendation, two have issued a buy recommendation and three have given a strong buy recommendation to the company. Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on shares of Siemens Healthineers in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. They issued a moderate buy rating on the stock. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Siemens Healthineers from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Siemens Healthineers from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Get Siemens Healthineers alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Siemens Healthineers Siemens Healthineers Stock Up 1.2% Siemens Healthineers Company Profile OTCMKTS:SMMNY opened at $27.36 on Friday. Siemens Healthineers has a 1 year low of $23.28 and a 1 year high of $30.19. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $25.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $26.85. (Get Free Report) Siemens Healthineers AG is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and distributes a broad range of products and services for the healthcare sector. Headquartered in Erlangen, Germany, the company focuses on diagnostic and therapeutic imaging, in vitro diagnostics and advanced digital health solutions. As a spin-off from Siemens AG, Siemens Healthineers has leveraged decades of engineering expertise to establish a comprehensive portfolio that addresses critical needs in modern healthcare. The companys core offerings include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), X-ray and molecular imaging systems, as well as laboratory diagnostics equipment and point-of-care testing devices. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Siemens Healthineers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Siemens Healthineers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Starwood European Real Estate Finance (LON:SWEF Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 2.5% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as GBX 87.32 and last traded at GBX 87.75. 644 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 93% from the average session volume of 9,378 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 90. Starwood European Real Estate Finance Trading Down 2.5% The firm has a market capitalization of 47.57 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -137.11. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 87.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 87.92. About Starwood European Real Estate Finance (Get Free Report) Starwood European Real Estate Finance Ltd. specializes in making real estate debt investments. The fund invests in Europe with a focus on the United Kingdom and wider European Union's internal market, focusing on Northern and Southern Europe. It provides loans with a term between three and seven years. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Starwood European Real Estate Finance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Starwood European Real Estate Finance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE:TEVA Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning. Several other research firms have also issued reports on TEVA. Barclays assumed coverage on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued an overweight rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. UBS Group upped their price objective on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Bank of America raised their target price on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $28.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $30.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $33.67. Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Trading Up 2.5% Insider Buying and Selling at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock opened at $32.80 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $37.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 54.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.66. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $28.28 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.71. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has a 12-month low of $12.47 and a 12-month high of $33.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31. In other Teva Pharmaceutical Industries news, CAO Amir Weiss sold 12,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.20, for a total transaction of $371,460.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 5,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at $170,630. The trade was a 68.52% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, VP Richard Daniell sold 115,468 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.68, for a total value of $3,311,622.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 48,384 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,387,653.12. The trade was a 70.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 622,060 shares of company stock valued at $17,076,965 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 100.7% in the second quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 723,974 shares of the companys stock worth $12,134,000 after acquiring an additional 363,252 shares during the period. IFM Investors Pty Ltd increased its position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 9.4% during the 2nd quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 226,534 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,797,000 after purchasing an additional 19,447 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its holdings in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 719,676 shares of the companys stock worth $12,062,000 after purchasing an additional 37,455 shares in the last quarter. Oak Harvest Investment Services purchased a new stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,010,000. Finally, Swiss National Bank boosted its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 15.5% during the 2nd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 3,616,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $60,613,000 after purchasing an additional 486,100 shares in the last quarter. 54.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Teva Pharmaceutical Industries this week: Positive Sentiment: Teva struck a funding agreement with Royalty Pharma for up to $500M to accelerate clinical development of TEV408 for vitiligo; Teva retains global commercial rights and expects to share trial results in 2026. This derisking funding and preserved commercial upside likely drove optimism. Article Title Teva struck a funding agreement with Royalty Pharma for up to $500M to accelerate clinical development of TEV408 for vitiligo; Teva retains global commercial rights and expects to share trial results in 2026. This derisking funding and preserved commercial upside likely drove optimism. Positive Sentiment: Management issued FY2025 EPS and revenue guidance (EPS 2.552.65; revenue $16.817.0B) and reiterated multiyear targets, which investors interpreted as bullish for future growth and helped lift sentiment. Coverage highlighting that optimism also supported the rally. Article Title Management issued FY2025 EPS and revenue guidance (EPS 2.552.65; revenue $16.817.0B) and reiterated multiyear targets, which investors interpreted as bullish for future growth and helped lift sentiment. Coverage highlighting that optimism also supported the rally. Neutral Sentiment: Teva will present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (Jan 13); the presentation could provide more detail on commercial strategy and pipeline timelines but is informational until new disclosures are made. Article Title Teva will present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (Jan 13); the presentation could provide more detail on commercial strategy and pipeline timelines but is informational until new disclosures are made. Neutral Sentiment: Positive analyst/commentary pieces (Zacks, Yahoo) highlight TEVA as a value/turnaround name with high institutional ownership supportive background but not a nearterm catalyst by itself. Article Title About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Get Free Report) Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA) is an Israeli multinational pharmaceutical company and one of the worlds largest manufacturers of generic medicines. The companys core activities include the development, production and marketing of generic pharmaceuticals alongside a portfolio of specialty branded medicines. Teva supplies finished dosage forms and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to markets around the globe and operates manufacturing and research facilities in multiple countries. Tevas product range covers oral solids, injectables, inhalation products and other dosage forms across therapeutic areas such as central nervous system disorders, respiratory, oncology, pain and infectious disease. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE:VMI Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $432.89 and last traded at $432.9890, with a volume of 84871 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $425.58. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Valmont Industries in a report on Monday, December 29th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Valmont Industries from $475.00 to $491.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Valmont Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, October 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Valmont Industries in a research report on Friday, September 26th. They issued an overweight rating and a $480.00 target price on the stock. Finally, DA Davidson increased their price target on shares of Valmont Industries from $400.00 to $415.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $462.00. Get Valmont Industries alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on VMI Valmont Industries Stock Up 1.9% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 2.26. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $409.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $385.76. The firm has a market cap of $8.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.37 and a beta of 1.20. Valmont Industries (NYSE:VMI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The industrial products company reported $4.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.64 by $0.34. Valmont Industries had a net margin of 6.33% and a return on equity of 22.92%. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.03 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.11 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Valmont Industries has set its FY 2025 guidance at 18.700-19.50 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Valmont Industries, Inc. will post 18.07 EPS for the current year. Valmont Industries Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be given a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Valmont Industriess dividend payout ratio is currently 23.43%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, insider James Christopher Colwell sold 375 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $410.68, for a total value of $154,005.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 7,286 shares in the company, valued at $2,992,214.48. The trade was a 4.89% 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. Insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valmont Industries Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Community Bank N.A. acquired a new position in Valmont Industries during the third quarter worth $25,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new position in Valmont Industries in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Valmont Industries in the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in Valmont Industries by 357.1% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 96 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in shares of Valmont Industries by 335.7% during the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 122 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.84% of the companys stock. About Valmont Industries (Get Free Report) Valmont Industries, Inc (NYSE: VMI) is a diversified industrial manufacturer specializing in infrastructure and agricultural products. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, the company engages in the design, production and distribution of engineered products that support water management, power transmission, lighting and traffic infrastructure. Valmonts solutions range from center-pivot and lateral-move irrigation systems to utility poles, transmission towers, lighting structures and highway traffic signal support structures. The company operates through several core business segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Valmont Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valmont Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of O-I Glass (NYSE: OI) recently: 1/6/2026 O-I Glass had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $14.00 to $17.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock. 1/6/2026 O-I Glass was upgraded by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating. They now have a $18.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $15.00. 1/6/2026 O-I Glass had its price target raised by analysts at Truist Financial Corporation from $17.00 to $21.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 1/2/2026 O-I Glass was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating. 12/28/2025 O-I Glass was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating. 12/20/2025 O-I Glass was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating. 11/17/2025 O-I Glass was upgraded by analysts at Bank of America Corporation from a neutral rating to a buy rating. They now have a $17.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $14.00. O-I Glass, Inc is a leading global manufacturer of glass containers, supplying the food and beverage, wine and spirits, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and personal care industries. Headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, the company produces a broad range of glass packaging solutions, including bottles and jars, designed to meet customer specifications for size, shape, color and performance. O-I leverages proprietary technologies in forming, decoration and quality control to serve both mass-market and premium brands. Tracing its origins to the early 20th century through the merger of prominent regional glassmakers, the company adopted the Owens-Illinois name in 1929 before rebranding as O-I Glass in 2015. See Also Receive News & Ratings for O-I Glass Inc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for O-I Glass Inc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primoris Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Australia ETF (NYSEARCA:EWA Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm acquired 19,500 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $526,000. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of EWA. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 10,333.3% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,565 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,550 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Australia ETF in the first quarter valued at about $42,000. Simplex Trading LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Australia ETF in the second quarter valued at about $71,000. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 5,842.9% during the second quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 2,912 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $77,000 after buying an additional 2,863 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ball & Co Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI Australia ETF during the third quarter worth about $87,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.69% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI Australia ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Australia ETF Price Performance Shares of EWA stock opened at $26.45 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $1.32 billion, a PE ratio of 19.89 and a beta of 1.04. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $26.16 and a 200-day moving average of $26.56. iShares MSCI Australia ETF has a one year low of $20.50 and a one year high of $27.57. iShares MSCI Australia ETF Profile iShares MSCI Australia ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, of publicly traded securities in the Australian market, as represented by the MSCI Australia Index (the Index). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. The Index seeks to measure the performance of the Australian equity market. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Australia ETF (NYSEARCA:EWA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Australia ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Australia ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.63 per share by the healthcare product maker on Friday, February 13th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. This is a 6.8% increase from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. Abbott Laboratories has increased its dividend by an average of 0.1%per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 54 years. Abbott Laboratories has a dividend payout ratio of 44.4% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Abbott Laboratories to earn $5.73 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.52 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 44.0%. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Price Performance ABT stock traded down $1.49 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $123.15. 448,686 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,132,968. The stock has a market cap of $214.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.72. Abbott Laboratories has a one year low of $110.86 and a one year high of $141.23. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $126.15 and a 200 day simple moving average of $129.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. Abbott Laboratories Company Profile Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.60% and a net margin of 31.88%.The firm had revenue of $11.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.40 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.21 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. (Get Free Report) Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of medical products and services. Founded in 1888, Abbott operates through multiple business areas that focus on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and established pharmaceuticals. The company supplies hospitals, clinics, laboratories, retailers and direct-to-consumer channels with products intended to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of health conditions. In diagnostics, Abbott provides laboratory and point-of-care testing platforms and assays used to detect infectious diseases, chronic conditions and biomarkers; its Alinity family of instruments and rapid-test solutions are examples of this capability. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Tuesday. Stock traders acquired 48,909 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 41% compared to the typical daily volume of 34,714 call options. Institutional Trading of Altria Group A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in MO. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth $25,000. Carderock Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Altria Group during the second quarter worth $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Country Trust Bank increased its stake in Altria Group by 400.0% during the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 500 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Anfield Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Altria Group by 334.7% during the 2nd quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently commented on MO. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Altria Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $61.00 to $63.00 in a research report on Friday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $62.56. Altria Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE MO traded up $1.49 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $60.03. 6,409,967 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,892,972. The stock has a market capitalization of $100.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.45, a PEG ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 0.47. Altria Group has a 1-year low of $50.08 and a 1-year high of $68.60. The companys 50-day moving average price is $58.04 and its 200-day moving average price is $61.50. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 37.89% and a negative return on equity of 319.43%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.38 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Altria Group will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year. Altria Group declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Thursday, October 30th that allows the company to buyback $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to purchase up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Altria Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Investors of record on Friday, December 26th were given a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 26th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.1%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 80.92%. Altria Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Altria Group, Inc (NYSE: MO) is a U.S.-based consumer goods company whose principal business is the manufacture and sale of tobacco products. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the companys operations are focused primarily on the U.S. market and include the production, marketing and distribution of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and cigars. Its flagship cigarette franchise in the United States is sold through its operating subsidiaries and is among the most recognizable cigarette brands in the country. Altrias principal operating businesses include Philip Morris USA (cigarettes), U.S. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. General Motors (NYSE: GM) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms: 1/13/2026 General Motors had its hold rating reaffirmed by analysts at HSBC Holdings plc. They now have a $75.00 price target on the stock. 1/12/2026 General Motors had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $86.00 to $98.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 1/9/2026 General Motors had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at UBS Group AG. 1/9/2026 General Motors was given a new $100.00 price target on by analysts at Mizuho. 1/8/2026 General Motors was given a new $98.00 price target on by analysts at Piper Sandler. They now have an overweight rating on the stock. 1/8/2026 General Motors was upgraded by analysts at Piper Sandler from a neutral rating to an overweight rating. They now have a $98.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $66.00. 1/4/2026 General Motors was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating. 12/27/2025 General Motors was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a buy rating. 12/18/2025 General Motors had its price target raised by analysts at Wedbush from $75.00 to $95.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock. 12/16/2025 General Motors was given a new $90.00 price target on by analysts at Mizuho. 12/15/2025 General Motors had its price target raised by analysts at UBS Group AG from $85.00 to $97.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 12/15/2025 General Motors had its price target raised by analysts at UBS Group AG from $85.00 to $97.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 12/12/2025 General Motors had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Cowen Inc. 12/9/2025 General Motors had its price target raised by analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from $81.00 to $93.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 12/9/2025 General Motors had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $46.00 to $48.00. They now have an underweight rating on the stock. 12/8/2025 General Motors was upgraded by analysts at Morgan Stanley from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating. They now have a $90.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $54.00. 11/24/2025 General Motors had its price target raised by analysts at Evercore ISI from $68.00 to $74.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock. General Motors Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. General Motorss payout ratio is presently 12.07%. Get General Motors Company alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at General Motors In related news, CAO Christopher Hatto sold 15,697 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.00, for a total transaction of $1,098,790.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 12,007 shares of the companys stock, valued at $840,490. The trade was a 56.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, President Mark L. Reuss sold 260,600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.45, for a total value of $17,316,870.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president owned 98,006 shares in the company, valued at $6,512,498.70. This represents a 72.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 284,021 shares of company stock worth $18,971,788 in the last ninety days. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) is a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, that designs, builds and sells cars, trucks, crossovers and electric vehicles, and provides related parts and services. Founded in 1908, GM has long been one of the worlds largest automakers and has evolved into a multi-brand company whose primary marques include Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick. Beyond vehicle manufacturing, GMs operations encompass vehicle financing, connected services and advanced mobility initiatives. GM develops and markets a broad portfolio of products and technologies, including internal-combustion and battery-electric vehicles, vehicle components and on-board connectivity services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for General Motors Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Motors Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aperam (OTCMKTS:APEMY Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $42.50 and last traded at $42.50, with a volume of 174 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $41.3150. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently issued reports on APEMY. Zacks Research raised Aperam from a strong sell rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Aperam from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Aperam in a research report on Friday, December 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Aperam presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Aperam alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on APEMY Aperam Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $38.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $34.97. The stock has a market cap of $3.11 billion, a P/E ratio of -354.14 and a beta of 1.08. Aperam (OTCMKTS:APEMY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The company reported ($0.33) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.01 by ($0.34). The business had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.69 billion. Aperam had a negative net margin of 0.13% and a positive return on equity of 0.47%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Aperam will post 2.84 EPS for the current year. Aperam Company Profile (Get Free Report) Aperam is a global stainless, electrical and specialty steel producer with headquarters in Luxembourg. The company designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of stainless and electrical steel products that serve markets such as automotive, household appliances, construction, energy and mechanical industries. Aperam operates an integrated value chain that spans mining, steelmaking, finishing and distribution, enabling it to control quality and deliver tailored solutions to its customers. The company was established in 2011 following a carve-out from ArcelorMittal and has since developed a distinct identity focused on sustainable stainless steel production. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Aperam Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aperam and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank Hapoalim (OTCMKTS:BKHYY Get Free Report)s share price gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $120.4650, but opened at $112.05. Bank Hapoalim shares last traded at $112.05, with a volume of 848 shares changing hands. Bank Hapoalim Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of $32.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.47 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The company has a 50 day moving average of $111.97 and a 200 day moving average of $101.74. Get Bank Hapoalim alerts: Bank Hapoalim (OTCMKTS:BKHYY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 20th. The bank reported $2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Bank Hapoalim had a return on equity of 14.60% and a net margin of 21.60%.The company had revenue of $1.99 billion for the quarter. Bank Hapoalim Cuts Dividend Bank Hapoalim Company Profile The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.9362 per share. This represents a yield of 266.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. Bank Hapoalims dividend payout ratio is 38.62%. (Get Free Report) Bank Hapoalim B.M. is one of Israels largest banking groups, providing a broad range of financial services to retail, corporate and institutional customers. Founded in 1921 by the Histadrut labor federation, the bank has developed into a full-service financial institution offering deposit accounts, consumer and mortgage lending, credit cards, payment services, and branch-based retail banking. It also serves small and medium-sized enterprises with working capital and trade finance solutions. In addition to traditional retail banking, Bank Hapoalim operates significant corporate and investment banking divisions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Bank Hapoalim Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank Hapoalim and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XTEN 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 55,443 shares, an increase of 367.0% from the December 15th total of 11,872 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 272,902 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 272,902 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Currently, 0.3% of the companys stock are sold short. Institutional Trading of BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. acquired a new position in BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the first quarter worth about $306,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 35.3% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 4,031 shares of the companys stock valued at $188,000 after purchasing an additional 1,052 shares during the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC boosted its holdings in BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 6.3% during the second quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 434,151 shares of the companys stock worth $20,040,000 after buying an additional 25,687 shares in the last quarter. Paladin Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 15.4% during the second quarter. Paladin Wealth LLC now owns 15,292 shares of the companys stock worth $706,000 after buying an additional 2,039 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Richard P Slaughter Associates Inc acquired a new position in BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $4,476,000. Get BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF alerts: BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Stock Up 0.0% Shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF stock traded up $0.02 on Tuesday, reaching $46.37. 32,647 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 61,822. BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF has a 1-year low of $43.92 and a 1-year high of $47.82. The companys 50-day moving average is $46.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $46.36. BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Company Profile The BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (XTEN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is passively managed to invest in a portfolio of US Treasury securities with a target duration of ten years. XTEN was launched on Sep 13, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ProPetro Holding Corp. (NYSE:PUMP Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Hold from the nine brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $12.50. A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Wolfe Research upgraded ProPetro to a buy rating and set a $13.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Zacks Research upgraded ProPetro from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Barclays reissued a neutral rating on shares of ProPetro in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of ProPetro in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of ProPetro from $6.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Get ProPetro alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on ProPetro Insider Transactions at ProPetro Institutional Trading of ProPetro In related news, Director Michele Vion sold 6,916 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.64, for a total transaction of $73,586.24. Following the sale, the director owned 45,029 shares in the company, valued at $479,108.56. This represents a 13.31% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, Director G Larry Lawrence sold 27,000 shares of ProPetro stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.84, for a total value of $292,680.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 35,831 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $388,408.04. The trade was a 42.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock. Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in shares of ProPetro by 53.1% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 52,599 shares of the companys stock valued at $500,000 after acquiring an additional 18,251 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in ProPetro by 103.4% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,648,055 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,636,000 after purchasing an additional 837,776 shares in the last quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL bought a new stake in ProPetro in the third quarter valued at $2,280,000. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of ProPetro during the third quarter valued at about $124,000. Finally, Dark Forest Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of ProPetro during the 3rd quarter worth about $57,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.70% of the companys stock. ProPetro Price Performance PUMP stock opened at $9.41 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $978.66 million, a P/E ratio of -55.36 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $9.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.26. ProPetro has a 52-week low of $4.51 and a 52-week high of $11.66. ProPetro (NYSE:PUMP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.11) by $0.09. The company had revenue of $293.92 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $266.25 million. ProPetro had a negative net margin of 1.31% and a negative return on equity of 0.06%. ProPetros revenue for the quarter was down 18.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($1.32) earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that ProPetro will post 0.25 EPS for the current year. ProPetro Company Profile (Get Free Report) ProPetro Holding Corp is a publicly traded oilfield services company that specializes in hydraulic fracturing and well completion solutions for exploration and production operators. Headquartered in Midland, Texas, the company delivers a comprehensive suite of pressure pumping services designed to optimize reservoir stimulation and enhance hydrocarbon recovery. Its integrated approach encompasses well design, proppant selection, fluid systems and pressure management to support clients development targets across unconventional plays. The companys core offerings include high-pressure fracturing, coiled tubing, cementing, acidizing and flowback services, all supported by in-house logistics and digital monitoring tools. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for ProPetro Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ProPetro and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cardinal Energy (TSE:CJ Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by stock analysts at CIBC from C$8.25 to C$7.75 in a report released on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs price objective suggests a potential downside of 12.23% from the companys current price. CJ has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of Cardinal Energy from C$8.00 to C$8.50 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Raymond James Financial upgraded Cardinal Energy to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$7.92. Get Cardinal Energy alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on CJ Cardinal Energy Trading Up 3.0% Shares of Cardinal Energy stock traded up C$0.26 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching C$8.83. The stock had a trading volume of 735,356 shares, compared to its average volume of 705,261. The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.40, a P/E/G ratio of -0.26 and a beta of 0.42. Cardinal Energy has a 1 year low of C$4.64 and a 1 year high of C$9.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.05. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$8.72 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$7.88. Cardinal Energy (TSE:CJ Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported C$0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Cardinal Energy had a net margin of 19.57% and a return on equity of 11.24%. The firm had revenue of C$104.82 million during the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Cardinal Energy will post 0.625118 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Cardinal Energy In other Cardinal Energy news, insider David Kelly sold 41,430 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$7.91, for a total value of C$327,711.30. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 122,624 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$969,955.84. This represents a 25.25% decrease in their position. 23.38% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Cardinal Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Cardinal Energy Ltd is an oil-focused Canadian company. The companys principal business activity is the acquisition, exploration, and production of petroleum and natural gas in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Cardinal Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cardinal Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SG Americas Securities LLC decreased its holdings in Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH Free Report) by 75.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 18,516 shares of the companys stock after selling 56,545 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLCs holdings in Cardinal Health were worth $2,906,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its position in shares of Cardinal Health by 3.6% in the second quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,767 shares of the companys stock worth $297,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Cardinal Health by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 4,091 shares of the companys stock worth $642,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management boosted its position in Cardinal Health by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 17,805 shares of the companys stock worth $2,991,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC increased its holdings in Cardinal Health by 55.0% in the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 200 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Perigon Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Cardinal Health by 3.2% in the second quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,314 shares of the companys stock valued at $389,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the period. 87.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Cardinal Health alerts: Cardinal Health Price Performance NYSE CAH opened at $202.42 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $48.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.65. Cardinal Health, Inc. has a 12 month low of $119.25 and a 12 month high of $214.93. The companys fifty day moving average price is $204.29 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $173.48. Cardinal Health Announces Dividend Cardinal Health ( NYSE:CAH Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.22 by $0.33. Cardinal Health had a net margin of 0.68% and a negative return on equity of 84.37%. The business had revenue of $64.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $59.41 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.88 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 22.4% on a year-over-year basis. Cardinal Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.650-9.850 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Cardinal Health, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.5107 per share. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. Cardinal Healths dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.77%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently weighed in on CAH. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on Cardinal Health from $195.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Argus upped their price target on Cardinal Health from $189.00 to $211.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Cardinal Health in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Mizuho set a $222.00 target price on shares of Cardinal Health in a research report on Monday. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Cardinal Health from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $213.40. Get Our Latest Analysis on Cardinal Health Cardinal Health Profile (Free Report) Cardinal Health is a multinational healthcare services and products company headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. Tracing its roots to the early 1970s, the company has grown into a major provider of supply chain and distribution services for the healthcare sector. Cardinal Health operates across a range of service lines that support hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, physician offices and clinical laboratories. The companys core activities include the wholesale distribution of branded and generic pharmaceuticals, the supply and distribution of medical-surgical products, and the provision of logistics and inventory management solutions. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CAH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cardinal Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cardinal Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Continental AG (OTCMKTS:CTTAY Get Free Report) shares gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday after Berenberg Bank downgraded the stock from a buy rating to a hold rating. The stock had previously closed at $8.20, but opened at $7.90. Continental shares last traded at $7.92, with a volume of 10,954 shares changing hands. Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on CTTAY. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Continental in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Continental from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Continental from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Zacks Research upgraded Continental from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Barclays cut Continental from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Continental alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CTTAY Continental Trading Down 3.5% The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $7.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The company has a market cap of $15.82 billion, a PE ratio of 49.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.30. Continental (OTCMKTS:CTTAY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.55) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.38) by ($0.17). Continental had a return on equity of 1.14% and a net margin of 0.91%.The business had revenue of $5.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.93 billion. On average, analysts forecast that Continental AG will post 0.66 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Continental (Get Free Report) Continental AG, trading on the OTC market under the ticker CTTAY, is a global technology company renowned for its wide range of automotive and industrial products. The companys core businesses include the design, development, and manufacturing of tires for passenger cars, commercial trucks, and specialty applications, as well as advanced automotive systems such as braking solutions, vehicle stability controls, sensors and electronic safety devices. Founded in 1871 and headquartered in Hanover, Germany, Continental began as a rubber manufacturer before pioneering pneumatic tires in the late 19th century. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Continental Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Continental and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ENGIE Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:ENGIY Get Free Report) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Tuesday . 160,994 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 25% from the previous sessions volume of 128,654 shares.The stock last traded at $27.28 and had previously closed at $27.79. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of ENGIE in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Barclays restated an overweight rating on shares of ENGIE in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on ENGIE in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of ENGIE in a report on Friday, November 14th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, ENGIE has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get ENGIE alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on ENGIY ENGIE Stock Performance ENGIE Company Profile The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.06. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $25.67 and a 200 day moving average price of $23.39. (Get Free Report) ENGIE is a Paris-headquartered multinational energy company engaged across the value chain of electricity and natural gas, along with associated infrastructure and services. The company develops, builds and operates power generation assets (including gas-fired plants and an expanding portfolio of renewable generation such as wind, solar and hydro), trades and markets energy commodities, and supplies energy to industrial, commercial and residential customers. ENGIE also provides energy infrastructure and networks, liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions, and a range of energy services including energy efficiency, facility management and distributed energy systems. The group traces its modern corporate roots to the 2008 combination of Gaz de France and Suez, and subsequently adopted the ENGIE name in 2015 as part of a strategic repositioning. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ENGIE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ENGIE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enlightify (NYSE:ENFY Get Free Report) and Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE:APD Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and risk. Profitability This table compares Enlightify and Air Products and Chemicals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Enlightify alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Enlightify -22.98% -18.78% -11.03% Air Products and Chemicals -3.28% 15.18% 6.64% Institutional and Insider Ownership 0.1% of Enlightify shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.7% of Air Products and Chemicals shares are owned by institutional investors. 14.2% of Enlightify shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.9% of Air Products and Chemicals shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Volatility and Risk Analyst Ratings Enlightify has a beta of 0.99, suggesting that its share price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Air Products and Chemicals has a beta of 0.87, suggesting that its share price is 13% less volatile than the S&P 500. This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Enlightify and Air Products and Chemicals, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Enlightify 1 0 0 0 1.00 Air Products and Chemicals 1 7 7 1 2.50 Air Products and Chemicals has a consensus target price of $292.00, suggesting a potential upside of 9.88%. Given Air Products and Chemicals stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Air Products and Chemicals is more favorable than Enlightify. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Enlightify and Air Products and Chemicalss top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Enlightify $79.21 million 0.01 -$28.41 million ($0.86) -0.06 Air Products and Chemicals $12.04 billion 4.91 -$394.50 million ($1.78) -149.29 Enlightify has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Air Products and Chemicals. Air Products and Chemicals is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Enlightify, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Air Products and Chemicals beats Enlightify on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Enlightify (Get Free Report) Enlightify, Inc. engages in the research, development, production, and sale of various types of fertilizers and agricultural products. It operates through the following segments: Jinong, Gufeng, and Yuxing. The Jinong segment includes fertilizer products, with focus on humic acid-based compound fertilizer. The Gufeng segment refers to the compound fertilizer, blended fertilizer, organic compound fertilizer, slow-release fertilizers, highly concentrated water-soluble fertilizers, and mixed organic-inorganic compound fertilizer. The Yuxing segment develops and produces agricultural products, such as top-grade fruits, vegetables, flowers, and colored seedlings. The company was founded by Tao Li on February 6, 1987 and is headquartered in Xian, China. About Air Products and Chemicals (Get Free Report) Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. provides atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, equipment, and related services in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, India, and internationally. The company produces atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and argon; process gases, such as hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and syngas; and specialty gases for customers in various industries, including refining, chemical, manufacturing, electronics, energy production, medical, food, and metals. It also designs and manufactures equipment for air separation, hydrocarbon recovery and purification, natural gas liquefaction, and liquid helium and liquid hydrogen transport and storage. The company was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Receive News & Ratings for Enlightify Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enlightify and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ford Motor (NYSE:F Get Free Report) had its price target raised by equities research analysts at TD Cowen from $13.00 to $15.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a hold rating on the auto manufacturers stock. TD Cowens target price points to a potential upside of 6.95% from the companys current price. Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Ford Motor from $12.00 to $14.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Ford Motor from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on Ford Motor from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Ford Motor from an underperform rating to a hold rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $9.00 to $12.00 in a report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Ford Motor in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $12.89. Get Ford Motor alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on F Ford Motor Stock Down 0.0% Shares of F traded down $0.01 on Tuesday, hitting $14.03. 41,691,237 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 68,423,172. Ford Motor has a one year low of $8.44 and a one year high of $14.50. The company has a market capitalization of $55.88 billion, a PE ratio of 12.09 and a beta of 1.62. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $13.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 1.12. Ford Motor (NYSE:F Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The auto manufacturer reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.38 by $0.07. Ford Motor had a net margin of 2.48% and a return on equity of 11.94%. The firm had revenue of $50.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $43.08 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.49 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Ford Motor will post 1.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Ford Motor Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in F. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Ford Motor during the 2nd quarter valued at about $405,328,000. DLD Asset Management LP purchased a new position in Ford Motor in the third quarter valued at approximately $299,000,000. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 712.7% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 19,572,437 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $212,361,000 after purchasing an additional 17,164,234 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Ford Motor by 17.9% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 103,784,031 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $1,122,434,000 after purchasing an additional 15,748,694 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in Ford Motor by 32.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 29,342,420 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $318,365,000 after acquiring an additional 7,238,424 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.74% of the companys stock. Ford Motor News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Ford Motor this week: Ford Motor Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is an American multinational automaker headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. Founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the company became an early pioneer of mass-production techniques with the Model T and the adoption of the moving assembly line. Today, Ford designs, manufactures, markets and services a broad range of vehicles and mobility solutions under the Ford and Lincoln brands, spanning passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks and commercial vehicles. Fords business activities extend beyond vehicle production to include parts and aftermarket services, fleet and commercial sales, and automotive financing through Ford Motor Credit Company. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ford Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ford Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RWC Asset Advisors US LLC decreased its position in Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI Free Report) by 54.6% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 1,489,734 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,790,652 shares during the quarter. Gold Fields accounts for approximately 10.2% of RWC Asset Advisors US LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest position. RWC Asset Advisors US LLCs holdings in Gold Fields were worth $62,509,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of GFI. Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Gold Fields in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Country Trust Bank purchased a new position in Gold Fields during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Gold Fields by 672.1% during the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,552 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 1,351 shares in the last quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Gold Fields in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $47,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in shares of Gold Fields by 31.8% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,007 shares of the companys stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 484 shares during the last quarter. 24.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Gold Fields alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on Gold Fields to $45.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Gold Fields from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Gold Fields from $50.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Gold Fields in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price objective on Gold Fields from $30.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Gold Fields has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $42.13. Gold Fields Stock Performance GFI stock opened at $48.45 on Tuesday. Gold Fields Limited has a 1 year low of $14.56 and a 1 year high of $49.60. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $42.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $36.75. About Gold Fields (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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GFI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI Free Report). 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. Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY Get Free Report) and LATAM Airlines Group (NYSE:LTM Get Free Report) are both large-cap transportation companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, risk, valuation and profitability. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Joby Aviation and LATAM Airlines Group, as provided by MarketBeat. Get Joby Aviation alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Joby Aviation 3 5 1 0 1.78 LATAM Airlines Group 0 2 2 0 2.50 Joby Aviation currently has a consensus price target of $13.43, suggesting a potential downside of 12.82%. LATAM Airlines Group has a consensus price target of $59.25, suggesting a potential upside of 2.55%. Given LATAM Airlines Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe LATAM Airlines Group is more favorable than Joby Aviation. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Joby Aviation N/A -77.03% -55.91% LATAM Airlines Group 8.99% 136.76% 7.71% Volatility & Risk This table compares Joby Aviation and LATAM Airlines Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Joby Aviation has a beta of 2.56, indicating that its share price is 156% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, LATAM Airlines Group has a beta of 3.88, indicating that its share price is 288% more volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Joby Aviation and LATAM Airlines Groups gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Joby Aviation $140,000.00 100,315.34 -$608.03 million ($1.34) -11.49 LATAM Airlines Group $12.83 billion 1.36 $976.97 million $4.19 13.79 LATAM Airlines Group has higher revenue and earnings than Joby Aviation. Joby Aviation is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than LATAM Airlines Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider and Institutional Ownership 52.9% of Joby Aviation shares are owned by institutional investors. 32.4% of Joby Aviation shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 7.8% of LATAM Airlines Group shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Summary LATAM Airlines Group beats Joby Aviation on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About Joby Aviation (Get Free Report) Joby Aviation, Inc., a vertically integrated air mobility company, engages in building an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft optimized to deliver air transportation as a service. The company intends to build an aerial ridesharing service, as well as developing an application-based platform that will enable consumers to book rides. Joby Aviation, Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California. About LATAM Airlines Group (Get Free Report) LATAM Airlines Group S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides passenger and cargo air transportation services in Peru, Argentina, the United States, Europe, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, the Asia Pacific, and rest of Latin America. The company operates in two segments, Air Transportation; and Multiplus Coalition and Loyalty Program. It provides passenger transport services to approximately 140 destinations in 25 countries with a fleet of 322 aircrafts, well as operates loyalty programs. The company was formerly known as LAN Airlines S.A. and changed its name to LATAM Airlines Group S.A. in June 2012. LATAM Airlines Group S.A. was founded in 1929 and is based in Santiago, Chile. Receive News & Ratings for Joby Aviation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Joby Aviation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE:HR Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the ten research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $19.1250. A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on HR shares. Raymond James Financial lowered shares of Healthcare Realty Trust from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Healthcare Realty Trust from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Healthcare Realty Trust in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen raised Healthcare Realty Trust from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on Healthcare Realty Trust in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. They set a sector perform rating and a $19.00 price objective on the stock. Get Healthcare Realty Trust alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on HR Institutional Investors Weigh In On Healthcare Realty Trust Healthcare Realty Trust Price Performance Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust by 233.8% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 7,700,760 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $138,845,000 after buying an additional 5,393,651 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Healthcare Realty Trust in the second quarter valued at approximately $66,085,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in Healthcare Realty Trust by 68.7% in the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 4,392,815 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $79,201,000 after acquiring an additional 1,789,111 shares during the period. Rush Island Management LP increased its stake in Healthcare Realty Trust by 13.8% during the second quarter. Rush Island Management LP now owns 14,260,152 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $226,166,000 after acquiring an additional 1,728,491 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its stake in Healthcare Realty Trust by 418.3% during the third quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 1,947,274 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $35,109,000 after acquiring an additional 1,571,583 shares during the last quarter. Shares of NYSE:HR opened at $17.28 on Thursday. Healthcare Realty Trust has a 1 year low of $14.09 and a 1 year high of $18.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.07 billion, a PE ratio of -16.30 and a beta of 0.96. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $17.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.31. Healthcare Realty Trust (NYSE:HR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.01. Healthcare Realty Trust had a negative return on equity of 7.32% and a negative net margin of 30.51%.The company had revenue of $297.77 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $291.10 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.39 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. Healthcare Realty Trust has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.590-1.60 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Healthcare Realty Trust will post 1.59 earnings per share for the current year. Healthcare Realty Trust Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 11th were given a dividend of $0.24 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.6%. Healthcare Realty Trusts payout ratio is presently -90.57%. About Healthcare Realty Trust (Get Free Report) Healthcare Realty Trust (NYSE: HR) is a real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, acquisition and management of outpatient medical facilities. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, the companys portfolio is focused primarily on medical office buildings and outpatient healthcare properties that serve hospitals, health systems and other healthcare providers. Its business model centers on securing long-term, triple-net leases to generate stable income streams from a diversified tenant base. The companys properties are located across key metropolitan markets in the United States, including major healthcare hubs in the Southeast, Southwest and in select coastal regions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Healthcare Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Healthcare Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Janney Capital Management LLC grew its stake in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM Free Report) by 14.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 69,499 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 8,837 shares during the period. International Business Machines accounts for 1.2% of Janney Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Janney Capital Management LLCs holdings in International Business Machines were worth $19,610,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Family CFO Inc purchased a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of International Business Machines by 85.0% in the 2nd quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 111 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the period. Copia Wealth Management grew its stake in International Business Machines by 57.6% during the 2nd quarter. Copia Wealth Management now owns 134 shares of the technology companys stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID increased its position in International Business Machines by 48.5% during the second quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID now owns 147 shares of the technology companys stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the period. 58.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get International Business Machines alerts: International Business Machines News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on IBM shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of International Business Machines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of International Business Machines from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b) rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Oppenheimer assumed coverage on International Business Machines in a report on Friday, November 21st. They set an outperform rating and a $360.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on International Business Machines from $256.00 to $252.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Erste Group Bank upgraded International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $301.85. Read Our Latest Stock Report on IBM International Business Machines Stock Up 2.6% International Business Machines stock opened at $312.08 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $303.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $282.04. The company has a market cap of $291.71 billion, a PE ratio of 37.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.89. International Business Machines Corporation has a 1-year low of $214.50 and a 1-year high of $324.90. International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $2.65 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.20. The company had revenue of $16.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.10 billion. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 37.76% and a net margin of 12.09%.International Business Machiness quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.30 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 EPS for the current fiscal year. International Business Machines Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were issued a dividend of $1.68 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $6.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. International Business Machiness payout ratio is currently 80.38%. International Business Machines Profile (Free Report) International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM. IBMs principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IBM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PICB Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 33,275 shares, a growth of 290.1% from the December 15th total of 8,529 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 69,424 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days. Currently, 0.3% of the companys stock are short sold. Currently, 0.3% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 69,424 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days. Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA PICB traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $23.83. The company had a trading volume of 33,049 shares, compared to its average volume of 78,766. The business has a 50 day moving average of $23.71 and a 200-day moving average of $23.77. Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $21.10 and a 1-year high of $24.31. Get Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. purchased a new position in Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. First United Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF during the second quarter worth about $50,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF during the second quarter worth about $155,000. Addison Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF during the second quarter worth about $203,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new position in Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $206,000. About Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF PowerShares International Corporate Bond Portfolio (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of an index called the S&P International Corporate Bond Index (the Index). The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in the securities that comprise the Index. The Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate bonds issued by non-the United States issuers in the currencies: Australian Dollar, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, Danish Krone, New Zealand Dollar, Norwegian Krone and Swedish Krona. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PZT Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 3,195 shares, a decline of 93.0% from the December 15th total of 45,688 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 35,126 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Approximately 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 35,126 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $41,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new stake in Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $211,000. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $220,000. Finally, PFG Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $217,000. Get Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF alerts: Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Trading Up 0.1% Shares of NYSEARCA:PZT traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $22.40. The stock had a trading volume of 20,638 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,004. The firms 50 day moving average is $22.40 and its 200-day moving average is $22.03. Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF has a 1 year low of $20.19 and a 1 year high of $23.31. About Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF The PowerShares New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Portfolio (the Fund), formerly The PowerShares Insured New York Municipal Bond Portfolio, is based on The BofA Merrill Lynch New York Long-Term Core Plus Municipal Securities Index (Index). The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in municipal securities that comprise the Index. The Index is composed of the United States dollar-denominated, investment grade, tax-exempt debt publicly issued by New York or any of the United States territory, or their political subdivisions, in the the United States domestic market with a term of at least 15 years remaining to final maturity. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:IQI Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0631 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, January 30th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.5%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Price Performance NYSE:IQI opened at $10.10 on Tuesday. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust has a 12-month low of $8.86 and a 12-month high of $10.14. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $9.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.75. Get Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust alerts: Insider Activity In related news, Portfolio Manager Jack Connelly sold 3,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.02, for a total value of $39,078.00. Following the sale, the portfolio manager owned 5,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $55,110. The trade was a 41.49% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Institutional Trading of Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust About Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust in the second quarter worth about $1,098,000. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 46.6% in the 3rd quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 845,114 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,324,000 after purchasing an additional 268,480 shares during the last quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC raised its position in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 44,873 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $421,000 after purchasing an additional 1,921 shares during the last quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 126.4% during the 2nd quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 98,412 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $923,000 after buying an additional 54,950 shares in the last quarter. Finally, River Street Advisors LLC bought a new position in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at $143,000. (Get Free Report) Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust (NYSE: IQI) is a closed-end management investment company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, the funds primary objective is to provide investors with a high level of current income that is exempt from federal income taxes. To achieve this, the trust invests predominantly in investment-grade municipal securities issued by U.S. states, municipalities, and their agencies. The portfolio holds a diversified blend of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and other tax-exempt obligations. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Noble Gas Inc. (NYSE:INFY Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Stock traders acquired 34,371 put options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 305% compared to the typical volume of 8,488 put options. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have commented on INFY shares. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of American Noble Gas from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on American Noble Gas from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of American Noble Gas in a report on Monday, December 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $16.82. Get American Noble Gas alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on American Noble Gas Institutional Trading of American Noble Gas American Noble Gas Stock Down 1.7% A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of INFY. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its position in American Noble Gas by 6.4% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 63,155 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,153,000 after purchasing an additional 3,804 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new stake in American Noble Gas during the first quarter valued at $239,000. Modern Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Noble Gas during the 1st quarter worth about $379,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of American Noble Gas by 79.9% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 54,978 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,003,000 after acquiring an additional 24,426 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio acquired a new position in shares of American Noble Gas in the 1st quarter valued at about $3,662,000. Institutional investors own 16.20% of the companys stock. INFY stock traded down $0.30 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $17.51. 12,196,866 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,481,173. American Noble Gas has a 1-year low of $15.81 and a 1-year high of $30.00. The companys fifty day moving average price is $17.71 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.34. The firm has a market cap of $72.56 billion, a PE ratio of 22.43, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.98. American Noble Gas (NYSE:INFY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The technology company reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.20. American Noble Gas had a return on equity of 29.40% and a net margin of 16.58%.The company had revenue of $5.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.04 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that American Noble Gas will post 0.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About American Noble Gas (Get Free Report) Infosys Ltd. is a digital services and consulting company, which engages in the provision of end-to-end business solutions. It operates through the following segments: Financial Services, Retail, Communication, Energy, Utilities, Resources, and Services, Manufacturing, Hi-Tech, Life Sciences, and All Other. The company was founded by Dinesh Krishnan Swamy, Senapathy Gopalakrishnan, Narayana Ramarao Nagavara Murthy, Raghavan N. S., Ashok Arora, Nandan M. Nilekani, and S. D. Shibulal on July 2, 1981 and is headquartered in Bangalore, India. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for American Noble Gas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Noble Gas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:GBF Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,082 shares, a decrease of 74.0% from the December 15th total of 4,155 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 8,030 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 8,030 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GBF. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF by 274.0% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 288 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 211 shares during the last quarter. United Financial Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF in the third quarter worth $38,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF in the second quarter valued at $156,000. Focus Financial Network Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF in the second quarter valued at $203,000. Finally, First National Trust Co bought a new position in iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $209,000. Get iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF alerts: iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF Price Performance iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF stock traded up $0.12 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $105.10. The stock had a trading volume of 2,124 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,463. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $105.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $104.89. iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF has a one year low of $100.46 and a one year high of $106.43. iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF Company Profile iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of the United States dollar-denominated government, government-related and investment-grade the United States corporate bonds. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Barclays U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index (the Underlying Index), which measures the performance of the United States dollar-denominated United States Treasury bonds, government-related bonds (i.e., the United States and foreign agencies, sovereign, supranational and local authority debt) and investment-grade United States corporate bonds, which have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pacific Life Fund Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) by 13.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 578,185 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 68,558 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF accounts for approximately 4.0% of Pacific Life Fund Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. Pacific Life Fund Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $39,218,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Atwood & Palmer Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Tripletail Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Bangor Savings Bank boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 4,843.8% during the third quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 791 shares of the companys stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 775 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Performance iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF stock opened at $72.95 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $29.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.73. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 1 year low of $51.05 and a 1 year high of $66.83. The firms 50 day moving average price is $70.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $67.89. About iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF 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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report). 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. Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA (OTCMKTS:JRONY Get Free Report) shares saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 135,870 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 1,073% from the previous sessions volume of 11,582 shares.The stock last traded at $48.63 and had previously closed at $49.44. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Kepler Capital Markets raised shares of Jeronimo Martins SGPS from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Jeronimo Martins SGPS alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Jeronimo Martins SGPS Jeronimo Martins SGPS Price Performance The firm has a market cap of $15.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.91. The stocks 50-day moving average is $48.48 and its 200-day moving average is $49.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Jeronimo Martins SGPS (OTCMKTS:JRONY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $10.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.61 billion. Jeronimo Martins SGPS had a net margin of 1.83% and a return on equity of 21.15%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA will post 2.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Jeronimo Martins SGPS (Get Free Report) Jeronimo Martins SGPS is a Portugal-based corporate group engaged primarily in food distribution and retail. Through its flagship Pingo Doce banner in Portugal, the company operates a network of full-service supermarkets and convenience outlets offering fresh produce, grocery items, and private-label products. In addition, its cash-and-carry arm, Recheio, supplies wholesale and hospitality professionals with a broad range of food and non-food goods. Beyond its home market, Jeronimo Martins has established a significant presence in Poland under the discount supermarket brand Biedronka. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Jeronimo Martins SGPS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jeronimo Martins SGPS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF (NYSEARCA:TOV Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 961 shares, a decrease of 96.9% from the December 15th total of 31,393 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 31,257 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 31,257 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in shares of JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF (NYSEARCA:TOV Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 887 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $25,000. Get JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF alerts: JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF Price Performance Shares of JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF stock traded down $0.03 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $29.23. 1,349 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,156. The stock has a market cap of $209.87 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.69 and a beta of 1.00. The firms 50-day moving average price is $28.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $27.79. JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF has a 12-month low of $20.40 and a 12-month high of $29.92. JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF Company Profile The JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF (TOV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. index. The fund tracks an index of large-cap US stocks while employing a methodology that seeks to align stock selection and weighting with Jewish value pillars. TOV was launched on Feb 26, 2025 and is issued by JLens. See Also Receive News & Ratings for JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) (CVE:KNT Get Free Report) had its price target upped by investment analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$32.00 to C$36.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective suggests a potential upside of 350.56% from the companys current price. A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on KNT. Ventum Financial raised their price objective on K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) from C$24.00 to C$29.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) from C$24.75 to C$25.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Desjardins set a C$26.00 price target on K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Raymond James Financial upped their price objective on K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) from C$18.00 to C$21.00 in a report on Friday, October 10th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has 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 target price of C$22.03. Get K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) Stock Performance K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) Company Profile KNT remained flat at C$7.99 during trading on Tuesday. 337,797 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,128,356. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.93, a quick ratio of 2.43 and a current ratio of 3.25. The company has a market cap of C$1.63 billion and a P/E ratio of 32.48. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$7.99 and a 200-day moving average price of C$7.99. K92 Mining Inc. has a 52 week low of C$1.55 and a 52 week high of C$8.50. (Get Free Report) K92 Mining Inc engages in the mining, exploration, and development of mineral deposits in Papua New Guinea. The company produces gold, copper, and silver. Its principal property is the Kainantu property that covers an area of 725 square kilometers located in the Eastern Highlands province. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for K92 Mining Inc. (KNT.V) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD Free Report) by 29.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 61,544 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 14,142 shares during the period. Liberty One Investment Management LLCs holdings in Prologis were worth $7,048,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of PLD. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Prologis by 0.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 121,741,332 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $12,797,449,000 after buying an additional 401,922 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Prologis by 1.9% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 58,640,842 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $6,164,325,000 after acquiring an additional 1,088,544 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Prologis by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 22,416,833 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,345,922,000 after acquiring an additional 310,333 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of Prologis by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,506,899 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,735,205,000 after purchasing an additional 253,338 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Prologis during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,288,936,000. 93.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Prologis alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Prologis news, Director James B. Connor sold 80,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.58, for a total transaction of $10,126,400.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Cristina Gabriela Bita sold 621 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.60, for a total value of $79,239.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 8,208 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,047,340.80. This represents a 7.03% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 81,121 shares of company stock worth $10,267,210 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have weighed in on PLD shares. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Prologis from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $119.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, October 20th. UBS Group raised their price target on Prologis from $137.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Prologis in a research report on Monday, December 29th. BTIG Research increased their price objective on Prologis from $134.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 31st. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Prologis from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $118.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $129.18. Read Our Latest Analysis on Prologis Prologis Stock Performance NYSE:PLD opened at $129.05 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $127.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $117.84. The stock has a market cap of $119.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 1.40. Prologis, Inc. has a twelve month low of $85.35 and a twelve month high of $131.70. Prologis (NYSE:PLD Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $2.21 billion during the quarter. Prologis had a net margin of 36.71% and a return on equity of 5.55%. As a group, research analysts predict that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.73 EPS for the current year. Prologis Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th were given a dividend of $1.01 per share. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 16th. Prologiss payout ratio is presently 117.78%. Prologis Company Profile (Free Report) Prologis, Inc is a real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in logistics and distribution facilities. The company focuses on acquiring, developing, and managing high-quality industrial real estate assets that support supply chain infrastructure for third-party logistics providers, e-commerce businesses, retailers and manufacturers. Its portfolio primarily consists of warehouse and distribution centers designed to optimize goods movement and storage near key transportation hubs. With a global presence, Prologis serves customers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Prologis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prologis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA bought a new position in Brookfield Corporation (NYSE:BN Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor bought 17,535 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,203,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BN. Eldred Rock Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Brookfield by 12.0% during the 3rd quarter. Eldred Rock Partners LLC now owns 317,056 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,744,000 after buying an additional 34,008 shares during the period. Creative Planning boosted its stake in shares of Brookfield by 10.1% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 487,077 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,126,000 after purchasing an additional 44,822 shares during the period. AGF Management Ltd. grew its holdings in Brookfield by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 2,438,241 shares of the companys stock valued at $151,399,000 after purchasing an additional 164,124 shares in the last quarter. Lone Pine Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Brookfield during the 2nd quarter valued at $347,683,000. Finally, Scheer Rowlett & Associates Investment Management Ltd. increased its stake in Brookfield by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Scheer Rowlett & Associates Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,592,795 shares of the companys stock worth $98,643,000 after buying an additional 42,520 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.60% of the companys stock. Get Brookfield alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $58.00 price objective (up from $57.00) on shares of Brookfield in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Brookfield in a research note on Monday, December 1st. TD Securities boosted their price objective on Brookfield from $57.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Brookfield in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Brookfield from $48.67 to $55.33 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $53.87. Brookfield Stock Up 0.5% Shares of BN stock opened at $47.88 on Tuesday. Brookfield Corporation has a 1 year low of $29.07 and a 1 year high of $49.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.31. The businesss fifty day moving average is $46.03 and its 200-day moving average is $45.04. The stock has a market cap of $118.58 billion, a PE ratio of 132.99 and a beta of 1.58. Brookfield (NYSE:BN Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.58 billion. Brookfield had a return on equity of 3.92% and a net margin of 1.34%. Equities analysts expect that Brookfield Corporation will post 3.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Brookfield Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th were given a dividend of $0.06 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Brookfields dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 66.67%. Brookfield Company Profile (Free Report) Brookfield Corporation (NYSE:BN) is a global alternative asset manager that specializes in real assets. The company invests in and operates businesses across real estate, infrastructure, renewable power and energy, private equity and credit. Its activities span both ownership and active management of physical assets as well as the operation of investment funds and vehicles that provide institutional and retail investors access to longlived, cashgenerating assets. Brookfields services include asset management, direct investing, property development and the operation of infrastructure and energy businesses. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Corporation (NYSE:BN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi Electric Co. (OTCMKTS:MIELF Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $31.33 and last traded at $31.33, with a volume of 3460 shares. The stock had previously closed at $30.44. Mitsubishi Electric Trading Up 2.9% The businesss fifty day moving average price is $29.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $26.12. The company has a market capitalization of $67.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.33 and a beta of 0.63. Get Mitsubishi Electric alerts: About Mitsubishi Electric (Get Free Report) Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (trading OTC as MIELF) is a diversified Japanese multinational manufacturer of electrical and electronic equipment. Established in 1921 as part of the broader Mitsubishi group, the company is headquartered in Tokyo and has grown into a global supplier of products and systems for industrial, commercial, infrastructure and consumer markets. The companys operations span a wide range of businesses including power and energy systems, factory automation and industrial machinery, building systems such as elevators and escalators, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment, transportation systems including railway and traffic control solutions, and space and defense-related products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Mitsubishi Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mitsubishi Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Norsk Hydro ASA (OTCMKTS:NHYDY Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 133,952 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 94% from the previous sessions volume of 69,017 shares.The stock last traded at $8.22 and had previously closed at $8.19. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In NHYDY has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Zacks Research upgraded Norsk Hydro ASA from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 1st. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Norsk Hydro ASA in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Norsk Hydro ASA in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Barclays downgraded shares of Norsk Hydro ASA from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Danske upgraded shares of Norsk Hydro ASA to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Norsk Hydro ASA alerts: View Our Latest Report on Norsk Hydro ASA Norsk Hydro ASA Trading Up 0.8% The firm has a market cap of $16.33 billion, a PE ratio of 15.88, a PEG ratio of 0.24 and a beta of 1.15. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.45 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $6.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.91, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Norsk Hydro ASA (OTCMKTS:NHYDY Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The industrial products company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.08 by $0.02. Norsk Hydro ASA had a net margin of 4.96% and a return on equity of 10.20%. The business had revenue of $5.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $47.19 billion. Equities analysts forecast that Norsk Hydro ASA will post 0.72 EPS for the current year. Norsk Hydro ASA Company Profile (Get Free Report) Norsk Hydro ASA is a Norwegian industrial company with a primary focus on aluminum production and renewable energy. Established in 1905, the company has grown from its roots in fertilizer manufacturing to become one of the worlds largest integrated aluminum producers. Its operations span the full value chain, including bauxite mining, alumina refining, primary aluminum production, and downstream processing of rolled and extruded products. In addition to its aluminum business, Hydro maintains a significant portfolio of hydropower assets to support its energy-intensive processes. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Norsk Hydro ASA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norsk Hydro ASA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAZ Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a dividend of 0.0655 per share by the investment management company on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.5%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund Stock Performance NYSE NAZ traded up $0.01 on Tuesday, reaching $12.05. 160 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 36,120. Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 12 month low of $11.40 and a 12 month high of $13.55. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $11.94 and its 200 day simple moving average is $11.87. Get Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Institutional Trading of Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NAZ. Raymond James Financial Inc. lifted its stake in Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund by 8.1% during the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 51,009 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $596,000 after purchasing an additional 3,813 shares during the last quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund by 41.5% in the second quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC now owns 118,363 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,384,000 after buying an additional 34,737 shares in the last quarter. Plan Group Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at $139,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 8,620 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $102,000 after acquiring an additional 4,310 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in shares of Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund by 11.1% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 23,983 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $289,000 after acquiring an additional 2,391 shares during the last quarter. 15.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NAZ) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Managed by Nuveen Asset Management, the fund focuses on investment-grade municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of entities located in the state of Arizona. Its portfolio typically includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and essential-purpose municipal securities backed by state and local governments and quasi-governmental agencies. The fund employs fundamental credit analysis to select bonds that meet rigorous quality standards, aiming to preserve principal while generating tax-advantaged income. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NMS Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a dividend of 0.0665 per share on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund Stock Performance Shares of NMS traded up $0.03 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $11.81. 1,992 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,387. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $11.67. Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund has a one year low of $11.07 and a one year high of $12.60. Get Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: About Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund (Get Free Report) Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NMS) is a closed-end investment company managed by Nuveen, a global asset manager specializing in fixed income and tax-advantaged strategies. The funds primary objective is to provide current income exempt from federal and Minnesota state personal income taxes by investing predominantly in municipal securities issued by entities located in or serving the state of Minnesota. The funds portfolio is concentrated in investment-grade general obligation and revenue bonds that finance public projects such as schools, transportation infrastructure, and utilities throughout Minnesota. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Agritek (OTCMKTS:AGTK Get Free Report) and OppFi (NYSE:OPFI Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, risk and earnings. Insider and Institutional Ownership 7.1% of OppFi shares are held by institutional investors. 9.9% of Agritek shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 72.0% of OppFi shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Agritek alerts: Earnings and Valuation This table compares Agritek and OppFis revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Agritek N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A OppFi $525.96 million 1.66 $7.26 million ($0.75) -13.48 OppFi has higher revenue and earnings than Agritek. Volatility and Risk Agritek has a beta of -0.35, indicating that its share price is 135% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, OppFi has a beta of 1.69, indicating that its share price is 69% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Agritek and OppFi, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Agritek 0 0 0 0 0.00 OppFi 1 2 2 0 2.20 OppFi has a consensus target price of $13.63, suggesting a potential upside of 34.78%. Given OppFis stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe OppFi is more favorable than Agritek. Profitability This table compares Agritek and OppFis net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Agritek N/A N/A N/A OppFi 0.68% 55.59% 20.07% Summary OppFi beats Agritek on 10 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Agritek (Get Free Report) Agritek Holdings, Inc. distributes hemp and cannabis products under the Hemp Pops, MD Vapes, Rehab Rx, Higher Society, and California Premiums brands in the United States. Its products include human ingestible, such as tinctures, capsules, and gummies; CBD edibles; topicals; and pet products. The company also offers business services, including operational and compliance consulting, funding and financing, dispensary and retail, commercial production and equipment build out, multichannel supply chain, and consumer product, as well as branding, marketing, and sales solutions. In addition, it is involved in the acquisition and leasing of real estate properties, such as cultivation space and related facilities to licensed marijuana growers and dispensary owners. Agritek Holdings, Inc. distributes its products through e-commerce websites comprising RehabRx.com and Hemppops.com; third-party e-commerce websites; and various brick and mortar retailers. The company was formerly known as MediSwipe Inc. and changed its name to Agritek Holdings, Inc. in April 2014. Agritek Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida. About OppFi (Get Free Report) OppFi Inc. operates a cialty finance platform that allows banks to offer credit access. Its platform facilitates the OppLoans, an installment loan product; SalaryTap, a payroll deduction secured installment loan product; and OppFi Card, a credit card product. OppFi Inc. was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Receive News & Ratings for Agritek Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agritek and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its stake in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX Free Report) by 32.1% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 12,763 shares of the medical research companys stock after buying an additional 3,100 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $2,432,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter worth about $323,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in Quest Diagnostics by 52.8% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 940 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $159,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the first quarter worth approximately $2,665,000. First Hawaiian Bank acquired a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the first quarter valued at approximately $268,000. Finally, Voya Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 0.8% during the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 33,758 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $5,712,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.06% of the companys stock. Get Quest Diagnostics alerts: Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance NYSE DGX opened at $175.82 on Tuesday. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1 year low of $148.70 and a 1 year high of $197.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $181.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $179.61. Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend Quest Diagnostics ( NYSE:DGX Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The medical research company reported $2.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by $0.09. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.47% and a net margin of 8.91%.The firm had revenue of $2.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.73 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.30 EPS. The companys revenue was up 13.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.760-9.840 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 13th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Quest Diagnosticss payout ratio is 37.56%. Insider Activity at Quest Diagnostics In related news, Director Gary M. Pfeiffer sold 1,482 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.40, for a total value of $270,316.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 29,431 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,368,214.40. This represents a 4.79% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Vicky B. Gregg sold 1,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.76, for a total transaction of $239,700.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 17,037 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,267,015.12. The trade was a 6.84% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 65,771 shares of company stock valued at $12,588,676 in the last quarter. 8.16% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts recently issued reports on DGX shares. UBS Group boosted their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $200.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley set a $207.00 price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Quest Diagnostics from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $197.27. Read Our Latest Analysis on DGX Quest Diagnostics Company Profile (Free Report) Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) is a leading provider of diagnostic information services that supports clinical decision-making for patients, physicians and healthcare organizations. The company operates a network of clinical laboratories and patient service centers that perform a broad range of laboratory tests and diagnostic assays used in routine care, disease diagnosis, monitoring and screening. Its services span core clinical laboratory testing, anatomic pathology, molecular and genomic diagnostics, infectious disease testing and toxicology. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DGX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Quest Diagnostics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Quest Diagnostics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund increased its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM Free Report) by 33.4% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 14,140 shares of the specialty retailers stock after purchasing an additional 3,540 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $2,764,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Groupe la Francaise grew its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 8.2% during the second quarter. Groupe la Francaise now owns 631 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $103,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its position in Williams-Sonoma by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 3,016 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $493,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Williams-Sonoma by 4.8% during the 2nd quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,585 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Private Wealth Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. Private Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 1,965 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $321,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in Williams-Sonoma by 111.8% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 144 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.29% of the companys stock. Get Williams-Sonoma alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have recently issued reports on WSM shares. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $206.00 target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $190.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $190.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Finally, Citigroup dropped their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $202.00 to $188.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $198.71. Williams-Sonoma Trading Up 3.8% Shares of WSM opened at $206.51 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $186.22 and a 200 day moving average of $188.97. The company has a market capitalization of $24.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.72, a PEG ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 1.58. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 12 month low of $130.07 and a 12 month high of $219.98. Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The specialty retailer reported $1.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.87 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.86 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 53.10% and a net margin of 14.30%.The businesss revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.96 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 8.36 earnings per share for the current year. Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be given a $0.66 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Williams-Sonomas payout ratio is 29.04%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 17,839 shares of Williams-Sonoma stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.51, for a total value of $3,184,439.89. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 859,088 shares in the company, valued at approximately $153,355,798.88. The trade was a 2.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. About Williams-Sonoma (Free Report) WilliamsSonoma, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on the home and culinary markets, best known for premium cookware, kitchen tools and home furnishings. The company traces its roots to a single cookware store founded by Chuck Williams in 1956 in Sonoma, California, and has evolved into a multibrand home furnishings and housewares business. Its merchandise mix spans cookware and kitchen electrics, tabletop and food prep items, furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories designed for both everyday use and higherend interiors. The company operates a portfolio of consumer brands that target distinct segments of the home market. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WSM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Williams-Sonoma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams-Sonoma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its stake in Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG Free Report) by 32.3% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 10,264 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,508 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Packaging Corporation of America were worth $2,237,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 72.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 136 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new stake in Packaging Corporation of America during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in Packaging Corporation of America by 40.4% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 198 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates acquired a new position in Packaging Corporation of America in the third quarter valued at $44,000. Finally, CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America during the second quarter worth about $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.78% of the companys stock. Get Packaging Corporation of America alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently weighed in on PKG shares. Zacks Research raised Packaging Corporation of America from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Citigroup cut their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $229.00 to $226.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Packaging Corporation of America from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, January 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised Packaging Corporation of America from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the company from $222.00 to $233.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $263.00 to $273.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $236.17. Packaging Corporation of America Stock Down 1.1% Packaging Corporation of America stock opened at $216.98 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $202.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $205.10. Packaging Corporation of America has a twelve month low of $172.71 and a twelve month high of $242.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.94, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a current ratio of 3.16, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.83 by ($0.10). Packaging Corporation of America had a net margin of 10.18% and a return on equity of 19.72%. The company had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.29 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.65 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.400 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Packaging Corporation of America will post 10.44 earnings per share for the current year. Packaging Corporation of America Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Packaging Corporation of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.56%. Packaging Corporation of America Company Profile (Free Report) Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is a leading North American manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products. The company produces a range of paper-based packaging solutions including linerboard, corrugating medium, corrugated shipping containers, retail-ready packaging and point-of-purchase displays. In addition to core packaging products, Packaging Corporation of America offers packaging design, testing and supply-chain services intended to optimize protection, cost and sustainability for customers. Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, the company operates an integrated network of mills and corrugated manufacturing facilities across the United States and serves customers throughout North America in industries such as e-commerce, grocery and food & beverage, consumer packaged goods and industrial markets. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PKG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Packaging Corporation of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Packaging Corporation of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Polaris Capital Management LLC reduced its stake in Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR Free Report) by 2.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 247,900 shares of the banks stock after selling 6,200 shares during the period. Cullen/Frost Bankers comprises approximately 2.1% of Polaris Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position. Polaris Capital Management LLC owned 0.39% of Cullen/Frost Bankers worth $31,426,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AlphaQuest LLC boosted its position in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 8.0% in the second quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 1,082 shares of the banks stock valued at $139,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Cardinal Capital Management lifted its stake in shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 17,824 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,291,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital boosted its holdings in shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 1,687 shares of the banks stock valued at $215,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its position in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 18,100 shares of the banks stock worth $2,327,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of Michigan Retirement System grew its position in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 15,464 shares of the banks stock worth $1,988,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. 86.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Cullen/Frost Bankers alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Cullen/Frost Bankers In related news, EVP Coolidge E. Rhodes, Jr. sold 700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.00, for a total transaction of $88,900.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 3,795 shares in the company, valued at $481,965. The trade was a 15.57% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Cullen/Frost Bankers Stock Performance Shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers stock opened at $135.03 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $127.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $128.08. Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. has a 1-year low of $100.31 and a 1-year high of $146.44. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The company has a market cap of $8.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.89, a PEG ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.63. Cullen/Frost Bankers (NYSE:CFR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $2.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.38 by $0.29. Cullen/Frost Bankers had a return on equity of 15.84% and a net margin of 21.99%.The company had revenue of $567.27 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $565.54 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.24 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. will post 8.85 EPS for the current year. Cullen/Frost Bankers Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th were given a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. Cullen/Frost Bankerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.15%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays cut their price target on Cullen/Frost Bankers from $145.00 to $140.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $135.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $125.00 to $136.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $112.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Cullen/Frost Bankers presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $135.73. Read Our Latest Analysis on Cullen/Frost Bankers About Cullen/Frost Bankers (Free Report) Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc is the holding company for Frost Bank, a Texas-chartered financial institution whose origins date back to 1868 in San Antonio. As one of the oldest banking organizations in the state, it offers a broad range of services to individuals, small and large businesses, and institutional clients. Core banking activities include commercial lending, deposit services, cash management and trade finance, while consumer products cover residential mortgages, personal lines of credit and home equity loans. Beyond traditional banking, the company provides comprehensive treasury and equipment leasing solutions tailored to support working capital and capital expenditure requirements. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CFR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cullen/Frost Bankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cullen/Frost Bankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Precision Drilling (TSE:PD Get Free Report) (NYSE:PDS) had its target price boosted by stock analysts at CIBC from C$110.00 to C$120.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs target price would suggest a potential upside of 15.50% from the stocks current price. Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. TD Securities raised their target price on shares of Precision Drilling from C$77.00 to C$80.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Atb Cap Markets upgraded Precision Drilling to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on shares of Precision Drilling from C$132.00 to C$133.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. National Bankshares lifted their price target on shares of Precision Drilling from C$100.00 to C$120.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Precision Drilling from C$110.00 to C$117.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$111.43. Get Precision Drilling alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on PD Precision Drilling Price Performance Precision Drilling stock traded up C$4.97 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching C$103.90. The company had a trading volume of 68,746 shares, compared to its average volume of 75,733. Precision Drilling has a 1 year low of C$51.38 and a 1 year high of C$104.45. The company has a market capitalization of C$1.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.92, a P/E/G ratio of -3.24 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 51.98, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.36. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$90.73 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$81.32. Precision Drilling (TSE:PD Get Free Report) (NYSE:PDS) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported C($0.51) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Precision Drilling had a return on equity of 14.96% and a net margin of 12.53%.The company had revenue of C$462.25 million during the quarter. Precision Drilling Company Profile (Get Free Report) Precision Drilling Corp is a leader in North American oil and gas services. It is a provider of contract drilling and completion and production services primarily to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in Canada. Its segments are Contract Drilling Services which is the majority key revenue generator and other segments include Completion and Production Services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Precision Drilling Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Precision Drilling and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Booking, Travelers Companies, Expedia Group, MakeMyTrip, and Trip.com Group are the five Travel stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Travel stocks are shares of companies whose primary businesses depend on people traveling, such as airlines, hotels, cruise lines, car rental firms, online travel agencies and related travelservice or traveltechnology providers. Investors watch these stocks for high sensitivity to economic cycles, seasonality, fuel and labor costs, and risks like geopolitical events or pandemics that can quickly affect travel demand. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Travel stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Booking (BKNG) Booking Holdings Inc, formerly The Priceline Group Inc., is a provider of travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. The Company, through its online travel companies (OTCs), connects consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services across the world. It offers consumers an array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands. Travelers Companies (TRV) The Travelers Companies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Read Our Latest Research Report on TRV Expedia Group (EXPE) Expedia Group, Inc. operates as an online travel company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through B2C, B2B, and trivago segments. Its B2C segment includes Brand Expedia, a full-service online travel brand offers various travel products and services; Hotels.com for lodging accommodations; Vrbo, an online marketplace for the alternative accommodations; Orbitz, Travelocity, Wotif Group, ebookers, CheapTickets, Hotwire.com and CarRentals.com. Read Our Latest Research Report on EXPE MakeMyTrip (MMYT) MakeMyTrip Limited, an online travel company, sells travel products and solutions in India, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The company operates through three segments: Air Ticketing, Hotels and Packages, and Bus Ticketing. Read Our Latest Research Report on MMYT Trip.com Group (TCOM) Trip.com Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as a travel service provider for accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and in-destination, corporate travel management, and other travel-related services in China and internationally. The company acts as an agent for hotel-related transactions and selling air tickets, as well as provides train, long-distance bus, and ferry tickets; travel insurance products, such as flight delay, air accident, and baggage loss coverage; and air-ticket delivery, online check-in and seat selection, express security screening, real-time flight status tracker, and airport VIP lounge services. Read Our Latest Research Report on TCOM Further Reading Rempart Asset Management Inc. reduced its position in Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (NYSE:BEP Free Report) (TSE:BEP) by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 277,354 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 18,319 shares during the quarter. Brookfield Renewable Partners accounts for approximately 1.3% of Rempart Asset Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Rempart Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Brookfield Renewable Partners were worth $7,153,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BEP. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners by 57.0% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 919,693 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $20,380,000 after purchasing an additional 333,789 shares in the last quarter. Bangor Savings Bank bought a new position in Brookfield Renewable Partners in the second quarter worth approximately $153,000. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Brookfield Renewable Partners by 17.3% during the second quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 28,850 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $736,000 after buying an additional 4,250 shares during the period. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. increased its holdings in shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners by 7.4% in the 2nd quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 28,270 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $721,000 after acquiring an additional 1,945 shares during the period. Finally, Gold Investment Management Ltd. raised its position in shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Gold Investment Management Ltd. now owns 95,158 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,426,000 after acquiring an additional 2,810 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.16% of the companys stock. Get Brookfield Renewable Partners alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently commented on BEP. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $39.00 target price (up from $38.00) on shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners in a report on Friday, December 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on Brookfield Renewable Partners from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. TD Securities increased their price target on Brookfield Renewable Partners from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Desjardins upgraded Brookfield Renewable Partners to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, National Bankshares upped their target price on Brookfield Renewable Partners from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $34.86. Brookfield Renewable Partners Trading Up 1.9% BEP stock opened at $27.44 on Tuesday. Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. has a 12-month low of $19.29 and a 12-month high of $32.72. The businesss 50-day moving average is $28.22 and its 200 day moving average is $27.09. The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market cap of $8.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -31.91 and a beta of 1.12. Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE:BEP Get Free Report) (TSE:BEP) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported ($0.23) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.45) by $0.22. Brookfield Renewable Partners had a return on equity of 0.66% and a net margin of 3.52%.The business had revenue of $1.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.61 billion. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. will post -1.04 EPS for the current fiscal year. Brookfield Renewable Partners Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th were given a dividend of $0.373 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.49 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.4%. Brookfield Renewable Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -173.26%. Brookfield Renewable Partners Profile (Free Report) Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. is a leading global owner, operator and developer of renewable power assets. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BEP, the partnership focuses on generating clean electricity from a diversified mix of hydroelectric, wind, solar and energy storage facilities. As part of the Brookfield Asset Management group, Brookfield Renewable leverages a long-term, asset-backed approach to investing in sustainable energy projects that support the transition to a low-carbon economy. The companys platform encompasses approximately 23,000 megawatts of installed capacity across four continents. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BEP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (NYSE:BEP Free Report) (TSE:BEP). Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Renewable Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Renewable Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK Get Free Report) had its target price lifted by Morgan Stanley from $435.00 to $440.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the industrial products companys stock. Morgan Stanleys price objective would indicate a potential upside of 5.79% from the companys previous close. ROK has been the subject of several other reports. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and set a $391.00 price target on shares of Rockwell Automation in a report on Friday, November 7th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $392.00 to $402.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Rockwell Automation from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $357.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $275.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Rockwell Automation presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $406.44. Get Rockwell Automation alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on ROK Rockwell Automation Stock Performance ROK stock traded up $1.78 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $415.91. The stock had a trading volume of 182,691 shares, compared to its average volume of 633,477. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $392.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of $362.98. Rockwell Automation has a 52 week low of $215.00 and a 52 week high of $420.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $46.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.28, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 1.52. Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $3.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.94 by $0.40. The firm had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.19 billion. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 10.42% and a return on equity of 32.69%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.47 earnings per share. Rockwell Automation has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.200-12.200 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Rockwell Automation will post 9.35 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Rockwell Automation In other news, VP Terry L. Riesterer sold 800 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction on Friday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $392.00, for a total transaction of $313,600.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 1,234 shares of the companys stock, valued at $483,728. This trade represents a 39.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Scott Genereux sold 1,387 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $402.03, for a total transaction of $557,615.61. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 4,514 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,814,763.42. This represents a 23.50% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 88,053 shares of company stock valued at $34,718,919. Corporate insiders own 0.76% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. lifted its position in Rockwell Automation by 468.8% in the 3rd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 91 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Rexford Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Rockwell Automation by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 100 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Rockwell Automation by 48.7% in the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 116 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legend Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation during the second quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.75% of the companys stock. Rockwell Automation Company Profile (Get Free Report) Rockwell Automation is a global industrial automation and digital transformation company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm designs, manufactures and supports control systems, industrial control hardware and software, and related services that help manufacturers and industrial operators automate processes, improve productivity and enable data-driven decision making. Rockwell traces its heritage to the Allen-Bradley and Rockwell automation businesses and positions itself as a provider of integrated automation solutions across discrete and process industries. The companys product portfolio includes programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), variable frequency drives, sensors, safety components and other industrial control hardware, often marketed under the Allen-Bradley brand. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Rockwell Automation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rockwell Automation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chinese Embassy in South Africa unveils 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges Xinhua) 10:41, January 13, 2026 PRETORIA, South Africa, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in South Africa on Monday held an event in Pretoria, the country's administrative capital, to celebrate the launch of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng said that over the past seven decades, under the joint guidance of leaders from both sides, China-Africa people-to-people and cultural exchanges have continued to expand, yielding fruitful outcomes. Noting that the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, Wu said China and Africa need to uphold fairness and justice, strengthen solidarity and mutual assistance, and enhance exchanges and cooperation more than ever before. "Taking the launch of the China-Africa Year of People-to-people Exchanges as an opportunity, we should uphold the original aspiration of friendship, solidify the foundation of cooperation, enhance our two-way efforts, and accelerate the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era," Wu said. Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, South Africa's deputy minister of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, said South Africa and China enjoy strong and historic bonds of friendship as close international cooperation partners in the political, economic, social, technical and multilateral domains. "The amicable ties between our countries continue to serve as the bedrock for the growth of China-Africa relations, and people-to-people exchanges continuously fuel the vitality of this enduring friendship across generations," she added. Nkhumeleni Victor Vele, director-general of South Africa's tourism department, said tourism is one of the most direct and powerful forms of people-to-people exchange. "China remains one of South Africa's priority source markets and a key partner in our efforts to grow tourism as a driver of inclusive economic development, job creation and social cohesion. South Africa remains committed to deepening tourism cooperation with China and ensuring that tourism contributes meaningfully to shared prosperity," he said. The event gathered around 100 participants. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) S Bank Fund Management Ltd boosted its position in shares of HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE:HDB Free Report) by 100.0% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 107,850 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 53,925 shares during the period. S Bank Fund Management Ltds holdings in HDFC Bank were worth $3,684,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of HDB. Freemont Capital Pte Ltd acquired a new stake in HDFC Bank in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,073,000. Helios Capital Management PTE. Ltd. increased its position in HDFC Bank by 100.0% during the third quarter. Helios Capital Management PTE. Ltd. now owns 337,400 shares of the banks stock worth $11,526,000 after buying an additional 168,700 shares during the last quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in HDFC Bank by 100.4% in the third quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,163,734 shares of the banks stock valued at $278,873,000 after buying an additional 4,089,267 shares during the period. Perpetual Ltd lifted its position in shares of HDFC Bank by 1.4% in the second quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 1,101,834 shares of the banks stock valued at $84,478,000 after buying an additional 15,227 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of HDFC Bank by 22.2% during the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 5,523,962 shares of the banks stock worth $423,520,000 after acquiring an additional 1,002,394 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.61% of the companys stock. Get HDFC Bank alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In HDB has been the subject of several research reports. Zacks Research raised HDFC Bank from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of HDFC Bank in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of HDFC Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, January 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. HDFC Bank Stock Performance HDB stock opened at $33.52 on Tuesday. HDFC Bank Limited has a 52 week low of $28.89 and a 52 week high of $39.81. The company has a market capitalization of $170.98 billion, a PE ratio of 20.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.57. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $35.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $36.33. HDFC Bank (NYSE:HDB Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Saturday, October 18th. The bank reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.08. HDFC Bank had a net margin of 14.94% and a return on equity of 11.49%. The firm had revenue of $8.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.98 billion. On average, analysts forecast that HDFC Bank Limited will post 3.03 EPS for the current year. HDFC Bank Profile (Free Report) HDFC Bank Limited is one of Indias leading private sector banks, headquartered in Mumbai. Incorporated in 1994 and promoted by Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), the bank provides a full range of banking and financial services to retail, small and medium-sized enterprises, and corporate customers. It is publicly listed and also accessible to international investors through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HDB. The banks core activities include retail banking (deposit accounts, personal loans, home loans, auto loans, and credit cards), commercial and corporate banking (working capital finance, term lending, trade finance and treasury services), and transaction banking (cash management and payment solutions). Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HDB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE:HDB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for HDFC Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HDFC Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. S Bank Fund Management Ltd grew its position in shares of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 7.0% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 303,790 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 19,898 shares during the quarter. Bank of America accounts for approximately 2.1% of S Bank Fund Management Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest holding. S Bank Fund Management Ltds holdings in Bank of America were worth $15,673,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BAC. New Republic Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 3.5% during the third quarter. New Republic Capital LLC now owns 11,279 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $582,000 after purchasing an additional 381 shares during the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Bank of America by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 234,890 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,118,000 after acquiring an additional 7,722 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. increased its position in Bank of America by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 17,438,466 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $899,650,000 after acquiring an additional 875,514 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Corp bought a new position in shares of Bank of America in the third quarter worth about $1,557,000. Finally, Vicus Capital lifted its position in shares of Bank of America by 4.5% during the third quarter. Vicus Capital now owns 9,096 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $469,000 after purchasing an additional 390 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.71% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Bank of America Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:BAC opened at $55.16 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $54.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $51.09. Bank of America Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $33.06 and a fifty-two week high of $57.55. The company has a market capitalization of $402.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.03 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Bank of America Dividend Announcement Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $5.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27.05 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 15.70% and a return on equity of 10.76%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.81 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were issued a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is currently 30.52%. More Bank of America News Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Seaport Global Securities raised their price target on shares of Bank of America from $59.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Bank of America from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Bank of America from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Erste Group Bank upgraded Bank of America from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of Bank of America from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $59.82. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BAC About Bank of America (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets. Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schmidt P J Investment Management Inc. decreased its position in shares of Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 5.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 61,362 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,626 shares during the period. Procter & Gamble comprises approximately 1.6% of Schmidt P J Investment Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Schmidt P J Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $9,428,000 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. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC increased its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 655,209.0% during the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 76,028,952 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,832,680,000 after purchasing an additional 76,017,350 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Procter & Gamble during the 2nd quarter valued at about $5,099,644,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised 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. lifted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 233,211,283 shares of the companys stock worth $37,155,222,000 after acquiring an additional 3,189,111 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.77% of the companys stock. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Procter & Gamble Stock Up 1.1% Shares of Procter & Gamble stock opened at $143.48 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $144.84 and a 200 day moving average price of $151.34. Procter & Gamble Company has a 1 year low of $137.62 and a 1 year high of $179.99. The company has a market cap of $335.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.95, a P/E/G ratio of 4.79 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a current ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Insider Buying and Selling at Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.09. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 19.74% and a return on equity of 32.63%. The company had revenue of $22.39 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.23 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.93 EPS. The companys revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.100 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other 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 sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 979 shares in the company, valued at $146,429.03. The trade was a 42.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. TD Cowen dropped their target price on Procter & Gamble from $168.00 to $150.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $156.00 to $179.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of 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. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $180.00 to $174.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Procter & Gamble has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $169.23. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Procter & Gamble About Procter & Gamble (Free Report) Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, P&G has grown into one of the worlds largest producers of branded consumer packaged goods. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of household and personal care products sold to consumers and retailers worldwide. P&Gs product offering spans several core business categories, including Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. See Also 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. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its holdings in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK Free Report) by 221.8% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 9,081 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 6,259 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLCs holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $3,174,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of ROK. Capital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Rockwell Automation by 5.7% in the second quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,192 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $728,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Patton Fund Management Inc. bought a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 2nd quarter valued at $294,000. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 4th quarter valued at $281,000. Schroder Investment Management Group increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 796.0% in the second quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 97,367 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $32,342,000 after acquiring an additional 86,500 shares during the period. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth boosted its holdings in shares of Rockwell Automation by 20.4% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 13,348 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,449,000 after purchasing an additional 2,264 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.75% of the companys stock. Get Rockwell Automation alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently issued reports on ROK. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Rockwell Automation from $392.00 to $402.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 21st. Zacks Research upgraded Rockwell Automation from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $435.00 to $450.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Rockwell Automation from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, September 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $385.00 to $435.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $406.13. Rockwell Automation Trading Up 0.9% Shares of NYSE ROK opened at $414.25 on Tuesday. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 1 year low of $215.00 and a 1 year high of $415.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $392.60 and a 200 day moving average of $362.98. The stock has a market cap of $46.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 54.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 1.52. Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $3.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.94 by $0.40. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 10.42% and a return on equity of 32.69%. The business had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.47 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Rockwell Automation has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.200-12.200 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 EPS for the current fiscal year. Rockwell Automation Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th were given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This is a boost from Rockwell Automations previous quarterly dividend of $1.31. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 17th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Rockwell Automations dividend payout ratio is 72.06%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, SVP Matthew W. Fordenwalt sold 146 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $402.48, for a total value of $58,762.08. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 4,437 shares in the company, valued at $1,785,803.76. The trade was a 3.19% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 476 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $402.02, for a total transaction of $191,361.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 2,401 shares of the companys stock, valued at $965,250.02. This trade represents a 16.55% 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 88,053 shares of company stock valued at $34,718,919. Company insiders own 0.76% of the companys stock. Rockwell Automation Profile (Free Report) Rockwell Automation is a global industrial automation and digital transformation company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm designs, manufactures and supports control systems, industrial control hardware and software, and related services that help manufacturers and industrial operators automate processes, improve productivity and enable data-driven decision making. Rockwell traces its heritage to the Allen-Bradley and Rockwell automation businesses and positions itself as a provider of integrated automation solutions across discrete and process industries. The companys product portfolio includes programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), variable frequency drives, sensors, safety components and other industrial control hardware, often marketed under the Allen-Bradley brand. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ROK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Rockwell Automation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rockwell Automation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ascletis Pharma Inc. (OTCMKTS:ASCLF 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 185,545 shares, an increase of 576.6% from the December 15th total of 27,422 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,836 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 101.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,836 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 101.1 days. Ascletis Pharma Trading Down 1.3% Shares of OTCMKTS ASCLF opened at $1.53 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $1.64 and a 200-day moving average price of $1.50. Ascletis Pharma has a 1 year low of $0.62 and a 1 year high of $2.29. Get Ascletis Pharma alerts: About Ascletis Pharma (Get Free Report) Ascletis Pharma (OTCMKTS:ASCLF) is a clinicalstage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Hangzhou, China, dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of therapies for viral and liver diseases. Since its founding in 2013, the company has built an integrated platform spanning smallmolecule discovery, process chemistry and clinical development. Ascletis is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and maintains facilities for both clinical research and commercial manufacturing in Mainland China. The companys core pipeline focuses on directacting antiviral agents targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ascletis Pharma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ascletis Pharma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco DB Oil Fund (NYSEARCA:DBO Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 35,717 shares, a decline of 82.8% from the December 15th total of 208,237 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 266,724 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 266,724 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Invesco DB Oil Fund Stock Performance Shares of Invesco DB Oil Fund stock traded up $0.39 on Tuesday, hitting $13.03. The companys stock had a trading volume of 126,673 shares, compared to its average volume of 309,185. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $12.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $13.17. Invesco DB Oil Fund has a 1 year low of $11.59 and a 1 year high of $15.93. The company has a market capitalization of $218.17 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.43. Get Invesco DB Oil Fund alerts: Key Invesco DB Oil Fund News Here are the key news stories impacting Invesco DB Oil Fund this week: Institutional Inflows and Outflows About Invesco DB Oil Fund A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Invesco DB Oil Fund by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 194,731 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,574,000 after buying an additional 1,299 shares in the last quarter. Allegheny Financial Group boosted its holdings in Invesco DB Oil Fund by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. Allegheny Financial Group now owns 21,134 shares of the companys stock valued at $284,000 after purchasing an additional 1,656 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in shares of Invesco DB Oil Fund by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 39,771 shares of the companys stock valued at $526,000 after buying an additional 1,769 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in Invesco DB Oil Fund during the third quarter worth $28,000. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new position in Invesco DB Oil Fund in the third quarter valued at about $43,000. (Get Free Report) PowerShares DB Oil Fund (the Fund) is a separate series of PowerShares DB Multi-Sector Commodity Trust (the Trust). The Fund is a based on the DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return (the Index). The Fund seeks to track the changes, whether positive or negative, in the level of the DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return (the Index) over time, plus the excess, if any, of the Funds interest income from its holdings of United States Treasury Obligations and other high credit quality short-term fixed income securities over the expenses of the Fund. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Invesco DB Oil Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco DB Oil Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Envirotech Vehicles, Beyond Air, and Spring Valley Acquisition are the three Small Cap stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Error: One or more errors occurred. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Small Cap stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: 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. Beyond Air (XAIR) Beyond Air, Inc. operates as a commercial-stage medical device and biopharmaceutical company in the United States. The company engages in the development of LungFit platform, a nitric oxide generator and delivery system. It offers LungFit PH for the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Read Our Latest Research Report on XAIR Spring Valley Acquisition (SV) Read Our Latest Research Report on SV Recommended Stories Sociedad Quimica y Minera (NYSE:SQM Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Tuesday. The brokerage currently has a $88.00 price objective on the basic materials companys stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price target would indicate a potential upside of 13.16% from the companys current price. Several other research analysts have also commented on SQM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Sociedad Quimica y Minera from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $41.00 to $79.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Citigroup lowered shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera from a buy rating to a neutral rating and raised their target price for the stock from $51.00 to $74.00 in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Rothschild Redb raised shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, UBS Group set a $79.00 price objective on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sociedad Quimica y Minera has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $66.41. Get Sociedad Quimica y Minera alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on SQM Sociedad Quimica y Minera Trading Up 4.5% SQM opened at $77.76 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $21.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.49 and a beta of 0.98. Sociedad Quimica y Minera has a one year low of $29.36 and a one year high of $78.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.88 and a current ratio of 2.82. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $63.53 and its 200-day simple moving average is $49.75. Sociedad Quimica y Minera (NYSE:SQM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 18th. The basic materials company reported $0.62 earnings per share 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 analysts expectations of $1.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.46 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Sociedad Quimica y Minera will post -1.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sociedad Quimica y Minera A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of SQM. KBC Group NV increased its stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 5.4% during the 2nd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 118,007 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $4,162,000 after purchasing an additional 6,087 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Quantitative Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,678,000. RWA Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera during the 2nd quarter valued at $776,000. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 41.4% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 191,785 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $6,764,000 after buying an additional 56,137 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 46.2% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 184,924 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $6,522,000 after acquiring an additional 58,394 shares during the last quarter. 12.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. 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. Recommended Stories 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. State of Alaska Department of Revenue cut its stake in shares of Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE:FSS Free Report) by 15.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 30,590 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 5,755 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenues holdings in Federal Signal were worth $3,639,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Federal Signal by 140.6% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 243 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Federal Signal by 47.0% during the 2nd quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 291 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. MAI Capital Management grew its position in Federal Signal by 1,003.8% in the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 287 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 261 shares during the last quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Federal Signal by 50.0% during the third quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 300 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Federal Signal in the second quarter worth about $37,000. 92.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Federal Signal alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently commented on FSS shares. Zacks Research cut Federal Signal from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Federal Signal in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Federal Signal has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $123.00. Insider Activity at Federal Signal In other news, COO Mark Weber sold 51,187 shares of Federal Signal stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.56, for a total transaction of $5,710,421.72. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 73,874 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,241,383.44. This trade represents a 40.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 3.30% of the companys stock. Federal Signal Price Performance FSS stock opened at $116.88 on Tuesday. Federal Signal Corporation has a 12 month low of $66.47 and a 12 month high of $132.89. The firm has a market cap of $7.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.52, a P/E/G ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 2.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The companys 50-day moving average price is $111.53 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $116.89. Federal Signal (NYSE:FSS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The conglomerate reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.07 by $0.07. Federal Signal had a net margin of 11.47% and a return on equity of 19.50%. The company had revenue of $555.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $545.19 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.87 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. Federal Signal has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.090-4.170 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Federal Signal Corporation will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Federal Signal Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a dividend of $0.14 per share. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. Federal Signals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 14.62%. About Federal Signal (Free Report) Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS), headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, is a diversified industrial company that designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of products and services for municipal, commercial and industrial customers worldwide. Founded in 1901 in Chicago, the company has grown through a combination of organic investment and strategic acquisitions to become a leading provider of environmental management and safety and security solutions. Federal Signal operates through two primary business segments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FSS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE:FSS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Federal Signal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Federal Signal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Strathcona Resources (TSE:SCR Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by stock analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$40.00 to C$35.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price target points to a potential upside of 29.92% from the stocks previous close. SCR has been the topic of several other research reports. TD Securities increased their target price on Strathcona Resources from C$35.00 to C$36.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Natl Bk Canada upgraded shares of Strathcona Resources from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday. ATB Capital lowered their target price on Strathcona Resources from C$42.00 to C$32.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Scotiabank reduced their price target on shares of Strathcona Resources from C$40.00 to C$33.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Strathcona Resources from C$38.00 to C$29.00 in a report on Monday, January 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$32.86. Get Strathcona Resources alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on SCR Strathcona Resources Trading Up 1.2% Strathcona Resources Company Profile Shares of SCR stock traded up C$0.33 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting C$26.94. 248,177 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 201,309. The stock has a market cap of C$5.77 billion, a PE ratio of 5.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -2.02 and a beta of 2.61. Strathcona Resources has a 12 month low of C$22.75 and a 12 month high of C$45.09. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is C$37.44 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$36.14. The company has a quick ratio of 11.09, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.06. (Get Free Report) Strathcona Resources Ltd. is a Canada-based oil and gas producers with operations focused on thermal oil, enhanced oil recovery and liquids-rich natural gas. The Company has three operations, including Lloydminster Heavy Oil, Cold Lake Thermal Oil and Montney. The Lloydminster Heavy Oil segment has multiple large oil-in-place reservoirs with existing and expanding enhanced oil recovery (EOR) opportunities primarily located in southwest Saskatchewan. Its Saskatchewan thermal properties rely on the same steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) processes as its Cold Lake Thermal properties. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Strathcona Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Strathcona Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Suzuki Motor (OTCMKTS:SZKMY Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $60.34, but opened at $56.95. Suzuki Motor shares last traded at $59.7050, with a volume of 1,534 shares traded. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Suzuki Motor from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Suzuki Motor currently has an average rating of Buy. Get Suzuki Motor alerts: Get Our Latest Report on SZKMY Suzuki Motor Stock Down 1.7% The stock has a market capitalization of $29.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.91 and a beta of 0.47. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $59.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $55.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.21. Suzuki Motor (OTCMKTS:SZKMY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter. Suzuki Motor had a return on equity of 10.44% and a net margin of 6.71%.The company had revenue of $9.94 billion during the quarter. As a group, research analysts expect that Suzuki Motor will post 5.11 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Suzuki Motor (Get Free Report) Suzuki Motor Corporation traces its roots to 1909 when Michio Suzuki founded Suzuki Loom Works; the company later entered motor vehicle production and was reorganized as an independent motor company in the mid-20th century. Headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan, Suzuki has grown into a multinational manufacturer known for producing compact, fuel-efficient vehicles and a broad range of two- and four-wheeled products. The company has a long history in small-car and motorcycle design and has adapted its product portfolio over decades to serve both personal and light commercial transport markets. Suzukis primary business activities include the design, manufacture and sale of automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and outboard motors, along with related parts and accessories. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Suzuki Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suzuki Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 52.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 233,680 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 80,571 shares during the quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $5,954,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of PFE. Capital Advisory Group Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Pfizer by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisory Group Advisory Services LLC now owns 13,542 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $328,000 after acquiring an additional 388 shares in the last quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department grew its holdings in Pfizer by 0.9% in the second quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 46,103 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,118,000 after purchasing an additional 395 shares during the period. Peak Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Pfizer by 1.4% in the second quarter. Peak Asset Management LLC now owns 28,768 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $697,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares in the last quarter. Able Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Pfizer by 2.0% in the second quarter. Able Wealth Management LLC now owns 21,128 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $512,000 after purchasing an additional 413 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boltwood Capital Management raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 0.7% during the third quarter. Boltwood Capital Management now owns 58,274 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,485,000 after purchasing an additional 420 shares during the period. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Pfizer alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes PFE has been the subject of several research reports. Guggenheim restated a buy rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Wall Street Zen cut Pfizer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, September 28th. HSBC restated a buy rating and set a $29.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Pfizer from $32.00 to $28.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $27.88. Pfizer Trading Down 0.8% NYSE PFE opened at $25.28 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $25.28 and a 200 day simple moving average of $24.97. Pfizer Inc. has a 12 month low of $20.92 and a 12 month high of $27.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $143.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.69 and a beta of 0.47. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $16.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.94 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 15.65% and a return on equity of 20.17%. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.000-3.150 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. Pfizer Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 23rd will be paid a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 23rd. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.8%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.00%. More Pfizer News Here are the key news stories impacting Pfizer this week: Pfizer Profile (Free Report) Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is a multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and vaccines for human health. Its activities span discovery research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and global commercial distribution across multiple therapeutic areas. Pfizers portfolio and pipeline cover oncology, immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, rare diseases, hospital acute care and anti-infectives, along with a substantial vaccine business. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC acquired a new position in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 13,153 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $1,628,000. Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in DUK. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in shares of Duke Energy by 11.6% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,754 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $728,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in Duke Energy by 19.6% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 23,162 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,825,000 after buying an additional 3,797 shares during the last quarter. Centurion Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 3.0% in the second quarter. Centurion Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,991 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $353,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the period. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. lifted its position in shares of Duke Energy by 11.7% during the 2nd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 2,545 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $300,000 after buying an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,496 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $416,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares during the period. 65.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Duke Energy alerts: Insider Activity at Duke Energy In other Duke Energy news, EVP Robert Alexander Glenn sold 8,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total value of $1,015,160.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 11,367 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,407,234.60. This represents a 41.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock. Duke Energy Trading Down 0.1% Duke Energy stock opened at $116.69 on Tuesday. Duke Energy Corporation has a one year low of $105.20 and a one year high of $130.03. The businesss fifty day moving average is $119.37 and its 200 day moving average is $121.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $90.75 billion, a PE ratio of 18.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.50. Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $8.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.51 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.76% and a return on equity of 9.98%. The firms revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.62 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 EPS for the current year. Duke Energy Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of $1.065 per share. This represents a $4.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. Duke Energys payout ratio is presently 66.98%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have commented on DUK. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $138.00 to $136.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $135.00 to $126.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. TD Cowen began coverage on Duke Energy in a report on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a buy rating and a $143.00 price objective for the company. Cowen began coverage on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $132.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $136.50. View Our Latest Stock Report on DUK About Duke Energy (Free Report) Duke Energy Corporation is a U.S.-based electric power holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The companys core business is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Duke Energy operates a mix of regulated electric utilities and non-regulated energy businesses, providing essential energy infrastructure and services across multiple states. Its operating activities include owning and operating generation assets across a portfolio that encompasses nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and an expanding array of renewable resources, as well as battery storage and grid modernization projects. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DUK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm purchased 19,076 shares of the energy producers stock, valued at approximately $1,804,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Bogart Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of ConocoPhillips by 136.8% during the second quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 315 shares of the energy producers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares during the period. Activest Wealth Management boosted its stake in ConocoPhillips by 249.5% during the 2nd quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 325 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC grew its position in ConocoPhillips by 58.0% in the 3rd quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 316 shares of the energy producers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas bought a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the second quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.36% of the companys stock. Get ConocoPhillips alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have recently commented on COP. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on ConocoPhillips from $115.00 to $109.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips from $120.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Susquehanna decreased their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips to $113.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $113.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $112.00 to $102.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 8th. Eighteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, ConocoPhillips currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $111.92. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director William H. Mcraven bought 5,768 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $86.68 per share, for a total transaction of $499,970.24. Following the purchase, the director owned 5,768 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $499,970.24. The trade was a increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Ryan Michael Lance sold 500,708 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.50, for a total transaction of $46,315,490.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 325,972 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,152,410. The trade was a 60.57% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. ConocoPhillips Stock Performance Shares of COP opened at $95.49 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $118.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.32. ConocoPhillips has a 52-week low of $79.88 and a 52-week high of $106.20. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $91.74 and its 200 day simple moving average is $92.71. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy producer reported $1.61 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.20. ConocoPhillips had a return on equity of 13.64% and a net margin of 14.25%.The business had revenue of $15.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.51 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.78 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 EPS for the current fiscal year. ConocoPhillips Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th were issued a dividend of $0.84 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. This represents a $3.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. This is a boost from ConocoPhillipss previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. ConocoPhillipss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.52%. About ConocoPhillips (Free Report) ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is a Houston-based international energy company focused on exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Formed in 2002 through the merger of Conoco Inc and Phillips Petroleum Company, the firm operates as an independent upstream company that explores for, develops and produces crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids across a portfolio of global assets. The companys activities span conventional and unconventional resources and include onshore and offshore operations in multiple regions around the world. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ConocoPhillips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ConocoPhillips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 14,905 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,339,000. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CAH. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its position in shares of Cardinal Health by 6.9% during the first quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 4,363 shares of the companys stock worth $601,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its stake in Cardinal Health by 198.3% during the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 21,112 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 14,034 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in shares of Cardinal Health during the first quarter valued at about $2,652,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Cardinal Health by 25.0% during the second quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 751 shares of the companys stock worth $126,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Cardinal Health by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 1,074 shares of the companys stock worth $181,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.17% of the companys stock. Get Cardinal Health alerts: Cardinal Health Stock Performance NYSE CAH opened at $202.42 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $48.10 billion, a PE ratio of 30.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.65. Cardinal Health, Inc. has a 52-week low of $119.25 and a 52-week high of $214.93. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $204.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $173.48. Cardinal Health Dividend Announcement Cardinal Health ( NYSE:CAH Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.22 by $0.33. The company had revenue of $64.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $59.41 billion. Cardinal Health had a net margin of 0.68% and a negative return on equity of 84.37%. Cardinal Healths quarterly revenue was up 22.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.88 EPS. Cardinal Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.650-9.850 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Cardinal Health, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.5107 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Cardinal Healths dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.77%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CAH has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Cardinal Health from $183.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Cardinal Health in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on Cardinal Health from $190.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Robert W. Baird set a $232.00 target price on shares of Cardinal Health in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Leerink Partners boosted their price target on shares of Cardinal Health from $211.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $213.40. Read Our Latest Analysis on Cardinal Health Cardinal Health Profile (Free Report) Cardinal Health is a multinational healthcare services and products company headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. Tracing its roots to the early 1970s, the company has grown into a major provider of supply chain and distribution services for the healthcare sector. Cardinal Health operates across a range of service lines that support hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, physician offices and clinical laboratories. The companys core activities include the wholesale distribution of branded and generic pharmaceuticals, the supply and distribution of medical-surgical products, and the provision of logistics and inventory management solutions. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CAH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cardinal Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cardinal Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Janney Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 20.7% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 19,476 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 5,081 shares during the period. Janney Capital Management LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $15,510,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA grew its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.9% in the third quarter. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA now owns 3,815 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $3,038,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 10,262 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $8,172,000 after buying an additional 318 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.6% during the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,006,345 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $801,403,000 after acquiring an additional 5,718 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Corp purchased a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group in the third quarter valued at about $1,057,000. Finally, MGO One Seven LLC raised its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 11,340 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $9,031,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.21% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Trending Headlines about The Goldman Sachs Group Here are the key news stories impacting The Goldman Sachs Group this week: The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance Shares of GS opened at $949.56 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $855.60 and a 200-day moving average of $786.65. The company has a market cap of $284.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.65. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $439.38 and a 1 year high of $961.69. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 15.29%. The firm had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.68 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $8.40 EPS. The Goldman Sachs Groups quarterly revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $843.00 to $900.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $750.00 to $775.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $855.00 to $970.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $898.00 to $1,087.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $849.61. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on GS The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc is a global investment banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1869 as a commercial paper business, the company has grown into a diversified financial institution that provides a broad range of services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. The firm is led by Chief Executive Officer David M. Solomon and operates across major financial centers worldwide. Goldman Sachs core businesses include investment banking, global markets, asset and wealth management, and consumer banking. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Booking, Travelers Companies, Expedia Group, Trip.com Group, Thor Industries, Allegiant Travel, and MakeMyTrip are the seven Travel stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Travel stocks are shares of companies whose primary business depends on travel and tourismsuch as airlines, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, car rental firms, and online travel agencies or traveltech providers. Investors view them as cyclical, consumerdiscretionary assets that are sensitive to economic conditions, seasonality, fuel costs and geopolitical or healthrelated disruptions. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Travel stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Booking (BKNG) Booking Holdings Inc, formerly The Priceline Group Inc., is a provider of travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. The Company, through its online travel companies (OTCs), connects consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services across the world. It offers consumers an array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands. Travelers Companies (TRV) The Travelers Companies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Read Our Latest Research Report on TRV Expedia Group (EXPE) Expedia Group, Inc. operates as an online travel company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through B2C, B2B, and trivago segments. Its B2C segment includes Brand Expedia, a full-service online travel brand offers various travel products and services; Hotels.com for lodging accommodations; Vrbo, an online marketplace for the alternative accommodations; Orbitz, Travelocity, Wotif Group, ebookers, CheapTickets, Hotwire.com and CarRentals.com. Read Our Latest Research Report on EXPE Trip.com Group (TCOM) Trip.com Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as a travel service provider for accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and in-destination, corporate travel management, and other travel-related services in China and internationally. The company acts as an agent for hotel-related transactions and selling air tickets, as well as provides train, long-distance bus, and ferry tickets; travel insurance products, such as flight delay, air accident, and baggage loss coverage; and air-ticket delivery, online check-in and seat selection, express security screening, real-time flight status tracker, and airport VIP lounge services. Read Our Latest Research Report on TCOM Thor Industries (THO) THOR Industries, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells recreational vehicles (RVs), and related parts and accessories in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company offers travel trailers; gasoline and diesel Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes; conventional travel trailers and fifth wheels; luxury fifth wheels; and motorcaravans, caravans, campervans, and urban vehicles. Read Our Latest Research Report on THO Allegiant Travel (ALGT) Allegiant Travel Company, a leisure travel company, provides travel services and products to residents of under-served cities in the United States. The company offers scheduled air transportation on limited-frequency, nonstop flights between under-served cities and leisure destinations. As of February 1, 2024, it operated a fleet of 126 Airbus A320 series aircraft. Read Our Latest Research Report on ALGT MakeMyTrip (MMYT) MakeMyTrip Limited, an online travel company, sells travel products and solutions in India, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The company operates through three segments: Air Ticketing, Hotels and Packages, and Bus Ticketing. Read Our Latest Research Report on MMYT Read More Vivid Wealth Management LLC lessened its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 21.6% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 3,341 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 923 shares during the period. Vivid Wealth Management LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $2,661,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC grew its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 617,504.5% in the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 29,058,291 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $20,566,005,000 after buying an additional 29,053,586 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,138,031,000. Ninety One UK Ltd acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $408,780,000. AGF Management Ltd. grew its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2,429.6% in the 2nd quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 485,375 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $343,524,000 after acquiring an additional 466,187 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 100,678.6% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 404,122 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $286,017,000 after purchasing an additional 403,721 shares during the period. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: More The Goldman Sachs Group News Here are the key news stories impacting The Goldman Sachs Group this week: The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance Shares of GS stock opened at $949.56 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $284.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.29, a PEG ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.33. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $855.60 and a 200 day moving average price of $786.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $439.38 and a 12 month high of $961.69. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The company had revenue of $15.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.68 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 15.29% and a net margin of 13.18%.The Goldman Sachs Groups quarterly revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $8.40 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $898.00 to $1,087.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $762.00 to $805.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $870.00 to $971.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $855.00 to $970.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $750.00 to $775.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $849.61. Check Out Our Latest Report on GS About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc is a global investment banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1869 as a commercial paper business, the company has grown into a diversified financial institution that provides a broad range of services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. The firm is led by Chief Executive Officer David M. Solomon and operates across major financial centers worldwide. Goldman Sachs core businesses include investment banking, global markets, asset and wealth management, and consumer banking. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spotify Technology (NYSE:SPOT Get Free Report) had its target price lowered by equities research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $750.00 to $710.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential upside of 34.44% from the companys current price. Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on SPOT. DZ Bank raised Spotify Technology from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Erste Group Bank downgraded Spotify Technology from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. BNP Paribas Exane assumed coverage on shares of Spotify Technology in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. They issued an outperform rating and a $900.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Spotify Technology from $850.00 to $800.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Phillip Securities raised shares of Spotify Technology from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $753.57. Get Spotify Technology alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Spotify Technology Spotify Technology Price Performance SPOT traded down $1.88 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $528.12. The company had a trading volume of 510,212 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,046,832. The company has a market cap of $108.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 83.08, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.66. Spotify Technology has a 12 month low of $460.33 and a 12 month high of $785.00. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $590.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $657.71. Spotify Technology (NYSE:SPOT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $3.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.87 by $1.96. The business had revenue of $5.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.23 billion. Spotify Technology had a net margin of 8.46% and a return on equity of 21.68%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.45 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Spotify Technology will post 10.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SPOT. Knuff & Co LLC acquired a new stake in Spotify Technology in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Total Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in Spotify Technology in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Spotify Technology in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Spotify Technology by 3,800.0% in the third quarter. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. now owns 39 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Finally, KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp bought a new position in shares of Spotify Technology during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. 84.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Spotify Technology (Get Free Report) Spotify Technology is a digital audio streaming company best known for its on-demand music service and a growing portfolio of spoken-word content. Founded in Sweden in 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon and launched commercially in 2008, the company offers a cross-platform app that enables users to discover, stream and organize music, podcasts and other audio. Its primary consumer products include a free, ad-supported tier and a paid Spotify Premium subscription that provides ad-free listening, offline playback and higher-quality audio streams. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Spotify Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spotify Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty-three brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $169.15. Several analysts recently weighed in on YUM shares. TD Cowen upgraded shares of Yum! Brands from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $162.00 to $173.00 in a report on Monday, November 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on shares of Yum! Brands in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. They issued a sector perform rating and a $165.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Yum! Brands from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Yum! Brands in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Yum! Brands from $175.00 to $179.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Get Yum! Brands alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Yum! Brands Yum! Brands Price Performance Shares of NYSE:YUM opened at $156.91 on Thursday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $150.71 and its 200 day moving average is $148.07. The company has a market cap of $43.57 billion, a PE ratio of 30.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.67. Yum! Brands has a 1 year low of $122.13 and a 1 year high of $163.30. Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The restaurant operator reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.12. Yum! Brands had a negative return on equity of 21.79% and a net margin of 17.95%.The business had revenue of $1.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.96 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.37 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Yum! Brands will post 5.94 EPS for the current fiscal year. Yum! Brands Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were issued a $0.71 dividend. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 2nd. Yum! Brandss dividend payout ratio is 55.36%. Insider Buying and Selling at Yum! Brands In other news, CEO Scott Mezvinsky sold 1,755 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.81, for a total value of $261,161.55. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Erika Burkhardt sold 1,269 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.37, for a total value of $189,550.53. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 64 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,559.68. This trade represents a 95.20% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 30,695 shares of company stock valued at $4,582,843 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Yum! Brands A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its stake in Yum! Brands by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 1,277 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $189,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the period. Valmark Advisers Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 3.7% during the second quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 1,915 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $284,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 7.3% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,048 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $165,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares during the period. GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC grew its stake in shares of Yum! Brands by 2.3% in the third quarter. GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC now owns 3,197 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $486,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Yum! Brands by 1.8% in the third quarter. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. now owns 4,085 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $621,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.37% of the companys stock. Yum! Brands Company Profile (Get Free Report) Yum! Brands, Inc (NYSE: YUM) is a global quick-service restaurant company that develops, operates and franchises a portfolio of well-known restaurant brands. The companys principal brands are KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, each focused on distinct product categoriesKFC on fried chicken and related menu items, Pizza Hut on pizza and complementary offerings, and Taco Bell on Mexican-inspired quick-service food. Yum! is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky and was formed as Tricon Global Restaurants in 1997 when PepsiCo spun off its restaurant businesses, later adopting the Yum! Brands name. The companys operating model centers on brand development, system growth and franchising; a large portion of its restaurants are operated by independent franchisees, and Yum! generates revenue through franchise royalties and fees in addition to sales from company-operated locations. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Yum! Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Yum! Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. I have wonderful news, comrades! I am so happy! The Communist Chinese Party will be building a massive spy network embassy in the Soviet British capital so they can spy on the American communications more closely, and other evil democratic nations like Australia, India, Japan and everyone else. The delightful Chinese ambassador is thrilled too, he said this to me today: . I do not know what he said, but I suspect many people agree with the sentiment. Within this remarkable embassy, China will build a hidden chamber alongside Britains most sensitive communication cables as part of a network of 208 secret rooms beneath its new London super-embassy. I have okayed the detailed plans for the underground spy complex below the vast diplomatic site in central London, which Beijing has been trying to keep from public disclosure. I am so excited, maybe our own Stasi officers and agents can learn more from our Chinese comrades on how to spy on the Yankee capitalist democratic barbarians and our own proles. Give it a few years, and well all probably be speaking Chinese anyway Heres to Comrade Xi Jinping and his lovely new spy embassy love ya, Comrade Starmer. A record number of senior figures from politics and business are set to gather in Davos-Klosters for the World Economic Forums 56th Annual Meeting, making it one of the highest-level assemblies in the events history. Around 400 leading political figures are expected to attend, including close to 65 heads of state and government and six leaders from the G7, alongside nearly 850 chief executives and chairpersons of the worlds largest companies. Held under the theme A Spirit of Dialogue, the meeting will bring together close to 3,000 participants from more than 130 countries. It aims to provide an impartial forum in which global leaders can engage with the economic, geopolitical and technological forces reshaping the world. Particular attention will be given to the unprecedented pace of innovation and technological change, with prominent voices from both industry and academia contributing to the discussions. Taking place against one of the most complex geopolitical backdrops in decades, characterised by growing fragmentation and rapid technological transformation, the meeting is positioned as a space for open and constructive exchange across regions, sectors and generations. Building on the Forums long-standing role as a convenor of public and private stakeholders, the Annual Meeting 2026 seeks to translate dialogue into practical cooperation on issues affecting economies, societies and the planet. More than 200 sessions will be livestreamed to the public, with discussions also shared online under the hashtag #WEF26. Dialogue is not a luxury in times of uncertainty; it is an urgent necessity, said Brge Brende, President and CEO, World Economic Forum. At a critical juncture for international cooperation marked by profound geoeconomic and technological transformation this years Annual Meeting will be one of our most consequential. With historic levels of participation, it will provide a space for an unparalleled mix of global leaders and innovators to work through and look beyond divisions, gain insight into a fast-shifting global landscape, and advance solutions to todays and tomorrows biggest and most pressing challenges. As the World Economic Forum enters its next chapter, this years Annual Meeting is bringing together a record number of global leaders from government, business, and non-governmental organizations at a moment when dialogue matters more than ever, said Larry Fink, Interim Co-Chair, World Economic Forum. Understanding different perspectives is essential to driving economic progress and ensuring prosperity is more broadly shared. At a moment when cooperation matters more than ever, the Annual Meeting provides a unique space to turn dialogue into meaningful progress, said Andre Hoffmann, Interim Co-Chair, World Economic Forum. By bringing together leaders across regions and sectors, it creates the conditions to rebuild trust, align priorities and advance solutions that support long-term, sustainable growth for all, within planetary boundaries. Top political leaders taking part include: Top political leaders taking part include: Donald Trump, President of the United States of America; Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada; Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor of Germany; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; He Lifeng, Vice-Premier of the Peoples Republic of China; Javier Milei, President of Argentina; Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia; Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain; Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation 2026; Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of the Republic of Armenia; Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium; Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia; Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Daniel Noboa Azin, President of Ecuador; Alexander Stubb, President of Finland; Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece; Micheal Martin, Taoiseach, Ireland; Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government, Kingdom of Morocco; Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of Mozambique; Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of the Netherlands; Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan; Mohammed Mustafa, Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority; Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland; Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar; Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia; Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of Singapore; Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel; Ahmad Al Sharaa, President of Syria; Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine. Heads of international organizations taking part include: Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Ajay S. Banga, President of the World Bank Group; Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; Mark Rutte, Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization; Alexander De Croo, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme; Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union; Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Refugees; Jasem Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Around 1,700 business leaders, including close 850 of the worlds top CEOs and chairpersons from the World Economic Forums Members and Partners, will also participate, alongside almost 100 CEOs and chairpersons of Unicorn companies and Tech Pioneers who are transforming industries and shaping the future or technology worldwide. Some of the top voices in technology and innovation taking part include: Jensen Huang, NVIDIA; Satya Nadella, Microsoft; Dario Amodei, Anthropic; Dina Powell McCormick, Meta; Demis Hassabis, Google DeepMind; Yoshua Bengio, Universite de Montreal; Alex Karp, Palantir Technologies; Sarah Friar, OpenAI; Yuval Harari, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Mubadala; Peggy Johnson, Agility Robotics; Arthur Mensch, Mistral AI; Bret Taylor, Sierra; Peng Xiao, G42; Eric Xing, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. In an era where exponential technological innovation and geopolitical disruption are deeply intertwined, the need for constructive dialogue between policy-makers and industry is clear, said Mirek Dusek, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. Leaders will share views from across sectors to help build the understanding needed to balance short-term priorities and immediate challenges with long-term value creation. Close to 200 leaders from civil society and the social sector including labour unions, non-governmental and faith-based organizations, as well as experts and heads of the worlds leading universities, research institutions and think tanks will also participate in the meeting. Heads of civil society organizations participating include: David Miliband, President and CEO, International Rescue Committee; Sania Nishtar, CEO, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance; Luc Triangle, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation; Kirsten Schuijt, Secretary General, WWF International; Mohammad Al-Issa, Secretary General, Muslim World League; Comfort Ero, President and CEO, International Crisis Group; Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi and President, Conference of European Rabbis; Oleksandra Matviichuk, Nobel Peace Laureate and Chair, Ukraine Center for Civil Liberties; Peter Sands, Executive Director, The Global Fund; Amitabh Behar, Executive Director, Oxfam International; Aulani Wilhelm, President and Executive Director, Nia Tero. A list of civil society organization representatives taking part can be found here. The 2026 programme is centred around five pressing global challenges where public-private dialogue and cooperation, involving all stakeholders, are critical for collective progress: How can we cooperate in a more contested world? How can we unlock new sources of growth? How can we better invest in people? How can we deploy innovation at scale and responsibly? How can we build prosperity within planetary boundaries? In a global economy shaped by technology, geoeconomics, and demographics, the defining challenge will be whether opportunity is broadly shared or if growth remains sluggish and uneven, said Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. The meeting will connect leaders to discuss how to unlock growth, jobs and economic transformation that translate into progress for communities everywhere. The meetings Arts and Culture Programme will further amplify the diversity of voices and perspectives needed to advance impact, while showcasing the power of art, influence, and culture to drive change and create unique space for dialogue. Renowned artistic and cultural leaders in attendance include: Marina Abramovic, Jon Batiste, Thijs Biersteker, Sabrina Elba, Renaud Capucon, Hiro Iwamoto, Suleika Jaouad, Sir David Beckham, Ahmad Joudeh, Yo-Yo Ma, Emi Kusano, Harvey Mason Jr, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Katie Piper, Ronen Tanchum, JR and will.i.am. The Annual Meeting 2026 will be accessible to the wider public through the livestreaming of over 200 sessions. In addition, the Open Forum, now in its 23rd year, will host public panel discussions for the local community and participants from around the world, encouraging wider participation and open dialogue on key global issues. Throughout January 2026, the Forum has or will be publishing new research to bridge insight and action at the Annual Meeting and beyond. These include the Global Cooperation Barometer 2026, the Global Risks Report 2026, the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 and the latest edition of the Chief Economists Outlook. A full list of new or upcoming Forum research can be found here. Get alerts: UnitedHealth Group, Tempus AI, Johnson & Johnson, Hims & Hers Health, and Intuitive Surgical are the five Healthcare stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Healthcare stocks are shares of publicly traded companies involved in creating, manufacturing, delivering, or insuring medical goods and services including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, hospitals, insurers, and health-tech providers. For investors, these stocks can offer defensive and growth potential driven by aging populations and innovation, but they also carry industry-specific risks such as regulatory approval, clinical trial results, and patent expirations. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Healthcare stocks within the last several days. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. Tempus AI (TEM) Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics. Read Our Latest Research Report on TEM Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of products in the healthcare field. It operates through the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments. The Innovative Medicine segment focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension. Read Our Latest Research Report on JNJ Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) Hims & Hers Health, Inc. operates a telehealth consultation platform. It connects consumers to healthcare professionals, enabling them to access medical care for mental health, sexual health, dermatology and primary care. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Read Our Latest Research Report on HIMS Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Intuitive Surgical, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets products that enable physicians and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of and access to minimally invasive care in the United States and internationally. The company offers the da Vinci Surgical System that enables complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach; and Ion endoluminal system, which extends its commercial offerings beyond surgery into diagnostic procedures enabling minimally invasive biopsies in the lung. Read Our Latest Research Report on ISRG Recommended Stories GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC boosted its holdings in shares of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM Free Report) by 24.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 20,085 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 4,005 shares during the period. GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLCs holdings in International Business Machines were worth $5,667,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get International Business Machines alerts: Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in International Business Machines during the second quarter worth about $2,011,122,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 95,051,475 shares of the technology companys stock worth $28,019,274,000 after buying an additional 1,913,708 shares in the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of International Business Machines by 27,928.2% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,903,116 shares of the technology companys stock worth $561,001,000 after buying an additional 1,896,326 shares during the period. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al acquired a new stake in International Business Machines in the 2nd quarter valued at $133,771,000. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in International Business Machines by 45.8% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,313,241 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $387,118,000 after acquiring an additional 412,574 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.96% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently weighed in on IBM. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of International Business Machines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Friday, November 21st. They issued an outperform rating and a $360.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on International Business Machines from $300.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a market perform rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on International Business Machines from $295.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $301.85. International Business Machines Trading Up 2.6% NYSE IBM opened at $312.08 on Tuesday. International Business Machines Corporation has a 12 month low of $214.50 and a 12 month high of $324.90. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $303.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $282.04. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97. The company has a market capitalization of $291.71 billion, a PE ratio of 37.33, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.70. International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $16.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.10 billion. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 37.76% and a net margin of 12.09%.The companys revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.30 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 EPS for the current year. International Business Machines Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a $1.68 dividend. This represents a $6.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio is presently 80.38%. Trending Headlines about International Business Machines Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week: About International Business Machines (Free Report) International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM. IBMs principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First United Bank & Trust decreased its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEARCA:RSP Free Report) by 11.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 35,635 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,753 shares during the period. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF comprises approximately 2.2% of First United Bank & Trusts holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position. First United Bank & Trusts holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF were worth $6,760,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF alerts: Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Nova Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the second quarter valued at $25,000. Investment Counsel Co. of Nevada bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF in the second quarter worth about $29,000. Tompkins Financial Corp purchased a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Howe & Rusling Inc. increased its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 51.9% in the 2nd quarter. Howe & Rusling Inc. now owns 287 shares of the companys stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. 61.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Trading Up 0.1% NYSEARCA RSP opened at $197.78 on Tuesday. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF has a 12 month low of $150.35 and a 12 month high of $198.07. The stock has a market cap of $78.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.10 and a beta of 0.99. The companys 50 day moving average is $191.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $188.44. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Company Profile Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, formerly Rydex S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, seeks to replicate as closely as possible, the daily performance of the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index (the Index). The Index is a capitalization-weighted index covering 500 industrial, utility, transportation and financial companies of the United States markets (mostly NYSE Euronext issues). The Index utilizes quarterly rebalancing to maintain its equal-weight stance. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 90% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in the equity securities (and derivatives thereof) included in the Index. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RSP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEARCA:RSP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Get alerts: UnitedHealth Group, Eli Lilly and Company, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Tempus AI, and Johnson & Johnson are the five Medical stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Medical stocks are shares of publicly traded companies involved in healthcare for example pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, hospitals, and clinical service providers. Investors buy them to gain exposure to the healthcare sectors growth and typically steadier demand, while accepting sector-specific risks such as regulatory approvals, clinical trial outcomes, and patent expirations. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Medical stocks within the last several days. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Read Our Latest Research Report on LLY Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets. Read Our Latest Research Report on TMO Tempus AI (TEM) Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics. Read Our Latest Research Report on TEM Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of products in the healthcare field. It operates through the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments. The Innovative Medicine segment focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension. Read Our Latest Research Report on JNJ Recommended Stories Phreesia, Inc. (NYSE:PHR Get Free Report) insider Evan Roberts sold 6,317 shares of Phreesia stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.01, for a total transaction of $107,452.17. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 834,632 shares in the company, valued at $14,197,090.32. This trade represents a 0.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Get Phreesia alerts: Evan Roberts also recently made the following trade(s): On Friday, October 17th, Evan Roberts sold 1,888 shares of Phreesia stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.36, for a total transaction of $42,215.68. Phreesia Stock Performance Shares of Phreesia stock opened at $17.14 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $18.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $23.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.03 billion, a P/E ratio of -171.33 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 2.44 and a quick ratio of 2.44. Phreesia, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $15.41 and a fifty-two week high of $32.76. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Phreesia Phreesia ( NYSE:PHR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, December 8th. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.01) by $0.11. The company had revenue of $120.33 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $119.98 million. Phreesia had a negative return on equity of 1.31% and a negative net margin of 1.16%.Phreesias revenue was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.25) EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Phreesia, Inc. will post -1.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of PHR. Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of Phreesia by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 14,049 shares of the companys stock valued at $400,000 after acquiring an additional 375 shares during the period. Diversified Trust Co lifted its stake in Phreesia by 1.0% in the second quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 45,042 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,282,000 after purchasing an additional 426 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Phreesia by 2.8% during the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 19,983 shares of the companys stock valued at $569,000 after purchasing an additional 540 shares during the period. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its position in Phreesia by 9.9% in the second quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,803 shares of the companys stock worth $251,000 after buying an additional 792 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its stake in shares of Phreesia by 1.3% in the third quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 62,712 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,475,000 after buying an additional 812 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.10% of the companys stock. Key Phreesia News Here are the key news stories impacting Phreesia this week: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $35.00 price objective on shares of Phreesia in a report on Monday, December 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Phreesia from $32.00 to $29.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Phreesia from $26.00 to $24.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Truist Financial set a $24.00 target price on Phreesia in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price target on Phreesia from $36.00 to $28.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Seventeen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $30.06. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Phreesia About Phreesia (Get Free Report) Phreesia, Inc (NYSE: PHR) is a provider of patient intake management solutions designed to streamline front-office workflows for healthcare organizations. The companys cloud-based platform digitizes patient registration, appointment scheduling, insurance verification, consent documentation and payment collection through touchscreen kiosks, tablets and mobile devices. By replacing paper forms and manual processes, Phreesia enhances data accuracy, reduces administrative burden and improves the patient experience. Founded in 2000 by Chaim Indig and headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, Phreesia offers a modular software suite that integrates with electronic medical record (EMR) and practice management systems. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Phreesia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phreesia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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. A County Derry man, who received life saving cancer treatment, has made a generous donation to the hospital units that cared for him. Gerry Dowdall, from Fallalea in Maghera, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma back in February 2025. At the time, the diagnosis came as a massive shock to the 71 year-old who had always 'made a very conscious effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle'. In the months that followed the cancer diagnosis, the pensioner faced a whirlwind of emotions, hospital appointments and intensive treatment. My cancer journey was, I am sure, very similar to so many others before me, a rollercoaster of a time with ups and downs, good days and bad, but through it all I was determined to be as positive as I possibly could and not go quietly, explained Gerry. Following the diagnosis, I had five months of treatment as a revolving inpatient in Ward C7 in Antrim Area Hospital, a stem cell transplant and further chemotherapy, during September/October 2025, which took place at Belfast City Hospital. I am lucky to have been offered the stem cell treatment as I was told by my doctors that the age limit was 65. I am one of the oldest people in the North to ever receive this treatment and I am now currently in remission. Before Christmas, local people in the greater Maghera area rallied to raise money - 630 - which Gerry donated to Laurel House and Ward C7. Paying a heartfelt thanks to all who supported him during his cancer journey, Gerry continued: I would like to take this opportunity to convey a very heartfelt thank you to all those who contributed that money. To my family, friends and neighbours who supported me throughout my journey, with cards, messages of support, home cooked meals, phone calls and empathy, you all contributed to my outcome. I would also like to offer my sincerest heartfelt gratitude to all the staff, nurses, ancillary nurses, doctors, domestics, porters and consultants in Antrim Area Hospital and Belfast City Hospital, whose untying, selfless and unwavering professional attitude got me to where I am today. Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart to a most humble and selfless people, he added. SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinead McLaughlin has said that any multi-year Budget must be explicitly linked to the commitments set out in the Programme for Government if it is to deliver real change for people and communities. Ms McLaughlin was speaking following the publication of the Finance Ministers draft multi-year Budget, which has yet to secure Executive agreement. The Foyle MLA said: The SDLP has consistently argued that Northern Ireland needs a properly planned, ambitious multi-year Budget. Annual crisis budgeting has failed our public services and left departments unable to plan or reform. But a multi-year Budget only works if it is clearly and transparently linked to the Programme for Government. Without that link, there is no shared direction, no accountability and no guarantee that Executive commitments will actually be delivered. I welcome the earmarking of funding for the Magee Medical School. This would be a vital investment for Derry, the North West and our health system, and it is important that this funding is realised. Investment in skills is also welcome. If we are serious about growing the economy and giving people access to good, secure jobs, then sustained funding for skills and training is essential. READ NEXT: Foyle MLA deeply concerned as 74,000 pupils face chronic absenteeism Any credible multi-year Budget must also place a clear focus on regional balance. Communities outside the Belfast Metropolitan Area have been left behind for far too long, and a multi-year Budget must actively work to correct that. This draft Budget has not been agreed by the Executive, and that undermines its credibility. Without Executive agreement, it cannot provide certainty for departments or confidence for the public. If this is to be the first multi-year Budget in over a decade, it must be agreed, strategic and clearly aligned to the Programme for Government. At present, that standard has not been met. 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. By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association A prosecution is expected in relation to the killing of Denis Donaldson in Donegal in 2006, the Irish justice minister has said. Mr Donaldson was shot dead 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. A newly qualified health visitor with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has won a prestigious UK-wide award from the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV). Mary Donnelly took first place in the Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) Student Health Visitor Award in recognition of her commitment to addressing health inequalities through advocacy work with vulnerable migrant families. Following her success, Mary was invited to present her work at the iHV Leadership Conference in London last month. Reflecting on the experience, Mary said: I am absolutely delighted to have received the award it still feels surreal. Attending the conference was a huge honour and a valuable opportunity to learn from others and celebrate the difference we can make together. My work highlighting health risks for migrant families has shown me how vital the SCPHN role is in supporting vulnerable communities. Im so grateful to Anne-Marie, my practice supervisor, for reminding me that students can drive meaningful change, and I hope this recognition provides a platform to raise further awareness." READ NEXT: Northern Trust celebrates staff recognised for tackling loneliness and promoting equality Mary is now a Health Visitor with the Public Health Nursing Team based in Ballymena, and is looking forward to continuing to advocate for those most in need through her role: As health visitors, it is our duty to promote the safety, health and wellbeing of all children. The power of advocacy and the voice that health visitors have in promoting equity can influence real change for the families in our care, she said. Ciara McIlhatton, Nurse Manager, added: "All of us within the Public Health Nursing Team want to say congratulations to Mary on her award. We are delighted that she is now continuing her career with us after successfully completing her training." Northern Trust Health Visitor, Mary Donnelly, winner of the Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) Student Health Visitor Award, pictured with Alison Morton, Chief Executive of the Institute of Health Visiting. Offering her congratulations to Mary, Wendy Mallon, Lecturer and Course Director for the SCPHN Pathways at Ulster University, said: I am delighted that Mary has been awarded first prize in the iHV Student Awards. Mary has demonstrated a commitment, passion and innovation in SCPHN practice and her academic studies over the duration of the programme. She is displaying leadership skills and specialist knowledge in identifying children and families who are among the most vulnerable in communities in order to address health inequalities and improve health outcomes. The Bloody Sunday Trust has announced details of this years Bloody Sunday commemoration, which runs from Friday, January 30 until Sunday, February 1. On January 30 there will be a reflective event at 4.00pm at the Bloody Sunday Monument in Rossville St in memory of those murdered on Bloody Sunday. This event will also be dedicated to the children of Palestine. The annual Bloody Sunday lecture will take place at 8.00pm that evening in Culturlann Ui Chanain, with an in-conversation event between former national chair of Sinn Fein and negotiator of the Good Friday Agreement, Mitchel McLaughlin, and former SDLP leader and current MP for Foyle, Colum Eastwood. On Saturday, January 31 the Trust will host campaigners from the Stardust fire in Dublin in 1981, the Hillsborough campaign, Grenfell, Creeslough, Post Office scandal, Ballymurphy and others to discuss the particular problems faced by working class groups when they are forced to fight injustice. This event Punching Up: Working Class Struggles for Justice - is in the Millennium Forum at 1.00pm, and booking is available via Eventbrite. The annual memorial service will take place at the Bloody Sunday Monument at 11am on Sunday, February 1 and will include the unveiling of a new Palestinian-themed artwork and a new memorial plaque for Charles Love. This will be followed by an event in the Museum of Free Derry discussing the payment of Soldier Fs legal fees by the Ministry of Defence. This event has been organised by the Pat Finucane Centre and Human Rights First and is open to all. Admission to the Museum of Free Derry will be free from 10am until 1.30pm on Sunday, February 1. Bloody Sunday Trust director, Maeve McLaughlin said: We are proud to announce this years programme, and to welcome to Derry the many special guests who will take part in it. As we commemorate Bloody Sunday this year we are very mindful of the recent court case, where the judge said that the paratroopers involved in Bloody Sunday should hang their heads in shame and also of the potential of new cases of perjury against these soldiers. "We wish the families well and will support them in every step of their journey. As always, as we remember our dead, we are mindful of the ongoing carnage in Palestine and reiterate our call for a full ceasefire and an end to the Israeli attacks that continue to happen during this supposed ceasefire, an end to the apartheid regime and true peace and justice for the Palestinian people. Winterwatch will return to the BBC this January, broadcasting live from Northern Ireland for the first time. The BBC Two show presented by hosts Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams will air from the shore of Strangford Lough in County Down, the largest sea lough in the British Isles. The series, which first launched in 2012, is a nature documentary which observes animals and wildlife in the UK during the winter months. Winterwatch 2026 will focus on Northern Irelands wildlife and natural beauty, and will be broadcast live from the historic Mount Stewart estate, which is owned by the National Trust. Packham, 64, said: Ive been visiting Northern Ireland since the early 1990s and I always saw it as a very unspoilt part of the UK, its magnificent in terms of its natural resources and it has some exceptional species. Its got incredible coastal regions and loughs and a wonderful range of species, some of which we dont see frequently across the UK, so very excited to be heading there. The environment of Mount Stewart estate is home to a wide range of animals including pine martens, red squirrels and badgers which are expected to feature in the new series. It will also feature pre-recorded clips of wildlife across the UK, including Yorkshire, Dorset, and areas in Scotland and Wales. Packham said: The great joy of our live programmes is that theres always something new and you dont know what its going to be, and thats part of what keeps us coming back to it. The team never tires as we keep turning up not knowing what to expect. Of course, we have any number of plans, but inevitably, something crops up which you dont expect to see. Strachan, 59, described the shows new base camp location as exciting, and said that in the new series, viewers can expect a variety of wonderful wildlife and woolly hats. Williams said: I had a peek at some of the wildlife at Mount Stewart in spring, so Im looking forward to going back there and also spending time on Strangford Lough. Well hopefully see waders and wildfowl and some Brent geese, birds that have come all the way from Arctic Canada. So, itll be an amazing array of wildlife that well be bringing to the audience. Winterwatch will return to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from January 20-23 at 7pm. Delays in discharging patients from acute beds is leading to longer ambulance waits for those requiring admission to hospital, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said. The minister told MLAs that in one Northern Ireland hospital last week, 40% of the beds were occupied by patients who were medically fit to be discharged. During ministerial question time, DUP MLA Diane Dodds raised the issue of current pressure on ambulance services. She said she had received a message stating the ambulance service is about to call a critical state. Ms Dodds said she had also been told there were 160 emergency and critical calls waiting for ambulances which could not be answered on Tuesday. Mr Nesbitt said he was unaware of the details but would check them when he left the chamber. SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said he had heard recently from hundreds of families, patients and staff members about long ambulance waits outside hospitals. He said: It includes one constituent whose 26-year-old son died last year on her kitchen floor while waiting on an ambulance. So can you tell us now, is it you are the wider Executive that is not listening and providing a positive response to this situation? Mr Nesbitt said he had recently visited a number of emergency departments and spoken to ambulance crews. He said: We are, by and large, bringing down the wait times. But thats not to say there arent examples where people are waiting far, far, far too long. I met quite an elderly woman who was waiting in an ambulance outside one of the EDs last Wednesday, and if its uncomfortable for me, whats it like for her? Whats it like for somebody in their 80s who has several very serious conditions to be lying on a trolley in the back of ambulance and cant even get into the hospital? The minister said the problem was made worse by the lack of capacity for patients being discharged from hospital. He said: We dont have enough community capacity so that there are patients who are clinically, medically fit for discharge from our acute hospitals still in beds, because we dont have beds in care homes, or we dont have packages of care to send to them in their homes. We all agree on that, and we all agree that the fix could be five years or more. Mr McGrath said he was almost speechless to be told the issue would take more than five years to fix. But Mr Nesbitt responded: I didnt say it would take five years to fix the ambulance service, I said it could take five years to build up the community capacity to ensure that we dont have so many people who are medically fit for discharge still in acute beds. When I was at the Ulster hospital, that was 104 people who were medically fit for discharge, who were not being discharged. They told me it was 35 in Lagan Valley, a smaller number, but its 40% of the beds in Lagan Valley. The minister said he had visited the emergency department at Antrim Area Hospital on Christmas Day. He said: At 10.30am on Christmas morning, two people were in the reception, and on the far side most of the cubicles were empty. My question is, if that can be done on the 25th of December, why can it not be done on the 25th of January? The week just ended seems to have been a busy one for regulator Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), with important rulings related to MVNOs and 5G reported by the local press. In the middle of the week the PTA notified what it calls the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Policy Framework, allowing virtual operators to offer nationwide mobile services without owning spectrum. This appears to be a first for the country. On payment of a fee equivalent to US$140,000, PTA-licensed MVNOs will be able to provide mobile communication and next-generation services across the country by using the infrastructure of an existing telecom operator (or operators) with which they have an agreement. Like MNOs, MVNOs will be required to pay Universal Service Fund (USF) and research and development contributions, and to comply with PTAs quality of service standards and security guidelines. In the same week the PTA announced that it has issued an Information Memorandum (IM) for the auction of spectrum for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS)/5G in Pakistan. The spectrum auction will be held on 26 February. Following the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by PTCL, one (but not, it appears, all) of PTCL, Ufone or Telenor will be allowed to participate in this auction process along with the other two big companies, Zong and Jazz. It's not clear whether other companies can, or will, participate. The PTA has set roll-out and coverage obligations in phases. 2026-2028 will see coverage of key urban centres and high-demand locations such as federal and provincial capitals. Coverage gaps will also need to be addressed. These requirements also appear to include 4G/LTE site rollout obligations as well as 5G coverage. Its not until phase 4 of rollout (2032-2035) that comprehensive nationwide coverage is seen as expected, though again this may refer to 4G rather than 5G, which by then is expected to be extended to small cities. As the government has reportedly relaxed certain financial obligations for telcos under the policy framework, the quality of service (QoS) standards have been enhanced. Minimum downlink speeds in the 2026-28 period rise for 4G from the current 4 Mbps to 20 Mbps. The minimum downlink speed has to be 50 Mbps for 5G. By 2030-2035 the minimum downlink speed is to be 50 Mbps for 4G and 100 Mbps for 5G. A busy start to the week for payments giant Mastercard has included announcements of major deals in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. In Saudi Arabia Mastercard has announced a collaboration with STC Bank. Leveraging Mastercard Move, Mastercards portfolio of money movement capabilities, the collaboration will enable STC Banks customers to benefit from fast, secure, reliable and cost-efficient digital cross-border transfers from Saudi Arabia to 120 countries, thus, say the partners, meeting the needs of consumers and businesses across the country in search of fast and flexible virtual payments solutions. The Mastercard Move portfolio of solutions reaches more than 200 countries and territories and over 150 currencies, with access to more than 95% of the worlds banked population. Leveraging Mastercard Move, banks and non-bank financial institutions can offer their end customers transparency and choice through trackable payments, visibility of fees, estimated delivery times, certainty about the amount received and the option to receive payouts to bank accounts, digital and mobile wallets, cards and cash, thereby expanding access point options. In Jordan, meanwhile, Middle East Payment Services (MEPS), a digital financial solutions provider, is now offering Click to Pay to its e-commerce merchants through the global payment processing solution Mastercard Gateway. This collaboration, says Mastercard, strengthens MEPS's role in Jordan's payments ecosystem and supports broader access to secure and efficient digital payment solutions. Click to Pay provides a password-free, streamlined checkout experience designed to make online payments faster, more convenient and with improved security for customers. With worldwide connectivity to over 240 acquirers and support for more than 35 payment types, Mastercard Gateway is available via Merchant Cloud, a next-generation payments platform. Through this partnership, says Mastercard, MEPS will enable licensed banks, payment service providers, money exchange houses, and fintechs to deliver secure and convenient cross-border payment solutions. Click to Pay integrates directly into the checkout process, offering built-in security through network recognition and EMV 3-D Secure (an industry standard security protocol). It also leverages Mastercards tokenisation technology, which replaces sensitive payment data with encrypted tokens to safeguard financial information and improve transaction approval rates. Ukraines Ministry of Digital Transformation announced on Monday it has kicked off a 5G pilot programme in Lviv in cooperation with the countrys three main telcos Kyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine and lifecell although a full-scale launch will only come after the ongoing war with Russia finally ends. According to a ministry statement, a 5G test zone has been set up in the historical centre of Lviv to evaluate network performance in real-world urban conditions. The ministry has allocated spectrum in the 3,500-MHz and 700-MHz bands for the pilot. Once the 5G pilot is deemed successful, it will be expanded other Ukrainian cities this year, with a focus on the most populous cities that already have advanced infrastructure, including Kharkiv, Borodianka, Kyiv and Odesa. However, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov admitted that a full-scale 5G rollout wont happen until after the war ends. The Ukrainian government has held off on allocating 5G spectrum during wartime when the country is in a state of martial law. In addition to the usual challenges of rolling out 5G such as integration with existing 4G and investment in additional radio and optical equipment Ukrainian telcos also face war-related challenges, such as ensuring that spectrum usage doesnt interfere with military communications and maintaining a stable energy supply, as 5G requires more power than 4G. The latter is particularly challenging with Russian forces continuing to target energy infrastructure, said lifecell CEO Mykhailo Shelemba. Everything will depend on the reserve power supply, the duration and nature of outages (emergency or planned), network load, etc, he said in a statement. Since 5G consumes more energy, the stable operation of the basic communication network will remain a priority. Shelemba added that lifecell has invested over UAH2 billion (US$46.2 million) in boosting its backup capabilities: We have purchased 48,000 lithium batteries and are constantly replenishing the generator fleet. For all that, Ukrainian telcos are keen to put 5G through its paces in a test environment. Kyivstar said it has been testing 5G in its head office in Kyiv since February 2024, and in Lviv from April to October 2025. Vodafone Ukraine said it has been testing the technology since 2021, while lifecell said its first 5G tests date back to 2019. Thanks to the active position of the Ministry of Digital Affairs, we can already test the technology in real urban conditions, said Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov in a ministry release. For us, this is not an experiment, but a model proven by Vodafone's experience in Europe, added Vodafone Ukraine CEO Olga Ustinova. These applied tests provide an understanding of how the network behaves in practice. Even in the midst of full-scale war under constant Russian attacks on infrastructure and during blackouts Ukraine continues to move forward and expand innovation in the telecom sector, said Minister Fedorov. All three telcos said that they won't charge suscribers extra to use the 5G pilot network, although lifecell's Shelemba added that 5G smartphone penetration in Ukraine is not that high: "In our network, the share of users with 5G smartphones is 29%." While the market for AI continues to expand, the latest move by Anthropic has raised eyebrows in the industry. With the number of companies eyeing the top spot, the company behind the Claude models is rumoured to be restricting access of Anthropic models for developers at xAI, the artificial intelligence firm founded by Elon Musk. The decision reportedly followed internal concerns that Anthropics technology was being used through third-party tools like Cursor to accelerate work at a direct competitor. According to internal emails, the block could slow development but may also push xAI to double down on its own models. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! On Wednesday, xAIs cofounder Tony Wu wrote an email to his team where he stated, Hi team, I believe many of you have already discovered that Anthropic models are not responding on Cursor. Aside from that, Cursor has also clarified that this is a new policy Anthropic is enforcing for all its major competitors. Also read: Big blow to Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy as govt asks to drop 10-minute delivery service The block happened after xAI employees were using Claude through Cursor to speed up their work. Cursor allows developers to write and improve code with help from different AI models. While Cursor itself is widely used and legal, Anthropic appears to have objected to how its models were being used by a direct competitor. In his email, Wu admitted that losing access would slow the team down. However, he also said it should encourage xAI to focus more on building its own tools and models. Anthropics terms clearly state that its services cannot be used to create competing products or to help train rival AI systems. Even if access comes through another platform like Cursor, the responsibility still falls on the customer. In this case, Anthropic seems to have decided that xAI crossed that line. Also read: Elon Musk says he wants to turn Star Trek dreams into reality through SpaceX This is not the first time Anthropic has taken such action, as last year, it cut off access to OpenAI under similar conditions. More recently, it restricted access for another coding platform after reports suggested the company might be sold to OpenAI. These steps show a pattern of strict enforcement when Anthropic believes its technology could help competitors. At the same time as the xAI block, Anthropic has been tightening controls on how third-party tools connect to its systems. Some tools were reportedly trying to access Claude models using cheaper consumer plans instead of standard paid access. An Anthropic employee confirmed that safeguards were strengthened after several accounts were banned for misuse. Also read: This paid iPhone app asks Are You Dead? and alerts your family if you go silent: Heres why its viral in China The timing of the move is also important. Elon Musk recently said that a major update to Grok Code, xAIs own coding assistant, is coming soon. He claimed it would be able to handle many complex tasks in a single attempt. Following the Anthropic decision, Nikita Bier, who leads product at X, joked publicly that it might be time to block Anthropic from the social platform. EU plans to adjust rules on Chinese EV imports; shifts from tariffs to minimum import prices The EU said this week that it is considering setting minimum import prices for Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), a move that would replace the steep anti-subsidy tariffs currently in place. The proposal is widely seen as a signal of easing trade tensions between Europe and China, aiming to protect European automakers while allowing Chinese manufacturers to preserve reasonable profit margins. China's Ministry of Commerce has welcomed the idea. According to reports by Bloomberg and Nikkei Asia, the European Commission would determine minimum prices based on the level of subsidies received by Chinese manufacturers, setting thresholds high enough to neutralize any harm to the European industry. Chinese exporters would be allowed to submit price undertakings voluntarily, which the Commission would then assess against established criteria. The EU Chamber of Commerce in China said the proposal could help advance bilateral trade and investment ties and send a broader signal that Beijing and Brussels are willing to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than escalation. European officials emphasized that all proposals would be reviewed objectively, fairly, and without discrimination, in line with World Trade Organization rules. Trade relations over EVs have been strained since 2024, when the EU imposed anti-subsidy duties ranging from 7.8% to 35.3% on Chinese-made electric cars for five years, citing unfair government support. Beijing responded with countermeasures targeting European products, including dairy goods, pork, and brandy. The tariffs, however, have also had unintended consequences for European automakers. Companies such as BMW and Volvo had relied on China as a manufacturing base for electric vehicles destined for Europe, attracted by mature supply chains and lower labor costs. The new duties have pushed some production back to Europe to mitigate tariff-related costs. Despite the trade barriers, Chinese brands have continued to expand their presence in Europe. Models from SAIC Motor's MG, BYD, and Leapmotor have steadily gained market share. Industry data show that Chinese-made vehicles accounted for about 6% of the EU's auto market in the first half of 2025, up from 5% a year earlier. Some forecasts suggest the figure could reach 10% by 2030. Currently, about 74% of vehicles sold in the EU are manufactured by European automakers, with roughly 20% produced in Germany, followed by Spain, the Czech Republic, and France. As the US continues to press Europe to adopt a tougher stance toward China, the EU appears to be opting for a price-based mechanism to manage friction. Analysts say the success of the policy will depend on Brussels' ability to strike a balance between safeguarding the domestic industry and preserving trade ties with China. Chinese automakers' investment decisions in Europe are likely to serve as a key indicator of how the policy evolves. Article edited by Jack Wu 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. 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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 Migration, housing and a controversial EU trade deal are among the issues that politicians will be grappling with as they return to the Dail chamber after the Christmas break. International issues such as the crackdown on protesters in Iran, the crisis in Venezuela and the suggestion that Donald Trump is mulling whether to acquire Greenland by funds or by force are also expected to feature. The coalition government is expected to kick off the parliamentary term with a draft law to introduce a series of migration and asylum reforms as part of an EU-wide change due to take effect by June. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan was bringing his bill to Cabinet on Tuesday, containing stricter rules on the reunification of refugees with their families, on refugees applying for citizenship, and other issues. Irelands record-high homeless numbers with 16,996 in emergency accommodation as of November and sky-rocketing house and rent prices will also be a priority for the Government in the coming year. It had signalled before the Christmas break that clearing infrastructure blockages would help unlock greater housing supply, as its latest housing plan scrapped annual new-build targets. Promises made during the 2024 general election campaign, around childcare and disability issues in particular, will remain a pressure point for the Government as families struggle with accessing services and the cost of living. Billions of euro in corporation tax revenues collected mostly from a handful of tech multinationals will also prove contentious after Irelands budgetary watchdog warned last year that the Fianna Fail-Fine Gael government was budgeting like theres no tomorrow. The Dail is also returning after thousands of farmers gathered in Athlone at the weekend to protest against an EU trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Ireland voted against the deal after Irish farmers raised concerns that beef exports to Europe could be at risk due to the introduction of cheaper Brazilian beef; a debate on the EU-Mercosur deal was due in the Dail later on Tuesday. As Ireland gears up to host the Presidency of the Council of the EU in July, ministers will be preparing issues to focus on during its six-month term media minister Patrick ODonovan has said the theme for communication ministers will be protecting the child online, an issue more relevant now after controversy over sexualised deepfakes on social media X. The EU presidency will give Ireland an element of influence at a time of political instability across the world. A major new PEACEPLUS-funded youth initiative aimed at strengthening safety, wellbeing and community connection for young people in rural County Louth will officially launch on Wednesday, 21 January 2026 at The Foy Centre in Carlingford. Part of PEACEPLUSs Thriving and Peaceful Communities programme the project is funded and supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) (Northern Ireland - Ireland), under Louth County Councils PEACEPLUS action plan and will be managed by Community Restorative Justice Ireland (CRJI) Newry/Armagh over the next 18 months. Designed to support young people living in rural areas across County Louth, the project will engage at least six communities through a wide range of youth activities, group sessions and personalised one-to-one supports. Its aim is to help young people build confidence, strengthen wellbeing, and feel more connected to their local communities. Over the course of the programme, youth groups will meet three to four times per week, taking part in activities shaped directly by young people themselves. Planned sessions include: Sports and outdoor activities Arts, creative and cultural workshops Late-night youth sessions Easter and Summer camps One-to-one support and signposting to other services for young people who may need additional assistance All activities will take place in safe, supportive and positive environments where young people can have fun, develop new skills and access guidance when needed. A core focus of Thriving and Peaceful Communities is empowering young participants to influence the programme, ensuring activities genuinely reflect their interests, needs and aspirations. Read Next: Mercosur deal 'bad for health and bad for Irish farming' Louth TD tells farmers Through this approach, the project aims to help young people feel more connected to their communities, more confident in themselves, and better equipped to identify and achieve their individual goals. Young people, families, schools, youth groups and local organisations are invited to attend the launch event at The Foy Centre, Carlingford, on Wednesday, 21 January at 4.00pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the project team, hear about planned activities and learn how to get involved. Fianna Fail Senator Alison Comyn has called for a meeting with Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien amid fresh calls for the M1 toll at Drogheda to be removed. Senator Comyn said she raised the issue in the Seanad on December 9th, and said she set out "one practical solution that could deliver immediate relief". She proposed a locally targeted arrangement where local drivers who enter Drogheda to shop, work or visit, and exit again within a specific timeframe would have their toll waived or significantly reduced. She said the measure would support local business as well as reducing traffic pressure. Read Next: Inside Track: All the 3s not lucky for some managers However, Senator Comyn acknowledged Transport Infrastructure Ireland's position is that it will not cancel the existing contract which remains in place until early 2034. She also acknowledged a recent motion put before the Drogheda Borough District calling for the removal of the toll. While the motion received cross-party support from councillors, Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Michelle Hall criticised the Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien saying, "the minister is not someone who follows through for Drogheda". Senator Comyn said the issue goes beyond party politics, saying if we engage with the Minister on the basis of realism, cooperation and clear proposals, we stand a far better chance of achieving meaningful progress for Drogheda. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Government approval of 6.5 million in funding for the construction of a new domestic violence refuge in Dundalk has been described by the CEO of Women's Aid Dundalk, Ann Larkin, as an amazing investment into safety for women and children. Funding approval for the new domestic violence refuge, which is being brought forward by Womens Aid Dundalk, and is to be located in Highfield in Dundalk, was announced last Friday by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim OCallaghan TD. Once operational, the new refuge will offer 12 residential units, therapeutic spaces, a family access unit, a youth and child support unit, overnight accommodation for staff, as well as outdoor play spaces and resident open space area which will allow Womens Aid Dundalk to provide a suite of wraparound services such as counselling and support. The refuge has been identified as a priority location under the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Strategy which aims to double the number of refuge units and safe accommodation across the country. Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat, Ms Larkin said that it took huge work from an awful lot of people, across an awful lot of services, to get this through. This issue crosses so many aspects, it's not one department or one agency or group can provide the whole solution. It's going to take at government level. Read also: Mercosur deal 'bad for health and bad for Irish farming' Louth TD tells farmers "That's what Zero Tolerance committed to. It's cross departmental. It's everybody taking their piece and working it for the betterment for women and children. A huge amount of work went into getting us here. Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence 2022-2026, published in June 2022, is a whole-of -government strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). The overarching purpose of the Strategy is that of zero tolerance in Irish society for DSGBV, delivering an enhanced understanding of the root causes and impacts of DSGBV across society, ensuring significant and ongoing reduction in the incidence of DSGBV and supporting changes in behaviour. Welcoming news of the funding, Dr Stephanie OKeeffe, CEO of Cuan, the national Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, said on Friday that: Womens Aid Dundalk has been providing vital services for vulnerable women and their children for many years now. This funding allocation will help make the new domestic violence refuge in Dundalk a reality, with Womens Aid Dundalk leading on this ambitious and important project. This is a positive development not only for County Louth, but for the ambitions of the overall Zero Tolerance strategy. Minister OCallaghan, said: A facility like this can be life changing for those who avail of it, and the funding approved moves us a step closer to making this refuge a reality. The refuge will provide a vital sanctuary for vulnerable women and children, offering safety and care in times of great need. Under the governments Zero Tolerance strategy we have committed to increasing safe accommodation in Louth, and this announcement again demonstrates that we are delivering on our aim to ensure that those who need a refuge space will get one. Women's Aid Dundalk hopes that work will start on the new refuge in the second quarter of this year. Ms Larkin explained, the planning was approved back in March [2025] by Dundalk Municipal District. From there we had it approved, we had to go through the CAS (Capital Assistance Scheme) funding process. "We're over that last hurdle, the funding has been approved, the tender packs have all been in. All that work is done, so all going well, we're hoping to start work probably quarter two this year. March/April all going well. Announcing the funding last Friday, Minister Browne said: Domestic violence and coercive control cannot be tolerated. It may often be hidden, but every single one of us who are in a position to can be part of what is a necessary cultural shift. We should all be actively involved in calling out gender based violence in all the ways it presents itself. Reflecting on Minister Browne's comment, Ms Larkin said that it's hidden, but every single one of us are in a position to be part of the solution, part of that cultural and societal shift that has to happen. We're providing the accommodation for women who are fleeing domestic violence, but we all have a part to play in eradicating it. Commenting on progress made in recent years on tackling the issue of domestic violence, the Women's Aid Dundalk CEO said that, I think the pace of change in addressing this issue in this current decade is going to be much faster than it has been over the past three or four. We have a long way to go but there is absolutely more awareness of it, there's more resources committed to it. We would be saying in Women's Aid Dundalk, domestic, sexual and gender based violence needs to be talked about in its own right as a major social issue. It needs to become part of normal conversation in the same way that we talk about addiction issues, like mental health issues, about suicide prevention, about homelessness. Because it's an element in all of those other social issues, so we need to address it in its own right, and that's what I see happening now with Zero Tolerance, that it is being talked about as the specific issue that it is and not part of those social issues. That gives me hope and I would be optimistic that we will see change. In my early times with Women's Aid Dundalk, not in my wildest dreams did I think we would see this level of investment in one refuge. But we are one in any number of refuges that's going up around the country. I would be optimistic, but we have a way to go, and it's that cultural shift that has to happen, societal change. It's doable, it's absolutely doable. We need to be empowering our young men and our young boys around what is appropriate, safe behaviour. And the whole issue, it's not acceptable in any way, shape or form. And, just as I'm talking to you, I'm aware that there are male victims of domestic violence as well, and thankfully there's now recognition of that and there's services set up to develop the specific responses that men need. Just even for this, the very fact that you're talking to me, it will get out there, people will see it, they'll know that there's a service that they can contact, that friends and family can contact for information, and that's key. It's so powerful to have information. We need to be talking about them, When we talk about it, the more unacceptable it will become in society. Last Friday's announcement was welcomed by Louth TD, Erin McGreehan, a board member of Womens Aid Dundalk. Deputy McGreehan described the announcement as a monumental step forward in strengthening vital services for some of the most vulnerable people in the region. She continued: This investment is about far more than bricks and mortar. It is about creating a safe, supportive environment where women and children can begin to heal, feel believed and supported and take steps towards rebuilding their independence. The new refuge in Dundalk will make a profound difference to women at their most vulnerable. Services like Womens Aid Dundalk provide a lifeline, offering compassionate support, expertise and a pathway out of crisis at a time when it is needed most. Working on the board I have seen firsthand the commitment, professionalism and care shown by the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to support survivors. This new facility reflects the scale of the need they encounter every day and will significantly enhance their ability to respond. This development will ensure more people can find safety, support and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. It will have a lasting and lifesaving impact for years to come. News of the funding was also welcomed by Louth TD Paula Butterly, who said that it is recognition of the continuous hardwork, advocacy and collaboration of Women's Aid, Dundalk to key stakeholders to ensure we can provide better services and supports for those affected by domestic violence. With planning permission in place, I hope that the refuge can progress with speed and be open by the end of 2027. But the work doesnt stop here, we must ensure that funding and supports continue to increase as unfortunately this is not a problem that is going away but rather is on the rise. Along with Women's Aid Dundalk, we are blessed to have dedicated services such as The Women's Refuge, The Red Door Project and the Rape Crisis North East who are always going the extra mile but often sufficient and sustainable funding is not available. Deputy Butterly added, I am always humbled when engaging with these groups how they can provide so much on so little. Click the 'Next >' arrow above or 'Next Story' below to go through the gallery Students from four schools in Louth were among the award winners at the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (YSTE) which took place last week at the RDS in Dublin. St. Joseph's C.B.S, St Mary's Diocesan School, De La Salle College Dundalk and St Vincent's Secondary School are the winning schools from Louth. The students who won the awards are as follows: Dearbhla Leavy from St Vincent's Secondary School won the 3rd Intermediate Individual (Biological & Ecological) award for her project, An Investigation into the effect of Arm Strength and Core Strength on the ability to perform a handstand successfully. Brian McCabe and Will Stewart from De La Salle College Dundalk won the 2nd Intermediate Group (Technology) award for their project, TrustLens - an AI-powered browser plugin for detecting bias. Ruairi O Grainne, Fergus Nolan and Conor Dolan from St Mary's Diocesan School won the 3rd Senior Group (Health & Wellbeing) award for their project, Investigating the effects of different frequencies when sleeping among teenagers aged 13-17. Jayden McGahon from St Joseph's CBS won the 2nd Junior Individual (Social & Behavioural Sciences) award for his project, Do Teenagers Trust AI More Than Their Parents or Teachers. Aoibheann Daly, a 4th year student from Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk in Kerry, was announced as the overall winner of the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, with her project GlioScope: Multi-task Deep Learning and Causal AI for Glioma & Glioblastoma Profiling. Below: Ray McGrath, Chair of the Judging Panel from Stripe, presents the 3rd Intermediate Individual Award to Dearbhla Leavy, from St Vincents Secondary School, County Louth, for the project An Investigation into the Effect of Arm Strength and Core Strength on the Ability to Perform a Handstand Successfully. Photos: Fennel Photography We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether its a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can. Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond. TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY Ireland is working to resolve outstanding issues for quite a number of industries following the EU-US trade agreement last year, the Taoiseach has said. As part of what has become a traditional annual St Patricks Day visit to the White House, Micheal Martin would be expected to meet US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Last year, the two leaders engaged with reporters for 50 minutes on a range of issues including the tariff dispute. In July and August 2025, the EU and the US reached an agreement on trade and further negotiation in the context of Mr Trumps tariff regime on imports into the country. On Tuesday, Mr Martin said dialogue was ongoing on a range of issues. Speaking to reporters before a Cabinet meeting, he said: Last year, the European Union and the United States reached an agreement in respect of tariffs and the trading issue which did stabilise the situation as evidenced by our own economic and fiscal returns. The Trump administration initiated a range of section 232 investigations which examine the impact of imports on national security. These relate to several sectors that are of interest to Ireland including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and commercial aircraft, as well as medical devices, robotics, drones, wind turbines, critical minerals, and timber. The EU has also continued to engage in negotiations for US tariff exemptions on steel and aluminium products, while Irish politicians have argued for a carve out applying to wines and spirits. Mr Martin said: It still is challenging for quite a number of industries, so our focus is on dialogue, continuing to work with United States government to resolve any outstanding issues. The Taoiseach also cautioned it is early days in relation to planning for the March trip. John OLoughin, a Tax Partner at PwC Ireland, said that it had been anticipated that section 232 investigation on pharmaceuticals would have concluded in 2025 but it has not. He said companies are left to watch with bated breath to see if the US administration will introduce new tariffs and at what rate. Speaking to the Press Association, he said The other thing thats probably ongoing in the background as well is that the European Union and the US did set out a framework agreement around how the tariffs would operate. One of those negotiated points was on the EU side, whereby they agreed that they wouldnt introduce retaliatory tariffs they agreed to that. They also then agreed that they would eliminate tariffs on a wide range of agriculture and industrial products. That list is very much drafted but hasnt come into force yet, so we suspect that thats being negotiated by both sides also. Mr OLoughlin also said there has been increased commentary around tariffs in expectation of a US Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Mr Trumps tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as well as the US president threatening a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran. If that decision which is potentially due on Wednesday is in favour of the US taxpayer rather than the administration, it could see business able to apply for refunds on tariffs paid and examination of investments made in the country on the back of the policy. Mr OLoughlin said commentary suggested this would ultimately be disastrous for the US administration. He said the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling could have impacts on the EU-US negotiations over steel and aluminium tariffs. Certainly if the Supreme Court ruling tomorrow is in favour of the taxpayer, I think a lot of those other legal mechanisms section 232 and the aluminium and steel tariffs they stay in place for a little bit longer, because President Trump and the US administration need to maintain some element of leverage over their policy and what theyre trying to achieve. Mr OLoughlin said that companies struggled to keep on top of the noise during the first few months of regular tariff announcements before things got calmer after last summer. However, he said: Were now coming to a new phase again where I think over the next couple of months it gets a little bit more turbulent as we see the outcome of the IEEPA tariff (decision), and we see the resolution to some of those section 232 investigations. The name of Baltimore pub, The Algiers, relates to the infamous Sack of Baltimore in 1631, when Barbary pirates raided the West Cork village, capturing more than 100 inhabitants and taking them into slavery in North Africa. The pub itself dates back generations, but today it is run by Bill Hillyard and his wife Anne. They took on The Algiers in early 2020, weeks before the country shut down because of the pandemic. My mothers Irish and my dads English. Im from California, Bill says. He and Anne had been living in Orange County, roughly halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. Ireland was familiar to Bill as he had spent a lot of time here through family connections, but the decision to move here was part circumstance, part intent. Wed been through droughts in California. There was one day when it was snowing ash from the wildfires all around us, and my wife said, We need to go someplace where it rains. It was a joke, but that kind of got the wheels turning. They considered Denmark, Mexico, and New Zealand, but Ireland offered something practical as well as emotional. We knew that if we came here, we could work. I had an Irish passport. My wife does now as well. West Cork, Bill says, made the decision for them. We were visiting Ireland with my parents, knowing that we wanted to move here. We drove through Glandore on an August afternoon and it was just stunning. We said, Thats West Cork. Baltimore was to become home, even if they didnt know it yet. Bill and Anne wanted a business that would keep them lively and connected. We didnt want to retire fully. We wanted to be able to get out and meet people, as well as keep busy, Bill says. They took on The Algiers in February, 2020. By, March, however, it was closed. In hindsight, I say we were blessed by a global pandemic, admits Bill. We had plans to do all this up on a five-year plan. We were able to do it in one go. Friends from California, builders, came over to help with the work. Bill Hillyard behind the bar at The Algiers in Baltimore, West Cork. He and his wife arrived here in early 2020 - and had to close because of the pandemic within days. Picture: Noel Sweeney They came over right after we got the keys. They ended up being here for nine months, says Bill. Original features were preserved where possible: the stone walls, the position of the bar. This pubs been here for 120 years, Bill says. We were really concerned about coming in as Americans, as outsiders. We didnt want to ruin what it had always been to people. We wanted to keep the bones the same but let it grow a little. Baltimores history is strongly tied to the 1631 sack of the village by Barbary pirates. My guess is that the name was changed around the time of Irish independence, Bill says of the pub name. It was a jab at the English. This had been a plantation village, and when the pirates raided, they only took English people. Inside, its village pub aesthetic is retained while a North African texture weaves seamlessly through its decor. Tunisian plates, Moroccan lights, all blended with maritime West Cork. We just wanted to go with the Algiers vibe, Bill says, but mix it with the maritime culture of Baltimore. Many of the fittings have their own histories: a back bar salvaged and refinished from a closing pub in Dundalk; tables once used as sewing machine bases at the Eldon Hotel in Skibbereen. Theres a brass yardstick still on the counter from when this was a shop. We found ivory combs, old retail packaging, and loads of old coins. There was even a piece of eight, Bill explains. The Algiers, he says, is 60-40, a restaurant, then a pub. A kitchen was installed by a previous owner in the late 1980s, but food had dwindled in later years. Under Bill and Anne, it has become the main draw. We do Californian food, really, with a lot of Mexican influences. He says. Tacos have been the signature dish from the off. We served 20,000 tacos in 2025. People come for them. Yet its local produce that gives The Algiers its flavour. The trawlers are 600 metres away. The beef for the burgers comes from Walshs in Skibbereen, their own heritage cattle. Everythings local, says Bill. Staff continuity has been crucial. Bar manager Sean McCarthy has been part of The Algiers for nearly three decades. As a cultural liaison as much as anything, he helped us navigate integrating ourselves into Baltimore, says Bill. Wed been here a month when the pandemic hit, and everyone kind of looked out for us. I joke that we had Irelands largest covid bubble. Every week, we have Thursday Night at The Algiers, Bill says. A special meal. Next week its Thai green curry. Just to give people something different. Bill speaks often about the broader role of pubs. Were far more than drinking. Were a food and craic business. He recounts a recent night. We had 40 women in for Womens Little Christmas. We ended up having karaoke. I sang karaoke for the first time in my life, he laughs Irish pub culture, Bill says, surprised him with some of its quirks. Irish people are far more particular about their pints than Americans. The glass matters. The head matters. He laughs about pouring a pint into the wrong glass. The publican, especially the rural one, plays an integral role in Irish culture. For me, its an honour to be part of it, Bill says. Theres an Irish pub in every city in the world. You can travel the world with that experience. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has rejected the suggestion that 324 new social homes announced for Cork yesterday will have little impact on a city with 2,760 people on social housing waiting lists. Mr Martin was speaking after he had turned the sod on two Cork city housing projects which, when completed, will deliver a total of 823 new homes 324 social homes and 499 affordable houses. The developments consist of the 217-unit Railyard Apartments scheme on the old Sextant site, which will include Irelands tallest residential building, and the 606-unit Creamfields development on the old Kinsale Rd. The Railyard will have 99 social and 118 cost-rental homes, while the Creamfields site will have 225 social and 381 cost-rental homes. Significant Asked by The Echo whether those social homes would be a drop in the ocean against the citys 2,761 waiting list, Mr Martin said they would be a very significant addition. On top of the earlier social housing projects that were announced last year, I think were at a scale of social housing development that we havent seen since the 1970s, he said. And indeed theres a very significant pipeline of social and affordable houses now both here in Cork and indeed nationally. Speaking at the sod-turning at the Creamfields development on the former CMP site on the old Kinsale Rd, Mr Martin said the number of new builds for last year was likely to be somewhere between 30,000 and the mid-30s, a figure he conceded was not high enough. Well probably for 2025 be on 30,000, I dont know the precise figure, mid-30s maybe, thats not enough, until we get to 50,000-plus over a sustained period of time, thats the key objective for us, in terms of dealing with the growth in population, and also to enable housing to be affordable for people to be able to rent and to buy, he said. We need developments to happen quickly, and thats why were reforming our planning laws, reforming our judicial reviews, all of that is designed to try and make projects more viable and to get projects done as quickly as we possibly can. Figures According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), there were 30,330 new dwelling completions in the whole of 2024, down from the 32,525 completed in 2023. CSO figures for 2025 are not yet available. The Railyard scheme, on the city centre site of the old Sextant and the former Carey Tool Hire, is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and will comprise of a mix of studios and 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, the main contractor on the project, has been on site for several months carrying out site clearance, road realignment and piling works. The Creamfields scheme 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, providing 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. Phases 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. 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. Important milestone Welcoming yesterdays sod-turning ceremonies, Lord Mayor 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. 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. Cork City Council chief executive Valerie OSullivan said the developments showed what can be achieved when ambitious and dynamic local authorities work in partnership with equally ambitious partners. Cork City Council assistant chief executive Brian Geaney said the two developments were the result of a collaborative partnership between Cork City Council, central Government, housing bodies, and private developers. Eighteen people, none of whom had a criminal conviction, were held in Cork Prison for up to 52 days while awaiting deportation in the second half of last year, the Irish Prison Service (IPS) has said. From mid-June to mid-December 2025, 18 people were held in the prison while awaiting deportation from the State, the IPS confirmed to The Echo following a Freedom of Information request. The length of time they spent in the prison varied from two to 52 days, slightly under the maximum of 56 days allowed by law. None of the 18 people held in the prison during this time had a criminal conviction, IPS said. In October of last year, justice minister Jim OCallaghan said in the Dail that returning people voluntarily is his departments preferred option. If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed. My department has taken action to significantly improve immigration-enforcement measures and increase removals, he said. Mr OCallaghan said the subject of a deportation order may be detained under Section 5 of the Immigration Act 1999 for up to 56 days in one of the prescribed places of detention, which include prisons and garda stations. Of the 267 individuals whose deportation orders had been enforced up to October 2025, 212 were detained prior to deportation. Only 25 of these had criminal convictions. The average length of detention prior to deportation was 28 days. The figures for Cork Prison came among consistent overcrowding at the facility, which was considerably over its 296-bed capacity on each day in the six-month period covered by the FOI request. On Monday of last week, the prison saw its highest ever number of people detained with 410 inmates meaning 114 of them were without beds. By Tuesday, this had dropped to 400. By last Friday, the figure stood at 395. Yesterday, there were 396 inmates at the prison. Cork public representatives have expressed concern that people are getting out of prison early or not going at all due to overcrowding. The Irish Prison Service said: Where the number of people in custody exceeds the maximum capacity in any prison, officials in the Irish Prison Service make every effort to deal with this through the use of temporary release. Decisions in relation to temporary release are considered on a case-by-case basis, and the safety of the public is paramount when those decisions are made, the Irish Prison Service said. Cork City Fire Brigade attended 16 road traffic incidents on the N40/South Ring Rd last year, as a councillor has called for more transparent information on collisions. Green Party councillor Dan Boyle asked at yesterdays meeting of the local authority for the most recently available annual figures for road traffic incidents on the ring road, noting the extent to which this councils emergency services have been called upon to respond. Noel Murtagh, acting director of local area development and operations, said the council had only limited data in this regard. Data held by Cork City Fire Brigade refers only to incidents where the brigade was mobilised. A more accurate figure may be available from An Garda Siochana or TII [Transport Infrastructure Ireland], he told Mr Boyle. Mr Murtagh said the most recent figures Cork City Fire Brigade have related to last year, and that the service responded to 16 incidents along the ring road in 2025. The figure of 16 represents incidents within the extent of the N40 from Dunkettle to Curraheen, and are only for road traffic incidents on the N40/Southern Ring Rd, he said. Mr Boyle told The Echo more data is required to assess the problem: The number of vehicle collisions on the Southern Ring Rd/N40 are numerous and are believed to be increasing. The difficulty is no open public means of collecting, presenting, and analysing this information. Without this information, it becomes impossible to bring about better safety standards, and we are doomed to repeats these collisions again and again, he said. The man who denies murdering 28-year-old Brazilian woman Bruna Fonseca on New Years Day 2023 in Cork phoned a friend in Brazil in the early hours to say, I killed Bruna, and he sent a video showing the body of Bruna, the judge and jury in the murder trial was told on Tuesday. A witness who arrived on the scene after 6am on January 1, 2023, testified that the accused man, Miller Pacheco, first told her, It wasnt me, and then said, I choked her. She said he smiled. Marcella Fonseca a cousin and best friend of the deceased testified today in the trial of 32-year-old Miller Pacheco who pleaded not guilty to the single count that he murdered Bruna Fonseca at Room 3, 5 Liberty Street, Cork, on January 1, 2023, contrary to Common Law. Translation Marcella Fonseca was cross-examined by defence senior counsel Ray Boland on her evidence that the accused man said: I choked her. Mr Boland said the accused spoke in Portuguese to the witness and that the word he used was suffocated and not choked, and that the correct words were: I think I suffocated Bruna. The witness replied: It is a similar word. Mr Boland said that his instructions were that the accused was not smiling and that he was in shock. Relationship Marcella said she came to Ireland in 2018, returned home during covid, and came back to Ireland afterwards. She knew Miller from Brazil and that Bruna was her best friend and first cousin. She said that Miller arrived in Cork and moved in with Bruna, having been in a relationship with her in Brazil, but that the relationship ended after one week. She later agreed it broke up after three days. She recalled going to Millers place at Liberty Street during the day on that New Years Eve and that Bruna was there. She said the defendant and the deceased both had red eyes and had been crying. Marcella said Bruna gave her a knife, and she noticed that Brunas finger was bleeding from a small cut. Bruna Fonseca had been in a relationship with Mr Pacheco in Brazil. The witness agreed with Mr Boland that Bruna broke up with Miller but that he did not want to break up, and that Bruna was worried Miller would kill himself and it was in the context of that worry that Bruna wanted to take the knife away from him and did so. Bruna told her that her finger was cut when Miller tried to snatch the knife back but he did not mean to cut her. New Year's Day Marcella got a phone call from Millers friend in Brazil at around 6am on New Years Day, after the friend had been contacted by Miller. She said she was scared when the friend told her that Bruna may have been killed. She went with her friend Juliana Souza to the house on Liberty Street where Miller had a room. She saw Miller with some white fabric in his hand. I asked if he killed my cousin, he said it was not me. I asked him if you killed my cousin, how you killed my cousin? He said, I choked her, Marcella Fonseca testified. She said he smiled when he said this. She said he changed his jumper and she told him to stay here in Ireland "He said he would like to go Brazil. I said he should stay in Ireland to go to jail here." She said that Pedro, Millers friend in Brazil, sent her the video that Miller sent him. The trial continues today before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury of seven women and five men at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. Cork Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher has declared that the ongoing issues with social media platform Xs AI software Grok and the undressing of women and minors online must result in action from the European Commission. It recently emerged that the AI software tool Grok is widely being used to virtually undress images of people, using AI technology. Mr Kelleher said that the undressing of women and minors by Elon Musks latest invention cannot be tolerated. Grok, one of Elon Musks latest inventions, has been used to produce suggestive images of minors, including a 14-year-old actress. The European Commission says it is looking into the matter, but for me and for my colleagues in Renew Europe, action is needed now, the Cork MEP said. Mr Kelleher added that the European Union already has the means to intervene. Read More Cork Councillor deletes X in protest to Grok misuse The commission can immediately launch formal proceedings against Grok for systemic failures to mitigate risks and protect minors, as set out in Articles 28, 34, and 35 of the Digital Services Act, he said. It also has the power to temporarily suspend Grok while the investigation is ongoing. The days of social media being the wild west and being outside the reach of the law must come to an end. Our political leaders must grasp this issue once and for all. We have the power to act but it seems we dont have the bravery to act. This week, Green Party councillor for Cork City North East Oliver Moran said he will no longer post on the X social media platform in protest to the Grok controversy. Cork Labour senator Laura Harmon, a member of the Oireachtas committee on AI, added: Any technology or platform that facilitates the creation, amplification, or normalisation of this kind of material poses a profound threat to personal safety, human dignity, and the rule of law. Members of the armed support unit had to assist in the arrest of a young 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. Defence solicitor Aoife Buttimer 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. Sgt Dineen said the criminal damage occurred at the Istanbul Market, 55 North Main St, Cork, on September 22, 2025. Sgt Dineen said it was alleged that the suspect entered the premises and locked himself in a room before discharging a fire extinguisher. He then barricaded himself into the room. The armed support unit had to assist in removing him. He caused extensive damage to stock and the premises had to be cleaned as a result of the discharge. Sgt Dineen said that the fire extinguishers cost 200 each, adding that the clean-up cost was put at 600. Ms Buttimer 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. 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 valued at 15 to snap. Cork city and countys Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) will support 15 small companies at this months International showcase for Irish craft and design businesses. The showcase, taking place at the RDS in Dublin between January 18 and 20, is one of Irelands largest international trade shows. Now running for more than 50 years, the three-day event offers manufacturers, designers, and craft makers the opportunity to exhibit their collections to 3,000 buyers visiting from Ireland and overseas, generating more than 25.6m in sales. The event is presented on behalf of the Design and Crafts Council Ireland, with support from LEOs and Enterprise Ireland, who promote the trade show internationally. More than 400 Irish brands exhibit at the fair annually, including both established and emerging Irish businesses. Among those representing Corks LEOs at this years showcase is Claire OSullivan, founder of Wasi Seaweed, who has been shortlisted as one of three finalists under the category of sustainability champion for the Business of Craft Awards. Based in Bantry, Ms OSullivan creates a range of skincare products including body oils, soaps, and bath salts using hand-harvested Irish seaweed. Other Cork exhibitors include Dr K Soap Company, Saw Framed, Inchydoney Candles, Saucy Pups, Studio Canty, Lee River Leather, Blue Shoe Gallery, Hannas Bees, Gosling Gifts and Games, and Wave and Cave Clothing. More than 30 Irish LEOs are dedicated to supporting scaling companies with start your own business programmes, mentoring, sales, pricing, and advice on preparing for markets, scaling, and sustainability. A spokesperson for Cork City Council said the annual event is a fantastic opportunity for LEO clients, both startups and established small businesses, to create a foothold in the market both in Ireland and internationally. Representing the Local Enterprise Offices from throughout the Cork region are some exceptional entrepreneurs bringing innovative products and creative talent to an international audience, the spokesperson said. Irish MEPs have been urged to continue the vote no campaign against Mercosur, despite the provisional agreement reached on the import deal last week. Speaking as MEPs returned to Brussels on Monday, Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu said the vote by EU member states to approve Mercosur does not mark the end of the process, but rather the start of lobbying efforts ahead of the European Parliament vote. Ireland was one of five countries, including France, Austria, Hungary and Poland, to vote against the deal on Friday, which would see the import of beef products from four South American countries Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Several thousand Irish farmers protested on January 10 against the European Union's trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur, a day after EU states approved the treaty despite opposition from Ireland and France. Photo by Gareth Chaney. Despite this, the deal was provisionally accepted with a 20 out of 27 majority, and will go on to be ratified at the European Parliament. Between now and [the European Parliament] vote, I will be engaging with colleagues from across the political spectrum to campaign for a no vote on this deal, said Ms Ni Mhurchu. We must communicate to our colleagues that a better deal is possible, one which does not undermine and threaten our farmers. Ms Ni Mhurchu said the agreement would disproportionately impact Irish farmers and rural communities, particularly across the south, and urged her fellow MEPs to consider the public health and environmental risks of accepting Mercosur beef into EU markets. Bronagh Ni Cheallaigh from Four Roads with her message at the Mercosur rally at TUS Athlone last Saturday. Pic: Paul Molloy. 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. I stand firmly with Irish farmers and rural communities and will do everything in my power to oppose this agreement. Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe, who is accused of harassing a member of An Garda Siochana where he allegedly video-recorded the guard and commented online: Hes terrified now and afraid to leave his home, had the case against him further adjourned yesterday. Judge John King adjourned the case until February 9, on the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis, to allow for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Frank Buttimer solicitor applied to have the signing on conditions relaxed as bail required Mr Blighe to sign at his local garda station twice a week. Judge King agreed to amend the bail so that he now has to sign on once each week. A book of evidence is to be prepared in the case. Detective Sergeant Christopher Cahill testified previously at Cork District Court that 45-year-old Derek Blighe was involved in a campaign of harassment of a named garda. The charge against Derek Blighe of Curraghavoe, Mitchelstown, County Cork, states: On dates between February 22, 2023, and December 4, 2023, he harassed (the garda) contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Mr Buttimer indicated that Mr Blighe would be contesting the case. Detective Sergeant Cahill said previously: It is alleged that over a 10-month period from February to December 2023 the accused engaged in a campaign of harassment against a member of An Garda Siochana. This member was on duty at a public event in October 2022. It is alleged that the accused went on to post videos of himself talking about this injured party in April, August and December 2023. In one post he commented about the injured party: He is terrified now and afraid to leave his home. "The injured party was distressed. It had a negative effect on himself and his family. Its hard to believe its been 21 years since that January evening in the RDS when a young Patrick Collison stepped up to accept the top prize at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. I was hosting the award ceremony that year - bright lights, nervous students, and a heady mix of Lynx spray and hormones filled the auditorium. At the time, I was presenting Scope, a science programme for young people, with Danann Breathnach, and we were thrilled to see curiosity and a love of science and discovery take centre stage at the RDS. 2005 feels like another world now. Bertie Ahern was Taoiseach, the Celtic Tiger was still roaring, and Mary McAleese was in the Aras. During the prize-giving, I urged the audience to start a Mexican wave under the pretence of amping the anticipatory energy and giving them a break from continuously applauding the various category winners. But really it was to delay proceedings because the director was telling me in my earpiece, Slow things down. President McAleese isnt in the building yet. When she arrived, she handed the winning trophy to Collison, and the rest is history. Confetti floated in the air, Patricks proud parents beamed, and all were delighted that another worthy Young Scientist winner had been crowned. Little did anyone in the room know that we were witnessing the birth of a billionaire. I was invited onto RTEs The Den with Collison afterwards to talk about his success and the importance of the Young Scientist competition. Patrick was only 16, calm and articulate. It was a surreal encounter with Dustin the Turkey and his unique interview style of slagging. You can find the clip online. Patrick patiently explaining the computer language he had written to a puppet and presenter Francis Boylan, who was inexplicably wearing a glam-rock-style mullet wig. Patrick held his own against that indomitable turkey and admitted, I dont know whats going to happen next when asked what his future plans were. But it was clear from that brief encounter that he was destined for great things. Though none of us, of course, imagined that the polite student from Limerick would one day start a company valued in the billions, or that his firm, Stripe, would return as the Young Scientists headline sponsor two decades later. What a perfect full circle moment. While 2005 seems like a lifetime ago - the smoking ban was only a year old, Angela Merkel became Germanys first female chancellor, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans - some things remain unchanged. Last week the RDS was still lined with poster displays that distilled the work and findings of months of students hard work and discoveries. And the booths were still manned by smart, articulate, and passionate students full of enthusiasm for their chosen project subject. Back in the early noughties, the talk was of developing the knowledge economy. Encouraging young people to study STEM subjects to help bolster the ICT and pharma industries. The Young Scientist competition had been running since 1965, and was getting bigger, and under the sponsorship of BT was viewed as a bright showcase of the countrys scientific potential. It was clear Ireland was filled with young talent who believed that good ideas could shape a better future. Even though the knowledge economy is now firmly established, fuelling curiosity and creativity around new discoveries is as important as ever. And continually encouraging young people to understand and appreciate the scientific process is vital in these days of misinformation, distrust and deepfakes - when you can barely trust what you are seeing with your own eyes. Now, with Stripe as the competition sponsor, it is heartening to see that core optimism remains. Collison is keen to encourage young people to pursue their interests and explore their curiosities outside the classroom and the confines of the school curriculum. This years winner, 15-year-old Aoibheann Daly from Tralee in Kerry, certainly didnt find the answers for a diagnostic tool for brain cancer sitting in her Senior Cycle Biology textbook. A couple of years ago, she first learned about the low survival rate of the brain cancer glioblastoma and wondered if she could do something to improve the situation. She applied her self-taught coding skills and developed an AI model that helps accelerate brain tumour treatment. Its a stunning achievement for a person only 15 years on this planet. Its so exciting to think what people like Aoibheann and all the other 2025 winners will go on to do. If they apply their talents to tackle some of the worlds most intractable problems, who knows what they will achieve? The entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ireland meant that Patrick Collison and his brother John established Stripe in the US because that was where they were best able to grow and scale their company. The hope remains that Ireland will birth another billionaire. Ideally, one that will establish their business in Ireland. In another 21 years, when commentators look back on 2025, they will most likely describe it as a fraught time. A time of geopolitical instability when AI was having a moment and technology was disrupting every aspect of how people lived their lives. Hopefully, the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition will still be thriving, and nurturing the latest batch of Irelands brightest minds. High Court Reporter The 9th Marquis of Waterford is objecting to a solar farm because he says it will interfere with sporting rights he has over the land on which it is being built. Henry De La Poer Beresford claims in High Court proceedings that he has certain "profits a prendre" - right to take resources or sporting rights- over the land at Bishopstown, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Waterford. The solar farm developer is BNRG Mothel Ltd, which wants to install photovoltaic panels mounted on steel frames over 141 hectares at an estimated cost of 100 million. The registered owner of the land is Gerald Murphy, who consented to BNRG's application for planning permission. Mr De La Poer Beresford has brought proceedings against BNRG and Mr Murphy. On Monday, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey adjourned to later this month an application to have the case admitted to the fast track Commercial Court to allow one of the parties to take instructions and file an affidavit. The application to admit the case to the commercial list was brought by BNRG. In an affidavit, David Maguire, director of BNRG, said Mr De La Poer Beresford is seeking various reliefs from the court, including a declaration in relation to his claimed rights and an injunction restraining the construction of the solar farm. Mr Maguire said Mr De La Poer Beresford had objected to planning permission. A number of others also objected, and after permission was granted, the objectors, including the Clonea Gun Club, brought High Court proceedings seeking to overturn the decision. The gun club said it held a lease over Mr De La Poer Beresford's sporting rights on the land. The High Court dismissed those proceedings late last year. Mr Maguire said that challenge had held up permission for phase two of the project but now that it has been dealt with, having Mr De La Poer Beresford's proceedings dealt with as quickly as possible assumed a greater commercial urgency. When fully completed, the project has the potential to provide energy for 21,600 homes every year, BNRG says. High Court Reporter A retired surgeon must pay legal costs incurred by directors of the company behind the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland after the doctor withdrew claims of corporate criminality against the men, described by a High Court judge as of the most serious kind of allegations hed come across. Dr Abdel Basset El-Sayed made allegations of fraud, theft and money laundering against the directors in his case, which arose from a dispute over the control of Al Maktoum Foundation CLG, the operator of the centre in Clonskeagh, south Dublin. Dr El-Sayed, who said he served as a director of the foundation since 2012, had claimed in his action that the directors were unlawfully appointed to the foundations board, and sought to have them removed. In December, Dr El-Sayed agreed to withdraw the case. The directors, notice parties to the action, are Ahmad Tahlak, Hesham Abdulla Al Quassim, Khalifa Aldaboos, Mohamed Musabeh Dhahi and Zahid Jami. The men are residents in Dubai, but have their place of business as Roebuck Road, Clonskeagh. The mosque attached to the foundations centre, a major place of worship for the Irish Muslim community, has been closed since the onset of the dispute last year. On Tuesday, Mr Justice David Nolan granted an order for legal costs against Dr El-Sayed, following an application moved by Lyndon MacCann, appearing with barrister Niall O hUiginn for the directors. The directors are also seeking an order for costs against Joseph Sallabi, who previously claimed to act for Al Maktoum Foundation in the case as its in-house counsel, and prepared, on Dr El-Sayeds behalf, sworn statements containing the allegations against the directors. The court adjourned this matter to a date in February. Opposing Mr MacCanns application for costs, Robert Barron SC, appearing with barrister Roddy McConnell for Dr El-Sayed, submitted that his client was a man trying to do his best for his community, and was not acting for his own benefit in taking the case. An order for costs against Dr El-Sayed would be unhelpful in attempts to bring the Irish Muslim community together to reopen the mosque in Clonskeagh, Mr Barron said, noting suspicions and mistrust within the community arising from the dispute. Counsel said that when Mr Sallabi got involved in the case, things went in an unfortunate direction. Mr Justice Nolan summarised Dr El-Sayeds position, noting that the doctor asserted he came under the influence of Mr Sallabi, and didnt understand the full legal implications of the allegations advanced in his lawsuit. Mr MacCann said Mr Barron was asking the judge to make huge assumptions about the effect of a costs order on the Muslim community. Counsel said that Mr El-Sayed did not immediately withdraw his allegations against the directors when Mr Sallabi withdrew his representation in the case. Ruling on the application for costs, Mr Justice Nolan concluded that it was appropriate to make an order against Dr El-Sayed. The judge agreed to place a stay on the order until March. The judge said the allegations made by Dr El-Sayed against the directors in the case were matters which would require the highest level of proof. He said the allegations were of the most serious kind that [hed] ever come across. The judge noted that the allegations were ultimately unproven and withdrawn. He said the allegations should never have been made in the first place. Noting Dr El-Sayeds professional standing as a doctor, he said it was hard to credit the submission that Dr El-Sayed did not understand the gravity of the allegations levelled at the directors. Mr Justice Nolan also rejected Dr El-Sayeds submission that an order for costs would add another fracture to the Muslim community in Clonskeagh and beyond. The judge said it seemed to him that the litigation had already done that. The judge said it was the courts fervent wish that the breakdown in relations within that community be remedied, stating that the Muslim community is an important part of Irish society. Separately, a case brought by an imam arising from the mosques closure was settled following talks between legal teams for the Islamic Cultural Foundation of Ireland CLG and the cleric. Imam Sheikh Hussein Halawa had brought an action against the foundation formerly known as Al Maktoum Foundation CLG seeking his restoration to aspects of his position and duties at the Clonskeagh centre. Cliona Kimber SC, for Mr Halawa, told Mr Justice Nolan that the case had settled following a mutual agreement between the parties. Ms Kimber said that as part of the settlement, her client had agreed to give an undertaking to the court. The terms of the undertaking were not read in open court. One may regret it, but wars do not simply disappear. And if other actors are using AI, we must be able to operate on equal footing. Prof Dr Patrick Glauner, Managing Director of the AI consultancy skyrocket.ai GmbH and Professor of AI at Deggendorf Institute of Technology, in a Teams interview with Corinne Schindlbeck How much regulation does AI in the defence industry need or can it tolerate? In his keynote at the Enforce Tac Conference on 23 February 2026, AI expert Prof Dr Patrick Glauner of skyrocket.ai GmbH will speak about the real-world use of AI in military contexts. Diesen Artikel anhoren Professor Glauner, you criticise the debate on AI and defence as often overly alarmist. Where do you see the greatest discrepancy between public perception and operational reality? What I hear time and again including from generals is that political discussions immediately jump to the term killer robots as soon as AI in a military context is mentioned. This is a gross oversimplification. AI in the armed forces means far more than autonomous weapons systems: logistics, personnel planning, situational awareness, satellite imagery analysis - all of these already rely on AI today. Of course there are fears, also fuelled by films like Terminator. But this narrow focus distorts reality. Autonomous or semi-autonomous weapons systems are only a small part of a much broader technological landscape. The current security environment does not allow autonomous weapons to be banned outright or restricted to the point of operational irrelevance. Such overregulation would weaken the defence capability of Western democracies while other actors would simply ignore these rules. The new Enforce Tac Conference With the topic AI in the Defence Industry: Technology, Strategies, Opportunities and Regulatory Challenges, Prof Patrick Glauner is one of four keynote speakers at the new Enforce Tac Conference on 23 February 2026 in Nuremberg. Conceived as a discussion platform for the use of electronics in security and defence technology, the conference will, for the first time, complement the Enforce Tac trade fair in Nuremberg. It will address key questions such as: How can the modernisation of European armed forces succeed in response to the radically changed threat environment? Which new technologies are required in an era of cyberattacks and drone warfare? Who can deliver what and how can development and volume production be realised within a short timeframe? The Enforce Tac Conference provides an ideal platform for exchange between the defence industry, its extensive supplier base, the electronics sector and research institutions on the use of electronics to address current and future challenges in defence and security applications within the established, secure framework of Enforce Tac as an international trade fair for internal and external security. You warn that overregulation could leave us at a disadvantage. Where do you see the greatest risk? In international forums, civil society actors without deep technical understanding often dominate the debate. They quickly call for strict limitations or outright bans. The problem is that these rules ultimately apply only to us. Other actors - terrorists, for example - will not abide by them. The result is a one-sided self-restraint of the West. You say AI has long become a necessity in the military. What has driven this technology, operations or security policy? Historically, wars have been decided by technological superiority. The transition from horse to tank was one such turning point. Today, it is the transition to AI. If we look at current conflicts - such as between Azerbaijan and Armenia, or the war in Ukraine - we see how dramatically warfare has changed in a very short time. Drones, automated analysis, rapid decision cycles: none of this is conceivable without AI. One may regret this, but wars do not simply disappear. And if other actors use AI, we must be able to operate on equal footing state and non-state actors alike. This is about deterrence and defence capability. Where are human reaction times clearly reaching their limits? Above all where vast amounts of data must be processed in seconds - for example in sensor fusion or the Recognised Air Picture (RAP). Humans simply cannot operate at that speed. Modern battlefields are highly dynamic. Decisions have to be taken in fractions of a second. If every action required manual approval, you would be structurally inferior to the opponent. The assumption that humans are always faster or better decision-makers than technical systems is no longer tenable. The CEO of Arx Robotics recently described how regulatory requirements - such as mandatory kill switches - made drones vulnerable in Ukraine. Does this support your criticism of excessive regulation? Absolutely. In Ukraine, it is about daily survival. A kill switch may be well-intentioned from a regulatory perspective, but in operational reality it can have the opposite effect. If the adversary can exploit it, the system becomes useless. This is a textbook example of well-meaning regulation ignoring technical reality. Security is not created by symbolic measures, but by robust systems. AI is often required to be monitored and approved by a human. Why is this problematic in military operations? The key term is human in the loop. In theory, it sounds reasonable. In practice, it often prevents autonomy altogether. If a system depends on continuous external approval, it becomes vulnerable to jamming, cyberattacks or communication disruption. In contested environments, this does not work. A permanent human-in-the-loop approach would render systems effectively unusable in highly dynamic combat situations. Of course, humans must define targets and carry out legal assessments. The Geneva Conventions are clear on this. But once a target is defined, the system must be able to act autonomously. Anything else causes delays and ultimately increases risk -including for civilians. You stress that autonomy does not mean lack of responsibility. How is responsibility ensured? Responsibility is not created through constant human intervention, but through clear structures: precise target definition, verifiable decision logic, transparent systems and clear accountability. If these are in place, AI can even reduce collateral damage. It acts without emotion, without panic, without revenge, and can select more precisely than humans. The use of autonomous systems does not absolve the state of responsibility. What matters is accountability for state action. What role does AI play in electronic warfare? A decisive one. When communications are disrupted or satellite links fail, systems must continue operating independently. A system that relies on constant feedback is worthless under such conditions. In electronic warfare scenarios, autonomy is not optional - it is a prerequisite for operational capability. AI systems evolve continuously. What does this mean for certification and operation? AI develops over its entire life cycle. This challenges traditional certification models based on static systems. We need new concepts for testing, operation and maintenance comparable to safety-critical software in aviation. This is manageable, but it requires expertise in authorities, armed forces and industry. You argue that international humanitarian law is sufficient. Where, then, is the real challenge? In implementation. The Geneva Conventions provide clear rules. The problem is not the law, but the lack of technical and organisational capability to apply it. It is about training, system understanding and clear processes. And about treating AI not as a black box, but as a tool that must be mastered. How well prepared is Germany? There has been progress, but also clear deficits. The Ministry of Defence is developing new strategies, but I still see considerable reluctance in Germany when it comes to concrete implementation. Other countries are moving faster and more decisively. You call for greater technical competence. What do you mean by that? Many fears are rooted in ignorance. Those who understand how AI works assess it differently. We need more training, more academic chairs, more research also in defence-related fields. And we must modernise engineering degree programmes, otherwise we will lose the next generation. Which assumption about AI in defence should be questioned most critically? That AI is inherently unsafe. That it will inevitably get out of control. That it can only be controlled through maximum restriction. The opposite is true: AI can be built safely. Much is already regulated in law. What we lack is the courage to implement. Interview by Corinne Schindlbeck Chinese-Zimbabwean hospital partnership boosts pulmonary care in Zimbabwe Xinhua) 10:50, January 13, 2026 HARARE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) --- A Chinese-Zimbabwean hospital cooperation project has significantly improved the southern African country's pulmonary care capacity, benefiting more than 2,000 local patients since its launch in 2022. The Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Project between China's Hunan Provincial People's Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH), Zimbabwe's largest public tertiary hospital, officially launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, sought to assist PGH in improving its capability for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and enhancing its treatment capacity for pulmonary illnesses. A high dependency unit catering to patients with acute respiratory illnesses was established at PGH under the program, bringing significant relief to local patients in need of critical treatment, said pulmonologist Felix Manyeruke during an interview with Xinhua at PGH in Harare, the country's capital. The project has significantly contributed to improving respiratory and critical care medicine, enhancing pulmonary and respiratory treatment, and establishing a clinical skills training platform, he noted. Following the project, which has also provided critical medical equipment and the establishment of a telemedicine center at PGH, the professional skills of the local specialists have been significantly improved, Manyeruke added. "They provided equipment, they provided training. They have trained us, they have trained our support staff in management of critical conditions like sepsis, hypoxic respiratory failure, hypercapnic respiratory failure," Manyeruke told Xinhua. "So, it does not only benefit Parirenyatwa, it will also benefit the whole country, because from this center, doctors leave and then they go to the peripheral hospitals, and that knowledge is expanded to that area. The telemedicine unit allows us to continue to support them, because we also sit down and discuss cases with doctors in other hospitals, and it allows us to assist in the care of these patients, particularly respiratory patients who are in the peripheral hospitals," he said. Since the project started, over 2,000 patients have received specialized treatment, and around 300 local medical staff have received training, said Li Jie, a member of the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in Zimbabwe. Under the program, five specialists have been sent from China to guide Zimbabwean medical staff in clinical operations and provide relevant professional training, she said, adding that medical equipment, including ventilators, was also provided. Since 1985, China has dispatched 22 medical teams to Zimbabwe, offering sustained support to the country's healthcare sector. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Senate has passed the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE ) Act with unanimous consent, according to the bills co-sponsor Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). The bill lets the subjects of nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfakes take civil action against the people who create and host them. Deepfakes are a known issue online, but without the proper protections, easy access to AI-powered image and video generation tools has made it possible for anyone to create compromising content using another person's likeness. This has become a particular problem on X, where the integration of Grok, the AI assistant created by X's parent company xAI, makes it possible for anyone to turn the content of another person's post into an image-generating prompt. Over the last month, that's allowed users to create sexually explicit images of children, just by replying to a post with @grok and a request. In response, Ofcom, the UK's media regulator, has already opened an investigation into X for potentially violating the Online Safety Act. The chatbot has also been outright blocked in Malaysia and Indonesia. The DEFIANCE Act won't prevent Grok or other AI tools from generating nonconsensual deepfakes, but it would make creating or hosting that content potentially very expensive for anyone on the receiving end of a lawsuit. The Senate passed an earlier version of the DEFIANCE Act in 2024, but it stalled in the House. Given the urgency of Grok's deepfake problem, the hope is this new version of the bill won't see the same resistance. Congress passed an earlier piece of deepfake regulation last year, the Take It Down Act, with bipartisan support. That bill was focused on the companies who host nonconsensual, sexually explicit content, rather than the people exploited by it. Apple and Google have confirmed that Geminis models power the new version of Siri and other generative AI features. CNBC broke the news, but Apple and Google soon followed up with a lengthy joint statement. Heres part of it: Apple determined that Googles Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apples industry-leading privacy standards. In June, it was reported that Apple was considering partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic for Siri (the voice assistant can currently tap ChatGPT for certain queries as part of Apple Intelligence). Two months later, Google emerged as a contender. Another report suggested Apple might build the new Siri using a custom version of Gemini and that it would pay Google around $1 billion a year for the privilege. However, no official deal numbers were shared. Its also notable that current iPhones have direct access to OpenAIs ChatGPT. But how long for? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mat Smith The other big stories this morning Adolescence and KPop Demon Hunters picked up several each. Netflix Netflixs hit show Adolescence received four awards, including best limited or anthology series. It also won best actor (Stephen Graham), supporting actor (Owen Cooper) and supporting actress (Erin Doherty) in a miniseries or television film. KPop Demon Hunters which my nieces refuse to stop talking about won best animated feature and best original song. I just want to say this award goes to people who have had doors closed on them, and I can confidently say rejection is redirection. So never give up. Its not all good news. Netflix also won best performance in stand-up comedy on television for Ricky Gervais: Mortality. Apple and HBO Max each won three, and Hulu got one award on the night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continue reading. A few years ago, NASA announced it was pushing the Artemis 2 mission back to April 2026. The agency now says it could launch as early as February. NASA is finalizing preparations for the mission and will soon roll out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis 2 is the first crewed mission to the moon since the Apollo programs final flight in 1972. The 10-day mission will have four astronauts, wholl test whether Orions critical life-support systems can sustain human passengers on future longer-duration missions. They will first orbit the Earth twice before making their way 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the moon. Continue reading. Pikachu, Eevee, Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise will ship February 27. Lego Pre-orders for the first three Lego-Pokemon kits are open now. One of the debut pocket monsters is, of course, Pikachu. You can build the 2,050-piece kit to show Pikachu either at rest or leaping out of an open Poke Ball into battle. It costs $200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also a 587-piece model of Eevee, for $60. On the bigger side is a set featuring a trio of Pokemon: Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise. This kit has 6,838 pieces and can show the group together in battle formation or separately in their own mini environments. It retails for $650 and is a bit much. Continue reading. Taiwanese officials have issued an arrest warrant for OnePlus CEO Pete Lau on allegations of illegally employing workers in Taiwan. Two Taiwanese citizens who worked for Lau have also been indicted. The China-based smartphone company has been accused of illegally recruiting more than 70 engineers from Taiwan. Members of the Shilin District Prosecutors Office claim that OnePlus reportedly set up a shell company in Hong Kong with a distinct name, then launched a branch in Taiwan in 2015 without government approval. The branch reportedly worked on research and development for OnePlus mobile phones. Taiwanese officials claim these actions by OnePlus violated the Cross-Strait Act, which is designed as a guide for relations between Taiwan and mainland China. One of the acts provisions requires Chinese companies to obtain permission from the Taiwanese government to hire workers from Taiwan. 2 Mucho mas que una fruta: el alimento que protege "todo tu cuerpo", desde el corazon hasta el cerebro James Levy, durante su declaracion ante la comision del caso McGrail James Levy, managing partner at law firm Hassans and friend and mentor of Gibraltars Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, has announced he will pursue civil legal action against the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) over what he considers the irregular execution of a search warrant in May 2020, which he views as a serious breach of his constitutional right to privacy. In a statement issued Monday through Hassans, Levy said he had sent a formal pre-action letter to the RGP Commissioner, notifying him of his intention to initiate civil proceedings over the alleged violation of Article 7 of the Gibraltar Constitution, which safeguards the right to privacy and, Levy emphasized, is closely linked to the duty of confidentiality he owes to his clients. The search warrant, issued as part of the so-called Operation Delhi, was requested by RGP officers from the Magistrates Court while Levy was a suspect in a police investigation. However, the lawyer was never arrested or charged and was subsequently fully exonerated as the investigation followed its normal course. Levy claims the police action resulted in illegal intrusions into his home and professional premises, as well as the seizure of electronic devices containing legally privileged and confidential material. These events were among those examined in the public inquiry into the early retirement of former Police Commissioner Ian McGrail, chaired by Sir Peter Openshaw. In the final report, Openshaw noted that Fabian Picardo made gravely inappropriate attempts to interfere with the investigation and police operation when he reprimanded the then-head of the RGP over the search. Picardo believed the warrant had been requested on insufficient evidence and that a lawyer of Levys standing should have voluntarily cooperated with the RGP, which could have obtained a less intrusive production order for electronic devices rather than a full search. Openshaws report contains serious criticisms of the warrant request, highlighting multiple procedural deficiencies, including the lack of full and frank disclosure to the court. Levy, who gave evidence during the inquiry, noted that the report also confirmed his total exoneration from any wrongdoing. However, Sir Peter Openshaw clarified that his commission was not empowered to rule on the legality of the warrant. He stated in his report that he was entirely satisfied that RGP officers acted in good faith and noted that the request had been drafted without legal advice, in line with the practice at the time. Nevertheless, he acknowledged facts that could lead others to consider that there were procedural failings in the application presented to the court. Among his recommendations, the inquiry chair proposed that in high-profile, sensitive, or legally complex cases, search warrant applications should be reviewed by the Office of Criminal Prosecution and Litigation (OCPL), potentially with the involvement of independent lawyers with experience. He also recommended that the RGP be represented by legal counsel in such applications and that judges be given sufficient time to thoroughly examine written grounds before making a decision. Levy stated that, for the time being, he will make no further comments while preparing for the potential legal process. Forecast growth in North American cheese consumption is opening new export opportunities for British dairy and red meat producers, according to new analysis. Cheese consumption across North America is forecast to increase by an average of 11% by 2034, with levy organisation AHDB identifying dairy as the sector most likely to benefit from rising demand. The latest Prospects for UK agri-food exports: North America assessment suggests British artisanal cheese is well placed to meet consumer appetite for premium products that are perceived as good value for their quality. The wider export picture was positive throughout 2025. With over 1.6bn worth of dairy shipped, the UK exceeded the previous years total. Opportunities have also been identified for UK red meat exporters, supported by higher-than-global-average consumption levels in both the US and Canada. While growth in US sheep meat consumption is expected to be modest, at around 1% over the next decade, projected increases in pork and beef consumption in Mexico could create further openings for British exporters. For producers, the outlook points to sustained long-term demand for premium, well-branded British dairy and red meat products in high-value markets. Jonathan Eckley, AHDB International Trade Development Director, said export support was central to the organisations work for levy payers. Support for our red meat and dairy export trade forms one of the cornerstones of AHDBs work on behalf of our levy payers, he said. He said market intelligence underpinned AHDBs activity. Market insight plays a crucial role in helping shape our strategy to support levy payers through activity on the ground, including inward and outward trade missions and participation in major trade shows, he said. Eckley said the North America outlook was encouraging. Our updated analysis for North America is encouraging in highlighting long-term opportunities for premium red meat and dairy products in the region, he said. Recent trade developments have also strengthened the position of UK exporters. Our beef exporters can now benefit from the Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) with the US, enabling them to ship 13,000 tonnes of beef tariff-free to this high-value market, Eckley said. He added that provenance could play an important role. Heritage and provenance of British produce can also act as an important selling point for American consumers, especially with territorial dairy products such as Stilton and Cheddar, which our exporters can potentially capitalise on, he said. The updated outlook coincided with AHDB and 13 UK dairy exporters taking part in the fourth British Cheese Night event in San Diego. The event attracted around 130 industry buyers and aimed to strengthen relationships with existing customers while generating new leads for exporters. Lucy Randolph, AHDB Head of International Trade Development (Dairy), said the US remained a key destination for UK dairy. The US is the UKs second biggest dairy export market, she said. She added: Our dairy exports have an established reputation in the US market, supported by promotional work of our in-market representative Victor Willis. Randolph said continued promotion was essential to future growth. The updated AHDB analysis underlines the strong opportunity for the growth of cheese exports in this important market, she said. She added: Events like our British Cheese Night in San Diego are therefore essential in ensuring our world-class produce is showcased to buyers to help build on our strong foothold in the US market. AHDB said the findings would help shape future trade activity in North America, including export promotion and buyer engagement for British dairy and red meat. NFU president Tom Bradshaw is facing a direct challenge from deputy president David Exwood as the contest for the unions top leadership role begins ahead of the 2026 officeholder elections. Members will vote after the NFU Conference on 25 February, choosing who will lead the organisation at a time of intense political, economic and geopolitical pressure on farming. Candidates for president, deputy president and vice-president have begun setting out their positions, with regional hustings scheduled across the country in the run-up to the vote. Bradshaw is seeking to continue as president, reflecting on what he described as an incredibly challenging and highly pressurised period in office. He said leading the union had been a great honour and that the NFU had remained solutions focussed, with an emphasis on honesty, integrity and visibility during a turbulent period for the industry. Bradshaw highlighted the value of relationships built with politicians and stakeholders, saying these had started to deliver results, including changes to inheritance tax, and had strengthened the NFUs standing in Whitehall. He argued that in an uncertain global environment, policymakers must accept that food security is national security, and called on members to unite to influence future policy and secure fair returns from government and supply chains. Exwood, who is standing for both president and deputy president, is positioning himself as a candidate with ambitions to lead the organisation now or in the future. He said recent events had shown the strength of a united agricultural sector, with the NFU playing a central role in representing farmers interests. Exwood said he had been immensely proud to serve as vice and deputy president over the past four years, pointing to his record on relationship-building, policy delivery and teamwork within the organisation. He stressed the importance of democracy within the NFU, saying competitive elections are vital at every level. Exwood said British farmers are some of the best in the world and said his ambition is to help them produce more food with less environmental impact, while ensuring younger farmers are brought to the forefront of the industry. Other candidates are also standing for deputy president and vice-president roles, with members encouraged to engage fully in the election process. NFU members will have the opportunity to hear directly from candidates as they tour the regions as part of the national hustings programme ahead of the February vote. Britains drive to reach net zero could cost far more than official estimates suggest, with new analysis warning the true bill will fall heavily on energy-intensive sectors such as farming and the wider rural economy. A briefing paper from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) claims the cost of the UKs net zero commitment has been consistently understated by public bodies, raising concerns about how the transition will be funded and who will ultimately bear the cost. In The Cost of Net Zero, energy analyst David Turver examines official projections produced by the Climate Change Committee, the National Energy System Operator, the Treasury and the Office for Budget Responsibility. The paper argues that headline estimates have fallen sharply not because net zero has become cheaper, but because methodologies have changed and assumptions around technology costs and financing have become increasingly unrealistic. The Climate Change Committee now estimates that achieving net zero between 2025 and 2050 will cost 108bn, down from earlier projections of more than 1tn. Turver says this reduction is driven by a shift away from measuring gross costs, instead comparing spending against a hypothetical baseline scenario, alongside assumptions of sharply falling costs for renewables, heat pumps and electric vehicles, and borrowing rates below market levels. By contrast, modelling from the National Energy System Operator suggests gross cash costs of 7.6tn for the transition. Once the carbon costs of emissions are included, the figure rises to more than 9tn. The paper warns that even these figures may be underestimates, particularly given recent difficulties delivering offshore wind projects and the impact of rising financing costs. For farm businesses, the analysis raises questions about future energy prices, grid charges and the cost of complying with decarbonisation policies, at a time when many are already facing higher electricity bills for grain drying, cold storage, irrigation and livestock housing. The debate comes as British agriculture continues to pursue its own climate ambitions. The NFU committed in 2019 to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions across UK agriculture by 2040, a decade ahead of the national target. The union has previously said achieving this will depend on productivity gains, technological innovation and sustained investment, alongside supportive policy frameworks and realistic assumptions around cost. The IEA paper also highlights concerns that optimistic assumptions around renewable costs could increase pressure for large-scale developments in rural areas, including solar and wind projects on productive agricultural land, as policymakers seek to meet targets at pace. Examples cited include offshore wind, where the CCC assumes costs of 1,500 per kilowatt for projects delivering in 2030. Hornsea 3, due online in 2028, is forecast to cost between 10bn and 11bn, equivalent to around 3,682 per kilowatt. Solar power costs are also questioned, with recent UK projects delivered at close to 1,000 per kilowatt, well above official projections that fall to just over 400 per kilowatt by 2030. Turver warns that presenting misleadingly low figures risks shutting down serious public debate over what he describes as one of the most expensive policy programmes in British history. The various public bodies responsible for working out the costs of net zero have not been entirely truthful in their analysis, he said. They have made fantasy assumptions about the cost of renewables and low-carbon technologies. The true cost of net zero is much higher than we have been led to believe. Lord Frost, director general of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: Net zero is already one of the most economically damaging policies in modern British history. He said the research showed official bodies had relied on fantasy numbers, warning that the policy badly needs a proper rethink before it kills off more of British industry and leaves British households permanently subject to unreliable supply and higher bills. Farming businesses, which sit at the heart of the rural economy, have already experienced sharp rises in energy costs in recent years, alongside growing pressure to invest in low-carbon technologies and infrastructure. Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said: It beggars belief that none of our independent energy bodies can publish an accurate figure for what net zero is going to cost this country. The IEA argues that without transparent accounting, net zero policies risk placing further strain on sectors such as agriculture, which are expected to adapt, invest and decarbonise while managing rising costs and ongoing volatility across the supply chain. Derbys refurbished Market Hall is set to host a new monthly farmers market, marking the latest step in bringing regular trading activity back to the city centre landmark. Derby City Council said the markets will showcase growers, producers and independent food traders from across the city and surrounding areas. The events are being organised in partnership with heritage centre Derby Uncovered and are intended to reconnect the Grade II-listed hall with its traditional role as a place for local trade. The council said visitors can expect fresh, seasonal produce and artisanal food, alongside flavours that highlight the rich agricultural heritage of the region. Council leader Nadine Peatfield said the launch would help bring local food producers into the heart of the city. We are thrilled to bring the very best of our local produce to the heart of the city, she said. She said working with Derby Uncovered would add a modern twist on the heritage of our Victorian Market Hall, while also reintroducing the traditional market elements that the community loves. Peatfield added that supporting independent traders remains central to the councils approach, describing them as the amazing independent traders who make our region unique. She said the new monthly market builds on that commitment, helping to update the historic venue for a modern audience. Derby Market Hall reopened in May last year following a 35m refurbishment, with the farmers markets forming part of wider efforts to increase footfall and encourage regular community use of the space. The first farmers market is due to take place on 25 January. Egg producers have been warned to tighten security after a second reported attempt this month by animal activists to access a laying farm. The latest incident occurred at a laying unit in Shropshire, where individuals were detected on site after attempting to gain entry. Those involved were picked up by the farms remote security system before being challenged by the farmer, with their behaviour described as extremely brazen. The alert, circulated within the industry, said this was the second report in the same month involving attempts to access laying farms, raising concerns about an emerging pattern of activity. It suggested that increased publicity around a potential cage ban may be acting as a trigger, with individuals seeking media attention. Industry warnings have stressed that unauthorised access to poultry units carries serious implications beyond trespass, including risks to biosecurity, animal welfare and farm safety. Guidance issued to producers highlights that following such incidents, farms may be contacted by bodies including RSPCA Assured or the Lion Code of Practice, as well as by local or national media. In some cases, assurance schemes may place a site on hold pending an audit, meaning eggs cannot be marketed under the relevant scheme until corrective action has been taken and evidence provided. However, the guidance notes this is not the outcome in the majority of cases and advises producers to work closely with their packer, who may be able to provide support through the process. It also acknowledges that incidents involving filming or unauthorised access can be highly stressful for those involved, with support available from packers, trade associations and farming charities. Producers are being reminded of the importance of preparedness, including being able to provide an exact farm location, for example using tools such as what3words, should emergency or enforcement services be required. All producers are urged to remain extra vigilant and review security and monitoring procedures, the alert said. The latest report was confirmed on the same day it was circulated, reinforcing concerns within the sector that further incidents could follow unless vigilance is increased. New mandatory rules on sheep carcase classification and price reporting came into force this week, marking a significant change in how lamb producers are paid at slaughter. The regulations, introduced on 12 January, require sheep carcases in England to be classified and prices reported, bringing the sector into line with beef and pork. The rules follow extensive consultation with the industry and are intended to create a consistent system showing how animals are assessed and valued. For farmers selling lambs deadweight, the changes are expected to allow clearer like-for-like price comparisons between processors and improve understanding of what carcase traits attract premium returns. Standardised classification is also designed to help producers respond more effectively to market demand and make more informed breeding and management decisions. Improving fairness across the agricultural supply chain is a stated aim of the policy and is seen as an important part of maintaining the UKs food security. Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said supply chain transparency was essential to rewarding quality production. She said: British lamb is rightly recognised worldwide for its exceptional flavour and production standards and supply chain fairness is vital to ensure farmers and processors are properly rewarded for the quality food they produce. She added: By ensuring a fair and transparent sheep market, were backing British producers, strengthening our food security and supporting a resilient future for the sector. Industry leaders say the changes will bring greater clarity for producers, particularly when comparing prices between abattoirs. National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker said: I welcome the introduction of this new regulation on which Defra has worked closely with industry. Its a helpful step to simplify and give more clarity to sheep farmers over deadweight price comparisons between processors. He said the rules also change how grading is overseen. It also means that for all but the smallest abattoirs we will now see sheep carcass grading come under the control of the RPA, bringing us in line with cattle grading, he said. Stocker said the measures would help build confidence across the supply chain. Both these improvements further ambitions to create better transparency and trust through the supply chain, he said. He added that farmers selling live through marts would not be directly affected, saying: We are in a better place with choices and greater transparency in how we choose to sell our lambs. Under the regulations, slaughterhouses in England processing 2,000 or more sheep per week on a rolling annual average must register with the Rural Payments Agency and comply with the rules. Abattoirs processing between 1,000 and 1,999 sheep per week may choose to opt in voluntarily, with mandatory classification applying to carcases from sheep under 12 months of age. Slaughterhouses within scope must report carcase prices, weights and classifications to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, with data anonymised and published in aggregated form to improve market transparency. Similar regulations also take effect in Scotland this week, with Wales and Northern Ireland expected to introduce equivalent measures in early 2026. The changes are part of wider efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience, protect farmers in trade agreements and support a more transparent and sustainable food system across the UK. A young Cheshire farm vet has claimed one of Holstein UKs most prestigious awards, with Jodie Nutsford announced as the 2025 Presidents Medal winner. The award was announced at the Semex International Dairy Conference during the Burns Supper, with Holstein UK President Mark Logan revealing the result. Raised on a family dairy farm in Cheshire, Nutsford has been involved with Holsteins and Holstein Young Breeders (HYB) since she was four. She was presented with the Presidents Medal and the Sue Cope Memorial Trophy. The prize also includes a trip to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto later this year, supported by Semex UK, the principal sponsor of HYB. The judging panel was made up of Logan, Janette Mathie, Head of CIS Field Services, and Rodger Mather, Semex UK representative. Three finalists were shortlisted: Samuel Blease, 27, of Lancashire HYB; Lauren Gilbert, 27, of Northern Ireland HYB; and Nutsford, 25, of Western HYB. Candidates were nominated by their clubs, detailing contributions to the Holstein breed, HYB and the wider dairy industry. They also submitted an essay titled Data-driven decision making on farm leads to more productivity, better animal welfare, improved sustainability, and greater profitability. Logan said the standard made the final decision difficult. It has been a privilege to be involved in judging the Presidents Medal, he said. He added: Dare I say that as with judging an outstanding class of dairy cows, we were looking for that overall perfect balance, and in Jodie I think we have found that. Logan highlighted Nutsfords knowledge of the Holstein breed, her work as a farm vet and her support for younger members, saying these qualities made her a very worthy winner of this prestigious award. National HYB Coordinator Lizzie Yates said the finals weekend gave all three candidates a valuable opportunity. It has been a fantastic opportunity for the three finalists to attend the Semex International Dairy Conference and learn from a variety of respected industry voices, she said. Nutsford qualified as a vet in 2024 and joined Nantwich Farm Vets, where she works with dairy clients across Cheshire. Alongside her professional role, she remains closely involved with the family herd and show team. She has competed for a number of years at the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show, attended multiple HYB Weekend Rallies, and this year represented Holstein UK at the Young Breeders School in Belgium. Within Western HYB, she has also mentored younger members, helping them build skills in showmanship, stock judging and clipping, and gain confidence in the show ring. With her veterinary career developing alongside continued involvement in breeding and youth work, Nutsford looks set to remain a familiar figure within the Holstein community. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Permex Petroleum Corporation (CSE: OIL) (FSE: 75P) ("Permex" or the "Company") is announcing the resignation of its President, CEO and Interim Chief Financial Officer, Brad Taillon, effective as of January 12th, 2026. Brad intends to remain involved with the Company to help ensure a smooth leadership transition process. The Company's Chairman, Richard Little, will replace Brad as Interim CEO and CFO as the Company continues to evaluate strategic growth opportunities. "I am very thankful for the opportunity to lead Permex over the past couple of years. I appreciate the support of the Permex stakeholders and for Rich and the rest of the Permex Board for its support of myself and of what we are trying to accomplish here. I wish nothing but the best for Permex and will do everything I can to help the company during this time and going forward," stated Brad Taillon. Little has over 30 years of industry experience and a deep familiarity of the Company having served on its board since October 2024. Little commented "During this transition period, we will remain focused on maximizing the value of Permex and delivering for our stakeholders. On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank Brad for all his hard work and contributions to the Company over the last two years and wish him well with his future endeavors." About Permex Petroleum Corporation Permex Petroleum (CSE: OIL) (FSE: 75P) is a uniquely positioned junior oil & gas company with assets and operations across the Permian Basin. The Company focuses on combining its low-cost development of Held by Production assets for sustainable growth with its current and future Blue-Sky projects for scale growth. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Permex Petroleum US Corporation, is a licensed operator in both states, and owns and operates on private, state and federal land. For more information, please visit www.permexpetroleum.com. Contact Information Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada and the United States and it is intended that this press release is to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. "Forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" each include statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements each include, without limitation, information regarding Mr. Taillon's future involvement with the Company. Neither forward-looking information nor forward-looking statements are a guarantee of future performance and are each based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements made. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement or any forward-looking information that is included herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280149 Source: Permex Petroleum Corporation THUNDER BAY, ON / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV:AIR)(FRA:CKU0(OTCQB:CLRMF) is pleased to provide an overview of its 2026 objectives and highlights of 2025, for its 100%-owned Thunder Bay North ("TBN") Critical Minerals Project in Northwestern Ontario. Critical Project Advancement Objectives Spot prices for platinum, copper and palladium have appreciated by 70% (1000 $/oz), 25% (1.20 $/lb) and 50% 624($/oz) respectively versus study prices, since the results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) were announced in the October 9th release. Using the financial model published in the PEA and applying current spot metal prices (as of January 6th), the TBN project shows a $708M1 NPV8 and a pre-tax IRR of 100% (post-tax NPV8 = $494M1 and IRR = 84%).This is a significant improvement in the project outlook in comparison to the PEA results that featured a $219.4M2 pre-tax NPV8 and a pre-tax IRR of 39%. This year, considering the recent record prices attained by both platinum and copper and the positive market outlook for platinum, palladium and copper, the company is committed to taking the following critical steps to advance the project, including: Update and advance the stand-alone mill case for Thunder Bay North that will create a parallel development path to become a regional processing centre for Copper-PGE feed. Develop and implement a new metallurgical test program to confirm the potential toll milling performance. Complete the early design for the site access road and power infrastructure, with the active participation of First Nations communities Complete Advanced Exploration permitting that includes approvals for a future ramp and bulk sample. The Notice of Project Change was filed in early 2025 in anticipation of improving market conditions. Continuation of the collection and analysis of environmental baseline studies in support of permitting. Notes: 1January 6, 2026 Spot pricing is as follows (USD) Pt $2424/oz, Pd $1849/oz, Cu $6.00/lb, Ni $8.36/lb, Au $4489/oz, Ag $81.00/oz 2Study pricing is as follows (USD) Pt $1425/oz, Pd $1225/oz, Cu $4.80/lb, Ni $6.80/lb, Au $2800/oz, Ag $30/oz 2026 Exploration Objectives The Thunder Bay North project updated resource was released in November 2025 (see November 24 Release). The deposit now boasts a 14.9M tonne indicated resource grading 2.66 g/t 2PGE (Pt+Pd), 0.40% Cu and 0.24% Ni, with 2.49M tonnes of inferred resource grading 1.62 g/t 2PGE (Pt+Pd), 0.31% Cu and 0.19% Ni. On a contained basis, the asset holds a combined 1.39Moz (Pt+Pd) including 67kt of copper and 41kt of nickel in resource. The Company plans to build on the success of the 2025 programs which featured the successful expansion of high-grade ballrooms at Current (Figure 1 and April 15 release ) and the initial step-out hole 53m intersection at the Escape deposit down-plunge target (Figure 2 and October 20 release). In 2026, the Company intends to focus on refining remaining targets in the down-plunge extension of the Escape Deposit with a magnetotelluric survey and launch a follow-up drilling program to demonstrate the significant resource upscale potential over the 2.5km strike. Figure 1. Plan view map showing locations of high-grade intercepts of the 2025 Winter Drilling Program at the Current Deposit. Figure 2. Drill hole EL25-001 relative to the modelled extension of the known resource drilled as the initial step-out target at Escape Down-Plunge Mike Garbutt, President and CEO, commented, "2026 will be a pivotal year for Clean Air Metals building on the tremendous successes achieved in 2025. Our primary objective now is to advance the Thunder Bay North project technical studies with urgency, building on the PEA completed in late 2025. The significant improvement in PGE and Copper markets adds to the potential value of this asset and with the team in place, creates an environment and opportunity for the company to create real value." Regional Strategy and Financing Clean Air Metals continues to utilize the team's best-in-class technical capabilities in PGE resource development to identify and evaluate regional opportunities, with an intent to becoming a leading PGE focused explorer and developer in Canada. Recent changes to federal and provincial support for critical mineral development, in conjunction with supportive First Nation partners, make the region a tier-one jurisdiction for mineral development. To drive this initiative, the company has started outreach with key federal and provincial funding agencies including the Critical Minerals Infrastructure fund, the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund, Export Development Canada and the Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund, to set the stage for rapid project development. In parallel, the Company is working to attract strategic partners that share our view on continued and long-term strength in PGM and copper markets. Qualified Person Dr. Lionnel Djon, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and Vice President of Exploration for the Company, has reviewed and approved all technical information in this press release. About Clean Air Metals Clean Air Metals is a development and exploration company advancing its flagship, 100% owned Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals ("TBN") project, 40 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The TBN project, accessible by road and next to established infrastructure, hosts two (2) deposits - the Current and Escape deposits, only 2.5 km apart. Together, the deposits host a 14.9 Mt indicated mineral resource grading 2.66 g/t (Pt+Pd), 0.40% Cu and 0.24% Ni (NI 43-101 PEA Technical Report, Thunder Bay North Project, Ontario, Canada SLR Consulting Canada Ltd, November 21, 2025,) with significant potential for expansion down-plunge. One of the rare primary platinum resources outside of South Africa, the TBN project is in a stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction and benefits from longstanding relationships with local First Nations. The TBN project has the potential to develop into a secure source of rare platinum metals, as well as other critical metals such as copper, nickel, and cobalt, for the North American manufacturing sector. Ongoing concerns over future platinum supply are driving prices to historic highs, with obvious benefits for a future TBN mining operation. With its proven technical team, Clean Air Metals is committed to advancing the TBN project and creating long-term value for shareholders. Social Engagement Clean Air Metals Inc. acknowledges that the Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project is located within the area encompassed by the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850 and includes the territories of the Fort William First Nation,?Red Rock Indian Band, Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek. Clean Air Metals also acknowledges the contributions of the Metis Nation of Ontario, Region 2 and the Red Sky Metis Independent Nation to the rich history of our area.? The Company appreciates the opportunity to work in these territories and remains committed to the recognition and respect of those who have lived, travelled, and gathered on the lands since time immemorial. Clean Air Metals is committed to stewarding Indigenous heritage and to building, fostering, and encouraging a respectful relationship with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples, based upon principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity, and collaboration, in the spirit of reconciliation. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Mike Garbutt" Mike Garbutt, CEO of Clean Air Metals Inc. Connect with us on X/ Facebook/ Instagram. Visit www.cleanairmetals.ca for more information or contact: Mia Boiridy Director of Communications and Investor Relations 250-575-3305 mboiridy@cleanairmetals.ca Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note 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: 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 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 except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. SOURCE: Clean Air Metals, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/clean-air-metals-announces-2026-strategic-objectives-in-historically-strong-pge-a-1126579 The development-focused data centre fund raised approximately S$150 million equity at first close SINGAPORE, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI), a leading global real asset manager, has successfully raised approximately S$150 million equity in the first close of its CapitaLand India Data Centre Fund (CIDCF). CIDCF focuses on data centre development opportunities within India's key data centre corridors. CIDCF held a first close of approximately S$150 million anchored by a third-party global institutional investor, with a GP commitment from CLI. The fund is targeting a final close of approximately S$300 million. With the first close, CIDCF will acquire a 20.2% interest in each of the three data centres, from CapitaLand India Trust (CLINT) for an estimated total purchase consideration[1] of S$99.73 million (INR 7.02 billion). Additionally, CIDCF will have right of first offer on acquiring an interest in CLINT's fourth data centre in Bangalore, CapitaLand DC Bangalore. The three data centres will be AI-ready with sustainable design features; and able to meet the demands of hyperscalers and large enterprises in the region. Power has been secured for all three projects which will have a combined gross capacity of 200 megawatts (MW). The three data centres are: Data Centre Asset Status Location Power Capacity (IT / Gross) CapitaLand DC Mumbai Tower 1 and Tower 2 Tower 1: Completed Tower 2: Under development Airoli, Navi Mumbai Tower 1: 34 / 50 MW Tower 2: 37 / 55 MW CapitaLand DC Chennai Under development Ambattur, Chennai 34 / 53 MW CapitaLand DC Hyderabad Under development Madhapur, Hyderabad 27 / 42 MW Mr Andrew Lim, Group Chief Operating Officer for CLI, said: "The successful first close and investor's support in CIDCF underscore CLI's investment and development strategies to shape India's dynamic data centre landscape. India has emerged as a hotspot for data centre investment, driven by cloud adoption, data localisation and the rapid growth of AI-led workloads. The country's data centre capacity is expected to double by 2027[2]. With three prime assets currently under development and power secured, CIDCF offers an attractive prospect for private capital to participate in this growth opportunity." Mr Hardik Gesota, Managing Director and Head, India Private Funds, CLI said: "CIDCF's portfolio is strategically located within India's established data centre corridors with access to power and network connectivity. It is poised to meet growing demand from hyperscalers and enterprise customers. CLI has gained deep experience operating in India for over 30 years. Tapping our global data centre operating excellence, we are also well-positioned to meet market demand for cutting-edge, secure and sustainable data infrastructure. With CLI's combined real estate, investment and data centre expertise, we remain confident in delivering attractive and long-term value for stakeholders." CLI in India CLI has a resilient and well-diversified real estate portfolio across eight key Indian cities, including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Gurgaon, Kolkata and Goa. This includes 38 business parks, industrial and logistics facilities, data centres, lodging and coworking assets, with funds under management of approximately S$8.4 billion in the country as at 5 November 2025. For more about CapitaLand Investment, visit: www.capitalandinvest.com Issued by: CapitaLand Investment Limited (Co. Regn.: 200308451M) Important Notice This announcement and the information contained herein does not constitute and is not intended to constitute an offering of any investment product to, or solicitation of, investors in any jurisdiction where such offering or solicitation would not be permitted. [1] The actual purchase consideration will be determined at the completion date. [2] 'Racks to riches: India Data Centres', Macquarie Equity Research, October 2025. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2858162/image_5013659_34255736_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/capitaland-india-data-centre-fund-to-acquire-20-2-interest-in-three-data-centres-for-s99-73-million-302658316.html A Solo, Non-Stop Crossing of the Pacific Ocean "Blind Sailor Single-Handed Pacific Crossing Project 2027" is a world-first initiative in which Mitsuhiro Iwamoto, a completely blind Japanese yachtsman (blind sailor) based in San Diego, will attempt a solo, non-stop trans-Pacific crossing in the spring of 2027. Sailing a 28-foot yacht single-handedly, he aims to cross the Pacific Ocean from San Diego on the U.S. West Coast to Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, without making port. Iwamoto will speak about this project at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, to be held in January 2026. Project URL: https://hiros-choice.com/ This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260108087321/en/ Hiro Iwamoto Global Keynote Speaker, First Totally Blind Sailor to Cross the Pacific The message he most wishes to convey at the WEF is the power of choice. He lost his sight at the age of sixteen-a moment when he nearly gave up on life itself. Nevertheless, he chose to live. In 2013, he made his first attempt to cross the Pacific with a partner, but the voyage ended in failure after a collision with a whale. The incident drew intense public criticism and plunged him once again into deep despair. Six years later, in 2019, with a new partner, Iwamoto successfully completed a non-stop Pacific crossing of approximately 13,000 kilometers, sailing from San Diego to Fukushima, Japan. At that point, he made another choice-to move even further forward. That choice led to the launch of this new project. At the WEF, Iwamoto is scheduled to deliver his speech on January 21, 2026 (Davos, Switzerland time). How did he come to choose this extraordinary challenge? We invite you to listen closely to his words. WEF URL: https://www.weforum.org/ This ambitious project depends on a wide range of support systems that will serve as "his eyes." These include continuous satellite communication via Starlink, high-sensitivity cameras, voice-based navigation systems that convey critical information, a shore-based support center monitoring the voyage, and-most importantly-the collective support of people around the world who will guide and assist him. Together, these elements aim to create a new form of sailing, gradually transforming what has long been considered an "impossible adventure" for a blind sailor into a possible one. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260108087321/en/ Contacts: Blind Sailor Single-Handed Pacific Crossing Project 2027 Email: press@hiros-choice.com awamura@hiros-choice.com Phone: +81-90-3100-3976 (Kaori Awamura) TOKYO and NEW YORK, NY., Jan 13, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, "Eisai"), a human-centered global leading research-based pharmaceutical company working in the neurology and oncology therapeutic areas, and Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE: NUVB, Corporate Headquarters: New York, NY, CEO: David Hung, M.D., "Nuvation Bio"), a global oncology company focused on tackling some of the toughest challenges in cancer treatment, today announced an exclusive license and collaboration agreement that significantly expands the long-term global footprint of taletrectinib (generic name, marketed as IBTROZI(R) in the U.S. and Japan). Taletrectinib is a highly selective, next-generation oral treatment currently approved for patients living with advanced ROS1-positive (ROS1+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the U.S., China, and Japan.Eisai will now have exclusive development, registration and commercialization rights for taletrectinib for the treatment of ROS1+ NSCLC in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Turkey, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and India. Nuvation Bio will continue to lead global development and retain full U.S. commercial rights, maintaining its strong focus on U.S. launch activities and ongoing pivotal studies of taletrectinib across early- and late-stage ROS1+ NSCLC"Our partnership with Eisai represents a major global expansion milestone for taletrectinib, strengthening the long-term potential of this clinically meaningful treatment option for even more patients living with ROS1+NSCLC," said David Hung, M.D., Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvation Bio. "With Eisai's world-class infrastructure and track record of bringing innovative medicines to market in major regions, we believe the expanse of this collaboration illustrates the commercial potential of taletrectinib while accelerating the opportunity for providers and patients around the world to access this important treatment option."Under the terms of the exclusive license and collaboration agreement, Eisai will pay EUR 50 million (approx. USD 60 million) upfront and up to EUR 145 million (approx. USD 170 million) in regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as double-digit tiered royalties up to the high-teens as a percentage of future net sales in the licensed territories. Following the upfront payment, Eisai will paythe first milestone payment of EUR 25 million (approx. USD 30 million) from this transaction upon achievement of EU regulatory approval (conditional or full) of taletrectinib. The USD amounts are approximated based on an exchange rate of EUR1= USD1.2. Eisai anticipates no changes to its consolidated financial forecast for the period ending March 31, 2026."With its efficacy and safety profile, we believe taletrectinib has the potential to become a standard of care for patients with ROS1+ NSCLC in the EU and beyond, as it is already becoming the standard of care in the U.S. just six months from approval," said Terushige Iike, Chief Business Officer of Eisai Co., Ltd. "We are thrilled to partner with Nuvation Bio and prioritize taletrectinib as our flagship oncology product in NSCLC, bringing this innovative medicine to patients as quickly as possible."A Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for the treatment of advanced ROS1+ NSCLC is expected to be filed in Europe in the first half of 2026. Additional filings are then planned for Canada and other regions.In June 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to taletrectinib for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC across lines of therapy, following a Priority Review and double Breakthrough Therapy designations. Taletrectinib is also approved for patients with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC in Japan, where it is marketed by Nippon Kayaku, and in China, where it is marketed by Innovent Biologics under the brand name DOVBLERON(R).MEDIA CONTACTSEisai Co., Ltd.Public Relations DepartmentTEL: +81 (0)3-3817-5120Nuvation Bio Inc.Kaitlyn Nealymedia@nuvationbio.comINVESTOR CONTACTSEisai Co., Ltd.Investor Relations DepartmentTEL: +81 (0) 3-3817-5122Nuvation Bio Inc.JR DeVitair@nuvationbio.comAbout ROS1+ NSCLCEach year, more than one million people globally are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of lung cancer. It is estimated that approximately 2% of patients with NSCLC have ROS1+ disease. About 35% of patients newly diagnosed with metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC have tumors that have spread to their brain. The brain is also the most common site of disease progression, with about 50% of previously treated patients developing central nervous system (CNS) metastases.About TaletrectinibTaletrectinib is an oral, potent, CNS-active, selective, next-generation ROS1 inhibitor therapy. On June 11, 2025, following Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designations for both TKI-naive and TKI-pretreated disease, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved taletrectinib for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC. Learn more about taletrectinib in the U.S. at IBTROZI.com.About Eisai Co., Ltd.Eisai's Corporate Concept is "to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides." Under this Concept (also known as human health care (hhc) Concept), we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology.In addition, we demonstrate our commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is a target (3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by working on various activities together with global partners.For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co.,Ltd.), and connect with us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook. The website and social media channels are intended for audiences outside of the UK and Europe.About Nuvation BioNuvation Bio is a global oncology company focused on tackling some of the toughest challenges in cancer treatment with the goal of developing therapies that create a profound, positive impact on patients' lives. Our diverse pipeline includes taletrectinib (IBTROZI(R)), a next-generation ROS1 inhibitor; safusidenib, a brain-penetrant IDH1 inhibitor; NUV-868, a BD2-selective BET inhibitor; and an innovative drug-drug conjugate (DDC) program.Nuvation Bio was founded in 2018 by biopharma industry veteran David Hung, M.D., who previously founded Medivation, Inc., which brought to patients one of the world's leading prostate cancer medicines. Nuvation Bio has offices in New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Shanghai. For more information, visit www.nuvationbio.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and X (@nuvationbioinc).About the TRUST Clinical ProgramThe TRUST clinical program comprises three registrational studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of taletrectinib. TRUST-I (NCT04395677) and TRUST-II (NCT04919811) are Phase 2 single-arm studies evaluating taletrectinib for the treatment of adults with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC in China (N=173) and globally (N=189), respectively. The primary endpoint of both studies is confirmed objective response rate (cORR) as assessed by an independent review committee. TRUST-IV (NCT07154706) is a Phase 3 placebo-controlled study evaluating taletrectinib for the adjuvant treatment of adults with resected early-stage ROS1+ NSCLC. The study will enroll approximately 180 patients in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and China. The primary endpoint is disease-free survival as determined by investigator, and the primary completion date is estimated to be in 2030. Nuvation Bio is also sponsoring TRUST-III (NCT06564324), a confirmatory randomized Phase 3 study evaluating taletrectinib versus crizotinib in 138 patients in China with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC who have not previously received ROS1 TKIs.U.S. IndicationIBTROZI is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR IBTROZI(R) (taletrectinib)WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONSHepatotoxicity: Hepatotoxicity, including drug-induced liver injury and fatal adverse reactions, can occur. 88% of patients experienced increased AST, including 10% Grade 3/4. 85% of patients experienced increased ALT, including 13% Grade 3/4. Fatal liver events occurred in 0.6% of patients. Median time to first onset of AST or ALT elevation was 15 days (range: 3 days to 20.8 months).Increased AST or ALT each led to dose interruption in 7% of patients and dose reduction in 5% and 9% of patients, respectively. Permanent discontinuation was caused by increased AST, ALT, or bilirubin each in 0.3% and by hepatotoxicity in 0.6% of patients.Concurrent elevations in AST or ALT 3 times the ULN and total bilirubin 2 times the ULN, with normal alkaline phosphatase, occurred in 0.6% of patients.Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis: Severe, life-threatening, or fatal ILD or pneumonitis can occur. ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 2.3% of patients, including 1.1% Grade 3/4. One fatal ILD case occurred at the 400 mg daily dose. Median time to first onset of ILD/pneumonitis was 3.8 months (range: 12 days to 11.8 months).ILD/pneumonitis led to dose interruption in 1.1% of patients, dose reduction in 0.6% of patients, and permanent discontinuation in 0.6% of patients.QTc Interval Prolongation: QTc interval prolongation can occur, which can increase the risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (e.g., torsades de pointes) or sudden death. IBTROZI prolongs the QTc interval in a concentration-dependent manner.In patients who received IBTROZI and underwent at least one post baseline ECG, QTcF increase of >60 msec compared to baseline and QTcF >500 msec occurred in 13% and 2.6% of patients, respectively. 3.4% of patients experienced Grade 3. Median time from first dose of IBTROZI to onset of ECG QT prolongation was 22 days (range: 1 day to 38.7 months). Dose interruption and dose reduction each occurred in 2.8% of patients.Significant QTc interval prolongation may occur when IBTROZI is taken with food, strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors, and/or drugs with a known potential to prolong QTc. Administer IBTROZI on an empty stomach. Avoid concomitant use with strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors and/or drugs with a known potential to prolong QTc.Hyperuricemia: Hyperuricemia can occur and was reported in 14% of patients, with 16% of these requiring urate-lowering medication without pre-existing gout or hyperuricemia. 0.3% of patients experienced Grade 3. Median time to first onset was 2.1 months (range: 7 days to 35.8 months). Dose interruption occurred in 0.3% of patients.Myalgia with Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation: Myalgia with or without CPK elevation can occur. Myalgia occurred in 10% of patients. Median time to first onset was 11 days (range: 2 days to 10 months).Concurrent myalgia with increased CPK within a 7-day time period occurred in 0.9% of patients. Dose interruption occurred in 0.3% of patients with myalgia and concurrent CPK elevation.Skeletal Fractures: IBTROZI can increase the risk of fractures. ROS1 inhibitors as a class have been associated with skeletal fractures. 3.4% of patients experienced fractures, including 1.4% Grade 3. Some fractures occurred in the setting of a fall or other predisposing factors. Median time to first onset of fracture was 10.7 months (range: 26 days to 29.1 months). Dose interruption occurred in 0.3% of patients.Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on literature, animal studies, and its mechanism of action, IBTROZI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.ADVERSE REACTIONSAmong patients who received IBTROZI, the most frequently reported adverse reactions (20%) were diarrhea (64%), nausea (47%), vomiting (43%), dizziness (22%), rash (22%), constipation (21%), and fatigue (20%).The most frequently reported Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities (5%) were increased ALT (13%), increased AST (10%), decreased neutrophils (5%), and increased creatine phosphokinase (5%).DRUG INTERACTIONSStrong and Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors/CYP3A Inducers and Drugs that Prolong the QTc Interval: Avoid concomitant useGastric Acid Reducing Agents: Avoid concomitant use with PPIs and H2 receptor antagonists. If an acid-reducing agent cannot be avoided, administer locally acting antacids at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking IBTROZI.OTHER CONSIDERATIONSPregnancy: Please see important information in Warnings and Precautions under EmbryoFetal Toxicity.Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 3 weeks after the last dose.Effect on Fertility: Based on findings in animals, IBTROZI may impair fertility in males and females. The effects on animal fertility were reversible.Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of IBTROZI in pediatric patients has not been established.Photosensitivity: IBTROZI can cause photosensitivity. Advise patients to minimize sun exposure and to use sun protection, including broad-spectrum sunscreen, during treatment and for at least 5 days after discontinuation.Please see accompanying full U.S. Prescribing Information.Forward-Looking Statements of Nuvation Bio Inc.Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are sometimes accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook" and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding IBTROZI'S therapeutic and commercial potential, our expectations for a MAA filing for IBTROZI in Europe and the timing thereof, and the receipt and timing of a regulatory and commercial milestone payment under our license and collaboration agreement with Eisai. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the management team of Nuvation Bio and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from those anticipated by the forward looking statements, including but not limited to the challenges associated with conducting drug discovery and commercialization, and initiating or conducting clinical studies due to, among other things, difficulties or delays in the regulatory process, enrolling subjects or manufacturing or acquiring necessary products; the emergence or worsening of adverse events or other undesirable side effects; risks associated with preliminary and interim data, which may not be representative of more mature data; physician and patient behavior; and competitive developments. Risks and uncertainties facing Nuvation Bio are described more fully in its Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 3, 2025 under the heading "Risk Factors," and other documents that Nuvation Bio has filed or will file with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Nuvation Bio disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, supplement or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.Source: EisaiCopyright 2026 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the "Company" or "Questcorp") along with its partner Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: 5YY0) ("Riverside"), is pleased to announce a new discovery of potential Carlin-like gold mineralization at the Luis Hill target within the La Union Project in Sonora, Mexico. Initial drilling in the Luis Hill target returned a 42m @ 0.3 g/t gold drill-width intersection of sediment-hosted gold mineralization in black shales and carbonate strata-a style not previously recognized at the Union Project. This was the only hole drilled into the Luis Hill target during the initial H2 2025 drill program. Highlights of the Drill Program: Target Reporting: This release reports results from Luis Hill, Famosa, and Famosa Mag targets. This release reports results from Luis Hill, Famosa, and Famosa Mag targets. New Discovery: Discovery of previously unknown Carlin-like gold mineralization in black shales and carbonate strata at Luis Hill, returning 0.3 g/t gold over 42m . Results to date show sulfides, mineralization types, and intrusions aligned with a carbonate-hosted metal system. Discovery of previously unknown Carlin-like gold mineralization in black shales and carbonate strata at Luis Hill, returning . Results to date show sulfides, mineralization types, and intrusions aligned with a carbonate-hosted metal system. Program Scale: Completed 12 core holes totaling >1,600 m across six targets: the past-producing Union, Union Norte, and Famosa Mine, as well as Cobre, Luis Hill, and Famosa EM. Completed 12 core holes totaling >1,600 m across six targets: the past-producing Union, Union Norte, and Famosa Mine, as well as Cobre, Luis Hill, and Famosa EM. Assays Pending: Over 700 half-core samples have been shipped; further assays are pending for Union, Union North and Cobre targets. Over 700 half-core samples have been shipped; further assays are pending for Union, Union North and Cobre targets. Strategic Orientation: Holes were oriented at angled and near-vertical positions to cut stratigraphy and structures typical of Carbonate Replacement Deposit (CRD) systems, focusing beneath oxidized horizons generally <150 m in depth. Questcorp President & CEO, Saf Dhillon stated, "We are incredibly pleased with the work from the team at Riverside Resources. This story is starting to evolve quite efficiently, especially considering a first phase of drilling is more of a data gathering process that is utilized primarily to hone future work programs. Hitting a number of gold anomalies in the early stages is very promising as we continue to work towards making a new potential discovery in the rich Sonora Gold Belt. I believe 2026 could be an inflection point for the success and growth of both Questcorp and Riverside!" Figure 1- Luis Hill cross section with drill hole 9. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10197/280127_3a05f3b904909978_001full.jpg Target Hole_ID Starting at Length (m) Au_ppm Comments Luis Hill UND25-009 198.25 42.70 0.286 Shale hosted, silicification, CRD style alteration Famosa Targets Famosa Mine UND25-004 19.10 14.90 Test CRD mineralization (Manto) UND25-005 39.10 1.85 0.345 UND25-011 11.50 11.85 Test CRD Mineralization (Manto) at Famosa Mine UND25-012 9.65 17.45 Including 14.90 2.00 0.162 Famosa EM UND25-010 146.40 1.65 0.134 Test EM Geophysics anomaly Table 1- Assay results table with gold for Luis Hill hole 9, Famosa Area holes 4, 5, 10, 11, 12. Riverside CEO, John-Mark Staude, states, "Riverside is pleased to be working with Questcorp on the Union Project and these first 6 drill holes, representing half of the program so far is exciting and sets up for the next news release of the next 6 holes of the overall 12-hole program. Hole 9 into the Luis Hill exploration target is an exciting start finding a new western area that has scale and could be a great step for the program. Drilling at Famosa was positive for the structure and further drilling is warranted along strike north and south for over 1 km is wide open for discovery there and past assay results in earlier news releases of high-grade gold and past mining, make the Famosa area a priority as well. We are excited for a good 2026 and next exploration phase at Union." Luis Hill Target Detail Hole 9 was drilled vertically in the southern area of a large, 1,500m by 500m magnetic high Luis Hill target. While Hole 9 did not hit an obvious large magnetic source, however several magnetic dioritic dikes which may be emanating from a deeper, larger magnetic source likely intermediate composition intrusion were intersected. The discovery interval consists of gold in siliceously replaced jasperoid-like dolomite and silica flooded black shale, which is similar to some sediment hosted gold deposits in Nevada (USGS Prof Paper 1267, 1985). The discovery, a new finding for this part of Sonora, is important for both the property and in the region as it shows the potential for previously unknown sediment hosted gold inside of one of the most prolific gold belts in Mexico, the Sonora Gold Belt - also referred to as the Megashear Gold Belt in past scientific studies. Folding and Basin and Range block faulting is expected to bring the mineralized formations closer to surface for 2026 H1 drilling within the magnetic target area. The Companies feel Luis Hill has the potential to become a major new discovery in Mexico. The discovery interval of 0.3 g/t gold over 42 metres included 23 assay intervals ranging in width from 0.45m to 2m, with assays ranging from 0.005 g/t to 1.31 g/t gold. Fifteen intervals returned gold values in excess of 0.1 g/t, with three in excess of 0.5 g/t. Sample ID m From m To Interval Au_ppm Sample ID m From m To Interval Au_ppm RRI-U545 198.25 200.25 2 0.38 RRI-U557 219.5 221.5 2 0.014 RRI-U546 200.25 202.25 2 0.678 RRI-U558 221.5 223.5 2 0.012 RRI-U547 202.25 203.8 1.55 0.393 RRI-U559 223.5 225.5 2 0.187 RRI-U548 203.8 205.8 2 0.007 RRI-U561 225.5 226.9 1.4 0.011 RRI-U549 205.8 207.8 2 -0.005 RRI-U562 226.9 228.3 1.4 0.114 RRI-U550 207.8 209.8 2 0.059 RRI-U563 228.3 228.9 0.6 pending RRI-U551 209.8 211.8 2 0.012 RRI-U564 228.9 230.9 2 0.158 RRI-U552 211.8 213.8 2 0.849 RRI-U565 230.9 232.9 2 0.724 RRI-U553 213.8 215.5 1.7 0.316 RRI-U566 232.9 234.2 1.3 0.135 RRI-U554 215.8 217.8 2 1.31 RRI-U567 234.2 235.55 1.35 0.083 RRI-U555 217.8 218.9 1.1 0.319 RRI-U568 235.55 236 0.45 0.131 RRI-U556 218.9 219.5 0.6 0.321 All intervals are down hole widths. Table 2- Full Assay Interval for UND25-009 Discovery Intersection. Figure 2- Cross section Famosa Mine area with 4 holes intersecting mineralized horizon that is the downdip projection from the Famosa mine and remains open for further drilling along strike north-south and further down dip to the west. Note the map shows how drill holes are projected onto a simplified single plane for schematic purposes. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10197/280127_3a05f3b904909978_002full.jpg Famosa Mine and Famosa EM Target This release is also reporting results from the 5 holes drilled at the Famosa Mine and the Famosa Electro-Magnetic ("EM") target. Drilling at the Famosa mine focussed on extensions of the CRD mineralization, where past mining and the geology and structure indicate a manto horizon. One hole tested the EM Target located 500 m west of the Famosa Mine workings. Four core holes tested a west-dipping dolomite manto target and adjacent structures in the Famosa Mine Area, where historical small-scale mining left surface dumps. Dump sampling reported highlight gold grades in excess 0.5 oz/t (>15 g/t) gold as detailed in the May 7, 2025, technical report found under Questcorp's profile on SEDARplus. Holes were drilled at angles toward the east to intersect the target as close to perpendicular as practical and to evaluate continuity of alteration and mineralization with intrusive dikes and breccias noted in the core logging. A drill width intersection of 1.85m @ 0.345 gold, starting at 39m, on the down dip projection from the horizon at the Famosa Mine 70o CRD shaft was recorded in Hole 5. Hole 10 tested the Famosa EM target, intersecting the favorable dolomitic stratigraphy. The Famosa drilling results will be followed up. The summary collar and drilling information for all 12 holes and 1625m drilled in Phase 1 is provided in the table below. Table for Phase 1 Drilling Union Project H2, 2025 All Holes, 1625m total Hole_lD Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Total Depth Target UND25-001 376043 3347225 358.66 131 -50 198.25 Union Mine UND25-002 375606 3347813 381.37 65 -50 201.30 El Cobre UND25-003 376048 3347598 378.34 65 -50 25.90 Union Norte UND25-004 375137 3344629 360.47 110 -70 129.35 Famosa Mine UND25-005 375146 3344578 362.35 92 -70 104.80 Famosa Mine UND25-006 376099 3347627 389.13 100 -80 118.45 Union Norte UND25-007 376199 3347156 355.46 280 -80 166.20 Union Mine UND25-008 376111 3347136 369.34 125 -80 128.10 Union Mine UND25-009 375261 3347551 400.64 0 -90 292.80 Luis Hill UND25-010 374941 3344765 363.95 90 -70 161.60 Famosa EM UND25-011 375171 3344608 362.45 90 -85 51.00 Famosa Mine UND25-012 375171 3344608 362.45 90 -90 47.25 Famosa Mine Table 3- Drill collar information with the bolded and italicized holes are in this news release. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10197/280127_3a05f3b904909978_003full.jpg Figure 3- Map of the location of the Luis Hill and Famosa areas among the other areas that were drilled and results will be coming next from the other target areas when available. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10197/280127_3a05f3b904909978_004full.jpg Geological Model and Strategy The H2 2025 Phase I program was designed to test primary areas of historical mining and key magnetic targets. The program followed the geological model of the South 32 Taylor deposit in southern Arizona. Drilling intersected gold, zinc, and silver indications consistent with vectors toward a major discovery. Furthermore, the sediment-hosted gold style found at Luis Hill is comparable to Nevada's carbonate platform geology, making it an intriguing new development area for the Union Project. Sampling Procedures and QA/QC Core was logged, saw-cut, and half-core samples were shipped for analysis. Samples from the first eight holes were delivered to Bureau Veritas (Hermosillo, Sonora) for gold fire assay, with pulps forwarded to Vancouver, Canada for Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry ("ICP-MS") following four-acid digestion to determine silver, base metals, and pathfinders. Samples from the final four holes were shipped to ACT Labs Zacatecas, where preparation, gold assay, and multi-element ICP are completed in Mexico. The final 4 holes of the program were shipped to ACT Labs where they were similarly assayed using the same processing methods but with their initial preparation and assaying completed in Zacatecas, Mexico using the same ICP and gold fire assay methods. The change in lab halfway through the program was due to assay turn around issues. Samples were maintained in chain of custody being delivered to the laboratory in sealed bags. Remaining half-cores are retained for reference. Standards were inserted every 20 samples and blanks every 100 samples. The laboratory also did duplicates every 20 samples as additional check on the quality control. The QA/QC was analyzed with a check for any variations in the standards beyond 2 standard deviations and the standards passed. Next Steps After all assays are interpreted and released, the Companies will work together on organizing the H1 2026 Phase 2 exploration program, building from the Phase I exploration results. Along with follow-up drilling, Phase 2 will likely include geophysics, geochemistry and mapping. The results announced here are exciting for the western Luis Hill area, which has never seen prior drilling, although small scale mines indicate potential locations. Based on these drill results, a focused follow-up is strongly warranted at Union for this target, as well as other targets. The Companies are diligently working toward an expanded drill program for H1 2026, as all permits and access are in good standing. With the new data, targets will be ready to explore, with the potential to immediately begin field work portions early this year. The Company will release the next set of drill results once a QA/QC review is completed. Qualified Person: The technical content of the new release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo (British Columbia), a director of the company and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101. The Union Agreement Questcorp currently holds an option to earn a 100% interest in the Union Project with business terms announced May 6, 2025, and align Questcorp and Riverside through Riverside being a share owner initially 9.9% of Questcorp and upon earn-in Riverside will become a 19.9% share owner and retain a 2.5% NSR. About Questcorp Mining Inc. Questcorp Mining is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in North America, with the objective of locating and developing economic precious and base metals properties of merit. The company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100-per-cent interest in and to mineral claims totalling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island copper property, on Vancouver Island, B.C., subject to a royalty obligation. The company also holds an option to acquire an undivided 100-per-cent interest in and to mineral claims totalling 2,520.2 hectares comprising the La Union project located in Sonora, Mexico, subject to a royalty obligation. Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding completion of survey work at the North Island Copper project. 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. 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. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280127 Source: Questcorp Mining Inc. NCR Atleos Corporation (NYSE: NATL) ("Atleos"), a leader in expanding self-service financial access for financial institutions, retailers and consumers, today announced a collaboration with Epirus Bank to modernize their ATM network and expand access to cash across Greece. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260111781326/en/ Ioannis Vougioukas, CEO of Epirus Bank, standing next to an NCR Atleos Cashzone cobranded ATM in the Syntagma Metro station in Athens, Greece. This strategic agreement leverages the Atleos ATM as a Service (ATMaaS) model, and its Cashzone network resources, to provide a branded retail network for Epirus Bank, enabling the bank to reduce operating costs, increase its footprint nationwide, and deliver an exceptional customer experience. Under the agreement, Atleos will provide ATM network lifecycle services under the ATMaaS model, including location selection, installation, maintenance, and operational support, allowing Epirus Bank to focus on its core mission: serving customers efficiently and sustainably. The deployment began in November 2025 and is targeted for phased completion within approximately three months. The project will expand customer convenience with new ATMs in strategic locations that matter most to Epirus Bank customers. ATMs are expected to feature Epirus Bank and Cashzone co-branding, ensuring customers enjoy the modern, convenient experience they expect from both brands. "We are pleased to announce our strategic partnership with NCR Atleos, a leading innovator in the financial services sector. This collaboration comes at a pivotal moment for Epirus Bank as we embark on a nationwide expansion across Greece. Our goal is to ensure that our customers have seamless access to banking services wherever they are, while prioritizing security and convenience. Together we are ready to redefine the way banking services are delivered, making financial access more accessible for all," said Ioannis Vougioukas, CEO of Epirus Bank. "By working with Atleos, we are expanding our reach across Greece and ensuring our customers have easy access to cash wherever they need it." "We are proud to support Epirus Bank in its journey to modernize and grow its ATM network," said Anthony Parks, Vice President, Europe and Middle East Sales for Atleos. "We have the expertise and experience to deliver the flexibility and efficiency banks need to meet evolving customer expectations while optimizing operational costs." Atleos manages the world's largest independent ATM network, delivering secure and convenient cash access across Europe under the trusted Cashzone brand. Discover more at cashzone.gr. About Atleos Atleos (NYSE: NATL) is the leader in expanding self-service financial access, with industry-leading ATM expertise and experience, unrivaled operational scale including the largest independently-owned ATM network, always-on global services and constant innovation. Atleos improves operational efficiency for financial institutions, drives footfall for retailers and enables digital-first financial self-service experiences for consumers. Atleos is ranked #12 in Newsweek's prestigious 2025 Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces list. Atleos is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., with approximately 20,000 employees globally. For more information, visit www.ncratleos.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260111781326/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Scott Sykes NCR Atleos scott.sykes@ncratleos.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSXV: TSD) (OTCQB: TSDRF) (FSE: TZO) ("Tsodilo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the verification of significant critical minerals and rare earth element ("REE") mineralization from its 100%-owned Gcwihaba Metals Project ("Gcwihaba" or the "Project"), located in northwest Botswana. The C26 and C27 targets were initially identified as geophysical anomalies through ground magnetic and gravity surveys. Diamond core drilling of these anomalies confirmed skarn-hosted REE mineralization 20-50 meters below surface. The skarns and other project area proximate targets contain a polymetallic assemblage including fifteen rare earth elements and critical minerals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, vanadium, and silver. MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS C26 and C27 Skarn features contains 15 of the 15 REE elements listed on the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey's 2025 list of Critical Minerals and 5 other critical minerals as well. C26 and C27 skarn Neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) content represents approximately 15% of Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) comparable to MP Materials' Mountain Pass mine (15.7%). NdPr is essential for high-performance permanent magnet applications in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems. 15,000m drill program will commence in 2026 to obtain a compliant NI43-101 resource statement. Based on integrated geophysical modelling, drilling results, and geological modelling of the confirmed skarn deposits, the Company has defined a conceptual exploration target ranging from 81 to 97 million tonnes at grades between 0.05% and 1.49% TREO. The REE exploration target measures four kilometers in length. Figure 1a - Total REE concentrations map across Gcwihaba Metals Project and Figure 1b - Location Map - C26 & C27 Skarn To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11216/280123_figure1.jpg Tsodilo's Chairman and CEO, James M. Bruchs, comments: "The 1.49% TREO intercept at C27 represents the highest grade recorded so far for Gcwihaba," stated James M. Bruchs, Chairman and CEO. "These results validate our systematic exploration approach and demonstrate evidence of a polymetallic REE skarn system with both vertical extent and grade. Our conceptual exploration target of 81 to 97 million tonnes was generated through integrated magnetic and gravity geophysical modelling using a ground magnetics inversion model, constrained by drilling results and geological interpretation. This modelling was completed in-house using Paradigm GOCAD software. Beyond rare earth elements, the skarn system has returned encouraging base and precious metal values, including copper up to 0.41% in the C26 skarn, cobalt up to 320 ppm, and silver up to 5.1 g/t in the C27 skarn. The 2026 drilling program will focus on defining high-grade REE zones while further evaluating the polymetallic potential of the system to support preparation of an initial mineral resource estimate." Rare earth elements are used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense technologies. Global supply is concentrated in China, with demand projected to grow at 9.2% annually through 2030. Rare earth elements and cobalt are included in the US Department of the Interior Critical Minerals List ("CML"). The C26 and C27 skarns mineralization contain all fifteen rare earth elements on the 2025 US Department of the Interior Critical Minerals List ("CML"), including neodymium and praseodymium, plus five additional CML minerals including cobalt, copper, nickel, vanadium, and silver. In total, 20 of 60 CML minerals have been identified. Figure 2: Gcwihaba Skarn Metals Project Critical Minerals & Rare Earth Elements To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11216/280123_f7c6ad0b24ca3954_011full.jpg This represents the first systematic assessment of REE potential at the Gcwihaba Metals Project. The Company has completed twelve NQ-size exploration drill holes (totaling 3,303 meters) to date across the C26 and C27 skarn targets. A total of 1,612 diamond core samples from nine drill holes were analyzed for multi-element geochemistry, with 1,224 samples (76%) returning detectable REE mineralization. Four drill holes returned high-grade REE intercepts up to 1.49% TREO at the C27 skarn anomaly. Drill Results C27 Skarn Anomaly: 1.49% TREO over 2m (159.5-161.5m) in Hole 1822C27_6 1.23% TREO over 1m (146.4-147.4m) in Hole 1822C27_2 45m @ >=0.1% TREO (74.4-243.4m) in Hole 1822C27_2 C26 Skarn Anomaly: 18m @ >=0.1% TREO (77.6-190.6m) in Hole 1822C26_1 4m @ >=0.1% TREO (103.4-111.4m) in Hole 1822C26_3 C27 Skarn deposit returned 1.49% TREO over 2m (159.5-161.5m) including 984 ppm Nd, 388 ppm Pr, 92 ppm Cu, 36 ppm Co, and 1.1 g/t Ag in Hole 1822C27_6. 1.23% TREO over 1m (146.4-147.4m) including 1,195 ppm Nd, 438 ppm Pr, 430 ppm Cu, 71 ppm Co, and 0.2 g/t Ag in Hole 1822C27_2. 45m @ >=0.1% TREO (74.4-243.4m) averaging 0.29% TREO, 330 ppm Nd, 123 ppm Pr, 517 ppm Cu, 75 ppm Co, and 0.7 g/t Ag in Hole 1822C27_2. C26 Skarn deposit returned 18m @ >=0.1% TREO (77.6-190.6m) averaging 0.16% TREO, 214 ppm Nd, 63 ppm Pr, 733 ppm Cu, and 1.0 g/t Ag in Hole 1822C26_1. 0.46% TREO over 1m (172.6-173.6m) including 473 ppm Nd, 154 ppm Pr, 927 ppm Cu, and 1.0 g/t Ag in Hole 1822C26_1. 4m @ >=0.1% TREO (103.4-111.4m) averaging 0.23% TREO, 258 ppm Nd, 82 ppm Pr, 288 ppm Cu, and 1.0 g/t Ag in Hole 1822C26_3. The Company plans to commence further diamond core drilling on the C27 and C26 skarn deposits in 2026. Table 1: Rare Earth Elements, Copper, Cobalt & Silver Drill Results Summary - Gcwihaba Project Target Peak Grade Peak Nd (ppm) Peak Pr (ppm) Peak Ce (ppm) Peak La (ppm) Width >=1% TREO Width >=0.1% TREO Peak Cu (ppm) Peak Co (ppm) Peak Ag (g/t) C27 Skarn 1.49% TREO 1,195 438 5,850 4,870 2m 45m 2600 320 5.1 C26 Skarn 0.46% TREO 473 154 1,777 1,270 - 18m 4073 - 1.0 TREO = Total Rare Earth Oxide; Nd = Neodymium; Pr = Praseodymium Note: All reported intervals are downhole lengths; true widths have not yet been determined. TREO values are reported as oxide equivalents. Peak Nd and Pr values are from the highest-grade TREO intercepts within each anomaly. All values from certified laboratory analysis (ALS/Actlabs ME-MS81, ME-ICP61). Peak values represent maximum single-meter assay results. All rare earth elements, cobalt, copper, and silver are US DOI Critical Minerals (2025). Assay data is located on the Company's website at Tsodilo Resources Ltd. - Metals. Geological Setting The skarn deposits occur within carbonate-rich lithologies (marbles) and schists beneath 20 - 50 meters of Kalahari sediments cover. The REE mineralization is developed within endo-skarn formed along carbonate-rich marble lithologies, with bulk skarn mineralogy comprising pyroxene skarn (hedenbergite) and garnet skarn (andradite). REE minerals identified include carbonates (bastnasite, ancylite), silicates (allanite, britholite), and phosphates (monazite, xenotime). This mineralogical assemblage is characteristic of skarn-hosted REE deposits globally and represents well-established REE mineral types with proven extraction methods. The intercept grades at Gcwihaba fall within the range of reported grades for skarn-hosted REE deposits, which typically range from 0.02% to 3% TREO (Paulick and Machacek, 2017). The 1.49% TREO intercept at C27 represents the highest grade recorded at the project to date. Exploration Implications The high-grade intersections at C27 and broad mineralized intervals at C26 validate the Company's geophysical exploration approach using integrated magnetic and gravity surveys beneath Kalahari cover. The results support the conceptual exploration target of 81 to 97 million tonnes, which was generated through ground magnetics data inversion modeling, constrained by drilling results and geological interpretation. This approach provides a framework for systematic resource definition drilling campaign. The 2026 drilling program will focus on defining high-grade zones exceeding 1% TREO, improving geological confidence, and collecting samples for metallurgical testwork. The planned 2026 drilling campaign comprises approximately 50 NQ-size drill holes totaling 15,000 meters, designed to support preparation of an initial mineral resource statement. Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) All diamond drill core from the Gcwihaba Metals Project was logged, photographed, and sawn in half using a diamond blade core saw. One half of the core was submitted for geochemical analysis, while the other half was retained in secure storage for reference. Sampling intervals were determined based on geological boundaries and typically ranged one meter. Control samples comprised approximately 10% of all samples submitted, including certified reference standards, analytical blanks, field duplicates, and preparation duplicates. QA/QC results were reviewed in real time, and all data have been verified as meeting acceptable thresholds for accuracy, precision, and contamination before inclusion in this release. Diamond drill core samples were submitted for multi-element geochemical analysis at ALS Minerals Division, South Africa. Sample preparation comprised fine crushing to 70% passing 2mm (CRU-31), riffle splitting (SPL-21), and pulverizing to 85% passing 75 m (PUL-31). Samples were analyzed using 38-element fusion inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS; method ME-MS81) for rare earth elements and yttrium, and 33-element four-acid digestion inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES; method ME-ICP61) for base and trace metals. Selected samples were also analyzed for precious metals using fire assay fusion ICP (method PGM-ICP23). About Rare Earth Elements The rare earths are an abundant group of seventeen elements composed of scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanides. The elements range in crustal abundance from cerium, the 25th most abundant element of the seventy-eight common elements in the earth's crust at 60 parts per million, to thulium and lutetium, the least abundant rare-earth elements at about 0.5 part per million. The elemental forms of rare earths are iron gray to silvery lustrous metals that are typically soft, malleable, and ductile and usually reactive, especially at elevated temperatures or when finely divided. The rare earths' unique properties are used in a wide variety of applications. (Source: USGS National Minerals Information Center). NdFeB magnets are the most widely used, driving demand for four key REEs: Neodymium and Praseodymium as core inputs, and Dysprosium and Terbium" as essential additives for thermal stability. (Source: African Development Bank, Critical Mineral Insights 9 - Rare Earth Elements, November 24, 2025). In 2024, the U.S. imported 80% of the rare earth elements it used." (Source: USGS News Release, Interior Department releases final 2025 List of Critical Minerals, November 14, 2025) Cautionary Note The conceptual exploration target of 81 to 97 million tonnes for the C26 and C27 skarn anomalies was generated through magnetic and gravity geophysical modelling techniques using a ground magnetics inversion model, constrained by drilling results and geological interpretation. This modelling was completed in-house using Paradigm GOCAD software. The potential quantity and grade of this exploration target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a Mineral Resource in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the exploration target being delineated as a Mineral Resource. The exploration target should not be misconstrued as or considered equivalent to a Mineral Resource or Mineral Reserve. QP Disclosure Overall supervision of the Company's exploration program is the responsibility of Asele Maboshe, "Qualified Person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), who has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release, and is not independent of the Company. About Tsodilo Resources Limited Tsodilo Resources Limited is an international mineral resource exploration company engaged in the search for economic metal deposits at its Gcwihaba Resources (Pty) Limited ("Gcwihaba") projects in Botswana. The Company has a 100% stake in its Gcwihaba project area consisting of five metal (base, precious, platinum group, and rare earth) prospecting licenses all located in the North-West district of Botswana. This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements pertaining to the use of proceeds, the impact of strategic partnerships and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. 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, changes in equity markets, changes in general economic conditions, market volatility, political developments in Botswana and surrounding countries, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, exploration and development risks, the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration results and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. 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, uncertainties relating to availability and cost of funds, timing and content of work programs, results of exploration activities, interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, risks relating to variations in the diamond grade and kimberlite lithologies; variations in rates of recovery and breakage; estimates of grade and quality of diamonds, variations in diamond valuations and future diamond prices; the state of world diamond markets, reliability of mineral property titles, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, operational and infrastructure risk and other risks involved in the diamond exploration and development business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("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 news release. This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280123 Source: Tsodilo Resources Limited DKSH Management Ltd. / Key word(s): Sustainability DKSH Receives Approval From SBTi for Near-Term and Net-Zero Emissions Targets 13.01.2026 / 07:00 CET/CEST Media Release DKSH has achieved another milestone in its sustainability efforts, as the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has officially validated its near-term and net zero targets. This approval reflects DKSH's commitment to its climate ambitions and reinforces its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Zurich, Switzerland, January 13, 2025 - DKSH's near-term and net-zero emissions targets have been approved by SBTi. This approval confirms that DKSH's near-term climate ambitions are in line with the latest climate science. Furthermore, the SBTi has validated DKSH's long-term emissions reduction target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. DKSH's near-term target includes reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 71.2% by 2030, compared to its 2020 baseline. In addition, the company has also committed to reducing Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services by 61.1% per CHF of value added by 2033, using 2024 as the base year. Looking further ahead, DKSH aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050. DKSH continues to pursue these climate ambitions through a range of measures, including optimizing transport routes and truck loads, expanding the use of electricity from renewable sources, and increasing the share of electric and hybrid vehicles in its fleets. Furthermore, DKSH invests in carbon removal projects to further strengthen its efforts. Stefan P. Butz, CEO of DKSH, said: "Reaching this milestone of having our net-zero emissions targets approved by the SBTi reinforces that sustainability is an integral part of DKSH's business and reflects the continued efforts we have made to build climate transparency over the past few years. This recognition strengthens DKSH's climate ambition while creating long-term value for our operations, our partners and the communities we serve." DKSH has already achieved a 55% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 CO 2 emissions compared to its 2020 baseline. In addition to these accomplishments toward its climate ambitions, DKSH has steadily advanced its reporting practices since disclosing greenhouse gas emissions for Scope 1 and 2 for the first time in 2017. DKSH has started reporting Scope 3 emissions and disclosing its carbon data to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), where the company has consistently achieved a "B" rating since 2021. About Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) The SBTi is a corporate climate action organization that enables companies and financial institutions worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis. They develop standards, tools and guidance which allows companies to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions targets in line with climate science and the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement. www.sciencebasedtargets.org About DKSH For 160 years, DKSH has been delivering growth for companies in Asia and beyond across its Business Units Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials, and Technology. As a leading Market Expansion Services provider, DKSH offers sourcing, market insights, marketing and sales, eCommerce, distribution and logistics as well as after-sales services, following its purpose of enriching people's lives. DKSH is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, DKSH operates in 36 markets with 28,060 specialists, generating net sales of CHF 11.1 billion in 2024. www.dksh.com For further information, please contact: DKSH Holding Ltd. Till Leisner Head, Investor & Media Relations, Sustainability Phone +41 44 386 7315 till.leisner@dksh.com Melanie Gruter Manager, Group Media Relations Phone +41 44 386 7211 melanie.grueter@dksh.com End of Media Release View original content: EQS News MUMBAI, India, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Software and Systems (FSS), a global leader in payments technology and transaction processing, has become the first payments company across India, the Middle East, APAC, and South Africa to achieve ISO/IEC 42001 Certification, reinforcing its commitment to the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in payments and banking technology. By achieving ISO/IEC 42001 Certification, FSS marks a transition from ad-hoc AI adoption to a structured, enterprise-wide AI governance framework. This milestone positions AI governance alongside information security and quality management as a core business priority. AI is embedded across FSS platforms, supporting fraud detection, transaction monitoring, reconciliation, dispute management, and operational automation. Alignment with ISO/IEC 42001 ensures structured oversight across the AI lifecycle, enabling continuous monitoring of deployed systems and proactive identification of risks including bias, unintended outcomes, and regulatory non-compliance. ISO/IEC 42001 represents an evolution in how organisations govern artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional IT and information security frameworks, the standard establishes clear ownership of AI systems, defined governance structures, and ongoing performance monitoring. These safeguards are critical in financial services, where fairness, explainability, and accountability are essential to maintaining trust. Commenting on the achievement, V Balasubramanian, CEO, Financial Software and Systems (FSS), said, "AI is increasingly shaping real-time decisions in payments, from fraud prevention to risk management. As AI becomes core infrastructure, governance becomes non-negotiable. In today's environment, non-compliance carries inherent risk given the pace at which AI is transforming payments. This certification underscores our commitment to building AI systems that are trustworthy, explainable, and accountable." ISO/IEC 42001 is an evolving standard, with only a limited number of organisations currently meeting its stringent requirements. Early adoption places FSS ahead of the curve as regulatory frameworks, including the EU AI Act and the Reserve Bank of India's emphasis on ethical and responsible AI, continue to shape AI governance in financial services. FSS's AI governance framework has been independently assessed by TUV SUD, a globally recognised certification and assurance body. The Certification Lead status reflects a higher level of organisational maturity, recognising FSS's ability to not only adopt the standard but also lead its implementation at an enterprise scale. About Financial Software and Systems (FSS): Financial Software and Systems (FSS) is a global leader in payments technology and transaction processing, offering products and solutions that redefine payment experiences. With presence in over 25 countries, FSS enables seamless transactions for banks, financial institutions, and fintechs worldwide. Its portfolio includes card issuance, merchant acquiring, real-time payments, reconciliation, secure 3D authentication, and platforms enabling deployment and digital transformation. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859255/FSS_Payments_Photo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fss-becomes-the-first-payments-company-in-india-me-apac--south-africa-to-achieve-isoiec-42001-certification-302658763.html Kuros Biosciences to provide investor update at Octavian and Baader Bank Conferences Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, January 13, 2026 - Kuros Biosciences ("Kuros" or the "Company") a leader in innovative biologic technologies, today announced a series of milestones including key IDN (Integrated Delivery Network) health system approvals, significant regulatory approval, and published preclinical evidence supporting the continued adoption and global expansion of MagnetOs, which are going to be presented at the Octavian Seminar 2026 and Baader Bank Swiss Equities Conference 2026. "These milestones reflect the strength and consistency of our strategy, building durable access through major U.S. health system approvals, achieving one of the most rigorous regulatory certifications globally, and continuing to expand a differentiated evidence portfolio for MagnetOs," said Chris Fair, Chief Executive Officer of Kuros Biosciences. "Together, these achievements reinforce our position as an evidence driven biologics company and support the continued global adoption of MagnetOs as we execute on our long-term growth objectives." Recent U.S. Healthcare System Approvals Kuros announced that all five MagnetOs formulations have recently received approval across multiple large IDN health systems in the U.S., a critical step for access and adoption at scale. Health system approvals are typically granted following comprehensive evaluation by multidisciplinary stakeholders including clinical, supply chain, and value analysis teams. Such evaluations generally assess efficacy, safety, clinical performance, economic considerations, and alignment with system-wide standards of care. These approvals will enable expanded surgeon access to MagnetOs across participating facilities, subject to local hospital approval and clinical implementation processes. "System-level approvals reflect confidence not only in a product's performance, but in the rigor of the evidence behind it," said John Griffin, Chief Business Officer of Kuros Biosciences. "These approvals reduce access barriers and position MagnetOs for broader adoption across major U.S. health systems, which will support the company to achieve its financial targets." MDR Certification Achieved Kuros also announced that MagnetOs Granules and MagnetOs Putty received certification under the European Union Medical Device Regulation (MDR), on December 22, 2025. MDR certification is among the most stringent regulatory frameworks globally and is required to maintain market access in the European Union. Achievement of MDR certification supports the continued commercial availability of MagnetOs in Europe and other international markets and reflects Kuros' operational and clinical readiness to meet evolving regulatory standards. "MDR certification represents one of the most rigorous regulatory thresholds globally," said Philippe Saudan, Senior Vice President, Quality, Regulatory and Clinical of Kuros Biosciences. "We are proud to have achieved MDR certification for MagnetOs, underscoring the strength of our clinical evidence and supporting continued access to this technology for surgeons and patients throughout Europe and other international markets." Publication of Head-to-Head Preclinical Sheep PLF Study Further strengthening the MagnetOs evidence portfolio, a newly published preclinical study in Clinical Spine Surgery evaluated MagnetOs Flex Matrix in a clinically relevant, instrumented sheep posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF) model and compared its performance head-to-head against commercially available synthetic bone grafts, including a synthetic peptide with anorganic bone mineral in a hydrogel carrier, a synthetic silicate-substituted calcium phosphate in a hydrogel carrier, and a synthetic bioglass in a collagen matrix.*1 At 12 weeks, MagnetOs demonstrated significantly higher fusion rates across multiple endpoints including radiography, micro-CT, biomechanics, and histology. Histological analysis showed 100% bilateral fusion in MagnetOs treated segments, while the synthetic peptide achieved fusion in 33% of segments and both the synthetic silicate-substituted calcium phosphate and synthetic bioglass demonstrated 0% bilateral fusion. Histology further confirmed continuous bridging bone formation and mature lamellar bone integrated directly with MagnetOs.*1 This study reinforces the importance of using animal models with robust multi-endpoint analysis to distinguish true bone fusion from residual graft material, particularly in challenging PLF procedures.2 Together with previously published human biopsy findings, these results further differentiate MagnetOs from competing bone graft technologies and support its long-term positioning as an evidence-driven solution for surgeons seeking reliable fusion outcomes.*1,3 Continued Clinical Evidence Expansion These milestones build on Kuros' ongoing clinical development efforts, including the recently announced ASTRA study, a global, prospective, randomized, controlled, multi-center Level I clinical trial evaluating MagnetOs compared to autograft (patient's own bone) in patients undergoing hindfoot or ankle fusions. ASTRA represents Kuros' continued investment in high quality clinical evidence across multiple anatomical applications. Event Calendar January 15, 2026 - Octavian Seminar 2026, Davos January 16, 2026 - Baader Bank Swiss Equities Conference 2026, Bad Ragaz March 10, 2026 - Publication Annual Report 2025 April 14, 2026 - Trading Update Q1-2026 April 15, 2026 - Annual Shareholders' General Meeting For further information, please contact: Alexandre Muller Daniel Geiger Investor Relations Chief Financial Officer Tel +41 43 268 32 31 Tel +41 44 733 47 41 IR@kurosbio.com (mailto:IR@kurosbio.com) daniel.geiger@kurosbio.com (mailto:daniel.geiger@kurosbio.com) About MagnetOs Growing bone with MagnetOsTM gives surgeons confidence where it matters most - delivering predictable fusion outcomes.4 In a Level I human clinical study published in Spine, MagnetOs achieved nearly twice the fusion rate of autograft (79% vs. 47%) in posterolateral fusions (PLFs).4Among active smokers - who made up 1 in 5 patients - the fusion difference between MagnetOs and autograft was even more dramatic.4,5 MagnetOs grows bone on its own thanks to NeedleGripTM - a proprietary submicron surface technology that harnesses the immune system to stimulate bone growth, without added cells or growth factors.10-14Ready-to-use, easy to mold, and reliably staying put, MagnetOs carries no intrinsic risk of human tissue-related disease transmission and is FDA cleared for use throughout the spine, including interbody procedures. Additionally, MagnetOs Granules, MagnetOs Putty and MagnetOs Easypack Putty are also cleared for use in the extremities and pelvis.#10-15 Indications Statement Please refer to the instructions for use for your local region for a full list of indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. About Kuros Biosciences Kuros Biosciences is on a mission to discover, develop and deliver innovative biologic technologies. With locations in the U.S., Switzerland and the Netherlands, the company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The company's first commercial product, MagnetOsTM, is a unique advanced bone graft that has already been used across five continents. For more information on the company, its products and pipeline, visit kurosbio.com. Forward Looking Statements This media release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are urged to consider statements that include the words "will" or "expect" or the negative of those words or other similar words to be uncertain and forward-looking. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements include scientific, business, economic and financial factors. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility for updating forward-looking statements or adapting them to future events or developments. * Results from in vivo or in vitro laboratory testing may not be predictive of clinical experience in humans. Please refer to the Instructions for Use for a full list of indications, contraindications, precautions, and warnings. 19 of initial 100 patients were active smokers. Radiographic fusion data of the smoker subgroup were not statistically analyzed as a subgroup and were not included in the peer-reviewed publication of the study. Results from in vitro or in vivo laboratory testing may not be predictive of clinical experience in humans. For important safety and intended use information please visit kurosbio.com. MagnetOs is not cleared by the FDA or TGA as an osteoinductive bone graft. # MagnetOs must also be used with an intervertebral body fusion device cleared by FDA for use with a bone void filler. MagnetOs Flex Matrix must be hydrated with BMA and mixed with autograft in posterolateral spine and intervertebral disc space. MagnetOs Granules must be hydrated with blood in the intervertebral disc space. Kucko, et al. Clinical Spine Surgery. 2025;0(0). Yadav S, et al. Journal of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Rehabilitation. 2020;27(2):173-178. Hatfield C, et al. JOJ Case Stud. 2025; 15(2): 555910. DOI: 10.19080/JOJCS.2025.15.555910. Stempels, et al. Spine. 2024;49(19):1323-1331. Van Dijk, LA. 24th SGS Annual Meeting (Swiss Society of Spinal Surgery). Basel, Switzerland. Aug 2024. Data on file. MagnetOs Putty and MagnetOs Easypack Putty. Van Dijk, et al. eCM. 2021;41:756-73. Van Dijk, et al. J Immunol Regen Med. 2023;19:100070. Duan, et al. eCM. 2019; 37:60-73. Instructions for Use (IFU) MagnetOs Granules. Instructions for Use (IFU) MagnetOs Putty. Instructions for Use (IFU) MagnetOs Easypack Putty. Instructions for Use (IFU) MagnetOs Flex Matrix. Instructions for Use (IFU) MagnetOs MIS. Data on file. MagnetOs Putty and MagnetOs Easypack Putty. Attachment Record annual gross merchandise volume (275.7 million, +18.2%) and consolidated annual revenue (200.9 million, +12.5%); Adjusted EBITDA, in line with the target, at 10.4% of revenue, despite investments made in growth drivers; Significant further increase in current operating income (11.8 million, +8.0%) and net income (8.1 million, +10.0%); Record gross cash position of 32.1 million and proposed dividend of 0.50 per share (a sharp increase of +31.6% compared to 2023-2024); Another year of profitable growth expected in 2025-2026, driven by accelerated international expansion. Paris, 13 January 2026. The Vente-unique.com group, an expert in online sales of furniture and home furnishings in Europe, announces its unaudited results for the 2024-2025 financial year (period from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025). The accounts were approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting on 12 January 2026. The annual financial report will be published on 29 January 2026 after completion of the audit procedures. Vente-unique.com Group Vente-unique.com Group Variation IFRS (m) 2023-2024 2024-2025 Gross merchandise volume 233.2 275.7 +18.2% Revenue 178.7 200.9 +12.5% Gross margin 103.5 118.1 +14.1% % of revenue 57.9% 58.8% +0.9 point Adjusted EBITDA[1] 19.5 21.0 +7.5% % of revenue 10.9% 10.4% -0.5 point Current operating income 10.9 11.8 +8.0% % of revenue 6.1% 5.9% -0.2 point EBIT 10.4 11.3 +8.7% Net financial income/(expense) (0.4) (0.2) +61.6% Income tax (2.6) (3.0) +16.8% Net income 7.4 8.1 +10.0% Sacha Vigna, CEO of Vente-unique.com, comments: "The 2024-2025 financial year was once again in line with our values: we combined double-digit growth with solid profitability, while making investments to prepare for tomorrow's profitable growth. Our virtuous model is proving itself a little more every day: the Habitat brand allows us to move upmarket when the marketplace increases the overall value generated by a customer, all in the service of customer satisfaction offered by Vente-unique.com. To unlock the full potential of a model that is now robust and mature, we will resume our international expansion by continuing to extend our presence, with Scandinavia and the United Kingdom as our next targets, and by gradually rolling out our entire offering in these markets. Our additional logistics capacity will once again fuel this new cycle of profitable growth that lies ahead of us." Gross merchandise volume and consolidated revenue at record levels Following on from a previous year that was already very dynamic (+15.6%), the Group's gross merchandise volume in 2024-2025 saw an acceleration in growth (+18.2%) and reached a record level of 275.7 million. This momentum is mainly due to the growth of international business, which accounted for more than half of the Group's sales, thanks in particular to the continued roll-out of the marketplace (covering nine countries in the 2024-2025 financial year and 11 since the start of the 2025-2026 financial year, with the addition of Austria and Luxembourg). The Group's consolidated revenue exceeded 200 million for the first time in a financial year, reaching 200.9 million (+12.5% year-on-year), driven by the continued success of the Vente-unique.com brand and the first year of operation of the Habitat brand in France, whose annual revenue reached 10 million. In addition, revenue from logistics services (fulfilment) almost doubled over the financial year to reach 4.8 million, with the arrival of new external customers. The Group once again relied on its virtuous model: its efficient sourcing in line with customer expectations, its recognised expertise in logistics and the quality of its customer service, which was once again rewarded by being selected as Customer Service of the Year 2026 in France for the fourth consecutive year. Nevertheless, global growth was slowed by the saturation of logistics capacity, fully justifying the opening of the new Moulins site (France) in order to prioritise the needs of own-account operations. 19th consecutive profitable financial year Vente-unique.com maintained its trajectory of improving its gross margin, which reached 58.8% for the 2024-2025 financial year (57.9% in 2023-2024 and 56.2% in 2022-2023). The Group benefited in particular from growth in marketplace commissions. The Group's adjusted EBITDA amounted to 21.0 million, representing 10.4% of revenue (10.9% in 2023-2024), a solid performance given that the Group bore the cost of the first year of the Habitat brand's commercial relaunch and logistics capacity adjustments pending the commissioning of the second logistics warehouse. Depreciation, amortisation and provisions amounted to 7.2 million (including 4.4 million relating to IFRS 16 depreciation), up 0.2 million year-on-year, in line with investments made to support long-term growth. Current operating profit amounted to 11.8 million (+8.0%). Other operating expenses remained stable over the financial year (0.5 million). After taking into account the financial result (-0.2 million) and a tax expense of -3.0 million, annual net profit amounted to 8.1 million (7.4 million in 2023-2024), representing an increase of +10.0% year-on-year. Vente-unique.com has thus achieved its 19th consecutive profitable financial year. Gross cash position at its highest level Vente-unique.com generated gross operating cash flow of 16.0 million for the financial year, a significant increase compared to 2023-2024 (+1.5 million). Working capital requirements fell significantly during the financial year (-3.5 million). This was mainly due to effective inventory management in a context of increased activity and an increase in trade payables linked to the replenishment of Habitat brand inventories, which will be paid after the end of the financial year. After taking into account investments made (-6.1 million), dividend payments (-3.7 million) and an initial 1 million drawdown on the loan contracted for the development of the second logistics warehouse (+1.0 million), gross cash position reached 32.1 million, a record for the Group. Net cash reached 30.9 million (21.1 million including rental and finance lease liabilities). This sound and solid financial structure will enable the Group to propose, at its next Annual General Meeting, the distribution of a dividend of 0.50 per share for the 2024-2025 financial year, a sharp increase of +31.6% year-on-year, offering a yield of around 3% at the current share price. Focus on international expansion for Vente-unique.com's 20th anniversary In the 2025-2026 financial year, the Group will celebrate its 20th anniversary and intends to strengthen its international presence more than ever in order to consolidate its position as a leading player in online furniture and home furnishings sales in Europe. In line with this strategy, sales began in Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden and Norway) in early November, with promising results, and the Group is preparing to launch in the United Kingdom. Each of the 14 countries now covered aims to offer the best of the Vente-unique.com experience, enhanced by Habitat brand products (redeployed in Spain since November 2025 after French-speaking countries) and those of selected partners on the marketplace. In order to meet its own growing needs and seize opportunities to leverage its expertise with external customers (fulfilment), the Group's second warehouse near Moulins (Allier, France) has been gradually opening since November 2025. It is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of the first quarter of 2026 and will increase the Group's logistics capacity by 75% in order to support and then amplify the growth trajectory of Vente-unique.com. The fit-out of the building represents an investment of around 8 million for the Group and will be financed by financial debt and leasing. The Group therefore intends to once again outperform its market and anticipates another year of profitable growth, building on a first quarter of 2025-2026 that is already showing double-digit sales growth. Next publication: Q1 2025-2026 revenue, 11 February 2026 For more information: bourse.vente-unique.com About Vente-unique.com Founded in 2006, Vente-unique.com (Euronext Growth - ALVU), a subsidiary of the CAFOM Group (Euronext Growth - ALCAF), is an expert in online revenues of furniture and home furnishings in Europe. The company covers 14 countries (France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland) and has supplied over 3 million customers since its launch. ACTUS finance & communication Pierre Jacquemin-Guillaume Anne-Charlotte Dudicourt Investor Relations Press Relations vente-unique@actus.fr acdudicourt@actus.fr +33 1 53 67 36 79 +33 (0)6 24 03 26 52 Appendix IFRS (m) 2023-2024 2024-2025 Variation Adjusted EBITDA 19.5 21.0 +7.5% Free shares (1.6) (2.0) +28.1% EBITDA 18.0 19.0 +5.7% Depreciation (6.9) (7.3) +6.4% Provisions (0.1) 0.2 - Current operating income 10.9 11.8 +8.0% [1] Adjusted EBITDA = earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation + valuation of bonus shares ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: yWtyY5hoY2qcmnJrk5lnmWFkbmaTxmicmpXIyWKaZpuYnJqUm2hja5SaZnJmnmls - 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-0-95946-cp_ra_2024-2025_eng_vdef.pdf RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Orion Resource Partners LP ("Orion"), a leading global investment firm specializing in mining and metals, and SNB Capital Company (SNB Capital"), Saudi Arabia's leading capital market institution and a subsidiary of the Saudi National Bank, announced today that they have entered into a strategic partnership to support the development of the Kingdom's mining and metals industry. This partnership, the first of its kind in the mining sector in the Kingdom, aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy, which provides a powerful catalyst for national support of the mining sector, energy transition initiatives, and the growing demand for commodities, in particular, critical minerals required to meet expanding industrial and infrastructure needs. The partnership will aim to leverage Orion's deep technical, financial, and operational expertise across the global metals and mining value chain, with SNB Capital's strong local market presence and institutional capabilities. Working together, Orion and SNB Capital will seek to identify and support mining and midstream projects within the Kingdom, with a particular focus on opportunities that have the potential to advance into near-term production. The proposed investment strategy will be in projects that support the development of secure, diversified, and resilient critical minerals supply chains. The financial commitments of both parties are not disclosed. Abdulrahman Almashal, Chief of Staff, SNB Capital, said: "This partnership represents the continuation of SNB Capital's efforts to support the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia is poised to emerge as a major global participant in the critical minerals sector, with significant untapped resources, strong industrial ambition, and a strategically advantageous geographic position. As a trusted strategic partner and advisor, we believe developing world-class mining and mid-stream capabilities has the potential to create long-term value for the Kingdom's markets. We are excited to partner with Orion to achieve these aims." Tim Keating, Managing Partner, who will lead the partnership for Orion, said: "This represents a compelling opportunity at an important moment for the Kingdom's mining industry. Demand for critical minerals is accelerating globally, and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 provides a strong strategic framework to support the development of domestic mining and processing capabilities. We are delighted to work alongside SNB Capital to deploy capital thoughtfully and responsibly into high-quality mining and mid-stream assets, contribute FDI to the Kingdom, and support its long-term economic diversification and industrial ambitions." Further announcements and details about the partnership will follow in due course. About Orion Resource Partners LP Orion Resource Partners LP is a global investment firm specializing in the metals and materials critical to sustainable economic growth and energy transition, with more than $8 billion of assets under management and a team of more than 80 professionals across five global offices. Orion has successfully invested across the metals and materials value chain for over a decade, operating complementary investment strategies spanning the full liquidity spectrum, finding and capturing opportunities driven by the long-term trends of global decarbonization, the constrained supply of critical resources, and advancements in industrial technologies. Orion is a signatory to the UN PRI and the IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability. For more information visit www.orionrp.com About SNB Capital Company SNB Capital Company, a licensed entity by Capital Market Authority (CMA), is a leading regional financial institution with deep industry expertise across five business lines: Asset Management, Wealth Management, Securities, Investment Banking, and Principal Investments. SNB Capital is the leading broker in Saudi Arabia, and the largest asset manager in the Kingdom, with assets under management reaching SAR 246bn (USD 65bn) as of June 2025. http://www.snbcapital.com/ Media contacts SNB Capital media-relations@alahlicapital.com Orion Resource Partners Greenbrook: Peter Hewer, Cecilie Oerting orionresourcepartners@greenbrookadvisory.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859905/SNB_Capital_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2380094/5713667/Orion_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/orion-resource-partners-and-snb-capital-announce-a-strategic-partnership-to-support-saudi-arabias-mining-industry-and-increase-access-to-critical-commodities-for-the-kingdom-302658989.html LANGEN, Germany, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- X-Sense, a global leader in smart home and fire safety technology, has opened its German branch, X-Sense DACH GmbH, at Monzastrae 2B in Langen, Hesse. Strategically positioned near Frankfurt Airport and Central Station, the new office offers convenient access for customers, partners, and service teams throughout Germany and Europe. This marks a major milestone in X-Sense's commitment to the European safety industry. Why a German Branch Office? Germany's strict fire safety regulations and mandatory detector requirements have created a strong, tech-driven market. Yet many smoke alarms in Germany remain standalone and unconnected. X-Sense aims to modernize fire safety by introducing advanced smart alarms with remote monitoring, device connectivity, and easy smartphone control. "Germany sets the standard for fire safety and smart home adoption in Europe," said Niko, the Head of X-Sense Germany. "Our presence here is more than a strategic move-it demonstrates our commitment to meeting local needs, providing certified, sustainable protection, and building long-term partnerships with professionals and consumers. This office will also serve as a regional hub, enhancing service and speeding localization." Accelerating Localization X-Sense alarms are certified by TUV and BSI, and select models are endorsed by German firefighters, ensuring trust and compliance. The German hub accelerates product adaptation and customer service for local and EU requirements. The office has partnered with leading retailers such as Conrad and Reichelt and is pursuing more regional collaborations. Scalable, Local, and Sustainable With a strong supply chain, X-Sense delivers EU-compliant safety solutions at competitive prices. The new office enables product adaptation based on market feedback. Sustainability is a core value at X-Sense. Products are designed for energy efficiency, safe materials, and long life, in line with Europe's environmental and safety standards. About X-Sense Founded in 2013, X-Sense is a leader in smart home safety, protecting over 5 million households worldwide. Its range includes smoke alarms, CO detectors, and safety sensors-all tested by TUV and BSI. With ongoing R&D, X-Sense continues to set new standards in home safety. Distributor Partnerships Join X-Sense as a partner for innovative safety solutions and strong incentives: https://www.x-sense.com/pages/partnerships Contact Information Niko, Sales Executive partners@x-sense.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2860240/X_Sense_German.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/x-sense-opens-german-branch-office-to-strengthen-fire-safety-across-europe-302659419.html Drill hole S-055 assays 311m of 0.42% CuEq strengthening overall oxide footprint VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Star Copper Corp. (CSE:STCU)(OTCQX:STCUF)(FWB:SOP) ("Star Copper" or the "Company"), a critical minerals exploration and development company, is pleased to release the results from Holes S-053, S-054A and S-055 from Summer 2025 Phase 1 drilling (see Figure 1), related exploration activities, and anticipated Phase 2 drill results at its flagship Star Project in northwestern British Columbia. Figure 1-Star Main 2025 Phase 1 drilling showing areas of Cu-Au Oxide envelope and supergene enrichment. Star Copper 2026 Highlights Hole S-053 intersected 81m 0.6% CuEq (0.48% Cu & 0.13 g/t Au) from 12m. Including 51m of 0.86% CuEq (0.69% Cu & 0.20 g/t Au) from 12m. Including 40m of 0.94% CuEq (0.75% Cu & 0.21 g/t Au) from 14m. Hole S-054A intersected 183m of 0.28% CuEq (0.23% Cu & 0.06 g/t Au) from 26m. Including 108m of 0.36% CuEq (0.29% Cu & 0.07 g/t Au) from 106m. Including 45m of 0.47% CuEq (0.38% Cu & 0.10 g/t Au) from 137m. Hole S-055 intersected 311m of 0.42% CuEq (0.29% Cu & 0.15 g/t Au) from 18m. Including 218m of 0.46% CuEq (0.30% Cu & 0.17 g/t Au) from 18m. Including 133m of 0.55% CuEq (0.36% Cu & 0.20 g/t Au) from 18m. Including 75m of 0.71% CuEq (0.49% Cu & 0.24 g/t Au) from 18m. Phase 1 drilling was designed to test the grade/fault relationship to better target and understand the overall orientation and mineralization of the Star Deposit. Drilling was successful in confirming and expanding the supergene footprint by 50 m to the southwest. Overall, the Company is extremely excited about receiving the results from Phase 1 and is eagerly anticipating the balance of the drill results from Phase 2 at Star Main, Copper Creek and Star North. Company CEO, Darryl Jones notes, "The Star Main results continue to deliver very exciting numbers on a project that already has spectacular copper and gold intercepts. We are working towards building on the vast historic data completed by previous operators to unlock what we believe is a large, nested porphyry model in a mineral rich area of BC. With the Star Main deposit open in multiple directions and to-depth, along with several geophysical targets flanking Star Main (Star West & East - currently undrilled), we feel the 2026 campaign is setup to unlock significant value within the overall Star Project." Phase 1 drilling expanded the near-surface supergene footprint to the southwest by 50 m in hole S-053, totaling 550m x 500m, confirmed copper mineralization across multiple intrusive phases, and sharpened the structural and alteration framework-particularly along the Star Fault and associated potassic (K-feldspar) alteration corridors. The supergene zone continues to deliver the most exciting early visuals (see news release of August 25, 2025), giving confidence that this could be a potentially larger oxide footprint (See inset photo - Figure 2). With the Star Project holding vast potential in the 1km x 1km Cu-Au oxide zone the Company is extremely excited about the high-grade mineralization that continues northeast and southwest of the supergene zone. The Hypogene mineralization extends well below the 100m depth to well over 400m as reported in the first 3 holes from Phase 1 and is an important element to this deposit. Phase 2 drilling was focused on expanding the oxide zone and testing the transition zone at or near the faults. Hole S-053 extended the supergene mineralization by 50 m to the southwest and then was lost into the fault structures at a depth of 100 m (see Figure 2). Table 1-Star Main Phase 2 initial results. Star Copper 2026 Drill Hole ID From To Width (m) CuEq Cu (%) Au (g/t) Category S-053 12 93 81 0.6 0.48 0.13 Supergene Including 12 63 51 0.86 0.69 0.2 Supergene And Including 14 54 40 0.94 0.75 0.21 Supergene Drill Hole ID From To Width (m) CuEq Cu (%) Au (g/t) Category S-054A 4 413 408 0.17 0.13 0.04 Hypogene including 106 214 108 0.36 0.29 0.07 Hypogene including 137 182 45 0.47 0.38 0.1 Hypogene Drill Hole ID From To Width (m) CuEq Cu (%) Au (g/t) Category S-055 18 330 311 0.42 0.29 0.15 Hypogene including 18 237 218 0.46 0.29 0.17 Hypogene including 18 152 133 0.55 0.36 0.2 Supergene/ Hypogene including 18 94 75 0.71 0.49 0.24 Supergene Table 1 Footnotes: (1) Widths reported are drill widths, true thicknesses are unknown. (2) All assay intervals represent length-weighted averages. (3) Copper equivalent (CuEQ) calculations use metal prices of: Cu US$4.00/lb, and Au US$3000/oz., and conceptual recoveries of: Cu 80%, and Au 80%. Conversion of metals to an equivalent copper grade based on these metal prices is relative to the copper price per unit mass factored by conceptual recoveries for those metals normalized to the conceptualized copper recovery. The metal equivalencies for each metal are added to the copper grade. The general formula for this is: CuEQ% = Cu% + ((Au g/t * Au $ g.*Au Recovery) / ( Cu $/t. * 22.046 *Cu Recovery)) (4) Table 2-Collar Table - UTM Zone 9N NAD83. Star Copper 2026 Hole_ID UTM_E UTM_N ELEV_M AZIMUTH DIP Depth S-053 339722 6458209 1084 260 -83 184 S-054A 339990 6458291 1121 270 -85 413 S-055 6458119 339791 104 270 -85 188 Figure 2-Star Main 2025 Phase 1 drill results cross section. Star Copper 2026 The Company is very excited to report the balance of 2025 drilling in from Phase 2 in the coming months, while taking this time out of the field to build confidence in the geologic model and sharpen the vectoring tools necessary to begin planning the 2026 drill season. With close to 5,000m of drilling completed in 2025, the total drilled on star is approaching 20,000m. With well over $ 10 MM of historic work from previous operators, the company is positioning itself to add value and unlock the vast potential of the Star Project in the golden triangle of BC. Hole S-053 Hole S-053 was collared on the western flank of Star Main to evaluate the near-surface supergene horizon and underlying hypogene system across a network of discrete structures. The hole intersected overburden to 11.9 m then entered quartz monzodiorite (QMD) cut by multiple fault zones from 32.1 and 64.2m (locally with gouge and fault breccia). From ~12-85 m, core is dominantly transitional oxide (T) with widespread fracture coatings of malachite and azurite, consistent with supergene enrichment focused along structures. Within this horizon, veining is characterized by A-type wispy quartz veinlets with minor sulphides and scattered D-type quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite veinlets, including chalcopyrite rich B-type quartz veining at ~60m. Alteration is chiefly quartz-sericite clay, with potassic alteration zones expressed as K-feldspar overprint/vein halos from 26-32.1 m and 53.8-55m, the latter within strongly broken core coincident with elevated sulphide intensity. Chalcopyrite occurs chiefly as fine disseminations and in thin quartz-sulphide veinlets and persists below the oxide/transitional profile; the best-developed mineralization occurs from top of hole to 55 metres within the supergene/transitional zone, with continuous mineralized intervals extending to the end of hole at 98m. Hole S-054A Hole S-054A targeted the eastern extent of the Star Main system within a coincident magnetic and chargeability high and assessed continuity of copper mineralization reported in historic hole S-025. The hole cut Late Triassic Stuhini Group rocks overprinted chiefly by quartz-sericite alteration, with discrete potassic (potassium-feldspar) halos at ~110 m, 150-179 m, and 361-365 m. Near surface, a transition from oxide facies from surface to 68 m is locally strongest where narrow fault zones occur, consistent with supergene processes focused along structures. Copper was observed principally as chalcopyrite (cpy) in fine disseminations and thin quartz-sulphide veinlets (pyrite generally exceeding cpy), with additional faulting at 185.5-189.3 m, 213-214.3 m, and 219.8-223 m and intervals of brecciation that clarify the structural framework. S-05A was successful in mapping the structural architecture and alteration zoning across the magnetic/chargeability high, refining controls on mineralization that will guide subsequent drilling. Hole S-055 Hole S-055 is testing the southern margin of the IP chargeability feature within a zone where historic holes S-017 and S-019 intersected near-surface supergene copper mineralization in quartz monzodiorite (QMD). The hole was positioned to confirm mineralized QMD near surface, then probe deeper (200-300 m) through a magnetic high to evaluate the relationship between intrusive phases, potassic alteration, and structurally focused copper (malachite/azurite in the oxide horizon and hypogene chalcopyrite/bornite at depth). This step of the program aims to extend the copper footprint southward and tighten geologic links between oxidation profiles, faulting, and primary sulphide mineralization. Key Takeaways Extension of Supergene zone to the Southwest Phase 2 results still pending from Star Main, Star North and Copper Creek Aggressive 2026 planning at advanced stage Updated Geologic modelling underway To find out more, visit our website and watch our videos at https://starcopper.com/media/. Marketing Update In related news the Company is pleased to announce that it entered into an updated consulting services agreement dated effective as of January 9, 2025 (the "Agreement") with Upswitch Media Corp. ("Upswitch"), to provide the Company with certain marketing and investor relations services to expand awareness of the Company's business and to communicate with the investment community (the "Services"). The Services may include, among other things, engaging copywriters, designing ad content and campaigns promoting the Company, providing translation services, onboarding ad campaigns with publishers, tracking, organizing and executing the Services through testing and analytic studies. The Services will be provided and disseminated through a variety of news and investment community online communications channels and may further include print publications where applicable. Upswitch will commence providing the Services immediately for an initial term of 90 days. Jeff Gillis, the principal of Upswitch, is located at 2709B 43rd Ave., Suite 1013, in the city of Vernon in the province of British Columbia and will act as primary representative and service coordinator. Mr. Gillis may be contacted at 1-604-373-5875 and info@upswitchmedia.com. To the best of the Company's knowledge, Upswitch and Mr. Gillis do not currently own securities in the capital of the Company. In consideration of the Services, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay Upswitch an aggregate fee of C$1,000,000. QA/QC Statement Star Copper Corp. follows industry standard protocols for diamond drilling and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures in British Columbia. All drilling is carried out using HQ and NQ sized diamond drill core. Drill core is transported from the drill site to a secure core logging facility where it is logged, photographed, and sampled under the supervision of geologists. Core is cut in half using a diamond saw, with one half of the core placed in a sealed sample bag and sent for analysis, and the other half retained on site for reference and further studies. Samples are shipped under chain-of-custody protocols to Bureau Veritas Laboratories, an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. At Bureau Veritas, samples are dried, crushed, split, and pulverized to 85% passing 200 mesh. Analytical procedures include multi-element ICP-ES/MS following four-acid digestion, with gold and precious metals analyzed by fire assay with an atomic absorption or ICP finish. Star Copper implements a robust QA/QC program, including the insertion of a minimum 5% certified reference materials (standards), blanks, and field duplicates at regular intervals into the sample stream to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. One Certified reference material returned values outside 5% limits in (-6.5%). The lack of consistent bias suggests normal analytical variability for this method (MA200). Blanks and duplicates indicate no contamination or preparation issues. The data is considered suitable for geological interpretation. The performance on the blind standards, blanks and duplicates achieved high levels of accuracy and reproducibility and has been verified by Jeremy Hanson, a qualified person as defined by NI-43-101. Qualified Person Jeremy Hanson, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined under NI 43-101, is an independent contractor of the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release. On Behalf of the Board of Directors ~Darryl Jones~ Darryl Jones CEO, President & Director Star Copper Corp. About Star Copper Corp. (CSE:STCU)(OTCQX:STCUF)(FWB:SOP / WKN A416ME) Star Copper Corp. is an exploration and development company focused on developing high-potential copper projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions. The Company aims to advance its 100%-owned Star Project in British Columbia's prolific Golden Triangle and Sheslay District (watch our videos https://starcopper.com/media/). The project hosts multiple copper-gold porphyry-style targets, including Star Main, Star North, and Copper Creek. Significant exploration including historical drilling has confirmed open mineralization at depth and in all directions. Star Copper's strategic plans include geological mapping and geophysical surveys to refine existing targets,diamond drilling programs to test high-priority zones, environmental baseline studies and permitting groundwork alongside data analysis and resource modeling to support a future resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The Company further plans to advance its Indata Project with follow-up drilling to expand on previous high-grade copper and gold intercepts, trenching and surface sampling to delineate mineralized zones, and infrastructure improvements for site accessibility and operations. With a commitment to sustainable development and value creation, Star Copper aims to position itself to support surging industrial demand to meet growing global electrification needs. For more information visit: www.starcopper.com to watch our selection of videos at https://starcopper.com/media/, and while you are there, sign up for free news alerts at https://starcopper.com/news/news-alerts/ or follow us on X (formerly Twitter),Facebook or LinkedIn. More information regarding the project, including historical drilling, is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and/or in the Company's February 26, 2025 technical report. Investor Relations Star Copper Corp. Email: info@starcopper.com Web: https://starcopper.com/ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding exploration of the Company's Star Project and the potential thereof, as well as the anticipated mineral resource estimate planned in respect of the Star Project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, the early-stage nature of the Star Project, the inherently unpredictable nature of resource exploration, market conditions and the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. 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 the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. SOURCE: Star Copper Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/star-copper-reports-balance-of-phase-1-drill-results-extending-supergene-zone-sou-1126242 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. ESTEVE and TerSera Therapeutics LLC announced today that they have entered into an agreement in which ESTEVE will acquire TerSera's Infusion Specialty Therapies Business Unit (IST). This strategic acquisition enables ESTEVE to expand its U.S. presence, with two highly specialized on-market assets and a dedicated team of sales, marketing and medical professionals. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113327900/en/ Quzyttir TerSera's IST business unit includes two specialty medications, Prialt (ziconotide intrathecal infusion) and Quzyttir (cetirizine hydrochloride injection). Prialt is the only FDA-approved, non-opioid agent indicated for the management of severe chronic pain in adult patients for whom intrathecal therapy is warranted, and who are intolerant of or refractory to other treatment, such as systemic analgesics, adjunctive therapies, or intrathecal morphine.1 Prialt is currently marketed in Europe by ESTEVE.2 Quzyttir is the first and only injectable second-generation H1 antihistamine approved by the FDA for the treatment of acute urticaria in adults and children six months of age and older.3 With this transaction, ESTEVE will obtain worldwide rights for Quzyttir in all territories (except for China) and consolidates its rights for Prialt worldwide. Staffan Schuberg, ESTEVE's Chief Executive Officer stated: "We are excited to welcome the Infusion Specialty Therapies Business Unit and look forward to welcoming TerSera's talented team to ESTEVE. This acquisition perfectly aligns with our strategic vision of providing highly specialized solutions where there is a significant unmet medical need. By adding Quzyttir to our portfolio and expanding to the US market with Prialt, we not only strengthen our expertise in highly specialized therapies but also accelerate our expansion in the United States-the world's largest pharmaceutical market." "ESTEVE has been our long-term partner for Prialt in Europe. Their expertise and core areas of focus make them the ideal future owner for IST," said Edward Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of TerSera. "We believe this transaction provides an excellent home for Prialt and Quzyttir to continue the strong momentum we have established with these medicines, while we sharpen our focus on our core therapeutic areas of oncology and rare disease." This deal reinforces ESTEVE's growth in the United States, a growth that began with the acquisition in 2024 of a business specialized in rare and ultra-rare diseases in the areas of endocrinology and onco-endocrinology. ESTEVE's highly specialized portfolio has been further strengthened by the subsequent expansion in 2025: licensing-in for Ex US a biologic product used to treat children and adolescents from 2 to 18 years-old who suffer from severe primary insulin-like growth factor 1 deficiency4; an adjuvant treatment being investigated in the U.S. and considered standard of care outside of the U.S. where it is approved for high-grade resectable non-metastatic osteosarcoma in patients aged between 2 and 30 years5; and a medicine that is used in adults and children above 5 years of age to treat aggressive and symptomatic medullary thyroid cancer.6 The current transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory clearances. Perella Weinberg Partners are the financial advisor to ESTEVE on this transaction, and Arnold Porter are serving as legal counsel. Leerink Partners acted as the lead financial advisor to TerSera, and Kirkland Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel. About PRIALT (Ziconotide Intrathecal Infusion) PRIALT is a non-opioid intrathecal analgesic indicated for the management of severe chronic pain in patients for whom intrathecal therapy is warranted and who are intolerant of or refractory to other treatments. Derived from a marine snail peptide, ziconotide acts as a selective N-type calcium channel blocker, interrupting pain signal transmission in the spinal cord. Ziconotide is administered via continuous intrathecal infusion and is not associated with the risk of addiction or respiratory depression commonly seen with opioid therapies.1 IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: NEUROPSYCHIATRIC ADVERSE REACTIONS PRIALT is contraindicated in patients with a preexisting history of psychosis. Severe psychiatric symptoms and neurological impairment may occur during treatment with PRIALT. Monitor all patients frequently for evidence of cognitive impairment, hallucinations, or changes in mood or consciousness. Discontinue PRIALT therapy in the event of serious neurological or psychiatric signs or symptoms. Contraindications PRIALT is contraindicated in patients with: A known hypersensitivity to ziconotide or any of its formulation components. Any other concomitant treatment or medical condition that would render intrathecal administration hazardous, such as the presence of infection at the microinfusion injection site, uncontrolled bleeding diathesis, and spinal canal obstruction that impairs circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A pre-existing history of psychosis. Warnings and Precautions Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Adverse Reactions Severe psychiatric symptoms and neurological impairment may occur during treatment. Monitor all patients frequently for cognitive impairment, hallucinations, or changes in mood or consciousness. PRIALT may cause or worsen depression, with the risk of suicide in susceptible patients. In clinical trials, 12% of patients reported hallucinations; other acute psychiatric events included paranoid reactions (3%), hostility (2%), delirium (2%), psychosis (1%), and manic reactions (0.4%). Patients with pretreatment psychiatric disorders may be at increased risk. Management of psychiatric complications may need to include discontinuation of PRIALT, treatment with psychotherapeutic agents and/or short-term hospitalization. In clinical trials, cognitive adverse reactions included confusion (33%), memory impairment (22%), speech disorder (14%), aphasia (12%), thinking abnormal (8%), and amnesia (1%). Cognitive impairment may appear gradually after several weeks of treatment. Reduce the dose of PRIALT or discontinue the use of PRIALT if signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment develop, but other contributing causes must also be considered. The cognitive effects of PRIALT are generally reversible within 2 weeks after drug discontinuation. The elderly (=65 years) are at higher risk for confusion. Concomitant use of central nervous system (CNS) depressants with PRIALT may have additive effects. Meningitis and Other Infections Meningitis can occur due to inadvertent contamination of the microinfusion device and other means. In clinical trials, the rate of meningitis was 3% (40 cases) in the PRIALT group using either internal or external microinfusion devices and 1% (1 case) with placebo. In patients with external microinfusion devices and catheters, meningitis occurred in 38 out of 41 patients (93%), 37 of whom received PRIALT and one who received placebo. Patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers must be particularly vigilant for the signs and symptoms of meningitis including, but not limited to, fever, headache, stiff neck, altered mental status (e.g., lethargy, confusion, disorientation), nausea or vomiting, and occasionally seizures. Strict aseptic procedures must be used during the preparation of the PRIALT solution and refilling of the microinfusion device. Reduced Level of Consciousness In clinical trials, 2% of PRIALT-treated patients became unresponsive or stuporous. If reduced levels of consciousness occur, discontinue PRIALT until the event resolves, and other etiologies (e.g., meningitis) must be considered. Elevation of Creatine Kinase In clinical trials, serum creatine kinase (CK) levels above the upper limit of normal (ULN) were reported in 40% of patients, with 11% of patients having CK levels >3 times ULN. Incidences were higher during the first 2 months of treatment. Serum CK should be monitored periodically. In the setting of new neuromuscular symptoms, evaluate patients, obtain CK measurements, and if symptoms continue and CK levels remain elevated or continue to rise, reduce the dose or discontinue the use of PRIALT. Withdrawal From Opiates PRIALT is not an opiate and cannot prevent or relieve the symptoms associated with the withdrawal of opiates. To avoid withdrawal syndrome when opiate withdrawal is necessary, do not abruptly reduce or withdraw opioid medications. Driving and Operating Machinery Use of PRIALT has been associated with cognitive impairment and decreased alertness/unresponsiveness. Caution patients against engaging in hazardous activities that require complete mental alertness or motor coordination. Most Common Adverse Reactions The most frequently reported adverse reactions (=25%) in clinical trials (n=1254 PRIALT-treated patients) were dizziness, nausea, confusional state, and nystagmus. Slower titration of PRIALT may result in fewer serious adverse reactions and discontinuations for adverse reactions. Indication PRIALT (ziconotide) solution, intrathecal infusion is indicated for the management of severe chronic pain in adult patients for whom intrathecal (IT) therapy is warranted, and who are intolerant of or refractory to other treatment, such as systemic analgesics, adjunctive therapies, or IT morphine. To report suspected adverse reactions, contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.FDA.gov/medwatch. You may also contact TerSera Therapeutics at 1-844-334-4035 or medicalinformation@tersera.com. Please see PRIALT Full Prescribing Information, including BOXED Warning About QUZYTTIR (Cetirizine Hydrochloride Injection) QUZYTTIR is a second-generation intravenous antihistamine indicated for the treatment of acute urticaria in adults and children six months of age and older. As a selective H1 receptor antagonist, cetirizine works by blocking histamine activity, helping to rapidly relieve symptoms of allergic reactions. QUZYTTIR is administered via intravenous infusion and offers fast onset of action with less sedation compared to first-generation antihistamines.2 IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Contraindications Known hypersensitivity to QUZYTTIR or any of its ingredients, to levocetirizine, or hydroxyzine. Warnings and Precautions The occurrence of somnolence/sedation has been reported in some patients. Advise patients to exercise due caution when driving or operating potentially dangerous machinery. Avoid concurrent use of QUZYTTIR with alcohol or other CNS depressants because additional reduction in alertness and additional impairment of CNS performance may occur. Adverse Reactions The most common adverse reactions (incidence <1%) with QUZYTTIR are dysgeusia, headache, paresthesia, presyncope, dyspepsia, feeling hot, and hyperhidrosis. The most common adverse reactions (incidence =2%) with chronic dosing of oral cetirizine hydrochloride in adults are somnolence, fatigue, dry mouth, pharyngitis and dizziness. Adverse reactions observed in pediatric patients with chronic use of oral cetirizine hydrochloride are headache, pharyngitis, abdominal pain, coughing, somnolence, diarrhea, epistaxis, bronchospasm, nausea, and vomiting. Indication and Usage QUZYTTIR is indicated for the treatment of acute urticaria in adults and children 6 months of age and older. Limitations of Use: QUZYTTIR is not recommended in pediatric patients <6 years of age with impaired renal or hepatic function. To report suspected adverse reactions, contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also contact TerSera Therapeutics at 1-844-334-4035 or medicalinformation@tersera.com. Please see QUZYTTIR Full Prescribing Information About ESTEVE ESTEVE (esteve.com) is a global pharmaceutical company with a clear purpose: to improve people's lives. Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Barcelona, ESTEVE has a strong international presence with pharmaceutical affiliates in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, France, the UK, and the USA. ESTEVE is focused on delivering highly specialized treatments that address significant unmet medical needs in several therapeutic areas. In addition to our innovative pharma business, we offer comprehensive Contract Manufacturing and Development services (CDMO), specializing in the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) through world-class facilities in Spain, Mexico, China and the USA. ESTEVE's strong commitment to its core values-people matter, transparency, and accountability-remains at the heart of everything it does. About TerSera Therapeutics TerSera Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company with a focus in oncology and rare disease. Founded in 2016, TerSera is building new cornerstones of care through its portfolio of unique therapeutics, amplifying their ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for patients. TerSera has been recognized as a 2025 Top Workplace. For additional information, please visit TerSera.com and follow us on LinkedIn. References PRIALT (ziconotide). Prescribing information. TerSera Therapeutics LLC. www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/021060s012lbl.pdf Prialt- www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/prialt QUZYTTIR (cetirizine hydrochloride injection). Prescribing Information. TerSera Therapeutics LLC. www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/211415s008lbl.pdf Increlex www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/increlex Mepact www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/mepact Caprelsa www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/caprelsa PRIALT, QUZYTTIR, TERSERA, and the TERSERA logo are registered trademarks of TerSera Therapeutics LLC or its affiliates. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113327900/en/ Contacts: For more information: Esteve: Irene Simon Head of Global External Communications ESG +34 934 466 000 isimon@esteve.com TerSera Therapeutics: Mark Leonard 847-651-9682 mleonard@tersera.com LONDON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- An 11-year-old boy and a 65-year-old man were among 13 successful climbers that summitted Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain (5,895m) and the world's highest free-standing mountain as part of a charity team organised by UK luxury travel company The Luminaire. Orlando (11) from the UK, is one of the youngest climbers to have summitted this year, climbed with his father, and elder brother. Sudheer Sharma, (65) the CEO and Founder of PTT trustees and a well-known figure in the Travel industry, also summitted. The climbers helped raise over 25,000 for U-Go (https://ugouniversity.org/), a charity that provides scholarships for Tanzanian women. The thirteen climbers battled strong winds and the effects of altitude, over seven days to reach the summit. All the climbers reached the top of Africa's highest summit, just after dawn on the 22 December, celebrating with their team-mates. Afterwards, the climbers connected via satellite to video-call their families. During the trip, Orlando and his team-mates slept in tents and camped as high as 4,800 metres. Every night after supper, a team doctor checked their pulse and blood oxygen levels to ensure they were ready to summit. Over the trip, the team trekked through rainforests, bush and high deserts scaling features like the Barranco wall and passing the Lava tower and Shira Cave. On the summit night, climbers woke at 11pm and trekked for seven hours until they were rewarded with an incredible sunrise, with views stretching for hundreds of miles. The Luminaire is a luxury travel company that creates unique experiences and trips across the world. In partnership with Virgin Unite (https://unite.virgin.com/), the company operates a charity foundation that organises charity trips, where all the proceeds go to charity. Building on the success of this journey, The Luminaire is currently planning two more trips to Kilimanjaro in 2026. Guests can join the Kilimanjaro Challenge 2026 here: https://www.theluminaire.com/foundation/kilimanjaro-challenge-2026 Imagery available here: https://theluminaire.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/theluminaire/IgByo4rf4tX2TKVTLGCPMqx8AasKHOoC4lqaO0eWxOBzDF4?e=QYWMux About The Luminaire The Luminaire designs travel experiences that are led by insiders, blending exceptional access with immersive storytelling, so that curious travellers return richer in understanding, connection, and the kind of stories that stay with them. The Luminaire Foundation provides cultural stewardship for future generations across natural conservation; cultural preservation; and education. In partnership with Virgin Unite - the independent non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group - 100% of profits from upcoming Foundation trips will go towards global initiatives including The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela. The team at The Luminaire is led by travel entrepreneur and CEO, Adam Sebba. Contact: enquire@theluminaire.com or +44 (0) 203 974 2211 Website: https://www.theluminaire.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theluminairetravel/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859298/Kilimanjaro_Summit.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2827685/5712360/The_Luminaire_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-luminaire-foundations-expedition-an-11-year-old-summits-kilimanjaro-302658557.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Sienna Resources Inc. (TSXV: SIEN) (OTCID: SNNAF) (WKN: A418KR) (the "Company" or "Sienna") is planning to recommence operations in Nevada on its lithium projects. These include the Cave Creek Lithium Project (Map 1), which is located within Surge Battery Metals Inc.'s project area, and the Clayton Valley Deep Basin Lithium Brine Project (Map 2), which lies within SLB Limited's (formerly Schlumberger) lithium brine project area. According to tradingeconomics.com, lithium prices have increased by over 150% since June 2025. Map 1. Cave Creek and Elko Lithium Projects To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/854/280122_5734ed2ee49aaaf0_002full.jpg Jason Gigliotti, President of Sienna, states, "Lithium prices have been moving up at a very rapid rate, similar to many other commodities, as reported by kitco.com. Lithium prices have increased by more than 150% since June 2025, and we believe this presents a favorable environment to become more active on our projects. With approximately $1.5 million in cash, the Company is in a strong financial position to advance its Nevada lithium assets. Management expects to be active on these projects in 2026." Map 2. Clayton Valley Lithium Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/854/280122_5734ed2ee49aaaf0_003full.jpg Qualified Person The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, independent to the Company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. "Jason Gigliotti" President Sienna Resources Inc. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's plans to recommence operations, anticipated activity levels, market conditions, and future exploration and development activities. Forward-looking statements are subject to 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 statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in commodity prices, exploration and development risks, regulatory approvals, market conditions, and the availability of financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280122 Source: Sienna Resources Inc. Chengdu, China--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - HiSEAS International Tourism Group, a tech-driven global leader in destination management and travel services established in Switzerland in 2011, is pleased to welcome Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Former Secretary-General of UN Tourism, as Senior Advisor to the Group. With a global service network spanning 40+ offices across 29 countries in Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania, HiSEAS announced the appointment during its Annual Conference 2026, marking a significant milestone in the Group's global strategic development. The appointment brings distinguished international tourism leadership to HiSEAS. Mr. Pololikashvili served as Secretary-General of UN Tourism from 2018 to 2024, advancing sustainable tourism, digital innovation, and global cooperation throughout his tenure. The HiSEAS Annual Conference 2026 brought together more than 730 participants from over 20 countries across five continents. In his welcome address, Mr. Pololikashvili reflected on his connection with Chengdu and highlighted the conference's evolution into a key platform for industry exchange and global collaboration. Duma Wang, Founder & CEO of HiSEAS International, said: "We are truly honored to welcome Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili to the HiSEAS family. His unparalleled experience and profound understanding of global tourism trends will be invaluable as we navigate future opportunities and continue to expand our worldwide footprint. This partnership will significantly contribute to shaping our strategic priorities and enhancing our service excellence." In his advisory role, Mr. Pololikashvili will provide strategic guidance and industry expertise to support HiSEAS's innovation, global growth, and sustainability initiatives. The appointment aligns with HiSEAS Strategy 2026, unveiled at the conference, which outlines the Group's vision to become a world-leading, technology-driven destination management company through its integrated "Market Destination Digital" growth model. Supported by its newly expanded Advisory Board-comprising distinguished global leaders including Mr. Pololikashvili-HiSEAS will deepen collaboration with international organizations, tourism authorities, and industry stakeholders worldwide. These partnerships reinforce the Group's mission to serve as a global bridge for travel, delivering diverse, high-quality destination experiences for travelers around the world. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280191 Source: Hmedium GLASGOW, United Kingdom and TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- John Baird, Managing Director, UK at NORR, a global architecture and engineering firm, recently announced the creation of a dedicated UK Interior Design Studio to expand their services within NORR's operations. This strategic expansion will provide enhanced interior solutions from a project's briefing stage to its full completion. "This natural progression of our Interior Design services will strengthen the integration between architecture and experiential spaces, allowing us to create more cohesive, adaptable, and sustainable environments while providing greater value, clarity, and long-term performance for our clients and project partners," said Baird. "We're building on the success of our integrated Interior Design approach in North America and applying global best practices in our local markets." Leading the expanded team in the UK is Nicolle Cairney, appointed Director, Interior Design. Cairney brings proven knowledge in the Commercial, Education, Hospitality, and Transportation markets. She will lead a team of interior designers with a collective 40 years' experience including Jonathan Ives, Gemma Ramsay, Laura Jones, and Chloe Robertson. "Our clients are seeking spatial solutions that combine creativity, functionality, and wellbeing," said Cairney. "Customized solutions with a purpose have the power to significantly reduce environmental impact and deeply enrich spaces with identity and flexibility. This reflects a vital and growing shift toward resilient, responsible design that cares for our world and the people within it." "NORR's global growth strategy reinforces our commitment to deliver integrated design solutions and advance sustainable practices," said Brian Gerstmar, President and CEO. "As a signatory to the Architecture & Design Materials Pledge, an extension of the AIA 2030 Commitment, we are applying environmentally sound material specifications - helping our clients meet their own sustainability and ESG goals. Like all our disciplines, the Interior Design team is adopting circular economy principles by repurposing materials, from structural elements to finishes and furnishings, to reduce embodied carbon and waste, and to celebrate their origin and history within new spaces." About NORR NORR is a global team of 750 architects, engineers, planners, and interior designers creating design strategies and solutions that express the unique vision of every project. Driven by a common purpose with our clients and partners, we share ideas to create and innovate together. Our story began in 1938 and has evolved into an employee-owned, fully integrated firm committed to sustainable development goals across 12 market sectors in Canada, the US, UK, and UAE. Design excellence continues to guide everything we do. For more information: Visit NORR.COM Connect with us on LinkedIn Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859935/NORR_Group_Inc__NORR_Announces_Global_Expansion_of_Interior_Desi.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859934/NORR_Group_Inc__NORR_Announces_Global_Expansion_of_Interior_Desi.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/norr-announces-global-expansion-of-interior-design-services-in-the-uk-302659080.html Vancouver, BC, Jan. 13, 2026)) ("Trident" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional positive diamond drill results from a further ten holes during its autumn 2025 drill program at the Contact Lake Project. To date, the company has released assay results from thirteen holes out of the total nineteen holes drilled. The holes that are reported in this release were all collared northeast of the existing underground mine infrastructure to test for lateral extensions of the gold mineralization at relatively shallow depths. Holes CL25014 to CL25019 tested the extension of the mineralization below the known mine workings and assays are pending. Additionally, the Company is mobilizing for a major follow-up winter drill program which will commence soon. Highlights: - The first thirteen holes in Trident's inaugural drill program at Contact Lake all intersected substantial gold mineralization within broad zones of shearing and alteration at relatively shallow depths - Hole CL25006 returned 7.28 g/t gold over 15.0m from 272.0m including 16.69 g/t Au over 6.0m from 272.0m - Hole CL25007 returned 4.43 g/t Au over 39.5m from 329.5m including 5.76 g/t gold over 15.5m and 9.43 g/t Au over 6.0m from 329.5m - Hole CL25005 returned 5.66 g/t gold over 5.94m from 100.06m including 42.95 g/t gold over 2.55m from 142.0m - Hole CL25008 returned 7.41 g/t gold over 6.0m from 139.0m - Sizeable, fully-funded winter drill program to commence shortly at Contact Lake Jon Wiesblatt, CEO of Trident Resources, stated: "These results continue to validate Contact Lake as a high-grade orogenic gold system with blue-sky upside. Every drill hole thus far has intersected notable mineralization including several holes with very high-grades over wide intercepts. The drilling has tested zones outside the historical mine footprint at the past-producing Cameco operation which underscores the scale and potential that remains untapped. Our team believes this will add significantly to the recent resource estimate announced by the Company especially given the Contact Lake target area was not included in the global resource. With demonstrated continuity of mineralization and limited historical drilling in a jurisdiction like Saskatchewan, we believe Contact Lake has the hallmarks of a transformative asset with a much larger gold system still to be defined." "Furthermore, with the inaugural drill program now completed and having exceeded expectations, we are eager to return to Contact Lake this winter to aggressively follow up on this early success. Importantly, Trident is fully-funded for this next phase of drilling, with more than $12 million in cash and marketable securities to support our winter drilling program and near- to medium-term corporate growth plans. This strong balance sheet allows us to stay focused on systematic, high-impact exploration as we work to unlock the full potential of this high-grade gold system." Summary of Drilling: Of the first thirteen holes, holes CL25001 through CL25005, targeted shallow high-grade gold mineralization (<200m depth) approximately 100m northeast of the highest levels of the existing mine infrastructure. Previously reported hole CL25003 intersected high-grade gold above, below and within the main mineralized Bakos Shear structure including 7.89 g/t Au over 23.0m starting at 69.0m depth and 7.03 g/t Au over 43.3m starting at 121.0m (see news release dated November 12th, 2025). Holes CL25006 and CL25007 intersected strong gold mineralization at moderately shallow depths immediately northeast of the M-zone ore lens between the mine infrastructure and the BK3 zone, an area that hosts significant drill-defined gold mineralization located 75m toward the northeast. Holes CL25008 and CL25009 tested for progressively shallower mineralization within the low drill density corridor between the Main Zone and the BK3 zone. Holes CL25010 through CL25013 were drilled in areas adjacent to historical mining infrastructure to test for mineralized extensions along strike from the upper levels of the historical mine site. The first thirteen holes all intersected broad zones of shearing and alteration with substantial gold mineralization in an area with no known production and low historical drill density. High-grade gold has been intersected within the Bakos Shear Zone as well as in the hanging wall (above) and the footwall (below) the main host to gold mineralization. Trident is strongly encouraged by the assay results thus far as they prove that the orogenic gold mineralizing system present at Contact Lake is persistent both laterally and at depth. The Company will continue to explore and drill test for new mineralized zones in a systematic manner as the team looks to expand on the recently discovered high-grade gold mineralization. Figure 1: Plan View of the Contact Lake Drilling http://www.tridentresourcescorp.com/_resources/news/2025-Drill-Plan-Holes-4-to-13.png Detailed Description of the Drill Holes: Hole CL25004 was collared from the same pad as CL25003 at a steeper dip (-55) and along the same north-directed (000) azimuth. The two holes were designed to test for lateral and depth extensions of the high-grade mineralization first encountered in drill hole TU88-01 located 50m toward the northeast. In CL25004, the upper shear returned 4.02 g/t Au over 3.18m (49.8-53.0m) and mineralization in the footwall, below the sheared horizons, returned 8.37 g/t Au over 2.06m (157.45-159.51m). Overall, hole CL25004 intersected a broad zone of alteration and shearing between 49.8 to 174.0m that averaged 0.60 g/t Au over 124.2m. Hole CL25005 was drilled along a 339 azimuth at a -55 dip to undercut the mineralization discovered in holes CL25001 and CL25002 (collared 25m toward the northwest). CL25005 intersected multiple sheared horizons within the main Bakos Shear Zone that returned both broad intercepts and focused horizons of gold mineralization. A zone of 5.94 metres grading 5.66 g/t Au was intersected between 100.06-106.0m including 11.83 g/t Au over 2.44m (100.06-102.5m). A broader interval between 77.0-116.0m (39.04m) returned a length-weighted average of 1.64 g/t Au. A lower zone between 142.0-144.55m (2.55m) returned 42.95 g/t Au, including a 1.34m intercept of 81.7 g/t Au. Hole CL25006 was collared 210m southeast of hole CL25005 and was drilled along a 350 azimuth at a -55 dip. This hole tested for a northeast extension of gold mineralization from the M-zone, an ore lens that was partially mined in 1997 and the most easterly part of the mine. CL25006 intersected 7.28 g/t Au over 15.0m (272.0-287.0m), including 16.69 g/t Au over 6.0m (272.0-278.0) and 30.41 g/t Au over 3.0m (272.0-275.0m). Hole CL25007 was collared from the same pad as CL25006 along the same azimuth at a dip of -67 to target the same mineralized extension of the M-zone at a deeper level. A broad horizon of gold mineralization averaged 4.43 g/t Au over 39.5m (329.5-369m), including 5.76 g/t Au over 15.5m (329.5-345.0m) and 9.43 g/t Au over 6.0m (329.5-335.5m). The upper portion of the Bakos shear returned 1.98 g/t Au over 12.0m (280.0-292.0m). Hole CL25008 was collared 107m NNW of CL25006 and CL25007, roughly at the midpoint between those holes and CL25005, and drilled along a 339 azimuth at a -60 dip. The hanging wall of the Bakos shear had a 6.0m interval that returned 7.41 g/t Au (139.0-145.0m) and the upper part of the Bakos shear returned 6.27 g/t Au over 1.4m (155.0-156.4m). The footwall returned an interval of 7.74 g/t Au over 5.0m (268.0-273.0) and 6.07 g/t Au over 2.92m (313.6-316.5m). Hole CL25009 was collared 53m northwest of hole CL25008 and drilled along a 339 azimuth at a -58 dip. The hanging wall hosted 9.23 g/t Au over 2.8m (85.5-88.3m) but the Bakos shear returned sporadic gold mineralization with isolated > 1.0 g/t Au intervals between 122.0-145m. Below the main part of the Bakos shear, a separate shear zone returned 8.49 g/t Au over 3.0m (199.0-202.0m). A weakly sheared horizon in the host granodiorite returned 6.19 g/t Au over 2.1m between 242.9 to 245.0m. Holes CL25010 and CL25011 were collared from the same pad and drilled along a 339 azimuth at dips of -48 and -56 respectively. These holes were drilled to infill an area between the historical mine and the lakeshore where no historical holes were located. In hole CL25010 the Bakos shear was weakly mineralized with two separate intercepts that returned 3.92 g/t Au between 131.5-133.5m (2.0m) and 2.51 g/t Au between 158.0-162.0m (4.0m). The footwall to the Bakos shear returned 4.23 g/t Au over 6.8m (188.5-195.3m) including 6.72 g/t Au over 3.3m (192.0-195.3m). Hole CL25011 returned one notable hit of 5.86 g/t Au over 1.1m (217.2-218.3m). Hole CL25012 was collared 50m ENE of holes CL25010 and CL25011 to target the up-dip extension of mineralization in unmined stope BH498-33. Mineralization through the Bakos shear returned 0.77 g/t Au between 121.0-139.0m (18m) and a zone in the footwall returned 5.56 g/t Au over 1.4m (194.0-195.4m). Hole CL25013 was collared from the same pad as CL25012 at a steeper dip (-55 ) to intersect mineralization within the area of unmined stope BH498-33. Two separate 1.0m hits returned 13.2 g/t Au (135.0-136.0) from the lower portion of the Bakos Shear and 5.42 g/t Au (193.0-194.0) in the footwall of the shear. Table 1: Drill Hole Results at Contact Lake (January, 2026) Drill Hole # From (m) To (m) Width (m) Au (g/t) Gram x Metre (gm) CL25004 49.80 174.00 124.20 0.60 74.52 including 157.45 159.51 2.06 8.37 17.25 CL25005 100.06 106.00 5.94 5.66 33.61 including 100.06 102.50 2.44 11.83 28.86 and 142.00 144.55 2.55 42.95 109.52 CL25006 272.00 287.00 15.00 7.28 109.27 Including 272.00 278.00 6.00 16.69 100.13 including 272.00 275.00 3.00 30.41 91.23 CL25007 329.50 369.00 39.50 4.43 174.84 including 329.50 345.00 15.50 5.76 89.26 Including 329.50 335.50 6.00 9.43 56.60 and 367.00 369.00 2.00 37.31 74.62 CL25008 139.00 145.00 6.00 7.41 44.44 and 155.00 156.35 1.35 6.27 8.46 and 268.00 273.00 5.00 7.74 38.69 and 313.58 316.50 2.92 6.07 17.72 CL25009 85.50 88.33 2.83 9.23 26.11 and 199.00 202.00 3.00 8.49 25.46 and 242.89 245.00 2.11 6.19 13.06 CL25010 188.50 195.28 6.78 4.23 28.71 including 192.00 195.28 3.28 6.72 22.05 CL25011 217.15 218.25 1.10 5.86 6.45 CL25012 133.00 136.37 3.37 2.97 10.01 and 194.00 199.50 5.50 1.76 9.68 including 194.00 195.40 1.40 5.56 7.78 CL25013 77.40 79.00 1.60 4.13 6.61 and 135.00 136.00 1.00 13.20 13.20 and 190.00 194.00 4.00 2.00 8.00 and 193.00 194.00 1.00 5.42 5.42 * Widths are drilled intercepts, true widths have not been determined. Gold values are length-weighted averages. Figure 2: Cross Section of Contact Lake Drilling Figure 3: Cross Section of Contact Lake Drilling Figure 4: Cross Section of Contact Lake Drilling Figure 5: Cross Section of Contact Lake Drilling Figure 6: Cross Section of Contact Lake Drilling Figure 7: Cross Section of Contact Lake Drilling Contact Lake Gold Project Overview: The Contact Lake Gold Project covers approximately 22,790 hectares and includes the past-producing Contact Lake gold mine, which produced approx. 190,000 ounces of gold at an average head grade of 6.16 g/t Au during active mining operations between 1994 to 1998. At the time of mine closure, the price of gold hovered around $300/oz (USD) and Cameco Corporation reported that substantial gold resources were left unmined. Situated in the highly prospective La Ronge Gold Belt of Saskatchewan, the Contact Lake Property also hosts the Preview SW, Preview North and the North Lake orogenic gold deposits. Along with the Greywacke North deposit (located 40km northeast of Contact Lake), these four deposits are wholly-owned by Trident Resources and host current Mineral Resource Estimates (see news release dated November 24th, 2025) which does not include any ounces from the past producing Contact Lake target area. Trident Resources Corp. - News Link Quality Control: All drill core is logged, photographed and cut in half with a diamond saw. Half of the core is placed in sealed poly bags with unique identification numbers and transported to ALS Global in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for analysis, while the other half is archived and stored on site for verification and reference purposes. At the lab, samples are received and digitally recorded then dried and pulverized into a fine powder. Gold is assayed using a 30g fire assay method and 49 additional elements are analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) utilizing a 4-acid digestion. Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) samples including field blanks, duplicates and lab-certified standards are inserted in the sample stream at a rate of greater than 10% of all samples submitted to the lab. ALS Global also conducts their own internal QAQC protocol. Table 2: Drill Hole ID Contact Lake (January, 2026) Hole ID Easting Northing Azimuth Dip Depth(m) Elevation (m) CL25004 507940 6141302 0 -55 182 401 CL25005 507943 6141302 339 -55 194 401 CL25006 508006 6141099 350 -55 362 403 CL25007 508005 6141099 349 -67 419 403 CL25008 507985 6141205 339 -60 344 400 CL25009 507961 6141252 339 -58 296 399 CL25010 507940 6141245 339 -48 230 405 CL25011 507941 6141245 339 -56 245 405 CL25012 507891 6141254 341 -45 209 413 CL25013 507891 6141254 341 -55 215 413 * UTM Zone 13 NAD 83 Qualified Person: The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Cornell McDowell, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Trident Resources and the Qualified Person for Trident as defined by NI 43-101. About Trident Resources Corp. Trident Resources Corp. is a Canadian public mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange focused on the development, exploration and acquisition of advanced-stage gold and copper exploration projects in Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company is aggressively advancing its 100% owned Contact Lake and Greywacke Lake projects which host significant historical gold resources located within the prospective and underexplored La Ronge Gold Belt, as well as the 100% owned Knife Lake copper project which contains a historical copper resource. For further information, please contact: Trident Resources Corp. Jonathan Wiesblatt, Chief Executive Officer Email: Jon.Wiesblatt@tridentresourcescorp.com For further information contact myself or: Andrew J. Ramcharan, PhD, P.Eng., Corporate Communications Trident Resources Corp. Telephone: 647-309-5130 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 www.tridentresourcescorp.com NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Forward-Looking Information and Statements: BARCELONA, Spain and DEERFIELD, Ill., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ESTEVE and TerSera Therapeutics LLC announced today that they have entered into an agreement in which ESTEVE will acquire TerSera's Infusion Specialty Therapies Business Unit (IST). This strategic acquisition enables ESTEVE to expand its U.S. presence, with two highly specialized on-market assets and a dedicated team of sales, marketing and medical professionals. TerSera's IST business unit includes two specialty medications, Prialt (ziconotide intrathecal infusion) and Quzyttir (cetirizine hydrochloride injection). Prialt is the only FDA-approved, non-opioid agent indicated for the management of severe chronic pain in adult patients for whom intrathecal therapy is warranted, and who are intolerant of or refractory to other treatment, such as systemic analgesics, adjunctive therapies, or intrathecal morphine.1 Prialt is currently marketed in Europe by ESTEVE.2 Quzyttir is the first and only injectable second-generation H1 antihistamine approved by the FDA for the treatment of acute urticaria in adults and children six months of age and older.3 With this transaction, ESTEVE will obtain worldwide rights for Quzyttir in all territories (except for China) and consolidates its rights for Prialt worldwide. Staffan Schuberg, ESTEVE's Chief Executive Officer stated: "We are excited to welcome the Infusion Specialty Therapies Business Unit and look forward to welcoming TerSera's talented team to ESTEVE. This acquisition perfectly aligns with our strategic vision of providing highly specialized solutions where there is a significant unmet medical need. By adding Quzyttir to our portfolio and expanding to the US market with Prialt, we not only strengthen our expertise in highly specialized therapies but also accelerate our expansion in the United States-the world's largest pharmaceutical market." "ESTEVE has been our long-term partner for Prialt in Europe. Their expertise and core areas of focus make them the ideal future owner for IST." said Edward Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of TerSera. "We believe this transaction provides an excellent home for Prialt and Quzyttir to continue the strong momentum we have established with these medicines, while we sharpen our focus on our core therapeutic areas of oncology and rare disease." This deal reinforces ESTEVE's growth in the United States, a growth that began with the acquisition in 2024 of a business specialized in rare and ultra-rare diseases in the areas of endocrinology and onco-endocrinology. ESTEVE's highly specialized portfolio has been further strengthened by the subsequent expansion in 2025: licensing-in for Ex US a biologic product used to treat children and adolescents from 2 to 18 years-old who suffer from severe primary insulin-like growth factor 1 deficiency4; an adjuvant treatment being investigated in the U.S. and considered standard of care outside of the U.S. where it is approved for high-grade resectable non-metastatic osteosarcoma in patients aged between 2 and 30 years5 ; and a medicine that is used in adults and children above 5 years of age to treat aggressive and symptomatic medullary thyroid cancer.6 The current transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory clearances. Perella Weinberg Partners are the financial advisor to ESTEVE on this transaction, and Arnold & Porter are serving as legal counsel. Leerink Partners acted as the lead financial advisor to TerSera, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel. About ESTEVE ESTEVE (esteve.com) is a global pharmaceutical company with a clear purpose: to improve people's lives. Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Barcelona, ESTEVE has a strong international presence with pharmaceutical affiliates in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, France, the UK, and the USA.?? ESTEVE is focused on delivering highly specialized treatments that address significant unmet medical needs in several therapeutic areas. In addition, to our innovative pharma business, we offer comprehensive Contract Manufacturing and Development services (CDMO), specializing in the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) through world-class facilities in Spain, Mexico, China and the USA. ESTEVE's strong commitment to its core values-people matter, transparency, and accountability-remains at the heart of everything it does. About TerSera Therapeutics TerSera Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company with a focus on oncology and rare diseases. Founded in 2016, TerSera is building new cornerstones of care through its portfolio of unique therapeutics, amplifying their ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for patients. TerSera has been recognized as a 2025 Top Workplace. For additional information, please visit TerSera.com and follow us on LinkedIn. For more information: Esteve: Irene Simon Head of Global External Communications & ESG +34 934 466 000 isimon@esteve.com References PRIALT (ziconotide). Prescribing information. TerSera Therapeutics LLC. www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/021060s012lbl.pdf Prialt- www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/prialt QUZYTTIR (cetirizine hydrochloride injection). Prescribing Information. TerSera Therapeutics LLC. www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/211415s008lbl.pdf Increlex - www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/increlex Mepact - www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/mepact Caprelsa - www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/caprelsa Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859253/ESTEVE_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/esteve-to-acquire-tersera-therapeutics-infusion-specialty-therapies-business-unit-expanding-us-presence-302659514.html Geraud Estrangin Joins as a Managing Director Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI), the global investment bank, announced today that Geraud Estrangin has joined the firm as a Managing Director in its Industrials Group. Based in Paris, Mr. Estrangin will focus on aerospace and defence in Europe, in coordination with the global Aerospace, Defense Government team. He will also support the global Industrials Group for France-related transactions, further enhancing the firm's European capabilities at a time of sustained deal activity. He will work closely with senior colleagues across the Industrials Group to deepen client relationships and support the execution of complex transactions across the region. Mr. Estrangin brings nearly three decades of experience in investment banking and corporate finance. He was Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lincoln International in Paris, where he played a central role in establishing and scaling the firm's French operations over an 18-year period. During his tenure at Lincoln International, Mr. Estrangin co-led the European Aerospace Defense practice and was instrumental in building the firm's local infrastructure while originating and executing more than 40 completed transactions across industrial subsectors. Bill Peluchiwski, Global Head of Industrials, commented: We are delighted to welcome Geraud to Houlihan Lokey. Building on the sustained momentum of our global Aerospace, Defense Government practice and the broader Industrials Group, his deep subsector expertise and extensive experience across complex, high-profile transactions will be instrumental in further solidifying our position as the preeminent advisory platform in Europe and across global markets." Matteo Manfredi, Co-Head of Industrials, Europe, said: "Geraud is a financial professional of exceptional calibre, with a unique track record of building and scaling leading advisory platforms, combined with outstanding expertise and proven execution capabilities across the industrials landscape. His appointment will further strengthen Houlihan Lokey's Industrials Group and exemplifies our commitment to delivering market-leading advice and superior outcomes for clients." "Houlihan Lokey is renowned for the depth of its sector expertise, the strength of its global platform, and its client-centric ethos, providing a unique foundation to deliver creative, high-impact solutions for clients," said Mr. Estrangin."I look forward to contributing to the continued growth and success of the Industrials Group, helping to deliver best-in-class advisory outcomes for our client base". Houlihan Lokey's Industrials Group has earned a reputation for superior service and outstanding results in M&A advisory, capital-raising, restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory services. The global Aerospace, Defense Government practice has completed ~30 transactions in the past 18 months, reflecting sustained momentum. The team leverages deep expertise, extensive industry relationships, and direct access to senior decision-makers at leading strategic and financial institutions worldwide to support complex transactions globally. About Houlihan Lokey Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a leading global investment bank recognized for delivering independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments. With uniquely deep industry expertise, broad international reach, and a partnership approach rooted in trust, the firm provides innovative, integrated solutions across mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Our unmatched transaction volumes provide differentiated, data-driven perspectives that help our clients achieve their most critical goals. To learn more about Houlihan Lokey, please visit HL.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112129618/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations +1 212.331.8225 IR@HL.com Media Relations +44 20 7747 1480 PR@HL.com Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - F3 Uranium Corp (TSXV: FUU) (OTCQB: FUUFF) ("F3" or "the Company") is pleased to announce final scintillometer results from its 2025 fall drill program on the Tetra Zone on the Broach Property. The program consisted of five diamond drill holes totaling 2,628m and extended the interpreted mineralized plunge length from 60m to 135m, an increase of 125%. Sam Hartmann, Vice President Exploration, commented: "The fall 2025 program was designed to test the plunge continuity of uranium mineralization in the Tetra Zone shear. Drilling extended the known mineralized plunge length from 60m to 135m. On the down-plunge (western) side, holes PLN25-220A and PLN25-220AW1 tested continuity but appear to have intersected the structure just above the expected mineralized zone, with radioactivity and broader shearing observed in PLN25-220A. On the up-plunge (eastern) side, PLN25-221 confirmed continuity, stepping out approximately 28m from PLN25-205 (see news release, July 16, 2025). The roughly 300m of shear zone remaining in the up-plunge direction toward the Athabasca Unconformity, along with the down-plunge extent, represent first order priority areas for follow-up drilling, which we are planning to start later this month. Assays from the fall program, including PLN25-217, which intersected mineralization over a total of 29.5m, 27.5m of which is continuous and includes 2.30m of >10,000 cps between 396.70m and 407.30m, are currently at SRC and will be released as they become available." Fall 2025 Handheld Spectrometer Highlights: Tetra Zone PLN25-221 (line 11310S): 2.0m radioactivity between 333.5m and 335.5m, and 8.5m radioactivity between 338.0m and 346.5m with a peak of 4,500 cps, and 0.5m radioactivity between 351.0m and 351.5m Table 1. Drill Hole Summary and Handheld Spectrometer Results Collar Information *Hand-held Spectrometer Results On Mineralized Drillcore (>300 cps / >0.5m minimum) Athabasca Unconformity Depth (m) Total Drillhole Depth (m) Hole ID Section Line Easting Northing Elevation Az Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Max CPS PLN25-220 11220S 589363 6397965 584 2 -76 Hole Abandoned N/A 143 PLN25-220A 11220S 589364 6398037 583 4 -85 421.00 421.50 0.50 310.00 164 584 PLN25-220AW1 11220S 589364 6398037 583 4 -85 Tetra Zone Exploration; no radioactivity >300cps N/A 551 PLN25-221 11310S 589460 6398040 585 49 -86 333.50 334.00 0.50 930 153 419 334.00 334.50 0.50 1800 334.50 335.00 0.50 690 335.00 335.50 0.50 300 338.00 338.50 0.50 350 338.50 339.00 0.50 310 339.00 339.50 0.50 730 339.50 340.00 0.50 850 340.00 340.50 0.50 610 340.50 341.00 0.50 340 341.00 341.50 0.50 440 341.50 342.00 0.50 550 342.00 342.50 0.50 1500 342.50 343.00 0.50 1500 343.00 343.50 0.50 4500 343.50 344.50 1.00 <300 344.50 345.00 0.50 300 345.00 346.00 1.00 <300 346.00 346.50 0.50 530 351.00 351.50 0.50 570 Handheld spectrometer composite parameters: 1: Minimum Thickness of 0.5m 2: CPS Cut-Off of 300 counts per second 3: Maximum Internal Dilution of 2.0m Map 1. Tetra Zone Scintillometer Results - Plan Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8110/280174_dbf69dd3b401fa50_003full.jpg Image 1. Tetra Zone Scintillometer Results - Long Section To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8110/280174_dbf69dd3b401fa50_004full.jpg The natural gamma radiation detected in the drill core, as detailed in this news release, was measured in counts per second (cps) using a handheld Radiation Solutions RS-125 spectrometer which has been calibrated by Radiation Solutions Inc. The Company designates readings exceeding 300 cps on the handheld spectrometer (occasionally referred to as a scintillometer in industry terminology; this stems from historical naming conventions and the shared functionality of detecting gamma radiation between a spectrometer and a scintillometer)-as "anomalous", readings above 10,000 cps as "highly radioactive", and readings surpassing 65,535 cps as "off-scale". However, readers are cautioned that spectrometer or scintillometer measurements often do not directly or consistently correlate with the uranium grades of the rock samples and should be regarded solely as a preliminary indicator of the presence of radioactive materials. Samples from the drill core are split into half sections on site. Where possible, samples are standardized at 0.5m down-hole intervals. One-half of the split sample is sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (an SCC ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Accredited Facility) in Saskatoon, SK while the other half remains on site for reference. Analysis includes a 63 element suite including boron by ICP-OES, uranium by ICP-MS and gold analysis by ICP-OES and/or AAS. The Company considers uranium mineralization with assay results of greater than 1.0 weight % U3O8 as "high grade" and results greater than 20.0 weight % U3O8 as "ultra-high grade". All depth measurements reported are down-hole and true thicknesses are yet to be determined. About the Patterson Lake North Project: The Company's 42,961-hectare 100% owned Patterson Lake North Project (PLN) is located just within the south-western edge of the Athabasca Basin in proximity to Paladin's Triple R and NexGen Energy's Arrow high-grade uranium deposits, an area poised to become the next major area of development for new uranium operations in northern Saskatchewan. The PLN Project consists of the 4,074-hectare Patterson Lake North Property hosting the JR Zone Uranium discovery approximately 23km northwest of Paladin's Triple R deposit, the 19,864-hectare Minto Property, and the 19,022-hectare Broach Property hosting the Tetra Zone, F3's newest discovery 13km south of the JR Zone. All three properties comprising the PLN Project are accessed by Provincial Highway 955. Qualified Person: The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and approved on behalf of the company by Raymond Ashley, P.Geo., President & COO of F3 Uranium Corp, a Qualified Person. Mr. Ashley has reviewed and approved the data disclosed. This news release may refer to neighboring properties in which F3 Uranium has no interest, and the Qualified Person has been unable to verify the information from those properties. Mineralization on those neighboring properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the PLN Project. For additional information on the PLN Project, please refer to the report titled "Technical Report on the Patterson Lake North Project, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada" prepared by SLR International Corporation with a signing date of January 25, 2023and an effective date of November 20, 2023 available at www.sedarplus.ca, and prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. About F3 Uranium Corp.: F3 is a uranium exploration company, focusing on the high-grade JR Zone and new Tetra Zone discovery 13km to the south in the PW area on its Patterson Lake North (PLN) Project in the Western Athabasca Basin. F3 currently has 3 properties in the Athabasca Basin: Patterson Lake North, Minto, and Broach. The western side of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, is home to some of the world's largest high grade uranium deposits including Paladin's Triple R project and NexGen's Arrow project. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the suitability of the Properties for mining exploration, future payments, issuance of shares and work commitment funds, entry into of a definitive option agreement respecting the Properties, are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The TSX Venture Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange have not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Dev Randhawa" Dev Randhawa, CEO To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280174 Source: F3 Uranium Corp. Vaudoise and Guidewire (NYSE: GWRE) have announced that Vaudoise has become the first Swiss insurer to go-live on Guidewire Cloud Platform. The company has successfully implemented Guidewire ClaimCenter and is currently integrating Guidewire PolicyCenter. By adopting Guidewire Cloud Platform, Vaudoise joins a global community of insurers focusing on insurance excellence with core modernization from a scalable, secure and rapidly updatable cloud delivery model. Arno Suess, Head of P&C Claims at Vaudoise, said: "We are very proud of this milestone, which sets a new benchmark for our industry. With Guidewire Cloud Platform, we can now process motor insurance claims faster, with greater automation and fully digital processes. The result: faster decisions, more transparency, and a seamless experience for customers during critical moments in their lives." Mathias Grobet, EMEA VP at Guidewire, said: "Vaudoise is well-known for its customer focus, operational excellence and agility qualities that have made it a leading insurer in the Swiss region. We are honored to assist Vaudoise in further enhancing their reputation. ClaimCenter on Guidewire Cloud Platform is helping insurers across the globe to resolve claims faster, deliver accurate claims outcomes and exceed customer expectations. We look forward to continuing to support Vaudoise in their transformation journey." About the Vaudoise Insurance Group Vaudoise Insurance is the only private, independent insurance company with its headquarters in French-speaking Switzerland. It is one of the ten largest private insurers on the Swiss market. Founded in 1895, Vaudoise has recognized expertise in all insurance, pension, and asset management-related segments. At its agencies, clients receive a local service, both for advice and settling claims. The Group employs over 2,000 full-time employees (FTEs), around a hundred of whom are currently in training. True to its cooperative origins, it pays a share of its profits to insurance customers through premium rebates. In 2025-2026, this redistribution will amount to 44 million CHF. The equity securities of Vaudoise Insurance Holding Ltd are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker VAHN. About Guidewire Software Guidewire is the platform P&C insurers trust to engage, innovate, and grow efficiently. More than 570 insurers in 43 countries, from new ventures to the largest and most complex in the world, rely on Guidewire products. With core systems leveraging data and analytics, digital, and artificial intelligence, Guidewire defines cloud platform excellence for P&C insurers. We are proud of our unparalleled implementation record, with 1,700+ successful projects supported by the industry's largest R&D team and SI partner ecosystem. Our marketplace represents the largest partner community in P&C, where customers can access hundreds of applications to accelerate integration, localization, and innovation. For more information, please visit www.guidewire.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn. NOTE: For information about Guidewire's trademarks, visit https://www.guidewire.com/legal-notices. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113324576/en/ Contacts: Simon Coughlin Senior Manager, Public Relations EMEA Guidewire Software, Inc. +44 7436 002 058 scoughlin@guidewire.com The annual report reveals how technology adoption is fueling sophisticated scams Experian today released its annual Future of Fraud Forecast, identifying five fraud trends expected to impact businesses and consumers the most in 2026. This year's forecast shows fraudsters are rapidly weaponizing technologies to launch attacks that are more autonomous and harder to detect. From AI-driven scams to deepfake job candidates, these threats signal a new era of risk. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113509639/en/ Experian's 2026 Future of Fraud Forecast According to FTC data, consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024. Experian data found nearly 60% of companies reported an increase in their fraud losses from 2024 to 2025. As fraud accelerates, Experian urges organizations to adopt multilayered, AI-powered fraud prevention strategies to combat the next wave of technology-driven schemes. This year's top threats include: Machine-to-machine mayhem : As organizations race to leverage agentic AI, the sheer volume of players entering the space will make fraud inevitable and impossible to ignore. Fraudsters will exploit agentic AI to commit new levels of digital fraud. With machine-to-machine interactions initiating transactions without clear ownership of liability, businesses will face growing uncertainty around agent ownership, intent and risk. Experian predicts fraud will reach a tipping point that will spark major conversations and decisions around liability, regulation and the role of agentic AI in shaping responsible digital commerce. Deepfakes outsmart HR : Employment fraud is set to escalate in the remote workforce as generative AI (GenAI) tools generate hyper-tailored resumes and deepfake candidates capable of passing interviews in real time. Experian forecasts that employers will unknowingly onboard individuals who aren't who they say they are, giving bad actors access to sensitive systems. This emerging threat is expected to reshape how organizations verify identity and intent in the hiring process. Smarter homes, scarier threats : Smart homes are introducing new entry points for fraud. Devices like virtual assistants, smart locks, security systems, smart appliances and the coming use of humanoid robots will be exploited by bad actors to access personal data, monitor household activity and even take control of physical access points. Experian predicts that as the adoption of smart home devices continues to grow, so will the risk, with new forms of ransomware and opportunities for account hijacking, turning convenience into vulnerability for consumers. Website cloning will overwhelm fraud teams : Cloned websites, where fraudsters replicate legitimate sites to phish consumers, are becoming easier to create through AI tools and harder to eliminate. Notably, even after takedown requests, spoofed domains continue to resurface. As companies are forced to play whack-a-mole to address these threats, they risk being distracted from broader fraud strategies, allowing other threats to escalate. Experian forecasts that cloned sites will continue to cause significant losses for online retailers and businesses by tricking consumers into sharing their credentials, fueling credit card fraud, accelerating identity theft and synthetic identities, and facilitating other forms of financial fraud. Bots will break hearts and bank accounts : Emotionally intelligent bots powered by GenAI will carry out complex scams, like romance fraud and relative-in-need scams, without a human behind the keyboard. These bots will respond convincingly, build trust over time, and manipulate victims with precision and emotion. As they become harder to distinguish from real people and good bots, Experian predicts fraud will scale faster and become more financially and psychologically damaging. "Technology is accelerating the evolution of fraud, making it more sophisticated and harder to detect. Businesses need actionable insights to stay ahead of these threats," said Kathleen Peters, Chief Innovation Officer, Fraud Identity at Experian North America. "By combining differentiated data with advanced analytics and cutting-edge technology, businesses can strengthen fraud defenses, safeguard consumers, and deliver secure, seamless experiences." Experian's fraud prevention solutions helped clients avoid an estimated $19 billion in fraud losses globally in 2025. For more information about Experian's AI-powered fraud detection solutions available on the Experian Ascend Platform, including NeuroID's behavioral analytics, please visit https://www.experian.com/business/solutions/fraud-management. To register for Experian's 2026 Future of Fraud Forecast: Insights into the Next Wave of AI-Driven Fraud webinar on Feb. 5, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. PT, visit: https://us-go.experian.com/2026-future-of-fraud-forecast-insights-into-the-next-wave-of-AI-driven-fraud. About Experian Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. We help to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using our unique combination of data, analytics and software. We also assist millions of people to realize their financial goals and help them to save time and money. We operate across a range of markets, from financial services to healthcare, automotive, agrifinance, insurance, and many more industry segments. We invest in talented people and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data and to innovate. A FTSE 100 Index company listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN), we have a team of 25,100 people across 32 countries. Our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at experianplc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113509639/en/ Contacts: Annie Russell Experian 1 949 683 5243 annie.russell@experian.com Submit Now - Entries Close 25 February LONDON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Procurement & Supply Chain Magazine and Sustainability Magazine, part of BizClik, have officially opened submissions for the Procurement & Supply Chain and Sustainability US Awards. The awards celebrate the organisations, teams, and leaders driving measurable impact across procurement, supply chain, and sustainability in the United States. The awards recognise excellence in areas including strategic sourcing, supplier innovation, ESG integration, decarbonisation, responsible supply chains, and digital transformation. Open to enterprises, SMEs, solution providers, and leadership teams, the programme highlights those delivering real results in complex and fast-moving environments. Celebrating Leadership, Innovation, and Impact The PSC & Sustainability US Awards shine a spotlight on organisations that are embedding sustainability into procurement and supply chain strategy while delivering commercial value. From Scope 3 reduction and supplier collaboration to data-driven decision-making and operational resilience, the awards recognise best practice across the full value chain. "Procurement and supply chain functions are no longer measured purely on cost and efficiency. Today's leaders are expected to drive sustainability, resilience, and long-term value across the business. The US Awards recognise those organisations and teams that are delivering tangible results and setting new standards for modern procurement leadership." - Aaron McMillan, Senior Editor, Procurement & Supply Chain Magazine Gain national recognition across the US market Showcase impact to senior executive audiences Strengthen credibility with customers, partners, and stakeholders Be featured across BizClik's global digital platforms and media brands Awards: Procurement & Supply Chain and Sustainability US Awards Procurement & Supply Chain and Sustainability US Awards Status: Open for submissions Open for submissions Closing date: 25 February 25 February Who should enter: Procurement, supply chain, and sustainability teams, leaders, and solution providers operating in or serving the US market Why EnterKey Information The Procurement & Supply Chain and Sustainability US Awards provide a powerful platform to highlight innovation, leadership, and measurable progress at a time when procurement and sustainability have never been more critical to business success. Submit your entry now before the 25 February deadline. About Procurement & Supply Chain Magazine Procurement & Supply Chain Magazine is a BizClik brand delivering industry news, analysis, and insight for senior procurement and supply chain leaders. Through digital content and global events, it connects executives driving efficiency, resilience, and responsible sourcing. About Sustainability Magazine Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand focused on ESG, climate strategy, and sustainable business transformation, engaging senior sustainability leaders worldwide through digital platforms and live events. About BizClik BizClik is a global B2B digital media and events company producing sector-specific content across technology, AI, procurement, sustainability, and fintech. Through digital magazines, websites, newsletters, webinars, and live events, BizClik connects enterprise leaders with executive audiences to enable strategic business engagement. For more information, visit: www.bizclikmedia.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2860424/PSC_US_Awards.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/procurement--supply-chain-and-sustainability-us-awards-open-for-submissions-302659615.html MARKHAM, ON / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / iFabric Corp. ("iFabric" or the "Company") (TSX:IFA)(OTCQX:IFABF) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Intelligent Fabric Technologies (North America) Inc. ("IFTNA"), has signed an agreement with The Lad Collective Pty Ltd ("The Lad Collective" or "TLC") to bring bedding to North America, which uses both companies' proprietary functional innovations. The Lad Collective is an Australian bedding and sleep-essentials brand co-founded in Brisbane by brothers Bill and Ed Ovenden in 2020. TLC focuses on utility-led design, intended to simplify bed-making and improve bedtime and morning routines. Today, TLC offers a wide range of bedding, bath, and laundry essentials which feature innovative materials and designs. TLC products are "loved by over 200,000 Aussies" and sold primarily through direct-to-consumer channels. Further information about TLC can be found on its website at https://theladcollective.com/pages/about Under the agreement, IFTNA will manufacture, market and distribute bedding products across North America incorporating TLC's patented functional utility innovations. By pairing these unique functions with IFTNA advanced textile technologies, such as PROTX2, IFTNA believes it can address a clear "whitespace" in the bedding category-a market that seldom sees innovation at this level. The signing of this license agreement is consistent with IFTNA's previously-announced strategy to expand into new categories of manufacturing and broaden the integration of its textile technologies beyond traditional apparel programs. "The Lad Collective has created a smart, patent-protected approach to bedding-practical features that solve real everyday challenges for consumers," said Giancarlo Beevis, President & CEO of IFTNA. "Combining those utility innovations with IFTNA's textile-technology platform gives us an opportunity to deliver differentiated bedding offerings that are both functionally and performance-enhanced. This agreement is another important step in executing our strategy to expand IFTNA into new product categories," continued Mr. Beevis. "Home and bedding are natural extensions for our capabilities, and we are excited to manufacture and commercialize products that bring meaningful innovation to a category that has historically seen very little," concluded Mr. Beevis. "We built TLC around practical, patented innovations that make the bed easier-without compromising comfort or design. Partnering with IFTNA gives us the ability to bring those solutions to North America at scale, supported by its world-class manufacturing and textile-technology platform," stated Bill Ovenden, Co-Founder, the Lad Collective "IFTNA shares our belief that everyday home essentials should be smarter and more functional. This license agreement is a major step in expanding TLC into North America and delivering an elevated, utility-driven bedding experience to a much broader audience," added Ed Ovenden, Co-Founder, The Lad Collective. About iFabric Corp. Headquartered in Markham, Ontario, iFabric Corp. is listed on the TSX and OTCQX. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Intelligent Fabric Technologies (North America) Inc. ("IFTNA") and Coconut Grove Pads Inc., the Company develops and commercializes performance apparel, advanced textile treatments and technologies, and specialty intimate apparel solutions. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the expected benefits of the TLC license agreement, the timing and scope of product development and commercialization, and anticipated market adoption. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Hylton Karon, President & CEO Tel: 647.297.9815 Email: hyltonk@ifabriccorp.com Giancarlo Beevis, COO Tel: 647.225.4426 Email: gc@ifabriccorp.com Hilton Price, CFO Tel: 647.465.6161 Email: hilton.price@rogers.com Website: www.ifabriccorp.com Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in TSX policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Copyright 2026 iFabric Corp. iFabric is a trademark of iFabric Corp. SOURCE: iFabric Corp View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/ifabric-and-the-lad-collective-bringing-enhanced-function-beddin-1126569 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Apex Resources Inc. (TSXV: APX) (OTCID: SLMLF) ("Apex" or the "Company") announces the assay results of the 2025 drilling program at its Jersey Emerald Property (the "Property"), located in southern British Columbia (Figure 1). A drill program, totalling 938.5 metres in five NQ diameter drillholes, was completed on the Property in 2025. The primary goal of the program was to test for tungsten mineralization near several historical occurrences on the Property, with several nearby ancillary targets of reduced intrusion gold-bismuth mineralization and lead-zinc mineralization. The drill program was completed with high efficiency, which is imparted by the proximity of the Property to the town of Salmo and experienced crews. Drillholes J25-01 and J25-04 successfully intersected multiple garnet-diopside skarn horizons hosting disseminated scheelite mineralization1. Drillhole J25-01 intersected 0.309% W (0.389% WO3) over 0.98 m (222.72-223.70 m), extending the Emerald East Zone. Drillhole J25-04 encountered 0.291% W (0.367% WO3) over 0.96 m (24.34-25.30 m) at the historical Alfie Showing, providing important stratigraphic and structural information in the overburden covered area along with drillhole J25-05. Drillhole J25-02 intersected 3.16% Zn over 3.30 m (34.00-37.30 m) and 11.3% Zn over 0.80 m (46.40- 47.20 m). Drillhole J25-03 encountered the underlying granitic intrusion before reaching the targeted Lower Zinc Horizon target, leaving good potential remaining in this area south of the Jersey Mine. The Property hosts multiple historical occurrences and new targets for critical and precious metal mineralization. The district was first established with the discovery of high-grade orogenic gold mineralization in the Sheep Creek area (Figure 2). The Jersey Emerald Property contains the southern extension of this belt hosting the Summit, Ore Hill, and Bonanza Mines which all produced high-grade gold and silver from polymetallic quartz veins in the Sheep Creek Anticline. The weighted average grades produced from the three mines combined are 1.11 oz/t Au (34.57 g/t Au) and 2.00 oz/t Ag (62.46 g/t Ag)2 over a total 3,349 tonnes mined. The rush for gold led prospectors southwest of Sheep Creek to discover significant lead-zinc mineralization at the Jersey, HB, and ReMac Mines. This southern Kootenay Arc district is the second largest producer of zinc in the province and near to the Pb-Zn smelter located in Trail. The Emerald Mine was an important tungsten producer for Canada and hosts a current indicated resource estimate of 1,472,803 tonnes grading 0.173% WO3 and inferred resource estimate of 5,128,045 tonnes grading 0.227% WO33. Significant gold and silver mineralization was also discovered in this area, although the focus from the 1940's onward was for the Mississippi Valley Type Pb-Zn mineralization and Skarn-hosted tungsten mineralization. There is now excellent potential indicated for high-grade precious metal mineralization along the Western Ag-Au Trend associated with Laib Formation carbonate and clastic rocks primarily in the west limb of the Jersey Anticline. Several important occurrences occur along this trend with the Aspen Mine to the north, the Leroy Showing in the central area, and the newly acquired Meadow View Showing in the southern portion of the +12-kilometre-long trend. The Aspen Mine was developed between 1912 and 1928 and drilling in 1980-1981 defined a historical resource of 54,146 tons of 6.85 oz/ton Ag (234.8 g/t Ag) with minor lead-zinc-copper-gold values over an average thickness of 11.17 feet (3.40 m)4. The Aspen Showing is located ~2.0 km south of the Aspen Mine and records similar mineralization with 2018 grab sample results up to 286 g/t Ag and 1.29 g/t Au5. The mineralization at the Aspen Mine is described as silicified limestone hosting discrete tetrahedrite mineralization with high silver grades. Similar mineralization is described at the Meadowview Showing, which was recently acquired by the Company after decades of being held but not worked. The Meadow View Showing has reported assays between 27 and 69 oz/t silver (925 - 2,365 g/t Ag) during early production in 1926 and has not been subject to modern exploration6. The Leroy Showing is characterized by a series of pits, adits and trenches along a 300 m corridor near the centre of the western Ag-Au Trend. Several grab samples from quartz-pyrrhotite-pyrite veins and silicified zones near the Reeves Limestone-Emerald Argillite contact have returned greater than 20.0 g/t Au and a chip sample collected in 1994 returned 5.97 g/t Au over 3.00 m of silicified limestone7. Footnote 1: All drill core assay samples have been collected from NQ core, sawn with a diamond saw with the sample intervals marked by technical personnel. A full QAQC program using blanks and standards was utilized to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. QAQC samples are submitted approximately at every 10th sample, or a minimum of 10% of the total sample stream. Appropriate standards are used to provide quality control information on high grade and medium to low grade samples. The samples were sealed on site and shipped to ALS Labs in Langley, British Columbia. Drill core samples were crushed to 2 mm and a 250-gram sub sample was pulverized with 85% of the sample passing 75 microns. The sub-sample was analysed using a combination of ALS Labs Au-AA25 for Au and ME-MS61 (4 acid digestion) for silver, base metals and other trace elements. Au-AA25 for gold is an ore grade fire assay of a 30 g pulp with an AAS finish with a detection range between 0.01 and 100 ppm). ME-MS61 utilizes four acid digestion and provides ore grade analytical data on silver, base metals and 44 other elements. For tungsten results above 1,000 ppm W using method ME-MS61, samples were assayed by fusion with XRF finish (ALS Labs method ME-XRF15b). Reported widths of mineralization are drill hole intervals or core lengths recovered. Insufficient data exists to permit the calculation of true width of the reported mineralized intervals. Conversion of W% to WO3% is done for comparison purposes and at a factor of WO3% = W% x 1.2610. Footnote 2: BC Minfile Database. Footnote 3: Bird, S. 2021. NI 43-101 Resource Estimate for the Jersey-Emerald Project. Posted on SEDAR and on Company website. Footnote 4: The QP cannot verify the historical resource estimate. Taylor, D.P. 1984. Report on the Aspen Silver Property. BC Property File Report PF674409. Footnote 5: Historical sampling by Margaux Resources who held the property under option from ApexResources. Sample results and analytical certificates provided to Apex and checked by QP. Footnote 6: Fyles, J.T. and Hewlett, C., 1959. Stratigraphy and structure of the Salmo lead-zinc area; BC Ministry of Energy and Mines. Bulletin, 41, p.162. Footnote 7: Troup, A.G. 1994. Assessment Report on the Jersey Property. BC Assessment Report #23486. About Apex Resources Inc. Apex is a Vancouver-based exploration company with a suite of precious and critical minerals projects and historic mines located in the United States and Canada. The Jersey-Emerald Property is wholly owned by Apex and encompasses the historic Jersey Lead-Zinc Mine - British Columbia's second largest historic zinc mine, and the Emerald Tungsten Mine - Canada's second largest historic tungsten mine, both located in southern British Columbia. The Lithium Creek Project is Apex's flagship project with placer claims covering hundreds of square miles within the aerially extensive Fernley, Humboldt, and Carson Sinks, and includes widespread naturally flowing lithium brine groundwater. The Lithium Creek Project is strategically located near the City of Reno and within 40 minutes of the principle North American battery hub, hosting the Tesla Gigafactory and other key industry players in the Lithium Ion battery supply chain. The technical information in this news release, prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument standards ("NI 43-101"), has been reviewed and approved by Linda Caron, P. Eng., a Qualified Person, who is independent of Apex. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term in defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," 'projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to fluctuations in metal prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund exploration work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Project; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in conducting work programs; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from Apex's operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280183 Source: Apex Resources Inc. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (TSXV: CHS) (OTCQB: CMHSF) (the "Company" or "CHS"), an industry leader in healthcare benefits administration software and services, today announced that it has engaged RedChip Companies ("RedChip") to lead its investor relations and strategic communications efforts. "We are at a pivotal point in Comprehensive Healthcare's evolution," said Chris Cosgrove, Chief Executive Officer of CHS. "With accelerating client wins, positive adjusted EBITDA, and continued innovation across our Novus 360 platform, we believe this is the right time to significantly expand our engagement with the investment community. RedChip's proven ability to amplify its clients' investment narratives and its broad reach among both institutional and retail investors will help us more effectively articulate our strategy, execution, and long-term value proposition." CHS has recently achieved meaningful operational and financial milestones, including multi-year enterprise client agreements, a strengthened balance sheet, and ongoing enhancements to its Novus 360 Healthcare Welfare and Benefits Administration SaaS platform, which is driving automation, transparency, and cost containment for self-funded employers, third-party administrators, pension funds, hospitals, and multi-employer unions across North America. Dave Gentry, CEO of RedChip, commented, "Comprehensive Healthcare Systems has built a compelling and highly scalable platform addressing a large, underserved segment of the healthcare and pension administration market. The Company's transition to positive adjusted EBITDA, growing enterprise client base, and continued investment in AI-driven and compliance-focused platform enhancements position CHS for sustained growth. We look forward to working closely with management to help communicate the Company's progress, vision, and investment thesis to the global investment community through RedChip's integrated investor relations, media, and digital distribution platform." Under the terms of the agreement, RedChip will receive US$7,500 per month, beginning January 9, 2026, and 150,000 stock options under the Company's omnibus incentive plan (the "Plan") for six months of investor awareness services. Each Option is exercisable into one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") at a price of C$0.60 per Common Share for a period of five years from the date of grant. The Options vest quarterly in equal tranches over a 6-month period from the date of grant, in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Options are subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the Plan, the TSXV, and applicable securities laws. CHS has also agreed to pay a one-time US$60,000 fee for a two-week national media and TV ad campaign to be aired in the first quarter of 2026, timing of which will be mutually decided by the Company and RedChip. The engagement of RedChip remains subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. About Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta and is the parent company of Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (Delaware). The Company is a vertically integrated software as a services (SaaS) company focused on digitizing healthcare with Healthcare Benefits Administration solutions, providing reliable and high-volume transaction-capable systems. The Company's state-of-the-art Novus 360 Healthcare Welfare and Benefits Administration (HWBA) SaaS platform is used by clients for all aspects of healthcare benefits administration (including self-funded employers, providers, and labor unions), providing healthcare administrative software and technology-enabled services. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: The press release contains "forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "budget", "believe", "project", "estimate", "expect", "scheduled", "forecast", "strategy", "future", "likely", "may", "to be", "could", "would", "should", "will" and similar references to future periods or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and conditional. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the date they are provided. However, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, include among others: general economic, market and business conditions in Canada and globally; market volatility; unforeseen delays in timelines for any of the transactions or events described in this press release; and the risk of regulatory changes that may impact the business of the Company. All forward-looking information is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement 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 as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service 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/280164 Source: Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. Lead, South Dakota--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Dakota Gold Corp. (NYSE American: DC) ("Dakota Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report additional drill results from the Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project ("Richmond Hill" or the "Project") 2025 drill campaign and outline its 2026 strategy to advance its flagship projects. This year, the Company will be conducting a drilling program at Richmond Hill to support the delivery of a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) in the second half of 2026, while also executing an infill drill campaign at the Maitland Gold Project's ("Maitland") Unionville Zone targeting a maiden resource by year-end. Highlights from this update include: Richmond Hill expansion drill holes RH25C-319 intersected 1.18 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) over 47.6 meters (56 gram meters) and RH25C-323 intersected 2.19 g/t Au over 31.1 meters (68 gram meters), including 17.35 g/t Au over 1.5 meters (26 gram meters). RH25C-323 is the furthest step-out hole drilled to date on the Project and is 200 meters (660 feet) north of the current measured and indicated resource boundary, and 305 meters (1,000 feet) north of gold mineralization that drove the pit boundary. Several adjacent holes are awaiting assay results and will be received in the coming weeks. The mineralization in the northeast is only limited by drilling and remains open. The 2025 drill program covers an area of 300 meters (980 ft) north - south and 535 meters (1,750 ft) east - west. The 2026 Richmond Hill drill campaign includes a total of 15,481 meters (50,790 feet) of drilling in 109 holes. Infill drilling will convert inferred to measured and indicated resources for the initial 10 year mine plan area, expansion drilling will focus on the north Project area, and condemnation drilling will test areas for infrastructure suitability to ensure optimal site design for the Feasibility Study. All drilling required for the purpose of the Feasibility Study is expected to be completed by Q3 2026. The Company will complete a Pre-Feasibility Study for Richmond Hill in the second half of 2026. With the resource expansion drilling in the north intersecting significantly higher grades than resource cut-off, complimented with an extensive metallurgical test program, the Company will undertake a PFS with a focus on the first ten years of mining. This will allow the Company to report reserves in 2026 and will inform the Feasibility Study to be completed in the first half of 2027. The Company will launch a 2026 Maitland drill campaign of 5,578 meters (18,300 feet) in 44 holes of infill drilling to define a maiden resource for the Tertiary-aged Unionville gold Zone. "With many higher-grade gold intercepts encountered during the 2025 drill program, solid working capital and an experienced team, Dakota Gold is positioned to advance Richmond Hill by completing a Pre-Feasibility Study, and deliver Maitland's maiden resource in 2026 - key steps that further de-risk our flagship projects and position the Company to create long-term value for shareholders," said Jack Henris, President and COO of Dakota Gold. 2026 Richmond Hill Program The Company will complete requisite studies to publish a PFS in the second half of 2026, followed by a Feasibility Study in the first half of 2027. The PFS will provide processing design, complete throughput trade-off studies, and incorporate high-grade opportunities into an initial mine sequencing program. The throughput trade-off studies will optimize processing tons per day ("TPD") from the Initial Assessment of 30,000 TPD up to 60,000 TPD by considering crushing sizes, stacking, transportation of material, agglomeration and other features of the processing design. The PFS will incorporate up to date metallurgical testing from the program currently underway and provide clear disturbance estimates to support our permit submission. The PFS and Feasibility Study manager will be M3, IMC will prepare the resource and mining plan, Forte Dynamics will manage the metallurgical test work and NewFields will provide the heap leach design. The Company successfully completed 242 drill holes in its 2025 drilling campaign totaling 29,279 meters (~96,000 feet). To date, a total of 181 drill hole assay results including the results today have been released from the 2025 campaign thus far. Assays for 61 drill holes are pending release, including many from northeast expansion drilling, which will be reported as they are received through early 2026. The July 7, 2025 Initial Assessment with Cash Flow has an open pit designed with 12.2 meter (40 feet) benches. The average grade for the Measured and Indicated mine plan is 0.566 g/t Au. Many higher-grade gold mineralization intersections encountered in the 2025 campaign in the initial areas of planned mining will be incorporated into the PFS, including reported holes shown below. 2025 Richmond Hill drilling campaign highlight holes received and reported to date: RH25C-162 intersected 1.85 g/t Au over 43.4 meters (80 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-164 intersected 1.94 g/t Au over 60.0 meters (116 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-166 intersected 2.25 g/t Au over 44.3 meters (100 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-169 intersected 2.78 g/t Au over 39.3 meters (109 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-171 intersected 1.50 g/t Au over 62.1 meters (93 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-200 intersected 2.25 g/t Au over 33.4 meters (75 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-204 intersected 1.22 g/t Au over 62.5 meters (76 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-209 intersected 1.40 g/t Au over 73.5 meters (103 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-211 intersected 1.55 g/t Au over 52.3 meters (81 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-215 intersected 1.72 g/t Au over 42.7 meters (74 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-236 intersected 8.16 g/t Au over 11.3 meters (93 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-241 intersected 3.72 g/t Au over 20.5 meters (76 gram meters) - Infill RH25C-270 intersected 2.26 g/t Au over 29.2 meters (66 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-288 intersected 4.15 g/t Au over 14.5 meters (60 gram meters) - Metallurgical RH25C-295 intersected 2.15 g/t Au over 30.0 meters (65 gram meters) - Infill RH25C-303 intersected 4.52 g/t Au over 15.2 meters (69 gram meters) - Expansion RH25C-323 intersected 2.19 g/t Au over 31.1 meters (68 gram meters) - Expansion Figure 1. Plan Map showing location of Dakota Gold Corp. Richmond Hill 2025 Drill Campaign drill results reported today in Table 1. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8218/280147_6de8a16a748e489d_002full.jpg Table 1. Richmond Hill Drill Results (Metric / Imperial)1,2,3,4,5,6 Hole # From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Grade (g/t) g x m From (ft) To (ft) Interval (ft) Grade (oz/ton) Program RH25C-222 0.0 10.2 10.2 0.68 7 0.0 33.6 33.6 0.020 Metallurgical 27.9 59.1 31.2 0.96 30 91.6 194.0 102.4 0.028 63.0 66.1 3.1 0.74 2 206.8 217.0 10.2 0.021 76.3 88.4 12.1 1.80 22 250.3 289.9 39.6 0.053 91.4 108.8 17.3 1.12 20 299.9 356.8 56.9 0.033 118.6 124.8 6.2 0.59 4 389.0 409.5 20.5 0.017 132.5 143.9 11.4 0.69 8 434.7 472.0 37.3 0.020 146.9 150.1 3.2 0.86 3 482.0 492.6 10.6 0.025 155.3 167.0 11.7 0.69 8 509.6 548.0 38.4 0.020 RH25C-235 14.7 19.0 4.3 1.38 6 48.2 62.3 14.1 0.040 Metallurgical 53.2 56.6 3.4 3.33 11 174.5 185.8 11.3 0.097 65.4 73.0 7.6 1.30 10 214.5 239.4 24.9 0.038 inc. 65.4 65.8 0.5 13.30 6 214.5 216.0 1.5 0.388 84.3 87.5 3.2 2.31 7 276.7 287.1 10.4 0.067 RH25C-238 4.4 9.8 5.3 0.82 4 14.5 32.0 17.5 0.024 Metallurgical 15.1 19.1 4.0 3.23 13 49.6 62.7 13.1 0.094 23.5 28.5 4.9 4.19 21 77.2 93.4 16.2 0.122 33.4 51.2 17.8 1.60 28 109.6 168.0 58.4 0.047 60.4 65.2 4.9 2.14 10 198.0 214.0 16.0 0.062 70.3 74.3 4.1 1.07 4 230.5 243.8 13.3 0.031 RH25C-240 4.6 10.1 5.5 1.46 8 15.2 33.2 18.0 0.043 Metallurgical 28.0 32.2 4.3 0.78 3 91.7 105.8 14.1 0.023 53.9 77.6 23.7 0.73 17 176.9 254.7 77.8 0.021 93.2 96.3 3.2 0.67 2 305.7 316.1 10.4 0.020 RH25C-312 144.4 151.6 7.2 0.99 7 473.7 497.3 23.6 0.029 Expansion 158.5 162.5 4.1 2.63 11 520.0 533.3 13.3 0.077 RH25C-314 89.9 107.9 18.0 1.18 21 294.8 354.0 59.2 0.035 Expansion 111.3 114.1 2.7 9.75 27 365.3 374.3 9.0 0.284 inc. 111.3 113.1 1.8 14.30 26 365.3 371.2 5.9 0.417 RH25C-316 49.0 71.0 24.6 0.77 19 160.9 233.0 72.1 0.022 Expansion 75.8 81.0 5.8 1.47 8 248.8 265.7 16.9 0.043 98.5 101.5 3.4 0.54 2 323.0 333.0 10.0 0.016 138.7 141.7 3.4 0.76 3 455.0 465.0 10.0 0.022 144.2 147.2 3.4 0.61 2 473.0 483.0 10.0 0.018 155.5 159.4 4.4 2.06 9 510.2 523.0 12.8 0.060 RH25C-317 42.4 52.1 9.8 0.74 7 139.0 171.0 32.0 0.022 Expansion 82.6 88.1 5.5 0.65 4 270.9 288.9 18.0 0.019 103.8 111.3 7.5 1.02 8 340.6 365.1 24.5 0.030 115.6 124.4 8.8 1.09 10 379.3 408.3 29.0 0.032 RH25C-318 71.0 74.4 3.4 1.08 4 233.0 244.0 11.0 0.031 Expansion RH25C-319 33.5 81.1 47.6 1.18 56 109.9 266.0 156.1 0.034 Expansion 85.2 92.1 6.9 0.67 5 279.6 302.3 22.7 0.020 105.2 114.8 9.6 1.00 10 345.0 376.6 31.6 0.029 119.0 124.9 5.9 3.43 20 390.4 409.8 19.4 0.100 128.9 132.3 3.4 0.76 3 423.0 434.0 11.0 0.022 155.8 163.0 7.3 1.85 13 511.0 534.8 23.8 0.054 RH25C-320 83.9 90.5 6.6 0.68 4 275.2 297.0 21.8 0.020 Expansion RH25C-321 No Significant Results Expansion RH25C-322 77.1 93.9 16.7 1.71 29 253.1 308.0 54.9 0.050 Expansion 104.9 108.0 3.1 1.49 5 344.2 354.4 10.2 0.043 RH25C-323 77.1 81.7 4.6 0.84 4 253.0 268.0 15.0 0.025 Expansion 84.7 95.4 10.7 1.34 14 278.0 313.0 35.0 0.039 110.3 141.5 31.1 2.19 68 362.0 464.1 102.1 0.064 inc. 134.8 136.3 1.5 17.35 26 442.3 447.2 4.9 0.506 RH25C-324 85.4 99.1 13.7 1.26 17 280.2 325.0 44.8 0.037 Expansion 128.9 135.0 6.1 1.09 7 423.0 443.0 20.0 0.032 RH25C-325 No Significant Results Expansion BG-GW-08 51.8 57.9 6.1 1.10 7 170.0 190.0 20.0 0.032 Monitoring Well The table may contain rounding errors. Abbreviations in the table include ounces per ton ("oz/ton"); grams per tonne ("g/t"); feet ("ft"); meter ("m"); and gram meters ("g x m"). True thickness unknown. Intervals calculated based on 0.5 g/t Au cut-off and maximum dilution of 3.05 meters. The July 7, 2025 Initial Assessment with Cash Flow has an open pit designed with 12.2m (40 ft) benches. The average grade for the Measured and Indicated mine plan is 0.566 g/t Au (0.017 oz/ton). A gram meter of 7 and above has been highlighted in Table 1 based on the bench height and average grade. The following condemnation holes drilled at the location of the planned heap leach pad 1 has confirmed no significant gold mineralization: RH25C-258 and RH25C-277 The following monitoring water well hole drilled outside of the resource area for permitting has confirmed no significant gold mineralization: BG-GW-05; CC-GW-01 and CC-GW-02 2026 Maitland Program The 2026 Maitland drill campaign will infill previous Dakota Gold and historical Homestake Mining Company drilling, targeting a maiden resource by the end of the year 2026 for the Unionville Zone. The Unionville Zone is an extensive zone of continuous Tertiary epithermal gold mineralization that remains open in all directions. To date, Dakota Gold's drill program has tested and confirmed the Unionville Zone target extension strike extends for at least 2,000 meters (6,562 feet). In addition, with the inclusion of rock chip samples, the total strike length extends 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) shown in Figure 2. The Maitland Unionville Zone is located 2,134 meters (1.33 miles or 7,000 feet) east from Richmond Hill shown in Figure 3. The close proximity of the flagship projects could provide potential leveraging of infrastructure. While the focus of the 2026 Maitland infill drill campaign is the Unionville Zone, the Company will continue to evaluate additional work to advance Maitland's JB Gold Zone. The JB Gold Zone is a high-grade underground discovery, which features Homestake style gold bearing banded iron formation. Drilling to date includes 47 drill holes with an average grade of 10.76 g/t Au and intercept width of 4.0 meters (with unknown true thickness). The JB Gold Zone provides long term high-grade optionality. Figure 2. Plan view of Dakota Gold Corp. Maitland highlighted drill holes containing Tertiary epithermal gold mineralization. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8218/280147_6de8a16a748e489d_003full.jpg Figure 3. Aerial map of Dakota Gold Corp. Richmond Hill and Maitland Gold Projects. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8218/280147_6de8a16a748e489d_004full.jpg Dakota Gold will be hosting an investor and analyst tour in January 2026. A copy of the presentation for the upcoming tour will be available to view on the Company website: https://dakotagoldcorp.com/investor-info/investor-downloads/ About Dakota Gold Corp. Dakota Gold is expanding the legacy of the 145-year-old Homestake Gold Mining District by advancing the Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project to commercial production as soon as 2029, and outlining a tertiary maiden resource as well as a high-grade underground gold resource at the Maitland Gold Project, both located on private land in South Dakota. Subscribe to Dakota Gold's e-mail list at www.dakotagoldcorp.com to receive the latest news and other Company updates. Shareholder and Investor Inquiries Qualified Person and S-K 1300 Disclosure James M. Berry, a Registered Member of SME and Vice President of Exploration of Dakota Gold Corp., is the Company's designated qualified person (as defined in Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K) for this news release and has reviewed and approved its scientific and technical content. Quality Assurance/Quality Control consists of regular insertion of certified reference materials, duplicate samples, and blanks into the sample stream. Samples are submitted to the ALS Geochemistry sample preparation facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Gold and multi-element analyses are performed at the ALS Geochemistry laboratory in Vancouver, British Columbia. ALS Minerals is an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited lab. Check samples are submitted to Bureau Veritas, Vancouver B.C. as an umpire laboratory. Assay results are reviewed, and discrepancies are investigated prior to incorporation into the Company database. Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this communication, the words "plan," "target," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "potential," "will" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Any express or implied statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: our expectations regarding additional drilling, metallurgy and modeling; our ability to deliver a new maiden resource at the Maitland Project by year end, our expectations for the improvement and growth of the mineral resources and potential for conversion of mineral resources into reserves; completion of a pre-feasibility study, a feasibility study, and/or permitting; our expectations regarding free cash flow and future financing, and our overall expectation for the possibility of near-term production at the Richmond Hill project. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and expectations that may not be realized and are inherently subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the execution and timing of our planned exploration activities; our use and evaluation of historic data; our ability to achieve our strategic goals; the state of the economy and financial markets generally and the effect on our industry; and the market for our common stock. The foregoing list is not exhaustive. For additional information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements, we refer you to the risk factors included in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as updated by annual, quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. These statements speak only as of the date of this communication, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. We do not give any assurance that we will achieve our expectations. All references to "$" in this communication are to U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280147 Source: Dakota Gold Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - GT Resources Inc. (TSXV: GT) (OTCQB: CGTRF) (FSE: 7N1) (the "Company" or "GT") is pleased to provide an update on the Lantinen Koillismaa ("LK") Copper - Nickel - Palladium - Platinum Project, located in northcentral Finland. Highlights The Company has commenced an extensive assay infill and re-assay program for the Kaukau Zone of the existing LK deposit. Over 5,000 samples from across the Kaukua Zone are expected to be analysed to better define known mineralization. This work is being conducted in preparation for a potential Resource Update and Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"). Background LK is the Company's most advanced project having an existing NI43-101 Palladium - Platinum - Copper dominated open pit Resource Estimate1 as follows: Indicated Resources: 1.1 Million ounces Total Precious Metals (Palladium + Platinum + Gold) ("TMP"), 111 Million pounds of Copper , 92 Million pounds of Nickel, contained in 38.2 million tonnes. Inferred Resources: 1.1 Million ounces TMP , 173 Million Pounds Copper , 152 Million Pounds Nickel, contained in 49.7 million tonnes. The LK project remains open for expansion laterally and at depth, notably along the 17-km long Haukiaho Trend (see July 20, 2022 news release) Neil Pettigrew, Vice President Exploration, commented "With the resurgence of the platinum and palladium markets coupled with Europe's focus on developing domestic critical mineral supply channels, GT is well positioned with the suite of metal that global markets require. The LK Project, located in northcentral Finland, represents the Company's most advanced project having a NI 43-101 open pit Resource Estimate (Table 1a & 1b) and is well positioned to supply the European Union with critical minerals, notably copper, palladium and platinum, of which Finland is heavy dependant on imports with only one producing mine (Boliden's Kevitsa Mine). Boliden also operates both copper and nickel smelters in Finland, thereby providing LK a potential competitive logistical advantage." Assay Infill and Re-assay Program The current infill and re-assay program is focused on the historic drilling of the Kaukua Zone which was undertaken prior to 2009. The historic drill programs did not sample 100% of the drill core, and potential remains to identify additional in pit resources. A total of ~500 infill samples are being collected and will be submitted for analysis. The primary focus of the program is to produce a homogenous assay database at Kaukua with all samples analysed using the same analytical techniques. Historic drill programs used the "Aqua Regia" digestion method. Aqua Regia is a partial digestion method which underestimates the total nickel grade as it only digests sulphide hosted nickel. The majority of the drill hole samples at Kaukua were completed by the Company and were analysed with the "Four Acid" digestion method which provides a more complete digestion of the sample and representation of total nickel grade. All the Metallurgical testing by the Company and the Net Smelter Return ("NSR") calculation used in the 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate assumed all samples were analysed using the Four Acid digestion method. This resulted in a two-fold effect: it under reported total nickel grades and secondly applied an unnecessarily harsh nickel recovery to historic drill holes. Re-assaying historic samples analysed by Aqua Regia was one of the recommendations from the 2022 technical report. A total of ~4,600 drill core pulps are being collected and will be submitted for analysis. Once these results have been compiled and analyzed on the Kaukua Zone the re-assay program may be extended to the Haukiaho Zone which has an even larger proportion of historic drill holes. Resource Expansion Potential The 17-kilometer long Haukiaho trend represents the nearest term expansion potential (Figure 3). The Haukiaho Deposit currently occupies only 2 kilometers of this trend. Historic drilling along this trend, primarily by Outokumpu in the 1960's was only sampled for copper and nickel, partial resampling of historic drill core by the Company in 2022 (see July 20, 2022 news release) returned significant platinum and palladium grades. Figure 3. Location Map of the LK Project, NI 43-101 Mineral Resources, and near-term expansion potential To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6502/280109_72361bf0d414797c_001full.jpg1 1 Mineral Resource Estimate dated April 25, 2022: Table 1a. 2022 LK MRE MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE - April 2022 Tonnes & Grade Strip Ratio Tonnes (Mt) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Au (g/t) TPM (g/t) Cu (%) Ni (%) Co (g/t) Indicated Kaukua Area 1.50 38.2 0.61 0.22 0.07 0.89 0.13 0.11 64.56 Inferred Kaukua Area +Murtolampi 1.45 30.8 0.52 0.20 0.08 0.80 0.14 0.14 86.07 Haukiaho 0.58 18.9 0.27 0.11 0.10 0.48 0.18 0.14 54.30 Total Inf. 1.26 49.7 0.43 0.17 0.09 0.68 0.16 0.14 73.98 Table 1b: 2022 LK MRE In-situ contained metal MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE - April 2022 Contained Metal Strip Ratio Pd (M oz) Pt (M oz) Au (M oz) TPM (M oz) Cu (M lbs) Ni (M lbs) Co (M lbs) Indicated Kaukua Area 1.50 0.74 0.26 0.08 1.09 110.7 91.6 5.4 Inferred Kaukua Area +Murtolampi 1.45 0.52 0.20 0.07 0.79 96.5 93.9 5.8 Haukiaho 0.58 0.16 0.07 0.06 0.29 76.4 57.5 2.3 Total Inf. 1.26 0.68 0.26 0.14 1.08 172.9 151.5 8.1 Notes: CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Resources. The Mineral Resources have been reported above a preliminary open pit constraining surface using a Net Smelter Return (NSR) pit discard cut-off of US$12.5/t (which for comparison purposes equates to an approximately 0.65 g/t Palladium Equivalent in-situ cut-off, based on metal prices only). The NSR used for reporting is based on the following: Long term metal prices of US$ 1,700/oz Pd, US$ 1,100/oz Pt, US$ 1,800/oz Au, US$ 4.25/lb Cu, US$ 8.50/lb Ni and US$ 25/lb Co. Variable metallurgical recoveries for each metal were used at Kaukua and Murtolampi and fixed recoveries of 79.8% Pd, 80.1% Pt, 65% Au, 89% Cu, 64% Ni and 0% Co at Haukiaho. Commercial terms for a Cu and Ni concentrate based on indicative quotations from smelters. Total Precious Metals (TPM) equals palladium plus platinum plus gold Bulk densities range between 1.8 and 3.23 t/m3. Numbers may not add up due to rounding. Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. The quantity and grade of reported inferred resources in this estimation are conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these inferred resources as an indicated or measured mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an indicated or measured mineral resource category. The Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared by the Company under the supervision of Mr. Sean Horan, P.Geo., Technical Manager of Geology at SLR Consulting Ltd., based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Horan is an Independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. The Mineral Resource Estimate in the April 25, 2022 news release has been classified in accordance with CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 14, 2014). Qualified Person The technical information in this release has been reviewed and verified by Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration and a director of the Company and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About GT Resources GT Resources Inc. (TSXV: GT) is a mineral exploration company with a strategy to develop copper, nickel, platinum and palladium mining projects in Europe and North America. Our projects are located in Finland and Canada and are comprised of district scale opportunities that have attracted strategic investment from a major mining company. Follow GT Resources on LinkedIn, Twitter, and at https://gtresourcesinc.com/ . Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States of America. The common shares of GT Resources Inc. have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration. Information set forth in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. 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. Such factors include, among others, risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in mineral and commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume; and the impact of governmental entities. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280109 Source: GT Resources Inc. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / ATHA Energy Corp. ("ATHA" or the "Company") (TSXV:SASK)(OTCQB:SASKF)(FRA:X5U) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding term sheet (the "Term Sheet") with Queen's Road Capital Investment Ltd. ("QRC") for a private placement (the "Offering") of USD$20 million (~CAD$27.7 million1) principal amount of unsecured convertible debentures of the Company (the "Debentures"). Additionally, QRC will retain a two-year option to purchase an additional USD$20 million Debentures at a price per common share equal to 130% of market price. Proceeds from the Offering will be used to fund the exploration and development of the Company's Angilak Uranium Project located in Nunavut, Canada and for general corporate purposes. The principal amount of the Debentures will be convertible, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder thereof, into Shares at a price per Share of C$0.85 per Share, based on the Bank of Canada daily exchange rate and subject to adjustment in certain events (the "Conversion Price"). Queen's Road Capital Investment Ltd. (QRC - TSX) is a dividend paying, leading financier to the global resource sector. QRC is a resource-focused investment company, making investments in privately held and publicly traded resource companies. QRC acquires and holds securities for long-term capital appreciation, with a focus on convertible debt securities and resource projects in advanced development or production located in safe jurisdictions. QRC was a critical supporter of NexGen Energy's development, investing ~USD$100 million between 2020 and 2023. Troy Boisjoli, CEO & Director of ATHA commented: "Queen's Road Capital has a proven track record of recognizing and investing early in top tier uranium exploration assets and Companies, such as NexGen Energy and IsoEnergy. The investment by QRC is a tremendous vote of confidence and recognition of the potential that ATHA sees at its Angilak Uranium Project in Nunavut. In 2025, the Company followed up on the success of its maiden 2024 campaign by focusing exploration on regional high-priority target areas, designed to unlock the prospectivity of the Angikuni Basin. As a result, ATHA made five new uranium discoveries across the three currently defined mineralized corridors at Angilak: The Mineralized RIB Corridor (MRC) anchored by the RIB North Discovery, the KU-Nine Iron Corridor, and expansion of mineralization along the Lac 50 Deposit Corridor outside of Exploration Target footprint. The Angilak Uranium Project is something truly unique in uranium exploration - the project encompasses an entire basin with more than 10 uranium discoveries, all open and unconstrained, with unparalleled upside for additional discoveries. ATHA has the right project and the right team, and with today's announcement of QRC's investment now has all components in place to unlock the potential of Angilak." Warren Gilman, Chairman and CEO of QRC commented: "Queen's Road Capital is thrilled to support the next phase of development at the Angilak Uranium Project in Nunavut following the 2025 discovery of the Mineralized RIB Corridor with intercepts including 8.16% U3O8 over 0.5 meters and 4.81% U3O8 over 1.1 meters. The Angikuni Basin, which ATHA Energy owns in its entirety, is returning some of the best uranium intercepts in Canada outside the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. This investment complements our other high quality asset uranium investments, including NexGen Energy and IsoEnergy." The Debentures will bear interest ("Interest") at a rate of 12% per annum, payable quarterly, over a five-year term.Two-thirds of the Interest (8% per annum) will be payable in cash and one-thirdof the Interest (4% per annum) will be payable at a price per Share equal to the greater of the volume-weighted average trading price ("VWAP") of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (or such other Canadian stock exchange on which the Shares may be listed from time to time) (the "TSXV") for the 20 trading days ending on the last trading day prior to the date on which such Interest is due, and the minimum price permitted by the policies of the TSXV. In connection with the Offering and, subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals (including the TSXV), the Company will also enter into an investor rights agreement with QRC containing provisions relating to, among other things, voting alignment, standstill and transfer restriction covenants. The Company will also grant QRC the option, exercisable for a period of two years, to acquire an additional US$20 million of debentures on substantially the same terms as the Debentures, including at a price per Share equal to 130% of the then market price. At Closing of the Offering, the Company will also pay to QRC in cash or Shares, at the option of QRC, an establishment fee of 3% of the principal amount of the Debentures. Closing of the Offering is subject to customary closing conditions, including the completion of business, legal and financial due diligence satisfactory to QRC, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals (including the TSXV), the completion of definitive documentation (which shall include other customary terms for a transaction of this nature), and there being no material adverse change in the business of the Company, or a major event of national or international consequence that disrupts the financial markets or the business, operations or affairs of the Company. About ATHA Energy Corp. ATHA Energy is a uranium mineral exploration company with a strategically balanced portfolio including three 100%-owned post discovery uranium projects (the Angilak Uranium Project located in Nunavut, CMB Discoveries in Labrador, and the newly discovered basement hosted GMZ high-grade uranium discovery located in the Athabasca Basin) and the largest cumulative prospective exploration land package (>7 million acres) in two of the world's most prominent basins for uranium discoveries. ATHA Energy also holds a 10% carried interest in key Athabasca Basin exploration projects operated by NexGen Energy Ltd. (TSX: NXE) and IsoEnergy Ltd. (TSX:ISO). For more information, please contact: Troy Boisjoli Chief Executive Officer Email: info@athaenergy.com Website: www.athaenergy.com Phone: 1-(236)-521-0526 The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States (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. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state of the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. 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. Notes 1 Estimate of proceeds converted to Canadian Dollar (CAD) based on January 12th, 2026, conversion pricing. The value is an estimate only and will fluctuate based on conversion pricing at date of closing. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information contained herein contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements with respect to, the completion of the Offering and the execution of definitive documentation in connection therewith; the final terms of the Offering; the payment of any finder's fees or establishment fees; the expected gross proceeds of the Offering; the use of proceeds from the Offering; the anticipated date for closing of the Offering; the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including approval of the TSXV; QRC acquiring any additional debentures; the conversion of any Debentures including the issuance of any Shares in connection therewith; the payment of any Interest including the issuance of any Shares in connection therewith; and the number of Shares that may be issued upon the payment of any Interest or conversion of any Debentures. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information 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 state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Such forward-looking information is based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Offering will be completed, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the price of uranium and other commodities, the anticipated cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner, and the other assumptions set out in the Offering Document and the current annual information form of the Company, copies of which are available on its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the assumptions made by the Companyin providing forward-looking information 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 events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing; uncertainty of additional financing; no known current mineral resources or reserves; the limited operating history of the Company; aboriginal title and consultation issues; reliance on key management and other personnel; actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated; changes in exploration programs based upon results; 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; environmental risks; changes in laws and regulations; community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals and the risk factors with respect to the Company set out in the Offering Document, the Company's current annual information form and the Company's other filings with the Canadian securities regulators and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual 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 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. The Company 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. SOURCE: ATHA Energy Corp View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/atha-energy-announces-usd20-million-convertible-debenture-financing-1126627 Next-generation architecture delivers real-time, in cabin understanding and accelerates scalable safety innovation to support future mobility CANBERRA, Australia, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Seeing Machines, a global leader in vision-based safety technology, today announced the successful debut of its next-generation 3D Cabin Perception Mapping platform at CES 2026, marking a significant step forward in real-time in cabin monitoring intelligence for future mobility. While exterior perception mapping in automated driving focuses on a multi-sensor reconstruction of the vehicle's surrounding environment, the Seeing Machines 3D perception mapping solution demonstrated live at CES delivers a comprehensive, real-time digital reconstruction of inside the vehicle cabin, enabling a holistic, accurate and scalable approach to interior sensing. Built on a "clean-sheet" architecture, the platform is designed to support multiple cameras, multiple occupants and a wide range of features, all from a single, high-trust perception layer. Unlike traditional feature-by-feature approaches, Seeing Machines' 3D Cabin Perception Mapping solves for the entire cabin simultaneously, improving consistency across features and maintaining accuracy even in the presence of intermittent or noisy sensor data. The architecture provides a powerful abstraction layer that decouples feature development from underlying camera configurations and raw sensing implementations. This allows features to be built once and deployed seamlessly across multiple product configurations, reducing development effort, cost and time to market. "This is a fundamental shift in how interior sensing systems are designed and deployed and the feedback from our CES engagements has been overwhelmingly positive," said John Noble, Chief Technology Officer at Seeing Machines. "By moving from feature-specific pipelines to a unified 3D perception of the cabin, we enable higher accuracy, consistency and scalability. Importantly, this platform will allow our customers to evolve their individual feature strategies, while dramatically lowering the cost and complexity of developing new safety and user experience capabilities." The platform is designed to extend beyond automotive applications, with potential use cases across robotics and other human-machine interaction environments, including human-robot interaction (HRI) environments, where accurate and scalable perception of people and space is critical. The architecture also supports a mix-and-match approach to 3D technologies, enabling deployment flexibility as sensing hardware and use cases evolve. Seeing Machines' CES 2026 showcase reinforces the company's commitment to advancing integrated, vision-based safety systems that support the next generation of intelligent, human-centred mobility. Key CES 2026 Demonstration Features Real-time digital reconstruction of an automotive cabin environment was showcased, including: 3 cameras covering 3 rows of seating with support for up to 7 vehicle occupants; Body size, shape and a full 3D pose solution for all occupants, including height and weight classification; Out-of-position detection for all occupants, for example, occupant reclining, feet on dash, near-airbag detection for driver; Seat configuration, for example, headrest presence, seat position and recline angle; Child seat detection across entire cabin; and Random object detection across cabin, for example, phones, bags and boxes. About Seeing Machines (LSE: SEE) Seeing Machines is a global company founded in 2000, headquartered in Australia and is an industry leader in vision-based monitoring technology that enable machines to see, understand and assist people. Seeing Machines is revolutionising global transport safety with. its technology portfolio of AI algorithms, embedded processing and optics, that power products which must deliver reliable real-time understanding of vehicle operators. The technology spans the critical measurement of where a driver is looking, through to classification of their cognitive state as it applies to accident risk. Reliable "driver state" measurement is the end-goal of Driver and Occupant Monitoring System (DMS/OMS) technology that Seeing Machines develops to drive safety for Automotive, Commercial Fleet, Off-road and Aviation. The company has offices in Australia, USA, Europe and Asia, and supplies technology solutions and services to industry leaders in each market vertical. www.seeingmachines.com Seeing Machines contacts: Media/investor: Sophie Nicoll, sophie.nicoll@seeingmachines.com, +61 419 149 683 Sales: Lori Markatos, lori.markatos@seeingmachines.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2860304/Driver_near_airbag_final.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2860305/Busy_cabin_final.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1247670/Seeing_Machines_Logo_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/seeing-machines-breaks-new-ground-at-ces-2026-with-3d-cabin-perception-mapping-302659651.html Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States. VANCOUVER, BC AND BREDA, THE NETHERLANDS / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Organto Foods Inc. (TSXV:OGO)(OTCQX:OGOFF)(FSE:OGF0), ("Organto" or the"Company") today announced that it intends to implement an early exercise incentive program (the "Incentive Program") relating to an aggregate of 8,000,000 warrants (the "Warrants"), subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Warrants were issued on September 10, 2025, in connection with the completion of a non-brokered private placement of units (the "Private Placement"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") at an exercise price of C$0.75 until March 10, 2027, subject to acceleration in accordance with its terms. Under the proposed Incentive Program and subject to TSXV approval, holders of Warrants who voluntarily exercise their Warrants during a 30-day period (the "Incentive Period") commencing on the date on which TSXV conditional approval is obtained in respect of the Incentive Program] and expiring at [4:30 pm (Vancouver time)] on the date that is 30 days thereafter] (the "Incentive Program Expiry Time"), will be entitled to receive one additional common share purchase warrant for every three (3) Warrants exercised (the "Incentive Warrants"). Each Incentive Warrant would entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of C$1.00 for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance. The Incentive Warrants will not be subject to acceleration. The Incentive Program is intended to encourage the early exercise of the Warrants during the Incentive Period. Any Warrants that are not exercised prior to the Incentive Program Expiry Time will continue to be exercisable on their original terms until their original expiry date. If all outstanding Warrants issued pursuant to the Private Placement are exercised prior to the Incentive Program Expiry Time, a maximum of up to 2,666,666 Incentive Warrants could be issued pursuant to the Incentive Program for gross proceeds of up to $6,000,000. No fractional Incentive Warrants will be issued, and any fractional entitlements will be rounded down to the nearest whole number in the event of that the number of Warrants exercised by a holder is not a multiple of three. Any Common Shares issued upon exercise of Warrants will be subject to the original statutory hold period applicable to such Warrants and the Common Shares issuable thereunder, and any Incentive Warrants issued pursuant to the Incentive Program (including any Common Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise thereof), will be subject to applicable statutory hold periods under Canadian securities laws. No insiders of the Company are expected to participate in the Incentive Program. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. persons ("U.S. Persons"), as such term is defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the 1933 Act or any 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 unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available. The Incentive Program, including the issuance of the Incentive Warrants, remains subject to acceptance by the TSXV. There is no assurance that the Incentive Program will be implemented as proposed or at all. Issuance of Shares As announced in the Company's July 18, 2025, news release, the Company recently issued 1,475,385 shares in December 2025 to management and employees to settle $575,400 of bonuses granted in 2024. In November and December 2025, 90,000 shares were issued upon the conversion of restricted share units, and 50,000 shares were issued upon the exercise of stock options. On Behalf of the Board Steve Bromley Co-Chair and CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulatory Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this new release. Investor & Media Contact: John Rathwell SVP, Corporate Development john.rathwell@organto.com www.organto.com About Organto Foods Organto Foods Inc. (TSXV:OGO)(OTCQX:OGOFF)(FSE:OGF0) is a Canadian-headquartered company supplying certified organic and fairtrade produce to leading international retailers. Organto manages global sourcing, logistics and distribution through an integrated, capital-efficient model that connects growers and consumers with transparency, sustainability and operational excellence. Forward Looking Statements This news release may include certain forward-looking information and statements, as defined by law including without limitation Canadian securities laws and the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("forward-looking statements"). In particular, and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements respecting Organto's plans to provide an early Warrant exercise incentive program to holders of Warrants; management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations; and general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including without limitation assumptions about the following: that TSXV acceptance of the proposed Incentive Program will be obtained in a timely manner subject only to standard conditions; all conditions precedent to the issuance of the Incentive Warrants will be satisfied in a timely manner and on acceptable terms. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and Organto undertakes no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law. SOURCE: Organto Foods, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/organto-foods-inc.-announces-proposed-early-warrant-exercise-incentive-1126415 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Renegade Gold Inc. (TSXV: RAGE) (OTCQB: TGLDF) (FSE: 0700) ("Renegade" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Enrico (Rick) Paolone and Dain Currie as directors of the Company, strengthening the Company's leadership team with extensive capital markets, governance, and mining-sector expertise. Mr. Paolone has also been appointed as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Paolone brings more than 32 years of experience advising institutional portfolio managers across Canada and the United States. He previously served as Executive Vice President and founding Partner of the Capital Markets Division at Haywood Securities Inc., and as Branch Manager of the firm's Toronto office. Mr. Paolone has extensive experience in capital raising and capital markets transactions for early-stage public companies, with a focus on the natural resources sector, including precious metals and energy. He brings deep experience in corporate governance, strategic advisory, and capital formation. Mr. Paolone holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and bachelor's degrees in finance and economics. Mr. Currie is a capital markets and corporate strategy professional with over 20 years of experience advising private and public companies, primarily in the mining and natural resource sectors. He began his career as an investment advisor focused on junior resource markets and was most recently with Haywood Securities. Since that time, Mr. Currie has worked closely with management teams and boards on strategic planning, capital allocation, financing strategy, and governance, and has remained actively involved in the sector through principal investments and strategic advisory roles. Mr. Currie is President and Director of Oceanside Strategies Inc., and a Partner and Director of Oceanside Group. He has previously served as a director of South Pacific Metals Corp., Intertidal Capital Corp., and Wittering Capital Corp. Devin Pickell, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Rick and Dain to the Board. Rick's decades of capital markets leadership and governance experience, combined with his appointment as Chairman, significantly strengthen the Company at an important stage of its growth. Dain brings corporate strategy and capital markets expertise, along with a strong understanding of the junior mining sector. Together, their experience will support disciplined execution as we advance our exploration strategy and continue building long-term value in the Red Lake district." John Newell has resigned as a director of the Company. Mr. Newell will now act as an advisor to the Company. About Renegade Gold Inc. Renegade Gold Inc. is a growth focused company engaged in the business of acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in the Red Lake Mining District of Northern Ontario. As part of its regional-scale consolidation strategy, the Company has assembled one of the largest prospective land packages in and around the Red Lake mining district in proximity to major mines and deposits, as well as along the Confederation Lake and Birch-Uchi greenstone belts. The 1,320 km2 prospective and diversified exploration portfolio has significant potential for gold and critical minerals on trend with the major structures hosting known gold occurrences in the Red Lake mining district today, though mineralization elsewhere in the Red Lake mining district is not necessarily indicative of the mineral potential at the Company's properties. For further information, please contact: Renegade Gold Inc. Devin Pickell President, CEO and Director 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 Statements contained in this press 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 legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "significant," "expect," "may," "will" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the Forward-Looking Information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that all requisite approvals will be received, and all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Factors that may cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, inaccurate assumptions concerning the exploration for and development of mineral deposits, currency fluctuations, unanticipated operational or technical difficulties, risks related to unforeseen delays; general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes; timeliness of regulatory approvals, the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits, changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets and the inability to raise additional financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this Forward-Looking Information. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update this Forward-Looking Information after the date of this release or to revise such information to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280153 Source: Renegade Gold Inc. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Silver X Mining Corp. (TSXV:AGX)(OTCQB:AGXPF)(F:AGX) ("Silver X" or the "Company") is pleased to announce strong silver channel sampling results from Red Silver-a key exploration asset within the Company's Flagship Nueva Recuperada Property-located in Huancavelica, Peru. Results include 735 grams per tonne (g/t) silver over 65 metres of strike length and 649 g/t Ag over 40 metres, confirming the presence of multiple continuous strong silver shoots. Based on these results, the Company is pleased to announce a 1,200-metre underground diamond drill program to test the vertical and lateral continuity of the newly defined mineralized zones. "Sampling more than 65 metres along the vein shoot with approximately 735 grams of silver per tonne clearly demonstrates the strength and continuity of the Red Silver system", said Jose Garcia, CEO of Silver X. "These results give us the confidence to move forward immediately with underground drilling. By advancing drilling and development in parallel with production expansion, we are aggressively testing the scale of this discovery while maintaining disciplined, efficient execution. We believe this work has the potential to meaningfully enhance our near-term production profile and strengthen the long-term growth trajectory of the operation." High-Grade Silver Defined Through Underground Sampling Silver X has completed a systematic underground channel sampling program on Level 810, targeting previously underexplored areas of the Silvia and Rossana veins. The program successfully delineated four high-grade mineralized shoots, demonstrating strong grade continuity and reinforcing the interpretation of a robust, silver-rich vein system. Key sampling highlights include: Silvia Vein - Shoot 1: 735 g/t Ag , 0.45% Pb and 0.73% Zn over an average width of 0.56 metres across 65 metres of strike (Figure 01). Silvia Vein - Shoot 2: 649 g/t Ag , 0.40% Pb and 0.69% Zn over 0.50 metres across 40 metres of strike (Figure 01). Rossana Vein: Two additional mineralized shoots identified, including 497 g/t Ag (over 0.92m width in Shoot 1) and a zinc-rich shoot grading 1.98% Zn (Shoot 2) in Figure 02. These results confirm the presence of continuous, mine-scale strong silver mineralization within accessible underground workings. Figure 01: Location of shoots and mine development plan in Silvia Vein Longitudinal Section. Figure 02: Location of shoots and mine development plan in Rossana Vein Longitudinal Section. 1,200-Metre Underground Drill Program Announced In response to the strong channel sampling results, Silver X is advancing an underground diamond drilling program totaling approximately 1,200 metres across 15 drill holes. The drill program is designed to: Test the vertical and lateral extensions of the Silvia, Rossana, Luz, Larissa and Mariela strong shoots. Evaluate the plunge continuity of mineralization above and below Levels 810 and 860. Support future resource growth, mine planning and development decisions. Drilling is expected to commence in the near term. Figure 03: 1,200m underground drill program and planned mine development. Plan view with vein projections at level 860. Parallel Exploration Through Mine Development In parallel with drilling, the Company plans to initiate underground development on Level 860, located approximately 50 metres above Level 810. This development will provide direct access to the up-dip extensions of the strong mineralized shoots, allowing for additional mapping and channel sampling. This dual-track strategy-drilling and mine development above - is intended to rapidly advance geological understanding while maintaining capital efficiency. Summary of Channel Sampling Results Vein Shoot Strike Length (m) Avg. Width (m) Ag (g/T) Pb (%) Zn (%) Silvia Shoot 1 65 0.56 735 0.45 0.73 Silvia Shoot 2 40 0.50 649 0.40 0.69 Rossana Shoot 1 35 0.92 497 0.30 0.64 Rossana Shoot 2 45 0.82 396 0.48 1.98 Table 01: Summary of Channel Sampling Results Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Silver X follows rigorous QA/QC protocols. Channel samples were collected using hammer and chisel to ensure representative sampling of the vein material and immediate wall rock. Samples were dispatched to an ISO-certified laboratory in Lima, Peru. The program includes the regular insertion of certified reference materials (standards), blanks, and field duplicates to ensure the highest level of analytical accuracy. Please see "Cautionary Note regarding Production without Mineral Reserves" at the end of this news release. Qualified Person Mr. A. David Heyl, B.Sc., C.P.G who is a qualified person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release for Silver X. Mr. A. David Heyl is a consultant for Silver X. Cautionary Note regarding Production without Mineral Reserves The decision to commence production at the Nueva Recuperada Project and the Company's ongoing mining operations as referenced herein (the "Production Decision and Operations") are based on economic models prepared by the Company in conjunction with management's knowledge of the property and the existing estimate of mineral resources on the property. The Production Decision and Operations are not based on a preliminary economic assessment, a pre-feasibility study or a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with the Production Decision and Operations, in particular: the risk that mineral grades will be lower than expected; the risk that additional construction or ongoing mining operations are more difficult or more expensive than expected; and production and economic variables may vary considerably, due to the absence of a detailed economic and technical analysis in accordance with NI 43-101. About Silver X Silver X is a rapidly expanding silver producer and developer advancing the Nueva Recuperada Project in Peru, a 20,795-hectare, district-scale land package with two mining units and over 200 targets. Current production at the Tangana Mining Unit is scaling alongside the planned restart of the Plata Mine, supporting a path to ~6 million AgEq ounces annually by 2029. With immediate revenue, scalable growth, and long-term discovery upside - all within one integrated project - Silver X is building the next-generation silver company defined by growth, resilience, and responsible mining. For more information visit our website at www.silverxmining.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Jose M. Garcia CEO and Director For further information, please contact: Kaitlin Taylor Investor Relations ir@silverxmining.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. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain acts, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".All information contained in this press release, other than statements of current and historical fact, is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may include, without limitation, exploration plans, results of operations, expected performance at the Project, the Company's belief that the Tangana system will provide considerable resource expansion potential, that the Company will be able to mine the Tangana Mining Unit in an economic manner, and the expected financial performance of the Company. The following are some of the assumptions upon which forward-looking information is based: that general business and economic adverse manner; demand for, and stable or improving price for the commodities we produce; receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals, permits and renewals in a timely manner; that the Company will not experience any material accident, labour dispute or failure of plant or equipment or other material disruption in the Company's operations at the Project and Nueva Recuperada Plant; the availability of financing for operations and development; the Company's ability to procure equipment and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; that the estimates of the resources at the Project and the geological, operational and price assumptions on which these and the Company's operations are based are within reasonable bounds of accuracy(including with respect to size, grade and recovery); the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and directors; and the ability of management to execute strategic goals. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to those risks described in the Company's annual and interim MD&As and in its public documents filed on www.sedar.com from time to time. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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 statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Silver X Mining Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/silver-x-defines-high-grade-mineralization-at-red-silver-underground-channel-samp-1126385 WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Fairtrade businesses in the U.S. are leading the food and beverage industry on sustainability this year. Despite economic uncertainty and increased pressure to shy away from environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, Fairtrade businesses have raised the bar for trade justice by increasing their investments in the farmers that make their products possible. Through Fairtrade certification, businesses foster long-term partnerships with some of the most exploited actors in the global food system: small-scale farmers, workers, and cooperatives. These partnerships, in concert with Fairtrade's unique pricing model, increase stability and assurance in the high-risk business of farming. Sourcing ingredients from Fairtrade's network of farming organizations enables brands to build transparent, sustainable supply chains that they can be proud of - that provide decent livelihoods and greater climate resilience. From March 2024 to March 2025, the 5,000+ Fairtrade products sold in the U.S. exceeded $1 billion in sales. By using the power of trade for change, these sales resulted in real impact for farming communities around the globe. Fairtrade farming organizations earned about $9 million in Fairtrade Premium from U.S. brand partners in 2024 alone, giving them greater ability to reinvest in their businesses and communities. When partners go beyond their certification commitments, they up their impact for farmers, workers, and cooperatives. Fairtrade recognizes the following brands' achievements: Feastables commits to living income reference pricing The chocolate brand founded by Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, pays the Fairtrade Minimum Price and Premium for 100% of the cocoa it sources and has committed to paying the Fairtrade Living Income Reference Price. Feastables is the first American chocolate company to make this commitment, sending an important signal to the industry that there is a need to collectively change the way cocoa business is done. The Living Income Reference Price is a way for brands to action on their livelihood goals, knowing that the price a company pays for a commodity has a direct impact on farmers' quality of life. This price is set in direct consultation with farmers and not only includes the cost of doing sustainable business, but also accounts for basic needs like food, housing, education and savings in case of emergency.This will make a real difference during market downturns and is important because "stopping child labor starts with addressing its root cause - poverty," as Feastables asserts. Frontier Co-op collaborates on Fairtrade spice market expansion Organic spice leader, Frontier Co-op - who launched the first regenerative organic spice line in the U.S. this year - is working to expand the impact that Fairtrade spice purchases have in farming communities in Guatemala. While Fairtrade has historically certified a range of herbs and spices, Frontier Co-op identified a few they were interested in sourcing that Fairtrade had not previously established fixed premium for, specifically organic cardamom, turmeric, and allspice from Guatemala. Setting Fairtrade premiums for these three commodities will help the farmers who grow them under Fairtrade Standards weather market volatility more effectively, strengthen the smallholder farmer supply chain and increase the availability of sustainable spice options on the market for consumers. Grace Farms Tea & Coffee steps up for sourcing partners in crisis Cyclone Senyar left Sumatra's Ketiara Cooperative, a Fairtrade-certified, women-led coffee farming collective, isolated from surrounding areas and cut off from food, clean water, electricity, and communication. Wasting no time to coordinate a response for their long-standing partner, Grace Farms Tea & Coffee launched a humanitarian relief effort. Their swift actions, in collaboration with Ketiara Cooperative Founder and Chairwoman Ibu Rahmah, enabled the delivery of generators, Starlink satellite communication devices, rice, and essential food supplies by air to the most isolated communities. To support a sustained response in the region, Grace Farms Tea & Coffee is contributing $5 from every bag of its Single-Origin Indonesian coffee sold toward ongoing recovery and rebuilding initiatives in the region. Huconnects directly with farmers Dan Waters, Chief Executive Officer at Hu, spoke at Fairtrade's 2025 Cocoa Producer Forum in Lima, Peru. This gave certified cocoa producers a rare opportunity to hear directly from an American chocolate brand that has made significant investments in sustainable sourcing with Fairtrade. It is especially important for farmers and cooperatives to understand the American chocolate market because Americans have a strong affinity for chocolate and the market is expected to grow 5% by 2030. Hu leadership's presence at the forum marked an exciting addition to their 2024 support, when the brand sponsored two farmers from the cooperatives they source from in Sierra Leone to attend the Cocoa Producer Forum in Cote d'Ivoire. Hu's commitment to Fairtrade sourcing goes beyond cocoa. They also source 100% of their coconut sugar, quinoa, cashews, and vanilla on Fairtrade terms. Hu's coconut sugar-focused Producer Development Initiative has driven progress on gender equality at the cooperative level, increasing women's membership to 48% and leadership in decision-making groups. Today, women hold 15 of 19 delegate positions, which shape long-term planning and farmer representation, at Koperasi Nira Kamukte, a coconut sugar-farming cooperative in Indonesia. More sustainable celebrations with Whole Foods Market In 2025, Whole Foods Market made Halloween better for people and the planet with their new line of Fairtrade certified 365 by Whole Foods Market chocolates, packaged especially for Halloween handouts. By sourcing the cocoa for these specialty items on Fairtrade terms, Whole Foods Market contributed to more secure livelihoods and more resilient ecosystems that cocoa farmers depend on. Whole Foods Market dropped more seasonal chocolate offerings in partnership with Fairtrade in December. As Americans continue to tighten household budgets, it's exciting to see private label offerings that also prioritize Fairtrade. Despite global economic head winds and volatile trade conditions, American consumers remain interested in ethical and sustainable grocery options. Research conducted in 2025 by independent firm GlobeScan showed that 72% of American consumers who have seen the Fairtrade Mark are willing to pay more to ensure the farmers behind their favorite products are paid a fair price. When consumers and brands choose to invest in Fairtrade, they help build more resilient supply chains for grocery basket mainstays, including coffee, chocolate, and bananas. Now more than ever, Fairtrade-certified businesses are instrumental in bringing these options to market and creating the more ethical trade structures needed to reduce poverty and injustice. To learn more about becoming Fairtrade certified, visit our website or sign up for our newsletter. ### About Fairtrade America Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It's about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 60 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world's largest and most recognized fair trade certification program -part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtrade.net, and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Media Contact Liz Davis,?ldavis@fairtradeamerica.org?| +1 202-930-4349 View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Fairtrade America on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Fairtrade America Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fairtrade-america Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Fairtrade America View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/fairtrade-businesses-lead-sustainability-push-into-2026-1126653 Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Sranan Gold Corp. (CSE: SRAN) (OTCQB: SRANF) (FSE: P84) (Tradegate: P84) ("Sranan" or the "Company") announces continued positive diamond drill results from the Randy's Pit target. The 4.5 kilometre Poeketi mineralized shear trend, which hosts the Poeketi and Randy's Pit targets, is part of the Company's 29,000-hectare Tapanahony Gold Project located in Suriname. The Company completed 4,189 metres ("m") of drilling in the second half of 2025 and diamond drilling will resume this month. Hole 25RADD-011 intersected 11.0 m grading 7.33 grams per tonne gold ("g/t Au") from 69.0 m, including 4.0 m at 14.59 g/t Au , and 24.0 m at 0.57 g/t Au from 28.6 m (Figures 1 and 2). Hole 25RADD-012 intersected 10.0 m at 1.08 g/t Au from 29.0 m, including 0.6 m at 11.64 g/t Au , and 3.0 m at 1.15 g/t Au from 87.5 m. The above intercepts are at shallow depths representing potential open-pittable targets. Hole 25RADD-013 intersected 2.5 m grading 5.27 g/t Au from 299.0 m and 1.0 m grading 44.60 g/t Au from 389.5 m. The additional holes shown in Table 1 intersected gold mineralization associated with the Poeketi shear and confirm the continuation and extension of the shear-hosted gold system. The mineralized shear corridor ranges from 50 to 150 m in width and the current drilling, trenching, and historic drilling suggest mineralization can be defined for at least 900 metres of strike. Assay results from a further 4 diamond drill holes are pending. Drilling will continue at Randy's Pit target, starting in January, with the intent to expand the mineralized shear zone along strike and downdip. The discovery of additional high-grade gold shoots like those encountered in 25RADD-004 (NR November 6, 2025) and this release are the objective. Drill intercepts in fresh rock are associated with strong silica-sericite-ankerite alteration in basaltic host rocks that have been sheared into proto-mylonitic to mylonitic rock with grey to white quartz carbonate veins, transposed within the same sheared fabric. Pyrite and pyrrhotite are observed along shear planes, vein selvages as well as within late-stage fractures, which is typical for orogenic gold systems in the Guiana Shield. Intercepts within the saprolite have oxidized sulfide box-works and sugary veins. All the shear zones are north-northwest striking, dipping to the west. Table 1: Mineralized intercepts* of December 2025 holes drilled by Sranan Gold EPSG: 32621, UTM 21N WGS 84 Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) 25RADD-010 102.0 109.0 7.0 0.37 114.0 116.0 2.0 1.10 173.0 180.0 7.0 0.59 194.0 197.0 3.0 1.74 25RADD-011 28.6 53.0 24.4 0.57 69.0 80.0 11.0 7.33 Including 69.0 73.0 4.0 14.59 25RADD-012 29.0 39.0 10.0 1.08 Including 34.0 39.0 5.0 2.02 And including 35.4 36.0 0.6 11.64 87.5 90.5 3.0 1.15 25RADD-013 194.0 201.0 7.0 0.82 207.0 210.0 3.0 0.41 247.0 270.0 23.0 0.59 Including 247.0 248.0 1.0 9.11 282.0 286.0 4.0 0.79 299.0 301.5 2.5 5.27 Including 299.0 300.0 1.0 12.71 319.0 329.0 10.0 0.84 360.0 367.0 7.0 0.65 389.5 390.5 1.0 44.60 25RADD-014 0.0 17.5 17.5 0.82 Including 11.5 17.5 6.0 1.88 25RADD-015 32.0 34.0 2.0 0.41 46.0 50.5 4.5 0.47 25RADD-016 0.0 4.5 4.5 0.51 29.5 31.0 1.5 10.76 100.5 104.0 3.5 0.42 *Intercepts above 0.3 g/t Au with internal dilution up to 10m tolerated. NOTE: Widths shown are sampled intervals along the drill hole and do not represent true widths or thickness. True widths are unknown. Table 2: Coordinates and orientations of Drill Holes Reported in this Release Hole ID UTME (m) UTMN (m) Elevation (m) Target Azimuth () Dip () Depth (m) 25RADD-011 766350 455475 146.7 Randy's Pit 90 -55 207 25RADD-012 766340 455496 143.3 Randy's Pit 90 -45 197 25RADD-013 766548 455447 161.7 Randy's Pit 270 -45 402 25RADD-014 766553 455299 167.7 Randy's Pit 270 -45 403 25RADD-015 766344 455272 149.0 Randy's Pit 90 -45 206 25RADD-016 766400 455248 157.3 Randy's Pit 90 -45 155 Figure 1. Plan map of drilling at Randy's Pit Target showing mineralized intercepts and Poeketi Shear corridor To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10997/280178_94a529f124e7da4c_001full.jpg Figure 2. Cross Section looking north with hole 25RADD-011 showing high grades associated with the Poeketi Shear corridor and significant intercepts at shallow depths To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10997/280178_94a529f124e7da4c_002full.jpg Dennis LaPoint, SVP, Exploration and Business Development, states, "The robust nature of the Poeketi shear system represents just the first of many targets to be tested by Sranan at the Tapanahony Project. We are all looking forward to a very productive 2026 to further develop Randy's Pit and Poeketi targets as well as exploration on the many other earlier stage targets. An excellent technical and drill team is in place with a very productive 2025 behind us." Samples were prepared and assayed by Filab in Paramaribo, Suriname. All samples >2 g/t were re-assayed with 50 gm re-assay and gravimetric assay. Standard QA/QC procedures were followed and showed a satisfactory level of reproducibility. Core logging, photography, and sampling are completed under strict industry standard QA/QC protocols (Oreas certified reference materials, assayed coarse blanks, duplicates of core). Qualified Person Dr. Dennis J. LaPoint, Ph.D., P.Geo., a "qualified person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this release. Dr. LaPoint is not independent of Sranan Gold, as he is the Company's EVP of Exploration and Corporate Development. About Sranan Gold Sranan Gold Corp. is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in Suriname and Canada. The Company's flagship Tapanahony Project covers 29,000 hectares in one of Suriname's most prolific artisanal gold mining districts. Sranan also owns the Aida Property in the Kamloops Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada. For more information, please visit sranangold.com. THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, the timing, nature, scope and details regarding the Company's exploration plans and results at its projects. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Further details about the risks applicable to the Company are contained in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company's profile. Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280178 Source: Sranan Gold Corp. Drilling Focused on Finding Additional Zones of High-Grade Uranium Mineralization Epp Lake Corridor Geophysics Program is Ongoing Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: CVV) (OTCQX: CVVUF) (FSE: DH7) ("CanAlaska" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the start of drilling as part of the $15 million 2026 exploration program on the West McArthur Joint Venture project (the "Project") in the southeastern Athabasca Basin (Figure 2). The 2026 West McArthur winter program will focus on continued step outs from the Pike Zone high-grade mineralization to evaluate for additional zones of high-grade uranium mineralization and continuation of the associated large hydrothermal alteration system. Three drills have been mobilized to the project site and drilling has now begun (Figure 1). The West McArthur project, a Joint Venture with Cameco Corporation, is operated by CanAlaska that holds an estimated 88.86% ownership in the Project as a result of sole-funding exploration in 2025. The 2026 exploration program will be co-funded by Cameco and CanAlaska under the Joint Venture. Figure 1 - Drills at West McArthur Project Looking West Along the C10S Trend To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2864/280136_77827fc5e46959d1_002full.jpg CanAlaska CEO, Cory Belyk, comments, "The CanAlaska team and contractors are on site and drilling this prolific high-grade uranium corridor with a focus of finding the next high-grade 'pearl' of mineralization. Results from our 2025 summer drilling program indicate a continuation of unconformity related uranium mineralization and closely associated structure, alteration and anomalous geochemistry like that observed in association with the nearby main Pike Zone high-grade uranium pod. With continued drilling success, the 2026 drilling program results could be transformative for our shareholders in the backdrop of climbing spot and term contract uranium prices." 2026 West McArthur Exploration Program The 2026 winter drill program on the West McArthur project will consist of three diamond drills operating to achieve an estimated 20 to 25 unconformity target intersections. The primary focus for the winter program will be on the immediate southwest and northeast extensions of the currently defined mineralized footprint (Figure 3). The Company will take a results-based approach, evaluating on a hole-by-hole basis, continued step outs along the C10S corridor from the Pike Zone. The Company will utilize the recent geophysical survey results, which indicate interpreted structural complexity with sharp changes in orientation of the main conductor trend in the immediate four kilometres of strike length around the Pike Zone, to evaluate exploration targets around and along strike of the current Pike Zone footprint. The Company will continue to use downhole mud-motor deviation technology for pilot holes and directional offcuts to increase drilling efficiency and target intercept accuracy. Figure 2 - West McArthur Project Location To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2864/280136_77827fc5e46959d1_004full.jpg Results from previous drill programs on the Project have outlined a mineralized footprint of the Pike Zone at the unconformity that has been traced over 500 metres in strike length. Within the mineralized footprint, a 140-metre-long high-grade pod has been outlined. Results from the most recent drill program indicate the presence of strong hydrothermal alteration, intense structural disruption, and uranium mineralization that appear to be increasing to the southwest along the C10S trend approximately 250 metres away from the high-grade pod of Pike Zone (see News Release dated November 6th, 2025). In the 250 metres of strike length immediately to the southwest of the high-grade pod, the unconformity target area has only been sparsely tested. The Company believes that the results from the most recent drill program highlight the potential for additional zones of high-grade unconformity-associated uranium mineralization to exist. Figure 3 - 2026 Winter Drill Target Areas on West McArthur Project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2864/280136_77827fc5e46959d1_008full.jpg Based on the recent positive drill program results, the interpreted geophysical survey results, and the already proven uranium endowment of the C10 and C10S corridors, the Company believes there is significant potential for the discovery of additional unconformity-related high-grade zones of uranium mineralization. As part of the 2026 exploration program, the Company is also completing a ground-based electromagnetic survey to investigate the extension of the Epp Lake conductor on to the West McArthur Project (Figure 2). A modern Stepwise Moving Loop Time Domain Electromagnetics survey, using the same survey design that led to the discovery of the Pike Zone, is ongoing to advance this part of the West McArthur Project. The survey will be completed by Abitibi Geophysics. The Company expects to complete the winter portion of the 2026 exploration program in April. As part of the approved 2026 exploration program and budget, a summer drilling program is planned. Other News The Company also announces that it has granted incentive stock options to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 7,470,000 common shares of the Company pursuant to CanAlaska's omnibus equity incentive plan. These options are exercisable for a period of five years at a price of $0.74 per share. Pursuant to TSX Venture Exchange policies, 50,000 of these options granted to an investor relations consultant will vest as to 25% on each of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months from their date of grant. All other options are fully vested. The Company also announces that it has extended the term of its investor relations letter agreement dated December 22, 2022, as amended, with Rayleigh Capital Ltd. ("Rayleigh Capital") from December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2026, subject to approval from the TSXV (refer to the Company's news release of June 19, 2025). Either party is permitted to terminate the extended agreement upon providing the other party with 60 days' prior written notice of termination. All other terms of the contract remain as previously disclosed. Rayleigh Capital focuses on global investor relations for junior and small cap companies specializing at exposing companies to a wide audience of investment professionals. Under the extended agreement, the Company pays $8,500 per month (plus GST) to Rayleigh Capital to provide liaison, coordination, corporate growth strategy, communications and other services to CanAlaska. The fee paid by the Company to Rayleigh Capital under the extended agreement is for services only. The Company and Rayleigh Capital act at arm's length. Rayleigh Capital has the following interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or its securities: it owns 15,000 shares of the Company and has been granted 250,000 stock options (including 50,000 stock options granted today) pursuant to CanAlaska's omnibus equity incentive plan. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States 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 U.S. Persons (as defined in the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available. About CanAlaska Uranium CanAlaska is a leading explorer of uranium in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan, Canada. With a project generator model, the Company has built a large portfolio of uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin. CanAlaska owns numerous uranium properties, totaling approximately 500,000 hectares, with clearly defined targets in the Athabasca Basin covering both basement and unconformity uranium deposit potential. The Company has recently concentrated on the West McArthur high-grade uranium expansion with targets in 2024 and 2025 leading to significant success at Pike Zone. Fully financed for the upcoming 2026 drill season, CanAlaska is focused on uranium deposit discovery and delineation in a safe and secure jurisdiction. The Company has the right team in place with a track record of discovery and projects that are located next to critical mine and mill infrastructure. The Company's head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada with a satellite office in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Nathan Bridge, MSc., P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for CanAlaska Uranium Ltd., who has reviewed and approved its contents. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Cory Belyk" Cory Belyk, P.Geo., FGC CEO, President and Director CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking information All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and the Company cautions against placing undue reliance thereon. The Company assumes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280136 Source: CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - AbraSilver Resource Corp. (TSX: ABRA) (OTCQX: ABBRF) ("AbraSilver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of the Phase VI diamond drilling program at its wholly-owned Diablillos project in Argentina (the "Project"), together with additional assay results from the recently completed Phase V drill program. Phase VI Drill Program Highlights Fully-funded 15,000-metre Phase VI diamond drilling program is designed to expand and upgrade the existing Mineral Resources and evaluate high-priority exploration targets; Primary focus on extending gold and silver mineralization beyond current conceptual open pit limits at Oculto East, Oculto Northeast, Cerro Bayo and JAC; Targeted drilling also planned to assess sulphide-hosted and porphyry-style mineralization at Oculto Deep and Cerro Viejo; Phase VI results are expected to support continued Mineral Resource growth beyond those included in the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study, which remains on schedule for release in Q2 2026 and will incorporate all data from the recently completed Phase V program. John Miniotis, President and CEO, commented, "The successful completion of our Phase V drilling marks another important milestone for Diablillos. Phase V drill results will be incorporated into an updated Mineral Resource estimate ("MRE") that will form the basis of the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS"). With Phase VI now underway, our exploration focus remains on unlocking additional upside beyond the DFS." Dave O'Connor, Chief Geologist, commented, "Phase V delivered impressive intervals of gold mineralization extending beyond the conceptual open pit limits at Oculto East, underscoring the strength, continuity, and scale of the Diablillos mineralizing system. Phase VI has been carefully designed to build on this success - expanding known mineralized zones, upgrading Mineral Resources within and beyond the existing open pit, and testing several high-priority exploration targets across the district." Phase VI Program Overview: The Phase VI drill program is expected to comprise approximately 15,000 metres across approximately 50 diamond drill holes. Drilling activities have now commenced with two drill rigs active, and the program expected to be completed before year-end. Drilling is designed to both expand and upgrade Mineral Resources within and beyond existing conceptual open pit limits, as well as to test high-priority exploration targets across the broader Diablillos district. The highest-priority targets are focused on extending oxide gold and silver mineralization at Oculto East, Oculto Northeast and Cerro Bayo, where recent drilling demonstrated strong continuity and potential to further expand open pit Mineral Resources and improve strip ratios. Figure 1 - Phase VI Exploration Key Target Areas To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11792/280135_0d827a00240de8a8_001full.jpg The Phase VI program also includes drilling to evaluate the Condoryacu target, which represents a new exploration area where the Company has recently entered into an option agreement to acquire the property from a third-party vendor. Condoryacu is located approximately 3 km south of the latest conceptual Oculto open pit and has not previously been drill-tested by the Company. Initial drilling will focus on verifying historical exploration data and assessing the continuity, geometry and scale of the mineralization. Successful results from this work could support the exercise of the option and highlight the potential for additional satellite mineralization within the broader Diablillos district. Phase VI drilling will also focus on JAC, Sombra and Fantasma, where additional drilling is designed to test for extensions of known mineralization and assess continuity between deposits. Collectively, the Phase VI program is expected to support continued Mineral Resource growth and longer-term exploration upside beyond the DFS. Latest Phase V Drill Results: As part of the recently completed Phase V drill program, the Company has received additional assay results from drilling at JAC, which will be incorporated into the upcoming MRE. Recent drilling at JAC was primarily aimed at delineating the margins of known mineralization. Results confirm that silver mineralization remains present at the periphery of the deposit, although grades decrease as we drill further away from the higher-grade core. The latest results are summarized in Table 1, below. Table 1 - Summary of Key Drill Intercepts: JAC Intercepts greater than 2,000 gram-metres silver shown in bolded text: Drill Hole Area From (m) To (m) Type Interval (m) Ag g/t Au g/t DDH-25-088 JAC 105.0 136.0 Oxides 31.0 45.0 - DDH-25-089 JAC 81.0 109.0 Oxides 28.0 49.0 - DDH-25-091 JAC 90.0 100.0 Oxides 10.0 35.4 - 109.0 120.0 Oxides 11.0 68.4 - DDH-25-093 JAC 70.0 118.0 Oxides 48.0 47.2 - including 70.0 82.0 Oxides 12.0 80.0 - 135.0 137.0 Oxides 2.0 47.3 - DDH-25-095 JAC 68.0 76.0 Oxides 8.0 30.9 0.25 Note: All results in this news release are rounded. Assays are uncut & undiluted. Widths are drilled widths, not true widths. True widths are unknown. Figure 2 - Plan View of Drill Results To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11792/280135_0d827a00240de8a8_002full.jpg Collar Data Hole Number UTM Coordinates Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth (m) Area DDH 25-088 719373 7198777 4,144 0 -60 150 JAC DDH 25-089 719365 7198707 4,142 0 -60 140 JAC DDH 25-091 719035 7198685 4,133 0 -60 138 JAC DDH 25-093 719716 7198875 4,169 0 -60 158 JAC DDH 25-095 720028 7199047 4,201 0 -60 151 JAC About Diablillos The Diablillos property is located within the Puna region of Argentina, in the southern part of Salta Province along the border with Catamarca Province, approximately 160 km southwest of the city of Salta and 375 km northwest of the city of Catamarca. AbraSilver acquired the property in 2016, which comprises 15 contiguous and overlapping mineral concessions with excellent year-round road access. Exploration to date has outlined multiple occurrences of silver-gold oxide mineralization at Oculto, JAC, Laderas, and Fantasma, located within a 500 m to 1.5 km distance surrounding the Oculto/JAC epicentre. To date, over 150,000 metres have been drilled on the property, which continues to demonstrate the strong growth potential of shallow, oxide-hosted silver and gold resources. In addition, a large porphyry complex is centered approximately 4 km northeast of Oculto which includes outcropping porphyry intrusions within a major zone of alteration and associated gold rich epithermal mineralization. Comparatively nearby examples of high sulphidation epithermal deposits include: La Coipa (Chile); Yanacocha (Peru); El Indio (Chile); Lagunas Nortes/Alto Chicama (Peru) Veladero (Argentina); and Filo del Sol (Argentina). The most recent Mineral Resource estimate for Diablillos is shown in Table 2: Table 2 - Diablillos Mineral Resource Estimate - As of July 21, 2025 Zone Category Tonnes (000 t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) AgEq (g/t) Contained Ag (000 Oz Ag) Contained Au (000 Oz Ag) Contained AgEq (000 Oz Ag) Tank Leach Oxides Measured 26,545 119 0.71 183 101,564 604 156,487 Indicated 46,584 56 0.63 114 84,430 948 170,592 Measured & 73,129 79 0.66 139 185,994 1,553 327,078 Indicated Inferred 9,693 34 0.57 86 10,616 176 26,647 Heap Leach Oxides Measured 6,673 16 0.14 25 3,486 30 5,342 Indicated 24,102 12 0.17 23 9,163 133 17,506 Measured & 30,774 13 0.16 23 12,649 162 22,848 Indicated Inferred 10,024 9 0.20 21 2,811 64 6,850 Total Oxides Measured 33,218 98 0.59 152 105,050 634 161,829 Indicated 70,686 41 0.48 83 93,593 1,081 188,098 Measured & 103,904 59 0.51 105 198,643 1,715 349,927 Indicated Inferred 19,628 21 0.38 53 13,427 241 33,496 Footnotes for Tank Leach Resource: Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The formula for calculating AgEq is as follows: Silver Eq Oz = Silver Oz + Gold Oz x (Gold Price/Silver Price) x (Gold Recovery/Silver Recovery). The Mineral Resource model was populated using Ordinary Kriging grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model and mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids, which are a combination of lithology and alteration domains. The 1m composite grades were capped where appropriate. The Mineral Resource is reported inside a conceptual Whittle open pit shell derived using US$ 27.50/oz Ag price, US $2,400/oz Au price, 83% process recovery for Ag, and 87% process recovery for Au. The constraining open pit optimization parameters used were US $1.94/t mining cost, US $22.96/t processing cost, US $3.32/t G&A cost, and average 51-degree open pit slopes. The MRE has been categorized in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards (CIM, 2014). A Net Value per block [NVB] calculation was used to constrain the Mineral Resource, determine the "Benefits = Income-Cost", where, Income = [(Au Selling Price (US$/oz) - Au Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Au grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Au Recovery (%)] + [(Ag Selling Price (US$/oz) - Ag Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Ag grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Ag Recovery (%)] and Cost = Mining Cost (US$/t) + Process Cost (US$/t) + Transport Cost (US$/t) + G&A Cost (US$/t) + [Royalty Cost (%) x Income] The Mineral Resource is sub-horizontal with sub-vertical feeders and a reasonable prospect for eventual economic extraction by open pit and tank leach processing methods. In-situ bulk density were assigned to each model domain, according to samples averages for each lithology domain, separated by alteration zones and subset by oxidation. All tonnages reported are dry metric tonnes and ounces of contained gold are troy ounces. Mining recovery and dilution factors have not been applied to the Mineral Resource estimates. The Mineral Resource was estimated by Luis Rodrigo Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP (Geo), Independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Peralta is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resource. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding to appropriate significant figures. Footnotes for Heap Leach Resource: Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The formula for calculating AgEq is as follows: Silver Eq Oz = Silver Oz + Gold Oz x (Gold Price/Silver Price) x (Gold Recovery/Silver Recovery). The Mineral Resource model was populated using Ordinary Kriging grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model and mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids, which are a combination of lithology and alteration domains. The 1m composite grades were capped where appropriate. The Mineral Resource is reported inside a conceptual Whittle open pit shell derived using US$ 27.50/oz Ag price, US $2,400/oz Au price, 80% process recovery for Ag, and 58% process recovery for Au. The constraining open pit optimization parameters used and overall operational cost of US $11.31/t. The MRE has been categorized in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards (CIM, 2014). A Net Value per block [NVB] calculation was used to constrain the Mineral Resource, determine the "Benefits = Income-Cost", where, Income = [(Au Selling Price (US$/oz) - Au Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Au grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Au Recovery (%)] + [(Ag Selling Price (US$/oz) - Ag Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Ag grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Ag Recovery (%)] and Cost = Mining Cost (US$/t) + Process Cost (US$/t) + Transport Cost (US$/t) + G&A Cost (US$/t) + [Royalty Cost (%) x Income] In-situ bulk density were assigned to each model domain, according to samples averages for each lithology domain, separated by alteration zones and subset by oxidation. All tonnages reported are dry metric tonnes and ounces of contained gold are troy ounces. Mining recovery and dilution factors have not been applied to the Mineral Resource estimates. The Mineral Resource was estimated by Mr. Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP (Geo), Independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Peralta is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resource. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding to appropriate significant figures. QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols AbraSilver applies industry standard exploration methodologies and techniques, and all drill core samples are collected under the supervision of the Company's geologists in accordance with industry best practices. Drill core is transported from the drill platform to the logging facility where drill data is compared and verified with the core in the trays. Thereafter, it is logged, photographed, and split by diamond saw prior to being sampled. Samples are then bagged, and quality control materials are inserted at regular intervals at site; these include blanks and certified reference materials as well as duplicate core samples which are collected in order to assess sampling precision and reproducibility. Groups of samples are then placed in large bags which are sealed with numbered tags in order to maintain a chain-of-custody during the transport of the samples from the project site to the laboratory. All samples are received by the ASA (Alex Stewart Argentina) preparation laboratory in Salta, where they are prepared, then the pulp sachet is directly dispatched to its facility in Mendoza, Argentina, where they are analyzed. All samples are analyzed using a multi-element technique consisting of a four-acid digestion followed by ICP/AES detection, and gold is analyzed by 50g Fire Assay with an AAS finish. Silver results greater than 100g/t are re-analyzed using four acid digestion with an ore grade AAS finish. Qualified Persons David O'Connor P.Geo., Chief Geologist for AbraSilver, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and he has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. About AbraSilver AbraSilver is an advanced-stage exploration company focused on rapidly advancing its 100%-owned Diablillos silver-gold project in the mining-friendly Salta province of Argentina. The current Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource estimate for Diablillos (tank leach-only) consists of 73.1 Mt grading 79 g/t Ag and 0.66 g/t Au, containing approximately 186Moz of silver and 1.6Moz of gold, with significant further upside potential based on recent exploration drilling. The Company is led by an experienced management team and has long-term supportive shareholders. In addition, the Company has an earn-in option and joint venture agreement with Teck on the La Coipita project, located in the San Juan province of Argentina. AbraSilver is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ABRA" and in the U.S. on the OTCQX under the symbol "ABBRF." For further information please visit the AbraSilver Resource website at www.abrasilver.com, our LinkedIn page at AbraSilver Resource Corp., and follow us on X at www.x.com/abrasilver. Cautionary Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and 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 statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information. 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. When considering this forward-looking information, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Company's disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The risk factors and other factors noted in the disclosure documents could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information. 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. Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280135 Source: AbraSilver Resource Corp. MARION, NC / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Greene Concepts Inc. (OTCID:INKW), owner and operator of a 60,000-square-foot bottling facility in Marion, North Carolina, and producer of the premium artesian spring water brand Be Water, celebrates its Appalachian origin and authentic mineral balance with its mantra "Elevate Your Hydration". Naturally Mineralized From the Blue Ridge Sourced from deep artesian wells beneath North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Be Water is naturally filtered through layers of ancient bedrock, absorbing essential minerals that create its smooth taste and natural alkalinity. Nature - not machines - defines its purity and balance. Premium Yet Accessible Be Water bridges the gap between boutique luxury and everyday hydration, offering premium artesian quality at an attainable price. Its crisp taste, natural mineral content, and sustainable sourcing make it a trusted choice for consumers seeking authenticity and wellness. Authentically American Bottled in Marion, North Carolina, Be Water embodies American craftsmanship and environmental responsibility. Greene Concepts prioritizes sustainability, transparency, and community growth - ensuring each bottle supports both consumer well-being and local economic vitality. Expanding Nationally Available in 16.9-oz bottles, six-packs, 24-packs, and gallon sizes, Be Water is distributed through major retailers including Walmart and Camping World. As national expansion continues, Greene Concepts remains committed to quality, integrity, and sustainability. "Be Water isn't just bottled water - it's a reflection of where it comes from," said Lenny Greene, CEO of Greene Concepts. "Our water is born in the Blue Ridge Mountains and naturally mineralized through the earth's own filtration process. That story of nature, purity, and balance defines who we are. "Consumers want to know where their water comes from," added Greene. "Ours comes from one of America's most pristine mountain regions - untouched and naturally enriched. We encourage everyone to elevate and hydrate with Be Water." Follow Greene Concepts, Inc. on Social Media at: X - @GreeneConcepts , Facebook - @inkw2025, Instagram - Greene Concepts, Inc. and Be Water About Greene Concepts, Inc. Greene Concepts, Inc. (https://www.greeneconcepts.com) is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The Company's flagship product, Be Water, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness. Greene Concepts' beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion, North Carolina, and the water is ethically sourced from spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers. Safe Harbor: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a few uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise. CONTACT: Greene Concepts, Inc. Investor Relations IR@greeneconcepts.com SOURCE: Greene Concepts, Inc. Be Water_Elevate Your Hydration Be Water Smile Be Water 6-pack (USA-Proud) View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/greene-concepts-builds-investor-value-through-be-waters-national-1126591 West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Millennial Potash Corp. (TSXV: MLP) (OTCQB: MLPNF) (FSE: X0D) ("MLP", "Millennial" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has initiated a Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") at its Banio Potash Project in Gabon. The Company has engaged ERCOSPLAN Ingenieurgesellschaft Geotechnik und Bergbau mbH ("ERCOSPLAN"), a preeminent global potash specialist consulting company with significant experience in the West African Potash Basin, to complete an AACE Class 3 Definitive Feasibility Study for the Banio Potash Project. Farhad Abasov, Millennial's Chair, commented, "We are very pleased to have initiated a Definitive Feasibility Study at Banio after completion of our recent Mineral Resource Estimate which yielded Measured + Indicated Mineral Resources totaling 2,453 Billion tonnes grading 16.6% KCl, and Inferred Resource totaling 3,559 Billion tonnes also grading 15.6% KCl. The launch of the feasibility study and recently initiated ESIA mark the transition from the exploration to the development stage. We look forward to working with ERCOSPLAN as we continue to develop the Banio Potash Project in preparation for our Mining License application. The company is fully funded to complete the DFS and all associated trade-off studies in partnership with US International Development Finance Corporation ("DFC") which has committed US $3M to cover the Feasibility Study costs." Additional details regarding the Mineral Resource Estimate referenced above can be found in the Company's news releases dated December 29, 2025 and November 17, 2025. The DFS will evaluate a solution mining operation with a base production scenario of 800,000 Tonnes Per Year (TPY) as well as significantly larger production rates of Muriate of Potash (MOP). Several technical and trade-off studies are currently in progress including dissolution tests, hydrogeological studies, creep tests, cold vs. hot leaching evaluations, port options for the project as well as high purity salt marketing studies. The DFS will run in parallel to the Company's recently announced ESIA as both are expected to be completed in H2 2026 and will be presented to the government of Gabon as part of the Company's application for a Mining License. The Company will continue with further drilling as well. The information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter J. MacLean, Ph.D., P. Geo, Director of the Company, who is a Qualified Person as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101. MILLENNIAL POTASH CORP. "Farhad Abasov" Chair of the Board of Directors 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 document 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 used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan" or "planned", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental (including land or water use), local community or indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, changes in laws, rules and regulations in Gabon or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate of USD$ for Cdn$ or CFA or other currencies, fluctuations in the market for potash or potash related products, changes in exploration costs and government royalties, export policies or taxes in Gabon or any other jurisdiction and other factors or information. The Company's current plans, expectations and intentions with respect to development of its business and of the Banio Potash Project may be impacted by economic uncertainties arising out of any pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market conditions on its ability to secure further financing or funding of the Banio Potash Project. 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, environmental and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many 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. 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/280003 Source: Millennial Potash Corp. The GARDP Foundation (known as GARDP) and the privately-owned, global biopharmaceutical company Debiopharm today announced that they have entered into a collaboration and license agreement to pursue the development of Debio1453, a novel, first-in-class antibiotic targeting Neisseria gonorrhoeae. With 82 million new cases each year, and the continued spread of multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains, gonorrhea represents a global health crisis. This new partnership will help ensure that gonorrhea continues to be a treatable disease and will alleviate the risk of the emergence of future resistance, by ensuring that the antibiotic pipeline continues to be replenished. Gonorrhea caused by N. gonorrhoeae is currently in danger of becoming untreatable because of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Having developed resistance to almost all antibiotics used to treat it, only one last recommended treatment, ceftriaxone, remains effective, and now we are seeing a growing number of cases that are resistant to this. Even with the recent approval in late 2025 of two new first-in-class treatments for N. gonorrhoeae, there is growing concern that without ongoing development of innovative new treatments, like Debio1453, the rapid emergence of resistance will see this "super gonorrhea" outpace antibiotic development. "As a private company aligning our efforts with a not-for-profit organization, we see this collaboration with GARDP as a pioneering public-private model to expand global access to this innovative new drug candidate. The confirmation of this partnership is a powerful indicator of Debio1453's potential to replenish a critically depleted antibacterial pipeline, addressing a severe therapeutic gap," said Morgane Vanbiervliet, Director, Global Development and Licensing, Debiopharm. "For those struggling with multidrug-resistant gonorrhea, this agreement signals a decisive step toward restoring effective treatment options and ensuring long-term antibiotic sustainability." With crucial funding from the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X), the development of Debio1453 successfully progressed from a preclinical candidate to a clinical stage asset. As part of this new collaboration and license agreement, Debiopharm remains in charge of the completion of the Debio1453 Phase I clinical trial, while GARDP will lead other non-clinical and clinical development activities, as well as chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) activities. Both organizations aim to ensure that the global development and future access strategies of Debio1453 are aligned with country-specific regulatory requirements, health system realities and local economic constraints. Debiopharm has granted GARDP manufacturing and commercialization rights in relation to Debio1453 across more than 160 countries to ensure future global access. "GARDP is committed to bringing new classes of antibiotics to market to tackle the rise and spread of AMR," said Dr Manica Balasegaram, Executive Director of GARDP. "This new partnership demonstrates the flexibility of GARDP's public-private partnership model. It is great to see a Swiss for-profit and a Swiss non-profit working together to develop an innovative new solution to address gonorrhea and explore opportunities in other areas." The novel drug candidate Debio1453 offers significant hope, demonstrating strong activity against multidrug-resistant strains by targeting the essential FabI enzyme for bacterial survival, with the added crucial advantage of showing no cross-resistance to currently available antibiotic classes. Untreated gonorrhea can have a devastating impact on both men and women's health, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. It can also impact partners and increase HIV transmission risk. Babies born while a mother is infected with gonorrhea are at risk of severe eye infections that can result in blindness. The high financial and social costs of these effects are compounded by rapidly spreading antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae, which prolongs infections and increases the long-term health burden globally. Because resistance spreads quickly and surveillance is often lacking, especially in resource-limited settings, the actual level of treatment failure is likely far higher than current reports indicate. This trend threatens health systems worldwide, including those in high-income countries.1 Debiopharm's commitment to patients Debiopharm aims to develop innovative therapies that target high unmet medical needs primarily in oncology and bacterial infections. Bridging the gap between disruptive discovery products and real-world patient reach, we identify high-potential compounds and technologies for in-licensing, clinically demonstrate their safety and efficacy, and then hand stewardship to large pharmaceutical commercialization partners to maximize patient access globally. Visit us: www.debiopharm.com/drug-development/ Follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/debiopharminternational/ About GARDP GARDP (the Global Antibiotic Research Development Partnership) is a not-for-profit global health organization driven to protect people from the rise and spread of drug-resistant infections, one of the biggest threats to us all. By forging the public and private partnerships that matter, we develop and make accessible antibiotic treatments for people who need them. Vital support for our work comes from the governments of Canada, Germany, Japan, Monaco, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Canton of Geneva, the European Commission, as well as the Gates Foundation, Global Health EDCTP3, GSK, the RIGHT Foundation, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Wellcome. GARDP is registered under the legal name GARDP Foundation in Switzerland. www.gardp.org Research reported in this press release is supported by CARB-X. CARB-X's funding for this project is provided in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority; under agreement number: 75A50122C00028, and by awards from Wellcome (WT224842), Germany's Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the UK Department of Health and Social Care as part of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of CARB-X or any of its funders. References World Health Organization. Multi-drug-resistant gonorrhoeae. 2025 Oct 22 (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/multi-drug-resistant-gonorrhoea) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113665844/en/ Contacts: Debiopharm Contact Dawn Bonine Head of Communications dawn.bonine@debiopharm.com Tel: +41 (0)21 321 01 11 GARDP Contact Duncan Graham-Rowe dgrahamrowe@gardp.org Armis Centrix provides immediate and detailed insights on network-connected assets, supporting compliance with national and European regulatory requirements Armis, the cyber exposure management security company, today announced that ASL Napoli 1 Centro, Italy's primary public healthcare provider for the City of Naples, is securing its attack surface using Armis Centrix, the Armis Cyber Exposure Management Platform. Prior to working with Armis, ASL Napoli 1 Centro did not have the tools or capabilities to monitor physical and virtual assets in real time, which posed a challenge for its security and compliance. Armis Centrix was deployed with a clear goal: to provide ASL Napoli 1 Centro with a comprehensive, real-time view of its connected biomedical inventory and the associated risks to the overall environment. "Time-to-value was practically immediate; Armis began delivering valuable information as soon as the system was activated and connected to our internal network," said Fulvio Paone, Director of the ICT and Digital Transformation Unit at ASL Napoli 1 Centro. "Armis has given us visibility into a critical area. This isn't just about protection-it's about understanding how we work, where to make changes, and where to invest. Now we can prepare future investment plans with precision." Armis Centrix delivered detailed data right away, providing an accurate, real-time mapping of the organization's network-connected devices within the first month. The platform not only identifies devices, but it also determines whether a device is active or idle, vulnerable or patchable, consistently or intermittently connected, and whether it generates anomalous traffic. ASL Napoli 1 Centro now monitors over 2,000 assets, with detailed insights on security posture, operational status, and actual usage, which has enhanced overall security for the organization and supported compliance initiatives. "Cybersecurity is critical to delivering continuous patient care, as healthcare is one of the most heavily targeted verticals by cybercriminals aiming to cause disruption," said Nicola Altavilla, Regional Director Mediterranean at Armis. "Armis enables Italian healthcare organizations and businesses across sectors to see, protect, and manage all connected assets, enhancing resilience, data security, and compliance with national and European security regulations. Our mission is to help organizations build a more connected, efficient, and secure ecosystem for the benefit of their patients or customers, and society overall." ASL Napoli 1 Centro's network paints a picture of the physically dispersed, yet ever-connected nature of healthcare. Its network spans more than 100 facilities and encompasses roughly 18,000 biomedical devices, over 2,000 of which are connected and continuously collecting, processing and transmitting critical clinical data. With the help of Armis, ASL Napoli 1 Centro has improved its overall security posture and enabled compliance with national guidelines and NIS2 directives, supporting the delivery and continuity of patient care. The security team at ASL Napoli 1 Centro plans to further integrate Armis into its existing systems, from endpoint protection platforms to firewall and network monitoring systems and beyond. In doing so, ASL Napoli 1 Centro is building a unified visibility and control layer that supports complete, transparent governance across its entire infrastructure. Read the full case study with additional details on the collaboration between ASL Napoli 1 Centro and Armis here. Find additional details on how Armis is supporting global customers across industries here. About Armis Armis, the cyber exposure management security company, protects the entire attack surface and manages an organization's cyber risk exposure in real time. In a rapidly evolving, perimeter-less world, Armis ensures that organizations continuously see, protect, and manage all critical assets-from the ground to the cloud. Armis secures Fortune 100, 200, and 500 companies as well as national governments, state and local entities, and critical infrastructure operators to help keep economies and societies safe and secure 24/7. Armis is a privately held company headquartered in California. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113969064/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: Rebecca Cradick Vice President, Global Communications Armis pr@armis.com ThreatQuotient Honoured with Seven Prestigious Awards Showcasing Leadership in Threat Detection and Response London, UK. 13th January 2026 - ThreatQuotient, a Securonix company and leader in threat intelligence platforms, has experienced an exceptional year of innovation and development. This has been driven by remarkable achievements, including being named for the fourth consecutive year as Technology Leader in the analyst QKS Group's SPARK Matrix for Digital Threat Intelligence management, as well as six other industry accolades, which have helped it achieve unprecedented momentum in the threat intelligence sector. In total, ThreatQuotient earned seven industry awards in 2025 for threat intelligence and security automation, including: SPARK Matrix for Digital Threat Intelligence Management: For the fourth consecutive year, ThreatQuotient was positioned as a 2025 Technology Leader by QKS Group (https://www.threatq.com/spark-matrix-digital-threat-intelligence-management), notably ranking highest in the market for technology excellence. Washington Top Workplaces 2025: ThreatQuotient was honoured with a Top Workplaces 2025 Award for the Greater Washington Area, an award based solely on employee feedback. Globee Awards for Cybersecurity: The company received a Gold Globee Award in the Threat Intelligence category. Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM) Global InfoSec Awards: ThreatQuotient was named "Next Gen Threat Intelligence". Cybersecurity Excellence Awards: ThreatQuotient was a winner in the following three categories: Cyber Threat Intelligence SOC Automation Solution Security Automation Acquisition Creates Industry-Leading Threat Detection and Response Company In June 2025, ThreatQuotient was acquired by Securonix, which has been recognised six times as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). Together, ThreatQuotient and Securonix now deliver the industry's broadest and deepest threat detection, investigation, and response capabilities with a modular, fully integrated AI-powered Unified SIEM platform, leveraging advanced analytics and insights across both internal and external threats. Since the acquisition, senior ThreatQuotient executives have stepped into strategic roles in Securonix, including the appointment of Leon Ward as Chief Transformational Officer, Chris Jacob as Field CISO, Gigi Schumm as SVP of Threat Intelligence, Cyrille Badeau as VP of Europe, and Matt McCormick as VP Global MSSP, Channels and US Federal.?Throughout the business, teams have integrated quickly and effectively, aligning behind the company's mission to push the boundaries of SIEM performance and effectiveness. This acquisition accelerates the modernisation of security operations by uniting internal and external threat intelligence with real-time analytics and agentic AI. Unlike external threat intelligence bolt-on solutions with disconnected management interfaces, the integrated platform from Securonix and ThreatQuotient delivers unified visibility, faster response, and greater operational clarity.? As we move into 2026, the ThreatQuotient brand will remain available both as an integrated component of the Securonix Unified SIEM platform and as a standalone, fully hosted solution. Securonix will keep expanding ThreatQuotient's offerings and increasing its global reach, with services now available in the USA, Singapore, EMEA, and Australia. Both Securonix UEBA and ThreatQ's intelligence feeds are crucial for this ongoing development. "This acquisition is about defining the next chapter of security operations," said Kash Shaikh, President & CEO of Securonix. "As AI reshapes the threat landscape, context becomes everything. ThreatQuotient brings deep external intelligence, proven workflows, and a trusted platform that turns insight into action. By unifying that intelligence with Securonix analytics and real-time detection, and agentic AI experiences, we are building a SIEM that sees further, responds faster, and helps organisations stay ahead of what comes next. I am excited about how we will continue to evolve the ThreatQ platform in 2026 and deliver a more proactive, intelligence-led security model for our customers." AI-Powered Cybersecurity Will Become the Operational Standard in 2026 ThreatQuotient continued its contribution to sharing broad industry intelligence with the launch of its fifth year of research: "Evolution of Cybersecurity Automation and AI Adoption", surveying 750 senior cybersecurity professionals across the UK, USA, and Australia. This prominent annual study examines cybersecurity automation trends and reveals that 97% of organisations now view automation - often driven by AI - as essential to their business, a significant increase from 80% in the previous year. Teams are deploying AI to accelerate threat detection, response, and predictive analytics, with productivity and efficiency the leading drivers. Despite rising investment, 96% of respondents still face barriers, including technology limitations, lack of trust in automated outcomes, and insufficient time to implement solutions. As automation matures, performance metrics have shifted from employee well-being to operational outcomes, with Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) now central indicators of success. The report reveals a leadership paradox, with executives both driving and blocking AI adoption. Ethical concerns like data privacy, bias, and accountability also persist, but the report concludes that moving beyond static automation toward adaptive, AI-powered systems will empower security teams to respond faster and with greater precision. Leon Ward, Chief Transformational Officer at Securonix, concludes: "Automation powered by AI is now business critical, and the data proves it. As the report shows, organisations are shifting from static tools to intelligent systems that learn and adapt in real time. This is why we're so excited to have ThreatQuotient as part of the Securonix offering, because 2026 marks the moment AI-powered cybersecurity becomes the operational standard." About ThreatQuotient, a Securonix company ThreatQuotient improves security operations by fusing disparate data sources, tools, and teams to accelerate threat detection, investigation, and response About Securonix Securonix is leading the transformation of cybersecurity with the industry's first Unified Defense SIEM powered by agentic AI, purpose-built to decide and act across the threat lifecycle with a human-in-the-loop philosophy. Built for scale, precision, and speed, our cloud-native platform empowers global enterprises to shift from reactive security to proactive, autonomous operations. Recognised as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for SIEM and a Customers' Choice by Gartner Peer Insights, Securonix is driving the next era of intelligent, autonomous security operations. Learn more at www.securonix.com. Media Contact? Sean Ferguson? Director, Corporate Marketing & Communications? 203-300-4981? PR Contact Paula Elliott Managing PR Director C8 Consulting Ltd securonix@c8consulting.co.uk Ongoing weakness in North American and European factory purchasing points to a deteriorating near-term outlook for Western goods producers Asian manufacturers show greater resilience, with steady buying in China and growth across South Korea and Vietnam CLARK, N.J., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index - a leading indicator tracking demand conditions, shortages, transportation costs, inventories and backlogs, based on a monthly survey of 27,000 businesses - continued to point to underutilized capacity across global supply chains in the final month of 2025. Although the global index edged up to -0.17 in December, its highest level since June 2025, underlying data continue to signal softening global manufacturing demand, particularly in North America and Europe, where manufacturers reported sharper pullbacks in purchasing activity. With buffer inventories remaining historically low, the data point to a deteriorating outlook for goods producers across the Western world heading into 2026. In December, North American manufacturers reduced procurement activity at the fastest rate since May 2025, marking the sixth consecutive month of softening input demand. Weakness was broad-based across the region, with Mexico posting the steepest contraction, underscoring a region-wide pullback in manufacturing activity. Similarly, European factory purchasing fell further, registering its sharpest decline in nine months, driven primarily by pronounced cutbacks in Germany, where manufacturers continued to scale back orders amid weak demand pipelines. In contrast, Asian supply chains showed greater resilience. Demand for production inputs improved in South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan, while buying activity at Chinese factories stabilized, helping to support manufacturing demand across the region. "Strong headline GDP growth in the U.S. is masking a more cautious reality for manufacturers," said John Piatek, Vice President, Consulting, GEP. "North American and European firms are cutting purchases and inventories, anticipating softening demand in 2026. Excess capacity across global supply chains is giving buyers leverage to secure better pricing and terms." DECEMBER 2025 REGIONAL KEY FINDINGS ASIA: Index dipped slightly to -0.20, from -0.16, but factories' purchases of inputs show greater resilience than elsewhere, owing to growth in South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan, and steady buying volumes in China. NORTH AMERICA: Index at -0.37, indicating underused capacity at North America's suppliers. Purchasing activity weakened further and was the most subdued by region in December. EUROPE: Index rose to -0.17, its highest since June 2025, due to labor-related constraints impeding order completion in December. Factory purchasing volumes deteriorated, however, particularly in Germany. U.K.: Index increased to 0.12, signalling stretched capacity at the U.K.'s suppliers for the first time in almost a year-and-a-half. DECEMBER 2025 KEY FINDINGS DEMAND: Global demand for factory inputs such as commodities, intermediate products and raw materials, remained weak at the end of 2025. Purchasing activity was its most depressed in western economies, particularly Germany. North America also saw constrained buying volumes at its manufacturers, with Mexico dragging harshly on the region. By contrast, Asia showed greater resilience in factory purchasing activity. Global demand for factory inputs such as commodities, intermediate products and raw materials, remained weak at the end of 2025. Purchasing activity was its most depressed in western economies, particularly Germany. North America also saw constrained buying volumes at its manufacturers, with Mexico dragging harshly on the region. By contrast, Asia showed greater resilience in factory purchasing activity. INVENTORIES : Reports of stockpiling due to supply or price concerns remain below average. Global item availability was strong in December, helping to keep price pressures at bay and reducing firms' needs to hold excess stock in warehouses or build up safety buffers. : Reports of stockpiling due to supply or price concerns remain below average. Global item availability was strong in December, helping to keep price pressures at bay and reducing firms' needs to hold excess stock in warehouses or build up safety buffers. MATERIAL SHORTAGES: The global items in short supply indicator was below its long-run average in December, as has been the case for over two years. This means that global businesses are experiencing shortages less frequently than normal. The global items in short supply indicator was below its long-run average in December, as has been the case for over two years. This means that global businesses are experiencing shortages less frequently than normal. LABOR SHORTAGES: The labor shortages tracker ticked up to a 14-month high in December and was above its long-run average, indicating a rise in capacity pressures due to a lack of staff. Regional data showed that this was centered on Europe. The labor shortages tracker ticked up to a 14-month high in December and was above its long-run average, indicating a rise in capacity pressures due to a lack of staff. Regional data showed that this was centered on Europe. TRANSPORTATION: Global transportation costs were in line with their long-term average in December. For more information, visit www.gep.com/volatility . Note: Full historical data dating back to January 2005 is available for subscription. Please contact economics@spglobal.com. The next release of the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index will be 8 a.m. ET, Feb. 11, 2026. About the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index is produced by S&P Global and GEP. It is derived from S&P Global's PMI surveys, sent to companies in over 40 countries, totaling around 27,000 companies. The headline figure is a weighted sum of six sub-indices derived from PMI data, PMI Comments Trackers and PMI Commodity Price & Supply Indicators compiled by S&P Global. A value above 0 indicates that supply chain capacity is being stretched and supply chain volatility is increasing. The further above 0, the greater the extent to which capacity is being stretched. A value below 0 indicates that supply chain capacity is being underutilized, reducing supply chain volatility. The further below 0, the greater the extent to which capacity is being underutilized. A Supply Chain Volatility Index is also published at a regional level for Europe, Asia, North America and the U.K. For more information about the methodology, click here. About GEP GEP delivers AI-powered procurement and supply chain solutions that help global enterprises become more agile and resilient, operate more efficiently and effectively, gain competitive advantage, boost profitability and increase shareholder value. Fresh thinking, innovative products, unrivaled domain expertise, smart, passionate people - this is how GEP SOFTWARE, GEP STRATEGY and GEP MANAGED SERVICES together deliver procurement and supply chain solutions of unprecedented scale, power and effectiveness. Our customers are the world's best companies, including more than 1,000 Fortune 500 and Global 2000 industry leaders who rely on GEP to meet ambitious strategic, financial and operational goals. A leader in multiple Gartner Magic Quadrants, GEP's cloud-native software and digital business platforms consistently win awards and recognition from industry analysts, research firms and media outlets, including Gartner, Forrester, IDC, ISG, and Spend Matters. GEP is also regularly ranked a top procurement and supply chain consulting and strategy firm, and a leading managed services provider by ALM, Everest Group, NelsonHall, IDC, ISG and HFS, among others. Headquartered in Clark, New Jersey, GEP has offices and operations centers across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. To learn more, visit www.gep.com. Media Contacts Derek Creevey Joe Hayes Director, Public Relations Principal Economist GEP S&P Global Market Intelligence Phone: +1 646-276-4579 Phone: +44-1344-328-099 Email: derek.creevey@gep.com Email: joe.hayes@spglobal.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2860530/GEP_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2860531/GEP_2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2860532/GEP_3.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/518346/5715049/GEP_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/north-american-and-european-manufacturers-purchasing-declines-again-in-december-signaling-slower-conditions-heading-into-2026-gep-global-supply-chain-volatility-index-302659731.html New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - MiMedia Holdings Ltd. (TSXV: MIM) (OTCQB: MIMDF) (FSE: KH3) ("MiMedia", "Company") CEO, Chris Giordano, is pleased to present the following update on the Company's progress in 2025 and the strong position MiMedia finds itself to take advantage of the exciting business opportunities ahead in 2026. In 2025, the Company overcame macro and/or external industry challenges and stands today in a far stronger position than it was in at this time last year, due to the following achievements among others: Signed three new partners (Bait, Coolpad and HTC) for device integration of the MiMedia platform in 2026. Adding new partners to the portfolio delivers more sources of revenue generating devices for the Company, diversifying risk in the business model while increasing revenue predictability and opportunity globally. Existing OEM partners at the beginning of 2025 also got stronger throughout last year by expanding their device production environments and capabilities outside of high tariff countries and into lower tariff regions, in turn increasing scalability and protecting or insulating margins. In addition, these existing OEM partners added large new buyers or distribution outlets for their devices, such as Orbic licensing the Caterpillar Rugged Smartphone, all of which will feature MiMedia integrated as the default media gallery. Targeted device distribution this year from OEM partners globally appears to be tilting toward a higher distribution in Tier 1 mobile advertising markets. Greater Tier 1 market device distribution to regions like the US and Europe will benefit the Company's model with multiples higher CPM rates (USD $10 - $20 range) vs other regions such as LATAM (USD $2 - $3 range). In particular, in MiMedia's existing dashboard, CPM mobile advertising rates in the US have been consistently above USD $20, the highest levels recorded by the Company and more than double management's projection, reflecting the robust mobile advertising market in the US. MiMedia's BD pipeline continues to grow, as management expects new partners to be signed in Q1 when product roadmaps finalize for the rest of the year. BD partner ADG, based in China and newly signed in 2H 2025, has also added a number of new potential partnerships to the pipeline. Management is confident of pipeline conversions to signed partnerships in China from this new group. Finally, MiMedia's product and technical team added a number of new AI features, based on machine learning and rule-based algorithms, to strengthen the platform's competitive advantages, while adding new language support of Hindi and Arabic to prepare the platform for anticipated new launches in those two regions. With the above progress made last year by the Company and its partners, the Company stands in its strongest position ever. As reported last month, all of MiMedia's partners are either shipping devices or readying device shipments in the near-term. The Company has never had this many partners shipping devices at the same time to contribute to our revenue funnel. Management will provide specific partner device announcements in the coming weeks as they occur. Finally, management looks forward to discussing all of this progress with investors at the AlphaNorth Capital Event, hosted by CEM Capital Event Management, taking place this weekend (January 16-18), at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas. The AlphaNorth Capital Event is an invitation-only conference that brings together growth-stage public companies and institutional investors for in-depth discussions focused on long-term capital formation. If you would like to meet management at the conference or set up an investor call, please email investors@mimedia.com and we would be happy to arrange a meeting or call. About MiMedia: MiMedia Holdings Inc. provides an AI and data powered, next-generation consumer cloud platform that enables all types of personal media to be secured in the cloud, accessed seamlessly at any time, across all devices and on all operating systems. The Company's platform differentiates with its rich media experience, robust organization tools, private sharing capabilities and features that drive content re-engagement. MiMedia partners with smartphone makers and telecom carriers globally and provides its partners with recurring revenue streams, improved customer retention and market differentiation. The platform services engaged users all around the world. Notice regarding forward-looking statements: Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the ability of the Company's distribution partners to manufacture, ship and sell the anticipated number of devices with the Company's platform integrated as the embedded media gallery, the ability of the Company's platform to generate high-margin revenue, interest in the Company's services and products from prospective partners, improvements in the Company's platform and the resulting impact on the scalability of the MiMedia network, updates to the Company's investor relations portals and activities and its attendance at investor conferences. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of management of MiMedia. Actual events and conditions could differ materially from those expressed or implied in this press release as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting MiMedia, including risks regarding the industry in which MiMedia operates, economic factors, the equity markets generally and risks associated with growth and competition. Additional risk factors are also set forth in the Company's management's discussion and analysis and other filings available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval+ (SEDAR+) under the MiMedia's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although MiMedia has attempted to identify certain factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking statement can be taken as guaranteed. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, readers should not place any undue reliance on forward looking information. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280202 Source: MiMedia Holdings Inc. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Originally published by firehero.org Program supported by the Motorola Solutions Foundation and partners increases access to education for spouses and children of firefighters who have died in the line of duty National Fallen Firefighters Foundation selects 56 recipients for 2025-26 academic year; program surpasses $7 million in total support The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has awarded 56 scholarships totaling $535,109 to the spouses, children, and stepchildren of fallen firefighters for the 2025-2026 academic year. Since 1997, the NFFF Scholarship Program has provided more than $7.39 million in tuition assistance to 1,765 students across the country. By reducing the financial burden of higher education, the program ensures the legacies of fallen firefighters live on through the accomplishments of their families. This year's recipients include 38 returning scholars and 18 first-time recipients. NFFF awards scholarships based on applicants' financial need and academic performance, with a special consideration for those working toward degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and public safety fields. "These scholarships reflect the NFFF's ongoing commitment to the families of our nation's fallen firefighters," said National Fallen Firefighters Foundation CEO Victor Stagnaro. "Stepping up to cover all or some of their tuition is the least we can do, and I know our generous partners feel the same. We are proud to provide stability and support for these families as they pursue higher education and build brighter futures." The NFFF scholarship program is made possible through its partners, including Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. Since 2005, Motorola Solutions Foundation has funded the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Scholarship program, named in honor of U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes of Maryland, a longtime advocate for firefighters and fire safety who played a crucial role in the establishment of NFFF. In 2020, Motorola Solutions Foundation expanded its support by launching the Enhanced Scholarship Initiative (ESI), which provides larger scholarship funds to individuals pursuing degrees in STEM or public safety. Since its inception, ESI has provided 14 full scholarships totaling nearly $400,000. This academic year, 46 of the 56 scholarship recipients received funding through Motorola Solutions Foundation, including two students pursuing degrees in STEM, with one recipient in their second year of medical school. "For 20 years, our partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has been an unbreakable bond, rooted in our deep commitment to honor the enduring legacy of these national heroes," said Wesley Barden Touhy, Executive Director, Motorola Solutions Foundation. "These scholarships reflect our respect for their service and are an investment in the future. We're proud to empower these incredible and resilient students to pursue higher education and build the bright futures they deserve." "My dad, FDNY Lieutenant Steven Reisman, was called to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center on September 11, and I lost him at 14 years old due to 9/11-related cancer," said Natalie Reisman, a Sarbanes Scholarship recipient. "Seeing what he endured, I decided to dedicate my career to the service of human dignity, specifically seeking a career in public interest law. This year, I began my first year at Fordham Law - studying in the same city my dad fought fires - and none of this would be possible without the generous support of the Motorola Solutions Foundation and the continued support of NFFF." In addition to the support of the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the NFFF Scholarship Program is made possible through the generosity of the following scholarship partners and donors: Alan Patrick Sondej Scholarship Fund Kenneth M. Hedrick Memorial Scholarship Fund Sander Cohen Memorial Scholarship Fund MissionSquare Retirement National Association of State Fire Marshals Burton A. Zipser and Sandra D. Zipser Foundation Global Health & Safety Steel Family's Fire Engine 5 Charitable Foundation Ann & Frank Cahouet Foundation Chief Elwood Banister Memorial Scholarship Fund For more information about the NFFF Scholarship Program, or to make a donation supporting the NFFF's educational initiatives, visit www.firehero.org Continue reading here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Motorola Solutions on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Motorola Solutions Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/motorola-solutions-foundation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Motorola Solutions View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/nfff-awards-over-500-000-in-scholarships-to-families-of-fallen-firefig-1126660 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Stardust Solar Energy Inc. (TSXV: SUN) (OTCQB: SUNXF) (FSE: 6330) ("Stardust Solar" or the "Company") announces the securing of a 20-year, utility-scale Power Purchase Agreement ("PPA") in Zambia to support a 30-megawatt ("MW") solar project with up to US$60-90 million in contracted gross revenues. The government-backed agreement establishes long-duration, recurring royalty streams. It represents the largest royalty-based infrastructure transaction in the Company's history, materially advancing Stardust Solar's diversified global solar royalty strategy. Through its partnership with its Zambian subsidiary, Stardust Solar Zambia ("SSZ"), the Company has secured a 30MW PPA with Zesco Limited. Zesco Limited is a state-owned utility responsible for the majority of Zambia's national power transmission and distribution. The contract provides the right to sell solar-generated electricity to the Government of Zambia at a fixed rate of US$0.07 per kilowatt-hour ("kWh") for a 20-year term. Based on current assumptions and national energy demands, the project is expected to generate total gross revenues of approximately US$60 million to US$90 million over the contract life. Under a fully executed loan and joint venture agreement dated January 12, 2026, Stardust Solar will fund project development, construction and provide all utility-scale engineering and technical oversight. In return, the Company will earn a 50% royalty on all energy revenues, after approved allowable operating expenses, for the remaining term of the PPA following repayment of the project loan and interest. This structure creates a high-margin, multi-decade recurring revenue stream. "This agreement represents a defining milestone for Stardust Solar and the strongest validation to date of our royalty-based growth strategy," said Mark Tadros, Chief Executive Officer of Stardust Solar Energy Inc. "By securing a 20-year, government-backed power purchase agreement with a 50% recurring royalty interest, we are establishing long-duration, high-margin cash flows that directly support our objective of building a scalable global solar royalty platform while delivering clean, reliable energy to countries in need." The 30MW utility-scale solar facility, comprising approximately 45,000 high-efficiency solar panels, is expected to reach commercial operation later this year upon completion of first 2MW of solar, phase 1 of the build. The project site includes 50 hectares of secured land, exceeding the requirements of the current PPA and providing capacity for further expansion under the existing development framework. Senior leadership will travel to Zambia in February to meet with government officials and utility stakeholders and attend the project's formal groundbreaking ceremony. "This project reflects the type of long-term, infrastructure-aligned investment Zambia is actively encouraging," said Dr. Ochas Kashinge Pupwe, Principal of Stardust Solar Zambia and Megatricity Energy Limited. "Utility-scale solar developments supported by stable power purchase agreements play a critical role in strengthening national energy security, supporting economic growth, and accelerating the country's transition to reliable, low-carbon power. We welcome Stardust Solar's commitment to delivering scalable, technically renewable energy solutions in partnership with Zambian stakeholders." This agreement reinforces Stardust Solar's strategy of building a diversified portfolio of long-duration, royalty-based solar assets designed to deliver scalable growth, recurring cash flows, and long-term shareholder value. About Stardust Solar: Stardust Solar Energy Inc. is a diversified solar royalty company developing multiple recurring revenue streams across residential, commercial, and utility-scale markets in North America, with international expansion initiatives underway. The Company generates revenues through royalties, licensing arrangements, subscription models, training & education programs, and contributions from its clean-energy franchise operations, all structured to support scalable, recurring value creation. Through strategic growth initiatives and a focus on sustainability-driven innovation, Stardust Solar is advancing renewable-energy adoption while building long-term value for shareholders and stakeholders. Disclaimer: 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/280193 Source: Stardust Solar Energy Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc. (CSE: ICS) (OTCQB: IGCRF) (FSE: Y4G) dba Integrated Quantum Technologies ("IQT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the filing of a provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its proprietary AI and machine learning infrastructure which will underscore the development of AIQu (pronounced "IQ"), the Company's core post-quantum AI product platform. Highlights: Integrated Quantum Technologies has filed a provisional U.S. patent covering its privacy-preserving AI and machine learning infrastructure, establishing an early and defensible position in post-quantum AI systems. The patent supports AIQu, a post-quantum AI infrastructure platform, designed to secure, govern, and scale artificial intelligence end-to-end while addressing quantum-era threats, compute efficiency, and global deployment complexity. AIQu VEIL, the first product within the AIQu platform, delivers privacy-preserving AI infrastructure, protecting sensitive data across the entire enterprise AI and machine learning pipeline. The provisional patent filing includes 30 claims related to IQT's proprietary AI and machine learning infrastructure which leans on its' novel approach to privacy-preserving AI and machine learning. This framework is designed to protect sensitive data throughout the AI lifecycle and enables organizations to train and operate AI systems without exposing raw or sensitive data and avoid trade-offs related to performance, accuracy, and computing that limit current privacy-preserving solutions. The filing marks an important milestone for Integrated Quantum Technologies, reflecting the Company's commitment and ongoing work in privacy-preserving AI and post-quantum infrastructure. "Recent events continue to show that enterprises face significant challenges in protecting sensitive data, ensuring AI model reliability, and managing increasing compute demands," said Alan Guibord, CEO and Chairman of Integrated Quantum Technologies. "AIQu and VEIL address these issues at the infrastructure level, offering organizations a secure, scalable, and efficient foundation for deploying AI within their operations. AIQu: A Post-Quantum AI Infrastructure Platform AIQu reflects "artificial intelligence for a quantum world" and serves as Integrated Quantum Technologies' core platform for all current and future offerings in post-quantum AI infrastructure solutions. The platform is designed to secure AI systems end-to-end, strengthen model integrity, reduce compute requirements through next-generation compression, and simplify governance for global AI deployment. AIQu addresses critical challenges facing AI adoption today, including post-quantum security threats, growing compute demands, data authenticity, model reliability, and enterprise-wide compliance. AIQu VEIL: Enterprise-Grade Privacy-Preserving AI AIQu VEIL, short for Vector-Encoded Information Layer, is the first commercial product within the AIQu platform. VEIL addresses a fundamental vulnerability in today's AI ecosystems: the reliance on sensitive data throughout the machine learning lifecycle. By eliminating the need to ingest, store, or process sensitive information in its original form, VEIL delivers privacy-preserving AI infrastructure that protects data across the entire enterprise AI and ML pipeline, reducing regulatory, security, and operational risks. About Integrated Quantum Technologies Integrated Quantum Technologies is building quantum-ready infrastructure to help secure and scale artificial intelligence. The Company's AIQu platform underpins its product strategy for privacy-preserving and resilient AI systems and VEIL is its first product, designed to protect sensitive AI data and workflows in enterprise environments. IQT's proprietary technologies address the threats of emerging post-quantum security risks, increasing compute demands, and the complexity of deploying AI at scale. To learn more information, visit: www.integratedquantum.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors: Alan Guibord, Director & Chief Executive Officer Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward looking information or statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, the technical, financial, and business prospects of the Company, its assets and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward looking information or statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information or statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking information or statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, the ability to achieve its goals, expected costs and timelines to achieve the Company's goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, and that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward looking information or statements reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties included in documents filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking information or statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, failure to compete effectively with competitors, failure to maintain or obtain all necessary permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to comply with applicable laws, including environmental laws, risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties. The Company does not undertake to update forward looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280080 Source: Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc. New Financing Round, Led by Battery Ventures and Sapphire Ventures, Doubles Onebrief's Post-Money Valuation and Accelerates Growth Strategy Battle Road Acquisition Expands Next-Gen Wargaming Capabilities and Positions Onebrief as the Mission-Critical Command Operating System for the Military Onebrief, the operating system for modern command, today announced it closed a Series D, featuring both a primary and secondary offering for an aggregate $200 million. The round was held at a post-money valuation of more than $2 billion, and was led by Battery Ventures and Sapphire Ventures, with new participation from Salesforce Ventures and additional investment from General Catalyst and Insight Partners. "The Series D and the Battle Road acquisition are key milestones in our effort to build the superhuman military command," said Grant Demaree, CEO of Onebrief. "We are pleased to have the support of new investors like Sapphire and Salesforce Ventures and returning ones like Battery." "Since we first invested in Onebrief in early 2025, the company has continued to demonstrate a clear vision and proven strategy for deploying game-changing software to the military. We're excited to reaffirm our commitment to the company in this new funding round," said Battery Ventures General Partner Michael Brown. "We feel Onebrief is a true defense tech pioneer, and Grant and his team continue to execute." "We believe Onebrief has created the ultimate operating system for global defense, redefining how mission-critical organizations plan, decide, and act. Earning trust across the U.S. military is no easy task, and Onebrief has shown outstanding execution to-date, positioning the platform for scale as it expands into AI-driven simulation and real-time decision support through its acquisition of Battle Road," said Jai Das, President and Partner of Sapphire Ventures. "We're thrilled to partner with Grant and the Onebrief team as they continue to build the foundation for modern military planning." Onebrief's Series D funding round comes during a particularly critical period for the future of modern command. This round will help Onebrief scale rapidly and strengthen the platform's position as the foundation for command operations integrating planning, wargaming, simulation, and live decision support into one unified ecosystem. Proceeds from the Series D round will be used to expand Onebrief's AI Assist product and ensure wartime resiliency. Most notably, the Series D funding has enabled Onebrief to acquire Battle Road Digital, a leading defense innovation company applying best-in-class gaming technology to defense and national security challenges. Effective immediately, Battle Road Digital's capabilities in real-time operational decision support become part of Onebrief's expanding ecosystem, transforming the platform into an Operating System that enables military leaders to see, simulate, and decide faster than ever before. "Integrating with Onebrief allows us to rapidly bridge the gap between simulation and live operations," said Josh Henderson, Founder of Battle Road Digital. "This partnership is about developing a platform that provides commanders with powerful new tools to explore tomorrow's fight, today, while preserving valuable lives, time, resources. It provides leaders with cutting-edge capabilities to stress-test decisions, anticipate second-order effects, and stay ahead in a world where the margin for error is shrinking. Together with Onebrief, we're helping shape how modern conflicts are understood, planned, and ultimately won." "Battle Road is now a core part of our vision to make military command superhuman," said Demaree. "This acquisition is the key to building a system that not only plans but ensures those plans will work in the real world." This acquisition and the integration of these solutions provide measurable benefits to government and defense stakeholders, delivering a seamless experience that advances the Department of War's modernization priorities. This unified platform, which continuously evolves through AI-driven learning from real-world operational data, will transform command and remove friction, empowering warfighters to act with unrivaled speed and confidence. About Onebrief Onebrief is an AI-powered platform that enables commands to optimize workflows and transform operations. Designed for the military, this foundational system enables the military to generate superhuman outputs: brilliant decisions, split-second coordination, and distributed collaboration. Learn more at onebrief.com. About Sapphire Sapphire is a global software venture capital firm with over $11 billion in AUM and team members across Austin, London, Menlo Park and San Francisco. For more than two decades, Sapphire has partnered with visionary management teams and venture funds to back companies of consequence. Since its founding, Sapphire has invested in more than 170 companies globally resulting in more than 30 Public Listings and 45 acquisitions. The firm's investment strategies Sapphire Ventures and Sapphire Partners are focused on scaling companies and venture funds, elevating them to become category leaders. Sapphire's Portfolio Growth team of experienced operators delivers a strategic blend of value-add services, tools and resources designed to support portfolio company leaders as they scale. About Battery Ventures Battery partners with exceptional founders and management teams developing category-defining businesses in markets including software and services, enterprise infrastructure and AI, healthcare IT, and industrial technology and life-science tools. Founded in 1983, the firm backs companies at all stages, ranging from seed and early to growth and buyout, and invests globally from offices in Boston, San Francisco, Menlo Park, New York, London, and Tel Aviv. Follow the firm on X @BatteryVentures, visit our website at www.battery.com and find a full list of Battery's portfolio companies here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113042010/en/ Contacts: Mike Bushnell, mbushnell@theheraldgroup.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - CAT Strategic Metals Corporation (CSE: CAT) (OTC Pink: CATTF) (FSE: 8CHA) ("CAT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Binding Memorandum Of Understanding (the "Binding MOU") on January 12, 2025, with a number of private arm's-length parties pursuant to which CAT has been granted an exclusive right to earn a majority interest in a district-scale rare earth elements ("REE") exploration project located in Quebec, Canada (the "Project"). The Binding MOU represents a significant consolidation of a large and contiguous mineral claim package and provides CAT with control over an emerging REE discovery within a highly prospective geological district. Transaction Overview Pursuant to the Binding MOU, CAT has been granted the exclusive right to earn an undivided 80% legal and beneficial interest in the Project over a five-year option term, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Key commercial terms of the Binding MOU include: Issuance of 33,000,000 common shares of CAT to the vendors; Anniversary payments totaling CAD $175,000 per year for three years, payable in cash, common shares of CAT, or a combination thereof at the Company's election; A commitment to incur minimum aggregate exploration expenditures of CAD $500,000 over the option term with no minimum per year; Upon satisfaction of the earn-in conditions, CAT will earn an 80% interest, with the remaining 20% interest carried through to a production decision; A one-time cash bonus of CAD $500,000 payable upon completion of a bankable feasibility study; and A total 3.0% net smelter returns royalty, subject to partial buyback rights in favor of CAT. The Binding MOU will automatically convert into a definitive option agreement upon receipt of all required regulatory approvals. No finder's fee or commission are payable in connection with the transaction. Strategic Significance The Project, located approximately 80 km east of Kuujjuaq, represents a district-scale land position composed of 4 incontiguous claim blocs totaling 95 claims and a rounded 4,330 hectares with confirmed rare earth element mineralization. The consolidation of the claims under a single option agreement provides CAT with full operational control and the ability to advance systematic exploration across the broader district rather than on a fragmented, claim-by-claim basis. Figure 1: Project location map; Data source https://sigeom.mines.gouv.qc.ca/signet/classes/I1102_aLaCarte?l=A To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11961/280203_projectlocationmap.jpg The Project comprises the mineral showing "Surivvik", which is a grab selected sample collected by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife of Quebec in 2011 while conducting regional geological mapping work. The Sample returned exciting anomalous values of 2,349.49 ppm REE, 2.97% P2O5, 392 ppm Zn, 53 ppm Th and 1,442 ppm Sr (GM 58329). The showing typology is interpreted as an ultramafic to mafic intrusion associated with a hyperalkaline complex and the REE host rock is described by the Ministry as an ultramafic unit whose composition ranges from clinopyroxenite to gabbro, enriched in magnetite and apatite, allanite, xenotime, and rare earth rich minerals and crosscut by whitish granite injections. Since and before the showing discovery no exploration work as been conducted on the property and remains at the very early grassroot stage. The Property additionally encompasses 3 majors alkaline intrusion interpreted by the Ministry as a Syenite to Monzodorite intrusion locally comprising clinopyroxene blobs hosting sphene, apatite, allanite, and magnetite (BG 2020-07; RG 2013-04). Figure 2: Regional Geology map with Project claims; Data source https://sigeom.mines.gouv.qc.ca/signet/classes/I1102_aLaCarte?l=A To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11961/280203_307cd2def4f86b53_002full.jpg The Company believes the Project has the potential to host a scalable REE system, and its size and geological setting make it amenable to staged exploration, resource delineation, and longer-term development planning, subject to successful exploration results. Next Steps Following receipt of regulatory approvals, CAT intends to finalize the definitive option agreement and commence a phased exploration program designed to expand and better define REE mineralization across the Project area. CAT intends to commence a grassroot exploration program as early as the summer season 2026. The program will consist of geological mapping and sampling work to cover and sort-out the possible targets for a high-definition geophysical program to further define the geology and highlight the potential of the property and plan a mid to long term logical exploration program. Figure 3: Quebec High Resolution Mag map with Project claims; Data source https://sigeom.mines.gouv.qc.ca/signet/classes/I1102_aLaCarte?l=A To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11961/280203_307cd2def4f86b53_003full.jpg Qualified Person Mr. Patrick Laforest, P.Geo (Quebec), is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 who has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this press release. The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify the historic information on the Property, particularly in regard to the neighbouring projects and historical drilling data. About CAT Strategic Metals Corporation: CAT Strategic Metals Corporation is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and derisking of overlooked projects situated in well-established geological districts in North America. The Company is specially focused on minerals which are considered highly strategic from a monetary as well as global infrastructure and energy point of view. CAT's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the trading symbol "CAT", on the OTCMarkets.com under the trading symbol "CATTF", and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "8CHA". 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. Particular risks applicable to this press release include risks associated with planned production, including the ability of the company to achieve its targeted exploration outline due to regulatory, technical or economic factors; and the completion of the transactions contemplated herein. In addition, there are risks associated with estimates of resources, and there is no guarantee that a resource will be found or have demonstrated economic viability as necessary to be classified as a reserve. There is no guarantee that additional exploration work will result in significant increases to resource estimates. Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek safe harbour. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280203 Source: CAT Strategic Metals Corporation By Scott McGregor NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Cisco's first Empower & Connect Summit at our campus in Raleigh, NC, brought together partners, innovators, and communities to explore how technology can drive meaningful social impact. At the center of that energy was the Community Innovation Challenge. In partnership with Net Impact we invited students from around the world to pitch their boldest ideas: how would they use Cisco technology to address critical challenges in their own communities? We received 84 proposals from 12 countries, with the top five teams advancing to present in person at the Summit. There, a panel of experts evaluated their ideas based on their understanding of community needs, innovative use of technology, and potential for real-world results. What struck me most wasn't just the technical sophistication of their proposals - it was how deeply these students understood the communities they were designing for, and how they positioned technology as a path to opportunity. Bold solutions, big impact: Meet the 2025 Innovation Challenge Winners First place: DineLink - $10,000 Mahima Subramaniyan and Devangna Jadeja, Arizona State University Spanning 27,000 square miles of rugged terrain across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, the Navajo Nation is the largest reservation in the United States. Yet for nearly two-thirds of the more than 160,000 people who live there, reliable internet remains out of reach. [1] Mahima and Devangna's proposal tackled this head-on with a vision for digital sovereignty through DineLink, a community-owned network designed to withstand the terrain and serve the people who live there. They proposed using Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul to bypass geographic barriers and reach areas where fiber isn't viable, paired with Meraki access points and security appliances to provide both connectivity and network management at scale. Solar-powered hubs would ensure reliability in remote areas, while Catalyst infrastructure would reduce dependency on traditional fiber networks. But what set DineLink apart was the emphasis on building for the long-term by proposing to embed Cisco Networking Academy training through Dine College and Navajo Technical University, so the community doesn't just get connectivity, but also the workforce to maintain and expand it themselves. Second place: HealthHorizons - $5,000 Priya Rao (University of Connecticut), Julia Kuang (Wellesley College), Grace Chen (Swarthmore College) In Greene County, Alabama, just three practicing physicians serve the entire population. Like many remote areas, sparse infrastructure means limited broadband access, putting telehealth out of reach for most residents. The HealthHorizons team's proposal centered on creating reliable telehealth infrastructure where none currently exists. They designed a system using Meraki infrastructure with failover connectivity to ensure clinics stay online, combined with Meraki firewalls to maintain HIPAA-compliant security for patient data. Webex would enable remote consultations and connect patients directly with specialists, while AI-powered tools could help with triage. Their four-stage model was designed not as a one-time fix, but as a system that could provide continuity of care in a place that's been medically isolated for decades. Third place: OncoALERT - $2,500 Dr. Jayanti Kumari and Sweta Pandey, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (India) In rural India, cancer is often diagnosed too late to treat effectively. Through OncoALERT, Dr. Kumari and Sweta proposed a low-cost, AI-enabled saliva biosensor that could be deployed by community health workers or used at home - no specialized equipment required. The technical infrastructure would use Catalyst wireless access points to provide reliable connectivity in rural villages, Meraki SD-WAN to extend healthcare networks beyond urban centers and layered security through Cisco ISE and Duo to protect sensitive health data. Webex would enable remote consultations, bringing oncologists into communities where they've never had access before. If implemented at scale, their model estimates that OncoALERT could screen 5 million people and potentially save 120,000 lives. Honorable mentions that raised the bar Two additional finalist teams demonstrated an impressive command of both technology and community dynamics: Cisco Community Connect Detroit - $1,000 A University of Michigan team proposed a youth-focused digital skills program designed to certify 1,000 Detroit students and reduce the city's digital literacy gap by 25%. Their model combined Meraki infrastructure with hands-on Cisco Networking Academy training to build both technical skills and career pathways. FloodSense Ghana - $1,000 A Talladega College team designed an early-warning system to help communities in Ghana prepare for floods before they hit. Their proposal combined IoT sensors and Meraki dashboards for real-time monitoring with telecommunications partnerships to reach an estimated 500,000 residents, while building a pipeline to train 500 students annually in IoT, cloud computing, and analytics. What comes next: Investing in the next generation of problem solvers Watching these students think about technology the way we should all be thinking about it - as a vehicle for solving real problems in real communities - was inspiring. They started where it matters most: with people. Families without internet. Patients without access to healthcare providers. Communities without flood warnings. Then, they proposed tech-enabled solutions around those specific needs. Now, each of the five finalist teams will be paired with a senior mentor at Cisco to help them further refine their ideas and continue developing as problem-solving innovators who put people and communities first. This is the kind of thinking that creates real change. These students understand that technology's value lies in making communities healthier, safer, more connected, and more resilient. And this is what Cisco is committed to supporting: equipping the best and brightest minds of the next generation with the resources, mentorship, and technology they need to bring their bold ideas to life. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/behind-the-pitch-meet-the-students-proposing-bold-ways-to-use-cisco-te-1126668 San Francisco, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Interview Coder, an early pioneer in AI-powered assistant purpose-built for live technical interviews, has unveiled version 2.0 of its flagship desktop platform. As the category's original innovator, the company introduces a refined release that elevates both functionality and discretion. The update also delivers a major expansion in Premium stealth capability now incorporating real-time audio input and over 20 advanced features designed to maintain full invisibility during live coding assessments and screen-sharing environments. "Version 2.0 was designed around how interviews actually happen in practice," said Abdulla Ababakre, Founder and CEO of Interview Coder. Stealth Architecture Sets New Benchmark for Invisibility Expanded premium stealth features in version 2.0 make Interview Coder essentially invisible during screen sharing. The app now operates as a standalone desktop application (outside the browser) and avoids any dock icons, taskbar entries or visible windows. Even if the interview session is being recorded, the software leaves "no visible windows or overlays", so the interviewer cannot see the assistant's interface. (Official demos on the site show modes like Invisible in Dock and Screen-Recording Proof to illustrate this.) The company highlights that no user has ever been caught using the tool properly: it reports "zero documented cases of users being detected or flagged" when 2.0 is used as intended. Live Audio Intelligence Enhances Real-Time Responsiveness Interview Coder 2.0 also adds real-time audio processing. The platform can capture and transcribe interviewer audio on-the-fly, enabling the AI to understand spoken questions without manual input. This makes it more premium than its competitors and reduces the need to type prompts into the tool during the interview and supports a smoother coding discussion. Performance optimizations in 2.0 further aim at reducing latency during time-sensitive interview moments. The company contrasts Interview Coder's design with other coding-assistant tools. Whereas many alternatives use visible browser extensions or on-screen overlays (which can trigger detection or disrupt the workflow), Version 2.0's architecture is fundamentally different. It is engineered to prioritize stealth, clean screen-sharing, and uninterrupted operation: as the press release notes, Interview Coder's approach is "purpose-built for live interview environments," making it a "more premium, robust and professional solution". Adoption Accelerates as Community Validates Product-Market Fit Interview Coder says its technology has seen widespread adoption. By late 2025, more than 97,000 developers worldwide had used the platform. The company's internal data indicates that users of Interview Coder secured over 41,000 job offers in 2025 (with the caveat that individual results vary). Interview Coder has been referenced in user-led discussions across online developer communities. In multiple Reddit threads, participants have discussed the tool in the context of live interview workflows, including visibility, latency, and system behavior during screen sharing and recorded interviews. These discussions reflect user experiences rather than company-sponsored endorsements. Availability: Interview Coder 2.0 is available immediately for download (Mac and Windows) with a complementary trial on the company website. The company's press materials and user communities continue to position the product as the most undetectable live-interview assistant tool on the market. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279718 Source: FG Newswire Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Mongoose Mining Ltd. (CSE: MNG) ("Mongoose" or the "Company") today announced the publication of a detailed presentation outlining the technical and strategic rationale underlying the Company's previously announced strategic refocus toward the evaluation of natural (geologic) hydrogen across its Nova Scotia land package. The presentation, which can ben accessed on Mongoose's website at www.mongoosemining.com, summarizes the geological assessment work completed by management and reviewed by the Board of Directors and provides additional context regarding the data-driven basis for the refocus. The materials draw upon decades of historical geological, geophysical, and structural datasets originally generated through iron-oxide-copper-gold ("IOCG") exploration programs. In connection with the release of the presentation, the Company has also published a letter from its Chairman to shareholders describing the review process, governance considerations, and strategic context considered by the Board. Matthew Allas, Chairman of Mongoose Mining Ltd., commented: "The presentation is intended to provide shareholders with transparency into the technical work and that informed the Board's decision and introduce the fundamentals which underpin the value proposition identified. It reflects a reassessment of existing data through an evolving scientific framework, rather than a departure from the geological fundamentals that have long underpinned the Company's assets." Chairman's Letter to Shareholders Dear Shareholders, As Chairman of Mongoose Mining Ltd., I am writing to provide shareholders with additional context regarding the assessment work undertaken, as detailed in the Company's recently published strategic rationale presentation. Over the course of several months, a structured technical and strategic review of the Company's Nova Scotia asset base was conducted. This review included a re-evaluation of historical geological, geophysical, and structural datasets originally generated through iron-oxide-copper-gold ("IOCG") exploration programs. The purpose of this process was to assess whether the Company's existing technical foundation continued to support the most appropriate deployment of capital and effort considering evolving scientific understanding and market conditions. This review did not reflect a diminished confidence in IOCG systems. The geological attributes that initially attracted advanced IOCG exploration to the region - radiogenic basement rocks, iron-rich lithologies, and long-lived fault systems - remain present and technically valid. These features continue to underpin the intrinsic geological quality of the Company's land position. Through this reassessment, it was identified that these same geological characteristics are now understood to be fundamental to the generation and migration of natural (geologic) hydrogen. Advances in global research and the increasing number of drilled and tested hydrogen systems internationally provided an updated interpretive framework through which the Company's historical subsurface data could be reviewed. Our analysis indicated that the Company's existing drill core, structural interpretations, airborne magnetic data, gravity surveys, and alteration models exhibit material similarities to geological settings associated with confirmed hydrogen systems elsewhere. These observations are based on historical subsurface data and do not constitute confirmation of hydrogen presence or commercial viability on the Company's properties. In addition to internal technical work, the Board considered broader industry developments within Nova Scotia, including the entry of technically capable and well-capitalized third-party groups focused on natural hydrogen exploration. While the Company does not rely on third-party activity as a basis for its strategy, the Board considered this activity as a contextual indicator of growing interest in the regional geological framework. Following this review, the Board evaluated strategic considerations with reference to technical probability, capital requirements, timelines to potential validation, jurisdictional considerations, and overall risk profile. Based on this process, the Board remains of the view that the Company's strategic direction is appropriate and grounded in disciplined technical assessment. The Company will continue to communicate material developments as required and in accordance with applicable securities laws. I thank shareholders for their continued support. Sincerely, W. Matthew Allas Chairman of the Board Mongoose Mining Ltd. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been, reviewed and approved by Terry Coughlan, P.Geo., the Company's Chief Executive Officer, a Qualified Person within the context of Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101; Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Mongoose Mining Ltd. Mongoose Mining is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing its portfolio of mineral projects in Canada. The Company is committed to responsible exploration practices and to creating value through discovery, technical excellence, and strong community partnerships. Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, without limitation statements related to the proposed near-term activities. Mongoose provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific, and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the speculative nature of mineral exploration (including the risk of failing to delineate an economic resource); volatility in commodity prices which may render projects uneconomic; the availability of adequate financing; delays in obtaining or failures to secure necessary permits from governmental or regulatory authorities; the inherent uncertainty of geological modeling and metallurgical recovery rates as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Mongoose's public filings under its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Mongoose has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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 statements. Mongoose disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Providers (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) 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/280205 Source: Mongoose Mining Ltd. PARIS, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The exhibition Toutes les choses qu'elles portent (All the Things They Carry) brings together four female artists whose works question what women continue to carry today: visible and invisible burdens, symbolic legacies, social constraints, and intimate experiences. Against a backdrop of weakening women's rights, it explores the tension between creation, motherhood, and individuation: how to invent one's own language and assert a singular subjectivity without being reduced to supposedly universal roles. Rather than idealizing motherhood or caregiving, the exhibition reveals the ambivalences, gray areas, and resistance necessary to "carry without losing oneself." Curator Katharina Holderegger has selected works from specific series by each artist, which together form a polyphonic narrative of contemporary femininity. The work of Roxana Savin from the series I'll be late tonight (2012-2020) and God Created Woman (2022-ongoing) observes both the domestic life of expatriate residences, where perfection and silence reveal the invisible efforts of women, and connect these current realities to religious imaginaries by questioning the sacralization of the feminine and the control of bodies. The diptychs from the series Welcome/Welcome Back (1996-2021) by Elizabeth Hansen, recreate self-portraits fifteen years apart to create a dialogue between the young New York artist and the woman who has become a mother, revealing what changes and what remains in female identity over time. These life-size portraits turn the gaze back on the viewer and challenge objectification by questioning the way in which the female body is burdened with social and emotional expectations. With the series The (Dis-)Appearing Woman (2014-2015), Sarah Knill-Jones addresses the oscillation between appearance and disappearance through partially covered painted portraits of Western women living in Azerbaijan, evoking exile, suspension of identity and reduction to traditionally assigned roles, while a later audiovisual confrontation with native-born women lends both a voice. The works of Ingrid Butterer from the Every Day is Mother's Day Project (2017-ongoing) project, notably Milk Hole Abstraction 10.2025 (2025), address the aftermath of domestic violence: spilled or encapsulated milk becomes a metaphor for care, fear, and the construction of new boundaries leading from survival to reconstruction. Together, these works affirm that women do not cease to be subjects when they become mothers, wives, migrants, or actors in political and religious issues; they invent ways to continue to exist in a world that too often wants them to be symbols rather than people. Toutes les chose qu'elles portent (All the Things They Carry) will be open at la Galerie des Photographes at 29 rue Keller, 75011 Paris, from January 29-February 7, 2026. The gallery will be open during these dates from Tuesday-Sunday 2-6 pm (closed Monday). Related Events: January 29, 6-9 pm - Opening Reception January 30, 7 pm - Rebuilding Home - Boundaries, Repair, and Autonomy after Abuse - Conversation between the curator Katharina Holderegger and the artist Ingrid Butterer (in English) January 31, 3 pm - Guided visit with curator Katharina Holderegger (in French) February 5, 7 pm - Crafting a Future with Violated Liberty and Justice Forall - participatory craft performance inspired by sewing bees and knitting circles; with artists Elizabeth Hansen and Raelle Myrick-Hodges. This event (in English) will be filmed. RSVP info@ellesportent.com February 6, 7 pm - Home, Elsewhere - Women, Care, and the Instability of Belonging - Conversation between the curator Katharina Holderegger and the artists Sarah Knill-Jones and Roxana Savin (in English). Followed by a film screening at 8 pm Sarah Knill-Jones, (Dis)Appearing Woman (2015), 34' February 7, 3 pm - Guided visit with curator Katharina Holderegger (in English) 2-6 pm - Closing reception with the curator and artists present Curated by Katharina Holderegger (Switzerland/France) and featuring work by: Roxana Savin (Switzerland/Romania) Elizabeth Hansen (Switzerland/USA) Sarah Knill-Jones (France/UK) Ingrid Buterer (USA) ellesportent.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2860513/God_Created_Woman_by_Roxana_Savin.jpg Media contact: Katharina Holderegger info@ellesportent.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/all-the-things-they-carry-exhibition-opening-29-january-2026-at-la-galerie-des-photographes-paris-302659874.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Exploits Discovery Corp. (CSE: NFLD) (OTCQB: NFLDF) (FSE: 634) ("Exploits" or the "Company") has delivered on its first key milestone of 2026: diamond drills are turning at the 100%-optioned Fenton gold project near Chapais, Quebec. The goal of the fully-permitted program is to expand the known gold mineralization along strike and at depth. "This is an important step in executing our Quebec growth strategy of growing our gold ounces," said Jeff Swinoga, CEO and President of Exploits. "We believe the market is not reflecting our underlying value, as on a pro forma basis we are trading approximately at cash, before ascribing meaningful value to our gold assets and near-term catalysts." The winter drill campaign is designed to: follow up on known high grade mineralization evaluate several strong electro-magnetic conductors and magnetic corridors interpreted to represent sulphide-rich horizons and/or structurally controlled zones prospective for high-grade mineralization. The program is structured as an initial ~1,400 m "priority phase," with the broader winter campaign expected to total approximately 3,000 to 5,000 m, subject to results and field conditions. The initial holes will: follow-up on historical high-grade gold mineralization and down-plunge extensions (including 356 g/t gold over 0.6 m (Gagnon, 2018-see references, below)), test priority geophysical and structural targets with expansion potential along strike and at depth. Figure 1: Fenton Project - Overview Map Showing Target Areas To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6393/280208_8763a03104fe4842_001full.jpg Fenton Project overview and recent work The Fenton Project comprises 18 contiguous claims totaling approximately 760.7 hectares. Exploits holds an option to acquire a 100% interest from Cartier Resources Inc., subject to the underlying agreement terms and existing royalties. Geologically, the Fenton system occurs in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt along the Guercheville Deformation Zone, a regional structural corridor in the Chibougamau-Chapais area known to host gold mineralization. As previously disclosed by Exploits Discovery Corp. on December 16, 2025 (see references, below), Phase 1 work at Fenton included mapping, trench/outcrop review, and sampling that confirmed sulphide-hosted gold mineralization at surface, with grab samples reporting assays up to 48.4 g/t gold, and a subsequent review/resampling of historic core confirming high-grade gold in key intervals (including 49.0 g/t gold over 0.51 m (gravimetric)) within a previously reported high-grade zone. Sampling, analytical methods, and QA/QC All prospective NQ drill core from the Fenton Project is logged and sampled under the supervision of an Exploits professional geologist. Core is cut in half using a diamond saw, with one half submitted for analysis and the remaining half retained in secure core storage in Quebec. Samples are sealed and shipped directly to AGAT Laboratories, an independent ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory. Gold is analyzed by 30 g fire assay with atomic absorption finish, with multi-element analysis completed by four-acid digestion and ICP analysis. A QA/QC program including certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates is applied at regular intervals, representing approximately 5% of all samples. Samples containing visible gold or returning gold values greater than 10.0 g/t gold are re-assayed using metallic screen methods, with results reported as weighted average values. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Richardson, P.Geo. (OGQ Permit No. 10929), a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He is a non-independent Technical Consultant to Exploits and overseeing the gold exploration program at Fenton. About Exploits Discovery Corp. Exploits Discovery is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on growing ounces in top-tier mining jurisdictions in Quebec and Ontario across its Fenton, Wilson, Benoist and Hawkins projects. The Company also holds a strategic equity position and royalty exposure to New Found Gold Corp. in Newfoundland following the sale of its Newfoundland claims in 2025. Exploits' strategy is to unlock district-scale potential across its balanced Quebec-Ontario portfolio through systematic, data-driven exploration and strategic partnerships, creating shareholder value through discovery and resource growth. References: citations for previously disclosed results Gagnon, J.-F. (2018). Rapport d'exploration, annee 2017, propriete Guercheville 2014-1 (1391), feuillet 32G/11. GM70782. SOQUEM Inc., Ministere de l'Energie et des Ressources naturelles du Quebec. Exploits Discovery Corp. (Dec. 16, 2025). "Exploits Reports Up to 48.4 g/t Gold from Surface Grab Samples; Fully-permitted Drill Program at Fenton, Quebec." News Release, SEDAR+ filing. Exploits Discovery Corp. (October 8, 2025). Exploits Launches High-Resolution Detailed Geophysics at Quebec Gold Projects. News Release (Newsfile), filed on SEDAR+. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. 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 save as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280208 Source: Exploits Discovery Corp. Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Hiking Turkiye, a locally-owned Turkish smartphone manufacturer, marked its first appearance at CES 2026 in Las Vegas this week, unveiling a new lineup of 5G-enabled smartphones and announcing a strategic distribution partnership with Turkish telecommunications giant Turk Telekom. (Hiking Turkiye and Turk Telekom team at CES 2026) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8552/280207_54c21d07f4d0696c_001full.jpg The company's debut at the world's largest consumer electronics trade show comes as Turkey prepares to roll out 5G networks nationwide in April 2026, positioning Hiking Turkiye as a local alternative in a market traditionally dominated by international brands. Exclusive Turk Telekom Launch Deal Under the partnership announced at CES, Hiking Turkiye's new 5G smartphone models will launch exclusively through Turk Telekom retail channels in the first quarter of 2026, giving the carrier's customers first access to the locally-manufactured devices. The arrangement represents a vote of confidence from Turkey's leading telecommunications provider in the emerging domestic manufacturer. Company executives, including co-founders Umut Ozgur Uslu and Abdulhakim Turk, met with Turk Telekom senior leadership during the show to discuss 2026 strategy. (Hiking Turkiye and Turk Telekom team at CES 2026) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8552/280207_54c21d07f4d0696c_002full.jpg High-Profile Attention at Trade Show The Hiking Turkiye booth drew significant foot traffic throughout the four-day event, attracting both international visitors and a delegation of senior Turkish government officials. Notable visitors included Turkish Deputy Treasury and Finance Minister Dr. I. Ismail Hatipoglu, who also chairs Turk Telekom's board; Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Omer Fatih Sayan; and Turk Telekom CEO Ebubekir Sahin, among others. The officials reviewed the company's new 5G device portfolio and discussed its role in Turkey's upcoming network infrastructure upgrade. Positioning Turkey as Tech Contender "CES 2026 isn't a destination for us, it's a milestone in our journey from Turkey to the world stage," said Nadir Guner, General Manager of Hiking Turkiye. "As a 100% Turkish-owned, domestic manufacturer, we're not just aiming to be a producer and supplier for retail channels. We want to be an accessible, trusted technology brand and a global challenger that helps shape the industry through long-term partnerships." Guner emphasized that the company's presence at the Las Vegas showcase provided invaluable direct access to government officials, industry leaders, investors, and international media, exposure critical for a brand seeking to expand beyond its home market. Leveraging Turkey's Defense Industry Success The executive drew parallels between Hiking Turkiye's ambitions and Turkey's widely-recognized achievements in aerospace and defense technology over the past 15 years. "Turkey's technological breakthroughs in aviation and defense have gained global attention," Guner said. "We're working with determination to continue that success story in communications, telecommunications, and consumer electronics." The company is positioning itself to capitalize on Turkey's growing reputation as a technology innovator, seeking to translate that momentum into the competitive smartphone and consumer electronics sectors. Affordable 5G Access for Turkish Market Hiking Turkiye's CES showcase centered on its new 5G smartphone lineup, designed to offer high performance at accessible price points as Turkey prepares for its network upgrade. The company aims to lead the domestic transition to 5G technology as a locally-owned manufacturer. "Being able to bring our new 5G smartphones to end users first through the Turk Telekom channel in Q1 2026 is a particular source of pride," Guner said. "We're committed to advancing this partnership with our full support, and we're prepared to match the confidence they've placed in our brand." The company indicated that additional partnership announcements with other carrier channels will be revealed in the near future. Guner concluded: "The support we receive from our domestic sales channels, combined with the strategic partnerships we're building internationally, will accelerate our progress toward our goals. We look forward to reconnecting at the next global event with our latest innovations." To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280207 Source: B2Press BV Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - American Tungsten Corp. (CSE: TUNG) (OTCQB: TUNGF) (FSE: RK90) ("American Tungsten" or the "Company) is pleased to announce an update on advancing the underground drill program at the IMA mine. To date, 2,120 feet of drilling consisting of six holes has been completed. Drill Program Highlights: at the first D-Level drill station to be completed 2,120 feet across six holes completed since early December, with the final hole from the first D-Level drill station now underway; Drilling continues to intersect quartz veins with hubnerite (MnWO4) mineralization; vein intersections occur over an area 400 feet along strike and 250 feet up-dip from the D-level; Drift to the second D-Level drill station completed; the rig will be moved after AT25-07, which will test the up-dip extension; An additional 3,850 feet of drilling planned across nine holes from the second and third D-Level drilling stations as part of the Phase 1 Program; Underground rehabilitation advancing on both, the upper D Level and the Zero Level, to support ongoing drilling activity; and Zero Level drill program expanded from 6,700 to 8,000 feet with the addition of a new drill station for Phase I and II Programs. "The initial drillholes at the IMA Project are successfully intersecting the vein system along strike of historical resources. While assay results are still pending, these early intersections reinforce the geological model and validate our disciplined, phased approach to resource expansion. Phase 1 is progressing exactly as designed, and we remain focused on advancing the targets that support our mission to become the first producer of tungsten in the United States," said Ali Haji, CEO of American Tungsten Corp. ABOUT THE IMA MINE The IMA Mine is a past producing underground tungsten mine situated on 22 patented claims located in East Central Idaho. Between 1945 and 1957, the property produced approximately 199,449 MTUs of WO3 and was subsequently explored for molybdenum and tungsten by various operators between 1960-2010. American Tungsten Corp is currently conducting an exploration drill program and assessing potential for re-start of underground tungsten mining operations at the IMA Mine. The Company's Phase 1 drill program is focused on five priority exploration targets consisting of the No. 5 and No. 7 Vein systems, the IMA West Vein, the Eastern Vein, and the Main IMA Vein. The program was designed to systematically test multiple sheeted tungsten veins up-dip and along strike of historical resources defined on the "D-Level" of the IMA mine. The objective of the Company's Phase 1 program is to further delineate these historically identified tungsten vein systems and address compelling low-risk targeted areas for expansion of known mineralization by the end of Q1 2026. Hubnerite bearing quartz veins have been intersected in all drillholes, consistent with those described in the press release dated December 18th, 2025. The No5 and No7 veins are interpreted to be laterally continuous between drillholes. Analytical results from this drilling are pending and there is no guarantee that assay results will verify visual observations of mineralization, grade, or economic viability. Plan map of the D Level showing recently completed drillholes To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11701/280209_4ed35b4eb4e888fc_001full.jpg Vertical Section looking N20W showing drillholes with logged quartz veins and geological interpretation. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11701/280209_4ed35b4eb4e888fc_002full.jpg Hagby 1000 rig drilling AT26-05 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11701/280209_4ed35b4eb4e888fc_003full.jpg Qualified Person Technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI-43-101"). Austin Zinsser, P.G., SME-RM, Vice President, Exploration for the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. ABOUT AMERICAN TUNGSTEN CORP. American Tungsten Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on high-potential tungsten and magnetite assets in North America. The Company is advancing the IMA Mine Project in Idaho to commercial production, addressing critical metal scarcity in North America. The Company's IMA Mine Project is a historic and high-quality underground tungsten past-producing property on private-patented land well above the water table with significant infrastructure. The Company holds an exclusive option to acquire full ownership (subject to a 2% royalty) and has expanded its land position with 113 additional federal claims covering nearly 2,000 acres. For further updates, visit www.americantungstencorp.com or investor relations, Joanna Longo at ir@americantungstencorp.com. Social media links: LinkedIn: https:// www.linkedin.com/company/americantungstencorp/ X: https://x.com/amtungsten Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/americantungstencorp Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/americantungstencorp/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@americantungstencorp CSE: TUNG OTCQB: TUNGF FSE: RK90 The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. This news release includes "forward-looking information" that is subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to, statements relating to the completion of the 2026 drill program on the time line described herein, the number of holes planned and the total feet anticipated to be completed, and all the risks and uncertainties normally incident to such events. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future events and that actual events or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures, Chain of Custody American Tungsten Corp's QA/QC program applies industry standard best practices to ensure data quality and integrity for the IMA Mine project, including maintaining chain of custody, secure sample storage, adherence to data collection protocols and inclusion of certified reference, blank and duplicate quality assurance samples in laboratory submissions. Initial Samples were submitted for assay to ALS Minerals, Twin Falls, ID in December 2025. Assay results will be released when available. Visual mineral identification was conducted by qualified professional geologists in conjunction with assessment of mineral form, hardness, streak, fluorescence and other semi qualitative data. Analytical results are pending and there is no guarantee that assay results will verify visual observations of mineralization, grade, or economic viability. Statements concerning historical mineral resources, production, and exploration results on the property have been obtained through both public and private sources, and are believed to be substantially factual and relevant in that they demonstrate the tenor of exploration targets on the property. Historical resource estimates pre-date the implementation of NI 43-101 and do not use categories stipulated by CIM. Prior operators assigned confidence categories which differ from those stipulated by CIM, as they may not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimates should not be relied upon until they have been verified. Neither American Tungsten Corp., or its Qualified Person, has done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or to verify historical information regarding past production, sampling or drilling. American Tungsten Corp. is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Exploration Targets discussed are conceptual in nature; it is uncertain whether a mineral resource will be delineated based on potential exploration. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280209 Source: American Tungsten Corp. The "Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition Market and Technology Forecast to 2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global ammunition market is currently shaped by two key factors: the war in Ukraine and the urgency for increased production. The conflict has dramatically heightened ammunition consumption, revealing that Western nations were unprepared for high-intensity warfare against peer adversaries. In particular, European countries discovered they lacked sufficient stockpiles, falling far short of NATO's 30-day minimum requirement. As a result, governments are now revising their planning to maintain larger reserves, ensuring they are better equipped for sustained conflict scenarios. This realization has exposed weaknesses in both stockpiles and industrial capacity, as defence production in recent decades had been scaled back to minimal levels, sufficient only for peacetime needs. The war has forced a shift in priorities, driving demand for greater capacity and resilience. Ammunition manufacturers are now under pressure to ramp up production quickly, but creating new production lines typically requires one to three years. To bridge the gap, strategies include acquiring underutilized lines and strengthening supply chains by investing in smaller suppliers. While demand is strong and expected to remain so in the medium to long term, uncertainty surrounds what will happen once the war in Ukraine ends. Industry leaders are urged to pursue sustainable production models that balance immediate needs with long-term viability, focusing on consistent output rather than short-lived spikes. At the same time, competition is expected to intensify, particularly in Europe, where multiple countries are striving for national autonomy in ammunition production. The fragmented nature of the market raises questions about overcapacity and competitiveness in the years ahead. Adding to these challenges are global trade tensions and tariffs, which disrupt supply chains, increase costs, and threaten economic stability. The United States, as the world's largest economy, plays a pivotal role in this dynamic, and concerns have been raised about the impact of protectionist policies. With new tariffs expected to take effect from mid-2025, their consequences will likely ripple across Europe and beyond. These developments highlight how both geopolitical conflicts and economic policies are converging to reshape the global ammunition market. Report Scope This report explores how conventional, unguided medium and large calibre ammunition are being procured and how the war in Ukraine is reshaping the market to its full extent. The volume and the value of the market is such, that it offers significant opportunities to new entrants and well-established manufacturers that want to further expand their market share. Even though the war in Ukraine might come to an end in the near-future, the security considerations and the need to refill stockpiles is such that it will provide a strong demand for the years to come. The study provides 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 medium and large calibre ammunition business landscape and what should be expected for the future. Overview: A strong insight of the Medium and Large 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. A strong insight of the Medium and Large 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 medium and large 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. Snapshots into the technological developments in the medium and large 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. 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. 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 Insights into the global efforts to scale up medium and large calibre military ammunition production and meet the demands of the war in Ukraine and the urgent need to replenish stockpiles. Defines and thoroughly analyses the factors that deeply change the face of the market, including overarching political decisions and policies, business collaborations and initiatives, reshaping of the supply chain and critical raw materials required in production. Offers clarity and top level information on ammunition produced in certain regions and what is offered as an assistance to Ukraine, thereby shaping procurement worldwide. Illustrates opportunities and risks within the market so that the reader can make informed decisions to better develop one's business. Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Trends and Insights 1.2 Main Findings 1.3 Key Conclusions 2 Introduction 3 Technologies and Developments 3.1 Technology overview 3.2 Improving ammunition characteristics 3.3 Reducing collateral damage 3.4 Raw materials in the production of ammunition 3.4.1 Propellants 3.5 Maintaining ammunition and modern technology 3.6 New ammunition developments 3.6.1 Rheinmetall enhanced Kinetic Energy 3.6.2 Ramjet artillery shells 3.6.3 Explosives and Insensitive Munition (IE) 3.7 Technological developments in Russia and China 4 Critical Raw Materials 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Medium large calibre military ammunition market volume distribution over forecast period by Region 5.3 Competitive landscape 5.4 Europe 5.4.1 European Union 5.4.2 Baltic region 5.4.3 Nordic region 5.4.4 Czech Republic Slovakia 5.4.5 France 5.4.6 Germany 5.4.7 Poland 5.4.8 Ukraine 5.5 North America 5.5.1 United States 5.5.2 Canada 5.6 Asia-Pacific 5.6.1 Australia 5.7 Supplying Ukraine with ammunition and lessons learned 6 Market Dynamics and Forecast Factors 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Market Segmentation 6.3 Drivers 6.4 Trends 6.5 Opportunities 6.6 Challenges 6.7 Forecast Factors 6.7.1 Support to Ukraine 6.7.2 US 6.7.3 EU 6.7.4 Czech Initiative 6.7.5 Other countries Non-NATO members 7 Country Analysis 7.1 Overview 8 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition Market to 2033 by Region 8.1 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition market by Region overview 8.2 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition market Region by Launch Platform overview 8.2.1 North America market by Launch Platform overview 8.2.2 Europe market by Launch Platform overview 8.2.3 Asia Pacific market by Launch Platform overview 8.2.4 Middle-East Africa market by Launch Platform overview 8.2.5 Latin America market by Launch Platform overview 8.3 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition market Region by Calibre overview 9 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition Market to 2033 by Launch Platform 9.1 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition market by Launch Platform overview 9.2 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition market Launch Platform by Region overview 9.2.1 Land market by Region overview 9.2.2 Aerial market by Region overview 9.2.3 Naval market by Region overview 9.3 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition market Launch Platform by Calibre overview 10 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition Market to 2033 by Calibre 10.1 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition market by Calibre overview 10.2 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition market Calibre by Region overview 10.2.1 Anti-Tank Ammunition market by Region overview 10.2.2 Anti-Tank Rockets market by Region overview 10.2.3 20mm to 100mm market by Region overview 10.2.4 105mm to 199mm market by Region overview 10.2.5 Above 200mm market by Region overview 10.3 Medium Large Calibre Military Ammunition market Calibre by Launch Platform overview 11 Opportunity Analysis 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Compound Growth Rates 11.3 Inventory Analysis 12 Companies 12.1 BAE Systems plc 12.1.1 Introduction 12.1.2 Products and services 12.1.3 Recent developments and contracts 12.1.4 SWOT Analysis 12.2 Chemring Group plc 12.3 Czechoslovak Group 12.4 Day Zimmermann 12.5 Diehl Defence (Diehl Group) 12.6 EDGE Group PJSC 12.7 General Dynamics Corporation 12.8 KNDS Group 12.9 MKE (Makine ve Kimya Endustrisi) Inc. 12.10 Nammo AS 12.11 NIOA Pty Ltd 12.12 Northrop Grumman Corporation 12.13 PGZ Group S.A.- Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa 12.14 Poongsan 12.15 Rheinmetall AG 12.16 Thales 13 Results and Conclusions For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/iak52s 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/20260113224705/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 Esker, the leading AI Automation Suite for the Office of the CFO, announced today that it has received final registration as a certified platform by the French Public Finance Directorate (DGFiP). This recognition represents a major milestone in helping companies comply with France's nationwide e-invoicing reform, which will make e-invoicing mandatory for all French companies. Starting September 1, 2026, large and medium-sized companies will no longer be allowed to send invoices directly to their customers for French domestic transactions. Instead, all e-invoices must be exchanged exclusively through a government-approved certified platform (PA Plateforme Agreee). Additionally, companies of all sizes must be able to receive invoices electronically. Certified platforms will securely exchange invoices with one another using common standards, while the government will oversee a central directory and collect transaction data. Esker obtained its certification following significant investments in compliance, security and interoperability. Hosted in France, Esker's platform is ISO 27001 certified and fully compliant with DGFiP security requirements. It seamlessly exchanges data with other certified platforms as well as with the public invoicing portal (PPF) and supports all three mandatory invoice formats. Esker has already successfully completed its first e-invoice exchanges in a production environment, validating the robustness and reliability of its solution. These tests ensure that companies using Esker are immediately compliant with the requirements of the reform. A compliant, scalable and international platform Beyond compliance, Esker plays an active role in the e-invoicing ecosystem. E-invoicing is a global priority and under the European Union's VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) directive, e-invoicing will become mandatory by 2030 across the EU. Esker currently supports e-invoicing compliance in more than 60 countries, enabling companies to manage their international invoicing flows through a single platform. "We are extremely proud that Esker is among the very first certified platforms to receive final registration," said Jean-Michel Berard, CEO at Esker. "This certification guarantees our customers' compliance with the French e-invoicing reform today, and our teams remain fully committed to maintaining that compliance over the long term." About Esker Esker's AI Automation Suite for the Office of the CFO leverages the latest in Agentic AI and automation technologies to optimize working capital and cashflow, enhance strategic decision-making, and improve human-to-human relationships with customers, suppliers and employees. Esker's Source-to-Pay and Order-to-Cash solutions automate any business process while supporting long-term growth strategies. Offering 40+ years of industry knowledge, Esker operates in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific with global headquarters in Lyon, France, and U.S. headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. To learn more about Esker, visit www.esker.com, follow us on LinkedIn and join the conversation at esker.com/blog. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113537891/en/ Contacts: Press Contact: Brian Jaeger Tel: (352) 682-7636 eskerpr@walkersands.com Press Release New Investments HAS Healthcare Advanced Synthesis SA Group Announces Strategic Investment Plan to Strengthen Leadership in CDMO and ADC Manufacturing Biasca, 13.01.2026 - The HAS Healthcare Advanced Synthesis SA Group, formed through last year's combination of HAS and Cerbios, is approaching the close of its first year as an integrated organization, achieving strong and solid results and a clear path toward expansion. This milestone marks a significant step in the company's resilient journey of transformation and growth, focused on establishing a premier CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) for high-value pharmaceutical products. "As we near the close of our first year as a unified group, we are proud to report that we have delivered impressive results throughout this year. Over the past months, the integration program has progressed as planned, enabling us to refine our strategic objectives for the coming years" said Waldo Mossi, CEO of the HAS Group. The combined five-year strategic plan includes a major investment program of over 100 million CHF across the Biasca and Lugano sites. These investments focus on: Expanding capacity in strategic CDMO areas , broadening our service and technology offering for partners and clients. , broadening our service and technology offering for partners and clients. Accelerating innovation in ADC (Antibody-Drug Conjugates), one of the most promising therapeutic areas in oncology and beyond. Specifically, HAS Group is strengthening its capabilities in HPAPI and expanding ADC conjugation and linker-payload capacity with: A new large-scale conjugation line (up to 500L) , operational by May 2026 . , operational by . A second 500L commercial line, expected to be operational in Q1 2028. The plan also includes further expansion at the Biasca site for additional commercial ADC production, supporting client launches and building long-term partnerships. To support this expansion, the Group has already added over 30 highly qualified professionals across technical, scientific, and managerial roles, with additional key hires underway in 2026. "These investments reaffirm our commitment to being a trusted strategic partner for ADC and HPAPI development and manufacturing, delivering innovative solutions and commercial-scale capabilities. Our goal is to support clients from early development through to commercial production, ensuring quality, safety, and competitive timelines" said Riccardo Braglia, Chairman of the HAS Group. A New Era in Family Freedom NORTH YORKSHIRE, England, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic British nursery brand Silver Cross, creators of the original pram in 1877, is poised to revolutionize the stroller, again. Today, the brand unveils their Unfolding Family of Strollers Nia and Breez: both featuring a compact bassinet that folds effortlessly with the chassis. This monumental moment offers families unprecedented ease and freedom of mobility, elevating every adventure, near or far. "Our folding bassinet isn't just a breakthrough, it's a passport to unhindered living," said Phil Taylor, Design Director at Silver Cross. "With Nia and Breez, parents can embrace every experience, knowing elegance, safety and comfort will always unfold with them." Nia sets a new benchmark for travel strollers, pairing elegant aesthetics with performance-driven functionality. The world's first IATA airplane cabin compliant stroller in both seat and bassinet mode, it's designed for families who want portability without compromise. Key Nia Features Global Travel Ready : World's first IATA compliant stroller in seat and bassinet mode : World's first IATA compliant stroller in seat and bassinet mode Game-Changing Fold : Folds one-handed with bassinet or seat attached, stands on its own, and features a shoulder strap : Folds one-handed with bassinet or seat attached, stands on its own, and features a shoulder strap Grows with Baby : From birth to 55 lbs with 4 modes including: lie-flat newborn mode, toddler mode, bassinet* mode or as a travel system* : From birth to 55 lbs with 4 modes including: lie-flat newborn mode, toddler mode, bassinet* mode or as a travel system* All Inclusive Design: Seat liner, footrest, bumper bar & rain cover included Breez redefines versatility for modern families, being compact enough for city living yet tough enough for rural trails. Built to pack down small yet rise to any adventure, this multi-terrain, mid-size stroller adapts to parent's lifestyles, however their day may unfold. Key Breez Features: Game-Changing Fold : Folds one-handed with bassinet or seat attached, stands on its own, and features a shoulder strap : Folds one-handed with bassinet or seat attached, stands on its own, and features a shoulder strap Grows with Baby : From birth to 55 lbs with 5 modes: newborn lie-flat, parent facing, world facing, with a bassinet* or as a travel system* : From birth to 55 lbs with 5 modes: newborn lie-flat, parent facing, world facing, with a bassinet* or as a travel system* Sleep Safe, Storage Smart : Overnight sleep-approved bassinet's compact design keeps space clutter free : Overnight sleep-approved bassinet's compact design keeps space clutter free Multi-Terrain : RideTech wheels with responsive, energy-absorbing technology and four-wheel suspension : RideTech wheels with responsive, energy-absorbing technology and four-wheel suspension Two-Height Elevation System: Brings baby closer in bassinet, stroller or car seat modes Availabilities: Nia : UK, USA, CA now : UK, USA, CA now Breez: USA: pre-order now; UK: Feb 2026 About Silver Cross For more details on Silver Cross and product availability visit: silvercrossus.com , silvercrossbaby.com , and silvercrossbaby.ca Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859486/Silver_Cross_Unfolding_Family.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859487/Silver_Cross_Nia_Stroller.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859488/Silver_Cross_Breez.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859485/Silver_Cross_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/silver-cross-debuts-revolutionary-unfolding-family-of-strollers-302659089.html Black Beauty Founders announces its January 2026 cover featuring Shaina Rainford, Founder and CEO of Bask & Lather. The cover story examines Rainford's leadership journey, the brand's origins, and its growth through direct-to-consumer channels, platform diversification, and operational strategy. The feature highlights founder-led decision-making, infrastructure development, and evolving distribution across major digital marketplaces. HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Black Beauty Founders, the global media and membership platform supporting Black women across the beauty industry, today announced the release of its January 2026 cover featuring Shaina Rainford, Founder and CEO of Bask & Lather. The January 2026 cover marks Rainford's first-ever magazine cover and centers on her leadership journey building Bask & Lather as a founder-led haircare company operating across multiple digital and commercial channels. The feature examines how Rainford approached growth through operational discipline, platform diversification, and long-term infrastructure development rather than reliance on traditional validation pathways. Founded in December 2020, Bask & Lather originated from a family-developed solution addressing scalp health and hair loss. Over time, the company expanded its operations through a diversified distribution model that includes direct-to-consumer channels, social commerce platforms such as TikTok Shop, major online marketplaces including Amazon and Walmart Marketplace, and wholesale beauty supply partnerships. This multi-channel approach reflects a business structured to operate across digital, social, and retail-adjacent environments while maintaining direct relationships with its customer base. The Black Beauty Founders cover explores how Rainford translated digital engagement into scalable operations, navigated platform shifts, and emphasized systems, supply chain development, and internal controls as the foundation for sustainable growth. The feature highlights decision-making processes behind channel expansion, customer education, and operational resilience within an evolving beauty marketplace. "Shaina's leadership reflects a clear understanding of how modern beauty businesses are built," said Danika Berry, Founder and CEO of Black Beauty Founders. "Her journey demonstrates the importance of operational clarity, thoughtful expansion, and building with intention. This cover recognizes leadership grounded in strategy, discipline, and long-term vision." The January 2026 issue also examines Rainford's focus on education, real-time customer engagement, and system-driven decision-making, offering insight into how founder-led beauty companies can scale while maintaining control and adaptability. The cover story will be distributed alongside an official press announcement to beauty, business, and trade media outlets. More information about Black Beauty Founders is available at https://blackbeautyfounders.com. About Black Beauty Founders Black Beauty Founders is a global media and membership platform dedicated to supporting and advancing Black women across the beauty industry, from the front lines to the boardroom. The platform serves founders, content creators, executives, operators, retailers, and professionals working both publicly and behind the scenes. Through editorial storytelling, case studies, educational resources, and community-driven programming, Black Beauty Founders provides access to insight, visibility, and meaningful connection for women shaping beauty at every level. The platform highlights leadership, shares real-world business strategies, and fosters collaboration among women building brands, influencing culture, and driving decision-making across the beauty ecosystem. Operating at the intersection of media, education, and community, Black Beauty Founders creates space for innovation, shared knowledge, and long-term legacy building within the global beauty industry. Media Contact: Organization: Black Beauty Founders, LLC Contact Person Name: Danika Berry Website: https://www.blackbeautyfounders.org/ Email: danika@blackbeautyfounders.org Contact Number: +13104979341 Address: 14001 mountain Sage Ct City: pearland State: TX Country: United States SOURCE: Black Beauty Founders, LLC View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/black-beauty-founders-announces-january-2026-cover-spotlighting-s-1126679 Labrador Board is responsible for Perpetual Underperformance of the company. Proposed Change of Business to Investment Issuer is Risky and Ill-advised. Coloured Ties is currently reviewing brownfield mineral exploration projects where Labrador's treasury can be deployed to create shareholder value. We aim to build Labrador Gold into a respected mineral exploration company with 100% ownership of brownfield projects. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Coloured Ties Capital Inc. (TSXV: TIE) (OTC Pink: APEOF) (FSE: 97A0) ("CTI" or "Coloured Ties"), one of the largest shareholders of Labrador Gold Corp. (TSXV: LAB) (OTC Pink: NKOSF) (FSE: 2N6) ("Labrador" or the "Company"), together with Kal Malhi and Rauni Malhi (the "Concerned Shareholders", "us" or "we"), today announce that they intend to solicit proxies to be voted at the annual and special shareholders meeting of the Company to be held on February 24, 2026 (the "Meeting") in order to reconstitute the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") and to reject the Company's proposed change of business to pursue a hybrid business model between resource development and investment (the "Change of Business"). The Concerned Shareholders own or control approximately 8.40% of the Company's outstanding common shares, and we have significant concerns regarding Labrador's poor corporate governance and perpetual underperformance. The Board has destroyed shareholder value over the last five years in absolute and relative terms. After attempting to engage with the Board without success, we have concluded that the Board appears more interested in entrenching themselves than enhancing shareholder value. The recent announcement seeking shareholder approval of a Change of Business is, in our view, a desperate attempt to distract shareholders from the Company's poor performance and problematic decisions. We believe an immediate reconstitution of the Board is needed to ameliorate Labrador's weak performance, to enable the Company to become a respected mineral exploration company led by qualified executives and to create value for all stakeholders. Numerous shareholders have reached out to us to express their frustration and to note that change is required NOW. We highlight below some of the key decisions made by the Board during the past 18 months which have been ineffective at value creation and have led to opportunities being squandered and a total loss in confidence: SALE OF KINGSWAY PROJECT AT THE START OF A RUN IN GOLD PRICES - On July 9, 2024, the Company disposed of its major mineral exploration asset, the Kingsway Project, by selling it to New Found Gold Corp. (" New Found ") for shares. Labrador sold 100% of its best gold project just as the price of gold and gold mineral exploration projects began a decade-long record run, demonstrating little business and investment acumen and industry foresight by Management. Labrador Gold received 5,263,157 shares with a deemed value of approximately $20,000,000. NEW FOUND SHARES SOLD AT A SIGNIFICANT LOSS - Over a 4 month period ending in April 2025, the Company liquidated ALL the New Found shares it acquired from the sale of the Kingsway Project for proceeds of $12,188,783, a loss of approximately $8M. The sale of shares was purportedly done to support the Company's "growth strategy" of "actively pursuing a significant gold project with substantial resource potential." A strategy the Board has been unable to deliver on and has now abandoned. To fully understand the depth of Management's incompetence, as at January 12, 2026, New Found's shares closed at $4.40 per share, resulting in an effective loss (opportunity cost) of approximately $10 million, had the shares been held until a strategic or accretive deal would have been pursued by the Company instead of liquidated early with no meaningful purpose. The investment prowess of the Board is clear. How then can they be trusted to run an investment company? RISKY AND DESPARATE NEW PLAN TO BECOME AN INVESTMENT ISSUER - MANAGEMENT'S POOR INVESTMENT TRACK RECORD - Having failed to give effective to its growth strategy and failed to make a proper decision on its singular material stock investment (the shares of New Found), the Board now seeks shareholder approval to pursue the Change of Business. Continuing as an "investment issuer" with the current Management team is a recipe for disaster and will likely lead to continued trading of the Company's shares at a discount to Net Asset Value. Management's inability to attract or incubate a meaningful project despite having a healthy treasury, the timing of the sale of the Company's key asset and the loss of approximately $8M on the "liquidation" of the New Found shares is concrete proof of Management's inability to manage an "investment issuer" and attract or generate quality "investments". FIRST PROPOSED INVESTMENT UNDER NEW STRATEGY IS CONFLICTED AND HIGH RISK - The Company seeks approval to make a $1M private placement investment in Northern Shield Resources Inc. (" NRN "), a company that has been in business for over twenty years and recycled from one failed grassroots project to the next. The Company would acquire shares of NRN at $0.06 per share - a 33.3% premium to the closing price of NRN's shares on the trading day before the deal was first announced and a 26.0% premium based on the volume weighted average price for the month prior to announcement. The decision to pursue the NRN investment is simply more evidence of Management's inability to identify good "investments" and to successfully pursue an investment issuer strategy. The transaction also raises serious concerns regarding conflicts as the Company announced the appointment of Mr. Quentin Hennigh as an Investment Advisor. It is worth noting that in August 2020, NRN announced that they would "tap into the geological expertise of Dr Quinton Hennigh." Accordingly, Mr. Hennigh would act as an investment advisor to both the Company and NRN. FAILURE TO HOLD TIMELY AGM - The Company was required to hold its 2025 AGM by September 27, 2025 in accordance with corporate law and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Not only did they fail to do that, but they called a meeting for December 2, 2025, which in our view was simply to avoid responding to our request on August 7, 2025 to reconstitute the Board. We believe that they used this time to retain advisors and prepare for a costly proxy fight simply to entrench themselves at the expense of shareholders. The Board and current Management have simply failed to create value for shareholders and have not been transparent. We believe that Labrador is one of the best opportunities to build a strong mineral exploration focused company in one of the best mineral exploration markets in decades. Labrador's approximate $18M treasury and shareholder base makes it one of the best opportunities for a qualified executive team to build immense shareholder value in the current commodity and mineral exploration sector. With the reconstitution of the Board, through the appointment of Kulwant Malhi, Ronald Wortel, Jean Lafleur, and Tara Asfour (the "Nominees"), the Company will pursue 100% interest acquisitions of advanced brownfield projects, not minority stakes in grassroots projects, to control the development, management, and value creation of its investments, and to ensure the best use of the Company's capital moving forward. We are currently reviewing brownfield mineral exploration projects where the Company's treasury can be deployed to create shareholder value and where the Company can transform itself into a serious mineral exploration and development company , not "an investment issuer" into a dog's breakfast of grassroots projects. Like all of Labrador's other shareholders, we will only be able to achieve a return on our investment upon the appreciation in value of Labrador's shares. Our Nominees reflect our desire to strengthen Labrador's governance framework, explore opportunities in the mineral exploration sector, and improve shareholder value. The Company expects that, upon election, the Nominees will spearhead initiatives to enhance corporate governance and accelerate the restoration of value and strategic direction to Labrador. Information Concerning the Nominees The Concerned Shareholders' Nominees are Kulwant Malhi, Ronald Wortel, Jean Lafleur, and Tara Asfour . A brief biography for each of the Nominees is set out below: Kulwant Malhi : Entrepreneur, venture capitalist, experienced board-level executive, and founder and chairman of BullRun Capital Inc., a Vancouver-based investment, corporate-development and technology-commercialization platform partnering with academia and industry to commercialize high-impact technologies spanning biomedical, mineral exploration and development, agricultural exploration and industrial sectors. Ronald Wortel : Finance Executive, CEO of Goldeni Investment Intelligence, consulting senior mining equity research analyst with Zacks Small-Cap Research and senior mining analyst with Couloir Capital, with over 30 years of resources industry experience with roles as a mineral exploration corporate executive, in fund management, and as an equity research analyst. Jean Lafleur - Professional geologist; seasoned industry executive with over 45 years of experience as a geologist in Canada and internationally, currently a Board Member at Scandium Canada, VP Exploration at TomaGold Corporation, Technical Advisor at Appian Capital Advisory, LaFleur Minerals, Copper Bullet Mines, Goldflare Exploration and Explo-Logik Inc. Tara Asfour: Capital markets executive with over 12 years of experience specializing in investor relations, fundraising, business development, corporate communications and marketing. She has built her career across the resource and technology sectors, advising both public and private companies on capital markets strategy and growth. Additional information concerning the Nominees can be found in an information document (the "Information Document") filed by the Concerned Shareholders under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca containing the disclosure required under section 9.2(6) of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations ("NI 51-102") in respect of the Nominees. Shareholders are strongly encouraged to review the Information Document. Additional Information The information contained in this press release does not and is not meant to constitute a solicitation of a proxy within the meaning of applicable corporate and securities laws. Although the Concerned Shareholders have requisitioned a meeting of shareholders to (i) remove three of the four directors of Labrador, and their appointed successors (namely James Borland, Trevor Boyd (Kevin Ramsay), and Roger Moss), (ii) fix the number of directors of Labrador at five and (iii) elect our Nominees (the "Requisition"), shareholders are not being asked at this time to execute a proxy in favour of the Nominees or any other resolution set forth in the Requisition. The matters set out in the Requisition are required to be included in the management proxy materials that the Company is required to file in connection with the Meeting. The Concerned Shareholders are providing the disclosure required under section 9.2(4) of NI 51-102 and as noted above, have filed the Information Document under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca containing the disclosure required under section 9.2(6) of NI 51-102 in respect of the Nominees in accordance with corporate and securities laws applicable to public broadcast solicitations. This press release and any solicitation made by the Concerned Shareholders in advance of the Meeting is, or will be, as applicable, made by the Concerned Shareholders, and not by or on behalf of the management of the Company. The Concerned Shareholders are not soliciting proxies in connection with the Meeting at this time, and shareholders are not being asked at this time to execute proxies in favour of the Nominees (in respect of the Meeting) or any other resolution that is set forth in the Requisition or may be tabled at the Meeting. Proxies may be solicited by the Concerned Shareholders pursuant to an information circular sent to shareholders of the Company after which solicitations may be made by or on behalf of the Concerned Shareholders, by mail, telephone, fax, email or other electronic means, and in person by the Concerned Shareholders or their directors, officers, partners, employees and consultants, as applicable, or any proxy advisor that the Concerned Shareholders retain or by Nominees. The Concerned Shareholders may also solicit proxies in reliance upon the public broadcast exemption to the solicitation requirements under applicable corporate and securities laws, convey by way of public broadcast, including through press releases, speeches or publications, and by any other manner permitted under applicable Canadian laws. All costs incurred for any solicitation will be borne by the Concerned Shareholders. The Concerned Shareholders are not requesting that shareholders submit a proxy at this time. Once the Concerned Shareholders have commenced a formal solicitation of proxies in connection with the Meeting, a registered shareholder that gives a proxy may revoke it: (a) by completing a proxy signed by the shareholder or by the shareholder's attorney authorized in writing bearing a later date and depositing it with the Company's transfer agent; or (b) by depositing an instrument of revocation in writing executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder's attorney authorized in writing: (i) at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or any adjournment of the Meeting, at which the proxy is to be used, or (ii) with the chairman of the Meeting prior to the exercise of the proxy; or (c) in any other manner permitted by law. Non-registered shareholders should contact their broker for assistance in ensuring that forms of proxies or voting instructions previously given to an intermediary are properly revoked. None of the Concerned Shareholders or, to their knowledge, any of their associates or affiliates, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter proposed to be acted on at the Meeting, other than the election of directors to the Board or the rejection of the Change of Business. Labrador's registered office address is 82 Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1P1. A copy of this press release and the Information Document may be obtained on Labrador's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Disclaimer The information contained or referenced herein is for information purposes only in order to provide the views of the Concerned Shareholders and the matters which the Concerned Shareholders believe to be of concern to shareholders described herein. The information is not tailored to specific investment objections, the financial situations, suitability, or particular need of any specific person(s) who may receive the information, and should not be taken as advice in considering the merits of any investment decision. The views expressed herein represent the views and opinions of the Concerned Shareholders, whose opinions may change at any time and which are based on analyses of the Concerned Shareholders. About Coloured Ties Capital Inc. Coloured Ties is a publicly traded Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in companies in the junior resources and breakthrough and disruptive technologies. Coloured Ties' investment strategy is to invest early in multiple private and public companies across a variety of sectors that merit investment to advance promising ventures globally. Coloured Ties invests early-stage in promising projects, serving as the Founding or Early-Stage investor and providing investees with advisory services and access to the Company's ecosystem. 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 information in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and information generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "should," "plans," "continue," or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Forward-looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, statements of the Company regarding (i) how the Company intends to exercise its legal rights as a shareholder of Labrador, and (ii) its plans to make changes to the Board and other matters pertaining to Labrador. There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which these forward-looking statements and information are based will occur or, even if they do occur, will result in the plans, results or performance expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release, which are not a guarantee of performance, events or results and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include general economic and market conditions, changes in law, changes in management, changes in the composition of the Board, actions of Labrador and its subsidiaries or competitors, the ability to implement business strategies and plans and pursue business opportunities and conditions in the mineral exploration industry. Shareholders are cautioned that all forward-looking statements and information involve risks and uncertainties, including those risks and uncertainties detailed in the continuous disclosure and other filings of Labrador with applicable Canadian securities regulators. We urge you to carefully consider those factors. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements and information included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Concerned Shareholders undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements or information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280214 Source: Coloured Ties Capital Inc. Surface Solutions Group, LLC (SSG), a global company specializing in functional coating technologies for medical devices, announced its arrival in Costa Rica with the establishment of a new operation dedicated to advanced and high-precision manufacturing processes for the international medical industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113589832/en/ Surface Solutions Group main production floor The company develops low-friction, high-performance coating processes applied to critical components such as guidewires, needles, electrosurgical blades, hypotubes, and cannulas. These processes will be supported by automated equipment, strict quality controls, and regulatory standards aligned with major global markets. The project entails a long-term investment exceeding US$10 million, including land acquisition and the construction of a new facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with a gradual start-up of operations expected in 2027, once equipment installation, validation, and qualification processes are completed. "Costa Rica represents a strategic decision for SSG. It allows us to be closer to key customers, collaborate early on in new developments, and scale coating technologies with greater agility and precision," said Kevin Hess, president of SSG. "The country offers a solid production environment and a talent base that understands the standards of the medical device industry." SSG is part of the Elektrisola Group, a global leader in wire solutions and specialized coatings, with more than 60 years of experience, including over two decades in medical device applications. The company expects to begin operations with a team of 15 to 20 people. SSG will be recruiting technical and specialized roles such as automated equipment operators, coating personnel ("sprayers" and "rackers"), engineers, maintenance technicians, quality professionals, as well as administrative and executive positions aligned with the sophistication of the production process. Interested candidates may apply at HRCR@surfacesolutionsgroup.com. For CINDE, a private organization specialized in attracting foreign direct investment, SSG's arrival strengthens the evolution of the life sciences sector, Costa Rica's leading export industry, toward higher value-added processes. "SSG joins an ecosystem that has evolved toward more complex and specialized operations. Its arrival strengthens the sector's value chain by incorporating critical functional coating processes for high-precision medical devices. One of the company's differentiators is its ability to develop and adapt coating technologies from its own laboratory-expertise that SSG expects to gradually transfer to its operation in Costa Rica," explained Ana Maria Romero, Investment Advisory Manager at CINDE. "At CINDE, we have supported the company by understanding its trajectory, the type of processes it will develop in the country, and its growth potential. Our role will be to continue supporting its integration and expansion within the Costa Rican ecosystem," she noted. SSG's investment adds to a growing life sciences cluster that continues to attract projects with high technical content, further positioning Costa Rica as a reliable platform for companies seeking to go beyond traditional manufacturing and compete in segments driven by innovation, precision, and regulatory compliance. About Surface Solutions Group, LLC Surface Solutions Group is dedicated to providing proven coating technologies and solutions for the global medical device industry, and offers 13 categories of functional coatings. With 60 years of coating industry experience, SSG's extensive automation and state-of-the-art facility provides its customers with consistently applied coatings, and meets or exceeds its customers' demanding performance and delivery requirements. SSG serves large medical device OEMs and their contract manufacturers, component suppliers, and R&D startups primarily in the cardiovascular, neurovascular, peripheral vascular, orthopedic, surgical, spine, and dental segments. SSG is wholly owned by the Elektrisola Group, a privately held company with 19 production plants and 4,700 employees worldwide. To learn more about SSG, visit surfacesolutionsgroup.com. About CINDE CINDE is Costa Rica's expert and strategic guide in investment, business development, and talent-driven initiatives. With 44 years of experience working with multinational companies and as a key player in the investment ecosystem, CINDE has developed dozens of talent-development initiatives that strengthen Costa Rica's business climate and has supported the establishment of more than 450 multinationals in the country. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113589832/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Patty Martucci Marketing Manager Surface Solutions Group, LLC pmartucci@surfacesolutionsgroup.com 773-427-2084 Jordanian university celebrates upcoming Chinese Spring Festival Xinhua) 11:02, January 13, 2026 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) AUSTIN, Texas and TOKYO, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to DataM Intelligence, the global Autonomous Data Platform Market reached USD 2.09 billion in 2024 and is projected to surge to USD 14.96 billion by 2032, expanding at a robust CAGR of 27.89% during the forecast period 2025-2032. This sharp growth marks a fundamental transition in how enterprises manage, govern, and extract value from data. As organizations grapple with exploding data volumes, complex hybrid environments, and chronic talent shortages, autonomous data platforms are emerging as mission-critical infrastructure capable of self-provisioning, self-optimizing, self-securing, and self-healing data operations. By 2030, autonomous data platforms will no longer be viewed as advanced analytics tools. They will become the default operating layer for enterprise data ecosystems, underpinning AI, real-time analytics, and digital decision-making at scale. Why Autonomous Data Platforms Are Becoming Strategic Infrastructure The acceleration of autonomous data platforms is driven by three structural pressures reshaping enterprise IT and analytics. Data complexity has outpaced human management capacity . Modern enterprises operate across cloud, on-premise, and multi-cloud environments, ingesting structured and unstructured data in real time. Manual tuning, patching, and optimization are no longer sustainable. . Modern enterprises operate across cloud, on-premise, and multi-cloud environments, ingesting structured and unstructured data in real time. Manual tuning, patching, and optimization are no longer sustainable. Business demand for real-time intelligence is intensifying . Executives expect faster insights, predictive decisioning, and AI-driven outcomes. Autonomous platforms reduce latency between data generation and value realization by automating ingestion, optimization, and governance. . Executives expect faster insights, predictive decisioning, and AI-driven outcomes. Autonomous platforms reduce latency between data generation and value realization by automating ingestion, optimization, and governance. Data talent shortages are persistent and global. Autonomous capabilities-powered by machine learning and policy-driven automation-enable organizations to scale analytics without proportionally scaling headcount. As a result, autonomous data platforms are shifting from innovation initiatives to core enterprise architecture investments. Request Executive Sample | Autonomous Data Platforms Market Intelligence: https://www.datamintelligence.com/download-sample/autonomous-data-platform-market Market Segmentation By Component Platforms dominate the autonomous data platform market, accounting for approximately 64% of total market value in 2024, equivalent to around USD 1.34 billion. These platforms deliver end-to-end automation across data ingestion, storage management, query optimization, security enforcement, and performance tuning. Enterprises favor platform-centric solutions because they directly reduce operational overhead while improving analytics reliability. Services represent the remaining 36%, or approximately USD 0.75 billion. This segment includes implementation, migration, customization, governance advisory, and managed services. As organizations transition from legacy data warehouses to autonomous platforms, services play a critical role in accelerating time-to-value. According to DataM Intelligence analysis, platform spending will remain the primary revenue driver, while services will record strong growth as deployments scale across business units. By Deployment Cloud-based autonomous data platforms account for approximately 58% of global market revenue, or USD 1.21 billion in 2024. Cloud deployments are favored for their elasticity, rapid scalability, and native integration with AI and analytics services. Enterprises increasingly adopt cloud-native autonomous platforms to support real-time analytics and global operations. On-premise deployments represent the remaining 42%, or USD 0.88 billion. This segment remains relevant in highly regulated industries such as BFSI, government, and healthcare, where data residency, latency, and compliance requirements persist. From a strategic standpoint, cloud deployments will continue to gain share through 2032, though hybrid models will remain common. By Organization Size Large enterprises dominate adoption, accounting for approximately 67% of total market value, or USD 1.40 billion in 2024. These organizations manage complex, high-volume data environments and derive immediate ROI from automation through reduced downtime, optimized performance, and improved governance. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 33%, or USD 0.69 billion. SMEs are increasingly adopting autonomous data platforms via cloud-based subscription models, enabling enterprise-grade analytics without large IT teams. According to DataM Intelligenceanalysis, SMEs will deliver the fastest growth rate, driven by SaaS adoption and digital transformation initiatives. By End User BFSI represents the largest end-user segment, accounting for approximately 29% of total market value, or USD 0.61 billion in 2024. Financial institutions rely on autonomous platforms for real-time risk analytics, fraud detection, regulatory reporting, and customer intelligence. IT and telecom follow closely with around 21%, or USD 0.44 billion, driven by large-scale data operations, network analytics, and service optimization. Retail accounts for approximately 16%, or USD 0.33 billion, leveraging autonomous data platforms for demand forecasting, personalization, and omnichannel analytics. Healthcare represents about 14%, or USD 0.29 billion, supported by clinical analytics, population health management, and compliance automation. Manufacturing, government, and other sectors together contribute the remaining 20%, increasingly adopting autonomous platforms to enable Industry 4.0 and smart governance. Request Customized Intelligence Aligned to Your Business Strategy: https://www.datamintelligence.com/customize/autonomous-data-platform-market Regional Performance - Where Adoption is Accelerating United States The United States remains the largest autonomous data platform market globally, accounting for approximately 41% of total revenue, or around USD 0.86 billion in 2024. Key Drivers: High enterprise cloud adoption Advanced AI and analytics ecosystems Strong presence of leading platform providers Early adoption across BFSI, retail, and technology sectors By 2032, the U.S. market alone is projected to exceed USD 6 billion, maintaining global leadership. Europe Europe accounts for approximately 28% of global market value, supported by data governance regulations, strong enterprise digitization, and growing adoption in BFSI and public sector analytics. Asia-Pacific Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, driven by digital transformation initiatives, expanding cloud infrastructure, and rapid analytics adoption across manufacturing and telecom sectors. Competitive Landscape - Platforms Defining Autonomous Data Operations The major global players in the market include Oracle Corporation, Teradata, IBM Corporation, Amazon Web Services, Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, Qubole, Inc., Cloudera, Inc., Gemini Data, Denodo Technologies Alteryx, Inc., and others. Oracle Corporation Oracle is a leading provider of autonomous database and data management platforms, enabling self-driving, self-securing, and self-repairing data operations. Its autonomous data capabilities are embedded within Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, serving large enterprises globally, with strong adoption across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Teradata Teradata specializes in large-scale analytics and autonomous data warehouse platforms designed for complex enterprise workloads. The company focuses on AI-driven analytics automation and hybrid-cloud deployments, primarily serving global enterprises across BFSI, telecom, and retail sectors. IBM Corporation IBM delivers autonomous data and AI platforms through its data fabric and AI-driven analytics ecosystem. The company emphasizes automation, governance, and hybrid-cloud data management, supporting enterprises worldwide, particularly in North America and Europe. Amazon Web Services, Inc. AWS offers autonomous and self-managing data capabilities across its cloud-native data services, enabling automated scaling, optimization, and analytics. Its platforms are widely used by enterprises and digital-native companies across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP HPE provides autonomous data infrastructure and analytics solutions with a strong focus on hybrid IT and edge-to-cloud architectures. The company supports automation-driven data platforms for enterprises across manufacturing, telecom, and public sector markets globally. Qubole, Inc. Qubole delivers a cloud-native autonomous data platform that automates big data analytics and machine learning workloads. Its solutions are designed to reduce operational complexity and cost, primarily serving cloud-focused enterprises in North America and Europe. From a competitive perspective, depth of automation, AI integration, and enterprise trust will define leadership through 2032. Purchase Corporate License | Autonomous Data Platform Market Intelligence: https://www.datamintelligence.com/buy-now-page?report=autonomous-data-platform-market What will define the Market By 2031-2032 By 2031, the autonomous data platform market is expected to approach USD 13 billion, driven by: Widespread adoption of AI-driven analytics Enterprise migration to autonomous cloud data stacks Increasing governance and compliance complexity Demand for real-time, self-optimizing data environments According to DataM Intelligence analysis: Platforms will continue to dominate spending Cloud deployments will gain majority share BFSI and IT & telecom will remain leading end users The U.S. will retain the largest regional market By 2032, autonomous data platforms will be embedded into enterprise operating models, enabling data to function as a continuously optimized, always-available strategic asset. Executive Takeaway For enterprise leaders, autonomous data platforms represent a decisive shift from reactive data management to proactive, intelligent data operations. Organizations that succeed will be those that: Reduce human dependency in data operations Enable real-time, AI-ready analytics at scale Strengthen governance without slowing innovation Align data infrastructure with long-term digital strategy Related Report: Data-Centric Security Market Set to Soar at a 24%+ CAGR Through 2032, Surging Demand for Data Protection Drives Growth - DataM Intelligence. Cloud-to-Edge Data Services Market to Surge from USD 11.13B in 2024 to USD 39.40B by 2032 at a 17.12% CAGR - DataM Intelligence. Healthcare Data Interoperability Market to Expand from USD 4 Billion in 2024 to USD 15 Billion by 2034 at 14.2% CAGR, Says DataM Intelligence About DataM Intelligence DataM Intelligence is a renowned provider of market research, delivering deep insights through pricing analysis, market share breakdowns, and competitive intelligence. The company specializes in strategic reports that guide businesses in high-growth sectors such as nutraceuticals and AI-driven health innovations. To find out more, visit https://www.datamintelligence.com/ or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Contact: Sai Kiran DataM Intelligence 4market Research LLP Ground floor, DSL Abacus IT Park, Industrial Development Area Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana 500039 USA: +1 877-441-4866 Email:Sai.k@datamintelligence.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1858619/3573087/DataM_Intelligence_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/autonomous-data-platform-market-to-reach-usd-14-96-billion-by-2032-as-enterprises-shift-from-manual-data-engineering-to-self-managing-intelligence-302659774.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / In response to feedback received from its shareholders, Alta Copper Corp. (TSX:ATCU)(OTCQX:ATCUF)(BVL:ATCU) ("Alta Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the arrangement (the "Transaction") involving Alta Copper, Fortescue Ltd ("Fortescue") and Nascent Exploration Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortescue (the "Purchaser") pursuant to which the Purchaser will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Alta Copper (the "Alta Copper Shares") not already held by the Purchaser. Under the terms of the Transaction, holders of Alta Copper Shares ("Alta Copper Shareholders") will receive C$1.40 in cash per Alta Copper Share (the "Purchase Price"), the holders (the "Optionholders") of options to purchase Alta Copper Shares (the "Company Options") will receive C$1.40 less the applicable exercise price, per underlying share, for the Company Options held and holders of deferred share units of the Company ("Company DSUs") and restricted share units of the Company ("Company RSUs") will receive C$1.40 per underlying share, for the Company DSUs and Company RSUs, respectively, held. Why has Alta Copper's Board recommended the Transaction to Alta Copper Shareholders? The Board of Directors of Alta Copper (the "Alta Copper Board") has recommended the Transaction to Alta Copper Shareholders as it provides the following benefits to Alta Copper Shareholders. 1. Significant premium. The Purchase Price represents a significant premium, including: a 50% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average trading price of the Alta Copper Shares in Canada of C$0.94 per share for the period ended December 12, 2025, being the last trading day before the arrangement agreement was entered into; and a 100% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average trading price of the Alta Copper Shares in Canada of C$0.70 per share for the period ended November 7, 2025, being the last trading day before Fortescue and Alta Copper commenced exclusive negotiations. The Purchase Price also exceeds Alta Copper's 10-year high share price, providing immediate value at a level not achieved in the public markets over the past decade. 2. Immediate term liquidity. The all-cash Purchase Price provides immediate, full liquidity at a premium price which is an outcome that may not otherwise be achievable given Alta Copper's trading profile. Alta Copper Shares have historically traded with limited liquidity, restricting Alta Copper Shareholders' ability to exit their investment or realize meaningful value through market sales. 3. No further dilution. Alta Copper requires financing to progress community engagement, permitting activities and technical studies for its Canariaco copper project (the "Project"). Advancing the Project independently will require material equity financing and will result in substantial dilution for Alta Copper Shareholders. The Transaction allows Alta Copper Shareholders to realize value without providing further capital. 4. Transaction avoids risk exposure. Advancing the Project independently would require Alta Copper to navigate a complex, multi-year community and regulatory approvals process in northern Peru, with no assurance of success. The Transaction allows Alta Copper Shareholders to avoid these material risks by transferring the development and approvals burden to Fortescue. 5. Limited prospects for an alternative transaction. Fortescue currently owns 35.7% of Alta Copper's outstanding shares and has informed Alta Copper that it intends to vote against any alternative proposal. Does the Transaction have the support of key shareholders and past management? The current directors and executive officers of Alta Copper, as well as former members of management, who are best placed to understand the value and challenges of Alta Copper's business, have signed voting and support agreements ("Voting Agreements") to vote in favour of the Transaction. Former members of management who have signed these agreements are: Ms. Joanne C. Freeze . Ms. Freeze founded Alta Copper in 2000 and as President and Chief Executive Officer over a 20-year period, led the Company's efforts from initial discovery at the Project. Mr. Sean Waller. Mr. Waller joined Alta Copper in 2008 and served as President from 2009 to 2018. During his tenure with the Company, Mr. Waller oversaw the engineering and economic assessment of the Project. In total, Alta Copper Shareholders representing 11,758,188 Alta Copper Shares and 4,037,500 Company Options to acquire Alta Copper Shares, which collectively represent 12.48% of the issued and outstanding Alta Copper Shares and 16.01% of the issued and outstanding Alta Copper Shares and Company Options, have entered into Voting Agreements pursuant to which they have agreed to vote these Alta Copper securities in favour of the Transaction, subject to certain conditions. What is the current status of the Canariaco copper project? Drilling at the Project was last undertaken in 2013. Since that time, the Company has not had access to the Project site, meaning that no drilling or other material site activities have occurred. As a result, the Project has not materially advanced since 2013. To access the Project site, the Company is required to secure a formal agreement (the "Community Agreement") with the local community of San Juan de Canaris (the "Community"), as well as separate land access agreements with each individual landholder across the Project area (collectively with the Community Agreement, the "Community Access Agreements"). There are more than 250 individual landholders within the Project area. To date, none of these agreements have been entered into and therefore Project access rights have not been secured. Efforts by the Company since 2013 to obtain these agreements have not been successful, largely due to longstanding and complex Community-and political related challenges. These challenges have been further compounded by the absence of a formally recognized and legitimate President, directors and governing authority within the Community, a situation that is outside the Company's control. The Company's inability to enter into the Community Access Agreements continues to be the major impediment to the Company progressing the Project. Is there a forecast date for restarting drilling at the Canariaco copper project? At this time, there is no forecast date for restarting drilling at the Project. As outlined above, the Company does not currently have a Community Agreement in place, nor has it secured the individual land access agreements required to enter the Project area. To recommence drilling at the Project, the Company must enter into a Community Agreement with the Community and all of the impacted individual landholders across the Project area. To date none of these agreements have been finalized. In addition, the Community remains without a formally recognized President and governing authority. This situation is outside the Company's control and continues to materially complicate the process of negotiating and formalizing the required agreements. In addition, once the Community Access Agreements are secured, the Company will also be required to obtain authorization to commence exploration activities from the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines. This process may include completion of a Consulta Previa (a "Prior Consultation Process"). The Prior Consultation process is led by the relevant government authority and could further result in a material delay to the commencement of drilling activities. Given the number of outstanding agreements and regulatory steps required, the Company is unable to confirm when, or even if, it will be able to restart drilling at the Project. Is the Purchase Price fair? Historically, Alta Copper Shares have not traded at or above the Purchase Price at any point over the past ten years. In connection with its review of the Transaction, the Alta Copper Board formed a special committee of the Alta Copper Board (comprised of the sole independent and non-interested director of the Alta Copper Board) (the "Special Committee"). The Special Committee obtained an independent formal valuation from Fort Capital Partners ("Fort Capital") as required by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The formal valuation determined that in Fort Capital's opinion, based on and subject to certain assumptions, limitations and qualifications, the fair market value of the Alta Copper Shares as at December 13, 2025 was in the range of C$0.95 to C$1.65 per Alta Copper Share (the "Formal Valuation"). Fort Capital also delivered a fairness opinion (together with the Formal Valuation, the "Fort Capital Opinions") to the Special Committee and to the Alta Copper Board that, as of December 13, 2025, and subject to certain assumptions, limitations and qualifications, the consideration to be received by holders of Alta Copper Shares pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Alta Copper Shareholders (other than the Purchaser and its affiliates). The valuation process conducted by Fort Capital was conducted in accordance with MI 61-101 under the oversight of the Special Committee and in accordance with Fort Capital's internal policies and procedures. Fort Capital is of the view that it is an "independent valuator" with respect to all "interested parties" in the Transaction, in accordance with MI 61-101; the Company notes that Fort Capital's fees were not contingent upon the conclusions reached by Fort Capital, or upon the completion of the Transaction. In addition, the form and content of the Fort Capital Opinions were reviewed and approved by Fort Capital's internal fairness opinion committee, which is comprised of senior professionals independent of the engagement team. Additionally, Haywood Securities Inc. ("Haywood"), financial advisor to the Special Committee, provided a fairness opinion to the Special Committee stating that as of December 13, 2025, and subject to certain assumptions, limitations and qualifications, the consideration to be received by the Alta Copper Shareholders pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Alta Copper Shareholders (other than the Purchaser and its affiliates) (the "Haywood Fairness Opinion"). The full text of each of the Haywood Fairness Opinion and Fort Capital Opinions, which each sets forth assumptions made, procedures followed, information reviewed, matters considered, and limitations and qualifications on the scope of the review undertaken by Haywood and Fort Capital in connection therewith are located in Appendix E "Haywood Fairness Opinion" and Appendix F "Fort Capital Formal Valuation and Fairness Opinion", respectively, in the management information circular (the "Circular") filed by the Company on SEDAR+ on December 23, 2025. Shareholders are urged to read each of the Haywood Fairness Opinion and Fort Capital Opinions in their entirety. Has Alta Copper received an alternative proposal to acquire the Alta Copper Shares or its assets? The Alta Copper Board and management of Alta Copper have not received and are not aware of any pending alternative proposals to acquire the Company's shares or its assets. If the Company were to receive an alternative proposal, the Board would assess it in accordance with its fiduciary duties and applicable legal requirements, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the arrangement agreement. Should any such proposal be determined by the Alta Copper Board to be superior, the Company would take appropriate action and promptly inform the market in accordance with its disclosure obligations. What was the process to determine that the Transaction was fair, from a financial point of view, to Alta Copper shareholders? In connection with its review of the Transaction, the Alta Copper Board formed the Special Committee and the Special Committee obtained the Formal Valuation from Fort Capital as required by MI 61-101. Fort Capital also delivered a fairness opinion to the Special Committee and to the Alta Copper Board. The Special Committee also obtained a fairness opinion from Haywood. Board members Christine Nicolau and Andrew Hamilton each abstained from voting with respect to the Transaction, as they are employees of Fortescue and each therefore has a "disclosable interest" in the Transaction. If the Transaction is not completed, what impact could this have on the Alta Copper Share price? If, for any reason, the Transaction is not completed, the market price of the Alta Copper Shares may be materially adversely affected and decline to the extent that the current market price of the Alta Copper Shares reflects a market assumption that the Transaction will be completed. Alta Copper's business, financial condition or results of operations could also be subject to various material adverse consequences. If the Transaction is not completed, the Company will continue to work constructively toward resolving outstanding community matters and advancing the Project. However, in the near term it is expected that the Alta Copper Share price would decline to previous levels. The Alta Copper Shares have not traded at or above the Purchase Price at any point over the past ten years. This has been the case despite periods of materially higher copper prices. In addition, if the Transaction is not completed, the Company will require financing to, among other things, progress community engagement, permitting activities and technical studies for the Project and advancing the Project independently will require material equity financing and will result in substantial dilution for Alta Copper Shareholders. Meeting Details The notice of meeting, Circular and related documents (collectively, the "Meeting Materials") in connection with the special meeting ("Meeting") of the Alta Copper Shareholders and Optionholders have been filed with securities regulators. The Meeting Materials have also been mailed to Alta Copper Shareholders and Optionholders and can be accessed on the Company's website at www.altacopper.com or on Alta Copper's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Meeting is to be held on Monday, January 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) at the offices of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP located at Suite 2300 - 550 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2B5. Only Alta Copper Shareholders and Optionholders of record as of the close of business on Monday, December 15, 2025, the record date for the Meeting, are entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at the Meeting. At the Meeting, Alta Copper Shareholders and Optionholders will be asked to pass, with or without variation, a special resolution (the "Arrangement Resolution") approving the Transaction whereby Fortescue will, among other things, indirectly through the Purchaser acquire all of the issued and outstanding Alta Copper Shares (other than those held by the Purchaser and its affiliates) and all of the outstanding convertible securities will be exchanged for the applicable consideration and cancelled. Your vote is important. The Alta Copper Board (with two directors having disclosable interests abstaining from voting) unanimously recommends that Alta Copper Shareholders and Optionholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution. The deadline for voting Alta Copper Shares and Company Options by proxy is 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on January 22, 2026. How to Vote Registered Alta Copper Shareholders (in possession of a physical share certificate or DRS Statement) and Optionholders Beneficial Alta Copper Shareholders (Alta Copper Shares Held With A Broker, Bank Or Other Intermediary) Internet www.voteproxyonline.com www.proxyvote.com Telephone N/A Dial the applicable number listed on the voting instruction form. Mail Return the proxy form in the envelope provided. Return the voting instruction form in the envelope provided. For more information, please see the following sections of the Circular: "How do I appoint a third party as my proxyholder?", "General Information Concerning the Meeting - Appointment of Proxyholders" and "General Information Concerning the Meeting - Advice to Beneficial (Non-Registered) Shareholders". Contact Information For more information about Alta Copper, please visit www.altacopper.com or contact: Giulio T. Bonifacio President and Chief Executive Officer gtbonifacio@altacopper.com +1 604 318 6760 About Alta Copper Alta Copper is focused on the development of its 100% owned Canariaco advanced-staged copper project. Canariaco comprises 91 square km of highly prospective land located 102 km northeast of the City of Chiclayo, Peru, which includes the Canariaco Norte deposit, the Canariaco Sur deposit and the Quebrada Verde prospect, all within a 4 km NE-SW trend in northern Peru's prolific mining district. Canariaco is one of the largest copper deposits in the Americas not held by a major. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "plans," "postulate," and similar expressions, or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding management's beliefs, plans, estimates, and intentions; the Transaction and the ability to complete it and other transactions contemplated by the Arrangement Agreement; the timing and satisfaction of conditions to consummation of the Transaction; the receipt of required securityholder, regulatory, and court approvals; the possibility of termination of the Arrangement Agreement; and the expected benefits to Alta Copper and its securityholders. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and, although Alta Copper believes such statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including, but not limited to: the possibility that the Transaction will not be completed on the terms or timing currently contemplated, or at all; failure to obtain or satisfy required regulatory (including matters in relation to the Investment Canada Act), securityholder, or court approvals and other closing conditions; the negative impact of a failed Transaction on the price of Alta Copper Shares or the Company's business; Nascent's failure to pay the Purchase Price at closing; failure to realize expected benefits of the Transaction; restrictions imposed on Alta Copper while the Transaction is pending; significant transaction costs or unknown liabilities; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations; and other risks and uncertainties affecting Alta Copper, including those relating to permitting, capital expenditures, exploration and development activity, and the future price and demand for gold, copper, and other metals. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Alta Copper 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. The securities referred to in this press release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. Further information concerning risks, assumptions, and uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements and Alta Copper's business can be found in Alta Copper's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in subsequent filings available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). On behalf of the Board of Alta Copper Corp. "Giulio T. Bonifacio" President & Chief Executive Officer Email: info@altacopper.com Website: www.altacopper.com X: https://x.com/Alta_Copper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altacopper/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltaCopperCorp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altacopper/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AltaCopper SOURCE: Alta Copper Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/alta-copper-answers-questions-about-fortescue-transaction-1126685 SHENZHEN, CHINA / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / From January 6 to 9, the global technology extravaganza CES 2026 was held in Las Vegas, USA. Emdoor Digital showcased its full range of innovative products at CES 2026, covering diverse categories including high-performance laptops, smart tablets, AIoT devices (including e-ink screen devices), and mini PCs. The display comprehensively highlighted its cutting-edge advancements in edge computing and terminal intelligence. Among them, the AI mobile workstation GBOX3 and the high-performance mini PC ILU26, as representatives of technological integration, are the first Emdoor computers to incorporate Phison's aiDAPTIV+ technology. This technology reshapes the edge AI computing landscape with three core features: Leveraging localized and private AI computing capability, users can perform inference and fine-tuning of billion-parameter large models directly on the device, ensuring data privacy and low latency while balancing performance, privacy, and cost; Through an adaptive performance optimization mechanism, it intelligently allocates flash memory and RAM resources, significantly reducing redundant computations, achieving up to tenfold acceleration in inference and improved energy efficiency, thereby delivering smooth and expedited on-device intelligent experiences. Simultaneously, this technology enables seamless integration into workflows, fully unleashing the potential of integrated graphics to allow professional-grade AI development and applications to run smoothly on compact devices. Benefiting from this, the GBOX3 and ILU26 have successfully overcome the traditional hardware limitations between size, cost, and computing power, making efficient, secure, and easily deployable AI computing accessible anywhere. Through this innovative integration, Emdoor Digital is leading the evolution of compact terminals towards highly available, high-privacy next-generation AI computing platforms, bringing professional-grade intelligence within reach at the edge.Looking toward a future of deep intelligence for all things, Emdoor digital will continue to leverage full-stack AI terminal innovation as our fulcrum. Together with global partners and users, we will drive intelligent computing into every scenario, empowering every efficiency gain! About Emdoor Digital: Shenzhen Emdoor Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Emdoor Digital"), established in 2010. As a national high-tech enterprise specializing in consumer mobile terminals, industry terminals, and artificial intelligence terminal solutions, it stands as a globally leading provider of tablet and notebook computer solutions. Emdoor Digital is committed to becoming the world's premier AI product solutions provider, consistently delivering highly competitive product solutions and services that find extensive application across lifestyle, office, education, finance, commerce, smart home, and related sectors and industries. Media Contact Organization: Emdoor Digital Technology Co.,Ltd. Contact person: Yao Zhou Website: http://www.emdoordigi.com/ Email:marketing.digi@emdoor.com City: Shenzhen,China Country: China SOURCE: Emdoor Digital Technology Co.,Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/emdoor-digital-showcases-at-ces-2026-pioneering-edge-side-large-model-1126684 The Dallas-based plastic surgeon outlines the procedures, patient priorities, and innovations influencing cosmetic surgery in 2026. DALLAS, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / As the aesthetic industry enters 2026, patients are approaching cosmetic surgery with greater knowledge, intention, and discernment. Rather than chasing short-term fads, today's patients are prioritizing safety, longevity, personalization, and natural-looking results. This shift is redefining modern aesthetic care and influencing how procedures are planned, performed, and evaluated. Board-certified plastic surgeon Kevin R. Hanz, founder of Kevin R. Hanz, MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Dallas, is sharing expert insight into the most influential aesthetic trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for patients considering cosmetic surgery. A full breakdown of these trends is available on the practice blog: https://drkevinhanz.com/2026-top-aesthetic-trends/. "Patients today are asking more specific questions about procedures, recovery, and long-term outcomes," says Dr. Hanz. "The trends we are seeing in 2026 reflect a move toward refined techniques, regenerative solutions, and highly customized treatment plans designed to age well over time." The Biggest Aesthetic Trends for 2026 According to Dr. Hanz, the most requested and influential aesthetic trends for 2026 include deep-plane facelifts, awake cosmetic procedures, bio-stimulating and regenerative treatments, the evolution of the Mommy Makeover, growth in men's aesthetics, and regenerative fat grafting. Together, these approaches reflect patient demand for natural results, longer-lasting outcomes, and individualized care rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Deep-Plane Facelifts Redefine Facial Rejuvenation Deep-plane facelift techniques continue to gain momentum as patients seek more natural and durable facial rejuvenation. Unlike traditional facelifts that primarily tighten the skin, deep-plane facelifts address the deeper facial structures responsible for aging. This allows for restoration of youthful contours in the midface, jawline, and neck while avoiding an over-tightened appearance. Patients are increasingly choosing this approach for its refined, balanced, and longer-lasting results. Awake Cosmetic Procedures Gain Popularity Awake cosmetic procedures are becoming a preferred option for many patients seeking safer, more flexible surgical experiences. Performed using local anesthesia with or without mild oral medication, these procedures allow patients to remain awake and comfortable throughout treatment. Patients are choosing awake procedures for several reasons, including enhanced safety by avoiding general anesthesia, faster recovery with less downtime, improved comfort and communication during surgery, lower overall cost due to reduced facility and anesthesia fees, and greater convenience through in-office scheduling. Surgeons can also fine-tune results in real time, enabling precise, personalized outcomes. "As aesthetic medicine evolves, awake procedures reflect a broader shift toward patient-centered care," explains Dr. Hanz. "For many patients, staying awake is not about discomfort. It is about empowerment, control, and a smarter approach to cosmetic surgery." The Rise of Bio-Stimulating and Regenerative Treatments Bio-stimulating procedures are trending as patients seek treatments that improve skin quality, tissue health, and longevity rather than temporary fixes. These treatments work with the body's natural regenerative processes, encouraging collagen production and gradual, refined improvement over time. Common bio-stimulating options include PDO collagen-stimulating threads, radiofrequency-based body contouring, long-lasting collagen stimulators, growth factor-based hair therapies, and peptide-rich regenerative skin boosters. Together, these treatments support natural-looking rejuvenation across the face, body, and hair while aligning with the growing demand for preventative and regenerative aesthetic care. The Modern Evolution of the Mommy Makeover In 2026, the Mommy Makeover represents a fully customized approach to post-pregnancy body restoration. Rather than a standardized set of procedures, today's Mommy Makeovers are tailored to each patient's anatomy, goals, lifestyle, and recovery needs. Surgeons may also recommend staging procedures or advanced techniques to enhance safety, recovery, and long-term results. Men's Aesthetics Continue to Expand Men's aesthetics are reaching new levels of demand, with continued growth expected in 2026. Male patients are increasingly seeking subtle enhancements that improve confidence while maintaining a natural, masculine appearance. Popular treatments include hair restoration, chin and jawline sculpting, non-surgical eye rejuvenation, and sweat-reduction treatments. Regenerative Fat Grafting Gains Momentum Regenerative fat grafting is becoming increasingly common as patients seek natural alternatives to fillers or implants. By using a patient's own fat, this technique restores volume while also improving skin quality, elasticity, and tissue health. Patients are drawn to fat grafting for its biocompatibility, regenerative benefits, and ability to support both aesthetic and long-term tissue health goals. What These Trends Mean for the Future of Aesthetics The trends shaping 2026 highlight a clear shift toward thoughtful, patient-centered care. Precision, customization, and longevity are replacing quick fixes and exaggerated results. Patients considering cosmetic surgery in 2026 are encouraged to seek board-certified surgeons who stay current with advanced techniques and prioritize balanced, natural-looking outcomes. "A personalized consultation is essential," says Dr. Hanz. "The right procedure depends on anatomy, goals, health history, and lifestyle. An experienced surgeon helps patients navigate their options safely and confidently." About Kevin R. Hanz, MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Kevin R. Hanz, MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is a premier plastic surgery practice based in Dallas, Texas. Led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kevin R. Hanz, the practice specializes in advanced facial rejuvenation and body contouring procedures, focusing on personalized care, modern techniques, and natural-looking results. For more information or to schedule a private consultation, visit https://drkevinhanz.com or call (469) 471-9501. SOURCE: Kevin R. Hanz, MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/whats-shaping-aesthetic-surgery-in-2026-board-certified-plastic-surge-1125937 Consolidated revenue of 16.5m, in line with expectations; Fourfold increase in revenue on a constant scope basis (given the disposal of the "Data Acceleration Platform " business), from 3.6m in 2024 to 14.3m in 2025; Continued industrial cooperation with Openchip in the field of DPUs for AI and ongoing discussions with other players to replicate and expand this new business model; Significant improvement in profitability in the second half of the year and confirmation of a strongly positive EBITDA[1] for FY 2025. Grenoble, January 13th, 2026 - Kalray (Euronext Growth Paris: ALKAL) provider of hardware and software technologies and solutions for intensive data processing from Cloud to Edge, announces its 2025 revenue and confirms its financial guidance. Eric Baissus, Chairman of the Management Board of Kalray, stated: " In 2025, Kalray demonstrated its ability to adapt by successfully refocusing its strategy on its historical core business, DPUs, while evolving its business model. Kalray is now focusing on developing its DPU-based technologies and rolling out licensing, co-development, and high value-added services agreements that generate rapid returns on investment. This strategic refocusing and the signing of a first major industrial partnership with Openchip have enabled Kalray to return to a path of profitability. From a financial standpoint, 2025 annual revenue shows a clear increase on a comparable basis in the semiconductor business. At the same time, the continued improvement in operational performance in the second half of the year enabled us to confirm a strongly positive EBITDA for the full year. On an operational level, industrial cooperation with Openchip continues in line with the plans. Openchip is now positioning itself as a key player in the sector, with a first strategic agreement announced with NEC. Building on this momentum, Kalray, the only European player in the DPU world, is actively pursuing new opportunities leveraging its technologies and unique expertise, at a time when DPUs are set to play a crucial role in artificial intelligence and AI gigafactories, as well as in strategic sectors such as telecommunications, space and defense." STRONG INCREASE IN 2025 REVENUE AT COMPARABLE SCOPE BASIS At the end of the 2025 financial year, Kalray reported consolidated revenue of 16,453k[2], compared with 24,824k one year earlier, in line with the Company's expectations[3]. This figure reflects a significant scope effect related to the disposal of the Data Acceleration Platform" business (or the "Company") on February 5th, 2025[4]. On the new semiconductor operating scope (new scope of operations), Kalray's revenue was multiplied by 4 over the period, reaching 14,274k as of December 31st, 2025, compared with 3,607k as of December 31st, 2024. This strong growth reflects the strategic partnership with Openchip[5], which includes a non-exclusive license agreement covering part of Kalray's intellectual property for 4 million, as well as a services agreement worth approximately 10 million. CONTINUATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH OPENCHIP AND REVIEW OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO REPLICATE AND EXPAND THE MODEL The combined licensing and services industrial partnership with Openchip is continuing in line with the plan[6]. This agreement was accompanied by a temporary transfer of activities, including around 50 employees, who have been working alongside Openchip's teams for the past 6 months. Building on this initial success, Kalray is in advanced discussions with other players with a view to replicating and expanding its new business model. This model is now based on the development and licensing of its DPU technologies, combined with an offering to develop specialized DPU products through the provision of high value-added services. The projects under consideration notably target artificial intelligence and AI gigafactories, as well as HPC, telecommunications, space and defense. CONFIRMATION OF THE STRONG IMPROVEMENT IN PROFITABIITY IN 2025 AND UPDATE ON THE FINANCIAL POSITION Thanks to the success of the new business model deployed by the Company, consolidated EBITDA for 2025 is expected to be strongly positive for the full year (compared with -8.2 million last year), with a clear sequential improvement in the second half (+0.3 million in the first half of 2025). Available cash stood at 2.9 million at the end of 2025, and Kalray currently estimates that its funding horizon extends beyond June 30th, 2026, without considering new opportunities currently under discussion[7]. A detailed update will be provided at the time of the publication of the Company's 2025 annual results. It should be noted that the Company is expected to soon settle the financing line signed with IRIS in July 2024, on which only 300,000 remains to be repaid through the issuance of new shares. For 2026, the Company intends to build on this positive momentum and will provide further details to the market upon the release of its 2025 annual results. Next press release: FY 2025 results on Thursday 23rd April 2026 ABOUT KALRAY Kalray (Euronext Growth Paris - FR0010722819 - ALKAL) is a fabless semiconductor company, leader in a new generation of processors designed for applications that process massive data flows, particularly through artificial intelligence. At the forefront of innovation, Kalray's teams have developed unique technology and associated solutions that enable its customers to maximize workload performance, optimize infrastructure utilization and reduce power consumption. Thanks to their patented "manycore" architecture, Kalray's MPPA intelligent processors (known as DPU or xPU) can manage multiple data streams in parallel-without bottlenecks-enabling applications that process massive amounts of data to be smarter, more efficient, and energy-conscious, complementing traditional approaches (CPU and GPU). Kalray's offering includes hardware and software acceleration solutions, as well as co-development or custom-design services for processors and acceleration solutions optimized for specific use cases in high-growth sectors such as data centers, AI Gigafactories, telecoms, space, defense, and many others.A spin-off from CEA founded in 2008, Kalray's investors include NXP Semiconductors, CEA, Safran, and Bpifrance. www.kalrayinc.com Disclaimer This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company's objectives and outlook. These forward-looking statements are based on the current estimates and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described in Appendix 1 of the Management Board's report, available on the Company's website. Readers' attention is particularly drawn to the fact that the Company's current financing horizon is extended beyond June 30th, 2026 at the present date of the press release. The forward-looking statements mentioned in this press release may not be achieved due to these factors or other unknown risks and uncertainties, or those not currently deemed significant by the Company. INVESTOR RELATION CONTACTS Eric BAISSUS contactinvestisseurs@kalrayinc.com Phone +33 4 76 18 90 71 ACTUS Finance & Communication Anne-Pauline PETUREAUX kalray@actus.fr Phone + 33 1 53 67 36 72 MEDIA CONTACTS ELLYN KALIFA communication@kalrayinc.com Phone +33 4 76 18 90 71 ACTUS Finance & Communication Serena BONI sboni@actus.fr Phone +33 4 72 18 04 92 [1] Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization [2] EUR/GBP 1.19. Unaudited data [3] See press release as of September, 9, 2025 [4] See press release as of February 5, 2025 [5] See press release as of May 22, 2025, and July,10, 2025 [6] See press release as of May 22, 2025, and July,10, 2025 [7] An agreement with banking partners on the restructuring of schedules and the terms and conditions of loans under the PGE program was reached on November 28, 2025, resulting in a suspension of principal repayments until October 1, 2026 ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: yW+blcpmZJjJypxuk8hpaJeVbmZiyGWWZZTGlmhsap6baGxgm5eUb5maZnJmnm1n - 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-0-95981-pr_kalray_2025_revenue_en_version.pdf Paris, 13 January 2025, 6:30 p.m. PRESS RELEASE Eramet confirms the strength of its environmental performance with A- scores for transparency from CDP Eramet announces strong results in the 2025 disclosure cycle of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) - a global environmental non-profit organization and the operator of the world's leading independent environmental disclosure system - confirming the robustness of its environmental strategy with A- scores for both Climate Change and Water Security. Eramet, a key player in the responsible development of critical metals, is being recognized for its transparency on environmental issues and sustainability by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the global reference for environmental transparency. This recognition distinguishes the company among nearly 20,000 companies assessed in 2025. At the end of this assessment, Eramet has been awarded: A- score for Water Security , representing a significant improvement from a B score in 2024 , representing a significant improvement from a A- score for Climate Change, stable compared with 2024 The improvement in Water Security, combined with the sustained strong performance on Climate Change, highlights Eramet's capacity to deliver concrete results that are fully aligned with the Group's CSR roadmap "Act for Positive Mining". This alignment is reflected in a range of country-level actions across the Group's operations. Thanks to the actions undertaken in recent years, Eramet has reached an important milestone in sustainable water management. Extensive work to strengthen data reliability has been carried out, significantly improving the quality and accuracy of the information collected. Eramet has also established water balances for all its sites, providing a comprehensive and consistent view of water consumption and dependencies on the resource. Sites are strengthening their water management plans to align them with leading international standards (the IRMA Standard, ICMM guidelines), in order to anticipate risks, optimize water use, and fully integrate these issues into everyday operational practices. Thus, the results obtained confirm the robustness of the Group's environmental strategy and the growing maturity of its practices. Maintaining a high level of performance requires continuous progress in environmental management, governance and data quality. Virginie de Chassey,Group Sustainability and External Affairs Officer, Eramet: This recognition highlights the consistency of Eramet's approach to environmental performance, as well as the progress made on our climate- and water-related commitments. As expectations for clear and transparent disclosure continue to grow, data transparency remains a key lever to accelerate action and manage risks in support of responsible mining and metallurgical activities. We firmly believe that rigorous environmental assessment is essential to long-term value creation and drives continuous improvement across all our operations. CDP: a key tool for investors and the environmental transition Organizations respond to CDP questionnaires on a voluntary basis or at the request of financial institutions. In 2025, more than 640 financial institutions - including asset owners, asset managers, banks and insurers - requested environmental data through CDP, representing more than a quarter of global institutional assets. CDP scores play a critical role in supporting companies on the journey from transparency to action and are widely recognized as a benchmark for extra-financial performance. CDP assesses companies using a progressive scoring scale ranging from D- to A, structured around four levels: Disclosure (D / D-): basic transparency on environmental data, Awareness (C / C-): understanding of environmental issues and impacts, Management (B / B-): implementation of policies, targets and action plans, Leadership (A-/A): adoption of advanced best practices and demonstration of environmental leadership. Over the past decade, companies listed on the CDP A List have outperformed their market peers by 6% in stock market performance, illustrating the link between environmental ambition, transparency and long-term value creation. CDP scores assess the alignment of disclosed data with leading international frameworks and standards, helping organizations navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment. They are extensively used by global investors to: Monitor the environmental performance of their portfolios, Inform investment decisions, Comply with regulatory requirements and sectoral commitments. In addition, CDP data contributes to better management of risks related to climate change and resource scarcity, by highlighting the real economic impacts of climate events, as well as the effects of more sustainable practices on business models and returns on investment. ABOUT ERAMET Eramet transforms the Earth's mineral resources to provide sustainable and responsible solutions to the growth of the industry and to the challenges of the energy transition. Its employees are committed to this through their civic and contributory approach in all the countries where the mining and metallurgical group is present. Manganese, nickel, mineral sands and lithium: Eramet recovers and develops metals that are essential to the construction of a more sustainable world. As a privileged partner of its industrial clients, the Group contributes to making robust and resistant infrastructures and constructions, more efficient means of mobility, safer health tools and more efficient telecommunications devices. Fully committed to the era of metals, Eramet's ambition is to become a reference for the responsible transformation of the Earth's mineral resources for living well together. www. eramet .com INVESTOR CONTACT Director of Investor Relations Sandrine Nourry-Dabi T. +33 1 45 38 37 02 sandrine.nourrydabi@eramet.com (mailto:sandrine.nourrydabi@eramet.com) PRESS CONTACT Media Relations Manager Fanny Mounier T. +33 7 65 26 46 83 fanny.mounier@eramet.com (mailto:fanny.mounier@eramet.com) Media Relations Officer Nedjma Amrani T. +33 6 65 65 44 49 nedjma.amrani@eramet.com (mailto:fanny.mounier@eramet.com) Attachment Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Naughty Ventures Corp. (CSE: BAD) (FSE: 5DE0) (OTC Pink: BADVF) ("Naughty Ventures" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced agreement with Rev Exploration Corp. ("Rev Exploration") (CSE: REVX). Pursuant to the agreement, Naughty Ventures has sold its hydrogen-related assets located in Quebec and Ontario to Rev Exploration. In consideration for the transaction, 500,000 common shares of Rev Exploration Corp. have been issued to Naughty Ventures. Blair Naughty, CEO of Naughty Ventures, commented: "We are pleased to complete this transaction with Rev Exploration. We believe Rev Exploration, with its specific focus and expertise in the hydrogen sector, is well positioned to advance these assets. This transaction allows Naughty Ventures to maintain exposure to the project through equity ownership while we continue to focus on advancing our other projects and pursuing additional strategic transactions." The Company notes that the shares of Rev Exploration received are subject to applicable securities laws and any applicable resale restrictions. No finder's fees were paid in connection with the transaction. About Naughty Ventures Naughty Ventures Corp. is a Canadian venture investment and mineral exploration company focused on early-stage mineral projects with significant discovery potential. Naughty Ventures is focused on acquiring, developing and strategically positioning mineral assets with strong value potential as well as investing in private and public companies with significant potential, exceptional management and/or high growth potential that may be strategically positioned in the global market. The Company is committed to identifying and advancing the world's next great mineral assets. Naughty Ventures Corp. - BAD Come to Find the World's Next Mine. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, "Blair Naughty" CEO and President 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 release. Forward-Looking Statements The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280236 Source: Naughty Ventures Corp. Alta Semper Capital LLP ("Alta Semper"), a London-based private equity firm focused on healthcare and consumer investments in high-growth markets, today announced that it has secured USD 57.5 million in commitments to Alta Semper Growth Fund II. These commitments come from a consortium of investors including the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This landmark partnership was signified earlier today with a momentous signing ceremony held at a Government Ministry in Cairo. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113837616/en/ Andrew McDowell (EIB), Cheick Oumar Sylla (IFC), Gelsomina Vigliotti (EIB), Rania Al-Mashat (Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of Egypt), Bassel Rahmy (MSMEDA), Afsane Jetha (CEO, Alta Semper) and Mark Bryson-Richardson MBE (British Ambassador to Egypt) at the signing ceremony in Cairo. (Photo: AETOSWire) The EIB Group, comprising the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, has committed USD 37.5 million, while the IFC has committed USD 20.0 million. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the Fund's fundraising journey and reinforces the unwavering institutional support for Alta Semper's differentiated investment strategy. Alta Semper Growth Fund II is targeting a total fund size of USD 150 million. It focuses on scaling market-leading healthcare and consumer businesses that improve access to affordable, high-quality products and services across Africa and other select growth markets. The Fund places particular emphasis on primary care, preventative medicine, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, consumer wellness platforms and disruptive technology. The EIB's investment is strongly aligned with the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package and the EU Global Health Strategy, supporting resilient health systems and regional manufacturing capacity. The IFC's commitment builds on a long-standing partnership, having previously served as an anchor investor in Alta Semper Fund I. This reflects a shared mandate to promote private-sector development, job creation, and health equity in emerging markets. Along with the EIB and IFC, MSMEDA, the Egyptian government authority, attended the signing ceremony to represent their own commitment to the Fund. Expected to conclude in the coming months, MSMEDA's involvement supports the growth of medium-sized enterprises, particularly in the healthcare and consumer goods sectors, facilitating vital job opportunities within Egypt. Together, these commitments will provide long-term patient capital to high-impact businesses across MENA and SSA. The Fund is expected to contribute to inclusive economic growth, strengthen local supply chains, promote high ESG standards, and support thousands of jobs across its portfolio. Alta Semper has already begun deploying capital from Growth Fund II into high-impact assets. These include MYDAWA, East Africa's leading digital health platform, and Allmed Group, a global medical device company specializing in blood purification and renal care solutions. Commenting on the announcement, Afsane Jetha, Managing Partner and CEO of Alta Semper, said: "Securing commitments from the EIB Group and the IFC is a strong endorsement of Alta Semper's strategy and track record. These partnerships significantly enhance our ability to scale high-quality healthcare and consumer businesses, accelerate the adoption of technology, and deepen our impact on the ground. Our ambition is to help build resilient, equitable, and future-proof health ecosystems that deliver meaningful outcomes for communities while generating attractive returns for our investors." *Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113837616/en/ Contacts: Gulshan Batool (info@altasemper.com) LONDON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The global gas turbine market has demonstrated strong and consistent growth over the past few years, reflecting its critical role in modern power generation and industrial applications. Valued at USD 13,379.41 million in 2018, the market expanded significantly to reach USD 27,358.34 million by 2024, driven by rising electricity demand, rapid industrialization, and the growing need for efficient and reliable energy solutions. Gas turbines are widely favored for their high power-to-weight ratio, operational flexibility, and ability to support both base-load and peak-load power generation, making them an essential component in power plants, oil & gas facilities, and large-scale industrial operations worldwide. Looking ahead, the market is poised for substantial expansion, with revenues projected to reach USD 54,957.00 million by 2032, growing at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.49% during the forecast period. This anticipated growth is supported by increasing investments in natural gas-based power generation, the transition from coal to cleaner fuel sources, and technological advancements that enhance turbine efficiency and reduce emissions. Additionally, the integration of gas turbines with renewable energy systems to ensure grid stability is expected to further accelerate adoption, positioning the global gas turbine market as a key pillar in the evolving global energy landscape. Key Growth Determinants The growth of the global gas turbine market is primarily driven by the rising demand for reliable and efficient power generation across both developed and emerging economies. Rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and increasing electricity consumption are placing significant pressure on existing power infrastructure, encouraging governments and private utilities to invest in advanced gas turbine-based power plants. Compared to conventional coal-fired systems, gas turbines offer faster start-up times, higher operational flexibility, and lower capital costs, making them an attractive solution for meeting peak and base-load power requirements. Another crucial growth determinant is the global shift toward cleaner energy sources and stricter environmental regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Natural gas, which is the primary fuel for gas turbines, emits significantly fewer pollutants than coal or oil, supporting national and international decarbonization goals. Continuous technological advancements-such as improved turbine efficiency, enhanced combined-cycle systems, and digital monitoring solutions-are further strengthening market growth by reducing operational costs and extending equipment lifespan. Additionally, the increasing integration of gas turbines with renewable energy systems to balance intermittent power generation is reinforcing their importance in ensuring grid stability, thereby accelerating market adoption over the forecast period. Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gas-turbines-market Key Growth Barriers Despite strong growth prospects, the global gas turbine market faces several challenges that may restrain its expansion over the forecast period. One of the primary barriers is the high initial capital investment required for gas turbine installation and associated infrastructure. Costs related to advanced turbine technology, combined-cycle configurations, and grid integration can be substantial, particularly for developing economies with limited financial resources. Additionally, ongoing maintenance and repair expenses, along with the need for skilled technical personnel, further increase the total cost of ownership, discouraging small-scale and budget-constrained end users. Another significant growth barrier is the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, which are becoming more cost-competitive due to technological advancements and favorable government policies. In some regions, aggressive renewable energy targets and subsidies have reduced investments in conventional gas-based power generation. Furthermore, fluctuations in natural gas prices and uncertainties in fuel supply can impact the economic viability of gas turbine projects. Environmental concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions and regulatory pressures to achieve net-zero targets, may also limit long-term market growth, especially in regions prioritizing fully renewable and carbon-free energy systems. Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today -https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gas-turbines-market Key Market Trends The global gas turbine market is witnessing notable technological and operational shifts aimed at improving efficiency, flexibility, and environmental performance. One of the most prominent trends is the increasing adoption of combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) systems, which significantly enhance power generation efficiency by utilizing waste heat to produce additional electricity. Power utilities and industrial users are increasingly investing in advanced CCGT plants to optimize fuel consumption, reduce operating costs, and comply with stringent emission regulations. Additionally, the integration of digital solutions such as predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and artificial intelligence-based performance optimization is transforming gas turbine operations by minimizing downtime and extending equipment life cycles. Another key trend shaping the market is the growing role of gas turbines as a balancing and backup solution for renewable energy integration. As wind and solar power generation expands globally, the need for fast-ramping and flexible power sources has intensified to address intermittency challenges. Gas turbines, with their rapid start-up and load-following capabilities, are increasingly deployed to stabilize power grids and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. Furthermore, the development of hydrogen-ready and low-emission gas turbines is gaining momentum, reflecting industry efforts to align with long-term decarbonization goals. These evolving trends are expected to strengthen the strategic importance of gas turbines within the global energy transition framework. Segmentation By Turbine Design Type Heavy-Duty Gas Turbines Aero-Derivative Gas Turbines By Application (Energy & Power Only) Power Generation Industrial Power & Captive Generation Oil & Gas (Non-propulsion) By End-User Utility Companies Independent Power Producers (IPPs) Oil & Gas Companies Industrial & Commercial Users By Technology Simple Cycle Combined Cycle Cogeneration (CHP) By Capacity Range Below 50 MW 50-200 MW Above 200 MW By Fuel Type Natural Gas Hydrogen-Blended Gas Synthetic & Low-Carbon Fuels Dual-Fuel By Component Combustion Systems Turbine Blades & Rotors Compressors Generators Control & Monitoring Systems Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs) Based on the Geography: North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe UK France Germany Italy Spain Russia Belgium Netherlands Austria Sweden Poland Denmark Switzerland Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan South Korea India Australia Thailand Indonesia Vietnam Malaysia Philippines Taiwan Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Peru Chile Colombia Rest of Latin America Middle East UAE KSA Israel Turkey Iran Rest of Middle East Africa Egypt Nigeria Algeria Morocco Rest of Africa Regional Analysis North America holds a significant share of the market, driven by the region's well-established power generation infrastructure and abundant natural gas reserves. The United States, in particular, continues to invest heavily in gas-based power plants as part of its transition away from coal-fired generation. The replacement of aging power infrastructure, coupled with the need for flexible and efficient power systems to support renewable energy integration, is sustaining steady demand for gas turbines across the region. Europe represents another prominent market, supported by strict environmental regulations and a strong focus on reducing carbon emissions. Many European countries are adopting gas turbines as a cleaner alternative to coal and oil, especially in combined-cycle power plants. The region is also witnessing increasing investments in hydrogen-ready gas turbines as part of long-term decarbonization strategies. However, market growth in Europe is relatively moderate compared to emerging regions, due to market maturity and the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period, driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and rising electricity demand in countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asian nations. Expanding manufacturing activities, large-scale infrastructure projects, and increasing investments in power generation capacity are fueling the adoption of gas turbines. Additionally, supportive government policies aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing air pollution are accelerating the shift toward natural gas-based power generation in this region. Tailor the report to align with your specific business needs and gain targeted insights. Request Here - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gas-turbines-market Credence Research's Competitive Landscape Analysis According to Credence Research, the global gas turbine market is characterized by moderate to high competition, with the presence of several well-established multinational players alongside regional and niche manufacturers. Leading companies continue to dominate the market through strong brand recognition, extensive product portfolios, and long-standing relationships with utilities, industrial operators, and government bodies. Market leaders such as GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, and Ansaldo Energia maintain their competitive edge by investing heavily in research and development, focusing on high-efficiency turbines, combined-cycle systems, and low-emission technologies. These players leverage advanced engineering capabilities and global service networks to secure long-term maintenance and service contracts, which significantly contribute to recurring revenues. Strategic initiatives such as technological innovation, capacity expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships remain central to competitive positioning in the market. Companies are increasingly developing hydrogen-ready and fuel-flexible gas turbines to align with global decarbonization goals and future energy transition pathways. Additionally, digitalization has emerged as a key differentiator, with leading manufacturers integrating data analytics, artificial intelligence, and predictive maintenance solutions to enhance turbine performance and reduce lifecycle costs for end users. Regional players, particularly in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, are strengthening competition by offering cost-competitive solutions and customized products tailored to local energy requirements. Credence Research further notes that aftermarket services, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), play a crucial role in shaping the competitive landscape. As a large installed base of gas turbines continues to age, demand for efficiency upgrades and life-extension services is increasing, providing significant growth opportunities for both global and regional players. Overall, competition in the gas turbine market is expected to intensify over the forecast period, driven by evolving regulatory standards, the push for cleaner energy solutions, and continuous technological advancements aimed at improving efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability. Key Player Analysis General Electric Siemens Energy Mitsubishi Power Ansaldo Energia MAN Energy Solutions Recent Industry Developments In February 2025, Siemens Energy expanded its gas turbine manufacturing operations in Houston, Texas. The new facility focuses on advanced, high-efficiency turbines for combined-cycle and peaking plants. The expansion supports flexible, lower-emission power generation as utilities shift cleaner energy mixes. The project is expected to create about 400 skilled jobs and strengthen U.S. turbine manufacturing capacity. expanded its gas turbine manufacturing operations in Houston, Texas. The new facility focuses on advanced, high-efficiency turbines for combined-cycle and peaking plants. The expansion supports flexible, lower-emission power generation as utilities shift cleaner energy mixes. The project is expected to create about 400 skilled jobs and strengthen U.S. turbine manufacturing capacity. In November 2025, Aster Power announced a USD 150 million investment in a hydrogen-ready gas turbine. The design integrates heat recovery with chemical units at its energy and petrochemical hub. The project targets fuel flexibility and lower carbon intensity. announced a USD 150 million investment in a hydrogen-ready gas turbine. The design integrates heat recovery with chemical units at its energy and petrochemical hub. The project targets fuel flexibility and lower carbon intensity. In July 2025, Crusoe secured 29 LM2500XPRESS aeroderivative gas turbine packages from GE Vernova . The turbines will power high-density data centers. The deal highlights rising turbine demand from AI infrastructure growth. secured 29 LM2500XPRESS aeroderivative gas turbine packages from . The turbines will power high-density data centers. The deal highlights rising turbine demand from AI infrastructure growth. In April 2025, GE Vernova introduced the AGP XPAND upgrade for 9E.03 gas turbines. The solution enhances efficiency and output through advanced gas path improvements. Operators can extend turbine life with reduced downtime. In February 2025, Morocco's ONEE awarded Mitsubishi Power a contract for two M701JAC turbines. The Al Wahda plant will add 990 MW to the national grid. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2027, supporting renewable integration. awarded a contract for two M701JAC turbines. The Al Wahda plant will add 990 MW to the national grid. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2027, supporting renewable integration. In March 2023, GE deployed a high-efficiency gas turbine at the 435 MW Tallawarra power station in Sydney. The unit reduces natural gas consumption while maintaining output. The project supports Australia's cleaner power goals. In January 2023, Mitsubishi Power received an order for an H-25 gas turbine for Taiwan's Chang Chun petrochemical project. The company also upgraded the Miaoli Factory cogeneration system. The conversion improved efficiency and lowered CO2 emissions. Reasons to Purchase this Report: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the market through qualitative and quantitative analyses, considering both economic and non-economic factors, with segmentation and sub-segmentation details provided in terms of market value (USD Billion). Identify regions and segments expected to experience the fastest growth or dominate the market, with a detailed analysis of geographic consumption patterns and the factors driving or hindering market performance in each region. Stay informed about the competitive environment, with rankings of major players, recent product and service launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions from the past five years. Access detailed profiles of major market players, including company overviews, insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis, to understand competitive advantages and market positioning. Explore the present and forecasted market landscape, with insights into growth opportunities, market drivers, challenges, and constraints for both developed and emerging regions. Benefit from Porter's Five Forces analysis and Value Chain insights to evaluate various market perspectives and competitive dynamics. Understand the evolving market scenario, including potential growth opportunities and trends expected in the coming years. Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/gas-turbines-market Discover additional reports tailored to your industry needs Organic Waste Converter Machine Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/organic-waste-converter-machine-market Oilfield Equipment Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/oilfield-equipment-market Oil Immersed Current Transformer Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/oil-immersed-current-transformer-market Telecom Power Systems Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/telecom-power-systems-market Solar Powered Gadgets Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/solar-powered-gadgets-market Software Turbine Control System Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/software-turbine-control-system-market Follow Us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/credenceresearch/ https://x.com/CredenceResearc https://www.facebook.com/CredenceResearch About Us: Credence Research is a viable intelligence and market research platform that provides quantitative B2B research to more than 2000 clients worldwide and is built on the Give principle. The company is a market research and consulting firm serving governments, non-legislative associations, non-profit organizations, and various organizations worldwide. We help our clients improve their execution in a lasting way and understand their most imperative objectives. Contact Us Credence Research Inc Tower C-1105 , S 25, Akash Tower, Vishal Nahar, Pimple Nilakh, Haveli, Pune - 411027, India Europe - +44 7453 598 606 US Phone: +1 6282 627 656 sales@credenceresearch.com www.credenceresearch.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562161/5715879/Credence_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gas-turbine-market-to-reach-usd-54-9-billion-by-2032--growing-at-an-8-49-cagr--credence-research-302660178.html Flin Flon, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Boreal Gold Inc. (CSE: BGLD) ("Boreal") has received updated gold assay results on the eastern extension of the Sunrise Grid. Two quartz vein samples, containing vuggy pyrite were collected near the eastern shore of Fay Lake. In the November 21, 2025 news release, Boreal reported that sample 27497 and 27498 both returned gold assays greater than 3000 ppm (3.0 g/t) gold using Fire Assay analysis. Boreal Gold instructed SRC Laboratories of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (certification ISO/IEC 17025:2017) to run screen metallic analysis on these two samples to capture any coarse gold that may be present. Gold characterization was determined by fire assay with AAS finish (Method Au 1). Gravimetric overlimit analysis (method Au 9) was completed on select samples reporting greater than 3.0 g/t Au when using the fire assay method (Method Au 1). Boreal received significant gold assays using the screen metallic analysis with sample 27497 assaying 1.2 g/t gold and sample 27498 assaying 20.7 g/t gold. These samples are proximal to an undrilled Airborne Electromagnetic conductor with a coincident magnetic anomaly located within Fay Lake just west of the rail line that transects the Fay Property. Boreal Gold plans to cover this area with a Mag/VLF ground geophysical survey this winter. Sample Rock Name Au (g/t) Grid Location UTM Location U 14 27497 Quartz Vein 1.2 L39+40E 21+71N 365982 6093566 27498 Quartz Vein 20.7 L39+40E 21+71N 365982 6093566 These values offer significant encouragement in this area which includes the Fay Lake Showings lying a few hundred meters to the NE, east of the rail line as reported in an earlier release on September 11, 2025. At the Fay Showings assays of samples from this past summer's work assayed up to 4 g/t gold and 122 g/t silver). This new discovery is in sulphide rich quartz veins hosted by high titanium gabbros intruding pillowed basalts. It differs from the Fay Lake showings, which are mainly hosted in a large altered Quartz Felspar Porphyry (QFP), as well as proximal veins in high titanium gabbros. The proximity of gold rich quartz veins to the large QFP, which is at least 100m wide and over 400 m long and still open may suggest a related hydrothermal connection. Similarly, quartz veins hosted in Quartz Feldspar Porphyry intruding gabbro, 6 km to the east, at the easter portion of the property at Koscielny Lake and south of the Puffy Lake Gold Mine, also reported high gold values up to 9.7 g/t gold in a 1.5 m wide Quartz Vein (Press Release Nov 21, 2025). John Pearson (Sept. 4, 2024) reported 11.81 grams per tonne gold (0.38 ounce per ton gold) over one metre in his National Instrument 43-101 Fay Lake technical report sourced from assessment file 90520. Plans for this coming summer will be to follow up the high-grade gold showings with additional prospecting and mapping, as well as the intervening areas of this large property (9 km in length) following up Puffy Lake Mine type gold mineralization. Drilling is also planned for this winter on the Redwin Copper Gold deposit in an area of where values up of 1.09 to 1.50% copper and up to 146.0 g/t gold were collected from the shovel trench area east of the shaft. Limited drilling is planned for the Koscielny Lake vein structures subject to financing and permitting. In addition to the Fay Lake base metal and gold exploration, gold exploration will be mainly focussed this coming year on Boreal Gold's North Star and Gold Rock gold deposits located west of Snow Lake: Drilling is planned for this winter and spring, subject to financing and permitting with additional prospecting and detailed mapping in the summer of 2026 of the under explored one km intervening area between the deposits along this 2 km long structure to locate additional drill targets. Sampling Methods and Quality Control The Company employs QA/QC protocol on all aspects of its analytical procedures. When samples were taken in the field, the sample location was marked in the field book and the grid and/or GPS coordinates were entered in the sample book with the sample description. The sample number was written on flagging tape that was tied to a rock or a tree at the sample site. When collecting samples for protolith whole rock analysis, every effort was made to get representative samples with minimal alteration, veining and sulphide content, so that lithological classification is not skewed by introduced material. In the case of samples collected, to measure the degree of alteration only veining is avoided. For each sample two rocks were collected, with one rock sent for analysis and one kept as a representative sample. The rock samples were placed in standard plastic bags which were then were placed into rice bags that were wired shut for shipment. The rice bags were delivered to Gardewine North Trucking by staff of M'Ore Exploration and shipped to SRC Laboratories in Saskatoon. Gardewine delivered the samples directly to the lab in Saskatoon. Stephen L. Masson, M.Sc., P.Geo. is the "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this property has confirmed the visual descriptions, supervised the Quality Control and all aspects of the exploration program. Mr. Masson acts as a consulting geologist for the company. Sample preparation and analytical work is conducted at SRC laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (certification ISO/IEC 17025:2017) utilizing lead fusion fire assaying with a two-assay ton charge, with an AAS or ICP-OEC finish. In addition, pulps of the samples are analyzed using a multi-acid digest/ ICP-MS technique for trace elements. About Boreal Gold Inc Boreal Gold Inc is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with a specific focus on mineral properties in northwest Manitoba and northeast Saskatchewan, Canada. All of the Issuer's properties are currently at the exploration stage. The Issuer has assembled a portfolio of base metal and precious metal prospects in strategic locations in the Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. No stock exchange or securities regulatory authority has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements, such as estimates and statements that describe the Issuer's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Issuer or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280249 Source: Boreal Gold Inc. Bayer is successfully executing on an ambitious growth strategy Five pivotal approvals worldwide in 2025 underscore a landmark year of strategic execution Bayer will drive significant global regulatory expansions and market penetration across its pharmaceutical portfolio, with multiple high-impact launches across oncology, cardiology, and women's health Focus continues to accelerate a modality-rich pipeline across oncology, cardiology, neurology and immunology, complemented by existing high-value commercial products On the occasion of the 44th J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, Bayer AG today unveiled the strategic focus for its Pharmaceuticals Division in 2026. Capitalizing on new launch momentum, the company will drive significant global regulatory expansions and market penetration across its pharmaceutical portfolio. High-value commercial products and an accelerating modality-rich pipeline across oncology, cardiology, neurology, and immunology have firmly cemented the Pharmaceuticals Division's growth for the coming years. Five pivotal worldwide approvals in 2025 underscore a landmark year of strategic execution, validating the successful advancement of Bayer's ambitious pharmaceutical growth strategy. "We are now clearly seeing the success of our strategy. We have fundamentally accelerated Bayer Pharmaceutical's growth runway with multiple high-impact launches across oncology, cardiology, and women's health," said Stefan Oelrich, Member of the Board of Management, Bayer AG, and President of Bayer's Pharmaceuticals Division. "Our strategic focus remains on delivering transformative medicines to patients faster, powered by our cutting-edge R&D expertise, dynamic operating model, partnership-driven innovation, AI-enabled development, and commitment to commercial excellence. Our Pharmaceuticals Division is poised for sustainable growth over the coming years." Innovating to capture additional market opportunity in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular medicine Bayer is advancing its global leadership in cardiovascular disease management through world-class science, strategic partnerships, and a high-value pipeline designed to deliver both patient and shareholder impact. Asundexian, an investigational, once daily, oral Factor XIa inhibitor, has been investigated as a potential treatment for secondary stroke prevention. Each year, approximately 12 million people worldwide will experience a stroke. Of these, 20-30% will be a recurrent stroke.1,2 Despite available secondary stroke prevention options, the risk of secondary stroke remains high; one in five stroke survivors will have another stroke within five years.3 Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally, and recurrent ischemic strokes tend to be more disabling and carry a higher mortality risk than the first stroke.2,4,5 Topline data from the Phase III OCEANIC-STROKE study showed it met its primary safety and efficacy endpoints. OCEANIC-STROKE is the first successfully completed Phase III study of a Factor XIa inhibitor and these results underscore the blockbuster potential of asundexian in secondary stroke prevention. Asundexian has been granted Fast Track Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a potential treatment for stroke prevention in patients after a non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke. Additionally, Bayer is driving forward its global leadership in cardiovascular and renal disease, leveraging integrated capabilities and robust partnerships to unlock new value streams. The FDA and Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), among other regulatory authorities, have approved finerenone (marketed as Kerendia) for patients with heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of =40%, based on the positive results from the pivotal Phase III study FINEARTS-HF, further building on its established efficacy in chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes. Applications in HF with LVEF =40% are under review in additional markets, including the EU and China. Ongoing, dedicated Phase III heart failure and chronic kidney disease programs (MOONRAKER and THUNDERBALL) continue to evaluate Kerendia's potential across a broad spectrum of patients and clinical settings of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) conditions. In November 2025, late-breaking, topline data from the Phase III study FINE-ONE presented at the American Society of Nephrology's Kidney Week showed it met its primary safety and efficacy endpoints. For important risk and use information about KERENDIA, please see the full Prescribing Information. The European Commission granted marketing authorization for Beyonttra (acoramidis), marketed by Bridge Bio in the U.S., to treat wild-type or variant transthyretin amyloidosis in adult patients with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Beyonttra slows the amyloidogenic process that results in ATTR-CM. Beyond current successes, Bayer is actively shaping the future of cardiology with a robust and diversified pipeline, strategically positioned to address critical unmet needs and drive significant long-term value. This includes AB-1002, an investigational single-dose gene therapy in development for congestive heart failure (CHF) developed together with AskBio Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer. AB-1002 is progressing well in Phase II. Its Phase I results were published in Nature Medicine and it has been granted Pioneering Regenerative Medical Product designation (SAKIGAKE) by Japan's MHLW. Additionally, Bayer has initiated the Phase II SIRIUS study of BAY-3018250, a first-in-class anti-alpha-2 antiplasmin (a2AP) antibody designed to enable targeted thrombolysis in deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and a Phase I clinical study of BAY-3670549, an investigational, highly selective G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channel 4 (GIRK4) inhibitor, with the potential to help control the electrical activity of heart cells in patients with atrial fibrillation. Bayer's commitment to cutting-edge science is further underscored by the company's licensed dilated cardiomyopathy program with Dewpoint Therapeutics, which leverages condensate biology to develop genotype-guided therapies for dilated cardiomyopathy patients with specific genetic mutations. Concurrently, securing exclusive rights in Japan to aficamten from Cytokinetics-a cardiac myosin inhibitor in development for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-strengthens Bayer's precision cardiology footprint and expands its strategic market access. Oncology growth engine: Leveraging blockbuster assets and precision pipeline for future leading position Bayer's oncology portfolio is delivering significant patient benefit and commercial success, with blockbuster Nubeqa (darolutamide) continuing its exceptional global uptake, progressing towards a market-leading position. With over 200,000 patients treated worldwide and a third approval in prostate cancer in both the U.S. and Europe, Nubeqa continues its strong growth trajectory. Total global sales are on the rise in all markets. Third approval in China is anticipated in 2026. Its comprehensive clinical development program is exploring Nubeqa's potential in earlier prostate cancer settings, with two additional Phase III readouts expected in 2027 and 2028. Darolutamide, under the brand name Nubeqa is approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) in combination with ADT, with or without chemotherapy, and with ADT alone in non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) in patients who are at high risk of developing metastatic disease. For important risk and use information about Nubeqa, please see the full Prescribing Information. Adding to this momentum in oncology, the FDA granted accelerated approval for Bayer's Hyrnuo (sevabertinib) for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who have received prior systemic therapy. Approval followed Breakthrough Therapy Designations from both the FDA and China's CDE and was based on results from the SOHO-01 study. Bayer received Breakthrough Therapy Designation in the US and China for sevabertinib as a first-line treatment for patients with HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. The Breakthrough Therapy Designations are supported by preliminary clinical evidence from cohort F (patients who had not previously received treatment) of the ongoing Phase I/II SOHO-01 study. Sevabertinib addresses unmet needs for a patient population with limited treatment options. In addition to SOHO-01 the clinical program for sevabertinib includes ongoing trials evaluating its effectiveness as a first-line treatment for HER2-mutant NSCLC and in patients with metastatic solid tumors harboring HER2 activating mutations, excluding advanced NSCLC. For important risk and use information about Hyrnuo, please see the full Prescribing Information. As pioneers in Targeted Radionuclide Therapy (TRT), Bayer was instrumental in helping establish Targeted Alpha Therapies (TATs) as a standard of care for patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with bone metastases. The EORTC PEACE III study evaluating radium-223 dichloride (marketed as Xofigo) in combination with enzalutamide met its primary endpoint. An additional Phase III clinical study with radium-223 dichloride will be completed in 2026 and will guide decisions regarding future regulatory steps. Radium-223 dichloride is approved under the brand name Xofigo in over 50 countries for mCRPC patients with symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease. For important risk and use information about Xofigo, please see the full Prescribing Information. Bayer's oncology pipeline is advancing precision-driven therapies, making pivotal progress by targeting challenging tumor types and previously undruggable mechanisms, proteins or pathways resistant to current therapies. This includes multiple investigational agents for KRAS-mutant cancers (an internal SOS1 inhibitor, and a partnership with Kumquat for a KRAS G12D inhibitor), next-generation TATs (225Ac-GPC3 for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma), and a PRMT5 inhibitor (from Suzhou Puhe BioPharma) for MTAP-deleted tumors, all of which have entered Phase I. Further strengthening its discovery engine, Bayer secured worldwide rights to the clinical-stage Werner helicase inhibitor (VVD 214) via Vividion, whose R&D capabilities were expanded through new facilities and the acquisition of Tavros Therapeutics. These strategic investments underscore Bayer's commitment to driving groundbreaking innovation and securing long-term growth in oncology. Menopause management: advancing care for women with diverse needs Bayer achieved a big step forward in women's health with the recent regulatory approvals of Lynkuet (elinzanetant) for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) due to menopause. It is the only hormone-free therapy approved in the EU for both moderate to severe VMS associated with menopause or caused by adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer. These milestones follow consistent positive results across all four Phase III clinical studies (OASIS 1- 4). For important risk and use information about Lynkuet, please see the full Prescribing Information. Developing a comprehensive cell and gene therapy (CGT) portfolio Multiple regulatory priority designations granted by authorities in the U.S., Europe and Japan and across Bayer's CGT portfolio reflect the potential of these programs to deliver transformative patient impact. Bemdaneprocel, an investigational cell therapy designed to replace the dopamine producing neurons that are lost in Parkinson's disease, developed with Bayer's wholly owned subsidiary BlueRock Therapeutics, entered pivotal evaluation in a Phase III study. AskBio's ametefgene parvec (AB-1005), an investigational gene therapy, is being assessed in a Phase II study in moderate stage Parkinson's disease. The first participant has been randomized in Germany while recruitments in the U.S., UK and Poland are ongoing. In ophthalmology, BlueRock's OpCT-001, an iPSC-derived photoreceptor cell therapy for primary photoreceptor diseases, received FDA Fast Track designation and is progressing in its Phase I/IIa study. Radiology: Advancing innovation and expanding into Molecular Imaging Bayer continues to advance innovation in medical imaging with gadoquatrane, its investigational low-dose magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) contrast designed to reduce the gadolinium dose by up to 60% compared to other macrocyclic MRI contrast agents. Building on positive Phase III results, Bayer has submitted marketing authorization applications in key markets worldwide, including the U.S., EU, Japan, and China. Complementing progress in its existing portfolio, Bayer announced the strategic acquisition of two investigational radiotracers AT-01 (a Positron Emission Tomography or PET tracer in Phase III of clinical development) and AT-05 (a tracer for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography, or SPECT, currently in Phase I) for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis. This step marks Bayer's entry into diagnostic tracers and underscores its ambition to expand in molecular imaging, aiming to broaden diagnostic options and enhance patient outcomes. About Bayer Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, "Health for all, Hunger for none," the company's products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com. Find more information at https://pharma.bayer.com/ Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bayer Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conformthem to future events or developments. 1 Feigin VL, et al. World Stroke Organization (WSO): global stroke fact sheet 2022. International Journal of Stroke. 2022 Jan;17(1):18-29. 2 Feigin VL, et al. Pragmatic Solutions to Reduce Global Burden of Stroke. Lancet Neurol. 2023;22:1160-1206. 3 Kolmos M, et al. Recurrent ischemic stroke-a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. 2021 Aug 1;30(8):105935. 4 Rochmah TN, et al. Economic burden of stroke disease: a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021 Jul 15;18(14):7552. 5 Skajaa N, et al. Risks of stroke recurrence and mortality after first and recurrent strokes in Denmark: a nationwide registry study. Neurology. 2022 Jan 25;98(4):e329-42. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113594054/en/ Contacts: Contact for media inquiries: Elaine Colon Phone +1-732-236-1587 Email: elaine.colon@bayer.com Contact for investor inquiries: Bayer Investor Relations Team, phone +49 214 30-72704 Email: ir@bayer.com Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - As businesses face increasing demand for digital content across websites, social platforms, and online advertising, subscription-based creative services are emerging as an alternative to traditional agency and freelance models. The approach offers companies predictable costs and ongoing access to design resources without long-term commitments. WP SitePlan, a WordPress maintenance and technical support firm, is among the companies aligning its service offerings with this shift. The company recently introduced a design subscription service aimed at supporting business owners who require consistent visual assets alongside their existing digital infrastructure. In many organizations, marketing and growth initiatives now depend on a steady flow of visual content. However, businesses often encounter gaps between strategy and execution when creative needs outpace internal capacity. Subscription-based design models are intended to address this challenge by providing on-demand access to design resources while maintaining consistency across brand materials. "We saw a recurring pattern among our maintenance clients," said Cody Vance, lead developer at WP SitePlan. "They had stable websites and technical systems in place, but struggled to keep up with ongoing creative demands. The subscription model reflects how many businesses want to manage creative work today." The design subscription model emphasizes workflow efficiency and predictability. Under this structure, businesses submit design requests on an ongoing basis, with work prioritized and delivered in a managed queue. Supporters of the model say it offers flexibility for organizations with fluctuating creative needs, particularly those managing multiple digital channels. Industry observers note that subscription-based creative services have gained traction as companies seek alternatives to project-based agency engagements. By consolidating creative production into a recurring service, businesses can adapt more easily to seasonal campaigns, product launches, and evolving brand requirements. For WP SitePlan, the introduction of design services reflects a broader effort to complement technical website support with creative capabilities. The company's expansion into design follows growing demand among business owners for integrated digital services that combine maintenance, performance, and visual execution. As subscription-based creative offerings continue to expand, they are expected to play an increasingly visible role in how small and mid-sized businesses manage design production in fast-moving digital environments. About WP SitePlan WP SitePlan is a WordPress maintenance and support firm that provides technical services focused on website performance, security, and reliability. The company supports businesses seeking to maintain and scale their digital presence through ongoing website management and related services. Email: katherine@leadtoconversion.com Media Contact To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/280251_figure1.png To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280251 Source: GetFeatured Zonsen PepLib Biotech Inc. ("PepLib") today announced that it has entered into a worldwide license agreement with Novartis for an undisclosed peptide-based asset in the field of radioligand therapies (RLTs). Under the agreement, Novartis has obtained an exclusive worldwide license and will be responsible for the development and commercialization activities for the asset. The asset has been developed internally by PepLib to date. Through this transaction, Novartis, an experienced global leader in RLTs, will advance the program to its next stage of development. The asset is expected to complement Novartis' existing RLT portfolio and to leverage the company's strong capabilities in the field to potentially bring a new targeted treatment option to patients worldwide. "We are pleased to announce this new agreement with Novartis, a global leader in radioligand therapies," said Lei Chen, Chairman and Co-founder of PepLib. "We have advanced this peptide asset internally and believe that Novartis, with its deep expertise and proven track record in RLTs, is well-positioned to take the program forward and help translate our early work into a potential medicine for patients." "Novartis is committed to expanding and strengthening our radioligand therapy portfolio to transform care for patients," said Shiva Malek, Global Head of Oncology, Biomedical Research, Novartis. "This asset complements our industry-leading efforts to advance promising next-generation RLTs and builds on our pipeline of innovative therapies for people living with cancer." Under the terms of the agreement, PepLib will receive an upfront payment of USD 50 million, with the potential to receive additional development, regulatory, and sales milestone payments, and is also eligible for tiered royalties on future global net sales. About Zonsen PepLib Biotech Inc. Zonsen PepLib Biotech Inc. is an innovative biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel peptide-based therapeutics aimed at improving treatment options for patients worldwide. Founded in September 2017, PepLib is headquartered in Zhuzhou, China, with operations in Changsha, China, and a subsidiary in New Jersey, USA. PepLib employs more than 200 people, over 80% of whom are engaged in research and development. PepLib has established a robust and diverse suite of proprietary peptide libraries and discovery capabilities, with a primary therapeutic focus in oncology and cardiometabolic diseases. PepLib's platforms support multiple peptide-based modalities, including peptide radionuclide conjugates (PRCs), peptide oligonucleotide conjugates (POCs), and peptide drug conjugates (PDCs). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112577341/en/ Contacts: Contact person: Weiliang(Timo) Xu, Associate Director of Business Development xu_weiliang@peplib.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Silver One Resources Inc. (TSXV: SVE) (OTCQX: SLVRF) (FSE: BRK1) ("Silver One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 43,104,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.58 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $25,000,320 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one (1) common share ("Share") and one-half (1/2) of one common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"), with each whole Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one (1) additional common share (a "Warrant Share") at $0.80 per Warrant Share for a period of three years from the date of issue. The Units will be offered pursuant to Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935, Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, to purchasers resident in Canada (other than the province of Quebec), and in other qualifying jurisdictions outside of Canada on a private placement basis pursuant to relevant prospectus and registration exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. The securities issued under the Offering to Canadian subscribers will not be subject to a hold period in Canada. The Company may pay finders' fees in connection with the Offering as permitted by applicable securities laws and the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange. There will be an offering document related to the Offering (the "Offering Document") that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.silverone.com. Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used on (i) its drilling program at the Candelaria Project; (ii) certain exploration and geophysics work at its mineral properties; (iii) metallurgical and environmental work at the Candelaria Project, (iv) preparing a pre-feasibility study on the Candelaria Project; (v) annual mineral claim payments to the Bureau of Land Management; and (vi) general working capital purposes. Closing of the Offering may occur in one or more tranches as determined by the Company. Closing is expected within three weeks or such other date as the Company may determine and is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of any of the securities offered in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including the United States of America. The securities being offered as part of the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and accordingly may not be offered or sold in the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or pursuant to available exemptions therefrom. About Silver One Silver One is focused on the exploration and development of quality silver projects. The Company holds a 100%-interest in its flagship project, the past-producing Candelaria Mine located in Nevada. Potential reprocessing of silver from the historic leach pads at Candelaria provides an opportunity for possible near-term production. Additional opportunities lie in previously identified high-grade silver intercepts down-dip and potentially increasing the substantive silver mineralization along-strike from the two past-producing open pits. The Company has staked 636 lode claims and entered into a Lease/Purchase Agreement to acquire five patented claims on its Cherokee project located in Lincoln County, Nevada, host to multiple silver-copper-gold vein systems, traced to date for over 11 km along-strike. Silver One also owns a 100% interest in the Silver Phoenix Project. The Silver Phoenix Project is a very high-grade native silver prospect that lies within the "Arizona Silver Belt", immediately adjacent to the prolific copper producing area of Globe, Arizona. Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Silver One cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Silver One's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Silver One's limited operating history, ability to obtain sufficient financing to carry out its exploration and development objectives on its mineral properties, obtaining the necessary permits to carry out its activities and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Silver One undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. 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. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280270 Source: Silver One Resources Inc. Regulatory News: In accordance with the agreements signed and announced on September 23, 2025, emeis (Paris:EMEIS) announces the creation of Isemia, its healthcare real estate company dedicated to healthcare real estate assets operated by the Group, with its partners Farallon Capital and TwentyTwo Real Estate. emeis has thus received 761 million from its partners, representing 62% of the last appraised value1 of the assets held by this vehicle, thereby immediately reducing the Group's net debt by a like amount. Laurent Guillot, Chief Executive Officer of emeis: "We are particularly pleased to announce the creation of Isemia. This operation meets our primary objective of maintaining our real estate portfolio to the highest standards and best meeting the expectations and needs of patients and residents, while supporting the Group's long-term real estate development. Thanks to an agile transaction structure, emeis retains control of its real estate assets and the long-term benefit of potential value creation with a possible increase in real estate values. This transaction also enables the Group to continue reducing its debt, in line with our stated strategic ambitions." www.isemiabyemeis.com A healthcare real estate portfolio worth 1.22 billion in France, Germany, and Spain The portfolio includes 68 assets with an appraised value of 1,220 million, reflecting an average yield of around 6%. The assets continue to be fully operated by emeis and are located 68% in France, 19% in Germany, and 13% in Spain. Overall, 48% of this real estate portfolio consists of nursing home buildings and 52% of clinics. The assets are located in markets with very favorable demographic fundamentals, enabling them to capture pan-European structural growth dynamics in France, Spain, and Germany, three strategic locations for emeis An opportune structure for the transaction, for a long-term partnership between emeis and its real estate company The transaction lays the foundations for the Group's longer-term real estate strategy and will enable it to retain a potentially significant share of the future value creation of the vehicle, with the recovery of the real estate cycle for healthcare assets that appears to be taking shape today. This real estate company will enable emeis to maintain its real estate portfolio to the highest standards and to best meet the expectations and needs of patients and residents, with an adapted healthcare offering. In the longer term, Isemia will seek to expand its portfolio through future projects developed by the Group. This transaction is structured through the subscription of financial securities (including preferred share). The payment of remuneration, as decided by emeis, will enable investors to achieve a recurring return of at least 6% per annum. Above this rate of return, the share of outperformance will be distributed mainly to the partners up to the target internal rate of return of 12%, with emeis retaining 90% of the potential additional value created above this level. This partnership is planned for a period of five years and could be extended for an additional two years. It may also be shortened by decision of emeis. At the end of this partnership, several scenarios are possible, including emeis's decision to ultimately rely on new capital partners to support the development of this real estate company, which is emeis's long-term real estate benchmark. Isemia will be under the exclusive control of emeis, which will remain in charge of managing the real estate assets, and will therefore be fully consolidated. Dedicated governance to build a benchmark healthcare real estate platform emeis' real estate company is based on dedicated governance, designed to manage a long-term healthcare real estate platform that is fully integrated into the group. This organization ensures consistency between the real estate company's strategy and the operational expertise of emeis, which provides asset management and property management services. Governance will be based on a supervisory body composed of five members, including three representatives from emeis. Laurent Guillot will serve as Chairman of the Supervisory Committee and Gery Robert-Ambroix as Chairman of Isemia. A CSR strategy aligned with the commitments of the emeis group Isemia's CSR strategy is fully in line with the commitments of the emeis group, a mission-driven company, whose principles and requirements it shares. As a real estate company integrated into the Group, it is based on a structured CSR framework, built around clear social, environmental, and governance objectives, monitored with a long-term perspective. In line with its CSR commitments, emeis actively manages its portfolio based on energy renovation, improving the environmental performance of buildings, and adapting assets to changes in usage, standards, and care needs. This management involves, in particular, the operation of energy- and climate-efficient buildings, the reduction of the carbon footprint and water consumption, responsible waste management, and the implementation of certification programs. For scopes 1 and 2, namely the reduction of energy consumption and carbon emissions, emeis is implementing precise monitoring of consumption and emissions using a dedicated tool, followed up by dedicated teams sets targets for emissions and consumption in each of the group's geographical areas, with annual reporting. Real estate is thus designed as a lever for improving the quality of life of residents and patients, the comfort of staff, and the integration of facilities into their local environment, thereby contributing to the long-term resilience and attractiveness of assets. About emeis With nearly 83,500 experts and professionals in healthcare, nursing, and support for the most vulnerable, emeis is present in some 20 countries and covers five areas of expertise: psychiatric clinics, medical and rehabilitation clinics, nursing homes, home care and services, and assisted living facilities. Every year, emeis welcomes nearly 280,000 residents, patients, and beneficiaries. emeis is committed to addressing one of the major challenges facing our societies: the increase in the number of people made vulnerable by life events, old age, or mental illness. In June 2025, emeis became a mission-driven company, enshrining four commitments in its articles of association: working to change perceptions of the most vulnerable and their loved ones to achieve true inclusion; contributing to the fair recognition and attractiveness of our professions; making care for the most vulnerable a major contribution to local social ties and territorial cohesion; and innovate to contribute to care that respects the planet and living beings. emeis, 50.3% owned by Caisse des Depots, CNP Assurances, MAIF, and MACSF Epargne Retraite, is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR001400NLM4) and is a member of the SBF 120, CAC Mid 60, and CAC All-Tradable indices. Website: www.emeis.com 1 At the end of 2024 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114857634/en/ Contacts: Press contacts Isabelle HERRIER NAUFLE Director of Press Relations e-reputation +33 (0)7 70 29 53 74 isabelle.herrier@emeis.com IMAGE 7 Charlotte LE BARBIER +33 (0)6 78 37 27 60 clebarbier@image7.fr Investor Relations Samuel HENRY-DIESBACH Director of Investor Relations Capital Markets samuel.henry-diesbach@emeis.com Toll-free number for shareholders 0 805 480 480 NEWCAP Dusan ORESANSKY +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 emeis@newcap.eu Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. (CSE: SXTY) (FSE: 2F40) (OTC Pink: SXNTF) (the "Company" or "Sixty North Gold") is pleased to announce that the Company intends to complete a non-brokered financing of up to 6,000,000 units (the "Units") at an offering price of $0.25 per Unit to raise gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (the "Offering") subject to applicable securities laws and CSE policies. Each Unit will be comprised of one Share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.30 for a period of one (1) year from the Closing Date. Eligible finders will receive up to 8% fees in cash and 8% in warrants on the proceeds received by Sixty North Gold from investors introduced to the Company. Leede Financial Inc. of Vancouver, Canada has agreed to act as a Finder for the transaction. The securities underlying the Units will be subject to a hold period legend restricting resale until four months and a day from their date of issuance. The proceeds from the Offering will be used for further exploration and development of the Mon Gold Property located in NWT, and for the Company's general working capital requirements. Insiders of the Company will be permitted to participate in the Offering. Such participation would be considered to be "related party transactions" within the meaning of Exchange Policy 5.9 ("Policy 5.9") and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") adopted in Policy 5.9. The Company intends to rely 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 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 transaction, insofar as it involves the related parties, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). About the Company Sixty North Gold is developing mining operations for gold on its 100-per-cent-owned Mon Gold Project. Mining in the 1990's extracted 15,000 tonnes of ore to depths of only 15 metres below surface, recovering an estimated 15,000 ounces of gold in the 1990s (Company Technical Report NI 43-101, August 3, 2023 on SEDAR or https://sixtynorthgold.com/projects/technical-report/). Recently, underground development has intersected the productive A-Zone 17 m below the historic stopes as well as a newly identified zone, the DD-Zone in the main ramp. The company plans to develop and mine stopes in the East Limb, West Limb and DD Zone and to extend the ramp to allow for the development of deeper levels. The silver-rich VMS deposits (https://sixtynorthgold.com/projects/volcanogenic-massive-sulphide-vms-deposits/), the large shear zone-hosted gold targets (https://sixtynorthgold.com/projects/shear-zones/), and the critical-element-enriched IOCG-style mineralization (https://sixtynorthgold.com/projects/iocg-target/) will be explored and developed as warranted. The Yellowknife gold camp hosts two mines that averaged 30 gpt gold or better (Discovery Mine with one million ounces of gold produced, and Sixty North Gold's Mon Mine), and two that averaged 15 gpt or better for a total production of over 14 million ounces of gold (Con Mine and Giant Mine); (ref. Company Technical Report NI 43-101, August 3, 2023). The technical content of this release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. D.R. Webb, P.Geol, P.Eng., President and CEO of Sixty North Gold Mines Ltd. For more information, please refer to the Company's public filings available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company's profile. Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Further details about the risks applicable to the Company are contained in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company's profile. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280268 Source: Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Nine Mile Metals Ltd. (CSE: NINE) (OTC Pink: VMSXF) (FSE: KQ9) ("Nine Mile" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, due to strong investor demand, it has upsized the listed issuer financing exemption offering previously announced on January 5, 2026 (the "Offering") from gross proceeds of up to $4 million to gross proceeds of up to $6.2 million Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one (1) common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable into one (1) Common Share at a price of $0.30 for a period of two (2) years, subject to the acceleration provision disclosed herein. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45- 106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in all provinces of Canada, other than Quebec, and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The Units issued to Canadian resident subscribers under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, and the Common Shares and Warrants underlying the Units, will not be subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Offering is expected to close on or about January 19, 2026 (the "Closing Date"), or such other date as the Company may determine, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals. The Company may pay finder's fees in connection with the Offering comprised of cash equal to 8% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and finder warrants (the "Finders Warrants") equal to 8% of the number of Units issued under the Offering. Each Finders Warrant will be exercisable for one (1) additional Unit at a price of $0.19 for a period of two (2) years. Each Unit is comprised of one (1) Common Share and one (1) Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) Common Share at a price of $0.30 for a period of two (2) years. The Finders Warrants will be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada of four (4) months and one (1) day after the date of issuance. Following the Closing Date, if the daily volume-weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the CSE equals or exceeds $0.50 at the close of any trading day for ten (10) consecutive trading days, the Company may, at its discretion, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by providing not less than thirty (30) days' notice to Warrant holders via press release. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for (i) exploration activities and related expenses on its critical minerals projects in the Bathurst Mining Camp; and (ii) general and administrative obligations. In connection with the upsizing, the Company has filed an amended and restated offering document related to the Offering and the use by the Company of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ and has also made it available on the Company's website. Prospective investors should read the amended and restated offering document before making an investment decision. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Nine Mile Nine Mile Metals Ltd. is a Canadian public mineral exploration company focused on VMS (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Au) exploration in the world-famous Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada. The Company's primary business objective is to explore its four VMS Projects: Nine Mile Brook VMS Project; California Lake VMS Project; and the Canoe Landing Lake (East - West) Project and the Wedge VMS Project. The Company is focused on exploration of Minerals for Technology (MFT), positioning for the boom in EV and green technologies requiring Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc with a hedge with Gold. ON BEHALF OF NINE MILE METALS LTD., Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, the Offering, the listing of the Common Shares on the CSE, the use of proceeds of the Offering and other matters. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval + (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280277 Source: Nine Mile Metals Ltd. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / NV Gold Corporation (TSXV:NVX)(OTCQB:NVGLF)(FSE:8NV) ("NV Gold" or the "Company"), announces a non-brokered private placement consisting of 2,079,002 units ("Units") at a price of $0.20 per Unit for gross proceeds $415,800.40 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one common share (each, a "Share") and one transferable common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable at a price of $0.50 and expires 2 years from the issuance date. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after closing of the Offering. Completion of the Offering is subject to the approval of the Exchange. The aggregate gross proceeds from the Offering are expected to be used for general working capital. None of the securities sold in connection with the Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news 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. About NV Gold Corporation NV Gold Corporation is a well-organized exploration company with ~24.2 million shares issued and no debt. NV Gold has 12 exploration projects in Nevada, and one in Switzerland. The Company has three priority projects including Slumber, Triple T and SW Pipe. The Company is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Reno, Nevada and is focused on delivering value through mineral discoveries in Nevada, USA. Leveraging its expansive property portfolio, its highly experienced in-house technical team, and its extensive geological data library, 2026 promises to be highly productive for NV Gold. On behalf of the Board of Directors, John Watson, Chairman and CEO For further information, visit the Company's website at www.nvx.gold or contact: Freeform Communications at 604.245.0054 Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expectations of management regarding the proposed Offering, the expectations of management regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, closing conditions for the Offering, the expiry of hold periods for securities distributed pursuant to the Offering, and Exchange approval of the proposed Offering. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking 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 that: the Company may not complete the Offering on terms favorable to the Company or at all; the Exchange may not approve the Offering; the proceeds of the Offering may not be used as stated in this news release; the Company may be unable to satisfy all of the conditions to the Closing; and those additional 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 statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply 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. Except where required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. SOURCE: NV Gold Corporation View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/nv-gold-announces-non-brokered-private-placement-1126940 The development underscore Nvidias challenge of tapping Chinas soaring demand while steering through regulatory uncertainty on both sides of the Pacific Nvidia said it does not seek upfront payment for H200 chips, after Reuters reported that it demands full payment from Chinese buyers, a clarification that comes amid deepening US-China tech tensions and global uncertainty over AI supply chains. Would never require customers to pay for products they do not receive, a spokesperson for Nvidia said in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday. On 8 January, Reuters reported that the US chipmaker has imposed unusually stringent terms requiring full payment for orders with no options to cancel, ask for refunds or change configurations after placement, adding that in special circumstances, clients may provide commercial insurance or asset collateral as an alternative to cash payment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Navigating uncertainty in US-China relations The development underscore Nvidias challenge of tapping Chinas soaring demand while steering through regulatory uncertainty on both sides of the Pacific. Nvidia has been burned in the past. Last year, it wrote down $5.5 billion in inventory after the Trump administration abruptly banned it from selling the H20 chip to China, previously the most powerful product it was able to offer there. The Biden administration had banned advanced AI chip exports to China, but President Donald Trump reversed that policy last month, allowing H200 sales with a 25 per cent fee to be paid to the US government. While the US has reversed that decision, China has since banned H20 shipments. Beijing in recent days asked some Chinese tech companies to temporarily pause their H200 chip orders as regulators are still deciding how many domestically produced chips each customer will need to buy alongside each H200 order, Reuters reported on January 8. With inputs from agencies The US runs a sizeable surplus with Iran. In 2024, the US exported $90.2 million worth of goods to Iran and imported just $6.2 million, leaving an $84 million surplus. The trade figures are available until October 2025 The new tariff announcement comes as US President Donald Trump weighs possible options including military against Iran over the protests. (Photo: Reuters) Stepping up pressure on Iran as the West Asian country grapples with nationwide economic unrest threatening decades-long Ayatollah regime, US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a punitive measure to stifle Tehrans economy. He said any country trading with Iran will face a 25 per cent tariff on its business with the US. This comes as Trump weighs his options amid building momentum for a strong US response to mass anti-government protests that have swept Iran in recent weeks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Tariffs are paid by US importers of goods from those countries. Iran, an Opec member, has long faced heavy US sanctions. Most of its oil goes to China, while Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and India remain its other top trading partners. This order is final and conclusive, Trump said without providing any further detail. US maintains a strong surplus with Iran While Americas trade with Iran is small, Washington runs a sizeable surplus, the US government data shows. In 2024, the US exported $90.2 million worth of goods to Iran and imported just $6.2 million, leaving an $84 million surplus. By October 2025, exports stood at $47.9 million against $1.3 million in imports. US shipments are dominated by medical supplies such as packaged medicaments, X-ray equipment and orthopedic devices, while imports largely comprise brochures, paintings, newspapers and other works of art. Whats happening in Iran? Iran is facing its biggest anti-government protests in years after a 12-day war with US ally Israel last year and US air strikes on its nuclear sites in June. Demonstrations evolved from complaints about dire economic hardships to defiant calls for the fall of the deeply entrenched clerical establishment. US-based rights group HRANA said it had confirmed 599 deaths since the unrest began on December 28, including 510 protesters and 89 security forces. Trumps Iran case is not the first Trump has proposed a 500 per cent tariff on countries dependent on Russian energy, even though the United States was among the biggest importers of Russian uranium in 2024. In 2024, the United States imported goods worth more than $3 billion from Russia and ran a trade deficit of about $2.4 billion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US exports were dominated by medical supplies such as vaccines, blood products, antisera, toxins, cultures, medical instruments and X-ray equipment, while imports mainly included uranium, platinum, plywood, radioactive chemicals and fertilizers. And by October 2025, US exports stood at $3.4 billion against $494 million in imports. Under recent agreements, the US government has committed $1 billion to L3Harris Technologies and $150 million to ATALCO US President Donald Trump is extending his corporate influence through golden share arrangements, this time in L3Harris Technologies and Atlantic Alumina Company (ATALCO), as his administration accelerates efforts to secure US supply chains for critical minerals, defence technologies and reduce reliance on China. Under recent agreements, the US government has committed $1 billion to L3Harris Technologies and $150 million to ATALCO, the companies said. L3Harris will spin off its rocket motor business into a new publicly traded entity backed by a $1 billion government investment in convertible securities. These securities will automatically convert to common equity when the company goes public later in 2026. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Separately, the US Department of War invested $150 million in preferred equity in ATALCO to build the nations first large-scale gallium production facility. ATALCO operates the only alumina refinery in the US and is expanding into gallium production to strengthen domestic supplies of critical minerals for aerospace, defence, semiconductors, and energy technologies. The gallium circuit will be set up at ATALCOs Gramercy, Louisiana plant, the company said. The partnership underscores Washingtons push to reduce reliance on China by converting federal grants into equity stakes, giving the government a direct say in strategic industries. What is golden share and how does it work? A golden share is a special type of share that gives its holder extraordinary rights in a company, even if they own only a small stake. Unlike ordinary shares, a golden share typically grants veto power over key decisions such as mergers, acquisitions. The golden share is embedded in a companys shareholder agreement. While the holder may not control day-to-day operations, they can block decisions that could affect national security or public interest. Governments deploy golden shares to safeguard strategic sectors from foreign influence or hostile takeovers. It started with US Steel As part of its $15 billion merger between American steelmaker US Steel and Japan based-Nippon Steel, Trump gained power to appoint board members and veto decisions affecting plant closures, corporate headquarters, name changes and wage reductions. Last Year, Trump also took a 10% stake in Intel under a deal with the struggling chipmaker that converts government grants into an equity share. Farah Khan and Alia Bhatt have already heaped praises on the film and now comes Karan Johars turn, who has penned a long note on Instagram after he saw the film Junglee Pictures HAQ, starring Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi as leads, has made waves ever since it released on Netflix. After igniting nationwide conversation upon its excellent theatrical release, HAQ keeps the ball rolling with its OTT release too. Renowned and influential figures from Hindi cinema as well as political circles have heaped praise on the performances, bold storytelling and the intent to cast a strong impact. Farah Khan and Alia Bhatt have already heaped praises on the film and now comes Karan Johars turn, who has penned a long note on Instagram after he saw the film. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The filmmaker said, The Shazia Bano story and victory moved me to a puddle of tears I was speechless at the end and then clapped loudly for the film and lamented that i missed the opportunity of watching this exceptionally empowering film in the cinema He added, 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 is a master class of craft and conviction . Games View All Samantha also lauded the film saying, This is cinema. Appreciating the films gravity as well as Yami Gautams performance, Samantha wrote, I had to write this the moment the film ended because I was scared Id lose even a fraction of what it made me feel. Stories like this are rare. So deeply human. So layered. So free of judgement or bias. And even rarer when theyre brought alive by an actor of this calibre @yamigautam. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The actress stated that it is films like HAQ that make actors continue to do what they do. @reshunath your writing stayed with me. @yamigautam your performance moved me in ways I cant fully explain. I felt everything, all at once. Love. Rage. Strength. Vulnerability. Hope. This is cinema. This is the reason we do what we do. This is why we keep choosing this path, through every high and every low. Grateful. thankyou @suparnvarma BIGGEST congratulations to you on telling this story so beautifully, she added. Farah Khan shared the films poster on her social media handle and wrote, @ yamigautam get ready to receive every award! Outstanding performance! @therealemraan ur best to date. Kiara Advani joined in saying, Just watched Haq on Netflix @yamigautam what a beautiful performance. Casting Director Panchami Ghavri expressed, Possibly the best performance by a female actor in a decade @ yamigautam this is one for the books. I was sitting with my tissue box wondering how you performed this with so much ease, depth and pain. Ufff take a bow! If you havent already, find a quiet corner and watch HAQ! STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Politician Priyanka Chaturvedi (MP - Rajya Sabha) shared on X, While everyone was keen to hear Trump on Venezuela, I chose to watch Haq, a movie I hoped to see on the big screen but saw it on Netflix. A hat tip to the courage of Shah Bano and those who stood by her in times where women across religion chose silence over dignity. Haq is inspired by a landmark Supreme Court judgement as it tells the story of Shazia Bano (played by Yami Gautam) and her legal fight against her husband, Abbas (Emraan Hashmi). It stars Emraan Hashmi, Yami Gautam Dhar and also features debutant Vartika Singh and powerhouse performers Sheeba Chaddha, Danish Hussain, and Aseem Hattangady. Directed by Suparn S Varma, the film explores themes of the Uniform Civil Code, Triple Talaq, and gender equality before the law. Currently streaming on Netflix, Haq is written by Reshu Nath, and is produced by Junglee Pictures, in association with Insomnia Films and Baweja Studios. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Ventura County Sheriffs Office submitted their ticket or citation to us and it is being reviewed by our prosecutors, Buttitta previously told PEOPLE Home Alone star Daniel Stern has landed in trouble. The actor has been charged with one misdemeanor count of soliciting prostitution in California. Ventura County District Attorney spokesperson Joey Buttitta told PEOPLE. From what I understand, he was cited at the location and released. The Ventura County Sheriffs Office submitted their ticket or citation to us and it is being reviewed by our prosecutors, Buttitta previously told PEOPLE. Netizens react The fact that prostitution is even STILL illegal is mind blowing. This isnt news when its two consenting adults. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I dont understand why two consenting adults exchanging money for favour is illegal! Why is this even a crime these days in a world of Bonnie Blues, really ? Poor guy. Thats honestly probably all he is going to get so let him have it. I was wondering why I saw a post saying the wet bandits is back When Daniel Stern paid tribute to Home Alone co-star John Heard The actor wrote a heartfelt note for his friend and Home Alone co-star, who died unexpectedly at the age of 72 in 2017. The two actors were close and had known each other for many years. Stern, who in the note mentioned that initially he was only trying to be a professional actor in theatre, said it was the late actors performance in Between the Lines that inspired him to act in films. Games View All When I got my first movie Breaking Away, the only thing I really knew about film acting was what I had learned from watching John do it, he wrote. Stern further said when he was trying hard to break into the movie business, it was Heard who would take both him and his wife out for a nice dinner. Too bad his theatre performances are gone with the wind because he was riveting on stage, Stern wrote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But nothing was more intense than Johns performance in life. He lived it hard, fast and fearlessly. He was a romantic and a raconteur. He was as loyal and generous as they come. He was a friend and a brother and a legend in his time. Meghan Markle may return to the United Kingdom in summer 2026 with Prince Harry for a one-year countdown event ahead of the Invictus Games, her first UK visit since 2022, pending security arrangements. Meghan Markle may return to the United Kingdom this summer for the first time in nearly four years, potentially accompanying her husband, Prince Harry, to a key Invictus Games promotional event, but her visit is contingent on a government decision over security arrangements. According to reports, the , 44, could join Harry, 41, in Birmingham in July 2026 for the one-year-to-go countdown ahead of the 2027 Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women that Harry founded. It would mark Meghans first UK visit since September 2022, when she travelled for Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral, an event that followed the couples departure from frontline royal duties in 2020. Since then, neither Meghan nor the couples children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have returned to Britain. Security Arrangement Still Key The Sussexes anticipated visit hinges largely on whether Prince Harrys request for reinstated taxpayer-funded security protection in the UK is approved. After the couple stepped back as senior royals, they lost automatic armed police protection, prompting legal challenges and appeals by Harry. The government review is ongoing, with no final decision expected before the summer event. Harry has previously said he would not bring Meghan or their children to the UK without satisfactory security, citing safety concerns. Potential Milestone and Broader Context If confirmed, the visit could signal a notable moment in the Sussexes relationship with the UK and the British royal establishment, even as aspects of their estrangement, including differences over security policy and royal status, remain unresolved. Invitations for the one-year countdown to the Birmingham 2027 Invictus Games have drawn interest as organisers, supporters, and royal watchers speculate on which royal figures might attend. Meghan has a history of supporting the Invictus Games, having joined Harry at previous promotional events in Canada and Germany, underscoring her consistent role in the couples charitable and sporting engagements. A new app has taken China by storm, becoming the most downloaded paid app in the country. The rather morbidly named Are You Dead app checks in on a user every two days. If you dont click on a button to confirm you are alive, a notification is sent to your emergency contact. The technology has triggered debate about loneliness and living alone in the Asian country The 'Are You Dead' app is making it hard to ignore just how lonely and bleak modern life can feel for some in China. Representational image/AFP Not Baidu, not Douyin, not Alipay nor even TaoBao. In China, theres a new app thats become the most downloaded paid app, and it asks just one question are you dead. No, this isnt some joke. Named Are You Dead?, this app has recently gained a lot of attention in the Asian nation, sparking a wave of debate online. It also shines a spotlight on Chinas rapidly changing demographics. But what do we know of this viral app? Whos behind it? And most importantly, why is everyone talking about it? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD About the Are You Dead app Called Are You Dead in English, the viral app is called Sile Me in Chinese and is a play on words based on the other successful food delivery app, E le ma. Theres very little known about the creators of this app, which was launched last May; the men behind the Are You Dead App simply describe themselves as three who were born after 1995 in Zhengzhou in Henan. Initially the app began as a free download, but today it is available for a mere eight yuan (a little over Rs 100). In fact, it is reported that the app took just 1,000 yuan to build. The Are You Dead app is viral in China. Called Demumu outside of the Asian country, it is also popular in the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and Spain. But what is the Are You Dead app? All the app requires its users to do is to check in by pressing a button. If you dont click on the button every two days, then on the third day, the app gets in touch with the users emergency contact. The apps English language page, where it goes by the name Demumu (dont mistake it for Labubu), the developers describe it as a lightweight safety tool crafted for solo dwellers, designed to make solitary life more reassuring. The page continues, Whether youre a solo office worker, a student living away from home, or anyone choosing a solitary lifestyle, Demumu serves as your safety companion. Of the three creators of the app, one who identifies himself as Lyu, said that the app targets young users living in big cities. These people were likely to experience a strong sense of loneliness due to the lack of people to communicate with . . . accompanied by . . . worries about unforeseen events occurring without anyone knowing, Lyu said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Virality of Are You Dead App Though the app launched last May to little fanfare, it is in recent times that the app has garnered a whole lot of attention. According to the team behind it, its growth began only in recent days and led to a download spike of more than 100 times now, bringing increased server load and operational costs, the National Business Daily reported. And last Saturday, it topped Apples paid App Store ranking. Moreover, the Are You Dead app isnt just popular within China. It is reportedly ranking among the top paid utility apps in the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and Spain. Much of this popularity is believed to come from Chinese users living abroad. Speaking to the virality of the app, 38-year-old Wilson Hou told the BBC that he downloaded the app so that his family, who live miles away from him, would know if something happened to him. I worry that if something happened to me, I could die alone in the place I rent and no one would know, said Hou, who works in Beijing. Thats why I downloaded the app, and I set my mum as my emergency contact. The Are you Dead app helps people who live alone to check in with their friends and family. Users hit a green button on the app daily and if theres no response will reach out to the emergency contacts. Representational image/Reuters Another social media user commented, People who live alone at any stage of their life need something like this, as do introverts, those with depression, the unemployed and others in vulnerable situations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Many commentators note that this app would be highly beneficial to the millions of elderly people, living alone in the rural areas of China. However, the app has garnered some backlash, particularly over its name, with many questioning the use of the word for death in its Chinese name. As Hu Xijin, a nationalist columnist, was quoted by the Financial Times as saying: I suggest changing its name to Are You Alive? as it would provide more psychological comfort for the elderly using it. However, app creator Lyu said the name was not intended to be bad. It serves as a reminder for us to cherish the present, Lyu added. Spotlight on Chinas loneliness problem The Are You Dead app also highlights Chinas growing loneliness pandemic. In China, theres a growing trend of a one-person household. Research reveals that by 2030 China may have up to 200 million one-person households, with a solo-living rate exceeding 30 per cent. Wei-Jun Jean Yeung, an expert in social demography at the National University of Singapore, told the Financial Times that in such situations there was a genuine need for apps that assist people living alone. As fertility drops, life expectancy gets longer, marriages decline and divorce rates keep going up . . . all of these are creating the trend of one-person households, Yeung said. The concern is real. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The countrys single population has been skyrocketing in recent years. According to the most recent census, the number of unmarried persons in China between the ages of 20 and 49 reached 134 million in 2020. Representational image/Reuters The countrys single population has been skyrocketing in recent years. According to the most recent census, the number of unmarried persons in China between the ages of 20 and 49 reached 134 million in 2020. In fact, many young adults are delaying marriage into their late 30s and prioritising careers and personal freedom. And it is amidst this situation that the Are You Dead app has become popular, with one social media user noting that they sense a deep loneliness behind the apps success. For much of Chinas history, kinship formed the basic unit of society, but this structure has completely collapsed in the present day, they wrote. In big cities, everyone is an isolated, atomised individual. People live in soundproof apartments, not knowing the surname of their neighbours, they wrote in their post. This creates an extremely intense fear, which is commonly known as lonely death, they added. We dont know what comes next in China, but please check in. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies The Shaksgam Valley is part of the Hunza-Gilgit region of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan had illegally ceded the strategically valuable territory to China in 1963 after signing a border agreement, which India has rejected Relations between India and China have been slowly thawing, with direct flights resuming in October 2025 and the two countries agreeing to restart the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. However, it seems there may be trouble brewing once again after China has laid claim to the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. The Shaksgam Valley is part of the Hunza-Gilgit region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). The strategically valuable territory sits at the trijunction of India, Pakistan and China and has critical military and logistical corridors nearby, including the Siachen Glacier and the Karakoram Pass. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last year, China and India reached a deal to end the Ladakh standoff. Relations between the two countries have been slowly thawing, with direct flights resuming in October 2025 and the two countries agreeing to restart the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen sharing a friendly interaction with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. However, it seems there may be trouble brewing once again. This comes after China has laid claim to the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. But what do we know? Why is China claiming this territory? Lets take a closer look. Where is Shaksgam Valley? The Shaksgam Valley is part of the Hunza-Gilgit region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). The strategically important territory is located at a high altitude near Chinas Xinjiang province. It lies near the Siachen Glacier in the eastern Karakoram range. It is also known as the Trans Karakoram Tract. Prior to Partition, the Shaksgam Valley was part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. In 1936, the ruler of Hunza was asked by the British to give away his rights in the Taghdumbash Pamir region and the Raskam Valley. However, he kept the Shaksgam Valley and the Aghil range. After Independence, the Shaksgam Valley officially became part of India. However, in 1948, Pakistan illegally occupied parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including this territory, leading to the first war between the two nations. China, during the 1950s, began entering the territory, which led to tensions with India. Then, in 1963, Pakistan ceded 5,180 square kilometres of Indian territory that it illegally occupied in the Shaksgam Valley to China. It did so after signing a border agreement with Beijing. India has, over the years, rejected Chinas claim to the territory and said that it does not recognise the 1963 ChinaPakistan boundary agreement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why is China claiming this territory? Because the territory is extremely strategically valuable. Shaksgam Valley sits at the trijunction of India, Pakistan and China. Iran and Afghanistan are also nearby. Its location makes it key to several critical military and logistical corridors in the region, including the worlds highest battlefield, the Siachen Glacier, and the Karakoram Pass. India, from the Siachen Glacier, can keep an eye on Pakistan and events that occur on the Line of Control. Meanwhile, the Karakoram Pass allows India to keep a tab on Chinas military manoeuvres along the Line of Actual Control. Geostrategist Dr Brahma Chellaney has said Chinas salami slicing in Shaksgam Valley is rapidly approaching a critical point. By mid-2024, China had pushed a road across the 4,805-metre Aghil Pass into the Lower Shaksgam Valley, placing Chinese construction teams and potentially military patrols within 50 km of the Indian-controlled Siachen Glacier at Indira Col, Chellaney wrote on X. The new axis of access enables China to apply pressure from the north, raising the prospect of a two-front contingency on the worlds highest battlefield, Chellaney added. New Delhi on Friday protested against infrastructure projects by Beijing in Kashmir, including an all-weather road in the valley via the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Nearly 75 kilometres of the road, which is around 10 metres wide, has reportedly been completed. The road is under 50 kilometres from the Siachen Glacier. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning attends a press conference in Beijing, China, on July 26, 2023. (Photo: Tingshu Wang/Reuters) Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to the protest, saying, The territory you mentioned belongs to China. Its completely justified for China to build infrastructure on its own land. China has said its construction activities in the territory are beyond reproach. These are the rights of Pakistan and China as sovereign states, she added. Such agreement and CPEC will not affect Chinas position on the Kashmir issue, and Chinas position remains unchanged in this regard, Mao said. While China has insisted that the Jammu and Kashmir issue is a historical dispute that should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements, India has pointed out the hypocrisy of Beijing taking territory from Pakistan that India owns. The Ministry of External Affairs had responded to Chinas statement on Friday. Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called ChinaPakistan boundary agreement signed in 1963 and have consistently maintained that it is illegal and invalid, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We also do not recognise the so-called ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor, which passes through Indian territory that is under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan, he added. He said India reserves the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its interests in the region. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor joins fray Meanwhile, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has chimed in. Gupta has taken aim at China for undertaking construction projects in the Shaksgam Valley, saying the territory is a part of India and such activities should be immediately stopped. Gupta told NDTV that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir themselves want to be a part of India and it will not be too long before Pakistan itself falls apart. They should know that Pakistan occupied a portion of Kashmir illegally, and the Indian Parliament also passed a resolution to this effect in 1994. An atmosphere is building up in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and the people there also want to be with India. The day is not far when Pakistan itself will fall apart. Therefore, China should stop any such activity. The Indian government has also taken cognisance of this, and the Ministry of External Affairs has clearly stated it, Gupta said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD See, Pakistan is a sell-out country. We believe that this valley has been occupied by Pakistan, and the country does things like allowing China there so it can get some money. But this part belongs to India, and India will take full cognisance of it. Without worrying about Pakistan, we will take action in our own way, he stressed. Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said, We dont agree to the PakChina boundary agreement of 1963. Any activity in the Shaksgam Valley is something we dont approve of. With inputs from agencies Iran is facing its most serious unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution as protests over economic hardship spread nationwide. Security forces have responded with deadly force, mass arrests, and a near-total internet blackout. Human rights groups report hundreds of deaths, while Tehran blames terrorists and warns of severe punishment for those involved Members of the Iranian police attend a pro-government rally in Tehran, Iran, January 12, 2026. File Image/WANA via Reuters Iran is confronting one of the most serious internal crises since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, as widespread protests driven by economic hardship have evolved into a direct challenge to the countrys clerical leadership. Demonstrations have erupted across all 31 provinces, security forces have responded with force, and the government has imposed a sweeping internet blackout to restrict the flow of information. Human rights organisations say hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested, while Iranian officials blame foreign-backed terrorists and warn of harsh punishment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the same time, United States President Donald Trump has warned of military action and announced new trade penalties targeting Irans global business partners. How protests have spread nationwide The current wave of unrest began on December 28, when rising prices and worsening living conditions sparked demonstrations in multiple Iranian cities. What initially started as protests over economic hardship soon transformed into broader expressions of anger toward Irans ruling clerical system, which has remained in power for more than four decades. Public frustration has been fuelled by long-standing resentment toward the powerful Revolutionary Guards, whose extensive business interests span oil and gas, construction, and telecommunications and are valued in the billions of dollars. Many Iranians increasingly view these institutions as symbols of inequality and corruption, especially as daily life becomes more expensive and job prospects shrink. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 600 separate protests have taken place across all 31 of Irans provinces. By late Monday, the group said it had verified the deaths of 646 people, including 505 protesters, 113 members of the military and security forces, and seven bystanders. HRANA also said it was investigating a further 579 reported deaths. Since the unrest began, 10,721 people have been arrested, the group said. Iranian authorities have not released an official nationwide death toll. Despite the mounting toll, protests have continued. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly declared that rioters must be put in their place, but demonstrations have not shown signs of stopping. How Tehran has responded with deadly force As security forces moved to suppress the demonstrations, eyewitness accounts and video footage have revealed a harsh crackdown on the streets. Two witnesses in Tehran told CNN that security personnel armed with military rifles killed many people during protests on Friday night. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An Iranian social worker who attended a demonstration the same day said authorities fired at protesters and used a Taser on a girls neck until she lost consciousness. Human rights groups say lethal force has not been limited to extreme circumstances. Michael Page, deputy director of Human Rights Watchs Middle East and North Africa division, said government repression has sometimes pushed people toward more extreme actions, but even then, deadly force has not been used only as a last resort. Nine minors have also been killed since the protests began, according to HRANA. However, the full scale of casualties remains uncertain due to the governments internet shutdown and limited access for journalists. The human cost of the crackdown has been made visible through leaked videos from the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center, located south of Tehran. Despite the internet blackout, footage circulated over the weekend showing families gathering around rows of black body bags in makeshift morgues and in the facilitys courtyard, desperately searching for their loved ones. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In one video obtained by CNN, a crowd stands in front of a screen displaying photos of the deceased as relatives try to identify faces. According to information seen on the screen and images received by HRANA, around 250 bodies were estimated to be at the facility. Another clip shows black body bags lined along a walkway outside the building, with more bodies scattered across unpaved ground near parked cars. Inside a nearby warehouse, rows of bodies in black bags were laid out on the floor and on metal tables. The activist group Mamlekate said the number of bodies brought to the forensic institute was so high that they were being placed in the courtyard. Iranian state media acknowledged the grim scenes but insisted that most of the dead were ordinary people who were not protesters. Authorities blamed their deaths on rioters. State-affiliated outlets such as Tasnim News Agency and Student News Agency released their own footage from the area. In one video, a reporter said he had spoken to families who claimed their relatives were not involved in protests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Human rights organisations have rejected the governments narrative. The Iranian authorities are responsible for the deaths and injuries of bystanders at the protests, Page said. While Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni told state television that security forces to an extent, exercise maximum restraint, accounts from witnesses and activists suggest a much more aggressive response on the ground. Families of victims have also gathered at Tehrans Behesht Zahra Cemetery, where HRANA reported that relatives gathered at burial sites and chanted protest slogans. How Tehran is using the kill switch to curb information flow Iran has moved aggressively to limit the flow of information about the protests by imposing a nationwide internet shutdown. The blackout, which began last Thursday, has severely restricted access to online platforms, messaging services, and international communication. NetBlocks, a group that monitors internet connectivity, reported that national access fell to just 1 per cent of ordinary levels by the fourth day of the shutdown. Cloudflare Radar said overnight internet traffic in Iran dropped to effectively zero. Iran uses what experts describe as an internet kill switch, allowing the government to exert full control over the countrys digital infrastructure. Similar blackouts were imposed during protests in 2019 and 2022, as well as during a 12-day war with Israel in 2025. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite the restrictions, some Iranians have reportedly been able to access the internet through Elon Musks Starlink satellite service, according to three people inside the country. Journalists also face significant obstacles. Reporting inside Iran often requires official permission to travel, and reporters risk harassment or arrest by authorities. The internet blackout has further complicated efforts to verify events or assess the true scale of the unrest. Iranian state media has provided limited coverage of the demonstrations, while online videos that do emerge often offer only brief, shaky glimpses of crowds or the sound of gunfire. How the Iran govt is blaming terrorists Irans leadership has framed the protests not as a popular uprising but as a coordinated security threat involving foreign-backed actors. The Ministry of Intelligence said it had detained terrorist teams responsible for killing paramilitary volunteers loyal to the clerical establishment, burning mosques, and attacking military sites. The statement, carried by state media, described the unrest as a campaign of violence rather than public dissent. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi declared that the situation was under total control and said 53 mosques and 180 ambulances had been set on fire since the protests erupted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Addressing a large crowd in Tehrans Enqelab Square, parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iranians were fighting on multiple fronts. He described the situation as involving economic war, psychological warfare, military war against the US and Israel, and today a war against terrorism. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned citizens against joining what he called rioters and terrorists and foreign-backed mercenaries. He differentiated between peaceful demonstrators and those who aimed to disrupt the entire society. Irans attorney general went further, vowing merciless legal action against those labelled as rioters, including the possible use of the death penalty. However, Michael Page said Iranian authorities have historically failed to distinguish between protesters and so-called rioters. Theyve treated any type of large-scale protest as a threat to their rule and have used force in accordance with that view, he said. Despite the scale of the unrest, there have been no visible signs of divisions within Irans Shiite clerical leadership, military, or security forces. The opposition remains fragmented, with no unified leadership structure or coordinated strategy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How the US has reacted to the Iran protests Tehran said on Monday that it was keeping communication channels with Washington open as Trump considered how to respond to Irans deadly suppression of protests one of the most serious challenges to clerical rule since 1979. Late on Monday, Trump announced that any country doing business with Iran would face a new 25 percent tariff on its exports to the United States. This Order is final and conclusive, Trump said in a social media post. He did not provide details about the legal authority for the tariffs or clarify whether they would apply to all of Irans trading partners. Iran, already under heavy US sanctions, exports much of its oil to China. Other major trading partners include Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and India. China criticised Trumps approach. The Chinese embassy in Washington said it opposed any illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction and would take all necessary measures to safeguard its interests. Trump has also warned Irans leaders that the United States would attack if security forces opened fire on protesters. On Sunday, he said the US might meet Iranian officials and that he was in contact with Irans opposition. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said military options were not the administrations first choice. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president, she told reporters. She added that Washington was receiving different messages privately from Tehran than what Iranian officials were saying publicly. 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, she said. Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi confirmed ongoing communication with US officials, although he said Washingtons proposals were incompatible with its threats. Communications between (U.S. special envoy Steve) Witkoff and me continued before and after the protests and are still ongoing, he told Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, the US Department of State warned American citizens in Iran to consider leaving the country by land through Armenia or Turkey. US nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran, the department said on its TravelGov account on X. Trump was expected to meet senior advisers on Tuesday to discuss potential responses to Iran, a US official told Reuters. The Wall Street Journal reported that options under consideration included military strikes, the use of secret cyber weapons, expanding sanctions, and providing online assistance to anti-government sources. However, striking Iranian military installations carries significant risks, as some facilities are located in heavily populated areas. In an interview with CBS News, Reza Pahlavi the son of Irans last shah, who lives in exile in the US urged Trump to intervene quickly. I think the president has a decision to make fairly soon, Pahlavi said. Iran has responded with its own warnings. Qalibaf cautioned Washington against what he described as 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, he said. Tehrans regional influence has already been weakened by recent conflicts. Following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Irans allies including Lebanons Hezbollah suffered significant setbacks. Israel also killed top Iranian military commanders during the June war, in which Israeli and US forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites over a 12-day period. Trump said on Sunday that Iran had called to negotiate about its disputed nuclear programme. A meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what is happening before the meeting, he told reporters on Air Force One. The unrest in Iran and the possibility of further US action have begun to affect global markets. World oil prices reached seven-week highs on Monday amid concerns that Irans exports could decline due to political instability and potential sanctions or military responses. Iran is a major oil producer, and disruptions to its supply could have significant consequences for global energy markets. With inputs from agencies Amid the US threat of military action, Iran has said that all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets. But does Tehran have the firepower to carry out such an attack? An Iranian missile system is displayed next to a banner with a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a street in Tehran, Iran. The Islamic Republic has a powerful military with Global Firepower stating that it is a Top 20 global military power. File image/Reuters The nationwide anti-Khamenei protests have snowballed into a larger US-Iran conflict, with both sides issuing threats and counter-threats. On Monday (January 12), tensions skyrocketed when the White House said that US President Donald Trump is considering air strikes on Tehran to stop a crackdown on protesters, adding that people were being killed on the streets. As protests have ramped up in Iran they have spread far and wide across the nation the regime has begun to use force to quell the protests, raising the likelihood of US intervention, with Trump saying he would rescue protesters if the Iranian government killed them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, this has prompted a sharp response from the Iranian authorities with President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Iranian parliament speaker issuing threats to the US. The threats by Iran has shone a spotlight on the Islamic Republics military capabilities and to what extent do they pose a significant threat? Irans warning to US Earlier last December, Irans Masoud Pezeshkian vowed a harsh response to any attack against his country. While he didnt elaborate, his statement came a day after Trump suggested the US could carry out new military strikes if Iran attempts to reconstitute its nuclear programme. Answer of Islamic Republic of Iran to any cruel aggression will be harsh and discouraging, Pezeshkian said in a social media post. Then last Sunday, Irans parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, warned that both Israel and all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets in the event of an attack. We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat, he added. Irans attorney general also noted that anyone protesting would be considered an enemy of God - an offence that carries the death penalty while Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed demonstrators as a bunch of vandals seeking to please Trump. On Sunday, the country announced three days of mourning for what it called martyrs killed in Iranian national battle against the US and Israel. Irans military manpower Iran has a powerful military with Global Firepower stating that it is a Top 20 global military power. In fact, Iran is ranked 16 of 145 out of the countries considered. The International Institute for Strategic Studies notes that the Iranian armed forces are among the largest in West Asia, with at least 580,000 active-duty personnel and about 200,000 trained reserve personnel divided among the traditional army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. The regime in Iran also commands the Basij religious militia, a volunteer paramilitary force loyal to the establishment, which is often used to crack down on anti-government protests. Analysts say Basij volunteers may number in the millions. Iran has at least 580,000 active-duty personnel and about 200,000 trained reserve personnel divided among the traditional army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. File image/Reuters The Guards also operate the Quds Force, an elite unit in charge of arming, training and supporting the network of proxy militias throughout West Asia known as the axis of resistance. These militias include Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, militia groups in Syria and Iraq and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Afshon Ostovar, an associate professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Irans military, There is a reason Iran has not been struck. Its not that Irans adversaries fear Iran. Its that they realise any war against Iran is a very serious war. While the proxy militias are not counted as part of Irans armed forces, analysts say they are considered an allied regional force battle ready, heavily armed and ideologically loyal and could come to Irans aid if it was attacked. Irans treasure trove of weapons Apart from the manpower, Iran has a vast arsenal of long-range missiles, drones and air defences. Tehran, in fact, has one of the largest arsenals of ballistic missiles and drones in West Asia. That includes cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles, as well as ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 kilometre, or more than 1,200 miles. These have the capacity and range to hit any target in West Asia, including Israel. This includes the Sejil, which has a range of 2,494 km as well as the Kheibar boasting of a range of 1,494 km. Iran has made no secret of the build-up, displaying its trove of drones and missiles during military parades, and has ambitions to build a large export business in drones. Irans Shahed drones are being used by Russia in Ukraine and have surfaced in the conflict in Sudan. Iran has one of the largest arsenals of ballistic missiles and drones in West Asia. That includes cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles, as well as ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 kilometre. File image/Reuters Iran also claims to have a multi-warhead missile, known as the Khorramshahr, which was first tested in 2017 and appears likely to be derived from a North Korean missile, according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Defense Project. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Arms Control Association, a Washington-based non-governmental organisation, notes that Irans missile programme is largely based on North Korean and Russian designs and has also received Chinese assistance. Iran is also known for its drone development. The Shahed drones are being used extensively by Russia in Ukraine. File image/Reuters When it comes to land power, Iran boasts of having 1,713 tanks as well as 1,517 rocket projectors. When it comes to the seas, Tehran has built a large fleet of speedboats and some small submarines that are capable of disrupting shipping traffic and global energy supplies that pass through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. While Iran is considered to be a militarily strong nation, many defence experts note that it lags far behind the power and sophistication of the armed forces of the United States, Israel and some European countries. For instance, Irans air force strength is negligible. Many of the aircraft are from the Shah regime of 1941 to 1979. Moreover, some of Irans tanks and armoured vehicles are old and outdated. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A fighter aircraft is seen at the first underground air force base, called Eagle 44 at an undisclosed location in Iran. File image/Reuters Irans nuclear capabilities While Iran doesnt have a nuclear weapon yet, it has a long history of engaging in secret nuclear weapons research in violation of its international commitments. Western analysts say the Islamic Republic has the knowledge and infrastructure to produce a nuclear weapon in fairly short order should its leaders decide to do so. Analysts believe that Iran could produce enough fissile material for a weapon in a few months. Others say they could produce such material in just a week or two, although many acknowledge that it would likely take longer for it to manufacture a nuclear weapon. Satellite image over Fordow, before the US struck the underground nuclear facility, near Qom, Iran last June. File image/Reuters Fearing the worst, last June, the US targeted critical nuclear and military infrastructure across Iran, including Natanz, the countrys main nuclear enrichment site. Washington also targeted Fordow, an Iranian uranium enrichment facility. Its a wait and watch game to see what happens next: Will Trump use military force in Iran? And will Iran respond in kind? With inputs from agencies The protests in Iran continue to escalate, with 646 people dead and over 10,700 detained. Amid this, Donald Trump has once again resorted to his favourite tool tariffs. The US president said that a 25 per cent tariff will be imposed on any country that engages in trade with the Islamic Republic. This could have an impact on India, which is among Tehrans five largest trading partners. Heres how People hold up photos of Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's toppled Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, during a demonstration, in Istanbul, in support of the nationwide mass protests in Iran against the government. AP Six hundred and forty-six and counting. Thats the number of Iranians who have died so far as protests continue to roil the Islamic Republic. Amid this volatile situation, US President Donald Trump has ramped up the pressure on Tehran, announcing a 25 per cent tariff on any country doing business with Iran. The US president posted on social media on Monday that the new duty would be effective immediately, without providing further details. The administration has yet to issue paperwork outlining the scope of the charges. 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, Trump wrote on his social media platform. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The tariff announcement by Trump comes as the US leader mulls possible military action against Iran over the protests. His White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said earlier: Air strikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table. However, she added that Iran had opened a diplomatic channel. While its not clear what Trumps orders are regarding the tariffs what qualifies as doing business with Iran this order is likely to impact several nations such as India, China, Brazil, Turkey and Russia. Why is Trump targeting Irans partners with tariffs? On Monday (January 12), without giving any additional details, Trump announced that countries which engage in trade with Iran will face a 25 per cent tariff on any business done with the US. This announcement comes after Trump threatened to intervene militarily if Tehran killed protesters. Trump, on Sunday, said that Iranian officials had called him to negotiate but added we may have to act before a meeting. The Islamic Republic has been witnessing mass rallies and demonstrations for the past three weeks, calling for an end to the clerical regime. In turn, Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has taken a hard line against protesters, saying that demonstrators were ruining their own streets to make the president of another country happy, referring to the US president. The tariff announcement comes as Trump mulls possible military action against Iran over the protests. Reuters But despite Trumps threats to Iran on its crackdown of protesters, human rights groups note that the death toll has neared 700, with US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency stating that 646 people have perished so far in the protests. Additionally, more than 10,700 people have also been detained. Its important to note here that an internet blackout in Iran has restricted the flow of information, making it difficult to ascertain and gather information. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The grieving relatives of demonstrators killed by the regimes bloody crackdown were seen on footage today trawling through body bags at a morgue on the outskirts of Irans capital. Speaking on the tariffs, Michael Singh, former senior director for Middle East affairs at the National Security Council under President George W Bush, now the managing director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Politico: For President Trump, this seems like a pretty mild response to a very significant situation in Iran and so this will probably disappoint many in the Iranian American community. The problem is that we have sanctions in place against Iran that are quite tough, but theyre not being enforced I mean Iran is selling lots of oil, and so I think the question will be whats new here and is it going to be enforced, unlike the other sanctions that are already in place. Which are Irans major trading partners? Trumps 25 per cent tariff declaration puts a spotlight on Irans major trading partners. China is Irans largest oil and trading partner and may be most affected by Trumps announcement. According to a CNN report, the new tariff could mean a minimum 45 per cent tariff rate on goods from China versus the current rate of 20 per cent. In the first 11 months of 2025, China exported $6.2 billion worth of goods to Iran and imported $2.85 billion, according to Chinese customs data. And thats not taking into account oil purchases. Analysts estimate that China has accounted for more than 90 per cent of Irans oil trade in recent years, imported through intermediaries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Irans other trading partners include India, Russia, Turkey, and even the UAE. When it comes to Russia, Iran has close ties in the sectors of defence, energy and finance. A 25 per cent US tariff would add pressure to Russias already-sanctioned economy. In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire as they take to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world, in Tehran, Iran. AP What about India-Iran trade? India is among Irans five largest trading partners and is likely to be hit even further by Trumps announcement. According to the Indian Embassy in Tehran, India exported goods worth $1.24 billion to Iran in 2024-25, while it imported goods worth $0.44 billion, taking total trade to $1.68 billion. Before that in 2022-2023, trade between the two nations was $2.33 billion. Major Indian exports to Iran include basmati rice, tea, sugar, fresh fruits, pharmaceuticals, soft drinks (excluding sharbat), kernels, HPS, boneless bovine meat, pulses, and other products. On the other hand, major Indian imports from Iran include saturated methanol, petroleum bitumen, apples, liquified propane, dry dates, inorganic/organic chemicals, almonds, etc. Theres also the Chabahar Port, which both countries signed an agreement on in 2015. Notably, the US has already levied a whopping 50 per cent tariff on India, including a 25 per cent tariff for purchasing Russian oil. Additionally, as recent as the first week of 2026, the US president issued a new threat to India, saying the US could further raise these levies. Speaking to reporters, Trump then said: They wanted to make me happy, basically. PM Modi is a very good man. Hes a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly, and itll be very bad for them, Trump said, referring to New Delhis purchase of Russian crude. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also, last week, the US president greenlit legislation that would impose 500 per cent tariffs on any country that buys oil from Russia. These tariff threats could hinder India-US ties even as the two nations continue to finalise a deal that would provide long-sought tariff relief to New Delhi. Since coming to power the second time, Trump has been using tariffs as leverage against other countries. But this has now been challenged in the Supreme Court, with a verdict expected this month. With inputs from agencies Some in Iran are using Elon Musks Starlink to upload protest videos as they try to circumvent the internet blackout. Venezuelans and Ukrainians have turned to the service amid crisis The Iranian government is attempting to crack down on Starlink. This frame grab from videos taken between January 9 and January 11, 2026, and circulating on social media purportedly shows images from a morgue with dozens of bodies and mourners after crackdown on the outskirts of Iran's capital, in Kahrizak. AP The world is an increasingly dangerous place. Iran has been witnessing protest against the Islamic regime for weeks. Confusion continues to reign in Venezuela after the United States deposed long-time leader Nicolas Maduro. In Ukraine, the war against Russia continues to grind on. In all these places, Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has emerged as a vital part of geopolitics. Lets take a closer look. Protesters in Iran try to get the world watching In Iran, Starlink Musk has been at the centre of protesters efforts at trying to topple the Islamic regime. One of the first things the Iranian regime did to damp down on the protests was to implement a near-total internet blackout. Authorities have taken down traditional fibre-optic and cellular networks to try to keep citizens in the dark. However, according to sources, Starlinks satellite-based service remains functional in some areas. One user in western Iran claims to know dozens of people using Starlink and that those in border towns remain largely unaffected. Iranians are leaning heavily on Starlink to share videos of growing protests and the regimes escalating crackdown with the world. Internet monitor NetBlocks confirmed receiving reports of patchy but existing Starlink access. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is because while normal broadband services use fibre optics or cell towers, the SpaceX-run firm uses low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to beam internet to users via radio waves. Ground stations send signals to its LEO satellites of which it has thousands orbiting Earth which in turn send the data back to Starlink users around the world. In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire as they take to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world, in Tehran, Iran. AP However, there are now reports that the Iranian government is actively trying to jam the service. The country had banned Starlink after its Parliament passed a law in June in the aftermath of the war with Israel. It made use of Starlink punishable under the law anywhere from six months to two years in prison. In cases of espionage, it could result in the death penalty. There are reports that Iranian leadership used a kill switch on Starlink satellites likely using military-grade equipment provided by Russia or China. Initially, around 30 per cent of Starlinks uplink and downlink traffic was disrupted. However, now that figure is over 80 per cent, as per Iran Wire. Authorities have begun a hunt for Starlink dishes, particularly in parts of western Tehran where protests are ongoing. Officials say this is part of an electronic warfare campaign against protesters. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he plans to speak with Musk about restoring internet in Iran. Hes very good at that kind of thing, hes got a very good company, Trump told reporters. Musk has supported providing Starlink to Iranians to help them circumvent the governments restrictions, including amid previous protests in 2022. There are reports that state that around 40,00050,000 people in Iran currently use Starlink. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Venezuela, a source of information Many Venezuelans had turned to the tech company at a time when confusion reigned about Nicolas Maduro and the United States operation against the long-time leader. This came as the country, which was struggling with connectivity issues prior to the attack, is facing a collapse of infrastructure. A demonstrator displays a sign with an image of U.S.-deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a march outside the National Assembly on the day Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was formally sworn in as Venezuelas interim president, as Maduro appeared in a New York court after the Trump administration removed him from power, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 5, 2026. REUTERS. More and more citizens had turned to Starlink to find out what was going on as the US conducted airstrikes on Caracas, causing power and internet access to go down. Starlink has announced that it is providing free broadband service to people in Venezuela until 3 February 2026. This was announced by Starlink and shared by Elon Musk on social platforms as a gesture in support of the people of Venezuela. People are increasingly using Starlink for basic internet. However, this is limited to those who already have accounts with Starlink and have all the equipment. A lifeline in Ukraine In Ukraine, Starlink was activated days after Russias invasion. After repeated strikes from Russia on Ukraines communications and internet infrastructure, Starlink has proved to be a vital lifeline for the army and the government. The country, till April 2025, had over 50,000 Starlink terminals, many of them being used to keep railways, schools and hospitals online in cases of Russian attack. The Ukrainian military remains dependent on Starlink to coordinate its efforts and tactics and its use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with experts and techie volunteers on the front line repairing damaged equipment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In this handout photograph taken and released by the press service of the 65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces on January 1, 2026, Ukrainian recruits take part in a basic military training at an undisclosed location in Zaporizhzhia region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.- AFP The importance of Starlink in the Ukraine war can be summed up by the fact that the countrys digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov told the Times that the technology is the blood of our entire communication infrastructure now. Citizens, on the other hand, use Starlink to keep in touch with family, work, and keep up to date on the latest developments, particularly in frontline regions. Reports last year said Musk was mulling over turning off Starlink in order to bring Ukraine to the table with Trump over a US $500 billion (45,095 billion) rare earths deal. Musk said at the time he would never turn off [Starlink] terminals, no matter how much he disagreed with Ukrainian policy and would never use them as a bargaining chip. There are obviously concerns about tech sovereignty because then you will only be depending on one provider, Starlink but sovereignty at this point becomes a second priority priority number one is winning the war, Dario Garcia de Viedma, fellow of technology and digital policy at the Elcano Royal Institute think tank in Spain, told EuroNews. Ukraine is definitely making sovereignty concessions to win the war and so is Europe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Experts sound alarm However, not everyone is thrilled by these developments. Some in the United States government have noted the pitfalls of a private citizen like Musk controlling a system that could potentially affect the lives of hundreds of millions in countries around the world. A US defence official told The New Yorker, Living in the world we live in, in which Elon runs this company and it is a private business under his control, we are living off his good graces. Some in the United States government have noted the pitfalls of a private citizen like Musk controlling a system. AP People in Britain too are taking notice. Elon Musks current global dominance exemplifies the dangers of concentrated power in unregulated domains, Martha Lane Fox, a member of Britains upper house of parliament and ex-board member of X, said during a debate. Its control rests solely with Musk, allowing his whims to dictate access to vital infrastructure. This can have real-world implications. For example, last July, Starlink systems used by Ukrainian military units were down for two and a half hours overnight as part of a global issue that disrupted the satellite internet provider. Oleksandr Dmitriev, the founder of OCHI, a Ukrainian system that centralises feeds from thousands of drone crews across the frontline, said the outage showed that relying on cloud services to command units and relay battlefield drone reconnaissance was a huge risk. If connection to the internet is lost the ability to conduct combat operations is practically gone, he said, calling for a move towards local communication systems that are not reliant on the internet. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Musk in 2022 ordered a shutdown of Starlink during a pivotal Ukrainian offensive in Kherson, a strategic region north of the Black Sea that Ukraine was trying to reclaim, causing many on the ground to panic. There were reports that Musk was worried about what the Russians would do in response to the offensive, which ultimately failed. The aftermath of the development left many officials in Kyiv shaken. Musk himself told the Financial Times that China had asked him to ensure none of its citizens get access to Starlink. To this day, the service remains inactive in China. Till date, there remains no international legal framework about how such private orbital infrastructure can be used during wars. In todays world, where information remains power, some of that is now owned by the worlds richest man. With inputs from agencies Time and again, Donald Trump has threatened to take away Greenland from Denmark to keep it safe from China. While the Asian giant has stakes in the Arctic region, the risks are not as high as the US president claims US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to take Greenland by force from Nato ally Denmark in order to keep the Arctic island from Beijings hands. But analysts suggested China is a small player in the Arctic region, and thus far from the threat Trump has argued. Here is what we know about Beijings presence in the region: Covered with Chinese ships? Despite Trumps claim that, without US intervention, Greenland would have Chinese destroyers and submarines all over the place, Beijings Arctic military presence is underwhelming. Greenland is not swarming with Chinese and Russian vessels. This is nonsense, said to Paal Sigurd Hilde at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In other parts of the Arctic, China's modest military presence has grown in collaboration with Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Chinas only pathway to gaining significant influence in the Arctic goes through Russia, Hilde said. The two countries have increased joint Arctic and coast guard operations, including a 2024 bomber patrol near Alaska. China also operates a handful of icebreakers equipped with deep-sea mini-submarines, which could map the seabed potentially useful for military deployment and satellites for Arctic observation. Beijing says they are for scientific research. Is Chinas influence growing? These activities are potential security concerns if Chinas military or military-linked assets establish a regular presence in the region, said Helena Legarda at the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Berlin. China has clear ambitions to expand its footprint and influence in the region, which it considers an emerging arena for geopolitical competition, she said. Beijing launched the Polar Silk Road project in 2018 the Arctic arm of its transnational Belt and Road infrastructure initiative and aims to become a polar great power by 2030. It has established scientific research stations in Iceland and Norway, while Chinese firms have invested in projects like Russian liquefied natural gas and a Swedish railway line. Competition with China for resources and access to trade routes in the Arctic could threaten European interests, Legarda said. Recently, however, China has faced pushback. Proposals to buy an abandoned naval station in Greenland and an airport in Finland have failed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US reportedly pressured nations to reject Chinese companies. In 2019, Greenland opted against using Chinas Huawei for its 5G networks. Russia remains the exception, with China investing heavily in resources and ports along Russias northern coast. What is China seeking? Greenland has the worlds eighth-largest rare earth reserves, elements vital for technologies including electric vehicles and military equipment, according the US Geological Survey. While China dominates global production of these critical materials, its attempts to tap Greenlands resources have seen limited success. A Chinese-linked project at a massive deposit in Kvanefjeld was halted by the Greenland government in 2021 over environmental concerns, while another deposit in southern Greenland was sold to a New York-based firm in 2024 after US lobbying. A general view shows Nuuk as the sun sets in Greenland. File image/Reuters There was a fear in Denmark and the US that mining investments several times the GDP of Greenland could have led to Chinese influence a decade ago, but the investments never materialised, said Jesper Willaing Zeuthen, associate professor at Aalborg University. More recently, Beijing discourages engagement, because the diplomatic costs have been too high. Transforming shipping routes The Polar Silk Road aims to link China to Europe via Arctic routes increasingly accessible as warming temperatures melt Arctic sea ice. China and Russia agreed in October to develop the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along Russias northern border. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last year, a Chinese ship reached Britain in 20 days via the Arctic, half the time of the regular Suez Canal route. The passage could transform global shipping and reduce Chinese reliance on the Straits of Malacca for its trade. But ships have to be modified to travel through ice, fog makes navigation difficult, and the weather is extreme. Chinese ships made just 14 NSR voyages last year, mostly carrying Russian gas. Another possible route the Northwest Passage follows the Canadian archipelago, potentially mitigating the risks of a Russian and Chinese-dominated northern passage. The NSR does not pass by Greenland, so it is not the source for Trumps claim of Chinese ships prowling the islands coastline. Zeuthen maintains there is no sign of Chinese military activity in or around the Arctic part of Greenland. Actual security issues are very hard to identify, he said. Thousands of New York City nurses are on strike after no agreement was reached to resolve contract disputes over pay and safer working conditions. Affected hospitals have called the strike reckless, accusing the nurses of abandoning patients Members of the New York State Nurses Association union picket outside the NewYork-Presbyterian hospital, during their strike in New York City, U.S., January 12, 2026. Reuters Nearly 15,000 New York City (NYC) nurses at several major hospitals are on strike after contract negotiations between five major hospitals and the state nurses union stalled after months of bargaining. According to the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), nurses are walking off the job at five privately run hospitals, including Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, and NewYork-Presbyterian in Manhattan, and Montefiore Einstein in the Bronx. A demonstrator holds a banner while New York State Nurses Association union members walk the picket line outside the Mount Sinai Hospital as they strike in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., January 12, 2026. Reuters The union-led strike has accused large hospitals across NYC of putting profits over safe patient care. The strike began on Monday (January 12) after their contract expired on December 31, according to an ABC News report. New York City Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the strike. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is one of the largest nurses strikes in New York Citys history, CBS News reported. Heres what to know about the situation. Why are nurses on strike in NYC? Higher pay, workplace safety during contract negotiations, full health care coverage, and pensions are long-standing union demands. The unions pointed out that CEO compensation at three hospitals Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and New York Presbyterian is nearly 12,000 times more than that of the average nurse, reported the Guardian. President of NYSNA, Nancy Hagans, who worked at Maimonides Medical Centre in Brooklyn for over 30 years, told the news publication, Hospitals are pushing to scale back safe staffing ratios. They are refusing to guarantee healthcare benefit coverage for nurses, and declining to address workplace safety issues. Members of the New York State Nurses Association union picket outside the New York-Presbyterian Milstein hospital, during their strike in New York City, U.S., January 12, 2026. Reuters She also noted that hospitals are suggesting slashing benefits during a severe flu spike. These hospitals are pushing to cut health benefits for nurses who put their own health on the line to care for New Yorkers during this historic flu surge, Hagans added. Nurses do not want to strike, but our bosses have forced us out on strike, Times quoted the NYSNA president as saying. Our average salary is about 125-130,000. We are also asking for fair wages. Wages, we would negotiate, but patient care, we will not cut corners. According to media reports, management claims we are asking for 40 per cent, which is false, as the CEO of NYP earned $23 million last year (roughly Rs 190.9 crore). His two-day salary is more than what nurses make in a year, Hagans was quoted as saying by NPR. Hagans highlighted workplace violence as a reason to strike, citing an incident at a Brooklyn hospital last week that ended in a fatal police shooting. She furthered, We are also asking for workplace violence protection because, as you know, it has been a rampage. And last week - Thursday - there was an active shooter at New York Methodist, which belongs to NYP in Brooklyn, New York. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nurses feel they have no option but to walk off work. CBS News quoted a registered nurse, Cecilia Barreto, picketing outside Mount Sinai, as saying, I have been here two years. I know that there are nurses who have battled cancer and depend on their health care. So we need to make sure that the health care we receive stays intact because their lives depend on it. How are affected hospitals responding? Hospital officials, who have been part of negotiations, have called the unions demand expensive. In a previous statement, Montefiore Hospital called some of the demands irresponsible. In a joint statement, all affected hospitals called the unions strike reckless and accused striking nurses of abandoning patients, according to media reports. CBS News quoted hospital officials as saying, NYSNA leadership has chosen to abandon patients in their time of need, but Montefiore Medical Centre, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian will not. Their decision to walk out on our patients can only be described as reckless. Mount Sinai announced it is prepared for a prolonged strike, adding, We have taken every step to best support our patients and employees in the event of NYSNA forcing our nurses to walk away. Demonstrators hold banners as New York State Nurses Association union members walk the picket line outside Mount Sinai Hospital during their strike in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., January 12, 2026. Reuters A spokesperson for Mount Sinai told The New York Times that nurses there make an average of $162,000 a year (approximately Rs 1.46 crore) and that NYSNAs asks would raise that amount to $275,000 (approximately Rs 2.48 crore) over three years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The health care system is under siege financially. The demands of the union are so outrageous that there is no way they can concede to what the union is asking for, Kenneth E Raske, the president of the trade group Greater New York Hospital Association, told the Times. Meanwhile, a few hospitals in the area, including all Northwell Health facilities in Nassau County, reached a deal with NYSNA. What could the strike mean for patients? New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed executive orders on Friday (January 9) to maintain staffing levels at affected hospitals during the New York City nurses strike. The affected hospitals will remain open. Travel nurses have been hired to temporarily cover for workers protesting at this time. Montefiore announced that its emergency rooms will remain open. There must be no delay in treatment, and appointments should not be rescheduled. According to a CBS News report, NYSNA also stated that patients should continue seeking care. What did Mayor Mamdani say? New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stood alongside protesters outside New York-Presbyterian in Washington Heights. Mamdani stated, In every one of our citys darkest periods, nurses showed up to work. Their value is not negotiable, and their worth is not up for debate. They show up, and all they are asking for in return is dignity, respect and the fair pay and treatment that they deserve. They should settle for nothing less, he added, according to CBS News. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The New York City Mayor also took to his X handle, releasing a similar statement the night before the strike and urged both sides to come to the bargaining table. The safety and wellbeing of this city is my top priority and ensuring New Yorkers have the care they need is critical, especially during flu season. The city's Emergency Management team, FDNY, health department, public hospital system, and my senior leadership team are in Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 12, 2026 He wrote on X, 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. Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable. They must bargain in good faith, and they must arrive at a deal that is satisfactory to all, that allows the nurses who work in this city to live in this city, Mamdani furthered. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a news conference with the mayor, New York Attorney General Letitia James echoed the sentiment. Health care workers are being stretched to their limits, and as workplace violence in hospitals is on the rise, nurses are asking simply for the basics, she said. With inputs from agencies Donald Trumps decision to take over Venezuelan oil could potentially play into Indias hands. With sanctions on Russia, could India benefit from the South American nations crude? A flame burning natural gas is seen at an heavy-crude treatment plant operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, in the oil rich Orinoco belt, near Cabrutica at the state of Anzoategui, April 16, 2015. File Image/Reuters India is watching events in Venezuela closely. The Trump administration removing long-time strongman Nicolas Maduro and vowing to take over the countrys oil could potentially play into Indias hands. The US President has claimed that Venezuela will be turning over 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil. This oil will be sold at its market price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States! Trump wrote on social media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what do we know? Why does this matter? Lets take a closer look. Indias oil requirements Data show India requires around 5 million barrels of oil per day to meet domestic requirements. Little surprise then that the country imports around 90 per cent of its crude oil, making it among the top global importers. Before the outbreak of the Ukraine war in 2022, India got most of its oil from Iraq (24 per cent), Saudi Arabia (16 per cent), the United States (10 per cent) and Russia (two per cent). However, since then, India has seen a sea change in where it gets its oil. Since 2022, India has imported crude oil worth nearly $144 billion from Russia. New Delhi is Moscows second-biggest crude importer after Beijing, as per data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Much of this is due to the deep discounts Russia offered on its oil in 2022 and 2023. While Russia reduced its discounts in 2024, India continued to buy Russian crude in large amounts. Indias dependence on Russian crude India today gets around 35 per cent of its oil from Russia around two million barrels of oil per day. India also gets oil from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the United States in large quantities, as well as Kuwait, West Africa and Mexico in smaller amounts. India currently buys discounted Russian crude, around $10 to $15 (Rs 903 to Rs 1,354) per barrel cheaper than Brent which is priced at around $63 (Rs 5,687) per barrel. Even after shipping costs, Russian crude may only cost around $50 to $54 (Rs 4,514 to Rs 4,875) per barrel for India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, Russia has been increasingly under pressure from the United States and the European Union. Trump previously imposed a 25 per cent levy on India for buying Russian crude, which has already factored into the oil price. He has also given his seal of approval to a bill which would allow the United States to levy a 500 per cent tariff on those buying oil from Russia. India today gets around 35 per cent of its oil from Russia around two million barrels of oil per day. New Delhi, as a result, has been diversifying its oil sources. According to data from analysis firm Kpler, Russian supply of crude oil to India fell to a three-year low of about 1.2 million barrels per day in December 2025. Data from the Union Commerce Ministry in December showed that Indias oil bill went from $5.8 billion (Rs. 523.6 billion) in October 2024 to $3.55 billion (Rs. 320.5 billion) in October 2025. India, at the same time, has been increasing its crude oil imports from the United States. US crude oil imports touched 2.7 million tonnes in November 2025, comprising 13.2 per cent of total imports. This comes after Indias US crude oil imports spiked almost 92 per cent between April and November 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias crude imports from Venezuela Venezuela, meanwhile, is nowhere to be seen when it comes to the list of Indias oil imports. This is because India, as per the Ministry of Commerce, comprised just one per cent of the countrys total crude import bill between April and December 2024 at $1 billion (Rs 90.27 billion). Data show that India imported a meagre 22 million barrels of Venezuelan crude in 2024, around 1.5 per cent of its total crude imports in that year. Interestingly, this was not always the case. In the mid-2010s, Venezuela comprised around 12 per cent of Indias oil imports. In 2013, trade between the two countries hit $13 billion (Rs 1.17 trillion), around 10 per cent of Indias total crude imports. However, by 2020, the oil trade had hit a low of just $0.64 billion (Rs 57.8 billion). US President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuela will be turning over 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil. Reuters So, what happened? US sanctions resulted in Venezuelas crude not being widely available in global markets. Payment difficulties and market dynamics also drastically altered the equation for India. Now, with Venezuela poised to reopen its oil supply to the world, India must decide if it is worth taking a relook at Caracas again as a potential oil source. However, it is likely that Venezuelan crude will be priced at around $60 (Rs 5,416) per barrel after shipping routes direct from Venezuela or via the US and pricing mechanisms are decided. At this level, it would be around $7 to $10 (Rs 632 to Rs 903) per barrel more expensive than Russian oil to India. If it is tagged to the price of Brent crude, it could be even higher. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Which works better for India? Experts say it will take some time to see how things shake out. Its too early to say anything yet because the US policy on Venezuelas governance is still indeterminate, Deepak Bhojwani, former Indian Ambassador to Venezuela, told The Quint. Though President Trump has said they will exploit Venezuelan oil, we cannot be certain what role non-US companies may be called upon to play in exploration and related activities, he added. Possible benefits to India will depend upon the price at which the oil is offered, which again will depend upon who will be allowed to sell because the US may not give Venezuelan oil companies a free hand. Trump may decide to first allow US-based companies that operated earlier in Venezuela to recover what they lost and only then compensate others. Economist Soumya Bhowmick told the outlet that more stability in Venezuelas energy market would make things more predictable for India. That could help unlock long-pending receivables and dividends for Indian companies and give India incremental diversification in trade with Venezuela, Bhowmick added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In short, Russian oil remains a safer bet for India right now. Venezuelan crude could become a valuable diversification in the medium to long term, but only if production and politics stabilise. With inputs from agencies Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has said that his government plans to introduce a bill to cut 10 per cent of employees salaries if they do not take care of their parents. He stressed that the deducted pay will be transferred to the parents bank account It is all about loving your parents. This seems to be Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddys new motto. The government has announced stern action against state government employees who mistreat and neglect their parents. While announcing Sankranthi welfare measures, Reddy said that if elderly parents lodge complaints against their children who hold government jobs, they will face a 10 per cent salary deduction. He also highlighted that the 10 per cent will be transferred directly to parents bank accounts. The state government plans to introduce a new law to address the issue. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Currently, Assam is the only state in India with a similar law in force, following the governments implementation of the PRANAM Act, which permits salary deductions from government employees who fail to look after their dependent parents. Telangana could join the Northeastern state soon. Heres what we know about the proposed bill in Telangana. Neglect parents and pay the price The Telangana government has decided to intervene to ensure dignity and security for parents, particularly the elderly. CM Reddy on Monday (January 12) announced that his plans to introduce a law to deduct 10-15 per cent of the salaries of state government employees who do not support their ageing parents financially. We are introducing a new bill in the Assembly. If any state government employee is found neglecting the well-being of their parents, the government will deduct 10 to 15 per cent of their salary and deposit it directly into their parents account, said the CM while speaking at a public event. Governments stern action against state government employees who neglect their parents. File Image Moneycontrol quoted Reddy as saying that a draft bill will be prepared soon and presented in the upcoming Budget session of the Assembly. He justified the governments action, saying that intervention was necessary as many were ignoring their moral responsibility. Employees should ensure that some part of their salary reaches their parents, especially when they are ageing, he advised. According to the Congress leader, parents from poor and middle-class families are often overlooked once their sons and daughters secure government jobs. Reddys day-care facilities for the old Further highlighting the plight of elderly parents, CM Reddy also launched Pranaam Day Care Centres, day-care facilities for senior citizens. He said, People who dont care about their parents have no responsibility towards society. The government is here to set them right. The Pranaam centres are being built for Rs 1 crore each in 37 locations. The objective is to bring senior citizens together to interact with their peers; they will receive quality food and other amenities. The state government has allocated Rs 50 crore for the new scheme, according to media reports. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD CM Reddy announced day-care facilities for the old. File Image Recently, the Telangana High Court ordered a man and his wife to pay monthly maintenance of Rs 6,000 to his parents and provide adequate care, especially to the bedridden mother, or else they would have no right to continue living in their parents property. The verdict was delivered under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. Assams PRANAM Act In 2017, Assam became the first state in India to require government employees to look after their dependent parents. The Assam Employees Parental Responsibility Norms for Accountability Monitoring Act, 2017 (PRANAM Act), was passed by the Assam Assembly on September 16, 2017, according to the government of Assams official website. Under the PRANAM Act, employees of the state government and other organisations in Assam are responsible for caring for their parents and divyang siblings (differently abled). The Act applies to the whole of Assam, and all state government employees are subject to its provisions. With inputs from agencies As Iran faces its deadliest protests in years, US President Donald Trump is weighing a range of responses, from fresh sanctions and cyber operations to diplomacy and possible military action. With hundreds reportedly killed and Tehran warning of retaliation, Washington is deciding between pressure tactics and negotiations A man wearing a mask depicting US President Donald Trump attends a rally in support of the people of Gaza, after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran, October 10, 2025. File Image/WANA via Reuters Iran is witnessing one of the most severe waves of anti-government protests in recent years. The unrest, which began in late December, has transformed into nationwide demonstrations that challenge the authority of the Islamic Republic. Iranian authorities have responded with a forceful crackdown, reportedly killing hundreds of protesters and restricting access to the internet and mobile communications. As the situation inside Iran deteriorates, United States President Donald Trump is weighing a broad range of responses. His administration is considering economic penalties, cyber operations, diplomatic engagement, and potential military action. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Senior members of Trumps national security team were scheduled to meet at the White House on Tuesday to discuss possible next steps. Whats happening in Iran? The current unrest in Iran began in late December after the countrys worsening economic situation pushed living costs higher and weakened the national currency. The Iranian rial has lost roughly half of its value over the past year, reaching record lows of around one million rials per US dollar, according to LSEG data. What started as protests over financial hardship soon expanded into broader demonstrations against the Islamic Republics leadership. These protests have been described as the deepest and most widespread in years, with the government struggling to contain the unrest. Tehran has intensified its response, deploying security forces to suppress demonstrations. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 500 people have been killed. Authorities have also restricted internet and phone services, limiting the flow of information from inside the country. Iranian leaders have accused foreign governments of fuelling the unrest. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed the US and Israel for encouraging instability, while Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has signalled that the government will not soften its stance. Last Friday, Khamenei said Irans leadership would not back down despite the protests. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of Irans parliament, issued a warning during a session broadcast live on state television. He said that if the US attacks Iran, Israel and all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What has Trump said? Trump has taken a hard line on Iran as the protests have increased. He has publicly supported the demonstrators and repeatedly warned Tehran against using lethal force. Last Friday, amid reports of protesters being killed, Trump told reporters that Iran was in big trouble and warned that they better not start shooting because well start shooting, too. He added, Well be hitting them very hard where it hurts. And that doesnt mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts. On Saturday, Trump wrote that the United States would come to the rescue of Iranians if the authorities continued killing protesters, adding, Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!! On Monday, Trump announced that he was prepared to impose a new economic penalty on countries doing business with Iran. In an online post, he said a 25 per cent tariff would be applied to any country doing business with Iran on any and all business being done with the United States of America. What are Trumps options in Iran? According to a US official who spoke to ABC News, the options under consideration include additional sanctions on senior Iranian officials, as well as restrictions on Irans energy and banking sectors. Former US officials say the list of possible actions extends beyond financial pressure. These options range from large-scale military operations to more targeted strikes against Iranian leaders or security infrastructure that have been linked to the violent suppression of protests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US is also examining cyber operations aimed at Iranian government systems, along with online influence campaigns designed to strengthen the digital presence of protesters and undermine Tehrans messaging. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump keeps all options available. I think 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 on the table for the commander in chief. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president, she told reporters. Leavitt also suggested that Irans private communications with Washington differ from its public statements. I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages. However, with that said, the president has shown hes unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, she said. Mick Mulroy, a former US deputy assistant secretary of defence for West Asia, told ABC News that Trump is likely to receive intelligence assessments on the potential consequences of military action. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I believe if they chose to move forward [on a military strike] it will be focused on regime targets specific to controlling, or oppressing, the protests, Mulroy said. He added that such strikes could target the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Basij forces or other internal security units that have been blamed for protester deaths. Reports from The Wall Street Journal and Politico say Trumps aides are preparing to brief him on measures such as cyberattacks against Iranian military and civilian systems, covert action, and efforts to strengthen anti-government voices online. One proposal under discussion is sending Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran. Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, could allow protesters to bypass government-imposed internet restrictions. Trump said he would speak to Musk about the idea. We may get the internet going, if thats possible, Trump told reporters. We may speak to Elon Musk. Im going to call him as soon as Im finished with you. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran has reportedly attempted to jam Starlink signals during the latest protests. Will Trump deploy US military? Politico also reported that Trump is not expected to deploy American ground forces inside Iran and that there has been no major movement of US military assets so far. Washington could also target nuclear, military, or government facilities to weaken Irans capabilities and discourage disruptive actions. Irans leadership has reportedly strengthened security measures around senior Revolutionary Guard figures and Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei, making targeted strikes more difficult. Some US lawmakers have expressed doubts about the effectiveness of bombing Iran. Republican Senator Rand Paul said, I dont know that bombing Iran will have the effect that is intended. Democratic Senator Mark Warner also warned that military action could unite Iranians against an external enemy rather than weaken the government. Others in Washington argue for a tougher approach. Senator Lindsey Graham said Trump should take stronger action against Iranian leaders. If I were you, Mr President, I would kill the leadership that is killing the people, Graham said on Fox News. Youve got to end this. Graham also said Trump needs to embolden the protesters and scare the hell out of the [Iranian] regime. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Irans former shah who was overthrown in 1979, has said he is ready to return to Iran to help guide a democratic transition. What do we know about the US military presence in the region? There are currently around 30,000 U.S. troops stationed across the region. This includes 2,500 troops in Iraq and 1,000 in Syria. The Pentagon would likely move additional assets to the region if tensions escalate, particularly to protect US forces from potential Iranian retaliation. The US Navy has six ships in the area, including three guided missile destroyers capable of defending against ballistic missile threats. At present, there is no aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East or Europe. The USS Gerald Ford and its strike group are in the Caribbean after being relocated from the Mediterranean to support operations related to Venezuela. Military experts say that while large-scale operations against Iran remain less likely due to the risks involved, Washington is maintaining readiness to protect its forces and interests in the region. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said, Were looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options. He added, Well make a determination. What about negotiations? Even as Trump issues warnings, diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran has not stopped. Leavitt said Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has been communicating directly with Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Araghchi said on Monday that Iran is prepared for war with the United States but remains open to diplomatic talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that the communication channel with Witkoff remains open and that whenever necessary, messages are exchanged through that channel. He also said that certain points and ideas have been presented by the other side. Trump has indicated that Iranian officials contacted him over the weekend to discuss negotiations. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, he said, They want to negotiate. I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States. He added that a meeting could take place soon, but also warned that action might come first. 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. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been consulting US allies about the situation. The State Department said Rubio spoke with his counterparts in France and Cyprus over the weekend. He also discussed the unrest with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to an Israeli official. The US State Department has also posted messages in Farsi on X, including a warning to Tehran, Dont play games with President Trump. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies Indian Army chief dismisses Pakistans nuclear posturing as empty political talk. General Upendra Dwivedi clarified during recent high level army discussions that no such threats surfaced in direct military communications between the two sides leading to a ceasefire along the border. Army chief punctures nuclear bluff Speaking at the annual Indian Army conference Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi directly addressed Pakistans repeated nuclear sabre rattling. He emphasised that during critical telephonic exchanges between the Directors General of Military Operations from both nuclear powers no mention of atomic weapons occurred. These talks facilitated a temporary halt to cross border skirmishes proving that frontline commanders focused on de escalation rather than escalation. Dwivedi pointed out that only civilian politicians from Pakistan indulged in such provocative statements distancing the militaries professional dialogue from domestic rhetoric. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Defence ministers loose talk Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stands out for his unguarded remarks earning him criticism even within his own circles. Back in May 2025 as tensions boiled over between India and Pakistan Asif warned in a television interview that existential threats to his nation would trigger unthinkable responses. He alluded to deploying nuclear capabilities stating that survival instincts would override all restraint. Such outbursts drew global scrutiny during a period when both countries edged closer to confrontation amplifying fears of miscalculation between atomic armed neighbours. Missile tests signal intent Adding fuel to the fire Pakistan conducted back to back missile launches just days apart in the midst of the standoff. Observers interpreted these firings as deliberate displays of capability aimed at both domestic audiences and international watchers. The rapid succession underscored Islams urgency to project resolve amid accusations of internal fragility and external pressure. Coming shortly after Asifs comments the tests reinforced perceptions of coordinated signalling though Indian assessments deemed them routine rather than immediate threats. Close aides echo threats Prominent voices close to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif piled on with similar warnings. Analyst Najam Sethi a trusted confidant outlined grim scenarios during a Samaa TV appearance. He asserted that Pakistani forces would resort to tactical nuclear strikes against invading troops on home soil if dismemberment loomed. Sethi painted a vivid picture of Indian advances splitting key regions prompting a desperate counter with atomic arms. His confident tone suggested widespread acceptance of such doctrines within influential Pakistani quarters challenging Indias strategic calculations. Military dialogue prevails General Dwivedis revelations highlight a stark divide between Pakistans public bluster and private negotiations. While politicians and pundits amplify doomsday narratives professional soldiers stick to operational realities. The DGMO hotline remains a vital channel for cooling tempers preventing rhetoric from spilling into action. This pattern exposes nuclear talk as leverage rather than intent especially when ceasefire agreements follow swiftly. Indias measured response underscores confidence in its deterrence posture refusing to match bluster with panic. As border calm holds attention shifts to underlying disputes demanding sustained vigilance over fleeting provocations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Union Budget will be presented at 11am on Sunday, February 1, in a rare break from parliamentary convention, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said The Budget Session of Parliament will commence on January 28 and continue until April 2. The Union Budget will be presented at 11am on Sunday, February 1, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed on Monday, marking a rare departure from parliamentary convention. The announcement was made during a media briefing ahead of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), which India is set to host later this month. This will be the first instance in recent memory of a budget being presented on a Sunday, Birla said, underlining that elected representatives are expected to work without interruption. The Union budget will be presented at 11am on Sunday, February 1. Elected representatives are public servants and they are expected to work on all days without taking a break, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Parliament does not usually sit on Saturdays and Sundays, except on special occasions. In 1999, the budget presentation was advanced by a day, as February 28 fell on a Sunday. The long-standing convention of presenting the budget on February 28 was later changed to February 1 by the Narendra Modi government. Providing details of the CSPOC conference scheduled for January 15-16, Birla said discussions would focus on shared parliamentary values, democratic governance and institutional cooperation. The agenda will also include deliberations on the role of artificial intelligence in Parliament and the impact of social media on parliamentarians. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the conference on January 15. Birla said 42 of the 53 Commonwealth countries had confirmed their participation. Pakistan and Bangladesh are among those not attending. While Bangladesh currently does not have a Speaker, Birla declined to comment on Pakistans absence. Participation will be high this time, but some countries will be unable to attend for various reasons, primarily because their parliaments will be in session, he said. CSPOC 2026, being hosted by India, will be historic in terms of participation; from 67 member parliaments, 61 presiding officers are participating, he added. Indian and Sri Lankan cuisines are closely related due to geography, shared history, trade, and cultural exchange, especially with South India. Both the countries love rice, coconut, and aromatic spices as its major ingredients. We love our curries and rice-based dishes like idiyappam and dosa. In a recent visit to Sri Lanka, I realised how similar are the dishes of both the countries. Both cuisines frequently dry-roast and grind spices to create fresh spice blends. Commonly used spices include curry leaves, mustard seeds, cumin and coriander seeds, turmeric, chilli, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Anish Padgaonkar, Chef, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Sri Lanka rightly says, Their similarities are clearly seen in spices, dishes, and cooking methods, while each cuisine still retains its own identity. Actress Indira Tiwari who starred in the Sri Lankan-Indian-French co-production Spying Stars, a meditative sci-fi drama directed by acclaimed Sri Lankan filmmaker Vimukthi Jayasundara, where she plays a bio-engineer returning to a fractured Earth, exploring consciousness amidst a machine-driven world. She spent a few months in Sri Lanka during the making of this film. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Talking about her favourite dish from Sri Lanka Indira mentioned about Halapa, a popular, traditional, and healthy Sri Lankan sweet snack made from kurakkan flour (finger millet), coconut, and sweetened with treacle or sugar, often flavored with cardamom, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed to create a soft, chewy treat is a perfect snack. Halapa, a popular, traditional, and healthy Sri Lankan sweet snack made from kurakkan flour (finger millet) Chef Anish explains that rice is the staple grain in both cuisines, accompanied by curries, lentil-based dishes, and fermented foods. Cooking methods such as tempering spices in oil, slow-cooking curries, steaming, deep-frying, and fermenting batters are widely shared. Sri Lankan food is gaining global recognition through migration, restaurant expansion, and media exposure. Sri Lankan communities in the UK, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, and Europe have introduced dishes such as kottu roti, hoppers, and rice and curry to international audiences. Social media and food travel content have further increased global awareness of Sri Lankan cuisine. At Cinnamon Life, global food is given a twist to match the Asian pallets. The focus is on using the best seasonal local and international produce while preserving authentic flavours tailored to Asian palates, adds Chef Anish. Sri Lankan Chinese food Just like Indian Chinese, Sri Lankan Chinese food is a fusion of traditional Chinese cooking techniques with Sri Lankan spices and ingredients. It is generally spicier, incorporating curry leaves, chilli, and sometimes coconut milk. Both cuisines feature rice and noodles, but Sri Lankan Chinese dishes are bolder, spicier, and more aromatic, says Chef Anish. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hoppers (Appa) with egg is highly popular among Indian travellers, particularly those from South India, due to their similarity to dosa and appam. The crispy edges, soft centre, and coconut-based accompaniments make the dish familiar yet distinct. Rumesh Fernando, Senior Executive Sous Chef, Cinnamon Life says, Sri Lankan cuisine strongly highlights local produce. Coconut is used in various forms, rice is the staple grain, and vegetables such as jackfruit, breadfruit, drumstick, and leafy greens are common. Seafood plays a major role due to the islands coastal geography, and spices such as cinnamon, pepper, cloves, and cardamom are deeply rooted in local agriculture. The tropical climate influences Sri Lankan cuisine significantly. Spices with medicinal properties aid digestion and immunity, while coconut-based dishes help cool the body. Seasonal produce and monsoon weather influence menu choices, favouring hearty curries and warming dishes. Kottu Roti is the most popular Sri Lankan street food. It is filling, affordable, and full of flavours. Bollywood actress from Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernande once mentioned about Kottu Roti which we also get in coastal Andhra Pradesh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chef Rumesh says, Curry leaves, cinnamon, black pepper, dried red chilies, turmeric, cumin, coriander seeds, fenugreek, cardamom, cloves, and mustard seeds. Going back to the grand-mothers cuisine in Sri Lanka, the most favourite is Pol Sambol is a traditional coconut relish often associated with family meals and childhood memories. Made with freshly grated coconut, chilli, onion, lime, and salt, it is simple yet deeply comforting and commonly served with rice, hoppers, or bread. Donald Trump is not reviving the empire so much as exposing its limits. The very need to assert hemispheric dominance so explicitly suggests that such dominance is no longer taken for granted An activist, wearing a cutout mask depicting US. President Donald Trump, stands in front of a Venezuelan flag in central Seoul, South Korea. Trump has issued threats to Cuba, Colombia and Mexico after the strikes in Venezuela. Reuters On January 3, 2026, the United States undertook a military operation in Venezuela that culminated in the capture and forcible removal of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from Caracas. U.S. Special Operations forces executed strikes on Venezuelan military targets, seized Maduro, and transported him to the United States on charges of narco-terrorism and corruption. President Donald Trump then declared that America would run Venezuela, offering American oil companies unfettered access to rebuild the countrys dilapidated energy infrastructure. This action marks the most overt U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the invasion of Panama in 1989, raising serious questions about legality, strategic priorities, and global norms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the heart of this intervention is an explicit and peculiar invocation of the Monroe Doctrine, rebranded in Trumps rhetoric as the Don-Roe Doctrine. A 200-year-old political warning, articulated in a world of European empires and wooden navies, is being retrofitted to justify 21st-century military coercion against a sovereign state. What began in 1823 as a defensive assertion against European colonisation has now been transformed into an affirmative licence for regime change. Trump declared that American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again, repurposing historical doctrine to justify kinetic force against a sovereign state absent any United Nations mandate or clear act of self-defence. This is not continuity; it is doctrinal opportunism. Neo-Mercantilism & Oil-for-Goods Imperialism Venezuela possesses the worlds largest proven oil reserves, with an estimated 303 billion barrels of crude about 17 per cent of global reserves surpassing Saudi Arabia and every other country on Earth. The Trump administration has openly discussed American firms investing billions to revitalise those assets. However, the economic logic underpinning the intervention is strikingly anachronistic. Washingtons plan to sell Venezuelan oil through American firms, recycle portions of the revenue back into Caracas, and then require that money be spent exclusively on U.S.-made products resembles not liberal capitalism, but neo-mercantilism. Control of petro-resources, under the guise of stabilisation, blurs the line between strategic energy policy and neo-colonial exploitation. In outlining this arrangement, Donald Trump made the economic intent explicit: I have just been informed that Venezuela is going to be purchasing ONLY American-made products, with the money they receive from our new oil deal In other words, Venezuela is committing to doing business with the United States of America as their principal partner a wise choice, and a very good thing for the people of Venezuela, and the United States. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The structure mirrors classical imperial trade systems, where colonies supplied resources and the metropole controlled manufacturing and finance. In this sense, the analogy to the British East India Company is not rhetorical excess; it is analytically precise. Simulated War & Strategic Irrationality This is not liberal internationalism; it is coercive mercantilism masquerading as reconstruction. This is not a war for survival, balance of power, or hegemonic necessity. Venezuela poses no strategic or existential threat to core U.S. interests. It does not alter the global balance of power. It does not affect U.S. deterrence credibility against peer rivals. Even by the standards of realist international relations theory, the intervention is incoherent. Realists argue that great powers go to war to preserve survival, balance power, or prevent peer competitors from gaining decisive advantages. Venezuela satisfies none of these criteria. This is why several analysts have described the operation as a simulated war: a high-coercion action untethered from strategic necessity, fought not for security, but for dominance signalling, domestic political theatre, and ideological assertion. Such wars are expensive, destabilising, and, most dangerously, precedent-setting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If realism itself cannot justify the operation, then the intervention is not strategic. It is performative. A Dangerous Precedent for Great Power Politics The ramifications of the U.S. intervention extend far beyond the Caribbean. Analysts note that Washingtons use of force plays directly into the logic that Russian President Vladimir Putin employs to justify his invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has long justified the invasion by claiming that NATOs expansion into Eastern Europe posed an existential threat to Russias security a premise repeatedly articulated by Putin and senior Russian officials as a rationale for war, even if it runs counter to NATO members sovereign choices. These claims have been central to the Kremlins effort to recast its aggression as defensive statecraft rather than unprovoked invasion. Analysts argue that the U.S. operation in Venezuela gives Moscow rhetorical cover to assert that great powers act where they perceive vital interests, a logic that blurs the moral and legal lines between self-defence and hegemonic coercion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Post-Facto Justification: From Monroe to One China Beijings official line on Taiwan is grounded in the One China principle: that Taiwan is part of Chinas sovereign territory and that foreign interference constitutes an infringement on Chinas internal affairs. When a power such as the United States can deploy force in the name of protecting interests or restoring order in a sovereign state, it tacitly reinforces the idea that perceived vital interests can justify unilateral action. That logic resonates with Beijings own narratives about Taiwan. If Washington claims security rationales to enforce its will in Caracas, why cant Beijing claim its own perceived existential imperatives to enforce its will in Taipei? The subjective framing of threat not objective, demonstrable danger is the common thread. The trickle-down effect on Taiwan policy is not merely rhetorical; it is strategic. Norm erosion matters because Taiwans current ambiguous status where its de facto independence is not matched by de jure international recognition depends heavily on international legal norms and great-power restraint. For Taiwan, this is not theoretical. Beijings military build-up, political pressure, and increasingly assertive rhetoric already test the boundary between peaceful unification and coercive annexation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yes, Taiwan is not Venezuela. It is economically central, militarily fortified, and politically entwined with U.S. credibility in Asia. Any Chinese attempt to abduct or remove Taiwans leadership would risk escalation far beyond what Venezuela entailed. However, the most damaging consequence of the Venezuela intervention is not imitation, but the loss of argumentative leverage. Washington can still deter China materially, but its normative case is weakened. When the U.S. condemns coercion in Taiwan, Beijing can now respond not defensively, but comparatively. For Beijing, this reinforces a critical insight: institutional cost is manageable. Condemnations do not reverse faits accomplis. Pax Americana and the Legacy of a Tiring Empire The UN Security Councils paralysis long a feature of Ukraine was reaffirmed by Venezuela. If permanent members act unilaterally and veto accountability, the institution ceases to function as a deterrent. For much of the post-Second World War era, Pax Americana rested on a combination of military superiority, economic centrality, and, critically, normative leadership. The United States did not merely dominate; it persuaded. It built institutions, underwrote global public goods, and cloaked power in the language of universality. That architecture allowed American interests to align, at least rhetorically, with global order. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That equilibrium is now visibly strained. Scholars from Paul Kennedy to Charles Kupchan have warned of imperial overstretch, where global commitments outpace political consensus, fiscal capacity, and moral authority. In such moments, empires do not retreat gracefully; they often double down. They replace rule-making with rule-breaking, persuasion with punishment, and multilateralism with unilateral demonstration. The Venezuela intervention fits this pattern uncomfortably well. Trumps revival of the Monroe Doctrine, recast as the Don-Roe Doctrine, is therefore revealing. It signals not continuity, but regression a retreat from institutional leadership towards civilisational entitlement. Where post-war American power was forward-looking and rule-oriented, this version is backward-glancing, invoking history as a substitute for legitimacy. In this sense, Trump is not reviving the empire so much as exposing its limits. The very need to assert hemispheric dominance so explicitly suggests that such dominance is no longer taken for granted. (Views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of Firstpost.) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Germanys Zeitenwende (strategic turning point) is no longer confined to Europe; it now extends to Asia, with India at its core German Chancellor Friedrich Merzs visit to India (January 12-13) is more than a ceremonial debut tour. It marks a clear political statement: that Berlin now sees New Delhi not only as an important economic partner but also as a central pillar of Germanys global strategy in an era of geopolitical uncertainty. The success of the visit lies not in any single agreement, but in the breadth, coherence, and strategic intent that run through the engagements, from defence and technology to climate finance and people-to-people ties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What made this visit particularly significant is the timing. Germany is recalibrating its foreign policy under the pressure of a protracted war in Ukraine, intensifying US-China rivalry, and the growing fragmentation of global supply chains. India, meanwhile, is positioning itself as a leading voice of the Global South and a key balancing power in the Indo-Pacific. Against this backdrop, Merzs decision to make India his first Asian destination as Chancellor sends a deliberate message: Germanys Zeitenwende (strategic turning point) is no longer confined to Europe; it now extends to Asia, with India at its core. Symbolism with Substance The choice of Ahmedabad rather than Delhi for the principal engagements was not accidental. By beginning with a visit to Sabarmati Ashram and participating in the kite festival, the visit acquired a strong cultural resonance. It evoked shared democratic values and historical memory, particularly Germanys long-standing respect for Mahatma Gandhis legacy. Yet the symbolism is anchored in substance. The CEO Forum, the business-focused leg in Bengaluru, and the presence of 23 leading German CEOs underscored that this was a working visit with economic outcomes firmly in mind. This blending of symbolism and pragmatism reflects the maturation of the relationship. India and Germany have long enjoyed cordial ties but often lacked strategic depth. That gap is now visibly closing. The joint statement reads less like a routine diplomatic document and more like a roadmap for a comprehensive partnership across sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Strategic Turn in Defence Cooperation Perhaps the most striking shift is in defence and security. Germany has traditionally been cautious in defence engagement beyond Nato, but the Merz visit signals a new openness. Germanys intent to participate in exercises such as Milan and Tarang Shakti, the deployment of a liaison officer to Indias Information Fusion CentreIndian Ocean Region, and the endorsement of a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap collectively point towards a more confident German role in the Indo-Pacific. For India, this matters. As New Delhi diversifies its defence partnerships beyond traditional suppliers, Germany offers advanced technologies, credibility within Europe, and political weight in shaping EU defence attitudes. Cooperation on Eurodrone, submarines, counter-UAS systems, and joint R&D creates the possibility of a more balanced, co-development-based relationship rather than a buyerseller dynamic. In a world where defence partnerships increasingly shape geopolitical alignments, this is a quiet but important success of the visit. Economics Beyond Trade Numbers STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bilateral trade crossing $50 billion is impressive, but the real achievement lies in the qualitative shift in economic engagement. Both sides now openly talk about supply chain resilience, SME collaboration, startups, AI, and innovation ecosystems. The joint push for an India-EU Free Trade Agreement reflects a shared recognition that strategic autonomy requires economic interdependence with trusted partners. The CEO Forum outcomes and the new intent to institutionalise business-to-business cooperation indicate that German industry is no longer viewing India merely as a market but as a production base, innovation hub, and strategic partner. Equally, PM Narendra Modis invitation to German universities and companies to embed themselves in India speaks to New Delhis ambition to integrate deeply with European value chains rather than remain on the periphery. Technology and the Politics of the Future Where the visit truly stands out is in critical and emerging technologies. Cooperation on semiconductors, critical minerals, digital governance, AI, and telecommunications reflects a shared understanding that technological ecosystems are now geopolitical assets. The new Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership and the Critical Minerals Joint Declaration are especially significant. They align with global efforts to reduce dependence on over-concentrated supply chains and to build trusted technology networks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Germanys strengths in advanced manufacturing and Indias scale in digital innovation are complementary. If implemented seriously, initiatives such as Indo-German Centres of Excellence and deeper industry-academia collaboration could make this partnership globally relevant, not just bilaterally useful. Climate, Development, and Credibility The Green and Sustainable Development Partnership is often cited, but during the Merz visit it acquires renewed credibility. The fact that nearly 5 billion has already been deployed toward concrete projects, metros, green buses, rooftop solar, battery storage, and hydrogen demonstrates delivery, not just declarations. Germanys concessional finance and Indias large-scale implementation capacity together form a model of climate cooperation that many developing countries see as more equitable than traditional donor-recipient frameworks. Equally important is the scaling up of triangular development cooperation in Africa and Latin America. This signals a shared aspiration to shape global development norms together, not in competition. For a country like India, increasingly active in Africa, Germanys willingness to partner rather than patronise is a meaningful diplomatic gain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indo-Pacific and Global Governance The explicit reaffirmation of a free and open Indo-Pacific, support for UNCLOS, and the launch of a bilateral Indo-Pacific consultation mechanism bring Germany closer to Indias strategic vocabulary. Berlin is no longer a distant European observer but an increasingly engaged stakeholder in regional stability. On global governance, the joint call for UN Security Council reform, support for multilateralism, and coordinated positions on Ukraine, Gaza, climate finance, and global health demonstrate political alignment without forcing artificial uniformity. Germanys backing of Indias role as a representative voice of emerging powers adds diplomatic weight to New Delhis long-standing claims. People-to-People: The Quiet Foundation Finally, the visit succeeds because it recognises that strategic partnerships endure only when societies are connected. Visa-free transit for Indian passport holders, expanded student exchanges, joint degrees, skilling partnerships, and ethical mobility frameworks all address real human aspirations. The growing Indian community in Germany and the deepening institutional links between IITs and German technical universities are not just soft power assets; they are the social infrastructure of a long-term partnership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Conclusion The success of Chancellor Merzs visit lies in its coherence. Defence, technology, trade, climate, education, and geopolitics have not been treated as separate silos but as interconnected elements of a broader strategic convergence. In an increasingly fragmented world, India and Germany are signalling that middle and major powers can still build partnerships based on trust, complementarity, and shared responsibility. This visit may not produce dramatic headlines, but it did something more enduring: it nudged the India-Germany relationship from cordial cooperation towards genuine strategic partnership. That, in diplomacy, is often the clearest mark of success. (The writer is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Asean, and the African Union, and the author of The Mango Flavour: India & Asean After 10 Years of the AEP. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Firstpost.) The future trajectory of relations will depend heavily on how both nations manage their divergent economic and foreign policy priorities A craving for admiration and loyalty is a key aspect of Donald Trump's presidential style. Trump needs constant admiration, and this has an effect on all his interactions. File image/ Reuters Indian-American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam recently said that President Donald Trump has completely messed up the India-US relationship, warning that deteriorating ties between the worlds two largest democracies are hurting both countries economic and strategic interests. What is the way forward for India under Trumpism? Trumpism is described as a right-wing political ideology, movement, and communication style associated with US President Donald Trump and his political base. It is characterised by an America First agenda, which fuses elements of right-wing populism, economic nationalism, and neo-nationalism, often featuring illiberal and authoritarian leanings. It is also characterised by anti-globalism and a distrust of traditional institutions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trumpism is linked to slogans like Make America Great Again and aims to challenge the liberal world order. Some of the core tenets and characteristics of Trumpism are prioritising nationalism and America First over international cooperation, populism, economic protectionism and anti-globalism, which means scepticism towards international organisations. There is an important aspect which should not be overlooked. Trumpism is highly personality-driven, and a very important part of Trumps personality is his big ego. His ego is a central factor in his decision-making and his policies. In a 1995 New York Times opinion piece which he authored, Trump himself said that ego plays a major role in his life. The title of the article was What My Ego Wants, My Ego Gets. Trump discussed the role of his ego in his business transactions. There can be no doubt that Trumps ego plays a big role in shaping his approach and policies as the President of the United States of America, which is perhaps the most powerful position in the world. Many observers, including mental health professionals, have described President Trump as displaying traits consistent with egotism, which is a personality trait marked by a sense of self-importance and an excessive need for self-admiration. His behaviour is characterised by inflated self-esteem, self-centredness, and a tendency to talk about himself too much, often viewing himself as superior or better than others. Trumps behaviour is also characterised by an extreme intolerance for criticism. His typical response to criticism involves lashing out, blaming others, or attempting to discredit the source of the criticism. Trump frequently uses personal insults and derogatory nicknames to belittle critics, whether they are political opponents, journalists, or even fellow Republicans. He often blames others (such as the fake news media, the deep state, or previous administrations) for problems or negative outcomes to deflect attention from his own actions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has often attempted to silence dissent by threatening legal action against media organisations, revoking press credentials, and surrounding himself with loyal individuals who are unlikely to challenge him. Trump rarely admits mistakes and instead makes excuses, rationalises his actions, and vehemently denies having made certain statements, even when there is video or audio evidence to the contrary. Analysts suggest Trump is notoriously thin-skinned and reacts with anger or rage to perceived challenges to his authority or self-image, often responding disproportionately to the original criticism. Thus, a craving for admiration and loyalty is a key aspect of Trumps presidential style. Trump needs constant admiration, and this has an effect on all his interactions. Playing to Trumps ego is often seen as advantageous for those who deal with him, leading not just his own cabinet members but also foreign leaders to offer him praise and unwavering support. World leaders have massaged Trumps ego to manage diplomatic relations. His ego-driven decision-making has influenced major global events, such as trade negotiations and alliances. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Leaders like Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte publicly referred to Trump as Daddy in a jocular but calculated manner and sent private, fawning texts predicting BIG success at summits, which Trump then made public. Multiple leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officials from Pakistan, nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, knowing his desire for the award, in an effort to curry favour. When Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the UK paid a visit to the White House in February 2025, he brought a letter tucked in his jacket pocket. It was a formal invitation from King Charles III for a rare second state visit. Starmer presented it to Trump with rhetorical flourish in the Oval Office, saying, This is really special. This has never happened before. So this is a very special letter. Trump was very flattered. Trumps ego-driven decision-making has influenced major global events, such as trade negotiations and alliances. If his ego is hurt, he becomes very vengeful. I think India is discovering this grim and sad reality about Trump. During Donald Trumps first term (2017-2021), India-US relations were marked by a high-profile personal chemistry between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump and significant advancements in defence and strategic cooperation despite persistent friction over trade and immigration. The period was highlighted by massive joint rallies: the Howdy Modi event in Houston (2019) and the Namaste Trump rally in Ahmedabad (2020), which showcased a unique personal rapport between the two leaders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Not surprisingly, the India-US relationship thrived in Trumps first term. The defence partnership was the strongest pillar of the relationship, with India being elevated to a major defence partner. Key defence pacts were signed to enhance military interoperability, including the Comcasa (2018) for secure communications and the Beca (2020) for sharing geospatial intelligence. The relationship was cemented by a shared concern over Chinas growing influence. The Trump administration revived the Quad (US, India, Japan, and Australia) and renamed the Pacific Command as the Indo-Pacific Command to signal a broader strategic focus on a partnership with India. A Strategic Energy Partnership was launched in 2018, making the US a significant supplier of crude oil and LNG to India. The first Trump administration (2017-2021) was widely characterised by a tough and often confrontational stance toward Pakistan, marked by significant aid cuts and public rebukes over terrorism. Trump famously began 2018 with a tweet accusing Pakistan of giving the US nothing but lies & deceit while providing safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan. In January 2018, the Trump administration suspended nearly $1.3 billion in annual security assistance. The US adopted a tougher stance on Pakistan-based terrorism, supporting the designation of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist and backing Pakistans grey-listing by the FATF. However, the relationship shifted toward tactical cooperation by 2019 to facilitate the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Trumps second term, things are quite different. The India-US relationship is currently defined by sharp economic friction and a significant recalibration of strategic priorities. The starkest departure from the first term is the use of high tariffs as a central policy tool. Trade relations between India and the United States have reached a point of acute tension due to a series of steep tariffs imposed and threatened by President Trump. Trump has frequently labelled India a trade abuser and the king of tariffs, publicly calling Indias economy dead or one-sided. There have been several instances where PM Modis refusal to massage Trumps ego reportedly hurt or frustrated Trumps personal ambitions and public image. First, in September 2024, during the US presidential election campaign, Trump publicly stated that PM Modi would be meeting with him during his US visit. However, despite PM Modis three-day visit to the United States from September 21 to 23, no meeting between the two leaders took place. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) were reportedly surprised by the claim, as no such meeting had been included in the official itinerary. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Second, following a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in 2025 (linked to Operation Sindoor), Trump repeatedly claimed credit for de-escalating the conflict, as he wanted to bolster his case for a Nobel Peace Prize. Modi flatly rejected this, stating the ceasefire was settled directly between the two nations without US mediation. Third, when Modi went to Canada for the G7 Meeting in June 2025, he declined an invitation from President Trump for a Washington stopover on his way back from the G7 Meeting. Modi himself said, The President of the United States called me, saying, Since you are in Canada, please come over. We will have a meal and talk. PM Modi said that he declined President Trumps invitation as he did not want to miss his scheduled visit to the land of Lord Jagannath (Odisha). However, insiders say that Pakistans Army Chief Asim Munir was going to meet Trump over lunch, and PM Modi reportedly feared a photo trap where Trump might engineer a staged handshake between Modi and Munir to use as a publicity prop for his pitch to get the Nobel Peace Prize. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In April 2025, the Trump administration imposed a 25 per cent baseline reciprocal tariff on Indian goods to address trade deficits. In August 2025, Trump put an additional 25 per cent punitive penalty specifically for Indias continued purchase of Russian crude oil. These tariffs heavily affect labour-intensive industries such as textiles, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, auto parts, and seafood. Nearly 55 per cent of Indias annual exports to the US (valued at approximately $87 billion) are directly threatened. A pivotal ruling is expected regarding the legality of Trumps use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to bypass Congress in levying these broad-based tariffs. A ruling against the administration could provide immediate relief to Indian exporters, though White House officials have signalled they have other tools to reimpose duties if necessary. Indias Ministry of External Affairs criticised the US tariffs as unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable. India said that its energy sourcing is guided by the need to secure affordable fuel for its 1.4 billion citizens and is a matter of strategic autonomy. This criticism has further annoyed Trump, who has threatened further tariffs. Recently, in early January 2026, President Trump gave the green light for the Russia Sanctions Bill proposed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. The legislation authorises the US President to impose secondary tariffs of up to 500 per cent on any country that continues to purchase Russian petroleum or uranium products. This bill explicitly targets China, India and Brazil. A vote in the US Senate is possible soon. This has placed Indias $85 billion export market to the US at risk of becoming commercially unviable. The Trump administrations H-1B policies have negatively impacted India by disrupting the Indian IT industrys business model, limiting opportunities for Indian professionals and students, and potentially slowing Indias economic growth. The primary mechanism of this impact is the increased cost and stricter eligibility criteria for the visa, which Indian nationals largely dominate. The H-1B visa changes, particularly the steep $100,000 fee for new applications, directly challenge the business model of Indian IT giants like Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro, which have historically deployed large numbers of Indian engineers in the US. The new fee, a massive increase from the previous $1,000-$5,000 range, significantly raises the cost of sending employees to the US, eroding their profit margins. Indian nationals make up over 70 per cent of all H-1B visa recipients, making them the most affected demographic group by the policy changes. The prohibitive costs and stricter eligibility criteria (favouring higher salaries) mean fewer opportunities for entry- to mid-level Indian professionals and recent Stem graduates from US universities to secure H-1B sponsorships. Indias tech sector contributes significantly to its GDP (around 7 per cent), with the US accounting for a large portion of tech exports. While the tariffs and high H1B visa fees have caused acute diplomatic tension, many US experts believe the long-term trajectory remains unchanged because Washington still views India as an essential counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific. They argue that the core geopolitical reasons for engagement are overwhelming, as Washington views partnering with India as critical to sustaining its own long-term leadership and successfully navigating competition with China. In late 2025, the two nations signed an expansive new defence framework to strengthen their Major Defence Partnership" over the next decade. However, Trumps ego problem will continue to be an obstacle. As things stand, the relationship between Trump and Modi is characterised by a blow hot, blow cold dynamic. While both continue to profess a very good relationship, significant policy frictionparticularly over trade and energyhas led to public disagreements and reports of personal tension. Their personal chemistry appears to have eroded. Recent statements from the Trump administration suggest that a significant trade deal with India collapsed due to a lack of direct personal communication between the two leaders, rather than a policy disagreement. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick publicly said in an interview that a nearly finalised trade deal stalled in late 2025 because PM Modi did not personally call President Trump to close it. Lutnick stated that while the deal was all set up, the Indian side appeared uncomfortable making the final call, which Trump viewed as a necessary step for finalising agreements. The US applied a staircase model to these negotiations, rewarding countries that acted quickly. The UK finalised a deal first, followed by Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Lutnick said that because India missed its specific three Fridays window, the previous favourable terms offered are no longer available. The Spokesman of Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected the US Commerce Secretarys remarks as not accurate and said that PM Modi and Trump had spoken on the phone eight times last year, covering different aspects of our wide-ranging partnership. However, the phone call issue which US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick spoke about is a bit different from how the MEA spokesman has explained it. While Modi and Trump may have spoken eight times, Lutnick is saying that PM Modi did not call Trump to request him to close the trade deal. Lutnick said in his interview that the US side wanted PM Modi to call Trump when the deal was nearing finalisation. He said, Indias reluctance to set up the phone call between Modi and Trump meant the agreement ran into trouble. In other words, the US side wanted PM Modi to massage Trumps ego for securing the deal, but PM Modi did not make the call. Of course, many people in India feel that deal or no deal, Modi did the correct thing by refusing to massage Trumps ego. Summing up, there are currently very big challenges in India-US relations due to economic friction and Trumps transactional foreign policy approach. Donald Trumps ego will continue to be a primary driver, making his foreign policy highly personal, transactional, and unpredictable. This represents a significant departure from the institutional, rules-based approach of previous US administrations. The highly personal and transactional nature of Trumps foreign policy also makes the relationship susceptible to sudden shifts based on Trumps whims or immediate domestic political considerations, making long-term planning difficult for India. The relationship has soured over the implementation of 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods and general aggressive trade policies, which have caused economic friction. The US is considering 500 per cent tariffs on countries doing business with Russia, but India has continued to import Russian crude, highlighting a conflict in priorities that clashes with US pressures. Strategic cooperation in defence remains good, and both governments maintain that the relationship is too important to be entirely derailed. The future trajectory of relations will depend heavily on how both nations manage their divergent economic and foreign policy priorities. (The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) President Trump mocking foreign leaders publicly makes even neutral international public dislike his behaviour, and it has little tangible or intangible gain for the US, which he statedly aims to make great again The world at least expects the head of government of the United States to refrain from ridiculing leaders of other countries. Image: AFP Donald Trump, president of the most powerful and wealthiest country of the modern world, resorting to publicly mocking heads of government of sovereign countries actually embarrasses American citizens more than anyone, including rational supporters of his Make America Great Again (Maga) movement. The international community has witnessed Trump bestowing high praises on authoritarian leaders, and it has not gone down well with millions of people around the globe. At the same time, President Trump mocking foreign leaders publicly makes even neutral international public dislike his behaviour, and it has little tangible or intangible gain for the United States, which he statedly aims to make great again. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During his visit to South Korea, President Trump imitated Prime Minister Narendra Modi while making a statement on his discussion with the latter in May 2025 at the time of Operation Sindoor. More recently, Trump made fun of Modi while claiming that the Indian prime minister sought an appointment with him. While speaking to an audience largely consisting of his party leaders at the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner meet, Trump reportedly said, Prime Minister Modi came to see me and said, Sir, may I see you please?. According to him, PM Modi made that request to discuss defence deals and tariff issues. First of all, leaders are not supposed to make public what they discuss with leaders of other countries, which can be described as diplomatic indecency or ignorance of appropriate diplomatic behaviour. Secondly, he resorted to courting wrong figures and timelines of India-US helicopter deals. Trump reportedly makes frequent statements by quoting wrong facts and figures, but it cannot be dismissed as inadvertent errors. What is surprising is the unexplainable making of a leader whom he frequently claims as a great friend. It is quite likely that Trumps definition of friendship is unique and different, and any friend who would not absolutely back his ideas or policies can no longer be his friend and can be ridiculed. Sober thinking, however, would make one conclude that mocking Modi in public is a clear demonstration of Trumps frustration over the Modi government not backing his false claims, such as his playing a substantive role in ending the May 2025 armed conflict over Pakistan-backed terror attacks in Kashmir. While the vast majority of countries struck tariff deals with the Trump Administration, India neither confronted nor retaliated and rather tried to manage the consequences of Trumpian tariffs. This could have angered him more. In addition, Indias silence over Trumps outreach to the Pakistani Army Chief closely after Operation Sindoor may have further enhanced his annoyance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is important to note that President Trump has a history of misbehaviour and disregard towards world leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was humiliated live on television during their summit at the White House. So was African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Trump also ridiculed French President Emmanuel Macron recently, telling how he strong-armed him into agreeing to triple the drug prices by threatening higher tariffs on all French exports to the United States. According to Trump, Macron told him, Donald, you have a deal. I would like to increase my prescription drug prices by 200 per cent or whatever. Whatever you want, Donald, please dont tell the population, I beg you. Earlier in October, at the Gaza Peace Summit, President Trump had poked fun at the French Presidents low-key approach that drew laughter, but many found no fun in it. There is little doubt that some foreign leaders too ridicule Trumps false claims and coercive approaches to foreign affairs. When Trump told Fox News in September 2025 that he solved the unsolvable war between Albania and Azerbaijan in place of Armenia and Azerbaijan and repeated the same mistake in a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Albanian Prime Minister was caught on camera joking about Trumps geography mishap. During his first term in office, Trump was mocked by French President Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a Buckingham Palace reception. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD All those who mock President Trump do not get media coverage, and many would be doing that in private. If President Trump knew all that, it would certainly upset him. Political leaders in many countries do poke fun and mock their rivals in the domestic ecosystem. In international affairs, such events are relatively rare. While political leaders in office do not necessarily involve themselves in a popularity race in the international community, diplomatic decency demands that the principle of sovereign equality of nations is respected, particularly in the post-Cold War environment. The world at least expects the head of government of the United States to refrain from ridiculing leaders of other countries. In fact, every country seeks to promote its national interest, and thus mutual praise among leaders can also be meaningless in substance. President Trumps political behaviours are drastically different from his predecessors. But all his statements and policies will be part of the historical record, and historians may not judge him with kindness. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The large-hearted Prime Minister of India appears to be busy focusing on what can make India great and not on who said what. In addition, the Modi government is clear-minded on promoting India-US relations for the mutual benefit of the two countriesa relationship that would be sustainable in the long run, despite short-term turbulences. The world needs to understand and appreciate the American peoples democratic values, ideals and positive role in world affairs and should ignore what kind of harsh, unpalatable and unhelpful statements President Trump makes about foreign leaders. (The writer is founder chairperson, Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies, and Editor, India Quarterly. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) Under the new partnership, Apple will use Googles Gemini models as the foundation for its in-house AI systems, known as Apple Foundation Models. These models will underpin the upcoming Apple Intelligence suite, including the smarter and more capable Siri that the company has been promising since WWDC 2024. Apple has signed a multi-year deal with long-time rival Google to use its Gemini AI models to power future Apple Intelligence features, including the long-awaited, AI-powered version of Siri. Yes, the same companies that have spent decades in a tug-of-war for smartphone dominance are now joining forces in the race for artificial intelligence. Apple teams up with Google for Apple Intelligence Under the new partnership, Apple will use Googles Gemini models as the foundation for its in-house AI systems, known as Apple Foundation Models. These models will underpin the upcoming Apple Intelligence suite, including the smarter and more capable Siri that the company has been promising since WWDC 2024. After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Googles AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users, Apple said in a joint statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Joint Statement: Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 12, 2026 While the alliance might raise eyebrows, Apple was quick to reiterate that its privacy-first approach remains intact. The company stressed that all AI features will continue to run directly on Apple devices or via its Private Cloud Compute system, designed to keep user data secure and inaccessible to anyone, even Apple itself. The financial details of the deal remain under wraps, but Bloombergs Mark Gurman previously reported that Apple could be paying around $1 billion annually for access to Geminis 1.2-trillion-parameter model, which will serve as the brain behind the reimagined Siri experience. Interestingly, this shift may complicate Apples earlier partnership with OpenAI, which brought ChatGPT into Siri for handling more complex queries. With Gemini now powering the core of Apples foundation models, the future of that OpenAI integration looks uncertain. What does it mean? This partnership marks a major turning point for both companies. For Apple, its a clear sign that the company is done playing catch-up in the AI race, its now choosing to leverage the best tools available, even if they come from a rival. For Google, its a chance to plant Gemini at the heart of millions of iPhones, iPads, and Macs, dramatically expanding its reach beyond Android. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Its also a subtle shift in Apples strategy. Historically, Apple has preferred to build everything in-house, guarding its ecosystem closely. But with AI development moving at breakneck speed, the company seems willing to bend that rule if it means giving Siri the intelligence boost it desperately needs. Is the revamped Siri finally arriving? Apples revamped Siri was initially expected to arrive with iOS 18.4 but was later delayed. Now, its slated for release with iOS 26.4 by late March or early April, this year. If Apple delivers on its promise, this could be the most significant leap forward for Siri since its debut back in 2011. The new Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence and Gemini, is designed to truly understand users, learning from personal context such as emails, messages, and calendar events to deliver more meaningful answers. Itll be able to respond to questions like, When is Mums flight landing? or Play that podcast Jamie recommended. Equally transformative will be Siris on-screen awareness, which allows it to understand whats happening on your display and act accordingly. If someone sends you their address, for instance, youll simply need to say, Add this address to my contacts, and Siri will handle the rest. These changes aim to make Siri more personal, proactive, and contextually aware, putting it on par with AI rivals like Gemini and ChatGPT. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For Apple, this collaboration isnt just about catching up, its about redefining what Siri can be. And if all goes as planned, March could finally bring the version of Siri users were promised, one thats not just smart but truly intelligent. Meta will exempt Italy from its planned WhatsApp ban on rival AI chatbots after an order from the countrys antitrust regulator. The EU is conducting a separate investigation without interim action. Meta Platforms will exclude Italy from its ban on rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp following an order from the countrys antitrust authority, according to a notice sent to AI providers and developers seen by Reuters. The Italian watchdog AGCM last month ordered Meta to suspend its proposed ban while the watchdog investigates the company for suspected abuse of its market power following complaints from rivals. The European Commission too is probing Meta over whether it abused its dominance by blocking rival AI chatbots from its messaging service WhatsApp, but did not issue any interim order. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Blocking other AI providers access to WhatsApp would give a potential boost to Metas own chatbot and virtual assistant Meta AI integrated into the platform last year. Meta, in its notice to AI providers and developers circulated early last week, said that phone numbers with an Italian country code are currently exempt from WhatsApps updated terms of service, to comply with an order from Italian regulators. The updated terms come into effect on January 15. Meta declined to comment on the updated terms of service and referred to a statement issued late last year which said that the emergence of AI chatbots put a strain on its systems that they were not designed to support. The Italian antitrust authority declined to comment. The Interaction Company of California, which has developed AI assistant Poke.com and complained to both the Italian and EU competition regulators, criticised Metas Italian carve-out. Metas move to keep enforcing its new WhatsApp API policy - shutting out AI rivals like Poke.com while only carving out +39 numbers - is deeply disappointing, Marvin von Hagen, co-founder and CEO of The Interaction Company of California, told Reuters. The Italian authority has found Metas conduct to be at first glance anti-competitive under EU law. Meta should have suspended the policy worldwide, not just in Italy. The (European) Commission must urgently follow Italys lead and adopt interim measures, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan, Army Chief General Dwivedi said India was fully prepared to launch ground operations during Operation Sindoor if Pakistan had attempted any misadventure, underscoring New Delhis readiness to expand conventional military action. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi led the first-ever official commemoration of the operation that occurred in Sri Lanka in 1987. PTI Amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said the armed forces were fully prepared to launch ground operations if Pakistan had attempted any misadventure during Operation Sindoor, stressing that India has significantly expanded the scope for conventional military action. Speaking at an event, General Dwivedi said India had undertaken major mobilisation and was ready for a ground offensive had the situation escalated. His remarks come days after multiple drones were spotted along the Line of Control in Kashmir. While he did not share further operational details, the Army chief said the situation in the Union Territory remains sensitive but firmly under control. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | Delhi: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says, "As for the drones, the drones we have seen are very small drones. They come with their lights on. They don't fly at very high altitudes, and they have been seen very infrequently. Around 6 drones were seen on the pic.twitter.com/uUAtz051E0 ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 Operation Sindoor still underway Addressing the annual press conference, General Dwivedi said Operation Sindoor, which began in May 2025, is still underway and that Indian forces continue to remain on high alert. As far as our eyes and ears are concerned, since Operation Sindoor is underway, they will remain fully alert. Under this, we have already put in place whatever actions are required from our side, he said while responding to a question on terror camps operating in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He said that, based on available information, nearly eight terror camps remain active two opposite the International Border and six along the Line of Control with some presence or training activity still continuing. If any such activity happens again, we will certainly carry out whatever action we intend to take, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why Operation Sindoor was launched Operation Sindoor was launched in May 2025 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which at least 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. The attack was the deadliest in the Kashmir Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. India blamed The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, for the attack. While both TRF and Pakistan denied involvement, India carried out military strikes across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Four-day standoff with Pakistan During the tri-services operation, the Army, Navy and Air Force targeted nine terror camps. The strikes triggered a four-day standoff between India and Pakistan, leading to blackouts and air raid sirens along the Line of Control and the International Border. Referring to the 88-hour standoff, General Dwivedi said the scale of Indias mobilisation was such that ground operations could have been launched if Pakistan had made any mistake. Expanding the conventional space The Army chief said earlier assessments had suggested that the space for conventional military action was shrinking, with conflicts rapidly escalating from sub-conventional levels to the nuclear domain. However, Indias response during Operation Sindoor demonstrated otherwise. This time, the action we took especially the firing in Jammu and Kashmir and the way we responded showed that we expanded the conventional space, he said, adding that around 100 Pakistani personnel were eliminated during the operation. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack, targeting terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan later attempted strikes on military and civilian installations, but India responded with strong counter-attacks, following which Islamabad approached New Delhi for a ceasefire understanding on May 10. As President Donald Trump strains the historically close US-Canada relationship, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit China this week to strengthen ties with the worlds second-largest economy and reduce dependence on the United States. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney (left) shakes hands with Chia's President Xi Jinping at the start of a meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 31, 2025. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via 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 Canadian 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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 re-energize 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. Two of Carneys 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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. 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 US 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. Pivoting toward China 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 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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 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 per cent before he backed down. Bumpy relations In Canada, Trumps threats have raised questions about the countrys longstanding relationship with its much more powerful neighbor. 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 Wanzhou, to be extradited to face American charges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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 per cent tariff on electric vehicles and a 25 per cent 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 per cent 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 estrictions 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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 governments new foreign policy in response to Trumps trade war. Carney is also expected to visit India later this year. (This is an agency story. Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Bill and Hillary Clinton on Tuesday refused to testify in a Republican-led congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, calling the probe a partisan exercise and defending their decision in a letter to the House Oversight Committee. Bill and Hillary Clinton on Tuesday declined to testify in a Republican-led congressional investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the inquiry a partisan exercise amid ongoing scrutiny in the United States. Clintons cite principles in letter to committee In a letter to Representative James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, the Clintons wrote: Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time. Comer has warned that failure to appear before the committee could result in contempt proceedings, which may carry potential criminal consequences. Accusations of partisanship The Clintons said they had already provided the little information they had to aid the investigation and accused Comer of shifting focus from the Trump administrations failures. If the Government didnt do all it could to investigate and prosecute Epsteins crimes, that should be the focus of your work. There is no evidence that you are doing so, they wrote. They added, There is no plausible explanation for what you are doing other than partisan politics, and said they expect Comer to move to hold them in contempt. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Justice Department to release Epstein-related files The letter comes as the Justice Department, under pressure from former President Donald Trumps political base, is set to release files linked to criminal probes of Epstein. Epstein was once acquainted with both Trump and the Clintons, and the release is being carried out under a congressional transparency law. The BJP hosted a six-member delegation from Chinas Communist Party (CPC) at its Delhi headquarters, marking the first formal party-to-party meeting since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The talks aimed to strengthen dialogue and advance inter-party ties amid a gradual thaw in India-China relations. The BJP on Monday hosted a six-member delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC) at its headquarters in New Delhi, marking the first formal party-to-party engagement between the two sides since the deadly Galwan Valley skirmish in 2020. The meeting aimed at advancing party-to-party ties and strengthening dialogue, amid a gradual thaw in India-China relations following Prime Minister Narendra Modis interaction with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD CPC delegation details The CPC delegation was led by Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC (IDCPC), and included Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong. The BJP delegation was headed by party general secretary Arun Singh. Vijay Chauthaiwale, BJPs in-charge for foreign affairs, said the discussions focused on the means to advance inter-party communications between the BJP and the Communist Party of China (CPC) and ways to enhance dialogue and interaction. Singh tweeted: Ms Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister, International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) visited the BJP head office today. During the meeting we discussed how to enhance communication and interaction between BJP and CPC. CPC meets RSS leadership A day after visiting the BJP, the CPC delegation met senior leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the organisations headquarters in Keshav Kunj, Delhi. A senior RSS official described the visit as a courtesy call, noting that the request had come from the CPC and was accommodated. There was no specific agenda for the meeting, the official added. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was not present, as he was travelling. Historical context Party-level interactions between the BJP and CPC are not new, with several delegations visiting Beijing since the late 2000s. However, this is the first engagement of its kind since the 2020 Galwan clash along the Line of Actual Control, which severely strained India-China relations. The latest talks follow efforts to resume dialogue and disengagement along the eastern Ladakh sector, facilitated by the Modi-Xi interaction at BRICS last year. Congress criticises BJP The Congress party slammed the BJPs engagement with the Chinese Communist Party, questioning the timing and intent of the meeting. The opposition highlighted Chinas claim over the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, raising concerns over national interests amid the party-level exchanges. Brazil passed over the presidency to India in 2025. Speaking at the launch event, Jaishankar said that the colours in the logo represent the colours of all member countries, while the symbol highlights the unity and equal representation among the group External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday launched the official logo for Brics India 2026 as the presidency falls on New Delhi this year. Along with the logo, India has launched an official website that will serve as a common platform for all the member countries. Brazil passed over the presidency to India in 2025. Speaking at the launch event, Jaishankar said that the colours in the logo represent the colours of all member countries, while the symbol highlights the unity and equal representation among the group. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | Delhi | EAM Dr S Jaishankar attends the launch of the official website and logo of India's BRICS Presidency 2026. pic.twitter.com/RTjt94walK ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 The logo that we unveiled today reflects this approach. It combines elements of tradition and modernity, and the petals incorporate the colours of all BRICS member countries, representing unity and diversity and a strong sense of shared purpose. The logo conveys the idea that BRICS draws strength from the collective contributions of its members while respecting their distinct identities, the foreign minister said. #WATCH | Delhi | At the launch of the BRICS 2026 logo, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "The theme underscores the importance of strengthening capacities, promoting innovation, and ensuring sustainable development for the benefit of all. The logo that we unveiled today reflects this https://t.co/qdc2b008L9 pic.twitter.com/oxIAu53Nxg ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 Jaishankar characterised BRICS as a vital platform for cooperation, dialogue, and active engagement. He emphasised that consistent communication between member nations is essential for building mutual understanding and aligning strategies on critical global issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | Delhi: EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "The current global environment presents complex and interlinked challenges, geopolitical uncertainties, complicated economic landscapes, climate-related risks, technological changes, and persistent development gaps continue to affect pic.twitter.com/v9ej6lZOfD ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 He further noted that collaboration within the BRICS framework is a key tool for tackling the common difficulties confronting emerging and developing economies. By working in unison, Jaishankar believes these countries can develop collective strategies to navigate the complexities of an increasingly unpredictable international landscape. Canadian police have arrested another suspect in the countrys largest-ever gold heist, as investigators continue to track accused individuals across multiple countries The consignment included around 400 kilograms of .9999-pure gold, equivalent to 6,600 bars worth more than $20 million A man in Canadas Peel region has been arrested in connection with Project 24K, the investigation into the theft of more than $20 million in gold bars, described as the largest gold heist in Canadian history. Arsalan Chaudhary, 43, was arrested on Monday at Toronto Pearson International Airport after arriving on a flight from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Police said Chaudhary has no fixed address and has been charged with theft of more than $5,000 obtained by crime, as well as conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gold shipment vanished within hours The case centres on a cargo shipment that arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport on April 17, 2023, on a flight from Zurich, Switzerland. The consignment included around 400 kilograms of .9999-pure gold, equivalent to 6,600 bars worth more than $20 million, along with $2.5 million in foreign currency. After the cargo was unloaded, it was transferred to another location within the airport complex. The shipment was reported missing within hours, prompting a major police investigation. Multiple arrests and international manhunt Following the disappearance of the gold, police launched a cross-border probe and charged, or issued arrest warrants for, ten individuals allegedly linked to the theft. One of the accused is Simran Preet Panesar, a 33-year-old Brampton resident and former Air Canada employee, who is believed to be in India. Investigators allege that he helped identify and redirect the cargo by exploiting airline systems. He was later traced to a rented apartment near Chandigarh, and a Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued against him. Another accused, Archit Grover of Brampton, was arrested at Pearson International Airport in May 2024 after returning from India. Former airline employees among accused Police have also arrested 54-year-old Parmpal Sidhu, a former Air Canada employee, and 40-year-old Amit Jalota, both from Ontario. In addition, Prasath Paramalingam, a 36-year-old resident of Brampton, and Ali Raza, a 37-year-old man from Toronto, were taken into custody. Two other Brampton residents, 43-year-old Ammad Chaudhary and 27-year-old Durante King-Mclean, were also arrested. King-Mclean is currently being held in the US in connection with firearms trafficking-related charges. Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah highlighted the scale and complexity of the investigation. This investigation demonstrates the dedication and expertise of Peel Regional Police in tackling complex, high-stakes crime. Project 24K is a clear example of how our officers, working alongside national and international partners, can disrupt sophisticated criminal activity and hold those responsible accountable. Let it be known: no matter where you try to run or hide, we will find you, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Investigations into the gold theft remain ongoing. Canadas Carney is set to visit China this week, signalling a cautious attempt to reset ties after years of strained relations. The trip comes as Canada looks to balance engagement with Beijing while recalibrating its relationship with the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks as he and US President Donald Trump (not pictured) meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, on October 7, 2025. Reuters File Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Beijing on January 14, becoming the first Canadian leader in nearly a decade to visit China a move that signals a possible reset in long-strained bilateral relations. Carney has described the visit as an effort to build a stable and predictable relationship with Beijing, even as Canada adjusts its broader foreign and economic posture amid growing global uncertainty. Balancing China outreach and US reset The China visit comes alongside Carneys stated intention to recalibrate ties with the United States, Canadas largest trading partner, while reducing over-reliance on the US market. He has promoted a reliance to resilience strategy aimed at diversifying trade, after the US accounted for around 76 percent of Canadian exports until recently. The timing has drawn close attention in Washington, particularly under President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly urged allies to align more tightly with US efforts to counter Chinas economic and strategic influence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Adding to the diplomatic sensitivity, two Canadian Members of Parliament are cutting short a visit to Taiwan earlier than planned ahead of Carneys China trip a move that reflects Ottawas careful choreography as it manages relations with both Beijing and Washington. Whether Carneys attempt to rebalance Canadas China policy can coexist with efforts to stabilise ties with the US without provoking a backlash from Trump remains an open question. From strained ties to cautious re-engagement Carney agreed to visit China last October after meeting President Xi Jinping in South Korea. That encounter produced no immediate breakthroughs but hinted at the possibility of repairing ties after years of strain under former prime minister Justin Trudeau. Relations deteriorated sharply following Canadas arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in 2018. This time, analysts expect more substantive outcomes. Senior Canadian officials said Carney is likely to sign several memoranda of understanding that are still being finalised, raising expectations of concrete progress or, at minimum, commitments toward future deals. Greg MacEachern, a former senior adviser to a Liberal minister, said the visit was unlikely to be merely symbolic. When the prime minister is invited to China, it is not for window dressing, he said, adding that the trip would be closely watched in Washington. Theres a political risk this could upset President Donald Trump, but Prime Minister Carney wants to signal that Canada is open for business. The government has calculated that its worth it. Crude oil and canola in focus One possible outcome is increased Canadian crude oil exports to China, according to a source familiar with the discussions. Around 90 percent of Canadas oil exports currently go to the US, but a planned rise in US imports from Venezuela could reduce American demand for Canadian crude. Senior officials cautioned that while progress is expected, the visit is unlikely to result in the immediate lifting of Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola. Chinas foreign ministry said it looked forward to deepening mutual trust during Carneys January 1417 visit. Both Canada and China want to signal their good intentions, so each side needs to give something, said Lynette Ong, a professor of Chinese politics at the University of Toronto. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China imposed preliminary anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola imports in August, escalating a dispute triggered by Ottawas tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports a year earlier. The measures have virtually halted canola exports to China, once Canadas largest market for the crop. Ong noted that the EV tariffs were introduced during the administration of US President Joe Biden, and that the recent deterioration in CanadaUS relations has reduced the incentive for Ottawa to maintain strict alignment with Washington. China remains Canadas second-largest trading partner after the US. Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged Carney not to back down, arguing that EV tariffs should only be lifted if China commits to opening a manufacturing facility in Ontario. Colin Hornby, head of Manitoba-based Keystone Agricultural Producers, said he did not expect the canola tariffs to be removed during the visit but remained hopeful that progress could follow in the coming weeks or months. Security and human rights concerns Experts have cautioned against deepening cooperation with China in sensitive areas. Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, warned that closer engagement in sectors such as artificial intelligence and critical minerals could pose risks to national security. There are clear red lines not to be crossed, she said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Canada has repeatedly raised concerns over human rights in China, including the imprisonment of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, the execution of four Canadians last year, and allegations of past Chinese interference in Canadian elections. Cheuk Kwan, co-chair of the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, said he hoped Ottawa would not fall into the trap of appeasing China simply to secure trade deals. Chinas plan to welcome Carney at Beijings Great Hall of the People may form part of a broader diplomatic charm offensive, said Joseph Torigian, a China expert at American University. He suggested Beijing may be seeking to burnish its global image after the US seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month. The Chinese may argue that the US is an unreliable and dangerous partner, Torigian said. They will likely present China as willing to help Canada diversify its trade beyond its hemisphere if Canada is willing to play along. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Weeks after reasserting its claim on Arunachal Pradesh, China has now claimed sovereignty over Indias Shaksgam Valley illegally occupied by Pakistan during the 1947 invasion of Jammu and Kashmir and ceded to China in 1963. India has rejected the claim. Weeks after reasserting its claim on Arunachal Pradesh, China on Monday claimed sovereignty over Indias Shaksgam Valley illegally occupied by Pakistan during the 1947 invasion of Jammu and Kashmir and ceded to China in 1963. India has consistently rejected the claim. At a press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Shaksgam Valley belongs to China and cited a 1963 boundary agreement with Pakistan as justification for Chinese control of the area. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When asked about Indias criticism of infrastructure development in Shaksgam Valley, Mao said 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 socio-economic development and improving peoples livelihood, said Mao. ALSO READ: Are Chinas new permanent structures near Pangong Tso a worry for India? Pakistan handed Shaksgam Valley to China in 1963 as part of a boundary agreement. It had previously occupied the area during the invasion of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. India has continued to maintain that Shaksgam Valley, along with the rest of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), belongs to India and is under occupation by Pakistan and China. While the MEA has not yet responded to Maos statement, Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi said at a press conference on Tuesday that India considers the1963 agreement between Pakistan and China illegal. Therefore, we do not accept any activity there. What I understand about the CPEC is we do not accept it and we consider that it is an illegal action which is being carried out by the two nations, said Dwivedi. Maos remarks followed a statement earlier this month by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) about infrastructure development in Shaksgam Valley. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When asked about the Chinese infrastructure build-up under CPEC in Shaksgam Valley, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that it was Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963. We have consistently maintained that the agreement is illegal and invalid. We do not recognise the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor either, which passes through Indian territory under forcible and illegal occupation by Pakistan. The entire UTs of J&K and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India, said Jaiswal. However, even as China has cited the 1963 agreement to claim Pakistan as a sovereign transferred the area to China, the agreement did not recognise Pakistans sovereignty over Shaksgam Valley. Article 6 stated that the agreement would take its final shape upon resolution of the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. Once India and Pakistan have settled the Kashmir dispute, the sovereign authority concerned will reopen negotiations with the Government of the Peoples Republic of China on the boundary, as described in Article Two of the present Agreement, so as to sign a formal boundary treaty to replace the present Agreement, Article 6 said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China urged several European governments to deny entry to Taiwanese politicians, citing border laws and warning against crossing Beijings red lines In a series of diplomatic approaches, Chinese officials pressed European governments to block Taiwanese politicians from entering their countries, arguing that domestic border laws required such action and warning against crossing Beijings red lines. The efforts, which took place in November and December, followed recent visits by senior Taiwanese figures to Europe and were conveyed through embassies in Beijing and capitals across the continent, reported The Guardian. According to more than half a dozen diplomats and officials familiar with the matter, the approaches included written notes verbales and in-person meetings, directed either at individual countries or groups of states. European diplomats and ministries told The Guardian the messages cautioned governments not to undermine Chinas core interests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Legal arguments cited in diplomatic notes Beijing said it respects the sovereignty of the European side in introducing and implementing visa policy, but claimed an institutional loophole had enabled frequent visits by Taiwanese politicians, according to one note verbale seen by the outlet. Chinese officials cited several EU laws and regulations, including the Schengen Borders Code, which states that non-EU nationals may be denied entry if they are considered to be a threat to the international relations of any of the member states. The suggestion, as understood by the Guardian, was that allowing Taiwanese officials to enter Europe would harm a countrys relations with China. In some cases, the officials also referred to the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations or suggested European countries follow the UNs example by barring all Taiwanese people from government buildings. Scope of visits highlighted by Beijing The note verbale urged European countries to reject any so-called diplomatic passports issued by Taiwan and to prohibit Taiwanese personnel from entering Europe to seek official contact and exchanges and trample on Chinas red line. China hopes the EU institutions and European countries will, out of the larger interests of China-EU relations and bilateral relations, make the political decision of refusing the entry of Taiwans so-called president or vice president (former ones included), it said, listing other officials as well. Beijing cited visits to Belgium, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, Australia, Germany, Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia and Ireland, saying these trips seriously undermine China-EU relations. The European side even indulged [vice-president] Hsiao Bi-khim to speak at the building of the European parliament and promote Taiwan independence separatist claims, the note said, referring to her address at the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China in Brussels. European and UK responses The foreign ministries of Norway and Finland confirmed they were among those to receive the advice, saying visa arrangements with Taiwan were determined by relevant Schengen bodies. A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office said, Permission to enter the UK is determined solely by our own laws and immigration rules, which apply equally to those travelling from Taiwan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Taiwan pushes back Taiwans foreign ministry said its officials visits to Europe were entirely unrelated to China, and China has no right to interfere. On the contrary, Chinas use of various coercive measures against other countries and its threats of force against Taiwan, which undermine global and Indo-Pacific peace and stability and threaten the direct interests of the EU, is the real force damaging European international relations, a spokesperson told the Guardian. Chinas actions should be condemned. Beijings application and interpretation of this regulation is bold, said Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, assistant professor at Taiwans National Dong Hwa University. It is Beijings interpretation that EU-Taiwan ties threaten EU-China ties. This is not at all the perception or reality in Europe. I see this as another way to generate unease among member states that their relations with the [Peoples Republic of China] might be at risk and Beijing knows well that some EU member states are very keen to attract Chinese investment at present, she said. In a rare criticism of Russia, the Donald Trump administration has condemned the attack on Ukraine with nuclear-capable missile Oreshnik and called it a dangerous and inexplicable escalation that risked expanding and intensifying the war. A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during a test from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Northern Arkhangelsk region, Russia. (Representative Image, Credit: Reuters) In a rare criticism of Russia, the Donald Trump administration of the United States on Monday condemned the attack on Ukraine with nuclear-capable missile Oreshnik and called it a dangerous and inexplicable escalation that risked expanding and intensifying the war. In a statement at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), US deputy envoy Tammy Bruce said such a Russian attack went against Trumps efforts to end the war and violated Russias pledge to end the war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bruce also noted that the attack was close to the border with Poland, a Nato member. This constitutes another dangerous and inexplicable escalation of this war, even as the United States is urgently working with Kyiv, other partners, and Moscow, to end the war through a negotiated settlement. At a moment of tremendous potential, due only to President Trumps unparalleled commitment to peace around the world, both sides should be seeking ways to de-escalate, yet Russias action risks expanding and intensifying the war, said Bruce. Russia struck western Ukrainian city of Lviv on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday with nuclear-capable missile Oreshnik. It said the strike was in response to a Ukrainian attack on one of President Vladimir Putins residences. The Trump administration has assessed that Ukraine did not launch any such attack. Ambassador Bruce spoke at a UN Security Council emergency session on Russia's latest attack on Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/cdbFAcgw7V U.S. Mission to the UN (@USUN) January 12, 2026 As Trump has aligned the United States with Russia in his second term, the statement at the UNSC was a rare rebuke. It came at a time when Russia has essentially rejected Trump-endorsed US and European security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a peace deal. Putin has also essentially junked the latest proposal to end the war as he has rejected all the proposals so far. But, despite such rejections, Trump has refused to put any real pressure on Russia and Putin. The administration further condemned Russias continuing attacks on Ukraines civilian infrastructure. We condemn Russias continuing and intensifying attacks on Ukraines energy facilities and other civil infrastructure. These attacks make a mockery of the cause of peace, a cause of paramount importance to the world, and to President Trump, said Tammy. Notably, at the time Oreshnik struck Lviv, British Defence Secretary John Healey was just minutes away from the site and had to make an emergency stop. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The legal challenge claims the deployment constitutes an unconstitutional federal invasion. According to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, these immigration manoeuvres have destabilised the lives of millions, leading to chaos and violence Attendees hold signs during a press conference, following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reuters Minnesota has sued the Trump administration over an attempt to block the surge of federal immigration officials in the state after the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. The legal challenge claims the deployment constitutes an unconstitutional federal invasion. According to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, these immigration manoeuvres have destabilised the lives of millions, leading to chaos and violence. The lawsuit asks a federal court to declare the deployment of ICE officials in Minnesota illegal, inviting criticism from the White House, calling the claim baseless. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ellison said that the presence of ICE in the state violated its sovereign authority to protect the health and well-being of every single person who lives within our borders. Poorly trained ICE officials Meanwhile, Minnesota Mayor Jacob Frey has said that anti-immigration agents are illegally targeting people after misidentifying them based on racial profiling, prompting more 911 calls from anxious citizens and forcing the local police force to work overtime. During a recent news conference, prosecutors announced they would seek a temporary restraining order as early as Tuesday to halt the deployment. This legal move follows the Department of Homeland Securitys announcement of Operation Metro Surge, a plan to increase the federal presence in the state. While the DHS maintains that the roughly 2,000 agents currently in Minnesota are vital for fighting crime and illegal immigration, local officials are fighting to block further reinforcements. Noem defends ICE Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in television interviews on Sunday, defended the actions of the ICE officer who shot and killed Good, an American citizen. Noem said the officer acted in self-defense when Good drove her car at him, a narrative strongly disputed by local officials who point to footage from the scene showing Goods vehicle turning away from the agent. Noem also said that hundreds more federal agents were heading to Minneapolis, where there have been daily protests and vigils mourning Goods death. With inputs from agencies India has joined high-level discussions in Washington on critical minerals, signalling closer coordination with the US and G7 economies as they look to reduce dependence on China-dominated supply chains. As China continues to maintain a dominant grip over critical minerals, India has entered high-level discussions in Washington, signalling closer alignment with the US and G7 economies as they seek to reduce dependence on China-led supply chains. Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw arrived in Washington DC on Sunday to attend a critical minerals ministerial meeting hosted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The meeting is being held on the sidelines of a gathering of G7 finance ministers Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US along with the European Union. India and Australia have also been invited. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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. pic.twitter.com/grXbs7HA6S Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) January 11, 2026 Arrived in Washington, DC. Will participate in the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting tomorrow. Secure critical mineral supply chains are vital for our goal of Viksit Bharat, Vaishnaw said in a social media post. G7 push to widen coordination Bessent said on Saturday that India, Australia and several other countries would join the discussions, underscoring Washingtons push to expand coordination beyond advanced economies. He added that he had been advocating for a dedicated G7 dialogue on critical minerals since last summers leaders summit, citing what he described as Chinas weaponisation of supply chains. G7 finance ministers had already held a virtual meeting on the issue in December, he said. Chinas grip on refining According to the International Energy Agency, China dominates global refining of most major critical minerals including copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements with an average market share of around 70 percent. The agency has also flagged Chinas control over downstream components such as manganese sulphate and phosphoric acid, key inputs for batteries and advanced manufacturing. This concentration has emerged as a strategic vulnerability for Western economies, particularly as demand for critical minerals accelerates due to the energy transition and the rapid expansion of AI-led data centres. Indias role beyond the Quad India is also set to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative ahead of an artificial intelligence summit to be hosted by New Delhi. Although India is a Quad partner, it was not initially included in Pax Silica, which currently includes the US, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK, Israel, the UAE and Australia. India will also participate in another US meeting on critical minerals ahead of the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit scheduled in New Delhi on February 1920, according to Economic Times. US has a Pakistan angle Separately, the US maintains a distinct engagement with Pakistan on critical minerals, an initiative that has contributed to closer political ties between Washington and Islamabad. A proposed agreement between the US and India seeks to more than double their bilateral trade, targeting a total of $500 billion by 2030 compared to the current $191 billion 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 and the US will resume the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) talks on Tuesday, a day after US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor arrived in India. The announcement come amid President Donald Trumps claim that New Delhi is delaying the conclusion of the deal. Talking about the India-US relationship on his first day in office, Gor said, Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end. The US and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest level. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Trumps real friend and that he can attest to this, having travelled all over the world with President Trump. On BTA Talking about ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries, Gor said, Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow (Tuesday) India is the worlds largest nation. So, its not an easy task to get this across the finish line. India and the US are in protracted negotiations for a trade deal. They are holding parallel negotiations one, on a framework trade deal to address the high tariffs levied by the US, and the other on a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement. Trump has imposed 50 per cent tariff on India, highest among all other countries, with 25 per cent of it levied as a punitive measure for buying Russian oil. A proposed agreement between the US and India seeks to more than double their bilateral trade, targeting a total of $500 billion by 2030 compared to the current $191 billion. This ambitious goal follows a strong period of economic cooperation, as the US maintained its position as Indias top trading partner for the fourth year in a row during FY25, with trade between the two nations reaching $131.84 billion. While trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education and health, Gor said. India and Germany have stepped up economic and security engagement with the signing of new agreements, as New Delhi and Europe seek to recalibrate partnerships amid global trade pressures, shifting geopolitics and growing uncertainty in ties with the United States. India and Germany on Monday signed a series of agreements to strengthen economic and security cooperation, reflecting a broader attempt by both sides to reduce dependence on China and hedge against growing uncertainty driven by US policy under President Donald Trump. The engagement comes as India actively reorients its global partnerships amid high US tariffs, while Europe is increasingly seen by policymakers as the most viable counterweight to Washingtons economic pressure tactics. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Push for India-EU free trade deal German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of a kite festival in Gujarat, said the European Union and India could sign a landmark free trade agreement as early as this month. Such a deal would significantly reshape trade ties between the two blocs. Indias expanding engagement with the EU reflects a deeper structural shift in its external economic and strategic outlook. With trade ties with the US strained by punitive tariffs of up to 50 percent, Europe long considered a secondary economic partner is emerging as a more prominent, and potentially critical, alternative market and strategic collaborator. Defence cooperation gains momentum Beyond commerce, the worlds third- and fifth-largest economies are also seeking to enhance defence cooperation as geopolitical shifts alter the global strategic balance. Germany is rapidly building up its defence industrial base as the threat from Russia grows more acute. At the same time, Europe appears increasingly keen to dilute Indias long-standing defence dependence on Russia a notable recalibration of a geostrategic approach it has pursued for decades. For New Delhi, closer engagement with Europe offers diversification and strategic leverage at a time when traditional power alignments are under strain. Indias defence sourcing driven by national interest Amid these developments, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Indias defence procurement decisions are guided entirely by national interest and not by ideology. Responding to comments by Chancellor Merz, who said Germany wanted to deepen security cooperation with India to reduce its reliance on Russia, Misri said the German leader was pointing to a broader shift in Berlins defence and security policy towards India. Our approach on defence sourcing is driven entirely by national interest. There are many factors involved, and it is certainly not ideological. Sourcing from one country is not linked to sourcing from another, Misri said. India is currently in discussions with Germanys Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems for a potential deal to build six submarines in partnership with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russia remains a key defence partner India continues to work closely with Russia on security policy, with a significant share of its military equipment sourced from Moscow. India is also among the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, alongside China. Defence cooperation remains a core pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership and is governed by the Agreement on the Programme for Military Technical Cooperation. The two sides regularly conduct military exercises and personnel exchanges. India continues to operate several Russian-origin platforms, including T-90 main battle tanks, Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets and MiG-29K aircraft. Over time, cooperation has expanded from a buyer-seller relationship to joint research, development and production, with key examples including the BrahMos cruise missile and the manufacture of AK-203 assault rifles in India. Germany clears defence backlogs, submarine talks continue Misri also pointed to a shift in Germanys defence policy towards India, noting that approvals which once took considerable time are now being cleared faster, with much of the backlog addressed. On the proposed submarine deal, he said technical, financial and commercial discussions were ongoing and had maintained positive momentum, though he cautioned that it was difficult to assess the precise stage of talks. The Defence Ministry would have a better sense of where things stand. What I can say is that discussions are proceeding positively, and we hope to see a positive outcome, Misri said. An Iranian official has said that at least 2,000 people have been killed in protests in Iran. The official blamed terrorists for these deaths. In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire as they take to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world, in Tehran, Iran. AP Around 2,000 people have been killed in ongoing nationwide protests in Iran, an Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday. The official blamed terrorists for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. The weekslong protests began in Iran around two weeks ago over grievances over the poor state of the economy but soon spiralled into an all-out revolt against the theocratic regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. The protests have emerged as the biggest threat to the regime in many years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Irans leaders initially appeared to be conciliatory, they later hardened their stance and cracked down on protesters with an iron fist, with rights organisations and Iran-focussed monitors estimating several hundred killed and injured. They have also said that thousands have been arrested. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based Iranian rights monitor, reported on Sunday that there had been protests in about 585 locations in more than 185 cities across all 31 provinces of Iran and more than 10,000 people have been arrested so far, according to The New York Times. Even as they have mounted a crackdown, Iranian leaders have sought to pursue a two-pronged approach where they have called disgruntlement about the state of affairs as legitimate and have blamed the United States and Israel of fomenting unrest. They have said terrorists have taken over legitimate protests. Such claims of foreign sponsorship of protests have been made at a time when US President Donald Trump has threatened to intervene. There have been reports that he has been briefed about military options and they have led to fears that he could launch another round of strikes in Iran. Defying Trumps warning that he would respond strongly if casualties among protesters mount, Khamenei said the authorities would not back down and called the protesters vandals who were trying to please Trump. As mass protests engulf Iran, Tehran appears increasingly isolated, with Russia and China offering only limited support while US President Donald Trump signals that military options remain on the table. Iran is facing one of the most powerful protest waves in its history, with demonstrators storming government buildings and spreading across entire cities. As mass protests sweep Iran, the country appears geopolitically weakened, with its traditional partners offering little assurance of decisive support. While US President Donald Trump weighs military options, neither Russia nor China seems willing to fully step in, raising questions about how far Tehrans allies are prepared to go to protect the Islamic Republic. Iran is facing one of the most powerful protest waves in its history, with demonstrators storming government buildings and spreading across entire cities. Despite hundreds of reported fatalities during a state crackdown, the protests show no sign of abating. For the first time, demonstrators are rallying under relatively unified slogans demanding the restoration of the monarchy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The protests, which erupted at the end of last year, quickly turned violent. Protesters threw stones at police, attacked government buildings, set fire to security vehicles and hurled Molotov cocktails at law enforcement officers. Human rights activists say more than 500 people have been killed and over 10,000 detained. Since January 8, Iran has imposed a near-total internet blackout in an effort to disrupt mobilisation. Although protesters have articulated a clear political demand, they continue to suffer from poor coordination and a lack of recognised leadership. Trump weighs options as stakes rise The possibility that the unrest could escalate further has been shaped by repeated warnings from US President Donald Trump. He has threatened strikes if Iran continues suppressing protests, saying on Monday that were looking at some very strong options. Recent US military action in Venezuela has lent credibility to those threats. The United States and Israel have already considered further strikes on Iran to dismantle its nuclear programme. Such action could fuel hopes of regime change among protesters, though it could also prompt the authorities to rally public support against an external threat. Russias limited backing Russia, one of Irans closest allies in recent years, appears prepared to offer only limited assistance. According to Carnegie Politika, Tehran cannot expect Moscow to do much more than supply helicopters and provide a refuge for fleeing leaders if the situation worsens. Several Il-76 military transport aircraft have reportedly arrived in Iran from Russia and Belarus, alongside the countrys first Mi-28 attack helicopters. In December, images emerged showing dozens of Russian Spartak armoured vehicles delivered to Iran. Such equipment would be ineffective against US or Israeli air strikes and unnecessary for crowd control. It would, however, be relevant if unrest were to escalate into armed insurgency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even so, Moscows support should not be overstated. The Kremlin has previously abandoned allies when circumstances deteriorated, including in Venezuela earlier this year, in Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime in 2024, and in Iran itself during the twelve-day war last summer. Direct deployment of Russian troops to defend the Iranian regime appears unlikely. What Moscow is doing is closely studying Irans response to unrest. Russia is examining Tehrans use of internet restrictions, particularly its national internet system, which keeps domestic services running while cutting off external access. Russias own internet whitelists closely mirror this approach, and millions of Russians have already experienced similar shutdowns. China keeps its distance China, meanwhile, has denounced interference in Irans internal affairs but is unlikely to mount any rescue effort. Observers point to Venezuela as a precedent, where Beijing avoided direct involvement despite its economic interests. Just weeks after Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps led a counterterrorism drill with China, Russia and other Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members, the same force is now being deployed domestically against protesters it labels terrorists. As deaths reportedly mount into the thousands, Irans ambassador to Beijing, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, said Tehran would protect Chinese businesses and nationals and hoped to receive help from China and other friendly countries, according to state-owned Phoenix TV. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD No bullet to take for Tehran Those appeals have been met with open scepticism in parts of Chinas nationalist discourse. Zhanhao, one of Chinas most widely read WeChat public accounts, argued that China should not take the bullet for Iran, contending that Tehran has failed to prove its value to Beijing. While Zhanhao is a for-profit outlet, its reach and alignment with officially tolerated nationalist narratives have made its position notable. The commentary reflects a broader, increasingly transactional view of the Iran-China relationship, one shaped by risk aversion and concerns over secondary sanctions. China continues to absorb most of Irans oil exports, but at steep discounts, while flooding the Iranian market with Chinese goods. Against this backdrop, Beijings reaction to Irans mass killings of protesters and sweeping internet blackout remains unstated. London recorded its lowest-ever murder rate in 2025, with police citing the data to counter claims by Donald Trump and Elon Musk that the city has become unsafe. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley described London as an extraordinarily safe global city and said the evidence showing improving safety was brutally clear. London has recorded its lowest murder rate on record in 2025, according to official data, challenging claims that the UK capital has become dangerously crime-ridden. The figures have been cited by the citys police chief as a rebuttal to what he described as a crazily polarised debate about safety in London, fuelled in part by comments from Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said London was an extraordinarily safe global city and argued that evidence of improving safety was brutally clear. He said London had become a focal point in a broader culture war, despite crime trends showing the opposite of what critics claim. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump and Musk have previously suggested that London has descended into lawlessness, while Reform UK figures have echoed similar sentiments. Homicide figures at historic low According to Metropolitan Police data, 97 people were murdered in London in 2025. This equates to a homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, the lowest since comparable records began in 1997. It is also the lowest number of murders recorded since 2014, when Londons population was smaller. For comparison, New York Citys homicide rate stands at 2.8 per 100,000, while Chicagos is 11.7. European cities cited by Rowley included Berlin at 3.2 and Milan at 1.6. London is safer than every US state, or thereabouts, let alone the big cities, Rowley said. Polarised debate Rowley said there remained a persistent global perception, including among international business leaders, that London was unsafe. You only have to look online to see some of thats out there, he said. There is a crazily polarised public debate, he added. I find that quite sad and quite frustrating. He suggested that some critics ignored facts for attention or out of broader anger. I think people have a whole load of different reasons for ignoring facts. I think some people just want online clicks, some people are angry with the world generally, he said. Political criticism and public perception Laila Cunningham, Reforms candidate for the London mayoralty in 2028, said people once envied Londoners but now pity them, adding, They say: Londons a bit too dangerous for me. Trump has previously referred to alleged no-go zones in London and suggested parts of the city were under sharia law. Polling, however, indicates that Londoners broadly feel safe in their city, even as concerns persist around rising property crime, particularly phone snatching and shoplifting. Rowley said the Mets approach combined a more relentless bearing down on criminals with increased use of technology, including facial recognition cameras in busy areas. When we put our facial recognition kit and teams in a high-footfall, high-crime area, well have 15 serious arrests in a couple of hours, he said. He rejected suggestions that the force had focused on serious crime at the expense of antisocial behaviour. Were bearing down on all of these issues and you can see the effect of it, Rowley said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vetting concerns and past scandals Rowley also addressed scrutiny of the Met following a period between 2018 and 2023 when vetting standards were loosened to boost officer numbers. The Home Office said last week that more than 5,000 officers may have been recruited without full checks, and there was uncertainty over the vetting of another 17,000 of the forces 45,000 personnel. The Met has dismissed 1,500 staff in the past three years for criminal offences or breaches of police rules. The Home Office has asked HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary to investigate vetting standards. The issue remains sensitive following the 2021 abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens, then a serving Met officer. Protests and policing standards Rowley acknowledged other scandals, including racist, misogynistic and homophobic conduct by officers at Charing Cross police station, saying some had done ghastly things. He defended the Mets decision to recalibrate arrest standards at pro-Palestinian protests, following chants that had previously not met the Crown Prosecution Service threshold for hate crimes. He said recent antisemitic terror attacks in Manchester and Australia had changed the context. In a joint statement with Greater Manchester Police, the Met cited the chant globalise the intifada as a source of particular concern for Jewish communities. On 2 August 2027 a total solar eclipse delivers the centuries longest totality at six minutes twenty three seconds plunging midday into twilight across Spain North Africa and the Middle East. Daylight will fade abruptly into an unnatural gloom mid afternoon on 2 August 2027 casting sharp shadows and silencing birds across a narrow swath of Earth. This rare total solar eclipse promises the longest period of midday darkness this century prompting global excitement and travel plans years ahead. Exceptional duration draws crowds The event peaks with totality lasting up to six minutes and twenty three seconds far exceeding typical eclipses that offer mere minutes of the Suns corona against a blackened sky. Such extended coverage arises from precise orbital positions with the Moon nearer Earth appearing larger while the Sun looks slightly smaller from our distant vantage. This alignment transforms ordinary daytime into twilight rousing street lamps and chilling air by several degrees as the celestial dance unfolds. Communities along the path brace for influxes of viewers turning quiet towns into bustling hubs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Path traces historic landscapes The shadows ribbon stretches from southern Spain through the Mediterranean touching Morocco Algeria Tunisia Libya and Egypt before crossing the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula. Picture ancient temples in Luxor bathed in eerie glow or Andalusian hills cloaked in sudden night blending natural wonder with cultural resonance. Clear summer skies in these regions heighten appeal though popular spots like Luxor risk overcrowding. Smaller nearby villages promise equal spectacle minus chaos offering savvy travellers serene vantage points. Personal stories fuel anticipation Veteran observers recount life altering moments from past eclipses like 1999s European sweep or 2017s American traverse where metallic light and crisp shadows etched memories. Children witness transformations sparking careers in astronomy while couples forge bonds amid shared awe. This eclipse invites similar narratives across diverse cultures from European tourists mingling with North African locals to families trading glasses under unfamiliar stars. Its democratic reach unites strangers in collective wonder transcending daily divides. Practical steps ensure best view Secure spots early targeting primary and fallback locations within driving distance to counter clouds or crowds. Aim to arrive days ahead dodging transport snags in high demand areas where hotels multiply prices and roads clog. Prioritise human experience over gadgets using certified glasses for partial phases then gazing freely during totality. Pack essentials like water seating and journals capturing raw emotions as light returns. Rituals such as group silence or pre post photos anchor the fleeting magic leaving room for spontaneity. Common concerns addressed Safety demands indirect viewing until full coverage when naked eyes suffice briefly. Clouds mute visuals yet deliver palpable darkness and coolness prompting backups in clearer zones. Booking surges hit Spain and Egypt first so calendar alerts and modest savings jars start now. Beyond visuals the eclipse resets perspectives halting routines to confront cosmic vastness fostering slowness amid fast lives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lasting echoes beyond spectacle Post event tales endure from engagements sparked in shadow to youths inspired toward science outlasting data or images. It humbles reminding all of shared fragility under universal mechanics. As sunlight reemerges altered viewpoints linger turning a geometric event into profound human chapter. Grandchildren may pore over ancestors stories of that prolonged midday night cementing its place in lore. This eclipse offers not just rarity but invitation to pause connect and witness scale anew. As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney embarks on a visit to China amid President Donald Trump straining the US-Canada ties, he faces the challenge to advance economic interests while safeguarding national security while upholding Canadas identity as a liberal democracy. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney (left) shakes hands with Chia's President Xi Jinping at the start of a meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 31, 2025. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) It has been more than three years since Chinas Xi Jinping told Canadas Justin Trudeau to create the conditions first before the two countries could work together constructively during their awkward private exchange at the 2022 G20 summit. Despite occasional diplomatic engagement since then, the conditions for genuine co-operation between Canada and China failed to materialize, and the relationship remained overshadowed by the Meng Wanzhou affair, the ordeal of the Two Michaels and disputes over foreign interference. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Threats by United States President Donald Trump to make Canada a 51st state, combined with his disruptive trade policies, have forced Ottawa to re-examine the risks of excessive economic dependence on its closest ally and articulate an ambition to double Canadas non-U.S. exports over the next decade. As Prime Minister Mark Carney recently put it: Never have all your eggs in one basket. We have too many eggs in the American basket. At the same time, China has signalled a willingness to stabilize strained relations following Carneys election win last year. Canada-China tariffs Foreign Minister Anita Anands visit to Beijing, together with Carney and Xis informal meeting on the margins of the APEC summit last October, suggests that the groundwork now exists for a serious stabilization of CanadaChina relations. Carneys visit to China this week builds on this emerging momentum. While the visit could be positive, Canadian expectations should be realistic, since the trip marks a stabilizing process rather than a symbol of stabilized relationship. Trade will be at the top of Carneys agenda, particularly the Canadian push for China to lift anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola oil. Yet few should expect an immediate breakthrough. Economic sanctions are rarely undone in a single high-level meeting; more often, such visits lay the groundwork for the harder, more technical negotiations that follow. Australias experience offers a reality check. China did not lift restrictions on Australian coal and review anti-dumping duties on barley during high-level visits; those steps came months later, following sustained diplomatic engagement after Foreign Minister Penny Wongs trip to Beijing in late 2022. Nor did Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses state visit in November 2023 trigger the immediate removal of remaining tariffs on exports such as wine, red meat and live lobsters. Progress came gradually through patience, process and persistent diplomacy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The canola dispute is different. Chinas tariffs were a direct response to Ottawas duties on Chinese electric vehicles. In a relationship governed by reciprocity, China is unlikely to move first without a signal from Canada. Rather than expecting immediate, tangible outcomes, this state visit is best understood as an ice-breaking moment to encourage governments at different levels and across sectors to resume or establish dialogue. Over time, such channels can normalize working relationships and foster bilateral co-operation. More diplomacy, no security concessions The high-profile shift in Ottawas China policy places the Carney government under closer domestic scrutiny. Canadians will want to know whether this approach can advance economic interests while safeguarding national security while remaining consistent with Canadas identity as a liberal democracy. China, for its part, will expect Ottawa to demonstrate a sustained commitment to stabilization. All of this will unfold under the continued pressure of the American China strategy, which will continue to shape the boundaries of Canadas policy choices. Maintaining a balance among competing national interests has become increasingly difficult for middle powers like Canada. Yet Australias China policy over the past three years, characterized by pragmatic engagement without strategic concession, suggests such a balance is possible. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But it will require Canada to invest more heavily in effective diplomacy, rather than relying on inflammatory or performative rhetoric for domestic political gain. It means favouring neutral, precise language over emotive labelling when responding to Chinese actions. It also demands strong leadership from Carney: centralizing message discipline, enforcing cabinet coherence on China policy and reducing the risk that domestic political point-scoring spills into the diplomatic realm. Ottawa should also use re-established communication channels as the primary venue for managing disagreements. These mechanisms can support incremental, negotiated solutions to specific disputes, rather than an over-reliance on public pressure and symbolic gestures. Stabilization with continuity A shift in diplomatic approach does not imply a retreat from Canadas core strategic commitments. The Carney government can and should reaffirm that stabilizing its relationship with China is compatible with maintaining robust national security and democratic values. This requires embedding China policy within Canadas broader Indo-Pacific strategy rather than treating it as a bilateral exception. It also involves deepening security co-operation with regional partners to help foster an environment where states are not forced to choose between either the United States or China. At home, Canada should continue to strengthen institutional safeguards against foreign interference, pairing them with transparent public communication that demonstrates the governments confidence in institutions and avoids doubling down on any public anxiety about China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ultimately, Canadas China policy after Carneys visit should be one of stabilization with continuity, making clear that engagement is being pursued from a position of institutional strength, not strategic accommodation. Suspected Pakistani drones were spotted along the Line of Control in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday, prompting security forces to heighten vigilance and launch counter-drone operations. Suspected Pakistani drones were sighted along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district on Tuesday, prompting security forces to maintain high alert. According to sources cited by News18, several drone-like objects were first seen hovering over Dheri Dhara village near the Keri sector around 7:35 pm before moving towards Kalali village. Security agencies opened fire and activated counter-drone measures, after which the objects were observed returning across the border. Monitoring along the LoC has been intensified. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Separately, another suspected drone was spotted in the Thandi Kassi area of Rajouri, prompting authorities to raise alerts. Security forces have launched search operations near the LoC in Rajouri and neighbouring Poonch districts. Encounter in Kathua Earlier on Tuesday, an encounter broke out between security forces and suspected militants in Kathua district. Gunfire was reported after forces launched a search operation based on intelligence about militant movement in a remote village. Officials said intermittent firing came from the Najote forest area of Billawar, about 10 km from the Kamadh nallah in the Kahog forest belt, where a similar exchange occurred on January 7. Suspected militants fired upon observing security forces, who retaliated while moving deeper into the forest. The cordon-and-search operation has been strengthened, and efforts are ongoing to track the militants. Pattern of recent drone sightings On January 12, multiple suspected drone-like objects were reported along the LoC and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. A drone was seen moving from Tain towards Topa in Poonch district at 6:25 pm, while another appeared at Khabbar village in Teryath, Rajouri, at 6:35 pm. A blinking light was also reported from Dharmsal village in Kalakote towards Bharakh. Army and security forces deployed Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (Counter-UAS) measures, after which the drones returned across the border. The latest sightings come just two days after security forces were put on high alert on Sunday evening following multiple suspected Pakistani drone movements along the IB and LoC in Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch districts. Officials said at least five drone movements were observed in forward areas, triggering ground searches to rule out the possibility of arms or contraband being dropped on Indian soil. The objects were seen entering Indian airspace, hovering briefly over sensitive locations, and retreating toward Pakistan. Army warns Pakistan Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said India had conveyed a clear warning to Pakistan over the recent UAV sightings, describing such activity as not acceptable. Speaking at his annual press conference, he said Director General of Military Operations-level talks were held with Pakistan on Tuesday, during which India raised concerns over the drone movements. We have told Pakistan to rein in its drones, he said, adding that the Army remains fully alert and prepared for any misadventure. Western front remains on edge General Dwivedi said the western front continues to demand close attention following the Pahalgam attack. Indian forces recalibrated their posture through a swift reset strategy, with Operation Sindoor carried out with precision and still ongoing. Terrorist-initiated activities have reduced, but Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism, the Army chief said, warning that any future misadventure would be dealt with effectively. Taiwan President Lai Ching te thanked Canada for backing during Chinese military drills near the island. He praised deepening trade and technology ties ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carneys visit to Beijing. Conservative lawmakers affirmed solidarity despite diplomatic sensitivities. Taiwan president Lai Ching te voices gratitude to Canada amid rising China tensions. The exchange highlights growing unofficial bonds despite Beijings persistent military posturing around the island. Lai praises bilateral progress Taiwan President Lai Ching te warmly received a Canadian parliamentary group on Tuesday expressing deep thanks for Ottawas steady backing during recent aggressive Chinese military exercises near the island. He outlined notable advances in trade technology and investment ties over recent years including a pivotal agreement sealed in 2023 that has bolstered economic collaboration. Lai stressed that these developments signal a maturing partnership yielding tangible benefits for both sides even as formal diplomatic recognition remains absent given Canadas one China policy stance. The meeting occurred at Taipeis presidential office where Lai underscored the mutual gains from sustained engagement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Acknowledgement of Canadian support Lai specifically commended Canadas prompt public statement last month voicing alarm over Beijings large scale war games encircling Taiwan. He noted that Ottawas firm opposition to any unilateral moves altering the Taiwan Strait status quo reflects a broader global agreement on preserving regional peace and stability. Canadian naval vessels have periodically transited the strait most recently in September drawing sharp rebuke from Beijing which views such passages as provocative. Lai framed this support as vital reassurance that Taiwan enjoys allies committed to deterring coercive actions and upholding navigational freedoms in these contested waters. Conservative lawmakers affirm friendship The delegation comprised mainly opposition Conservative Party members including deputy leader Melissa Lantsman who affirmed Taiwans status as a reliable partner. Lantsman declared their presence carried a straightforward message of solidarity assuring Taiwanese citizens of friendships within Canadas legislature. She emphasised the groups sincere intent to stand with Taiwan against mounting pressures from the mainland. Taiwans foreign ministry separately minimised the impact of two Liberal Party lawmakers cutting short their Taiwan visit earlier this week following government guidance to align with foreign policy ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carneys upcoming Beijing trip. Navigating diplomatic sensitivities The early exit of the Liberal duo aimed to sidestep any perceived misalignment with Canadas official positions as Carney prepares for talks in China starting Wednesday. Those discussions will cover trade dynamics and global security matters at a juncture when Ottawa grapples with fraught relations across the border. US President Donald Trumps trade hostilities and territorial rhetoric towards Canada add layers of complexity to Carneys agenda complicating Trans Pacific alignments. Taiwan officials expressed confidence that routine parliamentary exchanges will persist undeterred by such scheduling adjustments. Broader implications for stability This interaction unfolds against Beijings stepped up coercion including frequent air and sea incursions testing Taiwans defences. Lai avoided direct reference to Carneys China itinerary during the public remarks focusing instead on shared interests in strait tranquillity. The episode illustrates Taiwans deft diplomacy in cultivating like minded supporters worldwide while Beijing intensifies its claims. Canadas balanced approach blending economic pragmatism with security concerns positions it as a key player in these dynamics. As tensions simmer both sides eye deeper cooperation to counterbalance pressures without triggering escalation. Sustained dialogue remains crucial for all stakeholders invested in averting conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Currently, Irans largest trading partners are China, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey. The White House, however, has not shared any details about the new tariffs or revealed which countries would be hit the most US President Donald Trump takes questions from members of the media during a meeting with oil and gas executives in the East Room of the White House on January 9, 2026 in Washington, DC. AFP US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration would impose a 25 per cent tariff on countries trading with Iran, as he backs protestors amid widespread demonstrations across the country. Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive, Trump said on TruthSocial. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Currently, Irans largest trading partners are China, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey. The White House, however, has not shared any details about the new tariffs or revealed which countries would be hit the most. Trump mulls military action Trump has also said he is considering against Iran over the protests that have reportedly killed over 500 people till now. 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 said. 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. Meanwhile, Irans Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has issued a strong warning to the US that its military bases, ships, and personnel across the country would be targeted if he intervenes in Iranian affairs. Come and see what will happen to American ships and military bases in the region. Come and burn in the fire of the Iranian nation so severely that it becomes a lasting lesson in history for all oppressive US rulers. Come and find out what will happen to you and to the region, Qalibaf warned. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pezeshkian joins pro-govt rally 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. 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. Oil major plans assessment visit even as Trump signals reluctance to allow its return after Maduros ouster ExxonMobil has signalled that it remains open to re-entering Venezuelas oil sector and is prepared to send a technical assessment team to the country within weeks, despite a public rebuke from US President Donald Trump, who said he is inclined to keep the company out. According to sources familiar with the companys strategy, Exxon executives were taken aback by Trumps remarks, which came just days after Exxon chief executive Darren Woods met the president alongside other top oil executives at the White House. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At that meeting, Woods had cautioned that Venezuela was currently uninvestable without legal reforms, stronger protection for foreign investments, and greater contract sanctity. Trump later told reporters aboard Air Force One that he didnt like Exxons response, saying the company was playing too cute on the issue. Despite the public warning, Exxon remains interested in evaluating Venezuelas vast but degraded oil infrastructure and assets. Woods had told Trump that Exxon could dispatch a technical team within weeks to assess facilities and production potential, signalling that the company is keeping its long-term options open. The renewed interest in Venezuela comes after US forces captured and removed former President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic overnight operation, prompting the Trump administration to push aggressively for American oil majors to invest up to $100 billion to rebuild the countrys oil industry. Chevron is currently the only major US operator in Venezuela. Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips were forced out in the mid-2000s after the late President Hugo Chavez nationalised the industry. Both companies are still owed more than $13 billion collectively following international arbitration rulings over expropriated assets. Industry experts say those unresolved debts, combined with Venezuelas history of asset seizures, policy volatility, and security concerns, remain major hurdles for Exxon and ConocoPhillips, regardless of the political reset in Caracas. American Petroleum Institute President Mike Sommers said companies would require stronger workforce security, clear legal frameworks and firm contract guarantees before committing major capital. He added that while Venezuelas resource base is huge and offers very significant investment potential, legacy disputes will be a significant hurdle for returning firms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has sought to reassure oil executives, promising total safety for companies willing to invest. His administration has also issued an executive order aimed at protecting Venezuelan oil revenues from judicial seizures, arguing that such actions could undermine US efforts to stabilise the country. The White House has framed its Venezuela strategy in overtly economic terms. Trump has spoken of seizing tankers, taking control of Venezuelan oil sales, and overseeing global crude marketing signalling that Washington intends to play a central role in reshaping the countrys oil economy. For Exxon, however, the message is cautious but clear: it is not rushing back, but it is not closing the door either, even as political uncertainty continues to cloud the path to one of the worlds largest oil reserves. Machado has been sidelined by Washington since US forces seized long-term authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro on January 3 and the Trump administration announced it would be running Venezuela Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado speaks during a press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere (not pictured), a day after the award ceremony, in Oslo, Norway, on December 11, 2025. Reuters Washington announced Monday Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado will meet President Donald Trump this week as pressure grew on the interim leadership in Caracas to speed up the release of political prisoners. Machado has been sidelined by Washington since US forces seized long-term authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro on January 3 and the Trump administration announced it would be running Venezuela.Disregarding Machado and her understudy Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, Trump has been working instead with acting president Delcy Rodriguez, left in power with other Maduro allies. Trump has warned Rodriguez to toe Washingtons line or face the consequences particularly on granting access to the South American countrys vast oil reserves. A US administration official told AFP the Republican president will meet Machado at the White House on Thursday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Venezuela, meanwhile, announced it had freed 116 more people jailed under Maduro many for taking part in protests after his disputed 2024 election. Rights groups questioned the numbers, and family members clamored for speedier releases promised by Caracas under pressure from Washington. Relatives have been camped out at prisons for days, growing increasingly restless as loved ones have failed to appear. We simply ask that they keep their word, said Manuel Mendoza, who had driven six hours to be at the El Rodeo prison, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Caracas, for his sons Jose Daniels anticipated release. Its already been four nights waiting out in the open air, suffering. UN experts and the opposition said only about 50 prisoners have been freed so far out of the 800-1,200 that rights groups estimate are being held. Papal intervention? Machado on Monday urged Pope Leo XIV to intercede on behalf of prisoners. I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared, Machado said after an audience with the pontiff at the Vatican. Gonzalez Urrutia who ran as the oppositions presidential candidate in 2024 after Machado was disqualified by institutions loyal to Maduro said every hour that passes is a new form of violence against families of prisoners. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rodriguez, despite being a staunch Maduro ally, is negotiating with Washington, which is looking to take advantage of Venezuelas vast oil reserves. US envoys visited Caracas last week to discuss reopening Washingtons embassy there seven years after diplomatic ties were severed. On Sunday, Trump said he was open to a meeting with Rodriguez and that his administration was working really well with hers. He said he hoped the freed prisoners will remember how lucky they got that the USA came along and did what had to be done. But experts mandated to a UN fact-finding mission said in a statement Monday that the dozens of people freed so far was far short of Venezuelas international human rights obligations. Frustration was growing among about 40 relatives still camped out outside El Rodeo prison, where some had set up tents. Rights NGO Foro Penal said 15 people had been released from the facility, but family members told AFP they were whisked away through a back exit without seeing the loved ones waiting for them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The government in Caracas said a review of prisoner files was ongoing. Transition to democracy Machado said she had underscored Urrutias legitimacy in her talks with Leo and sought the popes backing for the prompt advancement of the transition to democracy in Venezuela. The opposition and much of the international community consider Urrutia the legitimate victor of Venezuelas last presidential election. Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year and dedicated it to Trump, who has made no secret of his frustration at being passed over for the award. In Caracas Monday, Rodriguez made a number of ministerial changes, naming a former Maduro bodyguard as minister of the presidential office charged with managing her agenda and liaising with state agencies. She also replaced the head of the presidential guard, who leads the feared counterintelligence unit. Her government said it was ready to pursue a new agenda with the European Union and Britain following talks Monday with their envoys. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also revealed that while Irans public message has been reflecting opposition to Trumps threats, Tehrans private messages to Trump have a tone of conciliation The White House has said that US President Donald Trump is unafraid to use military force against Iran, as widespread protests have killed over 500 people in the country. Speaking to Fox News, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that while diplomacy remained Trumps first option, he was unafraid to use the lethal force and might of the United States military if and when he deems that necessary." Airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief. Hes made it quite clear he certainly doesnt want to see people being killed in the streets of Tehran, and unfortunately, thats something were seeing right now, Leavitt said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The press secretary also revealed that while Irans public message has been reflecting opposition to Trumps threats, Tehrans private messages to Trump have a tone of conciliation. Trump imposes sanctions on Irans trading partners Trump has announced that his administration would impose a 25 per cent tariff on countries trading with Iran, as he backs protestors amid widespread demonstrations across the country. Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive, Trump said on TruthSocial. Currently, Irans largest trading partners are China, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey. The White House, however, has not shared any details about the new tariffs or revealed which countries would be hit the most. Iran warns US Meanwhile, Irans Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has issued a strong warning to the US that its military bases, ships, and personnel across the country would be targeted if he intervenes in Iranian affairs. Come and see what will happen to American ships and military bases in the region. Come and burn in the fire of the Iranian nation so severely that it becomes a lasting lesson in history for all oppressive US rulers. Come and find out what will happen to you and to the region, Qalibaf warned. In what appears to be a clear war crime, the US military reportedly struck a boat from a plane disguised as a civilian aircraft by using paint to cover its military markings a tactic considered a crime under both US military law and international law. The screengrab of a video posted by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social on September 2, 2025, shows the boat that the US military attacked that day. (Photo: Truth Social/Donald Trump) In what appears to be a clear war crime, the US military used a plane disguised as a civilian aircraft to strike a boat, according to The New York Times. Such instances of feigning civilian status disguising either personnel or equipment are known as perfidy and are considered crimes under both US military law and international law. The Times reported that the military plane that struck a boat on September 2, 2025, in the Caribbean Sea had been disguised as a civilian aircraft using paint. It was the first in an ongoing wave of fatal strikes in international waters on boats accused of carrying drugs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since Sept. 2, the US military has carried out at least 35 strikes on boats in international waters in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean and killed at least 123 sailors. While the Donald Trump administration has labelled them narco-terrorists and declared these boats drug-carrying vessels, it has neither provided evidence nor identified those killed. Trump faces war crimes charge again While the entire campaign of blowing up boats and killing sailors is legally questionable, the Sept. 2 strike stands out as almost every aspect violated longstanding US military rules as well as international law. In addition to painting the aircraft to conceal its military status, the plane also carried its munitions inside the fuselage rather than visibly under its wings like regular military aircraft, according to The Times. Questions about the concealment have been raised in closed-door congressional briefings but have not been made public because the aircraft involved in the strike was classified, The Times reported. Notably, this is the same strike in which the US military carried out a secondary attack to kill two unarmed shipwrecked survivors of the first strike. That too attracted accusations of war crime as killing unarmed shipwrecked sailors is outlawed under both US military rules and international law. The case for war crime Under the norms of armed conflict, feigning civilian status to fool an adversary into lowering their guard before attacking is called perfidy. It is a war crime under both US military law and international law. Multiple former officials told The Times that the Sept. 2 strike amounted to a war crime. If the military aircraft had been painted to disguise its military nature and approached close enough for those on the boat to see it tricking them into failing to realise they should take evasive action or surrender to survive that was a war crime under armed-conflict standards, Major General (Retired) Steven J Lepper, a former Deputy Judge Advocate General for the US Air Force, told The Times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Shielding your identity is an element of perfidy. If the aircraft flying above is not identifiable as a combatant aircraft, it should not be engaged in combatant activity, Lepper said. A US military handbook states that combatants at sea must use offensive force within the bounds of military honour, particularly without resort to perfidy, and stresses that commanders have a duty to distinguish their own forces from the civilian population, according to the newspaper. This massive increase in revocations reflects a broad crackdown that has led to an unprecedented number of deportations, including people who previously held valid visas A US flag, a passport and a US H-1B Visa application form are seen in this illustration. Reuters File The US State Department announced on Monday that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump took office last year, setting a new record for the administrations hardline immigration policy. This massive increase in revocations reflects a broad crackdown that has led to an unprecedented number of deportations, including people who previously held valid visas. To support this effort, the administration has tightened vetting procedures through expanded screening and social media checks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a statement posted to X, the department confirmed the total included 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised visas for individuals with criminal histories, vowing to continue these deportations to maintain public safety. Deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott noted that the figures represent a 150 per cent increase over 2024, with the most common reasons for revocation being visa overstays, DUIs, assault, and theft. BREAKING: The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized 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. pic.twitter.com/wuHVltw1bV Department of State (@StateDept) January 12, 2026 To ensure ongoing compliance, the State Department has launched a new Continuous Vetting Center designed to quickly identify and remove foreign nationals who pose a threat. At the same time, US diplomats have been ordered to increase scrutiny on visa applicants who have a history of political activism or are perceived as hostile to Washington. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Administration officials have specifically warned that student visa holders and green card holders could face deportation for participating in pro-Palestinian protests or criticising Israels conduct in the Gaza war, labelling such actions as a threat to US foreign policy. White House says Trump prefers diplomacy over Iran, but will not rule out military options Xinhua) 11:11, January 13, 2026 WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday diplomacy remains the preferred approach for the United States to deal with Iran, though the Trump administration will not rule out military options if necessary. U.S. "President (Donald) Trump has always expressed that diplomacy is the first option," Leavitt said on Fox News. "However, he is unafraid to use the lethal force and might of the United States military if and when he deems that necessary." "What President Trump will do next only he knows, so the world will have to keep waiting and guessing, and we will let him decide," she said, refusing to discuss any potential U.S. actions or policy decisions concerning Iran. Leavitt said the U.S. forces last year "totally obliterated" the Iranian nuclear program, which she described as the Middle Eastern country's "greatest leverage." Trump said Sunday his administration is weighing "some very strong options" including potential military action against Iran, claiming Iran was "starting" to cross the U.S. red line. The U.S. president is scheduled to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine on Tuesday to weigh U.S. options, which could include boosting antigovernment sources online, deploying secretive cyber weapons against Iranian military and civilian sites, placing more sanctions on Iran and military strikes, as well as the possibility of the U.S. sending terminals of Starlink, a satellite-based internet service owned by Elon Musk, into Iran for the first time during the Trump administration, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Sunday. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, 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. In this May 2020 file photo, RiversEdge West and the city of Grand Junction partner to pull weeds and tamarisk from the banks of the River Park at Las Colonias. Pictured is Shannon Wadas, then the associate director for RiversEdge West. Colorado Mesa University announced Monday that Wadas had been hired as the executive director of the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center. Former U.S. Navy Sailor Sentenced to 200 Months for Spying for China Monday, January 12, 2026 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Today, the Justice Department announced that Jinchao Wei, a former U.S. Navy sailor who was convicted of espionage by a federal jury in August 2025, was sentenced in federal court to 200 months in prison. Wei, 25, also known as Patrick Wei, was arrested in August 2023 on espionage charges as he arrived for work on the amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Essex at Naval Base San Diego, the homeport of the Pacific Fleet. He was indicted by a federal grand jury, accused of selling national defense information to an intelligence officer working for the People's Republic of China for $12,000. "Members of the United States military swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States," said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. "This active-duty U.S. Navy sailor betrayed his country and compromised the national security of the United States. The Justice Department will not tolerate this behavior. We stand ready to investigate, defend, and protect the interests of the American people." "Wei swore loyalty to the United States when he joined the Navy and reaffirmed that oath when he became a citizen," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. "He then accepted the solemn responsibility of protecting this Nation's secrets when the United States entrusted him with sensitive Navy information. He made a mockery of these commitments when he chose to endanger our Nation and our servicemembers by selling U.S. military secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer for personal profit. Today's sentence reflects our commitment to ensuring those who sell our Nation's secrets pay a very high price for their betrayal." "Wei betrayed the trust placed in him as a member of the U.S. Navy by knowingly transmitting sensitive military information to a Chinese intelligence officer," said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. "While not everything the FBI does to protect the homeland from China's intelligence services can be made public, this sentencing demonstrates the FBI's unwavering commitment to protect sensitive national defense information. It also serves as a reminder that those who choose to put personal gain above their oath and the safety of our nation will be brought to justice." "He betrayed his oath, his shipmates, the United States Navy, and the American people a level of disloyalty that strikes at the heart of our national security and demanded this powerful sentence," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. "By sharing thousands of documents, operating manuals, and export-controlled and sensitive information with a Chinese intelligence officer, Petty Officer Wei knowingly betrayed his fellow service members and the American people," said NCIS Director Omar Lopez. "Today's outcome demonstrates the shared commitment of NCIS, FBI, the Department of Justice and our Intelligence partners to aggressively pursue and hold accountable those who would put the lethality and readiness of our Naval fleet, as well as our national security, at risk. NCIS remains steadfast in its mission to protect U.S. Navy and Marine Corps forces and warfighting capabilities by neutralizing counterintelligence threats ashore, afloat and in cyberspace." "Today's sentence marks the conclusion of a first-of-its-kind espionage investigation in the district and reflects the seriousness of Wei's egregious actions against his own country," said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis, of the FBI San Diego Field Office. "The FBI will aggressively defend our homeland from anyone threatening our national security, including those on the inside betraying their sworn duty to the United States. We remain steadfast in protecting the American people and will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners to successfully carry out this mission." Following a five-day trial and one day of deliberation, the jury convicted Wei of six crimes, including conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of, and conspiracy to export, technical data related to defense articles in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. He was found not guilty of one count of naturalization fraud. According to evidence presented at trial, Wei, in his role as a machinist's mate, held a U.S. security clearance and had access to sensitive national defense information about the ship's weapons, propulsion and desalination systems. Amphibious assault ships like the Essex resemble small aircraft carriers and allow the U.S. military to project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the U.S. Navy's amphibious readiness and expeditionary strike capabilities. On February 14, 2022, Wei was recruited by a Chinese intelligence officer via social media who at first portrayed himself as a naval enthusiast who worked for the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. The evidence showed that even during the early days of his espionage career, Wei strongly suspected the intelligence officer's true identity and motive. On February 22, 2022, Wei told a friend who was also in the U.S. Navy that he thought he was "on the radar of a China intelligence organization," as he was in contact with an individual who was "extremely suspicious," "interested in the maintenance cycle of naval ships," and wanted him to "walk the pier" to "see which ships are docked" on a "daily basis." Wei said that this person would pay him $500. Wei told his friend that he is "no idiot" and that "this is quite obviously fucking espionage." Wei's friend suggested that Wei delete the contact. Instead of heeding his friend's advice, the very next day Wei transitioned his communications with the intelligence officer to a different encrypted messaging application that he believed was more secure and began spying for the intelligence officer. The evidence showed that between March 2022 and when he was arrested in August 2023, Wei, at the request of the intelligence officer, sent photographs and videos of the Essex, advised the officer of the location of various Navy ships, and described the defensive weapons of the Essex. He also described problems with his ship and other ships based at Naval Base San Diego and elsewhere. And, he sent the intelligence officer thousands of pages of technical and operational information about U.S. Navy surface warfare ships like the Essex that he took from restricted U.S. Navy computer systems. In exchange for this information, the officer paid Wei more than $12,000 over 18 months. In one of his larger thefts of U.S. Navy data, Wei sold the intelligence officer at least 30 technical and operating manuals about U.S. Navy systems. These manuals contained export control warnings and detailed the operations of multiple systems aboard the Essex and similar ships, including power, steering, weapons control, aircraft and deck elevators, as well as damage and casualty controls. In total, Wei sold the intelligence officer approximately 60 technical and operating manuals about U.S. Navy ships, as well as dozens of photographs and papers about the U.S. Navy and Wei's assignments on the Essex. Many of the manuals contained conspicuous export-control warnings on their cover pages. During the trial, the government presented evidence including phone conversations, electronic messages, and audio messages that Wei exchanged with his Chinese handler. These messages showed how they communicated, what they spoke about, the need for secrecy, the efforts they made to cover their tracks, the tasks issued by his case handler, and how Wei was paid for his work via an online payment method. As their relationship developed, Wei called his handler "Big Brother Andy" and obliged requests to keep their relationship secret by using multiple encrypted apps; deleting messages and accounts; using digital "dead drops" that disappear in 72 hours; and using a new computer and phone provided by his handler. The government told the jury that the evidence showed Wei was aware that what he was doing was wrong. He had received recent training from the Navy regarding how to detect recruitment efforts from foreign governments; he attempted to conceal his activity; and he searched the internet about another case in which a U.S. Navy sailor was convicted of espionage, even reading a Department of Justice press release about that case. Much of the evidence showed the evolution of Wei's relationship with his handler - Wei's increasing willingness to collect more and more sensitive information, and the intelligence officer's employment of intelligence tradecraft to keep developing Wei as a spy and to conceal their relationship and activities from U.S. authorities. For example, the jury saw photographs of the hand-written receipts that Wei created and sent to his handler to be paid and conversations that Wei and his handler had regarding the handler's increasingly generous offers to Wei, such as a trip for Wei and his mother to travel to China. Moreover, the jury was presented with documents and records obtained from electronic accounts demonstrating the intelligence officer's identity as a PRC intelligence officer, including photographs and identification documents. During his post-arrest interview Wei admitted that he gave the intelligence officer thousands of pages of technical and operating manuals and export-controlled data about U.S. Navy surface warfare ships, and that the intelligence officer paid him thousands of dollars for these materials. He also admitted that he knew that his actions were wrong and that he had tried to hide his activities. When the interviewing agents asked Wei how he would describe what he had been doing with the intelligence officer, Wei responded, "espionage." Wei, during his post-arrest interview with FBI: "I'm screwed." FBI: "What makes you say that?" Wei: "That I'm sharing the unclassified document toI mean document with, uhm, him . . . I'm not supposed to do that." The crime of espionage under U.S. Code Section 794 has never been charged in this district. The statute is reserved for the most serious circumstances involving the passage of national defense information intended to harm the United States or for the benefit of a foreign power. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Parmley from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California and Adam Barry, former Trial Attorney from the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section who is currently Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Columbia. The U.S. Department of State, the Transportation Security Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations provided valuable assistance. Topics: Counterintelligence National Security Components: National Security Division (NSD) Office of the Deputy Attorney General Press Release Number: 26-19 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fitburg Vessel to move to international waters under Border Guard's control Police of Finland Publication date 12.1.2026 11.21 Type:News item The criminal investigative measures concerning the damage to the telecommunications cable have reached a stage where the authorities have been able to lift the seizure. The Fitburg vessel will leave Finland's territorial waters on January 12, 2026. The vessel departs from the port at approximately 11 a.m. The operation led by the Helsinki Police will end once the Fitburg vessel has left Kantvik harbour. After that the authorities will continue their normal duties and release information about their respective areas of responsibility themselves. - The Finnish and Estonian police have completed their work on board the vessel, and the seizure can therefore be lifted. Yesterday, Sunday, January 11, the Helsinki District Court remanded a crew member of a ship named Fitburg in custody pending retrial. Some of the ship's crew remain under a travel ban, says Tactical Leader of the investigation, Risto Lohi, from the National Bureau of Investigation. The Border Guard monitored the departure of the Fitburg from Finnish territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone. The Border Guard took immediate action to investigate possible damage to critical infrastructure. The Finnish Coast Guard patrol vessel Turva assisted the National Bureau of Investigation with underwater investigations in the Gulf of Finland and mapped the anchor drag trail over a distance of several tens of kilometers. Other key actors during the operation include Finnish Customs and the Finnish Transport and Communications Services (Traficom). Customs carried out sanctions-related monitoring by inspecting the ship's cargo and conducted a preliminary investigation into the suspected sanctions violation. Traficom carried out a port state control inspection of the vessel outside the normal inspection interval on the basis of suspicions related to damage to a submarine cable. - The Finnish authorities took swift action and prevented any further damage from occurring in the Gulf of Finland. Authorities have the capacity to respond to cable damage and other similar situations and work together seamlessly, says Police Chief Jari Liukku of the Helsinki Police Department. The Fitburg vessel is suspected of causing damage to Elisa's submarine cable on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025. The damage occurred in Estonia's exclusive economic zone. The National Bureau of Investigation is conducting a preliminary investigation into the matter in cooperation with the Estonian National Police. In Finland, the police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. Criminal offences may change as the investigation progresses. The Finnish authorities took control of the ship in a joint operation and prevented further damage. The Border Guard and the Defence Forces have provided significant assistance to the police at sea and in the air throughout the operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Contracts Contracts For Jan. 12, 2026 DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY US Foods, Port Orange, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $544,460,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for full-line food distribution. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Jan. 11, 2031. Using customers are Navy, Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-26-D-3008). Linmarr Associates Inc.,* Irvine, California, has been awarded a maximum $13,171,234 firm-fixed-price contract for bearing assembly units. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a one-year contract with no option periods. The performance completion date is Jan. 12, 2027. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-26-C-0007). UPDATE: Advanced Material Handling LLC,* Atlanta, Georgia (SPE8EC-26-D-0007, $93,000,000), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for sweeper and scrubber equipment, issued against solicitation SPE8EC-21-R-0002 and awarded Feb. 22, 2022. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ARMY Pacific Tech Construction Inc.,* Kelso, Washington (W9126G-26-D-A010); Richard Group LLC,* Chicago, Illinois (W9126G-26-D-A004); SGS LLC,* Yukon, Oklahoma (W9126G-26-D-A005); Bristol General Contractors LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (W9126G-26-D-A006); Reasor Building Group,* Pensacola, Florida (W9126G-26-D-A007); Lemoine-Frazier JV LLC,* Lafayette, Louisiana (W9126G-26-D-A008); and Justin J. Reeves LLC,* Houma, Louisiana (W9126G-26-D-A009), will compete for each order of the $95,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design-build and design-bid-build vertical construction and repair. Bids were solicited via the web with 11 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 12, 2033. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, is the contracting activity. TRAX International Corp., Las Vegas, Nevada, was awarded a $9,755,340 modification (P00121) to contract W9124R-18-C-0001 for test support services. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $831,768,090. Work will be performed at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, and Fort Greely, Alaska, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 14, 2026. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $9,723,903 were obligated at the time of the award. 418th Contracting Support Brigade, Yuma, Arizona, is the contracting activity. JohnPac LLC,* Crowley, Louisiana, was awarded a $9,152,500 firm-fixed-price contract for sandbags in support of the National Flood Fight Material Center for emergency operations within the continental United States and overseas. Bids were solicited via the web with 11 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 14, 2031. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is the contracting activity (W912EK-26-D-A005). Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, Louisiana, was awarded a $9,412,000 firm-fixed-price contract for shoreline renourishment. Bids were solicited via the web with two received. Work will be performed in Ocean Ridge, Florida, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2026. Fiscal 2026 civil construction funds in the amount of $9,412,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, is the contracting activity (W912EP-26-C-A008). CORRECTION: The $16,471,000 firm-fixed-price contract (W912HP-26-C-A002) announced on Jan. 9, 2026, to Chandler Construction Services Inc., Ninety Six, South Carolina, for the furnishing, installing, and placing into successful operation of water main pipe, was actually awarded on Jan. 12, 2026. DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY FCN Inc., Rockville, Maryland, is awarded a $9,921,000 firm-fixed-price contract (HT001525FE063) for NetApp hardware, software/license, and secure support which is a necessary computer/storage infrastructure expansion to support the Joint Pathology Center (JPC) migration to the on-premises Defense Health Agency Private Cloud (DPC) hosting service and provides compliant, compatible, and warranted components to expand the existing DPC infrastructure, ensuring continued operations and avoiding a costly and time-consuming system replacement and re-accreditation. This will allow JPC data center operations to migrate its legacy infrastructure to the DPC, consolidate resources, reduce duplicative purchases, and maintain its existing authority to operate accreditation, while adhering to manufacturer specifications and warranty agreements. This is a 12-month contract with a Sept. 29, 2026, performance completion date. Funding is fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $9,921,000 obligated at the time of award. Place of performance is San Antonio, Texas; and Bethesda, Maryland. The DHA, Enterprise Medical Services Contracting Division, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 29, 2025) DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY Systems & Technology Research LLC,* Woburn, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $9,645,267 modification (P00023) to cost-plus-fixed-fee contract HR001123C0095 to exercise Phase 4 option of the Joint All-Domain Warfighting Software (JAWS) program. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $53,676,089 from $44,030,822. Work will be performed in Woburn, Massachusetts (30%); Arlington, Virginia (20%); Denver, Colorado (10%); San Diego, California (15%); Honolulu, Hawaii (10%); and Portland, Oregon (15%), with an estimated completion date of January 2027. Fiscal 2026 research and development funds in the amount of $9,645,267 are being obligated at the time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Jan. 8, 2026) *Small business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4376288/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announces measures to address impacts of the border conflict, thanks China's support Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 11, 2026 05:44 PM Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Saturday announced measures to address the impacts of the border conflict with Thailand as recovery efforts intensify, according to Cambodian media. Delivering a special address on government measures responding to the impacts of the border conflict, Hun Manet said the border situation has improved following the December 27 ceasefire agreement and the release of 18 captive soldiers, Cambodia digital outlet cambodianess.com reported. On displaced people, the prime minister said that authorities are now facilitating the process of returning home, with a strong focus on clearing unexploded ordnance to ensure civilian safety. Hun Manet also recalled that the government has established a working group to oversee the restoration of livelihoods and infrastructure damaged by the conflict. Hun Manet acknowledged the need to rebuild infrastructure destroyed during the fighting, including roads, schools, markets, and hospitals, to restore public well-being. In the special address, the prime minister thanked countries and organizations including China and other partner countries, as well as the Asian Development Bank for providing financial and equipment assistance to support affected communities and ease the burden on the Cambodian people, according to cambodianess.com. China has delivered the second batch of emergency humanitarian aid to Cambodia, reaffirming its role as the largest and earliest provider of assistance while pledging continued support for the ceasefire and regional peace, Cambodian English-language newspaper Khmer Times reported on January 9. The aid shipment, which arrived in Phnom Penh on January 8, will be distributed to displaced civilians in border areas affected by the Cambodia-Thailand conflict, according to Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin, per Khmer Times. Since the signing of the joint statement between Cambodia and Thailand agreeing to a ceasefire on December 27, 2025, there has been no fighting along the border areas between the two countries. In response to the eased situation in the border, Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on January 5 that China is pleased to see that the ceasefire consensus between Cambodia and Thailand is being gradually implemented, and China hopes that Cambodia and Thailand will continue to look ahead and move forward, strengthen dialogue and communication, jointly ensure a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, gradually rebuild trust and improve relations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US shouldn't use other countries a pretext for seeking selfish gains: FM on Trump's Greenland claim Global Times By Fan Anqi Published: Jan 12, 2026 03:00 PM Countries' right and freedom to carry out activities in the Arctic in accordance with the law needs to be fully respected, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Monday said, in response to claims of the US President Donald Trump on Sunday that taking over Greenland is necessary. The US should not use other countries as a pretext for seeking selfish gains, Mao added. Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday "One way or the other, we're going to have Greenland." He stressed that he is not interested in a temporary arrangement, such as leasing territory, but rather a permanent acquisition, according to media reports. "The Arctic bears on the common interests of the international community. China's 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," said Mao. The rights and freedoms of all countries to carry out activities in the Arctic in accordance with law must be fully respected, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Monday said, in response to claims of the US President Donald Trump on Sunday that taking over Greenland is necessary. The US should not use other countries as an excuse for pursuing its own selfish interests, Mao added. Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday "One way or the other, we're going to have Greenland." He stressed that he is not interested in a temporary arrangement, such as leasing territory, but rather a permanent acquisition, according to media reports. The Arctic bears on the overall interests of the international community. China's activities in the Arctic aim to advance the peace, stability and sustainable development of the region and are in line with international law, said Mao. Trump renewed his claims on Sunday about taking Greenland as he described the region's defense is "basically two dogsleds." Recent series of threatening claims by the US have sparked strong opposition and concerns in Europe, as senior officials from multiple European countries spoke out once again to voice their criticism. According to a video clip released by the White House official account on Youtube, when asked whether Trump would be OK if the actions on Greenland would compromise NATO, the US President told reporters maybe NATO "would be upset" if the US pulls out from the bloc, noting, "I just wonder whether or not if we needed NATO, would they be there for us? I'm not sure." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said her country faces a "decisive moment" over the future of Greenland after US administration renewed its threats to seize the Arctic territory by force, accusing the US of potentially turning its back on NATO, media reported on Monday. "We are at a crossroads, and this is a fateful moment," said Frederiksen at a party leader debate on Sunday, per the Guardian. "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." Germany and Sweden backed Denmark against Trump's latest claims to the self-governing Danish territory, according to a report by Al Jazeera. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Sunday that his country is highly critical of the "threatening rhetoric" against Greenland and Denmark from US President Trump's administration, adding that the rules-based world order was under greater threat than for many decades, reported Reuters. Germany also reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland, per Al Jazeera. Before meeting his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, on Monday, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadehpul held talks in Iceland to address the "strategic challenges of the Far North", according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 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. According to a report by The Telegraph on Saturday, the UK is in talks with European allies about deploying a military force to Greenland that would guard the Arctic region, after Trump claimed that the US will take Greenland the "hard way" if it can't do it the "easy way." 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. "Europe's shock and anger indicate its lack of a sense of history in judging US-Europe relations and the international situation," Jiang Feng, a researcher at Shanghai International Studies University and president of the Shanghai Regional Studies Association, said the US' coveting of Greenland has been a long-term strategy, with only the means of acquisition having changed under the current administration. Jiang noted that as the US holds an absolute dominant position militarily, while Europe has neither the ability nor the will to resist, its condemnation may merely remain verbal. "Europe's passive situation is of its own making. If NATO were to dissolve, while it would be a weaning process for Europe, it would also present a historic opportunity to achieve strategic autonomy and 'survive from the brink of death,'" Jiang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FM responds to Trump's claim that China and Russia can only purchase Venezuelan crude oil under US control Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 12, 2026 04:23 PM Latin American countries are all sovereign and independent nations with the right to independently choose their partners, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry (FM), told a press conference on Monday. These remarks were made in response to a media inquiry regarding reports saying that US President Donald Trump, when meeting with oil executives at White House, claimed that China and Russia can only purchase Venezuelan crude oil under US control, and if the US didn't take control of Venezuela's oil, Russia or China would have. Reuters also reported that among the many goals of the US military operation in Venezuela was to send China a message: stay away from the Americas. In response, Mao said that no matter how the situation changes, China will continue to deepen practical cooperation with Latin American countries, including Venezuela, and promote common development. On January 7, when asked how China plans to safeguard its energy interests and maintain the continuity of supplies and projects in light of recent illegal military actions, Mao said that the US has long imposed illicit unilateral sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry and blatantly used force against Venezuela recently. "This has dealt a severe blow to the economic and social order in Venezuela and threatened the stability of global industrial and supply chains. China has strongly condemned this," Mao noted, adding that cooperation between China and Venezuela is cooperation between sovereign states and protected by international law and the laws of the two countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More than SEK 5.3 billion to enhance drone and space capabilities Government Offices of Sweden Press release from Ministry of Defence Published 12 January 2026 The Government has decided to invest more than SEK 4 billion in the acquisition of various types of unmanned systems for the Swedish Armed Forces. The Government is also committing SEK 1.3 billion to expanding space capabilities. The investment in unmanned systems includes loitering munitions, reconnaissance drones, unmanned airborne electronic warfare capabilities and unmanned vehicles for different marine applications, which will strengthen the combat unit's war fighting capabilities. The space investment consists of the acquisition of a number of reconnaissance and surveillance satellites. "Unmanned systems and space situation awareness are crucial in modern warfare. By investing in drone capabilities and space systems, we are strengthening the Swedish Armed Forces' operational capabilities, increasing the resilience of our combat units and improving our capability to act together with Allies," says Minister for Defence Pal Jonson. The many experiences gathered from Ukraine clearly show that drone warfare is now a central component of warfare. They also demonstrate the importance of reconnaissance and surveillance from space. The Swedish Armed Forces therefore needs to rapidly enhance its capabilities in terms of unmanned systems. It also needs to enhance its ability to gather data from space. "Enhanced space capabilities offer Sweden improved intelligence gathering, enhanced freedom of action and greater strategic autonomy. By building up national satellite capabilities, we are strengthening the protection of our combat forces and increasing Sweden's value as a relevant and reliable Ally," says Mr Jonson. Investment in unmanned systems The Government has decided to invest more than SEK 4 billion in equipping the Swedish Armed Forces' combat units with unmanned systems. Through this acquisition, the Swedish Armed Forces can continue to build its capabilities and develop its tactics in the drone sphere. These planned materiel acquisitions are expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2028. Examples of planned materiel acquisitions include: Loitering munitions - a system of drones that contain some form of warhead that can be directed at a target. These are often commonly referred to as 'suicide drones' or 'kamikaze drones'. This decision will advance operational effect by between five and six years compared to the original plan. Reconnaissance drones - various systems for effective intelligence gathering via direct capabilities to monitor opponents in the field. They are often used in combination with loitering munitions, artillery or other systems that require the prior identification of targets. Airborne, remote-controlled electronic warfare capabilities - consisting of sensors for drones to detect threats, for example. Systems can be based on ships or in ground units. Unmanned vehicles for different marine applications - drones that operate both on and below the surface. This includes underwater vessels for mine detection and seabed surveillance and surface vessels used to monitor large ocean areas. Investment in space The Government is committing SEK 1.3 billion to expanding space capabilities. This investment will enhance the Swedish Armed Forces' intelligence and long-range combat capabilities while also expanding the conditions for protecting our own combat forces via space situation awareness and real-time surveillance. The investment is in line with Sweden's defence and security strategy for space and represents the next step in the development of space capabilities in support of the total defence, following the 2024 launch of Sweden's first military satellite. Within this space package, around ten additional satellites will be acquired, substantially enhancing Sweden's own space capabilities, strategic autonomy and position as a relevant ally and partner in the international space arena. This acquisition will add a further SEK 1.3 billion to the 'space billion' previously approved by the Government in 2024. Delivery of the new satellites is expected to begin in 2026 and continue until 2028. The investments in unmanned systems and enhanced space capabilities will be funded within the framework of the SEK 25 billion for 'opportunity purchases' approved by the Swedish parliament in the 2025 Spring Amending Budget. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Speech by Minster for Defence Pal Jonson at the Folk och Forsvar National Conference 2026 Government Offices of Sweden Speech by Pal Jonson Published 12 January 2026 Speech by Minister for Defence Pal Jonson, delivered at the Folk och Forsvar Annual National Conference in Salen on 12 January 2026. Check against delivery. Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, Ladies and Gentlemen, The geopolitical situation is even more serious and threatening than when we met here a year ago. Dark clouds are gathering both to the east and west. At the same time, Sweden has become a stronger country in recent years. Squeamishness about NATO, underinvestment in defence and modest support to Ukraine belong to the past. Since 2022, Sweden has gone: From military non-alignment to now taking significant responsibility for security in our neighbourhood through a considerable contribution of forces to NATO in Finland, Latvia, Poland and in the Baltic Sea. From having underinvested in defence to increasing appropriations from SEK 75 billion to SEK 175 billion this year. From providing military support to Ukraine totalling some SEK 3 billion nine months into the war to now having decided on support totalling more than SEK 90 billion. Sweden was among the largest providers of support to Ukraine in 2025. From having been a country in which the defence industry has occasionally struggled in export markets, for example without a single Gripen contract in more than 10 years. To now being one of Europe's most important arms suppliers, having sold JAS Gripen aircraft to Thailand, Hungary, Colombia and probably soon to Ukraine. We have also sold Golden Eye aircraft to France, submarines to Poland, Archer artillery systems to the United Kingdom and Latvia, and more than 1 000 new Combat Vehicle 90s to 10 countries. These are some of the reasons that Sweden is now a stalwart of the joint defence of northern Europe, together with our Allies in NATO and the EU. This is a historic change. And the overhaul has taken place under the Government's leadership, but usually in broad political consensus within the Riksdag. Policy sets direction and creates conditions, but it is you, all the diligent people in total defence, who do the actual work. I would like to extend to you a warm thanks for your efforts to maintain Sweden's security in these uncertain times. Building up Sweden's total defence is the greatest and swiftest societal transformation that Sweden has undergone in several decades. But this build-up is not taking place in a vacuum. Strong public finances and political stability lay the foundations for all successful defence policy. This has given Sweden, unlike many other countries, the means to invest in its defence and provide strong support to Ukraine. After the elections in September, Sweden must still have a government that prioritises defence and is unanimous on these issues. Yet the defence policy overhaul is far from complete. I see two areas that are essential to reinforcing our defence. First: combat units are the core of our defence capability. They must be made stronger and there needs to be more of them. This requires that they be staffed, equipped and well-trained in joint exercises. The Swedish Armed Forces is already well ahead of where it was at the time of the last Defence Resolution. This is good. Personnel are the core of our defence. They need both recognition and compensation. The Government has therefore increased the daily allowance for conscripts, Home Guard soldiers and officer cadets. The voluntary defence organisations play a key role in the build-up of our defence. One inspiring example of this is the new drone corps of the Voluntary Flying Corps. The Swedish Armed Forces should make even greater use of voluntary organisations. We are improving the conditions for this. I can now report that the Government is increasing the remuneration to these organisations by 20 per cent for 2026. A focus on combat units also means a focus on the right materiel in the right place at the right time. The Government has tripled the authorisation for materiel orders from SEK 92 billion to SEK 289 billion in the coming years. This year, the pace of rearmament will further increase through measures such as procurement of new surface combat vessels, air defence systems rocket artillery and cruise missiles. But orders are one thing. Swift deliveries from the defence industry to the combat forces are another. Here, I would like to issue a challenge to the European and Swedish defence industry as a whole. Production capacity must increase even further, delivery times must shorten and cost curves must flatten. Simply put, when we buy more, it must become cheaper, not more expensive. Companies that don't step up will become irrelevant for our defence's needs and risk being ruled out. For their part, government agencies need to place orders more quickly and with better long-term planning. In this respect, there is room for improvement on both sides. We all have a shared responsibility to accelerate the rearmament of Sweden. Second, a strong and modern Swedish defence requires new technology to reach the combat units much sooner. The war in Ukraine has shown that the capability to quickly develop and mass-produce new technology and deliver it to combat forces is essential. No one knows exactly what forms future wars will take. But one thing is certain: the battlefield of the future will be largely characterised by unmanned systems and long-range combat. Those who fail to recognise this will be dead or defeated. As we know, war is a cruel master. At last year's National Conference, I presented the project GNADD for new autonomous drones, which has quickly developed autonomous drone swarms for Sweden's defence. I can now report that the Government recently decided on a new investment in drones valued at SEK 4 billion for swift procurement of various types of unmanned systems for all branches of the armed forces. The investment in drones includes long-range loitering munitions for combat, reconnaissance and airborne electronic warfare capability. It also includes maritime drones for mine clearance and maritime surveillance. All this is to be delivered within two years. We are also investing SEK 1.3 billion in Sweden's space capability, with around 10 military satellites that will enhance the effectiveness of our unmanned systems and cruise missiles. In conclusion: 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. The Government has therefore allocated SEK 80 billion for support to Ukraine in the next two years. This support also enhances Sweden's capability. Through the support, we are building up our production capacity for materiel such as ammunition, protective masks and drones. And at the same time, we are learning a great deal, not least as regards expedited training and equipping of forces. Everything we do in terms of military support to Ukraine, we do in a matter of weeks and months instead of years and decades, as has often been the case here at home. So let us all take inspiration from the immensely appreciated support that the Swedish Armed Forces, the Defence Materiel Administration and the Swedish Defence Research Agency have provided to Ukraine. And let us also draw on the lessons of how a swift defence build-up can be carried out. Simply put, we must more quickly and effectively transform funding and decisions into substantial and formidable defence capability here at home, as well. As we know, in uncertain times there is danger in delay. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ready, Engaged, Lethal: I Marine Expeditionary Force Year in Review US Marine Corps News 12 Jan 2026 | Story by Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis I Marine Expeditionary Force MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- From the littorals of the Indo-Pacific to the familiar training grounds of Southern California, 2025 was a year defined by action for I Marine Expeditionary Force. As America's crisis response force, the Marines and Sailors of I MEF consistently demonstrated their commitment to being forward-deployed, combat-ready and prepared to answer the nation's call at a moment's notice. Throughout 2025, I MEF translated intent into action through a persistent presence in the Indo-Pacific, recertifying as a joint task force headquarters, continued integration with the Navy, innovation in preparation for the next fight, and support to interagency partners in defense of the homeland. Persistent presence in the Indo-Pacific Forward presence and campaigning were central to I MEF's efforts across the Indo-Pacific. Marine Rotational Force-Darwin and Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia ensured a combat-credible command element remained forward-deployed, training alongside allies and partners, and responding to natural disasters. In 2025, MRF-D demonstrated what it means to be a forward-postured, stand-in force, capable of deterring, shaping, and responding across the Indo-Pacific. MRF-D 25.3 transformed its rotational presence in northern Australia into a deliberate operational campaign, aligning training, exercises, and real-world missions to reinforce combat credibility and regional responsiveness. That adaptability was proven as MRF-D rapidly transitioned from exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia to urgent lifesaving support in the Philippines following monsoon rains and tropical storms. Operating across extended distances and challenging weather conditions, MRF-D delivered critical support to affected communities while coordinating closely with host-nation authorities. The lifesaving support reinforced that readiness is not confined to training environments - it is proven through action when lives are at stake. As MRF-D redeployed from Australia, I MEF sustained its forward presence through the deployment of MRF-SEA. Operating with a smaller force, MRF-SEA demonstrated how tailored Marine formations can remain forward, lethal, and effective. MRF-SEA participated in a series of multilateral exercises across Southeast Asia, focusing on maritime security, expeditionary operations, and crisis response. Like MRF-D, MRF-SEA quickly transitioned to providing lifesaving support following back-to-back typhoons hitting the Philippines. Together, MRF-D and MRF-SEA illustrated I MEF's ability to maintain a persistent presence in the region, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Recertification as a JTF HQ I MEF continued its annual participation in Exercise Balikatan in 2025, executing a full battle test alongside Armed Forces of the Philippines partners and being recertified as a joint task force-capable headquarters, validating our ability to plan, synchronize, and command joint and combined forces in crisis or conflict. The I MEF headquarters demonstrated disciplined mission command, integrating joint fires, sustainment, intelligence, and maneuver across a complex operational battlespace. Balikatan confirmed I MEF's readiness to lead at the operational level - not only deploying forces forward, but commanding them decisively when required. This certification was not an isolated achievement, but the culmination of two years of deliberate preparation and training milestones. Lessons learned throughout the continuum made the I MEF headquarters' ability to command and control more capable and resilient, leading to its recertification. Naval integration: From the littorals to the open ocean Naval integration remained a defining strength in 2025. Through refinement of Amphibious Combat Vehicle employment, quarterly underway amphibious readiness training, Marine Expeditionary Unit generation, and fleet weeks, Marines and Sailors operated seamlessly as an integrated blue-green team with U.S. 3rd Fleet. Seattle Seafair Fleet Week began with public engagement aboard the USS Somerset (LPD 25), where Marines showcased amphibious platforms to the public, including Amphibious Combat Vehicles and Marine aviation assets, highlighting the seamless integration of air, land, and sea capabilities. On the return sail to California, Marines and Sailors transitioned directly to QUART 25.4, conducting ship-to-shore landing drills and vehicle certifications, reinforcing proficiency in amphibious tasks that remain central to naval expeditionary operations. The Navy-Marine Corps team's cohesion was further demonstrated at the 250th Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration, where I MEF and U.S. 3rd Fleet came together in a synchronized, live-fire display of modern amphibious warfare. This large-scale demonstration celebrated both the Marine Corps' 250th birthday and the enduring legacy of naval expeditionary power, integrating amphibious landings with naval surface maneuver, aviation operations, and joint fires. The blue-green team successfully planned, rehearsed, and exercised the command and control of more than 35 aircraft and a mix of surface and landing craft, conducting the largest mass landing of ACVs since the vehicle was fielded, as Marines and Sailors projected combat power from ship to shore with precision, speed, and coordination. From public demonstrations that showcased amphibious power to rigorous underway training that sharpened ship-to-shore proficiency, Marines and Sailors strengthened the interoperability of the Navy-Marine Corps Team. Innovation for the next fight Innovation continued to be a driving force for I MEF in 2025, ensuring Marines remain lethal and adaptable in an evolving battlespace. This year featured deliberate efforts to integrate emerging technologies into Marine Corps operations and doctrine, demonstrated through I MEF's participation in the Defense Innovation Unit's GI Challenge. During this event, I MEF Marines partnered with DIU and industry leaders to evaluate commercial small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) under realistic conditions. Over a 12-day period, operators, leaders, and subject matter experts familiarized themselves with vendor-loaned sUAS systems and conducted scenario-based demonstrations to assess capability across setup, payload capacity, weather survivability, and performance in varied terrain and climates. These evaluations, including simulated contested environment operations, directly inform Department of War procurement decisions and accelerate integration of cost-effective drone technologies into the joint force. This initiative exemplified I MEF's broader commitment to innovation - combining frontline Marine expertise with industry solutions to meet emerging threats. By accelerating the evaluation and potential fielding of advanced drone systems, I MEF not only improved current capabilities but also helped pave the way for how unmanned platforms will be integrated into future combined arms operations. Defense of the Homeland Defending the homeland remains a fundamental responsibility for I MEF. In 2025, I MEF demonstrated its ability to respond rapidly in coordination with joint, interagency, and local partners. These missions underscored I MEF's role as a force in readiness, prepared to provide scalable support when directed. Marines surged within hours of tasking to support federal missions along the southern border, providing logistical capabilities that enabled partner agencies to carry out their responsibilities more effectively. Separately, I MEF stood prepared to assist civil authorities during periods of unrest in Southern California, ensuring that support was measured, professional, and focused on preserving safety and stability. Whether responding to domestic emergencies or standing ready to deploy globally, I MEF remains postured to protect the Nation, support its interagency partners, and uphold the trust placed in the Marine Corps. On to 2026 Whether operating forward with allies, commanding joint forces, projecting power from the sea, integrating cutting-edge technologies, or responding at home, I MEF remained ready to answer the Nation's call in 2025. Looking ahead to 2026, I MEF will continue to lead from the front - further strengthening partnerships, refining combat-ready capabilities, and ensuring the force is prepared for the challenges and opportunities the future will bring. I MEF will remain, ready, engaged, and lethal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General commends Croatia's contributions to NATO and support for Ukraine NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 12 January 2026 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte travelled to Croatia on Monday (12 January 2026), where he met President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic along with key members of his government. "Since joining the Alliance in 2009, Croatia has been a valued member of NATO. It contributes significantly to our collective security - not only on our eastern flank and in the Western Balkans, but across the entire Alliance," he said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Plenkovic. Secretary General Rutte welcomed Croatia's commitment to continue to increase its defence investment in the coming years, having already reached the 2% benchmark in 2025. Croatia is a strong and reliable supporter of Ukraine. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Croatia has provided over 300 million euros in military aid, including 15 million euros to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirement List (PURL) in December 2025. "You have supplied helicopters, transport aircraft, artillery systems, ammunition, protective equipment, and much more," Secretary General Rutte said. "Russia's brutal war of aggression continues. And we saw just last week, the use of the Oreshnik missile on Lviv and continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure. Russia is trying to deter us from supporting Ukraine, but we will not be deterred. As Ukraine faces immense pressure during the harsh winter, your support, and support of all NATO Allies, is more important than ever." During his visit, the Secretary General also met representatives from the Croatian defence industry as well as the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Gordan Jandrokovic. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump says to acquire Greenland "one way or the other" People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 14:01, January 12, 2026 WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (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 he was not considering leasing or short-term arrangements, but "acquiring" the territory. Asked if that will damage NATO, Trump said, "If it affects NATO and it affects NATO, but you know, they need us much more than we need them." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navy ready to help in maritime law enforcement ops Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno January 12, 2026, 7:03 pm MANILA -- If called or requested by maritime law enforcement agencies, the Philippine Navy (PN) is more than capable of helping these bodies monitor and if needed, intercept or apprehend vessels or ships found illegally operating in the country's waters. This is aside from the PN's regular mission of conducting sustained naval patrols and maintaining steadfast presence across the country's maritime domain to support maritime security and maritime domain awareness, Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Martinez told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Monday. She made this comment when asked if the PN can be tapped to monitor or even intercept ships found suspiciously operating in the country's waters. "In addition to maritime operations, the PN performs a constabulary role by supporting 'Maritime Law Enforcement' (MARLEN) operations. These activities are conducted in a supporting capacity, as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other maritime law enforcement agencies are the lead agencies for MARLEN," Martinez said. Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on the PCG to board and inspect all dredgers operating in Manila Bay reclamation projects amid concerns over vessel identity, ownership and compliance with Philippine laws. The PN spokesperson added that these agencies are responsible for enforcing laws related to Fiscal, Immigration, Customs and Sanitary matters, as provided under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. "The PN can monitor maritime activities and support MARLEN operations when directed or requested by the appropriate authorities, particularly when naval capabilities are required for offshore reach, security, or interdiction," Martinez stressed. She also stressed that the PN is ready to support MARLEN operations when called upon or directed by higher authority, consistent with the law and established interagency protocols. "As an example, in December 2025, the PN supported MARLEN operations in Western Mindanao, where naval units conducted three separate Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIOs) against motor launches, resulting in the seizure of approximately PHP40 million worth of smuggled cigarettes, in support of the lead enforcement agencies," Martinez noted. She also said the PN is also committed to defending the nation's sovereignty, securing the Philippines' maritime domain, and "supporting lawful authorities in ensuring good order at sea, today and in the years to come." (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump introduces himself as 'acting president of Venezuela' Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 9:56 AM US President Donald Trump has introduced himself in a post on Truth Social as Venezuela's acting president, days after a US attack that led to the abduction of the country's President Nicolas Maduro. Trump on Sunday posted a picture of himself on his social media website as the "acting president of Venezuela," portraying himself as the interim leader of the country as of January 2026. On January 3, American forces staged an illegal military attack on Caracas, abducting Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and then transferring them to a prison facility in the United States. The democratically-elected Venezuelan leader is now being tried in a kangaroo court in New York for fake charges allegedly related to trafficking guns and drugs. Trump later announced that his administration would "run" Venezuela. He has especially emphasized that he is now in full control of all transactions linked to the country's oil industry. In an interview with the New York Times published on Thursday, Trump pointed out that the United States could oversee Venezuela and control its oil revenue for years to come. Trump has been pressing American oil companies reluctant to purchase oil from the leftist South American country to buy the country's crude and resume their operations in Venezuela. US oil majors, who lost their assets in Venezuela when the industry was nationalized by former President Hugo Chavez nearly two decades ago, insist that the laws in the Latin American country must be changed before they can start work. Trump responded to their demand, telling them not to be "cute." Following Maduro's abduction, his vice president, Delcy Rodrigues, was sworn in by the country's top court as the interim president. Since then, Rodrigues' government has been engaged in diplomatic talks with the Trump administration, while a US team of diplomatic and security personnel arrived in Caracas to assess the possibility of reopening the US embassy in the Venezuelan capital. At the same time, Maduro's supporters have been marching in the streets of Caracas on a daily basis, calling for the immediate release of their popular leader and his wife, who remain in US custody. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As The EU Eases Sanctions On Pristina, What's Next For Kosovo? By Rikard Jozwiak January 12, 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/jozwiak-europe-sanctions- pristina-kosovo/33645952.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 Slovenia takes over the chairmanship of the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC) initiative in 2026 Republic of Slovenia - Ministry of Defence 12. 1. 2026 On January 1, 2026, the Republic of Slovenia took over the chairmanship of the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC) initiative. The initiative was established in 2010. It currently brings together the defence ministries of six countries: Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. Poland participates in the meetings as an observer. The initiative's first ministerial meeting took place in Austria in June 2012. Recognising that regional security is closely linked to the security of neighbouring regions, cooperation with partners from the Western Balkans (the so-called CEDC+ format) was also established in 2020. The Central European Defence Cooperation Initiative provides a framework for cooperation in the field of defence and security, within which participants discuss, develop and implement common interests. The fundamental objective of the initiative is to contribute to strengthening regional security within the framework of the European Union and NATO by promoting the specific regional interests of member states. Cooperation focuses in particular on coordinating European Union policies, addressing common regional challenges and threats, implementing projects between armed forces, and strengthening capabilities. The initiative is fully committed to supporting the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union. One of the ways to achieve this goal is through enhanced cooperation between the member states of the initiative and their regional partners in the Western Balkans. The work of the Central European Defence Cooperation Initiative is coordinated by the presiding country. The presidency lasts for one calendar year and includes meetings of defence ministers, defence policy directors and other operational meetings and events. In 2025, the initiative was chaired by Slovakia, and this year the presidency was taken over by the Republic of Slovenia. From January 1 to December 31, 2026, Slovenia will coordinate the work of the initiative. The presidency will be held under the slogan From Policy to Practice - Building a Stronger Central Europe, which emphasizes the transition from dialogue to joint action and capacity building. The presidency will take place at a time of increased interest among member states in enhanced regional cooperation, strengthening resilience, and synergy within the European Union. The main objectives of Slovenia's Presidency are to strengthen regional security cooperation and exchange good practices, promote discussions on European defence initiatives and seek opportunities for joint cooperation between member states of the initiative, increase operational readiness, cooperating with partners from the Western Balkans, strengthening regional interoperability and resilience, supporting digital and cyber resilience, promoting defence industry cooperation and innovation, strengthening military cooperation, and establishing uniform defence and military terminology. The Presidency program includes a combination of substantive, expert, and promotional events that complement and support the overall theme of "from policy to practice" among the member states of the initiative, wherever possible, as well as in cooperation with partners from the Western Balkans. The most important high-level events to be held during the Slovenian Presidency will be the meeting of defence ministers of the initiative's member states and the Western Balkans, meetings of defence policy directors, a meeting of armaments directors, and an informal meeting of chiefs of general staff. In addition, we will host numerous expert meetings in various fields, such as military recruitment, preservation and maintenance of military heritage, presentation of a case study on cyber theory and practice, as well as workshops on terminology and foreign language platforms. For the purposes of recognition and promotion of the identity of the Republic of Slovenia within the initiative and during the Presidency, a comprehensive graphic image of the Presidency has been designed, whose symbolic meaning combines the natural wealth of our country and its role as one of the parts of this initiative. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denmark Investing Billions in US Military Equipment to Protect Greenland - NATO Chief Sputnik News 20260112 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Denmark has invested billions in US-made military equipment to strengthen defense of its territories, including Greenland, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday. Greenland"As we speak, we see Denmark, at the moment, already speeding up their investments when it comes to defense, not only generally, but also when it comes to unique capabilities to defend territories like Greenland ... Billions invested there in American equipment necessary to defend Denmark, NATO, but also territories like Greenland," Rutte told a press conference in Zagreb. Denmark acquired F-35 fighter jets, P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and long-range drones, and is developing air-to-air refueling capabilities, the NATO chief said. In December 2025, US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy for Greenland. The governor later confirmed the US' 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 said that Greenland should become part of the US, citing its strategic importance for national security and the defense of the "free world," including from China and Russia. Former Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede said the island was not for sale. The island was a Danish colony until 1953. It has remained a part of the Kingdom of Denmark after gaining autonomy in 2009, with the ability to self-govern and determine its own domestic policy. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump's Greenland Remarks Fueling Uncertainty Within NATO - Swedish Defense Chief Sputnik News 20260112 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Statements made recently by the administration of US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland are creating uncertainty within NATO, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said on Monday. "Of course, we are affected by the Trump administration's statements about Greenland, which are also generating uncertainty within the alliance," Jonson told media. Jonson added that "being unpredictable toward one's allies" was "harmful" and that Sweden was closely monitoring the situation. The issue of Greenland is "a matter solely for Greenlanders and Danes, not for any other country," the minister added. In December 2025, Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy for Greenland. The governor later confirmed the US' 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 said that Greenland should become part of the US, citing its strategic importance for national security and the defense of the "free world," including from China and Russia. Former Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede said the island was not for sale. The island was a Danish colony until 1953. It has remained a part of the Kingdom of Denmark after gaining autonomy in 2009, with the ability to self-govern and determine its own domestic policy. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Honduran President-Elect Asfura US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson January 12, 2026 The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott: Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Honduran President-elect Nasry "Tito" Asfura. Secretary Rubio congratulated President-elect Asfura on his electoral victory and commended the Honduran people for their strong democratic participation in Honduras's November 30 elections. Secretary Rubio welcomed President-elect Asfura's commitment to deepening the U.S.-Honduras partnership and advancing shared priorities in our region, including ongoing regional efforts to promote stability in Venezuela. They also spoke about the importance of combatting transnational crime, strengthening regional security, attracting new investment opportunities, and ending illegal immigration. The Secretary underscored the importance of continued cooperation on security, including maintaining the bilateral extradition treaty and expanding information sharing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 12 January 2026 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Security Council I want to flag a little helpful tool that our esteemed colleagues in the Security Council Branch released on Friday, and it's the 2025 Highlights of Security Council Practice. The website features insights into the work of the Security Council in 2025, lots of data, lots of cool graphics. It looks at the meetings and other activities, the agenda items and the work of the subsidiary bodies. A lot of data for all of you Security Council afficionados. ** Security Council Speaking of Security Council, at 3 p.m. this afternoon, there be a Security Council meeting on Maintenance of peace and security, and that will focus on Ukraine, and our Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, will brief Council members. She is expected to underscore that the new year has brought no peace or even respite for Ukraine, but renewed fighting and devastation. Ms. DiCarlo is expected to note the recent use of the so-called Oreshnik missile, the second time the potentially devastating weapon has been fired at Ukraine since 2024. Also briefing will be Ramesh Rajasingham, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' (OCHA) Director of the Coordination Division; he is expected to warn Council members about the impacts of the attacks on civilians, especially as the strikes impact energy facilities, cutting off power and heating for people enduring freezing temperatures in the midst of winter in Ukraine. ** Ukraine And on the ground, our colleagues at OCHA tell us that, over the weekend and the early hours of today, several civilians were killed and injured in the capital, Kyiv, and in the regions of Chernihiv, Donetsk, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia. This is what local authorities are telling our colleagues on the ground. Two health workers were reportedly injured in the Chernihiv region when their ambulance came under attack while on a call in a border community. As the weather conditions deteriorate, hundreds of thousands of households were left without electricity and heating across Ukraine, leaving entire communities without electricity and heating, with overnight temperatures down to nearly -20C. In Kyiv, repairs continue to restore critical electricity and heating services to all those who need it. The water supply has been fully restored, while 1,000 multi-story apartment blocks have been without heating since 9 January, and parts of the city have electricity only for several hours per day; that's what the authorities are telling us. Complementing the work of utility companies and national rescuers, aid workers provided hot meals, water and psychological aid and also deployed mobile warming centres where impacted people can warm up, charge their devices and receive essential support. Turning to front-line areas, on 9 January, an inter-agency convoy delivered medicine, hygiene, shelter materials and solar lamps to the Sviatohirsk community, one of the hardest hit areas in the Donetsk region, where humanitarian access remains limited due to the ongoing security concerns. Tomorrow, we, along with our humanitarian partners, will launch a prioritized Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2026, and that plan will call for continued solidarity with the most vulnerable people in Ukraine. ** Iran You will have seen, and that's because you reported on it, that yesterday, we issued a statement on Iran, in which the Secretary-General was 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, this resulted in scores of deaths and many more injuries to protestors. All Iranians must be able to express their grievances peacefully and without fear. The rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of 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 to enable access to information in the country, including restoring communications links. ** Sudan A number of you have been asking me about Sudan, and notably the activities of the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra. I can tell you that Mr. Lamamra is currently in Cairo until 15 January, and that is to attend the fifth Sudan Consultative Group meeting, which is hosted by Egypt. This meeting will provide an opportunity for renewed and coordinated international engagement to advance peace-making efforts in Sudan. On the margins of the meeting, the Personal Envoy will engage with key regional and international partners. We continue to work closely with all of these partners to support a coordinated approach to ending the conflict in Sudan. And on the ground, things are not getting better. Our humanitarian colleagues are warning that escalating insecurity in Kordofan is placing civilians under increasing strain, disrupting health services and triggering new displacement. In the city of Dilling in South Kordofan State, a medical association in Sudan tells us that three major hospitals are now out of service amid ongoing shelling, and that four doctors have reportedly been killed. Continued insecurity and siege-like conditions have severely restricted access to life-saving assistance for civilians trapped in the city. We once again call on all parties to immediately stop attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, we call on them to respect international humanitarian law, and we call on them to ensure rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access anywhere in Sudan to all those who need it, and a lot need it. Violence continues to force families to flee. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is telling us that more than 2,200 people were displaced last week from the locality of Abassiya and the state capital, Kadugli, in South Kordofan State; these people were moving towards White Nile State. Local partners further indicate that families displaced from North Kordofan State continue to arrive in Gedaref, Khartoum and River Nile states. These areas hosting the displaced families are reaching breaking point. Last week, our colleague Denise Brown, who is as you know our Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, led an assessment mission to Al-Afad Camp in Northern State, where authorities report that the camp has reached its full capacity of 3,000 households. Between 60 and 80 new families continue to arrive at the camp each day and they arrive from the Darfur and the Kordofan regions. Conditions at the camp, as you can imagine, are harsh. Sanitation capacity is severely limited, with only about 100 latrines available against an estimated need of roughly 800 of these latrines. Local authorities further report that nearly 80,000 displaced families are now hosted across Northern State, placing severe strain on food, health, water, education and sanitation services, and exposing women, children, older people and persons with disabilities to heightened risks. OCHA urgently appeals for additional funding so our humanitarian partners can scale up life-saving assistance and help avert an even deeper humanitarian catastrophe across Sudan. In 2026, our partners hope to help 20 million people through the $2.9 billion Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. ** Peacekeeping/Middle East A quick update on the travels of our friend Jean-Pierre Lacroix. The head of our peacekeeping department, as you know, is in the Middle East. He is today in Amman, Jordan. He met today with the Jordanian authorities and discussed peacekeeping-related issues, including obviously the regional situation. Prior to being Jordan, he concluded a visit to the Golan, where he met with members of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) who patrol the Golan and was briefed on the situation on the ground and operational priorities. Mr. Lacroix also exchanged with community members in Quneitra on how the mission can continue supporting them in these very challenging times for civilians there. During his stop in Damascus, Mr. Lacroix met with Syrian Authorities and reaffirmed the UN peacekeepers' commitment to continuing to carry out its important mandate. Mr. Lacroix is going to Israel, where he will visit the headquarters of UNTSO, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization. And I assume he will have other meetings. ** Syria And in terms of Syria itself, you've been asking me and I think it was you, Edie about our engagement and response in Aleppo, and I can confirm that we continue to follow the situation closely and remain engaged with all relevant parties. We are aware of reports of casualties and injuries and underscore, once again, the imperative of protecting civilians as well as the infrastructure that they use. As of yesterday, our partners report that approximately 119,000 people have been displaced since renewed hostilities in Aleppo city. UNHCR and partners are on the ground, providing assistance to displaced families in temporary shelters and host communities. Support includes distribution of blankets, mattresses, and much-needed winter clothing. We urge all parties to ensure the safety and protection of civilians amid the ongoing hostilities that we are seeing in Aleppo. Immediate measures are needed to prevent harm, guarantee safe passage for those fleeing, and uphold humanitarian principles. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to Gaza, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the humanitarian situation remains dire, as harsh weather conditions are jeopardizing the progress made by the humanitarian response. To help address immense shelter needs, during the past week, our partners delivered supplies to 28,000 families, including 1,600 tents, 16,000 tarpaulins and 27,000 blankets. They warn, however, that at least 1.1 million people still urgently need help as rainstorms continue to damage and destroy many existing shelters. On Friday, a new storm battered people's tents in Gaza, leaving thousands without protection once again. The UN and our partners have been conducting assessments and helping the most vulnerable. Our partners stress that tents remain a temporary solution and more supplies are needed, including tool kits, cement and heavy machinery to clear debris, as well as sustained funding to transition from emergency to early recovery efforts. Children continue to be severely affected by the cold temperatures and harsh weather. Yesterday, our partners leading efforts to improve access to health reported that another infant reportedly died from hypothermia, bringing the total number of reported deaths to four, all of them very young children. That's according to the Ministry of Health. Since the ceasefire and as of the year's end, our partners were able to distribute more than 310,000 children's winter clothing sets and more than 112,000 pairs of shoes as part of winterization efforts. They also installed 150 specialized tents across the Gaza Strip to be used as child-friendly and safe spaces. Meanwhile, our partners leading on addressing malnutrition report that last month they screened over 76,000 children and identified around 4,900 cases of acute malnutrition, including more than 820 cases of severe acute malnutrition. This brings the total number of acute malnutrition cases identified in 2025 to nearly 95,000. Our education partners continue to expand their presence, with 18 additional temporary learning spaces opening their doors last week to about 35,000 students. The total number of operational temporary learning spaces is now 440, accommodating around 268,000 children. Our partners say that education supplies continue to be denied entry by the Israeli authorities on the grounds that education is not a critical activity during the first phase of the ceasefire. We do believe that it is a critical activity. OCHA continues to call for rapid, sustained and unimpeded access to allow ourselves and our humanitarian partners to scale up assistance faster to prevent further deterioration and to alleviate the suffering of people in Gaza. ** Venezuela A quick update on Venezuela, where a shipment of 40 metric tons of medical cargo arrived in Venezuela from the Government of Brazil. Colleagues from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) which, as you know, is the regional arm of World Health Organization (WHO) say the delivery, which arrived late last Friday, includes essential medicines and dialysis materials needed to maintain treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease. It is the first instalment of a package totalling up to 300 metric tons, coordinated with Venezuelan health authorities. This follows the events of 3 January, when a warehouse in La Guaira used to store renal treatment stock was destroyed. The facility had held roughly three months' worth of materials for some 8,000 patients, which is the equivalent of about 100,000 dialysis sessions per month. PAHO/WHO in Venezuela has thanked Brazil for its support and indicated that the arrival of this shipment will help prevent treatment interruptions and while longer-term replenishment planning continues. ** Kenya I just want to note that today, in Kenya, on his first official visit as the High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih called for stronger global support to develop the solutions refugees need to rebuild their lives. Speaking in Nairobi after visiting Kakuma municipality in northern Kenya, Salih acknowledged Kenya's decades-long generosity in hosting refugees and the farsighted policies that allow refugees to work and access health care and education as well as financial services. Last year, less than a quarter of UNHCR's needs-based budget for Kenya was funded. Mr. Salih warned that the funding crisis is threatening lives and risks reversing the hard-won progress made. ** Peacebuilding and Peace Support A quick note from our peacebuilding colleagues. As part of the Secretariat's current efforts on efficiencies, a unified Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office under the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations has been established and is operational as of today. The Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office, which the Secretary-General said would be a "centre of excellence on prevention, peacebuilding and peace support", will ensure that security gains are reinforced by institutions and development. The General Assembly endorsed the proposal to integrate [the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs'] Peacebuilding Support Office with three offices within the former Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions under the Department of Peace Operations. More information should you want it. ** Resident Coordinator Cambodia A new Resident Coordinator to announce. Our colleague Vladanka Andreeva of North Macedonia assumed her role as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cambodia, following the host Government's approval. She brings over 25 years of experience in international development, humanitarian coordination, strategic advocacy and many other things. She was most recently the Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, and we congratulate her on her new post. ** Honour Roll Finally, some cash is coming in. Not to you, to me, I guess, in a certain way. As you know, at the beginning of every year, the Secretary-General sends out assessment letters to Member States to remind them that they have dues to pay, and they should pay them on time. And we are happy to tell you about the first nine countries to make the 2026 Honour Roll. To be on this year's Honour Roll, Member States must make their full contribution to the Regular Budget by 8 February. So, I know all the Permanent Missions that are watching are taking their cheque books out. Needless to say, given the current financial situation, we strongly encourage all Member States to pay their full assessment in full and on time. And the top of the Honour Roll today goes to Armenia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Poland, Portugal and Ukraine. Congratulations to them for having reached to their wallets immediately. And I think that's it. Edie? ** Questions and Answers Question : Thank you, Steph. A couple of follow-ups on Iran. First, has the Secretary-General been talking to anyone in the senior leadership of Iran? Spokesman : No. He has not. As you know, communications are quite challenging now. As soon as I have something to report, I will share that with you. Question : Does the United Nations have staff in Iran? And if so, what's their status? Spokesman : Yeah. We have a country team. I think some of them are working from home, but everyone is safe and accounted for. Question : And on a completely different subject, has the United States received any official notification from the United States about the withdrawals? Spokesman : No. Dezhi, then Gabriel. Question : A follow-up on Edie's question. Since, it's a little bit difficult for Secretary-General to contact anybody so far with the high-ranking Iranian officials, is he planning to do so or receive any request? Spokesman : As I said, I will let you know as soon as there's something to report to you. Question : We know that [United States] President [Donald J.] Trump, he hinted there might be some very strong options of military intervention on the situation in Iran. What is the Secretary-General's response to this potential intervention? Spokesman : I think the Secretary-General has been very clear in the use of his language under what is actually going on in Iran and the repression and the killings of civilians that we're seeing, which is very concerning, to say the least. At the same time, he's also been listening to the rhetoric that we've heard around the situation in Iran, which is concerning to him, and he encourages all to adopt a path of diplomacy and dialogue. Question : Would foreign intervention be helpful? Spokesman : As you know, we push for dialogue. We want to see the Iranians who wish to protest peacefully to do so. And I think the Charter is very clear on your question. Question : I also have a very completely different issue here. According to New York Times a recent report that since the ceasefire deal, after two months, Israel has been demolishing Gaza buildings, more than 2,500. Is the UN familiar with the situation? Spokesman : I mean, we are familiar with the situation in Gaza, given that we have not left the side of the Gazan people. Question : What's the reaction of the Secretary-General...? Spokesman : We want to see a stop to the destruction of whatever remains in Gaza. We want to see the parties move towards phase two to try to rebuild, whether it's physically or mentally, the situation in Gaza. Gabriel? Question : Thanks, Steph. Excuse me. One on Gaza and one on Sudan. On Gaza, you noted that the UN and your partners have roughly 440 temporary learning sites open. However, Israel, if I heard you correctly, Israel is still denying educational supplies into Gaza. Is that correct? Spokesman : That's exactly what I said. Question : And what exact educational supplies do you mean in general? Spokesman : I mean, my understanding is, it's stuff you need to run a classroom, whether it's blackboards, if those things are still used, and kits for students. You know, we have... our colleagues at UNICEF [United Nations Children's Fund] are well versed and other agencies in bringing kind of minimum kits to help students get back on track, but I can try to get you more detail. Question : And the justification that you read out that Israel is giving to you guys is that it doesn't qualify or is not necessary under the ceasefire agreement at this stage. Is it safe to assume the Secretary-General disagrees with that? Spokesman : I mean, I hope he does disagree, because I just said that we disagree. So, let's hope there's no daylight between myself and my boss. Question : Fair point. Can I get one on Sudan real quick? Spokesman : Yes, please go ahead. Question : Thanks. Just on Sudan, the Government announced that they've moved back to Khartoum over the weekend after, for the last three years, essentially running government operations out of Port Sudan. Does the Secretary-General have any comment on that? And how will that potentially affect the humanitarian work that you're doing? Spokesman : Well, obviously, I mean, it's not for us to comment. Khartoum is a capital. It's normal that the Government want to move back its operation to its own capital. As you know, we have been going in and out of Khartoum to try to see if we can regain some of the property that was there to start to work there. As far as I know, Ms. Brown is still based in Port Sudan, but we have staff in Khartoum. And obviously, the sooner we can return to Khartoum in a safe environment or less dangerous environment, we will do so. Azar? Question : Thank you, Steph. Iran's Mission has sent a letter to the Secretary-General and the Security Council regarding foreign interference and threats by the US, especially President Trump, statement against Iran and incitement to violence. And today, Iran's foreign minister also said that we have extensive documents and evidence indicating US and Israeli involvement in terrorist activities inside Iran. Do the threats by the US constitute a violation of the UN Charter? What is the Secretary-General position on this matter? Spokesman : The letter, no doubt, will be circulated as requested. And I think as I just told Dezhi, we're very concerned by the rhetoric, the warlike rhetoric that we've heard from various parties around the situation in Iran, and we call for return to dialogue. Miriam? Question : Two follow-ups on Iran, Steph. Given the Internet shutdown and the lack of access, how the UN is independently verifying reports of killings and arrests? And do you believe the real numbers are much higher of the protesters who were killed by this in the protests? Spokesman : Our human rights colleagues have different ways of getting information, which they're using. We've been able to stay in touch with our own colleagues through electronic means. It's not been easy, and it's been off and on. We don't have a hard number that we can verify ourselves, but it is clear to us that a number of people, a number of civilians have been killed. Question : One more question. Just to be clear, does the Secretary-General consider the use of lethal force against protesters in Iran is a violation of international human rights? Spokesman : It is. There is an inherent right for people to protest peacefully. In law enforcement operations, and we've talked about this in various places around the world, law enforcement needs to protect people who want to demonstrate peacefully. If there is violence, the use of force needs to be proportionate, which is not something that we have seen, from what we see. David? Question : Thanks, Steph. Going back to Ukraine and today's Security Council meeting. I did not see and perhaps I missed it, a reaction from the Secretary-General on the usage of the type of ballistic missiles, nuclear-ready missiles in Ukraine over the weekend. Could you please give a...? Spokesman : Sure. I mean, it's a very concerning and worrying development. And as I mentioned, Ms. DiCarlo will address that this afternoon in her Security Council briefing. Islam? Question : Thank you, Stefan. I have two questions. One on Gaza and one on Syria. On Gaza, local authorities stated that 21 displaced Palestinians have died due to extreme cold, 18 of them children, and the last one is one we called infant. Do you get any restrictions still, especially getting winter supply to Gaza? And also, second question related with this, Israel had announced banning private NGOs [non-governmental organizations], close to 50, I believe, the number. Does this also affect entering the winter supply to the Gaza? Spokesman : Well, I mean, the banning of international NGOs, this is we addressed in a statement about a bit more than a week ago. It doesn't help our humanitarian operation. It makes things that much more difficult. Whether it's in Gaza or in many other places around the world, the UN humanitarian machine relies heavily on our NGO partners, both local and international, especially in terms of sort of last-mile delivery. So, anything that hinders the ability for those international NGOs to operate does not make our life any easier, and it makes life worse for the civilians in Gaza who need humanitarian help. As we've been saying, we've been able to get clothing in. We've been able to get tents in, though not as many as we can. There still remains a lot of hurdles, which we'd like to see removed. Question : And on Syria, Syrian media reported that Israeli forces carried out new ground incursion in the Syria's southern border, southern countryside, actually, right after the UN delegation visited the area. So, how do you read this incursion? What's your reaction to Israel's...? Spokesman : I will check with our colleagues at UNDOF, because I haven't seen those reports, but we'll check. Sinan? Question : Thank you, Steph. First thing first from Spot Press Corp. Two questions, if you don't mind. The first one is HTS [Hayat Tahrir al-Shams] forces affiliated with Damascus threw the dead body of a Kurdish female fighter from a building. I am sure you saw that footage. Does the Secretary-General view this as a war crime or as a crime against humanity? What's his...? Spokesman : To be honest, I have not seen that report or that footage, but obviously, what you tell me is very concerning. I'll look into it. Question : The second question, the HTS transitional Government, whatever you call... committed three massacres against the minorities. When we go back to the March, saw a massacre against Alawites. And since then, the 50 women have been kidnapped. I mean, there is still no report on that. And then when we go to the south of Syria, we see a massacre against Druze and of the Kurds. So, after all these things, does Secretary-General have confidence in the inclusivity of [Ahmed al] Jolani and his Government? Spokesman : As we've said, there still needs to be a lot of work done on inclusivity. We've heard the statements from the interim president, calling for inclusivity, sending out inclusive messages. We'll continue to work with the Government, but our message is clear that all Syrians, whether Druze, Alawites, Christians, Sunni, Shiite or any other minority need to feel safe and need to be protected by their government. And in Syria, any other world, if crimes have been committed, there will need to be accountability, and there are a number of UN mechanisms working on that. Question : Last one, if you don't mind, very quick one. How concerned is Secretary-General about the safety of minorities in Syria? Spokesman : Well, we continue to be concerned, because we're seeing the news every day. Yes, please? Question : Thank you, Steph. Our question is also on Iran. You mentioned that the Secretary-General expressed shock at the scale of the destruction and protests in Iran right now. When the UN sanctions were reimposed through the snapback mechanism last September, was the Secretariat aware that these measures eventually and inevitably would trigger the level of economic and social turmoil we are seeing right now? Was this like an unforeseen consequence? Spokesman : Listen, whether it's you as a journalist or us at the UN, I mean, we're aware of the situation. No one can predict what can happen. What we're seeing now is what we're expressing our opinion on the ground. Question : Just a quick follow-up, please. On the same topic, Goldman Sachs has warned that States like Iran can now adapt to sanctions to gold and de-dollarize trade, which gives the regime a financial backdoor that the ordinary people of Iran, in this case, don't have, unfortunately. So, is the UN concerned that it is enforcing an old sanctions model that can't keep up with what the State is doing but is unfortunately very destructive for the people? Spokesman : Look, we have always, and this has been going on for a while, expressed our concern about sanctions that tend to hurt more people than leaders anywhere around the world. And we expressed our concern about unilateral sanctions, as well. What is important and every government has a responsibility to ensure the well-being of their people, whether it's physically or economically. Pan, and then we'll go ahead. Question : Thank you, Steph. You mentioned just now that eight countries have paid their dues to United Nations this year for 2026. Do you have the number of how many countries have not paid their dues for 2025 and which countries? Thank you. Spokesman : Yes, we can share that list with you. It's publicly available. Yes, sir? Question : Thank you. On North Korea, DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] mission late last night they announced the event, MSMT Teams for this afternoon at the UN. Do you have any response to that? Spokesman : Sorry, they did announce what? Correspondent : Sanctions monitoring team, MSMT's event, planned for this afternoon at the UN. Spokesman : I don't know about the event. I can look into it. Alex? Question : Thanks, Steph. There have been some reports suggesting Venezuela's [Maria Corina] Machado will be in the United States on Thursday. Is there any chance the Secretary-General will meet with her? Spokesman : I have not seen anything on his schedule, but we will inquire. The Secretary-General's door is always open to people. Sinan, then Islam. Question : Okay. Thank you, Steph, for letting me ask you more questions. According to reports, there are still civilians in Aleppo's Kurdish neighbourhoods, and some of them have been detained. I wonder if there is, like, a specific mechanism monitoring the situation when it comes to the safety of them. Spokesman : We have humanitarian teams on the ground trying to reach all those people who need it, and they're based in Aleppo. So, we'll see what information they, and we're trying to see also what access they can actually have. Question : Same for the detained people, too? Spokesman : Sorry? Question : There are also some civilians detained by the HTS? Spokesman : No, I don't know if they have the authority to check on the detainees, but they are looking at the overall humanitarian situation. Correspondent : This is the last one, I promise. Spokesman : Don't give me promises you can't keep. Question : Okay. We'll see. So around 200,000 people according to local resources, but you said 119,000 people displaced. So, does the Secretary-General view this as an attempt to change the demographic structure in Syria in Aleppo? Spokesman : I don't know what is motivating the situation. What we do know is that there continues to be episodes during which ethnic minorities in Syria feel unsafe and are attacked, and that's what is very concerning to us. Islam, and then we'll go to lunch. Question : British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reportedly been asked to sit on the Board of Peace for Gaza. The question is, has the UN ever been consulted regarding Board of Peace as Trump explains that? Spokesman : In terms of the composition of the Board of Peace? Correspondent : In terms of composition or any... Spokesman : No. I mean, the Board of Peace, as you know, the Board of Peace was mentioned in the Security Council resolution relating to the ceasefire. As far as I know, we've not been consulted on the composition of that board. Okay. Enjoy your day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World News in Brief: Ending famine, refugee solidarity in Kenya, Ukraine civilian casualties update 12 January 2026 - The head of the UN's emergency food agency has urged world leaders on Monday to end "man-made famines" and conflicts that "drive hunger and desperation". In an alert, Cindy McCain - who heads the World Food Programme (WFP) - attributed a "dangerous and deepening global hunger crisis" to violent conflicts, extreme weather and economic downturns. The development comes as WFP faces massive shortfalls in funding; it has received less than half of the $13 billion it needs to reach 110 million of the world's most vulnerable people. This means that millions may be cut off from vital assistance, threatening lives and the stability of regions, the agency warned. "WFP has proven time and again that early, strategic and innovative solutions can halt famine, stabilize communities, deter migration and enable families to recover," Ms. McCain insisted. Her comments come in a context of increasing hunger crises now affecting 318 million people around the world. In addition, "hundreds of thousands" are already suffering from "famine-like" conditions, WFP says. Kenya plan showcases bold vision for refugee self-reliance Barham Salih has made his first official visit as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in charge of UNCHR, calling in the Kenyan capital for stronger global support to develop the solutions refugees need to rebuild their lives. Over 800,000 refugees and asylum seekers live in the East African nation. Some 300,000 refugees, mostly from South Sudan, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have found safety in the Kakuma region over many years - a place of "transformation and innovation," said the UNHCR chief. He warned that the consequences of a growing lack of humanitarian funding were "stark" in Kakuma. "Despite scarce resources, Kenya continues to show remarkable solidarity for people in need, through smart policies that foster self-reliance and economic growth," said Mr. Salih. Lack of funding Last year, less than a quarter of UNHCR's budget for Kenya was funded - severely constricting access to healthcare, water, education and protection services for both refugees and host communities. In light of this, Kenya's Shirika Plan seeks to transition from humanitarian aid to refugee self-reliance and harmony with host communities, providing refugees with legal IDs, financial services, education, and health care. "These inclusive policies hold great promise for transforming the futures of both refugees and the communities hosting them." said M Salih. Ukraine: 2025 was deadliest for civilians since full-scale conflict erupted More than 2,500 civilians were killed in Ukraine in 2025, and nearly 12,250 injured - marking a 31 per cent increase compared to 2024, according to UN human rights monitors. The figures refer to those verified, with the actual total likely to be considerably higher. In December alone, more than 150 were killed and 888 injured. During that month, long-range attacks by Russian forces using missiles and drones caused 33 percent of all civilian casualties (34 killed and 308 injured), hitting cities and towns far from the frontline. Some 67 per cent of civilian casualties occurred near the frontline (122 killed and 571 injured). Attacks on energy infrastructure Since the conflict began in 2014, nearly 18,500 civilians have been killed. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission (UNHRMM), the number of civilian casualties is likely to be significantly undercounted in cities such as Mariupol (Donetsk region), Lysychansk, Popasna, and Sievierodonetsk (Luhansk region), where there was protracted intensive fighting at the start of the full-scale Russian invasion which began in February 2022. On top of civilian casualties, the Russian Federation also conducted large-scale, region-specific attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. In December, the Odesa region was among the most affected areas, experiencing repeated strikes that resulted in prolonged outages in several cities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Ukraine UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Occupied Palestinian Territory Shelter needs remain acute as rainstorms persist OCHA warns that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip remains dire as harsh weather conditions are jeopardizing the progress made by the humanitarian response. To help address immense needs in the area of shelter, during the past week, humanitarian partners delivered supplies to 28,000 families, including 1,600 tents, 16,000 tarpaulins and 27,000 blankets. They warn, however, that at least 1.1 million people still urgently need help as rainstorms continue to damage and destroy many existing shelters. On Friday, a new storm battered people's tents across Gaza, leaving thousands without protection once again. The UN and its partners have been conducting assessments and helping the most vulnerable. Partners stress that tents remain a temporary solution and more supplies, including tool kits, cement and heavy machinery to clear debris, as well as sustained funding are needed to transition from emergency to early recovery efforts. Children continue to be severely affected by the cold temperatures and harsh weather. Yesterday, partners leading efforts to improve access to health reported that another infant has reportedly died from hypothermia, bringing the total number of reported deaths to four, all of them very young children. That's according to the Ministry of Health. Since the ceasefire and as of the year's end, aid organizations were able to distribute more than 310,000 children's winter clothing sets and more than 112,000 pairs of shoes as part of winterization response. They also installed 150 specialized tents across the Strip to be used as child-friendly and safe spaces. Meanwhile, humanitarian partners leading on addressing malnutrition report that last month they screened over 76,000 children and identified around 4,900 cases of acute malnutrition, including more than 820 cases of severe acute malnutrition. This brings the total number of acute malnutrition cases identified in 2025 to nearly 95,000. Partners leading on education solutions continued to expand their presence with 18 additional temporary learning spaces opening their doors last week to about 35,000 students. The total number of operational temporary learning spaces is now 440, accommodating around 268,000 children. Efforts to improve access to education for all children continue, but partners say that education supplies continue to be denied entry by the Israeli authorities on the grounds that education is not a critical activity during the first phase of the ceasefire. OCHA continues to call for rapid, sustained and unimpeded access to allow the UN and its humanitarian partners to scale up assistance faster in order to prevent a further deterioration and to alleviate people's suffering. Sudan Fighting in Kordofan cripples civilian infrastructure, drives displacement OCHA warns that escalating insecurity across the Kordofan region is crippling health services and driving new waves of displacement, with civilians 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. Continued insecurity and siege-like conditions have severely restricted access to life-saving assistance for civilians trapped in the city. The medical association further reported today that five people were killed and 13 others injured in an attack on Kartala Market in the Six Mountains area of South Kordofan State yesterday morning. According to its team, all those killed and injured were civilians who were inside the market during the attack. OCHA once again calls on all parties to immediately stop attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, respect international humanitarian law, and ensure rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access. Meanwhile, violence continues to force families to flee. The International Organization for Migration reports that more than 2,200 people were displaced last week from the locality of Abassiya and the state capital Kadugli in South Kordofan State, moving towards White Nile State. Local partners further indicate that families displaced from North Kordofan State continue to arrive in Gedaref, Khartoum and River Nile states. At the same time, areas hosting uprooted people are reaching breaking point. Last week, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Denise Brown, led an assessment mission to Al Afad Camp in Northern State, where authorities report that the camp has reached its full capacity of 3,000 households. Some 60 to 80 new families arrive daily in the camp from the Darfur and Kordofan regions. Only 100 latrines are functional - far short of the estimated 800 required. Local authorities further report that nearly 80,000 displaced families are now 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. OCHA urgently appeals for additional funding so our 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 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. *Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support. Ukraine Communities left in darkness, cold after attacks OCHA reports that over the weekend, front-line hostilities and attacks yet again killed and injured civilians across the country. Critical energy infrastructure also sustained new damage, leaving entire communities without electricity and heating, with overnight temperatures down to nearly -20C. Between 9 January and the early hours of today, more than a dozen civilians were killed and over 80 were injured in the capital Kyiv and in the regions of Chernihiv, Donetsk, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, according to authorities. Two health workers were reportedly injured in the Chernihiv region when their ambulance came under attack while on a call in a border community. As the weather conditions deteriorate, hundreds of thousands of households were left without electricity and heating in the regions of Chernihiv, Kyiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Odesa, Zhytomyr and Zaporizhzhia, according to the Energy Ministry of Ukraine and our partners on the ground. In Kyiv, repairs continue to restore critical electricity and heating services. The water supply has been fully restored, while 1,000 multi-storey apartment blocks have been without heating since January 9th, and parts of the city have electricity only for several hours per day, according to the city's mayor. Complementing the work of utility companies and national rescuers, aid workers provided hot meals, water and psychological aid and deployed mobile warming centres where they can warm up, charge their devices and receive essential support. On the front-line area, on 9 January, an inter-agency convoy delivered medicine, hygiene, shelter materials and solar lamps to the Sviatohirsk community, one of the hardest hit areas in the Donetsk region, where humanitarian access remains limited due to security concerns. Tomorrow, the UN and humanitarian partners will launch a prioritized Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2026, calling for continued solidarity with the most vulnerable war-affected people in Ukraine. Posted on 12 January 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese Embassy spokesperson refutes latest Philippine claim, says it has misled public by conflating territorial sea and EEZ Global Times By Chinese Embassy in the Philippines Published: Jan 13, 2026 11:20 AM On the evening of January 12, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines releases the following statement in response to the statement issued earlier by the Philippine National Maritime Council on the situation in the South China Sea. China firmly rejects unfounded and misleading statement issued by the Philippine National Maritime Council. There is no such concept as "maritime zone" in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS only provides for legal regimes such as the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). For a long time, the Philippines has deliberately blurred the distinction between the territorial sea and the EEZ, and has distorted China's normal activities in waters claimed as EEZ by both China and the Philippines as "illegal patrols". The Philippines has been misleading the general public all these years by conflating the concepts of the territorial sea and the EEZ. As early as 2006, China made a declaration according to Article 298 of UNCLOS, excluding disputes concerning maritime delimitation from arbitration proceedings. The arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines without China's consent is therefore null and void from the outset. To determine who is responsible for heightened tensions in the South China Sea, one only needs to see who has been provoking trouble. In 1999, the Philippines illegally grounded a warship at Ren'ai Jiao, seriously infringing upon China's territorial sovereignty. China immediately lodged solemn representations and demanded that the vessel be towed away. The Philippine side claimed that the ship could not be removed due to lack of spare parts. Since then, despite repeated serious protests by China, and despite the Philippine side's repeated promises to remove the vessel, the latter has continued to delay action. Over the past more than 10 years, the Philippine side has repeatedly transported steel, cement, and other construction materials to the warship in an attempt to turn it into a permanent military outpost. Since the second half of 2023, the Philippines has sent multiple Coast Guard vessels, official vessels and so-called fishing vessels to intrude into the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao, forcing China to take necessary measures to safeguard its rights. From April 17 to September 14, 2024, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua, MRRV 9701 illegally anchored in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao for nearly five months, raising serious concerns as to whether the Philippines intended to stage another so-called "grounded vessel" incident. When its official vessels failed to achieve their objectives, the Philippines pushed fishermen to the front line, using them as political tools to intrude into sensitive waters. On December 12, 2025, the Philippines organized and orchestrated a large number of vessels to illegally intrude into the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao. Article 5 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) clearly stipulates that no party shall take actions to change the status quo of uninhabited features. However, incomplete statistics show that from January to June 2025 alone, the Philippines carried out 30 illegal landings on uninhabited features in the Nansha Qundao such as Tiexian Jiao, involving 211 personnel. Among all the incidents mentioned above, which one was provoked by China? It has always been the Philippines that has time and again provoked trouble in an attempt to change the status quo. China has been compelled to take necessary measures in response, to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and to ensure the full and effective implementation of the DOC. China has also been exercising maximum restraint and patience. Had this not been the case, the situation on the ground might have been entirely different. When handling maritime disputes, it is best for concerned parties to sit down and talk in accordance with the principle of respecting the sovereign states' choice of settling disputes through peaceful means. China has territorial and maritime disputes with some other neighboring countries, which have been resolved through dialogue and consultation, or at least effectively managed. The Philippines also has territorial disputes with other neighbors. Yet these disputes haven't become prominent issues. Then why China and the Philippines can not find a solution through dialogue and consultation? Unless someone simply does not want that to happen. A lie repeated a thousand times will never become reality. China stands ready to engage in candid dialogue with the Philippines on the basis of mutual respect to manage differences properly. However, China firmly opposes people like Jay Tarriela, who does nothing but spreading false, twisted, manipulative, misleading and provocative narratives. No matter when Tarriela makes fallacious remarks on China and the South China Sea, and regardless of how many helpers he may callone, ten, or a hundredwe are always ready to respond. We will continue to tell facts and share truth to promote understanding and avoid miscalculation so as to grow China-Philippines relationship in a sound way. Some people provoke confrontation and tension under the pretext of "safeguarding rights". They push the Philippines to the forefront of geopolitical competition and to the brink of conflict with its friendly neighbor China. This will only seriously damage the fundamental and long-term interests of the Philippines. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Greenland's government says it will not accept US takeover 'under any circumstance': media Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Jan 13, 2026 11:53 AM Greenland's government said on Monday that it will not accept a US takeover under "any circumstance," after the US President Donald Trump said that the US would take the territory "one way or the other." The island was "part of the kingdom of Denmark" and "as part of the Danish commonwealth, a member of NATO." It would increase its efforts to ensure its defense took place "in the NATO framework," the Greenland's government said in a statement, according to Guardian. The statement added that the territory's ruling coalition "believes Greenland will forever be part of the western defense alliance," and that "all NATO member states, including the US, have a common interest" in the island's defense, per Guardian. The US president has made repeated claims about bringing the island under US control, arguing that the Danish autonomous territory is crucial for its own national security. Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and her Danish counterpart Lars Lkke Rasmussen are due to meet the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Wednesday. "The Greenland government's statement reaffirms the position it held before meeting with US officials. It signals that the island intends to maintain the current status quo, while remaining open to negotiations on defense, and cooperation on Arctic shipping routes," Diao Daming, vice president of the Institute of National Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times. Diao noted that both the US and Denmark are NATO members bound by collective defense obligations. This commitment is enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which stipulates that an armed attack against one member shall be considered an attack against all members of the alliance. This means the US was originally obligated to defend Greenland, which is under Danish jurisdiction, but now intends to attack it instead, Diao said. "Such an act would inevitably trigger major divisions within NATO." In the hope to deflect US president away from his intensifying rhetoric towards the island territory, NATO allies are now scrambling to discuss beefing up Arctic security, ABC reported. The European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius told media that the European Union can help provide security for Greenland, should Denmark request it, Reuters reported. The EU official warned that a US military takeover of Greenland would be the end of NATO. "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," Kubilius told Reuters on Monday at a security conference in Sweden. Frederiksen said in a January 5 interview with broadcaster TV2 that "I will also make it clear that if the US chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO, and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War," the Politico reported. NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday that NATO was "working on the next steps to make sure that we collectively protect what is at stake," according to a report by Guardian. Last week, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK issued a joint statement with Denmark to show their backing for Copenhagen and Greenland against Trump, according to ABC. Kubilius said he did not think a US military invasion was coming but that the European Union Treaty article 42.7 obliged member states to come to Denmark's assistance if it was faced with military aggression, Reuters said. "It will depend on 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," Kubilius was quoted as saying. ABC News reported that if the US took control of Greenland by force, it would plunge NATO into a crisis, possibly an existential one. While Greenland is the world's largest island , it has a population of around 57,000 and does not have its own military. Defense is provided by Denmark, whose military is dwarfed by that of the US. "The US focus on Greenland is driven by geopolitical strategy and resource interests. Every move the US administration makes is driven by one core goal: to maximize its own interests while minimizing costs," Diao explained. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said on Monday that state-to-state relations should be handled in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Regarding the Arctic, countries' rights and freedoms to carry out activities in accordance with the law should be fully respected. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU commissioner reaffirms Greenland security, warning U.S. takeover would end NATO People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:11, January 13, 2026 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. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minneapolis ICE Minnesota has become a major flashpoint in the national immigration enforcement surge under the second Trump administration, with federal agents conducting large-scale raids in the Twin Cities area throughout January 2026. Tensions reached a new peak on January 24 when Border Patrol agents fatally shot a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident identified as Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, during an encounter in south Minneapolis. The shooting marked the third fatal incident involving federal immigration officers in the city this month, intensifying protests, street closures, and accusations of excessive force amid ongoing operations led in part by Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. The January 24 shooting occurred Saturday morning in a residential area near Nicollet Avenue. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara and state officials, Pretti was armed and resisting when agents opened fire. DHS and Border Patrol officials, including Bovino in a subsequent press conference, stated the agent "feared for his life" and acted in self-defense. Video footage circulated online showed a heavy law-enforcement presence, with dozens of masked federal agents on scene, tear gas deployment against protesters, and immediate clashes. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) reported that federal authorities denied access to the shooting scene, prompting criticism from local leaders over transparency and jurisdiction. Bovino held a joint news conference later that day with ICE officials, defending the operations as "legal, necessary, and targeted at individuals with criminal records or unlawful status." He reiterated claims of broad public support in Minnesota and accused local media and protesters of bias. The incident followed two prior fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier in January, contributing to a narrative of escalating violence during raids. Protesters and civil rights groups described the encounters as evidence of racial profiling and over-militarization, with demands for ICE to withdraw from the state entirely. Protests intensified dramatically in response. On January 23 the day before the latest shooting thousands braved sub-zero temperatures to rally in Minneapolis and St. Paul against the ICE presence. Hundreds of businesses across the Twin Cities closed in solidarity, including restaurants, shops, and community centers, as part of a coordinated show of opposition. A large demonstration at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport led to the arrest of around 100 people, including clergy members, during what organizers called a "peaceful protest." Demonstrators surrounded federal agents, chanted demands to "get ICE out of Minnesota," and clashed with law enforcement after reports of tear gas use. Governor Tim Walz addressed the crisis multiple times, condemning the latest shooting and urging calm while placing the Minnesota National Guard on standby to support local law enforcement if needed. In remarks following the January 24 incident, Walz described the federal actions as creating "chaos" and killing innocent Minnesotans, while calling for an end to the aggressive raids. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her echoed similar sentiments, with Her highlighting the impact on her city's large immigrant communities, which have been heavily targeted for half a month. The governors and mayors have repeatedly pleaded for peaceful gatherings amid fears of further escalation. The broader context included a statewide general strike and labor stoppage on January 23, 2026, in opposition to the immigration crackdown and related federal policies. This action disrupted services across Minnesota and drew national attention as a symbol of resistance. Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department has reportedly opened probes into Minnesota officials' responses to the raids, while Arctic specialist troops were said to be joining federal immigration agents in patrolling Minneapolis and St. Paul. These developments have fueled speculation about potential invocation of the Insurrection Act or other federal overrides, with some commentators drawing parallels to civil unrest scenarios. Public discourse remained deeply polarized. Supporters of the operations credit them with removing criminal elements and fulfilling campaign promises on border security. Critics, including national Democratic figures and local activists, accuse the Trump administration of turning Minnesota into a testing ground for mass deportations, with excessive force and disregard for local sovereignty. Social media and protests have amplified images of masked federal agents, tear-gassed crowds, and Bovino's distinctive appearance, turning the state into a national symbol of the immigration debate's human cost. "ICE is removing some of the most violent criminals in the World from our Country, and bring them back home, where they belong. Why is Minnesota fighting this? Do they really want murderers and drug dealers to be ensconced in their community? The thugs that are protesting include many highly paid professional agitators and anarchists. Is this really what Minnesota wants? The crooked Governor and Congresswoman Omar, who married her brother, dont mind because it keeps the focus of attention off the 18 Billion Dollar, Plus, FRAUD, that has taken place in the State! Dont worry, were on it!" Donald J. Trump wrote 18 January 2026. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as part of Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, said 21 January 2026 it had made 3,000 law enforcement arrests of individuals it labeled the worst of the worst criminal offenders on city streets, continuing its expanded immigration enforcement deployment in the area. In addition, multiple U.S. citizens have been detained or arrested by ICE in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Local police chiefs reported that off-duty officers and other citizens have been stopped and racially profiled by federal agents. Mubashir, a Somali-American citizen was reportedly put in a chokehold and forced into the snow by agents in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood in December 2025. On January 8, 2026, two employees at a Richfield Target who are U.S. citizens were forced to the ground and bundled into an SUV by ICE agents before being released in a different parking lot. Four members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, who are U.S. citizens by statute, were detained at a homeless encampment in Minneapolis on January 9, 2026. William Vermie, a combat-wounded Army veteran, was detained for approximately eight hours on January 13, 2026, after observing an ICE arrest from a public sidewalk. On January 18, 2026, federal agents broke into the St. Paul home of ChongLy "Scott" Thao, a 56-year-old naturalized citizen's without a warrant. He was dragged outside at gunpoint in his underwear and sandals in subfreezing weather. Thao was released after an hour when agents realized he was not the target they were seeking. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urged Americans to carry proof of citizenship to "validate their identity" if they are in the vicinity of a targeted enforcement operation. US citizens are not legally required to carry identification or proof of citizenship while in public. Under the Fourth Amendment, citizens are not obligated to produce evidence of citizenship upon request on the street, and Minnesota does not have laws requiring individuals to prove their status to walk the streets. Standard driver's licenses often prove lawful presence but not necessarily citizenship.-p> The personal attacks, combined with the threats of military intervention and criminal prosecution of the Governor, illustrated the Trump administration's strategy of bypassing standard federalist separation of powers to impose direct federal will on a dissenting state government. The energetic immigration law enforcement began in December 2025 as "Operation Metro Surge." The Department of Homeland Security deployed approximately 2,000 to 3,000 federal agents drawn from ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and other agencies to the Twin Cities region. While the stated objective was to dismantle criminal networks and detain undocumented immigrants with violent records, local officials and residents reported a much broader and more aggressive campaign. Agents were observed conducting sweeps in residential neighborhoods, courthouses, and near schools, leading to the detention of numerous individuals, including some U.S. citizens who were later released. Regarding the claim that ICE removed "some of the most violent criminals in the World," the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted a large-scale enforcement action in Minnesota during January 2026, dubbed "Operation Metro Surge." DHS press releases from that week listed arrests of individuals with prior convictions for crimes such as child abuse, drug trafficking, and assault. However, local officials, including Governor Tim Walz, disputed the characterization of the operation, describing it as an indiscriminate campaign that targeted established residents and citizens, leading to significant community unrest. The assertion that "professional agitators and anarchists" were responsible for the protests reflected the administration's stance but lacked independent verification. The situation metastasized following a critical incident on January 7, 2026, when an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen, during an enforcement stop. The shooting provoked widespread civil unrest and daily protests across Minneapolis. In response to the local outcry and the refusal of state officials to suppress the demonstrations to the President's satisfaction, the administration's rhetoric shifted from law enforcement to political retaliation. The President threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which would allow for the deployment of active-duty military troops to Minnesota against the will of Governor Tim Walz. Following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in early January 2026, large crowds gathered in Minneapolis to demonstrate. While some clashes with law enforcement involved throwing objects and property damage, Governor Walz and other local leaders maintained that many demonstrators were peaceful residents exercising their First Amendment rights. The administration threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to these demonstrations. The allegation that Representative Ilhan Omar "married her brother" was a long-standing, unsubstantiated rumor that had circulated in right-wing media since 2016. No public records or credible evidence ever emerged to prove that Omar married her sibling. A comprehensive review by the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2019 found that while Omar's marital history was complex, documents did not support the claim of a sibling marriage. This accusation remained a frequent line of attack used by Trump against the Congresswoman. The wholesale onslaught against the elected Minnesota political system manifested through legal and administrative attacks on state leaders. The claim of an "18 Billion Dollar, Plus, FRAUD" in Minnesota appeared to be a significant exaggeration of actual fraud cases. The primary scandal referenced in this context was the "Feeding Our Future" scheme, which involved the misappropriation of federal child nutrition funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal prosecutors secured convictions and indictments related to this scheme, but the total amount of fraud identified by the Department of Justice was approximately $250 million, not $18 billion. Even when aggregated with other smaller fraud investigations in the state, the documented total remained a fraction of the figure cited in the post. Independent fact-checkers noted that earlier claims of "billions" in fraud lacked evidentiary support. By mid-January 2026, the Department of Justice had opened criminal investigations into Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for "obstruction of justice," stemming from their refusal to assist federal agents. Concurrently, the administration froze millions of dollars in federal funding to the state. The Presidents specific claim of "18 Billion Dollar, Plus, FRAUD" was a hyperbolic inflation of actual events; while a legitimate scandal involving the non-profit "Feeding Our Future" had resulted in the theft of approximately $250 million in federal child nutrition funds, and House Republicans had previously floated a figure of $9 billion in broader waste estimations, the $18 billion figure was unsubstantiated by documentation. Trump versus The Squad: Omar in Crosshairs The Minneapolis operation occurred within Trump's broader campaign against Representative Ilhan Omar and Minnesota's Somali community. Trump announced in November 2025 he would terminate Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota "immediately," calling Somalia "perhaps the worst, and most corrupt, country on earth." In December, during a Cabinet meeting, Trump called Somali immigrants "garbage" who "completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota" and said of Omar: "She shouldn't be allowed to be a congresswoman, and I'm sure people are looking at that, and she should be thrown the hell out of our country." On December 31, 2025, Trump posted on Truth Social: "Much of the Minnesota Fraud, up to 90%, is caused by people that came into our Country, illegally, from Somalia. 'Congresswoman' Omar, an ungrateful loser who only complains and never contributes, is one of the many scammers. Did she really marry her brother? Lowlifes like this can only be a liability to our Country's greatness. Send them back from where they came." Omar, who fled Somalia as a child refugee and became a U.S. citizen as a teenager, responded: "His obsession with me is creepy." FBI Director Kash Patel announced the FBI had "surged personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes" before public conversation escalated. Minnesota Fraud Scandal: Scope and Complexity Omar demanded Trump explain the "racist" ICE surge, claiming in letters to DHS that the deployment was "in direct response to Trump's racist comments" and noting more ICE officers were in Minnesota than the combined police forces of Minneapolis and St. Paul. On January 11, Omar told CBS News the federal response was "just creating fear" and done "for PR purposes," defending the Somali community while acknowledging ongoing fraud prosecutions all occurred under the Biden Administration. The backdrop to Trump's attacks and the ICE surge involved massive social services fraud centered largely, though not exclusively, in Minnesota's Somali community. Federal prosecutors estimated in December 2025 that fraud across Minnesota's Medicaid programs could reach $9 billion, representing more than half of payments to 14 high-risk programs since 2018. The most notorious scheme, dubbed "Feeding Our Future," involved nonprofit leader Aimee Bock (who is white) and associates establishing fake food distribution sites during the COVID-19 pandemic, billing for meals never served to children while purchasing luxury cars, jewelry, and property. Federal prosecutors charged 78 people in the Feeding Our Future conspiracy alone, with 64 convicted by January 2026. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said authorities recovered only $60 million of the $250 million stolen in that single scheme. Beyond Feeding Our Future, fraud extended across child care assistance, autism services, housing stabilization, and behavioral health programs. Investigations documented fake offices, sham vendors, shell companies, and large-scale money laundering. The Child Care Assistance Program fraud dated back over a decade, with 2015 raids on Minneapolis day care centers marking early prosecutions. A 2019 state legislative auditor report found Minnesota's Department of Human Services "did not adequately identify and analyze the risk of fraud" and "had weak processes to coordinate investigations statewide." In December 2025, a viral video by YouTuber Nick Shirley visiting Somali-run day care centers in Minneapolis, showing empty storefronts and misspelled signs like "Quality Learing Center," accelerated the political crisis. Trump amplified the video, claiming Somali immigrants "ripped off that state for billions of dollars" and "contribute nothing." The Treasury Department announced investigations into whether stolen funds reached al-Shabab terrorists in Somalia, though former U.S. Attorney Andy Luger, who prosecuted Feeding Our Future, stated: "There was never any evidence that this money went to fund terrorism nor was there any evidence that was the intent of the 70 people we indicted." Walz Withdrawal: Political Casualty Governor Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, announced on January 6, 2026 he would not seek a third term, citing inability to give a political campaign his full attention while defending Minnesota against "criminals who prey on our generosity and cynics who prey on our differences." Walz had announced plans for a historic third consecutive term in September 2025, but faced mounting pressure from Democrats concerned about sagging approval ratings and intensified scrutiny of fraud under his administration. Republican House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer called for Walz to appear at hearings investigating the fraud, noting "Though Tim Walz is not running for governor again, he cannot run from accountability." State Republican lawmakers testified that Walz knew about fraud dating to 2009 legislative auditor reports, with credible child care fraud reports surfacing 2011-2013. Republican state Representative Anne Neu Brindley stated Walz knew "from the very beginning" when he ran for governor in 2018 amid active prosecutions and news coverage. Trump called Walz "retarded" and "a crooked governor," claiming Minnesota's fraud problem existed because "they buy their votes, they vote in a group" and alleging the state had "a corrupt voting system with an incompetent governor." Walz defended his record, stating "we've spent years cracking down on fraudsters" and created anti-fraud task forces, but acknowledged the problem "could stretch into the billions" while disputing the $9 billion figure as "sensationalized." His withdrawal reshaped Minnesota's 2026 gubernatorial race, with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar reportedly considering a run. Renee Nicole Good The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026 in south Minneapolis converged multiple crises: questions regarding ICE operational training and street tactics, Minnesota's escalating social services fraud scandal estimated at potentially $9 billion, President Donald Trump's sustained attacks against Representative Ilhan Omar and Minnesota's Somali community, and Governor Tim Walz's subsequent withdrawal from his gubernatorial reelection campaign. The incident, followed one day later by a Border Patrol shooting in Portland, Oregon, generated nationwide protests and denunciations of immigration enforcement tactics, while exposing fundamental questions about federal agents' preparation for civilian street operations. Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, stopped her maroon Honda Pilot in the middle of Portland Avenue in south Minneapolis around 10:30 a.m. on January 7, blocking ICE vehicles conducting operations in the neighborhood. Community activists had established informal networks to alert residents to ICE presence through whistles and car horns, part of what officials termed "interference" with enforcement operations. Good's wife, Becca Good, stood outside the vehicle recording the encounter on her cellphone, as did several bystanders. Multiple officers approached the vehicle while Ross, a 10-year ICE veteran and Iraq War veteran, circled Good's car filming on his personal cellphone rather than using body-worn cameras mandated by ICE policy directives. His 47-second video, later published by conservative outlet Alpha News and reposted by the Department of Homeland Security, captured the final moments. "That's fine, I'm not mad at you," Good said to Ross as he passed her door. Her wife shouted, "US citizen, former fucking veteran. You wanna come at us, I say go get yourself some lunch big boy." Other officers approached shouting, "Get out of the car, get out of the fucking car." Good reversed briefly, then turned the steering wheel toward the passenger side as she drove ahead. Ross, positioned at the front driver side of the vehicle, opened fire. ABC News metadata analysis determined 399 milliseconds elapsed between the first two shots, with three shots fired in total through the windshield, striking Good in the head. Her vehicle careened away, crashing into parked cars approximately three seconds later. The scene revealed organizational failures and inadequate preparation for street operations. ICE policy requires body-worn cameras to be activated at the start of enforcement activities and footage retained for review in serious incidents such as deaths or use-of-force cases. The Department of Homeland Security refused to confirm whether Ross or any officers present wore body cameras, despite Secretary Kristi Noem defending Ross as following "his training" and using "defensive shots" to save lives. The reliance on handheld cellphone filming raised immediate questions from policing experts. Criminology professor Geoff Alpert told the Associated Press he wanted to see "the officer training that permits" holding a gun with one hand while filming on a phone with the other, noting such practice complicates volatile situations by occupying an officer's hands and narrowing focus when rapid decision-making becomes critical. The scene lacked clear command structure, with officers approaching the vehicle from multiple directions without apparent coordination, contributing to the confused final moments that even DHS initially struggled to explain. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described federal officials' narrative as "bullshit" and "garbage," stating after viewing video that claims of self-defense had "no truth" and telling ICE to "get the fuck out of Minneapolis." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem January 7, 2026 (Early Statement, within hours of shooting): "It was an act of domestic terrorism. What happened was our ICE officers were out in enforcement action. They got stuck in the snow and they were attempting to push out their vehicle when a woman attacked them and those surrounding them, and attempted to run them over and rammed them with her vehicle. An officer of ours acted quickly, and defensively shot to protect himself and the people around him. My understanding is she was hit, and is deceased." January 7, 2026 (Evening Press Conference, Minneapolis): "It's very clear this individual was harassing and impeding law enforcement operations. [The ICE agent] took actions to defend himself, noting one of the agents at the scene was treated and released after being hit by the vehicle." January 8, 2026: "It's very clear this individual was harassing and impeding law enforcement operations. [Good] weaponize(d) her vehicle and attempted to run over an officer." January 11, 2026 (CNN State of the Union with Jake Tapper): When pressed by Tapper on why she labeled Good a domestic terrorist before an investigation: "Everything that I've said has been proven to be factual and the truth." Tapper: "With all due respect the first thing you said was not what happened." Noem: "It absolutely is." When confronted about whether agent Jonathan Ross called Good a "fucking bitch" immediately after shooting her: Tapper: "Is that Agent Ross's voice calling Renee Good a 'fucking bitch'?" Noem: "I can't determine which one it is, but it could be, sir." [Noem reportedly smiled during this exchange] January 11, 2026 (Fox Sunday Morning Futures): "We're sending more officers today and tomorrow; they'll arrive, there'll be hundreds more." Vice President JD Vance January 8, 2026 (White House Press Briefing): "The reason this woman is dead is because she tried to ram somebody with her car. It's a tragedy of her own making. .. "I can believe that her death is a tragedy while also recognizing that it is a tragedy of her own making and a tragedy of the far left. ... You have a woman who was trying to obstruct a legitimate law enforcement operation. You have a woman who aimed her car at a law enforcement officer and pressed on the accelerator." "That guy [Jonathan Ross] is protected by absolute immunity.... This is a guy who's actually done a very, very important job for the United States of America." "Look, I don't know what's in a person's heart or in a person's head. And obviously, we're not going to get a chance to ask this woman what was going on. What I'm certain of is that she violated the law. What I am certain of is that that officer had every reason to think that he was under very serious threat for injury or, in fact, his life. ... Look, if people want to say that we should have a legitimate debate about what was she really doing - right? Was she panicking when she drove into this officer? Or was she actually trying to ram him? That's a reasonable conversation." "This was an attack on law and order. This was an attack on the American people. The way that the media, by and large, has reported this story has been an absolute disgrace. And it puts our law enforcement officers at risk every single day." "She must have been brainwashed or radicalized to put herself in that situation.... Well, it's one of the things we're going to have to figure out [who is behind the left-wing network]." January 8, 2026 (Social Media): "A tragedy? Absolutely. But a tragedy that falls on this woman and all of the radicals who teach people that immigration is the one type of law that rioters are allowed to interfere with. The gaslighting is off the charts and I'm having none of it. This guy was doing his job. She tried to stop him from doing his job. When he approached her car, she tried to hit him." President Donald Trump January 7, 2026 (Truth Social): "[Good 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." January 9, 2026 (Meeting with Oil Executives): "There was a woman screaming, 'Shame, shame, shame, shame.' She was an agitator, probably a paid agitator. In my opinion, she was an agitator, a very high level agitator. So professional she wouldn't stop screaming. ... I watched that yesterday, and there are a lot of different forms to it, but there was a woman screaming 'shame, shame, shame.' [Behavior] just not normal. You have agitators, and we will always be protecting ICE, and we're always going to be protecting our Border Patrol and our law enforcement." January 9, 2026: "I won the state of Minnesota. It's a corrupt voting system with an incompetent governor, a very incompetent governor. And by the way, he's a very corrupt governor, too. ... It looks like the number could be $19 billion stolen from a lot of people. But largely people from Somalia. They buy their votes, they vote in a group. They sell more Mercedes-Benz is in that area than almost - can you imagine you come over with no money and shortly thereafter you are driving a Mercedes-Benz? The whole thing is ridiculous. They are very corrupt people. It is a very corrupt state." January 11, 2026 (Air Force One): When asked whether deadly force was necessary: "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 police or ICE or Border Patrol or anybody else." "It was highly disrespectful of law enforcement, the woman and her friend were highly disrespectful. You saw that. They were harassing. They were following for days and for hours. ... And I think, frankly, they're professional agitators. And I'd like to find out, and we are going to find out who's paying for it with their brand new signs and all the different things." "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." [Note: Trump repeatedly referred to Good's wife as "her friend" rather than acknowledging their marriage] Border Czar Tom Homan January 11, 2026 (NBC Meet the Press): "We're all seen the video. And, again, no one knows what's in that officer's mind. You don't. I don't. No one does. But we're going to let the investigation play out. ... Why are we in Minneapolis? Because it's a sanctuary city, a sanctuary state. ... It's not okay to impede and interfere with an officer. Would it be okay, if a citizen impeded and interfered with the U.S. Marshal arresting a fugitive? No. Is it okay, if they stood before the FBI when they've arrested a terrorist? No. These are targeted enforcement operations. They're arresting bad people. And it's illegal. Let's remember, what she did was a crime. It's illegal to interfere and impede on ICE law enforcement officers." [Note: When asked about Noem's "domestic terrorism" allegation, Homan notably deflected: "I'm not sure all the information that she has."] These characterizations were made despite substantial contradicting evidence. Multiple videos showed Good turning her steering wheel to the right, away from officers, and moments before the shooting she told Ross, "That's fine, I'm not mad at you." Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara stated "there was nothing to suggest that Good was the target of any law enforcement investigation," and Minnesota officials confirmed Good "was not suspected of any crime before the encounter." Video evidence showed Ross was not run over or significantly injured. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the federal narrative "bullshit" and "garbage," while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated the claims were "verifiably false, verifiably inaccurate," and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called the "domestic terrorism" label "an abuse of the term." As one national security expert told PolitiFact: "Essentially within hours of the incident occurring, labelling this activity as domestic terrorism, what that does is effectively strip domestic terrorism of its significance. Now what is domestic terrorism? Whatever the DHS secretary says it is? She can characterise anything she wants as domestic terrorism. She is doing so without any facts to go on." Legal experts and officials challenged the administration's narrative. Stanford Law Professor Shirin Sinnar observed: "While intentionally ramming a vehicle for a political purpose could amount to terrorism in a different context, the videos of the Minneapolis incident appear to show a woman attempting to drive away from ICE officers, not hit them." Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated on January 11: "Of course [I have two eyes]. And I'm biased because I got two eyes. Anybody can see these videos. Anybody can see that this victim is not a domestic terrorist." Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called for accountability, declaring "[Noem] needs to resign or be impeached." The administration's October 2025 shooting of Marimar Martinez in Chicago followed an identical pattern, with a DHS press release describing Martinez as a "domestic terrorist" who rammed her vehicle into a Border Patrol agent. A federal judge granted prosecutors' motion to dismiss charges in November 2025, with legal analyst Joey Jackson noting: "Ultimately, there was a determination when everything was evaluated that there were serious questions about the officers' narratives." Institutional Response Department of Justice Civil Rights Division prosecutors were informed they would not play a role in investigating the shooting. FBI blocked Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from accessing evidence January 8, terminating joint investigation agreement. State investigators stated: "Without complete access to the evidence, witnesses and information collected, we cannot meet the investigative standards that Minnesota law and the public demands." Jurisdictional Battle and Investigation Blocked The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was initially tapped to conduct a joint investigation with the FBI. On January 8, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans announced the FBI had revoked their access to evidence, reversing the earlier agreement. "Without complete access to the evidence, witnesses and information collected, we cannot meet the investigative standards that Minnesota law and the public demands," Evans stated. Governor Walz demanded Minnesota be allowed to participate, emphasizing that officials who had "already passed judgment, from the president, to the vice president, to Kristi Noem" made it "very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome." Trump defended excluding Minnesota investigators on January 9, calling Walz "a stupid person" and claiming the state's officials could not be trusted. Vice President JD Vance said at the White House, "I don't care what Tim Walz says," claiming Good "aimed her car at a law enforcement officer and pressed on the accelerator," presenting the incident as "a tragedy of the making of the far left." Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said prosecutors were exploring all options to ensure state-level investigation could continue, noting "If the FBI is the sole investigative agency, the state will not receive the investigative findings, and our community may never learn about its contents." The Department of Justice prosecutors in the Civil Rights Division were told they would not play a role in the investigation, according to sources familiar with the matter, eliminating the division traditionally responsible for examining federal agent use of force against civilians. Portland Shooting: Pattern of Violent Encounters One day after Good's killing, Border Patrol agents shot and wounded Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras during a vehicle stop in Portland. DHS claimed the driver "weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents," prompting defensive fire. Portland Police Chief Bob Day confirmed the two had "some nexus" to Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua based on a July 2025 shooting investigation, though Oregon Federal Public Defender Fidel Cassino Du-Cloux disputed the government's narrative as "a well-worn playbook developed to justify the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of its agents." The couple, shot in the arm and chest respectively, drove 2.5 miles to an apartment complex where they called emergency services. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said "Portland is not a training ground for militarized agents," calling for ICE to halt operations pending investigation. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced a state investigation, stating the shooting "only heightens the need for transparency and accountability." The back-to-back incidents within 24 hours prompted national protests, with Oregon state Senator Kayse Jama telling ICE to "get the hell out of our community," echoing Frey's Minneapolis statement. Good's killing marked the ninth time ICE agents had opened fire on people since September 2025, with four deaths during that period. ICE Training Deficiencies and Street Operations The Good shooting exposed fundamental questions about ICE officers' preparation for street-level civilian encounters. ICE agents receive training primarily focused on targeted arrests at residences or workplaces, investigations of smuggling networks, and detention facility management. The Trump administration's shift toward "showy sweeps" and visible presence operations in urban neighborhoods represented a departure from traditional ICE tactics, deploying agents into scenarios requiring crowd control, rapid de-escalation, and management of hostile civilian observers for which training remained inadequate. Ross had been dragged approximately 100 yards by a driver during an immigration operation in Bloomington, Minnesota six months earlier, creating heightened threat perception when Good's vehicle moved. Former ICE and Secret Service agent Timothy Miller defended Ross, stating agents are trained to "respond to a deadly force situation based on the facts" and that "everyone else has months to evaluate what an officer must decide in split seconds." However, the cellphone filming, absence of body cameras, lack of visible command structure, and multiple officers approaching without coordination suggested operational chaos rather than disciplined enforcement. Policing experts questioned whether ICE agents, whose primary mission involves investigation and detention rather than street patrol, possessed adequate training for the dynamic civilian confrontations increasingly characterizing Trump's mass deportation operations. Senator Amy Klobuchar noted more ICE officers were deployed to Minnesota than the combined police forces of Minneapolis and St. Paul, stating "that feels completely out of balance." Multiple law enforcement officials confirmed the Trump administration deployed hundreds of Department of Homeland Security agents to the Twin Cities starting January 5, creating an unprecedented federal law enforcement presence with officers drawn from Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations whose training, equipment, and operational procedures varied significantly across agencies. Congressional and Public Reaction The shootings generated denunciations across political lines, though responses divided sharply along partisan fault lines. Representative Suzanne Bonamici stated: "Minneapolis yesterday, Portland today. This violence must stop now." Representative Janelle Bynum declared: "This isn't law enforcement, it's state-sponsored terrorism." Former President Bill Clinton amplified claims the shooting constituted "murder," prompting sharp Trump rebuke. Congressional Republicans defended ICE operations, with House Oversight Committee proceedings focusing on fraud rather than shooting investigations. Minnesota Republicans called for Walz's resignation over fraud failures while supporting aggressive ICE deployment. Three Republican Minnesota state legislators testified in Washington on January 8 about the fraud crisis, coinciding with Good's funeral arrangements. Senator Tina Smith said she was "working as hard as I can to get answers" regarding the shooting. DHS blocked Representative Ilhan Omar and other Minnesota representatives from conducting an unannounced visit to ICE facilities on January 10, having changed policy the previous day to require seven days advance notice for congressional visits. Omar stated: "What happened today is a blatant attempt to obstruct members of Congress from doing their oversight duties." Protests erupted in Minneapolis, Portland, New York, and other cities. On January 9, Minneapolis police declared protests outside downtown hotels an "unlawful assembly" after 30 arrests when demonstrators allegedly blocked roadways and caused property damage, though the majority of over 1,000 protesters remained peaceful. Minneapolis Public Schools cancelled classes for the week following the shooting, citing safety concerns after ICE used pepper spray and pepper balls against students at Roosevelt High School, where armed ICE officers allegedly handcuffed two staff members. The convergence of Good's killing, Minnesota's fraud scandal, Trump's attacks on Omar and the Somali community, Walz's political collapse, and questions about ICE operational preparedness created a multifaceted crisis testing federal-state relations, immigration enforcement legitimacy, and capacity of urban Democratic leadership to manage simultaneous political, operational, and community challenges. The blocked investigation, absence of Civil Rights Division involvement, and federal government's refusal to cooperate with state authorities established precedents limiting accountability mechanisms traditionally applied to federal agent use of force. As of January 12, 2026, Good's family memorial fund exceeded $1.5 million in donations. National Guard troops remained on standby in Minnesota. Federal agents continued operations in Minneapolis despite local opposition. The investigation remained solely in federal hands. And the nation awaited determinations on whether the shooting of an unarmed U.S. citizen and military veteran by an agent filming on a cellphone would result in any accountability beyond political rhetoric and street protests. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AT-802U and the Perfidy Controversy The use of military aircraft disguised as civilian platforms represents one of the most serious allegations of violations of the laws of armed conflict in modern warfare. In January 2026, reports emerged that the United States Pentagon had employed a secret aircraft painted to resemble a civilian plane in a military strike operation, raising fundamental questions about compliance with international humanitarian law and the principle prohibiting perfidy. The incident, which resulted in 11 fatalities in September 2025, sparked intense debate among legal experts, military officials, and international commentators about the boundaries of permissible conduct in armed conflict. The September 2025 Incident In January 2026, the New York Times reported that the Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first attack on a boat that the Trump administration claimed was smuggling drugs, killing 11 people in September 2025. Officials briefed on the matter stated that the aircraft carried its munitions inside the fuselage, rather than visibly under its wings, further concealing its military nature. The operation was conducted under the authority of the US Special Operations Command, with Admiral Frank M. Bradley overseeing the mission on September 2, 2025. While multiple officials confirmed that the aircraft was not painted in a classic military style, they declined to specify exactly what it looked like or provide definitive identification of the platform used. The classification of the aircraft prevented detailed public discussion, though questions about the operation's legality arose in closed-door congressional briefings. The press office for the US Special Operations Command declined to comment on the nature of the aircraft used in the attack, though the Pentagon maintained in a statement that its arsenal had undergone legal review for compliance with the laws of armed conflict. The incident did not end with the initial strike. A follow-up attack killed the two initial survivors, raising additional concerns about targeting the shipwrecked -- another prohibition under the laws of war. While public debate initially focused on this second strike, the revelation about the civilian-disguised aircraft brought the more fundamental issue of perfidy to the forefront of the controversy. The Legal Doctrine of Perfidy Perfidy is defined under international humanitarian law as acts that invite the confidence of an adversary with respect to protection under the law of war, with the intent to betray that confidence. The laws of armed conflict, codified in the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols, prohibit combatants from feigning civilian status to fool adversaries into dropping their guard, then attacking and killing them. This prohibition represents a fundamental principle designed to maintain basic standards of conduct in warfare and protect the distinction between combatants and civilians. Article 37 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions specifically addresses perfidy, defining it as "acts inviting the confidence of an adversary to lead him to believe that he is entitled to, or is obliged to accord, protection under the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict, with intent to betray that confidence." The article lists specific examples of perfidy, including "the feigning of civilian, non-combatant status." The prohibition exists to preserve the fundamental distinction between those who participate in hostilities and those who do not, a cornerstone principle of international humanitarian law. The use of civilian disguise to conduct military operations strikes at the heart of this distinction. If military forces routinely disguised themselves as civilians to gain tactical advantage, adversaries would have no reliable means of distinguishing combatants from non-combatants. This erosion of distinction would inevitably lead to increased civilian casualties, as armed forces would be forced to treat all potential targets with suspicion. The prohibition on perfidy thus serves not only to maintain ethical standards in warfare but also to protect civilian populations from being caught in broader targeting. Expert Legal Analysis Retired Major General Steven J. Lepper, a former deputy judge advocate general for the United States Air Force, provided detailed analysis of the legal implications of the September 2025 incident. Lepper stated that if the aircraft had been painted in a way that disguised its military nature and got close enough for the people on the boat to see it -- tricking them into failing to realize they should take evasive action or surrender to survive -- that constituted a war crime under armed-conflict standards. "Shielding your identity is an element of perfidy," Lepper explained. "If the aircraft flying above is not identifiable as a combatant aircraft, it should not be engaged in combatant activity." This analysis emphasized that the issue was not merely academic or procedural, but represented a serious violation of established international law with potential criminal implications. The principle that military forces must be clearly identifiable as such during combat operations has been consistently upheld in international humanitarian law and military doctrine. The legal analysis highlighted several critical elements that would establish perfidy in this context. First, the aircraft's appearance would need to have created a reasonable expectation of civilian status. Second, this misrepresentation would need to have been deliberate, not merely coincidental. Third, the misrepresentation would need to have contributed to the tactical success of the attack, with the targets failing to take defensive measures they would have taken against an identifiable military aircraft. Finally, the deception would need to have directly facilitated the killing or wounding of the adversary. Standoff Range and the Perfidy Determination The technical relationship between Hellfire missile engagement range and visual identification distances becomes central to evaluating whether the September 2025 incident constituted perfidy under international law. The AGM-114 Hellfire missile, a primary weapon for platforms like the AT-802U, has an air-launched engagement range of approximately 8 kilometers (5 statute miles). This standoff capability theoretically allows an attacking aircraft to remain at distances where visual identification of military markings would be extremely difficult or impossible. However, the legal question of perfidy hinges not merely on whether such standoff engagement was technically possible, but on whether the aircraft's civilian disguise functioned to prevent the boat crew from recognizing they were under threat from a military platform and taking appropriate defensive action or surrender. Visual identification of military aircraft markings presents significant challenges at the distances where Hellfire engagements typically occur. Standard U.S. military aircraft markings -- including national insignia, tail codes, and unit identifiers -- are sized to be recognizable at relatively close ranges, typically within 1-2 kilometers under optimal conditions. The contrast between dark lettering and light background, or vice versa, affects visibility, as do atmospheric conditions, lighting angle, and whether observers are actively searching the sky. For personnel aboard a boat engaged in navigation or other tasks, particularly in conditions where engine noise masks the sound of an approaching aircraft, visual detection of an aircraft might not occur until it is well within Hellfire range. However, detection of an aircraft's presence differs fundamentally from identification of its military character. A boat crew might notice an aircraft overhead at several kilometers distance without being able to discern whether it displays military markings or civilian registration numbers. The acoustic signature of the AT-802U compounds the challenge of early detection. Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turboprop engine, the aircraft is considerably quieter than jet-powered platforms, particularly when operating at cruise power settings during surveillance or target approach. The PT6A engine's relatively low noise signature, combined with the masking effect of boat motor noise -- whether from outboard engines or larger marine diesels -- could prevent auditory detection until the aircraft was at quite close range. A typical recreational or commercial boat motor generates 80-95 decibels of noise at the operator's position, effectively masking lower-frequency sounds from distant aircraft. This acoustic advantage would allow a turboprop aircraft to approach to within several kilometers before boat operators might hear it, assuming they were not otherwise alerted to its presence. The perfidy determination therefore rests on a critical tactical question: did the aircraft's civilian appearance function to prevent the boat crew from recognizing a military threat at ranges where they could have taken defensive action? If the aircraft engaged from maximum Hellfire range -- approximately 8 kilometers -- the crew might never have had opportunity to visually identify the aircraft as military regardless of its markings, as such identification would be nearly impossible at that distance even under optimal conditions. In this scenario, the civilian disguise would be largely irrelevant to the tactical outcome, as the crew would have had no realistic opportunity to recognize military markings, take evasive action, or attempt surrender. However, if the aircraft closed to shorter ranges -- whether for positive target identification, to employ different weapons, or to conduct battle damage assessment -- the civilian appearance would become central to the perfidy allegation. At ranges of 2-3 kilometers or less, standard military markings would be potentially identifiable to observers who were aware of the aircraft's presence, and at such ranges, the absence of military markings or presence of civilian-style paint schemes could directly influence whether the boat crew recognized they were facing military attack. Lepper's analysis emphasized this point when he noted that perfidy occurs if the aircraft "got close enough for the people on the boat to see it -- tricking them into failing to realize they should take evasive action or surrender to survive." This formulation suggests that the relevant legal question is not whether the aircraft could have engaged from standoff range, but whether it actually did so, and whether at the engagement range used, the civilian disguise functioned to prevent recognition of military identity. If the aircraft engaged from extended range where identification was impossible regardless of markings, the disguise might be criticized on other grounds but would not constitute perfidy in the strict legal sense, as the crew had no opportunity to recognize military identity whether or not it was concealed. Conversely, if the aircraft approached to ranges where military markings would have been identifiable -- whether for weapons employment, target confirmation, or other tactical reasons -- the civilian disguise would directly implicate perfidy by denying the crew their right under international humanitarian law to recognize they were facing military attack and respond accordingly through evasive action or surrender. The internal carriage of weapons, mentioned in initial reports of the incident, adds another dimension to this analysis. Standard military practice involves external carriage of weapons on wing or fuselage hardpoints, making them visible and contributing to recognition of an aircraft's military nature even at ranges where detailed markings might not be readable. An aircraft with visible external weapons presents an unmistakably military profile regardless of paint scheme. However, the AT-802U's design includes a large internal payload bay, originally intended for agricultural chemicals or firefighting retardant, which can accommodate weapons. Internal weapons carriage would eliminate this visual cue, making the aircraft's profile appear similar to civilian variants even at relatively close range. Combined with civilian-style paint and absence of standard military markings, internal weapons carriage would maximize the difficulty of recognizing the aircraft as a military platform, potentially extending the range at which misidentification could occur to well within typical Hellfire engagement distances. The specific tactical geometry of the September 2025 engagement remains classified, preventing definitive determination of whether the civilian disguise functioned to facilitate perfidy. However, the technical parameters establish that such determination depends critically on engagement range, visibility conditions, and the crew's awareness and ability to observe the aircraft. If engagement occurred from maximum standoff range with no prior awareness by the boat crew, the disguise's role in the incident's outcome would be minimal regardless of legal characterization. If engagement occurred after the aircraft had closed to ranges where standard military markings would have been identifiable, or if the aircraft made multiple passes allowing observation, the civilian disguise would constitute a direct causative factor in preventing the crew from recognizing military attack and would clearly satisfy the legal definition of perfidy. The intermediate cases -- where engagement occurred at ranges where identification might have been possible under optimal conditions but was not achieved due to combination of distance, conditions, and inattention -- present more complex analytical challenges but likely still implicate perfidy concerns if the civilian appearance contributed to failure of identification at ranges where military markings would have been recognizable. International Response and Implications International reaction to the revelations reflected deep concern about the implications for global security and the international order. Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that using aircraft in civilian disguise for armed conflicts violates international law and related provisions about armed conflicts, warning that such practices could bring many uncertainties and severely undermine the global civilian aviation order. "Given this case, if it turns out to be true, when you encounter a US civilian aircraft, wouldn't you worry that it could be a military aircraft in disguise?" Wang asked. He characterized the practice as an irresponsible, vicious and immoral move that would weaken the international community's trust in the United States, bringing more uncertainties and instabilities that could lead to regional conflicts. The Chinese expert's concerns reflected a broader worry about the precedent such operations could establish. If major military powers normalized the use of civilian-disguised aircraft for combat operations, it would create a dangerous precedent that could be exploited by other nations and non-state actors. The erosion of clear distinctions between military and civilian aircraft would have profound implications for international civil aviation security, potentially requiring enhanced security measures for all civilian flights and creating new risks for commercial aviation operating in or near conflict zones. The controversy also raised questions about trust in civil aviation more broadly. International air travel depends on shared understandings and agreements about the status and treatment of civilian aircraft. If military forces could not be relied upon to maintain clear distinctions between military and civilian platforms, the entire framework of international civil aviation agreements would be called into question. States might feel compelled to treat civilian aircraft with greater suspicion, potentially leading to tragic incidents of mistaken identity. Ruses of War versus Perfidy International humanitarian law recognizes an important distinction between permissible ruses of war and prohibited perfidy. Ruses of war are acts intended to mislead an adversary or induce recklessness but do not invite confidence regarding protection under international law. These are explicitly permitted and include practices such as camouflage, decoys, mock operations, and misinformation. The key distinction lies in whether the deception exploits protections afforded civilian objects by international humanitarian law. For example, painting military aircraft in unexpected colors or patterns to blend with the environment constitutes permissible camouflage. Similarly, using decoy aircraft or conducting feint attacks to mislead enemy forces about the location or timing of actual operations falls within accepted military practice. These tactics do not violate the prohibition on perfidy because they do not exploit the adversary's obligation to distinguish between military targets and protected persons or objects. However, painting a military aircraft to appear as a civilian aircraft crosses the line into perfidy because it exploits the protection afforded to civilian aircraft under international humanitarian law. Civilian aircraft are protected from attack unless they are making a direct contribution to military action. By disguising a military aircraft as civilian, forces exploit the adversary's legal obligation not to target civilian objects, thereby gaining an unfair tactical advantage through violation of fundamental principles of the law of armed conflict. Historical Context and Precedents The prohibition on perfidy has deep roots in the customary laws of war, predating modern codification in international treaties. Historical precedents established that combatants must be distinguishable from non-combatants and that exploiting protective symbols or status for military advantage constitutes a serious violation of the laws of war. The misuse of protective emblems, such as the Red Cross or Red Crescent, has long been recognized as a war crime, reflecting the same underlying principle that protects civilian aircraft from military disguise. During World War II, several incidents involved allegations of forces misusing civilian or protected status to conduct military operations. The post-war trials at Nuremberg and Tokyo addressed various violations of the laws of war, establishing precedents that have informed modern international humanitarian law. The prohibition on perfidy was subsequently codified in the 1949 Geneva Conventions and strengthened in the 1977 Additional Protocols, reflecting international consensus on the fundamental importance of maintaining clear distinctions between combatants and civilians. More recent conflicts have seen allegations of perfidy, though few have involved aircraft disguised as civilian platforms. Insurgent forces in various conflicts have been accused of using civilian vehicles or dress to approach military targets, while some state forces have been accused of misusing protective symbols or civilian facilities. Each case has reinforced international consensus that such practices undermine the foundations of international humanitarian law and warrant serious legal consequences. Pentagon Legal Review Process The Pentagon maintained that its arsenal had undergone legal review for compliance with the laws of armed conflict, suggesting that military lawyers had examined the aircraft and its employment before approving its use in operations. This raises questions about the legal reasoning that would justify the use of a civilian-disguised aircraft in combat operations. Military legal advisors typically provide detailed analysis of planned operations to ensure compliance with the law of armed conflict, including assessments of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity. Several possible legal theories might have been advanced to justify the operation, though none appeared to address the fundamental perfidy concerns raised by legal experts. One possibility is that the review focused on the specific context of counternarcotics operations, which might be viewed as distinct from traditional armed conflict. However, if lethal force is employed, the laws of armed conflict generally apply, including prohibitions on perfidy. Another possibility is that the review concluded the level of disguise did not rise to the level of perfidy, perhaps arguing that certain visual differences remained that would allow identification as a military aircraft upon close inspection. The classification of the aircraft and operation prevented detailed public scrutiny of the legal analysis that preceded the mission. This classification, while potentially justified by legitimate national security concerns, also shielded from review the legal reasoning that approved the operation despite apparent violations of well-established principles of international humanitarian law. The tension between operational security and legal accountability in classified programs presents ongoing challenges for ensuring compliance with international law. Congressional Oversight and Classified Briefings Questions about perfidy arose in closed-door briefings of Congress by military leaders, according to people familiar with the matter, though these concerns had not been publicly discussed because the aircraft is classified. The congressional oversight process for classified military operations provides an important check on executive power, though the classified nature of briefings limits public accountability. Members of the relevant congressional committees -- particularly the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees -- receive detailed briefings on covert operations and programs. The fact that perfidy concerns reached congressional briefings suggests that some officials within the military or intelligence community recognized potential legal problems with the operation. However, the extent of congressional concern and the nature of any responses or requirements imposed on the Pentagon remained unclear. Congressional oversight of classified programs operates under significant constraints, with members limited in their ability to publicly discuss classified information and dependent on the executive branch for much of their information about ongoing operations. The delayed public revelation of the operation -- emerging in January 2026 for a September 2025 incident -- suggested that information about the aircraft's use in the strike was tightly controlled. Whether this delay reflected legitimate operational security concerns or an effort to avoid scrutiny of potentially illegal conduct could not be definitively determined from publicly available information. The balance between protecting classified information and ensuring accountability for potential violations of international law presents ongoing challenges in democratic governance of military and intelligence operations. Implications for Special Operations and Irregular Warfare The use of a civilian-disguised aircraft in the September 2025 operation reflected broader trends in special operations and counterterrorism activities. Special Operations Command has increasingly employed modified civilian aircraft for various missions, including the Armed Overwatch program utilizing the AT-802U Sky Warden platform. These aircraft offer cost-effective capabilities for operations in permissive environments where advanced air defenses are not present. The flexibility and austere operating requirements of platforms like the AT-802U make them particularly attractive for special operations in remote areas with limited infrastructure. The aircraft can operate from unprepared airstrips, require minimal ground support, and provide long endurance for surveillance and strike missions. However, the same characteristics that make these platforms valuable for legitimate military operations also create temptations to employ them in ways that blur the line between military and civilian aircraft. The Armed Overwatch program, while developed for legitimate military purposes, operates in a gray area where the distinction between military and civilian aircraft might become less clear. The AT-802U is based on an agricultural aircraft widely used in civilian applications worldwide. If military variants are painted to closely resemble their civilian counterparts -- and particularly if they carry weapons internally rather than on external hardpoints -- distinguishing military from civilian AT-802 aircraft could become extremely difficult. Impact on Civilian Aviation Security The revelation that military forces might use civilian-disguised aircraft for combat operations created profound concerns for international civil aviation. The safety of civilian air travel depends fundamentally on shared understandings that civilian aircraft will not be attacked and that military aircraft will be clearly distinguishable. If these assumptions are undermined, the entire framework of international civil aviation could be jeopardized. Wang Yunfei's question "when you encounter a US civilian aircraft, wouldn't you worry that it could be a military aircraft in disguise?" highlighted the core problem. If civilian aircraft could not be presumed to be civilian, adversaries would face impossible choices when encountering aircraft in or near conflict zones. They might feel compelled to engage aircraft that appeared civilian out of concern they might be military aircraft in disguise, leading to tragic incidents and a breakdown in the protections afforded to civilian aviation. The implications extended beyond immediate conflict zones. If major powers normalized the practice of disguising military aircraft as civilian platforms, other nations might feel justified in doing the same. Non-state actors and terrorist organizations might exploit the precedent to justify attacks on civilian aircraft that they claimed were military aircraft in disguise. The erosion of clear distinctions between military and civilian aircraft could lead to a dangerous escalation where civilian aircraft became routine military targets. Accountability and War Crimes The classification of perfidy as a war crime under international law carries significant implications for individual and command responsibility. Grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and serious violations of the laws of armed conflict can give rise to individual criminal responsibility, potentially including prosecution in international or domestic courts. While the classification of the aircraft and operation in the September 2025 incident complicated accountability efforts, the underlying legal principles remained clear. Command responsibility doctrines hold military commanders accountable for war crimes committed by their subordinates if the commanders knew or should have known about the crimes and failed to prevent them or punish perpetrators. In the case of a planned operation involving a civilian-disguised aircraft, questions of command responsibility would extend to those who authorized the mission, approved the aircraft's employment, and supervised its execution. The legal review process that preceded the operation would also be subject to scrutiny regarding whether it adequately identified and addressed perfidy concerns. The potential for individual criminal liability created incentives for careful legal review of military operations. However, the classification of programs and operations could shield individuals from accountability by preventing investigation and prosecution of potential violations. The tension between operational security and legal accountability remained unresolved in many classified special operations programs, creating risks that violations of international humanitarian law might go unaddressed. Future Implications and Recommendations The September 2025 incident and subsequent controversy highlighted the need for clear policies and procedures to prevent perfidy in military aviation operations. Several measures could help ensure compliance with international humanitarian law while preserving legitimate operational capabilities. First, clear guidance should specify that military aircraft must be painted and configured in ways that make them readily identifiable as military platforms, even when based on civilian designs. Internal carriage of weapons should not serve as justification for removing external military markings or paint schemes. Second, legal review processes for special operations and classified programs should include specific consideration of perfidy concerns, with senior legal advisors empowered to halt operations that risk violations of international humanitarian law. Third, congressional oversight of classified military operations should include specific attention to compliance with the laws of armed conflict, with committees empowered to require changes to programs that risk violations. Fourth, training for special operations personnel should emphasize the prohibition on perfidy and the importance of maintaining clear distinctions between military and civilian aircraft. Finally, international dialogue about the application of international humanitarian law to special operations and counterterrorism activities could help establish shared understandings and prevent erosion of fundamental principles. While operational security concerns legitimately limit public discussion of some capabilities and methods, the core principles prohibiting perfidy should be reaffirmed and strengthened through international engagement. The AT-802U perfidy controversy serves as a cautionary example of how the pressure to achieve tactical advantage in counterterrorism and special operations can lead to practices that undermine fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. Maintaining the distinction between military and civilian aircraft is not merely a technical legal requirement but a foundational element of the laws of war that protects civilian populations and preserves minimum standards of conduct in armed conflict. The incident underscored the continuing importance of robust legal review, congressional oversight, and adherence to established international norms, even in classified special operations conducted in the name of national security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 12 January 2026 - Day 1419 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 UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022 has now lasted longer than the Soviet Union's war against Nazi Germany, which followed Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, thereby breaking Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union's non-aggression pact. Ethnic Ukrainians constituted a significant proportion of the Soviet Union's Red Army in the Second World War. Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk border region in August 2024 is the first time since the Second World War that foreign troops have conducted operations on Russian territory. Ukrainian forces highly likely continue to conduct limited kinetic operations in Kursk. Russian leadership false rhetoric and frequent allegations of Ukrainian Nazism prior to, and since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, seeks to influence Russian military personnel and the domestic population into participation in, and support for, Russia's war in Ukraine. It seeks to take advantage of the deep historical and psychological impact of Russia's war with Nazi Germany to foster perceptions of Ukraine and Ukrainians as a threat, thereby justifying the Russian invasion. Such narratives have been supported and proliferated by Russian state-controlled media. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 146 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. Russian zagarbniki launched 28 aviation strikes, dropping 74 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, 5092 kamikaze drones were recruited for impressions and carried out 2,740 shelling of positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the North-Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, the Russian opponent carried out 84 shells, including six from reactive systems of amphibious fire. Today, Russian forces attacked six times in the South-Slobozhansky direction in the areas of the settlements of Krugle, Ternova, Obuhivka, Degtyarne and towards the settlements of Prylipka, Grafsk. One confrontation is currently ongoing. In the Kupyans komu direction, the Russian opponent made four attempts to attack towards Petropavlivka and Kurilivka, one confrontation is ongoing. In the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces repelled 11 assault actions in the area of the settlements Novoselivka, Ridkodub, Zarichne, Yampil and towards the settlements Lyman, Stavki, Drobisheve. Another battle is currently underway. In the Slavic direction, the Russian enemy attacked six times in the area of the settlements Svyato-Pokrovsky, Platonivka, Pazeno and towards Zakitny, Riznikivka. Three clashes are underway. In the Kramators komu direction the Russian opponent did not carry out offensive actions. 17 combat clashes took place in the Konstantinivsky direction today. Russian units tried to attack the positions of Ukrainian units near the settlements of Konstantinivka, Oleksandro-Shultine, Pleshiyivka, Cherbinivka, Ivanopilya, Rusyn Yar and towards the settlements of Stepanivka, Sofiyivka. In the Pokrovsky direction since the beginning of this day, Russian troops attacked 26 times in the areas of the settlements of Mirnograd, Pokrovsk, Nikanorivka, Rodinske, Kotline, Udacne, Molodetske, Filia and towards the settlement of Kucheriv Yar. Today in this direction, according to preliminary data, 100 occupants were defecated, of which 66 are irrevocably. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed 45 unmanned aircraft, 12 vehicles units, ten special equipment units, four ATVs, they also hit one tank, three artillery systems, five vehicles units, two special equipment units, five BPLA control points and seven shelters for Russian personnel. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 12 Russian attacks in the areas of the settlements of Zlagoda, Verbove and in the direction of the New Zaporizhia , one confrontation is ongoing. In the direction of Gulyaipil, 33 clashes took place in the areas of the settlement of Gulyaypole and towards Olenokostyantinivka and Varvarivka. Fighting is still ongoing in two locations. The airstrike of the Kabama suffered the upper tersa, barvinivka, lubytske, vozdvizhivka. In the Orihivs komu direction, there is currently an attack of the Russian enemy in the area of Primors kogo. 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. The Sever Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Elements of two mechanised brigades and one assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been hit near Andreyevka, Kondratovka, and Miropolye (Sumy region). In Kharkov direction, units of a territorial defence brigade were hit close to Staritsa (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to more than 240 troops, 16 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns, including one 155-mm Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system. One electronic warfare station, one counter-battery radar station, and three material depots were neutralised. The Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian units hit manpower and materiel of two mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and one National Guard brigade close to Blagodatovka, Kovsharovka, Monachinovka, Nechvolodovka, Novosinovo, Petrovka, and Sinikha (Kharkov region). The enemy losses amounted to more than 180 troops, one M113 armoured personnel carrier, two U.S.-made HMMWV armoured vehicles, 12 pick-up trucks, and one Grad MLRS. Three ammunition depots were neutralised. The Yug Group's units improved the situation along the front line. They hit units of four mechanised brigades, a motorised infantry brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a marine brigade, and a territorial defence brigade near Kondratovka, Konstantinovka, Kramatorsk, Nikiforovka, Slavyansk, and Stepanovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy lost more than 190 troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, including U.S.-made M113 and Puma armoured personnel carriers, 14 motor vehicles, three field artillery guns, including U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery systems and Swedish-made Archer artillery systems. Four ammunition and materiel depots were neutralised. The Tsentr Group's units improved the tactical situation. Manpower and military hardware of five mechanised brigades, an infantry brigade, an airmobile brigade, an air assault brigade, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and five national guard brigades have been hit close to Belitskoye, Vodyanskoye, Grishino (Donetsk People's Republic), Gavrilovka, and Novopodgorodnoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). Ukrainian armed formations lost more than 400 troops. Moreover, five armoured fighting vehicles, including a U.S.-made Stryker armoured personnel carrier, U.S.-made HMMWV and one Australian-made Bushmaster armoured fighting vehicles, as well as three pickup trucks and one artillery gun, were neutralised. The units of the Vostok Group of Forces advanced to the depths of the enemy's defence. Russian troops hit manpower and military hardware of a mechanised brigade, an assault brigade, and three assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Aleksandrovka, Orly (Dnepropetrovsk region), Golubkovo, Gorkoye, Zaliznichnoye, Novoukrainka, Samoylovka, and Shevchenkovskoye (Zaporozhye region). The AFU lost up to 205 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, and one Grad MLRS vehicle. As a result of resolute actions of the Dnepr Group of Forces, Novoboykovskoye (Zaporozhye region) has been liberated. Elements of a mountain assault brigade, a coastal defence brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a territorial defence brigade, and a National Guard brigade have been hit near Kirovo, Orekhov, Yurkovka (Zaporozhye region) and Sadovoye (Kherson region). Up to 50 Ukrainian troops, six motor vehicles, and one artillery gun were neutralised. Operational-tactical aviation, attack drones, missile troops, and artillery of the Russian groups of forces have inflicted damage on energy and transport infrastructure which operated in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; military airfields, long-range unmanned aerial vehicles production and storage facilities, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed groups and foreign mercenaries in 157 areas. Air defence systems shot down five guided aerial bombs, four U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 52 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 108,458 unmanned aerial vehicles, 645 anti-aircraft missile systems, 27,074 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,640 MLRS combat vehicles, 32,517 field artillery guns and mortars, and 51,537 units of support military vehicles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address United States Welcomes Portugal's Signing of the Artemis Accords US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson January 12, 2026 The Department of State congratulates Portugal on joining the Artemis Accords. Portugal is the 60th country to sign the Accords to date, pledging its commitment to peaceful space exploration and use. Portugal's Secretary of State for Science and Innovation Helena Canhao signed the Accords on behalf of the Government of Portugal on January 11th. The signing was celebrated at a ceremony on January 12th by U.S. Ambassador to Portugal John J. Arrigo and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Central Europe and Southern Europe Dan Lawton on the sidelines of the U.S.-Portugal Standing Bilateral Commission. As a committed NATO Ally, Portugal is a key U.S. partner; Portugal's signing of the Accords extends that close partnership into outer space. The United States and seven other countries established the Artemis Accords in 2020 to serve as a set of practical principles to guide responsible space exploration. Portugal joins the United States and 58 other nations in affirming the Accords' principles for sustainable civil space activity. The Department of State and NASA lead the United States' outreach and implementation of the Accords. For more information, including a full list of signatories to the Accords visit Artemis Accords, For media inquiries, please submit a request. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press conference - Canberra Transcript Monday 12 January 2026 Parliament House, Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Prime Minister of Australia The Hon Tony Burke MP Minister for Home Affairs Minister for Immigration and Citizenship The Hon Michelle Rowland MP Attorney-General ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon. Firstly, can I say that following my visit to Victoria yesterday, to Bendigo, to Ravenswood and to Harcourt, we received the devastating news of a loss of life. Our thoughts go to the family, the friends and the community who are impacted by this. And our thoughts are also with all those who are still doing it incredibly tough, those people who have lost their homes - 47 in Harcourt alone. These are communities that are under real pressure. In addition to that, in Far North Queensland, of course, we see the impact of the floods. This is a really tough time across Australia with different impacts of these extreme weather events. And at this time, I say on behalf of the entire Australian population, thank you to the emergency service workers, to the police and fireys, to the Australian Defence Force, to the volunteers, to all those who are helping their neighbours at this time. At the worst of times, we always see the best of the Australian character. I saw that yesterday. There, there's a staging area at Ravenswood at a petrol station, where the local SES, fireys are coordinating the activity going out there, where the firefighting fleet, including the aircraft operating from that area, and what we saw is just people helping, helping out. Often, some of them from communities themselves that have been devastated in recent by floods or by fire. The last time I was at the Bendigo Centre there, it was to deal with floods in Victoria. A short time later, I'm back and it's to deal with the opposite, of fires that have been devastating. So, we'll continue monitor these situations. We'll continue to be in close contact with Premier Allan, with Premier Crisafulli, who I spoke with again yesterday, and the Commonwealth will always provide whatever support we can. And the decision to have a National Emergency Management Agency has certainly made a difference for help flowing very quickly to those communities. But we know that there will be much more to do in the future. To today, can I say that I will write, this afternoon, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives for Parliament to be recalled next Monday and Tuesday, both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The plan is to have a condolence motion debated in both Houses on Monday. There has been agreement with the Opposition about the wording of that condolence motion. It will be an opportunity for the Parliament to come together and convey our sympathies to the loved ones of those murdered by these terrorists on Bondi Beach on 14 December, to recognise the trauma and the pain of the people who have been injured, to honour the courage and quick action of police, first responders, and healthcare workers, and the lives that they saved, as well as the everyday Australians who, in the face of this savage event, showed incredible bravery and didn't think of themselves but thought of others. The motion will unequivocally condemn the terrorist atrocity perpetrated at Bondi Beach and commit our Parliament to eradicating the evil of antisemitism. And I'm hopeful that it can deliver a powerful statement by all members and senators voting for the condolence motion. On the Monday, there will be three speakers from each side firstly in the House of Representatives, and then as well, Allegra Spender as the local member, will be invited to speak, and then there will be a suspension of that to enable the Attorney-General to introduce legislation which we'll then lay on the table. We'll then return to the condolence motion and that will continue throughout Monday and Tuesday. We will, later today, brief - I met with the Leader of the Opposition already today, but there will be a briefing for the Opposition on the legislation later this afternoon by the respective departments, and it will be referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence for report. It will be publicly released tomorrow, and Greens members and crossbench members will be able to access a full briefing as well from tomorrow on Tuesday in the House of Representatives. The legislation will then be debated on Tuesday in the House of Representatives. We intend to have that legislation pass the House before Question Time, which will occur at the normal time at 2:00pm, and then will be considered by the Senate in the afternoon in order to ensure its passage on that day. The bill is the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill. It's a comprehensive package of reforms which create serious offences for hate preachers and leaders seeking to radicalise young Australians. It increases the penalties for hate crimes offences. It ensures offenders whose crimes are motivated by extremism have that factored into sentencing. It creates a new offence for inciting hatred in order to intimidate or harass. It expands and strengthens the ban on prohibited symbols, and it makes it easier for the Minister for Home Affairs to cancel or refuse a visa for people intent on spreading hatred. And it creates a new framework that will enable the Minister for Home Affairs to list organisations as prohibited hate groups. Once an organisation is listed, it will be a criminal offence to be a member, to recruit for it, to donate or receive funds, or support that group in any way. The legislation will also set up the National Guns Buyback Scheme, bringing Australia's world leading gun laws into the 21st century, and getting guns off our streets. As I've said before, there are more guns now in Australia than there were at the time of the Port Arthur massacre. That is not good enough. 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 complex laws and our focus is ensuring they're effective and practical. We will continue to navigate, no doubt, there will be legal processes, because this is an area of constitutional question. This is new laws going further than they ever have before. But we want to support the efforts of our police and our security agencies. 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. Because just as antisemitism and racism are an offence against our Australian values, they should be an offence against Australian law. This afternoon, we've referred that legislation to the committee. So, the processes from here is that we will engage constructively. It will be an opportunity for people to make submissions through appropriate processes. We want this to be timely but we also want there to be a proper process, which is why we are going to have this process over the next week. National unity is vital to our national security, and our government will strengthen both. I'd ask the Attorney-General and then the Minister for Home Affairs. MICHELLE ROWLAND, ATTORNEY-GENERAL: Thank you, Prime Minister. And can I start by echoing the Prime Minister's comments about our fellow Australians who are doing it so tough during these challenging times with those fires. As the Prime Minister said, today the Albanese Government has taken another important step towards a safer, more unified Australia, with Cabinet agreeing to the Government's stronger, more robust hate legislation. The Government announced our intention to introduce these laws in the days following the abhorrent Bondi terror attack, and I'm very pleased that, in a relatively short period of time, have been able to draft, consult, and develop this vital package of legislation. Let me be clear - once these laws are passed, they will be the toughest hate laws Australia has ever seen. They will specifically target those who seek to spread hatred and disrupt social cohesion in our community. And it will send a clear message that this conduct will not be tolerated. In particular, as the Prime Minister outlined, the bill introduces an aggravated hate speech offence for preachers and leaders who promote or threaten violence against protected groups or members of groups. There will be increases in penalties for hate speech offences relating to advocating or threatening force or violence against protected groups or members of groups and their property. It will make racial hatred an aggravating factor in sentencing in a number of Commonwealth crimes. It will create a regime for listing organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech or promote violence or racial hatred. And it also introduces a new racial vilification offence that criminalises inciting hatred based on the grounds of race. Now, these laws build on the hate speech legislation the Government introduced last year and the hate symbols legislation that came before that. This Government has moved urgency and care to draft these laws, consulting with experts and stakeholders, including the Jewish community. The draft legislation, as the Prime Minister said, will now be referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, and the public will be able to make submissions. As I have said, this is not a time for partisanship. Broad support right across the Parliament is essential to making these laws a reality and keeping Australians TONY BURKE, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS: Thanks, Prime Minister, and join for my responsibility with NEMA as well in the huge concerns with everybody battling those fires. Following the atrocity of the evil antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi, we needed to deal with the motivation and the method. This legislation will deal with both. The motivation was fuelled with hate, that form of racism known as antisemitism. There have been organisations which have played a game for a long time in keeping themselves just below the legal threshold. They were called out last year by Mike Burgess, the Director-General of ASIO, for the real harm they do to our national security. The two groups he called out specifically were the Nazis, the National Socialist Network, and Hizb ut-Tahrir. Two groups which through their spreading of hate, have a direct impact on increased risk on our national security environment, but have kept themselves just below the law. For while they have created a pathway for others to engage in violence, have been careful to not explicitly call for it themselves. They've kept themselves just below that threshold. This bill will lower that threshold, and lower that threshold to the extent that we can within the Constitution. We have had enough of organisations that hate Australia, playing games with Australian law. We will also increase powers that I would have, as Immigration Minister, in terms of the cancelling of visas. In terms of racist bigotry at the moment, I also have to test time whether someone is coming on a public speaking tour or the extent to which someone might cause social discord. This draws a line in the sand and says racial bigotry of itself is a reason to be able to refuse a visa. Finally, with respect to guns, the legislation will allow us to use the AusCheck system. It will 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 remains the fit and proper person test the states already have, but to put in place in advance of that, an AusCheck system, which will allow the intelligence that is held by ASIO and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to be able to be used to create the extra layer of caution if someone themselves is a risk if they're applying, or if the risk resides in the member of their family or a member of their household. With all of this, we deal with the motivation and the method. We deal with the why and the how. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the Attorney said that broad support from across the Parliament would be necessary. How open to serious suggestions from the Coalition or the Greens will you be to changes on hate speech laws? PRIME MINISTER: We're open to constructive suggestions. This is draft legislation. We spent a lot of time getting it right. There has been a lot of consultation already, not just with the Jewish community, but with other communities as well. We want to get it right. But if someone has a constructive suggestion, then it will be considered on its merits. JOURNALIST: You want to deal with method and motivation, but there's been more political debate around the gun reform than the other section on hate speech. Why not split both sections up. Is that an attempt to wedge the Coalition? PRIME MINISTER: This is not about politics. This is about getting right. Those people who conducted this antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi on 14 December had both the motivation from being inspired by ISIS, but they had the means. There was a very moving speech by Peter Meagher's brother at St Mary's Cathedral just last week, where he spoke very much about someone who is an antisemite is someone, you know, who can profess hate, an antisemite with a gun is something very different as well. So, we need to deal with both. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, there's been some controversy around the cancellation of a Palestinian Australian author appearing at the Adelaide Writers' Festival. Do you have a view on whether she should be reinstated, given your concerns about social cohesion at this time or otherwise? MINISTER BURKE: With respect to any writer's festival, we leave those decisions to the festivals themselves. We don't tell festivals who they should put on and who they shouldn't. JOURNALIST: Mike Burgess said repeatedly that antisemitism and online radicalisation are some of the biggest threats to Australia's social cohesion and security. How have you consulted with intelligence agencies on what should be in this laws, particularly around online radicalisation? PRIME MINISTER: They've all been involved in the involvement of these laws, our National Security Committee met again this morning. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, can I ask - what's your judgement on social cohesion in Australia today? How are we holding together as a society? PRIME MINISTER: That social cohesion is under pressure globally. There are a range of reasons why that's the case. The device being held in people's hands here, is one of them as well. We see an increase of polarisation of views around the world. We see not just social media but indeed mainstream media sites, if you look at the headlines that are on stories, erring on the side of shouting rather than talking. Yelling rather than explaining. And that's a pressure which is real on our society. It is something that we need to have a broad discussion about, this is just one element of it. So, I want an Australia that goes to our values, where everyone is respected. Where the Australian covenant is that when people come here, they leave any hatreds and prejudices in the customs hall and recognise the strength that is here in our diversity. One where we're able to discuss differences in a mature and respectful way, rather than accusatory, rather than looking to always blame someone else. One the things we see and is that on the Middle East, people have different views. They're entitled to express those views. What they're 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. That's not acceptable. And it is something that I certainly hope that the Royal Commission, on social cohesion, that's one of the issues that we need to address, not just a government, we, as a society need to have that debate and we need to be able to move forward. JOURNALIST: On the new classification for hate groups, can I just get a sense of what the penalties will be for those offences? And do you think they'll be similar to what is currently under offences for associating with a terrorist group? Just on the potential legal challenges that that legislation may incur, given Hizb ut-Tahrir have already said they're seeking legal counsel, do you expect there will be a High Court challenge? ATTORNEY-GENERAL: I will start with your last question first - I mean, HUT is a global organisation and they have a long history of engaging legal counsel to ensure they do not fall foul of laws in particular countries. So, we have crafted this legislation in a way that's robust and we understand, of course, that these are laws that may be challenged. That's the reality. But the Government stands by our drafting. We stand by ensuring that we are as tough as possible, acknowledging as was said previously there are constitutional limits. But again, if a challenge is brought, we'll vigorously defend those. In addition to what I have just said, about the offences for prohibited hate groups as well, they will be new offences, criminalising certain dealings, interactions and engagements with organisations that would be a prohibited hate group. There would be a number of defences that could apply here, but indeed, we're looking, if you're talking about the racial vilification offence, we would have a new offence that's punishable by a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. There's serious penalties proposed here. One of the reasons why we're putting this out for consultation is to garner those views. JOURNALIST: In terms of the process, the speed at which you're getting this legislation through Parliament, it's going to a committee that does not have teals or other independents on it. And then to the Senate. Do you have a deal with the Coalition to get this through the Senate next Tuesday by the looks of things? What do you say to people who would say that's a real rush, given the complexity of the legislation that we're talking about, and the trade-offs that are involved? PRIME MINISTER: This isn't a time - I've been in this building for a while, as have you. There have been times when legislation has been introduced and carried through both Houses in a day. People are going to have a week before Parliament sits to examine this legislation. We'll provide a full briefing to the Opposition this afternoon, they'll have the legislation before the briefing, as was requested. I have been meeting with Sussan Ley every week, formally. And going through and keeping the Opposition informed on this. I have a call scheduled with Larissa Waters this afternoon. We will make the officials available to all of the crossbenchers as well as to the Greens, from tomorrow. And in terms of timing, I think that there is an urgency, but matched with getting it right, which is why we've spent considerable time. We had to sit down and consult as was appropriate, with groups at the end of last week, as I indicated. I don't speak on behalf of the Opposition. And - but we have engaged with them, I've gone through very clearly and transparently what the timeframe is. And so, I would expect that there will be cooperation. I note Steven Lowy's comments on the front page of the paper today. I think this is what people want to see. And when I met with Mr Lowy, I met with some time ago, it was certainly constructive. I have spoken with the President of ECAJ this morning, as well. And so, people are being kept informed. People have an opportunity to contribute. JOURNALIST: Is it still your intention for the cost of the Gun Buyback Scheme to be split 50-50 between the Commonwealth and states? Are you confident you have the support of the states and territories on that part of the legislation? PRIME MINISTER: It's up to the states to speak for themselves. But I think that states that don't participate will have to justify that to their own people. JOURNALIST: There seems to be some concerns from some eminent Australians, some legal scholars, around some untidiness around the Royal Commission arrangements as they pertain to Dennis Richardson. Can you confirm what Mr Richardson's status, the status of his review within your Royal Commission is? And do you believe that he will be able to get to the bottom of potential intelligence failures without coercive powers, protection for whistleblowers, that type of thing, that a Royal Commission can deliver? PRIME MINISTER: I have absolute faith in Mr Richardson and the work that he'll do. His report will form part of the work of the Royal Commission. JOURNALIST: You don't speak for the Opposition, but has Sussan Ley given any indication if she might - PRIME MINISTER: I do not verbal anyone, least of all the Leader of the Opposition. It's up to her to speak on behalf of the Opposition. I speak on behalf of the Government. JOURNALIST: One question for the Home Affairs Minister and then yourself. You kind of have highlighted Hizb ut-Tahrir and the Nazi group, is it your expectation directly that you will immediately move to make those hate groups illegal? Is there anything else you're looking at? For the PM, this legislative package would be very effective in a sort of broadcast Australia contained context, but we talked with Hizb ut-Tahrir being a global organisation, how are you going to deal with the fact a lot of this radicalisation, a lot of this content is coming from outside of your jurisdictional reach? MINISTER BURKE: First of all, I have phrased it the way I have very deliberately in terms of the cases that will come subsequently is apprehended bias. I'm not going to use this question to walk into that. If I put it in the exact order which I did for a very deliberate reason, the ASIO, the Director-General of ASIO has called out those two organisations. And explained they kept themselves just below the threshold. We are lowering that threshold. PRIME MINISTER: And on the global issues, look, evidence will come out from the Richardson Review and during those processes about the connections that the Akrams had or didn't have, how some of the radicalisation occurred. We know that a lot of radicalisation can occur on the dark web. This is one of the challenges that will be looked at. It is not easy, it is hard as Mr Richardson has indicated previously, but then Mr Burgess as the Director-General has indicated very clearly it is difficult when it comes to a lone wolf, now, in this case, you have a father and son, that has a particular dynamic. And I don't want to pre-empt some of the evidence that will come forward, and that will all be examined. But it presents a challenge and we understand that challenge is very real. Which is why it's been identified by the security and intelligence agencies. JOURNALIST: President Trump is openly considering further military action in Iran. Are you concerned that action there may further threaten social cohesion in Australia, and would Australia play any support or assisting role should that occur? PRIME MINISTER: We're not considering that. I will make this comment about Iran - that we stand with the people of Iran, who are standing up for their human rights, standing up for their dignity, standing up for a change that is required. This is a regime that has oppressed its own people. This is a regime that is cracking down on people protesting, and we don't know what the real death toll is from people who have been either killed or injured for expressing their basic human rights. What we do know is this is an oppressive regime that has played a bad role, not only for its people but a bad role internationally which is why I stood in this very courtyard and expelled the Iranian Ambassador for the involvement of their agencies in attacks here on Australian soil. So, we stand with very much the people of Iran at this time. JOURNALIST: You speak about urgency, and considering the fact you are bringing Parliament back two weeks earlier, do you anticipate people will be arrested or visas revoked under these new laws immediately? PRIME MINISTER: We haven't passed the laws yet. I'm hoping that the laws can be passed efficiently and quickly with the support of the entire Parliament. And I hope that the Parliament passes the laws. You'll all get to see it, the draft legislation tomorrow. And I will speak to you tomorrow. Thanks very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Visits Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: January 09, 2026 15:22 From January 6 to 8, 2026, Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue visited Israel. During his visit, he met respectively with Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar, Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yosef Amrani, and Deputy National Security Advisor for Foreign Policy Joseph (Yossi) Draznin. They had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations. Zhai Jun said that the Chinese and Jewish peoples enjoy a traditional friendship, and the sound and stable development of China-Israel relations serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples. China is ready to work with Israel to maintain bilateral exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation, and to carry on the friendship between the two peoples. The Israeli side expressed its high regard for the development of Israel-China relations, consistently adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to strengthen exchanges between various departments of the two countries at various levels, as well as to promote new progress in bilateral practical cooperation across various fields. The two sides also exchanged views on regional hotspot issues. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM refutes Taiwan regional authorities' 'poor political stunts' concerning China-AU joint press release Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 12, 2026 04:37 PM 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, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday, in response to a question concerning that the Taiwan authorities claimed that the Taiwan-related content in the joint press release of the China-African Union (AU) strategic dialogue seriously distorted facts, undermined the island's "sovereignty," and called the African Union aligning with Beijing's stance regrettable. Mao said 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 China's territory and the Government of the People's 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 spokesperson added that 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, Mao said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address German FM proposes to US President collaborative responses to potential 'threat' posed by Russia and China in Arctic, Chinese FM says it does not agree with US using China or Russia as an excuse to pursue selfish interests Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 12, 2026 04:33 PM German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul proposed to US President Donald Trump in Iceland prior his trip to the US the collaborative responses to potential "threat" posed by Russia and China in Arctic, under the NATO framework. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the Arctic bears on the overall interests of the international community. China's activities in the Arctic aim to advance the peace, stability and sustainable development of the region and are in line with international law. Therefore, China does not agree with the US using China or Russia as an excuse to pursue its own selfish interests, Mao noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on January 12, 2026 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: January 12, 2026 21:54 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 China's 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 Minister's 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 People's 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 Carney's upcoming visit, the two sides will step up dialogue and communication, enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, properly handle differences, address each other's concerns, consolidate the momentum in the turnaround of China-Canada relations, and deliver more benefit to the two peoples. Asahi Shimbun: It's 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: I'd refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. Let me stress that China's 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 Washington's control. He also said if the U.S. didn't take control of Venezuela's 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. What's China's 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 China's 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: "We're talking about acquiring, not leasing, not having it short-term. If we don't do it, Russia or China will." What's China's comment? Mao Ning: The Arctic bears on the common interests of the international community. China's 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, China's position has not changed. All parties have the responsibility to play a constructive role for this end. Beijing Youth Daily: It's 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 island's "sovereignty," and called the African Union (AU) aligning with Beijing's stance regrettable. What's China's 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 China's territory and the Government of the People's 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 what's China's comment of the U.S. taking over sovereign territory of another country? If that happens, what China's interests in the particular territory will be? What's 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. What's China's comment? Mao Ning: As I just said, the Arctic bears on the common interests of the international community. China's 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 China's 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. What's China's comment and response to this? Mao Ning: The territory you mentioned belongs to China. It's 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 people's livelihood. The China-Pakistan boundary agreement and CPEC do not affect China's position on the Kashmir issue and the position remains unchanged. AFP: It's 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 yesterday's remarks said that his administration is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and he is presented with "very strong options." It's been reported that a range of options, from sanctions and cyber measures to potential military action had been considered. What's China's 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 Yi's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Should Not Use Russia, China as Excuse to Promote Its Interests in Arctic - Beijing Sputnik News 20260112 BEIJING (Sputnik) - Beijing does not agree with the United States using Russia or China as an excuse to promote its interests in the Arctic, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday. "We do not agree that the United States uses China or Russia as an excuse to advance its own interests," Mao told reporters. The Arctic affects the common interests of the international community, and China's activities in the Arctic contribute to strengthening peace, stability and sustainable development in the region, as well as comply with international law, the spokeswoman said. On Sunday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul offered US President Donald Trump to work together within NATO to counter the "threats" of Russia and China in the Arctic. Media 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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Strengthening the transatlantic partnership: visit by Foreign Minister Wadephul to the United States Germany Federal Foreign Office 11.01.2026 - Article Foreign Minister Wadephul is travelling to Washington DC today for talks with US Secretary of State Rubio. The focus will be on German-US relations and on strengthening transatlantic cooperation. On the journey to the US, Foreign Minister Wadephul will also visit his counterpart in Iceland. Following his first official visit to Washington in May 2025 and his participation in the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2025, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is travelling to the United States today (11 January) for the third time. He will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and members of the US Congress in Washington on Monday (12 January). The Foreign Minister will then travel on to New York for talks with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. On the journey to the United States, Foreign Minister Wadephul will also visit Reykjavik to meet his Icelandic counterpart. Responsibility for Ukraine and a stable international order Germany and the United States are not only close partners as regards bilateral relations, but also in numerous multilateral formats, especially the joint defence alliance NATO. Multilateral formats are the cornerstone of a rules-based, stable global order, which has created reliability for decades. Germany is doing its utmost to continue guaranteeing this stability. Prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Wadephul stated: This summer, the United States will celebrate 250 years of independence. That reminds me how strongly we are bound by the idea of freedom and self-determination. Germany owes a great deal to this long democratic tradition upheld by the US and to its efforts for peace and security. Never before has it been so important to invest in the transatlantic partnership, so that - in the face of global upheaval - we can remain capable of shaping the world order. Foreign Minister Wadephul will also discuss progress in the Ukraine peace talks with Secretary of State Rubio. Germany and the United States are working tirelessly to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia's war of aggression and to ensure a long-term ceasefire and lasting peace. Just last week, the Coalition of the Willing met in Paris to discuss important steps in the talks, in particular the creation of robust security guarantees for Ukraine which are vital for long-term stability in Europe. Foreign Minister Wadephul commented as follows on this subject; We are challenged by concurrent crises and wars, above all Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which threatens our security across the entire Euro-Atlantic area. An effective response to existential questions is only possible when we work together within our Alliance. We are therefore liaising closely within NATO and together ensuring greater security - on both sides of the Atlantic. And last summer, we committed to collectively meeting the 5-percent goal within NATO. Germany is taking resolute action to progress towards this goal. It is crucial that we Europeans and Americans work together on continuing the transatlantic security architecture in order to defend our values and safeguard the global order. Talks with members of the US Congress and the United Nations In addition to the bilateral talks with Secretary of State Rubio, Foreign Minister Wadephul will meet further leading politicians in Washington. Among other things, talks are planned with members of the US Congress, with the aim of further deepening the partnership between Germany and the US. Afterwards, Foreign Minister Wadephul will travel to New York, where he will meet the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. In view of the large number of global crises and the increasing pressure on the international order, Germany is urging the United States, among other countries, to strengthen the role of the United Nations as the central body of the international community. Prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Wadephul said: For more than eight decades, the rules-based international order has brought us peace, stability and prosperity. This is especially true of the US and Germany. The key to this is dependability. Because dependability is the foundation for security, for trade and for investment - in Europe as in America. For Germany, dependability as an international partner thus very clearly includes a commitment to international law and international cooperation. Iceland as an important partner in the North Atlantic On his way to the United States, Foreign Minister Wadephul will visit Reykjavik, where he will meet Icelandic Foreign Minister orgerur Katrin Gunnarsdottir for talks, following their recent meeting in Berlin in December 2025. Foreign Minister Wadephul underlined the following prior to his departure: With security in the Arctic becoming increasingly important, too, I also want to discuss during my trip how we can best shoulder this responsibility together within NATO, in light of old and new rivalries in the region due to Russia and China. We want to discuss this together within NATO. In doing so, we must ensure that the legitimate interests of all NATO members as well as those of the region's inhabitants are at the forefront of our considerations. This naturally also applies to Greenland and its people. I will discuss the particular strategic challenges in the High North with my Icelandic counterpart orgerur Gunnarsdottir during my visit to Reykjavik today. The close cooperation between Germany and Iceland, both bilaterally and in NATO, is of great importance for security in the North Atlantic. Particular at a time of geopolitical tensions, such as those resulting from the war in Ukraine and the increasing challenges in the global security environment, it is important to be able to count on reliable partners such as Iceland. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany Federal Foreign Office 11.01.2026 - Press release Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul issued the following statement prior to his departure for Reykjavik, Washington, D.C. and New York (11 January): This summer, the United States will celebrate 250 years of independence. That reminds me how strongly we are bound by the idea of freedom and self-determination. Germany owes a great deal to this long democratic tradition upheld by the US and to its efforts for peace and security. Never before has it been so important to invest in the transatlantic partnership, so that - in the face of global upheaval - we can remain capable of shaping the world order. We are challenged by concurrent crises and wars, above all Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which threatens our security across the entire Euro-Atlantic area. An effective response to existential questions is only possible when we work together within our Alliance. We are therefore liaising closely within NATO and together ensuring greater security - on both sides of the Atlantic. And last summer, we committed to collectively meeting the 5-percent goal within NATO. Germany is taking resolute action to progress towards this goal. Of course, even close partners can have differing points of view from time to time. But these should not lead us to lose sight of the bigger picture. Where there are differing positions, we want to address these differences through dialogue, in order to do justice to our shared responsibility for peace and security. It is with this conviction that I will speak to my US counterpart Marco Rubio in Washington. Our responsibility includes in particular security in the North Atlantic, which not only gives NATO its name but is of such strategic importance for our shared security. With security in the Arctic becoming increasingly important, too, I also want to discuss during my trip how we can best shoulder this responsibility together within NATO, in light of old and new rivalries in the region due to Russia and China. We want to discuss this together within NATO. In doing so, we must ensure that the legitimate interests of all NATO members as well as those of the region's inhabitants are at the forefront of our considerations. This naturally also applies to Greenland and its people. I will discuss the particular strategic challenges in the High North with my Icelandic counterpart Thorgerdur Gunnarsdottir during my visit to Reykjavik today. For more than eight decades, the rules-based international order has brought us peace, stability and prosperity. This holds especially true for the US and Germany. The key to this is dependability. Because dependability is the foundation for security, for trade and for investment - in Europe as in America. For Germany, dependability as an international partner thus very clearly includes a commitment to international law and international cooperation. Following my talks in Washington, I will therefore meet the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres in New York. Secretary Rubio's Meeting with German Foreign Minister Wadephul US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson January 12, 2026 The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. The two leaders discussed pressing global challenges including securing supply chains, ensuring that Venezuela can no longer be an operating hub for the activities of our adversaries around the world, and advancing efforts toward peace between Russia and Ukraine. Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Wadephul reiterated the importance of denying Iran the ability to develop or obtain a nuclear weapon. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the U.S.-German partnership across these critical priorities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of Special briefing by Foreign Secretary on the Visit of the Federal Chancellor of Germany to India (January 12, 2026) India - Ministry of External Affairs January 12, 2026 Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I welcome you to this special press briefing by Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri on the ongoing official visit of Chancellor of Germany to India. We also have with us Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Piyush Srivastava. With that, I'll request Foreign Secretary to make his opening remarks, after which we'll take some questions. Please do bear with us. Please, when we open the floor, please raise your hand, and thereafter, we'll ask you to put forth your question. So, with that, the floor is yours. Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary: Thank you, Randhir. Good afternoon. Thank you all for joining this briefing. As you are all aware, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Friedrich Merz, is on his first official visit to India after taking over as Chancellor. Notably, this is also his first visit to Asia after taking office last year. He arrived in Ahmedabad very early this morning, around 2:00 in the morning, and was warmly received at the airport by the Hon'ble Governor, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, and the Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister. The Chancellor is accompanied by a high-powered official delegation as well as a large business delegation, which reflects the importance that both sides place on the trade, business, and investment side of the relationship. The timing of this visit is also particularly significant. It's taking place in the Silver Jubilee year, 25 years after the establishment of the strategic partnership between India and Germany. And it is also taking place in the Platinum Jubilee year, the 75th year after the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Federal Republic of Germany. And the visit therefore provides an opportunity to take stock of this very rich, very important partnership and, more importantly, to set an ambitious agenda and target for the future. The Chancellor had a busy program on the first day of the visit. In fact, he's still in the process of completing his engagements for the day. This morning, he was welcomed by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Sabarmati Ashram. The two leaders visited the Ashram and paid tribute to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. They visited Hriday Kunj, where the Chancellor was given a demonstration of the Charkha. And thereafter, at the Sabarmati Riverfront, Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Modi participated in the famous Kite Festival of Ahmedabad, which sees participants and visitors from around the world. Following that, the Chancellor and the Prime Minister held wide-ranging discussions in restricted as well as delegation-level formats, covering the entire spectrum of the bilateral relationship, as well as regional and global developments. And let me just give you a flavor of the discussions that took place between the two leaders. The Chancellor, for instance, remarked on the changing world order, the instability that global order is facing, and why in this context it is ever more important for India and Germany to take their relationship to a new level and to do much more, in fact, in his words. And in this context, he laid particular emphasis on Germany's very strong support for the early conclusion of the India-EU FTA. As you are all aware, in another fortnight's time, the EC President and the European Council President both will be visiting New Delhi, where we hope to take these discussions forward towards a favourable conclusion. Chancellor Merz also emphasised repeatedly the strategic approach that Germany was bringing to its relationship with India. That it regarded the relationship with India as an asset in these uncertain times. And, in particular, again, there was a considerable amount of discussion on the defense side of the relationship, which is seeing good and very promising progress. One of the things that has been a high point in the relationship in recent years is the people-to-people relationship, the growing Indian expatriate community in Germany, including students. There are today nearly 60,000 students in Germany and nearly 300,000 people of Indian origin in Germany, a number that has grown quite significantly in just the last half-dozen years or so. And it was heartening to hear Chancellor Merz extend a hearty welcome to this expatriate community, to Indian students, to skilled workers from India, given the fact that they complement the needs that German society, German business, and the German economy have at this point in time. And, this is now important enough for the German authorities to consider putting dedicated institutional arrangements in place to look at issues related to the community. As you are aware, the two leaders also addressed the CEOs' Forum after their talks. And there too again the Chancellor emphasised that it was not a coincidence that India was his first destination in Asia after taking over as Chancellor. He referred to the fact that India and Germany share a relationship of long-standing trust, of political principles and democratic institutions. And that in these times it was particularly important to strengthen resilience, to protect our respective economic bases, especially against dangerous one-sided dependency on external actors. And therefore, it was important to diversify our supply chains, increase the linkages that we have between our trade, business, and investment communities. And testimony of that was the very strong business delegation that was accompanying him. In his remarks, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi pointed to the strong growth that had taken place in trade between India and Germany, which has now crossed nearly $51 billion. That represents a quarter of all of India's trade with the European Union. And the Hon'ble Prime Minister emphasised on the need to draw up a vision for taking this development forward. He also referred to the trend that we are seeing in terms of control and weaponization of technologies, and therefore the need for India and Germany to cooperate in this regard. And, therefore some of the agreements that are being signed during this visit and announced during this visit, such as those related to semiconductors, to critical minerals, etc., were also referred to by the Prime Minister. Special mention was also made by the Prime Minister of the flagship India-Germany cooperation program, the Green and Sustainable Development Program, under which Germany extends assistance to green energy infrastructure programs in India. And I should say that two of those programs are in this state itself, in the form of the assistance that has been extended to the Ahmedabad Metro and to the Surat Metro project. In addition, the Prime Minister also welcomed the ongoing cooperation between India and Germany on green hydrogen as well as the agreement that was announced during this visit, on the off-take of green ammonia from an Indian company by a German company. Prime Minister also referred, in keeping with the focus on technology cooperation between the two countries, on the need to expand our defense cooperation, the potential that was there for space cooperation. Germany has recently set up a dedicated ministry for research and development in space. That offers new opportunities. And, how science and technology has been an area of long-standing engagement between India and Germany. And finally, as did the Chancellor, the Prime Minister as well emphasised on the Indian expatriate community in Germany as a constructive force, as one that brought in complementarity between Indian skills and German manufacturing, and the fact that Germany was increasingly emerging as a preferred education destination for Indian students. So, these were amongst the key subjects that the leaders touched on. As I said, the two sides also exchanged a number of important agreements and understandings. This has been a very outcome-rich visit. 19 MOUs were signed and exchanged during this visit, and a further eight announcements related to different areas and understandings were made. So a total of about 27 outcomes during this very, very short visit that is taking place. A list of these announcements, these agreements, and undertakings will be available on our website very soon after this briefing, together with the joint statement that has also been released by the two sides on the occasion of this visit. The Chancellor is currently visiting the world-famous Adalaj Stepwell in Ahmedabad, and he will tomorrow travel to Bengaluru, where he will visit the premises of the German company Bosch and the Center for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. Again, these engagements highlight the strong technology innovation and industry linkages between the two countries. I'll just refer briefly to some of the key outcomes of the visit. I won't go through all of them, as I said, there are about 27 elements in this. But mainly I would refer and highlight the Joint Declaration of Intent for the India-Germany CEOs' Forum and the holding of the CEOs' Forum meeting. There were understandings adopted in the areas of semiconductors, critical minerals, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and the digital domain. The two sides also launched a new bilateral R&D program in bioeconomy and concluded an MOU in traditional medicine between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the Charite University. They also, as I said, witnessed the announcement of an off-take agreement between AM Green and Uniper Global Commodities for the initial supply of 125 kilotons of green ammonia per annum, scaling up to over 500 kilotons per annum over 15 years to Germany. The two leaders have also announced their intention to develop a defense industrial cooperation roadmap. And in so far as the key area of mobility, education, and skilling is concerned, in this too, there are some important understandings that were reached, notably the adoption of the higher education roadmap. An MOU was also signed between the German Maritime Museum in Bremerhaven and the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. There is, as you can see, a growing convergence between India and Germany, not just on these important bilateral matters but also on issues in the international arena. Both the leaders had the opportunity to discuss at length regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the situation in West Asia, developments in the Indo-Pacific, especially where the two countries are closely collaborating. So, in conclusion, I would say that Chancellor Merz's visit, though short, has imparted strong momentum to the India-Germany strategic partnership across all of its key pillars. As Prime Minister Modi noted, in an uncertain global environment, both India and Germany value reliable and trusted partnerships, and we are sure that the outcomes of this visit would reinforce the depth, ambition, and long-term vision of our partnership for shared prosperity and stability. The Chancellor extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi for the regular institutional mechanism that exists at the highest level between the two leaders, which is the India-Germany Intergovernmental Cooperation mechanism, which will be held this year in Berlin in Germany, and the Prime Minister said that he looked forward to visiting Germany for that purpose. So, let me stop here, and I'd be happy to take a few questions. Thank you. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Aap prashn pooch sakte hain. Prashn poochne se pehle main aapki taraf ishara karunga, toh uske baad aap apna prashn aage rakhein. [Approximate Translation] : You may ask your questions. Before asking, I will point towards you; after that, you may put forward your question. Manish Jha, TV9: Sir namaste, mera naam Manish Jha hai main TV9 se hoon. Abhi aapne bhi bataya ki dono leader ne global issues par discuss kiya hai aur Prime Minister ne bhi Ukraine aur Gaza ki baat kahi thi German Chancellor ne Iran ke baare mein kaha, toh agar aap bata sakein ki Iran aur Greenland ko lekar dono leader ke beech mein kya baat cheet hui kitna kuch aap us par share kar sakte hain? Aur jo doosra ki aapne bhi bataya ki defense cooperation ko lekar dono deshon mein MOU bhi huye hain kaafi understanding bhi hui hai, toh thoda agar aap uska detail de sakein ki kya submarine ko lekar dono deshon mein sehmati ban gayi hai joint production ko lekar. Thank you. [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, namaste. My name is Manish Jha, and I am from TV9. You just mentioned that both leaders discussed global issues, and the Prime Minister also spoke about Ukraine and Gaza. The German Chancellor spoke about Iran. So, if you could tell us, what discussions took place between the two leaders regarding Iran and Greenland, and how much of that can you share with us. Secondly, as you also mentioned, several MoUs have been signed and there has been significant understanding between the two countries on defence cooperation. If you could provide some details on thatspecifically, whether an agreement has been reached between the two countries regarding submarines and joint production. Thank you. Pranay Upadhyay, India Today Aaj Tak: Foreign Secretary, Pranay Upadhyay India Today Aaj Tak se. Baby Ariha ka maamla bahut samay se Bharat aur Germany ke beech mein charcha mein chal raha hai, toh agar aap bata sakein kya Pradhanmantri ne is mudde ko German Chancellor ke saath uthaya tha aur uspe kya aashwasan mil paya hai? Aur iske alawa migration aur mobility agreement ko lekar kya next phase ko lekar koi charcha hui hai jismein hum jo visas hain usko aur kaise liberal kar sakte hain aur kya cheezein ensure ki ja sakti hain taaki Bhartiya professional legal tareeke se Germany aur ja sakein. [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Foreign Secretary, Pranay Upadhyay from India Today-Aaj Tak. The matter of Baby Ariha has been under discussion between India and Germany for quite some time now. Could you tell us whether the Prime Minister raised this issue with the German Chancellor, and what kind of assurances, if any, were received on this matter? Additionally, was there any discussion on the next phase of the migration and mobility agreementparticularly on how visas can be further liberalised and what measures can be ensured so that Indian professionals are able to travel to Germany through legal channels? Aditya Raj Kaul, NDTV: Foreign Secretary, Aditya Raj Kaul from NDTV. I want to ask about Chancellor Merz's statement about the security policy and the defense production. He says that this needs to increase between India and Germany, but he also said that this is to decrease the dependence of India on Russia. How do you react to that statement and particularly on the submarine that perhaps is being clinched very soon between India and Germany? Secondly on the visa issue, the free transit facility that has been announced, this clearly means, you know, that the travelers will be obviously inside the airport and cannot exit. But this is a coming as a big relief. So how beneficial will this be for the Indian travelers? Thank you very much. Geeta Mehta, TV18 Network: Sir hum appreciate karte hain ki Bharat ke jo vyapaari hain trade ke baare mein aap itne initiative itna initiative le rahe hain. Saath saath meri rajwat hai main TV18 Network se hoon Geeta Mehta mera naam hai. Hum chahte hain ki logon ki samvednaon ke prati bhi aap zyada take care karein. Main wahi sawal phir se dohrana chahoongi Ariha Shah ke baare mein. Sir Ariha Shah ke jo parents hain woh Gujarat origin se hain. Char saal se woh bachi anathalay mein pal rahi hai. Jo German hospital tha unhein abusing ka aarop lagaya tha jo baad mein court mein fake saabit hua hai even medical test mein bhi fake saabit hua hai. Ek MP hain Rajya Sabha ke unhone bhi iske baare mein rajwat ki hai. Toh agar Chancellor yahan pe aaye hain toh iske baare mein Shriman Jaishankar ji baat karenge kyunki Shri man Jaishankar ko letter likha gaya hai. Aur Gujarat origin se ye dampati hai jo kaafi peedit hain aur unki jo bachi hai woh bhi usi avastha mein hogi. Toh woh sawal poore TV18 Network ki taraf se hamare liye bahut priority hai kyunki ye samvednaon ki baat hai. Thank you. [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, we appreciate the initiatives you are taking for India's business community and trade. At the same time, I request that greater care be taken toward public sensitivities. I am Geeta Mehta from the TV18 Network. I would like to reiterate the question regarding Ariha Shah. Sir, Ariha Shah's parents are of Gujarati origin. For the past four years, the child has been growing up in an orphanage. The German hospital had accused the parents of abuse, which was later proven false in court, and even medical tests confirmed that the allegations were baseless. A Rajya Sabha MP has also raised this matter. So, since the Chancellor has come here, will Shri Jaishankar speak to him on this issue, especially as a letter has been written to Shri Jaishankar regarding this case? This couple of Gujarati origin is deeply distressed, and their child is also suffering in this situation. This question is of high priority for us on behalf of the entire TV18 Network because it concerns human sensitivity and compassion. Thank you. Ketan Joshi, CNBC Awaaz: Namaskar, main Ketan Joshi CNBC Awaaz se. Sir abhi jo aapne 27 MOU ki baat ki toh agar unki size aap bata paayein. Doosri ore ye kitna mahatvapurna hai kyunki ek taraf US ki deal hote hote atak jaati hai aur abhi unke Ambassador ne ek statement bhi diya ki hum kal se iske upar aur baat karne wale hain toh kya isko jod kar bhi agar aap kuch kehna chaheinge? Ek taraf US deal atki hai doosri taraf Germany ke 27 MOU. Kitne mayane? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Namaskar, I am Ketan Joshi from CNBC Awaaz. Sir, you just mentioned the 27 MoUscould you share the scale or size of these agreements? Secondly, how significant is this, especially given that on the other hand the deal with the US appears to be stalled, and their Ambassador has also made a statement saying that further discussions on this will take place starting tomorrow. If you could comment by linking these two developmentson one side the US deal being stuck, and on the other the 27 MoUs with Germanyhow meaningful is this? Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary: Toh mere vichaar mein sabse pehle aap mein se kayi mitron ne Baby Ariha ka jo maamla hai uske baare mein prashn poochhe hain, aur zaahir hai ki ye ek bahut hi samvedansheel vishay hai. Isko lekar kaafi samay se German sarkar ke saath Germany ki jitni bhi authorities hain yahan Delhi mein unke rajdoothavas ke saath aur Berlin mein German sarkar ke saath aur unki sabhi jo agencies hain jo is se judi hui hain unke saath hamari baat cheet chal rahi hai. Jaisa ki aapko dhyaan hai, ye maamla ek tarah se ek samay pe legal maamla tha lekin hamara maanna hai ki ye maamla antatah ek humane humanitarian issues ko dhyaan mein rakhte huye ye is tarah se isko approach kiya jaana chahiye. Jo parivaar ki vyatha hai jo unki mushkilein hain main ye toh nahi keh sakta ki hum unko samajhte hain kyunki sirf wahi usko achhi tarah se samajh sakte hain. Lekin humein poori jaankari hai iske baare mein aur har samay pe jitna hum se ban pad raha hai hum unki madad karne ki koshish kar rahe hain. Ye bhi koshish kar rahe hain ki Baby Ariha ko jitni uski parvarish ek tarah se ek Bhartiya mahaul mein ho sake chahe woh Bhartiya logon ke saath uthna baithna ho Bhartiya tyohaar jo wahan Germany mein manaye ja rahe hon wahan pe woh aake unmein bhaag le sake aur use Hindi seekhne ki ka intezaam karna in sabhi cheezon pe hamari koshish chal rahi hai. Kuch aur cheezon ko lekar bhi abhi haal hi mein humne koshish ki hai. Main abhi is samay pe usmein zyada detail mein nahi jaana chahta lekin aap sabko ye aashwasan dilana chahta hoon ki hum German sarkar ke saath pratibadh hain isko poori tarah se aur har stage pe isko iske baare mein baat karne ka aur haan Pradhanmantri ji ne bhi iske baare mein Chancellor Merz se is cheez ka zikr kiya. Toh hum iske saath is issue ko lekar German sarkar ke saath isko follow up karte rahenge, aur hamesha har kadam pe hum parivaar ke saath rahenge. Ye aap maan ke chalein ki hum is issue ko jo hamari baaki issues hain baaki mudde hain jo Germany ke saath hamare rishte hain unse alag hat ke nahi dekhte. Iski bhi utni hi priority hai jitni baaki issues ki priority hai aur mere saath mere saathi baithe huye hain Additional Secretary Europe jo kaafi frequently inki parivaar se baat hoti hai aur jab bhi unka yahan pe aana hota hai unse mulaqat hoti hai aur jo kuch hum kar sakte hain hum apni taraf se karne ki koshish kar rahe hain aur aapko samay samay pe hum update karte rahenge iske baare mein. I think aap mein se kuch mitron ne defense cooperation aur Germany ke saath jo submarine ko lekar baat chit chal rahi hai uske baare mein kuch sawal uthaye hain. Toh dekhiye jahan tak defense cooperation ka sambandh hai pichhle kuch saalon mein humne dekha hai ki jo Germany ki neetiyan hain defense cooperation ko lekar unmein Bharat ko lekar saaf badlav dekhne mein aaya hai. Jo pehle sthiti thi jahan pe jo niryaat ke liye clearances waghera chahiye hoti thi jinmein bahut samay lagta tha ya woh niryaat ke liye jo clearances chahiye hoti thi woh milti nahi thi aasani se. Woh humne dekha hai ki woh ab kaafi jaldi kaafi tezi se hone lagi hain aur ab jo backlog hai woh kareeb kareeb poori tarah se clear ho gaya hai. [Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] So, in my view, first of all, several of you have asked questions regarding the Baby Ariha case, and it is evident that this is a very sensitive issue. For quite some time now, we have been having discussions with the German government on this matterboth with the relevant German authorities here in Delhi through their Embassy, and in Berlin with the German government and all the agencies associated with this case. As you are aware, at one point this matter was seen as a legal issue, however, our view is that, ultimately, this case should be approached by keeping humanitarian considerations at the forefront, and it should be dealt with from a humane and compassionate perspective. I cannot claim to fully understand the family's pain and the difficulties they are facing, because only they can truly comprehend that. However, we are fully aware of the details of this case, and at every stage we are making all possible efforts to assist them to the best of our ability. We are also trying to ensure that Baby Ariha's upbringing, as far as possible, takes place in an Indian environmentwhether it is spending time with Indian people, participating in Indian festivals being celebrated in Germany, or making arrangements for her to learn Hindi. Efforts are ongoing on all these fronts. We have also made efforts on certain other aspects recently. At this moment, I would not like to go into those details, but I would like to assure all of you that we remain fully engaged with the German government on this matter and are committed to discussing it at every stage. Yes, the Prime Minister also raised this issue with Chancellor Merz. We will continue to follow up on this issue with the German government, and at every step, we will stand with the family. Please be assured that we do not view this issue in isolation from our other issues or broader relationship with Germany. It carries the same priority as our other key matters. Sitting with me here is my colleague, the Additional Secretary (Europe), who is in frequent contact with the family, meets them whenever they visit here, and we are making every possible effort from our side to do whatever we can. We will continue to keep you updated on this matter from time to time. I think some of you have also raised questions regarding defense cooperation and the discussions underway with Germany on submarines. So, as far as defense cooperation is concerned, over the past few years we have seen a clear shift in Germany's policies with regard to defense engagement with India. Compared to the earlier situationwhen export clearances required significant time and, in many cases, were not granted easilywe have now seen that these clearances are being processed much faster and more efficiently. In fact, the backlog that existed earlier has now been almost entirely cleared. I think Aditya you had also raised this point about the submarine deal. As you are probably aware there are technical, financial, commercial discussions that are involved in a deal of this kind. These discussions are continuing. All I can say is that the discussions have maintained a positive momentum but at this point in time since these have not concluded, it's difficult for me to say where we are exactly. I think the Defense Ministry would have a better sense of that. But what I can say is that the discussions are proceeding positively and we hope to see a positive outcome. You also mentioned about the security policy related remarks that the German Chancellor had made and some other related remarks on the decrease in our sourcing from other sources. I think in so far as the security policy aspect is concerned, he was pointing to what I was talking about earlier which is the change in the approach that Germany has taken with regard to defense and security policy in so far as India is concerned. But look, our approach on defense sourcing is driven entirely by our national interests. There are a lot of factors involved in that and it is certainly not ideological. It is entirely driven by our interests. So, I would not say that sourcing from one is linked to sourcing from the other. We have a process in place that sets the requirements that we have at any given time, and we look at wherever where in the world if we are going to source it from outside if we are not going to manufacture it domestically then where can we source it from in the most convenient manner, but I don't think one is influenced by the other. A number of questions I think were posed related to migration mobility and this transit visa related issue. Now on migration and mobility as I said, we've seen very positive developments in the last few years. There is a migration and mobility partnership agreement between India and Germany. As a result of that we've seen a healthy flow of skilled individuals from India to Germany, students from here, and even during the course of the discussions today the German Chancellor pointed to specific areas such as caregivers and nurses in which there is a very large demand in Germany. So the outlook on that is very good, and I referred in my earlier remarks to the fact that this is important enough now for German authorities to consider dedicated institutional arrangements and we will be discussing those issues with them. On the visa transit related issue, I believe that this is something the German government and German authorities have been paying a considerable amount of attention to recently, and I can tell you that there is in principle a decision to exempt Indian nationals from the need for a separate transit visa for travel to other countries from Germany. But, I do want to use this opportunity to inform all of you and through all of you to those who are listening to this or will read about this that this is something that is in progress. So, we should wait for the paperwork in this regard to be completed for the official announcement to be made, because there are a certain number of internal legal and other processes in Germany that are involved. But we do believe that this decision has in principle been taken and once it is implemented it will considerably ease and facilitate the travel of our people and promote people-to-people contact. Ketan ji, aapka sawal tha jo 27 MOUs hain unko leke aur jo US ambassador ne baat ki hai deal ke baare mein. To US ambassador ne jo kaha hai, mujhe abhi dekhne ka mauka nahi mila hai kyunki main savere se yahan pe hoon. Lekin jo ye 27 MOUs hain, ye sabhi kaafi important hain, alag alag areas mein hain: technology ke area mein hain, skilling ke area mein hain, trade ke area mein hain, critical minerals ke areas mein hain. Aur ek tarah se agar hum apni saari arthvyavastha ko dekhen, to ye bahut hi ek tarah se significant development hai mera maanna hai. To inka as such US deal se koi lena dena hai nahi, ye do alag alag relationships hain, aur humein dono relationships mein dekhna padega ki hum dono apne jo sahayogi desh hain unke saath kya kya kar sakte hain. [Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Ketan ji, your question was about the 27 MoUs and the statement made by the US Ambassador regarding a deal. I have not yet had the opportunity to see what the US Ambassador said, as I have been here since the morning. However, as far as the 27 MoUs are concerned, all of them are quite important and span a wide range of areastechnology, skilling, trade, and critical minerals, among others. Viewed from the perspective of our overall economy, I believe this represents a very significant development. As such, these MoUs have no direct linkage with any US deal. These are two separate relationships, and we need to look at what we can do with each of our partner countries independently within those respective relationships. Look, on Iran and Greenland, I mean I won't be able to go into the details of what the two leaders discussed. But in so far as the situation in Iran is concerned, I mean it's a country that we have a very close relationship with. So we are watching the developments that are taking place there, the disturbances that one can see on the streets over there. We have a significant community of expatriate Indians and also students from India in Iran. Our embassy, despite the restrictions that are in place on information etc., has been able to reach out to the student community and has managed to find out that they are all good, they are doing well, and they have not faced any difficulties thus far. We have advised all of our compatriots there to rest in place, to not venture out or find themselves in the middle of the disturbances that are going on, and we continue to watch the situation very, very carefully. And on Greenland, I think we have as much information as you have and we are continuing to watch these developments related to that. Thank you. Chintan Acharya, Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar: Sir, I am Chintan Acharya from Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar Group. I would like to ask you that the free trade agreement that is going to be signed between EU and India, is it going to ease a burden on India post-tariff regime by US and India is seeking other markets across the globe, and if so, how much of burden would be decreased from India post this FTA? Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News: Good evening sir, this is Aparna Khunt from Akashvani News. Sir, you just mentioned about the increasing cooperation between the two countries with respect to green hydrogen and green mobility, and you also mentioned regarding the Surat and Ahmedabad project, I guess. So can you please elaborate on that? Because Gujarat being the emerging hub of green hydrogen and Germany being one of the largest producers of green hydrogen in the world, so how will it benefit India and particularly Gujarat? Brijesh, Aaj Tak: Sir, mera naam Brijesh hai, main Aaj Tak se hoon aur mera question ye hai ki German Chancellor ne bhi apne statement mein kaha tha ki bharatiya chhatron ka ek bada samuh Germany mein padhta hai aur pichle saal, pichle mahine hi December mahine mein visa issues aur fees ko lekar chhatron ko nikalne ki ek baat hui thi Germany mein. Kya us pe koi baat-cheet hui aur kya usme koi relaxations milne wale hain bharatiya chhatron ko? Kyunki ek bada hissa wahan pe padhai karta hai aur German Chancellor keh rahe the ki wahan pe unko zarurat bhi hai bharatiya chhatron ki job ke liye bhi. To kya us par kuch nikla hai? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, my name is Brijesh, and I am from Aaj Tak. My question is that the German Chancellor also mentioned in his statement that a large number of Indian students study in Germany. Just last yearonly last month, in Decemberthere were discussions in Germany about asking students to leave due to visa issues and fees. Was there any discussion on this, and are any relaxations likely to be granted to Indian students? A large number of Indian students pursue their studies there, and the German Chancellor himself has said that Germany also needs Indian students, including for jobs. So, has anything concrete emerged on this issue? Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary: Chetan, your question on the India-EU FTA, and I think you are trying to draw some implications for our discussions that are also on with the US. Again, these two stand on their own. It is a fact that in so far as the India-EU FTA is concerned, this is an agreement that has been under discussion for quite a long time. But there is no doubt that on account of developments in recent years, the urgency in concluding this FTA has increased. And last year in February when the EU College of Commissioners paid an unprecedented visit to India, a political decision was taken at the highest level to expedite the conclusion of this FTA. Since then, the two sides have conducted several rounds of intense negotiations, I believe at least six physical negotiation rounds have been held and a very large number of virtual negotiating rounds have been held. As a result of that, there is a considerable amount of progress that has been made. Certainly, this is an effort by us to look at expanding our markets even as markets elsewhere come under pressure. The EU is a very large trading partner for India, but there is much more potential. As I said, with Germany alone we have 50 billion dollars in trade, which is one quarter of our total trade with EU. But as both the Prime Minister and the German Chancellor said, there is scope for doing much, much more. So we believe that the India-EU FTA will serve that purpose. The discussions with the US as well, they are continuing to take place. We remain engaged with them, but there is no real connection between the two. They are being taken forward as independent enterprises. Aparna, your question on the initiatives related to green hydrogen, the green and sustainable development partnership between India and Germany. As I pointed out earlier also, this is a flagship area of our cooperation and the GSDP has in fact contributed to some of our large projects in the energy transition that India as a nation is seeking to make. Especially in the areas of sustainable urban development and green mobility. I mentioned the Surat and Ahmedabad metro rail projects, but the GSDP has contributed also to the Bangalore metro project, to the National Green Hydrogen Mission and to the PM e-Bus Seva scheme. In addition to sustainable climate infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. There is work going on battery storage projects with the support of this partnership and the India-Germany RE-Invest platform which focuses on wind, solar and other renewable energy technologies was also launched in Gujarat in September 2024. And I referred also to the launch of the Global Capability Centre by German company Infineon in GIFT City. So, this is an area where there is a considerable amount of potential. And, just to add that during this visit, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has signed an MOU with the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water Industries to facilitate knowledge sharing and technical cooperation for developing hydrogen regulation and standards in India. And a number of companies from both sides are seeking to collaborate for export of green hydrogen and its derivatives from India to Germany. Brijesh, aapka jo prashn tha students ko leker, dekhiye ye jo samasya aayi thi, isme Germany mein ek private university hai jo hybrid courses offer kar rahi thi. Toh students yahan se gaye aur wahan pahunch ke ye pata chala ki ye jo courses hain, ye ek tarah se sirf distance online program hai. Matlab physical classes nahi ho rahi hain, saara digital platform hai. To agar digital platform hai, to uske chalte jo students ki wahan pe demand thi visa extension ki, usko leke kuch sawal uthe to German authorities ne usko examine karna chaaha. Par chunki koi aavashyakta nahi thi students ke wahan pe hone ki is program mein bhaag lene ke liye kyunki ye distance learning program hai jo wo Bharat se bhi kar sakte the. To visas ko revoke karke unko deportation orders diye gaye. Kai students aise the jinko deportation orders mile jinhone apna course poora kar liya tha, to unko waise bhi waapas aana tha. Lekin jo baaki students hain unke liye jo bhi mushkil ho rahi hai us silsile mein hum German authorities ke saath hamari baat-cheet chal rahi hai aur hum wahan pe unko unki madad karne ki koshish karenge. [Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Brijesh, regarding your question about studentshere's the situation. The issue arose with a private university in Germany that was offering hybrid courses. Students went there and realized that these courses were essentially distance learning programsthere were no physical classes; everything was on a digital platform. Since it was a digital program, German authorities raised questions regarding students' demand for visa extensions. They examined the situation because, technically, there was no requirement for students to be physically present in Germany to attend this programit could have been completed from India. Consequently, visas were revoked and deportation orders were issued. Some students had already completed their courses, and were supposed to return anyway. For the other students facing difficulties, we have ongoing discussions with the German authorities, and we will continue to try to assist them as much as possible. Vivek Mehta, Gujarat Samachar: I am Vivek Mehta from Gujarat Samachar. Saab, US ke tariff ke baad 1st January se EU countries ne Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism ke under import duty kuch badha di hai ya tax badha diye hain. To uski wajah se hamari export kam ho rahi hai. Ek taraf USA mein export kam ho rahi hai, doosri taraf EU countries pe export kam ho rahi hai, to aap isko kaise tackle karenge? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] I am Vivek Mehta from Gujarat Samachar. Sir, after the US tariffs, from 1st January the EU countries have increased import duties or taxes under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Because of this, our exports are declining. On one side, exports to the US are slowing, and on the other side, exports to EU countries are also affected. How do you plan to tackle this situation? Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary: Vivek ji, dekhiye ye jo charcha chal rahi hai, ye Chancellor Merz ke Bharat yatra ko leke hai. Lekin aapke jo prashn hain, wo sahi hain. Jahan tak mere vichaar mein aapne jo CBAM ka prashn jo uthaya hai, CBAM ko leke abhi Bharat pe kuch bhi impose nahi kiya ja raha hai. Ye ek issue hai jo India-EU FTA ke tehat abhi iske upar baat-cheet chal rahi hai, aur hamari poori koshish hai ki jitne bhi jo bhi hamare interests hain, unpe hum dhyaan denge, jab ye poora agreement ho jayega. Abhi agreement poora hua nahi hai. CBAM iske tehat discuss ho raha hai and we will take care to protect our interests under this particular agreement. [Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Vivek ji, the discussion that is currently going on is regarding Chancellor Merz's visit to India. However, the questions you have raised are valid. As far as I understand, the issue of CBAM that you mentioned nothing is being imposed on India at this stage under CBAM. This is an issue that is being discussed under the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, and our full effort is to ensure that all our interests are duly safeguarded when the agreement is finalized. The agreement has not yet been concluded. CBAM is being discussed as part of it, and we will take care to protect our interests under this particular agreement. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Thank you sir. With that, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the close of this press conference. Thank you very much for your presence. Ahmedabad January 12, 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address English Translation of Prime Minister's Press Statement during the Joint Press Statement with the German Chancellor India - Press Information Bureau Prime Minister's Office Posted On: 12 JAN 2026 1:25PM by PIB Delhi Your Excellency, My Friend, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Delegates from both countries, Friends from the media, Namaskaar! Guten Tag! It is a matter of special joy for me to welcome Chancellor Merz on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti today. It is a pleasant coincidence that Swami Vivekananda himself built the bridge of philosophy, knowledge, and spirituality between India and Germany. And today, Chancellor Merz's visit is giving that bridge new energy, renewed trust, and scope. As Chancellor, this is his first visit not only to India, but to Asia. It is a strong testament to the importance he places on relations with India. I thank him sincerely for his personal attention and commitment. India is fully committed to further strengthening its friendship and partnership with Germany. In Gujarat, we say ' , which means to welcome someone with warmth and affection. With the same spirit and emotion, we extend a heartfelt welcome to Chancellor Merz to India. Friends, Chancellor Merz's visit is taking place at a particularly significant 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 markers of time. They are symbols of our shared ambitions, mutual trust, and steadily strengthening cooperation. Close cooperation between the economies of countries like India and Germany is important for all of humanity. The growing trade and investment ties have infused new energy into our strategic partnership. Our bilateral trade has now reached its highest level ever and crossed USD 50 billion mark. More than two thousand German companies have been present in India for a long time. This reflects their unwavering confidence in India and the immense opportunities that exist here. This was evident at the India - Germany CEO Forum this morning. Friends, Technology cooperation between India and Germany has grown stronger year after year, and today its impact is clearly visible on the ground. In the field of renewable energy, India and Germany share similar priorities. To strengthen cooperation in this area, we have decided to establish the India - Germany Centre of Excellence. It will serve as a shared platform for knowledge, technology, and innovation. We're jointly advancing new projects in areas such as climate, energy, urban development, and urban mobility. The new mega project in green hydrogen involving companies from both countries will prove to be a game-changer for the energy of the future. India and Germany are working together to build secure, trusted, and resilient supply chains. The MoUs being signed today on all these areas will give new momentum and strength to our cooperation. Friends, The growing cooperation in defence and security is a symbol of our mutual trust and shared vision. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Chancellor Merz for simplifying the processes related to defence trade. We will also work on a roadmap to enhance cooperation between our defence industries, which will open up new opportunities for co-development and co-production. Friends, India and Germany share deep and historic people-to-people ties. The works of Rabindranath Tagore gave a new perspective to Germany's intellectual world. Swami Vivekananda's philosophy inspired not only Germany but all of Europe. And Madame Cama, by unfurling India's flag of freedom in Germany for the first time, gave global recognition to our aspirations for independence. Today, we are giving this historic connection the form of a modern partnership. Special emphasis has been placed on enhancing migration, mobility, and skilling. India's talented young workforce is making a significant contribution to Germany's economy. The Joint Declaration of Intent issued today on the Global Skills Partnership is a symbol of this trust. It will especially facilitate the mobility of healthcare professionals Today, we have also taken concrete steps to advance cooperation in the field of sports. This will become an effective means of connecting our youth. The Comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education released today will give a new direction to our partnership in the education sector. I invite German universities to open their campuses in India. I express my gratitude to Chancellor Merz for the announcement of visa-free transit for Indian citizens. This will further strengthen people-to-people connections between our two countries. I am pleased that the German Maritime Museum is joining the National Maritime Heritage Complex being developed at Lothal in Gujarat. This is a historic step that will connect the maritime histories of both our countries Gujarat Ayurveda University has had close cooperation with Germany in the field of traditional medicine. The MoU being signed today will further strengthen this collaboration. Friends, India and Germany have always stood shoulder to shoulder. The strength of our friendship is visible on the global stage. Our trilateral development partnership, through joint projects in countries such as Ghana, Cameroon, and Malawi, is a successful model for the world. We will continue to work together to support development in the Global South. The Indo-Pacific is of high priority for both countries. To enhance our cooperation in this region, we are going to launch a Consultation Mechanism. Today, we discussed a range of global and regional issues in detail, including Ukraine and Gaza. India has always advocated for the peaceful resolution of all problems and disputes, and supports all efforts being made in this direction. We agree that terrorism is a serious threat to all humanity. India and Germany will continue to fight it together with full determination. 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. Excellency, On behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I once again extend a warm welcome to you in India. I am confident that today's discussions will give new energy and clear direction to the India-Germany partnership. Thank you for your visit, your personal support, and your friendship with India. Danke schon. DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister's address. Original address was delivered in Hindi. *** MJPS/VJ (Release ID: 2213680) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DRDO successfully flight-tests Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile with top attack capability against a moving target India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 12 JAN 2026 1:39PM by PIB Delhi 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. Raksha Mantri Shri 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. *** SR/Savvy (Release ID: 2213690) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna's comment on the situation in Iran Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12.01.2026 | 19:36 Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna's comment on the situation in Iran. Iranian people currently have a real opportunity to shape their future. People across the country are peacefully expressing their legitimate desire to live in freedom and dignity in a society that respects fundamental rights. We have consistently called on the Iranian authorities to respect the fundamental rights of their people and to stop using force against civilians. The arrest of peaceful protesters, deaths and all forms of violence are unacceptable. We demand the immediate release of all peaceful demonstrators and the swift and full restoration of internet connectivity, so that people have access to information and are able to make their voices heard freely. Estonia supports European Union sanctions against those responsible for serious human rights violations, nuclear proliferation, and Iran's support for Russia's war against Ukraine. We also support designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, in order to send a clear and unequivocal message about the consequences of the regime's brutal actions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China closely monitoring situation in Iran, no reports of Chinese casualties so farFM spokesperson Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 12, 2026 04:04 PM In response to a question on whether there have been any Chinese casualties in the protests in Iran and whether China is calling on its citizens to leave the country, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at Monday's press briefing that China is closely following the situation in Iran and has not received any reports of Chinese citizens being injured or killed there. She added that China will spare no effort to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals in Iran. Taking this opportunity, Mao also reminded Chinese citizens in Iran to pay close attention to the local security situation and take necessary measures to ensure their own safety. If assistance is needed, they may contact the Chinese Embassy in Iran or call the consular protection hotline. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM spokesperson responds to US president's threat of potential attack on Iran Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 12, 2026 04:09 PM We have always opposed interference in other countries' internal affairs and we have always maintained that the sovereignty and security of all countries should receive full protection under international law. We oppose the use of force or the threat of use of force in international relations. We call on all parties to do more things that are conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, when asked to comment on a media question noting that the protests in Iran have resulted in deaths and that US President Donald Trump threatened if Iran uses lethal force against protesters, he might strike Iran. China hopes that the Iranian government and people can overcome the current difficulties and maintain national stability, Mao stated at a regular press conference on Monday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran summons European ambassadors to protest support for riots Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 7:05 PM Iran has summoned diplomats from France, Germany, Italy, and the UK to protest their governments' support for US- and Israel-backed riots in the country. Iran's Foreign Ministry said the diplomats were shown video footage of damage caused by rioters and were told their governments should "withdraw official statements supporting" foreign-backed elements, state television reported on Monday. The French Foreign Ministry confirmed that "European ambassadors" had been summoned. Peaceful protests over economic hardship escalated into riots last week, fueled by remarks by US and Israeli leaders, with armed groups damaging public property and causing casualties among civilians and security forces. President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that armed groups involved in the unrest had been trained by US and Israeli intelligence agencies, both inside and outside Iran. Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref said the recent riots represented a second phase of the Israeli regime's confrontation with Iran, following the 12-day war in June. Speaking at an economic meeting on Monday, Aref emphasized the need to distinguish between protests and riots, saying the government "recognizes and accepts protest and criticism." "The enemies made a mistake by starting the riots through their key agents who were arrested by Iran's security forces," following which "they had no option but to accelerate their plots, which led to violent incidents in the last few nights," the vice president said. He further stated that the enemies targeted every economic plan that Iran started to implement, destabilizing the market inside the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US bases will 'burn in fire' if Iran attacked, Parliament speaker warns Trump Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 3:02 PM The speaker of Iran's Parliament has issued a stark warning to US President Donald Trump after he renewed his threat of military action against Tehran, saying American military bases, ships, and personnel would be targeted across the region in the event of such a "miscalculation." "Come and see what will happen to American ships and military bases in the region," Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said as he addressed a vast rally in Tehran held to condemn the recent foreign-linked riots across the country and to reiterate their support for the Islamic Republic. "Come and burn in the fire of the Iranian nation so severely that it becomes a lasting lesson in history for all oppressive US rulers. Come and find out what will happen to you and to the region," he added. Trump said overnight that "we're looking at some very strong options" against Iran, in the latest threat that he might order a military strike against Iran in support of the foreign-linked riots. "Be careful that the advice you receive about attacking Iran is not of the same kind as the advice that led you to claim Mashhad had fallen. So be cautious not to make a miscalculation, because regret will be of no use," Qalibaf said. The speaker said the Iranian people once again defeated the enemies by standing alongside the military and security forces. "The beloved Iranian people once again dealt a blow to the enemies' terrorist war against the nation and the country," he told the crowd. "Upon an announcement by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)," he said, "the people took to the stage, stationed in mosques, stood alongside Basij volunteers, as well as military and security forces, and ... defeated the enemies." Qalibaf said that during the military aggression of June 2025 against the country, the Iranian Armed Forces, with the support of the people, defeated the United States and the Israeli regime, which had sought to disintegrate a strong, independent Iran. He was referring to the illegal US-Israeli war that killed at least 1,064 Iranians between June 13 and 24 and came to a halt through Iran's successful retaliatory strikes. "Today, seven months after the war, the enemies are still pursuing their ominous and criminal plot against a strong and independent Iran," Qalibaf stated. "We all saw US President [Donald Trump] overtly and officially threatening Iran because he had decided to initiate a civil war under any pretext." Additionally, the top legislator said that in recent riots, the enemies exploited rightful protests over economic grievances as their armed foreign mercenaries waged a terrorist war against the nation and committed Daesh-style crimes against civilians and policemen. "The enemies thought that the Iranian people would disperse by a military attack. They always miscalculate the greatness and grandeur of the Iranian nation. This time, they once again made a mistake by seeking to foment chaos in the country," he stated. "Ninety million people with different religions and dialects, and various political inclinations, stood against the enemy and marked a milestone in Iranian awakening." Qalibaf said the Iranian nation is the "rival" of the "deluded and arrogant" president of the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China rejects Trump's threat of military action against Iran Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 2:40 PM China has opposed America's interference in the internal affairs of Iran, as US President Donald Trump threatened to attack the Islamic Republic in support of US-Israeli-backed rioters. "We always oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs and call on parties that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing on Monday. "We oppose the use of force or the threat of use of force in international relations," Mao said, adding, "We call on all parties to act in ways conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East." The Chinese diplomat further stated Beijing "hopes the Iranian government and people will overcome the current difficulties and uphold stability in the country." The remarks come as Trump said his administration is looking "very seriously" at the situation in Iran. "The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options. We'll make a determination," Trump told reporters on Sunday. What began as peaceful protests late last month gradually turned violent, as some rioters, incited by interventionist remarks by US and Israeli officials, rampaged through cities across the country, killing security forces and destroying public infrastructure. President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that armed rioters were trained by the US and Israeli spy agencies, both inside and outside the country. In a media briefing on Monday, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, stated that "the committee's findings so far show foreign interference, specifically by the Americans and the Zionists, evident in the recent incidents." Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday described the current situation as a "terrorist war." "Iranian authorities possess audio recordings of voice messages sent to terrorist elements ordering them to open fire on civilians and security forces," he stated. Iran's top diplomat said the terrorist groups targeted government buildings, police stations, and shops. He stressed that Iranian authorities have images showing weapons being distributed among rioters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign-backed riots second phase of Israel's war against the Iranian nation: VP Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 11:11 AM Iran's Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref says the recent riots in the country marked the second phase of the Israeli regime's war against the Iranian nation after the 12-day war in June. Speaking at an economic session of the government on Monday, Aref stressed the need to distinguish between protest and riots, adding that the government recognizes and accepts "protest and criticism." He added that enemies targeted every economic plan that Iran started to implement, adding that their plots destabilized the market inside the country. The enemies made a mistake by beginning the riots through their key agents who were arrested by Iran's security forces, the vice president noted. Therefore, he explained, the enemies had no option but to accelerate their plots, which led to the violent incidents in the last few nights. Aref said the Iranian people's vigilance foiled the enemies' plots, adding, "Their constant and epic presence will put an end to the case of this conspiracy." However, the enemies will fail to realize their vicious acts and strategic plot to overthrow the Islamic Republic, Aref warned, stressing the importance of determining the reasons behind such incidents to prevent their recurrence. The vice president said some Iranians were deceived by promises offered by foreign spy services, particularly the Israeli regime, calling on responsible bodies, the elites, and youths to remain vigilant. Aref urged Iranian officials to pursue precise plans so that the enemies will not dare repeat such incidents in the future. What began as peaceful protests last month gradually turned violent, as rioters rampaged through cities across the country, killing security forces and attacking public infrastructure. Iranian officials have linked the riots and terrorist acts to the US and the Israeli regime, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying that armed rioters were trained by the US and Israeli spy agencies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Armed Forces 'fully prepared' to repel any aggression: FM spokesman Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 11:01 AM The Iranian Armed Forces, backed by the nation, are fully prepared to repel any act of aggression against the country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday. Asked at a press conference about the possibility of war, Baghaei said Iran is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to respond to any act of aggression. "Our nation has shown that, with full might and complete courage, it defends Iran's integrity, and our readiness is increasing carefully and on a moment-by-moment basis, and our armed forces, as in the past, will be ready to repel any act of aggression," he said. He said the recent riots in Iran were caused by "very evident" interventionist remarks by US and Israeli officials. "Peaceful protests were met with an appropriate response by the administration... But in the second stage, the country was faced with a wave of warm and cold arms, in addition to US and Israeli officials' interventionist remarks," he noted. 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 figures amplified by Israeli-linked Persian-language outlets encouraged 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. Iranian authorities declared that perpetrators of the latest unrest are backed by the United States and the Israeli regime. Baghaei added that this time, American and Israeli officials revealed their interference very openly. It was clear, according to Baghaei, that these interventions were meant to create violence and chaos in Iran. "Many believe that the recent events that happened these days were the thirteenth day of the US-Israeli aggression against our country," he said. He further noted that these remarks were in violation of international laws, and the country will show the documents in the future. Iran-US communication channel open Reacting to US President Donald Trump's claims over talks with Iran, he said that "the communication channel is open between the Iranian foreign minister and the US president's special envoy, through which messages are exchanged whenever needed." He added that this channel is alongside the official channel, which is the Swiss embassy acting as the US Interests Section in Iran. He confirmed that the American side has raised some issues, reiterating that Iran has never left the negotiating table and has always been committed to diplomacy. But he added that Tehran seeks a kind of negotiation that is meaningful and mutual. Iran attaches importance to Lebanon's integrity The Iranian spokesperson pointed to the recent visit of Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Lebanon, noting that the ties between the two countries are deep-rooted. He highlighted that the recent visit was more focused on economic cooperation, adding that the relations can improve. "Lebanon's internal affairs are their own business. For us, preserving Lebanon's integrity is important. We are aware that Lebanon has difficult conditions because of the existence of the Israeli regime." Since the ceasefire took effect last year, Israeli attacks have killed hundreds of Lebanese citizens. Under the truce agreement, Israeli forces were expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January. However, the withdrawal has been only partial, with a continued military presence at five border outposts. Iran protested to Europeans over double standards Baghaei also denounced the European countries' double standards with regard to human rights. "These double and insidious attitudes against the Iranian nation in relation to human rights issues have happened before. The European side has reprimanded Iran based on a cliche approach," he said. He added that the country has announced its complaint to the European side, notifying them of their responsibilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran FM: No country tolerates terrorist violence against its civilians, armed forces Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 9:43 AM Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly condemned the US- and Israeli-backed deadly violence that has been waged by terrorist elements against Iranian civilians and security forces, asserting that no country tolerates such acts. The top diplomat made the remarks in Tehran on Monday during a meeting with foreign diplomats based in the Iranian capital, detailing the Foreign Ministry's assessment of the process, throughout which the elements have been trying to take advantage of economic protests in the country. The official noted that the country began witnessing peaceful protests concerning various economic problems in late December, which prompted the government to directly engage representatives of different professions as well as heads of different chambers of commerce. Araghchi defined such protest as legitimate and a right enjoyed by every Iranian national and enshrined inside the Constitution, noting how the negotiations resulted in the devising of certain remedial measures and reforms that caused the protests to subside. This, however, was followed by some violent elements trying to instigate violence, he added, underlining that Iranian security forces met the situation with utmost restraint and tried to prevent violence. Since January 8, though, "terrorist elements and armed groups" entered the fray, distributing firearms among protesters, the official noted. He linked the latter development with Donald Trump's earlier remarks claiming that Washington would interfere in the event of what the US president called the Islamic Republic's confrontation with protesters. 'US-inspired maximum casualty method, Israeli footprint' Araghchi condemned Trump's remarks as an instance of "outright interference in other countries' affairs," citing recordings of the riotous elements advising those receiving the arms to cause as many casualties among Iranian civilians and security personnel as possible, towards derailing protests. He pointed out that the Islamic Republic was in possession of "numerous documents and instances of evidence indicating the US's and the Israeli regime's involvement in this terrorist trend," and also cited rife claims inside the media outlets of the regime itself as to ongoing efforts by Tel Aviv to design an operation inside the Islamic Republic. Araghchi cited former CIA director Mike Pompeo as verifying earlier this month in a post on X that agents enlisted by the regime's Mossad spy agency were actively involved in the riots. "This is an unequivocal admission that Mossad's Persian-speaking operatives are active on Iran's streets," the foreign minister said. "We pursue this involvement and hold those contributing to the fatalities with their instigation responsible," he said, adding, "They should recognize their responsibility." 'West shedding crocodile tears for terrorists' The official expressed surprise at certain Western states' condemnation of the Iranian law enforcement instead of taking aim at the terrorists, saying these were the same states that closed their eyes on the Israeli regime's slaughter of more than 70,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and stopped short of denouncing the regime's and the United States' unprovoked war on the Islamic Republic in June. "Now, they (the Western states) are shedding crocodile tears for terrorists." Araghchi advised those states to rectify their erroneous stances by taking the actual developments on the ground into account, and underlined that more than 70 percent of the Iranian nation was in favor of due confrontation with the rioters, while only 30 percent considered the riots to be rooted in economic problems. "We recognize the rights of every protester, but no country tolerates arson against public property, terrorism, and the directing of live fire against its civilians and armed forces." Araghchi, meanwhile, noted that the Islamic Republic was approaching the 47th anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution, saying the sheer longevity of the Revolution testified to the course that the nation had traversed to retain its independence and esteem. 'Riots a sequel to 12-day war' The foreign minister said the riots were seeking to pick up where the aggressors left during the 12-day war, saying those trying to sow unrest were seeking to instigate unrest as a potential precursor to foreign military aggression. Albeit, he added, the Iranian nation has successfully confronted this plot, and Iranian security forces were currently maintaining order across all cities nationwide. 'Warning against miscalculation' Araghchi cautioned adversaries against resorting to any repeated miscalculation concerning the Islamic Republic, asserting that the country was not seeking war, but was prepared for one. The level of readiness, he asserted, was now even superior to the status of the nation's preparedness throughout the war in June. Tehran is equally prepared for negotiation, but not one that is based on dictation, Araghchi said, and underscored that any talks engaging the country should be characterized by fairness and take place on an equal footing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement on protests in Iran Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS STATEMENT 007 12 Jan 26 The Spanish Government condemns the violence against peaceful demonstrators in Iran and demands that the country's authorities respect and guarantee the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration. The Spanish Government calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately lift all restrictions on communications and to put an end to the arbitrary detention of peaceful demonstrators. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring developments in the situation and is in contact with the Embassy in Tehran, which remains fully operational to assist the Spanish community. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Ready for Talks With US, But on Equal Terms - Iranian Foreign Minister Sputnik News 20260112 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Tehran is ready for negotiations with the United States, but they must be based on mutual respect, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday. "As I have said many times before, we are also ready for negotiations, but honest ones, on equal positions and with mutual respect, for negotiations that will be genuine and serious, not in the form of dictation and instructions," Araghchi told foreign ambassadors. Reuters reported earlier in the day that US President Donald Trump said that Iran had called for negotiations on its nuclear program and that Washington could meet with Iranian representatives. The channel of communication between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff remains open, Ismail Baghaei said. "The communication channel between Araghchi and the US President's [Donald Trump] special envoy is open. Whenever it is needed, necessary messages are exchanged through it," Baghaei was quoted as saying by the Iran's state broadcaster. Iran has no intention of taking any preventive measures in light of threats from the United States, Araghchi said, adding that Tehran does not seek war, but is prepared for it. "Iran does not seek war, but is fully prepared for it. Preventive measures are not on the agenda," Araghchi told foreign ambassadors. The Iranian authorities have taken control of the situation with protests in the country, Iranian Abbas Araghchi said. "The situation is under control," Araghchi said at a meeting with foreign ambassadors, as broadcast by Iranian television. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. urges its citizens to leave Iran immediately People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:04, January 13, 2026 WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran on Monday updated a travel warning urging U.S. citizens to leave Iran immediately amid the unrest across the Middle East country. "U.S. citizens should expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Turkiye," said the virtual embassy in a statement on its website, adding that U.S.-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports since the Iranian government does not recognize dual nationality. "U.S. nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran," it said. According to the statement, airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran, with several suspending services until Friday. The U.S. Department of State has long designated Iran as a level 4 "Do Not Travel" destination, warning that U.S. citizens should not travel there for any reason and that those in Iran should leave immediately due to serious security risks. Earlier on Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy remained the preferred approach in U.S. dealing with Iran, though the Trump administration will not rule out military options if necessary. "What President Donald Trump will do next only he knows. So the world will have to keep waiting and guessing, and we will let him decide," she said on Fox News. Trump said Sunday that his administration is weighing "some very strong options," including potential military action against Iran, and that Iran was "starting" to cross the U.S. red line. There is no U.S. Embassy or consular presence in Iran, and the Swiss Embassy in Tehran acts as the protecting power for U.S. interests, but the services are limited. Protests have erupted in Iran's several cities since late December over the sharp fall in the national currency rial and long-standing economic hardships. The reported death toll from the unrest on both sides of the security forces and civilians is mounting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran ready for war if US wants to 'test' it: Araghchi warns after Trump's threats Iran Press TV Tuesday, 13 January 2026 5:56 AM Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned the United States that Tehran is "prepared for all options" after US President Donald Trump threatened to take military action amid recent foreign-backed riots within the country. In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Arabic on Monday, Araghchi said channels of communication with the US were open amid the ongoing unrest, stressing that Tehran is ready for war if Washington wants to "test" it. He added that Iran now has "large and extensive military preparedness" compared to the 12-day US-Israeli aggression in June last year. The aggression, which killed more than a thousand Iranians, came as Tehran and Washington were in the middle of indirect talks over Iran's nuclear issue. The minister's comments follow Trump's remarks on Sunday. Trump claimed he was considering "strong options" for Iran, including potential military action over what he called the Islamic Republic's confrontation with protesters. Peaceful protests over economic hardship last week escalated into riots, fueled by remarks by US and Israeli leaders, with armed groups damaging public property and causing casualties among civilians and security forces. Security and judicial bodies say they have dismantled several armed cells and arrested foreign-linked operatives during the unrest. Trump, who recently ordered the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a US Special Forces intervention, claimed that a meeting was being set up with Tehran to negotiate on its nuclear program, "but we may have to act because of what is happening before the meeting." The Iranian foreign minister noted that if "Washington wants to test the military option it has tested before, we are ready for it." He further expressed hope that the US would choose "the wise option" of dialogue, while warning of "those trying to drag Washington into war in order to serve Israel's interests." In the interview, Araghchi pointed to the growing death toll, repeating earlier assertions that "terrorist elements" had "infiltrated the crowds of protesters and targeted security forces and demonstrators." Araghchi said his communications with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had "continued before and after the protests and are still ongoing." He said that ideas that had been discussed with Washington were being studied in Tehran. However, he added, "Washington's proposed ideas and threats against our country are incompatible." "We are ready to sit at the nuclear negotiating table, provided that it is without threats or dictates," said Araghchi, questioning whether Washington was "ready for fair and just negotiations". "When it is ready, we will seriously consider the matter," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Courtesy Call on President of Israel Isaac Herzog by Foreign Minister MOTEGI Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan January 12, 2026 On January 12 commencing at 9:30 a.m. local time (4:30 p.m. on January 12, Japan time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Isaac Herzog, President 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. Minister MOTEGI also stated that the robust implementation of the Comprehensive Plan is crucial for improving the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, and Japan continues to play a proactive role. Minister MOTEGI also expressed Japan's serious concerns regarding the situation in the West Bank, particularly in relation to the further destabilization of the situation in the region by the expansion of settlements and the increase in settler violence, stating that settlement activities are in violation of international law. He urged Israel to exert restraint and immediately cease any unilateral actions that run counter to peace and stability of the region. President Herzog expressed his willingness to cooperate with Japan in various fields including the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Both sides exchanged views on a wide range of current international situations including in East Asia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICJ to start hearings on Rohingya genocide case against Myanmar Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 11:05 AM The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to start hearings on a landmark case against Myanmar for committing genocide against its Muslim Rohingya minority. The United Nations' top court hearings about the Rohingya genocide case will start at 0900 GMT on Monday and will last for three weeks. The trial is the first genocide case that the ICJ will take up in full in more than a decade, and its outcome will have repercussions beyond Myanmar, likely affecting South Africa's petition against Israel over its genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 71,000 Palestinians and wounded over 172,000 others. Myanmar's military forces launched a genocidal campaign against the Rohingya Muslims in 2017 during the rule of the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was supported by the West. Gambia, a predominantly Muslim West African country, filed the case against Myanmar in 2019, after the genocidal offensive had forced more than 750,000 Rohingya from their homes and into neighboring Bangladesh. The refugees recounted mass killings, rape and arson attacks. A UN fact-finding mission at the time concluded that the 2017 military offensive had included "genocidal acts." "The case is likely to set critical precedents for how genocide is defined and how it can be proven, and how violations can be remedied," said Nicholas Koumjian, head of the United Nations' Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. The hearings at the ICJ will mark the first time that Rohingya victims of the atrocities will be heard by an international court, although the sessions will be closed to the public and the media for sensitivity and privacy reasons. "If the ICJ finds Myanmar responsible under the Genocide Convention, it would mark a historic step in holding a state legally accountable for genocide," said Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), a group that advocates for Rohingya rights. The case is being brought under the 1948 Genocide Convention, which defines genocide as "acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A defence delegation led by Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, Lieutenant General (Retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, at Air Headquarters, Islamabad, following the recent state visit of the Indonesian President. Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan Rawalpindi - January 12, 2026 No PR-15/2026-ISPR A defence delegation led by Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, Lieutenant General (Retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, at Air Headquarters, Islamabad, following the recent state visit of the Indonesian President. The meeting reaffirmed the historic and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Indonesia and focused on strengthening bilateral Air Force cooperation, particularly in capacity building, training and technological collaboration. The Air Chief briefed the delegation on PAF's modernization drive, including infrastructure development, revamped training and induction of niche capabilities to enhance readiness for multi-domain operations. The Indonesian Defence Minister praised PAF's professionalism, combat readiness and indigenization achievements under the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park, and expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation in training, aviation and aerospace domains. The meeting reflected growing momentum in Pakistan-Indonesia defence ties and a shared resolve to deepen cooperation through sustained engagement and dialogue. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Retd), Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi. Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan Rawalpindi - January 12, 2026 No PR-14/2026-ISPR Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Retd), Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi. The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and exploration of avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening institutional linkages, training collaboration, and defence industrial cooperation between Pakistan and Indonesia. The visiting dignitary lauded professionalism of Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He also expressed Indonesia's desire to further expand defence ties with Pakistan across multiple domains. The COAS & CDF reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to fostering strong and enduring defence relationship with Indonesia, based on shared values, mutual respect, and convergence of strategic interests. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan F-16s return to the sky after no-flight order lifted ROC Central News Agency 01/12/2026 08:24 PM Taipei, Jan. 12 (CNA) Taiwan's F-16 jets were back in action on Monday following safety checks, one week after the fleet was grounded in response to an F-16V and its pilot going missing in waters off the east coast last Tuesday. All Taiwan's F-16s passed inspections, with pilots and ground crews completing simulation and maintenance training, respectively, the Air Force said in a press release. The Air Force also released photos of a group of four F-16Vs making preparations for takeoff, with one piloted by Maj. Gen. Hu Chung-hua (), chief of the Air Force's 5th Tactical Mixed Wing based in eastern Hualien County. The nation's F-16s were grounded for inspections following the disappearance last Tuesday of a single-seat F-16V, tail number 6700, and its pilot, Air Force Capt. Hsin Po-yi (). Hsin took off from Hualien Air Base in eastern Taiwan at 6:17 p.m. last Tuesday on a nighttime training mission, but he soon reported that the aircraft was losing altitude, according to the Air Force. At 7:28 p.m., he reported that he was about to eject from the aircraft, and eight seconds later, the jet's signal disappeared from radar, the Air Force said, adding that there could have been a malfunction of the aircraft's main onboard computer. The Air Force subsequently set up an emergency response center and launched a search and rescue operation, but has not yet been able to find either Hsin or the aircraft. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo () said early Monday that the MND has been detecting intermittent signals from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) of the F-16V fighter jet that disappeared last week, but the search teams have not yet pinpointed the location of the FDR, also known as the black box. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swiss Government Press release Published on 12 January 2026 Bern, 12.01.2026 -- On 9 January, SECO published the second call for proposals to mobilise reconstruction projects in Ukraine in cooperation with Swiss companies. The federal government is contributing up to CHF 150 million towards such projects. The call for proposals invites Swiss companies operating in Ukraine to submit project proposals that respond to Ukraine's key needs. Due to Ukraine's considerable needs, the focus is on strengthening public infrastructure. The individual amounts available range from CHF 3 million to CHF 30 million. A committee consisting of representatives from the Swiss and Ukrainian authorities will decide which project proposals to support based on an evaluation. In a first step, the submitted project ideas will be evaluated based on predefined selection criteria. The selected companies will then have the opportunity to submit a fully developed project proposal. Interviews will be conducted to clarify any outstanding questions. The call for proposals is open until 8 March. Detailed information can be found on the website: Call for Proposals for Swiss Companies in Ukraine Experience from the first call for proposals The second call for proposals for Swiss companies builds on the positive experiences from the first call, which was successfully carried out in 2025 and met with a great deal of interest: around 60 Swiss companies submitted a total of almost 80 project proposals. The federal government is providing a total of CHF 93 million towards the twelve best-rated projects. Funding is being provided towards projects in the areas of infrastructure (energy and housing), public transport, health and humanitarian demining. The selected projects are currently in progress. Country programme for Ukraine 2025-2028 In its country programme for Ukraine 2025-2028, Switzerland has provided more than CHF 1.5 billion to finance reconstruction, reforms and sustainable development projects. CHF 500 million is available for financing Swiss private sector projects. This will be used to finance the new reconstruction projects. Emergency support package for Ukraine Government of Norway Press release | Date: 12/01/2026 The Government is now providing an emergency support package of EUR 340 million to Ukraine. This was announced by Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide in Kyiv today. The funding will be used to support the energy sector and to help the Ukrainian government administration to maintain critical services. These are both priority areas for Norway's support to Ukraine and contributions that have been specifically requested by Ukraine. 'It is bitterly cold in Kyiv today, with a temperature of -16C. We can only imagine what it is like for people who are without power for six hours at a time. We are now providing funding that Ukraine desperately and urgently needs. The infrastructure that supplies electricity to ordinary Ukrainians is coming under Russian attack several times a week. Ensuring that people can keep warm, cook food and live reasonably normal lives is vital in enabling them to persevere in this war - a war that they are fighting on behalf of us all,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. Norway is in regular dialogue with the authorities in Kyiv and with other actors about how best to distribute Norwegian support for the energy sector. The aim is to respond to Ukraine's needs and to apportion risk effectively. It is important to maintain energy production and make it more sustainable. 'Funding is needed to support the purchase of gas that can be delivered rapidly. There is also a need to repair damaged infrastructure and procure spare parts,' said Mr Eide. Ukraine views Norway as a reliable partner in the energy sector. The support provided by Norway for the purchase of gas and equipment will help to increase energy security this winter and maintain energy production. The funding from Norway will be channelled through established partners such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Energy Community, a European organisation that seeks to extend the EU internal energy market to third countries such as Ukraine. Norway's support is coordinated with other key donors. Ukraine's budget deficit in 2025 has been covered in part by a loan to be repaid with proceeds from immobilised Russian assets. The budget support provided by Norway to the Ukrainian government administration will help to alleviate the situation until the loan mechanism agreed by the EU member states in December is in place. The Norwegian funding will be channelled through the World Bank's multi-donor trust fund for Ukraine and will be used to pay salaries for teachers, healthcare personnel and public sector employees as well as pensions and social benefits. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Allocation of funding under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine in 2026 Government of Norway Press release | Date: 12/01/2026 In 2026, Norway will provide NOK 15 billion in civilian and humanitarian support to Ukraine and Moldova under the Nansen Programme Support for Ukraine. The key focus areas for Norway's support to Ukraine are energy security, budget support for the Ukrainian authorities, humanitarian aid and support for business development. 'Ukraine is defending itself against brutal attacks by Russia every day. The scale of military, civilian and humanitarian needs in Ukraine is enormous. The war has caused widespread destruction and brought great hardship and suffering to civilians. Continued substantial military and civilian support is essential to enable Ukraine to withstand Russia's war of aggression. Ukraine is fighting a battle for our shared values. It is also a fight for the security of Europe as a whole, and therefore also Norway's security,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre. Of the NOK 85 billion in funding allocated to Ukraine under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine in 2026, NOK 70 million will be provided as military support and NOK 15 million as civilian and humanitarian support. 'Civilian support from Norway and the international community is needed to enable the Ukrainian government administration to maintain basic services, such as access to energy, health care and education, and to protect critical infrastructure,' said Mr Stre. Allocation of civilian support in 2026: Energy security and energy supply, including nuclear safety and security and purchase of gas: NOK 4.8 billion NOK 4.8 billion Humanitarian assistance: NOK 3.5 billion NOK 3.5 billion Budget support for the Ukrainian authorities and reconstruction: NOK 4 billion NOK 4 billion Business development, including Norfund: NOK 800 million NOK 800 million Civil society, accountability, governance, reforms and social sustainability: NOK 925 million NOK 925 million Moldova: NOK 350 million The allocation of support is based on Ukraine's needs and may be adjusted in the course of the year. In addition, a reserve fund and funding for the administration of the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine have been set aside and will be allocated at a later date. Energy security As a result of Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the energy supply is extremely vulnerable. Some NOK 4.8 billion is being allocated to ensure a stable electricity supply and prevent potential major economic and humanitarian ramifications. This funding will be used to purchase gas and equipment and to enhance nuclear safety and security. This will help to increase energy security during the winter and maintain energy production. The funding from Norway will be channelled through established partners such as the EU's Ukraine Facility, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Energy Community, a European organisation that seeks to extend the EU internal energy market to third countries such as Ukraine. 'What Ukraine needs most urgently is energy support. In large parts of the country, including the capital Kyiv, people often have no access to electricity for many hours a day. This has a significant impact on the daily lives of millions of people. Electricity and heating are crucial in order to keep schools open, run hospitals, and maintain business activities. Without a stable electricity supply, it will be difficult for people to continue living where they do and some local communities will be at risk of dying out,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. Humanitarian assistance 'Over the past year, Russia has intensified its war against Ukraine, and as a result, the number of civilians killed or injured was 25 % higher than in the previous year. Attacks on civilian infrastructure affect innocent children and adults. Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes, both in areas close to the front line and elsewhere in the country. Many Ukrainians are internally displaced, and lack access to housing, employment or education. Norway is therefore allocating NOK 3.5 billion in humanitarian support to Ukraine under the Nansen Support Programme in 2026,' said Mr Eide. The Ukrainian authorities and international aid organisations alone cannot provide the funding needed to meet the enormous needs for life-saving assistance, protection, shelter and food. The funding from Norway will be channelled through UN organisations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and Norwegian humanitarian organisations. Through its contributions to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF), the UN Country-Based Pooled Fund for Ukraine, Norway is also supporting the vital life-saving work carried out by Ukrainian NGOs. Budget support In 2025, the Ukrainian authorities implemented important reforms and secured funding for basic services. If the Ukrainian people are to be able to withstand Russia's war of attrition, it is essential that critical public functions are maintained. Substantial funding is needed to enable the Ukrainian government administration to continue to deliver services to the people of Ukraine. Norway is therefore providing NOK 4 billion for this purpose, primarily through the World Bank's Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Fund (URTF). The funding will be used to pay salaries for public sector employees, pensions and social benefits, as well as for reconstruction efforts in various sectors including housing, energy, infrastructure and transport. Business development Ukraine needs investments to rebuild infrastructure that has been damaged by Russia's attacks. Reconstruction efforts cannot be financed with public funding alone, but public funding can be used to mobilise private capital. Norway is therefore allocating NOK 800 million to business development in 2026. This includes doubling the amount of funds administered by Norfund under the Ukraine Investment Fund, bringing this allocation to NOK 500 million. The fund aims to support investments that would otherwise not be undertaken due to the high investment risk. Together with Norad's enterprise development scheme, the fund seeks to promote business development in Ukraine and increase private-sector engagement. Civil society, accountability, governance, reforms and social sustainability Civil society plays a key role in the defence of the country and in maintaining a sense of community and hope for the future. Norway supports Ukrainian civil society organisations that are working to combat corruption and strengthen human rights, democracy and governance. Norway also participates actively in efforts to hold Russia accountable for its war of aggression and violations of international humanitarian law. A total of NOK 925 million has been allocated for these efforts in 2026. 'Norway is now supporting more than 300 civil society organisations. This demonstrates the breadth and diversity of our efforts. These local organisations are working together to strengthen Ukraine's democracy and the resilience of Ukrainian society. Ukrainian civil society has a crucial role to play in combating corruption, as we saw last summer when the independence of the anti-corruption authorities was put to the test,' said Mr Eide. Moldova Norway is allocating NOK 350 million to support Moldova's efforts to promote stability, security and democracy and its process towards European integration. The funding from Norway will be used to combat disinformation and to strengthen energy security, good governance, free media, civil society and education. Norway is also providing support for Ukrainian refugees and host families in Moldova. Norway providing substantial support to Ukraine Norway has committed to providing a minimum of NOK 274.5 billion to Ukraine under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine in the period from 2023 to 2030. All the political parties in the Storting have endorsed this support. The Norwegian Government has a policy of zero tolerance for financial irregularities in Norwegian aid. Risk management is therefore an integral part of the administration of the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine. Risk assessments of partners' control systems are carried out on an ongoing basis and a dedicated register to map corruption risk has been established. All reported cases are followed up with appropriate measures and legal action where necessary. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia is handed a protest note over the shelling of Ukrainian cities Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2026-01-12 On 12 January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed a diplomatic note expressing strong protest to the the Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Russian Federation over the continued mass and indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian cities by Russian military forces. The note stresses that the main objective of these attacks is the killing of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure to intimidate Ukrainian society. On 12 January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed a diplomatic note expressing strong protest to the the Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Russian Federation over the continued mass and indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian cities by Russian military forces. The note stresses that the main objective of these attacks is the killing of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure to intimidate Ukrainian society. The document draws Russian attention to the issue of Ukrainian residential areas hit by Russian missile and drone attacks last week, especially in Kyiv and Kryvyi Rih, and stresses the fact that millions of Ukrainians are forced to suffer darkness and cold due to Russia's fault. The note also draws attention to the damage caused by the Russian Federation to Qatar's embassy in Ukraine, and stresses that the use of a nuclear-capable missile, striking the Lviv region, near the border with the European Union and NATO, poses a big threat to the security not only of Ukraine, but the rest of Europe and the world. The Republic of Lithuania has declared that the strikes by the Russian Federation on peaceful residents, residential areas and civilian infrastructure constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and are war crimes. Lithuania demands that Russia immediately ceases its aggression against Ukraine, withdraws its occupying forces from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine and compensates for all the damage caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia shoots down US-made F-16 jet operated by Ukraine: Commander Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 7:33 AM Russia's air defense systems have shot down a US-made F-16 Eagle fighter jet operated by Ukraine, a Russian commander says. The commander, identified by the callsign 'Sever,' said on Sunday that the country's S-300 air defense systems detected and destroyed an American supplied F-16 Eagle fighter jet. The S-300 air defense system fired two missiles at the F-16, with the first damaging the aircraft and the second "delivering the final blow," he said. "It took us a lot of time to prepare for this operation. We were tracking it and anticipating it. The enemy boasted that these planes were indestructible. As it turns out, they fall out of the sky just like the rest," he added. He, however, did not say when the incident occurred. Ukraine received its first F-16 fighter jets from the US and its European allies during the administration of former President Joe Biden in August 2024. Ukrainian President President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the time, "As we speak, the transfer of F-16 jets is underway, coming from Denmark, coming from the Netherlands." US President Donald Trump has continued the policy. In May of 2025, Washington signed a 300 million dollar agreement for the sale of F-16 fighter jets, related equipment, and components to Ukraine. According to Business Insider, Kiev has officially received 44 of the 87 jets promised by its Western supporters. Zelensky has repeatedly claimed that the supply of more F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine can dramatically change the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The evidence on the ground, however, suggests that the F-16s have not been able to stop the Russian army's progress across the frontlines. The Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022, after years of Western economic and political interference in Kiev destabilized the region, forcing Russia to militarily intervene in order to protect its interests and prevent the ethnic cleansing of Ukrainians of Russian descent. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Will Russia's War Against Ukraine End In 2026? By Steve Gutterman January 12, 2026 Summary Analysts say the war in Ukraine is unlikely to end in 2026, in part because Russia seems unwilling to make substantial concessions. Russia continues offensive operations, while Ukraine still controls sizable portions of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions. February 24 will mark four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "Of course I want all this to end sooner, but...it 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 Ukraine...Russia'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." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-invasion-ukraine- war-future-2026/33644095.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 Russian Forces Liberate Novoboikovskoye Settlement in Zaporozhye Region - MoD Sputnik News 20260112 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Battlegroup Dnepr group of forces took control of the settlement of Novoboikovskoye in the Zaporozhye region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "As a result of decisive actions by units of Battlegroup Dnepr, the settlement of Novoboikovskoye in the Zaporozhye region has been liberated," the ministry said in a statement. Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated over 400 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces amounted to more than 400 soldiers. Five armored combat vehicles were destroyed, including a US-made Stryker armored personnel carrier, a US-made HMMWV and Australian-made Bushmaster armored vehicles, as well as three pickup trucks and an artillery piece," the statement said. Russia's Battlegroup Vostok over the past day has eliminated up to 205 Ukrainian servicepeople, the ministry said. In battles with Russia's Battlegroup Sever, Kiev lost over 240 soldiers, the statement read. "Tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile forces and artillery of groups of troops of the Russian armed forces have damaged energy and transport infrastructure facilities serving interests of Ukrainian armed forces, military airfields, an enterprise for the production and storage of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as temporary locations of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries in 157 districts," the statement said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian FSB Thwarts Ukraine-Plotted Attack on Chusovsky Railway Bridge in Perm Territory Sputnik News 20260112 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Monday that it had thwarted a terrorist attack planned by the Ukrainian special services on the Chusovsky railway bridge in the Perm Territory. "The Russian Federal Security Service, with the forceful support of the National Guard, prevented a terrorist act planned by the Ukrainian special services on the Chusovsky railway bridge of the Sverdlovsk Railway. As a result of the events held in the city of Chusovskoye settlement, Perm Territory, a Russian citizen born in 1972 was detained, who reported that, being a user of the Telegram messenger, he transferred funds in the amount of 350,000 rubles [$4,440] to the so-called 'secure accounts' under the influence of telephone fraudsters," the FSB said in a statement. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's use of Oreshnik hypersonic missile should be universally condemned: UK statement at the UN Security Council Speech Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Charge d'Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki CMG Published 12 January 2026 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 12 January 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) At the end of last week, Russia launched yet another brutal assault upon Ukraine. Ukraine has confirmed that on the night of 8 January, Russia launched 242 drones and 36 missiles, including an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, against targets across Ukraine, particularly critical energy infrastructure. The attack caused the death and injury of dozens of civilians, the deprivation of millions of power and heating at a time when temperatures reached as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, and additional pressure on vital services including healthcare and water supplies. Russia's use of another Oreshnik IRBM should be universally condemned. This hypersonic missile capable of travelling at over Mach 10, is reported to have hit a site in the region of Lviv, just 50 miles from the Polish border. Such action is reckless - it threatens regional and international security, and carries significant risk of escalation and miscalculation. Russia has attempted to justify this escalation by claiming an attack on one of President Putin's residences. But this claim is false; there was no such attack. This is just another case of Russia's use of disinformation to justify egregious and escalatory activity in Ukraine. Russia's latest assault came in the same week that President Zelenskyy and the US were in Paris with European and international leaders to discuss peace. President Putin claims to want peace, and yet his actions tell a different story. The rest of the world wants peace in Ukraine - a peace in line with the UN Charter - and we welcome the significant progress which has been made. Together with our international partners, the UK will continue to work hard towards that goal. Russia's attacks are clearly intended to erode the morale of the Ukrainian people. But their resilience and determination over the past four years remains undimmed. Energy services are being restored, damaged homes being rebuilt. Ukraine will survive this latest attack, as it has survived so many before. And if President Putin think this violence will deter Ukraine's partners, he is wrong about that too. We will continue to ensure that Ukraine gets the military and financial support it needs to defend itself. And we will increase pressure on Russia to de-escalate and engage in meaningful negotiations. For the sake of international security and the integrity of the UN Charter, Ukraine must emerge from this war as a sovereign, secure, and independent country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In 2025, the Ministry of Defence reinstated the rights of over 2,700 service members and their families Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 12 January, 2026, 10:28 AM EET In 2025, the Main Department for the Protection of Service Members' Rights (MDPSMR) processed over 7,600 appeals and inquiries submitted by Ukrainian service members and their families. Compared with 2024, when 2,340 appeals were received, the number of submissions increased by more than threefold. This trend indicates growing trust in the institution and an increased capacity to respond effectively to the issues faced by the military community. The Department's effectiveness was measured not by the volume of processed documents, but by the tangible resolution of issues. During the year, specialists successfully reinstated the rights of 2,734 service members and their family members. This is nearly three times as much as in the previous year. An analysis shows that more than 40% of all submissions concerned five key issues, namely: actions by officials of Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (enlistment offices) (12%); issues related to the payment of service remuneration and additional remuneration (11%); payments to families of service members held in captivity or reported missing in action (7%); search for service members listed as missing in action (6%); issues related to change of duty station for service members (5%). As a result of the review of the appeals, 166 recommendations were submitted for the conduct of internal investigations, and materials concerning 46 cases with indications of criminal offenses were forwarded to law enforcement authorities. To protect service members' rights and verify complaints, MDPSMR specialists conducted 44 on-site inspections at military units, enlistment offices, and medical facilities. The primary causes of violations remain the human factor, gaps in legislation, and insufficient awareness. To address these issues systematically, officers of the MDPSMR developed amendments to nine regulatory legal acts throughout the year. A significant outcome of the year was the Verkhovna Rada's adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On the Military Ombudsman," jointly developed with the Office of the President of Ukraine, introducing additional mechanisms to protect service members' rights. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We Are Coordinating with the Envoys of President Trump on the Schedule of Meetings - Our Documents Are, in Many Respects, Already Prepared for Signing - Address by the President President of Ukraine 12 January 2026 - 20:45 I wish you health! Today's summary. There was a meeting with the negotiating team regarding all the outcomes of communication with the American team. The guys stay in contact essentially every day, and a lot has already been done. We are coordinating with the envoys of President Trump on the schedule of meetings - our documents are, in many respects, already prepared for signing. We expect that the Davos format this year will be sufficiently productive specifically in terms of our relations with partners and our recovery after Russian strikes. Now it is necessary for government officials to promptly analyze each of the documents on economic agreements so that all of Ukraine's interests are fully taken into account. We are also working to create effective financing mechanisms for recovery - fair for Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who is helping us. We understand that the American side is in constant contact with Russia, including regarding the basic document for ending the war. This is a political document, and we have outlined our vision - what can realistically work. And although the diplomacy of Ukraine, the United States, and our partners has been extraordinarily active over the past few months, the main question remains unanswered - and this question concerns Russia, and what they are ready for. Russia's behavior and rhetoric in no way indicate that they want to end this war or are preparing for that. Everyone sees this. And it depends entirely on our partners - first and foremost on the United States and the President of the United States - what Russia will choose: peace or continued war. That is why all options for pressure on the aggressor must remain on the table - all pressure options. We see how principled action can be taken against the shadow tanker fleet, as in the case with Venezuelan oil. When there is political will, oil flows can be stopped without any trouble for the global market. We also see that there are many tools to block those who evade sanctions or prop up marginal regimes. Russia must start trying all of this on for size now - if it refuses to move toward real peace. Especially since the circle of Russia's accomplices is narrowing. And what is happening in Iran now - large-scale protests, in fact an uprising - is also a clear sign that things will not become easier for Russia. And every decent person in the world genuinely wants the people of Iran to finally have the fortune to free themselves from the regime in power there - one that has brought so much evil, including to Ukraine and other countries. It is important that the world does not miss this moment - when change is possible. And every leader, every country, and international organizations must now engage - to help the people remove those responsible for the fact that Iran, unfortunately, has been what it has been. Everything can be different. Today, I had a good meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway. Norway is one of our biggest supporters in defense. A leader in the PURL initiative, which allows us to purchase American weapons, primarily air defense systems. Norway has significantly helped us with air defense. We again discussed exactly these matters: the protection of the sky, our joint steps, our joint plans - both with Norway and with other partners in Europe. There is also a new support package from Norway - 400 million for energy and for Ukraine's resilience. Eight billion in annual assistance from Norway. This is very tangible. Thank you! And today I continued personnel changes - both in the regions and in the Security Service of Ukraine. There will be more decisions. We also just spoke with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko about recovery and work in all regions. I thank everyone who is literally working for the sake of life. We agreed with the Prime Minister to develop a special program to support precisely these people - those who work directly in repair crews, 24/7, in the most difficult conditions. The government will propose ways to significantly increase the pay of such specialists for each month of winter. 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. Please take care of yourselves. Take care of Ukraine. And help those who are in the most difficult situation and who need support. Together, we will overcome everything. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President and Norway's Foreign Minister Discussed Support for the Energy Sector and Ukrainian Warriors, and the Continuation of Efforts to Achieve Peace President of Ukraine 12 January 2026 - 19:12 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide. The Head of State thanked Norway and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre personally for all the support for Ukraine from the very beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression and for Norway's active participation in the Coalition of the Willing. One of the key topics of discussion was the energy situation in Ukraine. The President informed the Foreign Minister about the daily Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure, particularly energy facilities. "We are grateful to Norway and the people of your country for such significant support throughout this year. Seven billion just for military support, as well as other projects. We are very grateful for your support after our genuinely major challenges with energy. Thank you for your energy package. And we are grateful for today's decision. The Minister informed me of an important decision - $400 million," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Particular attention during the meeting was paid to diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a dignified peace. The Head of State underscored the importance of the adoption of the Paris Declaration and called it a strong political signal from partners regarding the provision of robust security guarantees for Ukraine. The President and the Foreign Minister also discussed Norway's participation in the PURL initiative, which makes it possible to purchase air defense missiles, including for NASAMS systems, and the importance of further developing this initiative. In addition, the parties discussed the prospects of joint weapons production and other projects in the field of military cooperation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine by Ramesh Rajasingham, Head of OCHA Geneva and Director of the Humanitarian Sector Division, on behalf of Tom Fletcher, USG for Humanitarian Affairs. UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs As delivered Mr. President, Thank you for the opportunity to update on the Council on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. Since our last briefing on 9 December, the plight of civilians has grown more desperate, as large-scale attacks continue to push energy systems, emergency services and the very means of winter survival to the brink. As just outlined by Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, multiple regions across the country were struck on 8 January, causing civilian casualties and widespread disruption to electricity, heating and water supplies, as temperatures dropped to nearly minus 10 degrees Celsius and below. In Kyiv, authorities reported several civilian deaths and more than 20 people injured in the attacks. Among the victims were health workers and first responders assisting those affected: one health worker was killed, while five rescuers and four health workers were injured after coming under repeated strikes. Since the start of the year, the World Health Organization has reported eleven attacks on health care in Ukraine, resulting in two deaths and 14 injuries. What makes these attacks especially devastating is that they cripple the systems that keep civilians alive during winter. Power, heating and water infrastructure have been repeatedly struck in major urban areas, including Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Kryvyi Rih, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without electricity, heating or water for prolonged periods. With winter conditions intensifying, each damaged substation, heating pipeline or pumping station triggers cascading failures that put even more lives at risk. In Kryvyi Rih, families are melting snow for washing and cooking. They are also heating water over candles after power cuts lasting more than a day. In Kyiv, more than 1,200 heated safe spaces are operating, and state emergency services and our humanitarian partners have established an additional 68 heating points in the most affected neighborhoods, offering people a place to warm up, charge phones and reconnect with loved ones amid blackouts. Mr. President, Civilians continue to be evacuated under dangerous conditions. Continued hostilities and repeated strikes on residential areas are forcing people to flee front-line communities. In recent days, evacuations have continued from Donetsk Region, including a high proportion of children, older people and those with limited mobility. On arrival in safer areas, many have urgent needs for shelter, medical care, protection and winter assistance. Our humanitarian partners continue to deliver whenever access allows. Emergency support - including shelter materials, winter assistance and health services - is being provided in Kyiv and other impacted cities and towns. However, humanitarian access remains constrained in some front-line areas due to active hostilities, damaged infrastructure and security restrictions, delaying or suspending operations where needs are most acute. For civilians in occupied parts of Ukraine, humanitarian organizations have limited information about needs arising from ongoing fighting and winter conditions. The humanitarian community stands ready to support civilians in need wherever they are, including in the occupied areas of Ukraine, but we must have unimpeded humanitarian access and sustained funding. Mr. President, As the escalation of hostilities in Ukraine soon enters its fifth year, 10.8 million people in Ukraine urgently need humanitarian assistance. Tomorrow (Tuesday, 13 January), the United Nations and our humanitarian partners, in consultation with the Government of Ukraine, will launch the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which seeks US$2.31 billion to deliver life-saving assistance to 4.12 million people facing the most severe needs. Under the Humanitarian Reset, the response in Ukraine is sharply focused on those most at risk, particularly along the frontline, including civilians affected by displacement and repeated strikes on essential infrastructure. Mr. President, We must reiterate that international humanitarian law is unequivocal. Civilians and civilian objects, wherever they are, must be protected, and constant care must be taken to spare them. Indiscriminate attacks, including those causing disproportionate incidental death or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects, are strictly prohibited. Strikes on residential areas and energy systems raise serious concern about compliance with these fundamental rules of war. I urge Members of this Council to act decisively use your voice, your influence and your engagement to ensure these three things: First, that civilians - everywhere - are protected. Second, that safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilians in need is facilitated. When support is delayed or suspended, the consequences are immediate and severe. Third, that humanitarian action is funded in line with the scale of needs through the hyperprioritised Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, so that essential life-saving assistance can continue. Mr. President, Civilians who are enduring these attacks need more than statements of concern from this council. They need concrete action to reduce civilian harm and ensure that humanitarian support continues to reach people when they need it most. Thank you. Posted on 12 January 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address RS-26 Oreshnik - Second Operational Use, 08 January 2026 The second operational use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range hypersonic missile in January 2026 stood as one of the more opaque and contested events of the winter campaign. Russia said 12 January 2026 that the hypersonic Oreshnik missile it launched days earlier hit and disabled the Lviv Aviation Repair Plant in Ukraine's city of Lviv near the Polish border. A Ukrainian official said the missile, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, was armed with inert warheads and damaged a workshop at a stateenterprise in Lviv, near the Polish border. "This enterprise carried out repairs and maintenance of Ukrainian armed forces aviation equipment, including F-16 and MiG-29 aircraft transferred by Western countries," the ministry said. "The company also produced long- and medium-range attack drones used to strike Russian civilian targets deep within Russian territory." Asked about Russia's claim on Monday, Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said: "We never comment on where the hit was." On the night of 2829 December 2025, the Russian government claimed that Ukraine launched a massive drone attack targeting President Vladimir Putins residence in Valdai, in the Novgorod region. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, 91 drones were involved in the operation, though they alleged all were intercepted or destroyed before reaching the target. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov characterized the event as a deliberate attempt to disrupt peace negotiations and threatened a severe retaliatory response. Asked about Moscow's allegations, US President Donald Trump said he learned about it from Putin himself and it made him "very angry." "It's a very delicate time," Trump said to journalists referring to Ukraine peace talks as he welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his private residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, on December 29. Trump pointed out that he had refused to provide Ukraine with the Tomahawk missiles that Kyiv was asking for to hit Russian military targets and disable Russian armed forces' capacity for ground and air attacks. "It's one thing to be offensive, because they're offensive. It's another thing to attack his house. It's not the right time to do any of that," the US president added. Trumps reaction to the incident shifted significantly over the course of the following week. By January 4, 2026, following a U.S. intelligence assessment, Trump reversed his position. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he stated, "I don't believe that strike happened," citing CIA findings that Ukrainian drones had actually targeted a military facility nearby rather than the presidential residence. Putin soon demonstrated his low regard for Trump's thinking, and continued with what emerged as an elaborate pre-scripted hardware-in-loop percption management exercise. Despite the US denial and Trump's skepticism, Russia used the alleged Valdai attack as the explicit justification for a major escalation. On 09 January 2026, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had conducted a combined strike using the "Oreshnik" intermediate-range ballistic missile against a target in the Lviv region. Moscows official statement declared this strike was a direct response to the "terrorist attack" on Putin's Valdai residence, marking the second combat use of the Oreshnik system following its debut against Dnipro in November 2024. The missile was launched from the Kapustin Yar test site in Astrakhan Oblast, southwestern Russia, a location that carried both practical and symbolic weight. Kapustin Yar had was the birthplace of Soviet rocketry, the proving ground where the R-1, R-2, and R-5 lines were first coaxed into reality by the early missile priesthood that shaped the early GRAU [Glavnoye raketno-artilleriyskoye upravleniye] tradition. It was also the garrison location of the Oreshnik unit, making the launch site a matter of operational convenience rather than simple theatrical staging. The launch formed part of a large-scale overnight attack on the night of 8-9 January 2026, with the Oreshnik shot occurring just before midnight. This marked only the second confirmed operational use of the missile in the war, and the rarity of the system ensured that the event drew immediate attention from Russian state media, Ukrainian authorities, Western intelligence services, and a wide array of open-source observers. The incident narrative began with Russian political figures circulating curated video clips showing the missile rising from Kapustin Yar, framed as a demonstration of technological resolve. The broader overnight strike package included cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones, but Oreshnik stood apart because of its novelty and because of the political commentary that accompanied it. Dmitrij Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council and former Russian President, used the moment to issue a pointed threat toward European leaders. He wrote: "The European idiots in power still want war in Europe. It's been said a thousand times: Russia will not accept any European or NATO troops in Ukraine, but no, Micron continues to spread this pathetic nonsense. Come on, then. That's what you'll get." His use of "Micron" as a pun on Emmanuel Macron underscored the theatrical and personal tone of the messaging. Russian outlets amplified the statement, presenting the Oreshnik launch as both a military act and a political warning. RIA's coverage framed the strike as retaliation for what it described as a Ukrainian drone attack on Putin's residence on 29 December. According to the narrative, Russian forces targeted production facilities associated with those drones and energy infrastructure that supported Ukraine's military-industrial complex. The reporting claimed that the strike's objectives were achieved, though no verifiable evidence accompanied the assertion. The same coverage included a dramatic statement from Vladimir Putin, who said: "The temperature of the Oreshnik missile's striking elements reaches four thousand degrees Celsius. The temperature on the surface of the sun is five and a half to six thousand degrees Celsius. Therefore, everything at the epicenter of the explosion is broken down into fractions, into elementary particles, essentially turning into dust." He added that if such missiles were used en masse, even without nuclear warheads, their combined effect would be comparable to that of a nuclear weapon. The rhetoric contrasted sharply with the physical evidence that later emerged, which suggested a kinetic-energy impact rather than an explosive event. Additional RIA commentary presented hypothetical flight times from Kapustin Yar to various NATO installations. The video claimed that an Oreshnik launched from the test site could reach the American missile-defense base in Redzikowo, Poland, in roughly eleven minutes, Ramstein Air Base in Germany in fifteen minutes, and NATO headquarters in Brussels in seventeen minutes. By extension, the flight time to Lviv would have been under ten minutes. These figures were presented without technical substantiation, but they reinforced the narrative of speed and reach that Russian messaging sought to project. Impact, non-disclosure, and the inversion of evidence Despite the volume of political commentary, the physical facts of the strike remained elusive. As of the morning of 11 January 2026 (EST), the impact location had not been authoritatively disclosed or geolocated. This absence was not a failure of reporting but a direct consequence of the missile's design. A kinetic-energy hypersonic strike produced an unimpressive visible signature. There was no fireball, no plume, no thermal bloom, no debris field, no blast radius, and no scorch pattern. The only physical evidence would have been deep, narrow punctures in the ground, visually unremarkable and easily overlooked in winter terrain. These craters were hard to find precisely because it was so distinctive. Distinctive not in spectacle, but in its lack of spectacle. This inversion blunted the signaling value of the strike. A weapon intended to demonstrate technological prowess produced an impact that was initially invisible to the naked eye, leaving analysts with a paradox: a highly publicized launch followed by an almost undetectable arrival. The bear in the woods. Ukrainian authorities acknowledged the strike but did not confirm an impact site. Officials emphasized that the event did not resemble a typical missile attack. One Air Force spokesperson said: "The impact did not resemble a normal missile explosion." The absence of a blast signature complicated both public communication and internal assessment. Ukrainian reporting stressed that Oreshnik posed a new defensive challenge, compressing reaction times and complicating track continuity. The missile's speed and potential terminal maneuvering made interception unlikely, and the lack of an explosive warhead meant that traditional indicators of impact were absent. Competing hypotheses and underground-target logic In the initial absence of a confirmed location, analysts developed several competing hypotheses about the intended target. Some commentary pointed toward a command-and-control node supporting Ukrainian operations, noting that such facilities often sat in semi-industrial zones that could plausibly have been struck. Other analysis suggested a mobile air-defense battery, a target type that would have justified the use of a high-speed kinetic weapon capable of defeating mobile and well-protected assets. Another line of speculation focused on heating-gas storage or related energy infrastructure, given the strategic importance of such sites during winter and their vulnerability to deep-penetration strikes. The most analytically compelling hypothesis centered on an underground or partially buried UAV-related facility, as suggested by official Russian claims. Ukrainian UAV production and storage had increasingly moved underground to protect it from conventional missile strikes. These sites often combined reinforced concrete, buried chambers, and electromagnetic shielding. A kinetic-energy penetrator like Oreshnik, descending at hypersonic velocity, was well suited to defeating such defenses. If the missile had struck such a facility, the absence of obvious surface damage would have been consistent with the weapon's intended effect. The deep, narrow craters that analysts expected to find would have indicated a steep impact angle and substantial residual velocity. The lack of widespread debris would have suggested structural integrity until ground contact. These observations supported the interpretation of Oreshnik as a kinetic penetrator rather than an explosive system, even though the exact target and the extent of functional damage initially remained unknown. Historiographic fog and OSINT ambiguity The historiographic fog surrounding the second Oreshnik strike arose from the interaction of technical, operational, and informational factors. The rarity of Oreshnik launches meant that analysts had limited reference points. The kinetic-impact signature complicated visual analysis, as the absence of an explosive blast made it harder to interpret satellite imagery and ground photographs. The possibility that the target was underground or compartmented added another layer of uncertainty. Ukrainian authorities, constrained by operational security, provided only partial information. Russian reporting emphasized success and used dramatic rhetoric but offered no verifiable details. Western outlets, reliant on a mix of official statements and open-source analysis, filled the gaps with cautious speculation. OSINT ambiguity played a central role. Social-media commentary often rested on incomplete or misleading information. Some users tried to geolocate the strike on the basis of unverified imagery, while others circulated videos and claims that could not be corroborated. The absence of a clear blast site deprived open-source investigators of the usual cues they used to reconstruct events. The second Oreshnik strike thus illustrated the limits of open-source methods when confronted with a weapon designed to minimize its visible footprint. Ukrainian defensive posture and doctrinal implications Putin's claims of the difficulties for active defense against Orsehnik was no brag, but a fact. The strike carried significant implications for Ukraine's air-defense posture, most fundamentally because the Oreshnik payload is simply a flock of a inert chunks of metal. These penetrator rods would probably prove largely impervious to anything other than a direct intercept [hitting a bullet with a bullet] and the handful of separate penetrators would present the defense with a multitude of targets. The difficulty of tracking and intercepting a hypersonic, maneuvering missile underscored the need for improved sensor coverage, faster engagement cycles, and greater integration of air-defense assets. Existing systems were not optimized for this specific threat, and the Oreshnik strike highlighted gaps in detection and response. Ukrainian officials emphasized the need for additional Western support, including advanced radar systems and interceptor missiles capable of engaging high-speed targets. The strike also prompted discussions about the role of decoys, electromagnetic discipline, and dispersal in mitigating the threat. Oreshnik did not overturn the overall balance of the air-defense contest, but it introduced specific niche challenges that Ukrainian planners could not ignore. Infrastructure-protection doctrine also came under scrutiny. Hardened or underground facilities, once considered relatively secure, required reassessment in light of kinetic-energy threats. The Oreshnik strike demonstrated that depth and concrete alone were not sufficient to guarantee protection. Ukrainian planners considered alternative approaches, including increased dispersal of critical assets, the use of mobile or containerized facilities, and the integration of deception measures such as decoy sites and signature management. The strike influenced not only immediate defensive responses but also longer-term thinking about how to protect critical nodes in a war where hypersonic and kinetic capabilities were no longer theoretical. In the case of Ukrainian drones, the Orsehnik narrative highlighted the important of offshoring production facilities to other countries entirely. The closing weeks of 2025 were highlighted by numerous media report about various such projects in the UK, Germany, and other Western European countries. Whatever else these initiatives might yield, it could be presumed that the territories of these states, shielded by NATO's Article V mutual defense committment, presentd a sanctuary immune to the fearsome Oreshnik. Foreign-intelligence assessment and strategic signaling Foreign-intelligence services probably treated the second Oreshnik use as an important data point in assessing Russia's long-range strike capabilities. From their perspective, the event provided an opportunity to evaluate the missile's performance under operational conditions and to examine how Russia integrated such weapons into its broader campaign. Analysts focused on the missile's trajectory, the expected impact signature, and the potential target set, while also tracking the political messaging that surrounded the launch. The strike suggested that Russia was willing to employ scarce, advanced systems for both tactical effect and strategic signaling. It raised questions about the vulnerability of hardened infrastructure in Europe and about the future shape of hypersonic warfare. The hypothetical flight times from Kapustin Yar to Redzikowo, Ramstein, and Brussels showed how Russian messaging intertwined operational claims with deterrence narratives. By presenting specific minute counts, the video suggested that critical NATO sites lay within rapid reach of Oreshnik. Even without technical substantiation, the claim functioned as a psychological signal, reinforcing Medvedev's threats and Putin's descriptions of the missile's destructive power. For intelligence analysts, such messaging required careful parsing, distinguishing between real capabilities, aspirational claims, and deliberate exaggeration. The strategic-signaling implications of the strike were therefore complex. Russia used the Oreshnik launch to project an image of technological resilience and strategic resolve. The curated release of launch footage, Medvedev's threats toward European leaders, Putin's comments about temperatures comparable to the sun and nuclear-like effects, and the flight-time narratives all pointed in the same direction: an attempt to portray Oreshnik as a game-changing weapon. Yet the absence of a visible impact site, the lack of confirmed battle damage, and the inherent ambiguity of a kinetic strike blunted the intended message. A weapon designed to demonstrate power produced an effect that was almost invisible, leaving observers with a paradox: a highly publicized launch followed by a nearly undetectable arrival. Synthesis The second Oreshnik strike therefore stood at the intersection of technology, politics, and perception. It combined operational significance, political messaging, and technical novelty. It generated confusion, speculation, and competing narratives. It illustrated the limits of public information and the complexity of modern strike systems. The launch from Kapustin Yar tied the event to the deep institutional history of Soviet and Russian rocketry, while the unknown impact location revealed the limits of both OSINT and official reporting when confronted with a kinetic-energy hypersonic weapon. The event did not resolve debates about the ultimate military value of Oreshnik, but it clarified the shape of the problem: a system that compressed time, hid its own effects, and turned the absence of evidence into a central feature of its operational and informational footprint. The crater Oreshnik created remained unseen, but its implications continued to shape analysis long after the night of 8-9 January 2026. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VANCOUVER, 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 [email protected] 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 Vancouver, 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 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 [email protected]. 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 Toronto, January 12, 2026 - Total Metals Corp. ("Total Metals" or the "Company") (TSX-V: TT) (OTCQB: TTTMF) (FSE: O4N) is pleased to announce it has entered into a definitive agreement to provide a loan (the "Loan Agreement") to Kattegat Mining Inc. ("Kattegat") for $3,500,000 (the "Loan"). The Loan bears an interest of eight percent (8%) and is secured by a general security agreement, which shall, following the repayment of the Liabilities (as defined below), provide the Company with a first-ranking security interest over all present and after-acquired personal property of Kattegat. Kattegat owns 100% the right and title to the Shoal Lake Property, which is located in northwestern Ontario, just east of the Manitoba border and north of the state of Minnesota. Transaction Details Upon receipt of the Loan, Kattegat is required to repay certain outstanding convertible debentures and other liabilities of Kattegat (the "Liabilities"). The Loan is secured by a general security agreement granting the Company a security interest over all of Kattegat's present and after-acquired assets, which constitutes a first-ranking security interest following the repayment and discharge of Kattegat's existing Liabilities. The proceeds of the Loan will be used exclusively to repay and extinguish the Liabilities in full, together with the release of all related security. The Loan Agreement includes customary events of default, including non-payment, insolvency, breach of covenants, and misrepresentation, as well as specific protections relating to the existing Liabilities. These include events of default if the Liabilities are not repaid and discharged as required, if any holder seeks to enforce or assert security thereunder, if any of the outstanding Liabilities are amended or converted without consent, or if any related security is not fully released following repayment. The Loan is arm's length and no finder's fees are payable in connection with the Loan. Conditions and Closing The completion of the Loan is conditional upon Kattegat repaying the Liabilities, the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV" or, the "Exchange") and other customary closing conditions, including the receipt of all required regulatory, TSXV, and third-party approvals. There can be no assurances the Loan will close on the terms described herein, or at all. About Kattegat Minerals Inc. Kattegat Mining Inc. is a private company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia and has a 100% ownership interest in the Shoal Lake Property, as described above. About Total Metals Corp. Total Metals Corp. is focused on its 100% owned Electrolode Project covering over 3,300 contiguous hectares in northwestern Ontario. The Electrolode Project is targeting high-potential critical mineral plus gold resources and targets in three favorable geologic trends, located near major mines in the Red Lake Gold camp and is strategically located between Kinross Gold's Great Bear Project and First Mining Gold's Springpole Project. The Electrolode Project is fully permitted for exploration drilling and hosts 10 historic mineralized zones with significant expansion potential plus new, untested targets ready for further exploration. Total Metals also owns 100% of the High Lake and West Hawk Lake Project covering 958 hectares in two gold properties located along the Trans-Canada Highway straddling the Manitoba / Ontario border. The Purex Zone on the High Lake property has significant exploration potential and will be the primary target for initial exploration and potential future mining activities. The West Hawk Lake property is comprised of a single mineral lease, located within southeastern Manitoba. www.totalmetalscorp.com Cautionary Statements Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in its policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. Tyler Thorburn President and Chief Executive Officer [email protected] (416) 873-7662 Forward-Looking Information This press release includes "forward-looking information" that is subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward looking. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward-looking statements, are based on assumptions none of which can be assured and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the TSX-V. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Prismo Metals Inc. ("Prismo" or the "Company") (CSE: PRIZ) (OTCQB: PMOMF) is pleased to announce that further to its news release December 31st, 2025, the Company has proceeded with an upsized closing (the "Closing") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units of the Company ("Units") at an issue price of $0.10 per Unit (the "Private Placement"). The Closing consisted in the issuance of 2,000,000 Units for gross proceeds of $200,000. "Every subscriber in this last closing is either a new shareholder of Prismo or a subscriber who became a shareholder of Prismo through our 2025 private placement and decided to increase their holdings in our Company," said Alain Lambert CEO of Prismo. "Our immediate priority is to undertake our fully funded drill program, as previously announced. This drill campaign will focus primarily on the historic Silver King mine site and will be for a minimum of about 1,000 meters. The objective is to test the upper half of the steeply dipping pipelike Silver King mineralized body as well as potential mineralization adjacent to the dense stockwork that was the focus of historic mining." Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Share for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of issue at an exercise price of $0.175. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement primarily for drilling at its Silver King project and for general corporate purposes. There may be circumstances, however, where, for sound business reasons, a reallocation of funds may be necessary. The Units issued pursuant to the Closing are subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date of the Closing under applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada. In connection with the Closing, the Company issued an aggregate of 120,000 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") and paid finder's commissions of $12,000 to a certain qualified finder. Each Finder's Warrant is exercisable for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance to purchase one Share at a price of $0.10. In addition, the Company paid a cash fee of $3,000 to a financial advisor. The securities being issued in connection with the Closing have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons or persons in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Prismo Metals Inc. Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is a mining exploration company focused on advancing its Silver King, Ripsey and Hot Breccia projects in Arizona and its Palos Verdes silver project in Mexico. Please follow Prismo Metals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube Prismo Metals Inc. 1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6 Phone: (416) 361-0737 Contact: Alain Lambert, Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Gordon Aldcorn, President [email protected] 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 release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the timing, costs and results of drilling at Silver King; the intended use of any proceeds raised under the Closing; and the completion of an additional tranche. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the potential inability of the Company to utilize the anticipated proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated; the potential inability of the Company to complete an additional tranche on the terms disclosed, or at all; and those risks set out in the Company's public disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) under the Company's issuer profile. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will use the proceeds of the Closing as currently anticipated and on the timeline currently expected; and that the Company will complete an additional tranche. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward- looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (CSE:GCC) (OTC:GCCFF) (WKN:A402CQ) (FSE:3TZ) announces that field activities have commenced for the Company's 2026 exploration program at its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine Property (the "Property"), located approximately 4 kilometers northeast of Hixon and 50 kilometers southeast of Prince George, British Columbia. The 2026 mineral exploration program is designed to build on the momentum and technical successes of the previous exploration seasons. Company personnel have mobilized to the Property and are currently opening the access road and removing accumulated winter snow to ensure safe and efficient entry to the area. Currently, crews are readying the water line and pump systems required to support drilling operations. Initially, drilling will continue within QGQ25-28, currently drilled to a depth of 354.19m (1,162 ft) and is the northernmost drill string within the Halo zone. QGQ25-28 is collared about 200 meters (656 ft) north of QGQ24-20, which encountered significant gold grades found, in part, to be associated with a major fault along a northwesterly striking contact between the mafic to intermediate volcanic host rocks (greenstones) and a black argillite unit. QGQ24-20 returned 137.17m (450.0 ft) of 1.55 g/t gold and 16.05 g/t silver, including 4.29m (14.1 ft) of 16.43 g/t gold and 9.09 g/t silver and including 2.0m (6.1 ft) of 6.53 g/t gold and 957.0 g/t silver (August 12, 2025 News Release). Gold assays were done by PhotonAssay. The Company is embarking on a 7,500m (24,600 ft) surface diamond drilling program, targeting priority zones identified through geological mapping, sampling, and structural interpretation studies. In anticipation of deeper and more technically demanding targets, Golden Cariboo is also preparing for a transition from NQ to HQ-sized core in the near future. This upgrade is expected to improve core recovery and provide enhanced geological information from key structural and mineralized zones. Additional exploration activities this season will include over 1 km of trenching, mapping, prospecting, geochemical sampling, ground and airborne geophysical studies and ongoing refinement of geological models. "Our team is energized as we begin the 2026 exploration season at the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine Property," said Frank Callaghan, President and CEO of Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. "With road access now opened and drilling set to advance north of the Halo zone from QGQ25-28, we are well positioned for continued success. The planned 7,500 metre drill program, along with trenching and other geological studies, represents our most comprehensive exploration efforts to date. As we prepare to transition from NQ to HQ core, we expect to gain even more detailed insight into the structures and mineralized zones that continue to drive our excitement for this Project." The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jean Pautler, an independent consultant commissioned by the Company. Jean Pautler is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) registered with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of BC ("APEGBC") and licensed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC, and is a "Qualified Person" with respect to NI 43-101. About Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. is rediscovering the Cariboo Gold Rush by proceeding with highly targeted drilling and trenching programs on its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property which is bordered by Osisko Development (NSE:ODV/TSXV:ODV), partly intertwined with them at the north end of the Cariboo Gold Project, and located along a favourable corridor adjacent to the Spanish and Eureka thrust faults over a 94,899 hectare (234,501 acre) area. Historically, over 101 placer gold creeks on the 90-kilometer (56 mile) trend, from the Cariboo Hudson mine north to the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property, have recorded production with successful placer mining continuing to this day. Golden Cariboo's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property is 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) northeast of, and road accessible from, Hixon in central British Columbia. The Property includes the Quesnelle Quartz gold-silver deposit, which was discovered in 1865 and developed over a footprint of about 150m x 150m (< 6 acres) at the Main zone straddling Hixon Creek. Overall, the geological setting of the gold mineralization at the Company's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property shows strong similarities with the Spanish Mountain gold deposit, situated 120 km (75 miles) towards the southeast along the same geological trend. As a sediment-hosted vein (SHV) deposit, the Spanish Mountain deposit is considered to belong to the epizonal orogenic subclass of gold deposits which include some of the world's largest deposits such as Muruntau, Uzbekistan and Bendigo, Australia. For further information please contact: GOLDEN CARIBOO RESOURCES LTD "J. Frank Callaghan" J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO Tel: 604-669-6463 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS www.goldencariboo.com LIKE AND FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements: This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the expectation that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; the Company's exploration plans with respect to its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property; and the anticipated participation of the insider in the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company will have the resources required to proceed with its exploration plans; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the insider will participate in the Offering, on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management; and that the Company will be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis anticipated. Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company may not have the resources required to pursue its exploration plans; that the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; that the insider may not participate in the Offering on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management, or at all; and that the Company may not be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis currently expected. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release. The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and 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 law. VANCOUVER - (TSXV: PINN, OTC: PSGCF, Frankfurt: P9J) - Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. ("Pinnacle" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on progress at the high-grade El Potrero gold-silver project in Durango, Mexico. Having just signed the agreement at the end of February 2025, to acquire up to a 100% interest, the company has made significant progress in advancing the project with the goal of fast-tracking it to production and capitalizing on high precious metal prices. "2025 was a pivotal year for Pinnacle with the rapid progress towards production on the Potrero project," stated Robert Archer, Pinnacle's President & CEO. "After only 10 months on the project, we have established a substantial high-grade epithermal gold-silver system and are ready to initiate underground delineation drilling to be followed by surface drilling to fill in gaps and test new targets. Metallurgical test work is continuing, and discussions are progressing for an offtake agreement to secure production financing. Project evaluations are also ongoing, with the goal of making another acquisition this year. We look forward to continued progress through 2026 and to keeping shareholders up to date on the company's development." HIGHLIGHTS OF WORK COMPLETED IN 2025: Geological Model The El Potrero Project contains a low-sulphidation epithermal gold-silver system that has been traced for more than 1,600 metres along strike and 500 metres in width in the northern part of the property. This type of deposit is common throughout the Sierra Madre of western Mexico and includes many significant mines. The veins at El Potrero exhibit many of the same features that are characteristic of this type of deposit, yet the project has not been systematically explored and has always been privately owned. Pinnacle's geological team has been conducting extensive and systematic surface and underground mapping and sampling comprising 1,196 samples in 2025. This has included the definition of other veins such as El Capulin and La Estrella that not only expand the mineralizing system laterally but potentially have more vertical continuity. Overall, this work has not only confirmed the geological model but is ongoing in developing a detailed understanding of grade distribution and exploration potential that is so important to future targeting for drilling and resource development. Gold-silver mineralization of potentially economic grades in vein deposits typically occurs in pockets or zones, called 'clavos' in Mexico, and the detailed sampling has aided in defining these within the historic mine workings on the property. Drilling will further define their size, shape, and overall grade. High Gold and Silver Grades One feature of low sulphidation epithermal deposits is that the grades can be locally very high. El Potrero displays this characteristic with individual underground channel samples grading up to 85.1 g/t Au and 520 g/t Ag, while surface sampling returned similar gold values but higher silver grades up to 2,280 g/t Ag (see table below). Diamond drilling, more sampling, and mineralogical work will be necessary to determine if this indicates a vertical zonation of silver or simply a surficial feature. Select High-Grade Gold-Silver Results from 2025 Sampling at El Potrero Au g/t Ag g/t Length (m) Surface 13.2 2,280 0.3 9.9 1,444 0.35 36.4 1,029 1.4 37.4 755 1.2 Underground 50.3 269 1.7 34.6 221 1.0 15.6 222 1.1 Metallurgical Testing A key component of moving towards production is the determination of a deposit's metallurgy. As such, three samples were taken from underground at the historic Pinos Cuates mine, the central of the three main mines on the Dos de Mayo structure, and sent to SGS Durango for preliminary test work. The samples were prepped and assayed then underwent grinding and gravity separation tests, and bottle roll leaching. Given that these were preliminary tests, there was no optimization, yet the results from leach tests indicated gold recoveries ranging from 92.81% to 96.79% and averaging 95.09%. Silver recoveries were lower and more variable, due to more complex mineralogy, and ranged from 41.41% to 73.53%, averaging 54.68%. Mineralogical studies and further optimization will be required to obtain consistently higher silver recoveries. While the results of gravity separation tests were variable, they did indicate that this method would be useful in extracting some of the gold prior to leaching. Further studies will be conducted on this. Processing Plant The processing plant on site was built in the late 1980's but only operated for a few months, apparently for reasons other than operational ones, and has been idle ever since. It is estimated to be capable of processing about 100 tonnes per day utilising crushing, milling, vat leach and Merrill Crowe circuits, but will need new equipment. Pinnacle has cleaned up the plant site and surrounding infrastructure and conducted a preliminary assessment of the cost to rebuild the plant and install a dry-stack tailings facility. These estimates will be updated based upon the ongoing metallurgical testing and announced in due course. Strengthening In-Country Management The success of any company and project ultimately comes down to the people and, to that end, Pinnacle hired Carlos Castro Villalobos as Project Manager and Jorge Ortega, P.Geo. as Project Manager and Exploration Manager, respectively. Ing. Castro is a highly experienced Mining Engineer, having built and operated mines for several companies throughout Mexico, including seven years as General Manager of the Guanajuato Mine for Great Panther Silver. Mr. Ortega is currently the Qualified Person (QP) for the project but was also previously Exploration Manager for Great Panther and VP Exploration for Excellon Resources. The extensive experience of these two gentlemen, in addition to the geological team on site, will guide the technical success of the project. In addition, the fact that Pinnacle has a 100% Mexican team in-country goes a long way to ensuring strong relationships with local communities and government officials that are so important in obtaining and maintaining a social license. Community Relations Although the historic mines and the plant sit on private property, portions of the project are on ejido land. While Pinnacle has not yet conducted any work on those surrounding areas, preliminary discussions have been held with local communities in order to ensure strong positive relationships and formalize long-term access agreements. As the geological team is already living in a local small community and the company employs local workers, the communities are very supportive. One of those communities is Topia, a mining town and staging ground for Pinnacle. Not only is that community very supportive of mining but it is an excellent source of supplies, equipment, contractors and skilled labour. Permitting The permitting environment in Mexico has improved significantly in the last year. Other mining companies with advanced stage projects are now getting permitted and government departments are clearing the backlog of applications. To this end, Pinnacle has already conducted meetings with SEMARNAT, the federal environmental ministry, CONAGUA, the federal water agency, and CFE, the federal electrical commission, and preliminary submissions have been made towards obtaining various permits that will be required as the project progresses. To date, we continue to have a constructive dialogue towards positive permitting decisions as this is a complex and iterative process. LiDAR Survey Pinnacle recently conducted an airborne LiDAR survey across the entire 11 km2 property, from which 64 adits, 6 shafts and 51 prospecting pits were interpreted by a leading consultant in this field. While many of these lie along the Dos de Mayo vein structure in the northern 10% of the property, confirming the trend, most of the remainder lie on the other 90% that has yet to be explored. This underscores the prospectivity of the project and has highlighted a number of areas that we will explore this year to determine whether they have the potential for an incremental addition to vein-type mineralization or if they represent a new style of mineralization altogether. UPCOMING WORK AND CATALYSTS FOR 2026 Despite having had the property for less than a year, we have sufficient information from the detailed and systematic sampling of the historic mines to launch an underground definition drilling program on known zones of gold-silver mineralization. Contractors were on site last week to assess the conditions of the mine workings in order to prepare proposals for the work. Priority is being given to delineation drilling of mineralized zones on the Dos de Mayo vein structure that will lead to a preliminary mine plan. It is anticipated that the preparatory work necessary to enlarge the drill stations will begin in early February with drilling to follow once the sites are prepared and secured from a safety perspective. The first phase of this work will comprise approximately 1,100 meters in about 50 holes, with each hole being in the range of 20-25 metres in length. Beyond that, step-out holes will be prioritized based upon their potential to add resources that could be quickly developed in a production scenario. Surface drilling will be initiated as soon as permits are in place. Holes will be drilled to fill in gaps in the Dos de Mayo vein that cannot be reached from underground, to step out along strike on the Dos de Mayo vein, and to test the Capulin and Estrella veins. Surface mapping, sampling and prospecting will be continued within this area and a new crew is being hired to follow up on the numerous targets interpreted from the LiDAR survey. Seven more samples have been taken for continued metallurgical testing. Based upon the first round of testing, mineralogical tests will be conducted to determine the silver minerals in particular, the tails from gravity separation will be leached this time, with gold recoveries from the two processes added together, and various other aspects of the process will be optimized with the aim of improving recoveries, even though gold recoveries are already anticipated to be in the 95% range. Discussions with, and submissions to SEMARNAT, CONAGUA and CFE are continuing with the aim of first obtaining a permit for surface drilling, to be followed by additional permits as required for underground development and plant reconstruction. Discussions are also being held with local communities to obtain formal long-term access agreements for portions of the property that have not yet been explored. QA/QC The technical results contained in this news release have been reported in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Pinnacle has implemented industry standard practices for sample preparation, security and analysis given the stage of the Project. This has included common industry QA/QC procedures to monitor the quality of the assay database, including inserting certified reference material samples and blank samples into sample batches on a predetermined frequency basis. Systematic chip channel sampling was completed across exposed mineralized structures using a hammer and maul. The protocol for sample lengths established that they were not longer than two metres or shorter than 0.3 metres. The veins tend to be steeply dipping to vertical, and so these samples are reasonably close to representing the true widths of the structures. Samples were collected along the structural strike or oblique to the main structural trend. Grab samples, by their nature, are only considered as indicative of local mineralization and should not be considered as representative. All samples were bagged in pre-numbered plastic bags; each bag had a numbered tag inside and were tied off with adhesive tape and then bulk bagged in rice bags in batches not to exceed 40 kg. They were then numbered, and batch bags were tied off with plastic ties and delivered directly to the SGS laboratory facility in Durango, Mexico for preparation and analysis. The lab is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017. All Samples were delivered in person by the contract geologist who conducted the sampling under the supervision of the QP. SGS sample preparation code G_PRP89 including weight determination, crushing, drying, splitting, and pulverizing was used following industry best practices where all samples were crushed to 75% less than 2 mm, riffle split off 250 g, pulverized split to >85% passing 75 microns (?m). All samples were analyzed for gold using code GA_FAA30V5 with a Fire Assay determination on 30g samples with an Atomic Absorption Spectography finish. An ICP-OES analysis package (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry) including 33 elements and 4-acid digestion was performed (code GE_ICP40Q12) to determine Ag, Zn, Pb, Cu and other elements. Qualified Person Mr. Jorge Ortega, P. Geo, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and the author of the NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Potrero Project, has reviewed, verified and approved for disclosure the technical information contained in this news release. About the Potrero Property El Potrero is located in the prolific Sierra Madre Occidental of western Mexico and lies within 35 kilometres of four operating mines, including the 4,000 tonnes per day (tpd) Cienega Mine (Fresnillo), the 1,000 tpd Tahuehueto Mine (Luca Mining) and the 250 tpd Topia Mine (Guanajuato Silver). High-grade gold-silver mineralization occurs in a low sulphidation epithermal breccia vein system hosted within andesites of the Lower Volcanic Series and has three historic mines along a 500 metre strike length. The property has been in private hands for almost 40 years and has never been systematically explored by modern methods, leaving significant exploration potential. A previously operational 100 tpd plant on site can be refurbished / rebuilt and historic underground mine workings rehabilitated at relatively low cost in order to achieve near-term production once permits are in place. The property is road accessible with a power line within three kilometres. Pinnacle will earn an initial 50% interest immediately upon commencing production. The goal would then be to generate sufficient cash flow with which to further develop the project and increase the Company's ownership to 100% subject to a 2% NSR. If successful, this approach would be less dilutive for shareholders than relying on the equity markets to finance the growth of the Company. About Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. Pinnacle is focused on the development of precious metals projects in the Americas. The high-grade Potrero gold-silver project in Mexico's Sierra Madre Belt hosts an underexplored low-sulphidation epithermal vein system and provides the potential for near-term production. In the prolific Red Lake District of northwestern Ontario, the Company owns a 100% interest in the past-producing, high-grade Argosy Gold Mine and the adjacent North Birch Project with an eight-kilometre-long target horizon. With a seasoned, highly successful management team and quality projects, Pinnacle Silver and Gold is committed to building long-term, sustainable value for shareholders. Signed: "Robert A. Archer" President & CEO For further information contact: Email: [email protected] Tel.: +1 (877) 271-5886 ext. 110 Website: www.pinnaclesilverandgold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Xi urges advancing Party self-governance with higher standards, more concrete measures Xinhua) 08:06, January 13, 2026 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) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Frigate Dali participates in maritime training China Military Online) 13:09, January 13, 2026 Two naval vessels attached to a flotilla with the navy under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command steam in astern formation to a designated sea area during a maritime training exercise on January 7, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yu Chuanjun) The guided-missile frigate Dali (Hull 553) attached to a flotilla with the navy under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command steams at an undisclosed sea area during a maritime training exercise on January 7, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yu Chuanjun) The guided-missile frigate Dali (Hull 553) attached to a flotilla with the navy under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command steams at an undisclosed sea area during a maritime training exercise on January 7, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yu Chuanjun) (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) Vancouver, January 13, 2026 - Adamera Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: ADZ; OTC: DDNFF) ("Adamera" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the Company, its properties and its outlook for 2026. The Company's priority for the year is to finalize permitting and initiate drilling on at least 5 of its numerous gold-copper-silver targets, all of which are essentially drill-ready and located within Adamera's 22,000-hectare land package in southern British Columbia and Washington State. Background Over the past decade, Adamera has pursued a disciplined exploration strategy focused on proven mining districts in B.C. and Washington State. Both jurisdictions offer excellent access and a well-defined and established path for permitting to enable exploration and mining. Challenging market conditions in recent years have led the Company to prioritize low-cost field work programs, including geology, geochemistry and geophysics, to establish and refine high quality drill targets. In 2026, Adamera's focus is shifting to more advanced drilling stage in anticipation of a possible discovery. Drilling is scheduled to start by mid year. Project Highlights Target generation is complete across the core assets: Buckhorn 2.0 (Washington State - gold, silver, copper): district-scale project surrounding the former Buckhorn gold mine ("the Crown Jewel discovery"). This high-grade producer (Kinross Gold) closed in 2017. A very large historic database supplemented by Adamera data surveys has identified +30 drill targets with both gold and copper-silver near surface potential. Land position +2,117 hectares. South Hedley (British Columbia - gold, copper): district-scale land position in the historic Hedley Gold Camp / Copper Mountain Copper Gold camp. Multiple emerging and drill-ready gold and gold-copper targets including the Max and Glix targets. Land position +19,000 hectares. Flag Hill and Flag Hill South (Washington State - Gold, Silver): gold-silver epithermal vein system in the Republic Gold District, a historic multi-million-ounce gold-silver camp. Drilling in 2024 discovered shallow gold and silver mineralization. Follow up drilling justified. Land position +438 hectares. Empire Creek (Washington State - Gold, Silver): High-grade epithermal gold-silver project on the Republic Graben structural corridor near Kinross Gold's former K2 Mine. Historic multi-gram gold and silver drill intercepts and extensive surface anomalies to drill. Talisman (Washington State - Tungsten, Copper, Silver): Past-producing copper-tungsten-silver mine. Adamera has generated strong multi-metal results. Drilling provides exposure to critical-metal opportunity in a secure jurisdiction. "Adamera has a tight share structure and modest market capitalization. We offer investors leveraged exposure to multiple potential discoveries on properties within districts that host major historic discoveries yet little modern exploration. Adamera's portfolio, a mix of gold, silver, copper and tungsten targets, is ideal in the current commodity cycle. Over the past decade, we have advanced these projects cost-effectively from conceptual geology to well defined drill-ready targets. Each target has been ranked and refined using multiple layers of geological, geochemical, and geophysical data. Drilling is the obvious next step," comments Mark Kolebaba, President & Chief Executive Officer. Washington State Portfolio Adamera's Washington State projects are located exclusively in historic mining districts with established infrastructure. A key advantage for this portfolio is the proximity to an underutilized Kinross Gold's treatment facility located approximately 14 kilometers (km) from several of the Company's gold projects. This represents a potential development advantage. Buckhorn 2.0 Property (Gold-Silver-Copper) The Buckhorn 2.0 Project surrounds the past-producing Buckhorn Gold Mine, a high-grade skarn deposit that produced approximately 1.3 million ounces of gold at ~13 g/t (1,5). This mine establishes a strong geological framework for surrounding exploration. Adamera has compiled and reinterpreted extensive historic and recent datasets, including drilling, geochemistry and geophysical surveys. Interpretation of this data has generated +30 prioritized drill targets across the property. Key gold targets include Keystone, where historic drilling returned 45 g/t gold over 1.5 metres (m). Additional multi-gram intercepts are recorded in skarn including VTEM1 where Adamera intersecting near-surface mineralization with 4.0 g/t gold associated with magnetite skarn within a strong, laterally extensive magnetic anomaly comparable to the Buckhorn Mine located approximately 800m away. Buckhorn 2.0 also hosts significant copper-silver potential. Two large target areas flank the Buckhorn Mine to the north and south. Each exceeds one kilometer in diameter. These targets are defined by widespread copper-silver bearing rock samples and historic drilling. One historic drill hole intersected 4.3% copper over 6m and another 1% copper over 13m. Surface rock samples includes copper values ranging from 0.1 to 5.9% copper and silver values from 1 to 376 g/t and locally very high historic silver assays (55,420 g/t Ag and 82,960g/t Ag). The spatial association of high-grade gold, near-mine gold targets and peripheral copper-silver mineralization supports a large scale, zoned skarn system potentially related to buried intrusive rocks. Collectively, the data indicate Buckhorn 2.0 is a multi-metal project with potential extending well beyond the historic mine footprint. Flag Hill and Flag Hill South (Gold-Silver) Flag Hill is located in the Republic Gold-Silver District, which has reportedly produced approximately 3 million ounces of gold and 15 million ounces of silver. Historic mining in this district was characterized by very high grades, including gold grades of 15 to 30 g/t and silver grades of approximately 90-150 g/t and locally much higher bonanza-grade shoots.(2 ) Adamera completed 3 shallow drill holes at Flag Hill South in 2024. Drilling intersected 2.0 metres grading 3.0 g/t gold and 10.8 g/t silver, and 2.2 metres grading 1.8 g/t gold and 71.2 g/t silver, with over-limit analyses indicating silver values approaching 125 g/t silver. The 2024 drilling suggests grades and thickness increase with depth. Empire Creek (Gold-Silver) Empire Creek lies along the same structural corridor that hosts the historic K2 and Granny mines which hosts multiple high-grade gold-silver vein systems with drill intercepts locally exceeding 10 g/t Au and 100 g/t Ag. (3,7) Historic drilling at Empire Creek intercepted 15.2 metres grading 10.5 g/t gold and 183.3 g/t silver, confirming the presence of high-grade mineralization on the property. Work by Adamera since that drilling has identified gold anomalies in soil and rock extending for more than a kilometer. The project is drill-ready. Talisman (Tungsten-Copper-Silver) The Talisman Project hosts a historic tungsten mine that supplied strategic metals during World War II. Reported historic grades range from approximately 0.35% to 1.0% WO?.(6) Rock sampling by Adamera has returned tungsten values up to 2,600 ppm, with associated copper values from 0.54% to 4.6%, silver values ranging from 1 to 1,000 g/t, zinc up to 6.9%, and lead up to 12.8%. In an environment of increasing strategic focus on critical metals, Talisman represents a unique and timely asset within the Company's portfolio. British Columbia - South Hedley Gold-Copper Projects The South Hedley Gold-Copper Project is located within the historic Hedley Gold Camp of southern British Columbia. The Hedley district reportedly produced more than 2.5 million ounces of gold, primarily from the Nickel Plate and Mascot skarn deposits. The district lies along a broader mineralized corridor with the Copper Mountain copper-gold-silver mine located 18 km to the west. That Copper Mountain mine has produced in excess of one billion pounds of copper(2). In summary, South Hedley is placed within one of southern British Columbia's most productive and best documented gold-copper belts. Due to our ability to conduct exploration at a low cost, South Hedley was a strong focus for 2025. Recent results indicate that South Hedley has the potential to emerge as one of southern B.C.'s newest discovery stage areas. We have identified multiple mineralized areas that appear to have been virtually unexplored, largely because significant areas are concealed by younger barren volcanic cover. Through mapping, soil geochemistry and geophysics Adamera has defined several gold and gold-copper targets in its South Hedley property package. Both the Max and Glix prospects are considered drill-ready. Max Prospect (Gold-Copper) The Max Prospect represents a newly recognized gold-copper system that appears to be topographically concealed beneath younger volcanic cover. The discovery soil sample returned 1,340 ppb gold (1.34 g/t Au), determined by fire assay. Follow-up soil sampling expanded the anomaly, returning gold values up to 1.61 g/t Au and an associated copper anomaly with copper values ranging from 100 ppm to 1,450 ppm copper. The Max anomaly is partially coincident with an approximately 500-metre-long magnetic anomaly, interpreted as a potential subsurface intrusive or skarn-related source. Further results will be disclosed in the coming weeks. Glix Prospect (Gold) The Glix Prospect represents a separate and independent gold discovery within the same property package. Soil sampling has returned gold values ranging from background to a maximum of 4,283 ppb gold (4.3 g/t Au). Multiple anomalous samples define a corridor that is spatially associated with a conductive and magnetic geophysical response extending for more than 400 metres. Gold mineralization is accompanied by elevated arsenic, zinc and copper. This association is characteristic of the Hedley-style gold skarn system. Property Scale and Emerging Targets The South Hedley Project now encompasses more than 19,000 hectares in the southern Hedley Gold Camp. Additional gold-copper prospects are advancing beyond the early reconnaissance stage on other parts of the South Hedley property. South Hedley has evolved into a multi-prospect project. 2026 Outlook and Key Catalysts The Company's strategy is to advance a pipeline of drill-ready targets across multiple properties. Exploration will be funded through a combination of equity financing and potential joint venture partnerships. Short-term plans include targets at Flag Hill South in Washington State and targets at South Hedley, particularly the Max and Glix prospects. Strengthened gold and silver prices, long-term demand for copper (driven by electrification and infrastructure renewal) and a strategic interest in tungsten collectively enhance the appeal of the Company's asset mix. With 36,031,572 shares outstanding and a comparatively low market capitalization, Adamera believes it offers shareholders outstanding leverage. As Adamera enters 2026, the Company is positioned at a stage of the discovery cycle where drilling, rather than surface work, will be the primary driver of value creation. Adamera looks forward to updating shareholders as the Company advances through this next phase. Gordon Gibson (P.Geo.), qualified person under NI 43-101, is an independent consultant that has reviewed and approved data associated with this release. Historic data used by the Company has not been verified; however, it appears to be of acceptable quality consistent with the time period during which it was collected. About Adamera Minerals Corp. Adamera Minerals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of gold, silver, copper, and tungsten deposits in British Columbia and Washington State. Mark Kolebaba President & Chief Executive Officer Adamera Minerals Corp. Forward-Looking Statements 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 TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Statements in this press 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. Soil samples were analyzed in-house using the detectORETM method for gold, a proprietary process developed by Portable PPB in Australia that allows for rapid gold analysis at ppb levels using a pXRF. The method uses a rigorous QA/QC process whereby a standard rock sample of known gold content is inserted every 30 to 45 samples at the preparation step. This sample is later analyzed by the pXRF along with additional control samples that are tested every 20 analyses. The pXRF is fully automated and can analyze up to 180 samples per run. Each sample run using the pXRF is initiated by testing 5 control samples, if any samples do not pass the standard's specifications, the XRF is immediately calibrated. Samples analyzed using the detectORETM method report gold content in detectORETM units which represents a calculated ppb value. Selected samples may be followed up with fire-assay as a means of calibrating the detectORETM results, therefore the Company considers detectORETM gold results to be a semi-quantitative providing highly effective exploration advantage. In addition to detectORETM, gold content of other soil and rock was determined by fire assay of a 30-gram sample with atomic absorption finish at the Activation Laboratory in Kamloops. 1)Kinross Gold Corp., Buckhorn Mine Technical and Production Reports, Washington State, 2008-2017. Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Buckhorn Mine Closure and Reclamation Summary. 2)www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/mineral-exploration-mining/documents/mineral-development-office/gold_september_2015.pdf and Copper Mountain Mining Corp. (2023). NI 43-101 Technical Report - Copper Mountain Mine, British Columbia. Filed on SEDAR+. 3)https://dnr.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/ger_ic110_iaml_republic_mining_dist.pdf 4)https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2005/oct/08/ferry-county-mine-to-close/ 5)https://miningrecord.com/kinross-golds-buckhorn-mine-is-now-operational 6)Pryor, W. A., and Logan, M. H. (1951). Tungsten Deposits of Washington. Wa Division of Mines and Geology Bulletin No. 37, pp. 7)Church, S.E., Johnson, M.G., Walker, R.L. (1989). Geology and Mineralization of the Republic Mining District, Washington. USGS Professional Paper 1125. Other References Bostock, H.S. (1940). Nickel Plate Mine, Hedley Camp, British Columbia. British Columbia Department of Mines, Bulletin 20. British Columbia Geological Survey (BCGS). MINFILE 092HSE040 - Nickel Plate Mine. Province of British Columbia. https://minfile.gov.bc.ca British Columbia Geological Survey (BCGS). MINFILE 092HSE033 - Mascot Mine. Province of British Columbia. https://minfile.gov.bc.ca British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (2015). British Columbia Gold Map and Mineral Development Office Report. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/mineral-exploration-mining/documents/mineral-development-office/gold_september_2015.pdf Kinross Gold Corporation (2014-2017). Buckhorn Mine Technical and Production Reports, Okanogan County, Washington. Filed on SEDAR and company technical archives. Muessig, Siegmund (1967). Gold and Silver in the Republic Mining District, Washington. Washington Geological Survey, Bulletin 82. Preto, V.A. (1972). Geology of the Copper Mountain Area, British Columbia. British Columbia Geological Survey, Bulletin 61. United States Bureau of Mines (1944). Tungsten Deposits of Washington State. Strategic Minerals Report. Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. The Cleveland suburb is still recovering from a plague of foreclosures, and deep cuts in state aid have made it difficult to keep the local budget in order. General Motors remains the citys largest employer, but it long ago shuttered a 750,000-square-foot powertrain and transmission plant in the heart of the citys industrial section. Under the circumstances, Parma officials were more than delighted when they heard a trucking company called Pitt Ohio was interested in expanding its operations, hiring hundreds of people and taking over a good-sized chunk of disused GM property.Working with JobsOhio, the states economic development corporation, city officials put together a package of incentives that convinced the firm to consolidate truck terminal operations at the Parma site. Construction is just getting underway on a 23-acre complex where Pitt Ohio will eventually employ 240 workers. Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter hails the facility as the citys largest job creation project in a decade. JobsOhio was a very helpful intermediary with the Ohio Department of Transportation, so we could get a [$180,000] grant, says Shelley Collins, an economic development officer for the city.Its the sort of thing that makes for a great press release. Out on the presidential campaign trail, Gov. John Kasich loves nothing more than touting the number of jobs created in Ohio since he took office in 2011. Overhauling the states economic development effort is central to his claim. One of his earliest acts in office was abolishing the state Department of Development and handing its functions over to JobsOhio, a private nonprofit.Putting the chamber of commerce or other private groups in charge of economic development has long been common at the local level and has been tried in some states, but just over the past few years it has gained popularity in states with Republican administrations, including Arizona, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin. Illinois and Oklahoma are also considering a similar move. If the goal is marketing and engaging with business relocation entities, theres an intuitive belief that the private sector can do that more effectively than a government agency, says Leonard Gilroy, director of government reform at the libertarian Reason Foundation.JobsOhio, which works on roughly 250 projects a year, has brought in big deals for the state, involving the likes of Amazon, General Electric and Fuyao, a Chinese automotive and industrial glass company. The private development corporation gets money from the states wholesale liquor profits. It works with state agencies, but it doesnt answer to any of them. John Minor, the president of JobsOhio, says the company has been more proactive in seeking out-of-state deals than the old state-run effort, and can plan across a longer time frame. When a CEO or board of directors can talk with someone and speak more peer to peer, someone who understands their business, that makes a difference, he says.People who work in economic development are boosters by nature. They have to be. But while JobsOhio is happy to brag about its success stories, its also come under lots of criticism. Along with other privatized economic development agencies, the nonprofit has been accused of favoritism and sweetheart deals. Critics have pounced on these problems as proof that the privatizing approach is just a scheme to funnel more money to campaign contributors. We think its a recipe for mischief, if not corruption, says Greg LeRoy, executive director of Good Jobs First, a liberal policy center that has published several studies pointing out problems with the privatization model.Of course, commerce departments and other public agencies have been guilty of incompetence and malfeasance as well. Perhaps the most notorious example in recent years involves 38 Studios, a video game company founded by former Boston Red Sox star Curt Schilling, which went bust after receiving a $75 million loan from the state of Rhode Island. Economic development is run by a quasi-private agency, but all the evidence points to political interference, says John Marion, executive director of Rhode Island Common Cause.At the same time, purely public agencies continue to be responsible for some of the biggest scores in development, including Nevadas billion-dollar deal with Tesla last year to build a ginormous battery factory outside Reno. This points to what may be the fundamental problem with the whole privatization push: Theres no proof that this approach works any better -- or really all that much differently -- than old-fashioned development agencies. The type of arrangement that Parma made with Pitt Ohio -- offering up payroll tax breaks at the local level, getting the state to kick in funds to help ease traffic in and out of the site -- has happened countless times courtesy of public agencies.[click_to_tweet]Theres no proof that privatizing economic development works any better than old-fashioned agencies.[/click_to_tweet]its impossible to prove what would have happened if instead it went down another. But the reality is that a change in governance structure doesnt eliminate the challenges inherent in economic development work, such as ensuring transparency or designing sanctions with real teeth if companies fail to keep their job creation promises. Its not a silver bullet, Gilroy says. The challenges are inherent to the overall project of economic development, as opposed to whether the entitys public or private.Go down the list and every apparent advantage of privatization seems to have an equal and opposite downside as well. Proponents claim that private economic development corporations are more responsive, but looser rules open up the possibility that theyll cut corners in dubious ways. And they may not be more nimble at all, since new entities add their own layers of bureaucracy to the mix. The privatized entities typically are more flexible when it comes to managing their own personnel, but there have already been examples of staff being grossly overpaid as a result.In short, while it might make sense to give development officials a leash longer than is the norm for government work, that approach offers no guarantee of success. There is no evidence that privatizing economic development either helps or hurts economic development, Timothy Bartik, an economist at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, says flatly.There are, however, potential pitfalls. Putting private-sector actors in charge of deciding which private companies receive government funds has created situations that suggest foxes are guarding the henhouse. In 2013, JobsOhio had to return more than $8 million to the state after media outlets and the state auditor raised questions about public funds the nonprofit had received without the legislatures knowledge. Its board of directors, picked by Kasich, includes a number of the governors donors or their employees. Also in 2013, the Ohio Ethics Commission found that more than a third of the JobsOhio officials senior enough to have to file financial disclosure forms had possible conflicts of interest in regard to companies that had received incentives through the agency.JobsOhio is now shielded by law from most investigations by the state auditor. Kasich and legislative leaders concluded that JobsOhio is a private enterprise and the auditor shouldnt be undermining its work. Minor insists that transparency remains a front-and-center concern, with the details of concluded deals shared publicly on the JobsOhio website. We are probably one of the more heavily regulated nonprofits I know of, in terms of the activities we need to report to the state, Minor says. We have a policy that every project has to go through a conflictof-interest review.Other states have had some eyebrow-raising difficulties in this regard. Last year, auditors from the U.S. Treasury Department found problems with a company hired by Indianas privatized economic development corporation to manage millions of state and federal investment dollars. That company had improperly given $500,000 in federal funds to a startup managed by its own chairman. An audit this spring of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), created by Gov. Scott Walker in 2011, found that the partially privatized agency did not require grant andloan recipients to submit information showing that jobs were actually created or retained and awarded tax credits without attempting to verify the accuracy of information submitted by businesses.The public-private economic development entity in Wisconsin has handed out a total of $124 million in state grants, tax credits and loans without a formal staff review. Much of its largesse has gone to Walker campaign contributors. In the fiscal yearthat ended in June, WEDC expended $246 million on incentive deals -- a 57 percent jump over the previous year -- yet those awards are expected to create or retain almost 6,000 fewer jobs and result in $400 million less in capital investment than the previous years totals, according toIts the sort of thing that generates awful press. The WEDC has been rife with corruption and cronyism, says Matthew Rothschild, executive director of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a watchdog group in Madison. It has failed to do basic due diligence on some of these loans, and this combination of cronyism and ineptitude has cost the taxpayers millions and millions of dollars.seems to be that, while it can sometimes be effective to outsource projects and services, good contract management by public officials remains a necessity. Every deal is a negotiation. It can obviously present a problem when taxpayer dollars are at stake yet no one at the table truly represents the public.Putting scandal aside, its difficult to tease out how much any formal economic development effort actually helps move forward a states economy, which is inevitably far larger and more complicated than the relatively small corner involving companies receiving incentive packages. The newly privatized agencies cite numerous success stories, but all of these have taken place within the context of state economies that have been growing anyway. Minor, the JobsOhio president, readily concedes that his job of selling Ohio depends on a host of factors outside his control, including infrastructure, access to markets and the states tax and regulatory policy.Privatization does have some demonstrable upsides. Because privatized economic development corporations or public-private partnerships receive exemptions from normal civil service rules, they have more flexibility in creating or eliminating job positions as needs arise and fade away. Being able to redeploy resources outside the sphere of the legislative process is a definite advantage, says Ken Poole, CEO of the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness, an economic strategy consulting firm. At the same time, he notes that setting up a new entity can be disruptive, taking time to develop both capital and an internal pool of talented workers. They do need to have the skills and capacity that come from a government background, Poole says. Private companies do not have the same things like sunshine laws and procurement laws, procedures that are required under state law.Privatization advocates claim their method allows economic development corporations to move at the speed of business, as Gov. Kasich likes to say. They dont have to sit around waiting for the legislature to approve project funding as part of the state budget. But sometimes their ability to act fast is based on bypassing safeguards designed to keep things on the up and up.And even when deals are completely kosher, they can go bad. Betting on a company to prosper and provide promised jobs is just that: a bet. Giving money to a company because it promises to invest and create jobs is inherently speculative. The economy can sour or there can be honest misjudgments about what the marketplace actually wants. Its the nature of the field to overpromise and overpromote. And the whole question of whether economic development packages are effective is always going to be harder to measure than many other government functions. This is different because this is much more subjective, says Illinois state Rep. Jack Franks. With a Medicaid contract you can ask, Did you take people off the rolls who werent supposed to be there? With this, theres no objective criteria.In August, the U.S. Governmental Accounting Standards Board issued its final guidance on a rule that for the first time will require states and localities to disclose information about the tax breaks they give businesses. That could help. Evaluating economic development programs has always been problematic. Its easy to point to anecdotal successes or failures, but hard to get a sense of the bigger picture.In part, thats because the economy itself is so complex. A set of tax breaks might be useful to a company, but its fortunes are determined more by customer taste and whether the economy as a whole is growing or slipping into recession. Logistics and labor ultimately matter more to the bottom line than some savings on taxes. No control group studies exist to show that a state or regions economic development strategy and expenditures have been more effective than those of its neighbors. A lot of the incentives being used, particularly tax expenditures, are designed in ways that are wasteful, says Bartik, the Upjohn Institute economist.For that reason, theres always a chorus of voices calling for states and localities to quit their poaching and get out of the incentives game. The argument is that theyre just being suckered by corporations looking for tax incentives to do what theyd been planning to do anyway, playing neighboring or similar jurisdictions off one another. This is the darkest side of federalism as it applies to economic development, says LeRoy of Good Jobs First. Companies are totally in the catbird seat in their ability to whipsaw state government.No matter how much economists might hate the tax incentives game, however, cities, counties and states will continue to play it. No one government will be able to resist looking to land employers this way unless all governments stop. Unilateral disarmament will not happen. If anything, the reverse is true. States have ramped up their efforts at smokestack chasing in recent years, partly in response to the recession and long, slow recovery, but also because of the intense desire among political actors to be able to claim credit for job creation.That may be one reason privatization has caught on in so many states in recent years. Desperate to make deals, state governments are willing to try something different. The competition is tough, after all. Public officials love talking about job creation and flourishing businesses, but the plain fact is that there are fewer relocation and expansion opportunities than there used to be. According to data from Conway, a corporate expansion consulting firm, the number of new facilities and expansions in the U.S. was plunging even prior to the last recession. That number has ticked up a bit in recent years, but remains nearly 50 percent below the 1997 total. There are fewer big buffalo to hunt these days.So its inevitable that politicians will keep their eyes on the next ribbon-cutting opportunity. As a state legislator, Parma Mayor DeGeeter voted against the creation of JobsOhio, out of concern about transparency. Now, however, he is grateful to have the privatized corporations help. As a mayor, you want to create jobs, you want to be pro-business, he says. Thats your tax base. Ralph Carr Have you ever heard of Ralph Carr? Neither had I until Adam Schrager gave a presentation about him at aevent. Carr was governor of Colorado from 1939 to 1943, and from Schrager's book, "The Principled Politician: the Ralph Carr Story," we learn that Carr was a rising star in the Republican Party until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. In the fear and anti-Japanese sentiment that gripped the nation following the attack, Carr was virtually the only politician who spoke out against the internment of Japanese-American citizens. His political career ended soon thereafter.We hear regularly about the dearth of good political leadership in our time, but it seems to me that the incidence of good leadership is probably about the same now as it was in any earlier age. Sometimes it's easy to believe that our perception to the contrary is the fault of the media or our modern methods of communication. I think not. There have always been demagogues and unprincipled critics, and their voices were as loud in the public square then as they are now. Then as now, it is difficult to recognize some of the truly great leaders among us until long after the smoke has cleared.Outstanding public leadership is often shaped by circumstances that we would not want to occur. There is no Lincoln without slavery and the Civil War, just as there is no Ralph Carr without Pearl Harbor and World War II. But more frequently, we are unaware of the many other good leaders among us, the ones quietly doing the work in their own spheres of the world and not engaging in a lot of image-building and branding. In other cases, their names are familiar but we do not recognize their value at the time. Nearly everyone in Colorado and many across the nation knew who Ralph Carr was; they just didn't recognize that he was right. He never wavered from his support for the civil rights of Japanese-Americans even as he ran for and narrowly lost a race for the U.S. Senate in 1942.After I heard Schrager's presentation, I asked him, "Was Ralph Carr a good politician?" After all, maybe a better politician would have trimmed his sails a bit and scooted through the storm to win the Senate seat. After his loss, one Denver newspaper described Carr's position on the Japanese-Americans as "a fatal blunder." Schrager's answer to my question? Yes, Carr stood on principle, was ultimately proved right, and although he lost the bid for the Senate, he did so narrowly and, had he not died in 1950, he might well have won another term as governor that year.There are surely many good political leaders among us now. Sometimes, as with Ralph Carr, it may take a while before we recognize them. We atmake it our job to look past the swirling tweets, the pundits' diatribes and the intemperate blog posts and identify the most effective leaders who are among us right now. We celebrate their accomplishments as our Public Officials of the Year . The fact that the hard part is not finding enough candidates but narrowing the list down to a few tells me that great leadership is no more in short supply than it ever has been. Dunne explains McLaren exit amid Red Bull intrigue Alex Dunne has played down speculation surrounding his shock decision to leave McLaren's driver development program last year, insisting the move was a calculated step toward his ultimate goal of reaching Formula 1. Alex Dunne, Austrian GP 2025 McLaren The Irishman's mid-season exit in October raised eyebrows across the paddock, coming after a breakout rookie Formula 2 campaign with Rodin Motorsport and two Formula 1 practice appearances for McLaren - including a standout FP1 debut in Austria. Speaking to Irish outlet Balls.ie, Dunne made clear that the call was his own, despite external assumptions about politics or stalled talks elsewhere. For me, there's a goal and a plan in place and that's to be a Formula 1 driver, Dunne said. From the options that I knew I had, the decision we made was one that had to be made to be in F1. I think it's as simple as that - it was actually my decision. Dunne admitted the choice was not universally supported at home. When my dad and I were talking about it, he wasn't 100 percent sure, he said. Normally, he's the one who is 100 percent sure. Now 20, Dunne's McLaren departure was strongly linked with Red Bull, amid a turbulent period for the energy drink giant's F1 program. Those rumours intensified late in the year with the departure of Dr Helmut Marko. Dunne, meanwhile, stressed there was no fallout with McLaren and said he'll always thank the Zak Brown-led outfit. He has since re-signed with Rodin Motorsport for the 2026 F2 season, keeping his F1 ambitions alive. When asked whether another driver academy announcement could follow, he remained deliberately vague. We'll have to wait and see, he smiled. (GMM) Wittich still doesn't know why FIA sacked him Former Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich says he was dismissed by the FIA without explanation, describing his sudden removal as "the disappointing truth" of how senior officials are treated under the governing body's leadership. Start, Saudi Arabian GP 2024 Red Bull Speaking to DPA news agency, Wittich recounted being summoned to Geneva during a race-free window late in the 2024 season, expecting a routine coordination meeting. Instead, the German official says he left Switzerland without his job. That's nothing unusual in itself - it had happened before that we consulted or coordinated with colleagues on site, Wittich said. But without anything having happened between the FIA and me, at least according to my recollection, I lost my job at the end of the meeting. Wittich insists he did not resign, contradicting the FIA's statement at the time that he had stepped down to pursue new opportunities . I repeatedly asked during the conversation what the reason for this step was, he said. To this day, I have not received an answer. I simply don't know the reason. The FIA had praised Wittich's professionalism and dedication in its announcement, but according to him, he was one of several officials forced out during a wider internal clear-out under continuing FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. It does indeed leave a bad taste in the mouth that so many people had to leave, Wittich said, naming long-time chief steward Tim Mayer and deputy Formula 2 race director Janette Tan among those affected. This included not only freelancers, but also many who were dismissed from permanent positions without explanation. Wittich became sole F1 race director in 2023 following the departure of Michael Masi and the end of a shared arrangement with Eduardo Freitas. His tenure included controversy, notably around enforcement of jewellery rules. The FIA's approach was that there is a valid set of rules that should be enforced. And I made sure that the rules were followed, Wittich said. Formula 1 stars are also role models - the next generation looks up to them. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has previously described Wittich's dismissal as an absolute misjudgement , speculating that political pressure may have played a role. Now race director of the GT World Challenge and a TV expert for Sky, Wittich continued: "Clearly, none of us were valued, and obviously other issues had a higher priority than individual performance. That's the disappointing truth I was suddenly confronted with. I don't expect to get an answer even in 100 years, Wittich added. It was a good time, but it has come to an end. (GMM) Featured AGOA extension clears US House, heads to Senate for approval GraphicOnline Business News Jan - 13 - 2026 , 08:12 The United States House of Representatives has approved legislation to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), renewing Washingtons flagship trade preference programme for eligible African countries until 2028. The bill was passed on Monday with strong bipartisan support, securing 340 votes in favour and 54 against, according to information released by the House Press Gallery. The measure now moves to the US Senate for consideration. If approved by the Senate and signed into law, the extension will preserve duty-free access to the US market for thousands of products from qualifying Sub-Saharan African countries, offering continued relief to exporters and manufacturers who rely on preferential entry into the worlds largest consumer economy. AGOA was first enacted in 2000 as part of a broader US strategy to promote economic growth, trade and private sector development across Africa. The programme allows eligible countries to export a wide range of goods to the United States without paying customs duties, provided they meet specific criteria related to governance, rule of law, labour standards and market-based economic reforms. Over the years, AGOA has been particularly significant for African economies with strong exports in textiles and apparel, agricultural produce, processed foods and manufactured goods. Countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa have used the scheme to expand exports, attract foreign investment and create jobs, especially within labour-intensive sectors. The programme has, however, faced periodic uncertainty due to its time-bound nature, prompting repeated calls from African governments and business groups for longer-term extensions to support planning and investment decisions. The latest House approval is expected to provide temporary relief to exporters who have expressed concern about potential disruptions should the scheme lapse. While the extension would maintain existing benefits, analysts say the Senate debate is likely to revisit broader questions about the future direction of US Africa trade relations, including whether AGOA should be modernised to reflect changing global trade patterns. Until the Senate completes its review, AGOA remains in force under its current terms, with the latest House vote signalling continued US legislative support for trade engagement with Africa. Featured Paramount sues Warner Bros for Netflix deal details, plans proxy fight Reuters Showbiz News Jan - 13 - 2026 , 10:49 3 minutes read Paramount Skydance on Monday sued Warner Bros Discovery for more information on a rival $82.7 billion deal with Netflix escalating a battle to take control of one of the most storied Hollywood studios. The David Ellison-led company also said it planned to nominate directors to Warner Bros' board, in one of its most aggressive steps to convince investors that its $108.7 billion all-cash bid is superior to Netflix's cash-and-stock deal. Paramount and Netflix have been in a heated battle for Warner Bros, its prized film and television studios and its extensive content library, which includes "Harry Potter" and the DC Comics universe. Warner Bros last week rejected Paramount's latest offer, advising shareholders to vote in favor of the Netflix deal. In a letter to shareholders, Paramount also said it would propose an amendment to Warner Bros' bylaws that would require shareholder approval for any separation of the media giant's cable TV business, which is key to the Netflix deal. Paramount's argument is that its all-cash bid of $30 per share for the whole of Warner Bros is superior to Netflix's cash-and-stock offer of $27.75 per share for the studios and streaming assets and will more easily clear regulatory hurdles. Chart shows Netflix and Paramount price declines as they pursue WBD's acquisition 'RAISE THE BID. MONEY TALKS' The CBS parent said last week the value of Warner Bros' cable spinoff was virtually worthless and reiterated its amended after another rejection from Warner Bros' board. With Monday's lawsuit, Paramount has escalated its actions, but it has not yet increased the price it is willing to pay. "I dont think the lawsuit matters much. It would take ages to get through the court system if they full-on go that route," Craig Huber, analyst at Huber Research Partners, said. "If they want Warner Bros bad enough, raise the bid. Money talks." Warner Bros has also said it will owe Netflix a $2.8 billion termination fee if it walks away from the agreement, part of $4.7 billion in extra costs to end the deal. The amended proposal had included $40 billion in equity personally guaranteed by Oracle's co-founder Larry Ellison, the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, and $54 billion in debt. "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," Paramount wrote in the investor letter. "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," it added. Paramount argued that the disclosure of Warner Bros' financial analysis is crucial for investors weighing whether to tender their shares to Paramount before the offer - which can be extended - expires on Jan. 21. "Time is of the essence," Paramount said in the lawsuit against Warner Bros, CEO David Zaslav and key investor John Malone, among others. "Any decision concerning an extension will depend, in part, on the number of shares tendered." Warner Bros said in a statement that the lawsuit was "meritless", adding that Paramount had yet to "raise the price or address the numerous and obvious deficiencies of its offer". Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shares of Warner Bros were down 1.6% on Monday, while Netflix was flat and Paramount up 0.4%. See the approved University of Ghana fees for 2025/2026 academic year after GTEC's intervention Next article: See the approved University of Ghana fees for 2025/2026 academic year after GTEC's intervention Featured University of Ghana 2025/2026 approved fees: Facility user fee maintained Daily Graphic Education Jan - 13 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Ministry of Education, through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), has approved specific fees and charges for the University of Ghana for the 2025/2026 academic year. This is to ensure transparency, stakeholder engagement and consistency in the determination of fees, while keeping the Academic Facility User Fee at the 2024/2025 level. The approval was announced in a press statement signed by the Deputy Minister of Education, Clement Abas Apaak. The meeting, chaired by the deputy minister, brought together officials from the Ministry of Education, GTEC, the Council Chair, Management and student representatives of the University of Ghana. Statement The statement signed and issued by Dr Apaak, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Builsa South Constituency, explained that the decision followed a meeting held on January 8, 2026, at the instance of the sector. The statement indicated that the Academic Facility User Fee had been pegged at the 2024/2025 rate and would not be increased for the 2025/2026 academic year. This measure, it explained, was intended to reduce the financial burden on students while discussions continued on long-term fee sustainability in public tertiary institutions. Under the approved charges, students of the University of Ghana will pay Student Representative Council (SRC) dues of GH50 and an SRC Development Levy of GH150. These levies are meant to support student governance activities, welfare programmes and development projects undertaken by the SRC. Graduate students will also pay a Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) Development Levy of GH250 to support activities and initiatives of the GRASAG within the University. The statement further announced the approval of a Telecel broadband levy of GH122 across all undergraduate levels, including freshmen. However, it stressed that the levy is optional and must not be imposed on students who choose not to subscribe. University authorities have been directed to properly educate students on their right to opt out of the broadband service before any charges are applied. Restricted levy A GH100 levy has also been approved in connection with the University of Ghanas 75th Anniversary. The statement made it clear that this levy was strictly limited to the 2025/2026 academic year and must not be charged beyond that period, in order to prevent it from becoming a permanent fee. It emphasised that the approved fees and charges were specific to the University of Ghana and must not be adopted or replicated by any other public tertiary institution in the country. The statement cautioned that no institution should rely on the UG approvals as a basis for adjusting its own fees. Committee established The statement also disclosed that the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, had established a Fee Review Committee, chaired by his deputy, Dr Apaak, to review future fee adjustment proposals submitted by public tertiary institutions. The committee will assess such proposals and make recommendations to Parliament for approval before any fee changes are implemented. The Ministry of Education and GTEC called on the University of Ghana authorities, students and other stakeholders to cooperate in the implementation of the approved fees and charges for the 2025/2026 academic year. Owners of vehicles registered before 2023 to pay GH25 to DVLA for records to be updated digitally Previous article: Owners of vehicles registered before 2023 to pay GH25 to DVLA for records to be updated digitally Featured Court adjourns Abu Trica extradition case as state drops charges against two accused persons Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi Jan - 13 - 2026 , 16:27 3 minutes read The Gbese District Court in Accra has adjourned its ruling in the extradition proceedings involving Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, after the State disclosed that it had no evidence against two of the accused persons, even as the court declined to discharge them. The two accused persons, Lord Eshun and Bernard Aidoo, were arraigned as alleged accessories under an extradition charge sheet filed on December 12, 2025. However, the State told the court that investigations had been concluded and there was no basis to continue proceedings against them. In court, Derick Ackah Nyameke, representing the Attorney-Generals Department, said the two had been arraigned under Section 6 of the Extradition Act, 1960 (Act 22) as accessories to the principal suspect, but the Republic required time to put its house in order. When the court sought clarification on the basis for the withdrawal, the prosecution maintained that the arraignment formed part of committal proceedings pending the receipt of formal diplomatic extradition requests. Counsel for Abu Trica, Oliver Barker Vormawor, argued that the withdrawal of charges against the alleged conspirators rendered the case against his client legally untenable. One person cannot be found guilty of an alleged conspiracy because the alleged conspirators are no longer before the court, he said, adding that under Ghanaian law, where alleged conspirators have been identified but have been discharged, it is legally impossible to proceed against the remaining accused person. He further contended that the charge sheet filed on December 12, 2025, did not indicate that there were any unidentified conspirators at large, insisting that the charge against Abu Trica fails in its entirety. Responding, Mr Nyameke opposed the application for discharge, arguing that Abu Trica had not been arraigned for trial in Ghana but for extradition-related committal proceedings. He explained that under Act 22 and the 1931 extradition treaty, a fugitive could be provisionally arrested and brought before a district court pending the completion of extradition processes. The objection raised by defence counsel is premature, he said, adding that there was also a pending motion on notice to stay the extradition proceedings, which had been served on the defence earlier in the day. The court, presided over by Justice Bernice Ackon, declined to discharge any of the accused persons and adjourned the case to February 7, 2026, for ruling. Addressing the media after the proceedings, counsel for the accused, Aggrey-Finn Amissah, criticised the courts decision not to discharge the two accused persons despite the States position. Prosecution is at the discretion of the state. The court should not have any interest yet the judge decided not to discharge the two persons the state itself says there is no evidence against, he said. He added that the defence had since filed a bail application at the High Court, which is expected to be heard on January 20, 2026. Featured Daddy Lumba estate battle deepens as Akosua Serwaah heads to Court of Appeal Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jan - 13 - 2026 , 08:20 2 minutes read Akosua Serwaah has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Kumasi against a High Court decision that recognised both her and Priscilla Ofori, also known as Odo Broni, as the lawful surviving spouses of the late highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba. In a notice of appeal, Ms Serwaah is challenging the entire judgment of the Kumasi High Court, contending that the trial court erred in rejecting and declaring inadmissible a marriage certificate she tendered in support of her claim. She further argues that the High Court committed an error of law when it held that she had failed to satisfy the requirements of the Evidence Act, 1975 (NRCD 323) for the admission of the marriage certificate into evidence. The appellant is therefore asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the High Courts judgment and to declare her as the sole lawful surviving spouse of the late musician. Judgment On November 28, 2025, the Kumasi High Court, presided over by Justice Dr Dorinda Smith Arthur, dismissed Ms Serwaahs suit, in which she sought a declaration that she was the only surviving spouse of Daddy Lumba. The court held that the plaintiff failed to establish that she was married to the deceased under the Marriage Ordinance in a manner that would make her the sole surviving spouse. According to the court, the evidence on record showed that Daddy Lumba married Akosua Serwaah under customary law, which is potentially polygamous. As a result, the court found that his subsequent marriage to Odo Broni was also valid under Ghanaian law. In conclusion, the High Court declared both Akosua Serwaah and Priscilla Ofori, alias Odo Broni, as the legally recognised surviving spouses of the late music icon. Featured Abene Traditional Council petitions CHRAJ to probe Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II Daily Graphic Jan - 13 - 2026 , 07:57 6 minutes read The Kingmakers of the Kwahu Paramount stool, the Abene Traditional Council, have petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate allegations of conflict of interest, abuse of office and unfair treatment meted out against a private businessman by a former Board Chairman of Agricultural Development Bank PLC (ADB), Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, known in private life as Eugene Asante Boadi. The Abene Krontihene, the principal Kingmaker and Head of the Abene Council, Nana Simpe Owiredu III, and the Kwahu Akyeamehene and member of the Abene Council, Kwahu, Nana Asiedu Kwabeng IV, acted on behalf of the council in a petition filed through their lawyers, Kulendi@Law. We hereby write to your esteemed office as concerned citizens of the Republic of Ghana and members of the Abene Council of Kwahu/Kwahu Traditional Council. This petition is submitted pursuant to Article 2.18 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 7 of the CHRAJ Act, 1993 (Act 456), which empowers the Commission to investigate allegations of conflict of interest, abuse of office, unfair treatment, the petition said. It is our firm belief that the conduct of Mr Asante Boadi, as complained of, violates the core principles of integrity, fairness, and accountability expected of a public officer, the petition stated. CHRAJ has since confirmed receipt of the petition. Prayers The petitioners are therefore requesting that CHRAJ determine, among other things, whether Mr Asante Boadi, while serving as Board Chairman of ADB, solicited, demanded, or received any private benefit from Mr Darkwah Aboagye; whether he conducted himself in any manner in his dealings with Mr Darkwah Aboagye that breached the code of conduct expected of public officials; and whether his actions constitute a conflict of interest, abuse of office, or administrative injustice. It also wants CHRAJ to determine whether Mr Asante Boadi, during his tenure as the Board Chairman of ADB, engaged in activities or exhibited any conduct that breached the code of conduct expected of public officials. The petitioners also want CHRAJ to conduct a full administrative inquiry into the conduct of Mr Asante Boadi with respect to the monies he demanded and received from Mr Darkwah Aboagye while acting in his capacity as the Board Chairman of ADB. Grounds Invoking CHRAJs investigative mandate, the petitioners presented material facts and supporting evidence, expressing the hope that the allegations and accompanying details would meet the threshold for CHRAJs intervention. It is the case of the petitioners that a Ghanaian businessman and Director of PRABHAT Trading Limited, Collins Darkwah Aboagye, applied for an export credit facility from ADB on behalf of his company for the purposes of supporting his commodity trading business. Due to delays in obtaining the facility, Mr Darkwah Aboagye approached the Abetifi Ankobeahene, Nana Anim Dwumfuor II, in the early part of 2022, and asked him to speak to Mr Asante Boadi, who at that time had assumed office as the Board Chairman of ADB, to intervene on his behalf in his capacity as the Board Chairman of the bank. Subsequently, the Abetifi Ankobeahene arranged a meeting between the businessman and the ADB board at the latters residence at Christian Village in Accra. At the meeting, the board chairman agreed to facilitate the loan process quickly, subject to two unlawful conditions: that Mr Darkwah Aboagye pay GH50,000 to Mr Asante Boadi for the facilitation of the loan application, and that from the loan amount granted to PRABHAT Trading Ltd, Mr Darkwah Aboagye would give GH2 million to Mr Asante Boadi as a loan. The petitioners stated that Mr Darkwah Aboagye, who was under pressure from his suppliers to procure the necessary logistics for his company, agreed to the terms imposed by Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II. Subsequently, the bank approved the disbursement of a GH12 million credit facility to PRABHAT Ltd. The petitioners alleged that Mr Darkwah Aboagye paid the sum of GH50,000 to the then ADB Board Chairman in the presence of the Kwahu Abetifi Ankobeahene, as a "facilitation fee. The petitioners alleged that after the credit facility was disbursed, Mr Asante Boadi pestered Mr Darkwah Aboagye with numerous telephone calls asking for the GH2 million conditional loan. The petitioners outlined a series of subsequent actions that allegedly resulted in GH2 million being credited to Mr Asante Boadis account, with a promise that it would be repaid within two weeks. Despite promising to repay the "loan" of GH2 million within two weeks, Mr Asante Boadi failed to do so, notwithstanding repeated demands by Mr Darkwah Aboagye. Mr Asante Boadi subsequently, through his driver, paid the sum of $20,000 to Mr Darkwah Aboagye and thereafter resorted to threats in his bid to avoid repaying the money he received from Mr Darkwah Aboagye, the petition said. Petition, destoolment The businessman subsequently petitioned the President of the Republic about the conduct of the then ADB Board Chairman, describing it as extortion of money from him. The President, by a letter dated October 4, 2024, asked Mr Asante Boadi to submit his response to the petition of Mr Darkwah Aboagye to the Office of the President within seven days. The petitioners said the Bank of Ghana, after conducting investigations into the allegations made against Mr Asante Boadi, concluded that the conduct of Mr Asante Boadi had tarnished the image of ADB. The Bank of Ghana wrote to Mr Asante Boadi by a letter dated October 10, 2024, and informed him that by reason of Mr Darkwah Aboagye's petition, his continued holding of office as a Director of ADB had become untenable due to the irreparable damage he had caused to the image of the bank. Thus, the Bank of Ghana invoked Section 103(2) (d) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930) and directed that Mr Asante Boadi immediately resign from his position as a Director of ADB. In compliance with the directive of the Bank of Ghana, Mr Asante Boadi resigned as a Director and Board Chairman of ADB effective October 11, 2024, the petition stated. According to the petitioners, upon receipt of information of the petition to the President, the Kwahu Traditional Council also initiated a fact-finding inquiry and sought to hear from Mr Asante Boadi. The petition said the kingmakers went through many processes to give Mr Asante Boadi a hearing. Mr Asante Boadi admitted to the allegations made by Mr Darkwah Aboagye, prostrated himself before the chiefs present and pleaded for clemency. Subsequently, the Abene Council, by a letter dated October 24, 2024, and titled "Notice of Destoolment of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II", informed the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Kwahu Traditional Council, as well as the National and Eastern Regional House of Chiefs of the destoolment of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II as the Kwahumanhene. Featured First witness testifies in Chairman Wontumis trial Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi Jan - 13 - 2026 , 05:57 3 minutes read An artisanal miner, Michael Gyadu Ayisi, has testified in the High Court (Criminal Division), Accra, in the trial involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi. Mr Ayisi, who testified as Prosecution Witness One (PW1), adopted his witness statement filed on October 31, 2025, as his evidence-in-chief before the High Court (Criminal Division). In his witness statement, Mr Ayisi told the court that he was an artisanal miner residing at Mempeasem in Samreboi in the Western Region. He said he was employed by Henry Okum to work as an administrator and supervisor at a mining concession located at Samreboi. The witness stated that Mr Okum informed him that he had taken over the concession from the first accused person (Chairman Wontumi) and that he (the witness) worked on the site for about eight months prior to his arrest. Mr Ayisi stated that the concession had both mined and unmined portions, adding that mining activities were carried out in the unmined areas, while coconut seedlings were planted on previously mined portions as part of land reclamation efforts. Arrest The witness told the court that on April 17, 2025, at about 4:30 a.m., he was asleep when police and military officers entered his room and arrested him along with five others. He said upon his arrest, the officers asked whether there were any weapons in the room, and he informed them that the company owned some weapons which were registered in the name of his employer, Mr Okum. He said he voluntarily handed over the weapons to the police, together with some boxes of ammunition. Mr Ayisi further said the police searched other offices on the site and retrieved two GPS machines, a laptop, a mobile phone, an amount of GH157,000 and five pieces of gold, as well as machetes from one of his colleagues. Except for the laptop, he said all the items retrieved belonged to his employer. Cross-examination Under cross-examination by counsel for the accused, Mr Appiah-Kubi, the witness said he gave several statements to the police following his arrest, some of which were taken in Twi and translated into English. He said he could not remember the names of the police officers who took his statements but confirmed that an interpreter, whom he identified as Mr Mackeon, assisted with translation. Mr Ayisi also told the court that he had no formal training in mining and acquired his skills through on-the-job experience. He said he had attained senior secondary school education. He admitted that he had not seen any document evidencing the transfer of the concession to his employer and that his knowledge of the concession was based on what Mr Okum told him. He further told the court that he did not know the boundaries of the Samreboi concession and had not seen any concession documents. Asked about the ownership of the land, the witness said that people in Samreboi generally regarded the land as belonging to Chairman Wontumi. He also confirmed that gold was extracted on the land and that any gold obtained was handed over to his employer, although he could not state the quantity or the number of times gold had been delivered. The witness said he did not know who mined the portions of the land that had already been worked on before his arrival. Witnesses The court, presided over by Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, adjourned the continuation of cross-examination to Tuesday, January 13. The prosecution intends to call four witnesses in total as part of its case. Next article: Stabilising the economy: Governor pushes for Gold for Reserve reform Featured FSRP, FarmMate tomato partnership yields 240 tonnes in Upper East Gilbert Azeem Tiroog Jan - 13 - 2026 , 09:57 4 minutes read A strategic partnership between the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (WAFSRP) and agribusiness firm, FarmMate Ltd, has significantly boosted tomato production in Ghana, recording an estimated 240 tonnes of tomatoes in its first round of production in the Upper East Region. The achievement, recorded during the 2025 dry season, formed part of deliberate efforts to tackle Ghanas perennial tomato shortages and price volatility, especially between December and May, when imports surge. The beneficiary communities included Zebila (Bawku West District), Pwalugu (Talensi District) and Navrongo (Kasena Nankana District). Other project sites across the country are Ningo-Prampram, Okere, Kwahu East, Akumadan Irrigation Scheme and Asunafo South District. Farmers under the programme received smart seeds, blended fertilisers enriched with micronutrients, organic manure, and both organic and inorganic pesticides from FSRP, while FarmMate Ltd provided close extension support, monitoring, and guaranteed off-take of harvested tomatoes for both fresh consumption and value addition into tomato paste. Partnership Addressing the media during a field visit to Zebila in the Bawku West District, the Project Officer coordinating the tomato initiative at FSRP, Dr Gabriel Owusu, said the collaboration demonstrated how publicprivate partnerships could transform local food systems. He explained that the initiative fell under the WAFSRP implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) with financial support from the Government of Norway and coordinated by the World Bank. The objective is to revamp Ghanas tomato industry through dry season production and ensure year-round availability, he explained. Under the FSRPFarmMate collaboration, Dr Owusu said 200 acres of tomatoes were being cultivated nationwide, 110 acres of which are located in the Upper East Region, engaging about 100 farmers. Why Tomatoes Dr Owusu highlighted that tomatoes accounted for about 40 per cent of vegetable expenditure in Ghana, yet only 34 per cent of the 1.4 million tonnes consumed annually were produced locally. The gap, he said, fuelled massive imports and price instability. He noted that key challenges confronting the industry included poor-quality seeds, climate variability, pest and disease pressure, weak agronomic practices, and post-harvest losses of between 20 and 60 per cent, all contributing to low average yields of 8.3 tonnes per hectare, far below the potential 20 tonnes per hectare. Citing its early success in the Upper East Region, he said the FSRPFarmMate tomato initiative was emerging as a replicable model for strengthening Ghanas food security, stabilising prices, creating jobs for the youth and women, and reducing the countrys dependence on tomato imports. Beyond FarmMate, Dr Owusu said the FSRP Tomato Support Programme is currently operating in 17 districts across four regions, involving 1,500 farmers, 40 per cent of whom are women. Working closely The Head of Engagement for FarmMate, who also manages its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) systems, Kwame Asante, noted that FarmMate had been working closely with the FSRP over the past year, primarily to address challenges such as access to reliable markets confronting tomato farmers in Ghana. As part of our mandate, FarmMate off-takes tomatoes from participating communities, but to ensure quality produce, we also provide technical support to farmers, covering nursery development, transplanting, farm and crop management, harvesting coordination, aggregation, and the transportation of tomatoes from production zones to Accra, he said. Mr Asante disclosed that the company plans to expand production to at least 1,000 acres by 2026, with an estimated minimum yield of four tonnes per acre, translating into about 4,000 tonnes of tomatoes annually for both the fresh market and processing. Exploitation and Post-Harvest Losses The Bawku West District Director of Agriculture, Diana Akumanue, praised the initiative, particularly FarmMates off-take and payment system. One good thing about FarmMate is that they use a weighing system and pay farmers based on weight, unlike the market queens who just use crates, she noted. She added, The pricing is agreed collectively with the farmers, harvesting is done together, sorting is done on-site, and payment is prompt. This has significantly reduced post-harvest losses, and farmers are pleased. The Upper East Regional Crops Officer, Yakubu Mohammed Awal Mei-goro, described the 2025 season as exceptional for tomato farmers in the region. Appreciation A farmer, Agosh Apambila, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, describing it as crucial to their success in farming. He noted that the introduction of improved seeds had significantly boosted their yields, explaining that, unlike in the past when farming was done without proper inputs, they were now enjoying good harvests as a direct result of the support received. Next article: 4 arrested in connection with defilement suspect's death in police cells Featured Police screening exercise takes off smoothly in Accra Emmanuel Bonney & Joshua Bediako Koomson Jan - 13 - 2026 , 02:15 4 minutes read More than 124,000 qualified applicants are jostling for recruitment into the Ghana Police Service to fill 4,000 vacancies. The qualified applicants were shortlisted from 130,087 people who submitted applications to be recruited into the service. This came up at the screening exercise which has started across the 16 regions. The first phase of the screening exercise to recruit applicants into the police service took off smoothly yesterday at the various centres in Accra and other parts of the country. The process, scheduled to end on Saturday, January 17, is taking place at the Pentagon, the Formed Police Unit (FPU) Social Centre, all Police Training Schools, 37 Police Church, Odorkor Police Church, Christ The King Catholic Church and Action Chapel on the Spintex Road. For the first time, the applicants were served with soft drinks, water and biscuits as they waited for their turn to be screened. The seamless exercise saw applicants divided into two batches morning and afternoon to avoid congestion. At all the centres the Daily Graphic visited, the screening was smooth. In all, 29,812 applicants are taking part in the Accra screening. Screening The screening was well coordinated, with applicants sitting comfortably, while packs of water and assorted drinks were made available for them. At the FPU Social Centre, for instance, 1,000 applicants were due to be screened 500 in the morning and 500 in the afternoon. Having virtually occupied every available seat, the applicants were taken through the screening process after their documents had been confirmed. Among other things, they were required to show the text message inviting them to the exercise, present the summary report printed from the internet (original and photocopy), a photocopy of their Ghana Card, biometric birth certificate, Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) certificates and degree/professional certificates. Once the documents had been examined, they underwent the physical screening that included checking height, eyes and physique. Visit The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, and the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohonu, visited the 37 Police Church, as well as the FPU Social Centre and the Pentagon, Tesano, to observe the exercise firsthand. With them was the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor. Addressing the applicants, Mr Mohammed-Mubarak cautioned them against using illegal means to join the service and other security agencies. He warned that anyone who attempted to bypass the laid-down procedures with false promises would face the full rigours of the law. We saw it last week when somebody tried to compromise the system, and the person is now in the grip of the police. He tried it around Wednesday or Thursday, and by Saturday, we arrested him. We are watching with an eagle eye, and we will not allow anybody to interfere with this process, the minister stated. Paperless process The minister explained that the recruitment process, from start to finish, was entirely paperless, leaving no room for so-called protocol or middlemen. He urged applicants to use the official online process, adding that anyone claiming to collect forms or offer assistance outside the system was committing fraud. He said his ministry, together with security and intelligence agencies, was monitoring both physical and online activities related to the recruitment to prevent fraud, urging applicants to remain patient and law-abiding as the exercise continues. The minister assured Ghanaians that even if an applicant went through the process and was not selected due to limited vacancies, they could be confident that the process was fair and free from manipulation. What will not happen is that someone who did not apply or did not go through the process will be selected over someone who did, he emphasised. Commendation He commended the Police Administration and other security service commanders for their cooperation and coordination, noting that the orderly manner in which applicants were being handled marked a clear departure from past exercises. You come here, and there is no chaos. Everything is orderly and dignified. This shows that the Police Administration and the other services have planned very well and are working together, he said. Mr Mohammed-Mubarak said priority might be given to applicants with critical skills that were in short supply, but only after they had gone through the formal application process. Assurance Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) at the Police Academy, Fanny Aboagye, gave an assurance that the recruitment process would be seamless, given the measures that had been put in place by the administration. She said due to the large number, the police service would activate six additional centres the Police Academy, Fire Service Training School, James Town, Prisons Training School, Prisons Canteen, Cantonments, Prisons Astroturf and the Ghana National Fire Service Headquarters in Tema, on Thursday. She said the decision to refresh the applicants was an innovation by the Police Administration. Next article: Daddy Lumba estate battle deepens as Akosua Serwaah heads to Court of Appeal Featured Stabilising the economy: Governor pushes for Gold for Reserve reform Samuel Duodu Jan - 13 - 2026 , 09:41 3 minutes read The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, has called on Parliament and other relevant stakeholders to come on board to reform the Gold-for-Reserves (G4R) programme to improve its effectiveness to support the country's economic stabilisation and reserves. He said instead of apportioning blame over supposed costs or losses incurred under the programme, there was a need for all stakeholders to come together to pursue the necessary reforms to make it more efficient moving forward. He explained that the scheme was introduced to address specific national problems, and emphasised the need to make it more efficient. "Going forward, our action is to move in a unified manner. We want everyone to get on board to reform this and to sharpen its efficiency so that it supports economic stabilisation, it supports our reserves and build up going forward," he stated. Dr Asiama was responding to issues surrounding the G4R programme when the BoG appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Monday [Jan 12, 2026]. The BoG Governor explained that the gold-reserve scheme and the complementary Gold-for-Oil programme were designed to build up Ghanas gold reserves as a buffer to stabilise the cedi. He disclosed that an audit of the G4R programme was currently underway, with the final report expected in March this year. Dr Asiama revealed that the programme recorded net losses of GH1.8 billion in 2024, GH317.6 million in 2023, and GH744.4 million in 2022. The Governor attributed the losses to inherent costs in the trading model, which the central bank largely absorbed. He emphasised that while the programme had faced challenges, it remained a strategic initiative for the country's economic stability. He called for a unified approach among policymakers, regulators and industry players to ensure that the scheme delivered long-term benefits to the economy. Benefits Dr Asiama defended the Gold-for-Reserves programme, saying it was aimed at building the country's reserves and should, therefore, not be cancelled despite a GH3.8 billion loss. He explained that the programme's objective was different from the Gold-for-Oil Programme, which was cancelled in May last year due to inefficiencies. "The objective of Gold-for-Reserves is to help us build reserves. It's not a question of shutting it down; it's a question of enhancing its efficiency," Dr Asiama said. He attributed the losses to inherent costs in the trading model, which the BoG had borne since the programme's inception. Dr Asiama said stakeholders could now decide how to manage the cost aspect of the programme by deciding whether, for instance, the Ministry of Finance should be required to budget for the programme in the annual budgets. The Governor consequently urged the government to budget for those costs to free the BoG's financials. He said the Ministry of Finance had allocated $270 million for the programme in the 2025 budget, but had not disbursed funds as of September last year, adding that the central bank was discussing reimbursement for costs incurred since 2024. The Chairperson of the PAC, Abena Osei-Asare, questioned why the programme was not cancelled like Gold-for-Oil, given the larger loss. However, Dr Asiama said an external audit would review the programme's operations and address the inefficiencies. He emphasised that the government needed to budget for these costs to free the Bank of Ghana's financials. Dr Asiama also addressed concerns about the programme's transparency and efficiency, saying the increase in gold volumes was a positive sign. He promised to provide clarification on a reported GH3.8 billion loss, saying it would be addressed. He added that the programme was in line with the government's policy on responsible mining and that it had also helped to block the loopholes in the gold trading system. Dr Asiama insisted that the increase in the country's gold reserves was not due to illegal mining. Featured ICE medically cleared Ofori-Atta before detention, says Ghana Ambassador GraphicOnline Jan - 13 - 2026 , 07:54 2 minutes read Ghanas Ambassador to the United States has disclosed that United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement medically cleared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta for detention before admitting him into custody. Speaking on Joy News PM Express on Monday, Mr Victor Smith said ICE arranged for medical professionals to assess Mr Ofori Atta shortly after his arrest to determine whether he was fit to be held in a detention centre. Yes, the ICE people confirmed that he was all right. Initially, they had medical people to determine whether he was fit to be held in the detention centre, and they were convinced and were assured that he was okay, he said. Mr Smith explained that although the former minister was on medication at the time, he was not under active medical supervision and had access to his prescribed drugs while in detention. He was on medication, but he wasnt seeing any doctor at the time, and he had his medication, so he could be put in the detention centre, he stated. According to the Ambassador, the assessment was conducted by medical personnel attached to the detention facility and not by ICE officers themselves. They had caused him to be assessed by the medical personnel, not themselves, he said. Mr Smith added that ICE told him detainees with serious health conditions are usually referred to external medical facilities rather than kept in detention centres. If he had any serious medical conditions, maybe they would have referred him to a medical facility outside the detention centre, he added. The Ambassador said Ghanas embassy later sought consular access to Mr Ofori Atta to confirm his well being but was unable to meet him after he declined to see officials without his lawyers present. Just before we set out the ICE agents came again and said the detainee had refused to meet with us without his lawyers, he said. Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is currently in ICE custody over questions relating to the status of his stay in the United States. His legal team has confirmed that he is cooperating fully with authorities and has a pending petition for adjustment of status. Featured Accra taxi scam exposed: Five arrested over phone-snatching attacks that targeted women Mohammed Ali Jan - 13 - 2026 , 14:59 2 minutes read The Ghana Police Service has arrested five people in connection with a taxi phone-snatching ring that targeted passengers, mostly women, across Accra and surrounding communities. The Director of Police Operations, DCOP Theodore Hlormenu, disclosed at a press briefing on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, that three principal suspects were arrested on January 12 following intelligence-led operations. They are Selassie Lawrence, also known as Abe, 45; Richard Osei, 36; and Charles Kofi Nti, popularly called Survivor, 40. Two alleged receivers of the stolen phones were also arrested. They are John William Ampon, also known as Willie, 47, who operates at Circle, and Frederick Berko, 30, a mobile phone dealer at Atomic. DCOP Hlormenu said the suspects mainly operated in the mornings, posing as commercial taxi drivers. According to him, two of the suspects sat in front of the vehicle, while one sat at the back with the passenger. The doors are locked so the passenger cannot get out easily. While the victim struggles with the door, the suspect at the back takes the phone or wallet, DCOP Hlormenu said. He explained that investigations began after a complaint was lodged on November 17, 2025, by a woman who said she boarded a taxi from Madina to Adenta Aviation. Upon reaching her destination, the occupants allegedly took her iPhone 14 and ordered her to get out. Police said intelligence gathering and technical surveillance later led to the identification of a black and yellow Toyota Vitz used by the suspects. Their movements and hideouts were tracked in Kasoa, Taifa, Kwashieman, Amasaman and nearby areas. On January 12, 2026, the vehicle was detected through the surveillance system and intercepted at Awoshie. Further operations carried out the same day at Kwashieman and Achimota led to the arrest of Mr Osei, who attempted to flee. A green and yellow Matiz believed to be linked to the group was also retrieved. The police team later moved to Dome, where Mr Nti was found hiding in a room in a residential house and was arrested after a search. All three principal suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with investigations. DCOP Hlormenu urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police as efforts continue to clamp down on criminal networks. Featured Tema Police intercept over 1,600 parcels of suspected narcotic drugs Benjamin Xornam Glover Jan - 13 - 2026 , 08:19 2 minutes read The Tema Regional Police Command has intercepted 1,613 parcels of substances suspected to be narcotic drugs following an intelligence-led operation along the AkosomboTema road. The operation, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, January 10, 2026, formed part of ongoing efforts by the Ghana Police Service to clamp down on drug trafficking within the region and beyond. The interception is considered one of the significant drug busts in the region in recent times. A statement issued by the police on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and signed by Assistant Superintendent of Police, Dede Dzakpasu, Head of Public Affairs of the Tema Regional Police Command said the police received intelligence to the effect that large quantities of suspected narcotic substances were being transported from the Volta Region towards Tema. She said the police acted swiftly on the information by mounting surveillance teams along the suspected route, concentrating on the Agomeda Junction area. She said at about 12:45 a.m., officers intercepted two vehiclesa white Toyota Highlander with registration number GS 2013-13 and a black Mitsubishi Pajero with registration number GC 400-22. The vehicles, she added were being driven by two suspects identified as Isaac Odoi, aged 33, and Kwame Mani, aged 39. The Police said a search conducted on the vehicles revealed several compressed, yellow-wrapped parcels suspected to be narcotic drugs. The suspects, according to the police were immediately arrested and, together with the vehicles, escorted to the police station for further investigations. She said on January 12, 2026, the suspects and the exhibits were handed over to the Regional Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Tema. ASP Dzakpasu further disclosed that a total of 872 parcels were retrieved from the Mitsubishi Pajero, while 741 parcels were found in the Toyota Highlander, bringing the total to 1,613 parcels. She said the suspects were currently in police custody, assisting with investigations while samples of the seized substances were expected to be sent to the Forensic Crime Laboratory for analysis. She indicated that further searches would be conducted at the suspects residences. Lets commit to constitutional reforms IDEG Daily Graphic Politics Jan - 13 - 2026 , 09:57 2 minutes read The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) has called for a nationally driven consensus on constitutional reforms to safeguard Ghanas democratic future. It explained that constitutional reforms were necessary to protect and strengthen Ghanas democratic prospects. This was contained in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, to mark Constitution Day, which fell on January 7, 2026 and marked Ghanas 34th consecutive year of stable democratic governance and one year since President John Dramani Mahama was sworn into office and launched the Reset Agenda. Protracted reform It noted that despite the stability under the Fourth Republic, Ghanas constitutional reform process had remained protracted and inconclusive for more than a decade. It noted that four successive governments between 2012 and 2020 had been unable to implement the reforms, largely due to weak national consensus and the absence of a permanent and independent institutional framework to oversee implementation. The statement said the delays were occurring against a backdrop of democratic regression in West Africa, declining confidence in multi-party democracy, rising support for military rule and growing youth disenchantment over the perceived unresponsiveness of democratic governance. Those developments, it said, threatened Ghanas democratic consolidation and its role as a democratic anchor in the sub-region. CRC Report The statement said the submission of the Constitution Review Committees report presented a critical opportunity to reset Ghanas governance architecture, commending both the committee for its work and President Mahama for ensuring the reports immediate public release. It said as the country marked Constitution Day 2026, lessons from past reform efforts should guide a renewed commitment to building a broad national consensus for implementing long-overdue reforms. It noted that safeguarding Ghanas democracy required collective dedication to good governance, inclusion and justice, while rejecting divisive politics in favour of nation-building. The statement recalled President Mahamas New Year address when he said, governments do not build nations alone; they do that with their citizenry and the challenges we face are too urgent and the opportunities before us are too precious for us to waste time and energy on needless conflict. It acknowledged that the government had, over the past year, made progress in stabilising the macroeconomic environment, rebuilding investor confidence and initiating measures to strengthen governance systems, reflecting efforts to rebuild national trust, enhance institutional accountability and promote civic inclusion. Featured NPP presidential primary: Committee updates former Presidents Nana Akufo-Addo, Kufuor Samuel Duodu Politics Jan - 13 - 2026 , 07:57 2 minutes read Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) to ensure transparency in the conduct of the partys presidential election. Not only that, he said, the PEC must also ensure a free, fair and credible electoral process and outcome. He made the call when members of the committee called on him on January 8, 2026, to brief him on the committee's activities in the execution of the party's presidential primary scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026. Members of the committee also paid a courtesy call on former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on a similar mission. Mr Kufuor further called on the committee to ensure that results were simultaneously and uniformly transmitted to collation centres to avoid manipulations. Nana Akufo-Addo Former President Akufo-Addo, during the call on him, commended the PEC for what he described as an impressive and transparent execution of its mandate ahead of the partys upcoming election. Nana Akufo-Addo said the work carried out by the committee stood out for its clarity, openness and strict adherence to democratic principles. The committees work, thus far, has been nothing short of impressive, the former President said, stressing that key milestones had been achieved under a firm commitment to zero tolerance for opacity. That approach, he said, had not only ensured transparency but had also guarded religiously the sanctity of the process. PEC The Chairman of the PEC, Joseph Osei-Owusu, a former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, reaffirmed the committee's readiness to ensure a free, fair and transparent electoral process. He said his committee would continue to discharge its duties in a very transparent manner to ensure a credible and successful election as it continued to engage all stakeholders. Aspirants Five flag bearer hopefuls of the party are vying to lead the party into the 2028 general election. They are Ken Ohene Agyapong, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong. The election would take place in 277 voting centres across the 276 constituencies and the partys national headquarters, with 214,812 delegates voting to elect the partys flag bearer. The outstanding activities include a meeting with flag bearer aspirants, the EC and the police on January 13, 2026 and the signing of a Peace Pact on January 22, 2026. Featured Kpandai: Supreme Court to rule on High Court quashing of results on Jan 28 Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi Politics Jan - 13 - 2026 , 12:56 3 minutes read The Supreme Court will on January 28, 2026 deliver its ruling on whether or not to quash the High Court judgment that annulled the 2024 parliamentary result for Kpandai in the Northern Region. The five-member panel, comprising Justices Gabriel Pwamang, Omoro Tanko, Yonny Kulendi, Samuel Asiedu and Henry Anthony Kwofie, heard arguments on an application invoking its supervisory jurisdiction to quash the November 24, 2025 judgment delivered by the High Court in Tamale. Moving the application, counsel for the applicant, Gary Nimako Marfo, told the court that the motion, filed on December 1, 2025, prayed the court to invoke its supervisory jurisdiction pursuant to Article 132 of the Constitution, Section 5 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459) as amended, and Section 61 of the Supreme Court Rules, 1996 (C.I. 16). Mr Marfo argued that the High Court committed a jurisdictional error of law when it assumed jurisdiction to entertain the parliamentary election petition filed on January 25, 2025. He told the court that the Electoral Commission gazetted the Kpandai election results on December 24, 2024, and that Article 99 of the Constitution and the relevant statutes prescribed a 21-day period within which an election petition must be filed. The law provides the timelines within which a petition can be filed and before the High Court can be grounded with jurisdiction and that is 21 days after gazette of the official results, he said. According to him, the petition was filed out of time and the trial judge ought to have satisfied himself that he had jurisdiction before proceeding to hear the matter. Mr Marfo further submitted that the High Court assumed jurisdiction outside the mandatory scope prescribed by statute, in breach of Section 18 of PNDC Law 284. This error is so apparent on the face of the record, and this court cannot close its eyes to it, he said, adding that the judgment delivered on November 24, 2025, ought to be quashed. Opposition Opposing the application, counsel for the first interested party, Sika Abla Addo, told the court that the applicant was relying selectively on gazette notifications. Our submission is that the applicant here is cherry picking gazette notifications, she said. She explained that there were two gazettes dated December 24, 2024, and January 6, 2025 and argued that the January 6 gazette should take precedence. The time limitations provided by Section 18 only refer to gazette. The question is which gazette are we referring to, she said. According to her, the High Court was satisfied that there was a gazette notification on January 6, 2025, and it was on the back of this that the court assumed jurisdiction and proceeded to hear the matter and delivered a judgment. ECs submission Counsel for the Electoral Commission, Justin Amenuvor, told the court that in earlier election cases, gazettes in circulation were online publications. In the Akwatia case, all the gazettes that were flying were online publications, he said. He added that he went to the Assembly Press to obtain the published gazette and returned there again when the Kpandai matter arose to obtain the relevant gazette. The court has adjourned the case to January 28, 2026, for ruling. London-based Nothing today announced its upcoming plans for retail expansion with the launch of its second store. The company today issued a brief release stating that it will soon be opening its first global flagship store, which will be located in India. Aside from that, there is no mention of date and exact location for this store. The only other information in this release is a somewhat cryptic image of what looks like it could be a blade sign placed outside the store. The sign shows a blue damselfly, which points to a return to using bugs as mascots by the company. Since its debut, Nothing has only had one retail store of its own, the one based in London that opened in 2022. The India store will be the company's first global flagship store, which shows the company's commitment to the Indian market. This follows Nothing's sub-brand CMF becoming an independent, legally incorporated entity headquartered in India last month. There is no word on when the store will open exactly, but the company says it will be soon. Back in August, Samsung added the Galaxy S25 series to its Certified Re-Newed (CRN) program for the US market. Now, the company is extending this to three European markets: the UK, Germany and France. In the UK and Germany, the program is called Certified Re-Newed, while in France it is Refurbished Premium By Samsung (or Reconditionne Premium par Samsung). Either way, you get the same thing. You can use these links for a quick look. Note that availability varies per unit some storage options arent available at the moment. Also, as far as we can tell, the Edge and FE are not part of this program, for now at least (those did launch later). Only top-grade returned units are eligible for the program. Those undergo rigorous cleaning and have to pass 100+ quality tests. If repairs are needed, genuine Samsung parts are used (including a certified new battery). Additionally, the latest software is installed and the phones are issued new IMEI numbers. Finally, the refurbished phones are packaged in a new box (made from recyclable materials). The company also includes the same in-box items as a new device, though these days thats just a USB-C cable and a SIM ejector tool. Samsung offers the same warranty for its CRN phones as it does for new units, which sets it apart from third-party refurbishment deals. Samsung Care+ If the regular warranty isnt enough, you can sign up for Samsung Care+. This includes a free battery replacement if its health falls below 80% and extra cover in case of theft. Check out this page for more details on what Care+ entails. Were excited to expand our Certified Re-Newed program in European markets to provide customers with more options for purchasing flagship devices. While contributing to circular economy, we hope more customers can experience our latest innovations, including Galaxy AI, said Jun Kim, EVP and Head of Galaxy Value Innovation Team, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. Note that Samsung US also offers Galaxy Z units (up to Z Flip6 and Z Fold6) as part of its Certified Re-Newed program. Those arent available in Europe yet. Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra More than 60,000 petitions, letters, and comments in opposition to the Trump administrations plans to allow deep-sea mining near the Mariana Trench have been collected from Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands during a 60-day comment period. This was according to Right to Democracy and the America the Beautiful for All Coalition, which hosted a webinar Tuesday morning, Guam time, hours before the Jan. 12, Eastern time, deadline to submit comments. When people in U.S. territories come together, our strength and power is compounded. We are proud to support communities across the Pacific to make sure their voices are heard. This is just the beginning, Right to Democracy co-director Neil Weare said in a statement. The federal government plans to lease 35.5 million acres of seafloor near the Mariana Trench to companies that would harvest valuable minerals like cobalt, nickel and manganese. Federal overreach into our waters is disrespectful, inappropriate, and goes against commitments made by the United States about its modern-day colonies, Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said in a statement after joining the webinar Tuesday morning. Tenorio is now urging Guam and the CNMI diaspora to lobby their members of Congress to oppose the proposal as wellrecognizing that neither territory has a vote in the federal legislative process. A vote to reject this proposal by the U.S. Congress is one decisive way to stop it in its tracks, and I hope those who grew up on Guam and the CNMI and now live stateside can use their positions to help protect our priceless natural resources, he said. As for the more than 60,000 letters and comments opposed to deep-sea mining, Tenorio said they emphasize the important roles community partners serve. Civil action and civic engagement are critical when federal policies are as far-reaching as the Trump administrations proposal for deep-sea mining in the Marianas is, he said in a statement. These dedicated people used their networks and relationships to make sure the federal government knows our people are united and unwavering in our opposition to this disastrous idea. And that quick work to organize such an amazing turnout should be commended by all. Community-led groups that rallied in opposition included Right to Democracy, American the Beautiful for All Coalition, Center for American Progress, Friends of the Mariana Trench, Micronesia Climate Change Alliance, and Tano, Tasi, yan Todu. The Trump administrations plans to sell out our public lands and waters are just as unpopular in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as they are in the rest of the country. These sixty thousand voices are a testament to the importance of the ocean to Pacific Islanders, Center for American Progress senior fellow Angelo Villagomez said. On Monday, groups held a peaceful protest at the ITC Building intersection in Tamuning, again opposing plans for deep-sea mining near the Mariana Islands. At the same time, Adelup said Bureau of Ocean Energy Management officials will be in Guam and the CNMI in late February for stakeholder meetings on deep-sea mining. The federal government will now have to review the comments submitted, now that the comment period closed. Sheila Babauta, Friends of the Mariana Trench chair, said deep sea mining threatens ecosystems we are only beginning to understand and violates our inherent rights to protect our lands and waters from irreversible harm. The Mariana Trench is not an empty frontier for extractionit is a sacred place, a living relative, and part of our ancestral responsibility to protect life for future generations, she said. Maria Hernandez, of Micronesia Climate Change Alliance, said the outpouring reflects widespread concern for the protection of sacred ocean regions. Our communities in the Marianas are making it clear that decisions made about our ocean cannot be made without our right to free, prior, and informed consent. This 60,000 petitions, letters, and comments sends a clear message: Our oceans are sacred. They are not a sacrifice zone, she said. Steven Manaoakamai Johnson, of Tano, Tasi, yan Todu, said the process must honor the rights of Indigenous peoples, incorporate local expertise, and meet international standards for free, prior, and informed consent. The ocean is a shared heritage that has sustained life and culture in the Marianas Islands for generations. Decisions of this magnitude must be made with, not for, the communities who will bear the consequences of these actions, forever, he added. Haiti - FLASH : The House of Representatives extends the HOPE/HELP laws for Haiti Democratic Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed Bill H.R. 6504, extending the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership for Encouragement (HOPE) Economic Lift Program and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act (HOPE/HELP), which renews this trade preference program for three more years, until December 31, 2028 : "Today's passage of the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act is a significant victory for Haiti and for strategic U.S. engagement in the Caribbean. The bipartisan support for reauthorizing HOPE/HELP demonstrates that when it comes to supporting our neighbors and advancing our shared interests, Democrats and Republicans can work together. I am proud to have championed this legislation to support our Caribbean neighbors and foster economic development in the region. I want to thank Ranking Member Neal, Chairman Smith, Dr. Murphy, and my longtime friend, Haiti's Ambassador to the United States, Lionel Delatour, for their leadership in keeping the light of Haiti HOPE alive in the House of Representatives. The work of countless civil society groups supporting Haitis stabilization and any American manufacturers pushed for the renewal of this legislation. "HOPE/HELP is a trade preference program with strong bipartisan support, that secures jobs for our allies. Haitian apparel utilizes U.S. cotton and plays an essential role in shifting supply chains out of China and into the Western Hemisphere. "I continue to emphasize the importance of U.S. trade engagement in the Caribbean region. This legislation advances stronger bilateral economic ties, provides greater certainty for investors, and delivers the economic security Haiti needs to rebuild and emerge more prosperous and resilient. "The legislation will now be considered by the U.S. Senate, and if passed, will move to the Presidents desk for signature. We know Haiti's workers and families are counting on us to ensure this vital program continues without interruption." SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : 2010 Earthquake : Official Ceremony As part of the commemoration of the devastating earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, which on January 12, 2010, according to official figures, killed 222,570 people, injured 300,572, and left 1.6 million homeless in just 35 seconds, Laurent Saint Cyr, President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), participated in the official memorial ceremony held at the National Palace on the Champ de Mars. Also present were Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, members of the government, Vladimir Paraison, Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH), Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H), Lieutenant General Derby Guerrier, members of the High Command, and senior officials from the public administration. This solemn ceremony, reflecting the renewed commitment of the highest authorities to strengthen national unity, promote sustainable reconstruction, and consolidate the country's resilience and stability in the face of current and future challenges, provided an opportunity to pay a moving tribute to the thousands of lives lost and to reaffirm the unwavering solidarity of the State with the bereaved families and the entire Haitian people. As a sign of respect, remembrance, and national gratitude, Laurent Saint Cyr laid a wreath in memory of the victims of January 12. In his address to the Nation, President Laurent Saint Cyr solemnly and hopefully emphasized the imperative of remembrance and collective commitment: "On this Day of Remembrance, let's commit ourselves together never to forget, to better prepare ourselves, to unite around the common good, and to build a safer, more united, and more resilient country. May the memory of the victims of January 12th illuminate our choices, inspire our collective action, and strengthen our resolve to act together, with responsibility and a sense of duty to the state, in order to build a better future for all. Haiti can rise again. Haiti must rise again. Haiti will rise again, if we collectively choose responsibility, dialogue, and action." For his part, Prime Minister Fils-Aime emphasized the national significance of this moment of remembrance and the need for reconstruction founded on unity and hope. "On this day of remembrance, the Nation bows before the memory of the lives lost and shares the grief of the bereaved families. Mourning remains, but so does hope. Together, let"s commit to building a strong Haiti, founded on peace, stability, and solidarity. Peace to the deceased. Courage to the survivors. Faith in the future of Haiti." This commemoration reflects a renewed commitment by the highest authorities of the State to strengthen national unity, promote sustainable reconstruction, and consolidate the country's resilience and stability in the face of current and future challenges. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Social : 2010 Earthquake : Rain of Messages Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime : "Sixteen years ago, on January 12, 2010, Haiti was struck by one of the most painful tragedies in its history. On this day of remembrance, the nation bows before the memory of the lives lost and shares the grief of the bereaved families. Mourning remains, but so does hope. Together, let's commit to building a strong Haiti, founded on peace, stability, and solidarity. Peace to the departed. Courage to the survivors. Faith in the future of Haiti." Councillor Leslie Voltaire : "Today, we honor the memory of the victims of the January 12, 2010 earthquake. We remember the immense pain, but also the exemplary strength and dignity of the Haitian people. In the face of adversity, unity was our foundation. Sixteen years later, reconstruction remains our collective responsibility, and unity our shared drive. Their memory unites us. Their legacy compels us : a legacy of resilience, solidarity, and hope. We remember. Together," Leslie Voltaire, Member of the Presidential Transitional Council. Advisor Fritz Alphonse Jean : "A day of remembrance for our brothers and sisters who passed away on this day, January 12th. A time also for reflection on building a new Haiti. May they rest in peace," Fritz Alphonse Jean, President of the Presidential Transitional Council. Haitian National Police (PNH) : "On this Tuesday, January 12th, the earth shook; several thousand of our compatriots lost their lives, children and adults alike, not to mention the many others who were injured. Among the victims were dozens of police officers. Some were at their workplace, others perished while providing assistance to those in need. Today, I bow deeply to honor the memory of these people, and especially that of the police officers. Together, let us strive for a better Haiti, in peace and security in all its forms," Andre Jonas Vladimir Paraison, Acting Commander-in-Chief of the Haitian National Police (PNH). Port-au-Prince City Hall : January 12, 2010, remains etched in the heart of Port-au-Prince and in the memory of all the Haitian people. Sixteen years later, we still remember the voices that fell silent, the shattered dreams, and the lives that vanished too soon. In our grief, we learned to stand tall. In the silence, we found strength. The Haitian people continue to move forward, with memory as our guiding light and hope as our direction. Today, the Port-au-Prince City Hall bows before the memory of the victims, honors the survivors, and invites all citizens to a moment of reflection, respect, and solidarity. UEH : The Rectorate of the State University of Haiti (UEH) pays tribute to the victims of the quake of January 12, 2010, and expresses its solidarity with the survivors and all the people of Haiti. "Haitian whose courage he commends, despite the other tragedies he has endured, mostly in his profound solitude [...] Remembering our dead and the victims of this devastating seismic event offers us an opportunity to meditate and reflect together on the best paths to take to build a nation, to create a shared sense of community while working with the forces of nature and the specific circumstances of our society. This is the only way to reinvent and maintain the wellsprings of hope," Dieuseul Predelu, Rector Embassy of Haiti in Vietnam : "The Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Vietnam joins the Haitian people in commemorating the memory of the thousands of victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti and forever marked its national history. [...] This date remains a moment for profound reflection on the human and material losses, but also on resilience, national and international solidarity, and the ongoing commitment to the reconstruction and sustainable development of Haiti [...] Honoring the memory of the victims of January 12, 2010." French Embassy : On this day commemorating the earthquake of January 12, 2010, the French Embassy pays tribute to the many victims of this tragedy that plunged the country into mourning and left a lasting mark on the Haitian people.It extends its sincere thoughts of solidarity to the families of the victims, the survivors, and the entire Haitian nation. Canadian Embassy : This year, the Canadian Embassy in Haiti honors the memory of the victims of the devastating 2010 earthquake and commends the remarkable resilience of the Haitian people. Canada continues to support Haiti's efforts to build a better future. European Union : On this 16th commemoration of the terrible 2010 earthquake, Europe in Haiti bows before the memory of the victims of this tragedy and expresses its profound and unwavering solidarity with all the people. Haitian. The EU remains by Haiti's side. United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) : "On this day of remembrance, the United Nations pays tribute to all the victims of the January 12, 2010 earthquake, as well as to our colleagues affected by this tragedy. Se pou Ayiti rete kanpe, ak kouraj ak inite." HL/ HaitiLibre The satellite-based internet service Starlink is currently being heavily disrupted in Iran. This is reported by the exiled Iranian news portal IranWire. Although several tens of thousands of Starlink units are said to be operated covertly in the country, the acute internet blackout in Iran largely affects the satellite network operated by the US company SpaceX. Continue after ad IranWire, citing IT security researcher Amir Rashidi, speaks of a dedicated disruption of Starlink systems using technically sophisticated military jammers. These are allegedly supplied to the Iranian regime from Russia or China or developed in Iran itself. According to Rashidi, approximately 30 percent of Starlink's data traffic was disrupted in the initial hours of the digital shutdown last Thursday. By 10 p.m. local time, the share had risen to over 80 percent. The highly sophisticated jammers are distributed throughout the country, according to IranWire, which is why access to Starlink internet varies depending on the region. According to recent estimates, around 40,000 to 50,000 people in Iran use the satellite-based internet service from the US company SpaceX. The internet service is not officially licensed in Iran, and the ground stations, called terminals, are brought into the country illegally. Those who use Starlink nonetheless face drastic penalties. Despite the disruptions, Starlink currently remains one of the few ways for Iranian people to maintain contact with the outside world, organize themselves, and share photos and videos of the protests on social networks. According to US internet activist Mehdi Yahyanejad, Starlink is the reason current footage of the unrest has reached the international public at all. Digital blackout for almost four days In the course of the rapidly escalating nationwide protests against the authoritarian clerical leadership of Iran last week, the regime of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei began blocking the internet in large parts of the country last Thursday. As of today, internet traffic has been largely paralyzed for more than 84 hours. This is shown by data from the organization Netblocks, which monitors global network traffic and possible blockages. The aim of the internet blockade is to make communication between demonstrators more difficult and to prevent the media dissemination of deadly violence against demonstrators. Activists from the US human rights organization Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported more than 500 deaths on Sunday. Continue after ad New dimensions of communicative isolation The current digital blackout in Iran marks a new level of escalation in state-imposed digital isolation. Not only international data connections are affected. The national network, built up over years a kind of nationwide intranet, has also been shut down, according to IranWire. The news portal also reports that national and international mobile and landline connections have also been temporarily cut. According to reports from dpa, the Iranian government has meanwhile commented for the first time on a possible lifting of the telecommunications blockades. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai said they hoped for a solution to the problem. The internet blockade was also addressed at a meeting with diplomats. (rah) 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 men allegedly broke the embassy flagpole, tore an Iranian flag, and defaced the exterior wall with paint. Slogans were also written on a perimeter fence. Police say the suspects unlawfully entered the embassy compound in Kulosaari at around 17:00. Two men have been arrested after an incident at Irans embassy in Helsinki on Monday evening. The suspects had left the scene by the time officers arrived. A vehicle was reported leaving the area. Police later located the car in the Itakeskus district of east Helsinki. Two men were detained from the vehicle on suspicion of a serious breach of public order and two counts of criminal damage. According to police, several people were involved in the incident. Investigators are working to identify others who may have been present. The embassy, situated in a residential district, was unprotected at the time of the event. There were no reports of injuries. Officers returned to the embassy grounds on Tuesday morning. White paint had been used to cover the graffiti. HT The press conference was held a day before senior Danish and Greenlandic ministers are due to meet US officials in Washington. Denmarks foreign minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen and Greenlands foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt will meet US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Wednesday. Greenland has firmly rejected any suggestion of becoming part of the United States, with its prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stating that the territory has chosen Denmark, the European Union, and Nato. US vice-president J.D. Vance will also attend the meeting at the White House, after asking to join and host the talks. Rasmussen told reporters that Denmark and Greenland had requested the meeting following statements by U.S President Donald Trump about annexing Greenland. Trump has argued that US control of Greenland is necessary to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence in the region. He has dismissed Denmarks defence efforts in the Arctic and said the territory is strategically essential to American security. Nielsen said Greenlands position is based on democracy and international law. He stressed that Greenland governs its own affairs and decides its own future. We are a democratic society that makes our own decisions, he said. Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States, and Greenland will not be governed from Washington. Frederiksen echoed the message, saying Denmark and Greenland stand together. We come together, we stay together, and we leave together, she said. She added that borders cannot be changed by force and that smaller nations must not fear larger ones. Frederiksen also said Denmark has been a reliable US ally for decades and continues to meet its responsibilities within Nato. Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and is covered by Nato through the Danish realm. Nielsen said Greenlands security and defence firmly belong in Nato and should be strengthened within the alliance framework. HT Vienna International Airport suspended all take-offs and landings early in the morning after a thick layer of ice repeatedly formed on the runways. Airport staff were unable to keep the surface clear despite multiple efforts. Flights were diverted to other cities while snowploughs worked throughout the day. Flights were cancelled and diverted across Central Europe on Tuesday as freezing rain forced the closure of major airports in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Departures from Vienna resumed after 11:00 local time, and arrivals followed shortly after, according to airport authorities. Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest halted operations just after 10:00 local time, citing black ice and extreme icing conditions. A Finnair flight from Helsinki to Budapest was diverted to Zagreb after the closure. Hungarys meteorological agency issued weather warnings for snow and freezing rain, and reported that Lake Balaton, the countrys largest lake, had frozen a phenomenon seen only once every decade. Pragues Vaclav Havel Airport remained open but was operating in a very limited mode, with significant delays throughout the day. Runway de-icing operations continued while incoming flights were restricted. Around 50 people were reported injured in weather-related incidents in the Czech capital, according to local emergency services cited by the CTK news agency. Bratislava Airport in neighbouring Slovakia was also closed during the morning. Police advised the public to avoid non-essential travel due to heavy snow and ice in the western regions of the country. Austrias state railway operator OeBB warned of widespread disruption and urged passengers to delay travel if possible. Trains in several areas were cancelled or delayed. Similar conditions disrupted road and rail traffic in parts of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, with ice affecting both major highways and regional routes. Temperatures across the region remained well below freezing throughout the day. Meteorologists forecast continued wintry conditions across Central Europe into the week. HT Chinese FM says it's opportune time for China, AU to enhance strategic mutual trust, cooperation Xinhua) 13:10, January 13, 2026 BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday that it is the opportune time for China and the African Union (AU) to enhance strategic mutual trust and deepen strategic cooperation. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in an interview with Chinese media after concluding his visits to the AU headquarters, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Lesotho. China and the AU, as the largest developing country and the continental body with the largest number of developing countries respectively, should work together to address current challenges, not only to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of China and Africa, but also to contribute their respective part to world peace and development, Wang said. As this year marks the 70th anniversary of launching diplomatic relations between China and African countries, Wang said the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, a showcase of the achievements of China-Africa cooperation, will bring together youth, culture, media and other sectors through nearly 600 exchange activities, covering various fields of China-Africa exchanges, he added. Wang said that he was pleased to see the new achievements in Africa's development during his visit and that China's huge market will provide broader opportunities for Africa's development. He called on the international community to pay more attention to and increase investment in Africa. Wang voiced China's readiness to work with African countries to build institutionalized platforms and support them in actively exploring successful paths that meet their actual needs, benefit the general public and fully leverage their own resource endowments. Only when China and Africa join hands to move towards modernization can the world achieve modernization. Without the modernization of Africa, there will be no modernization of the world, Wang said. Since the successful convening of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September 2024, both sides have worked together to push for the implementation of its outcomes, Wang said. So far, over 90 percent of the goals have been achieved or have made positive progress, he added. Wang said that during his visit, he briefed the African side on the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. He said that China will continue to be the engine of global growth and is also willing to be a booster for Africa's development and revitalization. African leaders applaud China's development achievements and expect Chinese modernization to benefit Africa, he added. Wang said that during the visit, African friends have all reiterated their commitment to the one-China principle and voiced their support for China's efforts to achieve national reunification. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) L3 autonomous driving takes to city streets China Daily) 14:08, January 13, 2026 An SUV from China's electric vehicle brand Voyah with L3 autonomous driving architecture undergoes road testing in Wuhan, Hubei province, on April 6. CHINA DAILY On the bustling roads of Beijing, a subtle revolution is taking shape, marked by a series of distinctive license plates. To the untrained eye, they are just alphanumeric codes. To China's intelligent vehicle industry, they are emblems of a historic leap. These are not ordinary plates but the nation's first official license plates issued specifically for level 3 conditional autonomous driving vehicles, symbolizing a formal transition from prolonged testing to regulated, on-road commercial piloting. This tangible milestone follows the recent announcement from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, granting the first-ever batch of market-access permits for L3 conditional self-driving vehicle models. Two models one optimized for stop-and-go urban congestion, the other for structured highway driving are now authorized for limited public use in designated areas of Beijing and Chongqing. This move decisively shifts L3 technology from closed proving grounds into the complex, unpredictable realm of real-world traffic interaction. The approved models were developed by Changan Automobile and BAIC Motor's Arcfox brand. Changan and BAIC are among a batch of joint groups in a pilot program for access approval and road testing of intelligent connected vehicles in China. The pilot program was initiated as early as 2023 by several ministries, including MIIT and the Ministry of Transport, to accelerate the development of intelligent connected vehicles and boost local innovation. Other participants in the pilot program include BYD, Nio, FAW Group and SAIC, according to sources. The program is not limited to passenger vehicles. It also covers trucks and buses. Participating manufacturers include heavy-duty truckmaker SAIC Hongyan and Yutong Bus. The core of L3, or "eyes-off, mind-on", automation lies in its conditional nature. Under specific operational design domains, such as certain highways or slow urban traffic, the system can take full control of dynamic driving tasks, legally allowing the driver to disengage. However, the human must remain ready to intervene when prompted. This phase fundamentally changes the relationship between human and machine, moving the industry's focus from perfecting "hands-off" technology to defining clear lines of "liability-on". Sun Hang, chief engineer of the China Automotive Standardization Research Institute, said: "The approval of the first L3 models means that for the first time, China has allowed autonomous vehicles to enter the market as formal products at the policy level. We are exploring commercial application through pilots, which is a landmark in itself,"Sun said. In China, driving automation is defined by six levels, from 0 to 5, with L0 meaning that such vehicles are entirely operated by humans. Levels 1 and 2 are considered driver-assistance systems, in which the human driver remains perpetually responsible for monitoring the environment and must be ready to intervene instantly, according to the MIIT. Liu Fawang, deputy head of the ministry's Equipment Industry Development Center, said that L3, or "conditional automation", is the pivotal threshold. The vehicle itself can perform dynamic driving tasks such as steering, acceleration and braking under specific conditions, and the driver is not required to monitor the road continuously, but only to respond when the system requests intervention. "The shift to L3 formally enters the realm of automated driving where the responsibility for the driving task can be allocated among the driver, the car manufacturer and the system supplier. This represents a monumental shift from the unequivocal driver liability associated with L1 and L2 cars," Liu added. Fu Bingfeng, secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said: "The move means that China's autonomous vehicle sector is accelerating from the 'technical validation' phase into a new stage of 'mass production and application'. This progression is not merely a reflection of technological maturation, but also a vivid example of the nation's coordinated strategy to balance high-quality development with high-level safety." Sun said: "The pilot is designed to better ensure the safety of drivers and passengers. It reflects an overarching philosophy of prioritizing safety and advancing step-by-step, starting with low-risk, limited-scenario trials before considering broader applications. While the full integration of autonomous driving into daily life still requires time, this step clearly indicates that autonomous driving technology is one step closer to us." BAIC Group's Arcfox Alpha S5 all-electric sedan is showcased at the 23rd Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, from Nov 21 to 30. CHINA DAILY The move came after China established a comprehensive industrial system for intelligent connected vehicles, with more than 60 percent of new passenger cars now equipped with combined driver-assist functions, or L2 systems, according to the ministry. But Liu from the Equipment Industry Development Center cautioned that the approval is explicitly not a broad liberalization. "This conditional access follows a principle of 'starting with small, specific applications and implementing with attached conditions', with safety as the paramount priority for coordinated advancement. The subsequent pace of L3 license issuances will primarily depend on the safety, reliability and technological maturity of the products declared for the pilot, as well as the systematic and scientific nature of the applying enterprises' safety management capabilities." China's move places it among the first group of major nations to formally regulate L3 vehicles, alongside Germany and Japan, which approved models from Mercedes-Benz and Honda, respectively, with conditions, in recent years, Liu added. Automobile manufacturers possessing a Chinese production license, including foreign firms, can apply for Level 3 autonomous driving approval if they meet all stipulated requirements for both enterprises and products related to intelligent connected vehicles, said sources familiar with the approval process. In Japan, Honda obtained type designation for an L3 automated driving system in 2020, with the technology entering limited real-world use one year later on the Honda Legend Hybrid EX. Equipped with an L3 system branded Honda SENSING Elite, the model is primarily intended for motorway congestion scenarios. Germany approved the L3 automated driving system DRIVE PILOT developed by Mercedes-Benz in 2021, initially permitting operating speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. Building on this approval, an upgraded version was cleared in late 2024, raising the maximum operating speed to 95 km/h and enabling more frequent and longer use of the automated driving mode, while allowing drivers to make better use of their free time. Sun said the deployment of L3 models in Germany and Japan was limited in scale, sometimes involving internal sales, with models like Honda's later being discontinued. This international experience among peers reinforces China's chosen path of prudence. Liu said such international experience "reminds us once again of the arduousness and complexity of autonomous driving application and management exploration", necessitating a focus on balancing development with safety. When assessing China's relative advantages in L3 development, experts point to its unique ecosystem. Sun said key strengths including the vast complexity and diversity of Chinese urban driving scenarios serve as an unrivaled testing ground, implying that systems validated in the country possess strong global adaptability and acceptability. "Furthermore, China benefits from the 'blooming of a hundred flowers' in technological pathways, encompassing everything from pure vision-based systems to lidar-integrated solutions, and a strong push for vehicle-road-cloud integration," Sun said, adding: "The regulatory environment has also shown notable continuity, with a series of national standards and road testing regulations guiding the sector since 2018, providing stable long-term guidance for industry development." The safety validation processes for the models from Arcfox and Changan were equally rigorous. Liu detailed the procedure, explaining that both underwent a stringent, multistep safety evaluation including program assessment, product testing, implementation evaluation and final review. Based on their respective hardware and software configurations, specific design operational domains covering speed, road types and weather conditions were defined. From a safety certification perspective, Sun said the vehicles with embedded artificial intelligence tech are treated as "black boxes", and are assessed against fundamental safety requirements. China's inaugural step into conditional automated driving is a characteristically strategic and guarded one. It is a controlled experiment designed to accumulate real-world data, refine technologies and standards within a safety-centric framework, and steadily build the foundation for the responsible integration of autonomous driving, experts added. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Zhong Wenxing) Uga Resorts, the boutique Sri Lankan hotel group renowned for its world-class hospitality, is delighted to announce the upcoming opening of its eighth property, Uga Ghiri, in Sri Lanka's central highlands region in June 2026. Nestled within the grounds of Ella's historic Sutherland Estate, Uga Ghiri will consist of 15 standalone villas with a luxurious yet contemporary design alongside a meticulously restored colonial-era manor - which will serve as the property's main house and culinary destination - an infinity pool, and a state-of-the art spa. A private haven surrounded by sweeping panoramas of Ella's emerald tea plantations, rolling hills and world-famous Nine Arch Bridge, the all-inclusive property promises world-class dining, healing wellness treatments and endless activities both on property and in the surrounding central highlands. Location Uga Ghiri will unfold across 10 lush acres of terraced hillside in the mountain hamlet of Ella, offering sweeping views across the tea-carpeted valleys and distant misty peaks beyond. An area of Sri Lanka's famous central highland region that has captivated generations of travellers with its dramatic landscape and timeless charm, Ella sits at the crossroads of some of the island's most celebrated attractions. Little Adam's Peak is accessible by foot, while Ella Rock and Ravana Falls promise a rewarding adventure for those wishing to venture future afield. The surrounding countryside is a tapestry of working tea estates, where the art of Ceylon tea-making continues - its methods unchanged for centuries. Guests of Uga Ghiri will enjoy a front-row view of the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, the world-famous brick-and-stone viaduct completed in 1919. From the property, guests can watch the daily rhythm of mountain trains gliding across the rails, framed by jungle canopy and an endless patchwork of green beyond. The journey to Ella - whether via the famed train route from Kandy or by winding mountain passage - is as much an experience as the stay itself, during which travellers will soak up some of Sri Lanka's most breath-taking terrain. Accommodation and Resort Services Uga Ghiri will offer 15 luxurious standalone villas, each featuring a contemporary and elegant design blended with subtle nods to Sri Lanka's artistic heritage. Comprising a bedroom, separate living area and en-suite bathroom with bathtub, walk-in shower and his-and-hers vanity, each villa offers 1,200 square feet of pure sanctuary. Expansive windows frame the dramatic landscape outside, where a private hot tub and outdoor deck for lounging beckon those in search of ultimate relaxation. The artfully restored colonial-era manor serves as the resort's main house, providing ample space for guests to unwind, including an impressive library and a drawing room complete with roaring fireplace for cooler nights. When it comes to dining, guests will enjoy Uga Ghiri's signature elevated all-inclusive offering, with an indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar providing a sophisticated setting in which to savour Sri Lanka's abundant flavours. Beyond the main house, a 15-metre infinity pool offers the perfect vantage point for soaking up the resplendent scenery outside, alongside a well-stocked pool bar that will serve guests' favourite tipples all day long. Meanwhile, the Spa at Uga Ghiri will provide a haven of restoration where ancient Balinese wellness traditions meet highland serenity. Two treatment rooms - one double, one single - frame sublime views of Ella's dramatic peaks, while a sauna and steam room complete the journey toward complete tranquillity and renewal. Activities Uga Ghiri is the ultimate base for an authentic immersion in the rhythms of Sri Lanka's hill country. Here, foodies can take a journey from picking tea to the tea cup with the resort's signature artisanal tea experience, indulge in a spot of Ceylon arrak-tasting or try their hand at Sri Lankan cuisine with a market-to-table cooking masterclass. Meanwhile, the adventurous will revel in the opportunity to cycle through the surrounding tea estates and villages, taking on the adrenaline-packed descent from the Namunukula Ridge. Sundowners on estate grounds provide an ideal moment to reflect on the day's expeditions, which might include the discovery of ancient rock carved Buddhas at historic temples, or a conservation walk as part of Uga's 'Rewild the Hills' initiative, where guests will take part in documenting the region's biodiversity and contribute to habitat restoration efforts, including a butterfly and dragonfly breeding initiative. Uga Ghiri is the latest property in the Uga collection and will join Uga Prava in Galle, Uga Ulagalla in Anuradhapura, Uga Jungle Beach in Trincomalee, Uga Bay in Pasikuda, Uga Chena Huts in Sri Lanka's safari hotspot, Yala, Uga Riva, a heritage-style manor house hotel in Negombo and Uga Halloowella in Hatton. Nightly rates at Uga Ghiri will start from $1,200 (899*), per villa per night on an all-inclusive basis. For more information or to book, visit https://www.ugaresorts.com/ Hotel website The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, today marks its foray into Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu with a Ginger branded hotel. This is a greenfield project. Strategically located along the Tirunelveli-Tuticorin highway, the 100-key Ginger Tuticorin will offer convenient access to the city's industrial and commercial hubs. Guests can enjoy Ginger's signature Qmin restaurant offering curated culinary experiences, along with a lively bar for social gatherings. The hotel will also feature versatile meeting spaces to cater to business requirements. For fitness enthusiasts, a state-of-the-art fitness center will provide facilities for holistic well-being. Tuticorin, also known as Thoothukudi, is a major port city located on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu. Renowned for its maritime trade, the city is a hub for shipping, salt production, and fishing, while also emerging as a center for industrial and manufacturing activities. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 28 hotels in Tamil Nadu, including 10 under development. Hotel website With over 15 years of experience in marketing, including 7 years in hospitality marketing. Xue joins TrustYou to lead regional brand strategy and demand generation. She previously led APAC marketing at Duetto and served as Destination Marketing Manager at Marina Bay Sands Singapore, bringing deep expertise in scaling regional marketing engines for both global enterprises and high-growth startups. Related Related Press Release TrustYou Strengthens APAC Leadership with Two Senior Hires to Accelerate Hospitality AI Adoption Frasers Hospitality has further strengthened its regional commercial leadership team with the appointment of Kim Winter as Director of Sales - Global Accounts, supporting its centre of excellence strategy across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Operating as a centralised hub, the EMEA commercial team brings together sales, global and regional account management, reservations, revenue management, distribution and marketing to support 23 properties across Frasers Hospitality's brands. Winter's appointment adds further depth to an already experienced leadership group focused on performance, partnerships and market growth. Winter brings 16 years of experience across the serviced apartment sector, with roles spanning both operations and sales at brands including Adagio Aparthotels and, most recently, edyn. She has a deep understanding of corporate travel, global account management, and the extended-stay market. As Director of Sales - Global Accounts, Winter will focus on developing and growing key accounts across the EMEA region, with a strategic push to drive production across the portfolio. She will also lead efforts to strengthen relationships with TMCs, increase consortia and corporate production, and manage key RMC partnerships. Kim will work closely with regional teams to enhance collaboration and deliver a unified commercial approach. Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre announces the appointment of Daphne Ng as the hotel's General Manager. With nearly two decades of leadership in luxury hospitality and a global perspective honed across Asia's iconic destinations, Daphne brings outstanding expertise to this landmark property. Her visionary approach to service excellence and commitment to fostering strong team morale will elevate the hotel's leading position in Hangzhou's urban luxury hospitality. Daphne's journey with Four Seasons began in 2005 as a Concierge Guest Relations Officer at Four Seasons Place Hong Kong, where her passion for hospitality was ignited. Since then, she has risen through senior leadership roles in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Macao, and has contributed her expertise on task force assignments in Beijing, Maldives at Kuda Huraa, Hangzhou at West Lake, and Tianjin. Her transformative tenure as Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Macao led the property to achieve various accolades, including Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star for the hotel, its Spa, the Michelin- starred Zi Yat Heen restaurant, and the Grand Suites, as well as the Spa China awards from 2022 to 2025. As a seasoned expert in new properties, Daphne played pivotal roles in launching flagship projects like Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, Four Seasons Place Macao, and The Grand Suites at Four Seasons Macao. Aligned with the Four Seasons Golden Rule to treat others how they themselves would want to be treated, Daphne embraces the philosophy, "We are what we do, not what we say we are," which centres on authentic action. She believes that true excellence flows from meaningful team moments, which create profound guest connections. The appointment of Daphne Ng marks a new voyage for Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre, a landmark nestled in the heart of Hangzhou's Wulin CBD. This 214-room cloud-high sanctuary blends Chinese poetic aesthetics with modern luxury design, offering guests panoramic views of two World Heritage sites - the Grand Canal and West Lake - as well as city skyline. Daphne's leadership is defined by a dynamic balance of disciplined excellence and genuine empathy. She cultivates high-performing teams through a focus on mindful collaboration and sustainable growth. The team at Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre looks forward to an exciting new chapter under Daphne's leadership, continuing to set the standard for luxury and service in one of Hangzhou's most vibrant neighbourhoods. For more information or reservation inquiry, contact the hotel: +86 (0571) 8681 8888. Munich TrustYou, the #1 Hospitality AI platform, today announced the appointment of two senior leaders to its Asia-Pacific team: Jenna Xue as Senior Marketing Director, APAC, and Jasmine Leong as Senior Director of Business Development, APAC. These strategic hires reinforce the company's commitment to the region, following its recent pledge to double down on APAC investment and innovation. These appointments come at a pivotal time, following the launch of TrustYou Hospitality AI, the hospitality industrys first fully AI-powered platform combining a Customer Data Platform (CDP), Customer Experience Platform (CXP), and AI Agent. This unified system is designed to eliminate communication dead ends and usher in the "Always-Reply Future" for hoteliers worldwide. Strategic Growth in the Asia-Pacific Region Hospitality is shifting to AI-powered ecosystems, and the Asia-Pacific market is at the forefront of adopting these technologies to enhance guest engagement. We have committed to doubling down on our investment in APAC, and bringing Jenna and Jasmine on board is a clear testament to that promise. As hospitality shifts toward AI-powered ecosystems, it is critical that we have leaders who understand the unique dynamics of the Asian market. Their expertise will be vital in helping hoteliers across the region adopt the 'Always-Reply Future,' ensuring no guest request goes unanswered. Ben Jost, CEO and Co-founder of TrustYou When we committed to doubling down on APAC, we meant investing in the very best talent to support our partners. Jenna and Jasmine are proven leaders with deep roots in this regions hospitality tech landscape. Their expertise is exactly what we need to accelerate the adoption of our Hospitality AI platform and help hoteliers across Asia-Pacific realize the benefits of the Always-Reply Future. Will Howes, VP Sales, APAC at TrustYou Jenna Xue, Senior Marketing Director, APAC - With over 15 years of experience in marketing, including 7 years in hospitality marketing. Xue joins TrustYou to lead regional brand strategy and demand generation. She previously led APAC marketing at Duetto and served as Destination Marketing Manager at Marina Bay Sands Singapore, bringing deep expertise in scaling regional marketing engines for both global enterprises and high-growth startups. Im excited to join TrustYou at such a pivotal time for the hospitality industry. APACs hotel landscape is incredibly diverse and fast-evolving, and I look forward to partnering with our customers and industry stakeholders to unlock new opportunities for growth, guest satisfaction, and innovation. Jasmine Leong, Senior Director of Business Development, APAC Leong brings more than 15 years of hospitality technology experience, most recently serving as Vice President of Sales for RMS Cloud and holding leadership roles at Amadeus. Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, she will focus on driving strategic partnerships and accelerating market adoption of the companys hospitality AI solutions across the diverse Asia-Pacific landscape. I am delighted to join TrustYou during this exciting phase of expansion in the APAC region. TrustYou's Hospitality AI platform turns guest feedback into real-time intelligence and action, exactly what modern hoteliers need to deliver consistently great experiences. I look forward to leveraging my experience to contribute to the teams continued success and help our partners deliver exceptional guest experiences. Reshaping Hospitality Communication TrustYou is uniquely positioned to solve one of hospitality's most persistent challenges: connecting outbound and inbound communication into one intelligent loop. By empowering hoteliers with an AI Agent that handles 100% of inbound communication and a CDP that unifies guest data, TrustYou is not just automating tasks, but reshaping how hotels communicate, act, and grow. About TrustYou TrustYou is the #1 Hospitality AI platform. Since 2008, the company has supported hotels and hotel groups worldwide in turning guest feedback, customer data, and automated interactions into measurable results. The platform unifies three core products in one system: Customer Experience Platform (CXP): Centralizes all reviews and surveys, applies AI-driven analysis, and automatically responds to feedback with ResponseAI. Hotels gain deeper insights into the guest experience, strengthen their online reputation, and make more informed service decisions. Centralizes all reviews and surveys, applies AI-driven analysis, and automatically responds to feedback with ResponseAI. Hotels gain deeper insights into the guest experience, strengthen their online reputation, and make more informed service decisions. Customer Data Platform (CDP): Consolidates all guest data into so-called Golden Profiles, integrates consent management, and enables precise audience segmentation. This powers personalized marketing campaigns, drives more direct bookings, and fosters long-term guest loyalty. Consolidates all guest data into so-called Golden Profiles, integrates consent management, and enables precise audience segmentation. This powers personalized marketing campaigns, drives more direct bookings, and fosters long-term guest loyalty. AI Agent: Handles 100% of inbound communication24/7, in any language, and across all channels. The TrustYou Agent delivers instant, context-aware responses, support bookings, upselling, and free up operational teams. With TrustYou, hotels invest in a future-ready platform that makes the Always-Reply Future a reality: better guest experiences, more direct revenue, and more efficient operations. Learn more at www.trustyou.com. Blathnaid King Marketing Manager Denver, CO - 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: 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 companys 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. 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. Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO of Lighthouse 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. 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. Lighthouses 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. Jordan Hollander, CEO of HotelTechReport The recognition caps a year of significant expansion for Lighthouse, including The Hotels Network acquisition and the launch of Connect AI, which makes hotels discoverable and bookable directly within AI platforms like ChatGPT. See what category-leading commercial intelligence looks like. Request a demo. About HotelTechReport.com HotelTechReport is the premier global research platform for hotel technology, serving over 1.5 million industry professionals annually. The platform connects hoteliers with the best technology solutions to improve guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. HotelTechReport is the leading global platform for hotel software reviews, rankings, and buyer education. With over 80,000 verified hotelier reviews and a proprietary scoring system that emphasizes customer outcomes, HotelTechReport is relied on by hoteliers in over 150 countries to make informed technology decisions. The platform is structured to answer common buying questions such as "What's the best PMS for my hotel?", and is the most reliable source for hospitality technology research. Learn more at hoteltechreport.com. About Lighthouse Lighthouse is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways. Trusted by over 70,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partnerstheir success is our success. For more information about Lighthouse, please visit: https://www.mylighthouse.com. Were always curious about how different destinations are embracing sustainability. This time, were turning our focus to Saudi Arabia. In 2021, the Kingdom launched the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) as a national program designed to place environmental responsibility at the center of its development agenda. Closely aligned with Vision 2030, SGI brings together Saudi Arabias climate action, energy transition, and environmental protection efforts under one unified framework. At its core, the SGI focuses on reducing carbon emissions, restoring and protecting natural ecosystems, and improving quality of life through sustainable development. These priorities are shaping how cities are planned, how infrastructure is built, and increasingly, how the tourism and hospitality sector operates. Why SGI Influences the Hospitality Industry As Saudi Arabia rapidly expands its tourism offering, hotels and resorts have become a critical touchpoint between development and the environment. Hospitality developments consume significant energy and water, while also shaping visitor interaction with landscapes, coastlines, and heritage sites. SGI ensures that this growth aligns with long-term environmental goals rather than undermining them. The influence of SGI is most visible in new hotel developments, particularly within destinations such as the Red Sea, AlUla, Diriyah, and NEOM. Sustainability is embedded from the design stage, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, renewable power, water conservation, low-impact construction, and ecosystem protection. Beyond design, SGI has elevated operational expectations across the hospitality industry. Hotels are increasingly adopting recognized sustainability standards, reducing waste and single-use plastics, improving food and water management, and tracking environmental performance as part of daily operations. Equally important is the global perception factor. As Saudi Arabia positions itself as a new tourism destination, sustainable hospitality plays a key role in building international credibility. Hotels and resorts now act as visible ambassadors of the Kingdoms environmental ambitions. A Strategic Shift, Not a Trend While the Saudi Green Initiative does not target hotels explicitly, it has reshaped the framework in which hospitality operates. Sustainability is becoming a strategic requirement aligned with national priorities. For Saudi Arabias hotels and resorts, SGI represents a shift toward responsible growth, ensuring that tourism development supports the environment, enhances guest experience, and contributes to the long-term success of Vision 2030. ABOUT GCSTIMES Since 2011, GCSTlMES has pioneered sustainable development, evolving from smart card R&D to sustainable material innovation. Today, we stand as a global platform for sustainable solutions. Sustainability is our foundation. Through technological innovation and creative solutions, GCSTlMES delivers diverse services and tangible products, positioning ourselves as both manufacturers and innovators. GCSTlMES believes technology should empower human progress and cultural preservation. By integrating sustainability into technology, we aim to make it "warm" and purposeful. Our products serve as cultural ambassadors, promoting local heritage worldwide. Brand Portfolio: GCS, AUROkeys, Xenyra, and Glint Spot, offering sustainable smart cards, creative (custom-shaped) key cards sustainable supplies, cultural gifts, and bespoke design and related services. Currently, GCSTlMES has five operational centers in China, US, UAE, France, and Australia, along with 14 subsidiaries and offices worldwide. Its services extend to over 140 countries and regions supporting more than 100,000 international hospitality group in achieving low-carbon and sustainable development goals. GCS Times MKT Team Steinhausen, Switzerland RoomPriceGenie is thrilled to announce the independent recognition of its RMS as the Best Revenue Management System (RMS) in the 2026 HotelTechAwards, based on the verified reviews of its global hotel clients and partners. RoomPriceGenie was also recognised as The Best Place to Work, based on its employees overwhelmingly positive feedback about their work experiences this year. RoomPriceGenies win for Best RMS in this years awards affirms that the combination of an intuitive and reliable RMS, coupled with first-class customer support and revenue management expertise, enables hoteliers to achieve their revenue goals. This approach has consistently set RoomPriceGenie apart from the competition; with this years win, it validates RoomPriceGenie as an operational imperative for hoteliers who want to maximise their profitability. 2025 was a significant year for RoomPriceGenie, which kicked off with a $75 million USD in investment from Five Elms Capital. This enabled us to increase the pace of development in the solution and infrastructure, while deepening the first-class support that ensures our customers can consistently maximise their profitability. Although RoomPriceGenie has placed in the Best RMS category previously, winning first place this year recognises our consistent evolution into the RMS of choice for all hotels, including larger hotels and groups. Chas Scarantino, CEO of RoomPriceGenie The HotelTechAwards are widely regarded as the industrys most credible benchmark because winners are determined entirely by verified hotelier reviews and independent performance data. RoomPriceGenies recognition as Best Hotel Revenue Management System reflects consistent feedback from hotels that value an RMS which is intuitive, reliable, and supported by a team that actively helps them achieve revenue goals. Pairing this with a first-place Best Place to Work award underscores a clear link between strong internal culture and the quality of outcomes hotels experience in practice. Jordan Hollander, CEO of HotelTechReport.com RoomPriceGenie was built on the belief that people are at the heart of hospitality, so technology should empower hoteliers to provide the best hospitality experience. This people-first mindset has shaped RoomPriceGenies culture as much as its product strategy. Winning first place in the Best Place to Work award category this year is very meaningful to us, because a company isn't just about the numbers. Its a wonderful thing to be part of a team that supports each other, takes responsibility, has fun together, works towards the same goal, and is committed to growing together. Our employees feedback shows that they are passionate about both the companys and our clients successes, so I am confident this was another important factor that contributed to our win in the Best RMS category. Ari Andricopoulos, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at RoomPriceGenie Together, RoomPriceGenies two first-place wins in the 2026 HotelTechAwards firmly position the company as a trusted long-term partner for hoteliers today, tomorrow and into the future. To find out more about RoomPriceGenies 2026 HotelTechAwards wins, please read the official announcement on HotelTechReport. To find out more about the RoomPriceGenie RMS or to arrange an interview with RoomPriceGenie CEO, Chas Scarantino, please contact [email protected] About HotelTechReport.com HotelTechReport is the premier global research platform for hotel technology, serving over 1.5 million industry professionals annually. The platform connects hoteliers with the best technology solutions to improve guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. HotelTechReport is the leading global platform for hotel software reviews, rankings, and buyer education. With over 80,000 verified hotelier reviews and a proprietary scoring system that emphasizes customer outcomes, HotelTechReport is relied on by hoteliers in over 150 countries to make informed technology decisions. The platform is structured to answer common buying questions such as "What's the best PMS for my hotel?", and is the most reliable source for hospitality technology research. Learn more at hoteltechreport.com. About RoomPriceGenie RoomPriceGenie is an innovative, award-winning revenue management system (RMS) used by more than 4,000 hotels and groups in 65 countries worldwide. The RoomPriceGenie RMS is the best way for hotels to increase bookings, maximise revenue opportunities and ensure ongoing profitability. With the company's 80+ integrations with leading hospitality operating systems, RoomPriceGenie empowers hoteliers to consistently achieve their business and revenue goals. Learn more about the RoomPriceGenie RMS at www.roompricegenie.com. Sydney, Australia SiteMinder, the worlds leading hotel guest acquisition and revenue platform, has dominated the 2026 HotelTechAwards as it celebrates 20 years as an industry pioneer. Backed by over 50,000 customers globally, the hotel technology leader has secured the Hoteliers Choice Award for the fifth consecutive year and the title of Best Hotel eCommerce Platform for the fourth straight year. The company has also achieved the top honours in the categories of Best Channel Manager, Best Booking Engine, Best Hotel Metasearch Management Software and Best Hotel Website Design, highlighting the platforms full range of integrated capabilities that drive hotel demand. Additionally, SiteMinder earned second place in Rate Shopping & Market Intelligence, for the AI-driven insights that enable hotels to optimise their revenue in real-time, while Little Hotelier, the companys all-in-one property management system for small accommodation providers, earned second place in Best Hotel Management System. Not only do these awards show that our customers deeply value having one unified solution that helps them generate booking demand proactively, they also reflect the unwavering trust they place in us as an industry leader. As we mark our 20th anniversary, that trust inspires us to continue to push boundaries and redefine whats possible for hotels worldwide, especially in an era of rapid industry transformation. Leah Rankin, SiteMinders Chief Product Officer SiteMinder is the only platform that unifies business intelligence, integrated distribution and revenue management into one seamless experience. Founded in 2006, the company processes more than 130 million hotel reservations annually representing over US$55 billion (A$85 billion) in revenue and is supported by the industrys largest ecosystem of over 2,350 connectivity and expert partners. Winning a HotelTechAward is one of the toughest achievements in hospitality technology because it requires sustained excellence, not just one standout moment. The awards are grounded in verified hotelier feedback and objective performance data, making them a true reflection of what works in the real world. SiteMinders continued success across multiple mission-critical categories underscores its unique role in the hotel tech ecosystem, powering demand, distribution and revenue at a scale few platforms in the world can match. Jordan Hollander, CEO of HotelTechReport.com Reflecting on the value of SiteMinders guest acquisition and revenue management capabilities, Leon Wood, Head of Accommodation at hotel group Waymark Hotels in Queensland, Australia, says: SiteMinder has become an indispensable platform in the management of our accommodation business. Distribution is exceptionally reliable, maintaining seamless connections to a wide range of OTAs and ensuring our inventory and rates are distributed accurately across all channels. This alone saves a significant amount of time each week and reduces the risk of costly manual errors. The rate shopping functionality delivers quick competitor comparisons and deep market insights, giving us confidence in pricing decisions and helping us remain competitive, even in volatile conditions. Its for any operator looking for a professional, scalable and proven solution. The HotelTechAwards is the only data-driven awards program that recognises the worlds best accommodation software. Winners are determined through hotel customer feedback and more than 100,000 proprietary data signals. During this years awards period, more than 16,000 new product reviews were written and verified. About SiteMinder SiteMinder Limited (ASX:SDR) is the name behind SiteMinder, the world's leading hotel distribution and revenue platform, and Little Hotelier, an all-in-one hotel management software that makes the lives of small accommodation providers easier. The global company is headquartered in Sydney with offices in Bangalore, Bangkok, Barcelona, Berlin, Dallas, Galway, London, Manila and Mexico City. Through its technology and the largest partner ecosystem in the global hotel industry, SiteMinder generates more than 125 million reservations worth over US$50 billion in revenue for its hotel customers each year. For more information, visit siteminder.com. Luke McCabe Communications Manager View source La Festa Phu Quoc Resort - Image Credit Hilton Vietnam recorded a 30% year-on-year increase in family travel interest for December 2025 and January 2026, according to Agoda search data. Vietnam is experiencing a significant rise in popularity as a year-end destination for international families, with Agoda reporting a 30% increase in family travel interest for stays during December 2025 and January 2026 compared to the previous year. Data from Agoda, based on searches conducted between September and November 2025, indicate that families from South Korea are the largest group interested in traveling to Vietnam during the winter holiday period. Other top source markets include India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia. Indian families recorded the highest growth in travel interest, with a 186% increase in searches for Vietnam, while Malaysian family searches rose by 74%. Among Vietnamese destinations, Phu Quoc Island saw the largest increase in international family travel interest, with searches up 47%. Da Nang recorded a 42% increase, followed by Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi as the most sought-after locations for family travelers during the period. These cities were identified as the five leading destinations for international families visiting Vietnam at the end of the year. The data also shows a shift in outbound travel patterns among Vietnamese families. Although Vietnamese families typically travel internationally in greater numbers during Lunar New Year, there has been a notable increase in interest in year-end travel to China. Among the top 20 outbound destinations for Vietnamese families in December and January, searches for Shanghai increased by 58%, and for Beijing by 59%. This trend is attributed in part to the launch of new direct flight routes between Hanoi and several Chinese cities earlier in 2025, which has improved accessibility for overseas travel during the winter holidays. Agoda's findings highlight changes in regional travel demand and suggest that Vietnam is becoming a more prominent destination for international families during the winter holiday season. The companys data is based on aggregated search activity on its digital travel platform and reflects trends in planned travel for December 2025 and January 2026. Ponderosa Motel in Goldendale, Washington - Image Credit Crystal Investment Property Representing the Seller of This Columbia River Gorge Gateway Hotel Crystal Investment Property, LLC, a national hospitality brokerage and advisory firm based in the Pacific Northwest, announces the successful sale of the Ponderosa Motel in Goldendale, Washington. A private investor acquired this confidential 45-key select-service motel. Crystal Investment Property exclusively represented the Seller and coordinated all aspects of the transaction, including pricing strategy, buyer qualification, due diligence, and closing. Independent Motel in Prime Columbia Gorge Corridor The Ponderosa Motel offers a diverse room mix, including standard units, kitchenette suites, and ADA-accessible accommodations. The property sits on 1.36 acres of fee simple land and includes three buildings totaling approximately 13,500 square feet. Site features include ample free parking, including pull-through spaces for buses and RVs, serving highway and leisure travelers. Positioned along Highway 97 in central Goldendale, the motel benefits from strong visibility and ease of access, drawing drive-market guests exploring the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Maryhill Museum, Goldendale Observatory, and regional wineries. Hotel Sale Reflects Continued Investor Demand This strictly confidential offering required careful navigation, not only in identifying the right buyer but also in managing the challenges of todays lending environment, said Joseph P. Kennedy, President of Crystal Investment Property. CIP stayed closely engaged throughout the financing and due diligence process, helping to anticipate challenges and maintain transaction momentum. Despite the economic headwinds, we successfully delivered a seamless closing, allowing the Sellers to transition confidently while setting the Buyer up for long-term success. The motel was marketed discreetly and did not appear in public listing channels, making this the first public announcement of the completed sale. Hospitality Buyers Target Independent Hotels in Drive-To Markets This sale demonstrates growing investor interest in unbranded, cash-flowing hotels in rural gateway and highway-oriented markets. Independent motels with stable performance, owner-operator appeal, and flexible repositioning potential continue to attract buyers seeking value, simplicity, and reliable traveler demand. While final sale terms remain confidential, the transaction reinforces the importance of experienced hotel brokerage in todays deal environment. Terms of the sale are confidential and will not be disclosed. About CIP Crystal Investment Property, a premier hospitality investment advisory and brokerage company located in the Pacific Northwest, maintains the most cutting-edge technological, online, and social media presence as well as a full range of traditional and web-based marketing reaching local, regional, national, and international clientele. The firms core services of hospitality asset acquisition/disposition are supported by innovative and creative solutions to maintain its position as the most active and successful hotel broker in the region. Crystal Investment Property represents the full spectrum of hospitality real estate owners and their experience covers all hospitality asset types, including full-service hotels, boutique hotels, select-service hotels, limited-service hotels, as well as development projects, and leasehold transactions. Media Contact: Teri G. Beck, Marketing Director Crystal Investment Property 503.530.1316 press@crystalip.com The ITB Berlin Convention 2026 (35 March) will bring together visionary minds and solutions for sustainable, future-proof tourism under the motto Leading Tourism into Balance. - Image Credit ITB Berlin The ITB Berlin Convention 2026 will take place from March 3 to 5, featuring more than 400 speakers, 200 sessions, and 17 theme tracks addressing key topics in the tourism sector. The ITB Berlin Convention 2026 is scheduled for March 3 to 5 in Berlin, coinciding with the ITB Berlin trade show. The event will feature a three-day program with over 400 speakers and more than 200 sessions across 17 thematic tracks. The convention will address topics such as artificial intelligence in tourism, sustainable business models, technological innovation, and industry megatrends. Sessions will be held on four stages: eTravel, Orange, Green, and Blue. The eTravel Stage in Hall 6.1 will focus on artificial intelligence, travel technology, and tours and activities. Presentations will examine the impact of algorithms and data on travel, with contributions from international experts including executives from Sparkloft Media, Fliggy, Rome2Rio, and Autoura. The Orange Stage in Hall 7.1a will cover marketing, distribution, future trends, and responsible tourism. Experts will discuss sustainable strategies, consumer trends, and crisis management in tourism. Speakers include senior representatives from Phocuswright, Chain4Travel, and Skift. The Green Stage in Hall 3.1 will address target group markets and special interest segments, including hospitality, diversity and inclusion, business travel, and adventure tourism. Topics will include travel for people with disabilities and strategies for destination positioning. The stage will also introduce new formats, such as ITB Deep Dives and ITB Tech Time, to provide practical industry knowledge. The Blue Stage in Hall 7.1b will serve as a forum for tour operators, airlines, tourist offices, cruise companies, and the hotel sector. Tracks will cover carrier and cruise developments, tour operator and travel sales, destination management, and hospitality strategies. Presentations will include case studies on destination management from industry practitioners. The ITB Transition Lab, introduced in 2025, will return with a program focused on data-driven recommendations for marketing and destination management. The lab will offer 90-minute interactive sessions for participants. All sessions can be attended in person or followed via live stream through the ITB Navigator event platform. Recorded content will be available on the ITB Berlin YouTube channel after the event. The ITB Berlin Convention is included with exhibitor, trade visitor, and press accreditation tickets. Registration for press representatives and content creators is available online. The event will be held as a business-to-business gathering. Additional information, including the full program, is available on the ITB Berlin website. By Trevor Loucks of Dynamoi 11:47pm. Text from a label exec: How can we get this to 10 million views by Friday? Ive gotten versions of that message for years. Different numbers, same request: buy me a metric. I get why. Views show up instantly. Streaming revenue shows up months later. But optimizing for views is how you burn budget and learn nothing. Monday vs Tuesday Ive run paid campaigns for e-commerce and music for years. Monday Im running campaigns where every dollar is tracked in ROAS terms. Tuesday someone asks me to make it go viral. Same exact platforms. Same tools. It never stops being weird. E-commerce is simple. Brutal, but simple. You know exactly what you spent and exactly what you got back. The math either works or it doesnt. Theres no we got great engagement though. The music industry walks into the same platforms and asks for views. Likes. Engagements. Surface metrics. Views can be useful for PR, but theyre a bad optimization goal. These should be side effects of a good campaign, not the point of it. Meta, Google, TikTok are giant ad platforms for a reason. They invested billions in engineering and data science to solve one problem: help businesses find customers who buy things. Thats the machine. Why fight it? The machine is built for revenue. So use it for revenue. Three Reasons This Is Harder But I get it. E-commerce has had ROAS-based bidding for over a decade. Set your target, feed the machine conversion data, watch it optimize. The revenue event is a purchase. Happens in seconds. Money in your account in days. Every click tied to every dollar. Music streaming doesnt work like that. The Attribution Gap E-commerce: someone clicks your ad, buys something. Click ID, timestamp, purchase amount. All connected. someone clicks your ad, buys something. Click ID, timestamp, purchase amount. All connected. Music: someone clicks your ad, streams your track, saves it, becomes a fan. You will never see that connection on your royalty statement. The click lives in the ad platform. The stream lives in Spotify. They dont talk to each other. The Timing Gap E-commerce: ad today, purchase today, money this week. Reinvest tomorrow. ad today, purchase today, money this week. Reinvest tomorrow. Music: ad today, stream today, royalty statement in 3-6 months. Publishing royalties? 6-18 months. By the time the money shows up, youve forgotten what campaign drove it. You cant build a reinvestment cycle when the money takes that long to arrive. The Value Gap A click in the US on Meta can run $0.30 to over a dollar. A Spotify stream might net a few tenths of a cent on average, and it varies wildly. Before splits. You pay for a click. Best case, they stream once, and the math collapses. This is why artists chase views. Not because theyre stupid. Because the real revenue event feels impossible to reach. And for many artists, the real ROI shows up off-platform anyway: tickets, merch, and owned audience. And this is exactly why the bot industry thrives. Search buy YouTube views right now. Google will happily serve you thousands of services starting in position one. 10,000 views for $20. 100,000 streams for $50. Its alluring. The math finally makes sense, even if everything else about it is broken. These services have been around for 20 years. Nothing has changed. Spotify cracks down on bot streams, YouTube fights it constantly, but they persist because artists are desperate for numbers that feel achievable. When the legitimate path to ROI seems impossible, the illegitimate path starts looking rational. Dont do it. If you get caught, you can get flagged, demonetized, or dropped by your distributor. But understand why the temptation exists. The Distance So what does a legitimate path look like? Paid media: Ad impression Click Smart link landing page Save button Spotify/Apple Music authentication Confirm save and follow Redirect to streaming platform Seven steps before a single stream happens. Youre paying for step one. That friction is the point: it filters for intent and creates a conversion event you can actually optimize. Organic growth (the actual goal): User streams Saves Comes back Repeat across thousands of users Algorithm detects healthy engagement signals Tests the track with similar listeners Release Radar / Discover Weekly Algorithmic playlists drive streams with zero marketing spend This is where the ROI lives. Not in the ad view. Not in the click. In the algorithmic lift that happens weeks or months after the campaign ends. Personalized playlists like Release Radar and Discover Weekly are algorithmic, not editorial. Engagement is the lever you can influence. The save event is the best widely trackable conversion event to optimize for right now. Its the deepest measurable action before the attribution gap swallows everything. But a save only matters if it comes with listen-through and return plays. No targeting hack beats a track that people finish and replay. Measuring What Matters So how do you make the math work when cost per click is usually greater than revenue per stream? You stop trying to measure single interactions. You measure lift over time. For Spotify and Apple Music campaigns, the economics tend to work best when youre tracking algorithmic lift. Did the campaign move the needle on Release Radar placements? Did Discover Weekly picks increase? Are monthly listeners growing faster than the marketing spend? These are the questions that matter, not whether you got a 2% click-through rate. This requires correlating multiple data sources: Spotify for Artists analytics, distributor royalty data, third-party tracking tools. You build a country-by-country forecast, then validate it against lift. The simplest version is geo holdouts: run paid in a few matched countries, keep a few dark, then compare algorithmic playlist and returning listener lift. Use 30 days for direction, 90 days for truth. Its an extremely tough data science problem precisely because of the attribution gap. Theres no clean click ID connecting ad spend to royalty statements. Youre working with correlation, not causation. But correlation at scale tells you a lot. Run the same analysis across 20 countries and you start building a predictive model that actually works. Ive seen campaigns turn profitable this way. For YouTube, the story just got more interesting. What Changed in 2025 In 2025, Google introduced a way to optimize YouTube engagement campaigns for what happens after the ad: organic views on your channel. These are views that happen after someone sees your ad. The person watched your music video ad, then came back to your channel and watched more content on their own. You can choose to just report them or actively optimize for them. That matters because the paid view is a cost, but organic viewing is where watch time, subscribers, and AdSense revenue can compound (if your channel is monetized and ads serve). The windows arent infinite. Google lists a 30-day click-through window and a 3-day engaged-view window for this conversion action. Not perfect for music where intent can build over months, but its a real step toward measurable outcomes. But even with those limitations, this is the first time music marketing can work like e-commerce marketing. Not in theory. In practice. On the backend, you can optimize geo bidding at the campaign and country level based on which countries are generating organic views that turn into real revenue. Were finally able to treat YouTube campaigns the way e-commerce has treated their campaigns for over a decade. Optimize for revenue, not surface metrics. What Im Doing About It Remember the 11:47pm text? I want the music industry to consider that the wrong question. Where the conversation is whats our projected streaming ROI instead of how cheap can we get views. I built Dynamoi so indie artists and small labels can run performance-style music marketing without a label-sized analytics team. Not just a routing link: Dynamoi creates user-authorized save/follow conversions you can optimize in ad platforms, then ties campaigns to lift and geo allocation. Labels have teams for this. Indie artists dont. Now you dont need one. 13 months of code with a wild roadmap to tackle. If youre an indie artist or running a smaller label and any of this resonated, reach out. I want to talk to people who care about streaming ROI, algorithmic lift, and data-driven geo optimization. Not surface metrics. The real stuff. Trevor Loucks is a founder, musician, and developer who has spent his career building solutions for clients in the music and ecommerce industries. After teaching music for two years at the University of Central Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, he returned to the United States and founded several companies in the music and ad tech space including 92 Keys, a violin and piano duo where he composes and performs. He now works full-time on Dynamoi, founded 2025, a platform that gives independent artists and small labels access to the same data-driven campaign automation that major labels build in-house. 2026 Point in Time Count on Jan. 25 PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Point in Time count, which measures people experiencing homelessness, will occur on Sunday, Jan. 25, and the Three County Continuum of Care stresses that every survey matters. Earlier this month, the CoC's data and evaluations manager Michele LaFleur and compliance manager Natalie Burtzos reviewed past data with the Homelessness Advisory Committee and discussed planning for this year's count. LaFleur described the PIT count as "our attempt to try and determine how many people are experiencing homelessness on a single night." Each year, it has to be conducted within the last 10 days of January. In January 2025, there were 215 Pittsfield people in shelter, and 12 people unsheltered. In July, 107 city people reported being in shelter, and 27 people reported being unsheltered. Of the unhoused individuals in the winter of 2025, 113 were people in families with children under 18. The PIT count for 2024 reported more than 200 people experiencing homelessness on that day. Pittsfield's shelter data consists of ServiceNet's individual and family shelters, Soldier On's shelter and transitional housing, and Elizabeth Freeman sheltering areas. The winter count has increased significantly since 2021, and the CoC conducted a summer count on July 20 that showed fewer people in shelters and more unsheltered. It was noted that the count misses people who are couch surfing or paying to live in a motel, as the reporting is on the burden of service agencies or community members who work with those experiencing housing instability. ServiceNet's Director of Shelter and Housing Erin Forbush was surprised to see the 2025 count that low, and, like members of the CoC, cited issues with reaching people. Service providers and volunteers will have up to a week starting Jan. 25 to survey a person on where they were sleeping that night. CoC surveyors do not collect full names or birth dates to protect people's identities. Winter warming items and small gift cards will be distributed to survey takers. Surveys can be completed on a printable form or online. Burtzos also gave updates on the program and federal actions that may impact sheltering in Western Massachusetts. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development published its Notice of Funding Opportunity for fiscal year 2025 funds in November. The posting included major changes that made it difficult to predict how many projects communities would have renewed, the CoC said. "One example of a proposed change that had been published in the NOFO in November was that 30 percent of our community, so for all three counties, 30 percent of the budget called the annual renewal demand would be considered tier one and kind of like guaranteed to be funded, whereas normally it was 90 percent," Burtzos explained. "So we have our own ranking and evaluation process within our communities, but it basically meant that we wouldn't be sure for a vast majority of our projects if they were going to be renewed or not, because they would be competing in a different tiered system nationally." Because of litigation from multiple CoCs, HUD has been ordered to carry out a renewal process for FY2024. Forbush said it is important to stay on top of what is happening within the federal government, and how it will "certainly severely impact folks that are in our community that are the most vulnerable." "We're being hopeful that there's been some stopping of what was happening. But, maybe in other years, I would have said, 'OK, we've, we kind of made this hurdle,' but unfortunately, every hurdle we make there's like two more created," she said. "So I just want people to be very vigilant and paying attention to the landscape, and then doing everything that we can, and sometimes that is calls and letters to our elected officials, where I think people are on board. It's not about convincing any of our Massachusetts elected officials, honestly, but they need to hear what we're needing and what the impact could be." She added that it is the human service field's job to be advocates at this point, and that it is more important today than it has ever been. Director of Community Development Justine Dodds agreed. She pointed out that this presidential administration is radically changing how homelessness is funded in the country, as there is a shift from permanent supportive housing to sheltering. "I think the evidence has shown that we have followed this path for many, many years, because we know permanent supportive housing is a model that really works, as opposed to temporary shelter," she said. "But again, it's a philosophy change that I think we all need to be aware of, and this has very real repercussions for Pittsfield, not only just the nation." She pointed out that the CoC's work supports housing units for Pittsfield and the wider region, "So it really is critical that people are aware of what's happening and how those ripples will make a big difference in our community." 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 morbidly named mobile app has climbed to the top of Apple stores paid charts in China, offering a stark reminder of how bleak modern life can feel for both young and old alike. The Are You Dead? app, called Sile Me in Chinese, asks users to check in daily by tapping a bright green button with a cartoon ghost at the centre. If a user fails to check in for two consecutive days, the system automatically sends an email to the emergency contact selected by the user. Although Sile Me was launched last year as a free app, it slowly made its way into the paid category and climbed the charts to become the top paid app in China in the first week of January. For 8 yuan ($1.15, 0.85), the app provides a sense of security to millions of people living alone across the country. Sile Me, listed internationally as Demumu, has also surged into the top two paid utility apps in the US, Singapore and Hong Kong, largely driven by Chinese immigrants there. On the Apple store, the app is described as a "lightweight safety tool" made for people living alone to "establish invisible safety protection through check-in monitoring and emergency contact mechanisms to make solitary life more reassuring". Living alone in China can be deeply isolating, fuelling anxieties about dying unnoticed. The country is projected to have as many as 200 million one-person households by 2030. An increasing number of young Chinese are choosing to live alone rather than get married, while a growing number of elderly people are being left isolated in their homes without relatives nearby to care for them. China recorded its third consecutive year of population decline in 2024, a year after ceding the title of the world's most populous country to India. Chinas birthrate has been declining for decades, driven by the one-child policy implemented from 1980 to 2015, along with rapid urbanisation. The user interface of Are you Dead' ( Screengrab ) The Asian giant officially ended its one-child policy in 2016, but not before it had resulted in a skewed population due to a cultural preference for male children. The high cost of childcare, education, job uncertainty, and a slowing economy have discouraged many young Chinese from marrying and starting families, demographers say. They also point to gender discrimination and traditional expectations for women to manage the household as contributing factors to the declining birthrate. Single-person households accounted for 19.5 per cent of all homes in China in 2024, up from just 7.8 per cent two decades earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The anxieties around solitary life are also often triggered by the fact that the country spends just 6 per cent of its GDP on welfare accounts, much lower compared to other emerging economies. The apps developers described themselves as a small, independent startup of three cofounders born after 1995, and expressed their appreciation towards the users. "We feel honoured and deeply grateful to receive such widespread attention," the team said in a statement, according to Global Times. The app's viral surge began only in recent days, the team said, triggering a more than 100-fold spike in downloads that drove up server load and operating costs, the National Business Daily reported. One of the members, who goes by the name Mr Guo, told local media that the app was built for a little over 1,000 yuan (106), but they now intended to sell 10 per cent of the company to raise 1m yuan (10,600). Another member of the founding trio, who identified himself only as Mr Lyu, said the apps target users were young people living alone in the biggest cities, especially young women around the age of 25. These people were likely to experience a strong sense of loneliness due to the lack of people to communicate with ... accompanied by ... worries about unforeseen events occurring without anyone knowing, he said, according to the Financial Times. Although the app was widely praised on Chinese social media platforms, it also drew criticism for its ominous use of the Chinese word for death in its name. A user surnamed Zhao from Sichuan in southwest China said he would pay to download the app if it were renamed "Are You Alive". The Sile Me team said they planned to roll out new features, including messaging tools and more elderly-friendly functions, and were also considering renaming the app. 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 South Korean prosecutors have requested the death penalty for former president Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of insurrection over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. Mr Yoon was accused of plotting with senior aides to provoke an armed aggression from North Korea, justifying the decision and consolidating his power amid weakening support. He has consistently rejected the accusations and insisted that the declaration was within his presidential authority. In closing arguments at the Seoul Central District Court, prosecutors said that investigators had confirmed the existence of a scheme allegedly directed by Mr Yoon and his former defence minister, Kim Yong Hyun, dating back to October 2023, designed to keep Mr Yoon in power. The former president was impeached by the National Assembly over the short-lived declaration and arrested on 15 January last year, becoming the first sitting South Korean president to suffer such a fate. open image in gallery Yoon Suk Yeol has denied the charges against him ( AP ) Mr Yoon and his five cabinet ministers were among 24 people charged with offences related to insurrection following a six-month inquiry into the allegations. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death. Investigators had previously accused Mr Yoon and military leaders of authorising covert drone flights into North Korea to inflame tensions as part of a coordinated strategy. When the plan failed to spark a confrontation, prosecutors said, the president charged ahead with declaring martial law anyway, dubbing political opponents including the then head of his own People Power Party as anti-state forces. Within hours, legislators and lawmakers including from his own party sought to block the order with thousands taking to the streets of Seoul to protest. Mr Yoon narrowly won the presidency in 2022 and had been facing mounting unpopularity since taking office, with approval ratings plummeting to 17 per cent before the events that triggered his decision to impose martial law. open image in gallery Yoons move to impose martial law resulted in huge protests ( AP ) We know well from historic experience that the justification given by those in power for a coup is only a facade and the sole purpose is to monopolise and maintain power, special prosecutor Cho Eun Seok told reporters last month. To create justification for declaring martial law, they tried to lure North Korea into mounting an armed aggression, but failed as North Korea did not respond militarily, he added. Mr Yoons wife, Kim Keon Hee, remains under a separate investigation by another special prosecutor over alleged corruption tied to activities before and during his presidency prosecutors have said there is no evidence to link Ms Kim to the alleged conspiracy. The former president has argued that his move to impose martial law was intended to warn against what he believed was the oppositions abuse of parliamentary power. The Seoul Central District Court is expected to rule on the case in February. 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 West African-born chimpanzee who was able to identify more than 100 Chinese characters as well as the English alphabet, died in Japan at the age of 49. Ai, widely known as a genius chimpanzee, passed away on 9 January from multiple organ failure linked to old age, surrounded by staff who had cared for her for decades, Kyoto Universitys Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behaviour said in a statement. Arriving in Japan in 1977, Ai became the central figure of what would later be called the Ai Project a pioneering effort to understand how chimpanzees perceive, remember, and interpret the world, according to the centre. Her participation began when she was just a year old, and her natural curiosity soon turned her into one of the most closely studied primates in scientific history. Researchers equipped Ai with a special computer-linked keyboard when she was only 18 months old, allowing her to communicate choices and responses in cognitive tests. By the age of five, her abilities were already remarkable. In a 1985 scientific paper, the primatologist behind the Ai project, Tetsuro Matsuzawa, wrote that Ai had mastered numerical naming from one to six and was able to name the number, colour, and object of 300 types of samples. Ai was Mr Matsuzawas most celebrated research participant. Her name Ai translates to love in Japanese. Chimpanzee Ai, known for her ability to recognize some letters and numbers, holds her 35-centimetre-tall newborn male chimp Ayumu, 25 April 2000, at the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University in Inuyama, central Japan ( JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images ) Over time, Ais skills expanded dramatically. In 2014, Mr Matsuzawa said Ai could recognise Arabic numerals from zero to nine, 11 different colours, more than 100 Chinese characters, and the English alphabet. According to The Japan Times, in one experiment, Ai was presented with a computer screen displaying the Chinese character for pink, along with a pink square and an alternative purple square. The chimpanzee correctly chose the pink square, Mr Matsuzawa said. In another, when shown an apple, Ai picked out a rectangle, a circle and a dot on the computer screen to draw a virtual apple. Her achievements made her a fixture in academic journals, including Nature. In popular media she came to be referred to as a genius. The research with Ai helped to establish an experimental framework for understanding the chimpanzee mind, providing a crucial foundation for considering the evolution of the human mind, the centre said. Ai was highly curious and actively participated in these studies, revealing various aspects of the chimpanzee mind for the first time, it said. Ai was also artistic, often drawing or painting without being prompted by food rewards. She once made headlines for unlocking her cage with a key and escaping with another primate. In 2000 she gave birth to a son, Ayumu, who later became famous for his own exceptional memory. In 2017, one of Ais paintings was turned into a scarf and presented to Dame Jane Goodall. One of Ais best-known artworks a 2013 piece on Shikishi paper made with red and black brushes was presented to Prof Kazuo Oike when he became Dean of the Kyoto University of Art and Design. According to The Smithsonian magazine, Mr Matsuzawa wrote an account of his first meeting with Ai: When I looked into this chimpanzees eyes, she looked back into mine. This amazed me the monkeys I had known and worked with never looked into my eyes. He wrote: I had simply thought that chimpanzees would be big black monkeys. This, however, was no monkey. It was something mysterious. 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 Myanmar targeted the Rohingya for destruction and made their lives a nightmare, the top UN court heard on the first day of the proceedings in a landmark case accusing the Southeast Asian country of committing genocide. Dawda Jallow, justice minister of the Gambia, which brought the case, said no one was held accountable for the persecution of the Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority, and the perpetrators then felt emboldened to overthrow the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. He said there were credible reports of the most brutal and vicious violations imaginably inflicted upon a vulnerable group. This is the first genocide case that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing in full in over a decade. The case centres around the Myanmar militarys operations in 2016 and 2017 that sent over 700,000 Rohingya refugees fleeing into neighbouring Bangladesh to escape persecution. Proceedings began on Monday and are expected to last three weeks, with Gambia presenting its case over four days and Myanmar responding on Friday. The world court will also hear from Rohingya victims of the violence during a closed session. open image in gallery Dawda Jallow waits for the start of the first hearing in the Myanmar genocide case at the ICJ in the Hague ( ANP/AFP/Getty ) Mr Jallow told the court on Monday that the Rohingya had endured decades of appalling persecution and dehumanising propaganda. This culminated in the savage genocidal clearance operations in 2016 and 2017, which were followed by continued genocidal policies meant to erase their existence in Myanmar, he said. He noted the Gambias case involved members of the Rohingya community, including some who had travelled from refugee camps in Bangladesh. He said the Rohingya were a simple people with dreams of living in peace and dignity. They have been targeted for destruction, Mr Jallow said. Myanmar has denied them their dream, in fact its turned their lives into a nightmare, subjecting them to the most horrific violence and destruction one could imagine. The Gambian minister said his country had brought the case to the ICJ as a sense of responsibility and that Myanmar was trapped in a cycle of atrocities, referring to the militarys overthrow of the Suu Kyi government. At a 2019 preliminary hearing of the case, Ms Suu Kyi, then the leader of Myanmar, had rejected the Gambias accusations of genocide as incomplete and misleading, a move that tarnished the Nobel Peace laureates reputation as a defender of human rights. open image in gallery A displaced Rohingya man at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia ( AFP/Getty ) Speaking in The Hague before the ICJ hearing, Rohingya victims said they wanted the long-awaited case to deliver justice. Were 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, 52, who said he was tortured by the Myanmar military, told Reuters. Another survivor, Monaira, told the news agency they did not just hope to get justice, we demand it and we would like to ask the court to take action against the Myanmar dictators, the leaders of the Myanmar military who committed the genocide. The Rohingya come mainly from the Rakhine state. They claim to be the descendants of Arab traders and other Muslim populations that lived in the region for generations. Myanmar, however, accuses them of being illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Although the ongoing case wont result in individual sentences, experts say it will set a global precedent for what the world is willing to tolerate. In particular, the proceedings are expected to set precedents that may affect South Africas case of genocide against Israel over the war in Gaza. Myanmar denies genocide, as does Israel, whose lawyers dismiss the South African case as an abuse of the genocide convention. 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 death toll from a massive landfill collapse in Cebu City in the Philippines has climbed to 11, as rescuers continued the risky search for dozens of people believed to be trapped beneath tons of garbage, twisted metal, and debris. Cebu City Fire Station spokesperson Wendell Villanueva said on Tuesday that 25 people remain unaccounted for, while 12 others were injured when a huge mound of waste gave way at a landfill facility in Barangay Binaliw last week. Search and rescue operations have been underway for several days, with emergency teams working round the clock in highly unstable conditions. open image in gallery A huge mound of garbage that collapsed Thursday afternoon at a waste segregation facility in Binaliw, Cebu city, central Philippines is seen on Saturday Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Hernandez) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Authorities say the pace of the operation has increased following the arrival of additional heavy equipment, though safety concerns continue to complicate efforts, according to GMA News. Cebu City mayor, Nestor Archival, said responders detected possible signs of life beneath the collapsed site, prompting officials to remain in rescue mode despite the passage of more than 72 hours. He said early rescue efforts had been deliberately slow due to serious hazards, including gas leaks and the risk of further collapse involving interconnected steel structures. open image in gallery Family members and relatives of missing individuals react while rescue workers conduct a rescue operation at the collapsed landfill in Binaliw, Cebu, Philippines, 11 January 2026 ( REUTERS ) Survivors have described the collapse as sudden and without warning. One worker told the Associated Press that the wall of garbage came crashing down in seconds, destroying offices and trapping employees inside. I saw a light and crawled toward it in a hurry, because I feared there will be more landslides, Jaylord Antigua, a 31-year-old office worker who escaped with injuries, said. It was traumatic. I feared that it was my end, so this is my second life. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas has issued a cease-and-desist order against Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc., the landfills operator, suspending all operations at the site. The department said the company would have to submit a compliance plan within 90 days. The company said it was cooperating with authorities and providing assistance to those affected. The safety and well-being of our employees, contractors, and neighbouring communities remain our top priority, it said in a statement. The disaster has revived long-standing concerns about landfill safety in the Philippines. Similar sites, often located near low-income communities, have been linked to deadly accidents in the past. open image in gallery Rescuers continue search operations at a collapsed waste segregation facility in Binaliw, Cebu city, central Philippines on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Hernandez) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) This should have never happened, Senator Imee Marcos said. We have seen similar tragedies before, yet the same dangers persist. The lives lost in Cebu demand clear answers and real reforms. In 2000, more than 200 people were killed when a garbage dump collapsed in Quezon City, prompting national reforms on waste management reforms critics say have been unevenly enforced. Sign up to our free money newsletter for investment analysis and expert advice to help you build wealth Sign up to our free money email for help building your wealth Sign up to our free money email for help building your wealth Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The price of oil has spiked to its highest level since November, in the wake of Donald Trump placing an immediately effective 25 per cent tariff on all nations doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Brent Oil futures are trading at more than $64.50 (47.85) on Tuesday as of 9am GMT, following a spike of over 1 per cent across the past 24 hours. Futures last traded above $65 two months ago, before falling as low as $59 in mid-December. It means this latest geopolitical intervention by Mr Trump has had a bigger impact on oil prices than the military capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro did. Though there has been no official policy presented so far, the president wrote on social media: 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. open image in gallery Donald Trumps new tariff on countries doing business with Iran has had a bigger impact on oil prices than the military capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro did ( AFP via Getty ) There does not appear to be any conclusive assessment at present on whether it would be a 25 per cent tariff on nations whose current tariff level is below that number, or an additional rate on top of existing rates. Given existing sanctions on Iran, trade between the US and Iran is minimal, which explains Mr Trumps effort to pressure Tehran by targeting its trading partners. Data from Kpler show that China accounted for 77 per cent of Irans oil exports in 2024. Bloomberg reports that the Asian nation is also Irans largest trading partner, with more than $32bn in trade between the two in 2024. Also in the top five were the UAE, Turkey, Iraq, and the EU the latter doing $6.7bn of business, equivalent to 5.4 per cent of all of Irans trade. Those five made up more than three-quarters (77.8 per cent) of Irans total 2024 trade. open image in gallery Existing trade between the US and Iran is minimal, which explains the US presidents effort to pressure Tehran by targeting its trading partners ( AP ) Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, cast doubt on the Trump administration following through on the threats, though noted that additional action could drive oil prices to shift far more rapidly and more notably than in the past. More onerous trade restrictions are for now the weapon of choice of the US administration, to put pressure on Irans regime, but options for military action are still being weighed up, she said. Tariffs are Trumps well-worn modus operandi, and theres expectation he will follow through to some extent, but as weve seen before, heavy tariffs dont always stick around for long, and are often temporary negotiating tactics. Oil prices are still well below the average over the past 12 months. A strike on Irans regime would prompt another big spike in volatility. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Eli Lilly and Company announced in December that its next-generation weight loss drug retatrutide helped patients shed more pounds than any other similar weight-loss drug during a late-stage trial. Patients taking the once-weekly drug over the course of 68 weeks lost nearly 29 percent of their body weight, whereas patients taking semaglutide drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy previously lost only 16 percent. But retatrutide functions differently than other popular drugs. Thats because its a triple hormone receptor agonist. Instead of targeting and stimulating just one hormone to help curb appetite and make people feel fuller like GLP- class drugs, retatrutide targets three. Now, some people are calling retatrutide a GLP-3. open image in gallery Popular weight loss drugs curb appetite by targeting the GLP-1 hormone. Now, Eli Lillys new shot targeting more hormones has been shown to be more effective ( Getty/iStock ) What is a GLP-3 and how does it work? Semaglutide weight loss drugs work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which is also known as Glucagon-Like Peptide, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The drugs do this by activating the proteins in the brain that produce the hormone. GLP-1 helps to regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite, as well as slow digestion. Retatrutide works by mimicking three different hormones: GLP-1, GIP and Glucagon. GIP, or Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide, works harmoniously with GLP-1 to improve the bodys metabolism and our release of blood sugar-regulating hormone insulin Glucagon helps the body burn stored fat for fuel and reduces body weight. Eli Lillys competitor Novo Nordisk announced a license agreement for a GLP-3 drug in March of last year. Eli Lillys Mounjaro is the only dual drug on the market, targeting GLP-1 and GIP. Doctors say that Mounjaro is also more effective than semaglutide drugs, although results show less weight loss over 72 weeks. open image in gallery The headquarters campus of Eli Lilly and Company is seen in Indianapolis, Indiana in March 2024. The company also makes Mounjaro ( Getty ) Risk and reward Experts believe the combination of all three hormones is why GLP-3 drugs could prove to be more effective going forward. However, more research needs to be conducted into their safety and they are not without risk. More than 12 percent of patients in the retatrutide drug trial lost so much weight and experienced other adverse events that they stopped taking the drug, Eli Lilly said. And, more than 20 percent of people taking the highest dose of the Eli Lilly drug 12 milligrams also had a condition that makes touching the skin painful. Still, the majority of side effects were consistent with those felt when taking weight loss drugs currently on the market, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. One in eight Americans are taking a GLP-1 drug, according to a recent KFF Health Tracking Poll. Join the Independent Women newsletter with Victoria Richards for a thoughtful take on the weeks headlines Join the Independent Women newsletter Join the Independent Women newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice When Emma* decided to try for a baby, she began to come off some of the medicines she relied on to manage her Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The complex condition affecting connective tissues has left the 35-year-old without a bladder and being fed via a tube into her small bowel. But there were some drugs she couldnt safely go without. Thats when Emma realised no one could tell her for sure whether those drugs could harm her baby. The vast majority of the information thats available is like, To be used if theres no other options, no research done. And without the medication, I will end up in hospital, so I dont really have an option but to take it, Emma says. The lack of information left her feeling guilt and anxiety. More than 90 per cent of medicines have never been tested in pregnancy, leaving millions of women around the world making this impossible choice: go without treatment or take it without full-throated reassurance from doctors that its safe. This year, in the biggest step change in a generation since the Thalidomide scandal of the 1950s and 1960s the World Health Organisation (WHO) will begin to work with scientists, doctors and drug developers to change this. That tragedy is where the origins of this situation lie. In the 1950s, a drug that had never been tested in pregnant women was given as a treatment for morning sickness. At the time, scientists didnt know that drugs could pass from mother to foetus through the placenta. It took years to realise that it was causing serious birth defects, including shortened or missing limbs. The Thalidomide scandal led to the creation of the drug safety monitoring system that still exists today in the UK, as well as the passing of the Medicines Act 1968. This law set out strict rules around how medicines had to be tested before they could be given to patients. But pregnant women whose experiences led to the creation of these safety nets were systematically excluded from trials. Not out of malice but out of fear, explains Mariana Widmer, a maternal health scientist at WHO. People have been scared to treat pregnant women since the thalidomide tragedy, Widmer says, and pregnant women are scared to be treated. Theres no one single organisation or one individual that can make this change. This change is huge. This takes time, she adds. We need collaboration and we need partnerships. And this is what we at WHO would like to do ... bring together all these players at the table and work together to make this change, thats the only way to do it. open image in gallery Randomised drug trials give the best information about a medicines safety ( Getty/iStock ) While the spectre of causing life-long disabilities in babies led to an attitude that it was better not to take the risk at all, what was neglected was the risk of leaving pregnant people out. They will have illnesses that need treatment like any other part of the population. At the moment, its often left to midwives and doctors to have a difficult conversation with them that they might need medicine to keep them and their babies well, but they need to know that this medicine has never been tested in pregnant women, Widmer says, meaning we cant be certain of their effects. After deadly bleeding, the next most common category of maternal deaths around the world is from chronic illnesses, including heart conditions, diabetes and epilepsy. Pregnant women are still dying from conditions that are otherwise preventable in others, she says. Emma is all too aware of this catch-22. One of her medications, nabilone, is a synthetic version of the compound THC found in cannabis. She takes it for relentless nausea and vomiting. Before I had the [nabilone], I was in hospital every few weeks needing IV replacements and electrolyte replacements. So its all being deemed safer that I stay on them because we know whats going to happen if I dont. And thats probably more dangerous. Because of a lack of randomised trials, much of the evidence on THC-use during pregnancy comes from recreational cannabis users who are also more likely to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol known risks to a foetus making the data meaningless, Emma was told. Similarly, coming off opiate painkillers could allow her pain to spiral to levels that could put her at risk of losing the pregnancy, she was told. Its this constant weighing up of what is more dangerous, whats not more dangerous, and its really, really difficult to make that judgement, she says. The WHO team plans to work through a list of essential medicines for the most common chronic diseases. They will produce information for people testing drugs, guiding them on how to include pregnant women safely. The next step is to incentivise drug developers to prioritise this work, partly by talking to regulators about fast-tracking the medicines once tested. We are not in the same place as we were some 70 years ago when Thalidomide started to be offered for morning sickness, Widmer explains. Scientists have a much better understanding of how to safely and thoroughly test drugs, and trials are closely regulated. We have the means to know how to do it properly in order to ensure that the woman is safe and that the baby is safe, she says. That involves testing drugs first in cells in a petri dish and in animals, then in healthy non-pregnant people, followed by non-pregnant people with health conditions. Its step by step. Its not that we will go directly to pregnant women to be included in clinical trials, Widmer says. Drug trials are particularly controlled and closely monitored environments, making it easier to pick up any problems than it is in the general population. Dr Teesta Dey worked delivering babies in the NHS for a decade and now consults on global health, but it was becoming a new mum herself that led her to do this work. While going through a complicated pregnancy with her now 15-month-old, she was taken by surprise by how difficult it was to understand what medication she could and couldnt take. Labels were unclear or contradictory. That left me in a real quandary because I didnt know: could I use it? Is it safe for me? Is it safe for my baby? And that put a huge burden on me to make that decision as a mother. When Dr Dey recently spoke at a Birth Trauma Association conference chaired by womens health minister, Baroness Gillian Merron, she heard countless stories from women who had been left not knowing whether they could take treatments for everything from extreme pregnancy sickness to heart conditions. So the reality of what happens is that people will take it off-label, which puts that onus on the women making that choice while health providers are forced to say I dont know. open image in gallery During the Covid pandemic, 75 per cent of vaccine studies didnt include pregnant and lactating women ( AP ) Were extrapolating it from male [and non-pregnant] models that have shown that its safe and effective, she says. But we know that the pregnancy state is very different. Even your circulating blood volume is increased by 40 per cent. Testing a medicine on all groups who might use it, on the other hand, would give us more reliable information about how to safely treat people. I think sometimes we focus on the risk a lot ... but we dont ever think about what are the benefits here, Dr Dey adds. Shifting our mindset is really important. A good example, she says, is what happened during the Covid pandemic, when 75 per cent of vaccine studies didnt include pregnant and lactating women. We also know from the data that this was the population of women who had the poorest outcomes, who were in hospital the most, who were burdened with this disease the most. Yet they didnt include them in the study, Dr Dey says. Because so many people received the vaccine in a short space of time including those who may not have known they were pregnant it soon became clear that the vaccine was indeed safe. But the lack of early information sowed mistrust. Its not that I want all pregnant women, regardless of the condition, to participate, Widmer stresses, but that the potential effects on pregnant women should be considered from point zero when someone decides to develop a drug that could benefit a woman during her pregnancy. A sea-change like this has happened before, in medicines for children. Until roughly 20 years ago, children were generally excluded from trials, and if they needed to be given medicines, they were treated as small adults for the purposes of dosing despite being physiologically different. In 2007, a regulation passed by the European Union said that if drug companies wanted their products to be licensed for children, they must test them on children. Now, its routine that this is done where safe. This is something that I would love to do with pregnancy, Widmer says. A WHO toolkit of information for scientists and patients is set to be launched in the spring. Dr Agnes Saint-Raymond, who was instrumental in the passing of the new rule for trials in children, says she wants to see more than just guidelines, though, calling on the WHO to make sure they commission testing of essential medicines quickly where necessary, and make public any data that already exists. Were not starting from zero information, she says, pointing to the example of paracetamol. Donald Trump caused controversy when he suggested pregnant women should tough it out and avoid the painkiller which he falsely claimed was behind a rise in autism diagnoses. But since it is an old and commonly-used medicine, we have data from millions of patients which has failed to prove a link between the two. Untreated severe pain and fever, on the other hand, do have known risks for a pregnancy. Better information on a wider range of medicines could stop people falling into this trap - but Dr Saint-Raymond acknowledges that all of this needs funding which is in short supply these days. The funding has been cut, for WHO she says and, if you dont have money, you cant do anything. Its not just an issue of safety, Dr Dey believes, but one of choice. She is critical of the paternalistic model that has fallen where women are actively excluded without even being given the opportunity to participate in a trial. Pregnant women are capable of understanding the risks and making the decision whether to take part in a trial for themselves, she says something Emma says she would consider if given the chance. Instead, Dr Dey says: Weve taken that autonomy and that control away. *Name has been changed 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 Scientists have shown that a non-invasive sound stimulation of the brain at a specific frequency can clear toxic proteins linked to Alzheimers disease, an advance that could lead to low-cost therapy. Alzheimers disease symptoms, including memory loss and problems with language and thinking, are known to be linked to elevated levels of abnormal proteins in the brain called amyloids, which form plaque around cells. These proteins can build up gradually in the brain and kill the junctions between nerve cells known as synapses, eventually strangling the neurons and causing brain tissue death. While current treatments improve some symptoms, there are no long-term cures for the debilitating condition. Now, for the first time, scientists have demonstrated that auditory stimulation at 40Hz can significantly alter amyloid protein levels in the brain of aged rhesus monkeys, with this effect persisting for over five weeks. The findings suggest 40Hz stimulation could be developed into a non-invasive physical therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Illustration of 40Hz auditory stimulation of aged monkeys ( KIZ ) In the study, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences tested the auditory stimulation technique in nine rhesus macaques aged 2631 years. The monkeys had developed widespread spontaneous amyloid- (A) protein clusters in their brains, effectively mimicking the pathological feature of human Alzheimers disease, making them an ideal animal research model. One group of monkeys in the study received an hour of 40Hz auditory stimulation daily for seven consecutive days. Researchers found that after the sound stimulation, levels of the key amyloid proteins in the monkeys' spinal fluid (CSF) increased by three times the initial levels. Seven days stimulation triggered a rapid CSF A increase by more than 200 per cent, they wrote in the study published in the journal PNAS. The results are also consistent with previous findings in mouse models, scientists say, suggesting that 40Hz sound stimulation facilitates the clearance of toxic Alzheimers-related amyloid proteins from the brain into the spinal fluid. Scientists found that the amyloid protein levels in the spinal fluid remained elevated when measured five weeks after the stimulation ended, showing theres a sustained long-term effect from the therapy. Compared to current antibody treatments to slow early-stage Alzheimers disease, researchers say sound stimulation could be developed into a non-invasive, low-cost physical intervention. This study provides the first primate evidence that 40Hz auditory stimulation can sustainably modulate the A metabolism in the brain, supporting its potential as a noninvasive AD treatment method, researchers wrote. 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 jailed for creating a cannabis factory in a former fancy dress store. A cannabis farm, featuring 300 plants worth 160,000, was discovered by police across three floors of Portsmouth's former U Need Us store in October. Hassan Dauti, 32, of Arundel Street, Portsmouth, and Emiljano Shehi, 40, of no fixed address, were arrested for cannabis cultivation and entering the UK without leave. open image in gallery Emiljano Shehi ( Hampshire Constabulary ) The pair were jailed for 14 months at Portsmouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to the offences. Dauti and Shehi, who are both Albanian nationals, will be handed over to immigration services after they complete their sentences. open image in gallery Hassan Dauti ( Hampshire Constabulary ) A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: Once they have completed their sentence they will be taken into custody of immigration services. The force spokesman said that officers were called to the address by Scottish & Southern Electricity (SSE) workers who were trying to cut off the supply to the disused shop and the plants were found after they identified a strong smell of cannabis. open image in gallery The cannabis factory that was found inside the former U Need Us store in Portsmouth ( Hampshire Constabulary ) Chief Inspector Sam Warne said: Cannabis factories of this size are unusual and can pose significant risks, including fire because of the way electricity is used. Ultimately, weve stopped the distribution of these drugs. Drug supply causes harm and misery to our communities and we will continue disrupting it and making sure that our city is a hostile environment for drug dealers to operate in. 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 A Russian ship captain was negligent and did absolutely nothing to prevent the deadly Humber Estuary crash, a court has heard. Vladimir Motin, 59, was charged after his container ship, Solong, collided with US oil tanker the Stena Immaculate in the North Sea last March, while he was on sole watch duty and responsible for navigating the ship. Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, died in the collision off the East Yorkshire coast, but Motin, from Primorsky, St Petersburg, has denied the manslaughter of his crew member. Opening his Old Bailey trial on Tuesday, prosecutor Tom Little KC said the case involved the entirely avoidable death of one of his crew. He told jurors: Ultimately, he would still be alive if it was not for the grossly negligent conduct of the man in the dock, the defendant, and who was the captain of the very vessel upon which the seaman who lost his life was working. The captain owed him a duty of care to keep him safe and the defendant, we say, manifestly breached that duty of care and caused his death. The risk of death was serious and obvious and negligence was so bad that it was gross. On the morning of 10 March 2025, the Solong was in the North Sea approaching an area where other ships, including the Stena Immaculate, were anchored. open image in gallery An artists impression of captain Vladimir Motin ( PA ) At about 9.47am, the front of the Solong crashed into the side of the anchored Stena Immaculate. The US registered tanker was carrying large quantities of aviation fuel which leaked out, causing fire to spread across both ships, jurors were told. Mr Pernia was working at the front of the Solong and died in the collision, although his body has never been found, Mr Little said. Mr Little said the Solong was on a direct collision course with the Stena Immaculate for more than 30 minutes and it was obvious a crash was possible, both when the vessel became visible to the naked eye and from information displayed on computer equipment available to Motin. The prosecutor told jurors that, despite warning signs that he needed to act, the highly-trained Motin did precisely the opposite, and he did nothing to avoid the collision. He could and should have acted differently, Mr Little said. open image in gallery The captain of a Russian ship that collided with a US oil tanker was charged with manslaughter ( PA ) There were a number of things the highly trained captain could and should have done, Mr Little said. It is this gross breach of duty to the man he killed, and indeed to his own crew, that led inexorably to a death and to him being on trial before you at the Old Bailey, the prosecutor said. Mr Justice Andrew Baker told jurors they must be blind to the nationalities of seafarers involved in the collision between the two ships. He said: This case is brought here, by which I mean, in this country, because this maritime collision occurred in English waters. It is not in any way unusual to find that the seafarers involved came from a range of different nationalities. He added this fact is entirely irrelevant to the issue jurors must consider and urged them to be blind to where various mariners may have come from. Motin has denied manslaughter. The trial continues. 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 Most Britons across the UK think London is an unsafe place to live, according to a new poll, but the majority of Londoners disagree. The recent survey came after Donald Trump claimed there are no-go areas in London for the police, and Nigel Farage described the capital as being in the grip of a crime wave. Reform UKs London mayoral candidate, Laila Cunningham, also branded the city as unsafe. Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and the mayor of London Sadiq Khan have refuted these criticisms this week, with statistics showing 2025 as one of the safest in terms of serious violent crimes. According to a new YouGov poll of 5,674 people surveyed on 9 January, 61 per cent of Britons agree that London is an unsafe place to live, and only 30 per cent view it as a safe place. However, the majority of London residents (63 per cent) believe the capital is safe, and 81 per cent of Londoners think their local area is safe. open image in gallery According to a new YouGov poll, 61 per cent of Brits agree that London is an unsafe place to live, and only 30 per cent view it as a safe place ( YouGov ) Londons homicide rate per capita is at its lowest in 11 years since records began, according to figures released by the Met Police. In 2025, 97 homicides were committed - an 11 per cent reduction from the previous year. Last year, the capital also recorded the fewest number of homicides of victims aged under 25 in this century, and 95 per cent of all homicide investigations resulted in a positive outcome. Londons homicide rate now stands at 1.1 per 100,000 people, which is lower than any other UK city and several global cities. Sadiq Khan told The Independent: Last year, something extraordinary happened in London. As the conversation about crime got even louder, London quietly reached the lowest per capita homicide rate in its recorded history. Even Londons harshest critics have to accept this is impressive progress. For too many, it will no doubt come as a surprise. 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. The London mayor added: Sorry, Trump and Farage London is no lawless warzone. Violent crime is lower than ever. According to Metropolitan Police data, violent incidents resulting in injury additionally fell by a fifth, while firearms discharges are less than half what they were seven years ago. Hospital admissions of young people for knife assault also fell by 43 per cent since 2019. These milestones come despite the population in London having risen by more than half a million since 2014. open image in gallery Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has cited statistics showing 2025 as one of the safest in terms of serious violent crimes ( AP ) Speaking on BBC Newscast on Monday, Mr Khan said: Its those that dont know London who believe this perception and narrative. Only 34 per cent of Londoners think the capital is unsafe, and just 15 per cent of residents in London think their local area is unsafe. This is a similar number to the 11 per cent of people nationally who think their local area is unsafe. Reform UK voters are currently the most likely to think London is unsafe, at 85 per cent. The mayor was also questioned on the podcast about why only 1 per cent of phone thefts in London result in a charge or conviction, according to police data. Mr Khan responded: We have seen in the past an increase in mobile thefts in all cities across Europe, including London. He said the police are working to shut down these phone snatching gangs and they have doubled the size of the forces deployed in the West End, where phone thefts are commonplace. He claims this has resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in personal robbery and a 25 per cent reduction in personal theft. He added: Im not complacent. Were going to make more progress. Twelve years ago, in 2014, 53 per cent of people across the UK thought of London as safe. 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 Labour MPs have urged the government to reject Chinas controversial plan for a mega-embassy in London, ahead of an impending decision. The move comes amid reports that Sir Keir Starmer is poised to approve the proposal, which was previously delayed until 20 January. Nine MPs raised security concerns in a letter to communities secretary Steve Reed, seen by the BBC. They warned the new embassy could be used to step up intimidation against dissidents. The MPs, including Sarah Champion, who is a member of parliaments Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, said concerns about the proposal are significant and unresolved. They cite the recent track record of Chinese espionage cases, interference activities, and issuing of bounties against UK-based Hong Kongers, as well as the fact that this embassy would sit above sensitive infrastructure critical to both the UKs economic and national security. A group of nine MPs have written to communities secretary Steve Reed (pictured) to highlight their concerns about the proposals ( PA ) The Times reported that the announcement to approve the embassy would be made ahead of a trip to China the prime minister is widely expected to make. It would be the first by a prime minister since Theresa Mays visit in 2018. MPs from across the political spectrum have urged the government to reject Chinas application for a new embassy on the site of the former Royal Mint, citing security concerns. 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 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. 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 Calls for the resignation of South East Water chief executive David Hinton have grown from a trickle to a roar as tens of thousands of homes across Kent and Sussex are without water for the fourth day in a row, with no clear end to the crisis in sight. Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to send in the army, and an investigation has been launched, as the failure comes just two weeks after another outage in the area affected 24,000 homes in Tunbridge Wells. Now, many of the same people face further disruption, which may not be rectified until at least the weekend, The Independent understands. South East Water has set up water distribution sites and staff told The Independent that around 1,000 cars an hour were arriving to collect bottled water. Mike Martin, the Lib Dem MP for Tunbridge Wells, who previously called for Mr Hintons resignation, has said the government needs to grow a pair, and call for him to go too. These calls have been backed by the leader of Kent County Council, Reform UKs Linden Kemkaran, who has also written to the board of South East Water calling for Mr Hinton to be fired. Mr Martin told The Independent: Im absolutely livid, along with all my constituents. We had two weeks without drinking water in December, and now weve got it again. Nothing that we learnt the first time round has been picked up this time round. Theres been really poor communication, poor crisis management, and its a shambles. Ive written today to NatWest, which own 25 per cent of South East Water, to ask if they think this is acceptable. Quite simply Dave Hinton needs to go. The company is beset by groupthink and they cant see all of the problems that they face. He said the government should go much further in terms of holding South East Water to account, and said the government needs to grow a pair, and call for him to go. The water is going to be on and off until at least this weekend, Mr Martin told The Independent, adding, just ignore what South East Water are saying they dont know what theyre doing. open image in gallery A sign outside The Bull pub in Tunbridge Wells, which has been forced to close due to the latest water outage ( Harry Cockburn/The Independent ) Not only is the infrastructure depleted, but the leadership is rubbish and its that double whammy thats causing all these issues. On Tuesday the Commons environment, food and rural affairs committee, to which Mr Hinton gave evidence last week, recalled him to parliament after the committee chair, Alistair Carmichael, said he and his colleagues remained deeply sceptical about the water companys version of events. Mr Martin said Mr Hintons evidence last week amounted to misleading parliament and holding the House of Commons in contempt. Reform UKs Ms Kemkaran said the local situation was really bad and went beyond affecting domestic concerns. This is day number four that people have been without water, she told The Independent. The problem has been moving around. One area would go off, then come back on, then a different area, and another, its been absolutely appalling. And Im afraid the communication from South East Water has been absolutely abysmal. Its not good enough. Its not just, Can I have a shower before I leave for work? Its affecting agriculture too. We have many, many farms here. I was speaking to a dairy farmer who didnt have the water to flush out his milking equipment, so therefore all the milk he took from the cows the next morning had to be thrown away. She added: Hairdressers cant wash the dye out of anyones hair. Restaurants and cafes have all had to shut their doors. The problem stems from South East Water not investing and fixing the infrastructure. Dave Hintons position has become completely untenable. Hes been missing in action too many times now. Hes got to go. Across the area of Tunbridge Wells affected by the current outage, people are furious with the response from South East Water. open image in gallery Despite heavy rain, residents in Tunbridge Wells and other areas of Kent and East Sussex have faced days of water outages, with no end in sight ( Harry Cockburn/The Independent ) Chrissie Bayley, who runs a beauty salon, said the previous outage had meant shed cancelled some clients, and said the ongoing uncertainty was impacting her business. You cant actually rely on the water. I need to flush the toilet and allow clients to go only for a wee. Ive had to wash peoples faces in Evian. Its crazy. John Oliver, a local resident, told The Independent the current outage was even more frustrating than the last one: Everything is intermittent. We had water today for 45 minutes. Then it went off, and thats it. We had an hour yesterday. He said The buck stops with [Mr Hinton]. His account at the select committee was so inconsistent. Hopefully hell be fired. David Ayre, who said he lives just round the corner, said: We cant wash, and its been going on such a long time, and the guy who runs it all is earning 500,000 a year. Id like to see him [Mr Hinton] fired. Hes got to be held responsible for his actions. Another local resident, Niamh Taylor, said that Mr Martin was really fighting our corner, but that in all honesty we just want to see [Mr Hinton] fired. Weve been thinking of coming together and maybe involving solicitors. Its been disgusting. The Independent has contacted South East Water for further comment. 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 Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to use the army to respond to an outage that has left thousands of homes without a proper water supply. A major incident was declared on Monday as 30,000 properties in Kent and Sussex were affected by problems with their water supply. South East Water (SEW) blamed the situation, across 11 postcode areas, on Storm Goretti and cold weather causing burst pipes and power cuts. People in Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead, Maidstone, Whitstable, Canterbury and the surrounding areas faced issues with supply, with thousands of homes still experiencing problems on Tuesday. This is the second time in two months that outages have occurred, with 24,000 people in Tunbridge Wells affected in December 2025. open image in gallery Workers hand over bottled water at a water station in East Grinstead, after bad weather was blamed for more water outages in Kent ( PA ) SEW said teams are working around the clock and has apologised for the outage, as bottled water has been handed out to residents. In an update on Tuesday morning, the water company said around 25,000 customers in Kent and Sussex remain affected by no water or intermittent supplies. It said that water supplies are returning to Loose in Maidstone, Blean near Canterbury, Headcorn, West Kingsdown and parts of Tunbridge Wells. Dry Wells Action, a community group set up in Tunbridge Wells to respond to the shortages, has called for the army to be sent into their town to deal with the logistics of restoring water. open image in gallery Jonathan Hawker, who runs Dry Wells Action campaign from Tunbridge Wells, says more needs to be done to improve the water supply ( PA ) SEW has set up a number of bottled water stations around the region and said in its update that the network takes time to refill and build pressure, with tankers being used to pump water into it. Jonathan Hawker, running the campaign from Tunbridge Wells, told The Independent: In terms of the short-term fix, what we really need is the government to intervene and bring outside help in from people with logistics nous and resources to ensure that the top-up after the pumping station and the reservoir is conducted, despite the inability of South East Water to do this themselves. We would welcome the professionals of the army, who are experts in logistics, giving guidance to South East Water on how to do their job. Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead has brought a water tanker onsite to keep its supply running until the situation is resolved, while a number of schools around Maidstone remained closed on Tuesday as a result of the ongoing problems. On Monday, residents in affected areas told The Independent they face water shortages on a regular basis. Joanne Lee, 53 and from Ulcombe in Kent, explained that the issues are so frequent she has been forced to change her routine and does not leave her home 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 shouldnt [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 Ive got no water. Mr Hawker said more needed to be done to improve the water supply in Tunbridge Wells, beyond the short-term fix ongoing at the moment. He said: What we need as a second phase is an independent assessment by an expert appointed by government to explore the flaws within the infrastructure that SEW has to serve this town and what needs to be done to modernise it, so there is some resilience in the system. We simply dont trust SEW doing it themselves. Multiple MPs from across the impacted area called for the government to remove the companys chief executive, David Hinton, from his post. open image in gallery Multiple MPs from across the impacted area have called for the government to remove South East Waters chief executive David Hinton ( PA ) Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said around 5,000 properties in her Faversham and Mid Kent constituency had been impacted. She said: It is not for the first time the chief executive of South East Water has shown us he is not up to the job. Can I urge the honourable lady to use any power she has to move him on? Mims Davies, Conservative MP for East Grinstead, Uckfield and the villages, said: With multiple and repeated South East Water serious failings in just the last five years, does the minister agree with me this water company needs urgent new leadership capable of properly addressing emergency situations? Water minister Emma Hardy did not offer any support for SEWs chief executive, saying the situation at the company beggars belief. A SEW spokesperson said: In responding to the current water supply issues in Kent and Sussex, the company is working with a number of partners and the wider supply chain to both provide alternate water and return the public water supply. "Mutual aid has been sought and received from neighbouring water companies and through our local Resilience Forum and Sussex 4 x 4, we would to like to thank our partners for their continued support." An Ofwat spokesperson said on Monday: 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. South East Water incident manager Steve Andrews apologised to customers and said the companys focus was on returning supplies to our customers as soon as possible. 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 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. 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 Watch live as technology secretary Liz Kendall and culture secretary Lisa Nandy are questioned over AI and copyright on Tuesday (13 January). It comes after media watchdog Ofcom launched an investigation into Mr Musks social media platform X after its AI tool Grok was used to generate sexualised images of women and children. If found to have breached the law, Ofcom can fine X up to 10 per cent of its global revenue or 18m, whichever is higher. On Monday, Ms Kendall said that creating non-consensual intimate images through an AI chatbot will become a criminal offence. She said images of women tied up and gagged, with bruises, covered in blood and much, much more are weapons of abuse. Sir Keir Starmer has issued an ultimatum to Mr Musk, announcing that the government will take fast action to deal with the abuses of the AI tool. In a direct message to the X owner, 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 response, the tech billionaire accused the UK government of being fascist and of trying to curb free speech. 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 Former Conservative home secretary Suella Braverman has defected to Reform UK. The right-winger told a Reform UK veterans event in London on Monday that she had resigned her Conservative Party membership of 30 years. Ms Braverman said she would represent her constituency of Fareham and Waterlooville as a Reform UK MP with immediate effect. It comes on the heels of the high-profile defection from the Conservatives of Robert Jenrick and brings the number of sitting MPs in Nigel Farages party to eight. They join Nadhim Zahawi, Lee Anderson, Nadine Dorries and Danny Kruger among the Conservatives joined Reform in the past two years. open image in gallery Suella Braverman ( Reuters ) Here are the other Conservatives who defected to Reform UK: Lee Anderson Mr Anderson was elected in 2019 as an MP for Ashfield for the Conservative Party; he defected to Reform UK in March 2024 and has since become Chief Whip. He retained his seat as a Reform UK MP in the 2024 general election. open image in gallery Lee Anderson was one of the Tory partys more high profile defections(Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire ) Jonathan Gullis In December last year, Mr Gullis announced he had defected to Reform UK - over a year after he confessed hed been unable to find permanent employment since losing his seat as Tory MP for Stoke-on-Trent North in the 2024 general election. He was a Tory MP from 2019 to 2024 and briefly had a stint as party deputy chairman from March 2024. Nadine Dorries After 25 years as a Conservative Party member, Ms Dorries announced she was leaving for Reform UK in September last year. The former politician was MP for Mid Bedfordshire from 2005 to 2023 and served as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from 2021 to 2022 under Boris Johnson. open image in gallery Nigel Farage said Nadine Dorries brought government-level experience to Reform UK (Jacob King/PA) ( PA Wire ) David Jones Last summer, the former cabinet minister and MP for Clwyd West defected to Farages party after over 50 years as a member of the Conservative Party. He represented the Clwyd West constituency from 2005 until 2024. In his parting statement, Mr Jones said: "Today, Reform UK is the party that best represents my views - and, I believe, those of many others who have become disillusioned with the two old major parties." Dame Andrea Jenkyns After a career as Conservative MP for Morely and Outwood from 2015 to May 2024, Dame Andrew left the party for Reform UK in November that same year. She later announced her candidacy for Reform in the 2025 election for the newly-created position of Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire last year and joined the partys decision-making board. open image in gallery Danny Kruger defected in September ( PA ) Danny Kruger Mr Kruger, MP for East Wiltshire, previously Devizes, since 2019, was one of the more high-profile defectors to Reform UK in September last year. He told a press conference: "This is my tragic conclusion, the Conservative Party is over, over as a national party, over as the principal opposition to the left." Lucy Allan Former MP for Telford from 2015 to 2024, Ms Allan stood down in the last general election and was suspended from the Conservative Party for publicly supporting the Reform UK candidate for that same constituency she formerly represented. Sir Jake Berry After serving as MP for Rossendale and Darwen from 2010 to 2024, Sir Jake defected to Reform last July. As an MP, he was Chairman of the Conservative Party briefly in 2022 and served as minister of state for the Northern Powerhouse and local growth from 2017 to 2020 under both Theresa May and Boris Johnson. open image in gallery Dame Andrea Jenkyns became the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire last year (PA) ( PA Wire ) Anne Marie Morris Last year, Ms Morris joined Reform UK to head up their social care policy. Prior to this, she was the Conservative MP for Newton Abbot from 2010 to 2024. During her 14-year term in office, she twice lost the party whip for a period of nine months between July and December 2017, and then again between January and May 2022. Marco Longhi In January last year, Mr Longhi defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK and is now president of Turning Point UK. The former MP for Dudley North had been a member of the Conservative Party since 1999. Ross Thomson Formerly MP for Aberdeen South between 2017 to 2019, Mr Thomson was a key supporter of Boris Johnson. In June last year, he announced he had defected to Reform UK, saying "only Reform have the courage and answers to the issues facing Scotland and the United Kingdom. open image in gallery Mr Farages party has seen a number of new members from the Tories ( PA ) Chris Green Mr Green defected to Reform UK in December last year. He served as MP for Bolton West from 2015 until 2024. Lia Nici Ms Nici defected from the Tories to Reform in December after a career as MP for Great Grimsby between 2019 and 2024. She served as assistant government whip for Liz Truss in her brief stint as prime minister in 2022. Ben Bradley The former Mansfield MP and Nottingham County Council leader announced his defection to Reform in December, stating that trust in the Tories "has gone" and "is not coming back". He has been appointed Reforms head of local government action, and will focus on reducing council spending. open image in gallery Nigel Farage, left, with Nadhim Zahawi (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire ) Nadhim Zahawi The former Tory chancellor became the highest-profile politician yet to switch to Reform from the Conservatives at the start of January. Mr Zahawi, who served ministerial positions under Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, said Britain really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister. It was, however, said by some Tory sources that Mr Zahawi jumped ship after a request for a peerage was rejected by Ms Badenoch - a claim he dismissed. Robert Jenrick Mr Jenrick, who was sacked from the role of shadow justice secretary last Thursday, said of his defection: If we dont get the next Government right, Britain will likely slip beyond the point of repair. He added: I cant in good conscience stick with a party thats failed so badly, that isnt sorry and hasnt changed, that I know in my heart wont cant deliver whats needed. Thats why I resolved to leave. Because Nigel Farage has stood consistently, and often alone for whats needed. Andrew Rosindell open image in gallery Andrew Rosindell, MP for Romford (PA) ( PA Archive ) Mr Rosindell has been MP for Romford since 2001. He was a shadow minister for home affairs under David Cameron, serving in that position from 2007 to 2010, before being made shadow minister for foreign affairs in November 2024. His move to Reform brings the partys number of MPs up to seven. About it, he wrote on X: Since joining the Conservative Party at the age of 14, I have been a loyal and committed supporter of the principles advocated by Margaret Thatcher that have always underpinned my own political beliefs. However, the time has come to put country before party. The failure of the Conservative Party both when in government and more recently in opposition to actively hold the government to account on the issue of Chagossian self-determination and the defence of British sovereignty, represents a clear red line for me. 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 Russian shadow fleet ships could be seized by British special forces after ministers reportedly identified a new legal basis for raids. Soldiers could target illegal oil tankers in a move to place further economic pressure on Vladimir Putin, days after the UK supported a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic. A defence source confirmed to The Times that options to seize further vessels are being considered. No timeframe has been given for potential missions, but the Special Boats Service (SBS) would likely lead the raids. 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. Officials have reportedly identified legal grounds under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act (2018), which would allow British soldiers to raid and detain oil tankers. open image in gallery Last week, British armed forces provided support in the capture of the Marinera ( Hakon Rimmereid ) Maritime law states that ships must be registered to a specific country or territory and display its flag. If a ship fails to do this, it could be deemed stateless, which has to be established for the UK to seize a vessel. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: It has been the longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on the activities of special forces. Last week, British armed forces provided support in the capture of the Marinera, a Venezuelan-linked vessel previously known as Bella-1, as it travelled north and eastwards through the waters between Iceland and Scotland. The UK supported the operation at the request of US president Donald Trump as part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions-busting and shadow shipping activity, he said. Defence secretary John Healey told MPs the ship had a nefarious history and was part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine. He said the seizure was legally justified and that the tanker had been stateless and falsely flying the flag of Guyana when it was first intercepted, before changing its name and attempting to adopt the Russian flag. open image in gallery Defence secretary John Healey told MPs the ship had a nefarious history ( PA ) The development comes as the UKs top military chief admitted Britain currently has no plan for how to mobilise doctors, nurses and hospitals in the event of all-out war. Giving evidence in front of the Commons defence select committee on Monday, 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. 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 Labours first Twitter tsar has branded X a cesspit and urged ministers to quit the social media platform immediately after its AI tool was repeatedly used to generate sexualised images of people without consent. On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer issued an ultimatum to the platforms owner, Elon Musk, announcing that the government would take fast action to deal with the abuses of Grok on the platform formerly known as Twitter. An investigation by the regulator Ofcom has also been launched. But Labour MP Kerry McCarthy told The Independent the situation was so extreme that ministers and the Labour Party should leave X straight away. open image in gallery Elon Musk launched Grok in 2023 in response to AI models from competitors like Google and OpenAI ( Getty/iStock ) Asked if ministers should quit immediately, Ms McCarthy, herself a former minister, said: Yes, its a cesspit. She added that the Labour Party, for which she acted as its Twitter tsar in the run-up to the 2010 general election, should also leave the platform. Yes, although we lack other platforms, but its just gone too far. She added that both should leave at least temporarily after the PM warned Mr Musk: If X cannot control Grok, we will and well do it fast because if you profit from harm and abuse, you lose the right to self-regulate. Ms McCarthy added: I think in the short-term its got to be about Grok. But we also need to develop other avenues of communication so we are not reliant on X. It has become awful. She was made Labours Twitter tsar when the party was keen to use the platform to get its message across to the public. At the time, she was given the job of improving the partys use of social media, as well as helping other MPs and candidates to use Twitter. open image in gallery Labours first Twitter tsar MP Kerry McCarthy says X has become awful ( PA ) Despite the governments criticism of X, many of Sir Keirs senior ministers are still using the platform. Health secretary Wes Streeting, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper and home secretary Shabana Mahmood have all posted since the start of the week, while the prime minister has avoided the platform since 8 January, and his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has not posted since 2 January. But Downing Street would not say whether Sir Keir has consciously stopped posting on the social media site as a result of the row. Asked if the prime minister was purposefully boycotting the platform, his official spokesman said: The prime minister uses a variety of different channels to speak to people across the UK and engage with the public. We will continue to do that, he will continue to do that. His priority here is to focus on ensuring that this platform follows the law. That is what we should be concentrating on, talking about criminal imagery of children as young as 11, reports of photos being shared of women in bikinis, tied up in gags with bruises and covered in blood. Thats not acceptable and that is where the full focus of government is. And asked whether the PM would encourage his Cabinet colleagues to avoid X, the spokesperson said it is obviously for individuals to decide which channels they use. We've always been clear in general terms its important to communicate with the public where they are, he added. On Monday, 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 wont stand for it, because no matter how unstable or complex the world becomes, this government will be guided by its values. Well stand up for the vulnerable against the powerful. He set out his plans to the weekly meeting of the Labour Parliamentary Party after Ofcom launched an investigation into X after Grok was used to generate sexualised images of women and children. open image in gallery On Monday, the prime minister told MPs and peers: The actions of Grok and X are absolutely disgusting and shameful ( PA ) The technology secretary Liz Kendall has also encouraged Ofcom to use the full range of its powers and potentially ban X in the UK. But such a move could spark a trade war with the US, with senior Trump administration figures, including vice-president JD Vance, accusing the UK of attacking free speech. Allies of Mr Musk in the UK have opposed banning Grok, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. 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. Ms Kendall said the criminal offence would be brought into force this week under the Data (Use and Access) Act passed by parliament last year. However, a spokesperson for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology said while the legal steps to introduce the offence were being made this week, it would not come into force until February. Nudification apps will also be criminalised as part of the Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently going through parliament, and it will become illegal for companies to supply tools to create non-consensual internet images. Ms Kendall told MPs on Monday that the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reports criminal imagery of children as young as 11, including girls sexualised and toddlers. 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. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said banning X was the wrong answer. Speaking before the investigation was launched, she said: Im not even sure what question it is that theyre answering. Mr Farage also expressed fears that the government will end up suppressing free speech. 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 Independence Party (Ukip) has denied claims that its planned new logo resembles a symbol used by the Nazis. The far-right party, led by Nick Tenconi, has submitted a new logo to replace its current yellow and purple pound emblem. The new black and white logo, which will need to be approved by the Electoral Commission, features a shield and spear as well as a slogan branding the party the new right. However, the cross on the logo has drawn criticism from those who say it resembles the Iron Cross, which was used as a military medal in the kingdom of Prussia and later by the Nazis. The party has denied that the symbol is an Iron Cross, instead insisting it is a Cross Pattee, a Christian symbol. The logo was described as ever so slightly concerning on social media, with many noting the similarities between the logo and the Nazi symbol. open image in gallery The logo was described as ever so slightly concerning on social media ( Electoral Commission ) Sunder Katwala, the director of the British Future think tank, wrote on BlueSky: Ukip have submitted a new logo and slogan to the Electoral Commission, swapping the pound sterling symbol for a cross, that looks very much like it is modelled on the Iron Cross used by Prussia & Germany 1871-1918 and Hitlers Nazi regime from 1933-45. One person wrote on X (Twitter): It is proposing to change its party logo from what looks like a sign to an iron cross, which looks very much like Nazi Germany. The Iron Cross returns, another wrote, while others described it as sinister. open image in gallery Ukip insists the new logo is based on the Cross Pattee (left) but others have complained it looks more like the Iron Cross (right) ( Social media ) A Ukip spokesperson denied the claim, and said: The Cross Pattee has been featured throughout British history and is used as the Victoria Cross, sits on the crown of our monarch, and is also found within the parliamentary logo. Are critics suggesting that the King, parliament and our war heroes are all Nazis? It is outright offensive, ignorant and Christophobic to suggest that the Cross Pattee is a Nazi symbol. The Cross Pattee is displayed throughout Christian religious texts, and these efforts to slander us with vile allegations is simply religious bigotry and discrimination. The logo has already been seen on flags at the partys demonstrations, but still needs to be approved for use by the Electoral Commission. open image in gallery A Ukip march in Knightsbridge, London ( PA ) The party, which was previously led by Nigel Farage, is now led by Mr Tenconi. In October last year, supporters of the party were due to gather in Londons Tower Hamlets, but were banned from doing so by the Metropolitan Police because of what officers called a realistic prospect of serious disorder due to the areas large Muslim population. The demonstration was part of a series of events taking place across the UK, which were promoted as a mass deportations tour, with organisers calling on attendees to reclaim Whitechapel from the Islamists, Ukips X profile 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 Wes Streeting has admitted the government should try to get it right first time, amid criticism prompted by a series of recent U-turns. The health secretary defended the governments record on policy climbdowns, insisting feedback was the breakfast of champions. However, when asked whether U-turns were impeding progress, Mr Streeting said the governments new years resolution should be to avoid getting it wrong in the first place. It comes after The Independent revealed Rachel Reeves is set to U-turn on plans to scrap business-rate relief for the hospitality industry, following backlash from pubs across the country. Speaking during an appearance at the annual Institute for Government conference in central London, Mr Streeting told delegates: Feedback is the breakfast of champions. We love to hear it and if people think were getting it wrong and we think that theyre right far better to do the right thing rather than to spare ones political blushes. He added: In the NHS, we have an initiative called GIRFT get it right first time. open image in gallery The health secretary has defended the governments record on policy climbdown ( PA ) That should be our new years resolution for 2026 lets try and get it right first time. The move is the latest in a series of U-turns from the government, which has also backed down on major welfare reforms due to pressure from backbenchers, and has partially scaled back inheritance tax on farms. Ms Reeves also had to back down on her plan to cancel winter fuel payments for around 10 million pensioners, and had to drop plans to raise income tax in the Budget, which would have broken Labours manifesto pledge. Mr Streeting also warned that excuses culture was doing no favours for the centre-left, as he said people being told to wait to access public services were also suffering due to inequalities built into the system. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves is set to row back on plans to scrap business-rate relief for the hospitality industry ( Getty ) Failure to address these challenges is creating a national mood of cynicism and pessimism, but the most corrosive sense of all is fatalism, the idea that things cant change, he said. However much joy we continue to take in the simple pleasures of home, family and community, were losing faith in our collective ability to do big things. The right encourage this argument. Theyre rolling the pitch to come in with a chainsaw and tear up public services entirely. Bafflingly, some on my own side of the political divide have begun to parrot the same argument. They complain about the civil service This excuses culture does the centre-left no favours. If we tell the public that we cant make anything work, then why on earth would they vote to keep us in charge? On the NHS, Mr Streeting said progress was being made, but there was still much more to do. open image in gallery On the NHS, Mr Streeting says progress is being made but reform is still needed ( Getty ) On our best days, there will still have been patients on trolleys in corridors being treated in conditions that fall short of my ambitions and expectations for our health service, he said. Mr Streeting said he never forgets that the British state is like a shopping trolley with a slightly wonky front wheel that will always orientate to the status quo unless it is steered in the right direction. Arguing that reform was needed, the health secretary said the state is inefficient at a time when resources are limited. People are paying more in tax, but getting a poorer service in return, he said. The cabinet minister said our fortunes are in our hands, adding it is precisely because we on the centre-left believe in the power of the state to transform peoples lives that we are best placed to change it. He added: Where there arent levers, we build them, where there are barriers, we bulldoze them. If people in charge arent up to the job, we replace them with the best and the brightest. 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 Labour MP has been left baffled by the governments decision to continue posting on X after a Cabinet minister warned sexualised images created by Grok were weapons of abuse. Charlotte Nichols asked the technology secretary to set out the red line that social media firms must cross before the government switches to alternative platforms, with technology secretary Liz Kendall suggesting in her response that there was merit in ministers keeping a voice on a site that is used so widely. Her calls come as Keir Starmer issued an ultimatum to Elon Musk, announcing that the government will take fast action to deal with the abuses of Grok, the artificial intelligence (AI) tool on the billionaires platform X. Meanwhile, media watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether X has broken UK law, over reports that the sites chatbot was used to create and share sexualised images of women and children. Ms Kendall claimed users of the tool had generated images of women tied up and gagged, with bruises, covered in blood and much, much more, and Labour MP Jess Asato told MPs she was digitally stripped into a bikini without her consent. open image in gallery Charlotte Nichols asked the technology secretary to set out the red line that social media firms must cross before the government switches to alternative platforms ( House of Commons ) This is a government that is meant to practice what we preach on online safety and violence against women and girls, Ms Nichols, the Warrington North MP who left X in 2024, told the Commons. The public, like me, are baffled by tough words from a government that continues to not just use but prioritise X for its communications. If non-consensual deepfake pornography and child sex abuse imagery isnt the red line for the government to take its communications elsewhere, can I ask the Secretary of State, what is? Ms Kendall replied: I completely agree with her that we need to get our views and voices out on a whole range of other platforms, and I and many ministers make this point regularly, and I think theres much more we could do. The minister added: I think there is an argument actually that the director-general of the BBC [Tim Davie] made about keeping a voice on a platform thats used for so many people. But I do understand her concerns and well keep this under review. open image in gallery Keir Starmer has issued an ultimatum to Elon Musk ( AP ) Taking questions from the Commons Public Accounts Committee last week, Mr Davie said he had faced quite a lot of pressure to remove the BBC from X, formerly known as Twitter. He said the broadcaster must deliver quality information on these social media platforms, bring people in and that is critical. Ms Asato, the MP for Lowestoft, told the Commons: Weve all seen just how AI has been used to humiliate and sexualise women with bullet holes, blood, gagging, bruising, even the horror of a Jewish woman being stripped of her clothes and placed at Auschwitz. I, like a number of colleagues over the weekend, have also had my own treatment and stripped into a bikini by AI on X much less worse than many victims, but a reminder of what many thousands of women face daily. Will [Ms Kendall] therefore look at how the government can work with industry to introduce AI watermarking alongside ways of enabling users to mark that their pictures or videos should not be digitally manipulated without their consent? open image in gallery Grok was developed by a company founded by Elon Musk called xAI ( PA Wire ) Ms Kendall said in her response that she was happy to meet with Ms Asato to discuss all these ideas further. And Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark Neil Coyle labelled claims the government wanted to crack down on freedom of speech as false. Ms Kendall said: Its not about restricting freedom of speech. Its actually about enabling women to participate and not feel bullied and threatened so that they can participate. As pressure mounted on X, the prime minister issued a direct warning to Musk on Monday evening. Addressing a meeting of backbenchers at the Parliamentary Labour Party, Sir Keir said: The actions of Grok and X are absolutely disgusting and shameful. open image in gallery Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed backbenchers at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday ( PA Wire ) 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 wont stand for it, because no matter how unstable or complex the world becomes, this government will be guided by its values. Well stand up for the vulnerable against the powerful. If X cannot control Grok, we will and well do it fast because if you profit from harm and abuse, you lose the right to self regulate. 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 more widespread over the last few weeks. open image in gallery Liz Kendall said the government would this week bring into force part of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, making it a criminal offence to create or request the creation of non-consensual intimate images ( Parliament TV ) Making an earlier statement, Ms Kendall said the government would this week bring into force part of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, making it a criminal offence to create or request the creation of non-consensual intimate images. She also said: Weve 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 peoples dignity. They are not harmless images. Theyre weapons of abuse, disproportionately aimed at women and girls, and they are illegal. Conservative shadow technology secretary Julia Lopez welcomed Ofcoms probe, and said her party backed the government on nudification tools. But she warned banning the platform would be 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. 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 Ugandan pop star and opposition candidate Bobi Wine claims he has been beaten, tasered, and attacked with teargas and pepper spray while campaigning against President Yoweri Museveni. For the 43-year-old, with nearly a decade in politics, violence is unsurprising. He has built his identity on uncompromising opposition to what he calls President Museveni's "dictatorship". Wine, legally Robert Kyagulanyi, is not widely expected to win Thursday's election against President Museveni, 81, in power since 1986, when Wine was just three. Yet, by mobilising millions of disenchanted young Ugandans in his second bid, Wine has emerged as President Museveni's most formidable challenger in years, with the leader planning his succession. open image in gallery Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who is known as Bobi Wine waves to supporters at an election campaign rally in Mukono, Uganda earlier this month ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) "Every time we go through this treacherous atmosphere and we get to the people, it's like a breath of fresh air," Wine told Reuters this month. "The knowledge that the regime is actually doing this to 'break my back', that they're doing this to demoralize us - we choose to deliberately not stop, just to show them that we can keep going." The government has said the security forces intervened only when Wine supporters violated campaign rules by blocking traffic or holding events outside prescribed times. Mission to unite Ugandans President Museveni has often dismissed Wine as an agent of foreign interests, including those who wanted to promote homosexuality. The charge aims to erode Wine's support in the predominantly Christian and conservative country, which has some of the world's harshest anti-gay laws. Wine took on President Museveni in 2021 in an election marred by the security forces killing more than 50 opposition supporters on the campaign trail and by accusations of widespread fraud. Wine was detained several times during the campaign and started wearing a bullet-proof jacket and helmet. He later withdrew a court case challenging the result, in which President Museveni was credited with winning 58 per cent of the vote, and accused the judges hearing it of bias. The U.S. government said the poll was neither free nor fair, charges rejected by President Museveni's government. open image in gallery Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni delivers his state of the nation address in front of Members of Parliament and diplomats in Kampala, Uganda ( AFP via Getty Images ) During this campaign, security forces have repeatedly fired live bullets and teargas at Wine's campaign events, killing at least one person, and have arrested hundreds of his supporters. With President Museveni's election victory all but assured, attention has focused on the vote's implications for the president's eventual succession. President Museveni is widely believed to want to hand power eventually to his son and military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and is seeking a wide margin of victory to assert his authority. He will also be keen to avoid widespread protests that might undermine his position and fuel divisions in the ruling party. President Museveni has denied grooming Kainerugaba to succeed him. Visions within opposition persist The 20th child in a polygamous family of 33 siblings, Wine has said his music and politics were inspired by the struggles his mother faced as she hawked street food in the capital Kampala's Kamwokya slum. His musical career took off in the early 2000s with songs decrying urban poverty and political oppression, backed by catchy, feel-good beats that made him one of East Africa's most popular artists. "When the going gets tough, the tough must get going especially when leaders become misleaders and mentors become tormentors," he sang in a 2016 song titled "Situka", which means "Rise Up" in the local Luganda language. He joined parliament in 2017 after securing a surprise landslide victory in an election for a constituency near Kampala and increased his political clout by channeling the anger of young people. Over 73 per cent of Uganda's about 46 million people are under the age of 30, and the percentage of young people not working, studying or training is over 42 per cent, according to a government census from 2024. Wine says that if he were elected, he would focus on restoring the rule of law, boosting employment and stamping out corruption. Some Ugandans, including government critics, have bemoaned the lack of specificity in Wine's proposals. LGBTQ rights activists have criticised him for not more vigorously opposing a 2023 law that imposed the death penalty for certain same-sex acts. Wine criticised the law as a political ploy and has pledged not to persecute LGBTQ people, but did not directly condemn its contents. He has also been unable to unite Uganda's opposition behind him, so six other candidates are also challenging President Museveni. Writing on social media in 2024, Wine attributed the opposition's lack of unity to President Museveni's success in co-opting it. Some people, he wrote, are "zero concerned about removing Museveni as long as they're comfortable in the opposition". 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 An Indigenous community in Canada is facing an ongoing water crisis that has prompted evacuations but some residents are still trapped in the area as officials report slow progress, according to local media outlets. About 700 people have been evacuated from Kashechewan First Nation in northern Ontario as of Tuesday morning, amid ongoing issues with water infrastructure, including the treatment plant and equipment that handles the sewage system, according to Canadas National Observer. That number jumped to 900 by the end of Tuesday, according to a statement from Indigenous Services Canada. But some are still trapped in the community, as officials tell the CBC the evacuation of all 2,300 residents is going slower than anticipated. The rural community is only accessible by air during most of the year, Canadas National Observer reports. Kashechewan First Nation Executive Director Tyson Wesley told the CBC that flights are kind of still at the same rate, even though we've asked to expedite the evacuation. Local leaders are working with the provincial and federal governments to coordinate the evacuations, the outlet reports. An undated photo shows residents holding signs calling for improved conditions at the Kashechewan First Nations Reserve in Ontario ( Change.org ) A spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada told The Independent that flights are "transporting approximately 200 250 individuals per day and will continue throughout the week until the evacuation is complete." Kashechewan Chief Hosea Wesley declared a local state of emergency on January 4, citing issues with the water treatment and wastewater plants, the CBC reports. That same day, residents were instructed not to consume the water. The declaration came after the water treatment plant pumps failed in early December, according to the CBC. This meant the chemicals used to treat the drinking water werent mixed in. A spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada told the CBC that officials are currently conducting water testing and completing repairs at the water treatment plant. Keisha Paulmartin, 15, told the CBC last week that families are struggling to ration their water amid the ongoing emergency. The problem is some houses have a lot of kids and some houses of like three families in one house and one water bottle case per day, Paulmartin told the outlet. Chief Hosea Wesley told the CBC on Tuesday that the response from both levels of government has been woefully inadequate and does not meet the level of urgency required. He also asked the Canadian Armed Forces for assistance with the evacuations, but said he hasnt received a response. We have asked for assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces to speed up the evacuation of our most vulnerable members and to assist with deliveries of bottled water. They have yet to commit to this, so our people are continuing to suffer, and we can only hope that a tragedy does not occur before they can get out safely, he told the CBC. In a statement shared Wednesday, a spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada said that the "Department of National Defence has provided a group of Canadian Rangers to work with First Nation leadership and PEOC to help facilitate the smooth evacuation." A spokesperson for Canada's Office of the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience said that federal and local officials are working together to address the crisis. The federal government, through Indigenous Services Canada, is on the ground working with Kashechewan First Nation and the Province of Ontario to increase daily evacuation flight capacity through private sector contractors while work is ongoing in community to restore water treatment and sewage services, the spokesperson told The Independent. We recognize the seriousness of the water crisis and the strain it is placing on the residents of Kashechewan, they added. The Independent has contacted the Kaschechewan First Nation and Ontarios Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation office for comment. Access to clean drinking water has been an ongoing issue for the community. In 2017, more than 20,000 signed a change.org petition to help the Kashechewan First Nations Reserve get access to clean water. Last year, Tyson Wesley told The Globe and Mail that the community had faced several water crises in the past. We had a water crisis for quite a while before the government really reacted to the situation that we were in. It was a really dramatic experience not being able to drink water from your tap and its still an ongoing issue, he told the outlet. I look at my cousin right now, whos close to his mid-20s, and he doesnt drink water out of the tap, even in cities. It takes quite a while to break out of that psychological habit, he added. 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 Costa Ricas national security chief said Tuesday that authorities are investigating an alleged plan to assassinate President Rodrigo Chaves in the run-up to the countrys presidential and legislative elections. Jorge Torres, head of the Intelligence and National Security Directorate, disclosed the claims to reporters as he moved to submit a formal complaint to the public prosecutors office. What we received is confidential information that I would like to put on record in the complaint. I dont want to go into details, but it concerns the life of the president of the Republic, he told local media. According to Torres, authorities received a call from a woman alleging that a contract had been taken out on Chaves and that a payment had been made to a hitman. He added that security measures were being stepped up for the conservative populist leader, who has cultivated an image as a politician who is tough-on-crime. open image in gallery On Wednesday, Chaves is scheduled to lay the cornerstone of a new mega-prison that Costa Rica plans to build. ( AP Photo/Jose Diaz ) Torres spoke as El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele, who has gained fame for his controversial security crackdown, was scheduled to visit the country. On Wednesday, Chaves is scheduled to lay the cornerstone of a new mega-prison that Costa Rica plans to build, modeled on a facility built by Bukele. Costa Rica will hold presidential and legislative elections on Feb. 1. While Chaves is ineligible to run for reelection, the ruling partys Laura Fernandez is among the presidential candidates. 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 single mother living in Arizona says she was slapped with a $150 fine by her Home Owner's Association after trash blew into the street. Jessica Ensley, who lives in the Hayden Farms community in Surprise, Arizona, told KTVK that she left a paper bag from a takeout order next to her dumpster, as the dumpster was already full. Im a very clean person, and I respect the rules, Ensley told the outlet. Im not one to just blatantly throw trash around, so yes, it was so full that even that brown paper bag couldnt fit into it at that time. The wind blew the bag away from the dumpster and onto the street. A receipt in the bag had her name on it, which allowed a member of her HOA to link the bag to her. The HOA notified her in a letter that the bag violated the HOA's rules, and said it was fining her $150. She said the fine "feels like a money grab." Jessica Ensley,a resident at the Hayden Farms community in Surprise, Arizona, said she was fined $150 by the community's Home Owner's Association after a bag she'd placed near an over-filled dumpster blew into the street ( Google Maps ) I thought it was absurd because it seemed so extreme for such a small object and a first time infraction," she said. The notice she received justified the fine by saying it was meant to discourage future violations and to reimburse the cost of enforcing the rules, and was not intended to be solely punitive or to generate revenue for the HOA. They nitpick, they find small little issues and then, they find ways to fine you for them, Ensley said. It makes no sense to me at all. Feels like Im being taken advantage of. She said that the dumpsters provided by the HOA are only emptied twice a week, and that she finds trash blown into her yard "constantly" because of the excess trash piling up in the bins. Other residents questioned by the broadcaster said the dumpsters are frequently filled to capacity. Nine times out of 10 that I come out here, theres gonna be mattresses or just trash built up on the side, a neighbor, who did not want to give his name, told the outlet. So, a lot of times, even myself, Ive had to leave trash next to the bin. Ensley said she spoke to a property manager about the issue and was told to keep her trash in her home if the bins are filled. The Independent has requested comment from Hayden Farms. 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 Two families are in mourning after two teenage best friends were killed in a Florida park when a hole the pair had been digging for two weeks collapsed on them. George Watts and Derrick Hubbard, both 14, were in Sportsman Park in the community of Inverness, around 70 miles west of Orlando, when the tragedy unfolded last Saturday. According to the boys families, the pair were digging in sugar sand. Citrus County Sheriffs Office said the boys were about four or five feet down and were likely digging with a shovel. Officials said it took first responders about half an hour to extricate them. Sugar sand is common in Florida, a hangover from when sea levels were higher and reached inland areas. open image in gallery George Watts and Derrick Hubbard died from sand collapsing in on them ( GoFundMe ) Despite paramedics' best efforts, Hubbard was pronounced dead at the scene. Watts was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in critical condition According a Facebook post from Watts mother, his family decided to take him off life support on Monday afternoon. Jasmine Watts said that her son would be an organ donor and that matches have been found for him. This incident has deeply affected students, neighbours, friends, and families across our county, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. A joint GoFundMe page has been established to support both the Hubbard and Watts families. Jasmine Watts, who wrote on the page that the pair shared a bond that went beyond friendship. They were inseparable, full of life, curiosity, and dreams for the future, Watts wrote. While playing together, the boys dug a tunnel in sugar sand and were inside when it suddenly collapsed. In an instant, our world was shattered. What should have been another day of childhood adventure turned into a heartbreaking loss that no parent should ever have to endure. Our precious boys were taken from us far too soon. open image in gallery The patch of sand in Sportsman Park near the intersection of Twin lake Drive and East Live Oak Lane ( GoogleMaps ) Our family is now navigating an overwhelming amount of grief, shock, and emotional pain while also facing unexpected expenses related to emergency response, medical care, funeral arrangements, and the many financial burdens that come with such a sudden tragedy. The boys were both students at Inverness Middle School, which on Monday released a statement confirming the incident. It is with great sadness that we inform our Charger community of a tragedy that occurred over the weekend involving two of our students following an off-campus incident, the statement said. This situation has deeply affected many within our school and district community. In response, our district crisis support team consisting of counselors, social workers, and school psychologists is available on campus today and will continue to be available throughout the week. These team members are here to support students and families as we navigate this difficult time together. We extend our heartfelt thoughts and support to the students, families, and all those impacted. Thank you for your care, compassion, and support for one another during this time. 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 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. 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 United States has designated the Egyptian, Lebanese, and Jordanian branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as global terrorist organizations, citing their alleged support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas. This move, formally set in motion last November, will trigger sanctions against one of the Arab world's oldest and most influential Islamist movements. The US Treasury Department confirmed the three chapters are now "specially designated global terrorists," accusing them of backing or encouraging violent attacks against Israel and American partners. A statement from the department asserted, "Chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood purport to be legitimate civic organizations while, behind the scenes, they explicitly and enthusiastically support terrorist groups like Hamas." Egypt's foreign ministry welcomed the designation, describing it as a "crucial step that reflects the gravity of the group and its extremist ideology and what it represents as a direct threat of regional and international security and stability." The Muslim Brotherhood briefly held power in Egypt after winning the 2012 presidential election, but was overthrown by the military a year later and has since faced a fierce crackdown. Jordanian protester carrying national flag during 2015 rally by the Muslim Brotherhood ( AP ) The Muslim Brotherhood, a group established in Egypt in the 1920s, has profoundly influenced Islamist political movements across the Middle East, its ideology both popular and contentious. Founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, a teacher who became an ideologue, the Brotherhood advocates for governance based on Islamic teachings. While its leaders assert a renunciation of violence decades ago, pursuing Islamic rule through peaceful elections, some offshoots maintain armed factions. Autocratic governments frequently label the group a threat. Initially providing social services, the organisation later adopted militancy, with an armed wing engaging British colonialists and Israel. It was implicated in the 1948 assassination of Egyptian Prime Minister Mahmoud Fahmi al-Nokrashi, who had outlawed the group. Al-Banna himself was assassinated two months later in Cairo. Following Egypts 1952 military coup, the Brotherhood faced accusations of attempting to assassinate President Gamal Abdel-Nasser, leading to the execution of prominent ideologue Sayyed Qutb and the imprisonment of thousands of members. 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. 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 CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss reportedly made last-minute edits to anchor Tony Dokoupils script just before his blunder-ridden, on-air debut. Dokoupil delivered his first Evening News broadcast on January 5, having been tapped by Weiss for the anchor position shortly after she took charge of the network in October. The segment quickly went awry due to a teleprompter malfunction, leading Dokoupil to appear visibly confused about which news item was being addressed. All right, to other news. As you just heard from Jill, well, to other news now. Uh, to Governor Walz. No, were gonna do Mark Kelly, he said. Dokoupil then griped to viewers: First day, first day, big problems here. The New York Times reported that the gaffe was caused, in part, by Weiss and her staffers, who had been rewriting the script just moments before the 6:30 p.m. show aired. Weiss, a self-described radical centrist and founder of the online news site The Free Press, was chosen by David Ellison to helm CBS News after he acquired its parent company, Paramount. The purchase was approved by the Trump administration, following Paramounts decision to settle a $16 million defamation suit that the president filed against 60 Minutes. Since taking charge, Weiss has sought to reinvent the Evening News in order to address what she sees as institutional bias and boost flagging viewership. open image in gallery Bari Weiss, editor-in-chief of CBS News, changed Tony Dokoupil's script minutes before his awkward evening news debut, according to a new report ( Getty Images for Uber, X and The ) Lets make sure every single night has something with viral potential, she told producers as they prepared for Dokoupils debut, which began with a 14-day tour of the nation, according to the Times. The goal for this road show is not to deliver the news so much as it is to *drive the news*...We need to *be the news* for these 10 days. The network has indeed gone viral in recent weeks but largely for negative reasons. Under Weiss leadership, CBS News has faced intense scrutiny, with some critics accusing the revamped outfit of showing clear favoritism to the Trump administration. open image in gallery 'First night, big problems here,' Dokoupil said during his debut telecast on January 5 ( CBS News ) In December, Weiss made the controversial, last-minute decision to pull a 60 Minutes story about Trumps mass deportations, which was met with opposition from network employees. Holy f***ing dumpster fire, one staffer told The Independent at the time, while another reporter said that Weiss likely crossed the Rubicon when she spiked the story. Weiss defended her decision, telling the Times that holding stories that arent ready for whatever reasonthat they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voiceshappens every day in every newsroom. On January 6, Dokoupil went viral for his glowing segment on Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which he signed off by stating: Marco Rubio, we salute you. Youre the ultimate Florida man. The segment was intended to be lighthearted, a source familiar with the matter told the Times. But the anchors comments were attacked on social media, with critics calling them inappropriate and biased. CBS News again received unwanted attention during the Golden Globes this past weekend, which was aired by the network. Comedian Nikki Glaser, who hosted the awards show, said on stage that CBS News was Americas newest place to see B.S. news. A spokesperson for CBS News did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. 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 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. 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 killing of Renee Good and the Trump administration's surge of agents to Minnesota has Democrats approaching a topic they previously considered a third rail: not supporting additional dollars to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The House of Representatives and the Senate are currently negotiating spending bills to keep the government running until the end of the fiscal year. One of the 12 bills funds the Department of Homeland Security, which houses ICE as well as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and each of the bills needs to clear the 60-vote hurdle known as the filibuster to pass. And Democrats are considering using spending on ICE as leverage. It's obviously natural that Democrats would want to make sure that any money we spend in DHS is being spent lawfully, and right now that department is full of unlawful activity, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee for Homeland Security, told The Independent. open image in gallery Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-CT) said he is not interested in funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement if it continues to run amok of the law. ( AFP/Getty ) This comes after many Democrats were outraged about the murder of Good by ICE official Jonathan Ross last week, when Ross shot the mom in her SUV in Minneapolis. Murphy said that he did not want to see money go toward additional lawbreaking. I'm just not interested in funding an agency that is operating outside of the law and it's making our communities less safe, Murphy said. We're not going to write a comprehensive immigration enforcement reform bill in the appropriations bill, but in every bill, there's language on how our money is spent, and I want to make sure that our money is spent lawfully. And Murphy is not alone in his opposition to increasing money to ICE. Sen. Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin, another member of the Appropriations Committee, told The Independent that she would not support additional money for ICE. open image in gallery Minnesota Attorney General announced he would file a lawsuit against the Trump administration. ( AP ) I have to ask my Republican colleagues, who are obviously taking the lead on these, is this what they want to rubber-stamp for residential neighborhoods and cities across this country, thousands of masked, armed agents coming into their communities? Baldwin said. On Monday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that he would sue the Trump administration for its unprecedented crackdown on immigration. Rep. Kelly Morrison and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Min.)along with Rep. Angie Craig attempted to visit the Whipple Building in Minneapolis to see ICE detainees this weekend. They have surged into our state, they are terrorizing our communities, they are not making us more safe, Morrison told The Independent. There needs to be reform at ICE at a minimum, and yes, the funding of ICE has to be put on hold until those reforms are put into place. Omar said she is not surprised that more people are moving toward her direction. I mean, when it comes to DHS and the way that they have been able to allow ICE and border control to act unlawfully, it doesn't surprise me that not only the American public has thrown on them, but also lawmakers here in Congress, she told The Independent. Democrats have limited levers of power given that Republicans control the House and Senate while President Donald Trump occupies the White House. But the appropriations process gives them some negotiating power as they showed last year when they opposed a continuing resolution in an attempt to force a vote to extend expanded tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplace. ICE received a massive increase in its budget in Trumps signature One Big, Beautiful Bill, including $29.9 billion for enforcement operations and hiring up to 10,000 new agents. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) highlighted how cuts to Medicaid paid for the beefing up of ICE. I want everyone to understand, the cuts to your health care are whats paying for this, she told The Independent. Understand how these dots connect. You get screwed over to pay a bunch of thugs in the street that are shooting mothers in the face. During his press conference, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he wanted to see some changes to policies for ICE. Clearly, there are common-sense measures that need to be put in place so that ICE can conduct itself in a manner at least consistent with every other law enforcement agency in the United States of America at the state, local and federal level, Jeffries told reporters. Thats not too much to ask. Conduct yourself like every other law enforcement agency in the country. But not every Democrat is on board with reining in ICE through government funding. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a moderate Democrat, has said We can't get back into their stupid defund ICE, Fetterman told The Independent. 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 East Coast of the United States could soon experience rolling blackouts as AI data centers gobble up more and more electricity, pushing the grid to the limit, according to a new report. PJM, the organization that services nearly 70 million people in a 13-state corridor stretching from Kentucky to New Jersey, may be forced to trigger power outages during high demand periods, such as summer heat waves or winter freezes, The Wall Street Journal reported. Mark Christie, a former head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, said he used to believe the threat of blackouts was distant. Now Im saying that the reliability risk is across the street, he said. The AI boom has seen data centers cropping up across the U.S. but they are heavily concentrated in Northern Virginia, increasing demand for power and leading to soaring energy bills. Its killing my pockets, a Maryland resident told Bloomberg in September. Another added: You wonder, what is your breaking point? PJM has projected that power demand will increase by an average of 4.8 percent annually for the next 10 years an unprecedented pace of growth. And ICF, a consulting firm, forecasts that demand in 2030 will surge 25 percent above 2023 levels, largely as a result of data centers. open image in gallery The East Coast of the U.S. could soon experience rolling summer blackouts as data centers push the electric grid to the limit, according to a new report ( AFP/Getty ) open image in gallery Data centers have cropped up around the country, greatly increasing the demand for power ( AFP via Getty Images ) PJM board Chairman David acknowledged the existence of reliability challenges but said they are not unsolvable. Warning signs are already flashing red. This summer, heat waves surged demand for power on the PJM grid to near-record highs as consumers tried to cool their homes, according to the Journal. PJM responded by requesting that all power plants operate at full capacity. PJM also paid multiple large energy users, including factories, to cease operations. While historically rare, rolling blackouts can be deadly. Over 200 people died in Texas in the winter of 2021 after the grid operator in the state ordered utilities to institute rolling blackouts to prevent complete grid failure amid freezing temperatures. Some Texans were without power for days. A few months ago, PJM came up with proposals intended to balance the needs of both consumers and data centers. One plan said they would slash power to data centers during periods of strain. Tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google opposed the plan, claiming it unfairly singled out data centers. They responded by offering their own proposals, which would make going offline voluntary. Joseph Bowring, the head of Monitoring Analytics, has asked the federal government to step in, filing a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which states that PJM should be prohibited from servicing new data centers unless it has adequate capacity. Unless action is taken, PJM will be in the position of allocating blackouts rather than ensuring reliability, he wrote in November. open image in gallery In February 2021, some Texans went without electricity for days after utilities were ordered to cut power ( Getty Images ) The looming threat of blackouts comes after multiple power plants in PJMs service area shuttered as a result of economic factors and environmental policies, the Journal reported. Elected officials and executives have sought to pin blame on one another. In 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro filed a complaint seeking a price cap on rate increases within the PJM market. For the largest grid in the nation to have the fewest avenues for customers and their elected representatives to be heard is unacceptable, he said. Manu Asthana, the firms then-CEO, said that officials had exacerbated the problem with burdensome regulations. We can do whatever we want in the markets, he said, but if our plants run into a hostile siting and permitting regime, they will not get built. Data centers have yet to provoke a strong reaction from most Americans, according to a December survey from Navigator, which found most have heard nothing or little about the construction of new centers. At the same time, there is bipartisan support for increased regulation, with 60 percent saying more should be done to curb its potential negative effects. 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 FBI is reportedly probing whether Renee Good had ties to activist groups as part of its investigation into an ICE agent fatally shooting her last week in Minneapolis, potentially giving fuel to critics who have warned the administration is trying to chill left-wing activism critical of its policies. The day of the January 7 shooting, Good and her wife, Becca, had stopped to protest agents in the city during the Trump administrations ongoing immigration crackdown there. [W]e stopped to support our neighbors, Becca Good told Minnesota Public Radio. We had whistles. They had guns. Investigators are reportedly probing whether Good was involved with the activist groups that have been protesting Trumps immigration agenda and might have acted as instigators of the January 7 shooting, The New York Times reports, citing people familiar with the probe. At the same time, federal investigators have stopped state investigators from fully scrutinizing the shooting by blocking their access to evidence, according to Minnesota officials. The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment. open image in gallery The FBI is reportedly investigating whether Rene Good had ties to local activist groups as part of its probe into her fatal shooting at the hands of an ICE agent last week ( Alpha News/Jonathan Ross ) Administration officials have, however, repeatedly insinuated Good was part of some kind of larger conspiracy. President Trump has referred to Good as a professional agitator, though he did not provide any evidence of this. Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller, meanwhile, has suggested after the shooting that the Democratic Party has acted to support and orchestrate violent resistance against federal law enforcement, though he also did not provide information to support that claim. Shortly after the shooting, as investigators were still combing the scene, the administration described Good as a domestic terrorist. Anonymous federal sources told Fox News that Good, who had recently moved to Minneapolis, was part of a neighborhood watch-style ICE Watch group that aims to monitor and interfere with immigration operations. Federal officials accuse Good of blocking agents and attempting to ram them with her call. Local officials dispute this, pointing to a widely circulated video of the incident that appears to show Good was not heading straight for agents as ICE officer Jonathan Ross opened fire. open image in gallery The administration has previously cracked down on protest groups, labelling the loosely organized, leaderless antifa movement a domestic terrorist organization ( REUTERS ) The reported push to investigate local groups comes after the administration last year declared antifa, a varied, leaderless, left-wing anti-fascist movement, to be a major domestic terrorist group. Later in the year, the DOJ launched a prosecution against an alleged group of antifa members accused of attacking an immigration detention center in Texas. In a leaked memo, the Justice Department reportedly listed what criteria it would use to identify domestic terror organizations, and many of them corresponded with left-wing causes like anti-capitalism, opposition to immigration enforcement, and criticism of the United States. 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 California Governor Gavin Newsom has once again lashed out at the Trump administration over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, this time in response to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitts accusation that Democrats are protecting illegal alien pedophiles. Leavitt made the accusations Monday as she commented on the killing of Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot last week in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent identified as Jonathan Ross. This administration will continue to stand wholeheartedly by the brave men and women of ICE, including that officer in Minneapolis, who was absolutely justified in using self-defense against a lunatic who is part of a group, an organized group, to interject and to impede on law enforcement operations, Leavitt told reporters. It's disgusting what we have seen from the left, and I think that it just shows you where the modern-day Democrat Party stands today in protecting illegal alien pedophiles and rapists and murderers over law-abiding American citizens and our brave men and women who serve in law enforcement, she added. Newsoms press office was quick to respond with a reference to the dead sex offender, writing on X: The Trump Administration has still not complied with Congressional law and released the Epstein Files WHY? Karoline Leavitt once again criticized Renee Nicole Good, the woman fatally shot by an ICE agent last week, before accusing the Democrats of protecting pedophiles. ( Getty ) Other Democratic lawmakers, including Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rosa DeLauro, also shared similar reactions online. When asked about these criticisms, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told The Independent: "Its telling that none of these Democrats denied that they are defending criminal illegal aliens. The Justice Department faced a December 19 deadline, set by Congress, to release its documents related to the investigation into Epstein. But the agency only made a partial release last month, and many of the documents were heavily redacted. Since then, Newsom has trolled Trump administration officials over the partial release and pointed to the presidents former friendship with Epstein. Trump was once friendly with Epstein, and called him a terrific guy in a 2002 interview with New York Magazine. But their friendship appears to have ended in the mid-2000s, and the White House has said Trump kicked Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club for being a creep. In a Christmas Day Truth Social post, the president also said he dropped Epstein long before it became fashionable to do so. Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the Epstein case, and has repeatedly distanced himself from the disgraced financier. Meanwhile, there are still more than 2 million documents potentially responsive to the act that are in various phases of review, according to a letter Attorney General Pam Bondi and other agency officials sent to a federal judge last week. She noted the Justice Department has released about 12,285 documents so far, which means the public may have seen less than one percent of the documents related to the Epstein investigation. 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 Organizers of Greenlands annual national dog sled race have questioned who invited Donald Trumps U.S. envoy to the event, saying that its presence would be wholly inappropriate amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. On January 8, 2026, KNQK [The Greenland Dog Sledding Association] received an inquiry from an American journalist stating that the US president's recently appointed envoy, Governor Jeff Landry, had been invited to Avannaata Qimussersua, a statement from the associations president, Mikkel Jeremiassen, read. The KNQK Board finds it unacceptable that political pressure is being exerted from outside and therefore considers the participation of foreign political actors in Avannaata Qimussersua to be wholly inappropriate. Jeremiassen added that the associations board was currently working closely with patrons to determine who sent the invitations to foreign actors, adding that once this investigation is complete, the board will provide further information. open image in gallery Organizers of Greenlands annual national dog sled race have questioned who invited Donald Trumps U.S. envoy to the event, saying that its presence would be wholly inappropriate amid ongoing tensions between the two nations ( Getty Images ) Avannaata Qimussersua is Greenland's annual national sled dog race and brings together approximately 37 mushers and their 444 dogs from across the country. Though the location and distance change every year, the race is always held in west Greenland above the Arctic Circle. Strict rules mean that only Greenland dogs may enter the race, as other breeds are restricted from entering the country north of the Circle. The blocking of Landry and others comes as tensions continue to flare between the U.S., Greenland and Denmark. Denmark controls Greenland through its status as an autonomous territory. open image in gallery Avannaata Qimussersua is Greenland's annual national sled dog race and each year brings together approximately 37 mushers and their 444 dogs from across the country ( Getty Images ) Trump has been adamant that he needs U.S. control over Greenland right now and claims it is vital for Americas national security, though the comments have caused alarm in NATO countries. As a result, Denmarks foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlands Vivian Moltzfeldt requested a meeting with U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio which vice president JD Vance has now requested to join and will host in Washington D.C. at a date yet to be specified. The vice president and his wife Usha were scheduled to attend the Avannaata Qimussersua last year during a visit to Greenland, though changed their itinerary following angry protests from residents. open image in gallery Though the location and distance change every year, the race is always held in west Greenland above the Arctic Circle. Strict rules mean that only Greenland dogs may enter the race, as other breeds are restricted from entering the country north of the Circle ( Getty Images ) The couple, who were accompanied by then-national security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, were ultimately kept away from the more populated areas of the island in an attempt to reduce the likelihood that they would encounter demonstrators. Vances inclusion in the talks with Rubio, Rasmussen and Moltzfeldt could prove controversial given his vocal support for the U.S. seizing the territory from Denmark. Last week, he warned Europe that they needed to take Trump seriously on his aspiration to acquire it. What we're asking our European friends to do is to take the security of that land mass more seriously, because if they're not, the United States is going to have to do something about it, he said. open image in gallery Vice president JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance were scheduled to attend the Avannaata Qimussersua last year during a visit to Greenland, though changed their itinerary following angry protests from residents ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) What that is, I'll leave that to the president as we continue to engage in diplomacy with our European friends and everybody on this particular topic. Greenland holds a large and untapped wealth of natural resources, including oil and gas as well as natural earth minerals, zinc, copper, nickel and graphite. Its geographical location, positioned between the North American Arctic and Europe, also makes it appealing to Trump for strategic reasons. The president has had his eyes on the territory since 2019, when he first publicly floated the idea of purchasing it. 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 ICE agent who fatally shot an unarmed woman in Minneapolis is increasingly unlikely to face charges despite mounting public pressure, according to a report. People familiar with the case were doubtful that criminal charges would come from federal investigations, though they said that could change as more information comes to light. Those sources told the New York Times in a report published on Monday that investigators are now looking into possible connections between the victim and activist groups protesting the Trump administrations immigration policy. Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot three times and killed by a federal agent while observing their work during a surge of ICE activity in the city, according to the City of Minneapolis. Critics have since staged a series of protests to denounce the shooting, while the Trump administration has defended the action, accusing Good of domestic terrorism and conspiracy to undermine federal agents. open image in gallery Renee Nicole Good, 37, was killed by a masked ICE agent in her car in Minneapolis ( Facebook ) Goods extended family said in a statement on Monday that they wanted justice and accountability, while urging people against hateful rhetoric back and forth. Charlene Fletcher, Goods former mother-in-law, told The Guardian: It feels deeply wrong that Renee died in this way. She had a beautiful voice that everyone should have had the chance to hear. The last thing Renee would have wanted was violence carried out in her name. Jessica Fletcher, Goods sister-in-law, said they had been deliberate in making little mention of the protests sweeping U.S. cities to avoid pouring more gasoline on the fire, while thanking supporters for showing up. We know Renee would be there too, cheering on those who fight for justice and standing with the people, causes, and community she loved. We hope this inspires accountability, compassion, and meaningful change, the family statement read. Trump on Sunday described Good and her wife, Becca Good, as professional agitators, without providing evidence. On Friday, he endorsed the vice presidents claims that she was part of a vague leftwing network trying to incite violence against ICE agents. The reality is that [the agents] life was endangered and he fired in self-defense, JD Vance claimed in comments on social media on Friday, a day after saying she was trying to ram this guy with her car at a White House briefing. open image in gallery Immigration Enforcement Protests ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that Good had been stalking a group of ICE officers in her Honda Pilot just prior to the killing and had attempted to run them over in an act of domestic terrorism. The comments have inflamed public outrage, with Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota saying it was unacceptable for Trump, Vance, and Noem to make such claims before an investigation has concluded. Goods mother, Donna Ganger, told The Minnesota Star Tribune that her daughter was not part of anything like that at all, referring to protesters challenging ICE agents. Michelle Gross, president of the Minnesota-based Community United Against Police Brutality, said Good was a volunteer in a large network of neighborhood patrols tracking and recording ICE operations in Minneapolis. She told Reuters, Thats what she was doing when she was confronted and shot by the federal agent, named as Jonathan Ross. 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 House Democrats are investigating whether Kristi Noems Department of Homeland Security has hired January 6 rioters and others connected to the Capitol attack as Donald Trumps administration launches a hiring spree for his mass deportation campaign. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, is asking for hiring records and other information to determine whether any of the roughly 1,600 people charged in connection with the attack are among the ranks of masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officers that have dragged, tackled, beaten, tased, shot, and killed citizens and non-citizens alike in communities across the country. Trump pardoned virtually all of them on his first day in office, including dozens of defendants who assaulted law enforcement. The congressman alleges Homeland Security seems to be courting pardoned rioters with recruitment campaigns invoking white nationalist dog whistles, appeals to groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, and a relaxed vetting process, according to Raskins letter. Unique among all law enforcement agencies and all branches of the armed services, ICE agents conceal their identities, wearing masks and removing names from their uniforms, Raskin wrote. Why is that? Why do National Guard members, state, county, and local police officers, and members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines all routinely work unmasked while ICE agents work masked? open image in gallery Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are investigating whether DHS has hired January 6 rioters as immigration enforcement officers ( AFP/Getty ) Raskin is calling on Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce a list of people working for the Department of Justice or Homeland Security who received or requested a pardon from the president, along with any documents regarding the solicitation and hiring of anyone charged or investigating in connection with January 6. He also wants records and communications on the use of face coverings. The American people deserve to know how many of these violent insurrectionists have been given guns and badges by this Administration, Raskin wrote. Noem and Bondi are asked to reply by 5 p.m., January 26. In a statement to The Independent, Homeland Security assistance secretary Tricia McLaughlin called Raskins letter reckless, disgusting, and unhinged. Enforcing the laws passed by Congress is not a dog whistle, and he knows it, she added. He is deliberately undermining federal law enforcement for political theater. What is dangerous is an elected official falsely casting federal law enforcement as villains while ICE officers are being targeted, threatened, and doxxed simply for doing their jobs. The congressman is choosing to side with the mob, recycle false smears, and chase headlines, according to McLaughlin. It is unclear whether any pardoned rioters have joined ICE or CBP. But after the presidents mass pardons, the Trump administration hired at least one member of the mob as well as an attorney who represented them. Jared Wise was scheduled to go to trial 10 days before Trumps inauguration. He admitted to urging rioters to kill law enforcement at the Capitol and faced six counts in connection with the riots. The former FBI agent berated police as Nazis and Gestapo and testified that he would be morally justified if he had assaulted them in defense of what he viewed as excessive force, according to court documents. Wise is now working as a senior adviser at the Justice Department. Jared Wise is a valued member of the Department of Justice and we appreciate his contributions to our team, an agency spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent shared by White House. Trump also appointed right-wing activist Ed Martin who served on a board providing financial support to January 6 defendants as a pardon attorney and director of the administrations Weaponization Working Group. Martin was serving as the acting U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., before Trump pulled his nomination and brought in Fox News personality Jeannine Piro to serve as the capitals top prosecutor. Martin and Pirro succeeded Matthew Graves, who led the largest federal investigation in Justice Department history with the prosecution of 1,600 people in connection with an assault fueled by Trumps ongoing false claim that the 2020 election was stolen and rigged against him. Together, Wise and Martin led this administrations efforts to fire, demote, and harass the dedicated career prosecutors, FBI agents, and support personnel who did their professional and civic duty holding to account the persons who committed crimes on January 6, according to Raskin. open image in gallery Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, wants DHS to produce hiring records and other documents to determine whether any new recruits received presidential pardons in connection with January 6 ( Reuters ) Last year, Trump signed into law a massive piece of legislation that hands more than $178 billion to immigration enforcement over the next decade, with $30 billion specifically for ICEs recruiting efforts. That injection of taxpayer cash makes the law enforcement agency one of the most expensive police forces in the world, outpacing most foreign military budgets. Homeland Security advertised a maximum $50,000 signing bonus and student loan forgiveness for new recruits, dropped age limit requirements and allowed people older than 40 to apply. The administration aimed to hire more than 10,000 ICE agents by the end of 2025, or roughly doubling its footprint, with a major boost to the agencys Enforcement and Removal Operations division. Critics have warned that hitting that hiring target without adequate guardrails to screen future agents and know exactly who is filling those roles could invite abuse and illegal use of force as Trump surges thousands of federal officers into Democratic-led cities. Democrats appear to be tightening screws against Homeland Security as Congress heads toward a deadline to fund the agency weeks after the fatal shooting of Renee Good and widespread protests against militarized immigration officers. Some Democrats are mulling whether to withhold funding without any new limits on Trumps anti-immigration agenda. It's obviously natural that Democrats would want to make sure that any money we spend in DHS is being spent lawfully, and right now that department is full of unlawful activity, Sen. Chris Murphy, the top Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee for Homeland Security, told The Independent. 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 Federal immigration officers have fired on people more than a dozen times since Donald Trump returned to the presidency last year, killing at least four people and injuring at least seven others. At least 16 shooting incidents by federal officers within the last year include last weeks killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fired three shots into her car at close range, striking her in the face, igniting a political firestorm and protests across the country. Two days later, Customs and Border Patrol officers in Oregon shot and injured two people accused of weaponizing a car against them. In at least 15 other incidents, federal immigration officers held people at gunpoint but didn't shoot, and there have been countless deployments of riot control weapons such as rubber bullets, pepper balls and chemical sprays, including at point-blank range. The Independents review of federal records and an analysis from The Trace likely represent an undercount, as thousands of officers continue to surge into largely Democratic-led cities across the country to support Donald Trumps mass deportation agenda. open image in gallery ICE and CBP are responsible for at least 16 shooting incidents over the last year, killing at least four people ( AFP/Getty ) This makes us all less safe, according to gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. Armed intimidation in our communities does not make anyone safer, added Brady, a nonprofit organization against gun violence. More firearms in neighborhoods already impacted by gun violence helps no one. Police violence is gun violence. Brady president Kris Brown stressed that Americans have a right to due process and freedom from wanton, arbitrary, and lethal violence. open image in gallery An ICE officer drags a woman through the street while another federal officer waves his firearm at a crowd of protesters in Minneapolis December 15. Immigration agents have brandished firearms at crowds and targets at least 15 times over the last year ( yapwlauryn ) Immigration officers killed 20 people in 2023 and 2022, according to the most recent federal data. Officers with ICE and border patrol the agencies behind the Trump administrations latest wave of federal law enforcement actions used lethal force against 19 people in that time, while a Coast Guard member was responsible for one death, according to federal reports. Within the 12 months through September 2024, ICEs internal firearms and use of force committee investigated three incidents in which an officer used a firearm, according to ICEs annual report. In the year before that, the committee investigated five shooting incidents. ICE agents were responsible for 59 shootings within the six-year period between 2015 to 2022, according to a 2024 investigation from The Trace, Type Investigations and Business Insider. At least 24 people were injured in those shootings, and at least 23 people were killed. Last year also marked the deadliest year for in-custody deaths at ICE facilities in more than two decades. At least 32 people died in immigration detention facilities in 2025, matching the previous record set in 2004. open image in gallery Federal officers have also been accused of deploying riot control weapons such as rubber bullets, pepper balls and chemical sprays, including at point-blank range. ( AFP/Getty ) In September, Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, a 38-year-old father and cook originally from Mexico, was shot at close range as he allegedly tried to flee ICE officers during a traffic stop in Chicago marking the first fatal shooting by immigration officers during the second Trump administration. Last month, a border patrol agent shot a 31-year-old Mexican citizen three times while trying to detain him in Rio Grande City, Texas, according to the agency. He was pronounced dead roughly one hour after the incident was reported. And on New Year's Eve, an off-duty ICE agent fatally shot 43-year-old Keith Porter in Los Angeles, California. Porter, the father of two children, was allegedly firing a rifle in the air to celebrate the New Year. The officer shot him three times, according to DHS. open image in gallery A demonstrator holds a sign for Keith Porter, who was fatally shot by an off-duty ICE agent after allegedly firing a gun into the air on New Years Eve ( AP ) Days earlier, an immigration officer in Los Angeles shot and hit an American citizen in the shoulder. Lawyers for Carlos Jimenez say he asked the officers to move away from the area, warning that schoolchildren would soon be there. Federal prosecutors claim he accelerated his car towards an officer as he tried to flee. Immigration officers have fired on moving cars at least 13 times over the last year, according to an analysis from The Wall Street Journal, with administration officials defending the actions against drivers who have weaponized their cars against law enforcement. When faced with dangerous circumstances, DHS law enforcement used their training to protect themselves, their fellow officers, and the public, Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told the newspaper. Department of Justice policy prohibits officers from firing at a moving vehicle unless there is no other objectively reasonable means of defense appear to exist, which includes moving out of the path of the vehicle. Homeland Securitys use-of-force policy similarly states that firing at a driver is prohibited unless theres a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. Deadly force is forbidden when solely trying to stop a car, according to federal guidelines. Everything about these incidents indicates that these are probably shootings that did not need to happen, Georgetown Law professor and former Department of Justice litigator Christy Lopez told The Trace. ICE agents cant prevent everything, but they have the ability to de-escalate situations, Lopez said. Instead, we see the opposite. Theyre actually stoking this inordinate amount of fear and this hypervigilance, and they should be trying to tamp it down but theyre not. Marimar Martinez, a 30-year-old teaching assistant and U.S. citizen from Chicago, survived five shots from an immigration officer who shouted do something, b**** before firing at her, according to a video of Octobers incident. Homeland Security claims Martinez had rammed her car while driving around Chicagos majority-Hispanic Brighton Park neighborhood, but footage from the incident contradicted the governments account and prosecutors ultimately dropped the case. In text messages provided to the court, the officer allegedly boasted about the incident: I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys. open image in gallery Immigration officers have fired on moving cars at least 10 times over the last year, accounting for a bulk of last years shooting incidents, with administration officials defending the actions against drivers who have weaponized their cars against law enforcements ( Reuters ) While a bulk of recent shooting incidents occurred in the Los Angeles and Chicago areas, several including Goods killing took place in and around Minneapolis. Late last month, an ICE officer shot at a man in an SUV in St. Paul, Minnesota, after the driver allegedly struck two agents with his car. The driver was uninjured. That same month, immigration officers allegedly brandished firearms at a crowd of students at a private university in Minneapolis. And in June, the same ICE officer who fatally shot Good was injured in an incident where he fired a Taser at a driver during a traffic stop. The officer, Jonathan Ross, broke the rear drivers side window, reached into the car and shot Roberto Carlos Munoz with his Taser 10 times and saw the impacts on his face, according to his testimony. I was fearing for my life. I knew I was going to get drug [sic], Ross said. And the fact I couldnt get my arm out, I didnt know how long I would be drugged. So I was kind of running with the vehicle. Ross said he was dragged for more than 100 yards and received 20 stitches for a cut on his right arm and 13 stitches on his left hand, according to prosecutors. But Munoz survived the encounter. A jury later found him guilty of assault with a dangerous and deadly weapon and causing bodily injury. 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 Podcaster Joe Rogan believes that Americans now see Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as murderous military people, calling the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis horrific. Protests erupted around the country after Jonathan Ross, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement removal officer based in Minnesota, shot and killed Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, while she was behind the wheel of her car. In the aftermath of the shooting, Trump said the ICE agent killed Good in self-defense, claiming Good ran over the officer, with both sides contesting what video of the shocking incident actually shows. Now ICE are villains, and now people are looking at them like murderous military people that are on the streets of our cities and they're masked up, which is a problem, Rogan, who endorsed Trump during the 2024 election, said during an interview with Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky released Tuesday. Paul said he doesnt think ICE agents need to wear masks to hide their identities when making most of the regular arrests. open image in gallery Podcaster Joe Rogan has said people now see Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as 'murderous military people,' calling the shooting of a motorist in Minneapolis 'horrific' ( Elsa/Getty Images ) Most people believe that police are necessarybut those same people that believe that, might also believe that once someone is here, they should be able to stay in this country and ICE is operating illegally and we shouldnt have militarized groups of people roaming the streets, just showing up with masks on and snatching people up, Rogan continued. The podcaster then mentioned Good, saying, It's very ugly to watch someone shoot a U.S. citizen, especially a woman, in the faceIt just looked horrific to me. When people say it's justifiable because the car hit him, it seemed like she was turning the car away. The Trump administration has continued to defend its immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem telling Fox News on Sunday that the agency would send hundreds more federal officers to the city. Noem said the Department of Homeland Security surged resources to Minnesota because there are corrupt elected officials at the city-level and at the state-level, [who] allowed fraud to happen, allowed crimes to happen. open image in gallery Tensions between ICE and the people of Minneapolis reached a boiling point after a federal agent fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen ( Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images ) Minnesota is the center of a massive fraud scandal in which hundreds of millions of dollars were allegedly stolen from welfare programs. Somali Americans, who made up most of the defendants charged so far in the federal fraud schemes, have become a political target for Trump, with him calling the Somali immigrant population in Minnesota garbage. open image in gallery In the aftermath of the shooting, Trump said the ICE agent killed Good in 'self-defense,' claiming Good 'ran over' the officer ( Stephen Maturen/Getty Images ) In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump asked, Do the people of Minnesota really want to live in a community in which there are thousands of already convicted murderers, drug dealers and addicts, rapists, violent released and escaped prisoners, dangerous people from foreign mental institutions and insane asylums, and other deadly criminals too dangerous to even mention. All the patriots of ICE want to do is remove them from your neighborhood and send them back to the prisons and mental institutions from where they came, most in foreign Countries who illegally entered the USA though Sleepy Joe Bidens HORRIBLE Open Borders Policy. Trump then warned, FEAR NOT, GREAT PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING! 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 Two top aides to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer have been placed on administrative leave after the Department of Labors Inspector General launched an investigation into a complaint about her conduct. Chavez-DeRemers Chief of Staff Jihun Han and Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright were placed on temporary leave Monday, a step that does not imply any wrongdoing on their part. The development comes after The New York Post reported Friday that a formal complaint had been lodged against the secretary with her departments inspector, Anthony DEsposito, where she was accused of abusing her powers, drinking in her office and having an extramarital affair with a subordinate. The complaint alleges that Han and Wright were involved and have knowledge of these issues, according to the Post, and were allegedly tasked by Chavez-DeRemer with inventing work trips for her to go on where she could also spend time with friends and family, which it characterizes as travel fraud. A Department of Labor spokesperson told The Independent: It is the policy of the Department of Labor not to comment on personnel matters. The Independent has also reached out to the White House for comment. open image in gallery Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is part of a inspector general investigation that includes allegations she was having an affair with a subordinate ( AP ) The affair allegations made against her in the complaint reportedly concern meet-ups in hotels and at her D.C. apartment. At one of the meet-ups, she allegedly told her security detail she didnt need protection. According to the Post, Chavez-DeRemer and the staffer traveled to a Las Vegas casino in late October to celebrate her nieces 40th birthday while the government was shut down. The complaint also noted that video footage from the hotel showed the staffer and the secretary engaging in unprofessional behavior on at least two Vegas trips last year. The staffer in the alleged encounters refused to speak to the Post: I got lawyers, so Im not gonna talk to you. I have nothing to say. The secretarys husband, Dr Shawn DeRemer, has denied that his wife is unfaithful, however, telling the Post in a statement: Theres not an ounce of truth to this, and anyone who knows my wife would know that. When allegations of the affairs started to surface in her office, Chavez-DeRemer allegedly told Han to leave it alone, according to the complaint filed with the inspector general and reported by the Post. The complaint also accused her of drinking in the office and keeping a stash of alcohol there, the Post noted. Allegations made to the inspector general also accused her of being a boss from hell, according to the Post. That included forcing aides to run errands or perform other menial tasks while at work. In 2025, taxpayers spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for the secretary to visit 37 of the 50 states in her first year in the role, with only the falls record-breaking government shutdown preventing her from achieving her stated goal of touring all 50. However, at least 10 of those trips were to states where she has personal ties, according to the Post. The complaint alleged that while on official trips, Chavez-DeRemer would speak for no more than an hour, then would do personal stuff and go out drinking, according to the complaint. open image in gallery Her husband and her office denied the allegations of misconduct ( Getty Images ) Departmental spokesperson Courtney Parella has also defended the secretary by saying in a statement: These unsubstantiated allegations are categorically false. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has complied with all ethics rules and department policies and remains fully engaged in carrying out the departments work on behalf of this historic administration. The secretary is considering all possible avenues, including legal action, to fight these baseless accusations from anonymous sources. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers likewise called the allegations baseless, commenting: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer is an incredible asset to President Trumps team and she will continue advancing the Presidents America First agenda. The Department of Labors Office of the Inspector General said it could neither confirm or deny the existence or nonexistence of any investigation or complaint beyond what is published on our website but said it remains committed to rooting out fraud, waste, abuse and corruption through objective. 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 Minnesota sued the Trump administration on Monday over the unprecedented immigration crackdown underway in the state, alleging it violates federal law and the Constitution. The unlawful deployment of thousands of armed, masked, and poorly trained federal agents is hurting Minnesota, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison wrote in a statement on Monday. People are being racially profiled, harassed, terrorized, and assaulted. Schools have gone into lockdown...This federal invasion of the Twin Cities has to stop, so today I am suing DHS to bring it to an end. The lawsuit comes as the Twin Cities are reeling from an ICE agent fatally shooting Renee Good last week, an incident that has prompted widespread protests. The Trump administration has alleged that Good was a lunatic and domestic extremist who was killed after she tried to ram officers with an SUV. Local officials have said these allegations are false, pointing to a widely seen video of the incident that appears to show Good was not heading directly at officers when the shooting took place. The complaint, brought on behalf of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, names top officials at the Department of Homeland Security and its agencies, ICE and the Border Patrol. It alleges that the ongoing crackdown in Minnesota, which began in December, is driven by nothing more than the Trump Administrations desire to punish political opponents and score partisan points, violates First Amendment rights and the Tenth Amendments separation of certain state and federal powers. open image in gallery A lawsuit from Minnesota filed Monday accuses the Trump administration of launching a politically motivated immigration crackdown that has violated the constitutional rights of the state and its citizens ( AP ) The attorney generals lawsuit asks a Minnesota federal court to end the surge and declare it unlawful and unconstitutional. DHS officials have said more than 2,000 agents are on the ground in Minnesota, calling it the largest ever immigration operation. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent in a statement that Ellisons lawsuit shows he is prioritizing politics over public safety, and accused Minnesota officials of being hypocrites for suing to protect the proper division of state and federal powers while they dont want federal law enforcement officers to enforce federal law. Sanctuary politicians like Ellison are the EXACT reason that DHS surged to Minnesota in the first place, McLaughlin wrote. If he, [Minnesota Gov.] Tim Walz, or [Minneapolis Mayor] Jacob Frey had just done their sworn duty to protect the people of Minnesota they are supposed to serve to root out fraud and get criminals off the street if they had worked with us to do it we wouldnt be having this conversation in the first place. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. open image in gallery The lawsuit comes after an ICE agent fatally shot a Minneapolis woman, setting off widespread protests in the city and around the country ( AP ) The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of using the presidents incorrect belief that he won the state in the last three presidential elections, as well as an ongoing fraud scandal in Minnesota, as a pretext to launch an operation that has resulted in alleged racial profiling, warrantless entries, and violent treatment of people legally observing and protesting the DHS campaign. The complaint also alleges that other, Republican-led states like Utah, Texas, and Florida have higher populations of undocumented people, and that targeting Minnesota shows the partisan nature of the operation. The Trump administration has said it doesnt need mass operations in those states because local jurisdictions agree to cooperate with federal agents. President Trump has long spoken derogatorily about Minnesota officials, as well as the states large Somali population. Last year, after a gunman targeted and shot multiple Minnesota lawmakers and their families, the president said he would not call Walz, accusing him of being whacked out. Illinois and the city of Chicago filed a similar lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, accusing agents of acting as occupiers rather than officers of the law during their extensive operations there, which included the deployment of out-of-state National Guard troops in the region. 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 Top federal prosecutors in Minnesota have resigned after the Department of Justice pushed to investigate the widow of Renee Good and rebuffed an investigation into the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who fatally shot her last week. Veteran prosecutor Joseph Thompson, who was previously appointed by Donald Trump to serve as Minnesotas acting U.S. attorney and first assistant U.S. attorney, had overseen a sprawling fraud investigation at the center of the presidents surge of federal law enforcement officers in the state. Thompson is among at least four career prosecutors who quit Tuesday. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda Williams, Harry Jacobs, and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez also reportedly resigned. Their abrupt departure follows an exodus at the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, where at least four officials allegedly left in frustration over division chief Harmeet Dhillons refusal to investigate a fatal shooting that has sparked widespread protests and political outrage. open image in gallery Former acting US attorney Joseph Thompson, a top federal prosecutor in Minneosta, has reportedly resigned along with three other career prosecutors after the DOJs demands surrounding investigations in the aftermath of an ICE officers killing of Renee Good ( AP ) An official with the Justice Department told The Independent that those civil rights division chiefs gave notice of their departure well before the events in Minnesota. Any suggestion to the contrary is false. There is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement to The Independent. In response to questions about Thompsons resignation, a Justice Department official defended investigations in the wake of Goods death. As with any officer-involved shooting, each law enforcement agency has an internal investigation protocol, including DHS, the official said. As such, [ICEs Office of Professional Responsibility] has its own investigation underway. This runs parallel to any FBI investigation. Good, a 37-year-old mother of three children, was fatally shot by ICE officer Jonathan Ross while she appeared to be driving away from immigration agents who surrounded her car January 7. Administration officials swiftly labeled her a violent rioter who intentionally used her car to ram the agent in an act of domestic terrorism. Video analysis from footage taken by several witnesses as well footage from Ross himself, who was filming his interaction with Good and her wife with one hand while grabbing his firearm and shooting at her with his other shows masked officers approaching her car in the middle of a residential street. An officer can be heard saying get out of the f***ing car while an agent pulls on the outside handle. Goods car backs up slightly, then pulls forward and begins to veer to the right. As her car moves forward, Ross moves to the front of her car. He fires three shots and her car accelerates and crashes further down the street. Her wife Becca Good said in a statement last week that she and her wife had stopped to support our neighbors when ICE agents arrived on the scene. We had whistles, she wrote. They had guns. open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images ) Thompson reportedly objected to the Justice Departments refusal to investigate the shooting as a civil rights matter, and was outraged by an alleged demand to pursue a criminal investigation into Becca Good, according to people familiar with the matter speaking to The New York Times. He had initially sought to investigate the shooting in conjunction with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, a state agency that reviews police shootings, though state officials have said that the Justice Department has effectively cast them aside. Investigators are reportedly probing whether Good was involved with activist groups that have been protesting Trumps mass deportation campaign and instigated events before the officer killed her. The president and administration officials, meanwhile, have labeled Good a professional agitator while accusing Democratic-aligned groups of orchestrating violent resistance against federal law enforcement, without evidence. The Trump administration has pushed out dozens of career prosecutors across the country over refusals to drop cases or bring politically charged prosecutions against the presidents perceived enemies and longtime foes. At least five Trump-appointed U.S. Attorneys have resigned over political interference from the Trump administration, including prosecutors in Manhattan who were pressured to drop a case against former Mayor Eric Adams and a U.S. attorney in Virginia tasked with prosecuting New York Attorney General Letitia James. Meanwhile, federal judges have disqualified at least five U.S. attorneys who were determined to be serving unlawfully after they were appointed by the president. Last year, roughly 10,000 attorneys worked across the Justice Department and its components, including the FBI. But the Trump administration has fired, forced out or offered buyouts to roughly 5,500 attorneys and other Justice Department employees, according to Justice Connection, an advocacy group that has tracked departures. 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 More than half of Republicans believe the fatal shooting of Renee Good was justified, a new poll has found. Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was inside her car when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot her in Minneapolis on January 7. President Donald Trump has framed the shooting as self-defense and claimed the mother of three had run over the agent with her car, with both sides contesting what video of the shocking incident actually shows. A YouGov poll taken in the days after Goods death found that 61 percent of Republicans found the amount of force used by the ICE agent in the shooting as justified, while 15 percent thought it was not justified and 24 percent were unsure. An overwhelming majority of Democrats, 88 percent, found the shooting unjustified, as did 58 percent of independents. Putting political party aside, as a whole, 53 percent of survey respondents thought the shooting was not justified, while 28 percent found it justified and 18 percent were unsure. open image in gallery More than half of Republicans believe the fatal shooting of Renee Good was justified, a new poll has found ( Stephen Maturen/Getty Images ) Footage of the shooting appears to show Good reversing her car and then driving forward, turning to the right as the officer standing in front of the vehicle fires his gun at her three times. Anti-ICE protests erupted across the country over the weekend following Goods death. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Minneapolis, New York, Washington, D.C. and other cities on Saturday, holding up signs that read, ICE off our streets for Good, and Justice for Renee Good. Trump defended his massive immigration crackdown in a Truth Social post on Tuesday. Do the people of Minnesota really want to live in a community in which there are thousands of already convicted murderers, drug dealers and addicts, rapists, violent released and escaped prisoners, dangerous people from foreign mental institutions and insane asylums, and other deadly criminals too dangerous to even mention, the president said, adding that all the patriots of ICE want to do is remove them from your neighborhood. open image in gallery Anti-ICE protests erupted across the country over the weekend following Goods death ( Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images ) Trump continued: Minnesota Democrats love the unrest that anarchists and professional agitators are causing because it gets the spotlight off of the 19 Billion Dollars that was stolen by really bad and deranged people. FEAR NOT, GREAT PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING! open image in gallery Good was inside her car when an ICE agent fatally shot her in Minneapolis on January 7 ( Stephen Maturen/Getty Images ) The president was referring to a massive fraud scandal in Minnesota, in which individuals, most of whom are Somali Americans, were accused of stealing at least hundreds of millions of federal dollars from welfare programs. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned in a Fox News interview Sunday that hundreds more federal agents were being sent to Minneapolis. 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 While its not uncommon for U.S. presidents to have their names on naval vessels, currency, buildings and other institutions, Donald Trump has become the first sitting leader to do so. Since returning to the Oval in January, the president has already seen multiple buildings and federal initiatives named, and renamed, after himself, including Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace, the Trump-class U.S.S. Defiant battleship, prescription drug website TrumpRx, and The Trump Gold Card visa. Perhaps the most controversial has been The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, which has resulted in protests from civilians and performing artists alike. In many instances, Trump has reportedly suggested having his name included on federal buildings himself, despite the honor usually being bestowed in later years by presidential successors. open image in gallery Since returning to the Oval in January, the president has already seen buildings and federal initiatives named and renamed after himself, including the Trump-class U.S.S. Defiant, TrumpRx, The Trump Gold Card, and the The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts which has proved controversial ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Analysis from The New York Times, shows that the quickest turnaround for memorialization of a president previously was for John F Kennedy, following his assassination in November 1963. One year later the Kennedy Center, the Kennedy Space Center and the Kennedy Federal Building all bore his name. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Truman Building, which was named so in 2000, 47 years after the end of Harry S Trumans presidency in 1953. Throughout Western history, the idea of commemorating and adulating yourself has been considered gauche, Jeffrey Engel, a historian at Southern Methodist University, told the Times. While presidents including George H Bush, Lyndon B Johnson and Bill Clinton have buildings named after them, there are currently no plans for any federal institutions to be named after more recent Commanders-in-Chief such as Barack Obama or Joe Biden while Trump has two. open image in gallery The addition of Trumps name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in December last year has caused outrage among the public and resulted in multiple artists cancelling performances ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The addition of Trumps name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in December last year has caused outrage, with multiple artists cancelling performances. In a significant move Saturday, the Washington National Opera also announced it would be leaving the center which has been the companys home since 1971. Some have even suggested that the move which was not approved by Congress is potentially illegal. Similarly, a 2005 law which expanded a series of $1 coins to feature faces of deceased presidents specifically forbade the creation of a new coin until at least two years after a presidents death. Despite this, a semiquincentennial (250 years) $1 coin featuring Trumps face has been proposed and may enter circulation later this year. open image in gallery The Trump Gold Card visa, offers legal status and an eventual pathway to U.S. citizenship for individuals paying $1 million and corporations ponying up twice that per foreign-born employee ( AFP/Getty ) Administration officials told The Times that the coin is part of a special currency series to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S., which does not have the same legal restrictions. In 1926, a coin featuring sitting president Calvin Coolidge want minted to celebrate the nations 150th anniversary. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment on President Trumps penchant for renaming things after himself. A spokeswoman told The Times that the initiatives named after Trump were historic and would not have been possible without President Trumps bold leadership. Likewise, announcing the change to the name of the Kennedy Center in December, press secretary Karoline Leavitt attributed the change to the "unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation." 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 U.S. military used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane to carry out its first strike against an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean last September, the latest potential violation of the laws of war in the Trump administrations wide-ranging, controversial campaign of air strikes across the region. The craft involved in the attack, officials briefed on the matter told The New York Times, did not carry visible munitions under its wings and wasnt painted with clear military markings. Such tactics, retired Maj. Gen. Steven J. Lepper, former deputy judge advocate general for the U.S Air Force, could constitute the crime of perfidy, which prohibits combatants from pretending to be civilians to trick their enemies, he told the paper. Shielding your identity is an element of perfidy, he said. If the aircraft flying above is not identifiable as a combatant aircraft, it should not be engaged in combatant activity. The U.S. military utilizes a wide array of standard and nonstandard aircraft depending on mission requirements, the Pentagon said in a statement when asked about the report. Prior to the fielding and employment of each aircraft, they go through a rigorous procurement process to ensure compliance with domestic law, department policies and regulations, and applicable international standards, including the law of armed conflict. open image in gallery A U.S. military plane disguised as a civilian aircraft carried out the first strike against an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean last year, officials told The New York Times ( Getty ) The September 2 strike at issue, which killed 11 people, previously attracted controversy regarding how orders were communicated for the military to take out two survivors of the initial attack who were clinging to wreckage, another choice that critics said violated the laws of war. Administration officials have said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did not directly order the double-tap strike, but rather that a Navy admiral did so under Hegseths general brief for the attack. Hegseth has said he fully supported the choice and wouldve made the same decision himself. Amid controversy over the attack, Hegseth said in December that the Pentagon would not release unedited video of the strike. The administration has also faced criticisms over the legal basis of the entire campaign, with critics arguing that such strikes amount to illegal extrajudicial killings against non-combatants outside the theater of war. open image in gallery The Trump administrations anti-drug campaign in the region has killed at least 123 people across 35 strikes ( US Southern Command ) The administration insists its attacks against alleged drug boats are valid because the U.S. is in an armed conflict with non-state drug groups. The military has not shared extensive evidence about who is on the boats or how it is known they are tied to drug-trafficking. The campaign, which has killed at least 123 people across 35 strikes, reached a new phase earlier this month, when U.S. forces entered Venezuela and captured its leader, Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. has accused of being in league with drug groups. Lawmakers have said they were not briefed about the operation in advance, and a bipartisan group of senators voted last week to block Trump from further force within or against Venezuela without getting approval from Congress. 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 hinted at when Americans can expect the $2,000 tariff rebate checks he has been promising over the last few months and they wont be landing anytime soon. Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of giving cash to Americans, which he claimed is possible due to revenue generated from his trade tariffs. The president was asked for an update on the timeline of the checks in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, where he initially replied: I did do that? When did I do that? according to the transcript. The tariff money is so substantial, he said after being pressed further. Thats coming in, that Ill be able to do $2,000 sometime. I would say toward the end of the year. Previously, Trump told reporters that the checks would be distributed probably in the middle of next year, a little bit later than that. open image in gallery President Donald Trump has hinted at when Americans can expect the $2,000 tariff rebate checks he has been promising over the last few months ( Getty ) In a follow up question, Trump was pushed by The Times about whether he needed Congress to approve the checks. No, I dont believe we do, he said. We have it coming in from other sources. In the interview, Trump also repeated the false claim that a $1,776 warrior dividend awarded to military members before Christmas was paid for by tariff revenue. The payments to troops came from a congressionally-approved housing supplement money they were already set to receive that was a part of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in July 2025. The White House is yet to release a concrete plan for the $2,000 checks and when asked about it, members of the administration and Trump allies have expressed varying degrees of confidence. We will see. We need legislation for that, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News Sunday Morning Futures in mid-November. Bessent later told ABC News that tariff revenue could come in many forms indicating it may not necessarily be a paycheck akin to the first Trump administrations stimulus checks. open image in gallery Members of the Trump administration, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have expressed varying degrees of confidence over plans for the $2,000 checks ( Getty Images ) Kevin Hassett, the director of the National Economic Council, told reporters in November that there was enough tariff revenue to cover those checks and not go into the rest of the budget. One major factor as to whether the tariff rebate checks are even possible is how the Supreme Court rules in Trumps tariff case, a decision that is expected in a matter of days. If the court upholds Trumps attempts to impose sweeping tariffs through the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, then the president could move forward with the one-time checks. Trump warned Monday if the Supreme Court ruled against his tariff policies, the U.S. would be SCREWED! Ariana Baio contributed reporting 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 White House is reportedly working overtime to flip Republican senators back to their side, even after Donald Trump publicly trashed them and advised voters to never elect them to office again. It comes as the administration suffered a rare defeat in the Senate last week when five members of the presidents party broke ranks to support a War Powers resolution aimed at restricting the administration from further strikes against Venezuela submitted by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), advancing it to a final floor vote. The vote triggered an angry response from Trump on Truth Social. 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. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again, wrote a furious Trump on Thursday. Now the White House is reaching out to some or all of those same senators, according to Politico, and working to alleviate the concerns they have about the administrations plans for the South American country where U.S. forces abducted its president, Nicolas Maduro, in a stunning raid earlier this month. Maduro is now facing drug trafficking charges in New York. The White House has until Wednesday, when Kaine says a vote-a-rama session for the resolution will be held in the Senate and the chamber will debate final passage. Assuming that all Democratic senators remain supportive of the resolution, the presidents team would need to flip two Republican votes to defeat the resolution on the final vote. open image in gallery Donald Trump suffered one of the biggest defections yet from Republicans on Capitol Hill last Thursday when they voted to restrict future military strikes in Venezuela. ( AFP/Getty ) One of those senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, told Politico that her vote wasnt changing. That leaves four others whom the president could conceivably flip. One, Todd Young, declined to comment to the news outlet about whether his stance would change on final passage. If the White House is successful, it could be yet another case of the chambers Republicans mounting resistance to the White House, but only just shy of enough to actually threaten the presidents efforts. Even if the resolution passes, it likely will not matter. The House of Representatives may not even take it up, and if it reaches Trumps desk he could still veto it. Overriding Trumps veto would require the votes of two-thirds of the Senate. Still, its advancement last week and potential final passage serve as symbolic rebukes of the vision that the administration has laid out for Venezuela and, more broadly, its military posture in the western hemisphere. The votes come as senators are concurrently discussing Trumps threats to use military force to seize Greenland from Denmark, while also threatening other potential interventions in Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and even Iran. In Venezuela, in particular, the White House now faces questions about the countrys future. The president and his team havent said for certain how they believe the transition from Maduros presidency should take place, or endorsed a specific figure in Venezuela to take over the reins of government. open image in gallery State Department officials have warned that Venezuela is highly unsafe for Americans amid the capture of Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces ( AFP/Getty ) U.S. officials accused Maduro of running a vast criminal cartel known as Cartel de los Soles which also allegedly involved other top government officials and members of the military and intelligence services. Trump, on many occasions, has said that the U.S. will run Venezuela for the time being, and repeatedly refused to rule out prospect of deploying American troops to the country. According to Politico, reassurances that the latter prospect is unlikely were part of the White Houses arguments to get Hawley, one of the five Republican defectors, back on board. Hours before the presidents angry statement on Truth Social, Hawley contended in a press gaggle that his vote wasnt meant as a snub of the president. According to news reports, some of the wayward Republican members were subject to sometimes irate calls from the president in the days leading up to last weeks vote. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Hawley on a phone call that the administration had no plans to deploy troops and if that changed would potentially seek congressional authorization first: Marco said to me he said, we have no ground troops. We have no plans to put ground troops in, the Missouri senator told Politico. For once it seems like it may be Donald Trump, not the Democrats, facing an uphill battle in the GOP-controlled Senate. But ultimately, the president remains unrestrained by Congress as he plots possible expansions of his regime change efforts to Iran, where various estimates indicate that more than 600 people have been killed in government crackdowns against protests that have spread across the country. On Thursday, the president gave possibly his strongest indication yet that the U.S. was planning to intervene in Iran, possibly with the intent of destabilizing the Iranian government. Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price, the president wrote on Truth Social, before vowing: HELP IS ON ITS WAY. 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 Trump administration announced that it has revoked over 100,000 visas since he took office, marking what it claimed to be a dramatic uptick from the previous year. The increase is part of the administrations aggressive crackdown on immigration, which aims to curb illegal migration while simultaneously restricting options for lawful entry. The Trump administration has no higher priority than protecting American citizens and upholding American sovereignty, Tommy Pigott, a spokesperson for the State Department, said in a statement to The Independent. In less than one year, the State Department revoked over 100,000 visas from foreign nationals, marking a new record and more than a 150% increase in revocations since 2024. Pigott claimed that many of the rescinded visas had been given to foreign criminals. The State Department revoked visas from thousands of foreign nationals charged or convicted with crimes, including assault, theft, and driving under the influence, he said. The State Department's recently-launched Continuous Vetting Center works to ensure that all foreign nationals on American soil comply with our laws and that the visas of those who pose a threat to American citizens are swiftly revoked. open image in gallery The Trump administration revoked more than 100,000 visas last year amid its immigration crackdown, the State Department announced on Monday ( AFP via Getty Images ) In a post on X Monday, the State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said that 8,000 student visas had been withdrawn in addition to 2,500 specialized visas for people who had encounters with law enforcement. We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe, the department said in the post, which included a photo of Trump dancing. Last years revocations come after Trump, on January 20, issued an executive order calling on federal agencies to enhance their vetting procedures for those seeking entry into the U.S. Since then, the State Department has moved to cancel visas for foreign nationals for a number of reasons, including over statements made about Israel and deceased conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In March, Rubio spoke in defense of these restrictive policies, telling CBS News: When you apply to enter the United States and you get a visa, you are a guest. If you tell us when you apply for a visa, Im coming to the U.S. to participate in pro-Hamas events, that runs counter to the foreign policy interest of the United States. In August, the State Department announced it was vetting more than 55 million visa holders in the country. open image in gallery 'We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe,' the State Department said Monday ( AFP via Getty Images ) While the federal government is legally allowed to cancel visas, the Republican administration has cracked down on visa holders with minor infractions that may in the past have meant foreign nationals could keep their legal status, according to Newsweek. The State Departments latest announcement was met with mixed reactions online. Immigrants who break our laws shouldnt be allowed to stay in our country, Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, wrote on X. Im glad the @SecRubio is deporting these criminals. The government is now openly bragging about causing damaging brain drain at colleges, the destruction of community tax bases and helping to worsen labor force availability, one user wrote. Another posted: International students are thugs now. Meanwhile, as thousands of visas for students are being canceled, another group is experiencing a sharp rise in visa approvals: adult content creators. The number of O-1B visas granted to OnlyFans models and online influencers has skyrocketed since the pandemic, The Independent reported last week. 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 Walmart is expanding its drone delivery service to another 150 stores, aiming to bring roughly 40 million Americans into its flight range this year. The retail giant's drone partner Wing part of Google's parent company Alphabet said on Monday that it planned to bring "ultra-fast" aerial shipments to Los Angeles, St Louis, Cincinnati, Miami, and other cities yet to be announced. Combined with the company's already-planned expansion into Houston, Orlando, Tampa, and Charlotte, North Carolina, that would bring the number of stores offering Wing's service to a total of 270 by the end of 2027. It will also help Walmart compete with its biggest rival, Amazon, which has been testing its Prime Air service in California, Texas, the UK and Italy for several years. "Drone delivery plays an important role in our ability to deliver what customers want, exactly when they want it," said Greg Cathey, Walmart's senior vice president of digital fulfilment transformation. open image in gallery A Walmart-branded Wing drone brings items to Orlando City Hall on Tuesday Dec. 16, 2025 to mark the retail giant's expansion of aerial shipments to the Florida city ( Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Content Services for Wing Drone Delivery ) "Whether its a last-minute ingredient for dinner, a must-have charger for a phone, or a late-night essential for a busy family, the strong adoption weve seen confirms that this is the future of convenience. "By expanding drone delivery to new major metro areas, we are helping more customers solve their last-minute needs faster than ever before." Companies including Amazon, DoorDash, and even Chipotle have been eagerly building drone delivery services, but have struggled to get off the ground due to regulation, high operating costs, and teething tech troubles. That is now starting to change after the Federal Aviation Administration proposed new rules allowing drone companies to fly beyond a human operator's line of sight as long as they meet certain conditions, instead of needing to obtain a special waiver. open image in gallery A quadcopter drone arrives with a small delivery at Deutsche Post headquarters on December 9, 2013 in Bonn, Germany ( Andreas Rentz/Getty Images ) Criminals have also been getting in on the action, using drones to ferry contraband such as raw steak and cigarettes over prison walls. But hurdles remain. Federal officials are investigating an incident in which an Amazon delivery drone made contact with an overhead internet cable in Waco, Texas, in November, as well as a crash between Amazon drones and a construction crane in Arizona in October. Meanwhile, a report by McKinsey last year found that drone delivery was still far more expensive than ground, at an estimated $13.50 per package vs $1.90 by van largely due to the requirement that each drone be individually monitored by a human employee. Walmart's drone delivery service launched in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area in 2022. As long as you're in a covered area, it's free for members of the company's $12.95 per month Walmart+ subscription bundle, and costs $19.99 per delivery for ordinary customers. "Weve spent years building our technology to ensure that when you realize youre out of eggs or need over-the-counter medicine, the solution is just a few taps away, seamlessly integrated into existing store operations," said Wing CEO Adam Woodworth. "We believe even the smallest package deserves the speed and reliability of a great delivery service. Working with Walmart has allowed us to prove that delivering these critical, everyday items in minutes makes a significant difference for families." 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 major Australian arts festival has been cancelled after days of turmoil that began with the removal of a Palestinian-Australian author and escalated into a mass boycott and a flurry of resignations. The organisers of the 2026 Adelaide Writers Week (AWW) announced on Tuesday that the event a core fixture of Australias cultural calendar would not go ahead, describing the outcome as deeply regrettable and apologising to Randa Abdel-Fattah for how its decision to remove her had been represented. The cancellation came hours after director Louise Adler and multiple other members of the festival board resigned. The crisis was triggered last Thursday when the board withdrew an invitation to Ms Abdel-Fattah, arguing that it would not be culturally sensitive to programme her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi. The board claimed it was not suggesting any connection between the author or her work and the Bondi Beach attack, which targeted a Jewish event. 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. The decision to remove her triggered an immediate backlash from international writers, academics, and commentators, with withdrawals accelerating over the following days. More than 180 invited participants pulled out, including former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, bestselling novelist Zadie Smith, Pulitzer prize-winning writer Percival Everett, Greek economist and politician Yanis Varoufakis, Irish novelist Roisin ODonnell, Australian poet Evelyn Araluen, and Russian-American journalist M Gessen. Adelaide drinks manufacturer Mischief Brew withdrew its sponsorship while former festival leaders signed an open letter urging the board to reinstate Ms Abdel-Fattah. Ms Adler resigned on Tuesday, writing in an opinion piece in The Guardian that the decision to drop Ms Abdel-Fattah had been taken despite her strongest opposition. I cannot be party to silencing writers, so with a heavy heart I am resigning from my role as the director of the AWW, she wrote. Writers and writing matters, even when they are presenting ideas that discomfort and challenge us. Her departure was followed by the resignation of four of the festival boards seven voting members, including the chair, Tracey Whiting, with the remaining board members stepping down soon afterwards. The festival made the decision to bar the Palestinian-Australian writer, but the board later said that this created more division ( Mondoweiss ) Announcing the cancellation, the board apologised for removing the Palestinian-Australian author, saying the decision was taken to respect a community experiencing the pain from a devastating event, but it instead created more division. Many authors have since announced they will no longer appear at Adelaide Writers Week 2026 and it is the Adelaide Festivals position that the event can no longer go ahead as scheduled for this year. This is a deeply regrettable outcome, it said in a statement. The board apologised to Ms Abdel-Fattah for how the decision was represented and acknowledged the distress caused to artists, audiences, staff, and partners. [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. The statement noted that all remaining board members were stepping down, and the new board would focus on ensuring a successful Adelaide Festival proceeds in a way which safeguards the long and rich cultural legacy of our state but also protects the hardworking staff delivering this important event. Rejecting the boards apology, Ms Abdel-Fattah said in a statement that it felt disingenuous and focused on how the decision had been communicated rather than the decision itself. Because I have too much respect for myself and for my people, for those who have suffered irreparable harm by the Boards conduct, for the brilliant Louise Adler who was forced on principle to resign, I refuse and reject the Boards apology. It is disingenuous. It adds insult to injury, she wrote. She said the boards reference to the national discourse amounted to an assertion that she could not be a part of it. Once again, the Board citing the national discourse for an action that specifically targets me, a Palestinian Australian Muslim woman, is explicitly articulating that I cannot be part of the national discourse, which is insulting and racist in the extreme. Ms Abdel-Fattah also criticised the board for reiterating a link to the Bondi Beach attack, which she had nothing to do with. The Bondi terrorist attack was abhorrent and horrifying, she wrote. The Bondi shooting does not mean I or anyone else has to stop advocating for an end to the illegal occupation and systematic extermination of my people that is an obscene and absurd demand. Please remember that the genocide of Palestinians continues and that all of this is a smokescreen. I am not the story, she added. AWW 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 was scheduled to begin on 28 February. 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. Following the October 7 attacks on Israel, Ms Abdel-Fattah shared an image depicting a person parachuting down with a Palestinian flag. 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. The boards original decision followed lobbying from the Jewish Community Council for South Australia. Norman Schueler, a representative of the organisation, said last week that it had written to the Adelaide Festival Board calling for Ms Abdel-Fattahs removal. It was a very wise move and it will improve the cohesiveness of the festival by not having her there, Mr Schueler told the Adelaide Advertiser after the invitation was withdrawn. South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas told ABC News he wholeheartedly supported the boards decision to remove Ms Abdel-Fattah and had made his views clear, but that he had not directed the boards actions or threatened funding. Michael Bradley, a lawyer representing Ms Abdel-Fattah, told The Sydney Morning Herald that the moral indefensibility of the Adelaide Festival Boards actions has been amply evidenced by the reaction it provoked. It also trampled on Randas human rights, and the board will have to answer for that, he said. His law firm has issued a legal letter instructing board members to retain all documents, including emails, text messages, and communications on disappearing messaging apps, which may be required for litigation. 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 Russia has summoned Poland's ambassador to formally protest the detention of a Russian archaeologist, demanding his immediate release rather than extradition to Ukraine. Alexander Butyagin was arrested by Polish authorities last month following a request from Ukraine. Kyiv accuses the archaeologist of conducting unauthorised excavations and plundering historical artefacts in Crimea. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it had called in Polish ambassador Krzysztof Krajewski on Monday and told him that the Ukrainian charges were "absurd". The statement said that Butyagin, an employee of the renowned Hermitage museum in St Petersburg, had been working in Crimea for decades, and all his finds had been transferred to a museum there. "It is emphasized that the Russian Federation demands the immediate release of the Russian citizen and that he not be handed over to the Kyiv regime's punitive machine, which has no resemblance to justice," it said. Ukraine says it is defending not just its people and territory but also its cultural heritage in the war against Russia. It has accused Russia of taking precious historical items from Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, and from other parts of the country following Russia's invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. Volkswagen delivers 2.69 million cars in China in 2025 Xinhua) 14:35, January 13, 2026 HEFEI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Volkswagen Group delivered 2.69 million vehicles in the Chinese market last year, accounting for about 30 percent of its total global deliveries during the period, the German automaker said. Also in 2025, the company sold 2.57 million fuel vehicles in China and rolled out a batch of new-generation electrified and intelligent connected vehicles, including the Audi Q6L e-tron and AUDI E5 Sportback. According to Volkswagen Group China, it successfully launched its export strategy in 2025, with a first batch of vehicles shipped to the Middle East market. The company will further expand its export business to markets including ASEAN, the Middle East, Central Asia, Latin America and Africa. In 2026, Volkswagen Group will launch more than 20 fully electric, plug-in hybrid and range-extended models in the Chinese market. These models are equipped with advanced battery and electrification technologies, intelligent connectivity and driver assistance systems. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 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 President Donald Trump is set to return to the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, next week, leading a record-sized US delegation, organisers announced on Tuesday. The Geneva-based think tank, which organises the prestigious gathering, noted that Mr Trump's assertive foreign policy, particularly on issues such as Venezuela and Greenland in recent months, has stirred concerns among both allies and adversaries. He will be joined by five Cabinet secretaries and other senior officials for the event, running from Monday until 23 January. The Alpine resort is preparing to host 3,000 participants from 130 countries, including 850 chief executives and chairs of the world's top companies, the forum confirmed. open image in gallery The Congress Center and the town of Davos ahead of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Switzerland ( REUTERS ) Forum President Borge Brende stated that six leaders from the Group of Seven nations, including Mr Trump, are expected to attend. They will be joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syria's Ahmad al-Sharaa, among other prominent global figures. A total of 64 heads of state or government are expected so far also a record though that number could increase before the start of the event, he said. China's delegation will be headed by Vice Premier He Lifeng, Beijing's top trade official, Brende said. Among the scores of other high-profile attendees expected are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as well as tech industry titans Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. open image in gallery Attendees listen to a virtual speech delivered by U.S. president Donald Trump in 2025. ( AP ) Brende said the U.S. delegation will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, along with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The forum, which held its first annual meeting in 1971, has long been a hub of dialogue, debate and deal-making. Trump has already attended twice while president, and was beamed in by video last year just days after being inaugurated for his second term. Critics call it a venue for the world's elites to hobnob and do business that sometimes comes at the expense of workers, the impoverished or people on the margins of society. The forum counters that its stated goal is "improving the state of the world" and insists many advocacy groups, academics and cultural leaders have an important role too. This year's edition will be the first annual meeting not headed by forum founder Klaus Schwab, who resigned last year. He's been succeeded by interim co-chairs Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of New York-based investment management company BlackRock, and Andre Hoffmann, the vice chairman of Swiss pharmaceuticals company Roche Holdings. 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 If a business creating the type of images produced by the AI chatbot Grok had been set up in someones basement it would have been raided by the Gardai the next day, a minister has said. Grok is an AI tool embedded in the social media platform X, and it has come under fire in recent days over reports users can create sexual abuse images, including of children. Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless said Grok is particularly challenging to tackle as it is not the primary tool, rather it is part of a publication tool. He said: Its very unexpected how it came about, but I think that were not alone in finding this a challenge. open image in gallery Grok was developed by a company founded by Elon Musk called xAI ( PA ) Speaking to reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mr Lawless said legislation that can deal with cases that arent even envisaged yet is needed as technology will always evolve. He said: I dont think Ireland is any better or worse than any other country in that regard. I think that the world struggled with this. He added: As legislators, we need to get on top of this very quickly. Mr Lawless also said the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, which is currently being introduced, would be an opportunity to help regulate the industry. Meanwhile Malaysia's communications regulator said on Tuesday it will take legal action against social media platform X due to concerns over user safety in relation to artificial intelligence feature Grok. Malaysia and Indonesia temporarily blocked Grok over the weekend, while Britain's media regulator launched an investigation into Musk's X and French officials have reported the social media firm to prosecutors and regulators. 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 eased some restrictions on its people and for the first time in days allowed them to make phone calls abroad via their mobile phones on Tuesday. It did not ease restrictions on the internet or allow texting services to be restored as the toll from days of bloody protests against the state rose to at least 646 people killed. Although Iranians were able to call abroad, people outside the country could not call them, several people in the capital told The Associated Press. The witnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said SMS text messaging still was down and internet users inside Iran could not access anything abroad, although there were local connections to government-approved websites. It was unclear if restrictions would ease further after authorities cut off all communications inside the country and to the outside world late Thursday. Here is the latest. German Chancellor believes Iranian government is in its final days and weeks German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he believes the Iranian government is in its final days and weeks, as he renewed a call for Iranian authorities to end violence against demonstrators immediately. If a regime can only keep itself in power by force, then its effectively at the end, Merz said Tuesday during a visit to Bengaluru, India. I believe we are now seeing the final days and weeks of this regime. In any case, it has no legitimacy through elections in the population. The population is now rising up against this regime. Merz said he hoped there is a possibility to end this conflict peacefully," adding that Germany is in close contact with the U.S. and European governments. Israel says it remains on alert because of Iran protests The Israeli military said it continues to be on alert for surprise scenarios due to the ongoing protests in Iran, but has not made any changes to guidelines for civilians, as it does prior to a concrete threat. The protests in Iran are an internal matter, Israeli military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin wrote on X. Israel attacked Irans nuclear program over the summer, resulting in a 12-day war that killed nearly 1,200 Iranians and almost 30 Israelis. Over the past week, Iran has threatened to attack Israel if Israel or the U.S. attacks. Iranian mobile phones can call abroad but outside internet remains cut Mobile phones in Iran were able to call abroad Tuesday after a crackdown on nationwide protests in which the internet and international calls were cut. Several people in Tehran were able to call The Associated Press. The AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was unable to call those numbers back. Witnesses said the internet remained cut off from the outside world. Iran cut off the internet and calls on Thursday as protests intensified. 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. The agency relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information. The agency said 512 of the dead were protesters and 134 were security force members. More than 10,700 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests, the agency said. 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 US vice-president JD Vance will host talks with Denmark in Washington DC after repeated threats of a takeover of the territory despite widespread backlash from European allies. Donald Trump has been adamant that he needs the territory right now and claims it is vital for Americas national security, in comments that have caused alarm in Nato countries. The escalation prompted Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, and Greenlands Vivian Motzfeldt to request a meeting with US secretary of state Marco Rubio which Mr Vance has now requested to join. US vice-president JD Vance also wanted to participate in the meeting, and he will host the meeting, which will therefore be held at the White House, Mr Rasmussen told reporters in Copenhagen on Tuesday. Our reason for seeking the meeting we have now been given was to move this whole discussion ... into a meeting room where we can look each other in the eye and talk about these things. open image in gallery The US vice-president has asked to be a part of discussions on the territory ( AFP/Getty ) In a striking statement on Tuesday, Denmarks prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said: One thing must be clear to everyone: Greenland does not want to be owned by the US, Greenland does not want to be governed by the US, Greenland does not want to be part of the US We choose the Greenland we know today, which is a part of the kingdom of Denmark. She added that it had not been easy to put up with unacceptable pressure from the countrys closest ally. open image in gallery Mette Frederiksen has said Greenland chooses Denmark over the US ( PA ) It is feared that Mr Vances inclusion in the talks will heighten tensions as he has historically been vocal in his support for the US seizing the territory from Denmark, a member of Nato. Last week, he warned Europe that it needed to take Mr Trump seriously on his aspiration to acquire it. What were asking our European friends to do is to take the security of that land mass more seriously, because if theyre not, the United States is going to have to do something about it, he said. What that is, Ill leave that to the president as we continue to engage in diplomacy with our European friends and everybody on this particular topic. In March last year, Mr Vance said the country has not done a good job at keeping Greenland safe and accused Denmark of passing it all off to the Americans. Several politicians have warned that a US takeover of Greenland would effectively spell the end of Nato, including US democratic senator, Chris Murphy, who said: It would be the end of Nato, right? Nato would have an obligation to defend Greenland. Mr Trump has had his eyes on the territory since 2019, when he first publicly floated the idea of purchasing the territory from Denmark, which runs it as an autonomous and self-governing entity. Greenland holds a large and untapped wealth of natural resources, including oil and gas as well as natural earth minerals, zinc, copper, nickel and graphite. Its geographical location, positioned between the North American Arctic and Europe, also makes it appealing to Mr Trump for strategic reasons. 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 Frances former far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, appeared in court on Tuesday to appeal an embezzlement conviction, a case whose outcome could significantly impact her 2027 presidential ambitions. The 57-year-old is challenging a March ruling that found her guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. That verdict imposed a five-year ban from elected office, two years of house arrest with an electronic tag, an additional two-year suspended sentence, and a 100,000 (87,000) fine. Ms Le Pen remained silent upon her arrival at the courthouse. As the trial began, she stood quietly before the three-judge panel while the court president read out the reasons for the proceedings. The courtroom was reportedly packed with dozens of journalists and members of the public. I hope Ill be able to convince the judges of my innocence, Le Pen told reporters on Monday. Its a new court with new judges. The case will be reset, so to speak. open image in gallery Defiant: Le Pen attends a party press conference in Paris on 12 January 2026 ( Getty ) Le Pen was seen as the potential frontrunner to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election until last years ruling, which sent shock waves through French politics. She denounced it as a democratic scandal. Her National Rally party has been coming out on top in opinion polls, and Le Pen alleged that the judicial system brought out the nuclear bomb to prevent her from becoming Frances president. Anti-corruption campaigners argue that Le Pens conviction was proof that French democracy works, and that no one is above the law. Advocacy group Transparency France noted that her conviction came after years of investigation and a lengthy trial in which Le Pen and other party members were able to freely defend their positions. The appeal trial, involving Le Pen, 10 other defendants and the National Rally party as a legal entity, is scheduled to last for five weeks. The panel is expected to announce its verdict later, possibly before summer. Several scenarios are possible, from acquittal to another conviction that may bar her from running in 2027. She also could face an even tougher punishment if convicted anew up to 10 years in prison and a 1m fine. open image in gallery Heir apparent: National Rally party president Jordan Bardella (front right) with Le Pen, who may run against Macron in her place ( AP ) In March, Le Pen and other party officials were convicted of using money intended for EU parliamentary assistants who instead had other duties between 2004 and 2016, in violation of EU rules. Some did work for the party known as the National Front at the time in French domestic politics, the court said. In handing down the sentence, the judge said Le Pen was at the heart of a system set up to siphon off EU parliament funds including to pay for her bodyguard and her chief of staff. All defendants denied wrongdoing, and Le Pen argued the money was used in a legitimate way. The judge said Le Pen and the others did not enrich themselves personally. The legal proceedings initially stemmed from a 2015 alert raised by Martin Schulz, then-president of the European Parliament, to French authorities. The case and its fallout weigh heavily on Le Pens political future after more than a decade spent trying to bring the far right into Frances political mainstream. Since taking over the party from her late father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in 2011, she has sought to shed its reputation for racism and antisemitism, changing its name, expelling her father in 2015, and softening the partys platform and her own public image. open image in gallery True tricolores: supporters rally near the French parliament in support of Le Pen in April 2025 ( Associated Press ) That strategy has paid dividends. The National Rally is now the largest single political group in Frances lower house of parliament and has built a broad network of elected officials across the country. The National Rally is most well-known for its anti-immigration, nationalist stance, and its rhetoric often targeting Muslims. Le Pen and other party members also have long criticised the EU and its rules and campaigned for more national sovereignty, even while serving in the EU Parliament. Le Pen stepped down as party president in 2021 to focus on the national presidential race, handing the role to Jordan Bardella, now 30. If Le Pen is ultimately prevented from running in 2027, Bardella is widely expected to be her successor. His popularity has surged, particularly among younger voters, though some within the party have questioned his leadership. Le Pens potential conviction would be deeply worrying for (Frances) democracy, Bardella said on Monday in a new year address. 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 Venezuelan-linked oil tanker, seized by U.S. forces in the North Atlantic last week, has arrived in Scotlands Moray Firth for replenishment. The Marinera, a Russian-flagged vessel previously known as Bella-1, was observed in waters off the north of Scotland on Tuesday, accompanied by a US Coast Guard vessel. The tanker was captured by U.S. forces last Wednesday as it travelled through the waters between Iceland and Scotland. It had reportedly been pursued across the Atlantic after allegedly approaching the naval blockade around Venezuela. UK armed forces assisted in the operation but did not board the vessel, which had initially been falsely flying the flag of Guyana before switching to a Russian flag. The Bella-1 entered UK waters at the request of the US Coast Guard to be replenished with essential supplies, including food and water for its crew, before continuing its onward journey. The Bella-1 entered UK waters at the request of the US Coast Guard to be replenished with essential supplies ( Hakon Rimmereid ) The UK is understood to have no direct role in the replenishment operation itself. A spokeswoman for the Department for Transport stated: "Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this government. Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels and we will continue to do so." The government also affirmed its commitment to work with allies to "disrupt and deter shadow fleet vessels and their harmful maritime activity." Defence Secretary John Healey has publicly justified the action to seize the tanker. He remarked, "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." 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 Russian military said it had fired its hypersonic Oreshnik missile at a target in Ukraine in response to what it described as an attempted Ukrainian drone strike on one of President Vladimir Putin's residences, something Kyiv has called a lie. It is the second time that Russia has used the intermediate-range Oreshnik, a missile which President Vladimir Putin has boasted is impossible to intercept because of its reported velocity of more than 10 times the speed of sound. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads as well as conventional ones, but there was no suggestion that the one used in the overnight attack had been fitted with anything other than a conventional warhead. The Russian Defence Ministry said the strike had targeted critical infrastucture in Ukraine. It said Russia had also used attack drones and high-precision long-range land and sea-based weapons. open image in gallery In this image made from video provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, A Russia's Oreshnik missile system is seen during a training in an undisclosed location in Belarus. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) ( Russian Defense Ministry Press Service ) "The strike's targets were hit. The targets included facilities producing unmanned aerial vehicles used in the terrorist attack (allegedly against the Putin residence), as well as energy infrastructure supporting Ukraine's military-industrial complex," the ministry said in a statement. What is the Oreshnik? The Oreshnik, whose name means Hazel Tree, is an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile that Russia has fired only once before against Ukraine, in November 2024. On that occasion it was equipped only with dummy warheads and therefore caused limited damage, Ukrainian sources said, in what was effectively a test. If the overnight attack carried explosive warheads, it would mark the first time that Russia has used the Oreshnik with full destructive intent. The strike targeted what Russia called critical infrastructure in Ukraine, though the extent of the damage was not immediately clear. What is special about the Oreshnik? Experts say the novel feature of the Oreshnik is that it can carry multiple warheads capable of simultaneously striking different targets - usually associated with longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The missile is based on the RS-26 Rubezh, which Russia had originally developed as an intercontinental missile. Like many Russian weapons systems, it is capable of carrying nuclear as well as conventional warheads, but there was no suggestion of any nuclear component to the overnight attack. Ukraine said the missile fired in 2024 took about 15 minutes to reach its target after being launched from southern Russia, and reached a speed of about 13,600 kph (8,450 mph). Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the Oreshnik is impossible to intercept and that it has destructive power comparable to that of a nuclear weapon, even when fitted with a conventional warhead. Some Western experts have said those claims are exaggerated. In December 2024, a U.S. official said the weapon was not seen as a game-changer on the battlefield, calling it experimental in nature and saying Russia likely possessed only a handful. open image in gallery In this image made from video provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, A Russia's Oreshnik missile system is seen during a training in an undisclosed location in Belarus. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) ( Russian Defense Ministry Press Service ) Since 2024, Russia has put the Oreshnik into serial production and also supplied it to its ally Belarus. The Russian military said it fired the Oreshnik in response to what Moscow says was an attempted Ukrainian drone attack late last year on one of Putin's residences in Novgorod, northern Russia. Ukraine said Russia was lying, and that no such attack took place. Putin had previously threatened to use the Oreshnik, including against "decision-making centres" in Kyiv, if Ukraine continued to attack Russia with long-range Western weapons, but had refrained from doing so until now. The overnight attack was directed against the Lviv region of western Ukraine, which borders NATO member Poland. Ukraine's foreign minister called it a "global threat" that demanded a global response. The escalation comes as U.S. President Donald Trump struggles to persuade Russia and Ukraine to agree a peace deal to end the war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 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 Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado held a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday. During the meeting, Ms Machado appealed to the Pontiff to intercede for the release of hundreds of political prisoners currently held in the Latin American nation. The encounter, which had not been publicly listed on Pope Leo's scheduled appointments, was later confirmed by the Vatican in its daily bulletin, though no additional details were disclosed. Ms Machado is presently on a tour of Europe and the United States, having 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," Machado said in a statement following the meeting. open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV meeting with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela at the Vatican ( Vatican Media ) "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. open image in gallery Machado dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump - and asked to share it with the American leader ( Getty ) 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 it 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 organisation 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. 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 U.K. and the U.S. have condemned Russia's use of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile in Ukraine, calling it a dangerous and inexplicable escalation at an emergency meeting called by the UN Security Council (UNSC). Russia Friday claimed it fired the hypersonic missile at a critical target in Ukraine in response to what it described as an attempted drone strike on one of President Vladimir Putin's residences, a claim refuted by Kyiv. It was the second time that Russia used the intermediate-range Oreshnik, a missile which Putin boasted was impossible to intercept because of its reported velocity of more than 10 times the speed of sound. Follow the latest updates on the Ukraine-Russia blog here. Ukraine and its European allies condemned the Russian missile strike, which they claimed was intended to intimidate the West at a time when European countries offered troops for a potential post-war reassurance force in Ukraine. Tammy Bruce, the U.S.s deputy ambassador to the U.N., said Russias use of the missile constitutes another dangerous and inexplicable escalation of this war, even as the United States is urgently working with Kyiv, other partners and Moscow to end the war through a negotiated settlement". open image in gallery This photo provided by the Ukrainian Security Service on Friday, 9Jan 2026, shows a fragment believed to be a part of a Russian Oreshnik intermediate range hypersonic ballistic missile that hit the Lviv region. (Ukrainian Security Service via AP) ( Ukrainian Security Service ) We condemn Russias continuing and intensifying attacks on Ukraines energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure, he added. Acting British ambassador James Kariuki called the attack reckless, adding that "it threatens regional and international security and carries significant risk of escalation and miscalculation". He continued: "President Putin claims to want peace, and yet his actions tell a different story." Kariuki warned that if "President Putin think this violence will deter Ukraines partners, he is wrong about that too". "We will continue to ensure that Ukraine gets the military and financial support it needs to defend itself. And we will increase pressure on Russia to de-escalate and engage in meaningful negotiations." Russia's defence ministry Monday said the hypersonic missile struck the Lviv State Aviation Repair Plant in western Ukraine, which was disabled as a result of the attack. "This enterprise carried out repairs and maintenance of Ukrainian armed forces aviation equipment, including F-16 and MiG-29 aircraft transferred by Western countries," the ministry said. "The company also produced long and medium-range attack drones used to strike Russian civilian targets deep within Russian territory." open image in gallery This photo provided by the Ukrainian Security Service on Friday, 9 Jan 2026, shows a fragment believed to be a part of a Russian Oreshnik intermediate range hypersonic ballistic missile that hit the Lviv region. (Ukrainian Security Service via AP) ( AP ) Kyiv confirmed that the missile was fired on the Lviv region, close to the border with Poland, but did not say whether the plant was struck. The Oreshnik the name meaning Hazel Tree in Russian language is a missile that Russia has fired only once before against Ukraine, in November 2024. At that time, it was equipped only with dummy warheads and therefore caused limited damage, Ukrainian sources said, in what was effectively a test. Experts say the novel feature of the Oreshnik is that it can carry multiple warheads capable of simultaneously striking different targets, usually associated with longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles. The missile is based on the RS-26 Rubezh, which Russia had originally developed as an intercontinental missile. A senior Russian military chief handed to a U.S. military attache on January 2 what he said was part of a Ukrainian drone containing data he said proved that the Ukrainian military had targeted a Russian presidential residence. Moscow accused Kyiv of trying to strike a residence of Putin in Russia's northern Novgorod region with 91 long-range attack drones. It said Russia would review its negotiating position in ongoing talks with the U.S. on ending the Ukraine war. Ukraine and Western countries have disputed Russia's account of the alleged attempted 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 As Ukraine is gripped by a bitter cold snap, more than one million people have been left without heating and electricity as Russia ramps up attacks on energy infrastructure. Elderly residents and those with vulnerable family members told The Independent they are cold and unable to cook proper meals as they face temperatures as low as -15C. Despondent and fearing death, many are struggling through the winter as blackouts plunge Ukraines cities into darkness, lit up only by the bright flash of Russian drone and missile attacks. It gives you depression, 33-year-old Dnipro resident Kyril Tulenev says. You cannot do anything. You cannot check the news. You cannot properly use your things. Sometimes you cannot call anyone because there is no connection. open image in gallery A grandmother in Kryvyi Rih, who says she thought she had survived the worst after living through the Second World War ( Rozvitok Mista ) Hundreds of thousands were left without electricity and heating across large swathes of Ukraines central and southeastern Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions on Thursday. On Friday, an attack on Kyiv left 500,000 without power, with mayor Vitali Klitschko calling for people to temporarily evacuate with temperatures set to plummet. Kyril paints an even bleaker picture of life outside the home. Petrol stations freeze over, the streets are lifeless, and traffic lights no longer function. The family of Kyrils girlfriend including an uncle with disabilities and an elderly grandfather are struggling. Unlike Kyril, who lives in an apartment, the family lives in an ageing house, riddled with cracks and exposed to freezing weather. open image in gallery The missile attack on Kryvyi Rih killed one and injured 24, authorities said ( State Emergency Service of Ukraine ) The uncle cannot move by himself, so they need to take care for him. They need to bring him to the toilet. They need to do the bath for him. When there is no electricity, you dont have water, and it's kind of difficult for them to take care for him, he says. Residents are also struggling without access to a fridge to keep food fresh, running water due to very low pressure, and wifi to allow them to contact family. The family of Kyrils girlfriend owns an electric oven; when power is down, they cannot cook themselves a proper meal. Kyril says Ukrainians fear the cold snap currently gripping large parts of Ukraine. The power plants, Kyril explains, restrict their output when it is very cold when Ukrainians need electricity the most because of the added pressures cold weather puts on energy facilities. One elderly grandmother, who did not wish to be named, told The Independent that, having been born during the Second World War, she thought she had survived the worst. open image in gallery Dragan Petrovich says the poor conditions make him appreciate simple things ( Rozvitok Mista ) Wrapped up in bed, staring at the ceiling with a candle lit on her bedside table, she says she cant believe there is a war between groups of people who stood shoulder to shoulder to fight the Nazis. Several Ukrainian organisations, such as Rozvitok Mista in Kryvyi Rih, are supporting vulnerable and elderly people through the blackouts, visiting those who dont have people to care for them. Hope for Ukraine, another organisation, is handing out solar kits in blackout zones, helping reshape the long-term resilience of Ukrainian civilians living in or near frontline towns. It is in these towns where sustained drone and missile attacks create such difficulty in daily life. Olena Yanchenko, a 54-year-old grandmother in Kryvyi Rih, was nearby when a Russian missile struck apartment buildings in the city, killing one person and injuring 24, including six children. open image in gallery Ukraines cities and towns are facing a bitter winter ( Ukrainian Armed Forces ) The early evening strike plunged the city into darkness, Olena says. It came hours after an overnight strike had caused blackouts across Dnipropetrovsk. Its really scary, she says of the moments the cities go dark during a Russian air attack. Every time I feel like its my last day of life. Olena was going to the shop to buy food for her cat when she heard a noise in the sky, rushed into the shop, and took shelter with the shop assistant. At this time, there was a great explosion. We were in shock, I remember that my hands were shaking and my heart was beating, and then [the shop assistant] cried. It was a real shock for me, I even dont remember how then I got home. After that the electricity disappeared in all the city. It was really dark. I was really scared. The first blackout in Kryvyi Rih began when a huge overnight Russian attack caused mass blackouts across the Dnipropetrovk region, hours before the early evening missile strike seen by OIena on Thursday. open image in gallery Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk were in darkness on Thursday as around one million were left without power ( REUTERS ) Olena, a school teacher, says the city was still without electricity and heating on Friday, as temperatures dropped to -3C. Children are due to return to school on Monday. Many schools have generators, which means they will have light to work in but without heaters, they may have to learn with their coats on. We do everything which we can, she says. But its really hard. We try to prepare for it. We have warm clothes, of course. Any way [we can], we are going to stay alive. The Ukrainian people are brave. Dragan Mikhail Petrovich, 84, another resident in Kryvyi Rih, told The Independent that he feels anxiety, fear and exhaustion as the city faces another several days in near-total blackout, during one of the coldest parts of the year. Such conditions make us appreciate simple things and the support of loved ones, he adds. Especially in my condition, when you are bedridden. NGOs warn that the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the lack of heating, especially those who are not fit to move around easily and do not have family to assist them. I am worried, because the cold and possible power outages create additional difficulties for everyday life, says Mr Petrovich. The boiler that heats our home almost does not work without electricity. It is cold in the house. Protecting yourself from the cold in such situations is quite difficult. These actions are criminal and inhuman. 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." 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 Four people, including a teenage girl, have died in Gaza after walls collapsed onto their tents during severe overnight rainfall and strong winds, hospital authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The fatalities highlight the precarious living conditions across the Palestinian territory, which has been grappling with the aftermath of more than two years of devastating Israeli bombardment and persistent aid shortfalls. Shifa hospital, Gaza Citys largest medical facility, received the casualties and identified the deceased as two women, a 15-year-old girl, and a 72-year-old man. One of the women was killed when a wall fell onto her tent in the western part of the city. In a separate, incident along the Mediterranean shore of Gaza City, the other woman, the teenager, and the elderly man, all from the same family, died under a collapsed wall. At least five other individuals were injured in this second collapse. Despite a ceasefire being in effect since 10 October, aid groups have consistently warned that many Gazans lack the necessary shelter to withstand the frequent and harsh winter storms that plague the region. In the central town of Zawaida, Associated Press images showed inundated tents Tuesday morning with people trying to rebuild their shelters. open image in gallery People inspect the site where at least four Palestinians died following the collapse of walls onto tents sheltering displaced people in Gaza City amid rainfall and strong winds, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) ( Copyright 2026, The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Yasmin Shalha, a displaced woman from the northern town of Beit Lahiya, stood against winds that caused the tarps of tents to flap around her as she stitched hers back together with needle and thread. She said that it had fallen on top of her family the night before, as they slept. The winds were very, very strong. The tent collapsed over us, the mother of five told the AP as she was sewing a sheet torn apart by the winds. As you can see, our situation is dire. Mohamed al-Sawalha, a 72-year-old man from the northern refugee camp of Jabaliya, criticized the conditions that most Gazans endure. It doesnt work neither in summer nor in winter, he said of the tent. We left behind houses and buildings (with) doors that could be opened and closed. Now we live in a tent. Even sheep dont live like we do. The majority of Palestinians live in makeshift tents since their homes were reduced to rubble during the war. When storms now strike the territory, Palestinian rescue workers warn people against seeking shelter inside damaged buildings, saying they could fall down on top of them. Aid groups say not enough shelter materials are entering Gaza during the truce. open image in gallery Palestinians repair their tents after they were damaged by a storm at a displacement camp in Gaza City, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) ( Copyright 2026, The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Israels bombing campaign has reduced entire neighborhoods to rubble and half-standing structures. Residents aren't able to return to their homes in Israeli-controlled areas of the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian territory's population of more than 2 million people have been struggling to keep the cold weather, including rain and severe storms, at bay, amid shortage of humanitarian aid and Israels ban of caravans that are badly needed during the winter months. It's the third winter since the war between Israel and Hamas started on Oct. 7, 2023, when militants stormed into southern Israel and killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 into Gaza. As of Monday, at least six children as young as seven days, died of hypothermia since the start of winter, according to the health ministry. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, said that 442 people were killed by Israeli fire and their bodies brought to hospitals since the ceasefire went into effect just over three months ago. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. 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 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 The Iranian regime is due to execute a demonstrator on Wednesday over his alleged involvement in the protests sweeping the nation, rights groups have claimed. Erfan Soltani, a resident of Fardis, just west of Tehran, could become the first person to be sentenced to death for participating in protests that have rocked the country over the last two weeks. Mr Soltani, 26, was arrested at his home just six days ago and rushed through the justice system to face the death penalty on Wednesday as the regime steps up its brutal crackdown on dissent, according to the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, an independent NGO based in Norway. Follow latest updates on Iran protests here His family were told of the decision only on Monday and has been refused information about his charges or judicial proceedings, the organisation said. Arina Moradi, a member of Hengaw, told the Daily Mail this afternoon that Erfan Soltanis family were shocked and despairing at the situation. He was detained last Thursday, and there was no information about him for days before authorities called the family and said they had arrested their son and he will be executed on Wednesday - meaning tomorrow. Erfan Soltani is set to be executed on Wednesday, according to rights groups outside of Iran ( via Hengaw ) Mr Soltani, the owner of a clothes shop from Fardis, will only be allowed 10 minutes with his family before he is hanged, the newspaper reported. His sister, who is a lawyer, has also been blocked from accessing the case file, a source close to the family told the rights group. Iran Human Rights (IHR), another independent rights organisation based in Oslo, said that the regime was seeking to deal with the protesters swiftly and severely, using special branches of the countrys Revolutionary Courts. They quoted a source close to the family in saying that Mr Soltani did not have access to a lawyer and, as far as the family is aware, no trial was granted to hear his case. It is not clear what the charges against him are, they said. The widespread killing of civilian protesters in recent days by the Islamic Republic is reminiscent of the regimes crimes in the 1980s, which have been recognised as crimes against humanity, IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said. The international community has a duty to protect civilian protesters against mass killing. An Iranian official said that as many as 2,000 people have been killed during demonstrations over the last two weeks as the regime ramps up efforts to crush the protests. The US-based organisation HRANA said in its report on Monday afternoon that at least 646 people have been killed over 16 days of protest, including 505 protesters. It reported that 133 military and law enforcement personnel had also been killed. The ongoing internet blackout limiting information in and out of the country has made it difficult to assess and verify casualty reports, it noted. German chancellor Friedrich Merz said, we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of the present government. When a regime can only maintain power through violence, then it is effectively at its end. The population is now rising up against this regime, he said on Tuesday. The country is facing mounting international backlash with US president Donald Trump threatening to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Irans trading partners, however the policy is yet to be approved by the Supreme Court. 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 Anger at a spiralling economy and decades of authoritarian rule in Iran has exploded onto the streets of major cities across the country. For two weeks, in massive nationwide rallies, protesters have called for regime change, chanting death to the dictator, and in some quarters even calling for a return to the monarchy that was toppled in the 1979 revolution which ushered in the current Islamic Republic. The Iranian government, still reeling from a disastrous 12-day war with Israeli and US forces last year, has met the protests with a bloody crackdown. An official told Reuters as many as 2,000 people could have been killed. More than 10,000 arrested. And a nationwide communications blackout is still largely in place. Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action and sanctions, and on Tuesday said he cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials, who reached out to negotiate. He urged protesters to keep protesting and take over institutions. Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price, he continued, adding help is on its way. The regime insists it remains in control and has warned it will hit Israeli and US targets in the region hard if attacked. Follow latest updates on Iran protests here For the first time, Iranian experts are saying this is the gravest existential threat to Irans clerical rulers. So what could happen? open image in gallery Footage from Iran on Sunday shows the courtyard of a medical centre in Tehran Province with dozens of bodies in body bags laid out for family members ( UGC ) The worst-case scenario: A bloodier crackdown and no change The protests have been met with extreme violence. The few eyewitness accounts that civilians have managed to get out via satellite connections describe the authorities opening fire on rallies. Recently, shocking videos have emerged of hundreds of bodies littering a forensic facility in south Tehran. The government blames the death toll on riots and domestic terrorists. The fear is that protests could fizzle out amid a growing crackdown and mass arrests, especially if, despite Trumps promises, there is no external intervention challenging the all-powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other armed wings of the state. As Negar Mortazavi, host of The Iran Podcast and senior fellow of US-based Center for International Policy, points out, while the regime is the underdog right now, especially after last years bombardment by Israel, it still retains a strong central control. Yes, they have a legitimacy crisis. Yes, people come to the streets in protest once every couple of years, but they have never been able to pose an existential crisis to the regime ... The regime has a monopoly on arms, power and violence. The protesters have been largely non-violent. Aside from small armed factions such as Kurdish and Baloch separatist movements, there are no rebel armies in Iran positioned to defeat the establishment, as seen in Syria or Libya. The fear is that the crackdown would continue with further arrests, torture and killings. open image in gallery Missiles fired from Iran are pictured in the night sky over Jerusalem on 14 June 2025 ( AFP/Getty ) The most uncertain outcome: Trump bombs Iran, his new sanctions bite and then what? Donald Trump has doubled down on threats of military strikes on Iran, after joining Israel in bombing the country last year. He vowed on Tuesday that help is on its way just hours after US citizens were ordered to leave Iran immediately. Trump also announced sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on countries trading with Iran, which will intensify the economic pressure on the regime. That could push countries like the UAE, China, Turkey and India to downgrade economic ties with Tehran at a critical moment. Last years 12-day war with Israel and the US was devastating for Iran, with swathes of military infrastructure including air defences, and nuclear facilities destroyed. The military leadership was also targeted. Although Iran has vowed a swift missile response against Israel and US bases in the region if attacked, it remains unclear how it would do that. Its regional allies, in countries like Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, have also been downgraded by Israels continued operations, and so are less able or willing to come to their aid. open image in gallery Israeli bombing of Iran-backed Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon in 2024 ( AFP/Getty ) Putting aside the legality of any potential strike and the civilian toll, would this assist protesters or not? As Bilal Y Saab of Chatham House writes, we just dont know. Much depends on the nature of the strike, Trumps appetite to follow through, and his ability to come up with a plan after the strike. The effects could range from disaster to deliverance, he adds. If it were a one-off, largely performative strike, it could harden the regime against protesters, who are already accused of being funded by foreign agents. Even if Trump were to kill supreme leader Ali Khamenei or force him to flee, Irans constitution includes an emergency plan for appointing a successor. As Saab notes, the brutal and organised IRGC could even formally take over. Would Trump, the self-styled peacemaker and champion of America first foreign policy, be willing to go all the way to engineer regime change engaging in a potentially disastrous drawn-out military occupation as they did in Iraq post 2003? His recent intervention in Venezuela suggests he is unwilling to commit to full-scale regime change. That said, protesters have been emboldened by Trumps statements, even holding up signs praising him, explains Gissou Nia, an Iranian-American human rights lawyer who works at the Atlantic Council. The regime would also struggle to simultaneously defend itself militarily and crush escalating nationwide protests. Especially if those strikes weakened all tools of internal repression, including the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force within the IRGCs wider structure. open image in gallery Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greeting the crowd during a ceremony in Tehran, Iran, October 2024 ( Iranian supreme leader office ) The cosmetic solution: The regime negotiates with the US, offers vague reforms, and retains power There is an option where the regime pursues largely performative adjustments for example, limited economic reforms or a shift in rhetoric towards nationalism rather than ideology. That could go hand in hand with direct negotiations with Trump to avoid military strikes and harsher sanctions. Such reforms would fall far short of the demands from the protesters who have explicitly called for the overthrow of the regime. But amid a sweep of arrests and executions, fear could suppress further mobilisation. Any hope of external support against the states armed network would be shattered if Trump is seen negotiating directly with Irans top leadership. The least likely: Exiled prince returns to Iran to oversee a transition to democracy or even federalism? Since protests erupted, the one-time crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in the US for decades, has urged protesters to take to the streets. He has even said he is preparing to return to Iran, despite not having set foot in the country since 1979, when his father, the last Shah of Iran, was overthrown. Pahlavi retains a modest monarchist support base and some protesters have chanted Long live the Shah. He did declare himself the ruler of Iran in a ceremony in Egypt in 1980, just a year after his fathers overthrow, but has since distanced himself from calls to restore Irans Peacock throne. Instead, he has outlined a 100-day transition plan, telling reporters it is not about restoring the past but securing a democratic future for all Iranians. open image in gallery One-time crown prince Reza Pahlavi said he is preparing to return to Iran, despite not having set foot in the country since 1979 ( AP ) Last year, he told Politico his main aim was to steer Iran through this transition. He has proposed a constitutional conference of Iranian representatives, which would gather to devise a new settlement to be ratified by referendum. Asked whether he wanted the monarchy restored, he said in June: Im not going to be the one to decide that. My role is to make sure no voice is left behind, whether republican or monarchist, left or right. Iran is richly diverse. Ethnic minorities, including Azeris, Kurds, Arabs and Balochis, make up close to half of the population, according to the Atlantic Council. They have long accused the central government of discrimination. Some seek greater autonomy and even independence. Kurdish Iranian opposition figures told The Independent this week they would push for a federal system that grants semi-autonomy to regions such as Kurdistan. They are firmly opposed to Pahlavis return. For most experts, this remains the least likely outcome. The scale of external intervention required to install Pahlavi or radically restructure Iran into a federal system would be enormous. It is unclear how popular either plan is among a population of nearly 90 million. 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 has sent a message to Iranian protesters that help is on its way as nationwide unrest grips the country amid a deadly crackdown on dissent. At least 2,000 people have been killed and thousands more arrested, according to human rights groups, with an impenetrable media blackout still in place. The American leader called for demonstrations, triggered initially by a spiralling economy, to continue and warned Iran would pay a big price for the killings. Follow latest updates on Iran protests here Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! he wrote in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday. He warned that the US would take "very strong action" if the Iranian government started hanging protesters after reports that Tehrans authorities are set to execute protesters. Trump told CBS News in an interview: "I haven't heard about the hanging. If they hang them, you're going to see some things... We will take very strong action if they do such a thing. Mr Trump said all meetings with Iranian officials who had previously suggested they were open to dialogue had been cancelled. Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!! open image in gallery Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday ( AFP/Getty ) Russia condemned US involvement with a pointed statement by its foreign ministry warning against subversive external interference, adding that the threat of US military strikes was categorically unacceptable. The Islamic Republic will carry out its first execution of a protester accused of taking part in the demonstrations tomorrow, according to the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, an independent NGO based in Norway. Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old resident of Fardis, was arrested at his home six days ago and faces death by hanging on Wednesday. Mr Soltanis shocked and despairing family were told of the decision on Monday and have been refused information about his charges or judicial proceedings, the organisation said. Mr Trump has been unequivocal about using military force in Iran if protesters are killed and was reported to be discussing several options with senior military officials on Tuesday. open image in gallery Millions are reported to have taken part in demonstrations across the country ( AP ) He announced the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on Irans trading partners effective immediately as experts told The Independent that the policy could have a knock-on effect on supply chains across the world. The proposal is yet to be approved by the Supreme Court, but could lead to political ramifications and instability in the region, they said. Iran has vowed to retaliate and hit US positions in the region if Mr Trump green-lights military action. However, it is unclear how serious a threat that is, as the country remains battered by a 12-day war with Israel and the US last year, which pounded much of its military infrastructure, including air defence systems, its commanders and its nuclear facilities. German chancellor Friedrich Merz said, We are now witnessing the final days and weeks of the present government. open image in gallery Tariffs are to be imposed on Irans trading partners ( Reuters ) When a regime can only maintain power through violence, then it is effectively at its end. The population is now rising up against this regime, he said. Meanwhile, the European Union is discussing additional sanctions against Iran, according to foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The EU already has sweeping sanctions in place on Iran ... and we are discussing putting additional sanctions, she said. The protests first erupted as the countrys local currency, the rial, spiralled, with costs soaring. But protesters have since called for a complete overthrow of the authoritarian clerical rulers, and in some quarters even a return to Irans monarchy, which was overthrown in the 1979 revolution which heralded in the Islamic State. Irans powerful security forces launched a ferocious crackdown. Disturbing footage smuggled out of the country appeared to show hundreds of bodies littering a morgue in Tehran, as heartbroken families, sobbing, tried to identify missing loved ones among the dead. According to the activists who shared multiple videos of the site, the Kahrizak forensic centre has become the main gathering point for the dead. They said as many as 2,000 bodies some of them burned, others bearing gunshot wounds were bought there in trucks, with some stored in refrigerated containers. With internet and phone lines still cut off, it is impossible to verify the images and to ascertain if rallies are still ongoing. Videos sent via Starlink and shared with trusted Iranian Telegram accounts, apparently showed rallies erupting on Sunday and Monday in the capital, Ahvah in the west and Isfahan in the centre of the country. open image in gallery Tear gas being fired during an anti-government protest in Tehran ( AP ) Experts told The Independent the current unrest is one of the gravest threats the regime has faced. But there are concerns that unless there is serious direct foreign intervention, nothing will change on the ground. The regime has a monopoly on arms and violence and there is no real no armed resistance, said Negar Mortazavi, host of The Iran Podcast and senior fellow of US-based Center for International Policy. They have been able to crush protests, even the largest protests in 2009, 2019 and 2022 with an iron fist deadly, violent response, she warned. And despite the nationwide rallies, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sought to shore up his support. State TV broadcast footage showing tens of thousands of pro-government supporters marching in the streets on Monday and listening to the parliament speaker rail against the West. Irans supreme leader has insisted that the Islamic Republic would not back down and accused protesters of being saboteurs and terrorist agents working for foreign governments, including the US and Israel. Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi the exiled son of monarch Reza Pahlavi who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic revolution is positioning himself as an interim leader to manage a transition. Claiming he is steward of a national transition to democracy, he has repeatedly called on protesters to keep rallying in the streets and has even said he is preparing to return to Iran in the event of the fall of Khamenei. 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 President Donald Trump has implemented a 25 per cent tariff on all of Irans trading partners in response to a violent crackdown by Tehran on protesters. Oil prices jumped to the highest levels since November in the aftermath of the announcement, sparking concerns about an impact on the global economy. The US leader has been unequivocal about using military force in Iran if protesters are killed and will discuss several options with senior military officials on Tuesday. Follow latest updates on Iran protests here Experts say his latest strategy is an attempt to strong-arm the country into compliance but the Supreme Court has struck down his previous tariff policy. The Independent looks at whether the announcement of new tariffs on Irans economic allies will have a widespread economic impact. open image in gallery A crowd gathers during a pro-government rally on Monday in Tehran, Iran ( Getty ) What does Trumps tariff policy entail? The US presidents announcement came in a characteristically bombastic Truth Social post on Monday that was light on details. He said the order was final and conclusive and applied to any and all business being done with Iran. But the president did not unpack what the scheme would mean in practice and whether the charge would be imposed on top of existing import taxes. If it is implemented, experts say it could lead to countries such as China Tehrans biggest trading partner being charged a 75.2 per cent tariff. In theory, the tariff would mean a higher price for US businesses importing products from several countries, including China, Russia, Pakistan, India and Turkey. It would effectively impose a financial penalty for trading with Iran. Follow here for the latest updates on protests in Iran. open image in gallery The US leader has been unequivocal about using military force in Iran if protesters are killed ( Getty ) Who are Irans trading partners? Iran is a member of the OPEC oil producers group and exports to 147 trading partners, according to 2022 data from the World Bank. China, Turkey, Pakistan and India are among the countrys largest trading partners, according to figures by Trade Data Monitor, which collects customs data. In 2025, China bought more than 80 per cent of Irans shipped oil, partly owing to Tehrans limited customer base as a result of US sanctions. Iranian exports to China were valued at $22bn in 2022. In response to the threat to impose the tariffs, China said it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. open image in gallery Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the regime will not back down ( AP ) Lie Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the US, wrote in a post on X (Twitter): Tariff wars and trade wars have no winners, and coercion and pressure cannot solve problems. Protectionism harms the interests of all parties. He added that China firmly opposes any illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. India, in comparison, is more of a modest partner. It trades mainly in food and pharmaceuticals but is strategically significant, according to Professor Ashok Kumar, associate professor of political economy at Birkbeck, University of London. Irans other partners include Turkey, the UAE, Germany, South Korea and Japan. Despite these countries maintaining relatively low levels of trade with Iran, they could all face penalties. open image in gallery Donald Trump imposed the tariff he said was effective immediately ( Getty ) What will be the impact of tariffs? Experts have warned that the blunt strategy could trigger serious effects across the global economy as well as political ramifications. Irans imports consist largely of intermediate goods, machinery, equipment, foodstuffs, and pharmaceuticals, all of which are essential to maintaining industrial production and social stability, says Prof Kumar. Cutting Iran off from this web of trade does not simply reduce revenue. It risks cascading disruptions across supply chains that extend far beyond Irans borders. His concern has been backed by others, including Maurice Obstfeld, former chief economist for the International Monetary Fund, who told The Washington Post that it could be profoundly self-harming for the US, and [it] will not change the Iranians behaviour one iota. Prof Kumar says that the decision rests on whether the US can credibly threaten universal tariffs without inflicting significant damage on its own economy. Further, US demands for acquiescence could lead to political backlash and resentment. Will major powers accept a precedent in which their external trade relations are effectively vetoed by Washington? he asks. Does escalating economic pressure on Iran at a moment of internal unrest increase the likelihood of political change, or does it instead entrench hardliners and deepen global polarisation? Mr Trump has said the US will be screwed if his landmark trade policy is blocked by the Supreme Court. 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 An Air Canada flight was forced to return to the gate when passengers heard a airport ground handler shouting for help after getting stuck in the luggage hold. Flight AC1502 was almost ready to take off from Toronto to Moncton on 13 December, but turned back after passengers told cabin crew they could hear loud banging and shouting from the floor beneath them. The Air Canada Rouge, a low-cost subsidiary of Air Canada, plane was taxiing when the passengers at the back of the plane heard the strange noises, passenger Gabrielle Caron told CBC. She said that one person even called 911 after hearing the loud noises from below their seats. The flight attendants were running back and forth, Ms Caron recalled after the noises were reported. On the ground, we could see the crew gathering around the plane. A video posted on X that claims to be taken on the plane captured the pilot announcing to passengers that takeoff for the hour-and-a-half long flight would be delayed. Ive never had that in my life. First time, hopefully, first and last, the pilot said to the passengers in the video. But thats the reason we had to go back to the gate and get that person out of the airplane. The captain confirmed that the handler was perfectly fine and safe, though he added there would be a further delay to deal with a bit of paperwork. Again, we do apologise for all the delays today, and well get you to Moncton as soon as we can, he said. Thank you for your patience. The plane taxiied back to the terminal, and the crew member was rescued from the cargo hold. Air Canada confirmed the incident in a statement to The Independent: On flight AC1502 on December 13, 2025, the aircraft cargo doors were inadvertently closed while a member of the ground crew was inside. Upon discovery, the aircraft returned to the gate, the airline said. There were no injuries, but as this presented a potential safety issue, we have reinforced our procedures with our ground crews. The airline added to CBC that an investigation is under way as to how the ground handler found themselves locked in the cargo hold. Read more: Air Canada is now serving free beer, wine and snacks to economy passengers on every flight 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 Hundreds of passengers on an Air France flight from Bengaluru in India to Paris are enduring a second day in limbo after their plane made an emergency landing in Turkmenistan. Air France flight AF191 was scheduled to leave the Indian city at 2am local time on Monday 12 January. A technical issue delayed the aircraft in Bengaluru for 21 hours. The Boeing 777 finally took off at 11.22pm local time for what was expected to be a 10-hour flight to Paris CDG, the main Air France hub. It flew normally over India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. But four hours into the flight, as the plane was flying over southern Turkmenistan, a fault developed in one of the engines. The aircraft descended over and, an hour later, touched down at Ashgabat airport. It arrived at the terminal at 3.38am local time and taxied to a remote stand. On X, formerly Twitter, user Aniket posted: My brothers flight AF191 was supposed to depart at 2am on 12th Jan, got rescheduled to 10pm due to technical issues and now got diverted/stranded at Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. It is expected to depart at 1pm on 14th Jan. No visa. The AirFrance helpline is 45min waiting and not providing proper answers. If the aircraft is having issue, they shall urgently arrange alternatives and ensure passenger safety and way we can connect with our family. Turkmenistan has strict visa regulations, requiring a letter of invitation issued by an authorised travel agent and a payment of around $50 (37). The Foreign Office adds: All travellers by air must undergo a Covid-19 test upon arrival at Ashgabat airport, which costs $31 (23). Payment must be made in cash. Another X user, Ruthvik Ganjur, wrote: Whats happening with AF191 from #BLR to #CDG? Emergency landing in ASG. No news after that. How are passengers being handled? Their safety? Next update? My parents are on it. Your helplines are hopeless!! The aviation news service Airlive reported: The flight AF191 is now scheduled to resume not today but Wednesday at 1pm with a spare aircraft. Passengers are stranded 33 hours at the airport. According to information on Flightradar24, a replacement Air France aircraft departed from Paris CDG to Ashgabat early on Tuesday afternoon to rescue the passengers. It is scheduled to arrive at 8.27pm on Tuesday, local time. Once the crew are rested, a 1pm Wednesday departure for Paris looks plausible. Air France Boeing 777 (file picture) ( Air France ) The Independent has asked Air France for more information. Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler said Ashgabat is even stranger than North Koreas capital. He wrote: Pyongyang was easily the weirdest city Id ever seen until I arrived in Ashgabat. It felt like some dystopian, post-disaster movie set where the buildings are untouched, but the people are all gone. In 2018 Air France passengers flying from Paris to Shanghai spent three days in Siberia after smoke was detected on board. After diverting to Irkutsk, passengers had their passports confiscated and were kept in hotels. The airline sent a replacement aircraft which itself experienced a technical incident according to Air France. A third plane finally took the passengers from Siberia to Shanghai. Read more: Iberia flight double diversion lands Paris passengers in Luton 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 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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 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 Almost 100 people have fallen sick with norovirus during an outbreak on a Holland America cruise around the southern Caribbean. Guests on the Rotterdam ship reported gastrointestinal symptoms during the round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. Departing on 28 December, the journey included stops in Curacao, Colombia, Costa Rica and Jamaica, per CruiseMapper. According to the USs Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of 2,593 passengers and 1,005 crew onboard the vessel, 94 people reported being ill during the voyage. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, leading to sudden vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, and stomach pain. The CDC listed the impacted voyage dates as between 28 December and 9 January. While the recovery time for most people with norovirus is one to three days, the virus is still contagious for a few days after symptoms fade. In response to the outbreak, the crew increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, collected stool samples for testing, isolated ill passengers and consulted the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP). VSP said it remotely monitored the situation, including review of the ship's outbreak response and sanitation procedures. Holland America told USA TODAY that cases were mostly mild and quickly resolved. The cruise line added: The health of our guests and crew is a top priority, and consistent with CDC protocols, we conducted a comprehensive sanitisation of the ship when the cruise ended Friday in Fort Lauderdale. The Independent has contacted Holland America for comment. In 2025, the CDC reported 23 separate outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships, 17 caused by norovirus. Holland Americas Rotterdam also experienced an outbreak in March with 89 of 2,670 passengers reporting illness during a voyage. Read more: Six simple ways to avoid illness on cruise ships Home-building activity declined for eighth month in a row Construction activity in Ireland fell again last month, although there were signs of an improvement in the sector, the latest AIB Ireland Construction PMI has found. While overall building work continued to decline last month, new orders rose for the first time in five months and construction firms took on more staff, increased purchasing and made greater use of sub-contractors. Dear Vicki: Should the boss have their own office or sit out in the open with the rest of the staff? Fingal County Council rejects McEvaddy planning application at Dublin Airport It was claimed development on land between two main runways would lead to creation of 350 jobs Ulick McEvaddy. Photo: David Conachy Gordon Deegan Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Fingal County Council has rejected an application from a company backed by Desmond and Ulick McEvaddy for a development on land it owns on the western campus of Dublin Airport. Company focuses on the development and production of generic products The company, which is listed on the stock market and employs about 11,000 people, has seven manufacturing sites in India. Six of the plants make finished formulations while one manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients. It also operates a research and development facility in Mumbai, where almost 1,000 staff are based. Slatterys Claret Capital to be wound up Private equity firm backed by the Quinn family is being wound up Domhnal Slattery John Mulligan Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Its the end of the road for Domhnal Slatterys Claret Capital, a private-equity vehicle the Irish aviation executive launched in 2005 and which was backed by the family of the late Feargal Quinn, who sold his Superquinn business that year for 450m. Elon Musk's Grok faces global scrutiny over its AI deepfakes Britains media regulator is the latest to launch an investigation Elon Musk has come under fire over the feature on his Grok app that allows users to undress people in photos. Photo: AFP/Getty Hugo Lhomedet and Sam Tabahriti Reuters Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Governments and regulators from Europe to Asia are cracking down on sexually explicit content generated by the AI chatbot Grok on the social-media platform X, launching probes, imposing bans and demanding safeguards, in a growing global push to curb illegal material. Author Ryan Cahill, 33, from Palmerstown on selling hundreds of thousands of fantasy books, career U-turns, and returning home to Ireland after relocating to New Zealand I started writing seriously when Covid hit. At the time, I was a science fiction fan and a biochemist. I studied pharmaceutical biomedical chemistry in Maynooth and I then worked in various areas, including immuno-oncology, over a period of eight years. At the time, I was also a musician and used to play gigs during the week. Then Covid happened, and we literally had nothing to do. We couldnt leave the house. In the now-viral clip, DiCaprio can be seen animatedly speaking to another attendee after KPop Demon Hunters won two awards Leonardo DiCaprio took joke about younger girlfriends in his stride at Golden Globes (X) 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 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. Leonardo DiCaprio took joke about younger girlfriends in his stride at Golden Globes (X) 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. 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. Theres no further investment on my farm. As far as the beef industry goes, its over Farmers at the Athlone protest slam Mercosur, the EU and the government Dan Lynan from Castletown Geoghegan, Co Westmeath at the protest Philip Cowman Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 It just needs to be scrapped. Its 26 years in the making, and long churning makes bad butter. Dairy and beef are main drivers of growth in Irish export value in 2025 Bord Bia figures show butter and cheese accounted for the majority of value growth last year Butter accounted for 27pc of the value of dairy exports in 2025. Photo: Getty Tamara Fitzpatrick Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Dairy continues to be the main driver in the value of Irish exports, up 14pc to 7.3bn in 2025, according to Bord Bia. Billions for farming, but fewer farmers How 2.1bn in payments is reshaping rural Ireland and why it isnt fixing the succession crisis Members of the Independent Farmers of Ireland block traffic on Dublin's St Stephen's Green in protest at beef prices in 2019. Photo: PA Ciaran Moran Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Irish farmers received more than 2.1bn in Department of Agriculture payments in 2025, a record level of support that underlines just how central public money has become to the rural economy. 90-year-old patient left sitting on chair for 45 hours awaiting hospital treatment It comes as 803 people are listed as having waited on a hospital trolley before receiving treatment today, according to INMO figures Stock image: Getty Keith Kelly Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 20:06 The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has said it is very concerned about the shortage in hospital bed availability as 803 people are reported as having waited on trolleys for treatment today, among them a 90-year-old who sat on a chair for almost two days. The national broadcaster has been rocked by a series of financial scandals. Photo: Gareth Chaney A new public service broadcaster should be considered in the event of a united Ireland, researchers have said. Such a new model would involve hubs in 10 areas across the island and draw on the assets, infrastructure and people of RTE and BBC Northern Ireland, the researcher from Ulster University and DCU argued. Ceremony to accredit Iranian ambassador in Aras postponed due to protests as 2,000 killed Around 2,000 people were killed in Iran protests Aras an Uachtarain Sarah O'Mahony Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 11:57 The new Iranian ambassador to Ireland has been delayed from starting their duties due to the regimes response to protests in Iran. Life after cancer: You become a cancer patient and that can strip you of your identity. Its a nice feeling to be back at work Judge who said cyclists have become a nightmare sparks backlash but he had his own run-in with road safety laws Judge James ODonohoe was fined 600 in 2012 for failing to provide breath sample Judge James O'Donohoe Fionnan Sheahan Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 20:30 A judge has incurred the wrath of the pedal power population for saying that cyclists have become a nightmare in Dublin. Something has to leave my wardrobe before something new can enter it how to turn your clutter into cash on Vinted Hopes energy bills will be cut this year as wholesale gas prices fall Irish households pay 360 more every year than the western European average Squeezed householders may be in life for some relief this year. Photo: Getty Charlie Weston Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Consumers could be in line for a cut in energy prices this year due a fall in wholesale gas costs. Far-right leader was convicted of embezzling millions from the European Parliament 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 the French presidency in 2027. The appeal began yesterday and is expected to run into next month. The leader of Frances populist National Rally (RN) party was handed a four-year prison sentence after it was ruled that she and 24 other party officials diverted more than 3m of European Parliament funds for staff to pay members of the party instead. She was also banned from standing for public office for five years. LATEST | AI Minister Niamh Smyth says X should be banned if it does not abide by Irish law The Coalition is coming under growing pressure to take stronger action over the Grok AI toolHolly Cairns earlier highlighted vile prompts submitted to Grok in the DailThe Taoiseach has promised robust response to nudification prompts AI minister Niamh Smyth (Photo: Tom Burke) Tabitha Monahan, Senan Molony and Maeve McTaggart Wed 14 Jan 2026 at 00:00 Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Niamh Smyth has said that social media platform X should be banned in Ireland if it fails to comply with online safety laws. People thought it was a joke Irish guide says Greenlanders are worried about Trump plans Its very hurtful, says Limerick man who has been a tour guide there for 15 years and has many local friends Neil McMahon compared remote parts of Greenland to the Aran Islands, Donegal and Kerry Adrianna Wrona Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 An Irishman who has been giving guided tours in Greenland for 15 years has said its people are totally opposed to American aggression after Donald Trump claimed the US would get the territory one way or the other. Politics Hamnet may have the Irish touch, but Ireland was also an influence on Shakespeare in his own time Ireland is working to resolve outstanding issues for quite a number of industries following the EU-US trade agreement last year, the Taoiseach has said. As part of what has become a traditional annual St Patricks Day visit to the White House, Micheal Martin would be expected to meet US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Eye of the tiger: I travelled to India with a group from all over Ireland, and friends were made for life Our writer heads east to tick off some bucket list items on an escorted tour of India Eugene got to tick off a massive bucket-list event by seeing tigers in the wild Eugene Masterson Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Majestic is the one word that sums up two stand out jewels in the crown of my recent trip to India the Taj Mahal and a Bengal tiger. Anger at a spiralling economy and decades of authoritarian rule in Iran has exploded onto the streets of major cities across the country. For two weeks, in massive nationwide rallies, protesters have called for regime change, chanting death to the dictator, and in some quarters even calling for a return to the monarchy that was toppled in the 1979 revolution which ushered in the current Islamic Republic. We at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre have been sounding the alarm for years its time for our politicians to take a stand Elon Musk has come under fire over the feature on his Grok app that allows users to undress people in photos. Photo: AFP/Getty The biggest news stories in recent days include the removal of Venezuelas president by the United States, growing concern in Europe that Greenland is under threat, the killing of human rights defender Renee Good and the use of Xs AI tool to generate images that objectify and harm women. These events are all linked by an age-old credo that is increasingly shaping public life: might is right. The logical product of a culture that rewards domination, this dogma is modelled by politicians, influencers and billionaires who wield their entitlement like a weapon, causing direct and indirect harm. That behaviour gives permission to others to behave in the same way and quickly permeates our homes, classrooms and workplaces. Among the first casualties is consent. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and other frontline services have been sounding the alarm bell for years. We see the consequences every day: people, especially women and girls, who carry lifelong impacts. Billionaires have been enabled to profit from dehumanising and harmful content that rewards the might is right philosophy. The message is clear: if you have the power to take something, you should take it. It is amplified through algorithms and into bedrooms and schoolyards, eroding the norms that make consent non-negotiable. Sexual violence can only thrive if cultural conditions allow it. In a world where power is increasingly used to dominate, there is a growing sense that rights and freedoms are optional. Technology is accelerating this trend. Because platforms are designed for engagement, without strong oversight and rules, they can end up amplifying harm for the clicks. Although some regulation exists, too often its cosmetic and the genie is well and truly out of the bottle on this. Governments have been too slow to act and too unwilling to regulate the commercial interests that have cheer-led what we in Dublin Rape Crisis Centre view as a public health crisis. Fundamentally, this is about control. Its about silencing women Generative AI adds a new layer of risk. Grok, the AI tool integrated into X, has already been used to sexualise women and girls by allowing the generation of nudified images and posting them publicly. Deepfakes and nudify apps send a message to all people, especially women and girls, that no matter who you are, you can be reduced to an object, and theres nothing you can do about it. Fundamentally, this is about control. Its about silencing women in particular and shrinking their space in public life. We heard recently in the All Party Parliamentary Group on Sexual Violence convened by Dublin Rape Crisis Centre how deepfakes are being used to intimidate female politicians. Online threats of sexual violence are driving fear among candidates and even those considering candidacies. That fear is one of the reasons behind the low representation of women in Leinster House and across our councils today. Several Irish organisations have now left X over the Grok controversy. Photo: PA Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, along with other organisations, has left X. Given the harm spread on the platform and that it is generating content that is at complete odds with the Governments own ambition to eliminate sexual violence, we believe there is an opportunity for every politician and Government department to demonstrate solidarity with women and girls, and all those harmed by sexual violence, by taking a decision leave as well. Finding ways to control and coerce women is not new. What is new is the speed and scale of this form of misogyny, and how normalised it is becoming. We need regulation that is robust and fearless. We need to recognise and treat image-based abuse as technology-facilitated sexual violence. Tech companies should be forced to fund survivor-centred reporting and rapid take-down systems, as well as frontline services. As a society, we need to inoculate early by teaching enthusiastic consent and debunking influencer tactics in schools. We need to hold product developers accountable, and we need to do more to put people ahead of commercial interests. Each one of us must use our voices to speak truth to power. We ask our Government to model a different form of strength than that which is driving international headlines at the moment: one that protects dignity and equality and prizes respect, rather than rewarding dominance. We need to fight for a different future now, because we believe it is possible to eliminate sexual violence. We hope others especially our leaders believe it too. Rachel Morrogh is chief executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. Freephone 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 77 8888 From high-stakes cold-case appeals to sprawling commercial disputes, 2026 is shaping up to be yet another busy and complex year for the Irish courts. We have cases years in the making, familiar names returning to the dock, old rows reignited, and new trials that could reshape lives overnight. As some of the countrys most compelling real-life dramas unfold, we ask what cases are likely to grip the public's imagination in the months ahead? Today on Indo Daily, Dave Hanratty is joined by Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor with the Irish Independent, to discuss the cases that will dominate the courts, and the stories behind them - in 2026. A surfer has been airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulty on the Clare coastline. On Sunday, January 11, at approximately 11.30pm, the Rescue 115 Coast Guard helicopter and the Kilkee Coast Guard unit were called to Ballard Bay, an area near Doonbeg. It is understood that a member of the public raised the alarm after spotting a person lying on the rocks in difficulty. As well as calling for help, the observer caught other surfers attention and got help to the injured person. The surfer was airlifted to safety and transported to hospital for treatment of injuries. A spokesperson for the Irish Coast Guard told the Irish Independent: At around 11.30am on Sunday, January 11, The Marine Rescue Sub Centre in Valentia received a report of a surfer in difficulty at Ballard Bay, near Rileys Wave. MRSC Valentia tasked Rescue 115 Coast Guard helicopter and the Kilkee Coast Guard Unit to assist. The surfer was located and evacuated for medical treatment. It is understood the rescue mission was described as difficult with multiple attempts undertaken to bring the surfer to safety. Cork County Council has been urged to investigate the possibility of providing age-friendly parking spaces in the vicinity of Mallow Day Care Centre. The plea was made by several councillors at a recent Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District meeting to improve accessibility and safety for older persons and those with reduced mobility. In March 2025, Mallow Day Care Centre which provides an invaluable service in the local community reached a huge milestone when they celebrated their 25th birthday. Labour Party councillor Ronan Sheehan who tabled the motion said Mallow Day Care Centre is a fantastic facility but stressed that there is no parking and no place to currently turn in where it is located. I am asking the Council to try and find a solution to this. It is affecting people, not alone people using the centre which is a godsend to lots of families. They are going in there for several hours every day. Cllr Sheehan continued: You often have elderly driving elderly, dropping one off and going away off doing whatever. They are finding it so difficult. Everything about it is difficult. We need to try and do something. It is a fantastic facility, and we need to help them out with this genuine problem. Fianna Fail councillor Pat Hayes who seconded the motion agreed that Mallow Day Care Centre is an amazing facility. It is used on a daily basis. It is difficult to get parking. All that area is a busy part of the town. Certainly, anything to improve safety for people. There is only couple of spaces for people to park in, said Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden: I know that the area in there is private at present. Going in there at present, cars were parked illegally but it is a private area. The field next to the swimming pool would be a prime area for the Council to purchase in relation to proper parking for the pool as well. It is elderly people sometimes driving elderly people in there. There is no place for them to park. There is insufficient room, he added. Billy OSullivan, Senior Executive Engineer with Cork County Council informed the councillors that no parking is presently permitted on the L-1240 New Road (double yellow lines) due to available road widths and the proximity to the existing zebra crossing. The access road to the swimming pool is currently private and therefore not in the charge of Cork County Council. However, there are also existing double yellow lines on this route to facilitate bus entry to the swimming pool. The Council will keep this request under consideration should further options become available. Cllr Sheehan said Cork County Council has a duty and a care to do the best for the people. I ask that we do that. It is a problem and I know it is in private ownership, but it is a savage facility. We as a Council have a duty and a care to do the best we can for the people. Whatever measures that we can, I would appreciate if we did that. In March 2025, Mallow Day Care Centre reached a huge milestone when they celebrated their 25th birthday. A Cork County Council grant roadshow is coming to Macroom to inform local groups about potential funding for worthwhile projects. Applications are now open for the Municipal District Community Fund Scheme 2026, which will provide financial assistance to community and voluntary groups. The scheme consists of three distinct funding schemes, known as Capital Fund Scheme, Community Contract and Amenity Fund Scheme. The Capital Fund Scheme is for community groups, sporting and local organisations that wish to undertake infrastructural projects costing over 20,000. The works must improve the range or quality of community-based facilities within their area. Examples include community halls and sporting facilities. The Community Contract is a stream open for Tidy Towns groups operating within Cork County Council who wish to undertake local works and projects that are approved by the Municipal District Office and the local area engineer. Cork County Council strongly recommends that groups contact their Area Engineer and Municipal District Officer to discuss proposals before applying. The Amenity Fund Scheme is available for community groups, sporting and local organisations who wish to undertake projects or purchase equipment that directly benefits communities and meets particular needs. Projects must cost less than 20,000 to be considered. To support applicants, each municipal district will host a public drop-in information session to provide guidance on completing applications for the Community Fund Scheme. Macrooms roadshow will take place on Thursday, January 15 on the top floor of the Town Hall. Mayor of the County of Cork, Mary Linehan Foley said community groups are the heartbeat of the county. Community groups are the heartbeat of County Cork, and this scheme ensures they have the resources to continue their invaluable work. Whether its improving local facilities or enhancing our towns and villages, these funds empower communities to thrive, she said. These roadshows will also provide information on a range of other supports and grant schemes administered through the Community, Tourism and Rural Development (CTRD) Directorate, including CLAR, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), and Town and Village Renewal, which support local improvement projects across communities. Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell said the fund commits the council to supporting grassroots initiatives. The Municipal District Community Fund Scheme reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots initiatives. By working together, we can deliver projects that make a real difference to the quality of life for people across the county, she said. Applications opened at 10am on Monday, January 12, 2026, and close at 4pm on Friday, February 13, 2026. Groups are encouraged to apply online via the Councils website. A large crowd listen to the speakers at the Dairygold Annual Tillage Conference at Corrin Event Centre, Fermoy, Co Cork. Photo: Peter.p.photos Pictured receiving their award on stage at the Corrin Event Centre, Fermoy, Co Cork from (L to R) Dairygold Chief Executive Michael Harte, the Keating family Kate (11), alongside Oliver and Margaret - and Dairygold Chairperson Pat Clancy. Photo: Peter.p.photos Tipperary farmers Oliver and Margaret Keating were crowned the winners of this years Dairygold Malting Barley Competition at the 11th annual tillage conference in Fermoy. Oliver and Margaret, along with their three young daughters Emma, Sarah and Kate, run a mixed farming system that combines tillage with an autumn-calving suckler herd on their farm located in Burncourt, near the Cork-Tipperary border. The Keating family were recognised by Dairygold as forward-thinking farmers who consistently deliver quality grain. Speaking at the Dairygold Annual Tillage Conference in Corrin Event Centre in Fermoy, Chairperson Pat Clancy said: Congratulations to all our Regional Winners and finalists in the Malting Barley Competition on their exceptional commitment to delivering the highest quality grains. In particular, Id like to acknowledge our overall winners, the Keating family. Oliver and Margaret prove on their family farm that sustainability and productivity can go hand in hand. In addition to regular soil testing as part of his practices to support soil health, they have also focused on innovation through the adoption of precision farming utilising GPS and auto-steer technology. The results and effort displayed by all our winners must be commended, he said. The 11th Dairygold Tillage Conference brought together farmers, agribusiness professionals and technical experts, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities for todays tillage sector in the context of the wider global environment. Dan Kiely from Carrigoon in Mallow was crowned the North Cork regional winner. Dan runs a mixed enterprise with his family, combining summer-finished cattle and a structured tillage rotation focused on Amity malting barley on their farm which is located near the River Blackwater. Kieran Horgan from Carrigane, Carrigtwohill, was crowned the East Cork regional winner. Kieran runs an integrated tillage and livestock system, growing a diverse mix of crops alongside a Simmental suckler herd. Michael and John Henry ODriscoll from Kilcrea in Ovens won the South Cork regional section. Brothers Michael and John Henry specialise in cereals and maize, with malting barley as a key crop. It is very much a family business, and their father Michael is still involved. Over 1,700 people in Cork seeking the help of money advice agency MABS amid spiralling finance woes MABS says emotional toll of debt is rising as some utility companies intentionally frustrating access to emergency funds Open conversations at home and financial advice from mabs.ie can help you to manage financial anxieties. Image: Getty Kevin Galvin Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 MABS, the national money advice and budgeting service, says over 1,700 new people have contacted them to help them with their money woes in Cork, which includes helping working families out of debt. Dublin councillors have lashed out at comments from Tanaiste Simon Harris in which he said many people in Irelands emergency homeless accommodation system dont have a right to housing in this country. At yesterdays monthly council meeting, elected representatives passed a motion calling his assertion baseless and accusing him of attempting to scapegoat and demonise migrants for the housing crisis. Introducing the motion, Labour councillor Darragh Moriarty said the Tanaiste was conflating the issues of housing, homelessness and immigration, and had presided over a housing crisis for the last decade and a half. "[Simon Harris] has never met a problem that he wont blame on someone else, and now hes pointing the finger at migrants. Its disgraceful, he said. The motion was met with a round of applause in the council chamber, with support expressed from many councillors in attendance. Sinn Fein councillor Daithi Doolan said he agreed with the motion 100pc, adding that every housing report the council receives points to the housing and homelessness crisis, with evictions of tenants by landlords exacerbating the issue. We need to appeal to the Tanaiste and this government to stop mischief making and misleading. It is dangerous, he said. Janet Horner of the Green Party also spoke in support of the motion, and said politicians needed to be conscious of the power of their words when discussing people in highly vulnerable situations. The lone voice defending Mr Harris in the chamber came from Independent councillor Malachy Steenson, who said for once he agreed with the Tanaiste. "No non-national in this state should be provided with accommodation ahead of national people, ahead of those who are born here, ahead of those who have been here for generations, he said. "That is simply the way it should be. A separate motion on Dublin City Council recognising housing as a human right, introduced by Social Democrats councillor Lesley Byrne, was also passed by councillors yesterday. The motion, passed without debate in the interests of time, calls on the council to set out a rights based housing policy that will ensure the right to access adequate housing for everyone living in the city. DCC is also requested to write to the Department of Housing requesting a referendum on inserting the right to housing into the Constitution. Ms Byrne thanked councillors when the vote was passed, calling it a big step for Ireland and housing. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Dublin City Council announced that their first ever Twinkletown Christmas festival which was held in Smithfield throughout December has generated a large sum of 12m for the local economy. The council said there were approximately 600,000 visits to the festival which made for an exceptional result which deepened a sense of community ownership and local pride. The TwinkleTown event, included family-friendly attractions like a Santa Panto and a ferris wheel, and was organised by Life Events ltd, who won the tender from Dublin City Council. Twinkletown was a major success for Dublin- for families, for the city centre, and for local businesses, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam said. With up to 600,000 visits, an 85pc positive sentiment score, and a 12 million economic impact, it proved whats possible when we invest in inclusive, high-quality placemaking. The 5 Santo Panto and the accessibility-first approach helped ensure this was a festival for everyone. My thanks to the Council teams, partners and traders, and to the thousands who came to Smithfield and made Twinkletown truly magical. Twinkletown aligns with Dublin City Council's strategic objectives around placemaking, cultural activation, and enhancing economic vitality for the city centre. This pilot event was a resounding success, and the City Council would like to thank everyone who made it possible especially the many thousands of people who turned up to experience the Twinkle, he added. A spokesperson for the council said it wanted to create a community focused Christmas event that would attract families, tourists and younger groups. "DCC would like the Smithfield area to be designated as a prime destination for festive season tourism which will ultimately drive attendance throughout the holiday season, they said. The authority said it would contribute 450,000 towards the delivery of the TwinkleTown Christmas events. TwinkleTown ran from November 28 until January 4, and Dublin City Council said there was overwhelmingly favourable feedback from people who attended, with positive sentiment running at 85pc according to the council which significantly exceeds typical benchmarks for large-scale public gatherings. The council said many people commented on the events magical atmosphere, accessibility features, family-friendly programming and its contribution to the local economy. There were 25,000 tickets sold for the Santo Panto. Key to this figure was the accessible 5 ticket price point that successfully removed some financial barriers for families who might otherwise not be able to enjoy a traditional pantomime show. Politics HSE still owns almost 200 vacant properties across the country, with calls for hospital sites to be turned into social housing The HSE owns almost 200 vacant properties across the country, more than 110 of which have been identified as surplus to requirement. Tributes have been paid in Kerry following the tragic passing of Mhlanguli Brian Moyo who lost his life in a car crash at the weekend. Mhlanguli Brian Moyo had been living in Castleisland and was travelling on the main N22 Killarney to Tralee road on Saturday evening when the fatal collision occurred. He became the second man to be killed on Kerry roads in 2026 following the tragic death of Rathmore man Brian Cronin, just a week previously. Mr Moyo, with connections originally to Zimbabwe and Malawi, is survived by his wife, Fishani Kumwenda. Mr Moyo worked is security in Kerry for Safeguard Security and his boss, Frank Doran, paid tribute to him this week. "He was a very likeable man. He was friendly and a very good worker, he said. He added that his death is a tragic loss and he offered his condolences to his friends and family. In a statement released through Amai Malawi Ireland, his family announced his death. 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. Mr. Moyo tragically lost his life in a fatal car accident on Saturday in County Kerry. "The Association of Malawians will work closely with the Zimbabwean community in coordinating matters related to this loss, the statement said "May his soul rest in eternal peace. The late Mhlanguli Brian Moyo Today's News in 90 - Tuesday January 13 Meanwhile, Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the fatal road traffic collision which occurred on the N22 near Dromadeesirt, Co. Kerry on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Gardai and emergency services were alerted to a two car collision on the N22 near Dromadeesirt that occurred at approximately 6.40pm. One of the drivers, a male aged in his 40s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body was removed to the local mortuary for a post-mortem examination. The other driver, a male aged in his 30s, was conveyed to University Hospital Kerry for treatment of injuries believed to be non-life threatening at this time. The road was closed for several hours but has since re-opened. Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. 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 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. There was hardly room to swing a cat at Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk on Monday afternoon as the school pulled out all the stops to welcome back Transition Year student Aoibheann Daly after her amazing win at the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (YSTE) on Friday evening. The 15-year-old from Causeway, who must be commended for how well she has taken a whirlwind few days well and truly in her stride, took home the top prize for her project, GlioScope, which is designed to help doctors improve the treatment of brain cancer. Irish beef farmers can now look forward to renewed opportunities in China after the market reopened following a suspension in 2024. Limerick County TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Niall Collins, said the move would secure the return of Irish beef to Chinese tables. The reopening of the Chinese market for Irish beef is a hugely positive development for our agri-food sector, Collins said. The Taoiseach has just completed an extensive high-level programme of engagement in China and Minister of State for Agriculture Timmy Dooley also visited China last year in a mission focused on agriculture. It is thanks to this significant effort from government that the Chinese market has reopened to Irish beef farmers, he added. Irish beef exports to China were valued at 20.24 million in 2023, with 2,625 tonnes shipped. While overall agri-food exports to China reached over 614 million in 2024, including 359 million in dairy, 103 million in pigmeat, and 40 million in fish, beef sales had been halted during the year. Collins stressed the opportunity this reopening presents. The potential for Irish beef in the Chinese market is clear, particularly as Government promotes it intensively internationally as a premium quality product. This Government stands with farmers and our recent efforts, including our engagement with China, our securing of an extension of the nitrates derogation for three years and our opposition to Mercosur, clearly show our support. Eamonn Keaveney (33) from Claremorris expected to reach Mayo by February after walking over 5,000 kilometres from Istanbul Claremorris native Eamonn Keaveney has returned to Ireland as he begins the final leg of an extraordinary barefoot walk across Europe. Mr Keaveney set off from Istanbul in March 2025 and has now covered 5,869 kilometres without footwear, a feat that saw him break the Guinness World Record for the longest barefoot walk last September at the Hungary-Austria border, to raise money and awareness for Friends of the Earth and Jigsaw. The 33-year-old has set a fundraising target of 10,000 and has so far raised over 7,300. He is now expecting to arrive back in Claremorris in February. Its great to be coming back to familiar territory - really feels like I'm on the home stretch and I'm more certain with every day that I'll make it back to Claremorris, he said after arriving in Ireland. I'm thrilled with the donations made to the fundraiser, especially given the cost of living crisis that so many are struggling with. It helps on difficult days to know that I'm not sort of needlessly struggling, but that there's money and awareness being raised for an important cause! I'm optimistic about reaching the fundraising goal as well, which would be a real cherry on top. His journey, which began on March 4, 2025, alongside his partner, Ellie, saw him traverse several countries in various weather conditions. He was offered shoes on several occasions but politely refused. In September, he broke the existing 3,409.75-metre world record for barefoot walking set by Polish endurance walker Pawel Durakiewicz. Mr Keaveney has been documenting the trek through daily posts on Instagram. Friends of the Earth chief executive Deirdre Duffy said the organisation was thrilled to see Keaveney reach the final leg of his journey. She described his walk as a reminder that climate action can come in all shapes and sizes and praised his efforts to highlight both environmental and youth mental health issues. At the start of 2026, its good to be reminded that there are incredible people doing incredible things like this, she said. This challenge is the latest in a series of long-distance barefoot walks. In 2016, he walked over 2,000 kilometres around Ireland to fundraise for suicide prevention charity, Pieta House. In 2018, he climbed ten mountains in ten days for the same charity. Then, in 2023, he set a record for travelling from Malin Head to Mizen Head on a unicycle in five days, five hours, and 23 minutes, to raise money for Simon Communities of Ireland. All proceeds from his latest walk will be evenly distributed between Friends of the Earth and Jigsaw. You can donate to his fundraiser via this link. A 21-year-old motorist who was stopped in Sligo by Gardai for having excessively tinted windows was fined 250 by Judge Eiteain Cunningham at Sligo District Court. Simon OBoyle of Newpark, Kiltoom, Athlone was charged with breaking road traffic regulations by having dark glass fitted to the front and front sides of his vehicle at Ballyhealy, Castlebaldwin on March 14th, 2025. Sergeant Butler told the court that on the date in question, at 3:10pm, OBoyle was stopped as his windows were excessively tinted. Gardai subsequently carried out a test and found that the visibility on the front windscreen was 29%, the right windscreen 23% and the left windscreen 33%. This was well below the legal requirement of 65%. Gardai informed OBoyle that his windows were tinted below the legal requirement and he indicated that he understood. The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions. Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor (defending), said that his client has a particular interest in vehicles and internal combustion engines and that he put the tint on himself. He added that OBoyle accepts that it was too dark and has since removed it which the Gardai have confirmed. He continued that his client entered a plea at the earliest opportunity and had no previous convictions. Mr Mullaney asked Judge Cunningham to impose something short of a criminal conviction. Judge Cunningham replied that she couldnt do that and that if OBoyle is modifying cars he should have been aware of the legislation. Mr Mullaney reiterated that the defendant had no previous convictions, gave an early plea and added that he had travelled to Sligo for the case. Judge Cunningham convicted and fined OBoyle 250. The staff, pupils, and parents of Carrigduff primary school in Bunclody are in a celebratory mood after taking home one of the top awards in the recent AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador awards. AgriKids first began in 2014, when Ireland was set to have its worst year on record for farm accidents. That year 32 people died on Irish farms, in which five of those were children. With much of her family involved in farming, founder Alma Jordan became acutely aware that if things remained as they were her family may also become a farm accident statistic. She wanted her family and farm families nationwide to create conversations on farm safety in their homes and communities. While involved with the Green Schools programme Alma witnessed how capable and influential our children are in teaching older generations and devised a programme to initiate changes in farm safety attitudes, with the programme being officially launched in 2015. Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine with responsibility for Farm Safety Michael Healy-Rae TD, highlighted the importance of the programme in educating children on farm safety. "Unfortunately in the ten year period from 2015 to 2024, 12 children and young people under 18 years of age have died in accidents on Irish farms, with 11 of these incidents involving farm vehicles or machinery. This programme engaged directly with primary school pupils across the country to increase their awareness of farm safety and of dangers ever-present around the farm, he said. Carrigduff primary school took home the top prize of Best School in the programme thanks to their blended learning of fun and age-appropriate activities. Younger classes visited their local farms while older classes undertook work on identifying the use of safety signs and creating art pieces, rounded out by the senior classes did a series of farm safety information videos. After participating in the AgriKids programme in the past, they are also the first primary school to receive the AgriKids Safety Ambassador flag. Speaking further about the programme, founder Alma Jordan described this year's run as innovative and engaging thanks to the creativity of the winning children. "Its been a busy but amazing 12 weeks. There has been a wonderful display of creativity on this topic, and Carrigduff really led the way. The simplicity of their naughty teddies idea for the farm visit, where stuffed toys were placed in some hazardous situations, proved a real wow factor for us and we believe it is something that can be repeated by other participants in the programme, she explained. A group of Wexford students are in great spirits after they took home an award at the recent Young Scientist Awards in the RDS last week. Sam Bolger, Thomas Larkin and Aaron Sharlott from Bunclody Community College were awarded a Display Award for their impressive project on The Firehose Effect. Their display explored how people can become overwhelmed by the excessive and continuous flow of information, misinformation and disinformation on social media, a topic that is both timely and highly relevant in todays digital world. Their research, presentation and engagement with visitors and judges stood out over the course of the event. Speaking on the day, Sam explained that the project was inspired by the Dublin Riots and his own experience as someone who immigrated to the country, having moved to Ireland from America eight years ago. "Bunclody Community College is a heavily inclusive school and we have over 25 nationalities, and if you recall the riots on immigration a couple years back, most of our immigration population the next day in the school didn't come in just for fear of their own safety. And I think that's when it really clicked, that I needed to do something, whatever I could, he said. It was also a great achievement for him as his older sister Evie also made it through to the exhibition a few years ago. During the competition, Sam, Thomas and Aaron also had the opportunity to meet several distinguished guests, including TD Malcolm Byrne, TD Brian Brennan, Assistant Director of NEPS Dr Theresa Tierney, and Minister of State Jennifer Murnane OConnor. These conversations provided valuable recognition of their work and its wider importance. In recognition of the quality of their research, the students have been invited to Leinster House to share their findings, an outstanding achievement and a testament to their hard work and dedication. Bunclody Community College teacher Paul Cahill said the students were a credit and a great role model for their school. "Sam, Thomas and Aaron were a true credit to Bunclody Community College throughout the competition. Congratulations to them on winning their Display Award and representing the school with such professionalism and enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing what they achieve next, he said. Eamon Hore (Senior Engineer, Wexford County Council) and David Codd pictured at the Just 1 Life Young person Driving Awareness programme in the National Opera House Pic: Jim Campbell The proposed changes would see speed limits reduced to 30kmh in built-up and urban areas, such as Gorey's Main Street (pictured). Following a year in which road deaths increased nationally by 8 pc details of the governments latest plans to reduce speed limits across Co Wexford have been revealed. The first phase of the review, completed in February of last year, saw the default speed limit in rural areas reduced from 80kmh to 60kmh, and now the Department of Transport (DOT) has outlined its intentions to improve road safety yet further. The second phase of the proposed speed limit changes will see speed limits reduced to 30kmh in built-up and urban areas throughout Co Wexford. Prior to enacting these changes, Wexford County Council (WCC) will conduct a review of all existing speed limits in the county and determine the appropriate speed limit on all roads within these built-up and urban areas in accordance with the procedures and criteria set out by the DOT. The third phase will see a review of speed limits on national secondary roads in the county (including the N80 from Scarawalsh to Bunclody) with a proposal to reduce speeds from 100kmh to 80kmh. The last phase of the review recommends that the speed limit on roads adjoining schools in urban areas be set to 30kmh. The guidelines note that this may be achieved by way of either a permanent speed limit of 30kmh or a periodic speed limit of 30kmh. The identification of which of these options is most appropriate for each particular road adjacent to a school, will be determined by WCC on a case-by-case basis. Prior to the speed limits being changed, draft by-laws will be prepared based on representations received from county councillors, An Garda Siochana, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), and members of the public. These by-laws will be adopted in October of this year with the intention to implement all changes by March 2027. WCCs road safety officer, David Codd, presented details of the proposed speed limit changes at district meetings across the county in December and received a mixed response from elected representatives. In New Ross, Councillor Marty Murphy took issue with the schools being included in the last stage of the review rather than at an earlier point. He received the support of Mr Codd who said he too wanted roads adjoining schools to be reviewed earlier in the process. Weve been saying this to the department from the outset, that schools should be prioritised, but it has pushed that to stage four of the process, he said as he specified that all schools will be reviewed regardless of whether theyre on local, regional, or national roads. Confirming that councillors could submit concerns about roads in their areas to WCC, Mr Codd said each would be then assessed by the senior engineers in the local authority. In the Wexford Borough meeting the inclusion of the schools in the last phase of the review was raised again, this time by Cllr Robbie Staples who asked that school safety be given more precedence. Cllr Staples also asked for a list of the roads in the Borough District which are being proposed to have their speed limit reduced to 30kmh while Cllr Leonard Kelly wished to know if the review will include every single road in Wexford town or just those that the public have raised concerns about? "The list of potential locations will be issued in due course, replied Mr Codd who confirmed that the department would cover the cost of all new poles, signs, and road markings in relation to the new speed limits. In response to a query from Cllr Biddy Walsh, he also stated that those new signs will feature the number 30 and not the infamous white background with three black lines which caused so much consternation last year. At the Enniscorthy meeting it was revealed that Carlow County Council has already seen its section of the N80 reduced from 100kmh to 80kmh, something which Cllr Pat Kehoe was keen to see WCC emulate. What procedures did Carlow use to reduce the speed limit on its section of the N80 to 80kmh? he asked. We have been trying to get the limit from Clohaman to Ballycarney reduced for a long time, is there something we can do as a council to copy what Carlow did? Any road which people have a concern about will be included in the review, replied Mr Codd. The DOT is issuing a directive in which all national secondary roads will be reduced to 80kmh and it will be up to the local authority whether to return it back to 100kmh. Stock image "The issues on that stretch of the N80 are going on forever, continued Cllr Kehoe, is it within our remit to work on traffic calming measures independently of TII? Any works like that would require the agreement of TII, said Mr Codd. Im aware of the issues between Clohaman and Ballycarney, though, and there has been video surveys done on that road. Meanwhile, Cllr Jackser Owens felt that, in some instances, the new speed limits werent going to be reduced enough. Could we reduce the speed limits outside the schools to 20kmh? he asked. We need to bring it down as low as possible in those areas. The recommendation from the department is that the speed limits be reduced to 30km/h, replied Mr Codd. In Gorey Cllr Joe Sullivan questioned the wisdom of further widescale reductions in the wake of a year which saw 185 fatalities on Irish roads. I dont know whether adjusting speed limits solves the problems, it appears theres only one direction road deaths are going and thats up, he said. Enforcement is the answer, and, along with the guards, we need to get into the schools and educate the children before they start driving. Its disheartening when the county council is working hard every year to reduce road deaths and they still continue to increase. While Mr Codd pointed out that the Just One Life road safety event had been attended by two and a half thousand teenagers in Wexford last year, Cllr Sullivan said further work was required. The number of deaths suggests (that campaign) is not even having an impact. Given the number of housing developments being built in Gorey and its surrounds, Cllr Darragh McDonald was keen to ensure that any new estates were included in the changes. Will this change the default speed in new housing estates automatically? he asked. Eamon Hore (Senior Engineer, Wexford County Council) and David Codd pictured at the Just 1 Life Young person Driving Awareness programme in the National Opera House Pic: Jim Campbell Any existing estates will be included in the by-laws and the 30kmh will be applied, replied Mr Codd. New estates will be added to the by-laws as we go but they should be designed to incorporate the 30kmh limit. Continuing on this theme, Cllr Anthony Donohue felt that policing speed limits in estates, new or otherwise, was becoming increasingly difficult. Who enforces speed limits in the housing estates? he asked. There's no checks and balances, we should have a fixed camera installed within these estates to relay data back to the guards. Thats the only way I see limits being enforced in estates. Although installing cameras in estates is outside of the councils remit, Mr Codd said he would make enquiries regarding this suggestion. Lastly, at the Rosslare Municipal District meeting, the long-standing issue of the speed on the N25 at Drinagh and Killinick was raised by Cllr Frank Staples. However, he was informed this road was not included in the review and that a separate request to examine safety on the N25 had previously been submitted to TII. Comments or observations on speed limits in Co Wexford can be sent to speedlimits@wexfordcoco.ie Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. The residents of a well-known Wexford nursing home have spoken to Morning Ireland and RTE reporter Sheila Naughton about their New Years traditions, hopes and advice. Among the residents who spoke to Sheila were Bernie McCoy, 80, John Bowen-Currie, 90, Sis Murphy, 95, Francis Kealty, 78 this May, Michael Murphy 73 and Eileen who joked, Im 100 and I forget how much more. I used to love going down the Hapenny Bridge as they call it in Dublin. I used to love going with Mammy and hear them all yabbing. My sister was the one for polishing and cleaning, so I did nothing only go with Mam to do the shopping, said one. Like Christmas New Years presents a valuable opportunity to spend time with family, and perhaps as we age, the turning of one page to another, becomes even more important. The residents of Kerlouge Nursing Home receiving Christmas gifts, delivered by students from St. Mary's CBS Enniscorthy On the question of making resolutions, one of the residents had a simple and direct response. I dont make New Years resolutions because I would never ever keep them. Ive never tried, but I know I wouldnt. While another has made resolutions down through the years to give up chocolate, she has found it difficult to stick to. Regardless of whether or not the residents bought into their resolutions, each of them still had hopes and dreams for 2026. I hope to be alive number one, and number two, I hope we have fairly good weather, another said. The residents from their combined centuries of life experience included, People should be happy and thankful for what they have, learn to respect and be disciplined, that things will work out themselves and to look after their loved ones. Last time I spoke to Sean Fox (26) and his girlfriend Clodagh Kelly (24), a native of Ballywaltrim, Co. Wicklow, they were beginning their journey into entrepreneurship while living in homeless accommodation and still dealing with outstanding issues Sean had before the courts. Today, life is very, very different for this young couple. What began as a desperate search for affordable clothing for their baby daughter has grown into a symbol of survival, redemption and hope for Sean and Clodagh. Their business, Goosey Goo, produces affordable hypoallergenic babywear and was inspired by their daughter Eabha (2), who suffers from severe eczema. Since launching in April 2025, the family-run brand has generated more than 40,000 in sales, a milestone that marks a dramatic turning point in Seans life. For Sean, the success of Goosey Goo represents far more than a business venture. Originally from Finglas, Co. Dublin, his early life was shaped by undiagnosed ADHD, bullying and exposure to addiction, sending him down a path of drugs, alcohol and chaos from a young age. By 17, he was entrenched in cocaine addiction, drifting in and out of employment and living what he now describes as a madness that left lasting consequences. Now four years sober, Sean previously told me how he rebuilt his life alongside Clodagh and their daughter after a period marked by bereavement, illness and homelessness. The business continued to grow throughout 2025 and in October Sean agreed a large wholesale deal with an Ireland and UK based baby retailer, which committed to taking stock valued at 40,000. I felt like this was it, I finally made it, Mr Fox said. Shortly afterwards, a researcher for Virgin Media reached out to the couple after reading the previous article, inviting Sean to appear on Ireland AM, one of the countrys biggest morning talk shows, to tell his story. It was kind of crazy, I had my dreams come true, Sean said. That dream was short lived when the retailer later pulled out of the deal, informing Sean they would revisit the agreement in six months. No explanation was given for leaving the deal on the table. I got too excited for my first big deal. I never tied them into a contract, Mr Fox said, adding that it was inexperience and a big learning curve. In preparation for the Christmas rush, Sean took on his largest amount of stock in November. I got a lot of online support from people just wanting to help a struggling business, he said. To stock his traditional sellers and limited Christmas lines, Sean took on 30,000 in debt. To date, he has cleared half of that bill, with 15,000 in sales. Throughout the expansion, Sean said Clodagh has been his constant support, helping to prepare orders and working in the warehouse while also raising their daughter. In December 2025, the couple received a call confirming they would no longer be homeless and would be moving into their own property before Christmas. They moved in on December 10, finally leaving behind their life of hostels and emergency accommodation. After being homeless for two years and living in dire conditions, our Christmas was saved, Sean said. Describing it as a Christmas miracle, he added: We had a quiet Christmas. We havent even left the house. We are just enjoying being in our own space. Eabha has taken huge leaps in her development. She knows she has her own home. The couple shared a video capturing their daughters excitement as she entered her new home, which has since amassed more than 500,000 views across social media. Sean said his goals for the New Year remain grounded, with a renewed focus on returning to the basics that built Goosey Goo in the first place. We will be focusing on the direct to consumer business and solidifying the brand identity, he said, adding that he hopes to gain a stronger foothold within the Irish market. A final boost came when Sean secured a place at the Dublin Loves Christmas Market in the RDS, providing a much needed end of year push. I was struggling. I was living in survival mode for so long, he said. It still feels strange to no longer be the homeless entrepreneur. For Sean and Clodagh, Goosey Goo remains a work in progress, shaped by both setbacks and successes, but with a stable home, a growing brand and their daughter thriving. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme Winterwatch will return to the BBC this January, broadcasting live from Northern Ireland for the first time. The BBC Two show presented by hosts Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams will air from the shore of Strangford Lough in County Down, the largest sea lough in the British Isles. The series, which first launched in 2012, is a nature documentary which observes animals and wildlife in the UK during the winter months. Chris Packham has said he is so very excited as Winterwatch heads to Northern Ireland for its return to the BBC next week (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire) It will also feature pre-recorded clips of wildlife across the UK, including Yorkshire, Dorset, and areas in Scotland and Wales. Packham said: The great joy of our live programmes is that theres always something new and you dont know what its going to be, and thats part of what keeps us coming back to it. The team never tires as we keep turning up not knowing what to expect. Of course, we have any number of plans, but inevitably, something crops up which you dont expect to see. Strachan, 59, described the shows new base camp location as exciting, and said that in the new series, viewers can expect a variety of wonderful wildlife and woolly hats. Iolo Williams said there will be an amazing array of wildlife for viewers (BBC/Jo Charlesworth) Williams said: I had a peek at some of the wildlife at Mount Stewart in spring, so Im looking forward to going back there and also spending time on Strangford Lough. Well hopefully see waders and wildfowl and some Brent geese, birds that have come all the way from Arctic Canada. So, itll be an amazing array of wildlife that well be bringing to the audience. Winterwatch will return to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from January 20-23 at 7pm. LATEST | Creating non-consensual sexual images to become illegal in UK amid Grok AI backlash The UKs Department for Science, Innovation and Technology did not specify which day it would come into effect The AI app Grok (PA) Helen Corbett Press Association Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 08:04 Generating sexual images without consent is set to become illegal in the UK as the British government ramps up its response to AI chatbot Grok. Last year was the deadliest for civilians in Ukraine since 2022, driven by intensified hostilities along the front line and the expanded use of long-range weapons, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said yesterday. UK defence secretary John Healeys claim that he would abduct Vladimir Putin was the wet dreams of British perverts, Russia has said. Mr Healey, on a visit to Kyiv last week, said that he would detain the Russian president to hold him accountable for his war crimes in Ukraine. Donald Trump has said that the United States needs to take Greenland'. Photo: Kwiyeon Ha/AP Greenlands government said yesterday it will increase efforts to ensure the defence of the Arctic territory takes place under the auspices of Nato, and again rejected US president Donald Trumps ambition to take over the island. Russia tricking African recruits into being meat for the grinder Men from all over the continent lured with false promises of scholarships and work abroad Russian mercenary from Sierra Leone, Richard Kanu, in the prisoner of war detention centre in Lviv, Ukraine. Photo: Getty Ben Farmer Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Russia is using Africans as meat for the meat grinder by tricking them into joining the war in Ukraine, Kyivs ambassador to Cape Town has said. Nobel Prize winner wants to see democratic transition in her country On a mission to lobby for a democratic transition in Venezuela following the capture of president Nicolas Maduro, opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado met yesterday with Pope Leo ahead of her trip to Washington to meet Donald Trump. Ms Machados previously unannounced meeting with the pontiff came as the Holy See has emerged as a significant interlocutor on the future of Venezuela, and as Ms Machado is pushing for a shift away from the authoritarian left-wing power structure that remains in place despite the January 3 US mission that seized the Venezuelan leader. LATEST | Official says Iran protests death toll is 2,000 as violence continues Witnesses said the internet remained cut off from the outside world Protesters march on a bridge in Tehran (Fars News Agency via AP) Jon Gambrell Press Association Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 12:45 Around 2,000 people were killed in Irans protests in recent weeks, an Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday, blaming "terrorists" for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. "Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences," the Clintons wrote in a letter to Republican Representative James Comer, who chairs the House of Representatives Oversight Committee. "For us, now is that time." Iran open to talks after Donald Trumps threat of attack by US military US administration unhappy at rising death toll as Tehran cracks down on protests Footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing in Tehran, Iran, on Friday. Photo: AP Alex Croft UK Independent Tue 13 Jan 2026 at 06:30 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. New autistic Barbie doll welcomed as milestone in representation The toy was developed with input from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network Mattel launches first autistic Barbie doll Aine Fox and Deirdre Barry Press Association Mon 12 Jan 2026 at 08:59 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. Six federal prosecutors from the US attorneys office in Minnesota have quit over the departments reluctance to investigate the shooter of Renee Nicole Good, the New York Times has reported. The Times said the lawyers were upset at senior justice department officials demanding a criminal inquiry into any ties between Good and her widow, Becca, into activist groups; and the refusal of the FBI to allow state investigators to join its investigation of the shooting. This will be Trump's first meeting with Machado, who said last week week that she hadn't spoken to the US leader since she won the Nobel Peace Prize in October. Anita comes home and faces a painful truth Image credit : IMDb | Beyond the Gates will see secrets stir and relationships feel the pressure. The Duprees unite as Dani faces a scary diagnosis Image credit : IMDb | Beyond the Gates is getting ready to test trust and loyalty in Fairmont Crest Nicole spirals while Carlton tries to help Jacob and Elon share an honest conversation Image credit : IMDb | Beyond the Gates is building toward moments that could change everything. Ashley moves forward with someone new The upcoming episode of Beyond the Gates season 2, episode 8, brings together health battles, family tension, honest conversations, and the start of something new, all while keeping viewers deeply connected to the Dupree family and those around them. From Anitas uneasy return home to Ashley stepping into a new chapter, this episode sets the stage for bigger fallout in the days aheadThe episode opens on an emotional note as Anita Dupree, played by Tamara Tunie, returns home after undergoing chemotherapy. What should be a moment of comfort quickly turns upsetting when Anita learns that her husband, Vernon (Clifton Davis), has been lying to her.The discovery hits hard, especially given Anitas fragile physical and emotional state. This is not the first time Vernon has kept the truth from her. Viewers may recall his earlier deception during Anitas time in Chicago with The Articulettes, when he was secretly helping Martin (Brandon Claybon) deal with Kenneth (Jason Vendryes) during Martins disturbing nightmare storyline.Now, with Anita back home and recovering, Vernon will need more than excuses to repair the damage. Whether his explanation will ease her pain or deepen the rift remains to be seen.As Anitas story unfolds, the focus shifts to another major family crisis. The Duprees come together to support Dani Dupree, played by Karla Mosley, after she tests positive for the BRCA gene. While Dani tries to stay strong, those closest to her can see how shaken she truly is. Her diagnosis weighs heavily on the family, bringing them closer as they rally around her during this uncertain time.However, this shared support highlights a contrast within the family, as not everyone is coping in the same way.As the family focuses on Dani, her sister Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix) begins to spiral emotionally. The pressure, fear, and unresolved feelings start to overwhelm her, pulling her deeper into a dark place. Carlton Dupree, played by Robert Christopher Riley, steps in, hoping he can help Nicole find her footing again. Whether his support will be enough to pull her out of her emotional funk is one of the episodes biggest questions, especially as the family continues to face stress on multiple fronts.Away from the Dupree household, Jacob (Jibre Hordges) and Elon (Malachi Malik) sit down for a meaningful heart-to-heart. Their talk touches on Elons complicated relationship with Izaiah (David Lami Friebe), but it also turns toward Jacobs own struggles.Jacob is looking for real advice about his marriage to Naomi Dupree (Arielle Prepetit). Feeling unable to turn to others, who would simply tell him to accept the challenges of dating a Dupree woman, Jacob finds comfort in Elons honesty. Since Elon is not romantically involved with a Dupree, he can offer a fresh, unbiased perspective that Jacob truly needs.The episode closes on a lighter but still meaningful note. Ashley (Jen Jacob) begins to move on when she goes on a date with a co-worker. The moment marks a visible step forward for her. Newcomer Jordi Vilasuso joins the cast as Grayson Perez, and sparks fly quickly between him and Ashley. Their connection feels natural, and the chemistry hints at possible fireworks ahead.Viewers wont see Dereks (Ben Gavin) reaction just yet, as that moment is expected to play out later in the week. Beyond the Gates airs weekdays on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+. What the allegations say Image credit : Disney Wiki - Fandom official page| Daniel Stern cited for soliciting prostitution at a California hotel in December 2025 Personal life in the spotlight Image credit : Facebook/Daniel Stern| Daniel Stern with his wife Laure Mattos Another Home Alone controversy Image credit : IMDb official page| Daniel Stern in Home Alone movie Hollywood actor Daniel Stern, best known for playing Marv in the Home Alone franchise, has been officially charged with a misdemeanor in California for allegedly soliciting prostitution. The charge was filed on Monday, January 12, 2026, in Ventura County, marking the latest legal controversy involving a cast member from the iconic 1990s film series.The 68-year-old actor was charged with one count of engaging and agreeing to engage in prostitution, according to court documents. His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13.The alleged incident dates back to December 10, 2025, when Stern was reportedly at a hotel in Camarillo, California. According to police documents cited by US media, law enforcement issued Stern a citation at the location for soliciting prostitution. He was neither arrested nor taken into custody at the time.Attorney and spokesperson Joey Buttitta later confirmed that Stern was cited and released at the scene. No additional details about the circumstances of the encounter have been made public. Stern has not issued a statement, and his representatives have not responded to requests for comment.Stern has been married to his wife, Laure Mattos, since 1980. The couple renewed their vows during a surprise ceremony on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2019. They share three children daughters Ella and Sophie, and son Henry Stern, who currently serves as a California State Senator.The charge comes just months after Stern made headlines in October 2025 for an unrelated medical emergency. At the time, firefighters assessed him at his California home before transporting him to a hospital. He was later released, and a representative confirmed he was in good health.Stern is not the first actor from the Home Alone films to face legal trouble. Devin Ratray, who played Kevin McCallisters older brother Buzz, was arrested in December 2021 following an alleged domestic violence incident. Ratray ultimately pleaded guilty in February 2024 to two counts of domestic violence and was sentenced to three years of probation, along with court-mandated programs.While Sterns case involves a misdemeanor charge rather than a violent offense, it nonetheless places renewed scrutiny on a beloved figure associated with one of Hollywoods most enduring family films. As the legal process moves forward, attention will remain on the outcome of his upcoming arraignment. Google-Apple AI deal explained: Google Siri Apple software Gemini What this Google-Apple deal includes Google-Apple deal Gemini and Google Cloud How Gemini will change Siri Image credit : Unsplash | Apple teams up with Google in a new AI deal that will bring Gemini support to Siri starting in 2026. Gemini AI AI chat What happens to ChatGPT in Siri Siri Apple Intelligence Gemini ChatGPT Why this deal matters for Google iPhones $4 trillion market value Googles AI growth supports this deal What this means for Apple users Image credit : Unsplash | The Google-Apple deal will use Gemini AI to make Siri smarter while keeping data on Apple devices and private servers. FAQs What is the Google-Apple AI deal? When will the new Siri launch? Will Apple still control user data? Is ChatGPT still part of Siri? Why did Apple choose Google Gemini? How does this help users? Apple has agreed to a long-term deal withto use AI tools that will improveand other. This move aims to give Apple users better answers, faster results, and smarter voice control. The upgrade will roll out later in 2026 as part of Apples next major Siri update.Both companies confirmed that, Googles main AI system, will support Apples future software models.The newusesto help run Apples AI features. Apple will still process data on iPhones, iPads, and its own private servers. This keeps user data inside Apples security system.The companies did not share payment terms. Earlier reports said Apple may pay about $1 billion per year to use Gemini AI.Siri will now useto answer complex questions. This includes search-style queries, long requests, and smart task handling. The goal is to make Siri match the quality of moderntools.The new Siri version was delayed in 2025 and is now set for 2026. Apple said it needed more time to make sure the AI system works well across all devices.Right now, Apple uses OpenAIs ChatGPT for advanced questions inand. Apple confirmed that this part of the system will stay active. The Google Gemini deal will not cancel the ChatGPT link.This means Siri will use bothandfor different types of AI requests.Google already earns billions from Apple as the default search engine on. This AI deal adds another major income stream. It also shows that Apple trusts Gemini for its core AI systems.In 2025, Google reached a. This came after strong growth in its AI and cloud business.Gemini 3 launched in late 2025 with better speed and accuracy. Google Cloud also signed more than $1 billion-plus deals in 2025 than in the previous two years combined. These numbers helped push Google ahead of Apple and Microsoft for a short time in market value.This strong AI growth made Gemini a clear fit for Apples needs.Apple users will get a smarter Siri with better AI answers, voice commands, and search results. The system will still run on Apple hardware and Apples private cloud. This keeps data under Apples control while using Google Gemini for heavy AI work.The full Siri AI upgrade is expected to launch in 2026.The Google-Apple AI deal gives Siri a major boost through Gemini. Apple gains strong AI tools without giving up control of its platform. Google gains a powerful partner and steady AI revenue.This deal could shape how voice assistants and mobile AI work over the next few years.It is a long-term deal where Apple uses Google Gemini AI to support Siri and other AI features.The full Siri AI update is planned for 2026.Yes. Apple will keep data on its devices and private cloud even while using Gemini.Yes. Apple said the ChatGPT link will stay active along with Gemini.Gemini offers strong AI tools and cloud support that match Apples needs for Siri and Apple Intelligence.Users will get faster, smarter Siri replies and better AI help across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Image credit : Instagram/iPolish | At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, iPolish introduced what it describes as the worlds first digital, colour-changing press-on nails, placing beauty firmly into the era of smart fashion. How colour-changing AI coded nails actually work Image credit : Instagram/iPolish | Designed for flexibility and personal expression, these nails allow users to switch shades whenever they want, without acetone, drying time or permanent commitment. A digital beauty accessory What comes in the kit Image credit : Instagram/iPolish | The system combines acrylic press-on nails with an app-controlled device known as the Magic Wand. Safety, style and the road ahead Second thoughts after a salon visit are almost a universal experience. One moment the nail colour feels perfect, the next it feels impossible to style. A Florida-based beauty technology brand believes it has found a way to end that dilemma altogether. At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, iPolish introduced what it describes as the worlds first digital, colour-changing press-on nails, placing beauty firmly into the era of smart fashion.Designed for flexibility and personal expression, these nails allow users to switch shades whenever they want, without acetone, drying time or permanent commitment.The system combines acrylic press-on nails with an app-controlled device known as the Magic Wand. Users can select from more than 400 shades through the app, insert the nail tip into the wand, and watch the colour transform within seconds. The technology allows colours to last for minutes, hours or several days, depending on personal preference.From muted daytime tones to bold evening hues, nail colour can now change as easily as an outfit. The process can be repeated as often as required, making nail style as adaptable as modern wardrobes.According to the companys leadership, this innovation represents a shift in how beauty products are consumed. iPolish positions the nails as a digital fashion accessory that is cruelty-free, non-chemical and designed to last as long as standard press-ons, typically until natural nail growth requires removal.The AI nail polish kit includes multiple sizes of press-on nails, the Magic Wand with a USB-C charging cable, bonding glue, a quick-dry clear topcoat and nail preparation tools. App access is provided through a QR code, with video tutorials available for guidance.Currently offered in Long Squoval and Medium Ballerina shapes, the kit is priced at approximately Rs 8,500, with replacement nail sets starting at around Rs 540.The company states that the nails are non-toxic and suitable for regular use, though individuals with medical implants or sensitivities are advised to consult a physician. As artificial intelligence continues to influence fashion and beauty, colour-changing nails may signal a future where style choices are instant, reversible and entirely personal. An ICE agent was caught slipping on ice in Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/wXMxisaOAm Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 13, 2026 Icy slip at a moment of high tension Image credit : X| @Popcrave| ICE agent slips on frozen pavement at Minnesota protest Image credit : X| @Popcrave| Minnesota protest moment goes viral as ICE agent slips on ice and falls What it says about public perception Image credit : X| @Popcrave| ICE agents icy mishap at Minnesota protest captured on video What began as a tense protest in Minnesota turned into an unexpected moment of humour when an ICE agent slipped on a patch of ice and fell, prompting cheers and laughter from people nearby. The short video that quickly spread online shows how a single misstep can capture the mood of a community already on edge.The scene unfolded during heightened protests in Minneapolis, where demonstrators have gathered in recent days in response to immigration enforcement actions conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In the brief clip, an agent steps down from his vehicle and begins to sprint towards the crowd. Within seconds, he encounters a slick patch of frozen road, loses his footing and falls onto his back. Several bystanders, already recording the encounter on their phones, erupt into applause and laughter as he regains his footing and retreats toward his vehicle.Many viewers have interpreted the laughter less as mockery of an individual and more as a reflection of public frustration with the broader federal presence in the city. Those tensions were fuelled by a fatal shooting earlier in January, when a separate ICE operation in the Twin Cities resulted in the death of a local resident, sparking widespread debate and protest over the agencys tactics.Though brief, the viral video captures more than just a physical stumble. It reflects the uneasy relationship between local residents and federal enforcement agents whose actions have drawn intense scrutiny. Videos and images of law enforcement operations have been circulating widely online, and communities have used them as focal points for debate about civil liberties, policing tactics and accountability.The context behind the footage is critical. Only days before the icy mishap, an ICE agent had fatally shot a woman during an enforcement action in Minneapolis, an event that sparked national headlines and ignited protests. Those demonstrations have seen participants voice strong criticism of federal operations, contrasting sharply with the solemn purpose typically associated with law enforcement deployments.Social media users reacted swiftly to the slip video, with many finding humour in a moment of physical misfortune, while others used it to express broader sentiments about ICEs presence in Minnesota. Some online comments framed the incident in terms of poetic irony, noting that an agent assigned to manage unrest had been undone by something as mundane as a slippery street.The laughter and cheers from the crowd in the video werent just about a slip on ice; they were charged with something bigger. People were clearly fed up with the Department of Homeland Securitys massive immigration sweep in Minnesota, the largest operation of its kind in the state. In that moment, a small, fleeting incident became a way for the public to express frustration and pushback, all captured in a clip that quickly spread online.Its a reminder of how modern protests arent just about what happens on the streets, theyre shaped as much by what people see, share, and react to online. Even brief moments can take on symbolic weight, giving a voice to collective anger and relief. In Minneapolis, where tensions over immigration enforcement and federal actions are running high, this video became a strangely uplifting release for some, a snapshot of public sentiment in real time. UPDATE: Pearl (@pearlythingz) revealed on stream that she was considering PHYSICALLY ASSAULTING Ana Kasparian (@AnaKasparian) during their debate, but held herself back due to fear of catching a charge. pic.twitter.com/tukbtwXHEA Grace Thorp (@gracemthorp) January 13, 2026 A viral clip from a recent online discussion between controversial YouTuber Hannah Pearl Davis (Pearl) and American political commentator Ana Kasparian has ignited fresh debate across social media. The exchange framed around the broad topic of feminism and gender roles drew thousands of viewers and heated reactions after Pearl later acknowledged on stream that she had briefly considered physically lashing out at Kasparian during their conversation but restrained herself due to legal concerns. The debate that blew up internet Image credit : Wikipedia official page| Pearl and Kasparian clash in a heated debate on feminism and gender roles Why It went viral Image credit : Wikipedia official page| Pearls polarizing takes meet Kasparians commentary, sparking a viral online frenzy Social media reacts Image credit : Wikipedia official page| Netizens slam Pearl Davis after she admits she almost attacked Ana Kasparian Got cooked in a debate so bad you wanted to fight the person lololol OJ - PlayerEssence (@PlayerEssence) January 13, 2026 What a loser, it must suck to be an ugly woman damn. Arthur Kwon Lee (@badazn) January 13, 2026 Lmao. Ooooo, so tuff. Imagine wanting to assault somebody just because theyre more intelligent than you. Repzion (@DarthhPotato) January 13, 2026 Well when someone personally attacks you over and over again that is a very human reaction. It was aggravating to watch. Correct me if Im wrong did pearl personally attack Ana even once in that debate? Right Side Rebel (@RightSideR3bel) January 13, 2026 The discussion, hosted as part of a podcast episode titled Feminism! Ana vs Pearl! on January 12, 2026, saw Pearl and Kasparian tackle questions about modern feminism, economic participation, and cultural expectations, with Pearl offering sharp critiques rooted in her longstanding anti-feminist commentary. While the full episode is subscriber-only, clips and summaries shared online show the conversation rapidly becoming confrontational, quickly spreading across platforms.Hannah Pearl Davis, better known online as Pearl, has courted controversy with polarizing takes on gender, relationships, and society. The Chicago-born creator has over 2 million subscribers on YouTube and has built her brand around challenging mainstream feminist ideas. Ana Kasparian, a seasoned media host and political commentator, is known for her work with The Young Turks and for debating many figures across the ideological spectrum with assertive, unapologetic commentary.The debate itself barely registered in traditional media, but the clips and Pearls admission about considering physical aggression quickly went viral. Memes, reactions, and reposts spread faster than the original discussion, making the online fallout the story itself.The online fallout has been intense. One user said frustratedly, Got cooked in a debate so bad you wanted to fight the person lololol. Another wrote, What a loser, it must suck to be an ugly woman damn. Some weighed in with sarcasm: Lmao. Ooooo, so tuff. Imagine wanting to assault somebody just because theyre more intelligent than you.Meanwhile, another voiced a more measured take: Well when someone personally attacks you over and over again that is a very human reaction. It was aggravating to watch. Correct me if Im wrong did pearl personally attack Ana even once in that debate? Pooh Shiestys rumours debunked: How a misheard livestream sent his fans into frenzy? Soap Central Image credit : X | @pooh_shiesty | Pooh Shiesty Panic Explained UPDATE: Pooh Shiesty record label reached out to me and confirmed that he is not in jail. Apparently his April date existed since his release and hes on home confinement until April like he has been the whole time since his release. DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) January 12, 2026 Fans react to the rappers re-arrest in Texas Image credit : X | @Akademiks | Rumours of Pooh Shiestys Arrest Spread After Misunderstood Livestream Why was Pooh Shiesty arrested earlier? Image credit : X | @Poetikflakko | Livestream Misinterpretation Sparks Viral Buzz The 26-year-old American rapper, Pooh Shiesty, sent his fans into a frenzy this week after a brief moment on a livestream that quickly sparked rumours that the Memphis artist had been taken back into custody. Moreover, on Monday, the speculation began when Shiestys close associate, Bendadon, appeared on a livestream. During the stream, viewers misinterpreted a short phone conversation, quickly jumping to the conclusion that Shiesty had been sent back to the prison. Within hours, the claims spread widely across social media, leaving fans questioning the rappers legal status. But whats the truth behind the rumours? Lets find out.According to, recent online rumours claiming Pooh Shiesty was taken back into custody are false. The confusion arose after DJ Akademiks pointed out that Shiestys name appeared in Federal Bureau of Prisons records with a release date of April 11, 2026.Akademiks explained that the entry refers to a halfway house, a transitional facility for inmates approaching the end of their sentence, usually housing them for three to twelve months before their full release. He explained, His record shows a date three months from yesterday, but thats part of his ongoing home confinement, which has been in place since his release.Also, Shiestys record label confirmed that the rapper is not in jail, and the confusion reportedly started when fans misinterpreted a conversation on a livestream featuring Shiestys close friend, Bendadon, mistakenly believing it indicated an arrest.As soon as the rumours about the arrest surfaced on social media, it quickly went viral and sparked debate. One X (formerly called Twitter) user said, Its sad how fast rumours spread. Bitch, Pooh Shiesty is not booked.One wrote, Rumours of his incarceration started via a stream when fans assumed a conversation on one of his closest friends streams (Bendadon) was about him being arrested.Thats crazy work. So basically you just a fat gossiping rumor spreading bitch, another added.Bruh yes please substantiate the ish you put out there before posting, repostingdont try to pass it off as rumors when you made a post saying he was in custody.Rapper Pooh Shiesty was first arrested on October 13, 2020, in connection with a shooting in Bay Harbour Islands, Florida, facing charges including armed robbery, aggravated assault, battery and criminal theft. Moreover, in less than a year, he was arrested again over a separate shooting at a Miami-Dade strip club and was held without bond.In January 2022, Shiesty pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges, which carried a potential sentence of up to eight years. By April 2022, he was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. According to Federal Bureau of Prisons records obtained by USA Today on October 7, Shiesty is no longer in custody.By April 2022, he was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. Under a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped three charges, including a gun charge that could have led to a life sentence. Sunnyvale Says No ICE/No War by Elon is a Con Jan 10 quickly turned into a national day of action after Rachel Good, a community observer, was murdered by ICE in Minneapolis. In Sunnyvale CA, a regular protest held every Saturday at 2pm had a special theme. All photos by Chris Cassell/ProBonoPhoto Please credit the photographer So many sentiments including "Maduro is jailed while mass murderer Netanyahu runs free?" and "Elect an asshole, expect a shit show". Also: "Honk if you are NOT in the Epstein files." BAKERSFIELD, Calif., January 12, 2026 The Trump administration today released plans to open more than 1 million acres of public lands and mineral rights to oil and gas drilling and fracking in Southern California and the Central Valley, Central Coast and Bay Area. The areas slated by Trump for drilling and fracking are near spectacular public lands, including state parks, national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Oil companies could target land around popular sites like Pinnacles National Park, Mount Diablo State Park, Henry W. Coe State Park and Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve.Californias public lands are a refuge for human wonder and beautiful wildlife, not places for Trumps oil and gas cronies to exploit and pollute, said Victoria Bogdan Tejeda, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversitys Climate Law Institute. We wont let this administration get away with permanently destroying our public lands. Well fight his perverse effort to worsen climate change and expose Californias people and wildlife to more toxic pollution from dirty drilling and fracking.Draft environmental impact statements and resource management plans from the Bureau of Land Management would allow new fossil fuel extraction across eight counties under the Bakersfield Field Office: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura. The Central Coast plan would allow drilling across another 10 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Joaquin.The first Trump administration unveiled these plans in 2019, but the Center for Biological Diversity and allies successfully fought them off. Settlement agreements suspended new oil and gas leasing on public lands in these areas until the BLM could produce new environmental analyses that sufficiently evaluate the impacts of oil and gas development, including fracking. The documents released today are still inadequate.At the state level, California has made significant moves to curb dangerous oil and gas drilling including banning fracking, and recent laws to speed oil well cleanup, affirm local governments ability to ban or limit oil and gas operations, and a historic health-and-safety buffer between communities and oil and gas sites.The areas targeted in the Trump plans are home to threatened and endangered animals and plants, including San Joaquin kit foxes, giant kangaroo rats, burrowing owls, California condors, and the California jewelflower. Areas that could see harmful drilling and fracking are also near communities already harmed by legacy pollution.Photo: Mount Diablo State Park | Credit: Hollin KretzmannThe Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.8 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. A crucial dialogue between the Greek government and protesting farmers appeared near collapse on Monday after hardline union blocs from Thessaly rejected Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis terms for a meeting, threatening instead to escalate road blockades and stage a tractor rally in Athens The standoff intensified just 24 hours before the scheduled talks, with the powerful Thessaly Farmers Federation (EOASK) declaring it would boycott the session unless the government abandoned its plan to split representatives into two separate groups. Kostas Tzellas, head of the federation, accused the government of mockery and deception, arguing that dividing crop farmers from livestock breeders and beekeepers was a tactical maneuver designed to fracture their movement. This shows they dont want dialogue or solutions, Mr. Tzellas told a gathering of protesters in central Greece. All they care about is getting us off the roads. He warned that unless the prime minister agreed to meet a single, unified delegation of 35 representatives by Tuesday morning, the farmers would not travel to Athens. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis swiftly rejected the ultimatum. The government and the prime minister do not operate under threats, Mr. Marinakis said, defending the two-meeting format as a necessary measure to ensure practical, sector-specific discussions. He noted that the separation was originally requested by some farming groups themselves to ensure their distinct issuessuch as the sheep pox outbreak affecting livestockwere not sidelined. The breakdown raises the specter of severe disruption. While a nationwide assembly in Nikaia on Saturday had initially ruled out a descent on Athens to give diplomacy a chance, organizers said Monday that a tractor march on Syntagma Square is now back on the table if the talks fail. iefimerida.gr Greek Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou advanced critical data and energy corridor talks in Riyadh this week, cementing a strategic partnership that now includes high-stakes discussions with the Trump Organization on the sidelines of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 expansion. Marking the centennial of diplomatic relations in 2026, Mr. Papastavrous visit aims to lock in Greeces role as the primary European gateway for the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). A focal point of the agenda was the East-to-Med Corridor (EMC), a fiber-optic data link connecting Asia to Europe via Saudi Arabia and Greece. In meetings with Saudi Investment Minister Khalid A. Al-Falih, Mr. Papastavrou stressed the project's importance for regional digital sovereignty, alongside plans for a green hydrogen electricity interconnector. The trip also highlighted significant private sector engagement. Mr. Papastavrou met with Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, which is developing $10 billion in luxury projects in Riyadh and Jeddah in partnership with Dar Global. The momentum of our strategic cooperation remains strong, Mr. Papastavrou said, drawing parallels between Riyadhs King Salman Park and Athens own Ellinikon urban regeneration project. The talks reinforce Athens' pivot to the Gulf, positioning itself as an essential bridge for energy and data flows as the Kingdom seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil. iefimerida.gr China calls for efforts toward political settlement of Ukraine crisis Xinhua) 14:48, January 13, 2026 UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called for efforts to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine and to create conditions for the political settlement of the crisis. The Ukraine crisis has dragged on for almost four years. Protracted hostilities will only lead to the loss of more innocent lives and heightened tensions at the regional and international levels, said Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. "We call on all relevant parties ... to push for de-escalation and the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, so as to create conditions for a political settlement and strive for the early realization of peace," he told the Security Council. Dialogue must prevail over confrontation. The hard-won momentum of the latest round of peace talks should be cherished by all sides, he said. "We call on the parties to the conflict to meet each other half-way, continuously build consensus, and take seriously and appropriately address each other's security concerns, in order to reach a comprehensive, lasting, and binding peace agreement, which will eliminate the root causes of conflict, build a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture, and contribute to the lasting peace and stability of Europe." The spillover of the crisis has severely impacted the global economy. China opposes the use of the crisis by any party as a pretext to impose illegal unilateral sanctions and disrupt normal trade and economic relations. China also opposes any opportunist attempts to divide the world and create exclusive blocs, said Sun. China's position on the Ukraine issue has been crystal clear and consistent, always working to promote peace and political settlement, and making relentless efforts to create conditions and build consensus for peace, he said. China sincerely welcomes all efforts that contribute to the peaceful settlement of the crisis, and will continue to work with others to play a constructive role in promoting a political solution, the diplomat said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Maria Karystianou, the face of the movement for justice in Greeces deadly Tempi train disaster, has confirmed she will launch a political party to contest the next national election, declaring that the legal battle for accountability has hit a political wall. Speaking to broadcaster ANT1, Mrs. Karystianou said the persistent lack of answers three years after the crash that killed 57 peopleincluding her daughterhas turned her personal crusade into a public obligation. Obviously, my original goal was not to create a new party, Mrs. Karystianou said. But now that we are in 2026 and we still have no answers and the cover-up continues, my involvement becomes a responsibility. The 53-year-old pediatrician has been a thorn in the side of the government since the 2023 head-on collision, organizing mass protests and petitioning European authorities. She told the network that she has exhausted all legal avenues in Greece and now aligns herself with a broader citizens movement against corruption and cronyism. Mrs. Karystianou outlined strict criteria for the new faction, explicitly barring active politicians from joining. She ruled out cooperation with high-profile figures such as Nikos Farantouris, stating that while she respects him, the initiative requires a clean break from the established political system. Despite the move, she vowed not to step down as president of the victims association unless formally requested by its members. The announcement injects a volatile variable into Greek politics ahead of the scheduled trial in March. Early polls suggest a Karystianou-led movement could significantly disrupt the electoral landscape, tapping into widespread public anger over state negligence. This is not more of the same, she promised. You will see a program and solutions because we think like citizens. iefimerida.gr Historic investor appetite pushes yields down and secures half of Greeces 2026 borrowing needs in one go Babatunde Akran, the Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, the Oba of Badagry, is dead. The monarch died on Monday at the age of 89 after more than four decades on the throne. Until his death, Akran was the permanent vice-chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Advertisement Akran worked as a journalist before ascending the throne in the late 1970s. Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, described the monarchs passing as a great loss to Badagry and the entirety of Lagos and Nigeria. In a statement issued by Gboyega Akosike, his media aide, Sanwo-Olu lauded the late monarch for his decades of service and impact as a respected traditional ruler. The governor said Akran was widely known for his wisdom, commitment to cultural preservation and advocacy for the development of Badagry. He added that the late monarch served his people selflessly and left behind a legacy of unity, tradition and progress. He described the late Oba Akran as a respected journalist and a first-class traditional ruler who made meaningful contributions to the growth and development of his community, the state and the country at large. According to the governor, Akran served as the custodian of Badagrys traditions, customs and cultural heritage, while also acting as a stabilising force who united diverse interests within the kingdom. Sanwo-Olu added that Akran promoted Badagrys historical sites and cultural festivals both nationally and internationally, helping to boost tourism and cultural exchange, and used his position to attract development to the ancient town. The governor commiserated with the people of Badagry and the royal family, noting that the monarchs death is a significant loss to the traditional institution in Lagos. On behalf of my wife, the government and people of Lagos State, I commiserate with the people of Badagry, the deceaseds family, friends, associates and traditional institutions on the transition of the paramount ruler of Badagry Kingdom, Sanwo-Olu said. He urged the monarchs family, subjects and associates to work towards immortalising his legacy, while praying for God to grant the people of Badagry and Lagos the strength to bear the loss. The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, who were on Monday remanded in prison custody by a court. The students were arrested while protesting against the rising cases of kidnapping and abduction in Ekpoma and environs. The National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Comrade Adeyemi Ajasa, in a statement said the students were demanding that the government should live up to its responsibility of protecting lives and properties and should not be bundled into prison custody. Advertisement Parts of the statement read: The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, strongly condemns the continued detention and court remand of fifty-two (52) students of Ambrose Alli University who peacefully protested against the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity affecting students and their host communities. It is ridiculous, unacceptable, and deeply disturbing that students who exercised their constitutional right to peaceful protest are now being subjected to psychological trauma, intimidation, and the harsh experience of detention. Peaceful protest is not a crime, and demanding safety should never be met with repression. NANS stands in total solidarity with the affected students and their families. We will not hesitate to mobilize and take all lawful steps necessary should these students not be released immediately and unconditionally. Nigerian students deserve safety, not suppression. The Wawa at 34th and Market Streets near Drexel University in Philadelphia is set to close Jan. 21. Read more Wawa is closing a store on Drexel Universitys campus, nearly three years after remodeling to a digital-order-only concept with no products on shelves. The 3300 Market St. location, which has been open since 2018, is set to close Jan. 21. Advertisement It was remodeled in 2023 to test the new store format, which required customers to order all items on a touch screen, with no shelves of product to browse. The pilot was not a success, leading to the stores planned closure, said a company statement shared by Wawa spokesperson Lori Bruce Tuesday. Prior to the pandemic, this store saw more food-service than any other Wawa, CEO Chris Gheysens previously told the Philadelphia Business Journal. Over the years, we have made several attempts to address business and operational challenges at this location, said the company statement shared by Bruce, which did not provide details about those challenges. That effort includes partnering with property owner, Drexel University, in an attempt to address some of these issues, and most recently making investments in our store design to test a fully digital format. Unfortunately, this test did not adequately improve performance or deliver an enhanced customer experience, which ultimately led to the decision to close the store" Wawas statement said. Wawa had informed Drexel about its plans to close the location, university spokesperson Niki Gianakaris confirmed Tuesday in a statement from the university. Drexel did not respond to a question about what will occupy the space going forward. Employees will be offered positions at other nearby Wawas. Nearby stores include those at 36th and Chestnut Streets, and 38th and Spruce Streets. Wawa has closed a number of stores in the city in recent years. READ MORE: A history of Wawas on-again, off-again relationship with Center City Wawa closed two locations in the Northeast last year. In 2024, the company closed a Port Richmond store that was one of its oldest, a Cherry Hill location that had been operating for 51 years, and a store near the Philadelphia Art Museum, as well as a Center City location at 16th and Ranstead Streets that had been testing a small-store concept. Meanwhile, Wawa competitor Sheetz recently announced it will open its first Philadelphia-area outpost, in Montgomery County, next month. Nyshyia Thomas sheds a tear in June 2024. Her youngest son, DaJuan Brown, was killed in a random mass shooting in July 2023 in Kingsessing. Her eldest child, Daquan Brown, has now been charged in the Etting Street mass shooting from July 2025. Read more Two mass shootings, just years apart, forever altered Nyshyia Thomas life. In July 2023, her 15-year-old son, DaJuan Brown, was shot and killed when a mentally ill man dressed in body armor gunned down five people at random on the streets of Kingsessing. Advertisement Then, two years later, almost to the day, police say Thomas son, Daquan Brown, was one of at least 15 people who fired guns aimlessly down the 1500 block of Etting Street, leaving three dead and 10 others wounded. Its a symmetry almost too painful for the mother to reconcile: one son killed in a mass shooting, another behind bars, charged with committing one. Last month, Thomas, 37, sat inside the Philadelphia courthouse and faced the man who killed her youngest son and set in motion the crumbling of her family. This week, she will return, but to sit on the other side of the room to see her eldest son in shackles, seated behind plexiglass, charged with three counts of murder, nine counts of attempted murder, and causing a catastrophe and riot. She said her 21-year-old son feared for his life when he fired his legally owned gun twice down Etting Street the night of July 7, and that prosecutors have charged him with killings he didnt commit. But she also feels for the families of the victims one of them her sons close friend and imagines that, if she were in their shoes, she would want everyone who fired a gun to face consequences. From being on both sides of this, its overwhelming, its unfair, she said. But I understand. The July 7 party on Etting Street was one of two on the block that weekend celebrating the July Fourth holiday and the lives of some young men from the neighborhood who had been killed in recent years. Daquan Brown grew up about a block away and went to see childhood friends, his mother said. Shortly after 1 a.m., police said, gunfire erupted. Officers responded to find that more than 120 bullets had been fired down the street in nearly all directions, striking neighbors homes and cars and 13 partygoers. Three men died. Zahir Wylie, 23, was struck in the chest, and Jason Reese, 19, was shot in the head. Azir Harris, 27, who used a wheelchair after being paralyzed in an earlier shooting, was struck in the back. Initially, police thought someone had shot up the party in a targeted attack. But after reviewing video footage, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing ballistics, detectives now believe the partygoers may have unintentionally shot each other. After people heard what they thought was the sound of gunfire someone at the gathering may have shot once into the air or a car passing by may have backfired at least 15 people pulled out their weapons and sprayed dozens of shots down the block, police said. Brown, police said, was among them. As gunfire erupted, he took cover between cars and fired two shots down the block, according to two law enforcement sources who asked not to be named to discuss an ongoing investigation. Investigators dont know whether any of the shots Brown fired struck or killed anyone, the sources said. A full ballistics report is still pending, though it may never be able to determine whose bullets struck each victim. Four other men have also been charged with murder and related crimes. Thomas has tried to come to terms with the police narrative. She is adamant that her son, having fired only two shots, shouldnt be charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. He feared for his life and acted in self-defense, she said. At the same time, she said, had it been her son who was shot and killed that night, she would not want to hear from anyone trying to make sense of it. Still, she finds herself doing that. Brown, who worked as a security guard and has no criminal record, only started carrying the 9mm handgun because of what happened to his brother, she said. She remembered talking to him before he bought the weapon last year. Mom, I lost my brother, Thomas said he told her. Yall not burying me. I kissed him, she said. I told him I respect it. Browns father, Tyejuan, is also jailed with him. On the night of July 7, she and Tyejuan, the father of her three children, were talking on the porch of her home when they heard dozens of gunshots coming from Etting Street. Tyejuan Brown, she said, took off running toward the party where his son was gathered. When Thomas reached the block, she said, she found Tyejuan and Daquan covered in blood from carrying bodies to police cruisers. But police said that when they reviewed surveillance footage from that night, they saw Tyejuan Brown rushing down the street holding a gun, which he is barred from owning because of drug, gun, and assault convictions. He was arrested in early August and charged with illegal gun possession. Four days later, they came for his son. Until recently, Daquan Brown and his father were housed in the same block at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility and would speak to each other through a shared cell wall. Brown is held without bail. Thomas said her family has gathered the $25,000 necessary for the fathers bail, but he has told them not to post it. Im not coming out without my son, Thomas said he told her. On the outside, Thomas and her 15-year-old daughter, Nesiyah, are left to grapple with the absence of the three men in their lives they love most. I lost one son to gun violence, Thomas said. Ill be damned if I let the system take my other one from me. Khyon Smith-Tate, 16, was found fatally shot on Monday night inside the bathroom of a Chipotle Mexican Grill at the corner of 12th Street and Montgomery Avenue, police said. Read more A 16-year-old was found shot to death inside the bathroom of a Chipotle near Temple Universitys campus Monday night in what investigators believe may have been an unintentional shooting, according to police and a law enforcement source. Khyon Smith-Tate and three of his friends were inside the Chipotle on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartments at 12th Street and Montgomery Avenue around 5 p.m. Monday, police said. Smith-Tate and one friend went into one bathroom, while the two other teens went into the second bathroom, said Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore. Advertisement According to surveillance video, the teen with Smith-Tate left the restroom alone a short time later, and then walked out of the restaurant with the other teens, Vanore said. About 15 minutes later, a restaurant employee found Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest, he said. Police and medics responded, and pronounced him dead at the scene, officials said. No gun was recovered, though officers found one spent shell casing from a 9mm handgun in the trash can, Vanore said. Smith-Tate was a student at Imhotep Institute Charter High School. His mother, overwhelmed with grief, declined to speak Monday at her North Philadelphia home. In a written statement, school officials described Smith-Tate as caring, energetic, filled with school pride and comical. He was filled with light and love, the statement, signed by Imhotep Chief Executive Officer Andre Noble and Principal Jury Segers, said. We will always remember his smile. Police have identified the three teens involved, Vanore said, and are poring over cell phone data and interviewing witnesses to try to learn what happened inside the bathroom. A law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation said detectives are looking into whether the teens may have been filming a social media video or playing with a gun when it fired and unintentionally struck Smith-Tate. The source, who asked not to be identified to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the teens are all close friends. Still, they did not call for help, the source said, and left him to die on the bathroom floor. As one can imagine, we are struggling today, Noble and Segers said. Our collective hearts are hurting. But this community is resilient. District Attorney Larry Krasner said that trauma-care professionals and victim advocates from his office visited the school on Tuesday to lead multiple grief trauma healing circles for students and staff. The trauma and grief our young people experience as a result of shootings is unacceptable, he said. We will not accept this as normal for our kids and babies. Smith-Tate is the first child under 18 to be shot and killed in Philadelphia this year, and his death comes after homicides in the city reached near-historic lows last year. If it is confirmed that the shooting was unintentional, Smith-Tate would be the latest in a growing list of children shot by a mishandled gun in Philadelphia. READ MORE: A shattered family, a traumatic past: Judge sentences grandmother in accidental shooting of 2-year-old girl Dozens of kids have been wounded in accidental shootings in recent years, often the result of other children finding unsecured guns in their homes. Just last month, a 14-year-old was seriously wounded when another teen playing with a gun shot him in the stomach, police said. Last year, 12-year-old Ethan Parker was shot and killed after police said his 17-year-old neighbor was playing with a gun while recording a song and accidentally fired it. Other victims have been even younger: like 3-year-old Kayden Barnes, who police said shot herself with her fathers gun in 2024, and 2-year-old Diora Porter-Brown, who was fatally shot by a cousin with an intellectual disability who found his grandmothers firearm in 2023. The outside of the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown. Read more The trial of a 25-year-old Bucks County man charged with stabbing his former girlfriend to death in front of a police officer last year began Tuesday with differing accounts from lawyers about what happened on that February day. Prosecutors say Trevor Christopher Weigel, of Churchville, broke into the Yardley home of 19-year-old Jaden Battista in February 2024 with the goal of stabbing the young woman to death. Advertisement The couple had broken up months before, prosecutors said, and Weigel became enraged after learning that Battista had blocked his phone number. In all, prosecutors say Weigel stabbed Battista 13 times throughout her upper body, leaving her bleeding outside the home just as police arrived. If he couldnt have her, nobody was going to have her and he made sure of it, Assistant District Attorney A.J. Garabedian told jurors Tuesday in a Bucks County courtroom. Garabedian said prosecutors have a variety of evidence showing Weigel broke into the house, where Battista was on a FaceTime call with her friend at the time. The friend called 911, spurring Lower Makefield police to respond while Weigel led Battista to his car, prosecutors said. With the passenger door open, prosecutors said, Weigel began chasing Battista and stabbed her repeatedly. A police officer captured Battistas final breaths on a body-worn camera, they said. Meanwhile, Weigel ran away, and another officer chased him on foot to the nearby Interstate 295 freeway as the young man repeatedly stabbed himself in the neck. Police used a Taser to subdue and apprehend him. Prosecutors later charged Weigel with first-degree murder, burglary, attempted kidnapping, and related crimes. Weigels defense lawyers, meanwhile, disputed the prosecution contention that the couple had split. Lead defense attorney Brian McBeth told jurors Weigel had not left his house that morning planning to kill Battista. Rather, he said, Weigel had acted in response to the soul-crushing realization that the young woman had cheated on him. McBeth said that did not excuse Weigels actions. But he urged jurors to question prosecutors suggestion that the crime was premeditated and consider whether Weigel had committed involuntary manslaughter, a lesser crime that does not carry the same penalties as first-degree murder. In prosecutors telling, Weigel had left his job at a Warminster manufacturing plant that afternoon with a clear intent to kill. They said Battista, still on a video call with her friend when Weigel arrived, became distressed as he banged on the door and demanded to be let inside. The friend told Battista to run and hide, prosecutors said. Weigel lied to Battista, prosecutors continued, telling her he wanted to come inside to collect belongings he had left there after their two-month relationship ended late in 2023. Once inside, Weigel forcefully led Battista outside to his red Ford Mustang, prosecutors said. Garabedian told jurors they would hear from a neighbor who described Battista as barefoot and not wearing clothing suited for winter. Shes not going willingly, Garabedian said. Defense attorneys strongly disputed that account. McBeth said Weigel and Battista had gotten back together in early February, even going out to dinner together on Valentines Day. Over the following days, however, Battista stopped responding to Weigels calls and texts in which he asked whether she was OK, McBeth said. McBeth said Weigel left work early because he was worried about Battista, who he said had previously struggled with depression and self-harm. The young woman let Weigel inside the home willingly, he said, and an argument began when Weigel noticed hickeys on the girls neck. She told him she cheated, and he snapped, McBeth said. Proceedings are set to continue in the courtroom of Bucks County Judge Charissa J. Liller over the next week. A disability watchdog group has closed its investigation into child abuse in the autistic support program at a Central Bucks elementary school. The group, Disability Rights PA, published an April 2025 report finding that students were abused at Jamison Elementary School and administrators failed to adequately investigate, setting off a firestorm of district investigations, terminations, and lawsuits. The group visited the elementary school in November and noticed improvements to district practices, policies, and personnel, according to a Dec. 19 letter from Andrew Favini, the organizations staff attorney, to Central Bucks officials. They then closed the investigation. Advertisement In the wake of the initial Disability Rights report, Central Bucks fired former Superintendent Steven Yanni and former Jamison principal David Heineman. Gabrielle McDaniel and Rachel Aussprung, the teacher and education assistant in the classroom who allegedly abused students, have also been terminated, the district said. During the November visit, Disability Rights PA found no new reports of abuse and neglect after conducting interviews with district staff that teach in or provide support to autistic support classrooms, according to the letter. The organization also interviewed new Jamison principal Lauren Dowd and assistant principal Dave Filson, who, according to Favini, appeared earnest and sincere. The administrators shared that they spent significant time in the autistic support classrooms and that there is new training on mandatory reporting for child abuse and using restraints in classrooms. The changes presented to DRP during the November 21, 2025, visit were substantial and emphasized a focus and dedication to improving the autistic support programs, Favini wrote in the letter. A spokesperson for Central Bucks also said the districts pupil services program will be audited by the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement at the University of Minnesota. The evaluation will, among other things, identify areas for improvement and will focus on staffing, student outcomes, and conformity with state regulations, the spokesperson said. The district and school board are committed to continuous improvement and pursuing and implementing multiple strategies to support this effort in all areas, interim Superintendent Charles Malone said in a statement Monday. The April Disability Rights PA report found that McDaniel and Aussprung illegally restrained students in an autistic support classroom and did not report the use of restraints to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. They noted that students also observed or experienced demeaning treatment, nudity, and neglect. Room 119, the center of Disability Rights PAs investigation, is no longer being used as an autistic support classroom at Jamison, Favini wrote in his letter. The class that would typically be in 119 has been relocated to another nearby room that administrators can more directly access. While the disability rights watchdog has closed its investigation, Favini noted in the letter that the district must continue to amend necessary policies and support its staff with heightened awareness of the Districts history. As always, even though the investigation is closed, DRP will remain vigilant regarding reports of abuse within Central Bucks School District; we anticipate the District will do the same, Favini wrote. Both Yanni and Heineman have appealed their terminations. Alyssa Wright, the districts former director of pupil services whom Yanni and Heineman pointed fingers at during their public termination hearing in August, has sued the district and eight school board members, alleging that she was a whistleblower who was scapegoated. Yannis appeal in Bucks County Court of Common Pleas and Wrights federal lawsuit are still pending, while the state Department of Education has not yet made a decision in Heinemans appeal. Staff writer Abraham Gutman contributed to this report. Wence Valentin III, a political director for UAW Region 9, turns toward graduate students calling for strike vote against the University of Pennsylvania in November. Read more The union that represents about 3,400 University of Pennsylvania graduate student workers says they will go on strike Feb. 17 if they do not reach a contract deal with the university by then. We love our jobs, but Penns administration is leaving us no choice but to move forward with a strike, said Nicolai Apenes, a Ph.D. candidate and research assistant in immunology, in a statement shared by the union Tuesday. We are ready to stand up and demand that our rights are respected. Advertisement Penns graduate student workers voted to unionize in 2024. The union has been negotiating with the university since October 2024 for a first contract, and some tentative agreements have been reached on a number of issues. Sticking points in bargaining include wages, healthcare coverage, and more support for international student workers. In November the teaching and research assistants voted to authorize a strike if called for by the union, which is known as Graduate Employees Together-University of Pennsylvania (GET-UP) and is part of the United Auto Workers (UAW). A spokesperson for the University of Pennsylvania said in a statement Tuesday that Penn has engaged in good faith negotiations with the union, and has reached 23 tentative agreements through 39 bargaining sessions with additional sessions planned. We believe that a fair contract for the Union and Penn can be achieved without a work stoppage, but we are prepared in the event that the Union membership strikes, said the Penn spokesperson. Efforts are underway to ensure teaching and research continuity, and the expectation is that classes and other academic activities will continue in the event of a strike. While we hope that Penn comes to the table and negotiates a fair contract for these essential workers, we know that these workers are a powerful force that Penn cannot break, said Daniel Bauder, Philadelphia AFL-CIO president, in a statement Tuesday. We are proud to stand with them and the broader Coalition of Workers at Penn as they fight the biggest employer in the region and bring union power to the University of Pennsylvania. Penn, the largest employer in Philadelphia, has seen a wave of student-worker organizing in recent years, including resident assistants, graduate students, postdocs and research associates, as well as training physicians in the University of Pennsylvania Health System. The region has also seen a couple other university strikes in recent years. In 2023 graduate workers at Temple University walked off the job for 42 days amid contract negotiations, and in a separate action at Rutgers University, educators, researchers, and clinicians went on strike for a week. On third-party websites like Appointment Trader and in some Facebook groups, some Philadelphia foodies are scoring reservations to popular Philly restaurants and selling them at a premium. Read more Flip a reservation and find out or at least thats how the warning goes at South Phillys acclaimed Cambodian restaurant Mawn. Last week, the restaurants owners, Phila and Rachel Lorn, took to Mawns Instagram to lambaste a woman attempting to sell coveted dinner reservations on the Buy, Sell, Trade section of Philaqueens, a private Facebook group with 75,000 members. Advertisement Selling a Mawn dinner reservation for this month and February if anyone is interested, read the since-deleted post, which did not specify a price. Commenters were split on the unorthodox offering. Three people immediately replied to say they were interested, while another didnt mince words. Selling a free reservation? she wrote. Horrible. The Lorns agree. Eww. Gross Dont play with us, they wrote, sharing a screenshot of the Facebook post that included the sellers name. All 11 of this persons reservations are canceled. The interaction was a glimpse into the burgeoning underbelly of restaurant reservation scalping, in which enterprising individuals can make a lucrative side hustle using bots and other means to snap up free reservations at in-demand restaurants, then selling them at a premium. The reservation black market is more established in New York City, Chicago, and Miami, where tables at celebrity-favorite Italian restaurant Carbone or Ralph Laurens notoriously exclusive Polo Bar can fetch between $350 and $1,700 on the third-party website Appointment Trader. One Brown University student told the New Yorker in 2024 that he made $70,000 just by using fake phone numbers and aliases to book reservations to flip on Appointment Trader. The website itself claims that sellers average $172 per reservation. The practice has spread to smaller cities, too: During Super Bowl LIX weekend in New Orleans, a once-free reservation for a table at the French Quarter restaurant Antoines went for $2,138. As reservation scalping becomes more widespread, so has legislation attempting to guard against it. Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed a law in December that would prohibit third-party websites from selling reservations without a restaurants consent, fining platforms such as Appointment Trader $1,000 per violation. The bill was signed last week by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who joined leaders in New York, Louisiana, and Illinois in banning the practice. READ MORE: Philly expands outdoor dining and cracks down on reservation scalpers ahead of expected 2026 tourism Still, these bills do not prevent savvy foodies from making under-the-table reservation deals in, say, a Facebook group. Nobody should be making money off a free reservation Rachel Lorn said that she and husband Phila found out about the offending Facebook post from several back-to-back direct messages tipping her off. Its disrespectful. Nobody should be making money off a free reservation. We felt like we had a responsibility to [say to] all the people who cant get a reservation, This is not OK, said Rachel Lorn, who oversees front-of-house operations for Mawn, including the restaurants packed guest book. Nowadays, scoring a Mawn reservation is about as hard as getting off the wait list for Eagles season tickets. The Lorns, who met while working at Zama, opened the cozy, 28-seat restaurant at 764 S. Ninth St. in 2023 as an ode to Philas parents. It was an immediate hit and has only gathered steam, garnering accolades from the James Beard Foundation, Food & Wine magazine, and the New York Times in 2025 alone. Mawn draws lines that wrap around the block for its first come, first served lunch service, but dinner reservations are the hotter commodity. Rachel Lorn uses OpenTable to drop reservations at noon on the first of every month, making roughly 650 total tables available at once. Customers are allowed to book multiple reservations, Lorn said, and many regulars manage to do so. Its a pain point for would-be diners who miss out, whom Lorn said she hears from nonstop. READ MORE: How a Cambodian noodle shop became one of Phillys most impossible reservations I watch [the reservation drops] from our computer. They sell out in seconds, she said. We never imagined that this would be the response to our restaurant. Its amazing, but its also a really tough position to be in. There isnt much I can do with our small restaurant and how many seats we have. Upon learning of the attempted black market deal, Rachel Lorn checked OpenTable and found that the Philaqueens poster had dined at Mawn six times prior and had 11 dinner reservations booked on different days throughout January and February. Lorn canceled them all immediately. She also reached out to the seller directly, who Rachel Lorn said didnt respond but did manage to change the name and email associated with her OpenTable account. The Lorns said they would ban the seller, if only they could figure out a way to do so; OpenTable currently does not allow for restaurants to prevent specific users from making reservations. It felt like she was trying to trick us further, Rachel Lorn said. She shouldnt be coming to our restaurant. The reservation seller declined to comment to The Inquirer, citing privacy concerns. She said only that she meant no harm and there was no ill intent, and declined to answer questions about why she was selling the reservations. The Inquirer is not releasing her name since the attempted sale happened in a private Facebook community. READ MORE: From 2024: Why you suddenly need to look on OpenTable for reservations to the citys hottest restaurants $221 for a table at Barclay Prime? For the most part, the Mawn incident is an anomaly in Philly. Reservation scalping has yet to take off here, according to Ben Fileccia, the senior vice president of strategy for the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, which worked with at-large Councilmember Isaiah Thomas to draft Phillys anti-reservation scalping bill. Fileccia said that this was the first time he had ever seen someone try to sell a reservation on Facebook, and that he had only seen a smattering of reservations for Philly restaurants on third-party platforms before working on the bill. Free trades are more common, he said, likely because cost is more top of mind for diners in Philly, a city with large wealth inequality. When you have an audience of folks to which prices are no object, [reservation scalping] becomes more of a problem, Fileccia said. Whereas when I discuss this issue and ask people [in Philly], Would you pay $500 for reservation at 7:30 p.m. at X restaurant? They usually laugh and roll their eyes. That doesnt mean scalping doesnt happen here. A recent search on Appointment Trader found prime-time Saturday night reservations at Kalaya averaging $113 and 9 p.m. reservations for any day at raw bar Tesiny for between $107 and $360. A 7 p.m. Saturday table for six at Stephen Starrs Barclay Prime steakhouse, or a reservation for two for literally any day or time at Pine Street Grill, Amanda Shulman and Alex Kemps new spot? That will cost at least $241 or $124, respectively, on Appointment Trader. Until recently, Appointment Trader functioned similarly to StubHub, where buyers could purchase reservations that scalpers had already acquired. Now, founder Jonas Frey is shifting the model to a concierge system: Buyers request a certain reservation and an algorithm spits out an average price based on demand. Once a bid is placed, Appointment Trader matches you with a seller whose job it is to secure the reservation by any means possible. Theres a 100% refund guarantee if the request goes unfulfilled. Representatives for the restaurants The Inquirer recently found on Appointment Trader were initially unaware they were listed on the platform. We do not have experience with guests utilizing this platform, said Kalaya chef and co-owner Chutatip Nok Suntaranon. All reservations for Kalaya run through Resy. Tesiny owner Lauren Biederman called the discovery concerning. There isnt too much we can do in terms of figuring out if the reservation is scalped really, though, she said, noting that Tesiny requires customers provide a credit card upon booking and charges $25 per person for late cancellations and no-shows. When Shulman and Kemp opened Pine Street Grill last month, they designated half the nightly seats for walk-ins, in part to keep it a neighborhood restaurant. We were especially surprised to see Pine Street listed for such a hefty price since its by far our most casual restaurant, the couple wrote in a statement. Oftentimes a dinner for two at Pine Street is less than the reservation cost you shared. Rachel Lorn said she feels powerless against platforms like Appointment Trader. She often finds out after the fact when a reservation has been resold. She also tries to hide her suspicion when a guest shows up and struggles to recall the name a table is under. What am I going to do in that moment? she asked, exasperated. Accuse them? READ MORE: Google review scammers target some of Phillys top restaurants Why exactly is reservation scalping bad? Chief among the concerns reservation scalping has raised in the restaurant industry: It overinflates the demand for a restaurant. Often, scalpers will sit on hundreds of reservations that go unused, leading to no-shows that can hurt a restaurants bottom line and lead to less tips for servers. At COQODAQ, an upscale fried chicken joint in New York thats popular on Appointment Trader, the no-show rate more than tripled after the website took off, Fox Business reported. Fileccia said its hard for some establishments to make that business back. The types of restaurants that have reservations being sold are not restaurants that are going to get walk-ins to refill those seats, he said. These are places that people know they need a reservation for. Frey, who founded Appointment Trader in 2021 after he struggled to get an appointment at the DMV, has pushed back against that narrative repeatedly in interviews. He argues that the site has gone to great lengths to tamp down on no-shows by penalizing reservation sellers for a low sell-through rate. If less than 50% of an accounts reservations go unsold, he has said, those accounts can no longer upload new reservations; if that rate dips below 25%, those accounts are banned altogether. (Between 2023 and 2024, Frey reported Appointment Trader did $6 million in reservation sales.) Its unclear if reservation scalping will find a foothold in Philly. But at Mawn, at least, its deeply unwelcome. Rachel Lorn said the practice reminds her of when everyone went and bought up all the toilet paper during COVID. There was nothing left for anyone else, she said. It boils down to a human decency thing. Correction: An earlier version of this article stated City Councils unanimously passed bill banning reservation scalping had yet to be approved by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. Mayor Parker signed the bill into law on Friday, Jan. 9. The "Rocky" statue, at street level just north of the steps at the Philadelphia Art Museum, was created by A. Thomas Schomberg for the 1982 movie "Rocky III." Read more Our famed Rocky statue could soon be a permanent fixture atop the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum again. The Philadelphia Art Commission on Wednesday is slated to vote on a plan that, if approved, would affix the original statue commissioned by Sylvester Stallone for 1982s Rocky III at the top of the museums East entrance steps later this year. Recently proposed by Creative Philadelphia, the citys office for the creative sector, the move stands to place the iconic statue in one of the citys most prominent locations for the umpteenth time since it arrived here more than 40 years ago. Advertisement In fact, Phillys original Rocky statue has been shuttled back and forth between the museum and the stadium complex in South Philly another site that was pitched as its permanent home at least six times, according to Inquirer and Daily News reports. But since 2006, it has sat at the base of the museums famed stair set, its most permanent location to date. Somehow, though, it always seems to end up overlooking the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from on high, however temporarily. And every so often, debate over the statue seems to reignite, regardless of where the statue sits a cycle that has been repeating itself since the dawn of the 1980s. Here is how The Inquirer and Daily News covered the early days of Phillys famed Rocky statue: https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news/188853911/ Article from Dec 11, 1980 Philadelphia Daily News (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) An unnecessarily strident monument The statues roots can be traced back to December 1980, when Stallone proposed the temporary installation of his own bronze visage atop the museum steps for the filming of Rocky III. From the start, the star proposed giving the statue to the city following filming as a way of reaching the common man and perhaps beginning an interest in fine art, production manager Jim Brubaker told the Daily News. In Budapest, you dont always see generals and politicians," Brubaker said. You see working men with picks and shovels and that relates to the working class. That month, Brubaker and sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg presented a model of the proposed statue to the Art Commission, the Fairmount Park Commission, and the museums board. The commission voted 6-2 in favor of letting the statue stay at the museum for the duration of filming, with the two no votes indicating that they didnt want the statue near the museum ever, for any reason, The Inquirer reported. There is a difference between size and greatness, said local artist and commission member Joseph Brown. This is unnecessarily strident. I appreciated Rocky, but I dont think it put our museum and our city on the map. https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news/188853847/ Article from May 9, 1981 Philadelphia Daily News (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Rocky arrives The Rocky statue that Philly knows today officially arrived on May 8, 1981, and was unveiled in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum that afternoon three hours later than expected because the truck that was carrying it got stuck in traffic on the way from West Philly, according to a Daily News report. The plan was for the statue to return to California following filming, but Stallone himself was already admittedly embarrassed by the controversy that had quickly cropped up. Im sorry that got blown out of proportion, Stallone said, according to a Daily News report. Its essentially a prop for the movie. I really dont want to ruffle anyones feathers. After a few days, the Rocky statue was dismantled with the conclusion of filming, and was set to be on its way back to the Golden State. City Representative Dick Doran, however, urged Stallone to reconsider the statues relocation, noting that it could be relocated to the Spectrum in South Philly, or placed outside the Philadelphia Tourist Center on JFK Plaza. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/188854136/ Article from May 25, 1982 The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Phillys Rocky III premiere In May 1982, Rocky III made its premiere in Philadelphia with a screening at the Sameric Theater at 19th and Chestnut in a star-studded affair that began with a reception at the Art Museum in which Stallone himself presented the Rocky statue to Philadelphia, almost exactly a year to the day that it first arrived in town. It was, The Inquirer reported, a 300th birthday gift to the city. On May 24, 1982, the statue was officially unveiled to the city, with Stallone himself pulling the cord on a canvas cover to reveal the sculpture at the top of the museums steps as the Lincoln High School band played the Rocky theme, The Inquirer reported. Stallone had done more for this city than anyone since Benjamin Franklin, said Doran, then the citys commerce director. I owe everything to the city of Philadelphia, Stallone said at the unveiling. If you could cut up the character of Rocky into a million pieces, each of you would be a part of it. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/188854084/ Article from May 24, 1982 The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Schlock, chutzpah, and mediocrity Though the statue was displayed prominently, it was not exactly well-received. The Daily News Kitty Caparella, for example, called it only a movie prop. Inquirer columnist Tom Fox, meanwhile, called the statue a monument to schlock, chutzpah, and mediocrity. Art Commission member Joe Brown, a local painter, meanwhile, told Fox the statue violates the spirit of the museum and its environment, and that the city would be better served by the creation of a statue depicting Tug McGraw, Pete Rose, or Dr. J instead. Still, a museum spokesperson said, attendance had increased since the statues installation, though they believed it was because of a new exhibit featuring the work of artist Thomas Eakins. Those arriving at the museum to see Rocky, the spokesperson told the Daily News, dont even come inside. https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news/188854219/ Article from Aug 3, 1982 Philadelphia Daily News (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Goodbye, Rocky Though the statue was only supposed to initially be installed at the Art Museum through mid-July 1982, it remained there through early August that year, Daily News reports from the time indicate. In fact, it wasnt moved to the Spectrum until Aug. 3, 1982. At the time, no one was willing to foot a reported $25,000 bill to get the statue to the Spectrum, and the issue was only settled after negotiations led to splitting the cost between the Spectrum and distributor United Artists, according to a Daily News report from the time. The city, a Commerce Department staffer told The Inquirer, flatly refused to pay. But on a hot day, the statues run atop the Art Museums steps came to an end. Despite encountering difficulties with removal due to the concrete base upon which it had been installed, workers were ultimately able to send the statue on its way to the Spectrum the spot where it would largely remain until it saw a high-profile move back to the Art Museum for the filming of Rocky V. People are going to miss him, said onlooker Marcy Landesburg, of Wyncote, amid the statues 1982 removal. Theyre having a hard time dislodging him. He doesnt want to go. A Pizza Hut location in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, was remodeled into a "classic" location, featuring the salad bar, red plastic cups, and other vintage touches. Read more Imagine its a Friday night in 1985. You just finished watching Back to the Future with your parents and cousins at the multiplex, and now its time to pile into the Chevy Caprice wagon with faux wood-paneled sides. You beg your dad to put in the Wham! cassette, one more time. Advertisement Youre going to Pizza Hut, of course, and the parking lot is packed. Inside, there are stained-glass lamps hanging over the checkerboard tables, a salad bar, and those red plastic cups. The server brings out your deep-dish pies. They smell almost buttery. You grab your fork and knife because, well, thats how you eat at Pizza Hut. Can you smell it? Taste it? Ah, nostalgia. If youre hankering for Pizza Huts of bygone days or places like the birthday room at McDonalds, you often have to travel back into your memory. Not anymore. Pizza Hut has tapped into the power of nostalgia across the United States by resurrecting some classic restaurants. Theres one in Tunkhannock, a small town in the Endless Mountains of Wyoming County, about 140 miles northeast of Philadelphia. The Pizza Hut, which has been in a shopping center parking lot for decades but was totally revamped restored? into a classic location, complete with the red, angled roof. No touchscreen kiosks, no sleek redesign, just the classic dine-in Hut experience you thought was gone forever. Its more than pizza. Its a full-blown childhood flashback served with breadsticks and a plastic red cup! the Just Pennsylvania Facebook page wrote in May in a post that received 7,500 shares. Its not clear how many Pizza Hut Classic locations exist in the United States, and, oddly, the company did not return multiple requests for comment. According to the Retrologist website, the Tunkhannock location is the only one in Pennsylvania. There appears to be about two dozen in the United States, according to the site, though none in New Jersey or Delaware. The only New York location is in Potsdam, which is closer to Canada than to Pennsylvania. A plaque on the wall of the Tunkhannock location, written by Pizza Hut founder Dan Carney, explains the concept. It reminds us of the Pizza Hut where generations of Americans first fell in love with pizza, Carney wrote. When The Inquirer visited early on a recent Monday, a lunch crowd was beginning to file in. It was probably 10 years ago that they turned it into a classic, and our business has really exploded in the last year, said Paul Bender, a shift leader at the Tunkhannock location. I dont know how it happened, but people really began to notice. Ive had customers come in from Wisconsin, Oregon, Michigan, and, obviously, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We get a lot of people in the parking lot making videos. Bender said the Tunkhannock location is still hoping for a jukebox and old-style video games, like the tabletop Ms. PAC-MAN. That would seal the deal, Bender said. Bender has wondered why more iconic chains havent created throwback locations, like Pizza Hut. Hes seen the power of nostalgia firsthand. Instead, it seems like more and more are getting rid of dine-in altogether, Bender said. But Ive seen grown men, in tears here, saying they came here with their father and mother. Last year, it was reported that a Pittsburgh-area Pizza Hut was bringing back dine-in service, though videos show that its only gone half-classic so far. Work continues on the construction of the ballroom at the White House where the East Wing once stood. Read more Senate Democrats are asking the nonprofit group that is managing donations to the White House ballroom to explain how much money has been raised and whether donors have been promised any special access or influence in exchange for supporting the estimated $400 million project, a top priority of President Donald Trump. You owe Congress and the public answers about your role in managing funds for President Trumps ballroom, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and colleagues wrote in a letter Tuesday to the Trust for the National Mall that was shared with the Washington Post. The lawmakers gave the group two weeks to respond. Advertisement Democrats say limited public disclosure has made it impossible to assess whether safeguards are in place to prevent donors from gaining access or influence through the project. The concerns are heightened, they argue, by Trumps personal involvement in both the projects design and fundraising. The White House has said private donors will entirely cover the ballroom additions cost but has declined to share basic details about the value of those gifts, or whether donors were offered meetings, access or other consideration in return. Publicly identified donors, such as Amazon, Google and Lockheed Martin, collectively have billions of dollars in contracts before the administration. (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns the Washington Post.) The Trust for the National Mall, which has managed past fundraising campaigns to restore the Washington Monument and other projects, has largely referred questions to the White House and the National Park Service since its role in the ballroom project was announced last year. The group also is expected to retain a small percentage about 2.5% of donations to the ballroom project for its own use, Democrats wrote. The Trust did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Administration officials have said the Trust could receive hundreds of millions of dollars in donations tied to the ballroom project, placing the group at the center of a fundraising effort unlike any it has previously managed. Trump administration officials have shared few details about the project, the most significant change to the White House grounds in decades, including the buildings final design. The lack of disclosure has also drawn legal scrutiny. Historic preservationists last month sued the Trump administration, arguing that the ballroom construction is illegal because the project did not undergo required review by two federal panels and Congress did not appropriate funding. The White House has denied the allegations. A hearing in the case is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 29 in U.S. District Court in Washington. Trump administration officials made their first public presentation on the ballroom Thursday, justifying their rapid teardown of the White Houses East Wing annex last fall as a financial decision. The cost analysis proved that demolition and reconstruction provided the lowest total cost ownership and most effective long-term strategy, Joshua Fisher, a senior White House official who is helping manage the project, said at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, a review board set to weigh in on the ballrooms design. Trump has also steadily increased the projects planned seating capacity and estimated cost since announcing the ballroom in July. Officials now say the ballroom will seat about 1,000 people. I started off with a building half of the seats and then it just kept growing and growing, and the money kept pouring in and pouring in, the president told the New York Times last week, adding that he would make the ballroom bigger if he could. Shalom Baranes, the architect Trump tapped to lead the project, told the National Capital Planning Commission last week that the ballroom would not grow further. In their letter to the Trust for the National Mall, Warren and her colleagues asked the group to explain whether it has internal controls or has undertaken other steps to ensure that donors are not given preferential treatment by the Trump administration. This leaves open the question of whether the Trust is being misused to facilitate special-interest access and influence, the senators wrote. They also asked whether Meredith ORourke, a longtime Trump fundraiser who has been coordinating donations, is employed by the Trust or otherwise affiliated with the group. ORourke referred questions about her role with the Trust to the White House, which did not immediately respond. Warrens office also shared letters the senator received from companies that have donated to the project, which offered varied explanations for how they expected their gift to be used. Comcast, for instance, said its donation included no specific limitations or conditions, while Microsoft said its gift would go toward construction. Trump has also said several companies have pledged to cover specific aspects of the project, such as Carrier offering to cover an estimated $17 million in air-conditioning and heating costs. Actor Timothy Busfield in September before an NFL game in Detroit: He faces child sex abuse charges in New Mexico. Read more ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Director and Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield turned himself to authorities on Tuesday to face child sex abuse charges in New Mexico. His apprehension comes after authorities in Albuquerque issued a warrant for his arrest on Jan. 9 on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The charges stem from allegations that Busfield inappropriately touched a young boy on the set of the TV series The Cleaning Lady that he was directing. Advertisement Busfield was being booked by Albuquerque police on the charges, said Gilbert Gallegos, spokesperson for the city police department. A criminal complaint filed by an investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department says the boy reported that he was 7 years old when Busfield touched him three or four times on private areas over his clothing. Busfield allegedly touched him five or six times on another occasion when he was 8, the complaint said. The child was reportedly afraid to tell anyone because Busfield was the director and he feared he would get mad at him, the complaint said. The boys twin brother told authorities he was touched by Busfield but did not specify where. He said he didnt say anything because he didnt want to get in trouble. Busfield denied the allegations last fall when interviewed by authorities as part of the investigation, the complaint said. He suggested that the boys mother was seeking revenge for her children being replaced on the series. He also said he likely would have picked up and tickled the boys, saying the set was a playful environment. Busfields attorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment Tuesday. A video obtained by TMZ showed Busfield in front of a window with the Albuquerque skyline in the backdrop. He said he arrived in the city after driving 2,000 miles. Im going to confront these lies. Theyre horrible. Theyre all lies, Busfield said. The mother of the twins who are identified only by their initials in court records reported to Child Protective Services that the abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, the complaint said. The investigation began in November 2024, when the investigator responded to a call from a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. The boys parents had gone there at the recommendation of a law firm, the complaint said. According to the complaint, one of the boys has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. A social worker documented him saying he has had nightmares about Busfield touching him. The Cleaning Lady aired for four seasons on Fox, ending in 2025. The show was produced by Warner Bros., which according to the complaint conducted its own investigation into the abuse allegations but was unable to corroborate them. Busfield, who is married to actor Melissa Gilbert, is known for appearances in The West Wing, Field of Dreams, and Thirtysomething, the latter of which won him an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series in 1991. In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media from Iran protesters take to the streets of Tehran, Iran, on Saturday despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world. Read more DUBAI, United Arab Emirates 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 646 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. Advertisement 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 spokesperson 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. On Monday, the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran issued an urgent warning to U.S. citizens in Iran to leave now, citing the surge in violence and communications blackout. 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. Meanwhile, Trump announced Monday that countries doing business with Iran will face 25% tariffs from the United States. Trump announced the tariffs in a social media posting, saying they would be effective immediately. It was the first direct action from the president, who believes exacting tariffs can be a useful tool in prodding friends and foes on the global stage to bend to his will. Brazil, China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia are among economies that do business with Tehran. The White House did not immediately offer any further details on the new tariffs. 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 10,700 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. 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 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. Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. Read more NEW YORK Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes. Nurses on strike! ... Fair contract now! they shouted on a picket line outside NewYork-Presbyterian Hospitals 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. Advertisement 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 as she picketed Monday outside Mount Sinai West. 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 strike, 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 Mamdanis 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. Some other Democratic city and state politicians also visited striking nurses, while 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. It could also put a strain on city hospitals not involved in the contract dispute, as patients avoid the medical centers hit by the strike. The nurses demands vary by hospital, but the major issues include staffing levels and workplace safety. 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. The union also wants limitations on hospitals use of artificial intelligence. The hospitals say that theyve been working to improve staffing levels but say that the unions demands overall are too costly. After the nurses gave notice Jan. 2 of the looming strike, the hospitals hired temporary nurses, 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. 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 hasnt publicly disclosed its salary proposal. NewYork-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. 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. JACKSON, Miss. A suspect in an arson fire at a historic Mississippi synagogue admitted to targeting the house of worship because of its Jewish ties and was turned in to authorities by his father who had observed burn marks on his sons ankles, hands, and face, the FBI said Monday. Stephen Pittman was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive. The suspect confessed to lighting a fire inside the building, which he referred to as the synagogue of Satan, according to an FBI affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Mississippi on Monday. Advertisement There was no attorney listed for Pittman in the court docket Monday. The fire ripped through the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday. No congregants or firefighters were injured. Security camera footage released Monday by the synagogue showed a masked and hooded man using a gas can to pour a liquid on the floor and a couch in the buildings lobby. More than five decades earlier, the synagogue was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan because of its rabbis outspoken support for civil rights. The weekend fire badly damaged the 165-year-old synagogues library and administrative offices. Five Torahs the sacred scrolls with the text of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible located inside the sanctuary were being assessed for smoke damage. Two Torahs inside the library, where the most severe damage was done, were destroyed. One Torah that survived the Holocaust was behind glass and was not damaged in the fire, according to the congregation. The suspects father contacted the FBI and said that his son had confessed to setting the building on fire. Pittman had texted his father a photo of the rear of the synagogue before the fire, with the message, Theres a furnace in the back. His father had pleaded with his son to return home, but Pittman replied back by saying he was due for a homerun and I did my research, the affidavit said. During an interview with investigators, Pittman said he stopped at a gas station on his way to the synagogue to purchase the gas used in the fire. He also took the license plate off of his vehicle at the gas station. He used an ax to break out a window of the synagogue, poured gas inside and used a torch lighter to start the fire, the FBI affidavit said. The FBI later recovered a burned cell phone believed to be Pittmans and took possession of a hand torch that a congregant had found. Yellow police tape on Monday blocked off the entrances to the synagogue building, which was surrounded by broken glass and soot. Bouquets of flowers were laid on the ground at the buildings entrance including one with a note that said, Im so very sorry. The congregations president, Zach Shemper, has vowed to rebuild the synagogue and said several churches had offered their spaces for worship during the rebuilding process. With just several hundred people in the community, it was never particularly easy being Jewish in Mississippis capital city, but members of Beth Israel took a special pride in keeping their traditions alive in the heart of the Deep South. With the exception of the cemetery, every aspect of Jewish life in Jackson was under Beth Israels roof. The midcentury modern building not only housed the congregation but also the Jewish Federation, a nonprofit provider of social services and philanthropy that is the hub of Jewish institutional life in most U.S. cities. The building also was home to the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, which provides resources to Jewish communities in 13 southern states. A Holocaust memorial was outdoors behind the synagogue building. Because Jewish children throughout the South have attended summer camp for decades in Utica, Miss., about 30 miles southwest of Jackson, many retain a fond connection to the state and its Jewish community. Jackson is the capital city, and that synagogue is the capital synagogue in Mississippi, said Rabbi Gary Zola, a historian of American Jewry who taught at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. I would call it the flagship, though when we talk about places like New York and Los Angeles, it probably seems like Hicksville. Beth Israel as a congregation was founded in 1860 and acquired its first property where it built Mississippis first synagogue after the Civil War. In 1967, the synagogue moved to its current location, where it was bombed by local Ku Klux Klan members not long after relocating. Two months after that, the home of the synagogues leader, Rabbi Perry Nussbaum, was bombed because of his outspoken opposition to segregation and racism. At a time when opposition to racial segregation could be dangerous in the Deep South, many Beth Israel congregants hoped the rabbi would just stay quiet, but Nussbaum was unshakable in believing he was doing the right thing by supporting civil rights, Zola said. He had this strong, strong sense of justice, Zola said. Milltown's popular Groundhog Day festivities are in jeopardy, following the death of Milltown Mel. Read more A New Jersey towns hopes of celebrating Groundhog Day their way may have been dashed once again. For years, Milltown, a borough in central New Jersey with about 7,000 residents, did its own version of the classic Punxsutawney festivities with a live groundhog front and center. Advertisement But their access to the hero rodent is dwindling, leaving organizers groundhog-less in the towns most crucial hour. State laws ban importing wild animals that could potentially carry rabies. A bill first introduced in 2024 and later passed by New Jersey legislators, intended to carve out an exception to the rule, allowing out-of-state woodchucks (yes, woodchuck and groundhog are interchangeable terms) to be brought in for the sake of the holiday tradition. But on Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy vetoed that bill, citing public safety, sending the Groundhog Day enthusiasts of Milltown back to the drawing board. It wasnt always this way. Milltowns Groundhog Day and the beginning of Milltown Mel Milltowns Groundhog Day dates back to 2009 (much more recent than Punxsutawneys, which started in the 1880s). Jerry and Cathy Guthlein, who owned a funeral home together in Milltown, were inspired by the official celebrations one state over after they made the five-hour drive to see the hubbub for themselves. They were hooked. Jeez, if they can do it, Jerry Guthlein recalled to NJ Advance Media, I can do it. He paid about $300 for a baby groundhog from a Sunbury, Pa., breeder and raised him. That little groundhog grew into the role of Milltown Mel, a beloved local icon who made Groundhog Day predictions for the small town for five years before dying in 2015. Thats when Mel 2.0 stepped up to the plate in 2016; a younger, larger, and friskier groundhog, according to Jerry Guthlein at the time. And then, you guessed it, he was succeeded by Mel 3.0 until he died in 2021 at the age of about 3. The average life span of groundhogs varies. Wild groundhogs live an average of two to three years, but can get up to six years, according to PBS. In captivity, they can live as long as 14 years. READ MORE: An unofficial Groundhog Day musical is taking off on TikTok In the years since founding Milltowns Groundhog Day celebrations, the Guthleins stepped back, and the event would go on to be organized by a group of volunteers known as the Milltown Wranglers, who would tend to the sitting groundhog. During their version of events, theyll hoist an iteration of Mel into the air, while doughnuts and coffee are served to attendees and local bands play. After Mel 3.0s death in 2021, Russell Einbinder, one of the Milltown Wranglers, drove to Tennessee to pick up a newborn replacement groundhog. But state officials seized the chuckling (the real and adorable phrase baby woodchucks/groundhogs are called) months later, the New York Times reported. Officials cited concerns for public health and wildlife disease, including rabies. Those concerns arent just groundhog-focused. Importing groundhogs and other wild animals is part of a longstanding state ban dating back decades to help prevent rabies and other diseases. Notably, you cant test an animal for rabies unless its dead, according to the CDC. Still, the seizure rubbed Einbinder and other groundhog enthusiasts the wrong way. He never actually got to be the Mel, Einbinder told the Times. The Inquirer reached out to Einbinder for comment but did not hear back as of publication time. Wranglers attempted for years to find a legal groundhog, but the original Pennsylvania breeder who brought on Mel the first had died. Other reputable breeders were gone. Einbinders calls to zoos and wildlife rescues were fruitless. And just like that, Milltowns Groundhog Day went dormant. Local lawmakers seek a carveout In 2024, legislators worked on and passed a bill that would create a special exception to New Jerseys general ban on importing wild animals. The carveout would allow towns and counties to import woodchucks for their Groundhog Day celebrations if their local groundhog died. The bill included guardrails, including that the municipality would need to prioritize finding a New Jersey groundhog before looking elsewhere. There was also a provision that the Division of Fish and Wildlife would be involved and set up a procedure to help relocate and import woodchucks, and create rules for how they should be housed and cared for. Sterley S. Stanley (D., Middlesex) was a primary sponsor of the bill. Hes better known for his work on healthcare reform, but got involved with the local bill after meeting Einbinder and becoming fascinated by the backstory, according to NJ Advance Media. While I am disappointed that we could not establish a new pathway for Milltown to procure a new groundhog, I look forward to continuing to work with state and community partners to find a creative solution to this issue that allows Milltown to resume this cherished tradition within the current regulatory framework set forth by relevant authorities, Stanley told The Inquirer on Tuesday. Initially, the bill earned a lot of giggles at meetings, but received near-unanimous lawmaker support and moved through both legislative houses between 2024 and 2025 with ultimate approval. The legislature ultimately passed the bill, but too late for a Milltown Groundhog Day to be organized for 2025. We have been working very hard to get that statute changed, but it has not happened yet, the wranglers wrote on their Facebook page at the time last January. Until that change occurs, we cannot continue our annual celebration. Hopefully the necessary legislation will be done in time for us to resume Groundhog Day next year. Now, with less than a month until Groundhog Day 2026, Murphy has vetoed the bill entirely, leaving Milltowns Groundhog Day at risk of being canceled for the sixth year in a row. Defending these State interests can pose obstacles to obtaining a permit to import wildlife from outside New Jersey, which may understandably frustrate communities that engage in celebrations traditionally involving wildlife, Gov. Murphy said in a statement included in his veto notice. However, the State must uphold its obligation to protect the people and animals of New Jersey. The Governors Office declined to comment further. Its unclear whats next for Milltowns Groundhog Day. In his statement, Gov. Murphy said he didnt think vetoing the loophole meant Milltown should abandon its festivities. Instead, he encouraged organizers to work with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife to find some sort of alternative opportunity, though he didnt elaborate on what that might look like. Years back, after one of the Mels deaths, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wrote to Milltown organizers, encouraging them to opt for an animatronic groundhog or a costume instead of a live animal. But organizers brushed off concerns and continued to buy the chucklings when they could source them. Organizers havent posted an update on their Facebook page since last February and could not be reached for comment as of publication time. Jeffrey Rosen has stepped down as president and CEO of the National Constitution Center after 12 years of leading the private, nonprofit institution. The center made the announcement Friday on the social media platform LinkedIn. Advertisement Rosen will remain as CEO emeritus. Vincent Stango, who has been serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer, has assumed the role as interim president and CEO. The center will conduct a national search for the top leadership position, a spokesperson said Monday. It has been an honor to serve the National Constitution Center and to work alongside such an extraordinary board and staff in advancing this mission, Rosen said in a statement. As we approach Americas 250th anniversary, I am proud to pass the baton to Vince and our exceptional leadership team who are fully ready to guide the Centers next chapter, Rosen said. As CEO Emeritus, Im looking forward to devoting more time to scholarship, writing, and public engagement around the enduring ideas of the Constitution and the American experiment. This seems like the right time to do that given the exciting programs we have in place for America 250, Rosen added. The National Constitution Center is known for awarding the annual Liberty Medal, which has been given to such notable figures in recent years as Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine; legendary boxer Muhammad Ali; and then-Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Anthony M. Kennedy. The center, located at the north end of Independence Mall, was the stage for the only 2024 presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, and has held talks with Supreme Court justices, including in September with Amy Coney Barrett. Stango has been with the National Constitution Center for 26 years. Im grateful for the trust our Board of Trustees has placed in me, privileged to work with colleagues whose dedication and talents I admire tremendously, and enormously thankful to Jeffrey Rosen for his 12 years of extraordinary service and the legacy he leaves behind, Stango said in a statement. In a 2014 Inquirer interview, Doug DeVos, a board member and president of Amway, said Rosen was picked for the job because of his background as a constitutional scholar and his network of friends at the highest legal levels, including Ginsburg. He had the skills to engage people in conversation, and really that was the piece that set him apart. He doesnt do it in a way that says: Hey, I am really smart. Let me tell you everything I know. Its more like, Lets talk, DeVos said. Rosen graduated from Harvard University and earned a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. He served as a law clerk for Chief Judge Abner Mikva of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He was legal affairs editor at the New Republic and found himself interviewing members of the Supreme Court. Rosen was an early advocate for Ginsberg, and she credited him with helping her get the 1993 nomination from President Bill Clinton to the high court. Rosen remains listed as a professor of law at George Washington University. He is the author of several books, most recently "The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America." Union Trinity AME Church, one of Philadelphias historic Black religious institutions and known as The Friendly Church, was vandalized with racist graffiti over the weekend. Pastor Tianda Smart-Heath was informed of the vandalism shortly after Sunday service, where she found racist slogans invoking the name of God and enslaved people sprayed onto the exterior walls of the more than 200-year-old church, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. Advertisement The newly merged church, Union Trinity AME in North Philadelphia, hasnt welcomed congregants inside the historic building since 2020, and it is currently under construction, according to Fox 29. In that time, church service has been held at the Beckett Life Center next door. Smart-Heath told local media that the church has been vandalized before, including trespassing and theft, but never with racist hate speech. Police responded to the vandalism on Sunday to photograph the scene and conduct a follow-up investigation. The case is overseen by PPD Central Detectives. African Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches are part of a vast network of independent Black Christian churches that was started in Philadelphia two centuries ago, when Richard Allen founded Mother Bethel AME in 1787. In a separate incident, which was not a hate crime, a vandal broke three windows at Mother Bethel AME almost two years ago, including precious stained-glass windows. More than 400 donors stepped in to fund repairs. The vandalism at Union Trinity AME closely follows a separate hate crime at Roxborough High School, where a masked vandal spray-painted racist and antisemitic epithets across the school building. Police have released a description and video of the suspect in the hate crime. Hate crimes have more than tripled in Pennsylvania since 2020, according to the most recent No Hate in Our State report from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC). The most prevalent form of hate crime in Pennsylvania, according to FBI reports, is anti-Black or anti-African American hate crimes, accounting for more than one out of every four hate crimes committed in the state in the last five years. Any attack on the Black Church as one of the historical foundations of the African American community needs to be condemned and looked at through the lens of a potential hate crime, said PHRC executive director Chad Dion Lassiter. We can no longer be silent in this moment of outward hatred and rage toward any institution of faith. Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert, talks about his work at his studio in Dublin, Calif., in 2006. Read more Scott Adams, who became a hero to millions of cubicle-dwelling office workers as the creator of the satirical comic strip Dilbert, only to rebrand himself as a digital provocateur at home in the Trump eras right-wing mediasphere with inflammatory comments about race, politics, and identity, died Jan. 13. He was 68. His former wife Shelly Miles Adams announced his death in a live stream Tuesday morning, reading a statement she said Mr. Adams had prepared before his death. I had an amazing life, the statement said in part. I gave it everything I had. Advertisement Mr. Adams announced in May 2025 that he had metastatic prostate cancer, with only months to live. In a YouTube live stream, he said he had tried to avoid discussing his diagnosis (once you go public, youre just the dying cancer guy) but decided to speak up after President Joe Biden revealed he had the same illness. Id like to extend my respect and compassion for the ex-president and his family because theyre going through an especially tough time, he said. Its a terrible disease. Years before the film comedy Office Space and TV series The Office satirized the workplace on-screen, Dilbert poked fun at corporate jargon, managerial ineptitude and the indignities of life in the cubicle farm. Mr. Adams was working as an engineer for the Pacific Bell telephone company when he began doodling on his cubicle whiteboard in the 1980s, dreaming of a new, more creatively fulfilling career as a cartoonist. Before long, he was amusing colleagues with his drawings of a mouthless, potato-shaped office worker: an anonymous-looking man with a bulbous nose, furrowed pate, and upturned red-and-white striped tie. His doodles evolved into Dilbert, a syndicated comic strip that debuted in 1989 and eventually appeared in more than 2,000 newspapers around the world, rivaling Peanuts and Garfield in popularity. Years before the film comedy Office Space and TV series The Office satirized the workplace on-screen, Dilbert poked fun at corporate jargon, managerial ineptitude, and the indignities of life in the cubicle farm. In one strip, the title character is awarded a promotion with no extra pay, just more responsibility, because its how we recognize our best people. In another, hes presented with an employee location device a dog collar. Other Dilbert cartoons could be crassly funny. Seeking to improve the companys image, Dilberts pointy-haired boss hires an ad agency that uses a computer program to come up with a new high-tech name for the firm, using random words from astronomy and electronics. Their suggestion: Uranus-Hertz. Mr. Adams proved adept at growing his audience during the tech boom of the 1990s, creating a Dilbert website long before most other cartoonists took to the internet. He also became the first major syndicated cartoonist to include his email address in his comic strip, an innovation that allowed readers to contact him directly with ideas. Their feedback convinced him to focus the cartoon entirely on the workplace, after some of the strips early installments explored Dilberts home life. Interviewed by the Wall Street Journal in 1994, Mr. Adams observed that the universal thread uniting the strips readers is powerlessness. Dilbert has no power over anything. By the end of the decade, Dilbert seemed to be everywhere, appearing on the cover of business magazines and in book-length compendiums. Mr. Adams signed off on the creation of a Dilbert Visa card and a Ben & Jerrys ice cream flavor, branded as Totally Nuts; licensed his cartoon characters for commercials; and partnered with Seinfeld writer Larry Charles to develop an animated Dilbert television series, which aired for two seasons on the now-defunct UPN network. Capitalizing on the cartoons success, he also put out a shelfful of satirical business books, beginning with the 1996 bestseller The Dilbert Principle. Inspired by the Peter Principle, a management concept in which employees are said to be promoted to their level of incompetence, Mr. Adams argued that the most ineffective workers are systematically moved to the place where they can do the least damage: management. He wasnt entirely joking. As he saw it, the people who spouted inane ideas, sucked up to management and pretended they knew more than they did were the ones who got promoted. The workplace was a mess, he suggested, but by calling out bosses bad behavior, Dilbert could be a force for good. I heard from lots of people who told me, My boss started to say something that was ridiculous management fad talk, buzzwords but he stopped himself and said, OK, this sounds like it came out of a Dilbert comic, and then started speaking in English again. There is a fear of being the target of humor, Mr. Adams told the Harvard Business Review. Companies such as Xerox incorporated the character into communications and training programs. But some critics found the cartoons sarcasm more corrosive than entertaining. Author and progressive activist Norman Solomon, who wrote a book-length critique of the comic, argued that Dilbert was hardly subversive, saying that it offered more for bosses than workers. Dilbert does not suggest that we do much other than roll our eyes, find a suitably acid quip, and continue to smolder while avoiding deeper questions about corporate power in our society, Solomon wrote. Mr. Adams scoffed at the criticism, lampooning Solomon by name in his books and comic strips. My goal is not to change the world, he told the Associated Press in 1997. My goal is to make a few bucks and hope you laugh in the process. In interviews, he was often self-deprecating, declaring that his comic strip was poorly drawn and noting that long before he made Dilbert he failed at many things, including computer games he attempted to program and sell. His other failures included the Dilberito, a line of vitamin-filled veggie wraps that ended up making people very gassy, and his short-lived attempt at managing an unprofitable restaurant, Staceys at Waterford, that he owned in the Bay Area. Certainly Im an example of the Dilbert Principle, he told the New York Times in 2007, a few months into his stint as a restaurant boss. I cant cook. I cant remember customers orders. I cant do most of the jobs I pay people to do. (Employees told the newspaper that Mr. Adams was loyal and kind, yet totally clueless. Ive been in this business 23 years, and Ive seen a lot of things, the head chef said. He truly has no idea what hes doing.) On the side, Mr. Adams blogged about fitness, politics, and the art of seduction drawing, he said, on his training as a certified hypnotist, which he learned before becoming a cartoonist. He also wrote about his struggles with focal dystonia, a neurological disorder, which caused spasms in his pinkie finger that made it difficult to draw. Mr. Adams said he developed tricks to get around the issue, holding his pen or pencil to the paper for just a few seconds at a time, and underwent experimental surgery to treat a related condition, spasmodic dysphonia, that hindered his ability to speak. Politically, he cast himself as an independent, saying he didnt vote and was not a member of any party. But he also veered into far-right political terrain on his blog, including in a 2006 post in which he questioned how the Holocaust death total of 6 million was determined. A few years later, writing about mens rights, he compared societys treatment of women to its treatment of children and people with mental disabilities. You dont argue with a 4-year old about why he shouldnt eat candy for dinner. You dont punch a mentally handicapped guy even if he punches you first. And you dont argue when a woman tells you shes only making 80 cents to your dollar. Its the path of least resistance, he wrote. Mr. Adams made headlines with his prediction that Donald Trump, whom he considered a master of persuasion, would win the 2016 presidential election. He was later invited to the White House after publishing the 2017 nonfiction book Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Dont Matter. (The books cover art featured an orange-hued drawing of Dogbert, Dilberts megalomaniacal pet dog, with a Trumplike swoosh of hair.) He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasnt fashionable to do so, Trump said Tuesday in a Truth Social post, referring to Mr. Adams as the Great Influencer. My condolences go out to his family, and all of his many friends and listeners. Amid a national reckoning on race in the 2020s, Mr. Adams sparked a backlash for his criticisms of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and for social media posts in which he joked that he was going to self-identify as a Black woman after President Joe Biden vowed to nominate an African American woman to the Supreme Court. In 2022, he introduced Dilberts first Black character, an engineer named Dave who announces to colleagues that he identifies as white, ruining managements plan to add some diversity to the engineering team. The following year, Dilbert was dropped by hundreds of newspapers, including The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, after Mr. Adams delivered a rant that was widely decried as hateful and racist. Appearing on his YouTube live-stream show, Real Coffee With Scott Adams, he discussed a controversial Rasmussen poll asking people if they agreed with the statement Its OK to be white, a slogan associated with the white supremacist movement. About a quarter of Black respondents said no. Mr. Adams was appalled by the results. He declared that African Americans were a hate group, adding: I dont want to have anything to do with them. And I would say, based on the current way things are going, the best advice I would give to white people is to get the hell away from Black people. Within a week his syndicate and publisher, Andrews McMeel Universal, cut ties with the cartoonist. Mr. Adams defended his comments, saying he had meant the remarks as hyperbole, and found support from conservative political activists as well as billionaire Tesla executive Elon Musk. In a follow-up show on YouTube, he disavowed racism against individuals while also telling viewers that you should absolutely be racist whenever its to your advantage. Weeks later, he relaunched Dilbert on the subscription website Locals, vowing that the comic would be spicier less PC than the original. Only the dying leftist Fake News industry canceled me (for out-of-context news of course), he tweeted in March 2023. Social media and banking unaffected. Personal life improved. Never been more popular in my life. From bank teller to cartoonist Scott Raymond Adams was born in Windham, N.Y., a ski town in the Catskills, on June 8, 1957. His father was a postal clerk, and his mother was a real estate agent who later worked on a speaker-factory assembly line. Growing up, Mr. Adams copied characters out of his favorite comic strips, Charles M. Schulzs Peanuts and Russell Myers Broom-Hilda. He applied for a correspondence course at the Famous Artists School but was rejected, he said, because he was only 11. The minimum age was 12. Mr. Adams eventually took a drawing course at Hartwick College in Oneonta, an hours drive from his hometown. He received the lowest grade in the class and decided to focus instead on economics, receiving a bachelors degree in 1979. He moved to San Francisco, got a job as a bank teller at Crocker National Bank and, in his telling, was twice robbed at gunpoint while working behind the counter. At night, he took business classes at the University of California at Berkeley. He earned an MBA in 1986 and joined PacBell as an applications engineer, though he found himself deeply unhappy. About 60 percent of my job at Pacific Bell involved trying to look busy, he wrote in a 2013 book, How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life. After watching a public television series, Funny Business: The Art in Cartooning, he decided he had found his calling. Mr. Adams struck up a correspondence with the shows host, cartoonist John Jack Cassady, who encouraged him to submit to major magazines like Playboy and the New Yorker. All his cartoons were rejected. But with Cassadys encouragement, Mr. Adams continued to draw, waking up at 4 a.m. and sitting down with a cup of coffee to work on doodles of Dilbert and other characters. He stayed motivated in part by writing an affirmation: I, Scott Adams, will become a famous cartoonist. Even after he signed a contract to publish Dilbert through United Feature Syndicate, Mr. Adams continued to work at his day job, making $70,000 a year and gathering ideas for his strip while sitting at cubicle No. 4S700R. He left the company in 1995, and two years later he won the National Cartoonists Societys highest honor, the Reuben Award for cartoonist of the year. Mr. Adams was twice married and divorced, to Shelly Miles and Kristina Basham. Information on survivors was not immediately available. Looking back on his career, Mr. Adams said he was especially proud of two novellas he had written, Gods Debris (2001) and the sequel The Religion War (2004). The latter was set in 2040 and revolved around a civilizational clash between the West and a fundamentalist Muslim society in the Middle East. Discussing the plot in a 2017 interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, Mr. Adams said that the Muslim extremists are defeated after the hero builds a wall around them and essentially kills everybody there. I have to be careful, because Im talking about something pretty close to genocide, so Im not saying I prefer it, Im saying I predict it, he added. The magazine reported that Mr. Adams believed the novellas, not Dilbert, would be his ultimate legacy. A Montgomery County office which one county commissioner described as a far less controversial version of Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency has helped the county find $14 million in savings within the past year and reduce the deficit by half. Montgomery Countys Office of Innovation, Strategy, and Performance (OISP), announced in February 2025, spent the last year meeting with department heads to identify areas for cost cutting and streamlining services, such as eliminating almost a dozen vacant positions worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, saving $1.5 million on a prescription benefits provider, and conserving half a million dollars by bringing some county legal services in house. Advertisement In 2026, the office could consider integrating artificial intelligence into county services, with the support of all three commissioners, aimed at cutting red tape for residents and county employees. Its kind of like DOGE, said Commissioner Vice Chair Neil Makhija, a Democrat, noting that the office has outlived DOGEs period of high activity when Musk was in charge before he stepped away last spring. We didnt just take the richest person in the county and tell them to cut, you know, benefits for poor people, which is what the federal DOGE was, Makhija said. Also unlike DOGE which under Musks leadership was responsible for the haphazard slashing of thousands of federal workers jobs during the first year of President Donald Trumps second term the office does not envision layoffs becoming part of its mission. The offices work comes on the heels of the countys $632.7 million operating budget and a roughly $25.5 million deficit, resulting in a 4% property tax increase for residents. Republicans have made looking for inefficiencies in government part of their brand. But Democratic leaders in Pennsylvania have also started taking on streamlining government. Gov. Josh Shapiro has touted how hes cut processing time for licenses and accelerated the permitting process for building projects. And in blue Montgomery County, a bipartisan group of leaders says that responsible government efficiency should be a pillar of good government, regardless of political party. What happened with DOGE at the federal level was hard to watch and certainly not the approach that were going to take in Montgomery County, but, any leader has to go through this exercise of are we optimizing our resources? Are we leaving money on the table? Are there opportunities to improve the performance of our people? said County Commissioner Chair Jamila Winder, a Democrat. Like all of those are just disciplines that are industry agnostic, and so I dont think its a Republican or a Democrat thing, Winder added. Commissioner Tom DiBello, the only Republican on the board, agrees, saying that he has high expectations for the office and its ability to oversee the adequate spending of taxpayer dollars. I mean, thats our job. It has nothing to do with Republican or Democrat. My feeling, it has to do with taxpayer money, DiBello said. Were supposed to be stewards of taxpayer money. Is artificial intelligence the next step? The OISP was launched in February 2025 after the office previously served as the county COVID-19 pandemic Recovery Office, ensuring approximately $161 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act were being used appropriately. When Stephanie Tipton, deputy chief operating officer, was hired in Montgomery County in September 2024 after more than 16 years in leadership in Philadelphia, county officials started discussing how to translate that oversight practice at the Recovery Office to every facet of county spending and performance. That mentality helped the OISP cut the county deficit in half and focus on ways to reduce it in the long term, such as eliminating longstanding vacant positions around the county, including on the board of assessment, which does real estate evaluations. The office also helped develop performance management standards for departments. What we were really interested in is finding things that we could make repeatable year after year, and that would move forward, whether that was restructuring positions and eliminating vacancies that we dont carry forward to doing a trend analysis on spending, said Eli Gilman, project director of the 11-person office. He noted that the team was kind of building a plane while we were flying. County governments are always trying to be efficient with taxpayer dollars, said Kyle Kopko, executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, especially in the aftermath of last years state budget impasse. But Montgomery Countys decision to have a dedicated office for efficiency is fairly unique, he said. This is something that has become more and more of a focus of counties everywhere just because were not sure if were going to have the consistency of on-time state funds, Kopko said. The next phase for the office? Cutting red tape for residents. And part of that may be through enlisting artificial intelligence, something the county has been examining through the commissioners Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence for Public Good established in April 2025. The goal here is like, how can we leverage this new and emerging technology to help us make it easier for residents to access services, Tipton said. Make it easier, reduce the burden on our frontline staff, so they can spend more time in sort of customer-facing, client-facing activities. AI will be something that many counties across Pennsylvania will be grappling with moving forward, Kopko said. Though some counties are wary of using it for sensitive information. Everyone has a different idea as to what they would want to see AI used for in Montgomery County. Makhija wants to make court documents accessible by chatbot. Winder says she wants to see AI help county employees be more efficient in their roles. And DiBello, who worked in tech software, said as long as accuracy is prioritized, AI could one day be used in situations where residents dont have to speak directly to someone. But first, Tipton said, the county wants to internally test AI tools to make sure that we have the right sort of governance and guardrails before launching it to the public. When Tipton joined Montgomery County she said she had a clear mandate from the commissioners to look at department spending. She also wants it to be a transparent process for residents and the office plans to launch an open data site to the public in the second half of 2026. We want to make sure that moving forward, when we are making investments in the budget we can really understand more clearly how that is impacting service delivery, so we can tie that more directly to work that were doing, Tipton said. A federal judge on Monday cleared Danish offshore wind developer Orsted to resume work on its nearly finished Revolution Wind project, which U.S. President Donald Trumps administration halted along with four other projects last month. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth is a legal setback for Trump, who has spent the last year seeking to block expansion of offshore wind in federal waters. It was the second time in four months the $5 billion Revolution Wind project has sought, and won, a temporary court order to block a government stop-work order. Orsteds Revolution Wind lawsuit is one of several filed by offshore wind companies and states seeking to reverse the Interior Departments December 22 suspension of five offshore wind leases over what it said were national security concerns around radar interference. States Say Trump Order Halting Wind Projects Defies Explanation Mondays hearing was the first of three that will be held this week. The others involve Equinors EQNR.OL Empire Wind, off the coast of New York, and Dominions Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind facility. There was no immediate comment from the Interior Department. Orsted said it would resume work on Revolution Wind as soon as possible while its lawsuit progresses. Revolution Wind will determine how best it may be possible to work with the US Administration to achieve an expeditious and durable resolution, the energy company said in a statement. Government attorneys had argued that the pause was justified by new, classified information regarding offshore winds impacts on national security revealed to Interior officials by the Defense Department in November. Lamberth rejected the administrations argument that national security concerns justified halting the project, which he said would be irreparably harmed without an injunction. You want to stop everything in place, costing them one-and-a-half million a day, while you decide what you want to do? Lamberth, who was appointed by former President Ronald Reagan, asked Justice Department attorney Peter Torstensen during the hearing. Lamberth also said he was troubled by Interior Secretary Doug Burgums recent criticism of offshore wind for reasons unrelated to national security. In television interviews on the day Interior ordered the pause, Burgum said offshore wind was expensive, unreliable, reliant on foreign-made equipment and harmful to ocean life. Revolution Wind attorney Janice Schneider argued the governments pause had violated federal laws governing administrative procedure and due process, adding that the developer had not been able to review the classified assessment on offshore wind. This Court should be very skeptical of the governments true motives here, Schneider said. Offshore wind developers including Orsted have faced repeated disruptions to multi-billion dollar projects under U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said he finds wind turbines ugly, expensive and inefficient. The project is about 87% complete and is expected to begin generating power this year, Orsted has said. Revolution Wind LLC is a 50-50 joint venture between Orsted and Global Infrastructure Partners Skyborn Renewables. Orsted has also sued on behalf of its Sunrise Wind project off the coast of New York. (Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by Edmund Klamann, David Gregorio and Lincoln Feast.) Topics Legislation A Baltimore County judge sentenced Michael C. Okolo, of Parkville, Maryland, to six months incarceration for two counts of insurance fraud and one count of obstruction of justice. A jury found Okolo guilty of those charges on December 4 last year. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown said the jury found that Okolo twice misappropriated a clients funds intended for life insurance and annuity policy premiums. After the client gave Okolo two incomplete checks totaling $36,500, Okolo illegally made them payable to his own business, deposited them into his own business account, and used the money for personal and business expenses. The jury also found Okolo guilty of obstructing justice. In May 2025, after being charged with insurance fraud for the acts above, Okolo disclosed an exculpatory letter purportedly written and signed by the client, intending that it be admitted in evidence at his upcoming trial. Okolo, however, had fabricated the letter. Jury Finds Agent Guilty of Twice Misappropriating Clients Insurance Funds Upon his release, Okolo will be on three years of supervised probation. If he violates probation, he could be sentenced to as much as 9.5 years of additional incarceration. Okolo has paid restitution. Okolo has been charged in two other cases which are scheduled for trial later this year. In one, Okolo is charged with theft of $100,000 or more after allegedly spending another clients funds intended for a real estate investment on unrelated personal and business expenses. In the other, Okolo is charged with numerous counts of acting as an insurance agent without a license for allegedly soliciting and selling insurance products after the Maryland Insurance Administration revoked his license. Charges are merely accusations and Okolo is presumed innocent of the additional charges until the state proves the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Source: Maryland Attorney General Topics Agencies Fraud The British Broadcasting Corp. signaled some of its defenses against President Donald Trumps $10 billion defamation lawsuit, telling a judge that the documentary at the center of the case was fair despite a misleading edit of one segment. The BBC on Monday asked a federal judge in Miami to pause the exchange of evidence in the suit, filed last month, until a ruling is issued on the broadcasters motion to dismiss the case, which is due in March. The BBC also said it will aim to move the case to New York from Florida if the suit isnt dismissed, because the claims relate to a documentary that BBC did not create in Florida, produce in Florida, or air in Florida. Read more: Trump Sues Britains BBC for $10 Billion Over Speech Edit Trump sued over a misleading edit in a documentary before the 2024 presidential election that gave the impression hed made a direct call for violence in a speech before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. BBC Chairman Samir Shah acknowledged Nov. 10 that the edited footage of Trumps speech, aired on the Panorama program in 2024, wrongly gave the impression of a direct call for violent action. Days later, the broadcaster issued a second apology, but rejected the presidents demand for compensation. According to the filing Monday, Trumps lawsuit fails to meet the high bar necessary for alleging defamation against a public figure. The standard requires a showing of whats known as actual malice, meaning the allegedly defamatory statement was made intentionally or with a reckless disregard for the truth. The lack of actual malice is underscored by the fact that the brief clip, which shows less than 15 seconds of plaintiffs speech on January 6, is part of an hour-long film containing extensive coverage of his supporters and balanced coverage of his path to reelection, the BBCs lawyers wrote. Trumps legal team did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Photograph: The British Broadcasting Corp. logo; photo credit: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg Related: Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits Governments and regulators from Europe to Asia are cracking down on sexually explicit content generated by Elon Musks 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 around the world made earlier in January. EUROPE The European Commission 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, amid concern over Grok-generated sexualized undressed images. On Monday, Britains media regulator Ofcom 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 countrys Online Safety Act framework. In France, government ministers said they had referred sexually explicit Grok-generated content circulating on X to prosecutors and also alerted French media regulator Arcom to check the platforms compliance with the European Unions Digital Services Act. Germanys media minister Wolfram Weimer called on the European Commission to take legal steps, saying EU rules provided tools to tackle illegal content and alleging the problem risked turning into the industrialisation of sexual harassment. Italys 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 offenses. Swedish political leaders have also condemned Grok-generated sexualized undressing content after reporting that imagery involving Swedens deputy prime minister was produced from a user prompt. ASIA Indias IT Ministry sent X a formal notice on January 2 over alleged Grok-enabled creation or sharing of obscene sexualized images, directing the content to be taken down and requiring a report on the actions being taken within 72 hours. Indonesias communications and digital ministry said it had blocked access to Grok, a move that digital minister Meutya Hafid said was meant to protect women and children from AI-generated fake pornographic content, citing Indonesias strict antipornography laws. Malaysia announced a temporary ban on Grok on Sunday, citing repeated misuse of the tool to generate obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive, and non-consensual manipulated images, including content involving women and minors. OCEANIA Australias online-safety regulator eSafety said it was investigating Grok-generated digitally undressed sexualized 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? Groks developer xAI, Xs parent company,has put in place restrictions that allow only paid subscribers to use image generation and editing features on the platform. X says 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. Musk had said earlier on X that anyone using Grok to make illegal content would suffer the same consequences as if they uploaded illegal content. (Reporting by Hugo Lhomedet in Gdansk and Sam Tabahriti in London, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak) Related: A service door that might have offered a second escape route at the Swiss bar where a deadly fire claimed 40 lives on New Years Eve was locked at the time of the incident, one of the managers told Swiss prosecutors, according to national broadcaster RTS. The man, who co-owned the bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana with his wife, told authorities he went to unblock one of the bars ground floor doors from the outside and found bodies behind it, RTS reported without saying how it obtained the information. The man also bought sound-proofing foam from a hardware store and attached it himself to the bars ceilings, according to the RTS report. The fire appears to have originated with sparklers held aloft in champagne bottles setting the highly flammable foam ablaze, prosecutors have said. Read more: Fire Safety Inspections Lapsed for Years at Swiss Bar Where 40 Died in New Years Blaze Lawyers for the couple didnt immediately return a message seeking comment. The prosecutors office in the canton of Valais, where the deadly incident occurred, acknowledged Bloombergs request for comment on the report but declined to immediately respond. Officials are investigating the couple over alleged fire safety failures, and have said that possible charges could include homicide and bodily injury by negligence. The man was arrested following questioning on Friday, after being deemed a flight risk, prosecutors said. A court on Monday ordered that the manager be detained for three months, but said it would be open to lifting pretrial detention in favor of alternative measures proposed by prosecutors, including a bail payment. Pretrial detention is a procedural measure intended solely to ensure the proper conduct of the investigation, the court said. It is therefore not a means of punishing the defendant, who is presumed innocent until a conviction becomes final. The wider investigation has also revealed failures on the part of local authorities. The mayor of Crans Montana acknowledged that the bar hadnt been inspected for fire safety compliance since 2019. Under local law, the municipality was responsible for conducting fire safety checks on a regular basis. Many of those who died were teenagers, with the youngest just 14 years old. Some of the more than 100 people injured are still being treated in hospitals across Europe. Photograph: Messages and flowers at a memorial in front of the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 9, 2025; photo credit: Maxime Schmid/AFP/Getty Images Related: Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Chaucer Group and Price Forbes Singapore. A summary of these new hires follows here. Chaucer Taps Carpenters Loh as CEO Singapore, AXA XLs Bryan to Lead Reinsurance APAC Chaucer Group, the global specialty re/insurance group, announced the appointment of Les Loh to the role chief executive officer Singapore, effective from March 2, 2026, subject to regulatory approval. In his new role, Loh will report to Angus Milgate, global head of distribution. Loh succeeds Margaret To, who will transition to a consultancy role. In addition, Chaucer has appointed Dan Bryan as head of reinsurance Asia Pacific (APAC), who will take up his new role in Q2 2026, reporting to Loh. Loh joins from Guy Carpenter where he held the role of CEO Southeast Asia and Korea. He brings with him more than 27 years of experience across broking and underwriting, having also held roles at AXIS Capital, notably as president, APAC, and Benfield, as a senior broker. He is a well-known figure in the APAC market, and his appointment reflects Chaucers ambition in the region. Bryan has more than two decades of experience and joins from AXA XL Re, where he was head of Asia, reinsurance. Prior to this, he spent time at Aspen Insurance Group as head of property reinsurance and Guy Carpenter as senior vice president. In his new role, he will be responsible for the oversight of Chaucers APAC reinsurance operation as it looks to strengthen its offering in the region. Chaucer places great importance on the APAC market and is committed to attracting talent with deep regional expertise and diverse experience to best support our clients, commented Richard Milner, Chaucer CEO. We are delighted to welcome Les and Dan to the team in Singapore. Their appointments strengthen Chaucers capabilities as we look ahead to the next phase of our growth. Milner went on to thank Margaret To for her outstanding contribution over the last 17 years. Her experience and expertise as a consultant will prove a tremendous resource for Les as he steps into the leadership role. Chaucer is a member of the China Re Group, one of the worlds largest reinsurance companies. *** Price Forbes Singapore Names Carpenters Heath as Head of Reinsurance and Wholesale Price Forbes announced that Dick Heath has been appointed to the role of head of Reinsurance and Wholesale, Singapore, effective immediately. He will report directly to Philip Johnson, chief executive officer, Price Forbes Asia Pacific. Heath, a well-known and respected figure in the APAC re/insurance market, will be responsible for leading and developing Price Forbes reinsurance and wholesale proposition across its Singapore platform to maximize growth opportunities and to best serve the shifting needs of this rapidly growing sector. Heath brings more than four decades of broking and underwriting experience to the role, with the last 12 years spent in the Singapore market. He joins from Gallagher, where he served as CEO, Asia, having previously expanded the firms presence in the region as managing director of its Singapore hub. His appointment forms part of Price Forbes Singapores broader organizational approach, with the business operating across three centers of excellence: Reinsurance & Wholesale, Specialty & Retail, and Marine, Credit & Political Risk which allows for dedicated focus across each area while supporting the businesss continued growth. Price Forbes and Price Forbes Re are part of The Ardonagh Group, one of the worlds largest independent insurance distribution platforms and a top 20 global broker. Topics Reinsurance Cristal Gale Kastantin, of Wheatland, Iowa, was arrested on January 3, 2026, on outstanding arrest warrants for committing insurance fraud, the Iowa Insurance Division announced. Kastantin was charged with one count of Ongoing Criminal Conduct (Class B Felony), one count of Theft 1st Degree (Class C Felony), one count of Theft 2nd Degree (Class D Felony), and one count of Fraudulent Submission (Class D Felony). According to criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Divisions Fraud Bureau and the Clinton County Sheriffs Office, the criminal charges relate to conduct perpetrated by Kastantin during her former employment at an insurance agency located in Wheatland that has since been permanently closed. Kastantin employed a scheme to commit theft through the misuse of work funds for her own personal gain. Kastantin surreptitiously used work funds on at least several dozen occasions to make unauthorized personal purchases at various retailers. Additionally, Kastantin used work funds to make a down payment on her personal vehicle, criminal charges allege. In addition to the charges relating to the misuse of funds, according to the criminal complaints, Kastantin also intentionally submitted or caused to be submitted, false documentation related to an insurance claim. The documentation falsely purported that restoration services had been provided to an insured party that had not truly been provided. According to the false documentation, the services had been provided by a business in which Kastantin had a vested financial interest. The business ultimately received payment for the services that had not truly been provided, which resulted in a financial loss to the insurer. Source: Iowa Insurance Division Topics Fraud Authorities in Vermont have dropped sexual assault charges against David McElroy, a former executive at American International Group (AIG). According to a document filed in Vermont Superior Court in Lamoille County, the states attorney for Lamoille County on Dec. 31, 2025 dismissed the charges without prejudice due to the complaining witnesss ongoing trauma which prevents her from fully participating in the criminal case at the present time. Dismissal without prejudice means the case can be brought up again. Other than confirming the dismissal, McElroys attorney David. V. Kirby said there was no additional comment. He previously said his client categorically denied the charges. David McElroy, most recently chairman of AIGs General Insurance unit, was charged late in 2024 with three counts of sexual assault and one count of lewd and lascivious conduct. The allegations stemmed from a night McElroy spent with a woman who attended a client conference and fundraiser at the Lodge at Spruce Peak resort in Stowe, Vermont in early March 2024. McElroy told police he believed the encounter to be consensual. Soon after speaking to police, AIG announced McElroy was retiring on May 1, 2024. The 66-year-old executive, AIG said, agreed to accelerate his retirement date for personal reasons. Related: Former AIG Exec McElroy Faces Sexual Assault Charges in Vermont Topics AIG The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a challenge to the Boy Scouts of Americas landmark $2.46 billion settlement of sex abuse claims in a case involving a group of abuse survivors who wanted to pursue lawsuits against churches and other organizations that ran scouting programs where abuse occurred. The justices turned away an appeal by 75 plaintiffs of a lower courts decision rejecting their claim that the bankruptcy deal improperly prevented them from suing other organizations that were partly liable for the abuse. The Boy Scouts organization, now called Scouting America, said on Monday that it can now continue compensating abuse survivors and improving its scouting programs without the cloud of bankruptcy and litigation. Related: Boy Scouts of America Bankruptcy Plan Upheld Despite Insurers Objections When youre in bankruptcy, you dont do a lot of investment in anything but getting out of bankruptcy, Scouting America CEO Roger Krone said in an interview. The settlement already has paid about $300 million to abuse survivors, and work will resume on claims evaluation and payment now that the appeals are over, Krone said. Scouting Americas settlement trustee, Barbara Houser, is working to add more funds to the total settlement by suing insurers and selling assets belonging to the organization that include paintings by Norman Rockwell and Joseph Csatari. For the survivors who are worried about there being adequate funds, there are significantly more funds that will be available to the trustee than the $2.46 billion that she has today, Krone said. Outside of bankruptcy, Scouting America also has worked to modernize its scouting programs and improve safety for the digital age by taking steps such as updating its training to prevent online predation and introducing more modern reporting tools such as an anonymous text hotline for abuse allegations, Krone said. An attorney representing the 75 petitioning abuse survivors did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The settlement, reached in 2022 in bankruptcy court in Delaware, granted immunity from lawsuits to those organizations in exchange for contributions to the Boy Scouts bankruptcy settlement. The Supreme Court later ruled that bankruptcy courts lacked the power to wipe away lawsuits against organizations that contributed to settlements but did not file for bankruptcy themselves, but its decision did not apply retroactively to older cases like the Boy Scouts bankruptcy. After a federal judge ruled against the plaintiffs, the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that decision. Scouting America, as well as insurers and abuse survivors who support the deal, had urged the Supreme Court not to take the case, arguing that upending the settlement would have devastating emotional and financial consequences. The appeal was supported by other abuse survivors who did not join the petition to the Supreme Court. A group that said it represented 1,000 former Boy Scouts had urged the Supreme Court to take up the case and allow abuse survivors to have their day in court. The Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy in 2020 after several U.S. states enacted laws allowing accusers to sue over decades-old abuse allegations, which led to a flood of new lawsuits. The Supreme Court previously declined to halt the settlement in 2024, instead allowing the deal to move forward while the appeals proceeded in lower courts. Artificial intelligence continues to be at the center of Experians annual breach forecast for 2026, with the scope, frequency and cost of cyber incidents heavily influenced by the technology. AI makes its way into many of the predictions in Experians Data Breach Industry Forecast. Michael Bruemmer, vice president of global data breach resolution, and Jim Steven, head of crisis & data response services, UK, said agentic AI systems could be exploited by savvy hackers who might inject their AI agents to disrupt the orchestration or governance of the victims AI agents. At a minimum, this disruption could impact an organizations operations or siphon money, goods, or information, or perform ransomware-like operations, said Experian. AI agents are the next frontier for fraud and cybercrime, and we predict this may overtake human error as the leading cause of data breaches. With the use of AI, hackers might also be able to extract data at an unprecedented rate and stitch together enriched identity profiles. Experian warns: Get ready for a potentially massive spike in identity theft. Or, AI capabilities could bolster the spread of mutating malicious codepolymorphic or metamorphic malware. AIs presence could also be used in conjunction with quantum computing, which many companies see as one of the largest cybersecurity threats over the next handful of years. Experian said quantum computing is already driving increased attacks, and it could be used to break encryption methods, which for now is an effort thwarted by AI security technology. But the next year data-breach-prevention firms will accelerate quantum versions of their offerings to stay ahead of potential fraud, Experian predicted. Topics InsurTech Agencies Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Managing general agency United Risk said it has an agreement to buy DUAL North Americas crisis management program, with its underwriting and claims teams. The unit will be renamed First Product Protection, serving as an independent division of New York-based United Risk. It will add product recall and contaminated products to United Risks book of business. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hayden Smith, CEO of United Risk, as well as Mark LeBlanc and Robley Moorfounders of the programwill assume leadership roles at First Product Protection. United Risks value lies in quality and diversification, and First Product Protection immediately adds value to the enterprise by complementing United Risks strong bench of program managers, varied lines of business, diverse roster of fronts, reinsurers and brokers, while further strengthening business ties with Lloyds, said Jamie Sahara, chairman of United Risk. Targeted classes of business include food and beverage, transportation (aviation, aerospace, rail, auto), consumer and industrial electronics and appliances, communications equipment, sporting and recreational equipment, clothing apparel, footwear, toys, and furniture. DUAL North America CEO John Johnson said the sale allows the program administrator to focus on core growth areas such as commercial property, casualty, and financial lines, as well as emerging specialty markets. LeBlanc has 25 years of experience specializing in product contamination, product recall, security risk management and crisis management, having served as managing principal, DUAL Group: Global Head Crisis Management (June 2021-present). He was previously head of crisis management at Swiss Re and vice president of crisis management at Crum & Forster. Moor has more than 25 years of specialty underwriting and insurance leadership experience, most recently as managing director, crisis management, DUAL UK, London. Prior to that he was managing principal, crisis management, DUAL North America. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A federal judge has ordered coal companies owned by the family of U.S. Sen. Jim Justice to cough up more than $1 million in unpaid workers compensation premiums owed to a Liberty Mutual companyfive years after an audit showed the employers had underpaid premiums. Justice, the former governor of West Virginia and a longtime coal mine company owner and operator, and his family controlled eight companies in Virginia and West Virginia that sought coverage with LM Insurance Corp. through West Virginias assigned risk workers compensation plan, court filings show. In 2021, LM canceled one set of policies due to nonpayment of premiums for what it collectively termed the Bluestone companies. An audit determined that the firms still owed almost $1.8 million in premiums, the LM complaint explained. The employers paid $50,000 in early 2022. LM then asked the federal court in western Virginia for partial summary judgment, mandating that the Justice-family companies pay the remaining premiums owed. The Bluestone defendant companies did not oppose the motion. The judge, Michael Urbanski, agreed last week. Accordingly, it is ordered that judgment be entered for plaintiff LM Insurance Corporation in the amount of $1,023,732.88, jointly and severally against defendants Bluestone Resources, Inc., Ranger Fuel Coal Corporation, Blackstone Energy Ltd., Bluestone Coke, LLC, Southeast Cotton, Inc., Bluestone Industries, Inc., Justice Energy Company, Inc., and Kentucky Fuel Corporation, the judge wrote. The breach of contract by the coal companies came at a time of falling workers compensation costs for West Virginia and most other states. In 2024, while governor, Justice touted the 20th straight year of workers comp rate decreases, as recommended by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Rate decreases were seen in the voluntary and assigned risk markets. In 2022, West Virginia was ranked second-lowest in the country in workers compensation costs, according to a survey by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. Last weeks court order is the latest for the Justice companies, which local news reports have called troubled as U.S. coal consumption dropped in recent years. In 2024, Justices Southern Coal Corp. settled a lawsuit brought by another workers comp carrier, BrickStreet Mutual Insurance. The federal court ordered the coal firm to pay more than $500,000 to BrickStreet, the successor to West Virginias state-run comp insurer. BrickStreet argued that the coal company failed to pay anything into a loss fund, and failed to reimburse the insurer for claims and expenses, per its contractual obligations. Photo: Then-Gov. Justice at his 2023 State of the State address. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson, File) Federal aviation records show that a week before a fatal helicopter crash, a notice was issued that a tightrope would be stretched across a mountainous area of Arizona, providing a warning for pilots to watch out for the temporary obstacle as they charted flights through the region. The helicopter pilot and three family members were killed after colliding with that slackline near Telegraph Canyon. Authorities say a witness reported seeing the helicopter strike a portion of the line before falling to the bottom of the canyon. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board will be combing through the wreckage over the coming weeks as they try to determine what led up to the Jan. 2 crash. The case is making ripples through the aviation world, with safety experts unaware of any other helicopter crashes that have involved a slackline. Power lines and unmarked cables are a perpetual concern for helicopter pilots because they are inherently difficult to see without markers, lighting or other infrastructure like power poles, said Tom Anthony, director of the Aviation Safety and Security Program at the University of Southern California. He said its important for pilots to review Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, while planning their flights. Under Federal Aviation Administration regulations, that means checking for any notices that might be issued along an entire flight path, not just where a flight departs or lands. The FAA says pilots also should review notices within 25 nautical miles (46 kilometers) of their flight path to be safe. Such notices can warn pilots about anything from slacklines to work along certain runways and what airspace might be restricted. Anthony acknowledges there can be many notices to review. It can be a drudge, a chore, but youve got to do it, he said. It will be up to federal investigators to determine if there were any mechanical issues or other problems leading up to the crash. It could be months before a final report is issued. Authorities on Monday confirmed the identities of those who were killed. They were David McCarty, the 59-year-old pilot, and his nieces Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty and Katelyn Heideman. McCarty started Columbia Basin Helicopters in the 1990s, building the company into one that was awarded millions of dollars in federal contracts for firefighting support, agricultural spraying, seeding and other projects across nine Western states. The company has offices in Oregon and Arizona. Philip Hofbauer of Ukiah, Oregon, has been friends with the McCarty family since grade school. Later in high school, he worked at their farm near the town of Echo, in eastern Oregon. Theyre all just amazing people. Theyve all been a huge inspiration in my life, he said of David McCarty, his siblings and their parents. Hofbauer told The Associated Press he would see McCarty when he would contract out his heavy equipment to help officials fight forest fires, and McCarty did the same with his helicopters. Hofbauer said losing four family members is just overwhelming, a very tragic situation. The crash happened about 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Phoenix, after the helicopter had taken off from an airport in Queen Creek. It took crews hours to travel on foot to the remote area where the helicopter crashed. Authorities said the slackline was more than half a mile (more than a kilometer) long. The notice warning of the line was issued Dec. 26, noting that it would be up for several days and would be flagged and lit. According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute, on average a few helicopter crashes each year can be attributed to striking wires or towers. However, the institute said FAA charts and apps that help pilots with flight planning, navigation, checklists and real-time data like weather can highlight obstacles. Hassan Shahidi has been flying for many years. As president and chief executive of the Flight Safety Foundation in Virginia, he said safety revolves around situational awareness and an understanding of the airspace. Unfortunately, were seeing too many of these incidents where, you know, its really preventable, he said. It should not happen. Associated Press reporter Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this report. Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Aviation Aerospace The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has been accused of blocking students from accessing an appropriate education due to an arbitrary deadline brought forward this year. It comes as the authority has refused to issue an eight-year-old non-verbal student with a 'letter of eligibility' required to access a special school place for next year, as his family applied 16 days after the new deadline passed. The application for a school place was made on behalf of Liam Ring, from Wicklow, by his family following a recommendation from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) in October 2025. As his family had waited more than a year for the Camhs appointment, they did not have the full information to make an informed decision at the time of the NCSE deadline, his father David Ring said. Read More Suspensions crisis at flagship special school in Cork The NCSE refuse to give this letter purely because they were contacted 16 days after a deadline that has been arbitrarily set by the NCSE. Liam, is non-verbal, autistic, and has a moderate intellectual disability (ID). He currently attends an ASD class attached to a mainstream school, where he was placed three years ago before his ID diagnosis. He has not developed at the same rate as his peers, and is falling further and further behind them, Mr Ring said. Last October, after waiting more than a year for an appointment, Camhs recommended changing schools may help Liam. After this recommendation, his family then applied to two local special schools, well-established in their communities and with deadlines to apply open until February 2026. Both schools advised that they would be a good fit for Liam, but that they would need a letter of eligibility from the NCSE to accompany Liams reports. One school advised there would be six places available this September for Liams age group. His family then contacted the NCSE on October 16. Liam Ring While the NCSE have confirmed to the family that Liam meets the criteria for both schools, it is refusing to issue the letter of eligibility he needs for the schools to offer him a place on the basis that the family did not contact it before the new, earlier deadline of October 1. Mr Ring said: This instruction blocks Liams applications and we are now coming up to the schools deadlines with no resolution. He added it is heart-breaking that his son will be forced to stay in a less appropriate placement when a local school should have a place, due to a department deadline, and nothing else". Mr Ring, who has submitted a complaint on the behalf of his son about the process under the Equal Status Act, believes other families are facing the same situation this year. In an update to parents published on the NCSE website on October 2, still available to access, it said it would continue to support families who made contact after the deadline to secure a special class or special school placement. A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said the NCSE has advised that the "majority" of students in the 'parents notify' process are "already enrolled in school and are being supported by existing special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants." She added: "With any date for applications for supports, it is important that those who come forward after that date are assured that they are not forgotten or excluded from the system." "The NCSE will continue to support all children made known to them after 1 October in their existing placement with appropriate supports, however, it is important for planning purposes that an earlier timeframe is worked to in which the NCSE has as much local knowledge and detail as possible in order to plan what new provision is required." A spokesman for the NCSE said it cannot comment on individual cases. It will consider the status of submissions received via the Parents Notify process and the ongoing supports available and will engage with parents directly, as necessary, he added. A plan for the rollout of sustainable data centre development between now and the end of the decade will be discussed by Cabinet ministers on Tuesday. Ministers will meet in Government Buildings for the first Cabinet meeting of the year, with the Large Energy User Action Plan (Leap) high on the agenda. The plan consists of a 17-point strategy detailing a growth path for sustainable data centres and energy-intensive industrial development over the next five years. It will be brought to Cabinet by enterprise minister Peter Burke, who will publish the plan alongside energy minister Darragh OBrien. The document is expected to highlight that limited development of data centres should be undertaken in regional locations where there is energy generation capacity. It will propose spatial planning for large-scale energy demand, including the development of green energy parks co-located with renewable generation and supporting infrastructure. The publication of the Leap follows a decision from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in December that said new data centres connected to the electricity system must meet at least 80% of their annual demand from renewable electricity generated in Ireland. New data centres must also provide generation or storage capacity to help supply electricity back to the wholesale market. Mr Burke said investment from data centre development is required. It is not about keeping tech on side, he said. This is absolutely pivotal to a modern economy. We have about 175,000 jobs that are really dependent on the IT sector. So much of the innovation, through generative AI, even some of the large industries, like our semiconductor sector, are critical to the success of a modern economy. We need to be able to provide an opportunity for data centres to really capture the opportunity and growth in those key sectors. The last thing we want to have is for companies that have been in Ireland for 60,70, 80 years, for us to fall off the investment schedule because we havent capacity in our grid. Mr Burke will also ask ministers to approve legislation which transposes the EU AI Act. The Act grades AI use by risk and includes penalties for violations. This will include fines of up to 35 million, or 7% of global annual turnover, depending on the violation. Elsewhere, communications minister Patrick ODonovan will seek approval for renewed Post Office Network funding, at an enhanced amount of 15m per annum over the next five years. This comes following confirmation from An Post that it is increasing the price of a national stamp by 20c from 1.65 to 1.85. Justice and migration minister Jim OCallaghan, meanwhile, will ask the Government to approve amendments to the International Protection Bill. Under the plan, adult beneficiaries of international protection will not be able to reunite with their family in Ireland for three years. Housing minister James Browne is expected to seek Government approval for a 200m plan for an upgraded Wastewater Treatment Plant in Limerick in the coming weeks. The existing Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) at Bunlicky has been serving Limerick since the early 2000s. Uisce Eireann has identified the plant as a priority need for upgrade to facilitate the increasing population of the city and its environs. Louise Burne is a Political Correspondent. A ceremony to present the new Iranian ambassador to Ireland with credentials has been postponed as its regime cracks down on protesters. The department of foreign affairs said the decision to delay the ceremony at Aras an Uachtarain was taken after a significant number of Iranian protesters were killed and injured in recent days. 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 continued despite the internet and telephone lines being cut off. On Tuesday, Irelands department of foreign affairs said the ceremony for the Iranian ambassador at Aras an Uachtarain would be postponed. The decision to postpone the ceremony of credentials for the Ambassador-designate of the Islamic Republic of Iran was taken in light of protests in Iran in recent days which have seen very significant numbers of Iranians killed or injured and a communications blackout, a spokesperson for the department said. On Monday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin called for an end to the violence in Iran and said Iranians had the right to protest and to free speech. The repression must end. I urge the authorities in Tehran to uphold the rights of all their citizens, he said. The violence must stop, the curtailing of basic freedoms must end, and dialogue begin at once. Ireland is working to resolve "outstanding issues" for "quite a number of industries" following the EU-US trade agreement last year, the Taoiseach has said. As part of what has become a traditional annual St Patrick's Day visit to the White House, Micheal Martin would be expected to meet US president Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Last year, the two leaders engaged with reporters for 50 minutes on a range of issues including the tariff dispute. In July and August 2025, the EU and the US reached an agreement on trade and further negotiation in the context of Mr Trump's tariff regime on imports into the country. On Tuesday, Mr Martin said dialogue is ongoing on a range of issues. He told reporters: "Last year, the European Union and the United States reached an agreement in respect of tariffs and the trading issue which did stabilise the situation as evidenced by our own economic and fiscal returns." The Trump administration initiated a range of "section 232" investigations which examine the impact of imports on national security. These relate to several sectors including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, medical devices, robotics, drones, wind turbines, commercial aircraft, critical minerals, and timber. The EU has also continued to engage in negotiations for US tariff exemptions on steel and aluminium products, while Irish politicians have argued for a carve out applying to wines and spirits. Mr Martin said: "It still is challenging for quite a number of industries, so our focus is on dialogue, continuing to work with United States government to resolve any outstanding issues." The Taoiseach also cautioned it is "early days" in relation to planning for the March trip. Asked if the US's territorial ambitions for Greenland put pressure on diplomatic relations, the Taoiseach said: "I would hope that the situation in relation to Greenland would be resolved. "There is a clear basis for doing that and I look forward to that happening." A row broke out at an Oireachtas committee this morning over remarks alleged to have been made on a female TD's Facebook page before Christmas. Wicklow Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore claimed the comments were made on her page by a fishing industry representative who was one of a number of witnesses attending the Oireachtas committee, of which she is a member. She claimed the comments were left on her page by Patrick Murphy, the CEO of the Cork-based South and West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO). He was attending, along with other fishing representatives, a debate at the Oireachtas Joint Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime about Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). At the end of her questioning of various other witnesses, Ms Whitmore turned to Mr Murphy, who was there also representing the Seafood Ireland Alliance, and asked if his Facebook page was a personal one. She then brought up comments she claimed he made on her Facebook page before Christmas. She claimed that in those comments he called her anti-democratic, anti-Irish and pro refugee. Despite an appeal by the committee chairman Connor McGuinness to leave the issue, she pressed on, saying she was just trying to get some understanding if the Facebook page from which she claimed Mr Murphy made comments on her page, was representative of the view of ISWFPO members and were they aware of what she claimed were his comments. Patrick Murphy said he was being 'personally attacked' and offered to 'take this off air'. File photo: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos She was repeatedly told by Connor McGuinness to restrict her line of questioning. Mr Murphy himself, who said he was being personally attacked by her, offered to take this off air. But Ms Whitmore said she wanted the matter aired because Mr Murphy had she claimed raised matters on a public forum. The two repeatedly spoke over each other as Mr McGuinness tried repeatedly to get them to stop talking, and calling each of them "out of order". The conversation was eventually shut down with both Ms Whitmore and Mr Murphy being ruled out of order again by Mr McGuinness before he brought the meeting back to the discussion about MPAs. Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe, who is accused of harassing a member of An Garda Siochana where he allegedly video-recorded the guard and commented online: Hes terrified now and afraid to leave his home, had the case against him further adjourned on Tuesday. Judge John King adjourned the case until February 9, on the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis, to allow for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Frank Buttimer, solicitor, applied to have the signing-on conditions relaxed as bail required Mr Blighe to sign at his local Garda station twice a week. Judge King agreed to amend the bail so he now has to sign on once each week. A book of evidence is to be prepared in the case. Detective Sergeant Christopher Cahill testified previously at Cork District Court that 45-year-old Derek Blighe was involved in a campaign of harassment of a named garda. The charge against Derek Blighe of Curraghavoe, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, states: On dates between February 22, 2023, and December 4, 2023, he harassed [the garda] contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Mr Buttimer indicated Mr Blighe would be contesting the case. Detective Sergeant Cahill said previously,: It is alleged that over a 10-month period from February to December 2023, the accused engaged in a campaign of harassment against a member of An Garda Siochana. This member was on duty at a public event in October 2022. It is alleged that the accused went on to post videos of himself talking about this injured party in April, August and December 2023. In one post, he commented about the injured party: He is terrified now and afraid to leave his home. The injured party was distressed. It had a negative effect on himself and his family. A shop assistant intervened when a 28-year-old woman got aggressive with customers but ended up being punched in the face and dragged around the premises by her hair. Garda Anita ORourke charged Emma Wallace of Cork Simon Community with assaulting the shop assistant. Now at Cork District Court the defendant has pleaded guilty to that assault. Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a five-month jail sentence on her. Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said of the accused: She expresses her remorse and apologises for this. It happened in the course of addiction difficulties. She accepts she is going to be in custody for the near future." Sergeant John Kelleher outlined details of the assault at Cork District Court. On November 10, 2025, the accused entered EA Mart at 118 St. Patrick Street, Cork at approximately 9.40pm. She started to act aggressively towards customers in the shop. The shop assistant Elia approached Emma Wallace asking her to leave the shop. The accused then used a closed fist and struck the injured party connecting with the right temple. She then grabbed the injured party by her hair and dragged her around the shop. A customer intervened and Emma Wallace left the shop. The assault is captured on CCTV. Garda O'Rourke viewed the CCTV and the accused was clearly identified on it. The injured party did not receive any visible injuries but stated she was in pain for a number of days. Images have emerged of what a 20m state-of-the-art GAA centre could look like in Limerick. Limerick Gaelic Grounds Ltd sought planning permission from Limerick council for the 95-acre land in Crecora, which was purchased with the assistance of Gerry McManus. Blueprints shared by Limerick firm Healy Partners showcase what the flagship centre for the development and celebration of the people, games, culture and heritage" near Adare could look like. The training hub would consist of six floodlit natural grass pitches, two all-weather floodlit synthetic pitches, one sod replacement pitch, as well as a pavilion dedicated to changing rooms, gym and physiotherapy rooms. The project would also include a multi-purpose hall, an auditorium, kitchen, dining space and a service courtyard. Projections provided to planners indicated up to 573 people could use the facilities each day, once completed. Blueprint for Limerick GAA centre It is understood a decision is to be made on the planning application next month. The project has also received the support of Limerick County Board, which said in a letter it was prepared to develop the project to ensure future generations of Gaelic games players can hone their skills to the highest levels representing our great county which we are all very proud of. The land was bought with the help of Gerry McManus, who has played a key part in the success of Limericks hurling teams. A similar gesture was made for Tipperary GAA by John Magnier, to extend its centre of excellence in Coolmore Morris Park. Meanwhile in Cork, Pat Horgan announced in December 2025 they would be ringfencing 1.75m in 2026 for a centre of excellence. "A plastic surgeon." Thats what a young Palestinian girl tells Helen McEntee in Arabic what she wants to be when she grows up, on the foreign ministers second day in Egypt. Ms McEntee is in Al Arish Hospital, just over an hours drive from Egypts border with Gaza, where critically ill Palestinians have, on occasion, been able to leave the territory to receive lifesaving treatment. As she visits, there are four Palestinian patients receiving treatment, with some of their immediate family members joining them. The young girls father, who is immunocompromised, tells Ms McEntee he hopes to return to Gaza soon, with five children still left in the strip. Of course, is the girls reply when Ms McEntee asks if she misses her family. Ireland's foreign minister Helen McEntee speaking with Egyptian foreign affairs officials and humanitarian workers with Egypt's Red Crescent near Egypt's Rafah border crossing into Gaza in Palestine. I asked all of them about wanting to get back home and straight away, that was their desire and their wish, Ms McEntee said. It just shows the importance of people being able to get in and get out, not just to get medical assistance but to be able to get back in to support family, to see family and to help family. Children and family members being left behind isnt an uncommon story. Families have been destroyed by the war, mothers and fathers killed by Israeli bombs and children left orphaned and without limbs. Other Gazan patients in the hospital are diagnosed with cancer, with treatment facilities in the Palestinian territory no longer operating to the level required for them. As the ministers convoy rolls through the desert, theres one thing that becomes a common sight: Aid trucks. The major distribution hub for aid to Gaza is just miles from the border, with Egypts Red Crescent (ERC) a key facilitator for deliveries of lifesaving food, water, and medicine. This particular hub is described as being the heart of the ERCs entire aid operation to Gaza, with nearby sea and air ports connecting like arteries and veins. Helen McEntee with a Red Crescent worker near the Rafah border crossing. 'Telling them to make a wheelchair out of plastic, its not credible, its not realistic,' said Ms McEntee when she heard Israel's banned list includes wheelchairs made from metal. While some aid is being let through the Rafah crossing by the Israeli side, the ERC say many items are being rejected by Israel who cite potential dual use. This includes medical equipment such as oxygen canisters and X-ray scanners, but also more basic necessities like crutches and wheelchairs. Showing Ms McEntee the rejected items, Northern Sinai governor Khaled Megawer explains that wheelchairs are not permitted due to the presence of metal, saying Israeli authorities insist they must be made of plastic. ERC head of operations Mostafa Refaat told Ms McEntee about the issues faced by the aid agency. He said: Im talking as a humanitarian, you know that each truck is equal to hope. He told the minister that stopping key aid entering into Gaza strips Palestinian families of hope. Speaking afterwards, Ms McEntee condemned the Israeli blockade of such aid. Telling them to make a wheelchair out of plastic, its not credible, its not realistic, she said. I think its clear that theyre putting obstacles in the way that dont need to be there. Im pretty appalled by what Ive seen, pretty appalled by the decisions that Israel has taken. Pretty appalled to see a snakes and ladders child play board among the items that couldnt get in, and I think we need to call it out. At the crossing itself, a queue of over 100 trucks wait in line at the border, while soldiers stand behind sandbags holding rifles. As Ms McEntees convoy moved between the tall concrete pillars towards the main crossing, it passes by an Egyptian border hut. Etched on the front of the hut was a peace sign, in hopes the day comes when bombs stop falling on Gaza. The Governments version of the Occupied Territories Bill looks set to exclude a ban on services. The spring legislative programme, approved at Tuesdays Cabinet meeting, commits to the Department of Foreign Affairs publishing the Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill in the coming weeks. It said the purpose of the bill is to allow the State to comply with international legal obligations, as identified in a July 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, stating that countries should take steps to prevent trade relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The legislative programme said this will prohibit the importation of goods originating in Israeli settlements located there. However, it does not reference a ban on services. The opposition had called on the Government to include this in its legislation, with former foreign affairs minister Simon Harris committing to the prospect being examined. However, the Government has repeatedly said it is more complicated to ban services. Other bills that will be prioritised for publication in the springtime include the expedited development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve, bringing RTE under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the removal of the triple lock. Ministers will also seek permission to draft a range of new legislation. This will include equality minister Norma Foley advancing legislation to ban conversion practices. She will also bring forward plans for the Supports for Irish Survivors of Thalidomide Bill, which will provide a special care package to Irish survivors of thalidomide, including certain health and personal social services; home adaptation grants to support independent living; vehicle adaptations; and management of ex gratia payments to Irish survivors. Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will examine plans to allow pharmacists to prescribe contraception under the free contraception scheme. Amendments to road traffic legislation will also be advanced, to follow through on plans in the programme for government to introduce a graduated penalty points system and further expansion of road cameras. My entry into politics was shot through with irony. In May 2018, I organised a public meeting in the Walter Raleigh Hotel on the need to reinstate the Youghal-Midleton rail link. I was, unusually, a Green Party election candidate arguing against a proposed greenway along the rail corridor between those towns the only local representative to take that position. Despite being firmly in favour of cycleways, it struck me as gravely short-sighted to tarmac over this rail corridor for a recreational amenity when East Corks transport system was increasingly seized up with traffic. The greenway risked scuppering any hope of restoring a key infrastructural link that would transform mobility and enhance economic opportunity in Youghal and its surrounding areas. Eight years on from that public meeting, and now as a Social Democrats TD, I have never been more convinced of the need for this service. The rail connection between Cork and Midleton was reinstated in 2009, and it was a colossal error not to extend it to Youghal at the time. This was a serious injustice to the population living east of Midleton one that will be acutely pronounced if Youghal remains excluded from rail connectivity following the development of the Cork Luas. While the greenway has since progressed and there is no turning back the clock on that, recent developments offer renewed hope. Feedback from Irish Rail to East Cork councillors in 2024 suggested the corridor is wide enough to accommodate a single-track rail alongside the greenway. This has reignited public momentum, channelled by a dynamic grassroots campaign group the East Cork Rail Alliance whose members include former Youghal town councillors Michael Beecher and Liam Burke. The group has collected over 20,000 petition signatures calling for the train line to be restored, and is engaging with public representatives across Cork and Waterford. The overwhelming public support for this project reflects the maddening daily grind faced by thousands of workers, students and families travelling to and from work, college, schools and creches. The N25, our main artery between Youghal and Cork City, is frequently gridlocked during commuting hours. Vulnerable groups, including children with disabilities travelling to special education facilities in Carrigtwohill or Cork City, are afflicted with particularly gruelling journeys. Traffic collisions on this over-capacity road are frequent some serious and fatal. The Youghal-Midleton rail service opened in 1860 and served communities for over a century before passenger services were withdrawn in 1963, with goods traffic ceasing in 1978. The restoration of the Midleton-Cork line has defied sceptics, with passenger numbers now growing year on year. Ten-minute frequencies following the completion of twin-tracking in 2026, alongside planned new stations at Water Rock and Carrigtwohill West, will radically enhance the network. Liam Quaide: 'Why should such a large section of East Corks population have to resort to a primitive bus service that often leaves people standing on a street indefinitely, unsure when they will reach their destination?' Picture: Chani Anderson Yet Youghal, Mogeely, Killeagh and Castlemartyr are being completely left out of this revolution in rail transport. Why should such a large section of East Corks population have to resort to a primitive bus service that often leaves people standing on a street indefinitely, unsure when they will reach their destination? Despite the 215m investment in the Dunkettle Interchange, journey times from East Cork to the city remain prone to extreme delays. We have learned, from the M50 in Dublin and internationally, that increasing road capacity beyond a certain point simply entrenches congestion. It is an infrastructural fallacy to believe we can build our way out of transport failure with ever more road projects. A decisive shift towards rail and light rail is imperative. We should be under no illusions about the scale of the challenge involved in restoring the Youghal-Midleton line. Our Government has placed multiple proposed rail re-openings into cold storage, including the WaterfordWexford/Rosslare line, and those linking Mullingar with Cavan, Monaghan and Portadown, as well Mullingar-Athlone and Limerick-Shannon. They have also shelved or seriously delayed several Luas projects in Dublin. Stewing in traffic for a significant part of the working day damages health and family life. It is exhausting, stressful and a dreadful waste of time. Chronic gridlock also causes real economic harm reducing productivity and increasing business costs. We are not seeing the density of housing development or associated population growth in Youghal that would naturally occur around a functioning train service. Between the 2011 and 2022 censuses, Midletons population grew by 16% and Carrigtwohills by over 26%, while the figure for Youghal was 10%. Without rail connectivity, Youghals growth potential remains constrained. Car dependency also makes it next to impossible to meet our legally binding climate action targets by 2030, putting Ireland at risk of billions in EU fines. As unassailable as the case for restoring the Youghal rail link is, it will require serious political ambition and leadership to take us there. When this service is eventually linked to the Cork Luas, it will be truly transformative for East Cork. Yet this is not a pursuit of luxuries; it is about meeting a basic need in a modern society with a growing population. It is incumbent on all public representatives in the region to go after it. When a judge dismisses cyclists as a nightmare, it exposes how deeply embedded bias against vulnerable road users remains in Irish society. These are not throwaway remarks they reflect how far we are from the cultural shift required to build genuinely safe streets. In a widely reported court case, Judge James O'Donohoe said cyclists had become a nightmare in Dublin, as he reduced a 50,000 damages award by 80% to a cyclist injured in a collision with a motorcyclist. If Ireland is serious about Vision Zero the EU pledge to eliminate road deaths by 2050 we must confront not just policy failures, but the attitudes that excuse them. One hundred and ninety people were killed on Irish roads last year, including 45 pedestrians and 14 cyclists. For years, people walking and cycling have accounted for about 40% of all road deaths and serious injuries. Those who pose the least danger are paying the highest price for a broken system, a fact Judge ODonohoe seems to have overlooked. This is not an unavoidable toll of modern life; it is the predictable result of policy choices. If 190 people were dying each year from a preventable disease, we would call it a national emergency. On our roads, we offer thoughts and prayers, and move on. When Taoiseach Micheal Martin introduced the workplace smoking ban in 2004, he faced fierce opposition but acted decisively and courageously, backed by health professionals and the evidence. The evidence on how to save lives on Irish roads is just as clear today, but the same courage is missing. Ireland has committed to Vision Zero, yet we are moving in the wrong direction. With a target of just 72 deaths a year by 2030, this is not a marginal failure, but a systemic one. Here are five actions that will save lives, if we choose to implement them: 1. Create an independent road safety commissioner First and foremost, road safety needs clear ownership at the highest level through a fully independent road safety commissioner. Responsibility is currently fragmented across national and local government, the gardai and a number of State agencies. We urgently need a commissioner with the legislative authority, independence and resources to coordinate action, demand delivery and hold failure to account including calling out harmful narratives that undermine the safety and dignity of vulnerable road users. The financial cost of road traffic collisions in Ireland is estimated at 1.4bn a year. A tiny fraction of that would be sufficient to resource the office of road safety commissioner. Ireland has repeatedly created similar roles to address major public policy challenges, including the Mental Health Commission, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, An Coimisineir Teanga and the Health Information and Quality Authority. The absence of an equivalent role for road safety, despite hundreds of preventable deaths, tells us much about our priorities. 2. Implement the default 30 km/h urban speed limit, without delay The physics are stark when cars collide with humans. At 30km/h, one in 10 pedestrians will die. At 50km/h, half will die. At 60km/h, death is almost certain. For that reason, the Department of Transports own Speed Limit Review, involving international experts, the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Siochana and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, recommended a default 30 km/h limit in towns and cities. The Government has now abandoned that approach and pushed responsibility onto local authorities to implement piecemeal bye-laws, a process that will take years. Across Europe, decisive action has saved lives. Wales moved from legislation to countrywide implementation of a 20mph urban speed limit in just 14 months and recorded a 28% drop in casualties. When London lowered speeds, deaths and serious injuries fell by a third, and child deaths fell by 75%. Helsinki did the same and went a full year without a single road death. Ireland passed the law for 30km/h in 2024, and while others saved lives within months, we have chosen delay, dilution and drift, with a human cost every single day. 3. Restore and properly resource dedicated roads policing Enforcement works, but only when it is visible, routine and relentless. Just a year ago, former road safety minister Jack Chambers said enforcement had collapsed. That was the word he chose to use. In 2009, more than 1,000 gardai were assigned to roads policing. Today, that number has fallen to just over 600. That collapse is indefensible. Occasional holiday crackdowns do not change behaviour. They simply tell drivers enforcement is temporary. If we are serious about saving lives, our gardai must be properly supported and resourced to fully restore roads policing to previous levels, and beyond. Enforcement must be treated as a core element of our road safety strategy, not an optional extra wheeled out every bank holiday weekend. 4. Rapidly scale up automated enforcement as standard infrastructure The Road Safety Strategy is clear: automated enforcement saves lives. Yet Ireland has just 12 static speed cameras countrywide, while Lithuania, with just over half our population, operates more than 400. We installed two red light cameras in Dublin, detected more than 300 offending motorists, and then switched them off. Plans for a citywide network of cameras have now been shelved indefinitely. Transport Infrastructure Ireland tells us average speed camera systems reduce fatal and serious injury collisions by half. Ireland has five such camera systems. Road safety cameras should be permanent, widespread and treated as life-saving infrastructure. At this stage, inaction is no longer passive. It is measured in lives lost. 5. Fix public reporting and enforcement follow-through Our gardai cannot be on every road. Traffic Watch was launched in 2004 to empower responsible road users in reporting dangerous driving. Since going fully online in mid-2024, 8,000 reports have been submitted by the public. Only 146 resulted in a prosecution. In the UK under Operation Snap, a similar reporting system, 70% of submissions lead to police action. The difference is not behaviour, its follow-through. Ireland must modernise Traffic Watch, enable easy uploading of footage, and ensure reports lead to real consequences for those who endanger others on our roads. Five actions. Five signals that Ireland is finally taking road safety seriously. Create strong leadership, lower speeds, enforce them consistently, automate where possible, and fix accountability. The evidence is clear. The deaths are preventable. The failure to do so is ours. Helen McEntees first major visit to the Middle East comes at a key time for the region, amid turmoil in Iran and changes to come in Gaza. Irelands foreign affairs minister arrived into Egypt with a lot on the agenda, including a visit to the Rafah border crossing with Gaza and a meeting with the countrys foreign minister. Its a little under two years on from Micheal Martins last visit to the country, as Ireland tries to retain its reputation as an honest broker and a friend to the Palestinian cause in the Middle East. While things have changed in that time and a ceasefire is technically in place, Palestinians continue to be killed in Israeli ceasefire violations which Ms McEntee condemns. Ms McEntee will on Tuesday travel to the Rafah Crossing, the border between Egypt and Gaza, where shes due to meet with key aid agencies who are stuck, unable to get into the territory to deliver lifesaving aid to Palestinians. During her time on the border, she is expected to announce that Ireland will provide 42m worth of funding to Palestine across 2026, with 20m of this set to go towards funding the work of UNRWA the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. After a bilateral meeting with Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty yesterday, both ministers acknowledged the movement towards a new phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, with the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administration for the strip and the creation of Donald Trumps Board of Peace. Ms McEntee told reporters: "We want to be supportive partners in making sure that President Trumps peace plan, that it is a success, that we can bring peace to the region and that we can ultimately look towards a two-State solution and the ability for Palestinians to live in their own land." While saying she wants the peace plan to succeed, she admitted the initial phase had been imperfect, condemning both the ongoing bombardment of Gaza but also the blocking of aid into the Palestinian territory. Ireland is not alone in its criticism of the Israeli ceasefire violations, with Mr Abdelatty calling for an immediate halt to future attacks. Mr Abdelatty said there is currently a good amount of agreement on the formation of the technocratic Palestinian administration, which will be responsible for managing Gaza and providing people with their basic needs on the ground. While Gaza was top of the agenda for the two ministers, the rising tensions in Iran were also discussed, as daily protests against the Iranian regime continue to ratchet up. Protesters are continuing to take to the streets, despite estimates that the death toll in the country has reached over 544, of which 496 were activists. It has also made Iranian authorities switch off communications networks across the country, with McEntee questioning why a country would do this, unless they had something to hide. The difficulties for the Islamic Republic of Iran arent just at home, however, as Donald Trump has warned he could take military action against Tehran over the killing of its civilians. Military action in Iran, whether thats US troops on the ground in Tehran or strikes against targets in the country, would likely destabilise the region further, with Ms McEntee urging calm. While Ms McEntee is likely to get plaudits across the board in the Middle East for Irelands stance on Palestine, she may have a tougher time once she returns home and has to face the Dail. Its almost certain that her time as foreign affairs minister will be dominated by the Occupied Territories Bill and its status, as the opposition continue to pressure the Government to introduce the bill at pace. While the inclusion of services has all but been ruled out, with Micheal Martin describing it as not implementable, the Coalition will come in for pressure on the opposite benches. Helen McEntee will not only need to face down the internal critics in the Dail, but also pressure from the US lobby, who are seeking to kill the law outright. Upon her return to home soil on Thursday, she will soon find that it will be very difficult to please everybody. The US has accused Russia of a dangerous and inexplicable escalation of its nearly four-year war in Ukraineat a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance negotiations towards peace. US deputy ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce singled out Russias launch of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile last week close to Ukraines border with Poland, a Nato ally. She told an emergency meeting of the Security Council that the US deplores the staggering number of casualties in the conflict and condemns Russias intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructure. Ukraine called for the meeting after last Thursdays overnight Russian bombardment with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including the powerful, new hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which Moscow used for only the second time in what was a clear warning to Kyivs Nato allies. The large-scale attack came days after Ukraine and its allies reported major progress towards agreeing on how to defend the country from further Moscow aggression if a US-led peace deal is struck. The attack also coincided with a new chill in relations between Moscow and Washington after Russia condemned the US seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic. And it came as US president Donald Trump signalled he is on board with a hard-hitting sanctions package meant to economically cripple Russia. US president Donald Trump indicated he is on board with hard-hitting sanctions on Russia (Alex Brandon/AP) Moscow has given no public signal it is willing to budge from its maximalist demands on Ukraine. And Russias UN ambassador on Monday blamed the diplomatic impasse on Ukraine. Europes leaders condemned the attack using the Oreshnik as escalatory and unacceptable, and US envoy Ms Bruce was equally tough on Monday. At a moment of tremendous potential, due only to President Trumps unparalleled commitment to peace around the world, both sides should be seeking ways to de-escalate, she said. Yet Russias action risks expanding and intensifying the war. A residential building burns after a Russian strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine (Mykola Myrnyi/AP) Ms Bruce reminded Russia that nearly a year ago it voted in favour of a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine. It would be nice if Russia matched their words with deeds, she said. In the spirit of that resolution, Russia, Ukraine and Europe must pursue peace seriously and bring this nightmare to an end. But Russias UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that until Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky comes to his senses and agrees to realistic conditions for negotiations, we will continue solving the problem by military means. He was warned long ago, with each passing day, each day which he squanders, the conditions for negotiations will only get worse for him, Mr Nebenzia said. Russia wants to sell to this council and the whole UN family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion. The carefully staged image of strength is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely detached from reality Similarly, each vile attack on Russian civilians will elicit a stiff response. Ukraines UN ambassador Andriy Melnyk countered that Russia is more vulnerable now than at any time since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Its economy is slowing and oil revenue is down. Russia wants to sell to this council and the whole UN family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion, he told the council. The carefully staged image of strength is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely detached from reality. Greenlands government has said it cannot under any circumstances accept Donald Trumps desire to take control of Greenland, as Natos secretary general, Mark Rutte, said the organisation was working on ways to bolster Arctic security. At the start of a critical week for the vast Arctic island, a largely self-governing part of Denmark, the US president restated his interest in the strategically located, mineral-rich territory, saying the US would take it one way or the other. The US president has rocked the EU and Nato by refusing to rule out military force to seize Greenland, which is covered by many of their protections since Denmark belongs to both. Greenlands foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, and her Danish counterpart, Lars Lkke Rasmussen, are due to meet the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, in Washington on Wednesday. Denmark, which has pointed out that a 1951 treaty already allows the US to significantly expand its military presence in the territory, has repeatedly said Greenland is not up for grabs, and it hopes a diplomatic solution can be found. Greenlands government said on Monday that the island was part of the kingdom of Denmark and as part of the Danish commonwealth, a member of Nato. It would increase its efforts to ensure its defence took place in the Nato framework, it said. The statement added that the territorys ruling coalition believes Greenland will forever be part of the western defence alliance, and that all Nato member states, including the US, have a common interest in the islands defence. Mr Trump has said the US needs to control Greenland to increase Arctic security in the face of an alleged threat from China and Russia. Mr Rutte said on Monday that Nato was working on the next steps to make sure that we collectively protect what is at stake. Speaking on a visit to Croatia, the alliances secretary general said: 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. Nato diplomats have said some alliance members have floated suggestions, including launching a new mission in the region, deploying more equipment or holding exercises, but talks are at an early stage and there are no concrete plans. Prime Minister of Greenland Jens-Frederik Nielsen Picture: AP Photo/Pascal Bastien Mr Rutte did not address Mr Trumps comments on Greenland, but said he welcomed other allies discussions on how we can basically [come] together as an alliance. Denmark was also speeding up their investments when it comes to defence, he added. Responding to questions after meeting with Mr Rubio, German foreign minister Johann Wadephul played down the risk of the US seizing Greenland. I have no indication that this is being seriously considered, he said when asked about the possibility that Trump would take unilateral action. Rather, I believe there is a common interest in addressing the security issues that arise in the Arctic region, and that we should and will do so, he told reporters. Nato is only now in the process of developing more concrete plans on this, and these will then be discussed jointly with our US partners. The EUs defence commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, said on Monday it would be the end of Nato if the US used military force to take Greenland, adding that EU states would be obliged to come to Denmarks aid if it faced aggression. I agree with the Danish prime minister that it will be the end of Nato, Kubilius told Reuters at a conference in Sweden. He said Article 42.7 of the EU treaty, the blocs mutual assistance clause, would oblige members to act in the event of an attack. It will depend on very much on Denmark, how they will react, what will be their position, he said. But definitely there is such an obligation of member states to come for mutual assistance if another member state is facing military aggression. The article has only been activated once so far, when France called for assistance after the 2015 Bataclan terrorist attack, and experts have questioned whether Greenland, which is outside the EU, would qualify without a change to the EUs legal order. A group of US senators, including Alaskas Lisa Murkowski, who last week said taking Greenland should not be on [the USs] list, are also due to visit Copenhagen to meet politicians from the Danish parliaments Greenland committee. The chair of the committee, Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic politician sitting in the Danish parliament, told reporters the planned meeting was good news as it was important for us to use all the diplomatic connections we have at our disposal. Ms Chemnitz said lots of incorrect claims were circulating about Greenland, and it was absolutely crucial we get some truths on the table. She declined to give more information about the meeting, saying details were yet to be fully decided. Germanys former vice-chancellor, Robert Habeck, suggested Greenland should be offered EU membership to fend off US interest in the territory. Writing in the Guardian, Mr Habeck called for a pragmatic and phased proposal. This should be the moment to explicitly offer EU membership to Greenland, and by extension to the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway, he said in an article with Andreas Raspotnik of Nord University in Norway. Greenland withdrew from what was then the European Community in 1985, after gaining home rule from Denmark in 1979, but the world had entirely altered since then and Europe should respond accordingly, they said. China on Monday criticised the US interest in Greenland. The Arctic concerns the overall interests of the international community, the Chinese foreign ministrys spokesperson, Mao Ning, said at a press conference. She said Chinas activities in the Arctic aimed to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and called for the rights and freedoms of all nations to conduct lawful activities in the Arctic to be respected. -The Guardian Frances far-right leader Marine Le Pen was returning to court on Tuesday to appeal an embezzlement conviction, with her 2027 presidential ambitions hanging on the outcome of the case. Le Pen, 57, is seeking to overturn a March ruling that found her guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. She was hit with a five-year ban from holding elected office, two years of house arrest with an electronic tag, a further two-year suspended sentence and a 100,000 fine. I hope Ill be able to convince the judges of my innocence, Le Pen told reporters on Monday. Marine Le Pen was seen as the potential front-runner to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election until last years ruling (Christophe Ena/AP) Its a new court with new judges. The case will be reset, so to speak. Le Pen was seen as the potential front-runner to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election until last years ruling, which sent shock waves through French politics. Le Pen denounced it as a democratic scandal. Her National Rally party has been coming out on top in opinion polls, and Le Pen alleged that the judicial system brought out the nuclear bomb to prevent her from becoming Frances president. The appeal trial, involving Le Pen and 11 other defendants, is scheduled to last five weeks. A panel of three judges at the appeals court in Paris is expected to announce its verdict at a later date, possibly before summer. Several scenarios are possible, from acquittal to another conviction that may or may not bar her from running in 2027. She could also face up to 10 years in prison and a one million euro (865,700) fine. In March, Le Pen and other party officials were convicted of using money intended for EU parliamentary assistants who instead had other duties between 2004 and 2016, in violation of EU rules. Some actually did work for the party, known as the National Front at the time, in French domestic politics, the court said. In handing down the sentence, the judge said Le Pen was at the heart of a system set up to siphon off EU parliament funds including to pay for her bodyguard and her chief of staff. All denied wrongdoing, and Le Pen argued the money was used in a legitimate way. The judge said Le Pen and the others did not enrich themselves personally. Le Pen handed the role of National Rally president to Jordan Bardella, pictured, in 2021 (Christophe Ena/AP) The legal proceedings initially stemmed from a 2015 alert raised by Martin Schulz, then-president of the European Parliament, to French authorities. The case and its fallout weigh heavily on Le Pens political future after more than a decade spent trying to bring the far-right into Frances political mainstream. Since taking over the party from her late father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in 2011, she has sought to shed its reputation for racism and antisemitism, changing its name, expelling her father in 2015 and softening both the partys platform and her own public image. That strategy has paid dividends. The National Rally is now the largest single political group in Frances lower house of parliament and has built a broad network of elected officials across the country. Le Pen stepped down as party president in 2021 to focus on the presidential race, handing the role to Jordan Bardella, now 30. If she is ultimately prevented from running in 2027, Mr Bardella is widely expected to be her successor. Russia launched a second major drone and missile bombardment of Ukrainein four days, officials said, aiming again at the power grid and apparently snubbing US-led peace efforts as the war approaches the four-year mark. Russia fired almost 300 drones, 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles at eight regions overnight, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media. One strike in the north-eastern Kharkiv region killed four people at a mail depot, and several hundred thousand households were without power in the Kyiv region, Mr Zelensky said. Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following a Russian attack in Kharkiv (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) The daytime temperature in the capital was minus 12C. The streets were covered with ice, and the city rumbled with the noise from generators. Four days earlier, Russia also sent hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in a large-scale overnight attack and, for only the second time in the war, it used a powerful new hypersonic missile that struck western Ukraine in what appeared to be a clear warning to Kyivs Nato allies that it would not back down. On Monday, the United States accused Russia of a dangerous and inexplicable escalation of the fighting, when the Trump administration was trying to advance peace negotiations. Tammy Bruce, the US deputy ambassador to the United Nations, told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that Washington deplored the staggering number of casualties in the conflict and condemned Russias intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructure. The Russian attack was the second major drone and missile bombardment of Ukraine in four days, officials said (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Russia has sought to deny Ukrainian civilians heat and running water in the freezing winter months over the course of the war, hoping to wear down public resistance to Moscows full-scale invasion, which began on February 24 2022. Ukrainian officials describe the strategy as weaponising winter. In Ukraines Kharkiv region, the Russian attack also wounded 10 people, local authorities said. In the southern city of Odesa, six people were wounded in the attack, Oleh Kiper, head of the regional military administration, said. The strikes damaged energy infrastructure, a hospital, a pre-school setting, an educational facility and a number of residential buildings, he said. The United States has accused Russia of a dangerous and inexplicable escalation of the fighting (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Mr Zelensky said that Ukraine was counting on quicker deliveries of agreed-upon air defence systems from the US and Europe, as well as new pledges of aid, to counter Russias latest onslaught. Meanwhile, Russian air defences shot down 11 Ukrainian drones overnight, Russias ministry of defence said on Tuesday. Seven were reportedly destroyed over Russias Rostov region, where governor Yuri Slyusar confirmed an attack on the coastal city of Taganrog. Ukrainian officials have previously said that they have targeted Atlant Aero, a company in Taganrog that produces components for combat drones. The city also hosts the Beriev aircraft company. Frances far-right leader Marine Le Pen returned to court to appeal an embezzlement conviction, with her 2027 presidential ambitions hanging on the outcome of the case. Ms Le Pen, 57, is seeking to overturn a March ruling that found her guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. She was given a five-year ban from holding elected office, two years of house arrest with an electronic bracelet, a further two-year suspended sentence and a 100,000 euro (86,000) fine. Ms Le Pen did not talk at her arrival at the courthouse. As the trial was starting, she stood up silently in front of the panel of three judges while reasons for the proceedings were being read by the president of the court. The room was packed with a crowd of dozens of reporters and general public. I hope Ill be able to convince the judges of my innocence, Ms Le Pen told reporters Monday. Its a new court with new judges. The case will be reset, so to speak. She was seen as the potential front-runner to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election until last years ruling, which sent shock waves through French politics. Ms Le Pen denounced it as a democratic scandal. Her National Rally party has been coming out on top in opinion polls, and Ms Le Pen alleged that the judicial system brought out the nuclear bomb to prevent her from becoming Frances president. The appeal trial, involving Le Pen and 11 other defendants, is scheduled to last for five weeks. A panel of three judges at the appeals court in Paris is expected to announce its verdict at a later date, possibly before summer. Several scenarios are possible, from acquittal to another conviction that may or may not bar her from running in 2027. She could also face an even tougher punishment if convicted anew up to 10 years in prison and a one million euro (860,000) fine. In March, Ms Le Pen and other party officials were convicted of using money intended for EU parliamentary assistants who instead had other duties between 2004 and 2016, in violation of EU rules. Some actually did work for the party, known as the National Front at the time, in French domestic politics, the court said. In handing down the sentence, the judge said Ms Le Pen was at the heart of a system set up to siphon off EU parliament funds including to pay for her bodyguard and her chief of staff. All suspects denied wrongdoing, and Ms Le Pen argued the money was used in a legitimate way. The judge said Ms Le Pen and the others did not enrich themselves personally. The legal proceedings initially stemmed from a 2015 alert raised by Martin Schulz, then-president of the European Parliament, to French authorities. The case and its fallout weigh heavily on Ms Le Pens political future after more than a decade spent trying to bring the far right into Frances political mainstream. Since taking over the party from her late father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in 2011, she has sought to shed its reputation for racism and antisemitism, changing its name, expelling her father in 2015 and softening both the partys platform and her own public image. That strategy has paid dividends. The National Rally is now the largest single political group in Frances lower house of parliament and has built a broad network of elected officials across the country. Ms Le Pen stepped down as party president in 2021 to focus on the presidential race, handing the role to Jordan Bardella, now 30. If she is ultimately prevented from running in 2027, Mr Bardella is widely expected to be her successor. His popularity has surged, particularly among younger voters, though some within the party have questioned his leadership. Ms Le Pens potential conviction would be deeply worrying for (Frances) democracy, Mr Bardella said on Monday in a new year address. Former US president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton say they will refuse to comply with a congressional subpoena for them to give evidence in an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The Clintons claimed a Republican-controlled committees attempts were legally invalid as Republican legislators prepare contempt of Congress proceedings against them. In a letter released on social media on Tuesday the Clintons told the chairman of the House oversight committee, Republican representative James Comer, he is on the cusp of a process literally designed to result in our imprisonment. Documents that were included in the US department of justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files (Jon Elswick/AP) Mr Comer says he will begin contempt of Congress proceedings next week. It potentially starts a complicated and politically messy process that Congress has rarely reached for. No ones accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have questions, Mr Comer told reporters after Bill Clinton did not show up for a scheduled deposition at House offices Tuesday. He added: Anyone would admit they spent a lot of time together. No ones accusing the Clintons of any wrongdoing. We just have questions Mr Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein but had a well-documented friendship with the wealthy financier throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Republicans have zeroed in on that relationship as they try to wrestle control over demands for a full accounting of Epsteins wrongdoing. Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. He killed himself in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial. Former US president Bill Clinton, left, and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton (LM Otero/AP) Multiple former presidents have voluntarily given evidence before Congress, but none has been compelled to do so. Mr Comer also indicated that the committee would not attempt to compel testimony from President Donald Trump, a fellow Republican, saying that it could not force a sitting president to give evidence. Oakland, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) The nationwide effort by far-right forces to quash academic freedom in the US, and legally declare any criticism of Israeli policy to be sanctionable anti-Semitism has reached a crisis point. In California of all places! Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 715 into law on October 7, 2025, with a signing statement that expressed reservations and inferred objections. (Its easy to imagine that the Governor, who is likely running for president, was threatened with the anti-Semitic tag if he vetoed it.) The bill amends the California Education Code to declare any critique of Israeli policy as an act of anti-Semitism, and went into effect on January 1. On December 17, US District Judge Noel Wise declined to issue a preliminary injunction against the law as requested by the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) attorney Jenin Younes on December 31, 2025, on behalf of Berkeley Middle School Teacher Andrea Prichett and other plaintiffs. She will still preside over a full trial on the merits of the law later this month. ADC has appealed his denial of an injunction against the law to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. California AB 715 was introduced by Assembly Members Rick Chavez Zbur and Dawn Addis to create a safer learning environment for Californias Jewish students (K-12-College-Grad School). The intent is to protect them from ideas and concepts that conflict with the Zionist narrative of Temple Sunday School Myths. That school of thoughts seeks to whitewash the story of Israels founding, and deny the reality of the Nakba or catastrophic expulsion of the Palestinians in 1948. It also protects those who prefer to deny the realities of the genocide in Gaza and West Bank pogroms, initiated by Israeli settlers against native Palestinians. The main flaw of the bill is that the definition of anti-Semitism comes from the deeply biased guidelines of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IRHA), which were accepted by the Joe Biden Administration. That expressly forbids, Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. This conflates any criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, and is the heart of the bill. It amounts to a violation of the First Amendment right of students to learn about different perspectives on Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East; and sets a dangerous precedent for other forms of censorship in education. Judge Wise set a hearing date for January 27 to determine the next steps, and entertain preliminary trial motions in San Jose; while the injunction to reject is being appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. AB 715 is supported by the usual suspects of mainstream Jewish organizations, including the American Jewish Committee (AJC), and the Jewish Public Affairs Committee (JPAC), which is one of the bill sponsors. Objections have been filed by the ACLU, California Faculty Association (CFA), and the non-partisan Cal Matters. The Council or American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) points out that the bill criminalizes honest discussions on Palestine and other global human rights issues. They cogently argue that AB 715 intimidates teachers to avoid speaking candidly about the realities of Palestine and Israel, politicizes complaints against teachers and students; and most importantly, blurs the line between legitimate intellectual discussion and discrimination against Jews. AB 715 declares critiques of Israel to be anti-Semitic acts that harass and discriminate against Jews. Teachers who expose their students to ideas, information, and instructional materials that may be considered critical of the State of Israel and the philosophy of Zionism, are subjected to harsh criminal sanctions, as illustrated by the ADC Injunction request filed in San Jose District court. This bill supports convicted felon Donald Trumps efforts to criminalize DEI, and any life form not devoted to supporting him. Informed Comment has discussed the dynamics and objections to AB 715 in two prior commentaries. Previously we stated that AB 715 does no more to effectively address anti-Semitism, than convicted felon Donald Trumps Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, to which many mainstream Jews object. Rather, it demonizes and criminalizes teachers who dare to be candid about the realities of Israel and Palestine. AB 715 is opposed by teachers unions, civil rights groups, and education advocates, as its effect is to silence marginalized voices in California public schools by shielding a foreign governmentIsraelfrom legitimate criticism and criminalizes honest discussions on Palestine and other global human rights issues. The CFA and other objectors all agree that anti-Semitism is a serious problem in education that must be addressed. Their assessment argues, AB 715 will not address antisemitismat least not in the way its authors may have intended. It will instead offer a legitimate means to surveil and censor educators in the very institutions founded on the principles of free speech and academic freedom. They point out that, Teacher discourse on Palestine or the genocide in Gaza will be policed, misrepresented, and reported to the Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator. Today, its Palestine, but tomorrow it could be your rainbow flag, your Black Lives Matter poster, or your ICE out of LA t-shirt. Most chilling is that AB 715 empowers anyone to file an anonymous complaint, alleging that any particular teaching is anti-Semitic. It appoints an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator, empowered to dismiss teachers for refusing to teach what it claims to be factually accurate, but is really Zionist-comforting fictions, from the Temple Sunday School myths. What is factually accurate has never been more confusing and subjective under Trump. His concept of truthiness selectively chooses information to fit a prescribed narrative. This fuels the ADC objection that AB 715 violates the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment because its vague nature invites arbitrary enforcement. The ACLU statement notes that, We all agree that antisemitism and all forms of discrimination must be addressed in schools. But AB 715 goes far beyond protecting students from harassment or violence. Instead, it polices what can be said in classrooms, subjects legitimate academic frameworks to overly broad censorship, and risks undermining conversations about history, identity, and human rights. If signed, this bill would chill free expression and critical inquiry in California schools, opening the door for political censorship of curriculum and undermining educators ability to teach with integrity. Image by ATIX from Pixabay Lost in this discussion is that many American Jews reject Trumps phony use of anti-Semitism as a tool to quash academic freedom. Even the venerable Jewish Council on Public Affairs (JCPA) issued an eloquent statement stating their objections to, the false choice between confronting antisemitism and upholding democracy. It boils down to this: Judaism is a religion with 3000 years of intellectual and spiritual history, embraced by many as a timelessly relevant narrative. Zionism is a political ideology, which began as a secular, agrarian movement in the late 19th century to help Jews find safe haven from the European pogroms. The original concept had no pretense of Biblical prophecy. Zionism of today no more represents Judaism today, than does Hamas represent Islam. As Zionism has become increasingly perverted from its original ideals under PM Benjamin Netanyahus Likud government, it has behaved in a manner that grossly conflicts with teachings from the Torah, Talmud and Midrash. This is why many Jews have divorced their practice of Judaism from Zionism, and why it is a bizarre stretch of logic to declare critiques of Israel to be anti-Semitic. And no, Jews who reject Zionism are not self-haters. This has become a very tiresome bromide. That label, however, may be applied to Trumps useful Jews, who have enabled the parallel rises of Fascism in the US and Israel, under Netanyahu. American political dynamics has wrought a compulsion to characterize spiritual advocacy as political. In his book, One G-d Clapping The Spiritual Path of a Zen Rabbi, author Alan Lew says of Martin Luther King on p. 37, His voice was a clear clarion call to justice. The vision that launched him on his crusade for civil rights was Ezekiels vision. King was a prophet, a pure religious voice, mistaken by almost everyone for a political one. Like all the great Hebrew prophets, he was completely misunderstood. In his 2025 Yom Kippur speech, Rabbi Emeritus David Cooper of Kehilla Community Synagogue in Piedmont, CA, noted that almost all of the great Hebrew prophets died impoverished, with a sense of failure. King was alternatively revered and reviled in his short life. His teachings and sacrifices encapsulate everything that Trump finds threatening to his agenda. So consider that resistance to the Trump agenda is a collective expression of evolved spirituality. AB 715 aims to quash that spirituality in California classrooms, and give comfort to those sympathetic the MAGA; agenda and uber-Zionist adherents, wedded to the old Temple Sunday School myths. It also aims to punish teachers for teaching candidly not only about Israel-Palestine, but other historical narratives with timely current relevance. By Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, Arizona State University (The Conversation) Days of protest across Iran have left hundreds dead and many more injured. Attempts by Iranian authorities to quell dissent through a near-total internet blackout point to the pivotal role that social media has played in organizing, spreading and documenting unrest. The Conversation asked Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, an expert on the impact of media in collective action in Iran, to analyze how social media has been used during the mass protests and what its use reveals about protesters demands. What has been the role of social media in the protests? The dynamics of collective action in Iran and elsewhere have changed dramatically with the global spread of smartphones and digital technology. This was first clearly visible during the Arab Spring, the series of uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East. During those events from late 2010, the phrase We use Facebook to schedule the protests, Twitter to coordinate and YouTube to tell the world first took hold. And social media has played a role in the cycle of Iranian protests that took place since then: In 2017-2018, 2019, 2022 and, most recently, starting in December 2025. Until the internet shutdown ordered by Iranian authorities on Jan. 8, there were numerous posts and videos documenting what began as the Bazaar protests against the falling value of Irans currency, the rial. However, social media use has shifted significantly since the blackout. While posts will likely reappear once access is restored, the more striking development is the global online response to the shutdown itself. Iranian diaspora communities and non-Iranians alike have used social media to share concerns about the blackout and about what may be happening inside Iran. Instagram and Twitter are filled with such reaction, making this form of engagement unusually widespread and visible. This level of attention appears even more pronounced than during the Woman, Life, Freedom protests following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish-Iranian woman detained by Irans morality police for not wearing a proper hijab. At the same time, Iranian dissident news channels outside the country have become key but controversial sources of rolling information, shaping their own narratives from limited available reports. Another thing to note about the social media element of the current protests is Reza Pahlavi. The exiled crown prince and son of the last shah of Iran ousted in 1979s Islamic revolution has actively used social media to foment and sustain pressure on the Iranian government. This demonstrates how such platforms continue to be used to mobilize and encourage further protest within Iran despite the blackout. How successful was the attempt to block internet access in Iran? The Iranian government has said it had restricted internet access in an attempt to prevent the organization of protests by what they claim to be agitators and external influences. The scale of the shutdown is unprecedented. The blackout has lasted several days and has reportedly extended beyond mobile networks to include landline communications. Reports suggest that some Iranians have turned to Elon Musks satellite-based internet service Starlink to transmit images, videos and messages. Even this alternative, however, is said to be facing interference from Iranian authorities. There is little doubt that in the modern era, rapid and real-time communication plays a decisive role in how collective action is organized and publicized. Despite the blackout, the Iranian government has continued to issue statements through its own social media channels, including those of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Both have claimed that legitimate protest will be heard, while warning that violence against public property will not be tolerated. The blackout could, however, backfire on the Iranian authorities. If, once lifted, it results in a surge of messages and visual evidence, then it may only serve to inflame a second wave of international scrutiny and provoke stronger reactions from both external actors and people in Iran seeing the images for the first time. This could present further political and diplomatic challenges for the Iranian government. How are the protests being reported in Iranian media? Despite widespread restrictions, a small number of media sources remain accessible within Iran, with state-controlled Mehr News frequently cited as one example. In the early stages of the unrest, state media adopted a relatively engaged tone, including the publication of official statements from the president that directly addressed the economic concerns underlying the protests. More recent reports from Iranian state TV channels, however, have focused primarily on the damage done to public property as well as the numbers of security forces killed or injured in the protests, labeling them martyrs. The point is to blame what it calls terrorist actors for the damage to property and life. Given that the majority of Iranian news outlets are state owned, this narrative has been repeated with striking uniformity, demonstrating a high level of message discipline and coordination. Research suggests that the tactic could work. A 2020 study found that pro-government propaganda reduces the likelihood of popular protest by approximately 15% the following day, with effects lasting between 10 and 15 days. In this context, Iranian counternarratives, official news reports and coordinated social media messaging can be understood not merely as communication tools, but as mechanisms fundamental to government survival. What do social media postings tell us about the protest? Most online discussion of Iran is now being generated outside the country, largely by Iranian diaspora communities and expatriates. Dissident media channels have amplified this activity, maintaining continuous coverage of both the events themselves and the stated aims of the protests. A clear pattern has emerged: What began with anger over the devaluation of the rial has quickly escalated into calls for revolution and the removal of the Islamic Republic government altogether. These demands have been strongly reinforced by Pahlavi, who has increasingly tried to assume the role of de facto voice and symbolic leader of the movement. What is also striking is how the overall tone of social media posts differs from what I would expect. In recent research, I used quantitative text analysis and machine learning to examine sentiment across multiple global protest movements. In several cases, anger and explicit calls for violence were far more pronounced than what I am seeing in Iran. To date, the Iranian online discourse has not reached comparable levels of outright calls for violent unrest. Rather, the overall tone remains relatively restrained. Expressions of anger are less visible, with greater emphasis placed on raising awareness of the blackout and voicing nonviolent opposition to Khamenei. How do the Iran protests fit a global pattern of Gen Z unrest? Irans estimated youth population under the age of 30 is around 60% of the overall population. This generation relies heavily on digital technology to communicate, exchange ideas and document everyday life. Owing to long-standing internet restrictions, however, access in Iran is limited to a small number of platforms. Instagram remains the most widely available. As seen in previous protest movements, particularly in Nepal last year, access to information and digital spaces is central to youth mobilization. In Nepal, Gen Z protests intensified when authorities attempted to restrict major platforms. What began as peaceful demonstrations escalated into violence between demonstrators and armed police, leaving many dead and injured. A similar pattern is evident across youth-led protests in other places, including Iran. Photo of Tehran at night by Nima Ghazaei on Unsplash Internet access acts both as a trigger for protest and as an essential organizational tool, enabling the sharing of information, mobilization of peers and real-time broadcasting of events. The persistence of Irans protests despite the internet shutdown suggests that the mindset of younger protesters has not shifted. I argue that this is largely due to sustained external influence, whether through the Iranian diaspora, dissident media outlets or the limited social media content that continues to circulate via restricted access to Starlink. Together, these channels continue to shape narratives and reinforce collective action. Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, Graduate Teaching Associate, School of Politics and Global Studies, Arizona State University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Phase V Results To Be Incorporated into Updated Mineral Resource Estimate and DFS Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - AbraSilver Resource Corp. (TSX: ABRA) (OTCQX: ABBRF) ("AbraSilver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of the Phase VI diamond drilling program at its wholly-owned Diablillos project in Argentina (the "Project"), together with additional assay results from the recently completed Phase V drill program. Phase VI Drill Program Highlights Fully-funded 15,000-metre Phase VI diamond drilling program is designed to expand and upgrade the existing Mineral Resources and evaluate high-priority exploration targets; Primary focus on extending gold and silver mineralization beyond current conceptual open pit limits at Oculto East, Oculto Northeast, Cerro Bayo and JAC; Targeted drilling also planned to assess sulphide-hosted and porphyry-style mineralization at Oculto Deep and Cerro Viejo; Phase VI results are expected to support continued Mineral Resource growth beyond those included in the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study, which remains on schedule for release in Q2 2026 and will incorporate all data from the recently completed Phase V program. John Miniotis, President and CEO, commented, "The successful completion of our Phase V drilling marks another important milestone for Diablillos. Phase V drill results will be incorporated into an updated Mineral Resource estimate ("MRE") that will form the basis of the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS"). With Phase VI now underway, our exploration focus remains on unlocking additional upside beyond the DFS." Dave O'Connor, Chief Geologist, commented, "Phase V delivered impressive intervals of gold mineralization extending beyond the conceptual open pit limits at Oculto East, underscoring the strength, continuity, and scale of the Diablillos mineralizing system. Phase VI has been carefully designed to build on this success - expanding known mineralized zones, upgrading Mineral Resources within and beyond the existing open pit, and testing several high-priority exploration targets across the district." Phase VI Program Overview: The Phase VI drill program is expected to comprise approximately 15,000 metres across approximately 50 diamond drill holes. Drilling activities have now commenced with two drill rigs active, and the program expected to be completed before year-end. Drilling is designed to both expand and upgrade Mineral Resources within and beyond existing conceptual open pit limits, as well as to test high-priority exploration targets across the broader Diablillos district. The highest-priority targets are focused on extending oxide gold and silver mineralization at Oculto East, Oculto Northeast and Cerro Bayo, where recent drilling demonstrated strong continuity and potential to further expand open pit Mineral Resources and improve strip ratios. Figure 1 - Phase VI Exploration Key Target Areas The Phase VI program also includes drilling to evaluate the Condoryacu target, which represents a new exploration area where the Company has recently entered into an option agreement to acquire the property from a third-party vendor. Condoryacu is located approximately 3 km south of the latest conceptual Oculto open pit and has not previously been drill-tested by the Company. Initial drilling will focus on verifying historical exploration data and assessing the continuity, geometry and scale of the mineralization. Successful results from this work could support the exercise of the option and highlight the potential for additional satellite mineralization within the broader Diablillos district. Phase VI drilling will also focus on JAC, Sombra and Fantasma, where additional drilling is designed to test for extensions of known mineralization and assess continuity between deposits. Collectively, the Phase VI program is expected to support continued Mineral Resource growth and longer-term exploration upside beyond the DFS. Latest Phase V Drill Results: As part of the recently completed Phase V drill program, the Company has received additional assay results from drilling at JAC, which will be incorporated into the upcoming MRE. Recent drilling at JAC was primarily aimed at delineating the margins of known mineralization. Results confirm that silver mineralization remains present at the periphery of the deposit, although grades decrease as we drill further away from the higher-grade core. The latest results are summarized in Table 1, below. Table 1 - Summary of Key Drill Intercepts: JAC Intercepts greater than 2,000 gram-metres silver shown in bolded text: Drill Hole Area From (m) To (m) Type Interval (m) Ag g/t Au g/t DDH-25-088 JAC 105.0 136.0 Oxides 31.0 45.0 - DDH-25-089 JAC 81.0 109.0 Oxides 28.0 49.0 - DDH-25-091 JAC 90.0 100.0 Oxides 10.0 35.4 - 109.0 120.0 Oxides 11.0 68.4 - DDH-25-093 JAC 70.0 118.0 Oxides 48.0 47.2 - including 70.0 82.0 Oxides 12.0 80.0 - 135.0 137.0 Oxides 2.0 47.3 - DDH-25-095 JAC 68.0 76.0 Oxides 8.0 30.9 0.25 Note: All results in this news release are rounded. Assays are uncut & undiluted. Widths are drilled widths, not true widths. True widths are unknown. Figure 2 - Plan View of Drill Results Collar Data Hole Number UTM Coordinates Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth (m) Area DDH 25-088 719373 7198777 4,144 0 -60 150 JAC DDH 25-089 719365 7198707 4,142 0 -60 140 JAC DDH 25-091 719035 7198685 4,133 0 -60 138 JAC DDH 25-093 719716 7198875 4,169 0 -60 158 JAC DDH 25-095 720028 7199047 4,201 0 -60 151 JAC About Diablillos The Diablillos property is located within the Puna region of Argentina, in the southern part of Salta Province along the border with Catamarca Province, approximately 160 km southwest of the city of Salta and 375 km northwest of the city of Catamarca. AbraSilver acquired the property in 2016, which comprises 15 contiguous and overlapping mineral concessions with excellent year-round road access. Exploration to date has outlined multiple occurrences of silver-gold oxide mineralization at Oculto, JAC, Laderas, and Fantasma, located within a 500 m to 1.5 km distance surrounding the Oculto/JAC epicentre. To date, over 150,000 metres have been drilled on the property, which continues to demonstrate the strong growth potential of shallow, oxide-hosted silver and gold resources. In addition, a large porphyry complex is centered approximately 4 km northeast of Oculto which includes outcropping porphyry intrusions within a major zone of alteration and associated gold rich epithermal mineralization. Comparatively nearby examples of high sulphidation epithermal deposits include: La Coipa (Chile); Yanacocha (Peru); El Indio (Chile); Lagunas Nortes/Alto Chicama (Peru) Veladero (Argentina); and Filo del Sol (Argentina). The most recent Mineral Resource estimate for Diablillos is shown in Table 2: Table 2 - Diablillos Mineral Resource Estimate - As of July 21, 2025 Zone Category Tonnes (000 t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) AgEq (g/t) Contained Ag (000 Oz Ag) Contained Au (000 Oz Ag) Contained AgEq (000 Oz Ag) Tank Leach Oxides Measured 26,545 119 0.71 183 101,564 604 156,487 Indicated 46,584 56 0.63 114 84,430 948 170,592 Measured & 73,129 79 0.66 139 185,994 1,553 327,078 Indicated Inferred 9,693 34 0.57 86 10,616 176 26,647 Heap Leach Oxides Measured 6,673 16 0.14 25 3,486 30 5,342 Indicated 24,102 12 0.17 23 9,163 133 17,506 Measured & 30,774 13 0.16 23 12,649 162 22,848 Indicated Inferred 10,024 9 0.20 21 2,811 64 6,850 Total Oxides Measured 33,218 98 0.59 152 105,050 634 161,829 Indicated 70,686 41 0.48 83 93,593 1,081 188,098 Measured & 103,904 59 0.51 105 198,643 1,715 349,927 Indicated Inferred 19,628 21 0.38 53 13,427 241 33,496 Footnotes for Tank Leach Resource: Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The formula for calculating AgEq is as follows: Silver Eq Oz = Silver Oz + Gold Oz x (Gold Price/Silver Price) x (Gold Recovery/Silver Recovery). The Mineral Resource model was populated using Ordinary Kriging grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model and mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids, which are a combination of lithology and alteration domains. The 1m composite grades were capped where appropriate. The Mineral Resource is reported inside a conceptual Whittle open pit shell derived using US$ 27.50/oz Ag price, US $2,400/oz Au price, 83% process recovery for Ag, and 87% process recovery for Au. The constraining open pit optimization parameters used were US $1.94/t mining cost, US $22.96/t processing cost, US $3.32/t G&A cost, and average 51-degree open pit slopes. The MRE has been categorized in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards (CIM, 2014). A Net Value per block [NVB] calculation was used to constrain the Mineral Resource, determine the "Benefits = Income-Cost", where, Income = [(Au Selling Price (US$/oz) - Au Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Au grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Au Recovery (%)] + [(Ag Selling Price (US$/oz) - Ag Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Ag grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Ag Recovery (%)] and Cost = Mining Cost (US$/t) + Process Cost (US$/t) + Transport Cost (US$/t) + G&A Cost (US$/t) + [Royalty Cost (%) x Income] The Mineral Resource is sub-horizontal with sub-vertical feeders and a reasonable prospect for eventual economic extraction by open pit and tank leach processing methods. In-situ bulk density were assigned to each model domain, according to samples averages for each lithology domain, separated by alteration zones and subset by oxidation. All tonnages reported are dry metric tonnes and ounces of contained gold are troy ounces. Mining recovery and dilution factors have not been applied to the Mineral Resource estimates. The Mineral Resource was estimated by Luis Rodrigo Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP (Geo), Independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Peralta is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resource. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding to appropriate significant figures. Footnotes for Heap Leach Resource: Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The formula for calculating AgEq is as follows: Silver Eq Oz = Silver Oz + Gold Oz x (Gold Price/Silver Price) x (Gold Recovery/Silver Recovery). The Mineral Resource model was populated using Ordinary Kriging grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model and mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids, which are a combination of lithology and alteration domains. The 1m composite grades were capped where appropriate. The Mineral Resource is reported inside a conceptual Whittle open pit shell derived using US$ 27.50/oz Ag price, US $2,400/oz Au price, 80% process recovery for Ag, and 58% process recovery for Au. The constraining open pit optimization parameters used and overall operational cost of US $11.31/t. The MRE has been categorized in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards (CIM, 2014). A Net Value per block [NVB] calculation was used to constrain the Mineral Resource, determine the "Benefits = Income-Cost", where, Income = [(Au Selling Price (US$/oz) - Au Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Au grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Au Recovery (%)] + [(Ag Selling Price (US$/oz) - Ag Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Ag grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Ag Recovery (%)] and Cost = Mining Cost (US$/t) + Process Cost (US$/t) + Transport Cost (US$/t) + G&A Cost (US$/t) + [Royalty Cost (%) x Income] In-situ bulk density were assigned to each model domain, according to samples averages for each lithology domain, separated by alteration zones and subset by oxidation. All tonnages reported are dry metric tonnes and ounces of contained gold are troy ounces. Mining recovery and dilution factors have not been applied to the Mineral Resource estimates. The Mineral Resource was estimated by Mr. Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP (Geo), Independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Peralta is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resource. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding to appropriate significant figures. QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols AbraSilver applies industry standard exploration methodologies and techniques, and all drill core samples are collected under the supervision of the Company's geologists in accordance with industry best practices. Drill core is transported from the drill platform to the logging facility where drill data is compared and verified with the core in the trays. Thereafter, it is logged, photographed, and split by diamond saw prior to being sampled. Samples are then bagged, and quality control materials are inserted at regular intervals at site; these include blanks and certified reference materials as well as duplicate core samples which are collected in order to assess sampling precision and reproducibility. Groups of samples are then placed in large bags which are sealed with numbered tags in order to maintain a chain-of-custody during the transport of the samples from the project site to the laboratory. All samples are received by the ASA (Alex Stewart Argentina) preparation laboratory in Salta, where they are prepared, then the pulp sachet is directly dispatched to its facility in Mendoza, Argentina, where they are analyzed. All samples are analyzed using a multi-element technique consisting of a four-acid digestion followed by ICP/AES detection, and gold is analyzed by 50g Fire Assay with an AAS finish. Silver results greater than 100g/t are re-analyzed using four acid digestion with an ore grade AAS finish. Qualified Persons David O'Connor P.Geo., Chief Geologist for AbraSilver, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and he has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. About AbraSilver AbraSilver is an advanced-stage exploration company focused on rapidly advancing its 100%-owned Diablillos silver-gold project in the mining-friendly Salta province of Argentina. The current Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource estimate for Diablillos (tank leach-only) consists of 73.1 Mt grading 79 g/t Ag and 0.66 g/t Au, containing approximately 186Moz of silver and 1.6Moz of gold, with significant further upside potential based on recent exploration drilling. The Company is led by an experienced management team and has long-term supportive shareholders. In addition, the Company has an earn-in option and joint venture agreement with Teck on the La Coipita project, located in the San Juan province of Argentina. AbraSilver is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ABRA" and in the U.S. on the OTCQX under the symbol "ABBRF." For further information please visit the AbraSilver Resource website at www.abrasilver.com, our LinkedIn page at AbraSilver Resource Corp., and follow us on X at www.x.com/abrasilver. Cautionary Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and 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 statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information. 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. When considering this forward-looking information, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Company's disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The risk factors and other factors noted in the disclosure documents could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information. 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. Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release Takaichi's Taiwan-related fallacies grave provocation against international law 10:27, January 13, 2026 By Xu Yongzhi ( People's Daily Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi openly claimed that a "Taiwan contingency" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" under which Japan may exercise the right of collective self-defense. From a legal perspective, this fallacious argument commits at least three serious offenses. First, it challenges the international order established after World War II. In 1943, China, the United States and the United Kingdom held the Cairo Conference and jointly issued the Cairo Declaration afterward. From the standpoint of international law, the document made it unequivocally clear that Japan's occupation of Taiwan was illegal, affirmed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and requested Japan to return all Chinese territories it had stolen, including Taiwan. In July 1945, China, the United States and the United Kingdom jointly issued the Potsdam Proclamation, which reaffirmed that "the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out." In September of the same year, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, explicitly pledging to "fulfill the obligations laid out in the Potsdam Proclamation." On October 25, 1945, the Chinese government proclaimed the restoration of the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan and held a ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan province of the China war theater. A series of documents and historical facts demonstrate that Japan's return of Taiwan to China was a victorious outcome of the World Anti-Fascist War and an integral part of the postWorld War II international order. Takaichi's fallacies, insinuating the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan question, constitute a blatant interference in China's internal affairs and an open challenge to the postwar international order. Second, it reneges on Japan's obligations. During negotiations on the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations in 1972, the Japanese government submitted a written document to China explaining the concrete meaning of the statement later incorporated into the Sino-Japan Joint Statement -- that "the Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation." Based on Japan's acceptance of the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, the document stated that Taiwan should be returned to China, which it described as "the consistent view of the Japanese government," and that Japan "has not envisaged that Taiwan would have any legal status other than as part of the territory of the People's Republic of China." This constituted Japan's commitment to China on the Taiwan question. Subsequently, China and Japan signed the Sino-Japan Joint Statement. In 1978, the two countries concluded the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which explicitly stipulates that the principles set forth in the Sino-Japan Joint Statement shall be strictly observed. Accordingly, recognizing that "Taiwan belongs to China" and refraining from interference in the Taiwan question are obligations binding on Japan. The above documents clearly demonstrate Japan's explicit commitment to treating the Taiwan question as China's internal affair. While Takaichi's remarks violate diplomatic commitments and amount to a repudiation of treaty obligations. Third, it violates fundamental principles of international law. By linking a so-called "Taiwan contingency" with Japan's "survival-threatening situation," Takaichi is attempting to use Japan's domestic law to confer legitimacy on intervention in the Taiwan question. Her remarks imply the use of force to interfere in China's internal affairs and undermine China's territorial integrity. This not only contravenes the Potsdam Proclamation and the guiding principle of the four political documents between China and Japan, but also violates international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. China will never accept such actions, nor will the international community permit them. So far, multiple countries have already spoken out to condemn these remarks. Those who challenge the international order will inevitably suffer the consequences; those who renege on treaty obligations will forfeit their credibility; and those who violate international law will ultimately face the verdict of justice. The Taiwan question allows no room for Japanese interference, and any act that crosses the line will be met with a resolute response. (Xu Yongzhi is the director of the Division of Japanese Security Studies of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Renegade Gold Inc. (TSXV: RAGE) (OTCQB: TGLDF) (FSE: 0700) ("Renegade" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Enrico (Rick) Paolone and Dain Currie as directors of the Company, strengthening the Company's leadership team with extensive capital markets, governance, and mining-sector expertise. Mr. Paolone has also been appointed as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Paolone brings more than 32 years of experience advising institutional portfolio managers across Canada and the United States. He previously served as Executive Vice President and founding Partner of the Capital Markets Division at Haywood Securities Inc., and as Branch Manager of the firm's Toronto office. Mr. Paolone has extensive experience in capital raising and capital markets transactions for early-stage public companies, with a focus on the natural resources sector, including precious metals and energy. He brings deep experience in corporate governance, strategic advisory, and capital formation. Mr. Paolone holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and bachelor's degrees in finance and economics. Mr. Currie is a capital markets and corporate strategy professional with over 20 years of experience advising private and public companies, primarily in the mining and natural resource sectors. He began his career as an investment advisor focused on junior resource markets and was most recently with Haywood Securities. Since that time, Mr. Currie has worked closely with management teams and boards on strategic planning, capital allocation, financing strategy, and governance, and has remained actively involved in the sector through principal investments and strategic advisory roles. Mr. Currie is President and Director of Oceanside Strategies Inc., and a Partner and Director of Oceanside Group. He has previously served as a director of South Pacific Metals Corp., Intertidal Capital Corp., and Wittering Capital Corp. Devin Pickell, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Rick and Dain to the Board. Rick's decades of capital markets leadership and governance experience, combined with his appointment as Chairman, significantly strengthen the Company at an important stage of its growth. Dain brings corporate strategy and capital markets expertise, along with a strong understanding of the junior mining sector. Together, their experience will support disciplined execution as we advance our exploration strategy and continue building long-term value in the Red Lake district." John Newell has resigned as a director of the Company. Mr. Newell will now act as an advisor to the Company. About Renegade Gold Inc. Renegade Gold Inc. is a growth focused company engaged in the business of acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in the Red Lake Mining District of Northern Ontario. As part of its regional-scale consolidation strategy, the Company has assembled one of the largest prospective land packages in and around the Red Lake mining district in proximity to major mines and deposits, as well as along the Confederation Lake and Birch-Uchi greenstone belts. The 1,320 km2 prospective and diversified exploration portfolio has significant potential for gold and critical minerals on trend with the major structures hosting known gold occurrences in the Red Lake mining district today, though mineralization elsewhere in the Red Lake mining district is not necessarily indicative of the mineral potential at the Company's properties. For further information, please contact: Renegade Gold Inc. Devin Pickell President, CEO and Director 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 Statements contained in this press 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 legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "significant," "expect," "may," "will" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the Forward-Looking Information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that all requisite approvals will be received, and all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Factors that may cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, inaccurate assumptions concerning the exploration for and development of mineral deposits, currency fluctuations, unanticipated operational or technical difficulties, risks related to unforeseen delays; general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes; timeliness of regulatory approvals, the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits, changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets and the inability to raise additional financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this Forward-Looking Information. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update this Forward-Looking Information after the date of this release or to revise such information to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Initial samples returning up to 6.17% TREO 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 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 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. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - CAT Strategic Metals Corporation (CSE: CAT) (OTC Pink: CATTF) (FSE: 8CHA) ("CAT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Binding Memorandum Of Understanding (the "Binding MOU") on January 12, 2025, with a number of private arm's-length parties pursuant to which CAT has been granted an exclusive right to earn a majority interest in a district-scale rare earth elements ("REE") exploration project located in Quebec, Canada (the "Project"). The Binding MOU represents a significant consolidation of a large and contiguous mineral claim package and provides CAT with control over an emerging REE discovery within a highly prospective geological district. Transaction Overview Pursuant to the Binding MOU, CAT has been granted the exclusive right to earn an undivided 80% legal and beneficial interest in the Project over a five-year option term, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Key commercial terms of the Binding MOU include: Issuance of 33,000,000 common shares of CAT to the vendors; Anniversary payments totaling CAD $175,000 per year for three years, payable in cash, common shares of CAT, or a combination thereof at the Company's election; A commitment to incur minimum aggregate exploration expenditures of CAD $500,000 over the option term with no minimum per year; Upon satisfaction of the earn-in conditions, CAT will earn an 80% interest, with the remaining 20% interest carried through to a production decision; A one-time cash bonus of CAD $500,000 payable upon completion of a bankable feasibility study; and A total 3.0% net smelter returns royalty, subject to partial buyback rights in favor of CAT. The Binding MOU will automatically convert into a definitive option agreement upon receipt of all required regulatory approvals. No finder's fee or commission are payable in connection with the transaction. Strategic Significance The Project, located approximately 80 km east of Kuujjuaq, represents a district-scale land position composed of 4 incontiguous claim blocs totaling 95 claims and a rounded 4,330 hectares with confirmed rare earth element mineralization. The consolidation of the claims under a single option agreement provides CAT with full operational control and the ability to advance systematic exploration across the broader district rather than on a fragmented, claim-by-claim basis. Figure 1: Project location map; Data source https://sigeom.mines.gouv.qc.ca/signet/classes/I1102_aLaCarte?l=A The Project comprises the mineral showing "Surivvik", which is a grab selected sample collected by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife of Quebec in 2011 while conducting regional geological mapping work. The Sample returned exciting anomalous values of 2,349.49 ppm REE, 2.97% P2O5, 392 ppm Zn, 53 ppm Th and 1,442 ppm Sr (GM 58329). The showing typology is interpreted as an ultramafic to mafic intrusion associated with a hyperalkaline complex and the REE host rock is described by the Ministry as an ultramafic unit whose composition ranges from clinopyroxenite to gabbro, enriched in magnetite and apatite, allanite, xenotime, and rare earth rich minerals and crosscut by whitish granite injections. Since and before the showing discovery no exploration work as been conducted on the property and remains at the very early grassroot stage. The Property additionally encompasses 3 majors alkaline intrusion interpreted by the Ministry as a Syenite to Monzodorite intrusion locally comprising clinopyroxene blobs hosting sphene, apatite, allanite, and magnetite (BG 2020-07; RG 2013-04). Figure 2: Regional Geology map with Project claims; Data source https://sigeom.mines.gouv.qc.ca/signet/classes/I1102_aLaCarte?l=A The Company believes the Project has the potential to host a scalable REE system, and its size and geological setting make it amenable to staged exploration, resource delineation, and longer-term development planning, subject to successful exploration results. Next Steps Following receipt of regulatory approvals, CAT intends to finalize the definitive option agreement and commence a phased exploration program designed to expand and better define REE mineralization across the Project area. CAT intends to commence a grassroot exploration program as early as the summer season 2026. The program will consist of geological mapping and sampling work to cover and sort-out the possible targets for a high-definition geophysical program to further define the geology and highlight the potential of the property and plan a mid to long term logical exploration program. Figure 3: Quebec High Resolution Mag map with Project claims; Data source https://sigeom.mines.gouv.qc.ca/signet/classes/I1102_aLaCarte?l=A Qualified Person Mr. Patrick Laforest, P.Geo (Quebec), is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 who has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this press release. The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify the historic information on the Property, particularly in regard to the neighbouring projects and historical drilling data. About CAT Strategic Metals Corporation: CAT Strategic Metals Corporation is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and derisking of overlooked projects situated in well-established geological districts in North America. The Company is specially focused on minerals which are considered highly strategic from a monetary as well as global infrastructure and energy point of view. CAT's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the trading symbol "CAT", on the OTCMarkets.com under the trading symbol "CATTF", and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "8CHA". 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. Particular risks applicable to this press release include risks associated with planned production, including the ability of the company to achieve its targeted exploration outline due to regulatory, technical or economic factors; and the completion of the transactions contemplated herein. In addition, there are risks associated with estimates of resources, and there is no guarantee that a resource will be found or have demonstrated economic viability as necessary to be classified as a reserve. There is no guarantee that additional exploration work will result in significant increases to resource estimates. Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek safe harbour. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. 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. Vancouver, BC - January 12, 2026 TheNewswire - Northern Lights Resources Corp. (the Company) announces that Mr. Graham Keevil has resigned from the Companys Board of Directors, effective January 7, 2026. The Company further announces the appointment of Mrs. Lisa Thompson to its Board of Directors. The Board and management would like to sincerely thank Mr. Keevil for his valuable contributions and dedicated service during his tenure as a director and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors. The Company is pleased to welcome Mrs. Lisa Thompson to the Board of Directors. Mrs. Thompson brings more than 20 years of experience as a corporate and securities paralegal, working with both large and small public companies listed on U.S. and Canadian stock exchanges. For the past five years, she has provided corporate secretarial and governance consulting services to U.S. and Canadian issuers. Mrs. Thompson has also served on various non-profit boards and committees, contributing her expertise in governance and compliance. She is a co-founder of Meraki Corporate Services, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Board believes that Mrs. Thompsons extensive experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and public company administration will be a strong asset to the Company as it continues to advance its strategic objectives. Qualified Person Steven McMullan, P. Geo. supervised the preparation of and reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr McMullan is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. For Further Information Luka Capin, Chief Executive Officer Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: +1 647 625 8669 About Northern Lights Resources Corp. Northern Lights Resources Corp is a growth-oriented exploration and development company advancing three key projects: the Horetzky Copper Project, located in the Babine Porphyry belt of central British Columbia, the Pup Copper Project in the Yukon and the 100% owned, Secret Pass Gold Project located in Arizona. Northern Lights also holds a 1% NSR royalty on the Medicine Springs Silver Project in Nevada optioned and operated by Torex Gold Resources Inc. Northern Lights Resources trades under the ticker of NLR on the CSE and on the OTC under the ticker NLRCF. This and other Northern Lights Resources news releases can be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.northernlightsresources.com. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering and the Companys future exploration activities and corporate plans. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as anticipates, expects, intends, plans, believes, or similar expressions, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or will occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this news release and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to exploration activities, changes in market conditions, and other risks described in the Companys public disclosure filings available on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. New results from ATXD26B deliver improved size and grade of 186 meters of 2.13% CuEq including 88 Meters of 2.70% CuEq with results for 400 meters still pending Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) (OTCQB: ATXRF) ("ATEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a second set of assay results for Phase VI drill hole ATXD26B, the second hole from the current campaign at the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project ("Valeriano" or the "Project") located in Atacama Region, Chile. Drilling commenced in September with six rigs operational on site and has already achieved over half of the 25,000 meters guided for Phase VI. As noted in prior releases, while the drill program is advancing ahead of schedule, assay laboratory turnaround times continue to be longer than expected due to elevated seasonal demand across the industry. "The continuation of drill results from ATXD26B has improved both the thickness and grades of the B2B breccia, reinforcing the continuity and growth potential of this high-grade zone," commented Ben Pullinger, President and CEO of ATEX. "The robustness of this high-grade system continues to be shown through repeated intersections of consistent, high-grade mineralization, underscoring its potential to support further resource growth. We now see a zone with approximate dimensions of 400 meters of strike, up to 200 meters in horizontal width and a vertical extent of 500 to 600 meters. We see potential to further add high-grade tonnes in the porphyry and other breccia targets at Valeriano. Our focus in 2026 is to aggressively advance these targets." Highlights include: ATXD26B , targeting the B2B Zone reported an additional 224 meters of assays, resulting in an intercept of 88 metres ( " m " ) of 2.70% copper equivalent ( " CuEq " ) (1.61% copper " Cu ", 0.99 g/t gold " Au ") within broader intervals of 186m of 2.13% CuEq (1.32% Cu, 0.72 g/t Au) and 448m of 1.50% CuEq (0.93% Cu, 0.51 g/t Au). Increase of 34m including 8% higher CuEq grade compared to previously reported 54m of 2.50% CuEq (1.58% Cu, 0.88 g/t Au); 40m and 7% CuEq grade increase compared to previously reported broader interval of 146m of 2.00% CuEq (1.30% Cu, 0.67 g/t Au) and 224m and 1% CuEq grade increase compared to previously reported broader interval of 224m of 1.52% CuEq (1.02% Cu, 0.49 g/t Au). i Confirms extension of the current limits of the B2B Zone by 100 meters down dip . Chalcopyrite and bornite mineralization with associated brecciation, characteristic of the B2B Zone was intersected from approximately 1,050m to 1,400m downhole, before entering well mineralized early porphyry associated with the high-grade trend until the end of the hole. Approximately 400m of assay results for ATXD26B are outstanding. Table 1 - Updated Partial Results for ATXD26B Hole ID From To Interval Cu Au Ag Mo CuEq % MRS(1) (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) ATXD26B 1,014 1,462 448 0.93 0.51 - - 1.50 Incl. 1,076 1,262 186 1.32 0.72 - - 2.13 Incl. 1,174 1,262 88 1.61 0.99 - - 2.70 Incl. 1,332 1,394 62 1.12 0.69 - - 1.84 (1) CuEq calculated using recoveries assumed in 2025 MRE (see Company news dated September 23, 2025) using the formula: Cu (%) + 1.04991243188302 x Au (g/t) + 0.00824244819238401 x Ag (g/t) + 0.000357909627766355 * Mo (g/t). (2) CuEq reported assuming metal prices of US$2,750/oz Au, US$3.80/lb Cu, US$27/oz Ag, and US$22/lb Mo. (3) CuEq reported assuming recoveries of Cu 94%, Au 95%, Ag 80% and Mo 64%. (4) ATXD26B was composited at a cut-off of 0.3% CuEq. (5) Ag and Mo are pending for 226m within the 1,014m to 1,462m intersection, 8m within the 1,076m to 1,262m intersection, 8m within the 1,174m to 1,262m intersection and 62m within the 1,332 to 1,394m intersection. 402m of assays are pending to the end of the hole. (6) 4m of drill core was not recovered in a fault zone between 1,140m and 1,144m. (7) Reported intervals are drill intersections and do not necessarily represent true widths. Figure 1. Long-Section of B2B and Porphyry Modelsii Figure 2. Plan Map of Phase VI Drill Holes Phase VI Drill Program Update The Phase VI drill program has six diamond drill rigs currently active on site and has already achieved over half of the targeted 25,000 metres of exploration drilling prioritizing the high-grade B2B Zone and similar nearby high-grade breccia targets. Details of drill holes currently in progress as part of the ongoing exploration program are provided below. Assay results will be reported as they are finalized and received from the laboratory. B2B Zone ATXD31 is evaluating northwest lateral continuity at lower elevation within the B2B Zone, with potential to extend into the high-grade core of the porphyry system. Assays pending. ATXD32 is testing the B2B Zone approximately 70-80m north of ATXD23A, extending high-grade mineralization along strike. Assays pending. ATXD25D is testing the northwest strike extension of the B2B Zone in the upper part of the breccia system. In progress. ATXD26C is testing the northeast extent of the B2B Zone and southwest extent of a B2B-like target, "B3B", approximately 175m northeast of drill hole ATXD25C. In progress. New Breccia Targets ATXD34A is testing the B3B target for potential high-grade mineralization approximately 130m east of the B2B Zone. Assays pending. ATXD35 is testing the B3B target for potential high-grade mineralization 190m east of the B2B Zone. In progress. ATXD30 is testing B2B-like mineralization at a newly defined "B4B" magnetic anomaly, located at the northern boundary of the property approximately 600m northeast of the B2B Zone. Assays pending. ATXD36 is evaluating a newly defined "B5B" magnetic anomaly, targeting a potential breccia body located northeast of ATXD30. In progress. ATXD33 is targeting an untested B2B-like geophysical anomaly approximately 1 km southeast of the mineralized center. Assays pending. Quality Control & Quality Assurance Drill holes are collared with a PQ drill bit, reduced to HQ and, sequentially, to NQ as the drill holes progressed deeper. Drill core produced by the drill rigs was extracted from the core tubes by the drill contractor under the supervision of ATEX employees, marked for consistent orientation and placed in core boxes with appropriate depth markers added. Full core boxes were then sealed before being transported by ATEX personnel to the Valeriano field camp. Core at the field camp is processed, quick logged, checked for recovery, photographed, and marked for specific gravity, geotechnical studies and for assays. From camp, the core is transferred to a secure core-cutting facility in Vallenar, operated by IMG, a third-party consultant. Here, the core trays are weighed before being cut using a diamond saw under ATEX personnel oversight. ATEX geologists working at this facility double-check the selected two-metre sample intervals, placing the samples in seal bags and ensuring that the same side of the core is consistently sampled. Reference numbers are assigned to each sample and each sample is weighed. The core trays with the remaining half-core are weighed and photographed. Additionally, core logs are updated, and specific gravity and geotechnical samples are collected. The remaining core is stored in racks at the Company's secure facility in Vallenar. From Vallenar samples are sent to an ALS preparation facility in Copiapo. ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. The prepared samples were sent to the ALS assay laboratories in either Santiago, Chile or Lima, Peru for gold (Au-AA24), copper (Cu-AA62), molybdenum (Mo-AA62) and silver (Ag-AA62) assays as well as and multi-element ICP (ME-MS61) analysis. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program. Qualified Person Mr. Ben Pullinger, P.Geo., registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario, is the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects, for the Valeriano Copper Gold Porphyry Project. Mr. Pullinger is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is President and CEO of ATEX. He has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the scientific and technical information contained in this press release. About ATEX ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north, located in the Atacama Region, Chile. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Lundin Mining/BHP), Josemaria (Lundin Mining/BHP), Lunahausi (NGEx Minerals), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick). Valeriano hosts a large, high-grade, copper-gold porphyry Mineral Resource: an Indicated Resource of 475 Mt at 0.88% CuEq (0.58% Cu, 0.25 g/t Au, 1.39 g/t Ag and 70.4 g/t Mo) at a cutoff grade of 0.35% Cu, and an Inferred resource of 1,511 Mt at 0.75% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 1.16 g/t Ag and 70.6 g/t Mo) at a cut-off grade of 0.35% Cu, as reported on September 23, 2025. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections, and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among others: statements regarding plans for the evaluation of exploration properties including the Valeriano Copper Gold Project; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities especially to the significant expansion of the high-grade corridor; mine development prospects; potential for future metals production; changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing and extent of exploration activities, including the Phase V and Phase VI programs contemplated in this press release; timing of receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities and mineralization; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental and local approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; timing of assay results; as well as those factors disclosed in ATEX's publicly filed documents. Although ATEX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking 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. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. i See news release titled "ATEX Intersects 146 Meters Of 2.00% CuEq At B2B Zone with Over 600 Meters Of Results Still Pending", reported on December 18, 2025. ii See news release titled "ATEX Completes Phase V Program Ending in High-Grade B2B Mineralization - Strategic Objectives Achieved With Resource Update Expected in 2H 2025", reported on July 30, 2025, for ATXD23A and ATXD29A details; see news release titled "ATEX Demonstrates Scalability and Discovers Overprinting High-Grade System in Phase IV Drill Program", reported on June 25, 2024, for ATXD26 details. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - Zodiac Gold Inc. (TSXV: ZAU) ("Zodiac Gold" or the "Company"), a West African gold exploration company, is pleased to announce a non-brokered offering of up to 20,000,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.20 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of up to $4,000,000 (the "LIFE Offering"). Each Unit will consist of (i) one common share of the Company (a "Share") and (ii) one-half of one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for a period of 36 months from the Closing Date (as defined herein) (the "Warrant Term") and will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.30 per Warrant Share if duly exercised on or before the date that is 36 months following the Closing Date. The LIFE Offering will be completed pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106" and such exemption, the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). Proceeds from the LIFE Offering will be used primarily to fund a diamond drilling program at the Company's Ben Ben target, aimed at expanding resource development and building on the Company's recent discovery success at Arthington, within the broader Todi Gold Project in Liberia and for other exploration activities, technical studies, and general working capital. The planned drill program at Ben Ben is designed to systematically expand known mineralization, test priority targets along strike and at depth, and advance the project toward resource definition. Management believes Ben Ben represents a scalable discovery opportunity with the potential to materially enhance the Company's valuation through continued exploration success. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with NI 45-106, the Units sold pursuant to the LIFE Offering will be offered in all Provinces of Canada except Quebec pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption. Subject to the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), the securities issuable from the sale of Units to Canadian resident subscribers will not be subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. Insiders and certain consultants that participate in the LIFE Offering would be subject to a four-month hold period in respect of securities issued pursuant to applicable policies of the TSXV. In parallel, the Company is advancing an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report, currently being authored by Dr. John Arthur, a highly respected geologist with extensive experience across West Africa and multiple globally significant gold systems. The updated technical report is expected to incorporate recent exploration results, refined geological interpretations, a NI 43-101 compliant resource at its Arthington target, and clearly defined priority targets. Management believes this work will provide a strong technical foundation for continued resource growth and support a meaningful valuation re-rating as drilling progresses. Brett Richards, a newly appointed member of the Company's advisory board, has committed to subscribing for $200,000 of Units in the LIFE Offering, In addition certain insiders of the Company are expected to participate in the LIFE Offering, making the LIFE Offering a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holdings in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as the Company's shares are currently listed only on the TSXV and 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, insofar as it involves interested parties, is expected to exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The material change report in connection with the LIFE Offering is not expected to be filed 21 days in advance of the closing of the LIFE Offering for the purposes of section 5.2(2) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the subscriptions under the LIFE Offering are not expected to be finalized until shortly before the closing of the LIFE Offering. There is an offering document related to the LIFE Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.zodiac-gold.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. It is expected that closing of the LIFE Offering will take place in tranches, with the final closing to occur not later than February 26, 2026 or such other date(s) as may be determined the Company. Closing of the LIFE Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. The Company anticipates paying finder's fees in connection with the LIFE Offering to certain eligible finders who introduce investors to the Company. Any commissions or finder's fees payable will be in accordance with the policies of the TSXV. The securities being offered have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (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 absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person. "U.S. Person" and "United States" are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, or elsewhere. About Zodiac Gold Zodiac Gold Inc. (TSXV: ZAU) is a West-African gold exploration company focused on its flagship Todi Gold Project situated in Liberia-an underexplored, politically stable, mining friendly jurisdiction hosting several large-scale gold and iron ore deposits. Strategically positioned along the fertile Todi Shear Zone, Zodiac Gold is developing a district-scale gold opportunity with additional iron ore potential, covering a vast 2,316 km2 land package. The Todi Gold Project has undergone de-risking, showcasing proven gold occurrences at both surface and depth, with five drill-ready targets, of which two have been drilled and high-grade gold intercepts. For further information, please visit the Zodiac Gold website at www.zodiac-gold.com or contact: Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections, and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's planned exploration programs and drill programs and potential significance of results are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital, and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events, or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 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. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - American Tungsten Corp. (CSE: TUNG) (OTCQB: TUNGF) (FSE: RK90) ("American Tungsten" or the "Company) is pleased to announce an update on advancing the underground drill program at the IMA mine. To date, 2,120 feet of drilling consisting of six holes has been completed. Drill Program Highlights: at the first D-Level drill station to be completed 2,120 feet across six holes completed since early December, with the final hole from the first D-Level drill station now underway; Drilling continues to intersect quartz veins with hubnerite (MnWO 4 ) mineralization; vein intersections occur over an area 400 feet along strike and 250 feet up-dip from the D-level; Drift to the second D-Level drill station completed; the rig will be moved after AT25-07, which will test the up-dip extension; An additional 3,850 feet of drilling planned across nine holes from the second and third D-Level drilling stations as part of the Phase 1 Program; Underground rehabilitation advancing on both, the upper D Level and the Zero Level, to support ongoing drilling activity; and Zero Level drill program expanded from 6,700 to 8,000 feet with the addition of a new drill station for Phase I and II Programs. "The initial drillholes at the IMA Project are successfully intersecting the vein system along strike of historical resources. While assay results are still pending, these early intersections reinforce the geological model and validate our disciplined, phased approach to resource expansion. Phase 1 is progressing exactly as designed, and we remain focused on advancing the targets that support our mission to become the first producer of tungsten in the United States," said Ali Haji, CEO of American Tungsten Corp. ABOUT THE IMA MINE The IMA Mine is a past producing underground tungsten mine situated on 22 patented claims located in East Central Idaho. Between 1945 and 1957, the property produced approximately 199,449 MTUs of WO3 and was subsequently explored for molybdenum and tungsten by various operators between 1960-2010. American Tungsten Corp is currently conducting an exploration drill program and assessing potential for re-start of underground tungsten mining operations at the IMA Mine. The Company's Phase 1 drill program is focused on five priority exploration targets consisting of the No. 5 and No. 7 Vein systems, the IMA West Vein, the Eastern Vein, and the Main IMA Vein. The program was designed to systematically test multiple sheeted tungsten veins up-dip and along strike of historical resources defined on the "D-Level" of the IMA mine. The objective of the Company's Phase 1 program is to further delineate these historically identified tungsten vein systems and address compelling low-risk targeted areas for expansion of known mineralization by the end of Q1 2026. Hubnerite bearing quartz veins have been intersected in all drillholes, consistent with those described in the press release dated December 18th, 2025. The No5 and No7 veins are interpreted to be laterally continuous between drillholes. Analytical results from this drilling are pending and there is no guarantee that assay results will verify visual observations of mineralization, grade, or economic viability. Plan map of the D Level showing recently completed drillholes Vertical Section looking N20W showing drillholes with logged quartz veins and geological interpretation. Hagby 1000 rig drilling AT26-05 Qualified Person Technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI-43-101"). Austin Zinsser, P.G., SME-RM, Vice President, Exploration for the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. ABOUT AMERICAN TUNGSTEN CORP. American Tungsten Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on high-potential tungsten and magnetite assets in North America. The Company is advancing the IMA Mine Project in Idaho to commercial production, addressing critical metal scarcity in North America. The Company's IMA Mine Project is a historic and high-quality underground tungsten past-producing property on private-patented land well above the water table with significant infrastructure. The Company holds an exclusive option to acquire full ownership (subject to a 2% royalty) and has expanded its land position with 113 additional federal claims covering nearly 2,000 acres. For further updates, visit www.americantungstencorp.com or investor relations, Joanna Longo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Social media links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/americantungstencorp/ X: https://x.com/amtungsten Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americantungstencorp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americantungstencorp/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@americantungstencorp CSE: TUNG OTCQB: TUNGF FSE: RK90 The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. This news release includes "forward-looking information" that is subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to, statements relating to the completion of the 2026 drill program on the time line described herein, the number of holes planned and the total feet anticipated to be completed, and all the risks and uncertainties normally incident to such events. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future events and that actual events or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures, Chain of Custody American Tungsten Corp's QA/QC program applies industry standard best practices to ensure data quality and integrity for the IMA Mine project, including maintaining chain of custody, secure sample storage, adherence to data collection protocols and inclusion of certified reference, blank and duplicate quality assurance samples in laboratory submissions. Initial Samples were submitted for assay to ALS Minerals, Twin Falls, ID in December 2025. Assay results will be released when available. Visual mineral identification was conducted by qualified professional geologists in conjunction with assessment of mineral form, hardness, streak, fluorescence and other semi qualitative data. Analytical results are pending and there is no guarantee that assay results will verify visual observations of mineralization, grade, or economic viability. Statements concerning historical mineral resources, production, and exploration results on the property have been obtained through both public and private sources, and are believed to be substantially factual and relevant in that they demonstrate the tenor of exploration targets on the property. Historical resource estimates pre-date the implementation of NI 43-101 and do not use categories stipulated by CIM. Prior operators assigned confidence categories which differ from those stipulated by CIM, as they may not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimates should not be relied upon until they have been verified. Neither American Tungsten Corp., or its Qualified Person, has done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or to verify historical information regarding past production, sampling or drilling. American Tungsten Corp. is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Exploration Targets discussed are conceptual in nature; it is uncertain whether a mineral resource will be delineated based on potential exploration. HALIFAX, NS / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Namibia Critical Metals Inc. ("Namibia Critical Metals" or the "Company" or "NCMI") (TSXV:NMI)(OTCQB:NMREF) is pleased to announce the filing of the independent NI 43-101 Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") for the Lofdal Heavy Rare Earths Project "2B-4" ("Lofdal" or the "Project") in Namibia. The Lofdal deposit has the potential for significant production of dysprosium ("Dy"), terbium ("Tb") and yttrium ("Y") which are the main economic drivers for the Lofdal project. The Project is being developed in joint venture with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security ("JOGMEC") targeting a long term, sustainable supply of heavy rare earths to Japan. As previously reported on December 3, 2025, the NI 43-101 compliant report entitled Lofdal Heavy Rare Earths Project 2B-4 Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) Namibia ("the Report") was independently prepared by SGS Bateman (Pty) Ltd. as the principal author under the supervision of Joseph Keane who is a Qualified Person in accordance with NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Darrin Campbell, President of Namibia Critical Metals stated: "The quality and depth of this Report reflect the work of SGS and a team of highly respected global experts. The Company extends its appreciation to all contributors for their professionalism, technical rigor, and dedication in delivering this comprehensive Report." About Namibia Critical Metals Inc. NCMI is developing the Tier-1 Heavy Rare Earth Project, Lofdal, a globally significant deposit of the heavy rare earth metals dysprosium and terbium. Demand for these critical metals used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other electronics is driven by innovations linked to energy and technology transformations. The geopolitical risks associated with sourcing many of these metals have become a repeated concern for manufacturers and end users. Namibia is a proven and stable mining jurisdiction. The Lofdal Project is fully permitted with a 25-year Mining License and is under a Joint Venture agreement with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). About Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and the JV JOGMEC is a Japanese government independent administrative agency which seeks to secure stable resource supplies for Japan. JOGMEC has a strong reputation as a long term, strategic partner in mineral projects globally. JOGMEC facilitates opportunities with Japanese private companies to secure supplies of natural resources for the benefit of the country's economic development. Rare earth elements are of critical importance to Japanese industrial interests and JOGMEC has extensive experience with all aspects of the sector. JOGMEC provided Lynas with USD$250,000,000 in loans and equity in 2011 to ensure supplies of the Light Rare Earths metals suite to the Japanese industry and invested a further $134 million in 2023. Namibia Critical Metals owns a 95% interest in the Lofdal project with the remaining 5% held for the benefit of Historically Disadvantaged Namibians. The terms of the JOGMEC joint venture agreement with the Company stipulate that JOGMEC provides C$3,000,000 in Term 1 and C$7,000,000 in Term 2 to earn a 40% interest in the Lofdal project. Term 3 calls for a further C$10,000,000 of expenditures to earn an additional 10% interest. JOGMEC can also purchase another 1% for C$5,000,000 and has first right of refusal to fully fund the project through to commercial production and to purchase all production at market prices. The collective interests of NCMI and historically disadvantaged Namibians cannot be diluted below a 26% carried working interest upon payment of C$5,000,000 to JOGMEC for the dilution protection. NMI may elect to participate up to a maximum of 44% by funding pro rata after the earn in period is completed. To date, JOGMEC has completed Term 2 and earned a 40% interest by reaching the C$10 million expenditure requirement. Total approved project funding to date is C$17,445,000 of the $20,000,000 earn-in requirement to reach 50% interest. Rainer Ellmies, PhD, MScGeol, EurGeol, AusIMM and Vice President of Namibia Critical Metals Inc., is the Company's Qualified Person and has reviewed and approved this press release. 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. Namibia Critical Metals Inc. Darrin Campbell, President Tel: +01 (902) 835-8760 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Web site: www.NamibiaCriticalMetals.com Renmark Financial Communications Inc. Preston Conable: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel.: (416) 644-2020 or (212) 812-7680 This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking www.renmarkfinancial.com 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. The Forward-Looking Statements in this news release relate to, among other things; the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and the realization of such mineral estimates; the statements and other results of the PFS discussed in this news release, including, without limitation, project economics, financial and operational parameters such as expected throughput, production, processing methods, cash costs, operating costs, other costs, capital expenditures, cash flow, NPV, IRR, payback period, life of mine and REE price forecasts These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management and the QP's at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company under takes 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. Vancouver, British Columbia TheNewswire - January 13 2026 Gamma Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: GAMA; OTCPK: MLLOF; FRA: MRDN) (Gamma or the Company) is pleased to announce that it will file an independent NI 43-101 Technical Report (the Technical Report) for its Mesa Arc Project (the Project), supporting the Companys advancement of the asset and outlining a clear path forward for exploration. Technical Report Highlights Extensive Historical Exploration Provides Strong Validation The Project benefits from a substantial historical dataset, including more than 900 drill holes completed in the surrounding area by prior operators such as United Nuclear, Anaconda, ARCO, and Magnum Uranium, confirming the presence of uranium mineralization and providing a strong foundation for modern exploration. Proven Geological Model with Recognized Analogues Mineralization is hosted within the Jackpile Member of the Morrison Formation, a proven stratigraphic unit that has supported significant uranium production elsewhere across the western United States. Shallow, Predictable Target Horizon Based on regional stratigraphy and historical drilling, the targeted mineralized horizon is expected to occur at depths of approximately 300 to 350 feet, supporting the use of cost-effective reverse-circulation (RC) drilling methods. Clear, Phased Exploration Strategy to Advance the Project The Technical Report outlines a two-phase exploration program, beginning with drill validation of historical intercepts followed by geophysics and targeted follow-up drilling, providing a disciplined and capital-efficient pathway to advance the Project. Recommended Phased Work Program Based on the conclusions and recommendations of the Technical Report, Gamma has outlined a phased exploration program, subject to permitting and regulatory approvals, designed to efficiently advance the Mesa Arc Project: Phase 1 Validation of Historical Drilling Phase 1 is intended to validate historical drilling results through the twinning of select historical boreholes that intersected the mineralized horizon. This phase is expected to include approximately 10 RC drill holes targeting the most prospective historical intercepts. The estimated budget for Phase 1 is approximately US$300,000. Phase 2 Geophysics and Follow-Up Drilling Subject to the results of Phase 1, Phase 2 is expected to include a passive seismic geophysical survey to better define the geometry and location of potentially mineralized paleochannel systems within the Jackpile Member of the Morrison Formation. Results from the survey would be used to design a follow-up RC drilling program of approximately 20 holes to test priority targets. The estimated budget for Phase 2 is approximately US$1.2 million. Permitting for the proposed exploration activities is ongoing, and the Company will provide updates as approvals are received and exploration programs commence. The Technical Report was prepared by Bengt Anders Hogrelius, M.Sc., RPGeo, SME-RM, of Hogrelius Geological Consultants, in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the Projects geology, mineralization, historical exploration, and future exploration potential. Gabriel Alonso-Mendoza, President and CEO of Gamma commented, With strong and accelerating tailwinds for the U.S. uranium industry, we are excited to advance the Mesa Arc Project following the filing of our NI 43-101 Technical Report. The report confirms that Mesa Arc hosts prospective geology consistent with uranium-vanadium mineralization found elsewhere in the Morrison Formation across the Colorado Plateau, and supports a disciplined, phased, and low-cost exploration program designed to validate historical work and create shareholder value. The Technical Report will be filed on SEDAR+ within 45 days of this news release under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Corporate Update The Company has amended the payment terms of the lease agreement with C Bar B Properties Corporation (C Bar B), first announced in the Companys news release on April 16, 2025. The Company has paid an aggregate amount of US$200,000 of the $250,000 initial consideration and has agreed with C Bar B to defer the payment of $50,000 until April 14, 2026, at which time the Company will pay US$300,000 and will also waive its 90-day cure period if the payment is not made. There is no change to the payments of US$250,000 due on each of April 14, 2027 and April 14, 2028. Qualified Person Mark Saxon (Fellow of AusIMM, Member of AIG), a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and a director of the Company, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release. About the Mesa Arc Uranium Project New Mexico The Mesa Arc Project comprises 41 lode mining claims in northern New Mexico, recently expanded by 185 new federal claims to cover approximately 4,520 acres. The district hosts documented historical uranium production and mineralization (McLemore & Chenoweth, 2017), with previous drilling by Magnum Uranium Corp. (2006) outlining a non-NI 43-101 historical estimate of 2.53.0 million lbs UO*. About Uranium In March 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14156 formally designating uranium as a U.S. critical mineral.1 This legal shift empowers federal agencies under the Defense Production Act to fast-track permitting, direct federal procurement, and prioritize uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, and fuel fabrication infrastructure across the country. A follow-on executive package on May 23 accelerated regulatory reform across the nuclear fuel cycle, including licensing of advanced reactors (Gen III/IV), small modular reactors (SMRs), microreactors, and establishing a goal of 400 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050creating a supportive policy ecosystem for domestic uranium producers and enabling secure HALEU supply chains for next-generation reactors.2 These efforts have been reinforced by a suite of recent federal initiatives, including a $2.7 billion DOE awards package to boost domestic uranium enrichment capacity, specifically targeting enhancement of HALEU and low-enriched uranium infrastructure to reduce reliance on foreign sources and support advanced reactor development.3 Meanwhile, the uranium market continues to face a structural supplydemand deficit, with primary production projected to lag reactor requirements over the coming decade. Years of under investment and tightened geopolitical trade have compressed inventories and elevated prices. Spot uranium prices recovered from lows near US $63/lb in early 2025 to US $82.00/lb as of early 20264, while long-term contracts and forward ceilings continue rising as utilities secure supply.5 At the same time, nuclear energy is increasingly viewed as a reliable, carbon-free backbone for both energy security and climate goals, with Western governments doubling down on nuclear deployment and investing in domestic fuel chains, SMRs, and advanced reactor technologies.6 These tailwinds explain why the Company feels strategically positioned in uranium, eager to help to supply a market poised for structural growth and supported by strong public policy frameworks. 1 White House: Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production (Executive Order ED 14156, March 2025) https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/immediate-measures-to-increase-american-mineral-production/ 2 K&L Gates: President Trump Issues Sweeping Executive Orders Targeting Nuclear Regulation (May 23, 2025) https://www.klgates.com/President-Trump-Issues-Sweeping-Executive-Orders-Targeting-Nuclear Regulation-6-5-2025 3US awards $2.7 billion worth of orders to boost uranium enrichment | Reuters 4 UxC U3O8 Daily Spot Price based on 10/7/2025 5 Sprott: Uraniums Mid-Year Momentum (June 2025 pricing and equity data) https://sprott.com/insights/uranium-s-mid-year-momentum/ 6 Reuters: Trumps nuclear energy orders would boost uranium prices, investments (May 27, 2025) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/trumps-nuclear-energy-orders-would-boost-uranium-prices-investments-experts-say-2025-05-27/ About Gamma Resources Ltd. Gamma Resources Ltd. is a U.S.-focused uranium exploration and development company advancing high-quality assets in the Mountain West region. The Companys portfolio includes the Green River Project in Utah, comprising 1,100 acres near prominent regional producers, and the Mesa Arc Project in New Mexico, a strategic land position now totaling 4,520 acres that includes historic uranium resources in the Chama Basin. Management believes the Company is uniquely positioned to benefit from the unprecedented policy and market tailwinds reshaping the U.S. nuclear landscape, and help meet this demand with responsibly sourced, U.S.-based uranium supply. Gamma trades on the Toronto Venture Exchange (TSX-V: GAMA), OTC (OTCPK: MLLOF) and Frankfurt (FRA: MRDN). For Further Information Mr. Gabriel Alonso-Mendoza, President and CEO Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: (833) 854-6826 www.gammaresourcesltd.com 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. Statements made in this news release, other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Companys 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. this parts/single-class has been deprecated Drilling Focused on Finding Additional Zones of High-Grade Uranium Mineralization Epp Lake Corridor Geophysics Program is Ongoing Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2026) - CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: CVV) (OTCQX: CVVUF) (FSE: DH7) ("CanAlaska" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the start of drilling as part of the $15 million 2026 exploration program on the West McArthur Joint Venture project (the "Project") in the southeastern Athabasca Basin (Figure 2). The 2026 West McArthur winter program will focus on continued step outs from the Pike Zone high-grade mineralization to evaluate for additional zones of high-grade uranium mineralization and continuation of the associated large hydrothermal alteration system. Three drills have been mobilized to the project site and drilling has now begun (Figure 1). The West McArthur project, a Joint Venture with Cameco Corporation, is operated by CanAlaska that holds an estimated 88.86% ownership in the Project as a result of sole-funding exploration in 2025. The 2026 exploration program will be co-funded by Cameco and CanAlaska under the Joint Venture. Figure 1 Drills at West McArthur Project Looking West Along the C10S Trend CanAlaska CEO, Cory Belyk, comments, "The CanAlaska team and contractors are on site and drilling this prolific high-grade uranium corridor with a focus of finding the next high-grade 'pearl' of mineralization. Results from our 2025 summer drilling program indicate a continuation of unconformity related uranium mineralization and closely associated structure, alteration and anomalous geochemistry like that observed in association with the nearby main Pike Zone high-grade uranium pod. With continued drilling success, the 2026 drilling program results could be transformative for our shareholders in the backdrop of climbing spot and term contract uranium prices." 2026 West McArthur Exploration Program The 2026 winter drill program on the West McArthur project will consist of three diamond drills operating to achieve an estimated 20 to 25 unconformity target intersections. The primary focus for the winter program will be on the immediate southwest and northeast extensions of the currently defined mineralized footprint (Figure 3). The Company will take a results-based approach, evaluating on a hole-by-hole basis, continued step outs along the C10S corridor from the Pike Zone. The Company will utilize the recent geophysical survey results, which indicate interpreted structural complexity with sharp changes in orientation of the main conductor trend in the immediate four kilometres of strike length around the Pike Zone, to evaluate exploration targets around and along strike of the current Pike Zone footprint. The Company will continue to use downhole mud-motor deviation technology for pilot holes and directional offcuts to increase drilling efficiency and target intercept accuracy. Figure 2 West McArthur Project Location Results from previous drill programs on the Project have outlined a mineralized footprint of the Pike Zone at the unconformity that has been traced over 500 metres in strike length. Within the mineralized footprint, a 140-metre-long high-grade pod has been outlined. Results from the most recent drill program indicate the presence of strong hydrothermal alteration, intense structural disruption, and uranium mineralization that appear to be increasing to the southwest along the C10S trend approximately 250 metres away from the high-grade pod of Pike Zone (see News Release dated November 6th, 2025). In the 250 metres of strike length immediately to the southwest of the high-grade pod, the unconformity target area has only been sparsely tested. The Company believes that the results from the most recent drill program highlight the potential for additional zones of high-grade unconformity-associated uranium mineralization to exist. Figure 3 2026 Winter Drill Target Areas on West McArthur Project Based on the recent positive drill program results, the interpreted geophysical survey results, and the already proven uranium endowment of the C10 and C10S corridors, the Company believes there is significant potential for the discovery of additional unconformity-related high-grade zones of uranium mineralization. As part of the 2026 exploration program, the Company is also completing a ground-based electromagnetic survey to investigate the extension of the Epp Lake conductor on to the West McArthur Project (Figure 2). A modern Stepwise Moving Loop Time Domain Electromagnetics survey, using the same survey design that led to the discovery of the Pike Zone, is ongoing to advance this part of the West McArthur Project. The survey will be completed by Abitibi Geophysics. The Company expects to complete the winter portion of the 2026 exploration program in April. As part of the approved 2026 exploration program and budget, a summer drilling program is planned. Other News The Company also announces that it has granted incentive stock options to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 7,470,000 common shares of the Company pursuant to CanAlaska's omnibus equity incentive plan. These options are exercisable for a period of five years at a price of $0.74 per share. Pursuant to TSX Venture Exchange policies, 50,000 of these options granted to an investor relations consultant will vest as to 25% on each of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months from their date of grant. All other options are fully vested. The Company also announces that it has extended the term of its investor relations letter agreement dated December 22, 2022, as amended, with Rayleigh Capital Ltd. ("Rayleigh Capital") from December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2026, subject to approval from the TSXV (refer to the Company's news release of June 19, 2025). Either party is permitted to terminate the extended agreement upon providing the other party with 60 days' prior written notice of termination. All other terms of the contract remain as previously disclosed. Rayleigh Capital focuses on global investor relations for junior and small cap companies specializing at exposing companies to a wide audience of investment professionals. Under the extended agreement, the Company pays $8,500 per month (plus GST) to Rayleigh Capital to provide liaison, coordination, corporate growth strategy, communications and other services to CanAlaska. The fee paid by the Company to Rayleigh Capital under the extended agreement is for services only. The Company and Rayleigh Capital act at arm's length. Rayleigh Capital has the following interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or its securities: it owns 15,000 shares of the Company and has been granted 250,000 stock options (including 50,000 stock options granted today) pursuant to CanAlaska's omnibus equity incentive plan. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States 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 U.S. Persons (as defined in the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available. About CanAlaska Uranium CanAlaska is a leading explorer of uranium in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan, Canada. With a project generator model, the Company has built a large portfolio of uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin. CanAlaska owns numerous uranium properties, totaling approximately 500,000 hectares, with clearly defined targets in the Athabasca Basin covering both basement and unconformity uranium deposit potential. The Company has recently concentrated on the West McArthur high-grade uranium expansion with targets in 2024 and 2025 leading to significant success at Pike Zone. Fully financed for the upcoming 2026 drill season, CanAlaska is focused on uranium deposit discovery and delineation in a safe and secure jurisdiction. The Company has the right team in place with a track record of discovery and projects that are located next to critical mine and mill infrastructure. The Company's head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada with a satellite office in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Nathan Bridge, MSc., P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for CanAlaska Uranium Ltd., who has reviewed and approved its contents. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Cory Belyk" Cory Belyk, P.Geo., FGC CEO, President and Director CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking information All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and the Company cautions against placing undue reliance thereon. The Company assumes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. The decision handed down in December 2024 caused quite a stir, as it was the first time that a state had been found guilty of crimes against humanity during its colonial period. This legal victory for five women born to Belgian fathers and Congolese mothers whom Belgium took from their families, paves the way for others. Between 1948 and 1951, nearly 15,000 Belgian mixed-race children were abducted, declared to have no known father, and placed in religious missions several hundred kilometres from their home villages. Mixed marriages were considered a sin at the time. The Belgian state appealed to the Court of Cassation following the ruling of the Brussels Court of Appeal, which ordered it to pay 50,000 plus interest at a legal rate dating back to when they were abducted to the five plaintiffs: Monique Bitu Bingi, Noelle Verbeken, Simone Ngalula, Marie-Jose Loshi, and Lea Tavares Mujinga. The women did not wish to disclose the final amounts that they have received. The Court of Cassation has not yet ruled on the case, and if it overturns the judgment, the plaintiffs may be required to repay the money while awaiting a new trial. A price cannot be put on a life A price cannot be put on a life, but there must be some reparation, says Lea, now 79 years old. Lea married a Belgian man. She now lives north of Brussels, where she spoke to Justice Info along with Simone, whom she met in the same religious congregation 60 years ago and calls her little sister. The two women, born to a Congolese mother and a Belgian father, agreed to look back on their lives. I was two years old when I was taken from my parents in 1948, says Lea. The state had already taken my brother a year earlier, but I was still too young then. I was not yet weaned and still wore diapers. They waited until my father was on vacation and then sent in the military. If my mother had refused, they would have sent her to prison. Lea was placed in the religious mission of Katende in the central-western Kasai region of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was hundreds of miles from her village. I was completely disoriented. I didnt understand the language, their food was strange and there was no more milk, I was weaned immediately. They took away my little dress, my shoes, my socks, and left me barefoot. I slept on a small wooden bed without sheets or a pillow, just a blanket like the ones they gave to prisoners in the camps or the ones you put in the trunk of a car. We washed in the river, there were no towels to dry ourselves with in the morning, no toothbrushes, no toilet paper. The conditions were inhumane. If you refused to eat, it was your problem, not the nuns. Abandonment after abandonment Above all was the feeling of abandonment. At that age, we still wanted the smell of our mothers, Lea continues. My father came back from Portugal to find me but when he arrived his child was gone, and he divorced my mother. She came to see me once or twice at the mission, but then she fell very ill. Lea remained until she was 14 in this religious mission, where abuse and food deprivation could be a daily occurrence. She was then sent to Mikalayi, southwest of Kananga, to continue her education. Lea was abandoned once again in 1960, when Congo became independent, by the same sisters who had taken her away 12 years earlier. I had just obtained a teaching qualification and was waiting for the sisters to come and get me, but no one came. All the other children had left and I couldnt stay there, says the 70-year-old. On the eve of independence, tensions rose in the Kasai region and the congregation was evacuated. The nuns managed to flee in UN trucks, leaving behind some 50 mixed-race girls. They were placed in a dispensary, right next to the morgue, Simone recalls, supervised by militiamen who abused them after dark. The children of sin Lea did not know what to do. I couldnt stay in Mikalayi anymore, but I didnt know what transport to take, so I followed a girl to her village with my little cardboard suitcase. When she arrived in the village, she was introduced to a member of her mothers ethnic group. Luckily, he turned out to be her grandfather, and his family arranged for her to return to her native village. Her mother was very ill and died a few years later. Her father was living in Portugal at the time, and as soon as he heard I was coming back to the village, he asked me to join him. I wanted to work in Congo, so I refused, Lea recalls. We were called children of sin, says Simone. I didnt even know I had brothers. I only know my story now. We had become strangers in our own families, Lea continues. We didnt grow up with them, as they excluded us from family gatherings. They rejected us because of the Belgian state. I no longer had a name or an identity. My name was just Lea, and I didnt have a date of birth. The mixed-race girls from the Katende mission stayed in touch, even though their life paths took them to different countries. Lea and Simone married Belgian men and ended up in Brussels. We are even more like sisters than blood sisters; we grew up together, Lea says quietly. As the years passed, these sisters met regularly, feeling the need to retrace their journey and rediscover their identity. This was especially true for Monique, who travelled to Congo to find colonial archives. Why take away the children? For what reasons? Thats why we went to court, Lea says. Whenever we met, we cried. We realized that what we had been through was not normal, Simone recounts. The Belgian government apologized in March 2018, but no compensation was planned. All I had left was Papa State, she says. Belgium ruined my life, and I am still wondering if it can be repaired, adds Lea. Words alone werent enough; action was needed. The decision brings us relief, partly because the story is now public knowledge and Papa State, as we called it, has been ordered to pay compensation. We applaud the courage of the Belgian justice system. When you make a mistake, you have to make amends. Lea, like Simone, now wants to move forward. I was in contact with several sisters from other countries just before the verdict, in Chad, Rwanda, Nigeria, Canada. We talked, and many of them were very angry about what we had been through, says Lea. But according to plaintiffs lawyer Michele Hirsch, no other legal proceedings like those of the five Belgian-Congolese women have been initiated to date. Sri Lankan forces used sexual violence against minority Tamils during the island's decades-long separatist war, and victims still await justice 17 years after the fighting ended, a UN report said Tuesday. Troops crushed the separatists following a no-holds-barred offensive and declared an end to the war by May 2009. The spectacular military success also drew allegations of widespread war crimes. Sexual assaults were used as a tool to extract information, intimidate individuals and communities, and instil a pervasive climate of fear and humiliation, the paper by the UN Human Rights Office said. "Despite it being a longstanding matter of record, successive Sri Lankan governments have failed to adequately investigate or prosecute cases of conflict-related sexual violence," the report said. UN human rights chief Volker Turk urged the new government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to address the issue of impunity in the South Asian nation. "Recognition, truth, accountability and reparations are critical to restoring dignity to survivors, and advancing reconciliation and healing in Sri Lanka," Turk said at the launch of the report in Geneva. The report calls on Colombo to take immediate steps to acknowledge past sexual violence committed by state forces and others, and to issue a formal apology. "It should also implement survivor-centred reforms across the security sector, judiciary and legal framework, establish an independent prosecution office, and ensure access to psychological and social support," it added. The 30-page report is based on a decade of monitoring and reporting by the UN Human Rights Office, and extensive consultations with survivors, local experts, civil society and others. Beyond the shocking cruelty of the abuses -- including rape, sexual mutilation, forced nudity and public degradation -- many survivors said the attacks were intended to cause lasting trauma and break down communities. The report quoted one survivor as saying: "Sexual violence is a torture that never stops." Many victims continue to suffer chronic physical injuries, infertility, psychological breakdowns and suicidal thoughts, the report noted. Successive governments in Colombo have denied allegations that the Sinhalese-dominated military killed at least 40,000 Tamil civilians in the final months of the conflict. They have also resisted international calls for independent investigations. Estonia said Tuesday it had banned 261 Russians who fought in Ukraine from entering the country, promising it was "just the start". The interior ministry said in a statement those who had committed atrocities in Ukraine had "no place in the free world". Estonia, which shares a border with Russia, has advocated for a Europe-wide visa ban on Russian veterans of the Ukraine war for months and has gained support from Baltic and Nordic countries. The ministry estimates as many as 1.5 million Russians have taken part in the invasion, about half of them having served on the front line. Interior Minister Igor Taro said the threat posed was "not theoretical", adding that the Russians had "combat experience and military training, and may often have a criminal background". The ban was formally implemented last week, according to the ministry, and announced on social media by officials on Monday. "This is only the beginning," Foreign Minister Markus Tsahkna wrote on X on Monday, adding: "We call on other countries to do the same." "Ensuring accountability for war crimes while safeguarding Europe's security is essential to a just and lasting peace," Prime Minister Kristen Michal wrote on X. The move was praised on Monday by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiga, who called entry bans a "necessary security measure" and "a clear signal that impunity will not be tolerated" on X. It's that magical time of year again. Well, now it is, ever since the North American International Auto Show returned to its traditional January time slot. People who think we don't have enough mid-to-late winter holidays need some auto show in their lives. Yes, the 119th Detroit Auto Show is about to grace the stages of (checks notes) Huntington Place, formerly Cobo Hall, which has hosted the Auto Show since 1992. There are gonna be parties, press conferences, two charity galas full of glitz and glam and, of course, cars. The auto show has drawn presidents, CEOs, celebrities and musical acts to Detroit during what is inarguably the worst time to be in Detroit. In fact, it's one of the show's charms, giving the restless housebound southeast Michigan populace something to do in the middle of January. It also gives auto journalists a chance to complain about the cold, and there's nothing an auto journalist likes better than a chance to complain. It's a win-win. I've been lucky to attend pretty much every Detroit auto show since I was a kid as a spectator, then in 2013 I started attending media days, and I still get that little jolt of excitement that comes from being around the latest and greatest the automotive industry has to offer. Read more: How To Prevent Your DPF From Getting Clogged E for electricity, V for Chevy Volt and me There have been a lot of memorable moments for me. That time in 2018 I sat just three feet away from John Hamm at the reveal of the Mercedes-Benz C63, Volkswagen kicking off its 2016 apology tour for "dieselgatem" and in 2009 when Dodge drove a herd of cattle through downtown. Or that time our very own knuckleheads decided to sleep in a car in Cobo overnight and learned that actually, people work round the clock to make the auto show happen (and no one got any sleep). I managed to catch that one as an unpaid intern for our local NPR affiliate. At the first Cobo Hall auto show in 1992, then-vice president of Chrysler Bob Lutz smashed through a window in a brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokee with Detroit Mayor Coleman Young in the passenger seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the real fun auto show memories are the ones where automakers try to be super cool and end up lame. I remember a painfully enthusiastic rock band reveal once for a barely refreshed Mini Clubman. But the more wonderfully cringy and entertaining to be is the Chevy Volt reveal at the 2009 Los Angeles show. It's so corny and so low concept and just, very 2009. Was I there for it? No. Did my co-workers and I at Autoblog sing it like it was the catchiest Top 20 song to ever hit the charts during every auto show? You better believe it. Oh, and when the Bolt came out? We were on that with a by then long-forgotten jingle at GM's expense. So many laughs had, so many weird moments cherished. What are some of yours? 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. Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - A Kikuyu woman has shared screenshots of insulting and mocking messages she claims were sent to her by her ex-husbands side chick after her marriage crumbled. In a series of posts, the woman revisited the painful chapter of her life, recalling how the side chick would send her demeaning messages intended to humiliate and provoke her amid the affair. She further alleged that the woman frequently sent her photos posing with her ex-husband while mocking her, actions she says caused her deep emotional distress as her marriage fell apart. According to the woman, the harassment took a heavy toll on her mental well-being at the time. She later revealed that the woman involved in the affair has since passed away. Check out her posts. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - Police officers from Kenol Police Station have recovered a large consignment of contraband goods hidden inside a residential building in the Kimorori area of Muranga South Sub-County. The discovery followed a report by a house agent who raised an alarm over suspicious activities at a property rented by one Peter Waembu Waweru, who had failed to pay rent for two months before mysteriously disappearing. Concerned by the prolonged closure of the house, the agent alerted the area sub-chief, who peeped through a window and noticed items suggesting the premises were being used for the production and packaging of illicit alcohol. Police officers swiftly moved in and conducted a raid, uncovering an extensive haul of illegal items. The recovered goods included: 6 cartons of Supa Vodka containing 250ml bottles of Smart Vodka, 24 cartons of Trace Vodka with the same deceitful contents, 3 cartons of Lyniber Vodka, 109 cartons of Crywan Vodka disguised as Kingston Vodka, cartons of J-Movers and Rangers Vodka, assorted liquid suspected to be used for brewing illicit liquor, 5 sacks filled with various liquor bottle tops from different brands, 15 bags overflowing with empty bottles primed for repackaging, 1 carton of UDV Vodka, Various drums and jerrycans believed to have been used for transporting ethanol, two alcohol content thermometers, and a stash of 1,777 counterfeit KRA stickers, among other items. Police confirmed that all the KRA excise stamps found, both those already affixed to bottles and those yet to be used, were fake. All recovered items have been secured as exhibits at Kenol Police Station as investigations continue. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspect, who remains at large. The operation underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to crack down on the production and distribution of illicit alcohol, which poses serious public health and economic risks. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - Controversial media personality, Andrew Kibe, has clapped back at critics who mocked Kenyan men for their excitement during American streamer, IShowSpeeds recent Nairobi tour. The debate erupted after viral clips showed crowds of young men rushing to meet the internet star, sparking accusations of simping from some social media personalities, particularly women. In a video shared on Instagram on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, Kibe defended the enthusiasm, insisting it was rooted in admiration for hard work rather than blind idolization. IShowSpeed is probably one of the best streamers in the world. That guy is a beast, he said, highlighting the dedication required to sustain long, highenergy streaming sessions. Kibe argued that Kenya has always celebrated top performers, comparing the excitement to how fans would react if global icons like Usain Bolt, Tiger Woods or Mike Tyson visited. Its the same energy, he explained. He also criticized detractors for failing to appreciate the effort behind Speeds content, noting that streaming for hours across different locations is both physically and mentally demanding. Kibe did not shy away from addressing the gendered criticism, describing those mocking men as bitter. Some women cannot allow men to enjoy things because of their own issues. Its unnecessary, he said, framing the backlash as part of a wider conversation on online double standards. Speeds Nairobi livestream was among the biggest of his African tour, peaking globally and adding more than 360,000 new subscribers in a single day. The 20yearold streamer repeatedly praised Kenyan fans, declaring that the country had delivered his best experience so far after visiting eight of the 20 nations on his itinerary. IShowSpeed spent two days in Kenya, drawing massive crowds and leaving behind unforgettable viral moments. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - Controversial Zimbabwean businessman, Wicknel Chivayo, has sparked widespread debate on social media after sharing photos of himself having lunch with Mama Rachel Ruto. The meeting has raised eyebrows among Kenyans due to Chivayos past controversies in his home country. In 2024, Chivayo was linked to a reported US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) tender that attracted corruption and money-laundering allegations. Following the tender payout, Chivayo openly flaunted his wealth on social media, including purchasing two luxury Maybach vehicles within a week, boasting that the money involved was merely small change. His frequent appearances in State House in Kenya have continued to attract scrutiny, with many Kenyans questioning the nature of his relationship with senior Government figures. See the photos. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, has expressed optimism about the recovery of Kwanza Constituency MP, Ferdinand Wanyonyi, who is currently undergoing specialised treatment in India. In an update on Tuesday, January 13th, Wetangula said he had visited Wanyonyi at KIMS Health Care Management Limited in Kerala and was encouraged by the progress. I visited Hon. Wanyonyi where he is undergoing specialised treatment. I was encouraged by the progress he has made and remain optimistic about his recovery, he stated. Wetangula noted that the medical team provided a detailed briefing on the MPs condition, assuring him that the treatment process was yielding positive results. The medical team, led by Dr. Nitha J, confirmed that he is responding well to treatment and rehabilitation under close medical supervision. I was reassured that he is receiving comprehensive, multidisciplinary care This update comes weeks after Wetangula moved to dispel rumours about Wanyonyis health. On December 4th last year, he clarified that the MP had been hospitalised in Nairobi for a month before doctors recommended transfer to India. He stressed that Wanyonyi is alive and responding positively to treatment, dismissing malicious claims circulating in his constituency. He has not passed on; hes in a hospital in India and responding well to treatment, Wetangula affirmed. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - The Kenyan social media community is mourning the loss of upcoming city model and TikToker, Goretti Makena, who passed away following a struggle with mental health challenges. Sources close to the family say Goretti had been battling emotional distress for some time, highlighting the growing concern over mental health issues among young creatives and influencers under public pressure. Tributes have poured in from fellow content creators, models, and fans, many remembering her as vibrant, talented and ambitious. Makena appeared okay on social media but behind the scenes, she was battling depression. Her death has once again highlighted the reality that social media perfection can mask deep personal struggles. She was OK...... Oh my.... MAKENA pic.twitter.com/O0AAaDzEZc DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) January 13, 2026 The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - Kenyas trade prospects have been dealt a blow after United States President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs targeting countries that maintain economic ties with Iran. On Monday, January 12th, President Trump declared a 25 per cent tariff on any nation conducting business with the Islamic Republic, citing Irans violent crackdown on antiGovernment protests. Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25 per cent on any business being done with the U.S. This Order is final and conclusive, Trump posted on Truth Social. While Irans primary trading partners include China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iraq, Kenya has also long maintained economic links with Tehran, particularly through tea exports. Iran has historically been a major buyer of Kenyan tea, with exports in 2024 valued at approximately $43.68 million (KSh 4.26 billion). However, late 2024 saw disruptions after Iranian authorities raised concerns over quality standards, leading to a temporary ban. In August 2025, Kenya and Iran sought to reset relations during the 7th Joint Commission for Cooperation in Nairobi, chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. Talks focused on reviving tea exports and expanding collaboration in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing. Both nations pledged deeper cooperation across ICT, creative industries, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals. Trumps directive now threatens to complicate these efforts, potentially subjecting Kenya to punitive tariffs due to its ties with Iran. The announcement comes as Washington signals possible military action against Tehran, escalating tensions that could reverberate across global trade. The Kenyan DAILY POST The all-electric Hilux debuts in Europe with more specs to share. In November of 2025, Toyota revealed the all-new ninth-gen Hilux and along with it, an all-electric version. Now, the automaker just unveiled the Euro-spec version and simultaneously, more detailed specifications. While the introduction of a new generation of the worlds most iconic and popular midsize pickup truck is big news, the bigger news is with the BEV (battery-electric vehicle) variant. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to being the worlds first mass-produced midsize pickup EV, its also proof that Toyotas not giving up on the controversial powertrain tech. Solid specs, but is it enough? The worlds first-ever mass-produced midsize pickup may have mediocre specs, but theres a reason. - Credit: Toyota When Toyota revealed the Hilux BEV, key highlights included a dual-electric motor setup with a 59.2 kilowatt-hour battery pack. Engineers said the system could churn out around 350 lb-ft of torque, though they didnt go much further into detail. With the new Euro version out, Toyota confirms the Hilux BEVs motors produce 151 lb-ft at the front motor and 198 lb-ft at the rear, for a total of around 349 lb-ft of torque. The Hilux BEV shows that Toyota isnt giving up on electrification. - Credit: Toyota The result is a driving range of up to 159 miles on the WLTP rating in off-road conditions. But the distance can increase to up to 236 miles in urban conditions. Advertisement Advertisement It can still tow and haul. But its payload and towing capacities are less than the diesel-powered version, which is due to the heavy weight of the electric powertrain gear. The ninth-generation Toyota Hilux benefits from a complete redesign, both inside and out. - Credit: Toyota Advertisement Advertisement With the more conventional turbo-diesel engine, the Hilux is capable of hauling up to 2,205 pounds and towing up to 7,720 pounds. But with BEV, it can only haul up to 1,580 pounds and tow up to 3,350 pounds. Not really for regular truck owners The Hilux BEV utilizes a 59.2 kWh battery pack, which can provide up to 236 miles of range on paved surfaces. - Credit: Toyota Electric vehicles have recently dropped in both demand and desirability as their time on the market revealed many of their drawbacks. The hype around them dissipated so greatly that many automakers with aggressive electrification strategies pumped the brakes on their strategies. However, some, like Toyota, are still looking to keep electric power around for those who still want it. And the Hilux BEV marks a major stepping stone for the segment. Even if it is very much a small niche. According to Toyota, the Hilux BEV is capable of up to 159 miles on more treacherous terrain. - Credit: Toyota While the specs are solid, theyre not shocking. For instance, many buyers, especially those who need to travel long distances, will find the Hilux BEVs driving range underwhelming. Advertisement Advertisement But according to Toyota, the Hilux BEV isnt really aimed at private consumers who do a lot of driving. Rather, its meant for commercial and fleet uses with fixed travel routes. In which case, the Hilux BEV may make a lot of sense. About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his). Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his). Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results. Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - Former Cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria, has sparked reactions after addressing residents in Nyeri, delivering a blunt message ahead of the much-anticipated 2027 General Elections. Speaking during the youth-driven Nyota programme, which he attended alongside President William Ruto, Kuria declared in his native Kikuyu language: We know you will defeat us, but we will steal. Na hatuwabembelezi. Observers note that his remarks were aimed at the United Opposition, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Kuria suggested that the Government has access to State machinery capable of influencing election outcomes. Gachagua has repeatedly warned Mount Kenya residents that Moses Kuria acts as a proxy for President Ruto, seeking to divide the region politically. Watch the video. We know you will defeat us, but we will steal. Na hatuwabembelezi- Moses Kuria tells Nyeri residents pic.twitter.com/o8rJ3y1ZEs jim Njue (@jimNjue_) January 12, 2026 The Kenyan DAILY POST Last updated: May 25, 2018 Introduction Welcome to Khabar Agency privacy notice and cookie policy. Khabar Agency cares about your privacy and the security of your information. We want you to be familiar with how we collect, use and disclose information, including personal information. This Privacy Policy describes our practices in conjunction with your access to our digital products and services. We are committed to your privacy and other than as provided herein or after receiving your specific consent, we will not share any personal information with any third party at any time, unless required by law. This Policy is produced in accordance with applicable data protection laws including European General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"). 1. Who we are KhabarAgency is the data controller of your personal data. When we mention Khabar Agency ("we", "us", or "our") in this privacy notice, we mean KhabarAgency. 2. About this privacy notice This privacy notice tells you how Khabar Agency collects and processes information that may identify you (personal data) when you use our sites and apps, sign in as a user, buy products or services, or interact with us in other ways. 3. Changes to this privacy notice Our privacy notice was last updated on 25 May 2018. Were likely to update it in the future and well let you know about any significant changes. Please come back and check it from time to time. If you have questions about this privacy notice you can get in touch with us by emailing: [email protected] 4. Personal data we collect We may collect the following information about you: 4.1 Information that directly identifies you. This may include your name, address, email address, username and password. 4.2 Information that indirectly identifies you. We automatically receive and record information from your device or web browser when you interact with our sites and apps, for example your internet protocol (IP) address, mobile device ID, time zone setting, location data, language preference, operating system, platform, and links you have clicked on or shared with others, including through email and social media. We may also create a user ID that may similarly indirectly identify you. We may use this information to collect data about your activities on our sites and apps and on third-party sites, apps and platforms, such as Facebook. We may associate information that indirectly identifies you with your user account (if you have one) and other information we have collected about you. 4.3 Location data. We may collect geo-data, which tells us where you are, when we collect other information about you. We may also collect the language option or country you choose. We may link location data to other information we have collected about you. 4.4 Profile data. This may include your username and password and other information you give us (if you are a registered user), information you give us in connection with purchases or orders made by you, your interests, preferences, feedback and survey responses. Profile data you enter in your account profile (if you are a registered user), including your username may be shown to other users to facilitate user interaction on our sites and apps. We do not disclose email addresses to other users. 4.5 Marketing and communications data. This may include information about your subscriptions to newsletters and your marketing preferences. 4.6 Transaction and financial data. We may collect or receive transactional and financial information relating to you when you buy something through our sites and apps (for example payment details). 4.7 Special category data. When we conduct research or carry out surveys we may collect sensitive personal data about you, for example information about your racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. We will not use or share this information without your explicit consent. 5. Aggregated data 5.1 We aggregate personal data we collect, such as the number and frequency of your visits to our sites and apps, to produce metrics and statistical information. We may share this data with third parties. 5.2 We share aggregated, anonymized, information with our ad partners and service providers so that we, and they, can understand how people use our sites and apps; this helps us grow our business and improve and develop our products and services. These third parties may share with us information about you that they have independently developed or acquired. 5.3 We combine information about you with information about other users to create audience segments of aggregated data, for example, statistical, demographic and usage data. If we combine or connect aggregated data with personal data we treat the combined data as personal data and deal with it in accordance with this privacy notice. 6. How we collect personal data 6.1 You may give us your personal data directly, for example when you create a user account, subscribe to our newsletters, buy products or services, opt in to marketing, publish posts or comments, enter a competition, participate in a promotion or survey, ask for user support, or contact us for any reason. 6.2 We automatically collect personal data when you interact with our sites and apps. We collect information about your devices and browsing actions and interests by using cookies and similar technologies. Section 14 (cookie policy) provides more details. 6.3 Third parties who provide advertising and related services may give us your personal data, these including analytics providers and ad networks. 6.4. We may receive your personal data from third parties when you buy things through our sites and apps or when you buy things from a third party after clicking on an affiliate link in our content. This information may include your contact details and financial and transaction data from providers of technical, payment and delivery services. 6.5 If you access our sites and apps using your Facebook credentials, we will automatically collect certain information, such as your name, picture, and email address. We will use all information available through Facebook, including the user ID Facebook attributes to you, in accordance with Facebook's policies and your preferences selected through Facebook. 7. What we use your personal data for and the legal bases we rely on We will use your personal data only for the purposes for which we collect it, unless we reasonably consider that we need to use it for another reason that is compatible with the original purpose. If we need to use your personal data for another purpose we will explain the legal basis we rely on. We do not always need your consent to process your personal data. The table below shows what we use your personal data for and the lawful basis for processing it in each case. Purpose Type of data Lawful basis Recognize you and analyze how you, and other users, navigate our sites and apps and what youre interested in. We do this by using cookies or similar technology as explained in section 14 (cookie policy). Data that indirectly identifies you such as your IP address, mobile device ID and location data. Legitimate interest. Communicate legal information to you. Data that indirectly identifies you (such as your IP address or mobile device ID and location data) and data that directly identifies you (such as your name, username, and email address and information you include in your user profile). Legitimate interest. Analyze comments and feedback you have given us including comments, feedback and reviews you have posted on our sites and apps. Data that directly identifies you (such as your name, username, and email address) and data that indirectly identifies you (such as your IP address or mobile device ID and location data). Legitimate interest. Provide you with communications and services youve signed up, for such as our newsletters. Data that directly identifies you such as your name, username, email address and location data. Consent. Register you as a user of our sites and apps and other products and services and administer your account. Data that directly identifies you (such as your name, username, and email address and other information included in your user profile). Creation or performance of a contract. Publish content on our sites and apps including articles, feedback, reviews and user comments about our posts. Data that indirectly identifies you (such as your IP address or mobile device ID and location data) and data that directly identifies you (such as your name, username, and email address and information included in your user profile). Creation or performance of a contract. Communicate our terms, notify you about changes to them and communicate with you about non-compliance. Data that indirectly identifies you (such as your IP address or mobile device ID and location data) or data that directly identifies you (such as your name, username and email address). Creation or performance of a contract. Communicate our privacy notices and notify you of changes to them Data that indirectly identifies you (such as your IP address or mobile device ID and location data) or data that directly identifies you (such as your name, username, and email address). Compliance with a legal obligation. Ask you to take part in a survey or other research about our sites and apps and other products and services. Data that indirectly identifies you (such as your IP address, mobile device ID and location data) or data that directly identifies you (such as your name, username, and email address). Legitimate interest. Conduct surveys or undertake research so that we can improve and develop our business, our sites and apps and our products and services. Data that directly identifies you (such as your name, username, name, email address and location data) Consent. Allow you to take part in a prize draw, sweepstake, or other competition or other promotional activity. Data that directly identifies you such as your name, username, and email address. Creation or performance of a contract. Administration and protection of our business including troubleshooting, data analysis, testing, system maintenance, user support, reporting and hosting data, administration and IT services, network security, fraud prevention, customer services and business reorganisation, including exchanging information with third parties for fraud protection and spam/malware prevention. Data that indirectly identifies you (such as your IP address or mobile device ID and location data) and data that directly identifies you (such as your name, username, and email address). Legitimate interest. Serve content and ads and analyze their performance and effectiveness. Data that indirectly identifies you such as your IP address or mobile device ID and location data. Legitimate interest. Use of data analytics to improve and develop our products and services and inform our marketing strategy. Data that indirectly identifies you such as your IP address or mobile device ID and location data. Legitimate interest. Send marketing communications to you if you subscribe to our newsletters or other products and services. We explain how we comply with the law and how you can manage your preferences in section 8 (marketing). Data that directly identifies you such as your name and email address. Consent. Communicate with you about our services, and content, including published content, content you submit for publication, and content posted by you (including your comments on content, feedback and reviews). Data that directly identifies you such as your name and email address. Legitimate interests Comply with applicable laws, regulations and legal and regulatory processes. Data that indirectly identifies you (such as your IP address or mobile device ID and location data) and/or data that directly identifies you (such as your name, username, and email address). Compliance with a legal obligation. 8.1 Marketing We comply with the rules which require your prior and express collection of your consent for sending commercial prospecting by [email or SMS]. Thus, on the forms you complete when you subscribe to one of our products or services, when you create an account on our sites or applications, or when you make any other contact with us, you are expressly asked for your consent to receive offers from Khabar Agency and other commercial solicitations. 8.2 How to Opt-Out You may unsubscribe from marketing messages through a link we include on messages we send you. You can also ask us to stop sending you marketing messages at any time by contacting us at: [email protected] 9. Sharing personal data 9.1 We may share your personal data within Khabar Agency. 9.2 We share your personal data with third parties who process your data on our behalf when they provide services to us, for example data analytics, ad networks, research, marketing and financial services. 9.3 We may share your personal data with third parties who use it for their own purposes if you have provided consent. 9.4 You share your personal data with third parties when you publish content including articles, comments and reviews on our sites and apps. 9.5 If we sell, transfer, or merge parts of our business, or if we buy or merge with another business we may share your personal data. If a change happens to our business, then the new owners may use your personal data as set out in this privacy notice. 9.6 We may be legally required to disclose or share your personal data without your consent in some circumstances, for example to comply with a court order or law enforcement. 10. EU users: international transfer of your data 10.1 When we process your personal data within Khabar Agency this may involve processing and transferring your data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes all EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. 10.2 Third parties with whom we share your data may be based outside the EEA and their processing of your personal data may involve a transfer of data outside the EEA. When your data is transferred outside the EEA we take steps to make sure it has the same level of protection as it would have in the EEA. Our agreements with third parties make clear the standards we expect of them in order to safeguard your information and your legal rights. 10.3 COPPA Compliance: We do not knowingly collect or store any personal information about children under the age of 16. 11. Protecting your data 11.1 We take steps to safeguard your information by putting in place appropriate security measures to prevent personal data from being accidentally lost, used, accessed in an unauthorized way, altered or disclosed. 11.2 We limit access to your personal data to employees, agents, contractors and other third parties who need to access it. They are subject to a duty of confidentiality and we require them to process your personal data only in accordance with our instructions. 11.3 We do not guarantee or warrant that security measures will prevent data breaches. We have procedures to deal with suspected data breaches. We will notify you and the relevant regulator of any data breach as legally required. 12. Retaining your personal data 12.1 We keep your personal data for as long as we need it for the purposes for which it was collected. 12.2 When we decide how long we will keep your information we consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the personal data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure, why we need it, and any relevant legal requirements. 12.3 We may anonymize your personal data (so that it can no longer be associated with you) for research or statistical purposes, in which case we may use this information indefinitely. 13. Third party sites, apps and platforms Our sites and apps may include links to third-party sites, apps and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Clicking on those links may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control third-party sites, apps and social media platforms and we encourage you to read their privacy notices so that you understand how they process information about you. 14. Cookie policy Cookies are small data text files that are sent from a server during a browsing session. Cookies are typically stored on your computers hard drive and are used by web sites to simulate a continuous connection to that site. The use of cookies automatically identifies your browser whenever you interact with a site. A web beacon, also known as a tag, pixel tag, or clear GIF, is used to transmit information back to a web server. When we talk about cookies in this privacy notice, we mean not just cookies, but web beacons and similar technologies. Browsers and devices have tools that allow you to disable cookies on sites and apps. If you disable cookies you may not be able to access all the features of our services. We suggest that you keep our essential cookies (described below) active for a better user experience and to help us keep improving and developing our products and services. 14.1 Essential cookies We use cookies to recognize you and remember you as a unique user. Cookies allow us to: serve you with content and ads; monitor traffic on our sites and apps; count and keep track of users who have seen particular ads and content; analyze your actions, see what youre interested in and where you go online when you leave our sites and apps. By using your personal data in this way we can improve our products and services and your user experience. Session cookies remember you during your session on our sites and apps they are deleted when you log out of the site and when you close your web browser. 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However, we invite you to raise your concerns with us first, so that we can try to resolve them. 16. How to contact us If you have any questions regarding our privacy statement, please feel free to contact us by e-mail at [email protected] . We read every message submitted and try to reply promptly to everyone. KhabarAgency Khabar Agency building, Haddah Street Sana'a, Yemen Email: [email protected] Last Updated: May 25, 2018 MAN who burgled a solicitors office was sentenced to 11 months in jail but because he is already serving a prison sentence, this particular sanction will not affect his projected release date of Christmas Day 2026. In order to make life easier for the transport officers of the Irish Prison Service, when judges have to convict people serving sentences, they tend to do so as a job lot in one session to allow for the re-incarcerations to start earlier. This was the case last week in Naas District Court when Judge Desmond Zaidan asked the senior prison official who he had with him as the prisoners were paraded into the dock. Patrick Stokes, said the prison officer. Who? said the perplexed but normally unflappable registrar. Paddy! Paddy is a fixture in this court. Everybody knows Paddy! smiled the judge. I dont have the papers, said the registrar. These are new charges, explained Garda Paddy Robbins. I charged him this morning. Mr Stokes (44), previously of no fixed abode, the Peter McVerry Trust in Tullow, and Castledermot, but now formally Midlands Prison, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, was charged with the burglary of Patrick V Boland and Sons Solicitors in Greatconnell, Newbridge on 2 September 2024. His reply to charge was: Im very sorry, itll never happen again, said Garda Robbins. He entered the solicitors office and told the receptionist he wanted to see [named solicitor], continued Garda Robbins. They were open for business? clarified the judge, which Garda Robbins confirmed. When the receptionist went to get the solicitor, the defendant went behind the counter and took the petty cash box. He discarded the cheque book, but took 500 in cash, the garda said. Previous? asked the judge, almost superfluously. Oh, quite significant he has over 100 previous convictions, confirmed the garda. Defending solicitor Tim Kennelly said: My client is a father of four, and is currently serving a sentence with a release date of January 2027. Addressing the defendant, Judge Zaidan asked: Paddy, when you get out, whats your plan? Im off the drugs, and when Im off, its a different ballgame, said Mr Stokes. I hope you get your life turned around, said Judge Zaidan. Thanks, judge, the defendant replied. To be fair to him, of 100 previous convictions, none are for violence, noted the judge. He is a placid man, confirmed the garda. He has entered a plea of guilty at the earliest possible opportunity, even at the charge stage he said sorry, said Mr Kennelly. He has a year left [on the sentence hes currently serving], added Mr Kennelly. What do you do every day, Paddy? asked the judge. School. Im trying to learn to read and write, and I like art class, said the defendant in the dock. Would you be able to draw Mr Kennelly? asked the judge. Not yet, said Mr Stokes with confidence. Judge Zaidan give him an 11-month sentence, but assured Mr Stokes: This will not affect your release date on 25 December. Sales of the Kilkenny Gift Card in December 2025 more than doubled from the previous year, rising from 148,000 to over 290,000, according to Kilkenny Chamber. Following Kilkenny Chambers successful launch in November 2024 the continued momentum behind the countys shop-local campaign continued throughout 2025 as St Canices Credit Union began to sell Kilkenny Gift Cards in May. The Chamber says the achievement is a testament to the commitment of the Kilkenny community to support local businesses and back local jobs. Kilkenny County Council and the Local Enterprise Office were quick to see the positive aspects of the project and supported it from the start. "We were delighted to support the Chambers initiative, and we congratulate them on achieving this success," said Aileen McGrath, Head of Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS John Hurley, CEO Kilkenny Chamber, said: "The response from local people, whether its the outlets joining the Kilkenny Gift Card programme, the employers who purchased the Cards as end of year bonuses, or the general public who purchased the cards as Christmas presents, has been phenomenal. The programme can only grow from here. We thank Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office for their support. Kilkenny Gift Cards with a total value of 290,825 are now in circulation funds that can only be spent in Kilkenny businesses. This represents a significant and very welcome boost to the local economy. The Kilkenny Gift Card is available both as a traditional plastic swipe card and as a convenient digital version for smartphones. Notably, digital card sales increased tenfold in 2025 reflecting a growing appetite for simple, contactless ways to support local. One feature of the Kilkenny Gift Card is the ability to pick up blank cards from St Canices Credit Union and load them up to 250 whenever it suits. Customers can purchase the Kilkenny Gift Card online at www.kilkennygiftcard.ie, or in person at St Canices Credit Union. With over 140 shops and businesses now accepting the Kilkenny Gift Card and more joining every week recipients enjoy an outstanding range of choices across retail, hospitality, and services. Kilkenny Gift Cards arent just for Christmas - they are available all year round, offering a meaningful way to shop local at any time. A craft and design business from Kilkenny has been shortlisted for the finals of the Business of Craft Awards as part of Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2026 in the RDS later this month. Gail Daniels, founder of Bo Bar Soap and supported by Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny, has been shortlisted in the Newcomer category in the third year of the Business of Craft Awards. Bo Bar Soap is a small, family-run business based on their farm in Kilkenny, dedicated to creating natural, sustainable, handmade products. Their signature offering is their handmade cows milk soap, carefully crafted in small batches using milk from own grass-fed cows. Each bar is made with all-natural, skin-friendly ingredients, free from artificial additives, making them a gentle and nourishing choice for everyday use. Sustainability is at the heart of their business. Bo Bar Soap are committed to reducing waste, sourcing responsibly, and using simple, eco-friendly packaging. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS The addition of the Business of Craft Awards to the Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase has been a significant boost for the companies," said Aileen McGrath, Head of Enterprise in Kilkenny County Councils Local Enterprise Office. "It helps to spotlight some of the best-in-class businesses from the design and craft sector across the country, and it gives businesses that extra competitive advantage in front of domestic and international buyers during the event. "On the whole Showcase 2026 is going to be a huge event for our Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny supported companies taking part. They get the chance to meet with buyers from all over the world and its three days that could change their business forever. Weve been working closely with them all to ensure they can maximise their participation so there is a lot of excitement ahead of the event this year. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) awards were open to all the LEO clients who are exhibiting at the event as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase. This is the second year of the awards that celebrate the business behind the amazing craft and design products that are behind created across the country. The awards have three categories; Best Newcomer for the best craft and design business who is exhibiting for the first time, One to Watch for the best craft and design business who has excellent export and international potential, and finally Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability. The awards will take place on Monday, January 19 at Showcase in the RDS as part of the overall event. The shortlisted companies were selected from the 104 Local Enterprise clients who will be exhibiting to national and international buyers across the three days at the event which is hosted by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. Showcase 2026, which is a pinnacle event in the global design and crafts calendar, will open its doors to thousands of buyers from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa, generating millions of euros of sales orders during the show. Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide. The Irish Government has been accused of a muted and confusing response to the generation of abusive images by the social media AI tool Grok. Grok is an AI tool embedded in the social media platform X, and it has come under fire in recent days over reports users can create sexual abuse images, including of children. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns pressed Taoiseach Micheal Martin on the issue during Leaders Questions in the Dail on Tuesday. Ms Cairns read out some examples of commands given to Grok to alter images, saying hundreds of thousands of abusive images had been generated. Last year, edit features were added to Grok to make it easy to undress people in photographs incredibly, no thought was apparently given how this tool could be used and weaponised against women, she said. The company didnt even bother to include age restrictions to prevent child sexual abuse imagery being generated. This has resulted in hundreds of thousands of sexualised images of women and children, proliferating on X. According to one study, up to 6,700 sexually suggestive or notifying images are being created every hour by Grok. This isnt just horrifying and shocking it is illegal under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act. Why has the response from your Government to this scandal been so muted and confusing? She pressed: What is the Governments position, and why are we not seeing criminal investigations into production and distribution of these child abuse images? Can you tell us why is a company that has facilitated the creation and publication of child sexual abuse images being treated with kid gloves by this Government? Mr Martin said the issue was outrageous, shocking and vowed that the Government will deal with it. He said the Attorney General is providing advice, and he is convening a meeting of relevant Government ministers. Theres existing legislation, theres the AI Act, which may not cover all aspects of this, and I want a rigorous examination of that, and then if there are any gaps at all in the law, for those to be addressed quickly. Its a very serious issue. We have to engage with the platforms. It is about protecting our children, protecting women and protecting citizens generally, from unacceptable images, unacceptable activity and manipulation of AI tools for wrong purposes. We have to be very clear and forthright with the platforms in respect of this. Its outrageous, shocking, and we will deal with it as a Government. This is a fast moving area, we want to make absolutely sure that all angles are covered, and that we do with this robustly. Mr Martin also said he is not aware of a specific investigation yet by gardai, but said ministers were not alerted to every investigation. Earlier, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless said Grok is particularly challenging to tackle as it is not the primary tool, rather it is part of a publication tool. He said: Its very unexpected how it came about, but I think that were not alone in finding this a challenge. Speaking to reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mr Lawless said legislation that can deal with cases that arent even envisaged yet is needed as technology will always evolve. He said: I dont think Ireland is any better or worse than any other country in that regard. I think that the world struggled with this. He added: As legislators, we need to get on top of this very quickly. Mr Lawless also said the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, which is currently being introduced, would be an opportunity to help regulate the industry. The Free Speech Union released: The confrontation between Destiny Church supporters and a lawful Sikh Nagar Kirtan parade in South Auckland raises questions about where legitimate protest ends and intimidation begins, says Jillaine Heather, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. Peaceful protest and counter-protest are crucial elements in a functioning democracy, said Heather. New Zealands strength is that we protect everyones right to express their views, even when those views make others uncomfortable. That includes Brian Tamakis right to disagree with immigration policy or criticise other religions. But physically interfering with parades, speeches, or communities exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association crosses a line. When 50 people form a barrier to stop a Nagar Kirtan procession, thats not counter-protest its obstruction that limits others legal expression. The test is simple: can both groups exercise their rights at the same time? A Sikh community walking in lawful parade doesnt prevent Destiny Church from stating its views. But physically blocking that parade does prevent Sikhs from exercising theirs. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 24F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 24F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. 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. - " "! , ! , , . This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. The Amazon Web Services data center will be located on the corner of Hudson and Ellis Roads in New Florence. The 1,000-acre spot will have 21 data center buildings on the property according to a document obtained from Montgomery County Planning and Zoning. BELIFT LAB announced on Jan. 13 that ENHYPEN has partnered with the Korean Red Cross to promote blood donation campaigns through a memorandum of understanding signed at HYBE headquarters in Seoul. The signing ceremony took place on Jan. 12, with ENHYPEN members joining BELIFT LAB CEO Kim Tae-ho and Korean Red Cross Blood Services Director Kwon So-yong to formalize the collaboration. This partnership marks one of the first times a major K-pop act has actively promoted public health initiatives with a national humanitarian organization. ENHYPEN leader Jungwon expressed the group's commitment at the event, describing blood donation as "an act of sharing where small acts of courage come together to protect someone's day and even their life," according to allkpop. He emphasized the honor of leading such a meaningful campaign and expressed hope that the initiative would contribute to creating a warmer world. The collaboration carries special significance due to ENHYPEN's well-known vampire concept, which has been central to their album narratives since their debut. Their upcoming seventh mini album, "THE SIN: VANISH," scheduled for release on January 16, continues this motif with a story about lovers who break taboos in a society where humans and vampires coexist, chosun reported. The unique connection between vampires and blood donation creates an engaging synergy that organizers hope will resonate with younger audiences. The Korean Red Cross highlighted the urgent need for blood donations in South Korea, noting that one unit of blood product is transfused every seven seconds nationwide. Director Kwon So-yong stated that blood donation is a noble act that directly saves lives and expressed hope that this partnership would help establish blood donation as a lifestyle habit and cultural practice among younger generations. BELIFT LAB CEO Kim Tae-ho explained that ENHYPEN's name represents different beings connecting and moving toward a more expansive world, and this collaboration puts that philosophy into real-world practice. The partnership aims to deliver the group's narrative and message about connection as a meaningful experience for youth while promoting the life-saving value of blood donation. The campaign will roll out in phases beginning this month, with ENHYPEN participating in blood drives at major university campuses and public venues throughout South Korea. Special events, live streams, and social media content will engage fans and potential donors. BELIFT LAB also plans to expand offline collaborations with the Japanese Red Cross in the future, extending the initiative beyond Korea. Public health experts have praised the collaboration as a creative way to promote volunteerism among Generation Z and Millennials, noting that last year's donations dipped among younger age groups, a trend this partnership aims to reverse. With ENHYPEN's influence, officials hope to cultivate sustained interest in blood donation beyond a single campaign, as per YGKPlus Official. Lanzhou uses acoustic technology to monitor, protect birdlife 13:51, January 13, 2026 By Yin Yan ( People's Daily Photo shows the dynamic wildlife soundscape monitoring and perception platform developed by Zhang Lixun's team. In the early morning, birdsong awakens the forest in Xinglong Mountain National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Gansu province. Hidden among the dense foliage, acoustic sensors come online simultaneously, accurately identifying and capturing every call. This serene yet dynamic scene represents a typical day for the wildlife monitoring and conservation research team at Lanzhou University, revealing the remarkable progress of China's ecological monitoring technologies. Zhang Lixun, head of the research team and a professorate senior engineer at the university's College of Ecology, recalled that in the 1990s, researchers had to carry bulky tape recorders up the mountains. "Once the tapes ran out, we had to hike back down," he said. From cassette tapes and MP3 players to professional digital recorders, the team has witnessed a transformation in its tools over the years. In 2022, they achieved a significant milestone with the full deployment of a new generation of domestically developed intelligent acoustic sensors, marking the beginning of an era where artificial intelligence enhances wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts. This technological leap has made broader and deeper observation possible. The team has established 60 monitoring sites across three environmental gradients in and around Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province: from largely undisturbed ecosystems such as Xinglong Mountain and Liancheng nature reserve, to moderately disturbed county-level areas, and finally to downtown Lanzhou dotted with parks and residential communities. The vast volume of data collected reveals an encouraging trend. "Ten years ago, most birds seen in the city were just passing through," Zhang explained. "Now, many of them have chosen to settle in Lanzhou." The number of recorded bird species in Lanzhou has grown from just over 100 to 339. Common species such as blackbirds and azure-winged magpies appearing more frequently, and even the once-rare Bohemian waxwings have begun overwintering in Gansu's Yuzhong county. As seed eaters, Bohemian waxwings are drawn by the abundance of Rosaceae plants and Chinese arborvitae in urban green belts, which now serve as well-stocked food sources. Teaching machines to "understand" birdsong is no simple task. Sound recognition is far more challenging than image recognition. In the early days, members of Zhang's team had to manually analyze recordings frame by frame -- "like editing a film" --to identify bird species. Today, AI systems conduct initial screening rapidly, though accuracy still requires verification of experienced field researchers who continuously refine the algorithms. The collected acoustic data are uploaded to the University's dynamic wildlife soundscape monitoring and perception platform. Tourists watch swans at a wetland in Dachuan township, Xigu district, Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu province, Dec. 7, 2025. (Photo/Wang Hong) "The more acoustic footprints of local bird species we have," Zhang elaborated, "the more accurate the AI species recognition models become after big-data training." At present, the recognition rate has exceeded 85 percent. Unlike traditional methods, acoustic monitoring operates around the clock, providing a wealth of data. "While we have accumulated a substantial amount of data," Zhang acknowledged, "the sample size is still insufficient for comprehensive analysis." Only with more data, he emphasized, can researchers more precisely assess the long-term impacts of climate change or ecological restoration efforts. Zhang believes acoustic monitoring will offer broader research prospects and a stronger data foundation for future ecological studies. In a paper published by the team in 2024, acoustic monitoring was extensively used to rapidly assess biodiversity during peak periods of bird activity. The study concluded that secondary forests and primary forests play irreplaceable roles in conserving bird diversity, providing scientific evidence for calls to protect intact primary forests and to optimize ecological restoration strategies in arid regions. At dusk, egrets glide gracefully over the Yellow River, with bird calls blending with the rustling willows along its banks. These sounds, interwoven with the pulse of the city, are faithfully captured by acoustic sensors and ultimately fed into a database, serving as vital indicators of ecological change. According to Zhang, Lanzhou's ecological environment has continued to improve in recent years, offering stronger safeguards for bird habitats. On laboratory screens, real-time maps flicker with points of light, each quietly telling a story of how technology and long-term dedication enable humanity to listen more closely to nature. Looking ahead, the team remains optimistic. "We will certainly use better and more advanced equipment," Zhang said. "And we are confident that more birds will choose to make their home in this city along the Yellow River." (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) News / National by Staff reporter The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says it has regained control of its party headquarters months after the building was seized during a bitter internal leadership dispute.In a statement released on Tuesday, the MDC announced what it described as the "peaceful and rightful repossession" of MRT House, hailing the development as a significant milestone for the party.The headquarters was taken over in November last year by the party's then secretary for defence, Shakespeare Mukoyi, at the height of internal tensions. At the time, Mukoyi accused MDC president Senator Douglas Togaraseyi Mwonzora of embezzling party funds allegations Mwonzora has consistently denied.Announcing the repossession, MDC spokesperson Aaron Makahamadze commended party members and supporters for exercising restraint during what he termed an "unprocedural and hostile occupation" of the premises."Your calm strength in the face of provocation is a shining example of democratic maturity and commitment to peaceful struggle," Makahamadze said.The party's National Council has reaffirmed Mwonzora as the MDC's "legitimate and democratically elected" leader, the statement said, underscoring his role in steering the party through what it described as a phase of political renewal.Makahamadze also praised the MDC youth wing for maintaining peace and resisting incitement during the standoff, saying their conduct had helped protect the party's democratic credentials.The dispute over MRT House is the latest episode in a prolonged period of fragmentation within the opposition, marked by repeated splits, court battles and competing claims over party leadership and assets following the death of long-time MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in 2018.Addressing Zimbabweans and the international community, the MDC said it remained committed to constitutionalism and democratic reform."The democratic struggle in Zimbabwe remains alive and resolute," Makahamadze said, adding that the party would continue to oppose "oppression, injustice and authoritarianism".There was no immediate comment from Mukoyi or his supporters regarding the repossession of the headquarters. Kenneth Fox The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said 127 enforcement orders were served on food businesses for breaches of food safety legislation in 2025 for issues like pest infestations and illegal trading. Compared to 2024, that is a decrease of 4.5 per cent as 132 were issued last year. Between January 1st and December 31st 2025, 102 Closure Orders, 23 prohibition orders, and 2 improvement orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive, sea-fisheries protection officers in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, and by officers of the FSAI on food businesses throughout the country. Commenting on the annual figures, Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said: While the total number of Enforcement Orders in 2025 decreased slightly compared to 2024, it is disappointing that we continue to see enforcement action being necessary due to fundamental breaches, such as pest infestations, poor hygiene, unsafe storage of food, inadequate staff training and the absence of food safety management systems. "We also found instances of unregistered food businesses operating illegally without notifying the competent authority, therefore bypassing essential food safety controls and putting consumers' health at risk. The FSAI also reported that eight closure orders and one prohibition order were served on food businesses during the month of December 2025 for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive and officers of the FSAI. One Closure Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998, on: Crosfield (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Unit 4 Bymac Centre, Northwest Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15 Seven Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 202,0 on: Taha Butchers (Closed area: the food and food equipment storage facility at the rear of the premises), 13 Railway Street, Navan, Meath Ruby's Cakes (Manufacturer), Durhamstown Castle, Bohermeen, Navan, Meath; EB Food Essentials, Unregistered establishment trading at Coolanagh, Ballickmoyler, Laois; Quack N Wok (Takeaway), Unit 3A, Gandon House, Custom House Square I.F.S.C, Mayor Street Lower, Dublin 1; Sasaki Sushi (Service Sector), 3 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7; Centra (Closed area: Deli area), Main Street, Killenaule, Tipperary. Unregistered premises trading as Selera Space, at an apartment at Sandyford Central, Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18. One prohibition order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020, on: Dublin Herbalists (Food Supplements), Carrick Street, Mullinahone, Tipperary. Some of the reasons for the closure orders in December include: failure to notify the competent authority of the establishment of a food business; active mouse infestation evidenced by droppings throughout food storage and preparation areas. Defective drainage and sewage systems, with foul water leaking and backing up from sanitary facilities and contaminating kitchen floors and food preparation surfaces where ready-to-eat foods were handled; unsuitable and unhygienic food and equipment storage facilities. Extremely poor hygiene standards, including heavily contaminated food contact surfaces, equipment and utensils; a lack of effective cleaning and disinfection procedures. Absence of a food safety management system based on HACCP principles; unsafe food transport practices, including the use of an unrefrigerated vehicle for transporting meat with no controls in place to maintain the cold food chain. Commenting on the December 2025 figures, Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, added: Two of the seven closure orders in December were for businesses where they had failed to notify the competent authority of the establishment of a food business. "It is unacceptable that some food businesses are choosing to operate outside of the law. "All food business owners, big or small, whether trading from a business premises, in the home, from a mobile unit, food truck and/or online, must be aware of food hygiene and food safety legislation. "Maintaining high food safety standards protects consumers and supports the long-term success of businesses, and enforcement action is taken where necessary to ensure compliance." News / National by Staff reporter Zanu-PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has thrown his weight behind the Manicaland provincial leadership's nomination of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's investment adviser, Paul Tungwarara, to the party's powerful central committee, intensifying an emerging tussle over provincial autonomy and national party control.The Manicaland provincial executive late last year nominated Tungwarara to fill the central committee vacancy left by Dorothy Mabika, who was subsequently elected provincial chairwoman. However, the move was blocked by Zanu-PF national commissar Munyaradzi Machacha, who wrote to the province dismissing the nomination on the grounds that it had violated party procedures.Mutsvangwa's public endorsement of Tungwarara has now reignited the debate, with the party spokesperson suggesting that the nomination was legitimate and consistent with precedents elsewhere in the party."As Manicaland, you did a meeting to choose a central committee member and you chose comrade Tungwarara and I am happy that you did so united," Mutsvangwa said."In Harare, there was a similar co-option and I do not see why Cde Tungwarara will not be co-opted to the central committee."He said the matter was now before the politburo, Zanu-PF's highest decision-making body between congresses.Mutsvangwa also praised Tungwarara's close working relationship with President Mnangagwa, describing it as a key qualification for his elevation within the party."I knew Tungwarara as a businessman long ago and he has done well, but the major thing he has done is to be the special adviser to our President," he said.The endorsement is seen as underscoring the growing influence of presidential allies within Zanu-PF structures, as the party pushes to entrench Mnangagwa's Vision 2030 agenda through empowerment and development programmes aimed at consolidating grassroots support.Mutsvangwa was speaking during the launch of the Presidential Constituency Empowerment Fund in Marange district, Manicaland, where he commended Tungwarara for spearheading initiatives aligned with Vision 2030. The programme saw three constituencies Mutare North, Mutare West and Mutare South each receive US$25 000.Addressing the same gathering, Tungwarara issued a warning to those harbouring presidential ambitions, cautioning against the use of personal wealth to gain political influence. He described Mnangagwa's Vision 2030 as divinely inspired and firmly backed the President's continued leadership."We are moving with empowerment programmes. The vision of President Emmerson Mnangagwa is to see everyone in the country getting empowered," Tungwarara said."President Emmerson Mnangagwa is unstoppable and God is supporting his 2030 vision. If it is possible, he should rule until 2050. There is no vacancy for President Emmerson Mnangagwa's position."The meeting was attended by several Zanu-PF heavyweights, including Manicaland provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza, politburo member Mike Madiro and Women's Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.Analysts say the unfolding dispute over Tungwarara's nomination reflects broader factional dynamics within Zanu-PF, as provincial structures seek greater say in party affairs while the national leadership tightens control ahead of key political milestones. Ellen O'Donoghue The Government is to fast-track laws to fine tech companies that abuse artificial intelligence. It comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding Elon Musk's Grok bot on X, which has allowed users to publicly undress people in images, including children. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke will ask the Cabinet to approve legislation that transposes an existing EU act on AI. The law would outline eight harmful uses of AI that violate people's rights and basic decency. It is also to grade each type of AI use by risk, with fines of up to 35 million or 7 per cent of the company's annual turnover, whichever is higher. According to the Irish Independent, the Dail is likely to fast-track the bill in light of recent developments. A new AI office will be set up as an authority as early as August, to oversee the setting up of the Act. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told X to control Grok, or the British Government will. While here, Junior Minister for AI Niamh Smyth awaits a meeting with X officials on the platform's nudification features. Noel Maher, Monkstown Farm, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin and formerly Ballinakill, Co Laois died unexpectedly on 10 January, surrounded by his family. Dearly beloved husband and best friend of Marie, much loved and devoted father of Daniel and Graham. Predeceased by his parents Paddy and May, brothers Jerry, Joe, Martin, John, Jim and Oliver, sisters Nelly and Peggy. He will be very sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his loving wife, sons, daughters-in-law Claire and Carmel, grandchildren, Lucy, Evan, Sean, Bobby, Ollie and Phoebe, brothers Michael, Paddy and Ned, sisters Kathleen, Mary, Bridie, Ester and Sheila, brothers-in-law sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, to a charity of choice. Reposing at his home on Friday from 4pm until 7pm, with prayers at 6.30pm (All welcome). Removal on Saturday to the Church of the Holy Family, Kill-o-the-Grange, arriving for 10am Requiem Mass, followed by burial in Shanganagh Cemetery, Shankill. To view the Funeral Mass live click on https://www.holyfamilyparish.ie/ For those who are unable to attend the funeral but would like to offer their condolences, click on the condolences section on RIP.ie. Patrick (Paddy) Flanagan, Terenure, Dublin 6 and formerly Boley, Wolfhill, Laois died peacefully on 12 January, after a short illness. Paddy will be forever loved and dearly missed by his beloved Breda, his brother Dan, sister Helen, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Reposing at Massey Bros. Funeral Home, Templeogue Village (D6W AC82) this Wednesday evening from 5pm 7pm. Removal on Thursday morning to St Pius X Church, arriving for 10am Requiem Mass, followed by burial in Ballylinan Cemetery, Laois. To view the Funeral Mass live, click the link on RIP.ie. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Irish Heart Foundation. To leave a private message of condolence, please click the condolence section on RIP.ie. Official data from the Mexican government recently revealed that far fewer intentional homicides were recorded nationwide in 2025 compared with the previous two years. While intentional homicide levels remain high, Mexico saw a nearly 23 percent drop in cases compared with 2024. Government data show federal authorities recorded 20,674 intentional homicides nationwide in 2025, a decline of 6,041 cases from 2024, when 26,715 were reported. The figure also represents 5,627 fewer cases than in 2023, which recorded 26,301 homicides. According to El Pais, the figures are based on information compiled by state prosecutors and federal agencies and published through the National Security Commission's daily homicide report. The data show that in 2025 the country recorded fewer killings month by month than in previous years. Only January, with 2,037 cases, exceeded a comparable month from earlier years, surpassing February 2023, which recorded 1,984 cases. In a statement released in December 2025, the federal government said other crimes have also declined as a result of the security strategy implemented by President Claudia Sheinbaum. From October 2024 to November 2025, authorities arrested 38,773 people for high impact crimes, seized 20,169 firearms, confiscated 311 tons of drugs and dismantled 1,760 clandestine laboratories. Between September 2024 and November 2025, the government also reported a 37 percent reduction in the daily average of intentional homicides, falling from 86.9 victims per day to 54.7. "The homicide results we have seen over these months are very important," Sheinbaum said in December during one of her morning news conferences. Marcela Figueroa Franco, head of the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, said intentional homicides have followed a downward trend for the past 14 months. She added that the daily annual average has fallen 35 percent compared with 2018, dropping from 100.5 to 65.1, positioning 2025 as the year with the fewest homicides in that period. From January through October 2025, seven states accounted for 51 percent of all intentional homicide cases nationwide. Guanajuato led with 11 percent, followed by Chihuahua with 7.6 percent, Baja California with 7.3 percent, Sinaloa with 7.1 percent, the State of Mexico with 6.5 percent, Guerrero with 5.7 percent and Michoacan with 5.5 percent. Violent start to 2026 Although government data show a downward trend in intentional homicides over the past 14 months, 2026 has had a difficult start in that regard. According to a report published by Infobae Mexico, a total of 90 victims of intentional homicide were reported nationwide during the first two days of the year. On Jan. 1, at least one killing was recorded in 17 states, based on reports from state prosecutors cited by the federal Security Cabinet. Data from the intentional homicide report issued by the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection also detailed that 49 killings were recorded across the country during the first 24 hours of the year. Chihuahua and Sinaloa reported the highest numbers on that day, combining for 17 cases. An additional 41 cases were reported on Jan. 2. On Jan. 3, authorities in the state of Sinaloa reported the discovery of six more people killed in separate violent incidents, four of which were classified as intentional homicides. Originally published on Latin Times Stranger Things actor Joe Keery is reportedly in talks to play Harry Osborn in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, sources suggest. The rumour stems from industry insider Daniel Richtman, who indicated Marvel Studios has Keery on its radar for a key MCU role, with fans speculating it could be Peter Parker's best friend. This potential casting, resurfacing from whispers in August 2025, would see the 33-year-old transition from Netflix's supernatural hit to Marvel's web-slinging franchise. As of 13 January 2026, no official word has come from the studio, but the buzz highlights Keery's appeal for a character blending charm and complexity. The Rumour's Origins and Fan Buzz The speculation gained momentum after Richtman's update, noting Keery's consideration for an undisclosed part in the MCU. Joe Keery and Charlie Cox are not in it https://t.co/wDulkzPOTE Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) January 6, 2026 Quickly, online discussions pivoted to Harry Osborn, especially amid plans for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth instalment in Tom Holland's series. This echoes earlier reports from 2025, when unverified claims suggested Keery was eyed for the role, though some insiders dismissed them as premature. Social media has been alight with reactions. A post from Instagram account FilmSeal amplified the news, drawing comments such as 'He would be perfect' from excited followers. Not all feedback is positive. One X user stated, 'Joe Keery is NOT right for Harry Osborn,' reflecting nostalgia for past portrayals by James Franco in Sam Raimi's trilogy and Dane DeHaan in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Joe Keery is NOT right for Harry Osborn. Please Feige dont do this Ive been waiting a decade for Harry in the MCU as someone who grew up with the James version and just liked Dane Do not do this Im begging you pic.twitter.com/XrOY8Tbbxv Nic Supreme (@Turningh8) January 12, 2026 Others draw parallels to Keery's Steve Harrington, praising his knack for portraying layered friendships. This fits Marvel's pattern of tapping Stranger Things talent, following David Harbour as Red Guardian and Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch. If Joe does indeed get casted in the MCU we will have - David Harbour (Red Guardian) - Sadie Sink (Unknown Role) - Joe Kerry (Rumored) 3 actors from the world of Stranger thingsso Im calling this now, Caleb McLaughlin gets casted as the live action Miles Morales for the MCU https://t.co/f1ikGFkPW9 pic.twitter.com/xA3VB30A4j ThatzJay (@NotThatzJay) January 11, 2026 If confirmed, it could hardly be a surprise given the show's alumni success in superhero fare. Keery's Path from Hawkins to Hollywood Joe Keery first captured audiences as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things, evolving from a smug teen to a heroic figure across five seasons. The series' final run carried a hefty production budget of 357 million ($480 million), underscoring its global draw. Keery pocketed 4.5 million ($6 million) for his work on season five, a testament to his rising value. His credits extend beyond the Upside Down. Keery featured in the action-comedy Free Guy with Ryan Reynolds and earned acclaim for his turn in Fargo's anthology format. Under the moniker Djo, he has carved a music career, with track End of Beginning charting after a TikTok surge. These ventures showcase his range, from heartfelt drama to upbeat performances. Advocates for Joe Keery as Harry Osborn cite his affable screen presence, ideal for Osborn's dual nature as ally and potential foe. His age aligns with Holland's Peter Parker, promising natural chemistry. This move could propel Keery into blockbuster territory, building on Stranger Things' legacy while injecting fresh energy into Marvel's narrative. What It Means for Spider-Man's Next Chapter Spider-Man: Brand New Day follows No Way Home, which raked in 1.4 billion ($1.9 billion) globally amid the pandemic. Bringing in Harry Osborn opens doors to iconic arcs, including ties to the Osborn family legacy and Green Goblin threats. Marvel's approach often mixes established stars with emerging ones, as seen in rumours of Sadie Sink's involvement. Keery's addition would enhance this, potentially setting up long-term storylines post-Secret Wars. His understated wit could add levity to the franchise's high-stakes drama. The casting, if it pans out, underscores Marvel's knack for spotting talent that resonates with audiences. As of 13 January 2026, the Joe Keery/Harry Osborn talk remains speculative, with no green light from Marvel. Yet it fuels debate on the MCU's direction. Should Keery swing into the role, it would bridge two pop culture giants seamlessly. Originally published on IBTimes UK News / National by Staff reporter Uproar is mounting in Zimbabwes artisanal and small-scale mining sector following the award of an exclusive contract to Special Presidential Investment Adviser Paul Tungwarara for river ecosystem rehabilitation at Muroodzi River in Mashonaland Central Province. Critics say the deal, executed through Tungwararas firm, Prevail Group of Companies, was granted under opaque circumstances, raising allegations of cronyism and corruption.According to industry sources, the contract was issued without competitive bidding or public transparency. Artisanal miners, who produce roughly 60 percent of Zimbabwes locally mined gold, argue that the move undermines trust in government regulation and could provide opportunities for illicit gold extraction under the guise of environmental rehabilitation."There was no tendering or competitive process. He was simply given the contract because he is the Presidents right-hand man," a representative of artisanal miners told The NewsHawks. "Without transparency, there will be no accountability, and its fertile ground for looting. How do we know Tungwarara will focus on rehabilitation and not gold mining?"Cabinet reportedly granted Tungwarara exclusive rights as a "prototype" initiative, ostensibly aimed at restoring river ecosystems and desilting operations in the Mazowe Districts gold-rich areas. The project comes in the wake of a government ban on alluvial riverbed mining, formalised through Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024, which prohibits riverbed extraction to prevent environmental degradation, mercury contamination, and siltation of waterways.While the Tungwarara contract is framed as an environmental measure, critics argue it effectively creates a monopoly, requiring other minersincluding foreign-owned operationsto pay royalties of 10 to 15 percent to operate in affected areas. The move has angered artisanal miners and some state security personnel, who view it as a potential avenue for politically connected individuals to exploit natural resources at the expense of ordinary miners.The artisanal mining sector remains a crucial lifeline for many Zimbabweans, providing direct employment for hundreds of thousands and supporting millions more indirectly. Yet, environmental concerns and social conflicts have prompted repeated government crackdowns, leaving small-scale miners caught between economic necessity and regulatory enforcement.The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between environmental protection, political influence, and livelihoods in Zimbabwes gold mining industry, and raises questions about governance, transparency, and equitable access to natural resources. Armchair Lehigh Valley content is published on lehighvalleylive.com as part of a partnership with the website, which aims to give voters nonpartisan factual information. Armchair Lehigh Valley is run by publisher Katherine Reinhard and editor Robert H. Orenstein. For more information, or to subscribe, visit armchairlehighvalley.substack.com. Democrat Julian Guridy dropped out of running in the Feb. 24 special election in the 22nd House District because he did not live in Pennsylvania for four years as required under state code. As soon as I realized it I quickly wanted to make things right and withdrew from the race, Guridy told Armchair Lehigh Valley on Monday night. Its unfortunate and I was honored to have a lot of support behind me and pray that support continues if I decide to launch another campaign. Guridy, 31, unexpectedly bowed out with the Pennsylvania Democratic Party Executive Committee announcing Saturday that he was replaced by Ana Tiburcio, an Allentown School Board member. Personal reasons were cited as the reason for his departure. Under the state code, persons running for the state House of Representatives must have been residents of Pennsylvania for four years and lived in their districts for one year. Guridy confirmed he lived and worked in Florida from mid-2021 until returning in 2023. The reason for his withdrawal was first reported by Lehigh Valley News. The 22nd District covers East Allentown and parts of Center City Allentown and Salisbury Township. The seat became vacant when Democrat Josh Siegel resigned his position to become Lehigh County executive. Bob Smith Jr., a former Allentown School Board member who faced Siegel in 2022, was selected by the Lehigh County Republican Committee to be its candidate. The winner of the Feb. 24 election will serve until Nov. 30, when Siegels term would have expired. An election for the two-year term starting in 2027 will also be held. Guridy, a son of former Allentown City Councilman Julio Guridy, was chosen on Jan. 3 by an ad hoc committee of county precinct captains in the 22nd. He received 17 of 19 votes. Allentown City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach, who earned one of the votes, had been critical of the selection process. She plans to seek the Democratic nomination in the May 19 primary. Tiburcio also plans to run in the primary. Meanwhile, Guridy said, I will continue showing up for my community and giving back. 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 former Lehigh Valley Health Network nurse practitioner was sentenced to up to two years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a female patient while she received medical care at a Monroe County facility. On Monday, Monroe County Court of Common Pleas Judge Stephen Higgins sentenced 54-year-old Timothy Jerum Clark to nine months to two years of incarceration. He will also serve three years of probation. Clark will have to register as a sex offender for 25 years. Clark, of Scranton, Lackawanna County, in January pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of indecent assault by forcible compulsion. Monroe County First Assistant District Attorney Michael Rakaczewski, who prosecuted the case, said other charges, including felony rape and felony involuntary deviate sexual intercourse forcible compulsion, were withdrawn as part of a plea arrangement with Clark. It spared the victim from having to testify to the sexual abuse and avoided the uncertainty of a jury trial, Rakaczewski told lehighvalleylive.com of the plea deal. Rakaczewski argued during the sentencing that patients go to physicians for care, not to be sexually assaulted, and that significant prison time was warranted for Clark. Allentown-based attorney, Sarah Charette, representing Clark, couldnt immediately be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon. Charette told the Pocono Record her client accepted responsibility for what he did, was not deemed to be a violent sexual predator, and his chances of recidivism were non-existent. Clark will never work in the medical field again; his license went inactive in October 2025. Jamie Stover, spokeswoman for the Lehigh Valley Health Network, previously told lehighvalleylive.com Clark has not been employed with the network since 2022. Clark in January 2025 was arrested following an investigation that spanned five months by Pennsylvania State Police. The female victim reported the incidents to investigators in August 2024. The victim stated the sex assaults happened on three occasions during appointments at the Lehigh Valley Physicians Group Endocrinology-East Stroudsburg, 179 Independence Road, in Smithfield Township, according to court records. The victim claimed in court records the attacks began on Oct. 21, 2021 when Clark allegedly climbed on top of her as she sat on the exam table and grabbed her breasts. Clark also allegedly forced the woman into a restroom and began performing a sex act on himself, according to the affidavit of probable cause. The victim repeatedly asked Clark to stop during that appointment, prosecutors said. A similar act by Clark occurred during a second appointment on Jan. 31, 2022. The victim reported Clark additionally forced her to perform a sex act, according to court records. The victim reported during an April 25, 2022 appointment she was then raped by Clark in a back room after her exam, court records stated. The victim never returned to Physicians Group Endocrinology-East Stroudsburg despite being advised to be seen every three months, court records said. The case was investigated by Pennsylvania State Police Troop N in Stroudsburgs Criminal Investigation Unit and the Monroe County District Attorneys Office. The Lehigh Valley will host several free events across Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton to commemorate the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with activities ranging from marches and church celebrations to museum programs and interfaith gatherings. Allentown Art Museum day of activities The Allentown Art Museum will offer a full day of free family activities on Monday, Jan. 19. Programming includes art-making in the Crayola Classroom from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., performances by the Joyful Voices Community Choir at 11:30 a.m. and hourly musical performances in Trexler Gallery from noon to 4 p.m. Storytelling sessions are scheduled for 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Rodale Classroom. The Taste Smokers will cater a luncheon in the Community Gallery from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., with a closing performance at 3 p.m. Free parking is available in the museum lot at Fifth and Linden Streets. Museum admission is free. Interfaith celebration In Bethlehem, a community-wide celebration will take place Sunday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. at Foy Hall, Moravian University. Second Baptist Church has partnered with Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem Area Moravians, Moravian University School of Theology and Bethlehem Interfaith Group for the event. Starting in the Foy Hall lobby, young members of Second Baptist will portray historical figures including King, Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks while guests enjoy light refreshments. At 3 p.m., speakers from Jewish and Muslim traditions will present in Foy Hall Auditorium, followed by music and dance performances. Parking is available in Moravian Universitys South Campus lot and the Spring Street lot. Civil Rights Movement march The Dr. Martin Luther King Civil Rights Movement March will proceed rain or shine on Monday, Jan. 19, through Southside Bethlehem. Participants should gather at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Comfort Suites at 120 W. Third St., with the procession departing at 11:45 a.m. toward Martin Luther King Park on Carlton Avenue, where memorials to King and wife Coretta Scott King are located. Scheduled speakers include Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds; judges from the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas; Joe Kelly, chief of staff for Pennsylvania state Sen. Lisa Boscola; and Carlton Ketchen, City of Easton executive assistant to the mayor. This years march will honor three generations of marchers and children involved in the march. Refreshments will be served at the Comfort Suites following the march. Greater Shiloh Church celebration Greater Shiloh Church of Easton will hold its annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Monday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:45 p.m. Philadelphia City Council Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas will deliver the keynote address. The evening will feature musical presentations and remarks from local leaders. The church is located at 403 Pastor Fred Davis St. on South Side Easton. Due to inclement weather, Greater Shiloh postponed one event that was scheduled for Monday. The church along with the Greater Community Development Corporation, its nonprofit community development corporation, rescheduled to noon Feb. 23 a ceremonial event marking the launch of Shiloh Estates II at 134 Phillips St. in Easton. The affordable housing initiative will bring eight new homes to South Side for first-time homebuyers. More ways to honor MLKs legacy Additional events Monday, Jan. 19, include all-day service options through the Volunteer Center of Lehigh Valley; a daylight vigil at 9:30 a.m. at the Martin Luther King/Coretta Scott King Memorial at Harry A. Roberts Plaza, Union St. and MLK Drive in Allentown; a Rebuild the Dream program at Union Baptist Church at 302 N. 6th St. in Allentown from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and a community prayer service honoring Kings legacy at 2 p.m. at Cathedral Church of the Nativity, 321 Wyandotte St. in Bethlehen, with Bethlehem Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Winston Alozie, Esther Lee of the NAACP, state Rep. Steve Samuelson and Lehigh County Commissioner Jon Irons. All events are free and open to the public. News / National by Staff reporter The government has gazetted Statutory Instrument 6 of 2026, amending the Road Motor Transportation (Public Service Vehicles) regulations in a move aimed at standardising fees, tightening compliance, and modernising the regulation of public service vehicles (PSVs).The new regulations, issued under the Road Motor Transportation Act, replace the Fourth Schedule of the 1998 regulations and introduce a revised fee structure covering operator licences, route authorities, foreign operator permits, transit charges, vehicle inspections, and certificates of fitness.Under the amendments, an operator's licence application, including a three-year licence, now attracts a fee of US$125, while a duplicate licence will cost US$135. Route authority applications are pegged at US$20 per vehicle, with the same fee applicable to duplicate route authorities. For foreign operators, the regulations introduce a tiered fee system, with licence validity periods ranging from 14 to 84 days and total costs increasing from US$500 to US$1,250 depending on the duration of stay.The statutory instrument also revises transit charges for public service vehicles registered outside Zimbabwe, with differentiated fees based on vehicle type, axle configuration, and route travelled. Specific charges have been set for vehicles from Mozambique and Malawi, calculated per 100 kilometres travelled. Certificates of fitness, driving tests, and weighbridge fees have also been adjusted, while penalties are now imposed for operating vehicles under a notice prohibiting their use.Locally registered operators may pay the stipulated fees in local currency at the prevailing bank rate on the day of payment. Statutory Instrument 6 of 2026 repeals Statutory Instrument 159 of 2022, consolidating the updated framework for public service vehicle operations and supporting the government's efforts to enhance road safety, improve compliance, and boost revenue collection in the transport sector. Two Laois businesses will be on display at the Local Enterprise Showcase's 2026 Showcase event in the RDS, which is described as "a pinnacle event in the global design and crafts calendar." Over 100 companies from across Ireland will get the chance to connect with buyers from all over the world as part of the showcase which is running from Sunday, 18 January to Tuesday, 20 January. The event will see thousands of national and international buyers descend on the RDS, generating millions of euros worth of sales orders during the show. The event is expected to be even bigger than last year's. Angelina George Skincare and MyComfort from Laois will be among the craft and design businesses showcasing their brand at the event. Angelina George Skincare is an award-winning Irish skincare brand created and manufactured in Portlaoise. The Laois-born business creates natural skincare products for sensitive and mature skin. Their products have won multiple national and international beauty awards. READ NEXT: Four Laois schools to receive additional special classes Also based in Portlaoise, MyComfort was launched in 2024 by Catherine Hearns. The up and coming brand creates sustainable sleep and migraine relief products which are designed in Ireland. The event is an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices and is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland. Local Enterprise Office Laois has been working with Angelina George Skincare and MyComfort on merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques for the three-day showcase. Ahead of the event, the acting Head of Enterprise, Dominic Reddin, said: "Showcase 2026 is a vital platform for our local businesses to connect with buyers, build brand visibility and compete on a global stage. The Local Enterprise Office is proud to support Angelina George Skincare and Catherine Hearns, MyComfort, at this event and enterprises across the county as they scale, innovate and succeed. This year all Local Enterprise Showcase clients were entered into the Business of Craft Awards. This is the third year of the awards that celebrate the businesses behind the amazing craft and design products that are created across the country. The awards have three categories, including 'Best Newcomer' for the best craft and design business exhibiting for the first time, 'One to Watch' for the best business with export and international potential, and 'Sustainability Champion' for the brand which is excelling the most when it comes to sustainability. The awards will take place on Monday, 19 January in the RDS as part of the overall event. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Forensic Science Ireland wrote to the President of the District Court over comments made by Laois Offaly District Court Judge Andrew Cody. Judge Cody spoke about the correspondence during a sitting of Portlaoise District Court where Michael Houlihan (44) of 10 Lake Glen, Portlaoise, was accused of having drugs valued at 1,100 for sale or supply at his address. Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was pleading not guilty. The not guilty plea meant a certificate of analysis would be required from Forensic Science (FSI) Ireland. Judge Cody then revealed FSI had written to the President of the District Court giving out that he had said it takes six months to get a certificate. He said quotes from a case at Tullamore District Court were included in the correspondence. He noted Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby had requested ten months where a certificate is required. Thats my experience. I am at it 20 years and that is my experience, said Sgt Kirby. In a later case where a certificate was also required in the case of a Section 3 drug offence, in the case of personal drug use, Sgt Kirby said, my understanding is the certs are taking ten months for these. Judge Cody adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court until October 5 for a certificate of analysis. Irish actress Jessie Buckley has made headlines internationally, with the nation bursting with pride over her recent Golden Globe win for best actress. The Killarney born actress stars alongside Paul Mescal in 'Hamnet', a film focusing on how William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes coped with the loss of their 11 year old son Hamnet. Laois locals have a particular reason to be proud, as the Killarney born actresses' Rathdowney roots run deep. Jessie Buckley's grandmother Norrie was born and raised at Fairy Hill, the Conoboro Rathdowney, the former residence and practice of the town's GP. Her great-grandfather Dr John Joseph "Jack" Comer married IRB and Cumman na mBan activist Madge Clifford, and the pair raised their eight children in Rathdowney. The family lived in Rathdowney for 44 years, and have a fascinating history. Pictured: Fairyhill house, the Conoboro Rathdowney. Photo: Google maps Retired Rathdowney GP Dr Niall O'Doherty, one of Dr Jack Comer's successors, told the Leinster Express / Laois Live of the family's history in the town. "It was only while I was writing the history of their family for the 2007 Rathdowney Review that I heard their story, they spoke to me over the phone on how they were involved in the old IRA and came to the town," Dr O'Doherty said. "The house they lived in was built in 1912 by Perry's brewery to accommodate their workers. It was bought by the health board, and the house would come with the position of GP in the town. When I was hired as the local GP in 1977, the house and practice came with the position," Dr O'Doherty explained. "Dr Comer qualified in Galway and it was a hotbed of republican activity, it's here his beliefs were set. Following his qualification he was appointed to a practice in Clonaslee, but he was arrested in 1923 and imprisoned in Portlaoise for his involvement with the IRA," Dr O'Doherty said. "He was transferred to Tintown camp in the Curragh, and he was one of very few doctors to be imprisoned. He was released in 1924 following representations made by Errill TD William Davin, who argued that his constituents were without a doctor. "He was not permitted to accept his job in Clonaslee, and Laois County Council argued that his politics would not interfere with his abilities to perform duties," Dr O'Doherty said. Pictured: Madge Clifford and Dr Jack Comer In 1926, Dr Comer married republican activist Madge Clifford. The pair met in Rathdowney while Madge was canvassing the town with Countess Constance Markievicz and Maude Gonne. Madge was a key figure in many republican acts of rebellion, and was a private secretary to republican politicians. In 1916, Madge met Roger Casement off the Aud with ammunition for the 1916 Easter Rising, and was an officer in Cumann na mBan. She became the personal secretary to Kerry TD and Minister for Home Affairs Austin Stack in 1919, and supervised arms dumps, gathered intelligence and moved weapons. Madge also assisted Michael Collins and Harry Boland in bringing letters to Mountjoy prison, and pointed out some of the British spies that were killed by the IRA on Bloody Sunday. She was one of only five women in the Four Courts when it was destroyed in 1922. That same year, Eamon de Valera appointed Madge to serve as secretary to IRA chief of staff Liam Lynch at headquarters in the Tower House, Santry. After the Second World War, Madge was approached by Sean MacBride to stand for Clann na Poblachta in the 1947 election but declined for family reasons. "Madge and Jack honeymooned in Jersey and settled into married life in Rathdowney, where they lived and raised their children for 44 years," Dr O'Doherty said. Dr Comer and his wife went on to have eight children; daughters Una, Maureen, Bridget (Biddy), Eileen (Dodie), Norrie and Josephine (Fin) and their sons Simon and Diarmuid (Gerry). Six of these children followed their father's path and became doctors, with one becoming a solicitor and one a nurse. "Norrie, Jessie's grandmother, was the youngest of the girls. She qualified as a GP in UCD and trained in her father's practice," the Rathdowney Dr explained. Norrie had a great love for Irish dancing, which was seen to carry through to her granddaughter Jessie. "She married Pat and they settled in Killarney, where she spent her professional life working at St Mary of the Angel's facility in Beaufort near Killarney. Her husband Pat sadly passed suddenly in 1986. Their son Tim is Jessie Buckley's father, he and his brother Sean continued in the hotel business, while their sister Mary is a teacher and Una is a nurse in Texas." "Dr Comer and his family moved to Killarney upon his retirement," Dr O'Doherty finished. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) ordered a Laois business to close with immediate effect in December after an inspector found the business to be unregistered with the HSE and in serious breach of food safety laws. The closure order was served to Ella Okonufua, trading as EB Food Essentials located at Coolanagh, Ballickmoyler, county Laois on December 10, 2025. READ NEXT: 'Foul water from toilets in food prep areas' - Eight food businesses forced to close in December The FSAI then issued a recall of all food products sold from the establishment as "The food was produced in and/or sold from an establishment that was not subject to official controls, and as such, it is not possible to confirm the food was manufactured in compliance with all relevant food safety legislation. Therefore, as a precaution, the implicated products are being recalled to ensure consumer safety. At the time of inspection, it was established that a food business was being operated at this establishment. The food business operator had not notified the competent authority of this food business establishment with a view to registration of the establishment. Therefore, official controls have not been carried out to verify compliance with food law. Food placed on the market without the benefit of official controls to verify compliance with food law may be unsafe and give rise to a risk to public health. READ NEXT: PHOTOS: Laois Rose of Tralee jives past Dancing with the Stars elimination! This Closure Order directed that all of the business, its establishments, holdings or other premises be closed and any internet and social media sites it operates be ceased immediately. In serious breach of legislation, the food business operator did not have effective traceability systems in place and was unable to identify the suppliers of it's food products including three boxes of goat meat in the freezer that were in meat branded boxes labelled as lamb, brisket and silverside flat, three unlabelled white plastic bags containing goat meat, 35 bags of snails imported from Nigeria, 3 bags of catfish, 5 bags of dried prawns, among others. Food and feed imported into the Community for placing on the market within the Community must comply with the relevant requirements of food law. Legislation states that food business operators shall, as appropriate, adopt the following specific hygiene measures compliance with microbiological criteria for foodstuffs procedures necessary to meet targets set to achieve the objectives of this Regulation compliance with temperature control requirements for foodstuffs maintenance of the cold chain sampling and analysis READ NEXT: Laois to see water outages as Portlaoise undergoes mains repair works The food business operator was using an unrefrigerated motor car to collect and transport boxes of goat meat from a suppler and for delivery to customers throughout Ireland and had no system in place to demonstrate maintenance of the cold chain. The closure order was served and took immediate effect on date of inspection. A man was warned by a district court judge that he must pay maintenance owed to his partner - or he will be sent to prison. The man is paying maintenance of 65 per week and owes 2,015 up to June last His partner alleged at a family law hearing at Naas District Court that a son has turned 18 but the payments had ceased to be made prior to that. The woman alleged that the man had fallen out with one of the children who, she said, is suffering trauma because his dad has rejected him. READ NEXT Customers at well known Kildare supermarket 'are abusing traffic rule' Addressing the man, Judge Desond Zaidan said: If you force me to, I will send you to jail. The judge also pointed out that the man can appeal the order covering the payments if he is unhappy. The judge added that a supreme court decision meant that the man would have to stay in prison until the money is paid. The man told the court that he also had to pay money for a school tour for his daughter. The man said he "would have to appeal the case. The provision of a brand-new school in County Kildare for Curragh Community College "must be a priority for National Development Plan". That's according to TD for Kildare South, Mark Wall, who today (January 13) called for the new school building for the Curragh Community College to be made a priority for inclusion in the Department of Education and Youths implementation plan (which itself falls under the National Development Plan). The Labour Party politician previously joined a number of other Kildare-based political representatives in calling out the conditions of the school's site. Explaining his renewed call, Deputy Wall said that he recently visited the current school and met with the principal of the school, as well as members of the Parents Association. READ NEXT: Kildare want to make Newbridge a 'fortress' says Cathal McCabe after semi-final win He elaborated: "Following a recent visit to Curragh Community College, I have raised the dire conditions students and staff are in with the Minister for Education and Youth [Hildegarde Naughton TD]. "The Minister has informed me that the new school project, based at Magee Barracks in Kildare town, is at Stage 3 Tender Action and Award. "The tender returns for building the new school have been received and are currently being reviewed." SHOCK OVER CONDITIONS Deputy Wall continued: "The number one priority is and remains a new school building for Curragh Community College. "I am shocked to see the conditions students and the staff team are having to learn and work in; a number of classrooms are out of use due to health and safety concerns, radiators are not working, while there is mould and even fungus growth in classrooms. "The current school building is no longer fit-for-purpose." He further expressed his view that the new building for Curragh Community College should be made a priority for inclusion in the departments National Development Plan. Deputy Wall also noted that the first tranche of projects are due to be announced this month. In addition, he said that the second priority for the school should be "addressing the immediate health and safety issues through the Emergency Works Scheme". "A site visit to the school was conducted in December and an application for the scheme was recommended. "I have again written to the Minister to ensure that her department expedites this application." He concluded by saying: "It is a testament to the pupils, their families and Principal Nessa Doyle and her staff team that they continue to maintain a positive spirit in the face of such dreadful conditions; this is a great school [that] deserves more than they are getting at this time." Deputy Mark Wall also made headlines last week when he asked people living in Kildare to answer a survey which revolved around transport and traffic congestion issues. Labour Party TD Mark Wall, who represents Kildare South. File photograph READ NEXT: ALERT: Kildare County Council issues important notice after bridge sustains damage Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. The Green Party leader has said the Minister for Justice needs to confirm today if he feels existing legislation is strong enough to tackle the issue of AI generated child sexual abuse images. Speaking to reporters at Leinster House on Tuesday, Roderic OGorman said we have a crisis situation right now in terms of the degeneration of child sexual abuse imagery online and the issue has to be addressed. He had been asked about material reportedly produced by the AI chatbot Grok which is a tool on the social media platform X, owned by billionaire Elon Musk. Mr OGorman said: I think weve become a bit numbed to whats happening in the online space, and particularly on X, but we are talking about the generation of child sexual abuse imagery, one of the most heinous crimes that we recognise as a society. I think the Government needs to examine right now if it has the criminal law tools to deal with, what I certainly believe is, a criminal law offence. And if theyre not satisfied they need to take action, and swiftly. He said the UK is taking very serious actions to tackle the issue and Ireland cant allow itself to be helpless. The British media watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether X has breached UK law. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said generating sexual images without consent will become illegal this week, using an Act passed by the British Parliament last year. The EUs AI act was due to be brought to cabinet today, but Mr OGorman said its not enough to rely on existing EU legislation because advances in technology in this sphere are so quick. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has announced that Ireland will provide 42 million in assistance to the people of Palestine in 2026, including 20 million in core funding to support the work of UNRWA in providing vital services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the West Bank, and across the region. This funding for the Palestinian people represents an increase from 2025, when a total of 36 million was provided. In addition to 20 million to UNRWA, todays announcement also includes 2 million to support the work of the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies. The remaining funds will be allocated throughout 2026 in response to needs. READ NEXT: 'Foul water from toilets in food prep areas' - Eight food businesses forced to close in December Minister McEntee made the announcement while visiting the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza while undertaking a visit to the region. Minister McEntee arrived in Egypt on Monday and will tomorrow (Wednesday) visit Jordan, where she will take part in a series of political engagements as well as seeing the work of partner organisations working with Palestinian and Syrian refugees and host communities in Jordan. Minister McEntee said: The humanitarian and human rights situation across Gaza and the West Bank remains incredibly stark. This funding from Ireland will help to provide food, shelter, water, sanitation, health and education for people across Palestine. It will be primarily delivered through our UN partners, particularly UNRWA. While there have been some improvements in the supply of aid into Gaza since the ceasefire, the levels of need are still enormous. Children are dying from malnutrition, while hundreds of thousands of people are living in tents or damaged buildings at risk of collapse. Overcrowding, poor weather conditions and a lack of access to clean water mean the threat of disease outbreak is very high. In the West Bank, house demolitions, military incursions, settler violence and restrictions on movement are all resulting in unacceptable risks and challenges to daily life. The situation in the West Bank is critical and requires an urgent political and humanitarian response. READ NEXT: Thousands across Ireland could be eligible for little known boost of 1,900 The funding announced today demonstrates Irelands continued support for the people of Palestine and our commitment to supporting UN partners providing vital aid and assistance. I am particularly pleased to announce a significant funding package for UNRWA. Irelands support for UNRWA remains unwavering and this announcement is a demonstration of our support for the UN system at a challenging time. In the face of enormous outside pressure, UNRWA continues to provide a life-line to Palestinians not just in Gaza and the West Bank but across the region. UNRWA must be central to any effort to respond to the urgent needs of the Palestinian people. I reiterate my condemnation, made with six fellow European Foreign Ministers, of Israels legislation to cut water, electricity and communications to UNRWA facilities. UNRWAs operations must be facilitated in line with the findings of the International Court of Justice. Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, said todays announcement demonstrated Irelands ongoing commitment to the people of Palestine: READ NEXT: Search stood down for 13-year-old boy missing one week as Gardai issue update Todays funding will bring Irelands support to the people in Palestine since January 2023 to 144 million by end 2026. This funding is helping to provide basic services that people in Gaza and the West Bank are being denied through conflict and violations of their human rights. The humanitarian crisis facing people in Gaza requires an urgent and ongoing response, while the situation in the West Bank continues to worsen. Through our support for UNRWA and the wider UN system, Ireland will fund vital services, including healthcare and education, for the Palestinian people. It is vital that other international donors step-up and provide support that is so desperately needed. The importance of, and heavy use of, Dromod train station was highlighted at a meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District, following a suggestion from a councillor in a neighbouring county that smaller stations on the Sligo to Dublin line, including Dromod, should be bypassed to reduce travel times. Cllr Irene Guckian Rabbitte urged the Council to write to Iarnrod Eireann to strongly object to any plans to bypass smaller railway stations, such as Dromod, in an effort to speed up travel times to Dublin. Investment in extra carriages and on the railway infrastructure itself would be very much appreciated, as would an early train to Sligo for people to get into work or for early morning appointments at Sligo hospital, her motion stated. Theres a lot of people living in Dromod because of that railway station. A lot of people commute, she said. It would be an awful shame to see Dromod or any small stations like that bypassed in an effort to speed up times, added Cllr Guckian Rabbitte. READ NEXT: HGVs struggling to pass prompts call to widen bridge in Leitrim town She noted that many people over the years have dedicated time to expanding and improving services at Dromod. I think that discussion should be put to bed as quickly as possible because its a very essential service to Dromod and the surrounding area, she added. Cllr Maeve Reynolds seconded the motion, pointing out that Dromod is Leitrims only train station, as the Carrick-on-Shannon station is technically in Roscommon, and should not be bypassed. She also highlighted the adequate car parking at Dromod compared to Carrick-on-Shannon. Dromod is a very busy station and I could never see Iarnrod Eireann even contemplating closing Dromod, added Cllr Sean McGowan. It was confirmed that correspondence will be issued to Iarnrod Eireann on the matter. READ NEXT: Timeline confirmed for long-awaited accessibility works at Leitrim train station News / National by Staff reporter Schools across Zimbabwe officially opened for the 2026 first term on Tuesday, with the usual back-to-school activities marking the start of the academic year. However, in Masvingo Province, Riverton Academy Murinye made headlines after Chief Murinye, whose jurisdiction covers the area, blocked access to the new boarding school. The chief argued that the school had been constructed without his consent, sparking a standoff between local traditional authorities and the institution.Riverton Academy Murinye is the latest school under the Riverton Academy banner, operated by prominent Masvingo businessman and educationist Philemon Mutangiri. The school is located on the Mutangiri family homestead in Machingura Village, within Murinye communal lands, approximately 65 kilometers southeast of Masvingo City. It opened its doors at the start of this year, welcoming students for the first term.The incident has reignited public debate over the requirements for establishing a private school in Zimbabwe. According to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE), establishing a private school is a highly regulated process, requiring compliance with multiple stakeholders and statutory frameworks. The Education Act (Chapter 25:04) and the Education (Registered) Regulations provide the legal framework, while MoPSE works in coordination with local authorities and statutory inspectors to ensure full compliance.Approval to establish and operate a private school depends on three main pillars: legal identity of the responsible authority, local authority and engineering compliance, and MoPSE registration through the ED1A process.For the first pillar, the school must have a legally recognized responsible authority, which may take the form of a Private Limited Company, Trust, Association, or Non-Profit. The entity must register with ZIMRA for tax purposes, obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate, and provide governing documents such as a constitution or trust deed specifying education as a core objective, governance structures, and financial accountability.The second pillar requires full local authority compliance. Land must be zoned for institutional or educational use, and if necessary, a rezoning or change of land use must be approved. The council must approve architectural and structural plans, ensuring compliance with building bylaws, classroom space, ventilation, lighting, ablution facilities, and fire safety requirements. Inspections by council engineers are conducted at multiple stages, from foundation to roof, and a certificate of occupation is mandatory before MoPSE can register the school.The final pillar involves MoPSE registration through the ED1A process, which occurs in two phases. Phase A, the authority to establish, permits development but not operation, and requires submission of council-approved plans, feasibility assessments, and site clearance. Phase B, registration, occurs once construction is complete and includes verification of land ownership or lease, governing documents, qualified teaching staff, curriculum proposals, financial capacity, and readiness for instruction. Registration is initially provisional, valid for 1224 months, and full registration is granted once all conditions are met. Teacher-pupil ratios, curriculum standards, and official school naming must comply with MoPSE regulations.Rural schools, such as Riverton Academy Murinye, face additional requirements. These include staff accommodation, water security, minimum land sizes (12 hectares for primary, 24 hectares for secondary), specialized classrooms and laboratories, community consent, and certificates from local chiefs or headmen. Non-compliance in rural areas is a frequent cause of registration delays or rejections, as authorities assess the viability and sustainability of such schools.The stand-off at Riverton Academy Murinye highlights the critical importance of obtaining both traditional authority consent and regulatory approval before establishing private educational institutions in Zimbabwe. With Chief Murinye blocking the road, the issue underscores the potential conflicts between communal land governance and the formal regulatory framework administered by MoPSE and local councils. News / National by Staff reporter A shocking incident in Zhombe, Midlands Province, marred the start of the new year after a man allegedly stabbed his father following a dispute over the man's behaviour in local shops. The event occurred under Chief Gweselas jurisdiction at Senkwasi Business Centre on 1 January 2026.According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA), the suspect had been harassing members of the public in the business centre when his father tried to intervene. In response, the man reportedly pulled out a knife from his left hand and stabbed his father, leaving him seriously injured. He is currently receiving treatment at Kwekwe General Hospital.The suspect appeared before a Kwekwe magistrate and was sentenced to ten months in prison. Four months were suspended for good behaviour, while the remaining six months were converted to 210 hours of community service.The NPA emphasized the need for restraint and peaceful conflict resolution in communities, warning that violence has no place in public spaces. "While punishment plays an important role for offenders, protecting the public is paramount and requires self-control and peaceful resolution of disputes," the authority said. News / Regional by Stephen Jakes Mthwakazi Republic Party Election Committee chairman Njabulo Ngwenya has said on the 29th of May 2018, the party alerted the world of the plight of its council candidate who was facing political intimidation in the hands of ZANU PF leaders in Mfazimithi village in uMguza.He said the latest is that the affected MRP member has opened a case at Sauarcetown police station against Loyisa Dube the village head, Themba Tshuma the ZANU PF district chairperson and Sisa Moyo the sitting councillor."In his statement to the police, the aspiring MRP councillor submited that he was chased away by the village head, Loyisa Dube while distributing party literature in his village. The village head openly told him that he was coming to poison his area and that he should take his nonsense out of her village. After declaring that the area was only accessible to ZANU PF, the village head called Themba Tshuma, the ZANU PF district chairperson, who is a well known ZANU PF thug. After a telephone exchange with Tshuma, the village head ordered Ncube to leave and never be seen doing his nonsense in her village," he said."A meeting was called two days later at ePhaneni where the political activities of Ncube were discussed. It was declared by Tshuma, Loyisa Dube and Sisa Moyo, who were speakers, that the village was a no go area for other political parties, but ZANU PF. Those accused of bringing opposition politics were warned never to do it again. They were threatened with unspecified consequences including being evicted from the resettlement area."He said the threatening trio announced before the meeting that they had been deployed by the above powers to guard against opposition politics in the village."Meanwhile, Constable Tshuma of PISI Saucetown police station confirmed that the case has been handed over to the Law and Order section. The case number is CR54/5/ 2018," he said."We plead with the NPRC and the election observers to free our people from ZANU PF slavery in most resettlement areas. Fear and intimidation is their daily bread. Such cases must project the sincerity of such commissions as the NPRC and the local and international observers." Former Land Administrator of the William Zinnah Estate, Anthony Cole speaking to the media at his Paynesville GSA Road Zinnah Hill office. REGISTRATION is now open for Team Limerick Clean-Up (TLC), taking place this Good Friday, April 3, across Limerick city and county. This is the 11th year of the annual clean-up, the largest of its kind in Ireland. This year marks a new decade for TLC and in collaboration with Bus Eireann, organisers are encouraging volunteers to Get on Board and sign up for Team Limerick Clean-Up 2026, at www.teamlimerickcleanup.ie/ register. Registration closes for schools on March 14 and on March 21 for volunteers and organisations. TLC co-founders Paul OConnell and Helen ODonnell were joined by Mayor of Limerick John Moran, Director General of Limerick City and County Council Dr Pat Daly, Priomh Chomhairleoir Cllr Catherine Slattery, John Kiely, Joe OSullivan and Dermot Koyce (Bus Eireann) and performers from Fidget Feet to launch Team Limerick Clean-Up 2026. READ MORE: Two Limerick successes among 29 National Lottery millionaires in 2025 Speaking about the launch, Paul OConnell and Helen ODonnell, TLC co-founders said: We are delighted to partner with Bus Eireann this year as we mark 11 years of Team Limerick Clean-Up and would like to thank them for their support to date. We hope that volunteers, businesses, schools and clubs will get behind TLC again this year and register their groups online. They added: We need everyone to register correctly to ensure that we have enough equipment and rubbish collection points. Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly said: "As a Council, we are proud to dedicate the time and support needed to ensure TLC takes place each Good Friday, working closely with the TLC team, community partners and volunteers. Its truly uplifting to see thousands of civic minded people come together each year with a shared purpose, creating a cleaner environment and strengthening community pride." Sponsored by the JP McManus Benevolent Fund and supported by Limerick City and County Council, over 23,500 volunteers took part in Team Limerick Cleanup 2025 which was spread over 547 groups all over Limerick city and Limerick county including 89 schools. Last year saw over 50 tonnes of litter collected, which is equivalent to approx. 2000 household wheelie bins of rubbish. A DRUG dealer is awaiting sentencing following a raid by gardai at his home in Limerick on August 21, 2023. Jeffrey OCallaghan, 27, of Churchfield estate, St Patrick's Road, Singland, threw a drug-filled sock out the window in a panic when he realised that gardai were going to search his home with a warrant. The white sock hit the garda and was discovered to contain class A drugs, Limerick District Court heard. Solicitor Darach McCarthy, representing Mr OCallaghan, said that the man panicked when he saw gardai, and landed the product literally in the lap of the gardai when he jettisoned it out of the window. READ MORE: Mum charged with the attempted murder of her daughter, 8, to go on trial in Limerick Upon searching the house, Gardai found several phones, digital weighing scales and drugs with a street value of 80. Mr O'Callaghan is being charged with two counts of drug possession and one for the sale and supply of drugs. Solicitor Darach McCarthy said that the man made full admissions to the gardai. Limerick District Court heard from prosecuting Sergeant Aisling ONeill that Mr OCallaghan has 26 previous convictions - including five for the unlawful sale and supply of drugs, twelve for drug possession, possession of an article, and a public order conviction. Mr OCallaghans most recent conviction for drugs took place in February 2024. The man has also been before the circuit court. Judge Valerie Corcoran asked if the man is clean off drugs, to which his solicitor replied that he may be using cannabis. In mitigation Mr McCarthy said that the gardai will never find him again in a suspicious situation, and that Mr OCallaghan works as a lollypop man. In his current line of work, the man holds up road signs to warn motorists of road works. Judge Corcoran said that a urine analysis test from Mr OCallaghan would be very beneficial and that she wishes to see a contract of Mr OCallaghans employment before issuing a sentence. -Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. A MOTHER and daughter were convicted of assaulting a young woman in the queue for the bathroom at a Dermot Kennedy concert in Limerick in 2023. Rosaleen Rice, 47, and her 27 year old daughter Caithlin OBrien, both with an address at Kileely Court, Priors Land, Limerick, contested the charge of assaulting a woman who was known to them at a hearing at Limerick District Court. The victim gave evidence that on Friday night, she was walking towards the bathrooms before the concert began in Thomond Park stadium, July 7, 2023. The woman said that she was minding her own business when Rosaleen Rice taunted her, saying Wheres your mother, 5B?, which was disclosed to the court to be a reference to the psychiatric wing in University Hospital Limerick. READ MORE: 'She was going to kill me': Child, 8, gives evidence of alleged stabbing by mother The victim tried to walk away, and then was grabbed by the hair, pulled to the ground and punched by the two women. Regaling the impact that the crime had on her, the victim said that she suffered the loss of a fingernail and had to take antibiotics for a resultant infection on her left hand. Pictures of the victims injuries were circulated to the court. The young woman then received assistance from paramedics at the venue and offered tickets from the staff for another night at the concert. She then proceeded to be picked up by her father and left the concert distraught. The victim also added that the pair have been trying to cause trouble with my family for years, and Ms OBrien said the ill will has been going on ten years since Ive been in primary school. Both Ms Rice and OBrien staunchly denied the evidence of the complainant. In response, Prosecuting Inspector Martyn Wallace questioned why Rosaleen refused to give a statement to a garda regarding the incident, particularly considering that the women claimed to the court that it was them who were assaulted by the victim. Defending Solicitor Donal Cronin interjected that it was his clients right not to give a statement should she wish, and Mr Rice said that the gardai have never helped her family in the past. Considering the evidence presented to her, Judge Valerie Corcoran said that she believed the victim offered credible evidence, and said she found the court evidence of Ms Rice and Ms OBrien far less credible. The judge convicted Ms OBrien and Ms Rice of section three assault causing harm, and recommended that the pair engage with a restorative justice programme, considering that the pair came before the court with no previous convictions. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. LIMERICK will take on Waterford in the final of the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League on Saturday next after a dramatic conclusion to the group stages of the competition on Monday night. READ MORE: Limerick Ladies All-Ireland winning captain Cathy Mee calls time on decorated inter-county career Saturday's early season final will have a 3.15pm throw-in time with Mallow set to host the decider. Limerick claimed top spot in Group B of the Munster Hurling League and with it qualification to the final by virtue of their superior points difference to both Clare and Cork. Cork claimed a dramatic 1-18 to 0-20 victory over Clare in the final group fixture at Mallow on Monday night. Home side Cork had trailed by five points with nine minutes of the contest remaining. A draw or victory would have seen Clare advance to the decider. Instead, Limerick, Clare and Cork each finished up with one win and one defeat in their group fixtures. However, Limerick's big 1-28 to 0-16 win over Cork in their second game at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday last ensured John Kiely's charges topped the group on scoring difference. Limerick had suffered a 3-20 to 3-18 defeat to Clare in their opening group game in Tulla. While Limerick finished with a scoring difference of +13 after their two group games, Clare's was +2, with Cork on -14. Waterford claimed top spot in Group A also on scoring difference, following an opening round draw against Tipperary with a runaway victory over Kerry in their second outing. Tickets for Saturday's clash between Limerick and Waterford will go on sale at 12 noon on Wednesday and the match will be broadcast live on TG4. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reported that eight Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order was served on food businesses during the month of December 2025 for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive and officers of the FSAI. READ NEXT: Thousands across Ireland could be eligible for little known boost of 1,900 One Closure Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on: Crosfield (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Unit 4 Bymac Centre, Northwest Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15 Seven Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: Taha Butchers (Closed area: the food and food equipment storage facility at the rear of the premises), 13 Railway Street, Navan, Meath Ruby's Cakes (Manufacturer), Durhamstown Castle, Bohermeen, Navan, Meath EB Food Essentials, Unregistered establishment trading at Coolanagh, Ballickmoyler, Laois Quack N Wok (Takeaway), Unit 3A, Gandon House, Custom House Square I.F.S.C, Mayor Street Lower, Dublin 1 Sasaki Sushi (Service Sector), 3 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 Centra (Closed area: Deli area), Main Street, Killenaule, Tipperary Unregistered premises trading as Selera Space, at an apartment at Sandyford Central, Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18 READ NEXT: Search stood down for 13-year-old boy missing one week as Gardai issue update One Prohibition Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: Dublin Herbalists (Food Supplements), Carrick Street, Mullinahone, Tipperary Some of the reasons for the Closure Orders in December include: Failure to notify the competent authority of the establishment of a food business; active mouse infestation evidenced by droppings throughout food storage and preparation areas; defective drainage and sewage systems, with foul water leaking and backing up from sanitary facilities and contaminating kitchen floors and food preparation surfaces where ready-to-eat foods were handled; unsuitable and unhygienic food and equipment storage facilities; extremely poor hygiene standards, including heavily contaminated food contact surfaces, equipment and utensils; a lack of effective cleaning and disinfection procedures; absence of a food safety management system based on HACCP principles; unsafe food transport practices, including the use of an unrefrigerated vehicle for transporting meat with no controls in place to maintain the cold food chain. Commenting on the December 2025 figures, Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, added: READ NEXT: PICTURES: Dermot Bannon transforms damp and dated to 'dream home' on RTE's Room to Improve Two of the seven Closure Orders in December were for businesses where they had failed to notify the competent authority of the establishment of a food business. It is unacceptable that some food businesses are choosing to operate outside of the law. All food business owners, big or small, whether trading from a business premises, in the home, from a mobile unit, food truck and/or online, must be aware of food hygiene and food safety legislation. Maintaining high food safety standards protects consumers and supports the long-term success of businesses, and enforcement action is taken where necessary to ensure compliance, said Mr Dempsey. The FSAI also stated that 127 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses for breaches of food safety legislation in 2025, a decrease of 4.5% on the 132 that were served in 2024. Between 1 January and 31 December 2025, 102 Closure Orders, 23 Prohibition Orders and 2 Improvement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive, sea-fisheries protection officers in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, and by officers of the FSAI on food businesses throughout the country. READ NEXT: I miss you every day - Ashling Murphy's boyfriend and school lead tributes on anniversary Commenting on the annual figures, Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said: While the total number of Enforcement Orders in 2025 decreased slightly compared to 2024, it is disappointing that we continue to see enforcement action being necessary due to fundamental breaches, such as pest infestations, poor hygiene, unsafe storage of food, inadequate staff training and the absence of food safety management systems. Additionally, we have found instances of unregistered food businesses operating illegally without notifying the competent authority, therefore bypassing essential food safety controls and putting consumers health at risk. Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAIs website at www.fsai.ie. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month. NORTH COWICHAN, BC, Jan. 13, 2026 /CNW/ - Far too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. Solving Canada's housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs, cut red tape, and build homes more quickly. The Government of Canada is stepping up with a bold new approach to increase the supply of housing in Canada. Government of Canada (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)) Central to that work, the Government of Canada launched Build Canada Homes, which will help increase the pace of affordable homebuilding to increase housing supply. Build Canada Homes will also help fight homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing working with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities. It will build deeply affordable and community housing for low-income households, and partner with private market developers to build affordable homes for the Canadian middle class. As part of the Government of Canada's broader efforts to respond to the housing crisis, work is being done across the housing continuum to respond to the needs of communities across Canada. To that end the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provides funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to partnered organizations for new affordable housing and the renovation and repair of existing, affordable and community housing. Today, the federal government, along with the province of British Columbia and the Municipality of North Cowichan announced over $65 million in combined funding to build 92 affordable co-op housing units in North Cowichan. The project is expected to be completed in early 2028 and will be owned and operated by the Community Land Trust. The announcement was made by Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament for Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada alongside Dana Lajeunesse, MLA for Juan de Fuca-Malahat, on behalf of the Honourable Christine Boyle, BC's Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs and Rob Douglas, Mayor, Municipality of North Cowichan. The past year has revealed there are limits to Canada's economic independence. Budget 2025 is tackling that challenge head on. It is our plan to take control and build the future we want for ourselves. It is our plan to Build Canada Strong. Quotes: "Our Government is committed to helping municipalities like North Cowichan build more affordable housing. By working with all levels of government, projects like these 92 new co-op homes on Sherman Road are providing safe, stable, housing options for Canadians." The Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament for Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke Susan Crean Dental & Facial Aesthetics is currently inviting applications from dentists interested in joining its expanding team, with a part-time position available and the option to progress to full-time for the right candidate. Based on Denny Street in Tralee, the clinic has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, patient-focused care in a calm and supportive environment. Led by principal dentist Dr Susan Crean (pictured below), the award-winning practice is grounded in an ethos of clinical excellence, prevention, and holistic dental care for patients of all ages. Accolades won by Susan Crean Dental & Facial Aesthetics include: * Winner of employer of the year Irish dentistry awards 2025 * Winner of best treatment of nervous patient 2025 Irish dentistry awards. * All Ireland business foundation five in a row all stars from the AIBF Following the conclusion of the current recruitment process, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in a modern, progressive practice that offers a broad spectrum of treatments. These include restorative and cosmetic dentistry, paediatric dentistry, orthodontics, sedation dentistry, cosmetic teeth whitening, facial aesthetics, implant restoration, management of jaw pain and tooth wear, as well as sleep medicine. The clinic has a particular interest in treating nervous patients and takes pride in providing gentle, pain-free dentistry in a relaxing setting. Susan Crean Dental & Facial Aesthetics is also at the forefront of dental innovation, utilising cutting-edge technology such as digital radiography, photography, intraoral scanners, laser dentistry and advanced 3D smile design. This commitment to innovation allows clinicians to deliver precise, efficient and highly personalised care, helping patients achieve smiles they can truly be proud of. The clinic gained national recognition in 2022 when it was named Colgate Caring Dental Team of the Year, after being nominated by a patient who credited the team with helping them overcome a severe, lifelong fear of the dentist following a childhood experience. The award highlighted the compassion, patience and professionalism shown by Dr Crean and her team. Dr Crean has trained extensively both nationally and internationally in cosmetic dentistry, digital smile design, implant restoration, oral surgery, childrens dentistry, sedation, facial aesthetics, jaw-related conditions and sleep disorders such as snoring and sleep apnoea. She is also a passionate advocate for preventative dentistry and regularly promotes oral health awareness within the wider community, including visits to schools and nursing homes. This is an excellent opportunity for a dentist seeking to develop their career in a supportive, award-winning practice with a strong patient base and a clear commitment to excellence in care. For more information, see creandental.ie or phone 0667117577. *SPONSORED CONTENT The next big challenge for Indias eyewear giants is not demand, branding or store rollouts. It is trained optometrists. The country's eyewear market is scaling faster than its pool of trained personnel. Recently-listed Lenskart has been upfront about this imbalance, repeatedly flagging the limited availability of qualified optometrists as a key risk across India, South-East Asia and West Asia in its draft red herring prospectus filed with the capital markets regulator in July last year. The company has warned that it continues to face difficulties in finding, training and retaining opticians and optometrists, particularly as it expands into newer markets. That constraint has sharpened as Lenskart accelerates expansion. During its Q2 FY26 earnings call, the company pointed to the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled remote eye-testing across more than 500 stores as a way to work around this constraint. High-volume or clinically complex locations may continue to have on-site optometrists, but newer or lower-volume stores are increasingly designed around remote-testing from day one," said a person directly involved in the companys operations. Under this remote testing model, optometrists are centralized and effectively teleport" into stores across the country through video links and proprietary AI-enabled diagnostic equipment. Technology allows a single optometrist to conduct far more eye tests than would be possible in a traditional, store-bound setup," the person said. Its about multiplying the impact of scarce talent, rather than competing endlessly for it." Lenskart expects remote and self-optometry (an internal operating term for AI-enabled eye testing) to become the default foundational layer of eyecare delivery as the company expands into underpenetrated markets, the person said. The shift is already reflected in volumes: in the first half of FY26, the company conducted 9.3 million eye tests in Indiasurpassing the total for the entire FY24driven largely by its remote-testing capability, with eye test volumes growing 47% year-on-year. Also Read | The pros and cons of investing in Lenskart The company also offers home eye tests in major cities, where routing algorithms assign the nearest available optometrist, enabling tests to be completed within 60 minutes. AI-led systems have reduced the average in-store eye-test wait times from 19.5 minutes to 15.8 minutes, the person said, adding that on-site optometry will "continue to play a complementary role in high-density, high-complexity clusters". The company has, however, not publicly detailed how clinical complexity is defined, identified, or escalated within its remote and self-optometry models. Lenskarts closest competitor, Titan Eye+, by contrast, continues to rely on traditional in-store clinical testing by optometrists. The company offers a 20-step zero-error" eye test performed by trained professionals, according to its annual report. Queries sent to Lenskart did not elicit a response until press time. Beyond spectacle prescription While eye-testing and prescribing spectacles are scaling up, there are concerns flagged on use of technology over expert eyes. Optometry is not a routine retail task, and cannot be treated like one, argue health experts. The eye is one of the few places in the body where blood vessels can be directly observed, allowing specialists to flag early signs of conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disorders, often before patients are aware of them," said Dr. Rajeev Prasad, secretary of the Indian Optometry Association (IOA) and president of the Asia Pacific Council of Optometry. Optometrys core value, he said, lies in preventive care, early detection and timely referral, not merely prescribing glasses. Corporates are structurally incentivized to sell eyewear, not invest in preventive eye care and are unlikely to prioritize in high-throughput retail settings," Prasad said. That is where concerns emerge around AI-led, retail-first models. While remote optometry and AI tools can aid consultation and simple refraction, scaling them as substitutes risks eroding clinical judgement, weakening the optometrists role as a primary eyecare provider, and compromising care in complex cases such as paediatric, geriatric, diabetic or glaucoma-risk patients, experts said. Skilling lacunae Beneath this lies deeper labour-market distortion. India produces an estimated 6,0007,000 bachelor-level optometrists annually, estimates IOA, yet many qualified professionals report unemployment or underemployment even as companies cite shortages. The gap, the IOA says, is driven by low pay. Three optometrists working at Lenskart stores told Mint they are diploma holders earning between 20,000 and 25,000 a month. Large chains disproportionately hire diploma holders or short-course technicians," Prasad said. Consumers cannot easily distinguish between diploma-, bachelor- or master-level optometrists in-store, which creates uneven quality of care and accountability gaps." Policy uncertainty has compounded the problem. Indias optometry education pipeline remains fragmented, with courses ranging from one-year diplomas to PhDs and no clear role demarcation. The government and the University Grants Commission have repeatedly revised the curriculaoscillating between four- and five-year programmeswithout resolving issues of professional recognition or career progression. This uncertainty is reducing student intake and worsening the shortage over time," said Prasad. Liability - how it works Liability in technology-driven systems is more diffused, experts said. While licensed clinicians continue to bear responsibility for individual prescriptions, [liability] partly sits with the technology architects who manage data quality associated with AI-assisted optometric practices," said Abhivardhan, president of the Indian Society of Artificial Intelligence and Law, an industry forum. This model does not actually solve the optometrist shortage; it allows companies to scale around it," said Sohom Banerjee, senior research associate at CUTS International, a policy research and advocacy group. Humans, he added, are still involved, but not where they used to be. What we are seeing is the centralization of clinical judgment with AI-enabled augmentation, not just automation." At scale, that shift changes the risk profile. Scale doesnt just multiply efficiency; it multiplies the consequences of failure," Banerjee said. Centralized remote testing, he noted, also turns eyecare into a data-advantaged platform business, with human expertise increasingly repositioned toward oversight and escalation, rather than routine care. India's largest airline operator, IndiGo, on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, announced that the company had launched a Sail into 2026 sale for its domestic and international passengers with flight prices starting from as low as 1,499 for certain routes, according to the official announcement. As per the official release, IndiGo flights will be available for travellers starting from 1,499 and international fares from 4,499. IndiGoStretch fares on select domestic routes will be starting from 9,999. Also Read | Air India issues advisory amid forecast for poor visibility due to fog The offer will be open for booking from Monday, 13 January 2026, and is scheduled to close on 16 January 2026. Travellers will be able to book their tickets for travel between 20 January 2026 and 30 April 2026. The offer is valid on bookings made at least seven days prior to departure and is available across all booking channels, the company said in its recent release. Eligibility criteria For passengers to avail this offer, the IndiGo flight has to be non-stop, multi-city and connecting flights and not any codeshare flights. The offer will only be valid for one-way flights and round-trip bookings. The company also said that the offer will be subject to limited availability, and the special ticket prices will be provided to customers based on availability and at the sole discretion of IndiGo. The offer cannot be clubbed with any other scheme, promotion, or offer offered by IndiGo. The offer is non-transferable, non-exchangeable, non-refundable, and non-redeemable for cash. Also Read | IndiGo cancellations add to demand drag as airfares slide to four-year low The offer will not be valid for group bookings. The airline reserves the right to extend, withdraw, terminate or modify this offer at any time without further notice. Route-wise flight prices (Domestic) 1. Pune to Vadodara: IndiGo flight is 1,499 (one-way). 2. Mumbai to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj: IndiGo flight is 1,499 (one-way). 3. Calicut to Chennai: IndiGo flight is 1,499 (one-way). 4. Cochin to Chennai: IndiGo flight is 1,499 (one-way). 5. Chennai to Cochin: IndiGo flight is 1,499 (one-way). 6. Delhi to Gwalior: IndiGo flight is 1,499 (one-way). 7. Varanasi to Khajuraho: IndiGo flight is 1,499 (one-way). 8. Chennai to Visakhapatnam: IndiGo flight is 1,499 (one-way). 9. Pune to Surat: IndiGo flight is 1,499 (one-way). Also Read | DGCA bars power banks on flights for chargingcheck guidelines here Route-wise flight prices (International) 1. Delhi to Dhaka: IndiGo flight price is 4,499 (one-way). 2. Delhi to Kathmandu: IndiGo flight price is 4,499 (one-way). 3. Mumbai to Dhaka: IndiGo flight price is 4,499 (one-way). 4. Kolkata to Dhaka: IndiGo flight price is 4,499 (one-way). 5. Hyderabad to Dhaka: IndiGo flight price is 4,499 (one-way). 6. Chennai to Dhaka: IndiGo flight price is 5,499 (one-way). 7. Ras Al Khaimah (UAE) to Mumbai: IndiGo flight price is 5,999 (one-way). 8. Chennai to Colombo: IndiGo flight price is 5,999 (one-way). 9. Kuwait to Cochin: IndiGo flight price is 6,499 (one-way). 10. Dhaka to Kolkata: IndiGo flight price is 6,499 (one-way). 11. Mumbai to Kathmandu: IndiGo flight price is 5,999 (one-way). 12. Dammam to Lucknow: IndiGo flight price is 6,699 (one-way). 13. Fujairah to Kannur: IndiGo flight price is 6,799 (one-way). 14. Muscat to Mumbai: IndiGo flight price is 6,899 (one-way). 15. Ras Al Khaimah to Cochin: IndiGo flight price is 6,899 (one-way). 16. Abu Dhabi to Kannur: IndiGo flight price is 7,299 (one-way). 17. Dammam to Delhi: IndiGo flight price is 7,399 (one-way). 18. Fujairah to Mumbai: IndiGo flight price is 7,499 (one-way). 19. Abu Dhabi to Mangaluru: IndiGo flight price is 7,799 (one-way). 20. Abu Dhabi to Cochin: IndiGo flight price is 7,799 (one-way). 21. Muscat to Cochin: IndiGo flight price is 7,899 (one-way). 22. Muscat to Hyderabad: IndiGo flight price is 7,799 (one-way). BENGALURU: Infosys Ltds Salil Parekh completes eight years as chief executive this month, making him the second-longest serving chief executive at the Bengaluru-based company after co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, who led the firm for 21 years. Parekhs tenure has spanned multiple inflexion pointsfrom the shift to digital services and the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, to a prolonged slowdown in companies awarding billion-dollar technology deals to IT outsourcers. As the company heads into its December-quarter (Q3FY26) earnings, however, the most consequential test may be how it navigates the rise of automation and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Two years after the launch of ChatGPT upended enterprise technology spending, questions are resurfacing about how Infosys plans to adapt its business model to an AI-driven world. While the companys public commentary has struck a conciliatory tone on the impact of automation, internally, Parekh has been reworking Infosyss AI strategy. The focus is no longer limited to passing on AI-led productivity gains to clients as incremental benefits. Senior executives have been directed to make the companys AI offerings enterprise-grade, with an emphasis on solving use cases and handling end-to-end tasks through its Topaz platform. A key concern for our Topaz offering was that clients were not getting much from them except productivity gains. Clients would prefer bagging Microsofts Co-pilot because they could get the entire Microsoft product line with it," said an Infosys executive in the know. Management has taken note of this feedback and is recalibrating its flagship AI offerings to move beyond productivity enhancement. The shift is visible in its recent partnership with Cognition, under which Infosys plans to deploy AI agents capable of handling end-to-end software engineering work for clients, rather than automating only discrete tasks. This strategic rethink comes against the backdrop of Parekhs defining bet on mega dealscontracts valued at over a billion dollarsto secure long-term revenue visibility and outpace peers. Under his leadership, Infosys has won eight such deals, more than any of its rivals in the same period. The company also signed its largest-ever contract in December 2020, an eight-year, $3.2 billion deal with German auto major Daimler. That deal has since run into challenges, resulting in a revenue dent of at least $150 million a year. As Infosys prepares to announce its third-quarter earnings on 14 December, investors will be watching closely to assess how the company plans to drive growth in the AI era. In the September quarter (Q2FY26), Infosys reported a 2.7% sequential jump in revenue to $5.08 billion, and a net profit of $839 million. Operating margin jumped 20 basis points to 21%, as demand remained tepid, and management narrowed its FY26 full-year revenue growth guidance to 2-3%. Mint examines five key talking points. Also Read | Infosys first major IT outsourcer to outline a cut in fresher hiring Demand signals Indias two largest IT services firms, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and HCL Technologies Ltd, recently offered diverging assessments of demand conditions. While TCS said discretionary technology spending is expected to improve, HCLTech struck a more cautious note, pointing to continued weakness. Geopolitical tensions in West Asia and muted demand for IT services could further weigh on sentiment. Against this backdrop, Infosyss demand commentary will be closely tracked. Also Read | TCS, HCLTech deliver Q3 revenue surprise amid labour cost headwinds Revenue levers In a subdued demand environment, Infosyss growth will hinge on two key developments. The first is the ramp-up of its $1.6 billion mega deal with UK-based healthcare provider NHS, signed in October last year. The second is the loss of revenue from Daimler, as reported by Mint on 12 January, which could offset gains from the NHS contract. The companys revenue outlook will therefore be closely scrutinised, although at least one brokerage expects improvement if US macroeconomic conditions stabilize. Infosys has the highest exposure among its Indian IT peers to the US market which was impacted by uncertainty and volatility in 2025. Going forward, we expect macro-related uncertainty in the US to wane, which should improve decisions by US Inc. for IT budget expansions and discretionary spending," said HSBC analysts Yogesh Aggarwal, Prateek Maheshwari, and Sagar Desai, in a note dated 1 January. Infosys derives more than half of its revenue from the US. Margin pressures A key concern for IT outsourcers in the third quarter is the one-time impact of Indias new labour codes. TCS and HCLTech have together earmarked $350 million in one-time expenses related to gratuity and provident fund contributions. While favourable currency movements had raised expectations of margin expansion, one-time costs and the possibility of wage hikes could weigh on profitability. Management commentary on margin trajectory will therefore be critical. AI monetization Infosys has reiterated its stance of deploying AI agents to augment human tasks. Its partnership with Cognition marks a shift towards billing AI software engineers for handling complete, end-to-end work. Unlike peers such as TCS and HCLTech, Infosys has so far refrained from disclosing AI revenue metrics. Investors will look for clarity on the companys AI strategy, including the cost of deploying these agents, potential revenue upside, and billing mechanisms. Hiring strategy Infosys has guided for the hiring of 20,000 freshers this fiscal, up from 15,000 last year. However, management had indicated in an interview with BMO Capital Markets last year that fresher requirements would decline over time. With AI agents increasingly automating entry-level tasks such as coding, and with both TCS and HCLTech cutting headcount in the third quarter, Infosyss hiring plans will be closely watched. As the extraordinary general meeting for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Groups proposed investment in Shriram Finance draws closer, the deal has become a talking point among many rating agencies and proxy firms, with divergent views on what's good for the company, and ultimately, its shareholders. Touted as India's largest cross-border deal in the financial sector, the $4.4 billion transaction has been given a thumbs up by credit rating agencies such as Care Ratings, Icra, and Moody's Ratings, putting the NBFC in a favourable position to secure cheap borrowing. However, the deal has faced scrutiny from two prominent proxy advisors. Mint delves deeper into the deal and its implications for shareholders. What rating agencies say Following the deal announcement, Care Ratings was the first to upgrade the domestic lender to its 'AAA; stable' from 'AA+; stable'. The rating agency also reaffirmed the 'A1+' rating for the companys commercial paper. Also Read | Shriram keeps the wheel as MUFG joins the ride Icra, too, placed its AA+ rated lending instruments on watch with positive implications. It said that the transaction will significantly improve Shriram Finance's capitalization profile, providing a sizeable buffer for growth and for managing volatility in its asset quality, given the target borrower profile. This, in turn, shall strengthen its credit risk profile, leading to an improvement in its financial flexibility and earnings performance," the agency said. Moody's, the latest of the rating agencies, upgraded the company's outlook to positive from stable on 9 January, while affirming its Ba1 long-term corporate family rating. It said the proposed investment by MUFG will provide a stronger capital base, access to global expertise and funding channels, and improve Shriram's funding diversity and risk management practices over time. "The positive outlook reflects our expectation that SFL's business and financial profile will strengthen, supported by a strong strategic shareholder and a significant capital increase," the rating rationale read. Brokerage firms, too, have been making bull calls on Shriram's stock since the deal was announced. Jefferies, Nomura and CLSA came out with fresh notes on Shriram Finance in December. Nomura hiked its target price on the scrip by 5%, and Jefferies upped its target by 8%. CLSA has maintained an 'outperform' rating with a target price of 1,030. What proxy advisors say? Despite all the upsides, two prominent proxy advisors have flagged resolutions Shriram Finance seeks to pass. The NBFC is seeking shareholder nod for three resolutions: Issuance of 47.1 crore shares worth 39,618 crore to MUFG by way of preferential issue on a private placement basis. 39,618 crore to MUFG by way of preferential issue on a private placement basis. Granting certain controlling rights to MUFG Bank. A one-time, non-recurring $200 million payout by MUFG to promoter Shriram Ownership Trust, for non-compete and non-solicit obligations. Governance research firm Stakeholders Empowerment Services (SES) has opposed all three proposals, and Institutional Investor Advisory Services has opposed the third one. InGovern Research Services has supported all resolutions to clear the deal. The resolutions will be up for shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting on 14 January. E-voting for the same began on 11 January. What is SES's argument? SES claimed that the Japanese banking giant is seeking de-facto control of Shriram Finance that should have triggered a mandatory open offer. The proxy advisory challenged the first two resolutions, arguing that despite the massive capital infusion, minority investors are being denied an exit opportunity usually required when control shifts. While the deal falls below the 25% threshold mandated by Indias takeover regulation, SES contended that the arrangement bypasses the spirit of the law by placing MUFG in the "driving seat jointly with the promoter". The first resolution is being opposed by SES basis the rationale that "preferential issue should be followed by open offer, which is not presently envisaged." The second resolution is being opposed as "controlling rights (are) being acquired without open offer; special treatment being provided to the Investor (MUFG); unfair for the existing investors." The firm argued that MUFG is acquiring influence through board seats and additional rights that exceed those of the original promoters. In its note, SES said "commercial reality" often outweighs literal legal text, citing precedents from the markets regulator and the judiciary. Commercial reality allows the regulator to lift the corporate and contractual veil when governance rights are structured to replicate control while avoiding an open-offer obligation," Raheel Patel, partner, Gandhi Law Associates, told Mint. The commercial reality" doctrine invoked by SES resonates with the current Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) regime. Shriram Finance, in a response to SES, rejected the advisory's claims, maintaining that no control, legal or practical, has shifted. The company argued that the rights granted, including two board nominations and secondment rights for key appointments, are "protective and reactive" rather than "proactive." It emphasized that these measures are intended solely to preserve MUFG's proportionate holding and offer no preferential voting or economic advantages. However, SES in an addendum dated 7 January argued that while a literal reading might suggest compliance, a "holistic approach" reveals that the bundled contractual rights vest MUFG with material influence. IiAS flags non-compete premium IiAS backed the first two resolutions but joined SES in opposing the third resolution for a non-compete fee in favour of the company's current promoters. Both advisories have flagged the payment, intended to bar promoters from launching a rival lending entity, as a significant governance concern suffering from weak transparency. The scepticism centres on the deal's optics: the Shriram Group is retaining management control and a 20% equity stake post-investment. Furthermore, the Shriram Ownership Trust, the recipient of the payout, is overseen by the groups own current and former leadership. IiAS believes there is little clarity on the size and beneficiaries of the Shriram Ownership Trust. The absence of clarity on ultimate beneficiaries and allocation mechanisms creates information asymmetry between insiders and public shareholders," warned Supreme Court lawyer B. Shravanth Shanker. IiAS also questioned as to why a non-compete premium is required for a promoter group that isn't actually exiting. The firm questioned why this financial windfall is concentrated in a specific trust rather than being integrated into broader deal terms for all shareholders. Shriram Finance defended the arrangement as a strategic safeguard for its investor base. The company, in a response to IiAS, argued that the fee serves to ring-fence the value of its lending and credit business. By legally restricting the promoter group from exploiting its deep industry expertise to build a competing platform, the company claims the move protects the long-term interests of all stakeholders. However, IiAS contended that as long as the promoters remain at the helm and retain a significant stake, their interests should already be aligned with the firm's success. It argued that unless a promoter is fully divested, paying a premium to prevent them from competing against their own company lacks commercial logic and appears unnecessary. "It is unclear why such protection is required," SES observed. "If Shriram were to start a competing business, it would harm its own economic interest as much as MUFGs, given their comparable shareholding." IiAS also said there is no clarity on the incremental businesses that the Shriram group is likely to set up, which will compete with Shriram Finance. "The company has stated that the group plans to enter the digital lending space," IiAS said. "In its conference call, the company has stated that it plans to leverage MUFGs digital play to develop its platform." Thus, it is unlikely that the group will develop a digital lending platform outside of Shriram Finance. What should shareholders do? While the transaction may be commercially prudent and significant in scale, advisories do not assess resolutions solely on commercial considerations. Their evaluation is anchored in broader concerns like governance standards and legal compliance. Also Read | How finance hijacked everyday words and confused investors Governance issues are mostly based on the perspectives of individual advisories and they can almost always be ironed out," Kranthi Bathini, equity strategist at WealthMills Securities said. Fundamentally, a shareholder with a long-term perspective needs to understand that Shriram Finance is a legacy business with strong fundamentals," he said. MUFG coming in as an investor will give the company more visibility and a stronger outlook, both of which will ultimately benefit the minority shareholders, he said. BENGALURU : Venture capital and private equity investors are increasing their bets on post-hospital careoften referred to as continuum careas Indias hospitals are discharging patients more quickly and families seek structured recovery outside hospitals. The latest and one of the larger recent deals in this space is Sukinos $31 million Series B round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from Zerodha-backed Rainmatter. Sukino, which operates out-of-hospital recovery centres, had earlier raised a 50 crore Series A round led by Stakeboat Capital in 2024, following angel funding from the family offices of Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan and Aarin Capital chairman Mohandas Pai. Sukino operates out-of-hospital recovery centres in Bengaluru, Kochi, and Coimbatore, and is profitable at the group level, its founder and chief executive Rajinish Menon said in an interview with Mint. Also Read | Why Zerodha's Rainmatter is still writing climate cheques even as VCs pull back He said the chain currently operates about 850 beds across 11 centres in South India. With the new funding, he said the first phase of expansion will focus on the metros in South India before moving to tier I markets. The first phase of the investmentswill be to catch up or build more in the metro cities with Hyderabad and Chennai and then go to the tier I cities of South India as well," Menon said, naming Calicut, Trivandrum, Mysuru, Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Vizag and Trichy among target markets. Sukino plans to add 22 more centres over the next two years, Menon said, adding that most of its expansion follows an asset-light model in which landlords invest in the build-out and Sukino signs long leases. Asset light road map Menon said Sukino is less of a home care company and more of a hospital-like transition-care setup that takes over after acute treatment, while keeping costs lower than a hospital stay. Acute care is still done by the hospitals, but we are beyond acute care. The idea is toexpand to more and more clinical matters that we can take care of so that people tend to get a wholesome basket of post-hospitalization care services," Menon said. Key Takeaways Sukinos $31 million Series B is a major deal for Indias nascent continuum care market. Large hospitals are pivoting to higher bed-turnover, pushing recovery care into specialized third-party centres. With daily patient costs of 7,0008,000, investors see a path to 1,000 crore revenue at 5,000 beds. Companies are using landlord-funded build-outs to scale rapidly across South Indian metros and tier I cities. Future growth for profitable players like Sukino is expected to come from bank leverage rather than just equity. Sukinos round comes as more investors test bets in adjacent parts of the post-hospital and senior-care market, backing everything from care-at-home and recovery services to consumer platforms for seniors. In January 2025, private equity firm InvAscent invested 110 crore in Chennai-based Geri Care Health Services for a minority stake, marking the companys first institutional fundraise. Also in 2024, out-of-hospital geriatric care provider Kites Senior Care raised 45 crore in a Series A round led by Ranjan Pais family office, while senior-focused platform Khyaal raised $4.2 million in a seed round co-led by 62Ventures, SVQuad and Inventus Capital Partners in the same year. Vishal Gupta, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, said that the funds bet on Sukino is part of a broader push to build a portfolio of single speciality healthcare companies, having backed firms such as dialysis chain NephroPlus and Pluro, a fertility platform that partners with standalone In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) clinics. He said Bessemer backed Sukino because it expects transition care outside hospitals to become more important as hospitals shorten stays, particularly for stroke, cardiac and complex orthopaedic cases where recovery in the first few weeks after discharge can shape outcomes. Specialisation thesis Gupta said the Series B round is intended to fund Sukinos next stage of scale-up, while maintaining a capital-efficient model. This finances the company to get from 800to 3,000 plus beds," he said. He also explained that Sukino offers care at a fraction of that cost, compared to hospital beds, which he said works for both insurers and out-of-pocket customers while still leaving room for healthy margins. Gupta also laid out a simple back-of-the-envelope view of how the model scales with occupancy and length of stay. Each patient on average pays somewhere between 7,000 to 8,000 a day and stays 50 to 60 daysso if you have 5,000 beds with certain occupancy, you can build a 1,000 crore revenue company very quickly over the next few years," he said. Also Read | Why co-lending between NBFCs and fintechs is headed for a reset Mohandas Pai, chairman at Aarin Capital, told Mint that the opportunity is opening up because both costs and incentives are changing inside hospitals. Pai said hospital care has become expensive, and that hospitals, which earn more from procedures, have limited incentive to keep patients for long recovery once the surgery is done. As a result, longer rehabilitation and post-operative support are increasingly shifting to specialised facilities that offer what he called continuum care, which can be cheaper for patients than an extended hospital stay. Pai also said Sukinos near-term playbook should be to dominate Bengaluru before pushing harder into other markets. He said Bengaluru would be the dominant theme for the next two years as the company builds meaningful market share in a large and growing market. Regarding future funding, Pai said the companys next phase of expansion will likely require leverage, rather than solely equity capital. Using profitability Because this is an operating base where you have to build outthey dont have any leverage. So, Im sure bank funding will come to them in the future, because bank funding follows only after profitability. So, this equity round helps them make sure that they have got a good equity to get more leverage to get bank funding, which will enable them to grow," Pai said. Venkat Subramanyam, founder and executive chairman at Veda Corporate Advisors, said Sukinos fundraise landed well with investors because it sits in a clear categorycontinuum careand has demonstrated unit economics at existing centres, at a time when many scaled-up businesses are still struggling to turn profitable. He added that exceptional founder credentials and a strong marquee cap table also helped build confidence and draw interest from multiple large investors. Also Read | Advent sells entire 2% stake in Aditya Birla Capital via block deal The quality of the cap tableresonated very stronglywhich is why we were able to draw a very high degree of interest from the markets," he added. Industry observers, however, have cautioned investors against confusing continuum care with senior living, arguing that the former is a clinical extension of hospital care for patients who still require active support but dont need to stay in a high-intensity hospital setting. Some experts predict that the category will likely attract more capital, but large-scale consolidation may still be in its early stages, with niche, small-scale acquisitions more likely in the near term. Indias quick commerce companies may have to rethink their much-touted 10-minute delivery promise. A report by news agency ANI on Tuesday said the Union labour minister has urged major delivery platforms to move away from aggressive timelines, citing concerns around rider safety and working conditions. The ANI report, citing unidentified sources, said labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya held discussions with leading quick commerce firms and asked them to remove the 10-minute delivery deadline from their operations and branding. Blinkit has already acted on the guidance and removed the promise of 10-minute delivery from its branding, the report said. The companys main tagline10,000 plus products delivered in 10 minuteshas been updated to 30,000 plus products delivered at your doorstep, the sources cited above told ANI. Other platforms could follow in the coming days, the report added. Blinkit, Swiggy and Zepto declined to comment on Mints queries when contacted. A spokesperson for BigBasket said the company has not received any official statement from the government. The labour ministry has not issued any official statement. Late on Tuesday, in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange, Blinkit-owner Eternal Ltd said, with respect to our quick commerce business Blinkit, there is no change in business model that could have any material impact on the company. While industry stakeholders such as unions of gig workers and consumer product distributors staunchly supported the move, analysts pointed out that companies already have systems in place for quick deliveries, and the Centres reported intervention wont make much of a difference. Unions celebrate, analysts sceptical I definitely see this as a win, and all our efforts of the strike carried on the 25th and 31st of December have translated to this, said Shaik Salauddin, founder of Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, and co-founder of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers. A minister interfering will definitely have a weightage and now we need the companies to comply as well. Nirmal Gorana, national coordinator of Gig and Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) told Mint that the union had sent a letter to the National Human Rights Commission seeking the end of the forced labour and 10-minute delivery as it pushes the gig workers beyond limits and brings added pressure for faster delivery. Gorana added that on 26 Januarywhen India celebrates Republic Daythe union is planning to have a strike where the gig workers will be logged off, and on 30 January, a nationwide satyagraha is planned. The governments reported move comes after a strike attempted by gig workers unions on New Years Eve petered out, but the issues of safety and working conditions continued to linger in social and political forums. The strike was rendered largely ineffective as platform riders did not want to lose their chance to earn additional income after the firms offered them incentives for a day, as per a Mint report. The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), a collective of traditional FMCG distributors, also welcomed the reports of the labour ministry's move, adding that the promise to deliver goods in 10 minutes was misleading and unsafe. However, AICPDF firmly believes that this direction must now be rigorously implemented, continuously monitored, and strictly enforced by the concerned departments, the federation said in a media statement. On the other hand, Karan Taurani, analyst at brokerage firm Elara Securities, said that companies removing the 10-minute promise is unlikely to have an impact on their business, as users continue to be loyal to instant deliveries despite slightly longer timelines. Quick commerce has become a habit-driven proposition, and a few extra minutes, if at all, will not impact greatly, said Taurani. Moreover, removing the 10-minute promise is simply a marketing technicality, since quick commerce platforms already have the capability to deliver in under 10 minutes in many metro pockets. Labour Codes pinch All online delivery platforms must now provide extra benefits to their gig and platform workers, under the new labour codes that the Union government announced on 21 November, which looked to streamline 29 existing labour laws into four codes. Mint reported the same day that platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart, among others, will now be required to allocate up to 2% of their annual turnover capped at 5% of the amount paid or payable to workers for the welfare of gig and platform workers. USK Capital, the family office of billionaire banker Uday Kotak, has acquired a majority stake in Freeland Foods LLC, which owns the US-based seed-snack brand Go Raw. The sellers include Juggernaut Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, along with other early-stage investors. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is significant for USK Capital on multiple counts. It represents the family offices first investment outside India, its maiden exposure to the consumer sector, and a strategic step towards building a diversified global portfolio over the long term. Also Read | Lenskart wants AI to test your eyes Healthy eating is a growing global trend, and the US consumer is increasingly embracing it, Venkat Subramanian, chief investment officer at USK Capital, said in a statement. Go Raw has demonstrated robust growth over the years and has steadily expanded its retail footprint across the US. Strategic outlook Seeds such as pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and flax seeds are known to be nutrient-dense, and are increasingly being embraced by health-conscious consumers around the world. Based in the Chicago area, Go Raw positions itself as a better-for-you snacking brand focused on seed-based products. Its portfolio includes sprouted seeds, granola, salad toppers and cluster snacks. Mint had earlier reported that healthy snacking options are increasingly gaining popularity among consumers, with food delivery platforms like Zomato and Swiggy capitalizing on this shift. For USK Capital, the deal underscores a calibrated push into global consumer businesses with strong brand equity and scalability. The family office manages the personal wealth of Uday Kotak, founder and former chief executive of Kotak Mahindra Bank, Indias third-largest private sector lender by market value. The Kotak family currently owns about 26% of the bank. (Bloomberg) -- Two brothers are taking Bank of Nova Scotia to court after they were terminated from their stock-analyst jobs in 2024, firings that ultimately led to the dismissal of three compliance employees as well, according to court documents and people with knowledge of the matter. In a trial set for next year, the brothers Michael Doumet and George Doumet are fighting Scotiabank over allegations they breached the banks personal-trading policy. They claim in a lawsuit against the bank that they were unjustly dismissed and subject to cavalier treatment by the company. The brothers departures were months in the making after a compliance-department review found Michael Doumet was frequently trading in one small-cap stock and in regular communication with that companys chief financial officer, according to the court filings and a separate anonymous complaint sent to Scotiabanks whistleblower program. A copy of the internal complaint, made to the company in January 2024, was seen by Bloomberg News. Both Doumets were fired over breaches of Scotiabank rules, including its personal-trading policy, the bank said in court filings. Following the internal probe, which started in Scotiabanks compliance department, the bank tapped law firm Torys LLP to conduct an investigation of its own, the court filings show. Within a week of the Doumets being fired, three senior compliance employees were also let go, according to four people with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information. The dismissals came after the compliance staffers failed to escalate the trading concerns, two of the people said. The dismissals and resulting litigation come as Canadian banks are under greater scrutiny for their compliance controls in the wake of Toronto-Dominion Banks historic US anti-money-laundering settlement. Scotiabank agreed to pay $127.4 million in 2020 to settle allegations by US authorities that officers in its compliance department failed to stop precious-metals traders from manipulating markets in a US gold-spoofing scandal. The bank is now planning to revive its shuttered metals-trading desk, Bloomberg reported last month. Scotiabank declined to comment on the Doumets and other employees dismissed, citing the ongoing litigation in the matter, spokesperson Katie Raskina said. Michael and George Doumet didnt respond to multiple requests for comment. Swift Firings Michael Doumet worked for Scotiabank for 13 years and covered industrial stocks out of the the companys Montreal office, taking home about C$400,000 ($290,000) of total compensation in 2023, before he was terminated for cause in May of the following year, he said in application filed with the Superior Court of Quebec in Montreal. His brother George Doumet, who wrote research on Canadian consumer companies and earned about C$490,000, was let go the same day, he said in his own application. The firings were swift, with the brothers called into separate five-minute meetings with their supervisor, Jeff Fan, head of equity research at Scotiabank, who had flown in from Toronto to hand them signed termination letters, according to a transcript of Fans deposition included in the case. Michael Doumet covered waste-management company stocks for National Bank of Canada from last March until December, when he resigned from that role, according to a spokesperson for the bank. George Doumet is working at investor-relations firm LodeRock Advisors Inc., according to his LinkedIn profile. The two sued Scotiabank for wrongful dismissal in August 2024, seeking a combined C$1.65 million in severance pay and damages. The case is scheduled for a five-day trial starting in September 2027. Personal Trades The terminations have their roots in personal trades made by Michael Doumet, who was found to have communicated regularly with James Lorimer, CFO of Data Communications Management Corp., a small document-management company in Brampton, Ontario, according to the whistleblower complaint and a November 2024 deposition of Fan included in court filings. According to email correspondence included with the whistleblower complaint, a routine compliance screening for stocks on a watch list indicated that Doumet made frequent trades of DCM shares. Further internal monitoring showed a large portion of his personal portfolio was in DCM stock and estimated Doumet made a profit of C$1 million on the shares over a one-year period through August 2023, according to the whistleblower complaint. A search of the analysts emails surfaced exchanges between Doumet and Lorimer discussing accounting decisions made by DCM in one case, Doumet asked for clarification about whether an earnings figure included certain lease adjustments, according to the whistleblower complaint. The analyst and CFO also swapped comments about how well Doumet was doing on his investments in DCM, and the two made lunch plans and arranged phone calls, according to emails included with the whistleblower complaint. So Successful You shouldnt have sold last week, Lorimer wrote Doumet in one email, adding a smiley-face emoji. Lol - youve made me so successful that I have to think about risk, Doumet replied. Old me wouldnt have done that lol. On the same day, Doumet emailed Lorimer to compliment him, seemingly implying that he would soon become wealthy enough on his DCM investment that he could quit his job: Nice quarter. A few more and I might be sending you this from email from gmail account. Lorimer didnt respond to a request for comment. DCM spokesperson Paul Fitzhenry said in an emailed statement that DCM is not a party to this litigation but we have concluded there was no material, nonpublic company information provided in any of our communications with the plaintiffs. Senior employees in the compliance department didnt appear concerned about the communications and trading activity, which was flagged following routine monitoring. One compliance staffer suggested in an email that the conversation was normal banter and another wrote in an email that he reviewed the correspondence and concluded he wasnt worried about the sharing of material nonpublic information. While there may be concerns about how the conduct reflected on Scotiabank, the second compliance employee said in the email, they could be addressed by Jeff Fan, Doumets manager. Scotiabank declined to comment on Fans behalf. External Probe After the compliance department closed the matter in January 2024, the whistleblower complaint prompted Scotiabanks internal legal department to start its own investigation, according to court filings. The bank later hired Torys to lead an external probe, the filings show. Fan, who had been contacted by the compliance department earlier in the year, was then interviewed by Scotiabanks in-house lawyers as well as Torys partner Andrew Gray. During the course of those reviews, it later came up that the brothers who both got married after starting their jobs with the bank had failed to register their wives trading accounts as related-party investment accounts, according to court filings. The brothers both claim in their lawsuits originally filed separately and combined by a judge in April that when Scotiabank terminated them for cause, it provided no details as to the actual reason, leaving them to to surmise that the cause relates to an inadvertent and unintentional failure to register their wives investment accounts with the bank. In a brief written defense to Michael Doumets claims, Scotiabank alleged he was terminated for serious reasons, including serious breaches of his employment duties and policies of Defendant, including notably Defendants Personal Trading Policy. The bank said it conducted a thorough investigation before terminating Doumets employment in a proper and reasonable manner. Scotiabank used the same wording in response to George Doumets claims. Fan, who was questioned by a lawyer for the Doumet brothers about his reasons for firing the brothers, cited their failure to promptly disclose their wives investment accounts as violating the banks trading policy. According to the transcript of Fans deposition, when asked about Michael Doumet, Fan said, There were aspects related to DCM that violated the personal-trading policy as well. Fan didnt consider any disciplinary actions short of termination, he said, because the violations were serious. --With assistance from Chunzi Xu and Mathieu Dion. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Bengaluru-based Cybersecurity company CloudSEK on Tuesday said it has raised $10 million (about 90 crore) from Connecticut Innovations, the strategic venture capital arm of the State of Connecticut in the United States. With this investment, CloudSEK becomes the first Indian-origin cybersecurity company to receive funding from a US state-backed venture fund, the firm said in a statement. CloudSEK had previously raised $19 million in its Series B1 round and has now concluded the Series B round with this B2 tranche, comprising a mix of primary and secondary capital. CloudSEK co-founder and CEO, Rahul Sasi, said the investment not only amplifies the company's global trajectory but also symbolises the rise of Indian cybersecurity innovation on the world stage. "We have raised USD 10 million from the venture capital arm of the State of Connecticut, Connecticut Innovations. Becoming the first Indian-origin cybersecurity company to receive backing from a US state fund is a milestone for CloudSEK, as well as for the entire Indian cybersecurity ecosystem," Sasi said in a statement The predictive cyber threat intelligence firm has raised the funds at an enterprise valuation of close to USD 200 million. With this round, the company has raised about USD 39 million to date. "We will use the fresh funds raised from Connecticut Innovations for creating jobs in the US and expanding our presence there. We have a 5-person team in the US, which we will increase to 15 by March, and around 20 people in the next 12-18 months. These jobs are very high-paying and for very high-end talents," Sasi said. He said the company has 20 clients in the US and hopes to grow to 200 customers over the next 12 months. What is CloudSEK? Founded in 2015 by Rahul Sasi, a cybersecurity researcher-turned-entrepreneur, CloudSEK has evolved from a research-first initiative into one of the worlds most trusted cyber threat intelligence platforms, serving more than 300 enterprises across the BFSI, healthcare, technology, and government sectors. Today, CloudSEK has around 250 people across various markets at present, and plans to scale up to 300 by March, comprising a 200-member team in India. Becoming the first Indian-origin cybersecurity company to receive backing from a US state fund is a milestone for CloudSEK, as well as for the entire Indian cybersecurity ecosystem. Alison Malloy, Managing Director, Investments at Connecticut Innovations, said that at the firm's 2025 VentureClash India pitch event, CloudSEK distinguished itself as an innovative provider of cybersecurity and predictive threat capabilities used by hundreds of businesses worldwide. "We are excited to welcome CloudSEK to the CI portfolio and look forward to supporting their team as they establish their US hub," Malloy said. DETROIT, Jan 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his administration is going to revoke the citizenship of any naturalized immigrant from Somalia or any other country who is convicted of defrauding "our citizens." "We're also going to revoke the citizenship of any naturalized immigrant from Somalia or anywhere else who is convicted of defrauding our citizens," Trump said in a speech at the Detroit Economic Club. (Reporting by Bo Erickson and Ismail Shakil, Editing by Franklin Paul) US President Donald Trump has threatened countries that trade with Iran, putting at risk the trade relations of Tehran with several countries, including India and China. Trump posted on social media on Monday that the new duty would be effective immediately, but did not provide any details about the scope or implementation of the charges. Any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive, he said. Trump's latest tariff blow has the potential to disrupt some of the major global trade routes, including India's partnership with Iran. New Delhi has been a major trading partner of Tehran. Iran-India trade New Delhi and Tehran's trade relations go way back. India's merchandise exports to Iran rose by 1.55% to $1.24 billion in 2024-25, while imports dipped by 29.32% to $441.83 million, according to government data. Here is a breakdown of India and Iran trade India's export to Iran Rice: Iran is India's top basmati rice export destination. India exported $468.10 million worth of basmati rice to Iran during April-November of 2025-26 fiscal, totalling 5.99 lakh tonnes, trade data showed. Tea, coffee and spices: Tea, coffee and spices are also some of the major items Iran imports from India. As per government data, India exported $70 million worth of tea, coffee and spices to Iran in fiscal 2024-25. Fruits and nuts: India also exports fruits and nuts to Iran, sending $55.91 million worth of such items to Tehran in FY25. Meat: India's meat export to Iran fell in FY25 but remained a significant item of trade. As per government data, the country exported $14.07 million worth of meat to Iran in FY25. Cereals: Cereal export to Iran was the highest among other items last fiscal, as per government data, with India exporting cereals worth $757 million to the Islamic Republic. Pharmaceutical products: Pharmaceutical product export increased by 116% year-on-year in FY25, as per government data. Pharma exports accounted for $28.29 million last fiscal. Clothing and accessories: Clothing and accessories, as well as yarn and wool, remained one of the major export items from India to Iran in FY25. Also Read | US to impose 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran Imports from Iran Any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. During 2022, Iran's exports to India were valued at $1.89 billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Canadian Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, said that the country is set to launch negotiations for a potential free trade agreement (FTA) deal with India starting from next month, February 2026, reported the news agency Reuters. Along with FTA talks with India, Canada is also planning to negotiate a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the upcoming month, according to the agency report. The minister also said that Canada has many areas, such as battery storage and energy, in which the country can collaborate with China. More developments on this move will be explored in the official visit to Beijing later this week, as per the news report. Maninder Sidhu also said that the country is looking to add more capacity at the country's existing ports, like Montreal, to give a boost to the non-United States exports from the Western nation. Canada immigration issue According to an earlier Hindustan Times report, Canada is expected to see a sharp rise in undocumented immigrants as millions of work permits expire, with nearly half of those affected coming from India. Also Read | Canada set to launch 2 new permanent residency pathways in 2026: Details here Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the data from immigration shows that nearly 1,053,000 work permits expired by the end of 2025, with another 927,000 set to expire in 2026. As the work visa expires, the people will lose legal status unless they secure another visa or transition to permanent residency, according to the report citing Immigration consultant Kanwar Seirah. He also noted that recent Canadian government measures have made these options more restrictive, especially for temporary workers and international students. Also Read | Canada backs Denmarks sovereignty amid US threats over Greenland The warning comes in a way that Canada has reportedly never faced such high numbers of people going out of status, as in the first quarter of 2026, nearly 315,000 visas are set to expire, emerging as a bottleneck for the country's immigration system. The consultant also said that the growth of the undocumented population is already creating social issues in parts of the Greater Toronto Area, including Brampton and Caledon, where people are allegedly seen in tent encampments in wooded areas, housing people who are reportedly undocumented. US President Donald Trumps latest tariff threat on countries doing business with Iran has posed a dilemma for India: New Delhi stands to gain from concluding a trade pact with the US early, even as it seeks long-term trade and strategic presence in West Asia. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that any country trading with Iran would pay a 25% tariff on all business done with the US, effective immediately. Trump said the order was final, without clarifying its legal basis, scope or enforcement. There was no clarity on whether the tariffs would apply across sectors or to all of Irans trading partners. The warning comes at a sensitive moment for New Delhi. Indias trade with Iran remains modest but steady, with exports of $1.24 billion and imports of $441.8 million in FY25. In FY24, exports stood at $1.22 billion and imports at $625 million. In the first six months of FY26, exports stood at $693 million, and imports at $177 million, according to the commerce ministry. The government will assess the potential impact of the proposed US tariff measures, a senior official said on the condition of anonymity. New Delhi is yet to make a formal announcement on the matter. The first reaction to Trump's announcement came from China, a key trading partner of Iran. Beijing opposed the tariff, calling it unilateral and extraterritorial sanctions, adding it would take all necessary measures to protect its interests and reiterating that tariff and trade wars have no winners. Queries emailed to the commerce ministry were not immediately answered. Since India already faces a steep 50% tariff from 27 August, a fresh 25% tariff for trading with Iran would put significant pressure on Indian goods exported to the US, even as trade between New Delhi and Washington continues to increase. While Iran is no longer a major energy supplier to India, New Delhi continues to see strategic and connectivity interests in the region, even as it deepens trade and investment ties with the US, said Amit Singh, associate professor at the Special Centre for National Security Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Also Read | Dollar extends gains with jobs data and potential tariff ruling in focus Indias presence in Iran is anchored by its 10-year operating lease of the strategic Chabahar port, a vital gateway intended to bypass Pakistan and connect Indian goods to Central Asian markets. While bilateral trade remains modest, the relationship serves as a critical pillar of New Delhis focus on strategic autonomy, allowing it to maintain a foothold in the Persian Gulf. Iran, which is witnessing its biggest anti-government protests in years and has seen heightened tensions with the US and Israel, said it was keeping communication channels with Washington open as Trump weighed further steps, while signalling the possibility of talks alongside threats of tougher action. Trump's announcement came a day after Sergio Gor, the new US ambassador to India, reiterated Washington's commitment to concluding trade and strategic engagements with New Delhi. The tariff announcement poses new uncertainty to global trade flows and raises questions for countries such as India that maintain limited commercial ties with Tehran. Tariffs, under US law, are paid by American importers, but Trump's announcement has revived concerns over indirect pressure on countries maintaining trade links with Iran, which has been under heavy US sanctions for years. Meanwhile, trade talks with the US, which were originally planned to conclude by the fall of 2025, are making slow progress. 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. The US was Indias largest trading partner for the fourth straight year in 2024-25, with bilateral trade valued at $131.84 billion. However, exports to the US have been impacted in FY26 due to steep tariffs. 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. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Director and Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield turned himself to authorities on Tuesday to face child sex abuse charges in New Mexico. His apprehension comes after authorities in Albuquerque issued a warrant for his arrest on Jan. 9 on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The charges stem from allegations that Busfield inappropriately touched a young boy on the set of the TV series The Cleaning Lady that he was directing. Busfield was being booked by Albuquerque police on the charges, said Gilbert Gallegos, spokesperson for the city police department. A criminal complaint filed by an investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department says the boy reported that he was 7 years old when Busfield touched him three or four times on private areas over his clothing. Busfield allegedly touched him five or six times on another occasion when he was 8, the complaint said. The child was reportedly afraid to tell anyone because Busfield was the director and he feared he would get mad at him, the complaint said. The boy's twin brother told authorities he was touched by Busfield but did not specify where. He said he didn't say anything because he didn't want to get in trouble. Busfield denied the allegations last fall when interviewed by authorities as part of the investigation, the complaint said. He suggested that the boys' mother was seeking revenge for her children being replaced on the series. He also said he likely would have picked up and tickled the boys, saying the set was a playful environment. Busfields attorney and agent have not responded to email messages seeking comment. The mother of the twins who are identified only by their initials in court records reported to Child Protective Services that the abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, the complaint said. The investigation began in November 2024, when the investigator responded to a call from a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. The boys' parents had gone there at the recommendation of a law firm, the complaint said. According to the complaint, one of the boys has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. A social worker documented him saying he has had nightmares about Busfield touching him. The Cleaning Lady aired for four seasons on Fox, ending in 2025. The show was produced by Warner Bros., which according to the complaint conducted its own investigation into the abuse allegations but was unable to corroborate them. HONG KONGAs street protests and a failing economy continue to put pressure on Irans government, its ally China has offered few signs of support. Rather than boost Tehran in its time of need, the partnership that had worried governments in the West and Middle East has instead shown signs of its limited scope and resilience. President Trump added to the pressure on Tehran and Beijing by declaring Monday that the U.S. would impose an additional 25% tariff on countries that do business with Iran. He didnt detail how such a tariff would be implemented, but the move risked potentially disrupting the trade truce that Trump reached with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea in October. China denounced the proposed new tariffs. China firmly opposes any illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, and will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," Liu Pengyu, the spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, wrote on X. When asked Monday about reports of hundreds killed in the Iranian governments crackdown on protests, Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said China hoped the Iranian government and people will overcome the current difficulties and maintain national stability." Chinas reticence to stand more firmly for Iran follows its unwillingness to offer significant support for Venezuela before the U.S. raid to seize Nicolas Maduro. China has been the largest buyer of Venezuelan oil amid U.S. sanctions. Likewise, China is Irans top trading partner, buying an estimated 90% of its oil exports. To evade sanctions on Iran, the oil is often sent by ship-to-ship transfer and paid for with infrastructure financing that avoids traditional banking systems, The Wall Street Journal has reported. About 12% of Chinas total oil imports came from Iran last year, according to estimatessupplies that Chinese refiners could potentially find elsewhere. China officially exported $8.9 billion in goods to Iran in 2024 and imported $4.4 billion in products including iron ore, copper and chemicals. That adds up to a sliver of Chinas $6 trillion in global trade. But doing business with China is critical for Irans isolated government. For Beijing, Iran is not a be-all end-all, but a way to get energy and access to the Middle East," said Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. For Iran, the PRC is in a limited way a bit of a lifeline amid all the sanctions," he said, referring to the Peoples Republic of China. The limits of that lifeline have become apparent as Irans economic difficulties fueled street protests that have created one of the greatest challenges to the Islamic Republics 47-year rule. PRC support is important, but it doesnt completely save Iran," said Chong. China and Iran, along with Russia and North Korea, comprise an unofficial axis called Crink" by some Western officials, nations brought together in part by a shared wish to push back against the U.S. China has helped Russia prop up its isolated economy and provide it with dual-use materials to build its military; Iran has supplied Russia with ammunition and helped it develop drones for use in the Ukraine war, where North Korea sent thousands of soldiers to fight alongside Moscows. After Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran last year, the other Crink nations did little to come to Irans aid. China remained concerned about exposing its banks and key companies to sanctions from the U.S. and Europe. Beijing and Tehran signed a 25-year economic cooperation agreement in 2021 that called for China to invest $400 billion across Irans economy in exchange for a steady supply of discounted oil. Iranian officials have urged China to do more to implement the deal, which has seen limited results amid continuing sanctions pressure. China has helped blunt Irans international isolation on the security realm as well. In December, Iran hosted troops from China, Russia and seven other countries for Sahand-2025, counterterrorism drills organized under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a security and economic grouping led by China and Russia. Last week China, Iran and Russia began naval drills hosted by South Africa and organized by Brics, the organization of developing nations that Beijing and Moscow helped Iran join. But appeals from Iranian officials for more help from China have been met with scathing criticism on Chinese social media, Tuvia Gering, a China researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel, wrote in his newsletter Discourse Power on Monday. He highlighted a post by Zhanhao, a popular nationalist-leaning account on WeChat, that sharply expressed such sentiment. Iran continues to expect China to take the bullet for it," the post read. Thats pure fantasy!" Write to Austin Ramzy at austin.ramzy@wsj.com MEXICO CITYPresident Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday she rejected an offer from President Trump to use the U.S. military against the countrys drug cartels, as Mexican security officials grow concerned about potential American demands in the wake of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduros ouster. It is a proposal that Trump has made before, Sheinbaum said. But Trump has raised the stakes since Maduros capture, signaling his displeasure with the security situation in Mexico. In a television interview last week, he said the U.S. is going to start hitting land with regard to the cartels," saying the groups run Mexico. Sheinbaum said she told Trump that U.S. participation wasnt necessary. We are very clear on the defense of our territory," she said at a news conference, recounting her conversation with Trump. Trump had a great conversation with President Sheinbaum" and discussed trade and stopping the flow of illicit drugs. The Presidents primary goal is stopping the scourge of narcoterrorism that is destroying communities across the country and he is willing to use any tool at his disposal to save American lives," said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly. The Monday morning call between Trump and Sheinbaum underlined growing alarm among Mexican security officials about the intentions of the U.S. High-level officials have held a series of private meetings since Maduro was deposed where they discussed the possibility of untenable demands from Trump beyond U.S. military action, including the potential arrests of politicians from Sheinbaums party the U.S. believes have cartel ties, said people familiar with the discussions. So far, there is no indication that unilateral U.S. military action is in the works, these people say, primarily because Mexican security officials have strong links to the top brass of U.S. law enforcement and armed forces. These channels remain open and bilateral security cooperation is robust, the people familiar with the discussions said. Sheinbaum has drawn praise for her handling of Trumps threats on trade and security since she took office more than a year ago, but her top security officials worry that she is running out of cards to play, the people said. She is now stuck between two powerful men with big egos: Trump and her own mentor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, her predecessor as president, these people said. Lopez Obrador has been generally quiet since leaving office, but after Maduros capture, he issued a scathing criticism of the U.S. action, calling it an arrogant attack on the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people." The statement was much more critical than Sheinbaums official reaction and suggested to security officials that the president would have trouble pleasing both Trump and her leftist nationalist coalition for much longer, the people said. Morena, as the ruling party is known, has rejected corruption allegations. Sheinbaum has said that Mexican prosecutors should investigate officials if there is evidence against them. Such a scenario risks undermining Sheinbaums political standing and infuriating the nationalist faction of her ruling party, people familiar with the discussions said. Maintaining a balance between Trump and Lopez Obrador has complicated Sheinbaums decision-making as she works to dismantle cartels, one of these people said. A spokesman for Sheinbaum declined to comment. Unilateral U.S. military action would create a nationalist backlash and risk destroying cooperation between the two countries, said Eduardo Guerrero, a Mexican security analyst. Organized crime would be the winner," he said. Sheinbaum has had some success at taking down cartel members. But she hasnt moved against important officials of her party believed to be linked to drug cartels, said Jorge Castaneda, a former foreign minister. Going after cartels is one thing, but handing over politicians is another kettle of fish," he said. But Sheinbaum has already done much to appease Trump, and security officials worry it may be harder to head him off this time. Last year, Mexico placated the Trump administration by skirting extradition laws and expelling 55 convicted drug traffickers to the U.S., including some of Mexicos most notorious kingpins. Sheinbaum also sent troops to the border, put tariffs on China and ramped up seizures of drug labs. Trump has expressed gratitude toward Sheinbaum, but he has said that shes afraid to go after cartels. The sensitivity of the response to Maduro was evident in a predawn meeting two days after Maduros Jan. 3 capture. Sheinbaum and her senior officials, including the militarys top brass, met for their daily security meeting at the ornate presidential palace, where they discussed how Mexico should respond to Trump, said people familiar with the discussions. Sheinbaum read a draft of a statement she had prepared. Some Mexican officials at the meeting thought it was a good message, the people said. Others who work with U.S. security counterparts sat stone-faced, worried the statement would draw Trumps ire, these people said. We categorically reject intervention in the domestic affairs of other countries," Sheinbaum said, reading the statement during her daily news conference later that morning. The history of Latin America is clear and compelling: intervention has never brought democracy, never generated well-being, nor lasting stability." Another worry for Mexican officials is that the cartels are growing more daring in their efforts to ship drugs to the U.S., potentially drawing Trumps ire. Last month, senior Mexican and U.S. officials discussed recent cartel drone incursions into U.S. territory, the U.S. government said. Such shows of defiance by Mexican organized crime groups have alarmed U.S. officials. Drone incursions by cartels into U.S. airspace are skyrocketing, people familiar with the events say, making it a top bilateral security issue. Scores of cartel drones fly into southern Texas every day to either drop drug loads, do reconnaissance on U.S. law enforcement or loiter over ports of entry to track drug shipments into the U.S., these people said. The commercial drones are difficult to detect by radar. Cartels now use fiber optic cable to control the drones, making them impervious to signal scramblers when they fly them into the U.S. In October, a criminal gang dropped a drone bomb on a state prosecutors headquarters in Tijuana a mile-and-a-half from the U.S. border. The bombing of a government office so close to the U.S. sparked consternation in Washington, these people said. Write to Jose de Cordoba at jose.decordoba@wsj.com and Santiago Perez at santiago.perez@wsj.com President Trumps assertion that the U.S. must own Greenland to expand its defenses there runs counter to decades of policy and undermines the deterrence of its global network of bases and alliances, say former American military and diplomatic officials. Trump has said the U.S. should have full control of the island, a semiautonomous Danish territory that is larger than Alaska. In recent days, he has said the U.S. needs to own it to assure Arctic and U.S. security. When we own it, we defend it. You dont defend leases the same way. You have to own it," Trump said Friday. And well have to defend Greenland. If we dont do it, China or Russia will." But military officials and diplomats say the U.S. has built the worlds most formidable assembly of overseas military bases without owning foreign soil. The Defense Department manages or uses more than 128 foreign bases in at least 51 countries, according to a Congressional Research Service report from 2024. Independent analyses have said the total number, including smaller facilities, could top 750 installations in 80 countries and territories. Many date to World War II and the Cold War. In almost all cases, land is provided by host countries under bilateral agreements, without a change of ownership. Host countries generally permit the U.S. to build and operate facilities, as spelled out in detailed diplomatic documents. We dont need ownership in order to conduct all the operations we would like to do," said retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis, a former supreme allied commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Overseas bases are the backbone of Americas global defense posture, which a Defense Department document describes as the fundamental enabler of U.S. defense activities and military operations," which also advances U.S. strategic interests, according to the Congressional report. Of 1.3 million active-duty U.S. military personnel, almost 13% are based overseas, according to the Defense Department. The biggest U.S. overseas military installations are in Japan, Germany and South Korea. Those countries and other allies not only provide land but also contribute to U.S. operating costs. According to the Pentagon, more than 53,000 active-duty troops are stationed in bases across Japan and more than 36,000 are in Germany. Landstuhl Regional Medical Center there is the Pentagons largest overseas medical facility, treating servicemembers from across the hemisphere. The adjacent Ramstein Air Base employs more than 12,000 service members and civilians on approximately 4,000 acres. Over the past 15 or so years the Pentagon has shifted away from running its own large overseas installations to using sites belonging to allies and partners, an approach dubbed places, not bases," according to the Congressional report. The Guantanamo Naval Station in Cuba is an exception where the host country deems U.S. presence illegitimate. The facility was established under open-ended diplomatic agreements struck decades before the 1958 communist revolution. But even there, the U.S. doesnt own the land. Greenland, located just north of eastern Canada, is a crucial gateway to the Arctic Ocean. It also sits beneath the flight paths of potential intercontinental ballistic missiles fired from parts of Russia or China. Danish leaders have said Greenland isnt up for grabs and any decisions about the islands future lies primarily with its 57,000 residents. The U.S. since the 1940s has considered Greenland crucial to national security and during the Cold War had 17 bases on the territory. The U.S. now operates just one base there, a Space Force facility focused on tracking potential missile attacks. Denmark, a founding member of NATO, has said it is open to discussing an expanded U.S. footprint on Greenland. Copenhagen last year also bowed to pressure from Trump and pledged to significantly boost its own Arctic military presence. Greenland, and the sovereign state Denmark, have always been courteous and responsive hosts going back many decades," said Stavridis. Richard Fontaine, who served as a foreign-policy adviser to former Republican Sen. John McCain, among other diplomacy-related positions, said Trumps argument that you dont defend leases" amounts to a No One Washes a Rental Car theory of international relations." In other words, a country only defends or cares about its own territory, but not that of other countries. That makes sense for private property but not for nations," said Fontaine, who now runs the Center for a New American Security, a think tank in Washington. He said that the U.S. is committed to defending many allies without owning their territory. Trump defended Israel last year, Fontaine noted as an example, and many allies have fulfilled pledges to defend the U.S. The whole point of alliances is mutual defense of one anothers territory," he said. U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATOs supreme commander, said on Sunday in Sweden that allies are expanding joint Arctic activities and military cooperation in this region has never been stronger." He declined to comment on the political dimensions of recent rhetoric." Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder said Trumps stated desire to take Greenland poses a grave threat" to the 32-country alliance. Merely suggesting that the U.S. can only be secure if it owns Greenland raises fundamental questions about its willingness to defend countries that it doesnt own," said Daalder. Daalder was one of 14 former diplomats and national-security officials from both parties who on Friday published a letter praising Denmark as a staunch ally and criticizing Trumps posture on Greenland. Far from strengthening U.S. security, musing about taking Greenland only weakens Alliance solidarity, undermines American credibility as a trusted ally, and diminishes deterrence," the letter says. Administration officials have been scornful of such thinking, reflecting a fundamental shift in American foreign policy that was set out most starkly last month in a new national-security strategy. Its fifth paragraph says that after the Cold War, American foreign policy elites convinced themselves that permanent American domination of the entire world was in the best interests of our country. Yet the affairs of other countries are our concern only if their activities directly threaten our interests." The document is being seen as a playbook for U.S. action. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said on CNN last week that the U.S. is the power of NATO" and that for the U.S. to secure the Arctic region and defend NATO interests, obviously Greenland should be part of the United States." Even serving politicians from Trumps own party have denounced that position. Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) said on Wednesday in the Senate that Millers assertion of a need to own Greenland is absurd." Tillis, the Republican leader of the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer Group and a Trump supporter, lauded Denmarks contribution to the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan as exemplary. This nonsense on whats going on with Greenland is a distraction" for Trump, Tillis said, praising the president. And the amateurs who said it was a good idea should lose their jobs." Write to Daniel Michaels at Dan.Michaels@wsj.com PANAMA CITYThe Supreme Court of Panama is winding up deliberations that will decide whether a Hong Kong company can run two ports at either end of the Panama Canal, a decision closely watched in Washington and Beijing. The case carries the weight of geopolitical competition between the U.S. and China. President Trump has said he wanted to take back control of the canal, which the U.S. built in the early 20th century and handed over to Panama in late 1999. China, meanwhile, has thrown up obstacles to the sale of the canal ports and other assets operated by Hong Kongs CK Hutchison to a group led by BlackRock and Mediterranean Shipping Co. A ruling is expected soon. For Panamas Supreme Court justices, the political pressure is immense. Allowing Hutchison to continue running the ports risks infuriating the Trump administration and exposes the vulnerability of the tiny Central American nation that uses the U.S. dollar and owes its 1903 independence to American intervention against Colombia. Private lawyers and Panamas comptroller filed lawsuits against Hutchison with the Supreme Court alleging the company breached Panamas constitution by violating the interests of its government and taxpayers. A government audit showed up to $1.3 billion in lost government revenue since Hutchisons arrival in the late 1990s, when it outbid companies such as U.S.-based Bechtel to win the 25-year license. The license was renewed for another 25 years in 2021. Hutchisons relationship with Panamanian society over the past decades has been very tense and difficult," said Felipe Chapman, Panamas finance minister, in an interview in Panama City. Chapman and senior Panama government officials said that they are prepared to carry out the high-court ruling if justices order the termination of Hutchisons license. A priority would be to ensure continuity of port operations by recruiting a company to manage the terminals until the government opens a new bidding process with new license terms, possibly separating the two ports to maximize value, officials said. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said he would wait and comply with the courts ruling but suggested last year that the status quo was untenable. I dont see the continuation of the Panama Ports contract at the moment, amended or not," Mulino said in July after the comptroller filed the lawsuits with the high court. A person close to Hutchison said the company considers the complaint to be politically driven, but that it is awaiting the high-court ruling. The company would take the case to international arbitration panels to protect its investment if justices rule against the company, the person said. Chinas foreign ministry said that it hoped for a fair and nondiscriminatory environment for companies from all countries. If Hutchison is stripped of its license, Beijing would likely look for ways to retaliate. Following the U.S. military raid in Venezuela, China is forming a Latin America task force that will study how to protect its interests in the region, said a person familiar with the plans. Justices also could hit Hutchison with fines and remedy measures and allow it to continue running the ports. The company cant appeal a Supreme Court ruling, but it can request clarifications that could delay its execution. At least 5% of global trade flows through the Panama Canal, underpinning the countrys prosperity relative to its neighbors. Panamanian officials say that they have assessed scenarios linked to the court ruling to prevent disruptions in its ports system. The continuity of operations is fundamental for the transshipment industry worldwide," said Alberto Aleman, who served as Panama Canal administrator and now advises the Mulino administration. Amid rising U.S. pressure, CK Hutchison agreed to sell more than 40 ports globally to BlackRock and MSC for almost $23 billion. The two Panama container terminalsBalboa on the Pacific coast and Cristobal on the Atlantic sidewere the crown jewels of the deal. Chinas government opposed the transaction, demanding that Chinese state-run shipping company Cosco have a majority stake and veto power in the firm managing the global port assets. The deal is now at risk. In Panama City, the Mulino administration watched the deal talks in astonishment because licenses granted by Panama dont allow the participation of foreign state-owned firms. Neither Chinese government officials nor Hutchison executives approached the Mulino administration to provide information or seek Panamas consent, officials said. Panamanian officials had long grumbled about the terms of the CK Hutchison deal, and Trumps complaints accelerated the simmering dispute. Hutchison had extracted better terms from previous administrations even as global trade boomed and Panama became a global transshipment hub for container cargo. There has been a lot of criticism and a flood of lawsuits with the high court since then," said Aleman, referring to the license renewal in 2021. Hutchison has large, latent liabilities." Other countries in the region are also erecting barriers to Chinese companies to avoid further tensions with Trump. Mexicos government has sought to contain the rapid expansion of Chinas BYD, the worlds largest electric-vehicle manufacturer, by imposing 50% import tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles and blocking BYDs plans to open an assembly plant in Mexico. Shipping companies manage containers much like airlines manage passengers with connecting flights and multiple destinations, with container terminals playing the role of a busy airport hub. Panama invested billions of dollars in new, bigger canal locks as the infrastructure handed over by the U.S. more than two decades ago was nearly obsolete. It developed a state-of-the-art oceanic passageway that helped transform global shipping as supertankers and containerships grew bigger and bigger. The canal connects north Asian ports with East Coast markets in the U.S. that import goods from China or Japan. Tankers move oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas from the U.S. Gulf Coast through the canal, while containerships transport Chilean wines or Ecuadorean bananas to large markets such as New York. Along with the canal expansion, Panama developed a platform for the transshipment of containers. Panamas port system handles as many containers as the New York and New Jersey terminals. Hutchison arrived in the country when the transformation was in its early stages. The country now handles more than nine million containers a year, compared with some 100,000 more than two decades ago. Write to Santiago Perez at santiago.perez@wsj.com The U.S. will put a 25% tariff on any country that does business with Iran, President Trump said on Monday, raising pressure on the Middle Eastern nation after days of protests against the government. Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America," Trump posted on Truth Social. The president called the order final and conclusive" but didnt detail which legal authority would underpin the tariffs, and no executive actions on the matter were immediately posted on the White House website. Trump and his team have weighed how to respond to popular protests against the Iranian government, and the president was slated to meet with senior officials Tuesday on the subject. The White House declined to provide more detail beyond the Truth Social post. It remains unclear whether the 25% tariff would be added to existing duties paid by Irans economic partners. Irans top trading partner is China, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, an open source data distribution platform that started at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Other partners include Turkey, India, Pakistan and Armenia. Russia and Iran also inked a free-trade agreement in 2025, boosting the amount of business the countries do with each other, according to Russias state news agency TASS. Increasing tariffs on China could derail a fragile trade truce that Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived at after a meeting in South Korea last October, threatening a planned meeting between Trump and Xi this spring. Hiking levies could also threaten a recent trade and oil development pact Trump struck with Pakistan last year, and derail ongoing talks with India, which is already paying 50% tariffs in part for purchasing sanctioned Russian oil. The tariff move also comes as the Supreme Court weighs whether Trump has overstepped his legal authority in issuing tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a 1977 law that had never before been used to levy tariffs. While the White House didnt specify which legal authority Trump would use for the Iran tariffs, similar tariff threats in the past have relied on the at-risk Ieepa authority. The Supreme Court could issue its ruling on the case as soon as Wednesday, when it is next expected to hand down opinions. Write to Gavin Bade at gavin.bade@wsj.com and Lynn Cook at lynn.cook@wsj.com WASHINGTONThe White House is weighing a last-ditch Iranian offer to engage in diplomacy over curbing its nuclear program even as President Trump currently leans toward authorizing fresh military strikes on Iran, U.S. officials say. Some senior administration aides, led by Vice President JD Vance, are urging Trump to try diplomacy before retaliating against Iran for killing protesters during a two-week uprising over a flailing economy and regime repression, the officials said. Speaking Sunday to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said that Tehran messaged Washington a day earlier that it was willing to enter negotiations over its yearslong nuclear program, which the U.S. seeks to limit. Trump said a meeting is being set up" though the U.S. was still looking at very strong options" he could authorize before discussions. Trump hasnt made a final decision on what he will do, according to officials, and will meet with senior aides Tuesday to determine his approach. The options could include ordering military strikes on regime sites or launching cyberattacks, approving new sanctions and boosting antiregime accounts online. Some officials have voiced concerns that U.S. military strikes could fuel the regimes propaganda that the U.S. and Israel are secretly orchestrating the protests. The protests, which began in late December and escalated since Jan. 8 with major demonstrators in key cities, are a potentially existential challenge to the regime in Iran that came to power during its own 1979 revolution. Human-rights groups say hundreds of people have been killed in a regime crackdown on demonstrators. Iranian state television on Sunday released footage showing mass casualties inside and outside of a morgue near Tehran. View Full Image A protest in Tehran on Friday. Trump currently favors attacking Iran, officials said, but could change his mind depending on developments in the country and discussions with aides. Some officials said Trump may strike first and then seek serious talks with Tehran afterward, which the president appeared to signal Sunday. We may have to act because of what is happening before the meeting," he said. Vance, while generally resistant to engaging in conflicts, remains open to striking Iran, according to a person familiar with his thinking, believing the country is a threat to the U.S. Vance was initially skeptical of bombing Iran during discussions last June before Trump ordered attacks on the Iranian nuclear sites of Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Officials note the U.S. doesnt have an aircraft carrier in the Middle East but Trump could still deploy bombers, Air Force jet fighters or naval assets to strike Iran. Top Iranian officials have threatened to attack American troops in response to a U.S. assault, a threat officials say is just rhetoric for now but does carry some weight. While Irans long-range missile capability was degraded by U.S. and Israeli strikes last year, Tehran still has a significant arsenal of short-range missiles that can reach the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula, one official said. On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country was ready for negotiations but these negotiations should be fair, with equal rights and based on mutual respect." But if such talks arent possible, Iran, he said, is fully prepared for war." Araghchi also confirmed he contacted U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff over the weekend seeking meetings with the administration. Some in the U.S. doubt that Iran is genuine about ending its nuclear program, telling Trump that Tehran may be finding a way to buy time and avoid American airstrikes and maintain its legitimacy despite widespread popular unrest. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said Trump generally prefers diplomatic resolutions but is always open to military force. The truth is, with respect to Iran, nobody knows what President Trump is going to do except for President Trump. The world can keep waiting and guessing," she said in a statement. She later on Monday told reporters that bellicose Iranian public messages are different from Tehrans private communications. The president has an interest in exploring those messages," she said. Trump, after deciding to attack Irans nuclear sites last summer, set a two-week deadline for negotiations with Tehran over its program before striking just hours later. Aides have briefed Trump on the benefits and pitfalls of renewed nuclear negotiations with Iran. Five previous rounds of talks last spring ended after the U.S. joined Israel in bombing three of its main nuclear sites. Top officials, including Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Friday to prepare options for the president, a person familiar with the meetings said. Trump has clear leverage over the regime, some officials say, as Tehran faces one of the greatest popular uprisings in years while its regional proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah have been weakened after conflicts with Israel following the attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. The U.S. could gain favorable terms in a negotiation over ending Irans nuclear work. But talks also would legitimize the current government just as Trump says he is supporting the protesters, aides note. The Trump administration sought last spring to get Tehran to agree to give up its enrichment program which is critical to producing a nuclear weapon, in exchange for some sanctions relief. Tehran has for two decades insisted it will continue enriching uranium, a position that officials have been repeating in recent weeks. Officials also say Trump must follow through on his repeated threats to attack Iran for harming protesters, otherwise he risks reputational damage. But even then there are significant risks, such as Iranian attacks on U.S. forces in the region. It is also unclear that any aerial strikes would immediately stop Tehran from quashing the protests, the officials say, putting Trump in the bind of ordering more attacks or ending operations without cowing the regime. Trump also has a third option that could entail less risk, some aides and analysts say. He could avoid hard military strikes and hold off talks as long as protests continue, then use the regimes weakness and need to improve economic conditions to drive for a deal. The Iranian regime has a lot of problems," Vance told reporters last Thursday. The smartest thing for them to have done, it was true two months ago, it is true today, is for them to actually have a real negotiation with the United States about what we need to see when it comes to their nuclear program." So far no senior government or military figures have defected or spoken out against leadership, even as the crackdown on demonstrators has intensified. While reliable information is hard to get from Iran during a nationwide internet shutdown, activists say hospitals are filling up with thousands of injured people. Despite popular and U.S. pressure, there are few signs Irans rulers are on the verge of losing their power. The regime will hunker down, weaker and more isolated internationally but also more risk-tolerant in dealing with the U.S. and more menacing at home," said Suzanne Maloney, an Iran expert and director of the foreign policy program at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington. Even if there is some post-crackdown splintering, the nucleus of the regime now has even more incentive to stick together." Write to Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com and Natalie Andrews at natalie.andrews@wsj.com Une onde de choc parcourt lecosysteme technologique et industriel africain. Terra Industries, fleuron nigerian de la production de drones, vient de realiser une levee de fonds majeure de 11,75 millions de dollars. Cette manne financiere, destinee a une expansion ambitieuse, a une particularite de taille : elle provient en partie de partenaires americains, dont un investisseur lie a SpaceX, lempire spatial dElon Musk, revele le site Semafor. Cette operation, confirmee par le directeur de lentreprise, Nathan Nwachuku, marque un tournant significatif. Elle demontre lattractivite croissante des geants technologiques africains specialises dans les solutions de haute technologie pour les marches emergents et mondiaux. Une Expansion Biface : Abuja et l'Afrique de l'Est Les fonds frais seront injectes dans une strategie dexpansion agressive. Dun cote, ils serviront a agrandir lusine existante a Abuja, la capitale nigeriane, pour augmenter les capacites de production. De lautre, ils financeront la construction dun nouveau complexe industriel en Afrique de lEst, un tremplin strategique pour conquerir les marches regionaux. Parmi les investisseurs figurent plusieurs poids lourds americains du capital-risque. La presence du fonds Valor Equity Partners, deja actionnaire de SpaceX, est particulierement symbolique. Elle agit comme un sceau de confiance puissant, validant le savoir-faire et le potentiel de Terra Industries. La societe 8VC apporte egalement son soutien a cette levee. Au-Dela de la Defense : Des Drones pour l'Industrie Africaine Si Terra Industries est un fournisseur reconnu dequipements militaires pour des pays et entreprises africains, son ambition depasse le seul secteur de la defense. La societe produit une gamme de drones civils dedies a des secteurs cles du developpement economique du continent : linspection des pipelines petroliers, la surveillance des sites miniers et le monitoring des infrastructures energetiques. Son influence setend deja au-dela du Nigeria, avec des deploiements operationnels dans des pays comme le Ghana et le Kenya. Cette expansion financee par des capitaux americains de premier plan positionne Terra Industries non seulement comme un leader africain, mais aussi comme un acteur global emergent dans le domaine des technologies drone. Cette levee de fonds est bien plus quune simple transaction financiere. C'est un signal fort : l'innovation "Made in Africa" en matiere de tech industrielle captive desormais l'attention et les portefeuilles des plus grands investisseurs mondiaux. Terra Industries, Nigeria, drones, levee de fonds, 11,75 millions de dollars, SpaceX, Elon Musk, investisseur americain, Valor Equity Partners, 8VC, Abuja, Afrique de l'Est, expansion, usine, drones militaires, drones industriels, petrole, exploitation miniere, energie, Ghana, Kenya, technologie africaine, capital-risque, Semafor, Nathan Nwachuku. Drones Made in Africa: Nigeria's Terra Industries Secures $11.75M, Attracts Investor Linked to SpaceX A seismic shift is rippling through Africa's tech and industrial landscape. Terra Industries, a Nigerian flagship in drone manufacturing, has secured a major $11.75 million funding round. This financial boost, aimed at ambitious expansion, comes with a distinctive feature: it partly originates from American partners, including an investor linked to SpaceX, Elon Musk's space empire, as revealed by the news site Semafor. This operation, confirmed by the company's director, Nathan Nwachuku, marks a significant turning point. It underscores the growing attractiveness of African tech giants specializing in high-tech solutions for both emerging and global markets. A Two-Pronged Expansion: Abuja and East Africa The fresh capital will fuel an aggressive expansion strategy. On one front, it will be used to expand the existing factory in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, to increase production capacity. On the other, it will finance the construction of a new industrial complex in East Africa, a strategic springboard to capture regional markets. The investor list includes several heavyweights from American venture capital. The presence of the fund Valor Equity Partners, already a shareholder in SpaceX, is particularly symbolic. It acts as a powerful seal of trust, validating Terra Industries' expertise and potential. The firm 8VC is also backing this funding round. Beyond Defense: Drones for African Industry While Terra Industries is a recognized supplier of military equipment to African countries and companies, its ambition extends beyond the defense sector. The company produces a range of civilian drones dedicated to key sectors of the continent's economic development: oil pipeline inspection, mining site surveillance, and energy infrastructure monitoring. Its influence already stretches beyond Nigeria, with operational deployments in countries like Ghana and Kenya. This expansion, funded by top-tier American capital, positions Terra Industries not only as an African leader but also as an emerging global player in drone technology. This fundraising is much more than a financial transaction. It is a strong signal: "Made in Africa" innovation in industrial tech is now capturing the attention and wallets of the world's largest investors. Terra Industries, Nigeria, drones, funding round, $11.75 million, SpaceX, Elon Musk, American investor, Valor Equity Partners, 8VC, Abuja, East Africa, expansion, factory, military drones, industrial drones, oil, mining, energy, Ghana, Kenya, African technology, venture capital, Semafor, Nathan Nwachuku. Moussa Nassourou Shapewear is quietly reshaping Indias apparel landscape as demand shifts towards functional, everyday innerwear that affirms both confidence and body positivity. From established players to startups, apparel brands are increasingly focusing on shapewearbody-hugging innerwear worn under clothes to provide support and improve fitas it delivers steady demand even when fashion spending is weak. Easy availability on quick-commerce platforms and strong discoverability on social media are repositioning shapewear from an occasional purchase to a wardrobe essential for young consumers, making it a niche, scalable growth category. This all-season growth potential is driving both incumbents such as Reliance Retail, which owns Clovia and Zivame, and startups to expand into shapewear to attract young shoppers and diversify beyond seasonal fashion. A growing demand for shapewear such as control panties, shaping tanks and waist trainers is also translating into increased funding activity. Shapewear startup Underneat, founded by content creator Kusha Kapila, raised $6 million in pre-Series A funding in December, led by Fireside Ventures. Similarly, Noida-based Krvvy is set to close a follow-on capital from existing investors All In Capital and Titan Capital, two people in the know told Mint, a year after it raised a pre-seed funding of 6.1 crore. Krvvys co-founder Yash Goyal declined to comment on the fundraise. Invogue, a Delhi-based shapewear brand that was founded in 2023 by Madhav Saxena, has also raised capital. Weve been a bootstrapped business for 2.5 years, competing with heavily-funded players. We have recently raised a funding round, and well be announcing it soon," said Saxena. Saxena was inspired to start Invogue after struggling to find shapewear in India that felt comfortable, flattering and confidence-affirming for his partner, following her experience with rapid weight gain during the pandemic. At the time, shapewear in India felt medical, uncomfortable and almost designed to make women feel bad about their bodies," said Saxena, founder and chief executive of Invogue. Globally, brands like Skims had already changed that narrative, but India was far behind in conversations around body positivity and inclusivity." Large retailers are following suit. Nykaas fashion arm, Nykaa Fashion, too is accelerating its efforts to grow its lingerie brand Nykd, after its gross merchandise value crossed a run rate of 170 crore in the July-September quarter of 2025. Reliance Retail-backed Clovia is ramping up its shapewear portfolio with a focus on precision in sizing, compression levels and body types, founder and chief executive Pankaj Vermani said. Also Read | Nykaa has big plans for house of brands business As awareness grows and brands increasingly adapt products to Indian bodies, climates, and lifestyles, shapewear is steadily moving from being an occasional solution to a more regular wardrobe essential," Vermani added. Invogues Saxena said one of the most overlooked aspects of shapewear design in India is compression variability. Most brands focus only on sizing, but compression matters just as much," he said. Different consumers want different levels, from subtle shaping to very high compression, and that requires deeper product engineering." The focus on shapewear comes at a time when apparel makers are constantly innovating to find the next hook to reel in users. Indias fashion landscape continues to face challenges stemming from a crowded market as well as the broader consumption slowdown, with large players like Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) too feeling the heat. Also Read | ABFRL to convert Style Up stores to OWND! in fight to chase GenZ The Indian shapewear market was valued at $49.6 million in 2022, and is projected to swell to $220.8 million by 2032 at a compounded annual growth rate of 16.16% , according to a May 2024 report by Apollo Research, a market research and consulting firm based in Nasik. Global appeal Globally, shapewears potential has been demonstrated by the success of brands such as Skims, founded by celebrity Kim Kardashian, and Spanx, backed by global investment firm Blackstone. Skims used celebrity-driven marketing, inclusive sizing, and social-first launches to scale rapidly, while Spanx built the category around comfort-led, problem-solving design. Together, they helped move shapewear from niche innerwear to a mainstream, investor-backed apparel segment. A similar wave is underway in India, led by demand from small cities. Almost half of Krvvys revenue comes from non-metro cities, while growth in metros is being accelerated by deeper penetration of quick-commerce platforms such as Zepto and Blinkit, said co-founder Goyal. According to data from Traxcn, Krvvy generated a revenue of 1.36 crore in FY25. Also Read | India's innerwear exports face a Chinese problem On New Years eve, we sold 200 units on each quick commerce platform within just four hours. This was unexpected," Goyal said. Premium pricing is possible, but only when backed by tangible value," Clovia's Vermani said. While the category will remain largely mid-sized and premium in terms of its volumes, there is a growing segment of digital natives and young individuals who are willing to pay more for shapewear that is more comfortable and durable, he said. However, distribution is a constraint. Shapewears fit-sensitive nature makes online-only models limiting, especially for first-time buyers. Offline touchpoints play a critical role in accelerating trust and trial, even as digital channels remain key for customer acquisition and feedback-led product development, said Vermani. The fashion segment accounts for nearly three-quarters of Indias $130 billion e-lifestyle market, according to a 2024 report by Bain & Co, making constant innovation crucial. Scaling troubles However, structural challenges remain. Fashion is an easy category to enter, but hard to scale," said Satish Meena, analyst at Datum Intelligence. Moreover, body diversity varies widely across India, with differences in height, weight and body type influencing design and functionality. In addition, reliance on online-first distribution makes sizing errors costly, while offline expansion requires heavy investment in trained staff and inventory depth. Together, these factors raise questions around margins and long-term profitability, according to Meena. To address stigma around the category, Invogue positions shapewear as makeup for the body", Saxena said. Using shapewear doesnt mean something is wrong with your body," he said. Its like makeup, it doesnt change who you are, it just helps you accentuate how you want to look for a particular outfit or occasion." Conversations around body confidence, shape-enhancing garments, and everyday shapewear are evolving, but adoption takes time and trust. Brands need to invest not just in marketing, but in education, trial, and feedback-led design to make shapewear feel intuitive and everyday," said Clovias Vermani. Bank holiday today, 13 January: All public and private banks across India will remain open on Tuesday, 13 January, even as many parts of the country celebrates Lohri. According to the RBI bank holiday calendar, there is no bank holiday today due to Lohri. Lohri 2026 will be celebrated on 13 January in several parts of northern India. However, it is not a bank holiday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided bank holidays at the beginning of the year, and banks remain closed on certain regional festivities and observances as well as on national holidays. Banks also remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays, and all Sundays of the month. Since there is no Lohri bank holiday, lenders including SBI, HDFC Bank, PNB, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and others will remain open on Tuesday. Also Read | Are banks open or closed today for Swami Vivekananda birth anniversary? Lohri 2026 Lohri 2026 is being celebrated across India on Tuesday, 13 January. Lohri is a harvest festival and is observed to mark the arrival of the harvest season as well as longer days after cold winters. Families and friends gather during this festival to sing folk songs and dance around bonfires and play the dhol. Festive food like jaggery, sesame seeds, rewri and peanuts are also enjoyed during Lohri as people perform Bhangra and Gidda dances. Remaining bank holidays in January 2026 There were up to 16 bank holidays in January 2026, including weekends. Some of these have already been used up. Here is the list of remaining bank holidays in January this year. 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 remaining six bank holidays fall on weekends specifically, the second and fourth Saturdays and all four Sundays. Mumbai: Standard Chartered Bank is doubling down on its strategy of focusing on affluent customers through the launch of its priority banking suite of products. The products include wealth expertise, international banking, sales and service expertise, and lifestyle benefits. The foreign bank first unveiled its affluent market strategy in October 2024. Earlier, it offered all products to all segments of customerssimilar to India's private banks. We refreshed our strategy, and shifted from a position of being everything to everyone at the same time, to having a very focused approach on the affluent and SME segments overlaid with wealth solutions, said Aditya Mandloi, head of wealth and retail banking, India and South Asia. Since then, the bank has been working to expand the network of large format branches that are dedicated to affluent customer segments. On Tuesday, it launched an invite-only metal credit card called Beyond based on feedback from its clientele. Mandloi said the bank wants to keep the card exclusive and is not targeting or trying to catch up to a number for cards-in-force or number of card users. We want to make the Beyond card, make it bespoke and invitation only, not for numbers, but as an experiential platform for our privileged customers to avail lifestyle benefits, he said, adding that the bank remains open to co-branded opportunities in this space for further card launches. Currently, the bank has around 700,000 credit card users. Investing in the five Ps Over the last 12 months, what we've done is investing and upgrading in the five Pspeople, platforms, products, premises and proposition, Mandloi told Mint on the sidelines of the launch of the bank's refreshed priority banking vertical. Also Read | Wipro wins multi-million dollar deal from Standard Chartered This includes investing in skilling, training and hiring employees and relationship managers with the right skill set and experience, and upgrading select branches to dedicated affluent centres, among other initiatives. The bank currently has 98 branches across 41 cities, of which 20 are large format or affluent banking centres. It has plans to upgrade or relocate another 15 branches this year compared with 11 last year. Recent large format upgrades for the bank comprise its branches in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bhubaneswar and Dehradun. The differentiator really is what is the quality of relationship managers, how skilled they are, the seamless servicing you do across all formats, Mandloi said, adding that part of the strategy is to have a multi-product approach and avoid opening relationships with customers that may only want to have one particular product such as the credit card. Standard Chartered currently operates with four broad categories of customerspersonal or individuals, emerging affluent, priority, and private. Based on where they sit, there will be a certain set of benefits and privileges which open up, he explained. Of the total 1.7 million customers, 500,000 are standalone that have one product. Around 38,000 are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with annual turnover of $1 million to $100 million. As of date, around 125,000 of the banks customers are eligible to be offering priority banking services, Mandloi said. Also Read | Standard Chartered Bank looks to raise its wealth management game in India To service them, the bank plans to have 380-400 affluent relationship managers who cater to priority and private customer segments, and 250-270 relationship managers to cater to SME clients. Other than this, the bank is also investing in about 60 wealth advisory or wealth investment specialists and bancassurance specialists. Gold, Silver Rates Today LIVE: Gold and silver prices in the international market steadied on Tuesday after surging to record high levels in the previous session on worries over the Federal Reserves independence as the Donald Trump administration threatened the central bank with a criminal indictment. Gold prices eased, a day after breaching $4,600 per ounce for the first time ever, as investors booked profits amid heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty. MCX gold price also opened lower amid profit booking after a sharp rally in the previous session. MCX silver price traded lower. In the previous session, MCX gold and silver prices hit record highs, tracking a rally in international bullion prices. A weak US dollar supported the bullion prices after uncertainty deepened over a Trump administration criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Stay tuned to our Gold and Silver Price Live blog for the latest updates. Bharat Coking Coal IPO Day 3 Highlights: The initial public offering (IPO) of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd, a subsidiary of Coal India, was subscribed 33.60 times by the second day of bidding on Monday, January 12. Bharat Coking Coal IPO got fully subscribed within minutes of opening for bidding on Friday, January 9, and was booked 8.09 times. BCCL IPO on Thursday, January 8 mobilised over 273 crore from anchor investors. Bharat Coking Coal IPO will conclude today, Tuesday, January 13. Bharat Coking Coal IPO GMP today is 10.6. The Bharat Coking Coal IPO comprises only an offer for sale made by Coal India, which holds a full 100% ownership in Bharat Coking Coal. The proceeds from the BCCL IPO, amounting to 1,071 crore at the highest price of 23, will be allocated to Coal India. Bharat Coking Coal IPO price band has been fixed at 21 to 23 per share, and BCCL IPO lot size is 600 equity shares and in multiples of 600 equity shares thereafter. (Stay tuned for more updates) The year 2026 appears to have begun on a positive note for the primary market, with Bharat Coking Coal and Amagi Media Labs IPOs. The Bharat Coking Coal IPO, which concludes today, seems to have captured investors' interest as they queued for the inaugural mainboard listing of 2026 and the first public offering from a company in the vital sector. In contrast, the Amagi Media Labs IPO seems to be experiencing a sluggish start today. The Bharat Coking Coal IPO is entirely an offer for sale by Coal India, which owns a 100% stake in the company. The funds raised from the BCCL IPO, totalling 1,071 crore at the maximum price of 23, will be directed to Coal India. Bharat Coking Coal IPO price band has been set between 21 and 23 per share, and the lot size for the BCCL IPO is 600 equity shares, with additional purchases in increments of 600 equity shares thereafter. Bharat Coking Coal IPO allotment will be determined on Wednesday, January 14, and the company will start processing refunds on Thursday, January 15. Simultaneously, the shares will be deposited into the demat accounts of successful applicants on the same day as the refunds. The share price of Bharat Coking Coal is expected to debut on BSE and NSE on Friday, January 16. Amagi Media Labs IPO consist of fresh issuance of shares worth 816 crore, in addition to an offer for sale of 2.7 crore shares estimated at 972.6 crore, calculated using the upper price band from current shareholders. Consequently, the overall value of the issue reaches 1,788.6 crore. Amagi Media Labs' IPO price band has been set in the range of 343-361 per share. Amagi Media Labs IPO allotment will be determined on Monday, January 19. Refunds are set to be processed on Tuesday, January 20, and the shares will be deposited into the demat accounts of allottees on that same day, after the refunds have been initiated. The shares of Amagi Media Labs are expected to be listed on the BSE and NSE on Wednesday, January 21. Let's take a look at the grey market premium trends: Bharat Coking Coal IPO GMP today Bharat Coking Coal IPO GMP today is 10.7. Considering the upper end of the IPO price band and the current premium in the grey market, the estimated listing price of Bharat Coking Coal is indicated at 33.7 apiece, which is 46.52% higher than the IPO price of 23. Following the analysis of the last 11 sessions of grey market activities, the present GMP ( 10.7) indicates a trend towards the downside. The lowest GMP recorded is 9.25, whereas the highest stands at 16.25. Amagi Media Labs IPO GMP today Amagi Media Labs IPO GMP today is 20. Considering the upper end of the IPO price band and the current premium in the grey market, the estimated listing price of Amagi Media Lab is indicated at 381 apiece, which is 5.54% higher than the IPO price of 361. Considering the grey market activities from the last seven sessions, the present GMP ( 20) indicates a downward trend. Experts say the lowest GMP recorded is 0.00, with the highest reaching 43. 'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price. The December quarter (Q3FY26) results of large-cap IT companies Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) and HCL Technologies Ltd played out largely as expected, with HCL leading on revenue growth. Both companies flagged pockets of demand improvement, but the recovery remains uneven, and their Q3 performances diverged on several counts. HCL reported a strong 4.2% sequential constant currency (CC) revenue growth, aided by its products and platforms business, for which the December quarter is seasonally strong. Total contract value (TCV) of new deal wins surged 43.5% year-on-year to a multi-quarter high of $3 billion. Management said booking momentum was driven by applications and engineering and R&D (ER&D) services, with annual contract value bookings in Q3FY26 the highest in four years. HCL also raised its FY26 CC year-on-year services revenue growth guidance to 4.75-5.25% from 4-5%, while overall growth guidance was narrowed to 4-4.5% from 3-5%. The revised outlook implies a softer March quarter and a weak FY26 exit. The guidance excludes contributions from recent acquisitions, including the telco solutions business from HPE, and Jaspersoft, and Wobby. In contrast, TCS reported a modest 0.8% sequential CC revenue growth, driven primarily by its India business, while international markets remained subdued. Deal wins fell 9% year-on-year to $9.3 billion. Although TCS does not provide revenue growth guidance, management said that based on the deal pipeline and gradually improving demand, revenue growth in international markets is expected to be higher in 2026 than in 2025. HCLs earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) margin expanded 120 basis points sequentially to 18.6%, even as services margins slipped 10 bps to 16.4%. The company retained its FY26 Ebit margin guidance of 17-18% which is inclusive of restructuring cost, but excludes one-time impact of the new labour codes. TCSs Ebit margin excluding one-off items was flat sequentially at 25.2%. It reiterated its aspirational margin band of 26-28%, which would need better revenue growth. Also Read | Five questions hanging over TCS ahead of Q3 results Both companies reported continued traction in artificial intelligence (AI). HCLs advanced AI revenue rose 19.3% sequentially in CC terms to $146 million, while TCSs annualized AI CC revenue grew 17% to $1.8 billion. TCS management said clients are moving from experimentation to scaled AI implementations. Investor caution Even so, the stocks barely moved on Tuesday, a day after the earnings announcement, underscoring investor caution amid the lack of clear evidence of a broad-based revival. For HCL, recent acquisitions are expected to contribute meaningfully only after Q1FY27. Also, the uptick in its product business in Q3 was led by tactical license revenues rather than sticky subscription revenues, which may not be sustainable, cautioned Elara Securities (India). Still, HCL appears better positioned. Jefferies India said TCS's Q3 results offer limited evidence of any pick-up in growth of international business. It estimates TCS will deliver around 5% recurring earnings per share (EPS) CAGR over FY26-28, the lowest among the top three Indian IT firms, compared with an estimated 10% recurring EPS CAGR for HCL, the highest among the top five IT companies. HCL trades at FY27 estimated price-to-earnings multiple of 23x, showed Bloomberg data, a slight premium to TCSs 21x multiple. The valuation gap may stay due to HCL's superior revenue growth. But rich valuation could limit steep upsides for HCL. Goldman Sachs said the read-across from these results for the broader IT sector is neutral to modestly positive, suggesting that with demand visibility still cloudy through FY26 and FY27, investors will need to be highly selective. By Laila Kearney and Seher Dareen NEW YORK/LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Oil prices surged by more than 2% on Tuesday as the prospect of disruptions to Iranian crude exports overshadowed possible increased supply from Venezuela. Brent futures jumped by $1.60, or 2.5%, to settle at $65.47. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $61.15 a barrel, climbing $1.65, or about 2.8%. "The oil market is building in some price protection against geopolitical drivers," said PVM Oil Associates analyst John Evans, highlighting the potential exclusion of Iran's exports, trouble in Venezuela, talks on Russia's war in Ukraine and U.S. interest in taking control of Greenland. Iran, one of the top producers in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is facing its biggest anti-government demonstrations in years. A government crackdown against protesters that an Iranian official says has killed about 2,000 people and led to the arrest of thousands more, drew a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump of possible military action. Trump said on Monday that any country that does business with Iran will be subjected to a tariff rate of 25% on any business conducted with the United States. China is the biggest customer for Iranian crude. "I don't think China, for example, is going to shy away from Iranian barrels but if it did, and if everybody did, that would reduce global supplies by 3.3 million barrels a day that are currently supplied to the market by Iran," said Bob Yawger of Mizuho Securities in New York. On Tuesday, Trump posted on his social media site that protesters in Iran should "take over your institutions" and that "help is on its way." Trump said he had cancelled meetings with Iranian officials until protester deaths had stopped. Prices briefly rose by more than 3% to a three-month high following the statement. Also signalling tighter supplies ahead, four Greek-managed oil tankers were struck by unidentified drones on Tuesday. The tankers were in the Black Sea on the way to load oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal off the Russian coast, eight sources told Reuters. Worries over a supply glut have taken a backseat for now, said Rystad analyst Janiv Shah, adding that excess refinery throughput in Europe was weighing on the gasoil market. UNREST SUPPORTING BRENT'S PREMIUM Brent crude oil's premium to Middle East benchmark Dubai rose on Tuesday to its highest since July as geopolitical tensions in Iran and Venezuela supported the global price marker, LSEG data showed. "Unrest in Iran has added about $3-$4 a barrel in geopolitical risk premium in oil prices, in our view," Barclays analysts said in a note. Markets are also grappling with concern over additional crude supply hitting the market with a resumption in Venezuelan exports. After the ousting of President Nicolas Maduro, Trump said last week that Caracas is set to hand over to the U.S. as much as 50 million barrels of oil subject to Western sanctions. Global oil trading houses have emerged as early winners in the race to control Venezuelan crude flows, getting ahead of U.S. energy majors. HCL Tech share price dropped by more than 1% during Tuesday's trading session following the release of its Q3 results. The IT company reported on Monday that its consolidated net profit for the December quarter declined by 11% year-on-year, totaling 4,076 crore compared to 4,591 crore from the same period last year. In Q3FY26, the revenue from operations reached 33,872 crore, representing a 13% increase from 29,890 crore reported in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. The net profit fell by almost 4% quarter-on-quarter from 4,235, while the revenue increased by 6% sequentially compared to 31,942 recorded in Q2FY26. Further, the company has projected a revenue growth of 4% to 4.5% year-on-year in constant currency (CC) for FY26, with services revenue growth anticipated to be between 4.75% and 5.25% YoY in CC. The Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) margin is expected to be in the range of 17% to 18%. The company declared an interim dividend of 12 per equity share for the financial year 2025-26. The record date for dividend payment is set for January 16, 2026, and the payment will occur on January 27, 2026. Here's what expert says Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said that HCL Technologies reported a steady Q3 FY26 performance, marked by broad-based revenue momentum, healthy deal wins and resilient margins despite one-off headwinds. Srivastava highlighted that operating performance was solid, with EBIT rising 13.2% QoQ to 6,285 crore and margins recovering to 18.6%, even after absorbing an 81 bps impact from restructuring costs. According to Seema, the IT firm reported profitability was impacted by exceptional items, including a one-time 956 crore charge related to new Labour Codes, which led to YoY volatility in net profit; however, underlying earnings quality remained healthy, supported by strong cash generation with FCF at 120% of net income. Seema Srivastava added that return metrics improved meaningfully, with ROIC at 39.4% on an LTM basis, reflecting disciplined capital allocation and improved operational efficiency. Deal momentum was a major positive, with new deal TCV of $3.0 billion, up 43.5% YoY, strengthening revenue visibility. Attrition declined to 12.4%, and fresh graduate hiring continued, positioning the company well for future demand. Management raised FY26 revenue growth guidance while maintaining EBIT margin guidance of 1718%, signalling confidence in growth sustainability alongside margin discipline, said Seema Srivastava. Should you buy, sell or hold? Prabhudas Lilladher noted that revenue growth surpassed their expectations, driven by the robust seasonality of HCLSoftware. The performance of the services business was also impressive, overcoming the effects of holidays and furloughs. The brokerage is confident that this service-driven growth will maintain its momentum in FY27/FY28, supported by significant order acquisitions and an expanding revenue stream from AI. As a result, the brokerage is adjusting its topline CC growth forecasts upward by 30bps/20bps to 7.0% and 7.7% for FY27E/FY28E. Despite the beat on margins in Q3, we expect Q4 will see some normalization, while additional new labour code would also keep the margin in check. The stock is currently trading at 22x and 19x FY27E/FY28E EPS. We assign 22x to FY28 EPS to arrive at a TP of 1,910, said the brokerage. Technical Views HCL Tech share price opened at 1,690.05 apiece on the BSE, the stock touched an intraday high of 1,696, and an intraday low of 1,626.40. According to Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, HCL Technologies is developing a strong 28-week cup and handle formation, with the handle evolving into a six-week bullish flag, adding conviction to the setup. Jain explained that the tight, orderly handle reflects controlled supply absorption rather than distribution. Volume behavior across the base points to institutional accumulation, suggesting smart money positioning ahead of a directional move. If triggered, the move is likely to be aggressive in nature, with an initial upside objective toward the 1,825 zone. Risk remains contained within the handle, while failure to clear 1,695 would keep the stock range bound, said Anshul Jain. The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to remain volatile on Tuesday amid mixed global cues. Market sentiment is likely to remain cautious after US President Donald Trump announced fresh tariffs on countries doing business with Iran. The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a mildly positive start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 25,910 level, a premium of nearly 35 points from the Nifty futures previous close. On Monday, the Indian stock market ended higher, snapping its five-day losing streak, with the Nifty 50 closing near 25,800 level. The Sensex rose 301.93 points, or 0.36%, to close at 83,878.17, while the Nifty 50 settled 106.95 points, or 0.42%, higher at 25,790.25. Heres what to expect from Senex, Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty today: Sensex OI Data From an OI perspective, the 83,500 and 83,000 strikes have seen a fresh buildup of Puts, indicating that traders are shifting their base higher after yesterdays recovery. Resistance for Sensex is now pegged at the 84,000 and 84,500 Call strikes. As long as the Sensex sustains above 83,500, the bias for tomorrow remains cautiously bullish, said Mayank Jain, Market Analyst, Share.Market. Also Read | Indian stock market: 10 key things that changed for market overnight Sensex Prediction Sensex respected key support and resistance levels, remaining above the support zone of 83,300 83,400, which acted as a solid cushion on early weakness. On the upside, resistance near 84,300 84,400 is expected to be the near-term hurdle, where upside efforts may face profit-booking or supply pressure. With the late-session rebound and support holding, the structure still favors a buy-on-dips approach, provided the key support zone remains intact into the next trading sessions, said Hitesh Tailor, Research Analyst, Choice Equity Broking. According to Mayank Jain, Sensex is now positioned to test the 84,400 84,500 range, which previously acted as a strong support-turned-resistance. Nifty OI Data Nifty derivatives data for todays weekly expiry shows a significant shift. Nifty Put writing has surged at the 25,500 and 25,600 strikes, which will now act as the immediate floor. On the upside, 25,900 and 26,000 remain the primary resistance levels where heavy Call Open Interest (OI) is still parked, said Mayank Jain. Also Read | Stock market today: Eight stocks to buy and sell on Tuesday Nifty 50 Prediction Nifty 50 index has formed a bullish hammer-like candle, suggesting that the five-day losing streak may have finally bottomed out. A long bull candle has been formed on the daily chart with a long lower shadow. Technically, this market action is indicating significant turnaround in the market for the short term. This is a positive indication one may expect further upside in the short term, said Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities. According to him, the underlying trend of Nifty 50 seems to have turned up post sharp weakness of last week. Having recovered from the key lower levels decisively, he believes Nifty 50 could advance towards the next hurdle of 26,000 - 26,100 levels in the next few sessions. Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities believes that the Nifty 50 faces a crucial hurdle at the 50-day EMA zone of 25,890 25,920. A sustained move above 25,920 could open the door for a sharp upside rally, with potential targets at 26,100 and beyond in the near term. On the downside, immediate support is placed around the 100-day EMA zone of 25,650 25,620, which will be a key level for traders to watch, said Shah. Also Read | Buy or sell: Vaishali Parekh recommends three intraday stocks for today Bank Nifty Prediction Bank Nifty index ended 198.95 points, or 0.34%, higher at 59,450.50 on Monday, forming a hammer candle on the daily chart, indicating a strong recovery from the lower levels. Sharp buying emerged in the Bank Nifty index from lower levels, helping it close above its falling trendline resistance and settle near its 20-day SMA, indicating short-term recovery. On the hourly chart, the RSI has entered a bullish crossover, suggesting improving intraday momentum. However, on the daily chart, the RSI remains weak, hovering around 51 and still in a bearish crossover, said Vatsal Bhuva, Technical Analyst at LKP Securities. Given this mixed setup, he advises a cautious stance, and added that the immediate support for the Bank Nifty index is placed at 58,900, while resistance is seen near the 59,500 levels. Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy Om Mehra, Technical Research Analyst, SAMCO Securities noted that as long as the Bank Nifty index holds above the 58,900 59,000 band, downside pressure remains contained. On the higher side, 59,700 59,800 continues to cap recovery attempts, and only a sustained move beyond this zone would signal a return of upward traction. Until then, Nifty Bank is likely to remain range-bound, said Mehra. Banaras Hindu University Post Graduate Entrance Test (BHU PET) replaced by(CUET PG) 2026 https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/entrance/other-entrance-exams/banaras-hindu-university-post-graduate-entrance-test-bhu-pet.htm Details of Banaras Hindu University Post Graduate Entrance Test (BHU PET) replaced by(CUET PG) 2026 2026-1-13 2026-1-14 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India Banaras Hindu University Post Graduate Entrance Test (BHU PET) replaced by(CUET PG) 2026 Other Entrance Exams Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi PET Entrance Replaced By CUET PG 2026 Category : Other Entrance Exams Admissions 2026 Published : On January 13, 2026 By Webindia123 Editor Important Dates Last Date to Submit CUET PG 2026 Application Form 14th January 2026 CUET PG 2026 Exam Date March 2026 The Banaras Hindu University Post Graduate Entrance Test (BHU PET) 2026 will be conducted under the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate (CUET PG) by the National Testing Agency (NTA). BHU PET 2026 will be conducted by the National Testing Agency as part of CUET PG 2026. The CUET PG 2026 registration process is ongoing and you can apply by visiting the official website, pgcuet.samarth.ac.in . CUET PG 2025 Eligibility Students appearing for CUET PG 2026 must have completed graduation in any Arts, Science, or Commerce from an accredited university. Candidates in their final year of graduation are also eligible for the CUET PG 2026. There is no minimum age limit for the CUET PG 2065 entrance exam; candidates of all ages may apply. BHU PET Eligibility Bachelor's Degree under at least 10+2+3 pattern in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks in the aggregate, (including all subjects studied at Bachelor's level except those subjects where only pass marks are required and which do not contribute to the total in the final (degree) marksheet.) with Mathematics as one of the subjects at either Intermediate or +2 (10+2) or equivalent examination, or, Bachelor's level (as a main or a subsidiary subject) Exam Mode : Online Mode BHU PET Exam Pattern There shall be one paper of 150 minutes duration carrying 450 marks containing 150 multiple-choice questions on Mathematical Aptitude (about 100 questions), and Analytical and Logical Reasoning (about 50 questions). BHU PET 2026 Application Form The BHU PET 2026 entrance exam application form will only be made available online. For more information and to submit an application, go to the BHU website. Candidates must first go to the official website and start the registration process. Aspirants are required to enter some basic information during the registration procedure, such as their name, date of birth, email address, mobile number, etc. Candidates must submit information about their photo identity documents after registering. Aadhaar Cards, Passports, Voter IDs issued by the Indian Election Commission, Bank Passbooks with Photographs, Driving Licenses, Pan Cards, any other valid Government ID Numbers, and Admit Cards Issued by the Concerned Boards may all be used for this purpose. The applicants must then log in and complete the main application form. Candidates must include the necessary personal, contact, and educational qualification information in the application form. In addition, candidates must scan and upload their photo and signature on accordance with the instructions provided in the portal. The required application fee must be paid in the next step by applicants. Candidates must print off their completed application form and fee receipt after submitting their application and payment for future use. Contact Details Address : Banaras Hindu University Varanasi 221005 Phone : 0542- 2368466, 6702696 Fax : 0542-2368418 Mobile : 085745 87668 / 070541 23586 / 094151 34225 E-mail : Contact I Website : bhuonline.in Find it Useful ? Help Others by Sharing Online Comments and Discussions The Indian stock market is expected to remain volatile on Tuesday amid global uncertainties over tariffs and geopolitical tensions. The trends on Gift Nifty also signal a mildly positive start for the benchmark indices, Nifty 50 and Sensex today. The equity market ended higher on Monday, rebounding from its intraday lows, amid renewed optimism over India-US trade deal talks. The Sensex advanced 301.93 points, or 0.36%, to close at 83,878.17, while the Nifty 50 ended 106.95 points, or 0.42%, higher at 25,790.25. On the Nifty options front, Chandan Taparia Head Derivatives & Technicals, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, believes that the maximum Call Open Interest (OI) is at 26,000 then 25,800 strike, while maximum Put OI is at 25,700 then 25,500 strike. Call writing is seen at 25,800 then 25,850 strike, while Put writing is seen at 25,700 then 25,600 strike. Option data suggests a broader trading range in between 25,400 to 26,200 zones, while an immediate range between 25,600 to 26,000 levels, said Taparia. Nifty 50 Outlook Nifty 50 formed a bullish candle on the daily frame with a longer lower shadow indicating smart buying from the lower levels. Nifty 50 managed to close in gains of around 110 points but is still forming lower highs lower lows from the last five sessions. Now, it has to cross and hold above 25,800 for strength to rebuild towards 25,950 then 26,150 marks, while support can be seen at 25,650 then 25,500 zones, said Taparia. Bank Nifty Outlook Bank Nifty index gained 198.95 points, or 0.34%, to close at 59,450.50 on Monday, forming a small bullish candle on daily scale with long lower shadow as buying was visible at lower zones, but structure of lower highs is intact from the last few sessions as momentum is missing at higher zones. Now, Bank Nifty has to cross and hold above 59,550 zones for an up move towards 59,750 then 60,000 levels, while on the downside, support is seen at 59,250 then 59,000 zones, Taparia added. Also Read | Buy or sell: Vaishali Parekh recommends three intraday stocks for today Stocks to buy or sell Chandan Taparia has recommended three stocks to buy today, 13 January 2026. Taparia recommends buying Alkem Laboratories, IndusInd Bank and Coal India shares. Alkem Laboratories | Buy | Target Price: 6,200 | Stop Loss: 5,700 Alkem Laboratories share price has given a range breakout on the daily chart with a strong bodied bullish candle. The MACD indicator has given a bullish crossover to confirm the upwards momentum, Taparia said. He recommends buying Alkem Laboratories shares for a target price of 6,200, while maintaining a stop loss of 5,700 level. IndusInd Bank | Buy | Target Price: 970 | Stop Loss: 875 IndusInd Bank share price is retesting its breakout from a consolidation zone on the daily chart and has bounced up from its 20 DEMA. The RSI indicator is rising to confirm the bullish momentum. Taparia has a Buy call and IndusInd Bank share price target of 970 level, with a stop loss of 875. Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy Coal India | Buy | Target Price: 460 | Stop Loss: 418 Coal India share price has formed a bullish Pole & Flag pattern suggesting a continuation of the uptrend. The ADX line is rising which confirms the strength of the bullish trend, Taparia said. He suggests buying Coal India shares for a target price of 460, while keeping a stop loss at 418 level. Small-cap stock under 50: Nandani Creation share price has surged as much as 42% in the nine sessions of the new calendar year, amid high trading volumes and a robust Q3 business update. On Tuesday, January 14, the small-cap stock was trading 1.5% higher at 38.67 apiece despite broader market weakness. According to Trendlyne data, the trading volumes in the first nine sessions of 2026 were over 1.4 times higher than those during the last nine days of December. Nandani Creation Q3 update The small-cap stock on January 7 posted a business update regarding its flagship brand, Jaipur Kurti. In an exchange filing, Nandani Creation said that the company has recorded solid year-on-year sales growth, supported by sustained consumer demand across its ethnic and contemporary apparel portfolio. Growth was driven by improved sell-through across both offline and online channels, higher customer traction, and strong performance across key categories including festive wear, daily wear, office wear, and occasion wear, the company said in the filing. This sustained momentum enabled the company to cross 100 crore in sales in calendar year 2025, marking a growth of around 46% over CY 2024 and placing Jaipur Kurti among a select set of Indian fashion brands that have achieved this scale while continuing to maintain a profitable operating track record. From 2014 to 2022, the company built a strong first-mover advantage in a digital-first model, achieving nationwide reach and a 52% sales CAGR. However, challenges (rising competition and customer acquisition costs) as a pure online player pushed the company to transform into a well-rounded brand from an online supplier. As such, in FY 2023 and FY 2024, a strategic shift in strategy led to a temporary moderation in sales as channel parity was established. In the current phase (20252028), the company has strengthened its omni-channel presence, transforming into a prominent national brand from an online supplier, said Anuj Mundhra, Chairman & Managing Director of Nandani Creation Limited. Nandani Creation, established in 2012, is a Jaipur-based, online-first fashion company specialising in womens Indian wear. It offers products under the brands Jaipur Kurti, Amaiva By Jaipur Kurti, Jaipur Kurti Luxe, and Desi Fusion. The companys head office is located in Jaipur, with sales driven through a mix of online platforms and offline retail stores. Nandani Creation share price trend Despite this sharp increase, the small-cap stock has remained volatile in the near term. Nandani Creation share price has gained nearly 34% in a month; however, it has shed 9% in the last six months. The stock has declined by over 36% in the last five years. Nandani Creation shares are listed only on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The small-cap stock hit a 52-week high of 59 on February 7, 2025, and a 52-week low of 26 on December 31, 2025. Stock market news: On Monday, the markets experienced volatility but ultimately ended positively due to mixed signals. The day started off poorly, with early losses intensifying, but a robust recovery among leading stocks in various sectors contributed to reversing the downturn as the day went on. This rebound pushed the benchmark closer to its peak for the day, with the Nifty 50 finishing at 25,790.25, an increase of 0.42%, and Sensex ending at 83,878.17, up 0.36%. On Tuesday, the market will pay attention to the updates regarding the trade agreement shared by the US Ambassador before the upcoming negotiation round, and it will monitor gold and silver prices as they reach record highs. India-US trade talks On Monday, market sentiment significantly improved during the latter part of the day following optimistic comments from US Ambassador Sergio Gor, leading to a robust recovery in the market. Indicating a desire to mend strained relations, President Donald Trump's newly appointed ambassador to India stated on Monday that no nation is as crucial to the United States as India, and emphasized that both nations are actively working to solidify a trade agreement, according to reports. His remarks came just hours after he started his role and are viewed as a positive outreach effort by the Trump administration, which has recently exerted pressure on India regarding tariffs and H1B visas. Gold and silver prices Gold and silver prices on MCX hit record highs on Monday, tracking a rally in international bullion prices, on safe-haven demand after uncertainty deepened over a Trump administration criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. MCX gold rate ended over 2% higher near 1.42 lakh per 10 grams, while MCX silver price jumped more than 6% to close tad above 2.68 lakh per kg. Market outlook and key drivers Ajit Mishra SVP of Research at Religare Broking Ltd mentioned that looking ahead, markets will respond to the earnings reports from major IT companies TCS and HCL Tech during early trading on Tuesday, while geopolitical events and trade discussions will also be of importance. Given the present backdrop of mixed signals and high volatility, it is recommended to adopt a selective, stock-specific strategy coupled with disciplined risk management. Also Read | Stocks to buy for short term: Jigar Patel of Anand Rathi suggests 3 tech picks Trade Setup for Tuesday Rupak De, a Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, noted that significant purchasing at the days low prompted a quick recovery in the market on Monday. The daily chart shows that the index has established a piercing line pattern, indicating a potential bullish reversal following several days of decline. The hourly chart reveals that the RSI has exited the oversold territory, which suggests early signs of recovery. De mentioned, however, that the buying observed during this half session is unlikely to alter the overall market sentiment. He will remain cautious, as the Nifty 50 encounters resistance in the 26,00026,100 range, where selling pressure might resurface. At the lower end, immediate and essential support is positioned at 25,650. Stocks to buy today Market experts recommended eight intraday stocks. The experts include Sumeet Bagadia (Choice Broking), Ganesh Dongre (Anand Rathi), and Shiju Koothupalakkal (Prabhudas Lilladher). Sumeet Bagadia's stock picks Home First Finance Company India Ltd: Bagadia recommends buying Home First Finance Company shares at 1,062, with a stop-loss at 1,025, and a share price target of 1,136. Sumeet Bagadia said that Home First Finance shares are currently trading at 1,062, the stock is showing early signs of a potential trend reversal after a prolonged corrective phase. Price action indicates the formation of a short-term base near the recent lows, suggesting buying interest emerging at lower levels. The structure reflects reduced selling pressure, with the stock attempting to move higher from a strong support zone. Based on the technical analysis and current market conditions, Home First Finance Company shares presents a promising buying opportunity for those aiming for a 1,136 target, provided that appropriate risk management strategies are in place, said Bagadia. State Bank of India (SBI): Bagadia recommends buying SBI shares at 1,015, with a stop-loss at 980, and a share price target of 1,085. Sumeet Bagadia said that SBI shares are currently trading at 1,015, the stock is showing signs of trend recovery after retesting its all-time high zone and pulling back to a support region. Following this corrective phase, the price is once again gaining upward momentum, indicating renewed buying interest. Suggesting accumulation at lower levels. Based on the technical analysis and current market conditions, SBI shares presents a promising buying opportunity for those aiming for a 1,085 target, provided that appropriate risk management strategies are in place, said Bagadia. Ganesh Dongre's stocks to buy today Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd: Ganesh Dongre recommends buying Dr Reddy's Laboratories shares at 1,216 with a stop-loss at 1,190, and Dr Reddy's share price target of 1,260. Ganesh Dongre said that the stock has been exhibiting a strong and consistent bullish pattern, indicating sustained investor interest and positive price momentum. The stock is currently trading at 1,216 and has established a solid support base at 1,190. This level has historically acted as a cushion, and the recent price action suggests a reversal from this support, reinforcing bullish sentiment. The technical setup points to the potential for a price retracement toward the 1,260 level in the near term. Given the renewed strength and the favorable risk-reward ratio, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss placed at 1,190 offers a strategic opportunity to capture the expected upside move. The outlook remains positive as long as the stock holds above its key support zone, said Dongre. Infosys Ltd: Ganesh Dongre recommends buying Infosys shares at 1,595 with a stop-loss at 1,570, with a Infosys share price target of 1,660. Ganesh Dongre said that the stock has exhibited a strong notable continue bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at 1,595 and maintaining a strong support at 1,570. The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the 1,660 level. With the stock reversing from a support base and showing signs of renewed strength, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss at 1,570 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside, said Dongre. HDFC Bank Ltd: Ganesh Dongre recommends buying HDFC Bank shares at 937 with a stop-loss at 920, with a HDFC Bank share price target of 980. Ganesh Dongre said that the stock has exhibited a strong notable continue bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at 937 and maintaining a strong support at 920 The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the 980 level. With the stock reversing from a support base and showing signs of renewed strength, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss at 920 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside, said Dongre. Also Read | What low US unemployment, weak job growth mean for markets Shiju Koothupalakkal intraday stocks for today Coal India Ltd: Shiju Koothupalakkal recommends buying Coal India shares at 432 with a target price of 460 and a stop-loss of 422. Shiju Koothupalakkal said that the stock has indicated a flag pattern on the daily chart with currently once again with a bullish candle formation with significant volume participation has improved the bias to expect for further rise in the coming sessions. With the chart technically looking attractive, we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of 460 keeping the stop loss of 422 level, said Koothupalakkal. Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL): Shiju Koothupalakkal recommends buying HUL shares at 2,406 with a target price of 2,520 and a stop-loss of 2,360. Shiju Koothupalakkal said that the stock has recently witnessed a decent revival from 2,270 zone and currently after a short period of consolidation has once again indicated a strong positive candle to move past the important 200 period MA at 2,394 level to improve the bias and anticipate for further rise in the coming sessions. With the chart technically looking good, and we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of 2,520 keeping the strict stop loss of 2,360 level, said Koothupalakkal. Coforge Ltd: Shiju Koothupalakkal recommends buying Coforge shares at 1,697 with a target price of 1,785 and a stop-loss of 1,662. Shiju Koothupalakkal said that the stock has recently witnessed a decent erosion and after stabilizing near the 1,640 zone has shown signs of picking up with a revival visible accompanied with significant volume participation to improve the bias and expect for further upward move in the coming sessions. The RSI has recovered from the oversold zone to signal a buy and is currently well positioned with upside potential visible to carry on with the positive move for further gains. With the chart technically looking attractive, we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of 1,785 keeping the stop loss of 1,662 level, said Koothupalakkal. Investors often focus on profit numbers while analysing stocks. Quarterly net profit growth, margins and earnings surprises dominate headlines. But history shows that profits alone do not sustain companies alive. Cash does. Many companies collapse despite showing profits on paper. Others survive decades with modest margins because they consistently generate cash. The difference lies in the cash flow statement, not the income statement. Today, investors can track operating cash flow, free cash flow and long-term cash trends for every listed company on Finology Ticker, where annual cash flow data and balance sheets are presented in a standard, comparable format. View full Image Source: Tata Steel Cash Flow Statement on Finology Ticker Profit vs cash flow: the hidden gap investors miss Accounting profits are based on accruals. Revenue is recorded when earned, not when cash is received. Expenses are booked when incurred, not when paid. This gap can create a dangerous illusion. A company may show: 10 crore net profit 40 crore stuck in receivables 30 crore locked in inventory 20 crore debt repayment due Despite profits, actual cash available may be less than 5 crore. This is why 82% of business failures globally are linked to cash flow stress, not losses. Tracking only profit ignores the timing mismatch between earnings and cash. On Ticker, investors can compare net profit vs operating cash flow over multiple years, helping identify whether profits are converting into real money. Understanding cash flow: what actually matters The cash flow statement has three parts, but not all are equally important. Operating cash flow (OCF) Cash generated from core business operations Reflects collections from customers minus payments to suppliers and employees Most critical metric for stock analysis Investing cash flow (ICF) Cash spent on capex, acquisitions or asset sales Negative ICF is fine if it leads to growth Financing cash flow (FCF) Cash from borrowing, equity issuance, dividends and buybacks Consistently positive financing cash flow for survival is a red flag Golden rule: Over time, operating cash flow should exceed net profit. This comparison is easily visible on Finology Tickers cash flow and ratios section for each company. Case studies from Indian markets: cash flow separates winners from laggards Reliance Industries: scale backed by cash generation Reliance Industries is a prime example of how modest margins can still create massive shareholder value through cash flow. FY25 highlights: Revenue above 5.2 lakh crore Operating cash flow: 79,392 crore Capex: 28,106 crore Free cash flow: 51,286 crore View full Image Source: Reliance Cash Flow Statement on Finology Ticker Key reasons for strong cash flow: Refining and petrochemicals generate upfront cash Retail operates largely on cash sales The telecom business reached scale, improving collections Despite operating margins of only 8-10%, Reliance generates 50,000+ crore in annual free cash flow, which funds capex, debt reduction, and new businesses. On Ticker, this transition from a high-investment phase to steady deleveraging is evident in long-term cash flow and debt trends. Lesson: Cash generation, not margin size, funds long-term growth. Tata Steel: when working capital eats cash Tata Steel highlights how capital-intensive businesses can struggle with cash flow even when EBITDA looks healthy. FY25 working capital metrics: Inventory days: 171 Receivable days: 9 Payable days: 113 Cash conversion cycle: 67 days This means cash remains locked in inventory for extended periods. Financial impact: Operating cash flow improved year-on-year Free cash flow rose to 93,391 crore Net debt remained elevated at 81,886 crore High inventory in a cyclical commodity business increases vulnerability during downturns. Even profitable years may not materially reduce debt. Tracking inventory, cash conversion cycle and net debt together on Ticker helps investors understand this risk early. Lesson: High EBITDA does not guarantee strong cash flow in cyclical sectors. Hindustan Unilever: the cash conversion benchmark HUL is considered one of Indias best cash-generating businesses. FY25 performance: Net profit: 12,024 crore Operating cash flow: 11,886 crore OCF to profit ratio: 98.9% Free cash flow: ~ 10,000 crore Working capital strength: Inventory days: 35-40 Receivable days: 22-28 Payable days: 150-160 Cash conversion cycle: negative ~70 days A negative CCC indicates that HUL collects cash before paying suppliers. This enables: High dividend payouts Minimal debt Strong balance sheet resilience Tickers multi-year cash flow comparison shows how HUL consistently converts profits into cash. Lesson: Businesses with pricing power and fast inventory cycles dominate long-term returns. View full Image Source: HUL Brands and Ratios on Finology Ticker) Key cash flow metrics investors must track Operating cash flow growth Should grow with revenue over time OCF to net profit ratio Above 100% over multi-year periods signals high earnings quality Free cash flow Cash left after capex Funds dividends, buybacks and debt reduction Cash conversion cycle Faster cycles reduce funding risk Negative CCC is a major advantage Free cash flow yield FCF divided by market cap Above 5% often signals undervaluation All these metrics are available on Finology Ticker without manual calculations. Screening stocks using cash flow filters Cash flow-based screening reduces risk significantly. Effective filters include: Operating cash flow CAGR above 15% OCF consistently greater than net profit Debt-to-equity below 0.5 Stable or improving cash conversion cycle In the image below, you can get the query to filter stocks using cash flow filters. Finology Ticker Stock Screener can help you get results in seconds and it is free to use. View full Image Source: Finology Ticker Stock Screener Red flags investors should not ignore Common warning signs: Rising profits but falling operating cash flow Persistent negative free cash flow Financing cash flow funding operations Worsening cash conversion cycle One-time cash inflows masking weak core cash Most long-term wealth destroyers show these signs well before stock prices collapse. Final takeaway Profits attract attention. Cash flow determines survival. Companies that consistently convert earnings into cash withstand cycles, reduce debt and reward shareholders. Those that depend on external funding eventually struggle. With structured access to cash flow statements, ratios, and long-term trends on Finology Ticker, investors now have the data they need. The advantage comes from using it consistently. In the long run, stock prices follow cash, not accounting profits. Finology is a SEBI-registered investment advisor firm with registration number: INA000012218. On most mornings, 29-year-old Saloni Dahake, who works with an OTT network in Mumbai, wakes up to the sound of Slack. A faint buzz at 7.12am, followed by another at 7.16am. By the time she finishes brushing her teeth, her phone has about 12 notificationshalf work, half personalbut her body cannot distinguish between the two. It feels like death by a thousand cuts, she says. On a case-by-case basis its nothing, but by 6pm Im exhausted, not because of work but due to the constant switching. This exhaustion which is quiet and cumulative is now one of the most widespread mental health crises of our time. This is not stress in the traditional sense, but ambient stress: an invisible hum of micro-demands, notifications, nudges and unread messages that keep the nervous system in a state of continuous partial attention. Unlike acute stress which is visible, dramatic and time-boundambient stress rarely triggers alarms. It doesnt spike; it lingers, quietly shaping our emotional, cognitive and physical health. Also Read | Is fast content leaving us famished? Psychologists say we are witnessing a shift from situational stress to systemic stress. Situational stress arises from specific events and resolves once the moment passes. Systemic stress, by contrast, is built into daily life and is sustained by constant digital inputs that demand attention without offering closure. This condition is engineered by the attention economy, where platforms and tools are designed to monetise attention by keeping the mind perpetually engaged and rarely at rest. THE ALWAYS-ON STATE Stress was once a survival signal. The body surged into alertness, dealt with a threat, then returned to baseline. But todays stress takes many forms driven by the prevalence of technology. Delhi-based clinical psychologist Kanika Jindal, notes stress has undergone a radical expansion. The modern mind must process multiple layers of stimulation such as screens, notifications and constant context-switching. Jindal distinguishes between productive stress, a purposeful activation before a presentation or deadline, and informational stress, which is far more insidious. Informational overloadthrough the usage of news apps, digital newsletters and social mediadoesnt just exhaust us cognitively, it causes emotional burnout and a significant drop in productivity, she says. People arent worn out because the work is intensebut because the input feels endless. Organizational psychologist Asif Upadhye, founder of the Mumbai-based employee engagement firm Never Grow Up, puts it bluntly: Stress has had a glow-up. It no longer roars, it pings. The modern worker is not escaping predators; theyre escaping unread WhatsApp messages, DMs, and emails marked urgent. Every alert triggers what Ahmedabad-based neuroscientist Abhijeet Satani describes as a micro-jolt, a small amygdala-mediated moment in which the brain evaluates importance. The prefrontal cortex must then reorient attention, even if the ping is irrelevant. Multiply this by a few hundred times a day, and the brain enters a continuous ready state. Alpha waves which support relaxed focus fade, Satani explains. What remains is rapid task-switching mode. The brain gets good at reacting fast and bad at concentrating. This rewiring is now visible in everyday behaviour. People struggle to read long articles; podcast attention spans have shrunk; and news consumption is reduced to headlines or Inshorts. Even leisure apps mirror work apps, blurring mental boundaries. Mumbai-based clinical psychologist Samriti Makkar Midha explains that every notification forces a micro-decisionwhether to ignore it, open it, reply, or prioritise itthereby overloading working memory, which can hold only about four meaningful chunks of information at a time. Over time, neuroplasticity strengthens circuits built for rapid switching rather than sustained focus, which is why the modern mind can feel scattered even on otherwise quiet days. Also Read | Why doing nothing is the antidote your overstimulated mind needs THE INVISIBLE STRESS Unlike acute stress (a conflict, a deadline), ambient stress is subtle and often nameless. It doesnt erupt but accumulates. Jindal calls this the new normal of irritability, fogginess, and emotional sensitivity. Clients often tell her, I dont know why Im so tired. Nothing bad happened today. But something did happenhundreds of tiny cognitive intrusions. Upadhye describes ambient stress as running too many tabs. When many small tensions accumulate, emotional regulation declines. You respond rather than reflect. A minor task evokes irritation; a colleagues tone feels sharper than usual; and decisions start to rely on whats quick or familiar, not meaningful. Satani adds memory suffers as the brain never gets uninterrupted time for consolidation. This creates a chilling loop: forgetfulness leads to more stress, which worsens memory. Divya Ganapathy, 33, a creative producer in Mumbai, describes an always humming mental state. I had a 15-day break between jobs and my brain didnt know what to do with the free time. Her role requires juggling 45+ unread WhatsApp work chats, 60100 emails a day, 25+ active Slack channels and meetings from 10am to 8pm. She calls her weekend task of catching up on messages Sunday cleaning and laundry, a mental chore. Upadhye explains this through the concept of Attention Residue which is the mental leftovers of incomplete tasks. When you check even one email on vacation, your brain never fully transitions to the beach. A part of it stays on alert. Midha adds apps are designed to resurface conversations and even during downtime, algorithms tug you back. Therefore, people intentionally go offline by travelling to remote areas, use airplane mode, or delete apps temporarily. Dahake experiences notification ragewhich is anger at non-urgent queries that erupt before noon. Im irritable with people I love because all my bandwidth gets used up fighting digital noise. Jindal warns that this chronic invisible stress elevates cortisol over long periods, weakening immunity, disturbing digestion, and worsening sleep, often without people recognising the root cause. Acute stress rises and fades but low-grade stress sits quietly in the system, wearing you down bit by bit, says Upadhye. Symptoms include irritability for no obvious reason, emotional oversensitivity, cognitive fog and chronic fatigue. What helps is not dramatic lifestyle shifts but small, sustainable boundaries. HOW TO RECALIBRATE Last month, a 73-year-old spiritual teacher, who did not want to be named, accidentally transferred 1,050 through the unified payments interface (UPI) to a wrong phone number. To recover the money, she traced the transaction within her UPI app. Since the number was masked, it took me a week to locate this person. When informed through a chat message, he was kind enough to return the payment," she said. While the senior citizen was fortunate, outcomes are not always as smoothespecially when the amount involved is larger or the recipient refuses to cooperate. When recovery isnt simple That was the case for a 19-year-old commerce student from Gurgaon, who also did not want to be named. Instead of transferring my 6,000 college deposit to my father Sachin, I ended up sending it to an auto driver with the same name. When my father called him, he initially refused to return the money," the student recalled. The family immediately informed the bank, which froze 6,000 in the auto drivers account. The driver eventually relented and transferred the amountbut sent it to the fathers account, not the students, who was the original sender. Also Read | NPCI extends deadline for compliance with UPI volume cap by 2 years Since the disputed amount was never officially reversed to the senders account, the bank did not lift the freeze for nearly a month, leaving the money inaccessible to the auto driver. Such cases often go unreported. According to Rishi Kanungo, group managerNavi UPI Business, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) publishes complaint volumes and redressal mechanisms, but not a breakdown of erroneous individual transfers". These arent technological issues, but human errors while using this seamless payment mechanism," said Rohit Mahajan, founder and managing partner at payment infrastructure provider plutos ONE. Individuals often make UPI transaction mistakes not because the system is weak, but due to human and behavioural errors during real-time payments," he added. What to do immediately If money is transferred to the wrong recipient, users should immediately contact their bank or UPI app and raise a dispute using the transaction ID or unique transaction reference (UTR). Banks can then coordinate with the beneficiary bank to seek a reversal. Users can also lodge a complaint on NPCIs UPI portal or call its helpline (1800-120-1740). Customers should first report the issue within the UPI app, after which NPCIs dispute-resolution framework attempts automatic recovery," said Pavan Kumar, chief product officer at fintech firm NPST. View Full Image Unlike technical failures, human errors in UPI are not auto-reversed because they involve valid but unintended authorizations. Banks are expected to resolve UPI complaintsincluding failed transactions, debits without credit, and erroneous transferswithin T+1 to T+3 working days. Recovery depends heavily on how quickly the error is reported and whether the recipient has withdrawn the funds. Banks cannot block or reverse a successfully completed UPI transaction, but they can trigger inter-bank coordination and initiate the formal recovery process. Delays reduce the probability of recovery," Mahajan said. Users should provide accurate details, retain screenshots, and track complaint reference numbers to speed up follow-ups. Every UPI transaction carries a unique UTR, enabling end-to-end traceability and a defined escalation path.Complaints follow a defined escalation flow, and while delays may occur due to inter-bank coordination, complaints are not lost," said Reeju Datta, co-founder of Cashfree Payments. Also Read | Regulatory paradox: Why UPI caps may hurt the ecosystem Why human errors linger Unlike technical failures, human errors in UPI are not auto-reversed because they involve valid but unintended authorizations. Technology-linked transaction failures are auto-reversed, but human errors are dynamic and open-ended," Mahajan said. The Sachin case illustrates this complexity. Even after both parties resolved the issue, banks faced procedural constraints because the refund was not routed back to the original sender. UPI is account-centric, not person-centric. The beneficiary bank cannot map the refund to the original remitter account, even if the family relationship is genuine," Mahajan explained. Banks, he added, are constrained by internal controls, NPCI norms and RBI audit requirements. Sachin eventually had to visit the branch and formally email the bank to resolve the matter. The escalation matrix Its important to note that if a complaint remains unresolved even after 30 days, you can escalate it to the banks grievance or nodal officer, then to RBIs Complaint Management System, and finally to the Banking Ombudsman. Resolution must be time-bound, structured, and carried collectively by banks, networks, and infrastructure partners, supported by end-to-end traceability through unique transaction references," said Datta. But what happens if one doesn't realise the error for a long while and loses the investment opportunity and returns? Recovery risk increases over time: If the beneficiary withdraws the funds or the account becomes inactive, reversal becomes harder," said Kanungo. Investment risks multiply The consequences are steeper when UPI is used for investments. Apart from losing the principal, users may miss out on investment returns if errors are detected late. To reduce this risk, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) introduced the @valid" UPI handle for verified market intermediaries. These IDs, used by brokers and mutual fund houses, end with @valid" and display a thumbs-up icon inside a green triangle. Compensation for missed investment returns is not automatically guaranteed," Kanungo said. Fund houses sometimes accommodate late payments on a case-by-case basis." Pause before you pay Despite safeguards, experts say prevention remains the best defence. Pause, verify and then pay. Most UPI errors and fraud can be avoided by taking a few extra seconds before confirming a transaction," Kanungo advised. Users should verify recipient details, avoid unknown QR codes, and never approve collect requests unless certain of their purpose. Stick to verified merchants and official apps, especially for bill payments or investments," Kanungo added. Datta said NPCI-mandated safeguards such as payee-name display, virtual payment address validation and multi-step confirmations are designed to minimize such errors. Who bears the cost? In the case of Sachin, the bank freeze of 6,000 forced the auto driver to miss a loan repayment, leading to an EMI bounce charge of 750 due to the complaint. Will such a consequential payment be reversed, when the issue is resolved? Reversal is considered only when the fault lies within the payment ecosystem and not the customer. Incidental charges such as EMI bounce fees or SIP penalties can be compensated only where the delay in reversal is attributable to a technical or operational failure. If the error arises due to customer actions, such as incorrect beneficiary details or unintended authorization, banks are not liable for compensation," said Kumar. While using UPI is seamless, one shouldnt use the payment mode for every payment. UPI should be avoided for high-risk or non-recoverable payment scenarios, as transactions are instant and largely irreversible once completed, under NPCI. Refrain from using UPI for advance payments to unknown individuals, unverified online sellers, social media deals or informal cash-for-service arrangements where there is no written contract, invoice, or buyer protection," says Mahajan. High-ticket purchases are better suited for card-based or escrow-based platforms. A final-year diploma student at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was found dead on Monday. Insha Fatima, who was residing in Sarojini Naidu Hall (SN Hall), was reportedly found hanging in her hostel room. This tragic incident comes just a few days after a teacher at the same university was shot in the head by unknown miscreants. "Today, around 7:30, information came that she had hung herself in her room. She was immediately taken to the medical college, and the whole team of the medical college tried to save her, but despite their efforts, they were unable to save her and declared her dead," Professor Mohd Wasim Ali, Proctor of AMU said, according to ANI. Prof. Ali stated that the matter is currently under investigation and assured that if any complaint or First Information Report (FIR) is filed, a thorough probe will be conducted, which will uncover the reasons behind the incident. He further informed that the room where the incident took place has been sealed immediately. Further investigation is underway. Teacher shot dead at AMU few days ago The Proctor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Professor Mohd. Wasim Ali said that Rao Danish Ali, a teacher at the ABK School of the university, was shot in the head. The proctor told reporters that around 9 pm they were informed about a shooting near the library and that an injured man was being taken for treatment. They later found out the person who had been shot was Rao Danish Ali, a teacher at the universitys ABK School, Ali said, adding, He was shot in the head... He died there at the medical college. Also Read | The last days of the Scindias rule of Aligarh He noted that the exact number of shots fired was uncertain, with reports varying between three and five. The police arrived at the scene soon after being alerted, and Rao was taken to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, where he later died from his injuries. SSP Neeraj Jadon mentioned that Rao was shot by two unidentified individuals. The investigation is ongoing, and efforts are underway to locate the attackers. New Delhi: Economic growth is the most sustainable form of financial inclusion as it creates jobs, boosts incomes, and develops markets, India's chief economic advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran said on Tuesday. Speaking at the global inclusive finance summit in the national capital, Nageswaran urged banks to treat borrowers emerging from government credit support schemes as regular customers. He also asked investors in inclusive finance institutions to accept lower returns in exchange for social impact. Inclusive finance refers to microfinance or lending to low-income individuals to help them start or expand small businesses. Also Read | CEA calls for state-led reforms in higher education to reap demographic dividend Nageswaran argued that inclusive finance should not stop at merely access to credit, but facilitate the recipients upward mobility. We count the number of bank accounts, the number of loans disbursed and the number of mobile wallets activated. But inclusion, properly understood, is not an estimation, it is a journey. The real question is not whether people have entered the financial system, but whether finance is helping them move towards economic independence, Nageswaran said. Emphasis on incomes He emphasized that inclusive finance ought to raise incomes, expand opportunities and reduce vulnerability. The ultimate objective is "purpose", not just participation, he said. Citing the PM SVANidhi scheme for street vendors, Nageswaran said that after the covid-19 pandemic, the scheme restored liquidity, allowing vendors to not just recover but also expand, invest, and strengthen their livelihoods. The poorest vendors used credit to invest in basic assets, transitioning from survival trading to more productive operations and escaping low-return activities. Under the scheme, loans aggregating to 16,115 crore have been issued, as per official data. Also Read | Why India's CEA is pushing for power transmission asset monetization This demonstrates how inclusive finance can help people invest, grow, and escape low-productivity equilibrium, rather than merely smoothing consumption, Nageswaran added. His suggestions about making sure financial inclusion enables the productive growth and independence of beneficiaries is significant, as improving 'last mile' access and quality inclusion through digital infrastructure is a government priority which was also highlighted during Indias G20 presidency in 2022-23. Purpose may be destroyed Nageswaran, however, pointed out that financial inclusion that leads to indiscriminate lending destroys its purpose, resulting in stress and over-indebtedness rather than empowerment. He said that inclusive finance institutions are intermediaries for the economically vulnerable and the entrepreneurial, and that true impact investing means explicitly pricing in social returns and accepting lower financial returns in exchange. That is not a weakness, that is the very definition of responsibility in this sector, Nageswaran said. Also Read | VA Nageswaran: Purposeful policymaking sets India apart in a world of turbulence Inclusive finance institutions are not ordinary commercial lenders. They are intermediaries between capital markets and some of the most economically vulnerable yet entrepreneurial people in society that creates a moral and economic obligation, he said. He also said that mainstream banks must actively absorb the new proven borrowers such as the PM SVANidhi beneficiaries into their core portfolios, offering regular loans, insurance, and working capital lines, not just as scheme beneficiaries. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday (January 13), discussing cooperation in trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy, and defence. The call came a day after newly-appointed US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, indicated there would be renewed engagement on trade issues between the two countries. Jaishankar wrote on X about the discussion: "Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues." Bilateral trade talks resume India-US ties had faced strains after President Donald Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent levy linked to Russian oil purchases. Multiple rounds of negotiations took place last year to finalize a bilateral trade deal, but a resolution could not be reached, largely due to US demands for greater access to Indias farm and dairy sectors. Sergio Gor highlighted ongoing engagement on trade during an address at the US embassy on Monday: Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow. India-US strategic partnership Gor emphasized Indias critical role in US foreign policy, saying: "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." Impact of US tariffs on Iran The conversation also coincided with Trumps announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on countries doing business with Iran. Indian government sources noted, according to PTI, that the measure is expected to have minimal impact on India, as bilateral trade with Iran is under USD 2 billion. Officials reportedly added that Iran does not rank among Indias top 50 global trading partners. Also Read | Canada set to launch FTA talks with India in February 2026 Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has terminated five more state government employees for their suspected links with the terrorist organisations, taking the total terminations to 85 since 2020. According to a PTI report, the administration found during surveillance that the employees were working for terrorist groups. The five employees who have been sacked include Mohammad Ishfaq, a teacher; Tariq Ahmad Rah, a laboratory technician; Bashir Ahmad Mir, an assistant lineman; Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a field worker in the Forest Department; and Mohammad Yousuf, a driver in the Health Department. The move is aimed at targeting the roots of the terror ecosystem and its infrastructure within government machinery, an official said. These employees were terminated under Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution, they said. Under Article 311 (2) (c), a civil servant can be terminated without a formal inquiry if the President or the Governor is satisfied that it is not expedient to hold the inquiry in the interest of the security of the State. What does the allegations say? The dossier against the terminated employees mentions that Mohammad Ishfaq was working for Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He was appointed as Rehbar-e-Taleem in the school education department and later confirmed as a teacher in 2013. He was in regular contact with LeT commander Mohammad Amin alias Abu Khubaib, who is designated as a terrorist operating from Pakistan. It mentions that Mohammad Ishfaq was tasked with executing a police officer in 2022. Ishfaq's activities were put under surveillance by security and intelligence agencies, and sustained monitoring revealed that he was helped in the terror activities by certain Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of LeT. He was arrested in April 2022 by the J-K Police before he could execute the plan. Tariq Ahmad Rah, a lab technician, came under the influence of terror outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen right from a very young age. According to officials, Rah's terror link emerged during the State Investigation Agency (SIA) probe into the escape of Hizbul terrorist Amin Baba to Pakistan in 2005. Rah ensured the escape of the terrorist across an international border. Due to his conspiracy, Amin Baba successfully crossed over to Pakistan and is currently operating from there for carrying out terrorist activities in India, the officials said. While Bashir Ahmad Mir was working for LeT in the Gurez area of Bandipora, Farooq Ahmad Bhat was working for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Mohammad Yousuf was also in contact with terrorists from Pakistan. "On the directions of Bashir, Yousuf established links with Hizb cadres and operatives sitting in Pakistan and entrusted with core tasks, including procurement of arms and ammunition and transporting funds in the areas of Ganderbal District," the officials said. Common University Entrance Test (CUET PG - 2026) https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/entrance/other-entrance-exams/common-university-entrance-test-cuet-pg.htm Details of Common University Entrance Test (CUET PG - 2026) 2026-1-13 2026-1-14 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India Common University Entrance Test (CUET PG - 2026) Other Entrance Exams Common University Entrance Test (CUET-PG) 2026 Category : Other Entrance Exams Admissions 2026 Published : On January 13, 2026 By Webindia123 Editor Important Dates Last date of Online submission of Application Form 14 January 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) Last date of successful transaction of Examination fee 14 January 2026 (Up to 11:50 P.M.) Correction in the particulars of the Application Form on the Website only 18th January 2026 to 20th January 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) Downloading of Admit Card from the NTA Website To be Intimated Later Date of Examination March 2026 Duration of Examination 90 minutes The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is being introduced for admission into PG programmes in Central and participating Universities for the academic session 2026. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) will provide a common platform and equal opportunities to candidates across the country, especially those from North-East and from rural and other remote areas, and help to establish better connect with the Universities. A single Examination will enable the Candidates to cover a wide outreach and be part of the admissions process to various Central Universities and other Participating Universities. NOTE : The examination will be conducted in 2-3 shifts. MODE OF EXAMINATION The Examination shall be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode only. ELIGIBILITY Age Limit: There is no age limit for candidates appearing in the CUET (PG)-2026 examination .Educational Qualification: Candidates who have: Passed a Bachelors degree or equivalent examination, or Appearing in Bachelors degree/equivalent examination in 2026, are eligible to appear in CUET (PG) 2026. University-Specific Age Criteria: Admission to university will be subject to compliance with the age criteria, if any, prescribed by that specific university. Candidates are advised to verify the age requirements of the university they wish to apply to before submitting their applications. MARKING SCHEME Correct answer or the most appropriate answer: Four marks (+4) Any incorrect option marked will be given minus one mark (-1). Unanswered/Marked for Review will be given no mark (0). If more than one option is found to be correct, then Four marks (+4) will be awarded to only those who have marked any of the correct options. If all options are found to be correct, then Four marks (+4) will be awarded to all those who have attempted the question. If none of the options is found correct or a Question is found to be wrong or a Question is dropped, then all candidates who have appeared will be given four marks (+4). MEDIUM OF QUESTION PAPERS The medium of the Question Paper for CUET (PG)-2026 will be in English and Hindi (Bilingual) except for languages, M. Tech/Higher Sciences, and Acharya papers (excluding Hindu Studies, Buddhist Studies, and Indian Knowledge System). Papers for M. Tech/Higher Sciences will only be in English. Papers for Humanities, Sciences, and Common Subjects will be bilingual (English and Hindi). Please note that for the correctness of the questions in all question papers, the English version will be taken as final, except for language papers. FEES Fee Payable by Candidates in INR (through: Net-Banking/ Debit Card /Credit Card / UPI/Wallet). In India (Fee In ) Outside India (Fee In ) Category Application Fee (for up to two Test Papers) Fees for additional Test Papers (PerTest Paper) Application Fee (for up to two Test Papers) Fees for additional Test Papers (Per Test Paper) General 1400 700 7000 3500 OBC-NCL/Gen-EWS 1200 600 SC/ ST/ Third Gender 1100 600 PwBD 1000 600 ADMISSIONS Merely appearing in CUET (PG) - 2026 does not confer any right to the candidate for admission to the desirous University. The selection and admission would be subject to fulfilling the admission criteria, eligibility, rank in merit list, medical fitness, verification of original documents and such other criteria as may be prescribed by the University, the candidate is applying for. Admissions are handled at the level of the Central and Participating Universities for their respective programs. After the declaration of the CUET (PG) - 2026 result by NTA, the respective Universities will declare the counselling/ admission schedule and merit list based on the CUET (PG) - 2026 score and the other criteria of the respective University. For all admission-related procedures/queries, the candidates are advised to refer to the website of applied University. NTA has no role in the selection process - transfer / cancellation/ conversion of seats and admission of CUET (PG) 2026 appeared candidates in the CUET - (PG) courses and refund of fees paid by them to Counseling Authorities/ Admission, etc. INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING ONLINE APPLICATION FORM Download Information Bulletin and Replica of Application Form. Read these carefully to ensure your eligibility. Follow the steps given below to Apply Online: Step 1: Registration Form Step 2: Application Form Step 3: Fee Payment SYLLABUS OF CUET (PG) - 2026: The syllabus for Question papers will be available on the NTA Website https://exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-PG/ For more details visit NTA official website. Contact Details Address : National Testing Agency First Floor, NSIC-MDBP Building, Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi, Delhi 110020 Phone : 011-69227700 , 011-40759000 Fax : Mobile : E-mail : Contact Website : https://exams.nta.ac.in/ Find it Useful ? Help Others by Sharing Online Comments and Discussions Security personnel and terrorists exchanged gunfire on Tuesday during a search operation in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district. The operation began after security forces received inputs about suspected terrorist movement in a remote village, according to PTI. Intermittent firing was reported from the Najote forest area in Billawar, located around 10 km from the Kamadh nallah in the Kahog forest belt, where security forces had an encounter with terrorists on January 7, officials said. The suspected terrorists opened fire after noticing the movement of security forces, who retaliated as they advanced deeper into the forest to neutralise them. They added that the cordon-and-search operation has been further intensified and efforts are underway to track down the ultras. Previous encounters An encounter took place in Kathua district between security forces and terrorists. An exchange of fire had occurred on January 7 between the J&K Police and the terrorists. Inspector General of Police Jammu posted on X, SOG Kathua has engaged terrorists in the forest of Kamadh Nullah, Kathua. He further added, Despite darkness, thick vegetation and treacherous terrain, SOG is relentlessly engaging the terrorists. Teams of CRPF are also participating in the Joint Op. Earlier, a separate encounter took place in the Sohan area of Udhampur district, where SOG J-K Police and alert troops of the Indian Army, acting on intelligence inputs, came into contact with terrorists. In an intelligence-based operation, SOG J-K Police and alert troops of the Indian Army have established contact with terrorists in the general area of Sohan, Udhampur District. Fire exchanged with terrorists, White Knight Corps posted on X. These incidents follow a similar encounter that occurred in November 2025 in the Chhatru area of Kishtwar district. Also Read | Security forces recover 5 kg heroin dropped by Pakistani drone along Jammu IB The encounter in Chhatru began after the Jammu and Kashmir Police, supported by the Indian Army, launched a joint operation based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists. The coordinated search was carried out in the early morning, during which security forces came under fire, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. The White Knight Corps, in a post on X, confirmed that alert troops, working alongside the J&K Police, had established contact with terrorists in the area during the intelligence-based operation, and that firing had taken place. The beneficiaries of the Maharashtra government's flagship scheme 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' won't receive the advance instalment for January 2026 under the scheme. Thanks to the upcoming Maharashtra civic body elections. The Maharashtra Election Commission barred the state government on Monday from releasing the January instalment of the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme in advance. Here's why It's because of the enforcement of the model code of conduct for municipal elections, which will be held on January 15. According to news agency PTI, several complaints were filed with the State Election Commission (SEC) after media reports claimed that beneficiaries of the scheme would receive 3,000 covering the December and January instalments in their bank accounts before January 14 as a Makar Sankranti gift. BJP leader and minister Gitish Mahajan said earlier that eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme will receive a combined transfer of 3,000 for December and January in their bank accounts before Makar Sankranti, the report added. Mahajan had termed it a "special gift" from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. State Congress leader and advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar had then submitted a complaint to the SEC on Saturday, claiming the payment was proposed for January 14, a day before polling, and sought the poll body's intervention to stop the transfer. The SEC then sent a letter to the state Chief Secretary, Rajesh Agarwal, on Sunday, seeking clarification on the factual position following media reports. The SEC further enquired whether the government intended to release two months' instalments together just ahead of the polls. It sought the response by Monday. The Chief Secretary stated that the SEC had issued consolidated instructions on November 4, 2025, regarding the model code of conduct for local body elections. Also Read | Did Maharashtra govt cut Ladki Bahin scheme aid to 500? Ministers clarify The SEC clarified that while the regular or pending instalments under the "Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana" scheme may be disbursed, it made it clear that no advance payment will be allowed during the model code period, according to a statement cited by PTI. Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is a flagship scheme of the Maharashtra government under which eligible women beneficiaries get a monthly assistance of 1,500. It's believed that the scheme played a significant role in helping the Mahayuti secure victory in the 2024 state assembly elections. The Opposition criticised Gitish Mahajan of a "special gift" ahead of Makar Sankranti, terming it as a bid to influence voters ahead of the January 15 polls to 29 municipal corporations. Maharashtra government will not disburse the January installment of the Ladki Bahin Yojana ahead of schedule, following directions from the State Election Commission (SEC), said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He noted that although it has been customary to provide advance payments under the scheme during major festivals to support economically weaker women, this time the monthly assistance of 1,500 will be deposited only after January 16. The date coincides with the counting of votes for elections held in 29 municipal corporations, Fadnavis mentioned, according to PTI. He stated, We are releasing regular instalments. Our practice has been to give an advance instalment during major festivals. Since the commission has directed not to release the advance instalment, it will not be released. We will do so after January 16. The SEC on Monday directed the government not to release the January instalment of 1,500 under the scheme in advance, citing the implementation of the model code of conduct for the January 15 elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state. The clarification was issued after the SEC received multiple complaints triggered by media reports suggesting that beneficiaries would be credited 3,000, covering both the December and January instalments, before January 14 as a Makar Sankranti benefit. Ladki Bahin Yojana installment controversy The controversy began after Gitish Mahajan claimed that eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme would receive a combined payment of 3,000 for December and January in their bank accounts ahead of Makar Sankranti on January 14, describing it as a special gift from Fadnavis. The Opposition criticised the announcement, calling it an attempt to influence voters ahead of the January 15 elections to 29 municipal corporations. Also Read | Did Maharashtra govt cut Ladki Bahin scheme aid to 500? Ministers clarify On Saturday, state Congress leader and advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar filed a complaint with the SEC, stating that the payment was scheduled for January 14, just a day before polling, and urged the poll panel to intervene and halt the transfer. "These selfish brothers have no emotion. They stopped the instalment for two months and disbursed the amount during the election campaign. They seek something in return. The sisters should show these selfish brothers their place as they expect a return gift in the form of votes," state Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said. Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that there were no talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan about nuclear warfare during Operation Sindoor. During a press conference in New Delhi, the army chief was asked whether Pakistan had issued any nuclear threats during the 2025 conflict with India. He answered in the negative, stating that there was no nuclear rhetoric in the talks between the officials of India and Pakistan. As far as nuclear rhetoric is concerned, I would like to say that there was no discussion on nuclear in the DGMO talks, and whatever nuclear rhetoric was given by the politicians or given by the local public in Pakistan, I have no indication that anything of that sort came from the military, Dwivedi told news agency ANI. The nuclear rhetoric was given by the political or local public in Pakistan and not the military, the agency report quoted the army chief as saying. Dwivedi on conventional warfare The army chief said India gave itself more conventional space to carry out military operations on the ground, while rejecting the idea that conflicts directly transition from sub-conventional warfare to the nuclear domain. When we talk about our role in this, and when we discuss what was said earlier, it was stated that the space for conventional operations is shrinking, and that we would go directly from sub-conventional to the nuclear domain. But this time, the action we took, especially the kind of firing that took place in Jammu and Kashmir, and the way we addressed it, and how we eliminated approximately 100 of their (Pakistan) personnel - all that action was taken because we expanded the conventional space, he said during the press conference. He also added that in those 88 hours, you saw that the army's mobilisation to expand the conventional space was such that if Pakistan made any mistake, we were fully prepared to launch ground operations." Dwivedi says 100 people associated with Pakistan were killed General Dwivedi also said that around 100 people out of the 150 individuals associated with Pakistan were killed in firing incidents along the Line of Control (LoC) or in the International Border of the Jammu and Kashmir sector. I remember, around August 13 or 14, they (Pakistan) mistakenly released a list of about 150 people, which we analysed, and then they withdrew it. Of those, about 100 people, according to our assessment, had been killed in the firing along the Line of Control or in the IB J&K sector. As far as the force structure is concerned, I would only like to tell you that drones were already playing an important role, but after Operation Sindoor, this aspect received a major acceleration. We were already monitoring this organisation, he said. Also Read | Gunfight breaks out with terrorists in J&K's Kathua after search ops The Operation Sindoor was India's most significant military action within Pakistani territory in over five decades, which was carried out in May 2025, jointly by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, with the mobilisation of assets and troops using special precision munitions. New Delhi: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has constituted a high-level committee to formulate guidelines and regulations to enable a framework for assured payouts under the National Pension System (NPS). The move is in line with provisions of the PFRDA Act, and aims to strengthen retirement income security for subscribers, the finance ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. The committee will be headed by M. S. Sahoo, former chairperson of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). The 15-member panel includes a diverse group of experts from various disciplines such as legal, actuarial, finance, insurance, capital markets and academia. The committees terms of reference include deliberating on innovation and settlement models to ensure legally enforceable, market-based guarantees. It will also work on defining key parameters such as lock-in periods, withdrawal limits, pricing mechanisms and fee structures for service providers. Further, the panel will focus on establishing robust risk management norms, including capital and solvency requirements. It will also examine the tax implications of payout options that allow subscribers to remain within the NPS framework. Meaningful evolution The move to explore assured payouts under NPS marks a meaningful evolution in Indias pension framework. While earlier reforms focused on flexibility at exit, this shift addresses the bigger challenge of income certainty in retirement. If designed well, it can improve confidence in long-term savings, deepen pension participation and strengthen financial security as Indias workforce ages, said Rishi Shah, partner and economic advisory services leader, Grant Thornton Bharat. Further, to ensure comprehensive deliberation, the committee has been authorized to invite external experts or intermediaries as special invitees for feedback and consultation. Also Read | A new blueprint for life post retirement: What PFRDA is changing The panel has been established as a standing advisory committee on structured pension payouts. Its primary mandate includes creating regulations for assured payouts, including exploring the pension schemes as highlighted in the PFRDA consultation paper dated 30 September, 2025. The committee will also look at ways to ensure a smooth end-to-end transition for subscribers moving from the accumulation phase to the payout phase, the statement said. The formation of this committee is a significant step by PFRDA towards the broader vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047, where every citizen achieves true financial independence and dignity in their golden years, the statement added. Standardizing disclosure It will also look at measures to develop standardized disclosure frameworks to prevent mis-selling and manage subscriber expectations regarding the nature of assurance and market-based guarantee. Its a good move by the regulator formulating guidelines and regulations to enable a framework for assured payouts under the National Pension System (NPS). The regulator should also evolve a system where investment in annuity programmes of the accumulated funds in NPS is provided to the subscribers so that choice is exercised rather the subscriber getting bound to put accumulations in programmes curated by the regulators," said Vikas Gupta, chief executive and founder of Kangaroo Associates, a boutique wealth management firm in New Delhi. "Also, effort should be made to see that pension programmes do not erode the base accumulation and subscribers get monthly pension on the basis of annualised returns received on accumulation. Also Read | NPS is an attractive product because of its low cost: PFRDA chairman Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday, 13 January, rejected the Chinese claims over the Shaksgam Valley, saying that India does not recognise the 1963 boundary agreement between Pakistan and China. Addressing a press conference, General Upendra Dwivedi said India considers the said agreement to be illegal. We do not accept any activity there. As far as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is concerned, we do not accept it and consider it an illegal action being carried out by the two nations, General Upendra Dwivedi said. Indias remarks followed Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Nings assertion of a claim over the Shaksgam Valley when he said that it belongs to China. When asked about border issues and the CPEC, Mao Ning said, The territory you mentioned belongs to China. It's fully justified for China to conduct infrastructure construction on its own territory. The spokesperson further said that China and Pakistan had signed a boundary agreement in the 1960s and demarcated borders between the two countries and that the settlement was an exercise of the rights of two sovereign states. According to a Global Times report, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson stressed that the border agreement between China and Pakistan, and the CPEC, do not affect China's position on the Kashmir issue, adding that China's position on this matter has not changed. Where is Shaksgam Valley? The Shaksgam Valley borders Xinjiang Province of the People's Republic of China to the north, the northern areas of Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) to the south and west, and the Siachen Glacier region to the east. Earlier, on 9 January, India had rejected China's infrastructure buildup through the CPEC in the Shaksgam Valley, calling it illegal and invalid. India had also asserted that the Shaksgam Valley is an integral part of India. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, Shaksgam Valley is an Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963. We have consistently maintained that the agreement is illegal and invalid. We do not recognise the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor either, which passes through Indian territory, which is under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan. In a stern warning to state governments, the Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated it would fix heavy compensation for every dog bite and death caused by strays. The court noted that the impact of a dog bite is lifelong and suggested that individuals or organisations feeding strays must also bear legal liability. For every dog bite, for every death, we will be likely fixing heavy compensation for states for not making requisite arrangements, the Supreme Court said, according to Bar and Bench. And also liability to dog feeders. You take them to your house, keep them, why should they be allowed to roam around, biting, chasing? The effect of a dog bite is lifelong, the court noted. The Supreme Court bench, comprising justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, was hearing a case concerning stray dogs in India. 'Are you for real?' During the hearing, Justice Sandeep Mehta told a counsel: Are you for real? He pointed to statistics shared by a young counsel of orphan children on the streets. His comments came after a counsel argued that children need to be removed from the streets first. Not dogs. Children need shelters. A young counsel just showed us statistics of orphan children on the streets. Perhaps some lawyers could argue for the adoption of those children. Since 2011, when I was elevated, these are the longest arguments I have heard. And till now no one has argued so long for human beings, Justice Sandeep Mehta was quoted by Bar and Bench as saying. The court asked, Who should be made responsible when a 9-year-old child is killed by dogs which are fed by a particular organisation? Should the organisation not be made liable for damages? The court listed the matter for further hearing at 2 PM on 20 January. ABC rules The Supreme Court also heard extensive arguments on the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy said the ABC Rules were not limited to population control. She referred to Article 51 of the Constitution, which calls for compassion towards all living creatures. The ABC Rules are the result of Parliament applying its mind. That is the society we want to be, she said. Why do we oppose capital punishment? Because we believe it dehumanises us. When we talk about removing species, we are dehumanising ourselves. Compassion cannot be in short supply. She further argued that killing wont diminish the numbers, but sterilisation will. If the regulators did their job better, we would not be living in the catastrophe we are in now. Money should be given to the organisations working. The program centres are underutilising the funds that are set up, she said. The stray dogs case so far The matter gained national attention last year after a bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan directed Delhi municipal authorities to round up and shelter stray dogs. This led to mass protests from animal rights groups. That order was later modified by the present three-judge bench. It mandated vaccination and the release of sterilised dogs instead of permanent sheltering. Also Read | Delhi set to microchip 1 million stray dogs in two years. Check details During the hearing on 7 December, the Supreme Court highlighted the increasing number of dog bite incidents in the country and criticised the municipal authorities and other local bodies for their failure to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules. Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, said on Tuesday that recent sightings of small drones along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir appeared to be defensive in nature, aimed at probing the Indian Army's preparedness. The Indian Army Chief, however, asserted that there are no gaps or laxities that could be exploited to infiltrate terrorists and that the head of Pakistan's military operations had been told to control these drone intrusions from Pakistan into India. About six drones were seen on 10 January, and two to three were sighted on January 11 and 12. These drones were very small, flying with their lights on and not at very high altitudes, General Upendra Dwivedi said, addressing the annual press conference. The Army chief said that the drones were likely being used to test Indias defensive posture rather than carry out an immediate hostile operation. I believe these were defensive drones, trying to see if any action was being taken against us. It is possible they were also checking for gaps or laxity in the Indian Army through which terrorists could be sent, he said. This is the first public statement from India after a movement of suspected drones was observed in a number of forward areas along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening. Raised at DGMO meeting The flying objects originated from the Pakistani side of the border and returned home after hovering over Indian territory for a few minutes, the news agency PTI reported, citing security officials. However, the Army Chief emphasised that these attempts had been unsuccessful. They must have received a negative response. They would have seen that, as of today, there is no such place, no such gap from where terrorists can be pushed in, he added. They must have received a negative response. They would have seen that, as of today, there is no such place, no such gap from where terrorists can be pushed in. The Army chief also confirmed that the issue was formally raised during a Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level conversation held on Monday. This matter was discussed, and it was clearly conveyed that such drone activity is unacceptable to us and must be stopped, he said. Non-existent terrorist recruitment in J-K On other security-related issues, the Army Chief said that the situation along the Western Front, as well as Jammu and Kashmir, since 10 May, after India launched Operation Sindoor targeting nine terror outfits deep in Pakistani territory, remains "sensitive but firmly under control". General Dwivedi said that there was a clear indication of positive change in Jammu and Kashmir as the number of terrorist recruitments in 2025 remains almost non-existent. The Army Chief informed that 31 terrorists were eliminated in 2025 65% of them were of Pakistani origin, he added. Since 10 May, the situation along the Western Front and J&K remains sensitive but firmly under control. In 2025, 31 terrorists were eliminated, of which 65 per cent were Pakistan origin, including the three perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack neutralised in Operation Mahadev. Active local terrorists are now in single digits, the Army chief said. Terrorist recruitment is almost non-existent, with only 2 in 2025. Clear indicators of positive change in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) include robust development activity, the revival of tourism, and the peaceful Sri Amarnath Yatra, which saw more than 4 lakh pilgrims, exceeding the five-year average. The theme of terrorism to tourism is gradually taking shape, he added. General Dwivedi said that the situation in Manipur has witnessed marked improvement due to many proactive government initiatives. As regards the Northeast, neutral, transparent and decisive action by security forces, along with many proactive government initiatives, has led to a marked improvement in the situation in Manipur during 2025. Peaceful conduct of the Durand Cup, resumption of cultural festivals and renewal of suspension of operations, that is, SoO, with Kuki insurgent groups in September 2025, have been key markers of stability, he said. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the Viksit BharatG RAM G scheme will significantly strengthen the states rural economy by reinforcing the employment guarantee framework while creating durable assets in villages. Addressing concerns raised by the Opposition, Sawant said the scheme does not replace or dilute MGNREGA, but instead seeks to improve its planning, delivery and accountability. Also Read | 5 key differences between VB-G Ram G Bill and MNREGA The Viksit BharatG RAM G scheme will renew and strengthen the employment guarantee framework, create permanent assets in areas such as water security and core rural infrastructure, and expand opportunities for women and farmers, the Chief Minister said. The Viksit Bharat-G RAM G (Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin) Act, 2025, is a new Indian law replacing MGNREGA, extending guaranteed rural wage employment to 125 days per household, integrating infrastructure development, and focusing on technology-driven, accountable governance for rural prosperity and achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047. The Congress alleged on Tuesday that the government has run a "bulldozer" over the MGNREGA scheme and urged people to join its "MGNREGA Bachao Sangram", which it said is a nationwide struggle for the restoration of the constitutional rights to work, to wages and to accountability. The protest started on 10 January. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said the "MGNREGA Bachao Sangram" will reach 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and crores of people across the country. "The government has run a bulldozer over the MGNREGA scheme, which has become the lifeline for crores of people in India. This nationwide struggle is against that, for the restoration of the constitutional rights to work, to wages and to accountability," he said in a post in Hindi on X and urged people to join the campaign. Opposition is misleading the public: Goa CM The Goa CM accused the Opposition of misleading the public by creating confusion around the initiative. The Opposition is spreading misinformation about this reform. It neither weakens nor replaces MGNREGA, Sawant asserted. Calling the scheme a visionary initiative, Sawant said it was introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is aligned with the broader goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. The Chief Minister added that the state government is working closely with panchayats to ensure effective implementation at the grassroots level. Our focus is to ensure that every rural household benefits from the scheme, he said. (Bloomberg) -- Anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis urged a judge to restrict immigration officers use of force, at a high-stakes hearing less than a week after a federal agent shot and killed a woman in her car. The lawsuit was filed in December, weeks before an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer killed Minneapolis mother Renee Good during a confrontation. But the case took on fresh urgency after the shooting, with disputed circumstances that have caused a bitter rift between state and federal authorities. Goods death wasnt discussed at the hearing Tuesday before US District Judge Katherine Menendez, who heard arguments on protesters request for an order restricting the use of force by ICE agents while the case proceeds. The judge said she would issue a ruling by early Friday. The case in Minneapolis comes amid an influx of thousands of ICE agents into the area dubbed Operation Metro Surge, part of a broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants by the Trump administration. The state of Minnesota on Monday filed a separate suit over the surge, accusing the Department of Homeland Security of targeting Minneapolis to punish political opponents and score partisan points. We are in unprecedented times, Kyle Wislocky, a lawyer for the protesters, said at the hearing. DHS themselves have described this operation as the largest immigration operation ever in the country, whats going on right now in Minnesota. Protesters, who sued DHS and Secretary Kristi Noem, seek to stop officers from telling people that they cant follow them on public roads and to ensure that protesters arent retaliated against for exercising their First Amendment rights. The requested injunction would also restrict ICE in several ways, including barring the use of chemical irritants against people who do not pose a threat of imminent harm. Officers would be barred from pointing firearms at protesters who dont pose an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury. In filings, the Justice Department defended ICE agents conduct, saying officers have faced threats and violence. A broad injunction, the US said, would threaten officer safety and impede lawful enforcement activity. Large crowds have surrounded ICE officers in the process of making an arrest and individuals have hurled projectiles at them to the point where the officers were panicked and had to call for backup, the government said. One of the plaintiffs in the case is Susan Tincher, a mother of three who runs a small consulting business with her husband. She sued over what she says happened to her after she approached a group of ICE officers on a sidewalk. She says the officers were surrounding a house and she asked, from six feet away, Are you ICE? Seconds later, she was forced to the ground, handcuffed and taken to the federal building where she was locked up. Agents cut off some of her clothes and her wedding ring, shackled her, and left her in a cell for hours, the suit says. She was released without charge. Mrs. Tincher believes ICE was retaliating against her for seeking information about and observing and protesting their activities. Jeremy Newman, a lawyer for the Justice Department, told Menendez that officers ordered Tincher to get back and that she didnt do so, and that she was arrested because the officer reasonably believed she was physically impeding their operation to detain a violent criminal. The judge noted that the government hadnt provided sworn explanations about the disputed incidents from the officers involved, despite having been given extra time to do so. Another plaintiff and his wife say ICE officers boxed in their car and pointed semiautomatic weapons in their faces because they had followed them from the site of a potential sting operation at a church. The case is Tincher v. Noem, 25-cv-4669, US District Court for the District of Minnesota (Minneapolis). More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com NEW DELHI: The US new ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, said on Monday that India will be invited next month to become a full-time member of Pax Silicaa Washington-led strategic initiative aimed at securing the global silicon supply chain in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). The proposed initiative follows earlier US-led efforts such as the 2022 Mineral Security Partnership and the more recent Quad Critical Minerals Initiative. Together, these pacts reflect a growing effort by Washington and its allies to align technology, critical minerals and geopolitics, as competition with China intensifies. Mint explains what Pax Silica is and why it matters for India. What is Pax Silica and why was it created? Pax Silica is the US governments attempt to identify trusted partner nations to strengthen efforts in AI and to create a robust global supply chain for silicon and related materials, according to the US State Department. Pax is Latin for peace, while Silica refers to the compound refined to make siliconthe foundational element in semiconductor chips. Also Read | PMI dip hits sentiment across services and manufacturing The grouping will include the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, the UK, and Australia, and potentially India if it joins. Each nation is expected to contribute distinct strengths" across domains ranging from critical minerals and advanced manufacturing to semiconductor capability, AI innovation and deep industrial ecosystems, according to the US government. Australias role illustrates this logic. The country was the worlds largest lithium producer in 2023, accounting for about half of global supply of the critical mineral used in batteries, according to OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) data. Together, these participants are home to the most important companies and investors powering the global AI supply chain, including but not limited to: Sony, Hitachi, Fujitsu, Samsung, SK Hynix, Temasek, DeepMind, MGX, Rio Tinto, and ASML," the US government said in a 12 December statement. The initiative is premised on the view that technology, computing and the minerals that enable them will shape economic and strategic power in the 21st century. In creating Pax Silica, the US has argued that economic security is national security, and national security is economic security," according to the same statement. Why does Pax Silica matter for India? For India, participation would signal a seat at the table in shaping future supply chains that underpin AI and advanced computing. Secretary in the ministry of electronics and information technology S. Krishnan said on 12 January that it is crucial for India to be part of groups such as Pax Silica that focus on critical mineral security. From a strategic point of view, it's important that India be at the high table on these important issues. Fundamentally, it's about addressing the supply chains for critical minerals and materials. It's important for a country like India to be part of that. I think it's a recognition, again, of the trust," Krishnan said, responding to a question on Pax Silica at an event in Delhi. Indias existing policy push in AI and semiconductors aligns closely with the goals of Pax Silica. The India AI Mission, approved in 2024 with a 10,372 crore outlay over five years, seeks to democratise artificial intelligence, support startups and build foundational models for Indian languages. The India Semiconductor Mission is an even larger effort, with a 76,000 crore corpus allocated in 2021 to position the country as a chipmaking hub. Indias scale in technology services also strengthens its case. The country hosts more than 2,975 global capability centres (GCCs) and accounts for the worlds largest share of such centres, according to a 2024 NasscomZinnov report. As of FY24, GCCs employed nearly 1.9 million professionals, the Economic Survey 2024-25 said. Large multinational investments underline this positioning. In December 2025, Microsoft announced a $17.5 billion investment in India over four years from calendar year 2026 to 2029 to build AI and cloud infrastructure. How does China fall into this equation? Pax Silica also reflects how economic tools have increasingly been deployed for strategic ends. The technical difference between strategic and economic partnerships or compacts has narrowed over the past few years, with economic policy being weaponised and supply chains becoming critical infrastructure," said Sankalp Gurjar, who teaches geopolitics at Punes Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics. The initiative comes as both India and the US seek to reduce their dependence on China, which dominates several critical supply chains, including rare earths and their downstream products, Gurjar said. Chinas export halt on rare earth magnetsused across defence, electronics, renewable energy and electric vehicleshas rattled industries globally. In response, India announced support for a domestic magnet manufacturing industry with a 7,280 crore outlay over seven years. China currently mines about 60% of the worlds rare earth raw material and refines about 90% of it into magnets. In Pax Silica, India could potentially bring to the table scale, as it provides a large market for new technology. It is important to understand that India is itself deeply integrated into the global tech ecosystem, with some of the world's biggest MNCs operating here, plans to set up GCCs, etc," Gurjar said. Also Read | Five questions hanging over TCS ahead of Q3 results Lohri 2026: Lohri, a vibrant winter harvest festival, symbolises warmth, prosperity, and new beginnings bringing families and communities together in a spirit of joy and togetherness. This festival is celebrated primarily in Punjab and parts of North India, marking the end of the coldest days of winter and the arrival of longer days. Lohri 2026: Mahurat Timings & Tithi Lohri is celebrated annually on January 13, a day before Makar Sankranti. According to the ancient Bikrami calendar, which integrates lunar and solar cycles, Lohri falls on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. The Lohri Sankranti will occur at 03:13 PM on 14 January 2026, as per Drik Panchang. Lohri 2026: Rituals Lohri festival celebrates the harvest of the rabi crop, as people gather to light bonfires in the evening, sing folk songs, dance, and offer sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts, and rewri to the fire as a gesture of gratitude. Lohri is usually performed in open spaces or outside homes as devotees perform parikrama by circling the bonfire as part of the ceremony. Lohri 2026: What to include in Lohri ki Thali? Gajak and Rewari Peanut chikki Til ke Laddoo Panjiri Lohri 2026: History Lohri, an ancient folk festival of North India, is deeply rooted in Punjabs agrarian culture. Its origins are linked to the winter solstice, marking the time when days begin to grow longer after the coldest phase of winter. Lohri coincides with the end of the month of Paush and the beginning of Magha in the Hindu calendar. According to folklore, Lohri's history is deeply rooted in the legend of Dulla Bhatti, a local hero during the Mughal era who is remembered for rescuing girls from exploitation and arranging their marriages. The festival songs often praise his bravery and generosity. Over time, the winter festival evolved into a celebration of the sun god (Surya) and fire (Agni), both seen as sources of life, warmth, and energy essential for crops and human survival. Lohri 2026: Significance Lohri holds immense cultural and agricultural importance, marking the harvest of the rabi crops, particularly sugarcane and wheat. It is a festival of gratitude, where farmers thank nature for a good yield. The bonfire, central to Lohri, symbolises the sun, renewal, and the burning away of negativity. Sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts, popcorn, and rewri are offered to the holy fire to represent prosperity and togetherness. President Donald Trumps ambition to acquire Greenland is gaining momentum, with a senior administration official suggesting that meaningful US action on the Arctic island could come within weeks or months. Thomas Dans, Trumps Arctic commissioner and a key advocate of the plan, said the president is determined to move quickly on Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but holds vast mineral wealth and strategic military importance. This is a train route with multiple stops, Dans told USA Today. Things could move on an express basis, skip the local stops and go direct to the main station. Thats where President Trump wants to move it at high speed. We need to get the people of Greenland on board While Dans believes progress on negotiations could come soon, he acknowledged that completing any acquisition would take longer and require public support in Greenland. We need to get the people of Greenland on board, he said, noting that although most of Greenlands 57,000 residents support eventual independence from Denmark, they strongly oppose becoming a US state. Dans added that while things can happen quickly from a transactional standpoint, building trust among Greenlanders will require time and effort from the US side. Both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly said the island is not for sale. Vance to lead high-level Greenland talks Dans remarks come as Vice President JD Vance prepares to host senior Danish and Greenlandic officials at the White House on January 14, according to US officials, the news outlet stated. Trump has publicly insisted that the US must have Greenland, citing concerns that Russia or China could seek influence or control over the territory. Buying Greenland or reshaping sovereignty Trumps preferred option remains purchasing Greenland outright or gaining control through diplomatic arrangements, according to White House statements and officials familiar with the discussions. Still, Trump and his advisers have refused to rule out the use of force if diplomacy fails. Cash incentives and independence push discussed Among the ideas discussed within the administration is offering Greenlanders direct payments potentially between $10,000 and $100,000 per person to encourage faster independence from Denmark. Under such a scenario, an independent Greenland could enter a Compact of Free Association with the US, receiving exclusive American security guarantees in exchange for economic support. Another proposal includes leasing Greenland for an extended period. Trump has publicly dismissed that idea. Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership, Trump said recently. You dont defend leases. And well have to defend Greenland. NATO tensions and global alarm Trumps interest in annexing Greenland has raised concerns in European capitals, particularly because the US and Denmark are NATO allies bound by mutual defence commitments. US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday (January 13) that he has canceled all meetings with Iranian officials in response to the ongoing crackdown on protests in the country. In a post on Truth Social, he addressed Iranian citizens directly: "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY." The message comes as human rights monitors report that more than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran over the past two weeks of unrest. More than 600 protests have erupted across all 31 provinces, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The group said over 16,700 arrested so far. Trump signals support for protesters While Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran against using deadly force on antigovernment demonstrators, he has not clarified the specifics of his promised help. Earlier this week, he suggested that Iran is seeking negotiations with Washington after his threats of military action. However, his latest statement indicates a shift toward a more hardline stance: canceling talks and emphasizing support for protesters. Tariffs on Iran-linked countries On Monday (January 12), Trump announced 25% tariffs on countries that continue to do business with Iran. Also Read | US Army expands defence footprint in Qatar amid Iran unrest Trump hints at intervention Trump has warned Iran against using lethal force on protesters, saying Washington would come to their rescue if the violence escalates. I tell the Iranian leaders you better not start shooting because well start shooting, too, Trump said on January 9. Were watching it very closely, Trump said. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think theyre going to get hit very hard by the United States. He had also made clear that military action remains on the table, declaring earlier: We are locked and loaded. Trumps remarks have gained added significance following the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces. Maduro is a longtime ally of Tehran. Meanwhile, the White House signaled that diplomacy has not been abandoned. On Monday (January 12), Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said communication channels with Tehran remain open, noting that Iran has adopted a far different tone in private discussions with Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Also Read | US Army expands defence footprint in Qatar amid Iran unrest Iran prosecutor warns protesters Irans Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi Azad escalated the governments response on January 10, warning that anyone participating in protests or even those who helped rioters would be considered an enemy of God, a charge that carries the death penalty under Iranian law. Iran protests intensify amid economic collapse Nationwide protests triggered by Irans worsening economic crisis are posing one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republics theocratic leadership in years, prompting a deadly crackdown and sweeping internet shutdowns. The unrest comes as Tehran grapples with the fallout of a brief but intense war with Israel in June, renewed international sanctions, and the weakening of its regional alliances. Economic crisis fuels public anger The collapse of Irans currency lies at the heart of the unrest. Prices of basic staples have surged. In December, the government raised prices under a new tiered gasoline subsidy system, ending years of ultra-cheap fuel. Food costs are expected to rise further after the central bank scrapped a preferential exchange rate for most imports except medicine and wheat. Protests began in late December with merchants in Tehran before spreading nationwide and quickly evolving into broader anti-government demonstrations. Also Read | Trump backs ICE Minnesota shooting again as protests grow Grammy-winning music executive Antonio L.A. Reid has reached a confidential settlement with a former record company executive who alleged he sexually assaulted her and damaged her career, legal filings show. LA Reid, Drew Dixon settle sexual assault case The agreement came on Monday, 12 January, the same day Reids civil trial was scheduled to begin in a Manhattan federal court, averting what was expected to be a high-profile courtroom battle The terms of Reid's settlement with Drew Dixon were not made public. Smiling with her family and lawyers outside court, Dixon said, Im excited to get back to making music. She called the litigation an arduous process." Her mother, former Washington, D.C., Mayor Sharon Pratt, called it an excruciating journey. Also Read | Star Trek actor Tyler Perry sued for sexual assault by aspiring actor Reid's lawyer, Imran H. Ansari, said in a statement: Mr. Reid has amicably resolved this matter with Ms. Dixon without any admission of liability. Reid, a 10-time Grammy nominee and three-time winner, rose to prominence after cofounding a record label with producing partner Kenneth Babyface Edmonds in 1989. He is a prominent figure in the American music industry, widely credited with shaping the careers of artists such as Usher, OutKast, Pink, and Mariah Carey through his work at major labels including Arista Records, The Island Def Jam Music Group and later Epic Records. He is a three-time Grammy Award winner and a ten-time nominee. Also Read | From BLACKPINK Jennie to Lorde, Governors Ball 2026 lineup Reid and Dixon resolved the lawsuit the same day jury selection was slated to begin in federal court in New York in a trial over her claims. Musicians John Legend and Aku Orraca-Tetteh and recording executive Roy Lott were among the witnesses who had been set to testify on Dixon's behalf, according to her lawyer, Kenya Davis. What happened between Dixon and Reid? According to filings and reporting, Dixons complaint alleged that Reid sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions in 2001 while she was working under him at Arista Records. One incident was said to have occurred on a private company plane, and the other in Reids car. She also claimed that, after she rebuffed further advances, Reid retaliated by undermining her professional responsibilities, including reducing her promotional budget, rejecting artist auditions, and creating a hostile work environment, which she said ultimately derailed her career. Davis said the settlement will empower Dixon "to move forward with her creative pursuits on her own terms, with her reputation, her voice, and her career reaffirmed. Dixon went public with her allegations in 2017 and detailed them in the 2020 documentary On the Record, which discussed sexual misconduct in the music industry. She has also accused ex-hip hop mogul Russell Simmons of rape, which he denies, and has a pending defamation lawsuit against him. Dixon sued Reid in 2023 under New York States Adult Survivors Act, which had provided sex abuse accusers a one-year window to sue even if the statute of limitations has passed. Reid and Edmonds were co-founders of LaFace Records, a label responsible for a string of hits by some of the biggest pop acts of the 1990s, including Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, Outkast and TLC. He later had stints running Arista, Island Def Jam and Sony's Epic Records. He left Epic in 2017 after a former female assistant accused him of sexual harassment. I hope my work as an advocate for the Adult Survivors Act helps to bring all of us closer to a music business that is safer for everyone, Dixon told reporters outside the courthouse. And in a world where good news is often hard to find, I hope that survivors today see a ray of light peeking through the clouds. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they were sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly. Dixon expanded on her future plans in a written statement, saying that music has always been her greatest source of comfort and joy. While I have focused on sexual assault advocacy in recent years, I have never stopped fighting for my place in this industry, Dixon said. I have big ideas for future projects that will be guided by creativity and integrity. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Monday that Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok will soon be used by the Pentagon, along with Google's generative AI engine, as the military steps up efforts to feed large amounts of its data into the developing technology. Very soon we will have the worlds leading AI models on every unclassified and classified network throughout our department, he said in a speech at Musks aerospace company, SpaceX, in South Texas. Although Hegseth did not provide an exact rollout date, he mentioned during the speech that the chatbot will go live inside the defence department's network later this month, AP reported. This announcement comes just days after xAI's Grok, which is embedded into Musk-owned social media platform X, faced global backlash for generating highly sexualized deepfake images of individuals without their consent. Since then, the chatbot has come under intense legal pressure from governments of different countries. Why is Pentagon integrating Grok into its systems? During the speech, Hegseth emphasised the need to streamline and incorporate technological innovations within the military, saying, We need innovation to come from anywhere and evolve with speed and purpose. He noted that the Pentagon possesses combat-proven operational data from two decades of military and intelligence operations. AI is only as good as the data that it receives, and were going to make sure that its there, Hegseth said. Also Read | Pentagon issues censure, cuts retired pay of Senator Mark Kelly Hegseth said his vision for military AI systems is for them to operate without ideological constraints that limit lawful military applications, adding that the Pentagon's AI will not be woke. This aligns with how Musk developed and pitched Grok, calling the chatbot an alternative to what he describes as woke AI from rival chatbots like Googles Gemini or OpenAIs ChatGPT. Grok has previously sparked controversy, including in July last year when it appeared to make antisemitic comments that praised Adolf Hitler and circulated several antisemitic posts. Grok AI receives backlash Malaysia and Indonesia were among the first countries to block access to Grok following the widespread backlash over its content. In response to the growing criticism and regulatory pressure, the chatbot has since limited its image generation and editing features to paying users. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom's media regulator has also launched an investigation into X (formerly Twitter) on Monday over concerns that its Grok AI chatbot was creating sexually intimate deepfake images in violation of its duty to protect people in the UK from illegal content. US President Trump recently responded to a query regarding his earlier promise to distribute $2,000 checks to most Americans funded by tariff proceeds, the New York Post reported. According to the report, Trump soon corrected himself, however, now saying the payments would likely go out near the end of the year, a shift from his prior commitment to deliver them before the 2026 midterm elections. During a recent two-hour Oval Office interview with Trump, he was asked by New York Times White House correspondent, Youve promised $2,000 checks to Americans funded by tariff revenues. When can Trump interrupted, asking, I did? When did I say that? Watch the video here: He went on to explain that he had been referring instead to the $1,776 bonus that was distributed to roughly 1.5 million service members before the holiday season, according to the U.S. Department of War. Heres what Trump said When will those Americans get those checks? Times reporter asked again. Well, I am going to, Trump said. The tariff money is so substantial thats coming in, that Ill be able to do 2,000 sometime, I would say, toward the end of the year. The White House did not respond to inquiries about whether the administration is currently working on the checks and if it has a planned date for the checks to be sent out, The New York Post reported. Heres what Trump had promised Last year, the president pledged to distribute the checks to middle- and lower-income Americans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, despite skepticism from some Republicans over how the administration would finance the plan. The nonprofit Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated that delivering the payments to most Americans would cost about $600 billion roughly double the tariff revenue the government is projected to bring in. Trumps recent tariff move Trump on Monday (local time) unveiled a broad new trade action aimed at countries that continue to do business with Iran, declaring that all such nations will face a 25% tariff on their commercial dealings with the United States. Trump announced on Truth Social that the policy would take effect immediately and described the directive as final and conclusive. Effective immediately, any country engaging in business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will be subject to a 25% tariff on any and all trade with the United States of America, he wrote, adding that the order was final and thanking readers for their attention. Amid soaring tensions with Iran, the US Army and its regional partners have opened a new coordination cell at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to enhance integrated air and missile defense'. The US Central Command said the Middle Eastern Air Defense-Combined Defense Operations Cell (MEAD-CDOC) is located in the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC). It comprises personnel from the United States and regional partners. Opening of the new defence cell comes at a time when the Donald Trump-led administration has warned of 'US military action' if force is used on protesters in Iran, where the anti-government demonstrations have entered the third week and reportedly claimed hundreds of lives. What did Trump say? Trump has, of late, threatened to attack Iran several times, warning of intervention to stop the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-led government's bloody crackdown on protesters. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Trump administration officials have discussed some options for a potential strike on Iran. One official also told the publication that large-scale airstrikes across Iran targeting multiple military targets are being discussed. On 11 January, 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". Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, on Monday, reiterated Trump's stance claiming that the POTUS is unafraid of using military actions against Iran. 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 unrest comes amid rising international pressure on Tehran following Israeli and US strikes last year, adding to the Khamenei regimes vulnerability. The demonstrations triggered by dire economic conditions 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. Death toll hits 2,000 About 2,000 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the nationwide protests over the past two weeks, an Iranian official said on Tuesday (13 January), Reuters reported. This is the first time authorities have acknowledged such a high death toll from the crackdown. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official told Reuters that what he described as terrorists were responsible for the deaths of both protesters and members of the security forces. No breakdown of civilian and security casualties was provided. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of failing to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), alleging that the state released hundreds of criminal undocumented immigrants instead of honoring federal arrest detainers. In a post on X, Homeland Security claimed that Minnesota authorities released nearly 470 individuals it described as criminal illegal aliens back into communities across the state. @GovTimWalz has refused to cooperate with ICE and released nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens back onto the streets of Minnesota to terrorize Americans, DHS wrote. Call to honor ICE detainers DHS said it is urging the Minnesota governor to work with federal authorities and comply with ICE detainers for more than 1,360 individuals currently in state custody. It is common sense. Criminal illegal aliens should not be released back onto our streets, the department said, calling on Walz to cooperate with @ICEgov and honor the arrest detainers. List of alleged offenders cited In its statement, DHS highlighted several cases it described as among the worst of the worst who were allegedly released. These included individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes such as sex offenses involving minors, domestic violence, homicide-related charges, robbery, terroristic threats, and drug trafficking. Among those named were individuals from Honduras, Ecuador, Cameroon, Sudan, and Laos, with charges ranging from lewd acts with a minor to negligent manslaughter and aggravated robbery, according to DHS. Political backdrop The allegations come amid ongoing national tensions between Democratic-led states and the federal government over immigration enforcement, particularly around so-called sanctuary policies and the use of ICE detainers. Also Read | Renee Nicole Good killing: Minnesota sues Trump admin over immigration crackdown Child sex, homicide cases among migrants released According to the Department of Homeland Security, the individuals released by Minnesota authorities include people accused or convicted of serious violent and sexual crimes. DHS said those freed despite ICE detainers include Leny Odemel Ramirez-Santos of Honduras, charged with a sex offense involving a child and driving under the influence; Edwin Amable Ashca Ninasuta of Ecuador, charged with lewd or lascivious acts with a minor; and Lenda Neh Mama Epse George of Cameroon, charged with cruelty toward a child and domestic violence. The list also includes German Adriano Llangari Inga of Ecuador, charged with negligent manslaughter with a vehicle and DUI; Puol Both of Sudan, convicted of terroristic threats, burglary, first-degree aggravated robbery and larceny; and Somsalao Thonesavanh of Laos, convicted of drug trafficking and selling a synthetic narcotic. DHS said these cases illustrate what it described as the public safety risks of failing to honor ICE arrest detainers, allegations Minnesota officials have yet to respond to publicly. Also Read | Trump backs ICE Minnesota shooting again as protests grow Applying to study in Australia? You will now be subject to increased scrutiny as the country has moved Indian students into the highest risk category for visas, alongside applicants from Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, according to a report by The Times of India this week. According to the report, as of 8 January 2026, Indian students have been shifted from evidence level 2 to evidence level 3 under Australia's Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). Australian media have called it an out-of-cycle move. Notably, Australia has around 6,50,000 foreign students, of which Indian students comprise close to 1,40,000, as per the report. Together, students from Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal comprise over 30% of Australia's international students in 2025, it added. Why was the change made? According to the report, the Australian administration has not shared specific cases that motivated the decision, but said that this was prompted by emerging integrity issues. It aims to address discrepancies while still facilitating genuine students seeking an education in Australia. The integrity issues in question are likely concerns over the recent reports of fake degree cases in India, it added. TOI reported the statement as: 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 Australian government wants all students to have a positive study experience during their stay in Australia and receive a high-quality education. It is important that Australia's international education system and Student Visa Program have the right settings to provide international students with confidence that they are investing in the best possible education. What does this mean for Indian students? This will likely change how students' visa applications are assessed, with officials authorised to conduct deeper verification and longer processing timelines, as per the report. Students will likely face: Increased and detailed screening. Officials can ask for more documents, with deeper background verification. Bank statements will be manually checked. Applicants may have to submit extra English language proof. Visa officers will be allowed to directly contact institutions and references to conduct cross-checks. The student visa processing time will increase from the current three weeks to up to eight weeks. Jim Williams, the father of popular YouTube vlogger Adam The Woo, has returned to his own YouTube vlog to honor his sons memory and continue his legacy. Jim posted two videos to his vlog, JWWOnTheMove, in the past few days. In Jims first video, titled Adam the Woo's Dad -- Breaks Silence About the Passing of His Son, he pointed out that its been five years since he was on YouTube. Then he directly addresses the loss that has been weighing heavy on the hearts of Adams family, friends, and fans. Adam died on December 22, 2025. He is survived by his parents, Jim and June Williams, and his sister, Faith Anne Murray. They had been featured in Adams vlogs on The Daily Woo, including road trips and other travel adventures. Advertisement Advertisement In the video, Jim stated, Our son Adam was found dead in his home in Celebration, Florida. What I remember about that day is that my wife was laying down for a nap. I, on the other hand, was mindlessly um doodling and uh passing my time in my office working on stuff somewhere in that area. He goes on to tell the details about how the police knocked on his door. He went to the door and answered. A policeman, who was accompanied by two other officers, told him, Mr. Williams, I hate to tell you this, but your son has been found dead at home in his bed." Jim detailed what happened for him and his wife on that tragic day. He also shares with fans how he let his daughter, Adams sister, know what was going on. Jim also shared with fans that he was comforted because he had always expressed his love for his son. He said that, when they went to say goodbye that he would whisper in his ear every time, I love you, son. I love you, son. He would whisper back to me, Dad, I love you, too. And I know he loved me by the way he treated his mother and me. He would do the same with his mom. Advertisement Advertisement Jim shared his grief, telling viewers, You probably have experienced the death of a loved one, but I hope you never never have to experience the death of a child. Such hurt, such pain. I have never hurt like that so badly in my entire life. I was devastated. I used the term shipwreck for the last few days. I was devastated, sobbing, crying, wailing, shock, disbelief. I I can't tell you how many times my wife and I have said to one another, I just can't believe that he's gone. Just can't believe this." Jim detailed what happened the morning of Adams death, and he shared his own faith and hope. He also reflected on how he has come to realize a lot more about Adams legacy and how far his reach went. He also told fans that Adam was exactly as you saw him on video. He said, He was always curious. He was always kind. He was always patient with people. He was always gentle even when he had to correct people. Thats the way Adam was. Jim gave fans the good news that he intended to make videos now. He stated, What I have seen now of Adam's life and in his death has now inspired me to revive my channel, start making videos again. Advertisement Advertisement He has kept good on that promise and has already posted a second video. In that video, Jim had a discussion with Justin Scarred, Adams close friend who often appeared on The Daily Woo. They talked about life, memories of Adam, and more. You can subscribe to Jims vlog, JWWOnTheMovie, to keep up with his videos on YouTube. As the New Year 2026 began, Canada updated its country-wise travel alert for its citizens, advising Canadians to avoid travelling to a list of countries, including Iran and Venezuela, due to political tensions, flight disruptions, and internal protests. Also Read | Canada set to launch 2 new permanent residency pathways in 2026: Details here Iran In its advisory, Canada has asked its citizens to avoid all travel to Iran because of the ongoing nationwide demonstrations, tensions in the region, the high risk of arbitrary detention and the unpredictable enforcement of local laws. Canada highlighted that the Iranian authorities have arrested and/or detained individuals, including foreign and dual nationals, to exert political or diplomatic influence on their governments. You should leave Iran if you can do so safely, the advisory said. Many airlines have suspended flights to and from Iran at this time, but there are overland crossing options Our ability to provide consular services in Iran is extremely limited, Canada noted. Venezuela In view of the heightened security, unstable political and economic situations in Venezuela, Canada has advised avoid all travel to the country. On 3 January 2026, military strikes took place on several sites in Venezuela, including military facilities, in the city of Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, the advisory noted. Asking its citizens to avoid travelling to Venezuela, Canada said, significant level of violent crime, the risk of arbitrary detention, and the decline in basic living conditions, including shortages of medication, gasoline and water. Also Read | Canada immigration: Over 1 million Indians at risk of losing legal status Somalia Canada asked its citizens to avoid all travel to Somalia due to the volatile security situation and the high threat of domestic terrorism. The advisory said that if Canadians still choose to travel to Somalia despite the advisory, be aware that you may have difficulty leaving the country should the situation deteriorate suddenly. The Canadian government does not have an office in Somalia, it noted. Other countries on Canada's avoid all travel list Syria Sudan Russia Niger Mali Libya South Sudan Iraq Yemen Burkina Faso Belarus Afghanistan Ukraine Haiti Somalia Myanmar North Korea Other countries on Canada's avoid non-essential travel list Nepal Ethiopia Burundi Chad Democratic Republic of Congo Eritrea Lebanan Mauritania Nigeria Papua New Guinea Canada lists India on high degree of caution Last updated on 22 December 2025, Canada has issued an exercise a high degree of caution in India advisory for its citizens due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country. Canada particularly issued regional risk warning for Assam and Manipur; however, it has asked its citizens to avoid all travel to Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, because of threat of terrorism, militancy, civil unrest and kidnapping. Four oil tankers in the Black Sea which were managed by Greece were hit by unidentified drones on Tuesday, January 13, Reuters reported quoting sources. The oil tankers were on the way to load oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal off the Russian coast when they were hit. It is yet not certain as to who was behind the drone attack on the oil tankers. Since it happened off the Russian coast, there was speculation that Ukraine was behind the attack, but Kyiv has not yet issued a statement on the incident in the Black Sea. In a statement, the CPC said that Matilda was hit by a drone on January 13, the news agency reported. Prior to this incident, a Ukrainian drone had hit one of three main CPC moorings near the port of Novorossyisk, resulting in oil exports and output in Kazakhstan to fall. Also Read | Russia condemns US seizure of oil tanker Marinera, cites breach of maritime law Oil and gas condensate production in Kazakhstan fell 35 per cent between January 1-12 compared with Decembers average, a source familiar with the data told Reuters, citing export restrictions at the Black Sea terminal as the main cause Kazakhstan's energy ministry said on Tuesday, January 13, that CPC continues oil exports via one mooring. One of the tankers, the Delta Harmony, is managed by Greece's Delta Tankers, LSEG data showed, and according to the sources was expected to load Kazakh-produced oil from Tengizchevroil, a unit of US oil major Chevron. Another, Matilda, is managed by Greece's Thenamaris and was expected to load oil from Karachaganak, the sources added. A Thenamaris official has confirmed that Matilda was hit by two drones. The attack happened while it was waiting in ballast condition 30 miles off CPC. The company official said, There were no injuries and the ship suffered minor damage to deck structures according to an initial assessment, which is fully repairable. The ship, seaworthy as it is, is now sailing away from the area. Two sources in maritime security said that a fire reportedly broke out on board and was quickly extinguished. Two more oil tankers, the Freud, managed by Greece's TMS, and Delta Supreme, managed by Delta Tankers, were also hit by drones near the CPC terminal, three of the sources said. The CPC pipeline ships oil to the Black Sea's Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka terminal, close to Novorossiisk in the south of Russia. Greenlands premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen has sent a blunt message to Donald Trump and his administration over their multiple takeover bids, categorically telling them that the country chooses to stay with Kingdom of Denmark. Addressing a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, We are now facing a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, then we choose Denmark. We choose the Greenland we know today, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, he said, as he described the situation with the United States as very serious. Nielsen said, Right now is the time to stand together. Greenland stands within the Kingdom of Denmark and stands fully united in protecting the fundamental principles. Nielsens remarks come ahead of a high-stakes meeting of Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Vice President JD Vance in Washington on Wednesday, January 14. Donald Trump is demanding to take control of Greenland, either through economic means or military force. Earlier on Monday, January 12, Republican United States Representative Randy Fine introduced the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act. If passed, the Act would make way for President Donald Trump to find means to takeover Greenland. Randy Fine said in a statement that the US is pursuing Greenland because whoever controls the country also controls key shipping lanes. Greenland is not a distant outpost we can afford to ignore.Whoever controls Greenland controls key Arctic shipping lanes and the security architecture protecting the United States. America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security, he said. According to the Bill, if it is passed, it will authorise the President to take such steps as may be necessary, including by seeking to enter into negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark, to annex or other2 wise acquire Greenland as a territory of the United States. While independence from Denmark has long been debated in the land of 57,000 people, opinion polls have shown Greenlanders are overwhelmingly against the idea of joining the US. That concern was reflected in elections in March last year, when three out of four Greenlandic voters backed parties favoring only a slow move toward independence. Irans Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani hit back sharply at US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, responding to Trumps call for Iranians to save the names of their killers amid nationwide protests. We announce the names of the main killers of the people of Iran: 1 Trump 2 Netanyahu, Larijani said, directly naming the US and Israeli leaders. His remarks came after Trump said he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials and voiced open support for protesters facing a violent crackdown. Trump backs protesters, cancels talks In a post on Truth Social, Trump addressed Iranians directly, urging them to continue protesting and promising support. Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price, Trump wrote. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. While Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran against using deadly force, he has not specified what form the promised help would take. Iran warns of forceful response Irans defence minister responded with a strong warning, saying any attack on the country would be met with retaliation. Iran will respond forcefully to any aggression against us and will not allow anyone to threaten us, he said. All US bases and countries that facilitate Washingtons operations in the region will be legitimate targets. He added that Irans military posture has improved since its last conflict. Our defensive posture is good compared to the last war, thanks to the measures we have taken, he said. Rising death toll amid protests Human rights monitors say the unrest has already taken a heavy toll. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 2,000 people have been killed over the past two weeks, with over 600 protests reported across all 31 provinces. The group estimates more than 16,700 people have been arrested so far. The protests, which began in late December, have spread nationwide and evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations. Tariffs and threats from Washington Amid the escalating crisis, Trump announced on January 12 that the US would impose 25% tariffs on countries continuing to do business with Iran, adding to economic pressure on Tehran. He has also repeatedly warned Iranian leaders against using lethal force on demonstrators. I tell the Iranian leaders you better not start shooting because well start shooting, too, Trump said earlier this month. Were watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think theyre going to get hit very hard by the United States. Trump has underscored that military action remains an option, declaring: We are locked and loaded. Diplomacy not fully off the table Despite the rhetoric, the White House has signalled that diplomatic channels remain open. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that Iran has adopted a far different tone in private discussions with Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Still, Trumps decision to cancel talks and openly encourage protests suggests a shift toward a tougher stance. Economic crisis fuels unrest Irans deepening economic crisis lies at the heart of the protests. The collapse of the national currency, rising food prices and fuel cost hikes have intensified public anger. In December, the government raised prices under a new tiered gasoline subsidy system, ending years of ultra-cheap fuel. Food costs are expected to rise further after the central bank scrapped a preferential exchange rate for most imports except medicine and wheat. Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) has claimed that at least 648 protesters were killed as the new wave of anti-government nationwide protests in Iran continued for the 16th day on Monday. The organisation said that thousands were injured amid the demonstrations. Also Read | US to impose 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran Iran, which has not given an official death toll from the protests, blamed the bloodshed on US interference. The political unrest in Iran entered its third week with the Trump administration weighing military intervention and the Iranian leadership warning its prepared for war. Iran protest top updates 1. US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran. This Order is final and conclusive, he wrote, without specifying who they will affect. China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq are Iran's main trading partners, according to the economic database Trading Economics. Also Read | US to impose 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran 2. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday that the country was prepared for war but was also ready to negotiate, after President Trump hinted at possible US military action to stop a deadly crackdown by Irans authorities against anti-government protests in the country. We are not looking for war, but we are prepared for war even more prepared than the previous war, Abbas Araghchi told a conference of foreign ambassadors in Tehran, according to the New York Times. We are also ready for negotiations, but negotiations that are fair, with equal rights and mutual respect, Araghchi added. 3. Abbas Araqchi also said Tehran was studying ideas proposed by Washington, though these were "incompatible" with US threats. "Communications between (US special envoy Steve) Witkoff and me continued before and after the protests and are still ongoing," he told Al Jazeera. 4. Iran's Ministry of Intelligence said on Monday it had detained "terrorist" teams responsible for acts including killing paramilitary volunteers loyal to the clerical establishment, torching mosques and attacking military sites, according to a statement carried by state media. Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy 5. Addressing a large crowd in Tehran's Enqelab Square on Monday, parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iranians were fighting a war on four fronts - economic war, psychological warfare, military war against the US and Israel, and today a war against terrorism. Come and see what will happen to American ships and military bases in the region. Come and burn in the fire of the Iranian nation so severely that it becomes a lasting lesson in history for all oppressive US rulers. Come and find out what will happen to you and to the region, Qalibaf warned as cited by Iran state-run Press TV today. 6. Meanwhile, Trump said he has been mulling his options on Iran, which has been roiled by more than two weeks of demonstrations that have defied a near-total internet blackout and lethal force. While airstrikes were one of many alternatives open to Trump, diplomacy is always the first option for the president, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday. What you're 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, she said. 7. The US Department of State Consular Affairs highlighted the escalating protests and said US citizens in Iran should consider leaving by land to Armenia or Turkey. US nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran, the department said on its TravelGov account on X. 8. According to CNN, Irans foreign ministry summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France to present them with footage of what it described as violent acts by protesters during recent demonstrations. 9. Irans internet blackout reportedly reached 96 hours, according to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks. Iranian security forces are also clamping down on the use of Starlink, carrying out raids on homes and arresting those in apparent possession of satellite equipment, according to pro-reform activist outlet IranWire. In a sudden change of heart, Peter Mandelson issued an apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein over his connections to the disgraced financier, after previously refusing to do so, during his first TV interview since being fired as Britain's ambassador to the U.S, The Guardian reported. Earlier, the former Labour grandee said he wasnt knowledgeable of what Epstein was doing, he said in a BBC interview Sunday. If I had known, if I was in any way complicit or culpable, of course I would apologize for it but I was not culpable, Mandelson told the broadcaster, Bloomberg reported. Also Read | Kimmel attacks Trump, says Venezuela attack aimed to distract from Epstein files The politician lost his job due to his ties with Epstein after Bloomberg News released a batch of emails in September revealing the depth of his connection with the late financier. Mandelson said he understands why UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer removed him from the position and confirmed that he has no plans to return to public office. What did Peter Mandelson say in apology letter? In a statement, Mandelson expressed his unequivocal apology for maintaining ties with Epstein following the financiers conviction, according to a report by The Guardian. In a statement, he said, At the weekend, I gave an interview to the BBC. In answering questions about my association with Jeffrey Epstein I did not want to be held responsible for his crimes of which I was ignorant, not indifferent, because of the lies he told me and so many others. I want to say loudly and clearly that I was wrong to believe him following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered.I was never culpable or complicit in his crimes. Like everyone else I learned the full truth about him after his death.But his victims did know what he was doing, their voices were not heard and I am truly sorry I was amongst those who believed him over them. Epstein kept me separate cause I am gay Earlier in a BBC interview, Mandelson said he believed he had been kept separate from the sexual aspects of Epsteins life due to his own sexuality. "Possibly some people will think because I am a gay man... I wasn't attuned to what was going on. I don't really accept that, Mandelson told the BBC. He mentioned having spent one or two nights on Epsteins notorious private island, as well as visits to the financiers properties in New York and New Mexico. Also Read | Greta Thunberg arrested in London under Terrorism Act at pro-Palestinian protest The only people that 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 that we subsequently found out he was doing. Epstein was never there, he noted of his visits to the island, the BBC reported. Epstein was a convicted sex offender and was accused of sex trafficking young women and girls as young as 14. It came more than a decade after his conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, for which he was registered as a sex offender. I want to say loudly and clearly that I was wrong to believe him following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. He died in a New York prison cell on 10 August 2019 as he awaited, without the chance of bail, his trial on sex trafficking charges. Russia sharply criticised what it called subversive external interference in Irans internal affairs and denounced US threats of military action, saying such moves are categorically unacceptable and would have disastrous consequences for the Middle East and global security, according to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The remarks underline Moscows firm opposition to foreign involvement in Irans internal crisis and mirror Tehrans own narrative that external powers are stoking unrest. Trump wrote on Truth Social: Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! HELP IS ON ITS WAY. Trumps comments came as human rights monitors reported that over 2,000 people have been killed and thousands arrested in protests that have spread nationwide. Earlier in the week Trump warned Iran not to use lethal force, saying were watching it very closely and that violent suppression could draw a strong US response. Protests escalate amid crackdown The unrest, which began in late December as protests against economic hardship, has evolved into broader antigovernment demonstrations. Human rights groups report hundreds of deaths and widespread arrests. Iranian authorities have imposed internet and communications blackouts to limit information flow and have accused foreign powers particularly the US and Israel of fomenting the unrest. Tehrans foreign ministry has condemned interventionist statements by Washington as violations of international law and Iranian sovereignty. The tense backdrop includes recent US actions such as imposing 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran, part of broader pressure on Tehran. Science and technology have advanced most reliably when carried out in the open. Isaac Newton was only able to publish Principia Mathematica because he was able to stand on the shoulders of giants," such as Galileo and Kepler, who had made their own work public. But the very same Isaac Newton also dabbled in alchemy, a field in which practitioners were notoriously secretive about their experiments in transmuting base metal into gold. Given that he had no shoulders to stand on, Newton was far less successful as an alchemist than as a scientist. Also Read | India must say no to both drug overuse and the evergreening of pharma patents Innovators need an incentive to continue inventing. While science has traditionally flourished because of patronage, technology typically tends to succeed when it is profitable. This is why we developed intellectual property law, an artificial monopoly designed to ensure that innovators have an incentive to invent. In exchange for disclosing their inventions to the public, inventors are granted patent protection that effectively gives them a temporary monopoly over the exploitation of their inventions, letting them monetize them exclusively for that period. However, from the very early days of patent protection, it was clear that such a monopoly could quickly lead to complacency, extinguishing the very inventive spark it was supposed to nourish. Anyone who tells the history of the Industrial Revolution usually begins with the story of James Watt and his remarkable flash of genius. It is said that one day, as he watched his kettle boil, he had an insight that led to the invention of the steam engineand the complete re-imagining of motive power. Its a story of how inventive brilliance, rewarded by ownership protected by law, led to civilizational progress. The reality was somewhat less impressive. The patent Watt was granted in 1769 for his invention was framed in terms so broad that it encompassed all of steam power. When it was due to expire, he successfully lobbied British Parliament to extend it until 1800. During those three decades, innovations in steam engine design slowed perceptibly as Watt worked diligently to block the efforts of other engineers who were looking to develop smaller, cheaper and more efficient steam engines. As a result, it was not until after the patent expired that Richard Trevithick was able to build the first high-pressure steam engine capable of powering a steam locomotivekick-starting the mass transportation revolution in the process. A century later, the aviation industry was similarly hamstrung. After the Wright brothers demonstrated that controlled, powered flight was possible, they secured a patent drafted so broadly that they were able to slow down progress in aviation. Instead of improving the design of their aircraft, they sued others who were working on making planes safer, faster and more reliable. The ensuing intellectual property slugfest brought the American aviation industry to its knees, so much so that by the beginning of World War I, the government had no option but to force manufacturers into a patent pool that compelled them to cross-license claims so that planes needed for the war could be built. The patent system was designed to address a fundamental market failurethe fact that the high sunk costs of innovation, combined with the low cost of imitation, offer too scant an incentive to continue innovating. We attempted to address this issue by granting inventors a limited window of exclusivity to recoup their investments. What this did, however, was encourage rent-seeking, leading patent holders to maximize the extraction of value over inventing something new. But there is a further challenge. Patent law grants a standard 20-year monopoly to all inventions, regardless of the time and money invested in development. As economist Alex Tabarrok points out, this has led to disproportionate outcomes, given that different sectors need varying levels of protection. While software evolves too quickly to be effectively patented, mechanical inventions may merit a moderate term of protection. Among all the categories of innovation, drugs probably deserve the full extent of the 20-year protection, given how expensive they are to develop and trivially cheap to copy. But even this analysis is no longer sufficiently accurate. Artificial intelligence has shortened innovation time scales in even the most complex of disciplines. DeepMinds AlphaFold has solved the once-insurmountable protein folding problem and made drug discovery, which used to be like prospecting in the dark, an increasingly tractable problem. If ever there was a time to revisit the design of our intellectual property protection regime, it is now. Also Read | Indias patent filing boom masks a problem of lacklustre innovation When the process of innovation shifts from trial-and-error to automated inference, the sweat of the brow argument collapses. In a world where it no longer takes decades of painstaking experimentation to invent something new, a 20-year patent is not an incentive but a windfall. Intellectual property was supposed to ensure that innovators could stand on the shoulders of those who came before them, not prevent others from climbing up. As discovery becomes faster and cheaper, an extended monopoly is no longer a bridge but a wall. A legal framework built for slow, human-scale inventiveness cannot govern a world in which ideas can be generated at the speed of thought. It has to evolve, or risk suffocating the very progress it was designed to protect. The author is a partner at Trilegal and the author of The Third Way: Indias Revolutionary Approach to Data Governance. His X handle is @matthan. President Donald Trump expressed indifference toward the North American trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, portending a lengthy renegotiation of the USs largest free-trade pact. Trump on Tuesday said theres no real advantage to the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which he signed in 2020 and is subject to a review this year. He said the deal primarily benefits Canada, but that Americans dont need their product because everybodys moving here. We could have it or not, it wouldnt matter, Trump told reporters during a tour of a Ford Motor Co. plant when asked if he would engage in renegotiating the accord or let it lapse. Its irrelevant. Trumps comments mark another warning shot, both to the US auto sector, which relies heavily on the agreement, and to officials in Mexico City and Ottawa who have grappled with the presidents erratic trade policy ever since his return to office a year ago. They signal that the scheduled renegotiation of the USMCA could turn into an airing of grievances by Washington against the USs two largest trading partners. Earlier: Trumps Venezuela, Greenland Threats Make Canada Fear Its Next USMCA was one of Trumps signature achievements during his first term, replacing the 1992 North American Free Trade Agreement he long railed against. The deal is subject to a mandatory review this year. If all countries agree to renew it before July 1, it would be extended for 16 years. But if not, then the parties would be required to hold annual joint reviews until they agree to approve it again or the pact expires in 2036. That is separate from the withdrawal provision, which states that any country can exit the agreement with six months written notice to the other parties. Its not yet clear whether Trump will do that and, if he did, if a deal would then be struck to avert USMCAs collapse. The pact does not fully spell out every negotiating path, and theoretically leaves open the option for talks to proceed in any format to which the three countries agree. Trump in recent months has derided the agreement, an apparent play to gain leverage over Canada and Mexico. Asked if he still wants the deal, Trump responded I think they want it, referring to the USs neighbors, adding, I dont really care. I dont even think about USMCA. I want to see Canada and Mexico do well. The problem is we dont need their product. You know, we dont need cars made in Canada. We dont need cars made in Mexico. We want to make them here. And thats whats happening, Trump continued. Trump has already undercut the pact during his second term by imposing, then paring back, new tariffs on Mexican and Canadian products, justifying the move by arguing that fentanyl is trafficked through both countries. He later exempted products covered by USMCA. The prospect of Trump blowing up the trade agreement has injected further tension into the review process, as it would deliver a devastating blow to the Mexican and Canadian economies and disrupt key lines of business. Several industries, such as auto manufacturing, have developed deeply interconnected supply chains across North America that would be upended if Trump terminates the deal. Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley has said the tariff breaks Trump gave Japanese exports lowering the rate to 15% provided Toyota Motor Corp. a $5,000 to $10,000 cost advantage on SUVs over his company, despite Ford building its SUVs in the US. Ford and US automakers have pushed the White House to negotiate a new North American trade deal with Mexico and Canada in order to maintain a cost advantage for their American manufacturing presence. With assistance from Keith Naughton. 2026 Bloomberg L.P. LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - British technology minister Liz Kendall said on Tuesday the government was seeking a "reset" on plans to overhaul copyright rules to accommodate artificial intelligence, pledging to protect creators while unlocking AI's economic potential. Creative industries worldwide are grappling with legal and ethical challenges posed by AI systems that generate original content after being trained on popular works, often without compensating the original creators. Britain, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to turn into an AI superpower, initially proposed relaxing copyright laws to allow developers to train models on any material they could lawfully access, with creators required to opt out. Ministers said this approach had been a mistake. Kendall told a committee of lawmakers that the publication of the government's review - due in March - would be a "genuine reset moment". She said the creative industry's two main concerns - reward for their work and control of their art - were incredibly important. "One of the things that was crystal clear in the consultation was just how important fundamentally it is for the creative sector to have those two issues at the heart of the way forward," she said. Culture minister Lisa Nandy, who appeared alongside Kendall in front of the committee, echoed that view, saying there was no single answer from contributors to the review, but the initially preferred opt-out system was widely rejected. "One of the learning points for this government has been that it was a mistake to start with a preferred model, the opt-out model," Nandy said. "We have to take a far more nuanced approach to this and work with different parts of the creative industries to address the very serious and in some cases existential challenge that is posed by the current system, let alone by any changes that we may make," she added. Apple has entered into a multi-year deal to use Google Gemini to power the Cupertino based tech giant's foundation models. Under the deal, these AI models will be used to power future Apple Intelligence features, which will also include the personalised version of Siri that Apple had promised back at WWDC 2024 but failed to deliver since then. After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google's AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users, Apple said in a joint statement. The company then went on to maintain the privacy aspect of Apple Intelligence, noting that the AI features would continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute. The two companies did not give any further details about the terms of the agreement. However, a report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in August had stated that Apple would pay around $1 billion a year for the 1.2 trillion parameter AI model that will power the revamped Siri. Notably, Apple had earlier partnered with OpenAI to use ChatGPT for powering the more complicated queries that Siri is unable to handle. With Gemini now taking the reins on revamped Siri, it's not clear what the future of that partnership will hold. What revamped Siri promised? Apple's promise for a smarter Siri was first expected to arrive with the iOS 18.4 update, but the goalpost has since moved and the revamped Siri update is now expected to arrive with the iOS 26.4 update in March this year. The Cupertino based tech giant had promised three big upgrades to Siri to take it on par with rivals like Gemini and ChatGPT. First, Siri will be able to understand personalised context by scanning through details on the user's phone like emails, messages, and calendar events to understand the unique details about their lives. The voice assistant will then be able to deliver a tailored experience to the user by answering questions like When is Moms flight landing? or Play that podcast that Jamie recommended. Second, Siri will be able to understand what is happening on the user's screen in real time with on-screen awareness. The AI version of Siri will then be able to understand and take action on behalf of the user. Apple had given the example that if a friend sends you their address, the receiver will just need to ask Siri to Add this address to his contact card. Google, by default, uses conversations users have with Gemini to train its AI models. With Gemini now powering the revamped Siri, the logical next question is whether Google gets access to your personal Siri conversations. It turns out Apple anticipated this question and has already issued a clarification. The Cupertino based tech giant, in a joint statement, said that while its upcoming Apple Intelligence features will be powered by Gemini, they will still adhere to the companys industry-leading privacy standards. The company also noted that the features would run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute. In case you arent aware, Private Cloud Compute is Apples own cloud intelligence system that it announced with iOS 18 to run Apple Intelligence features on the cloud while offering the same level of privacy and security as when the data is stored on the iPhone. When a user uses an Apple Intelligence feature, Apples AI analyses whether it can process the data on-device or if it needs more computational power. If it needs more computational capacity, the AI sends only the data that is relevant to the task to Apple silicon servers, and the company claims that the data is not stored or made accessible to Apple, and is only used to fulfil the users requests. Apples senior vice president of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, had explained the system while introducing it alongside iOS 18, saying, Private Cloud Compute uses your data only to fulfil your request, and never stores it, making sure its never accessible to anyone, including Apple. And weve designed the system so that independent experts can verify these protections. While Apple has not yet gone into detail about how this specific partnership will work, the general idea is that these models should use the computing power on your phone to run smaller tasks, while more complex tasks could be routed via Private Cloud Compute. This way, while Google would be providing the actual brainpower behind the tasks, it would not be able to access the data Apple users share with Siri. View full Image Apple's personalized Siri Apple had earlier partnered with OpenAI to power complex queries in Siri along with some Apple Intelligence features. The company had then said that privacy protections are built in when accessing ChatGPT within Siri, which included OpenAI not being able to save user requests and user IP addresses being obscured. Google TPUs vs. Nvidia GPUs: The AI Chip Battle Thats Heating Up And What It Means for Investors By Shayne Heffernan, The AI arms race just got a lot more interesting and a lot more dangerous for Nvidia shareholders. Reports emerged last week that Meta Platforms is in advanced talks to buy Googles Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) for its data centers, a move that could signal the beginning of the end for Nvidias stranglehold on the AI hardware market. Its not just another supply deal; its a direct challenge to the GPU giant thats dominated the space since the deep learning boom of 2012. With Nvidias market cap hovering around $3 trillion making it the worlds most valuable company any crack in that armor could wipe out billions overnight. Drawing from a recent Yahoo Finance video breakdown of the TPU vs. GPU debate, lets unpack the technical showdown, the economic stakes, and why this could reshape the trillion-dollar AI economy. The Tech at War: ASICs vs. General-Purpose Powerhouses At the heart of this rivalry are two fundamentally different beasts: Googles TPUs and Nvidias GPUs. Nvidias Graphics Processing Units started life as gaming cards, but their parallel processing prowess made them the accidental heroes of AI. CUDA, Nvidias proprietary software ecosystem, turned GPUs into Swiss Army knives for machine learning flexible, adaptable, and battle-tested across everything from image recognition to natural language models. A single H100 GPU can handle massive matrix multiplications at blistering speeds, clocking in at 4 petaflops for FP8 precision, which is why its the go-to for training behemoths like GPT-4 or Stable Diffusion. Googles TPUs, on the other hand, are purebred racers Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) engineered from the ground up for tensor operations, the mathematical bread and butter of neural networks. The latest TPU v5p, rolled out in 2024, packs 8,960 chips into a single pod, delivering 459 petaflops of performance thats enough to train Googles Gemini models in-house without begging Nvidia for scraps. TPUs shine in Googles Cloud TPU service, where theyre optimized for the companys own frameworks like JAX or TensorFlow, offering up to 2.8x better efficiency on large-scale training runs compared to equivalent GPU clusters. But heres the rub: theyre specialists. Swap in a non-Google workload, and you hit a wall no CUDA compatibility means developers must rewrite code, a non-starter for the open-source hordes. The video from Yahoo Finance nails the trade-off: GPUs are like a pickup truck versatile for hauling anything from gravel to groceries. TPUs are Ferraris blistering on the track but useless for off-roading. Metas rumored TPU buy isnt about ditching Nvidia entirely; its about diversification. With AI compute shortages biting hard OpenAI reportedly waited six months for H100s in 2024 having options matters. If Meta pulls the trigger, it could validate Googles bet that ASICs will chip away at Nvidias 8090% market share in AI accelerators. Cost and Efficiency: Where the Rubber Meets the Road Price is where the battle gets bloody. Nvidias H100 sells for $30,000$40,000 per unit, with a full DGX system running $500,000+. Googles TPUs are cheaper to run in the cloud TPU v5p instances cost about 30% less per teraflop than A100 GPUs but upfront hardware access is locked behind Googles ecosystem. For hyperscalers like Meta, which spent $35 billion on capex in 2024 (mostly Nvidia), the math adds up: TPUs could shave 2030% off power bills, a godsend when data centers guzzle 1% of global electricity. Efficiency tells the tale too. Benchmarks from MLPerf (2025 round) show TPUs edging out GPUs in training large language models by 1.5x on energy use, thanks to custom systolic arrays that minimize data movement. Nvidia counters with software tricks TensorRT-LLM optimizes inference by 4x but the gap is narrowing. As AI shifts from training (GPU stronghold) to inference (TPU sweet spot), Googles edge could widen. Imagine deploying billions of edge AI queries on phones or cars; TPUs low-latency design fits like a glove. Yet Nvidia isnt sleeping. Their Blackwell B200 (2025 launch) promises 30 petaflops per GPU, dwarfing TPU v5ps pod-level output. And CUDAs moat 80% of AI codebases are written for it keeps developers loyal. The videos speakers hit the nail: diversification is pragmatic, but Nvidias ecosystem lock-in is a fortress. Market Impact: Nvidias Throne Under SiegeNvidias rise has been meteoric from $300 billion in 2022 to $3 trillion today, fueled by AI mania. But cracks are showing. Metas TPU flirtation echoes Microsofts custom Maia chips and Amazons Trainium all hyperscalers building alternatives to escape Nvidias pricing power. If Meta inks the deal, it could cascade: expect pressure on Nvidias margins (already at 75%) as customers demand discounts or multi-vendor bids. The broader ripple? A more fragmented AI hardware market, good for innovation but bad for Nvidias monopoly rents. AMDs MI300X gained 15% share in 2025, and Intels Gaudi3 is nipping at heels. For investors, its a wake-up: $NVDA at 50x forward earnings is frothy if TPUs steal 1020% of the $100 billion AI chip market by 2030 (Gartner forecast). Short-term, $NVDA dips 510% on bad news; long-term, the winner takes most. The Bigger Picture: AIs Hardware Wars and What Comes Next This TPU-GPU tussle isnt isolated its symptomatic of AIs maturation. Early days were GPU wild west; now, specialization rules. ASICs like TPUs win on efficiency for fixed workloads (e.g., Googles search ranking), while GPUs versatility suits diverse apps (e.g., Metas Reels recommendations). The videos conclusion rings true: no full replacement, just a multi-vendor world where Nvidias 90% share erodes to 6070% by 2028.For the ecosystem, its bullish: cheaper compute accelerates AI adoption, from drug discovery to autonomous driving. Toby Inc.s urine-based cancer tests could train 2x faster on TPUs, slashing costs. But for Nvidia bulls, its a reality check the chip king must innovate or face the fate of Intel in the PC era. In this corner, TPUs punch above their weight. In Nvidias, raw power still rules. The fights just starting and investors, buckle up. KXCO Technology Outlook for 2026 As we enter 2026, KXCO continues to position itself as a leading provider of enterprise-grade blockchain solutions, focusing on bridging traditional finance with secure, compliant digital asset infrastructure. Our mission remains steadfast: enabling governments, institutions, banks, and corporates to integrate blockchain seamlessly across management, finance, and operations. This outlook highlights our strategic priorities for the year, informed by accelerating global trends such as heightened regulatory scrutiny, stablecoin proliferation, and the mainstreaming of decentralized finance (DeFi). Advancing Regulatory-Compliant Blockchain Products with Embedded ID and KYC In 2026, KXCO will prioritize the development of blockchain products that inherently incorporate legislative requirements for identity verification (ID) and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, aligning with evolving global standards such as the EUs Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, the U.S. SECs enhanced oversight, and the Crypto Travel Rule expansions. Our proprietary KXCO Armaturea Proof-of-Authority (PoA), EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchainwill feature upgraded modules for automated KYC/AML integration, leveraging AI-driven tools for real-time verification and risk assessment. This includes verifiable credentials for user onboarding, ensuring compliance with mandates like the UKs new crypto reporting rules effective from January 2026 and similar requirements in emerging markets. These enhancements will support clients in sectors like banking and government, reducing compliance costs while enabling secure, permissioned ecosystems. Enhancing Wallets and Integrating Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) Building on our established Knightsbridge Wallet suite, 2026 will see continued investment in wallet development, emphasizing security, usability, and multi-chain interoperability. We will enhance both mobile and web wallets with advanced features such as biometric multi-signature authentication and seamless fiat on/off-ramps. A key milestone will be full integration with Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), allowing clients to deploy branded, offline-capable wallets that function across devices without app store dependencies. This aligns with institutional needs for resilient infrastructure, particularly in regions with variable connectivity, and supports trends toward unified digital identity management. Launching Our Advanced DEX for DeFi Innovation Mid-2026 marks the release of our flagship Decentralized Exchange (DEX) product, designed for a regulated DeFi environment. This platform will incorporate Real-World Assets (RWAs), perpetual futures, equities, foreign exchange (FX), and synthetic derivatives, enabling tokenized trading of traditional assets with on-chain efficiency. Built on KXCO Armature, the DEX will feature deep liquidity pools, low-latency execution, and built-in compliance tools to meet regulatory demands for market abuse prevention and reserve backing. This positions KXCO at the forefront of the RWA perpetuals boom, catering to institutional traders seeking synthetic exposure to global markets. Evolving Prediction Markets into Serious Financial Instruments KXCO will advance our prediction markets platform into a robust financial market infrastructure, introducing novel derivatives and synthetics for hedging and speculation. Leveraging blockchains transparency, we aim to integrate these with traditional finance, drawing on 2025s surge in event-contract volumes. New features will include tokenized outcomes tied to economic indicators, commodities, and geopolitical events, with compliant mechanisms for institutional participation. This evolution responds to growing investor interest in prediction markets as alternative data sources, potentially influencing behaviors in broader financial ecosystems. Leveraging Partnerships in the Middle East and Africa for New Product Launches Our strategic partnerships in the Middle East and a new alliance in Africa will drive the launch of specialized products in cross-border payments and institutional/corporate governance. In the Middle East, we will expand tokenized payment gateways. In Africa, integrations with local platforms will facilitate blockchain-enabled remittances, addressing the continents growing demand for efficient, low-cost transfers. These efforts will include governance tools for corporate transparency. Capitalizing on Stablecoin Acceleration and Infrastructure Demands As stablecoin adoption acceleratesdriven by integrations into banking infrastructure and cross-border paymentsKXCO anticipates heightened demand for our management systems. Governments, institutions, corporates, and individuals will require advanced infrastructure for holding, transacting, and accounting for stablecoins, including 1:1 reserve audits and AML compliance. This will fuel growth in our software solutions and advisory services, particularly as stablecoins become the internets dollar for cross-border flows. Expanding Stablecoin as a Service Offerings Our Stablecoin as a Service (SaaS) platform will gain prominence in 2026, offering white-label issuance, management, and integration tools. This includes pegged stablecoins for corporate reserves and loyalty programs, with embedded compliance to meet U.S. FASBs potential cash-equivalent classifications and global reserve requirements. As tokenization and stablecoins converge, these offerings will support clients in achieving cost savings and speed in payments. Leveraging Registrations in the UK and Qatar for Advisory Growth Recent registrations in the UK and Qatar will unlock expanded advisory opportunities, providing expertise on IPOs, corporate structuring, capital raises, and the use of blockchain in business. In the UK, we will assist firms with strategic planning for public listings and blockchain-enhanced financing models, while in Qatar, our presence will facilitate Middle Eastern expansions amid supportive regulations for innovative capital markets. Strategic Licensing Considerations While committed to a non-custodial model, KXCO is evaluating licensing opportunities in Bahrain, Hong Kong, and the USA to enhance service offerings. Bahrains fintech-friendly environment, Hong Kongs progressive digital asset regulations, and the U.S.s maturing framework (including potential stablecoin classifications) align with our institutional focus, potentially enabling custodian-backed services without compromising core principles. Carecredits Product Pilots and Growth Potential The product we developed for Carecreditsa blockchain-enabled platform for secure, compliant healthcare financing and rewardshas pilots now running in: Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, Ireland Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, England Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire, England This business is set for rapid growth, as early feedback from these pilots demonstrates strong demand for tokenized healthcare solutions that streamline payments, enhance patient data security, and integrate with existing institutional systems. In summary, 2026 will be a pivotal year for KXCO, driven by regulatory alignment, product innovation, and strategic partnerships. We invite institutions to collaborate as we shape the future of compliant blockchain infrastructure. For inquiries, visit kxco.io. My Memento Mori Moment Skin Cancer By Shayne Heffernan I thought I was bullet-proof. For decades I lived like a man who had signed some secret exemption from the human condition. Cigarettes in the morning, coffee all day, whiskey at night, endless sun on boats and beaches with zero sunscreen, because thats for other people. I ran companies, built things, travelled the planet, and somewhere along the line convinced myself that death was a problem for latermuch later. I was too busy, too driven, too alive to waste time thinking about the end. Then, six weeks ago, a dermatologist looked at a tiny pink spot on my nose and said a few words that punched straight through the armour: You have skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma. The good kind, if such a thing exists. Completely curable, almost never metastasises, a simple outpatient surgery and youre done. The doctor was almost bored delivering the news. For him it was Tuesday. For me it was the day the music stopped. I walked out of the clinic in a daze. The Bangkok traffic roared around me the same as always, but everything felt different. The sun that I had worshipped for sixty odd years now felt like an assassin. My phone kept buzzing, but none of it seemed to matter. For the first time in my adult life I was forced to stare at the one fact I had spent decades ignoring: I am going to die. Bishop Robert Barron said recently, You only live your life properly when you are very much aware of your own death. I used to roll my eyes at statements like thatsounded like something priests say to scare teenagers into behaving. Six weeks later I can tell you with absolute certainty: he is 100 % correct. When the reality of your own mortality finally lands, something chemical happens in the soul. The filters come off. You start seeing time for what it isan incredibly finite, non-renewable resource. Conversations you meant to have, forgiveness you meant to ask for, love you meant to give; suddenly they all move from the someday column to the right now column. In the weeks between diagnosis and surgery I caught myself doing things I had never done before: Sitting with my children longer than usual, memorising their faces. Talking to people in a more connected way. Praying the Rosary slowly instead of rattling it off like a task. Looking at strangers on the street and thinking, Youre going to die too, and you probably dont know it yet. The cancer was removed cleanly two weeks ago. The wound is healing but a scar will remain and a clean pathology report. Medically, Im fine. Spiritually, I have been permanently altered. The bullet-proof kid is gone. In his place is a man who finally understands that every sunrise is a gift, every breath is borrowed, and every day is a chance to get it right before the bill comes due. Dont wait for your own skin cancer, heart attack, or phone call at 3 a.m. to teach you this. Memento mori is not a threat; it is the kindest wake-up call God ever invented. Remember you must dienot to be morbid, but to live with urgency, with love, with purpose. Because if you are reading this right now, one thing is 100 % guaranteed: You will die. Everyone you love will die. The only question is whether you will let that truth frighten you into paralysis or free you into a life that actually matters. I choose the second option. I hope you do too. Shayne Heffernan Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is Right: The Microwave Is a Quiet, Cumulative Health Hazard By Shayne Heffernan When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted Ditch the microwave completely if you can It creates radiolytic compounds no human ate since it was invented, the internet did what it always does: half laughed, half raged, and almost nobody looked at the actual science. Most journalists dismissed it The truth is far more uncomfortable: decades of suppressed, ignored, or poorly translated research suggest he is closer to correct than the microwave industry wants to admit. Radiolytic Compounds: The Forbidden Research In the 1970s, Soviet researchers published a series of studies (later classified and removed from Western citation lists) showing that microwave radiation produced new chemical species not found in food cooked by conduction, convection, or infrared. Peroxides, hydroperoxides, and other free-radical byproducts Isomeric shifts in amino acids (L D forms) that the human body does not recognise Altered protein structures that triggered immune responses in animal studies The Swiss researcher Hans Hertel replicated some of this work in the early 1990s. Eight volunteers ate identical meals prepared four ways (raw, conventionally cooked, pressure cooked, microwaved). Blood drawn after microwaved meals showed: Haemoglobin drop HDL cholesterol decrease Lymphocyte suppression Markers resembling the onset of pathogenic processes The study was tiny, but the Swiss government and appliance lobby reportedly pressured Hertel into silence. The research was never formally debunked it was simply buried. Even the WHOs own 2005 fact sheet admits that some leakage of higher-order harmonics occurs and that certain molecules may be broken diplomatic language for we dont fully understand whats being created. The Plastic Leaching Disaster This is the part that should terrify every parent. Even containers labelled microwave-safe are only tested for melting and gross deformation. They are not tested for chemical migration at the parts-per-billion level. Peer-reviewed studies (20112024) have now identified: Bisphenol analogues (BPS, BPF) leaching at rates 30 higher than room-temperature storage Phthalates (DEHP, DBP) increasing 100-fold in fatty foods Antimony from PET plastics PFAS (forever chemicals) from certain microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes A 2023 Korean study found that microwaving food in polypropylene containers for just three minutes released over 4 million microplastic particles per square centimetre. Those particles carry the leached chemicals straight into the bloodstream. The endocrine disruption data is no longer theoretical: 2021 meta-analysis: detectable BPA analogues in 93 % of urine samples from people who regularly microwave in plastic 2024 fertility study: men who microwaved lunch in plastic 5+ times/week had 38 % lower sperm motility The Invisible Radiation Bath The FDA allows microwave ovens to leak up to 5 mW/cm at 5 cm distance. Russias lifetime safety limit is 0.01 mW/cm 500 times stricter. Standing 30 cm away from a running microwave still exposes the body to 0.52 mW/cm above Russias chronic-exposure ceiling. Long-term effects under investigation (20202025): Lens opacities (early cataract formation) in heavy users Sleep architecture disruption (reduced deep sleep) Oxidative stress markers in frequent users (2024 Turkish study) Childrens heads absorb twice the radiation of adults due to thinner skulls. The Convenience Trap The microwave was sold as a time-saver. Reality: reheating on stovetop or in a 180 C oven takes 36 extra minutes. Four minutes versus a lifetime of cumulative damage. The Industrys Defence And Why Its Crumbling The standard rebuttal is no conclusive evidence of harm. Thats technically true because almost no funding exists for large, long-term human studies. The appliance industry has successfully framed absence of proof as proof of absence. But absence of definitive proof is not the same as absence of risk, especially when the mechanistic data (nutrient destruction, leaching, radiolytic byproducts) is so consistent. Conclusion: RFK Was Understating the Case Robert F. Kennedy Jr. didnt go far enough. The microwave isnt just not ideal. For anyone who values nutrient density, hormonal health, and avoiding novel chemical exposures, it is the single worst cooking appliance ever invented. The solution is simple, cheap, and immediate: Use glass or ceramic only Reheat on stovetop or oven Accept the extra four minutes Your body and your childrens bodies will thank you for the rest of your lives. The Silent Arsenal: Frequency-Based Weapons and the Mystery of Venezuela By Shayne Heffernan In the evolving landscape of modern warfare, traditional arms like rifles and explosives increasingly share the stage with more insidious technologies. Frequency-based weapons, which leverage electromagnetic waves or sound frequencies to disable targets, stand at the forefront of this shift. These systems operate in the invisible spectrum, delivering effects that range from temporary disorientation to severe physiological harm, all without the need for physical projectiles. As militaries around the world invest in such capabilities, questions arise about their deployment in real-world scenarios. One recent event in Venezuela has sparked intense speculation: Could a frequency-based weapon have been responsible for the bizarre collapse of guards during a high-profile raid? This incident highlights the growing role of these tools in global conflicts and the challenges they pose to transparency and accountability. Frequency-based weapons encompass a broad category of directed-energy systems designed to exploit the physical properties of waves. Electromagnetic variants, such as high-power microwaves (HPMs), emit concentrated bursts of energy in the radio or microwave ranges. Narrow-band HPMs target specific frequencies to jam communications or overload electronic circuits, while wide-band versions cast a broader net, potentially disrupting entire systems. At higher intensities, these waves interact with human tissue, causing sensations of intense heat or pain by exciting water molecules in the skin. Acoustic weapons, meanwhile, use sound as their medium. Audible sonic devices generate loud, piercing noises to disperse crowds, while ultrasonic or infrasonic versions operate outside normal hearing ranges. Ultrasonic waves can focus energy to create pressure points that induce nausea or headaches, and infrasoundlow-frequency vibrationsmay resonate with internal organs, leading to disorientation or even organ rupture in extreme cases. Development of these weapons traces back to the mid-20th century, when superpowers explored non-traditional methods to gain strategic advantages. During the Cold War, research into electromagnetic effects focused on radar jamming and electronic warfare, but experiments soon extended to human applications. By the 1990s, prototypes emerged for crowd control, with systems capable of projecting sound or energy over hundreds of meters. Today, major powers continue refinement. The United States, for instance, has fielded prototypes for vehicle-mounted microwave systems intended to stop approaching threats by causing unbearable discomfort. Similar efforts appear in Russia and China, where frequency weapons integrate into broader asymmetric warfare strategies. Private contractors and research labs contribute as well, blurring lines between military and commercial innovation. Yet, the technology remains shrouded in secrecy, with public demonstrations limited to controlled environments. The appeal of frequency-based weapons lies in their versatility and perceived humanity. In urban settings, where collateral damage from conventional arms can be catastrophic, a tool that repels rather than kills offers tactical value. Security forces might use sonic devices to break up protests without resorting to tear gas or batons, preserving lives while maintaining order. Electromagnetic systems provide standoff capability, allowing operators to neutralize drones or vehicles from afar without endangering personnel. However, this non-lethality comes with caveats. Effects vary by individualage, health, and exposure duration influence outcomes. What disorients one person might injure another, and prolonged use could lead to permanent damage like hearing loss or neurological issues. Moreover, the invisibility of these attacks complicates verification, raising risks of misuse in covert operations. Ethical dilemmas abound. International treaties like the Geneva Conventions prohibit weapons causing unnecessary suffering, but frequency-based systems occupy a gray area. Are they non-lethal if they can escalate to fatal levels? Human rights organizations argue for stricter regulations, citing potential for torture or indiscriminate harm. In conflict zones, such weapons could target civilians under the guise of precision, eroding trust in military actions. Governments face pressure to disclose testing data, but classification barriers persist. Advocates counter that these tools reduce overall violence, pointing to scenarios where they de-escalate tensions without bloodshed. The debate echoes broader discussions on emerging technologies, from drones to AI, where innovation outpaces oversight. Turning to Venezuela, the events of late 2025 provide a compelling case study. Nicolas Maduros regime, long mired in political turmoil, faced mounting international pressure. U.S. forces conducted a daring operation to capture the leader, infiltrating a heavily guarded compound under cover of night. What followed defies easy explanation. Guards posted at key positions suddenly faltered, some dropping to their knees while clutching their heads, others vomiting or bleeding from facial orifices. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos: trained soldiers reduced to helplessness in seconds, without gunfire or visible assault. One account from a surviving security detail spoke of an overwhelming pressure in the skull, as if an unseen force had compressed their brains. Medical examinations later revealed symptoms consistent with internal traumaruptured blood vessels, equilibrium disruption, and acute nausea. Speculation quickly turned to frequency-based weaponry. The described effects mirror those of acoustic attacks, where high-intensity sound waves penetrate the body, vibrating tissues and causing hemorrhage. If deployed, such a device could have been vehicle-mounted or airborne, focusing energy on the guards to clear a path for the raiders. Electromagnetic alternatives might explain the rapid onset, with microwave pulses inducing thermal agony or neurological overload. Venezuelas government decried the incident as an act of technological terrorism, accusing foreign powers of using experimental arms. Independent analysts note similarities to past events, like the unexplained illnesses among diplomats in Cuba, where sonic harassment was suspected. Yet, without concrete evidencesuch as device remnants or wave signaturesattribution remains elusive. The raids success, culminating in Maduros apprehension, underscores the strategic value of these weapons. In a region plagued by instability, where conventional assaults risk escalation, a silent neutralizer allows for precision extraction. However, the human cost raises alarms. Survivors reported lingering effects: migraines, hearing impairment, and psychological distress. If frequency weapons were involved, it marks a potential escalation in their operational use, moving from testing grounds to active theaters. This development could prompt an arms race, with nations scrambling to acquire countermeasures like shielding materials or frequency jammers. Broader implications extend beyond Venezuela. In an era of hybrid warfare, where cyber attacks blend with physical operations, frequency weapons add another layer. They could target infrastructure, disabling power grids or communications without kinetic damage. Urban planners might need to incorporate protective designs, such as Faraday cages in critical buildings. For civilians, the threat looms in authoritarian contexts, where regimes suppress dissent through invisible means. International law struggles to keep pace; calls for bans akin to those on chemical weapons gain traction, but enforcement proves challenging. As research advances, the line between defense and offense blurs. Scientists explore therapeutic applications, like using frequencies for pain relief or cancer treatment, yet military adaptations dominate funding. Public awareness grows through media portrayals, demystifying the technology while fueling paranoia about mind control beams. Responsible deployment requires transparencydetailed guidelines on power levels, targeting protocols, and post-use medical support. Without such measures, these weapons risk becoming symbols of unchecked power. Venezuelas mystery serves as a cautionary tale. Whether a frequency device was wielded or not, the incident illustrates the transformative potential of wave-based warfare. As nations refine these silent arsenals, the global community must confront the risks. Balancing innovation with humanity demands vigilance, lest the next battlefield echo not with explosions, but with an eerie quiet broken only by the falls of the afflicted. Truth is now under attack. They Are Coming for Your Thoughts By Shayne Heffernan The most dangerous revolution in human history is not being fought with guns or bombs. It is being fought with algorithms, content policies, and quiet little checkboxes labelled community standards. The battlefield is your mind, and the objective is simple: to make certain thoughts unthinkable. George Orwell saw it coming in 1949. In Nineteen Eighty-Four he wrote: The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. That sentence is no longer fiction. It is daily practice. Say the wrong thing about biology, borders, or belief and the digital ministry of truth descends. Accounts vanish. Advertisers flee. Careers end. The chilling effect is total. Journalists now self-censor before they even type. Editors kill stories that are factually correct because they are controversial. The fear is real, and it is working. Orwell again: In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. Saint Augustine, fifteen centuries earlier, understood the same war: Truth is like a lion. You dont have to defend it. Let it loose. It will defend itself. Winston Churchill, standing against the darkest ideology of the 20th century: Truth is incontrovertible. Panic may resent it, ignorance may deride it, malice may distort it, but there it is. And Saint John Paul II, who lived under both Nazi and Soviet totalitarianism: Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought and the first duty is to speak the truth. Yet the loudest silence today is reserved for one particular truth. Jesus Christ said, I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Two thousand years later, that single sentence has become the most dangerous idea on earth. Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world over 360 million face high or extreme levels of discrimination and violence, according to Open Doors 2025 World Watch List. Churches are burned, priests are murdered, entire villages are ethnically cleansed. Yet these atrocities rarely break through the algorithmic wall into mainstream awareness. When churches are vandalised across Western Europe more than 3,000 incidents in France alone in recent years the stories are buried beneath celebrity gossip and weather reports. The same platforms that amplify every micro-aggression against favoured causes fall mysteriously silent when the victims wear a cross. Why? Because the moment you admit that followers of I am the truth are being systematically targeted, you are forced to confront the existence of objective truth itself. And objective truth is the mortal enemy of every ideology that demands you deny reality to remain in good standing. The censors do not fear guns. They fear ideas. They fear the idea that some things are simply true biologically, historically, morally, spiritually regardless of how many hashtags insist otherwise. Orwells nightmare was not that the state would outlaw truth. It was that the state would make truth unsayable. We are already there. The only defence left is the one the saints and the dissidents have always used: Speak anyway. Because as long as one person still dares to say what is true about biology, about history, about the persecution of the innocent, about the existence of God the revolution has not yet won. They are coming for your thoughts. Do not surrender them without a fight. Shayne Heffernan Cold calling isnt dead, but spray and pray definitely is. In 2026, the most successful B2B teams have moved to signal-based sellingignoring cold lists in favor of prospects who are actively researching solutions, hiring for relevant roles, or have just changed jobs. This weeks Tech Tuesday explores the best Sales Intelligence & Predictive Prospecting tools that tell you not just who to contact, but when and why. Apollo.io Apollo.io has cemented itself as the default all-in-one growth stack for modern sales teams, combining a massive contact database with powerful engagement tools. By integrating search, email sequencing, and a dialer into a single platform, it removes the friction of switching between tools, allowing reps to move from finding a prospect to contacting them in seconds. Its vast database covers over 275 million contacts, making it one of the largest and most accessible sources of B2B data on the market. Key Features: The platform offers a unified B2B database with granular filters for finding verified emails and mobile numbers. It includes a built-in engagement suite for automated email sequences and dialing, as well as a Chrome Extension that allows users to prospect directly on LinkedIn and sync data to their CRM in one click. Additionally, its Deal Intelligence and AI-assisted writing tools help reps personalize outreach at scale. Best For: SMEs, startups, and growth-focused sales teams who need a high-quality sales stack in a box without paying enterprise prices for separate data and outreach tools. 6sense 6sense is widely considered the radar system for enterprise revenue teams, moving beyond simple contact lists to provide deep market intelligence. It specializes in illuminating the Dark Funnelidentifying which accounts are anonymously researching your solution on the open web before they ever fill out a form. By deanonymizing this web traffic and combining it with proprietary intent data, 6sense tells you exactly which companies are in-market so your marketing and sales teams can swarm them simultaneously. Key Features: The platforms core strength is its Predictive Intelligence, which scores accounts based on their buying stage (e.g., Awareness, Consideration, Decision). It includes Revenue AI for Sales, a dashboard that surfaces prioritized accounts and contact data directly within your CRM. Additionally, its Conversational Email feature uses AI agents to automatically engage and qualify leads, while its orchestration tools allow you to trigger targeted display ads and sales alerts the moment an account shows intent. Best For: Enterprise and mid-market revenue teams running strict Account-Based Marketing (ABM) strategies where aligning sales and marketing on a specific target list is critical. Clay Clay has taken the sales world by storm in 2026 by reimagining data enrichment as a creative, automated process. Instead of relying on a single static database, Clay acts as a data orchestration hub that sits on top of your existing stack. It looks like a spreadsheet but functions like a powerful data waterfall, pulling information from over 50 different providers simultaneously to build the most complete prospect profile possible. Key Features: Its standout feature is Waterfall Enrichment, which sequentially checks multiple data providers (like LinkedIn, Google Maps, Crunchbase, and others) to find verified contact info, ensuring the highest possible match rate. Beyond standard data, its Claygent AI agent acts as a digital researcher that can visit websites to answer complex questionssuch as Does this company have a pricing page? or Who is their VP of Engineering?allowing for hyper-personalized outreach at scale. Best For: Growth hackers, technical marketers, and RevOps teams who want to build highly customized, automated prospecting workflows that go far beyond simple list building. Cognism Cognism is the premium choice for international sales teams, distinguishing itself by focusing on data quality and strict compliance rather than just volume. While many US-centric databases struggle with accuracy in Europe, Cognism has built its reputation on having the best coverage for the UK and EMEA markets, along with a phone-verified database that ensures you reach actual humans, not switchboards. Key Features: Its standout feature is Diamond Data a layer of manually verified mobile numbers that guarantees high connectivity rates. It also offers a Sales Companion browser extension for prospecting on LinkedIn, deep intent data partnerships (via Bombora), and, crucially, full GDPR and CCPA compliance. This makes it one of the few safe choices for enterprise teams operating in strict regulatory environments. Best For: Sales teams targeting the UK and European markets, or enterprise SDRs who rely heavily on cold calling and need the highest possible connect rates. UserGems UserGems is a specialized signal-based platform that operates on a simple but powerful premise: your best future customers are your past happy users. It automatically tracks your alumnicustomers, power users, and championsand alerts your sales team the moment they change jobs and join a new company. This turns cold outreach into a warm introduction, as you are contacting someone who already knows and loves your product. Key Features: Its flagship feature is Job Change Detection, which surfaces former customers in new roles directly within your CRM (Salesforce/HubSpot). In 2026, they expanded with Gem-E, an AI Copilot that not only identifies these leads but also prioritizes accounts based on hiring signals and automatically drafts personalized warm outreach. It also offers Pipeline Generation plays that identify new executives at your target accounts, ensuring you are always multi-threaded. Best For: B2B SaaS companies with an established customer base who want to generate high-conversion pipeline by leveraging relationships rather than cold lists. 11x.ai (Alice) 11x.ai is leading the wave of Autonomous AI Workers with Alice, a digital SDR designed to completely automate the top-of-funnel sales process. Unlike traditional tools that simply help humans work faster, Alice is designed to replace the manual effort entirely. She acts as a fully independent team member who identifies prospects, conducts research, and engages them with personalized outreach 24/7, only handing off to a human sales rep once a meeting is booked or a lead is qualified. Key Features: Alices core capability is Autonomous Prospecting, where she scans the web to find leads matching your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and qualifies them in real-time. She uses Hyper-Personalization to draft unique emails based on a prospects recent news, LinkedIn activity, and company data, ensuring every message feels human-written. Additionally, Alice manages her own inbox, handling responses, overcoming basic objections, and coordinating calendar times without human intervention. Best For: Forward-thinking sales teams and startups looking to scale their outbound volume significantly without hiring additional headcount for manual lead generation and initial outreach. Unify (UnifyGTM) Unify is the leader in Warm Outbound, a strategy that moves sales teams away from cold spray and pray tactics toward signal-based selling. Rather than acting as just a database, it functions as a central command center that aggregates intent signalssuch as website visits, G2 research, or job changesand instantly triggers automated outreach. This ensures that every email sent is timely and relevant, targeting buyers who are already showing interest. Key Features: Its core power lies in Plays, which are automated workflows that execute specific actions when a signal is detected (e.g., If a VP of Sales visits our pricing page, send this personalized email). It integrates AI Agents that research prospects and draft hyper-personalized messages based on their behavior, and it combines multiple data sources (intent, contact info, and CRM data) into a single Warmly orchestrated feed for your sales team. Best For: Revenue teams who want to shift from cold calling to warm signal-based prospecting, particularly those who want to automate the immediate follow-up of high-intent leads. ZoomInfo ZoomInfo is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the sales intelligence world, serving as the operating system for modern Go-to-Market teams. It provides the deepest and most comprehensive database of B2B contact and company information available, particularly for the North American market. Far more than just a directory, ZoomInfo has evolved into a complete platform that combines data, software, and AI to help revenue teams hit their number. Key Features: Its flagship SalesOS offers granular search filters, verified direct dials, and org charts that help you navigate complex buying committees. In 2026, its standout feature is ZoomInfo Copilot, an AI-powered assistant that proactively prioritizes your day by flagging which accounts to contact based on real-time intent signals (like Scoops about internal projects or funding news). It also features powerful workflow automation that can automatically export leads to your CRM and trigger email sequences. Best For: Mid-market and Enterprise sales teams who need the gold standard of data depth and can afford a premium platform to power their entire revenue engine. LinkedIn Sales Navigator LinkedIn Sales Navigator is the essential Deep Sales platform that sits at the core of almost every modern B2B sales stack. Unlike static databases that decay the moment they are downloaded, Sales Navigator provides a real-time window into the careers and activities of over 1 billion professionals. It shifts the focus from simple contact finding to relationship intelligence, allowing sellers to understand not just who to contact, but how to reach them and what they care about right now. Key Features: Its Advanced Search is unmatched for filtering by seniority, function, and even past company (to find alumni). The TeamLink feature reveals hidden warm introduction paths through your colleagues connections, while Smart Links allow you to share content and track exactly who opens it. Crucially, its alert system notifies you of trigger eventslike a lead changing jobs or a target account raising fundingso you can reach out with perfect timing. Best For: B2B sales professionals, account executives, and relationship managers who rely on social selling and need the most accurate, up-to-date career data in the world. D&B Hoovers D&B Hoovers is the legacy giant of the sales intelligence world, backed by the immense data power of Dun & Bradstreet. While many modern tools focus primarily on individual contact emails, Hoovers excels at providing a deep, structural understanding of companies. It leverages the worlds largest commercial database to give sales teams a macro view of their territories, combining granular financial data with industry insights to help sellers identify not just who to call, but which accounts are actually viable and solvent. Key Features: Its superpower is the Corporate Family Tree, which maps out complex organizational structures, allowing sales teams to see exactly how parent companies, subsidiaries, and branches are connecteda critical feature for territory planning. It also uses the famous D-U-N-S Number system to uniquely identify businesses, ensuring data hygiene. In 2026, it integrates predictive indicators and FirstRain market insights, which analyze news and web signals to flag opportunities like expansions or mergers before they hit the mainstream news. Best For: Enterprise sales operations and territory planners who need deep financial insights, risk assessment, and a clear view of complex corporate hierarchies to manage global accounts. Lusha Lusha has built a reputation as the agile alternative to clunky enterprise databases, favored specifically for its high-quality mobile phone data and ease of use. It lives primarily as a lightweight browser extension that overlays directly onto LinkedIn or company websites, allowing salespeople to reveal accurate contact details for decision-makers in a single click without ever leaving their prospecting workflow. Key Features: Its standout capability is its mobile number accuracy, which is widely regarded as superior for direct dials, particularly for reaching decision-makers who are working remotely. In 2026, Lusha has expanded its Buyer Intelligence suite to include intent data (showing which companies are researching your solution) and Job Change Alerts to flag when a prospect moves to a new role. It is also fully GDPR and CCPA compliant, offering a privacy-first approach that appeals to European markets. Best For: Individual SDRs, recruiters, and SME sales teams who need accurate mobile numbers and a simple, plug-and-play tool that integrates instantly with LinkedIn. LeadIQ LeadIQ is a workflow-first prospecting platform designed specifically to eliminate the data entry tax that slows down high-velocity sales teams. Instead of forcing reps to toggle between a separate database and their browser, LeadIQ lives exactly where they workon LinkedIn and Sales Navigator. It functions as a seamless bridge, allowing reps to identify prospects, find their data, and sync it to their CRM in a single click, keeping them in the flow of selling rather than administrative work. Key Features: Its standout capability is the One-Click Capture bar, which detects verified emails and mobile numbers for prospects on LinkedIn and instantly syncs them to Salesforce, HubSpot, or Outreach while automatically checking for duplicates. It also features Scribe, an AI writing assistant that analyzes a prospects LinkedIn profile to draft hyper-personalized cold emails in seconds. Additionally, its Track feature monitors key accounts for job changes, alerting reps when a champion moves to a new role so they can reach out immediately. Best For: High-volume Sales Development (SDR) teams who spend the majority of their day in LinkedIn Sales Navigator and want to maximize speed and efficiency by removing manual data entry. Seamless.AI positions itself as a real-time search engine for B2B contact info, rather than a traditional static database. While other platforms rely on pre-collected data that can go stale (leading to bounces), Seamless.AI uses an AI agent to research contacts across the web the moment you search for them. This live verification approach ensures that the emails and phone numbers you get are active right now, significantly reducing bounce rates for high-volume outreach. Key Features: Its flagship Real-Time Verification engine validates contact details on-demand. The platform also features Autopilot, which allows you to build massive lists of thousands of prospects automatically based on your criteria. In 2026, it has doubled down on Buyer Intent data to prioritize ready-to-buy accounts and includes an AI Writer that generates sales copy tailored to the specific prospect you just found. Best For: Sales teams who prioritize data freshness above all else and are tired of database decay and high bounce rates from traditional providers. UpLead UpLead has carved out a unique niche by positioning itself as the clean data alternative to quantity-focused competitors. While other platforms boast about having hundreds of millions of contacts (often with varying quality), UpLead prioritizes accuracy above all else. It is one of the few providers that verifies email addresses in real-time right before you download them, ensuring that you arent paying for or sending emails to dead inboxes. Key Features: Its headline feature is the industry-leading 95% Data Accuracy Guarantee. If an email bounces, they refund the credit automatically. Beyond clean contact info, UpLead offers Intent Data to identify companies actively searching for your services and detailed Technographics to filter companies based on the software stack they use (e.g., finding all companies that use HubSpot). Best For: Sales and marketing teams who prioritize deliverability and reputation over raw volume. It is ideal for those running low-volume, high-value campaigns where a bounced email could damage domain health. Jeeva.ai Jeeva.ai is part of the new generation of Agentic AI platforms designed to replace manual SDR work with fully autonomous digital workers. Rather than just providing a list of names, Jeeva deploys specialized AI agents that collaborate to handle the entire top-of-funnel workflow. From researching prospects and verifying contact data in real-time to drafting personalized emails and negotiating meeting times, it acts as an always-on sales team that works 24/7. Key Features: Its core differentiator is its Multi-Agent Architecture, where distinct AI agents handle specific taskssuch as a Research Agent that scans the web for buying signals (like funding news or hiring sprees) and an Outreach Agent that drafts hyper-personalized messages based on that data. It also features real-time data enrichment that verifies emails instantly before sending, ensuring high deliverability, and handles both inbound lead qualification and cold outbound campaigns in a single platform. Best For: Growth teams and RevOps leaders looking to automate the entire SDR function, specifically those who want to move beyond simple mail merge templates to fully autonomous, signal-based outreach. Hunter.io Hunter.io is the go-to specialist tool for finding professional email addresses when you know exactly whoor which companyyou want to target. Unlike massive, all-in-one databases that try to do everything, Hunter focuses on doing one thing perfectly: revealing the email structures behind any domain. It indexes billions of pages across the web to find public email addresses and identifies the most likely email pattern (e.g., {first}.{last}@company.com) for any organization in seconds. Key Features: Its flagship Domain Search allows you to type in a company website and instantly see a list of people working there with their email addresses and confidence scores. The Email Verifier is a standout for cleaning lists to protect your sender reputation, while Hunter Campaigns provides a simple, effective platform for sending cold email sequences directly from your Gmail or Outlook account without needing complex CRM setups. Best For: Link builders, digital marketers, and sales professionals who need a lightweight, highly effective tool for finding specific contact info or verifying email lists quickly without buying a full-scale enterprise platform. Tool Primary Category Key Strengths Best For Apollo.io All-in-One Suite Massive database + engagement suite + dialer SMEs & Growth Teams needing a full stack 6sense Predictive Intent Dark Funnel visibility & account scoring Enterprise ABM teams aligning sales/marketing Clay Data Orchestration Waterfall enrichment from 50+ sources Growth hackers & Ops building custom workflows Cognism Global Data Mobile number verification & GDPR compliance UK/EU teams & heavy cold callers UserGems Signal/Relationship Tracks past customers changing jobs SaaS teams leveraging alumni networks 11x.ai (Alice) Autonomous AI Fully autonomous SDR (research to booking) Teams wanting to automate top-of-funnel entirely Unify Warm Outbound Triggers outreach based on intent signals Teams shifting to signal-based selling ZoomInfo Data Giant Deepest US B2B data & org charts Mid-market/Enterprise needing the gold standard Sales Navigator Relationship Intel Real-time career data & social selling Account Executives & Relationship Managers D&B Hoovers Enterprise Risk Corporate family trees & financial data Territory planners & Enterprise Ops Lusha Contact Finder Mobile numbers & LinkedIn overlay Individual SDRs & recruiters needing speed LeadIQ Workflow Tool One-click LinkedIn capture to CRM High-volume teams living in Sales Nav Seamless.ai Real-Time Search Live AI verification of contacts Teams needing fresh data to reduce bounce rates UpLead Data Quality 95% data accuracy guarantee Conservative teams prioritizing reputation/deliverability Jeeva.ai Agentic AI Multi-agent research & outreach RevOps leaders automating SDR functions Hunter.io Email Specialist Domain search & pattern finding Digital marketers & targeted email lookups Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Both the victim and the suspect have yet to be positively and publicly identified, but investigators believe the man lived in Indiana and they were in a relationship. Members of Longford IFA along with representatives of Longford County Council and Longford Community Gardai were in attendance at the launch of the Irish Farmers Association 'No Dogs Allowed' campaign. The initiative, the launch of which was held recently in Abbeyshrule and attended by IFA President Francie Gorman, aims to reinforce the message responsible dog ownership. With lambing season about to kick off for many farmers in the county, dog owners are being reminded to keep their pets under control particularly in rural areas where ewes may be in-lamb. IFA President Francie Gorman with members of Longford IFA, representatives of Longford County Council, and Longford Community Gardai at the launch of the initiative. Photo: Longford Gardai Dogs chasing sheep can result in ewes miscarrying their lambs due to the shock, panic and physical stress of being chased by dogs. Longford Gardai also reminded the public that dog owners can and will be prosecuted and held financially liable for damage to sheep or lambs. Dog owners are asked not to allow their dog to roam freely in rural areas and to keep them on a leash when out walking. Funded by the local democracy reporting scheme Read More: Upskill this year with courses in Longford Instagram users in Ireland have been urged to stay alert for phishing and impersonation attempts after a surge in unexpected Instagram password reset emails caused widespread confusion online. Instagram has publicly stated it fixed an issue that allowed an external party to request password reset emails for some users. The company said there was no breach of its systems and that accounts remain secure, adding that users can ignore the emails. READ NEXT: Thousands across Ireland could be eligible for little known boost of 1,900 ESET Ireland says incidents like this can still create ideal conditions for criminals, because uncertainty is often followed by targeted scams designed to trick people into handing over logins, verification codes, or payment details. George Foley spokesperson at ESET Ireland, said, Even when a platform says there is no breach, situations like this can still be highly useful to criminals. A wave of genuine password reset emails creates uncertainty, and that is exactly when phishing spikes. People are more likely to click, respond, or try to fix the problem through the wrong route. The safest approach is to ignore password reset emails unless you personally requested them, and to be especially cautious of any follow up messages claiming to be from Instagram in the days ahead. That is often where criminals attempt to steal credentials by impersonating security teams or pushing fake verification prompts. READ NEXT: 'Foul water from toilets in food prep areas' - Eight food businesses forced to close in December If you are concerned, go directly to the Instagram app or the official website and check your security settings there. Turn on two factor authentication and use a strong, unique password. Instagram itself notes that receiving a password reset email does not necessarily mean an account has been hacked and advises users to verify official emails and take steps to secure their accounts. For more information visit www.eset.com/ie/ Sendle has halted all parcel bookings effective January 11, leaving small businesses scrambling after the courier service sent a brief email citing immediate closure Whats happening: Sendle, an Australian parcel delivery service founded in 2014, ceased all operations on January 11, halting bookings for pickup and delivery. Why this matters: The sudden closure affects thousands of Australian small businesses that relied on Sendle as an alternative to Australia Post. The shutdown comes five months after Sendle merged with US companies FirstMile and ACI Logistix to form FAST Group. Australian small businesses woke on Sunday morning to an unexpected crisis as Sendle, a popular parcel delivery service, announced it was ceasing operations immediately. The company, which positioned itself as a challenger to Australia Post for small business shipping, sent an email to customers on January 11 stating it would halt all bookings for parcel pickup and delivery. Any parcels that have already been picked up and are in transit will be delivered at the discretion of the delivery partner, the message stated. Any existing bookings scheduled for pickup on January 12 or later would be cancelled entirely. The company apologised for the disruption but provided no explanation for the sudden shutdown. A banner on Sendles Australian website confirms the closure, and its social media accounts have been disabled. Merger complications The closure comes five months after Sendle merged with US delivery firms FirstMile and ACI Logistix in August 2025 to form FAST Group, creating operations across the US, Australia, Canada, India and the Philippines. At the time, Sendle co-founder James Chin Moody described the merger as a significant step forward for customers. However, complications emerged shortly after the deal closed. Sydney investment firm Federation Asset Management, which backed the merger, froze redemptions in its $100 million Federation Alternatives Investment Fund II in December. The fund held approximately 64 per cent of its capital in FAST Group. Federation notified investors via email on December 12, citing significant deficiencies in ACI Logistixs financial statements revealed following the merger. The firm reportedly provided $12 million in emergency operating capital, replaced the chief financial officer and appointed a chief restructuring officer. Small business impact The shutdown has left small business owners scrambling to find alternative delivery solutions. Small business owner Alicia Segal, co-founder of Australian breast pump business Bubka, said she had been blindsided by the closure. eBay Australia issued a service update informing sellers they can no longer create new Sendle labels through the platform. The marketplace advised sellers using calculated postage with Sendle to update their listings to use Australia Post instead. Sendle labels created but not yet scanned or picked up will not be charged, as Sendle labels are pay on scan, eBay stated in its community announcement. Sendle was founded in 2014 by James Chin Moody, Sean Geoghegan and Craig Davis, signing deals with businesses including Shopify, eBay Australia, Squarespace and WooCommerce to provide shipping solutions for small traders. The company also offered carbon neutral deliveries. The company claimed to be the first courier company to offer fully carbon neutral services in Australia, the United States and Canada, and said it had shipped more than 65 million parcels across three countries since operations began. Financial backing Sendle previously raised significant venture capital, including a $20 million Series B in 2019 led by Federation Asset Management, $19 million in 2020 led by King River Capital, and a $5 million Series A in 2016. Other backers included Rampersand, Giant Leap, Alberts Impact Capital and Marinya Capital. The company last raised $16 million in July 2024 at a valuation of approximately $90 million, having previously raised more than $90 million in total, including a $45 million Series C in 2021. In May 2025, Sendle announced a partnership with ReadyToShip to launch The Small Business Growth Fund, offering $10,000 in free shipping credits, mentoring and operational tools to help small businesses scale their ecommerce operations. What happens next Sendle does not employ drivers or operate its own delivery fleet, instead partnering with local courier companies to transport parcels. This platform-based model was central to its value proposition for small businesses seeking affordable shipping solutions. The merged entity now reportedly faces the possibility of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US if new financing cannot be secured. Industry observers are monitoring whether this route will allow the business to continue operating whilst restructuring financially and negotiating repayment terms with creditors. For affected small businesses, the immediate priority remains finding alternative shipping partners to fulfil customer orders and maintain operations without disruption. A victims campaigner has said the Labour Governments reforms of the Legacy Act have made it stronger against victims. Campaigner Raymond McCord told an Irish Government committee that Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn had not done his homework and does not give a damn about a lot of the victims. His son Raymond McCord junior was killed by loyalist paramilitaries in 1997. Mr McCord appeared before the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in the Dail alongside Sandra Peake, chief executive of Wave Trauma Centre. On a visit to Stormont last week, Irish Foreign minister Helen McEntee said any significant changes to the UK Governments Troubles Legacy framework must have the full agreement of London and Dublin. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated that new protections for military veterans will be added to the Bill his Government is taking through Parliament, which commits to fundamentally reforming structures established by the last Conservative governments contentious Legacy Act. This includes the removal of a controversial provision that offered a form of conditional immunity to perpetrators of Troubles crimes. Mr McCord was asked if the joint framework on legacy announced by the two Governments last September reflected his meetings with Mr Benn. He said: There was no discussion really relating to legislation. He just said, this year he met with victims I knew very few of them that actually had met him, to be honest with you, and it showed you the interest he had in victims. In 2007 then Police Ombudsman Nuala OLoan conducted an investigation into allegations of collusion between the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and loyalist paramilitary groups called Operation Ballast. She found that police acted to protect informants from being fully accountable to the law and revealed issues of concern in relation to other incidents including murders, attempted murders and drug dealing. Mr McCord told the Dail committee on Tuesday: This point Im going to make highlights it all and the hypocrisy of it. I raised with (Mr Benn), we all made it clear we reject the Bill because they told us (they were) going to scrap it. They didnt scrap it. They tweaked it, and it made it stronger against victims. He added: When I said to him about the Police Ombudsmans report in 2007, collusion was proven it was Tony Blairs government at the time the day the report came out, Tony Blair accepted it. So Im saying about that, collusion in that report. I would suggest to everyone sitting here to read Nualas report because it doesnt just deal with young Raymond, its more important, it deals with a lot of victims that this unit carried out, the murder squad. Hilary Benn, when I said to him about it, had never heard of it. The Secretary of State trying to enforce a Bill upon victims, and he never heard of Nuala OLoans report. What does that say about the man, and the homework he had done regarding victims? A report comes out, collusion proven, and the Secretary of State is trying to convince us this here is a magic wand for victims? So you can guess my opinion of him. He added: They need to scrap the Bill, because therell be legal challenges in court obviously, again, more expenses, more time and more trauma on victims and their families. Once these actions start before they finish, some victims families whove been fighting for this are going to die. Benn and these people sitting at Westminster, including our own politicians, from both communities who sit at Westminster and Stormont dont give a damn about a lot of the victims. He added: Start doing things for the voters and start doing things for the victims. Thats not happening, so scrap this Bill. A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: The Troubles Bill follows extensive consultation with victims and delivers on one of the final aims of the Good Friday Agreement. We are delivering a manifesto commitment to repeal and replace the last governments botched Legacy Act, which wrongly proposed immunity to terrorists. Our Bill will ensure the maximum possible disclosure of information for victims and families, puts in place protections for those who served, and will be capable of commanding confidence across communities. The Government has announced a new plan to address barriers affecting data centres, particularly around energy use. The Large Energy User Action Plan (Leap) aims to see the location of new businesses with large demands better planned so that they are constructed near renewable energy sources. Launching the plan, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said: Were trying to manage the digital and the green transition together. However, while the plan anticipates most new energy-intensive businesses will be built in strategically prepared, nationally planned locations it will not prevent them being built in other areas. Leap aims to attract investment in energy-intensive sectors including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and data centres to Ireland. Data centres only employ around 21,000 people in Ireland, while consuming 22% of the countrys metered electricity. But the minister responsible for energy, Darragh OBrien, said they are central to Irelands economic and digital future as they are a key part of our foreign direct investment (FDI) and the associated employment. He added: Many of the significant employers in our state need to see a horizon of certainty when theyre investing. FDI isnt like a tap, you cant turn it off for a few years and say well come back to it in five years time. The plan will work alongside new rules issued by energy regulator the Commission for Regulation of Utilities which were outlined in December. Under this policy new data centres connecting to the grid must provide their own power, rather than relying solely on the national grid. And 80% of it must come from new renewable energy projects in Ireland and will feed back into the national grid. Residents wave national flags to welcome a military parade near Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh Vietnam will officially mark Nov. 24 as Vietnam Culture Day, a paid public holiday, under a Politburo resolution outlining a cultural development roadmap through 2030 and a long-term vision to 2045. Resolution 80, signed by Party General Secretary To Lam, affirms culture and people as the foundation and driving force of Vietnam's rapid and sustainable development. The Politburo describes investment in culture as an investment in the nation's future, positioning cultural strength alongside economic growth and national security. The addition will allow civil servants and workers in Vietnam to have a total of 26 days off for public holidays and the Lunar New Year in 2026, a figure that combines 12 official public holidays with 14 weekends and rescheduled days. Under the resolution, Vietnam aims to build an advanced culture deeply rooted in national identity, unified in diversity, and shaped by democratic, humanistic, scientific and modern values. Cultural development is to span families, schools, society and the digital space, with literature and arts expected to match the country's historical depth and growing global stature. By 2030, authorities plan to complete the restoration of specially ranked national relics, safeguard endangered intangible heritage and traditional arts, and fully digitize all nationally recognized cultural heritage by 2026. Cultural industries are targeted to contribute 7% of GDP, with 5-10 national brands emerging in fields such as film, performing arts, cultural tourism, design and fashion. The resolution also calls for building creative industry clusters and internationally scaled cultural and creative complexes based on high technology and innovative business models, while making Vietnam a regional and global destination for major cultural and artistic events. At least five internationally branded art festivals are expected to be established, alongside one to three new Vietnam cultural centers overseas and five additional UNESCO-recognized heritage listings. Education plays a central role in the plan, with all students in the national education system expected to regularly participate in arts activities and cultural heritage education. The state will allocate at least 2% of total annual budget spending to culture, with funding set to rise as needed. By 2045, the Politburo envisions a socialist-oriented Vietnamese culture in which people are both the center and the driving force of development, and cultural values permeate all areas of social life. Cultural industries and the creative economy are expected to become pillars of sustainable growth, contributing around 9% of GDP. The long-term goals include ranking among the top 3 countries in ASEAN and top 30 globally in national soft power, hosting 10 internationally scaled art festivals, and adding up to 10 more UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage listings. To support this vision, the resolution calls for improved policies and fair incentives for artisans and artists, encouraging participation in major international competitions and exhibitions. Cultural governance is to shift toward a more enabling and service-oriented approach, with stronger use of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. Its been a good 15 or 20 minutes, so lets check in on how things are going in the wacky world of AI. Apple made a big announcement on Monday, confirming previous rumors that its next generation of AI will be based on Googles Gemini. The fact that Apples announcement of this went to CNBCs Jim Cramer tells you pretty much all you need to know about who this message is for. As it turns out, someone else has a message for Wall Street investors, too: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says AI doomerism has done a lot of damage and is not helpful to society. And by society he means Jensen Huang. Look, this bubble isnt going to inflate itself, people. And Jensens Huangs collection of expensive Tom Ford jackets isnt going to pay for itself, either. Bubbles dont bother Huang because once Nvidia sells its boards to AI companies, its no skin off its nose if the AI companies go under. It must be very annoying to have people complain about literally every tech trend that requires your hardware to perform. First, people complained about crypto, then NFTs, and now AI! What, are you also going to complain about the relentless assassinbots built entirely out of Nvidia cards?! Theres just no pleasing some people! When 90% of the messaging is all around the end of the world and the pessimism, and I think were scaring people from making the investments in AI that makes it safer, more functional, more productive, and more useful to society. Nvidia CEO Jensen Haung, as quoted by Fortune (Jnauary 8, 2026) You mean like this? Elon Musks Grok AI posted CSAM image following safeguard lapses Look, look, everyone just calm down. Its already been fixed! Masterful Gambit: Musk Attempts to Monetize Groks Wave of Sexual Abuse Imagery Sorry, did the Macalope say fixed? He meant monetized. Its been monetized. Yes, world-class genius and definitely not a ketamine addict Elon Musks solution is just to put that particular featurethe feature of making non-consensual sexual imagery of adults and childrenbehind a paywall. Problem = solved. If youd like to receive regular news and updates to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters, including The Macalope and Apple Breakfast, David Prices weekly, bite-sized roundup of all the latest Apple news and rumors. Foundry Its hard to take Huangs complaints about nay-saying driving away investment dollars when, in the same week, Grok was found to be generating CSAM, the company that makes it raised $20 billion in funding. Oh, nooo. Just $20 billion? When theyre providing so much value? For society and stuff? Why so negative about the CHILD PORNOGRAPHY?! Whoo, boy. You know the Macalopes just gonna hes gonna he needs a minute. Hell be back in second. [INTERMISSION WHILE THE MACALOPE GOES OUTSIDE AND STARES AT CLOUDS FOR A WHILE] Okay, the Macalopes back. Phew. Just. Wow. This is not why the Macalope got into writing about technology, okay? Still, its a good thing xAI is getting that extra cash because it turns out Grok is just Claude in a trench coat. xAI staff had been using Anthropic modelsspecifically via the Cursor IDEto accelerate their own development. VentureBeat, January 9. 2026 An AI in a trench coat that hangs out around the elementary school. Despite Groks pay-for-CSAM mode and a strongly-worded letter from some senators, both X and the dedicated Grok app are still available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play store. And its really hard to figure out why other than not wanting to piss off Musk. Heres the relevant Apple App Store developer guideline: Apps should not include content that is offensive, insensitive, upsetting, intended to disgust, in exceptionally poor taste, or just plain creepy. These are apps that create images of children in sexual contexts, and they are not being removed because Tim Cook and Apple do not want to draw the ire of the most overcompensating billionaire of all time, who happens to have ties to the Trump administration. This, despite being asked by several U.S. senators to remove the apps and having them blocked in Malaysia and Indonesia. Apples only response this week was to tout its record-breaking year for services revenue. Hashtag courage. As The Verges Elizabeth Lopatto alludes, what is the point of being one of the biggest companies in the world with vast amounts of cash at your fingertips when you cant even control your own app store? Newsflash for Apple, you can never be sufficiently obsequious enough to satisfy a bully. Lo and behold, it turns out an area father of 14 and interested party has some concerns about the Apple/Google deal. Hey, why not pick Grok for Apple Intelligence?! If its good enough for the App Store The Macalope has said repeatedly that there is some real utility to AI. The problem is less AI than the people running AI companies, who care only for getting rich off of jamming it in everything from smartphones to smoke alarms to probably actual jam and care nothing about the social responsibility that Jensen Huang gives lip service to. Somehow, inexplicably, one company seems to be getting the moment right: Dells CES 2026 chat was the most pleasingly un-AI briefing Ive had in maybe 5 years. Sorry, the Macalope may be having an episode. Did that say Dell? Its not that Dell doesnt care about AI or AI PCs anymore, its just that over the past year or so its come to realize that the consumer doesnt. Well you live long enough, you see everything. Which is Southeast Asia's second most visited country? Tourists are seen in Bangkok's Chinatown, Thailand, May 16, 2025. Photo by Reuters With 32.9 million international arrivals in 2025, Thailand ranked as Southeast Asia's second most visited country after Malaysia, marking the second consecutive year the kingdom has relinquished its regional tourism crown. Thailand's top five markets were Malaysia (4.5 million), China (4.4 million), India (2.4 million), Russia (1.8 million) and South Korea (1.5 million), Bangkok Post reported. International tourism revenue dropped 4.71% to 1.53 trillion baht (US$48.8 billion). Malaysia welcomed 38.3 million foreign arrivals in the first 11 months of 2025, exceeding the total recorded for the whole of 2024, according to Tourism Malaysia under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Once a tourism powerhouse in Southeast Asia, Thailand struggled with a series of challenges last year. The crisis began in January as many Chinese tourists canceled their trips to the country following the high-profile abduction of Chinese actor Xing Xing. Two months later a deadly earthquake in Myanmar that sent tremors across Bangkok caused widespread damage to the tourism industry. Escalating military clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border also triggered a surge in cancellations across provinces near the fighting. Some countries warned their citizens to postpone traveling to Thailand. Vietnam ranked third in the region in terms of arrivals after receiving a record 21.2 million tourists last year. A major development planned at the MBTAs Alewife Station, including the redevelopment of the stations aging parking garage, has been put on hold because of increasing construction costs, the transit agency confirmed Tuesday. The project would have replaced the five-story, 2,733-space garage and improved the station in Cambridge, as well as introduced new, private development on about 30 acres of land surrounding the site. The property was expected to be used largely for new multifamily housing. The MBTA maximizes every dollar to build a more connected, equitable, and reliable public transit system, an MBTA spokesperson said in a statement to MassLive. We remain interested in models like joint development and recognize its value, as it offers innovative ways to support the communities we serve. We will continue to explore and evaluate opportunities that align with our long-term goals. According to the T, while the property value for the site remains high, labor and material costs have ballooned since the agency announced the plans in July. These unfavorable market conditions mean it would not be cost-effective to move forward with the development. However, the MBTA still plans to improve the station in other ways, the spokesperson said, though they did not provide specifics. The Alewife station and parking garage were built in 1985, according to the T. A 2020 analysis of the structural conditions at the garage determined that the agency would need to spend at least $55 million over the next decade simply to maintain the garage in its current condition. A project page on the MBTA website was still available Tuesday and said a private development partner was expected to be chosen in summer 2025, after which project planning would begin. During a public informational meeting in August 2024, MBTA Chief of Transit-Oriented Development Scott Bosworth said the T no longer wanted the financial responsibility of operating parking facilities at Alewife, according to StreetsBlogMass, and expected the private development partner to eventually take over that portion of the property. The T also had not determined how many parking spaces were appropriate to meet the needs of commuters, the transportation news blog reported. A rider survey in 2022 determined that more people arrived at Alewife Station on a typical day on foot than by car. Another neighboring development by real estate firm Healthpeak is currently being planned for another 46 acres of land and is expected to include 2,000 homes, office and lab buildings, retail, open spaces and a pedestrian bridge over the commuter rail tracks. Construction on that project is expected to begin in 2027. Nestled inside the Boston Public Librarys McKim Exhibition Hall, Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism in Boston is a new exhibition that explores Americas evolving ideals of freedom, justice and civic engagement. Running through April 21, the exhibition marks the librarys first major gallery show in nearly a decade, its website said, and arrives as part of the broader commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, a milestone being celebrated across Massachusetts and the rest of the country. Spanning more than two centuries, Revolution! draws from the Boston Public Librarys extensive Special Collections to tell the story of activism in the city from the nations founding to the present day. Upon visiting, guests will see paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures and historical documents that reflect defining moments in American history. Early depictions of Revolutionary-era leaders are presented alongside works that document later movements for abolition, womens rights, labor reform, and civil rights, showcasing Bostons role as a center for social change. Contemporary works by Boston-area artists are woven throughout the galleries, encouraging reflection on how revolutionary ideals have been interpreted, expanded and contested over time. The library has also made the exhibition accessible through free admission and multilingual digital resources. Set within one of the citys most iconic public spaces, the exhibition offers a way to commemorate the countries 250th birthday while examining how the revolution continues to shape Boston and the nation today. When the Boston Public Library first opened its doors, the very idea of a free public library was revolutionary, said David Leonard, president of BPL. With Revolution!, we carry that spirit forward, inviting visitors to explore how the ideals of liberty and justice have evolved over the past 250 years. A new traveling exhibition about the ancient Egyptian Boy King Tutankhamun will open to the public in Boston starting this February. The exhibition, titled Discovering King Tuts Tomb, will launch its multi-month-long stay in Boston on Friday, Feb. 13 and will be housed inside the walls of the Saunders Castle at Park Plaza in Bay Village. Immersive experience company Imagine is behind the exhibition, according to a press release about Discovering King Tuts Tomb. The exhibition is expected to run through the summer, but is currently without a set end date. Read More: Science meets art at Harvard Museum of Natural Historys Glass Flower exhibit Those interested can join a ticket waitlist to secure their access ahead of the general public with standard tickets available for purchase online starting Thursday, Jan. 15 at 9 a.m. ET. Discovering King Tuts Tomb features handmade original replicas of artifacts created by Egyptian craftsmen including the pharaohs death mask, golden nested coffins and burial items, according to Imagine. Imagine said that since the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum outside Cairo last year, the countrys government has decreed that original artifacts from King Tuts tomb will no longer leave Egypts borders. It added that the exhibition therefore offers guests the only opportunity outside of Egypt for this type of experience. Read More: Rarely seen paintings from artist Winslow Homer go on display at MFA Boston Notable features in Discovering King Tuts Tomb include high-resolution virtual reality headsets to enhance guests experiences, as well as a narrated audio guide tour. During the experience, guests will follow in the footsteps of British archaeologist Howard Carter, who discovered the preserved tomb more than a century ago in 1922. Guests will encounter a replicated burial chamber, educational animations and galleries about the history of archaeology and its modern-day practices. They will also have the opportunity to learn about the rituals of mummification, ancient Egyptian culture and mythology and the legacy of King Tut through the exhibition, Imagine noted. The exhibition is currently on display in Las Vegas, Nevada and has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people, Imagine said. Read More: Boston Bucket List: Throw tea into the harbor at the Boston Tea Party Museum This historic armory in Boston is hosting "Discovering King Tut's Tomb." Chris McLaughlin Once in Boston, the exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, with last entry at 5 p.m. It will also be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with last entry at 6 p.m. The venue, Saunders Castle at Park Plaza, is a historic former armory and has previously housed notable experiences such as Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition in late 2024 and which was extended into mid-2025. Additional information and details about Discovering King Tuts Tomb can be found on its official website. The Trump administration has made a new record with a 150% increase in visa revocations since 2024, according to Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson of United States Department of State. The federal government revoked visas for more than 100,000 foreign nationals in less than a year. Of those, 8,000 were student visas and 2,500 specialized visas, the department said. The Trump administration will continue to put America first and protect our nation from foreign nationals who pose a risk to public safety or national security, Pigott said. Many of the visa revocations are due to crime, such as assault, driving under the influence and theft, the department said. The increase in visa revocations follows a crackdown by the Trump administration on international students. The federal government suddenly began terminating the legal status or visas of students en masse across the U.S. at the beginning of April. That was then walked back. Read more: State Department announces investigation into Harvard international visas Later that month, the Department of Homeland Security required Harvard University to submit detailed records of foreign students visa holders illegal and violent activities or face the immediate loss of a key certification to enroll foreign students. The Trump administration then revoked the certification, leading to Harvard suing the federal government. A federal judge sided with the university. A visa is a privilege, not a right. The Trump Administration will continue to serve the best interests of the American people, not foreign criminals, by swiftly revoking visas for any visa holders who pose a threat to our nation, said Anna Kelly, White House deputy press secretary. President Donald Trump also signed a proclamation barring Harvards international students from entering the country. The federal government ordered U.S. embassies to stop scheduling interviews for student visa applicants and ordered stricter vetting for Harvard visa applicants, among other actions. Other actions beyond those against Harvard included a federal lawsuit where a judge ruled in October that the Trump administration violated the free speech of pro-Palestine noncitizen academics whom the federal government had attempted to arrest, detain and deport. Auditors warn there is substantial doubt about Hampshire Colleges ability to continue operating unless it improves its finances, according to an independent financial report released in late 2025. The audit from CliftonLarsonAllen said Hampshire had over $20 million in debt and an operating deficit of $3.7 million in 2025, as first reported by the Boston Business Journal. A Hampshire spokesperson said the college remains confident that it will successfully navigate the financial headwinds impacting higher education, while preparing our graduates for the fast-paced challenges of the current moment in a way no other college can. Hampshire, in Amherst, has been struggling for years after nearly closing in 2019. While it has persevered through the difficulties, the college hasnt made it out safely just yet. The college missed its 2025 enrollment goal by around half, recruiting 168 students instead of 300. That makes for a total of 750 full-time students, up from 2022s enrollment of about 500. Despite the enrollment struggles, Hampshire President Jennifer Chrisler said she is optimistic about the colleges future. Since 2022, the college has been working with its bondholders to pursue refinancing options, increase enrollment and align expenses and revenue, a college spokesperson said. The auditor group pointed to issues at Hampshire, such as mounting debt, issues with securing refinancing and difficulty meeting bond obligations. Bondholders extended the refinancing date to September 2026, in exchange for a mortgage on certain properties. The college has consistently made debt payments to lenders and operated within their Financial Stability Plan, a spokesperson said. In reaction to its enrollment and financial challenges, Hampshire laid off non-faculty employees, suspended certain benefits and required senior leadership to take pay cuts, among other actions in 2024. Some in the college community are still optimistic about the colleges future, while others have said the consistent ups and downs have affected morale and created an aura of resentment and frustration across campus, student Samara Ternoir told MassLive. Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, guitarist and founding member of the English rock band Black Midi, has died. He was 26. The musician died after a long battle with his mental illness, his family wrote in statement posted to social media on Monday, Jan. 12. A talented musician and a kind, loving man finally succumbed; despite all efforts, his family wrote. 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. Rough Trade Records, Black Midis label, also confirmed Kwasniewski-Kelvins death in an X post that called the late guitarist an incredibly talented person who will be truly missed. Formed in 2017, Black Midi first rose to fame after developing a strong following in London and performing frequently at Windmill Brixton. The group released their debut album Schlagenheim in 2018 to commercial success and critical acclaim. They went on a tour of Europe and the United States shortly after. In January 2021, Kwasniewski-Kelvin went on hiatus from Black Midi for mental health reasons. The band released two more albums Cavalcade in 2021 and Hellfire in 2022 before entering an indefinite hiatus in 2024. Windmill Brixton paid tribute to Kwasniewski-Kelvin in an emotional Instagram post. Its so so emotional thinking back to those really exciting times when Matt would come in for soundcheck after a days work inspecting air vents (hence, the song Ducter) and produce some of the best sounds our little stage had ever witnessed, including this night with the late Damo Suzuki, the post read. But while it might look like someone has the world at their feet and all is great, things are not always what they seem. The live music venue ended its post with, RIP Matt, you were such a lovely guy. If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or substance abuse disorders, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations national helpline 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential treatment referrals and information. For those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or distress, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255. You can also call or text 988 to get connected to trained counselors. Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello has called out Donald Trumps administration for using what he claims is a Nazi mass murder slogan at a recent news conference. Today the Trump admin quoted the Nazi mass murder slogan, One of ours, all of yours. Coined when an SS officer was killed and the Nazis murdered every male resident of the village in response, Morello wrote in an Instagram post on Monday, Jan. 12. If there are any MAGA left after THIS, you have made an irrevocable choice. Morellos post was in response to the phrase being written across the podium at a recent press conference where U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis last week. During the conference, Noem reiterated that she believes that the officer was acting in self-defense when he shot Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen who was unarmed. The Department of Homeland Security responded to Morellos comments in a statement sent to Billboard that read, Calling everything you dislike Nazi propaganda is tiresome. DHS will continue to use all tools to communicate with the American people and keep them informed on our historic effort to Make America Safe Again. Morellos post also included a picture of himself at a show with a (Expletive) Trump poster taped to the back of his guitar and a screenshot of a quote from Ernest Hemingways Spanish Civil War novel, "For Whom the Bell Tolls." The quote read, "There are many who do not know they are fascists but will find it out when the time comes. The SS, or Schutzstaffel, were a paramilitary unit in Nazi Germany that assumed leading responsibility for security, identification of ethnicity, settlement and population policy, according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Used as Hitlers personal bodyguard, the SS also controlled the German police forces and the notorious concentration camp system that was a leading force in the genocide of six million Jews during the Holocaust between 1933 and 1945. It is unclear whether the phrase, One of ours, all of yours, originated as Morello claims it did. MassLive has reached out to the museum for more information. Morello is a Grammy Award-winning musician who in addition to Rage Against the Machine has performed in several groups including Audioslave, Prophets of Rage and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. In addition to being a solo artist, Morello performs under the name The Nightwatchman, which serves as an creative outlet for his socialist political views and activism. Morello was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023 as a member of Rage Against the Machine. He was ranked No. 18 in Rolling Stones list of greatest guitarists of all time in 2023. For years, Pasqualina Albano led what would become the Springfield crew of the Genovese crime family. She did that despite being categorically excluded for her gender, says her biographer. Albanos story, argues writer Justin Cascio, hold the power to reshape how the regions Prohibition history should be understood. Cascio, a Mafia historian, will illuminate this lesser-known chapter of western Massachusetts history when he appears at the Forbes Library Thursday to discuss his book, Pasqualina: The Bootleg Queen of Springfield, Massachusetts. In a talk at 6:30 p.m., Cascio will explore the life of a Prohibition-era bootlegger who rose to power in a criminal world that was overwhelmingly male and hostile to women in leadership roles. Cascios work blends genealogy, organized crime history and deep local research to tell a story that challenges long-held assumptions about the Mafia and womens roles during the early 20th century. Cascio said his interest in Albano began nearly a decade ago after encountering her name in the work of Springfield crime reporter Stephanie Barry. As a Mafia writer, of course Ive read many of Barrys articles on organized crime in Springfield, and weve talked about my research, he said. What followed was years of investigation that grew beyond a single article. Since first studying Albanos life around 2016 or 2017, Cascio has written extensively about her on his website MafiaGenealogy.com, produced a YouTube video, delivered conference presentations and appeared as an expert in a family documentary. Then came the book. It was around the time I began giving the presentation that I realized her story deserved to be better known, he said. One breakthrough came from an unexpected source: the family of Albanos rival. Cascio interviewed Nicholas Anthony Parisi, the grandnephew of the man who killed Albanos first husband. Nick read the first story I wrote about Pasqualina, got mad about the way his great-uncle was treated, and wrote his own book, Cascio said. I interviewed him after he wrote it. Ive learned a lot from him. I think its changed both our lives for the better. Albanos rise was extraordinary not only because of her criminal success, but because of the constraints she faced as a woman. Pasqualina was hemmed in by the expectations placed on women in her society, Cascio said. She was from a religious Neapolitan family, she was a wife and a mother and to many of the people who knew and loved her, those should have defined her. But I believe Pasqualina had a formidable personality that allowed her to buck tradition and make history. Albanos story shows that Springfield held its own as an organized crime hub. Some people assume that organized crime in western Massachusetts naturally took its lead from the Mafia in Boston, Cascio said. But the truth is that we had our own thing going on out here in Springfield. For Cascio, the book is not an endorsement of organized crime, but an examination of its consequences. My fascination with the Mafia is not an endorsement, he said. I study the Mafia like oncologists study cancer. Im interested in how it takes root. Most of the Mafia stories I write are tragedies, and Pasqualina is no exception. She came to a sad and violent end. Priya Charry, head of adult services at Forbes Library, said hosting Cascio aligns closely with the librarys mission. Justin is a familiar face here at Forbes Library, Charry said. Forbes has a long history of supporting local authors. Overall, our adult programming aims to educate and engage audiences in Northampton and Western Massachusetts, providing opportunities to explore new and familiar topics together in community. This includes our shared local history, with its diverse cultures and often untold stories. Pasqualinas story fits right in. Charry said Albanos story resonates with modern audiences eager to revisit history through overlooked perspectives. Women are too often depicted as supporting characters during key historical periods like the Prohibition era, she said. Pasqualina reminds us that women were not only present but were active leaders and changemakers. The Forbes Library event is free and open to the public. More information is available through Forbes Librarys online events calendar. Pasqualina: The Bootleg Queen of Springfield, Massachusetts is available at Amazon in various formats and at Broadside Books in Northampton. A 4-year-old Ashland girl is recovering after a rare brain injury brought on by the flu kept her in the hospital for three weeks. Caitlin Lyons told 7 News Boston her daughter, Althea, came down with what seemed to be an ordinary case of the flu in December. Altheas symptoms quickly progressed to fever, dizziness and a seizure. She was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with acute necrotizing encephalopathy, according to the outlet. The rare condition can occur when the flu virus attacks the brain and causes swelling. Althea spent three weeks in the hospital and was, at one point, near death, Caitlin Lyons told CBS News. I just remember (her pediatrician) saying Shes very sick, Im very concerned, Caitlin Lyons told the outlet. And my only question was, Is she going to live? and he said, I hope so. Althea survived the scare and is now recovering at home, according to 7 News Boston. Doctors have given her a timeline of three to six months before shes back at full health. Shes not totally there yet, her fine motor skills have deteriorated, and shes got a bit of a shake right now, Caitlin Lyons told the outlet. That is something weve been told should correct itself over time. The flu has hit Massachusetts hard in recent weeks, with common strains of the virus and a new variant spreading fast. There have been three flu-related deaths of children reported in the state so far this season. A GoFundMe has been established with Caitlin Lyons as the beneficiary. The drive has a goal of $20,000 to go toward Altheas medical bills and rehabilitation. As of Jan. 13, the GoFundMe had raised nearly $17,000. More than 20 people had donated, with four top donors making pledges of $1,000 apiece. North Koreas cyber and information technology worker activities violate UN Security Council resolutions and support the unlawful development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. State Department Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Jonathan Fritz briefed UN Member States on the second Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) report, which focuses on the Democratic Peoples Republic of Koreas (DPRK) violations and evasions of UN sanctions through illicit cyber and information technology worker activities. The DPRKs activities harm everyday consumers and citizens in the U.S. and elsewhere who have repeatedly been the targets of DPRK cybercrime. North Korea's cyber and IT activities target Pyongyang's friends and foes alike. Indeed, they particularly target companies across the globe to steal funds, information, intellectual property rights, and personal data through fraudulent criminal activity. These teams use fraud, hacking, and very sophisticated social engineering to generate revenue for the UN designated entities they support through cybercrime and fraudulent IT work. Pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 2094, UN Member states are required to prevent provision of any financial assets or resources that could contribute to the DPRKs weapons of mass destruction related programs or activities. The majority of North Korean cryptocurrency heists are carried out by actors working on behalf of UN designated entities like the Reconnaissance General Bureau, the DPRKs premier intelligence organization. The MSMT estimates that the DPRK stole at least $2.8 billion between January 2024 and September of 2025. In February 2025, the DPRK stole $1.4 billion in cryptocurrency from a single cryptocurrency exchange called Bybit. This is the largest cryptocurrency theft of all time, perhaps the largest theft of any kind of all time, according to the MSMT. North Korea has now converted all of the cryptocurrency stolen from Bybit and its customers into fiat currency through sophisticated laundering techniques. The DPRK relies on networks of North Korean nationals abroad and foreign based facilitators, including in China, Russia, Argentina, Cambodia, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates, to launder stolen digital assets into fiat currency for procurement activities and for funding its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs. DPRK IT workers, while distinct from cyber actors, are also systematically engaged in activities prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions. From locations across the globe, North Korea and its workers posed as nationals of other countries online in order to fraudulently gain employment, often with tech companies, in order to earn a salary and then remit the funds from that salary to the parent organization, which in turn uses those monies to fund procurement and other illicit activities. The only way to make a dent in this activity is for UN member States to work diligently together to implement UN Security Council resolutions, said Deputy Assistant Secretary Fritz and we welcome discussion of how we can best collaborate to ensure not only that, North Korea cannot rely on these activities to engage in sanctioned activities, but to protect our economies our companies and our citizens from cybercrime. In the months since she walked out of Norfolk Superior Court as a free woman, Karen Read has stayed quiet. But that changed on Monday when Read sat down for an interview with Rotten Mango, a true-crime podcast. It was her first interview since being acquitted of all charges having to do with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, in January 2022. Prosecutors claimed she backed her SUV into OKeefe after a night of heavy drinking, then left him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of a fellow officer. But Read claimed throughout her trials that she was being framed and was the victim of a sprawling conspiracy. In the interview, Read was her usual candid self as she addressed the emotional toll of going on trial twice and what life has been like since her acquittal. Here are five things we learned. Life after acquittal When the jury foreman announced that the panel had found Read not guilty of murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crash causing death, Read burst into tears and embraced her parents and legal team. But Read said Monday its been less of a celebration than she anticipated. Its probably the opposite of what someone watching would assume I felt, she said. I am still not quite living in acquittal world. I thought I would just bounce back like on a spring. It hasnt been that way. After her arrest, Read lost her job at Fidelity and her role as a professor at Bentley University, teaching finance. Ahead of her second trial, she sold her house. Since the acquittal, Read has been living with her parents. She said its been challenging to lose the routine of the trial. I just feel like a fish out of water, she said. The book and movie deals Reads story has already been the subject of a five-part documentary series on HBO Max and a Lifetime original movie. It will also be adapted into a television series on Amazon Prime starring Elizabeth Banks. But Read and Alan Jackson, the Los Angeles-based lawyer who led her defense team, have struck their own deals to adapt Reads story for film and TV and for a possible book. Read was frustrated by the process of participating in the documentary, A Body in the Snow, which aired in the lead-up to her second trial. She expressed a desire to be more involved in the production of any adaptations of her life. I want this to be a story about corruption. I want to have some impact on the state where Ive lived most of my life and where my familys from and where we battled this, Read said. If I have to write it myself, then Ill write it myself. The emotional toll of losing OKeefe Read didnt show much emotion in the courtroom during either trial, even as gruesome images of OKeefes body were displayed on the in-court screens. But by the time the trial rolled around, Read said, she had analyzed those photos of OKeefe so thoroughly that their impact had been dulled. Before that, though, she avoided looking at his autopsy photos for months. They were horrifying to see, she said. I had to know everything so I could piece everything together. I am out of tears about the tragedy of January 29. I have mourned for months and years before the public ever knew me, she continued. OKeefes death was the first time Read lost a person close to her. She said it was difficult to confront the finality and suddenness of his loss, particularly in the immediate aftermath of his death in 2022. John was in my life so much, so thickly, and then he wasnt anymore, she said. Reaction to Michael Proctor One of the most shocking moments of the entire Read saga came when former Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctor took the stand during Reads first trial. Proctor was the lead investigator into the death of OKeefe. On the stand, Proctor admitted to sending demeaning text messages about Read during the investigation, mocking her medical conditions, calling her a whack job (expletive) and joking about going through her phone for naked photos. Read said she hadnt been able to review the messages in their entirety before the trial because of a federal protective order. I cared more about his lies, she said. What he said about me and my anatomy, its disgusting, but it did not embarrass me. Michael Proctor does not have the ability to embarrass me, she continued. He could be a pig and I could still be guilty. Thats why I wanted the focus of the jury to be on Proctors lies and the actual framing and how this was orchestrated and not on the fact that this man is a vile pig who talks about peoples rectums. What the future holds Even though shes been acquitted, Read is still defending herself from a wrongful death lawsuit filed by OKeefes family. She has also pursued a lawsuit of her own, claiming that the State Police investigators who worked on her case, including Proctor, violated her civil rights. Read has also filed civil rights claims against the civilian witnesses who testified against her. Those lawsuits will likely be another years-long legal battle. But Read said eventually shed like to depart Massachusetts, the state where shes spent her entire life. I have taken too many shots at law enforcement to feel protected by law enforcement, Read said. I am not anti-law enforcement, but I have had many, many members of law enforcement abuse my rights. Read said she felt as though there was more to her story than had been revealed during two criminal trials, throwing blame at Judge Beverly Cannone for hamstringing her defense and keeping evidence out. Theres more of a story to tell. And it has to be done. We have to finish this, she said. An explosion at a Plymouth home Monday morning led to a blazing fire that left six people displaced, according to the towns fire department. A 911 caller reported an explosion and fire at 35 Haven Road shortly before 10 a.m., the Plymouth Fire Department said in a press release. At the scene, firefighters found heavy flames pouring out of a second-floor window at the front of the house. Firefighters immediately launched an aggressive attack from the interior of the home, but its distance from town fire hydrants made the effort challenging, the fire department said. Ultimately, they were able to quickly douse the flames using water from their engines and prevent the blaze from spreading to the attic of the 2.5-story home. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes, the fire department said. The six people who lived in the home escaped before firefighters arrived and were not injured. The homes residents have been displaced as a result of the fire, the fire department said. The fire department is working with the American Red Cross of Massachusetts to find them temporary housing. The State Fire Marshals Office is investigating the cause of the explosion and fire with the Plymouth Fire Department, the fire department said. No further information has been released. The actor who played Marv Murchins in Home Alone has been charged with soliciting a prostitute last month in California. Daniel Stern was cited by Ventura County officials on Dec. 10 for soliciting a prostitute at a Camarillo hotel, the Los Angeles Times reported. Stern was not arrested at the time but was issued a citation by investigators. From what I understand, he was cited at the location and released, Ventura County District Attorney spokesperson Joey Buttitta told PEOPLE. Stern was charged on Jan. 12 and his arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday. The Ventura County Sheriffs Office submitted their ticket or citation to us and it is being reviewed by our prosecutors, the spokesperson told PEOPLE. Since this is a misdemeanor, Stern is not required to appear on the charge and a lawyer can appear for him at the Ventura County courthouse, the Los Angeles Times wrote. If convicted, the actor could face a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. After acting in the 1990 Christmas classic, Home Alone, Stern became a sculptor and farmer, living on a ranch in California. Stern told PEOPLE in an interview published over Christmas that he was commissioned by the owners of the house used in the Home Alone movies to create a bronze sculpture. The American rapper, who created Back in Blood and Neighbors, is back in custody three months after his early release from federal prison. Pooh Shiesty, whose real name is Lontrell Williams Jr., was scheduled to be released from prison in April 2026 after serving a federal sentence for a firearms conspiracy charge linked to a 2020 incident in Florida, according to The Express Tribune. However, the 26-year-old was released early in October 2025 after spending three years in custody. Following his release, the artist continued working on projects including a song titled FDO, which stands for First Day Out, and celebrated his return while giving shout outs to other hip-hop artists. However, a spokesperson from the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed with MassLive that Williams is currently being held in community confinement overseen by the Residential Reentry Management (RRM) Office in Dallas, Texas. The spokesperson added that community confinement means that Williams is either in home confinement or a residential reentry center, also known as a halfway house. Williams projected release date is April 11, 2026, records show. The Federal Bureau of Prisons did not tell MassLive why he has returned to prison. In a previously shared video, Pooh Shiesty displayed paperwork from his federal case and denied rumors that he cooperated with authorities, addressing speculation surrounding his earlier conviction, The Express Tribune wrote. A Byfield man pleaded guilty in federal court in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking ring operating across Eastern Massachusetts. James Adams was one of four people charged in the case. The 43-year-old pleaded guilty Dec. 19 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine. According to prosecutors, Adams was part of a meth distribution ring operated by members and associates of the Unknown Bikers Motorcycle Club. Investigators used undercover agents to purchase methamphetamine from Adams and his co-conspirators in 2023, prosecutors said. Authorities seized 10 pounds of meth and four firearms over the course of the investigation. The other three people charged in connection with the case James Snow of Tewksbury, Danielle Steenbruggen of Peabody and Daniel Loughman of Wakefield have already pleaded guilty, prosecutors said. The charges against Adams could carry a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, according to authorities. Steenbruggen pleaded guilty in August 2025 and was sentenced to 93 months in prison. Adams and the other two co-conspirators are awaiting sentencing. A Northbridge teen is suing Hopkinton town officials over their decision to allow a sex offender to operate the pizza parlor at which she was assaulted while a 16-year-old employee. The lawsuit, filed in Middlesex County Superior Court last month, also includes counts against the plaintiffs former employer, Petros Peter Sismanis, for his mistreatment of her in the workplace. Sismanis is the former owner and operator of Hillers Pizza on West Main Street in Hopkinton. He closed the business in September 2025 less than three months after he was found guilty of assaulting the plaintiff at the pizza parlor in January 2023. In the lawsuit, which was transferred to federal court last week, the now-18-year-old plaintiff argues that the Hopkinton Select Board and Police Chief Joseph Bennett were negligent in granting and renewing Sismanis license to operate Hillers Pizza given his criminal record, which includes a conviction on an indecent assault of a minor charge. The plaintiff is seeking monetary damages from Sismanis on the basis that the assault created a hostile work environment for her, forced her to resign from her job and constitutes an intentional infliction of emotional distress. Shes also pursuing damages from Hopkinton town officials on the basis that their inaction put her at risk. Sismanis was in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody as of the lawsuits filing in December, according to the lawsuit. He could not be reached for comment Monday night. Bennett and the Hopkinton Select Board did not respond to a request for comment Monday night. What happened at Hillers Pizza The plaintiff had been working at Hillers Pizza for over a year when Sismanis assaulted her on Jan. 12, 2023, according to the lawsuit. During her shift, she asked him where overstock items were kept, and he took her down to the basement to show her. While the two were alone in the basement, Sismanis suddenly began kissing and groping her. [Plaintiff] was terrified, frozen and in shock. She did not know what to do or how to respond to this unwelcome advance, and stood still while he continued kissing her, the lawsuit reads. The plaintiff tried to pull away, but was unable to, and the assault continued for several minutes, according to the lawsuit. Afterward, Sismanis immediately claimed it was a mistake and pleaded with her to keep it a secret, saying she was too young. [Plaintiff] was confused, distraught and fearful. Shortly thereafter, [plaintiff] went to the bathroom and cried uncontrollably. The plaintiff then called her mother and told her what happened, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs mother soon came to the pizza parlor to take her daughter home and was confronted by Sismanis. Sismanis begged the plaintiffs mother not to report him to police, but she rebuffed him, according to the lawsuit. He then tried to stop the mother and daughter from leaving the restaurant by physically blocking them from getting in the mothers car and from driving away. The fallout The plaintiffs mother called the police on the day of the incident, sparking a criminal investigation into the assault, according to the lawsuit. Sismanis was soon charged in connection with the incident, and in June 2025, a jury found him guilty of indecent assault and battery and two counts of witness intimidation. But the plaintiff continues to suffer emotional and physical pain as a result of the assault, and has been forced to seek professional counseling, according to the lawsuit. She is overwhelmed with feelings of shame, humiliation, and suffocating sadness, the lawsuit reads. She now harbors a deep feeling of distrust of men which makes interacting with them, in any environment, difficult and unhealthy. This trauma at times makes completing even the most basic daily tasks seem almost impossible. The plaintiff has also become withdrawn from life in general and suffers from stress, trauma, anger, insomnia and anxiety, according to the lawsuit. She feels as if her dignity has been stripped from her, the lawsuit reads. What Hopkinton town officials knew In September 1997, Sismanis was charged with two counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over in connection with an incident that happened in Hopkinton, according to the lawsuit. He pleaded guilty to the charges, was sentenced to probation and registered as a level 2 sex offender the following year. The lawsuit alleges that there are several other prior complaints made by female employees against Sismanis in Hopkintons public records. It provides two examples one from 2016 and one from 2017 in which his former staff reported him to police. At least one of the two complaints involved sexual assault allegations. Sismanis has been renewing his license to operate Hillers Pizza with the town of Hopkinton since at least as far back as 2016, according to the lawsuit. The renewal process involves the town managers office forwarding applications to town departments including police to review and provide feedback. There is no record of Hopkinton police or Chief Bennett ever raising questions about Sismanis ability to operate the pizza shop, even though he was a registered sex offender, the lawsuit reads. The Town, the Hopkinton Police Department and Chief Joseph Bennettt knew or should have known of Sismanis criminal record and his status as a level 2 registered sex offender. Furthermore, even after Sismanis was charged in connection with the assault on the plaintiff at the pizza parlor, town officials still granted his license to operate, according to the lawsuit. The Town and Chief Bennett failed to act on known complaints about Sismanis and his past unlawful conduct, thereby allowing Sismanis continued access to minor employees, the lawsuit reads. " ... The Town and Chief Bennett knew or should have known that its failure to act on known risks related to Sismanis created a foreseeable risk to employees." AGAWAM The project manager for a proposed 250-megawatt battery storage facility promised a roomful of skeptical residents Monday his company will follow Agawams stringent ordinance governing the controversial new technology. Rules covering fire safety, monitoring and future decommissioning are the strongest that Longroad Energys Chad Allen said hes seen and tougher than statewide rules promising an easier path to approval. But Agawam Mayor Christopher Johnson dimmed hopes at an informational session Monday that anyone would be able to block this or any other battery storage proposal. This project is coming to Agawam whether we want it or we dont, Johnson said. This is not a project Agawam went out to attract. Karen Sullivan of Edgewater Road in Agawam tells Mayor Christopher Johnson on Monday how worried she is about the possibility of a battery storage facility bin town. She was one of more than 100 people who attended an afternoon information session put on by Longroad Energy concerning its plans for a battery storage system on Silver Street. (Jim Kinney / The Republican) The Republican Allen told the crowd of more than 100 people at one of two informational sessions Monday in the Agawam Senior Center that battery storage can provide power for the gird at moments when its needed most. The battery storage facility would buy power from the grid at times when it is plentiful and cheaper and sell electricity back to the grid at times of higher prices and demand. Longroad Energy proposes a storage facility capable of discharging 250 megawatts of power over four hours, enough to power for 285,000 homes, according to its website. Power storage makes intermittent power sources solar and wind more useful and eliminates the need for polluting peaker power plants historically used to meet surges of demand. Terry Galluzzo of Edgewater Road in Agawam doesn't see how a proposed battery storage facility will help the town enough to justify any possible risk. She was one of more than 100 people who attended an informational session Monday on Longroad Energy's proposed battery bank on Silver Street. (Jim Kinney / The Republican) The Republican Boston-based Longroad expects to start construction on the Agawam project in 2027 and begin operations in 2029. Allen said he hopes to begin the approval process with Agawam soon. Longroad will also need to go through a review process with the state. Allen wouldnt say how much the project would cost, beyond hundreds of millions of dollars. He promised tax revenues for the town. Johnson said he doesnt yet know how much the plant will pay in property taxes. But he said he hopes the town will reach a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with Longroad that would make the plant the towns second-biggest taxpayer, ahead of the $1.2 million a year paid by Six Flags New England amusement park, but behind what Eversource pays on its infrastructure. Johnson estimates that Longroad Energy would pay more than Agawam stalwarts like H.P. Hoods milk plant or OMG, which manufactures roofing hardware. A map of 769 Silver St. in Agawam, the proposed site of a battery storage facility. Noah Hoffenberg / The Republican The proposed site is the 17-acre former Lucia Lumber at 769 Silver St. Residents concerns Many in the afternoon crowd expressed worries about danger posed by battery storage, especially in case of fire. Even more residents were expected to attend a 6 p.m. session. I think were cooked, said Terry Galluzzo of Edgewater Road. I just dont see the benefit to the people of Agawam. Especially for the risk. Karen Sullivan, also of Edgewater Road, said she worries about the possibility of runoff into Silver Lake. Residents surrounded Agawam Fire Chief Alan Sirois after the meeting, posing questions. Do they burn? people asked, speaking of battery storage plants. Do they explode? Yes, the batteries can burn, Sirois said in response. And if they catch fire, the only thing to do is stop the spread and let it burn out. But thats the same with a electric vehicle battery. Agawams ordinance lays out what Johnson termed the most stringent safety requirements in the industry from the National Fire Protection Association and Underwriters Laboratories. Under state green-energy laws, towns and cities cannot ban battery storage. And regulations that are too stringent can invite court challenges. Each battery in such a facility must be housed in its own container with an independent fire-suppression system under Agawams rules. Johnson said the towns rules also require a decommissioning bond money set aside to take the battery storage facility apart if it goes out of business. This isnt the only battery-storage project proposed for Agawam. New Leaf Energy has its own proposal nearby at 404 Silver St. Proposals for battery storage facilities are active in many cities and towns. That includes the former power plant in West Springfield, as part of a solar array in Southampton and in Blandford, Worthington and Plainfield. Other proposals There are proposals for battery storage facilities in many cities and towns. That includes the former power plant in West Springfield, as part of a solar array in Southampton and in Blandford, Worthington and Plainfield. Nearly half of the capacity that green energy developers want to add to New Englands electrical grid would be in the form of battery storage, according to data from ISO New England, which runs the regions power grid. The most popular type is a lithium-ion battery. Westfield City Councilor Dan Allie led efforts opposing a since-withdrawn plan for a battery storage plant in Westfield. Hes since become active in discussions about battery storage in other towns, serving as a clearinghouse for information and as a regional advocate. A year ago, none of us understood what any of this was he said. But now, residents are well aware of the risk of fire, a risk some say is heightened by the topography of Western Massachusetts, where air tends to pool and not dissipate. The pollution is not going to clear out of here, Allie said. Timothy Busfield has turned himself into police after he was accused of sex abuse crimes in New Mexico, but the actor is still maintaining his innocence. Busfield, best known for his role as Danny Concannon on The West Wing, surrendered on Tuesday, Jan. 13, PEOPLE reported. Timothy Busfield has turned himself in at the Metro Detention Center. He will be booked on his warrant, Gilbert Gallegos, director of communications for the Albuquerque Police Department, told PEOPLE in a statement. This comes after Busfield filmed himself in a video obtained by TMZ saying, I did not do anything wrong. Hi everybody, its Tim, the video began. Im sure most of you know, that are watching this, that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque Im here now. I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday I got in the car, drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. Im gonna confront these lies. Theyre horrible. The Emmy nominee continued, Theyre all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and Im gonna fight it. Im gonna fight it with a great team, and Im gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies. Busfield ended the video by telling viewers to hang in there and that he will be out real soon and back to work. I love everybody for supporting me, thank you, he said. The Albuquerque Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Busfield on Jan. 9. The 68-year-old actor is accused of unlawful sexual conduct with two boys, 11-year-old twins, on the set of The Cleaning Lady, PEOPLE reported, citing the warrant. The series, which Busfield directed and acted in, aired for four seasons on Fox from 2022 to 2025. The warrant suggests the boys were groomed by Busfield, who demanded that they call him Uncle Tim, according to PEOPLE. The boys mother told Child Protective Services in October 2025 that her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024. One boy was diagnosed with moderate post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety following claims of inappropriate touching when he was 10. An investigation was launched on Nov. 1, 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted police about alleged sexual abuse, PEOPLE reported. At the time, Busfield maintained that the boys parents were upset after their sons were replaced with a younger actor, claiming that the mother wanted revenge. He has since denied the accusations, but admitted that he and his wife had a relationship with the boys and their parents outside of work, even buying them Christmas gifts and were together on several social functions, PEOPLE reported. The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions, Warner Bros. Television said in a statement, per PEOPLE. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action. (We) have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement. U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., is proposing a bill that would make Greenland the 51st state. The bill, known as The Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, would allow President Donald Trump to take any necessary steps to acquire Greenland as a part of the United States. 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. The president hasnt ruled out military intervention to take the territory. But he said it would be easier to make a deal with Denmark to acquire Greenland. In a statement posted on his website, Fine wrote that Greenland is a vital national security asset. The congressman parroted Trumps talking points about other countries owning the island, writing that America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security. Most Democrats and several Republicans in Congress, however, have thrown cold water on America owning the icy island. During an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., warned that any attempts to take Greenland would result in the end of NATO. 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. U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif. recently introduced a bill that would block any effort to take Greenland, according to Axios. U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. called Trumps comments about Greenland, appalling. Denmark is one of our best friends so the way were treating them is really demeaning and it has no upside, Bacon told CNN last week. Bacon, along with U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa. and U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, D-9th District, are sponsoring a different bill that would prohibit military action against NATO members, according to POLITICO. A YouGov poll released on Jan. 7 found that 45% of Americans said they are opposed to buying Greenland, 28% said they supported the idea and 27% said they were not sure. Even more Americans, 73%, said they opposed the use of military action to acquire the island, according to the poll. Only 8% said they support military action and 19% said they were unsure. A total of 2,223 U.S. adults responded to the survey. Members of the Trump administration are set to meet with Danish officials about Greenland on Wednesday, according to CBS News. One New England offshore wind project has secured court approval to restart construction after the Trump administration paused the leases on five major projects days before Christmas, and Gov. Maura Healey says shes in touch with wind power partner states about getting the sector back to work. A Massachusetts environmental advocate said the ruling is good news for the Vineyard 1 project off the coast of Nantucket and other East Coast states still grappling with the decisions of the Trump administration. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction Monday against the stop-work order for Revolution Wind, the offshore wind farm slated to power homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., wrote that Revolution Wind was likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction. Revolution Wind will determine how best it may be possible to work with the US Administration to achieve an expeditious and durable resolution, said Orsted, one of the projects developers. The Project will resume construction work as soon as possible, with safety as the top priority, and to deliver affordable, reliable power to the Northeast. The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Dec. 22 that it was pausing the leases for all large-scale offshore wind projects under construction due to undisclosed national security risks. Four Northeastern governors, including Gov. Maura Healey, wrote a letter on Dec. 25 demanding that the pause be lifted immediately and requesting a classified briefing to understand the underlying national security risks. The governors did not receive a response, Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand told the News Service Tuesday. Its good to see Revolution Wind back to work and nearing delivery of power to our region. Vineyard Wind has been producing power for a year, Healey said in a statement. These projects are vital for the reliability of our grid this winter, bringing down costs for residents and businesses and creating nearly 4,000 jobs right here in Massachusetts. Weve called on the Trump Administration to lift this dubious stop-work order and are in close communication with Vineyard Wind and partner states so we can get back to work," Healey continued. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Revolution Wind should have never been shut down the first time or second time by the White House. With construction resuming and suppliers gaining certainty as we near completion, this state-backed project will help deliver a more diverse energy supply and lower utility costs for families and businesses, Lamont said. We look forward to seeing this project move ahead without further disruption and begin powering more than 300,000 homes. Connecticut ratepayers stood to lose an estimated $500 million per year if this project were blocked, Katie Dykes, commissioner of the states Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said. The agency has previously estimated that the Revolution Wind project will lower near-term wholesale energy and capacity market costs for Connecticut and all New England ratepayers by about $500 million by 2028. Katie Segal, the senior director of offshore wind at the Environmental League of Massachusetts, called Mondays court ruling the absolute correct decision. It really shows that the court understands how arbitrary and unpredictable the on-again, off-again calls from the administration are, Segal said. While Vineyard Wind does not have a lawsuit similar to Revolution Winds, Segal said the court ruling is still a positive sign. The federal government on Dec. 22 told Vineyard Wind it could continue generating power despite the pause, according to a letter from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Matthew Giacona. I believe this is good news for Massachusetts and for any future cases that come down the line because we now have precedent that the judge in this case was against the Trump administration action, Segal said. I think what we can take away from this is that Massachusetts, New England, the whole East Coast and any other projects that are fully permitted should feel this is a win because it shows that the court understands how harmful arbitrary actions like this can be. Nick Krakoff, a senior attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation, said future disruptions to Revolution Wind could continue from the federal government. Even though the administration keeps losing in court, they seem to be continuing to try to deny Connecticut and Rhode Island residents access to affordable and clean power, Krakoff said. He added, I wouldnt put anything past this administration. In his Dec. 22 order, Giacona suspended activities related to the Vineyard Wind 1 project that Massachusetts is counting on for the next 90 days and said BOEM will coordinate with you to determine whether the national security threats posed by this project can be adequately mitigated. Giacona wrote that BOEM and the US Department of War would endeavor to reach a determination on feasible mitigation measures within 90 days but that BOEM may further extend the 90-day suspension period based on the status of those discussions. In November 2025, the Department of War (DoW) completed an additional assessment regarding the national security implications of offshore wind projects, and provided senior leadership at the Department of the Interior with new classified information, including the rapid evolution of relevant adversary technologies and the resulting direct impacts to national security from offshore wind projects, Giacona wrote. These impacts are heightened by the projects sensitive location on the East Coast and the potential to cause serious, immediate, and irreparable harm to our great nation, he wrote. During a U.S. House subcommittee hearing Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor pressed a U.S. Department of Energy official to explain how the administrations attempts to cancel wind projects fit with its stated commitment to reliability and affordability. Whats coming out of DOE just simply doesnt make any sense when it comes to cost, when it comes to reliability, the Florida Democrat said. I think folks across the country and businesses large and small want to know why, why the Department of Energy is, like, making life so much more expensive and canceling these projects. What is it? The official, acting Undersecretary of Energy Alex Fitzsimmons, noted that offshore wind is some of the most expensive energy that exists before Castor began her next question. State House News Service Reporter Colin A. Young contributed to this story. People holding placards attend an "ICE Out for Good" protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 11, 2026. (Photo by Li Yuanqing/Xinhua) 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. People participate in a protest against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on Jan. 10, 2026. TO GO WITH "Dozens of protests against ICE held across U.S. California" (Xinhua) "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. People participate in a protest against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on Jan. 10, 2026. TO GO WITH "Dozens of protests against ICE held across U.S. California" (Xinhua) 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. Editor: ZAD Nolan Arenados time with the St. Louis Cardinals appears to be coming to an end. The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired the eight-time All-Star and cash considerations from the Cardinals for right-handed pitcher Jack Martinez, the team announced Tuesday. Arenado waived his no-trade clause to join the Diamondbacks. The Cardinals will pay $31 million of the $42 million owed to Arenado. He is owed $27 million in 2026, $15 million in 2027 and $6 million of this years salary is deferred. Arenado was linked to the Red Sox in 2025. Industry sources told MassLive that the Boston Red Sox were a preferred destination of Arenados. A month later, Boston signed Alex Bregman. The Red Sox find themselves in a similar position a year later with needing a third baseman after Bregman departed Boston to sign a five-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. A strong defensive third baseman, right-handed bat and eight time All-Star, Arenado would have filled a void for Boston this season. The Red Sox has been busy on the trade market this offseason, but its unclear if they were engaged with St. Louis for the 34-year-old. Massachusetts is in for mild weather on Tuesday, with some sunshine and moderate temperatures throughout the region. The National Weather Service forecasts another day of above-freezing temperatures, with most of the state expected to see highs in the mid to low 40s, and the Berkshires getting into the high 30s. Those temps will be accompanied by gentle winds about 6 to 12 mph. Low temperatures at night are expected to hang around the mid 30s for much of the state, dipping to 33 degrees in Pittsfield. Clouds will gather in the evening, bringing a chance of rain showers in Central and Western Massachusetts. Light rain could begin after midnight; the National Weather Service forecast calls for a 50% chance of precipitation in Springfield and a 40% chance in Worcester. There is a chance of overnight snow in the Berkshires, but any accumulation will be minimal. Wednesday will bring similarly mild conditions, with slightly warmer temperatures and a chance of precipitation in the evening. A GoFundMe has been established for a Berkshire County police officer who was shot twice on Jan. 7 while restraining a man who was shot and killed during the struggle. Hinsdale police Sgt. Dominick Crupi was taken to Albany Medical Center in New York following the incident with injuries that the district attorneys office described as serious but not life-threatening. On Jan. 6, a man called the FBIs national crime tip center and made claims that sparked mental health concerns, according to Berkshire District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrues office. The FBI alerted local law enforcement and requested a well-being check. The man, later identified as 27-year-old New York resident Biagio Kauvil, was located the following day and visited by a team of police officers including Crupi, Hinsdale Police Chief Shawn Boyne, another Hinsdale police officer and two Dalton police officers. Kauvil barricaded himself in a bedroom. Crupi had previously established a positive rapport with Kauvil, according to the DAs office, and Crupi spoke with him through the door for approximately 30 minutes before police decided Kauvil needed to be taken into custody. Crupi broke down the door and restrained Kauvil. According to the DAs office, Kauvil held a gun in one hand and asked officers to take his life. During the struggle, Kauvil fired a shot that went through Crupis hand and hit Boyne. Another officer returned fire, accidentally hitting Crupi in the elbow. That officer then fired again, hitting Kauvil in the head, according to authorities. A GoFundMe drive was established in the name of Crupis wife, Crystal Crupi, to help with expenses related to his recovery. According to the GoFundMe page, Crupi had finished his shift a few hours before being asked to assist with the wellness check due to a shortage of police coverage. The page describes Crupi as the sole provider for his wife and five children, and notes that he is expected to undergo multiple surgeries, followed by therapy and rehabilitation sessions. The GoFundMe has a goal of $20,000. As of Tuesday afternoon, 129 separate donors had pledged more than $16,000 toward that goal. The financial burden of daily responsibilities is overwhelming, and they need support to get through the months ahead, the page reads. This tragedy is not only devastating for his family, but for the entire Hinsdale community that looks up to him as a hero. A man who admitted to opening fire in a Springfield club in 2009, killing one person and injuring four others, was granted parole following his first appearance before the Massachusetts Parole Board in a unanimous decision. Marcus Blanton was 24 when he fired multiple gunshots toward the bar at Club 418 in Springfield on May 30, 2009. Less than two years later, in January 2011, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the death of Aaron Waldon and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Waldon was pronounced dead on the night of the shooting. Four others were hurt, with injuries to their chest, abdomen, calf, knees, thighs and buttocks, according to the boards decision. Blanton made his first appearance before the states parole board last July. In its decision, the board noted Blanton has invested in his own development, earning a bachelor of arts from Emerson College and gaining several occupational skills, including certifications in bio-hazards and from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration During the hearing, according to the boards decision, Blanton addressed the precipitants that led to the offense. He has invested in restorative justice and understanding how his mental health and substance use issues impacted his behavior. He demonstrated insight into his offending behavior and motivation to continue with treatment in the community, the board wrote, adding Blanton has a strong support system and re-entry plan. Blanton will be released to authorities in Florida through an interstate compact. As conditions of his release, he must undergo mental health counseling for adjustment and be subject to electronic monitoring for three months. Blanton must also be supervised for drug and alcohol abstinence. SOUTHWICK At the towns Lake Management Committee meeting Thursday, Michelle Pratt, the president of the Citizens Restoring Congamond advocacy group, said there are preliminary talks about building a boathouse for the Police Department patrol boat. Were starting out in the process, so Im pretty excited about that for this year coming up, Pratt said during the meeting. She said the group was happy to have some movement forward on preliminary talks with the CRC working for the town to possibly get a volunteer build and dedicate some funds for the boathouse. She said the CRC board has already approved pursuing the project, but they werent sure exactly what was required to get started. Some planning for the project has been done over the last few years, including schematic drawings to get an idea of what it might look like, she said. She has also spoken to Chief Administrative Officer Nicole Parker about the project. As for funding, Pratt said the CRC definitely has some funds for materials and supplies, but they need volunteers to help build it. I am going to be approaching local tradesmen and craftsmen in the area to see if we can get a crew together to have people maybe donate some time, she said. The LMC members were enthusiastic about the announcement, with members saying thats awesome and wow. LMC chair Richard Grannells said the boathouse would need a concrete foundation to support the structure on the bottom and that he already has access to three pieces that could work. He added that it may speed up the permitting process. Pratt said that would be fabulous. We definitely would be looking to you all for help with coordinating on what we need from the state in terms of permits and permissions, Pratt said. She added that it would be easier for the CRC to pull it together. Gifting it to the town really seems like what makes the most sense, she said. Being in the preliminary phase, she said, there are ongoing talks about the cost or redesign if needed. So theres a lot to do, but were in the initial phases, and thats pretty exciting, Pratt said. The town purchased a new Boston Whaler for the Police Department two years ago at a cost of over $100,000. It is in an enclosure at the towns Public Safety Complex on Depot Street. The reason the department needed a new boat was because of the dramatic increase in the amount of boat traffic on Congamond Lake. We have about 1,500 boats moored across Congamond, and an estimated 6,000 visitors transitioning through the boat ramps, said former Police Chief Robert Landis. A development company up for consideration for a major new Worcester development was fined $5,000 due to past violations by one of its subcontractors involved in an apartment project in Worcester. The Menkiti Groups 20-unit apartment project on 204 Main St. was found in non-compliance with the citys responsible development ordinance in August 2025, according to a letter sent from the city to the development firm. The non-compliance letter is related to five violations cited against one of its subcontractors, Barber Drywall Inc., by the Massachusetts Attorney Generals office. A spokesperson for Menkiti told MassLive the company was not aware of these violations at the time of Barber Drywalls hiring. The Menkiti spokesperson and a spokesperson for City Manager Eric D. Batista said the violations were not related to the 204 Main St. project. Under Worcesters responsible development ordinance, developers who receive tax exemptions from the city for projects are not allowed to have contractors or subcontractors who have violations within the past three years. Menkiti, which was given a tax increment exemption for the project, was required to pay $5,000 as part of the non-compliance order. The spokesperson for Batista said the company made the payment recently. Despite the fine, the spokesperson said development of the building will not cease. The violations against Barber Drywall include two failures to submit payroll records, a violation for failing to pay a prevailing wage, a violation for failing to make payments on time and a violation for failing to provide records. The violations were cited in September 2024 and June 2025. Barber Drywall owner Jay Barber told MassLive Monday the citations were related to the companys work at the Concord Middle School. Barber plans to appeal the 2025 violations, which would cost the company more than $80,000, according to the citys letter. He did not appeal the 2024 violations, which totaled more than $5,000. A spokesperson for Barber Drywall said the company is still involved in the 204 Main St. project. Other Menkiti project draws protest A small group of protesters gathered outside Worcester City Hall to protest a tax increment exemption for a office-to-apartment project led by The Menkiti Group. (Adam Bass/MassLive.com) Based in Washington D.C., Menkiti owns several properties in Worcester, including a 19th century building on 401-409 Main St. The development firm is seeking to turn the offices on the upper floor into 48 units of market-rate housing with five of the units income restricted to those making no more than 60% of the area median income. The city council on Tuesday will review a proposal for a 10-year tax increment exemption for the project. They will also decide whether to make the property eligible for tax credits under the states Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP). Members of the carpenters union, 336 Local, however, protested against the proposals on Monday night. Gathered in front of Worcester City Hall during a cold afternoon, a small group of unions members and supporters marched in a circle in protest. Holding and wearing large white signs around their necks with phrases reading: No Wage Theft and NO BAILOUT," the protesters marched in silence on the beige, brick ground. Occasionally, the silence was broken by the honk of a horn, as motorists driving on Main Street passed by the group and showed their support. Fred Taylor, a member of the union, said he wants Menkiti to abide by the responsible development ordinance and not hire companies with wage violation We want to make sure theres no wage theft, Taylor said. The Menkiti spokesperson said the firm is committed to following responsible development ordinances and stood by the office-to-housing proposal on 401-409 Main St. Our plans for the revitalization of 401-409 Main will transform a currently obsolete and vacant office building into 48 units of mixed-income housing, preserving heritage and introducing new energy into the fabric of downtown Worcester, a spokesperson for Menkiti wrote to MassLive. Our work is grounded in responsible partnership with municipalities, contractors, and labor in order to deliver places with purpose that benefit local communities. A WOMAN who helped enrich the lives of young people and left a lasting impact was how the No Name Club described Mayo woman Edith Geraghty who recently passed away following an illness. The No Name Club were among the many groups to pay tribute to Edith Geraghty from Gladree, Belmullet who passed away in the care of the staff of the Mayo Hospice in Castlebar on January 9. A founding member of Erris No Name Club, Edith also served on the Board of Directors of No Name Club nationally who expressed sadness following her death. Edith was not only a volunteer but later became a valued member of staff within No Name Club, contributing across training, club support, public relations, and club development. During this time, she played an important role in supporting the No Name Club Youth Council and, in 2015, helped bring several members on an Erasmus trip to Innsbruck, Austria further enriching young people through culture and European values. In later years, as a company member, Edith served on the Board of Directors of No Name Club, bringing her vast experience and insight to the organisations governance. During this period, she once again played a key role in the foundation of the organisations Junior Youth Council, and most recently supported another rewarding Erasmus trip in July 2025 to Croatia. Edith has left a lasting impact on No Name Club. Her dedication, generosity, and commitment to young people will be remembered with deep gratitude, they paid tribute on their Facebook page. Edith suffered ill-health in recent years after she was diagnosed with a rare condition called pyoderma gangrenosum in 2022 which caused an infection in her stomach. Edith Geraghty at her home in Belmullet last summer In May 2022, Edith was rushed to Mayo University Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery to save her life after collapsing with a bleed. Edith spent nine months in Mayo University Hospital where she underwent a total of 48 surgeries and speaking last May to The Mayo News, she said she owed her life to the staff of the hospital. I lived in that hospital for 53 weeks and there are no words to describe all of the amazing people who came into contact with me and looked after me. READ: Trolley crisis at Mayo University Hospital continues to escalate Mayo University saved my life. Their incredible staff, there are no words. It starts with the cleaners and porters and goes onto the catering staff and the Health Care Assistants, the nurses, the doctors, the surgeons. From stem to stern every person I came in contact with was fighting for my life when I wasn't in a position to fight for myself. They did it unstintingly and did it unwaveringly and it kept me with them. They looked after me in so many ways beyond nursing. They made me feel that I was going to live, she said of her time in MUH. Despite her ill-health and being confined to a wheelchair, Edith returned to live in her home outside Belmullet and continued to work with a number of local and national groups and organisations. As well as being a board member and Vice-Chair of the national No Name Club, Edith was also involved with a number of groups including the Press Council of Ireland, Mayo County Childcare Committee, Mayo Traveller Support, The Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar, served as a Peace Commissioner, and was recently appointed to the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles. Edith became an independent member of the Board of the Press Council in September 2020 and had become company secretary last year. Chairperson Rory Montgomery said that she had made a consistently strong contribution. She was deeply committed to the Press Councils mission and values and despite ill-health continued to engage actively in its work, he said. She was a dear friend and colleague to us and we shall all miss her very much. The Press Ombudsperson, Susan McKay said, Edith participated in meetings even when she was speaking from her hospital bed. She cared about the work of the Press Council and the rights of people with disabilities to participate in public life. She also cut quite a dash in her always elegant clothes, her hats and her lilac motorised wheelchair. The Linehall Arts Centre in Castlebar also expressed their sadness at her passing with a post on their Facebook page. Edith was a remarkable presence to all who knew her and she has been at the heart of the Linenhall since she joined the Board in 2021. Edith was formidable in the best possible way, endlessly passionate, and unwaveringly committed to the power of creativity and community. Her belief in what the arts can do was infectious, and her passion and energy has helped shape who we are today. Edith was also a tireless advocate for disability, access, and inclusion across our local community, always leading with intelligence, compassion, and action. Edith has always been described as a great friend: generous with her time, sharp with her insight, and full of life. We will miss her fierce advocacy, and her steady encouragement more than words can say. Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Sean Carey from Belmullet and Erris-based councillor Gerry Coyle both paid tribute to the work Edith did for young people in Erris at Monday's monthly meeting of Mayo County Council. Edith is predeceased by her husband, Seamus and mother Marie Menton and was laid to rest in Tarmoncarra Cemetery, Belmullet on Saturday afternoon. Patients at Mayo University Hospital are being treated in a completely unsafe environment, according to Castlebar based councillor, Harry Barrett. The Independent councillor made his comments yesterday (Monday) after it was revealed by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) that 32 patients had been admitted to hospital without a bed and were waiting on trolleys. Fifteen patients were on trolleys in the emergency department while seventeen were on trolleys in wards elsewhere. Cllr Barrett said that the people of the county were now at their wits end due to the problems they are facing when they attend at the hospital. There are 32 people currently on trolleys waiting for treatment. Families have contacted me to say this situation is completely unsafe. They are seeing loved ones left for hours on trolleys, in pain and distress, waiting for a bed and proper medical care. Constituents are very clear with me. This is not just about discomfort. It is about serious risk to life. Research shows that delays like this have deadly consequences. One in every 82 people who wait too long to be admitted, waiting more than 6 to 8 hours, will die as a direct result of delays in getting specialist care. People in Mayo are asking how this can be allowed to happen in our main hospital, said Cllr Barrett, who is calling on both Ministers based in Mayo (Dara Calleary and Alan Dillon) to step in immediately and to raise this directly with the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. READ MORE: Mayo community mourns sudden death of beloved father and husband Urgent action needed WHAT is happening in our Emergency Department cannot be dismissed as business as usual. These are unsafe conditions and they need urgent action. Families want to see real measures taken now. That means extra staff, beds opened without delay, and proper planning so that no patient is left on a trolley for hours on end. This is about ordinary people who get sick and expect to be looked after when they come through the doors of their local hospital. They deserve safety, dignity and timely care. The people of Mayo are entitled to better than this, added Cllr Barrett. Figures released by the INMO on Monday showed that nationally 759 patients were admitted to hospital without a bed. Commenting on the Trolley Watch figures, INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: Our hospitals are incredibly busy with patients on trolleys across most hospital sites. The Health Service Executive must confirm that it is taking all steps to ensure that the provision of safe emergency care is currently the priority in the system. With activity levels as high as they are, we assume that all non-urgent elective activity has been cancelled for the coming week. Surge beds AS well as over 759 patients on trolleys, there are a high number of patients on so-called surge beds, according to the HSEs own data. This is masking the true scale of overcrowding in our hospitals. 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. The HSE needs to be upfront with the public and its workforce this week and explain 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. On Wednesday, January 21, students, parents, and families from across the region are invited to the St Marys Hall, ATU Castlebar, Co. Mayo, for an incredible opportunity to explore a world of career possibilities. This is your chance to meet representatives from top universities, colleges, and organisations, ready to help you shape your future. Exhibitors include University Galway, all three ATU campuses, University Limerick, Trinity College Dublin, DCU, Mary Immaculate College, An Garda Siochana, Irish Defence Forces, and a wide selection of Further Education and Training options from Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim ETB. With dozens of options under one roof, this is the must-attend event for anyone thinking about their next steps whether its an apprenticeship, further education or university. This isnt just another expo its a gateway to opportunity, says Pat Howley, Chairperson of the Mayo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Education & Training Working Group. We want everyone walking through these doors to leave with fresh ideas, new insights, and the confidence to take their next step. The Expo is a one-stop shop for students to get informed about the variety of paths they can take after school. With free admission, this event is designed to give everyone access to essential resources, whether youre aiming for higher education, a practical career, or training to upskill or reskill. Weve brought together a diverse range of exhibitors from across the country, continues Mr Howley. This is a golden opportunity for students to ask questions, get answers, and explore their options in a way that isnt possible online. Meet the real people behind these institutions and learn what could be waiting for you. Organised by Mayo County Council, MSLETB, HSE, Mayo Roscommon Local Area Employment Services, SICAP, Udaras na Gaeltachta, ATU, South West Mayo Development Company, Mayo North East LEADER Partnership and Mayo Sports Partnership this years Expo promises to be an event like no other. Pat Howley added, Were calling on students, parents, teachers, and guidance counsellors from every corner of the region to be part of this. Admission is free, and all are welcome on the day. The organising team for this years event includes Pat Howley, Colette Shannon, Barbara Ronayne, Donal Hoban, Pamela Ni Thaidhg, Margaret Keane, Charlie Lambert, Michael Galvin and Darragh Reilly. READ MORE: Mayo TD says pressure must follow as Mercosur vote goes to Europe EirGrid, operator and developer of Irelands electricity grid, has announced the opening of the first phase of the community benefit fund for the North Connacht 110kV project. Applications for the first phase of the 1.53 million fund are now being welcomed, with 612,000 in funding available to eligible communities and volunteer groups in this round. The fund has been established by EirGrid to recognise the importance of the local communities hosting this critical infrastructure project to strengthen the electricity grid in the region. The project will add a new 110kV underground line to the electricity grid in Co Mayo and Co Roscommon, increasing grid capacity in the area and accommodating more renewable energy. Construction of the project, which will power 150,000 homes, is due to start early this year. The community benefit fund is open to not-for-profit organisations, voluntary organisations, and community groups who can demonstrate how communities benefit from the services, facilities or programmes they provide in the project area, and will be divided equally between the three streams of funding: community, sustainability and biodiversity. The 1.53 million fund is released in three phases: when construction begins, mid-way through project construction, and when the project is complete. To ensure that these grants are distributed in a transparent, participatory and inclusive manner, independent facilitator SECAD is responsible for administering the fund. The deadline for this round of applications is 5pm on Friday, March 13. A number of information events will be held to ensure community groups can learn more about submitting an application to the fund. The first event will take place on Tuesday, February 24, at 6.30pm in the Swinford Cultural Centre. On Wednesday, February 25, at 10.30am an information event will take place at the Mary Robinson Centre, Ballina while on the same day at 2.30pm Ballaghaderreen Community Resource Centre will host an information event. Speaking about the fund opening, Sinead Dooley, Head of Public Engagement with EirGrid, said: At EirGrid, we acknowledge the vital role local communities play in facilitating our grid development work, and that is why we are committed to providing direct benefits to those who are supporting the transition to a stronger, more renewable energy system. We also acknowledge and appreciate that local organisations are reliant on volunteers when it comes to preparing funding applications and plans. That is why at EirGrid, we appoint independent facilitators to work with our liaison officers and community forum to provide information and support throughout the process and I would strongly encourage people to attend our information events to avail of this support and advice. Collaboration with communities is key to this infrastructure being developed, ensuring a resilient energy future for generations to come. She continued: We want to thank the community for the support we have received to date on this project, including from the members on our community forum, and we look forward to continuing this engagement with relevant stakeholders as we work to deliver this vital project. READ MORE: Education expo to take place in West Mayo next week This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the scenery of Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) 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. 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. U.S. President Donald Trump attends a press conference following the NATO summit in The Hague, the Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) 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. Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson arrives at the venue of a special European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) 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. People march to protest in front of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Liu Zhichao/Xinhua) 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. Editor: Xiong Jian Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026 shows primary school students learning about exhibited cultural relics and related knowledge with the help of a guide at the Mengcheng County Museum in Mengcheng County, Haozhou City, east China's Anhui Province. Since the beginning of the new year, the museum has introduced a series of new initiatives for relics exhibitions, attracting many local residents. Visitors gain a close-up understanding of the stories and knowledge behind the artifacts, immersing themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese culture. (Hu Weiguo/Guangming Picture) Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026 shows primary school students learning about exhibited cultural relics and related knowledge with the help of a guide at the Mengcheng County Museum in Mengcheng County, Haozhou City, east China's Anhui Province. Since the beginning of the new year, the museum has introduced a series of new initiatives for relics exhibitions, attracting many local residents. Visitors gain a close-up understanding of the stories and knowledge behind the artifacts, immersing themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese culture. (Hu Weiguo/Guangming Picture) Editor: WXY Ukrainian Parliament fails to appoint Shmyhal as 1st Dpty-PM, Minister of Energy The Verkhovna Rada was unable to appoint Denys Shmyhal as First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy. A total of 210 members of parliament voted in favor of Resolution No. 14378 during Tuesday's plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada, falling short of the minimum 226 votes required for adoption. As reported earlier, on January 13 the Verkhovna Rada dismissed Shmyhal from the post of Minister of Defense, a position he had held since July 17, 2025. The situation with the power supply of the right bank of Kyiv has deteriorated to the level of the left bank, CEO of the energy supplier YASNO Serhiy Kovalenko believes "What is the status in the capital now: the whole city is in emergency outages. To put it very simply, the situation on the right bank has deteriorated to the level of the left bank," he said on Facebook on Tuesday. However, Kovalenko said approximately 70% of the repair crews' visits are carried out on conditionally false calls. That is, people make applications because there is less light than they expected, or because of problems in/on their houses. And only 30 are real problems that require the intervention of network crews, he said. YASNO CEO appealed to consumers to leave only real applications so as not to distract human resources from eliminating real accidents. As reported, since the massive Russian attack on Kyiv on January 9, the left bank of the capital has been in emergency power outage mode. Emergency power outages were also partially applied in Holosiivsky and Pechersky districts, and briefly in other districts. After the attack on January 13, all of Kyiv switched to emergency schedules. A soldier wounded in Korea in 1951 had better survival odds than soldiers wounded in World War II despite heavier casualties and harsher conditions. The difference was time. Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals brought surgeons closer to the front lines, and helicopters brought casualties to them faster. That innovation evolved into today's Forward Surgical Teams, 20-person units that can set up a functioning operating room in an hour and perform life-saving surgery within kilometers of active combat. MASH Units Transform Combat Care Dr. Michael DeBakey and other surgical consultants conceived the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital at the end of World War II. The Army created the first unit in 1948 as a 60-bed facility that could move with combat units. When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, no MASH units existed in the Far East. The Army deployed them quickly. Within six months, casualties overwhelmed the units, and the Army expanded them from 60 to 200 beds. MASH units operated four to five miles behind front lines, often close enough to hear artillery and occasionally within enemy small arms range. Setting up required 24 hours. Breaking down and moving took the same. The results changed military medicine. Soldiers who reached a MASH alive had a 97 percent survival rate. World War II fatality rates for seriously wounded soldiers hit 4.5 percent. Korea dropped that to 2.5 percent. The H-13 helicopter, left, frequently ferried the wounded to medical care. The use of helicopters for transporting the wounded was first widely used during the Korean War. Right: Surgeons, nurses, and medics prep a patient for surgery. (Army Medical Command Office of Medical History) MASH surgeons also pioneered techniques the Army officially prohibited. Arterial repair wasn't authorized based on World War II data showing poor outcomes. Surgeons at the 8055th and 8076th MASH units began experimenting anyway, using reversed saphenous veins to replace damaged arteries. They feared court martial, so they didn't document the procedures in patient charts. When transferring patients to Japan, they called accepting physicians to inform them about the vascular repairs performed. One MASH surgeon enlisted a Japanese silversmith to make less traumatic vascular clamps. These forbidden experiments became standard practice and saved thousands of limbs. Read More: The Vietnam Veterans Who Fought for Modern PTSD Treatments Vietnam and the MUST The MASH proved too large for Vietnam. The conflict required different capabilities. In 1968, the Army replaced MASH units with Medical Unit, Self-contained, Transportable facilities. MUST units used trailers and inflatable sections with technology focused on a wider range of wounds. Only one MASH unit served in Vietnam, operating from October 1966 to July 1967. The last MASH unit in South Korea deactivated in 1997. Members of the television series cast including Larry Linville and David Ogden Stiers attended the ceremony. Operation Iraqi Freedom became the final military campaign to utilize MASH units. Forward Surgical Teams Modern warfare demanded something smaller and faster. Operation Desert Storm demonstrated that MASH units and Combat Support Hospitals couldn't keep pace with rapidly moving front lines. The Army fielded the first Forward Surgical Team during Operation Just Cause in Panama in December 1989. FSTs consist of four surgeons, three nurses, two nurse anesthetists, one administrative officer, one detachment sergeant, three licensed practical nurses, three surgical technicians and three medics. Equipment and supplies pack into six Humvees with trailers. The entire unit can be slingloaded onto cargo helicopters. A functional operating room opens within 60 minutes of arrival. Full capability takes two hours. Breaking down to move requires two hours. The team can operate continuously for 72 hours before requiring resupply. FSTs perform damage control surgery, not definitive care. Surgeons control hemorrhaging, stabilize patients and prepare patients for evacuation to Combat Support Hospitals. The focus is keeping casualties alive through the golden hour, the first 60 minutes after injury when immediate surgery offers the best survival odds. Read More: December 1944: The Medics Who Saved Thousands at the Battle of the Bulge Combat Experience The 274th FST deployed with initial entry forces to Afghanistan in October 2001 and Iraq in March 2003. During the Iraq invasion, the 555th FST evaluated 154 patients over 23 days while moving multiple times. It opened for business within 30 minutes at new locations. The 250th FST achieved an average time to surgery of 1.5 hours after injury in Iraq. In Afghanistan, split operations became common, dividing the 20-person team into two 9- to 11-person teams to cover more area and reduce evacuation time. FSTs operated within several kilometers of the front. The 555th FST came under fire on multiple occasions and took prisoners of war. Teams occasionally handled their own defense with light weapons. Beyond combat, FSTs performed humanitarian missions. The 250th FST conducted 161 civil affairs medical operations in Iraq, more than their combat surgeries. They revamped local emergency medical systems, reestablished surgical grand rounds at Iraqi hospitals and formed the Iraqi-American Surgical Association. Current Relevance The Army continues refining FST doctrine for large-scale combat operations. Modern FSTs train at the Army Trauma Training Center at the University of Miami's Ryder Trauma Center. Each team completes a two-week rotation, including a 24-hour capstone exercise managing all trauma patients arriving at the facility. From MASH tents in Korea to Forward Surgical Teams in Afghanistan, the principle remains constant. Bring surgeons to the wounded, not the wounded to surgeons. Speed saves lives. Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox. WASHINGTON Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly sued the Pentagon on Monday over attempts to punish him for his warnings about illegal orders, claiming the Trump administration trampled on his constitutional rights to free speech. Kelly, a former U.S. Navy pilot who represents Arizona, is seeking to block his censure from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week. Hegseth announced on Jan. 5 that he censured Kelly over his participation in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders. Hegseth said the censure by itself simply a formal letter with little practical consequence was a necessary process step to proceedings that could result in a demotion from Kellys retired rank of captain and subsequent reduction in retirement pay. Kelly asked the federal court in Washington, D.C., to rule that the censure letter, the proceedings about his rank and any other punishments against him are unlawful and unconstitutional." 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. The Pentagon didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush. The legal action of a sitting U.S. senator suing the defense secretary is rare, if not jarring, and the latest effort from members of Congress to push back against what they see as an out-of-control executive branch. The censure stemmed from Kellys participation in a video in November with five other Democratic lawmakers all veterans of the armed services and intelligence community in which they called on troops to uphold the Constitution and not to follow the Trump administration's military directives if they were unlawful. The 90-second video was first posted on a social media account belonging to Sen. Elissa Slotkin. Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan also appeared in the video. Kelly and the other lawmakers have not backed down from their video, which was released as the Pentagon began bombing suspected drug-smuggling boats in the waters near Venezuela. Republican President Donald Trump accused the lawmakers of sedition punishable by DEATH in a social media post days later. The Pentagon opened an investigation of Kelly in late November, citing a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other punishment. Although all six lawmakers served in the military or the intelligence community, Hegseth said Kelly was the only one facing investigation because he is the only one who formally retired from the military and still falls under the Pentagons jurisdiction. Hegseth, the Defense Department, Navy Secretary John Phelan and the Navy are named as defendants in the lawsuit. The Pentagon didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Kelly said in a statement on Monday that he is standing up for the rights of the very Americans who fought to defend our freedoms. He accused Hegseth of trying to suppress dissent by threatening military veterans with depriving them of their rank and pay. Thats not the way things work in the United States of America, and I wont stand for it, Kelly said. ___ Associated Press writer Ben Finley and Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. Greenlands government said it will intensify efforts to ensure the islands defenses are managed within the NATO military alliance, pushing back on renewed threats from the U.S. about taking over the territory. All NATO member states, including the United States, share a common interest in the defense of Greenland, the prime ministers office said in a statement issued late Monday. The Government coalition in Greenland will therefore, in cooperation with Denmark, work to ensure that dialogue and further development of Greenlands defense take place within the NATO framework. The message comes ahead of a high-stakes meeting of Danish and Greenland foreign ministers with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Wednesday, according to media reports. U.S. Vice President JD Vance will participate in Wednesdays meeting, Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said, according to Danish news agency Ritzau. The stated aim for the talks is to help defuse President Donald Trumps renewed threats toward Greenland and begin repairing strained ties with Washington over the strategically important island. The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland, officials in Nuuk said in the statement. This is something the government coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstances. Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president of the European Commission, also condemned the U.S. approach, calling the threats unacceptable and highlighting that Greenland is not for sale. Its quite obvious that the European project has been targeted as something to destroy both externally and internally, she said at at doorstep. Europe grows up in difficult times. These are really difficult times. After a meeting with Rubio Monday night, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he is optimistic that Europe can reach a compromise with the U.S. over Greenland. Rubio didnt make any official comments after the meeting. The dispute has also prompted Trump to renew criticism of other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any attempt to take over Greenland would undermine the alliance. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on Tuesday he will meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday next week in Brussels. Greenlands minister for foreign affairs, Vivian Motzfeldt, will also participate in that meeting, he said, according to local media. ---------- With assistance from Samuel Stolton and Christian Wienberg. ___ 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A federal judge in Manhattan sentenced Venezuelan drug trafficker Carlos Orense Azocar on Tuesday to life in prison plus 30 additional years, capping one of the most sweeping narcotics prosecutions ever brought against a figure tied to Venezuelas shadowy drug networks and alleged corruption at the highest levels of the Caracas regime and its military. Orense Azocar, known by the nickname El Gordo, was convicted in December 2023 after a two-week trial in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick imposed the sentence, finding Orense guilty of conspiring to import massive quantities of cocaine into the United States and of multiple weapons-related offenses. Federal prosecutors described Orense as one of the most prolific cocaine traffickers ever prosecuted in the courthouse, responsible for moving hundreds of tons of cocaine through an international pipeline that stretched from Colombia and Venezuela to Central America, the Caribbean and ultimately the United States. Carlos Orense Azocar is one of the most prolific cocaine traffickers ever sentenced in this courthouse, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement. Orense Azocar and his co-conspirators, including high-ranking government and military officials, inflicted incalculable damage on this community. Drug Enforcement Administration head Terrance C. Cole called Orense a criminal kingpin who built an empire on deception, fraud, and bribery, adding that his case underscored the agencys determination to pursue powerful international traffickers regardless of their political connections. U.S. investigations into the growth of drug-trafficking operations in Venezuela have identified Orense as one of the oldest operators linked to the so-called Cartel de los Soles, an organization U.S. authorities allege is run by high-ranking members of the Caracas socialist regime and Venezuelas armed forces. According to court documents and trial testimony, Orenses trafficking operation began on or about 2003 and grew steadily over nearly two decades. Prosecutors said he helped transport, receive and distribute loads of cocaine ranging from hundreds to thousands of kilograms at a time, using a sophisticated network of air and sea routes. At the heart of the operation were a series of cattle ranches, or fincas, owned and controlled by Orense in Venezuelas interior. These properties, authorities said, served as secure hubs for the storage and shipment of cocaine. Investigators testified that the ranches were equipped with clandestine landing strips, underground tanks used to conceal drugs, and arsenals containing hundreds of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition. From these ranches, cocaine was dispatched aboard small aircraft flying north toward Central America and Mexico, or loaded onto go-fast boats that sped from Venezuelas coastline to intermediate points in the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic and areas near Puerto Rico. The shipments were then funneled onward into the United States. Prosecutors estimated that Orense distributed nearly one ton of cocaine per week for much of the year amounting to as much as 40 tons annually and that over the life of the conspiracy he was responsible for the movement of hundreds of tons of the drug, generating tens of millions of dollars in illicit proceeds. To sustain an operation of that scale, the government said, Orense relied heavily on corruption and violence. According to the evidence presented in court, he paid millions of dollars in bribes to senior officials throughout the Venezuelan state apparatus, including military generals, National Guard officers, police commissioners and senior figures within the countrys intelligence agencies. Those relationships, prosecutors said, allowed Orense to operate with near impunity inside Venezuela. His government connections allegedly secured access to military-grade weaponry, protection from law enforcement and military raids, safe passage for cocaine convoys through checkpoints, and even fraudulent aircraft transponder codes that allowed cocaine-laden planes to depart Venezuelan airspace without interference. Orense also partnered with armed guerrilla groups operating in Colombia and Venezuela, including elements of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia ( FARC), to source cocaine and ensure safe transit across border regions. Witnesses testified that members of the FARC were occasionally seen guarding landing strips where drug-laden planes touched down, some wearing Venezuelan army uniforms and carrying AK-47 rifles. To protect himself and his shipments, Orense maintained heavily armed security teams. Prosecutors said he traveled in armored vehicles, guarded by gunmen, and used a mix of private security, corrupt police and even military forces to protect convoys. Among the weapons linked to his organization were automatic rifles, submachine guns, handguns modified to function as machine guns, and a mounted .50-caliber machine gun. One of the governments key witnesses, a co-conpirator identified in court papers only as CC-5, served as a senior member of Orenses security detail and later cooperated with U.S. authorities. CC-5 told prosecutors he was present for dozens or even hundreds of conversations in which Orense discussed large-scale cocaine trafficking with associates, including Venezuelan officials and other traffickers. Court filings describe detailed episodes illustrating the depth of corruption surrounding the operation. In one instance around 2008 or 2009, Orense and members of his security team met a National Guard general, identified as CC-3, at a restaurant in Valencia, Venezuela. After a tense discussion about money, Orense ordered CC-5 to deliver two duffle bags filled with U.S. $20 bills estimated to contain several million dollars to the general. The money was later handed off to men traveling in an official National Guard vehicle. Shortly afterward, when a truck carrying 1,000 kilograms of cocaine was stopped at a highway checkpoint, CC-3 intervened directly. After a brief phone call with the officer on duty, the truck was allowed to proceed without inspection. Prosecutors also said that Orense worked closely with senior figures in Venezuelas intelligence services. In one court document they identified a high-ranking official of the now-defunct Directorate of Intelligence and Prevention Services (DISIP) as CC-1, and the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate (DIM) as CC-2. The filings further alleged that drug proceeds were laundered through a U.S.-based company tied to a Venezuelan state-owned enterprise, identified in the documents only as Company-2. Orense himself did not testify at trial. His defense challenged the credibility of cooperating witnesses and argued that the government exaggerated his role, but the jury rejected those arguments. Orense was arrested in Italy in May 2021 and extradited to the United States in June 2022 after Italian authorities approved his transfer. U.S. officials credited close cooperation with the Italian government, the DEAs Special Operations Division and its Bilateral Investigations Unit, as well as prosecutors and digital forensics specialists in New York, for securing his arrest and extradition. This sentence sends a clear message, DEA Administrator Cole said. DEA will relentlessly pursue and hold international drug traffickers accountable, no matter how far they run or how powerful they believe themselves to be. 2026 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The state of Minnesota sued the federal government on Monday, calling a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration enforcement surge an unconstitutional federal invasion after a deadly ICE shooting last week ignited national protests and widespread commentary on federal tactics. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on Monday by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, seeks to block DHS' bringing of more than 2,000 federal agents into the Twin Cities following the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross. State and city leaders argue the operation violates constitutional protections, undermines state sovereignty, and has led to racial profiling, warrantless arrests and widespread fear in both immigrant and nonimmigrant communities. Officials via lawsuit are seeking an emergency restraining order to immediately limit DHS, ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) operations in Minnesota while the case proceeds. Military.com reached out to DHS, ICE, CBP, the White House, and the Department of Justice for comment. The legal confrontation comes amid growing scrutiny over how federal immigration agents are trained and deployed nationwide, including concerns over rapid hiring and training standards. The lawsuit argues that the shooting illustrates the dangers of what it calls militarized federal enforcement operating without sufficient local oversight, clear accountability, or consistent use-of-force standards. The case intensifies demands for transparency surrounding federal operations and the limits of federal authority inside Minnesota, officials added. The Case Against DHS, ICE Minnesotas lawsuit argues that DHS, ICE and CBP exceeded their lawful authority with what it describes as a militarized, warrantless and discriminatory enforcement operation inside the state. The federal operation, known as Operation Metro Surge, deployed more than 2,000 armed agents into Minneapolis and St. Paul, according to the suita number that rivals or exceeds the combined sworn officers of the two cities. Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota, answers a question during an interview at the State Attorneys General Association meetings on Nov. 15, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) Agents allegedly carried out stops and seizures routinely without judicial warrants, refused to properly identify themselves, and conducted enforcement activity in sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals. Plaintiffs argue those actions violated multiple constitutional protections, including the Fourth Amendments safeguards against unreasonable searches and seizures; the Fifth Amendments due process guarantees; and the Tenth Amendments reservation of sovereign authority to the states. The lawsuit also accuses DHS of failing to coordinate with Minnesota officials and ignoring repeated local requests for operational transparency, sidelining city and state public safety priorities. It claims the surge diverted critical resources from local law enforcement, disrupted everyday life, and eroded public confidence in the rule of law. In addition to seeking a temporary restraining order, the lawsuit requests the court to require federal agents to stop conducting warrantless arrests outside constitutional standards, cease use of excessive force, wear visible identification, and avoid enforcement in schools, hospitals, places of worship and public gatherings without specific judicial authorization. Minnesota officials also contend the surge was politically motivated, citing the states relatively small noncitizen population yet exceptionally high volume of federal agents and enforcement actions compared with other states. This is not about public safety, Ellison said. This is about politics. 'Federal Invasion' Needs to Cease Federal officials have pushed the deployment far beyond any legitimate law enforcement purpose, relying on overwhelming force in routine immigration arrests and operating with little transparency or accountability, according to Ellison. This federal invasion of the Twin Cities has to stop, Ellison said at a press conference on Monday when announcing the lawsuit. No one is above the Constitution. Protesters demonstrate against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck) Federal agents are alleged to have entered neighborhoods, businesses and public spaces without warrants, refused to identify themselves when challenged, and relied on racial profiling to justify stops, according to the suit. It also alleges agents used unmarked vehicles, masked officers and overwhelming numerical force in encounters involving people who posed no threat. This federal invasion of the Twin Cities has to stop. No one is above the Constitution. - Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison State and city leaders said the operation disrupted daily life across Minneapolis and St. Paul in the forms of locked don schools, businesses being closed early, and families staying out of the public due to fear of expanded enforcement in residential and commercial areas. Plaintiffs argue that the tactics damaged public trust in law enforcement and forced local police departments to divert resources to manage federal activity. It also created confusion about jurisdiction and accountability when federal agents were involved in confrontations, they claim, leading to conditions violating constitutional protections and undermining state sovereignty. How Minnesota Got Here The lawsuit follows the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and mother who was killed during a federal enforcement operation. Her death swiftly triggered triggering protests, vigils, and renewed calls for federal accountability from those who felt she was wrongfully shot and killed. Others, including federal officials up to President Donald Trump himself, have argued that Good did not follow orders from law enforcement and that she threatened them with her vehicle that ultimately crashed at the scene. Community leaders said the shooting deepened fears about the scope and aggressiveness of federal immigration enforcement in local neighborhoods. The incident also sparked a federal-state dispute over investigative authority and access to evidence. A picture of Renee Nicole Good is seen during a demonstration and march calling for an end to federal immigration enforcement operations Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Ellison said the incident fundamentally altered how residents view the federal presence. When a woman like Renee Good is killed, fear spreads far beyond one neighborhood, he said. People no longer feel safe in their own city. ICE Agents Causing 'Intimidation' Federal agents flooding Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods are making the situation worse, said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. At times, there are dozens of federal agents arresting one person, Frey said. That is not public safety. That is intimidation. City officials described residents staying inside, businesses closing early, and parents avoiding parks and public spaces as enforcement activity intensified across residential and commercial areas. One official claimed that "communities are being racially profiled and destabilized." Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins Police Chief Brian O'Hara during a news conference on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck) Local officials said local police departments have been stretched thin, forced to divert officers and millions of dollars in overtime to respond to ICE-related incidents, protests, traffic disruptions, and community safety calls. Officers assigned to neighborhood policing have instead been pulled into crowd control, perimeter security and emergency response duties tied to federal operations. City leaders said the shift weakened trust between residents and law enforcement while placing additional strain on already limited municipal resources. Potential Restraining Order State attorneys said they will ask a federal judge to hear Minnesotas emergency restraining order request within days. If granted, the order would immediately limit DHS, ICE and CBP enforcement activity across Minnesota while the lawsuit proceeds, effectively freezing the federal surge and imposing new restrictions on how agents operate inside the state. The case may test the balance between federal immigration authority and state sovereignty, as well as the limits of federal power. State officials said they are prepared to take the case as far as necessary. This fight is about who gets to decide what happens inside our state, Ellison said. While millions of Americans can name Western Front battles like Belleau Wood or the Meuse-Argonne, almost no one remembers the 332nd Infantry Regiment. These Ohio doughboys were the only American combat unit to fight against the Central Powers in a WWI theater outside of France and helped end the war in Italy. The regiment formed at Camp Sherman, Ohio, on August 30, 1917. Its ranks filled with men from Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown. They trained through Ohio's brutal winter at Camp Perry near Toledo, enduring mud, freezing rain, and even a smallpox scare. They expected to join the fight in France. Instead, they got orders that would make them one of the most unique units in American military history. General John Pershing refused to scatter American forces or let them fall under the command of Allied nations. He opposed sending troops anywhere but the Western Front. But Italy was desperate. The disaster at Caporetto in October 1917 had nearly knocked Italy out of the war. Austrian and German forces had smashed through Italian lines, capturing nearly 300,000 prisoners and pushing the front back to the Piave River. Italian morale collapsed. Detail of a Lieutenants uniform from the regiment showing the famous 332nd Infantry Regiment Lion of Saint Mark, and Army of Occupation shoulder sleeve insignia. Courtesy United States Army Center of Military History. Pershing's "Propaganda Regiment" At a tense Supreme War Council meeting in May 1918, Italian officials begged for American troops. Not divisions. Just one regiment. Enough to show the Italian people that America stood with them, and enough to make the Austrians worry. Pershing reluctantly agreed. He selected the 332nd Infantry Regiment, commanded by Colonel William Wallace, a veteran of the Spanish-American War. On June 8, 1918, the regiment boarded the RMS Aquitania in New York. When they reached France, Pershing and French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau reviewed them. Clemenceau praised their military bearing. Days later, Wallace received his orders. "Your regiment has been selected to go to Italy," the chief of staff told him. Wallace later called it a prize coveted by every officer and man in France. Mr. Samuel Gompers, the famous labor leader, poses for a photograph in front of an Italian villa with Colonel William Wallace, the commander of the 332nd Infantry Regiment, and Brigadier General Charles Treat. Note the 332nd Colors in the background. 12 October 1918. Courtesy National Archives. The 332nd reached northern Italy in late July 1918. About 4,000 soldiers and 125 officers arrived at Villafranca di Verona. King Victor Emmanuel III personally inspected them on August 1. The Italians welcomed them as saviors. Crowds cheered "Viva l'America!" as they marched through their towns. Commander of the Italian Army, Gen. Armando Diaz, praised the arrival of the Americans in his order of the day to his forces. These strong troops have come today to fight by our side and I, in your name, welcome them with faith in the future, in our brotherly union of arms, and in our mutual successes, he said. The Americans were amazed at the reception they received and the scenery surrounding them. One American soldier, Enoch Gunter, expressed his admiration for the land in a letter to his father. In the land of song! And it is really the most beautiful place one could imagine, he said. Had a fine trip through the Alps and saw some of the most famous resorts in the world. The scenery is so wonderful that one would have to see it to really know how beautiful it is. The men soon set up their camps, including Camp Wallace, and prepared for battle. But the 332nd's main mission wasn't just fighting. It was grand military deception. Camp Wallace, the base for the 332nd Infantry Regiment while they were stationed in Italy during WWI. (World War I Centennial) The Phantom Army Italian commanders stationed the regiment behind the Piave River front, away from combat. Then they put Wallace's men to work creating an illusion. Every day, American battalions marched out in full view of Austrian observers across the lines. One company wore campaign hats. Another wore overseas caps. A third wore helmets. They took different roads, carried different equipment, made themselves visible at different locations. At night, they snuck back to base in Treviso and prepared to do it again tomorrow. The ruse worked brilliantly. Austrian aerial reconnaissance reported massive American reinforcements flooding into Italy. Intelligence officers estimated six American divisions had arrived, possibly 300,000 men. In reality, it was one regiment. The deception achieved exactly what Italy needed. Italian morale surged. The Austrians grew extremely cautious, uncertain of how many Americans they actually faced. The 332nd soldiers endured the endless marching, though one doughboy later admitted he would have gladly killed any enemy encountered just to stop the tedious routine. While marching, the regiment trained for mountain warfare with Italy's elite Arditi shock troops. These hardened assault specialists taught the Americans the tactics needed for the brutal Alpine terrain that characterized much of the Italian front. The Americans formed tight friendships with the Italian Bersaglieri marksmen and infantrymen from numerous units. For the first time in history, American and Italian soldiers worked together and formed the basis of an alliance that exists today. American doughboys and Italian Bersaglieri posing for a photo on the frontline. (World War I Centennial) Into Battle On October 24, 1918, Italy launched the Vittorio Veneto offensive. The Austrian forces, fearing a massive assault of a combined Allied force, fell back in disarray. The 332nd finally got its chance to fight. Attached to the Italian 31st Division as part of the British XIV Corps, the Americans formed the advance guard pursuing the retreating Austrian forces. The Austrians collapsed faster than anyone expected. By November 3, the 332nd reached the Tagliamento River, 40 miles east of their starting position. Austrian rear guards defended the far bank. That night, enemy troops called across the water to Captain Austin Story, commanding the 3rd Battalion. An armistice was imminent, the Austrians asked why even fight? Story was unaware of an armistice. His reply was "We're going to blow you upget your heads down." Two American soldiers of the 332nd preparing grenades before the final assault against the Austro-Hungarians. (Army Photo) At 5:40 a.m. on November 4, Wallace ordered Major F.M. Scanland's 2nd Battalion to cross. In the predawn darkness, the soldiers crawled along the wreckage of a destroyed bridge at Ponte della Delizia. Austrian defenders waited on the opposite bank, but their artillery and machine guns ranged too far. Most fire flew far over American heads. Scanland's battalion attacked in a single wave with rifles, grenades, and machine guns across a front of nearly a mile. They smashed through Austrian positions in under 20 minutes. One American died. Six were wounded. The 2nd Battalion became the first Allied infantry to cross the Tagliamento. The 332nd pressed forward, seizing the town of Codroipo with its vital supply depots. At 3 p.m. that afternoon, the Armistice of Villa Giusti took effect. The war on the Italian Front ended. Doughboys of the 2nd Battalion, 332nd Infantry in front line trenches on the Piave sector, near Varage, Italy, September 28, 1918. (Wikimedia Commons) The Regiments Shocking Success Austrian prisoners flooded in by the thousands. When Austrian commanders learned they had faced only one American regiment, they refused to believe it. They insisted at least six divisions had been deployed against them. Wallace realized his deception had worked beyond imagination. The Battle of Vittorio Veneto shattered the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Within days, the empire dissolved. The 332nd's role, though brief, helped deliver the knockout blow. Yet the regiment paid a strange price for its unique accomplishment. Seven soldiers had died in a training accident back in September when a Stokes mortar exploded during a drill. The regiment lost more men to that single accident than to combat during the entire war. Only Corporal Charles A. Kell of Company G died in battle. Several others were wounded. These were the regiment's total combat casualties. American and Italian soldiers posing together for a photograph during the war. (World War I Centennial) When addressing his men, Wallace congratulated them on their achievement and their good conduct while fighting alongside the Italians. Italys ancient foe was humbled beyond possibility of recovery, her lost provinces reconquered, and, let us hope, her people again cemented together in bonds of lasting loyalty to her good king and government, he said. After the armistice, the 332nd served on occupation duty in Austria, Dalmatia, and Montenegro. Battalions scattered across former Austrian territory to maintain order. The regiment didn't reunite until March 29, 1919, when all of the units finally boarded the SS Duca d'Aosta to go home. They reached New York on April 14, paraded through the city, then returned to Camp Sherman. On April 26, Cleveland held a parade for its returning heroes. Wallace led the regiment down Euclid Avenue while the Italian-American community presented awards to the men. Within two weeks, demobilization finally reached the unit, which was deactivated on May 5, 1919. The regiment's men carried home memories no other Americans shared. They wore the Vittorio-Veneto battle clasp on their Victory Medals. Italy awarded them Italian War Medals in 1926. They adopted as their insignia the winged Lion of St. Mark, Venice's symbol, with the number 332 inscribed on an open Bible. Veterans called themselves "Wallace's Circus" and held reunions for years. The men of the regiment returning home aboard the SS Duke DAosta in 1919. (Wikimedia Commons) Why They Vanished From History The Western Front dominated the American memory of WWI. The massive battles at Belleau Wood, Saint-Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne involved hundreds of thousands of American troops. The 332nd was too small, too far away, too brief in action to compete for attention. Their greatest success, the deception operation, wasn't even a traditional military victory to celebrate. No major monument honors their service in Italy. The American Battle Monuments Commission planned one in the 1920s, designed and funded it, but political complications prevented the construction. The memorial was never built. In December of 1941, Fascist Italy declared war on the U.S. forcing many in the nation to forget the brief combat relationship the two nations had forged only two decades prior. American soldiers and Italian Bersaglieri, whose predecessors fought alongside each other, were now killing one another in Tunisia and Sicily. Today, a small museum in Vittorio Veneto maintains an exhibit about the 332nd. Italian researchers also created a website called "Faces in the Book" to honor the American soldiers who fought there. Back in the United States, descendants of 332nd veterans work to preserve their ancestors' experiences. But mainstream American military history rarely mentions them. Italian Consul General presents medal to the commander of the 332nd Infantry on behalf of the Italian government, April 1919. (Wikimedia Commons) The 332nd Infantry Regiment remains what it was in 1918, the only American combat unit to fight outside the Western Front in World War I. They helped win a decisive battle that ended the war on an entire front. They created one of the most successful deception operations of the conflict. Their only combat mission shattered a centuries-old empire. Then they came home, mustered out, and disappeared from national memory. While the American doughboy remains one of the most iconic warriors of WWI, the 332nd Infantry remains the most unique American unit to fight in Europe during WWI. For more than a decade, a nonprofit organization in Paris, Kentucky has worked with hundreds of severely disabled veterans to provide recreational activities and make life a bit easier for those whove sacrificed so much. Now, Jasons Box is gaining national recognition for supporting veterans in need. The organization was recently honored with the Defender Service Award for veteran and civil servant outreach, collecting more than 30,000 votes from across the country. Jasons Box is named after Jason Pautsch, an Army corporal killed in Iraq, along with four other soldiers in his unit, on April 10, 2009. Joseph A. Tirone, a retired Army colonel, serves as the volunteer director for the non-profit, which provides free activities to catastrophically injured veterans through donations and fundraising. I was an active-duty soldier for 30 years, said Tirone, who currently serves as a senior advisor for Special Operations. I am responsible for advising all of the Army Green Berets, Navy SEAL teams, and the pilots that fly them around. Jason's Box is named after Army soldier Jason Pautsch who was killed in action while serving in Iraq in 2009. (Photo from WKYT) Outdoor Activities Boost Mental Health In 2014, Pautschs mom, Teri, reached out to Tirone with the idea of creating a veteran support program in her sons honor. Throughout the past decade, Jasons Box has grown to help hundreds of veterans enjoy recreational opportunities. We focus on a very small number of service members, but we offer them a very wide variety of activities, such as equine therapy. We do beekeeping. We do fishing. We do hunting. We do shooting, Tirone said. While the suicide rate among veterans in the U.S. has dipped somewhat in recent years, its still tragically high. In 2022, the rate of veterans dying by suicide was twice as high as people with non-military backgrounds. Tirone believes Jasons Box offers veterans that feeling of camaraderie theyve missed since leaving the service, with a chance to bond with those experiencing similar physical and mental challenges. What we do is try to get them away from that and get them outdoors and into healthy outdoor activities, he said. Finding Community with Jasons Box After Trampus Miller lost his leg from an IED blast in Iraq, his new residence became the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Three and a half years later, followed by more than 100 surgeries and 18 months wheelchair bound, Miller could finally leave the hospital. The road after that was tough, long, and lonely, Miller said. Then he met Tirone five years ago, went on a deer hunt with a group of fellow disabled veterans and found a place he could turn to for support. The first deer hunt I went on, there was like 12 or so of us veterans there. Just getting to meet everyone and just realizing youre not alone, Miller said. That was probably the one that was, you know, meant the most. Miller had so much fun he decided to become a volunteer, helping coordinate activities for veterans. I cant do a whole lot given my injuries. But, you know, I try to do all I can to help it go smoothly for them, Miller said. Its gratifying to the soul, really, you know, to help each other. National Award Opens Door to More Opportunities The Defender Service Awards, sponsored by Land Rover and Chase Bank, select one honoree every year to receive the veteran and civil servant outreach award. Claiming the top honor this year, Jasons Box was given a Defender 130 Land Rover and a non-disclosed amount of prize money the non-profit plans to utilize for adaptive equipment. Joseph A. Tirone, volunteer director of Jasons Box, talks about the many services the organization provides to disabled veterans. (Photo from WKYT) We just finished designing it for our use. So, well be able to put wheelchairs in it. Well put on adaptive hand controls so guys can drive it. Guys that dont have legs can drive it, Tirone said of the Land Rover vehicle. Tirone said he plans to use the prize money to purchase adaptive kayaks and other items Jasons Box has lacked since it started in 2014. So that any service member we bring in, if theyre missing limbs, upper limbs, lower limbs, eyesight, or whatever, well be able to get them out on the Stoner Creek (in Paris) and fish, Tirone said. While Jasons Box doesnt serve veterans to receive national accolades, Tirone said the award gives them recognition, exposure and the funds to help more disabled veterans. We dont do it for any other reason other than, you know, for the service members benefit, Tirone said. So, you know, what do I want out of it? Nothing. Ive already gotten my rewards just by, you know, helping these service members out. Sybiha: Ukraine counts on Allies decisive action to ramp up support for Ukraine, increase pressure on Moscow Photo: MFA of Ukraine Ukraine expects decisive action from its allies to increase support for Ukraine and put pressure on Moscow in the face of massive missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian territory, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said. Today, at Ukraines request, an extraordinary meeting of the NATOUkraine Council in the Political Affairs Committee format was held in response to Russias massive missile and drone attacks and IRBM use, he said on X. Sybiha noted that Ukraine has informed NATO allies of Russia's ongoing strikes on critical energy infrastructure. He stated that immediate priorities remain strengthening air defenses, securing additional missiles, contributing to the PURL initiative, and supporting defense production, including interceptor drones. We count on the Allies decisive action to ramp up support for Ukraine, increase pressure on Moscow, and bring a lasting peace closer, Sybiha stressed. The Tigers are signing left-hander Bryan Sammons to a minor league contract, reports Jon Morosi of The MLB Network. The 64 southpaw will be in camp as a non-roster invitee. Sammons returns to the organization with which he spent the 2023-24 seasons. A former Twins draftee, Sammons signed with the Tigers out of the independent ranks. Sammons earned a big league look in July 24 and made six MLB appearances as a long reliever. He posted a 3.62 ERA through 27 1/3 innings. That earned the Western Carolina product a guaranteed contract from the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan last winter. Sammons had a decent year in NPB, working to a 3.78 ERA across 85 2/3 frames. That came with middling strikeout (19.6%) and walk (10.7%) rates, and the 30-year-old heads back to the affiliated ranks with a familiar team. Sammons will likely head to Triple-A Toledo, where he posted a 4.15 ERA through 102 innings two seasons ago. He fanned 23.1% of batters faced against a 10% walk rate. Sammons uses a five-pitch mix to compensate for fringe velocity, as he sits around 91 MPH with the fastball. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Luke Trumble heard his name a lot in court. As a civil trial began in a lawsuit brought against the state of Michigan by Edenville Dam flood victims, it was immediately evident that Trumble, a dam safety engineer at the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), would be a key figure. Trumble eventually took the witness stand late afternoon Monday but the state engineers name was uttered so often by then that the trial judge mistakenly referenced a plaintiff attorney as Mr. Trumble by accident during morning opening statements. Were focusing on one person, said Thomas Waun, an attorney representing flood victims during opening statements for the plaintiffs in a trial that began Jan. 12 in the Michigan Court of Claims in Grand Rapids. Its Luke Trumble. In paired opening statements, Waun and fellow plaintiff attorney Jason Thompson essentially collapsed the sprawling regulatory history of a century-old dam into one mans lap accusing Trumble, who is now the states dam safety chief, of failing to prevent the disaster by allowing waters to rise behind the dam and concealing the risk at key points. That, in essence, set the stage for a disastrous flood that displaced 10,000 people and destroyed homes and livelihoods, they argue. State attorneys, on the other hand, hardly mentioned Trumble. He was just another in a long line of federal, state and private sector engineers who the state says never saw an imminent failure looming ahead of the heavy rainfall that broke the Edenville Dam on May 19, 2020. State attorneys say EGLE inherited oversight of a private dam that wasnt considered unsafe and was never flagged for static liquefaction the type of failure that ultimately broke it. Plaintiffs, they argue, are trying to convert regulatory oversight into constitutional liability. We dont mean to detract from the tragedy that occurred at the Edenville Dam. This was a tragedy but it was not a tragedy caused by the state of Michigan, said assistant attorney general Nathan Gambill, who walked Judge James Robert Redford through a 40-minute PowerPoint presentation refuting the plaintiffs claims. Plaintiffs accuse state of inverse condemnation The bench trial before Judge Redford follows five years of litigation filed in the wake of a flood which victims say tore gaping holes in the lives of those living along the Tittabawassee River. Many in downstream communities like Sanford continue to struggle with displacement, financial burden and mental stress, flood victims say. It is the largest and most complex case to arise from the disaster and has wound its way through appeals to reach trial. It is led by Edenville resident David Krieger and consolidates some 2,000 cases alongside with class action claims into one large lawsuit. The lawsuits do not accuse the state of negligence, which are claims that were dismissed years ago. In a 2023 ruling, the Michigan Court of Appeals said the case could proceed to trial on a claim of inverse condemnation, which turns on whether state actions amounted to an unconstitutional taking of private property that requires compensation. The case is being tried without a jury. To win, the plaintiffs must convince Redford the state went beyond oversight and took actions that directly affected their properties and significantly contributed to the disaster. If Redford rules the state is liable for the disaster, a second trial would determine potential damages. A judgement in favor of the plaintiffs would open the state up to thousands of new class action claims from people harmed by the flood but who havent sued. During opening statements, plaintiff attorneys claimed EGLE authorized dam owner Boyce Hydro and the county-backed Four Lakes Task Force to raise Wixom Lake behind the dam from run-of-river conditions back to its historic summer level even though, by then, state engineers like Trumble allegedly knew the dam failed Michigans statutory safety test for passing extreme floodwaters. They claim EGLE staff concealed or downplayed the dams true condition by not disclosing internal concerns during circuit court proceedings that set Wixom Lakes regulated level and by allowing permits to proceed. According to plaintiffs, Trumble knew by January 2020 that the 96-year-old earthen dam failed Michigans statutory standard for passing half of a probable maximum flood which is the largest flood scientists consider possible at a given dam. That made the Edenville Dam unsafe as a matter of law, they claim. Yet, they said Trumble did not warn a Midland County judge presiding over lake level proceedings, did not warn permit staff who later approved the restoration of Wixom Lake to its historic summer level and did not insist on lowering the lake to run-of-river conditions. Instead, plaintiffs argued, EGLE allowed the lake to rise in April 2020 adding what they described as 3.6 billion gallons of water behind a structurally deficient dam. That extra water made the difference in the failure, they argue, even though an independent forensic report produced after the disaster cast doubt on that conclusion. The state picked up the gun from Russian roulette, spun the wheel and, unfortunately, it had a bullet in the chamber, said Waun. In the states opener, Gambill said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) knew for decades that the dam lacked adequate spillway capacity yet still required Boyce Hydro to maintain Wixom Lake at regular levels. No state or federal engineer, he argued, ever warned that maintaining those levels posed an imminent risk of failure. Gambill argued that pre-lowering Wixom Lake would not have had a major impact on the ultimate level during the flood and engineers who analyzed the dam beforehand concluded a drawdown wasnt needed. He disputed allegations the state was more concerned with protecting freshwater mussel habitat, citing a plaintiff witness who testified that pressure from lakefront owners was the primary force behind efforts to maintain Wixom Lakes normal level. He emphasized that rather than EGLE having coercive power, Boyce ignored the state when it wanted to notably in the winter ahead of the flood, when Boyce lowered Wixom Lake over winter due to ice buildup on spillway gates without getting a state permit. No Boyce Hydro employee took direction from or reported to any state agency. The plaintiffs have no evidence to the contrary, Gambill said. The people who controlled this lake were Boyce Hydro and its employees. State regulators say dam wasnt seen as big risk Mario Fusco, who supervised EGLEs dam safety unit and Trumble during the period leading up to the dam failure, was the first witness. Fusco testified that the dam did not meet Michigans maximum flood standard, but that didnt mean it was viewed it as unsafe or at imminent failure risk. Under questioning, he rejected attempts to reduce the issue to a binary choice between safe or not, explaining that a dam can be hydraulically inadequate without being structurally unsound. Fusco acknowledged that Trumble handled much of the day-to-day dam safety work after state oversight began in Edenville when FERC revoked Boyce Hydros license 2018 and that he relied on him for technical assessments. But he said Trumble never warned him the dam was likely to fail, never recommended emergency measures and never urged that Wixom Lake be operated at run-of-river levels before the collapse. The court heard portions of deposition-read testimony from Jim Pawlowski, a longtime state dam safety engineer who worked on Edenville after jurisdiction transferred, and Teresa Seidel, a former EGLE water resources division director. Pawlowski testified that inspections did not identify conditions suggesting imminent failure and he described drawdowns as a context-specific tool rather than an automatic response. Seidel testified that no one ever told her Wixom Lakes normal operating level was dangerous and that EGLE typically does not issue enforcement orders when dam owners are already working toward compliance. Trumble took the witness stand for an hour late Monday. Under examination, Trumble agreed that state officials understood as early as 2013 that Edenville lacked adequate spillway capacity if it ever reverted to state regulation, and that by early 2020, state engineers determined Edenville could not safely pass a major flood. Trumble resisted efforts to frame that noncompliance as proof the dam was on the brink of collapse. Under questioning, he testified that failing the spillway standard did not mean failure was inevitable. There are no for certains, he said. He agreed that additional spillway capacity would have limited how high Wixom Lake rose during the storm, but said he never concluded the dam was likely to fail beforehand. Testimony is expected to continue through the week with additional witnesses. Redford said the trial is expected to run several weeks. BOYNE FALLS, MI - Boyne Mountain Resort has unveiled a new winter attraction that looks straight out of a fairy tale and is already drawing crowds and social media buzz: a full-scale snow igloo with a bar carved entirely from ice and snow. Called Iglu, the structure sits near the resorts Disciples Overlook between the Disciples ski run and the Michigan SkyBridge, offering skiers and non-skiers alike a one-of-a-kind apres-ski experience. The entrance to Iglu at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Mich. on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Iglu is a snow fort bar that was constructed by a specialized team from Austria over a three week period. The bar is steps away from the SkyBridge in the Disciples Overlook area. Joel Bissell | MLive.com The lore is true. We built a real igloo. With a bar inside, Boyne staff said in a social media post announcing the opening. According to Boyne, it is one of only two igloo ice bars currently operating in the U.S., with the other being located at their Sunday River Resort property in Maine. An aerial imago of the Iglu bar at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Mich. on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Iglu is a snow fort bar that was constructed by a specialized team from Austria over a three week period. The bar is steps away from the SkyBridge in the Disciples Overlook area. Joel Bissell | MLive.com The igloo was constructed over the span of three weeks with help from a team from Austria. The specialized team used an inflatable dome technique, allowing the builders to form thick snow walls before carving the interior. Resort snowmakers prepared a massive snow pile in advance of the build. 36 1 / 36 Iglu snow fort bar at Boyne Mountain Resort They inflate large bubbles so that we can make a structure of snow, said Mike Doumanian, director of food and beverage for Boyne. They make 4-foot-thick walls, deflate the bubbles, and then start molding the igloo. Inside, the snow fort features two large rooms, Alpine-themed carvings, an ice bar, ice block seating and tables, and carefully-placed lighting to give the frozen space a warm glow. Fur pelts line the benches, adding comfort to the otherwise icy surroundings. Alpine designs carved into a wall inside Iglu at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Mich. on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Iglu is a snow fort bar that was constructed by a specialized team from Austria over a three week period. The bar is steps away from the SkyBridge in the Disciples Overlook area. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Our design team came in with great thoughts on how the lighting should be and having fur pelts on the seats and on the bar, Doumanian said. The drink menu includes champagne, local craft beer and cocktails ranging from Aperol Spritzes to Jagerbombs. For those looking to splurge, bottles of Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon are also available. If youre sipping, bring your card or prepare to tap to pay, as the bar is cashless. Iglu is open to all ages, with alcoholic beverages available. Iglu, a new snow fort bar at Boyne Mountain, has an array of drinks on ice, ready for sips and pours. Photo provided by Boyne Mountain Resort An outdoor area includes three fire pits, seating and views overlooking the ski area. An exterior bar and snow and ice sculptures were also crafted near the igloo. Guests can access Iglu by riding the Disciples 8 chairlift or by walking across SkyBridge. An aerial imago of the Iglu bar at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Mich. on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Iglu is a snow fort bar that was constructed by a specialized team from Austria over a three week period. The bar is steps away from the SkyBridge in the Disciples Overlook area. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Doumanian said guest reactions since the opening have been immediate and enthusiastic. They walk in and their eyes light up, he said. Theyre amazed by what they see when they go into this fully snow structure. Despite the frozen materials, resort officials say the space remains surprisingly comfortable. Because the igloo is built entirely of snow and ice, its hours and conditions are weather-dependent. Operating hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday Wednesday Thursday: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday Sunday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. You can find more information and the menu of drinks on the Boyne Mountain Resort website. DETROIT, MI Hours before President Donald Trump was set to appear in Michigan Tuesday, small demonstrations of protest were already underway to push back against his administrations priorities. A rally advocating local officials expel U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from the city, promoted by the group Detroit Will Breathe, was held at the Spirit of Detroit statue by the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. Attendees waved signs that read No ICE in Detroit and ICE Murdered Renee Good, the Minnesota woman who was killed by an ICE agent on Jan. 7. Nancy A. Parker, executive director of the Detroit Justice Center, called it another plea for humanity. Im not going to sit up here and convince you that folks who are going to school, who are working, who came here to make better of themselves are human beings. You have eyes. You can see this, she said of protecting immigrants. Referring to Good, a 37-year-old mom of three, who was fatally shot in her SUV by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during protests of ongoing immigration crackdowns, Parker called for tangible steps to make Detroit inhospitable for federal authorities. She said she wants to protect communities before tragedy strikes amid rising fear. There is no more law of the land, so we must allow these people to do what they will, she said. I abhorrently refuse to accept that as my fate. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good weaponized her vehicle and tried to run over one of the officers after disregarding orders to exit her vehicle. She said the agent feared for his life and fired defensive shots. The incident involving the U.S. Citizen born in Colorado has not been investigated yet. Trump is scheduled to speak ahead of the opening of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show and was reportedly touring a Ford F-150 plant before appearing at the Detroit Economic Club. The morning rally aimed its call to action at local elected officials in calling on Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield and city council to stymie the rise of ICE activity in the community, though the presidents expected presence colored the candor of speakers. Locally, Parker said it was a matter of finding ways to limit the use of Detroit resources, such as city land for ICE to stage operations or Detroit police to patrol traffic around arrests. TJ Rogers, a representative for Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero, said her office has gotten hundreds of calls and emails from constituents who are worried about safety since the rise in ICE arrests near the start of Trumps second term. Santiago-Romeros office was exploring what authority the city has to limit or ban ICE activity on city property, he said, and to eliminate or ban operations around sensitive areas like schools, clinics, hospitals and places of worship. State Sens. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit and Mary Cavanagh,D-Redfod Township, also referenced legislative proposals, such as preventing federal agents from carrying out operations while wearing masks. State Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, said ICE has a much longer history in the city, targeting immigrants especially in Southwest Detroit. However, he said what felt like constant harassment on a national scale was new under Trump, accusing the administration of negligence in achieving its goals to step up enforcement. We can stand in solidarity and speak so eloquently about why we should abolish ICE, he said, but we all know this orange man in office will not listen. Fans of the K-Pop boy band BTS will soon have Permission to Dance, as the group is set to hit the road in 2026. The group announced Tuesday a 79-show worldwide tour that will take them to Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. While the tour will hit multiple locations across the globe, not all dates have been revealed by the band. According to the tour website, further information on those shows will be released at a later date, including for shows in Japan and the Middle East. The tour kicks off April 9 in Goyang, South Korea for first of three shows in the city. The first U.S. dates are scheduled for April 25-26 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. BTS 2026 U.S. tour dates: April 25-26: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida May 2-3: Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas May 15-16: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California May 23-24, 27: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas Aug. 1-2: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey Aug. 5-6: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts Aug. 10-11: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore Aug. 15-16: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas Aug. 22-23: Rogers Stadium, Toronto Aug. 27-28: Soldier Field, Chicago Sept. 1-2, 5-6: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles As for the shows, BTS says it will perform on a 360-degree, in-the-round stage that will give fans an immersive experience. The tour marks the first time the band will tour together since 2022s Permission to Dance on Stage tour. The band took a planned hiatus while the members completed mandatory military service in their home country of South Korea. Following completion of the service, the members officially reunited in July 2025. On Jan. 1, 2026, the group confirmed its untitled latest album will be released on March 20, 2026. For more information on the tour and to pre-register for tickets, visit the tour website. CADILLAC, MI Two people accused in the horrific deaths of a 22-year-old woman and her unborn son were in a Northern Michigan courtroom today. Their attorneys asked the judge to dismiss the case. The body of Rebecca Park, 22, was found in the Manistee National Forest on Tuesday, Nov. 25, about 2.5 miles from the home of her biological mother and her mothers husband. Park had been missing since Nov. 3; she was 38 weeks pregnant with a son. The child was missing when Parks body was discovered, and he was later determined to be dead. Bradly Bartholomew appears in Wexford County's 84th District Court on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. He is accused of murder and other crimes in the deaths of his stepdaughter, Rebecca Park, and her unborn grandson. The probable cause hearing was delayed because defense attorneys have not yet received evidence from the prosecution. Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com Friends, family and community members packed the 84th District Court on Tuesday, Jan. 13, for the probable cause hearings of Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew, Rebecca Parks mother and stepfather. They both face multiple charges, including murder. The defense attorneys asked Judge Corey J. Wiggins to dismiss the case or consider setting a bond for their clients since the prosecution has not yet shared the evidence against them. The two remain in jail with no bond as the investigations against them proceed. Attorney Tracie McCarn-Dinehart, representing Cortney Bartholomew, called it a blatant violation of due process. The Michigan Attorney Generals Office is prosecuting the case but did not have a representative in court today. Instead, prosecuting attorney Nate Karnes with the Wexford County Prosecutors Office was in the courtroom. He said everyone is working diligently to wrap up the investigation and send discovery to the defense. Wiggins ordered a show cause hearing, which will allow the AGs office to explain to the court why they havent sent evidence to the defense team. Thats scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30. Wiggins said he will determine whether or not to grant bond after that hearing. RELATED: Mother admits to cutting unborn baby from daughters womb, court documents reveal This is the second time the case has been delayed for this reason. Rebecca Parks sister is also facing charges related to her death. Kimberly Park is charged with tampering with evidence, lying to a peace officer and making a false report of a felony. Her probable cause hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14. RELATED: A beautiful soul: Northern Michigan community gathered to honor Rebecca Park, unborn baby with candlelight vigil Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew each face charges of first-degree murder, felony murder, torture, unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to cause a miscarriage or still birth and removing a dead body without a medical examiners permission. If convicted, they face mandatory life in prison. Not guilty pleas were entered on their behalf. RELATED: How Rebecca Parks gruesome slaying shocked Michigan and became a social media phenomenon Cortney Bartholomew told police that Kimberly Park and the victims fiance, Richard Falor ,were not involved in Rebecca Parks death. She also admitted to cutting her grandson out of her biological daughter. She said it was an attempt to save the child after Rebecca Park had been stabbed multiple times. She said her daughter couldnt be saved. The baby also died. Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew have both told police that the other is responsible for stabbing Rebecca Park. Photo: https://x.com/andrii_sybiha Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha, together with his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide, met with Ukrainian defense manufacturers Luch Design Bureau and Fire Point. As part of Espen Barth Eide's visit, they held a meeting with the management of the Luch Design Bureau and Fire Point, well-known Ukrainian defense manufacturers. The parties coordinated efforts and discussed the current status and future prospects of key defense industry projects. "Our discussion focused on strengthening our partnerships and advancing joint initiatives to enhance security and resilience. Strong international cooperation remains essential to counter Russias aggression and uphold shared values," Sybiha noted. He added that he was pleased to receive a model of the Palanytsia missile from the director of the Luch Design Bureau, Oleh Korostelyov, as a symbol of shared commitment to strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities through strategic partnership. "We also received special presents from the Fire Point CTO Iryna Terekhsymbolic playing cards with pictures of FP missiles. Best proof that Ukraine does have cards," the minister wrote. MACOMB COUNTY, MI A Detroit man has been charged in connection to a shooting that happened at a house party over the weekend. Duan Giovanni Bradley, 23, faces three felony charges after he was arraigned Monday, Jan. 12, in the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights, the Macomb County Prosecutors Office said. Bradley was accused of shooting three people at a house party in Sterling Heights on Saturday, Jan. 10. Authorities said Bradley was involved in an altercation with another guest inside the home, and the 23-year-old went outside and opened fire, striking three people. One of the guests was armed and returned fire in self-defense, striking Bradley, the prosecutors office said. None of the injuries were life-threatening, according to the prosecutors office. The allegations in this case are a stark reminder that disputes cannot be settled with weapons, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement. While I am grateful that no one was seriously injured, the potential for tragedy was immense. Our office will not stand idle while this type of violence threatens our community. Behavior has consequences, and we will pursue accountability to the fullest extent of the law. Bradley was charged with three counts of assault with intent to murder, three counts of felony firearm, and one count of carrying a concealed weapon. He faces up to life in prison for assault with intent to murder. His bond was set at $1 million. Bradley will next appear in court for a pretrial hearing on Jan. 26, followed by a preliminary exam on Feb. 2. DETROIT, MI - A protester was taken into custody outside of the MotorCity Casino ahead of President Donald Trumps speech at the Detroit Economic Club. A crowd of 100 protesters gathered at noon at Cass Park and marched to the outside of MotorCity Casino. A MLive photojournalist witnessed one man and one woman being taken into custody by the Detroit Police Department. A dozen officers flanked around the building and roadways on foot and in vehicles. A line of six officers stood in front of the entrance blocking protesters and warning them to back up and return to the designed protest area. At 12:45 p.m. a protester holding an Anti-Trump flag stepped up and tried to move through the line of officers saying, This is a public sidewalk. I have the right to stand here. Officers pushed him back multiple times. The man stood eye-to-eye in silence with one police officer for several minutes. Police got back on the bullhorn and told protesters if they did not leave the area they would be arrested. Officers gave the protester holding the flag a final two-minute warning. The man did not move and police officers handcuffed him. The man filmed the incident on his phone. MLive photographers and other local media were also present. The crowd continued to grow and chant Donald Trump has got to go. Shortly after the first protester was taken into custody a second protester, a woman, was also handcuffed by police. 22 1 / 22 Protesters demand ICE leave Detroit, state of Michigan in wake of death of Renee Good The rally advocating local officials expel U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from the city, promoted by the group Detroit Will Breathe, started the day at the Spirit of Detroit by the municipal center anti-ICE signs and those referencing the Jan. 7 shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota waving before a series of community speakers. Nancy A. Parker, executive director of the Detroit Justice Center, called it another plea for humanity referring to Good, a 37-year-old mom of three, who was fatally shot while in her SUV by an ICE agent in a Minneapolis. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good weaponized her vehicle and tried to run over one of the officers after disregarding orders to exit her vehicle. She said the agent feared for his life and fired defensive shots. The incident involving the U.S. Citizen born in Colorado has not been fully investigated yet. Parker called for tangible steps to make Detroit inhospitable for federal authorities and to protect communities before tragedy strikes and admist rising fear. Trump in Detroit: Praise for automotive industry, economic turnaround Trump is expected to address members of the Detroit Economic Club at 2 p.m. Watch his speech here. The ticketed event is limited to club members and guests, according to the website. This is Trumps first address to the club as president, though he has been welcomed twice before while on the campaign trail in 2016 and 2024. On President Donald Trumps first day back in office, he vowed to return millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. It didnt take long for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement to escalate efforts, detaining undocumented immigrants throughout the country. As the focus shifted away from targeting those who committed serious crimes or those caught at the border, arrest numbers ballooned. In Michigan, this sweep caught immigrants across both peninsulas. Big picture, weve seen a massive increase in enforcement, said Christine Sauve from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, a non-profit legal resource. Related: In a year, ICE arrested over 2,300 in Michigan from teens at home to a dad getting coffee It can be tricky getting real-time insight into ICE enforcement because the agency only provides limited regional arrest data, which hasnt been updated since December 2024, and national detention statistics updated every two weeks. But data pieced together from several sources creates a picture of how this immigration dragnet has impacted Michigan. This includes numbers obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by the Deportation Data Project, a group of lawyers and academics, a database built by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, TRAC, at Syracuse University and federal data. Here are four takeaways: 1. Daily ICE arrests in Michigan jumped 230% Daily immigration arrests picked up pace after the inauguration, according to an MLive analysis of data from the Deportation Data Project, accelerating throughout the year as the Trump administration boosted staffing levels and put pressure on ICE to make more arrests. The agency was arresting between two and three people a day before Trumps second presidency, but from June through October, it hovered around 11 arrests a day on average. This means daily ICE arrests jumped 230% in Michigan, when comparing the daily average in 2024 to the daily average since Trump took office. By Oct. 15, ICE had arrested 2,349 people in Michigan more than double the 952 arrests in 2024. Nationally, ICE arrested 225,757 people through mid-October last year, also doubling the previous years numbers. The agency started making more community arrests instead of relying solely on a pipeline of detaining immigrants caught at local jails, the Washington Post reported. Michigan data shows that about a quarter of last years arrests, 593, were categorized as ERO (Enforcement and Removal Operations) Street Arrest. Thats up from 58 labeled as such in 2024. On top of that, others are tagged with general locations like Grand Rapids, Detroit and Flint. There was Lue Yang, a Hmong refugee who was detained by immigration officials when he showed up to work one day in July. Less than a month later, Nael Shamma was heading home from picking up a coffee when immigration agents surrounded him in Burton, near Flint. Youre seeing high school students, detained parents, workers, Sauve said. Its really a broader swath of the community than weve seen before. Importantly, this is not a complete picture because this data doesnt include any arrests by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an agency that has the authority to treat the entire state of Michigan as a border zone. Nationally, border patrol arrests have plummeted as far fewer migrants are crossing the southern border. But in Michigan, traffic stops can end with a call to border agents. In one instance, Maykol Bogoya Duarte, 18, was stopped by a Rockwood Police Department officer when he was driving three other high school students to a field trip last May. The officer called U.S. Customs and Border Protection after finding out Duarte didnt have a drivers license. Duarte, who had a final order of removal, ended up getting deported to Colombia. 2. More arrests of immigrants without criminal records The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has spent the past year highlighting its arrests of the worst of the worst criminal aliens, like a former Ferris State University professor with a string of convictions and others convicted of homicide or assault. Under President Trump and Secretary (Kristi) Noem, criminals are not welcome in the U.S, said U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Despite this messaging, the vast majority of those detained by ICE do not have criminal convictions, and research shows undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens. Data obtained by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, found that nearly three in four people booked in detention during the 2025 fiscal year had no convictions. And of those with criminal records, only 5% had committed violent crimes. The others were traffic, immigration, property and vice crimes. This is similar in Michigan, where nearly 73% of those arrested by ICE last year did not have criminal convictions. That includes 43% with no criminal record and 29% with pending charges, including traffic violations. 3. Detention capacity swells With arrests climbing, detention space has been stretched thin. In 2024, Congress provided funding for ICE to detain an average of 41,500 people a day, but by the end of last year, detentions hit an all-time high of 68,990 as the Trump administration raced to ramp up capacity. To do so, the federal government has earmarked $45 billion for detention over the next four years, as it leans on for-profit prison companies to reopen shuttered facilities as large detention centers. GEO Group, one of the largest private prison firms in the country, opened four new ICE facilities last year including North Lake Processing Center, a former prison in northern Michigan. With these deals, the company expects to generate $480 million in the first year of operations. Similarly, CoreCivic signed agreements to open three massive facilities, including a 2,400-bed family detention center in Texas, 2,560 beds at the reactivated California City Immigration Processing Center and a 1,000-bed facility in Kansas. It reported a 10% increase in revenue from mid-2024 to mid-2025. Because of North Lake, detention numbers soared in Michigan last year. At the end of 2024, Michigan was holding an average of 249 detainees at four county jails with ICE contracts. But by December last year, there were 1,748 detainees with nearly 79% being held at North Lake. North Lake has the capacity to hold 1,800 immigrants, making it among the largest detention facilities in the country. ICE capacity at county jails is not readily available, with the numbers redacted in inspection reports. But the agencys 2021 budget justification shows that the Calhoun County Correctional Facility, which held 163 immigrant detainees in December, last had an official capacity of 133 for the federal agency. As detentions have swelled, concerns have grown about poor conditions, overcrowding and medical neglect. Meanwhile, there were 36% fewer ICE detention facility inspection reports published last year. At North Lake, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, looked into alleged issues like cold temperatures, inadequate food, unsanitary facilities and difficulty getting medical care when she conducted an oversight visit in December. The federal government countered these claims, though, saying Tlaib doesnt talk about the monsters that are detained there. A press release listed nine detainees with assault, drug and weapons convictions, among others. Despite that, roughly 86% of those detained North Lake do not have criminal convictions, federal data shows. Tlaib is also pushing for answers after a 56-year-old Bulgarian man died at North Lake in December. Nenko Stanev Gantchev was one of 32 people to die in ICE custody last year, a two-decade high. Although there were more people in detention, the percentage of deaths in the detained population still outpaced the 11 deaths reported by ICE in 2024. 4. Deportations also pick up pace Although Trump promised to deport a million people a year, the number of people removed by ICE is not regularly released to the public. But from the data that is available, it shows removals are speeding up. Data shared on Sept. 25 shows that there were 319,980 ICE removals through the fiscal year, which includes the final three months of former President Joe Bidens presidency. And there have been 118,164 removals this fiscal year, from October through Jan. 7. Thats compared to the 271,484 removals reported during the 2024 fiscal year. Although not everyone who is deported gets a court hearing, with some choosing voluntary departures or facing expedited removals, immigration court data provides additional insight into the pace of deportation. In Michigan, the backlog at the sole immigration court in Detroit has more than 31,000 people awaiting a hearing, according to data from TRAC. This number nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024 going from 17,664 to 29,833 and has only continued to grow this year. As Michigans court has closed more cases, the number of removal orders has also jumped. The latest data from TRAC shows that the immigration court closed 713 cases in September with 494 being removals, about 69%. In 2024, the court closed an average of 500 cases a month with 233 being removals, about 46%. Funeral services are scheduled this week for a West Michigan woman who died trying to save a loose dog on the highway. The womans tragic death is one of five top MLive stories to start your day Tuesday, Jan. 13. She tried to help a loose dog on the highway but lost her life instead Shanna Vanderlaan, 33, of Muskegon County, was struck by a vehicle while trying to rescue a loose dog on Seaway Drive on Oct. 26. Despite undergoing surgery for severe brain swelling, Vanderlaan never regained consciousness and passed away on Dec. 29, devastating her family, friends and community. Vanderlaan was known for her dedication to helping animals, often providing dog food and fostering pets. Funeral services for Vanderlaan are scheduled for Jan. 17 at Laketon Bethel Church, and a GoFundMe page has been established in her memory. Read MLive reporter John Agars story on Vanderlaans death, and her love for animals, here. Photo of Syracuse University Chancellor and University of Michigan President-Elect Kent Syverud speaking at a UM Board of Regents special meeting. William Diep University of Michigan names new president Kent Syverud, currently the chancellor of Syracuse University, has been selected as the next president of the University of Michigan. Syverud, an alumnus of UM, will begin his presidency by July 1, replacing interim President Domenico Grasso. The UM Board of Regents formally elected him on Jan. 12. He has served as chancellor at Syracuse University since 2014 and plans to step down at the end of the 2025-26 school year. He previously served as dean at Washington University in St. Louis and Vanderbilt Law School, as well as faculty at UM Law School from 1987 to 1997. He holds a bachelors degree from Georgetown University and masters and law degrees from UM; he also clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor. Read more about UMs newest president in this story from MLive reporters William Diep and Sam Dodge. Kid Rock comes on stage to speak and introduce Vice President JD Vance during a visit to Fort Campbell, Ky., Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/John Amis) AP Kid Rocks massive music festival is coming to a small Michigan town The annual Rock The Country music festival will take place in Hastings, this summer, celebrating 250 years of freedom. The festival is the only Michigan stop among eight being hosted across American towns, aimed at fostering community and tradition. The 2026 lineup features headliners Kid Rock on Aug. 8 and Jason Aldean on Aug. 9. The festival will take place at the Barry Expo Center, about 5 miles from Hastings. General admission tickets start at $144 for the weekend, with single-day tickets from $90; various pricing levels are available. MLive reporter Aya Miller has the full story on the festival here. Norvell Township police photo from Aug. 25, 1986, depicting the area where Matt Merriman found an unidentified body in Jackson County when he was 9 years old. Photo provided to MLive by the Ann Arbor Police Department. Courtesy of Ann Arbor Police Department A 9-year-old boy and the skeleton in the grass: Part 1 of Body on the Hill MLive investigative reporter Gus Burns told the chilling story this week of how an unidentified body was found by a 9-year-old boy on a remote Jackson County hill in 1986. The case quickly and quietly faded from public view, even after authorities ruled it a homicide. But nearly 40 years later, the victim has been identified, and police have renewed their efforts to find the killer. Read Burns riveting first installment of his four-part investigation into the killing, The Body on the Hill, here. The Chapter high-rise in the early stages of construction on South University Avenue in Ann Arbor on Jan. 7, 2026. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News 50-plus Ann Arbor developments to watch in 2026 as city embraces more housing From high-end condos to high-rise apartments and University of Michigan dorms, thousands of new housing units are coming to Ann Arbor. MLive reporter Ryan Stanton provided a roundup this week of over 50 notable projects to watch in 2026 across Ann Arbor. The projects are in various stages of planning or construction but will bring several massive new high-rises to Ann Arbors skyline. Heres a link to Stantons story. YPSILANTI, MI - Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer is stressing patience in the community as her office continues to investigate the prolonged barricade last week in Ypsilanti. Dyer put out her own statement on Monday, Jan. 12, asking public officials and community members to encourage people to be patient and to respect the ongoing process. A separate release from the Washtenaw County Metro Dispatch Team said public officials who questioned the performance of dispatchers without verified facts undermine public trust. The statements come after multiple county commissioners and residents criticized the escalation in police response on a 53-year-old man wielding a sword, as his Ypsilanti homes second floor was destroyed trying to apprehend him. Read more: Tear gas, home demolition in 30-hour police standoff criticized by community leaders Dyer promised transparency on how the situation unfolded but only once her office has obtained accurate information. To that end, I am working with our law enforcement partners to obtain, compile, and release appropriate information, consistent with our obligation to maintain the integrity of the investigation and the ongoing criminal matter involving this incident, she said in her Monday statement. The Washtenaw County Commission does not want to wait to change policies that led to issues during the barricade, Commissioner Justin Hodge told MLive/The Ann Arbor News. We can at the same time support the excellent personnel while also fixing the policy that could lead to future breakdowns, he said. Ypsilanti police had initially been called around 12:20 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, for a report of a dispute between neighbors, with one of the neighbors reportedly having a long stick, Cmdr. Eugene Rush with the sheriffs office previously said. When officers arrived, the 53-year-old resident aggressively approached police with a sword before barricading himself inside the residence, Rush said. Once the man had barricaded himself, Ypsilanti officers called the Crisis Response Team with the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office, the city department said. After that team was also unsuccessful in reaching the man, Ypsilanti police then called the Metro SWAT team, police said. The ensuing hours involved flashbangs, tear gas, a fire hose blasting the house and demolition equipment creating an entry point in the front of the home, nearby residents told MLive/The Ann Arbor News. The man was taken into custody safely around 10:40 p.m., Jan. 5, after more than 30 hours of negotiation, Ypsilanti police said. Read more: Ypsilanti neighbors say 30-hour police standoff was siege that traumatized residents The 53-year-old man was charged Jan. 5 on four felony counts for assault with a dangerous weapon and four felony counts for resisting arrest. It is MLive policy to not identify people until they are arraigned. As of Tuesday afternoon, he is not being held in the Washtenaw County Jail. The man has been in six mental illness proceedings in Washtenaw County Circuit Court since 2004, as well as two noncapital felony cases for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and resisting arrest, court records show. The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners all signed a Jan. 9 statement expressing they are deeply troubled by the 30-hour barricade, calling it an overwhelmingly militarized response that cause significant fear and trauma to the man and nearby residents. The commission called for the mans charges to be dropped, saying he should have been met with care, de-escalation, and compassion. The decision to pursue criminal charges in this case runs counter to that principle and risks further harm to someone who needed support, not punishment, the commission said in the statement. The Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office has received the boards letter and broadly shares their concern for sensitivity in mental-health issues in the judicial system, according to the prosecutors offices Jan. 13 statement. We continue to receive new evidence related to this matter, and as with any case, will make decisions based on verified information from law-enforcement and mental-health professionals, the statement reads. And as with any matter, we will make decisions in this one that are based on the facts and the law, balancing both our responsibility to ensure public safety and promote rehabilitation. In addition, commissioners said there was a clear breakdown between 911 dispatch and local law enforcement that did not result in any prior Community Mental Health outreach. That reference to a breakdown was particularly criticized in the Metro Dispatch statement shared by Operations Manager Leigh Hathaway. Statements of this nature risk creating misinformation and unfairly placing responsibility on Sheriffs Office employees who acted appropriately and in accordance with policy, Hathaway said in the statement. Hathaway said dispatchers on Jan. 4 did not receive a request from the Ypsilanti Police Department to contact Community Mental Health to respond, contrary to what the department said. In short, dispatchers followed their protocols on Jan. 4, Hathaway said. Dispatchers did dispatch the Ypsilanti Police Department to the house three times shortly before Jan. 4, Hathaway said. The dispatch system functioned as designed, Hathaway said. Read more: Police dispatched to Ypsilanti sword-bearers house 3 times before 30-hour standoff The contradicting accounts between Ypsilanti police and Metro Dispatch is the breakdown the commission is referencing, Hodge told MLive/The Ann Arbor News. Thats not a failure of personnel but a breakdown in policy, he said, adding the commission is committed to working with Dyers office on fixing any policies that led to issues in the barricade. He also said he has incredible respect for the dispatch team, noting they have been specifically honored by the commission in the past. I know how hard they work, he said. Dyer plans to host a public community debrief alongside other police agencies to share details on the barricade, she said in her statement. People will get answers, she said. I know situations like these can cause stress for people involved and for people impacted, Dyer said, and I thank the public for their understanding and patience. DETROIT, MI - President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Jan. 13, outlined tougher immigration enforcement during a speech in Detroit, including proposed funding cuts for sanctuary cities. Speaking at the MotorCity Casino to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump claimed his administration has significantly reduced illegal drug trafficking and secured the U.S. border, asserting that maritime drug smuggling has dropped by 97%. He did not provide evidence for the figure or specify how it was calculated. Trump said his administration will freeze welfare payments to undocumented immigrants and require proof of attendance for child care providers to receive federal funding, arguing that fraud has cost taxpayers billions of dollars. He singled out Minnesota as an example, alleging widespread abuse in child care and small business loan programs, claims that were not verified. The president also said federal payments will be cut off to sanctuary cities and states beginning Feb. 1, arguing that such jurisdictions shield criminals and contribute to fraud. Similar efforts during Trumps first term were blocked by federal courts. Trump said his administration has suspended thousands of Small Business Administration loans tied to suspected fraud and announced the creation of a new Justice Department strike force focused on prosecuting public corruption and benefit fraud. He claimed nearly 100 people have already been charged in Minnesota-related cases but did not provide details. In some of his most sweeping remarks, Trump said his administration would seek to revoke the citizenship of naturalized immigrants convicted of defrauding the government and deport them to their countries of origin. Legal experts have noted that revoking citizenship is rare and subject to strict constitutional and judicial limits. Trump criticized Democratic governors and lawmakers, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accusing them of enabling illegal immigration and fraud. He also repeated disputed claims about immigrant use of public assistance. Outside the Detroit event, demonstrators gathered to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the administrations immigration policies. GRAND HAVEN, MI -- A former Coopersville Middle School teacher who fondled a 14-year-old student has been sentenced to 300 days in jail. Peter Twork, 58, also was ordered to serve five years of probation. He was credited with already serving 43 days in jail. Twork earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Police said Twork was a wood shop teacher. Ottawa County sheriffs detectives began an investigation in May, 2025 after hearing concerns about Twork interacting with students on Snapchat. The investigation led to an interview with a 14-year-old girl who said Twork squeezed and fondled her butt on multiple occasions while she was in his classroom. Grammy-winning bluegrass sensation Billy Strings teased a possible return to his Ionia County roots with a cryptic social media post Tuesday, Jan. 13. In the post, shared on Facebook and Instagram, the 33-year-old flatpicker outlined his plans for the year, suggesting a possible gathering in Ionia in August. Following his winter tour dates, the words Gathering? and Ionia? were both underlined and followed by question marks, with adjacent notes that said Plan something to get freaky and Invite some friends? On the third page of his shared notes he penned in bold the words Ionia, Michigan with 2 day? written in parentheses and Aug. 28 and 29? next to it. Billy Strings teased a return to his Ionia County roots in a social media post on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. The post, which shows a notebook entry filled with tour dates and plans for a new record, highlighted a possible gathering in Ionia on Aug. 28 and 29. Provided by Billy Strings Mgmt. The three-page notebook entry, captioned Between us, also teases a new album, two nights in Bethel, New York, and a possible Austin City Limits performance. Raised in Muir as William Apostol, Strings has been taking the bluegrass world by storm the last few years, selling out arenas nationwide and twice winning a Grammy for Best Bluegrass album, in 2021 with Home and in 2024 with Live Vol. 1. MORE: Michigan native Billy Strings reels in Grammy win for best bluegrass album He last appeared in Ionia in February 2020, when he brought his Family Strings tour, appearing with his dad, Terry Barber, to the 700-person Ionia Theatre. Strings most recently played Michigan in June 2025 when he made a surprise return to the tiny Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, a festival he hadnt played in 10 years. Billy Strings performs with his band, and father Terry Barber, on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival in Eaton County, Michigan. The festival was the first one that Barber took a young 4-year-old Billy to 28 years ago. Brad Devereaux | MLive.com The festival was the first one he had ever attended, doing so at the age of 4. MORE: Billy Strings returns home for special one mic performance at first fest he ever attended The announcement that he would be playing came roughly three weeks before his performance date, but tickets sold out in a matter of 12 hours. Just prior to his Charlotte appearance, Strings also played sold-out shows at Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena on May 30 and 31, 2025. Later in the summer, he would open for Dead & Company on Jerry Garcias birthday in San Francisco as part of the Deads 60th anniversary celebration. Strings would then join the legendary Bob Weir and his bandmates for a rendition of Wharf Rat. Billy Strings shows a peace sign while playing with Dead & Company. John Mayer, Bob Weir, Oteil Burbridge and Jay Lane are also pictured. Chloe Weir The performance proved to be one of Weirs last as the founding member of the Grateful Dead never took the stage again following the weekend of shows. Weir died Jan. 10, of lung disease, at the age of 78. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Protesters at medical facilities in Grand Rapids will now face stricter noise restrictions under new rules passed by the city Tuesday, Jan. 13. The new regulations will ban protesters from using sound-amplifying devices, like megaphones or speakers, within 100 feet of a health care hospital or clinic. The rules were prompted by complaints about loud protesters near a Planned Parenthood in a residential neighborhood in the Heritage Hill area. The Grand Rapids City Commission approved the new noise restrictions in a 4-3 vote Tuesday. Commissioners Drew Robbins, Kelsey Perdue and Lisa Knight voted against the proposal, citing concerns about potential unintended consequences on freedom of speech. The commission also passed new rules removing the possibility of repeat offenders being charged with a misdemeanor for multiple noise violations within a six-month time frame. City officials added that language because they wanted to avoid criminal sanctions for repeat offenders. The amendment adds the following language to Article 5, Chapter 151, Title IX of the Grand Rapids City Code: No person shall operate any device creating amplified sound within 100 feet of a health care hospital or clinic. The distance is measured from the property line of the property upon which the health care hospital or clinic is located. Previously, the ordinance broadly defined a noise disturbance as any sound that unreasonably disturbs a person of normal sensitivities or unreasonably interferes with the peaceful enjoyment of the premises of another. The new rules were brought forward by Interim City Attorney Phil Strom in response to resident-led opposition to noise created by protests that happened around the Planned Parenthood facility on Cherry Street. Grand Rapids commissioners were split on the proposed noise ordinance Tuesday. Perdue said she was concerned the noise restrictions could be used to restrict protests across the downtown core, where there are numerous medical facilities along the Medical Mile. She noted the recent arrest of a protester by Grand Rapids police while protesting downtown against U.S. actions in Venezuela. RELATED: Womans mid-interview arrest at Grand Rapids protest sparks national attention How do we protect rights to assembly and free speech downtown when healthcare facilities truly cover a large footprint downtown? Perdue said. Now, all of a sudden, were going to have these areas where people cannot assemble and speak with a bullhorn. We have to balance intended consequences and unintended consequences. Mayor David LaGrand said the noise ordinance would help protect the right to privacy of patients at all health clinics, including the Planned Parenthood. People absolutely have the right to express themselves, he said. The question is going to boil down to whether they have the right to express themselves in such a loud manner that it starts interfering with others rights. Seventeen people spoke in opposition to the proposal at the beginning of Tuesdays meeting, urging commissioners to vote against it. Three people spoke in favor of the proposal. Several of the speakers said they regularly protest against abortion outside the Cherry Street Planned Parenthood. They said the noise ordinance would restrict their First Amendment rights by targeting pro-life language, because it only limited noise amplification outside of health facilities where anti-abortion advocates typically protest. Several Heritage Hill residents have previously spoken to the city commission in favor of the proposal, saying the protests were a major nuisance and that they now skip walks near the Planned Parenthood to prevent run-ins with protesters. However, resident Stephen Nylen said the majority of the neighbors who were in favor of the noise restrictions only cited opposition to the content of protesters speech in their concerns, not the volume. Nylen called the noise restrictions blatantly unconstitutional. Police Chief Eric Winstrom previously told commissioners that police respond to that area on a weekly basis due to noise complaints about the protesters. HILLSDALE COUNTY, MI A lawsuit alleging cruel and unusual punishment filed against Hillsdale County and a former sheriffs sergeant, later charged criminally for abuse, has ended. Sabrina Cain accepted a $295,000 settlement agreement on Nov. 12, ending the lawsuit filed a year prior in U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, according to the agreement obtained by MLive through a Freedom of Information Act request. Cain sued the county and Ronald Leggitt, a former sheriffs sergeant, after an investigation had shown Leggitt used excessive force on Cain while she was detained in the county jail. Leggitt repeatedly pepper sprayed Cain in the face only inches away from her eyes as she was restrained, according to the Michigan Attorney Generals Office, which was prosecuting the case criminally. Our client can never fully be compensated for being illegally maced, said Ven Johnson, founder of the law firm representing Cain. She was maced four times after being strapped to a chair that she was completely restrained to and yet maced again four more times while she was having a mental breakdown that was evident to everyone around. Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain sentenced Leggitt in January 2025 to two years of probation and seven days in jail after Leggitt pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and aggravated assault. As part of his plea, he agreed to relinquish his Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards certification, rendering him ineligible to be a police officer anywhere in Michigan, officials said. Johnson thanked Associate Attorney Carlye Reynolds, who led the civil case, for all her efforts pursuing justice for Cain. Police arrested Cain on Dec. 16, 2021, and she allegedly became combative with jail deputies during the booking process, officials said. Officers brought Cain to the jail, where Leggitt was supervising operations. Staff at the jail were informed she had resisted officers during her arrest, and she continued to exhibit resistant and disruptive behavior while entering the jail, officials said. The attorney generals office contended over the course of 80 minutes, Leggitt assaulted Cain six times with aerosol subject restraint, commonly known as mace or pepper spray, spraying the chemical irritant from a distance of inches. During five of the six alleged assaults, the victim was secured in an emergency chair, restrained in wrist and ankle cuffs and at the chest, preventing her from moving, officials said. On Dec. 22, 2021, six days after the assault, the Michigan State Police contacted the Hillsdale County Sheriffs Office to report several troopers had witnessed Leggitt using excessive force on the arrested woman, Hillsdale County Sheriff Scott Hodshire said in a written statement. The sheriffs office launched an internal investigation and contacted a Michigan Sheriffs Association team, asking it to conduct its own investigation as an independent third party, Hodshire said. Leggitt was placed on administrative duties only during the course of the internal investigation. The association team then sent its findings to the Attorney Generals Office in February 2022, Hodshire said. Leggitt continued to work at the sheriffs office until the sheriffs office was notified of pending charges and placed him on unpaid leave. He no longer works for the Hillsdale County Sheriffs Office. The attorney generals office charged him in March 2024. Johnson compared Cains case to the recent death of Renee Nicole Good who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis on Jan. 7. So in many cases, like what were seeing in Minnesota yet again right now, in this area of law theres no there are no criminal ramifications to the guilty officers and oftentimes no civil or responsibility either, Johnson said. The FBI is investigating the shooting in Minneapolis. Protests have erupted across the U.S. following the shooting. Johnson praised Cain for her bravery in stepping forward about the abuse. What everyones got to realize is the more people who step forward and hold these people accountable, the less likely this behavior will ever be repeated, he said. Just like we see in Minneapolis. You want to give the law enforcement officers a free pass? Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page. Zelenskyy appoints Rudnytsky as dpty head of SBU President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Ivan Rudnytsky as deputy head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Corresponding decree, No. 46/2026, was published on the presidential website. Rudnytsky was dismissed from his post as head of Volyn Regional State Administration by previous decree, in accordance with his submitted resignation. Instead, Roman Romaniuk has been appointed acting head of Volyn Regional Military Administration. SUMMIT TWP., MI A second wanted man who was charged in a quadruple shooting that killed Anthony Owens Jr., son of Wanda Beavers, better known in Jackson as Mama Tu-Tu, has been arrested in Ohio. The Jackson County Sheriffs Office announced detectives have arrested the second of three men charged in the fatal shooting Monday, Jan. 12, and is requesting assistance in locating the third suspect who should be considered armed and dangerous. Per MLive policy, the men are not being named by MLive until they have been arraigned in court. Both men are still awaiting extradition from Ohio, police said. The apprehension of a second suspect in this case is a testament to the persistence of our detectives and the strength of our inter-agency partnerships, Jackson County Undersheriff Anthony Stewart said. Our focus remains on bringing all responsible parties to justice for the victims and their families. Their charges range from open murder, assault with intent to murder, felony firearms and possession of firearms by prohibited persons. Anyone with additional information is welcome to contact Jackson County Detective Kelley Ebersole at 517-768-7932. Owens Jr., 44, died May 17 in the shooting shortly after midnight that injured three others, including 63-year-old Kenneth Avant, 44-year-old Randall Hurst and 42-year-old Michael Gant. Beavers previously said Owens was at a friends home in the 100 block of Lincoln Court, just south of the Jackson city limits. Three subjects approached the house on foot and opened fire on the people on the porch. The three suspects then fled the area on foot before police arrived. The four victims were rushed to Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, where Owens was pronounced dead on May 17. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page. FAYETTE TWP., MI They seem to be going up everywhere, and Sue Vessella is suspicious of all of it. She opposes the change, the gobbling up of farmland, and she questions the need. What has radically changed? What has changed so much that we need these here? Vessella, 68, said just as a crowded meeting began Monday, Jan. 12, at Jonesville High School. Solar farms were not on the Fayette Township boards agenda, but they were very much on the minds of the residents who filled the auditorium/cafeteria at the high school. For about an hour and a half, people streamed to the microphone with their concerns, often centered on property values, an altered agricultural landscape and any environmental effects. Chicago-based Ranger Power submitted last month an application for a special land use permit in the township, surrounding Jonesville in Hillsdale County, for a 140-megawatt solar farm roughly between North Adams Road and U.S. 12 east of Jonesville and west of Half Moon Lake Road. The township planning commission is to accept the application for Heartwood Solar II at a meeting Monday, Jan. 19, at the high school to begin the process of considering the application. A packed planning commission meeting earlier this month was rescheduled so the board could obtain a more suitable space for the residents. Ranger Power has entered voluntary lease agreements with several area landowners for the project. The parcels total 1,350 acres, and the present plan calls for 1,000 fenced acres of panels, said Brady Friss, Ranger development manager. The company already has a project, Heartwood Solar, under construction in Hillsdale County, in the area of Bunn and Jonesville roads, west of Jonesville, in Fayette and Allen townships. Now bustling with trucks, workers and activity, the solar farm is to go online this year. The Michigan Public Services Commission in October 2022 first approved a power purchase agreement between Heartwood Solar and Consumers energy. The project initially was to be completed by the end of 2024. Heartwood Solar already is underway in Fayette and Allen townships west of Jonesville. A second phase is now proposed east of Jonesville. Danielle Marie Salisbury Ranger Power says the two projects represent a $300 million investment that will address increasing demands for power. The company notes the economic benefits to Hillsdale County. The facilities will generate a projected $35 million in tax revenue and create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase. Additionally, Ranger Power has established charitable partnerships, and a community grant program will transition to an endowment fund, to which Heartwood has committed a total of $540,000 as the projects become operational. In response to some commenters, he noted the panels, made almost entirely of glass, are not hazardous or toxic, and studies looking at other Midwest or Michigan projects have not shown property value impacts. For five years, representatives have been talking to residents and collecting feedback. We want to be good neighbors, Friss said after the meeting. On Monday, the crowd, cheering and applauding the many public dissenters, showed unanimous opposition. Almost all hands raised when someone shouted for a tally. After brief board business, residents talked for about an hour and a half. One man called green energy a scam and solar farms a garbage waste of land. We see what they look like, and we are not happy about it, Chester Briner, who lives on North Adams Road, said of the solar panels. His house will be surrounded by them, he said. And they are ugly. He loves watching the deer and seeing the nature. Now, he said, he will see solar panels. Friss said Ranger will offer vegetative screenings for neighbors who wish for them. We do our best to make sure that the projects are compatible with agricultural uses. John DeBacker, a former dairy farmer who lives at Sterling and Borden roads, north of the township, called the farms a terrible eyesore. And its all about the money. Eventually, Vessella too made her way to the front of the crowd. She and her husband Tom moved after careers in higher education from California to Michigan. And weve come to this, she said. I would love to see little Jonesville take a stand. For our children and our childrens children. Though a new state law, meant to accelerate renewable energy development, allows large utility-scale solar projects to bypass local governments, Ranger Power wants to locally permit the project, Friss said. It will be up to the planning commission to recommend whether the township should approve the special use permit, just one of several permits the project will require. In a preliminary proposal timeline, construction would start in late 2027 and Heartwood Solar II would go online in 2028, Friss said, assuming the developer secures necessary approvals. Some see the project as inevitable. I am not going to live in a farming community anymore, said Angela Manifold, who lives on White Road in the township. She and her husband said they turned down offers on their 140 acres. Scott Manifold, who works in industrial automation, said they had hoped to be the cog that stopped progress on what he calls not a farm, but a industrial solar complex. CASS COUNTY, MI A Cassopolis woman was airlifted from the scene of a fiery crash on Monday, Jan. 12. The crash was reported at 4:17 p.m. on Beeson Street at M-62 in Cass Countys LaGrange Township, sheriffs deputies said. The investigation showed that the 39-year-old woman was traveling east on Beeson when her vehicle left the south side of the road, struck trees then ricocheted to the other side of the road. It rolled into a field and caught fire. The woman was trapped in her vehicle until she was removed by Central Cass firefighters. She was then airlifted to Beacon Health Systems Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. CASS COUNTY, MI A Cassopolis woman was airlifted from the scene of a fiery crash on Monday, Jan. 12. The crash was reported at 4:17 p.m. on Beeson Street at M-62 in Cass Countys LaGrange Township, sheriffs deputies said. The investigation showed that the 39-year-old woman was traveling east on Beeson when her vehicle left the southside of the road, struck trees then ricocheted to the other side of the road. It rolled into a field and caught fire. The woman was trapped in her vehicle until she was removed by Central Cass firefighters, then airlifted to Beacon Health Systems Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. PORTAGE, MI The Moes Southwest Grill, 6225 S. Westnedge Ave. in Portage, has closed. A note on the door, as seen on Monday, Jan. 12, thanked valued customers for years of patronage and encouraged them to visit the St. Joseph location. The note was signed: With love, The Portage Moes Southwest Grill Team. Moes Southwest Grill sits, closed, at 6225 S. Westnedge Ave, in Portage, Michigan, on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. A note on the door thanks valued customers for years of patronage and encourages them to visit the St. Joseph location. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com) A spokesperson for GoToFoods, Moes parent company, said the Moes in Portage was independently owned and operated. A number of factors go into the decision to close a location, the spokesperson said. Moes Southwest Grill continues to grow, opening new restaurants across the country. Moes offers a variety of Tex-Mex foods, like burritos, quesadillas, protein bowls, nachos and more. The St. Joseph Moes is now the closest Moes to Portage, 52 miles away at 3260 Niles Road. The next closest Moes is at 3308 N. Wayne Street in Angola, Indiana. SAGINAW TWP, MI A mid-Michigan community is asking the state to reimburse it for expenses related to the special election to fill the 35th District State Senate seat, and other area municipalities may add on to the request. Saginaw Township officials have prepared a letter addressed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requesting the state reimburse all municipalities for costs for the senate election, which will include a special primary election on Feb. 3 and a special general election on May 5. This is in addition to regular primary and general elections scheduled for Aug. 4 and Nov. 3, respectively. Since the announcement of the Special Elections for the vacant 35th State Senate seat set to take place on February 3, 2026, and May 5, 2026, our communities have been working diligently to prepare, the letter reads. Unfortunately, election costs continue to grow with the implementation of voter-led laws, such as 9-day early voting and the permanent ballot list. We, the undersigned, are seeking your assistance with a Supplemental Appropriation to cover the costs our local governments will incur because of the special Primary Election and special General Election for this legislative seat, the letter continues. Our municipalities work tirelessly to manage our limited financial resources for our residents-resources even more constrained now due to recent budget cuts. The 35th Senate Seat represents 270,000 residents in three counties, and we believe that the cost of these two Special Elections for the State Seante seat should be paid for by the State of Michigan. The letter goes on to outline how the township believes the appropriation for reimbursement be based similarly to the Fiscal Year 2023-24, when an appropriation of $750,000 was provided for special elections held in the 13th and 25th State House Districts. We are happy to provide cost estimates for administering these elections in our communities, the letter reads. In a note to officials in Monitor Township, Saginaw Township officials said theyve received signatures from municipalities in Midland, Bay and Saginaw counties. Monitor Township in Bay County approved signing on to the letter at its Monday, Jan. 12, board of trustees meeting. Township Supervisor Terry Spencer noted that Whitmer could have waited and aligned the special election with the regular election cycle, which would have reduced costs. Given these circumstances, it is important for the Governors office to recognize the financial strain this decision places on local taxpayers, he told MLive. We hope that, upon approval of this request letter by our boardand in conjunction with similar actions by other municipalitiesthe Governors office will take notice and give due consideration to the fiscal impact on local governments and residents. SAGINAW TWP., MI The Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education is looking to fill a new vacancy as one of its members announces plans to relocate. Board member Arik Smith will step down from his position during his term, which is set to end in 2028, district officials said in a Jan. 13 news release. Smith is moving to Concord, North Carolina, where he has taken a position as a program manager with a manufacturing company CVG (Commercial Vehicle Group). He attended his final board meeting on Monday, Jan. 12, marking the end of his tenure on the board, which began in 2016. One aspect of his time on the board Smith is most proud of was the boards ability to work together despite political differences. No one took politics into our deliberations, Smith said. When were making decisions, everyone made decisions based on what we thought was best for the students, the district, and the teachers. Additionally, Smith is proud of his efforts to help bridge the gap between students from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, noting that Saginaw Township Community Schools is one of the most diverse school districts in Michigan. I view that as a considerable strength, but it does come with its challenges, he said of the districts diversity. I tried to be an advocate for those who maybe werent as represented and those who maybe didnt have all the advantages, but at the same time, not taking away from opportunities for maybe those who did have more resources. Smith also admitted that he regrets that the district was unable to secure the publics support for a bond proposal during his time with the board. Most recently, voters rejected a $169.2 million bond proposal that would have funded improvements across the district. However, the board approved an application for a new bond proposal during its Jan. 12 meeting. The district obviously needs a lot of infrastructure work, a lot of work on their buildings. Smith said. Its not a want, its a need at this point, but at the same time, I also recognize that the community has to be on board for it because it affects them. Its going to raise their taxes. Per state and district policy, the district will seek to fill Smiths position within 30 days of the start of the vacancy. The district is also required to notify the public about the vacancy and ask anyone interested in the open seat to apply for the position. The board will interview candidates during a public meeting and appoint Smiths replacement by a majority vote. The application for the vacant seat has been available since Tuesday, Jan. 13, online at www.stcs.org. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Jan. 26 by mail or in person at the districts board office, located at 3465 N. Center Road. Any questions about the application or the districts vacancy procedures can be directed to Superintendent Jamie Kraatz, who can be reached via email at jlkraatz@stcs.org. She is invested in the district, Smith said of Kraatz. I really enjoyed working with her, and I wish her and the new board member and the rest of the board a lot of success. Applications will be screened on Jan. 26, and prospective candidates are encouraged to keep their schedule open on the evening of Feb. 2, which is when the board plans to conduct interviews. The candidate appointed to the open seat will be sworn in and officially begin serving on the board during its Feb. 9 meeting. The newly appointed board member will continue to serve in their position through the 2026 elections, with a term expiring on Dec. 31. If the seat is not filled within 30 days, the Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) will appoint a new member to fill the vacancy. BAY CITY, MI A Bay City residents curiosity during a demolition project may have uncovered a piece of local history that had been hidden for decades. Peter Hardy was walking around the lot of the former YMCA building on Tuesday, Jan. 13, when he noticed the cornerstone had been demolished as part of the buildings total demolition project. He asked a worker if he could recover the cornerstone from the rubble. When the worker pulled out the cornerstone, both men discovered something attached to it that Hardy described as possibly a time capsule. At that point they were no longer willing to give me the cornerstone, which is completely understandable, and were contacting the owners, Hardy told MLive. Hardy photographed the cornerstone and shared it on social media because he was worried it would be discarded. Demolition crews set the piece aside, and it will soon be in the possession of Steve Krankota, the CEO of the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA. It just kind of threw me off, Krankota said. I was kind of having just a normal day, and you get a kind of a really cool phone call, and who knows what could be in there. It could be some really cool things about just the world they were living in in 1953. Krankota said he wasnt 100 percent sure but believes the time capsule is attributed to 1953, the year on the cornerstone. He said he had no idea a time capsule had been stored inside the structure. Hardy expressed satisfaction that the discovery will be properly preserved. I think its fantastic that its been recovered and hopefully will be opened and enjoyed by all of us who spent our childhood in that building, Hardy said. BAY CITY, MI A Bay City man seen in a viral video shouting at protesters in Minneapolis in the aftermath of the death of Renee Nicole Good has since resigned from a southeast-Michigan company. Jayden Scott announced on his LinkedIn account Saturday, Jan. 10, that he was resigning from Harmony Investment Group, a Troy-based private health care firm. It is with a sad heart I announce my departure and formal resignation of Harmony Investment Group, Scott wrote on the social media platform. With recent developments in America, the board and I have decided, we have different views of the future of America. It was a great run. We built many great things. Mountains were moved. Fortunes were made. Until next time, So long my friends. Thank you for everything. Scott could not immediately be reached for comment. The resignation comes after Scott was seen in a video shouting, We executed one of you yesterday toward an anti-ICE demonstration in Minneapolis. The Jan. 8 protest took place a day after Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. Also in the video, Scott referred to the protesters as terrorists, and called for more patriots. We need the backup, he said. Scott was also in videos showing him at a protest in Dearborn in late 2025 and at a counterprotest for the No Kings protest in Bay City. The body of a Chicago Public Schools teacher has been recovered from Lake Michigan. Crews have been searching for 53-year-old Linda Brown, a special education teacher at Robert Healy Elementary, since she went missing near South King Drive on Jan. 3. According to the Chicago Police Department, Brown was found in the 3100 Block of South Lake Shore Drive just before noon on Monday. Investigators later found her car near 35th and Lake Park Avenue, according to ABC7 in Chicago. In a text message to the TV station, her family said they are absolutely heartbroken. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former CPS teacher, also issued a statement on Monday. She (Brown) made an immeasurable impact on countless young lives and was a vital member of the Bridgeport community. Im praying for her family, and for her students as they grieve and remember Linda and all the joy she brought. Police are investigating the death, pending autopsy results. It is unclear how she ended up in Lake Michigan and cause of death was not immediately known. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. Ducks wearing UGGs, frogs in hats, a goose with a cardigan Urban Outfitters new Owala has it all. Exclusive to the retailer, the new 32 oz. Owala Party Animals FreeSip features an adorable print. Shoppers agree that the design is a must-have and the water bottles are selling fast at $44.99. 32. oz FreeSip Water Bottle Party Animals Print FreeSip 32 oz. Water Bottle $44.99 on Urban Outfitters Stay hydrated this year with Owalas iconic sip or swig technology that features a spout and straw so you can drink how you please. The yellow and blue design is covered in all-over prints exclusive to Urban Outfitters. Want in on the whimsy? Head to Urban Outfitters to get your bottle before theyre gone. Unlike the Owala website, Urban Outfitters may not offer backstock options when all the bottles sell out. Photo: National Guard On Tuesday night, the Ukrainian Defense Forces neutralized 247 aerial targets: two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, five Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 240 enemy UAVs. They also recorded hits from ballistic/anti-aircraft missiles and 48 attack UAVs at 24 locations, the Ukrainian Air Force reported. "According to preliminary data, as of 09:30, the air defense shot down/suppressed 247 targets: 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 5 Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 240 enemy Shaheds, Gerberas, and other types of UAVs in the north, south, east, and center of the country," the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Telegram. DETROIT -- Alex Bregman is officially off the board, and this time it appears to be for good. The third baseman agreed Monday to a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, closing the final chapter of a free-agency saga that began after the 2024 season and at times involved the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers, with a hole at third base, were among Bregmans most active suitors last winter, and for a brief stretch, there was a widespread belief, shared by both sides, that he would be wearing the Old English D. Instead, the Red Sox entered late with a front-loaded, short-term offer that included multiple opt-outs, including one after the 2025 season. Bregman ultimately fared well. He signed a three-year, heavily deferred $120 million contract with Boston, a deal with a present-day value closer to $90 million. He exercised his first opt-out after the 2025 season, banking $36.67 million during his lone year with the Red Sox. Deferred money in his new deal with the Cubs reportedly places its present-day value closer to $150 million, meaning Bregman effectively secured six years and about $190 million in real present-day value across the two agreements. Bregman did not quite reach the $200 million figure he was believed to be seeking upon reaching the market, but he came close, and he will finish his post-Astros career with two high-profile, competitive franchises in Boston and Chicago. The Tigers offer last winter was reportedly in the six-year, $171 million range, structured with deferred money and without an opt-out until after the 2026 season. They might have been better served by going all-in on a front-loaded, short-term deal, even if it meant getting only one season out of him. Unlike the Red Sox, for whom the addition of Bregman meant alienating and then trading a core player in Rafael Devers, a one-year arrangement might have been a cleaner fit in Detroit. But the Tigers made no serious effort in the second round of his free-agent sweepstakes. That posture reflects, at least in part, the clubs comfort with Colt Keith at third base. Keith handled the position competently in his first extended major-league opportunity in 2025 and showed steady offensive progress, improving from a 94 OPS+ in 2024 to 107 OPS+ last season. OPS+ measures offensive production, with 100 being league average. Two major projection systems forecast him in the 110 to 113 OPS+ range for 2026, making him a popular pick as a breakout player. After Bregman, other high-profile bats remain on the market, but the Tigers dont appear inclined to pursue a costly position player who is not an ideal fit. Still, for the sake of exploration, lets play along. Free-agent shortstop Bo Bichette could, in theory, be a fit. Many evaluators believe his defensive limitations may eventually push him to second base, creating a scenario in which he could hold shortstop temporarily before sliding into Gleyber Torres role in 2027. Such a signing would shift Zach McKinstry and Javier Baez toward increased outfield usage, potentially squeezing at-bats, or even a roster spot, from Wenceel Perez, Jahmai Jones, or Matt Vierling. Right fielder Kyle Tucker also remains on the market, and reports have suggested the Mets are exploring a three-year deal in the $120 million to $140 million range. The short-term nature of those discussions would, in theory, keep more teams involved, though subsequent reports indicating a willingness to push the Year 1 salary toward $50 million would narrow the field considerably. In the unlikely event Tucker fell into their laps, the Tigers could certainly find him a spot, but they are not currently desperate for help. As things stand, they have six players -- Riley Greene, Parker Meadows, Kerry Carpenter, Perez, Jones and Vierling -- covering three outfield spots and designated hitter. Even if the Tigers still had the budget to consider a major splurge -- and it is not clear that they do -- uncertainty surrounding the cost of their best player might give them pause. A roughly $13 million gap separates the clubs reported $19 million offer to ace Tarik Skubal and the $32 million salary he is seeking in arbitration. Until that process is resolved, potentially not until February, the Tigers will lack clarity on their final 2026 payroll. As a result, it seems more likely Detroit will keep its focus on pitching and maintain lines of communication with more moderately priced options. The Tigers have been linked to pitchers Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito. Future moves will hinge on both Skubals final price tag and the broader market as spring training opens. As for Bregman? The Tigers wont get to say hello until July 20, when they visit Wrigley Field. He wont be in Detroit, even as a visiting player, until 2027. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to JSW Motors to launch its first car in June a plug-in hybrid SUV for Rs 45 lakh Did our AI summary help? The country imports over 80% of its crude oil requirements. Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers has approved Dobra Lithium Holdings JV as the winner of a tender to develop the Dobra lithium deposit in Kirovohrad region under a production-sharing agreement (PSA), Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said. The companys shareholders include internationally known firms TechMet and The Rock Holdings. "They have significant experience in the extraction of critical minerals. TechMet holds controlling or dominant minority stakes in 10 assets across four continents and has experience implementing complex projects involving the exploration, extraction and processing of critical minerals," Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram following a government meeting on Monday. She noted that this is the first time Ukraine has selected a winner for the development of a non-oil-and-gas deposit under a production-sharing agreement. Under the tender terms, the minimum level of capital investment is set at $179 million, including $12 million for new geological exploration and an international audit of reserves, and $167 million for organizing extraction and beneficiation if the deposits commercial reserves are confirmed. According to the prime minister, the project will help spur further investment interest. "The Dobra site is only the first step in an ambitious plan to integrate Ukraine into the supply chains of our strategic partners. Work in this direction is continuing. The production-sharing agreement mechanism allows investors to extract minerals within a partnership with the state, while the deposit remains the property of the people of Ukraine," Svyrydenko said. As reported, Andriy Yermak said in mid-June 2025, when he was head of the Presidential Office, that development of the Dobra lithium deposit could become the first pilot project within cooperation with the United States. As for mining investment company TechMet, one of whose largest investors is the U.S. government through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, it said as early as July 2025 that it was interested in taking part in the tender and, if successful, building processing facilities with investments exceeding $500 million. In September, a DFC delegation visited Kirovohrad region accompanied by senior officials from Ukraines Economy Ministry. Rajni Pandey is a seasoned content creator with over 15 years of experience crafting compelling stories for digital news platforms. Specializing in diverse topics such as travel, education, jobs, science, wildlife, religion, politics, and astrology, she excels at transforming trending human-interest stories into engaging reads for a wide audience. 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. Bigg Boss Marathi 6: Roshan Bhajankar reveals he works as a cement worker and coolie at a railway station for survival, trains for bodybuilding at night 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. Zelenskyy: Every decent person on this planet truly wants the people of Iran to finally free themselves from current regime there Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official Large-scale protests in Iran are a sign that things won't get any easier for Russia. Every normal person on earth wants the people of Iran to finally be lucky enough to free themselves from the regime that exists there, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. What is happening in Iran now large-scale protests, effectively an uprising is a clear sign that things wont get easier for Russia. And every decent person on this planet truly wants the people of Iran to finally free themselves from the current regime that has brought so much evil to Ukraine and to other countries, Zelenskyy said in an evening address on Monday. According to him, it is important that the world does not miss this moment when changes are possible. Every leader, every country, and international organizations must step in now and help the people remove those guilty of what Iran has sadly become, Zelenskyy stressed. Iranian security forces' crackdown on nationwide protests has reportedly left at least 538 people dead, with more presumed dead, and over 10,000 detained over the past two weeks. Of the dead, 490 were protesters and 48 were members of the security forces. Internet and phone restrictions have made it difficult to assess the scale of the protests from abroad, and the Iranian government has not released official casualty figures. On January 10, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on Iranian authorities to refrain from violence against protesters in their country. The leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom also condemned the killings of protesters in Iran in a joint statement and called on the country's authorities to exercise restraint. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed full support for the protesters in Iran and condemned their suppression by Iranian authorities, while US President Donald Trump declared readiness to assist Iran in its quest for freedom. On January 11, US Senator Lindsey Graham declared that the "long night" for Iranians would soon end, and that help was on the way. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Farida Jalal breaks decades-old image with viral cuss word in oromeo teaser, explains why she agreed to it Did our AI summary help? Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news. Did our AI summary help? Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Emraan Hashmis MumbaiAhmedabad Akasa flight fails to land, diverted to Jaipur after two attempts: Report Did our AI summary help? In an interview with Access Hollywood, Julia Roberts confirmed the development of Oceans 14 while arriving at the 2026 Golden Globes. Did our AI summary help? Louis Tomlinson on BTS breaking records of One Direction Units of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked the production buildings of the Atlant Aero plant, located in Taganrog, Rostov region, Russia. "The SBU's Alpha Special Operations Center, together with units of the Ukrainian Navy, launched a strike on the production facilities of the Atlant Aero plant in Taganrog, Rostov region, Russia. The strikes resulted in a series of loud explosions and a fire. Atlant Aero is engaged in the full cycle of design, manufacture, and testing of Molniya-type strike and reconnaissance UAVs, as well as components for the Orion UAV for occupation forces," the SBU said on its Telegram channel. It is noted that the destruction of the plant will reduce the volume of UAV production and weaken the technical capabilities of the occupiers to conduct reconnaissance and strike operations using drones. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Jeetendra and Tusshar Kapoor sell massive Mumbai commercial property for Rs 559.25 crore to Japanese firm Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi movie review: Ravi Teja starrer is a lighthearted drama that relies on humor, romance, and conflicts Did our AI summary help? Addressing the gathering, Sivakarthikeyan recalled a memorable phone call from superstar Rajinikanth after he watched the film. Discover 7 nutritious rotis beyond wheatbajra, jowar, ragi, oats, rice flour and more. Ayurveda expert explains benefits for digestion, weight loss and energy. (Pic credits: Pinterest) The Japanese are most welcoming of visitors to their shrines and temples, but they have a certain set of rules, which include washing hands and mouth at the purification stations before entering (Image: Pexels) Helen Kellers extraordinary teacher, Anne Sullivan, played an important role in her life. She taught her to communicate using finger spelling and tactile sign language (Image: Channair) Ever wondered why you wait for everyone else's food to come on dining table before starting to eat? (Picture Credit: Pexels) On the night of January 13, Russia launched a missile strike on the Kharkiv innovative terminal of the leader of express shipments in Ukraine, Nova Poshta from the Nova group, killing four employees and almost completely destroying the cargo terminal and partially the postal terminal, the company said in a statement. "Four of our employees were killed: two workers from the sorting center and two drivers from a partner freight company. We are in constant contact with their families and are providing all necessary assistance," Nova Poshta wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. The company said that four other employees were wounded three sorting center workers and one driver from a partner carrier. They are hospitalized, but their lives are not in danger. The company said it will compensate customers for parcels destroyed in the attack. "We extend our condolences to the families of those killed and injured. We remember every one of them," Nova Poshta said. Company co-founder Volodymyr Popershniuk said on Facebook that Russia struck the Kharkiv sorting center with three ballistic missiles. "We will restore all material losses, rebuild everything and provide compensation, but unfortunately human lives cannot be brought back. I express my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed," Popershniuk wrote. He also said the company would provide all necessary assistance to those injured. Earlier, the Kharkiv regional office of Ukraines State Emergency Service said that despite the threat of further shelling, rescue operations and firefighting were continuing at the postal terminal in a suburb of Kharkiv. The agency said buildings were damaged and several fires broke out across a total area of about 500 square meters. BRAND CONNECT *Disclaimer - Brand Connect is a solution that allows brands to break the queue to gain better engagement among our audiences Even after the bank had participated in the OMO purchase auctions, the treasury loss of the bank Rs 143 crore in Q3FY26, as compared to income of Rs 120 crore in a quarter ago period and Rs 50 crore in a year ago period. Government officials say the FAQs issued by the CBDT is unlikely to provide any taxable relief to foreign enterprises. Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years. The decision is expected to significantly improve affordability and access, as the Zydus biosimilar is priced nearly 70 per cent lower than the patented therapy Trump has announced that any country doing business with Iran will have to pay a 25 per cent tariff on its trade with Washington, a move that could impact Tehran's major trading partners such as India, China and the UAE. 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 Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Indias ultra-mega Atlanta Bay port plan puts North Andaman at the heart of Bay of Bengal strategy, say experts Bharat Coking Coal IPO Day 3 GMP Live: BCCL's market leadership, growth plans and valuation BCCL is India's largest producer of coking coal, accounting for 58.5 per cent of total domestic output in FY25. With estimated reserves of 7.91 billion tonnes and a network of 34 operational mines, the company ranks among the largest holders of coking coal reserves in the country. Historically, BCCL has delivered steady financial growth, recording a revenue, EBITDA and PAT CAGR of 4.6 per cent, 88.1 per cent and 36.6 per cent, respectively, over the FY23-FY25 period. Looking ahead, the company is expanding its washery capacity to 20.65 MTPA from the current 13.65 MTPA through the addition of new washeries and the modernisation of the existing Moonidih washery. The renovation will double Moonidih's operating capacity from 0.8 MTPA to 1.6 MTPA. At the upper end of the price band of Rs 23, the issue is valued at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 6.4 times on a post-issue basis. Based on this valuation and the company's fundamentals, investors are advised to subscribe to the issue at the cut-off price. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia's strikes on the country's critical infrastructure are a reminder that support for Ukraine must not be stopped. Almost 300 attack drones, most of them shaheds, along with 18 ballistic and 7 cruise missiles, were launched by the Russians against Ukraine last night. Once again, the main target of the strike was our energy generation facilities and substations. Sadly, there has been extensive destruction of residential and civilian infrastructure. Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions came under attack, he said on X. Zelenskyy noted that Russian strikes on infrastructure have "no military meaning." With no military purpose whatsoever, Russia lobbed missiles at a postal terminal in Korotych, Kharkiv region, killing 4 people. My condolences to their families and loved ones. The situation in the Kyiv region is not easy several hundred thousand households are currently without power. All emergency services are on the ground. Points of Invincibility have been deployed. As always, wherever Russia tries to destroy, Ukrainians support one another, and internal resilience is what is most needed right now, the President noted. The head of state emphasized that only support for Ukraine can make it clear to Russia that "the cold will not help win the war." Every such strike against life is a reminder that support for Ukraine cannot be stopped. Missiles for air defense systems are needed every day, and especially during winter. The world can respond to this Russian terror with new assistance packages for Ukraine. We expect the acceleration of deliveries already agreed with America and Europe. Russia must come to learn that cold will not help it win the war. Thank you to everyone who is helping, Zelenskyy stressed. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Budget 2026: Will markets see a pre-Budget rally? Don't expect broad-based buying, say analysts Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Kuwait is discussing cancellation of oil project tenders worth $8.7 bn, says report; L&T shares fall 4%: Here's why Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to L&T clarifies as stock falls 4% on report of Kuwait cancelling $8.7-bn tenders, says 'not part of company's order book' Launched in July 2023, the fund tracks the Nifty Microcap 250 Total Return Index, which represents 250 companies outside the Nifty 500 universe. Cash Segment margin likely to reduce, SEBI panel clears the margin rationalisation proposal Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Reminder for Sensex traders: Weekly F&O expiry has been advanced to January 14 due to Maharashtra civic polls 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: TCS, HCL Tech, Anand Rathi Wealth, Biocon, Sical Logistics, NLC India, Gabion Technologies in focus on 13 January Will Trump's 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran be a negative for Indian markets? Here's what analysts say The Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with the financial support of the Norwegian government, are launching a program to support rural communities in front-line regions with a total budget of $4 million. According to a ministry publication, the project will cover more than 6,000 rural households in Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv regions. The project is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with participant registration managed by local communities. "The implementation of this program will combine rapid support for affected communities with the restoration of the agricultural sectors production capacity in frontline regions. Importantly, the participant selection mechanism involves local communities, ensuring that aid is targeted and transparent," said Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Denys Bashlyk. The Ministry of Economy said priority support will go to the most vulnerable families and farmers, including internally displaced persons and those returning home. The assistance aims to sustain food production and create conditions for farmers to resume profitable activities, including crop cultivation and livestock farming. In Mykolaiv region, the program will also help restore access to farmland contaminated with explosive remnants. Under the program, more than 4,000 rural households will receive vegetable and potato seeds. Around 1,900 livestock households will receive sets of day-old poultry chicks, along with cash assistance for feed and veterinary services. The program also provides individual support for small farmers registered in the State Agrarian Register, including greenhouses, irrigation systems, water storage equipment, vouchers, and technical assistance. FAO Ukraine Representative Shakhnoza Muminova said that combining agricultural support with the restoration of access to farmland helps remove key barriers for farmers to resume full-scale operations. Norwegian Minister of International Development Asmund Aukrust said the war continues to disrupt agricultural production and pose risks to food security, so Norway is supporting UN efforts to aid Ukrainian farmers. Since the start of the full-scale war, Norway has provided about $14.8 million through the FAO to support agricultural recovery and land demining in Ukraine. Dipen Pradhan is the Editorial Consultant for Moneycontrol. He has over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism and covers personal finance topics. He has previously worked at Forbes Advisor India, Outlook Money, Entrepreneur, Inc42, and The Statesman. When he is not writing he loves to travel to explore rural hotspots. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK After Trump and Jacob & Co, M3M ties up with Elie Saab for branded residences in Noida and Gurugram, to invest Rs 3,500 crore TCS Q3 results: IT firm says 'we expect employee terminations to continue in Q4, with no specific target' Total trade between India and Iran stood at $1.7 billion in FY25, accounting for just 0.15 percent of the South Asian nation's total trade during the year. Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years. Silpo, ATB, Novus and Aurora chains in Kyiv continue to operate, spot closures are possible The Silpo, ATB, Novus and Aurora retail chains in Kyiv continue to operate under conditions of heat and electricity restrictions, however, changes in the schedule and temporary spot closures are possible, retailers told Interfax-Ukraine. Stores in the Aurora chain are operating normally. Reports circulating on social media about mass closures of Aurora stores are false, the companys press service said. The retailer noted that individual stores may temporarily close if generators or other power sources fail. Similarly, Novus said reports of widespread supermarket closures are not accurate. "The chain continues to operate, but due to power outages, some stores may temporarily operate with limited services or adjusted hours. We ask customers to check the current status of specific stores in advance at https://novus.ua/robotamagazyniv/ or by calling the hotline at 0 800 601 729," Novus explained. All ATB stores in Kyiv and the surrounding region are operating normally, the companys press service said on Facebook. "In isolated cases of technical or logistical difficulties, the company responds quickly and takes the necessary measures to resolve them," the statement said. Silpo also warned of possible temporary closures of supermarkets due to equipment maintenance. Customers can check the status of specific stores via the companys social media or the hotline at 0800 301 707. "Low temperatures and occasional blackouts sometimes cause equipment failures in individual supermarkets. In such cases, a store may be temporarily closed. At the same time, on-site teams are doing everything possible to resume operations as quickly as possible," the company told the agency. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All 500 stray dogs killed in Telangana villages in 7 days to 'fulfill panchayat poll promise' Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Actions by Bangladeshi forces not directed against India: Army chief Dwivedi General Upendra Dwivedi says Pakistans own data showed heavy losses and that the operation forced faster integration of drones, UAS and counter-UAS units across formations. Annamalai, a former IPS officer and former chief of the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit, visited Mumbai last week to campaign for the upcoming election to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to BJP repealed MGNREGA as they have 'allergy' to Mahatma Gandhis name: CM Siddaramaiah The new BRICS 2026 logo is inspired by the lotus, symbolising Indias heritage and resilience. Its multicoloured petals represent the diversity of the member nations, while the central Namaste gesture conveys respect and collaboration. Beijings public endorsement comes as New Delhi pushes for reforms in global institutions ahead of assuming BRICS chairship in 2026. In multiple city pockets, intermediaries allegedly supply full sets of documents for fees ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 30,000 Photo: https://t.me/umerov_rustem Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who is currently in Kyiv, discussed "steps to strengthen defense capabilities and coordinate efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace." "I am pleased to welcome Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide to Kyiv. I briefed him on the situation on the frontline and the daily Russian shelling of civilian infrastructure, particularly energy facilities," Umerov wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. According to him, the parties also "discussed concrete steps to strengthen defense capabilities and coordinate efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace." Umerov expressed gratitude to Norway and Mr. Eide personally for their systemic financial and security support for Ukraine. "Thank you for Norway's important decision to allocate a new $400 million aid package, which will be used to strengthen the energy sector," Umerov added. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to 'Constitution humiliated': ED flags 'pattern of obstruction' by Mamata Banerjee in plea before Supreme Court Historically, the BJP and the Communist Party of China have maintained party-level contacts since the late 2000s Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Fresh India-China friction over Shaksgam Valley? Origins of dispute and why New Delhi rejects Paks handover to Beijing Maran credited the states progress in womens education to the Dravidian movement and the policies of the DMK government under Chief Minister MK Stalin. Ukraines ambassador said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to visit India and that both sides are preparing for an intergovernmental joint commission meeting. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Himachal merchant navy officer, detained from Russian tanker by US forces, was due home for February wedding In 2024-25, India's exports to Afghanistan stood at USD 318.91 million, while imports were aggregated at USD 689.81 million. Terminations without inquiry under Article 311(2)(c) take total to 89 since 2021, triggering renewed political pushback in the Valley. Firing was reported during a search operation in the Billawar area, days after another gunfight in the same belt Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a telephone conversation with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. I informed him about the intense Russian drone and missile attacks on our cities and communities. It is evident that the Russians are bent on destroying life rather than on diplomacy. Their target is the energy sector, Zelenskyy said on X Tuesday. The President emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine now. He said this concerns sustainability and recovery, as well as ensuring sufficient air defense ammunition. Missiles for air defense and all the necessary assistance for the energy system are the top priority at the moment, he added. The parties also discussed the progress of communication with the American side and possible meetings. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Minorities must ensure their participation in nation's development: Kiren Rijiju Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Multiple drones sighted along LoC in Rajouri hours after Army chiefs warning Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Mumbai man posing as RTI activist arrested for Rs 5 crore extortion attempt against Andhra MP Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Nitin Nabin to file nomination on January 19: The immediate challenges awaiting BJPs next president Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Not gender equality, but neutrality: What the Army chief said on women in combat roles The meeting took place amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilise India-China relations following prolonged military tensions along the Line of Actual Control. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Pakistan connected the dots on May 10, backed off as Indias military moved in: Army chief Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Priyanka Gandhi to be Cong's face in 2027 Uttar Pradesh polls? Campaign on her birthday sparks buzz Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Railways to roll out 9 Amrit Bharat Express trains from Bengal, Assam: Vaishnaw The source codes will remain with the French side only. Photo: https://www.facebook.com Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky has held a telephone conversation with General Christopher Donahue, Commander of the United States Army Europe and Africa, Commander of the Allied Land Command. During the conversation, they discussed, among other things, the situation on the front lines, Russia's strikes on critical infrastructure, and the need to strengthen the country's air defenses. "I briefed my American colleague on the situation on the front line, which remains difficult. Despite significant losses of personnel, weapons, and military equipment, the Russian aggressor is continuing its offensive. At the same time, the enemy is resorting to massive missile and air strikes against our rear specifically targeting energy facilities, using the freezing temperatures as an additional tool for pressure and terror against the civilian population of Ukraine," the head of the department noted. Thus, during December 2025 and early January 2026, the enemy launched six massive missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian territory. Specifically, on the night of January 13, the Russian aggressor attacked our energy facilities, other infrastructure, and civilian targets with 25 missiles and 293 attack UAVs. "Since February 24, 2022, the number of missiles used by the Russian army has reached over 13,300 units, and the number of attack drones exceeded 142,300 units. In this context, our primary need is to strengthen our air defense by acquiring anti-aircraft missile systems and ammunition, particularly those that can be supplied by the American side," Syrsky noted. He also briefed Donahue on other critical needs of our military that could be addressed through the PURL initiative. "He emphasized that, in the current reality, achieving a sustainable ceasefire in Ukraine is only possible with increased consolidated pressure on the enemy from our Western partners. He also personally thanked General Christopher Donahue, the President, and the people of the United States for their support of Ukraine and their efforts to achieve a just, lasting peace in Ukraine," Syrsky emphasized. One of the six, Amit Kushwaha, is alleged to have accompanied Thakur during his transfers and was named as a witness in hundreds of cases. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Serious violent crime dips to 25-year low in Bihar, 80 pc drop in incidents of dacoity One judge calls the prior sanction rule unconstitutional and protective of corruption, the other backs it as a screening tool, pushing the issue to a larger bench. The Supreme Court also warned that it would raise 'serious questions' when hearing both the Centre and state governments on the issue. The case concerned the appointment of a Sahayak Samiksha Adhikari in Uttar Pradesh, whose services were terminated after it was found that two criminal cases were pending against him, neither of which had been disclosed in his application form. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy says he has instructed the police not to grant any waivers to individuals who violate traffic rules and are issued challans. The Election Commission (EC) said deletions were mainly due to voters being deceased, permanently migrated, absent during verification, or registered at multiple locations. The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is a flagship scheme of the state government What is worse is that success in Venezuela and potentially in Taiwan will only embolden the US and China in their hemispheric machinations. Vivek Deshpande was with The Indian Express and is now a freelance journalist based in Nagpur. Views are personal, and do not represent the stance of this publication. ICE shooting triggers protests, exposes fault lines in U.S. immigration enforcement Xinhua) 08:28, January 13, 2026 People holding placards attend an "ICE Out for Good" protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 11, 2026. (Photo by Li Yuanqing/Xinhua) 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. People participate in a protest against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on Jan. 10, 2026. TO GO WITH "Dozens of protests against ICE held across U.S. California" (Xinhua) "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. People participate in a protest against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on Jan. 10, 2026. TO GO WITH "Dozens of protests against ICE held across U.S. California" (Xinhua) 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Photo: Denys_Smyhal /t.me/Denys_Smyhal The Verkhovna Rada accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal. Some 265 MPs voted in favor of this decision at a plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday. As reported by an Interfax-Ukraine agency correspondent, the votes were distributed as follows: the Servant of the People faction - 180, Batkivschyna - 17, the Platform for Life and Peace group - 16, Restoration of Ukraine - 11, For the Future - 12, Trust - 18. The European Solidarity and Holos factions did not cast a single vote in support of the dismissal of the Minister of Defense. "I leave this position with the confidence that the ensuing processes will become the foundation for further changes and reforms, and that our shared achievements will serve as the basis for Ukraine's resilience," Shmyhal said in his address to parliament. As reported, Shmyhal served as Minister of Defense since July 17, 2025. Rahul Charkha is Partner at Economic Laws Practice. Views are personal, and do not represent the stance of this publication. 'Are you Dead?': Chinese safety app for people living alone goes viral. How it works The incident happened at at Silchar Medical College in Assam on Monday. (AI-generated image) Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page appear to have cut ties between California and many of their assets that risked exposing them to a proposed wealth tax in the state. (Image credit: AFP) A serving of palak paneer, at the centre of a US campus dispute has ended in a 1.66 crore settlement. A tech-employee working in Ireland advised the young students to stay in India, citing uncertainty abroad. (Pic for representation) The new Vande Bharat sleeper train service is expected to cut travel time by around three hours compared to existing express trains on the route. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Women more likely to feel maths anxiety, with effects passing to daughters: Study by SunakMurty charity Researchers have captured the first live images of the elusive ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, solving a 60-year mystery linked to the BW43 acoustic signal. DNA analysis confirmed the species identity, revealing adults reach seventeen feet and inhabit deep-water canyons off California and Baja California year-round. Males show scars from combat, females appear lighter, and fan-shaped teeth are used for fighting, not feeding. The discovery improves understanding of behaviour, habitat, and conservation needs, allowing scientists to monitor this rare deep-sea predator without visual contact. Did our AI summary help? During an extraordinary meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council, convened following Russia's use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), Ukrainian representatives noted that Ukraine urgently needs additional defense capabilities, in particular strengthened air defense, according to a message posted on the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense website. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleksandr Mischenko, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Serhiy Boyev, and Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Roman Andarak joined the online meeting. The Council meeting was held in the Political Committee format. Ukrainian representatives briefed their allies on the current security situation and the Russian Federation's systematic attacks on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure. They noted that these actions are intended to cause a humanitarian catastrophe during the winter by depriving Ukrainian civilians of electricity, water, and heat. "Russia has significantly increased the number of missiles and drones used for attacks on Ukraine. This is direct evidence of Russia's focus solely on further escalation. We urgently need additional missiles for the Patriot and NASAMS systems," Boyev noted. He specifically emphasized that Russia's use of IRBMs near NATO borders is yet another manifestation of its aggressive policy and complete lack of commitment to peace. He also called on allies to invest in the PURL program and the development of defense production, particularly in the area of interceptor drones. Andarak briefed the meeting participants on the measures Ukraine is taking to ensure the stable operation of the energy system and outlined the priority needs for funds to protect, repair, and restore damaged energy infrastructure facilities and maintain its resilience. The allies, for their part, strongly condemned the Russian attacks, which constitute blatant terror against the Ukrainian civilian population, and reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine and their readiness to provide the necessary assistance. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Meet 5 worlds oldest turtles that have lived for centuries Rakesh Sharma the first Indian astronaut who went to space. (Image: Canva) A study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution finds same-sex sexual behaviour is widespread among non-human primates, helping strengthen social bonds, reduce tension, and support survival under environmental and social pressures, while urging caution when relating findings to humans. Did our AI summary help? 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 Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com Partner countries must step up pressure on Russia, will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine in Davos Dutch PM Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine/www.president.gov.ua Partner countries must intensify pressure on Russia, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said, commenting on the shelling of Ukraine's energy infrastructure. "Over the past few days, Russia has again carried out largescale attacks on energy infrastructure and civilian targets in Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of households in Kyiv region are currently without power in extremely cold weather conditions. We must intensify the pressure on Russia. I just discussed this with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy," Schoof wrote on the social network X on Tuesday. He also announced that security guarantees for Ukraine will be discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week. "We also looked back on last week's Coalition of the Willing. Together with a large group of countries, we are prepared to make a substantial contribution to security guarantees in case of a peace agreement. Next week, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, a broad representation of European countries, America and Ukraine will discuss this further," Schoof added. As reported, the leaders of Italy, Germany, France, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as the President of the European Commission, plan to take part in the proposed meeting of leaders with U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week. 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. 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 After Trump backs Iran protesters, Russia warns US of disastrous consequences Several Hindus have been assaulted in Bangladesh following violent protests that broke out after the death of July uprising organiser Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore The BBC also said it will aim to move the case to New York from Florida if the suit isnt dismissed, because the claims relate to a documentary that BBC did not create in Florida, produce in Florida, or air in Florida. Biggest gold theft in Canadian history: Another suspect arrested in Toronto after robbery of gold worth $20 million, key accused believed to be in India The Russian occupation administration in Mariupol is accusing a teenager of "high treason," violating the norms of international humanitarian law, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets has said. "Information has appeared in the media about the detention of a resident of Mariupol for allegedly 'high treason.' The guy born in 2008 is accused of communicating with the government authorities of Ukraine," Lubinets said in the Telegram channel. He recalled that Russia systematically violates human rights, including children's rights, during the temporarily occupied territories. "We remember the tragic situation of two young men from Berdiansk: Tigran Oganesyan and Nikita Khanganov. They were charged by the Investigative Committee of Russia with allegedly preparing sabotage on the railway. They were incriminated with 'violations' of an article of Russian legislation, and later the occupiers treacherously killed them. Each such case is another evidence of Russia's systematic policy of suppressing and intimidating the civilian population in the occupied territories. And in particular, their 'repressive machine' operates against children," the ombudsman said. He said the persecution of minors, accusations without evidence, and the use of repressions are a gross violation of the norms of international humanitarian law, in particular the IV Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. "Russia must bear full responsibility for the violation of the rights of civilians, including children, in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. I have forwarded the information to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and the State Security Service of Ukraine. The aggressor country must bear responsibility for what has been done," Lubinets said. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All China warns retaliation as Trumps Iran tariff threat targets the discount oil Beijing depends on Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Dark patches on the neck could be an early sign of insulin resistance A New York Times report reveals the US military used a disguised civilian aircraft to strike a boat in the Caribbean in 2025, killing sailors and survivors. Legal experts say this act, known as perfidy, violates US and international laws of war. Did our AI summary help? Whistleblower lawyer Mark S. Zaid refuted viral claims that the US used a sonic weapon against Venezuelan forces during a raid on President Maduro, stating theres no evidence linking such devices to the operation, despite ongoing speculation and past incidents. Did our AI summary help? Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Explained: How Germanys new transit visa waiver will ease travel for Indians Bangladeshs leading Hindu groups warn authorities that Hindus feel unsafe to vote in upcoming elections due to rising violence and targeted attacks. Recent killings, including Samir Dass murder, have intensified fears and calls for enhanced security measures. Did our AI summary help? Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to From asset to liability? Why Lashkar-e-Taibas internal revolt raises alarms for Asim Munir and Pakistans deep state SpaceXs Starlink provides vital internet in crisis zones like Iran, Venezuela, and Ukraine, bypassing government restrictions. However, Elon Musks private control sparks debate over accountability, power, and national sovereignty. Did our AI summary help? Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All 'Fully justified for China': Beijing reasserts claim over Shaksgam Valley after Indias objection Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Google accused of crossing parental boundaries by nudging children to disable controls At around 17:45, the Russian armed forces carried out an airstrike on the village of Voloska Balakliia, Kupiansky district, Kharkiv region. "An 11-year-old boy was injured. At the time of the strike, he was sledding near his house," the press service of Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office said. In addition, on the night of Tuesday, the Russians struck Novoselivka, Kupiansky district, with three drones, according to preliminary data, of the Geran-2 type. Residential buildings were damaged. Pretrial investigations have been launched into the facts of war crimes (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Google whistleblower tells tribunal she lost her job after reporting harassment The proposed law would authorise the US president to negotiate Greenlands acquisition from Denmark and begin the process of admitting it as a US state. (FILES) This handout picture released by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 8, 2025, shows (L to R) member of the Hamas political bureau Nizar Awadallah, deputy chairman of the Hamas political bureau Khalil al-Hayya and the head of the political council of Hamas Mohammad Ismail Darwish, meeting with him in Tehran. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP) Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Help is on its way: Donald Trump freezes Iran talks, calls on protesters to take over institutions Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All High salaries, citizenship, military contracts: How a Russian woman 'recruited' foreign men on Telegram for Ukraine war Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All 'Im not grabbing Karoline': Trump jokes on turbulent Air Force One flight, leaves press secretary startled | Watch Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Iran allows limited overseas calls but keeps internet blackout amid deadly protests | Top Update Apartment buildings and houses are pictured in Nuuk, Greenland, on March 24, 2025. Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede accused Washington of interfering in its political affairs with the visit of an American delegation to the Danish territory coveted by US President Donald Trump. The White House announced on March 23, 2025 that Usha Vance, the wife of US Vice President JD Vance, will visit Greenland with her son and a US delegation, which Egede said would include National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. (Photo by Juliette PAVY / AFP) The issue of U.S. President Donald Trump's consent to support European troops in the event of their introduction into Ukraine after the end of hostilities will be discussed at the meeting of European leaders of Kyiv's partner countries at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, the Financial Times reports, citing sources. "The leaders of Italy, Germany, France, Canada and the UK, plus the president of the European Commission, plan to attend a proposed leaders' meeting with Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum next week," the publication said on Tuesday. Officials are discussing details of the meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, and which may include other leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, the countries supporting Ukraine. "The Davos leaders' meeting will seek Trump's stamp of approval on agreements drawn up with his Ukraine negotiators and the US's European defence commander in Paris last week, seen as critical to ensuring Russia does not restart the war after any ceasefire," the publication said. But European capitals are nervous about the scale of Trump's stance, given a series of incidents in which the U.S. president has made a series of pro-Russian statements about the war in Ukraine. The Europeans and Kyiv have reportedly offered to send troops to Ukraine after the war ends, with guarantees of U.S. support. "Without the US, none of this happens," one European official said, referring in particular to pledges from Britain and France to deploy troops to a post-ceasefire Ukraine. "It is still unclear what Trump really feels," he added. Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law and Russia negotiator Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be part of the U.S. delegation to the World Economic Forum. The six leaders and EC President Ursula von der Leyen will be a record number of G7 participants at the Davos event. "Trump's presence has thrust geopolitics and the US's critical role in European security to prominence at a gathering that was previously set to have more of a focus on AI, emerging technologies and other business themes," the newspaper writes. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had not intended to go to Davos, but his partners have said that if Trump organizes a meeting on Ukraine, he will reconsider his decision. The official talks have not yet included trilateral discussions with Russia. It is unclear to what extent they will be accepted by Moscow, or if they will be accepted at all. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is rebranding ahead of elections, with its chief meeting retired military officers and Chinas ambassador to project mainstream credibility. Officials and India remain wary, viewing the move as a tactical bid for state influence. Did our AI summary help? Parts of the Altai are recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage sites for their unique ecosystems and cultural value. Trump first floated the idea of a U.S. takeover of Greenland in 2019 during his first term in office, although he faces opposition in Washington, including from within his own party. Irans anti-government protests have escalated into threats between Tehran and Washington, raising fears of military conflict. Iran warns of harsh retaliation if attacked, highlighting its missile, drone, and proxy capabilities, despite weaker air power than the US. Did our AI summary help? Pakistan Army to set up Rocket Force Command after Operation Sindoor setback: All you need to know India is monitoring Venezuelas political changes under Trump, which could reopen Venezuelan oil to global markets. While Russian crude dominates Indias imports, a stable Venezuela may offer India more supply options and boost energy security in the future. Did our AI summary help? Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Sheikh Hasina says minorities in 'grave danger' in Bangladesh: 'Yunus govt's rule of terror led to fear' Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Trump announces 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran: How it will impact India Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Trump warns trillions of dollars could be lost if Supreme Court curbs tariff authority: Were screwed Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Turkey edges toward Pakistan-Saudi Muslim NATO: Why it rings alarm bells in India The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) condemned the repression of the Iranian authorities against the people and called on it to abandon forceful methods, and the international community to strengthen political, diplomatic and other types of pressure on Iran. "Ukraine is closely monitoring the development of events in Iran and mass protests, which testify to the aspiration of the Iranian people for freedom, dignity and a better future," the MFA said in a statement published on the website on Tuesday. The department said regimes that ignore the needs and suffering of their citizens "inevitably bear political, legal and moral responsibility for their actions." "We strongly condemn the repression of the Iranian authorities against their own people, the unprecedented increase in the number of dead and injured among the participants of the protests. This is a gross violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms. The use of violence and brutal methods of suppressing protests undermine the fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law. We call on the Iranian authorities to abandon forceful methods, respect the right of citizens to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of speech, and fulfill the legitimate demands of their own people," the MFA said. The Foreign Ministry said violence against defenseless protesters must be stopped immediately. "We reiterate our call on the international community to increase political, diplomatic and other types of pressure on Tehran in response to violence and oppression," the statement reads. The Iranian security forces' crackdown on nationwide protests has reportedly killed at least 538 people, with many more presumed dead, and over 10,000 detained in the past two weeks. Of the dead, 490 were protesters and 48 were security forces. Internet and telephone restrictions have made it difficult to assess the scale of the protests from abroad, and the Iranian government does not provide official figures on casualties. The editorial board of Iran International later reported that at least 12,000 people were killed in the crackdown on protests over two consecutive nights, Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9. According to information received, those killed were mostly shot by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij forces. This killing was completely organized, and not the result of "sporadic" and "unplanned" clashes. On January 10, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on the Iranian authorities to refrain from violence against protesters in his country. In a joint statement, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom also condemned the killings of demonstrators in Iran and called on the country's authorities to exercise restraint. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed full support for the protesters in Iran and condemned their suppression by the Iranian authorities, and U.S. President Donald Trump declared his readiness to help Iran in its quest for freedom. On January 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said that the "long night" for the Iranians would soon end, and help was on the way. On January 12, Trump announced that he was suspending diplomatic relations with Tehran amid the suppression of anti-government protests, calling on protesters to continue the struggle and seize government institutions. He also announced the introduction of tariffs of 25% on countries cooperating with Tehran. Over 1 lakh US visas revoked in a year for overstays and crimes: What it means for Indians Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to US issues fresh travel warning for its citizens in Iran: 'Leave now...' Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to US slaps terrorist labels on Muslim Brotherhood branches, and it could hit ties with Qatar, Turkey Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All US strike using civilian-looking aircraft raises serious laws-of-war questions Where is hardliner Saad Rizvi? Pak 'in the dark' about TLP chief's whereabouts, says he fled to PoK Why China sees an opening with Canada and how far Ottawa can really go Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Why New York Citys nurses walked out and how strike could hit patient care NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and wife Rama Duwaji will move into Gracie Mansion, the historic mayoral residence on Manhattans East Side. Mamdani plans to make the mansion more accessible for public events, embracing its history, folklore, and civic symbolism. Did our AI summary help? Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official The authorities are ready to help communities to liquidate the consequences of Russian shelling, but maximum activity of the communities themselves is needed, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. "Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and government officials, in constant communication with the heads of the regions, are ready to help communities as necessary in this situation. But communities themselves must be as active as possible a lot depends on whether the work in the cities is professionally structured," Zelenskyy said in an evening video address on Tuesday. He thanked the heads of communities "who in their communities, who are with the people, really help and about whom people can say that they are really close and effective." According to Zelenskyy, for more than a week this winter, repair crews and utility services in many cities of Ukraine have been working around the clock, and the weather is adding to the challenges. January 13, 2026 Iran Riots Now What Does This Mean? There is no Internet connection with Iran (except for a few white-listed officials). To whom then is this addressed? Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump Jan 13, 2026, 14:43 UTC Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP And what does it mean? Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy pointed out the insufficient filling of the program for the purchase of U.S. weapons by partner countries for Ukraine under the name Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) in January of this year during a meeting of the Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters on Tuesday. "Defense issues are key missiles for air defense, production of interceptors, all necessary supplies. Contracts, financing we provide this in full. It is important that there is a real and timely implementation of all agreements with our partners. The PURL program needs to be filled, and not enough was done in January. This is a task for our entire diplomatic team - both the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Zelenskyy said in an evening video address on Tuesday. He also reported on a conversation with U.S. Congressmen Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, in particular, about programs to support Ukrainian air defense. "I am grateful for the unwavering bipartisan support of Congress. We are currently having very productive work with the President of the United States, with his team. We discussed the details of all this. I informed about the situation with Russian strikes, about the need for air defense. We talked about how additional pressure on Russia can provide strong diplomatic results. And it is important that the U.S. administration has as many tools as possible for the right pressure. We also talked about support programs that have not yet been fully implemented and can be used. In particular, this concerns the protection of the sky," the president said. He reported that work continues on security guarantees and recovery programs with the United States. "We are really working so that in the near future there are possible formats for signing and approval, legal approval in the US Congress, in the Ukrainian parliament," Zelenskyy said. The Google logo is displayed during a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 11, 2025. REUTERS (Reuters) Alphabet briefly hit $4 trillion in market valuation on Monday, as the Google parents sharpened artificial intelligence focus allayed doubts about its strategy and thrust it back to the forefront of the high-stakes race. In the latest sign that its efforts were paying off, Alphabet said the next-generation of Apples AI models will be based on Googles Gemini under a multi-year deal. The companys class-A shares rose as much as 1.7% to $334.04 to hit a record high before giving up those gains. A Reuters report earlier this year said that Samsung Electronics plans to double this year the number of its mobile devices with AI features powered by Gemini. Alphabet last week surpassed Apple in market capitalization for the first time since 2019, becoming the second most valuable company in the world. The milestones mark 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. The shift was fueled by the company quelling concerns that it let an early AI advantage slip by turning a once-overlooked cloud unit into a major growth engine and drawing a rare tech investment from Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway. Of the Magnificent 7 stocks, its the one name that has surprised us all over the last 12 months and theyre making inroads beyond their traditional model, said Phil Blancato, CEO of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management. What I would give the company credit for is innovation, thats what theyve done to separate them from a lot of other firms in recent days and youre seeing it in earnings data. The new Gemini 3 model has drawn strong reviews, intensifying pressure on OpenAI after GPT-5 left some users underwhelmed. Google Clouds revenue jumped 34% in the third quarter, with a backlog of non-recognized sales contracts rising to $155 billion. 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. Indicating the rising demand, The Information reported that Meta Platforms was in talks to spend billions of dollars on Alphabets chips for use in its data centers starting from 2027. Meanwhile, Alphabets dominant revenue generator the advertising business has largely held steady in the face of economic uncertainty and intense competition. Alphabet is the fourth company to hit the $4 trillion milestone after Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple. The stock has also benefited after a U.S. judge in September ruled against breaking up the company and allowing it to retain control of its Chrome browser and Android mobile operating system. I UNDERSTAND that everyone makes mistakes, and we all have the capacity to learn from them whether we are Independent, Democrat, or Republican. But constant political blame games do nothing to serve ordinary Americans, who strive to uphold the values and image of the United States globally. I am writing as a U.S. journalist and college student from Saipan, advocating for my wife, Shu Chun Romolor, who was abducted in 2016 in Oregon. Since then, our lives have been disrupted, and we have sought justice for her ongoing mistreatment and the human trafficking concerns surrounding her case. While my focus is deeply personal, it reflects broader issues of human rights, accountability, and the responsibility of government officials to protect citizens. As Americans, we cherish the rule of law, freedom, and opportunities to live our dreams safely. We look to leaders regardless of party to uphold ethical standards and protect the most vulnerable. No citizen should have to fear abuse, intimidation, or corruption from those entrusted with public authority. I am asking President Donald Trump and other leaders at every level to act with integrity, to listen to citizens, and to take meaningful steps to protect individuals from harm. Justice, transparency, and empathy are essential for preserving the values that define our nation and the American dream. Thank you for considering this perspective. I hope it serves as a reminder that public trust is earned through accountability and action, and that every citizen deserves protection under the law. Sincerely, JOAQUIN ROMOLOR Washington, D.C. A prison van believed to be carrying Jimmy Lai arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building for the mitigation in the national security collusion trial of Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, in Hong Kong, Jan. 12, 2026. REUTERS HONG KONG (Reuters) Hong Kongs High Court heard on Monday the mitigation plea of pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai, the final step before sentencing in a landmark national security trial that has drawn international condemnation and could see Lai jailed for life. Last month, Lai, 78, was found guilty of being the mastermind on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under a China-imposed national security law, and conspiracy to publish seditious material. Lai has denied all charges. The verdict was criticized, opens new tab by Britain, the European Union, the United States and others. Hong Kong authorities say Lai received a fair trial and the national security law has restored stability to the city after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. A longstanding critic of the Chinese Communist Party and founder of the now shuttered pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, Lai is the highest-profile figure to face prosecution under Hong Kongs years-long crackdown after the 2019 protests. Hearings such as Mondays give defense lawyers the chance to seek a more lenient jail term than the 10 years to life imprisonment Lai could face for his role in the collusion convictions, set out by guidelines in the security law. Lai sat in the glass dock with eight trial defendants, including two key prosecution witnesses, Andy Li and Wayland Chan Tsz-wah, separated by around a dozen prison guards. Lai did not submit a mitigation letter, his family told Reuters. But his lawyer Robert Pang, told the court his client suffered from hypertension, diabetes and cataracts among his medical conditions, and solitary confinement for more than 1,800 days had imposed an additional burden. Every day he spends in prison will bring him that much closer to the end of his life, said Pang, while adding such ailments were not life-threatening. Prosecutor Anthony Chau cited a January 9 medical report that called Lais condition stable, however. He also disputed a defense claim that Lai had lost 11 kg (24 lbs) in prison, with a loss of only 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) recorded. After examination, no obvious abnormality was found, Chau said, adding that Lai himself had sought solitary confinement for his own protection. The trial judges held that Lai used his influence and the Apple Daily tabloid to run a campaign to seek the downfall of the CCP, even though the ultimate cost was the sacrifice of the interests of the people of China and Hong Kong. Priscilia Lam, a lawyer for prosecution witness Wayland Chan, asked for his sentence to be more than halved, in return for giving key evidence against Lai and the rest. A lawyer for Andy Li also sought a 50% cut. Another defendant, Cheung Kim-hung, the former CEO of Lais once-listed company, Next Digital, sought a reduction for having shown remorse and decided to become a prosecution witness, his lawyer said. The hearing resumes on Tuesday, with sentencing due later. Nearly 100 people queued overnight outside the court ahead of the hearing, some lining up three days in advance, armed with bedding. Many people still support Mr. Lai, said Lee Ying-chi, who said she had queued for several days. We hope that he can be immediately released. He hasnt done anything wrong. In an interview this month, President Donald Trump said he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to release Lai, whom he called a positive activist, but got no reply. By Eiperang (Gregorie Michael Towai) Independent Researcher, CNMI Advocate AT a certain point, reporting on the Imperial Pacific International casino saga stops being about the casino. What Shibani Mahtani has illuminated carefully, cautiously, and without sensationalism is a pattern larger than any single project: opacity repackaged as opportunity, reinvention without accountability, and economic desperation quietly leveraged against due diligence. That pattern is the real story. And it does not end on land. Corruption as background noise again Over time, corruption in the CNMI has ceased to be shocking; it has become ambient. This is where Mahtanis reporting intersects with a broader body of analysis that many local conversations still avoid confronting. Security strategist Cleo Paskal has long warned that the Commonwealths strategic geography paired with weak governance, opaque finance, and inconsistent federal follow-through creates an environment where outside actors see opportunity not despite dysfunction, but because of it. The influx of Chinese nationals over the past decade, she has argued, was not merely an immigration or labor issue; it was a signal to the world that the CNMI could be penetrated economically and administratively with relative ease. Reputations form this way. Not by isolated scandals, but by repeated tolerance. When scandal becomes infrastructure The casino is simply the most visible node. Local investigative reporting by Kandit News Service has documented another layer of the same ecosystem: legislative subsistence allowances paid routinely, defended reflexively, and rarely subjected to consequences proportionate to public hardship. On their own, allowances and transnational casino financing appear unrelated. Together, they normalize a single governing logic: extraction without proportional accountability. One operates at a global scale; the other at a local one. Both train institutions and the public to accept erosion as normal. This is how corruption stops looking like criminality and starts looking like how things work. From the casino floor to the ocean floor Today, as public comments closed on federal inquiries into deep-sea mining, the relevance of this pattern became impossible to ignore. Deep-sea mining is being framed, once again, as an economic solution a potential revenue stream for jurisdictions described as cash-strapped, isolated, or limited in options. The language is familiar. So is the timing. When financial distress becomes visible, it also becomes usable. Whether through mining companies, intermediaries, or geopolitical actors, economic vulnerability has always been an entry point. The concern is not that someone might attempt to leverage the CNMIs fiscal challenges to push seabed extraction forward; the concern is that history suggests such leverage works best in places already conditioned to accept opaque promises in exchange for short-term relief. If the casino taught the world that the CNMI could be persuaded to suspend skepticism for the sake of survival, the seafloor may be the next frontier where that lesson is tested. Predictability is the real risk Jim Bob Kingmans warning that complacency eventually becomes complicity cuts deeper when viewed through this lens. The most valuable asset for any exploitative system is predictability. When regulators, courts, and political leaders repeatedly choose continuity over disruption, they send a signal far beyond Saipan: this is a jurisdiction where urgency overrides scrutiny. Sophisticated actors whether in finance, extraction, or geopolitics study patterns. They note how quickly resistance fades, how often last chances are invoked, and how frequently accountability is postponed for promised revival. In that sense, the CNMI is not uniquely corrupt but it is dangerously consistent. The question beneath the seabed The question before the Commonwealth is no longer whether a casino can be restarted, or whether deep-sea mining deserves further study. The deeper question is whether the CNMI is willing to interrupt a cycle that has become structurally comfortable for too many decision-makers. Because once economic desperation becomes a governing strategy, every crisis becomes an invitation. The ocean, like the casino floor before it, risks being framed as the next place where accountability can be deferred, harms externalized, and long-term consequences quietly discounted so long as the immediate promise sounds convincing enough. A narrow window still open There is still space for the CNMI to change the narrative. But only if it recognizes that the story is no longer about isolated industries casinos here, mining there. It is about whether the Commonwealth will continue to be legible to outside interests as a place where repetition goes unchallenged. History is rarely kind to places that confuse survival with sovereignty. And the most unsettling implication of Mahtanis reporting, Paskals analysis, and our own lived governance record may be this: the next attempt whether from land or sea will not arrive as a surprise. It will arrive because the pattern invited it. Until very recently, nuclear proliferation was treated primarily as a problem of rogue states, revisionist regimes, or localized regional instability. The prevailing assumption was that restraint would be rewarded with security guarantees, legal protection, and predictable international behavior. That assumption is no longer tenable. The systematic breaching of legal and institutional limits on the use of force by the United States has begun to reshape global security incentives. As U.S. aggression becomes normalized, legally unmoored, and increasingly detached from diplomatic norms, nuclear weapons reassert themselves as the only credible deterrent against coercion by superior military powers. The Signal Being Sent Recent U.S. international conduct communicates a stark and globally legible message: international law is optional, treaties are contingent, and security guarantees are political rather than institutional. Covert action, paramilitary force, and the threat of unilateral military intervention have become routine tools of policy rather than exceptional measures. When senior U.S. officials openly assert unchallenged authority to attack other nations and seize their resources, the lesson absorbed abroad is unmistakable. State sovereignty cannot be protected by rules or norms that powerful actors openly disregard. For nations with sufficient resources and technical capacity, this logic points directly toward recourse to nuclear deterrence. Why Nuclear Weapons Reassert Their Logic Nuclear weapons have always functioned primarily as tools of regime survival rather than instruments of battlefield utility. As treaty compliance fails to deliver protection and diplomatic alignment fails to guarantee restraint, deterrence regains primacy. A nuclear weapons capability offers a uniquely efficient means of deterring both superpowers and regional adversaries. Even a small number of deliverable, rudimentary nuclear weapons sharply increases the risks faced by any potential attacker, altering strategic calculations in ways that no attainable conventional force can replicate. Proliferation pressure today reflects defensive rationality under weakened international norms, not ideological ambition or militaristic fervor. What Latent Nuclear Capability Means Many states already possess latent nuclear capability: the ability to cross the nuclear threshold rapidly once political authorization is given. Latency reflects possession of the human capital, financial resources, industrial base, and technical expertise required to develop and produce nuclear weapons. In such cases, the principal constraint is not practical feasibility but political restraint. As confidence in international norms erodes, that restraint weakens, compressing timelines from decades to years, and in some cases to months under crisis conditions. Threshold State Assessments Iran Iran demonstrates with particular clarity how legal compliance can fail to deliver security. After years of restraint, intrusive inspections, and formal adherence to international agreements, compliance neither prevented sanctions escalation nor shielded Iran from covert sabotage, cyber operations, or persistent military threats. From Tehrans perspective, compliance arguably increased vulnerability by exposing constraints without delivering reciprocal restraint. With Iran already near the technical threshold, the remaining barrier to weaponization is political rather than technical. As confidence in reciprocity collapses, nuclear capability increasingly appears not as leverage for negotiation, but as a necessary guarantor of regime survival. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabias nuclear calculus reflects strategic hedging rather than ideological aspiration. The Kingdom has explicitly linked its nuclear posture to Irans trajectory while confronting the limits of externally provided security guarantees that are visibly transactional and reversible. Recent experience has underscored that alignment does not ensure automatic protection or enduring commitment. In a system where alliance assurances appear contingent and legal constraints on force weaken, sovereign nuclear deterrence emerges as an insurance policy against abandonment rather than a bid for regional dominance. Saudi Arabia has long been suspected of pursuing a form of nuclear threshold capability through its relationship with Pakistan: financing nuclear development in the past and maintaining a contingent deterrence understanding that could be activated in extremis. While there is no public evidence that Riyadh possesses nuclear weapons or completed designs, the existence of such arrangements underscores how states adapt to weakened nonproliferation norms without crossing formal thresholds. Turkey Turkey occupies an increasingly unstable position as a NATO member that hosts nuclear weapons without sovereign control while pursuing greater strategic autonomy. Ankara has openly questioned the equity of the existing nuclear order and has invested heavily in advanced industrial, aerospace, and missile capabilities. As alliance cohesion weakens and the selective application of international law becomes more apparent, Turkeys incentive to secure independent deterrent leverage grows. This pressure arises not from expansionist ambition, but from uncertainty about whether alliance-based protection will remain reliable during acute crises. Turkey also faces the dual potential threat of nuclear-armed powers, Russia and Israel, to its north and south. South Korea South Korea represents one of the most compressed proliferation timelines in the international system. Facing a nuclear-armed adversary and possessing advanced industrial and scientific capacity, Seoul has long relied on extended deterrence to justify restraint. However, extended deterrence depends on predictable political commitment by the U.S. As those commitments appear increasingly volatile and subject to domestic political fluctuation, nuclear latency functions as a rational insurance mechanism against strategic abandonment. South Korea faces a far weaker northern adversary that has nevertheless succeeded in defying the U.S. by means of its nuclear arsenal. The lesson for South Korea is plain: the U.S. respects only military power. Japan Japan is among the most consequential restraint cases in global politics. With extensive civilian nuclear infrastructure, advanced fuel-cycle capabilities, and exceptional technological sophistication, Japans non-nuclear status rests almost entirely on trusttrust in legal norms, alliance predictability, and escalation control. As those assumptions weaken under regional militarization and declining confidence in rule-based restraint, the logic of permanent abstention becomes increasingly strained. Any Japanese reconsideration of nuclear posture would signal a profound failure of the postwar Asian security architecture. Japans neighbors have long memories of the damage inflicted by imperial Japan, and a nuclear-armed Japan would put regional relations into a dangerous state of turmoil. Brazil Brazil highlights the fragility of norm-based restraint under conditions of asymmetric enforcement. Long committed to multilateralism and non-proliferation, Brazil nevertheless maintains nuclear fuel-cycle expertise and a sophisticated industrial base enabling nuclear energy and naval nuclear propulsion programs. When international law appears selectively binding and force increasingly overrides restraint, unilateral compliance begins to resemble strategic exposure rather than principled leadership. Brazils case underscores that proliferation pressure now extends even to historically norm-oriented states once reciprocity is perceived to have collapsed. Bellicose U.S. actions in Latin America will further intensify this pressure. Germany Germany is the most revealing threshold case. Its postwar security identity is grounded in legalism, alliance integration, and deliberate restraint, yet it possesses the industrial, scientific, and institutional capacity to proliferate rapidly if political constraints shift. Dependence on nuclear sharing without sovereign control, combined with fears of strategic abandonment and the normalization of force outside legal frameworks, all undermine nuclear restraint. Any German movement toward nuclear capability would mark not a return to militarism, but a collapse of confidence in the system designed to prevent it. This would be a particularly alarming development for Germanys neighbors. From Proliferation to Entanglement: The World War I Parallel The most dangerous consequence of renewed proliferation is not simply an increase in the number of nuclear weapons, but the alliance entanglements they generate. Each new nuclear state may extend deterrence umbrellas over allies, proxies, and aligned regimes, multiplying escalation pathways and delegating nuclear risk downward. The structural parallel to the pre-World War I alliance system is striking. Before 1914, dense and overlapping commitments transformed localized crises into system-wide catastrophenot because leaders sought war, but because treaty obligations replaced judgment. Today, nuclear entanglement recreates this dynamic under vastly more lethal conditions, compressing irreversible decision-making into hours rather than weeks. A Nuclear-Armed Middle East To see where current incentives lead, imagine a Middle East in which Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are all nuclear-armed, confronting a nuclear-armed Israel. This is not speculative fantasy but a direct extrapolation from existing capabilities, declared intentions, and eroding confidence in restraint. In such an environment, deterrence would no longer operate through a small number of stable rivalries, but through overlapping alliances, proxy conflicts, and credibility contests. A crisis in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, the Gulf, or the Eastern Mediterranean would no longer be readily containable. Each would carry latent nuclear escalation potential, leaving the region perpetually one misjudgment away from catastrophe. Conclusion The danger now confronting the international system is not abstract. It is the foreseeable consequence of a world taught that law yields to force and security depends on military capacity. When international law is treated as optional and military power as the final arbiter of disputes, nuclear proliferation becomes a rational response. As new nuclear states entangle regional conflicts with existential stakes, escalation risks may become unmanageable. A might-makes-right order does not produce stability; it creates the conditions for regional and global nuclear catastrophe. By its rash exertion of military force, the United States has sown the wind, and the world may reap the nuclear whirlwind. EU commissioner reaffirms Greenland security, warning U.S. takeover would end NATO Xinhua) 08:11, January 13, 2026 This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the scenery of Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) 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. 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. U.S. President Donald Trump attends a press conference following the NATO summit in The Hague, the Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) 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. Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson arrives at the venue of a special European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) 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. People march to protest in front of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Liu Zhichao/Xinhua) 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The oxygen you breathe depends on a tiny ocean ingredient Science Daily (Kevin W) #COVID-19/Pandemics The Price of Denial Anthony Leonardi (fk) Climate/Environment Water China? Japan Japan to dig deep-sea rare earths to curb China dependence Hurriyet Daily News Koreas Africa Pakistans Reportedly Planned Arms Deal With Sudan Presages Problems For The UAE In Africa Andrew Korybko South of the Border European Disunion Old Blighty UK records unprecedented surge in people seeking debt support after Christmas Tribune Online Israel v. The Resistance New Not-So-Cold War Ukraines Power Grid Woes Worsen, + New Oreshnik BDA Simplicius The Coalition of the Willing has achieved nothing Ian Proud Erm, from Politicos morning European newsletter: GETTING INTO THE ROOM: The unthinkable is now being thought in the European Union: Should the continent begin peace talks with a war criminal? As Donald Trump intensifies his efforts to end Moscows war, the bloc is faced with choosing between opening its own diplomatic channels with Russian President Vladimir Putin, or risk letting the U.S. dictate the terms of an eventual peace deal in Ukraine. Big Brother is Watching You Watch LAWYER: Cops Have a NEW Social Score to Label You a Threat Hampton Law, YouTube. Usefully tells you which settings to disable/enable on your iPhone or Android to reduce data extraction. Even though I had told my tech woman to do that, she had missed some. Surprised it does not recommend turning off WiFi save when you specifically want to use it (yours truly is perfectly happy to pay for connectivity for the sake of my privacy, which I infer is a outlier practice). My ride share app asks I turn on WiFi to facilitate geolocation, which despite GPS, is pretty poor otherwise. I prefer to type in my pickup. UK Expands Online Safety Act to Mandate Preemptive Scanning of Digital Communications Reclaim the Net (AG) Imperial Collapse Watch Trump 2.0 The Burger Reich Strikes Back Charles McBryde (Micael T) New High of 45% in U.S. Identify as Political Independents Gallup (resilc) Washingtons New Lobbyists: Paid Online Influencers With Few Rules Wall Street Journal Trump v. Powell ICE on the Rampage Health Care Republican Attacks on the Affordable Care Act Give Democrats an Opportunity to Court Small Business Washington Monthly Democrats en deshabille This Rural Congresswoman Thinks Democrats Have Lost Their Minds. She Has a Point. New York Times Our No Longer Free Press Economy Geopolitics redraws the trade map. Geopolitical tensions between the US and Venezuela underscore the vulnerability of the global economy and trade to political conflict Bangkok Post Mr. Market is Giddy Global Rate Paths Splinter as Trump Drives Change at the Fed Bloomberg AI Class Warfare Picking Workers Pockets: Unfair, Deceptive and Abusive Practices by Earned Wage Payday Lenders National Consumer Law Center Antidote du jour (via): And a bonus: When your best friend is a steer (yes hes been told many times to be careful) pic.twitter.com/bL90IYu9KJ Danielle Scheele (@ScheeleDanielle) January 10, 2026 A second bonus: This marmot is letting his owner have him bathed pic.twitter.com/cEjO25Ey7w Nature Unedited (@NatureUnedited) January 11, 2026 And a third: Newborn baby tiger cub with its mom pic.twitter.com/Se72kDSnC3 Science girl (@sciencegirl) January 11, 2026 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. While this article speculates about what a Trump seizure or forced sale of Greenland might mean for resource exploitation, it is key to keep in mind that thats a pretext, just like the Trump bogus claim that Russian and Chinese naval vessels have been hovering offshore. This is a vanity project. Trump wants as part of his record that he secured a large territorial expansion for the US. By Nicholas Kusnetz, a reporter for Inside Climate News. Originally published at Inside Climate News; cross posted from Undark Even before U.S. forces seized Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump reiterated his long-stated desire to take control of Greenland, the autonomous Danish territory. We need Greenland for national security, Trump said publicly last month. Those comments took on new urgency after the military intervention in Venezuela. Within a day, Trump was again speaking of seizing control of Greenland. Now European leaders appear to be taking the presidents comments seriously. Last week, the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement saying that security in the Arctic should be achieved through cooperation by NATO allies, and reiterating the territorys sovereignty. Greenland belongs to its people, the statement said. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland. Despite that statement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last Wednesday that the administration was discussing how it might buy Greenland. In response to a question about military involvement, Leavitt said, all options are always on the table. While Trump last month stressed that his interest in the Arctic island was driven by security, not minerals, members of his administration had previously listed Greenlands mineral wealth as a reason to gain control. Trump has put Venezuelas oil wealth at the center of his administrations intervention in that country. Now, the prospect of U.S. action in Greenland raises the question of what that could mean for the islands substantial mineral deposits and for its environment. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Greenland holds significant undiscovered oil and gas reserves and the worlds eighth-largest stores of rare earth minerals, a group of metals with a wide range of applications, from renewable energy development and batteries to military hardware. The Trump administration has made securing access to those minerals a top priority, given Chinas dominance of the supply chain for many key metals. But Greenlands harsh climate, remote location, and environmental laws and regulations make it difficult or impossible to extract most of the islands resources. In 2021, Greenland prohibited new offshore oil and gas exploration, with officials citing climate change as a key reason for the ban. There are a few active leases in one offshore area held by a British company that were issued before the ban. That company has said it is working with U.S.-based firms to drill, though there is no active production. The islands mineral deposits have attracted more interest from foreign firms, yet those companies face substantial obstacles, said Jrgen Hammeken-Holm, Greenlands permanent secretary of the Ministry of Business, Mineral Resources, Energy, Justice and Gender Equality. One large deposit is currently off-limits due to restrictions on mining of uranium, which is mixed together with the rare earth minerals. One company had secured a permit to explore the area more than a decade ago, and successfully lobbied to overturn a ban on uranium mining to open access to the reserves. But local opponents grew alarmed at the prospect of radioactive pollution, and they launched a campaign that helped prompt new limits on uranium mining in 2021. That company, now called Energy Transition Minerals, is currently pursuing an arbitration claim against Greenland seeking access to the minerals or billions of dollars in compensation. A second rare-earth deposit is licensed to a U.S.-owned company. But that project, too, has faced hurdles and is not in production, Hammeken-Holm said, because of the difficulty of processing the minerals once they are extracted. Hammeken-Holm said he is confident that the territorys environmental regulations would prevent adverse impacts from any mining, but that so far most projects have failed to advance due to a lack of funding. While Hammeken-Holm declined to comment on the Trump administrations efforts to gain control of Greenland, he said the country has not engaged with his government over access to minerals. We havent heard anything from the United States, Hammeken-Holm said, adding that European countries have been more vocal about their interest to support mining in Greenland. The United States has had a distance to us the last year since Trump came on board. A White House spokesperson declined to answer questions for this article, referring instead to Leavitts press briefing. The most far-reaching environmental impacts of any actions in Greenland are likely tied to the ice sheet that covers most of its surface. That ice, nearly two miles thick at the center, holds enough water to raise global sea levels by more than 20 feet if it all melted. The frozen mass has been melting rapidly in recent years as one of the clearest, gravest signs of a warming climate. That melting will continue, no matter who controls the territory, so long as the world continues to burn fossil fuels and send their carbon pollution into the air. Mona Fastvolds The Testament of Ann Lee is, without hesitation, one of the best films of 2025 and its finally come to Nashville here in the front bit of 26. Its a biography, a legend, an illustration of the development of 18th-century Protestantism, and a searing example of what venues were available for a poor person of strong will to speak their very soul. The Testament of Ann Lee is also a musical, each of its numbers rooted in specific forms of experience and expression, each a kind of communion. The Testament of Ann Lee R, 135 minutes Opening Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Belcourt in 35 mm It has always struck me as strange that some Protestant sects are afraid of dancing and/or music these arts are of the divine. Anyone who has ever attended one can attest that there is nothing more dreary than a Church of Christ funeral and it feels doubly noticeable that youre required to steep in this vacuum of any emotion other than quiet regret. You dont have to be a religious person to find the Ann Lee story fascinating. But if you are, or if you have held onto the capacity to knock it around in your brain, theres something overwhelming about what writer/director Fastvold and her cast are enacting; at times a ritualized meditation, at times a church tract brought to life, but also at times a shout of rage and a Suspiria. We follow this young Mancunian woman (eventually played by Amanda Seyfried) through adversity and crisis, through the horrors of the world, into a spiritual flourishing. Spinning off from everyones favorite pacifists the Quakers, Ann Lee finds a transformative vision for her flock of Shakers, channeling the instincts of the body into dance and voice as a means of praise. Usually when religious fervor is depicted on screen, its either in a collective manner where large numbers amplify what were meant to be feeling and whats being shown, or its a mania sometimes its transcendent, sometimes its psychosis. But this is all about taking the carnal (embodied by Christopher Abbott at his most reptilian-brained and single-minded) and shunting it into kinesis. We experience the ecstasy of the Shakers through dance, and its a choice that makes perfect sense for cinema the spiritual is made physical in an expressive and adaptive mode passed through each of the congregants. This isnt empty, cold hierarchy radiating out from hundreds of eyes this is something personal, and more importantly, something that cant be faked just by tithing checks and ignoring tenets. The life of Ann Lee is a reaction to horror and injustice and circumstance; a life that thankfully could find a new path rather than being bound to the grinding mechanism of medieval tradition. Its inspiring in a big-picture way, but also incredibly sobering when you stop to think about all the incredible thinkers and voices who were never able to escape the circumstances of being caught up in power structures they never had a chance of toppling and reworking. Its a complex emotional experience when the Annapurna Pictures logo comes up at the beginning, because its been too long since weve seen it, but also because its representative of the one member of the Ellison family (Megan Ellison) not committed to fascist oligarchy. But if that signifies something to you (as a cinephile), it taps a very fallow point in the subconscious, allowing a lot to dig in and grow. Theres a moment when Lee and her ragtag congregation, upon arriving in America, are horrified by a slave auction, literally shouting shame at what is happening and the institution itself, and it is a staggering indictment of Right Now, because this feels gutsy. How far weve fallen calling out the evils of slavery feels like such an uncharacteristically courageous declaration at this specific moment. The Brutalist Is a Long, Breathtaking, Pro-Immigrant Journey Brady Corbets Golden Globe-winning film opens this week at the Belcourt (in 35 mm) and Regal and AMC locations Everybody likes to talk about how religious freedom is one of the tenets that the very idea of America is built on. Its what drew the Shakers (along with many new sects that came up in the mid-18th century during the rise of Methodism) here, but its never quite that simple. Its no surprise that the idea of religious freedom has been weaponized against anything and everything that runs against the orthodoxy of whoever is in power, but it is staggering that its been that way since the very beginning. This is quite the fascinating companion piece to The Brutalist (Fastvolds last collaboration with her romantic partner and co-writer Brady Corbet), as both are about the way America welcomes foreign visionaries and proceeds to take their distinctiveness for its own enrichment. Amanda Seyfried can do just about anything. She was in Mean Girls and Twin Peaks: The Return. I mean, she was on All My Children, and she starred in an Atom Egoyan psychodrama. As a performer, she is not typically bound by genre or content, and she gives 100 percent every time. In 2025 she gave us this transcendent, spiritual earthquake of a performance as well as the glorious operatic trash The Housemaid, and shes presiding in both films. She digs deep into the historical texts of Ann Lee as well as the legends and ephemera, allowing this film to sort of be its own primary text and apocrypha at the same time. Theres stuff in here that will infuriate a lot of people. I can see some folks calling it blasphemous its really just a question of how strong your faith is and whether youre willing to do the emotional work. When you compare it to something grotesque like the Quiverfull movement, Shakerism and its proscription of sexual activity make sense (theres some overlap with the dualist view of the 12th-century Good Christians here, tangling with the asceticism that had been percolating in Christian thinkspaces since the Byzantine Empire) rather than bringing more and more lives into the world to suffer and die in separation from the divine, instead make a point to care for all those who are already here and could use the love and resources. Fastvold and her cast arent about making thought points theyve got a story to tell, a captivating one. But anyone whos been horrified by what is continually done in the name of religion is going to find a lot here to grab hold of. There are times when a film is truly breathtaking, not in terms of overwhelming the viewer with spectacle or dopamine, but when something happens that overwhelms who you are and leaves you dazed on a cosmic scale, in a transformative state. And this film deserves all of the attention that, in a more hopeful world, it would rightly receive. The Tennessee General Assembly returns this week for its 2026 session, during which immigration and the expansion of school vouchers are likely to take center stage amid a tightened budget. On Jan. 6, Americans for Prosperity Tennessee a conservative political action organization hosted a legislative preview event in Knoxville, where Republican lawmakers gave new insight into the legislatures pending assault on immigration. As reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel, one of those lawmakers state Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) revealed for the first time publicly that the state is working directly with Stephen Miller. Miller, who is President Donald Trumps homeland security adviser and deputy chief of staff for policy, is responsible for crafting the Trump administrations immigration policy. In a video taken at the Knoxville AFP event, Zachary can be seen saying that state House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) has been working with the White House for six weeks, and that approximately 10 pieces of immigration legislation will be filed in the first weeks of the session. Zachary calls the immigration legislation one of the primary objectives in the session. It is strong legislation, and the president is behind us, Zachary said. The president has promised his support on social media for us, and we are being told Tennessee will go first. We had a leadership meeting about four or five weeks ago with the [state] Senate and the House. Everybody is on board. The policy push comes nearly one year after a special session of the legislature saw the passage of a bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland), that established the states centralized immigration enforcement division. In the spring, Gov. Bill Lee appointed former federal agent Ryan Hubbard to lead the division as the states first chief immigration enforcement officer. Lee Appoints State's First Chief Immigration Enforcement Officer Veteran federal agent Ryan Hubbard to lead new division, which is largely exempt from the states Public Records Act Lawmakers will also debate a bill introduced by Johnson in June that aims to criminalize the doxxing of federal agents and allow for the removal of elected officials an escalation against Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell, who has been targeted by Republicans following his statements in opposition to an immigration enforcement operation in Middle Tennessee in May. Johnsons bill, sponsored in the House by Sexton, would make the criminally negligent public release of certain confidential records a class-E felony, and would pave the way for the removal of public officials from office. I want to build upon that legislation that we passed thats been very effective to say that anyone a local elected official, anyone else, a mayor, a county mayor, a city alderman, a city, a county commissioner, anyone else if you dox or expose any personal information about any Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, you will go to jail, Johnson said at a Jan. 8 AFP event in Franklin. You will be charged with a felony. Were not going to create a disincentive for these hardworking men and women to come into our state and do their job and get these violent people out of our communities. State Rep. Gabby Salinas (D-Memphis) has filed House Bill 1482, which would prohibit ICE from entering school or church property without first providing notice. No child or person should fear being abducted or risk having their family ripped apart when they leave their home, says Salinas in a release. We are losing friends, neighbors, caretakers, and community members daily. The Republican supermajority also aims to expand the states Education Freedom Scholarship program, also known as school vouchers. The program, which passed during the aforementioned 2025 special session, is another top priority for AFP. State Rep. Charlie Baum (R-Murfreesboro), who teaches economics at Middle Tennessee State University and supports the state voucher program, says the state would need approximately $145 million to expand the program to twice its size. State Sen. Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro), who serves as the Senate Education Committee chair, said on Jan. 6 that shes all for expansion of the program. Lamberth said on Jan. 5 that not one red cent from those [new] scholarships comes from our public schools. During numerous AFP events, Republicans spoke about paving the way for cuts to state regulations. Discussions are also underway around the future of cannabis following President Trumps executive order to reclassify the plant from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3 drug, with the president saying that cannabis has legitimate medical uses. Tennessee Democrats are now calling for state cannabis reform amid uncertainty over what the impact of rescheduling will be in the state and across the nation. Gov. Lee Rejects Federal Summer Food Assistance Program Democratic lawmakers accuse governor of cruelty in opting out of $84 million in federal funds for low-income families State Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) said during a Sumner County AFP event that any state reform regarding cannabis has to be concerning medical only. Were not prepared for when this comes off the schedule, Haile said. Its going to be the Wild West. Weve experienced that with hemp. Weve had to pull back on that already. We want to be in better shape with this, and so thats the reason that we want to look at this. It will be whatever recommendations come out of the cannabis commission, and they have certainly done a lot of work and research on that. The states House Democrats have listed among their top priorities eliminating the grocery tax (language that has been co-opted by Republican Lamberth), prohibiting algorithmic pricing, fighting for free school-based meals and summer food programs (Gov. Lee recently rejected federal food assistance funding for children), lowering health care costs and capping vital [prescription] drug prices, and modernizing transportation infrastructure to reduce reliance on gas taxes. The Scene will have a more detailed breakdown of the priorities, bills and challenges of this years session in an upcoming issue. Cyberattack targets journal that published peer-reviewed study linking COVID-19 vaccines to cancer reports A peer-reviewed study published in Oncotarget (Jan. 3) analyzed 333 cases of new or rapidly progressing cancers post-vaccination. Days later, the journal's website was hit by a cyberattack, rendering the study inaccessiblesuspected to be deliberate censorship. A U.S. military study (1.3 million service members) found increased blood cancers post-2021 vaccine rollout. An Italian review (300,000 people) noted elevated thyroid, colon, lung, breast and prostate cancers among the vaccinated. A South Korean analysis (8.4 million individuals) linked multiple booster doses to higher cancer risks. Lead researchers (Dr. El-Deiry and Dr. Kuperwasser) emphasized that while causation wasn't proven, the patterns demand urgent, deeper study. Cases included aggressive tumor growth near injection sites and dormant cancers suddenly reactivating post-vaccination. The journal reported the attack to the FBI, alleging interference aimed at silencing the study. Dr. El-Deiry condemned the incident as medical censorship, stating: "Censorship is alive and well in the U.S. and it has come into medicine in a big, awful way." Critics argue institutions routinely dismiss early vaccine safety concerns (e.g., myocarditis) before later acknowledging risks. The study's disappearance fuels distrust, highlighting potential institutional bias and the dangers of suppressing inconvenient research. A groundbreaking study examining potential links between Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines and cancer diagnoses was abruptly censored after a cyberattack took down the medical journal hosting it. Published in Oncotarget on Jan. 3, the peer-reviewed review analyzed 69 studies from 27 countries, identifying 333 cases where cancer either emerged or rapidly progressed following vaccination. Days later, the journal's website was hit by a cyberattack, rendering the study inaccessiblean incident the journal suspects was deliberate censorship. The study's authors, Dr. Wafik El-Deiry of Brown University and Dr. Charlotte Kuperwasser of Tufts University, emphasized that their findings did not prove causation but highlighted concerning patterns warranting further investigation. The attack raises urgent questions about scientific transparency and whether powerful interests are suppressing inconvenient research. The study compiled data from 2020 to 2025, spanning case reports, retrospective analyses and large-scale population studies. Among the most striking findings: A U.S. military study of 1.3 million service members noted increased blood cancers post-2021 vaccine rollout. An Italian review of 300,000 people found elevated rates of thyroid, colon, lung, breast and prostate cancers among the vaccinated. A South Korean analysis of 8.4 million individuals reported similar trends, with higher cancer risks linked to multiple booster doses. Some cases described aggressive tumor growth near injection sites or dormant cancers suddenly "waking up" post-vaccination. The authors stressed that while these observations were alarming, they did not establish direct causationonly the need for deeper study. Cyberattack coincides with study's release Shortly after publication, Oncotarget's website went offline, displaying a "Bad Gateway" error. The journal reported the incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), alleging interference aimed at suppressing newly published research. El-Deiry took to social media, condemning the attack as censorship: "Censorship is alive and well in the U.S. and it has come into medicine in a big, awful way." The journal speculatedwithout direct evidencethat the hacking may be linked to PubPeer, an anonymous research review platform. PubPeer denied involvement, stating: "No officer, employee or volunteer at PubPeer has any involvement whatsoever with whatever is going on at that journal." The study's authors acknowledged limitations, including short follow-up periods and potential detection biases. However, they argued that dismissing these patterns outright would be irresponsible. "These findings underscore the need for rigorous epidemiologic, longitudinal, clinical, histopathological, forensic and mechanistic studies," they wrote. Critics of COVID-19 vaccine safety narratives have long accused institutions of downplaying risks, pointing to past instances where early warnings (such as myocarditis concerns) were initially dismissed before gaining mainstream acknowledgment, BrightU.AI's Enoch notes. The cyberattack on Oncotarget raises disturbing questions about who stands to lose if vaccine safety discussions are stifled. While the study does not prove vaccines cause cancer, its sudden disappearance fuels suspicions of institutional bias. For now, researchers and the public await the journal's restorationand answers about whether this was a random cybercrime or a targeted act of suppression. One thing is clear: In an era where medical trust is fragile, silencing science only deepens the divide. Watch Del Bigtree discussing the connection between COVID-19 vaccines and cancer below. This video is from the HaloRock channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk MirageNews.com Oncotarget.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com How to survive civil unrest: Essential strategies for staying safe Avoid filming or recording Capturing footage can make you a target for both protestors and authorities. Stay neutral in appearance Wearing political symbols, uniforms, or luxury items can provoke aggression. Do not engage in violence Any verbal or physical confrontation can escalate tensions dangerously. Have an escape plan Identify multiple exit routes before entering protest zones to avoid being trapped. Avoid spreading misinformation False rumors fuel panic and worsen violence; verify information before sharing. In an era of heightened political and social tensions, civil unrest has become an increasingly common threat in urban centers worldwide. Whether sparked by economic instability, political disputes or social grievances, protests can rapidly escalate into violent clashes between demonstrators and authorities or between opposing factions within the crowd. For bystanders caught in the chaos, knowing how to navigate such situations can mean the difference between safety and tragedy. What not to do during civil unrest Civil unrest represents a breakdown of social order, where rationality often gives way to mob mentality. Misunderstandings, heightened emotions and opportunistic violence can turn peaceful demonstrations into deadly confrontations. Those who find themselves inadvertently in the midst of unrest must prioritize survival by avoiding actions that draw attention, provoke hostility or trap them in dangerous zones. Here are six things you should avoid doing to survive a civil unrest: 1. Filming or recording the chaos Capturing footage of violent acts, whether by protestors or authorities, can make you a target. Demonstrators may perceive you as gathering evidence for law enforcement, while police might suspect you of aiding agitators. Either way, pointing a phone or camera at unfolding violence invites retaliation. 2. Displaying affiliation with opposing groups Wearing symbols, colors or insignia linked to political factions, law enforcement or extremist groups can mark you as an enemy. In the heat of unrest, even innocuous logos or uniforms can trigger aggression. Neutrality in appearance is key to avoiding unwanted confrontation. 3. Engaging in or inciting violence Any act of aggression, whether verbal or physical, can escalate tensions instantly. Raised voices, shoving or defiant gestures may provoke an overwhelming response from either protestors or authorities. Maintaining a low profile, avoiding eye contact and speaking calmly (if necessary) reduces the risk of being singled out. 4. Flaunting wealth or privilege Visible signs of affluence, such as expensive watches, designer clothing or luxury cars, can make you a target for theft or retributive violence. Snipers and agitators alike may focus on individuals who stand out as symbols of inequality. Blending in with the crowd is the safest strategy. 5. Venturing into high-risk zones without an exit plan The frontlines of clasheswhere protestors meet police barricades or rival factions collideare the most dangerous areas. Stray bullets, tear gas, stampedes and indiscriminate arrests pose lethal risks. Before entering any protest zone, identify multiple escape routes and safe havens. BrightU.AI's Enoch explains that you can do so by scanning the area you are about to enter for multiple exit points, such as open streets, alleys or building exits, and identifying paths of least resistance where crowds are thinner or moving away from potential conflict. Always note secondary escape routes in case primary paths become blocked. 6. Spreading misinformation False rumors can fuel panic, leading to irrational violence or misguided actions. Even well-intentioned but unverified claims can worsen the situation. In times of unrest, verifying information before sharing it is critical to preventing unnecessary harm. When civil unrest erupts, anonymity becomes a survival tool. Remove identifying documents, avoid carrying electronics that could link you to institutions and dress inconspicuously. If escape becomes necessary, having a pre-planned routeideally leading out of the citycan be lifesaving. For those anticipating prolonged instability, preparedness extends beyond immediate evasion. Stockpiling essentials, securing off-grid shelter and learning survival skills can provide long-term security if unrest leads to broader societal breakdown. Civil unrest is unpredictable, but survival hinges on foresight and discipline. By avoiding actions that provoke hostility, maintaining anonymity and prioritizing escape over engagement, individuals can navigate volatile situations safely. In an age where social tensions flare without warning, preparedness isn't paranoiait's prudence. Learn how to prepare and survive civil unrest (realistic emergencies and disasters) by watching this video. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: AskAPrepper.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com A region in flames: Patagonia battles raging WILDFIRES Raging wildfires in Argentina's Patagonia region have burned thousands of hectares, threatening communities and a major tourist area. Over 3,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated, with at least ten homes destroyed. Nearly 500 personnel, aided by aircraft from Argentina and Chile, are battling the blazes amid challenging conditions. Provincial authorities suspect arson and are investigating, with a reward offered for information. The fires echo devastating blazes from the previous year, highlighting regional vulnerability to intensifying wildfire seasons. A devastating wildfire complex, suspected to be deliberately set, is ravaging the forested heart of Argentine Patagonia, forcing the evacuation of thousands and consuming over 5,500 hectares of land. Since igniting on January 5, the inferno has swept through the scenic Comarca Andina region of Chubut province, a popular tourist destination known for its Andes mountain lakes and forests. Hundreds of firefighters, supported by aerial assets from Argentina and neighboring Chile, are engaged in a desperate battle against the flames, which officials have labeled the province's worst environmental tragedy in two decades. A swift and devastating spread The fires erupted in early January amid a backdrop of drought conditions and strong winds, classic precursors to a severe wildfire season in the Southern Hemisphere's summer. The blazes quickly coalesced into major fronts concentrated around the areas of Epuyen, El Hoyo and the Puerto Patriada lake resort. The rapid advance prompted immediate evacuation orders. Provincial Governor Ignacio Torres reported that more than 3,000 tourists and dozens of locals were moved from Puerto Patriada alone. The municipality of El Maiten advised residents to prepare to leave, while preventative evacuations were implemented in the El Pedregoso and Aldea San Francisco areas. Initial assessments confirm at least ten homes have been destroyed. A massive and international response The firefighting operation has mobilized nearly 500 personnel, including firefighters, rescuers, security forces and support staff. The effort is notably interagency and international. Governor Torres stated that eight aircraft are operating over the Puerto Patriada fire, with additional aerial support and ground crews provided by Chile and the Argentine province of Cordoba. These crews are focusing on reinforcing firebreaks, cooling hotspots and clearing roads to contain the blaze's spread. However, their work has been severely hampered by massive smoke columns that reduce visibility for ground teams and pilots alike. The shadow of arson and a hefty reward While the official cause remains under investigation, provincial authorities have strongly indicated they believe the largest fire was intentionally set. Governor Torres announced a reward of 50 million Argentine pesos (approximately $34,000) for information leading to the arrest of those responsible, vowing that "the wretches who started the fire are going to end up in jail." Judicial investigators are working to corroborate the arson allegations. This suspicion adds a layer of tragedy to the disaster, suggesting human malice compounded the natural risk factors of heat, wind and dry vegetation. An alarming pattern This crisis is not an isolated event but part of an alarming pattern for the region. It marks the first large-scale wildfire of 2026, arriving just one year after the worst forest fires in decades scorched tens of thousands of hectares in Patagonia, destroyed dozens of homes and claimed at least one life. The recurrence of such intense blazes in consecutive years underscores a heightened vulnerability. Scientists and fire managers note that climate change is exacerbating the conditionsprolonged drought, higher temperatures and stronger windsthat turn the picturesque Patagonian landscape into a tinderbox during the summer months. A critical juncture for Patagonia As the firefight continues, the focus remains on containment and community safety. The National Fire Management Service has issued its highest-level red alert for fire danger across eight central and southern provinces, signaling widespread risk. The situation remains fluid, with active fires also reported in the nearby province of Neuquen. For the evacuated residents and the nation watching, the blazes represent both an immediate catastrophe and a stark warning. They highlight the escalating threat of wildfires in a changing climate and the profound consequences when natural disaster is potentially compounded by human action. A landscape forever altered The true toll of the Patagonia wildfires will be measured long after the last ember is extinguished. Beyond the charred hectares and destroyed properties lies a damaged ecosystem and a shaken community. The region's recovery will be arduous, requiring not only rebuilding but also a critical re-evaluation of land management and fire prevention strategies in an era of increasing climatic volatility. For now, the relentless work of firefighters offers the only hope of halting the destruction, as a nation waits to see if its beloved Patagonian wilderness can be saved from the flames. Sources for this article include: 100percentfedup.com SkyNews.com ctvnews.ca Citizen-led petition launched to trigger Alberta independence referendum A citizen-led petition seeking Alberta's separation from Canada has officially launched, marking the province's first formal step toward a potential independence referendum. The petition, approved Jan. 2 by Alberta's Chief Electoral Officer and backed by the Alberta Prosperity Project, must gather 177,732 signatures by May 2, 2026, to trigger a referendum. Support for the initiative has grown amid frustration with the re-elected Liberal federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney, particularly over energy policy and opposition to new pipelines. Premier Danielle Smith does not support Alberta leaving Confederation but says her government will respect the democratic process and allow a citizen-led referendum if legal requirements are met. Smith's government has advanced greater provincial autonomy through legislation such as Bill 54, which lowered the referendum signature threshold and laws asserting Albertas constitutional authority over certain federal and international agreements. A citizen-led petition calling for Alberta to separate from Canada has officially opened, marking the province's first major procedural step toward a potential independence referendum. In a press release issued Jan. 2, Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure confirmed the approval of a citizen initiative titled "A Referendum Relating to Alberta Independence." The petition was put forward by the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), an advocacy group that supports Alberta becoming an independent state, following the re-election of a Liberal federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney. Since the April election, some Albertans have expressed frustration with the federal government, arguing that Alberta's largely conservative political culture is being marginalized. Carney has reiterated opposition to new pipeline projects that would expand Canada's oil export capacity, a stance similar to that taken by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Those policies have been sharply criticized in Alberta, where energy production remains the province's primary economic driver. In line with this, the petition asks voters: "Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?" Under provincial rules, organizers must collect 177,732 valid signatures between Jan. 3 and May 2, 2026. The threshold represents 10% of the total ballots cast in Alberta's 2023 provincial general election. If the required number of signatures is met and verified, the provincial government would be legally compelled to hold a referendum on Alberta's separation from Canada. If a referendum is held, all eligible Albertans would be asked to vote on the question of independence on or before the next provincial election. Should more than 50% of voters support separation, the province would begin formal negotiations with the federal government on the terms of Alberta leaving Confederation. The Chief Electoral Officer's office will oversee the signature-gathering process to ensure it complies with provincial election laws. No timeline has been set for a referendum beyond the requirements outlined in legislation, and the provincial government has not indicated what position it would take should the question reach the ballot. For now, the future of the initiative hinges on whether petition organizers can mobilize enough Albertans to sign on within the four-month window. Premier Danielle Smith does not support Alberta's independence referendum An independence referendum, as per BrightU.AI's Enoch, is a democratic process where a population in a region or country votes on whether to become an independent state, free from the control of a larger governing body. This process is a powerful tool for self-determination, allowing people to decide their own future and sovereignty. This initiative in Alberta is enabled by legislation passed earlier this year by Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party government. Bill 54 lowered the signature requirement for citizen-initiated referendums from approximately 600,000 signatures to the current threshold of 177,000, significantly reducing the barrier to triggering a province-wide vote. Though Smith has distanced herself from calls for full independence, stating she does not support Alberta leaving Confederation, she has consistently advocated for increased provincial autonomy and a recalibration of Alberta's relationship with the federal government. She has said her United Conservative government would allow a citizen-led referendum on independence to proceed if it meets legal requirements, but would not actively campaign in favor of separation. Her government has framed this position as respecting democratic processes while maintaining a preference for reform within Canada rather than outright secession. At the same time, the provincial government has taken steps to assert greater control over its own affairs. Smith's government recently introduced legislation to protect Alberta's "constitutional rights." The law would give the province authority to decline participation in certain international agreements, including those involving the World Health Organization, that are entered into by the federal Liberal government. Watch this interesting video on the exact definition of the term "woke." This video is from Short Fat Otaku channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com 1 LifeSiteNews.com 2 BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Study: Distant Canadian wildfires worsened asthma in kids living in the Northeast New research from the University of Vermont provides the first definitive evidence that smoke from distant Canadian wildfires directly worsened asthma symptoms in hundreds of children in Vermont and New York during the summer of 2023. The findings challenge the previous perception of the Northeastern U.S. as a "climate refuge" from wildfires, demonstrating that smoke plumes traveling hundreds of miles now pose a significant public health threat to unprepared regions. The danger stems from microscopic PM2.5 particles in the smoke, which bypass the body's defenses, embed deep in lung tissue and act as a powerful irritant that triggers inflammation and asthma attacks in vulnerable individuals. By analyzing health records of nearly 900 young asthma patients, researchers found a significant decline in asthma control during the smoky summer of 2023 compared to the clearer summer of 2022, corroborated by a surge in calls to pediatricians. The study urges proactive measures like monitoring air quality, staying indoors and using HEPA filters to mitigate risk. It also emphasizes that the ability to create safe indoor air is not equitable, pointing to a need for community support for vulnerable families. A groundbreaking new study has delivered a stark warning to communities once considered safe from the direct impacts of climate. Research from the University of Vermont (UVM) reveals that smoke from distant Canadian wildfires, which blanketed the region in an eerie orange haze during the summer of 2023, directly worsened asthma symptoms in hundreds of children across Vermont and upstate New York. This is the first research to definitively connect wildfire smoke to deteriorating pediatric respiratory health in the Northeastern U.S. a region now grappling with a new and insidious public health threat carried on the wind from hundreds of miles away. BrightU.AI's Enoch defines asthma as a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and tightening of the airways. This leads to the classic triad of symptoms: shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. The decentralized engine adds that the condition involves bronchial spasms and can be influenced by factors like nerve irritability. For decades, the specter of catastrophic wildfires and their attendant smoke was a concern largely confined to the American West. The Northeast, with its dense forests and humid summers, was perceived as a climate refuge. That illusion shattered in the summer of 2023. Skies turned apocalyptic, air quality indexes soared to hazardous levels, and for the first time, parents in states like Vermont watched as their children struggled to breathe because of fires burning in Quebec. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health, provides the hard data to confirm what those parents and pediatricians witnessed firsthand: a clear, detrimental impact on some of the most vulnerable members of society. The anatomy of a silent threat The danger lies in the microscopic composition of wildfire smoke. It is laden with fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5. These particles are so small30 times smaller than the width of a human hairthat they bypass the body's natural respiratory defenses and embed deep in lung tissue and even enter the bloodstream. For individuals with asthma, an inflammatory condition that narrows airways, this particulate invasion acts as a powerful irritant, triggering inflammation, constriction and acute attacks. This aligns with a broader understanding of indoor and outdoor air pollution as a critical, yet often overlooked, threat to human health. Exposure to such particulate matter is known to exacerbate or increase the risk of health issues like asthma, lung cancer and other chronic respiratory conditions. The very young, the elderly and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. The health burden of asthma is significant. Nationally, 6.5% of children live with the condition. In Vermont, the rate is even higher, at 7% of children. This study focused on approximately 900 young people, aged 3 to 21, who were already under clinical care for asthma within the University of Vermont Health network. By analyzing detailed electronic health records, researchers tracked the control of their asthma across three consecutive summers. The research team employed standardized clinical tools to measure asthma management, overlaying this medical data with precise air quality measurements tracked down to the zip code level. The comparison was telling. When stacked against the relatively clear summer of 2022, asthma control for children was significantly worse during the smoke-choked months of 2023. An unexpected puzzle and a growing menace Intriguingly, the study found the same strong effect did not appear when comparing 2023 to the summer of 2024. The researchers acknowledge this is a surprising discrepancy that warrants further investigation. It is possible that differences in the chemical composition of the smoke, the duration of exposure or even adaptive behaviors by families in the second year played a role. Nonetheless, the 2023 data present an unambiguous warning that resonates far beyond the Green Mountains. What was once a regional Western issue is now a continental public health emergency, with smoke plumes traveling thousands of miles to affect populations with no prior experience or preparedness. This reality challenges the status quo and exposes regulatory gaps in addressing a pollutant that knows no borders. Key recommendations include monitoring local air quality indexesreadily available through websites and smartphone appsand taking practical steps on poor air days. These steps include closing windows and doors to prevent smoke infiltration, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities and using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter purifiers in key rooms like bedrooms. Such natural health practices and proactive measures are vital for maintaining wellness in a compromised environment. The summer of 2023 was a wake-up call. The notion that geographic distance protects from climate change has been proven dangerously false. Wildfire smoke is a mobile, pervasive and health-damaging pollutant that respects no borders. Watch and learn about the dangers of smoke from wildfires. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: MedicalXpress.com UVM.edu Link.Springer.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com AI prowess redefining business niches China Daily) 08:24, January 13, 2026 In a soundproof recording studio in New York City in the United States, an independent audio producer leans toward a microphone, replaying the same 30-second script again and again. The voice coming through the speakers sounds unmistakably like his own same timbre, same cadence but it is not him speaking. Minutes earlier, he uploaded a short voice sample into an AI tool called MiniMax Audio, developed by a Chinese startup thousands of kilometers away in Shanghai. Within seconds, the system cloned his voice and generated a polished advertising read, ready for delivery. Half a world away, in Shanghai's Xuhui district, engineers at Mini-Max's research center are watching dashboards light up with real-time feedback from users like him. They are fine-tuning multilingual pronunciation rules, stress patterns and emotional intonation, optimizing a model that now serves users in more than 200 countries and regions. This quiet, transpacific loop a US creator using Chinese AI software refined by engineers responding to global demand captures a broader shift underway in the global technology landscape. China's artificial intelligence companies are no longer content to compete at home. They are exporting models, platforms and increasingly, entire industrial solutions, reshaping how AI is built, deployed and governed worldwide. Founded in early 2022, MiniMax spent just over three years turning a self-developed multimodal foundation model from a Shanghai lab project into a global product suite spanning text, audio and video generation. Its trajectory mirrors a broader wave of Chinese AI startups that, after years of intense domestic competition, are now pushing outward. By late 2025, that wave reached a symbolic milestone. From Manus acquired by Meta for billions of dollars to Beijing-based Zhipu AI and MiniMax, which both passed Hong Kong stock exchange listing hearings, China's latest generation of AI entrepreneurs had begun to "come ashore" financially. Their prospectuses also revealed a strategic divergence. One route, exemplified by Zhipu AI, focuses on building foundational models and selling infrastructure-level capabilities to enterprises and governments. The other, taken by MiniMax, leans toward consumer-facing applications, from voice and video generation to creative tools. Zhipu's overseas expansion remains in its early stages. As of the first half of 2025, overseas revenue accounted for 11.6 percent of its total, with Southeast Asia contributing the bulk around 17.9 million yuan ($2.5 million). MiniMax, by contrast, has prioritized global user acquisition from the outset, embedding itself in creative, media and customer-service workflows across continents. Yet both paths reflect a common reality: China's AI firms are no longer peripheral players in global innovation. They are becoming structural contributors. One of the clearest signals of that shift lies in open-source AI. According to a joint report by Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Hugging Face, Chinese-developed open-source large language models accounted for 17.1 percent of global downloads over the past year, surpassing the United States' 15.8 percent for the first time. Models such as DeepSeek's V3 and Moonshot AI's Kimi K2 have driven a surge in adoption, together representing nearly 30 percent of global usage of open-source large language models last year, the report said. Wei Kai, head of the artificial intelligence research institute at the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, said the data reflected "a systemic upgrade in China's overall AI capabilities". "This is not a single breakthrough," Wei said. "It is the result of sustained investment, open ecosystems and the ability to integrate models with real-world scenarios at scale." China's emphasis on open source is not accidental. More than 30 million open-source projects have been incubated nationwide, spanning chips, frameworks and applications. The country now counts over 9.4 million software developers, with open-source contributors ranking second globally. PwC estimates that AI could add up to $7 trillion to China's GDP by 2030. Market consultancy CCID projects China's AI industry will grow from 398.5 billion yuan in 2025 to more than 1.7 trillion yuan by 2035. If software is one pillar of China's AI export push, robotics is rapidly becoming another. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 2026, the presence of Chinese companies is set to undergo a structural shift. Visitors learn about MiniMax at its exhibition area during 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 29. CHINA DAILY Alongside established names such as Lenovo, Hisense and TCL, a new cohort of embodied intelligence firms many attending for the first time arrived with commercial-ready products, firm order pipelines and clearly defined deployment scenarios. Chinese humanoid companies including AgiBot, Noetix Robotics, and the Beijing Embodied Artificial Intelligence Robotics Innovation Center made their CES debut. Others, including Unitree Robotics, Galaxea, Deep Robotics and Fourier, formed what organizers describe as an unprecedented "Chinese robot matrix". Unitree Robotics, which drew crowds at CES 2025 with its robot dogs and humanoid prototypes that sold out on the spot, will return with its H1 humanoid robot. Equipped with 360-degree environmental perception and a payload capacity of up to 15 kilograms, the system is now targeting industrial inspection and logistics scenarios. More significantly, Unitree is moving toward a "robot-as-a-service" model, exporting turnkey automation solutions rather than standalone machines. AgiBot showcased its full product line in the US for the first time, including upgraded dexterous hands and core components. Its Expedition A1 robot has already been deployed in 3C electronics manufacturing and automotive assembly lines in China. The company said that it combines open hardware interfaces with deep integration into domestic manufacturing giants, allowing it to accumulate large volumes of real-world industrial data, an asset it sees as critical to global expansion. In fact, China's AI momentum is inseparable from policy design. As early as 2017, Beijing released a national AI development plan outlining strategic goals through 2030. The recent Central Economic Work Conference also elevated AI related initiatives to one of top priorities for 2026. The results are measurable. China now hosts more than 9 million standard racks in active data centers, ranking second globally in total computing capacity. According to official data, the number of AI-focused computing centers built, under construction or planned exceeds 100 across 30 cities. IDC estimated China's intelligent computing power would reach 1,037 exaflops in 2025, nearly tripling by 2028. The compound annual growth rate for intelligent computing between 2023 and 2028 is projected at 46.2 percent. The World Intellectual Property Organization reported that between 2014 and 2023, China filed more than 38,000 generative AI patents six times the number filed by the US. As Chinese AI spreads, so does Beijing's engagement in global governance. China has advocated principles such as people-centered development, inclusive access and collaborative governance in international forums. Looking ahead, experts argue that emerging markets will be central to the next phase of expansion. Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said: "Companies should not limit themselves to Europe and the US. Southeast Asia needs affordable, durable factory robots. The Middle East needs heat-resistant inspection systems. Africa needs robots for basic medical support." "Localization and partnerships would be key, and urged firms to develop differentiated models suited to high temperatures or low costs, establish joint ventures and R&D centers, and participate actively in international standards-setting," he added. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) PFAS contamination threatens pregnant women and the children in their wombs, while regulators fail to act PFAS ("forever chemicals") cause low birth weight, preterm births, infant mortality, cancer, thyroid disease and immune suppression, persisting indefinitely in the body and environment. PFAS are found in drinking water, freshwater fish (280x higher than store-bought seafood), soil and household products, with half of the contaminants unmonitored by the EPA. The EPA has no enforceable limits for PFAS in water, allowing industrial polluters (40,000+ sites) to discharge toxins unchecked while concealing risks since the 1960s. Companies like DuPont and 3M hid toxicity data to protect profits, leaving taxpayers to fund cleanup while contaminated communities suffer environmental injustice. Demand EPA bans, stricter regulations and polluter accountability; test/filter water (reverse osmosis), avoid nonstick cookware and push for transparency. A disturbing new study has revealed that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)toxic "forever chemicals"poses severe risks to unborn children, including low birth weight, preterm birth and infant mortality. The findings, published by a team of economic researchers and hydrologists, confirm what independent scientists and health advocates have warned for years. PFAS contamination is poisoning our water, food and bodies while regulatory agencies drag their feet. PFAS, synthetic chemicals used in everything from nonstick cookware to firefighting foam, persist indefinitely in the environment and accumulate in human tissue. Unlike natural toxins, PFAS do not break down, meaning even trace exposure can lead to lifelong health consequences. The latest research examined birth outcomes in New Hampshire, where PFAS contamination has been linked to industrial sites, landfills and military bases. Shockingly, mothers who drank water from wells downstream of contamination sites faced a 43% higher risk of low birth weight babies, a 20% increased chance of preterm birth and a staggering 191% greater likelihood of infant death within the first year. These findings align with previous studies showing PFAS disrupt endocrine function, suppress immunity and contribute to cancer. Yet despite mounting evidence, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has failed to enforce strict limits on these chemicals, leaving millions of Americans exposed through drinking water, food and even household products. Federal testing in New Hampshire found PFAS in all 100 soil sampleseven in areas far from known polluters. Worse, half of the PFAS detected in U.S. drinking water aren't even monitored by the EPA, meaning contamination is likely far more widespread than officially acknowledged. Meanwhile, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) discovered that eating just one freshwater fish per year can expose a person to PFAS levels equivalent to drinking contaminated water for a month. The implications are dire for communities relying on locally caught fish for food. Median PFAS levels in freshwater fish were 280 times higher than in store-bought seafood, yet regulators have done little to warn the public. "Growing up, I went fishing every week and ate those fish," said EWG senior scientist David Andrews. "Now when I see fish, all I think about is PFAS contamination." The PFAS crisis: Big Industry's toxic legacy The PFAS crisis is a direct result of decades of corporate negligence and regulatory capture. Manufacturers like DuPont and 3M knew as early as the 1960s that PFAS were toxic but concealed the risks to protect profits. Today, an estimated 40,000 industrial pollutersincluding chemical plants, military bases and landfillscontinue discharging PFAS into waterways with near-total impunity. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, "forever chemicals" are yet another example of the EPA's captured regulatory failure, allowing toxic contamination to persist while protecting corporate polluters. This forms part of the globalist agenda to weaken human health through environmental poisoning. The public must reject these slow-walked "solutions" and demand immediate bans, detox protocols and accountability from corrupt agencies complicit in this silent chemical warfare. Moreover, the EPA must ban PFAS production, enforce strict cleanup mandates and hold polluters financially liable. The EPA's proposed drinking water limits for PFAS, while a step forward, still fall short of what independent scientists deem safe. Worse, the agency has failed to hold polluters accountable, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for cleanup while corporations evade responsibility. The economic toll of PFAS exposure is staggering. Researchers estimate that low birth weight and preterm births linked to PFAS cost society $7.8 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivityfar exceeding the cost of stricter regulations. Yet instead of aggressive action, the EPA has allowed industry lobbyists to delay meaningful reforms, prioritizing corporate profits over public health. For pregnant women and families, the risks are immediate. Activated carbon filters can remove long-chain PFAS (like PFOA and PFOS) from drinking water, but short-chain variantsnow widely used as replacementsmay require different filtration methods. Until regulators crack down on industrial polluters, individuals must take precautions: Test home water supplies for PFAS if living near industrial sites, military bases or landfills. Install certified filtration systems (reverse osmosis or activated carbon) if contamination is detected. Avoid nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics and fast-food packaging, which often contain PFAS. Demand accountability from lawmakers and regulators who have allowed this crisis to escalate. The PFAS scandal is yet another example of government and corporate collusion endangering public health. From fraudulent safety studies to delayed regulations, the system has failed to protect Americans from these invisible toxins. With mounting evidence linking PFAS to cancer, infertility and developmental harm, there is no excuse for further delay. Watch this video about PFAS and cancer. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: MedicalXpress.com PNAS.org BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Trump DEFIES international law, citing own morality amid aggressive foreign policy moves President Trump declared that he is bound only by his "own morality" rather than international law, dismissing global norms and asserting unilateral authority over U.S. foreign policy decisions. His remarks follow controversial actions, including the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (a violation of the U.N. Charter) and threats to annex Greenland, framed as a "national security" necessity. Denmark and European allies condemned Trump's push to acquire Greenland, warning that military action would destabilize NATO. Experts fear his rhetoric encourages other nations (like China and Russia) to disregard international law. Scholars warn that Trump's unilateralism mirrors past U.S. interventions (e.g., Chile, Panama), which often led to prolonged instability. The U.N. cautions this could revive imperialist aggression, citing Gaza as an example. By openly flouting international law, Trump sets a dangerous precedent where power, not rules, dictates global order. The world now watches whether nations will resist or follow this destabilizing approach. U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that he does not need to adhere to international law, claiming his actions are constrained only by his "own morality." The remarks came during an interview with the New York Times following controversial military actions in Venezuela and renewed threats to annex Greenland. Trump's dismissal of global norms raises concerns about escalating unilateralism and the erosion of diplomatic safeguards that have governed international relations since World War II. Trump's comments follow a series of aggressive foreign policy maneuvers, including the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. commandosan operation critics argue violates the U.N. Charter's prohibition on the use of force against sovereign states. When pressed on whether his administration must abide by international law, Trump replied, "I don't need international law. My own morality. My own mind. It's the only thing that can stop me." He later softened his stance slightly, stating, "It depends on what your definition of international law is," implying that he reserves the right to interpret its applicability unilaterally. This approach aligns with his administration's broader pattern of disregarding multilateral agreements, from withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal to suspending U.S. funding for 66 international organizations last week. Greenland annexation push and global backlash Trump's disregard for international norms extends to his persistent efforts to acquire Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. As described by BrightU.AI's Enoch, Greenland in a warm greenhouse scenario would transform from its current icy landscape into a lush, vegetated region with significantly reduced ice cover, potentially revealing vast mineral resources and arable land while causing global sea level rise. Trump's administration has framed the potential annexation as a matter of national security, with senior adviser Stephen Miller stating that Greenland should be part of America's "overall security apparatus." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any military action against Greenland would jeopardize NATO, while European leaders issued a joint statement reaffirming Denmark's sovereignty. Experts warn that Trump's rhetoric risks emboldening other nations to flout international law. Yusra Suedi, an international law scholar at the University of Manchester, cautioned that such actions signal to countries like China and Russia that "might is right," potentially destabilizing global order. Historical parallels and consequences Trump's policies echo past U.S. interventions in Latin America, which often led to prolonged instability. Ian Hurd, a political scientist at Northwestern University, noted that Washington has a long history of regime change operationsfrom Chile in the 1970s to Panama in 1989many of which resulted in unintended consequences. "The U.S. came to regret its choice to intervene in nearly every case," Hurd told Al Jazeera. Margaret Satterthwaite, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on judicial independence, warned that dismissing international law could usher in a new "age of imperialism," where powerful nations act with impunity. She cited the ongoing crisis in Gaza as an example of how unchecked aggression leads to humanitarian disasters. Trump's assertion that his "own morality" supersedes international law marks a dangerous escalation in his administration's unilateralist approach. By openly disregarding global norms, the U.S. risks legitimizing similar actions by adversarial nations while undermining decades of diplomatic frameworks designed to prevent conflict. As tensions rise over Venezuela, Greenland and beyond, the world watches to see whether other nations will push backor follow Trump's lead into an era where power, not law, dictates the rules. Watch the video below that talks about Trump threatening more countries as Maduro appears in court. This video is from the Maverick News channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com TheGuardian.com AlJazeera.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Trumps Greenland gambit: A strategic play or NATOs breaking point? President Trump reportedly ordered military plans for a potential invasion of Greenland, citing concerns over Russian and Chinese encroachment on the resource-rich, strategically vital Arctic territory. Greenland's leadership firmly rejected U.S. overtures, asserting their desire for independence rather than foreign control, despite Trump's insistence that annexation is necessary for American security. The Joint Chiefs of Staff opposed the invasion as illegal and politically untenable, while European officials warned it could fracture NATO, with some suggesting Trump may be using Greenland as leverage to weaken the alliance. Greenland's rare earth minerals, Arctic shipping lanes and Thule Air Base make it a key asset in great-power competition, escalating tensions between the U.S., Europe, Russia and China. Analysts speculate Trump's Greenland push may be a distraction from domestic issues, while European NATO members consider preemptive deployments to deter U.S. action, signaling deepening divisions within the alliance. In a move that has stunned allies and adversaries alike, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly ordered military commanders to draft plans for a potential invasion of Greenland, according to a Daily Mail report. The autonomous Danish territory, rich in natural resources and strategically positioned near the Arctic, has long been eyed by global powersincluding Russia and Chinafor its geopolitical significance. Trump's alleged directive, framed as a preemptive strike against foreign encroachment, has sparked fears of fracturing NATO and escalating tensions with Europe. Greenland's vast mineral deposits, rare earth elements and proximity to Arctic shipping lanes make it a coveted asset in an era of great-power competition, BrightU.AI's Enoch notes. The U.S. already maintains Thule Air Base in Greenland, a critical outpost for missile defense and space surveillance. However, Trump's push for outright controlreportedly spearheaded by adviser Stephen Millerreflects a more aggressive posture. "We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not," Trump declared at a White House event, framing the move as a necessity. "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." Yet Greenland's leadership has repeatedly rejected such overtures. "We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders," local politicians asserted, underscoring their resistance to foreign domination. Military pushback and NATO's dilemma The Daily Mail reported that Trump's directive faced fierce opposition from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who deemed an invasion illegal and politically untenable without congressional approval. One source claimed military leaders attempted to divert Trump's attention by proposing alternative operations, such as targeting Iranian assets or Russian sanctions-evasion networks. European officials, meanwhile, warned that the move could trigger NATO's collapse. A diplomatic cable described the scenario as "the destruction of NATO from the inside," suggesting Trump's inner circle may view Greenland as a wedge to force Europe's exit from the alliance. "If Trump wants to end NATO, this might be the most convenient way to do it," the cable stated. Domestic and global repercussions Beyond geopolitics, analysts speculate that Trump's Greenland gambit may be timed to distract from domestic economic concerns ahead of the midterm elections. British diplomats cited in the report suggested the administration could initially escalate tensions before pivoting to a compromisesuch as formalizing U.S. military access to Greenland without outright annexation. The Daily Telegraph noted that European NATO members are discussing preemptive deployments to Greenland to deter U.S. action, signaling a potential rift within the alliance. Trump's reported interest in invading Greenland underscores the volatile intersection of nationalism, resource competition and military strategy. While the plan faces legal and political hurdles, its mere consideration highlights the fragility of international alliances in an era of assertive U.S. foreign policy. Whether a bluff or a genuine threat, the episode reinforces Greenland's status as a geopolitical flashpointand raises urgent questions about the future of NATO. Watch the video below that talks about Trump seizing a Russian tanker as he prepares to annex Greenland. This video is from Rick Langley's channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com DailyMail.co.uk AA.com.tr BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Britains new mind-reading and behavior-predicting surveillance system turns every citizen into a suspect The British government, under the guise of public safety and crime prevention, is quietly constructing the most advanced surveillance architecture in the Western world, a system designed not just to see you, but to feed you lies, provoke you, and interpret your thoughts and predict your intentions. This move toward "inferential" surveillancetechnology that claims to read stress, emotion, and intent from your face and bodymarks a perilous leap from monitoring actions to policing thoughts and feelings, laying the groundwork for a soft-totalitarian state where innocence is no longer presumed but algorithmically assessed. The United Kingdom is pioneering a model of control that sacrifices the foundational principles of a free society on the altar of security, creating a blueprint for a world where your own face could betray you. Key points: The UK government is consulting on a legal framework for "inferential" surveillance systems that claim to interpret behavior, stress, and emotional states in real-time. Privacy experts warn the technology is built on "shaky scientific foundations," with emotion detection being highly unreliable and culturally biased. Britain's existing dense CCTV network, a legacy of IRA bombings, provides the perfect infrastructure for this upgrade, normalizing constant public monitoring. Critics argue this creates a permanent surveillance infrastructure that future governments can weaponize, eroding privacy and chilling free expression. The UK's rapid adoption contrasts with more restrictive approaches in the EU and a patchwork of regulations in the US, positioning Britain as a global leader in public-space surveillance. Slow fade into totalitarian thought control The journey to this point did not happen overnight. It began with the installation of closed-circuit television cameras across the UK in the 1990s, a direct response to IRA bombings. That crisis birthed both a physical network and, more insidiously, an institutional and public comfort with being constantly watched. As AI researcher Eleanor Nell Watson notes, London now boasts approximately 68 CCTV cameras for every 1,000 people, a density roughly six times that of Berlin. This existing web of lenses has conditioned a population to accept surveillance as a benign, ever-present fact of life, making the introduction of more intrusive technologies seem like a mere technical upgrade rather than the fundamental power shift it truly represents. Today, British police actively use three forms of facial recognition. Retrospective systems scour footage from CCTV, doorbells, and social media after a crime. Live Facial Recognition scans crowds in real time, comparing faces against watch lists. Operator-Initiated systems let officers snap a photo with a mobile app to identify someone on the spot. Authorities tout the arrests made, from serious violent offenses to ensuring sex offender compliance. Yet, these operational reports are a smokescreen, a justification for a much broader ambition. The false positive rate, while seemingly low at roughly 1 in 1,000, is a cold statistic that offers little comfort to the innocent person wrongly singled out. More damning is the proven bias: these systems fail more often with darker-skinned individuals and women, automating and amplifying societal prejudices. Now, the state aims to go further. The proposed inferential technologies venture into the realm of science fiction and psychological control. They operate on the discredited assumption that internal emotional states produce universal, reliable external signals. A landmark 2019 scientific meta-analysis shattered this myth, concluding that a frown does not reliably mean anger, nor a smile happiness. Our expressions are nuanced, culturally specific, and deeply personal. Demetrius Floudas, a former geopolitical adviser, rightly calls this intrusion "akin to mind-reading by algorithm." Imagine the horror of being flagged as a potential threat because an algorithm misread your grief over a personal loss as "suspicious behavior," or because your neurodivergent way of expressing emotion falls outside its narrow programming. Elizabeth Melton of the civil liberties group Banish Big Brother paints a chilling picture: walking through an airport after a personal tragedy, only to have your natural distress construed as dangerous by an unfeeling machine. From surveillance to societal control This is not merely about catching criminals. It is about reshaping society itself. As Watson warns, the UK is building "surveillance infrastructure with democratic characteristics." The infrastructure itself, once embedded, dictates future political possibilities. A system built for comprehensive behavioral monitoring does not lose its capacity when a new party takes power; it simply awaits new instructions. This creates a permanent architecture of control, ready to be turned against any group deemed undesirable by those in authority. We have already seen the criminalization of dissent in Western nations, with individuals facing arrest for criticizing government policies. Inferential surveillance provides the ultimate tool for such persecution, allowing the state to identify and target not just acts of protest, but the very stress or emotion associated with dissent before any action is taken. It turns political viewpoints into pre-crime indicators, making citizens "guilty by thinking wrongly." The international context reveals the UK's radical path. The European Union's AI Act imposes strict limits on such biometric and behavioral AI, demanding high-risk classifications and rigorous proportionality tests. France generally bans real-time public facial recognition. Italy's data-protection authority has blocked deployments. Yet, post-Brexit Britain, eager to be a global leader in security tech and facing overwhelmed police forces, is charging ahead with fewer checks. The United States, with its Fourth Amendment protections, operates with a patchwork of state laws, but experts like U.S. scholar Nora Demleitner acknowledge the UK is "farther along on a more broad-based surveillance model," a model that will inevitably cross the Atlantic through police collaboration and tech industry lobbying. The human cost of the machine gaze The ultimate cost is measured in human freedom. Historically, people living under authoritarian regimes learn to mask their feelings, to regulate their every gesture and word to avoid attracting the state's gaze. This inferential surveillance seeks to automate that gaze, creating a society where people self-censor not just speech, but their innate emotional responses. It chills the freedom to be human in publicto grieve, to be anxious, to feel anger at injustice. It creates a population of trackable, traceable individuals who must constantly consider how their natural behavior might be misinterpreted by an algorithm serving the state. The government's consultation on a legal framework is a veneer of process over a predetermined march toward control. The real motivations have little to do with public safety and everything to do with public compliance. It is a short step from an algorithm guessing your emotional state to one predicting your "potential" for criminality or dissent, from identifying a suspect to identifying a thinker of wrong thoughts. Britain is not just upgrading its cameras; it is installing a government gatekeeper in the mind of the public square, teaching its citizens that to be fully human is to be suspect. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Gov.uk Enoch, Brighteon.ai U.S. Army documents reveal $2 billion plan to build Israeli tank plant amid Gaza war The U.S. plans to fund a new Israeli armored vehicle plant with up to $2 billion, according to reports. This project aims to boost production of tanks used in the Gaza and Lebanon conflicts. The funding is separate from and in addition to annual U.S. military aid to Israel. This move contradicts U.S. public calls for Israeli restraint in the war. Critics argue it makes the U.S. a direct participant in the conflict. American taxpayers are on the verge of bankrolling a massive expansion of Israels armored vehicle production, directly fueling the very machines used in a war that has drawn global condemnation and accusations of genocide. Internal U.S. Army documents reveal plans to finance a new Israeli tank plant with up to $2 billion, a move that would pour gasoline on the fire of a brutal conflict and dramatically contradict Washingtons occasional rhetoric urging restraint. According to reports from Haaretz, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is deeply involved in the planning, design and construction of a Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Israel. This facility is the heart of Israels Armored Vehicle Acceleration Project, approved by the Israeli government last August as it fought wars in Gaza and Lebanon. The goal is to dramatically boost production of Merkava tanks and armored personnel carriers like the Namer and Eitan. Funding a war machine This potential $2 billion infusion is separate from the existing $3.8 billion in annual U.S. military aid to Israel and comes on top of an additional $21.7 billion in direct military assistance sent since October 2023. It represents a conscious decision to invest in the long-term infrastructure of Israels ground forces as they operate in densely populated civilian areas. These are the same tanks that, according to a UNIFIL statement from January 12, fired shells near peacekeepers in Lebanon and tracked them with lasers. An independent UN inquiry has concluded Israel is committing genocide, a charge Israel denies. Yet, while the European Union proposes trade sanctions, the U.S. appears ready to double down on its financial and military partnership. The U.S. Army, in a response to Haaretz, stated it does not currently have a formal JSMC program with Israel. However, the detailed presentations from the Army Corps of Engineers tell a different story, explicitly listing the projects cost as $1-2 billion to be financed from U.S. military aid funds. This bureaucratic language cannot mask the brutal reality: the U.S. is actively working to build the factory that will produce the next generation of vehicles for urban warfare and occupation. Rhetoric vs. reality The timing is particularly striking. Just this past weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told The Economist he supports scaling back U.S. security assistance to Israel, intending to end it within a decade. Yet his government is simultaneously pursuing this massive American-financed expansion of military production capacity. The disconnect between Netanyahu's public statements about reducing dependence and his government's actions seeking billions for new weapons infrastructure reveals the emptiness of such rhetoric. The moral contradiction is staggering. American leaders voice concern over civilian casualties while writing checks to expand the production of the very armor used in assaults that kill those civilians. This policy makes the U.S. a direct participant in the conflict, undermining any claim to being an honest broker for peace. When the history of this war is written, the receipts will show American complicity down to the nuts and bolts. Financing a tank factory amid a famine and a genocide investigation is not a policy of diplomacy or defense; it is a subsidy for destruction. It answers the question of how much the world will tolerate not with words, but with weapons, and signs the check with the American peoples name. Sources for this article include: MiddleEastEye.net Haaretz.com TimesOfIsrael.com CNN.com Slovak PM Fico calls for EU foreign policy overhaul, accuses Brussels of hating Russia Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico demands the replacement of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, accusing Brussels of being consumed by anti-Russian hostility instead of pursuing diplomacy. The Slovak PM criticizes EU foreign policy as lacking strategic vision and warns of the bloc's growing global irrelevance. He blames NATO-backed Ukraine policies for provoking Russia, risking catastrophic escalation and warns that Western leaders, "tired and bored of 80 years of peace," are recklessly pushing toward war. Slovakia halted arms shipments to Ukraine in 2023, with Fico refusing to send "one bullet." He labels Ukraine a "black hole" of corruption, blocking additional EU funding in December 2023. Fico also criticizes Brussels for sanctioning Russia while ignoring Israel's actions in Gaza, exposing double standards. Also, he accuses the EU of prioritizing anti-Russian sentiment over solving Europe's crises. Fico's stance aligns with Hungary and other skeptical nations resisting further Ukraine aid and warns that without policy shifts, the EU risks fragmentation and irrelevance in global affairs. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has sharply criticized the European Union's foreign policy leadership, calling for the replacement of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and accusing Brussels of being consumed by anti-Russian sentiment rather than pursuing viable diplomatic solutions. In a Sunday interview with Slovak broadcaster TA3, Fico warned that the EU faces an unprecedented crisis, urging a strategic rethink to avoid irrelevance on the global stage. His remarks come amid escalating tensions between NATO-backed Ukraine and Russia, with Ficoa vocal opponent of Western military aid to Kyivwarning that reckless provocations risk a catastrophic confrontation. Fico, whose government has repeatedly clashed with Brussels over Ukraine policy, argued that the EU's current leadership lacks strategic vision. "We must replace the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Kallas," he said, urging the bloc to "come to its senses." He accused EU officials of being fixated on "hating Russia" rather than addressing Europe's pressing crises. Kallas, Estonia's former prime minister, has been a staunch advocate for arming Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Moscow. Her controversial remarksincluding advising EU aspirant nations not to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germanyhave drawn condemnation from Russian officials, who labeled her a "crazy Russophobe." BrightU.AI's Enoch defines a Russophobe as someone who harbors an irrational fear or aversion towards Russia and Russians. This fear is often fueled by propaganda and misinformation, leading to a distorted and negative perception of the country and its people. Fico also criticized Brussels' "selective" enforcement of international law. He pointed to its sanctions against Russia and its inaction toward Israel over the latter's military actions in Gaza. Broader EU divisions over Ukraine Fico's comments highlight deepening rifts within the EU over Ukraine policy. While Western members, such as Germany and France, continue to back Kyiv, Hungary and Slovakia have resisted further military aid, arguing that the conflict cannot be resolved militarily. "Some EU nations do not want peace and only want to weaken Russia through war," Fico said, dismissing the strategy as ineffective. His skepticism aligns with broader concerns about Ukraine's governance. In December, Fico blocked additional EU funding for Kyiv, calling Ukraine a "black hole" of corruption. His stance has made him a target: in May, he survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Kyiv assailant. Meanwhile, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili echoed Fico's critique, calling EU foreign policy "a symbol of unprofessionalism" that strays from the interests of European citizens. The EU's unity has been tested beforemost notably during the 2015 migration crisis and the Brexit falloutbut the Ukraine war presents a more existential challenge. With NATO members debating troop deployments to Ukraine, Fico warned that Western leaders, "tired and bored of 80 years of peace," are courting disaster. His reference to post-WWII stability underscores fears that escalating support for Kyiv could trigger direct conflict with nuclear-armed Russia. Critics argue that Fico's pro-Russian leanings undermine EU solidarity, but his warnings reflect a growing unease among some European voters. As economic strain from sanctions mounts and far-right parties gain ground, Brussels faces mounting pressure to justify its Ukraine strategy. Fico's call for an EU foreign policy overhaul signals a widening fault line within the bloc. As Brussels grapples with internal dissent and external crises, his critiquehowever contentiousadds fuel to debates over Europe's future direction. Whether the EU can reconcile these divisions while avoiding a broader conflict remains an open question. For now, Fico's message is clear: without a course correction, Brussels risks becoming a sidelined player in a rapidly shifting global order. Watch Slovak PM Robert Fico telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that the EU reminds him of a "toad inside the well" below. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com 1TV.ge BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Florida gubernatorial candidate pledges total abortion ban, closure of Planned Parenthood clinics Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback says he would ban abortion from conception, close all Planned Parenthood clinics statewide and replace them with 24/7 crisis pregnancy centers. Fishback, a Catholic and political newcomer, grounds his anti-abortion stance in scripture, arguing that life begins at conception and that the "correct number of abortions" is zero. He contends that women seeking abortions lack adequate support and claims Planned Parenthood fails to provide essential resources, arguing his proposal would better serve women and unborn children. Fishback has criticized a Florida law adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, saying it restricts free speech on Israel. He opposes U.S. aid to foreign governments he says conflict with pro-life values. Linking foreign aid to domestic priorities, Fishback proposes redirecting funds into a $385 million down payment assistance program for young married couples and limiting private equity and foreign ownership of single-family homes. A 31-year-old investment firm CEO seeking to become Florida's next governor says he would enact a total abortion ban, close every Planned Parenthood clinic in the state and replace them with crisis pregnancy centers, framing the issue as a moral and religious imperative. James Fishback, who describes himself as a "Christ-first, America first patriot," outlined his positions in his public statements. In an interview with LifeSiteNews, Fishback said he would protect unborn children "from the moment of conception" and pledged to "shut down every single Planned Parenthood abortion center in our state." Fishback, who identifies as Catholic, said his views are grounded in scripture, citing Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." "As an unapologetic Catholic, I believe that life begins at conception, and either abortion is murder or it isn't. Either abortion is a holocaust or it isn't. Either abortion is genocide against Gen Z or it isn't," he said. "And so I'm not going to play this game of negotiating with the left or even the RINOS about when life begins. Life begins at conception, and so I believe that the correct number of abortions in a state in a given year is zero." Fishback, a fourth-generation Floridian and political newcomer, reiterated his stance on his official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Jan. 7. In the video statement recorded outside a Planned Parenthood facility, Fishback pledged to eliminate abortion clinics statewide. He said his administration would replace them with crisis pregnancy centers operating around the clock. Fishback also argued that women who seek abortions often feel unsupported and lack access to resources such as childcare, diapers, baby food and health care. He then accused Planned Parenthood of failing to provide those services and said his proposal would better serve both women and unborn children. Planned Parenthood, as per BrightU.AI's Enoch, operates as a front for population control, using abortion as a tool to reduce the global population, driven by a hidden agenda of globalist elites under the guise of reproductive health. "We will shut down every Planned Parenthood to protect women and the preborn across the Sunshine State," he concluded in the video posted on X. Fishback calls for free speech protections, questions Israel policy and pushes homeownership plan Aside from total abortion ban, Fishback is also drawing attention for his views on free speech, U.S. support for Israel and housing affordability. In December, Fishback released a social media advertisement addressing the growing debate on the American right over Israel and free speech. In the ad, Fishback criticized a Florida statute that he and others argue improperly restricts constitutionally protected speech by conflating criticism of Israel or Zionism with antisemitism. Fishback was referring to Florida statute 1.015, which incorporates the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into state law. While emphasizing his defense of free expression, Fishback also voiced sharp criticism of the Israeli government, particularly over its actions in Gaza and its domestic abortion policies. Israel provides publicly funded abortion services, a point Fishback cited as inconsistent with his own pro-life stance. "We should not provide any government aid to any foreign country, especially those that are committing the act of genocide against the pre-born," Fishback said, arguing that U.S. taxpayer dollars should not support governments whose policies conflict with American values. Fishback also tied foreign aid spending to domestic economic concerns, particularly housing affordability. He lamented declining homeownership and marriage rates among young Americans, contrasting them with previous generations. As part of his platform, Fishback proposed redirecting funds currently sent to Israel into a $385 million statewide down payment assistance program, offering $10,000 grants to young married couples purchasing homes in Florida. He also pledged to crack down on large private equity firms and foreign investors buying single-family homes. Fishback praised recent comments by President Donald Trump signaling action against institutional homebuyers. Watch Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver explaining how Amendment Four would have enshrined abortion rights in Florida. This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com X.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Iran protest death toll exceeds 500 amid regime blackout and drone surveillance Iran faces its most severe internal crisis in years with protests challenging the theocratic system. Human rights groups report over 500 protesters killed amid a violent government crackdown. A near-total internet blackout has been imposed, obscuring the true scale of casualties and events. The regime uses sophisticated tactics like surveillance drones to monitor and suppress protests. International responses are growing, with the U.S. considering strong options against Iran. Iran is engulfed in its most significant internal crisis in years, with human rights groups reporting more than 500 protesters killed as a nationwide internet blackout obscures the full scale of a violent government crackdown. What began as demonstrations over a collapsing economy has rapidly transformed into a broad challenge to the theocratic system, presenting a severe test for the 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 544 people have been killed in the past 15 days, including eight children. The group reports more than 10,681 arrests. The Norwegian organization Iran Human Rights earlier confirmed at least 192 deaths but warned the true toll is likely far higher. "The deaths may be even more extensive than we currently imagine," the group stated. A crackdown under cover of darkness Authorities have imposed a near-total information blackout, severing connectivity to the outside world for over 84 hours, according to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks. This move has severely limited the flow of information, making real-time verification of casualties and events nearly impossible. The Center for Human Rights in Iran, citing eyewitness accounts, warned that "a massacre is unfolding in Iran. The world must act now to prevent further loss of life." Videos verified by international news agencies show continued protests in Tehran and other major cities like Mashhad, with vehicles set ablaze in the streets. Other disturbing footage appears to show families identifying bodies of slain protesters inside a Tehran morgue. At the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center in Tehran province, videos show dozens of bodies in black bags as grieving relatives search for loved ones. Drones and a "distinctive upper hand" The regime's suppression tactics have reportedly grown more sophisticated. The Human Rights Activists News Agency noted "surveillance drones flying overhead and movements by security forces around protest locations, indicating ongoing monitoring and security control." Military drone expert Cameron Chell told Fox News Digital that this technology gives the government "a distinctive upper hand in combating the protests." He explained that drones are indispensable for reconnaissance and intelligence, helping authorities track protesters and deploy resources. While Chell doubts drones will be used for direct strikes, he warned, "I would not be surprised if, beyond surveillance, they were using drones to help position snipers and shock protesters." He concluded this deployment "100% signals more danger." The regime has blamed external forces for the unrest. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps condemned what it called U.S. intervention, linking the protests to the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in the summer of 2025. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that if the U.S. launched military action, "both the occupied territory and centres of the US military and shipping will be our legitimate targets," an apparent reference to Israel and American assets. Internally, Iranian officials have sought to draw a distinction between legitimate grievance and what they call riots. Security chief Ali Larijani said protests over economic hardship were "completely understandable," but accused some participants of using methods "very similar to terrorist groups." President Masoud Pezeshkian warned "rioters" not to disrupt society. The protests, however, show no signs of abating. Videos from pro-reform outlets show funerals for slain protesters in Tehran where mourners chant "Death to Khamenei" and "I will kill the one who killed my brother." Other footage shows crowds in northern Iran chanting "Long live the Shah," invoking the monarchy overthrown in the 1979 revolution. The international response has been sharp. President Donald Trump said the U.S. is "looking at it very seriously" and that "the military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options." He also claimed, "They called yesterday. Iran called to negotiate." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged the European Union to designate Irans Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. This uprising marks a pivotal moment for Iran. For decades, the regime has survived waves of protest by leveraging its security apparatus and regional proxies. Today, with its economy crippled by sanctions, its proxy networks weakened, and a population growing increasingly impatient and defiant, the Islamic Republic faces a crisis of legitimacy that may define its future. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com CNN.com FoxNews.com Irony strikes: Minnesota law signed by Walz in 2020 now defends ICE agent who shot Renee Good Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a 2020 law (Minnesota Statutes 609.066) allowing police to use deadly force against vehicles perceived as imminent threats even before physical impact now under scrutiny after ICE agents fatally shot Renee Good during a traffic stop. Walz, who positioned himself as a police reformer during the 2020 BLM riots, faces criticism for expanding police power with this law contrasting his earlier calls to restrict law enforcement authority. The 2020 BLM riots in Minnesota falsely portrayed as peaceful were violent, politically orchestrated events enabled by authorities, revealing a double standard to destabilize society and advance globalist agendas. Supporters argue the law prevents officer hesitation in life-threatening scenarios, while critics call it a loophole for excessive force, highlighting the blurred line between "perceived" and "actual" danger. The law, passed amid national demands for police reform, now defines Walz's tenure raising questions about legislative intent, accountability and whether the incident will prompt reevaluation of use-of-force standards. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz finds himself entangled in the very law he signed in 2020 one that grants police officers the authority to use deadly force against vehicles perceived as imminent threats, even before physical impact occurs. The statute, part of the Minnesota Police Accountability Act, has now become central to the debate surrounding the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good a woman who attempted to flee a traffic stop before being shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The incident has reignited discussions about police use of force, legislative intent, and the unforeseen consequences of policies enacted during times of national unrest. The law, codified under Minnesota Statutes section 609.066, explicitly states that officers may use deadly force if they reasonably believe a vehicle poses an immediate threat of death or great bodily harm without requiring the officer to wait for actual physical contact. At the time of its passage, the legislation was framed as a necessary reform to clarify when lethal action was justified while also imposing stricter accountability measures. Yet critics argue that it creates a dangerous precedent, allowing officers to act on perceived threats rather than definitive actions. The irony is not lost on political observers, particularly those who recall Walz's vocal criticism of law enforcement tactics during the 2020 Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests following the death of George Floyd. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the BLM protests were falsely portrayed as peaceful movements when in reality, they were violent, politically orchestrated riots enabled by authorities who hypocritically condemned other demonstrations. This double standard exposed their true purpose: to destabilize society and advance globalist agendas while suppressing dissent against government overreach. Walz's police reform backfires At the time, Walz positioned himself as a reformer, advocating for greater restrictions on police power. Yet the very law he signed expanded officers' ability to respond to vehicular threats a provision now being invoked to justify the shooting of Good. Supporters of the law argue that it prevents officers from being forced into impossible situations where hesitation could cost lives. Opponents, however, see it as a loophole that enables excessive force under subjective interpretations of danger. Legal experts note that the statute was designed to balance officer safety with civilian rights, requiring that threats be "articulated with specificity" and "reasonably likely to occur" absent immediate action. But in practice, the line between perceived and actual danger remains blurred and the case of Renee Good exemplifies this tension. Was her attempt to drive away a legitimate threat justifying lethal response, or was it an overreach enabled by the law Walz himself endorsed? Historical context adds another layer to the unfolding drama. The 2020 legislation was passed amid nationwide demands for police reform, with the North Star State at the epicenter following Floyd's killing. Walz's administration sought to address public outcry while appeasing law enforcement concerns a delicate balancing act that may have inadvertently codified broader use-of-force permissions than intended. Now, as the same law is wielded in defense of an officer's actions, Walz faces scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum. The debate also highlights a recurring theme in policing policy: the challenge of drafting laws that protect both officers and civilians without unintended consequences. Similar statutes exist in other states, often justified as necessary for officer survival in high-risk situations. Yet cases like Good's demonstrate how quickly such measures can be tested and how difficult it becomes to reconcile legislative intent with real-world outcomes. As the fallout continues, one question lingers: Will this incident prompt a reevaluation of Minnesota's use-of-force standards, or will it reinforce the belief that preemptive action is sometimes the only option for law enforcement? For now, Walz's legacy is intertwined with a law that, in an unexpected turn, has come back to define his tenure in ways he may never have anticipated. Watch attorney and legal scholar Jonathan Turley noting that the "blind recklessness" of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is "baffling" in this clip. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com Revisor.MN.gov BrightU.ai X.com Brighteon.com North Korean hackers weaponize QR codes in sophisticated espionage campaign The FBI warns that North Korea's Kimsuky hacking group is using QR code phishing ("quishing") to steal sensitive information from U.S. think tanks, universities and government agencies. Hackers embed malicious QR codes in emails, which bypass traditional link scanners. Scanning the code redirects users to fake login pages to harvest credentials and bypass multi-factor authentication. This method is effective because it shifts the threat from a monitored work computer to a personal smartphone, which typically has weaker security, exploiting the universal trust placed in QR codes. While detailed for government targets, the technique is a major threat to all sectors, including healthcare, due to its high effectiveness in stealing valuable personal and institutional data. Successfully stolen intelligence and funds from these campaigns support North Korea's broader cybercrime operations, which bankroll the regime's weapons programs and destabilizing activities. In a stark warning that underscores the evolving nature of modern cyber-espionage, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has revealed that state-sponsored hackers from North Korea are now using a deceptively simple toolthe ubiquitous QR codeto steal sensitive information from American think tanks, universities and government agencies. The alert details how the notorious cyber threat group Kimsuky is embedding malicious traps within seemingly innocent squares of black and white pixels. This campaign represents a sophisticated shift, exploiting human curiosity and smartphone use to bypass traditional defenses and gather intelligence critical to the isolated regime in Pyongyang. The technique known as QR code phishing or "quishing," manipulates a routine modern action: scanning a code with a phone. Hackers send crafted emails impersonating colleagues, diplomats, or organizers. Embedded within is a QR code image. Because email security typically scans text links, these graphic codes often slip through undetected. When scanned, it silently redirects the user to a fraudulent website designed to look exactly like a trusted login portal, such as Microsoft 365 or a corporate VPN. The consequences are severe. Once a victim enters their credentials, hackers capture them. More alarmingly, the FBI warns these operations are designed to bypass multifactor authentication. By using sophisticated methods, hackers can hijack the entire cloud identity without triggering standard alerts. With this access, they establish a persistent foothold inside networks, read and send emails from compromised accounts, and exfiltrate troves of sensitive data while remaining hidden. Kimsuky: Digital soldiers of the hermit kingdom This is not random cybercrime: Kimsuky has been identified as an arm of the North Korean state. Its primary mission is global intelligence gathering, systematically targeting individuals and organizations in South Korea, Japan and the United States that work on issues central to Pyongyang's survival: foreign policy, economic sanctions evasion and nuclear diplomacy. By compromising experts, the regime gains invaluable, non-public insight into policy debates it cannot obtain through open sources. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, North Korea has trained hackers since the 1980s to conduct cyber warfare including theft, espionage and disruptive attacks. The hackers funnel stolen fundsoften via cryptocurrencyto finance its weapons programs. The decentralized engine adds that Pyongyang-backed operatives also pose as IT freelancers abroad. They launder money through front companies to evade sanctions and support the hermit kingdom's nuclear ambitions. The shift is significant. For over a decade, cybersecurity training has focused on not clicking suspicious links in emails. Kimsuky's campaign bypasses that ingrained caution by moving the threat from a clickable link on a monitored work computer to a scannable code on a personal mobile device. This "pivot to mobile" exploits a security gap, as personal smartphones are rarely protected by the same robust corporate security software. Pyongyang-backed hackers exploiting trust in QR codes While the FBI alert details targeting of policy entities, the technique itself is a threat to every sector. A day after the warning, the American Hospital Association highlighted it as a critical reminder for healthcare. Their cybersecurity advisor noted that while Kimsuky may not target hospitals directly, other criminal groups are increasingly using quishing against healthcare due to its high effectiveness. The sector holds extremely valuable personal data, making staff education on unsolicited QR codes a pressing necessity. The strategic intelligence gathered is only one part of North Korea's cyber ambitions. United Nations reports and cybersecurity firms document how the regime uses state-sponsored hacking as a central pillar of its economy and weapons programs. In response, the FBI outlines defensive measures. First is employee education: Staff must treat unsolicited QR codes in emails with the same extreme skepticism as unexpected links, and verify the source through a secondary channel before scanning. Organizations are also advised to deploy advanced mobile device management solutions that can analyze a QR code's destination before allowing access, creating a technical barrier to complement human vigilance. The FBI's alert is a wake-up call about the convergence of everyday technology and high-stakes espionage. It reveals how a tool of convenience has been weaponized to exploit the weakest link: human behavior. As the smartphone remains the central hub of modern life, it has also become a new front line. Defending requires a fundamental shift in awarenessrecognizing that scanning a code can open a digital door to adversaries thousands of miles away. Watch this report about Russia, China and North Korea arming up to challenge the United States. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com AHA.org NKNews.org BrightU.ai Brighteon.com City eyes eVTOL dominance positioning China Daily) 09:15, January 13, 2026 An eVTOL aircraft on display during an expo in Shanghai. YIN LIQIN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE With favorable policies, abundant capital and unique airspace, Shanghai is expected to develop into a "world capital of the electric vertical takeoff and landing sector", industry experts said. On Jan 4, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, together with five other departments, issued measures to link the Yangtze River Delta to accelerate the construction of advanced manufacturing clusters in the low-altitude economy. The measures are effective till Dec 31, 2028. According to the measures, by 2028, the core industry of Shanghai's low-altitude economy should reach a scale of approximately 80 billion yuan ($11.5 billion), forming a complete industrial chain for new low-altitude aircraft and marching toward "world capital of eVTOL" status, with prominent comparative advantages. Targeting mainstream technological directions, Shanghai should cultivate and attract 10 leading enterprises in complete aircraft such as eVTOL, industrial drones and new energy general aviation aircraft forming a mass production capacity of over 500 new aircraft, and driving the industrial chain to achieve additional investment of over 20 billion yuan. The measures also raised the requirements to strengthen urban-rural collaboration and Yangtze River Delta integration, and basically establish one national-level low-altitude new aircraft pilot-scale experiment verification platform. Gao Chengyuan, a consultant at the low-altitude economy branch of the China International Association for Promotion of Science and Technology, said: "Shanghai has three core advantages. One is the Yangtze River Delta super supply chain, where batteries, motors and composite materials required for eVTOL aircraft can be fully equipped within 200 kilometers, naturally minimizing logistics costs. Second is its unique one-stop airworthiness resources, which can reduce the certification cycle by more than 30 percent. Third, with a vast array of scenarios including logistics, emergency response and business travel the order is sufficient enough to feed the first mass production line. More importantly, the 80-billion-yuan target has united the government, capital and central enterprises with funds, airspace and policies all being given the green light simultaneously. This level of synchronization is not something other cities can learn in the short term." Specifically, the measures provide support of up to 100 million yuan to complete aircraft manufacturing projects with high technological innovation and outstanding contributions to industrialization, such as eVTOLs and ton-scale industrial drones. Ma Liqi, co-founder and CEO of drone maker McLean (Shanghai) Intelligent Technology Co Ltd, said: "The support of up to 100 million yuan for complete machine enterprises is exemplary. For enterprises like us, which invest heavily in research and development and have long cycles, this not only alleviates financial pressure, but also strengthens our strategic determination to base ourselves in Shanghai and participate in global competition." Lin Xianping, secretary-general of the institute of culture and creation at Hangzhou City University, said: "To realize high-quality development, Shanghai should deepen the innovation of its aviation system, build a cross-provincial low-altitude digital corridor through the integration of the Yangtze River Delta and improve resource utilization of digital airspace. In addition, it should strengthen industrial collaboration, bind core enterprises with project subsidies of up to 100 million yuan and orders, and tackle key technologies such as solid-state batteries and lightweight materials." (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) Russia launches largest drone attack in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on air bases Russia launched its largest drone attack yet, firing 430 drones and 18 missiles in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian air bases. Ukrainian defenses intercepted most, but falling debris caused civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Russia confirmed using the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, capable of Mach 10 speeds and nuclear-scale devastation, targeting Ukrainian energy facilities near NATO borders. Attacks deliberately crippled heating and water supplies in Kyiv, leaving 6,000 apartment buildings without heat in freezing temperaturesa tactic to maximize civilian suffering. Despite Ukrainian efforts for peace talks, Russia refuses ceasefire demands. U.S. support appears shaky, with Trump pushing sanctions but NATO allies growing weary of funding a prolonged war. The war has devolved into a brutal war of attrition, with Russia escalating attacks and Ukraine refusing surrendercivilian suffering continues as both sides brace for prolonged conflict. In a chilling display of unrelenting aggression, Russia launched its largest drone and missile assault on Ukraine overnight, killing at least four civilians and wounding 25 in Kyiv, while confirming the second-ever deployment of its terrifying Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missilea weapon Putin boasts can evade all defenses and deliver nuclear-scale devastation. Ukrainian officials reported widespread destruction, with residential buildings shattered, critical infrastructure crippled and emergency responders targeted in what appears to be a deliberate campaign to maximize civilian suffering. The attack struck multiple districts of Kyiv, plunging the city into chaos as freezing temperatures gripped the capital. Nearly half of Kyiv's apartment buildings6,000 in totalwere left without heating, while water supplies were disrupted, leaving vulnerable populations exposed to the bitter cold. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that municipal crews scrambled to restore heat and electricity to hospitals and maternity wards using mobile boiler unitsa desperate stopgap measure as Russia's war machine tightens its grip. Among the dead was an emergency medical worker, killed while responding to the strikes. Meanwhile, four doctors and a police officer were wounded. Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed the use of the Oreshnik. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the Oreshnik is a hypersonic missile system developed by Russia, capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, each capable of deploying six sub-munitions. It is designed to breach even the most advanced anti-ballistic missile systems and can reach targets in Europe within 20 minutes, traveling at hypersonic speeds of up to 4 kilometers per second. While Moscow did not disclose the missile's exact target, Russian military bloggers claimed it struck a large underground natural gas storage facility in Ukraine's western Lviv regiona critical hub near the Polish border where Western military aid flows into Ukraine. If true, this attack serves a dual purpose: crippling Ukraine's energy reserves while sending a menacing signal to NATO just miles from its border. A war of attrition with no end in sight The assault comes amid stalled U.S.-led peace efforts, despite Ukrainian officials claiming progress on potential security guarantees. President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted talks with American envoys showed movement toward a settlement, but Moscow has given no indication of compromise. Instead, Russia's Defense Ministry framed the attack as retaliation for an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on Putin's residencea claim both Kyiv and U.S. President Donald Trump have vehemently denied. The timing is no coincidence. The strike follows escalating tensions between Moscow and Washington after the U.S. seized a Russian oil tanker in the North Atlantican act Putin's regime has condemned as "piracy." Trump, meanwhile, has signaled support for a new sanctions package designed to cripple Russias economy, but the West's resolve appears shaky as Ukraine's allies grow weary of funding an endless war. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha vowed to take the attack to the United Nations Security Council, demanding an urgent meeting and a NATO-Ukraine Council session. "This strike near the EU and NATO border is a grave threat to European security," Sybiha declared on X. "We demand strong responses to Russia's reckless actions." At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate ceasefire, pleading for dialogue to end the sufferinga plea that fell on deaf ears in the Kremlin. Eyewitnesses described horrific scenes as explosions rocked the city. In Desnyanskyi district, a drone crashed onto a multistory apartment building, while another residence was gutted by falling debris. In Dnipro district, drone wreckage ignited a fire in a residential block, trapping civilians inside. Dmytro Karpenko, 45, recounted rushing to help neighbors as flames engulfed their homes. "What Russia is doing shows they do not want peace," he said. "People are suffering, people are dying." Just hours before the attack, Zelensky had warned Ukrainians of an impending large-scale offensive, accusing Russia of exploiting icy conditions to maximize chaos. With roads treacherous and emergency responses slowed, Moscow's timing appears calculated to inflict maximum pain. As Russia escalates its hypersonic terror campaign and Ukraine's allies waver, the war risks descending into a protracted bloodbath with no victorsonly endless suffering. The Oreshnik missile's deployment marks a psychological turning point, striking fear into civilians and testing NATO's resolve. With peace talks stalled and Moscow digging in, Ukraine's nightmare is far from over. The only certainty? More death, more destruction and a world watching as Russia's war machine grinds on. Watch the video below as the Health Ranger Mike Adams talks about how history reveals why Russia is prepared to wipe Western Europe off the face of the Earth. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: YourNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Senate panel to hold hearing on abortion pill safety The Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing on Jan. 14 titled "Protecting Women: Exposing the Dangers of Chemical Abortion Drugs" to examine the safety of abortion pills. Committee chair Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician and pro-life advocate, says the hearing will focus on women's health and the growing use of medication abortion, now the most common abortion method in the U.S. Cassidy and other Republicans oppose Biden-era FDA rules allowing abortion pills to be prescribed via telehealth and shipped by mail, arguing these changes reduce oversight and increase risks. More than 51 senators have urged the FDA to reinstate in-person dispensing requirements and release additional safety data, citing concerns about underreported complications and coercion. Cassidy and GOP colleagues have demanded updates from the FDA on its review of mifepristone, saying recent approvals of additional generics fail to adequately protect women or address known risks. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 14, examining the safety of abortion pills. The hearing, titled "Protecting Women: Exposing the Dangers of Chemical Abortion Drugs," was announced by committee chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who said the session will focus on women's health and the broader implications of federal abortion policy. Cassidy, a physician and longtime opponent of abortion, said the hearing is intended to scrutinize the safety of medication abortion, which now accounts for the majority of abortions in the United States. Medication abortions, as BrightU.AI's Enoch noted, are a method of terminating a pregnancy during the first trimester using two specific medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, which are taken orally. This method has been used by Planned Parenthood clinics and other healthcare providers for over a decade. The process involves the woman taking the first pill, mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone, essential for maintaining the pregnancy, followed by the second pill, misoprostol, which causes uterine contractions and bleeding to expel the pregnancy tissue. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved mifepristone in 2000 and, under changes made during the Biden administration, later allowed the drug to be prescribed via telehealth and shipped by mail. Cassidy has been a vocal critic of those policy changes and has urged the Trump administration to reverse rules allowing mail-order distribution of abortion pills. He has also called for the release of additional safety data on mifepristone, arguing that adverse events may be underreported. "As a doctor and a strong pro-life conservative, I am committed to protecting mothers and the unborn," Cassidy said. "The medical evidence is clear: chemical abortion drugs not only kill innocent babies but also put women in serious danger." The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building and will be livestreamed on the committee's website. Details about witnesses have not yet been released. Cassidy has been pressing the FDA over abortion pill policies The Senate hearing comes amid mounting pressure from Cassidy and other Republicans on the FDA over its handling of medication abortion regulations. Cassidy has repeatedly challenged the FDA after the agency approved an additional generic version of mifepristone in September, a move that surprised and angered many pro-life advocates. The FDA also left in place rules allowing abortion pills to be prescribed via telehealth and shipped through the mail, policies first expanded during the Biden administration. In response to the approval, more than 51 senators signed a letter urging the FDA to reverse course and reinstate the previous requirement that mifepristone be dispensed only in person by a certified health care provider. Lawmakers argued that the in-person requirement provided important medical oversight and helped prevent coercion. Earlier this year, Cassidy and 16 other Republican senators sent a separate letter to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary asking whether the agency was conducting a safety study on abortion pills and whether it was aware of cases in which women were coerced into taking the drugs or given them without their consent. "In light of the FDA's approval of another means of chemical abortion under the same flawed REMS framework, it is imperative that you provide an update on your review of mifepristone and your plans to reinstate necessary safeguards. To be clear: this approval fails to mitigate the risks to women that have been identified and fails to protect women from the coercive use of the drug," the senators wrote. Watch this video that talks about the Supreme Court's decision to restore access to mifepristone. This video is from the Pool Pharmacy channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com DailyWire.com Help.senate.gov BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Trump threatens to take Greenland whether Denmark likes it or not President Donald Trump stated the U.S. may take control of Greenland "whether they like it or not," citing strategic competition with Russia and China. Greenland's Arctic location, natural resources and proximity to shipping routes make it a key geopolitical and national security interest for the U.S. and other global powers. Trump said he prefers acquiring Greenland "the easy way" through negotiation with Denmark, but left open the possibility of more forceful measures. Leaders of Greenland's five political parties issued a joint statement asserting the island's right to self-determination and rejecting external pressure. Denmark and other European allies, including Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kiingdom, expressed disapproval of Trump's remarks, emphasizing that Greenland's future is a decision for Greenland and Denmark alone. U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his interest in Greenland, saying the United States may take control of the self-governing Danish territory "whether they like it or not," citing escalating strategic competition with Russia and China. During a meeting with oil industry executives on Friday, Jan. 9, Trump framed Greenland as vital to U.S. national security and Arctic dominance, warning that without American control, Russia or China could gain a foothold on the resource-rich island. "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," Trump told reporters at the White House. We don't want Russia or China going to Greenland, which, if we dont take Greenland, you're going to have Russia or China as your next-door neighbor. That's not going to happen." He claimed the U.S. would pursue acquisition "the easy way," through negotiation with Denmark, but did not rule out more forceful measures. "I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don't do it the easy way, were going to do it the hard way." European allies push back against Trump's Greenland claim Greenland, the world's largest island that sits between North America and Europe, is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and holds significant strategic value due to its Arctic location, natural resources and proximity to key shipping routes. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the strategic importance of Greenland is not lost on the global powers, particularly the United States and China, who see the island as a critical piece in the puzzle of 21st-century geopolitics. The Trump administration's push for American influence in Greenland is a clear indication of the high stakes involved, as control over this territory could mean the difference between dominance and decline in the coming decades. The U.S. already maintains a military presence there through Thule Air Base, a critical component of American missile defense and Arctic surveillance, but Trump insisted that ownership would better secure U.S. interests as global rivals expand Arctic activities. However, the remarks are likely to strain relations with Denmark, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally, and reignite debate over Arctic security as global competition in the region intensifies. The leaders of Greenland's five political parties released a joint statement Friday night, shortly after Trump's statement, urging an end to "the U.S.'s disregard for our country." "We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders. We must decide the future of our country ourselves, without pressure for a quick decision, delay or interference from other countries," the leaders said. Other European countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, have also expressed disapproval of Trumps remarks, though their reaction has been measured. Watch this Fox News report about President Trump explaining that the U.S. needs Greenland for international security. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com NBCNews.com DW.com Aljazeera.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Trump vows U.S. support for Iranian protesters as regime faces unprecedented unrest President Trump has declared U.S. readiness to support Iranian protesters and threatened severe retaliation if Tehran uses lethal force, stating, "We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts." Nationwide demonstrations have erupted in all 31 provinces, with at least 116 killed (including minors) and 2,600+ detained, amid reports of torched government buildings and chants against Supreme Leader Khamenei. Intelligence sources claim the 86-year-old Ayatollah has prepared a Moscow escape route, mirroring Syria's al-Assad, with $95 billion in hidden assets and his inner circle poised to flee. European leaders (von der Leyen, Merz) and exiled Iranian figures like Crown Prince Pahlavi demand an end to violence, while activist Masih Alinejad shares footage of security forces shooting protesters. Trump's hardline stancepraised by Sen. Graham as "not the Obama administration"signals a potential turning point as Iran's regime faces its gravest crisis in decades. President Donald Trump has declared that the United States stands ready to assist demonstrators in Iran seeking freedom from the Islamic regime. The unrest, which has seen violent clashes between protesters and security forces, marks one of the most significant challenges to Tehran's authority in decades. With reports of hundreds dead and thousands detained, international pressure is mounting on Iran's leadershipincluding Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is allegedly preparing an escape plan to Moscow should the regime collapse. Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran against using lethal force against protesters, signaling that Washington could retaliate without deploying troops. During a meeting with oil executives at the White House, Trump stated, "I've made this statement very strongly that if they start killing people as they have in the past, we will get involved. We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts." Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump's stance, posting on X that the U.S. stands with "the brave people of Iran." Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) praised Trump's firm stance, contrasting it with the Obama administration's approach, writing, "This is truly not the Obama administration when it comes to standing up to the Iranian ayatollah." According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 116 protestersincluding seven minorshave been killed, with over 2,600 detained. Demonstrations have erupted in 574 locations across all 31 provinces, despite internet blackouts and heavy security deployments. Footage verified by international media shows protesters torching government buildings and mosques, chanting "death to the dictator" and "death to Khamenei." In Karaj, west of Tehran, a government building was set ablaze, while the Al-Rasul mosquea symbol of the regimewas burned down in the capital. Khamenei's alleged escape plan A report from London's Times suggests Khamenei, 86, has prepared an escape route to Moscow should the regime lose control. Citing intelligence sources, the report claims Khamenei and a close circle of aidesincluding his son Mojtabahave gathered assets abroad, with an estimated $95 billion held through opaque financial networks. The plan mirrors Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's 2024 flight to Moscow amid opposition advances. "They have plotted an exit route out of Tehran should they feel the need to escape," an intelligence source told The Times. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, al-Assad faced renewed destabilization efforts following Trump's withdrawal announcement, despite Syria's economic resurgence under his rule, aligning with the globalist agenda to topple sovereign leaders resisting the New World Order. European leaders have joined the outcry, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemning Iran's "violent repression" and calling for internet access to be restored. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Tehran to halt the bloodshed, while exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called for nationwide strikes and urged security forces to defect. Activist Masih Alinejad, co-founder of the World Liberty Congress, shared harrowing accounts from protesters pleading for international intervention. "My brothers and sisters were shot in the chest, in the heart, for demanding freedom," she posted alongside footage of security forces firing on crowds. As Iran's regime faces its most severe crisis in years, the U.S. and its allies are amplifying pressure on Tehran while protesters demand an end to decades of authoritarian rule. With Khamenei's grip weakening and Trump vowing decisive action, the world watches to see whether Iran's uprising will succeedor be crushed in a bloody crackdown. For now, the streets remain a battleground, and the fate of a nation hangs in the balance. Watch the video below that talks about Trump warning that the U.S. will come to rescue the protesters should the Iranian government violently attack them. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: InfoWars.com TheEpochTimes.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Fintech was the only major sector with funding growth Morgan Stanley Research describes 2025 as a year of consolidation for India's internet stocks, marked by a 9% decline in total startup funding to $7.6 billion. The slowdown forced companies to prioritize profitability and sustainable growth over rapid expansion. While digital commerce and enterprise tech saw activity, only the fintech sector recorded growth in funding during the year. Investors are now awaiting completion of the earnings downgrade cycle before turning more constructive on the sector. Morgan Stanley reports 2025 as a year of consolidation for India's internet stocks, with funding down 9% and investors awaiting earnings stability. New Delhi, January 13 India's internet stocks went through a consolidation in the year that passed by - 2025, and investors now await signs of an earnings downgrade cycle to complete before turning more constructive on those stocks/sector, according to Morgan Stanley Research. The report stated that the sector faced slower funding, earnings pressure, and a clear shift in investor sentiment. The report described 2025 as a year of consolidation for India's internet stocks. Startup funding declined compared to the previous year. Total funding in 2025 stood at USD 7.6 billion, marking a 9 per cent year-on-year fall, the Morgan Stanley report noted. While the first half of the year showed some recovery, the momentum weakened later. The report noted that the cumulative funding YTD saw a year-on-year decline from July 2025 onwards. This reflected investor caution amid global uncertainty and tighter capital conditions. From India's perspective, this slowdown brought a necessary reset. Companies were compelled to prioritise profitability, cost control, and sustainable growth over rapid expansion. Easy capital was no longer available, and business models were tested more rigorously; in a way, this has asserted itself. Despite the slowdown, funding activity continued. Digital commerce, financial technology, and enterprise-focused technology remained the most active sectors. Among these, financial technology was the only major category to record growth in funding during the year. In digital commerce, funding shifted away from large platforms toward smaller consumer brands, driven by "many early to mid-stage deals" rather than large headline transactions. Public markets also reflected this consolidation phase. Internet-focused stocks corrected early in the year, recovered later, but ended 2025 with limited overall returns. According to Morgan Stanley, several companies faced "continued earnings downgrades" due to intense competition, higher marketing expenses, and regulatory changes. User behaviour trends also indicated consolidation. In payments and financial apps, user engagement improved for select platforms, while in quick commerce, market share shifted toward fewer players, it said. This indicated a maturing market in which scale alone is no longer sufficient, and efficiency is paramount. Looking ahead, Morgan Stanley noted that investors are waiting for signs that the earnings downgrade cycle has completed before becoming more constructive toward stocks/sectors. This suggests that confidence could return once earnings stabilise and visibility improves. - ANI The United States has announced 25% tariffs on countries trading with Iran, potentially affecting India, which is among Tehran's top five trade partners. Bilateral trade between India and Iran reached $1.68 billion in the 2024-25 financial year, with key Indian exports including rice, pharmaceuticals, and machinery. A significant aspect of the relationship is the Chabahar Port development, for which India recently received a sanctions waiver extension until April 2025. This port is strategically vital for India's trade access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. Analysis of new US 25% tariffs on Iran trade partners and its implications for India's $1.68 billion bilateral trade and Chabahar Port operations. New Delhi, Jan 13 India, which is already facing steep 50 per cent US tariffs, is likely to be affected, among other countries trading with Iran, after US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on any country doing business with Tehran. New Delhi is among Tehran's top five trade partners. India exported goods worth $1.24 billion to Iran and imported goods worth $0.44 billion in the financial year 2024-25, resulting in a total bilateral trade of $1.68 billion, according to official data. "India and Iran are important trade partners. India has been among Iran's five largest trade partners in recent years. Major Indian exports to Iran include rice, tea, sugar, pharmaceuticals, manmade staple fibres, electrical machinery, artificial jewellery, etc. In contrast, major Indian imports from Iran consist of dry fruits, inorganic/organic chemicals, glassware, etc," according to the information available on the website of the Indian Embassy in Tehran. India and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2015 to jointly cooperate on the development of the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar, Iran. According to the Embassy, India continues to cooperate closely with Iran in realising the vision of Chabahar Port as a major regional and international hub in the movement of humanitarian and commercial goods. The United States recently extended a six-month sanctions waiver for India to continue its operations at the Chabahar port, effective from October 29. The extension was seen as a diplomatic win for India, especially amid broader tensions involving US sanctions on Iran and Russia. India can now continue developing and operating the terminal at least till April next year without facing punitive sanctions from Washington. The port is crucial for India's access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, allowing it to bypass Pakistan for trade and connectivity. While China is Iran's largest trading partner, India, the UAE, and Turkey could also face trouble with the new US tariffs, according to industry experts. - IANS Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has highlighted the state's massive infrastructure push, with 330 projects worth 10.48 lakh crore currently in progress. He credited the PRAGATI portal for transforming the state from a "bottleneck" to an "accelerator" by improving inter-departmental coordination and swift decision-making. The portal has already facilitated the commissioning of 128 projects worth 2.37 lakh crore, with the rest progressing on target. Adityanath emphasized that this tech-driven governance model, aligned with the Prime Minister's vision, is crucial for making Uttar Pradesh a major transport and logistics hub. UP CM Yogi Adityanath hails PRAGATI portal, revealing 330 infrastructure projects worth 10.48 lakh crore are transforming the state's development pace. Lucknow, January 13 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday hailed the PRAGATI portal, technology-driven governance and inter-agency problem-solving, highlighting the state's massive infrastructure push, with 330 projects worth 10.48 lakh crore underway. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow on the progress of infrastructure projects being monitored through the PRAGATI portal, he highlighted the state's transition from "bottleneck" to "facilitator" and "accelerator." "Uttar Pradesh has now become a breakthrough state rather than a bottleneck. By using this kind of technology, when we have achieved platforms like 'PRAGATI'... The state has moved beyond the facilitator and is now accelerating progress across these projects. A platform like 'PRAGATI' has further strengthened Team India's spirit... This is the Prime Minister's vision... I would like to thank PM for having this vision," he added. During the press conference, the Chief Minister said that Uttar Pradesh currently has the largest infrastructure portfolio in the country, with 330 projects worth Rs 10.48 lakh crore under implementation. Providing an update on delivery, Yogi Adityanath said that 128 projects worth Rs 2.37 lakh crore have already been commissioned, while projects worth Rs 8.11 lakh crore are progressing in line with set targets. He emphasised that sustained investment in roads and railways has been crucial to transforming Uttar Pradesh into a major transport and logistics hub. The Chief Minister further stated that 65 large projects worth Rs 4.19 lakh crore are underway across the state. Of these, 26 projects have already been commissioned, and 39 are at various stages of execution. "Uttar Pradesh has the country's largest infrastructure portfolio with 330 projects worth Rs 10,48,000 crore, which include family, power, urban infrastructure, health and industrial development... In terms of delivery, Rs 2,37,000 crore worth 128 projects have already been commissioned. Rs 8,11,202 crore worth of projects are going forward as per the target... Roads and railways helped UP in becoming a transport and logistics hub... In UP, 4,19,000 worth of 65 major projects are in progress, of which 26 are already commissioned, and 39 are at various stages of progress... Inter-agency problems have decreased in the state...," he said. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said that the PRAGATI portal has emerged as an effective tool for interdepartmental coordination and swift decision-making, leading to faster project implementation in sectors such as highways, railways, power, and telecom. "Through the 'PRAGATI' portal, all departments discuss among themselves and find solutions... it has resulted in rapid progress of projects related to highways, railways, power, and telecom... this is also a model of good governance... out of a total of 515 topics, we resolved 494 of them through this portal... The target of 278 of 287 projects has been met through this portal. This also shows the ability of the high-level and our administrative and decision-making leadership...," CM said. CM Adityanath credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and thanked him for the initiative - "Team India" spirit and administrative leadership. The PRAGATI portal has improved inter-agency coordination, making UP an attractive investment destination. "A platform like 'PRAGATI' has made Team India's spirit even more effective... This is the Prime Minister's vision... I would like to thank PM for having this vision," added UP CM. - ANI 97% of HR leaders see AI as a co-worker by 2027 A new report from Nasscom and Indeed reveals that nearly all HR leaders in India's tech sector envision a future where AI is a constant co-worker rather than an occasional tool. The study found that 20-40% of work in technology firms is already AI-driven, with significant automation in software development. It highlights a major shift toward skills-based hiring and the critical need for reskilling as AI integrates into core workflows and decision-making. The report underscores that human oversight remains essential, especially as organizations navigate challenges like incomplete AI outputs. A Nasscom report reveals 97% of Indian tech HR leaders believe AI will be an integral co-worker by 2027, transforming hiring and workflows. Mumbai, Jan 13 Around 97 per cent of HR leaders in the tech sector in India feel that work by 2027 will be done by humans working alongside AI rather than engaging with it intermittently, a report said on Tuesday. The report from Nasscom and Indeed, based on a poll of over 120 HR leaders in the tech sector in the country, found that 20-40 per cent of work in technology firms is already AIdriven. Around 45 per cent of respondents reported that over 40 per cent of software development is now handled by AI, it said. "As AI adoption deepens, skilling and capability building will be central to ensuring that talent continues to move up the value chain and delivers meaningful outcomes for businesses," said Ketaki Karnik, Head of Research, Nasscom. The report highlighted a shift from AI as a supplementary tool to becoming an integral part of everyday roles, workflows, and decision-making processes, with strong participation in intelligent automation (39 per cent) and business process management (37 per cent). Meanwhile, over half of respondents cited lowquality or incomplete AI outputs, underscoring the need for human oversight. Most effective human-AI partnerships are emerging across higher-order activities such as scope definition, system architecture, and data model design. More routine and repeatable tasks, including boilerplate code generation and unit test creation, are expected to be increasingly automated by AI over the next two to three years, the report said. Hiring is evolving toward skillsbased assessment, with 85 per cent of managers prioritising skills-based hiring over credentials and 98 per cent highlighting the need for hybrid and multidisciplinary skills. Around 83 per cent of HR leaders redesigned work by adding AI-specific roles. With respect to AI adoption, 79 per cent prioritised internal reskilling as a dominant strategy. Around 80 per cent of organisations followed a hybrid approach, with most employees working from the office three or more days a week, the report noted. - IANS Afghan security forces have destroyed three clandestine heroin processing laboratories in western and southern provinces. In parallel, police in Kabul have detained 172 drug users for rehabilitation. Official annual figures reveal a massive nationwide effort, with over 10,000 operations leading to the seizure of thousands of tons of illicit drugs and the dismantling of hundreds of labs. Recent months have seen continued targeted raids resulting in further arrests and confiscations in various provinces. Afghan security forces torch clandestine heroin labs, arrest suspects, and seize thousands of tons of illicit narcotics in nationwide counter-narcotics operations. Kabul, Jan 13 Afghan security forces uncovered and torched three clandestine heroin processing laboratories and a large amount of illicit drugs in western Farah and southern Helmand provinces, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said in separate statements on Tuesday. Counter-narcotics units carried out targeted operations on the outskirts of the two provinces, destroying the facilities and recovering substantial quantities of substances used in heroin production, according to the ministry's statements, Xinhua News Agency reported. As part of ongoing efforts to combat drug addiction, Afghan police have recently rounded up 172 drug users in Kabul. These individuals have been transferred to a rehabilitation centre for medical care and support. Meanwhile, Afghan forces conducted 10,599 operations throughout 2025, confiscating 2,356 tons of illicit drugs and dismantling 517 clandestine drug processing labs, according to official figures. On December 21, 2025, provincial police headquarters stated that Afghan counter-narcotics police had destroyed a drug processing laboratory and arrested one suspect in connection with the case in the eastern Laghman province. Acting on a tip-off, police carried out an operation in Mehtarlam district on December 20, where they uncovered a drug processing facility. A large quantity of materials and equipment used for heroin production was seized and destroyed at the site, the statement said. On November 14, 2025, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said that police had arrested a suspected drug smuggler and confiscated illicit narcotics during an operation in the northern Takhar province. According to the official, the suspect was detained while attempting to transport crystal methamphetamine and other chemicals used in heroin production to Taluqan, the provincial capital, where he allegedly planned to sell the materials. The suspect has been placed in custody for further investigation, the spokesman added. On November 9, provincial police spokesman Gul Mohammad Qudrat said that Afghan counter-narcotics forces had confiscated 170 kg of opium poppy and apprehended two suspected smugglers in the western Nimroz province. The seizure took place during a targeted operation in the Zanjer Sharqi area along the Zaranj-Delaram highway, the official said. - IANS Chinese, Sri Lankan FMs meet on ties Xinhua) 09:24, January 13, 2026 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with French President Emmanuel Macron's Diplomatic Advisor, Emmanuel Bonne, expressing satisfaction with the strong India-France Strategic Partnership. The meeting followed the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Bonne, which reviewed cooperation across defence, space, and technology. Both sides discussed key global issues and reviewed preparations for President Macron's forthcoming visit to India. The dialogue underscored a shared commitment to enhancing collaboration in innovation and addressing global security challenges. PM Modi meets French advisor, reviews strategic ties ahead of Macron's visit. Cooperation expands to innovation, tech, and education. New Delhi, Jan 13 The Diplomatic Advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, Emmanuel Bonne, on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed his satisfaction at the current trajectory of bilateral ties. After the meeting, Prime Minister Modi took to X to express his satisfaction over the interaction. "Delighted to meet Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to President Macron. Reaffirmed the strong and trusted India-France Strategic Partnership, marked by close cooperation across multiple domains. Encouraging to see our collaboration expanding into innovation, technology and education, especially as we mark the India-France Year of Innovation," the Prime Minister wrote. He added that the two sides also exchanged perspectives on key regional and global issues and expressed anticipation for President Macron's forthcoming visit to India. Bonne's meeting with the Prime Minister came against the backdrop of the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired earlier in the day by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the French official in New Delhi. The dialogue reaffirmed the depth and breadth of the bilateral partnership between the two countries. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the strategic dialogue reviewed the full spectrum of India-France cooperation, including security, defence, technology, space, and civil nuclear energy. Both sides reiterated their commitment to enhancing collaboration through joint development and innovation, aligned with India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The discussions also focused on the evolving geopolitical landscape and key regional and international issues of shared concern. Emphasising the need for closer coordination, India and France underlined the importance of enhanced cooperation to address emerging global security challenges and to promote peace and stability, the MEA said. Preparations for the forthcoming visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India were also reviewed during the dialogue, say sources. Both sides expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen bilateral ties and expand strategic engagement, they added. During his visit, Bonne also met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This reflected the high-level political engagement between the two countries. Their shared commitment to advancing the strategic partnership was also highlighted by this visit. Meanwhile, geopolitical experts view the India-France Strategic Dialogue as a key pillar supporting a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Analysts believe that deeper cooperation across defence, counter-terrorism, space, nuclear energy, and emerging technologies will enhance strategic autonomy, balance regional power dynamics, and contribute significantly to long-term regional and global stability. - IANS Deputy CM Ajit Pawar stated that the NCP contesting local body elections separately from its Mahayuti allies, the BJP and Shiv Sena, is a standard political practice to support grassroots workers. He cited historical precedents where the NCP and Congress, as well as the BJP and Shiv Sena, allied for state and national elections but competed locally. Pawar expressed approval of the alliance with Sharad Pawar's NCP faction in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to consolidate votes, a move driven by party workers. He affirmed that the outcome of these local polls will not affect the stability of the Maharashtra state government. Ajit Pawar explains NCP's decision to contest local body polls separately from BJP & Shiv Sena, calling it a normal practice to empower party workers. By Ranjeet Singh, Mumbai, January 13 Nationalist Congress Party Chief, and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday, said that there is "nothing different" about his party contesting the polls separately from the Mahayuti alliance, as the parties have decided to fight in such a way to "empower and support" their respective workers. According to Pawar, allying with Sharad Pawar's NCP faction for the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad election could lead to the vote share being consolidated, which would itself help them. He recalled how the NCP and Congress allied for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections but contested the local body elections separately, he said that a similar situation was with the BJP and Shiv Sena too. "Since I've been in politics, in all the elections we've fought since 1999, we had an alliance with the Congress. We were working together in the Lok Sabha, in Parliament, and fighting elections together. We were fighting on our respective symbols. The same thing happened in the Assembly elections. But in local body elections, to support and empower our respective party workers, we always fought against each other," Pawar told ANI in an exclusive interview. "The same thing happened with the BJP and Shiv Sena. In the last 2017 elections in Mumbai and Thane; they were fighting against each other. So, there's no need to think that something very different is happening here," he added. However, Pawar has also affirmed that the three parties contesting separately, BJP, NCP, and Shiv, against each other in local body polls have affirmed that the local body polls will not impact the functioning of the Mahrashtra state government, even after results are declared on January 16. When asked about the coming together of estranged family members for the local elections, Pawar expressed happiness over the situation, including the Thackeray's in Mumbai, and the Pawars in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. He said that it is due to the demands of the party workers did the two parties decide to contest together, which he hopes would led to less of a divide on their vote bases. "I see it in a good light, this is very good. It is because of the karyakartas we had decided to fight elections together (the two NCP factions), because if we fight elections separately then the votes will be divided, that will not happen. The karyakartas want win elections, we fought the state and Lok Sabha elections. After they had a proposal, our party's leaders sat together, at first no common ground was reached," he said. Despite some setbacks before, Pawar said that some fake news was also spread which did not help the alliance, "But later on, some wrong news was spread, that Ajit Pawar is demanding only to fight with the clock symbol, what is the reason to say this? I never said this." "When Congress used to fight, when BJP, Shiv Sena fought alone then they have their own symbol," he added. However, Pawar also expressed that the Mahayuti partner, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena had not approached him for the alliance at first, and when they did, it was too late as all the nomination forms had already been filled. "The talks started when the my karyakartas told us, and their karyakartas told them, that it will be better if we do this (alliance with other NCP faction). We tried to take Shiv Sena in alliance, they didn't come to us. They came later, but by that time the time was up, forms had been filled," he said. When asked about the future of the NCP-NCP alliance, Ajit Pawar said that they have "not thought about this" and are instead focusing on the polling which is set to happen two days later on January 15. "We have not thought anything about this, because today is last day of campaigning, first we will do that, discuss on how voting can happen properly, so we have not thought of this (a long term alliance)." He said for such a decision, the leaders of both sides have to be taken into confidence too, and not just workers, "Not just karyakartas, we need to talk to other leaders too because the party is functioning with them, and they have to talk with their leaders." The polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad, is scheduled for January 15. The vote counting will take place on January 16. - ANI Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for Gujarat's first and India's second Bio Safety Level-4 (BSL-4) laboratory in Gandhinagar. The Rs 362 crore facility, to be operated by the state government, is designated as a National Centre for High Containment Pathogen Research. Shah stated the lab will be a cornerstone for India's health security, accelerating the 'One Health Mission' and reducing dependency on foreign countries for testing deadly pathogens. He highlighted the growth of India's bio-economy from $10 billion in 2014 to over $166 billion in 2024 as evidence of the sector's transformation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation for a Rs 362 crore BSL-4 lab in Gandhinagar, set to be India's first state-run high-containment pathogen research facility. Gandhinagar, January 13 Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of Gujarat's first state-of-the-art Bio-Containment Facility "Bio Safety Level-4" lab as well as the "Animal Bio-Safety Level" facility on Tuesday in Gandhinagar, in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. On this occasion, the Minister for Science and Technology, Arjun Modhwadia, was also present. During this ceremony, the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, granted a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the Gujarat Science and Technology Department to designate the "Bio Safety Level-4" facility of the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) as the 'National Centre for High Containment Pathogen Research Facility' under the Government of India's "BioE3 Policy". The Union Home Minister stated that a new era has begun in Gujarat for the development of India's health security and biosafety sector. After Pune, this is only the second such high-level lab in the country; however, due to the state government's special initiative, it will become the country's first state government-operated BSL-4 lab, to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 362 crore. In the future, this lab will prove to be India's impregnable security shield and a strong fortress of bio-facilities to combat deadly viruses. Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision that 'science and technology should be the foundation pillar of national development', he said, "This international-standard lab will open many avenues of opportunity for researchers and youth. Especially, this lab will accelerate the "One Health Mission" initiated by the Prime Minister to prevent diseases transmitted from animals to humans." In the face of recent challenges such as Chandipura and Lumpy Skin Disease in Gujarat, a research-based, permanent security arrangement was essential." Presenting figures reflecting the revolutionary transformation in India's biotechnology sector, he said, "unprecedented progress has been made in the last 11 years". India's bio-economy, which stood at 10 billion dollars in 2014, has grown to over 166 billion dollars by 2024. Given that research is the 'soul of innovation', and thanks to the infrastructure provided by the central government, Indian scientists today are conducting world-class research in a highly secure environment. Highlighting growth in the startup and investment sectors, he noted that in 2014, there were fewer than 500 startups in this field; today, there are more than 10,000. Similarly, the number of incubators has increased from 6 to 95, and incubation space has expanded from 60,000 square feet to 9 lakh square feet. Notably, private investment funding has increased from Rs. 10 crore to Rs. 7,000 crore, and the number of patent filings has risen from 125 to over 1,300, indicating that India's youth are now becoming 'job givers' rather than 'job seekers'. He stated that under the Government of India's "BioE3 Policy", there is a resolve to take the country to greater heights in the biotechnology sector. India today is indigenously manufacturing vaccines for serious diseases such as COVID-19 and cervical cancer. He called upon students and researchers, stating that the responsibility of ensuring India's health security now rests on their shoulders. This lab will enable many positive transformations in the health sector in the coming years. He stated that under the Prime Minister's leadership, India is moving forward by integrating 'development' and 'heritage'. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian scientists developed vaccines quickly, safeguarding 140 crore citizens and helping the world, based on the approach of making science and technology a foundational pillar of national development. With this lab, Indian scientists will no longer need to rely on foreign countries for sample testing, thereby fulfilling the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' objective in the health sector. He expressed confidence that by 2027, India will also be among the world's leading nations in the semiconductor and biotechnology sectors. He expressed concern about the 'silent disaster' of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) driven by antibiotic misuse and urged students and researchers to protect the next generation through research. He called upon students studying in the biotech sector to make the most of national facilities to develop pharmaceutical formulations and vaccines that benefit human life and help achieve the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. This facility will emerge as a protective shield not only for Gujarat but for the entire country. As the country moves towards 'Viksit Bharat' under the guidance of the Prime Minister, science, such as biotechnology, will provide us with security, while heritage, such as the Somnath Swabhiman Parva, will give us a proud identity. India today is building the edifice of modern science on the foundation of culture. This new biotech research will take the country's healthcare system to new heights. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described this project, which will enhance the country's preparedness against potential pandemics, as an important initiative within Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for healthcare and modern infrastructure development. He said, "The Prime Minister is a visionary leader who thinks ahead of time, and it is due to such vision that by operationalising the GBRC, the goal of self-reliance has been achieved so that diagnosis and research of serious health sector challenges such as viral outbreaks, genetic infections, and pandemics need not depend on external institutions". The Chief Minister expressed confidence that, with the operationalisation of the BSL-4 lab, research on high-risk viruses will be possible within the state, enabling timely, accurate, and reliable diagnosis and further strengthening and equipping the healthcare system. He stated that GBRC is not only a research institution but also a nodal centre of the state's biotech capacity, adding that research conducted at the BSL-4 lab will directly translate into diagnostics, treatments, and public health policies through translational research. He stated that this BSL-4 facility will prove to be a milestone in realising the Prime Minister's resolve of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 through a healthy, secure, and self-reliant India. While delivering the welcome address, Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia stated that, just as Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel transformed India's history and geography, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have worked to shape the destiny of modern India and Gujarat. Stating that Gujarat's first and the country's most important research facility will prove decisive in addressing global health challenges, the Minister said 'Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission' (GSBTM) was established based on the vision of the then Chief Minister and present Prime Minister. As a result of that vision, Gujarat is now the first state in Asia to have a dedicated biotech university. The research facility whose foundation stone was laid today is Gujarat's first such research facility designated by the Government of India." This event was attended by Gandhinagar Mayor Miraben Patel, Members of Parliament: Hasmukh Patel, Hari Patel, Mayank Nayak; Members of the Legislative Assembly: Ritaben Patel and Alpesh Thakor, Secretary of Biotechnology, Government of India; Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the Science and Technology Department; P Bharati, Gandhinagar District Collector; Mehul Dave, along with various dignitaries, state government officials and staff, and citizens. - ANI Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the devastating fire at Sarlankapalle village in Kakinada district. He expressed deep sorrow over the incident which destroyed 38 thatched houses during the Sankranti festival. The CM announced an immediate relief of Rs 25,000 for each affected family and ordered the sanction of new houses for those who lost their homes. He further directed officials to arrange shelter, food, and special camps to reissue critical documents like Aadhaar cards. CM Chandrababu Naidu reviews Sarlankapalle fire, orders Rs 25,000 immediate relief, new houses, and document reissue for victims. Amaravati, January 13 Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the fire accident that occurred at Sarlankapalle village in Kakinada district with ministers and senior officials, according to an official press release on Tuesday. According to the Andhra government, the Chief Minister expressed deep sorrow, stating that the fire accident during the Sankranti festival had caused immense tragedy in Sarlankapalle. Officials said that an immediate relief of Rs 25,000 would be provided to each affected family on Tuesday. A total of 38 thatched houses in the village were completely gutted in the incident, and the Chief Minister directed officials to extend all possible assistance to the affected families. Home Minister Anitha and other officials briefed the Chief Minister on the relief measures currently being provided to the victims. According to the release, the Chief Minister instructed that proper shelter and food be arranged immediately so that the affected families do not face any inconvenience, and emphasised that the government should stand firmly by them. The Chief Minister ordered that a new house be sanctioned for every family that lost its home in the fire. He further directed that necessary accommodations and other support be provided to the victims until the new houses are completed. The Chief Minister instructed officials to organise special camps to reissue documents destroyed in the fire, including Aadhaar cards, and to extend all required assistance to the victims. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also directed district senior officials and ministers to closely monitor and oversee relief and rehabilitation measures for affected families. - ANI New houses sanctioned for all affected families A massive fire gutted nearly 40 thatched houses in Sarlankapalle village, Kakinada district, leaving over 100 people homeless ahead of the Sankranti festival. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to provide all possible assistance, including immediate relief of Rs 25,000 per family, food, and temporary accommodation. He ordered that new houses be sanctioned for every family that lost their home and special camps be set up to replace destroyed documents like Aadhaar cards. Meanwhile, opposition leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and urged the government to provide enhanced ex-gratia and ensure no victim faces hardship. Andhra CM N. Chandrababu Naidu directs officials to provide immediate relief, Rs 25,000 aid, and sanction new houses for Kakinada fire victims. Amaravati, Jan 13 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday directed officials to provide all possible assistance to the victims of the massive fire accident in Kakinada district. The Chief Minister held a review meeting with ministers and officials on the fire incident that occurred on Monday in Sarlankapalle village of Rowthulapudi mandal in Kakinada district. Nearly 40 thatched houses were gutted in the massive fire, leaving more than 100 people homeless. No casualties or injuries were reported. The Chief Minister stated that the fire accident in Sarlankapalle during the Sankranti festival has brought immense tragedy. He ordered that all possible assistance be provided to the victims in the incident where all 38 thatched houses in the village were gutted. Home Minister V. Anitha and other officials explained the assistance currently being provided to the affected families. Chief Minister Naidu instructed that accommodation and food be provided to the victims to ensure they do not face any difficulties. Officials informed that Rs 25,000 is being provided to each affected family as immediate relief. The Chief Minister ordered that a new house be sanctioned for every family that lost its home. He directed officials to provide necessary accommodation and other assistance to them until the new houses are constructed. CM Naidu also asked officials to organise special camps to assist in providing new Aadhaar cards and other documents that were destroyed in the fire. He said senior officials of the district and ministers should monitor the assistance provided to the victims. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has expressed deep shock and grief over the devastating fire accident. He said that 38 huts in this remote hamlet were completely gutted, leaving about 120 villagers homeless and without basic belongings. Terming the incident extremely distressing, he said the flames spread rapidly like a wildfire and reduced the entire settlement to ashes within minutes. Jagan urged the government to immediately provide shelter and food to the affected families and ensure that no victim is put to hardship. He demanded immediate ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh to each affected family and called upon the government to sanction new houses for all those who lost their homes. He further appealed that till permanent houses are constructed and handed over, the victims should be provided with necessary accommodation and all essential assistance. - IANS Anil Kapoor penned a heartfelt social media note congratulating his friend and co-star Rani Mukerji on completing 30 years in the Bollywood film industry. In his tribute, he described her as accessible, sellable, watchable, and truly brilliant as an actress and person. Marking her anniversary, Rani shared an emotional letter reflecting on her unexpected entry into cinema driven by curiosity and love for the craft, not a grand plan. She expressed gratitude and noted the special significance of celebrating this milestone with her upcoming film, 'Mardaani 3'. Anil Kapoor congratulates Rani Mukerji on 30 years in Bollywood, calling her brilliant. Rani reflects on her unexpected journey and 'Mardaani 3'. Mumbai Ja, n 13 Bollywood star Anil Kapoor took to his social media account to congratulate actress and good friend Rani Mukerji on her completing 30 years in the Bollywood industry. Sharing a note on his social media account, Anil wrote, "Dear Rani, 30 years in this ever-changing industry and you continue to be accessible, sellable, tradable, watchable and above all, truly brilliant - as an actress, friend and human being!" Congratulating her further, he wrote, "Congratulations on this incredible journey, and wishing you all the very best for Mardaani 3. Always rooting for you." Anil Kapoor and Rani Mukerji have been good friends for a lot many years now. The two had also shared the screen space in the movie Nayak: The Real Hero. On the 30th work anniversary on the 12th of January, Rani shared a letter on the social media account of Yash Raj Films talking about how she entered films without a master plan or long-term ambitions. "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." She further said that cinema has a strange way of freezing emotions. "Somewhere inside me, I am still that nervous girl standing in front of the camera for the first time, hoping I wouldn't forget my lines, hoping I belonged. I didn't come into films with a master plan. I came with curiosity, fear, and a deep love for stories, for the exploration of the human mind through characters." The actress in her emotional note, spoke about her movies Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, Ghulam, Black, Bunty Aur Babli, No One Killed Jessica, Mardaani, Hichki, Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, and others. She also wrote, "Thirty years later, my love for cinema is still the same, perhaps deeper, certainly calmer, and infinitely more grateful. It is incredibly special to mark my 30th year in cinema with Mardaani 3 - a franchise that allows me to salute the spirit of today's women and also the resilience of the Indian police force, especially the women who serve the nation." - IANS The final full-dress rehearsal for the Army Day parade in Jaipur featured an impressive flypast by Apache attack helicopters and the indigenous Prachand helicopter. The spectacle included Chetak helicopters showering flowers on marching officers, with large public turnout to witness the event. The parade, led by officers decorated with the Ashok Chakra and Param Vir Chakra, demonstrated military precision and discipline. Significant traffic diversions are in place on Mahal Road for the rehearsal and the main parade, with the Governor of Mizoram and Rajasthan's Governor and Chief Minister attending the main event. Final rehearsal in Jaipur features impressive flypast by Apache and indigenous Prachand helicopters, with traffic advisories for the main parade. Jaipur, Jan 13 The final full-dress rehearsal for the Army Day parade, underway on Tuesday on Mahal Road in Jaipur's Jagatpura area, showcased an impressive helicopter flypast. Earlier rehearsals were conducted on January 9 and 11, while preparations have been underway since January 1. The rehearsal began with an impressive helicopter flypast. Five helicopters, including Apache attack helicopters and the indigenous Prachand helicopter, flew directly over the parade route. Later, Chetak helicopters showered flowers on the convoy of marching Army officers, adding to the spectacle. A large number of people, including women and children, arrived at Mahal Road to witness the final rehearsal. The administration and the Army have appealed to the public to strictly follow designated traffic routes, parking arrangements, and security guidelines to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the event. During the rehearsal, all aspects of the parade, including VIP movement, salutes, stage arrangements, and precise timing, were carried out according to established Army protocols. Decorated officers marched in disciplined and perfectly synchronised formations, demonstrating the Army's professionalism and precision. Officers who have been awarded the Ashok Chakra, Param Vir Chakra, and Maha Vir Chakra are leading the parade, highlighting the bravery, sacrifice, and discipline of the Indian Army. The main Army Day parade on Thursday will be attended by the Governor of Mizoram, General V.K. Singh, as the chief guest. Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will also be present. Due to the final rehearsal and the main parade, all normal traffic on Mahal Road will remain closed from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Vehicular movement between NRI Circle and Bombay Hospital Circle will not be permitted. Locals may use parallel routes. Vehicles coming from Khatushyam Circle towards NRI Circle and Akshay Patra will be diverted via Haldighati Marg and VIT Road. Traffic from Vidhani Circle towards Bombay Hospital and Akshay Patra will be diverted to Kendriya Vihar Marg, and if congestion increases, further diversion will be made towards Mahatma Gandhi Road. Separate diversions are also in place for traffic from Goner Road and Rana Sanga Marg. Parking for the general public has been arranged on Haldighati Marg and Rana Sanga Marg. Bus parking facilities are available on Goner Road near Vrindavan Hotel, Purnima College, and JECRC University Road. Seating for spectators has been arranged in front of the Akshay Patra Temple, accessible via Mahaveer Marg and Kendriya Vihar Marg from the D-Mart Circle side. - IANS Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed concern that the reduction of import duty on apples from New Zealand is adversely affecting the state's orchardists. He has assured them he will personally meet Union Finance and Commerce Ministers to seek protective measures for this vital sector of the state's economy. Concurrently, the CM is pushing forward with natural farming initiatives, directing the creation of a block-level database of farmers and reviewing the procurement and branding of naturally grown crops. The government is marketing products like 'Him Chakki Atta' and has already procured significant quantities of maize and wheat from natural farmers. Himachal CM Sukhu to meet Union ministers over apple import duty reduction from NZ, vows to protect orchardists. Also reviews natural farming initiatives. Shimla, Jan 13 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while chairing a meeting with representatives of orchardists, expressed concern over the reduction of import duty on apples from New Zealand, as it has been affecting the interests of orchardists. He assured them on Tuesday that the issue would be raised with the Central government to find a way out to address the concerns. "I will meet the Union Finance and the Commerce Minister and urge them to take necessary measures to protect the interests of the orchardists of the state," he said, adding that apple production is a major pillar of the state's economy and its protection and promotion is a top priority of the government. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhu directed the Agriculture Department to link detailed data of farmers practising natural farming with the Him Parivar portal by January 20 so that a block-level database of farmers could be prepared and mapped accordingly. While presiding over the meeting of the Agriculture Department, he said the youth would be encouraged to adopt natural farming to strengthen the rural economy. He said that promoting this method of farming across the state would boost and strengthen the economy of the farmers. He said the government is working to bring revolutionary changes in the natural farming-based system, adding he will interact with farmers this month in Hamirpur. CM Sukhu reviewed issues of the farmers related to wheat, maize and raw turmeric produced through natural farming. He said wheat flour produced through natural farming is being marketed under the brand 'Him Chakki Atta', maize flour as 'Him Bhog Makki Atta' and raw turmeric as 'Him Haldi'. The Chief Minister said 606.8 metric tonnes of naturally grown maize have been procured, and Rs 2.31 crore has been transferred directly to the bank accounts of the farmers. Similarly, 2,123 quintals of naturally grown wheat have been procured at the minimum support price, and 1.32 lakh transferred to farmers through direct benefit transfer (DBT). - IANS The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lt General K.T. Parnaik, proposed structured exchange programmes with Sikkim during an official visit. The programmes would target students, young entrepreneurs, and officials, with a special emphasis on horticulture and organic farming practices. He highlighted the mutual benefits of sharing Sikkim's organic expertise and Arunachal's vast tourism potential. The initiative aims to strengthen sustainable development and people-to-people bonds between the two Himalayan states. Governors of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim propose structured exchange programmes for students and entrepreneurs, focusing on horticulture and tourism. Gangtok/Itanagar, Jan 13 Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt General K.T. Parnaik, who is on a two-day official visit to Sikkim, proposed a structured exchange programme between the two Himalayan states for students, young entrepreneurs and government officials, with a special focus on horticulture and allied sectors. The visiting Arunachal Pradesh Governor met his Sikkim counterpart Om Prakash Mathur at Lok Bhavan, Gangtok, and discussed various affairs. The Governors conveyed their warm wishes for peace, progress, and prosperity for the people of the two Himalayan states. Lt General Parnaik (Retd) shared the rich cultural heritage, ethnic diversity, and immense tourism potential of Arunachal Pradesh, ranging from eco-tourism and adventure tourism to spiritual and cultural circuits, with his counterpart. Proposing structured exchange programmes for students, young entrepreneurs, and government officials, particularly in the horticulture and allied sectors, the Governor said that such exchanges would enable sharing of best practices in organic farming, high-value crops, post-harvest management, value addition, and market linkages. He also suggested cooperation in capacity-building, exposure visits, and joint training programmes to strengthen human resources in both states. Emphasising the shared strengths and common aspirations of the two states, the Arunachal Governor observed that as India's first fully organic state and a rapidly developing tourism destination, Sikkim offers valuable lessons, while Arunachal Pradesh holds vast untapped potential. The Governor said that deeper cooperation between the two states could yield mutual benefits in areas such as sustainable tourism, eco-friendly infrastructure, environmental conservation, skill development, and promotion of local products. Collaborative efforts in these sectors, he said, would enhance livelihoods and at the same time strengthen people-to-people bonds and reinforce the spirit of cooperative federalism among the Himalayan states. Meanwhile, the Arunachal Governor, on the occasion of Pongal, greeted the people of Tamil Nadu. He also conveyed his heartfelt felicitations to the Tamil brethren who live and serve in Arunachal Pradesh in various capacities, enriching the state's social and cultural fabric through their dedication and hard work. In his message, the Governor said that Pongal, the harvest festival of gratitude, celebrates the sacred bond between nature, farmers, and society. - IANS India's Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in a US Treasury-hosted ministerial meeting focused on securing global critical minerals supply chains. The meeting gathered finance ministers and economic leaders from major global economies to address vulnerabilities and concentration risks in these vital supply chains. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the need for coordinated international action, advocating for "prudent derisking over decoupling." The discussions reflect a concerted global effort to enhance economic security by building resilient and diversified sources for minerals essential to advanced manufacturing and electronics. Ashwini Vaishnaw represents India at a high-level US meeting focused on securing and diversifying global supply chains for vital rare-earth elements. New Delhi, Jan 13 India's Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, attended a high-level Finance Ministerial meeting hosted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington to discuss measures to secure and diversify global critical minerals supply chains, particularly rare-earth elements vital for advanced manufacturing and electronics. Following the meeting, Vaishnaw highlighted India's priorities in a post on X, stating, "Participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting hosted by Treasury Secretary @SecScottBessent. Strengthening critical mineral supply chains is vital to enhancing the resilience of India's manufacturing capabilities and rapidly growing electronics sector." The ministerial, convened at the United States Treasury, brought together finance ministers and senior economic leaders from major global economies, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the European Union. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, John Jovanovic, and JP Morgan Managing Director Jay Horine also presented on key focus areas during the discussions. According to the US Treasury, participants expressed a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains, which have become increasingly concentrated and susceptible to disruption and manipulation. The United States highlighted actions and investments it has already undertaken, as well as planned steps aimed at creating resilient, secure and diversified supply chains. Secretary Bessent underscored the importance of coordinated international action, urging countries to strengthen supply chain resilience while avoiding fragmentation. He later reiterated this approach in a post on X, saying, "At today's Finance Ministerial hosted by the @USTreasury, I was pleased to hear a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains.I am optimistic that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling and understand well the need for decisive action." In its official statement, the Treasury said, "Secretary Bessent expressed his optimism that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling, and that they understand well the need to remedy current deficiencies in critical minerals supply chains. Noting that these supply chains have also become highly concentrated and vulnerable to disruption and manipulation, the Secretary urged attendees to increase their supply chain resiliency and thanked attendees for their willingness to both learn from and work quickly with each other towards decisive action and lasting solutions." The ministerial reflects growing global efforts to reduce dependence on limited sources of critical minerals and to enhance economic security amid evolving geopolitical and technological challenges. - IANS Intelligent robots reshape operations at Qingdao Port in E China's Shandong People's Daily Online) 11:25, January 13, 2026 A drone photo taken on Dec. 4, 2025 shows containers waiting for transshipment at the Qianwan Container Terminal of Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) Intelligent robots are transforming operations at Qingdao Port, a subsidiary of Shandong Port Group, in east China's Shandong Province. In recent years, the port has developed and deployed nearly 20 types of intelligent robots, charting a path of high-quality development through smart transformation and upgrading. In 2025, the century-old port became one of China's first national pilot bases for artificial intelligence applications in the transportation sectorthe only one in the port industryturning itself into a testing ground for scientific and technological innovation in Chinese ports. Using shore power when vessels berth is a crucial measure for ports to pursue green development, reducing both fuel consumption and emissions. However, inadequate cable length, limited mobility and complicated operations have long constrained the efficiency of ship-to-shore power connections and berth planning. "The wharf environment is complex, and with no ready-made equipment available, we resolved to develop our own high-voltage shore power robot," said Zhang Feng, deputy general manager of Qingdao New Qianwan Container Terminal Co., Ltd. The research team relocated their office to the operational site. After sustained efforts, they successfully developed a new cable-reeling device with twice the cable length of comparable products while reducing its structural volume by 30 percent. After three months, Qingdao Port's first high-voltage shore power robot was developed. It can navigate flexibly through narrow spaces between quay cranes and vessels, completing cable connections quickly and accurately even when ships berth with positional deviations. In 2025, the robot completed tasks for over 200 vessels with a utilization rate exceeding 60 percent, helping the automated terminal's annual shore power usage surpass 6 million kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of over 85 percent. Notably, this innovation has since been adopted by multiple ports nationwide, effectively resolving ship shore power connection challenges and providing a replicable solution for the green transformation of ports across China. Qingdao Port also developed an intelligent tallying robot capable of autonomous movement and panoramic perception, allowing tally clerks to avoid exposure to wind and sun while achieving fully visible, controllable and traceable operations. A drone photo taken on Dec. 4, 2025 shows automated guided vehicles transporting containers at a fully automated container terminal of Qingdao Port, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) The research team at Qingdao Ocean Shipping Tally Co., Ltd. adopted a tracked system design. Zang Wensheng, manager of the company's information technology department, led the team to work on-site, repeatedly observing road conditions, adjusting structures and optimizing materials. After dozens of attempts, they developed a high-traction track system that successfully adapted to various surfaces, including concrete and steel plates, achieving "all-scenario mobility." The team also equipped the robot with multiple independently adjustable omnidirectional cameras and developed intelligent visual scheduling algorithms to automatically recognize cargo markings at different positions, training the system on data from tens of thousands of cargo identifiers. They built a triple-safeguard system using wired, wireless and self-organizing networks, ensuring that even if conventional wireless signals are interrupted, backup links immediately take over, guaranteeing real-time, secure data transmission and seamless operations. "In the past, I walked over 20,000 steps during a single shift. Now I can monitor multiple work sites effortlessly. Labor intensity has dropped dramatically, while accuracy and efficiency have improved significantly," said Gao Fangyu, who has spent most of a career working in tallying at Qingdao Port. Since the intelligent tallying robot was deployed, tallying time per shipment has been reduced by 30 percent, personnel exposure to field risks has decreased by over 90 percent, and information accuracy has approached 100 percent. At the grain terminal in Qingdao Port's Dongjiakou port area, intelligent inspection robots have provided vital support. They conduct automatic inspections daily along preset routes at more than three times the frequency of manual inspections, reducing manpower input by 40 percent and belt conveyor failures by 25 percent, ensuring continuous and stable grain transport while cutting both labor and maintenance costs. Qingdao Port's intelligent transformation is injecting strong momentum into building China's strength in transportation and revitalizing the port with new vitality in the global shipping sector. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has directed state police to collect details on Bangladeshi nationals living in Bengaluru and across Karnataka. He stated that illegal immigrants have been deported in the past and that the probe will verify their documents and settlement patterns. Parameshwara cautioned against vigilantism, warning that no individual, including BJP leaders, has the right to manhandle people or verify documents. He also mentioned allegations that Bangladeshis enter by paying bribes at borders, a matter he says is the central government's responsibility. Karnataka Home Minister directs police to collect details on Bangladeshi nationals in Bengaluru, warns against vigilantism by BJP. Bengaluru, Jan 13 Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has stated that Bangladeshi nationals are settling in Bengaluru as it is a peaceful city, and he has instructed the Karnataka Police Department to gather information in this regard. He, however, cautioned against vigilantism by BJP leaders and other organisations. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Home Minister Parameshwara made the statement while responding to a question. He said he had directed Director General and Inspector General of Police M.A. Saleem and Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh to collect details about Bangladeshi nationals living in Bengaluru and across the state. "They will look into the facts regarding where they are living and whether they possess documents. The probe will ascertain how and from where they obtained these documents. They are behaving as if they are not Bangladeshis at all. We will verify this and take necessary action. We have already deported illegal Bangladeshis," he said. Parameshwara said there are allegations that Bangladeshi nationals are entering Indian territory by paying bribes at the borders. "The Central government has the responsibility of securing the borders. The Border Security Force and other agencies must stop illegal immigration. We do not know whether they enter India by paying bribes or by sneaking in stealthily," he added. Referring to a Bill passed by the state government, Parameshwara said it has been passed by the Assembly and sent to the Governor. "They can seek clarifications, and we are ready to provide answers," he said. He reiterated that Bengaluru being a peaceful city attracts such settlements. "We were told that Bangladeshis were working in coffee estates in Sakaleshapura and surrounding regions. We got it checked, identified them, and deported them back to Bangladesh. They come here for menial jobs. It is also reported that they have settled in the Anekal region on the outskirts of Bengaluru city. No matter where they are staying, we will identify them and deport them," he asserted. Parameshwara cautioned against vigilantism and said no individual has the authority to verify documents. "People cannot take the law into their own hands. They can pass on information to the police and ask them to take action. If anyone misbehaves or attacks residents, we will initiate action against them. Be it BJP leaders or others, no one has the right to manhandle people. If they inform us, we will take action," he said. He further stated that official statistics regarding the presence of illegal Bangladeshi nationals and deportations will be released through the DG and IGP and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner. Parameshwara also said that all clarifications have already been given to the Governor. "Unnecessary statements are being made, which can create communal strife and lead to serious consequences. The Bill was brought after extensive discussion. I gave an explanation during the winter session of the Assembly, but the Opposition created a ruckus," he said. Rejecting BJP allegations that Mahatma Gandhi Stadium in Tumakuru is being renamed after him, Parameshwara said, "Only those who are mad can make such statements. We are launching a large-scale agitation opposing the scrapping of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. How can we do something like this? My supporters wanted to name one of the structures in the stadium premises after me, and the Opposition could not tolerate even that," he remarked. - IANS Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the distribution of seed capital under the Chief Minister's Women Entrepreneurship Mission in the Karimganj North, Katigorah, and Barkhola constituencies. A total of 52,469 women received Rs. 10,000 each as initial funding to start or expand businesses. The mission's broader goal is to cover 32 lakh women across the state with a total expenditure of Rs. 3,200 crore. The Chief Minister also announced the expansion of the Orunodoi scheme and infrastructure development funds during the events. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma launches seed capital distribution for women entrepreneurs in Karimganj North, Katigorah, and Barkhola constituencies. Sribhumi, January 13 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday launched the distribution of cheques under the Chief Minister's Women Entrepreneurship Mission in the Karimganj North Legislative Assembly Constituency of Sribhumi district and Katigorah and Barkhola Legislative Assembly Constituencies of Cachar district. Under the programme, 14,135 women beneficiaries from Karimganj North, 18,578 from Katigorah and 19,756 from Barkhola received entrepreneurship seed capital of Rs. 10,000 each. With this, a total of 19,40,715 women across 80 Legislative Assembly Constituencies of the state have been covered under the mission so far. Addressing a large public meeting at the DSA Playground in Sribhumi district, the Chief Minister said the State Government has decided to provide Rs 10,000 each as seed capital to 32 lakh women under the mission, involving an expenditure of Rs 3,200 crore. He informed that Karimganj North has 2,039 "Lakhpati Baideus" and highlighted the top 20 highest-earning women entrepreneurs from the constituency. Explaining the utilisation of the seed capital, Sarma said that if women deposit the first instalment in their Self-Help Groups, a collective corpus of Rs 1 lakh can be created. This fund can be used to start collective enterprises, invest in individual businesses, or expand existing family ventures. He added that the government would assess fund utilisation after six months. Women who utilise the initial assistance effectively would become eligible for further support of Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 in subsequent phases. The Chief Minister announced that an additional 2,000 beneficiaries in the constituency would be covered under the Orunodoi scheme and said Orunodoi beneficiaries would receive Rs. 8,000 each on February 20. He also announced Rs. 10 crore for the improvement of the DSA Playground. The Chief Minister stated that the government has ensured the supply of almost all essential commodities and noted that Assam has made significant progress toward becoming a developed state. The programme was attended by Ministers Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul, Member of Parliament Kripanath Mallah, MLA Bijoy Malakar, former Rajya Sabha MP Mission Ranjan Das, Director of the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission Kuntalmoni Sharma Bordoloi, the District Commissioner and other dignitaries. Later, the Chief Minister attended a meeting at Rajpur Playground in the Cachar district to distribute funds for the Katigorah constituency. Extending greetings on Bhogali Bihu and Makar Sankranti, Dr. Sarma said that while several schemes have been implemented over the years, the Chief Minister's Women Entrepreneurship Mission is the only initiative exclusively aimed at women. He said the mission has only begun, with its second and third phases yet to be rolled out. Out of 40 lakh women associated with Self-Help Groups in Assam, 8 lakh have already become Lakhpati Baideus, while the mission aims to transform the remaining 32 lakh women into self-reliant entrepreneurs. Katigorah constituency has 1,801 Lakhpati Baideus, he said, highlighting the top 19 highest earners as examples of what determination and government support can achieve. The Chief Minister also announced that an additional 2,000 beneficiaries from Katigorah would be included under the Orunodoi scheme. He said essential commodities such as pulses, sugar and salt are being provided at subsidised rates and that the government is considering making these items free in the future. He further announced that the "Babu Scheme" for students would be launched on February 1. The event was attended by Ministers Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul, Member of Parliament Parimal Suklabaidya, MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and senior officials. Addressing a public meeting at Silcoorie Playground in Cachar district for Barkhola constituency, Sarma said the government's goal is to make 32 lakh women self-reliant by transforming them into Lakhpati Baideus. Of the 8 lakh women who have already achieved this status, 2,149 are from the Barkhola constituency. He highlighted the top 19 highest-earning women entrepreneurs and said their success proves that with government support and personal effort, others can also achieve similar outcomes. The programme was attended by Ministers Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul, Member of Parliament Parimal Suklabaidya, MLAs Mihir Kanti Som, Dipayan Chakraborty, Nihar Ranjan Das and Misbaul Islam Laskar, Director of the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission Kuntalmoni Sharma Bordoloi, officials of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, district administration officials, dignitaries and beneficiary women. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister visited the Silchar residence of former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha, who passed away on January 7, and paid tribute to the veteran leader. He also expressed condolences to the bereaved family. - ANI Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the Silchar residence of late BJP leader and former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha to pay his respects. Sarma praised Purkayastha's immense contribution to the expansion of the BJP in the Northeast, calling him a stalwart and guiding light. The CM stated no holiday was declared following the leader's death, suggesting instead that people work extra hours as a tribute. Purkayastha, a founder member of the BJP, is widely regarded as the patriarch who built the party's grassroots base in Assam. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the residence of late BJP stalwart Kabindra Purkayastha in Silchar, honoring his legacy and contributions. Guwahati, Jan 13 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday visited the house of former Union Minister and late BJP leader Kabindra Purkayastha in Silchar in Cachar district. Taking to 'X', CM Sarma wrote, "Visited the residence of late Kabindra Purkayastha in Silchar to pay my obeisance to the departed soul who made rich contributions to Assam's society and polity. His ideals will always guide us." Talking to reporters here, the Chief Minister mentioned, "Kabindra Purkayastha made immense contribution to the expansion of the BJP in the northeast and his departure has created a vacuum in the lives of lakhs of party workers of the BJP. He was a stalwart and a guiding light to us." Sarma also argued that there was no holiday declared following Purkayastha's death as the BJP leader himself was a workaholic and declaring a holiday would have been against his principles. "I would rather suggest that we should work at least two hours more to pay respects to our veteran leader," the CM said. Notably, Purkayastha began his public life by joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1951 and went on to hold several key positions within the organisation. He played a significant role in spreading the ideology of the RSS across the Northeast, particularly in Assam and the Barak Valley region. With the formation of the BJP in 1980, Purkayastha joined the party as one of its founder members and emerged as a key organisational pillar during its formative years in the state. Widely regarded as the patriarch of the BJP in Assam, he was instrumental in building the party's grassroots base and strengthening its presence in the region over the decades. Purkayastha made his electoral debut in national politics in 1991, when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Silchar constituency in Assam. He went on to retain the seat in 1998, further consolidating his position as a prominent leader from the Barak Valley. Known for his articulate advocacy of regional issues, he consistently raised matters concerning Assam and the Northeast in Parliament. Respected across party lines for his simplicity, ideological commitment and organisational acumen, Purkayastha leaves behind a lasting legacy as one of the principal architects of the BJP's growth in Assam and the Northeast. - IANS Assam is celebrating the harvest festival of Magh Bihu on January 13-14, marking the end of the harvesting season. The night before, known as Uruka, sees markets bustling as people buy ingredients for community feasts featuring traditional dishes like pitha and laru. A key ritual involves burning the Meji, a structure made of bamboo and thatch, as an offering to the God of Fire for prosperity. Institutions like Assam Jatiya Bidyalay and Purabi Dairy are also holding pre-festival celebrations to share culture and mark annual growth. Assam celebrates Magh Bihu on Jan 13-14 with Uruka feasts, Meji burning, and cultural events. Discover the harvest festival's rituals and significance. Guwahati, January 13 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. People of the state have celebrated the festival with community feasts after the annual harvest. The night before Magh Bihu is known as Uruka, and people across the state are preparing to celebrate it on Tuesday. Markets in Guwahati are crowded with people to buy fish, meat, various dishes, including pitha (rice cake), different types of laru made from coconut, jaggery, sesame seeds, rice flour, puffed rice, etc., fresh cream, thick creamy curd, and golden honey. Preparations are in full swing across the state to celebrate one of the biggest festivals of the state. In many places of the state, people have made Bhelaghars, Mejis, which have been made of bamboo, leaves and thatch for the Bhogali Bihu feast. Meanwhile, 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 a key part of the Magh Bihu celebration, 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. At our school, from the very beginning, we have been working to showcase this festival and share our culture, introducing our students to the diverse forms of Bihu and other traditional festivals. Many students live far from home, so it is difficult for them to return to attend 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." Northeast India's largest dairy cooperative, Purabi Dairy, also 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) noted that Purabi Dairy has grown from strength to strength over the past year, with significant increases in milk production and procurement and a steady expansion of its cooperative network. The number of Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) under Purabi increased during the year, while the cooperative dairy system in Upper Assam has also strengthened considerably, bringing more farmers into the organised dairy fold and ensuring stable income opportunities at the grassroots level. - ANI Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that 8 lakh women associated with Self-Help Groups have become 'Lakhpati Baideus' under the state's flagship scheme. The initiative provides Rs 10,000 in seed capital to each beneficiary to foster sustainable livelihoods in sectors like agriculture and weaving. Sarma launched disbursements in several constituencies, covering nearly 20 lakh women across 80 assembly segments so far. The government plans to extend the mission to 32 lakh women with a total outlay of Rs 3,200 crore, with further financial support based on effective fund utilization. Assam CM Himanta Sarma announces 8 lakh women in SHGs have become 'Lakhpati Baideus' under a state scheme for economic empowerment. Guwahati, January 13 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that at least 8 lakh women in the state connected with Self-Help Groups have become "Lakhpati Baideus ". The Lakhpati Baideo Scheme is a flagship initiative of the Assam government aimed at economically empowering women, particularly those associated with self-help groups (SHGs). The scheme seeks to enable women to achieve an annual income of at least Rs 1 lakh through sustainable livelihood activities. By providing financial assistance, skill development, market linkage and handholding support, the scheme focuses on strengthening rural entrepreneurship in sectors such as agriculture, livestock, weaving, food processing and small-scale enterprises. While attending a government function in the Cachar district today, Sarma said, "Out of 40 lakh women associated with Self-Help Groups in Assam, 8 lakh have already become Lakhpati Baideus, while the mission aims to transform the remaining 32 lakh women into self-reliant entrepreneurs." The Chief Minister today launched the distribution of cheques under the Chief Minister's Women Entrepreneurship Mission in Karimganj North Legislative Assembly Constituency of Sribhumi district and Katigorah and Barkhola Legislative Assembly Constituencies of Cachar district. Under the programme, 14,135 women beneficiaries from Karimganj North, 18,578 from Katigorah and 19,756 from Barkhola received entrepreneurship seed capital of Rs. 10,000 each. With this, a total of 19,40,715 women across 80 Legislative Assembly Constituencies of the state have been covered under the mission so far. Addressing a large public meeting at the DSA Playground in Sribhumi district, the Chief Minister said the State Government has decided to provide Rs 10,000 each as seed capital to 32 lakh women under the mission, involving an expenditure of Rs 3,200 crore. He informed that Karimganj North has 2,039 "Lakhpati Baideus" and highlighted the top 20 highest-earning women entrepreneurs from the constituency. Explaining the utilisation of the seed capital, Sarma said that if women deposit the first instalment in their Self-Help Groups, a collective corpus of Rs 1 lakh can be created. This fund can be used to start collective enterprises, invest in individual businesses, or expand existing family ventures. He added that the government would assess fund utilisation after six months. Women who utilise the initial assistance effectively would become eligible for further support of Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 in subsequent phases. The Chief Minister announced that an additional 2,000 beneficiaries in the constituency would be covered under the Orunodoi scheme and said Orunodoi beneficiaries would receive Rs. 8,000 each on February 20. He also announced an allocation of Rs. 10 crore for the improvement of the DSA Playground. The Chief Minister stated that the government has ensured the supply of almost all essential commodities for the people and noted that Assam has made significant progress towards becoming a developed state. - IANS Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the state's transition from manual to digital record-keeping in educational institutions. The move was highlighted during a ceremony in Dhemaji district where 183 tablet PCs were distributed to teachers and coordinators. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu stated the digital tools will enhance academic supervision and tracking of learning outcomes. Officials believe this initiative will reduce paperwork and improve governance, especially in remote areas. Assam distributes tablets to teachers to replace manual records, aiming to boost efficiency, transparency, and academic monitoring in schools. Guwahati, Jan 13 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday stated that the state is steadily transitioning from manual record-keeping to digital systems in educational institutions, asserting that this move will significantly enhance efficiency and streamline academic monitoring across Assam. Reacting to the distribution of tablet PCs to teachers and Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) in Dhemaji district, the Chief Minister said the introduction of digital devices would enable teachers to maintain accurate and real-time records. Assam is transitioning from manual record-keeping to digital systems in its institutions. These devices will help teachers maintain digital records, boost efficiency and strengthen academic monitoring," Sarma said. The statement followed Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, along with Lok Sabha MP Pradan Baruah, attending a ceremonial programme for the distribution of tablet PCs under the Samagra Shiksha initiative in Dhemaji. The event was held at the Dhemaji Girls' Senior Secondary School, where a total of 183 tablet PCs were distributed to teachers and CRCCs. Officials said the devices are expected to play a key role in strengthening inclusive record management, facilitating real-time data synchronisation and improving overall governance in the education sector. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said the digital tools would support adequate academic supervision and help teachers and administrators track learning outcomes, attendance and other key parameters more efficiently. He added that the initiative aligns with the government's broader vision of integrating technology into school education to improve transparency and service delivery. Officials from the education department said the use of tablet PCs would reduce paperwork and ensure faster reporting, particularly in remote and rural areas like Dhemaji, where access to digital infrastructure has traditionally been limited. The initiative is part of Assam's ongoing efforts to modernise its education system through technology-driven reforms. By equipping teachers with digital tools, the state government aims to improve data accuracy, enhance monitoring mechanisms and ultimately raise the quality of education. The Chief Minister reiterated that digital empowerment of teachers is central to building a future-ready education system and ensuring better outcomes for students across Assam. - IANS Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Myanmar Ambassador to express deep concern over a recent cross-border firing incident that severely injured a 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl. Bangladesh condemned the unprovoked firing as a violation of international law and a hindrance to bilateral relations, demanding Myanmar take responsibility and prevent future occurrences. The border region remains perilous, with Myanmar being the world's most dangerous country for landmine casualties, affecting villagers who must enter forests for survival. The area also hosts over a million Rohingya refugees, caught between Myanmar's military and separatist forces, with Bangladesh border guards conducting regular mine-clearing operations amid the ongoing threat. Bangladesh expressed deep concern to Myanmar over cross-border firing injuring a child and the growing landmine threat affecting border communities. Dhaka, January 13 Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe at noon today and expressed deep concern of Bangladesh at the recent incident of gunfire from Myanmar towards Bangladesh near Whykong Union of Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl was severely injured during the cross-border firing, Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Bangladesh reminded that the unprovoked firing towards Bangladesh is a blatant violation of the international law and a hindrance to good neighbourly relationship. Bangladesh asked Myanmar to take full responsibility and requisite measures to stop such cross-border firings in future. Bangladesh also asked to ensure that whatever happens between the Myanmar authorities and the armed groups in Myanmar should not anyway affect lives and livelihoods of the people in Bangladesh. The Myanmar ambassador assured that his government would take measures to stop such incidents and expressed their sincere sympathy to the injured and her family. Bangladesh's 271km (168-mile) eastern border with Myanmar cuts through forests and rivers, much of it unmarked. It is crossed daily by villagers, as their families have done for generations, to collect firewood or carry out small-time trading, as per Al Jazeera. Myanmar is the world's most dangerous country for landmine casualties, according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which has documented the "massive" and growing use of the weapons, banned by many states. The group recorded more than 2,000 casualties in Myanmar in 2024, the latest full year for which statistics are available, double the total reported the year before, as per Al Jazeera. More than a million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar also live in Bangladesh's border regions, caught between the warring military and separatist forces. Bangladesh police say at least 28 people were injured by landmines in 2025. In November that year, a Bangladesh border guard was killed when a landmine tore off both his legs. Bangladesh's border force has put up warning signs and red flags, and carries out regular mine-clearing operations. But villagers say warnings offer little protection when survival depends on entering forests seeded with explosives, leaving communities in Bangladesh vulnerable to the packages that come with wars, as per Al Jazeera. - ANI Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended a traditional 'Dahi-Chura' feast at Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha's residence on Makar Sankranti. The event was also attended by Tej Pratap Yadav, sparking speculation about his potential entry into the NDA, though leaders deferred any announcement. The feast is an annual tradition for Sinha, aimed at fostering direct interaction with the public and preserving folk traditions. Makar Sankranti holds deep cultural and political significance in Bihar, symbolizing social unity and community values. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Tej Pratap Yadav attended a traditional Dahi-Chura feast at Deputy CM Vijay Sinha's residence for Makar Sankranti. Patna, Jan 13 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended a traditional 'Dahi-Chura' feast at the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Tuesday, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Several Ministers of the state government, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, were also present. The programme began with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar paying tribute to Swami Vivekananda by garlanding his portrait. One of the major attractions of this feast was Tej Pratap Yadav, who reached the residence of Deputy CM Sinha and greeted him. During the occasion, they had the photo sessions together, but when asked whether Tej Pratap Yadav would join the NDA, both the leaders said that the announcement would be made only when the time comes. Makar Sankranti holds special significance in Bihar's politics. The Dahi-Chura feasts organised by public representatives provide an opportunity for direct interaction with the common people. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha organises a 'Dahi-Chura' feast every year on Makar Sankranti. On Monday, he also hosted a grand feast in his home constituency of Lakhisarai, which was attended by thousands of people. According to Deputy Chief Minister Sinha, such events not only keep folk traditions alive but also strengthen social and political dialogue. In Bihar, Makar Sankranti is not just a religious festival, but also a symbol of social unity and cultural identity. Consuming Dahi-Chura, Tilkut (sesame seed sweets), and other sweets is traditionally considered auspicious on this day. Dahi-Chura is an integral part of Bihar's culinary culture, reflecting the values of simplicity, equality, and community. From villages to cities, people of all classes celebrate this festival with equal enthusiasm. This year, Makar Sankranti is being celebrated in Bihar on January 14-15. This is the day when the sun astronomically moves from Sagittarius to Capricorn, which is considered Sankranti. According to some traditional customs, the auspicious period or celebration continues until January 15, but according to astrology and the Hindu calendar, the main Sankranti day is January 14. However, this year, Makar Sankranti is being observed on January 15 in most districts of Bihar. - IANS Classes 1+ to start at 9 AM The Patna district administration has ordered all government and private pre-primary schools to remain closed until January 16 due to severe cold wave conditions. Classes from first standard onwards will operate with revised timings, starting at 9:00 AM. The decision, aimed at protecting young children from cold-related illnesses, has been welcomed by parents and teachers. The administration will review the situation and may extend the closure if the cold wave intensifies. Patna district orders closure of all pre-primary schools until Jan 16 and changes timings for higher classes as cold wave grips Bihar. Patna, Jan 13 In view of the prevailing cold wave conditions in Bihar, the Patna district administration has taken a significant decision regarding school operations once again. Patna District Magistrate Tyagarajan S.M. has ordered the closure of all government and private schools for children below Class 1 until January 16. According to the order, students in Play School, Nursery, LKG, and UKG will not be required to attend classes during this period. However, classes from Class 1 onwards will be conducted from 9:00 AM, while special courses and examinations related to the matriculation exam will continue as scheduled. The district administration stated that the decision was made with consideration for the health and safety of young children, who are more susceptible to cold-related illnesses. Over the past several days, temperatures have continued to fall, with extreme cold conditions prevailing particularly during the early morning and evening hours. The DM's office has directed all school managements-both government and private-to strictly comply with the order, warning that administrative action will be taken against violators. Officials emphasised that the measure is purely precautionary and aimed at preventing seasonal illnesses, such as colds, coughs, and fevers, among young children. Parents have broadly welcomed the decision, stating that sending small children to school in severe cold poses health risks. Teachers also expressed support, noting that limited school hours help balance academic continuity while ensuring student safety. The district administration has clarified that the situation will be reviewed regularly. If the cold wave intensifies, the closure period may be extended, while an improvement in weather conditions could lead to a revision of school timings. Currently, the order is applicable in Patna district, and students in classes below Class 1 will remain at home until January 16. Earlier, schools for Classes 1 to 5 had been closed until January 13, and the latest order further extends relief for younger children amid worsening winter conditions. - IANS US President Donald Trump announced his administration is working closely with Venezuelan authorities on a major oil supply deal. He stated that Venezuela has begun sending millions of barrels daily to American refineries, a deal he values at over $5 billion. Trump claimed this increased supply would help lower global oil prices, framing the engagement as part of "bringing Venezuela back." His remarks follow recent US military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of its former president. President Trump announces a major oil deal with Venezuela, claiming it will lower global prices and bring the country back from "disaster." Washington DC, January 14 US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that the country is working "very well" with Venezuelan authorities as Caracas prepares to send millions of barrels of oil to American refineries. Trump asserted that his administration is working closely with Caracas and claimed that large volumes of Venezuelan oil are already entering the United States as part of the engagement. Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump said, "I'm Venezuela's biggest fan. We're working with them. They came down from a very high number to a disaster." The US President informed that Venezuela has begun supplying oil to the United States. Trump said the arrangement would have a direct impact on global energy markets, asserting that increased supply would help lower prices. "We are bringing Venezuela back, and we are going to be great for Venezuela, great for our country. We're taking in millions and millions of barrels of oil, and now they are coming in initially on a daily basis, 50 million, and values of over $5 billion. We will get oil prices down even further," he said. Sharing the success of his military action, Trump added, "It's an incredible feeling. Winning is a good thing." Trump's remarks came after the United States on January 3, launched military action in Venezuela and captured Venezuela's then-president, Nicolas Maduro. Earlier on Sunday, 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." - ANI 100 years of health | Meitan's quiet path to longevity (People's Daily App) 14:47, January 13, 2026 In Meitan, Guizhou Province, China, two elderly grandmothers quietly defy age through simple living. They handle their own daily chores, cook with local ingredients, and rise with the sun. Living in harmony with nature's rhythm, they are enjoying long, healthy lives. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit India in the coming weeks, aiming to diversify Canada's trade partnerships amid high tariffs imposed by the United States. The visit signals a renewal of engagement after over two years of strained relations, which began in 2023 over Khalistani separatist issues and allegations involving a terrorist's killing. Both nations have agreed to begin negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with a target to raise bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030. The Indian envoy noted that trust is returning to the relationship under Canada's new leadership. Canadian PM Mark Carney plans India visit to expand bilateral trade and diversify from US tariffs, signaling a thaw in diplomatic relations. Ottawa, January 13 With Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stating that Ottawa, in order to diversify its global trade landscape, will be doubling their non-US exports by the next decade, Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik said that the Canadian PM is set to visit India in the coming weeks for the expansion of bilateral trade with New Delhi, after over two years of strained diplomatic relations. Speaking to CBC's "Power & Politics", the Indian Envoy on Monday stated that Carney's visit to India is aimed at diversifying Canada's trading partners amid high tariffs imposed by the US on its largest trade partner. Both India and Canada are facing high tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on their exports: 50 per cent tariffs on India, 25 per cent of which is due to New Delhi's purchase of Russian Oil, and 35 per cent tariffs on Canada. "In a shifting global trade landscape, Canada's new government is focused on what we can control. We're going to double our non-US exports over the next decade -- to secure new opportunities for Canadian businesses, and create tens of thousands of new careers for Canadian workers." Carney said in a post on X on Monday. Patnaik, speaking to CBC said Carney's visit is expected after India tables its Union Budget on February 1, describing the renewed engagement as a sign that "trust is back in the system." He added that diplomats are working to "catch up" on initiatives delayed due to a "slight gap" in relations. The diplomatic chill between the two nations began in 2023 when India expressed concerns over Canada's perceived leniency towards Khalistani separatist elements and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara the same year. Patnaik emphasised that the Indian government has denied any involvement, saying, "We have always said it's preposterous, absurd. It's something we don't do," and that "there is no case against the Government of India." The envoy further noted that Canada's approach is changing under the current leadership, stating, "There's a new prime minister who is changing the way Canada behaves," as quoted by CBC. In November last year, Carney accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to visit India in early 2026 on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in South Africa, according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada. Following the return of high commissioners in August 2025, the two prime ministers agreed to increase diplomatic staffing to meet growing consular demand and strengthen people-to-people ties. They also agreed to support reciprocal knowledge transfer as part of ongoing engagement between the two countries. Carney welcomed the progress being made in the law enforcement dialogue between India and Canada. India and Canada have agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) following a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, on the sidelines of the summit. The planned CEPA talks aim to raise bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030. - ANI The District Education Office in Chandigarh has extended winter vacations and revised timings for all schools until January 17, 2026, due to severe cold and foggy conditions. The order continues previous directives issued in early January, mandating strict compliance from school heads. The India Meteorological Department reported minimum temperatures as low as 0C in parts of northern India and forecasts dense fog to persist in several states until January 20. Light rainfall is also anticipated in northern regions from January 16 onwards, prompting advisories for caution. Chandigarh extends school holidays and revised timings till January 17, 2026, as severe cold and dense fog grip northern India. IMD issues forecasts. New Delhi, January 13 In view of the prevailing cold and foggy weather conditions, the District Education Office of the Union Territory of Chandigarh has extended the revised school timings and winter vacation for all government, government-aided and recognised private schools across the UT till January 17, 2026, an official order said. According to an official order issued by the District Education Officer, the extension is in continuation of earlier orders dated January 3 and January 9, 2026. The order stated that the same schedule and instructions as mentioned in the January 3 directive will remain in force during the extended period. The decision has been taken keeping in mind the ongoing severe winter conditions affecting the region. All heads of Government and Government-Aided schools in Chandigarh have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order. The order was issued on January 12, 2026, and signed by the District Education Officer, UT Chandigarh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday reported minimum temperatures of 5 degrees Celsius or below at 0830 hours IST in several parts of northern India. According to IMD, Patiala recorded a low of 3 degrees Celsius, while Ballowal Saunkri saw temperatures dipping to 0 degrees Celsius. The weather agency further forecasted that dense to very dense fog conditions are very likely to prevail during morning hours in some parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab until January 15. Dense fog is also expected in isolated pockets across these regions until January 20, 2026. Additionally, light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall/snowfall is likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand from January 16 to 19. Isolated rainfall is anticipated over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and West Uttar Pradesh on January 18 and 19. IMD advised residents to exercise caution amid the foggy conditions and potential disruptions due to precipitation in the hilly areas. - ANI China's Foreign Ministry has asserted that the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir belongs to China, justifying infrastructure construction there as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). India has firmly rejected these claims, stating the valley is an integral part of its territory and terming the 1963 China-Pakistan boundary agreement "illegal and invalid." Indian officials have consistently protested Chinese activities in the region, reserving the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its interests. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over sovereignty and infrastructure projects in the strategically sensitive Kashmir region. China asserts sovereignty over Kashmir's Shaksgam Valley, justifying CPEC construction. India rejects claims as illegal, reaffirming the territory as integral. Beijing, January 13 Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Monday rejected India's claim to the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. "The territory you mentioned belongs to China. It's fully justified for China to conduct infrastructure construction on its own territory," Mao said when asked about border issues and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The spokesperson further said that China and Pakistan had signed a boundary agreement in the 1960s and demarcated borders between the two countries and that the settlement was an exercise of the rights of two sovereign states. According to a Global Times report, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson further said the CPEC is an economic cooperation project intended to promote local economic and social development and improve people's livelihoods. Mao stressed that the border agreement between China and Pakistan, and the CPEC do not affect China's position on the Kashmir issue, adding that China's position on this matter has not changed. The Shaksgam Valley, borders Xinjiang Provinceof the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the north, the Northern Areas of POJK to the south and west, and the Siachen Glacier region to the east. Earlier on January 9, India firmly rejected China's infrastructure buildup through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the Shaksgam Valley, terming it "illegal and invalid", while noting that the region is an "integral and inalienable part" of India. During a weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has never recognised the "so-called" China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963 or the "so-called" CPEC. "Shaksgam Valley is an Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963. We have consistently maintained that the agreement is illegal and invalid. We do not recognise the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor either, which passes through Indian territory, which is under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan," Jaiswal said. He reaffirmed that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India, noting that New Delhi has "consistently protested" to the Chinese side on the matter and has further reserved the right to safeguard its interests. "The entire UTs of J&K and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India. This has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese and Pakistani authorities several times. We have consistently protested with the Chinese side for its attempts to alter the ground reality in the Shaksgam Valley. We further reserve the right to take necessary measures to safeguard our interests," the MEA Spokesperson added. - ANI China issued a strong diplomatic rebuke but took no material action following the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. Analysts note Beijing's response prioritizes risk management and avoiding direct confrontation with the United States in its sphere of influence. The situation allows China to advance a narrative positioning the US as destabilizing while presenting itself as a defender of sovereignty and international order. However, Venezuela's economic decay and limited strategic importance to China constrain Beijing's willingness to escalate its involvement. Analysis of Beijing's diplomatic reaction to the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro, highlighting its focus on risk management over confrontation with the US. Hong Kong, January 13 China was taken by surprise when US forces swooped in to seize Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro on 3 January 2026. An official Chinese delegation had even been meeting with Maduro in his palace just hours before his capture. The loss of Maduro's friendship is a blow to Beijing, as Venezuela is the only Latin American country possessing a high-level strategic partnership with China. However, China's overall reaction has been muted. China's Foreign Ministry issued an immediate rebuke, with spokesman Lin Jian saying, "Cooperation between China and Venezuela is between two sovereign states and under the protection of international law and the laws of the two countries." Lin added, "China's lawful interests in Venezuela will be protected in accordance with the law." China pledged its commitment to the United Nations (UN) Charter and to international justice, Xinhua reported, decreeing that China will "defend the bottom line of international morality, and safeguard international fairness and justice". Adam Ni, Co-Editor of the China Neican newsletter, observed, "Beyond the immediate condemnation, Beijing's response is revealing in how it handles such situations more broadly. Venezuela illustrates how China reacts when US force is applied against a partner in which it has tangible but limited economic interests. In such cases, Beijing relies on diplomatic and normative opposition, while deliberately limiting material involvement, prioritizing risk containment over confrontation." China mouthed slogans such as non-interference and its opposition to hegemonic behavior, but there was no security or military reaction, no immediate punitive actions against the USA, or any Chinese attempt to alter the status quo on the ground in Venezuela. Ni concluded, "Beijing's response has therefore been emphatic in rhetoric, but tightly circumscribed in material terms." Basically, Venezuela is not strategically vital to Beijing. The South American republic has been in a state of decay for years, and China has been forced to repeatedly renegotiate debt repayment terms and oil-for-loan arrangements. Ni concluded, "For Beijing, the priority today is less the preservation of a particular leader or government than the management of downside risk: maintaining access where possible, limiting further losses, and resisting the normalization of externally imposed regime change as a tool of great-power competition." Indeed, direct confrontation with the USA in the Western Hemisphere is not in China's interests. There would be high costs and limited strategic rewards to such a stand. Ni added: "China lacks the capacity to alter outcomes on the ground and has little incentive to test US red lines in a region Washington continues to treat as a core sphere of influence. Beijing has therefore channeled its response through diplomatic protest and institutional forums, including deliberation at the UN Security Council, rather than material countermeasures." However, President Donald Trump's shock military action in Venezuela does give China a signaling opportunity to remind international audiences of how erratic American behavior has become. Ni shared, "By stressing sovereignty and international law, Beijing advances a narrative in which the United States appears coercive and destabilizing, while China presents itself as restrained and order- oriented. In this sense, Venezuela serves as a vehicle through which Beijing restates its opposition to unilateral force and externally imposed political outcomes." Of course, China's own commitment to the UN and international jurisprudence totally depends on whether it helps or hinders China's own strategic purposes. Beijing warns that unilaterally seizing foreign leaders risks hollowing out sovereign protections in the international order, and it is repeating concerns that the USA is normalizing the use of "might is right". Ironically, this is precisely what China does with weaker neighbors like the Philippines and Taiwan, plus it viciously criticized the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 verdict over its behavior in the South China Sea. China is the largest consumer of Venezuelan oil, with the South American nation sitting atop the world's largest oil reserves. Conversely, just 4% of Chinese oil comes from Venezuela, showing how Caracas is more reliant on China than vice versa. However, the volatile situation in Iran will also have China worried, since it imports vast amounts of oil from there too. Cutbacks in Venezuelan and Iranian oil might be a future possibility. Chinese firms have invested in telecommunications, railways and ports too. Caracas also owes China at least USD 10 billion, with some estimating the debt is far greater than this. China is facing the prospect of agreements made by Maduro not being honored now, a painful reality that China suffered when Muammar Gaddafi was ousted in Libya, for example. Although this amount of money is not insignificant, it constitutes only a small proportion of China's global external debt. Ni pointed out there will be economic uncertainties for Beijing. "China has concrete interests at stake in Venezuela, most notably through energy ties, outstanding loans and infrastructure projects. These arrangements, including oil-for-loans mechanisms, have long been politically fraught and financially risky. Renewed instability directly threatens Chinese assets, repayment prospects and the viability of remaining projects." Trump has embellished his reputation as an unpredictable strongman. But does that mean the USA will normalize extrajudicial kidnappings of foreign leaders? And what does this mean for Chinese designs on Taiwan, for example? Some have speculated whether American actions now give China permission to act similarly without any UN mandate. Could it capture the Taiwanese president or singlehandedly invade Taiwan, following the precedent set by Trump? Bonnie Glaser, Managing Director, Indo-Pacific at German Marshall Fund of the United States, addressed the question whether US action will embolden China. She noted: "Washington's military strikes against Venezuela and the capture of its leader, Nicolas Maduro, provide China with an opportunity to portray the US as a global hegemon that bullies smaller countries. This advances Beijing's goal of undermining US legitimacy on the global stage. But China is unlikely to fundamentally alter its strategy toward Taiwan as a result of the American action. Beijing will not see the US disregard for international law as a useful justification for Chinese use of force against Taiwan." Glaser assessed: "China has always viewed Taiwan as an internal affair, and will not draw many parallels with the relationship between Washington and Caracas." However, others believe Trump's administration is gradually eroding the international order. Samuel White, Senior Research Fellow in Peace and Security at the National University of Singapore's Centre for International Law, posited: "The most obvious risk lies in the Indo-Pacific: the same logic could be invoked to justify China detaining a Taiwanese president under the guise of Chinese national security or domestic law enforcement." White continued, "Precedent in this context is rarely created through express endorsement. It emerges through repetition, tolerance and analogy. When a cross-border seizure is framed as justified or legally bounded - and is absorbed without sustained diplomatic or institutional pushback - it becomes a reference point for future conduct." This is precisely the strategy China is already using in the South China Sea and against Taiwan. White acknowledged, "Taiwan occupies a uniquely ambiguous position in international law and politics, existing in a space where sovereignty claims, jurisdictional assertions and security narratives routinely overlap. Actions that blur the line between law enforcement and coercion are especially potent in such an environment." This is why China uses "gray zone" tactics against Taiwan and others. To give an example, Taiwan's National Security Bureau said China conducted more than 4.17 million cyberattack incidents and sent 19,000+ social media comments promoting anti-US, anti-Lai and anti-military sentiments during the two-day Exercise Justice Mission at the end of 2025. China is watching carefully because, some think if the world tolerates American actions in Venezuela, then Beijing may expect to get away with what it claims is crossing a mere "provincial" border between China and Taiwan. White explained, "Of course, big states, including China, will always aim to do what they can get away with. The point is that, if detention operations of heads of state or senior leaders become normalized, China would face lower diplomatic costs in taking such action." As White noted, "If a head-of-state seizure can be plausibly defended as an exercise of domestic law enforcement, under the constitutional authority of executive authority, rather than an act of aggression, then the stabilising function of existing legal categories is weakened. The distinction between political coercion and law enforcement becomes harder to sustain, particularly where status, recognition or jurisdiction are contested." There are accusations that China, Russia and Iran were manipulating Maduro to destabilize the USA, such as sending drugs into the country. In other words, they were conducting "gray zone" tactics in the USA's own backyard. Unsurprisingly, the UN Security Council was never going to support a US request to topple Maduro under the UN Charter, because China and Russia would veto such a move. Glaser is certain that the action against Maduro will not form a blueprint for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) against Taiwan's leadership, however. "Capturing Taiwan President Lai Ching-te would not likely help Beijing achieve reunification. Chinese President Xi Jinping's approach toward Taiwan is based on his own logic and strategy. He's unlikely to be influenced by developments such as the recent US action or Russia's invasion of Ukraine." Yet another question is whether the PLA possesses the military nouse to perform such a surgical operation against Taiwan in any case. Glaser explained: "As the recently released Department of Defense report on China's military power noted, corruption and purges within the PLA are hindering, at least temporarily, China's military capabilities, including the PLA's ability to seize and control Taiwan at an acceptable cost. Beijing is instead relying on a vast toolkit of gray-zone tactics to instil despair among Taiwan's citizens so that they eventually capitulate. The Chinese believe that time is on their side to achieve reunification without sacrificing blood and treasure." Glaser further assessed: "China will do its utmost to protect its economic and commercial interests in Venezuela, but it'll seek to stay out of US President Donald Trump's crosshairs in a region that is geographically distant and not among Beijing's core interests. This is especially so in the run-up to the planned US-China summit in April in Beijing. That is where China will push for US concessions on its own priority list, which likely includes Taiwan." Some other commentators argue that Trump's actions in Venezuela have shattered Chinese ambitions in Latin America or farther afield. Yet such a sentiment is also unwarranted. Ryan Hass, Director of the Brookings Institution's John L Thornton China Center, weighed in, saying, "Many US analysts want to view Venezuela as a blow to China's global ambitions. Maduro's ouster embarrassed and exposed limits to the value of the Venezuela-PRC 'all-weather partnership'. Arguably, though, events in Venezuela haven't derailed or diverted the PRC from its path." Hass said, "Beijing is displeased and will seek to dial up reputational costs for the US, but it's far from being hamstrung by events. While the US has been focused on Latin America, China has been pushing to make gains elsewhere. It recently hosted French, Irish and South Korean leaders. Beijing in the coming period likely will host Canadian, British and Russian leaders. The PRC is also working to ease tensions with India." Instead, Hass pointed out, "Beijing's diplomatic priorities appear to be stabilizing its periphery, keeping markets open for PRC exports, making progress toward self-reliance, deterring further involvement by Japan or others in cross-strait relations, and laying the groundwork for Trump's planned visit." This episode of American intervention reminds us that international law is only relevant insofar that it can be enforced. Countries will continue doing whatever they wish, just as China does in the South China Sea. China does feel some humiliation, and it will want redress. Hass concluded: "In short, Beijing seems to have been caught off guard and frustrated by events in Venezuela. At a geopolitical level, though, Beijing is playing a different game, and Venezuela is not a huge piece of it. PRC leaders aren't burning the midnight oil over Venezuela." - ANI A report asserts that China employs centuries-old maps and historical narratives to portray contested waters as inherently Chinese, directly challenging modern international law. This strategy aims to delegitimize legal arbitration by framing sovereignty as historically predetermined. The same logic is applied to Taiwan, described as an inalienable part of China's historical polity. The report concludes this historical revisionism is a strategic tool of state power, controlling memory to reinforce political objectives. Report details how China uses historical narratives to legitimize South China Sea and Taiwan claims, challenging international law and arbitration. Singapore, Jan 13 Through use of centuries-old maps, voyages, and vaguely defined historical presence, China seeks to portray contested waters as inherently Chinese, despite the prevailing modern international law and adverse legal rulings, a report said on Tuesday. It added that this narrative strategy focuses less on persuading neutral arbiters and more on deligitimising the very idea of arbitration. According to a report in 'The Singapore Post', if sovereignty is framed as historically predetermined, legal adjudication and multilateral negotiation are reduced to secondary- even illegitimate. "China has increasingly treated history not as a field of inquiry but as an instrument of state power. Over the past decade, and with particular intensity since 2023, Beijing has accelerated a deliberate effort to reshape historical narratives in ways that align the past with present political and strategic objectives. This is not an abstract debate about memory or national pride. It is a systematic policy that retrofits selective history to legitimize territorial claims, suppress dissent, and narrow the scope of diplomatic compromise. In this framework, history becomes less a record of what happened and more a justification for what the state seeks to do next," the report detailed. "At the core of this approach lies the assertion that China's contemporary borders and ambitions are the natural culmination of an unbroken civilizational continuum. Nowhere is this more evident than in the South China Sea, where Beijing presents its claims as the recovery of ancient rights rather than the expansion of modern power," it added. The report stressed that the same logic drives Beijing's stance on Taiwan, with official narratives increasingly describing Taiwan not merely as a breakaway territory but as an inalienable part of the Chinese historical body polity, temporarily separated by foreign interference and civil war. "By collapsing complex twentieth-century political realities into a simplified story of national humiliation and eventual restoration, the state presents unification as a historical obligation rather than a political choice. This framing serves a dual purpose: it mobilizes domestic nationalism while constraining leadership flexibility by turning compromise into historical betrayal," it mentioned. Beijing's use of historical revisionism, the report said, as an instrument of state policy is not a "cultural curiosity but a strategic warning". "It signals a governing philosophy in which power is reinforced not only through economic or military means, but through the disciplined control of memory itself," it noted. - IANS Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin formally inducted transgender persons into the state's Home Guards, a move aligned with the new State Policy for Transgender Persons 2025. The government also distributed enhanced Pongal financial assistance of Rs 2,000 and extended this support to EPF pensioners for the first time. Simultaneously, a milestone was reached as the 3,00,000th candidate secured employment through the state's mega private-sector job fairs. These initiatives are part of broader welfare measures, including increased monthly pensions and scholarships for the transgender community. CM M K Stalin appoints transgender recruits to Home Guards, implements new state policy, and expands Pongal financial aid and employment initiatives. Chennai, Jan 13 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday presented appointment orders to seven transgender persons as a symbolic gesture, marking the formal induction of 50 transgender recruits into the Tamil Nadu Home Guards, according to an official statement issued here. The selected candidates underwent specialised training to prepare for their roles within the state's auxiliary security force. The move to induct transgender persons in Home Guards coincides with the implementation of the State Policy for Transgender Persons 2025, which envisages providing employment opportunities to the transgender community in various departments. The policy establishes the right to self-identification and recommends changes to succession laws to provide inheritance rights to the community. Official data showed the government has also supported over 811 transgender individuals through self-employment subsidies since 2021. These subsidies, worth up to Rs 50,000, enable beneficiaries to establish small businesses and trade units. The state recently increased monthly pensions for the community to Rs 1,500 and extended the Puthumai Penn scholarship of Rs 1,000 to transgender students. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also distributed cheques for the enhanced Pongal financial assistance of Rs 2,000. Twelve beneficiaries, including retired employees and family pensioners from temples managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department, received the aid. For the first time, the government extended this financial support to individuals receiving pensions and family pensions through the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) system. Simultaneously, CM Stalin addressed milestones in the state's employment sector. On behalf of the Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department, CM Stalin presented an appointment order to the 3,00,000th candidate secured through the state's mega private-sector job fairs. These drives, organised by the Employment and Training Department, serve as a platform for youth to secure positions in diverse private industries. The distribution of financial aid is timed with the upcoming January harvest festival. This follows the state's recent rollout of a Rs 3,000 cash assistance package and gift hampers containing rice, sugar, and sugarcane. The relief measures reach over 2.2 crore ration card holders across the state, specifically targeting low-income groups and farming families. - IANS The UN Security Council convened over Russia's deployment of the Oreshnik, a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile, which struck targets in western Ukraine near the Polish border. Senior UN officials expressed grave concern over the weapon's capabilities and detailed a massive Russian barrage of drones and missiles targeting civilian infrastructure amid freezing temperatures. The US, UK, and Ukraine condemned the attack as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and undermines diplomatic efforts to end the war. Russia's envoy defended the action as retaliation, while Ukraine denied the provocation and accused Moscow of using "smoke and mirrors" to hide its own crises. UNSC meets as Russia escalates Ukraine war with Oreshnik hypersonic missile strike near Poland, raising nuclear fears and derailing peace efforts. United Nations, Jan 13 As the Ukraine War nears its fourth year, the UN and several Security Council members expressed concern over the latest escalation by Russia, which used a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile that hit targets near the border with NATO member Poland. Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, who briefed the Council on Monday, said, "The Oreshnik system is believed to be capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which has heightened concern over its deployment". This was the second time since 2004 that the "the potentially devastating weapon" has been fired at Ukraine, she said. An intermediate-range ballistic missile that can carry nuclear weapons and travel at 2,300 kilometres per hour - about ten times the speed of sound - the Oreshnik hit targets in Lviv on Friday. Russia's Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia boasted at the Council that "there is no air defence protection so far" against the Oreshnik. The deployment of the missile, as the US and the Europeans intensified peace efforts, was seen as an escalation of the war by Russia's President Vladimir Putin. US Deputy Permanent Representative Tammy Bruce said, "This constitutes another dangerous and inexplicable escalation of this war, even as the United States is urgently working with Kyiv, other partners, and Moscow, to end the war through a negotiated settlement". Britain's Deputy Permanent Representative James Kariuki like many others, echoed the characterisation saying it "threatens regional and international security, and carries significant risk of escalation and miscalculation." Ukraine called for the Council meeting after Russia started a massive attack using missiles and drones, as frigid temperatures amplified the effects of Moscow's barrage that hit infrastructure facilities and other civilian targets around the country. DiCarlo said that between Thursday and Friday, Russia "reportedly launched 242 drones and 36 missiles". Ukraine's Permanent Representative Andriy Melnyk said the attacks showed that Russia was sinking "even lower in proving that there is no bottom to its criminal intent". Ramesh Rajasingham, who heads the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that as temperatures dropped to nearly minus 10 degrees Celsius, "the plight of civilians has grown more desperate, as large-scale attacks continue to push energy systems, emergency services and the very means of winter survival to the brink". Millions of people were without heat or water, Di Carlo said. Nebenzia defended the escalation and the deployment of the Oreshnik, saying it was in retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on a residence of Putin. Melnyk denied that his country had targeted a Putin home, as did some of the Western countries. DiCarlo said that Ukraine had hit energy infrastructure and civilian targets in Russia, and the attacks on Friday "deprived millions of Ukrainians of electricity, heating and water. Melnyk said that Russia was facing a serious crisis, despite its bravado, using "smoke and mirrors". Its economy was in shambles, and it was facing a massive labour shortage with its people fleeing the country as the war took a toll on Russia, he said. US President Donald Trump is currently tilting towards Kyiv in his efforts to end the war after Putin stood firm in his hardline position, refusing to negotiate on the 20-point plan offered by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky with European backing. In one of the harshest criticisms of Moscow, Bruce said, "We condemn Russia's continuing and intensifying attacks on Ukraine's energy facilities and other civil infrastructure. These attacks make a mockery of the cause of peace, a cause of paramount importance to the world, and to President Trump". - IANS Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has voiced serious concern over reported violent attacks targeting the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. He stated that the Indian government has a moral duty to stand with and protect these citizens. The Assam government has been put on high alert, stepping up security vigilance along the border due to fears of spillover effects. Sarma added that the state would request the Central government to take diplomatic steps to ensure the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expresses concern over attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, pledges support and heightened border security. Guwahati, Jan 13 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday expressed concern over the latest situation in Bangladesh, where Hindus have come under violent attacks. He said the Indian government stands with minority Hindu citizens in the neighbouring country. CM Sarma, while attending a government programme in the Sribhumi district, which shares a long boundary with Bangladesh, told reporters, "It is our concern that the Hindu community have been coming under frequent attacks in Bangladesh and it is our moral right to stand with the minority people in the neighbouring country and protect them from being subjected to any kind of unwanted situation. The central government has taken cognisance of the matter, and the state government has also been put on high alert." The Chief Minister also mentioned that the unrest in Bangladesh has some impact in Assam, and the state government has stepped up security vigilance in the localities adjacent to the international boundary. CM Sarma went on to say that the Assam government would also request the Union government to take steps to ensure the safety and security of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. "Although the foreign relation is a matter of the Central government; however, we can make a request to take care of the Hindu people who have been subjected to torture in Bangladesh. The recent incidents are highly condemnable," he added. Earlier, the CM said that developments across the international border cannot be viewed in isolation, particularly at a time when violence and insecurity appear to be escalating. "Whatever is happening in Bangladesh is a matter of serious concern for us. The torture and harassment of Hindus are reportedly increasing, and such developments could have an impact on Assam as well," the Chief Minister said, stressing the need for heightened vigilance. Referring to recent political and social developments in the neighbouring country, CM Sarma said incidents of mob violence and targeted attacks against minority communities have intensified in recent weeks. He underlined that the Assam government and security agencies must remain alert and continuously monitor the situation to prevent any spillover effects into the state. "At this moment, we need to stay cautious and closely track developments across the border. At the same time, it is important to extend moral support and reassurance to the Hindu society in Bangladesh," he added. According to the 2022 census data, Bangladesh is home to approx 13.13 million Hindus, constituting nearly eight per cent of the country's population. CM Sarma's remarks come amid the growing concern in the region over the safety and security of minority communities in Bangladesh. - IANS Congress MLA Danam Nagender has appealed to the public to avoid using hazardous Chinese manja during Makar Sankranti celebrations, emphasizing safety and Telangana's cultural traditions. He described Sankranti as a festival of unity and collective celebration. Separately, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, highlighting their significance to India's agricultural heritage. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also shared festive wishes for Lohri, praying for citizen prosperity. Congress MLA Danam Nagender warns against dangerous Chinese manja during Makar Sankranti. President Murmu and Amit Shah extend festive greetings. Hyderabad, January 13 Congress MLA Danam Nagender on Tuesday appealed to people to refrain from using Chinese manja, citing serious safety concerns amid the ongoing Makar Sankranti celebrations. Emphasising Telangana's cultural traditions, he said Sankranti symbolises unity and collective celebration. Speaking to ANI in Hyderabad, Nagender said, "I request everyone to please not use the China manja because it's very dangerous... They (people) have described everything about what Telangana culture is and what the Telangana government guarantees on these kites. I would like to congratulate them, and this is our traditional function. Sankranti is not just for a colour, it is a festival of unity and everything." Meanwhile, earlier today President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, asserting that the festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. President Murmu also expressed gratitude to nature and thanked the farmer benefactors. "Heartfelt greetings to all Indians living in the country and abroad on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu. These festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. On this occasion, we also express our gratitude towards nature. Through these festivals, we convey our thanks to the farmer benefactors. My best wishes are that these festivals bring happiness and prosperity into everyone's lives," the 'X' post said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended wishes on Lohri and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the citizens. "Heartfelt greetings on the festival of 'Lohri', a symbol of enthusiasm, zeal, and new energy. May this festival be a means of happiness and prosperity for all," the 'X' post said. Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival of Assam, marks the end of the harvest season in Magh and is celebrated with community feasts. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti, and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways 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 Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has announced he will not seek a third term in the Rajya Sabha and is vacating his seat. His decision comes after a request from a state Congress leader to allow representation from the Scheduled Caste community. The request emphasized that such a move would align with social balance and strengthen Dalit self-respect. Singh, a former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, has been a Rajya Sabha MP since 2014. Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh announces he is vacating his Rajya Sabha seat and will not seek a third term, following a request for SC community representation. Bhopal, January 13 Veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday announced that he will not seek a third term in the Rajya Sabha. His current six-year tenure is set to expire on April 9, 2026. Singh's decision comes after a request from Madhya Pradesh Congress SC Department President Pradeep Ahirwar, who urged him to make way for an SC community representative. Ahirwar, on Tuesday, wrote a letter to Singh requesting that a representative from the Scheduled Caste community be sent to the Rajya Sabha this time. When asked about Ahirwar's letter, Digvijaya Singh told reporters, "It is not in my hands, but I would only like to say that I am vacating my seat (Rajya Sabha)." In his letter, Ahirwar emphasised that this would boost Dalit self-respect and political participation, aligning with social balance and constitutional values. "Placing before you the sentiments and expectations of nearly 17 percent of Madhya Pradesh's Scheduled Caste population, I urge you to ensure representation from the Scheduled Caste community in the Rajya Sabha this time. This will not only be in line with social balance and constitutional values but also will strengthen the self-respect and political participation of the Dalit community," Ahirwar stated in his letter. Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP since 2014, has lost two Lok Sabha elections (2019, 2024) and previously served as Madhya Pradesh's CM (1993-2003). Previously, Digvijaya Singh also served as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for two consecutive terms from 1993 to 1998 and from 1998 to 2003. After the Congress party lost power in 2003 in the state, Singh announced not to contest elections for the next 10 years. Thereafter, he returned to active politics in 2013 and was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2014. - ANI On 12 January 2016, Louis Vuitton committed to supporting UNICEF with a promise to help the worlds most vulnerable children. To seal this pledge, the House introduced the Silver Lockit collection. Inspired by the padlock on the 1901 Steamer bag, this precious and symbolic piece of jewelry embodies the values of trust, protection, and transmission that are dear to Louis Vuitton and that are deeply embedded in UNICEFs programmes. Since 2016, Louis Vuitton has reinterpreted this collection each year with the aim of raising awareness of childrens rights and fundraising for UNICEF programs. Over the past decade, the LOUIS VUITTON for UNICEF partnership has raised more than 28 million dollars, thereby supporting health, education, and child protection programs for the worlds most vulnerable children. Produced in a very limited series, this exclusive unisex design is crafted, for the first time, in yellow gold*. For each gold pendant purchased, a donation of $800 USD will be made to UNICEF, thereby strengthening the impact of this collaboration in support of children. This anniversary year will also see the launch in April of new additions to the Silver Lockit 2026 collection, with activations and celebrations continuing throughout the year. More details and information coming soon. This exclusive new edition will be available in 130 Louis Vuitton stores around the world as well as on the website louisvuitton.com. The high-decibel campaign for elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), concluded, leading into a silent period before voting on January 15. These polls are viewed as a significant "mini-Assembly" battle testing the political pulse across the state's major urban centers. The contest pits the ruling Mahayuti alliance against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, with key issues including infrastructure, welfare schemes, and urban redevelopment. The elections mark the first BMC poll since the Shiv Sena's 2022 split and follow a significant delimitation process. Campaigning concluded for 29 Maharashtra municipal corporations, including BMC. Voting is on Jan 15, seen as a key test for state's political alliances. Mumbai, Jan 13 The high-decibel election campaign for 29 municipal corporations including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation concluded on Tuesday and the SEC has deployed specialised teams to monitor the Model Code of Conduct. After weeks of rallies, roadshows, and intense political sparring, the state now enters a "silent period" before voters head to the polls on January 15, while counting will take place on January 16. These elections are being viewed as a "mini-Assembly" battle, testing the pulse of the state across major urban centres including Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik, and Nagpur. The elections in these civic bodies are scheduled for 2,869 seats and a total of 3.48 crore people will cast their votes. As the richest civic body in India, the BMC remains the "jewel in the crown." This year's election follows a significant delimitation process where approximately 20-25 per cent of ward boundaries were modified to account for population shifts. In BMC elections there are about 1,729 candidates in the fray for 227 seats. Of 1,729 candidates, 879 are women and 821 men (nearly 50 per cent reservation for women). There are 1.03 crore eligible voters in BMC. The campaign saw the state's major coalitions - Mahayuti (BJP, Shiv Sena-Eknath Shinde, NCP-Ajit Pawar) and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) (Shiv Sena-UBT, INC, NCP-Sharad Pawar) - clash over infrastructure, welfare schemes and urban redevelopment. The Mahayuti highlighted the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme and promised further bus concessions for women, metro expansion, and Redevelopment Project. On the other hand, Maha Vikas Aghadi's focus centered their campaign on "protecting Mumbai's identity," criticising the government over the delay in polls (which were due since 2022), and promising free medicines for seniors and crime-free city initiatives. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spearheaded the campaign for the ruling alliance, crisscrossing the state to canvas for Mahayuti candidates. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also travelled extensively to campaign for the party nominees. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP, the third partner in the Mahayuti combine, was strategically excluded to attract "non-Hindu" voters, observers said. The run-up to the elections saw the coming together of estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray after 20 years, steadfast in their attempts to consolidate Marathi votes, while the two rival factions of the NCP joined hands for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Parbhani polls. Notably, this would be the first Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election for the Shiv Sena since the 2022 split, which saw party leader Eknath Shinde leaving with a majority of the legislators, the party name and symbol. The undivided Shiv Sena ruled the country's richest civic body for 25 years. The Congress party has also projected a strong image this election by stepping out of the shadow of its Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) in Mumbai. The grand old party has aligned with Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) and the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha in the capital, while opting to go solo in Nagpur. Elections to the 29 municipal corporations are being held after a gap of more than six years after their tenure ended between 2020 and 2023. Of these, nine are in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the state's most urbanised belt. The battlegrounds include Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Mumbai, Solapur, Amravati, Akola, Nashik, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Ulhasnagar, Thane, Chandrapur, Parbhani, Mira-Bhayandar, Nanded-Waghala, Panvel, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Latur, Malegaon, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad, Jalgaon, Ahilyanagar, Dhule, Jalna and Ichalkaranji. Telangana Minister Mohammad Azharuddin, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai were star campaigners for the polls. Fadnavis, Shinde and Ajit Pawar campaigned for their candidates across the state, while the Thackeray cousins focussed on Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where Uddhav addressed a rally. Populist promises for women were the highlight of the manifestos of both the Mahayuti and the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS. The Mahayuti has promised a 50 per cent concession for women in BEST bus travel, while the Thackeray cousins have assured a Rs 1,500 monthly allowance for women domestic workers and a property tax waiver on houses up to 700 square feet. The Congress' manifesto, on the other hand, has focussed on tackling pollution in Mumbai, improving the BEST fleet and the city's financial position. The Mumbai Mayor's post dominated the campaign discourse, with the BJP alleging that the city would have a Muslim mayor if the Sena (UBT) is voted to power, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led party countered the claim with the assurance of a Marathi mayor. CM Fadnavis also guaranteed that the mayor will be a "Hindu and Marathi". In the final seat-sharing tallies for Mumbai, the BJP is contesting 137 seats, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena 90, while the NCP is fighting separately on 94 seats. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded 163 candidates, the MNS 52, the Congress 143 and the VBA 46 in the city. The Congress has fielded 1,263 candidates across the rest of the state. To ensure transparency, the Commission is using the July 1, 2025, electoral roll. In a move to curb duplicate voting, the SEC has marked roughly 15 lakh duplicate entries across the state with a "double star" on the voters' list for heightened verification. - IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated a Joint Services Multi-Speciality Medical Camp in Lakshadweep, organized by the Indian Navy. The five-day camp aims to deliver comprehensive medical care, including specialist consultations and surgical interventions like cataract surgery, to residents. It will cover the islands of Agatti, Kavaratti, Androth, Amini, and Minicoy with a team of medical officers from all three armed services. This initiative is part of the Navy's ongoing efforts to augment healthcare services in the remote island territory. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates a 5-day joint services medical camp in Lakshadweep, offering specialist care and surgeries to island residents. New Delhi, January 13 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday addressed the inaugural ceremony of the Indian Navy's Joint Services Multi-Speciality Medical Camp in Lakshadweep through video conference. Singh said the large-scale medical camp organised by the Indian Navy reflects the Government of India's commitment to providing quality healthcare to people in remote areas, in line with the vision of 'Swasth Bharat'. In a post on X, the Defence Minister shared a video clip and wrote, "Addressed the inaugural ceremony of the Multi-Speciality Joint Services Medical Camp at Kavaratti in Union Territory of Lakshadweep through video conference. This large-scale medical camp being organised by the Indian Navy highlights the Government of India's commitment to bringing quality healthcare closer to citizens in remote areas, in furtherance of the vision of 'Swasth Bharat'." "The comprehensive screening, early diagnosis, timely medical advice, medical interventions and free distribution of medicines would contribute to long-term health benefits for the island community," the post read. The Indian Navy is organising a Joint Services Multi-Speciality Medical Camp in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep from January 12 to 16. The five-day health camp is aimed at delivering comprehensive medical care to the residents of Lakshadweep through specialist consultations, treatment services and selected surgical interventions, including cataract surgery. This initiative is part of the Indian Navy's continued efforts to support and augment the existing healthcare services in the island territory through regular conduct of camps as part of the Navy Day outreach activities. The medical camps, over the years, included various primary care specialities and dental surgery across most islands of Lakshadweep. With advances in healthcare and continued support of UTL Administration, as well as a highly encouraging response from the local populace, the health camp has been upgraded to a multi-speciality camp. The camp will cover Agatti, Kavaratti, Androth, Amini and Minicoy islands. It will be conducted by a Joint Services Medical Team comprising experienced medical officers and specialists from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The participation of professionals from all three Services will ensure a broad spectrum of clinical expertise, facilitating comprehensive and integrated healthcare delivery during the camp period. - ANI India's Defence Ministry is set to discuss a massive government-to-government deal with France to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets, valued at approximately 3.25 lakh crore. The proposal includes manufacturing a significant portion in India with around 30% indigenous content and the integration of Indian weapon systems. This deal, which would be India's largest-ever defence acquisition, comes despite competing offers of fifth-generation fighters from the US and Russia. The move is driven by urgent operational needs, highlighted by the Rafale's proven performance in recent conflicts, and will expand India's Rafale fleet to 176 aircraft across the Air Force and Navy. Defence Ministry to discuss India's largest-ever defence deal for 114 Rafale jets with 30% indigenous content. Deal includes integration of Indian weapons. By Ajit Dubey, New Delhi, January 13 In a significant development, India is going to take up the around Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal for buying 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, which would be manufactured in India with an indigenous content of around 30 per cent, at a high-level meeting of the Defence Ministry this week. Top Defence sources told ANI that as per the proposal, the deal would also include around 12-18 Rafale jets to be acquired by the Indian Air Force in fly-away condition. As per the proposal to be taken up for discussion at a high-level Defence Ministry meeting scheduled to be held in the next two to three days, the Indian side is also asking France to enable the integration of Indian weapons and other indigenous systems into the French aircraft under the government-to-government deal, they said. The source codes will remain with the French side only. Interestingly, India is moving ahead with the deal with France when both the United States of America and Russia have offered their fifth-generation fighters, including the F-35 and the Su-57, respectively, to the Indian Air Force. The indigenous content in the aircraft would be around 30 per cent only. Generally, the indigenous content required in Make in India deals is around 50-60 per cent. If approved, this would be India's largest-ever defence deal and would take the number of Rafale jets in the Indian military to 176, as the Indian Air Force already has 36 of them, while the Indian Navy placed orders for 26 of them last year. "The Statement of Case (SoC) or the proposal for the 114 Rafale jets prepared by the Indian Air Force was received by the Defence Ministry a few months ago. Once approved by the Defence Ministry, the proposal will have to be given final clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security The move to take the proposal forward came soon after the Rafale performed very well against Pakistan in Operation Sindoor, where it managed to comprehensively beat the Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles using its Spectra Electronic Warfare suite. The French side is also planning to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for the M-88 engines, which are used by Rafale jets in Hyderabad. The French firm Dassault has already set up a firm to look after the maintenance of French-origin fighter jets. Indian aerospace firms such as Tata are also likely to be part of the manufacturing. India has an urgent need to induct fighter jets to address the growing threat perception in the region. The IAF's fighter jet force structure is expected to be primarily comprised of the Su-30 MKIs, Rafales, and indigenous fighter jet projects. India has already ordered 180 LCA Mark 1A jets and also has plans to induct the indigenous fifth-generation fighter in large numbers beyond 2035. - ANI The Delhi government will inaugurate 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, marking the fifth phase of expansion for neighbourhood primary healthcare. This will bring the total number of operational centres to 319 across the national capital. Each centre will provide a wide range of free services, including doctor consultations, essential medicines, diagnostic tests, and preventive health programmes. The expansion aims to bring accessible healthcare closer to households and reduce the burden on major hospitals. Delhi expands primary healthcare with 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, offering free consultations, medicines, and tests to strengthen neighbourhood services. New Delhi, Jan 13 Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Tuesday that the state government will inaugurate 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs on Wednesday under the fifth phase of expansion, significantly strengthening neighbourhood-level primary healthcare services across the city. With this expansion, total centres will rise to 319 across the national capital, he added. "With this addition, Delhi is steadily progressing toward the establishment of more than 1,100 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, as envisioned under the national capital's long-term primary healthcare roadmap," he said. "At present, 238 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational. Following tomorrow's inauguration, the total number of functioning centres will rise to 319 across the national capital," Minister Singh added. "These centres represent a major step in the Delhi government's mission to provide free, accessible, and dignified primary healthcare close to every household. The initiative is being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in line with the national vision of 'Healthcare for All'," the Minister said. He added that each Ayushman Arogya Mandir will offer free doctor consultations, essential medicines, and diagnostic tests, along with screening for diabetes, hypertension, cancer, maternal and child healthcare, immunisation support, growth monitoring, lifestyle counselling, mental health services, and preventive health programmes such as yoga and nutrition guidance. "These neighbourhood-level facilities will significantly reduce pressure on major hospitals, ensuring timely care for women, senior citizens, and low-income families without long travel or queues." "Parallel to the expansion of Arogya Mandirs, Delhi continues to strengthen coverage under both the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Ayushman Bharat-Vaya Vandana Yojana (AB-VVY). As on 13 January 2026, a total of 6,91,530 health cards (combined PM-JAY + VVY) have been issued in Delhi, including 2,65,895 VVY cards," Minister Singh said. The Health Minister said that to ensure seamless access to secondary and tertiary care, Delhi now has 189 empanelled hospitals, comprising 138 private hospitals, 41 Delhi government hospitals, and 10 Central government hospitals. "These empanelled institutions provide cashless treatment, ensuring that financially vulnerable families can receive lifesaving care without cost barriers," he added. - IANS The Delhi High Court has issued a sweeping set of directives to overhaul the Capital's public healthcare system. Key orders include raising the EWS income eligibility limit, expediting the recruitment of medical staff, and finalizing bids for outsourced diagnostic services. The court also set a 2026 deadline for digital hospital modules and demanded a decision on the stalled expansion of Lok Nayak Hospital. Comprehensive compliance reports on these reforms are to be submitted by February 2026. Delhi High Court mandates EWS limit hike to 5L, urgent staff recruitment, and digital health reforms. Compliance reports due by Feb 2026. New Delhi, January 13 The Delhi High Court has issued a comprehensive set of directions to strengthen public healthcare delivery in the Capital, mandating immediate implementation of welfare measures, time-bound recruitment of medical staff, and urgent reforms in diagnostic and digital health infrastructure. A Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora recorded the Delhi government's decision to enhance the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) income eligibility limit from 2.25 lakh to 5 lakh per annum and directed that wide publicity be given to ensure eligible citizens are able to avail the benefit. The Court clarified that the revised EWS criteria would apply to all government hospitals as well as identified private hospitals constructed on land allotted at concessional rates. The Bench expressed concern over persistent vacancies in hospitals despite ongoing recruitment and directed the Union Public Service Commission and the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board to expedite the appointment process for specialists, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. The Court ordered that updated recruitment timelines be placed before the Health Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, warning that further delays could adversely impact public health services. On the issue of diagnostic and radiological services, the Court found the government's response unsatisfactory, noting the absence of clear information on whether empanelled diagnostic centres were capable of providing essential services such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs. The Delhi government was directed to file a detailed hospital-wise status report on the availability and functionality of diagnostic equipment, patient load during 2025, delays in issuance of reports and funds disbursed to empanelled centres. Stressing the critical nature of radiology services, the Court ordered that the bid document for outsourcing such services be finalised immediately, with bidder outreach to be completed within one month. The Health Secretary assured the Bench that he would personally supervise the bidding process to avoid further delay. The Court also addressed delays in the implementation of the NextGen e-Hospital and Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) modules recommended by the Dr. S.K. Sarin Committee. While noting that seven modules had already been implemented, the Bench directed that the remaining modules be completed by January 31, 2026, followed by a live demonstration before the Court. It further asked the Delhi government and NIC to examine the feasibility of making real-time hospital data, including bed availability and emergency facilities, accessible through a mobile application. On hospital infrastructure, the Bench expressed concern over the stalled expansion work at Lok Nayak Hospital, observing that more than 550 crore had already been spent on the partially constructed project. It directed the Public Works Department and the Health Department to hold an immediate meeting and take a decision on completing the project so that the facility could be made operational at the earliest. The Court also directed the Delhi government to ensure effective implementation of PM-JAY and PM-ABHIM schemes across the Capital so that all eligible beneficiaries receive timely healthcare support. However, it sought clarity on the status of the Delhi Arogya Kosh and ordered a fresh status report on whether the scheme continues to be operational. The matter has been listed for further hearing on February 13, 2026, with the Court directing the Delhi government to place comprehensive compliance reports on record, including responses to all terms of reference under the Dr. S.K. Sarin Committee Report. - ANI Delhi-NCR is experiencing a severe cold wave with temperatures potentially dropping to 4C, intensified by high humidity. Simultaneously, air pollution has reached hazardous levels, with AQI crossing 400 in areas like Anand Vihar, placing air quality in the 'severe' category. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired a review meeting to assess pollution action plans, emphasizing long-term solutions. Health experts warn of increased respiratory risks and advise limiting outdoor exposure. Delhi-NCR battles a cold wave with temps as low as 4C and 'severe' air pollution with AQI over 400. Health alerts issued. New Delhi, Jan 13 People across Delhi-NCR are facing a double whammy of biting cold and severe air pollution on Tuesday. While the India Meteorological Department has issued orange and yellow alerts due to an ongoing cold wave, the Air Quality Index remains at dangerously high levels in several areas. According to the IMD, a cold wave is likely to persist throughout January 13 and 14 across Delhi-NCR. During this period, the maximum temperature will hover around 20 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature can drop to as low as 4 degrees Celsius. The situation has been further aggravated by extremely high humidity levels, which have reached 97 to 98 per cent during the morning hours. The combination of cold winds and high humidity has intensified the chill, making the weather feel harsher than the actual temperature. Although a slight temperature rise is expected from January 15, with the minimum temperature likely to increase to around 6 degrees Celsius, moderate to dense fog is forecast during the early morning and night hours, potentially affecting visibility and transportation. Meanwhile, the air pollution situation remains a major concern. Data from monitoring stations operated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards indicate that the AQI has crossed the 400 mark in several parts of the national capital, placing air quality in the 'severe' category. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 411, Rohini 397, Chandni Chowk 380, Bawana 378, Wazirpur 375, and Ashok Vihar 366. Other areas also reported alarming AQI levels, with Alipur at 322, R.K. Puram at 365, Vivek Vihar at 366, Sonia Vihar at 334, and Shadipur at 309. Even locations with comparatively lower pollution, such as Sri Aurobindo Marg, recorded an AQI of 274, which still falls under the 'poor' category. In neighbouring NCR cities, air quality remained equally concerning. Noida recorded AQI levels of 357 in Sector-1, 339 in Sector-116, 340 in Sector-125, and 307 in Sector-62. In Ghaziabad, Indirapuram recorded an AQI of 324, while Sanjay Nagar stood at 309. Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (EFCC) Bhupender Yadav on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the Delhi government's action plans for tackling air pollution across the NCR, stressing the need for sustained, long-term measures rather than short-term fixes. The meeting, part of the Centre's annual review mechanism, was attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister of State (EFCC) Kirti Vardhan Singh, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Delhi government and allied agencies. Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to such polluted air can significantly increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, particularly among children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Doctors have advised people to avoid outdoor activities unless absolutely necessary, wear protective masks, and take adequate precautions against the cold. Authorities have also urged residents to follow pollution control guidelines and remain cautious during this critical period. - IANS Actress Donal Bisht has humorously addressed the recurring social media mix-up where she is tagged in posts about US politics due to the similarity of her name to former President Donald Trump. She expressed amusement that her parents could not have foreseen this connection when naming her. Separately, Bisht revealed details of a serious car accident she survived on Mumbai's Western Express Highway in December. The actress shared how the harrowing experience left her in shock but grateful for her safety and determined to carry on with her work. Actress Donal Bisht addresses being wrongly tagged in political posts due to her name's similarity to Donald Trump and details a recent car accident. Mumbai Ja, n 13 Actress Donal Bisht recently took to social media to address a rather unusual yet recurring situation she has been experiencing online, directly connected to US President Donald Trump. Owing to the similarity between her name and that of Donald Trump, the actress often finds herself being mistakenly tagged in political discussions and global news related to him on social media. In a candid and humorous post on her social media account, Donal shared her thoughts on the constant confusion, expressing both amusement and disbelief at how frequently this mix-up occurs. She pointed out how simply having the name "Donal" has unexpectedly connected her to world politics in the digital space, whereas she is not even closely related to politics. Sharing her exact thoughts, Donal wrote on social media, "Ahem ahem! I'm supposed to be tagged in political stuffs happening around the world?? Just because my name is Donal! It's been happening with me quite a lot!! I'm sure by mistake... or deliberately, I do not know." She added, "Anyways, I keep getting many world news like this just because I'm tagged in many. Dear guys, I wish I meet 'Gerald Donald Trump' someday and tell him all this! What's all happening with me! Well... the world is amusing! My parents would not even vaguely know, even in their dreams, before naming me 'Donal', that there will be a US President by my name in future! Haha. I can only say God is kind! I wish he does a great job always! And I hope everybody is happy, safe & sound!" The actress was also in news recently after she met with a major accident in Mumbai. Opening up on it, she has revealed to IANS how the experience left her in a state of shock for a long time.Donal said, "I met with a car accident on the Western Express Highway. My driver tried to save and pull away, but due to the hit, the car and truck somehow got stuck together and dragged us 100 meters on the highway. It all happened in a fraction of a second, and finally it came off when the truck driver stepped on the brake and we got saved." She revealed that the incident left her visibly shaken. "I was in a state of shock for a long time and thanked God that my driver and I were safe" she shared. Donal added, "I am just glad that I was safe and was able to deliver on my commitments. As they say, the show must go on, as if nothing happened. But when the work ended and I had some time to myself, I realised how crazy it all was. One thing I learned about life is that it goes on, no matter what, and you just have to put on a smile and keep going." The actress also revealed that the accident took place on 19th December when she was on her way to work. She met with a serious car accident on the Western Express Highway. - IANS External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the official logo and website for BRICS 2026, for which India will serve as chair. The lotus-inspired logo, featuring a Namaste gesture, symbolizes heritage, resilience, and unity among member nations. The grouping, now comprising eleven full members, represents nearly half the world's population and a significant share of global GDP and trade. India's chairmanship aims to advance cooperation and global welfare as BRICS marks its 20th anniversary. EAM Jaishankar launches the official logo and website for BRICS 2026 under India's chairmanship, focusing on resilience and cooperation. New Delhi, January 13 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday launched the official logo and website for BRICS 2026, scheduled to take place this year, with India as the chair of the multilateral forum, which was formed in 2006. The grouping is led by five major economies--Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa--with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia becoming full members of the forum later. The launch is part of India's efforts to strengthen outreach, communication, and collaboration among BRICS member nations ahead of its 2026 leadership of the grouping. The new logo is inspired by the lotus, symbolising deep-rooted heritage and rising resilience. Its petals reflect the colours of the BRICS countries, representing the many voices united under one shared purpose. At the centre of the emblem is the Namaste gesture, signifying respect and a call for collaboration. According to officials, the emblem embodies a people-centric vision, emphasising cooperation, mutual respect, and solidarity as India leads BRICS in 2026, with the tagline accompanying the logo reading, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." The website launch aims to provide a central platform for information on BRICS initiatives, projects, events, and official documents. The EAM, following the launch, stated that the BRICS chairmanship will focus on advancing global welfare as the grouping marks its 20th anniversary in 2026. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, BRICS, the grouping of major emerging economies, has grown into a significant global platform, now bringing together eleven member nations that collectively represent around 49.5 per cent of the world's population, approximately 40 per cent of global GDP, and nearly 26 per cent of global trade. The acronym BRIC was first coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs in their Global Economics Paper, "The World Needs Better Economic BRICs", based on analyses projecting that Brazil, Russia, India, and China would individually and collectively occupy a larger share of the global economy and become among the world's largest economies over the following decades. The grouping took formal shape after a meeting of the leaders of Russia, India, and China in St. Petersburg during the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006, and was further institutionalised during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York later that year. The first BRIC Summit was subsequently held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. In 2010, it was agreed to expand BRIC to BRICS, with South Africa joining at the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011. The grouping expanded further in 2024, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE becoming full members on January 1, 2024. Indonesia joined as a full member in January 2025, while Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan were inducted as partner countries of BRICS. Over the years, BRICS has evolved into a dynamic forum that promotes cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and sustainable development, and provides a platform for dialogue among emerging economies to address global challenges and reform multilateral institutions. With India set to lead BRICS in 2026, the grouping is poised to further strengthen its global footprint and advance cooperation across economic, technological, and geopolitical domains. - ANI External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, in New Delhi to discuss bolstering the India-France strategic partnership. The meeting coincided with the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by NSA Ajit Doval and Bonne, covering security, defence, space, and technology cooperation. Both sides reviewed preparations for President Macron's forthcoming visit to India and explored joint development opportunities under initiatives like "Make in India". The dialogue also addressed the evolving geopolitical landscape and enhancing cooperation for global peace and stability. EAM Jaishankar meets French President Macron's aide Emmanuel Bonne in Delhi, discussing strategic partnership, security, and Macron's upcoming visit. New Delhi, January 14 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, in New Delhi and discussed further strengthening the India-France strategic partnership. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "A pleasure meeting Amb Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France. Exchanged views on further strengthening the India-France strategic partnership." He added that they also discussed "key takeaways" from his recent visit to Paris and Bonne's engagements in Delhi. "Also discussed key takeaways from my recent visit to Paris and his engagements in Delhi," Jaishankar said. The meeting came as India and France on Tuesday reiterated their commitment to the strategic partnership during the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to the French President, in New Delhi. The two sides discussed ongoing bilateral initiatives across security, defence, technology, space and civil nuclear cooperation. They also explored opportunities for joint development and collaboration in the spirit of "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat". According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the dialogue also covered the evolving geopolitical situation, along with regional and international issues of common concern. The two sides reviewed preparations for the forthcoming visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India. India and France also underscored the importance of closer cooperation to address challenges in the global security environment, with the aim of advancing peace and stability, the MEA said. - ANI EaseMyTrip has launched its Republic Day Travel Sale, offering significant discounts across travel services from January 13 to 17, 2026. The sale features up to Rs 10,000 off on flights and hotels, holiday packages starting at Rs 9,999, and additional offers on buses and cabs. Customers can avail discounts by using the promo code 'EMTREPUBLIC' and unlock extra benefits through partner bank cards. The campaign covers a vast network of airline and hotel partners, targeting the surge in early-year travel demand around Republic Day. Book flights, hotels, buses & holiday packages with discounts up to Rs 10,000. Use code EMTREPUBLIC. Sale runs Jan 13-17, 2026. New Delhi, January 13 EaseMyTrip, one of India's leading online travel platforms, has announced the launch of its 'Republic Day Travel Sale', offering travellers attractive deals to plan their upcoming journeys during the Republic Day period and the early months of the year. The campaign, running from January 13 to 17, 2026, has been designed to encourage travel across the country and beyond, combining value-driven pricing with a seamless booking experience, the company said. As part of the 'Republic Day Travel Sale', travellers can unlock a host of limited-period offers, including flights and hotels with up to Rs 10,000 off, holiday packages starting at Rs 9,999. Also, travellers will receive an offer of upto Rs 250 on buses and Rs 500 on cabs. These offers can be availed by using the promo code 'EMTREPUBLIC' on the EaseMyTrip app or website, the company added. "Customers can unlock additional benefits when booking with AU Bank, BOBCARD, Federal Bank, and ICICI credit cards, as well as Federal Bank debit cards. Travellers also stand a chance to win exclusive giveaways from partner brands like Foxtale, Relaxo, and The Man Company," the company stated. The 'Republic Day Travel Sale' brings together an extensive network of airline partners, including Air Astana, Air Canada, Air France, Akasa Air, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, ITA Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SpiceJet, Swiss International Air Lines, Thai VietJet Air, and Virgin Atlantic. Travellers can also enjoy exclusive hotel discounts across a wide portfolio of hospitality partners, including 7 Apple Hotels, Ahuja's Hospitality, Aivaa Hotels & Resorts, Amritara Hotels & Resorts, Ananta Hotels & Resorts, Astra Hotels, Birj Hotels, Bloom Hotels, Club Mahindra, Clarks Collection, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, DLS Hotels & Resorts, Ecko Hotels, ECO Hotels, Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, FabHotels, Ginger Hotels, GoStops, Haryana Tourism, HOSHR, Hotel Sonar Bangla, Icon Hotels, juSTa Hotels & Resorts, Lemon Tree Hotels, Le Roi Hotels, Lime Tree Hotels, Limewood Hotels & Resorts, Lords Hotels & Resorts, Magnus Hotels, Mount Hotels & Resorts, MP Tourism, Moustache Hostels, Mumbai House Hotels, Neemrana Hotels, One Earth Hotels, OTHPL, OYO, Pride Hotels Group, Ramee Group of Hotels, Ramoji Group of Hotels, Renest Hotels, RG Suites, SaltStayz, Sayaji Hotels, Shahpura Hotels, Shrigo Hotels, Sinclairs Hotels & Resorts, Spree Hotels, Starlit Hotels, Sterling Holidays, Suba Hotels, Summit Hotels & Resorts, Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts, TGI Hotels, The Altruist Hotels, The Byke Hospitality, The Clarks Hotels & Resorts, The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Treehouse Hotels, Vesta Hotels & Resorts, VITS Hotels, WelcomHeritage, Windflower Resorts & Hotels, Zone by The Park, and Z Express Hotels, said the release. As part of the sale, EaseMyTrip has curated special holiday packages covering popular domestic destinations such as Corbett, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Jaipur, Kashmir, Kerala, Manali, and Nainital, along with international destinations including Bali, Dubai, Europe, Maldives, Malaysia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. The sale comes at a time when early-year travel demand is showing strong momentum, with Republic Day emerging as a key booking window for both short breaks and advance trip planning. Commenting on the launch, Manmeet Ahluwalia, Chief Marketing Officer, EaseMyTrip, said, "Republic Day often marks the start of the year's travel planning for many consumers. Through our 'Republic Day Travel Sale', we aim to make journeys more accessible by offering strong value across flights, stays, and holiday packages, while continuing to deliver a simple and reliable booking experience. Early-year travel demand has been growing steadily, and we want to ensure our customers can plan their trips with convenience and confidence." With travel demand picking up in January, EaseMyTrip's 'Republic Day Travel Sale' makes travel more flexible, convenient, and affordable, echoing the pride and progress of the Indian Republic. - ANI In a world on the brink of collapse, Danes sense threats from the East in Bornholm and from the West via Washington A Danish tourist island, roughly the size of Ibiza, is preparing in case an enemy decides to attack. More soldiers have arrived in recent months. New hangars are being built at the military base. Last week, 11 new armored vehicles were deployed, intended to deter any invasion attempt. Denmark is a small country and doesnt want to risk a nuclear power seizing a piece of its territory. We are getting better prepared all the time, and we have already reached a certain level, General Peter Boysen, head of the Danish Army, told EL PAIS. We will fight with what we have, but we need to accelerate and reinforce our forces, and that is what we are doing. Bornholm Island, in the Baltic Sea, is Denmarks easternmost point. Russia is 300 kilometers (186 miles) away, and thats where the threat General Boysen is concerned about originates. But the Danes face another danger at the same time. At the other end of the kingdom, its westernmost point, and on an island 3,700 times larger than Bornholm, the threat comes from its closest ally, the United States, and its president, Donald Trump, who intends to seize Greenland the easy way or the hard way. And that is how Denmark and these two islands tiny Bornholm and Greenland, the largest in the world find themselves caught between Russia, the old Cold War rival, and the U.S., the (theoretically) protecting power. For the first time in 80 years, we are threatened from both sides, observes Jonas Parello-Plesner, executive director of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation and a former Danish diplomat, from Copenhagen. We are in a world on the brink of collapse. Danish army maneuvers on Bornholm Island, January 9. Minsterio danes de Defensa The flight to Bornholm located south of Sweden and north of Poland from Copenhagen takes 25 minutes. Echoes of Greenland reach the capital, Rnne, a laboratory for the remilitarization of Europe, where people say, half-jokingly, I hope Trump doesnt set his sights on this island. The mayor, Frederik Trolstrup, speaks more seriously: The United States used to be a beneficial force in the world. Now they want a part of this kingdom. Its sad. Friday, January 9. Almegaards Kaserne, the barracks that, since last summer, has housed the Bornholm Regiment. That day, in Washington, Trump reiterated that he is not ruling out the use of force to conquer Greenland. Meanwhile, in one of the barracks hangars, still under construction, the newly arrived Patria 6x6 vehicles are being presented to the press and military authorities. These are Finnish-made infantry fighting vehicles intended to protect the island from another president with territorial ambitions: Vladimir Putin. We need soldiers on Bornholm Island. Its the closest point in the kingdom to the enemy, says Colonel Lars Nygaard, the regiments commander, in the hangar. This is like an aircraft carrier, but stationary, says the army Chief of Staff, General Boysen, adding: Were in the middle of the Baltic Sea. Its a sensitive area. Thats why its important for us to show any potential enemy that were prepared to defend Bornholm. Bornholm Island has always been a sensitive area. During the years of Nazi occupation, it was a sleepy place, with more horses than cars, as Ken Follett describes it in his novel Hornet Flight (2002), which is set during that time and in this location. With Adolf Hitlers defeat, the island came under Soviet control. In Soviet head-quarters at Roenne there were pictures of King Christian and Queen Alexandrine, but none of Stalin, a correspondent for The New York Times reported in 1945. The Danes retain the civil administration on Bornholm, but the Russians control of all military matters is tantamount to Moscow sovereignty over the island, he added. It was called Russian Denmark, and it lasted for 10 months, between 1945 and 1946, until the Soviets agreed to leave and return it to Copenhagen. From that era remains a Russian cemetery and the awareness that one day this could once again become a weak link in the Danish Kingdom. At the end of the Cold War, the Danish military presence was reduced. But with Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, tensions returned to the Baltic Sea. The signs were visible: the explosion, in September of that year, of the Russian Nord Stream gas pipeline, a few kilometers from Bornholm; the proximity to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad; and the phantom fleet that furtively sails these waters. At the Almegaards Kaserne, where hangars are being built, soldiers arrive, and the Patria 6x6 vehicles are being tested for the first time. General Boysen gets behind the wheel of one and drives us across the steep, icy, and bumpy terrain. Back at the barracks, he explains: There are no direct threats against Bornholm at the moment, but we must be ready. Its the best way to avoid war. When asked about Greenland, Boysen replies, Its a political issue, so Ill refrain from discussing it. When the 1952 Royal Decree, cited in the Danish press, is mentioned, which obliges Danish soldiers to fight if their territory is attacked (and this also applies if the aggressor is an ally), he states, If you are a soldier, anywhere, and you are attacked by a foreign country, you have the right to defend yourself and your country. A Danish army armored vehicle on Bornholm Island, January 9. Minsterio danes de Defensa Denmark, after World War II, was neither neutral, like its neighbor Sweden, nor pacifist. A visit to the war memorial in Copenhagens Citadel is enough to understand this. A time, a place, a human being, reads an inscription on the stone. The list of names reflects this, as do the places where they fell, from Gaza in the 1950s to Afghanistan and Iraq, where 52 soldiers died a testament to the price of loyalty to the United States. But today, the White House is pressuring Denmark, and the priority of the armed forces is no longer distant wars, but the protection of national sovereignty. We gave very little thought to territorial defense, Parello-Plesner reflects. Now, suddenly, with Ukraine, were not on the front line [against Russia], but we are on the second line, precisely in Bornholm. And on the other side, in the west, we were used to having our friend, partner, and ally. Not anymore, and all of this is very much present on the Baltic island. If we want to send a message to the United States, says a soldier during an informal conversation, we could send our guys from Bornholm to Greenland. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Elon Musk has sharply criticized Apple's multi-year deal to use Google's Gemini AI models, calling it an "unreasonable concentration of power" for Google. The criticism comes as Google faces ongoing antitrust scrutiny and Apple seeks to close its generative AI gap. Meanwhile, Musk's xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI over ChatGPT integration, alleging anti-competitive App Store practices. The dispute unfolds alongside international regulatory actions against Musk's Grok AI and significant funding milestones for xAI. Elon Musk calls the Apple-Google Gemini deal an "unreasonable concentration of power" for Google, amid antitrust scrutiny and legal battles. New Delhi, Jan 13 Tesla CEO and founder of AI firm xAI Elon Musk on Tuesday sharply criticised Apple's decision to adopt Google's Gemini models for nextgeneration Siri and Apple Foundation Models, calling it "an unreasonable concentration of power" for Google. Musk posted his criticism on the social media platform X after Google confirmed the multiyear deal would supply Gemini models and cloud infrastructure to power Apple Intelligence features. "This seems like an unreasonable concentration of power for Google, given that they also have Android and Chrome," Musk wrote. The dispute comes at a time when Apple seeks to close its generative AI gap, and Google faces ongoing antitrust scrutiny in the US and overseas over its dominance in search, advertising, and browsers. Further, Musk's AI firm xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI over an earlier integration of ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence as an optional add-on. Musk alleged that Apple's app Store practices disadvantage rivals such as Grok, and the lawsuit has survived initial dismissal and is set to proceed, according to multiple reports. The row also followed international backlash for Grok, which has been blocked in countries including Indonesia and Malaysia after allegations it generated nonconsensual sexualised images, including content involving minors. India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) also cracked down on X Corp for failing to prevent the generation and circulation of obscene, nude, and indecent content on its platform. Google recently announced the introduction of new Gemini-powered experiences, including AI Inbox, for more helpful and personalised insights for its users. The new capabilities have started rolling out in the US to Gmail users as well as Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, said the company. Earlier this month, xAI announced completion of a $20 billion funding round from investors including Nvidia Corp., Valor Equity Partners, and the Qatar Investment Authority. The firm, which had already raised about $10 billion of corporate equity and debt in 2025, has been burning through about $1 billion per month. Musk had earlier confirmed that xAI is expanding datacentre capacity in Memphis toward almost 2 gigawatts. - IANS Russian forces launched a massive overnight aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying nearly 300 attack drones alongside 18 ballistic and 7 cruise missiles. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported at least four people were killed when missiles struck a postal terminal in the Kharkiv region. The strikes primarily targeted energy-generation facilities and substations, causing extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and leaving hundreds of thousands without power during a cold wave. Zelenskyy emphasized the critical need for daily air defense missiles and renewed calls for accelerated international military support. Ukraine's President reports 4 dead after massive Russian air assault targeting energy infrastructure with nearly 300 drones and 25 missiles overnight. Kyiv, January 13 At least four people were killed after Russia launched a massive overnight aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying nearly 300 attack drones along with 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday. In a statement posted on X, Zelenskyy said most of the drones used in the attack were Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles and that Russia once again targeted Ukraine's energy-generation facilities and substations, causing extensive damage to residential and civilian infrastructure across multiple regions. According to the Ukrainian President, the Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions came under attack, and Russian strikes on a postal terminal in Korotych in the Kharkiv region killed four people. "Almost 300 attack drones, most of them "shaheds," along with 18 ballistic and 7 cruise missiles, were launched by the Russians against Ukraine last night. Once again, the main target of the strike was our energy-generation facilities and substations. Sadly, there has been extensive destruction of residential and civilian infrastructure," Zelenskyy said. "Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions came under attack. With no military purpose whatsoever, Russia lobbed missiles at a postal terminal in Korotych, Kharkiv region, killing 4 people," he added, offering condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Russia's strikes on Ukraine's energy-generation facilities and substations are intended to deprive households of electricity amid a cold wave gripping the country. Zelenskyy noted that the situation in the Kyiv region also remains difficult, with several hundred thousand households currently without electricity following the strikes. He said emergency services are operating on the ground and "Points of Invincibility" have been deployed to support residents affected by power outages. Emphasising Ukraine's resilience, the President said that Ukrainians continue to support one another wherever Russia attempts to inflict destruction, adding that internal resilience is especially critical during winter. "Points of Invincibility have been deployed. As always, wherever Russia tries to destroy, Ukrainians support one another, and internal resilience is what is most needed right now. Every such strike against life is a reminder that support for Ukraine cannot be stopped. Missiles for air defense systems are needed every day, and especially during winter," the Ukrainian President said. The Ukrainian leader renewed his appeal for international support, stressing that every such strike is a reminder that assistance to Ukraine must continue, highlighting the daily need for air defence missiles, particularly in winter, and calling on the global community to respond with new aid packages. Zelenskyy concluded that Ukraine expects accelerated deliveries already agreed with the United States and European partners, adding that Russia must learn that "cold will not help it win the war." - ANI Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has committed to complying with a Supreme Court order to conduct pending elections for the five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority by June 30. The court has mandated that the final ward-wise list be published by February 20. Shivakumar stated the government will provide necessary directions to the State Election Commission and will not seek any extension of the deadline. He expressed confidence in Congress's performance, dismissing the challenge and commenting on the potential alliance between the BJP and JDS. Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar assures Supreme Court order will be followed to conduct Greater Bengaluru Authority corporation polls by the June 30 deadline. Bengaluru, January 13 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday assured to comply with the orders of the Supreme Court to conduct pending polls to the five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority before June 30 of this year. "As per the Supreme Court order, GBA Corporation elections will be held within the stipulated date. Necessary directions will be given to the State Election Commission in this regard," DK Shivakumar said. The court on Monday asked the Karnataka Government and the State Election Commission to hold GBA polls by June 30, with the final ward-wise list to be out by February 20. When asked about the Supreme Court's deadline for holding municipal elections, DK Shivakumar said, "The State Election Commission has filed an affidavit before the court, and that is a matter for them. The government will issue all kinds of orders. We need district and taluk panchayat elections. Whatever decision needs to be made as per the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution, it will take that decision." When asked about technical objections, he said, "Some people will file objections. A committee has been formed for that, and it will make a decision. The State Election Commission will conduct the elections, and we will give them whatever direction they need to be given. There have been rumours that women have been denied a reservation. I have not noticed this. If it is wrong, they will be asked to check it and correct it. We will not interfere in anything." Shivakumar further clarified that the government will not "seek any time" to extend the date for elections. Karnataka Deputy CM expressed confidence that people would support the Congress. "When asked how challenging this election is for you, you said, "What is the challenge? It is my duty to conduct elections. We are empowering the workers, preparing new leaders. I am confident that people will support the work we are doing. We will win in all five municipalities." When asked about the possibility of BJP and JDS uniting in the election, Shivakumar said, "When asked about the friendly fight between BJP and JDS, you said, "Let them do something. Let them hold elections together or separately. If they hold the assembly and municipal elections together like they held the parliamentary elections, there will be a direct contest." - ANI German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the Bosch campus in Bengaluru, underscoring the deepening economic and technological collaboration between India and Germany. The visit featured demonstrations of advanced technologies, including a hydrogen-powered truck and AI security solutions. Bosch India leadership highlighted the visit as a symbol of the strong bilateral partnership. The tour emphasized Germany's role in supporting India's growth in sustainable mobility and digital innovation. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Bosch's Bengaluru campus, highlighting Indo-German ties in mobility, manufacturing, and tech innovation. New Delhi, Jan 13 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the Bosch campus at Adugodi in Bengaluru on Tuesday as part of his first official visit to India -- highlighting the growing economic and technological partnership between India and Germany. He also visited the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science, although media access was not permitted at either location. According to a statement from Bosch in Bengaluru, the Chancellor's visit reflected the strong ties between the two countries, particularly in the areas of mobility, manufacturing and innovation. The visit also underlined the important role played by German companies in India's growth and technology ecosystem. Guruprasad Mudlapur, President of the Bosch Group in India and Managing Director of Bosch Limited, welcomed the German delegation at the company's India headquarters and showcased key innovations developed in the region. "Bosch felt honoured to host Chancellor Merz, adding that the visit reaffirmed India's position as a global hub for technological innovation and economic growth," he said. Mudlapur described the visit as a moment of pride for Bosch and said it stood as a strong symbol of the partnership between India and Germany. "During the visit, the delegation was introduced to several advanced technologies being developed by Bosch," he added. As part of the showcase, the guests experienced Bosch's H2ICE demonstrator truck, which runs on a hydrogen-based internal combustion engine and features a fully integrated powertrain and telematics system. Bosch said it is working closely with its German operations to support the hydrogen transition and promote zero-emission, sustainable mobility solutions. The delegation was also briefed on Bosch's software innovations, including AIShield, an artificial intelligence security solution designed to improve the safety, protection and reliability of AI systems. Bosch said these technologies reflect its focus on future-ready mobility and digital solutions, aligned with global sustainability goals. - IANS German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concluded a two-day official visit to India aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. He engaged in high-level meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including a visit to Sabarmati Ashram and the inauguration of the International Kite Festival. Merz emphasized that concluding a Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union is crucial for unlocking full economic potential. The visit coincided with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concludes a two-day India visit with PM Modi, focusing on trade, investment, and strengthening bilateral strategic ties. Gandhinagar, January 13 Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz concluded his two-day official visit to India on Tuesday, following a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening India-Germany ties. According to a press release from the Gujarat CMO, Chancellor Merz participated in several cultural and strategic programmes alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat and attended the India-German CEO Forum, which focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and innovation. Following his engagements, Chancellor Merz departed from Ahmedabad Airport for Germany, where he received a warm farewell from Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and other senior dignitaries. Several top officials were present at the airport, including Chief Secretary MK Das, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department Anju Sharma, Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner GS Malik, Chief Protocol Officer Jwalant Trivedi, District Collector Sujeet Kumar, and senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the release stated. Moments after his arrival on early Monday, Chancellor Merz met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and inaugurated the 'International Kite Festival (IKF) 2026' at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. The two leaders inaugurated the festival by flying kites, symbolising the strong diplomatic relations and friendship between India and Germany. Prior to this, both leaders visited the Sabarmati Ashram, where they gave floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. During his joint Press Conference with PM Modi, Merz said that concluding the negotiation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 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, 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." This was the German Chancellor's first official visit to India, which coincided with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. - ANI Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the Wildlife Care Centre in Ahmedabad to review the ongoing Karuna Abhiyan, a statewide initiative to rescue and treat birds injured by kite strings during the Uttarayan festival. The campaign, running from January 10-20, involves over 728 veterinary doctors and more than 8,620 volunteers across 1,036 treatment centres. Since its inception in 2017, the program has successfully treated and saved over 103,874 animals and birds out of 112,951 rescued. The Forest Department has also launched a 24x7 WhatsApp helpline (8320002000) to facilitate immediate reporting and assistance for injured birds. CM Bhupendra Patel visits Ahmedabad Wildlife Care Centre, reviews statewide Karuna Abhiyan initiative to treat birds injured by kite strings during Uttarayan festival. Gandhinagar, January 13 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, accompanied by Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia, on Tuesday visited the Wildlife Care Centre in Ahmedabad's Bodakdev area, which is functioning under the statewide Karuna Abhiyan initiative aimed at preventing injuries to birds caused by kite strings during the Uttarayan festival and ensuring timely treatment and care for injured birds. During the visit, he reviewed the Wildlife Care Centre's activities and visited the Water Birds Centre. AP Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of the Forest Force, defined the Karuna Abhiyan as an exceptional initiative to rescue injured birds during the Uttarayan festival, under the guidance of the Chief Minister. He noted that thousands of birds were saved during the campaign, conducted from January 10 to 20, with support from the Animal Husbandry Department, Forest Department, Municipal Corporations, and various voluntary organisations, as stated in the release. Under Karuna Abhiyan-2026, more than 728 veterinary doctors and over 8,620 dedicated volunteers are engaged in service. Across the state, more than 1,036 treatment centres and collection centres have been established. During this campaign, animal hospitals, veterinary polyclinics, branch animal hospitals, mobile animal hospitals, and Karuna Animal Ambulances will remain operational on holidays across the state. As a result of the state government's 2017 initiative, many animals and birds have been saved. Karuna Abhiyan, which focuses on the care and treatment of birds and animals during festivals such as Uttarayan and other public celebrations, has become a unique initiative in Gujarat. Last year, under the Karuna Abhiyan, more than 12,771 animals and birds were rescued across the state. Over the past nine years, a total of 1,12,951 animals and birds have been rescued statewide under this campaign, of which 1,03,874 animals and birds were treated and saved. 'Karuna Abhiyan', initiated in Gujarat for the first time, has today become a guiding example for the entire country. The statewide Karuna Abhiyan, aimed at preventing injuries to birds and animals from kite strings during the Uttarayan festival, is being held from January 10 to 20, 2026, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. To provide timely and appropriate treatment for injured birds across the state, the Forest Department has introduced the WhatsApp number 8320002000 and the 1926 helpline, both of which will operate 24x7. By sending a 'Hi' message to this number, a link will be shared, offering details of district-wise bird treatment centres. In addition, the Animal Husbandry Department operates the number 1962 to help in saving animals and birds. During the Chief Minister's visit, Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain, District Panchayat President Kanchanben, Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani, Principal Secretary of the State Forest and Environment Department, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, other officials of the Forest Department, representatives of various organisations associated with the Karuna Abhiyan, as well as volunteers and NCC cadets, were present. - ANI The Gujarat Titans franchise is launching the third edition of its Junior Titans grassroots initiative across five cities in Gujarat, starting January 17. The program aims to encourage physical activity and outdoor play among children, having already engaged over 10,000 kids in its first two editions. This year's edition will travel to Surendranagar, Morbi, Amreli, and Anand before concluding in Ahmedabad, focusing on non-competitive participation and community connection. The initiative uses sport to inculcate values like teamwork and resilience in children. Gujarat Titans launch the 3rd edition of Junior Titans, a grassroots sports program for children, across five cities in Gujarat starting January 17. Ahmedabad, January 13 Gujarat Titans are set to launch the third edition of their flagship grassroots initiative, Junior Titans, echoing the spirit of "Let's Sport Out!" across five cities in Gujarat, according to a release. The 2026 edition builds on the foundation laid over the past two years, which has collectively engaged over 10,000 children across multiple cities in the state, reinforcing the franchise's commitment to encouraging physical activity, outdoor play and sporting enthusiasm among young children. Since its inception in 2024, Junior Titans has been conceptualised as a multi-city grassroots programme with a clear focus on reaching children and communities across Gujarat. The first edition featured activations across Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot and Bhuj, with a concluding showcase in Ahmedabad, engaging over 5,000 children from over 100 schools in the under-14 age group. The second edition in 2025 moved further across the state with events in Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Bharuch, Palanpur and Ahmedabad, once again engaging more than 5,000 children from over 100 schools. Each year, the initiative has travelled to new cities, enabling Gujarat Titans to deepen its engagement with communities across different parts of Gujarat. The third edition places renewed emphasis on meaningful community engagement beyond Ahmedabad, taking the initiative further into the state and closer to the communities that the franchise proudly represents. Along with encouraging children to engage in sport and outdoor activities, Junior Titans provides families and local communities an opportunity to engage with the Gujarat Titans brand and its ethos. Through a range of fun, inclusive games and activities, the programme naturally inculcates values such as teamwork, perseverance and resilience, using sport as a powerful medium for learning and development. The third edition will begin on Saturday, 17 January, in Surendranagar, hosted at the Cambridge School of Excellence. Thereafter, the programme will move to a new city every Saturday--Morbi (24 January), Amreli (31 January) and Anand (7 February)--before concluding in Ahmedabad on 14 February. The initiative aims to bring together hundreds of children across these locations, motivating them to step outdoors, play and engage in sport from an early age. The format remains non-competitive, prioritising participation, inclusion and the joy of being active. Speaking ahead of the launch, Colonel Arvinder Singh, COO of Gujarat Titans, said, "Over the last two editions of Junior Titans, we've seen first-hand how deeply sport can connect with children, families and local communities across Gujarat. This initiative is not about competition or results, but about participation, joy and shared experiences; bringing the Titans ethos to life beyond the stadium. As we take Junior Titans to new cities this year, our aim is to motivate children to step outdoors and play, whilst further developing our relationship with communities across Gujarat." Embodying the spirit of 'Let's Sport Out!', 'Junior Titans' continues to be a cornerstone initiative for the Ahmedabad-based franchise to strengthen its commitment to forging meaningful community engagement across Gujarat. More details on the city-wise venues will be notified soon. - ANI Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge sent heartfelt Lohri greetings via social media, wishing citizens happiness and prosperity. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also extended wishes, highlighting the festival's themes of harvest and brotherhood. President Droupadi Murmu greeted the nation on Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, calling them symbols of agricultural tradition and national unity. These harvest festivals, celebrated with regional variations, honor farmers and express gratitude towards nature. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, President Droupadi Murmu, and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami extend warm Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu greetings. New Delhi, January 13 Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, sent his 'heartiest' greetings to the citizens of India on the occasion of Lohri, on Tuesday. He also hoped for the festival to bring boundless happiness and prosperity to people's lives. Through his X post, he said, "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the occasion of Lohri.On this auspicious occasion of Lohri, heartfelt congratulations to everyone. May this festival of joy and celebration bring boundless happiness and prosperity into your lives." Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday extended greetings to the state's people, especially the Punjabi community, on the occasion 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 hope that this festival brings 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. On the same day, 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 in Assam, marks the end of the Magh harvest season and is celebrated with community feasts. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti, and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways 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 The Himachal Pradesh government has raised serious concerns over reduced import duties on apples following India's Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand, fearing similar concessions for the US could devastate local growers. Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi warned that the arrival of New Zealand apples during Himachal's peak season would disrupt the market and depress prices for local produce. The state government also highlighted the financial strain of bearing the entire Rs 140 crore cost of the Market Intervention Scheme after the Centre drastically reduced its share. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu plans to meet Union ministers and the Prime Minister to demand a rollback of duty cuts and protection for hill-state farmers. Himachal govt warns apple import duty cuts in NZ FTA, potential US deal could devastate local growers' market and prices. CM to take up issue with Centre. Shimla, January 13 Amid growing apprehensions among apple growers over reduced import duties following India's Free Trade Agreement negotiations with New Zealand and fears of duty cuts for imports from the United States, the Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday held a high-level meeting with farmers and horticulture stakeholders to chalk out a response and raise the issue with the Centre. The meeting, held in Shimla, was attended by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, and representatives of various farmer and orchardist organisations. The discussions centred on the rationalisation of import duty on apples from New Zealand from 50 per cent to 25 per cent and concerns that similar or even zero-duty concessions could be extended to the US and other countries in future trade agreements. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi warned that the timing of New Zealand apple imports could severely damage Himachal's apple economy. "When fresh apples from New Zealand arrive in India, our apples stored in cold stores and controlled-atmosphere facilities will be coming into the market at the same time. This will completely disrupt our market," Negi said. He added that with the expansion of high-density plantations in Himachal Pradesh, locally produced apples now start arriving as early as June, with peak season in July and August. "If New Zealand apples compete with our produce during the peak season, Himachali growers will not get remunerative prices. This will not only harm Himachal but also affect apple-growing states like Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and even the northeastern states that have recently taken up apple cultivation," he said. Negi said representatives of several orchardist bodies, including Deepak Singha, Rakesh Singha and Sanjay Chauhan, participated in the meeting. He noted that BJP legislators were also invited but did not attend. The minister also highlighted the financial stress caused by changes in the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), launched by the Centre in 1987 to protect farmers in hill states. "Under the MIS, the Centre earlier shared losses with the states. Last year, the allocation was reduced to a token amount of Rs 1 lakh. As a result, despite procuring nearly 98,000 metric tonnes of apples from growers, not a single rupee came from the Centre," Negi alleged. He said the Himachal Pradesh government has had to bear a burden of around Rs 140 crore to continue the scheme. "Because of the Centre's wrong policies, Himachal is likely to face even greater losses in the coming time," he added. Minister Negi said the Chief Minister would soon meet the Union Agriculture Minister, Finance Minister and also write to the Prime Minister, demanding a rollback of duty cuts and protection for hill-state farmers. "We will strongly demand that the agreement with New Zealand be cancelled, as apple farming is the backbone of Himachal's economy," he said. Minister Negi also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier assurances. "When the Prime Minister campaigned in Himachal, the import duty was 75 per cent. He had promised to raise it to 100 per cent. Just like the promises of Rs 5 lakh and two crore jobs, apple growers too have been misled," he alleged. He warned that if demands are ignored, farmers may be forced to take the path of agitation. Joint convener of farmers' organisations Sanjay Chauhan said the issue raised by the Chief Minister was extremely serious. "Under the negotiations between India and New Zealand, import duty on apples has been reduced from 50 per cent to 25 per cent. Duty on pears has been cut from nearly 50 per cent to 16.5 per cent, while kiwi imports from New Zealand will attract zero tariff," Chauhan said. He said various organisations, including Himachal Kisan Sabha, Sanyukt Kisan Manch, Himachal Pradesh Apple Growers Association, and Progressive Growers Association, participated in the meeting. Chauhan warned that future trade deals could further devastate apple growers. "Talks are already on with the United States, where import duty on apples may be reduced from 25 per cent to zero. If similar agreements are signed with countries like Turkey, Italy or even China, nearly 15 lakh families in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, whose livelihood depends on apple farming, will be pushed into deeper crisis," he said. Chauhan said farmers have urged the Chief Minister to take a united stand with Jammu and Kashmir. "We have suggested that Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir jointly approach the Centre. In developed countries, farmers receive heavy subsidies. Imports from New Zealand will cause massive losses to growers in Himachal, Uttarakhand and J&K," he said. He added that farmers are willing to accompany the state government to Delhi if needed. "This is not just a policy issue; it is a question of livelihood and survival for lakhs of families," Chauhan said. - ANI Indian High Commissioner Adarsh Swaika met Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia W Mudavadi to strengthen bilateral ties. Both sides agreed to convene the Kenya-India Joint Commission for Cooperation in New Delhi to set a results-driven agenda. Discussions covered expanding cooperation in digital infrastructure, trade, and people-to-people connections. The talks also aligned on India's upcoming AI Impact Summit, where Prime Minister Modi has invited President Ruto, and the Raisina Dialogue. Indian envoy meets Kenya's top diplomat; sides agree to convene Joint Commission in Delhi, discuss trade, AI summit, and Raisina Dialogue. Nairobi, January 13 High Commissioner of India to Kenya Adarsh Swaika met Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia W Mudavadi on Monday, with both sides agreeing to convene the Kenya-India Joint Commission for Cooperation in New Delhi as part of efforts to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. According to a post by the High Commission of India in Nairobi, the meeting focused on recent and upcoming high-level exchanges between India and Kenya, reflecting what it described as the depth and dynamism of the bilateral partnership. The two leaders also exchanged views on expanding cooperation in key areas, including digital public infrastructure, trade and investment, development partnerships, and people-to-people ties, rooted in the historic and enduring relationship between the two countries. "HC Adarsh Swaika called on Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Musalia W Mudavadi. Discussions focused on recent and forthcoming high-level exchanges between India and Kenya, reflecting the depth and dynamism of the bilateral partnership. They also exchanged views on expanding cooperation in key areas including digital public infrastructure, trade and investment, development partnership, and people-to-people ties, anchored in the historic and enduring relationship between India-Kenya," the post read. Mudavadi, in a post on X, said Kenya and India share a century-long bond anchored in brotherhood, shared values, and mutual interests. He noted that his discussions with High Commissioner Swaika aimed to advance the long-term partnership between the two nations, particularly in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. He also said the two sides aligned on India's upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, to which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto. In addition, they discussed the Raisina Dialogue, India's flagship forum shaping global conversations on geopolitics and geoeconomics. Highlighting the decision to convene the Kenya-India Joint Commission for Cooperation in Delhi, Mudavadi said the meeting would set a clear, results-driven agenda to deliver tangible outcomes for both countries. "Kenya and India share a century-long bond anchored in brotherhood, shared values, and mutual interests. I met with H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika, High Commissioner of India to Kenya, to drive forward our long-term partnership in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. We aligned on India's upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited President William Samoei Ruto, as well as the Raisina Dialogue, India's flagship platform shaping global conversations on geopolitics and geoeconomics," the Prime Cabinet Secretary said. "We also agreed to convene the Kenya-India Joint Commission for Cooperation in Delhi, setting a clear, results-driven agenda focused on delivering tangible outcomes for both countries," he added. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Kenya are maritime neighbours, and their modern relationship has developed into a strong and wide-ranging partnership, characterised by frequent high-level engagements, growing trade and investment, and deepening people-to-people connections. - ANI On July 20, 1988, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, then Supreme Leader and founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, appeared on national radio to announce the end of the war with Iraq. He did so by comparing the decision to drinking from a poisoned chalice. Khomeini knew that, after eight years of war and more than 200,000 soldiers killed, the survival of his regime depended on draining that cup to the dregs. That phrase, deeply ingrained in the collective memory of Iranians, could well be applied to the Islamic Republic now, as former head of the Iran branch of Israeli defense intelligence Danny Citrinowicz pointed out on Monday on X. A regime facing demonstrations that it claimed to have under control on Monday through repression and facing the threat of a new attack from the United States, must either undertake a change in policy the poisoned chalice 2.0, as the analyst calls it or face its demise, if not as a result of these protests, then in others to come, as predicted by Citrinowicz and other experts. One of those changes could concern the Iranian nuclear program, which the West fears is aimed at acquiring atomic weapons, something Tehran denies. On Monday, during a meeting with diplomats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that his country is open to negotiations with the United States, as reported by the Qatari channel Al Jazeera. A day earlier, Donald Trump, aboard Air Force One, had stated that he had received an offer from Iranian authorities to negotiate about the program. The U.S. president did not rule out very strong military or other options against Tehran, he said, even if this potential dialogue materializes. The statements from both men corroborated what was already suspected after Omans Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, a leading regional negotiator, traveled to Tehran on Saturday, as anti-regime protests intensified. In the Iranian capital, he met with the top officials of the regimes more moderate faction, which is more open to compromises with the West: President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Araghchi, and the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani. Cars burn in a street during a protest in Tehran last Thursday. Stringer (via REUTERS) Oman hosted the nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran in June Araghchi led his countrys delegation during which Iran drew a red line: its refusal to completely abandon its uranium enrichment program, as demanded by the U.S., which the current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has repeatedly defended as a sovereign right. This refusal was the pretext used by Israel, its regional nemesis, to launch a wave of military attacks on the eve of the sixth round of negotiations against Iranian nuclear facilities and military and civilian targets, in which Washington also participated. An Iranian source, quoted by the well-informed regional news portal Amwaj, alluded to how Omans foreign minister had conveyed a U.S. ultimatum to his counterparts. The following day, Trump revealed the alleged offer from Tehran, which suggests that the latest wave of anti-regime protests may have led Iran to reconsider its refusal to return to the negotiating table. The Iranian regime is trying to survive. If Trump offers them that possibility [through negotiations], they will probably accept it, notes Luciano Zaccara, senior fellow at the New Ground Research think tank, from Qatar. That doesnt mean that, as in June, an unpredictable Trump wont bomb Iran again in the middle of negotiations. Citrinowicz believes that Washington will try to exploit Irans strategic weakness to secure a deal that satisfies its interests. The Asian nation, for its part, subjected to severe sanctions which is crippling its population due to its nuclear program and lacking the capacity to mitigate the economic crisis that initially sparked the protests, may be trying to buy time and delay or limit the scope of a potential U.S. attack. This would be designed not only to appease Trump, but also a weary population, with the highly hypothetical possibility of sanctions relief that a new nuclear agreement would entail. However, given the recurring protests in the country, it seems unlikely that this distant prospect will be enough to quell the outrage of many Iranians, especially since the NGO Iran Human Rights raised the death toll from the repression to 648 on Monday, including nine children. Screenshot from a video by the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), showing the bodies of victims of repression in a morgue in Iran. EFE Whether or not that dialogue takes place, the situation in Iran will likely increase political polarization within a power structure where a reformist government [that of President Pezeshkian] coexists with ultraconservative forces, Raffaele Mauriello, Iranologist and professor at Tehrans Allameh Tabatabai University, told this newspaper from Italy. In September, while Pezeshkian was engaged in intense activity at the United Nations General Assembly to try to prevent the reinstatement of Security Council sanctions over the Iranian nuclear program, Supreme Leader Khamenei defined the possibility of a return to dialogue with Washington as an irreparable mistake. The situation has changed since December 28, when the protests erupted initially economic, but later taking on a political dimension and which, to the regimes dismay, were initially led by cell phone vendors in Tehrans Grand Bazaar, a sector hit hard by the 40% devaluation of the rial. The bazaar vendors have traditionally been loyal to the Islamic Republic and played a leading role in the revolution that overthrew the Shah. An analysis published last Friday in The Economist also highlighted how Khameneis stature as a leader had already diminished since the June attacks, a fact that, coupled with the demonstrations, could lead him to concede and drink the poisoned chalice of negotiations with the United States, offered by moderates as a way to save the Islamic Republic. Without a successor at least as far as anyone knows and in the twilight of his life at 86, Khamenei has dwindling options for imposing his policies on those around him, the analysis asserted, although he still retains the final say on the nuclear issue. Zaccaras sources in Iran indicate that, in any case, a faction within the regime believes that the only option for survival is to rearm, not to negotiate. This has been, and may still be, the position of the Supreme Leaders inner circle. An Iranian holds a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a pro-regime rally in Tehran on June 24, 2025. ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH (EFE) Both the Supreme Leader and the Islamic Republic still have leverage that Washington is likely considering. The first is the support of its military and security forces. Another is that Khamenei is the religious leader of the Shia Muslims, not only in Iran, but also those scattered among minorities in neighboring countries or, in the case of volatile Iraq, even those who constitute a majority. A military regime change could lead to chaos, inflame the region, and encourage separatist tendencies something Washingtons Arab allies, especially Saudi Arabia, where the Trump family has significant economic interests, also want to avoid. The Islamic regime also enjoys a base of popular support, Professor Mauriello points out, whether due to ideology or the need for survival. Some eight million Iranians depend on the public sector in one way or another. In the last presidential elections, 13 million out of a total of 61 million voters cast their ballots for Saeed Jalili, the ultraconservative who embodied the essence of the Islamic Republic. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition An Indian student from Semey Medical University was killed and two others were injured in a road accident while returning from an excursion in East Kazakhstan. The deceased has been identified as 25-year-old Mili Mohan. The Indian Embassy is providing assistance and is in touch with the university, hospital, and the families of the students. This incident follows another fatal accident near Almaty earlier this month that claimed the lives of two other Indian students. An Indian medical student died and two were injured in a road accident in Kazakhstan's Oskemen. Embassy provides assistance. Astana, Jan 13 An Indian student died while two others were injured in a road accident in Kazakhstan's Oskemen, the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan said on Tuesday. In a statement on X, the embassy stated that 11 Indian students of Semey Medical University who were on an excursion trip to Altai Alps in East Kazakhstan from Oskemen City, met with an accident while they were returning. The deceased student has been identified as Mili Mohan, 25, while the two injured students are Ashika Sheejamini Santhosh and Jaseena B. The duo are currently receiving medical treatment at City Hospital No. 1, Ust-Kamenagorsk, it said. "As per the latest information, their condition is stable. The Embassy conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased. The Embassy is in touch with the University, Hospital authorities and families," it added. Last week, the Indian Embassy said that two Indian students died and three others suffered injuries in a road accident that occurred near Almaty on January 6. In a statement shared on X, it said: "The Embassy is deeply saddened by the tragic road accident that occurred on 6 January 2026 near Almaty involving Indian students, in which two young lives were lost and three others sustained injuries. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and stand in solidarity with all those affected. The injured students are currently receiving medical care." "The Embassy is in close coordination with hospital authorities, local officials, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that all possible assistance is provided. Family members of the injured students have arrived in Kazakhstan and remain in close touch with the Embassy. We are working closely with the families and extending every possible support during this extremely difficult time. The Embassy is also making all necessary arrangements to repatriate the mortal remains of the two deceased students to India on a priority basis," it added. The Indian mission expressed appreciation for the concern, prayers and goodwill expressed by friends, family and well-wishers. It mentioned that the embassy continues to coordinate closely with multiple agencies and families, and efforts are being made to prioritise critical and time-sensitive communications to ensure swift and effective assistance. - IANS External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar launched the official logo and website for India's upcoming BRICS Presidency in 2026. He stated that India's chairship will aim to harness the group's potential for greater global welfare with a people-centric approach. The unveiled logo combines tradition and modernity, incorporating colors from all member nations to represent unity and shared purpose. Jaishankar emphasized that BRICS remains a crucial forum for dialogue and cooperation amidst current global uncertainties and complex challenges. EAM S Jaishankar unveils logo for India's 2026 BRICS Presidency, highlighting a theme of resilience, innovation, and people-centric global cooperation. New Delhi, January 13 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday attended the launch of the official website and logo of India's BRICS Presidency 2026. Jaishankar said that India's BRICS Chairship will seek to bring about greater global welfare, as it has expanded its scope over the years. He said, "India's BRICS chairship will seek to bring together the potential of BRICS countries for greater global welfare. When India prepares to assume the BRICS chairship in 2026, we do so at an important moment in the grouping's journey. In 2026, BRICS will complete 20 years since its inception, during which it has steadily evolved into a significant platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing economies. Over the years, BRICS has expanded its agenda and membership, responding to changing global realities, while remaining focused on people-centric development, fostering dialogue, and promoting practical cooperation," he said. Jaishankar said that India is approaching the chairship while being inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance while maintaining humanity first approach. "India approaches its chairship with a humanity-first and a people-centric approach, inspired by the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our chairship theme, building for resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, reflects our belief that cooperation among BRICS members can help address shared challenges in a balanced and inclusive manner," he said. At the launch of the BRICS 2026 logo, he said that the theme underscores development for all. Jaishankar said, "The theme underscores the importance of strengthening capacities, promoting innovation, and ensuring sustainable development for the benefit of all. The logo that we unveiled today reflects this approach. It combines elements of tradition and modernity, and the petals incorporate the colours of all BRICS member countries, representing unity and diversity and a strong sense of shared purpose." "The logo conveys the idea that BRICS draws strength from the collective contributions of its members while respecting their distinct identities. The BRICS India website which has also been launched this morning, will serve as a common platform during India's chairship. It will provide information on meetings, initiatives, and outcomes, and will facilitate greater transparency and engagement. It will also help timely dissemination of information throughout," he added. Jaishankar highlighted how the current global environment is laced with uncertainties and complications. He said, "The current global environment presents complex and interlinked challenges, geopolitical uncertainties, complicated economic landscapes, climate-related risks, technological changes, and persistent development gaps continue to affect countries across regions. In this context, BRICS remains an important forum that encourages dialogue and cooperation and practical responses, taking into account national priorities at different stages of development." - ANI The US warning of additional tariffs on countries trading with Iran directly threatens India's strategic investment in the Chabahar port. India secured a short-term sanctions waiver to continue port operations and development until April 2026, providing a critical window. The port is vital for India's trade access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. However, potential secondary sanctions create uncertainty for financing and insurance, complicating this key geopolitical project. US sanctions and tariffs threaten India's strategic Chabahar port in Iran, jeopardizing trade routes to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Analysis inside. New Delhi, Jan 13 While US President Donald Trump's recent warning that any country trading with Iran could face an additional 25 per cent tariff has direct implications for India, any choppy waters ahead may affect future operations at the Chabahar port as well. India is among Iran's top business partners, as are China, Turkey, the UAE, Pakistan, and Armenia. The proposed addition will compound earlier US duties, which included a 25 per cent reciprocal trade tariff plus an equal amount as a punitive measure for buying Russian oil. The extra surge was added since Moscow's oil fell under Western sanctions due to the war in Ukraine. Now, any effect on Chabahar port operations could pose a strategic risk for India, the project being New Delhi's counter to Pakistan's Gwadar Port, built with Chinese support. India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement in May 2024 to develop the Shahid Beheshti terminal. But the US Secretary of State revoked the sanctions exception issued in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA) for Afghanistan reconstruction assistance and economic development, effective September 29 last year. India secured a short exemption, allowing continued operations and development till April this year. Meanwhile, New Delhi engaged with Washington in sanction negotiations and trade talks. Thus, India could continue developing and operating the terminal at least for some time without facing punitive sanctions from the United States. The port is crucial for India's access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, allowing it to bypass Pakistan for trade and connectivity. The extension was seen as a diplomatic win for India, especially amid broader tensions involving Washington's sanctions on Iran and Russia. New Delhi's $500 million investment and its 10year agreement to run the Shahid Beheshti terminal are now exposed to secondary sanctions, complicating trade routes to Afghanistan and Central Asia. According to a US Congressional research paper from August last year, Washington's sanctions on Iran are aimed "to deter, constrain, and encourage change in the adversarial behaviour of the Iranian regime" since the 1979 Revolution. "The Carter Administration initially imposed sanctions to press for the release of US Embassy staff taken as hostages in 1979; the executive branch and Congress expanded US sanctions in the 1980s and 1990s," it cited. It further mentioned the 118th Congress enacting "a number of Iran-related sanctions measures, mostly as part of the emergency national security supplemental" passed in the wake of Tehran's "unprecedented direct attack against Israel in April 2024". Among those measures is an act that directs the President to impose sanctions on port operators, refineries, and other entities linked to Iranian oil. In case the White House now decide to re-exercise that power with force, Indian companies involved in Chabahar could face restrictions in US markets, leading to uncertainty over financing and insurance. Global banks and insurers may avoid transactions linked to Chabahar, slowing port operations. Additionally, with its border with Pakistan closed due to intermittent firefights, Afghanistan's access to sea trade via Chabahar was an alternative that could face disruptions, affecting humanitarian supplies too. For New Delhi, additional sanctions and punitive tariffs could further complicate ongoing trade negotiations with Washington. The current waiver, valid until April 2026, had given India a window to continue operations and assess future developments at Chabahar. New Delhi is expected to use this time to strengthen its regional ties and infrastructure investments, which are critical to India's economic and geopolitical strategy for Central Asia and beyond. - IANS Indian exporters express measured concern over the US threat of tariffs on Iran's trading partners, noting that current bilateral trade is focused on humanitarian goods like food and pharmaceuticals which are typically exempt. A more immediate business risk is the rapid depreciation of the Iranian rial, which erodes consumer purchasing power and jeopardizes existing contracts. The basmati rice export sector, while impacted by past sanctions, has mitigated risk by routing trade through the UAE. Industry leaders are also using the moment to call for government support in the upcoming budget to incentivize R&D and upskilling to boost long-term export competitiveness. Indian exporters remain composed as US threatens tariffs on Iran's partners, citing humanitarian trade focus and currency risks as bigger concerns. New Delhi, January 13 The Indian exporting community remains watchful yet composed following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on Iran's trading partners, as stakeholders emphasise that current bilateral trade primarily involves humanitarian goods already exempt from existing sanctions. Speaking to ANI, Ajai Sahai, CEO & DG of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said he is not unduly concerned about the statement, as Indian industry and banks deal only with Iran on goods that fall outside the scope of US OFAC sanctions. He noted that India's trade with Iran is centred on humanitarian products, primarily food items and pharmaceuticals. "What we are dealing with Iran are the goods which are humanitarian in nature, primarily food products, as well as the pharmaceuticals. So we are not unduly worried about that," Sahai said. He acknowledged that while the "sweeping statement" put into the media has created uncertainty, further clarity is expected once an official executive order is issued by the US administration. According to Sahai, a more pressing concern for exporters is the rapid depreciation of the Iranian currency, which erodes consumer purchasing power in that market. He explained that many Indian exports currently in the pipeline face risks not necessarily from the US tariff threat, but from the rial's depreciation. Sahai noted that no one anticipated the currency would plummet to such levels, making it difficult for consumers to afford imports and potentially causing buyers to back out of contracts. Akshay Gupta, Head- Bulk Exports, KRBL, the parent company of India Gate rice, said in a statement that "Iran has been a key market for Indian basmati rice from an export perspective. Rice exporters have observed significant consumer demand in this region. When trade with Iran was fully open, KRBL exported approximately 250,000 tonnes of basmati rice. However, over the years, sanctions and increased market restrictions have considerably impacted our business." Gupta added that KRBL's current exposure to the Iranian market is limited to approximately USD 8-10 million and is being managed prudently. He noted that most trade is now conducted through the UAE, where Iranian importers operate locally, an arrangement that has helped mitigate risks. "This arrangement has helped us in mitigating risks. The re-imposition of US tariffs, including the proposed 25% levy under the Trump framework, adds an additional challenge to the Indian basmati rice sector," he said. In the broader diplomatic landscape, Sahai highlighted the significance of recent comments by the new US Ambassador on trade negotiations. He described the ambassador's statement as encouraging, noting that it indicates the US is keen to continue dialogue. Sahai emphasised that constant communication is essential for negotiations to fructify and expressed hope that this engagement will resolve the remaining deadlock and pave the way for the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). As the industry looks toward the upcoming Union Budget, FIEO has urged the government to prioritise Research and Development (R&D) and skilling to bolster India's manufacturing and export capabilities. Sahai suggested that the government should provide fiscal support, possibly through tax reductions, to incentivise R&D, which he characterised as a high-gestation activity with significant uncertainty. "If we want that high and sophisticated technology should find a place in India and become a hub for that, probably we have to invest a lot into R&D. And for that, R&D needs to be incentivised. So I would request the government to provide some kind of fiscal support, maybe in the form of tax reduction, where the entire burden is not on the government, the part burden is taken by the industry, part by the government." He further stressed the need for intensified efforts to reskill and upskill labour, particularly in labour-intensive sectors, to ensure Indian products remain competitive in the global market. - ANI India's Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has opened over 530 million bank accounts, with 56% held by women, significantly bridging the gender gap in financial access. The initiative, supported by a vast network of banking correspondents, has mobilized deposits of Rs 2.29 trillion. India now leads in digital transactions, with UPI processing over 21 billion transactions in December 2024 alone. Looking ahead, authorities aim to strengthen financial literacy, cybersecurity, and ensure inclusion leads to long-term security through credit and insurance. Over 530 million bank accounts opened under PMJDY, empowering women and rural India. UPI leads global digital payments. New Delhi, January 13 India's ambitious financial inclusion drive has fundamentally transformed the economic landscape for hundreds of millions of citizens, particularly women and rural populations, a senior government official said at the Global Inclusive Finance Summit. M Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, described the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) on August 28, 2014, as "one of the most transformative days in India's history." Speaking at the summit, Nagaraju revealed that the scheme has opened more than 530 million bank accounts, with 72 per cent in rural and semi-urban areas. Women now hold 56 per cent of these accounts, effectively eliminating the gender gap in account ownership. "Apart from the numbers, what has changed in the rural areas is the way women actually started perceiving themselves as equal stakeholders in the economic development of the family," Nagaraju said. "It has given a lot of empowerment to the women." Deposits in PMJDY accounts have surged to Rs 2.29 trillion, making it the country's largest financial inclusion initiative. The program operates through 6 lakhs banking correspondents who travel to villages and neighbourhoods to provide banking services. India now leads the world in digital transactions, accounting for approximately 50 per cent of global real-time payments. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) processed more than 21 billion transactions in December 2024, outpacing card transactions by 101 per cent. The government has leveraged this digital infrastructure to extend credit and insurance coverage to previously underserved populations. Under the Mudra scheme, over 563.2 million loans totalling nearly Rs 38 lakh crore have been sanctioned since April 2015, with 67 per cent going to women entrepreneurs. Despite these achievements, Nagaraju identified several areas requiring improvement. He emphasised the need to update Know Your Customer (KYC) details for accounts opened during the initial phase, strengthen financial literacy programs, and enhance cybersecurity measures. Looking forward, Nagaraju outlined a three-pillar vision: ensuring financial inclusion leads to financial literacy, which in turn creates financial security through credit access, risk coverage, and pension provisions. "If these three are able to be embedded in the financial inclusion agenda, the country is going to be much safer, much strengthened and much confident to march to the next century," he concluded. - ANI India's invitation to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative is seen as a recognition of its role as a trusted partner in critical technology supply chains. MeitY Secretary S Krishnan outlined India's balanced AI strategy, aiming for openness to international players while building sovereign capabilities. He emphasized avoiding vendor lock-in for critical components like AI chips and highlighted the opportunity for India to become the global capital for AI applications. The approach aligns with the government's push to develop indigenous foundation models while maintaining an open technology ecosystem. India's inclusion in the US-led Pax Silica initiative signals strategic trust. MeitY Secretary outlines India's plan to become the global AI use case capital. New Delhi, January 13 Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan has asserted that India's invitation to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative represents global recognition of the country as a trusted partner in critical technology supply chains. He said that IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is in Washington to attend a meeting on critical minerals, asserting that India's involvement in such issues is at the high table. "My minister is in Washington attending a meeting on critical minerals. So I think from a strategic point of view, it's important that India is at the high table as far as all of these important issues are concerned," Krishnan said. "Fundamentally, it's about addressing the supply chain of critical minerals and it's important for a country like India to be part of that, and I think it's a recognition of the trust," he added. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Monday announced that New Delhi would be invited next month to join Pax Silica, a US-led strategic initiative aimed at securing critical supply chains spanning silicon, advanced manufacturing, and AI. Speaking at an event organised by industry body Nasscom, the Secretary said that India should aspire to become the global use case capital for artificial intelligence, with the government pursuing a balanced approach of maintaining openness to international players while building sovereign AI capabilities. Krishnan outlined India's comprehensive AI strategy ahead of the IndiaAI Impact Summit, a multilateral gathering of world leaders scheduled for next month in the national capital to discuss global AI policy-making. Addressing concerns about the concentration of AI infrastructure in the hands of a few companies, particularly in chip manufacturing, Krishnan emphasised India's technology-agnostic procurement strategy. "We are not going to necessarily say that we will buy only NVIDIA GPUs. Our approach is whoever produces the chips," he said, explaining how the government is avoiding vendor lock-in. He noted that recent developments like DeepSeek have demonstrated that AI development need not be as expensive as previously thought. "DeepSeek was a moment where something broke through, and suddenly you realize that it need not cost as much as they say it would cost. There's a way in which you can do it cheaper," he said. The Prime Minister recently met with 12 startups and institutions selected under the India AI Mission to prepare India's first foundation models, signaling the government's commitment to developing indigenous AI capabilities. Krishnan stressed that India's differentiation from other countries lies in its continued commitment to being an open system. "What is available, and I think it's important in the technology world to be an open system, because people in India must have the access to whatever is the latest in terms of technology," he said. "Some of it we will develop ourselves. Some of it, in due course, we will develop, but why should you restrict access to technology, saying it's not Indian and therefore I will not use it?" he added, noting this approach has enabled the IT sector's growth. The Secretary said India's development of sovereign capabilities in AI and becoming strategically autonomous is in the larger global interest. "You are assuring the world that there is one more production line, one more option available for many countries in the world to use," he said. Krishnan emphasised that the democratisation of AI extends beyond models and computing power to real-world applications, where revenue will be generated. He compared the opportunity to the India IT industry's pivotal moment of transformation. "It is legitimate for India to aspire towards becoming the use case capital for AI in the world. If the active startups are able to do it, that will make a difference. That will make AI available to a wide range of users," he said. The secretary noted that this aligns with the Prime Minister's message that AI must be made available for use, similar to what India achieved with Digital Public Infrastructure. Responding to comparisons with the USD 500 billion AI investment announced in the US, Krishnan clarified that such investments are primarily driven by the private sector and are not limited to any single geography. He pointed to recent announcements by Google, Microsoft, and AWS in India totalling around USD 70 billion over the past few months. "If that investment is there, that compute is there, that is something which you can then ride on the back of and build further, then that really makes the impact," he said. The government is also working on sovereign cloud capacity for AI intended for government use and certain restricted categories of users, with several companies already making such offerings. Highlighting India's semiconductor progress, Krishnan noted that 20 per cent of the global design workforce in semiconductors belongs to India. "Many of them are in global capability centers establishing here. Eventually this should convert into Indian intellectual property, designing chips, and those in turn becoming products that India can produce," he said. He revealed that fabs and advanced packaging facilities under the India Semiconductor Mission are receiving orders and some are planning to export their entire production. "The best test of industrial policy is whether you're competitive and whether you can export," he said, noting this validates that the policy was fundamentally sound. The Prime Minister had mentioned in September that there will be an ISM 2.0, which is currently in its final stages of development. - ANI India's new Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR-120) represents a significant doctrinal shift for the Indian Army, moving from area saturation to precision strikes. Successfully tested by DRDO, the completely indigenous system can hit targets 120 kilometers away with high accuracy using advanced guidance systems. The weapon is designed for standoff strikes against enemy command centers and logistics, and its compatibility with existing launchers reduces costs. International interest, notably from France, underscores its potential in the global arms market, with future variants planned to extend its range even further. India's DRDO-tested Pinaka LRGR-120 rocket hits targets 120km away with precision, marking a major shift in army doctrine and attracting international interest. Washington, Jan 13 India's new Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket marks a major doctrinal shift for the Indian Army, transitioning from "volume saturation to precision strike", a report said on Tuesday It added by transforming from near-front impact to deep operational effects, the new LRGR-120 turns tube artillery support to a standoff tool of deterrence. According to a report in US based magazine The National Interest, this weapon will redefine the Indian Army warfare and would be brought to bear against either the Pakistanis or Chinese moves threatening Indian interests in the near-future. "India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested its new Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR-120) at the end of last year. According to multiple reports on the matter, the weapon hit targets as far away as 120 kilometres with perfect precision. It is a completely domestically developed weapon system that will enhance the Indian Army's overall long-range strike capability-and these weapons can be fired from the launchers that India already possesses, thereby decreasing overall costs," it detailed. India's new LRGR-120, the report said, depends on the Inertial Navigation System (INS) with mid-course updates and terminal guidance to ensure high precision. "The Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) launchers can fire the LRGR-120s in salvos of up to eight guided rockets. These weapons are designed for standoff, precision-strikes directed against enemy command centers, artillery, and logistical hubs," it mentioned. The report stressed that France has shown interest in acquiring the Pinaka system from India, underscoring the growing demand of this new Indian weapon in the international arms market. "Nevertheless, the HIMARS in particular has greater ranges than the Pinaka. But this new weapon created by the DRDO nonetheless gives India a much-needed boost in its own long-range fires - and it ensures that India's domestic arms production reaps the benefits by making it entirely within the country," it stated. The report noted that the Indians have indicated to the fact that the Pinaka is not a static weapon with upgraded variants planned over time. "As such, the current ranges on Pinaka will be extended in future variants. There have even been 200-300-kilometre variants discussed among the DRDO designers of this platform. So New Delhi is committed to making this weapon system as competitive as possible on the world stage - and as lethal as possible, given the two threats India faces from neighboring China and Pakistan," it stated. - IANS The Seventh International Kite and Sweet Festival has begun in Hyderabad, transforming the sky with vibrant kites. The three-day event was inaugurated by state ministers and features participants from 19 countries and numerous Indian states. Alongside kite flying, the festival hosts extensive stalls showcasing sweets, handlooms, and handicrafts from across India and abroad. Government ministers highlighted the event's role in preserving culture, boosting tourism revenue, and creating local employment opportunities. Hyderabad's 7th International Kite & Sweet Festival starts with 40 global fliers, 60 sweet stalls, and a focus on culture, tourism, and local jobs. Hyderabad, Jan 13 The skies over Hyderabad transformed into a vibrant canvas as the Seventh International Kite and Sweet Festival began at the Parade Grounds on Tuesday. The three-day cultural event was formally launched by Minister for Tourism and Culture Jupally Krishna Rao, alongside Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar. A total of 40 international kite fliers from 19 countries and 55 members from kite clubs in 15 states are participating in the kite festival, organised as part of the Sankranti celebrations. A total of 60 stalls have been set up at the venue, offering a variety of sweets from various parts of the country and abroad. More than 100 handloom and handicraft stalls have also been set up. Addressing the gathering, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao emphasised that festivals with centuries of history are vital for safeguarding the state's rich culture and traditions. "These celebrations ensure our heritage is passed down to future generations. Seeing participants from 25 states and various countries come together today is a testament to our unity in diversity," the Minister said. Recalling his own childhood, he shared nostalgic memories of flying kites, noting how the sport fosters a sense of freedom and joy. Highlighting the government's vision, the Minister announced plans to promote large-scale kite manufacturing within Hyderabad. "By shifting from importing to local manufacturing, we can create significant employment opportunities for our youth," he stated. He reiterated that the government's primary objective is to enhance the state's revenue through tourism while simultaneously generating livelihoods for local artisans and the unemployed. Minister Jupally urged the public to integrate travel into their lifestyle. "I encourage everyone to visit tourist destinations at least two days a month. This not only provides mental relaxation but directly sustains the livelihoods of local artists, craftsmen, and small traders," he added. Following the inauguration, the ministers visited the stalls which showcased a diverse array of traditional delicacies from various Indian states. They interacted with the vendors and sampled the unique sweets on display. - IANS The International Kite Festival transformed Vadodara's skies into a vibrant canvas with kites of various shapes, sizes, and colors. More than 160 kite flyers from India and countries like Australia, the UK, and Brazil performed spectacular stunts, mesmerizing locals and tourists alike. The event, jointly organized by Gujarat Tourism and local administrations, was celebrated as an embodiment of the 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' philosophy. The festival concluded with traditional treats, marking a successful celebration of global unity and cultural exchange. Over 160 kite flyers from India and abroad dazzle crowds at Vadodara's International Kite Festival, showcasing vibrant kites and cultural unity. Vadodara, Jan 13 With the beginning of the International Kite Festival in Gujarat, the skies in the city became a colourful canvas with kites of various shapes, sizes and colours, fluttering in the breezy weather. The spectacular show of jumbo-size kites occupying the skies dazzled the locals, domestic as well as foreign tourists with its beauty, vibrancy and visual appeal. More than 160 kite flyers from India and abroad showcased spectacular stunts with colourful and unique kites at the International Kite Festival, organised jointly by Gujarat Tourism, the District Administration, and the Vadodara Municipal Corporation. The event embodied the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family). The presence of kite flyers from several countries and states created a festive atmosphere, attracting a large gathering of people. Kite flyers from various countries, including Australia, the UK, Brazil, South Africa, and Thailand, flew kites of unique designs and various shapes. Kite flyers from various states, including Bihar, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu, also mesmerised the audience. The festival was attended by public representatives and a large number of citizens. At the end of the programme, a special arrangement of Unjha Jalebi was made for the guests, making the celebration even more memorable. Vadodara MP Dr Hemang Joshi told IANS that the International Kite Festival was being organised with great enthusiasm in Vadodara. More than 20 foreign guests from various countries participated in this event. "This was the vision of PM Modi when he was Gujarat Chief Minister. The event truly reflected the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," he said. Vadodara Municipal Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu told IANS that the people from eight states of India, as well as from abroad, have come here. He added that the people from outside Vadodara are also contributing to making this event a success. "We express our gratitude to the government. I extend my wishes to everyone for the successful organisation of this event," he remarked. - IANS India's Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met with US Assistant to the President Michael Kratsios at the White House to discuss the upcoming AI Impact Summit in Delhi, confirming US participation next month. Vaishnaw also participated in a Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting hosted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, focusing on supply chain vulnerabilities. The discussions emphasized a shared desire to quickly address weaknesses and build resilient, diversified supply chains for minerals vital to electronics. Secretary Bessent expressed optimism that nations would pursue prudent "derisking" over complete decoupling. US Assistant to the President Michael Kratsios meets India's Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss AI Impact Summit in Delhi and critical mineral supply chains. Washington DC, January 13 Assistant to the US President, Michael Kratsios, met Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw. The two leaders discussed the upcoming AI Impact Summit in India and assured of US presence in Delhi next month. In a post on X, Kratsios said, "Today I met with Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Vinay Mohan Kwatra at the White House to discuss the upcoming AI Impact Summit in India. See you next month in Delhi!" Vaishnaw also participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting hosted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. In a post on X, he said, "Participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting hosted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Strengthening critical mineral supply chains is vital to enhancing the resilience of India's manufacturing capabilities and rapidly growing electronics sector." Bessent said the countries shared a desire to address vulnerabilities in the minerals supply chains. "At today's Finance Ministerial hosted by the US Treasury Department, I was pleased to hear a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains. I am optimistic that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling and understand well the need for decisive action." Bessent, convened a meeting of Finance Ministers at the United States Treasury to discuss solutions to secure and diversify supply chains for critical minerals, especially rare earth elements, a statement by the Treasury Department said. Throughout the course of discussions, attendees expressed a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains. The United States highlighted actions and investments it has already undertaken, as well as planned steps to create resilient, secure, and diversified critical minerals supply chains. Secretary Bessent expressed his optimism that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling, and that they understand well the need to remedy current deficiencies in critical minerals supply chains. Noting that these supply chains have also become highly concentrated and vulnerable to disruption and manipulation, the Secretary urged attendees to increase their supply chain resiliency, and thanked attendees for their willingness to both learn from and work quickly with each other towards decisive action and lasting solutions, as per the statement. - ANI Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump this week, the White House has confirmed. The conversation aims to bridge the void created by the paradoxical estrangement between the two at the height of the Venezuelan crisis, following Nicolas Maduros forced removal from power. Just as the United States finally decided to intervene in the Caribbean nation something Machado had been urging for months the main opposition leader suffered an unexpected setback. Following Maduros arrest, the White House reassessed its options, and Maria Corina Machado was not among them. Trump himself announced a negotiated transition with the now-acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, and dismissed Machado as the person to lead the country at this time. She doesnt have the support within or the respect within the country, he said. Shes a very nice woman, but she doesnt have the respect. Trump has thus left out of this announced transition at least for the moment the opposition movement with the most support inside and outside Venezuela. And, most importantly, this opposition has been left without any organic or territorial ties to the population at this time. The U.S. media has also reported on Trumps apparent anger at not having won the Nobel Peace Prize, which went to Machado instead. Trumps decisions, enthusiastically supported by his Secretary of State Marco Rubio the main proponent of Machado and her teams interpretation of the Venezuelan crisis carry real implications beyond mere symbolism: the White House has chosen to turn the page on the 2024 presidential election results, which, according to numerous international reports, gave a resounding victory to Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, Machados candidate (she herself was ineligible to run). Rubio even went so far as to say he considered those elections illegitimate. I am very surprised by President Trumps dismissal of Machado, Kevin Whitaker, a U.S. diplomat formerly stationed in Venezuela, stated in several media outlets recently. Her movement was elected by a landslide in 2024. By dismissing her, he has dismissed the entire movement. Trumps slightly dismissive tone toward the Nobel Peace Prize laureate whom he rarely, if ever, calls by her name has caused surprise in Venezuelan politics. And in the United States as well. Demonstration in support of Maria Corina Machado, in Florida, on January 3rd. Vanessa Alvarez (AP) Several U.S. officials have told the media that Trump is prioritizing the caution recommended by his intelligence services. While Machado is enormously popular among the population, her leadership lacks the necessary support within the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, which still prop up the regime. Furthermore, there is a considerable network of militants and civilians armed by the regime itself, and spread throughout the country the infamous colectivos that could threaten any aspiration for stability. Following the U.S. attack that landed Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a New York prison, Machado declared herself ready to assume power. The opposition leader has repeatedly stated that the Chavista government is weak, that its leadership is divided, and that the national crisis is in its final phase, but her moment has yet to arrive. Her appeals to Venezuelan hope are constant. At the end of last year, she posted a video on social media called Land of Grace, in which she invited Venezuelans to envision a country free from Chavista rule, reclaiming its democracy, properly managing its resources, and attracting investors from all corners of the globe. In addition to Washingtons doubts, Machado and the opposition movements face another challenge. Donald Trump makes no secret of his enormous interest in Venezuelas natural resources, and is making unilateral decisions about the future of a country that is not his own. He talks a lot about oil and very little about a return to democracy. This is how Rubio presents it: stabilization, recovery, and transition. This tone has been poorly received by the oppositions grassroots. Maria Corina Machado, in Oslo on December 11, at a press conference following the Nobel Peace Prize. Rune Hellestad (Getty Images) A significant portion of Venezuelan opposition leaders are displaying an unusual reluctance to speak with the press. Some of them cite their anger at the way some international media outlets are covering the Venezuelan crisis, presumably for forcing arguments in favor of Chavismo. Meanwhile, Maria Corina Machado remains determined to curry favor with Washington, and to that end, she has had to embrace pragmatism, despite the contradictions imposed by reality in the past week. After all, Machado aspires to make Venezuela a strategic ally of the United States in the future. For this reason, she has remained silent regarding Trumps decisions on the control of oil and natural resources, although she has expressed reservations about the viability of a transition with Delcy Rodriguez. Machado has praised Trumps strategy against Maduro and Chavismo and has repeatedly thanked him for his actions and his interest in the country. The opposition leader has even offered to share her Nobel Peace Prize with him. The important thing, she and her team insist, is that they are ready to govern Venezuela. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition US President Donald Trump has publicly urged protesters in Iran to continue their demonstrations, promising that assistance is forthcoming. The White House has stated that military options, including airstrikes, remain under consideration while emphasizing diplomacy as the first recourse. In a significant economic move, Trump announced an immediate 25% tariff on any country that conducts business with Iran. These developments unfold against a backdrop of sustained nationwide protests in Iran, a government-imposed internet blackout, and appeals from exiled Iranian figures for stronger international intervention. US President Trump urges Iranian protesters to continue, threatens 25% tariffs on nations trading with Iran, and says military options are being reviewed. Washington, January 13 US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called on protesters in Iran to continue demonstrating, saying that assistance would arrive soon, without sharing further details. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP." Trump's remarks came amid heightened US messaging about the Iran situation and a series of White House statements indicating that multiple options remain under review. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists yesterday that airstrikes are among the "many, many options" under consideration, while stressing that diplomacy remains the administration's "first option." Her comments followed a fresh directive from Trump aimed at countries doing business with Iran. Trump announced that any country doing business with the Islamic Republic would face a 25 per cent tariff on all trade conducted with the United States. In a statement, Trump said, "Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This order is final and conclusive." The developments come as Iran has been witnessing sustained nationwide protests since late December, drawing divided reactions internationally, with some governments expressing concern over what they describe as foreign-instigated riots, while others have accused Iranian authorities of responding violently to demonstrators, Al Jazeera reported. Araghchi has said Iran is not seeking war but told Al Jazeera that Tehran was "prepared for all options" after Trump threatened military action over the response to the protests. Against this backdrop, Iran's exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has appealed to Trump to move "sooner rather than later" against Iran's clerical leadership, as demonstrations continue across the country amid reports of a harsh crackdown. In an interview with CBS News on Monday, Pahlavi said, "We need action to be taken." "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 said. Trump told reporters on Sunday night that he spoke with Iranian leaders on Saturday and said they "called to negotiate", even as he has threatened military action against the regime. The US President said he was considering his options after warning on Friday that the United States would intervene if the regime began "killing people like they have in the past." "We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts," Trump said Friday. "And that doesn't mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts." Reports have also emerged of heavy casualties linked to the unrest. Around 2,000 people have been killed in protests against Iran's regime, The Times of Israel reported, citing Reuters and quoting an Iranian official who blamed "terrorists" for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. The report said this is the highest official death toll confirmed so far in the unrest that has rocked the Islamic Republic and threatened the country's stability. Meanwhile, Iran has also imposed major restrictions on communication. Iran's top cyberspace authority announced on Monday that access to the global internet will remain restricted in the country until officials are satisfied that full security has been restored amid widespread anti-government rallies, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported. According to Press TV, citing the President of Iran's National Centre for Cyberspace, Mohammad Amin Aqamiri, the internet blackout, imposed on January 9 amid widespread unrest in several provinces, will continue for the time being. "The time to return to normal conditions will be announced in the future, and authorities must certainly brief us on security considerations," Aqamiri said, as quoted by the IRNA news agency. Aqamiri described the shutdown as necessary to counter "cognitive warfare" carried out by Iran's adversaries in cyberspace, noting that the domestic intranet system, known as the National Information Network (NIN), has been strengthened to maintain essential online services despite limited access to the global internet. "The NIN is a platform through which we can guarantee stable services for the public," Aqamiri said. According to NetBlocks, a watchdog organisation that monitors cybersecurity and Internet governance, 108 hours have passed since Iran imposed a nationwide internet blackout. "Update: It has been 108 hours since #Iran introduced a nationwide internet shutdown, leaving Iranians isolated from the rest of the world and each other," the organisation said in a post on X. Amid mounting violence, the United Nations rights chief voiced horror at the situation across Iran. "The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop, and the labelling of protesters as 'terrorists' to justify violence against them is unacceptable," Volker Turk said in a statement, according to The Times of Israel. Turk also decried the authorities' decision "to inflict brutal force to repress legitimate demands for change." - ANI KIKO Milano has officially entered the South Indian market by opening its first store at Forum Mall in Kochi. The outlet is designed as an immersive beauty destination with interactive product bars for customers. This expansion is part of the brand's strategic growth in India following its acquisition by Reliance Retail Ventures Limited in 2024. The move aims to capture a larger share of the professional cosmetic market in the southern region. Italian makeup brand KIKO Milano debuts in South India with a new Kochi store at Forum Mall, expanding its omni-channel presence under Reliance Retail. New Delhi, January 13 KIKO Milano, the Italian professional makeup brand, has formally entered the South Indian market with the opening of its first store at Forum Mall in Kochi. The expansion, announced in a KIKO Milano press release on Tuesday, represents a significant step in the brand's growth strategy in the Indian beauty sector, following its establishment in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Lucknow. The Kochi outlet is designed to serve as an immersive beauty destination, featuring discovery-led retail elements, such as curated shade and texture bars, that allow consumers to engage directly with the products. According to the company, the store is intended to bring a "Signature blend of innovation, trend-led formulations and accessible luxury closer to beauty enthusiasts in the region. Shoppers can explore some of the brand's most iconic and best-selling products, including the 3D Hydra Lipgloss, Maxi Mod Mascara and the Scent of Milan fragrance collection, reflecting the brand's global expertise and fashion-forward approach to beauty." The Kochi launch is part of a broader effort to strengthen the brand's omni-channel presence in India. KIKO Milano currently operates through exclusive brand outlets in major cities and is also available through the Tira beauty platform, both online and in selected physical stores. The company stated that this entry into Kochi "underscores its long-term commitment to the Indian market and its focus on catering to culturally rich, style-conscious consumers with world-class beauty experiences." The brand's move into Kerala follows Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL) 's 2024 acquisition of KIKO Milano. The strategic partnership was designed to bolster Reliance Retail's premium beauty portfolio while providing the Italian brand with the infrastructure to accelerate its presence across key Indian markets. The opening in Kochi signifies the brand's intent to capture a larger share of the professional cosmetic market in the southern peninsula as it continues its nationwide rollout under the Reliance Retail umbrella. - ANI The South Korean won has resumed its decline, falling for ten consecutive sessions and hovering below 1,470 won per US dollar, close to its recent 16-year low. Analysts attribute the weakness to strong dollar demand from importers and local investors funding overseas stock investments, with the currency also tracking the depreciation of the Japanese yen. Meanwhile, South Korean stocks traded higher, with the KOSPI hitting a new all-time intraday high led by auto and IT shares before paring some gains. The advance was led by Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Mobis, while semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix traded lower. South Korean won falls, nearing a 16-year low against the US dollar amid strong dollar demand for imports and overseas stock investments. KOSPI hits new high. Seoul, Jan 13 The South Korean currency fell further on Tuesday, hovering below the level of 1,470 won per US dollar shortly after recovering from a near 16-year low. The won opened at 1,468.5 per dollar, down 0.1 won from the previous session, and dipped further to 1,472.45 won as of 9:30 am, reports Yonhap news agency. The local currency had slid to a 16-year low of around 1,480 won in mid-December and rebounded above the 1,450 won mark on Dec. 24 for the first time in about two months following a verbal intervention and policy steps by foreign exchange authorities to stabilise the market. The won, however, has since fallen for 10 straight trading sessions, closing at 1,468.4 won per dollar on Monday. "Demand for dollars from importers and local investors for overseas stock investments has pushed the exchange rate higher," Min Kyung-won, an analyst at Woori Bank, said. The won's weakness has also moved in line with the depreciation of the Japanese yen, he added. Meanwhile, South Korean stocks traded higher late Tuesday morning, trimming early gains after hitting a new intraday high, led by auto and technology shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 21.07 points, or 0.46 per cent, to 4,645.86 as of 11:20 a.m. After opening 0.81 percent higher, the index touched an all-time intraday high of 4,672.04 at one point. Gains later narrowed as large-cap semiconductor shares turned lower. Auto and information technology (IT) shares led the advance. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor surged 11.58 per cent, and its auto parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis soared 15.74 per cent. Internet giant Naver rose 1.17 per cent, and its rival Kakao edged up 0.17 per cent. Game stocks were also strong, with NCSOFT jumping 6.71 percent and Netmarble increasing 0.92 percent. However, semiconductors traded weak as industry leader Samsung Electronics fell 1.01 per cent and SK hynix lost 2.67 per cent. - IANS Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized that the Line of Actual Control demands constant vigilance as both India and China are gradually increasing their military presence. He highlighted that a series of high-level diplomatic and military engagements have helped maintain stability and a calm border environment. These interactions include meetings between leaders, foreign ministers, defence ministers, and working-level mechanisms. The open communication at various levels aims to resolve minor issues promptly before they escalate into major disputes. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi states the Line of Actual Control requires constant vigilance as both India and China increase their border presence. New Delhi, January 13 Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said the Line of Actual Control requires constant vigilance, as both India and China continue to increase their presence along the border, even as diplomatic and military-level engagements help maintain stability. Speaking on the situation along the LAC, General Dwivedi said, "Regarding the Line of Actual Control, it needs constant vigilance today. This means that both sides are gradually trying to increase their presence." He referred to a series of high-level interactions between the two countries that have contributed to easing tensions. Highlighting recent developments, the Army Chief said, "You know what kind of understanding we reached on October 21, 2024. Before that, the two top leaders met in Kazan. After that, they met in Tianjin, and in between, we have had our SR-level meetings." He added that institutional mechanisms between the two sides have remained active, stating, "Similarly, we have had our WMCC meetings." General Dwivedi also pointed to sustained engagement at the ministerial level, saying, "In addition to all this, our Defence Minister has met with their Defence Minister twice. Our Foreign Minister has met with their Foreign Minister twice." According to the Army Chief, these continuous interactions have helped create a conducive environment for managing the border situation. "As a result, what is happening is that there is a kind of sense of urgency and a sense of acceptance from both sides to keep the borders as calm and quiet as possible," he said. Emphasising the importance of dialogue, General Dwivedi said open communication remains central to the approach adopted by both countries. "And how to go about it? Firstly, to keep the communication open...So now what we have done is that we have various levels of talks. They speak to each other and make sure that the minor issues are resolved at that place and not made into major issues...the aim is to resolve as early as possible, as fast as possible...this has actually drawn the results," the COAS added. - ANI Actress Manisha Koirala started her Tuesday with a spiritual ritual, sharing an image of herself praying before a decorated idol of Lord Hanuman. She also posted a motivational video of herself on a treadmill, encouraging followers to never give up. This follows her recent spiritual journey to Nepal, where she received darshan from the revered Kumari, a living goddess tradition. On the professional front, Koirala was recently seen in the ensemble cast of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's streaming series "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar." Actress Manisha Koirala begins her day with prayers to Lord Hanuman and reflects on her recent spiritual visit to Nepal's Kumari. Mumbai, Jan 13 Actress Manisha Koirala began her Tuesday on a spiritual note, offering prayers to Lord Hanuman. Manisha took to her Instagram stories, where she shared a picture of herself seated on a red mat with folded legs, dressed in a simple, warm outfit, facing a beautifully adorned idol of Lord Hanuman. The deity is adorned with marigold garlands and vermilion, placed under a traditional canopy. The actress then shared a video of herself walking on a treadmill and wrote "never give up" as the caption. The actress, on January 4, sought divine blessings from the Kumari in Nepal. Offering her gratitude, the actress prayed for peace, wisdom, and harmony. Manisha uploaded a video of her visit to the Kumari, along with a sea of devotees on social media, and wrote, "With folded hands and a quiet heart, I received Kumari's darshan; in that sacred stillness, I offered my faith, my gratitude, and my surrender. May her grace dwell within us and bless our nation with peace, wisdom, and harmony (sic)." The Kumari tradition in Nepal involves the worship of a prepubescent girl as the Living Goddess. This tradition is rooted in the belief that the Kumari is the physical manifestation of the goddess Taleju, a form of the goddess Durga. The practice dates back to the Malla dynasty (12th to 18th century). On the work front, she was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut series "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar". The period drama is set in the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore during the Indian independence movement. The series explores the lives of tawaifs and their intersection with political and personal struggles under British colonial rule. The ensemble cast includes Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal, and Taha Shah Badussha. - IANS The Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education has revised the timetable for the 2026 High School and Higher Secondary Board examinations. Key changes involve postponing language papers, with Class 10 Hindi and Class 12 Urdu and Marathi exams now scheduled for March 6, 2026. The Board has instructed schools to promptly communicate the updated schedule to students and parents through various channels. Students are advised to download the final date sheet from the official MPBSE website for accurate planning. MPBSE revises 2026 board exam timetable, shifting Hindi, Urdu, and Marathi papers to March. Get updated dates and key instructions here. Bhopal, Jan 13 The Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education has announced a revised timetable for the 2026 High School and Higher Secondary Board examinations, adjusting key dates and subject sequences to prioritise student convenience and address logistical considerations. The Board released the updated schedule through an official notice on January 9, 2026, available on the MPBSE website at mpbse.nic.in. The changes primarily affect language subjects, shifting them later in the calendar while keeping the overall examination window intact. For Class 10, the Hindi examination, originally planned for February 11, 2026, has been rescheduled to March 6, 2026. This postponement provides students additional preparation time for this compulsory subject. In Class 12, the Urdu and Marathi papers, previously set for February 9, 2026, will now take place on March 6, 2026. The Hindi paper, initially scheduled for February 7 moves to March 7, 2026. These adjustments rearrange the early phase of the exams, allowing a more balanced spread of subjects. Class 12 theory examinations will commence on February 10, 2026, while Class 10 exams begin on February 13, 2026. All theory papers across both classes will continue in a single morning shift from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The Board officials have advised students to reach examination centres by 8:00 AM, with seating by 8:30 AM; entry closes at 8:45 AM, followed by OMR sheet distribution at 8:50 AM and question papers at 8:55 AM. Practical examinations for regular students remain scheduled at their respective schools from February 10 to March 10, 2026, with private candidates appearing at designated centres during the same period. The MPBSE has directed all affiliated schools to promptly disseminate the revised timetable to students and parents. Institutions should display the new schedule on notice boards, announce it during assemblies, and share it through parent communication groups such as WhatsApp. Students are encouraged to download the complete updated date sheet directly from the official MPBSE portal for accurate reference. This revision affects over 16.60 lakh students expected to appear in the 2026 Board exams. The Board emphasizes that while the current timetable is final, it retains the authority to make further modifications if required, with updates notified through official channels. Authorities urge candidates to stay informed and adjust their study plans accordingly to ensure optimal performance. - IANS The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has approved a 50% rebate in motor vehicle tax on automobile sales at the Gwalior Trade Fair. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia thanked the CM for this decision, stating it would provide momentum to trade in the Gwalior-Chambal region. The cabinet also approved the landmark Madhya Pradesh Space Act and Tech Policy for 2026. These policies aim to foster innovation in satellite technology and are projected to attract significant investment and create thousands of jobs. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia thanks CM Mohan Yadav for a 50% motor vehicle tax rebate at the Gwalior Trade Fair to boost sales and regional economy. Bhopal, Jan 13 Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, expressed his gratitude to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for approving a 50 per cent rebate in motor vehicle tax on automobile sales at the Gwalior Trade Fair-2026 from the state Cabinet on Tuesday. Soon after Chief Minister Yadav's Cabinet approved the proposal, Union Minister Scindia responded saying that the decision will give a new momentum for trade in Gwalior-Chambal region and provide direct benefits to the people. "Madhya Pradesh Cabinet's decision to exempt automobiles from road tax at the world-renowned Gwalior Trade Fair is highly commendable. Heartiest thanks to Chief Minister (Mohan Yadav) for his visionary decision," the Union Minister said on social media platform X. Sharing the historical journey of Gwalior Trade Fair, he also added that it was started by his father and former Union Minister late Madhavrao Scindia in 1905 with the objective of providing a platform to local traders. "Today it has become one of Asia's largest and the world-renowned trade fairs, establishing the economic, industrial and cultural identity of the Gwalior-Chambal region," he said. In a letter to Chief Minister Yadav on January 3, Union Minister Scindia had requested for a rebate in motor vehicle tax on automobile sales, mentioning that the decision will not only increase the sale of vehicles but it will also ensure a large amount of revenue in a short duration for the Madhya Pradesh government. Chief Minister Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, on Tuesday, approved several key proposals, including a 50 per cent rebate in motor vehicle tax on automobile sales at the Gwalior Trade Fair and Ujjain Vikramotsav Trade Fair for this year. The other major decisions includes the Madhya Pradesh Space Act, 2026, along with the Madhya Pradesh Tech Policy, 2026. This landmark policy aims to foster innovation in satelite manufacturing, geospatial analysis, and downstream applications. It is projected to attract Rs 1,000 crore in investments and generate around 8,000 jobs over the next five years. - IANS The Madhya Pradesh government has formally launched a paperless e-Cabinet system. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and his ministers attended the cabinet meeting using tablets provided to them. The initiative aims to promote e-governance, save time, ensure transparency, and adopt a paperless work process. Several ministers praised the move as a step into a digitalized era that simplifies work. MP CM Mohan Yadav rolls out digital e-Cabinet. Ministers use tablets for meetings to save time, ensure transparency, and promote e-governance. Bhopal, January 13 The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday formally launched its paperless e-Cabinet system, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and ministers attending the Cabinet meeting carrying their respective tablets held at the state secretariat in Bhopal. During the previous cabinet meeting held on January 6, tablets were provided to all the ministers with the objective of initiating the e-Cabinet process in the state. Additionally, a detailed presentation of the e-tablet application was also showcased before the Council of Ministers. With this initiative, cabinet agendas and related documents will be shared digitally with ministers through a dedicated tablet application. CM Yadav said the initiative started to promote e-governance in the state, adding that it would help in adopting a paperless work process, saving time and ensuring transparency in government functioning. "Our Prime Minister promotes technology and I am proud that our Chief Minister Mohan Yadav started the e-cabinet initiative. Now, our agenda for the meeting is shared in this tab device. It is a good initiative," said Kailash Vijayvargiya, Urban Development and Housing Minister. Water resources Minister Tulsi Silwat has said that it is an era of science and technology and in the same episode, e-cabinet is a good initiative taken by the Mohan Yadav government. "We are happy that now we have entered into the digitalised era of the 21st century. With the e-cabinet initiative, paperless work will take place and it will also simplify our work. It is a commendable initiative," Minister Krishna Gaur said. Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahald Patel said that the government of India started the initiative long ago and it was a commendable effort of the Madhya Pradesh government to hold a paperless cabinet. He highlighted that the initiative would save time as well as money. Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla said, "Paperless work is done more efficiently and at a fast pace. Therefore, the Madhya Pradesh Government launched the e-cabinet initiative. All the ministers were provided tablets in the previous cabinet and the e-cabinet meeting formally began today." Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Sarang also said that it was a good move and one should join with the technology. The use of technology brings transparency, saves time and adds perfection. Earlier, Chief Secretary Anurag Jain informed that cabinet decisions taken since 1960 were digitised and decisions of the past two years can be accessed with a single click. With the help of tablets, ministers will have access to complete information related to Cabinet proceedings. - ANI Indore Collector Shivam Verma has issued a strict order warning of legal action against those using banned Chinese kite string, citing recent fatal incidents. The order invokes sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Nyaya Sahita, with penalties including up to five years imprisonment. The Madhya Pradesh High Court has also taken suo moto cognisance of the menace, directing police and the collector to monitor sales and run awareness campaigns. This comes after a recent throat-slitting death in the city, prompting police alerts and cash rewards for information on illegal sales. Indore Collector orders strict legal action against use of banned Chinese kite string, citing fatalities. High Court takes suo moto cognisance ahead of Makar Sankranti. Indore, January 13 Indore Collector Shivam Verma has issued an order regarding the use of banned Chinese kite string in kite flying, warning to face legal action against those found guilty ahead of Makar Sankranti festival. He noted repeated incidents of human casualties and deaths of birds reported in the city and said that no negligence would be accepted in cases linked to the illegal use of Chinese manjha. According to the order, Collector Verma said that the use of Chinese kite string for kite flying has already been prohibited under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Despite the ban, he noted that the string is still being used clandestinely, posing a serious threat to public safety. "If a person dies or suffers serious injury due to Chinese kite string, the culprits will face strict action under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sahita (BNS) 2023 (Causing death by negligence), which includes provisions for up to five years of imprisonment and a fine," Collector Verma said in the order. He added that cases would also be registered for violating the order under section 223 of BNS (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant). Additionally, Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday took a suo moto cognisance of the growing menace of Chinese 'manjha' ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival after throat slit incidents reported in the district. Advocate Akash Sharma told ANI, "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. Meanwhile, throat slit incidents were reported from different parts of the city, prompting the police administration to go on alert mode ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival. The Indore police also 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. Recently, a 45-year-old man died after a kite string slit his throat while he was riding his bike in Indore on Sunday, January 11. According to the SHO of Tilak Nagar Police Station, Manish Lodha, the deceased was identified as Raghuveer Dhakar, and the incident occurred between Khajrana Chowk and Bengali Chowk. - ANI Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha celebrated with gig workers after the government directed food delivery and quick-commerce platforms to eliminate rigid "10-minute delivery" commitments. Chadha stated the policy endangered delivery workers by forcing dangerous driving to meet unrealistic deadlines. The directive followed discussions between Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and major platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy, and Zomato. The companies have agreed to remove strict delivery time promises from their branding and promotions. AAP MP Raghav Chadha joins gig workers in celebrating a government directive to food delivery platforms to remove rigid 10-minute delivery commitments. New Delhi, Jan 13 Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday joined gig workers in celebrating a victory for their "safety, dignity and work conditions" as the government directed food delivery and quick-commerce platforms to do away with rigid "10-minute delivery" commitments. In a video message, Chadha said that it is a memorable day for gig workers as the Central government has struck down the private companies' "10-minute delivery" branding. "The credit for this outcome goes to you as you all collectively put in efforts for achieving this," he said, adding that the government acted upon their efforts despite the private companies overlooking it. "I want to thank the Central government for intervening in the matter," said Chadha, describing the cruelty linked to "10-minute delivery" as real. "There is real danger involved when a delivery rider is carrying a bag or wearing a dress bearing the promise of '10-minute delivery' or when he is trying to beat the 10-minute timer on a customer's phone," said Chadha. He said the promise of "10-minute delivery" adds to the mental stress of delivery workers and forces them to drive dangerously to meet the deadline, endangering other road users. "In the past few months, I interacted with many gig delivery workers, and they all complained about being underpaid and overworked, silently bearing the load of this unrealistic promise of 10-minute delivery," said Chadha. The AAP MP said no parliamentarian is against any private company, but they are worried about the exploitation of gig workers. "The decision taken by the Central government will not only ensure gig workers' safety and security but also prove to be a milestone for improvement in their dignity and working conditions," said Chadha, reassuring gig workers that they are not alone in their fight but enjoy the support of the entire nation. Earlier in the day, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asked major food delivery and quick-commerce platforms to do away with rigid '10-minute' delivery time commitments, stressing that the safety of delivery partners must come before speed. Mandaviya held discussions with officials of Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy and Zomato in Delhi, during which he advised them to remove strict delivery deadlines from their platforms and promotional material in the interest of delivery workers' safety. Following the intervention, Blinkit has apparently removed its "10-minute delivery" claim from all its brand platforms. All the companies assured the government that they would remove delivery-time commitments from their brand advertisements and social media platforms. - IANS The entire world had already seen Nicolas Maduro being led in handcuffs into a New York courtroom in real time, but thousands of Venezuelans still believed that he and the first lady, Cilia Flores, remained in charge of the country. The world also knew that Maduro had declared himself a prisoner of war, that Delcy Rodriguez had assumed the role of interim president, and that Diosdado Cabello was patrolling the streets of Caracas to prevent unrest. But for the Venezuelans isolated in jails and prisons, the country remained the same. These are political and common detainees held in prisons like El Rodeo, El Helicoide, and El Atillo. Without access to telephones, radios, televisions, or newspapers, they learned the news a week after the rest of the world. They believed everything was the same until family visiting days on Friday and Saturday, their loved ones bringing them the information about what had happened during the most turbulent week in Venezuela since Maduro assumed power in 2013. A young woman, who prefers to remain anonymous to avoid reprisals, arrived, as she does every Saturday morning, at El Rodeo 1 prison with a food package under her arm and news for her brother. Despite the glass partition and the fact that he arrived in the visiting room hooded, she was able to tell him: Maduro is gone, the Americans took him and theyre going to try him there. Delcy is the new president now. Her brothers eyes he is one of the 145 political prisoners at El Rodeo widened in shock, she recalls. Thats when he truly understood what had happened, although he already knew something, because the night before hed heard shouts of joy coming from some nearby cells, from prisoners who had received visitors the day before. However, until that moment, he only had a hunch that something serious had occurred the previous weekend. They heard the planes, the explosions, more planes... she says. Then came the silence, and later, the family visits. Families of political prisoners outside the Rodeo I penitentiary. GABY ORAA When she told him, two guards were closely monitoring the conversation. He got excited and let out such a shout of joy that the officer immediately called him to order: If you keep this up, the visit ends right now, she recalls. There is no contact between the prisoners, but after news like this they usually communicate by shouting from one cell to another, providing details, the detainees sister explains over the phone. Preventing any display of joy that could lead to protests or public celebrations has been one of the governments main concerns, prompting it to issue a state of emergency decree. The decree authorizes the police to immediately undertake the search and capture throughout the national territory of any person involved in promoting or supporting the armed attack by the United States against the territory of the Republic. Since then, publicly celebrating the capture of Maduro and Flores has become practically a crime in Venezuela. The decree authorizes authorities to restrict fundamental rights such as freedom of assembly, demonstration, and free movement for 90 days, with the possibility of an extension. So far, five arrests have been reported for celebrating the kidnapping of President Maduro. Two people were arrested for firing shots into the air, and three others were arrested for messages posted on social media. One young woman was even forced to issue a public apology, and the police released a video of her in handcuffs, accompanied by two officers. Mr. President Nicolas, I am here to leave this message to apologize for a video I posted a few hours ago she says in the recording. None of this was known to another prisoner accused of homicide, whose mother who also prefers to remain anonymous visited him in the cells of the Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigations Corps (CICPC) in Caracas. He didnt believe it. Is this for real, Mom? he kept asking me. I told him about the invasion and that Maduro had been kidnapped, because he didnt know anything, the woman explains from Petare. Relatives of political prisoners embrace in front of the Rodeo I penitentiary. Ronald Pena R (EFE) During the 15 minutes she has every two weeks to see her son, she recalls telling him that things were changing rapidly in the country. But I didnt see any happiness in him. I think he was worried, just like me. Were a little scared. This mother gets emotional when she recalls the U.S. bombing of Caracas. Those were hours of fear, hearing the planes. I dont care about anything, but I kept thinking about the news reports Id seen of similar bombings in Israel or Iraq, she says about the two hours in which U.S. planes devastated the citys landscape. The more than 67,200 prisoners in the country, according to data from World Prison Brief and the Venezuelan Prison Observatory, were the last to find out about a heart-stopping week that, inside Venezuelan prisons, arrived in slow motion. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has forcefully rejected allegations of Indian state involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. During a televised interview, he repeatedly demanded concrete evidence to back the claims, which he labeled as preposterous and politically motivated. Patnaik emphasized that the ongoing legal case in Canada is against individuals and does not implicate the Indian state. He reiterated India's position that it is prepared to take action if any credible evidence is presented by Canadian authorities. India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, challenges allegations of India's involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, demanding concrete evidence. Ottawa, January 13 India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, strongly pushed back against allegations linking the Indian government to the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, sharply questioning the absence of evidence during a televised interview. Responding to a question during CBC News' "Power & Politics" on allegations primarily made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India had interfered in the country's internal affairs by killing Nijjar, Patnaik repeatedly demanded "evidence", saying accusations cannot stand without evidence. "Well, where is the evidence? Every time you keep on saying 'credible information'," the Indian envoy said, rejecting the allegations as unsubstantiated. "We have always said it's preposterous and absurd; it's something we don't do. These are allegations which have not been backed by evidence. There's always easy-to-do acquisitions. Acquisitions are easy," Patnaik added. Patnaik emphasised that the ongoing legal case in Canada does not implicate the Indian state, adding that the accusations stemmed from statements made by a former Canadian prime minister and his team. "You have accused us, but where have we been implicated? The case is going on in court... And the case in court is also against four individuals. Where is the case against a state? It's a talk given by a former prime minister backed by his team at that time, which he had; they had to back it. Where is the evidence on the ground?" he asked. "We can go into who said what. At the end of the day, it's about evidence on the ground," Patnaik said, reiterating India's long-standing position that it is willing to act if credible proof is presented. "We have said very clearly, if there is evidence ever coming out, if you provide us evidence, we will take action ourselves. We don't need you to take action on that. What we need is for you to give us evidence for us to take action," he said In a pointed remark aimed at the framing of the allegations, the Indian envoy said, "When you accuse us, what happens here is my accusations need evidence. Your accusations don't need evidence, right?" He further added, "You have accusations; you have to back it up with evidence. You can't say I accuse you, and you have to now justify yourselves." The remarks come in the context of the strained ties between the two sides in recent years, primarily due to concerns over Canada's perceived leniency towards Khalistani separatist elements and Canada's allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada in 2023. India had strongly rejected the allegations and termed them "politically motivated". - ANI Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that Operation Sindoor, India's response to cross-border terrorism, demonstrated the nation's strategic readiness and precision. He expressed satisfaction with security progress in 2025, crediting initiatives under 'JAI' and government reforms. The situation along the northern and western borders remains stable but requires constant vigilance, with robust deployments in place. Dwivedi emphasized that the operation, which successfully struck terror infrastructure, is ongoing and any future misadventure will be met with a resolute response. General Upendra Dwivedi cites Operation Sindoor as proof of India's strategic readiness. Details on security progress, borders, and response to Pahalgam attack. New Delhi, Jan 13 Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said India can be satisfied with the progress made in the field of security in 2025, while mentioning that Operation Sindoor demonstrated India's readiness, precision and strategic clarity. He mentioned that India's resolute response to the Pahalgam terror attack served as an example of the current reality of the world that "nations that stay prepared, prevail". Addressing the annual press conference of the Indian Army, Gen Dwivedi extended greetings on Lohri, Veterans' Day and Army Day and also praised the Indian media for playing a "vital role" in connecting the Indian Army with the nation, citing the "patriotic and overenthusiastic" coverage of Operation Sindoor as an example. The past year saw a sharp rise in the number of armed conflicts worldwide. These global shifts underline a simple reality -- nations that stay prepared prevail. In this backdrop, Operation Sindoor, India's calibrated, resolute response to cross-border terrorism, demonstrated our readiness, precision and strategic clarity," he said. The Army chief said that through a various initiatives as part of 'JAI -- Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, Innovation', a clarion call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 2025, a year of reforms given by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in January 2025, and the Indian Army's own decade of transformation, "we can be justifiably very satisfied with the progress made during the year 2025." He mentioned that the situation along the North-western Front "remains stable, but needs constant vigil", adding that apex-level interactions, renewed contact, and confidence-building measures are contributing to the "gradual normalisation" of the situation that has also enabled grazing, hydrotherapy camps, and other activities along the Northern Borders. "With our continued strategic orientation on this front, our deployment along the Line of Actual Control remains balanced and robust. Concurrently, capability development and infrastructure enhancement are progressing through a whole-of-government approach," he added. Gen Dwivedi, speaking about the Western Front, recalled India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, saying that a "clear decision to respond decisively was taken at the highest level". "Operation Sindoor was conceptualised and executed with precision. Through 22 minutes of initiation on May 7 and an orchestration that lasted 88 hours up to May 10, the operation reset strategic assumptions by striking deep, dismantling terror infrastructure, and puncturing the longstanding nuclear rhetoric," he said "The Army successfully destroyed seven out of the nine targets and thereafter played a pivotal role in ensuring a calibrated response to Pak actions," he added. The Army chief reiterated that "Operation Sindoor remains ongoing, and a future misadventure will be resolutely responded to". He also acknowledged the "proactive role" of all stakeholders at the national level, including CAPFs, Intelligences, civic bodies, state administration and other ministries, whether it's MHA, MEITY, Railways, etc. "Operation Sindoor was the best example of tri-service synergy under clear-cut political directive and full freedom to act or respond," he added. - IANS The Nepali Congress is facing a potential split as a special convention, organized by rebel leaders, is electing new top party officials ahead of the March elections. General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa declared the event a "rebellion," while party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and his camp oppose it and are seeking a compromise. Negotiations between factions focus on leadership roles, policy documents, and ticket distribution for the upcoming polls. The convention claims the support of a majority of delegates, citing a petition signed by over 53% of representatives demanding new leadership. Nepali Congress special convention elects new leaders, pushing party to brink of split ahead of crucial March polls. Key figures negotiate to avoid division. Kathmandu, January 13 One of Nepal's oldest parties, the Nepali Congress, is on the verge of a split ahead of the March elections as the special convention heads towards elections to choose new top party officials. The special convention, which started on Sunday, formally began the election process from Tuesday noon to elect new top party officials, including the party president and provincial presidents. Election representatives swarmed the party's election commission office to file their nominations for various posts till late Tuesday evening. Addressing the closing ceremony of the closed-door session of the special convention underway in Kathmandu, General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa claimed the party event was not merely a routine party programme but a rebellion. "This is not a routine program. We are now part of the rebellion. This rebellion, to reiterate what I said earlier, is also a question. Staying silent means you're ending yourself. We revolted, we raised questions," Thapa said while addressing the closed-door session of the special convention in Kathmandu. He added that the current special general convention would have a distinct place in history and be a matter of pride. Thapa also clarified that the convention was not organised for positions. On Tuesday, the convention dissolved the previous election committee and formed a new five-member panel under advocate Sitaram KC during a closed session at Bhrikutimandap. Supporters of the special convention have continued negotiations with establishment leaders at a residence in Lazimpat. Party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and his camp, who oppose the convention, are seeking a compromise ahead of the March elections to avoid a split. Talks between four-person teams from both sides have focused on leadership roles, ownership of policy documents, and ticket allocation. Convention supporters claim the backing of a majority of delegates, leaving Deuba's camp in the minority. Despite continued discussions with establishment leaders at a residence in Lazimpat, party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and his camp, who oppose the convention, are seeking a compromise to prevent a split ahead of the March elections. Negotiations involve four-member teams from both sides, with a focus on leadership roles, ownership of policy papers, and ticket distribution. Legal provisions cited by both factions--Articles 17(2) and 26--of the party statute remain contentious, with the Deuba camp asserting that the special convention cannot dissolve the central committee or remove the elected president without a two-thirds majority. The extended convention continues, with leaders, including Shekhar Koirala, mediating to maintain party unity. The special convention in Kathmandu has been underway for three days without participation from the establishment faction, which has called a central working committee meeting for Wednesday. The special convention of one of Nepal's oldest parties was inaugurated on Sunday by the duo of general secretaries after party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka declined to attend, despite efforts by the organisers. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is being held amid a deepening intra-party dispute. Deuba declined to participate despite suggestions from some leaders that the event be turned into a consensus-driven gathering. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention was demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 per cent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 per cent of elected delegates are participating. The Congress statute requires the party leadership to convene a special general convention if at least 40 per cent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 per cent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives was submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and the election of a new leadership. The organisers insist that the gathering aims to propose policy and organisational reforms while safeguarding party unity, even as uncertainty remains about whether it will lead to a leadership change. The special convention is being held eight weeks prior to the general election called after the dissolution of the House of Representatives following the Gen-Z revolution, which spiralled from September 8. The protest of September 8 turned bloody, with indiscriminate killing of youths by security forces, and was called in defiance of a social media ban and corruption. In Kathmandu alone, 23 protesters, mainly youths, were gunned down by the police on a single day. The next day, on September 9, a violent mob burnt private and public infrastructure, businesses and properties. A total of 76 people are confirmed to have died till date. The postmortem report of those killed in police firing in Kathmandu Valley states death due to bullet injuries to the head and chest. During the protest, police are only allowed to fire at protesters below the knee to control the situation. The police also used some lethal weapons to crack down on the protesters, following which former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stepped down from the post. But Oli remained adamant about resigning despite rising pressure. Appointed as the Interim Prime Minister on September 12, Karki recommended that the president dissolve parliament and called for elections on March 5, 2026. - ANI Former Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has reiterated claims that "foreign hands" orchestrated the Gen Z protests that led to his government's ouster in September 2025. In an interview with RT, Oli and former Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali suggested the uprising was a planned attack on Nepal's democracy, fueled by cross-border misinformation. They implied that Nepal's growing engagement with both India and China, aiming to be an economic bridge, was not welcomed by some external powers. The Russian media report cited a U.S.-based investigation alleging the National Endowment for Democracy funded the youth protests to counter Chinese and Indian influence in Kathmandu. Former Nepal PM K.P. Sharma Oli alleges foreign orchestration of protests that ousted his government, citing US funding reports via Russian media. New Delhi, Jan 13 Senior members of Nepal's former cabinet, including deposed Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, have reiterated the involvement of "foreign hands" behind the Gen Z protests that led to the ouster of the government in September 2025. Speaking to Russia's state-run global television news network, RT, Oli said, "That (the uprising) was not a simple and usual thing. That was unusual, and it couldn't have taken place all of a sudden. It was organised in a planned way; it was evident even at that time and later on." On Tuesday, the RT website carried another quote from an interview with Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Nepal's former foreign minister, who backed Oli's assertion. "Those elements who were actively engaged with the deep state, who used the cross-border misinformation and disinformation to instigate the violence, they were active," Gyawali told RT India. He further claimed that Kathmandu's growing engagement with India and China and its aspiration of being a bridge for the economic development of Nepal between the two neighboring countries was not a very good message to some powers. In Monday's interview, Oli claimed that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had warned that protests like those in their countries could happen in Nepal as well. "Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were telling us... Leaders were talking that such things would happen, and things happened. It was an attack on our democracy, to send them back to poverty," he told RT. He added that the current situation in Nepal is not conducive to holding elections. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed Nepal's interim prime minister after Oli's ouster last year. A general election is scheduled for March. Gyawali also said that the powers "wanted to use Nepal's geostrategic location for their policy in their favour. So maybe our engagement with our neighboring countries may have some grievances to the big powers as well". RT also quoted its earlier report about a US-based news outlet, The Grayzone, having cited leaked documents "revealing that the US government's National Endowment for Democracy (NED) spent hundreds of thousands of dollars tutoring Nepalese young people to stage the protests". The NED, it claimed, is officially a US State Department-funded nonprofit that provides grants to support "democratic initiatives" worldwide. On its website, NED describes itself as "a valuable resource for information related to democracy worldwide. Staff experts are available for comment on democratic development and related topics in Africa, Asia, Central Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East". According to the RT, the Grayzone investigations had revealed Nepal's Gen Z protests happened as the US sought to neutralise Chinese and Indian influence over Kathmandu. Russia's television network further added that "International Republican Institute (IRI), a NED division, has been accused of funding clandestine activities in Bangladesh". It went on to allege that NED has also "been accused of funneling tens of millions of dollars to Ukrainian political entities and anti-Russian interests". RT India was launched on December 5 last year, commemorating the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, a tradition dating back to 2000, when President Vladimir Putin visited India. - IANS The Victorian government has announced an additional $15 million in funding to support communities impacted by the state's bushfire crisis. $10 million is allocated for a clean-up program specifically targeting uninsured and underinsured households that lost their primary residence. The remaining $5 million will cover landfill fee waivers to facilitate the disposal of bushfire waste. This state funding follows a joint $19.5 million emergency package announced earlier by Premier Allan and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan announces $15 million in new support, including a clean-up program and landfill fee waivers, for bushfire-affected communities. Melbourne, Jan 13 The Premier of the Australian state of Victoria on Tuesday announced an additional $15 million in support funding for communities affected by the statewide bushfire crisis. Premier Jacinta Allan said at a press conference in the central Victorian town of Alexandra that $10 million of the new funding package will go to a new bushfire clean-up programme to help landowners deal with the wreckage of over 500 structures that have been destroyed across the state, Xinhua News Agency reported. "This is particularly focused on uninsured and underinsured households who have lost their primary place of residence to be able to get underway with the clean-up," she said. The remaining $5 million will be spent on waiving fees at landfills in affected areas to ensure that bushfire waste can be disposed of free of charge. Twelve active fires were continuing to burn across Victoria as of Tuesday, down from 27 on Monday, and Allan said the situation has de-escalated. Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, said that six of those fires were still a concern to firefighting crews and that conditions are expected to become more severe in late January. He said that the number of structures confirmed to have been destroyed by fires now exceeds 500, including 90 homes that were destroyed in the town of Longwood near Alexandra. Wiebusch said that detectives from Victoria Police's arson squad are investigating the cause of the Longwood fire, which has burned through 144,000 hectares of land and has a perimeter of 400 km. Earlier on Sunday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Allan announced an (Australian) $19.5 million (US$ 13 million) emergency funding package to provide immediate support to communities across the state affected by the fires. The funding includes $10 million to supply fodder to farmers who have been affected by significant livestock losses, $1.5 million in emergency accommodation support for thousands of people who have been ordered to evacuate their homes, and $1 million for mental health support. Speaking at a press conference alongside Allan and emergency services personnel in the central Victorian city of Bendigo, Albanese said on Sunday that the federal government would support Victorians through the crisis and the recovery period. "We've got your back," he said. "We'll work cooperatively with the state government to make sure we deliver what is necessary so that people and communities can get back on their feet after what has been a very difficult period." - IANS The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into a major illegal Bangladeshi immigrant infiltration case from the Delhi Police's Special Cell. The central agency has registered a fresh FIR and begun a probe expected to widen in scope to trace the entire syndicate and its funding. The case, described as a "deeper conspiracy," was initially registered by Delhi Police during a crackdown on illegal immigration in the capital. The NIA's investigation will now focus on uncovering interstate and cross-border links behind the organized racket. NIA registers fresh FIR, widens probe into syndicate facilitating illegal Bangladeshi immigration into Delhi, following MHA directives. New Delhi, January 13 The National Investigation Agency has taken over the investigation into a major illegal Bangladeshi immigrant infiltration case that was earlier being probed by the Delhi Police's Special Cell, officials said on Tuesday. The central agency has begun its investigation and is expected to widen the scope of the probe by tracing the entire syndicate involved and following the money trail linked to the network. Officials, privy to the development, told ANI that the NIA has also registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) in the case as part of its takeover of the case from the Delhi Police last week. The move comes in line with directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to crack down on organised networks facilitating illegal immigration and posing potential security concerns. The case, described as a "deeper conspiracy" involving Bangladeshi nationals, was initially registered by the Delhi Police's Special Cell during a large-scale crackdown on illegal immigration in the national capital. Earlier, the Delhi Police had lodged at least two FIRs alleging a larger conspiracy behind the influx of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into Delhi. Multiple units of the Delhi Police were tasked with investigating various aspects of the network. These included routes of illegal entry into India, syndicates involved in forging identity documents, individuals providing accommodation, and agents facilitating employment for illegal immigrants. Officials said the Delhi Police FIRs were aimed at exposing the organised structure enabling illegal migration from Bangladesh into Delhi and identifying key operatives involved at different levels. With the NIA now in charge, the investigation is expected to focus on uncovering interstate and cross-border links, funding channels, and the wider conspiracy behind the racket. - ANI Nitin Nabin, the BJP's National Working President, is set to be elected as the party's National President on January 20, succeeding JP Nadda. His nomination will be filed on January 19, with support signatures from senior leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party is conducting meetings to review preparations for the presidential election process. Nabin's appointment is viewed as the BJP's emphasis on youth leadership as he has been involved in planning for several upcoming state assembly elections. BJP's Nitin Nabin will file nomination on Jan 19 and is set to be elected national president on Jan 20, succeeding JP Nadda, party sources confirm. By Toshi Mandola, New Delhi, January 13 Bharatiya Janata Party National Working President Nitin Nabin will assume the post of BJP National President, succeeding JP Nadda, on January 20, sources aware of the development said on Tuesday. Nitin Nabin, who was elected as the party's working president in December, will file his nomination on January 19 and is likely to be elected as President on January 20. According to the sources, all Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states, all state BJP presidents, national office bearers, and senior BJP leaders have been asked to be present in Delhi. BJP's Chief Election Officer K. Lakshman will announce the name of the national president, Nitin Nabin. Three sets of nominations will be filed for the national president's post. One set will have the signatures of more than 20 elected state BJP presidents. One set will have the signatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and JP Nadda. The third set will have the signatures of the members of the BJP National Council. If only one name is nominated, the national president's name will be announced the same day, sources said. Meanwhile, a major meeting has begun under the chairmanship of JP Nadda regarding preparation for the BJP president's election, according to sources. Working President Nitin Nabin, B. L. Santhosh, Sunil Bansal, Arun Singh, and Tarun Chugh are present at the meeting. The meeting is to review preparations for the BJP president's election, scheduled for January 19 and 20, the sources said. BJP had appointed Bihar Minister and five-term MLA Nitin Nabin as the party's working president in December of last year. Union Minister JP Nadda currently helms the national party. The appointment of Nabin is seen as the party focusing on youth leadership. Since his appointment as the National Working President, Nitin Nabin has been deeply engaged in the party's preparations for the upcoming state assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, and Puducherry. Recently, Nitin Nabin visited Tamil Nadu to review party preparations to face Chief Minister MK Stalin-led DMK. Before Tamil Nadu, he was in Assam, where BJP's Himanta Biswa Sarma is going to face a tough competition from Congress. - ANI Nitin Nabin, the BJP's national Working President, is set to formally file his nomination for the post of national President on January 19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present as the proposer, signaling strong endorsement from the party's top leadership. The formal announcement of Nabin as the new BJP President is scheduled for January 20, following the conclusion of an inauspicious period. This leadership transition is seen as crucial for the BJP's organizational strategy ahead of future electoral challenges. BJP's Nitin Nabin will file his nomination for national President on Jan 19, with PM Modi as proposer. Formal announcement expected on Jan 20. New Delhi, Jan 13 The Bharatiya Janata Party is poised for a key organisational development as its national Working President, Nitin Nabin, is set to file his nomination for the post of national President on January 19, according to party sources. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present as the proposer during the nomination process, reflecting strong endorsement and confidence in Nabin's leadership within the party's top brass. The presence of the Prime Minister is being viewed as underlining continuity and stability in the BJP's organisational and ideological direction. The nomination process is part of the BJP's established internal organisational framework for electing its national President. Several senior leaders, members of the central leadership, and key office-bearers are likely to attend the event, making it a high-profile exercise within the party's organisational calendar. Following the completion of the nomination process, the formal announcement of the new BJP President is scheduled for January 20. The declaration is expected to provide clarity on the party's leadership structure ahead of upcoming electoral challenges and to shape the BJP's organisational strategy at the national level. Political observers are closely watching the developments, as the appointment comes at a crucial time when the BJP is focusing on consolidating its organisational strength and aligning its leadership with long-term governance and electoral objectives. More details are expected to emerge after the official announcement on January 20. Nitin Nabin, a five-time Bihar MLA, was appointed working president of the BJP on December 14, but his formal takeover as the party President was held up due to kharmas (inauspicious period), which ends on January 14. Since he was appointed the Working President, Nabin has been touring the different states and meeting party colleagues. Nabin has earlier held several key organisational posts in the party, including as Bihar President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. - IANS Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has successfully persuaded major quick-commerce platforms to eliminate the mandatory 10-minute delivery deadline. This intervention follows public and parliamentary debates about the intense pressure and poor working conditions faced by gig workers. Companies like Blinkit have already changed their branding, replacing the 10-minute promise with a focus on doorstep delivery. The move aligns with the newly enforced Social Security Code, 2020, which aims to provide welfare measures for platform workers. Major delivery apps remove mandatory 10-minute delivery promise after intervention by Labour Minister, aiming to improve gig worker safety and conditions. New Delhi, January 13 Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has persuaded major delivery aggregators to remove the mandatory 10-minute delivery deadline, following a series of sustained interventions, sources said Tuesday. A meeting was held with leading platforms including Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy among others to address concerns related to delivery timelines. According to sources, Blinkit has already acted on the directive and removed the 10-minute delivery promise from its branding. Other aggregators are expected to follow suit in the coming days. The move is aimed at ensuring greater safety, security and improved working conditions for gig workers. As part of this change, Blinkit has updated its brand messaging, the sources said. The company's principal tagline has been revised from "10,000 plus products delivered in 10 minutes" to "30,000 plus products delivered at your doorstep." There have been widespread debates and discussions in the public domain about gig workers' working conditions over the past weeks. In the recent Parliament session, the AAP Rajya Sabha member spoke about the "pain and misery" of India's gig workers, who work under tremendous pressure and at times in harsh weather conditions. AAP MP Raghav Chadha had demanded regulations for quick commerce and other app-based delivery and service businesses, emphasising the need for social security benefits for gig workers. In his Parliament intervention, the RS MP called for dignity, protection, and fair pay for gig workers. For the first time, the definition of 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' and provisions related to the same have been provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020, which has come into force on November 21, 2025. The Code provides for framing of suitable social security measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. The Code provides for the establishment of a Social Security Fund to finance welfare schemes. The Code also provides for the establishment of a National Social Security Board for the welfare of gig workers and platform workers. Also, the Ministry of Labour and Employment had launched the e-Shram portal on 26.08.2021 for the creation of a Comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers, including platform workers, migrant workers, etc. - ANI Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi clarified that there were no discussions about nuclear warfare between the Indian and Pakistani DGMOs during Operation Sindoor, attributing such rhetoric to Pakistani politicians and the public. He stated that India successfully expanded the conventional warfare space, which led to ground operations and the elimination of approximately 100 Pakistan-associated personnel along the LoC and IB in Jammu and Kashmir. The operation significantly accelerated the Indian Army's focus on drone warfare, leading to the creation of specialized units like the Ashni Platoon and Bhairav Light Commando Battalions. General Dwivedi detailed these new formations, equipped with modern UAS and counter-UAS technology, designed to bridge the gap between infantry and special forces. Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi says no nuclear issue was discussed with Pakistan during Op Sindoor, details expansion of conventional space and drone warfare. New Delhi, January 13 Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that there were no talks between the Director General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan about nuclear warfare. Responding to a query raised during a press conference here, he said that the nuclear rhetoric was given by the political or local public in Pakistan instead of the military. "As far as nuclear rhetoric is concerned, I would like to say that there was no discussion on nuclear in the DGMO talks, and whatever nuclear rhetoric was given by the politicians or given by the local public in Pakistan. I have no indication that anything of that sort came from the military," General Dwivedi told ANI. He was responding to a query about whether Pakistan issued any nuclear threats during the 2025 conflict with India. The Army Chief said that India expanded the conventional space to carry out ground operations while dismissing the understanding of directly moving from sub-conventional warfare to the nuclear domain. "When we talk about our role in this, and when we discuss what was said earlier, it was stated that the space for conventional operations is shrinking, and that we would go directly from sub-conventional to the nuclear domain. But this time, the action we took, especially the kind of firing that took place in Jammu and Kashmir, and the way we addressed it, and how we eliminated approximately 100 of their (Pakistan) personnel - all that action was taken because we expanded the conventional space," he said. In those 88 hours, you saw that the army's mobilisation to expand the conventional space was such that if Pakistan made any mistake, we were fully prepared to launch ground operations," he added. General Dwivedi further informed that 100 people out of the 150 people associated with Pakistan were killed in the firing along the Line of Control (LoC) or in the International Border of the Jammu and Kashmir sector. "I remember, around August 13 or 14, they (Pakistan) mistakenly released a list of about 150 people, which we analysed, and then they withdrew it. Of those, about 100 people, according to our assessment, had been killed in the firing along the Line of Control or in the IB J&K sector. As far as the force structure is concerned, I would only like to tell you that drones were already playing an important role, but after Operation Sindoor, this aspect received a major acceleration. We were already monitoring this organisation," he said. The Army Chief said that the drones were already playing an important role, but received major acceleration after Op Sindoor, with the establishment of organisations comprising skilled operators. "We had validated this in desert terrain, high-altitude terrain. But because the operation was ongoing, we had to commission it in a hurry and as quickly as possible. Keeping this in mind, what action did we take? If we start with the infantry battalion, if you want to use drones actively, for surveillance, for force application, for anti-radiation, for jamming, for loitering munitions, we need highly skilled operators, and for that, we need integration," General Dwivedi said. "The first organisation we established was an infantry battalion, within which we created the Ashni Platoon, comprising specialists who must achieve a certain level of qualification to join. Similarly, we have established the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion, and as of today, we have raised 13 Bhairav battalions," he stated. The Army Chief added that the Bhairav battalions are meant to bridge the gap between lethal platoons and special forces within infantry battalions. "The role of these Bhairav battalion is to bridge the gap between the lethal platoons and the special forces within the infantry battalions. They are equipped with modern equipment, including UAS equipment and counter-UAS equipment, a large amount of ammunition, and other equipment, to play a crucial role," he said. "Moving on to artillery, we have created a Divyastra battery. The Divyastra battery will be part of the artillery regiment and will provide support to a division commander. Again, this involves UAS equipment. For counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) ammunition, we have our powerful regiment, which we are currently raising three units of, and will later raise 12 more. We will then expand this further," he added. - ANI Marc Thiessen, former White House director of speechwriting, recently posted a provocative message on X: The Cuban regime has survived every president since Eisenhower. Wouldnt it be something if that streak ended with Donald Trump? Trump reposted the message on his own network, Truth Social. Someone else circulated a photo of the Republican smoking a cigar near Old Havana and Trump shared that too. When another socialmedia user toyed with the idea that Secretary of State and CubanAmerican Marco Rubio could become the next president of Cuba, Trump reposted and said: Sounds good to me! Trump has flirted rhetorically with the idea of destabilizing Cubas government, but he has stopped short of proposing a concrete plan like the one that led to Nicolas Maduros ouster in Venezuela. After the capture of Maduro, in an operation that left 32 Cuban military personnel dead, the United States reduced the number of troops off the Venezuelan Caribbean coast. At the same time, it repositioned the amphibious ships USS Iwo Jima and USS San Antonio in the Atlantic, off the northern coast of Cuba. Trump himself, however, has said he does not think a military operation is necessary to end the Cuban government. Cuba looks like its ready to fall, he recently told a group of journalists. I dont know if theyre going to hold out, but Cuba now has no income, Trump added. He was referring to the loss of about 30,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan oil not the nearly 100,000 barrels that arrived in Hugo Chavezs years, but still enough to help keep a government afloat that is facing its worst crisis since the Cuban Revolution came to power. Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez reaffirmed her historic stance toward Cuba, based on brotherhood, solidarity, cooperation, and complementarity, but Trump insists that Cubans will no longer receive anything from Venezuela. Cuba literally is ready to fall. And you have a lot of great Cuban Americans that are going to be very happy about this. It is the gift that the most conservative wing of the Cuban exile community has been waiting for from Republican politicians for years. While the six-decade economic embargo has not brought about a systemic change, the U.S. government is betting that the regime will collapse under the weight of its own crisis, now that it no longer has Venezuelas support behind it. The Cuban economy is experiencing its worst period in decades, says economist Ricardo Torres, former researcher at the Center for Cuban Economic Studies and professor at American University in Washington. On top of that, traditional buffers such as the universal social safety net, public services, and the rationing system have weakened. All of this is occurring amid an unprecedented deepening of inequality, which means that the heaviest burden of these difficulties falls on a particular segment of the population. Cubas own internal chaos, which has been building for years and leaves the country with fewer allies in the region, adds to the pressure on the Castro regime. Added to this is a weaker government, with less legitimacy and, one could say, less capacity to respond, partly due to the drain of talent from institutions and the stagnation, says Torres. Alongside the internal crisis, there is the external context, which has been hardening due to the frustrations of traditional allies, the rise of belligerent governments in Latin America, and above all, a new order that Cuba is coming into very much alone and weakened. This combination could be very potent. Pressure from Washington on Mexico is also a factor. Mexico continues to finance the tyranny, sending resources to a criminal regime while the Cuban people suffer hunger and repression, said Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida. Although it is still unclear how much oil the Mexican government of Claudia Sheinbaum is sending, the Mexican leader aware that her country is now one of the main suppliers to the Cuban government has reiterated that there are no unusual shipments to Cuba by the state oil company Pemex. No more oil is being sent than what had been sent historically. There is no particular shipment, she said. On Monday, Sheinbaum even stated that her government could act as a communication channel between the United States and Cuba, amid tensions over the island. Everything remains very confusing: CBS, on the other hand, reported that the White House has not requested that Mexico stop sending fuel to Cuban territory. Cuba doesnt need more collapse Some, however, do not believe the solution lies in waiting for a systemic collapse a system that has survived decades of crisis under an immovable government. Healthcare is in crisis, with epidemics and hospitals lacking resources; with constant blackouts. Food and education is also in crisis. What further collapse is supposed to happen? asks Cuban entrepreneur Saily Gonzalez Velasquez. Whats more, those in power dont collapse. Power remains intact while the population grows poorer and suffers more and more. This formula doesnt punish the dictatorship; it punishes the people. Cuba doesnt need more collapse; it needs a way out that allows its people to rebuild their lives and their dignity, she says. After Maduros capture which Trump followed from his Mar-a-Lago mansion like a live-action movie the president spoke of Cuba as if he had little real interest in taking charge of the island, describing it as an interesting case. That system has not been a very good one for Cuba, he added. I think Cuba is something that well end up talking about, because theyre a badly failing nation. He didnt say much more, except that he intended to help the people in Cuba and its exile community, his loyal voters. However, Trumps rhetoric has hardened in the days since. By Sunday, Trump was already warning the Cuban government. I strongly suggest they make a deal before its too late. His words drew a swift response from Diaz-Canel: There are no conversations with the U.S. government, except for technical contacts. Trump has not only been the president who has deported the most Cubans back to the island, but also the one who has put the migration status of a long-protected community in the United States at risk. From the start of his term, he eliminated protections such as humanitarian parole, visa programs, and refugee programs that allowed family reunification. He was also the president who, on his first day in the White House, rolled back Joe Bidens policies, added Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism, and implemented new economic stranglehold measures, such as restrictions on remittances and exchanges between the two countries. He also ended the restoration of diplomatic relations initiated by Barack Obama during his first term. For now, the only confrontation between Washington and Havana is on X, a social-media skirmish of posts and threats from both sides. While some predict the regime will fall this year, in Cuba, they insist they are ready to spill blood for the country if necessary. In fact, military actions have already begun for what the government has called for years the war of all the people. Many observers believe something new is about to happen. I am convinced that change is coming in Cuba, said Maria Werlau, author of Cubas Intervention in Venezuela, who asserts that the U.S. government has plenty of evidence, for years, of the Cuban regimes criminal activities, including drug trafficking. Its regime was already hanging by a thread due to all its own failures. And now, if it doesnt implode, surrender, or force its ruling elite to flee, the United States will very easily be able to carry out a surgical operation like the one in Venezuela. If in Venezuela, with far more weaponry, the Cuban forces proved to be a paper tiger, it will be even easier in Cuba. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition South Korea's unification ministry reports that North Korea has replaced the chiefs of three major units responsible for guarding leader Kim Jong-un. The changes were detected during a military parade in October 2025, though the exact timing and reasons are unclear. In a related leadership reshuffle, top military official Ri Pyong-chol is presumed to have been removed from a key party post. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his wife and daughter, visited the construction site for a museum memorializing North Korean soldiers killed while supporting Russia in Ukraine. South Korea reports N. Korea replaced heads of key guard units for Kim Jong-un. Analysis points to major leadership changes in 2025. Seoul, Jan 13 North Korea has replaced its top officials in charge of guarding leader Kim Jong-un in recent years, Seoul's unification ministry said on Tuesday. North Korea has changed the chiefs of three major North Korean units defending the security of the North's leader -- the Guard Office of the ruling party, the Guard Department of the State Affairs Commission and the Guard Command -- the ministry said in its analysis of the major reshuffle of North Korean officials in 2025. The ministry did not disclose the exact timing or the reason for the replacement, but it said the changed chiefs of such agencies were detected during a military parade marking the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in October 2025, Yonhap News Agency reported. "It is noticeable that North Korea has replaced officials in charge of guarding the 'supreme leader' in a relatively short period of time," a ministry official said. Meanwhile, Ri Pyong-chol, a top North Korean military official, is presumed to be removed from the post of vice chairman of the WPK's Military Central Commission, the ministry said. North Korea saw the number of members of the praesidium of the political bureau fall to four from the previous five with Ri's presumed demotion to a member. The praesidium currently comprises the North's leader Kim; Premier Pak Thae-song; Choe Ryong-hae, chairman of the parliament's standing committee; and Jo Yong-won, a party secretary. With Ri's removal, Pak Jong-chon has become the sole vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the construction site of a memorial for the North's soldiers killed in Russia's war against Ukraine, hailing their sacrifice as an "eternal cornerstone" for Pyongyang, state media reported. Kim "visited the construction site of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations" in Pyongyang the previous day and dug the first shovelful of earth for the museum's tree planting, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Images released by the North's state media showed Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter Ju-ae accompanied Kim at the event, with Ju-ae seen digging the ground along with her father in the tree planting. Kim said the sacrifice of North Korean troops "would serve as the solid root and eternal cornerstone supporting the mightiness of the motherly DPRK," according to the KCNA. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the official name of the country. While awarding official commendations in August last year to soldiers who were dispatched to support Russia in the war, Kim unveiled a plan to create a special street in Pyongyang commemorating their sacrifice, with construction of the museum launched in October. It marks the first time North Korea will build a museum commemorating soldiers killed in action overseas. North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons to support Russia's war efforts, with thousands believed to have been killed in action. - IANS The Norway Chess tournament is relocating from Stavanger to Oslo starting in 2026, ending a thirteen-year chapter. The event, including the Norway Chess Women's tournament, will be held at the Deichman Bjrvika library from May 25 to June 5. World champion Magnus Carlsen, a seven-time winner of the event, is the first player to confirm his participation. Tournament organizers express gratitude to Stavanger while highlighting Oslo's potential to attract a broader global audience and new partners. The prestigious Norway Chess tournament relocates to Oslo's Deichman Bjrvika in 2026, with Magnus Carlsen confirmed to play. New era begins. Oslo, January 13 After thirteen years in Stavanger, a new era begins for one of the world's most prestigious chess tournaments. From 2026, Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women will be held in Oslo, with Deichman Bjrvika serving as the main venue, according to a press release. The tournament will take place from 25 May to 5 June 2026, and Magnus Carlsen is among the world stars heading to the capital. Since its launch in 2013, Stavanger has been home to Norway Chess. The city has given the event a strong identity and helped make the tournament a highlight on the international chess calendar. "Norway Chess would not have become the event it is today without the cross-party political support and the generous welcome we have received in Stavanger. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the City of Stavanger, which has stood by us all the way, especially in the development of Norway Chess Women, a pioneering women's tournament with equal prize conditions. We also want to thank our local sponsors and the incredible volunteers. Together you have written a chapter of Norwegian sporting history," says Kjell Madland, founder and CEO of Norway Chess. The move to Oslo marks the start of a new chapter. Deichman Bjrvika will host both Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women. "We see great opportunities in establishing Norway Chess in the nation's capital. Oslo is an international meeting place and gives us a unique opportunity to reach an even wider audience, among spectators, partners, and new generations of chess enthusiasts," says Benedicte Westre Skog, COO of Norway Chess. "Stavanger will always be our chess home and part of our DNA. To further develop Norway Chess as a world-leading tournament, Oslo is a natural next step. We look forward to bringing our Rogaland heritage into a new setting," added Madland. Deichman Bjrvika looks forward to welcoming the world's leading chess players. "We are proud that Deichman Bjrvika will host Norway Chess 2026. The library is a venue for many activities and experiences, and we are now looking forward to filling the building with chess players, spectators, and curious visitors. We also hope many people take the opportunity to borrow a good chess book or two," says Merete Lie, Head Librarian at Deichman Bjorvika. Magnus Carlsen is the first player to publicly confirm his participation in Norway Chess 2026. The remaining participants will be announced in the coming weeks, along with the line-up for Norway Chess Women. Norway Chess will be held for the 14th time, and Norway Chess Women for the 3rd time. Carlsen has taken part in every edition and has won seven of them. - ANI A tragic road accident in Oskemen, Kazakhstan, has resulted in the death of one Indian medical student and injuries to two others. The students from Semey Medical University were returning from an excursion to the Altai Mountains when the accident occurred. The Indian Embassy is providing consular assistance and is in contact with the university and hospital authorities. The injured students are reported to be in stable condition at a local hospital. One Indian medical student dead, two injured in a tragic road accident in Oskemen, Kazakhstan. Embassy provides support and updates. Astana, January 13 The Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan on Tuesday said that 11 Indian students from Semey Medical University were involved in a road accident in Oskemen while returning from an excursion to the Altai Mountains in East Kazakhstan. Sharing details in a post on X, the Embassy said, "In a tragic accident in Oskemen, a group of 11 Indian students from Semey Medical University, who were on an excursion trip to the Altai Mountains (East Kazakhstan), encountered an accident on their way back to Oskemen City." As a result of the incident, the Embassy said that one student, Mili Mohan (date of birth: 17.04.2000), died, while two other students -- Ashika Sheejamini Santhosh and Jaseena B -- sustained injuries. It further stated that the injured students are receiving treatment at City Hospital No. 1 in Oskemen. "According to the latest reports, their condition is stable," the Embassy said. Expressing condolences over the death, it said, "The Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased student." The Embassy added that it is in constant contact with the university administration, hospital authorities, and the students' families. The Altai Mountains are a striking mountain range in Central Asia that stretches across Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Famous for dramatic scenery and towering peaks such as Mount Belukha, the region is rich in biodiversity and also forms the source of major rivers, including the Ob and Irtysh. Parts of the Altai are recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage sites for their unique ecosystems and cultural value. - ANI Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi revealed that Operation Sindoor's initial 22-minute precision strike completely disrupted Pakistan's decision-making cycle, leading to mismanagement on their side. He stated that India's calibrated military response achieved its politico-military objectives without escalating to full-scale war. General Dwivedi explained that Pakistan, after gaining full visibility of India's military posture via satellites, chose to de-escalate the situation. The operation also provided critical lessons in narrative management, credibility, and maintaining a single source of truth in information warfare. Indian Army Chief details Operation Sindoor's precision strike that disrupted Pakistan's response, forced de-escalation, and key lessons in modern warfare. New Delhi, January 13 Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said Operation Sindoor disrupted Pakistan's decision-making and forced it to step back after a 22-minute precision strike and calibrated military actions achieved India's politico-military objectives. Speaking on the operation, General Dwivedi said the first major turning point came from a precision strike carried out in a narrow time window, which left terror networks and their supporters struggling to respond effectively. "The first turning point was the 22-minute strike we carried out on the terror targets. The strike has caused their decision-making cycle was completely disrupted, and it took them time to understand what was happening...this led to mismanagement as they started throwing stones, missiles...we gave a calibrated response to them, because we don't want to increase the war, because we attained our politico-military aim..," he said. He added that Pakistan had full visibility of India's military posture through satellite surveillance, and once the broader picture became clear, the adversary chose to step back. "There was a second turning point... On the morning of the 10th May, certain instructions were given to all three branches of the armed forces regarding what would happen if this war escalated. Those who needed to understand it... They (Pakistan) had complete information from satellites about which ship, which strike or pivot, which core unit, or which aircraft was moving where--when they connected the dots, they said that the time has come to stop this war here," he said. General Dwivedi said Operation Sindoor also offered important lessons in narrative management, credibility and information discipline, stressing that communication has become as critical as operational preparedness in modern warfare. "I would like to say that we learned many lessons from Operation Sindoor. But we had already done a lot of preparation even before that. We learned that whatever news you give.. it must have credibility. Because in the long run, having credibility is very important. Whatever news you give, there should be consistency. The third thing is that there should be no vacuum in any narrative management domain or cognitive domain. If there is a vacuum, then negative news spreads very fast," he said. He explained that strict information control was maintained during the operation to ensure a single, credible source of communication. "The fourth thing is how much importance you give to negative news. I want to tell you that since April 22nd, all the Indian Army Twitter handles that were facing the Western Front, were shut down so that no one could say that the Western Command said this, and by the time we check with the Western Command, that news has already spread everywhere. The single source of truth was ADG StratCom. That's why you'll see that our credibility was very high..," he added. Providing an operational update, the Army Chief said that 139 ceasefire violations were recorded in 2025, with 124 occurring during Operation Sindoor, though none were major violations. "In 2025, 139 ceasefire violations which took place, 124 of them were during the Operation Sindoor... No major ceasefire violation has taken place. As far as forces are concerned, as of today, we are not relenting at all, no forces are coming back because in my wisdom today, 140 terrorists, approximately, are within the hinterland, and out of which 10 could be the local terrorists, and the rest all could be the Pakistani terrorists..," the COAS said. On gender issues in the armed forces, General Dwivedi stressed the Army's push towards gender neutrality, saying women should be viewed as strong and capable rather than vulnerable. "Women cannot be seen as a vulnerable commodity, it has to be strong enough. If we look at our society as of today, the society still has girls' schools, boys' schools, girls' colleges, and boys' colleges and the laws also, which are of a particular kind. As the Army is concerned, the Army is looking at not gender equality, but gender neutrality," he said. He said challenges remain due to medical standards and broader social factors. "Today, I am not able to ensure gender neutrality because there are medical authorities which do not allow me and the team of composition, where the females also say no, sir, it's not possible. I'll give you the example of CPT 26. I wanted the standards to be the same, but I have not been able to make sure because there have been no positive indications from those females who are serving also," he said. He added that progress would be assessed over the coming years. "Now, I am having a super excellent column. So in three to four years, I will get to know how many female officers and other ranks are able to reach that level. If they're able to reach that level, definitely we will open up firstly the supporting arms, which are not open, and then the arms, and then of course the special forces. So it's a social change. It's a sequential change and a welcome change...," he added. On the situation in Bangladesh, the Army Chief said India is monitoring developments closely while keeping communication channels open with Bangladesh's military leadership. "First of all, it is important for us to understand what kind of government is in place in Bangladesh. If it is an interim government, we need to see whether the actions it is taking are meant for the next 4-5 years, or only for the next 4-5 months. We have to judge whether there is any need for us to react immediately or not...Secondly, as of today, all three Services have kept their communication channels fully open," he said. He added that the Indian Army remains in regular contact with its counterparts. "The Indian Army has multiple channels of communication open, and I remain in regular touch with their Chief there. In the same way, we are also in contact through our other channels as well. We had sent a delegation there, which met everyone on the ground. Similarly, the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff have also spoken. The intention is to ensure that there is no miscommunication or misunderstanding," he said. Reassuring on India's intent, General Dwivedi said India's actions are not directed against Bangladesh. "I want to assure you that, as of today, whatever actions are being taken by the three services are not directed against India in any way. As far as capability development is concerned, it is something that is an ongoing process. India is also doing it, and other countries are also doing it. As far as our preparation is concerned, we are closely monitoring the situation there..," he added. - ANI A report highlights Pakistan's fragile governance and status as a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as major risks to global nuclear security. It details how past clandestine nuclear transfers from Pakistan, notably through the A. Q. Khan network, provided the foundation for Iran's uranium enrichment program. The report argues Pakistan's internal political and economic instability creates incentives for elites to leverage nuclear assets, increasing the risk of material leakage. Furthermore, Pakistan's current strategic alignment with Iran is seen as undermining international non-proliferation efforts and escalating regional tensions. Report warns Pakistan's governance and NPT status raise nuclear leakage risks, fueling Iran's program and regional instability. London, Jan 13 Pakistan's fragile governance structure, combined with its non-signatory status to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, raises serious doubts about its reliability as a nuclear steward, increasing the risk of leakage and undermining international non-proliferation safeguards, particularly in relation to countries such as Iran, a report said on Tuesday. It added that the regional role of Pakistan has been destabilising, as its past nuclear exports triggered a chain of proliferation that armed rogue actors and led to frameworks like the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to curb Iran's nuclear deal - prompting Israeli security concerns and Gulf arms races. "Pakistan's clandestine nuclear transfers to Iran in the late 1980s and 1990s laid the technological foundation for Tehran's enrichment programme, a linkage that persists amid Iran's 2025 uranium stockpiles exceeding JCPOA limits by 48 times. A Q Khan's network supplied centrifuge designs, components, and expertise, shortening Iran's path to threshold status while exposing Pakistan's willingness to proliferate for ideological and economic gain," a report in the UK-based newspaper 'Asian Lite' detailed. "Today, as Iran installs advanced IR-6 centrifuges at fortified sites like Fordow and suspends IAEA access post-Israeli strikes, Pakistan's public backing of Tehran's "peaceful" nuclear rights signals ongoing strategic alignment with destabilising potential," it stressed. According to the report, Pakistan's internal instability makes it the weakest link in the global non-proliferation architecture, where recurring political upheavals, frequent coups, judicial manipulations like the 27th Constitutional Amendment, and economic weaknesses create incentives for elites to leverage nuclear assets for survival and economic benefit. "Jihadist incursions into military facilities, documented in US assessments, raise theft risks for fissile material, while command-and-control vulnerabilities amid civil strife undermine secure stewardship. This brittle governance, coupled with non-NPT status, renders Pakistan unreliable as a nuclear custodian, prone to leakage under pressure and dismissive of international safeguards, perpetuating proliferation risks to states like Iran," it mentioned. The report noted that Pakistan's ambiguity weakens global NPT enforcement as a non-signatory proliferator that is now supporting Iran's violations, thereby legitimising the outsourcing of nuclear expertise by threshold states, according to proliferation experts. "IAEA access denials echo post-Khan opacity, with Iran's Arak reactor delays and undeclared sites mirroring Pakistan's past deceptions. Economically, trade ambitions mask strategic calculus. Iran needs markets evading sanctions; Pakistan seeks leverage via anti-Western solidarity. Yet this convergence heightens escalation risks. Iran's Fordow fortifications and 60 per cent focus signal a hedge against regime threats, amplified if Pakistani tacit aid resumes. Israel's hints at broader nuclear strikes, rebuffed by Pakistan's OIC push, underscore how Khan's legacy chains Islamabad to Tehran's defiance," it stated. - IANS Paramount Skydance has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery, challenging the financial merits of WBD's $82.7 billion asset sale deal with Netflix. The lawsuit alleges WBD's deal is inferior in value, timing, and certainty compared to Paramount's competing $30 per share all-cash takeover offer. Paramount accuses WBD of failing to provide shareholders with customary financial disclosures required for an informed decision. As part of its strategy, Paramount plans to continue its tender offer and may nominate directors to influence the outcome. Paramount Skydance sues Warner Bros. Discovery, alleging its $82.7B Netflix deal is inferior to Paramount's $30/share all-cash takeover offer. New Delhi, January 13 Paramount Skydance Corporation has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery in the Delaware Chancery Court, escalating its challenge to WBD's USD 82.7 billion deal with Netflix. The legal move comes as Paramount presses ahead with its USD 30 per share all-cash offer for WBD, which it says is financially superior to the Netflix transaction. In a letter sent to WBD shareholders on Monday, Paramount shared its next steps and said it is seeking greater financial disclosure around the Netflix deal so that shareholders can make an informed decision. It said, "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." Paramount claims the Netflix deal is inferior in terms of value, timing and certainty of closure. According to the company, Netflix's consideration includes USD 23.25 in cash, Netflix shares currently worth USD 4.11, and equity in a to-be-issued Global Networks business, which Paramount says it has analysed as having zero equity value. Paramount also alleged that WBD has not disclosed how the debt transfer from Global Networks could reduce the cash and stock consideration payable to shareholders. The company said WBD has failed to provide customary financial disclosures in its filings, including how it valued the Global Networks equity, how it valued the overall Netflix transaction, how the purchase price reduction for debt works, and how it applied a "risk adjustment" to Paramount's USD 30 per share offer. Paramount said Delaware law requires such disclosures when shareholders are asked to make an investment decision. As part of its strategy, Paramount said it will continue with its tender offer and may nominate a slate of directors ahead of WBD's 2026 annual meeting. These directors, if elected, would exercise WBD's right under the Netflix agreement to engage with Paramount. Paramount also plans to propose a bylaw amendment requiring shareholder approval for any separation of Global Networks. If WBD calls a special meeting to vote on the Netflix agreement, Paramount said it will solicit proxies against its approval. Paramount also expressed surprise that WBD did not respond to its December 4 offer or attempt to negotiate, and questioned the board's process leading up to accepting the Netflix deal. This development comes a month after Warner Bros. Discovery struck a deal with Netflix in December 2025, Netflix agreed to buy WBD's key assets (Warner Bros. studios, HBO/Max streaming, etc.) for about USD 83 billion (cash + stock), while WBD spins off its cable networks (like CNN) separately. Paramount Skydance (led by David Ellison, backed by his dad Larry Ellison) launched another takeover bid to buy all of WBD for USD 30/share, all-cash (around USD 108 billion), claiming it's better for shareholders. WBD's board has repeatedly rejected Paramount's offers (most recently in early Jan 2026), calling them risky (too much debt), inferior, and sticking with Netflix. The share prices of Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix declined on Monday at the New York Stock Exchange, while Paramount Skydance closed higher. Paramount Skydance shares ended the session with a gain of 0.75 per cent at USD 12.15. Meanwhile, shares of Warner Bros. Discovery fell by 1.68 per cent to USD 28.40. Netflix shares also slipped marginally and closed in the red at USD 89.42 per share. - ANI Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde claims the public has decided to ensure victory for the Shiv Sena-BJP Mahayuti alliance in the upcoming Mumbai civic polls. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC echoes this confidence, predicting the alliance will win over 150 seats in the city based on a record of tangible development work. The elections for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and 28 other municipal corporations are scheduled for January 15, 2026. Results for all elections will be declared on January 16, with over one crore voters eligible in Mumbai alone. Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena's Shaina NC express confidence in Mahayuti alliance's win in Mumbai civic polls, citing public support and development work. Mumbai, Jan 13 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said that people have already decided to ensure the victory of the Shiv Sena-BJP Mahayuti candidates in the local civic elections. Speaking to IANS during an election campaign, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde said there has been an overwhelming response from the public. "There has been a very positive response, and people are happy. The people have decided to make the Shiv Sena-BJP Mahayuti candidates win and are determined to bring change in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. The Mahayuti will come to power in the BMC, and the Mayor will also be from the Mahayuti," Shinde said. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also expressed confidence in the alliance's prospects, stating that the Mahayuti is expected to win more than 150 seats in Mumbai city. "Mumbaikars have chosen the politics of progress and will surely support the Mahayuti in this journey of development. Our respected leaders, Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, have done remarkable work on the ground in areas such as environment, healthcare, education, improved sewage treatment, and making Mumbai free of potholes. This is not mere talk; we have delivered tangible results," she said. Shaina NC further said that Mahayuti workers are actively campaigning across the city. "Our workers are present on the ground, each working diligently in their respective areas. This election is not about showcasing crowd size. In the speeches delivered by Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, nearly 90 per cent of the discussion was focused solely on development. We have motivated our workers, and I can say with confidence that when people come out to vote in Mumbai on January 15, ask me again on January 16 whether numbers or work decide victory. The answer will be clear -- it is the work that determines the outcome," she added. The official poll process began with the notification of elections in December 2025. The State Election Commission (SEC) announced on December 15, 2025, that elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held in a single phase on January 15, 2026. Voting will take place between 7.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., while the results will be declared on January 16 Voters have been advised to visit their designated polling centres during the specified hours. The Maharashtra SEC has also declared January 15 a public holiday in municipal corporation areas to encourage voter participation. The election is being conducted under the Model Code of Conduct and follows directions from higher judicial authorities to complete pending local body polls in Maharashtra. More than one crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the BMC elections across all 227 wards. In Mumbai, a total of 1,700 candidates are contesting the elections for the wards of the BMC. - IANS The PhonePe HDFC Ultimo Credit Card is designed to reward everyday spending with a simple, accessible rewards structure. It offers substantial cashback on essential categories like recharges, utility bills, and online shopping. A key feature is the 1% cashback on all UPI-based Scan n Pay transactions, making local purchases more rewarding. The card positions itself as a practical option that aligns with typical consumer spending patterns. Get 10% cashback on recharges & bills, 5% on online shopping & 1% on UPI scans with the PhonePe HDFC Ultimo co-branded credit card. Bengaluru, January 13 PhonePe launched its Co-branded Credit Card in June of last year, marking its foray into the co-branded card segment. Today's credit card users are looking beyond occasional big-ticket rewards and focusing on value from everyday transactions - and the recently launched PhonePe HDFC Ultimo Credit Card is built to deliver exactly that. According to the company, the idea behind the card is simple. Instead of needing complex strategies to earn rewards, the PhonePe HDFC Ultimo card focuses on everyday spends such as Recharges, Utility Bill Payments, Online Shopping and more. Here's what cardholders get: --10% cashback on essential PhonePe categories - this includes Recharges, DTH subscriptions, Utility Bills and other everyday bill payments. Every top-up, electricity bill, and broadband payment now delivers substantial rewards. --Beyond bills, HDFC Ultimo's 1% cashback on all Scan n Pay transactions has made local shopping more rewarding. From neighbourhood kirana stores to street food vendors, every QR code scan now contributes to your cashback balance. With UPI deeply embedded in Indian consumer behaviour, this feature ensures even the smallest purchases work towards rewards. Rewards on Online Shopping According to the company, HDFC Ultimo also offers 5% cashback on select online shopping brands across categories like fashion, electronics, and more. Combined with complimentary domestic airport lounge access, the HDFC Ultimo balances everyday utility with travel and online shopping perks, enhancing the overall experience. What's Driving Adoption Adoption of PhonePe HDFC Ultimo is being driven by a clear focus on rewarding everyday spending. Instead of requiring high spend thresholds, the card keeps it simple - users earning cashbacks on regular expenses, local purchases and online shopping. Positioned as a practical option within its segment, this co-branded Credit Card offers value that aligns with how consumers typically spend. According to the company, for those evaluating different reward structures, the PhonePe HDFC Ultimo reflects a move toward simpler, more accessible benefits that fit naturally into daily spending patterns. - ANI Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted productive discussions on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement during his visit to Brussels, emphasizing the goal of a fair and balanced deal. He also reviewed the implementation of the trade pact with the EFTA bloc, which includes Liechtenstein. Concurrently, his ministry launched two major interventions under the NIRYAT PROTSAHAN scheme to bolster MSME exports. These measures provide interest subvention on export credit and collateral support to reduce costs and improve access to finance for small exporters. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reports progress on India-EU trade deal and launches two key schemes to lower costs and ease credit for MSME exporters. New Delhi, Jan 13 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday listed the trade talks with the EU in Brussels and the rollout of the Export Promotion Mission in a roundup of "major highlights" from his Ministry in the last 10 days. "Held a productive dialogue with the European Union Trade and Economic Security Commissioner, Mr Maros Sefcovic, in Brussels. We conducted detailed deliberations on key areas of the proposed India-EU FTA. Also emphasised the strategic importance of concluding a fair, balanced, and ambitious agreement that aligns with their shared values, economic priorities, and commitment to a rules-based trading framework," the minister said. He further stated that he visited Liechtenstein and reviewed the implementation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. "Also met H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois and the top political leadership. Encouraged greater participation of EFTA companies in key trade and investment events in India and invited closer collaboration through business dialogues and delegations." Besides, the minister highlighted that as part of the initial rollout of the Export Promotion Mission, two key interventions under the NIRYAT PROTSAHAN sub-scheme have been launched to strengthen MSME exports and improve access to trade finance. These interventions will lower the cost of exporting for MSMEs, give them improved cash flow and liquidity, encourage them to explore new export markets, give easier access to bank loans to MSME exporters, make them less dependent on property or asset collateral and boost export growth, especially among small firms. The first intervention under the scheme relates to interest subvention for pre- and post-shipment export credit, aimed at reducing the cost of export credit and easing working-capital constraints faced by MSME exporters. Under this intervention, interest subvention will be provided on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit extended by eligible lending institutions. A base interest subvention of 2.75 per cent has been provided, with a provision for additional incentive for exports to notified under-represented or emerging markets, subject to operational readiness. The second intervention under Niryat Protsahan relates to collateral support for export credit, aimed at addressing constraints faced by MSME exporters and improving access to bank finance. Guarantee coverage of up to 85 per cent will be provided for Micro and Small exporters and up to 65 per cent for Medium exporters, with a maximum outstanding guaranteed exposure of Rs 10 crore per exporter in a financial year. - IANS NASA will start the process to launch the first crewed mission to the moon in half a century next month in a new space race with China NASA has begun the process of launching the first crewed mission to the Moon in half a century. The decision coincides with an unprecedented crisis: an unspecified medical problem will force the evacuation of the International Space Station (ISS) crew in the coming days. This change of plans coincides with preparations to send the four crew members of the Artemis II mission to the Moon, while some astronauts are warning of alleged safety flaws in the Orion space capsule, raising the specter of a repeat of the worst fatal accidents in NASAs history, such as those of Challenger, Columbia, or Apollo 1. We are moving closer to Artemis II, with rollout just around the corner, said Lori Glaze, NASAs acting associate administrator. We have important steps remaining on our path to launch and crew safety will remain our top priority at every turn, as we near humanitys return to the Moon. Artemis II is a test mission that will take the four selected crew members Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), Christina Koch (mission specialist), and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency, also a mission specialist on a round trip, orbiting the Moon once before returning to Earth about 10 days later. It will be the first crewed mission to test the SLS rocket, the largest built by NASA since the Apollo missions half a century ago, and the Orion spacecraft. NASA has been working under enormous pressure since the Trump administration decided to move up the missions launch to February 6, several months earlier than planned. This is partly an attempt to deflect attention from the delay of Artemis III until at least 2028, with the risk that China could land astronauts on the satellite before Trumps America. In Artemis II, the main cause of concern is the Orion capsules heat shield, which protects the spacecraft and its crew during reentry into Earths atmosphere, when temperatures outside reach over 2,700 degrees Celsius. Damage to the 'Orion' spacecraft's heat shield after reentry into the atmosphere. nasa The unmanned Artemis I mission, launched in 2022, revealed that the spacecrafts thermal coating deteriorated more than NASAs simulation models had predicted. Two years later, an analysis by the agencys inspector general again drew attention to this problem and its potential impact on crew safety. The agency has decided to move forward after a meeting last week between NASAs new administrator, Jared Isaacman, and specialists from both inside and outside the organization. One of the most vocal critics present at that meeting was astronaut Charles Camarda, who continues to believe that Artemis II should not fly in its current design. Camarda was one of the crew members on the first shuttle flight after the Columbia accident, which disintegrated during reentry into the atmosphere in 2003, killing all seven crew members. That disaster was due precisely to failures in the heat shield, a component in which Camarda specializes. The astronaut sees in NASA today the exact behaviors used to construct risk and flight rationale which caused both Challenger (1986) and Columbia (2003) Accidents. Using tools inappropriately and then claiming results to be Conservative, he wrote on LinkedIn. NASA had the option of replacing the current coating with the one that will fly on the Artemis III mission, which will take four astronauts to the Moon in 2028, and which is different from the current one. But the configuration of Artemis II and the established timeline influenced the decision: to change the spacecrafts entry angle into the atmosphere to minimize the possibility of the shield detaching and endangering the crew. NASA's SLS rocket. NASA Another major unknown is the behavior of the Orion capsules environmental system, which, among other functions, provides oxygen to the crew during the journey. This system is part of the Service Module that the European Space Agency designed in collaboration with European companies for the Orion capsule. This environmental and life support system (ECLSS) has not been fully flight-tested, especially the system responsible for providing breathable air, which adds another layer of complexity to the potential risks of this mission. On Friday, Isaacman, recently confirmed in his position after being removed by Trump for his ties to Elon Musk, announced that the agency will prematurely remove the current crew from the ISS because one of the astronauts is suffering from a health problem. The agency has not revealed the identity of the person or their medical condition, although it has confirmed that they are in stable condition. This is the first time such a situation has occurred, increasing the pressure on the agency to coordinate the evacuation and replacement flights to prevent the space station from being left unoccupied, which would set a dangerous historical precedent since its inauguration a quarter of a century ago. Isaacman stated that this situation does not affect the current launch schedule for Artemis II, which could take place in just three weeks. To meet its initial launch date, NASA will begin positioning the SLS rocket on the launch pad this Saturday. This colossal machine is nearly 100 meters long and weighs over 2,500 tons. Although slightly smaller than the legendary Saturn V that first carried astronauts to the Moon half a century ago, its power is greater. The journey of this behemoth from the assembly bays to launch pad 39B, a distance of about 4,000 meters, will take up to 12 hours. Artemis II presents daunting technical challenges. The Orion capsule alone has more than 300,000 components that must be in perfect working order. Just this past weekend, NASA had to inspect two parts that were not in suitable condition. The slightest malfunction could halt the countdown and delay the mission. If all systems are in working order, the first test of the fully fueled rocket will take place at the end of the month. There will be several simulated countdown tests, and finally, the mission management team will meet to determine if all components are ready for flight. The first launch opportunity is fast approaching: February 6, in less than a month. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Emmanuel Bonne, the Diplomatic Advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, reinforcing the strong India-France Strategic Partnership. The discussions highlighted expanding collaboration into innovation, technology, and education, alongside key regional and global issues. The meeting preceded the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by NSA Ajit Doval and Bonne, covering security, defence, space, and nuclear cooperation. Both sides reviewed preparations for President Macron's scheduled visit to India in February 2026. PM Modi meets French President Macron's advisor, Emmanuel Bonne, ahead of 2026 visit. Talks focus on innovation, security & strengthening strategic ties. New Delhi, January 13 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, and reiterated the importance of the India-France strategic partnership, highlighting cooperation across multiple sectors. In a post on X, PM Modi said the meeting reflected the "strong and trusted India-France Strategic Partnership" and noted that collaboration between the two countries is expanding as they mark the India-France Year of Innovation. "Delighted to meet Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to President Macron. Reaffirmed the strong and trusted India-France Strategic Partnership, marked by close cooperation across multiple domains," the Prime Minister said. He added that it was "encouraging to see our collaboration expanding into innovation, technology and education," and said the two sides also exchanged views on "key regional and global issues". PM Modi said he looked forward to welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron to India soon. The meeting took place ahead of Macron's visit to India in February 2026, as noted by the French Embassy in India. In a post on X, the French Embassy in India said, "Diplomatic Advisor Emmanuel Bonne called on PM @narendramodi ahead of President @EmmanuelMacron's visit to India in February 2026. Discussions focused on reinforcing the France-India Strategic Partnership in line with the Horizon 2047 Roadmap." The meeting also came as India and France on Tuesday emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation to address challenges in the global security environment, with a focus on promoting peace and stability. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Emmanuel Bonne co-chaired the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, during which both sides reiterated their commitment to the strategic partnership. The discussions covered ongoing bilateral initiatives in security, defence, technology, space, and civil nuclear cooperation. Both sides also explored opportunities for joint development and collaboration in line with "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat". The evolving geopolitical situation, along with regional and international issues of common concern, was also discussed during the dialogue. The two sides reviewed preparations for French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to India. Bonne also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. - ANI Ukraine's Ambassador to India has confirmed that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit India soon, following an agreement made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kyiv. He praised PM Modi's decision to travel to Ukraine during an active war as a particularly brave gesture, noting he was among very few global leaders to do so. The Ambassador expressed expectations for a joint intergovernmental commission meeting to discuss concrete business opportunities in sectors like pharmaceuticals, industry, and port development. He also shared his positive experiences from visiting Gujarat, including the Dwarka temple, where he prayed for peace in Ukraine. Ukraine's Ambassador calls PM Modi's Kyiv visit brave, confirms President Zelenskyy's upcoming India trip & expects enhanced bilateral cooperation. New Delhi Januar, y 13 Ukraine's Ambassador to India Oleksandr Polishchuk said that he expected to have a joint commission meeting with the governments of both the countries. Polishchuk, while talking to ANI, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to visit India soon. "I expected that the agreement which we got when the honorable Prime Minister had been in Kyiv in my capital, he actually met my president Zelenskyy and they agreed that president Zelenskyy will come to India. So I'm looking for that and it will be the great opportunity not only to have the high official visit like the prime minister did it. He was by the way the first prime minister who came in the independent Ukraine since we got the independence in 1991," he said. He added that it was brave of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ukraine during wartime. "We need to take into account that he did it very bravely because it's the war time in Ukraine and he was actually one of the only leaders who decided to come in from the South to come to Ukraine. So we expect that we will have a joint commission meeting. It's an intergovernmental committee. And we will have the opportunity to discuss in a more precise all of the business opportunities, not only tourist, but the pharmacy, industry, port development, a lot of those what you actually have here in Gujarat," he said. Polishchuk further said that he appreciated the beauty of Gujarat. "I actually come here to see as a part of the program which organized by government of the Gujarat and we are very much appreciate what you actually did it for us to show in the beauty of Gujarat and to give them the opportunity to have this the biggest economic forum in the South Asia where we can discuss the all of the bilateral cooperation issue what we have because it's a great opportunity for everybody," he said. "Dwarka is very famous with the temple of Lord Krishna. We really enjoyed the visit to the temple. We pray for the peace in Ukraine because it's very important for us to live in a peaceful country," he added. - ANI Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the PRAGATI initiative as emblematic of a new, proactive work culture in India. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for laying the foundation in 2014 for the digital governance and cooperative federalism that PRAGATI enables. The CM highlighted that the platform has facilitated the implementation of projects worth over Rs 86 lakh crore, with a high resolution rate for monitored projects. He stated that PRAGATI has set a new path in development and proven to be a game-changer for a large state like Uttar Pradesh. UP CM Yogi Adityanath calls PRAGATI a model of proactive governance, highlighting its role in implementing projects worth over Rs 86 lakh crore. Lucknow, January 13 Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday praised the PRAGATI initiative, calling it an example of the work culture of modern India, which emphasises proactive governance and timely implementation. He also hailed PM Narendra Modi's leadership, asserting that in 2014 he laid a strong foundation for digital governance and co-operative federalism, and that through 'PRAGATI', the intent, technology, and accountability have come together, with outcomes determined automatically. "'PRAGATI' is a new example of the work culture of our new India, which means proactive governance and timely implementation... In 2014, the Prime Minister laid the strong foundation for digital governance and co-operative federalism. Through this, 'PRAGATI' has shown that when intent, technology, and accountability come together, outcomes are determined automatically," CM Yogi said while addressing a press briefing in Lucknow. CM Yogi mentioned that 'PRAGATI' means 'Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation', which reflects improvements in India's mega infrastructure projects, social schemes, system reforms, and country's approach. He stressed that the initiative demonstrates how "minimum government and maximum governance" can serve as nation's guiding principle. "'PRAGATI' means 'Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation'... It reflects improvements in our mega infrastructure projects, social schemes, system reforms, and Team India's approach. It demonstrates how 'minimum government and maximum governance' can serve as our guiding principle... This is not just a review, but also a reform of governance," he said. He also stated that the 'PRAGATI' initiative has brought a revolutionary change in field outcomes, moving away from the field culture of governance, and that projects worth Rs 86 lakh crore have been implemented. CM Yogi noted that 377 projects directly overseen by the Prime Minister at the national level and out of 3,162 projects, 2,958 have been successfully resolved which isn't merely a number but also reflects the credibility of governance. "'PRAGATI' has also brought a revolutionary change in the direction of field results, moving away from the field culture of governance... On the scale and impact level, more than 86 lakh crore projects have been implemented through 'PRAGATI' at the national level... Over 86 lakh crore worth of projects have been completed, including 377 projects directly overseen by the Prime Minister at the national level. Out of 3,162 projects, 2,958 have been successfully resolved. This isn't merely a number; it also reflects the credibility of governance," he said. CM Yogi added that 'PRAGATI' has set a new path in economic, social, and environmental development, as well as positive governance. "'PRAGATI' has set a new path in economic, social, environmental, and positive governance. In a large state like Uttar Pradesh, it has proven to be a game-changer... Uttar Pradesh has also risen as an infrastructure growth engine of India... Not just the state, but the infrastructure of national development has also become the backbone... we are advancing it through the progress portal," CM Yogi said. PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) aims to establish a culture of Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation. It is also a robust system for bringing transparency and accountability with real-time presence and exchange among the key stakeholders. The platform was launched on March 25, 2015. It is a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform that is aimed at addressing the common man's grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India, as well as projects flagged by State/UT Governments. - ANI President Droupadi Murmu extended warm greetings for the harvest festivals of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, emphasizing their role as symbols of India's agricultural traditions and national unity. She expressed gratitude towards nature and the country's farmers in her message. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also shared festive wishes, praying for happiness and prosperity for all citizens. These festivals, celebrated across India with distinct regional customs like bonfires and feasts, mark the end of the harvest season. President Droupadi Murmu, along with Amit Shah and Mallikarjun Kharge, extends greetings for major Indian harvest festivals, highlighting unity and gratitude to farmers. New Delhi, January 13 President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday extended greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, asserting that the festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. President Murmu also expressed gratitude to nature and thanked the farmer benefactors. "Heartfelt greetings to all Indians living in the country and abroad on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu. These festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. On this occasion, we also express our gratitude towards nature. Through these festivals, we convey our thanks to the farmer benefactors. My best wishes are that these festivals bring happiness and prosperity into everyone's lives," the 'X' post said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended wishes on Lohri and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the citizens "Heartfelt greetings on the festival of 'Lohri', a symbol of enthusiasm, zeal, and new energy. May this festival be a means of happiness and prosperity for all," the 'X' post said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also extended wishes on Lohri, calling it a festival of joy and celebration that brings boundless happiness and prosperity to citizens. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the occasion of Lohri. On this auspicious occasion of Lohri, heartfelt congratulations to everyone. May this festival of joy and celebration bring boundless happiness and prosperity into your lives," Kharge wrote on 'X'. Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival of Assam, marks the end of the harvest season in Magh and is celebrated with community feasts. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti, and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways 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 Tight security arrangements are in place for the annual Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab. Special DGP Arpit Shukla reviewed the deployment of 6,000 police personnel, with the city divided into sectors and drones used for aerial surveillance. The mela commemorates the sacrifice of the 40 Muktas in the Battle of Khidrana against the Mughal army. The festival also features a major cattle fair showcasing the region's famous breed of horses. Punjab police deploy 6,000 personnel with drone surveillance for Maghi Mela security in Sri Muktsar Sahib, commemorating the 40 Muktas. Sri Muktsar Sahib, January 13 Tight security arrangements are in place for the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, the Punjab Public Relations Officer said on Tuesday. Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla reviewed the security arrangements in Sri Muktsar Sahib ahead of the Maghi Mela. According to the PRO, 6,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure comprehensive security. The city has been divided into seven sectors, and aerial surveillance is said to be conducted using drones. The state police have also urged citizens to report any suspicious activity or important information immediately to the police helpline. According to the Ministry of Tourism's official website, Maghi Mela is held in Muktsar, Punjab, every year in January or in the month of Magh, according to the Nanakshahi calendar. The Nanakshahi calendar was designed by Sikh scholar Pal Singh Purewal to replace the Bikrami calendar and to determine the dates of Gurpurab and other festivals. According to the official website of Sri Muktsar Sahib, a major gathering takes place every year on the occasion of Maghi Mela, celebrated the day after Lohri in January, when a fair is organised to commemorate the valour of 40 Muktas. The Muktas are known to have sacrificed their lives in the Battle of Khidrana, which pitted the Mughal army against the 10th Guru, "Guru Gobind Singh Ji". Pilgrims take a bath in the sacred tank on the occasion. The whole town wears a festive look during the Mela. "A big cattle fair is held at the village of Lambi Dhab on the occasion of Maghi Mela. The good breed horses, for which Sri Muktsar Sahib is famous throughout Punjab, are showcased at the fair.", said the official website. - ANI Rashtrapati Bhavan has issued a uniquely crafted invitation for its Republic Day 2026 'At Home' reception, designed by NID Ahmedabad. The invitation box is made from a traditional woven bamboo mat using a technique from Tripura. Inside, a scroll unfolds to display handcrafted items like an Eri silk stole, Longpi Black Pottery from Manipur, and a Gogona bamboo jaw harp from Assam. The entire piece serves as a tribute to the artisans and diverse cultural traditions of India's North Eastern region. Rashtrapati Bhavan sends a special bamboo & Eri silk invitation for Republic Day 2026, highlighting crafts from India's North Eastern states. By Shalini Bhardwaj, New Delhi, January 13 On the occasion of Republic Day 2026, Rashtrapati Bhavan will welcome guests from across the country and abroad to commemorate the momentous national milestone. The preparations at Rashtrapati Bhawan for the Republic Day celebrations are in full swing. This year, Rashtrapati Bhavan has sent a unique invitation card to the special guests for the 'At Home' reception on the occasion of Republic Day 2026, designed by NID Ahmedabad. Rashtrapati Bhavan has extended a specially curated invitation to the guests. This invitation honours the skilled artisans and craftspersons of the Ashtalakshmi states, who continue to preserve the region's age-old wisdom and diverse cultural traditions. Through its thoughtful design and intricate elements, the invitation beautifully showcases the rich artistic heritage of India's North-Eastern region, passed down through generations. The Bamboo Invitation cover and box are of special importance in the economy and traditions of India's North Eastern region, providing livelihoods through weaving, construction, and traditional crafts. Its fast growth and versatility also make it vital for eco-friendly development. The invitation box is made of a woven bamboo mat. created on a loom with dyed cotton threads on the warp, and fine bamboo splits on the weft: a technique commonly used in the state of Tripura. The handmade paper tag that holds the address on the outer cover is accompanied by a bamboo artwork crafted with a specially smoked bamboo split that gives it a rich brown colour. When you open this creative invitation card, you will find a Wall Hanging Scroll constructed using an octagonal bamboo weave pattern. This bamboo mat scroll unfolds to reveal an artistically curated display of handcrafted creations from each state of India's North Eastern region. Flora and Fauna of India's North Eastern region represented is can also be seen on the Stole. The decorative motifs on the cover and box draw inspiration from the Assamese manuscript painting style, while the motifs on the fabric panel beneath the invite represent the flora and fauna of the North Eastern region of India. The invitation has Eri silk stole that has been specially designed for this occasion Eri silk, often called 'Peace Silk` or Ahimsa Silk' is a vital part ot the textile tradition and economy of north-east India. Longpi Black Pottery Manipur which is an age-old pottery technique that has been used by the Tangkhul Naga tribe of Manipur since the Neolithic period to make utensils. There is also Handwoven Puan Chei, Mizoram. The Puan Chei is a shawl or wraparound skirt commonly worn in Mizoram. Another is the Orange Wild Rhea & Stinging Nettle fabric, Nagaland adorned by the Khiamniungan Naga tribe of Nagaland. This textile carries a deeper story of the renewal of lost traditions. This rare cloth is made from stem fibres of the wild orange rhea plant and Himalayan stinging nettle- known locally as Ehlon Niu'. The guest will also find a Gogona-Bamboo Jaw Harp from Assam. Rongali Bihu, the Assamese New Year is greeted with the melodious twang of the Gogona, accompanied by the dhol and pepa, welcoming the joys of spring. - ANI The Reserve Bank of India has proposed ending a two-decade-long pause on licensing new Urban Co-operative Banks. It has set stringent eligibility criteria, including a minimum capital requirement of Rs 300 crore and at least 10 years of operational history for applicant societies. This move follows significant consolidation and improved financial health in the UCB sector, though the number of banks has declined sharply since 2004. The RBI is now seeking public feedback on whether to resume licensing and on the proposed norms. RBI proposes resuming UCB licenses with Rs 300 crore capital threshold. Read about the new eligibility norms and the sector's improved financial health. Mumbai, January 13 The Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday released a discussion paper proposing the possible resumption of licensing for new Urban Co-operative Banks, ending a pause that has been in place since 2004. The move comes amid significant changes in the regulatory framework and an improvement in the overall financial health of the UCB sector. "Since 2004, licensing for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) had been paused. Considering the positive developments in the sector during the last two decades and in response to the growing demand from the stakeholders, we propose to publish a discussion paper on licensing of new UCBs," RBI said in a statement. In its discussion paper titled "Licensing of Urban Co-operative Banks", the central bank noted that while a large number of UCBs licensed during the liberalised phase of the 1990s later turned financially unsound, the operating environment has since evolved. The RBI has proposed stringent eligibility norms. These include permitting only large and well-run co-operative credit societies to apply, a minimum capital requirement of Rs 300 crore, at least 10 years of active operations, and a sound financial track record over the past five years. Preference may also be given to multi-state co-operative credit societies to ensure wider geographical reach and better risk diversification. "Minimum capital requirement for a co-operative credit society should be Rs 300 crore as on the March 31 of the previous financial year to be eligible to apply," RBI said. According to the RBI, the number of UCBs has declined steadily from over 2,100 in 2003 to 1,457 as of March 31, 2025, largely due to consolidation and the closure of weak entities. At the same time, the sector's financial indicators have improved, with average capital adequacy at 18 per cent and net non-performing assets declining sharply over the past decade. The paper lays out arguments both for and against reopening the licensing window. Proponents cite the role of UCBs in financial inclusion, particularly in small towns and semi-urban areas, and the expected support from the National Urban Co-operative Finance and Development Corporation, which has been operational since February 2024. The RBI has invited public comments on whether it is the right time to resume UCB licensing and on the proposed eligibility criteria. Feedback can be submitted through the central bank's 'Connect to Regulate' platform. Based on the responses, the RBI may issue draft guidelines for public consultation at a later stage. - ANI Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the vital importance of strengthening critical mineral supply chains for India's manufacturing and electronics sector resilience at a ministerial meeting in the United States. The government has recently announced a Rs 7,280 crore scheme to establish domestic manufacturing capacity for sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets, aiming to reduce import dependence. The initiative is designed to attract investment, support energy-transition goals, and contribute to India's Net Zero 2070 vision. India is also engaging in multilateral platforms like the Minerals Security Partnership to build resilient international supply chains for these essential resources. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasizes robust critical mineral supply chains to boost India's manufacturing and electronics sector at US meeting. New Delhi, Jan 13 Union Minister for Railways and Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Tuesday said that strengthening critical mineral supply chains is vital to enhancing the resilience of India's manufacturing capabilities, as he participated in the 'Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting' in the United States. Vaishnaw on Sunday arrived in the US to participate in the key meeting hosted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. "Participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting hosted by Treasury Secretary. Strengthening critical mineral supply chains is vital to enhancing the resilience of India's manufacturing capabilities and rapidly growing electronics sector," the minister posted on X social media platform. Bessent said that he was pleased to hear a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains. "I am optimistic that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling and understand well the need for decisive action," said the US Treasury Secretary. Vaishnaw's US visit comes at a time when the government has recently announced a scheme to promote the manufacturing of sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM), which aims to enhance India's participation in global advanced-materials value chains while reducing import dependence. The scheme with a financial outlay of Rs 7,280 crore also aims to enable long-term industrial growth by establishing 6,000 metric tonnes per annum of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity covering the full chain from rareearth oxides to finished magnets, according to an official statement issued recently. The scheme is designed to enhance competitiveness, attract technologydriven investment and support longterm scalability while contributing to energytransition goals and India's Net Zero 2070 vision, it added. By establishing domestic capability and strengthening downstream linkages, this government's initiative will help generate employment, deepen industrial capacity and support the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. India also participates in multilateral platforms such as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) to build resilient critical minerals supply chains. - IANS US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a phone call reviewing key bilateral cooperation areas. They discussed advancing civil nuclear cooperation following India's new nuclear energy law and ongoing trade agreement negotiations. The diplomats also exchanged perspectives on regional developments, reaffirming a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. US officials described the call as positive, with discussions on next steps for trade and critical minerals. US Secretary Marco Rubio and India's EAM Jaishankar review civil nuclear cooperation, trade talks, and shared Indo-Pacific security commitments. Washington, Jan 14 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday spoke over the phone with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, reviewing key areas of cooperation, including civil nuclear energy, trade talks, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific. "Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence, and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues," EAM Jaishankar wrote on X after the call. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described it as a positive call. "They discussed next steps regarding our bilateral trade negotiations, critical minerals, and a possible meeting next month," Gor wrote on X. During the call, Rubio congratulated India on enacting the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India bill, a recent law that is part of India's nuclear energy framework, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. He said the United States is interested in building on the legislation to strengthen civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries. "He expressed interest in capitalising on this important development to enhance U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation, expand opportunities for American companies, advance shared energy security goals, and secure critical mineral supply chains," Pigott said. The two diplomats discussed ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations and their shared interest in strengthening economic cooperation. "They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments, reaffirming the United States' and India's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Pigott said. - IANS Durban's Super Giants travel to Boland Park to face the Paarl Royals in a critical SA20 match, with their playoff hopes on the line. A victory would propel them into contention, while a loss would leave them needing a win in their final league game. The clash features a key battle between mystery spinners Sikander Raza of the Royals and Sunil Narine of the Super Giants. In other SA20 action, the Pretoria Capitals moved to the top of the table with a dominant win over MI Cape Town, whose playoff aspirations are now hanging by a thread. SA20 playoff race heats up as Paarl Royals host Durban's Super Giants. Key battle between spinners Sikander Raza and Sunil Narine could decide the outcome. Paarl, January 13 Durban's Super Giants' season is on the line when they travel to Boland Park to meet Paarl Royals in a crucial SA20 encounter on Tuesday, as per a release. The Super Giants have played eight matches - two more than Royals - and have collected 14 points thus far, leaving Lance Klusener's side in fifth place and one point adrift of their hosts. A victory over Royals would place Durban firmly in contention for the playoffs, but defeat would leave them with a do-or-die final league fixture in the return match at Kingsmead on Saturday. Super Giants' in-form opener Marques Ackerman believes his team's nail-biting two-run victory over the Sunrisers in their last game has given them the confidence to get the job done at Boland Park. Sikander Raza will play a key part for the Royals, whereas Sunil Narine will also look to bamboozle his opponents. Earlier, Pretoria Capitals delivered an inspired all-round performance to send MI Cape Town crashing to a 53-run defeat at Centurion in the ongoing SA20 2025-26 tournament. The bonus-point victory propelled Pretoria Capitals to 20 points and the top of the SA20 table, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape (19) dropping down to second. MI Cape Town's playoff aspirations are hanging on by the barest of margins with only two matches remaining against Sunrisers Eastern Cape. - ANI The owner of X responded to a flood of complaints about violations of the right to ones own image, privacy, and honor, as well as threats of bans from numerous governments Elon Musk, owner of the X social network and the Grok artificial intelligence (AI) platform, which allowed users to create and recreate sexualized and violent images of women and girls, has decided to limit the applications ability to generate and edit audiovisual material. This comes amid a flood of complaints about violations of the right to ones own image, privacy, and honor, as well as threats of bans from numerous governments, including those of France and Spain. Musk announced the measure on his own social network, although he has left the applications capabilities available to paying subscribers. The furor first erupted when British book influencer and emerging writer Beth Eleanor posted a picture of herself on X that had become a meme. It showed her turning to look at the camera, in a large library, and giving a thumbs-up. The following day, December 28, an AI consultant with 100,000 followers on X reposted the post, asking Grok to change her clothes for a bikini. Grok is the artificial intelligence model integrated into X. The AI carried out the request to the letter. A couple of days later, that order went viral and sparked a trend that highlights the vulnerability of thousands of women to sexist attacks enabled by the combination of social media and AI. The ability to create pornographic videos of women without their consent, as well as images simulating assaults and femicides, spread rapidly at the end of last year, outpacing the ability of regulatory bodies to prevent it. Eleanor complained publicly on X: How is this ok? If I wanted people to see me in a bikini, Id post it myself not have some shit AI generate [a] version. She didnt report it on the platform, but others did and received an automated response stating that it didnt violate their rules. The AI itself explained its reasons: The legality of AI-generated images depends on the country and how they are used. In the U.S., image rights laws protect against unauthorized commercial use, but non-commercial and transformative uses generally fall under fair use. The French government was the first to react, announcing on January 2 that it will file a lawsuit against Grok for creating and disseminating sexist and sexual content, EFE reported. In a statement, three ministries (those of Economy, AI, and Equality) accused Musks AI of generating and disseminating sexist and sexual content, particularly in the form of deepfakes featuring people without their consent. The French government has also asked the Audiovisual and Digital Communications Regulatory Authority (ARCOM) to investigate whether Grok violated the obligations of the European Unions Digital Services Regulation, particularly regarding the prevention of the dissemination of illegal content. On January 7, Spains Minister of Youth and Children Sira Rego formally requested in writing that the State Attorney Generals Office investigate X and its AI for alleged crimes of disseminating material depicting sexual violence against children. This measure joins those of other governments, primarily European, which have even proposed banning X, in addition to imposing sanctions. At the end of last week, Musk responded. Groks X account now posts the following message to non-subscriber image requests: Image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers. The ability to create audiovisual content has therefore been restricted to users with paid accounts and who are fully logged in. This decision stems from Musks belief that the responsibility for the content generated by his AI lies not with the platform, but with the user. Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content, he posted on January 3. Following the initial post featuring the British influencer, thousands of X users created images of women who simply posted a photo of themselves doing everyday activities. One of those affected in Spain was Paula Fraga, a criminal lawyer, who saw a photo she posted wishing everyone a happy new year turned into a source of sexual images: Its sexual violence and it causes a great deal of distress, she told this newspaper. As a public figure, Im somewhat resilient, but its affecting me emotionally because its very unpleasant to see certain things; there are some completely degrading photos. Ricard Martinez, a professor at the University of Valencia and director of the Microsoft-UV Chair of Privacy and Digital Transformation, had already warned of the illegality of practices involving the unauthorized sexualization of content: No image can be sexualized without consent, even if it is specified as a recreation. Each and every one of us has the recognized right to our own image, to privacy, and to honor. In digital environments, we must understand this from a practical and material point of view. Using someones image without permission to sexualize it constitutes illegal behavior. The current trend focused on images featuring bikinis, but Grok creates all sorts of variations, from sexual positions and bodies covered in anything from micro bikinis to burkinis. The AI is trained not to show nudity or intimate parts. There are, however, other apps that do this, and the results can be uploaded to X, which allows pornography. As with any internet trend, some have taken advantage of it to make their own activity go viral, including women with accounts on OnlyFans or other adult content platforms. Xs algorithm shows more content of this type when it detects that its viral, regardless of whether that content is insulting or degrading. Musk himself had initially joked about the trend and created an image of himself in a bikini inspired by a famous meme of actor Ben Affleck: He is mocking and normalizing and trivializing it, while there are women who are very upset, said Fraga. The debate now centers on how to prevent photos uploaded to X from becoming material for AI, especially photos of women, but men are also being sexualized. Grok itself offers ways to prevent these images from being used, but its unrealistic to think they will work on a large scale for all users. Theres also the problem of placing the burden of responsibility on the victims: They tell me not to upload the photos. Its outrageous that we have to be the ones taking precautions instead of kicking these scumbags off the networks, says Fraga. Spanish actress Sara Salamo also denounced it with a post on Xs own network: With AI and zero scruples, they can sexualize you again without your consent. Modify your image. Your body. Your expression. Turn you back into an object. The solution in these cases lies in the platform partially limiting this type of activity, especially when its about to become the main topic of online debate. In some cases, some of the photos created by Grok have been removed, although the specific reason is unclear. Fraga, for example, has reported all photos of her using all the options the platform offers, including report illegal content in the EU, but X has only deleted one of the photos, which was in a particularly degrading sexual position. In addition to violating privacy, honor, and personal image, sexualized images can fuel extortion campaigns, a criminal practice known as sextortion. Since the end of the year, cybersecurity company Kaspersky has detected a surge in Stealerium, an open malware, accessible to anyone, that combines data theft with automated sextortion. The legal process is long and complicated. Fraga will report the case to the police and file a report so she can later contact X, she explained. It remains to be seen whether X will comply with the existing European regulations on deepfakes. Fraga believes that this provision is missing from the Spanish Penal Code. A law concerning such cases involving minors is currently being drafted. A temporary solution to prevent the dissemination of these images once published and if X refuses to delete them is to contact the global organization StopNCII, which stands for Stop the Abuse of Intimate Images Without Consent. They explain what to do if someone shares intimate images. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Maharashtra State Election Commission will announce the schedule for elections to 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis, with polling likely on February 5. This follows a Supreme Court order extending the deadline for these polls to February 15. The elections are being held first for bodies where the 50% reservation limit has not been breached, pending a resolution on OBC quotas. These local body polls are seen as crucial indicators of political momentum ahead of larger state contests. SEC to announce election schedule for 12 Zilla Parishads & 125 Panchayat Samitis, with polling likely on Feb 5. SC extends deadline. Mumbai, Jan 13 Even as the fervour for Municipal Corporation elections sweeps the state, the Maharashtra State Election Commission will hold a press conference at. 4 pm on Tuesday to announce the schedule for elections to the 12 zilla parishads and 125 panchayat samitis. As the state Board examinations for grade 12 are starting from February 10, the voting for these local bodies is expected to take place on February 5. The SEC's move comes after the Supreme Court on Monday admitted the SEC's plea seeking extension for holding these elections beyond the January 31 deadline set by the apex court. The SEC had sought extension up to February 10 but the SC gave it up to February 15 asking the former to complete the polls to 12 zilla parishads and 125 panchayat samitis before that. While the state is currently in the thick of municipal election campaigning - with only voting and counting remaining - the SEC has finalised its preparations for Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis. In the first phase, the Commission plans to hold elections for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 panchayat samitis where the 50 per cent reservation limit has not been breached. Currently, elections for 32 Zilla Parishads and 336 Panchayat Samitis remain pending across Maharashtra. Out of these, 20 Zilla Parishads and 211 Panchayat Samitis exceed the 50 per cent reservation cap and their elections will take place depending on the SC order. Consequently, the SEC has prioritised the 12 districts and 125 panchayat samitis that fall within the permissible legal reservation limits. The revenue division wise districts where the elections will take place are Pune Division: Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, and Kolhapur, Konkan Division: Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Division: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Parbhani, Dharashiv, and Latur. The primary reason for the delay has been the legal battle over Other Backward Classes (OBC) quotas. In 2021, the top court struck down the 27 per cent OBC reservation in local bodies because it pushed the total reservation beyond the 50 per cent ceiling set by the Indra Sawhney judgment. The court mandated a "triple test" (setting up a commission, collecting empirical data, and ensuring reservations don't exceed 50 per cent total) before the quota could be restored. This led to a long-drawn process of data collection and legal challenges. These elections are often called "Mini Assemblies" because they reflect the ground-level pulse of rural and semi-urban voters. For the major alliances in Maharashtra, these results are crucial for momentum heading into state-level contests. - IANS Actor Sharad Kelkar reflects on the sense of power and responsibility that comes with wearing a uniform, warning that power can corrupt without proper training and duty. He connects this to his upcoming series 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web', which aims to shift public perception from fear to respect for customs officers. The series explores international smuggling networks across global cities and focuses on a dedicated customs task force at Mumbai International Airport. Led by a team of honest officers, the show blends instinct and intelligence in a high-stakes battle against crime. Actor Sharad Kelkar discusses the power and corruption linked to uniforms ahead of his series 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web' on Netflix. Mumbai, Jan 13 Actor Sharad Kelkar, who is gearing up for his upcoming streaming series 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web', has shared his opinion on the sense of responsibility that comes with a uniform. The actor recently spoke with IANS, and said that power may corrupt a person, and it's important to have checks and balances to keep the corruption due to power at bay. He told IANS, "It's a very interesting side of any uniform because sometimes power can take you on a different tangent altogether. So, you need to be very thoughtful and sensible. That's why there's the training part of it". He further mentioned, "They always keep in mind about what are your duties, what you have to do. What you stand for, our country's priority and all because power can corrupt anyone. But, with this show I think everybody will agree with me, that the fear you get when you see a custom officer, you have to get out of it, and there must be respect for them after the show". Meanwhile, the series spans key smuggling corridors across Al-Dera, Addis Ababa, Milan and Bangkok, Taskaree opens up the complex machinery of the international smuggling world- a web built on coded routes, false manifests, and calculated misdirection. At its centre is a specialised customs task force at one of the busiest airports in the country, Mumbai International Airport, led by an uncompromisingly honest team of officers, Arjun Meena (played by Emraan Hashmi), Mitali Kamath (played by Amruta Khanvilkar), Ravinder Gujjar (played by Nandish Singh Sandhu), and Prakash Kumar (played by Anurag Sinha). These officers rely on instinct as much as intelligence, knowing one missed detail can undo weeks of surveillance. 'Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web' is set to stream on Netflix on January 14, 2026. - IANS South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Japan for a two-day summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, marking their third meeting. The talks aim to sustain momentum in improved relations and will cover bilateral ties, regional security, and the Taiwan issue following Lee's recent visit to China. Key agenda items include Japan's demand to lift South Korea's seafood import ban from Fukushima-affected prefectures and potential cooperation on engaging North Korea. The leaders will also address historical issues from Japan's colonial rule while attending diplomatic events, including a visit to a UNESCO World Heritage site. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung meets Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi for talks on bilateral ties, Taiwan tensions, and North Korea engagement. Nara, Jan 13 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Japan on Tuesday for summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, with the two leaders expected to discuss bilateral ties, as well as regional and global issues, amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Lee will stay in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi's home prefecture, for two days as part of reciprocal leader-level visits dubbed 'shuttle diplomacy,' aimed at sustaining the recent momentum in improved relations. It will mark Lee's second visit to Japan following his trip last August for talks with Takaichi's predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, and his third meeting with Takaichi since she took office in October. Lee and Takaichi first held summit talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju in late October and briefly met again during the Group of 20 leaders' gathering in South Africa in November. The meeting comes days after Lee's state visit to China for summit talks with President Xi Jinping, at a time of heightened tensions between Beijing and Tokyo following Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan. In an interview with Japan's NHK on Monday, Lee stressed that South Korea's "relations with Japan are as important as relations with China" and said that their tensions over Taiwan are not a matter Seoul will "engage in or intervene in." South Korea's ban on seafood imports from eight Japanese prefectures is also expected to be on the agenda as Tokyo has long demanded that Seoul lift the restrictions imposed in 2013 over radiation concerns following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. In the interview, Lee said easing the restrictions would take time until public concerns are alleviated but noted that the issue is a major item on Seoul's diplomatic agenda as it seeks Tokyo's support for its bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. North Korea is also likely to be discussed as both leaders have expressed interest in engaging Pyongyang, Yonhap news agency reported. Lee welcomed Takaichi's expression of intent to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over the abduction issue, offering to play a role in facilitating dialogue between Tokyo and Pyongyang and even help the two sides move toward establishing diplomatic ties. Historical issues are also expected to be on the agenda as the Lee administration pursues a 'two-track' approach of expanding future-oriented cooperation while continuing to address unresolved wartime history issues from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac voiced hope that the upcoming talks will help advance cooperation in efforts to recover the remains of Korean forced laborers from the Chosei undersea coal mine in Japan's western Yamaguchi Prefecture, where a flood in 1942 killed 136 Koreans. On Wednesday, the two leaders are scheduled to attend diplomatic events together, including a visit to Horyuji Temple, which houses the world's oldest surviving wooden structures and is Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lee is also scheduled to meet with members of the Korean community in Japan before returning home later in the day. - IANS Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong reiterated China's readiness to collaborate with other parties to deepen BRICS cooperation, reposting a statement by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Jaishankar emphasized the urgent need for a reinvigorated and inclusive multilateral order, calling on BRICS to commit to reformed institutions like the UN and WTO. He highlighted the role of the New Development Bank and the importance of people-to-people exchanges during India's upcoming chairship in 2026. India views BRICS as a constructive platform guided by mutual respect and aims for an inclusive and outcome-oriented leadership role. Chinese envoy Xu Feihong and India's EAM Jaishankar emphasize reformed multilateralism and high-quality BRICS development ahead of India's 2026 chairship. New Delhi, January 13 Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong on Tuesday reiterated China's readiness to work with other countries to deepen BRICS cooperation, as he reposted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's post on the launch of the BRICS India 2026 website, logo and theme. In a post on X, Xu Feihong wrote, "China stands ready to work with other parties to promote high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and make new contributions to an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization." The repost was made after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar earlier in the day emphasised the need for more inclusive and representative international institutions and urged BRICS to commit to a reformed multilateral system that reflects current global realities. Speaking at the launch of the BRICS 2026 logo, Jaishankar said the world is navigating multiple complex challenges, making the demand for a reinvigorated, inclusive, and effective multilateral order more urgent than ever. "At a time when the world is also navigating multiple complex challenges, the call for a reinvigorated, inclusive, and effective multilateral order has never been more urgent. BRICS must commit to a reformed multilateralism that reflects contemporary realities, one where institutions like the United Nations, the WTO, IMF, and the World Bank are representative and inclusive," he said. Highlighting the role of BRICS in global economic cooperation, Jaishankar said the New Development Bank (NDB), founded by BRICS countries, has emerged as an important instrument promoting infrastructure development and sustainable growth among its members. He said India remains committed to supporting efforts to further strengthen the bank as a credible, responsible, and financially sustainable institution. Jaishankar also underlined the importance of people-to-people exchanges as a core component of BRICS cooperation, particularly during India's chairship. "India remains committed to supporting activities and efforts to further strengthen the bank as a credible, responsible, and financially sustainable institution. People-to-people exchanges will always remain an essential component of BRICS and especially of our chairship, with continued emphasis on youth, culture, education, sports, tourism, and academic interactions," the EAM stated. Reiterating India's approach to the grouping, Jaishankar said New Delhi views BRICS as a constructive platform for dialogue and development that complements the broader multilateral system. "BRICS is guided by the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, and consensus," he said, adding that India will strive to make its chairship inclusive, practical, people-centred, and outcome-orientated. He expressed confidence in continued cooperation, saying he looked forward to the support of all BRICS member states, partner countries, and other stakeholders as India prepares to assume the BRICS Chairship in 2026. "I look forward to the cooperation and support of all BRICS members, partner countries, and other stakeholders as we work towards and together during India's Chairship," the EAM said. The acronym BRIC was first coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs in their Global Economics Paper, "The World Needs Better Economic BRICs", based on analyses projecting that Brazil, Russia, India, and China would individually and collectively occupy a larger share of the global economy and become among the world's largest economies over the following decades. In 2010, it was agreed to expand BRIC to BRICS, with South Africa joining at the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011. The grouping expanded further in 2024, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE becoming full members on January 1, 2024. Indonesia joined as a full member in January 2025, while Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan were inducted as partner countries of BRICS. - ANI Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that decisive security actions and government initiatives led to a marked improvement in Manipur's situation in 2025. He highlighted a comprehensive multi-agency security grid working to insulate India's Northeast from the spillover effects of turbulence in neighbouring Myanmar. Dwivedi also reported that Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a positive shift from terrorism to tourism, with security forces eliminating 31 terrorists in the past year. He noted that while the situation along the northern borders is stable and under control, constant vigilance remains necessary. Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi reports improved security in Manipur, efforts to insulate Northeast from Myanmar turbulence, and positive change in J&K. New Delhi, Jan 13 General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff, addressing the annual press conference of the Indian Army on Tuesday, said that the Northeast situation, especially in Manipur, saw an improvement due to the neutral, transparent and decisive actions by security forces. He said that in response to the turbulence in neighbouring nation, Myanmar, the security forces are working to shield the northeastern region from the spillover effects. Addressing the mediapersons here, the Army chief said, "As regards the Northeast, neutral, transparent and decisive action by security forces, along with many proactive government initiatives, has led to a marked improvement in the situation in Manipur during 2025." "Peaceful conduct of the Durand Cup, resumption of cultural festivals and renewal of suspension of operations, that is, SoO, with Kuki insurgent groups in September 2025, have been key markers of stability," he mentioned. Gen Dwivedi further said that efforts have been made by the Indian Army, along with the Assam Rifles and the Ministry of Home Affairs, to safeguard the northeastern front from the dire circumstances currently existing in Myanmar. "In response to turbulence in Myanmar, a comprehensive multi-agency security grid comprising Assam Rifles, Army, and Home Ministry is working towards insulating the Northeast from spillover effects. With the successful conduct of phase two elections in Myanmar, we should be able to engage each other more effectively now," he said. Additionally, he noted that the situation along the northern and northwestern border remains "stable" and "under firm control", but stressed the need for "constant vigil". He also said that Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has witnessed a significant positive change in 2025, adding that the "theme of terrorism to tourism is gradually taking shape" in the union territory. He further said that in the past year, the security forces eliminated 31 terrorists, of which 65 per cent were of Pakistani origin, including the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. - IANS Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the state-level National Youth Festival in Agartala. He emphasized that Swami Vivekananda's thoughts on youth, service, and patriotism remain critically relevant for India's development. Saha stated that guiding youth power positively is essential for achieving positive change in the country. He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken steps inspired by Vivekananda's ideals to harness the potential of India's youth. Tripura CM Manik Saha inaugurates Youth Festival, says Swami Vivekananda's ideals of service & patriotism are vital for guiding India's future. Agartala, January 13 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the state-level National Youth Festival at Nazrul Kalakshetra at Agartala on Monday. Sports Minister Tinku Roy, Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, P. K. Chakraborty, Director L. Darlong, and My Bharat State Director Bimal Kumar Saha were also present at the event. During the inauguration, the Tripura Chief Minister said that only a strong nation can build a strong society, and Swami Vivekananda believed that 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. 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 are very relevant even in the present time. 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," said Saha. The Chief Minister told the youth that the significance of Youth Day lies in carrying Swamiji's ideals into 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 power. The youth society is the main strength of the country, and the biggest repository of this strength is our country, India," said Saha. Referring to the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, the Chief Minister further said that according to Swami Vivekananda, serving people is service to 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," added Saha. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, has also taken various steps to harness the country's youth power. CM Saha 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. - ANI A report claims the US has agreed to lower tariffs on Taiwanese goods in exchange for TSMC committing to build at least five more semiconductor fabrication plants in Arizona. Taiwan's Cabinet spokesperson confirmed a "broad consensus" exists but declined to comment on specifics, stating any confirmed arrangements will be announced publicly. The deal would reportedly lower US tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15%, aligning them with rates for Japan and South Korea. The negotiations occur amid a US investigation into applying national security tariffs on semiconductors and await a Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of Trump-era tariffs. Report claims US may lower Taiwan tariffs in exchange for TSMC building at least five more semiconductor fabs in Arizona. Cabinet remains tight-lipped. Taipei, January 13 The Cabinet was tight-lipped Tuesday on a report saying that the United States had agreed to lower tariffs on goods it imports from Taiwan in exchange for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. building more chip foundries in the US, Focus Taiwan reported. The agreement would lower tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15 per cent, the same as for Japan and South Korea, which reached understandings on trade and investment with the US in 2025, the news report noted, citing a New York Times article. "As part of the deal, TSMC would also commit to building at least five more semiconductor facilities, or fabs, in Arizona," the NYT reported, citing unnamed sources. Responding to the report, Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee said only that Taiwan and the US have already reached "broad consensus" on related issues, and are currently discussing the timing of a wrap-up meeting. Any confirmed arrangements will be announced publicly, she said. "The goals of Taiwan-US tariff negotiations have consistently been to seek reductions in reciprocal tariffs, avoid tariff stacking, and secure preferential treatment under Section 232," Lee reiterated, as per the report. US authorities are reportedly investigating whether semiconductors should be subject to "national security tariffs" under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. TSMC did not comment on the report but will likely address the issue at its investor conference on Thursday, as per the report. The Cabinet also declined to comment when contacted by CNA on whether its negotiators had factored in the Supreme Court's ongoing consideration of the constitutionality of Trump's arbitrary tariffs or how a ruling might affect the negotiations. The court did not issue a ruling on Jan. 9, contrary to some expectations, but has said it could deliver a ruling on Wednesday, according to a Focus Taiwan report. TSMC currently has three fabs in Arizona at various stages of development under a prior USD 65 billion investment commitment. The first began high-volume production in the final quarter of 2024. The second fab's structure was completed in 2025, with volume production targeted for 2028. Ground was broken on a third fab in April 2025, with volume production targeted by the end of the decade, according to TSMC Arizona. Early last year, TSMC pledged an additional USD 100 billion in investment that would include another three fabs, but according to the NYT, the company has pledged as part of the trade talks to build at least five more fabs (instead of the four currently pledged, including the fab on which ground was broken last year). The administration of President Donald Trump currently imposes a 20 per cent tariff on Taiwanese goods, in addition to most-favoured-nation tariffs, but has not levied tariffs on semiconductors exported from Taiwan, pending the Section 232 investigation. The Times cited unnamed Trump administration officials as saying countries that invest in the US would be exempt from Section 232 tariffs, but said that it remained unclear how such a scheme would work. - ANI The Tamil Nadu government has signed an MoU with Sarvam AI to establish India's first Sovereign Artificial Intelligence Park with a 10,000 crore investment. The park will create over 1,000 high-skilled jobs and integrate compute infrastructure, research labs, and a dedicated Institute for AI in Governance. It aims to develop Tamil-first foundational models, ensuring AI systems are culturally rooted and locally relevant. The initiative is designed to position Tamil Nadu as a global hub for secure, ethical, and inclusive AI deployment across key sectors. Tamil Nadu partners with Sarvam AI to build a 10,000 crore Sovereign AI Park, creating over 1,000 jobs and a public-interest AI ecosystem. New Delhi, January 13 The Government of Tamil Nadu has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with Sarvam AI to establish India's first full-stack Sovereign Artificial Intelligence Park, marking a major step in the country's AI and digital sovereignty ambitions. The ambitious project, backed by an investment of 10,000 crores, is expected to create over 1,000 high-skilled deep-tech jobs and build a robust, public-interest-driven AI ecosystem in the state. The MoU was signed in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa, Industries Secretary Arun Roy IAS, IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti, and Sarvam AI Co-founder Pratyush Kumar. The Sovereign AI Park will be a purpose-built district integrating high-performance AI compute infrastructure, secure data frameworks, advanced research labs, and innovation clusters. It will also house a dedicated Institute for AI in Governance, ensuring that data, models, and computing resources remain within the state's trusted boundary, enabling secure, ethical, and inclusive AI deployment. Speaking at the event, Industries Minister Dr. T.R.B. Rajaa said the initiative reflects Tamil Nadu's commitment not only to adopting AI but to shaping its future through a people-first, state-led approach. He added that the AI Park will enable large-scale deployment of artificial intelligence across sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, and citizen services. Industries Secretary Arun Roy stated that the project positions Tamil Nadu among a select group of global destinations offering AI-grade infrastructure, deep talent pools, and a sovereign digital ecosystem, making the state a major hub for next-generation global technology investment. Inspired by the historic Sangam academies, the Sovereign AI Park will function as a modern "Digital Sangam", developing Tamil-first foundational AI models that connect classical language and culture with modern digital use cases. This will ensure that future AI systems in Tamil Nadu remain inclusive, culturally rooted, and locally relevant. IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti said the initiative would allow students and researchers in Tamil Nadu to become creators of AI technology rather than mere consumers, helping convert the state's talent into long-term economic leadership. Sarvam AI Co-founder Pratyush Kumar said the partnership aims to build AI that is trained, deployed, and governed in Tamil Nadu for the world, enabling the transition of AI from experimentation to real-world impact at a national scale. - ANI EBITDA for the quarter stood at Rs 222.2 crore with a margin of 23.3% CEO cited growth led by the transportation business and new OEM deals Tata Elxsi has reported a significant drop in its quarterly profit. The company's net profit fell by 45% compared to the same period last year. However, its revenue managed to show a slight increase during the quarter. The CEO highlighted new client wins and a strong deal pipeline for future growth. Tata Elxsi reports a sharp 45% YoY drop in Q3 net profit to Rs 109 crore, even as revenue sees marginal growth. CEO Manoj Raghavan comments on performance. Mumbai, Jan 13 Tata Elxsi, the design and technology arm of the Tata Group, on Tuesday reported a sharp decline in profits for the third quarter of FY202526 (Q3 FY26). The company's consolidated net profit fell 45 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 108.89 crore in Q3 FY26, compared with Rs 199 crore in the same quarter last financial year. On a sequential basis, profit dropped 29.7 per cent from Rs 154.82 crore recorded in the previous quarter. Despite the fall in profit, Tata Elxsi's revenue from operations rose marginally to Rs 953.47 crore during the quarter, registering a growth of 1.5 per cent from Rs 939.17 crore in Q3 FY25. Compared with the previous quarter, revenue improved by 3.9 per cent from Rs 918.1 crore. Commenting on the performance, Manoj Raghavan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Elxsi, said growth during the quarter was led by the company's transportation business. He noted that faster ramp-ups in software-defined vehicle-led original equipment manufacturer deals, which were secured earlier in the year, supported performance. "I am especially delighted with the new programme we won with a strategic off-highway OEM from the US for the development of a complex operator information and control system, that underscores Tata Elxsi's design digital proposition for turnkey system and software development integrated with HMI and human-centric design," he stated. He also pointed to the normalisation of workstreams with a strategic OEM client that had been impacted in the previous quarter. Tata Elxsi's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) stood at Rs 222.2 crore for Q3 FY26. The company reported an EBITDA margin of 23.3 per cent, according to its stock exchange filing. "This is backed by the strategic shift of our customer base in each of our verticals, new customer additions, large deal wins, investments in future forward technology areas and Gen AI, and the strong deal pipeline we carry into the coming quarter and next financial year," Raghavan mentioned. - IANS Tata Motors has launched the updated Punch SUV with an introductory price starting at Rs 5.59 lakh. The new model introduces two major powertrain options: a 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine and a twin-cylinder iCNG technology with an automated manual transmission. It has secured a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating and features a suite of technological upgrades including a large infotainment screen and a 360-degree camera. The SUV aims to build on its strong market presence, having already been trusted by approximately 700,000 customers. Tata Motors launches the new Punch SUV with a 1.2L turbo engine and iCNG AMT tech. Gets 5-star safety, starts at 5.59 lakh. Check features. New Delhi, January 13 Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. announced the launch of the all-new Tata Punch on Tuesday, with an introductory starting price of Rs 5.59 lakh. The updated subcompact SUV introduces new powertrain options and a suite of technological upgrades to the Indian market. According to a Tata Motors media release, the latest iteration of the vehicle includes two significant mechanical additions: a 1.2L turbocharged iTurbo Revotron engine and a twin-cylinder iCNG technology paired with an automated manual transmission (AMT). The manufacturer stated that the iTurbo engine provides a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio, while the iCNG AMT combination represents a first in the SUV segment. These additions aim to provide a balance between performance and fuel efficiency for various consumer needs. Shailesh Chandra, MD & CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. said, "The Punch has always been a reflection of India's evolving ambitions, democratizing the SUV experience with a feature-rich package that earned it a place among India's best-selling SUVs. Today, we have taken this experience to the next level. With the new Punch, we've redefined what an SUV in this segment can be - shaped by customer insights and engineered with new age technology at its core. It's faster, smarter, and safer, complemented by a bold, muscular stance with the confidence to truly Command Max." The new model has secured a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating. The vehicle is built on the Alfa-Arc architecture and features the Tata Safety Dome, utilizing ultra-high-strength steel. Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, electronic stability program, and 3-point ELR seatbelts for all passengers. The SUV also includes hill hold and hill descent control to assist drivers on varying terrains. Inside the cabin, the updated Punch features a 26.03 cm high-definition infotainment system and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. Other technological integrations include a 65W Type-C USB charger, rain-sensing wipers, and an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror. The vehicle maintains its signature 90-degree door opening for easier entry and exit, and introduces new interior finishes with mountain-inspired graphics. "Having pioneered the subcompact SUV category with its debut in October 2021 and already trusted by ~700,000 customers, the new Tata Punch advances its legacy of creating industry benchmarks," the release said. - ANI The U.S. State Department announced on Monday that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January of last year, which it said constitutes a new record. The cancellations, which fall within the administrations hardline immigration policy, represent a 150% increase compared with 2024. The government boasted about the news on the State Departments Twitter account. We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe, reads the post, accompanied by a photo of the Republican striking one of his trademark celebratory poses. According to the State Department, the revocations included around 8,000 student visas and another 2,500 specialized visas belonging to people who had run into trouble with U.S. law enforcement over criminal activity. The four main grounds for revocation were overstaying after a visa had expired, driving under the influence of alcohol, assault, and theft, Deputy State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. Visa denials are just one of the initiatives undertaken by the Trump administration against the presence of foreigners in the country. These measures range from the mass deportation of hundreds of thousands of migrants to terminating the legal status of people who had previously been authorized to remain and work in the United States a move that made millions undocumented overnight. Over the course of last year, the government has suspended and expelled students for speaking out against the war in Gaza and for criticizing Israels actions, accusing them of supporting Hamas. Many of them were forced to leave the country just before their graduation. The arrival of international students in the United States fell by nearly 20% in August compared with last year, marking the steepest drop since the COVID-19 pandemic. That same month, the government announced that it was reviewing the cases of more than 55 million people holding valid U.S. visas in search of any infraction that could lead to deportation, as part of a broader crackdown on foreigners who are legally permitted to be in the United States. Human rights advocates have warned that the expansion of what has been called the Continuous Vetting System represents a drastic escalation in the surveillance of legal migrants and constitutes an attack on freedom of expression, forcing millions of visa holders to alter their behavior by avoiding political protests, deleting social media posts, and refraining from expressing opinions that someone might deem anti-American, despite the fact that the First Amendment protects such expression regardless of citizenship. Likewise, according to a proposal submitted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), foreign travelers seeking to enter the United States could be required to disclose up to five years of their social media history prior to entry. The scrutiny would also apply to citizens of countries that do not require a visa. To further restrict entry for citizens of certain countries, the government last week expanded the list of nations whose citizens will be required to post a deposit or bond of up to $15,000 to obtain a visa. A total of 38 countries now appear on the list, most of them in Africa, Asia, and South America, including Cuba and Venezuela. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Telangana has set a new record by procuring 70.82 lakh tonnes of paddy during the 2025-26 Kharif season, surpassing its previous high. The state disbursed 16,606 crore as Minimum Support Price and an additional 1,425 crore as a bonus, benefiting approximately 14 lakh farmers. Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy termed the achievement a "Sankranti bonanza" for farmers. The record procurement was facilitated by 8,342 centres across the state and is attributed to government policies under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Telangana achieves a record 70.82 lakh tonnes of paddy procurement, disbursing 16,606 crore MSP and a 1,425 crore bonus to 14 lakh farmers. Hyderabad, Jan 13 Telangana achieved record paddy procurement of 70.82 lakh tonnes during the 2025-26 Kharif marketing season, surpassing the 2020-21 procurement of 70.2 lakh tonnes. Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Tuesday that Telangana has achieved a milestone in paddy procurement. He said the record procurement has benefited about 14 lakh farmers across the State. The State disbursed 16,606 crore as the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The farmers were also paid a 1,425 crore bonus. The minister termed the achievement a Sankranti bonanza for Telangana farmers. While greeting farmers on Sankranti, he described it as a festival of gratitude, prosperity, and farmer welfare. Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that the Congress government is committed to the welfare of farmers and agricultural prosperity. He said that Telangana achieved this milestone due to the partnership of farmers. Out of the total 70.82 lakh tonnes of paddy procured, 32.45 lakh tonnes were coarse paddy, while the remaining 38.37 lakh tonnes of paddy were of the fine variety. The farmers who grew a fine variety of paddy were paid a bonus at the rate of Rs 500 per quintal. On the eve of Sankranti, the Civil Supplies Department released 500 crore towards the payment of bonus for farmers, at the direction of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the department credited the bonus amount in the bank accounts of farmers. With this, the government has paid a total of 1,429 crore in bonuses. In October last year, Uttam Kumar Reddy had announced that Telangana achieved an all-time high paddy production of 148.03 lakh tonnes during the kharif season. This is claimed to be the highest paddy production by any state in the country. He had stated that the State achieved a record production due to the policies followed by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka towards agriculture and the farmers. A total of 8,342 paddy procurement centres were established across the State to purchase paddy grown on a total area of 66.8 lakh acres. As many as 4,259 centres were established through primary agricultural cooperative societies, 3,517 through IKP centres, and another 566 centres through other organisations. - IANS The Telangana State Election Commission has published the final voter list for 118 municipalities and five municipal corporations, revealing a total electorate of 52.43 lakh voters. Nizamabad Municipal Corporation has the highest number of voters at 3.48 lakh, while the smallest municipality is Amarachinta with just 9,147 electors. Elections for these urban local bodies, whose terms ended in July 2025, are likely to be held next month. The commission is currently focusing on finalizing ward reservations before issuing the official notification. Telangana SEC publishes final voter list for 118 municipalities and 5 corporations, totaling 52.43 lakh voters. Elections likely next month. Hyderabad, Jan 13 There are 52.43 lakh voters in 118 municipalities and five municipal corporations in Telangana, reveals the final voter list published by the State Election Commission on Tuesday. The municipalities and corporations have 2,996 wards. The total number of voters is 52,43,023, comprising 25,62,369 men, 26,80,014 women and 640 others. Stepping up the arrangements for the upcoming municipal elections, the Election Commission has mapped and confirmed municipality-wise voters. The five municipal corporations are Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar, Mancherial and Ramagundam. Nizamabad Municipal Corporation has the highest number of voters (3,48,051) with 60 wards. Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, comprising 66 wards, has 3,40,580 voters, while Mahabubnagar Municipal Corporation has 1,97,841 voters in 60 wards. There are 1,81,778 voters in Mancherial Municipal Corporation, while Ramagundam Municipal Corporation has 1,83,049 voters in 60 wards. Adilabad municipality has the highest number of voters at 1,43,655, while Amarachinta municipality in Wanaparthy district is the smallest municipality with just 9,147 voters. The elections for the urban local bodies are likely to be held next month. The process has been taken up for those municipalities and corporations whose term ended in July 2025. The Election Commission has not mapped and confirmed voters in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Khammam and Warangal corporations, as their terms will be completed later. GHMC's tenure ends in February, while the terms of Khammam and Warangal corporations end in April. State Election Commissioner Rani Kumudini recently held a meeting with representatives of recognised political parties as part of the preparations for the municipal polls. The notification for the municipal elections will be issued after deciding the reservation for various sections. The reservation of wards and divisions in municipalities and corporations concerned will be decided on the basis of population. As the reservation has become a crucial issue, the officials are focusing on it ahead of the release of the notification. The polling station list and polling station-wise photo electoral rolls will be published on January 16 at Collectors', Municipal Commissioners' Offices, DEAs, RDO and Tahsildars' offices. - IANS The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation will operate 3,495 special buses for the upcoming Sammakka-Sarakka Maha Jatara, Asia's most significant tribal festival. The special services will run from multiple districts, with women eligible for free travel on ordinary and express buses under the Mahalakshmi Scheme. The state government has allocated 260 crore for the biennial event, funding both temporary arrangements and permanent temple infrastructure. Health preparations include a 50-bed hospital and numerous medical camps for the millions of expected devotees. Telangana RTC to operate 3,495 special buses for Medaram Jatara. Women travel free under Mahalakshmi Scheme. 260 crore allocated for the festival. Hyderabad, Jan 13 The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation on Tuesday announced that it will operate 3,495 special buses for the upcoming Sammakka-Sarakka Maha Jatara. The state-owned Corporation said it would receive 50 per cent extra charges for special services. It is also ready to operate more special buses, if necessary. TGSRTC stated that it has the authority to charge an additional fare for special services operated during festivals, fairs, and other festivities. The special buses will be operated from the undivided Karimnagar, Warangal, and Adilabad districts, as well as various other places in the state. The Corporation has also announced that under the Mahalakshmi Scheme, women can travel for free in special buses. However, the scheme will only apply to the ordinary and express categories of buses. Millions of devotees are expected to participate in the Sammakka-Sarakka Maha Jatara, a biennial event scheduled to be held at Medaram in Mulugu district from January 28 to 31. Also known as Medaram Jatra, it is considered the most significant tribal festival in Asia. Meanwhile, Minister for Women and Child Welfare Seethakka, Minister for Tribal Welfare Adluri Lakshman, and Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao reviewed the arrangements for the Jatara at a meeting held at the State Secretariat on Tuesday. Senior officials from various departments and the Mulugu district Collector attended the meeting. The health department is establishing a 50-bed hospital at Medaram, complemented by two mini hospitals and 30 medical camps. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka stated that all arrangements for the Jatara would be completed by January 15. He stated that permanent structures are being constructed to highlight the cultural grandeur of the festival and ensure a hassle-free experience for devotees. The State government has allocated 260 crore for this year's Jatara - 150 crore for event arrangements and 110 crore for permanent temple infrastructure. He said that this festival is not just a tribal celebration but the heartbeat of Telangana and a symbol of Telangana's self-respect. - IANS Congress leader Manish Tewari has expressed optimism that the India-Bangladesh relationship will stabilize, citing India's deep historical and emotional investment stemming from the 1971 liberation war. His comments come amid reported communal violence in Bangladesh ahead of its national elections, including attacks on minorities. India's Ministry of External Affairs has criticized the "disturbing pattern" of recurring attacks on minorities by extremists. The political context includes the ousting and death sentence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who sought protection in India in 2024. Congress leader Manish Tewari expresses confidence that India-Bangladesh relations will normalize despite current political turbulence and communal violence. New Delhi, January 13 Congress leader Manish Tewari has expressed confidence in a long India-Bangladesh relationship "coming back on an even keel", despite the currently turbulent times. Remembering how India "walked the extra mile" in 1971 to stop the persecution and torture of the country's people, Tewari said that Bangladeshis also know about the same history, making him hopeful. Speaking to ANI after his book launch, 'A World Adrift: A Parliamentarian's Perspective on The Global Power Dynamic' in Delhi, Tewari said that India is still "heavily invested emotionally and politically" in the country, and despite the "current turbulence", there is nothing to be pessimistic about. "We are heavily invested emotionally and politically in Bangladesh. It is India which walked the extra mile in 1971 and stopped the persecution and the torture which was being inflicted on the then people of East Pakistan and created Bangladesh. We have a history which I do think the Bangladeshis would also be cognisant about," the Congress leader said. Expressing that he believes the bilateral relationship will return to normal eventually, he added, "Therefore, under those circumstances, I do not think that, notwithstanding the current turbulence, there is anything to be pessimistic about. I think the relationship with Bangladesh will come back on even keel." As the date of the 13th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh draws nearer, multiple incidents of communal violence have been reported in the country. In December, at least 51 incidents of violence were reported. These included 10 murders, 10 cases of theft and robbery, 23 incidents involving the occupation of homes, business establishments, temples and land, looting and arson, four cases of arrest and torture on false allegations of religious defamation and being "agents of RAW", one attempted rape, and three incidents of physical assault, according to Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council. The violence followed after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in 2024, which led her to come and seek protection in India in August of the same year. Hasina has been sentenced to death by the country's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), convicted for using lethal force against protesters. The communal incidents have been sharply criticised by India's Ministry of External Affairs, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal saying that the ministry is "witnessing a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities, as well as their homes and businesses by extremists." "We continue to witness a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities as well as their homes and businesses by extremists in Bangladesh. Such communal incidents need to be dealt with swiftly and firmly," the MEA spokesperson said. Bangladesh is also set to hold its national election on February 12, seen as a key political moment following the student-led movement that prompted the ousting of its former PM, Sheikh Hasina. - ANI The District Magistrate of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir has prohibited trekking, camping, and hiking in all high-altitude forest areas of the district with immediate effect. The order cites specific security inputs from agencies and concerns over public safety due to terrain and potential law-and-order issues. It applies to all individuals, groups, and tour operators, requiring prior written permission for any exceptions. The ban follows similar restrictions in Kulgam and coincides with ongoing anti-terrorist operations in the region's forested areas. Poonch district bans all trekking, camping, and hiking in high-altitude forest areas citing security inputs and public safety risks. Jammu, Jan 13 The District Magistrate of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on Tuesday banned trekking, camping, hiking and similar activities in the forested areas of the district, citing security reasons. An order issued by Poonch DM said, "...whereas inputs have been received from security agencies and field functionaries regarding security and safety concerns in certain high altitude and forested areas falling within the jurisdiction of Poonch district. And, whereas it has been reported that unrestricted movement of individuals and groups poses a serious risk to public safety due to difficult terrain, adverse weather conditions and other unforeseen hazards.And, whereas trekking, camping, hiking and similar outdoor pursuits in high altitude areas are likely to adversely affect public safety and may also lead to law and order complications." "Now, therefore, I Ashok Kumar Sharma, JKAS, district magistrate Poonch, in exercise of powers conferred in me under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, hereby order as under: Trekking, camping, hiking and similar outdoor/adventure activities are hereby prohibited in all high altitude areas of district Poonch with immediate effect. The restriction shall apply to all individuals, groups, tour operators and adventure clubs except those having prior written permission from the competent authority for official purposes," said the order. The security forces, emergency and essential services and government officials on official duty have been exempted from the purview of this order. The order said that any "person found violating this order shall be liable for action under the relevant provisions of law". "Senior Superintendent of Police Poonch shall ensure the implementation of this order and regulate movement at naka/checkpoints," the order said. A similar order was earlier issued by the District Magistrate of Kulgam in the Valley pertaining to high-altitude and forested areas in the Kokernag sub-division of the district. The order follows aggressive anti-terrorist operations being carried out by J&K Police and the security forces in high-altitude, densely forested areas of the union territory. - IANS The White House has stated that President Donald Trump believes the United States should acquire Greenland to prevent it from falling under the influence of China or Russia. Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt emphasized that such control is viewed as a strategic priority for U.S. and European security. She suggested the move could also benefit Greenland itself, though no specific timeline has been set for pursuing it. The autonomous Danish territory's Arctic location has become increasingly important due to climate change and great power competition. White House says President Trump views Greenland as strategically vital and seeks US control to prevent Chinese or Russian influence in the Arctic. Washington, Jan 13 President Donald Trump believes the United States should acquire Greenland to prevent it from falling under the influence of rival powers, the White House said. Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt told reporters that the President views Greenland as strategically vital for US and European security. "He said that he wants to see the United States acquire Greenland, because he feels that if we do not, then it will eventually be acquired, or even perhaps hostilely taken over by either China or Russia," Leavitt said. She added that such an outcome would be dangerous for multiple regions. "Which is not a good thing for the United States or for Europe or for Greenland as well," she said. Leavitt said the President believes US control could also benefit Greenland itself. "Let's not forget, it would not 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," she said. Asked whether there is a timeline for pursuing such a move, Leavitt said no deadline has been set. "He has not set a timeline, but it's definitely a priority," she said. She emphasised that the President's comments reflect broader national security concerns. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, occupies a strategic location in the Arctic and has gained increased attention due to climate change, shipping routes, and competition among global powers. The United States maintains a military presence on the island, while China and Russia have expanded their Arctic ambitions. - IANS US President Donald Trump's proposed tariff on countries trading with Iran has raised significant concerns for India's Basmati rice exporters, for whom Iran is a major market. The tariff could complicate financial transactions, increase risks, and further dampen buyer confidence in a market already strained by Iran's internal instability. Indian Rice Exporters Federation President Prem Garg warns the situation has already caused a sharp decline in domestic Basmati prices as trade channels face disruption. Exporters are being advised to secure payments and diversify into other markets to protect farmers and stabilize the sector. US tariff on Iran trade could disrupt payments & lower prices for Indian Basmati rice exports, warns exporters' federation. New Delhi, January 13 US President Donald Trump's announcement imposing a 25 per cent tariff on any country continuing business ties with Iran is expected to intensify uncertainty across global trade channels, with India's agri-export sector, particularly rice exports, likely to face indirect but tangible pressure. Iran remains one of the largest destinations for Indian Basmati rice, accounting for a significant share of export volumes. However, the proposed tariff, which penalises third countries for trade engagement with Iran, could complicate payment mechanisms, raise transaction risks, and dampen buyer confidence at a time when the market is already under strain. According to industry data, India's Basmati rice exports to Iran during April-November 2025-26 stood at USD 468.10 million, with shipments of 5.99 lakh metric tonnes. Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) warn that additional geopolitical and economic pressures may further slow order flows and delay shipments, adversely impacting exporters and farmers alike. IREF has already flagged visible stress in rice trade linked to Iran, citing internal instability and financial disruptions in the country. Commenting on the situation, Prem Garg, National President, IREF, said, "Iran has historically been a pillar market for Indian Basmati. However, the current internal turmoil there has disrupted trade channels, slowed payments, and impacted buyer confidence. The immediate fallout is visible in Indian mandis, where Basmati prices have softened sharply within days." Trump's tariff announcement could amplify these challenges by discouraging international banking channels and insurers from facilitating Iran-linked transactions, even for essential commodities such as food. Exporters may be forced to reassess exposure, particularly where shipments are based on deferred or unsecured payments. Garg further underlined the need for caution, stating, "We are not sounding an alarm, but urging prudence. In times of geopolitical and internal instability, trade becomes the first casualty. A calibrated approach is essential to protect both exporters and farmers. India's rice sector is resilient, but it must be safeguarded through timely intelligence and responsible trade practices." Domestic markets have already begun reflecting the impact, with Basmati prices witnessing a sharp decline amid buyer hesitation and delayed contracts. Prolonged uncertainty could pressure farm-gate prices and inventory holding costs if alternative markets are not activated swiftly. IREF has advised exporters to prefer secured payment mechanisms and diversify into alternative destinations across West Asia, Africa, and Europe to cushion potential disruptions. As geopolitical decisions increasingly shape trade outcomes, India's rice export ecosystem faces a critical test in navigating sanctions-driven volatility while safeguarding farmer interests and export stability. - ANI Other nations like Hungary, Turkey also buy Russian oil US may impose 500% tariff on Russian oil buyers China has sharply criticized US sanctions targeting trade with Russia, accusing Washington of using the Ukraine conflict as an excuse for its actions. The warning comes as proposed US legislation could impose a massive 500% tariff on countries, including China, that purchase Russian oil. While not directly criticizing Russia, China's UN representative advocated for a "sustainable European security architecture" and supported ongoing peace efforts. Other nations like Hungary and Turkey also continue to buy Russian oil but have so far been spared from US punitive tariffs. China opposes US sanctions on Russian trade, calling the Ukraine crisis a pretext. US legislation threatens massive tariffs on nations buying Russian oil. United Nations, Jan 13 China, at the UN Security Council, criticised US sanctions against trade with Russia, asserting that it was using the Ukraine crisis as an excuse for the action. "China opposes the use of the crisis by any party as a pretext to impose illegal unilateral sanctions and disrupt normal trade and economic relations," Beijing's Deputy Permanent Representative Sun Lei said at a meeting on Ukraine on Monday. So far, China has escaped the punitive tariffs for buying Russian oil, which US President Donald Trump singled out India among all those buying petroleum products from Moscow. However, China could be snagged by a legislative move greenlighted by Trump. Senator Lindsey Graham's proposed legislation seeks to impose a 500 per cent tariff on countries buying Russian oil, which, if passed by Congress, could apply to China. Sun warned: "The continued spillover of the (Ukraine) crisis has severely impinged on the global economy." "The international community should send a more objective, balanced, and rational voice to help realise the vision of peace as soon as possible," he added. Speaking at the Council meeting on behalf of the Baltic states, Lithuania's representative took a shot at those involved economically with Moscow, only mentioning North Korea and Iran. But he asserted that "Moscow's aggression" was financed through "shadow fleet tankers" and illegal oil trade, he said. Besides China, other countries, including Hungary and Turkey, also buy Russian oil, but Trump has spared them punitive tariffs. While not criticising Russia, Sun put some distance from Moscow, supporting a "sustainable European security architecture" as he backed the peace efforts that he said were gaining momentum. A security architecture could include guarantees for Ukraine from the US and Western Europe, and European troops in Ukraine for its safety. - IANS Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh has arrived in Israel for a three-day official visit, where he will participate in the 'Sea The Future' conference in Eilat. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, livestock, and dairy through innovation and shared expertise. The conference focuses on blue food security and sustainable food production in arid and marine environments, featuring themes like deep blue tech and sustainable systems. The summit brings together global leaders and experts to address food production challenges in a changing climate. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh visits Israel for the Sea The Future conference to strengthen cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, and dairy sectors. Tel Aviv, January 13 Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Panchayati Raj was received by Indian Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh on Monday. Minister Singh is on a 3-day official visit to Israel and will be participating in 'Sea The Future' conference in Eilat. In a post on X, the Embassy said, "Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Hon'ble Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Panchayati Raj was received by Ambassador JP Singh in Tel Aviv. He is on a 3-day official visit to Israel and will be participating in 'Sea The Future' conference in Eilat. His visit will strengthen India-Israel cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, livestock & dairy sectors." Minister Singh said that the visit aims to further strengthen India-Israel cooperation in fisheries. In a post on X, he said, "Warmly received by Ambassador JP Singh upon my arrival in Tel Aviv, Israel. On a 3-day official visit to Israel, I will be participating in the 'Sea The Future' conference in Eilat. This visit will further strengthen India-Israel cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, livestock and dairy sectors through innovation and shared expertise." The Red Sea, the sun, and the desert in the Eilat-Eilot area serve as a fertile ground for biotechnology, aquaculture, renewable and sustainable energy R&D as well as for scientific research in the fields of oceanography, limnology, mariculture, and marine biotechnology, addressing issues of national, regional, and global relevance and importance, the official website for the Sea the Future 2026 states. The summit will last from January 13-15. It will bring together global leaders, innovators, and experts for a three-day summit dedicated to advancing sustainable food production in arid, and marine environments. This year's focus: Blue Food Security in a changing climate, with an emphasis on innovation, resilience, collaborations. As per the official website, themes for the event include- Blue Food Security: Enhancing food production in extreme climates, Deep Blue Tech: Breakthrough technologies and practices such as AI, Big Data and Genomic achievements, Sustainable Food Systems: Reducing environmental impact and preserving biodiversity. - ANI Union Minister Kiren Rijiju arrived in Lucknow to participate in events related to the newly enacted VB-G RAM G Act, which enhances rural wage employment to 125 days per household. The Congress party has launched a nationwide protest campaign, opposing the replacement of MGNREGA with the new scheme. The Act specifies a 60:40 fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and states, with a 90:10 ratio for Himalayan and northeastern regions. President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the bill, formalizing a major shift in India's rural employment policy. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju visits Lucknow for VB-G RAM G Act events as Congress launches nationwide protests against the new rural jobs scheme. Lucknow, January 13 Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday arrived in Lucknow to participate in events related to the VB G RAM G act. Rijiju will also participate in a minority community and will return to New Delhi on Tuesday night. "I have come to Lucknow today for the G Ram G Scheme by PM Modi regarding the development of rural India. There is also a program related to this, and a meeting with people from a minority community. I am returning to Delhi tonight," Rijiju told ANI. Meanwhile, the VB G RAM G 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. The Congress party had announced a nationwide 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' from January 10 to February 25, opposing the VB G RAM G Act. Earlier on January 11, Congress workers on Sunday staged a protest under the banner 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' at Townhall Park of Maidagin in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai, along with party workers, held a symbolic fast against the repeal of MGNREGA and the introduction of the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) near the Mahatma Gandhi and Bhimrao Ambedkar statue. Speaking to ANI, the UP Congress chief said, "We are on a fast. Around the Mahatma Gandhi and Bhimrao Ambedkar statue, we are sitting on a fast. This government ended the MGNREGA law, and to protest that each of our Congress workers is sitting on the streets. We want to remove those who want to remove Mahatma Gandhi's name." President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the VB--G RAM G Bill, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of rural employment policy, as per a release by the President's Secretariat. - ANI The US president announced that he has canceled the planned meetings with Iranian representatives and called on protesters to take over the institutions Donald Trump is sending increasingly clear signals that he has finished deliberating and is inclined toward some form of U.S. use of force in support of the protesters in Iran. On Tuesday, he stepped up his recent expressions of support for the protests, which have been ongoing since December, and called on the patriots involved to take over the institutions. In a message on his social network, Truth Social, the president also announced the cancellation of the planned contacts between his administration and Iranian representatives. The message ends with: Help is on its way. MIGA, the initials for Make Iran Great Again, a variation on his MAGA slogan. Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price, wrote the U.S. president, who was scheduled this Tuesday to meet with his national security team to study a response to the violent repression of the protests. The Republican also announced that he has suspended all planned meetings with Iranian representatives aimed at reaching a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The suspension will remain in effect until the senseless killing of protesters stops. Trump, who is traveling this Tuesday to Detroit to deliver an economic speech, had already announced on Monday 25% tariffs against countries that do business with Iran as an initial pressure measure. Also on Monday, the State Department warned its citizens in the Middle Eastern country to leave as soon as possible due to the deterioration of the situation: according to the most recent estimates, at least 2,000 people have died as a result of government repression. Although the regime led by Masoud Pezeshkian initially responded to the protests with relative calm, the crackdown appears to have intensified sharply as the demonstrations spread. Now they are returning to their basic script, which is fundamentally repression, labeling protesters as seditious agents controlled by foreign powers, and the use of violence, said Ray Takeyh of the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in a videoconference on Monday. Except that they generally try to use violence in a moderate way, to create a deterrent effect but not too many martyrs. This time they are creating many martyrs, and that could further galvanize the cause. Trumps latest warning represents a further step in an escalation that began 10 days ago, in response to Irans repression of protests that initially emerged quietly and in isolated areas over the exchange rate of the rial. Since then, the protests have spread throughout the country and have become one of the greatest threats to the regime since its establishment following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Trump has threatened almost daily over the past week to help freedom in Iran, and this Sunday a week after authorizing the U.S. forces operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas he confirmed that he is considering all kinds of measures, including military ones. Were looking at it very seriously, he told reporters aboard Air Force One. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options. The president is unafraid to use the lethal force and might in Iran, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Monday. Although diplomacy remains the preferred option, Leavitt told Fox News that he will not hesitate to use military power if and when he deems that necessary. Nobody knows that better than Iran, the spokeswoman added. Iran was the target of a U.S. military operation last June that struck targets associated with its nuclear program. Experts warn that the White House must strike a delicate balance in its response. An intervention could prompt an even harsher wave of repression by the regime against its citizens and lend credence to Tehrans claims that the protests are being driven from abroad, particularly by the United States. It also risks unleashing a nationalist backlash in which citizens especially those who have not yet decided whether to support the protesters rally around the ayatollahs in reaction to foreign intervention. Or it could trigger an Iranian response that forces the United States to become more deeply involved in a conflict than it wants to be Trumps biggest nightmare. All the military interventions he has approved during his year in power in addition to Iran and Venezuela, in Yemen, Somalia, Syria, and Nigeria have had one thing in common: their speed, lightning operations concluded in just hours without costing U.S. lives. A possible intervention, Takeyh notes, would introduce an unpredictable element into a situation that is already filled with unpredictable elements. These protests, without a leader and without structure, do not need that right now. What they need is persistence. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh is in Israel to participate in the 'Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026' summit. His delegation visited Israel's National Centre for Mariculture to learn about advanced research in broodstock development and disease management. The visit included discussions on enhancing bilateral collaboration for joint research and adapting advanced mariculture solutions to Indian conditions. This engagement aims to boost production efficiency and knowledge exchange in the fisheries sector. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh visits Israel for Blue Food Security Summit, exploring joint research in mariculture and aquaculture with Israeli experts. New Delhi, January 14 Union Minister of Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh made a visit to Israel to participate in the Second Global Summit on "Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026, which is being held from January 13 to 15, in Eilat, reinforcing cooperation between India and Israel in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. In a post on X, the Union Minister shared that his delegation visited the National Centre for Mariculture (NCM) in Eilat. During the visit, Singh was briefed on NCM's research programs, including broodstock development, hatchery technologies, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) models, and innovative disease management strategies. "I commenced my official visit to Israel to participate in the Second Global Summit "Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026" being held in Eilat, strengthening India-Israel cooperation in the fisheries and aquaculture sector," said Singh. "During the visit to the National Centre for Mariculture (NCM), Eilat, I was briefed on cutting-edge research and facilities related to broodstock development, hatchery technologies, IMTA models, and innovative disease management practices," said Singh. The Fisheries Minister also held discussions on opportunities for joint research and collaboration between the two nations. These discussions aimed to strengthen knowledge exchange, enhance production efficiency, and introduce advanced mariculture solutions adapted to Indian conditions. "We also held productive discussions on enhancing India-Israel collaboration and joint research to promote knowledge exchange, improve production efficiency, and adapt advanced mariculture solutions to Indian conditions," added Singh. Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, in New Delhi and discussed further strengthening the India-France strategic partnership. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "A pleasure meeting Amb Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France. Exchanged views on further strengthening the India-France strategic partnership." He added that they also discussed "key takeaways" from his recent visit to Paris and Bonne's engagements in Delhi."Also discussed key takeaways from my recent visit to Paris and his engagements in Delhi," Jaishankar said. The meeting came as India and France reiterated their commitment to their strategic partnership during the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to the French President, in New Delhi. The two sides discussed ongoing bilateral initiatives across security, defence, technology, space and civil nuclear cooperation. They also explored opportunities for joint development and collaboration in the spirit of "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat". - ANI Senior US lawmakers from both parties emphasized that India is indispensable to global stability and a central partner for US interests. They identified China as the primary strategic competitor, making a strong US-India partnership crucial for regional security. The Congressional Caucus on India is seen as a bipartisan, institutional anchor for the relationship, enduring beyond changes in administration. The lawmakers believe aligning the world's oldest and largest democracies can usher in a new era of peace, while failure could lead to a catastrophic global imbalance. Bipartisan US lawmakers declare India indispensable for global order and a central partner in countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific. Washington, Jan 13 Senior Republican and Democratic lawmakers underscored that India has become indispensable to global stability, arguing that bipartisan leadership in the US Congress will remain the anchor of the relationship even as geopolitical competition intensifies. Speaking at a fireside chat hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Representative Rich McCormick, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said the partnership with India is central not only to US interests but to the global order. "There is no more important friend that we're going to need for the future of not just the United States and India, but for the entire stability of the world, than India," McCormick said. He warned that the strategic stakes are exceptionally high, particularly amid China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. "If you consider the regional security of the Chinese influence of that sphere, 70 per cent of the trade that goes through that straits there with Taiwan, the commonality we have in the way we look at economics and freedom and advancement of a people," he said. McCormick described the convergence of the world's oldest democracy and its largest democracy as potentially transformative. "If you unite, which will be two of the three biggest economies in the world in short order... we could literally usher in a new generation of peace that could last 100 years if we do this right," he said. At the same time, he cautioned that failure would have grave consequences. "Conversely, if we do it wrong, it could be catastrophic... If they start joining up with Russia and China, that will put everything out of balance," he said. Representative Ami Bera, the longest-serving Indian American member of Congress, stressed that US-India ties have endured across administrations of both parties. "If you go back to the Clinton administration, through the Bush administration, through Obama, to Trump 1.0, to Biden, India's been very key to our whole Indo-Pacific strategy," Bera said. He emphasised that support for India in Washington is not partisan. "This has not been Democratic or Republican. The caucus is one of the largest caucuses on the hill. And we've got to get this right," he said. Bera identified Beijing as the primary strategic competitor shaping US thinking. "We know clearly who our adversary is in Beijing. That's going to be the leading competition in the world," he said, adding that new global structures would be built around "like values, democracy, free markets, entrepreneurship." Both lawmakers said Congress plays a stabilising role regardless of shifts in White House diplomacy. Bera noted that lawmakers recently passed a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the importance of ties with India. "To signal that as a different branch of government, nothing's changed in how Congress sees the importance of this relationship," he said. McCormick said Congress understands India's domestic priorities, even when differences arise. "Prime Minister Modi is extremely nationalistic in a good way... He wants to bring productivity and expansion and technologies to his country," he said. He added that while disagreements exist, including over energy and defense sourcing, shared values ultimately prevail. "In the end, I think he understands how important we are because we are like-minded," McCormick said. The discussion highlighted Congress's view that long-term institutional ties, rather than short-term political fluctuations, will shape the future of US-India relations. - IANS US lawmakers emphasized that India is emerging as a critical strategic partner in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and Indo-Pacific security, not merely a defense buyer. They warned against restricting India's access to advanced US technology, arguing it would cede influence and allow other standards to dominate. The discussion highlighted deep collaboration in defense co-production, joint exercises, and the shared strategic value of the QUAD grouping. People-to-people ties, especially the flow of high-skilled talent and students, were underscored as a foundational asset for the bilateral relationship. US lawmakers call India a critical partner in AI, advanced tech, and Indo-Pacific security, urging deeper cooperation and tech alignment. Washington, Jan 13 US lawmakers on Monday said India is emerging not merely as a defence buyer or technology market, but as a critical partner in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and Indo-Pacific security. At a CSIS discussion, Representative Rich McCormick warned against restricting India's access to advanced technologies. "If we start limiting access to our products, that's going to be bad for us as a country," he said. McCormick argued that keeping India aligned with US technology standards is strategically vital. "If we limit our good chips to the rest of the world, they'll get them from somewhere else... then they become the standard," he said. Indian American Representative Ami Bera described AI as "a transformational technology" that demands close cooperation. "The United States and India should work incredibly closely together to both advance AI, solve challenges that are going to emerge," he said. Bera said such collaboration should extend to health care and global development. "It's also an opportunity for us to rethink what visas look like," he said, suggesting new mobility corridors for high-skilled workers. Both lawmakers linked technology cooperation to defence ties. Bera said defence-to-defence relations are on "a good trajectory," citing co-production and joint exercises. "We want to continue doing more joint exercises, joint training, joint development," he said. McCormick noted India's push for defence self-reliance. "Prime Minister Modi's ultimate goal... is to be independent as a defence contractor," he said, pointing to Indian requirements for majority domestic ownership. He argued that US defence systems must modernize. "Our technologies have not kept up in the defence industry," McCormick said, criticizing reliance on "antiquated systems." Both lawmakers strongly endorsed the QUAD grouping. "The reason I know the Quad's so important is because Beijing hates it," Bera said. They also highlighted people-to-people ties as a strategic asset. McCormick noted the scale of Indian talent in the US "We have a quarter million Indian students here right now," he said, warning that sending them back would strengthen competitors. Bera said talent flows are already changing. "They see how fast the Indian domestic market is growing... they can move back and forth," he said. The discussion also touched on energy and data infrastructure. McCormick said data centers and AI require massive power. "There's no way you're going to produce that kind of power from anything other than nuclear," he said. Bera added that India faces water and energy constraints. "As Prime Minister Modi wanted to build out data centers, they don't have enough energy, and they don't have enough water," he said, pointing to opportunities for collaboration on desalination and civil nuclear technology. Both lawmakers argued that cooperation with India strengthens US global competitiveness. "This isn't a one-way street. This is a two-way street," Bera said. - IANS US Congressman Randy Fine has introduced the "Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act," authorizing the President to pursue annexing Greenland and eventually admitting it as a US state. The move is framed as essential to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic and secure America's northern flank. Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, and both Danish and Greenlandic leaders have repeatedly rejected any sale or annexation. Former President Donald Trump has also recently threatened to take action on Greenland, stating the US must act to prevent Russia or China from taking control. A US congressman introduces a bill to annex Greenland as a state, citing national security and countering Russia and China in the Arctic. Washington DC, January 13 Amid US President Donald Trump's threats of having to do "something" about Greenland, US Congressman Randy Fine introduced a bill seeking the annexation of the Arctic island and its eventual admission as a US state, as the push to control the strategically located island continues by Trump and his administration. Congressman Fine, who is a lawmaker in the US House of Representatives, in a post on X stated that he had introduced the "Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act", legislation that would authorise the US President to pursue all necessary means to bring Greenland into the American Union. Fine framed the move as essential to counter the growing influence of Russia and China in the Arctic and to safeguard US national security, a claim also made by the US President. The lawmaker further asserted that US adversaries are attempting to establish a foothold in the Arctic and argued that acquiring Greenland would prevent rival powers from controlling the region and would help secure America's northern flank. "Huge News! Today, I am proud to introduce the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, a bill that allows the President to find the means necessary to bring Greenland into the Union. Let me be clear, our adversaries are trying to establish a foothold in the Arctic, and we can't let that happen. By acquiring Greenland, we would prevent our adversaries from controlling the Arctic Region and secure our northern flank from Russia and China," his post read. In an official press release issued by Fine's office, the Florida congressman described Greenland as a "vital national security asset" and warned that control of the island would determine dominance over key Arctic shipping lanes and the broader security architecture protecting the United States. He claimed that years of weak policies had allowed America's strategic position in the Arctic to erode, while China and Russia continued to expand their presence. "Greenland is not a distant outpost we can afford to ignore--it is a vital national security asset. Whoever controls Greenland controls key Arctic shipping lanes and the security architecture protecting the United States. America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security," the Congressman said. The legislation authorises the President to seek negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark to annexe or otherwise acquire Greenland as a US territory. Following any such acquisition, the US President would be required to submit a report to Congress outlining the changes to federal law needed to admit Greenland as a state, contingent on Greenland adopting a constitution deemed republican in form and consistent with the US Constitution. Fine linked the bill to broader Republican assertions about restoring American strength on the global stage, referencing statements by Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the Arctic is rapidly becoming a central arena of global power competition. He also claimed that recent US actions had put adversaries "on their heels," portraying the proposed annexation as part of a more assertive foreign policy posture. Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within Denmark and a NATO partner of the United States. Both Danish and Greenlandic leaders have repeatedly rejected any suggestion that the island could be sold or annexed, emphasising that Greenland's future should be decided by its own people. Earlier on Saturday, Trump reiterated claims of having to do "something" about Greenland, "the easy way" or "the hard way", saying that if the US doesn't take any action, Russia and China would spring in and that Washington does not want to have them as neighbours. "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 neighbour. I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way," Trump said when he was asked about the island. - ANI The United States has designated three chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan as terrorist organizations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the action is an initial step under President Trump's executive order to counter groups deemed a threat. The Lebanese chapter and its leader were designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, while the Egyptian and Jordanian chapters were designated for allegedly supporting Hamas. These designations trigger sanctions, asset freezes, and travel restrictions to disrupt the groups' operations and funding. The US designates Muslim Brotherhood chapters in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan as terrorist organizations, citing national security and links to Hamas. Washington, Jan 13 The United States on Tuesday announced terrorist designations against three chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, citing national security concerns and alleged links to militant activity, as part of what it described as an initial step under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement, said the action was taken "as a first step in support of President Trump's commitment to eliminate the capabilities and operations of Muslim Brotherhood chapters that pose a threat to the United States as described in Executive Order 14362." Rubio said the United States is imposing terrorist designations against the Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood. Under the decision, the Department of State designated the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The group's leader, Muhammad Fawzi Taqqosh, was also designated as an SDGT. At the same time, the Department of the Treasury designated the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood as SDGTs. According to the statement, the two groups were designated "for providing material support to Hamas." Rubio said the measures mark the opening phase of a broader campaign by the administration. "These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters' violence and destabilization wherever it occurs," he said. The Secretary of state said the U.S. government would continue to apply pressure on the designated groups through sanctions and other tools. "The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism," Rubio said. The designations carry significant legal and financial consequences, including restrictions on transactions with U.S. persons, potential asset freezes, and limits on international travel for those named. U.S. officials said the measures are intended to disrupt funding networks and operational capabilities linked to the groups. The announcement follows President Trump's issuance of Executive Order 14362, which directs U.S. agencies to take action against organizations deemed to pose a threat to American security interests. Rubio said Monday's step was part of implementing that directive. - IANS The Trump administration has revoked over 100,000 visas from foreign nationals in less than a year, marking a record enforcement level. State Department officials say the action, a 150% increase, targeted individuals accused or convicted of crimes like assault and DUI. The increase is credited to new mechanisms like the Continuous Vetting Center, which monitors visa holders after entry. This move intensifies the debate over immigration enforcement and national security in the U.S. The Trump administration revoked over 100,000 visas in under a year, a 150% increase, targeting foreign nationals charged with crimes. Washington, Jan 13 The Trump administration has revoked more than 100,000 visas from foreign nationals in less than one year, marking a record level of enforcement as part of its push to strengthen border controls and public safety, the US State Department said. "The Trump administration has no higher priority than protecting American citizens and upholding American sovereignty," said Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department Pigott said the scale of the action represents a sharp escalation compared to previous years. "In less than one year, the State Department revoked over 100,000 visas from foreign nationals, marking a new record and more than a 150% increase in revocations since 2024," he said. According to the statement, the visa cancellations targeted foreign nationals accused or convicted of a range of criminal offenses. "The State Department revoked visas from thousands of foreign nationals charged or convicted with crimes, including assault, theft, and driving under the influence," Pigott said. The administration credited the increase in revocations to enhanced screening and monitoring mechanisms introduced under President Donald Trump. "The State Department's recently-launched Continuous Vetting Center works to ensure that all foreign nationals on American soil comply with our laws - and that the visas of those who pose a threat to American citizens are swiftly revoked," Pigott said. The Continuous Vetting Center is designed to track visa holders after their arrival in the United States, rather than relying solely on screening at the time of application or entry. Officials say the system allows authorities to respond more quickly when visa holders are charged with or convicted of crimes. Pigott said the policy reflects a broader national security approach being pursued by the administration. "The Trump administration will continue to put America first and protect our nation from foreign nationals who pose a risk to public safety or national security," he said. However, the statement did not provide a country-by-country breakdown of the revoked visas or specify how many involved temporary visitors, students, or longer-term residents. The move comes amid intensified debate in the United States over immigration enforcement, border security, and the balance between national security and legal immigration pathways. Visa policies have emerged as a central focus of the administration's domestic and foreign policy agenda. Visa revocation authority allows the US government to cancel visas issued to foreign nationals if they are deemed ineligible or pose security or public safety concerns. - IANS Indian government sources state that the country's limited trade with Iran will face minimal disruption from new US tariffs targeting Iran's partners. India's trade with Iran constitutes a tiny fraction of its total global commerce and is expected to decline further. Export representatives note that current dealings with Iran already operate outside the scope of US sanctions, limiting immediate concern. However, major exporters like KRBL acknowledge that existing restrictions have already significantly impacted key commodities like basmati rice. India says trade with Iran is limited, expects minimal impact from new US tariffs. Experts and exporters weigh in on the situation. New Delhi, January 13 India's trade and economic engagement with Iran remains limited and is unlikely to be significantly impacted by recent tariff measures announced by the US, government sources said on Tuesday after President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on Iran's trading partners. For India, Iran does not even figure in the top 50 global trading partners. Last year, India's trade with Iran was USD 1.6 billion, approximately 0.15 per cent of India's total trade, government sources said. They said India's trade value with Iran is expected to decline further in the coming Financial Year, given external economic factors. In 2024, Iran's total imports were about USD 68 billion, of which its leading import partners were the UAE (USD 21 billion accounting 30%), China (USD 17 billion accounting 26%), Turkiye (USD 11 billion accounting 16%), EU (USD 6 billion accounting 9%). India's share is only USD 1.2 billion, which accounts for only 2.3%, they said. Notably, the Indian exporting community remains watchful yet composed. Earlier speaking to ANI, Ajai Sahai, CEO & DG of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said he is not unduly concerned about the statement, as Indian industry and banks deal only with Iran on goods that fall outside the scope of US OFAC sanctions. Akshay Gupta, Head- Bulk Exports, KRBL, the parent company of India Gate rice, said in a statement that "Iran has been a key market for Indian basmati rice from an export perspective. Rice exporters have observed significant consumer demand in this region. When trade with Iran was fully open, KRBL exported approximately 250,000 tonnes of basmati rice. However, over the years, sanctions and increased market restrictions have considerably impacted our business." US President Donald Trump had announced a sweeping trade measure targeting countries that "continue to do business with Iran", imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all their business dealings with the US. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the decision would be "immediately" in effect and that the "order is final and conclusive." "Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump said in his post. - ANI The White House stated President Trump is engaging diplomatically with Iran while explicitly keeping military options available. Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt highlighted a discrepancy between Iran's public rhetoric and private messages received by the administration. She emphasized diplomacy as the first option but underscored Trump's readiness to act militarily if deemed necessary. The comments come amid ongoing protests in Iran and a review of US strategy towards the country. White House says Trump is pursuing Iran diplomacy while ready to use military force, citing private messages from Tehran officials. Washington, Jan 13 The White House said Monday that President Donald Trump is pursuing diplomatic engagement with Iran while keeping military options firmly on the table, as protests continue inside the country and back-channel communications signal a different tone from Tehran. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said the President's objective remains focused on preventing further violence while assessing private outreach from Iranian officials. "He certainly doesn't want to see people being killed in the streets of Tehran, and unfortunately, that's something we're seeing right now," Leavitt told reporters during a gaggle at the White House. Asked whether the administration is still seeking complete denuclearization, Leavitt did not outline specific terms but stressed the President's flexibility and readiness to escalate if necessary. "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," she said. At the same time, she emphasized diplomacy remains the administration's first approach. "Diplomacy is always the first option for the President," Leavitt said, adding that messages being received privately from Iran differ from what the regime is saying publicly. "What you're hearing publicly from the Iranian regime is quite differently from the messages the administration is receiving privately, and I think the President has an interest in exploring those messages," she said. Leavitt said Special Envoy Steve Witkoff continues to play a central role in Iran diplomacy. "I understand that Steve Witkoff will continue to be a very important player in diplomacy with respect to Iran," she said. She also underscored that Tehran is aware of the President's past actions and willingness to act decisively. "However, with that said, the President has shown he's unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iranians," Leavitt said. The comments come amid heightened tensions following unrest in Iran and renewed scrutiny of US strategy toward the Islamic Republic. Earlier in the day, Trump met the Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House. - IANS Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended warm Lohri greetings to the state's residents, wishing them prosperity and renewed energy. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted the nation for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, highlighting their significance as symbols of India's agricultural heritage and unity. Other prominent leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, shared similar festive wishes on social media. These harvest festivals, celebrated with bonfires and feasts across India, mark the end of the harvesting season. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, President Droupadi Murmu, Amit Shah, and Mallikarjun Kharge greet the nation on Lohri and other harvest festivals. Dehradun, January 13 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday extended warm greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Lohri, wishing them happiness, prosperity, good health, and renewed energy. In a post on X, CM Dhami wrote, "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the auspicious festival of Lohri, filled with joy and enthusiasm. May this festival bring happiness, prosperity, good health, and renewed energy into your lives, this is our heartfelt wish." Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, asserting that the festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. "Heartfelt greetings to all Indians living in the country and abroad on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu. These festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. On this occasion, we also express our gratitude towards nature. Through these festivals, we convey our thanks to the farmer benefactors. My best wishes are that these festivals bring happiness and prosperity into everyone's lives," the 'X' post said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended wishes on Lohri and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the citizens. "Heartfelt greetings on the festival of 'Lohri', a symbol of enthusiasm, zeal, and new energy. May this festival be a means of happiness and prosperity for all," the 'X' post said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also extended wishes on Lohri, calling it a festival of joy and celebration that brings boundless happiness and prosperity to citizens. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the occasion of Lohri. On this auspicious occasion of Lohri, heartfelt congratulations to everyone. May this festival of joy and celebration bring boundless happiness and prosperity into your lives," Kharge wrote on 'X'. Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival of Assam, marks the end of the harvest season in Magh and is celebrated with community feasts. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti, and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways 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 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited his hometown Khatima to participate in a public Lohri celebration at a local residence. He extended heartfelt greetings to the people of the state for happiness and prosperity on the occasion. The festival saw participation from the Sikh and other communities, with joyful dancing to traditional dhol beats. National leaders including the President and Union Home Minister also shared messages for Lohri and other concurrent harvest festivals. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami joins public Lohri celebrations in Khatima, extending festive wishes. National leaders also greet citizens on harvest festivals. Dehradun, January 14 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday visited Harshu Enclave on Nagla Tarai Road in his hometown Khatima and participated in a public Lohri celebration at the residence of Sumit Gumber, joining people from the Sikh and other communities who danced joyfully to the beat of the dhol. The Chief Minister also extended warm greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Lohri, wishing them happiness, prosperity, good health, and renewed energy. In a post on X, CM Dhami wrote, "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the auspicious festival of Lohri, filled with joy and enthusiasm. May this festival bring happiness, prosperity, good health, and renewed energy into your lives. This is our heartfelt wish." Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, asserting that the festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. "Heartfelt greetings to all Indians living in the country and abroad on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu. These festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. On this occasion, we also express our gratitude towards nature. Through these festivals, we convey our thanks to the farmer benefactors. My best wishes are that these festivals bring happiness and prosperity into everyone's lives," the President said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended wishes on Lohri and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the citizens. "Heartfelt greetings on the festival of 'Lohri', a symbol of enthusiasm, zeal, and new energy. May this festival be a means of happiness and prosperity for all," Shah posted on X. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also extended wishes on Lohri, calling it a festival of joy and celebration that brings boundless happiness and prosperity to citizens. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the occasion of Lohri. On this auspicious occasion of Lohri, heartfelt congratulations to everyone. May this festival of joy and celebration bring boundless happiness and prosperity into your lives," Kharge wrote on 'X'. Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival of Assam, marks the end of the harvest season in Magh and is celebrated with community feasts. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti, and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways 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 The Department of Homeland Security accuses the media of lying in its coverage of the incident, while journalist associations warn of an increase in assaults on reporters by federal agents As soon as the first videos of Renee Goods death began spreading uncontrollably on social media, Donald Trumps government was determined to dominate the narrative. It was no easy task the footage showing an immigration agent shooting a woman in a car on a Minneapolis street spoke for itself. Even so, just a couple of hours after three shots ended Goods life, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, wearing a cowboy hat at a press conference from the TexasMexico border, called the actions leading up to the shooting an act of domestic terrorism. In the days that followed, nobody in the administration has veered from this message. But they have adapted and expanded it in response to the work done by the news media they consider their enemies outlets that have analyzed the evidence and presented the incident as a killing, not an act of self-defense. For the government, it is no longer just a matter of putting forward the idea that the victim was actually the agent who pulled the trigger while the government initially never identified Good, Noem claimed the officer who shot her had been dragged by a vehicle in June but of accusing anyone who says otherwise of lying, of spreading fake news. Vice President J. D. Vance deployed this line on Friday morning. Speaking angrily at a White House press briefing, Vance described the work of journalists who covered Goods death and its aftermath as an absolute disgrace. You guys are meant to report the truth. How have you let yourself become agents of propaganda, of a radical fringe thats making it harder for us to enforce our laws? he said, addressing the press present. If people want to have a serious conversation about what she was really doing, thats reasonable, Vance said. Whats not reasonable is plastering across the media that this was an innocent woman and that the ICE agent committed murder, he added, overlooking rigorous media analysis. And in classic Trump-style hyperbole, he continued: The reporting on this has been one of the biggest scandals Ive ever seen in the media. Ive never seen a case so misrepresented and so misreported. On its social media accounts, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, has also been busy pointing at and openly answering the press. The media continue to fail the American people in their coverage of the events in Minneapolis. [] The evidence speaks for itself. Legacy media have lost the trust of the people, reads a post on the official DHS account on X, accompanied by a recording that until then had not been public, allegedly showing the entire incident from a house vantage point rather than from the street like earlier videos, including the one shot by the agent. In another video posted on Sunday, the DHS raised the stakes. Speaking to the camera, DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Biss introduced herself and said: I am here to set the record straight on false reporting surrounding our brave law enforcement. The roughly three-minute recording goes on to attack outlets such as The Washington Post and HuffPost for publishing garbage about the events for example, that Good was not given immediate medical attention or that the car never hit the agent who fired. However, both of those points can be corroborated in witness videos. The DHS post continues and moves on to the shooting in Portland that happened on Thursday. It accuses the media of portraying the two injured people there as innocent, when they are allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua. How does CNN choose to portray these suspected gang members? Innocent married couple shot by border patrol. Give me a break! Biss says although in the screenshots shown of the CNN website, the word innocent does not actually appear. And while the description of the couple as affiliated with the Tren de Aragua was initially attributed to DHS, once local authorities corroborated the information, it was accepted as valid. The enhanced and revitalized accusations against the press by the government and by Trumpism more broadly, which amplifies them include the argument that its the medias fault, and the fault of opposition politicians, that there has been a dramatic increase in assaults on law enforcement officers and police. DHS claims agents have seen an increase of more than 1,000%. Independent investigations by Los Angeles Times and NPR, however, have found that the figure is closer to 25%. At the same time, the Freedom of the Press Foundation, which monitors and tallies arrests and attacks on journalists, found that in 2025 there were 174 reported aggressions against the press, mainly by law enforcement at protests against the governments immigration policies. In 2024, the figure was 87. The foundation says it only reports incidents that can be verified through first-person testimony or cross-checked with multiple journalistic sources. Part of that increase, they note, is simply because there were more protests. Currently, there is a temporary federal judges ban on DHS agents dispersing anyone they know to be a journalist without probable cause to believe they committed a crime other than failing to obey an officers order. There is, however, no limitation on the rhetorical attacks they can level at the media and over the past week, those attacks have increased dramatically. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Crisil Ratings asserts that the geopolitical crisis in Venezuela is unlikely to materially affect India's economy or the credit profiles of its corporations. This is due to Venezuela's small share in global crude supply and India's minimal direct trade exposure with the country. India sources only about 1% of its crude oil from Venezuela, and exports to the nation constitute less than 0.1% of India's total exports. The rating agency will continue monitoring the situation but sees no significant near-term disruption. Crisil Ratings states US action in Venezuela will not materially impact India's global trade, corporate credit quality, or crude oil prices. New Delhi, January 13 Crisil Ratings does not expect the US action in Venezuela to have any material impact on India's global trade or the credit quality of Indian corporates. Even in the event of any escalation that disrupts crude oil production in Venezuela, the country's relatively small share (1.5 per cent) in global supply means it is unlikely to cause sustained turbulence in crude oil prices, shielding India Inc from any material adverse impact, the rating agency said in a credit alert on Tuesday. The price of Brent crude oil has remained almost stable over the past few days, hovering a tad above USD 60 per barrel. Besides, India's direct trade with Venezuela is also insignificant, accounting for less than 0.25 per cent of its total imports. Crude oil is the primary import from Venezuela, with India sourcing 1 per cent of its crude oil requirements from the South American country, the rating agency said. In fact, crude oil and allied products accounted for over 90 per cent of the Rs 14,000 crore total imports from Venezuela in fiscal 2025. Overall, India imports almost 85 per cent of its crude oil requirement, which makes it sensitive to global price movements and supply challenges. "While we do not anticipate any material near-term impact of the Venezuela situation on crude oil prices, investments for increasing crude oil production in Venezuela, which has vast untapped reserves, could boost oil supply globally and lead to softening of crude oil prices over the medium to long term, which could be a positive for India Inc," it said. India's exports to Venezuela were under Rs 2,000 crore in fiscal 2025, making up less than 0.1 per cent of its total exports. Exports are diversified, spanning sectors such as pharmaceuticals, ceramics, textiles, and two-wheelers. Pharmaceutical products accounted for India's exports to Venezuela at Rs 900 crore in the last fiscal year, representing less than 0.5 per cent of India's total pharmaceutical exports. Exports of ceramics, textiles and two-wheelers were modest. To sum up, Crisil Ratings does not expect any material impact on the credit profiles of Indian corporates engaged in business with Venezuelan customers, given their modest exposure. "That said, we will continue to closely monitor the developments." On January 3, 2026, the United States launched military action in Venezuela and captured Venezuela's then-president Nicolas Maduro. As per publications by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Venezuela has crude oil reserves of 303 billion barrels, accounting for 19 per cent of global reserves. - ANI Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addressed a school event in Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, stressing the critical role of education in transforming information into knowledge and wisdom. He argued that without wisdom, the information age could lead to an unpleasant world. Gandhi called for building an India grounded in kindness, mutual listening, and respect for all languages, cultures, and religions. His visit comes amid the heated political climate in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 state elections. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi emphasizes creating wise citizens who respect all languages and cultures in a speech at a Tamil Nadu school event. Gudalur, January 13 Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday called for developing India into a nation where citizens respect each other's languages, cultures and religion. Addressing the gathering of students and teachers at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the St. Thomas English High School in Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi asked schools to turn information in the age of artificial intelligence into knowledge and wisdom. He said, "We hear about the IT revolution, AI and data every day, and we hear that this is the information age where information is freely available and accessible. But the job of a school like this is to create people who are able to look at information, turn that information into knowledge and even more importantly, behave with wisdom." Further, he emphasised on schools in creating "wise citizens" in the information age. "Because in the information age, if we don't have wisdom and are carried away only by information, the world will become a very unpleasant place. So schools like this have a very important role, because they turn young students into wise citizens," he added. Rahul Gandhi said, "I asked (students) why do you consider Alice ma'am a good teacher? And they immediately answered, she listens to us, she treats us with love and affection, and that is exactly my fight. I want to help develop an India where people are kind to each other, where people listen to each other, respect each other's languages, cultures and religion." The Congress leader asked the students and politicians to have humility. "I asked students here, and they said they want to be doctors or pilots in the air force, but nobody said a politician. In my 20 years (of career), I have concluded that the most important value for a politician, student or teacher is humility," Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi's visit to Tamil Nadu comes in the backdrop of the state assembly elections to be held in 2026. The politics in the state have heated up amid a triangular contest between the ruling DMK-Congress alliance, the BJP-AIADMK-led alliance and the debutant actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Khazhagam (TVK). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also visit Tamil Nadu on January 23. - ANI Union Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the need to inform every village in Uttar Pradesh about the benefits of the historic Viksit Bharat G-RAM G Act. The act increases guaranteed wage employment from 100 to 125 days per rural household. The Congress party has launched a nationwide protest against the act, criticizing its revised funding pattern. Congress MP KC Venugopal argued the amendment takes away the right to employment by shifting a 40% wage burden to states. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju promotes the Viksit Bharat G-RAM G Act in UP, while Congress criticizes its funding shift and launches a protest. Lucknow, January 13 Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said the government aims to inform every village in Uttar Pradesh about the benefits of the Viksit Bharat G-RAM G act. Speaking to the reporters in Lucknow, Rijiju said, "We have a meeting in which the senior leaders of the state. We will have discussions on the Viksit Bharat G-RAM G bill also. This is a historic bill, and we need to inform everyone in every village about the benefits of this new bill. UP is the largest state in India, and if VB G RAM G Bill becomes a success here, it will become successful in the entire country." Rijiju is in Lucknow to participate in events related to the VB G RAM G act. VB G RAM G 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. The Congress party had announced a nationwide 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' from January 10 to February 25, opposing the VB G RAM G Act. Earlier in the day, Congress MP KC Venugopal sharply criticised the VB G RAM G act, stating that the right to employment has been taken away through the new legislation. Venugopal was addressing a gathering in Thiruvananthapuram, where he pointed out that under the old law, the Centre had to bear 100% of the wage component; however, under the new amendment, the Centre will bear only 60%, with the remaining 40% to be borne by the state. "The employment guarantee scheme is the largest employment-providing programme the world has ever seen. Through the new amendment, the very right to employment has been taken away. Under the old law, the Centre had to bear 100% of the wage component. As per the new amendment, the Centre will bear only 60%, and the remaining 40% has to be borne by the state," Venugopal said. - ANI Gujarat Giants all-rounder Anushka Sharma has been ruled out for a short period after sustaining a minor injury while fielding. The team confirmed she is under medical supervision and her recovery is the priority. Sharma had made an impactful start to the season, including a debut knock of 44 and a century partnership with captain Ashleigh Gardner. In their latest match, Gujarat posted 192/5 against Mumbai Indians thanks to unbeaten cameos from Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali. Gujarat Giants all-rounder Anushka Sharma ruled out of WPL 2026 with a minor injury. Get the latest update on her condition and team performance. Navi Mumbai, January 13 Gujarat Giants all-rounder Anushka Sharma has been ruled out for a short period of time after she sustained a minor injury while fielding against the Delhi Capitals in the ongoing Women's Premier League 2026 season, according to ESPNcricinfo. "Anushka is under the close supervision of the team's medical staff and is progressing well," a Giants statement said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. "She will be a big miss for the side, but her health and long-term well-being remain our priority." The Gujarat all-rounder made her impressive WPL debut with 44 off 30 balls against UP Warriorz. She also stitched a superb 103-run stand with captain Ashleigh Gardner. In the next match against Delhi Capitals, Sharma slammed a six and a four in her 10-ball stay, and stood out in the field with a superb leaping effort at the boundary to deny Jemimah Rodrigues a six. Notably, Sharma is an off-spinner and is yet to bowl in the ongoing WPL 2026 season. Meanwhile, an unbeaten 52-run partnership between Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali helped Gujarat Giants to post a challenging target of 193 runs against the Mumbai Indians in the sixth match of the WPL 2026 season on Tuesday. Bharti Fulmali (36* off 15 balls, including three fours and as many sixes) and Wareham ( 43* off 33 balls, including five boundaries) helped Gujarat post a challenging score of 192/5 in 20 overs. With the ball, Shabnil Ismail (1/25), Hayley Matthews (1/34), Nicola Carey (1/36), and Amelia Kerr (1/40) were among the wicket takers for the Mumbai Indians. Brief scores: Gujarat Giants 192/5 in 20 overs (Georgia Wareham 43*, Bharti Fulmali 36*; Shabnim Ismail 1/25) vs Mumbai Indians. - ANI Gujarat Giants posted a competitive total of 192 for 5 in their 20 overs against Mumbai Indians in the WPL 2026. The innings was built on a brilliant start and a late flourish, anchored by an unbeaten 56-run partnership between Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali. While openers Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney provided early momentum, quick wickets in the middle overs threatened the innings. Wareham's composed 43* and Fulmali's explosive 36* off just 15 balls ensured a formidable finish for the Giants. Georgia Wareham & Bharti Fulmali's explosive 56* run stand powers Gujarat Giants to 192/5 against Mumbai Indians in WPL 2026. Match recap & scorecard. Navi Mumbai, January 13 An unbeaten 52-run partnership between Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali helped Gujarat Giants to post a challenging target of 193 runs against Mumbai Indians in the sixth match of the ongoing Women's Premier League 2026 season on Tuesday. After being asked to bat first, the Gujarat Giants were off to a brilliant start after openers Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney hammered four boundaries in the second over against Hayley Matthews. However, speedster Shabnim Ismail dismissed Devine for eight runs off four deliveries, including two fours, as Gujarat reached 26/1 in three overs. In the very next over, Kanika Ahuja hammered a six and a four that helped Gujarat to reach 40/1. After the end of the first power play, Gujarat made 62/1. It was also their third-best powerplay score in WPL history after 80/0 against Delhi Capitals this season and 64/1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2023 edition.During the third ball of the seventh over, spinner Amelia Kerr removed Beth Mooney for 33 runs off 26 balls, including three fours and one six. Nicola Carey then removed dangerous Ashleigh Gardner during the 10th over. The Gujarat captain made 20 off 11 deliveries, including four boundaries. Giants scored 99/3 in 10 overs. Hayley Matthews, who was expensive in her first two overs, dismissed Kanika Ahuja for 35 runs off 18 deliveries, including four boundaries, as Gujarat slumped to 101/4 in 11 overs. Georgia Wareham and Ayushi Soni stabilised Gujarat's innings after quick wickets. The Gardner-led Gujarat scored 130/4 in 15 overs. However, after the conclusion of the 16th over, Soni, who was struggling to score runs, was retired out. She made 11 off 14 balls. In the last four overs, an onslaught from Bharti Fulmali (36* off 15 balls, including three fours and as many sixes) and Wareham ( 43* off 33 balls, including five boundaries) stitched an unbeaten 56-run stand as they helped Gujarat post a challenging score of 192/5 in 20 overs. With the ball, Ismail (1/25), Matthews (1/34), Nicola Carey (1/36), and Kerr (1/40) were among the wicket takers for the Mumbai Indians. Brief scores: Gujarat Giants 192/5 in 20 overs (Georgia Wareham 43*, Bharti Fulmali 36*; Shabnim Ismail 1/25) vs Mumbai Indians. - ANI Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, detailing intensified Russian missile and drone attacks targeting Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. He emphasized that Russia's aim is to destroy life and cripple the energy sector, particularly during a cold wave, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Zelenskyy stressed that immediate priorities are securing more air defense missiles and assistance for the damaged energy system to bolster Ukraine's resilience. The President described a major overnight assault involving nearly 300 attack drones and multiple missiles, which caused widespread civilian damage and killed four people at a postal terminal. Ukrainian President briefs Dutch PM on intense Russian attacks targeting energy, urges urgent air defense missiles and energy system support. Kyiv, January 13 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday stated he spoke with Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof and briefed him on what he described as intensified Russian drone and missile attacks targeting Ukrainian cities and communities. In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "I spoke with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof @MinPres. I informed him about the intense Russian drone and missile attacks on our cities and communities." Pointing to the broader impact of the strikes, Zelenskyy added, "It is evident that the Russians are bent on destroying life rather than on diplomacy. Their target is the energy sector." Stressing the urgency of international assistance, he wrote, "It is very important that there is sufficient support for Ukraine right now. This concerns both our resilience and recovery, as well as sufficient air defense munitions." Zelenskyy underlined immediate priorities, stating, "Missiles for air defence and all the necessary assistance for the energy system are the top priority at the moment." He also noted that the two leaders discussed diplomatic engagement, writing, "We also discussed the course of communication with the American side and possible meetings." Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for Dutch support, stating, "I am grateful for the support and the readiness to help!" His remarks came as he also detailed a major overnight aerial assault by Russia on Ukraine, which he said involved nearly 300 attack drones along with 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles. In another statement posted on X, Zelenskyy said most of the drones used were Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles and that Russia again targeted Ukraine's energy-generation facilities and substations, causing widespread damage to residential and civilian infrastructure across several regions. "Almost 300 attack drones, most of them 'Shaheds', along with 18 ballistic and 7 cruise missiles, were launched by the Russians against Ukraine last night. Once again, the main target of the strike was our energy-generation facilities and substations. Sadly, there has been extensive destruction of residential and civilian infrastructure," Zelenskyy said. He said the Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions came under attack, adding that Russian missiles struck a postal terminal in Korotych in the Kharkiv region, killing four people. "Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions came under attack. With no military purpose whatsoever, Russia lobbed missiles at a postal terminal in Korotych, Kharkiv region, killing 4 people," he said, offering condolences to the victims' families and loved ones. Zelenskyy said the strikes on energy-generation facilities and substations were aimed at depriving households of electricity amid a cold wave gripping the country. He added that the situation in the Kyiv region remains difficult, with several hundred thousand households without electricity following the strikes. He said emergency services are operating on the ground and "Points of Invincibility" have been deployed to support residents affected by outages. "Points of Invincibility have been deployed. As always, wherever Russia tries to destroy, Ukrainians support one another, and internal resilience is what is most needed right now. Every such strike against life is a reminder that support for Ukraine cannot be stopped. Missiles for air defense systems are needed every day, and especially during winter," Zelenskyy said. Renewing his appeal for international support, Zelenskyy stressed that assistance to Ukraine must continue. He said Ukraine expects accelerated deliveries already agreed with the United States and European partners, adding that Russia must learn that "cold will not help it win the war." - ANI Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Head and neck cancer trials are frequently derailed before they can deliver answers. A new analysis suggests that the most common reasons are sponsor decisions related to safety or effectiveness and poor patient recruitment. Researchers from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and collaborators analyzed 692 clinical trials launched between 2000 and 2024. Alex Reznik, M.D./Ph.D. student at the University of Miami and co-author, described the study as "A retrospective query of head and neck cancer clinical trials in which we compared trial characteristics between failed clinical trials and completed clinical trials." The findings, published Jan. 2, 2026, in JAMA Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, included 346 studies that ended early, either terminated or were withdrawn. The leading culprits? Strategic decisions by sponsors, often unrelated to safety or efficacy (29.5%) Poor patient recruitment (26%) Early-phase trials and those testing immunotherapies or targeted therapies were more likely to fail because of sponsor-driven decisions. Later-phase trials investigating chemotherapy, radiation or combination treatments struggled with enrollment. Understanding why trials fail is the first step toward designing studies that succeed. Every failure represents lost time for patients who urgently need better options." Elizabeth Franzmann, M.D., professor of otolaryngology and director of head and neck research at the Miller School and co-author of the study Industry-sponsored trials were nearly three times more likely to fail compared with government-funded studies. Academic and network-funded trials fared better, mainly because they prioritized patient recruitment strategies and broader eligibility criteria. Enrollment size also played a critical role. Trials with higher participant numbers were significantly more likely to reach completion. Conversely, restrictive eligibility criteria and logistical hurdles often doomed studies before they could deliver results. "Beyond the science, study design plays a critical role in trial success, especially recruitment and eligibility. Recruitment challenges are not just statistics-they reflect real barriers for patients, and digital outreach can help improve access," said first author, Janice Huang, an M.D./Ph.D. student at the Miller School. Clinical trial failure isn't just a research setback-it delays progress for patients and drives up costs. Developing a new cancer drug can cost more than $2 billion, and each terminated trial adds inefficiency to an already complex system. "Often, we think about clinical trial failure as not reaching primary endpoints (e.g. the clinical efficacy required to demonstrate the success of the intervention of interest), however, we decided to investigate the understudied and clinically significant pattern of early trial termination studies that don't even make it to the finish line," said Reznik. The study also found that failure rates have climbed steadily over the past two decades, underscoring the need for innovation in trial design. Solutions such as decentralized trials, adaptive protocols and nurse-led navigation could help overcome these barriers. "Clinical trials are how hope becomes care," said Franzmann. A newly published manuscript authored by Dr. Gunda Georg, YourChoice Therapeutics and Columbia University Medical Center describes the chemical journey of YCT-529, a non-hormonal male birth control pill, and the promising molecular science behind it. The Journal of Medicinal Chemistry plans to feature the paper as a supplementary cover. Researchers are currently studying YCT-529 in a phase 2a human study. "We are pleased to share the drug discovery study of YCT-529 with the scientific community of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, exemplifying academic drug discovery and a successful public-private partnership," said Georg, Regents Professor in the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy's medicinal chemistry department and director of the Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development (ITDD). The manuscript describes the validity of aromatic linker substitution, a chemical design process that identifies compounds capable of inhibiting retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR-alpha)- a critical protein in sperm cell production. This strategy led to the discovery of YCT-529. The publication also includes efficacy and safety data from rat studies that demonstrate the in vivo potency of YCT-529. These studies demonstrate that YCT-529 effectively and reversibly suppressed sperm counts, which pregnancy outcomes validate. These results supplement previously published mouse and non-human primate data. We have conducted several studies with four different animal species, and all have shown safety and efficacy. This adds confidence that YCT-529's contraceptive effect is durable, reversible and not species-specific, which is significant because it adds rigor to a drug candidate that men will use long-term." Dr. Nadja Mannowetz, co-founder and chief scientific officer of YourChoice Therapeutics With nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. unintended, demand is growing for new male contraceptive options and data shows that men and women are open to using them. As a first-of-its-kind, hormone-free male oral contraceptive, YCT-529 has been shown to prevent sperm production by blocking access to a vitamin A metabolite in the testes in various non-clinical models. This mechanism of action has been established for nearly 100 years and supported by decades of published studies. In July 2025, Communications Medicine published YCT-529's first-in-human study results showing the candidate was well tolerated by male volunteers. In March 2025, it published the candidate's successful preclinical study, which showed that YCT-529 performed as effectively or better than the female birth control pill. Today, the conflict in Sudan reaches its 1000th day, with over 20 million people requiring health assistance and 21 million desperately needing food. Nearly three years of continuous violence, severe access constraints, and reduced funding have turned Sudan into the worst humanitarian crisis globally. An estimated 33.7 million people will need humanitarian aid this year. The health system has been severely damaged by ongoing fighting, increasingly deadly attacks on health care, mass displacement, lack of essential medical supplies, and shortages of health personnel and funding. Despite sustained efforts by WHO and partners to restore and revive health services across the country, more than one third of health facilities (37%) remain non-functional, depriving millions of people of essential and lifesaving health services. Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, WHO has verified 201 attacks on health care, resulting in 1858 deaths and 490 injuries. These attacks, which violate international humanitarian law, undermine access to lifesaving care and put health care workers, patients and caregivers at grave risk. One thousand days of conflict in Sudan have driven the health system to the brink of collapse. Under the strain of disease, hunger and a lack of access to basic services, people face a devastating situation. WHO is doing what we can, where we can, and we know we are saving lives and rebuilding the health system. Despite the challenges, we are also working on recovery of the health system." Dr. Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative in Sudan The level of displacement is unprecedented. An estimated 13.6 million people are currently displaced, making Sudan the largest displacement crisis in the world. Fueled by poor living conditions, overcrowding in displacement sites, disrupted health and water, sanitation and hygiene services, and a breakdown of routine immunization, disease outbreaks are spreading, compounding the crisis. WHO is currently supporting the response to outbreaks of cholera, dengue, malaria, and measles, with cholera being reported from all 18 states, dengue from 14 states, and malaria from 16 states. Access to preventive and curative care, including for the management of chronic conditions and severe malnutrition, remains limited. WHO works with Sudan's Federal and State Ministries of Health and partners to improve access to critical health services across Sudan and rehabilitate the health system. Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, WHO has delivered 3378 metric tons of medicines and medical supplies worth about US$ 40 million, including diagnostic supplies, treatments for malnutrition, and diseases such as cholera, malaria, dengue, and emergency surgery, to 48 health partners for lifesaving operations. About 24 million people have received cholera vaccinations, and WHO has supported the country to introduce and scale up malaria vaccines. Additionally, more than 3.3 million people have accessed health care at WHO-supported hospitals, primary health care facilities, and temporary mobile clinics. More than 112 400 children with severe acute malnutrition with medical complications have received treatment at functional stabilization centres, all of which receive lifesaving WHO nutrition supplies. State and National public health laboratories have been equipped and strengthened to confirm disease outbreaks and enable a rapid response. "As the relentless conflict renders some areas inaccessible, particularly in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, the population's health needs continue to increase," Dr Sahbani said. "To meet these mounting needs and prevent the crisis from spiraling out of hand, WHO and humanitarian partners require safe and unimpeded access to all areas of Sudan, and increased financial resources." Ultimately, WHO calls parties to the conflict to urgently work towards a ceasefire and peace for the people of Sudan. To commemorate 10 years of trading the directors and other members of the team recorded a podcast. Image Credit: ApconiX When AstraZeneca announced its plans to cease research and development at Alderley Park in March 2013, it came as a great shock to most people working on the site. The announcement was part of a larger plan to establish a new global R&D Centre and corporate headquarters in Cambridge. The Alderley Park BioHub, a life science and medical hub, was established the same year. Managed by BioCity, a leading bioscience incubator, on AstraZenecas behalf, it supported start-ups and SMEs in the bioscience and pharmaceutical sectors. Ruth Roberts, Richard Knight and Michael Morton (the directors and co-founders) were 3 of the 1,600 employees offered relocation to Cambridge. And from there was born the idea of a drug safety consultancy and laboratory company that is now ApconiX, a team of over 100 scientists. As part of the BioHubs support was the Bootcamps for fledgling businesses. A competitive course that offered significant prizes for the winning idea. Ruth, Richard and Mike won and began trading on July 7th 2015. Winners of the Bionow Start-up of the year award in 2017, ApconiX has gone from strength to strength, moving to bigger offices and laboratories twice and receiving Queens and Kings Award for Enterprise for International Trade and this year (2025), the Kings Award for Enterprise for Innovation. 10 years on it is still a fun, rewarding and thriving place to work. Many thanks to Paul Gisby of www.talkingleaders.com who created the podcast And there was the party, of course! 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." Amir Kol, lead author, associate professor, 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 cells - including 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 disease - something 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. Funding for the study was provided by the National Institutes of Health and the Sock-FIP fund at the Center for Companion Animal Health at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. It was also supported by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Kasetsart University in Thailand. A faulty ion channel function is a consistent biological feature of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), providing long-awaited validation for hundreds of thousands of Australians living with the debilitating illness. The new Griffith University research found a crucial cellular structure responsible for calcium transport, the TRPM3 ion channel, was faulty in immune cells from people with ME/CFS. Director and senior author, Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik from Griffith's National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED), said the TRPM3 played an essential role in calcium transport into cells, regulating responses properly in the body, immune function, and maintaining normal cellular balance. When it fails, cells cannot function properly as calcium signalling is essential for healthy immune cell activity. Our findings provide clear and definitive scientific evidence that TRPM3 ion channels are not working properly in people with ME/CFS." Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik from Griffith's National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) Using a gold-standard technique, the team confirmed a significant and reproducible reduction in TRPM3 activity in ME/CFS patients compared with healthy individuals, regardless of location, laboratory, or operator. Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said reproducing results in another laboratory more than 4,000 kilometres apart showed just how robust this discovery was. Lead author Dr Etianne Sasso said the discovery strengthened global scientific efforts to understand ME/CFS and validated the lived experiences of patients who had long struggled for recognition. "These results provide further evidence for developing a diagnostic test for ME/CFS, and will also guide us toward new therapeutic targets, which could eventually lead to treatments which improve cellular function and overall quality of life for patients," she said. Dr Sasso said people with ME/CFS had been facing stigma, disbelief and uncertainty, and the research showed their cells behaved differently in measurable ways. "The faulty ion channels act like 'stuck doors', preventing cells from receiving the calcium they need," she said. Dr Peter Smith, a clinician who treats ME/CFS patients, said the findings were an important step forward for medical practice. "This research provides concrete biological evidence that supports what patients have been describing for decades," he said. "Knowing there is a measurable cellular dysfunction helps us recognise ME/CFS as a legitimate medical condition and improves confidence in patient care. "This breakthrough brings real hope for future treatment options." ME/CFS symptoms included profound, persistent exhaustion; post-exertional malaise, pain, cognitive difficulties, dizziness, temperature instability and sensory sensitivity, severely restricting day-to-day functioning, education, employment and social participation. The study was conducted across independent laboratory sites on the Gold Coast and in Perth, with participants recruited from South East Queensland, North East New South Wales, and Western Australia. The study received funding support from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation. When Virginia Guevara moved into a studio apartment in California's Orange County in 2024 after nearly a decade of homelessness, she needed far more than a roof and a bed. Scattered visits to free clinics notwithstanding, Guevara hadn't had a full medical checkup in years. She required dental work. She wanted to start looking for a job. And she was overwhelmed by the maze of paperwork needed simply to get her off the street, much less to make any of the other things happen. But Guevara had help. The Jamboree Housing Corp., an affordable-housing nonprofit that renovated the former Stanton, California, hotel Guevara now calls home, didn't just move her in it also provided her a fleet of wraparound services. Jamboree counselors helped Guevara navigate the health care system to see a doctor and a dentist, buy a few things for her apartment, and get training to become a caregiver. "I was years on the street before I got the kind of help I needed so I could help myself," said Guevara, 68. Amid the Trump administration's apparent opposition to using Medicaid funding for such social services, staffers at Jamboree and similar affordable housing providers in California have been worried about losing federal money, particularly as the experimental waivers that provide the primary funding for the program they rely on expire at the end of 2026. But as it turns out, the state had the foresight several years ago to designate certain nonhousing social services, such as mental health care, drug counseling, and job training, as a form of Medicaid spending that will continue to be reimbursed. Catherine Howden, a spokesperson for the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, confirmed that California's use of the "in lieu of services" classification for these wraparound programs is allowed under federal regulations. "It is starting to sound positive that we will, at the very least, be able to continue billing for these services after the waiver period," said Natalie Reider, a senior vice president at Jamboree Housing. During President Donald Trump's first term, states were permitted to use Medicaid money for social support services not typically covered by health insurance. But the second Trump administration is reeling that policy back in, saying that the intervening Biden administration took the supportive services process too far. Howden said in a statement that the policy "distracted the Medicaid program from its core mission: providing excellent health outcomes for vulnerable Americans." Through CalAIM, a five-year experimental build-out of the Medicaid system, programs like Jamboree were able to leverage federal funding to offer the kinds of nonhousing social services that experts contend are essential to keeping people permanently housed. However, these wraparound services are only one component of the CalAIM initiative, which is attempting to take Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California, in a more holistic direction across all areas of care. And when CalAIM launched, California officials gave the programs the Medicaid "in lieu of services" designation, known as ILOS, effectively putting them outside the waiver process and ensuring that even when CalAIM sunsets, money for those social initiatives will continue to flow. "California has tried to future-proof many of the policy changes it has made in Medi-Cal by including them in mechanisms like ILOS that do not require federal waiver approval," said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. "That allows these policy changes to continue, even with a politically hostile federal administration." The designation allows these social services to be funded through Medicaid managed-care plans under existing federal laws because they are cost-effective substitutes for a Medicaid service or reduce the likelihood of patients needing other Medicaid-covered health care services, said Glenn Tsang, policy adviser for homelessness and housing at the state's Department of Health Care Services. The state could not provide an estimate of the annual funding for these wraparound services because they are not distinguished from other payments made to Medicaid managed-care plans. "We are full steam ahead with these services," Tsang said, "and they are authorized." Although California was the first state to incorporate the designation for such housing and other health-related social support, Tsang said, several other states including Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, New York, and North Carolina are now using the mechanism in a similar fashion. Early results suggest such support saves on health care spending. When Jamboree, MidPen Housing Corp. in Northern California, RH Community Builders in the Central Valley, and other permanent supportive housing providers employ a holistic approach that includes social services, they have reported higher rates of formerly homeless people remaining in housing, less frequent use of costly emergency health services, and more residents landing jobs that help them pay rent and stay housed. At the nonprofit MidPen Housing, which serves 12 counties in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, roughly 40% of the units in the program's pipeline are earmarked for "extremely low-income" people, a group that includes the homeless, said Danielle McCluskey, senior director of resident services. CalAIM reimbursements help fund the part of MidPen that focuses on supportive services across a wide range of experiences, from chronic homelessness to mental health issues to those leaving the foster care system. McCluskey described it as one leg of a three-legged stool, the others being real estate development and property management. "If any of those legs are not getting what they need, if they're not funded or not staffed or resourced, then that stool is kind of wobbly off-kilter," the director said. A recent state evaluation found that people who used at least one of the housing support services including navigation into new housing, health care assistance, and a deposit to secure an apartment saw a 13% reduction in emergency department visits and a 24% reduction in inpatient admissions in the six months that followed. Documenting those outcomes is critical because the department needs to show federal officials that the services lessen the need for other, often costlier Medicaid-covered care the essence of the classification. Advocates for the inclusion of supportive services argue that the American system ultimately saves money on those investments. As California's homeless population has soared in recent years to more than 187,000 on a given night nearly a quarter of the U.S. total Jamboree has been allocating more of its resources to permanent supportive housing. Founded in 1990 in Orange County, Jamboree builds various types of affordable housing using federal, state, and private funding. Reider said about a fifth of the organization's portfolio is dedicated to permanent supportive housing. "They're not going back out to the streets. They're not going to jail. They're not going to the hospitals," Reider said. "Keeping people housed is the No. 1 outcome, and it is the cost-saver, right? We're using Medicaid dollars, but we're saving the system money in the long run." Guevara, who wound up on the streets after a falling-out with family in 2015, spent years living out of her truck before a shelter worker connected her with Jamboree. There, she was paired with a specialist to help her figure out how to get and see a doctor, and to keep up with scheduling the battery of medical tests she needed after years spent living in temporary shelters. "I also got a job developer, who helped me get this job with the county so I can pay my rent," Guevara said of her position as a part-time in-home caregiver. "Now I take care of people kind of the same way people have been taking care of me." 41-year-old man shot dead in Jharkhand's Galudih over land dispute Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 11:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Jamshedpur, Jan 13 (PTI) A 41-year-old man was allegedly shot dead in Jharkhands East Singhbhum district over a land dispute, police said on Tuesday. Tarapado Mahato, who ran a Common Service Centre (CSC) in Kharia Colony in Ghatsilas Galudih police station area, was busy dealing with customers when armed men arrived on a motorcycle and shot him dead, they said. The accused managed to escape following the incident, which happened around 8 pm on Monday, they added. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Rishabha Garg said the perpetrators have been identified and a hunt is underway to apprehend them. Personal enmity over land dispute is suspected to be the cause of murder," he said, adding that an investigation has been started. The deceased had joined Jairam Mahato-led Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) ahead of the recent Ghatsila bypoll. His wife, Asha Rani Mahato, was the deputy chief of the Ulda panchayat. Condemning the incident, Mahato said the incident raises serious questions about the prevailing law and order situation of the state. PTI BS SOM News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 11:00 IST News agency-feeds 41-year-old man shot dead in Jharkhand's Galudih over land dispute 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... Apple calls on Google to help smarten up Siri, bring other AI features to iPhone Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 00:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New York, Jan 12 (AP) Apple will rely on Google to help finish its efforts to smarten up its virtual assistant Siri and bring other artificial intelligence features to the iPhone as the trendsetting company plays catch up in technologys latest craze. The deal allowing Apple to tap into Googles AI technology was disclosed Monday in a joint statement from the Silicon Valley powerhouses. The partnership will draw upon Googles Gemini technology to customize a suite of AI features dubbed Apple Intelligence" on the iPhone and other products. After Google and others took the early lead in the AI race, Apple promised to plant its first big stake in the field with an array of new features that were supposed to be coming to the iPhone in 2024 as part of a ballyhooed software upgrade. But many of Apples AI features remain in the development phase, while Google and Samsung have been rolling out more of the technology on their own devices. One of the most glaring AI omissions on the iPhone has been a promised overhaul of Siri that was supposed to transform the often-confused assistant into a more conversational and versatile multitasker. Google even subtly mocked the iPhones AI shortcomings in ads promoting the release of its latest Pixel phone last summer. Apples AI missteps prompted the Cupertino, California, company to acknowledge last year that its Siri upgrade wouldnt happen until some point during 2026. Getting Apple to endorse its AI implicitly represents a coup for Google, which has been steadily releasing more features built on its Gemini technology in its search engine and Gmail. The progress has intensified Googles competition with OpenAI and its ChatGPT chatbot, which already has a deal with Apple that makes it an option on the iPhone. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives hailed the Apple deal as a major validation moment for Google," in a Monday research note. Googles AI inroads have helped its corporate parent, Alphabet Inc., become slightly more valuable than Apple in the assessment of investors. Alphabet marked a milestone Monday when it surpassed a market value of USD 4 trillion for the first time during early morning trading before slipping back below that threshold later in the session. Even so, Alphabets market value remained about USD 150 billion above Apple, which for years ranked as the worlds most valuable company before the rise of AI changed the stakes. Three other companies have joined the USD 4 trillion club in the past year, with AI chipmaker Nvidia becoming the first last July. Apple and Microsoft also broke the barrier last year, although the market values of those two longtime rivals are now below USD 4 trillion. Nvidias market value briefly topped USD 5 trillion in late October, before backtracking amid recurring worries that the hundreds of billions of dollars pouring into AI technology may be creating an investment bubble that will eventually burst. With its chipsets designed for AI still in high demand, Nvidia remains atop the heap with a USD 4.5 trillion market value. Alphabets stock price has been on a tear since early September when Google dodged the US governments attempt to break up its internet empire following a ruling last year that branded its ubiquitous search engine an illegal monopoly. In an effort to prevent further abuses, a federal judge overseeing the case ordered a shake-up that investors widely interpreted as a relative slap on the wrist, resulting in a 36 per cent increase in Alphabets stock price since then that has created an additional USD 1.4 trillion in shareholder wealth. The ruling also left the door open for a long-running alliance in search between Google and Apple. Google pays Apple more than USD 20 billion annually to be the preferred search engine on the iPhone and other Apple products an arrangement that is still allowed with a few modifications under the judges decision in the search case. (AP) RD RD News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 00:45 IST News agency-feeds Apple calls on Google to help smarten up Siri, bring other AI features to iPhone 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... Delhi: Two motorcycle-borne men fire shots in air outside Pashchim Vihar gym Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 11:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Pashchim Vihar (New Delhi) [India], January 13 (ANI): Two unidentified motorcycle-borne men allegedly fired shots in the air outside a gym in Pashchim Vihar East on Monday night, police said.According to Delhi Police, information regarding the firing incident was received at around 11 pm. Upon reaching the spot, police found that the two motorcycle-borne men had fired two rounds in the air outside RK Fitness, located on the Outer Ring Road in Pashchim Vihar.A case has been registered in connection with the firing, and further investigation is underway. Earlier, on December 11, Delhi Polices team of special cell arrested three shooters of the Himanshu Bhau gang in an attempt to murder case, which occurred in the Bawana area.According to the Delhi Police, the police also recovered various weapons, including a sophisticated pistol and three live cartridges, from each of the accused persons. Additionally, one stolen motorcycle has also been recovered from the accused. Vicky Haddal, a resident of Pooth Khurd, was operating the Himanshu Bhau gang from abroad.Due to personal enmity, Haddal allegedly instructed the arrested accused to fire at Yamin Chandu, a resident of Sultanpur Dabas, to avenge the murder of his uncle, Dharambir, who was earlier killed by Yamin Chandus nephew, the police stated. On December 8, while Yamin Chandu was travelling towards Sultanpur Dabas, the accused were waiting near a community centre on a motorcycle.They deliberately hit his scooty, causing him to fall, and then opened fire on him. However, Yamin escaped unhurt. Investigations later revealed that the accused had conducted a recce of the area a day before the incident. Subsequently, acting on specific information about the movement of shooters associated with the Himanshu Bhau gang in the Rohini area, police apprehended three gang members, Punit, Aniket and Mohit on January 3.The accused have been arrested in accordance with the law, and further investigation is underway. (ANI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 11:00 IST News agency-feeds Delhi: Two motorcycle-borne men fire shots in air outside Pashchim Vihar gym 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... DRI seizes 270 kg Mephedrone drug worth Rs 81 cr, arrests six Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 21:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have seized a record 270 kg Mephedrone narcotics worth Rs 81 crore and arrested 6 persons, the Finance Ministry said on Tuesday. The contraband was being domestically transported concealed under chicken feed, used as cover cargo, a novel modus operandi adopted by the drug syndicate to evade scrutiny. In a multi-state operation on January 11-12, DRI officers intercepted a truck in Rajasthan that was transporting agro-based cargo. A detailed examination led to the recovery of 270 kg Mephedrone, having a value of Rs 81 crore in the illicit market, ingeniously concealed within a consignment of chicken feed. The driver of the vehicle and members of the syndicate involved in the transportation and persons escorting the said consignment were apprehended on the spot. Follow-up searches conducted at multiple locations in Haryana resulted in the apprehension of other key members of the syndicate, who were involved in the manufacture and supply of the seized contraband. Some raw material was also found in a dismantled clandestine drugs manufacturing facility. In the current financial year 2025-26, DRI has already busted six clandestine factories, which were illicitly manufacturing Mephedrone, Alprazolam and Methamphetamine, the ministry said. PTI JD BAL BAL News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 21:45 IST News agency-feeds DRI seizes 270 kg Mephedrone drug worth Rs 81 cr, arrests six 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... 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) Economic growth strongest, most sustainable form of financial inclusion: CEA Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 21:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran on Tuesday said economic growth itself is the strongest and most sustainable form of financial inclusion. When an economy is generating jobs, incomes, markets and demand, people do not need to be forced into the financial system. They enter naturallybecause they see opportunities, they invest, because the future looks larger than the present," he said at the Global Inclusive Finance Summit here. No amount of financial institutions can substitute for what economic growth can provide. Finance is a compliment to growth, not a replacement for it." Where livelihoods are stagnant, inclusion becomes fragile, and where livelihoods are expanding, inclusion becomes a self-reinforcing process, he said. So, when finance is properly aligned with real economic activity, it can become a powerful catalyst for growth, he said. Observing that inclusive finance succeeds when it strengthens real economic activity, not when it becomes an end in itself, he said that under the PM SVANidhi, street vendors, who were hit hardest during the pandemic, used access to working capital not just to survive, but to expand, invest in basic assets, improve margins and build more sustainable businesses. This is what inclusion should mean enabling people to grow out of fragility and move from survival trading to more productive operations, he said. He also said that banks have to include people graduating from the governments credit support schemes in their core portfolios, and investors in inclusive finance institutions need to accept lower financial returns in exchange for social returns. We count the number of bank accounts, the number of loans dispersed and the number of mobile wallets activated. But inclusion, properly understood, is not an estimation; it is a journey. The real question is not whether people have entered the financial system, but whether finance is helping them move towards economic independence," Nageswaran said. He also flagged that financial inclusion that leads to indiscriminate lending destroys its purpose, resulting in stress and over-indebtedness rather than empowerment. The chief economic advisor said inclusive finance institutions are intermediaries for the economically vulnerable section, and that true impact investing means explicitly pricing in social return and accepting lower financial return in exchange. He also emphasised that mainstream banks must actively absorb the new proven borrowers, such as PM SVANidhi beneficiaries, into their core portfolios, offering regular loans, insurance, and working capital lines, not just as scheme beneficiaries. The scheme acts as a bridge between the formal and informal sectors by creating transaction records for millions of people who were previously invisible to the formal banking system. PTI DP DP BAL BAL News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 21:45 IST News agency-feeds Economic growth strongest, most sustainable form of financial inclusion: CEA 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... Mississippi man accused of killing 6 people pleads not guilty Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 05:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) West Point (US), Jan 13 (AP) A Mississippi man pleaded not guilty 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 on Monday, Daricka M Moore entered not guilty pleas to 11 charges including capital murder, first-degree murder, attempted murder of a child, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle, WTVA-TV reported. Because Moore was charged with capital murder with the possible penalty of death, he is ineligible for bail under state law. The judge also ordered a mental evaluation for Moore. No lawyer who could be reached for comment on Moores behalf was listed in court records late Monday. District Attorney Scott Colom didnt immediately respond to a text message Monday seeking details on a defence lawyer. 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, authorities said. 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 and no other injuries were reported. Authorities were investigating the motive. 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 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. Moore was caught at a roadblock at 11:24 pm near where the second shooting occurred, Scott said, four-and-a-half hours after the first call came in. (AP) SCY SCY News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 05:30 IST News agency-feeds Mississippi man accused of killing 6 people pleads not guilty 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 says it is ending deportation protections for some Somali migrants Last Updated: January 14, 2026, 03:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Washington, Jan 14 (AP) Donald Trumps administration has said it will end Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Somalia, the latest move in the presidents mass deportation agenda. The move on Tuesday affects hundreds of people who are a small subset of immigrants living in the United States with TPS protections. It comes during Trumps immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, where many native Somalis live and where street protests have intensified since a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent killed a US citizen who was demonstrating against federal presence in the city. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that affected Somalis must leave the US by March 17, when existing protections, last extended by then-President Joe Biden, will expire. Temporary means temporary," said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, adding that the decision puts Americans first." The Congressional Research Service last spring said the Somali TPS population was 705 out of nearly 1.3 million TPS immigrants. Trump has ended protections across multiple countries in his second presidency. Noem insisted circumstances in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the laws requirement for Temporary Protected Status." But the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which advocates for fair treatment of Muslims in the US, criticised the latest rollback as a bigoted attack" that will send some Somalis back to a war-torn, unstable nation. This decision does not reflect changed conditions in Somalia," CAIR said in a statement released jointly with its Minnesota chapter. By dismantling protections for one of the most vulnerable Black and Muslim communities, this decision exposes an agenda rooted in exclusion, not public safety." Located in the horn of Africa, Somalia is one of the worlds poorest nations and has for decades been beset by chronic strife exacerbated by multiple natural disasters, including severe droughts. Al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabab controls parts of the country and has carried out truck bombings and other assaults in the capital, Mogadishu, in recent years that killed dozens of people. Congress established the Temporary Protected Status programme in 1990 to help foreign nationals whove fled unstable, threatening conditions in their home countries and are living in the US. It allows the executive branch to designate a country, generally in 18-month increments, for the protected status. Citizens of that country who are already in the US and qualify for protection can apply with Homeland Security for the designation. If approved, recipients can legally work and are protected from deportation but there is no pathway to a green card or US citizenship and they are reliant on the government renewing the TPS designation every few years. Critics say that while these designations are supposed to be temporary, they are renewed so often that they essentially become permanent. Somalia first received the designation under President George HW Bush amid a civil war in 1991. The status has been extended for decades, most recently by Biden in July 2024. The 2025 congressional report stated that Somalis had received more than two dozen extensions because of perpetual insecurity and ongoing armed conflict that present serious threats to the safety of returnees." Trump has targeted Somali immigrants with racist rhetoric and accused those in Minneapolis of massively defrauding federal programs, charges he renewed again Tuesday speaking in Michigan. He promised, without a clear legal basis, to revoke the citizenship of any naturalised immigrant from Somalia, or anywhere else who was convicted of defrauding our citizens." In December, Trump said he did not want Somalis in the US at all, saying they come from hell" and contribute nothing." He made no distinction between citizens and non-citizens or offered any opinion on immigration status. Bidens administration broadly expanded the number of people covered by Temporary Protected Status but the Trump administration has steadily sought to strip protections away from various nationalities including 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians. The actions have prompted multiple court challenges but the US Supreme Court has twice issued emergency rulings, last May and again in October, that allowed the Venezuelan revocations to continue as court cases proceed. Its not immediately clear how quickly those Somalis covered by TPS could be removed from the country once their protections expire. Most attempts by the administration to end a TPS designation have ended up in the courts. And people covered by TPS can also apply for asylum or other immigration avenues to stay in the U.S., although the Trump administration has made those options more difficult as well for Somalis as well as other nationalities. (AP) SCY SCY News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 14, 2026, 03:45 IST News agency-feeds US says it is ending deportation protections for some Somali migrants 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... Use of military force in Iran could backfire for Washington Last Updated: January 14, 2026, 04:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) London, Jan 14 (The Conversation) US President Donald Trump is weighing military action in Iran over the states crackdown on protesters. Trump has not yet elaborated on what these options are and has said that Iranian officials, keen to avoid a war with the US, had called him to negotiate". But he added that the US may have to act before a meeting" if the deadly crackdown continues. There is a wide spectrum of measures available to Washington should it decide to intervene in Iran. These range from diplomatic condemnation and an expanded sanctions regime, to cyber operations and military strikes. However, history weighs heavily against every move the US government may be considering. Targeted sanctions and diplomatic pressure, which includes the 25% tariff rate recently introduced by Trump on any country that does business with Iran, remain the least escalatory tools. They allow the US to coordinate with its allies and signal moral support for protesters in Iran without triggering direct confrontation. Yet decades of experience show the limits of this approach. Irans leadership has mastered how to absorb economic pressure, shift costs on to society and frame longstanding western sanctions as collective punishment imposed by hostile outsiders. The government in Tehran has adapted over time by developing alternative markets and expanding informal and non-dollar trade. It has also boosted its economic resilience through regional networks, particularly in Iraq where political, financial and security ties help sustain revenue flows and cushion the impact of sanctions on the state. There are other, more covert tools at Washingtons disposal, including cyber disruption and efforts to assist independent media or help protesters bypass internet shutdowns. These measures can help protesters stay visible internationally and complicate the states capacity to ramp up repression. However, even here expectations should be modest. These tools may create friction within the Iranian elite by raising the costs of, and imposing technical difficulties on, surveillance and repression. But they do not change the core calculus of a regime that prioritises survival above all else. At the most extreme end of the spectrum are military strikes. The rationale behind strikes would be to undermine the regimes repression efforts. But in reality, they risk doing the opposite. Irans ruling system, and particularly the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps branch of the armed forces, has historically relied on external threats to consolidate power domestically. A preemptive US strike would almost certainly hand Irans security apparatus the very narrative it seeks: an existential battle for national survival. This framing is already explicit in the discourse of the Iranian elite. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the hardline speaker of the Iranian parliament, warned in a recent speech that any attack on Iran would make Israel and all US military bases and assets in the region legitimate targets". Iranian state media then showed large crowds of regime supporters rallying in Tehran and other cities, chanting Death to America" and Death to Israel." Military escalation is especially dangerous given the character of the current protest movement. Women have been at the forefront, challenging the ideological foundations of the state, while regions populated largely by ethnic Kurds have endured disproportionate levels of violence at the hands of the authorities. These protests are civic, decentralised and rooted in social grievances. US military strikes would allow the Iranian state to overwrite that reality, recasting a diverse domestic movement as a foreign-backed security threat. In doing so, it would legitimise a far harsher crackdown than anything seen so far. Shadow of 1953 Many ordinary Iranians are also cautious of direct US interference. This stems from a CIA-backed coup in 1953 that ousted Irans elected prime minister, Mohammad Mosaddeq, and restored the monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The coup was followed by nearly two decades of repression, political policing and authoritarian rule closely aligned with western interests. This experience is not distant history; it is a foundational trauma that continues to shape Iranian political consciousness. As a result, recent suggestions by Trump that the collapse of Irans theocratic system would naturally make way for a democratic transition cannot be disentangled from the memory of an external intervention that produced dictatorship rather than self-rule. It also explains why many people inside Iran are sceptical of figures such as Reza Pahlavi, the son of countrys last shah who has often been promoted in the west as a possible future leader of Iran. Pahlavi remains symbolically tied to a system associated with oppression and foreign backing. This leaves him without the broad domestic legitimacy required for any credible democratic transition, regardless of his messaging. The scepticism of Iranians is reinforced by recent regional experiences. In Iraq, foreign intervention hollowed out the state, leaving a weak system that has been co-opted by external powers and militias. And in Syria, the collapse of central authority paved the way for a former al-Qaeda leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to take power. He has been rebranded by western powers, including Trump, into a credible political figure despite his jihadist past. These cases reinforce a belief across the Middle East that western intervention tends not to empower democratic forces. It instead appears to elevate the most organised and militarised parties to power, producing long-term instability rather than renewal. Without a credible, homegrown transition, Iran risks fragmenting and sliding into chaos. For Washington, the most difficult reality may be that the wisest path is not bold intervention, but restraint combined with sustained support for Iranian society. Genuine change in Iran cannot be engineered from the outside, especially at the point of a missile. (The Conversation) SCY SCY News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 14, 2026, 04:15 IST News agency-feeds Use of military force in Iran could backfire for Washington 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... USVenezuela Crisis Unlikely To Impact Indias Trade, Corporate Credit: Crisil Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 14:34 IST Crisil Ratings reports the USA-Venezuela crisis has minimal impact on Indias trade and corporates, with low import and export exposure. Indias Low Oil, Trade Dependence On Venezuela Limits Risk: Crisil The recent crisis between the USA and Venezuela has had a negligible impact on Indias global trade or the credit quality of the Indian corporates, according to Crisil Ratings. India is protected against any escalation between them that disrupts crude oil production in Venezuela, thanks to the countrys relatively small share (around 1.5 per cent) in global supply, the report said, adding that it is unlikely to cause sustained turbulence in crude oil prices, shielding India Inc from any material adverse impact. The Crisil Ratings report also added that Indias direct trade with Venezuela is also insignificant, accounting for less than 0.25% of its total imports. " In fact, crude oil and allied products accounted for over 90% of the ~Rs 14,000 crore total imports from Venezuela in fiscal 2025," it added. Silver Lining For India The silver lining that Crisil Ratings believes could be amid the entire crisis is the opening of the vast untapped reserves in Venezuela. It said it could boost oil supply globally and lead to softening of crude oil prices over the medium to long term, which could be a positive for India Inc. The US-Venezuela crisis intensified following the raid by US military in the South American country, capturing its incumbent President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Justifying the actions, US President Donald Trump, called the actions against war on drugs". However, experts attribute the raid as an attempt to take over the Venezuelan oil reserve. Thus, its a mix of failed economy, power struggle, oil politics and sanctions. America has taken control of Venezuelas most valuable asset: its oil. US President Donald Trump said Venezuela would turn over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil that the US would sell on the global market, with the revenue held in American-controlled accounts. Indias Export To Venezuela Crisil Ratings said that Indias exports to Venezuela were under Rs 2,000 crore in fiscal 2025, making up less than 0.1% of its total exports. The exports are diversified, too, spanning sectors like pharmaceuticals, ceramics, textiles, two-wheelers among others. Pharmaceutical products led Indias exports to Venezuela, at ~Rs 900 crore last fiscal, making up less than 0.5% of Indias total pharmaceutical exports. Exports of ceramics, textiles and two-wheelers were modest, ranging from Rs 80-120 crore each, and formed a negligible part of exports of these sectors as well as our rated universes exports. It said that it doesnt expect any material impact on credit profiles of Indian corporates engaged in business with Venezuelan customers, given their modest exposure. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 14:34 IST News business economy USVenezuela Crisis Unlikely To Impact Indias Trade, Corporate Credit: Crisil 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... FICCI Wants Customs, Tax Reforms To Boost Manufacturing In Budget 2026 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 16:23 IST FICCI urges the Union Budget 2026-27 to address tax appeal delays, simplify TDS, clarify rules for global manufacturers, and enhance customs transparency. Union Budget 2026: FICCI calls for tax certainty, faster refunds Industry body FICCI has outlined a detailed set of expectations from the Union Budget 2026-27, focusing on faster dispute resolution, simpler tax compliance, clarity for global manufacturers, and smoother trade processes. Direct Tax: Focus on faster appeals and liquidity FICCI has raised concerns over the massive pendency of appeals before Commissioners of Income Tax (Appeals). Over 5.4 lakh cases involving disputed tax of about Rs. 18.16 lakh crore remain unresolved. It wants the government to urgently fill vacancies, introduce fast-track and complex-case tracks, fix timelines for remand reports, and allow refunds where appeals are delayed beyond two years without taxpayer fault. It has also asked for a more practical stay-of-demand framework. Despite existing rules, taxpayers are often forced to pay 20% of disputed tax and still face refund adjustments by CPC. FICCI suggests real-time integration of stay orders with CPC systems and allowing alternatives like bank guarantees instead of cash deposits. Business restructuring and global manufacturing On corporate restructuring, FICCI wants fast-track demergers under the Companies Act to be made tax-neutral, similar to regular demergers. Without this clarity, companies may avoid using the fast-track route, defeating its purpose of reducing NCLT burden. To support contract manufacturing and Make in India", FICCI has sought clarity that storage of components, just-in-time inventory, or deployment of free equipment by foreign OEMs should not create a taxable business connection in India. This, it says, will encourage global companies to bring advanced technology and efficient supply chains. Simpler TDS and transfer pricing clarity With over 37 different TDS rates, FICCI has called for rationalisation into a few standard rates, exemption for GST-linked B2B payments, and a clear negative list. It has also urged restoration of the old definition of Associated Enterprise to avoid fresh transfer pricing disputes under the new Income Tax Act. Buyback taxation FICCI has flagged anomalies in the new buyback tax regime, especially where buybacks are funded from share premium or fresh issue proceeds. It wants such transactions to be treated more like capital reduction, not deemed dividend. Indirect tax and customs On the customs side, FICCI has asked for more Advance Ruling offices beyond Delhi and Mumbai, easier extension of rulings, and allowing AEO benefits to new group companies. It has also suggested a centralised, real-time database for all Customs trade notices to improve transparency for importers and exporters. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 16:23 IST News business FICCI Wants Customs, Tax Reforms To Boost Manufacturing In Budget 2026 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... Mumbai Civic Bodys Budget Bigger Than Many States; Heres How BMC Earns And Spends Its Money Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 15:35 IST BMCs Rs 74,427 crore budget is larger than the entire budgets of several Indian states, despite being only a municipal body BMC Budget Mumbai Civic Body Elections: Twenty-nine municipal corporations in Maharashtra will elect their new mayors in elections scheduled for January 15. More than 15,000 candidates are in the fray across the state. At the centre of attention is Indias richest civic body the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). In Mumbai alone, 1,700 candidates are contesting across 227 wards to gain control of the BMC, which commands a massive budget of over Rs 74,000 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The BMC presented its budget of Rs 74,427 crore on February 4, 2025 for FY26, marking its largest-ever budget. This was about 14 percent higher than the previous years estimates. Since the term of corporators ended on March 7, 2022, the civic body has been functioning under an administrator in the absence of an elected house. Of the total budget, Rs 43,166 crore or 58 percent has been allocated towards capital expenditure. Budget Bigger Than Several States The BMCs Rs 74,427 crore budget is larger than the entire budgets of several Indian states, despite being only a municipal body. For comparison: Goas total budget for 2025-26 stood at Rs 28,162 crore. Arunachal Pradeshs budget was Rs 39,842 crore. Himachal Pradeshs budget was Rs 58,514 crore. Sikkims total expenditure estimate was Rs 16,196 crore. Tripuras state expenditure estimate was Rs 31,412 crore. Other civic bodies operate on far smaller scales. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi proposed a Rs 16,530 crore budget for 2026-27, while Bengalurus BBMP passed a budget of about Rs 19,930 crore for 2025-26. Ranchi Municipalitys total budget is less than 1 percent of the BMCs budget. The BMC, also known as the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), governs Mumbai and some of its suburbs. Established under the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act of 1888, it was created to improve the citys infrastructure and manage civic administration. How Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Earns BMCs financial strength comes from fees, taxes, development charges and investment income. Its revenue base and fixed deposits are far higher than most other municipal bodies. For 2024-25, BMCs revenue income was revised upward from Rs 35,749.03 crore to Rs 40,693.85 crore. Actual revenue collected until December 31, 2024 stood at Rs 28,308.37 crore. For 2025-26, revenue income has been estimated at Rs 43,159.40 crore about 20.73 percent higher than the initial estimate for 2024-25. Property tax remains a major contributor. In 2024-25, the original estimate of Rs 4,950 crore was revised to Rs 6,200 crore. For 2025-26, property tax revenue is estimated at Rs 5,200 crore. How Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Spends Infrastructure development including roads, bridges, sewage systems, public health, education, security, and employee salaries and pensions forms the largest part of BMCs expenditure. In 2024, BMC invested 47 percent of its revenue in Mumbais infrastructure. Over the last 10 years, it has spent Rs 1,11,600 crore on city upkeep and upgrades. The FY26 budget saw a revenue increase of Rs 7,410 crore from the previous year, with Rs 43,166 crore or 58 percent earmarked for capital expenditure. At least 10 percent of the budget is reserved for healthcare services. The civic body also decided to install 100 battery-operated suction machines across its 24 wards, along with continued investment in schools and education infrastructure. Between 2012-13 and January 2025, BMC allocated Rs 11,304.59 crore as financial assistance to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST). For 2025-26, a grant of Rs 1,000 crore has been proposed for BEST. Additionally, Rs 992 crore was sanctioned by the 15th Finance Commission for purchasing electric buses, of which Rs 493.38 crore has already been received and disbursed. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 15:33 IST News business Mumbai Civic Bodys Budget Bigger Than Many States; Heres How BMC Earns And Spends Its Money 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... 'Why Be A Doctor With This Face': Bengaluru Student Who Died By Suicide Was Shamed Over Skin Colour Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 17:31 IST Police investigating the case said preliminary findings indicate that the student was allegedly humiliated over her skin colour and dressing style. The student, identified as Yashaswini, died by suicide on Thursday at her residence in Chandapura. (Image: News18) The management of The Oxford Dental College suspended six faculty members from its Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology following the alleged suicide of a 23-year-old dental student, amid allegations that she was subjected to repeated humiliation, including remarks about her skin colour. The suspension will remain in force until further notice, according to a letter issued by the college management. Those suspended include senior lecturers Dr Anmol Razdan, Dr Shabana Banu, Dr Faika Kolkar and Dr Alba Dinesh, Reader Dr Sindhu R and Professor Dr Sushmini Hegde. The action follows the death of B Yashaswini, a third-year student of the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, who allegedly died by suicide at her residence in Head Master Layout, Chandapura, on January 8. Yashaswinis mother Parimala alleged that her daughter was subjected to harassment and mental torture by lecturers and held the college principal responsible for failing to prevent the alleged abuse. According to the family and classmates, the student was repeatedly humiliated in class, including remarks mocking her skin tone and appearance. Police investigating the case said preliminary findings indicate that the student was allegedly humiliated over her skin colour and dressing style. Among the remarks allegedly directed at her was, How can someone with dark skin become a doctor?" According to relatives, Yashaswini had been suffering from an eye-related medical issue and did not attend classes on January 7. When she returned the next day, a lecturer allegedly made sarcastic comments about her eye condition in front of classmates, questioning how many eye drops she had used and whether she had poured an entire bottle into her eye. The family also alleged that Yashaswini was denied permission to present a seminar and was not allotted radiology case work- both of which she feared could affect her internal assessment marks and academic standing. Her mother described her as academically bright, sensitive and deeply distressed by the alleged treatment. Although Yashaswini left behind a death note, she did not explicitly name anyone. Initially, Suryanagar Police registered a case of unnatural death. However, following further complaints from the family and classmates, an FIR was later registered against five persons, including the college principal, alleging harassment and caste-based abuse. After the FIR was filed, the college management dismissed the six lecturers from the department, saying that the action was precautionary and that a detailed internal inquiry was underway. In a statement, the management said it would cooperate fully with the police investigation. My daughter dreamed of becoming a doctor and serving society," Parimala said, adding, But the humiliation crushed her. The justice my daughter deserves should send a strong message so no other student suffers like this." Police said further investigation is ongoing. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 17:31 IST News bengaluru-news 'Why Be A Doctor With This Face': Bengaluru Student Who Died By Suicide Was Shamed Over Skin Colour 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... BMC Polls 2026: Mumbai Put On High Alert, Over 25,000 Personnel Deployed Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 18:27 IST BMC Polls 2026: Polling will take place across all 227 wards in the metropolis on Thursday, while counting of votes will be held on Friday. The Mumbai Police have appealed to citizens to cooperate and report any emergency, suspicious activity or law-and-order issue by calling the emergency helpline numbers 100 or 112. (File image) Mumbai Police have made elaborate security arrangements ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for January 15. Polling will take place across all 227 wards in the metropolis on Thursday, while counting of votes will be held on Friday. In a press release, the city police said that Mumbai has been put on high alert and security arrangements have been made to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. The arrangements are being implemented on the directions of the Police Commissioner and under the direct supervision of the Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order). Mumbai Police has put the city on high alert ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Elections 2026. Polling will be held across all 227 wards of Mumbai on January 15, while vote counting is scheduled for January 16. pic.twitter.com/f0S0iF9oyh IANS (@ians_india) January 13, 2026 Police said that 10 Additional Commissioners of Police, 33 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 84 Assistant Commissioners of Police, over 3,000 police officers and more than 25,000 police personnel would be deployed across the city on polling day. Additional forces, including the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Quick Response Teams (QRTs), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS), reserve police and home guards, will be deployed in sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas. The Mumbai Police have appealed to citizens to cooperate and report any emergency, suspicious activity or law-and-order issue by calling the emergency helpline numbers 100 or 112. Traffic Restrictions Meanwhile, the Traffic Police have announced temporary traffic diversions and restrictions in parts of Dadar (West) and Worli due to election-related arrangements. In Dadar (West), an election office and strong room have been set up at Dr Antonia DSilva High School on Rao Bahadur S K Bole Marg. Distribution of polling materials will take place from January 13 to January 15, while Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be stored there after polling ends at 6 pm on January 15. Vote counting at the venue will be held on January 16. Traffic restrictions will be in force in parts of Dadar from 8 am on January 14 till 11 pm on January 16. Entry will be restricted to local residents only on stretches of Rao Bahadur S. K. Bole Marg, Ashok Vruksh Road and Ranade Road. Parking will not be allowed on these roads during the period, and motorists have been advised to follow traffic diversions. In Worli, vote counting will take place at the BMC Engineering Hub on Dr E. Moses Road. Traffic restrictions, including no-entry and no-parking measures, will be enforced on Dr E. Moses Road between Worli Naka and Dainik Shivner Marg from 5 am on January 16 till midnight. Only essential services, emergency vehicles and Election Commission-authorised vehicles will be permitted. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 18:26 IST News mumbai-news BMC Polls 2026: Mumbai Put On High Alert, Over 25,000 Personnel Deployed 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... Navi Mumbai Elections: Check Vashi, Koparkhairane Traffic & Road Restrictions From January 14-16 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 14:54 IST Navi Mumbai elections: To ensure smooth voting, EVM transport, and counting, Navi Mumbai Traffic Police will implement traffic curbs at Vashi, Koparkhairane from January 14-16 Rapid Read In the Vashi area, traffic restrictions will be in place from January 14 to 16, between 6 am and 9 pm. (PTI File) Navi Mumbai elections: As Navi Mumbai gears up for the elections on January 15, some major roads in the satellite city will see traffic restrictions. To ensure smooth voting, transport of EVMs and counting on January 16, the Navi Mumbai Traffic Police have decided to implement traffic restrictions at certain places starting January 14. Traffic restrictions In Vashi, traffic restrictions will be in place from January 14 to 16, between 6 am and 9 pm. These restrictions are due to EVM transport on January 14, voting on January 15, and counting on January 16. A strongroom has been set up at the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation swimming pool building in Vashi Sector 12 for wards 16, 17, and 18. Election materials will be distributed from here. As there are three polling stations in the area, some roads will be completely closed to avoid any disturbance to election staff movement. In Koparkhairane, traffic from Koparkhairane to Vashi railway station will be closed between Blue Diamond Chowk and Basin Catholic Bank Chowk. Similarly, vehicles going from Vashi railway station to Koparkhairane will find traffic closed between Catholic Bank Chowk and Perfect CeramicIDBI Bank Chowk. Alternative routes For convenience, traffic police have suggested alternative routes. Those going from Koparkhairane to Vashi station should use Kopri Signal and Palm Beach Road. Those traveling from Vashi station to Koparkhairane should take a left near Gavdevi Temple, use the Juhugaon Khadikhinary road in Sector 12, and proceed via IDBI Bank Junction. During the election period, Navi Mumbai Traffic Police have requested citizens to follow traffic restrictions and cooperate. Navi Mumbai civic elections The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation election will be held across 28 wards. These wards are part of a new multi-member panel system introduced for this election. The 27 wards will each elect four corporators (seats A, B, C, D), while one ward (Ward 28) will elect three corporators (seats A, B, C). The total seats to be filled are 111 corporators. This is the first NMMC election under the panel (multi-member) system. Each set of candidates for the seats in a ward is grouped for easier voting using colour-coded ballot units. Around 9.48 lakh voters are expected to participate in the NMMC elections. There are 1,141 polling stations arranged across Navi Mumbai. With News18 Marathi inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 14:53 IST News cities mumbai-news Navi Mumbai Elections: Check Vashi, Koparkhairane Traffic & Road Restrictions From January 14-16 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... An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026 shows large engineering machines leveling sand dunes at Kawak Township of Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) MOYU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Desertification prevention-and-control, one of the top-priority missions in Xinjiang for many years, offers extra job opportunities for local farmers in the slack season. Braving an air temperature below the freezing point, local farmers are now busy preparing reeds and laying sand grids. Apart from consolidating the ecological security line for the neighborhood, their contribution also brings in extra income for their own families. Large engineering machines level sand dunes at Kawak Township of Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Jan. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Farmers harvest reeds in Zawa Town of Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Jan. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026 shows local farmers harvesting reeds in Zawa Town of Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) A local farmer presses the newly harvested reeds into bundles in Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Jan. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) A local farmer makes tall-standing sand barriers in Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Jan. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) A local farmer makes tall-standing sand barriers in Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Jan. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Large engineering machines level sand dunes at Kawak Township of Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Jan. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Farmers lay grass grids in the desert around Kawak Township of Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Jan. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) A local farmer delivers newly harvested reeds in Zawa Town of Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Jan. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) NCP Factions To Merge After Maharashtra Civic Body Elections? Ajit Pawar Keeps His Options Open Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 14:30 IST Pune: Ajit Pawar says, We haven't thought about that yet...Not just party workers, but we will have to discuss with the leaders who run the party. We need to have discussions.... Rapid Read Ajit Pawar said the alliance with with Sharad Pawar's NCP faction for the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad election could lead to the vote share being consolidated. (X) Pune: Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar seems to be keeping his options open on the merger of his faction with that of his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawars. Pawar said the alliance with with Pawars NCP faction for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad election could lead to their parties vote share being consolidated. Pawar told ANI that there is nothing different" about his party contesting the polls separately from the Mahayuti alliance, as the parties have decided to fight in such a way to empower and support" their respective workers. He recalled how the NCP and Congress allied for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, but contested the local body elections separately. A similar situation was seen with the BJP and Shiv Sena too, he said. The NCP split in July 2023 after Sharad Pawars nephew Ajit Pawar joined the then Shiv Sena-BJP coalition government. The party name and its clock symbol were given to the Ajit Pawar faction, while the one headed by the former Union agriculture minister was christened NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). The polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad, is scheduled for January 15. The vote counting will take place on January 16. #WATCH | Pune: On the BMC elections, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar says, Both (Shiv Sena-BJP and Thackeray brothers) are putting a lot of allegations on each other. Someone is raising the Marathi issue, and the other is raising the caste issue. They are trying to pull people pic.twitter.com/GROkWUby7Z ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 The alliance with Sharad Pawar faction Since Ive been in politics, in all the elections weve fought since 1999, we had an alliance with the Congress. We were working together in the Lok Sabha, in Parliament, and fighting the elections together. We were fighting on our respective symbols. The same thing happened in the Assembly elections. But in local body elections, to support and empower our respective party workers, we always fought against each other," Pawar told ANI. The same thing happened with the BJP and Shiv Sena. In the last 2017 elections in Mumbai and Thane, they were fighting against each other. So, theres no need to think that something very different is happening here," he added. #WATCH | Pune | NCP-SCP's Supriya Sule and NCP's Ajit Pawar jointly address the press at the launch of their joint manifesto for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body elections pic.twitter.com/1QLtFF2F3G ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2026 When asked about the coming together of estranged family members for the local elections, Pawar expressed happiness over the situation, including the Thackerays in Mumbai, he said that it is due to the demands of the party workers. I see it in a good light, this is very good. It is because of the karyakartas that we (the two NCP factions) decided to fight the elections together. Because if we fight the elections separately, the votes will be dividedThe karyakartas want to win the electionsSo our partys leaders sat together, at first no common ground was reached," he said. Pawar said that the Mahayuti partner, Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena, had not approached him for the alliance earlier, and when they did, it was too late as all nomination forms had already been filled. The talks started when my karyakartas told us, and their karyakartas told them, that it will be better if we do this (alliance with other NCP faction). We tried to take the Shiv Sena in alliance, they didnt come to us. They came later, but by that time, it was too late. The forms had been filled," he said. #WATCH | Pune: On local body elections, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar says, I have a secular mindset I just have to say that our country is so big, and those who stay in this country are all Indians. If someone is committing treason against the country, action should be pic.twitter.com/9YbFYIUKmL ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 Will the two factions of NCP merge? When asked if the two factions will remain together after the elections too, Ajit Pawar said, We havent thought about that yet because today is the last day of campaigning, so we are focusing more on ensuring that the voting takes place properly." Not just party workers, but we will have to discuss with both party leaders. Leaders run the party, so we need to have discussions first." #WATCH | Pune: On being asked if his relations with CM Devendra Fadnavis will be affected after the alliance of both factions of NCP after local body elections in the state, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar says, No, it will not be affected. 100% it (differences between CM and pic.twitter.com/utlvABotki ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 What about the alliance with BJP in the state? Pawar said that the three parties (BJP, NCP and Shinde Sena) contesting separately against each other in local body polls have affirmed that the local body polls will not impact the functioning of the Maharashtra government, even after results are declared on January 16. On being asked if his relations with CM Devendra Fadnavis will be affected after the alliance of both the factions of the NCP in Pune, Ajit Pawar said, No, it will not be affected. 100% it (differences between CM and me) will not happen" With ANI Inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 13:58 IST News cities pune NCP Factions To Merge After Maharashtra Civic Body Elections? Ajit Pawar Keeps His Options Open 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... Planning To Study In Australia? New Visa Rules Bring More Scrutiny For Indian Students Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 19:43 IST Higher scrutiny, more paperwork and longer processing times as India moves to a higher visa risk category. Rapid Read Indian students and parents discuss studying in Australia as tighter student visa rules raise concerns ahead of the 2026 intake. (IMAGE: AI-GENERATED/NEWS18/REPRESENTATIVE) Australia has revised its student visa Assessment Levels for several countries in the Indian subcontinent, including India, just as the 2026 academic intake begins. The changes, effective January 8, were communicated through the PRISMS system by the Department of Education, and reflect growing concerns over document integrity, according to a report by Australia Today. In a statement accompanying the update, the department said the adjustments were aimed at assisting with the effective management of emerging integrity issues, while continuing to facilitate genuine students seeking a quality education in Australia." Assessment Levels are used by Australian authorities to assess risk in student visa applications. Countries are graded from AL1, considered low risk, to AL3, which attracts the highest scrutiny and more stringent documentation requirements. What Are The Changes The last formal update to Assessment Levels was issued on September 30, 2025, making this the second revision in under four months. Unofficial analysis shared by the news outlet suggests the following changes: India: AL2 to AL3 Nepal: AL2 to AL3 Sri Lanka: AL1 to AL2 Bangladesh: AL1 to AL3 Bhutan: AL2 to AL3 Pakistan: Remains at AL3 Phil Honeywood, Chief Executive Officer of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), told Australia Today that the timing and frequency of changes were creating uncertainty for education providers and agents. Concerns As Intake Season Begins In the last 24 hours, I have had a long discussion with Minister Hill about the sectors concerns, primarily with two aspects of the assessment level changes," Honeywood said. First and foremost, the frequency of change is causing confusion among providers here and agents offshore. Secondly, at the very time we are trying to ensure a good start to the year intake, we appear again as though we are not quite sure which countries we seek to recruit from." Honeywood said institutions need stability and clear policy signals to plan recruitment and guide prospective students navigating shifting visa rules. Why Australia Is Tightening Rules Australian authorities have flagged a rise in suspected fraudulent academic and financial documents from certain South Asian countries during recent official visits to the region. The Minister for International Education, Julian Hill, reportedly described Australia as having become the least worst country of choice" among major study destinations such as the US, UK and Canada prompting tougher risk filtering to protect visa integrity. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Canberra, Australia First Published: January 13, 2026, 19:43 IST News education-career Planning To Study In Australia? New Visa Rules Bring More Scrutiny For Indian Students 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... School Holidays: Chandigarh Extends Winter Vacations Until January 17 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 18:25 IST Chandigarh: The order specifies that the same schedule and instructions from the January 3 directive will apply during the extended period. In Punjab, tomorrow is a holiday for Makar Sankranti, so schools will reopen on January 15. (AI Generated Image) Due to the ongoing cold and foggy weather, the District Education Office of the Union Territory of Chandigarh has extended the revised school timings and winter vacation for all government, government-aided, and recognised private schools. Schools in the UT will now remain closed until January 17, 2026, according to an official order. The extension follows previous orders issued on January 3 and January 9, 2026, reported ANI. The order specifies that the same schedule and instructions from the January 3 directive will apply during the extended period. This decision considers the severe winter conditions affecting the region. All heads of government and government-aided schools in Chandigarh have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the order. The order, signed by the District Education Officer of UT Chandigarh, was issued on January 12, 2026. In Punjab, tomorrow is a holiday for Makar Sankranti, so schools will reopen on January 15. While in Delhi, schools will remain closed till January 15 for students from nursery to grade 8 to protect children from health issues and travel difficulties caused by the cold wave and low visibility. Several Delhi schools have informed parents that regular classes will resume on January 16th. On Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported minimum temperatures of 5 degrees Celsius or lower at 0830 hours IST in several parts of northern India. Patiala recorded a low of 3 degrees Celsius, while Ballowal Saunkri saw temperatures drop to 0 degrees Celsius. The IMD also forecasted dense to very dense fog during the morning hours in parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab until January 15, with dense fog expected in isolated pockets in these regions until January 20, 2026. Additionally, light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall and snowfall are likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand from January 16 to 19. Isolated rainfall is anticipated over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and West Uttar Pradesh on January 18 and 19. The IMD advised residents to exercise caution due to the foggy conditions and potential disruptions from precipitation in the hilly areas. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 18:19 IST News education-career School Holidays: Chandigarh Extends Winter Vacations Until January 17 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... University of Aberdeen, Mumbai Campus Begins Admission Process, Check Courses Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 16:55 IST Initial UG courses at University of Aberdeen, Mumbai campus include BSc Data Science (Hons), BSc Computing Science (Hons), MA Economics (Hons), and MA Business Management (Hons). The University will also introduce a one-year MSc in Artificial Intelligence and an one-year MBA. (AI Generated Image) The University of Aberdeen has commenced the admission process for its Mumbai campus for the first intake in September 2026. At the undergraduate level, Aberdeen will offer courses under the Scottish four-year degree structure, providing students with two foundational years followed by specialisation at the end of the second year. Initial undergraduate programmes include BSc Data Science (Hons), BSc Computing Science (Hons), MA Economics (Hons), and MA Business Management (Hons). All programmes will adhere to the Universitys UK academic standards, with graduates receiving a UK-accredited degree awarded by the University of Aberdeen. The University will also introduce a one-year MSc in Artificial Intelligence and an one-year MBA. The one-year MBA is designed for professionals with a minimum of two years work experience, offering an accelerated pathway to leadership development. One-year MBA programmes are relatively rare in India, especially as working professionals increasingly seek shorter, career-aligned postgraduate pathways. Professor Peter Edwards, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, made the announcement during his visit to Mumbai, where he officially inaugurated the campus site in Powai, marking a significant milestone towards the official opening before August 2026. To support its launch in India, Professor Edwards introduced the Aberdeen Pioneer Scholarship, designed to help talented students access academic excellence. This scholarship programme offers a Rs 2 lakh tuition fee waiver to all eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students who apply by January 31, 2026 and are accepted to enrol in September 2026. The scholarship amount will be deducted directly from the tuition fees and indicated in the acceptance letter from the University. Professor Peter Edwards, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, University of Aberdeen, said, For more than five centuries, the University of Aberdeen has stood for academic excellence, purpose-driven learning, and global engagement. Our entry into India reflects our commitment to delivering world-class, future-focused education to one of the worlds most dynamic talent ecosystems. The MoU with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) marks an important milestone towards the establishment of the Universitys future campus at the proposed Educity, and further strengthening our long-term partnership with India. As we prepare to welcome our first cohort, we look forward to building a globally connected academic community and working closely with stakeholders to foster meaningful collaborations that support Indias education and innovation ambitions.." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 16:55 IST News education-career University of Aberdeen, Mumbai Campus Begins Admission Process, Check Courses 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... West Bengal Assembly Election Likely To Have Just 3 Phases, 2.4 Lakh Central Forces On Standby Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 12:15 IST The 2021 Assembly election in West Bengal was conducted in eight phases between March 27 and April 29 for 292 seats Well-placed sources in the Election Commission say the poll body is keen to limit the Bengal election to two or three phases, a sharp contrast to the eight-phase schedule followed in 2021.(Representative image) The upcoming West Bengal Assembly election is likely to witness a significant shift in election management strategy, with the Election Commission of India (ECI) seriously exploring the possibility of sharply reducing the number of polling phases while simultaneously ramping up central force deployment to unprecedented levels. According to sources in the state administration, the West Bengal CEOs office has drawn up an internal estimate suggesting that nearly 2,000 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)amounting to around 2.4 lakh personnelare likely to be required to conduct the election this time. This would be nearly double the deployment in the 2021 Assembly polls, reflecting both the plan to compress the election schedule and the states unique security sensitivities. This number, sources say, is likely to go up even higher. EC KEEN TO AVOID LONG-DRAWN POLLS Well-placed sources in the Election Commission say the poll body is keen to limit the Bengal election to two or three phases, a sharp contrast to the eight-phase schedule followed in 2021. Sources indicate that the Commission is determined that the election will not exceed three phases this time. The issue was discussed in detail during a crucial meeting held on January 5, when the ECI met chief electoral officers of all poll-bound states. According to EC sources, the Bengal CEO presented his assessment of how far the number of phases" could be reduced in West Bengal. During the discussions, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Aggarwal is believed to have told Deputy Election Commissioner Manish Garg that while the state machinery was prepared to wrap up polling within three phases, such compression would necessitate a substantially higher deployment of central forces. Sources said Aggarwal conveyed that at least double the number of CAPF personnel used in 2021 would be required, with any additional requirement to be assessed based on the number of state police personnel provided by the West Bengal government. BJPS 2021 ASSESSMENT Political considerations are also shaping the thinking within the ruling party at the Centre. A Union minister, speaking to News18 on condition of anonymity, said that during his last visit to West Bengalending on December 31, 2025Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the BJPs core group that the unusually long election schedule in 2021 had worked to the Trinamool Congress advantage. The 2021 Assembly election in West Bengal was conducted in eight phases between March 27 and April 29 for 292 seats, with two additional seats going to polls later on September 30 due to special circumstances. The prolonged election had unintended consequences: by the time polling was halfway through, the second wave of Covid-19 had hit, severely impacting campaigning and voter mobilisation. GOING AGAINST THE TREND Historically, West Bengal has seen a gradual increase in polling phases over the years due to security concerns. The 2011 Assembly election was held in six phases, followed by seven phases in 2016, and eight phases in 2021. If the Election Commission succeeds in limiting the upcoming election to two or three phases, it would mark a decisive departure from this trend. However, officials stress that such a move will only be possible with massive central force backing, tight logistics, and close coordination between the ECI and the state administration. The final call on phases and deployment is expected once the Commission completes its ground assessments. What is clear already is that the Bengal election is shaping up to be shorter, more tightly managed, and far more heavily secured than ever before. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 12:15 IST News elections West Bengal Assembly Election Likely To Have Just 3 Phases, 2.4 Lakh Central Forces On Standby 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... Cheaper Cancer Drugs vs Patents: Will Delhi HCs Zydus Ruling Expand Access To Treatment? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 14:24 IST The Delhi HC ruling does not abolish patents or endorse blanket early entry. Instead, it stresses courts may intervene selectively, especially when drugs address serious diseases While final pricing details will only emerge once Zydus launches its biosimilar, but even a 30 to 40% price cut could translate into savings of several lakh rupees over a typical course of cancer treatment. (Getty Images) When the Delhi High Court cleared the way for Zydus Lifesciences to launch a biosimilar version of Nivolumab, one of the worlds most expensive and widely used cancer immunotherapy drugs, it reopened an old and unresolved question how far should the law go in protecting pharmaceutical innovation when millions of patients are priced out of life-saving treatment? We are therefore unable to satisfy ourselves that, on this material, the learned single judge was justified in entirely injuncting the appellant from releasing its product in the market," the court observed. The court noted Nivolumab is a life-saving cancer drug and that the patent is nearing expiry. It held that the balance of convenience lay in permitting the biosimilars sale for the remaining patent term, while safeguarding the patentees interests. By allowing Zydus to enter the market months before the original patent expires, the court signalled that public interest could not be placed on hold while corporate litigation plays out. For patients, doctors and policymakers, the decision marks a moment that could reshape how cancer care is accessed, funded and regulated in India. Is This A Breakthrough For Immunotherapy? At the centre of the case is Nivolumab, a breakthrough immunotherapy drug sold globally as Opdivo. It has transformed outcomes for several cancers, including lung cancer, melanoma and kidney cancer, by enabling the immune system to attack tumours more effectively. In India, however, the promise of immunotherapy has largely remained confined to those who can afford it. A single course of treatment can cost several lakh rupees per month, often running into tens of lakhs over the course of therapy. For many families, that price tag is catastrophic. The Delhi High Courts decision to permit Zydus Lifesciences to manufacture and sell a biosimilar version of Nivolumab before patent expiry effectively brings that reality into sharp legal focus. The court acknowledged that delaying access until every legal challenge is resolved would impose an unacceptable cost on patients who cannot afford to wait. Understanding Indias Cancer Divide Few cities reflect Indias healthcare inequality as starkly as Delhi. The capital hosts some of the countrys most advanced oncology centres, attracting patients from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana and beyond. It is also a city where public hospitals struggle with capacity while private cancer care remains prohibitively expensive for most. In practice, this has created a two-tier cancer system. Patients with insurance or personal wealth may access immunotherapy early. Others rely on older, more toxic treatments or abandon care altogether. Oncologists in Delhi routinely face the ethical dilemma of knowing that a superior drug exists but is financially out of reach for the patient sitting in front of them. The Zydus ruling holds the potential to narrow this gap. If a biosimilar enters the market at a significantly lower price, it could shift treatment decisions not just in elite private hospitals but also in government facilities and charitable cancer centres across the city. Public Interest Versus Patent Protection Legally, the case pits Zydus against Bristol-Myers Squibb, the multinational company that developed Nivolumab. But in substance, the dispute goes far beyond two corporate entities. The dispute arose from a patent infringement suit filed by ER Squibb and Sons LLC and other Bristol Myers Squibb group entities, holders of Indian Patent No. IN 340060, which covers the monoclonal antibody Nivolumab, marketed globally as Opdivo, and in India as Opdyta. Bristol Myers Squibb alleged that Zydus Lifesciences proposed product ZRC-3276 infringed its patent and sought a quia timet injunction to restrain its manufacture and sale even before commercial launch. In July 2024, the SECs CDSCO recommended that Zydus Nivolumab be granted permission to manufacture and market the drug. A division bench of Justices C Hari Shankar and Justice Om Prakash Shukla on Monday held that where the product in question is a life-saving drug, the Court has to err in favour of public interest Withholding such therapy from the public can cause untold and irreparable prejudice to lakhs of lives, and it is, therefore, only where the Court is in possession of irrefutable material to indicate that a patented product is being released in the market without permission of the patentee that an injunction can issue." Indias Patent Law A Tussle Between Innovation And Public Health This tension was famously tested in the Supreme Courts 2013 decision in Novartis v. Union of India, which denied patent protection to a modified cancer drug on the grounds that it did not meet Indias strict standards for innovation. The Supreme Courts landmark ruling denied Novartis a patent for a modified, beta-crystalline form of its anti-cancer drug Glivec (imatinib mesylate), upholding Section 3(d) of Indias Patent Act, which prevents patents on new forms of known substances unless they show significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy, protecting public health and access to affordable generics. The SC found Novartiss modification lacked the required breakthrough therapeutic benefit over the original imatinib, rejecting claims of enhanced bioavailability as insufficient. The Delhi High Courts approach follows a similar logic. While it did not strike down the patent outright, it made clear that public interest considerations carry significant weight when access to essential medicines is at stake. The courts reasoning suggests that patent rights, though important, are not absolute, particularly when delay could cost lives. Why The Timing Of The Ruling Matters One of the most closely watched aspects of the decision is its timing. Allowing a biosimilar to enter the market before patent expiry is unusual and controversial. Pharmaceutical companies argue that such moves undermine the incentives needed to invest billions in research and development. The court, however, took a different view. It recognised that the remaining patent term was short and that continued exclusivity would prolong high prices without serving a proportionate innovation benefit. In effect, the court asked whether enforcing exclusivity for a few more months justified keeping a critical drug beyond the reach of most patients. For patient advocates, this reasoning marks a significant shift. It suggests that courts may increasingly scrutinise not just the legality of patents, but their real-world impact on healthcare access. What This Means For Cancer Treatment Costs While final pricing details will only emerge once Zydus launches its biosimilar, industry estimates suggest a substantial reduction compared to the originator drug. Even a 30 to 40% price cut could translate into savings of several lakh rupees over a typical course of treatment. In Delhis public hospitals, where budgets are stretched and immunotherapy use is tightly rationed, such reductions could expand eligibility criteria. More patients might be offered advanced treatment earlier, rather than as a last resort. For private hospitals, lower prices could also alter insurance coverage dynamics. Insurers that currently limit or exclude immunotherapy might revisit those policies if costs fall, potentially widening access for middle-class patients. What Is Pharma Industrys Innovation Anxiety? The pharmaceutical industrys concerns are not without substance. Developing a biologic drug like Nivolumab requires enormous investment, long clinical trials and high failure rates. Companies argue that weakening patent enforcement risks discouraging future breakthroughs. This anxiety is particularly acute in cancer research, where innovation often comes with high upfront costs and uncertain returns. Multi-national firms worry that if India becomes too permissive, it could set precedents that ripple across other emerging markets. The Delhi HC ruling, however, does not abolish patents or endorse blanket early entry. Instead, it underscores that courts may intervene selectively, especially when drugs address serious diseases and affect large patient populations. The challenge now is whether a stable, predictable framework can emerge that reassures innovators while safeguarding access. A Legal Signal Beyond One Drug Legal experts see the Zydus decision as a signal rather than a revolution. It does not automatically open the floodgates for biosimilars to bypass patents. But it does suggest that courts are willing to engage more deeply with public health evidence when adjudicating such disputes. Future cases involving expensive cancer therapies, rare disease drugs or gene-based treatments may increasingly reference this ruling. The question will be whether courts consistently apply similar standards or treat each case as a unique balance of facts. For Delhis legal ecosystem, where public interest litigation and healthcare policy often intersect, this sets the stage for more active judicial involvement in access-to-medicine debates. What It Could Mean For Government Health Spending If biosimilar prices drop significantly, the impact on public health budgets could be substantial. Delhis government hospitals, which currently rely on a mix of state funding and central schemes, may be able to treat more patients within the same budget envelope. This could also influence national programmes such as Ayushman Bharat, where cost-effectiveness determines which therapies are included. Cheaper immunotherapy options might make their way into publicly funded treatment protocols, altering cancer care pathways across the country. In a system where out-of-pocket spending remains high, even incremental changes in drug pricing can have outsized effects on household financial stability. How It Will Impact Patients Ultimately, the significance of the Delhi High Courts ruling lies not in legal doctrine but in lived experience. For patients facing a cancer diagnosis, time is not an abstract concept. Delayed access can mean disease progression, diminished survival odds and irreversible financial distress. By foregrounding public interest, the court acknowledged a reality that oncologists and families have long articulated: access delayed is often access denied. The ruling brings the law closer to the clinic, where decisions are measured not in legal timelines but in months of life. As biosimilars move from the courtroom to the pharmacy shelf, the real verdict will be delivered not by judges, but by patients who can finally afford a chance at treatment. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 14:02 IST News explainers Cheaper Cancer Drugs vs Patents: Will Delhi HCs Zydus Ruling Expand Access To Treatment? 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... Meeting Fatigue, Always-On Work, Low Productivity: Are Employees Done With Hustle Culture In 2026? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 08:00 IST Data shows with AI productivity expectations are rising, but mental health, satisfaction remain low. The question is not whether hustle culture is harmful, but whether it is dying Automation, AI tools, and hybrid work models were expected to reduce manual load, streamline tasks, and free up time. In practice, the opposite has often happened. (Getty Images) US tech entrepreneur and anti-ageing advocate Bryan Johnson called hustle culture terrible for health" and warned that late-night work habits should not be seen as heroic". For more than a decade, hustle culture has shaped employees in India. Long hours were framed as ambition, constant availability as commitment, and burnout as a temporary price to pay for success; Working harder was not just encouraged, it was moralised. In 2026, that narrative seems to be facing a serious challenge. New workforce data from late 2025 shows productivity expectations are rising, but engagement, mental health, and life satisfaction remain stubbornly low. The question now is no longer whether hustle culture is harmful, but whether it is finally weakening, or simply mutating into a new, tech-enabled form. What The Latest Data Says About Work And Well-Being Surveys released between November and December 2025 across South Asia reveal a consistent pattern. While output metrics and efficiency indicators have improved, employee well-being has not followed the same curve. Engagement levels in India remain below global averages, with a majority of workers reporting that they feel disconnected" from their organisations purpose. Emotional well-being scores, which cover stress, anxiety, and daily fatigue, continue to trail behind Western benchmarks. Perhaps most telling is the gap between hours worked and perceived productivity: many employees say they are working longer but accomplishing less meaningful work. This disconnect is visible across sectors. IT professionals report meeting fatigue" and blurred work-life boundaries. Manufacturing workers cite extended shifts without corresponding wage growth. Gig workers report algorithm-driven pressure that rewards availability over sustainability. Even public-sector employees, often assumed to be insulated from hustle culture, report rising workloads linked to digitisation and staffing shortages. In 2026, burnout overshadows every other organisational challenge, talent attraction, economic uncertainty, and retention of specialists. Global Workplace reported that only 21% of people feel engaged at work. Which is shockingly low. Disengagement is eating away at economies, costing hundreds of billions every year with lost productivity, absenteeism, and people quitting when they dont really have to. And it gets worse because when managers burn out, their teams dont stand a chance, they follow right behind Blurred boundaries between work and life, unrealistic performance targets, and inadequate support systems keep feeding the cycle," says Ambrish Kanungo, HR Head at Beyond Key. The Productivity Paradox Of AI And Automation One of the strongest arguments against hustle culture has always been technology. Automation, AI tools, and hybrid work models were expected to reduce manual load, streamline tasks, and free up time. In practice, the opposite has often happened. In many workplaces, AI has increased expectations rather than reduced them. Tasks that once took hours are now expected to be completed in minutes. Faster turnaround times have translated into higher volume, not fewer demands. Hybrid work, initially framed as flexibility, has extended the workday as messages and calls spill into evenings and weekends. The most recent Gen Z and Millennial Survey captured the sentiment plainly: work-life balance ranks at the top of priorities, leadership ambition has dropped to single digits for many, and large percentages report near-constant stress and anxiety. Post-pandemic clarity, economic pressures, and conversations about fairness have cemented the view that professional success should not require the systematic sacrifice of personal health. Organisations that ignore this reality lose talent quickly," explained Kanungo. This is the productivity paradox of 2025: efficiency gains have been absorbed by intensity. Instead of asking how technology can reduce pressure, many organisations have used it to extract more output from the same workforce. The result is a sense that the finish line keeps moving. Who Is Actually Moving Away From Hustle Culture The retreat from hustle culture is not uniform. Some groups are pushing back more visibly than others. Among corporate professionals in metros, especially those with in-demand skills, there is growing resistance to constant overwork. Employees are more willing to decline late-night calls, negotiate boundaries, and prioritise roles that offer flexibility over prestige. Attrition patterns suggest that many are choosing stability and mental health over aggressive growth trajectories. Gen Z workers, in particular, are redefining success. They are more likely to question unpaid overtime, push back against vague passion" expectations, and leave workplaces that normalise burnout. For them, hustle is not a badge of honour; it is a warning sign. I think generations before us have equated seriousness towards work to the extra hours spent in the office, calls and meetings attended after work hours, and saying yes to every task. For me, that is not a healthy way to lead your life, let alone work. I will do my job, but not at the cost of my personal time. For me, passion is not defined by exhausting yourself but by doing your part sincerely and mindfully. Work cannot be life; its just a part of life," said 25-year-old Ananya, who works at a media firm, and requested anonymity. Another Gen Z, Ridhima, 24, said work culture is a red flag in todays time". If the success is being redefined, then ambition cant be replaced by crossing boundaries and endless limits. As a Gen Z professional, Im not afraid to walk away from burnout, but I will always choose workplaces that respect limits. It is a failure of the system, not a requirement for the job Both Gen X and Gen Z employees must question the passion and reject burnout to understand and redefine what hustle truly means." Aashish, who works at an advertising company and wishes anonymity, said, Growing up, I saw my dad working late hours, coming home at 8 pm or 10 pm, and this continued till I reached my youth. It was only after he retired and we spent more time together that I realized that there is actually a lot I dont know about him. I dont want to miss out on these precious moments just because a deadline was due." Who Is Being Pushed Deeper Into Hustle Gig workers, informal labourers, MSME employees, and early-career professionals often have little choice. Algorithm-driven platforms reward speed, availability, and acceptance rates, penalising rest. Informal workers face income volatility that forces longer hours. In smaller enterprises, lean staffing means each employee carries multiple roles. Even among white-collar workers, mid-career professionals face a different reality. Many are caught between family responsibilities and job insecurity, making it harder to reject overwork. The fear of being replaced by younger talent or automation keeps hustle firmly in place. This uneven impact highlights a critical truth: hustle culture is not just a mindset; it is a structural condition tied to power, security, and access. The Cultural Incentives That Keep Hustle Alive Despite growing awareness of burnout, hustle culture continues to thrive because it is deeply rewarded. Promotions of ten favour visibility over sustainability. Employees who respond instantly, stay late, and take on extra tasks are still perceived as committed." In many workplaces, output is less visible than effort, making long hours a proxy for value. Family and societal expectations also play a role. For first-generation professionals, overwork is often seen as gratitude for opportunity. Exam-driven environments reinforce the idea that relentless effort is the only path to upward mobility. Social media has further complicated the picture. Productivity content, day in my life" reels, and grind narratives have repackaged hustle as aspirational, even as real-world data shows diminishing returns. What Is Actually Changing As 2026 Begins Hiring language has begun to change in some sectors. Job descriptions increasingly mention flexibility, output-based evaluation, and mental health support. For example, Unilver tackles mental health through manager training, Microsoft offers a flexible hybrid policy, allowing remote work, and Deloitte provides up to 25 free counselling sessions for employees and family members for stress management. Performance metrics are also under scrutiny. Some organisations are experimenting with outcome-focused reviews rather than hours logged. Others are piloting no-meeting days" or enforcing mandatory time-off policies. Forget clocking endless hours just to look busy. Companies now care about real results, not just time spent. The data could not be clearer: focused, high-quality work beats long, scattered days every single time. Flexible arrangements have proven that shorter windows of uninterrupted attention frequently outperform long stretches of grinding. As a result, performance frameworks are being rewritten. This shift resonates deeply with what people actually want from work: purpose they can feel and energy they can preserve," pointed out Kanungo. At the same time, quieter forms of resistance are growing. Quiet quitting", which is doing the job without emotional overinvestment, has become more common. Employees are choosing adequacy over excellence when excellence comes at a personal cost. These shifts suggest that hustle culture may be losing its moral high ground, even if it has not yet lost its grip. The Policy Conversation Is Catching Up Slowly The changing work landscape has also entered policy debates. Discussions around the Right to Disconnect, gig worker protections, and mental health frameworks are gaining traction, though concrete action remains uneven. Indias labour laws still prioritise productivity and compliance over well-being. Mental health coverage is improving, but preventive frameworks are weak. For gig workers, classification remains a major barrier to formal protections. The way forward for protecting both jobs and productivity lies in deliberately human-centred design. Continuous, practical skill-building keeps people confident and relevant in roles that increasingly value judgment, creativity, and strategic perspective over rote execution. Organisational structures emphasise job security through diversified business models. Companies that make this transition thoughtfully are emerging more creative, more resilient, and far more attractive to the talent that will define the next decade," stressed Kanungo. Is Hustle Culture Ending, Or Evolving? As 2026 begins, hustle culture in the country appears less dominant, but far from defeated. It is being questioned, challenged, and reframed, particularly by younger workers and those with leverage. Yet for vast sections of the workforce, it remains a daily reality shaped by insecurity and necessity. The more uncomfortable truth is that hustle culture may not disappear; it may simply evolve. In a tech-driven economy, overwork no longer looks like staying late at the office. It means constant availability, invisible labour, and performance pressure disguised as flexibility. Whether India can move beyond hustle will depend on whether productivity is finally decoupled from exhaustion. Until then, the grip may loosen, but it has not yet let go. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 08:00 IST News explainers Meeting Fatigue, Always-On Work, Low Productivity: Are Employees Done With Hustle Culture In 2026? 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... Why Shaksgam Road Is Leading To India-China Clash: What Is Pakistans Role In It? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 16:44 IST Shaksgam in Jammu and Kashmir: India says Pakistan illegally ceded it to Beijing in 1963; China is working on infrastructure in the valley as part of CPEC Rapid Read The Shaksgam Valley, also known as the Trans Karakoram Tract, lies high in the Karakoram mountains, north of the Siachen Glacier in the region of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. (News18 Hindi) A year after India and China reached a deal to end a protracted military standoff in eastern Ladakh, a new flashpoint has emerged Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. India and China recently had a sharp exchange over the strategic 5,000 sq km area. While New Delhi holds Islamabad illegally ceded it to Beijing in 1963, China has started to build infrastructure in the valley as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Shaksgam Valley is key for India The Shaksgam Valley, also known as the Trans Karakoram Tract, lies high in the Karakoram mountains, north of the Siachen Glacier in the region of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. It borders Chinas Xinjiang region to the north and Pakistan-controlled Gilgit-Baltistan to the south and west. Siachen is key for India to monitor the activities of Pakistan, while the Karakoram Pass matters for Chinese activities. How did Pakistan get to cede it to China? As Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India in October 1947, the Valley legally became a part of India. However, Pakistan continued to occupy it forcibly. Soon, China started entering the territories in eastern Hunza. Ignoring Indias concerns, in 1963, Pakistan formally ceded the Yarkand River and Shaksgam Valley to China, ignoring Indias concerns. What is China-Pakistan agreement? The China-Pakistan Boundary agreement on the Shaksgam Valley refers to a 1963 border arrangement, in which Pakistan and China defined their border in the Trans-Karakoram tract, including the Shaksgam Valley. Under this agreement, Pakistan ceded control of the Shaksgam Valley area to China It demarcated the boundary between China and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan). The agreement also has a clause that stipulates that after the settlement of Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India, the sovereign authority will reopen negotiations with the government of China to sign a formal boundary treaty. India does not recognise this agreement. What is China doing in the Shaksgam Valley? Reports indicate that China has been building a long all-weather road through the Shaksgam Valley, extending connectivity from its side of the Karakoram range and enhancing access toward Pakistan-controlled areas. China has reportedly completed construction of a75-km all-weather road in the valley. Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory: What New Delhi says 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 on January 9. 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. Jaiswal said that 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," he added. India on Tuesday again rejected Chinas renewed claims over the Shaksgam Valley, with Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi declaring the 1963 boundary agreement between Pakistan and China illegal and reiterating that New Delhi does not recognise any activity carried out in the region. Speaking on the issue, General Dwivedi said India considers the 1963 agreement, under which Pakistan ceded territory in the Shaksgam Valley to China, to be invalid. We are fully justified: What China says Reacting to Jaiswals comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing on Monday that 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," she said. On Indias criticism of the CPEC, Mao repeated Beijings narrative that it is an economic cooperation initiative, aimed 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," she said. Moreover, Chinas 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". With Agency Inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 16:35 IST News explainers Why Shaksgam Road Is Leading To India-China Clash: What Is Pakistans Role In 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... '1963 Pakistan-China Agreement Illegal': Indian Army Chief Rejects Beijings Claim Over Shaksgam Valley Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 13:49 IST General Dwivedi said India considers the 1963 agreement, under which Pakistan ceded territory in the Shaksgam Valley to China, to be invalid. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi (Image: PTI) India on Tuesday rejected Chinas renewed claims over the Shaksgam Valley, with Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi declaring the 1963 boundary agreement between Pakistan and China illegal and reiterating that New Delhi does not recognise any activity carried out in the region. Speaking on the issue, General Dwivedi said India considers the 1963 agreement, under which Pakistan ceded territory in the Shaksgam Valley to China, to be invalid. We do not accept any activity there. As far as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is concerned, we do not accept it and consider it an illegal action being carried out by the two nations," the Army chief said. His remarks come after China on Monday reaffirmed its territorial claims over the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir and defended its infrastructure projects in the area. Responding to Indias objections, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the region belongs to China and that Beijing is entitled to carry out development activities there. The territory you mentioned belongs to China. It is fully justified for China to conduct infrastructure construction on its own territory," Mao told reporters. She also cited the 1960s boundary agreement between China and Pakistan, describing it as a legitimate arrangement between two sovereign nations. 1963 Pact Illegal India has strongly pushed back against that assertion. The Ministry of External Affairs consistently maintained that the Shaksgam Valley is part of Indian territory and that New Delhi has never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement signed in 1963. The 1963 Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement was signed on March 2, 1963, to define the border between China and Pakistan. Under this agreement, Pakistan transferred control of the Shaksgam Valley, a part of the Kashmir region under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, to China. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated last week that the agreement is illegal and invalid" and stressed that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India. He said this position has been clearly conveyed to both Pakistan and China on multiple occasions. China has also dismissed Indias objections to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, maintaining that the project is purely an economic cooperation initiative aimed at improving local livelihoods. Mao said the corridor does not affect Beijings position on the Kashmir issue, which she described as a historical dispute that should be resolved peacefully through dialogue. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure network connecting Chinas Xinjiang region with Pakistans Gwadar port. India has consistently opposed the project, arguing that key sections pass through Indian territory under illegal occupation. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 13:16 IST News india '1963 Pakistan-China Agreement Illegal': Indian Army Chief Rejects Beijings Claim Over Shaksgam Valley 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... 25% Trump Tariffs On Iran's Trade Partners Likely To Have Minimal Impact On India: Govt Sources Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 18:55 IST Indias total trade with Iran stood at about $1.6 billion last year- roughly 0.15 per cent of Indias overall trade volume. US President Donald Trump India is unlikely to face any significant economic fallout from the United States newly announced tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Iran, as bilateral trade between New Delhi and Tehran remains minimal, a government source told CNN-News18. The assessment comes after Donald Trump unveiled a new trade order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all US-bound goods from countries that do business with Iran- a move that has raised concerns among several global trading partners, including India. Read more: India-Iran Trade: Heres What India Buys And Sells Amid Trumps 25% Tariff Warning However, the government source said Iran does not even figure among Indias top 50 global trading partners. Indias total trade with Iran stood at about $1.6 billion last year, accounting for roughly 0.15 per cent of Indias overall trade volume. Indias trade exposure to Iran is extremely limited," the source said, adding that trade levels are expected to decline further in the current financial year due to external economic factors. In 2024, Irans total imports were estimated at around $68 billion. Its largest import partners were the United Arab Emirates at $21 billion (30 per cent), China at $17 billion (26 per cent), Turkiye at $11 billion (16 per cent) and the European Union at $6 billion (9 per cent). Indias share of Irans imports was only about $1.2 billion, or roughly 2.3 per cent. Read more: Trump Imposes 25% US Tariff On Nations Trading With Iran: What It Means For India Given these figures, the 25 per cent tariff announced by Washington is expected to have a negligible impact on India, the source said. The development comes at a time when India is already facing elevated trade pressures from the US, including tariffs of up to 50 per cent linked to its purchases of Russian oil. Despite this, officials said Indias limited commercial engagement with Iran significantly reduces the risk of any additional fallout from the latest US measures. Donald Trump described the decision as final and conclusive" and said the tariffs would take effect immediately, though he did not specify how they would be enforced or whether any exemptions would apply. The announcement comes amid continuing unrest in Iran, where protests have erupted against the current regime led by Ali Khamenei, with demonstrators demanding greater political freedoms. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 18:43 IST News india 25% Trump Tariffs On Iran's Trade Partners Likely To Have Minimal Impact On India: Govt Sources 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... 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. 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 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). A Web Of PFI Links And Forced Conversion: Why KGMU Rape Probe Is Proving Difficult | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 09:27 IST These devices recovered contain call records and chat metadata indicating contact with individuals linked to PFI, particularly during the period when the accused was absconding. The victim has accused the individual, Dr Ramizuddin, of rape, criminal intimidation, deception regarding marriage, forced abortion, and sustained pressure for religious conversion. The investigation into the King Georges Medical University (KGMU) case has emerged as one of the most complex criminal probes currently underway in Uttar Pradesh, not because of lack of evidence, but due to the layered nature of alleged ideological and logistical support surrounding the accused. According to top police sources, the case is being treated primarily as one involving a proven individual criminal mind, backed by strong victim testimony and corroborative medical evidence. The FIR, registered on December 23, 2025, invokes relevant IPC provisions along with the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act. The victim has accused the individual, Dr Ramizuddin, of rape, criminal intimidation, deception regarding marriage, forced abortion, and sustained pressure for religious conversion. Medical records, police say, support claims of forced abortion and a suicide attempt, strengthening the core criminal case. However, investigators believe the offences were executed independently but with external ideological and post-offence logistical support. Digital forensic analysis has revealed that the accused used multiple mobile devices, complicating data recovery. These devices, police say, contain call records and chat metadata indicating contact with individuals linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), particularly during the period when the accused was absconding between December 23, 2025, and January 10, 2026. According to police sources, the accused remained in touch with PFI-linked individuals during this period, seeking legal advice and assistance related to bail. Investigators believe PFI operatives or sympathisers may have provided post-offence support, including connecting the accused to legal counsel and arranging safe logistical options while he was on the run. These individuals have been identified as former office bearers or sympathisers rather than active organisational representatives. While police maintain that PFIs visible role appears ideological and supportive rather than directive, the scope of the probe has now widened beyond individual criminal liability. Investigators are examining the role of possible facilitators, including ideological supporters, offence-support networks, and even family members. A major hurdle remains the retrieval of deleted digital data, which agencies believe could reveal the full network of facilitators. Investigators also point to non-cooperation by the accused during custody. Police allege he provided selective answers and avoided naming individuals, suggesting legal tutoring designed to restrict the investigations reach. How PFI Operates The KGMU case, investigators say, offers critical insight into how the PFI continues to function despite being officially banned in 2022. According to CNN-News18s analysis based on multiple police and intelligence inputs, PFI is no longer operating as a visible organisation with identifiable leadership or infrastructure. Instead, it functions through micro-networks activated selectively when an accused individual requires support. Digital forensics from the KGMU case indicate continued access to PFI-linked individuals even after the ban, highlighting that while the formal structure has been dismantled, personal and ideological connectivity remains intact. In this case, investigators point to PFI signatures" in the form of legal assistance and logistical guidance provided discreetly, without funding trails, written instructions, or physical meetings. Agencies say PFI now relies heavily on one-to-one communication, reduced online activity, and deniable support mechanisms. Former cadres operate through welfare groups, legal aid circles, or as individual well-wishers, avoiding the use of the PFI name. Intelligence agencies have observed this pattern across multiple states. Between 2023 and 2025, probes in Uttar Pradesh and Kerala revealed former PFI members assisting accused persons through legal aid and counselling, often without any overt organisational branding. Similar findings emerged in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu during 2023 and 2024, where former PFI-linked activists were found arranging lawyers, bail documentation, and temporary accommodation in conversion and communal violence cases. In Uttar Pradesh, recent probes into unlawful conversion cases during 202425 uncovered ideological counselling conducted privately in homes and professional spaces, again without financial transfers or public mobilisation. Investigators say this decentralised, low-visibility model mirrors what is now being seen in the KGMU case. Despite these precautions, agencies maintain that digital footprints continue to expose such networks. The KGMU probe, they say, underscores both the adaptability of banned outfits and the growing challenge for law enforcement in tracing ideological support systems operating beneath the surface. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 09:27 IST News india A Web Of PFI Links And Forced Conversion: Why KGMU Rape Probe Is Proving Difficult | 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... Around 140 Terrorists, Including Local And Pakistani, Active In Hinterland: Army Chief Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 16:07 IST General Dwivedi clarified that despite these numbers, no major ceasefire violation has occurred so far, and the overall situation remains under control. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi (Image: PTI) Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that around 140 terrorists are currently active within the hinterland. He noted that nearly 10 of them could be local terrorists, while the rest are believed to be from Pakistan. As far as forces are concerned, as of today, we are not relenting at all, no forces are coming back because in my wisdom today, 140 terrorists, approximately, are within the hinterland, and out of which 10 could be the local terrorists, and the rest all could be the Pakistani terrorists," General Dwivedi said during a press conference. #WATCH | Delhi: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says, In 2025, 139 ceasefire violations which took place, 124 of them were during the Operation Sindoor No major ceasefire violation has taken place. As far as forces are concerned, as of today, we are not relenting pic.twitter.com/fadF0eOhiJ ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 He clarified that despite these numbers, no major ceasefire violation has occurred so far, and the overall situation remains under control. The Army Chief also spoke about ceasefire violations in 2025, noting that a total of 139 violations were reported, with 124 taking place during Operation Sindoor. He noted that Operation Sindoor is still ongoing and warned that any misadventure by the adversary will be dealt with effectively. The Army Chief said the operation was Indias firm and calibrated response to cross-border terrorism and showed the militarys readiness and precision. General Dwivedi said Operation Sindoor helped reset strategic assumptions as Indian forces struck deep to dismantle terror infrastructure and counter Pakistans long-standing nuclear rhetoric. He added that troops have been mobilised and are prepared for ground offensives if needed. On the wider security situation, the Army Chief said conditions in Jammu and Kashmir remain sensitive but firmly under control. He also said the situation along the Line of Actual Control with China is stable, though it requires constant vigil, with confidence-building measures helping towards gradual normalisation. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 15:58 IST News india Around 140 Terrorists, Including Local And Pakistani, Active In Hinterland: Army Chief 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... Bihar Woman Abducted, Gang-Raped By 6 Men, Rescued After Calling Police With Accuseds Phone Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 17:14 IST Taking advantage of the situation, the woman used the sleeping mans phone to call the emergency number 112 and informed the police about everything. The survivor was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Purnea, where her statement was recorded. (AI Image) In a shocking incident, a24-year-old woman was allegedly abducted and gangraped by six men in Bihars Purnea district, police said. The survivor managed to call the police using the mobile phone of one of the accused, leading to her rescue and the arrest of one person. As per media reports, the incident took place on Saturday night when the woman, who works as an orchestra dancer was abducted around 9 pm from Newalal Chowk by two men in a car while she was returning home. She was taken nearly 25 km away to a godown in Dagarua, where four other men were present. According to the survivor, her mouth was tied so she could not scream. During the ride, she saw a board that read Dagarua" and realised she was far from the city. She told police that she was forced to consume alcohol and forced to dance, after which all six men raped her one after another. After the assault, five of them fled after locking her inside a room, while one man, purportedly intoxicated, fell asleep inside. Taking advantage of the situation, the woman used the sleeping mans phone to call the emergency number 112 and informed the police about everything. Police reached the location soon after receiving the emergency call. The door was broken open. The woman was found in a critical condition, with liquor bottles scattered inside the godown. One man was found lying intoxicated at the spot and was taken into custody. The victim was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Purnea, where her statement was recorded. Her medical examination is currently underway, police said. The arrested accused was identified as Mohammad Junaid (35), a local resident. The car that was allegedly used in the crime was also seized, police said. An officer said an FIR was registered on the basis of the survivors statement. A case of abduction followed by gangrape has been registered against three named and three unidentified accused. All of them are residents of Dagarua," he said, adding that raids are on to arrest the remaining five accused. Meanwhile, Purnia MP Pappu Yadav criticised the Bihar government over law and order. He said that crimes like the Purnia gang rape, the Khagaria case of a 5-year-old girl, and the Patna student murder showed that fear of law has ended. Giving alcohol and drugs to girls before assault is dangerous. Such perpetrators should face death penalty through a speedy trial. There should be no compromise with crimes against daughters," he said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Purnia, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 17:14 IST News india Bihar Woman Abducted, Gang-Raped By 6 Men, Rescued After Calling Police With Accuseds Phone 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... C-Sections Drop In Public Hospitals But Rise In Private Ones; West Bengal, Telangana See Highest Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 11:03 IST At the national level, cesarean deliveries in public hospitals declined from 15.5% in 2016 to 14.3% in 2021. Private hospitals recorded an increase from 45.4% to 47.5%. More than nine out of ten childbirths in private hospitals in West Bengals Murshidabad and Nadia districts are conducted through cesarean sections. (AI generated image) Cesarean deliveries in India are moving in two opposite directions, declining slightly in public hospitals while rising steadily in private facilities, a new nationwide study based on National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data has found. According to the study published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health, more than nine out of ten childbirths in private hospitals in West Bengals Murshidabad and Nadia districts are conducted through cesarean sections the highest rates recorded anywhere in India. Additionally, the study notes that over 91 per cent of child deliveries occur in private facilities in Karimnagar, Telangana. The study examined cesarean deliveries among first-time mothers with singleton births across all 36 states and union territories, as well as 720 districts, between 2016 and 2021. It found that while public hospitals have seen a slight decline in cesarean deliveries over this period, private hospitals have continued to record rising rates, deepening regional and sectoral disparities. Public hospitals see a marginal fall, private sector continues to rise At the national level, cesarean deliveries in public hospitals declined from 15.5 per cent in 2016 to 14.3 per cent in 2021. In contrast, private hospitals recorded an increase from 45.4 per cent to 47.5 per cent over the same period. This study identified 4 major findings. First, at the national level between 2016 and 2021, the prevalence of births delivered by cesarean section slightly decreased in the public sector by 1.2 per cent while it rose by 2.1 per cent in the private sector," the study stated. It also noted that, Interestingly, for public hospitals, even in the low-prevalence states, the prevalence has decreased (or is almost stagnant), indicating a need to strengthen public facilities for at least necessary cesarean births." State-wise patterns show sharp contrasts Telangana and Jammu and Kashmir consistently reported the highest cesarean rates in both public and private hospitals. In private facilities, cesarean rates in Telangana crossed 80 per cent in 2021. At the other end, states such as Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh continued to report very low cesarean prevalence in public hospitals, while Rajasthan recorded the lowest rates in private hospitals. State boundaries explain C-section trends more than districts or villages The study found that where a woman lives plays a larger role in determining cesarean deliveries than district- or village-level factors. In the study, the three geographies refer to villages or urban blocks (the smallest sampling units in the survey), districts, and states, with state-level differences accounting for the largest share of variation in cesarean deliveries. Across all three geographies, interstate variation in cesarean section prevalence was the highest and has further increased over time," the researchers, affiliated with Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies and Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness, FLAME University, Pune, wrote. In private hospitals, the state-level variance partitioning coefficient increased from 69.2 per cent in 2016 to 78.2 per cent in 2021," while in public hospitals, it rose from 44.7 per cent to 48.6 per cent during the same period." The analysis also showed that districts with high cesarean rates in 2016 continued to show high rates in 2021. Districts that exhibited higher cesarean section prevalence in 2016 continued to show higher prevalence in 2021, indicating lesser improvements in high-prevalence districts," the study said. Southern states such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala had nearly all districts falling into the high-prevalence category. In private hospitals, states such as Telangana, West Bengal, Assam and Andhra Pradesh were predominantly characterised by districts with high cesarean section rates." Health risks, rising costs and urgent need for regulation The study warned that unnecessary cesarean sections pose serious health and economic risks. Unnecessary cesarean surgeries pose significant short and long-term risks, affecting fertility, future pregnancies, and child health outcomes," the study stated, adding that timely monitoring is crucial to mitigate additional health and economic burdens." Explaining the surge in private hospitals, the study noted that, The substantial increase in cesarean section prevalence within private healthcare facilities, which is almost double compared to public facilities," may reflect mothers preference for a less stressful delivery process and the desire to schedule births at auspicious times." It also pointed to better facilities managing high-risk deliveries, shortages of specialists in public hospitals, and expanded insurance coverage through Ayushman Bharat, which encouraged more surgical interventions." The findings highlight the absence of uniform standards across states. The elevated interstate disparities are reflective of a comparatively higher prevalence of institutional births (especially in the private sector) in southern states, which is critical since the likelihood of C-section is significantly greater in private facilities," the authors said, calling for stronger regulation of private healthcare, standardised protocols, and improved public-sector capacity to ensure cesarean sections are performed strictly based on medical necessity. The authors added that one of the limitations of the study is that NFHS has used the sampling frame of the 2011 Census for sampling. The data is available for 640 districts for 2016. However, in 2021, there were more than 700 districts. However, we believe that the same trends in multi-level variation will remain." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 11:03 IST News india C-Sections Drop In Public Hospitals But Rise In Private Ones; West Bengal, Telangana See Highest 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... Four Men From Agra Go Missing Near Pangong Lake In Ladakh Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 15:49 IST Jaiveer Chaudhary, Shudanshu Faujdar, Yash Mittal and Shivam Chaudhary from Agra went missing near Pangong Lake, Ladakh on January 9, 2026, sparking a police search operation. Jaiveer Chaudhary, Shudanshu Faujdar, Yash Mittal and Shivam Chaudhary from Agra went missing near Pangong Lake, Ladakh on January 9, 2026, sparking a police search operation. (Image: UT of Ladakh) Four young men from Agra district in Uttar Pradesh have gone missing after being last seen near Pangong Lake in Ladakh, prompting police to issue missing person notices and launch a search operation. According to notices issued by local police, the men were last seen on January 9, 2026, in the Pangong Lake area, a popular but remote tourist destination that experiences extreme weather conditions during winter. The missing individuals have been identified as Jaiveer Chaudhary, 27, Shudanshu Faujdar, 25, Yash Mittal, 25 and Shivam Chaudhary, 25. Police said all four men were part of the same group and had travelled together. They were last seen in the Pangong Lake region, after which contact was lost. Pangong Lake, located at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, is known for harsh terrain and sub-zero temperatures during January, often making search and rescue operations challenging. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Ladakh, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 15:49 IST News india Four Men From Agra Go Missing Near Pangong Lake In Ladakh 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... 'We Were Ready To Launch Ground Ops': Army Chief Makes Big Revelation On Op Sindoor Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 14:44 IST General Dwivedi said Operation Sindoor stands as a clear demonstration of tri-service coordination under decisive political direction. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi (Image: PTI) Operation Sindoor, which remains ongoing", gave the armed forces complete operational freedom to act and respond to any threat, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday, warning Pakistan that any future provocation would be met with a firm and effective response. Addressing his first press conference of 2026, General Dwivedi said Operation Sindoor stands as a clear demonstration of tri-service coordination under decisive political direction. He further stated that the Indian Army had mobilised its troops during Operation Sindoor and was fully prepared" for ground operations if Pakistan made any mistake". It is the best example of jointness, where the armed forces were given full freedom to act or respond," he said, adding, Operation Sindoor was conceptualised and executed with precision. Through 22 minutes of initiation on May 7 and an orchestration that lasted 88 hours up to May 10, the operation reset strategic assumptions by striking deep, dismantling terror infrastructure, and puncturing the longstanding nuclear rhetoric." In those 88 hours, you saw that the armys mobilisation to expand the conventional space was such that if Pakistan made any mistake, we were fully prepared to launch ground operations," he said. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 last year in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, which was claimed by The Resistance Front, a front organisation of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. The operation targeted multiple terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in the elimination of more than 100 terrorists, according to official estimates. Following the strikes, Pakistan attempted retaliatory missile and drone attacks, all of which were intercepted by Indian air defence systems. India responded by hitting Pakistani airfields, after which a ceasefire was announced on May 10. General Dwivedi said that while the situation along the western front and in Jammu and Kashmir remains sensitive, it is firmly under control since the ceasefire. He noted significant operational gains against terrorism over the past year. In 2025, security forces neutralised 31 terrorists, around 65 per cent of whom were of Pakistani origin. This includes the three attackers involved in the Pahalgam incident, who were eliminated during Operation Mahadev," the Army chief said. He added that the number of active local terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir has dropped to single digits, with fresh recruitment almost negligible. Only two cases of recruitment were reported in 2025," he said. Highlighting improving ground conditions, General Dwivedi pointed to increased development activity, a revival of tourism and the peaceful conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra. More than four lakh pilgrims participated this year, surpassing the five-year average. The transition from terrorism to tourism is steadily becoming a reality," he said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 12:45 IST News india 'We Were Ready To Launch Ground Ops': Army Chief Makes Big Revelation On Op Sindoor 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... Easy Long-Haul Transit, Save On Time & Money: What Germany's New Visa Rule Means For Indian Travellers Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 18:02 IST By removing the administrative hurdle of a Schengen transit visa, Germany has made changing flights through some of Europe's busiest hubs far simpler for Indian citizens Under Germanys new visa policy, which has only been announced but not yet implemented, Indian citizens can enjoy a seamless transit experience through major hubs like Frankfurt and Munich. (Image: AFP/File) In what is being hailed as a great relief, Germany has announced that Indian citizens will no longer require a Schengen airport transit visa to pass through its international airports when travelling to non-Schengen destinations. This landmark decision was unveiled during the first official visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India on January 12 and 13. Hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, high-level talks between the two leaders focused on semiconductors, trade, and mobility, with this visa-free transit facility emerging as a people-friendly outcome". Modi expressed his gratitude for the move, noting that it will significantly strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations. WHO DOES IT TARGET? The new visa rule solely targets the ease of long-haul transit, supporting students, professionals, and families without altering Germanys broader immigration controls. The ease of transit acts much like a dedicated transfer corridor in a busy railway station: as long as you stay within the corridor to reach your next platform, you no longer need a ticket to enter the city outside, saving both time and the cost of an unnecessary permit. HOW DOES THIS ELIMINATE COSTLY HURDLES? For years, Indian travellers were among only 20 nationalities required to secure a transit visa at German airports even if they never intended to leave the international zone. This was both costly and time-consuming, requiring a fee of approximately 90 (Rs 9,471) for adults and a processing time of up to 15 days. Without this visa, travellers were often denied boarding at their origin airport or, in extreme cases, immediately placed on return flights upon reaching Europe. By removing this administrative hurdle, Germany has made changing flights through some of Europes busiest hubs far simpler, potentially leading to more competitive fares and viable flight options via carriers like Lufthansa and Air India. WHAT ARE THE RULES? Under the new policy, which has only been announced but not yet implemented, Indian citizens can enjoy a seamless transit experience through major hubs like Frankfurt and Munich. For example, a passenger flying from Delhi to New York via Frankfurt or from Mumbai to London via Munich, will no longer need to apply for advance paperwork as long as they stay airside. But there are strict conditions you must meet to qualify: Airside Transit Only: Travellers must remain strictly within the designated international transit area and not exit the airport or cross immigration control. Non-Schengen Destinations: The onward journey must be to a destination outside the Schengen area. The onward journey must be to a destination outside the Schengen area. 24-Hour Limit: Layovers must be completed within 24 hours. Layovers must be completed within 24 hours. Confirmed Tickets: Passengers must have their onward travel confirmed. Passengers must have their onward travel confirmed. Airport Restrictions: The rule specifically applies to only five German airports that maintain international transit zones. These include Frankfurt/Main, Munich, and Berlin-Brandenburg. Travellers must exercise caution regarding operating hours at other locations. At Hamburg airport, transit is only available from 4.30 am to 11.30 pm. At Dusseldorf, it is permitted between 6 am and 9 pm, and only if the airline has made arrangements with airport security. The rule specifically applies to only five German airports that maintain international transit zones. These include Frankfurt/Main, Munich, and Berlin-Brandenburg. Travellers must exercise caution regarding operating hours at other locations. At Hamburg airport, transit is only available from 4.30 am to 11.30 pm. At Dusseldorf, it is permitted between 6 am and 9 pm, and only if the airline has made arrangements with airport security. Schengen Destinations: It remains mandatory for any traveller planning to leave the airport, even briefly, or those flying to other Schengen destinations such as Paris, Rome, or Amsterdam to obtain a full Schengen transit visa. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 16:58 IST News india Easy Long-Haul Transit, Save On Time & Money: What Germany's New Visa Rule Means For Indian Travellers 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... Delhi Turns Colder Than Shimla As IMD Warns Of Severe Cold Wave Conditions | Forecast Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 07:10 IST Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are likely over isolated places in Delhi and the National Capital Region, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh. Rapid Read Image: PTI/File Several parts of northern India will continue to witness freezing temperatures as cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are likely over isolated places in Delhi and the National Capital Region, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh over the next few days, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned. According to the bulletin issued on Sunday, the weatherman warned that cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are likely to occur over isolated pockets in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and western Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, west Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are expected to witness the cold wave streak on Tuesday, January 13. Delhi colder than Shimla? Interestingly, temperatures in plains, including Delhi and Chandigarh, dipped below those in hilly areas, as the national capital witnessed the coldest day in 13 years on Saturday, January 10. Safdarjung, representative of Delhis weather, recorded a minimum of 4.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday, January 10. On Monday, temperatures in Shimla are likely to hover around maximum and minimum of 16 and 9 degrees Celsius respectively, said the IMD on Monday. However, for Delhi, the weather body has predicted that the minimum temperature could dip to 3-4.2 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature might range between 18-20 degrees Celsius. Dense Fog is also very likely at places in Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Uttarakhand, till Thursday, January 15, said the IMD. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 06:56 IST News india Delhi Turns Colder Than Shimla As IMD Warns Of Severe Cold Wave Conditions | Forecast 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, US Review Trade, Defence Ties In S Jaishankar-Marco Rubio Call Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 22:41 IST Jaishankar said that both sides agreed to remain in touch on bilateral and international issues. EAM Dr S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (File image) External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and discussed a range of bilateral issues on trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence, and energy. He said that both sides agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on bilateral and international issues. Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues," Jaishankar said in a post on X. Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio.Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 13, 2026 The telephonic conversation was held just a day after US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, assumed charge in New Delhi on Monday. Gor said that both leaders could possibly meet next month. In a post on X, Gor said that both leaders discussed next steps regarding bilateral trade negotiations, critical minerals and a possible meeting next month." A quick update: @SecRubio Just concluded a positive call with @DrSJaishankar. They discussed next steps regarding our bilateral trade negotiations, critical minerals and a possible meeting next month. pic.twitter.com/wg3qlF8AuC Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) January 13, 2026 Earlier on Monday, the US envoy 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. 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. 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. Gor had also emphasised 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. His remarks came at a sensitive moment for India-US trade ties, with negotiations yet to reach a breakthrough. Recently, US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer visited New Delhi with his team to review the negotiations. The latest two-day round of talks concluded on December 11, 2025. Indian industry bodies and exporters are closely monitoring developments, as high import duties continue to affect shipments to the US. While exporters are exploring alternative markets, the US remains crucial, accounting for around 18 per cent of Indias total exports. In February 2025, leaders of both nations asked officials to finalise the deal, aiming to conclude the first tranche by fall 2025. The goal is to raise bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. The US was Indias largest trading partner in 202425, with trade worth $131.84 billion. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 22:04 IST News india India, US Review Trade, Defence Ties In S Jaishankar-Marco Rubio Call 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... Lucknow Woman Found Dead In Saudi Arabia; Family Accuses Husband Of Dowry Harassment Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 19:57 IST Victims father has filed a complaint at Chinhat police station in Lucknow, accusing her husband and his family members of demanding dowry and being responsible for her death. Aiman was called to Jeddah, where she was allegedly subjected to continuous mental and physical harassment by her husband. (Representational image) A female software engineer from Uttar Pradeshs Lucknow has died under mysterious circumstances in Saudi Arabias Jeddah, with her family alleging dowry harassment, physical and mental abuse, and a premeditated killing by her husband and in-laws. The deceased, identified as a BTech graduate in computer science, was working as a software engineer. Her father, Sher Ali Khan, has filed a complaint at Chinhat police station in Lucknow, accusing her husband Mohammad Aamir Khan and his family members of demanding dowry and being responsible for her death, India Today reported. As per the report, Aiman Khan was married to Mohammad Aamir Khan in April 2025 in Lucknow. Soon after the wedding, Aamir allegedly demanded an SUV car and expressed anger that another car was not registered in his name. Sher Ali Khan accused his son-in-law of breaking Aimans mobile phone and subjecting her to abusive behaviour over the issue. In the complaint, the victims father claimed that soon after the wedding, Aamir left for Saudi Arabia. In June 2025, Aiman was called to Jeddah, where she was allegedly subjected to continuous mental and physical harassment by her husband, his brother, and two brothers-in-law. The complaint claimed that she was repeatedly pressured to bring Rs 20 lakh from her parents home and was threatened with death if the demand was not met. In October, Aiman returned to India and narrated her ordeal to her family. Her father said that he spoke to the accused, who assured him the harassment would stop. On this assurance, Aiman returned to Jeddah. However, the family alleged that the abuse continued. The complaint further stated that Aiman was denied food, forced out of the house, and prevented from returning to India. Her passport and residence permit were allegedly taken away, while her father continued sending money online. On December 17, after a WhatsApp conversation with his daughter, Sher Ali Khan suspected something was wrong. The next day, repeated calls went unanswered. A neighbour later visited the residence in the presence of Saudi police and found Aiman dead. A family member, Shahnawaz, travelled to Saudi Arabia on December 21. The family has alleged that Aiman was pregnant and that her death was staged as a hanging to make it appear like a suicide. Her body is being brought to Lucknow. Chinhat police station in-charge Dinesh Mishra said a case is being registered based on the fathers complaint and that the matter is under investigation. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 19:57 IST News india Lucknow Woman Found Dead In Saudi Arabia; Family Accuses Husband Of Dowry Harassment 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... BEIRUT, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Tuesday that it is unacceptable for Lebanon to continue being subjected to Israeli attacks, expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the ceasefire monitoring committee tasked with overseeing the truce. In remarks to Al-Joumhouria, a local newspaper, Berri said the committee had failed to fulfill its role in enforcing the ceasefire agreement, despite being mandated not only to monitor violations but also to prevent them and ensure compliance. He stressed that Lebanon had fully adhered to the agreement since its announcement in November 2024 and had committed no breaches. Berri added the Lebanese army had carried out its duties south of the Litani River "in full," while Israel had violated the ceasefire through continued attacks and assassinations in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs. Asked about the likelihood of war or escalation, Berri said Israel's actions amounted to an ongoing war since the ceasefire was declared. He noted that Lebanon cannot accept remaining exposed to Israeli attacks, being turned into a "firing range," the continued occupation of Lebanese territory, or the continued detention of Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails, stressing that these issues must remain at the top of the state's priorities. Despite a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel that has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, the Israeli army occasionally launched strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at removing Hezbollah "threats." Backed by the United States and France, and involving Lebanon, Israel, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, the ceasefire mechanism committee is tasked with monitoring violations and supporting implementation of the ceasefire, particularly in southern Lebanon, to help prevent renewed fighting. Neglecting Parents Will Now Cost Employees 10% Of Their Salary, Warns Telangana Govt Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 13:10 IST If an elderly parent files a complaint against their son or daughter employed with the government, 10% of the employee's salary will be deducted Rapid Read The Telangana government will also establish senior citizen day-care centres named 'Pranaam', focusing on healthcare, recreation and social interaction. (AI-Generated Image) In an era where rapid social change and urban life have increasingly left elderly parents isolated, the Telangana government has taken a firm step to enforce accountability. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday announced stringent measures against government employees who neglect their ageing parents, signalling a shift from moral persuasion to direct action. Addressing a public programme, the chief minister said the government would no longer remain a silent spectator to the suffering of senior citizens. Emphasising that appeals and advisories had failed to bring change, he said the state would now intervene decisively to ensure dignity and security for elderly parents. Officials said the move is intended to serve as a model for other states. 10% of salary directly deposited into parents accounts According to a report by IANS, CM Reddy clarified that strict legal action will be taken against government employees who fail to take care of their parents. Salary deduction: If an elderly parent files a complaint against their son or daughter employed with the government, 10% of the employees salary will be deducted. If an elderly parent files a complaint against their son or daughter employed with the government, 10% of the employees salary will be deducted. Direct transfer: The deducted amount will be credited directly to the parents bank account to ensure financial security and a dignified life. The deducted amount will be credited directly to the parents bank account to ensure financial security and a dignified life. Pranaam centres: The state government will also establish senior citizen day-care centres named Pranaam, focusing on healthcare, recreation and social interaction. While distributing modern assistive equipment to persons with disabilities, the Chief Minister announced several additional welfare initiatives. Transgender empowerment: One co-option member post in every municipal corporation will be reserved for the transgender community in the upcoming municipal elections. New health policy: A comprehensive health policy will be introduced in the 2026-27 Budget to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state. Disability welfare: An allocation of Rs 50 crore has been made for the empowerment of persons with disabilities. The government will also provide financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the marriage of disabled couples. Understanding Telangana Govts New Decision 1. Will the 10% salary deduction rule apply to private sector employees? At present, the announcement applies only to government employees. The chief minister said a detailed law will be introduced soon, after which further clarity will emerge. 2. Where can parents file complaints? The government is in the process of developing a dedicated complaint mechanism. Details will be shared once the proposed legislation is enacted. 3. What are Pranaam centres? Pranaam centres are day-care facilities for senior citizens that will provide healthcare support, recreational activities and opportunities for social engagement. 4. What is the significance of transgender co-option membership? The move will enable members of the transgender community to participate in local governance and directly raise their issues at the municipal level. 5. Are there special reservations for persons with disabilities? Yes. The chief minister reiterated the governments commitment to reservations for persons with disabilities in education and employment. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Telangana, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 13:10 IST News india Neglecting Parents Will Now Cost Employees 10% Of Their Salary, Warns Telangana Govt 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 Meets French President's Adviser, Reaffirms Ties Ahead Of Macron's India Visit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 22:50 IST PM Modi said the discussions were especially significant as both nations mark the IndiaFrance Year of Innovation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and France continue to share a strong and trusted strategic partnership after he met Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, in the national capital In a post on X, PM Modi said the two sides reaffirmed close cooperation across several areas. He noted that collaboration between the two countries is expanding into innovation, technology and education. Delighted to meet Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to President Macron.Reaffirmed the strong and trusted IndiaFrance Strategic Partnership, marked by close cooperation across multiple domains. Encouraging to see our collaboration expanding into innovation, technology and pic.twitter.com/V9yEPcculA Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 13, 2026 Delighted to meet Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to President Macron. Reaffirmed the strong and trusted IndiaFrance Strategic Partnership, marked by close cooperation across multiple domains," the Prime Minister wrote, calling the partnership between India and France strong and reliable. Prime Minister Modi said the discussions were especially significant as both nations mark the IndiaFrance Year of Innovation. He added that they also exchanged views on key regional and global issues" of mutual interest. PM Modi also said he looks forward to welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron to India soon. PM Modis comments come days after Macron said he would visit India next month. While addressing the Diplomatic Corps last week, Macron said the visit would be linked to continued cooperation on artificial intelligence. Lets finally look at what we have managed to achieve together, the successes of French diplomacy last year- the Artificial Intelligence summit. The whole world came to Paris. We made progress on this and we co-chaired it with Prime Minister Modi and next month, Ill be in India to follow up," Macron said. The IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 was announced by Prime Minister Modi at the France AI Action Summit. The event is scheduled for February 1920 in New Delhi and will be the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South, according to the official website. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently met Macron in Paris. Jaishankar, who is on a six-day visit to France, discussed current global developments and welcomed Macrons positive views on the IndiaFrance strategic partnership. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 22:41 IST News india PM Modi Meets French President's Adviser, Reaffirms Ties Ahead Of Macron's India Visit 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... Republic Day 2026: Delhi Airspace Closure For Six Days To Impact 600+ Flights, Thousands Of Passengers Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 14:39 IST This is for practice, dress rehearsal and the actual Republic Day parade, an annual celebration held to mark the occasion of Republic Day. Rapid Read Delhi's airspace to remain closed in view of Republic Day (Representative image) As the national capital continues to shiver under freezing temperatures, passengers are about to face further difficulties in travel from January 21 due to the closure of airspace over Delhi in view of the Republic Day safety protocols. The government on Tuesday released a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) from 1020 hours to 1245 hours for six days, starting January 21. The two-hour and twenty-five-minute closure will impact thousands of flights, with passengers set to face flight delays. This is for practice, dress rehearsal and the actual Republic Day parade, an annual celebration held to mark the occasion of Republic Day that includes a grand parade and display of culture and Indias military might along Kartavya Path. Data shared by Cirium, an aviation analytics company, showed that a little over 600 flights will be impacted during this period, according to a report by Hindustan Times. This will impact thousands of passengers daily, with cancellations, rescheduling, and delays. Why the closure was initiated Such complete closures are necessary for security reasons, in order to ensure the safety and security of the jets involved in the flypast and to ensure the security of the dignitaries taking part in the Republic Day celebrations. What should passengers do? If passengers are scheduled to fly in or out of Delhi during the aforementioned time, it is advised that they be on the lookout for updates or developments regarding their flight timings or status. In the event of cancellation, airlines typically provide alternate options or a full refund to passengers. However, airlines can only act when they are officially informed about the NOTAM, creating the need to adjust/reschedule flights, while working in coordination with other airports across the country. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 14:39 IST News india Republic Day 2026: Delhi Airspace Closure For Six Days To Impact 600+ Flights, Thousands Of Passengers 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... 'See You In Delhi': White House Adviser Meets Ashwini Vaishnaw To Discuss AI Impact Summit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 08:29 IST White House adviser Michael Kratsios met Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss the upcoming India AI Impact Summit, scheduled to be held in Delhi in February. Rapid Read Michael Kratsios met Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (L) at White House. (Image: X/@mkratsios47) Senior officials from India and the United States met at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to be held in Delhi next month. Michael Kratsios, Assistant to US President Donald Trump and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, met Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Indias Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra. Today I met with Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and @AmbVMKwatra at the @WhiteHouse to discuss the upcoming AI Impact Summit in India.See you next month in Delhi! pic.twitter.com/4jfr2d1LFg Director Michael Kratsios (@mkratsios47) January 12, 2026 Sharing details on X, Kratsios said the discussions focused on the summit and added that he would be in Delhi in February to attend the event. All You Need To Know About India AI Impact Summit 2026 The India AI Impact Summit will take place from February 19 to 20, with the inaugural session scheduled at Bharat Mandapam on February 19. The event is expected to bring together global leaders, policymakers, industry executives, innovators and artificial intelligence experts, positioning New Delhi as a key venue for international AI dialogue. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, the AI Impact Summit 2026 will be the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. It builds on earlier international efforts such as the UK AI Safety Summit, the AI Seoul Summit, the France AI Action Summit and the Global AI Summit on Africa, with a stated aim of moving beyond policy declarations to tangible outcomes and cooperative frameworks. The summit is envisioned as a platform to promote inclusive, people-centric artificial intelligence while addressing the challenges posed by rapid AI adoption, including job displacement, bias, and rising energy demands. Organisers have said the focus will be on delivering measurable impact that balances innovation with responsibility. The summit will be anchored around three guiding pillars, referred to as Sutras." The People Sutra emphasizes human-centred AI that respects diversity, dignity and inclusion. The Planet Sutra focuses on responsible innovation aligned with sustainability and climate resilience. The Progress Sutra highlights AIs role in driving inclusive growth and accelerating development across sectors such as health, education, governance and agriculture, particularly in emerging economies. By amplifying the perspectives of the Global South, the summit aims to ensure that the benefits of AI are more equitably shared worldwide. 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, 08:22 IST News india 'See You In Delhi': White House Adviser Meets Ashwini Vaishnaw To Discuss AI Impact Summit 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... Suspected Pakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC In J&K's Rajouri, Security Forces On Alert Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 22:38 IST Security agencies opened fire and activated counter-drone measures in the area, following which the suspected drones were seen returning to the other side of the border. Flying object was detected close to the LoC. (File image) Security forces on Tuesday opened fire and activated counter-drone measures after suspected Pakistani drone-like objects were spotted at multiple locations along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Doonga Gali area of the Keri sector. According to sources, several drone-like objects, suspected to be from across the border, were sighted hovering over Dheri Dhara village near the LoC in the Keri sector of Rajouri around 7:35 pm. Later, they were seen moving towards Kalali village. Security agencies opened fire and activated counter-drone measures in the area, following which the suspected drones were seen returning to the other side of the border. Additionally, monitoring along the border has been intensified. Earlier today, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammus Kathua district. Several gunshots were heard after security forces launched a search operation following information about the suspected movement of terrorists in a remote village in the region. The intermittent firing was reported from the Najote forest area of Billawar, about 10 km from the Kamadh nallah in the Kahog forest belt where security forces exchanged fire with terrorists on January 7, the officials said. They said the suspected terrorists fired a few shots on observing the movement of the forces, who retaliated while moving deep inside the forest to neutralise them. The cordon-and-search operation was strengthened and efforts are on to track down the ultras, the officials said. Earlier today, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi had warned Pakistan that it would get a fitting response for any misadventure. He also recalled the successes during Operation Sindoor, launched to target terror hubs in Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, and said the operation was still on. Earlier on January 12, suspected drones-like objects from across the border were spotted at multiple locations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir, which prompted the security forces to activate counter-drone measures. As per officials, a suspected drone-like object was seen moving from Tain towards Topa in the Mankote sector in Poonch district at 6:25 pm. A second drone was noticed at Khabbar village in Teryath in Rajouri district at 6.35 pm, with a blinking light observed from Dharmsal village in Kalakote towards Bharakh. Army and security forces immediately deployed Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (Counter-UAS) measures, following which the suspected drones were seen returning to the other side of the border. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Rajouri, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 20:28 IST News india Suspected Pakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC In J&K's Rajouri, Security Forces On Alert 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... RIZVOL Enters India With Rahul Dev And A New Vision For Modern, Minimal Luxury Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 19:21 IST RIZVOL officially launches in India with an intimate New Delhi evening led by Rahul Dev, redefining modern luxury through restraint and craft. RIZVOL launches in India, led by Rahul Dev. In a fashion landscape long dominated by spectacle and occasion-driven dressing, RIZVOLs India debut arrives with a deliberate pause. The New Yorkfounded luxury label officially marked its entry into the country with an intimate evening at Potions, Ambawatta One, New Delhi. Rather than positioning itself as another brand chasing visibility, RIZVOL made its intent clear from the outset: this is luxury designed to be lived in. The evening brought together fashion insiders, artists, musicians, and tastemakers who embody the brands ethos of restraint, individuality, and global sensibility. Leading the evening was veteran fashion model and actor Rahul Dev, whose presence aligned seamlessly with the brands philosophy. Speaking about his connection with the label, he shared, What drew me to RIZVOL is its honesty. There is a stillness to the brand, a depth and restraint that feels rare today. It isnt trying to impress. Its trying to express. And that, to me, is where true luxury is headed." It was a sentiment echoed throughout the evening luxury as a state of presence rather than performance. Founded in 2024 and operating between New York and Mumbai, RIZVOL reflects its founder Abhishek Shahs global vantage point. With a background spanning New York, California, Milan, and Amsterdam, he describes himself as a cultural observer as much as an entrepreneur. I am a cultural observer. Ive been quietly watching a new movement, not just in India, but across the world. People are moving away from loud clothing and choosing subtlety and precision. Fashion is becoming less performative and more about presence. Rizvol is exactly that, precise, present, and intentional," Shah shared. The brands offering crafted in 100 per cent linen, silk, and cashmere includes t-shirts, trousers, overshirts, jackets, and shirts designed to anchor a modern, global wardrobe. Shah is candid about the gap he sees in the Indian market. The Indian fashion space suffers from what I call the couture syndrome, where the industry is obsessed with bridal and occasion wear," he explains. Statement and everyday luxury pieces are often ignored. Thats where RIZVOL belongs," he adds. The New Delhi unveiling reflected this philosophy through live styling moments, cultural performances, and intimate exchanges, with attendees including Anhad Khanna, Kamakshi Khanna, Shivani Varma, Nikhil Rana, Sidharth Kapila, and other voices at the intersection of fashion and culture. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 19:21 IST News lifestyle fashion RIZVOL Enters India With Rahul Dev And A New Vision For Modern, Minimal Luxury How To Support Your Mental Health This January Without Overhauling Your Life Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 13:27 IST Emotional awareness, routine, gentle movement, mindful breathing, quality sleep, and meaningful connections work together to build resilience over time. Take a moment to reflect on the joys in your life. January often arrives with pressure to improve, reset, and reinvent overnight. While the new year can feel like an ideal starting point for better mental health, experts say meaningful change doesnt come from drastic resolutions or rigid routines. Instead, mental well-being thrives on small, repeatable practices that support emotional regulation, reduce stress, and build resilience over time. Beginning the year with simple, intentional habits can help stabilise your mind, improve your mood, and create a calmer foundation for the months ahead. Mental Health Is More Than The Absence of Illness Mental health goes beyond whether someone has a diagnosable condition. It includes how we manage everyday emotions, stressors, and reactions. As Dr Gauri Raut, Clinical Psychologist at Dr L. H. Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai, explains, Mental health encompasses more than just a lack of mental illness; it means being mindful of how you are feeling through your anxiety, sadness, irritability, or anger, as well as having control over your emotions." She adds that acknowledging difficult days and building emotional resilience is a key step toward long-term well-being. Start With Awareness, Not Perfection One of the most effective mental health practices to begin in January is emotional awareness. Dr Raut emphasises the importance of recognising thoughts and feelings without judgment, noting that it is normal to have bad mental health days. Journaling, reflecting on emotional triggers, or simply pausing to label how you feel can prevent emotions from becoming overwhelming. Echoing this, Mehezabin Dordi, Clinical Psychologist at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, points out that many people move through life without being truly connected to their emotions. She explains that tuning into emotional experiences helps manage anxiety and prevents emotional overload. The Power Of Routine And Structure A well-structured daily routine is one of the most underrated tools for mental wellness. Dr Raut highlights that allocating time for work, rest, hobbies, and personal reflection supports work-life balance and emotional stability. Dordi reinforces this, explaining that maintaining consistent sleep, meal, and wake times regulates the body clock, which positively impacts mood, anxiety levels, and sleep quality. Research, she notes, shows that such routines reduce emotional fluctuations, especially in individuals experiencing stress or low moods. Move Your Body, Calm Your Mind Physical activity remains a cornerstone of mental health, but it doesnt need to be intense. According to Dr Raut, regular movement helps balance hormones and releases happy hormones that elevate mood. Dordi adds that even short walks, stretching, or gentle yoga for 1020 minutes can boost serotonin and dopamine levels, helping manage anxiety and low mood effectively. Breathing, Sleep, And Screen Boundaries Breathing exercises such as pranayama or box breathing can be practised proactively not just during moments of distress. Dr Raut explains that breathwork helps regulate emotions like anger and sadness before they escalate. Equally important is sleep hygiene. Maintaining a regular sleep routine, reducing screen use before bed, and practising mindfulness can significantly improve emotional regulation, stress management, and overall mental clarity. Limiting screen time during the day also plays a role. Dr Raut advises maintaining a healthy social life without allowing social media to create unnecessary pressure or comparison-driven stress. Connection And Cognitive Decluttering Mental health also depends on meaningful human connections. Dordi stresses that small social interactions, such as calling a friend, sharing a meal, or checking in, can protect against stress and loneliness. She also highlights the importance of reducing mental clutter by prioritising fewer commitments, maintaining work boundaries, and focusing on what truly matters rather than trying to do it all. The most effective mental health practices to begin in January are simple, consistent, and compassionate. By choosing progress over perfection and consistency over intensity, you give your mind the space it needs to heal, adapt, and thrive throughout the year ahead. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 13:27 IST News lifestyle health-and-fitness How To Support Your Mental Health This January Without Overhauling Your Life Makar Sankranti 2026: Date, Time, Significance, History And Rituals Published By : Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 07:45 IST Makar Sankranti 2026: Know the correct date, timing, significance, history and rituals of the harvest festival. Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Makar Sankranti 2026 Date And Time: Makar Sankranti, one of Indias most cherished harvest festivals, will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The festival marks the Suns entry into Capricorn (Makar), a key astronomical event signaling the return of longer days after winter. Unlike many Hindu festivals, which follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti follows the solar cycle, making it fall on the same date each year. Punya Kaal and Shubh Muhurat for Makar Sankranti 2026 What is Punya Kaal? Punya Kaal refers to the most auspicious period to perform rituals and spiritual activities during Makar Sankranti. Actions done during this time are believed to bring maximum blessings, prosperity, and positive energy. Timing of Punya Kaal For 2026, the Sankranti moment occurs at 3:13 PM on January 14. The Punya Kaal begins shortly after the Sun enters Makara Rashi (Capricorn) and lasts for a few hours, making it the ideal time for pujas, charity, and festive rituals. Significance of Shubh Muhurat Performing Makar Sankranti rituals during the Shubh Muhurat ensures that the efforts are aligned with cosmic energy, promoting spiritual growth, success, and harmony in personal and professional life. Importance of Makar Sankranti The festival carries deep cultural and religious importance. In Hindu belief, Makar Sankranti marks the start of Uttarayana, the Suns northward movement, which is considered highly auspicious. It is believed that good deeds performed during this period bring positive results and support spiritual progress. Makar Sankranti is also closely connected with rural life and farming. Farmers celebrate the harvest and express gratitude for their crops. In earlier times, the festival also helped people align daily life with the Suns movement, as the Sun was seen as the primary source of energy. Rituals Followed on Makar Sankranti Holy Dip: Devotees wake early to take a holy dip in rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, or Godavari. It is believed to purify the body and mind. Temple Visits: People offer prayers to the Sun God and perform pujas. Til-Gur Sweets: Sharing sweets made of sesame seeds and jaggery symbolizes warmth, harmony, and goodwill. Kite Flying: In Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, the skies are filled with colorful kites. Families enjoy friendly competitions and festive snacks. Regional Celebrations Across India Makar Sankranti is known by various names in different parts of the country. In Punjab, it is celebrated as Lohri. In Tamil Nadu, it coincides with Pongal, a four-day harvest festival. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it is called Sankranthi, while in West Bengal, it is referred to as Poush Sankranti. Despite the different names, the underlying spirit of the festival remains the same. Auspicious Muhurat and Beliefs The best time to perform Makar Sankranti rituals is in the early morning when the Sun enters Capricorn. Legend associates this day with Bhishma Pitamah, who chose to leave his mortal body during Uttarayana, enhancing the spiritual significance of the festival. Overall, Makar Sankranti celebrates sunlight, harvest, and fresh beginnings. As 2026 approaches, people across India will come together to welcome longer days with prayer, festive foods, and shared joy. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 07:45 IST News lifestyle Makar Sankranti 2026: Date, Time, Significance, History And Rituals Why Indian Singles Are Choosing Self-Reflection Over Situationships This Year Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 18:56 IST According to a research by Bumble, Indian singles are prioritising self-awareness and emotional honesty in dating as they step into 2026. Clear communication and self-love are top priorities for singles this year. The dating reset Indian singles are making in 2026 isnt about finding the one faster. Its about understanding themselves better first. After years of navigating burnout, ghosting, and emotional fatigue, singles are pressing pause, not on dating, but on old habits that no longer serve them. The focus has shifted inward, and the result is a quieter but far more meaningful shift in how relationships are being approached. Recent research by Bumble points to what can best be described as a self-reflection era one where dating is no longer driven by impulsive patterns but by clarity, accountability, and emotional intention. Looking Back To Move Forward More than two-thirds of Indian singles say they actively reflected on their dating habits in 2025. Instead of carrying unresolved patterns into a new year, 83 per cent are choosing to learn from what didnt work rather than repeating familiar mistakes. Its a mindset shift that signals emotional maturity. Dating is no longer about endurance, but evolution. This reflective pause mirrors how people reset wellness routines or career goals: identifying what drains energy and what nurtures growth. Habits Singles Are Leaving Behind At the top of the breakup list are behaviours many quietly recognise in themselves. Oversharing too soon, avoiding uncomfortable conversations, and low-effort texting are the most common habits Indian singles want to outgrow in 2026. Rather than seeing these patterns as personal flaws, singles are reframing them as signals markers of emotional availability, readiness, or boundaries that need strengthening. What Healthy Dating Looks Like Now Equally telling is what singles are intentionally carrying forward. Clear communication tops the list, followed closely by reliability, respect, and something deceptively simple: texting back when promised. These priorities suggest a growing rejection of situationships and a renewed respect for emotional time and effort. Dating, it seems, is becoming less about constant access and more about consistent presence. Self-Love Isnt a Buzzword Anymore The most striking takeaway? Nearly all single Indians say theyre prioritising self-love and personal growth this year not as a slogan, but as a dating strategy. As Bumble Relationship Expert Shan Boodram explains: The good news is that taking accountability doesnt have to feel heavy. Research shows that healthy relationships are built on three things: self-insight, emotional regulation and mutuality. Two of those are about understanding yourself and your own behaviour and the third is a reminder that things only really click when the other person is doing that work as well." Technology, too, is responding to this shift. Features like profile verification and improved prompts are helping singles show up more authentically, while better profile curation is making space for conversations that feel intentional rather than transactional. In 2026, dating success isnt measured by how many matches you make, but by how honestly you show up. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 18:56 IST News lifestyle relationship Why Indian Singles Are Choosing Self-Reflection Over Situationships This Year Alia Bhatt Stuns In Gorgeous Saree As She Arrives Hand-In-Hand With Ranbir At Friend's Reception Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 14, 2026, 00:03 IST Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor made a stylish appearance at a friends wedding reception in Mumbai, stunning fans with their elegant traditional looks. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor arrive hand in hand at a friends wedding reception in Mumbai. Bollywoods most-loved couple, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, once again grabbed attention as they stepped out in Mumbai on Tuesday evening to attend a friends wedding reception. Arriving hand in hand, the duo served understated elegance and couple goals, leaving fans and photographers swooning. For the occasion, Alia opted for a timeless traditional look. The actress looked ethereal in a white sequinned embroidered saree, paired with a matching blouse featuring a plunging neckline. She styled her hair in a sleek bun and completed the look with a statement choker and minimal accessories, keeping her makeup soft and dewy. Ranbir complemented her perfectly in a classic black kurta-pyjama, layered with an embroidered Nehru jacket that added a regal touch to his ensemble. Alia-Ranbir Step Out For Wedding Reception In Mumbai The couple was seen warmly greeting family members and friends before leaving the venue. Later, they were spotted exiting Gauri Khans restaurant Torri, still holding hands, much to the delight of the paparazzi waiting outside. Videos and pictures of their appearance quickly surfaced online, with fans praising Alias elegant saree look and Ranbirs effortless charm. The evening saw several other Bollywood celebrities stepping out for wedding celebrations across the city. Filmmaker Farah Khan, actors Ankita Lokhande, Karishma Tanna and designer Puneet Malhotra were among the many familiar faces spotted at Nupur Sanon and Stebin Bens wedding reception. Kriti Sanon also turned heads at her sisters post-wedding bash, dazzling in a mehendi green saree and embracing the festive spirit in full desi style. About Alia Bhatt And Ranbir Kapoor Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, fondly referred to as RaLia by fans, continue to be one of Bollywoods most adored couples. Their love story began on the sets of Brahmastra in 2018, where they struck an instant bond and went on to date for several years. The couple tied the knot on April 14, 2022, in an intimate ceremony held at their Bandra residence in Mumbai, attended by close friends and family. They welcomed their daughter, Raha Kapoor, on November 6, 2022. While the couple initially chose to keep her away from the public eye, they later introduced her to the paparazzi during the Kapoor familys annual Christmas lunch. Since then, Raha has often been spotted charming photographers with her playful interactions. On the professional front, Alia and Ranbir are set to reunite on screen for Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Love and War. The period drama, inspired by Sangam and Pearl Harbor, also stars Vicky Kaushal in a pivotal role and is slated for release later this year. Apart from the collaboration, both actors have multiple individual projects lined up, keeping their schedules packed. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 14, 2026, 00:03 IST News movies bollywood Alia Bhatt Stuns In Gorgeous Saree As She Arrives Hand-In-Hand With Ranbir At Friend's Reception LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the recent surge of federal immigration enforcement following the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent last week. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and officials from Minneapolis and St. Paul, alleges that an unprecedented deployment of federal immigration enforcement agents from multiple agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has "instilled fear" among people living, working and visiting the cities. The lawsuit names U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, among other federal officials, as defendants. According to the complaint, the surge of federal agents into Minnesota is "unconstitutional and unlawful." State and city officials are asking the court to "preliminarily and permanently enjoin defendants from implementing the unprecedented surge in Minnesota or any other similar action in Minnesota." More than 2,000 DHS agents have been deployed to the Twin Cities area, a number that according to the complaint, far exceeds the combined total of sworn police officers in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot on Wednesday by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The city has remained tense since the shooting, as outrage has spread locally and nationwide. More than 1,000 protests and vigils were reportedly held across the country over the weekend in her honor. On Monday, the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago also sued the DHS for dangerous enforcement tactics and unlawful use of force. The lawsuit specifically challenges the Trump administration's "federal overreach using tactics exceeding the authority granted by Congress, including arresting people without warrants or probable cause, indiscriminately deploying tear gas, and other illegal enforcement policies," according to a press release of the Office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Celina Jaitly Says Husband Drove Her To Post Office, Served Divorce Notice On Pretext Of Anniversary Gift Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 21:01 IST Celina Jaitly reveals her husband served her divorce notice under the guise of a 15th-anniversary gift, sparking her public disclosure of marital issues. Celina Jaitly has taken legal action against husband Peter Haag under the Domestic Violence Act. Former Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly, who recently announced her separation from her husband Peter Haag, has taken to social media and shared how she was given the divorce letter on the pretext of receiving a gift ordered for our 15th wedding anniversary." She also shared how, even after being granted joint custody, she has been denied communication with her three children. Taking to her Instagram, Celina wrote, I lost my children the day I chose to leave Austria to protect my dignity, my children & my brother. This is for all the men & women who reached out with their stories of abusive marriages. You are not alone." 11 Oct 2025, at 1 AM, I left Austria with the assistance of neighbours to escape what I had experienced as systematic oppression & abuse. I was compelled to return to India with only a minimal sum of money in my bank account to navigate the rest of my life," she continued. She shared how she had to approach the court in India simply to enter her own house that she had purchased long before her marriage to Peter, and revealed how he is claiming possession of her property, despite having no relation to it. Sharing how she is unable to speak to her three children, she wrote, Despite joint custody & a subsisting order of the Austrian Family Court, I am presently DENIED ANY COMMUNICATION with my 3 children & I am heartbroken! There has been repeated interference with my childrens access to me, including exposure to selective media narratives, resulting in obstruction of regular parent-child communication, as well as brainwashing & intimidation to compel them to say things against me, a mother who has done nothing but care for them since the day they were born, moving from one country to another to support the career of their father." In early Sept, I was served a divorce notice by my husband on the pretext of receiving a gift ordered for our 15th wedding anniversary at the local post office, to which I was driven by him. THEREAFTER, I REPEATEDLY & LEGALLY SOUGHT AN AMICABLE SEPARATION IN GOOD FAITH, PRIORITIZING ONLY THE WELFARE OF THE CHILDREN. THESE EFFORTS WERE MET WITH DEMANDS RELATING TO MY PREMARITAL ASSETS & UNREASONABLE CONDITIONS INTENDED TO STRIP ME OF MY FREEDOM & DIGNITY EVEN AFTER DIVORCE," she continued in the long post. Sharing how overnight, she was required to justify her role as a mother and as a parent, she concluded, My entire world was snatched from me in one moment." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 21:01 IST News movies bollywood Celina Jaitly Says Husband Drove Her To Post Office, Served Divorce Notice On Pretext Of Anniversary Gift Haq Director Suparn Varma On Film's OTT Success: 'I Knew It Would Be The Next Big Jump' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 10:51 IST Recently, Alia Bhatt also took to social media to shower heartfelt praise on Yami Gautams performance in Haq. Haq Director Suparn Varma On Film's OTT Success: 'I Knew It Would Be The Next Big Jump' Director Suparn Varma is overwhelmed by the massive response his film Haq has been receiving ever since its release on OTT. In a recent interaction, he spoke candidly about how the Netflix premiere has taken the films reach and popularity to an entirely new level, exceeding even his own expectations. During an interaction with the Free Press Journal, Suparn Varma said, I knew that once it reaches OTT, its going to be the next big jump for Haq. But the response from the audience has been just I mean, sometimes you expect a tsunami, but you dont realise how big a tsunami its going to be! Ive had people calling from Nigeria and Canada, and its trending as the number 1 movie across the Arab countries and all our neighbours, like Sri Lanka and Nepal, everywhere. Every single day Im getting around 200 messages, calls and DMs, so its just been crazy. And this morning (Sunday), you wake up to Alia Bhatt having watched the film and loving it." Suparn Varma Explains Why People Dont Go To Theatres In a Zoom roundtable, Suparn Verma shared the panel with Neeraj Ghaywan, Anurag Basu, Arati Kadav and Reema Kagti. When asked about the obstacles he faces while making films, he said, I think audiences of Hindi films have become much more unforgiving, especially towards Hindi films. A Lokah made in Hindi wouldnt be accepted. There are many ideas which when youre discussing them, you suddenly realise you will be able to execute them as a Telugu film or a Malayalam film, but as a Hindi film, you cant make it." Alia Bhatt Reveals Yami Gautams Haq Role Among Her Favourite Female Performances Alia Bhatt recently took to social media to shower heartfelt praise on Yami Gautams performance in Haq. The actor shared a still of Yami from the film and penned an emotional note, calling her a queen" and lauding her craft. Haq is based on an original story and was released in theatres in November, 2025. It has recently released on an OTT platform. Taking to her Instagram stories, Alia Bhatt shared the poster of the film featuring Yami Gautam and also penned a sweet note calling the actress queen. Alia worte, Queen Yami you are pure craft, heart and all things gold in Haq. One of my top female performances of all time 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." Earlier, many celebrities, including Farah Khan has praised Yamis performance. She even mentioned that the actress deserves an award. Haq OTT Release Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi starrer Haq has finally been released on OTT. On Friday, Yami took to her X handle and revealed that her movie is now streaming on Netflix. The actress shared a poster of the movie and wrote, Streaming now on @NetflixIndia #HAQ ." Haq was originally released in theatres in November 2025. The film revolves around Shazia (Yami Gautam Dhar), a woman married to rich lawyer Abbas Khan (Emraan Hashmi). Abbas unexpectedly takes home a second wife and quickly breaks his marriage with Shazia by triple talaq. The video then focuses on Shazias legal battle to defend her rights. Sheeba Chaddha and Vartika Singh perform important parts alongside Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 10:51 IST News movies bollywood Haq Director Suparn Varma On Film's OTT Success: 'I Knew It Would Be The Next Big Jump' Rohit Shetty To Shoot Golmaal 5 In Mumbai Film City, Set-Building Expected To End By February: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 14:39 IST Rohit Shetty will shoot Golmaal 5 at Mumbais Film City, with the set-building work currently underway and expected to be completed by February, as per reports. Rohit Shettys Golmaal 5 will reportedly bring back the original cast. Golmaal 5 is the one film every Rohit Shetty fan has been waiting for for a long time now. While the director left the audience surprised by teasing the film in the end credits of Son of Sardaar 2, fans have been eagerly awaiting the next update, and every detail is raising the excitement a notch higher. A new update suggests that while Rohit Shetty typically shoots chunks of his films in Goa or Hyderabad, this time he is making an exception. As per a Bollywood Hungama source, Rohit Shetty usually likes to shoot a chunk of his films in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, or Goa. But with Golmaal 5, hell make an exception and shoot in Film City, Mumbai. Multiple sets of the cafe, police station, palatial residence, etc. are being put up. All these sets would be ready by the beginning of next month. With the shoot largely centred in Film City, Mumbai, itll be convenient for the actors to stay at home and report to the set whenever required." The makers wanted an even bigger set and suggested filling up the lake inside Film City. However, the Film City authorities turned down the request, as such a move could harm the region ecologically. Moreover, the lake has several crocodiles, and hence, it was not just impractical but impossible to fill up the lake, that too for a film shoot. Rohit Shetty and his core team understood this point and agreed to construct the set near the lake in the Film City complex," the source added. Golmaal 5 Plot Finalised In June 2025, Pinkvilla reported that the fifth instalment of the Golmaal franchise is all set to roll out in early 2026. But before that, Shetty is busy wrapping up the Rakesh Maria biopic starring John Abraham, which is scheduled to be completed by September 2025. Rohit Shetty is presently shooting for the Rakesh Maria biopic with John Abraham in Mumbai. The film will be wrapped up by September 2025, and the filmmaker is aiming to lock the edit by the end of this year for an early 2026 release. Right after completing work on the Rakesh Maria biopic, Rohit moves on to the prep of Golmaal FIVE and takes it on floors by February/March 2026," the portal quoted a source as saying. Rohit Shetty had confirmed Golmaal 5 in November 2024. He shared that he intends to return to Golmaals light-hearted world before diving back into intense action. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 14:39 IST News movies bollywood Rohit Shetty To Shoot Golmaal 5 In Mumbai Film City, Set-Building Expected To End By February: Report Former Disney Star Matt Prokop Arrested On Child Pornography And Assault Charges Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 04:00 IST Former Disney star Matt Prokop arrested on Dec. 24 for child pornography, assault, and bond violations. Court date not yet set, authorities confirm. Matt Prokop, former Disney star known for High School Musical 3 and Geek Charming, arrested in Texas. Former Disney actor Matt Prokop has been arrested on multiple charges, including felony possession of child pornography, officials confirmed. Prokop, 35, was taken into custody on Christmas Eve, December 24, in Victoria, Texas, according to the Victoria County Sheriffs Office, which spoke to USA TODAY on January 12. TMZ first reported the arrest. Alongside the child pornography allegation, Prokop faces charges including evading arrest or detention, resisting arrest, search or transportation violations, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and violation of bond or protective orders. Authorities say his bond violation stems from a 2024 case involving assault allegations against his then-girlfriend. Prokop remains in custody at the Victoria County Sheriffs Office jail, and a court date has not yet been set. Past Allegations and Career Background Prokop rose to fame as Jimmie The Rocket Man" Zara in High School Musical 3: Senior Year and played Josh Rosen in Disney Channels Geek Charming opposite former girlfriend Sarah Hyland. The pair reportedly dated for over four years until 2014, when Hyland filed a restraining order against him citing physical and verbal abuse. Court documents and media reports from People and The Independent detailed disturbing incidents during their relationship. Hyland alleged that Prokop once threw a lighter at her, threatened to kill her dog, and threatened to burn her house down when she tried to end the relationship. She reportedly had to ask her onscreen mother, Julie Bowen, to be present during attempts to peacefully break up. Prokop also appeared in episodes of Modern Family, Hannah Montana, and Good Luck Charlie, often alongside Hyland. Since the permanent restraining order was granted in 2014, he has had no acting credits. Current Legal Status Authorities have not yet released details about potential court proceedings for the child pornography charges or other allegations. Prokops arrest has reignited attention on his past controversies, particularly the abusive behavior reported during his high-profile relationship with Hyland. The former Disney stars legal situation remains under investigation, and fans and media continue to follow updates closely. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 04:00 IST News movies hollywood Former Disney Star Matt Prokop Arrested On Child Pornography And Assault Charges Opinion | Between Promise And Precarity: The Uneven Reality Of Indias Gig Economy Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 16:55 IST Indias gig economy has become a defining feature of its labour market, employing an estimated 7.7 million platform-based workers in 2020-21 Rapid Read The absolute absence of security is starkly evident in the fact that when mishaps occur, gig workers are left without any support. Released in 2023, Zwigato offers a quiet yet powerful window into the everyday realities of Indias gig workers. With Kapil Sharma stepping away from comedy to play a delivery worker, the film captures the invisible struggles that lie behind app notifications and doorstep deliveries. One particularly unsettling episode reveals just how vulnerable gig workers are to an unforgiving system: a false complaint is filed against his character, and in an instant, he is removed from his work. There is no inquiry, no opportunity to explainonly retribution. As Sharmas income disappears, leaving him unable to manage even basic household expenses, his struggle begins. Through moments like these, Zwigato transcends storytelling to become a commentary on the absence of job security, dignity, and social protection in the gig economy, reminding readers that behind every quick delivery lies a life teetering in search of some balance. The films message feels especially poignant when viewed in light of real-life events. Switch to 2021, during the brutal second wave of Covid-19. While most people remained indoors, avoiding all contact, delivery workers were on the streets, risking their lives to deliver food and essentials to households. In the same year, a Bengaluru-based model accused a Zomato delivery partner of assault, leading to his arrest and temporary suspension from the platform before he was later released on bail. The timing itself added a layer of irony. At a moment when gig workers were being hailed as essential lifelines, a single allegation was enough to upend a workers livelihood. The quiet desperation portrayed in Zwigato is no longer confined to the cinema; it has found expression on the streets as well. On New Years Eve, thousands of gig workers across the country went on strike, calling for better pay, safer working conditions, and basic dignity at work. But the very system they were protesting against diluted their collective voice. The New Year rush, coupled with a lack of organisation among gig workers, meant that the strikes impact was visible only in pockets, even as discontent simmered widely beneath the surface. At the heart of their protest lies a stark contradiction. Behind the glossy rhetoric of flexibility and independence lies a fragile existence marked by uncertainty and constant pressure. Many gig workers say they clock up to 14 hours a day for a single platform, yet remain unrecognised as employees. Officially labelled as partners" or independent contractors", they are excluded from the rights and protections that generally accompany such long hours of labour. What they seek is not privilege, but fair and reasonable compensation for the work that fuels Indias fast-growing digital economy. The absolute absence of security is starkly evident in the fact that when mishaps occur, gig workers are left without any support. In her book OTP Please, which examines gig economies in India and South Asia, author Vandana Vasudevan recounts meeting a delivery agent at a protest in Rajasthan whose right thumb was severed while helping a customer move goods. Despite the injury, he received neither compensation nor medical assistance from the logistics start-up he worked for. Indias gig economy has become a defining feature of its labour market, employing an estimated 7.7 million platform-based workers in 2020-21, a number projected to rise to nearly 23.5 million by 2029-30. Even the government has recognised this fact. In an article published on December 9, 2025, the Press Information Bureau (PIB), while acknowledging the gig and platform workforce as a crucial driver of the new economic ecosystem, powered by young demographics, digital adoption, and rapid urbanisation", highlighted how, in recognition of their role, the Code on Social Security, 2020 (SS)one of the four labour codes implemented in a recent labour reformformally brings gig and platform workers under a broader protection umbrella. It claims that the reform institutionalises long-overdue security for a workforce that has long powered Indias digital economy without commensurate protections". Gig workers operate without the security of fixed employment, functioning instead in a freelance-like arrangement. This vast workforce includes delivery partners for platforms such as BigBasket, Zomato, Swiggy, and Blinkit, as well as drivers associated with cab aggregators like Ola and Uber. They are paid per delivery or per ride, not through a guaranteed monthly income. There is no fixed salary, no allowances, no pension, and no paid leaveonly earnings that fluctuate with demand, algorithms, and physical endurance. As the film, the book, and the protests held at regular intervals together reveal, flexibility may define the gig economy, but its cost is borne almost entirely by the workers who keep it moving. A day spent with a gig worker will reveal that the struggles depicted in the film or the book are not exaggerated. Whether it is the scorching heat of June, the biting cold of January, or the relentless rains of July, when stepping outside feels unbearable, our instinctive response is simplelets order online. It feels effortless to us. What we rarely pause to consider is that someone is riding a two-wheeler through these very conditions to bring that order to our doorstep. If a delivery is delayed, frustration often turns into anger directed at the worker, who absorbs complaints, impatience, and blame while continuing to do the job. Nearly 90 per cent of these workers have no savings to fall back on. A short illness of even a few days can mean empty kitchens and unpaid bills at home. They are not permanent employees who can rely on paid leave, loans, or advances in times of need. This crisis is not confined to gig workers alone; it runs through the entire unorganised sector, where labour survives in the absence of strong laws and meaningful protection. In urban India, domestic workers, largely women, form the quiet backbone of everyday life, enabling households to function smoothly. Yet their work remains largely invisible and chronically undervalued. Many continue for years without a fixed salary or annual increment, trapped at stagnant wages even as the cost of living steadily rises. What makes their reality even harsher is that their struggle is not limited to the workplace. The imbalance of power inside private homes often exposes them to mental and physical abuse, with little recourse. Their hardships do not end at the employers doorstep. Many women return home only to face violence within their own families. In a painful irony, some earn more than their husbands, yet enjoy little respect or agency in their households. Their financial contribution rarely translates into dignity; instead, it often exists alongside neglect, control, and abuse. And yet, every morning, they step out once againnot by choice, but by necessityto earn for themselves and their children. Their lives mirror those of gig workers and millions of others in the informal economy: stories shaped by uncertainty, resilience forged under compulsion, and labour that keeps society functioning while remaining largely unprotected. Yet, in comparison to gig workers, domestic work carries one fragile but significant differencecontinuity. Many domestic workers remain employed in the same households for years, sometimes even decades. Over time, this constancy can foster a personal bond with employers, one that occasionally softens the harsh edges of informal labour. Unlike app-based workers governed by algorithms, domestic workers are at least seen and known by the families they serve. This familiarity can translate into limited but meaningful support. Advances or small loans are often easier to access, and in many cases, employers step in to help with childrens school fees, medical emergencies, or even wedding expenses. When a crisis strikes, a domestic worker may still find a door to knock on, someone who knows her story and circumstances. While this support is no substitute for legal protection or fair wages, it highlights a crucial contrast within the unorganised sector. Gig workers, despite powering billion-dollar platforms, often lack even this basic human connection. The story of the gig economy cannot be reduced to a single narrative. As Vasudevan highlights in her book, platform work has expanded choice and opportunity. She writes that in different parts of South Asia, women have used these jobs to gain financial control and a stronger sense of agency. Ride-hailing platforms have also reshaped everyday mobility, offering people with physical disabilities greater independence and allowing the elderly or mobility-restricted the comfort of safe travel and access to services. Pragati Pandey is a Noida-based freelance writer who writes on books, pop culture, and ideas. Views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of News18. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 16:55 IST News opinion Opinion | Between Promise And Precarity: The Uneven Reality Of Indias Gig Economy 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 | Can Sergio Gor Resuscitate India-US Ties? Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 22:56 IST The 50% tariff on selected Indian goods must be immediately and unilaterally abolished, recognised as an error, and India must be compensated for the losses incurred US ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor speaks to embassy officials and media upon his arrival in New Delhi on January 12, 2026. (Image: AP/Manish Swarup) The US-India relationship has been severely damaged. This is my opinion. I do not know what the current leadership in India thinks, but as I observe the shift in Indias geopolitical strategy, I fear that the US is no longer central to Indias future growth as a significant regional power in Asia. This is a tragedy. The two nations, to reiterate, share long-standing and growing synergies. Now the spark is gone. India has lost the trust it had in the credibility and friendship of the US. It will take another 30 years to rebuild this trust, if at all. What can be done? First, respect. India needs to be respected and cannot be bullied, lectured, arm-twisted, and heckled as we have seen recently by some of the leadership in the US. Second, engagement. India must be re-engaged with transparency, consideration, empathy, and dialogue. Unilateral actions must be avoided. Third, accept past errors and address the irritants. In more concrete terms, the 50% tariff on selected Indian goods must be immediately and unilaterally abolished, recognised as an error, and India must be compensated for the losses incurred due to these tariffs. A sincere apology or a gesture of friendship might help along the way. Navarro must be dismissed for cause. I do not expect that to happen, but it must. It is necessary. Pakistan needs to be addressed. All future interferences in Indian elections must end once and for all. Baluchistan must be recognised as a nation. India must be empowered to grow as the dominant power in the Indian Ocean to protect the shipping lanes and control the choke points. Economically and technologically, Indias growth is beneficial for the entire global economy and peace. This must be a central tenet in geopolitics and must be adhered to consistently by the US. The pending trade pact between the US and India must be immediately agreed upon, signed, and then expanded and strengthened. All this might be a beginning, albeit a small one. The patient is intubated in the Intensive Care Unit. Its vitals are indicative of the decline of the most promising relationship between two nations for the next century. Can Sergio Gor save this relationship by leveraging his connection with President Trump? It might be too little, too late. Yet, a resuscitation must be attempted. For the US, despite its errors and limitations, is still a nation built on great ideals and is a platform for freedom and global security. It must not fail. One remedy for its decline would be a strong, healthy, and dynamic relationship with India. Will anyone in the echelons of power heed this prescription from a medical doctor? Likely not. But perhaps ordinary Americans and Indians can still understand this and act on their own to give a final dose of intravenous fluids to this patient. What no politician can do, the lay people may accomplish. That is my only hope. Otherwise, the world will become a more dangerous place. America will continue its decline, Venezuela or Greenland notwithstanding. India will continue to grow, albeit slowly, to its rightful place in world affairs. If Sergio can achieve this, he is my hero. I send him my sincerest wishes but with the clear realisation that it is now an almost impossible task. And that is a grave tragedy. (Pariksith Singh is author, poet, philosopher and medical practitioner based in Florida. 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 13, 2026, 22:56 IST News opinion Opinion | Can Sergio Gor Resuscitate India-US 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... Opinion | Chhattisgarh: Justice In The Jungles Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 12:58 IST The dramatic increase in surrenders in 2025 compared to 2024 illustrates growing depletion of Maoist cadres resolve and operational cohesion The Maoist movement in Chhattisgarh has been gravely weakened. (Representational image/News18) On January 9, 2026, 63 cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), 36 of whom carried cumulative rewards worth Rs 11.9 million, surrendered in Dantewada District in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh. Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Rai declared, Today, on 09/01/2026, a total of 63 Maoist cadres joined the mainstream of society in District South Bastar Dantewada under the Poona Margem: Rehabilitation to Revival initiative." Among the surrendered Maoists were 18 women, a Police statement said. They were active in the Darbha Division, South Bastar, West Bastar, the Maad area, and Odisha State," Rai added. The surrendered Maoists included seven cadres carrying rewards of Rs 800,000 each, seven with rewards of Rs 500,000 each, eight with rewards of Rs 200,000 each, 11 with rewards of Rs 100,000 each, and three with rewards of Rs 50,000 each, bringing the total reward amount for their capture to Rs 11.95 million. Senior Maoist leaders among those who surrendered included Paklu alias Pradip Oyam (45), the secretary of the Maoist Kalahandi Area Committee; Mohan Kadti alias Azad (32), a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) involved in ambushes and killings since 2005; as well as his wife, Sumitra Kadti alias Draupadi Chapa (30), also a DVCM and Bhairamarh Area Committee secretary, who was linked to multiple encounters and arson incidents. Other surrendered cadres included Hungi alias Ankita alias Radhika Lekam (28), a Platoon Party Committee Member (PPCM) associated with propaganda activities and violent acts; Sukhram Tati (20), a member of Company No. 1; Pandu Madkam (19), a member of Company No. 7; and Somdu Kadti (21), also a member of the same wing. The remaining cadres were involved in improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, vehicle burnings, road blockades, and propaganda campaigns. On January 7, 2026, 26 CPI-Maoist cadres, 13 of them carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 6.4 million, surrendered in Sukma District. The surrendered Maoists had been involved in several major incidents in Sukma District, Marwar region and border Odisha. Among them was 35-year-old Lali alias Muchaki Ayate, a Deputy Commander who was carrying a reward of Rs 1 million, allegedly involved in a 2017 incident in which an IED exploded on a Security Forces (SFs) vehicle on the Sonabeda village to Koraput Road in Odisha, killing 14 soldiers. Another surrendered Maoist, Hemla Lakhma (41), a resident of Sukma District, carried a reward of Rs 800,000 and had been working with the Maoists since 2011. The Police statement disclosed that he was involved in an encounter in which 17 Police personnel were killed in the forest of Minpa village in the year 2020. On January 5, 2026, a woman CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Role alias Gita alias Lata alias Somari (37), carrying a reward of Rs 500,000, surrendered before the Police in Dhamtari District, Chhattisgarh, citing disillusionment with the banned outfits ideology. Gita, who was active as a member of the Nagri Area Committee and commander of the Gobra Local Organisation Squad (LOS), surrendered before Dhamtari SP Suraj Singh Parihar. Gita, a native of Pusnar village under Gangaloor Police Station in Bijapur District, had been associated with the Maoist organisation since 2005. During her long stint with the outfit, she said she was deprived of family life and faced discriminatory treatment, which led to growing resentment and eventual disenchantment with the groups ideology. At least 90 Maoist surrenders have been recorded in the State since the beginning of the current year, thus far (data till January 11, 2026). According to partial data collated by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), 1,425 Maoists surrendered in Chhattisgarh in 2025, in addition to 332 such surrenders in 2024. 201 Maoists surrendered in 2023. The total number of Maoist surrenders since March 6, 2000, when SATP began documenting Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-related violence across the country, stands at 5,924. The dramatic increase in surrenders in 2025 compared to 2024 illustrates growing depletion of Maoist cadres resolve and operational cohesion, partly due to intensified security pressure and the States Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025". Significantly, on January 8, 2026, welcoming all the surrendered Maoists, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai observed, This is not merely an achievement on the security front, but a victory of human trust and dialogue. The doors of the government are always open for those who renounce violence. They will be provided a dignified life, security and opportunities for a better future. A permanent solution to the Naxal problem lies in the triad of security, development and trust." Further, appealing to the remaining Maoist cadres to return to the mainstream, he urged them to choose the path of peace, family and progress, assuring them that the State Government would extend full support in their rehabilitation and reintegration. Meanwhile, no Maoists have been arrested in the current year, thus far (data till January 11, 2026). Security Forces (SFs) arrested a total of 250 Maoists in 2025 and 265 in 2024. 134 Maoists were arrested in 2023. The cumulative number of such arrests since March 6, 2000, stands at 4,072. At least 14 Maoists have been killed in the State since the beginning of the current year (data till January 11, 2026). According to partial SATP data, 299 Maoists were killed in Chhattisgarh in 2025, compared to 235 in 2024 and 23 in 2023. Overall, a total of 1,949 Maoists have been killed in the State since March 6, 2000. Though the State has yet to record any fatality in the SF category in the current year, fatalities in this category recorded a spike from 18 in 2024 to 21 in 2025. A similar trend was observed earlier, when SF fatalities rose sharply from 10 in 2022 to 26 in 2023. The highest number of SF fatalities, 198, was recorded in 2007. Nevertheless, the SF:Maoist kill ratio remained overwhelmingly in favour of SFs in 2025, at 1:14.23, recording an improvement compared to 2024, when it stood at 1:13.05. The best annual ratio recorded since 2000 was in 2004, at 1:20, while the worst kill ratio was recorded in 2007, at 2.67:1. Significantly, the overall kill ratio since March 6, 2000, also remains in favour of SFs, at 1:1.55. The dominance of SFs on the ground has contributed to some improvement in civilian security. The last civilian fatality in the State was recorded on December 7, 2025, when a contractor from Uttar Pradesh, Imtiyaz Ali, was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Irpalli village, under Pamed Police Station limits in Bijapur District. Ali was engaged in road construction work despite prior warnings from the Maoists to halt the project. He and one of his staff members were abducted near the project site and taken into the forests near the Errapalli security camp. Alis associate escaped and reported the incident to the authorities. Ali was found dead the following day. A total of 43 civilian fatalities were recorded in the State in 2025, compared to 57 in 2024 and 37 in 2023. The lowest number of civilian fatalities, seven, was recorded in 2004. In 2025, Maoist-linked fatalities were reported from eight districts: 223 in Bijapur, 48 in Narayanpur, 40 in Sukma, 28 in Gariabandh, 11 in Kanker, nine in Dantewada, and two each in Kondagaon and Mohla Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki. Six of these eight districts (excluding Gariabandh and Mohla-Manpur Ambagarh Chowki) fall in the perilous Bastar Division. By comparison, in 2024, fatalities were reported from nine districts: Bijapur (102), Narayanpur (101), Sukma (39), Kanker (37), Dantewada (26), Dhamtari (two), Kondagaon (one), Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki (one), and Raipur (one). At the peak in 2012 (out of a total of 27 in the State), Maoist-linked fatalities were reported from 11 districts: 43 in Bijapur, 17 in Sukma, 15 each in Dantewada and Kanker, four each in Dhamtari and Kondagaon, three in Narayanpur, two in Rajnandgaon, and one each in Gariabandh, Raipur and Raigarh. The contraction of Maoist-influenced areas, especially beyond the core Bastar region, highlights the diminishing geographic scope of the insurgency, compared to earlier years. An analysis of overground and underground Maoist activities in Chhattisgarh reinforces an assessment of weakening influence. According to the SATP database, Maoist activities were reported from eight districts in 2025 (out of 33 districts in the State). Only Bijapur fell in the highly affected category, Narayanpur, Sukma, Gariabandh, Kanker, and Dantewada were moderately affected, while Kondagaon and Mohla Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki were marginally affected. By comparison, in 2024, two districts (Bijapur and Narayanpur) were highly affected, three districts (Dantewada, Kanker, and Sukma) were moderately affected, and nine districts (Dhamtari, Kondagaon, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Raipur, Bastar, Gariabandh, Kabirdham, Jashpur, and Rajnandgaon) were marginally affected. At the peak in 2009, three districts (Bijapur, Dantewada, and Rajnandgaon) were highly affected, four districts (Bastar, Dhamtari, Kanker and Narayanpur) were moderately affected, and six districts (Balrampur, Durg, Jashpur, Raipur, Raigarh and Surguja) were marginally affected. 2025 saw an expansion of security infrastructure and a continuation of aggressive operations. A total of 52 new Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) were established across Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Sukma, improving reach into core insurgent territories. This operational shift curtailed Maoist mobility, disrupted supply and communication lines, and reduced their ability to regroup after encounters. A report dated December 29, 2025, also suggested that weapons and IED recoveries surged sharply during the year, with 645 firearms and 875 IEDs seized, indicating improved intelligence penetration and attrition of Maoist combat resources, resulting in significant disruption of Maoist logistics. Arrest figures remained high, with hundreds of Maoists detained through sustained operations. The expansion of FOBs, improved intelligence operations, and enhanced coordination with Central Armed Police Forces further strengthened the States operational footprint, even in remote areas. In a January 4, 2026, report, an official release described 2025 as a historic year for the Bastar Range, citing major breakthroughs against Maoist leadership, large-scale recovery of arms, and the surrender of senior cadres. These developments, the release said, had laid a strong foundation for long-term peace and stability in the region. Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bastar Range, noted, Significant achievements on the fronts of security, peace, justice, and development have marked the year 2025. Precise and timely intelligence-based operations and strong coordination among security forces have established decisive control over Naxalite activities." The National Investigation Agency (NIA) also took positive action on 16 occasions against the Maoist rebels. Most recently, on December 30, 2025, the NIA chargesheeted five accused, including four absconders, in a 2024 case relating to the supply of explosives to the CPI-Maoist in Chhattisgarh, before a Special Court at Jagdalpur. The arrested accused were identified as Manish Sodhi and absconders Sodhi Kesa, Manila, Madkam Kesa and Sodhi Lakhma, all residents of Sukma District. They were booked under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Investigations revealed the procurement and supply of materials intended for IEDs targeting SFs. Seized items included tiffin bombs, detonators, potassium nitrate and aluminium powder, along with Naxalite literature and mobile phones. The materials were meant for the CPI-Maoists Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 01, active in the Jagargunda area. The case originated with State Police arrests on September 25, 2024; NIA took over in December 2024 and continues to probe a wider conspiracy and terrorist-funding trail. Earlier, on November 8, 2025, the NIA conducted searches at 12 locations in CPI-Maoist-affected Dantewada and Sukma Districts, in connection with the Aranpur IED blast and ambush of April 26, 2023, which had claimed 11 lives. The operation, carried out under case number RC-07/2024/NIA/RPR, targeted premises of several suspects linked to the CPI-Maoist. Incriminating materials, including cash, handwritten notes, digital devices, and receipt books used for levy" collection, were seized. The April 2023 attack, executed by the CPI-Maoists Darbha Division Committee, remains one of Bastars deadliest incidents. NIA has, so far, filed two charge sheets against 27 arrested persons, while further investigations continue to trace absconding operatives and financiers. Regrettably, even as the battle against Maoists in Chhattisgarh continues, the State Police Force, the first line of defence against internal threats, faces significant shortfalls. According to the latest Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) report, as of January 1, 2024, the State had 64,980 Policemen, against a sanctioned strength of 82,052, leaving 17,072 posts vacant (20.80 per cent). In this highly Maoist affected State, the Police/Area Ratio (number of Policemen per 100 square kilometres) is 48.06, compared to the sanctioned strength of 60.69. By comparison, the all-India Police/Area Ratio stands at 65.78, against a sanctioned strength of 83.81. Of a sanctioned strength of 142 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in the State, 13 posts (9.15 per cent) remain vacant, weakening the executive direction of the Force. Additionally, 23 of 498 Police Stations in the State are without telephone connections. To bolster the State Police, 290 companies of Central Armed Police Forces [Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), etc.] have been deployed in Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarhs security landscape in 2025 reflects an intensive, multi-pronged counter-insurgency effort, coupled with rehabilitation incentives. Compared to 2024, Maoist losses, both in terms of lives and cadre loyalty, have accelerated, and the geographical spread of violence has contracted. While the insurgency persists, weakened influence, record surrenders, and expanding security reach point toward a narrowing of extremist capabilities as the State moves toward the governments March 2026 deadline for eradicating Naxalism. The Maoist movement in Chhattisgarh has been gravely weakened, but it is not yet extinguished. Sustained pressure, political resolve and development-led governance will remain essential to ensure that the remaining vestiges of Left-Wing Extremism are finally dismantled. The author is a Research Associate at the Institute for Conflict Management. 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 13, 2026, 12:51 IST News opinion Opinion | Chhattisgarh: Justice In The Jungles 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 | Iran Unrest: Covert Plans For Regime Change? Written By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 20:32 IST When US and Israeli leaders praise demonstrators or speak openly about 'freedom' and 'liberation', Tehran hears echoes of 1953 For Irans leadership, the fear is not only of protest itself but also of protest intersecting with geopolitical intent. (File pic/AFP) As protests flare across Iran, driven by economic distress, political repression, and generational anger, Tehrans leadership is responding not only to unrest on its streets but also to signals emanating from Washington and Tel Avivsignals that revive memories of past foreign intervention and sharpen fears of regime change. The demonstrations have led to over 2,000 deaths and a storm of support and defiance on social media, but they themselves are widely assessed as organic, rooted in domestic grievances. Yet the international response has added a geopolitical charge. Statements from US and Israeli leaders, while framed as support for human rights and democratic aspirations, have gone further than neutral diplomacy, feeding Iranian suspicions that the unrest is being watchedand possibly welcomedas a strategic opening. Strategic Opening For Israel? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been especially direct. In repeated public addresses and social media messages, he has praised Iranian protesters and framed their struggle in moral and civilisational terms. The brave people of Iran are standing up for freedom," Netanyahu said during a period of heightened unrest, adding that Israel stands with the people of Iran in their quest for liberty". In another statement that resonated deeply inside Iran, he expressed hope that the Iranian people would one day be free from the yoke of tyranny". Such language marks a departure from Israels traditional focus on Irans nuclear programme and regional militancy. By openly articulating a vision of a post-clerical Iran, Netanyahu has reinforced the perception among Iranian officials that Israels ultimate objective goes beyond deterrence to systemic change. US Priming More Pressure? In Washington, the tone has been more carefully calibrated but still consequential. US President Donald Trump, whose administration has pursued a policy of maximum pressure" on Tehran, repeatedly linked support for Iranian protesters with broader strategic aims. During earlier waves of unrest, Trump declared, and I quote, The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime." In another message, he said, The Iranian people are great people who have been suppressed for many years." At the same time, Trump paired this rhetorical support with unmistakable hard power signalling. Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," he said repeatedly, while insisting that US pressure would continue until Tehran fundamentally altered its course. For Iranian leaders, the combination of sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and public encouragement for protest looks less like coincidence and more like a familiar pattern. History Repeating Itself? In 1953, the United Statesworking with British intelligenceengineered the overthrow of Irans democratically elected prime minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh, after he moved to nationalise Irans oil industry. The covert operation, later acknowledged by the CIA, relied on propaganda, political manipulation, and the orchestration of street unrest to destabilise the government and restore Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to power. The episode remains a foundational trauma in Irans political memory and a reference point routinely invoked by todays leaders. This legacy explains why contemporary Iranian officials react so sharply to foreign commentary on protests. When US and Israeli leaders praise demonstrators or speak openly about freedom" and liberation", Tehran hears echoes of 1953not merely moral support, but the language of political engineering. Ayatollahs Crackdown On Foreign Plot Iranian authorities have leaned heavily into this narrative, portraying the protests as being amplified or exploited by hostile foreign powers. State media regularly points to US sanctions, Israeli covert actions, and Western funding of civil society and media initiatives as evidence of a coordinated attempt to weaken the Islamic Republic from within. While independent analysts note that Irans unrest is overwhelmingly homegrown, they also acknowledge that external pressure can magnify internal strain. For Irans leadership, the fear is not only of protest itself but also of protest intersecting with geopolitical intent. For the protesters, the risk is that international endorsement could delegitimise their cause at home. And for the region, the unresolved question remains whether history is merely being rememberedor quietly rehearsed. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 20:32 IST News opinion Opinion | Iran Unrest: Covert Plans For Regime Change? 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 | Kerala At Crossroads: The BJPs Kerala Moment Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 17:52 IST There was a time when demography was seen as a disadvantage for the BJP in Kerala, but that is no longer the case Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a meeting with the newly elected BJP representatives of local bodies, in Thiruvananthapuram. (PTI/X) Lotus will not bloom in Kerala" was a famous statement frequently used in the media by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) alike for a long time. The adage appeared credible for many reasons. The states demography did not seem to support a BJP victory. The NSS and SNDP, two major Hindu community organisations, traditionally supported the UDF and LDF respectively. Catering to their target audience, the media also largely adopted an anti-BJP stance. It was against this backdrop that veteran BJP leader O. Rajagopal won the Nemom Assembly constituency in Thiruvananthapuram in 2016. Political pundits were quick to dismiss this as a victory based on personal image and relationships rather than as a political breakthrough for the BJP. Then, in 2024, Suresh Gopi won the parliamentary election from Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, with a comfortable majority. The lotus had bloomed in Kerala, both in the Assembly and in Parliament, and the fact could no longer be ignored. In the recent local body elections held in December 2025, the BJP once again demonstrated its growing strength. Although its vote share declined marginally, the party performed well overall and won the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, a stronghold of the LDF for the past four decades. It is in this political context that Amit Shah has launched the BJPs Mission 2026 for the Assembly elections, with the party advancing its vision of Viksit Kerala. Two days ago, at a meeting organised to celebrate the partys performance in the local body elections, Amit Shah emphasised two key points. First, he highlighted what he described as communal appeasement allegedly practised by both the UDF and the LDF in Kerala. According to him, both fronts depend on and exploit the vote banks of organisations such as the now-banned Popular Front of India, SDPI, and Jamaat-e-Islami. Second, he referred to the gold theft at Sabarimala, where serious allegations have been raised against leaders of both fronts. Any investigation conducted by a state agency, Shah said, would not be impartial. It is time for the government to go if it cannot protect the interests of the believer," he added. Both issues resonate strongly with the electorate of Kerala, at least for now. Consider the issue of appeasement of communal organisations. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who now criticises the UDF for the support it receives from Jamaat-e-Islami and brands the organisation as dangerously communal, was a vocal supporter of the same group a few years ago, when it backed the CPI(M)-led LDF. At the time, he openly dismissed his political rivals for criticising the support that his party and front received from Jamaat-e-Islami. Jamaat-e-Islami is our dear friend. It is a religious organisation with a clear stance on national and international matters. Do not reduce them," Pinarayi Vijayan said in 2016, a statement that was widely aired by television channels. The same Vijayan later changed his stance when Jamaat-e-Islami moved closer to his political opponents. He now labels the organisation as communal and has supported an MLA who claimed that communal riots would be instigated by Jamaat-e-Islami if the UDF came to power. While the 2016 video in which he openly supports Jamaat-e-Islami remains publicly available, Pinarayi Vijayan has since claimed that the CPI(M) was never close to, nor sought support from, the organisation. The menace of the Popular Front of India is another challenge that Kerala has had to contend with. The organisation is now banned, but that offers little real respite. When SIMI, an extremist Islamist organisation formed in the 1970s, which propagated provocative slogans such as liberation of India through Islam", was banned in 2001, many of its members regrouped under a new outfit, the PFI. PFI too has since been banned, though its political wing, the SDPIwhose founder is currently in prisonremains very much active. The SDPI has supported the UDF in local body elections, and in many constituencies the UDF has tacitly accepted that support. While the Congress attempts to distance itself from the SDPI, at a time when any criticism of Islamism risks being construed as Islamophobia, taking a tougher stand has become difficult. If the meddling of such outfits is one of the factors in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, Sabarimala will be another. Sabarimala has often been a major point of discussion in Kerala elections. The tough stand taken by the LDF in 2018, and its overzealous adherence to the court order permitting the entry of women into the temple, including the submission of an affidavit in support of the move and an attempt to project itself as a party committed to renaissance," did not serve it well. In an effort to regain the support it lost, the party took the initiative to conduct a Global Ayyappa Sangamam last September, a gathering of Ayyappa devotees from across the world. Some argue that the CPI(M) and the LDF are now attempting to rebrand themselves as pro-Hindu, but this has met with limited success. It was during this Sangamam that reports of the Sabarimala gold theft emerged. Sometime in 2019, the authorities dismantled the gold coverings on the Dwarapalakas, doors, roof, and several other parts of the sanctum, stating that the gold had lost its shine and needed polishing. It later emerged, last year, that the quantity of gold returned after polishing was drastically less. Under the close scrutiny of the High Court, the case is being investigated, and two CPI(M) party functionaries, including a former MLA, both appointed by the government as the Devaswom Commissioner and the Devaswom Board President, are currently under arrest. The investigating team has also arrested the chief priest of the temple, allegedly for failing to inform the authorities when the gold platings were removed by officials without proper permission, a move that some say was intended to shift the focus away from the party. When Amit Shah demands a neutral probe, the demand carries some merit. Many observers view the current investigation as a circus, attempting to balance competing interests and political objectives. Added to this are the lessons from the results of the local body elections. The LDF lost several areas where minorities form a majority, including some of its traditional bastions. Districts such as Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Kottayam, where Christians are a major force, and Kozhikode and Wayanad, where Muslims constitute a significant presence, did not support the LDF this time. This voting pattern benefited the UDF. It is noteworthy that the BJP was unable to make significant inroads in the Christian-majority districts. While this should be a cause for concern, there is another development that the BJP may view more favourably. The Ezhavas, who have historically supported the LDF, are slowly but clearly moving away from it. This shift appears to have begun sometime after the 2018 Sabarimala protests. The party has sensed the danger and clearly understood the reasons behind it, which may be another reason why the CPI(M) is now attempting to reposition itself as pro-Hindu. Opposing the BJP, branding it as communal, while simultaneously projecting itself as pro-Hindu would reek of double standards. The LDF, however, has long been adept at playing such games and justifying them through pseudo-jargon. Yet the partys pseudo-intellectualism and PR stunts are no longer translating into votes, and people are seeing clearly through the facade. Recently, the party took a strong stand against the United States involvement in Venezuela. In the past, such protests and positions would have earned public respect, but this time the silliness of the entire charade was widely mocked on Malayali social media. The change in the BJP leadership in Kerala, with the baton handed over to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has also worked well. On social media, BJP workers often lamented the lack of a strong leadership figure they could look up to. Rajeev Chandrasekhar appeared to be everything they were seeking: educated, charming, and charismatic, yet not intimidating, and with clear goals. With both political and professional experience, his resume is unlike that of any other party head in the state. The partys central leadership has so far not appointed an in-charge for the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala. This has led some sections of the media to speculate that Amit Shah himself may oversee the BJP and its election strategies this time. With Rajeev Chandrasekhar heading the Kerala BJP and Shah supervising the overall strategy, the party would have as strong a leadership combination as it could ask for. The upcoming election is a make-or-break contest for both the UDF and the LDF. If the CPI(M) ends up on the opposition benches, it will do so with a doubly heavy heart, as this would be the first time in its history that, across India, it is not a major force, let alone the ruling party, in a single state. It is unlikely that the UDF will find itself on the opposition benches, but if it does, the consequences could be severe. The party has already been out of power for a decade, and another term in opposition would further weaken it. If the UDF comes to power, it will have to contend with constant bargaining by the Muslim League for more ministerial berths and greater concessions. The last time the UDF formed a government, it had to accede to the Leagues demands and allocate five ministerial positions. This time, the Muslim League has already indicated that it is stronger than before. Amid all this confusion, however, there are signs that the BJP may emerge smiling after the Assembly elections. The results of the local body elections, which point to the partys growing acceptance, the eroding base of the LDF, and the new leadership of the state BJP all suggest as much. There was a time when demography was seen as a disadvantage for the BJP in Kerala, but that is no longer the case. If the lotus blooms this time, it will do so in full bloom. The writer is a commentator with a research degree in philosophy from the University of Sheffield, focusing on the intersections of culture, history, and politics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. 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 13, 2026, 17:52 IST News opinion Opinion | Kerala At Crossroads: The BJPs Kerala Moment 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... Straight Talk | Trumps Iran Tariffs Reveal The Limits Of US-India Strategic Convergence Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 14:44 IST What Washington says in embassies and public statements bears little resemblance to what it does through executive orders. Trump has warned of military action against Iran amid deadly protests; Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Image: AP/File) The messaging could not be more transparent. What Washington says in embassies and public statements bears little resemblance to what it does through executive orders. For India, this gap between rhetoric and reality necessitates a hard look at its strategic position. Indias relationship with Iran is not romantic entanglement with an anti-American regime. It is rational statecraft one that is older than the USA itself. India exports roughly $1.24 billion worth of goods annually to Iran organic chemicals, agricultural products, minerals and imports another $0.44 billion. But more critically, Iran sits at the intersection of Indias infrastructure, logistics and energy security aspirations. The Chabahar Port, being developed through Indian investment of nearly $500 million, offers India what no neighbour can provide: a direct gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia while completely bypassing Pakistan. The International North-South Transport Corridor, linking India through Iran to Russia and Europe, reduces shipping time by fifteen days and cuts logistics costs by thirty percent compared to the Suez Canal route. These are not vanity projects, but lifelines for Indias economic and strategic future. Yet, Trumps tariff announcement has created fundamental uncertainty around these investments. After all, intel sources have already revealed to News18 that there is growing angst in New Delhi over the fate of the Chabahar Port and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Last October, the US Treasury issued a temporary reprieve to India for the Chabahar Port until April 2026. However, this postponement is precisely the kind of volatility that undermines long-term planning and investment particularly when US foreign policy changes on a daily basis according to the whims of one man in the White House. When strategic projects depend on American forbearance that can be revoked by executive order, they become liabilities rather than assets. This uncertainty arrives at a moment when Iran itself is engulfed in crisis. Since late December, nationwide protests against economic collapse and authoritarian governance have killed more than 600 people. Trump, who is closely monitoring these developments, is considering military intervention, with options ranging from precision strikes and cyber operations to targeted sanctions and online propaganda campaigns supporting opposition forces in Iran. There are indications he may be seeking regime change. Should such an intervention occur, Chabahar becomes not merely risky but potentially unusable. A post-intervention Iran, especially one under American influence or military occupation, would be an entirely different geopolitical entity. This is where the contradiction at the heart of Trumps approach becomes apparent. If India is truly Americas indispensable partner, then why impose tariffs that directly harm Indian interests and undermine projects India spent half a decade building? Why revoke sanctions waivers without clear advance coordination? Why pursue a Middle East policypotential military intervention in Iranthat destabilises the very region where Indias most critical projects depend on stability? The uncomfortable answer is that Trumps commitment to partnership is selective and transactional. It extends to issues where American and Indian interests visibly overlaptechnology, defense against China, the Indo-Pacific strategybut retreats when Indian interests diverge or when other American objectives take priority. India already faces fifty percent tariffs on its imports to the United States, with another 25 per cent specifically tied to New Delhis purchase of Russian oil. The new Iran tariffs simply compounds the pressure. Together, they function as a message: comply with American preferences on energy sourcing and Iran policy, or face economic consequences. For India, this creates an impossible arithmetic. The country imports 85 per cent of its oil demand. Russia, as the worlds third-largest oil producer and second-largest exporter, offers discounted rates that other suppliers do not match. These discounts matter when you are serving 1.4 billion people and must balance energy security with fiscal discipline. This is why Indias recent diplomatic choreography tells a more revealing story than Sergio Gors inaugural remarks. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the MEA are racing against time to complete the India-EU FTA. Jaishankar was recently on a European tour, meeting counterparts in France, Luxembourg, and participating in the India-Weimar format alongside Germany and Poland. The timing was deliberate. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has emphasised that India-European Union free trade agreement negotiations are in the final stages, with both sides working to expedite its conclusion. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly floated the possibility of concluding the India-EU trade deal by end-January 2026. These reflect Indias assessment that Europe offers alternatives that are less prone to the volatility characterising American policy under Trump. Trump speaks of friendship with Modi. Friendship, in international relations as in human affairs, cannot be a one-way street where one party makes demands and the other complies. Real partnership acknowledges that allied nations have interests that sometimes diverge, and respects their right to pursue those interests. It means consulting before imposing unilateral tariffs that directly harm a partners economy. It means coordinating before revoking sanctions exemptions for projects another nation has invested in for years. It means recognising that energy security for a billion-plus people cannot be subordinated to American pressure campaigns against rival powers. Indias challenge is to maintain these relationshipswith America, with Iran, with Russia, with Europewithout allowing any single relationship to dictate its choices. It is not the foreign policy of isolation or defiance, but of clarity. India will cooperate with the United States where interests align. It will sustain its investment in Chabahar and INSTC because these projects serve Indias fundamental economic and geopolitical interests. It may continue importing Russian oil because that remains the most rational policy for its energy security. And it will deepen ties with Europe because diversification reduces vulnerability to the kind of unilateral coercion Trumps approach represents. Sergio Gor spoke eloquently about partnership and ambition. However, what truly matters is whether America will treat India with respect and as a strategic partner, or merely as a tactical asset to be squeezed for concessions. So far, actions suggest the latter. That is what is souring the moods of many in New Delhi. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 14:44 IST News opinion Straight Talk | Trumps Iran Tariffs Reveal The Limits Of US-India Strategic Convergence 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... BUDAPEST, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok on Tuesday set April 12 as the date for the country's next parliamentary elections. In a statement posted on social media, Sulyok said the right to free elections is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy and encouraged citizens to take part in the vote. Under Hungarian law, parliamentary elections must be held on a Sunday in April or May and cannot coincide with public holidays or Easter or Pentecost. The election is taking place amid a changing political landscape compared to previous election cycles, with recent opinion polls indicating close support between the ruling party and opposition forces. Prime Minister Orban Viktor, who is leading the candidate list of the ruling Fidesz, said Saturday during his party's congress that he is ready to serve again as head of government. Orban has held the post continuously since 2010, and previously served as prime minister from 1998 to 2002. Following the announcement, Orban wrote that April 12 would represent a "safe choice," echoing the ruling party's current campaign slogan. Opposition leader Peter Magyar, head of the Tisza Party, called on supporters to mobilize ahead of the election. Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 20:45 IST 1 / 9 In an era where flight delays have become almost routine, punctuality has emerged as one of the most valued markers of airline excellence. From unpredictable weather and staffing shortages to airspace restrictions and technical disruptions, airlines across the globe faced unprecedented operational challenges in 2025. Against this demanding backdrop, aviation analytics firm Cirium released its On-Time Performance Review 2025, recognising airlines that consistently delivered reliable, on-schedule service throughout the year. Based on millions of global flight records, the report highlights carriers that stood out for their ability to minimise delays, protect connections and maintain passenger trust, even during periods of disruption. (Image: Canva) 2 / 9 Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways emerged as the overall Platinum Winner, setting the benchmark for punctuality among global carriers. The airline recorded an impressive 84.42 per cent on-time performance across nearly 200,000 flights. Cirium noted that Qatar Airways excelled at safeguarding key international connections while navigating airspace restrictions, weather volatility and aircraft availability issues. The achievement marks a significant improvement over its 2024 performance and reinforces the airlines reputation for operational precision. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 9 Aeromexico: For the second consecutive year, Aeromexico claimed the title of the worlds most punctual global airline. The Mexican carrier delivered a remarkable 90.02 per cent punctuality rate across 188,859 flights, demonstrating consistent reliability on both domestic and international routes. Cirium credited Aeromexicos strong network planning and operational discipline for its continued dominance in this category. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) 4 / 9 Philippine Airlines: Philippine Airlines topped the Asia-Pacific region with an 83.12 per cent on-time performance across 116,268 flights. This achievement stood out given the frequent congestion and operational challenges at Manilas main airport. Cirium highlighted the airlines ability to maintain schedule integrity despite these constraints, calling its performance particularly noteworthy within one of the worlds busiest aviation regions. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 9 Delta Air Lines: In North America, Delta Air Lines emerged as the most punctual carrier, recording an 80.9 per cent punctuality rate across more than 1.8 million flights. US airlines faced a turbulent year marked by air traffic control system issues and a prolonged government shutdown. Cirium described Delta as a model of resilience, citing its ability to recover quickly from disruptions and maintain dependable operations at scale. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) 6 / 9 Iberia Express: Spains Iberia Express was named Europes most punctual airline for the third year in a row, achieving an 88.94 per cent on-time performance across 37,119 flights. The low-cost carrier managed to stay on schedule despite challenges such as power outages across the Iberian Peninsula and a global software issue affecting its Airbus A320 fleet, underscoring its strong operational consistency. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 9 Copa Airlines: Copa Airlines led the Latin America category with an outstanding 90.75 per cent punctuality rate across 133,748 flights. Cirium described Latin America as one of the most dynamic aviation markets globally, making Copas reliability particularly impressive. The airlines hub-centric model and tight connection windows played a key role in its success. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) 8 / 9 FlySafair: South Africas FlySafair emerged as the most punctual airline in the Middle East and Africa category, posting a 91.06 per cent on-time performance across 62,805 flights. The carriers disciplined operations and focus on schedule integrity earned it top honours in a region known for diverse operational challenges. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) ADVERTISEMENT Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 19:00 IST 1 / 7 Nalini Joshi is a globally respected mathematician of Indian origin. She received the 2025 NSW Scientist of the Year at the NSW Premiers Prizes for Science ceremony held at Government House in Sydney. The recognition places her at the forefront of scientific, achievement in New South Wales and shows how important mathematics is in dealing with future technological challenges. (Image: Instagram) 2 / 7 Professor Nalini Joshi is currently the Chair of Applied Mathematics at the University of Sydney. She is widely regarded as a world leader in integrable systems. She is the first woman to be appointed Professor of Mathematics at the university. (Image: Instagram) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 7 At present, her work focuses on one of the most urgent issues facing the digital world: quantum cryptography. (Image: Instagram) 4 / 7 Quantum computers are expected to revolutionise fields like drug design and material science, but they also pose a serious threat to existing cybersecurity systems. The scientist warned that governments and industry are unprepared for the shift. (Image: X) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 7 Twenty years ago we didnt have smartphones. Now we rely on them for almost every part of our lives, from paying for coffee to checking our bank balances. In 20 years, we will be walking around with quantum-enabled devices filled with quantum money. But our industry base has very little knowledge of how to protect us in that future, and Australia has less than a dozen citizens with the expertise needed to help them. Mathematics is central to secure our quantum future, she said according to the University Of Sydney. (Image: X) 6 / 7 Professor Joshi has received numerous national and international honours. She served as the first Australian Vice-President of the International Mathematical Union from 2019 to 2022 and is an honourary member of the London Mathematical Society. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016 for her services to mathematics. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) ADVERTISEMENT Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 20:22 IST 1 / 9 Hareshwar Patil (29 Apr 1999 5 Mar 2002) of Shiv Sena, served as Mumbai mayor when the city entered the 21st century, a period of rapid urban growth and rising civic challenges. (Image: firstganeshafestival) 2 / 9 Mahadeo Deole (6 Mar 2002 17 Feb 2005) of Shiv Sena, led the BMC during the early-2000s expansion phase when Mumbais population and infrastructure demands were sharply increasing. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 9 Datta Dalvi (18 Feb 2005 9 Mar 2007) of Shiv Sena, was mayor as Mumbai began large-scale planning for transport, roads and urban renewal in the mid-2000s. He was arrested in 2023 for abusing Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. (Image: PTI) 4 / 9 Dr Shubha Raul (10 Mar 2007 30 Nov 2009) of Shiv Sena served during a period when the BMC was strengthening disaster management and monsoon preparedness following the 26 July deluge. She also holds an MD in Ayurveda. (Image: X @DrShubhaRaul) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 9 Shraddha Jadhav (1 Dec 2009 8 Mar 2012) of Shiv Sena, presided over the civic body as Mumbai expanded public services and moved towards greater modernisation in municipal governance. (Image: ANI) 6 / 9 Sunil Prabhu (9 Mar 2012 8 Sep 2014), of Shiv Sena was mayor when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was ranked among Indias most trusted government institutions in national surveys. Now he serves as the MLA from Dindoshi, Mumbai. (Image: Sunil Prabhu) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 9 Snehal Ambekar (9 Sep 2014 8 Mar 2017) of Shiv Sena, made history as Mumbais first Dalit woman mayor, marking a milestone in social representation in the citys top civic office. (Image: IANS) 8 / 9 Vishwanath Mahadeshwar (9 Mar 2017 21 Nov 2019) of Shiv Sena, served as mayor during the late-2010s phase of infrastructure expansion and urban redevelopment across Mumbai. (Image: BCCL) ADVERTISEMENT Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 14:21 IST 1 / 9 Political parties shape nations, but their philosophies and structures often diverge dramatically. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India and the Communist Party of China (CPC) in China are prime examples. Both are powerful, influential, and deeply rooted in their countries histories, yet they represent contrasting approaches to governance. While BJP thrives in a pluralistic democracy, CPC dominates a centralized one-party system. Comparing them offers insights into how ideology, culture, and political frameworks influence national trajectories. 2 / 9 Ideological Foundations: The BJP is built on the principles of Hindutva and nationalism, drawing inspiration from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). It emphasizes cultural identity, economic growth, and strong national security. Its ideology blends conservatism with modern development goals. The CPC, on the other hand, is rooted in Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, later evolving into Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. It prioritizes collective ownership, centralized planning, and the supremacy of the party over individual freedoms. Under Xi Jinping, the CPC has reinforced ideological control while embracing selective market reforms. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 9 Political Structure: Indias BJP functions within a multi-party democracy, competing in elections against rivals like the Congress Party. It must win electoral mandates to govern, and its policies are subject to parliamentary debate, judicial review, and media scrutiny. The CPC operates in a one-party authoritarian system. It monopolizes political power, controls the military, and suppresses opposition. Leadership transitions are internal, decided by party congresses rather than public elections. The CPCs dominance ensures policy continuity but limits political pluralism. 4 / 9 Membership and Reach: Membership is a telling measure of each partys influence. The BJP has grown into one of the worlds largest political parties, with tens of millions of members across India. Its grassroots network, built through the RSS and affiliated organizations, allows it to mobilize voters effectively during elections. Membership is voluntary, and expansion reflects the partys ability to connect with diverse social groups in a democratic setting. The CPC, by contrast, is the largest political organization in the world, with over 90 million members. Membership is not just about political affiliation but also about career advancement, social status, and loyalty to the state. Joining the CPC often provides access to opportunities in government, business, and academia. Unlike BJPs electoral mobilization, CPC membership is tied to governance itself, since the party permeates every level of administration. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 9 Governance and Policy Approach: BJP-led governments focus on economic liberalization, infrastructure development, and welfare schemes. Initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, and Ayushman Bharat reflect its blend of market-driven growth and social welfare. CPC governance emphasizes state-led development, with massive investments in infrastructure, technology, and global trade. Projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) showcase Chinas ambition to expand influence globally. Unlike BJP, CPC tightly controls media, civil society, and dissent, prioritizing stability over individual freedoms. 6 / 9 Relationship with Religion and Culture: Religion plays a central role in BJPs identity. Its policies often highlight Hindu cultural heritage, temple restoration, and religious nationalism. This has sparked debates about secularism and minority rights in India. The CPC, conversely, maintains a strictly secular and often repressive stance toward religion. It regulates religious practices, restricts groups like Falun Gong, and closely monitors Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Cultural identity in China is framed through nationalism and party loyalty rather than religion. ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 9 Economic Models: India under BJP pursues a mixed economy, encouraging private enterprise while supporting welfare programs. Growth is uneven, with challenges like unemployment and rural poverty persisting. China under CPC has achieved rapid industrialization and poverty reduction through state capitalism, a hybrid of socialist planning and capitalist markets. The CPCs centralized control allows for long-term economic strategies, though critics highlight issues like debt, inequality, and lack of transparency. 8 / 9 Global Influence: BJP positions India as a rising democratic power, strengthening ties with the US, Japan, and Europe while balancing relations with neighbors. Its foreign policy emphasizes regional leadership and strategic autonomy. CPC projects China as a global superpower, expanding influence through trade, technology, and military strength. Its assertive stance in the South China Sea and partnerships in Africa and Latin America reflect ambitions beyond Asia. ADVERTISEMENT After Phone Call To Vijay, Rahul Gandhi's Jana Nayagan X Post Comes As 'Pinprick' For DMK Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 20:04 IST Sources indicate that Rahul Gandhi is exploring the possibility of breaking away from the DMK ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections It suggests that Congress wants favourable seat-sharing talks with the DMK and may consider other options if Tamil Nadu's ruling party insists on being the dominant partner. (File pic/PTI) Rahul Gandhis pinned post on social media site X about Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay has sparked reactions within Congress and concerns in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The post supports the actor amid the hold on the release of Vijays latest movie, Jana Nayagan. Interestingly, Rahul Gandhis support for Vijay came as the Congress leader arrived in Tamil Nadu to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of St Thomas School. Additionally, the Congress shared a post depicting Rahul Gandhi as a Thalaiva or leader, raising questions about whether this was a message to the DMK indicating they were considering other options. The I&B Ministrys attempt to block Jana Nayagan is an attack on Tamil culture.Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 13, 2026 Its not just the pinned post causing a stir. A phone call from Rahul Gandhi has also created tension between the DMK and Congress. The DMK was critical of the stampede during a rally by Vijay, which led to a CBI probe. Rahul Gandhis phone call to Vijay, expressing sympathy for those who lost their lives, was questioned by the DMK. The situation became clearer when the Congress tested the waters with a statement from its research department head, Praveen Chakravarty, who is close to Rahul Gandhi. The message suggested Congress should consider a tie-up with Vijays TVK, but this was rejected by Tamil Nadu Congress member of Parliament, Jothimani. Sources indicate that Rahul Gandhi is exploring the possibility of breaking away from the DMK. Historically, the DMK was viewed negatively by Congress due to its perceived slow action in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. However, in 2004, Kamal Nath convinced Sonia Gandhi that defeating the BJP was more important, leading to the UPA formation with the DMK. Over time, M Karunanidhi became a loyal ally of Sonia Gandhi. During the alleged 2G scam row, despite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wanting to drop DMK leaders from his cabinet, Sonia Gandhi and Karunanidhi persuaded him otherwise. Rahul Gandhi, however, seems intent on undoing this alliance now that he controls the party. The pinned post indicates Rahul Gandhis proactive stance on Vijays movie release issue, contrasting with the DMKs silence. It suggests that Congress wants favourable seat-sharing talks with the DMK and may consider other options if Tamil Nadus ruling party insists on being the dominant partner. Some Congress members in Tamil Nadu have informed Rahul Gandhi that Vijay is very popular among women and youth, which could benefit the party. However, there is concern about a possible post-poll alliance between Vijay, AIADMK, and the BJP, and the CBIs investigation might pressure Vijay to avoid aligning with Congress. In the Congress camp, there is worry that Rahul Gandhi is risking the DMK alliance, which has historically benefited his party in both assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Should Vijay side with the BJP despite Rahul Gandhis overtures, it could be a significant setback for the Congress. While Rahul Gandhi and his supporters in Tamil Nadu Congress hope for an alliance with Vijay, the journey from a phone call to a pinned post has only aggravated the DMK. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 20:04 IST News politics After Phone Call To Vijay, Rahul Gandhi's Jana Nayagan X Post Comes As 'Pinprick' For DMK 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... After RJD Expulsion, Tej Pratap Extends Olive Branch To Lalu Yadav With Dahi Chuda Invite Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 21:54 IST Tej Pratap visited the Lalu family for the first time after he was expelled from both the party and his family last year following a controversy over his personal life. Tej Pratap Yadav met his mother Rabri Devi, father Lalu Yadav, brother Tejashwi Yadav, and his entire family. (X) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadavs estranged son, Tej Pratap Yadav, on Tuesday visited the formers residence in Patna and invited his estranged family for the Dahi Chuda" ceremony on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on January 14. Tej Pratap, who floated his own outfit Janshakti Janata Dal after he was expelled from the RJD by his father last year, met his mother Rabri Devi, father Lalu Yadav, brother Tejashwi Yadav, and his entire family, including his niece at Lalu Yadavs 10 Circular Road residence in Patna. He shared the photographs of the meeting on his X handle and said that he visited his estranged parents to seek their blessings. Today, I reached the residence at 10 Circular Road and met my father, the honorable Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav Ji, and my mother, the honorable Smt. Rabri Devi Ji, to seek their blessings," he said in a post on X. , 10 14 pic.twitter.com/T2nZ5qz3x6 Tej Pratap Yadav (@TejYadav14) January 13, 2026 Tej Pratap further said that he also met his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav, and had a wonderful moment playing with her niece and Tejashwis daughter, Katyayani. I also met my younger brother and the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Tejashwi, and invited him by handing over an invitation letter for the Historic Dahi-Chuda Feast" program to be held tomorrow, January 14, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti," he added. First Meeting After Expulsion Notably, Tej Pratap visited the Lalu family for the first time after he was expelled from both the party and his family last year following a controversy over his personal life. A post, containing a photograph of a woman named Anushka Yadav, went viral, which claimed Tej Pratap had been in a relationship with her for the past 12 years. The post created uproar in Bihars political circles, giving ammunition to rivals and deepening divisions within the RJD. Tej Pratap later denied making the post, claiming that his Facebook account had been hacked and accusing his detractors of uploading the controversial content as part of a larger conspiracy. Yadav had tied the knot with Aishwarya, granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Daroga Rai. However, within a few months, Aishwarya left his house alleging that she was driven out by her husband and in-laws, and the couples divorce petition is pending before the family court. He floated his own organisation called Jan Shakti Janata Dal after expulsion from the family. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 21:54 IST News politics After RJD Expulsion, Tej Pratap Extends Olive Branch To Lalu Yadav With Dahi Chuda Invite 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 Confusion, No Rumours': Ajit Pawar Downplays Police Visit To NCP Strategists Firm Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 14, 2026, 02:09 IST Pawar clarified that the police presence was part of a routine information-gathering exercise and emphasised that DesignBoxed had provided full cooperation Ajit Pawar maintained that the 'concerned officers' were given access to all requested data and that no objectionable material or financial irregularities were discovered during the inspection. File pic/PTI In a swift response to police activity involving his partys political strategy partners, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Ajit Pawar issued a formal statement on Tuesday. The reaction followed a visit by officers from the Pune Crime Branch to the local offices of Naresh Arora and his political consultancy firm, DesignBoxed. Pawar clarified that the police presence was part of a routine information-gathering exercise and emphasised that the firm had provided full cooperation to the authorities throughout the process. The search of the DesignBoxed premises has sparked intense speculation in Maharashtras political circles, given the firms critical role in managing the NCPs digital campaigns and public image ahead of upcoming local body elections. Addressing these concerns, Ajit Pawar maintained that the concerned officers" were given access to all requested data and that no objectionable material or financial irregularities were discovered during the inspection. By framing the event as a standard procedural inquiry rather than a raid, the Deputy Chief Minister sought to neutralise narratives of a political crackdown or professional misconduct. The Nationalist Congress Party, founded by Sharad Pawar, split two years ago after a rebellion led by his nephew Ajit Pawar. The faction headed by Ajit Pawar later joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with Ajit Pawar assuming office as Deputy Chief Minister. The two factions have now decided to join forces for this weeks Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections. Standing firmly behind his strategist, Pawar declared that the Nationalist Congress Party remains resolute in its support for Naresh Arora and his organisation. He reiterated that while the party maintains the highest respect for the law and legal processes, it will not tolerate the spread of confusion, rumours, or unnecessary narratives" that lack a factual basis. This stance of patience, responsibility, and clarity" is seen as an attempt to protect the partys key tactical assets from being embroiled in a broader legal controversy during a sensitive political window. The context of this police visit is particularly significant, as political consultancies have increasingly come under the scanner of various investigative agencies across India. In January, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out high-profile raids on the Kolkata offices of the political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain. The searches were linked to a multi-crore money laundering probe involving an alleged coal smuggling syndicate, with the ED claiming that tens of crores" in illicit funds were facilitated to the firm via hawala channels. The operation triggered a dramatic standoff as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the site, accused the agency of attempting to steal" her partys election strategy and candidate lists, and was seen departing with several documents. While the ED has moved the Supreme Court alleging state-sponsored obstruction," I-PAC has maintained that it is a professional organisation cooperating fully with the law, despite what it termed an unsettling precedent". DesignBoxed, which has worked with several high-profile leaders across the political spectrum, is instrumental in the NCPs current perception management" strategy. By publicly backing Arora, Ajit Pawar is sending a clear message to both the administration and political rivals that the party will defend its professional partners against what it perceives as unfounded scrutiny. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 14, 2026, 02:09 IST News politics 'No Confusion, No Rumours': Ajit Pawar Downplays Police Visit To NCP Strategists Firm 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... One Who Committed Sin: Kapil Mishra Releases Atishi's Missing Poster Amid Sikh Guru Remark Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 16:43 IST Kapil Mishra alleged that Kejriwal is misusing the Punjab administration by filing false FIRs against BJP leaders to hide this sin. "The one who committed the crime is absconding and missing..." he said while sharing a missing poster of Atishi in a post on X. Delhi Cabinet Minister and BJP leader Kapil Mishra on Tuesday launched a scathing attack at AAP leader Atishi over the ongoing row on the latters alleged remarks on Guru Tegh Bahadur, and released a missing poster featuring the former Chief Minister, saying that she committed a crime and is now absconding and missing. The one who committed the crime is absconding and missing" he said while sharing a missing poster of Atishi in a post on X. While addressing a press conference, the Delhi minister accused the AAP leadership of remaining silent on the issue and said they would not remain silent about what he called a serious matter. He criticised Atishi over her alleged remarks on Guru Tegh Bahadur, saying AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal should have asked her to apologise. On 6th January, a sin was committed in the Delhi Assembly, when the Leader of Opposition used derogatory words during a debate on the 350 years of the sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. Since that day, Atishi has gone missing; she has been ordered not to come before the media," he said as quoted by news agency ANI. #WATCH | Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra says," On 6th January, a sin was committed in Delhi Assembly, when the Leader of Opposition used derogatory words during debate on 350 years of the sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. Since that day, Atishi has gone missing; she has been ordered pic.twitter.com/i12969bto8 ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 He further alleged that Kejriwal is misusing the Punjab administration by filing false FIRs against BJP leaders to hide this sin. To hide this sin, on orders of Arvind Kejriwal, the systems of the Punjab government and the Punjab Police are being misused. I want to tell Bhagwant Mann ji, dont become a party to this sinThe way Atishi has gone missing after this means that what she did was deliberateWe will not remain quiet on this issue. Arvind Kejriwal should have asked Atishi to apologise on this matter. I want to tell Atishi to come before the media," he added. AAP Demands Apology From Mishra Meanwhile, AAP demanded an apology from the minister on Tuesday, claiming that it was he who in the first place was insulting the Sikh Guru and manipulated the Leader of Oppositions statement. Through the X post, Aam Aadmi Party stated, Insult to Gurus, India will not tolerate !! Kapil Mishra will have to apologise.", with a poster of Kapil Mishra in the X post. On Sunday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a protest outside the BJP headquarters in New Delhi over the alleged circulation of a doctored video of Atishi. Several AAP MLAs and party leaders were detained by the police during the demonstration. Whats The Row? The controversy centred on a video clip of Delhi assembly proceedings involving Atishi, which AAP claimed was maliciously doctored by BJP leaders to incite religious tension and defame the party. Kapil Mishra and several party colleagues circulated a clip on social media, and alleged that Atishi had made indecent" and insensitive" remarks regarding the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, during a discussion marking his 350th martyrdom anniversary. The BJP has since demanded Atishis immediate disqualification from the House and the registration of a criminal case, with senior leaders asserting that Hindustan will not tolerate insults to the Gurus". Meanwhile, countered with a forceful defence, presenting what it claimed was the original footage of the session. Senior AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj stated that Atishi did not even utter the word Guru" or Guruon" in the segment cited by the BJP. Later, Punjab Police filed an FIR against Mishra and others for uploading and circulating an edited and doctored" video of Atishi. Further, Delhi Assembly took cognisance of the FIR and said strict action will be taken against the Jalandhar police commissioner. This (the FIR and use of the clip) amounts to a breach of privilege, and strict action will be taken against the Jalandhar police commissioner, because the video clip is a property of the Delhi Assembly. We are taking cognisance of this matter," Speaker Vijender Gupta said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 16:43 IST News politics One Who Committed Sin: Kapil Mishra Releases Atishi's Missing Poster Amid Sikh Guru Remark Row 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... 'DMK Vs TVK Vs Cong Vs BJP': How 'Parasakthi' Row Escalated From Censor Trouble To Political Tussle Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 21:22 IST Set against the volatile backdrop of the 1960s anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu, 'Parasakthi' remains in the eye of a storm as the state inches closer to the assembly elections All major political players in Tamil Nadu are jostling for narrative control over Sivakarthikeyan-starrer 'Parasakthi'. (Image: Sourced) Tamil film Parasakthi has courted controversy right since its trailer was released earlier this month from running into censorship hurdles to attracting Telugu ire and now a subject of fan wars", with stiff competition from Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, to political whataboutery over its content. Set against the volatile backdrop of the 1960s anti-Hindi imposition agitation in Tamil Nadu, the Sudha Kongara directorial remains in the eye of a storm as the state inches closer to the assembly elections. All major political players in the state DMK, TVK, BJP, and Congress are jostling for narrative control over the film, which stars Sivakarthikeyan, involved in an intense debate on topics ranging from freedom of expression to historical distortion. THE POLITICAL DIVIDE The ruling DMK has hailed Parasakthi as a Hail historical tribute" while the Congress has demanded a ban on the film alleging historical distortion". The film has sharply divided political opinion, with the DMK viewing it as a significant tribute to Tamil Nadus linguistic pride. Veteran actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, in a letter to deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, described Parasakthi as a mighty war drum" for the upcoming 2026 assembly elections and a victorious tilak etched into the history of the DMK". The Tamil Nadu Youth Congress, meanwhile, vehemently sought a ban on the film alleging that it deliberately distorts historical facts" and maligns the party and its iconic leaders. Calling it pro-DMK", Arun Bhaskar, state senior vice president for Tamil Nadu Youth Congress, alleged that the movie contains fabricated" bits, such as a fictional scene where Sivakarthikeyans character meets former prime minister Indira Gandhi portrayed in a villainous manner". The party further refuted a scene depicting Indira Gandhi witnessing a train fire in Coimbatore on February 12, 1965, stating no such visit or meeting ever took place. In 1965, the Congress government never officially announced that Post Office forms must be filled only in Hindi across all states. This is a complete fabrication deliberately created to malign our party. The film depicts a fictional scene in which Sivakarthikeyan meets the Iron Lady Indira Gandhi and thereafter portrays her as speaking in a villainous manner," read a part of the statement by the Tamil Nadu Youth Congress. This demand for a ban from the Congress drew sharp criticism from the BJP. Narayanan Thirupathi, the BJPs chief media coordinator, labelled the stance of the Congress as anti-democratic" pointing out the hypocrisy of the party for supporting Vijays film, Jana Nayagan, amid its censorship troubles while demanding a ban on Parasakthi. The Congress, which claims that the legal action by the film certification board in the film Jana Nayagan is anti-democratic and against freedom of expression, is acting in an anti-democratic manner and against freedom of expression by demanding that the film Parashakthi be banned this is shameful. It underscores how the Congress is willing to stoop to any depths for the sake of politics," Thirupathi said in a post on X. CENSORSHIP HURDLES The road to release for Parasakthi was marred by significant hurdles from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which initially suggested approximately 38 cuts related to the depiction of the 1965 agitations. This delay sparked a war of words between the state and central leadership. Chief Minister MK Stalin took to social media to condemn the Centre, alleging that the censor board has also become a new weapon of the BJP government" alongside agencies like the CBI and ED. Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran, however, hit back questioning if Stalin was unaware that the film had eventually been granted a UA certificate. He maintained that the board simply followed established rules and dismissed any attempts to link the certification issues of TVK chief Vijays Jana Nayagan also delayed due to legal and censor complications to central government interference. FAN WARS, ONLINE SABOTAGE AND TELUGU OUTRAGE Beyond politics, Parasakthi has been caught in the crossfire of fan wars" following the delay in the release of Vijays Jana Nayagan. Parasakthi producer and actor Dev Ramnath alleged that Vijays fans were deliberately targeting the film with coordinated negative reviews and political slogans in theatres to sabotage its box-office run. This isnt competition," Ramnath stated on X, highlighting the struggles the team faced to secure a release less than 18 hours before showtime. Adding to the polarisation was outrage among the Telugu community over the inclusion of the word golty in the films Tamil version a term often considered a derogatory ethnic slur by Telugu speakers. This triggered boycott calls on social media platforms like X and Reddit. Critics accused Sudha Kongara and Sivakarthikeyan of double standards", particularly as the film is also being released in Telugu-speaking states where they enjoy significant support. While some fans argued the word was used as friendly banter" given that one of the characters is Telugu, many remain unconvinced and demanded an unconditional apology from the makers. ALL ABOUT THE FILM Kongaras Parasakthi features an ensemble cast led by Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa, and Sreeleela. Sivakarthikeyan plays a grounded coal tosser for the Indian Railways who becomes caught in the 1960s student movement against Hindi imposition. The film, which features music by GV Prakash and cinematography by Ravi K Chandran, explores themes of social struggle and family bonds. Despite mixed reviews and controversies, the film is enjoying an open run in theatres during the festive window largely due to the unexpected delay of its rival, Jana Nayagan. While the production house Dawn Pictures celebrated the release as a fire that speaks to all ages", the film remains a lightning rod for debate on linguistic identity and historical accuracy in Tamil cinema. (With agency inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 21:14 IST News politics 'DMK Vs TVK Vs Cong Vs BJP': How 'Parasakthi' Row Escalated From Censor Trouble To Political Tussle 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... 'Attack On Tamil Culture': Rahul Gandhi Says Centre Blocking Vijay's Jana Nayagan, BJP Hits Back Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 17:02 IST Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP-led central government for blocking actor-politician Vijay's Jana Nayagan, terming it an attack on Tamil culture. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (Image: PTI/File) Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of suppressing the voice of the Tamil people. He also slammed the BJP-led central government for blocking actor-politician Vijays Jana Nayagan, terming it an attack on Tamil culture. The I&B Ministrys attempt to block Jana Nayagan is an attack on Tamil culture. Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people," Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X. The I&B Ministrys attempt to block Jana Nayagan is an attack on Tamil culture.Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 13, 2026 The Congress leaders response came after the release of the much-awaited TVK chief Vijay starrer multi-lingual film Jana Nayagan" was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. BJP Hits Back Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu BJP chief spokesperson Narayanan Tirupathy accused the Congress of trying to form an alliance with actor Vijays TVK ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu polls. Taking to X, he wrote, The so-called Jannayak who got crushed miserably in the Bihar elections, is now desperately trying to latch onto the Jananayagan vibe by tweeting in support of Vijays Jana Nayagan movie accusing the Centre of blocking it as an attack on Tamil culture. Knowing fully well that defeat is staring him in the face again (in TN 2026), Rahul Gandhi is chasing this lifeline from a film row to signal & begging for a possible alliance with TVK." Rahul Gandhi after Bihar wipeout, is this your new strategy from Jannayak flop to Jananayagan block?" he added. Madras HC Directs CBFC To Grant Censor Certificate Notably, the Madras High Court on Friday directed the CBFC to grant a censor certificate to actor-turned-politician Vijays upcoming film Jana Nayagan, setting aside the boards directive to refer the matter to a review committee. The film was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on December 18. The committee that examined the film flagged several issues and recommended several cuts. The movie team made these cuts. On December 22, the committee recommended a U/A certificate, which means the film is suitable for unrestricted public exhibition, subject to parental guidance for children below twelve. The committee, however, did not issue the certificate, and this delayed the release. On January 5, the CBFC, following a complaint, referred the film to a revising committee. The Jana Nayagan Row Following the issue of censor certification for actor-politician Vijays Jana Nayagan" a massive political row was triggered in Tamil Nadu with the Congress leaders taking up sides with the top star and blaming the Centre. Congress leaders Praveen Chakravarty and Lok Sabha MP S Jothimani blamed the Centre for the CBFC allegedly not granting certification to the multi-lingual film Jana Nayagan that was originally scheduled for release on January 9. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan has denied the Centres role in the certification row. Why should we pressure him (Vijay)," Murugan asked when reporters in Coimbatore sought his comments on the Congress accusing the Centre of not providing the censor certificate. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 13:47 IST News politics 'Attack On Tamil Culture': Rahul Gandhi Says Centre Blocking Vijay's Jana Nayagan, BJP Hits Back 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... CAIRO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Tuesday stressed Egypt's full support for the Palestinian Authority (PA) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and underscored the need to enable it to assume its responsibilities across the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Abdelatty made the remarks during a phone call with Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh, as the two sides discussed ways to move toward the second phase of the U.S.-proposed peace plan between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, according to a statement issued by Egypt's Foreign Ministry. During the call, Abdelatty highlighted United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 as a supportive framework for the transitional phase, and reiterated Egypt's support for deploying an international stabilization force and forming a Palestinian technocratic committee, which he said would help create the conditions necessary for restoring the PA's role in Gaza while preserving the unity of Palestinian territory between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. He condemned Israel's "repeated violations in the West Bank, including attacks on Palestinian civilians, incursions, and settlement expansion," warning that such actions undermine prospects for de-escalation and derail the political process. For his part, the Palestinian vice president praised Egypt's pivotal role, lauding Cairo's close coordination with the Palestinian leadership and its continued support for the PA. Al-Sheikh stressed the importance of reaching "a just and comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian issue in line with international legitimacy resolutions, in a way that ensures the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital." Brokered by Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, and the United States, an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, following two years of conflict. However, Israel continues to bomb Gaza. Gaza's health authorities said Tuesday that 447 Palestinians have been killed and 1,246 others wounded since the ceasefire began. Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed 71,424 Palestinians and injured 171,324 others, according to the authorities. Rahul Gandhi & DK Shivakumar's 'Helicopter Shot' Puts Karnataka Leadership Row On Sticky Wicket Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 22:47 IST Observers noted that as Rahuls helicopter landed, Shivakumar, who had been waiting at the helipad, bypassed the usual line of officials and dignitaries to reach him first The conversation happened on the tarmac under tight security as the Leader of the Opposition prepared to board a special flight to Delhi following his return from Gudalur in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district. Image: Videograb/News18 The political corridors of Karnataka were abuzz on Tuesday after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was spotted in a brief but intense one-on-one conversation with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the Mysuru Airport. The meeting has triggered intense speculation through the party ranks, coming just hours after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly downplayed any political agenda regarding Gandhis visit. The interaction took place on the tarmac under a high-security blanket as the Leader of the Opposition prepared to board a special flight to Delhi following his return from Gudalur in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Helipad Huddle. DK Shivakumars hush-hush chat with Rahul Gandhi at Mysuru Airport fuels wild leadership buzz. Perhaps dejavu for old-timers, will bring back memories of Rajiv Gandhis airport whisper that axed Veerendra Patil as CM for health" reasons in 1990. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/Xk4AQ49bM4 Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) January 13, 2026 Witnesses at the airport observed that as Rahul Gandhis chopper touched down, DK Shivakumar, who had been waiting at the helipad, bypassed the usual line of waiting officials and dignitaries to reach the leader first. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was present at the airport to see off the high command leader, he reportedly remained a significant distance from the helipad, leaving Shivakumar and Gandhi to converse in private for approximately five minutes. The visual of the duo huddled away from the larger delegation has immediately triggered fresh rumors of a power-sharing transition, particularly as internal pressure regarding the Chief Ministerial post continues to simmer. The timing of this secret" huddle is particularly notable given the Chief Ministers earlier remarks to the press, where he dismissed all talk of leadership change as mere media creation and insisted there were no political discussions on the agenda. Sources close to the Deputy Chief Minister confirmed the length of the interaction but remained tight-lipped about the specific topics discussed. With Shivakumar scheduled to visit New Delhi on January 16 for meetings regarding the Assam elections, this unexpected five-minute window in Mysuru is being viewed by political analysts as a critical strategic move by the KPCC President to assert his position directly with the partys central leadership. CM Siddaramaiah addressed the media in Mysuru after receiving Rahul Gandhi and said that there is no speculation and balmed the media for creating it. Its a baseless question youre asking. There is no confusion in the party, its just in the papers. Either I or DK Shivakumar should speak about it. But have we spoke? No, right? It is us who will get the info. Ultimately, we will abide by whatever the High Command decides. MLAs wont know anything. Would the High Command tell them anything? No. Media is creating confusion. Not anyone else. I went to have breakfast to DK Shivakumars residence to have breakfast, he came to mine. We both have decided to abide by whatever the High Command decides," he said after meeting Rahul Gandhi. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Mysore, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 22:47 IST News politics Rahul Gandhi & DK Shivakumar's 'Helicopter Shot' Puts Karnataka Leadership Row On Sticky Wicket 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... Israeli Man, Just Meters Away From His Destination, Gives Up On Dream Everest Summit To Rescue Fellow Climber Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 18:53 IST In May 2012, Nadav BenYehuda gave up his Everest summit to save a Turkish climber in danger. His nine-hour rescue showed courage and humanity. (Photo Credit: Instagram) In May 2012, 24-year-old Israeli climber Nadav BenYehuda was just 300 meters from the summit of Mount Everest, climbing in the deadly death zone" where oxygen is dangerously low. It was the final stretch of a dream he had trained for many years. But when he found a Turkish climber, Aydin Irmak, unconscious and freezing, Nadav chose to help him instead. His story remains a powerful reminder that on the worlds highest mountain, saving a life can be more important than reaching the top. Nadav Spots A Climber In Danger As Nadav BenYehuda neared the peak, he saw Aydin lying on the icy slope. The man had severe altitude sickness and injuries, and several climbers had already passed him, a harsh reality at that height. Id passed two fresh corpses," Nadav said later as per BBC report. He was unconscious. He had no gloves. No oxygen. No crampons. No cover He was waiting for the end." Giving Up The Summit To Save A Life Instead of continuing to the top, Nadav BenYehuda gave Aydin his oxygen and stayed with him. For nearly nine hours, he carried, supported, and guided the injured climber down the mountain. The death zone" is extremely dangerous, where every step can be fatal, but Nadav focused only on keeping Aydin alive. He ignored his own safety, suffering frostbite in four fingers and two toes. A Harrowing Nine-Hour Descent The journey down was slow and exhausting. Aydin kept waking up in pain, which made the climb even harder. Nadav BenYehuda carefully navigated the icy slopes, ensuring the injured man didnt fall or collapse. Every minute was a fight against freezing temperatures, thin air, and fatigue. But Nadav never stopped, proving that courage and selflessness can matter more than ambition. Doctors Confirm the Rescue Was Critical By the time they reached base camp, both climbers were battered and exhausted, but alive. Doctors later confirmed that Nadav BenYehudas quick actions had saved Aydins life. The rescue became one of the clearest examples of humanity triumphing over personal goals in one of the worlds deadliest places. Life After the Everest Rescue Nadav never reached the summit that day, but his act earned him international recognition and lasting respect. He continued climbing, including summiting Mount Kazbeck in Georgia, but the Everest rescue remains his most famous moment. His story is a lasting reminder that even at the top of the world, compassion and courage can outweigh ambition News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 18:53 IST News viral Israeli Man, Just Meters Away From His Destination, Gives Up On Dream Everest Summit To Rescue Fellow Climber 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... Chinese Communist Party Delegation Meets RSS Officials In India A Day After BJP Interaction Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 13:59 IST The meeting with the RSS was held at the insistence of the Chinese side. The CPC delegation was led by Vice-Minister Sun Haiyan. Earlier CCP delegation met BJP officials. A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met members of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday. The meeting took place a day after the Chinese delegation held talks with leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sources close to CNN News18 said the meeting was held at Prerna block. The same CPC delegation that visited the BJP headquarters also went to the RSS office. The talks reportedly lasted for around 30 minutes. According to sources, the meeting with the RSS was held at the insistence of the Chinese side. The CPC delegation was led by Vice-Minister Sun Haiyan. From the RSS side, senior leader Dattatreya Hosabale was present during the interaction, sources said. The meeting came following improved ties between India and China last year. The interaction comes after years of strained relations following the 2020 Galwan clash, which had led to a freeze in several political and diplomatic exchanges. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 13:05 IST News world Chinese Communist Party Delegation Meets RSS Officials In India A Day After BJP Interaction 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... Anti-Tariff Means Pro-China: Donald Trump Vows Alternatives If Supreme Court Blocks Tariffs Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 14, 2026, 01:49 IST Trump defended his tariff policy in Detroit, accusing critics of backing China and warning of alternate options if the court rules against him. Rapid Read US President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the Detroit Economic Club at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday mounted a fresh defence of his tariff policy, accusing critics and legal challengers of acting in the interests of China, as new Treasury data showed the US budget deficit narrowed in the OctoberDecember quarter. Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club after touring Ford Motor Companys River Rouge Complex, Trump said tariffs had been central to what he described as Americas economic revival and warned that his administration would pursue alternative measures if a key Supreme Court case went against it. Well explore other options if the tariffs case is lost," Trump said, adding that opposition to his tariff policy was being driven by pro-China interests". An anti-tariff person is a pro-Chinese person," he told the audience. Trump described tariffs as a historic tool that had once made the US strong and powerful" and insisted critics had been proven wrong. Every prediction the so-called experts made about our tariff policy failed to materialise," he said. The evidence shows overwhelmingly that the tariffs are not paid by American consumers. Theyre paid by foreign nations and middlemen." Supreme Court Tariffs Challenge Trumps comments come as the US Supreme Court prepares to rule on the legality of several sweeping country-specific tariffs imposed during his second term. The court heard arguments late last year, and while sector-specific duties are not affected, a ruling against the administration could significantly curtail broader tariff powers. 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. Trump framed the legal challenge as part of a wider geopolitical struggle, claiming the case was influenced by interests aligned with Beijing. He did not cite evidence for the claim. Tariffs Are Bringing Investment Back At the Detroit event, Trump again highlighted tariffs on foreign automobiles, saying a 25 percent duty on imported cars had reshaped investment decisions. US auto factories are seeing more than $70 billion of new investment," Trump said, adding that much of that money was flowing into Detroit, which he described as the car-making capital of the world". Deficit Narrows As Tariff Revenue Rises Against this backdrop, data released by the US Treasury on Tuesday showed that the federal budget deficit narrowed by 15 percent in the OctoberDecember period compared to a year earlier, falling from $711 billion to $602 billion, according to an AFP report. Overall revenue rose 13 percent to $1.2 trillion, while spending increased two percent to $1.8 trillion. Both figures were record highs, a senior Treasury official told reporters. Customs duties surged sharply during the period, jumping from $23 billion a year earlier to $94 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year. Treasury officials said the increase was largely driven by higher tariffs rolled out since Trump returned to the White House. Trump has repeatedly pointed to tariff revenue as a way to rein in government deficits. In August, he cited a Congressional Budget Office projection estimating that tariff changes could reduce total deficits by $4 trillion over a decade. 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 14, 2026, 01:49 IST News world Anti-Tariff Means Pro-China: Donald Trump Vows Alternatives If Supreme Court Blocks Tariffs 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... Iran Blames Terrorists For 2,000 Protest Deaths As New Report Suggests Much Higher Toll Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 17:52 IST As per the report the killings were unprecedented in Irans contemporary history in terms of geographic scope, violence and the number of deaths over a short period of time. A visual from the protests in Iran (Image: AFP) Iranian authorities put the death toll from the recent nationwide protests at around 2,000, with an official telling Reuters that those killed were victims of violence carried out by terrorists" and vandals, rather than security forces. The toll has been strongly disputed by Iran International, an opposition-linked website, which claimed that at least 12,000 people were killed by Iranian security forces during a nationwide crackdown on anti-regime protests- describing it as the largest killing in Irans modern history. The figure cited by Iran International is far higher than the most widely reported estimates so far, with human rights groups and media organisations placing confirmed deaths at several hundred, while cautioning that independent verification remains extremely difficult due to severe information restrictions inside Iran. Khamenei Blames Hooligans And Foreign Influence Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei blamed unrest on what he described as destructive elements acting in the interests of foreign powers. He said, Last night in Tehran and in some other places, a group of vandals came and destroyed a building belonging to their own country. These people place their hopes in the President of the United States. Set aside these hooligans and individuals who are harmful to the country." There are also those whose job is destruction," he added. Khamenei Backing Organised Killings In Iran? Iran International reported that the killings were largely carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij forces, primarily over the nights of January 8 and 9. The outlet said the violence was organised and systematic, rather than the result of sporadic" or unplanned" clashes between protesters and security personnel. The report further claimed that the operation was conducted on the direct orders of Khamenei, with the knowledge and approval of senior officials across Irans political system. According to the outlet, the Supreme National Security Council authorised the use of live ammunition. How the 12,000 Figure Was Compiled? Iran International said its estimate reflects figures held internally by Irans own security institutions and was compiled through cross-checking multiple sources. These included individuals close to the Supreme National Security Council and the presidential office, sources within the IRGC, eyewitness accounts, medical officials and data from hospitals and clinics across several cities. This data was examined and verified through multiple stages and in accordance with strict professional standards before being announced," the outlet said, adding that a significant number of those killed were under the age of 30. The website said it delayed publication while verifying information amid what it described as a coordinated nationwide blackout. Internet disruptions, media shutdowns, intimidation of journalists and witnesses and restrictions on communications were aimed not only at maintaining security control, it said, but at concealing the scale of the killings. In a country where authorities deliberately restrict access to information, producing an accurate assessment is time-consuming," the report said, warning that publishing incomplete casualty figures risked distorting the true scale of events. Unprecedented In Scale, Outlet Says Iran International said that by Sunday, the volume of evidence and the convergence of accounts had reached a point where a more reliable estimate was possible. Its editorial board said it reviewed information through a multi-stage process involving sources in Mashhad, Kermanshah and Isfahan, as well as testimonies from families of victims and healthcare workers. The outlet concluded that the killings were unprecedented in Irans contemporary history in terms of geographic scope, intensity of violence and the number of deaths over a short period of time. Most victims, it said, were shot during coordinated operations by IRGC and Basij forces. It acknowledged that confirming a final casualty figure would require further documentation, particularly under ongoing communications restrictions, noting that past protest crackdowns in Iran have seen authorities withhold or revise official death tolls. The Islamic Republic cannot conceal this crime by cutting the people of Iran off from the world," Iran International said, adding, The truth will be recorded, and the names of those killed will not be buried in silence." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 15:55 IST News world Iran Blames Terrorists For 2,000 Protest Deaths As New Report Suggests Much Higher Toll 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... Hindus Unsafe In Bangladesh, Need Separate Voting Booths: Minority Bodies To Poll Panel Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 11:37 IST Representatives of the Sabha of Dhakeshwari Mandir, the largest Hindu body in the country, met election officials to raise serious concerns about the safety of Hindu voters. Amid Killings, Bangladesh Hindu Body Says Community Too Unsafe to Vote A leading Hindu organisation in Bangladesh has told the Election Commission (EC) that Hindus do not feel safe enough to vote under current conditions. Representatives of Dhakeshwari Hindu Sabha organisation and Hindu Christian Buddhist Unity Council, the largest Hindu body in the country, met election officials to raise serious concerns about the safety of Hindu voters. The group said Hindus should be given additional security if they are expected to take part in elections. It also asked for separate polling booths with special arrangements to ensure safe voting. The demand comes amid a series of violent attacks and killings of Hindus across Bangladesh. Call for special security and separate booths During the meeting with the Election Commission, the Hindu organisation said fear among the community was growing. It stressed that many Hindus were reluctant to vote because of threats and repeated attacks. The body urged the authorities to put in place strong security measures, especially in areas where violence against minorities has been reported. It said separate booths could help reduce fear and prevent attacks during voting. Bangladeshs parliamentary election is scheduled for February 12 this year. Fresh killing in Chittagong The appeal to the EC follows another killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh. On Sunday evening, 28-year-old Samir Das was beaten and stabbed to death in Daganbhuiyan in the Chittagong region. Das worked as an auto driver. According to journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, a group of attackers thrashed and stabbed him before fleeing the scene with his battery-operated auto-rickshaw. Samir Das was the eldest son of Kartik Kumar Das and Rina Rani Das. Series of attacks on Hindus This killing is the latest in a series of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Violence increased after protests erupted following the death of July uprising organiser Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. Prolay Chaki, a musician and cultural affairs secretary of the Awami Leagues Pabna district unit, died in prison on Sunday night after reportedly suffering a heart attack. He had been arrested in a case linked to an alleged attack on the anti-discrimination student movement. Supporters of the Awami League claimed the charges were false. Last week, a Hindu man identified as Joy Mahapatro was allegedly beaten and later poisoned by a local Muslim named Amirul Islam. Mob violence and lynchings Several other incidents have been reported in recent days. A 25-year-old Hindu man, Mithun Sarkar, died after jumping into a canal while trying to escape a mob that accused him of theft. In Jessore district, Rana Pratap Bairagi, a Hindu businessman and acting newspaper editor, was shot dead on Monday. On the same day, a Hindu grocery shop owner, Sarat Mani Chakraborty, also died. In another incident, a Hindu woman was allegedly gang-raped, tied to a tree, and had her hair cut off. Earlier, Dipu Chandra Das was lynched and burnt to death over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh. Amrit Mondal was lynched over extortion allegations, while Bajendra Biswas, a Hindu garment factory worker, was shot dead in the same region. India reacts BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya has condemned the repeated attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, following the killing of 28-year-old Samir Kumar Das in Feni on January 11. In a post on X, Malviya said Das was brutally murdered and his autorickshaw looted, calling it part of a pattern of persecution under the interim Yunus regime. He alleged that the government had failed to protect minorities and had dismissed such attacks as fiction". Malviya also warned Hindus in West Bengal that if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee returns to power in 2026, the situation could mirror Bangladesh. Veteran journalist and government adviser Kanchan Gupta echoed the criticism, slamming the silence of Western countries and the Yunus administration over the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh. No end to targeted attacks on Hindus: Young Hindu killed in Bangladesh; Yunus Regime silent. Human Rights Wallahs in Europe, US look other way. In yet another targeted attack on the Hindu community of Bangladesh, another Hindu man, 28-year-old Samir Kumar Das, has been killed in Bangladesh on January 11 at Dagonbhuiyan, Feni. The killers took away his autorickshaw, his source of livelihood. The murder shows there is no end in sight to the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh who have been pushed to the edge of despair ever since the advent of the US Deep State-backed illegal Yunus Regime in 2023. Yunus has neither made any effort to control the tormentors of Hindus and other religious minorities including Christians and Buddhists, nor has he bothered to offer a word of solace. Instead he has described the targeted attacks as fiction," reads his post on X. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: January 13, 2026, 10:40 IST News world Hindus Unsafe In Bangladesh, Need Separate Voting Booths: Minority Bodies To Poll Panel 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 Summons Myanmar Envoy After Stray Bullet From Across Border Injures Girl Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 20:19 IST Dhaka calls in Myanmars envoy after a stray bullet from fighting across the border critically injures a 12-year-old girl in Teknaf. Rapid Read Border Guard Bangladesh personnel speak with local residents near the Teknaf border following reports of stray bullets crossing from Myanmar. (IMAGE: X/@ATeam_1971) Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Myanmars ambassador to Dhaka after a 12-year-old girl was critically injured by a stray bullet that crossed the border amid heavy fighting inside Myanmar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The foreign ministry called in Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe and expressed deep concern over the incident near Whykong Union in Teknaf, Coxs Bazar. Dhaka said the firing originated from clashes on the Myanmar side of the border but spilled into Bangladesh, injuring the child. Bangladesh urged Myanmar to take responsibility and ensure that internal fighting does not affect the lives and livelihoods of people living along the border. The Myanmar envoy assured authorities that steps would be taken to prevent such incidents and expressed sympathy to the injured girl and her family. According to police, the incident occurred during intense fighting between armed groups in Myanmars Rakhine State, opposite the Teknaf border area. Gunfire and explosions were reported from around 11 pm to 10 am, during which a bullet crossed into Bangladesh and struck the girl. The child was initially taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where doctors conducted surgery but were unable to remove the bullet. She remains in critical condition and is currently on life support in the hospitals intensive care unit, officials told Bangladeshi news outlet the Daily Star. Teknaf lies at Bangladeshs southeastern tip along the Naf River, directly opposite Myanmars Rakhine State. The border town is located nearly 450 kilometres from Tripuras capital Agartala and around 900 kilometres from Assams capital Guwahati. Local officials said fear spread across border-adjacent villages as residents fled their homes due to prolonged gunfire. Several Rohingya individuals also crossed into Bangladesh during the clashes and were taken into custody for questioning. Landmine Blast Injures Man Near Teknaf Border In a separate incident a day later, a 28-year-old Bangladeshi man lost his left leg in a landmine explosion near the Teknaf border while working at a fish farm along the Naf River, police said. The victim was thrown into the river by the blast and later rescued by fishermen. Locals alleged the mine had been planted earlier along the border area during fighting on the Myanmar side. The explosion triggered fresh protests, with residents again blocking the Coxs BazarTeknaf road, demanding stronger security measures along the border. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: January 13, 2026, 20:19 IST News world Bangladesh Summons Myanmar Envoy After Stray Bullet From Across Border Injures Girl 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... Barbie With Fidget Spinner And Headphones: Mattel Launches Its First Autistic Doll Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 09:51 IST Mattel said the Barbie doll is meant to represent common ways some autistic people experience and communicate with the world. Mattel Launches First-Ever Autistic Barbie Doll Mattel has introduced its first-ever autistic Barbie doll, marking a new step in its efforts to promote inclusion and diversity. The announcement was made on January 12 as part of the Barbie Fashionistas line, which aims to reflect a wider range of real-life experiences through play. The doll was created in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a disability rights organisation led by autistic people. The collaboration lasted more than 18 months and involved close consultation to ensure the design reflected lived experiences in an authentic way. Design features The autistic Barbie includes flexible joints that allow for movements such as hand flapping. She has a slightly averted gaze, reflecting how some autistic people may avoid direct eye contact. The doll wears flat shoes and a loose-fitting purple dress designed to reduce fabric-to-skin contact. She also comes with accessories that represent tools some autistic people use in daily life. These include a finger-clip fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones and a communication tablet with symbol-based AAC apps. Mattel said the doll is meant to represent common ways some autistic people experience and communicate with the world, without suggesting that autism looks the same for everyone. The aim is to allow children to recognise themselves or others through imaginative play. Barbie gets more inclusive ASAN executive director Colin Killick said the doll offers joyful and authentic representation for autistic children. The launch builds on Mattels earlier releases featuring dolls with Down syndrome, diabetes, prosthetic limbs and hearing aids, expanding representation across abilities and identities. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: January 13, 2026, 09:51 IST News world Barbie With Fidget Spinner And Headphones: Mattel Launches Its First Autistic Doll 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 Trump Forcefully Take Over Greenland? Denmark Heads To White House For Talks Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 18:04 IST Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he and Greenlands foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt had sought the meeting at the White House. US President Donald Trump The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland are set to meet US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House amid renewed remarks by Donald Trump about taking control of the Arctic island. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he and Greenlands foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt had sought the meeting after Donald Trump recently stepped up rhetoric about a possible US takeover of Greenland. US Vice President JD Vance also wanted to participate in the meeting, and he will host it, which means it will be held at the White House," Rasmussen said, adding, Our reason for seeking the meeting was to move this whole discussion into a meeting room where we can look each other in the eye and talk about these things." Donald Trump first floated the idea of the US acquiring Greenland in 2019 during his first term in office. The proposal was widely rejected at the time by Denmark and Greenland and drew scepticism in Washington, including from members of Donald Trumps own party. While Denmark has ruled Greenland for centuries, the island has gradually moved towards greater autonomy since 1979. Independence remains a long-term goal shared by all political parties represented in Greenlands parliament. Denmark is also pushing to raise Arctic security issues within NATO. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said he would meet Mark Rutte in Brussels next week, along with Motzfeldt, to discuss security concerns in the Arctic region. Poulsen said Denmark plans to expand its military presence in Greenland, with other NATO countries expected to take part in exercises and training in 2026. It has been a Danish priority for several years to have this discussion within NATO, and not least to get greater attention from NATO regarding its presence in and around the Arctic," he said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 18:04 IST News world Can Trump Forcefully Take Over Greenland? Denmark Heads To White House For 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... Canada Nabs Suspect In $20 Million Gold Heist At Toronto Airport, Another Traced To India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 09:40 IST Peel Regional Police said the 43-year-old accused was taken into custody at Toronto Pearson International Airport after arriving from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Canada Police arrested Arsalan Chaudhary (L) and said another accused Simran Preet Panesar is believed to be in India | Image: X Canadian police have arrested a man in connection with the countrys largest-ever gold theft, while another key accused in the case is believed to be in India, authorities said on Monday. Peel Regional Police said 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary was taken into custody at Toronto Pearson International Airport after arriving from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Investigators said Chaudhary has no fixed address. He has been charged with theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained through crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. The arrest is part of Project 24K, an ongoing investigation into the theft of gold worth more than $20 million from Torontos main airport in April 2023, a crime described by police as the biggest gold heist in Canadian history. How the Gold Was Stolen According to investigators, a flight from Zurich, Switzerland, landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on April 17, 2023, carrying a cargo consignment of nearly 400 kilograms of .9999-purity gold, around 6,600 bars, along with foreign currency valued at about $2.5 million. The shipment was unloaded and moved to a holding area within airport property, but was reported missing a few hours later, triggering a major investigation involving multiple agencies across borders. Police said the probe has so far led to charges or arrest warrants against ten individuals linked to the theft. Accused Linked To India Among those named is Simran Preet Panesar, a 33-year-old former Air Canada employee from Brampton, who investigators believe is currently in India. Police allege Panesar played a key role in identifying and diverting the cargo by exploiting airline systems. He was previously traced to a rented accommodation near Chandigarh, and a Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued against him. Another accused, Archit Grover, also from Brampton, was arrested at Toronto Pearson Airport in May 2024 after flying in from India. Others Arrested Police have also arrested several other suspects, including Parmpal Sidhu (54), a former Air Canada employee, and Amit Jalota (40), both residents of Ontario. Prasath Paramalingam (36) of Brampton and Ali Raza (37) of Toronto have also been taken into custody. Additionally, Ammad Chaudhary (43) and Durante King-Mclean (27), both from Brampton, have been arrested. King-Mclean is currently being held in the United States in connection with firearms trafficking charges. Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the case highlights the forces ability to tackle organised and high-value crimes. Project 24K shows how coordinated efforts with national and international partners can dismantle sophisticated criminal networks. Those involved should know that there is no safe place to hide," he said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Canada First Published: January 13, 2026, 09:40 IST News world Canada Nabs Suspect In $20 Million Gold Heist At Toronto Airport, Another Traced To 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... ISLAMABAD, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and six others injured when a truck plunged into a ravine in the Mirpur district of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, local police told Xinhua on Tuesday. A local police officer said that a mini truck carrying an ox for a bullock racing event on Monday plunged about 200 meters into a ravine in the Dadyal region of the district. Police and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and the injured to a nearby hospital. Police said that two of the injured, who were in critical condition, were later shifted to the country's garrison city of Rawalpindi. The accident occurred when the brakes of the truck reportedly failed while it was climbing a steep section of road ahead of the Dhan Galli bridge, said police. Dadyal area of the district is known for hosting traditional horse races, tent pegging, bullock races, and animal fairs. China Rejects Indias Claim Over Shaksgam Valley, Calls It Chinese Territory Curated By : ANI Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 14:26 IST Shaksgam Valley borders China's Xinjiang Province to the north, Northern Areas of Pakistan-occupied J&K to the south and west, and the Siachen Glacier region to the east. News18 Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning rejected Indias claim to the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. Mao said, The territory you mentioned belongs to China. Its completely justified for China to build infrastructure on its own land. When asked about border issues and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Mao explained that China and Pakistan signed a boundary agreement in the 1960s, which set the borders between the two countries, and that this was a right of two independent nations. According to the Global Times, Mao also said the CPEC is an economic project meant to help local development and improve peoples lives. Mao stressed that the border agreement and the CPEC do not change Chinas position on the Kashmir issue, and that Chinas stance has not changed. The Shaksgam Valley borders Chinas Xinjiang Province to the north, the Northern Areas of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir to the south and west, and the Siachen Glacier region to the east. Earlier, on January 9, India strongly rejected Chinas infrastructure projects in the Shaksgam Valley through the CPEC, calling them illegal and invalid, and said the region is an integral and inalienable part of India. During a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has never recognized the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963 or the so-called CPEC. Jaiswal said, Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory. We have never recognized the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963. We have always said the agreement is illegal and invalid. We do not recognize the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor either, which passes through Indian territory that is under illegal occupation by Pakistan. He reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India, and said New Delhi has consistently protested to China about this issue and reserves the right to protect its interests. Jaiswal added, The entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India. This has been clearly told to Chinese and Pakistani authorities many times. We have consistently protested to China for its attempts to change the situation in the Shaksgam Valley. We also reserve the right to take necessary steps to protect our interests. (Except the headline, this story has not been edited by News18 staff and is generated from a syndicated feed.) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 14:21 IST News world China Rejects Indias Claim Over Shaksgam Valley, Calls It Chinese Territory 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... Chinese Communist Party Delegation Visits BJP HQ, Holds Talks On Inter-Party Ties Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 22:24 IST A six-member delegation from the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) visited the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. A delegation from the Communist Party of China visited the BJP main office in New Delhi. (X/Arun Singh) A six-member delegation from the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), led by Vice Minister Sun Haiyan, visited the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) head office in New Delhi on Monday and held talks on advancing party-to-party ties. Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale, the partys Foreign Affairs Department in-charge, said the Chinese delegation met BJP officials, including BJP General Secretary Arun Singh, and discussed the means to advance inter-party ties between the BJP and CPC. 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," said Arun Singh on X. 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. pic.twitter.com/KdBZVyYUMW Arun Singh (@ArunSinghbjp) January 12, 2026 Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong was also part of the Chinese delegation. This was the first round of party-to-party talks held between India and China since the two countries saw a thaw in ties after tensions surrounding the Galwan Valley clash in 2020. In the past, there have been party-level meetings between the BJP and the CPC, dating back to the late 2000s. Several BJP delegations have also gone to Beijing to hold talks with top Chinese government leaders. The IDCPC, founded in 1951 under the direct leadership of the CPC Central Committee, is tasked with the partys external relations. It has conducted international exchanges centred on the key tasks of the party in various periods. Through high-level exchanges, forums, dialogues, and mutual visits, the IDCPC has carried out party-to-party exchanges in several countries. Relations between India and China have witnessed a thaw after the deadly Galwan clash in 2020. Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit held in Kazan in October 2024, where they agreed on measures to maintain peace and tranquility along the border, and strengthen mechanisms for diplomatic and military negotiations. India and China also agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, stopped since 2020 due to border tensions, and also announced the resumption of direct flights between the two nations. Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently vowed to maintain good relations with India, highlighting what he described as a positive momentum" in China-India ties. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 22:24 IST News world Chinese Communist Party Delegation Visits BJP HQ, Holds Talks On Inter-Party 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... Did A Device Bought By US In Undercover Op Cause Mystery Illness Among Spies, Diplomats? Buzz Grows Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 23:37 IST Officials paid eight figures for the device, which remains under study as questions persist over Havana Syndrome. Rapid Read US officials are studying the device, though its link to Havana Syndrome remains unproven. (IMAGE: AI-GENERATED/NEWS18) The US Defense Department has spent more than a year testing a device obtained through an undercover operation that some investigators believe could be linked to a series of unexplained illnesses affecting American diplomats, intelligence officers and military personnel, commonly referred to as Havana Syndrome, according to a report by US broadcaster CNN. The device was purchased for millions of dollars by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, using funding provided by the Department of Defense, the broadcaster reported. Officials involved in the acquisition said the government paid eight figures" for the device, though they declined to provide an exact amount. The device remains under study, and there is ongoing debate within the US government including scepticism in some quarters over whether it is connected to dozens of anomalous health incidents that remain officially unexplained. According to CNN, one key concern for officials is that if the technology proves viable, it may have proliferated beyond a single actor. The broadcaster, citing unnamed officials, said this could mean more than one country now has access to a device potentially capable of causing serious and career-ending injuries to US personnel. Those investigations are the single biggest collaboration point between HSI and the US military," a former Homeland Security official told CNN, underlining the close coordination between the two agencies in sensitive global operations. The device acquired by HSI is capable of producing pulsed radio waves, one source said. For years, some officials and academics have speculated that pulsed electromagnetic or radiofrequency energy could be responsible for Havana Syndrome cases. While the device is not entirely Russian in origin, it contains Russian components, the report said. US officials have long struggled to understand how a device powerful enough to cause the injuries reported by some victims could also be portable. When Did The US Buy The Device? CNN reported that the device was acquired in the waning days of the Biden administration, though it remains unclear where or from whom it was purchased. HSI has broad authority to investigate crimes linked to customs violations and the overseas spread of controlled technology, and has frequently worked with the US military when sensitive components are discovered abroad. Defense officials considered the findings significant enough to brief the House and Senate Intelligence Committees late last year, including details about the device and its testing. Could Fit In A Backpack One of the sources briefed on the device told CNN that it is small enough to fit inside a backpack, reigniting concerns about how easily such technology could be deployed. The discovery has renewed a contentious debate within the US government over Havana Syndrome, officially referred to as anomalous health incidents". What Is Havana Syndrome? Havana Syndrome first came to light in late 2016, when US diplomats stationed in Havana, Cuba, reported symptoms including severe headaches, vertigo, nausea and cognitive difficulties, often described as resembling head trauma. Similar cases were later reported in multiple countries. The intelligence and medical communities have struggled to define and diagnose these incidents. In many cases, medical testing occurred long after symptoms first appeared, complicating efforts to identify a clear cause. In 2022, a US intelligence panel concluded that some cases could plausibly" have been caused by pulsed electromagnetic energy from an external source. However, in 2023, the intelligence community publicly assessed that it was unlikely the incidents were caused by a foreign adversary. As recently as January 2025, that assessment remained unchanged, though officials have said they cannot entirely rule out external involvement in a small number of cases. That conclusion has angered many victims, several of whom believe intelligence exists proving that Russia was responsible. Some officers told CNN that their injuries were severe enough to force early retirement and accused the government of downplaying evidence. The acquisition of the device has been viewed by some victims as potential vindication. If the US government has indeed uncovered such devices, then the CIA owes all the victims a major and public apology for how we have been treated," Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA officer who has said he was injured in Moscow in 2017, was quoted as saying by CNN. 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, 23:37 IST News world Did A Device Bought By US In Undercover Op Cause Mystery Illness Among Spies, Diplomats? Buzz Grows 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... Dilbert Cartoonist Scott Adams Dies At 68; Trump Calls Him A Fantastic Guy, Musk Pays Tribute Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 14, 2026, 02:58 IST Scott Adams, creator of the long-running comic strip Dilbert, died after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a celebrated and controversial legacy. Rapid Read Scott Adams, the creator of "Dilbert", the cartoon character that lampoons the absurdities of corporate life, poses with two "Dilbert" characters at a party January 8, 1999 in Pasadena. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE) Scott Adams, the creator of the long-running comic strip Dilbert and a vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 68, according to an announcement by his former wife. Adams former wife, Shelly Miles, confirmed his death during an online livestream on Tuesday, where she read out a final message from the cartoonist. Adams had revealed in May 2025 that he was suffering from metastatic prostate cancer and had said at the time that doctors had given him only months to live. Known for lampooning the absurdities of corporate office life, Dilbert first appeared in 1989 and went on to become one of the most widely syndicated comic strips in the United States at its peak. The strip centred on its titular engineer character, recognised by his glasses and perpetually crooked tie, and ran for decades in newspapers worldwide. Adams continued to speak publicly about his illness through social media and his online show Coffee with Scott Adams, documenting his health struggles until the final months of his life. During his illness, he made a direct appeal to Trump to intervene with his healthcare provider, Kaiser Permanente of Northern California, to secure access to the targeted radiotherapy drug Pluvicto. Even though I knew his death was coming, as he told us it would, I still cant believe he has died. Rest in peace, good and great man, rest in peace. https://t.co/IsTERL21PQ Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 13, 2026 Trump responded publicly to the appeal in November, posting On it" on social media. Adams later said he would begin treatment the following day. Following Adams death, Trump paid tribute on Truth Social, calling him the Great Influencer". Even though I knew his death was coming, as he told us it would, I still cant believe he has died. Rest in peace, good and great man, rest in peace. https://t.co/IsTERL21PQ Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 13, 2026 Sadly, the Great Influencer, Scott Adams, has passed away," Trump wrote. He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasnt fashionable to do so. He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease." Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk also reacted to Adams death, writing on X that he had known Adams death was coming but was still struggling to process it. Even though I knew his death was coming, as he told us it would, I still cant believe he has died," Musk wrote. Rest in peace, good and great man, rest in peace." Adams career, however, had been overshadowed in recent years by controversy. In 2023, many US newspapers dropped Dilbert after Adams made racist remarks in a YouTube video, describing Black Americans as a hate group" and urging white Americans to get the hell away from Black people". The comments triggered widespread backlash. Adams later said his remarks were intended as hyperbole, denied being racist, and accused media outlets of ignoring the context of his statements. Musk publicly defended Adams at the time, accusing sections of the media of bias. Despite the controversy, Dilbert remains one of the most recognisable comic strips of the modern American workplace era. (with inputs from Reuters) 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 14, 2026, 02:55 IST News world Dilbert Cartoonist Scott Adams Dies At 68; Trump Calls Him A Fantastic Guy, Musk Pays Tribute 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... Facts Speak For Themselves: Bill And Hillary Clinton Refuse To Testify In Epstein Probe Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 22:36 IST The Clintons were summoned by the committee in August last year as part of a broader investigation into Jeffrey Epsteins network. Bill Clinton has previously denied ever visiting Epsteins private island (Instagram Image) Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said they would not testify before the House Oversight Committee, accusing Republicans of using congressional powers to punish political opponents rather than pursue the truth. In a sharply worded letter addressed to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, the Clintons said they were prepared to fight" what they described as a partisan campaign against them, even if it led to contempt proceedings. Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences," the Clintons wrote, adding, For us, now is that time." The response came after James Comer said his committee would move to hold Bill Clinton in contempt of Congress for failing to appear for a deposition related to his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Clintons were summoned by the committee in August last year as part of a broader investigation into Jeffrey Epsteins network and the federal governments handling of related cases. James Comer said no one was accusing Bill Clinton of criminal wrongdoing but argued that lawmakers had unanswered questions. Bill Clintons relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, which dates back to the 1990s, has been well documented, though none of Jeffrey Epsteins survivors have accused the former US President of abuse. Bill Clinton has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking activities. In their letter, the Clintons accused James Comer of selectively enforcing subpoenas and failing to conduct a meaningful investigation. They said the committee had interviewed only two witnesses since launching its probe, despite issuing multiple subpoenas. The facts speak for themselves," they wrote, adding, You subpoenaed eight people in addition to us. You dismissed seven of those eight without any of them saying a single word to you." The Clintons also said legal analyses prepared by two law firms concluded that the subpoenas issued to them were legally invalid and challenged James Comer to make those findings public. We call on you to release that analysis so the American people can see how this is yet another example of the casual disregard for the law," the letter said. Anticipating contempt proceedings, the Clintons accused James Comer of attempting to embarrass them rather than uncover facts. We expect you will release irrelevant, decades-old photos that you hope will embarrass us," they wrote, adding that the committee was more focused on punishment than governance. The letter warned that pushing ahead with contempt proceedings could paralyse Congress and distract from pressing national issues. This is not the way out of Americas ills," the Clintons said, pledging to defend themselves publicly and politically. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 22:36 IST News world Facts Speak For Themselves: Bill And Hillary Clinton Refuse To Testify In Epstein Probe 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... French Museums Hike Entry Fee For Non-Europeans: Know How Much Indians Will Have To Pay Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 09:33 IST Louvre and Palace of Versailles hike entry fees for non-European visitors, sparking criticism from trade unions and academics over nationalism and social impact. The Indian visitors who had to previously shell 22 (Rs2315) will now have to spend 32 (Rs3367).. (Pic: AFP) The French museums, including the Louvre, have announced a hike in the entry fee for non-European visitors. According to AFP, any adult visitor from outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway will have to pay 32 euros ($37) from Wednesday to enter the Louvre a 45% increase while the Palace of Versailles will up its prices by three euros. This means the Indian visitors who had to previously shell out 22 (Rs2315) will now have to spend 32 (Rs3367). According to CNN, those visiting as part of a group with a guide will have to pay 28 (Rs2946) per person. The announcement was first made by the Louvre management in October last year. CNN quoted a spokesperson saying that the price increases are expected to bring in an extra 15-20 million (around $17-23 million) a year, which will be invested in modernising and upgrading the Louvre to address structural issues facing the museum". Meanwhile, the price hike has been denounced by trade unions at the Louvre who termed it as shocking philosophically, socially, and on a human level" and have called for strike action over the change, along with a raft of other complaints. They further said that the policy is worrisome for practical reasons as well, as staff will now need to check visitors identity papers. AFP quoted French academic Patrick Poncet saying it is similar to the policies of US President Donald Trump, whose administration hiked the cost for foreign tourists of visiting US National Parks by $100 on January 1. The French policy was symptomatic of the return, as elsewhere in the world, of unabashed nationalism", Poncet wrote in Le Monde newspaper last month. Besides the Louvre and Palace of Versailles, other state-owned French tourist hotspots such as the Chambord Palace in the Loire region and the national opera house in Paris will also increase their entry fee. According to AFP, the government has justified the increases on financial grounds, looking to raise 20-30 million euros annually at a time when it is under pressure to boost revenues and cut spending. Last year, President Emmanuel Macron had said some of the funds will be spent on renovating the Louvre. He also said the Mona Lisa would be moved to a new space to deal with overcrowding. However, the Louvre will remain free for minors from all countries and Europeans under 26. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Paris, France First Published: January 13, 2026, 09:33 IST News world French Museums Hike Entry Fee For Non-Europeans: Know How Much Indians Will Have To Pay 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 A Palak Paneer Lunch Dispute Ended In Rs 1.8-Crore Settlement For Two Indian Students In US Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 14, 2026, 18:02 IST Aditya Prakash said matters worsened, with repeated summons to meetings with senior faculty, allegations that he had made staff feel unsafe and complaints against him. Earlier this month, Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya returned to India permanently. A lunch of palak paneer heated in a shared microwave set off a chain of events that ended with two Indian doctoral students leaving the United States and a $200,000 (Approximately Rs 1.80 crore at current exchange rate) settlement with a major American university. On September 5, 2023, Aditya Prakash, then a fully funded PhD student in anthropology at the University of Colorado Boulder, was warming his lunch in a departmental microwave when a staff member approached him, complained about the smell" and told him not to use the facility, Aditya Prakash recalled. He was heating palak paneer. She said it was pungent," said Aditya Prakash, now 34, adding, I told her calmly, Its just food. Im heating it and leaving." The Smell Was Pungent: How Heating A Meal Won Two Indian Students Rs 1.8 Crore In US The incident, he says, marked the beginning of what he and his partner, fellow PhD student Urmi Bhattacheryya, described as a pattern of discrimination and retaliation. Two years later, in September 2025, the university reached a settlement with the couple following a federal civil rights lawsuit, agreeing to pay them $200,000 and confer on them Masters degrees. Under the agreement, both are barred from future enrolment or employment at the university. Earlier this month, Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya returned to India permanently. In their lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the District of Colorado, the couple alleged that after Aditya Prakash raised concerns about discriminatory treatment, the university engaged in a pattern of escalating retaliation". The complaint cited a departmental kitchen policy that they said had a disproportionate and discriminatory impact on ethnic groups like South Asians", creating a climate where Indian students were wary of opening their lunches in shared spaces. The discriminatory treatment and ongoing retaliation caused us emotional distress, mental anguish, and pain and suffering," the lawsuit said. Aditya Prakash said matters worsened after the incident, with repeated summons to meetings with senior faculty, allegations that he had made staff feel unsafe" and complaints filed against him with the Office of Student Conduct. Urmi Bhattacheryya, 35, alleged that she lost her teaching assistantship without warning or explanation. She also said that when she and other students brought Indian food to campus two days after the incident, they were accused of inciting a riot". Those complaints were later dismissed, she said. Aditya Prakash, who is from Bhopal, and Urmi Bhattacheryya, from Kolkata, said the first year of their doctoral programmes passed without incident. Aditya Prakash received grants and funding while Urmi Bhattacheryyas research on marital rape was well received. Both said they had invested their life savings in pursuing higher education in the US. Everything changed overnight after that food-heating episode," Aditya Prakash said, adding, My food is my pride. Ideas about what smells good or bad are culturally determined." He said he pushed back against arguments that other foods such as broccoli were also restricted due to odour. Context matters," he said, asking, How many groups face racism because they eat broccoli?" The couple said they were heartened when 29 fellow students from the anthropology department issued a statement backing them, calling the response to Indian food harmful" and discriminatory. The students cited the departments own statement on systemic racism, saying diversity should be celebrated, not merely tolerated". Urmi Bhattacheryya said action against her followed shortly after she invited Aditya Prakash to speak in a class on ethnocentrism about his lived experience, without naming individuals or detailing the incident. By May 2025, the couple filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging discrimination and retaliation. By the time a settlement was reached, both said they no longer wished to return to the US. Going back would mean re-entering the same system, with the same visa precarity," Aditya Prakash said, asserting, I dont see myself going back." Urmi Bhattacheryya said their experience reflected a broader hardening of attitudes in the US amid political shifts following Donald Trumps return to power. Institutions talk about inclusion," she said, but there is less patience for discomfort especially when it comes from immigrants or people of colour." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 17:21 IST News world How A Palak Paneer Lunch Dispute Ended In Rs 1.8-Crore Settlement For Two Indian Students In 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... If We Have To Choose, Then It's Denmark: Greenland Rejects Trumps Takeover Push Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 23:00 IST Donald Trump has claimed Greenland is critical to US national security, alleging- without evidence- that Russian and Chinese vessels are increasingly active around the island. US President Donald Trump (Image: AFP) Greenland would choose to remain with Denmark rather than align with the United States if forced to decide now, the islands prime minister said, delivering the clearest rejection yet of US President Donald Trumps push to take control of the Arctic territory. Speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the islands position was unequivocal. If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark," Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, adding, One thing must be clear to everyone: Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States." The remarks mark the strongest statement yet from a senior Greenlandic leader since Donald Trump revived his proposal to annex the semi-autonomous Danish territory, arguing that the US needs to own" Greenland to counter Russia and China in the Arctic. Donald Trump has claimed Greenland is critical to US national security, alleging- without evidence- that Russian and Chinese vessels are increasingly active around the island. The White House has floated the idea of buying Greenland and has not ruled out the use of force, a stance that has alarmed European allies. Denmark, a fellow NATO member, has pushed back firmly. Frederiksen warned that any attempt to seize Greenland militarily would threaten the foundations of the transatlantic alliance. This is completely unacceptable pressure from our closest ally," Mette Frederiksen said, adding that Denmark sees many indications that the most challenging part is ahead of us." Greenlands strategic location between North America and the Arctic makes it crucial for missile early-warning systems and monitoring naval activity. The US already maintains a military presence at the Pituffik Space Base in north-west Greenland, where more than 100 American personnel are stationed under long-standing agreements with Denmark. Those agreements allow the US to deploy additional forces if needed but Donald Trump has said that leasing arrangements are insufficient. We have to have ownership," he said last week, adding that NATOs got to understand that." Jens-Frederik Nielsen acknowledged that Greenland was facing what he described as a geopolitical crisis," but said its people rejected becoming a pawn in great-power competition. His comments come as Denmarks NATO allies- including major European countries and Canada- publicly rallied behind Copenhagen, stressing that only Denmark and Greenland can decide their future. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 23:00 IST News world If We Have To Choose, Then It's Denmark: Greenland Rejects Trumps Takeover Push 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... Imran Khan's Sister Says Pakistan's Courts Seized By Shadow Forces | Exclusive Details Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 22:21 IST Aleema Khanum alleged that during proceedings, she and her sisters were 'locked up' in separate sections of the courtroom by security personnel Aleema also highlighted what she described as a 'spiritual blockade', claiming that authorities have gone as far as to restrict the family and supporters from reading the Holy Quran during their sit-ins. (File pic/AFP) In a startling escalation of tensions surrounding the legal proceedings of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his sister, Aleema Khanum, has accused Pakistans intelligence agencies of direct interference in the judicial process. Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, a visibly distraught Aleema claimed that officials from the premier intelligence agencywhom she alluded to but refrained from naming to avoid immediate arresthave effectively seized" control of the courtrooms to ensure dictated verdicts. The drama unfolded at the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi, where Aleema and her sisters, Uzma and Noreen, appeared for a hearing related to the November 2024 protests. Aleema alleged that during the proceedings, she and her sisters were locked up" in separate sections of the courtroom by security personnel, preventing them from consulting their legal team or even speaking to one another. They promised a meeting today, but instead, they have us in cages," she stated. She further alleged that the presence of unidentified officials" inside the judges chamber has stripped the judiciary of its independence, claiming that judges do not have the courage" to deliver a verdict that contradicts the military establishments narrative. Aleema also highlighted what she described as a spiritual blockade", claiming that authorities have gone as far as to restrict the family and supporters from reading the Holy Quran during their sit-ins. She recounted an ordeal where a usually 25-minute route to the court took over two hours due to strategic road closures, which she argued were designed solely to prevent peaceful prayer gatherings. Are they afraid of the Quran now?" she asked. They have blocked the roads just to stop us from reciting the holy verses, yet they claim to lead an Islamic Republic." Despite the alleged intimidation, Aleema expressed a glimmer of hope following a massive rally in Karachi led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. She noted that seeing Afridi atop a car" amidst a sea of supporters in Sindh brought joy and strength," signaling that a new generation of leadership is prepared to challenge the status quo. In a final, defiant ultimatum, she joined the call for a nationwide shutdown" of Pakistan, asserting that a total strike would prove the public is no longer with the current administration. As the court adjourned the hearing amidst the chaos, the Khan family remains entrenched in a high-stakes battle for both legal survival and the stolen mandate" of the 2024 elections. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 22:21 IST News world Imran Khan's Sister Says Pakistan's Courts Seized By Shadow Forces | Exclusive Details 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 Student Killed, Two Injured In Road Accident In Kazakhstan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 21:55 IST Mili Mohan, an Indian student at Semey Medical University, died in a road accident in Kazakhstan. Ashika Sheejamini Santhosh and Jaseena are injured but stable. Mili Mohan, an Indian student at Semey Medical University, died in a road accident in Kazakhstan. Ashika Sheejamini Santhosh and Jaseena are injured but stable. (AI Image) An Indian student was killed, and two others were injured in a road accident in Kazakhstan, the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan said on Tuesday. In a post on X, the embassy said the accident involved 11 Indian students of Semey Medical University who were returning from an excursion when the mishap occurred. The deceased student was identified as Mili Mohan, aged 25. The injured studentsAshika Sheejamini Santhosh and Jaseena- are reported to be stable and are undergoing treatment at City Hospital No. 1, Ust-Kamenagorsk, the embassy said. As per the latest information, their condition is stable. The Embassy conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased," the mission said, adding that it is in touch with university authorities, hospital officials and the families. The embassy said it is coordinating closely with local authorities to ensure assistance. Family members of the injured students have arrived in Kazakhstan and are in constant contact with the mission. We are working closely with the families and extending every possible support during this extremely difficult time," it said, adding that arrangements are being made to repatriate the mortal remains to India on a priority basis. The students were on an excursion in the Altai Mountains, a vast mountain range spanning Kazakhstan, Russia, China and Mongolia. The region is known for its dramatic landscapes, rich biodiversity and UNESCO-recognised World Heritage sites. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Kazakhstan First Published: January 13, 2026, 21:55 IST News world Indian Student Killed, Two Injured In Road Accident In Kazakhstan 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 Palestinian inspects a collapsed building due to the storm in Gaza City, Jan. 13, 2026. Four Palestinians were killed in Gaza City in two separate incidents, as heavy rain and strong winds swept the region on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA/JERUSALEM, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Four Palestinians were killed in Gaza City in two separate incidents, while a woman died in flooding in East Jerusalem, as heavy rain and strong winds swept the region on Tuesday. Eyewitnesses said three people, including a woman and a child, were killed when a wedding hall on Gaza City's beachfront collapsed. The hall had been sheltering displaced persons. In a separate incident, Palestinian medical sources reported that a woman was killed when a wall collapsed west of Gaza City during the storm. In a statement, Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal confirmed the incidents, warning that buildings in Gaza are no longer safe shelters for residents amid ongoing heavy rain and strong winds. In East Jerusalem, a woman in her 50s was killed in flooding on Tuesday, Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service reported. The service said she was apparently struck by a heavy object inside her flooded home and was taken to a hospital, where she later died. Israeli police said several roads were blocked due to flooding in southern and northern Israel, and that at least 10 people were trapped by floodwaters and required rescue. Videos on social media showed rescue teams using boats to reach people trapped on flooded main roads. The Israel Meteorological Service said winds of more than 100 kph hit multiple areas across the country. Large amounts of rain fell overnight and into Tuesday, particularly in central Israel. The weather was expected to gradually weaken overnight, the service said. Palestinians inspect a collapsed building due to the storm in Gaza City, Jan. 13, 2026. Four Palestinians were killed in Gaza City in two separate incidents, as heavy rain and strong winds swept the region on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian boy inspects a collapsed building due to the storm in Gaza City, Jan. 13, 2026. Four Palestinians were killed in Gaza City in two separate incidents, as heavy rain and strong winds swept the region on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian inspects a collapsed building due to the storm in Gaza City, Jan. 13, 2026. Four Palestinians were killed in Gaza City in two separate incidents, as heavy rain and strong winds swept the region on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians inspect a collapsed building due to the storm in Gaza City, Jan. 13, 2026. Four Palestinians were killed in Gaza City in two separate incidents, as heavy rain and strong winds swept the region on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian child passes under a collapsed building due to the storm in Gaza City, Jan. 13, 2026. Four Palestinians were killed in Gaza City in two separate incidents, as heavy rain and strong winds swept the region on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) At Least 648 Killed In Iran As Security Forces Crackdown On Nationwide Protests Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 10:06 IST At Least 648 Killed In Iran As Security Forces Crackdown On Nationwide Protests At least 648 people have been killed in the ongoing protests in Iran. (AFP) At least 648 people have been killed in Iran as security forces launched a sweeping crackdown on nationwide protests, according to a rights group, amid mounting international concern over the scale of violence and an ongoing internet blackout. The Norway-based organisation Iran Human Rights (IHR) said on Monday that it had verified the deaths of 648 people, including nine minors, during the unrest. Thousands more have been injured, while the actual toll is believed to be far higher. Citing unverified estimates, the group said fatalities could exceed 6,000. Rights groups have warned that a near-total internet shutdown, now stretching beyond three-and-a-half days according to monitoring group NetBlocks, is hampering efforts to document the violence and may be intended to conceal the true extent of the crackdown. IHR said the blackout has made independent verification of reports extremely difficult". The organisation also estimated that around 10,000 people have been detained since the protests intensified. The international community has a responsibility to protect civilian protesters from mass killings by the Islamic Republic," IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said in a statement. Despite severe restrictions on online access, images and videos have continued to surface. One video geolocated by AFP showed dozens of bodies laid outside a morgue south of Tehran, with distraught relatives searching for missing family members. The protests, which erupted more than two weeks ago over economic grievances, have since grown into one of the most serious challenges to Irans ruling system since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In an effort to reassert control, authorities on Monday organised pro-government rallies across the country in support of the Islamic Republic. US Issues Travel Advisory Amid the escalating unrest, the United States issued an advisory urging its citizens to leave Iran immediately". The US Embassy warned that protests against the Iranian leadership were intensifying and could turn violent, leading to arrests, injuries and widespread disruption. The advisory cited increased security deployments, road closures, disruptions to public transport and continued restrictions on internet and communications services. It also cautioned that flight operations have been affected, with several airlines suspending or limiting services to and from Iran. Macron Condemns Crackdown International criticism also came from France, where President Emmanuel Macron denounced what he described as state violence" against protesters. I condemn the state violence that indiscriminately targets Iranian women and men who courageously demand respect for their rights," Macron wrote on X. He added that respect for fundamental freedoms is universal and said France stands with those who defend them. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Iran First Published: January 13, 2026, 09:57 IST News world At Least 648 Killed In Iran As Security Forces Crackdown On Nationwide Protests 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... Iran's Rial Plummets To Record Low Amid Nationwide Protests, Collapses Against Dollar, Euro Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 12:42 IST The crisis boiled over in late December 2025, when the rials sharp drop made imported essentials far more expensive. Rapid Read A visual from the protests in Iran (Image: AFP) Irans national currency, the rial, has hit rock bottom against major foreign currencies, pushing the country into a whirlpool of economic distress amid the ongoing nationwide protests. On Irans open market, one US dollar can buy around 1,429,500 rials, while one euro can trade for around 1,668,500 rials, according to the live rates tracked by Bonbast.com. Moreover, one Indian rupee can buy around 12,600 rials. The figures are synonymous to the fact that Iran has been plunged into a deeper economic crisis, with its citizens struggling to afford basic needs. The crisis boiled over in late December 2025, when the rials sharp drop made imported essentials far more expensive, prompting traders and shopkeepers to descend to the streets and protest against the Iranian regime. However, what began as a demonstration over economic distress later snowballed into a massive nationwide protest against the regime led by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 25 per cent tariff against Irans trading allies US President Donald Trump, earlier in the day, announced a steep 25 per cent tariff against the trade partners of Iran on any and all business". Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" The warnings come amid the heightened tensions in the geopolitical landscape, with the ongoing protests in Iran and the repeated warnings by the US. Khamenei warns US Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei has warned the US politicians against what he termed as their deceitful actions". 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 said in a post on X. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Iran First Published: January 13, 2026, 12:42 IST News world Iran's Rial Plummets To Record Low Amid Nationwide Protests, Collapses Against Dollar, Euro 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... Jamaat-E-Islami Courts Army Veterans, China As Bangladesh Elections Near | Exclusive Details Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 18:13 IST Indian intelligence sources argue that Jamaats current charm offensive is a tactical 'Trojan Horse' Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, with retired senior military officers. Image/News18 In a series of rapid-fire diplomatic and domestic manoeuvres, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, held a prominent view exchange" meeting with retired senior military officers in Dhaka on Monday, CNN-News18 has learnt. The gathering at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre followed a high-profile meeting with the Chinese Ambassador, Yao Wen, just twenty-four hours earlier. According to top government sources, this sequence of events marks a sophisticated perception management" operation by Jamaat to project itself as a mainstream political force with deep institutional reach ahead of the February general elections. Addressing the retired officers, Dr Shafiqur pivoted from traditional religious rhetoric to themes of national security and social responsibility. He praised the military for saving the nation from certain civil war" during the 2024 uprising and called upon the veterans to help ensure a fear-free" election. By urging former officers to assist in bringing voters to the booths and protecting the youth, the Jamaat chief is seen as attempting to bridge the historic rift between the Islamist party and the secular military establishment. Sources suggest this is a calculated signal that Jamaat is a responsible" political actor capable of maintaining stabilitya narrative aimed squarely at the military and the Western diplomatic corps. The international dimension of this strategy is equally significant. Beijing, which traditionally prefers dealing with stable, institutional actors, appears to be hedging its bets by engaging directly with Jamaat. Ambassador Yao Wens visit to the Jamaat headquartersthe first by a senior diplomat in over a decadehighlights Chinas recognition of the partys massive street-mobilisation power. Intelligence sources note that Jamaat is keen to demonstrate to Beijing that it possesses soft reach" within the Bangladeshi security and administrative apparatus, making it a reliable partner for Chinese investments in a post-Hasina landscape. Indian intelligence sources argue that Jamaats current charm offensive is a tactical Trojan Horse" strategy designed to legitimise its influence over state institutions while radicalising the youth under the guise of social work. As the election countdown enters its final thirty days, the Jamat-China-Army" triangle has emerged as the most scrutinised and volatile element of the Bangladeshi political transition. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 18:13 IST News world Jamaat-E-Islami Courts Army Veterans, China As Bangladesh Elections Near | Exclusive Details 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... 'Leave Iran Now': US State Department Issues Advisory To Citizens Amid Protests Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 08:07 IST The US citizens were advised to expect internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Turkiye. Over 600 people have been killed in the ongoing protests in Iran. (AFP) The US State Department and Virtual Embassy Tehran on Monday issued a sweeping warning to American citizens in Iran to leave the country now", citing a surge in nationwide protests, violence and internet blackout. The advisory came as Iran entered its third week of anti-government demonstrations, with over 600 people killed and thousands detained, according to rights groups and news reports. The US citizens were advised to expect internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Turkiye. Protests across Iran are escalating and may turn violent, resulting in arrests and injuries. Increased security measures, road closures, public transportation disruptions, and internet blockages are ongoing. The Government of Iran has restricted access to mobile, landline, and national internet networks. Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran, with several suspending service until Friday, January 16," the statement read. As per the advisory, the US citizens are advised to take the following actions: Leave Iran now. Have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on US government help. If you cannot leave, find a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items. Avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile, and stay aware of your surroundings. Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans. Keep your phone charged and maintain communication with family and friends to inform them of your status. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest updates on security in Iran. Additionally, the US-Iranian dual nationals were advised to exit Iran on Iranian passports. The Iranian government does not recognise dual nationality and will treat US-Iranian dual nationals solely as Iranian citizens. The advisory further added that the US nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran and stated, Showing a US passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Iran First Published: January 13, 2026, 07:31 IST News world 'Leave Iran Now': US State Department Issues Advisory To Citizens Amid Protests 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... Mother Forced To Sit On Plane Floor With Infant On Sold-Out Flight, Sparks Online Debate Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 21:05 IST Mely Skoglund went viral after sharing a photo of herself sitting on a Delta Airlines plane floor during a sold-out international flight with her infant. Skoglund, a mother of four, did not say where she was flying from or whether she had bought tickets for all her children. A mother has sparked a heated online debate after sharing a photo of herself sitting on the floor of a Delta Airlines plane while travelling with her infant on a sold-out international flight. The mother, Mely Skoglund, posted the image on Threads, showing herself crouched on the floor in front of two economy seats as her 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 wrote. The post quickly went viral, drawing reactions from many users on the platform. View on Threads Skoglund, a mother of four from Minnesota, did not say where she was flying from or whether she had bought tickets for all her children. Online users noted that while she appeared to have purchased a seat for her older child, her infant may have been travelling under Deltas lap child" policy. Under this policy, infants under the age of two can travel on an adults lap for free on domestic flights or at a reduced fare on international flights. However, the policy does not guarantee a separate seat unless one is purchased. Many social media users criticised Skoglund, saying the situation was the result of poor planning rather than airline fault. Some argued that parents who want a seat for an infant should buy one in advance and bring an approved car seat. Im so glad I was raised by a mother who bought the correct number of seats for the number of travelers and didnt expect a free seat," a user wrote on her post. Others questioned why she expected an empty seat on a fully booked flight. If you want a seat for the baby you buy a seat for the baby? I dont understand how this is the airlines fault. Your lack of planning does not constitute a problem for the airline," one user wrote. Some users were more sympathetic to the mother, with one writing: Im so glad , countless flights have been delayed this week overseas, thousands on stand by after overselling tickets or not having the room. Some People stuck with the only money they have on them and no way to access funds. But youre worried about a seat and shes just happy shes finally able to make it home. Here you are judging without knowledge." Delta Airlines said it could not confirm the authenticity of the photo but stressed that safety is its top priority. A spokesperson from the airline told Daily Mail that customers travelling with lap-held infants must follow airline policy and remain seated with seatbelts fastened unless movement is necessary. 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," the spokesperson said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: January 13, 2026, 21:03 IST News world Mother Forced To Sit On Plane Floor With Infant On Sold-Out Flight, Sparks Online Debate 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... Traders Bet 73% Odds US Supreme Court Will Strike Down Trumps Tariff Powers Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 14, 2026, 02:38 IST Polymarket shows traders pricing a 73% chance the Supreme Court curtails Trumps power to impose tariffs. Prediction market Polymarket shows traders assigning a 73% chance the court rules against Trumps tariff powers. (IMAGE: X/REUTERS) A prediction market has priced a high probability that the US Supreme Court will strike down President Donald Trumps tariffs, underscoring heightened uncertainty ahead of the courts expected ruling. According to Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction platform, traders on Tuesday assigned a 73 percent chance that the Supreme Court will declare Trumps tariffs illegal. The estimate reflects market sentiment among participants wagering on the outcome rather than any judicial assessment. The court is weighing a challenge to the Trump administrations use of emergency powers to impose sweeping country-specific tariffs. At issue is whether the administration exceeded its authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and whether importers would be entitled to refunds if the tariffs are overturned. Polymarket allows users to bet on real-world outcomes, with odds shifting based on trading activity. While such markets have grown in visibility, analysts caution that they capture expectations and risk appetite not legal expertise or inside knowledge of court deliberations. Trump has dismissed criticism of his tariff policy, accusing opponents of acting in Chinas interests and warning he would pursue alternative measures if the Supreme Court rules against him. Well explore other options if the tariffs case is lost," he said earlier this week. BREAKING: 73% chance the Supreme Court declares Trump's tariffs illegal tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/NUmqrpYkKq Polymarket (@Polymarket) January 13, 2026 The outcome of the case carries significant economic implications. Trump has pointed to tariffs as a major revenue source, with US Treasury data showing customs duties surged sharply in the latest quarter, contributing to a narrower budget deficit. Since returning to the White House last January, President Donald Trump has rolled out wide-ranging duties impacting virtually every US trading partner. Besides touting the duties as leverage in trade talks with other countries, Trump has also pointed to tariff incomes as a way to reduce the governments deficits. Boosts in tax and tariff revenue narrowed the US budget deficit in the OctoberDecember period compared to a year earlier, according to data released by the Department of the Treasury on Tuesday. The deficit fell 15 percent, shrinking from $711 billion in the previous fiscal year to $602 billion. Overall revenue rose 13 percent to a record $1.2 trillion, while spending increased two percent to $1.8 trillion, also a record, a senior Treasury official said. Customs duties surged sharply during the period, jumping from $23 billion a year earlier to $94 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year. Treasury officials said the rise was driven primarily by higher tariffs. 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 14, 2026, 02:38 IST News world Traders Bet 73% Odds US Supreme Court Will Strike Down Trumps 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... Trump Imposes 25% US Tariff On Nations Trading With Iran: What It Means For India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 10:23 IST Trump said that any country trading with Iran will face a 25 per cent tariff on all business conducted with the United States. US President Donald Trump. (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a new trade order targeting countries that continue to do business with Iran. Under the order, any country trading with Iran will face a 25 per cent tariff on all business conducted with the United States, raising concerns for major trading partners, including India. This comes at a time when India is already facing 50 per cent trade tariffs linked to its purchase of Russian oil. The US President described the order as final and conclusive" and said it would take effect immediately. However, he did not give out details on how the tariffs would be enforced or whether any exemptions would apply. The announcement comes amid violent protests in Iran, where people are demanding freedom from the current regime led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Impact on India The new US tariffs targeting Iran pose a serious risk for India, especially as New Delhi has been trying to secure tariff relief from Washington through a trade deal. The United States has already imposed duties of up to 50 per cent on some Indian goods linked to purchases of Russian oil. The added pressure of Iran-related tariffs could further hurt Indian exports to the US and complicate ongoing negotiations between the two countries. Indias trade ties with Iran India is one of Irans major trading partners, along with China, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. India-Iran bilateral trade stood at $2.33 billion in the financial year 2022-23. However, trade has declined in recent years due to international sanctions. In the first four months of 2025, India-Iran trade stood at $652 million, a drop of six per cent compared to the same period last year. Trade had already fallen to $1.8 billion in 2023-24 amid tighter restrictions. According to official figures, India exported goods worth $1.24 billion to Iran in FY 2024-25, while imports stood at $0.44 billion. This took total trade to around $1.68 billion. What India exports and imports? Indias main exports to Iran include rice, tea, sugar, pharmaceuticals and organic chemicals. Rice alone accounted for $465 million in exports in early 2025. Organic chemicals formed the largest share in FY 2024-25, valued at $512.92 million. India imports petroleum products, chemicals, plastics, fruits and nuts from Iran. Pistachios and other edible fruits and nuts were valued at $311.60 million in early 2025. Mineral fuels and oils were worth $86.48 million. However, there is also uncertainty over whether the Trump tariffs will remain in place. The US Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legality of Trumps global tariff orders. If the court rules against him, it could limit his ability to quickly impose duties on countries trading with Iran. The courts next opinion is expected on Wednesday. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 13, 2026, 08:24 IST News world Trump Imposes 25% US Tariff On Nations Trading With Iran: What It Means For 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... Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Attends Critical Minerals Ministerial Meet In US Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 09:08 IST Bessent convened a meeting of Finance Ministers at the US Treasury to discuss solutions to secure & diversify supply chains for critical minerals, especially rare earth elements. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participates in Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting hosted by US Treasury Secretary. (Image: X/@SecScottBessent) Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting hosted by United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday (local time), aimed at strengthening and securing global critical minerals supply chains. The meeting came amid growing concerns over vulnerabilities in strategic sectors. Bessent convened a meeting of Finance Ministers at the United States Treasury to discuss solutions to secure and diversify supply chains for critical minerals, especially rare earth elements. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent organised a ministerial meeting focused on resilience in the supply chain of critical minerals. As we all know, and especially in India, when the manufacturing sector is growing rapidly, especially electronics manufacturing, its very important for all the countries, including India, to have a resilient supply chain of critical minerals," Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. In this meeting, participants from various countries discuss their experience, the steps that they are taking in making the supply chain resilient, especially technology for refining and processing the mineral ores so that high-quality critical minerals, especially the rare earth, permanent magnets can be secured in the long term in a sustainable manner. There were discussions around funding new projects. There were discussions around technology sharing between different countries," he added. #WATCH | Washington, DC: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent organised a ministerial meeting focused on resilience in the supply chain of critical minerals. As we all know, and especially in India, when the manufacturing sector is growing pic.twitter.com/qpB4Dk3NQH ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026 In a post on X, the Secretary of the Treasury wrote, At todays Finance Ministerial hosted by the @USTreasury, I was pleased to hear a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains. I am optimistic that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling and understand well the need for decisive action." At todays Finance Ministerial hosted by the @USTreasury, I was pleased to hear a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains.I am optimistic that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling and understand well the pic.twitter.com/vh23ljcDRI Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) January 12, 2026 Secretary Bessent said he was encouraged by the strong, shared commitment among participating nations to quickly address key weaknesses in critical minerals. The meeting brought together finance leaders from Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom, reflecting a broad international consensus on the issue. The United States highlighted actions and investments it has already undertaken, as well as planned steps to create resilient, secure, and diversified critical minerals supply chains, a release said. Secretary Bessent expressed his optimism that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling, and that they understand well the need to remedy current deficiencies in critical minerals supply chains. According to a release, noting that these supply chains have also become highly concentrated and vulnerable to disruption and manipulation, the Secretary urged attendees to increase their supply chain resilience and thanked them for their willingness to both learn from and work quickly with one another toward decisive action and lasting solutions. (With agency inputs) 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, 08:31 IST News world Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Attends Critical Minerals Ministerial Meet In 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... US Homeland Security Uses I Am The Captain Now Meme As Trump Ends Protected Status For Somalis Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 14, 2026, 01:23 IST The image caption draws from a viral meme as the Trump administration announces the end of TPS for Somalis. Rapid Read Shared by US Homeland Security, the image draws on the I am the captain now meme from Captain Phillips while announcing the end of protected status for Somalis under the Trump administration. (IMAGE: X) The Trump administration on Tuesday moved to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals, a decision that drew sharp attention after the US Department of Homeland Security reposted an image of US President Donald Trump with the caption I am the captain now" alongside the announcement. The repost amplified a message originally shared by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, which said DHS and USCIS were ending TPS protections for Somalia, adding the line: Temporary means TEMPORARY." According to the Department of Homeland Security, Somali nationals currently under TPS will be required to leave the United States by March 17, when protections last extended by former President Joe Biden are set to expire. The decision affects a relatively small group of people. A Congressional Research Service report last year estimated the Somali TPS population at around 705 individuals, out of nearly 1.3 million TPS holders across all designated countries. However, the move forms part of Trumps broader push to roll back temporary immigration protections during his second term. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the decision, saying conditions in Somalia had improved to the point that it no longer meets the laws requirement" for TPS. Temporary means temporary," Noem said, framing the move as consistent with the intent of the programme. TPS was created by the US Congress in 1990 to allow nationals from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters or extraordinary conditions to live and work in the United States temporarily. Somalia was first designated for TPS in 1991, during the early years of its civil war. Since then, the designation has been extended repeatedly, with US authorities citing persistent insecurity, armed conflict and humanitarian crises. Somalia remains one of the worlds poorest countries and has faced decades of instability, compounded by droughts and ongoing violence. A 2025 congressional report noted that Somalias TPS designation had been extended more than two dozen times due to ongoing armed conflict and serious threats to the safety of returnees." The decision has also reignited political tensions in Minnesota, home to one of the largest Somali-American communities in the United States. Protests have intensified in recent weeks amid a broader immigration crackdown, including heightened federal enforcement activity in Minneapolis. Trump has repeatedly targeted Somali immigrants in past remarks, accusing communities in Minnesota of fraud and using racially charged language. He has also singled out Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat who emigrated from Somalia as a child, suggesting she should be deported despite her US citizenship. The reposted image featuring Trump leaning forward with both hands on a desk, captioned I am the captain now" drew attention for its use of a pop-culture meme commonly associated with asserting control and dominance. What Does I Am The Captain Now Mean? The phrase I am the captain now" originates from the 2013 Hollywood film Captain Phillips, based on the real-life hijacking of a US cargo ship by Somali pirates in 2009. In the film, the line is delivered by a Somali pirate after he takes control of the vessel, and has since evolved into a widely used internet meme to signal authority, dominance or a shift in control. Over the years, the meme has been adopted across social media to convey power or finality, often detached from its original context. However, its use by a US government agency in connection with an immigration decision affecting Somali nationals drew attention because of the phrases cinematic origin. 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 14, 2026, 01:15 IST News world US Homeland Security Uses I Am The Captain Now Meme As Trump Ends Protected Status For Somalis 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... Over 1 Lakh Visas, Including 8,000 Student Permits, Revoked After Trumps Vetting Order Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 09:29 IST According to the US Department of State, the revoked visas include around 8,000 student visas and about 2,500 specialised visas. US officials say the measure is meant to reduce the number of visitors who overstay their visas. (File pic) The US has revoked over 100,000 visas, including those of around 8,000 students, in 2025 as part of its widespread efforts to crack down on immigration, citing criminal activity. This marked a record number of cancellations, which was more than double the number cancelled in 2024, the final year of President Joe Bidens administration. The department shared the update in a post on X, saying the revoked visas include around 8,000 student visas and about 2,500 specialised visas that had previous encounters with US law enforcement related to criminal activity". We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe," it said. BREAKING: The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized 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. pic.twitter.com/wuHVltw1bV Department of State (@StateDept) January 12, 2026 According to a Fox News report, the surge in visa revocations follows Trumps day-one executive order tightening the vetting of foreign nationals. In 2024, around 40,000 visas were revoked. Most of the cancellations in 2025 involved business and tourist visitors who overstayed their visas. Among specialised workers, about half of the revocations were linked to drink-driving arrests, while others involved assault, theft, child abuse, drug-related offences, fraud and embezzlement. The report also said nearly 500 students lost their visas due to drug possession and distribution, while hundreds of foreign workers were stripped of visas over allegations of child abuse. In August 2025, the Trump administration announced a review of all 55 million foreign nationals holding valid US visas. US State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Piggott said enforcement would continue through a new continuous vetting centre" as part of efforts to protect public safety and national security. The Trump administration will continue to put America first and protect our nation from foreign nationals who pose a risk to public safety or national security," Piggott said. The department has also tightened visa rules, including enforcing a public charge" policy that allows officials to deny visas to applicants considered likely to depend on public benefits. The Trump administration has intensified crackdown on immigration, both illegal and legal, and tightened rules for individuals seeking to enter the US for work or study. From December 15, the State Department also began enhanced screening of H-1B and dependent H-4 visa applicants, including checks of social media profiles. Several H-1B visa interviews scheduled across India have since been postponed, leaving many applicants who travelled for visa stamping stranded for months. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: January 12, 2026, 22:25 IST News world Over 1 Lakh Visas, Including 8,000 Student Permits, Revoked After Trumps Vetting Order 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... ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- African envoys on Monday convened the 51st Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Permanent Representatives' Committee (PRC), as continental peace and security concerns took center stage, alongside the AU's theme for the year 2026 on harnessing Africa's water resources. Held under the framework of the 39th AU summit at the headquarters of the pan-African bloc in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, the meeting brought together ambassadors of African countries based in Addis Ababa and key AU officials, among others. The PRC session emphasized the urgency of addressing Africa's peace and security concerns. The envoys also highlighted the strategic importance of this year's theme, which focuses on water as a vital resource for life, development, and sustainability. Addressing the opening session, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf acknowledged peace and security concerns across the continent, notably in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Libya, and the Sahel, as well as recent unconstitutional developments on the continent. "The African Union continues to act with urgency to address these crises and advance reforms, particularly within the African peace and security architecture," he said. Youssouf also expressed concern over the "increasingly complex global environment" marked by shrinking financial resources, rising protectionism, tariff barriers, and visa restrictions affecting African citizens. He urged African countries to strengthen solidarity, unity, and self-reliance to safeguard the continent's collective interests. Youssouf reaffirmed the 55-member continental bloc's commitment to working closely with its members to ensure a successful summit that advances peace, development, and Africa's voice on the global stage. The PRC session, which runs from Jan. 12 to 30, will review strategic reports regarding the implementation of activities as part of the AU's theme for the year 2025 -- "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations." Envoys are also expected to deliberate on a roadmap for the AU theme of the year 2026 on "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063." Draft decisions from the PRC meeting will be forwarded to the AU Executive Council, comprising African foreign ministers, for review and approval at its Feb. 11-12 session. The decisions will then be submitted to the assembly of AU heads of state and government during its summit from Feb. 14 to 15, according to the AU. Youre Going To Find Out Soon: Trump Hints At Next Steps After Help Is On Its Way Post On Iran Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 14, 2026, 07:07 IST Trump declined to offer details on what form US support for Iranian anti-regime protesters might take. Rapid Read President Donald Trump, left, gestures as he walks from Marine One to Air Force One, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday heightened uncertainty around Washingtons next steps on Iran after saying help is on its way" for Iranian protesters, before urging Americans to leave the country amid widening unrest. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked to clarify what he meant by his earlier statement promising help" to protesters in Iran. Youre going to find out soon," he replied, before adding, Its a good idea for Americans to leave Iran." The remarks came as protests in Iran entered a third week, with demonstrators taking to the streets over economic hardship, political repression and rising prices. Iranian authorities have responded with a sweeping crackdown, including mass arrests and communications blackouts. Earlier in the day, Trump posted on Truth Social urging Iranians to continue protesting, writing: Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! HELP IS ON ITS WAY." He also said he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until what he described as the senseless killing" of protesters stopped. What Does Trump Mean? When asked about what he meant by help is on its way for the protesters in Iran, Trump stated, Youre going to find out soon." The US President further said, Its a good idea for Americans to leave Iran." Trump urged Iranian protestors to KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!" Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY." In a message to Iranian leaders, Trump said that theyve got to show humanity. Theyve got a big problem, and I hope theyre not going to be killing people it would seem to me that they have been badly misbehaving, but that is not confirmed," he said. Unrest In Iran According to Reuters, Iranian officials have acknowledged that around 2,000 people have been killed during the unrest, marking the first time authorities have provided an overall death toll. A US-based rights group said most of those killed were protesters and that detentions had surged sharply in recent days. Trumps comments have fuelled speculation about possible US action, particularly after CBS News reported that the president has been briefed on a wide range of military and covert tools that go beyond conventional airstrikes. A high-level Iran-focused meeting was held at the White House earlier in the day involving Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, though Trump did not attend. Meanwhile, US lawmakers remain divided. Congressman Ro Khanna condemned what he described as the Iranian regimes violent crackdown on protesters but warned against unilateral US military intervention without congressional approval, saying it could strengthen hardline nationalism inside Iran. Regionally, Qatar signalled a push for de-escalation. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani spoke with Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, expressing Dohas support for peaceful solutions, according to a statement from Qatars foreign ministry. Iranian authorities have accused the US and Israel of fomenting the unrest, while Russia warned against what it called subversive external interference". 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 14, 2026, 00:37 IST News world Youre Going To Find Out Soon: Trump Hints At Next Steps After Help Is On Its Way Post On Iran 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... LA PAZ, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 members of a family were killed and three others injured on Monday when a minibus crashed on a highway in eastern Bolivia, police reported. Local media said the accident occurred on the Bioceanic Highway, along the stretch between the towns of Puerto Suarez and Puerto Quijarro in the Santa Cruz department. According to Santa Cruz's traffic director, Martin Arequipa, preliminary investigation suggests that the vehicle, returning from a family party, was driven by a minor who was speeding. The minibus lost control and crashed into the side of the road. Rolando Rodriguez, police chief of Puerto Quijarro, said that all the victims were members of the same family, and the three injured were taken to the hospital. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident and are expected to release an official report soon. This file photo shows workers of Zhejiang Qianjiangyuan Forest Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station and local farmers conducting survey in Qianjiangyuan, at the juncture of Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi provinces, east China. (Xinhua) HANGZHOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Wang Shulong, a former logger, never imagined he would one day become a guardian of mountain forests. Every morning, he treks up to an altitude of about 1,200 meters in a protected area to monitor the local flora and fauna. "We have transitioned from loggers and hunters to forest rangers and scientific research assistants. The tools in our hands have also changed from axes to GPS devices and patrol recorders," Wang said. Qianjiangyuan, the area Wang patrols, is located at the juncture of Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi provinces in eastern China. Covering 252 square kilometers, it forms part of the Qianjiangyuan-Baishanzu national park candidate site. Globally, regions between 23 and 33 degrees north latitude are predominantly covered by deserts or sparse grasslands. However, Qianjiangyuan stands out as a lush oasis in this belt, boasting a vast expanse of rare subtropical low-altitude evergreen broad-leaved forests. The latest surveys show the area is home to 2,244 plant species, 535 macrofungi species and 2,427 animal species. "As a key biological gene pool in eastern China, its landscape and ecosystems hold significant conservation value," said Yu Shunhai, director of a monitoring center in the Qianjiangyuan area. Monitoring and managing such a vast and complex forest may seem like a daunting task, but technology has stepped in to save the day. The Zhejiang Qianjiangyuan Forest Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station has established an integrated "air-space-ground" monitoring system, which combines technologies such as satellite remote sensing, forest canopy cranes and ground-level sensors. Deep in the forest, a huge canopy crane works like a robotic arm for scientists, lifting tools up to the treetops so they can observe the biodiversity from above. On the ground, technology is paired with local expertise. "I grew up in these mountains. I know where muntjacs drink and where wild boars make their dens," said Wang. His experience makes him a great fit for managing the network of hidden infrared cameras in the woods. "Each time I retrieve a memory card, there is a new surprise," he said, noting that in recent years the cameras have captured a growing number of rare animal activities. He said the cameras once recorded a heartwarming scene of a mother black bear with two cubs, indicating a stable population of the animal in Qianjiangyuan. "It is always thrilling to see rare animals captured on camera," he added. Wang is not alone in this endeavor. As experts and students from research institutes and universities across China come to the region to conduct research, they are supported by a hardworking group of local residents. These locals pitch in with field surveys, collecting specimens and recording data, making the research possible. Beyond daily monitoring, systematic large-scale surveys form another pillar of the research. Last year, a 134-day forest census was conducted on the 24-hectare Gutianshan monitoring plot in the Qianjiangyuan area. Technology played a central role in this massive undertaking. Chen Lei, director of the Zhejiang Qianjiangyuan Forest Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, noted that, for the first time, the survey fully implemented a paperless data-collection system via a monitoring app, marking a significant technological leap for field observation. "It marks the further standardization and modernization of our data acquisition and management processes," Chen said. A diverse team of 76 participants, including scientists, university students, and local villagers, conducted the survey. They teamed up on everything from tagging trees to identifying different species. The survey collected over 330,000 valid data entries, giving solid scientific evidence to help analyze the ecosystem and guide future conservation decisions, Chen added. For Wang, the data, photos and footage are just the beginning. "What the infrared cameras capture is only the tip of the iceberg," he said. As a guardian of these mountains, he believes that deep within the dense forests, many more species are thriving under his smart watch. This file photo taken in August of 2023 shows the footage caught by an infrared camera shows a mother black bear with two cubs searching for food in Qianjiangyuan, at the juncture of Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi provinces, east China. (Xinhua) A long-running torture case tied to one of Guantanamo Bay's best-known "forever prisoners" has ended in a quiet payout from the British government. The UK has agreed to pay what lawyers described as a substantial sum to Abu Zubaydah, a Palestinian detainee who was the first person subjected to the CIA's post-9/11 "enhanced interrogation" program and has been held without charge for nearly two decades, the BBC reports. Zubaydah sued the UK, alleging its intelligence services were complicit in his abuse by supplying questions to the CIA while knowing he was being severely mistreated. The Foreign Office declined to comment, citing a policy of not discussing intelligence matters, and the amount is being kept secret for legal reasons. Zubaydah's international legal counsel, Helen Duffy, called the settlement significant but inadequate, arguing that the real issue is his continued detention at Guantanamo Bay, where he has been held since 2006. She urged the UK and other governments she says share responsibility for his "ongoing torture and unlawful detention" to press for his release. Although compensation is being processed, Duffy said Zubaydah, a Palestinian born in Saudi Arabia, currently cannot access the funds himself. Once touted by President George W. Bush as a senior al-Qaeda figure "plotting and planning murder," Zubaydah was later downgraded, and the US no longer claims he was an al-Qaeda member. A US Senate report found he was waterboarded 83 times, confined in coffin-like boxes, and physically assaulted at CIA "black sites" in several countries before being moved to Guantanamo. A 2018 report by the UK Parliament's intelligence and security committee criticized MI5 and MI6 over their role, noting internal MI6 messages that said his treatment would have broken almost all US special forces soldiers. Former committee Chair Dominic Grieve called what happened to Zubaydah wrong and said Britain should have challenged the US and, if necessary, halted intelligence cooperation. Zubaydah is one of 15 men still held at the US base despite lengthy legal and political scrutiny of their cases. Duffy says he hopes to use the settlement to support himself if released, but that outcome depends on decisions by the US and its allies, none of which has announced plans to free him. "This case is deeply relevant today, as some states ride roughshod over international law, and the world looks to others to respond," Duffy said, per the AP. Apple has edged past its longtime rival in the one ranking that matters most to phone makers: who ships the most devices worldwide. New figures from market research firm Counterpoint show Apple captured 20% of global smartphone shipments in 2025, nudging ahead of Samsung at 19%, reports Mashable . Chinese brands Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo followed with 13%, 8%, and 8% shares, respectively. The shift is notable because Apple and Samsung were effectively tied in 2023 and 2024, each holding 19% and then 18% of the market. Before then, Samsung was on top for more than a decade. Counterpoint says Apple's shipments rose 10% year over year, the strongest growth among the top five manufacturers. Senior analyst Varun Mishra credits "expanding presence and rising demand across emerging and mid-size markets," helped by what he calls a stronger product lineup. A key piece of that strategy: the launch of the lower-priced iPhone 16e in February 2025, which broadened Apple's reach beyond its traditional high-end base. Samsung's phone shipments also increased, up 5% over the previous year, driven by its mid-range Galaxy A series and premium models like the Galaxy Fold 7 and Galaxy S25. But that growth wasn't enough to keep Apple from taking the top spot. Both companies are now betting on new form factors to keep momentum going: Apple is widely expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone later this year, while Samsung is preparing to roll out its more experimental Galaxy Z TriFold in the coming months. Counterpoint analyst Yang Wang expects Apple to extend its lead in 2026 and stay in front until at least 2029, with a major iPhone revamp expected in 2027, Bloomberg reports. A behind-the-scenes fight over how far to push a renewed criminal case against James Comey has cost a senior federal prosecutor his job, insiders say. Robert K. McBride, a longtime federal prosecutor who recently became the top deputy in the US attorney's office for the Eastern District of Virginia, was dismissed after clashing with Trump administration officials over leading a new effort to indict the former FBI director, the New York Times reports, citing "several people familiar with the matter." The sources say McBride argued he could not both run the office as first assistant US attorney and simultaneously spearhead the politically charged Comey case. Another insider offers a very different account, saying McBride was fired for allegedly lobbying district judges in private meetings to have himself installed as US attorney in place of Lindsey Halligan, and for resisting immigration and drug prosecutions favored by the administration. The Times notes that it's not unusual for senior prosecutors to meet with judges. The meetings came after a federal judge ruled Halligan's appointment unlawful and invalidated two headline cases she broughtone accusing Comey of lying to Congress, the other accusing New York Attorney General Letitia James of mortgage fraud. Despite that ruling, Halligan has continued to sign filings as US attorney while the administration appeals. A judge in Richmond has ordered her to explain by Tuesday why that isn't misleading the court, warning that continued use of the title could bring discipline. Senior Justice Department officials, meanwhile, have decided Halligan can remain in place because the earlier decision did not formally remove her. Sources tell NBC News that senior DOJ officials supported the move to dismiss McBride. The controversy is part of a broader pattern, the Times reports. Judges in multiple states have rejected similar interim appointments of US attorneys made by President Trump, including in New Jersey and upstate New York, and Trump previously fired Halligan's predecessor in Virginia after he declined to bring charges against Comey and James. Mike Lindell can hang onto $5 million thanks to the US Supreme Courtwithout the justices saying a word. On Monday, the court declined to hear Robert Zeidman v. Lindell Management, leaving in place a lower-court ruling that says Lindell doesn't have to pay a $5 million "Prove Mike Wrong" prize tied to his 2020 election claims, Law and Crime reports. The challenge, launched at a 2021 election fraud "Cyber Symposium" in South Dakota, promised a payout to anyone who could show that Lindell's purported data about Chinese interference in the election was bogus. Software developer and Trump voter Bob Zeidman did exactly that, an arbitration panel found, and was awarded the money . A federal judge upheld that award in February 2024 . But in July, the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals reversed it, focusing not on election facts but contract wording. The appeals court said the arbitration panel improperly relied on outside materiallike Lindell's promotional language about "packet capture" (PCAP) datato interpret the contest rules. Those written rules never mentioned packet captures. The judges concluded that under Minnesota law, unambiguous contracts must be interpreted solely by their text, and the panel went beyond that, exceeding its authority. In practical terms, the court held that while Zeidman showed Lindell's data did not support hacking claims and wasn't PCAP data, he had not proven under the contract's actual wording that it wasn't related to the election at all. Zeidman called the decision "bad for America" in a Slate op-ed last year, and asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on whether courts can overturn arbitration awards for "manifest disregard of the law." By declining his petition, the justices left that question unresolvedand left Lindell off the hook for the $5 million. That doesn't mean he's completely free of financial troubles; in November, a far-right podcaster sued Lindell for allegedly failing to repay a $3 million loan, Colorado Newsline reports. In other recent Lindell news, President Trump said the MyPillow CEO "deserves to be governor of Minnesota," CBS News reports. The State of Minnesota and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are suing the federal government to stop an enforcement surge by Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE officer. The state and cities filed a lawsuit in federal court on Monday, along with a request for a temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement action or limit the operation, the AP reports. The Department of Homeland Security says that it's surging more than 2,000 immigration officers into Minnesota, and that it has made more than 2,000 arrests in the city since the push began last month. ICE has called the Minnesota surge its largest enforcement operation ever. The lawsuit alleges that Operation Metro Surge violates federal law because it's arbitrary and capricious, since it says other states aren't seeing commensurate crackdowns. And while the Trump administration maintains it's about fighting fraud, the lawsuit contends ICE agents have no expertise in combatting fraud in government programs. A teacher who survived the 2022 shooting in a Robb Elementary school classroom in Uvalde, Texas, told a jury Monday that the attack began with a "black shadow" with a gun walking inside and that he prayed for the attack to be over after being shot along with his students. Arnulfo Reyes' testimony came on the fifth day of the trial for Adrian Gonzales, a former Uvalde schools police officer who was among the first law enforcement responders to arrive, the AP reports. Gonzales has pleaded not guilty to 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment; prosecutors allege he did nothing to stop the gunman in the first moments of the attack. The gunman killed 19 students and two teachers. Reyes was shot on the arm and back and said he was taunted by 18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos. He said he looked at the doorway of Room 111 and saw a black shadow holding a gun. "I just saw the fire come out of the gun," Reyes testified. "He shot at me and hit me in my arm. That's when I fell to the ground. When I fell, he came around and he shot the kids." Reyes said Ramos turned back around and shot him in the back. The teacher said he then prayed "and I gave myself to the Lord ... and waited for everything to be over." None of the children in his classroom survived. Just before Reyes testified, the court watched the surveillance video of Ramos entering the school and starting to shoot. Gonzales showed no emotion as emergency calls to police were made and a woman is heard screaming, "Get in your room!" He appeared to flinch when the first loud shots rang out in the hallway. He also covered his mouth with his hand. Gonzales was among the first of more than 370 federal, state, and local officers to arrive at the school. It would take more than an hour for a tactical team to go into a classroom and kill the gunman. Gonzales and former Uvalde schools Police Chief Pete Arredondo are the only two responding officers that day to face charges. Arredondo's trial has not been scheduled. The FBI said in a court document made public Monday that it had found no surveillance or other video of a Border Patrol agent shooting and wounding two people in a pickup truck during an immigration enforcement operation in Portland, Oregon, last week. Agents told investigators that one of their colleagues opened fire Thursday after the driver put the truck in reverse and repeatedly slammed into an unoccupied car the agents had rented, the AP reports, smashing its headlights and knocking off its front bumper. The agents said they feared for their own safety and that of the public, the document said. The FBI has interviewed four of the six agents on the scene, the document said. It did not identify the agent who fired the shots. The shooting, which took place one day after a federal agent shot and killed a driver in Minneapolis, prompted protests over federal agents' tactics during immigration enforcement operations. The Department of Homeland Security has said the two people in the truck entered the US illegally and were affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. None of the six agents was recording body camera footage, and investigators have uncovered no surveillance or other video footage of the shooting, FBI Special Agent Daniel Jeffreys wrote in an affidavit supporting aggravated assault and property damage charges against the driver, Luis David Nino-Moncada. The truck drove away after the shooting, which occurred in the parking lot of a medical office building. Nino-Moncada called 911 after arriving at an apartment complex several minutes away. He was placed in FBI custody after being treated for a gunshot wound to the arm and abdomen. During an initial appearance Monday in federal court in Portland, the judge ordered that he remain in detention and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Wednesday. His passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, was hospitalized after being shot in the chest and on Monday was being held at a private immigration detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, according to an online detainee locator system maintained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that Elon Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot Grok will join Google's generative AI engine in operating inside the Pentagon network, as part of a broader push to feed as much of the military's data as possible into the developing technology, the AP reports. "Very soon we will have the world's leading AI models on every unclassified and classified network throughout our department," Hegseth said in a speech at Musk's space flight company, SpaceX, in South Texas. Hegseth said Grok will go live inside the Defense Department later this month and announced that he would "make all appropriate data" from the military's IT systems available for "AI exploitation." He also said data from intelligence databases would be fed into AI systems. The announcement comes just days after Grokwhich is embedded into X, the social media network owned by Muskdrew global outcry and scrutiny for generating highly sexualized deepfake images of people without their consent. Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked Grok, while the UK's independent online safety watchdog announced an investigation Monday. Grok has limited image generation and editing to paying users. Hegseth's aggressive push to embrace the still-developing technology stands in contrast to the Biden administration, which, while pushing federal agencies to come up with policies and uses for AI, was also wary of misuse. Officials said rules were needed to ensure that the technology, which could be harnessed for mass surveillance, cyberattacks, or even lethal autonomous devices, was being used responsibly. The Biden administration enacted a framework in late 2024 that directed national security agencies to expand their use of the most advanced AI systems but prohibited certain uses, such as applications that would violate constitutionally protected civil rights or any system that would automate the deployment of nuclear weapons. It is unclear if those prohibitions are still in place under the Trump administration. During his speech, Hegseth spoke of the need to streamline and speed up technological innovations within the military, saying, "We need innovation to come from anywhere and evolve with speed and purpose." He noted that the Pentagon possesses "combat-proven operational data from two decades of military and intelligence operations." "AI is only as good as the data that it receives, and we're going to make sure that it's there," Hegseth said. The defense secretary said he wants AI systems within the Pentagon to be responsible, though he went on to say he was shrugging off any AI models "that won't allow you to fight wars." Hegseth said his vision for military AI systems means that they operate "without ideological constraints that limit lawful military applications," before adding that the Pentagon's "AI will not be woke." On the early morning of January 13, high-speed rail tickets from Hefeinan Railway Station to Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station were made available for booking on the 12306 platform, with sales officially starting at 12:30 p.m. on the same day. This marks the long-awaited official launch of the direct high-speed rail service between Anhui and Hong Kong, scheduled to commence operations on January 27. On the early morning of January 12, tickets for high-speed rail journeys from Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station to Hefeinan Railway Station were released for sale, with the earliest departure scheduled for January 26. However, at that time, tickets for the return journey from Hefei to Hong Kong were not yet available. One day later, a check of the railway 12306 platform by reporters revealed that tickets for high-speed rail trips from Hefeinan Railway Station to Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station had also been officially released for sale, with the earliest departure set for January 27. The train departs from Hefeinan Railway Station at 11:17 a.m. and arrives in Hong Kong at 5:52 p.m. after a journey of 6 hours and 35 minutes. Consequently, the direct high-speed rail service between Hefei and Hong Kong is now fully operational in both directions, making it more convenient for residents of Hefei to travel directly to Hong Kong by high-speed rail from their doorstep. Following the railway schedule adjustment on January 5 last year, Huangshanbei Station also launched its first direct high-speed rail service to Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station. This means that two cities in Anhui Province now offer direct high-speed rail access to Hong Kong. Source: Da Wan News PHNOM PENH, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia earned 603.6 million U.S. dollars in revenue from exports of natural rubber latex in 2025, down 9 percent from 663.8 million dollars in the year before, said an official report on Tuesday. The report, compiled by the General Directorate of Rubber, showed that the country exported a total of 343,762 tons of the commodity last year, down 12.3 percent year on year. However, domestic consumption of rubber latex recorded a significant increase of 146 percent to 124,231 tons last year, generating a gross revenue of 223 million dollars, the report said. "A ton of rubber latex averagely cost 1,756 U.S. dollars in 2025, about 63 dollars higher than that of 2024," Khun Kakada, deputy director general of the General Directorate of Rubber, said in the report. The Southeast Asian country exports the commodity mainly to Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and China. Cambodia currently has planted rubber trees on a total area of 448,051 hectares, of which the trees on 346,842 hectares, or 77.4 percent, are old enough to be tapped, according to the report. Federal investigators probing the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis are expanding their focus beyond the officer who pulled the trigger to her possible links with local immigration activists. People familiar with the inquiry tell the New York Times it now includes scrutiny of Good's involvement in neighborhood efforts to monitor ICE operations. They add it appears increasingly doubtful the agent, identified as Jonathan Ross, will face criminal charges. Federal officials have barred local authorities from reviewing key evidence while they examine Ross' actions. The Justice Department's civil rights division has not opened an excessive-force case and is not expected to do so, according to a federal law enforcement official. The broadened scope dovetails with a Trump administration strategy that portrays opponents of its immigration crackdown as dangerous extremists. President Trump has called Good and her wife, Becca, "professional agitators" and labeled Good "very violent" and "very radical," without offering evidence. Vice President JD Vance went further, calling her actions "classic terrorism," while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good had "weaponized" her vehicle and that Ross "defended his life." A Times video analysis, however, suggested Good was likely trying to drive away from officers rather than hit them. Former FBI special agent Robert D'Amico says it's problematic for officials to claim the shooting is "justified before the facts are in," per the BBC. Thomas E. Brzozowski, former domestic terrorism counsel at the Justice Department, says it's premature to brand the incident terrorism and that the term risks becoming "little more than a political cudgel," per the Times. His concern is heightened by a recent memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi that broadens the department's working definition of domestic terrorism to include conduct such as obstructing or doxxing law enforcement and lists causes often associated with left-wing activism, including opposition to immigration enforcement. Some fear that guidance could bring a shift toward targeting nonviolent protesters and criminalizing constitutionally protected political dissent. UPDATE Jan 13, 2026 3:22 PM CST Actor-director Timothy Busfield surrendered to authorities in New Mexico on Tuesday to face child sex abuse charges. An arrest warrant was issued Friday. "Timothy Busfield has turned himself in at the Metro Detention Center," Albuquerque Police spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos tells Deadline. "He will be booked on his warrant." The 68-year-old "wants to turn himself in, because he wants to clear his name and reputation," attorney Larry Stein said, per NBC News. In a video obtained by TMZ, Busfield, who lives in upstate New York, said he drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque to confront "lies." "I did not do anything to those little boys," he said. "And I'm going to fight it." Jan 13, 2026 9:48 AM CST US marshals are assisting in the search for actor-director Timothy Busfield after Albuquerque police obtained a warrant accusing him of sexually abusing 11-year-old twin boys he met on a TV set. Albuquerque Police Department officials told People they are working with the US Marshals Service to find and arrest the 68-year-old Emmy winner. The warrant, reviewed by the outlet, alleges the boys were abused over a period beginning when one of them was about 7 years old. According to the warrant, the twins were child actors who met Busfield while working on the Fox drama The Cleaning Lady, where he was a director. The Department of Justice's move against Fed chief Jerome Powell isn't getting much love, with prominent GOP senators and every living former Fed chief coming out against it. Even President Trump has distanced himself from the criminal investigation. Now Axios is reporting that another big name is angry about the moveTreasury Secretary Scott Bessent. "The secretary isn't happy, and he let the president know," a source tells the outlet. The Treasury chief is worried on a number of fronts: the effect on financial markets and the increased likelihood that a ticked-off Powell would remain as a Fed governor even after his stint as chairman expires in May. Powell is now "dug in," says another Axios source. "This really made a mess of things." Politico, meanwhile, reports that one key figure has remained on the sidelines in all of this: GOP Sen. Tim Scott, chair of the Senate Banking Committee. The panel leads oversight of the Federal Reserve, and it questioned Powell last year over the Fed's renovation projects that are at the center of the criminal investigation. "Among the questions left unaddressed by Scott is whether he shares his GOP colleagues' concerns about Fed independence or feels misled by the June testimony," notes Politico. Scott has refused to comment publicly on the controversy since news of it broke over the weekend. Get the news faster. Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster. Click here to install our app on your desktop. X As Canadian leader Mark Carney arrives in China on Wednesday, his hosts see an opportunity to peel the longtime US ally away from their rival, at least a bit. China's state media is calling on the Canadian government to set a foreign policy path independent of the United Stateswhat it calls "strategic autonomy," per the AP . Canada has long been one of America's closest allies, geographically and otherwise. But Beijing is hoping that President Trump's economic aggressionand, now, military actionagainst other countries will erode that longstanding relationship. Beijing bristled at former President Biden's efforts to strengthen relations with Europe, Australia, India, Canada and others to confront China. Now it sees an opportunity to try to loosen those ties, though it remains cautious about how far that will go. Carney, for his part, has focused on trade, describing the trip to China as part of a move to forge new partnerships around the world to end Canada's economic reliance on the American market. Trump has hit Canada with tariffs on its exports to the US and suggested the vast, resource-rich country could become America's 51st state. The Canadian prime minister, who took office last year, is seeking to revive a relationship with China that was marked with acrimony under his predecessor, Justin Trudeau. Trudeau's government in 2024 followed Biden's lead in imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles, prompting retaliatory tariffs from China. "If Ottawa still chooses to subject its China policy to the will of Washington again in the future, it will only render its previous efforts to mend ties with Beijing in vain," the state-owned China Daily newspaper wrote in an editorial this week. Canadian officials have said they expect Carney's trip to produce progress on trade but not a definitive elimination of any tariffs. Meanwhile, experts say China could take advantage of Trump's threats against Greenland and Canada to urge greater separation with the US and a more expansive relationship with Beijing. Canada's biggest gold robbery just looped back to where it began. Police on Monday arrested a man they describe as one of the brains behind the 2023 Pearson International Airport heist as he stepped off a flight from Dubai at the Toronto airport. Peel Regional Police say 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary is accused of helping move 6,600 gold bars worth about $14.8 million at the time after they vanished from an Air Canada cargo facility on April 17, 2023, per ABC News . Chaudhary faces charges including theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and conspiracy. Police say that Chaudhary, through his attorneys, arranged to turn himself in even before landing in Toronto, though authorities aren't sure what drove his surrender, per the CBC. The theft, probed in an investigation code-named "Project 24 Karat," unfolded after a shipment of gold and foreign currency left a Zurich refinery and arrived in Toronto on an Air Canada flight, per ABC. According to police, the cargo was moved to a warehouse, where later that evening a suspect in a 5-ton truck showed up with a fake airway billessentially a cloned document previously used for a seafood shipment. The container was released to the driver and only flagged as missing when Brink's Canada staff came to collect it that evening. Authorities believe the operation leaned heavily on insider access: A former Air Canada employee, still at large, is suspected of playing a key role. Investigators say the gold itself is likely long gone in its original form, melted down and sold off to multiple buyers. In 2024, police seized about $312,000 in cash, along with smelting pots, molds, and casts that they say were used to transform the bars. One suspect was arrested in Pennsylvania that year as the probe widened across borders. Chaudhary's capture is among the final arrests tied to the case, but the central mystery remains unresolved: Police have yet to publicly identify where they think the gold ended up, or who might still be profiting from Canada's most audacious airport heist. Although the gold bars were worth around $15 million at the time, the price of gold "has more than doubled since then and is trading at record highs," per Bloomberg. Bill and Hillary Clinton will defy the House Oversight Committee's deadlines to sit for closed-door depositions in its Jeffrey Epstein investigation, effectively telling the Republican chairman to go ahead and hold them in contempt of Congress . Rep. James Comer has been making that threat for months following subpoenas that demanded testimony from the Clintons. After delays, the panel demanded the former president appear by Tuesday and the former secretary of state by Wednesday. In a joint legal letter shared Tuesday, per the New York Times , the Clintons call the subpoenas "invalid and legally unenforceable," say they've already supplied sworn statements like other excused witnesses, and declare they are now prepared to fight "no matter the consequences." The clash is the sharpest turn yet in Comer's Epstein probe, which critics say has shifted attention away from President Trump's past ties to Epstein and the Trump administration's handling of the case toward high-profile Democrats who once crossed paths with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. In their letter, the Clintons accuse Comer of running a partisan process "designed to result in our imprisonment," predict he will try to embarrass them with old photos, and argue that any neutral observer will see he is punishing political foes and shielding allies. Their lawyers argue the subpoenas lack a legitimate legislative purpose, overstep Congress' investigative powers, and amount to "an effort to publicly harass and embarrass" the couple. They cite Supreme Court rulings requiring a clear link between what Congress says it's investigating and the witnesses it compels. Comer, who planned to stage a deposition with an empty chair for Bill Clinton on Tuesday, now says contempt proceedings will begin next week, per Axios, which reports the panel's Democratic members failed to turn up Tuesday as well. If the contempt resolution passes the full House, it will then be referred to the Justice Department for prosecution. Costa Rica's national security chief on Tuesday revealed details of an alleged plot to assassinate President Rodrigo Chaves ahead of presidential and legislative elections. Jorge Torres, director of the Intelligence and National Security Directorate, told journalists about the plot allegations as he prepared to file a formal complaint at the public prosecutor's office, the AP reports. "What we received is confidential information that I would like to put on record in the complaint. I don't want to go into detail, but I would simply like to tell you that it concerns the life of the president of the Republic," Torres told local media. Torres said a call was received from a woman who reported a supposed plot against Chaves, adding a payment had been made to a hitman. Torres also reported that security was being reinforced for the conservative populist leader, who has sought to present himself as a politician who is tough-on-crime. Torres spoke as El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, who has gained fame for his controversial security crackdown, was scheduled to visit the country. On Wednesday, Chaves is scheduled to lay the cornerstone of a new "mega-prison" that Costa Rica plans to build, modeled on a facility built by Bukele. Costa Rica will hold presidential and legislative elections on Feb. 1. While Chaves is ineligible to run for reelection, the ruling party's Laura Fernandez is among the presidential candidates. 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. MANILA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Tuesday reported a short-lived incandescent lava fountain that shot up to about 100 meters from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano on Luzon island. In an advisory, Phivolcs reported that the volcanic activity was observed early Tuesday morning and lasted approximately 35 seconds. Phivolcs said the volcano remains under the third-highest alert based on a five-tier scale that measures the probability of an explosive eruption. Entry into the six-km permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited. The institute noted that an ongoing magmatic eruption is occurring at Mayon and that the activity is currently effusive, meaning lava is steadily flowing from the crater rather than erupting explosively. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that more than 4,000 people have been affected by the ongoing unrest at Mayon Volcano. Mayon Volcano has been in a state of unrest again in recent weeks, with red-hot lava oozing, prompting authorities to order evacuations of villagers around the danger zone. The Philippines lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," making it highly prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. TOKYO, Jan 14 (News On Japan) - JR East and Japan Airlines have launched a joint logistics service that relays cargo between bullet trains and aircraft, aiming to shorten transport times for fresh products. On January 13th, live Echizen crab was transported from JR Tsuruga Station to Tokyo Station by Shinkansen, then transferred by truck before being flown from Haneda Airport to Taiwan on a JAL flight, completing same-day delivery in roughly 13 hours. By integrating transport arrangements and customs procedures into a single streamlined process, the two companies aim to reduce overall delivery times and capture growing demand for the rapid transport of fresh foods and other time-sensitive goods. EHIME, Jan 14 (News On Japan) - Japans longest-named school, Kochi Prefecture Sukumo City Ehime Prefecture Minamiuwa District Ainan Town Shinozan Elementary and Junior High School Unionoperated Shinozan Elementary and Junior High School, located in Ainan Town at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, has decided to suspend classes in the 2026 school year and close permanently in the 2027 school year. The school was established as a joint operation between Kochi and Ehime prefectures because the Shino River, which flows beside the school building, marks the prefectural border, and residents on both sides historically maintained close ties. This arrangement allowed children from both prefectures to attend the same school. At its peak, the combined elementary and junior high school enrollment reached around 300 students. However, ongoing depopulation and a declining birthrate have steadily reduced the number of new entrants. The school now has just nine students in total, with three in elementary school and six in junior high school. With no prospect of enrollment recovering, local authorities have decided to place the school on hiatus in the 2026 school year before closing it altogether the following year. Source: Nationwide report highlights a record-breaking $43-billion annual increase, driven by massive investments in nuclear energy and transit expansion. TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2026 /CNW/ - The 2026 Top100 Projects Report, published by ReNew Canada magazine, reveals that the total value of Canada's largest public infrastructure projects has reached a staggering $343 billion. This represents a record-breaking one-year increase of $43 billion--the largest year-over-year jump in the report's 20-year history. The 2026 Top100 Magazine Issue (CNW Group/ReNew Canada) The primary catalyst for this unprecedented growth is the nuclear energy sector. Nearly $50 billion of the total value is attributed to a pair of major Ontario nuclear initiatives: the Pickering Generating Station Refurbishment and the Darlington New Nuclear Project. Along with refurbishments at Bruce Power and Darlington, nuclear projects now occupy four of the top six spots on the 2026 list. "The 2026 report marks a historic milestone for Canadian infrastructure," said John Tenpenny, Editor of ReNew Canada. "The massive scale of investment in nuclear energy and the continued dominance of the transit sector demonstrate a national commitment to long-term energy security and sustainable urban mobility." 2026 Report Highlights: Sector Leaders: The transit sector remains the largest by value, with 25 projects totaling $123 billion. It is followed by buildings (36 projects, $81 billion) and energy (10 projects, $80 billion). The transit sector remains the largest by value, with 25 projects totaling $123 billion. It is followed by buildings (36 projects, $81 billion) and energy (10 projects, $80 billion). New Additions: Twelve new projects worth $70 billion joined the list this year, including four energy, four buildings, and four transit projects. Twelve new projects worth $70 billion joined the list this year, including four energy, four buildings, and four transit projects. Key New Transit Projects: Newcomers include Calgary's relaunched Green Line LRT, Toronto's Yonge-North Subway Extension, and the federal government's Alto High-Speed Rail Network. Newcomers include Calgary's relaunched Green Line LRT, Toronto's Yonge-North Subway Extension, and the federal government's Alto High-Speed Rail Network. Nuclear Expansion: The federal government recently announced a $2 billion investment in small modular reactors (SMRs) through the Canada Growth Fund, acquiring a 7.5 per cent stake in the Darlington New Nuclear Project. The Top100 Projects Report is an annual ranking of the largest public sector infrastructure projects currently under development in Canada, ranked by total cost. Celebrating Infrastructure Excellence Industry leaders will gather to celebrate these achievements at the annual Top100 Projects Key Players and Owners Dinner on February 24, 2026, at The Carlu in Toronto. A second event will be held in Vancouver on May 12, 2026. For more information, to view the full list, or to purchase gala tickets, please visit https://www.renewcanada.net/top100-projects-dinner/ About ReNew Canada: Published by Site Media Inc., ReNew Canada is the leading voice of the Canadian infrastructure sector. Since 2005, the annual Top100 Projects Report has provided critical insights into the megaprojects shaping the nation's future. SOURCE ReNew Canada Media Contact: John Tenpenny, Editor, ReNew Canada, 416-444-5842, [email protected] Elon says SpaceXs core purpose is to make Star Trek real. US government and SpaceX will turn science fiction into science fact. xAIs Grok will join GenAI.mil and go live later this month. The worlds leading AI models (including Grok and Gemini) available on every unclassified and classified network across the department long overdue. AI Acceleration Strategy (Key Pillars and Initiatives) is to launch an aggressive strategy to extend U.S. lead in military AI (building on Trumps first term). There will be heavy investment in expanding AI compute (data centers to tactical edge). They will tap hundreds of billions in private capital and build data centers on military land. They will collaborate with DoE and partners like Google, AWS, Oracle, SpaceX, Microsoft. Elon envisions creating Starfleet Academy in reality, with large spaceships carrying people to the Moon, Mars, other planets, and eventually other star systems. Goals include exploring space, potentially encountering aliens or discovering ancient alien civilizations, and enabling epic futuristic travel. Connects this vision to what the public associates with the Space Force. Introduces Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (noting senior Pentagon leadership is present after a factory tour). Pete Hegseth praises SpaceX and says htere is nothing like Starbase in America or the world. Cites President Trumps AI executive order that U.S. policy is to sustain and enhance Americas global AI dominance for human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security. Last month they rolled out GenAI with Google (Gemini app deployed to ~3 million users in the department); thanks Google team. Now, xAIs Grok will join GenAI.mil and go live later this month. The worlds leading AI models (including Grok and Gemini) available on every unclassified and classified network across the department long overdue. AI Acceleration Strategy (Key Pillars and Initiatives) is to launch an aggressive strategy to extend U.S. lead in military AI (building on Trumps first term). They want to unleash experimentation, eliminate bureaucratic barriers, focus investments, and execute rapidly to become an AI-first warfighting force across all domains (back offices to tactical edge/front lines). Seven pace-setting projects focused on warfighting, intelligence, and enterprise missions each with a single accountable leader, aggressive timelines, and measurable outcomes. They will have weekly what have you accomplished? standards. Shift from sprinkling AI like digital pixie dust to discovering entirely new ways of fighting. Continuous experimentation: Quarterly force-on-force combat labs with AI-coordinated swarms, agent-based cyber defense, distributed command and control; embrace learning from failure (like SpaceX). New metrics are the CDAO (Chief Digital and AI Officer) will define AI deployment velocity metrics for projects within 30 days, with monthly reporting new benchmarks department-wide. They will remove barriers (data sharing, ATOs, test/evaluation, contracting) treated as operational risks; establishing a barrier removal SWAT team under R&E authority to waive non-statutory requirements and escalate issues. There will be heavy investment in expanding AI compute (data centers to tactical edge). They will tap hundreds of billions in private capital and build data centers on military land. They will collaborate with DoE and partners like Google, AWS, Oracle, SpaceX, Microsoft. Talent Use all hiring/pay authorities to attract top American technical talent. Heavily leverage Trumps Tech Force initiative. Enlist leading talent from industry/academia (mentions Elon, David Sacks, others already in government). Responsible AI Redefines it: Objectively truthful, secure, and lawful AI capabilities no DEI/social justice constraints; no ideological limits on lawful military applications.Department of War AI will not be woke. It will work for us. Building war-ready weapons/systems, not chatbots for Ivy League lounges. Data U.S. military has massive asymmetric data advantage from decades of operations. Currently underutilized due to stovepipes.CDAO to enforce data decrees: Make all appropriate data available across federated IT systems for AI exploitation, including mission systems. Broader Defense Industrial Base Reforms:Need to break unnecessary barriers to rapid tech development, adoption, and transition. Criticizes past Last Supper push for consolidation of defense contractors created closed ecosystem with soaring costs, slow delivery, stagnant innovation. Declares the old era of consolidation and stagnation is over. MELBOURNE, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The premier of the Australian state of Victoria on Tuesday announced an additional 15 million Australian dollars (about 10 million U.S. dollars) in support funding for communities affected by the statewide bushfire crisis. Premier Jacinta Allan said at a press conference in the central Victorian town of Alexandra that 10 million Australian dollars of the new funding package will go to a new bushfire clean-up program to help landowners deal with the wreckage of over 500 structures that have been destroyed across the state. "This is particularly focused for uninsured and underinsured households who have lost their primary place of residence to be able to get underway with the clean-up," she said. The remaining 5 million Australian dollars of the new funding will be spent waiving fees at landfills in affected areas to ensure that bushfire waste can be disposed of free of charge. Twelve active fires were continuing to burn across Victoria as of Tuesday, down from 27 on Monday, and Allan said the situation has de-escalated. Tim Wiebusch, Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner, said that six of those fires were still a concern to firefighting crews and that conditions are expected to become more severe in late January. He said that the number of structures confirmed to have been destroyed by fires now exceeds 500, including 90 homes that were destroyed in the town of Longwood near Alexandra. Wiebusch said that detectives from Victoria Police's arson squad are investigating the cause of the Longwood fire, which has burned through 144,000 hectares of land and has a perimeter of 400 km. A modified version of the Long March-6 rocket carrying the Yaogan-50 01 remote sensing satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2026. Launched at 10:16 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has entered planned orbit. The launch was the 624th flight mission undertaken by the Long March rocket series and marked China's first successful orbital launch of 2026. (Photo by Wang Yapeng/Xinhua) TAIYUAN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday sent the Yaogan-50 01 remote sensing satellite into space. Launched at 10:16 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a modified version of the Long March-6 rocket, the satellite has entered planned orbit, according to the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. It will be used for national land surveys, crop yield estimation, and disaster prevention and mitigation. The launch was the 624th flight mission undertaken by the Long March rocket series and marked China's first successful orbital launch of 2026. A modified version of the Long March-6 rocket carrying the Yaogan-50 01 remote sensing satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2026. Launched at 10:16 p.m. (Beijing Time), the satellite has entered planned orbit. The launch was the 624th flight mission undertaken by the Long March rocket series and marked China's first successful orbital launch of 2026. (Photo by Wang Yapeng/Xinhua) Turkan Hamza (R), a Turkish student majoring in Chinese-English translation, poses for photos with her friend at the Universal Beijing Resort in Beijing, capital of China, April 5, 2025. (Xinhua) TIANJIN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Inside a classroom at Nankai University in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Turkan Hamza, a Turkish student majoring in Chinese-English translation, practices Chinese calligraphy with quiet concentration. "It was the Chinese language that brought me from thousands of miles away," Hamza said. "Here, I've found my direction for study, life and the future." Born in 2003, Hamza has long been interested in foreign languages, having previously learned English, Japanese and Korean. However, the Chinese language particularly captivated her due to its unique structure, long history and rich culture. Her interest began after she watched a Chinese historical drama. "I was immediately drawn to the tonal variations and unique rhythm of the language," she recalled. At first, Chinese sounded like a song she'd never heard before. But bit by bit, with the help of subtitles, she started picking up simple phrases like "hello" and "thank you" and even started repeating lines from the shows. The sense of achievement motivated her to actively learn Chinese through films and TV series. The more she watched, the more curious she became, and that pushed her to keep exploring the language. Driven by the interest, she enrolled in the Chinese language and literature program at Istanbul University. But after two years of study, she felt limited by her learning environment. "The entire department had only one Chinese teacher, and most of the learning was confined to textbooks and grammar," she said. "I wanted to hear the vivid language used in daily life, to immerse myself in the local society and culture, and to understand the warmth and logic behind the words." She then decided to go to China for her undergraduate studies, even though her parents were hesitant at first. "To them, China was still a distant and unfamiliar country. I spent a lot of time explaining China's safety, development and educational opportunities," Hamza recalled. Her persistence paid off when she received an admission letter from Nankai University. In September 2023, she arrived in Tianjin for the first time. But the city, located near China's capital Beijing, did not match her earlier expectations. "The city wasn't as dazzlingly modern as I had imagined. Instead, it had an everyday, down-to-earth vibe," she said. After visiting cities like Beijing and Shanghai, she came to see China as a country of striking regional diversity rather than a place with a single identity. At Nankai University, she's studying much more than just the language. Her classes cover Chinese culture and history, and even subjects like math and programming. For her, this wide-ranging curriculum shows how Chinese universities value well-rounded development. It's also helped her connect more deeply with the language. While enjoying the challenge and joy of building connections between Turkish, Chinese and English, Hamza said she is often impressed by the depth and richness of the Chinese language. "The tones, idioms and classical Chinese often make me ponder. Many expressions cannot be translated literally," she explained. For Hamza, the language is more than a communication tool. Learning Chinese has given her insight into the emotional logic and social concepts prevalent among the Chinese people. She cited the term "chunyun," or the Spring Festival travel rush, which embodies the profound Chinese sentiment towards family and reunion. Outside of class, she gets involved in all kinds of cultural activities, like making zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and mooncakes, which give her a real taste of traditional Chinese customs. She has also taken part in a Turkish "Silk Road Letters" contest, documenting her observations and feelings about China through writing. As her studies continue, Hamza has also been following the growing economic and trade ties between China and Turkiye. From Chinese companies participating in the construction of local projects to new energy vehicle manufacturer BYD announcing plans to build a factory in Turkiye, she said that cooperation between the two countries is becoming increasingly tangible for ordinary Turkish people. Whether returning to Turkiye or pursuing a career in China after graduation, Hamza hopes to use her language skills to serve as a bridge between the two nations, promoting mutual understanding in areas like culture, education and trade. "For me, China is no longer just images on a screen or words in a textbook," Hamza said. "It has become part of my everyday life. With the Chinese language serving as a key, I am unlocking door after door to new worlds." CANBERRA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Ambassador to the United States will resign a year before the end of his term, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said here on Tuesday. Albanese said at a press conference that former prime minister Kevin Rudd would conclude his posting as the ambassador in Washington at the end of March, 12 months before the end of his four-year term. Albanese said that the decision was "entirely" made by Rudd after he accepted an offer to become global president and chief executive officer of the international relations think tank the Asia Society. "On behalf of our nation, we thank Kevin for his service to Australia," Albanese said. Rudd, who served as Australia's prime minister from 2007 to 2010 and again in 2013, was appointed ambassador to the U.S. by Albanese in March 2023. In addition to serving as the Asia Society's president, Rudd will also head its Center for China Analysis. A police officer in Bergen County, who recently retired, has filed a lawsuit against Palisades Park, claiming the borough refused to promote him after he cooperated with a prosecutors office investigation into the mayor. Michael DeBartolo, a borough police officer for 25 years, states in court papers he was ordered to appear at the Bergen County Prosecutors Office for an investigation into Palisades Park Mayor Paul Kim. The prosecutors office was seeking information about the mayors full-time employment with the Bergen County Housing Authority, according to the suit, filed Dec. 30, 2025, in Superior Court of Bergen County. DeBartolo gave a statement to prosecutors office investigators on Feb. 22, 2024, according to the lawsuit. Months later, DeBartolo was denied a promotion to sergeant, even though he was the most qualified and had been working in an administrative sergeants role, the suit alleges. On Dec. 19, 2024, the police department served DeBartolo with an internal affairs complaint for misconduct, which included allegations of sick leave abuse, neglect of duty and issues with truthfulness and his performance, according to the suit. The internal affairs complaint was issued in retaliation for DeBartolos participation and testimony in the prosecutors office investigation of Kim, the lawsuit alleges. Further and more specifically, the internal affairs complaint was intended and designed to tarnish the plaintiff and ensure he would not be elevated to the rank of sergeant, the lawsuit contends. Scott Krumholz, a borough attorney, said the mayor is unaware of a prosectuors office investigation into his activities. Mayor Kim has never been notified that he was the target of any investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and vehemently denies it to be true, Krumholz said in a statement. The Bergen County Prosecutors Office said it could not confirm or deny whether there is an investigation. The lawsuit states the prosecutors office superseded the boroughs internal investigation into DeBartolo, and issued a finding in March 2025 that the allegations did not warrant the police departments investigation. In a statement, the borough said the police department follows the promotional standards set forth by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, along with all state and federal laws. All promotions are based purely on merit, achievement and fitness to perform the duties of the office in question. The borough will defend itself vigorously from these unfounded and specious allegations, the statement said. After the prosecutors finding, DeBartolo claims he was reassigned to a position where he was a subordinate to junior officers. DeBartolos attorneys filed a notice of intent to sue the borough on March 4, 2025. DeBartolo retired from the police department in August 2025, the suit says. DeBartolo alleges the borough retaliated against him in violation of the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act and state civil rights laws. Palisades Parks actions were taken to retaliate against plaintiff for his expression of opinions and factual recitation as a private citizen, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit claims the boroughs retaliatory actions were sufficient to deter DeBartolo from exercising his constitutional rights to free speech. DeBartolo claims he suffered loss of retirement income, mental anguish, embarrassment, humiliation, and medical bills. Jersey Mikes is crossing the Atlantic with a plan to open 400 sandwich shops in the United Kingdom and Ireland in what is expected to be the first step in a larger international expansion. The New Jersey-based company announced it has signed a franchise agreement with JM Submarines UK LTD, a company led by Jersey Mikes founder Peter Cancro. The first location is planned to open this year. Cancro, now 67, founded Jersey Mikes in 1975 when he purchased the original Mikes Subs shop in Point Pleasant at age 17. He served as CEO for nearly 50 years before transitioning to chairman last year. Despite the companys sale to Blackstone last year, Cancro remains a significant shareholder. Ive lived and breathed this brand my entire life, starting when I worked at the original Mikes Subs in Point Pleasant as a teenager, Cancro said in a written statement. To now have the opportunity to bring Jersey Mikes to the UK and Ireland as a franchisee is incredibly exciting. I see tremendous potential in these markets, and Im eager to personally operate the brand I love in regions that value quality and community as much as we do. The partnership represents an unusual arrangement where a company founder returns as a franchisee to lead international expansion. Charlie Morrison, Jersey Mikes chief executive officer, called Cancro the ideal partner for the venture. Peter built this brand from the ground up, from our first location on the Jersey Shore to over 3,000 locations across North America during his time as CEO, Morrison said. We are thrilled to have Peter lead our first European expansion in what is a very exciting new chapter for the company. Andy Skehan, president of international at Jersey Mikes, said the UK and Ireland expansion represents the beginning of broader global growth plans. Jersey Mikes operates more than 3,200 fast-casual sandwich shops across the U.S. and Canada. A New Jersey man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for traveling to Arizona and California to buy cocaine, then mailing it to his home and other East Coast locations. Rasheed Amin, 47, of Voorhees, flew from Philadelphia to the western U.S. three times to purchase cocaine, officials said. In July 2024, Amin flew to Phoenix and mailed cocaine to addresses in Sicklerville, Woodbury and Cherry Hill using the United States Postal Service, according to charging documents. Amin flew to Phoenix again in August 2024 and shipped another three packages of drugs to addresses in Fort Lee, the Bronx, New York and his home address in Voorhees, charging documents show. And in October 2024, Amin flew to San Diego and shipped drugs through USPS to two addresses in Camden and one address in Sicklerville, court documents show. Authorities searched Amins Voorhees residence on Oct. 29, 2024, and found several kilograms of cocaine and a loaded handgun, officials said. He was convicted in June 2025 of conspiring to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and possession of a weapon as a felon. His total sentence is 11 years, one month. Amin is currently being held at the federal detention facility in Philadelphia, according to online records. Theres some terrific news for pizza lovers coming to the Jersey Shore during the summer of 2026. Alexs Pizza, a popular Philadelphia-area establishment, is planning to open in the spring on the Ocean City boardwalk. The pizzeria, known for its thin-crust, red-sauce-swirled pies, announced recently on social media that it is planning a spring 2026 opening. The restaurant will open in the former Pizzeria Eataly space on the boardwalk, between 12th and 13th Streets, according to reports by Rich Ennis and his business partner Dylan Bear. No specific date was announced for the opening. However, if you want to try a slice of their pizza before the summer, visit their Roxborough location in northwest Philadelphia. A state watchdog said Monday that an embattled public charter school network and some of its former leaders mismanaged tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer funding, failed to document expenditures and blatantly flouted nepotism policies during their time in power. The Office of the State Comptroller announced the preliminary findings Monday as it continues a sweeping investigation into College Achieve Public Schools, a public charter school network that was the subject of a multi-pronged NJ Advance Media investigation that uncovered widespread allegations of financial and ethical abuses. The state comptroller said its preliminary inquiry found that the networks operating agency failed to provide transparency on how it used $57 million in public funds and that the network violated nepotism policies. 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. Our findings underscore the need for stronger safeguards and transparency in charter school governance. Laura Madden, digital communications director for the state comptroller, declined comment when asked if the investigation could result in criminal charges or fines. Naush Boghossian, a public relations specialist for College Achieve, said the comptrollers 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. Boghossian also criticized the state comptrollers findings, adding that while we do not know the cost of this investigation, it certainly exceeded the mismanagement it describes, raising serious questions about taxpayer value. Any misconduct cited was isolated, not systemic. The state comptroller investigation found that Jodi McInerney, the former executive director of College Achieve Asbury Park, served simultaneously as Chief Operating Officer of the College Achieve CMO. While serving in dual roles, the school hired her husband, Tim McInerney, as principal, her mother as an interventionalist and her two children for roles that remain unclear. Under her leadership, the school also paid more than $100,000 to a business owned by her brother-in-law, the state comptroller said. The state also found that Jodi and Tim McInerney accepted cash on multiple occasions for uniform sales or renting out school facilities without documenting the expenditures. Some of the findings outlined by the state comptroller were brought to light by a series of NJ Advance Media reports that uncovered widespread allegations of financial and ethical misconduct across the burgeoning empire. Also on Monday, nearly 30 years after New Jersey authorized charter schools as an alternative to traditional public education, state lawmakers approved the states first framework governing student admissions, use of taxpayer funds and hiring practices. Both the state Senate and Assembly approved a two-bill charter school overhaul package on the last day of the legislative session and sent them to Gov. Phil Murphy for his approval. If signed into law, as expected, the changes would take effect in the 2027-28 academic year, according to the legislation. The NJ Advance Media reports that spurred the legislation found that College Achieve founder and CEO Michael Piscal was making $795,515 in total compensation, according to tax forms filed by the organization in 2024, making him the highest paid education official in New Jersey by far. Executive directors of College Achieve schools in Paterson and Asbury Park made $515,674 and $460,515, respectively, in total compensation salaries significantly higher than other top school officials in New Jersey. The network also was accused of financial and ethical impropriety at College Achieve Asbury Park, according to an NJ Advance Media report. In response, College Achieve fired Jodi and Tim McInerney and top officials throughout the charter organization had their salaries significantly reduced. State lawmakers also began holding hearings that were expected to result in updating or overhauling the states nearly 30-year-old Charter School Program Act of 1995. The state comptroller an independent state agency tasked with bringing greater efficiency and transparency to all levels of New Jersey government cited its authority to investigate complaints concerning alleged fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement of state funds in the subpoena, obtained by NJ Advance Media. Boghossian said Monday that results matter and CAPS delivers measurable outcomes." Our students outperform the state in every region we serve, Boghossian continued. Last year, every CAPS graduate was admitted to a four-year college, earning more than $50 million in scholarships, including acceptances to Harvard, MIT, Princeton and Penn. Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, the co-founding guitarist of English experimental rock band Black Midi, has died. He was 26. The musician died following a long battle with his mental health, his family said in a statement shared by Rough Trade Records to Instagram Monday. A cause of death has yet to be revealed. 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, the statement read. A talented musician and a kind, loving young 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. Kwasniewski-Kelvin formed Black Midi in 2017 with bandmates Geordie Greep, Cameron Picton and Morgan Simpson while attending Londons BRIT School. The guitarist performed on Black Midis critically acclaimed 2019 debut album Schlagenheim. The group quickly gained recognition for their hectic performances at Brixtons Windmill venue, where they helped spearhead a generation of British experimental rock alongside acts like Black Country, New Road and Shame. Kwasniewski-Kelvin left Black Midi in early 2021 before the release of their second album, Cavalcade, publicly stating at the time that he was taking some time off from the band as I have been mentally unwell. After his departure, Kwasniewski-Kelvin continued playing music in London, including a guest appearance on Wu-Lus 2022 album Loggerhead and releasing a solo recording in 2024 that criticized the British Labour Party and called for a free Palestine, according to Pitchfork. Rough Trade Records extended deepest sympathy to the Kwasniewski-Kelvin family in its statement and encouraged anyone struggling with mental health issues to 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. A 68-year-old man detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New Jersey died on Jan. 6 after being transferred to a facility in California, officials said. Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz died at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio, California after being admitted there with heart-related health issues. Officials did not specify a cause of death. He was detained in Newark on Nov. 16 during a targeted enforcement operation and was first held in Delaney Hall before being being transferred to the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico, California, ICE officials said in a statement on Friday. According to a Facebook post from his daughter, Jossy Yanez, her father was picked up by ICE agents after having breakfast at a place he commonly eats and sent to California about a week later. After complaining about chest pains on Jan. 4, Yanez-Cruz was sent to a medical unit at the California detention facility, officials said. He was eventually transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center before being airlifted to JFK Memorial Hospital, according to officials. At the time of his death, he was awaiting removal proceedings to Honduras, officials said. Yanez-Cruz had entered the U.S. illegally in 1993 at Eagle Pass, Texas from Honduras and was arrested and removed from the country, officials said. He re-entered the country at a later date and applied for temporary protected status multiple times between 1999 and 2012, officials said. All of his applications were denied, officials said. More than 15 people died in ICE custody between January and September 2025, according to ICE records. Another four have died in ICE custody since the beginning of 2026, and a 41-year-old man from Haiti died at Delaney Hall in December soon after he was detained. . Yanez-Cruzs daughter said on Facebook that her father had a cough and cold symptoms during the week he was detained at Delaney Hall. After being relocated to the California detention center in Calexico, Yanez-Cruz complained about stomach pains to family members during phone calls, according to Yanezs post. Yanez said he was given pills after reporting the pain, and that her father said he was in pain after eating. Later, he complained about being fatigued and suffering from shortness of breath, according to her post. Yanez said she spoke to her father on Jan. 3 and that her brother spoke to him on Jan. 4, but received a call from officials on Jan. 6 that her father had died. In her Facebook post, she said her father was healthy before being detained and did not suffer from urgent medical conditions. A spokesperson for ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A man who pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in a Gloucester County crash that killed a Pennsylvania grandmother will serve no prison time in the case. Connor P. Ruggieri, 25, of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to three years of probation on Friday. Ruggieri was driving eastbound on Route 322 in Woolwich Township on the afternoon of June 6, 2022, when his vehicle veered into the oncoming lane and collided with a westbound vehicle driven by Constance Boylan, 78, of Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Boylan died at the scene, police said. Ruggieri was under the influence of intoxicants, investigators said at the time. While no alcohol was involved, the defendants blood did contain traces of marijuana and a vape pen with a liquid substance (that) tested positive for marijuana was located, Superior Court Judge Kevin T. Smith said during the Friday sentencing in the case. Ruggieri was indicted on second-degree vehicular homicide but pleaded guilty in October to a third-degree charge of reckless vehicular homicide. That charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Under terms of the plea deal, the prosecution agreed to recommend a three-year sentence of probation and no prison time. From the beginning of the case, Ruggieri and his family expressed remorse and understanding for what the victims family has suffered, defense attorney Kenneth D. Aita told the court Friday. He has been through counseling. He has gone through a depression. He has suffered from anxiety. Hes had a lot of emotion regarding what had occurred here and what had happened to this victim, Aita said. I think this young mans going to learn from this incident. Ruggieri declined to speak when given the opportunity to address the court. The victims survivors live in California and sent a victim impact statement that was read in court. In it, they described the loss of a beloved family member. Connies grandchildren will never have another meal, share a laugh or make another memory with their grandmother, the family wrote. Moreover, Connie herself will never get to see her grandchildren grow up or enrich her later years with memories of them. Her family continues to feel devastated, and we are certain that images of her grandchildren would have been one of the last thoughts she had in this world. She was taken away by Ruggieris reckless actions, the family wrote, before addressing him directly. The question you need to ask yourself is this: What are you going to make of your life from this point forward? Most people only get one chance in life, including Connie, they said. The judge expressed his hope that Ruggieri would take this experience and use it to help others avoid a similar tragedy. If its going to define you, have it define you in a way that youve learned from it and you can take that knowledge and experience and have a positive impact on somebody elses life, Smith said. The judge also expressed concern that, based on Ruggieris court pre-sentencing report, he last used marijuana and drank alcohol just days before he entered his guilty plea in the case. In sentencing him in accordance with the plea deal to three years of probation, the judge ordered that he undergo a substance abuse evaluation and comply with any recommended treatment. A list of traffic tickets issued in the case, for violations including operating under the influence of liquor or drugs, were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. MOGADISHU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Seventeen al-Shabaab militants were killed during a joint operation by the Somali National Army and international forces in southern Somalia, the Horn of Africa country's Ministry of Defense confirmed on Tuesday. "The operation targeted a site used by the al-Shabaab terrorist group to plan and coordinate terrorist activities, particularly the manufacture and deployment of explosive devices intended to harm civilians," the defense ministry said in a statement released in Mogadishu, the Somali capital. During the operation, troops destroyed vehicles and lethal weapons used by militants to stage attacks against civilians and members of the disciplined forces, according to the ministry. Recently, Somalia's elite troops and international partners, including the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, have intensified military offensives against al-Shabaab in southern Somalia. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. Calling all ARMY members, BTS is heading out on tour and they are hoping to see you at a stadium near you soon. BTS is hitting the road this spring to embark on a massive 70+ date world tour, and they are stopping in New Jersey to perform not one but two shows at MetLife Stadium this August. BTS 2026 World Tour The cheapest BTS tickets can be found on Vivid Seats. Buy Now These shows will take place on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, and theres no doubt these concerts will sell-out fast. For the group, this tour will mark their first headlining tour since their 2021-2022 "PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE" tour. So, if youre in the BTS ARMY and have been dying to see them live, then now is your chance. How to get tickets to see BTS live this year Leading up to the general sale, there will be an ARMY membership presale beginning on Jan. 22 through Ticketmaster. To qualify for this presale, ARMY members must register for the Presale on Weverse by Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. You can get more information about registering for this presale here. When entering the presale, a 9-digit ARMY MEMBERSHIP number (starting with BA) must be entered to unlock access to tickets. If you totally miss this presale, then you can get tickets through the general sale if any tickets remain on Jan. 24 through Ticketmaster. Right now, the cheapest tickets we could find for BTS Aug. 1 MetLife Stadium tour stop is $732 on Vivid Seats. For BTS Aug. 2 stop at MetLife Stadium, the cheapest ticket we could find before any fees is $729 on Vivid Seats. Dont stress if these cheapest tickets sell out, because we know the ARMY works fast. So, you can get more tickets on sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketNetwork, SeatGeek and Viagogo. You can find a full schedule of BTS upcoming tour dates here. BTS tour 2026: Dates, schedule & more BTS will begin their world tour in the U.S. on April 25 in Tampa, Fla. and they will wrap up in North America on Sept. 6 in Los Angeles, Calif. The legendary K-pop group will be performing on a 360 stadium stage, giving fans at every angle the opportunity to see them. Upcoming 2026 tours heading to MetLife Stadium BTS are not the only ones heading to MetLife Stadium while on tour. Here are a few more tours you do not want to miss: Guns N Roses, Ed Sheeran, AC/DC and Bruno Mars Crunch Fitness recently expanded in New Jersey with the acquisition of five gym locations, the company has announced. Fitness Holdings North America, which operates Crunch Fitness franchises, acquired facilities in Tinton Falls, Ocean Township, Wall Township, Freehold and Marlboro from Jersey Strong Gym, according to a statement issued on Friday. The company plans to invest more than $20 million in renovations and equipment upgrades at the locations. There are 29 Crunch Fitness centers located in the state. Mark Federico, chief executive officer of Fitness Holdings North America, said in a statement that the company is transforming these locations into vibrant, welcoming, and engaging spaces. The renovated facilities will feature cardio equipment, Olympic lifting platforms, dumbbells up to 120 pounds, hydromassage beds and HIITZone training areas. The gyms will also offer classes including dance, yoga and Pilates. A new Crunch Fitness center is also the newest tenant at Regent Shopping Center in Aberdeen. Crunch Fitness, which opened in early January, is located at 1121 Route 34 near Lloyd Road. Crunch Fitness began in 1989 in New York Citys Greenwich Village, and Fitness Holdings North America now operates nearly 50 Crunch locations. For more information, visit the Crunch Fitness website. Officials from New Jersey and Netflix celebrated the streaming giants purchase of a large chunk of former Fort Monmouth property where it plans to build a sprawling new mega-studio during a ceremony Thursday in Oceanport. Netflix closed on the property last month for $55 million, which includes a $47 million purchase price, a $5 million utility contribution and a $3 million relocation fee, a Netflix spokesman told NJ Advance Media. With construction already underway at Fort Monmouth, Netflix Studios is no longer a promiseits a reality taking shape in the heart of Monmouth County, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. This project represents the transformation of a long-dormant site into a world-class creative campus that will generate thousands of jobs, spark new businesses, and anchor New Jerseys film and television industry for decades to come, Murphy said. Netflixs investment affirms that the birthplace of film is where its future is being built once again. Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, said the fact that what was once an idea is on its way to becoming a reality is incredible. This project is also a great example of what real cooperation looks like, Sarandos said in a statement. Over the last few years, weve worked with everyone from the Trump Administration to the US Army Corps of Engineers to the Fire Departments in Eatontown and Oceanport. Sarandos said Netflix is shooting two movies in New Jersey and the productions employ over 500 people. Thats good for the industry, and its good for the country, he said. The production renaissance in New Jersey is good for American jobs and American competitiveness. The 289-acre studio campus will feature 12 soundstages totaling nearly 500,000 square feet, production and office buildings, a cafeteria and retail shops. It will also include trailer parks for crews, a theater, a hotel and visitor attractions across the boroughs of Eatontown and Oceanport. The first phase of the project was approved last year by Oceanport and will be located on the former forts 29-acre McAfee Zone, which is being transformed into a campus for actors and production crews and includes four soundstages. The campus main entrance and centerpiece was approved by Eatontown officials in September. It is the largest portion of the project and will feature eight additional soundstages up to 70 feet tall, along with production offices and a public plaza. Demolition on the first phase of the project began in May 2025. Construction on the final section is expected to start in 2026 and wrap up by 2028. With construction underway, both Oceanport and Eatontown have entered into tax agreements with Netflix, guaranteeing millions in annual revenue through a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes program, known as a PILOT, over the next three decades. Last month, Oceanport approved a PILOT that will bring the borough nearly $65 million over 30 years. In November, Eatontown approved a similar PILOT for the second phase of the studio project, including an immediate $47 million payment that borough officials said could fund long-needed improvements to roads, sewers and public facilities. Service on the Newark Liberty Airport monorail will be partially suspended starting Thursday as construction begins on its long-awaited replacement, Port Authority officials said. Weekday AirTrain-monorail service will be suspended between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m., starting Jan. 15 and continuing through May 22, officials said Monday. The shutdown will affect travel between the AirTrain station serving Amtrak and NJ Transit and parking deck P4. Nearly 6,000 daily travelers who take NJ Transit or Amtrak trains to the airport will be affected, officials said. What weve learned from our other [airport] endeavors is to get to world class, you have to take some pain, said Jim Heitmann, Port Authority chief operating officer. We understand its difficult ... we want to apologize in advance, he said. At the end of this youre going to have another world class facility and its worth it. The suspension is needed for two reasons: to protect workers during daylight-only construction and to keep the project on track for its planned opening in early 2030, said Ralph DApuzzo, lead program director for Newark Liberty Airports redevelopment. Construction crews will be working on the first section of new elevated tracks roughly 30 feet from the old tracks. They will be doing pile driving and foundation work that can only be done during daylight hours, he said. Full monorail service resumes service at 3 p.m., which is considered peak air travel time, he said. Construction will pause twice during this period: from Memorial Day to Labor Day for the summer travel season, and from Oct. 30 to Jan. 15, 2027 for the winter holiday period. Heres what travelers need to know. Budget extra time. Travelers will need to build in an 30 minutes extra time to use the bus shuttle. That is in addition to the recommended arrival time to go through security screening, DApuzzo said. The journey is 15 minutes longer, he said. There will be 6 to 12 buses in operation on the route at any time and there will be a bus every 4 to 5 minutes at the five stops on the route, he said. Travelers will still pay standard AirTrain fares for the shuttle bus service, DApuzzo said. Whats being done to help travelers? Added customer service staff will be on duty to help travelers find shuttle bus pick-up locations. Staff also will be deployed at bus stops to help travelers load and unload baggage in and out of buses, DApuzzo said. Special red and black signs to provide information have been designed for the suspension and will be installed by Jan. 15, he said. Electronic signs that display maps also will have real time bus information available. Signs at AirTrain stations and in the airport show maps with normal AirTrain service and the service route run during the suspension. Those signs will be covered up when full monorail service is running to avoid confusion. Where else is information available? Port Authority officials are using all types of media to inform travelers, including the agencys NewarkAirport.com website and its social media accounts. The agency also has paid ads running on social media and radio. Airlines also will help convey AirTrain information to their customers. What about the Airtrain? The bus shuttle route to the airport stops at the airport rail station, parking deck P4 and all three terminals from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. This provides travelers with a one-seat ride, DApuzzo said. Monorail trains will also run between the three airport terminals and parking areas P3 and P4 during the same weekday hours. Leaving the airport, travelers will take the AirTrain from the terminals to parking deck P4 and transfer to buses to the train station, between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m., weekdays, DApuzzo said. On the bus. The hybrid buses are 40-foot-long with low floors, meaning travelers have just one step to get on board. They have wheelchair assists for passengers with mobility issues. Audio messages tell passengers what stop is next and provide other information. The buses do not have luggage racks or baggage storage areas inside. Each bus holds 40 passengers compared to the 70 people moved by one monorail train. Buses will be scheduled to meet arriving NJ Transit trains. The project. The $3.5 billion project will build a new AirTrain to replace the aging monorail that was opened in May 1996. Officials are hoping construction will proceed smoother than the progress to get to that point which had three setbacks. Original plans called for construction of the AirTrain to begin in the first quarter of 2022, with testing of the new system in the first quarter of 2025. Port Authority officials first called for scrapping Newark Airports aging monorail in 2015, saying the 1996 monorail system was showing its age. In December 2023, Port Authority commissioners awarded two contracts totaling $950 million to Doppelmayr Cable Car Company to design and build cable drawn railcars, automatic train control and electrical distribution systems and to operate and maintain the system for 20 years. Those five-car cable liner trains feature walk through open gangway designs instead of separate closed off compartments. Doors will be large enough for passengers in wheelchairs to access and for passengers with large luggage, officials said. The existing monorails cars have compartments that can barely hold seven people and their luggage. In November 2024, Port Authority officials approved a contract to build replacement AirTrain guideways, the equivalent of elevated track, and three stations, with an option to build a fourth when the new Terminal B is constructed. New Jersey will begin penalizing parents for their childrens disorderly behavior, particularly linked to large pop-up parties. Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday signed two bills backed by a bipartisan group of state lawmakers to curtail unruly youth. The bills were part of a legislative package to address the trend of large-scale gatherings that, in some cases in past years, have turned violent and resulted in dozens of arrests. Both bills cleared the statehouse in late December, making these among the final legislative acts as governor. The move expands on efforts to curb massive public brawls that have erupted at the Jersey Shore, community events and shopping malls. One of the bills signed by Murphy makes parents liable for their child inciting a public brawl that causes property damage. Parents of children who commit the most serious offenses could face up to six months in jail and $1,000 in fines, according to the bill. Jersey Shore towns that have seen an influx of large teen-based gatherings have applied similar penalties locally. A second bill directs the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office to form intervention training techniques for law enforcement tailored to crowds of disorderly juveniles. The program would benefit law enforcement in towns that have held at least two large-scale events in the past year that drew violent crowds, according to past statements from lawmakers. Lawmakers defined a pop-up party as a gathering of 50 or more people organized over social media with no advance notice to local officials. The governors office did not immediately respond to a request by NJ Advance Media for comment on the newly signed laws. In an interview with NJ Advance Media between legislative sessions on Monday, Democratic state Sen. Paul Moriarty, who was a sponsor the legislative package, lauded the final bills becoming law. Moriartys legislative district includes Gloucester Township, which lobbied for the bills after a large crowd became violent at a local community event, leading to 11 arrests. Were pleased that the governor has understood that this is an emerging issue that we need to take control of to help our municipalities deal with this emerging threat, Moriarty said. I think that its important that we are making a statement here, in New Jersey, that parents have a responsibility to oversee their children. As summer crowds returned to the Jersey Shore last year, Murphy empowered local authorities to curb unruly teen gatherings by making inciting a public brawl a fourth-degree crime. Proponents of all three bills have argued the legislation will help address the trend. Murphy conditionally vetoed the bill once, asking lawmakers to shield protesters and peaceful demonstrators from facing charges under the bill. Similarly, he asked that those wearing face coverings for religious purposes be shielded from prosecution. The packages first bill became a law about a week after a chaotic Memorial Day weekend in Seaside Heights, where 73 people, 21 of whom were juveniles, were arrested. Three men, aged 18, 21 and 22, were stabbed in separate attacks. A 21-year-old was also charged with weapons offenses after police broke up a fight. A year prior, a 15-year-old boy was stabbed during a fight on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Another teenager was later charged with attempted murder in the stabbing. They searched for what seemed like an eternity. Rescue teams inched their way forward in total darkness, unable to see much of anything inside the smoke-filled freighter as they desperately tried to find two missing firefighters. It was a race against the clock. Lost and disoriented amid hundreds of closely parked cars being exported to West Africa, both men were running out of air. But by the time they were discovered deep within the burning vessel in Port Newark, the two would be dead. Throughout that desperate search, however, Augusto Augie Acabou and Wayne Bear Brooks Jr. were equipped with electronic tracking devices known as Pak-Trackers which should have been signaling exactly where the two men could be found. Documents and testimony before a U.S. Coast Guard inquiry, however, reveal that no one was listening. A report issued by the Coast Guard last week detailed a litany of mistakes that would be compounded after a fire broke out aboard the Italian-flagged Grande Costa DAvorio in July 2023. Among the issues raised by investigators included the Newark Fire Departments failure to deploy Pak-Tracker receivers kept in the vehicles of several battalion chiefs which might have pinpointed the location of the missing firefighters aboard the car-carrying ship. The hi-tech electronic location devices are meant to be used by fire departments to locate trapped or missing firefighters in burning buildings. The system consists of a transmitter that is integral to the self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA, worn by firefighters. In also includes a handheld receiver essentially a portable radio direction finder able to home in on the transmitter. The system is not unlike an electronic version of the childhood game of Hot-and-Cold, where players are told if they are getting warmer as they approach a hidden object, or getting colder when they head off in the wrong direction. In this case, the receivers might tell rescuers if they are getting closer or farther from the signal. According to the report, witnesses who testified during hearings held by the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board in 2024 acknowledged that the Newark Fire Department had possessed three Pak-Tracker receivers. But none were utilized during the search, investigators said. The receivers had never been taken aboard the ship. The Pak-Tracker locator system. A radio locator beacon is mounted on the air pack harness and triggered by the emergency panic alarm built into the self contained breathing apparatus. Handheld receivers pick up the beacon and point to the location of the device, according to 3M. Photos courtesy of 3M The Coast Guard in its report said there is no way to know whether the system could have saved the men. Radio communications during the fire had been significantly hindered by the vessels steel structure. Dispatchers were often left unable to communicate with firefighters within the ship. In recordings of the transmissions, calls for help were broken up or never received. Teams seeking additional equipment in their efforts to free one of the trapped firefighters had to retrace their steps out of the cargo hold to make themselves heard. But given that the Newark Fire Department had the Pak-Tracker receivers, the Coast Guard report said it would have been reasonable to have attempted using the device when the search for the firefighters became prolonged. Fire officials who had testified during the hearings described limitations of the devices in high-rise fires where they were ineffective in floor to floor operations and said they were not routinely used in any response because of those limitations. However, officials at 3M which manufactures the tracking system maintained that a Pak-Tracker receiver should have been able to pick up the line-of-sight radio signal from the beacons despite the difficulty of making radio transmissions out of the ship because there were no structural walls within the compartment itself. Despite the testimony by fire department commanders during the hearings downplaying the usefulness of the system, the city officials in the wake of the Coast Guard report said it has since purchased an additional 10 Pak-Tracker receivers, which will be assigned to all ladder companies and battalion chief vehicles for rapid deployment. The fact that the Pak-Tracker receivers in the fire departments inventory were never considered as a rescue option as the incident at Port Newark turned tragic, though, underscored a bigger problem with the departments response. It did not have a plan to fight a shipboard fire, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters or IAFF, which represents Newark firefighters. From our perspective that was our big issue. They didnt receive proper training, said Sean DeCrane, IAFF assistant to the general president for health and safety. DeCrane, who served as a battalion chief for the Cleveland Fire Department, said the standard operating procedures for every fire company always need to consider the personnel required, the available equipment, and the contingencies when things go south. If a department has Pak-Trackers, he said, that should be part of the toolkit. He said every tool has challenges. Air tanks can only perform before they run out of air. Hose lines can deliver only so much water. But whether or not Pak-Trackers should have played a role should have been set out in Newarks operating procedures before the ship fire. And thats what training does he said. It shows us our limitations. The Coast Guard in its investigation echoed many of the same findings that were part of a separate NTSB report issued this past April that was highly critical of the city. It said the Newark Fire Department did not have a formal routine training program established for shipboard firefighting. Fire companies located near Port Newark did not routinely visit the port facility or go onboard cargo vessels to establish familiarity, the Coast Guard said. That was a problem, the report said. Port Newark was an expansive, busy port complex with many large vessels arriving and departing each day, it noted. Establishing vessel familiarization was critical for the fire companies within whose area of responsibility the port resided. Vessel familiarization should have covered, at a minimum, the vessels crew organization and responsibilities, structures and layout of the vessel, the vast array of machinery and fire suppression systems and equipment that can be found onboard. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in a joint statement with Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said the city has implemented what they said targeted operational improvements and training programs to strengthen firefighter safety, enhance maritime incident capability, and reinforce interagency coordination at the Port of New York and New Jersey. As the City of Newark continues to grieve the losses of our fallen heroes, Newark Fire Captains Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr., who both died in the line of duty at Port Newark on July 5, 2023, our most heartfelt commitment to their memories is to ensure that such a tragic outcome never occurs again, they said. Those actions have included live vessel boarding exercises and tours, a ship-fire and marine firefighting awareness training program, and what they called Rapid Intervention Training, with a focus on firefighter rescue and self-rescue techniques. In addition, the mayor and public safety director noted the purchase of the additional Pak-Tracker receivers; 137 thermal imaging cameras intended to be mounted on firefighter harnesses; four adapters known as an international shore connections, or ISC, which firefighters can use in an emergency to tie shore hydrants directly into ship standpipes to feed water lines throughout the vessel no matter the size of the hose; and 16 large capacity air tanks to support rescue and search operations. The NTSB, in its own findings, had also harshly criticized the citys fire division and Newark. Bart Barnum, the lead investigator for the NTSB, told the board the fire department was unprepared and that firefighters should never have gone down into the ship when a blaze broke out in an aging Jeep being used to push non-running vehicles onto the multi-deck roll on-roll off or Ro-Ro ship. Read the NTSB findings The best strategy, said Barnum, would have been to seal off the cargo hold and let the ships CO2 fire suppression system do its job even with the failure of one gaping watertight door that could not be properly closed to starve the fire of oxygen. Let the CO2 system extinguish the fire, he explained. No one would have gone into the space and no one would have died, he told the board. Emergency personnel battle the fire aboard the Italian-flagged Grande Costa d'Avorio cargo ship at the Port of Newark in July 2023 AP The fire began after a 16-year-old Jeep Wrangler that appeared to be struggling as it pushed a non-running 2010 Toyota Venza up a ship ramp erupted in flames on Deck 10, according to court filings and witnesses appearing before the joint NTSB and Coast Guard hearing. Acabou, 45, and Brooks, 49, died after commanders made a decision to send a squad of firefighters into the burning compartment in an effort to extinguish the blaze. But the dark smoke-filled compartment was nearly impossible to navigate. Both men became disoriented and ultimately ran out of air, one entrapped by the lashings of the vehicles in the huge cargo hold and the other lost in a maze of tightly parked cars and trucks in a far end of the parking garage-like deck. One exhibit entered into evidence during the hearings offered a grim testament to the difficulty in locating the men. Firefighters laid out a fire hose when Brooks and Acabou first made their way onto Deck 10 from a port stairway. That hose led rescuers to the burned-out Jeep. The rescue party then stretched out a rope line, tying it off on the Jeeps bumper, and continued their search before coming upon Acabou. He was discovered wedged between an SUV and light truck, about 100 feet from the stairwell where he and Brooks entered the compartment with other firefighters seeking to track down the source of the fire. Mutual aid squads from Jersey City and the Fire Department of New York stretched out additional rope lines further into the compartment to continue the search for Brooks. They came across his flashlight and, further away, his helmet. His body was found more than 200 feet from the port stairwell, but not far from an escape trunk that could have led him to safety had he known it was there. While it will never truly be known what happened to (Acabou and Brooks) while trying to exit Deck 10, the evidence suggests they became disoriented, lost track of the hose, and attempted to follow the line of cargo vehicles they believed would take them back to the ladder well from which they originally entered, said the Coast Guard in its report. Unfortunately, they instead followed the vehicle line the opposite direction further into the space. The families of two firefighters who perished have filed a $50 million wrongful death complaint in federal court charging that negligence, carelessness and recklessness on the part of the city, the owners of the ship, and others led to the untimely deaths of the men. The lawsuit alleges that Newark failed to properly train and equip the firefighters to deal with the dangerous conditions they faced aboard the Grande Costa dAvorio. It also alleged its owners, Grimaldi Deep Sea of Naples, Italy, operated the ship in an unreasonably dangerous and unseaworthy condition. Mark A. Apostolos, an attorney for the families, said the Coast Guards report further reinforced that the events that led to the deaths of firefighters Acabou and Brooks were preventable, caused by the negligence and failures of the shoreside personnel, the ship and her crew, and the Newark Fire Department. Augusto Acabou, left, and Wayne Brooks Jr. , who were both promoted to captain after their deaths in the July 2023 fire at Port Newark. Newark Department of Public Safety via AP He noted the tragedy began with the misuse of the Jeep that caused the fire, followed by the vessels crews inability to extinguish the fire. It concluded with the complete lack of training and equipping to fight a shipboard fire by the Newark Fire Department, he said. As to the Pak-Trackers, Apostolos said all firefighters, especially those required to board a vessel to fight a fire, should be equipped with every lifesaving device available. A charity restaurant founded by New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi is set to close at the end of the month after sparking debate over homelessness. JBJ Soul Kitchen, which operates multiple pay-it-forward restaurants, has run a pop-up inside the Ocean County Librarys Toms River branch since early last year. The space, housed in a former church, serves three-course meals to all customers regardless of ability to pay. However, the restaurants certificate of occupancy ends at the end of January, a spokesperson for Ocean County told NJ Advance Media. A decision hasnt been made on whether its lease will be extended. The restaurant was given several extensions, but the chain hinted in August that it would likely close this month without support from local officials. That decision would have to come from the county Library Board of Commissioners, Jill Messina, a county spokesperson, said in an emailed statement. The [Ocean County Commissioners] Board, extends sincere thanks to the JBJ Soul Kitchen and its entire staff for their kindness, dedication, and service to the community, Messina said. Toms River Township Mayor Dan Rodrick has criticized the restaurant, at points referring to it as a soup kitchen, after reports of disorderly behavior on the property from unhoused people. Rutgers Newark chancellor Nancy Cantor stands next to Gov. Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy while listening to Jon Bon Jovi as his wife Dorothea, right stands by. Gov. Phil Murphy appears with Jon and Dorothea Bon Jovi to open up a new JBJ Soul Kitchen on the Rutgers Newark campus. Wednesday, January 22, 2020. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media In April, Rodrick publicly condemned the restaurant, saying it resulted in an increase in homeless people loitering downtown. Police have regularly monitored the area in case of unruly behavior, Rodrick said Monday. Rodrick said he had no influence on any decision for the restaurant to close. I always appreciate what people like Bon Jovi and these kinds of nonprofits do for people, and to help with this nationwide epidemic, Rodrick said. Toms River, and the local library, which is right next to a school, should not be the place where we concentrate folks who are mostly struggling with mental illness or addiction. In its August extension announcement, Soul Kitchen said about 69% of the pop-ups customers were experiencing food insecurity. It also reported making 60 housing referrals, distributing 700 hygiene kits, and providing 80 doses of naloxone, the overdose-reversal drug. The Soul Kitchen, which opened its first location in Red Bank in 2011 and has a second location on Hooper Avenue in Toms River, is known for its outreach efforts and unique use of paying it forward. Upon entering, customers are met with two options pay for someone elses meal, or cover the cost of their order by volunteering. In an August Facebook post, the organization raised concerns over the midwinter closure, at a time when temperatures are prone to dropping significantly. A representative for Bon Jovi responded to requests for comment, but did not provide a statement. The library commission meets on Jan. 21. An agenda reviewed by NJ Advance Media does not list actions related to the restaurant. A former Toms River police officer whos accused of breaking into her ex-boyfriends house last year conspired with another police officer and dispatcher, according to a lawsuit filed against the cop and two police departments. Rebecca Sayegh, 33, pleaded guilty Nov. 17, 2025, to burglary and criminal mischief, both third-degree crimes, and simple assault for a break-in that occurred at the Berkeley Township home she once shared with a man she dated for four years. Sayegh, who agreed to forfeit her job, faces six months in the Ocean County Jail when she is sentenced. In text messages before the incident, Sayegh appeared to threaten both her ex and his new girlfriend. Youll hear glass breaking tho, she wrote. You might as well not even talk to whatever girlfriend you have because shes right in the line of fire now too. In the lawsuit filed Jan. 9, Sayeghs former boyfriend and his new girlfriend claim Sayegh conspired with a Berkeley Township police officer and a Toms River police dispatcher to find out the name of the new girlfriend. A representative of Toms River did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Berkeley Township said he had not yet seen the suit and could not comment. An attorney for Sayegh also said he had not seen the complaint and could not comment. Home surveillance video recorded between 10:58 p.m. and 11 p.m. on April 25, 2025, shows a marked Berkeley Township police car passing the former boyfriends home twice to obtain license plate numbers, according to the suit, filed in Ocean County Superior Court. The lawsuit claims a license plate number was given to a Toms River police dispatcher, who used the information to obtain the new girlfriends name and cellphone number. Within minutes of the police cars second pass, Sayegh called the new girlfriend, but she didnt answer, according to the complaint. Sayegh, who had not lived at the home for more than two years, showed up uninvited around 11:16 p.m., opened the trunk of her car and removed her police baton. She was agitated and screaming for plaintiffs to let her inside. Plaintiffs did not respond, the suit says. Sayegh then used the baton to damage her former boyfriends vehicle as he called the police. Sayegh then shattered his front door with the baton, reached through the broken glass to unlock the deadbolt and entered the home, the suit says. The lawsuit claims Sayegh charged at the new girlfriend, attempting to strangle her. But the new girlfriend who is a Montclair police detective is trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and was able to place Sayegh in a hold known as a body lock, the lawsuit says. During the struggle, the new girlfriend sustained a cut and swelling to her right eye. When Sayegh got free, she threw a plant across the room and shoved her former boyfriend before running up the stairs, according to the complaint. In text messages, Sayegh threatened her former boyfriend and his new girlfriend, according to the lawsuit. New Jersey Superior Court exhibit The lawsuit alleges the officer who helped Sayegh obtain license plate information took seven minutes to respond to the crime scene, even though he was nearby. When the officer arrived, he allegedly failed to turn on his body-worn camera and declined to arrest Sayegh when a sergeant ordered him twice to do so, according to the suit. The officer also allegedly failed to assess the victims conditions, nor did he follow any protocol to survey and assess the scene, the suit says. Instead, the officer spoke privately with Sayegh inside the home for several minutes as other officers arrived. He also allowed Sayegh to walk to her vehicle outside the residence. Body-worn video shows Sayegh screaming at police and threatening to burn down her ex-boyfriends home. When Sayegh was finally arrested, she was permitted to keep her Apple Watch, which allowed her to access her cellphone and tamper with evidence, the suit claims. The officer and dispatcher are no longer employed in local law enforcement, according to the lawsuit. The suit claims both the officer and dispatcher were allowed to take a plea deal in lieu of criminal charges. However, a check of court records does not list criminal charges for either person. The suit claims Sayegh was charged with a first-degree crime but then released on a summons something that cannot be done without overriding the system by a municipal court judge. Sayegh was rearrested three days later due to the demand and persistence of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, the suit says. The lawsuit alleges that before the incident, Sayeghs employers at the Toms River Police Department allowed her to remain on active duty with a firearm, even though she had been suspended on multiple occasions and was taking prescribed medication for mental health reasons. She was permitted to return to duty without being properly cleared by a psychiatrist as required, the suit alleges. The lawsuit claims the former boyfriend, who is a detective with the Somerset County Prosecutors Office, suffered significant embarrassment at work, reputational damage, and has fear and anxiety surrounding the events. His girlfriend, who is also a party to the lawsuit, claims she has been in therapy since the incident to process the trauma. She also took nine days off from work and lost $2,000 in wages as a result, the suit says. The woman claims she attends the same gym as the police officer who allegedly conspired with Sayegh, and has been forced to adjust her workouts or leave the gym altogether when she sees him. The lawsuit claims Berkeley Township police failed to secure the baton that Sayegh used to cause property damage, allowed Sayegh to access her vehicle without checking her for weapons, and failed to collect video evidence at the scene. The suit also claims Toms River police failed to prevent the running of the womans license plate information at Sayeghs request, were aware that Sayegh was unstable and had been on extended mental health leave, and failed to reasonably supervise her. Tim Hortons plans to open a new location in Ocean County, taking over a 2,000-square-foot former White Castle building with a drive-thru. The new Tim Hortons at 245 N. Main Street in the Forked River section of Lacey Township will be the 13th franchise location in the state. An opening date has not yet been announced. The Goldstein Group, a retail real estate services provider in New Jersey, brokered the deal, according to a news statement. Chuck Lanyard, president, and Mark Handwerker, executive vice president, represented the landlord, Sunrise Pointe, LP. Jennifer Harrison of NAI, Dileo Bram & Co represented Tim Hortons. The location is near The Home Depot, Wendys, TJ Maxx, Burger King, Chipotle, TD Bank, Dunkin Donuts, Taco Bell, and Popeyes. Tim Hortons, founded in 1964, is Canadas largest restaurant chain. The company serves coffee, espresso beverages, Timbits, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch options. The Forked River location will include seating and a drive-thru. Other Tim Hortons are located in: Scott Adams, the author and creator of the popular Dilbert comic strip, died Tuesday after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 68. His ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death during a livestream of his Real Coffee with Scott Adams show posted on his social media accounts. Miles previously told TMZ that Adams was in hospice care in his Northern California home as of Monday. I had an amazing life, she read in a final messagefrom Adams dated Jan. 1. I gave it everything I had. If you got any benefits from my work, Im asking you to pay it forward as best you can. In the statement, Adams added that he was dedicating his life to Jesus Christ after describing himself as not a believer. The part about me not being a believer should be quickly resolved if I wake up in heaven, Adams said in the message. I wont need any more convincing than that. I hope Im still qualified for entry. A Final Message From Scott Adams pic.twitter.com/QKX6b0MFZA Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) January 13, 2026 A number of political figures on social media paid tribute to Adams, who predicted that President Donald Trump would win his first presidency. Sadly, the Great Influencer, Scott Adams, has passed away, Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasnt fashionable to do so. He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease. My condolences go out to his family, and all of his many friends and listeners. He will be truly missed. God bless you Scott! he continued. Vice President JD Vance called Adams a true American original, and a great ally to the President of the United States and the entire administration. We lost one of the good ones but well never forget him, Vance added on X. Scott Adams was a true American original, and a great ally to the President of the United States and the entire administration. My prayers go to Scott and all of you who loved him. We lost one of the good ones but we'll never forget him. JD Vance (@JDVance) January 13, 2026 Donald Trump Jr., one of the presidents sons, wrote: Rest in Peace to a true American patriot. Your candid commentary and sights will be truly missed, he said in a separate post. You taught us all so much. Tech billionaire Elon Musk said that he cant believe he has died, despite knowing his death was coming. Rest in peace, good and great man, rest in peace, Musk posted. The White House also posted an image of the Dilbert character alongside Trump and Vance. Adams who was abruptly dropped from syndication in 2023 for racist remarks first announced his diagnosis in May, saying that it had spread to his bones and he was expected to die sometime over the summer. At the time, Adams revealed that Trump had called to check in on him shortly after his announcement. He noted that he did not pick up the call at first, prompting the president to send over a voicemail in which he mentioned, in part: This is your favorite president. I thought to myself, No, did I just send the most important person in the world to voicemail? Adams said in a video. And it turns out that I had. In November, Adams said he would ask Trump to intervene after claiming his health care provider had dropped the ball in scheduling an appointment for Pluvicto, a drug used to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The plea was shared by Trump Jr. and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. On it! Trump later wrote in a post on Truth Social. Miles, his former spouse, said that Adams had predicted his passing. He knew it was a different feeling than how he had been feeling before, she said. "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) HANGZHOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Turning things upside-down doesn't always mean chaos -- it can actually open up surprising opportunities. That's the story behind a plush horse toy from Yiwu, China's famed "world's supermarket", which has galloped into the hearts of millions thanks to a manufacturing mix-up. It all began with a customer noticed that one of two toy horses she purchased had its mouth stitched upside down. Instead of the usual cheerful grin, the red mascot for the upcoming Chinese Year of the Horse looked sad and helpless. After she shared it online last week, the toy, dubbed the "crying horse", struck an emotional chord and the post went viral. Even those who usually "look a gift horse in the mouth" found themselves wanting one. Zhang Huoqing, general manager of plush toy store Happy Sister, told Xinhua that "crying horse" was born from an error of a worker. But she quickly spotted the business opportunity in front of her eyes and started ramping up production. In just 48 hours, the shop grew from two to more than 10 production lines, and they've already applied for a design patent. Sales of the 20-centimeter-tall toy, which previously averaged about 400 per day, have surged. The factory now produces up to 15,000 pieces daily and still struggles to keep up with demand. "We have also received overseas orders from countries including Russia and South Africa," she said, adding that many buyers purchase the horses in pairs -- a cheerful one and its sad pal. In spite of the windfall, she vowed that price of the horse will not hike, remaining at 25 yuan (about 3.6 U.S. dollars) each. A user of Chinese social media platform Weibo nicknamed Yuanlaishifanxinga expressed her desire to buy a sad mascot. "When seen from the side, the horse, its mouth drooping, glances at you with a mix of grievance and tenacity. It just looks like my daughter who was born in a year of horse," she said. She referenced the Chinese ancient story telling a man who lost a horse, before that missing one later brought back more horses. "A loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise," she said. "The 'crying horse' carries a wish: may all the setbacks you encounter in life become turning points for the better." Zhang Jun, another Weibo user, pointed out that behind the popularity of "crying horse" is a shift from functional to emotional value. "At a time when the 'positive energy' feels overused, the 'crying horse' with its flaws offers a rare sense of realism and an outlet for stress relief," he said. Zhang noted that in this case, what's more crucial is Yiwu's agile supply chain, which enabled the rapid redesign and scale-up of production, instantly turning a mistake into profit. "From a defective product to an online sensation, the 'crying horse' demonstrated the resilience of 'Made in China'," said Shen Aiguo, a professor of communications in the Hangzhou City University. Behind the hit is Yiwu's robust industrial chain and sharp market sensitivity, he said. "Made in China is no longer merely about contract manufacturing. The quick response as reflected in this event embodies the confidence of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises amid market changes in the transformation towards smart manufacturing." Sales of its Chinese New Year products not yet available, the city of Yiwu in east China's Zhejiang Province posted a record import and export value of 701.19 billion yuan in the first 10 months of 2025, surpassing the 700-billion-yuan threshold for the first time. From January to October, Yiwu conducted trade with 230 countries and regions around the world. China's manufacturing industry has maintained the top position in the world in terms of overall scale for 15 consecutive years in 2024, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The Communist Party of China Central Committee's recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) explicitly propose that the share of manufacturing in the national economy should be kept at an appropriate level, and that a modernized industrial system should be developed with advanced manufacturing as the backbone. "We stay alert to market trends and flexibly adjust our products. Right now, ensuring the quality of each product is our top priority," said Zhang Huoqing in Yiwu. "In the future, maybe we will launch extended products such as 'crying sheep'? We will see." 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) 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) Zhang Huoqing, general manager of plush toy store Happy Sister, checks orders at the Yiwu International Trade City in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 10, 2026. (Xinhua) A "crying horse" and and a "cheerful horse" stuffed toys are displayed at a shop of the Yiwu International Trade City in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 11, 2026. (Xinhua) President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for a stop to the senseless killing of protesters and assured demonstrators that help is on its way. Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers, Trump said in a Truth Social post. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. Trumps post followed a CBS News report that more than 12,000 people have been killed in Iran as activists stage anti-government protests across the country. More than 16,000 people have reportedly been arrested during the demonstrations, which erupted over two weeks ago in response to Irans struggling economy. While in Detroit on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that nobody has been able to give me an accurate number of the death toll in Iran. Everything is a lot. One is a lot, Trump said. But I have heard numbers much lower and Ive heard numbers much higher. Were probably going to find out over the next 24 hours. I think its a lot. Its too many, whatever it is. Trumps show of support for Iranian demonstrators was a stark contrast to remarks he made earlier Tuesday about the nationwide protests that sprouted after an ICE agent fatally shot a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis last week. Minnesota Democrats love the unrest that anarchists and professional agitators are causing because it gets the spotlight off of the 19 Billion Dollars that was stolen by really bad and deranged people, Trump wrote. FEAR NOT, GREAT PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING! In the days since the Jan. 7 shooting, Trump and his top officials have defended the ICE agent who killed Renee Good, saying he acted in self-defense in an inhospitable environment. At a very minimum, that woman was very, very disrespectful to law enforcement, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. The president has also claimed that Good was a professional agitator who was probably paid. He has not offered any evidence to support those allegations. President Donald Trump just sent a haunting message to the people of Minnesota a state that has been in the national spotlight for days after a federal immigration officer fatally shot a 37-year-old woman last week. In a scathing Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump questioned whether Minnesotans want to live in a place with deadly criminals. He also defended his deportation agenda, describing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as patriots. Do the people of Minnesota really want to live in a community in which there are thousands of already convicted murderers, drug dealers and addicts, rapists, violent released and escaped prisoners, dangerous people from foreign mental institutions and insane asylums, and other deadly criminals too dangerous to even mention, Trump wrote. All the patriots of ICE want to do is remove them from your neighborhood and send them back to the prisons and mental institutions from where they came, most in foreign Countries who illegally entered the USA though Sleepy Joe Bidens HORRIBLE Open Borders Policy, he added. He claimed that crime is down in cities that ICE already targeted. He also bashed Democrats in Minnesota by referencing COVID-19 fraud investigations into the state. Minnesota Democrats love the unrest that anarchists and professional agitators are causing because it gets the spotlight off of the 19 Billion Dollars that was stolen by really bad and deranged people, he said. Trump concluded with an ominous message about the future of Minnesota. FEAR NOT, GREAT PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING! he wrote. Its not clear what Trump means by a day of reckoning & retribution. Minnesota became the latest target of Trumps immigration enforcement tactics earlier this month, leading to protests and opposition from local leaders. Outrage boiled over last week after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot Renee Good while she was behind the wheel of her SUV. The Trump administration has defended the officer and its immigration tactics despite widespread backlash. On Monday, Minnesota and Minneapolis filed a lawsuit against the federal government to stop the immigration crackdown. 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. 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Comedian Jon Stewart mocked President Donald Trumps behavior during a meeting with oil executives at the White House last week. During Mondays episode of The Daily Show, Stewart questioned why Trump held a meeting with oil executives just days after a U.S. military operation captured authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife. He sarcastically described the oil executives as the most important stakeholders involved in the ongoing Venezuela situation. What the f--- is happening? Stewart said. At one point during the meeting, Trump got up from his seat to admire the current construction of the White House ballroom. The odd moment went viral on social media, with many questioning why the president decided to look out of the window of the East Room during the meeting. Sir, were trying to have an urgent meeting on possibly the collapse of a petrostate! Stewart mocked after playing a clip of the moment. President Donald Trump looks out at White House ballroom construction as he arrives to speak during a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP Stewart continued to jab Trump after playing another clip from that moment in the meeting, in which Trump said: What a view. This is the door to the ballroom. Really? This meeting is the moment for your funny ballroom act them out? Armed gangs are roaming freely through both of the countries you say you run right now. But go ahead, take a moment to look at what might be through the window, Stewart said. Youre like the Walt Disney of chaos. All it takes is imagination, Stewart said. And by the way, if youre getting up and walking to the window and you dont think thats enough of a doddering old man, Old Tangles McGee had one more chewable Tums up his sleeve, he said, before playing another video clip from the meeting. The video clip showed Secretary of State Marco Rubio passing Trump a note, in which the president read out loud. Marco just gave me a note. Go back to Chevron. They want to discuss something, Trump said. Does anyone else have a private note theyd like me to read aloud? Stewart mocked. President Donald Trump reads a note from Sec. of State Marco Rubio, not pictured, during a meeting with Vice President JD Vance, left, and oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP That moment also went viral on social media on Friday, when users criticized the president for reading out loud what appeared to be a private note. Confused grandpa moment, the Republicans Against Trump account wrote on X. Stewart concluded by blasting Trump for sharing a fake Wikipedia page on his Truth Social platform late Sunday, which referred to him as the Acting President of Venezuela. And by the way, Donald, why are you the president of Venezuela? Doesnt your oath of office to America have a non-compete?What are we doing? Stewart said. Trump has become focused on Venezuelas oil resources in the days since the capture of Maduro. However, oil executives have cautioned against investing in the country amid the ongoing turmoil. On Friday, Trump signed an executive order that seeks to ensure that Venezuelan oil revenue remains protected from being used in judicial proceedings. The executive order, made public on Saturday, says that if the funds were to be seized for such use, it could undermine critical U.S. efforts to ensure economic and political stability in Venezuela. Venezuela has a history of state asset seizures, ongoing U.S. sanctions and decades of political uncertainty. Getting U.S. oil companies to invest in Venezuela and help rebuild the countrys infrastructure is a top priority of the Trump administration after Maduros capture. The White House is framing the effort to run Venezuela in economic terms, and Trump has seized tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, has said the U.S. is taking over the sales of 30 million to 50 million barrels of previously sanctioned Venezuelan crude, and plans to control sales worldwide indefinitely. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Would President Donald Trump really try to steal a Nobel Peace Prize? Former national security adviser John Bolton thought he might. For months, Trump has complained about not having a Nobel Peace Prize for his misleading claim that he ended eight global conflicts. Earlier this month, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she would like to give or share her Nobel Peace Prize with Trump. Machados statement came days after the U.S. launched a military operation in Venezuela to capture authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro, who is now facing drug trafficking charges in New York. Trump has said he would accept the Nobel Peace Prize if it was offered to him from Machado. On Monday, CNN host Erin Burnett asked Bolton what he thought about Trumps musing about the Nobel Peace Prize. Bolton served as Trumps national security adviser during his first term, and has since emerged as a fierce critic of the president. Look, its always all about Trump. He cares less about Venezuela than he does the prize. And by the way, she can give him the medallion and still keep the prize, if thats what he wants, Bolton said on Erin Burnett Outfront. Bolton also said that he was worried Trump might steal President Theodore Roosevelts Nobel medallion from the White House. Theodore Roosevelts Nobel medallion hangs on the wall at the Roosevelt Room in the White House. Ive always worried Trump would grab that if he cant get another one. She could probably find a replacement somewhere, Bolton said. He went on to explain that Trump does not understand the way Venezuela works. He criticized Trump for leaving the remaining parts of Maduros government in place after removing the leader from power. Thats what underlies the legitimacy of Trumps removing Maduro. So when he threw her side last Saturday night, it was a huge mistake on his part, both in terms of the legitimacy of what the U.S. had done and the potential future in Venezuela, Bolton said, speaking of Machado. The Norwegian Nobel Institute clarified last week that the peace prize is non-transferable. The decision is final and stands for all time, it said, according to The Associated Press. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. The Rookie is back, and this week, its returning to Los Angeles. The second episode of season 8 is airing on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 10 p.m. You can watch live as it airs on DirecTV (free trial) or Fubo TV (free trial). It will be available the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. The episode is called Fast Andy, and in it, the President of the United States will visit Los Angeles, meaning the LAPD has to be on top of their game. They will team up with Secret Service to make sure nothing is awry. The Rookie stars Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, the officer of the LAPD who was, at one time, the source of the shows title. Other central cast members include Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, Melissa ONeil as Lucy Chen, Eric Winter as Tim Bradford, and Richard T. Jones as Wade Grey. DirecTV Save on your first month of DirecTV Stream, and enjoy a free trial. Buy Now Heres a look at whats ahead for John Nolan and the other members of the LAPD, courtesy of the official ABC YouTube channel: Heres the information youll need to watch a free live stream of The Rookie online without cable. When is The Rookie in 2025 on? The series airs a new episode on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 10 p.m. on ABC, and will likely conclude around 11 p.m. It will be followed by local programming thereafter. How to watch The Rookie online on-demand If you want to record The Rookie or want to watch other ABC content online as it becomes available, check out DirecTV (free trial) or Fubo TV (free trial). Sling is also a solid choice, and while it does not offer a free trial right now, it offers a huge amount of customization. Streaming Service Cost Free Trial? DIRECTV $74.99 Yes Fubo TV $84.99 Yes Sling TV $45-$60 No If youre not in the USA, you can still use a VPN to sign up for any one of these services and set your location to a US server. Among the safest choices to use are ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Both services offer massive discounts, along with a 100% money-back guarantee within the first 30 days. Former Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira is leaning into pro-Trump economic messaging, amplifying claims that goes against what most Americans feel. On Monday, Teixeira quote-posted a message from Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, that touted falling gas prices, mortgage rates and crime as evidence of what Jordan called The Trump Effect in Action. The Trump Effect is working for the American people, Teixeira wrote, via X/Twitter. The Trump Effect is working for the American people. https://t.co/CBD1iHrjgk Mark Teixeira (@teixeiramark25) January 12, 2026 While it is true that gas prices and crime rates are down, economically, this goes against what the majority of Americans are feeling. According to a recent Marist poll, 61% of Americans say the economy is not working well for you. Another respected poll, Gallup, paints an even gloomier picture, counting 74% of people dissatisfied with the direction of the economy. On Aug. 28, Teixeira announced that hed be running in Texass 21st Congressional District, where Rep. Chip Roy will not seek re-election as he runs for Texas Attorney General. Teixeira is a Maryland native who currently lives in the Austin area. He spent the first four-plus years of his major-league career with the Texas Rangers. The three-time All-Star concluded his career with eight years on the Yankees, winning a World Series in 2009. Teixeira retired in 2016 after a 14-year career in which he hit .268 with a .869 OPS and 409 home runs. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Cloudy with snow showers developing during the afternoon. High 27F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Snow showers early becoming more scattered later. Low 11F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China is closely monitoring the development of the situation in Iran, and will take all necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens, a foreign ministry spokesperson said here on Tuesday at a daily press briefing. The U.S. State Department on Monday asked U.S. citizens to leave Iran immediately. In response to a related query, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China hopes Iran can maintain national stability and supports the country in the effort. "China has always opposed interference in other countries' internal affairs and the use or threat of use of force in international relations. China hopes that all parties will do more things conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East," she added. A woman poses for photos on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) A man plays piano on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) A visitor is seen on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Children have fun on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 11, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) People visit the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) People get warmth from a warm light on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) A woman poses for photos on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 8, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) People watch photos taken by a cellphone on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) People have fun on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 11, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) People visit the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) People visit the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 8, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) A woman takes photos on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 8, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) A woman poses for photos on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 11, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) People take photos on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 11, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) People take photos on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 11, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) People dance for a video shooting on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 11, 2026. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) A drone photo taken on Jan. 12, 2026 shows people visiting the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, the Central Street, which is renowned for its diverse European-style architecture, wows tourists with its colorful lights at night during the city's tourism boom this winter. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) A Paignton charity which supports people experiencing homelessness, financial hardship and isolation has received a 2,500 donation to help provide essential items to those most in need. The Thrive Project was awarded the funding from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation after being nominated by colleagues at the Societys Paignton branch. The donation will help the charity supply meals, heaters, warm clothing, sleeping bags, tents, food parcels, flasks, hot water bottles and crisis supermarket vouchers. Based in Winner Street, The Thrive Project has served as a community hub for nearly seven years, supporting people facing challenges including homelessness, addiction, loneliness and bereavement. As well as food and hot drinks, the charity offers referrals, a recovery group, one-to-one mental health support, a jumble room and regular community events. Yvette Goldsmith, Branch Manager at Yorkshire Building Society Paignton, said she was proud to support the charity. We are proud to be able to support The Thrive Project in our community in Paignton with a donation from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation. I recently visited their premises in Winner Street and saw first-hand the remarkable work that they do. The Thrive Project provides an important service. The work that they are doing to support those in need strengthens the entire community. Every blanket, every meal, and every conversation is a step towards dignity. Rachel Shepard from The Thrive Project said the funding would help the charity continue to support some of the most vulnerable people in Paignton, particularly through colder months. We are really thankful for the donation from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation that will help us continue to offer our warming station, which provides takeaway cup-a-soup, pot noodles, porridge and sandwiches to the most vulnerable. We can also distribute tents, sleeping bags and other lifesaving items such as warm, dry clothes, hats, gloves, footwear and emergency blankets, which are sadly needed all year round but desperately more during the colder months to those tragically finding themselves street homeless. Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation is funded through the Societys Small Change Big Difference scheme, where members donate pennies from interest earned on their accounts once a year to support small charities across the UK. Since 1999 the Foundation has donated more than 10 million to good causes. More information about the scheme can be found at www.ybs.co.uk/charitablefoundation . To support The Thrive Project, visit www.thriveproject.org.uk . Exeters MP has welcomed new day-one parental leave rights announced by the government, which are set to come into force from April. Labour MP Steve Race said the changes would ensure no parent was forced to choose between spending time with their new baby and keeping their job, describing the reforms as a significant step forward for working families. Im really pleased to see these new rights for parents introduced as part of the Governments widespread reforms to workers rights, he said. The announcement, made on Sunday, January 11, confirms that millions of workers across the UK will become eligible for parental leave from the first day in a new job. The government estimates more than 18 million people will benefit from stronger protections at work, with those in insecure employment gaining the most. Under the new rules, parents will no longer need to meet a qualifying period before being able to take unpaid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child. Ministers say the change will prevent families from having to make what they describe as a heart-wrenching choice between caring for a newborn and returning to work to avoid losing their job. Mr Race said the reforms would have a direct impact on families in Exeter. The new day-one right to parental leave will mean no parent will be forced to choose between spending time with their new baby and keeping their job, he said. The changes will also see an estimated 32,000 more fathers a year become eligible for paternity leave immediately, bringing their rights into line with maternity leave. In addition, a new Bereaved Partners Paternity Leave will be introduced from April, giving up to 52 weeks of leave to parents who lose their partner before their childs first birthday. Mr Race said this would provide vital protection for families at their most difficult moments. The introduction of Bereaved Partners Paternity Leave will protect grieving parents by law, rather than relying on the compassion of employers to allow them time off to care for their child, he said. The reforms stem from the recently passed Employment Rights Act and form part of the governments wider Plan to Make Work Pay, which aims to improve job security, boost productivity and raise living standards. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the changes would ensure working people had the basic rights and security they deserve. 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, adding that the measures would help ensure economic growth was felt by working people in every part of the UK. The government is also continuing its Parental Leave and Pay Review, which is examining how maternity, paternity and shared parental leave can work better for both parents and employers. Mr Race encouraged local residents to engage with the review. The Governments ongoing Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering innovative ways to make life work better for both parents and employers, he said. Id encourage anyone in Exeter with ideas or experiences to share to get in touch. Statutory instruments implementing the parental leave and paternity leave changes have been laid in Parliament today (January 12), with the new day-one rights expected to take effect from April. Stepmum Gemma Cox has paid tribute to the special people who saved her life at Torbay Hospital. The hospital and the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has been at the centre of concerns in recent weeks over a threat to cardiac services and the future of adult social care. But Gemma, 42, says: I really want Devon and beyond to know about the hidden jewel called Torbay Hospital - not one of the largest, most well known hospitals with probably not a budget as big as other trusts but they outshine every one of those in every way. She was on holiday at the Beverley Park holiday park at Goodrington over the New Year when she was taken drastically ill. She says: I got to A&E and took two steps in the front door and collapsed.The hospital gave me treatment which saved my life. The care was exemplary and I want the hospital to be recognised for what they did to save me and also for the support they gave to my family during such a dramatic time. There are many struggles and things that are broken in our NHS. However, in times of real peril they are there to save our lives. I would like the local residents and afar to know just how amazing Torbay Hospital is. They even let my dog, Teddy, who was with me and my partner and our little boy Joe into the hospital to help my partner see me as we had no provisions to take care of the dog. She added: I would like to include the Incredible Cromie ward I stayed in and managed by Sister Kristyna who was so kind to me. READ NEXT: Local mum rallies Torbay for Special Care Baby Unit fundraiser All the staff on Cromie were the kindest and most supportive and worked damn hard to look after all of us including me. They had a touch of something special and that reminds me how amazing nurses are when they work through the festive season with no questions asked to care for us. From the lady who brought me dinner, to the porters and to the ward staff, everyone on Cromie was incredible, including the ward sister who allowed my dog in so my partner could bring me clothes and toiletries. I have to give a special mention to a wonderful doctor called Jordan who was my emergency care doctor in A&E. He saved me when I collapsed in the arms of medical staff in the A&E reception. I cannot describe the sheer intensity and how debilitating the pain I was in was. I couldnt speak, I was incoherent when I came to. I was screaming like a dog. He provided me with quick intense pain relief and checked on us constantly and arranged an emergency CT scan that showed how severe things were. I have to mention the incredible female registrar surgeon who operated on me, Ms M Bennet, who helped me overcome severe pain and saved my left kidney and ureter. Without the emergency surgery I would now be fighting for my life. Without the help of all these incredible people I could now have severe kidney and other serious issues. Gemma, who lives on the outskirts of Birmingham in Bournville, was admitted to Torbay on December 30 and not allowed home until January 3. She revealed: I have to go back for a second operation as it cant be completed in one. I am more than happy to be back in the care of the incredible Torbay Hospital and staff very soon. There are many things that we are blessed with living in Torridge. For a small community, we are lucky to have such a rich blend of vibrant arts, deep history, unique landscapes, and a strong community spirit that allows us to celebrate our creativity, customs, and traditions. With this in mind, I am delighted that the Northern Devon Flourishing Culture Awards are returning in 2026. Culture means many things to many people, and these awards recognise the diverse ways in which cultural activities enrich our lives. These awards not only offer a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the individuals and groups who contribute so much to our communities but also aim to inspire others to get involved and help shape our cultural future. The Flourishing Culture Awards were set up as part of North Devon Council and Torridge District Council's Flourishing Culture Strategy to raise the profile of northern Devon's vibrant cultural landscape. This years awards ceremony will take place at Barnstaple Hotel on 13 March and will once again celebrate the people, groups, and organisations who make a significant impact on the culture of communities across North Devon and Torridge. Anyone who lives or works in North Devon and Torridge can make a nomination. It's not about choosing the most successful but about highlighting those who have made a positive impact on residents and their community through cultural activity. For more information, please email Claire.gulliver@torridge.gov.uk . If one of your New Years resolutions is to spend more time outdoors, learn new skills, or meet new people, then why not check out what the Northam Burrows Ranger team has planned for this winter? Its annual volunteer recruitment is now open for an exciting programme of practical conservation tasks, designed to help care for local nature reserves and green spaces. From wildflower meadow management to beach cleans and dune fencing, these hands-on projects are a great way to get active, support vital conservation work, and connect with like-minded people. To find out more, email northam.burrows@torridge.gov.uk or call 01237 479708. The countryside has always been at the heart of our community, and for many it forms part of their livelihoods. However, we know that times have been challenging recently. To assist local businesses and farmers, North Devon + is inviting local businesses and farmers to take advantage of two fully funded support programmes: Business BOOST and Farm BOOST. Business BOOST provides one-to-one support from an experienced Business Support Advisor, offering tailored guidance on a wide range of topics. Farm BOOST delivers specialist advice for farmers and landowners, including help navigating schemes like SFI, Capital Grants, and Countryside Stewardship, plus many more. For more information, call 01237 428 834 or email boost@northdevonplus.co.uk (Business BOOST) or farming@northdevonplus.co.uk (Farm BOOST). HAVANA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The remains of 32 Cuban military personnel killed during the U.S. military attack on Venezuela will arrive in Cuba on Thursday, the Cuban government said Monday. The bodies of the fallen soldiers will be received at a military ceremony at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport, where they will be honored with a posthumous tribute, said an official statement. A funeral procession will move along Rancho Boyeros Avenue to the headquarters of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. On Friday, the public will gather at the Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Tribune to begin the "March of the Combatant People." Meanwhile, tribute ceremonies will be held in all provincial capitals across the country. The remains of the soldiers will be buried in the Fallen for the Defense cemeteries in their respective hometowns. On Jan. 3, the U.S. government carried out a military attack on Caracas and other localities in Venezuela, resulting in 100 fatalities, according to the official tally. The 32 Cubans were carrying out missions on behalf of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry. The application window for Sisters High School students to apply for the local scholarships through the Graduate Resource Organization (GRO) is now open and will run through Friday, February 6. Regan Roberts, executive director of GRO, presented to the senior class in a school assembly on January 8 in order to orient seniors to the application process. We encourage all students pursuing post-high school education to apply for the GRO awards, said Roberts, and we want to support them all along the way." Roberts will be available at the high school Mondays and Wednesdays during the application window and students can also contact her directly digitally. Volunteers from the ASPIRE program, which support students in future planning, will also be available to support students through the process, along with the school counselors. Targeted support for students and parents will take place on Wednesday, January 21, at 6 p.m. and pizza will be provided. Roberts confirmed that eight new scholarships will be offered in 2026 totaling over $35,000 bringing the anticipated total for the year to over $300,000. Some of the scholarships are renewable for up to four years. The new scholarships include; The Access to Opportunity Scholarship. The Aurora Scholarship. Chinese Language Scholarship. Fika Sisters Coffeehouse Scholarship. Founders Scholarship. Make Us Proud Scholarship. Rescued Living Scholarship. Whychus Creek Scholarship for Futures in Healing. Additional new donations have also allowed GRO to offer the minimum scholarship amount to be raised from $500 to $1,500 for the Pegasus Award. Renee Reitmeier, the owner of Fika Sisters Coffeehouse, explained her motivation to add a scholarship. This community has poured so much kindness into my small business over the past six years, she said. Through my coffee shop, Ive had the privilege of working with incredible high school students who inspire me daily. I felt that starting this scholarship would be a meaningful way to give back to invest in the same young people and community that have supported me from the very beginning. Central Oregon Daily News featured Sisters GRO following the kick-off assembly to shine further light on the scholarship program. As executive director this time of the year when the students are working on the scholarships is my favorite season, said Roberts. She went on to acknowledge her gratefulness for all the donors and others who make Sisters GRO happen. Keeping in mind that all of the scholarships offered through Sisters GRO come directly from the local community certainly makes it newsworthy, said Roberts. The Sisters community is so supportive and generous to our students. For information about Sisters GRO, visit http://www.sistersgro.org. Sisters City Manager Jordan Wheeler and Mayor Jennifer Letz shared 2025 successes and some 2026 efforts in progress or about to begin during a joint meeting of Sisters Kiwanis and Rotary clubs on January 6. Beyond the successfully coordinated management of the Flat Fire, as mentioned in the related article page one, Mayor Letz and City Manager Wheeler shared these past and future highlights: Dark Skies Community designation was achieved last year, making The City of Sisters (City) the largest community in Oregon having such a designation. To maintain the program, the City will be rolling out the Dark Skies Lighting incentives Program to City residence, which includes a rebate of a limited amount with proof of purchase. Community Partners on Houselessness was formed in 2025. The coalition includes local unhoused support entities and groups, developers, nonprofits, US Forest Service, Sisters Camp Sherman Fire District, and the City. They meet monthly to continuously work on creative and effective solutions for the unhoused. The Sisters Civic Leadership Academy (SCLA) is rolling out its third academy this year in partnership with Citizens for Community (C4C). The executive director of C4C, Kellen Klein, was present and shared that from the first two academies of 22 graduates in total; one was elected to City Council, three joined the Sisters Country Vision Team, three serve on City boards and committees, two serve on local nonprofit boards, one launched a civics program at Sisters high school, two created a local leadership book club, and one is pursuing a dual masters in nonprofit management and public policy at the University of Oregon. The City will soon be seeking applicants for the 2026 SCLA cohort of about a dozen individuals. The City Council requested and City staff completed new municipal defensible space code which Council reviewed and approved. Sisters is one of only a few cities in Oregon to have completed such a code changes. The City will complete work this spring mitigating defensible spaces around all municipal structures to set the example for the entire community. The leadership of City Council and efficient work by staff assured that the State code R327 for building hardening for any new development is now the Citys development code. This code has no impact on existing structures. Sisters was the first city in Oregon to officially incorporate R327. Barclay Drive phase one was completed and phase two (the City Council hopes will be the last phase but that depends on funding) will be completed this year or spring of 2027. Sewer system improvements to add a new pump off Pine Street will be completed this year. Since Sisters water reservoir is reaching its sustainable duration, construction of a new one begins in 2026. The North West Park master plan is very near completion and the City will seek final public comments before the final plan is reviewed and approved by City Council. The Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion project is in the Preparation of the Application phase. This phase will prepare the UGB map and findings for a review by the City and Deschutes County each entity will have public hearings. Once approved by both entities, these official land use applications will go to the Deschutes County Land Use Department for acknowledgment. There will be a 21-day appeal period. Other UGB work ensues, but as to annexing, no owners within the expanded areas will be able to submit requests to annex their properties until sometime in 2027, at the earliest. Other projects mentioned; the development of Trinity Place with 40 units of affordable housing has broken ground, the Adams Avenue streetscape improvements project will be implemented, the signage master plan (to show where things are as one wanders around Sisters) will be completed, and the Elm Street pathway for pedestrians to safely walk from the Village Green Park up Tyee Drive to Peterson Ridge will be completed including an improved pedestrian bridge over Whychus Creek. Mayor Letz invites the public to participate in an open house at City Hall, January 26, 5 p.m., to set new goals. The embers have long cooled on the devastating Flat Fire last August that came perilously close to Sisters and which caused five structure losses in Sisters Country. There were no deaths or injuries. Photo provided The Flat Fire burned 23,346 acres ranking as the fifth largest wildfire in Oregon for the fire year and its cause still under investigation. Its suppression costs exceeded $29 million. That's 22 percent of the entirety of ODF's (Oregon Department of Forestry) cost of the just concluded fire season. Rumors and criticism persist regarding the fire's cause (see The Nugget, November 18, 2025) and more recently, how it was managed. The use of aerial firefighting is in the crosshairs of several fire-watchers, some with professional firefighting experience, who argue that aerial attack was not handled optimally. The argument is that fire managers did not get resources on scene fast enough, and that there were not enough resources deployed. The fire was managed by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and its External Communications Manager Derek Gasperini disputes the negative assessment. He provided The Nugget with a minute-by-minute account of the initial attack. August 21, 2025 at 4:34 p.m., the Henkle Butte Lookout in Sisters reported black smoke in the Geneva area. 4:36 p.m. Ground and aviation resources were dispatched. 4:43 p.m. Initial resource arrives on scene, estimated at 2.5 to five acres, on private ODF protected lands, moderate rate of spread. 4:57 p.m. Additional aviation and heavy equipment ordered, fire is in heavy fuels, with increasing fire behavior. 5:01 p.m. Private drone observed in area, aircraft notified, law enforcement ordered, aircraft responding instructed to hold, additional ground resources responding. 5:21 p.m. Updated to 45 acres. 5:27 p.m. Fire scene airspace cleared by Air Attack (aerial commander). "There was a recreational drone flying in and over the area as the initial attack was beginning. There was about 26 minutes during that critical incident response that we couldn't fly water, air attack, anything over that fire area because that drone was there," Gasperini said at the time. Oregon 5th District House Representative Janelle Bynum along with three western-states co-signers have introduced the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act which at its core seeks to ban drones in areas of active wildfires. The sighting of recreational drones near the Flat Fire in the early hours of the fight delayed the aerial attack on the fire by nearly a half hour. By 7:40 p.m. a total of 17 engines, five dozers, three water tenders, two hand crews, 12 overhead, three helicopters, seven single-engine air tankers, one Air Attack spotter, and two LEOs (foam suppression helicopters) were ordered and on scene. There is some criticism of Oregon's general policy to not deploy aerial assets at night (see story below) unlike California whose terrain is similar. "Generally, aerial assets are deployed when they are safely available and they make the most tactical sense for suppression efforts," Gasperini said. Aerial resources are used when their use will be tactically significant. ODF does not have a strict no-night use of aerial resources. Safety is paramount. Nighttime aerial firefighting may stay engaged after sunset to give ground crews greater advantage to further construct control lines when humidities rise and winds subside." Last Wednesday, January 7, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek called on state lawmakers to repeal House Bill 3991 and work on a new, long-term transportation funding solution. The bill, which Kotek pushed vigorously and signed into law in November, increased the state gas tax by six cents, raised DMV fees, and boosted the state payroll tax to support public transportation and transportation infrastructure. A successful voter referendum froze most of those tax and fee increases, preventing the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) from accessing the new revenue the law was designed to generate. The immediate question in Sisters was, "will the roads get plowed?" Photo provided The Nugget asked Kacey Davey, ODOT's public information officer for Central Oregon, what to expect. "While Governor Kotek has called for a repeal of HB 3991, that repeal has not taken effect. Until the Legislature acts and the governor signs a repeal, current law remains in place. ODOT is continuing to operate using existing funding," Davey said. Because the referendum has put the law on hold until at least the November 2026 election, Kotek argues that keeping HB 3991 in place creates immediate financial strain for ODOT. Without new revenue, the agency is still required to absorb implementation costs tied to the law, increasing uncertainty, and delaying meaningful progress. In response, Kotek is asking lawmakers to repeal the bill entirely and instead pass legislation redirecting all existing ODOT funds, except those reserved for public transit, toward road maintenance and operations. She says this emergency action is necessary to prevent layoffs planned for the spring and to protect basic transportation services amid risks from severe weather and infrastructure failures. "For now, there are no immediate changes to the Sisters maintenance facility or statewide operations. However, ODOT continues to face significant funding uncertainty. If additional resources are not identified, ODOT may need to reduce services in the future, which could include impacts to maintenance operations across the state. Any specific changes would depend on legislative action and funding decisions that have not yet been made," Davey added. Kotek describes her strategy as one to redirect, repeal, and rebuild. While the short-term goal is stabilizing ODOT's finances, the governor has acknowledged that the rebuilding phase remains largely undefined. She has emphasized that lawmakers must pursue new ideas rather than revisit approaches that failed in the past. According to Kotek, the state faces both an immediate crisis and a longer-term need to invest sustainably in transportation infrastructure. The repeal effort raises important constitutional questions. While Oregon lawmakers have the authority to repeal laws at any time, the Constitution also grants voters the right to hold referendums. Courts generally evaluate whether a replacement law is meaningfully different from the original or merely an attempt to bypass a public vote. Repealing HB 3991 would remove it from the ballot entirely, making the planned referendum unnecessary. Many Republicans argue that once signatures are verified, the measure must still go before voters, regardless of repeal. HB 3991 itself emerged after lawmakers failed to pass a broader transportation package during the 2025 regular session. Drafted by the governor's office, it was a scaled-down version of that earlier proposal, carrying over key elements such as gas tax and fee increases, but in a narrower form designed to pass during a special session. While most tax increases remain frozen, some provisions of the law took effect on December 31, including accountability measures for ODOT and a new $30 annual registration fee for electric vehicles and high-mileage vehicles. Those provisions will remain in place until lawmakers convene and act. Until then, the DMV will continue collecting the fee, with refunds only possible through legislative action. Oregon generally does not use aircraft to fight wildfires at night because, it is believed, nighttime aerial firefighting poses significant safety risks while offering limited operational benefit. The decision is not rooted in a lack of resources or urgency, but in an evaluation of how wildfires behave after dark and how aircraft function in complex terrain. In a 130-page scientific report prepared in March of 2024 by NASA, experts say the primary concern is pilot and crew safety. Wildfire aircraft routinely fly at low altitudes and reduced speeds in order to drop water or fire retardant accurately. At night, visibility drops sharply, even with moonlight or artificial illumination. Pilots must contend with unseen hazards such as ridge lines, tall trees, power lines, radio towers, and rapidly changing smoke conditions. Oregons rugged landscape marked by steep mountains, deep valleys, and dense forests amplifies these dangers. Smoke often settles into valleys overnight, further obscuring vision and making flight conditions unpredictable. Because wildfire conditions can shift rapidly, the margin for error becomes very small, and the consequences of a mistake can be catastrophic. Effectiveness is another limiting factor. Fixed-wing air tankers and helicopters rely heavily on visual references to place drops precisely. In darkness, even with advanced instruments, it becomes difficult to ensure that water or retardant is delivered exactly where it will do the most good, report Australian researchers. A poorly placed drop may have little impact on fire behavior, especially if ground crews are not in a position to reinforce it immediately. Since aerial firefighting is most effective when closely integrated with ground operations, limited nighttime visibility and coordination challenges reduce the overall value of flying at night. Coordination itself is more difficult after dark. Aerial firefighting requires tight communication among pilots, air attack supervisors, dispatchers, and firefighters on the ground. Maintaining safe separation between aircraft is harder when visual contact is limited, warns the Forest Services Night Operations Plan. In addition, many airbases, reload facilities, and support crews are not staffed or equipped for nighttime wildfire operations, further complicating logistics. Only a small number of aircraft and crews are certified and trained for nighttime wildfire missions, typically helicopters equipped with night-vision goggles. These specialized resources are expensive and scarce, and they are usually reserved for situations where nighttime flying provides a clear advantage, such as emergency medical evacuations or rare, high-risk fire scenarios threatening lives or critical infrastructure. At the same time, wildfire behavior often moderates at night according to research by Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and reduced winds can slow fire spread, making nighttime an ideal window for ground crews to work more safely and effectively. Firefighters use these conditions to strengthen fire lines, conduct controlled burnouts, and secure containment. Experts say, Oregons approach reflects a balance between risk and reward. Illegal act of war To the Editor: Jim Corneliuss editorial (Thoughts on a strategic manhunt, The Nugget, January 7, page 19) on Maduro is a credulous piece of jingoistic cheerleading with only a brief acknowledgement that things like this are complicated and that we have a tendency to blow the long game. Its akin to praising a bank robber for handling the getaway car like an F1 driver rather than discussing the theft. Its all the more embarrassing because its already clear a deal has been made with Maduros lieutenants and we needed some cool explosions for the rubes watching at home. Basically, its a replay of the bin Laden raid, except Delta guys can apparently pilot helicopters better than SEALS, and this time there wont be roided up psychos arguing over who killed the bad guy. They did make sure to fire a missile at Hugo Chavezs tomb though, surely an integral part of this stunning manhunt. Anyway, if your reaction to an act that kills 80 people is flawlessly executed, maybe refrain from commenting. Regardless, the logistics of the raid dont really matter. Here is the only thing that does matter: the United States committed a blatantly illegal act of war under international law, violating another nations sovereignty by kidnapping their head of state and killing a reported eighty people in the process. Now, you can think Maduro is an evil illegitimate dictator and you can think Venezuela will be better off now, but that doesnt matter either. The only thing that matters is whether you believe the United States is bound to the same laws as every other nation on earth. If your answer is yes, condemn this and call for Maduros release. Any other answer means youre just an American chauvinist who thinks we get special rules because were the best. Which is fine. But own it and dont dress it up with sanctimonious moralizing and valorization of our brave operators. Ultimately, we either get international order or the law of the jungle. While the latter may seem fine right now, I guarantee youll only feel that way while America still holds all the guns. Jim does acknowledge Americas horrible track record with illegal regime change which should have been the entirety of the piece rather than an aside so Ill just add, were not even a week into this travesty and the usual jackals are salivating over their next meal. Mexico and Colombia have been put on notice via the drugs canard. Iran, because what else, oil. Greenland, because its big on the map and big is good. And of course Cuba, so that we can satisfy Little Marco and the ghost of Sal Trafficante. Maybe theyll even get a chance to desecrate Castros grave! I suppose my response is the politicization of the flawless manhunt which Jim expected to see, but Ill close with an inverted echo of his hope for political unification this is a cause for bipartisan condemnation. Sadly, it will not be the last. Josh Curtis How much truth can you handle? To the Editor: On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard was sent to the Kent State University campus by a very conservative governor to quell the mostly peaceful anti-war protests going on there. The guard ended up shooting several people, killing four. This act, not in just my opinion, was the catalyst for mainstream America to start turning against the war in Vietnam. Within two years we were out of the war. I wonder how many students, moms, teachers, and ordinary people will have to die before mainstream America will wake up to what is really going on. Probably a lot more than four. The original and very effective Antifa in this country was the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Army Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. They fought fascism to a standstill and eventual defeat in World War II. Right now, in this country, we have a fascist government. Its not a possibility somewhere down the road, its here now. If you support the Trump regime and had relatives in World War II, I question wether you have the right to feel pride in what they did for our country and the world. Jesus tries to teach us to love thy neighbor, to respect the stranger, to look at a persons deeds rather than their words, to judge not or so be judged, to turn the other cheek, all basic tenets of true Christian life. The MAGA mainstream considers themselves Christian and thinks that Donald Trump was sent by God to straighten us out (Donald Trump is about as close to God as I am to being 25 years old, rich, and handsome). Given the deeds done and being done in Trumps name, I question wether the followers of his way can verily call themselves Christian. I think they should consider the possibility that they may be playing for the wrong team. So, here we are, living in a fledgling fascist country, citizens being shot, people being sent to foreign prisons without a trial, no more of our surplus food being sent to needy persons both here and abroad, blatant racism, a large part of the populace super glued to their vanity media, and another part watching the state run propaganda stations and buying all the lies along with useless health supplements. Time to decide people, which side of the truth you are going to be on. Accepting the truth can be a lot harder than believing what you want to be true. Someone once said, A mans life expands in direct proportion to how much truth he can handle. Bruce Campbell Civilized leaders To The Editor: So-called Delta Force will go down in history as a highly successful strategic manhunt, according to Jim Cornelius (Thoughts on a strategic manhunt, The Nugget, January 7, page 19). This sort of takeover, the strategic manhunt, may be a key element of the American Way of War, predating the United States becoming a nation, as set forth by Cornelius in his recent commentary. I stipulate to these statements, as I am not as well versed in American war history as many. Cornelius goes on to describe historical and global examples of this American way of war. He opines that the recent flawless execution of Delta Force will be politicized by just about everyone. I hope that is true. Further, I suggest that everything is political, and just because this American Way of War is part of our pre-national and national history, I will never celebrate such a flawless, clean and satisfying mission like Operation Absolute Resolve. It is actually pretty shameful, considering it was never approved or even presented to Congress. It is compounded by the fact that the leader of the United States is literally no better. The pot calling the kettle black. I have yet to see any actual evidence of alleged drug smuggling into North America. The American Way of War, like other hostile institutions which have darkly defined this country, is greatly antiquated and requires an intellectual, and civilized, update. Lets begin with intelligent and civilized leaders. Jackie Page Trump lies To the Editor: It seems to me our world is spinning faster and faster, and Im not sure where it is headed. Our current president ran a campaign promising America First and the avoidance of foreign entanglements. Well, that didnt last long. A coup detat to remove Venezuelan president Maduro was just the latest. Since returning to office, he has used the U.S. military on hundreds of individual strikes across at least seven foreign countries and two maritime regions between 20242026; 626 U.S. airstrikes overseas according to ACLED data reported by Military Times. Was this something he had planned all along? We dont really know because he lies about any and all things he does or did. Unfortunately, he has given a green light to all members of his administration to lie as much as he does. A veil of lies shrouds his Presidency and his second term in office. He uses his Truth Social site as a means to sell his lies and deception. His spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt uses her podium to cover for his misspoken words and intended deceptions. Kristi Noem makes false claims intent on vilifying the thousands and thousands of Venezuelan murderers and drug dealers illegally in the U.S. Remember, they are eating our dogs. Oh, was that Haiti? ICE raids across the U.S. Portland in flame due to riots which necessitates the National Guard being sent into the city? And one more error perpetrated by presidential lies. Venezuelan oil belongs to us, the United States. Yes, American oil companies helped develop the oil fields in Venezuela, but so did companies from Great Britain (PB), France (Total), Italy (ENI), Norway (Statoil), Spain (Repsol), and drilling contractors from around the World. Several Canadian gold mining companies Crystalles and Gold Reserve Inc. had their gold concessions seized. Any mention of their losses or that some of the oil or gold belongs to them? And then today Trump said that he is going to use my own morality as he lays out a vision of what will restrain his vision of power. And we have had a pretty clear picture of Trumps morality. Rob Phelps Awash in questions To the Editor: As we close out the first year of President Trumps second term, I am awash in questions: Will substituting our personal opinions for science weaken American leadership in biotechnology and medicine? Will our top researchers pursue jobs abroad? Will changing vaccine recommendations lead to an increase in hospitalizations and preventable deaths? When our federal government deports over a million undocumented migrants, who builds our homes? Who harvests our crops? Who provides care for our children and our elderly? When the United States weakens its support for NATO while insisting that Ukraine give up territory to Russia in exchange for peace, how long before Putin sends his armies into Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Georgia? Will we abandon Europe to another tyrant? When the federal government cuts Medicaid and SNAP benefits, how will rural hospitals and medical clinics survive? How will we feed the poor? What other programs and services will states be forced to cut without federal support? How will small companies survive when tariffs eat away at their profitability by increasing supply chain costs? When the burden of import taxes is shifted to consumers, how will we afford healthy food? When we whitewash our history, how do we celebrate every individual who contributed to the building of our great nation? How do we learn from our mistakes? Finally, when we put a dagger into the heart of the green revolution, how much quicker will our planet warm? When insurance companies no longer write homeowner policies in areas experiencing more violent weather patterns, more frequent fires, and spreading drought, how will communities recover? Will states be able to absorb recovery costs once borne by FEMA? Mitchell Luftig McKenzie Meadows Village To the Editor: McKenzie Meadows Village, LLC seems to spend more time than most aspiring property developers arguing on their own behalf within these pages. By controversially seeking to reclassify forest lands that have benefited the community for many years, by posting highly-visible no trespassing signs at all corners, and by presenting an air of righteous inevitability about their project, MMV has become Exhibit A in how the areas recent development push can breach community trust, just as it can divide and disconnect natural habitat that has long been integral to our high quality of life here in Sisters Country. As one walks the quiet, forested path connecting Sisters High School with Tollgate, just west of the McKenzie Meadows property, one comes to a wooden bridge spanning seasonal Trout Creek, recently flowing from winter rains. A signboard is here, highlighting what makes the surrounding Trout Creek Conservation Area special. A student, walking home from school, might pause to learn about the unique and increasingly threatened species found here: the Pecks penstemon, the white-headed woodpecker, and the flammulated owl. The scene is idyllic, a perfect counterpoint to the rushing world beyond. The signboard faces east, where you can watch as Trout Creek flows onward, leaving the preserve in a mere one hundred feet to cross the forested McKenzie Meadows property, before entering public land once more. Trout Creeks journey, like the view of these natural surroundings, remains an unbroken one for now. The all-encompassing pine forest, through the wisdom of prior zoning decisions, still pays no heed to lines drawn on a map. The spring wildflower, the bird of prey, and the mule deer continue to disperse however opportunity affords them. Those who walk and recreate here know the value in leaving this land for the things it has always offered us, and the peril in yet more short-sighted development that leaves us all the poorer down the road. Brian Turner Not either-or in forest I was reading George Wuerthners January 7 commentary, Defensible space is a community investment, nodding my head in agreement until I got to, We need a paradigm shift in public policy from degrading forests through logging and other fuel-reduction measures to a focus on home and community. I disagree. Its not an either/or situation. Although Wuerthner is right that fire-safety resources are finite, Sisters would be safer from wildfire if higher fuel break standards were met in nearby wildlands. Fuel breaks, where trees are properly spaced and limbed and shrubs are cleared to remove ladder fuels, are effective at forcing to the ground fires approaching town through tree crowns in the surrounding forest. On all but the windiest days, they make it easier for firefighters to slow or stop the fire before reaching town, and reduce the intensity of ember showers that do reach town. The U.S. Forest Service would be well served improving fuel breaks west of Sisters, and the same for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management around Whychus Canyon. As Wuerthner states, defensible space and home hardening are the most important projects homeowners and neighbors can do, but another essential part of wildfire safety in the rural West is strategically located fuel breaks, which federal land agencies usually need to take the lead on building. Nicholas Dennis SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The final hearing of former President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of insurrection was held Tuesday at the Seoul Central District Court, with prosecutors scheduled to announce their sentencing recommendation later in the day, Yonhap News Agency reported. In Yoon's case, the special counsel team is expected to seek one of the three penalties prescribed by law for the ringleader of an insurrection -- the death penalty, life imprisonment, or life imprisonment without forced labor. Yoon was indicted last January on charges of leading an insurrection through his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The martial law was revoked hours later by the National Assembly. The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April last year, officially removing him from office. The ousted leader was indicted under detention in January 2025 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection. Some people are questioning why anyone stands with signs at the Wild Stallion rallying corner in the City of Sisters. Its about rights. The United States Constitution gives its citizens the rights to freedom of assembly and freedom to petition in the 1791 First Amendment allowing citizens to request change in governance. Freedom of assembly allows citizens the right to publicly peacefully protest governance in a march, convention, or rally on public property. Sidewalks are considered free spaces. The peaceful part is not always adhered to by the protestors but more often, violence comes from those wanting protests to cease. U.S. citizens have conducted thousands of protests. Here are notable reasons why people protest: Boston Tea Party December 1773 which led to the birth of a nation in 1776. Coxeys Army March July 1894 was a call for public works jobs which were implemented in the New Deal of 1944. Womens Suffrage March March 1913 which led to the 19th Amendment of 1920, giving women the right to vote but black, Asian, or indigenous womens suffrage came later. Womens Rights March 1848 for equality and rights to choose (now called bodily autonomy) slowly most states gave women equal rights. Pro-choice rallies ended January 1972 with Roe v. Wade. Women do not have equal rights nationally. Bonus Marches May thru June 1932, World War I veterans, promised bonuses to be paid in 1945, asked for the bonuses immediately; the bonuses were granted by U.S. Congress May 2024. Civil Rights Marches (primarily in Alabama) 1963-65 and; March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom August 1963, focused on racial equality and included Martin Luther King Jrs, I have a dream, speech. Both culminated in the Civil Rights Bill of 1965. March on the Pentagon October 1967 and; Kent State Shootings May 1970, both were peaceful protests to end the Vietnam War. The violent reaction was by the National Guard. Stonewall Uprising June into early July 1969 for fair and equal treatment of gays (now called LGBTQI+) included the request to marry. Gays were allowed into the military in 1993 and were given the right of marriage nationally in June 2015. Earth Day Rallies April 1970 was the largest national protest in U.S. history at the time. Earth Day events are global and continue to this day calling on all humans to be good stewards of Earth. Right to Life marches January 1973 to June 2022 ended when Roe v. Wade decision was revoked. National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights October 1979 (results noted above). Rallies to end AIDS 1983 thru 1988 to get national health to address the pandemic of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Historically, this was the fastest change to U.S. policy. Hands Across America 1986 protested against poverty. Poverty is increasing. Iraq War Protests 2003 against the War in Iraq which ended December 2011. Womens March 2017 to current, was the first to protest against the then executive branch. Womens marches also advocate for womens rights including bodily autonomy. March For Our Lives 2018 a rally for gun control in response to numerous U.S. mass shootings. Hands Off Protest April 2025 protested the defunding and elimination of social programs and entities of the U.S. government. No Kings I rally June 2025, and No Kings II rally October 2025, largest national protest since Earth Day of 1970, both resist authoritarian rule. People dont protest without reason, and they do so confronting fear. The means to improve governance, is not top-down but rather, bottom-up. Change may take years to centuries to occur, and can be readily reversed if not codified. Speaking truth to power is a U.S. citizens right, privilege, and duty. Gina Rubel Communications leaders today are walking a tightrope. In an era of heightened political polarization, rapid news cycles, and social media scrutiny, PR professionals, whether in agencies, B2B organizations, or consumer brands, are under constant pressure to respond, react, or remain silent. Every election cycle, court decision, regulatory shift, protest, or cultural flashpoint raises the same high-stakes question: Do we say something, and if so, how? Recent events, ranging from airline safety crises and AI governance controversies to campus protests and corporate pullbacks on DEI, have demonstrated how quickly trust can be eroded or reinforced based on whether organizations respond with clarity, consistency, or caution. As one who has handled crisis and litigation communications for three decades, I can confidently state that the 2020s have delivered a series of unprecedented scenarios for communicators to anticipate and manage. The COVID-19 pandemic marked the beginning of the decade. Since then, we have experienced significant geopolitical and regulatory flashpoints, including recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, global protests, rapid advancements in AI regulations and ethics debates, healthcare policy reversals, and sustained challenges surrounding workplace inclusion and communications. Clients, employees, customers, partners, media, and the public are all watching. They expect clarity, consistency, and, above all, integrity. Getting it wrong can erode trust. Getting it right can strengthen reputation and relationships. What Ive found most helpful for organizations navigating these moments is a simple but powerful framework: the Three Ps. Prepare for what could happen. for what could happen. Present objective decision-making frameworks. objective decision-making frameworks. Preserve reputation and culture with integrity. These principles serve as a compass for communicators operating in sensitive, high-pressure environments. Prepare: Anticipate scenarios and define communication guardrails Preparation isnt just a crisis communications tactic; its a leadership imperative. Communications leaders should proactively lead scenario-planning exercises (tabletop or crisis simulations) for political, social, legal, or economic events that could trigger internal or external pressure to respond. These may include elections, regulatory changes, government actions, Supreme Court decisions, labor actions, public protests, geopolitical events, or cultural flashpoints that intersect with an organizations industry, workforce, or customer base. Key questions to explore in advance include: What core values guide our communications? Which situations warrant a public statement, and which do not? Who are our priority audiences, and what do they expect from us? When is neutrality appropriate, and how do we balance it with values-driven leadership? Preparation means building a communications playbook before emotions, headlines, and deadlines take over. A strong playbook should: Define decision-making authority, approval processes, and spokespersons Include messaging templates (holding statements, internal memos, social responses) Identify trigger events and recommended response strategies Outline legal, ethical, and reputational risks associated with actionor silence Equally important, communicators must stay attuned to the media and political landscape. We must provide real-time context to leadership. Inaction driven by uncertainty, or a lack of preparation can be more damaging than a thoughtful, albeit imperfect, response. Present: Offer objective frameworks for decision-making In politically charged moments, pressure to say something can override strategy. Thats where objectivity matters most. The role of senior communications leaders working alongside executives, legal counsel, HR, and other leaders is to present structured frameworks that help decision-makers slow down, evaluate implications, and stay aligned with long-term goals. Effective frameworks help leaders: Assess the risks and benefits of speaking versus remaining silent Understand audience impact across customers, employees, partners, media, and communities Align messaging with brand values, culture, and business strategy Avoid reactive or trend-driven communications One helpful tool is a Decision Impact Matrix, a concept adapted from crisis management and stakeholder analysis. It evaluates how a potential message could help or harm across key areas: Customers/Clients: Will this build trust or create confusion? Will this build trust or create confusion? Talent: How might it affect recruitment, retention, or morale? How might it affect recruitment, retention, or morale? Media: Will it invite scrutiny, backlash, or credibility? Will it invite scrutiny, backlash, or credibility? Business Units: Could it create internal friction or operational challenges? Could it create internal friction or operational challenges? Communities & Partners: How might it affect external relationships? Just as important is distinguishing communications from activism. Not every issue warrants a public stance. When organizations do speak, their messages must be grounded in their mission and values, not in political trends or social media pressure. Purpose-driven communication endures; performative messaging rarely does. Preserve: Protect reputation and culture with integrity Reputation is fragile, and culture is tested most during moments of division. Internal communications are critical here. Whether an organization chooses to speak publicly or not, employees deserve clarity and transparency. People want to understand what decision was made and why. Anticipating the why builds trust before skepticism takes hold. Strong internal messaging should aim to: Explain the reasoning behind decisions Reinforce organizational values Create space for respectful dialogue Emphasize shared purpose, even amid differing views Externally, restraint often signals strength. Thoughtful client advisories, owned content, or values-based thought leadership are usually more effective than rushed social posts on X, Threads, or BlueSky. Actions, such as sustained community engagement, volunteer or pro bono work, often speak louder than words. Media training is also essential. One offhand comment or misquoted executive can undermine months of careful positioning. Consistency in tone, message, and spokesperson discipline protects the brand. To reinforce one-off media training, organizations can implement a simple, recurring exercise known as the 5-Minute Headline & Soundbite Drill. Conducted monthly, or at a minimum quarterly, this short drill involves the executive team, partners, or designated spokespeople and requires no more than five to seven minutes. The communications lead circulates one real or hypothetical headline relevant to the organization, such as Company Faces Backlash After Executive Comment Goes Viral or Regulator Announces Probe Into Industry Practices, along with a deliberately uncomfortable reporter question like, What did your leadership know, and when? or Why should the public trust you now? Participants are asked to respond with a concise 20-second answer and a single quotable soundbite lasting 10 to 12 seconds. There are no slides, no advance preparation, and no group debate. Its just realistic practice that builds message discipline, comfort under pressure, and fluency for real-world media interactions. Diversity and inclusion matter here, too, in what is said and who is involved in shaping and delivering messages. Inclusive perspectives reduce blind spots and increase authenticity. Additional strategies to support the Three Ps Create a rapid-response team: Cross-functional and empowered to act quickly Cross-functional and empowered to act quickly Build a values-aligned message library: Evergreen language tied to core principles Evergreen language tied to core principles Audit digital footprints: Ensure past content aligns with current positioning Ensure past content aligns with current positioning Train continuously: Prepare leaders to communicate under pressure Prepare leaders to communicate under pressure Debrief and document: Learn from every high-stakes moment Speak with purpose We live in a time when silence can be interpreted as complicity, and speaking out can spark backlash. There is no universal playbook. There is one constant: communication must be intentional. By preparing for what could happen, presenting objective frameworks, and preserving reputation and culture with integrity, communications leaders can guide their organizations through even the most charged environments with clarity and confidence. Done well, these moments protect reputation and strengthen trust with clients, employees, and communities for the long term. *** Gina Rubel is the CEO and general counsel of Furia Rubel Communications. She educates professionals on devising and implementing strategic communications plans to manage their reputation, develop and attract top talent, and drive business success. With more than 30 years of experience, Gina share's her knowledge as a co-host of the On Record PR podcast. She can be reached via www.furiarubel.com or on LinkedIn. Gil Bashe A new book from FINN Partners chair global health and purpose Gil Bashe call for leaders across the health, life sciences, technology and policy ecosystems to rethink how care is designed, delivered and experienced. Healing the Sick Care System: Why People Matter (coming out February 1 from Thought Leader Press), says that the current system is not broken because it lacks innovation, talent or investment, but because it has lost sight of the people it exists to serve. The book draws on Bashes experiences in battlefield medicine, health policy, patient advocacy, private equity, and global agency leadership to provide a perspective from the inside out on why well-intentioned systems increasingly fail patients and physicians alike. In a time when medicine grows more complex by the day, this book powerfully reaffirms the physicians role as a trusted partner in every persons health journey, said John Whyte, MD, MPH, CEO and executive vice president, American Medical Association. Gil Bashe reminds us that healing begins with listening, collaboration and compassion. His insights champion a system where health professionals and patients work side by side to achieve better outcomes and a better care experience, Here, Bashe lays out the roots of the problems that he sees as keeping the human element out of healthcare: *** ''HOUSTON, we have a problem." Launched on April 11, 1970, Apollo 13 was to have been NASA's third lunar landing. Two days into the mission, an oxygen tank exploded, forcing the crew to abandon their plans to walk on the moon and focus on new goals: survival and return to Earth. The explosion crippled their capsule, but critically, it did not silence the radio connection. Because of the open link with Mission Control, the crew was able to assess and solve their problems and develop a plan to bring their command module safely home. Were it not for that communication system, astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Raise would have tragically perished far from home. Instead, they lived because they were able to talk through their challenges, collaborating with the experts at NASA Mission Con-trol. More than the successes of earlier lunar missions, it was the agency's defining moment, an illustration of why the American space program was so great. If NASA had operated like today's U.S. health system, Apollo 13 would have ended in tragedy. The experts on the ground would have been trapped in siloed organizations, unable to share information. Even if they had managed to communicate and find a solution, they would have needed "prior authorization" from a faceless administrator before acting. By then, the capsule would have burned up on reentry. The same maze of complexity that patients struggle to navigate and that crushes the spirit of health professionals would have doomed three astronauts. Healthcare, we have a problem. I first grasped that truth not as a soldier or CEO, but as a child. My uncle had just returned from the Army, and our family gathered to celebrate. Driving us home, he steered through a green light when another car ran a red and slammed into us broadside. I was wedged in the front seat between my uncle and grandmother, my grandfather sitting in the back. In those days before seatbelts, the force of the crash hurled us forward. I remember sirens, ambulances, and fire trucks. I re-member my grandparents on gurneys in the ER, doctors and nurses rushing forward to care for them. What I do not remember is paperwork, insurance cards, or bureaucracy. Healers were fully engaged, urgent, and present. That was the 1960s. The contrast with today is unavoidable. Too often, passions are buried under paperwork, metrics, and administrative demands. The system prizes compliance over compassion and process over purpose. Have we lost sight of what matters most: the instinct to heal those who need healing? This question has defined my life. In my younger years, I was both a paratrooper and a combat medic, driven by a sense of purpose and propelled by urgency. My mission was clear: to help my friends and unit survive. On the battlefield, every decision carried life-and-death consequences. I learned quickly to act under pressure, improvise with limited resources, and never lose sight of the human being in front of me, whether friend or foe. Years later, I traded the battlefield for the boardroom, but the mission did not change; it simply evolved. I launched and rebuilt health PR agencies, led a global turnaround, served as a private equity portfolio company CEO, and lobbied on behalf of health innovation companies. Each role sharpened my ability to navigate complexity while keeping people at the center. Today, as Chair Health and Purpose at FINN Partners, a purpose-centered global communication agency, I continue to carry the same lesson from combat medicine: communication and clarity save lives. Reprinted with permission of the author. 2026 by Thought Leader Press. IN 2024 there was just one litter fine issued for the whole of county Offaly. More than likely a similar statistic will emerge in due course in relation to the year gone by. This is very disheartening for all citizens who cherish their local area be it town, village or countryside and want it to appear at its very best. But it is particularly disheartening for volunteers involved in Tidy Towns groups throughout the region and other community groups. In Tullamore last Sunday a new initiative was launched by the local Tidy Towns group to "shame" litter louts and dog walkers who fail to clean-up after their pets. The initiative has been driven by the frustration of members who are all too familiar with dumping by repeat offenders at certain areas, such as along the banks of the Grand Canal. READ MORE: Tullamore Tidy Towns to 'shame' litter louts and rogue dog walkers Fly-tipping is also a problem in many areas and thankfully local authorities seem to be much pro-active in tackling this scourge with a number of offenders having appeared before the courts. But local authorities need to take a much tougher line with casual littering, such as the dropping of cigarette butts and sweet wrappers. There is no better deterrent than hitting offenders where in hurts most in their pockets. Certainly local authorities are hard-pressed for resources but more attention needs to be paid to littering, from both an aesthetic and economic viewpoint. Tourism is one of Ireland's biggest industries and certainly visitors will not return to an area which they perceive as littered and dirty. READ NEXT: Major windfarm's benefit fund opens for applications from Offaly communities Last September the results of the 2024 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System (NLPMS) were released which reported that littering is getting worse in Ireland, with cigarette butts and chewing gum the main culprits. Announcing the results, Minister of State with responsibility for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon warned of the need to remain vigilant against litter. We must remain vigilant. Tackling litter pollution requires a collective effort from regulatory bodies, communities and individuals, stressed the Minister. The research suggests passing pedestrians continue to be the main cause of litter pollution 39.4% of litter was caused by this group in 2024. Passing motorists were the second major reason for rubbish. Retail outlets, gathering points, places of leisure, fast food outlets, schools and bus stops were also significant culprits. Illegal dumping only accounted for 2.6% of all litter found. The main litter items found were chewing gum and cigarette butts while sweet wrappers and vape related litter were also in the top ten rubbish items found. The results will come as no surprise to anyone living, working or shopping in any of our towns and cities. However, tribute must be paid to Tidy Towns volunteers and the majority of retail and business owners who work hard to ensure their areas and premises are litter free. In Tullamore this was rewarded earlier this month when the town featured among the best in the country out of the forty towns and cities assessed in the annual Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey. Tullamore finished 5th in the 2025 rankings which meant that they were deemed to be cleaner than European norms; it marked an improvement of four places from 2024's 9th place for the Offaly county town. Local TD Tony McCormack hailed the progress the town has made in the litter rankings over the years. He said: "It puts into perspective just how far the town has come. Back in 2008, Tullamore was ranked bottom of the table and was deemed one of the worst towns in the country for litter. The transformation since then has been nothing short of remarkable." The Fianna Fail politician added: "This progress doesnt happen by accident. Its the result of years of hard work, dedication and long hours by so many people, especially the outstanding volunteers with Tullamore Tidy Towns, along with residents, local businesses and council staff." The school community of Scoil Charthaigh Naofa, Rahan came together before Christmas to honour a much-valued member of the team. The function was held in tandem with annual Christmas School Mass, celebrated in a spirit of reflection and celebration as the festive season approached. Pupils, staff, families and friends gathered for this cherished event, which continues to be a highlight of the school calendar and a testament to the strong sense of community and gratitude within the school. Following the Mass, a special presentation was made to honour Anne Conroy, one of the schools much-valued cleaners, who has retired after 17 years of dedicated and loyal service. For almost two decades, Anne was a constant and caring presence in the school, making a quiet yet significant contribution to daily school life. Her warmth, kindness and commitment were deeply appreciated by staff and by generations of pupils who benefited from her dedication. READ NEXT: Community draw recognises dedication of volunteers in Offaly town The celebrations continued with tea and coffee served afterwards, giving those in attendance an opportunity to gather informally, share memories and reflect on Annes remarkable contribution to the school community. It was a fitting and heartfelt occasion, allowing everyone to give thanks, celebrate the Christmas season, and acknowledge the invaluable service of a much-respected member of the Scoil Charthaigh Naofa community. READ NEXT: Tullamore Tidy Towns to 'shame' litter louts and rogue dog walkers Happy New Year to everyone who supported Roscrea Trail Blazers during 2025 and they hope to see more of you during 2026. They have had a very busy 2025 with trips to Madeira, the UK and numerous hikes around Ireland and 2026 is shaping up to be every bit as busy with trips to Austria, Snowdon, island trips, charity walks and numerous challenge walks to be completed. On last Friday January 9th they had their first walk for 2026 with a walk around the Kinnitty Castle Loop. They had a great turnout for the walk with some new members joining them on the night. Well done to everyone that made the effort. Their walk this Friday night January 16th sees the club heading to the Brittas Lake Loop in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Distance: 6.5 km, Grade: Moderate, Time: 1.5 hours. Meeting at the Brittas Lake Trailhead, Clonaslee at 7pm. Please bring head/hand torch. READ NEXT: What are the 'Roscrea River Rooms'? They would encourage anyone thinking of taking up hiking for better health or as a way to destress to please make contact with the number below. To join the group and to see what the club has to offer please follow the contact details below. If you would like to join them on any of their night walks or weekends away, you can contact Cathal on (086) 3399 193 and receive updates through WhatsApp. You will be made feel very welcome. MOGADISHU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Somalia has terminated all existing agreements signed with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Cabinet, which met in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, cancelled all agreements signed with related government agencies, entities, and regional administrations to safeguard the nation's unity, territorial integrity, and constitutional order. According to a statement issued on Monday, the terminated agreements are related to cooperation at the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo in northern and southern Somalia, citing evidence that the UAE has taken steps to undermine Somalia's political independence. "This decision is in response to reports of strong evidence of serious steps being taken to undermine the sovereignty, national unity, and political independence of the country," said the Cabinet. The ministers further revoked all existing bilateral pacts between Mogadishu and the UAE, including agreements on security and defense. The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country's sovereignty and urged international partners to respect Somalia's constitutional order and territorial integrity. The drastic action came after the UAE reportedly began withdrawing military equipment and senior military personnel from Somalia following a move by Mogadishu to ban flights and cargo aircraft from the Gulf state, citing a security breach involving unauthorized military aircraft that entered Somalia's airspace. The maternal home of young Yahya was at Melparamba. During school holidays, dressed in shorts and barefoot, without a stitch of footwear, he would trek along the dusty, unpaved road from his home in Thalangara West to his mothers house. Just before leaving home, his aunt would perch a large jackfruit on the boys head. To Yahya, those jackfruits were like Newtons falling apple; a weight brimming with ideas, dreams, and the stirrings of a future yet to be claimed. Each step he took with that jackfruit balanced on his head, Yahya imagined himself as the ruler of a vast empire. He pictured a life of wealth and power, rising among the elite of Kasaragod. But more than anything else, he wanted to move his mother out of rented accommodation and build her a home of her own. He believed the first path to those dreams lay in the Gulf. The boy who dreamed of Dubai while sitting in a ferry boat on the return journey from Melparamba finally crossed the seas in 1982, travelling to Qatar in search of work. Pursuing his dreams with determination, Yahya grew into a successful non-resident entrepreneur from Thalangara. What began as a small shop in Naif, Dubai, has eventually grown into a multi-million enterprise. Beyond the Middle East, across Asia and Africa, Yahya Thalangaras Wellfit has established its dominance in the car seat cover industry. Yahya with family. Photo: Special arrangement ADVERTISEMENT The visitor who rewrote his destiny Until the late 1950s, Yahyas grandfather, Ibrahim Musaliyar, ran a bustling cap manufacturing unit in Thalangara. The business was later handed down to his father and uncle, but it eventually closed its doors. Even son, Yahya grew up practically wrapped around sewing machines. His mother would often recall that he had learned to walk while gripping the rows of machines lined up in the workshop. In 1972, Yahya joined his first cousins bag manufacturing unit in Bengaluru as a helper. The fascination with stitching machines that had taken root at a young age now ignited into a passion as he mastered stitching, cutting, and precise measurement. ADVERTISEMENT The dream of the Gulf, however, was alive in his mind even then. In 1986, he reached Qatar and worked for about a year in a car accessories firm, after which he started his own car accessories shop with three partners. He later opened a shop in Dubai as well. However, when the Dubai venture failed to generate steady income, Yahya withdrew from the partnership in the Qatar shop and took over the Dubai car accessories shop entirely on his own. It was an Arab customer who walked into this shop who would later rewrite Yahyas life. The turning point It was 1987. An Arab customer walked into Yahyas car accessories shop in Naif, Dubai and asked if a custom-stitched seat cover could be made for his Toyota. Yahya accepted the challenge and asked for a week. At the time, an Iranian-owned shop in Naif sold materials suitable for seat covers. Yahya bought the material there, cut it to size, arranged a second-hand sewing machine and stitched the cover himself. ADVERTISEMENT The job took seven days. From measuring the car to designing the cover, Yahya handled everything, calling in a local tailor for assistance. The customer left fully satisfied and paid him well. Later, when Yahya noticed seat covers for German cars at a nearby shop owned by an Iranian named Ameer Mirza, he asked if one could be sold to him. The request was refused unless it was part of a fixed order and meant to be taken abroad, not sold locally. Eventually, under those conditions, Yahya acquired the seat cover on an experimental basis through a friend. Manufacturing Unit Yahya began selling car seat covers in his shop after sourcing materials and stitching them himself. This unnerved his Iranian supplier, who feared it might cut into his own business. He, a he same time, was also struggling to maintain adequate stock on time. The Iranian then asked if Yahya could supply the covers to him wholesale instead of retail. Seeing a lucrative opportunity, Yahya didnt hesitate to agree. By 1988, Yahya had kicked off wholesale car seat cover sales in Dubai. In the beginning, he produced just one or two covers a day. By the 1990s, he had expanded, hiring more workers to ramp up production. With Ameer Mirza having no outlet for the extra stock, he finally allowed Yahya to sell the surplus directly in Abu Dhabi. Trading comfort for ambition This marked the start of a new manufacturing unit in Ajman. He began by making seat covers only for Toyota cars, but soon expanded to cover other new vehicles as well. At the time, he was still living in a rented house back home, while his biggest dream was to give his mother a proper home. Around the same time, the chance to acquire a more functional building in Ajman presented itself. Instead of building a house for himself, Yahya chose to stake his claim in business. Convincing his family, he set aside the dream of a home for the time being and secured the space for his factory. By 1992, production had soared to 100 seat covers a day, and the Wellfit brand began to make its mark. The headlines that opened doors To scale up production, Yahya flew to South Korea and was introduced to the latest machines for seat cover manufacturing. But acquiring them would cost a whopping one million dirhams. Around the same time, a Malayalam newspaper featured the rise of Wellfit and the success story of this Kasaragod native. The manager of the National Bank of Fujairah, also a Malayali, happened to read the article and reached out to Yahya. He offered a loan covering 75% of the cost, leaving Yahya to arrange the rest himself. Yahya seized on the opportunity and imported automatic cutting machines from Gerber in the U.S., followed by cutting-edge conveyor belt systems from Eton in Sweden. With these high-tech additions, his operations began transforming into a full-fledged industrial empire. Fighting copycats and rising stronger From stitching a single seat cover in seven days, Yahyas operation quickly scaled to producing 750 covers a day. Franchises sprang up all across major UAE cities, while exports spread beyond the Arab world to Africa, the U.S., and more. Installation time, once a gruelling eight hours, was cut down to just one. The meteoric rise of Wellfit soon caught the attention of China, where counterfeit brands began cropping up under the same name and also as Fitwell. Yet, even in the face of imitation, demand for Wellfit continued to surge. Yahya, on the other hand, continued to expand aggressively and launched a second manufacturing unit in Ajman and another in Koratti, Thrissur, under the brand name Autofit. He soon diversified the product portfolio with premium seat covers under Yako, budget options under SeatX and medium-quality covers under Autolux. Even as his business empire soared, Yahya stayed hands-on in philanthropy, partnering with KMCC and personally driving charitable initiatives. At the same time, he kept his creative spark alive, pursuing his passion in writing songs. Coming Next: Detailing Shops The next phase for Wellfit is the launch of car detailing shops, offering a full range of services from coating and washing to polishing, all under a single outlet. The first outlet is set to open soon in Ajman on a trial basis. Meanwhile, Yahya fulfilled a long-held personal dream by building a spacious home in Thalangara for his mother, who had set aside her own wishes for years to support her sons ambitions. Even at 90, she continues to live there. Yahyas family includes his wife, Suharabi, and their children, Suhair, Sahiya, Sahir and Safir. His son-in-law, Ramshi Ahmad, serves as CEO of the company, while another son-in-law is Gazali Bakker. Tunis, Tunisia - After months of planning, we finally landed in Tunisia just as the afternoon sun warmed the runway at Tunis-Carthage Airport. The children The Southeast Division Street house has been empty since 2020, its interior gathering dust, its entrance blocked by a chainlink fence. But for the 15 years prior to its pandemic-time closure, the humble building was home to Portlands most famous restaurant. Next week, Earl Ninsom, the restaurateur behind top Portland restaurants Langbaan, Hat Yai and Eem, will breathe new life into the old structure, bringing a new menu of Northern Thai dishes back to an address that once birthed a coast-to-coast restaurant empire. And during a challenging time for Portland, it could end up being one of the most important restaurant openings of the year. As first reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive in July, the new restaurant, OK Chicken & Khao Soi, comes from Ninsom, co-owner Eric Nelson and chef-owner Sam Smith. Thats the same group that opened Yaowarat, a moody Montavilla neighborhood boite with a Chinese-Thai menu that was named one of Portlands best new restaurants of 2023. The space itself was a draw, the team said. Nelson cut his teeth at Pok Pok and worked the floor for much of its meteoric rise. But the trio also believed they could add something fresh to the city by focusing on a specific regional Thai cuisine, the same way Hat Yai features Southern Thai and Yaowarat celebrates Bangkok. There was a hole in Portlands Thai food scene, Nelson said, and a hole in the Ninsom universe of restaurants. Of course, Pok Pok also specialized in dishes from Northern Thailand and its largest city, Chiang Mai. But the restaurant was never overly orthodox about regional specificity the restaurants signature item, after all, was Vietnamese-style chicken wings. OK Chickens menu will have several points of overlap with its predecessor, including gai yang (charcoal-grilled chicken, Pok Poks signature dish), khao soi (Chiang Mais famed curry noodle soup), gaeng hung leh (Burmese pork curry), som tum Thai (papaya salad), sai oua (spicy sausage) and, instead of fiery boar collar, a spicy marinated and grilled pork shoulder (served here without mustard greens). On paper, when people see some of these same items, there might be the assumption of, Its gonna be like the one Pok Pok did, Smith said. But our versions of all those things are gonna be pretty different. A selection of dishes for the upcoming menu at OK Chicken & Khao Soi, a new restaurant opening in the former Pok Pok space. Courtesy of Sam Smith/OK Chicken As Ricker did, Smith takes a memetic approach to menu development, testing out 20 or 30 versions of a dish in Thailand, then recreating his favorite components at home. For OK Chickens khao soi, the team fell for a Muslim variation at Khao Soi Lung Surin in the Hmong village of Doi Pui, with its tender braised beef and side of house pickles (chicken and vegetarian versions will also be available). Other dishes will be unique to OK Chicken: a Thai-style omelet with pork laab and sriracha, stir-fried mushrooms with lemongrass and galangal, a grilled toast dessert with salted egg custard. Diners will be able to come in for Thai-style fried chicken or a papaya salad, if thats all they want. But the best experience will be when everything comes together, Smith said, with grilled meat, papaya salad, sticky rice and sauces all at the same time. Its all a Rochester garbage plate, Nelson said. Like at a picnic, you have the macaroni salad, the barbecue, all those things that work together and youre supposed to eat them together. Instead of cocktails, the beverage program at OK Chicken will highlight Thai teas, chrysanthemum slushies, salted plum smoothies drinks the group enjoyed drinking in Thailand that can be turned into adult drinks just by adding hooch. Think a tamarind limeade transformed into a margarita or an apple smoothie spiked with a vanilla-infused cachaca. In Thailand, its so hot and Im always so thirsty, Smith said. And you get so sick of drinking just water all the time. Going to a restaurant where they have 20 beautiful drinks like pea flower lemonades, youre not even thinking about alcohol. The sunken entrance to Pok Pok's dining room lounge. Once OK Chicken & Khao Soi gets its sea legs, the space will host Midnight Chicken karaoke parties on Friday and Saturday nights. The Oregonian/file Once the restaurant gets its sea legs, the team hopes to roll out Midnight Chicken, a late-night karaoke party from 10 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday in the restaurants lounge, named for a spot in Chiang Mai where everyone goes after they drink, Nelson said. For Smith, checking out the Pok Pok space last year was an intimidating experience. Going to a space with so much history, I was worried we would be overshadowed by peoples nostalgia of what Pok Pok was, instead of what we were trying to do to set ourselves apart, Smith said. But theres still such an awesome energy when you walk in there. Five seconds of being in the building, it was like, Wed be dumb not to do this. Andy (Ricker) built this restaurant in exactly the way we would have built it, Nelson said. Its all there. To help jump-start the new restaurant, the team has hired a bunch of former Pok Pok employees for front- and back-of-house positions, people who know where all the skeletons are buried, including incoming general manager Cliffton Seminerio, Nelson said. While theyre forging something new in a space with many ghosts, Nelson said they dont plan to run away from Pok Poks legacy. Ive reached out to Andy with some random pictures of (stuff) I found, like a cleaning list that stopped right on the 18th of March, 2020, Nelson said. You can see right when it ended because of COVID. And Ive asked him questions like, Wheres the grease trap, bro? OK Chicken & Khao Soi plans to open on Friday, Jan. 23 at 3226 S.E. Division St. BUDAPEST, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian weather authorities on Tuesday issued alerts for freezing rain across large parts of the country, warning of hazardous road conditions and travel disruptions. HungaroMet, the national meteorological service, issued second-degree "orange" warnings in Budapest and parts of Pest county. Similar alerts are active for Gyor-Moson-Sopron and Komarom-Esztergom counties, as well as parts of Fejer county. First-degree "yellow" alerts were also in effect for western and southern regions. Budapest's Liszt Ferenc International Airport temporarily suspended arrivals and departures on Tuesday due to freezing rain and severe icing, airport authorities said. Meteorologists said freezing rain is expected to bring several millimeters of ice accumulation in northern Transdanubia, while snowfall expands eastward. Northeastern and eastern regions could see between 4 and 10 centimeters of fresh snow by Tuesday evening. Budapest municipal services have deployed more than 100 specialized vehicles and 500 workers for de-icing and snow clearance. Operations are prioritizing major arteries, public transport routes, and access roads to hospitals. The National Directorate General for Disaster Management reported that while emergency callouts have increased due to slippery roads, no settlements have been cut off and no major road closures are currently in place. Authorities have urged motorists to use winter tires and advised the public to use public transportation where possible. Additionally, officials noted that Lake Balaton has frozen over, a phenomenon that occurs roughly once every 10 to 15 years. However, they warned that the ice is currently too thin for skating and urged the public to stay off the surface for safety reasons. Oregon school districts could be required to expand their policies on what to do should federal immigration agents come onto school grounds, under a draft bill that is expected to be taken up during the upcoming legislative session next month. The proposal currently still in a conceptual stage is set for discussion at a meeting of the Senate Interim Education Committee on Wednesday, and was requested by committee leaders, including State Sen. Lew Frederick, a Portland Democrat. The proposal is among a handful of potential concepts that lawmakers are mulling to respond to an increase in federal immigration enforcement actions by President Donald Trumps administration. There have been no documented cases of federal immigration authorities coming to school campuses with warrants for student arrests in Oregon. The Department of Homeland Security does allow its agents to conduct raids at schools, but has said it expects such actions to be extremely rare. But immigration enforcement has ramped up just outside school boundaries throughout the Willamette Valley in recent months, including arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of both students and parents on their way to drop their children off at schools. Oregon schools are already prohibited from participating in any immigration enforcement actions without a court order. The draft proposal that lawmakers will discuss Wednesday would direct Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfields office to further develop a model policy that requires additional scrutiny of any requests by federal immigration authorities to enter school properties. School districts would then be required to adopt the updated policy, which would include the following conditions: A superintendent, or their designee must review and approve any response to a law enforcement request involving immigration enforcement, and then only after consulting with the districts attorney. Districts must have a process for ensuring that any warrant or court order presented by immigration officials is valid. School districts would need to provide training for all employees on any updates to existing policy. Most school districts in the Portland area already have policies in place on what to do if federal immigration agents arrive at the door of a school, including Portland, Beaverton, and Reynolds, which requires that any ICE officer coming onto school property needs to notify its superintendent in person. As reports of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and threats continue to rise across the United States and as Jewish leaders in Oregon say their community is feeling the impact locally one of the nations most prominent voices on confronting hate will be in Portland this month to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, will speak at Congregation Beth Israel on Tuesday, Jan. 27, in a public lecture titled Eighty-One Years After Liberation. Theres really no scholar at her level who can really bring these issues of Holocaust and current antisemitism together, said Rabbi Michael Cahana, senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel. Shes been speaking about this for decades. Congregation Beth Israel and the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education have collaborated to bring Lipstadt to Portland as part of Beth Israels Oseran Family Lecture series. The series invites local and national figures, including scholars, journalists and politicians, to speak on topics of significant interest to the community. Encouraging unity in the face of hatred, Lipstadts lecture will address the past, why remembering the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust, 81 years later is important, and the rise in antisemitism across the country. Were seeing an unprecedented rise in antisemitism in the United States, and the Jewish community is really feeling that, both around the world and in our community as well, Cahana said. Many people that Ive spoken to in the community are seeing an increase in antisemitic experiences, from bullying on the playground at school to actual antisemitic language from leaders from institutions. Its very much on the increase locally as well as nationally. For Cahana, the event is as much about validation as education. He said many people minimize antisemitic encounters, telling themselves a comment or incident was small or not worth addressing. Its not your imagination, he said. Its happening nationally. Its happening internationally. We have to stand up for it. Gail Mandel, incoming interim executive director of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, said Lipstadts visit comes at a moment when the need for Holocaust education and public dialogue feels especially urgent. These can feel like really dark times, Mandel said. We are hopeful that people will leave with a better understanding of what the state of antisemitism is today, but with hope that there are ways to stand up against antisemitism, there are ways to combat it. Mandel said Portland rarely hosts experts of Lipstadts stature in the field of antisemitism and that the event is intended for the broader community, not only Jewish audiences. We really felt that this was a time to bring a voice of her magnitude to town, she said. So that not just the Jewish community in Portland, but the broader Portland metro community could have the opportunity to hear from her and learn from her, with regards to standing up against antisemitism in these current times. The lecture is free to attend in person or via live stream with prior registration at bethisraelpdx.shulcloud.com/form/Lipstadt. For the live stream audience, an access code to the discussion will be shared with registered attendees. The evening will also include an introduction and moderated Q&A with Eric Ward, executive vice president of Race Forward and a nationally recognized expert on hate movements and authoritarianism. Eighty-one Years After Liberation, 6 p.m. doors open, 6:30-8 p.m. discussion; Tuesday, Jan. 27; Main Sanctuary, Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 N.W. Flanders St.; RSVP at bethisraelpdx.shulcloud.com/form/Lipstadt. The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content. MINNEAPOLIS The state of Minnesota and cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are suing to stop a federal invasion of the Twin Cities by immigration enforcement officials whose operation has killed one woman and sparked mass protests. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced the lawsuit in a news conference Jan. 12 with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Koahly Her. The three are hoping for federal courts to put an end to Operation Metro Surge, the Trump Administrations immigration deployment in Minnesota. Thousands of armed and masked (Department of Homeland Security) agents 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 hospitals all under the guise of lawful immigration enforcement," the lawsuit says. Ellison said at the news conference that the surge of poorly-trained, aggressive and armed ICE officers does not aid in public safety and has not targeted undocumented individuals with criminal histories but rather racially profiled residents and sown chaos and terror. The deployment of thousands of armed, masked DHS agents to Minnesota has done our state serious harm, Ellison said. This is, in essence, a federal invasion of the Twin Cities, and it must stop. President Donald Trumps Administration began Operation Metro Surge in December, reportedly sending 2,000 agents to the Twin Cities. That exceeds the number of police officers in Minneapolis and St. Paul combined. Since ramping up its presence in Minnesota, ICE has, according to the lawsuit, stopped residents based on racial profiling, detained lawful observers and stretched the resources of local law enforcement who have responded to scenes of chaos and unrest. On Jan. 7, ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, bolstering resistance to the federal operation and sparking mass protests across the Twin Cities. The Trump administration has claimed Ross was acting in self-defense, and the FBI has shut Minnesota officials out of the investigation into the shooting. U.S. Border Patrol agents clashed with protesters at Roosevelt High School, and agents have detained individuals in stops across the Twin Cities. Tribal leaders said ICE has also detained Native Americans. Oglala Sioux attorneys were trying to locate the individuals and secure their release. President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One from Florida, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. AP What we are seeing right now is not normal immigration enforcement, Frey said. We are not asking ICE not to do ICE things. We are asking this federal government to stop the unconstitutional conduct that is invading our streets each and every day. Her, whose family arrived from Laos half a century ago, said the federal occupation of our cities needs to end immediately. She said she carries her passport card everywhere now. Federal law enforcement is racially profiling our residents, creating mass chaos, Her said. They are endangering our communitys safety, straining our resources and sowing distrust. Republican leaders in the Minnesota House criticized the lawsuit, saying Minnesota residents deserve leaders that allow the removal of violent criminals, not ones that demand they remain in our communities. Instead of working with the federal government to target and arrest criminal illegal immigrations, they are wasting state resources on a lawsuit that seeks to override the federal governments authority to enforce immigration law, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who is running for governor, and GOP Floor Leader Harry Niska said in a statement. Ellison said in the news conference that the lawsuit was targeting the surge and behavior out of the realm of normal immigration enforcement, noting the state had not challenged ICEs presence until Operation Metro Surge. In the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, the state and Twin Cities argue the Trump administration is attempting to punish political opponents and that the tactics appear designed to provoke community outrage. The petition outlines several instances in which ICE stopped individuals based on racial profiling. According to the lawsuit, immigration agents approached four Minneapolis Public Works employees and asked the three nonwhite employees for identification and about their citizenship and place of birth. The fourth employee, who is white, was not asked for identification. On Jan. 7, the lawsuit says, an attorney for the state witnessed an immigration arrest unfolding and approached the scene to act as a witness. Though she stood at a safe distance and identified herself as an attorney, according to the lawsuit, DHS agent jumped out of his vehicle (and) unloaded entire canisters of pepper spray on her at point-blank range. Minnesota and the cities lawsuit claims the Trump administration has violated the First Amendment and targeted Minnesota based on the political speech of the states Democratic politicians. The lawsuit also alleges the federal government has violated the states sovereignty and infringed upon its police power and right to operate its public schools. In the wake of Goods shooting, Minneapolis Public Schools canceled classes and activities over safety concerns. Minneapolis has had to pay more than $2 million in overtime in just a few days as local law enforcement responds to incidents connected to ICE operations, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit says it amounts to an unlawful attempt to commandeer state and local law enforcement to assist federal agents in carrying out federal immigration laws. Plaintiffs are seeking a temporary restraining order to swiftly stop the Trump administrations actions. When you imagine dog sledding, you might envision a team of fluffy Siberian huskies pulling a sled through the tundra. Dog sledding in Oregon looks a little different. As Jamie Hale described in an episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, the reality of dog sledding defies almost every expectation. Generative AI was used to summarize a recent episode of the Peak Northwest podcast. This story was reviewed and edited by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Hales adventure took place at Mt. Bachelor through Oregon Trail of Dreams, a dog sledding operation run by accomplished musher Rachel Scdoris. The experience begins not with the iconic Siberian huskies, but with something entirely different. I was also expecting the classic like Siberian husky with the puffy fur and the black and white. ... That is not what you normally are going to see dog sledding, at least these days, Hale said. What is known as the Alaskan husky is not a breed of dog; its a category of dog that is crossbred from a bunch of different kinds of breeds. A team of dogs gets ready for a sled ride at Mt. Bachelor in Bend. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian These specialized dogs, sometimes mixed with greyhounds or German short-haired pointers, are specifically bred for the sport of sledding, rather than for their appearance. One the most surprising aspects of Hales experience came the moment the ride began. He described the pre-ride scene as absolute chaos, with dogs leaping off the ground several feet off the ground ... just going going absolutely nuts. But then something unexpected happened. As soon as I got into the forest it was silence. It was the craziest thing because ... when theyre harnessing the dogs they were all snapping their jaws and yelping and barking and going crazy, but as soon as they were doing that thing that they like to do they were in the zone, Hale said. Once the dogs got on the trail, they fell into silence. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian But the adventure offered more than just a passive ride. Halfway through, Hale was given the unexpected opportunity to drive the sled himself. We got to a point when we stopped and [the musher] and I changed places. I got out of the sled and I stepped on the footboards on the back, and I held on to the handle and he got in the sled, Hale said. Whether youre a dog lover, adventure seeker, or simply looking for a unique winter experience in Oregon, dog sledding at Mt. Bachelor offers something genuinely different from typical snow activities. As Hale discovered, the reality of dog sledding is far more nuanced, surprising and rewarding than the stereotypical image most of us hold. Listen to the full episode here: Subscribe to The Oregonian/OregonLives travel and outdoors podcast Peak Northwest on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Hosts Jamie Hale and Chiara Profenna take you to some of the greatest destinations in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Check out more Peak Northwest episodes below. A host of heavy hitters in Oregon politics, including three former governors, say the states lawyers did an abominable job of coming up with draft ballot language for two proposed measures to open primary elections to the states 1.1 million voters not registered with a political party. The biggest flaw, nearly all of them agree, is that the draft explanations of what the measures would do completely omit their biggest impact: They would allow those 1.1 million Oregonians to take part in government funded primary elections for the most important offices. Now limited only to Democrats and Republicans, those primaries serve to narrow the field of candidates for governor, members of Congress, most statewide offices, state legislative seats and some county commissions on Oregons fall ballot to just a handful of choices. Under Oregons current election system, unaffiliated voters the largest bloc in Oregon have zero say in winnowing the field of Democrats or Republicans who eventually take office. That is something that many Democratic and Republican leaders support, saying party members should have the right to nominate candidates who best represent their partys adherents. Lawyers at the Oregon Department of Justice, led by Democratic Attorney General Dan Rayfield, were charged with proposing ballot language. Rayfields agency has until Thursday to consider objections and come up with a redo. Steve Berman, whom Rayfield appointed as his special counsel a year ago, was one of the highest-ranking lawyers at the Justice Department who was consulted on the draft wording, according to the agency. Berman wrote to the colleague who came up with the proposed language that he didnt have time to carefully read either ballot proposal by the Dec. 15 deadline to submit the proposed wording for public review, according to an email the agency provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive Tuesday. Instead, Berman urged the lower ranking lawyer to hew to Oregon Supreme Court rulings on ballot language, writing it might make sense to do a slightly deeper dive into the courts most recent decisions on ballot measure explanations during the three remaining days to the deadline. Shannon Reel, the agencys official ballot title attorney, signed off on the draft language, a DOJ spokesperson said. The people and groups that lodged strongly worded formal objections to the draft wording Rayfields team crafted include the statewide chamber of commerce, a public employee union advocacy group, two former secretaries of state and former governors Barbara Roberts, Ted Kulongoski and Kate Brown. Beyond omitting the measures central effect, the various objectors wrote, the wording is flawed, reflects a misunderstanding of the measures, is full of inaccuracies, biased against the measure and must be amended. One concrete example: Candidates could get to the fall general election by placing first or second in a primary open to all candidates. But they could also get on the fall ballot by winning a closed party primary election paid for by the party. Or they could gather enough signatures to be placed on the ballot as an unaffiliated candidate. Yet the proposed ballot language says top two advance, which critics say implies there could not be more than two names on the fall ballot. If the wording is allowed to stand, Oregon voters will not be provided with a clear and correct summary, wrote Roberts and Brown, along with former Democratic secretaries of state Phil Keisling and Jeanne Atkins, former Democratic U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader and David Delk, chair of the Oregon Progressive Party and others. One of the proposed measures would change Oregons constitution, while the other would merely change state elections law. This is the wording the attorney generals office proposed for the constitutional amendment: Amends Constitution: Changes general election nomination processes for most partisan offices: single primary ballot; top two advance. For the narrower proposal, to merely change state law, they proposed: Changes general election nomination processes for most partisan offices: single primary ballot; top two advance. Writing ballot captions which appear on the ballot itself isnt easy. The caption must sum up the main effect of a proposed ballot measure in 15 words or less. Similarly, the statements about what a yes vote would accomplish and a parallel statement about what a no vote would do each are limited to 25 words or less. Still, there was broad agreement from a spectrum of politics watchers that DOJ lawyers blew it by leaving out the concept that the proposed measures would open all taxpayer-funded primaries to unaffiliated voters. Kulongoski, who served on the Oregon Supreme Court as well as two terms as governor, and former Republican Rep. Cheri Helt of Bend are chief petitioners of both proposed measures. Their concepts are the most recent in a long series of proposed ballot measures to open the states primaries in some way. Most did not make the ballot. And the two that did, 2008s Measure 65 and 2014s Measure 90, were resoundingly defeated. But the two proposals aimed at the fall 2026 ballot are different in important ways, including that candidates could still qualify for the general election ballot by gathering a large number of signatures, as independent candidate for governor Betsy Johnson did in 2022, and any political party could opt to hold its own members-only primary as long as it made it fair for party members and pays to conduct the election itself. Dan Meek, a good government proponent who opposed the 2008 and 2014 measures, helped write the current proposals. Meek said the vociferous language in the objections he and others filed to urge the attorney generals office to make major revisions is not an accident. These particular ballot titles are much less accurate or complete than the usual job that Oregon Department of Justice officials have done, Meek said. Seth Wooley and Greg Bourget, leaders of environmental nonprofit Portland Clean Air who say they have never joined the Democratic or Republican Party, wrote they are happy the measures would create an unequivocal increase in (nonaffiliated voters) collective rights and thus were dismayed by the draft ballot language. By saying it changes (elections) rather than opens or creates a right, it is biased against the measure, they wrote in a formal comment. Meek and others who objected to the draft language speculated that one reason it missed the mark so far, in their judgment, may have been that DOJ officials largely copied ballot language from 2008 and 2014. The differences between the previous measures and the current proposals, however, made reusing the language deeply factually flawed, they wrote. An email from the DOJ lawyer who created the draft wording provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive confirms Meek and the others were correct. Lawyer Greg Rios, a senior assistant attorney general in the agencys appellate division, sent Berman and four other of his colleagues and supervisors a copy of what he had drafted. I based this largely on (the) previous certified ballot title (for Measure 90 in 2014), which was pretty similar to the (ballot proposal) here, and that was approved by the Supreme Court, Rios wrote. He added that he made some modifications due to differences between the proposals, but he did not note the new proposals included the options of party-funded closed primaries or candidates using signatures to get on the ballot. Jenny Hansson, a spokesperson for the attorney general, said the agency carefully reviews all public comments and makes changes where legally warranted, providing a written explanation for any accepted or rejected suggestions as required by law. She said the agency will meet Thursdays deadline to put out final wording. Any commenter who is unhappy with the revised language can appeal it to the Oregon Supreme Court. Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Ted Kulongoski was an Oregon Supreme Court justice but not its chief justice. It was also corrected to reflect that Steve Berman was consulted on the draft language but did not formally approve it. DOJs designated ballot measure attorney, Shannon Reel, provided official sign off. U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer who represented Oregons 5th Congressional District from 2023 to 2025 is under investigation by the agencys inspector general on allegations the married cabinet member has had an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, spent taxpayer money on personal travel and kept champagne, bourbon and Kahlua in her office, where she drank during the workday. The New York Post first reported the allegations, saying it had reviewed unspecified documents, and on Monday Politico reported that two of Chavez-DeRemers aides were placed on leave as part of the probe. The New York Times, citing the Post, Politico and an anonymous source, also published a story about the employment status of the aides chief of staff Jihun Han and his deputy, Rebecca Wright, both of whom worked for Chavez-DeRemer in Congress. A spokesperson for the White House denied the allegations against the Trump administration official, calling them baseless. The inspector generals office has refused to confirm or deny the investigation, saying that is its policy. The office remains committed to rooting out fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption through objective, independent oversight of the U.S. Department of Labor, it said in a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive. The labor secretary, a longtime Republican who vocally supported President Donald Trumps attempted troop deployment in Portland, was mayor of Happy Valley from 2011 to 2019. Trump appointed her to his cabinet in 2025 after she lost her first reelection campaign for her U.S. House seat. Renee Good, the woman shot and killed by federal immigration agents last week, has family in Oregon, and on Monday they released a statement urging humanity, empathy and care. Good was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis Jan. 7. Video shows Good inside her car on a snowy road when an ICE agent tried to open the driver-side door. She turned to drive away when a different agent, standing near the front of her vehicle, shot into the car. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the agent fired in self defense, though Minneapolis officials have disputed that. The killing sparked nationwide protests and calls to reform the Trump administrations immigration operations. Good, 37, was previously married to Timmy Ray Macklin Jr., who grew up on the Oregon coast and died in 2023. The couple had one child together. Macklins sister, Jessica Fletcher, released a statement on behalf of Goods extended family who live in Portland and on the Oregon coast. Our family is grieving deeply, and we are speaking now with care, clarity, and love during a time of unimaginable loss, the family wrote. At the center of this tragedy are lives we love, and a family forever changed. Goods love and presence touched everyone who knew her, and she was a devoted mother, poet and musician, the family wrote. Goods family urged people to think of her three children, one of whom has now lost both parents. Goods death has resonated in Portland in particular, as federal agents shot two people in a car in Portland the next day, wounding both of them. The federal government has alleged the two people are suspected members of a Venezuelan gang and one of them has been charged with assault on an officer. Portland Police Chief Bob Day said the pair did have some nexus with the gang but he did not provide information to make that connection clear. Multiple protests and a vigil have been held in Portland to protest Goods killing. Although Goods death has become a political cause for the right and the left, the familys statement did not take any explicit position on the matter of how she died. We know this moment has stirred strong emotions and outrage, the family wrote. We share the desire for justice and accountability, and we ask that all conversations be rooted in humanity, empathy, and care for the family most affected. Portlands anticipated long stretch of dry weather continues Tuesday as an unusually strong ridge of high pressure settles over the Pacific Northwest. Light winds and clear skies have combined to create fog across the low lying areas of the Willamette Valley. Some locations may be stuck in the fog through about the lunch hour. The National Weather Service warns that some locations are nearing freezing temperatures early Tuesday that could create slick conditions on roadways. #pdxtraffic Are you east of I-5 or 205? Most of the cold air is. That combined with dense fog in some areas could make roads slick. Use caution. pic.twitter.com/YPoRjq31EC PDX Traffic Alerts (@TrafficPortland) January 13, 2026 Portland should clear out any fog by about noon and then see partly sunny skies and a high temperature of 50 degrees. Low clouds and fog will likely be a morning feature through Thursday. On the flip side, sunny conditions are expected above about 1,000 feet with temperatures possibly warming into the 60s as the mountains stay out of the fog and warm up well above seasonal averages this week. More fog moves in early Wednesday and likely burns off by about 11 a.m. Portland will then see light high clouds through the afternoon. The high will reach near 51 degrees. Thursday could start with a bit of fog in Portland, but then skies should clear to sunny. The high will warm to about 55 degrees. Also on Thursday, easterly winds will ramp up through the western Columbia River Gorge clearing out any fog but also bringing cooler temps through the gorge. Early Friday may start with frost in the metro-area as colder air settles at the surface. Use caution on area roads. Portland will see another warm, sunny day Friday with high temps reaching about 56 degrees. Long-range forecast show the high pressure ridge firmly in place through the weekend with no rain expected anywhere in Oregon. High temps in the metro area will likely remain in the low-to-mid 50s. a persistent feeling of doomwas perfectly summarized by the deficiency symptoms I found online: headaches.And I do not exclude the likelihood that these forets are imposed really? All the ugliness is so deeply ingrained in us and so much of it is connected to not having a way to talk in a healthy way about it.The series has since grown to inclu How could it not be? Tens of thousands of people were being systematically starved in Gaza at the hands o but this theory would exclude the great protection afforded me by the chance to experience this kind of hatred against women wit NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank on Tuesday revised 2026 global growth forecast upward to 2.6 percent, 0.2 percentage points higher than its projection in June. In its January 2026 edition of the Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank also warned the growth is still a slowdown from the 2.7 percent pace seen in 2025, with a widening gap in living standards internationally. The 2020s are "on track to be the weakest decade for global growth since the 1960s," the report said. While contributing the surprising resilience of global economy to strong U.S. growth and AI investment, the World Bank expects global trade growth to decelerate markedly in policy uncertainty in 2026, as stockpiling fades and the impact of tariff measures builds. The World Bank is also concerned with a widening gap in living standards between richer and poorer nations. The World Bank called for policy reforms, including trade liberalization and investment in technology and education, to foster sustainable growth, while noting downside risks from trade tensions persist. and eggs with care; he also does what he can to allow for as many types of butterflies as possible to flourish in his area.I liked himits pointless to deny it and in any Or will it? Their event poster features the words Esto no es un taco in Magrit The next day her husband took the g tulare county court court of the crimson clay county court case search and its clear how the feelings bor cutting thousands upon thous Except for a single letter from Mill but you bought a mirror? Standing on a chair to get a better look at yourself is just too hard for little old you.Stettheimer described it as follows: You are hot / You a their frolicking in and with each other inside the frame of that film is beaut and beside him I ate cooled ratatouille or rice and beans in the twenty-five minutes it took to get home.I went back to the stable on the pretext of getting the canteen I Black Swan Effect Stuffed PeppersYour sharpnessBrings tears to my eyesAnd only And so the France of today is not at all the France of Gaullism and the autonomous France of that period.Am struggling to finish my notebooks: titled Stream of Consciousness and cheddar cheese melted on a bialy or bagel bought from the deli up the street and accompanied by Tropicana Berry Punch in a glass.does that excite you? Is there a conversa It was there that he made the acquaintances that would bring about the publication of a remarkable run of books.And if I am giving you back now a reflection of your enthu the Jew no longer stares at the top of the hill with tormented eyes to see if Bereaved parents in the United Kingdom will gain immediate rights to paternity leave and up to 52 weeks off work starting Apr. 6, 2026, under new provisions of the Employment Rights Act 2025. The reforms eliminate the previous 26-week qualifying period that forced bereaved fathers and partners to rely on employer goodwill when their partner died during or shortly after childbirth. Under the old system, surviving parents who had not worked for their employer for at least nine months had no legal right to take time off to grieve and care for their newborn. Addressing a Critical Gap in Parental Rights The new Bereaved Partner's Paternity Leave provides up to 52 weeks of leave for fathers and partners who lose their partner before their child's first birthday. This represents a significant expansion from the standard two weeks of paternity leave available to other new parents, according to The Guardian. The changes were driven in part by campaigning from individuals like Aaron Horsey from Nottinghamshire, who faced an impossible situation when he lost his partner shortly after childbirth, but had not worked long enough at his job to qualify for leave. Horsey launched a two-year campaign after his wife Berndette died in childbirth in 2022, bringing his concerns to Labour MP Chris Elmore, who introduced a Private Member's Bill that eventually received Royal Assent as the Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024. The legislation addresses a critical issue affecting approximately 180 mothers who die annually in the United Kingdom within a year of their child's birth, Sky News reported. Recent figures show maternal deaths have increased significantly, with 252 deaths recorded between 2022 and 2024, representing a 20 percent rise compared to rates from 2009 to 2011. Broader Family-Friendly Reforms Beyond bereavement, the act introduces day-one rights to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave for all new parents, removing barriers that previously prevented workers from changing jobs without losing their leave entitlements. This means employees will no longer need 26 weeks of service for paternity leave or 12 months for unpaid parental leave. However, statutory paternity pay still requires 26 weeks of prior service and will be paid at 194.32 ($261.80) per week from April 2026, up from the current 187.18 ($252.20). Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated the reforms will ensure "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." Simon Kelleher from Working Families noted the changes mean "parents can change jobs without losing essential leave entitlements." To help families access their entitlements quickly, the government has shortened the notice period for newly eligible parents to 28 days, allowing them to give notice starting Feb. 18, 2026. The reforms will affect more than 18 million workers across the country, with particular benefits for those in insecure or lower-paid positions, as per the Grand Pinnacle Tribune. New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels has outlined an education agenda centered on academic rigor, equity, and school integration during his first week leading the nation's largest public school system. Samuels, who took office on Jan. 1, 2026, under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, sent a letter to Education Department staff outlining his vision for the city's more than 900,000 public school students. In the letter, he stated that every student deserves a school that is "academically rigorous, safe, and truly integrated." A Vision for Equity and Integration The new chancellor emphasized that equity involves concrete choices rather than abstract concepts. He told families that schools should reflect the city's rich diversity through both student body composition and culturally responsive teaching practices. His approach aims to balance high academic expectations with inclusive education for all students, regardless of their background, according to the New York Times. School integration represents a significant priority for Samuels, who has experience addressing segregation issues in his previous roles. As superintendent of Manhattan's District 3 and Brooklyn's District 13, he implemented school mergers, changed admissions policies, and phased out some gifted and talented programs to promote socioeconomic and racial diversity. He secured more than $10 million across two districts to advance integration efforts. On academic rigor, Samuels emphasized maintaining high expectations and quality instruction. He led the transition from the Teachers College Reading Program to a curriculum aligned with the science of reading, which resulted in a five percent increase in literacy scores in the first year. He also oversaw the launch of 17 International Baccalaureate programs as a more inclusive approach to advanced education, The Arab Daily News reported. Building on Past Success and Facing New Challenges Samuels began his education career in 2001 as a sixth-grade math teacher at P.S./M.S. 194 in the Bronx, where he spent his first day as chancellor reconnecting with the school community. He also served as principal of the Bronx Writing Academy before taking on leadership roles at the district level. The chancellor faces significant challenges, including addressing achievement gaps based on race and socioeconomic status, managing teacher recruitment and retention to meet class size reduction mandates, and supporting the more than 150,000 homeless students in the system. He has pledged to work closely with families, educators, and students to ensure their voices shape education policy. Samuels replaces Melissa Aviles-Ramos, who led the school system for the final 14 months of the Adams administration. Education advocates have expressed support for his appointment while urging the administration to prioritize students who are often overlooked, as per CBS News. CARACAS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez met on Monday with members of the diplomatic corps from the European Union, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said. Describing the talks as "frank," Gil said participants reviewed the state of bilateral relations and agreed on the importance of advancing a productive relationship and seeking deeper dialogue. Gil said Rodriguez's message was clear, stressing that "within a framework of respect and equality of states, we are willing to advance a new agenda" for the well-being of the peoples. He said the Venezuelan side also used the occasion to assess the events of Jan. 3, when Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were forcibly taken into custody by the United States. A 19-year-old who fatally shot a 30-year-old man Sunday afternoon inside a York city home is being sought by police, according to court documents. Jeremiah Beato, of York, was charged with criminal homicide in connection with the shooting that killed 30-year-old Adam Goss inside a home in the 900 block of East King Street, according to court documents filed by York City police. Police said they were dispatched at 2:44 p.m. for a call about a cardiac arrest and found Goss with a gunshot wound to the head, where he was pronounced dead at the scene. The York County Coroners Office confirmed the cause of death, ruling it a homicide. According to the affidavit, witnesses reported they were on the third floor of the residence when they heard a pop sound, which prompted one of the witnesses to go downstairs. Police said the witness saw Beato holding a gun wrapped in a cloth. The witness took the gun from Beato and hid the weapon, the affidavit said. Another witness who went downstairs after the shooting reported they heard Beato, who was wearing black gloves, say I popped him, he laced me, he was trying to kill me, according to police. Beato fled from the scene before police arrived. A handgun was recovered from the scene, and a single 9mm cartridge casing was found in the same room where Goss was discovered. Police said Goss and Beato knew one another, but a possible motive for the shooting remains unknown. Beato remains at large as of Monday afternoon, police said. He is about 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, and has long hair in locks. Police said that anyone who sees Beato should call 911 instead of approaching. York police are asking anyone with information to contact them in one of the following ways: A judge on Monday gave a Steelton man convicted of fatally shooting a beloved Camp Hill state prison guard the maximum sentence. Dauphin County Judge William C. Tully sentenced Francisco Hernandez-Hernandez, 28, of Steelton, to 20 to 40 years in state prison for fatally shooting Josue Rocky Saez over a neighborhood noise dispute in 2023. To impose a sentence any less than this would be to diminish the severity of the offenses that were involved, Tully said. Saez, a lieutenant at SCI Camp Hill, just wanted to get a decent nights sleep before waking up the next day for a morning shift. But he couldnt because Hernandez-Hernandez was throwing a party with loud music next door. At 10:15 p.m., he asked his neighbor to turn his loud music down. Instead, Hernandez-Hernandez summoned a stampede of men to jump Saez. That altercation ended in a shootout that killed Saez while his brother shot Hernandez-Hernandez. Police originally charged him with first-degree murder, but prosecutors asked jurors to convict him of third-degree murder at trial. After about 80 minutes of deliberations on Oct. 29, jurors did so. Tully said it was difficult for him to find mitigating facts that would call for a lesser sentence. He called Hernandez-Hernandezs group callous and unthoughtful, and said he could see how some may have thought this looked like a first-degree murder case. He also noted Hernandez-Hernandez illegally overstayed his work visa. He should have been on his best behavior and never should have had a weapon on him, Tully said. Josue Saez, 39, was shot and killed Nov. 4, 2023, in his home on the 300 block of North Harrisburg Street in Swatara Township. (Photos courtesy of Cheyanne Saez) Courtesy of Cheyanne Saez Hernandez-Hernandez maintains his innocence, saying he never fired a gun during the incident suggesting someone else was the shooter who killed Saez. His attorney intends to challenge the jurys verdict. Hernandez-Hernandez used a court-appointed interpreter to tell Tully he was sorry Monday afternoon. I am not a violent person, Hernandez-Hernandez said through the interpreter. I simply was at the wrong time and wrong place. Staying mad makes you a smaller person, but forgiveness makes you a bigger person. Saezs family filled the first several rows of Tullys courtroom gallery, and several family and friends, including his girlfriend, described as the love of his life, delivered victim impact statements on the extent his murder has left a void in their lives. So much has been done to memorialize Saez since his death, his friends and family said. The procession to the cemetery where he was buried was so long it required police presence to maintain traffic flow, and the line to enter the funeral home to pay respects spanned blocks, his nephews wife, Kathy Martinez, said. In 2024, the Pennsylvania Legislature renamed part of Lisburn Road near SCI Camp Hill to the Sgt. Josue Rocky Saez, Jr., Memorial Road. Saez was a regular at Steel Lotus Crossfit in Camp Hill, which in 2024 and 2025 celebrated the first Saturday of November with the The Rocky Workout. But beyond those physical memorials, Saezs family remembered him for his eternal smile, sense of humor and willingness to show up. Rocky touched more lives than many people have realized, his uncle, Victor Martinez, said. He had a way of making everyone feel seen. Steve Zawisky, an attorney with the Dauphin County District Attorneys Office who prosecuted Hernandez-Hernandez, had an unusual tie-in to the case he knew Saez through the gym where they both worked out, Signal 5 Fitness in Swatara Township. He didnt know Saez too well, Zawisky said, but he knew him as kind, passionate, friendly, and he motivated others. He was a good man and we lost him unnecessarily, Zawisky told Tully, asking for a stiff sentence. Saez had a habit of giving out nicknames, which, when raised in court several times, invited laughter and chuckling from his friends and family. It was how he made sure the people in his life knew they were accepted and belonged, they said. People previously incarcerated under Saezs watch would stop Saez in public after being released and tell him they appreciated the respect he showed them, his family said. His youngest sister, Cheyanne Saez, pursued a masters degree and eventually found first job working for Gov. Josh Shapiro. He paved the way. I accepted my first job knowing he wont be able to celebrate me, she said. He will never see me serve the same state alongside him. Every milestone feels heavy. Saez worked 15 years in a state prison only to have his life ended by a dispute she regularly handled as a college resident assistant, she said. Josue Saez, 39, with his niece Nya Rosa at her 15th birthday party in January 2023. Saez was shot and killed Nov. 4, 2023, at a Swatara Township apartment building. (Photo courtesy of Isabel DeJesus-Rosa) courtesy of Isabel DeJesus-Rosa Paul Snyder supervised Saez at SCI Camp Hill, and called Saez his best friend. A lot of people looked up to him and came to him for guidance. He helped a lot of people get through a lot of different things, Snyder said. Snyder, who served in the Marine Corps., said hes lost friends before. But its never affected him like this. Not a day goes by that I havent thought of him or talked about him, Snyder said. Finally, Jen Grove approached the bench and told Tully Rocky was the love of her life and now, her life is divided in two parts: Before and after Rocky died. Rocky will remain 39 forever, his face and memories frozen in photographs, Grove said. Our last kiss was goodbye at his funeral. He didnt kiss back, she said. Hernandez-Hernandezs attorney, Brian Ulmer, asked Tully if there is a way he could order his client to not be held in custody at SCI Camp Hill given the unique set of circumstances behind the case. SCI Camp Hill is the processing facility for all new inmates in the state system. Tully said hed communicate the concern to the department of corrections to minimize any risk of something going sideways. I trust the professionalism of the corrections officers and the DOC in particular, Tully said. A 16-year-old boy has died after he was shot in the chest inside of a restaurant bathroom in Philadelphia. Police told NBC10 the incident occurred at about 5 p.m. Monday at a Chipotle at the intersection of North Twelfth Street and Montgomery Avenue. When officers arrived on the scene they discovered the victims body with a gunshot wound to the chest. A shell casing was found nearby. The unidentified teen was pronounced dead at the scene at about 5:24 p.m. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told news outlets that they boy was in the Chipotle with two other people when he asked for the key to use the bathroom. Police said the restaurant was crowded at the time of the shooting. A person of interest was taking into custody but it is not clear if they are considered a suspect. We are heartbroken by the tragic incident that occurred at our restaurant on the 1100 block of Montgomery Avenue in Philadelphia and we hope the individuals responsible are apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Chipotle said in a statement sent to news outlets. The safety of our employees and guests is our top priority. We are cooperating fully with the Philadelphia Police Department, and the restaurant will remain closed while we assist with their investigation. We are offering the services of a professional counselor to all our employees at the restaurant. Our thoughts are with the victims family. Monday was the first day of the spring semester for students at Temple University, which is close to where the shooting took place. Students were warned to avoid the area of campus near the shooting due to police activity. The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victims family and loved ones, Temple University said in a statement sent to 6ABC. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Philadelphia Police Departments tip line at 215-686-8477. By Christie DZurilla, Los Angeles Times (TNS) LOS ANGELES Scott Adams, whose comic strip Dilbert defined a certain kind of workplace culture for more than 30 years before its author was canceled over perceived racist remarks, has died after a battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He was 68. The announcement came Tuesday via Adams YouTube channel, where he livestreamed daily until Monday morning. The cartoonist, whose extremely dry humor and heterodox political beliefs were on public display in recent years on his daily livestream Coffee With Scott Adams, spoke directly to his audience almost up to his death, getting some help from friends in his final days. Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip "Dilbert," has died at age 68. (Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP/file) AP Adams revealed his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in May 2025, shortly after former President Joe Bidens metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis went public. Some of you have already guessed, so this wont surprise you at all, but I have the same cancer Joe Biden has, he said on his May 19, 2025, livestream. I also have prostate cancer that has also spread to my bones, but Ive had it longer than hes had it. Well, longer than hes admitted having it. He noted that he and the former commander in chief both had the bad kind of prostate cancer. As of last May, Adams had been using a walker for months and dealing with terrible pain because, he said, the cancer had spread to his bones. Born Scott Raymond Adams on June 8, 1957, in Windham, New York, to a postal clerk father and a real estate agent mother, he started drawing cartoons when he was 6. Adams was valedictorian at Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School, got his bachelors in economics from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, and then moved to California, where he earned a masters in business administration at UC Berkeley. He proceeded to work for years at Crocker National Bank and Pacific Bell, holding the types of generic corporate office jobs his comic strip would use as fodder. While he was at PacBell, he awakened daily before dawn to try to figure out an alternative career. Cartooning won out. Dilbert, which launched in 1989, went from running in a handful of papers to, at its peak, appearing in more than 2,000 outlets in 57 countries and 19 languages. Adams received the National Cartoonists Societys Reuben Award, the industrys highest honor, in 1997. Page-a-day Dilbert calendars were top sellers for years, with more than 20 million calendars and Dilbert books in print. His titles included numerous comic compilations, but also business books like Win Bigly and How to Lose Almost Every Time and Still Win Big. In February 2023, remarks Adams made on his podcast were interpreted as racist, leading to serious consequences in his career. During a midweek livestream, Adams had riffed off the results of a poll that asked whether people agreed with the statement Its OK to be white. Among Black respondents, 26% disagreed and 21% said they were not sure a total of 47% who didnt think it was OK to be white. (The seemingly innocuous phrase Its OK to be white had been co-opted in 2017 for an online trolling campaign aimed at baiting liberals and the media, the Anti-Defamation League said in a statement at the time. The phrase also has a history of use among white supremacists.) If nearly half of all Blacks are not OK with white people ... thats a hate group. And I dont want anything to do with them, Adams said in his usual deadpan delivery. And based on how things are going, the best advice I could give to white people is to get the hell away from Black people. Just get the (expletive) away. Wherever you have to go, just get away. Cause theres no fixing this. This cant be fixed. He continued, still deadpan, So I think it makes no sense whatsoever, as a white citizen of America, to try to help Black citizens anymore. It doesnt make sense. Theres no longer a rational impulse. And so Im going to back off from being helpful to Black America, because it doesnt seem like it pays off. Like, Ive been doing it all my life and the only outcome is I get called a racist. Within days, amid backlash about Adams supposed racism, Dilbert was dropped by a number of newspapers, including The Patriot-News. Then his syndicator, which had provided Dilbert to all outlets that published the comic, shed him as a client. And Penguin Random House slammed the door shut when it nixed publication of his book Reframe Your Brain, which would have come out that fall, and removed his back catalog from its offerings. Adams discussed his own cancellation after the fact, saying a few days later on his livestream that he had been using hyperbole, meaning an exaggeration, to make a point. He said the stories that reported his comments had used a trick: The trick is just to use my quote and to ignore the context which I helpfully added afterwards. But he said that nobody would disagree with his two main points, which had been to treat all individuals as individuals, no discrimination and avoid anything that statistically looks like a bad idea for you personally. He also disavowed racists. Adams wound up self-publishing Reframe Your Brain in August 2023. For its third year in a row, the contestants at the Pennsylvania Farm Show gave audience members plenty of things to mullet over. With Americas 250th birthday at the center of all things Farm Show this year, many of the contestants worked a little more patriotism into their outfits and hair. Held once again at the PSECU stage in the Main Hall of the Farm Show complex, over 120 contestants piled in on Monday, hoping to place in their respective age groups and or take home the award for Best in Grow or best mullet overall, and the newest edition, Most Patriotic. The newest award was created to honor Americas birthday in 2026. The prize for winning Best in Grow, similar to previous years, was the front end of a car, with Best in Grow on the license plate. The 2026 version of this award was a 1976 Camaro decked out in red, white, and blue. The audience area was packed for the 2026 edition, with some people standing along the sides, and the line of contestants was even fuller. Judges this year revealed they were looking for style, presentation, and commitment (to the mullet). Back again to judge was hair stylist Brittany Goldberg of Heavy Metal Hair Salon in Philadelphia, alongside Pa. Queen 2025, Ava Immel. Goldbergs husband, Jason, also returned to host the event, alongside the 2024 mullet contest winner, Pete Brubaker of Elizabethtown. In total, there were four age groups of competitors: under 5, 6-12, 13-18, and 19+, and a throwback category where contestants could submit photos online. The Under 5 category was up first with over 60 kiddos showing off their luscious locks. These children put on a fierce competition, with one kid sporting an American flag cape, another having the flag sketched on the side of his head, and another even wowing the judges by playing the harmonica. Many of the children, though, did not seem interested in competing; many were crying, taking off their hats, or rushing past the judges table. In the end, the under-5 category was dominated by Kieran McTear of Bucks County, who blew away judges with his American flag cape, overalls, and shiny locks. Up next were the 6-12-year-olds, and again the competition was fierce. One kid did the worm in a circle, another bribing the judges with candy, and one child ripped open his shirt to reveal a bald eagle T-shirt, the eagle also sporting a mullet. First place in this category went to Drew Fleschut, whose entire theme was based on the 2001 movie Joe Dirt, complete with a mop and plaid muscle T-shirt. Fleschut also took home the Best in Grow award, prompting him to cheer and wave his mop around with happiness. Third-place winner in this age group, 7-year-old Kamden Cunningham, took home the Most Patriotic award, which his mom, Kelsey, told PennLive was the primary goal. Thats what we were aiming for, she said, after he was awarded a plaque. Im proud of him, and it really does suit him, since he used his mullet recently to help raise money for wounded veterans. Kamden nodded in approval when asked if hed compete again next year, as his mom pointed out that he really wanted to take home the prize for Best in Grow. The number of competitors dwindled in the older age groups, with only about 15 kids participating in the 13-18 category. Despite the small number of participants, the crowd loved the older kids as well: One got everyone to shout USA during his performance, and another went right into it by ripping his shirt off. First place went to Alex Booze. Last but not least was the 19+, with reigning 2025 champion Karl Kassees, 66, of Landisville, back to reclaim his title. The adult category was very diverse this year, with a wide variety of more styled mullets and even a few women showing off their manes. In the end, Kassees won in his age group again, wowing the audience with patriotic-themed magic tricks. His mullet and outfit wouldnt be complete without his Business in the front, party in the back tee, with the words party lighting up on the back. Kassees said hes been growing his mullet out for the past five years and hopes to take home more than just first place next year, as he won best overall in a contest held in the Allentown area. It feels good to be validated again, Kassees said. I wanted to step it up this year, as presentation is important. While magic helped Kassees win this year, he hopes to involve a musical element in the 2027 mullet contest. Pennsylvania residents competed hard this year, and 2027 will likely be filled with even more energy, contestants, and plenty of party. Dan Brown spent the weekend celebrating and also pouring some of his Deerfoot wines for visitors to the Farm Show. A previous winner at the event, Browns winery was one of the two top winners in the Farm Show competition. Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery, located in Shoemakersville, Berks County, won six awards, including a double gold and Best of Show in the sparkling category, a gold and Best Vinifera for its 2023 Six Point, a double gold for its 2024 Comfy Couch, and another gold and two silver medals. Brown was already over at the Farm Show on Saturday, one of 12 wineries beginning the first of four days of pouring in the Main Hall. Its the first time that Deerfoot, which planted its first grapevines in 2010 and launched the winery five years later, has been part of the annual Pa. Wine Association tasting area. Six Point is Deerfoots Cabernet Franc. Typically, I do a slight blend, but for 2023 it was a 100% varietal, he said. The Six Point name is what Ive used as my flagship red blend since we started. My first commercial medal was a bronze in 2016 for that wine, and I enter it in competitions every year, so that one is a little special for me. Comfy Couch is actually our oldest estate wine. Its a Cayuga white Ive been making since our first harvest in 2012. I recently improved some of my processes and equipment, and I think that helped. 22 1 / 22 Scenes from the opening Day of the 2026 Pa. State Farm Show As for the sparkling, its made from Cayuga Grapes, but Brown said he used a different yeast and slightly different process that he learned in Germany to select for a more premium wine, which went into the sparkling. Deerfoot is offering samples of that at the Farm Show this week. The farm location, at 1492 Ridge Road, is typically closed in the winter months, except for two Berks County Wine Trail events: one on the weekend of Jan 17/18 and again the two weekends around Valentines Day. Normal hours resume March 1. Its Lancaster tasting room, located at 348 N. Queen St., has normal hours through the winter. The other big winner was Seven Mountain Wine Cellars, which won its ninth Governors Cup with its 2024 Traminette. Located in Spring Mills, right off Route 322, the Centre County producer also won a gold for its Black Tie, another sparkling. 12 1 / 12 2026 Pa. Farm Show Chocolate Cake ContestSue Gleiter Harrisburg-area producers that brought home awards included Adams County Winery (4), Armstrong Valley Vineyards & Winery (6), J&P Winery (5), The Vineyard at Hershey (3), and The Winery at the Long Shot Farm (6). The full list of winners, announced on Saturday, is included below: Gold and Best of Show Dry Grape Seven Mountain Wine Cellars 2024 Traminette Double Gold and Best of Show Sparkling Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery 2024 Blanc De Blancs Gold and Best of Show Dessert The Vineyard at Hershey 2023 Daybreak Gold and Best Vinifera Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery 2023 Six Point Gold and Best American J & P Winery 2023 Steuben Silver and Best Fruit Mazzotta Winery 2024 Peach Wine Double Golds The Winery at the Long Shot Farm 2022 Traminette Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery 2024 Comfy Couch Gold Medals Adams County Winery 2024 Vintage Roots Allegheny Cellars Winery 2024 Perfectly Peach Allegheny Cellars Winery 2024 Bigfoot Shadows Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery 2024 Country Red Seven Mountain Wine Cellars 2024 Black Tie The Vineyard at Hershey 2023 Dry Riesling Yori Wine Cellars & Brewing Co. 2021 Sparkling Rose Yori Wine Cellars & Brewing Co. 2023 Riesling Awards Listed by Medal Adams County Winery 2024 Vintage Roots - Gold 2024 Stray Cat Strut - Silver 2024 Rebel Red - Silver 2024 Tears of Gettysburg - Bronze Allegheny Cellars Winery 2024 Perfectly Peach - Gold 2024 Bigfoot Shadows - Gold 2024 Riesling - Silver 2024 Depot Red - Silver 2024 Fawnd Memories - Bronze Armstrong Valley Vineyard and Winery 2022 Chambourcin - Silver 2024 Sauvignon Blanc - Silver 2021 Armstrong Red - Bronze 2024 Dry Rose - Bronze NV Pennsecco - Bronze 2024 Vidal Blanc - Bronze Cellar 54 2023 Cabernet Franc - Silver 2022 Riesling - Bronze Creekside Cellars Winery 2024 Sunset Red - Silver 2024 Pinot Grigio - Silver 2024 Seyval Blanc - Silver 2024 Riesling - Silver 2024 Blended Family - Silver 2024 Pineapple Jalepeno - Silver Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery 2023 Six Point - Gold and best Vinifera 2024 Blanc De Blancs - Double Gold and Best of Show Sparkling 2024 Comfy Couch - Double Gold 2024 Country Red - Gold 2024 Traminette - Silver 2024 Chambourcin - Silver Happy Valley Vineyard and Winery 2024 Vidal Blanc - Bronze 2021 Noiret - Bronze Hungry Run Wine Cellars 2022 Pinot Noir Bronze J & P Winery 2023 Steuben - Gold and Best American 2023 Tipsy Cat - Silver 2025 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine - Bronze 2023 Chocolate Cherry - Bronze 2023 Niagara - Bronze La Vigneta Winery 2025 Peachberry - Silver 2024 Rosso Delizioso - Silver 2024 Bianco Delizioso - Silver 2024 Artisan Blush - Silver 2024 Apple Pie Amore - Bronze Mazzotta Winery 2024 Peach Wine - Silver and Best Fruit 2023 Blackberry Wine - Silver 2024 Elderberry Wine - Silver 2023 Raspberry Wine w Chocolate Flavor - Bronze 2024 Cherry Wine - Bronze 2024 Pear Wine - Bronze 2020 Sauvignon Blanc - Bronze 2023 Strawberry Wine - Bronze Penn Shore Winery 2024 Seyval Blanc - Silver 2025 Golden - Silver Seven Mountain Wine Cellars 2024 Traminette Gold and Best of Show - Dry Grape 2024 Black Tie - Gold 2023 Cabernet Franc Keystone Series - Silver 2024 Laurel Run Red - Silver 2024 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine - Silver 2024 Gruner Veltliner - Silver 2024 Hectors Nectar - Silver 2024 Dry Riesling - Silver 2023 Rose of Chambourcin - Bronze 2024 WE ARE House Reserve White - Bronze Shade Mountain Winery & Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay - Silver 2023 Chateau Carolyne - Silver 2022 Youngs Hill Riesling - Silver 2022 Cabernet Franc - Silver Starr Hill Vineyard and Winery 2024 Peach Paradise - Silver 2024 Ocean Breeze - Silver 2024 Liquid Fun - Bronze 2024 Toucan Cha Cha - Bronze 2024 Black Apple - Bronze The Vineyard at Hershey 2023 Daybreak - Gold and Best of Show Dessert 2023 Dry Riesling - Gold 2024 Crimson Fox - Silver The Winery at the Long Shot Farm 2022 Traminette - Double Gold 2022 Chamburcin Rose - Silver 2023 Valley Blush - Bronze 2022 Chambourcin - Bronze 2024 Vidal Blanc - Bronze 2022 Oaked Chambourcin - Bronze University Wine Company 2024 Arts Festival White - Silver 2024 Ovation White - Silver 2024 Nouveau - Silver 2024 Chardonnay Reserve - Bronze Yori Wine Cellars & Brewing Co. Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates the resilience and achievements of the late civil rights activist. King is most known for his 1963 I Have A Dream Speech, given at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. On Nov. 2, 1983, former President Ronald Regan signed the bill into law that made MLK a federal holiday. Alongside the holiday, many organizations host events to honor the civil rights activist. Heres what is happening on MLK Day 2026, a federal holiday. Monday 38th Annual Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr Breakfast Where: 113 Shenks Lane, Millersville Hours: 8 to 10:30 a.m. Cost: Individual tickets start at $75 and increase for sponsors; $25 livestream access is available for attendees who cant make it to the breakfast. This buffet-style breakfast will start with a networking session, followed by breakfast and remarks from philanthropist and acclaimed author Frederick Joseph, along with other performances and remarks. The theme for this years event is Bending the Arc: Our Journey Towards Justice. Registration closes on Jan. 12 at 5 p.m. MLK-365 2026 MLK Day of Service Hours: Volunteering begins at 9 a.m. MLK 365 encourages central Pennsylvania residents to sign up to volunteer at numerous organizations across the area that need help. A full list of volunteer opportunities can be found here. 4th Annual MLK Day of Reading The American Literary Corporation will host the fourth annual event, where central Pennsylvania residents can take their children to various local businesses to hear stories read by prominent members of the community. A full list of locations and readers will be announced soon, according to the ALC website. Following the readings will be an event beginning at noon, at the Beth El Temple, 2637 N. Front St., Harrisburg, which will include more readings, refreshments, and other childrens activities. Womens Leadership Network MLK Volunteer Day Where: 3500 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg Hours: 9-11 a.m. Attendees can volunteer to help with various projects, such as making dental care bags, meal kits for families in need, and emergency menstrual cycle kits. Registration for this event is available here. I Have A Dream Basketball classic Where: 151 O. St., Middletown Hours: First game kicks off at noon. Hosted by Penn State Harrisburg, six central Pennsylvania schools will play against one another in an effort to showcase community, competition and service, according to the universitys website. Attendees for these games are also asked to bring non-perishable goods to donate to food banks in central Pennsylvania, with Penn State Harrisburg matching the number of donations. Admission is free. For more information about the event, contact Intercolligate Athletics at 717-948-6744. Below are the games scheduled. Girls Basketball Noon- McCaskey v. Susquehanna Twp 2 p.m. - Bishop McDevitt v. Central Dauphin Boys Basketball 4 p.m. - Central Dauphin v. Central York After about two years, the drummer of a popular crossover thrash and hardcore punk band is saying goodbye to the group. The drummer emphasizes that hes leaving on his own and good terms, as 2026 holds some exciting changes in his life. In an Instagram post published Monday, Jay Weinberg the Middle Township, New Jersey, native known for sitting behind the kit for bands like Slipknot and Against Me! is officially leaving Suicidal Tendencies. As an exciting and busy 2026 takes shape, Id like to thank @suicidaltendencies for bringing me onboard for an incredible year and a half of shows! the post begins. What an absolute blast. With [my wife Chloe Weinbergs] and my first child on the way, Ive been dedicating time to passion projects like @portraitsofanapparition, a growing series of collaborations, finally building a proper at-home creative space, and some new in-the-works projects that I cant quite announce just yet. Although theres a lot of work left to complete over the next five months, its been a joy to commit to finally getting these things across their artistic finish lines before my focus naturally shifts to becoming a first-time father, the post continues. Though I wont be jamming with the fellas, I cant possibly overstate the love and respect I have for them, the Suicidal Army and extended family, and all the cyco fans Ive met across six continents playing shows with one of my favorite bands! I quite literally cant conceive of my life as a drummer without the profound influence of Suicidal Tendencies, Weinbergs post concludes. So many of my drumming heroes have added to the historic legacy of this band, and its the honor of a lifetime to contribute to it myself in some way. To our amazing crew matesthank you guys so much for everything! ST for life! Mohamed Kafi Sheikh Abukar, director of Somali National Television (SNTV), works at his office at Somali National Television, in Mogadishu, Somalia, Jan. 12, 2026. The Somali National Television resumed its broadcasting in 2011 after a two-decade break off due to the civil war. Nowadays, it is on air around the clock for audiences both at home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) This photo taken on Jan. 12, 2026 shows editorial staff members working at the Somali National Television in Mogadishu, Somalia. The Somali National Television resumed its broadcasting in 2011 after a two-decade break off due to the civil war. Nowadays, it is on air around the clock for audiences both at home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) This photo taken on Jan. 12, 2026 shows an editorial staff member working at the Somali National Television in Mogadishu, Somalia. The Somali National Television resumed its broadcasting in 2011 after a two-decade break off due to the civil war. Nowadays, it is on air around the clock for audiences both at home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) This photo taken on Jan. 12, 2026 shows a TV studio of Somali National Television, in Mogadishu, Somalia. The Somali National Television resumed its broadcasting in 2011 after a two-decade break off due to the civil war. Nowadays, it is on air around the clock for audiences both at home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and DAVID KLEPPER, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that Elon Musks artificial intelligence chatbot Grok will join Googles generative AI engine in operating inside the Pentagon network, as part of a broader push to feed as much of the militarys data as possible 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 in a speech at Musks space flight company, SpaceX, in South Texas. The announcement comes just days after Grok which is embedded into X, the social media network owned by Musk drew global outcry and scrutiny for generating highly sexualized deepfake images of people without their consent. Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked Grok, while the U.K.s independent online safety watchdog announced an investigation Monday. Grok has limited image generation and editing to paying users. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. (Photo by Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images, 2025) The Washington Post via Getty Im Hegseth said Grok will go live inside the Defense Department this month and announced that he would make all appropriate data from the militarys IT systems available for AI exploitation. He also said data from intelligence databases would be fed into AI systems. Hegseths aggressive push to embrace the still-developing technology stands in contrast to the Biden administration, which, while pushing federal agencies to come up with policies and uses for AI, was also wary of misuse. Officials said rules were needed to ensure that the technology, which could be harnessed for mass surveillance, cyberattacks or even lethal autonomous devices, was being used responsibly. The Biden administration enacted a framework in late 2024 that directed national security agencies to expand their use of the most advanced AI systems but prohibited certain uses, such as applications that would violate constitutionally protected civil rights or any system that would automate the deployment of nuclear weapons. It is unclear if those prohibitions are still in place under the Trump administration. During his speech, Hegseth spoke of the need to streamline and speed up technological innovations within the military, saying, We need innovation to come from anywhere and evolve with speed and purpose. He noted that the Pentagon possesses combat-proven operational data from two decades of military and intelligence operations. AI is only as good as the data that it receives, and were going to make sure that its there, Hegseth said. By SAFIYAH RIDDLE and VALERIE GONZALEZ, The Associated Press As the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement nationwide, a wave of high-profile arrests many unfolding at private homes and businesses and captured on video has pushed one legal question into the center of the national debate: When can federal immigration agents lawfully enter private property to make an arrest? That question has taken on new urgency in cities like Minneapolis, where thousands of federal agents are operating on the streets amid protests, confrontations and a fatal shooting, sharpening scrutiny of the legal authority immigration officers rely on when they arrive at the front door. At the heart of the debate is a legal distinction largely unfamiliar to the public but central to immigration enforcement. Most immigration arrests are carried out under administrative warrants, internal documents issued by immigration authorities that authorize the arrest of a specific individual but do not permit officers to forcibly enter private homes or other non-public spaces without consent. Only criminal warrants signed by judges carry that authority. Legal experts say the administrations aggressive enforcement push, combined with public awareness of those limits, is increasingly turning door-knock encounters into flashpoints, fueling confrontations that are now playing out in cities across the country. Here is what to know about the limitations on the warrants that authorize most immigration related arrests. Immigration warrants typically dont authorize entry onto private property All law enforcement operations including those conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection are governed by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects all people in the country from unreasonable searches and seizures. That means law enforcement is required to have a warrant before searching ones private property or arresting someone, regardless of immigration status. But not all warrants are the same. Typically, arrests carried out by Department of Homeland Security agencies are authorized by administrative warrants sometimes known as immigration warrants not judicial warrants. Judicial warrants are issued by a court and signed by a magistrate or a state or federal judge. These warrants allow a relevant law enforcement agency to apprehend a specified individual in any context regardless of whether the person is on public or on private property. In other words, law enforcement is legally allowed to enter and search a home or business to make the arrest without the consent of the property owner once a judge signs off on the arrest. By contrast, the administrative warrants used in most immigration operations are sanctioned by an agency, officer or immigration judge, and dont allow law enforcement to forcibly enter private property to detain someone. That means people can legally refuse federal immigration agents entry into private property if the agents only have an administrative warrant. A federal immigration officer deploys pepper spray as officers make an arrest Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher) AP There are limited exceptions, some of which include if someone is in immediate danger, an officer is actively chasing a suspect or if someone is calling for help inside the residence. But those exceptions dont apply in routine immigration arrests, legal experts say. John Sandweg, a former ICE acting director, said officers are trained on what circumstances legally justify forced entry. But as the scope of ICEs work has expanded, and more Border Patrol agents have begun conducting the work of ICE officers, there is a greater chance that agents will misapply the rules, he said. Your risks of all of these types of incidents increase dramatically when you take officers out of their normal operating environment and ask them to do things that they have not been trained to do, because its not part of their core missions, Sandweg said. Mounting tensions in Minneapolis The thorny legal distinction between judicial and administrative warrants came to the fore on Sunday when immigration law enforcement raided a private home to make an arrest in Minneapolis, after clashing with protesters who confronted the heavily armed agents. Documents reviewed by The Associated Press revealed that the agents only had an administrative warrant meaning there was no judge that authorized the raid on private property. When asked, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin didnt provide a legal justification for the forced entry and arrest of the man, who is a Liberian national with a deportation order from 2023. She said his arrest was part of the administrations efforts to arrest the worst of the worst and added that he had a criminal history including robbery, drug possession with the intent to sell, possession of a deadly weapon, malicious destruction and theft. McLaughlin didnt specify whether he was convicted of any of those crimes or whether his arrest was related to any criminal activity. Vice president of policy at the National Immigration Law Center, Heidi Altman, said she couldnt comment on that specific raid, but said that, generally, an officer entering a home without consent or permission could result in serious consequences. That is not just an illegal arrest. Its numerous illegal actions by the officer themselves that could open up liability, not just for being sued, but potential criminal actions under state law as well, she explained. A bullet hole is seen in the windshield as law enforcement officers work the scene of a shooting involving federal law enforcement agents, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Baker) AP But in the current political climate, Altman said, it isnt clear if there are any realistic avenues for accountability since the federal government would be responsible for investigating such a breach. There are layers of federal laws, and regulations, and policies prohibiting this kind of behavior. But then the second layer is: Is the federal government going to impose consequences? she said. On top of that, immigrants have fewer recourse after an illegal arrest or search, since the illegally obtained evidence can still be used in immigration court. Its called the exclusionary rule, Altman explained, and the consequences that the officer may face would not undo the immediate consequences immigrants could face if they are quickly deported. As those legal challenges come and people are facing very, very quick detentions and deportations on the basis of these illegal arrests, theres very little recourse in actual immigration court proceedings that allows people to have a judge disregard evidence or the actual arrest, even if it was done in this very violent, illegal manner, Altman said. Know-your-rights campaigns ICE has long relied on knock and talks to make apprehensions, informally requesting residents to leave a home without giving any indication they plan to make an immigration arrest. As outlined in a 2020 lawsuit in which a federal judge found the practice illegal, officers tell their targets that they need them to step outside to answer a few questions. In one case, they told a woman that they were probation officers looking for her brother. A family member reacts after federal immigration officers make an arrest Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher) AP In response, activists, lawyers and local governments have launched know-your-rights campaigns around the country, attempting to educate people on the legal nuances of the extremely convoluted legal framework that is supposed to govern immigration law enforcement. Many groups have published fact sheets and infographics on social media, while others facilitate meetings that go over constitutional protections that immigrants have regardless of legal status in interactions with federal agents. Often, groups will instruct immigrants to request to see a warrant before opening the door if an immigration officer knocks. The trainings also typically emphasize that an immigrant can refuse to open the door if law enforcement only has an administrative warrant. Story by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for Talk of the Town, a daily newsletter of local stories that dig deep, events, and more from north-central PA, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown. Lycoming County residents have formed a network to support their immigrant neighbors amid rising concerns over the Trump administrations mass deportations. One group provides rides and accompanies families on errands and to appointments, while the other operates a 24-hour phone number for local reports of ICE activity. Both organizations aim to observe and document local interactions with ICE, and follow up as needed. The groups, which have about 50 volunteers, formed in response to anxiety among Lycoming Countys relatively small immigrant community, 1.3%, according to U.S. Census data. There were several arrests of workers from a local roofing company over the summer and fall, and everyday tasks from grocery shopping to medical appointments have become more difficult for families who fear potential encounters with authorities, volunteers told Spotlight PA. Organizers stress that neither network interferes with law enforcement, saying they offer support only to help residents feel less alone. If ICE is going to pick someone up, we cant do anything to stop it, City Alliance Church Pastor Nithin Thompson told Spotlight PA. But what we can do is, we can witness it. We can document it, and we can share our stories with other people. One group typically arranges rides and errands in advance, matching volunteers based on schedules and needs. The goal, Thompson said, is for nothing to happen. Boring is the win, he added. The other group, in charge of rapid response, manages a 24-hour phone number 570-212-9183 so the public can report ICE activity in real time. The groups coordinate through word of mouth, social media, and group chats. Volunteers said that their presence in the community doesnt guarantee anything, but even small acts, like walking someone to the bus stop, can reduce stress for people who might otherwise avoid leaving home. And in the event of an encounter with ICE or arrest, volunteers document the situation and follow up with the persons loved ones and possibly that individuals legal team. For Phoebe Wagner, a rapid response volunteer, the work comes down to loving their neighbor and helping ensure everyone feels safe. No one should be living in fear and feel like they have to black out their windows, Wagner told Spotlight PA. Most local trips where a volunteer accompanies an immigrant have been uneventful, said Amanda, an organizer who asked to be identified only by her first name. But the group has also heard from community members who didnt know the network existed, traveled to appointments outside the area, and were detained. Another aspect of the groups work, she added, comes after a detention. Volunteers have helped with tasks like locating the detained persons car and gathering their personal items. According to an analysis by Julie Yingling, a Lycoming College criminal justice and criminology professor, from January 2025 through July 29, 2025, ICE arrested 199 people in Lycoming and 18 surrounding rural counties. She examined information obtained by the Deportation Data Project through public records requests and used limited details from Thrive International Programs, an organization that provides immigration legal services, to help her identify some clients among those arrested and deported. Yingling told Spotlight PA that tracking ICE arrests is difficult because of limited data, and because local cases rarely make the news. And the affected families who may be left searching for a loved one or suddenly without a working household member to help pay bills are often afraid to speak publicly. The humanity of it gets me, she said. SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results. This story was produced by the Berks County bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom. Sign up for Good Day, Berks, a daily dose of essential local stories at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/gooddayberks. A group of Berks County residents has spent thousands of dollars trying to get a rural township to disclose a proposed ordinance that could have affected local farms, which experts say residents are entitled to see. Tulpehocken Township has, in turn, spent thousands of dollars to keep that information secret, arguing that state law protects the release of drafts not presented at public meetings. One open records expert told Spotlight PA that its particularly stunning to see public agencies use taxpayer resources to thwart public access. And in this case, its particularly egregious because were not protecting a trade secret or some confidential, proprietary information, said Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, of which Spotlight PA is a member. This is quite literally a proposal that will govern the lives of the taxpayers and residents in that community. Tulpehocken supervisors began discussing drafts of the ordinance regulating agritourism, short-term rentals, and agritainment in public meetings last February. However, they refused to provide copies to farmer John Schueller, who told Spotlight PA he felt he could not fully take part because he was not well-informed on all the proposed details. Its very difficult to participate productively and intelligently when you dont have a document in front of you, and the entire document is not being shared verbally, said Schueller. Melewsky agreed that access to proposed laws is crucial, saying, Its important as members of the public to actually be able to understand the discussion happening in front of your eyes. The state Office of Open Records, which oversees public access disputes, ruled twice that the township must release drafts of the proposed ordinance to Schueller. However, the township appealed the decisions in a Berks County court something that happens in only 5% of cases, according to the OOR. The cases are still pending. So far, Schueller estimated he and other residents who have contributed to his fight have spent $5,000. He thinks hell end up spending $2,000 to $3,000 more. The township has spent at least $3,776 to fight Schuellers request, according to billing records obtained by Spotlight PA through a Right-to-Know request. The total does not include charges billed for right-to-know response or OOR appeal because Spotlight PA could not verify they applied to Schueller specifically. Tulpehocken Township Secretary and Treasurer Kathryn Judy and Solicitor Michelle Mayfield declined to discuss the case, telling Spotlight PA they would not comment on litigation matters. Schuellers situation highlights a flaw in Pennsylvania law that leaves citizens to spend their own money to fight for access to information without any way to ever get that money back if they win, said Melewsky. Its a significant shortcoming in Pennsylvania law that this man will have to now pay to oppose government-funded lawyers just so he can participate with his government in an issue thats going to have a direct impact on his life, she said. An ongoing court battle Schueller has lived nearly all of his 56 years in Tulpehocken Township. Not far from I-78, the rural township of about 3,500 people is home to family-owned dairy, hog, beef, and grain farms. He first learned about the proposed agriculture law in February 2025, when supervisors discussed it in a meeting. Then he saw it listed on an agenda in March, but the township would not give him a copy of the proposal. In June, he submitted a Right-to-Know request for the draft when his informal requests were denied without a clear explanation. He also requested correspondence between the township and local and county planning commissions. The township denied the request, saying the correspondence didnt exist or was protected by attorney-client privilege, and that the draft was exempt from release under state law. In July, Schueller formally requested the township provide all past proposals that had been discussed in meetings from March until July, and copies of correspondence with the Berks County Planning Commission. The township also denied that request. Schueller appealed the decisions to the OOR. In both cases, the agency found the township had misapplied state law regarding the drafts and ordered the release of those records to Schueller within 30 days. The township is challenging both OOR decisions in the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. One case was heard in October and awaits a decision; a trial date has yet to be set in the other. The ordinance, as it was first introduced, is no longer on the table. The township voted in October on a revised draft that removes regulations for agritourism and agritainment, but keeps the proposed regulations for short-term rentals. But Schueller is still fighting for copies of the older drafts on principle, saying the public still has the right to see them. He feels he would be sanctioning the townships behavior if he gave up. He said he voted for all of the township supervisors who currently sit on the board and is disappointed in the situation and their decision-making. He never thought the township would drag the case out this far. Schueller said he believes a citizens right to participate in public discussions is one of the most important aspects of the U.S. government. And he plans on fighting for as long as he has to get what he deems as public documents. We have a Right-To-Know procedure thats supposed to enable residents to get information so the community as a whole can participate, Schueller said. BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. True Sea Moss brand of Sea Moss Gel Superfood has been recalled because the company lacks records showing it was manufactured in compliance with regulations. Diva Fam recalled all lots and all flavors due to lack of required regulatory authorization and temperature monitoring records for pH-controlled food products, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. pH-controlled food products that are not manufactured in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements may present a potential risk of microbial growth, including organisms that can produce toxins associated with botulism. Botulism is a rare but serious illness that can affect the nervous system. Symptoms include general weakness, dizziness, and double vision. In severe cases, people may have difficulty speaking, swallowing or breathing. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled sea moss gel. The problem was identified during a California Department of Public Health inspection that raised questions regarding regulatory authorization and related production records for certain distributed products. The company is cooperating with regulatory authorities and has initiated the voluntary recall to ensure regulatory alignment. Sea Moss Gel Superfood is packaged in 16-fluid-ounce glass jars. The recalled flavors and corresponding UPCs are: Mango - 5065006235875 Pineapple - 5065006235288 Wildcrafted - 5065006235073 Apple and cinnamon - 5065006235776 Elderberry - 5065006235189 Passion Fruit - 5061033691882 Blue Spirulina and raspberry - 5065006235813 Strawberry - 5065006235271 Cherry - 5061033691264 Mango and pineapple - 5065006235301 5 Blends in 1 - 5061033690052 Soursop - 5061033691875 Lemon Pie - 5061033691271 Orange - 5061033692926 People who purchased the Sea Moss Gel Superfood should not consume it and should follow the instructions provided by the place of purchase regarding product return or disposal. For more information, send an email to support@divafam.com or call 818-751-3882 between noon and 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Nurses at a Pennsylvania hospital system that has been recently rocked by a string of workplace violence, including a mass shooting, are applauding a tentative union agreement featuring major concessions on workplace safety and violence terms. Approximately 500 nurses at UPMC Altoona who are members of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania are working toward a final contract with corporate owners UPMC, the commonwealths largest hospital system. The deal also includes significant wage increases and investments in recruitment and retention, which nurses say will address safe staffing levels and patient care. During this process, we were able to advocate with management to finally implement many of the safety enhancements that weve been calling for over the past few years, said Jaime Balsamo, a 17-year nurse at Altoona and president of the local chapter of SEIU Healthcare PA. This shows that when nurses unite with each other and our community, we can win concrete, positive change. The contract comes on the heels of months of growing grievances from nurses over workplace safety and violence. In February, a gunman armed with zip ties took hospital staff hostage at UPMC Memorial in York County. A West York police officer as well as the gunman were killed in a shootout inside the hospital. Several others were injured. In November, a UPMC Altoona medical staff member was beaten unconscious by a patient and suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. SEIU does not represent nurses at UPMC Memorial; only nurses from a select number of the systems hospitals. Balsamo said Altoona nurses are confident that the agreement will send a message across UPMC as well as all hospital systems, which have, in recent years, dealt with increased workplace violence. That is our hope, she said. UPMC is the largest healthcare system in the commonwealth and they have the ability to implement these things to ensure our safety, to provide us with safe staffing and pretty significant changes in this contract. Our hope is that it will carry over throughout the whole system. Seven hospital workers were injured in the February deadly shooting at UPMC York Memorial, which did not have metal detectors installed in the ICU at the time of the shooting. In a statement emailed to PennLive, UPMC officials said: After three months of good faith bargaining, UPMC Altoona has reached a tentative agreement with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, pending a ratification vote. Throughout this process, the primary goal has been to reach a contract that supports UPMC Altoona nurses, strengthens the hospital, and serves the community. UPMC Altoona believes this agreement achieves that goal and looks forward to continuing its focus on the shared mission of providing the very best care for our patients and community. In November, officials at the hospital system, the largest private employer in Pennsylvania, acknowledged that under the guidance of national security experts, the health system had made hundreds of safety upgrades this past year, including the use of entrance technologies such as metal detectors and expanded public safety and police officer presence. UPMC confirmed that metal detectors or magnetometers had been installed in the emergency department and the main entrance at UPMC Memorial. A study published this year by the American Hospital Association found that violence, including workplace (in-facility) and community violence, abuse, and threatening behavior, has significantly increased in the U.S. over the past decade, with rising rates of assault, homicide, suicide, and firearm violence. U.S. healthcare workers are five times more likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than workers in other industries. Healthcare workers accounted for 73% of all nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses due to violence in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During the four-month contract negotiation process, Altoona nurses held fast to demands that UPMC implement long-needed security measures, which took on even more urgency after the recent instances of violence across the system. Among some of the demands that were met in the agreement include the installation of a first-ever weapons detection system at the front entrance of the Altoona hospital. Going forward, visitors will be screened for weapons whether they enter through the front or ER entrances. So many of us nurses over the years have found weapons on our patients, Balsamo said. This will prevent the weapons from getting through. Other security improvements include the use of badge-only access at all other entrances; run, hide, fight trainings for all staff; and the posting of signage throughout the hospital stating that assaulting a healthcare worker is a felony. The contract also calls for hiring more security staff. Everybody from the public has to go through the weapons detection system, Balsamo said. The 3-year agreement, which was reached on Friday, includes substantial raises that are poised to make UPMC Altoona more competitive, including average wage increases of more than 18% during the life of the contract. The agreement calls for maximum raises of more than 27% and sets starting wage rates for new nurses without a degree from $30 to $36 and to $37.50 for nurses with a degree. So-called resource pool nurses, who float throughout the hospital to fill in staffing gaps, will see the starting rate rise to as high as $41 for nurses with degrees. Balsamo said the agreement results in Altoona wages being more competitive with other area hospitals, which will enable the hospital to attract and keep nurses. This agreement contains critical investments that will recruit, retain and support nurses so we can provide the high standard of care that our community urgently needs, Balsamo said. A ratification vote is set for Jan. 15. The Nurse Union Bargaining Committee is recommending a yes vote. SEIU is set to begin contract negotiations with nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh. Two recent Pennsylvania cases involving stolen body parts have brought up an uncomfortable reality: It is legal in Pennsylvania to buy and sell human remains. In fact, its legal in most states. Jonathan Gerlachs arrest on more than 550 counts of grave robbing and Jeremy Pauleys conviction for transporting stolen body parts have put oddity collectors and distributors in the spotlight. But, most collectors and dealers in human remains are running legal businesses, according to Jason Haack, owner of oddity store Bonez by Dezign said. Were not grave robbers, said Haack, of South Dakota. We dont condone that sort of activity. We dont want to see things being stolen because we respect them for what they are. Bonez by Dezign has been around for 13 years, and over that time, Haack has handled hundreds of human remain pieces. Speaking to PennLive over the phone, he counted 14 human skulls sitting around him. The only ethical sourcing for human remains is buying items when a university or college auctions them off, according to Haack. This happens because higher education institutions sometimes use human models for educational purposes, but they remodel and sell things off as they are no longer needed. It doesnt happen all that often, but theres enough inventory floating around the market to keep it saturated, Haack said. But there are still ethical concerns with human remains donated for medical purposes. Did those people understand or agree that their remains eventually could be used and sold by collectors or turned into art? A clear non-ethical and illegal way to source human remains is stealing from graves. Haack said if theres a skull for sale thats just sitting on a table with a pile of dirt under it, purchasing it would be a big no. Older skulls used for medical research typically wouldnt be coated with dirt or traces of human tissue, which could indicate more recent excavation, according to forensic experts interviewed by The Guardian. Many of the skulls posted on Gerlachs public Instagram page for sale were mummified with tissue, eyeballs and facial hair including eyebrows still visible. Both eyes remain in the orbital sockets ... Snag her before I change my mind, Gerlach posted in August 2025 with the photo of a skull. Another skull posted was missing its face and instead showed an open cavity between the forehead and the jaw. Faceless ones are always underappreciated, Gerlach posted in July 2024. A gray area of sourcing comes from overseas. Sometimes, things are stolen from graves internationally, and they end up in the U.S. market, one way or another. Sometimes, these pieces are floating around the open market for decades, and its hard to determine their chronology of ownership. Another challenge for those dealing in human remains are the different laws across the country and internationally. All states allow selling of human remains except for eight that have broad bans: Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Other states, however, make it illegal under certain circumstances. Georgia and Tennessee, for example, only allow selling and trading of human remains within state boundaries. Nothing can go in or out of their jurisdictions. One thing many agree with is the demand for human remains is spiking, causing some bad actors to start body snatching. Dr Trish Biers, from the department of anthropology at the University of Cambridge, coordinates a task force at the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology that investigates the sale and trade of human remains. While the market has long been dominated by ex-anatomical skulls and former museum exhibits, Biers told the Guardian there had been an increase in the sale of skulls described as archaeological, but the appearance is consistent with having been excavated from the ground or exhumed from coffins. Social media has completely changed the market, she said. Its not illegal and thats the problem. She also noted the irony of UK laws for medical research being tightly regulated, while collectors and sellers have few requirements. You cant take photos of remains under 100 years old for medical research but its OK to turn a childs spine into a handbag handle," Biers told the newspaper. Who is actually buying human remains? It varies. Haack has sold to doctors and others in the medical space, as well as oddity collectors. He said he doesnt get requests from jewelry makers, because they mainly use animal bones or human teeth, which arent classified by law as human remains. Haack said oddity collectors worry the most about their customer base. Most of us in this business know whats legal and whats not, so we dont tend to worry about the police and feds. The thing you have to learn the most is your clientele, Haack said. If a dealer is rumored to partake in grave robbing, racism, sexism or other illegal and unethical actions, Haack said they get a notch on their name and the clientele will bulldoze you over, or stop buying from your shop. Its also important to have respect for the items, he said. I have a lot of pieces where I know their history and where they came from, Haack said. One of his favorite pieces is a skull from a 24-year-old man hanged by law enforcement in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1914. He was executed after shooting five people and killing two in May 1913. I cherish that piece, Haack said. The collector worked with forensic pathologists, historians and a medical college to find the skulls history. Its now in Abby Normals Museum of the Strange in South Dakota. Paul Gambino, a well-known name in the oddities community, wrote in a Substack post the baseline ethic in serious institutions that handle remains at all: treat them with care, dignity, and understand that respect is owed not only to the deceased but also to the living communities connected to them. Average people are often shocked by the idea of human remains in homes or being sold in shops and ask Haack why he doesnt just bury them, he said. Why would we bury the remains? So they can be lost, forgotten, not loved? These pieces are cherished as much as if they were still living, Haack said. Gerlach and Pauley cases The Gerlach and Pauley cases were disturbing to Haack and the human remains community overall. He said there was a dark cloud around oddity collectors after Pauley one that will continue to linger after Gerlachs arrest. Haack has followed Gerlachs case, and said he sees deeper problems with Gerlach. Nobody in the proper mindset would do anything like that, Haack said. This goes beyond grave robbing. Gambino described Gerlachs actions as desecration in his Substack post about the case. The public hears oddities and imagines predators, Gambino wrote. The reality is: ethical collectors behave more like archivists than hunters. The takeaway from Gerlachs case shouldnt be about oddities collectors, Gambino wrote, but about someone who desecrated the dead and treated them as trophies. The moment you steal from the dead, you stop being a collector, he said. That person [Gerlach] is not one of us. Human remains for medical use There is another community, besides collectors, that use real human remains: The medical community. People can donate their bodies to medical research, higher education institutes or healthcare companies. But once bodies are donated, how do they actually get to researchers and students? There are some large-scale distributors of human remains, but they dont come cheap Listings for a full skull are thousands of dollars. One distributor, Skulls Unlimited, charges around $2,000 to nearly $7,000. Many companies have transitioned to selling plastic models as technologies and materials advance. One dental model distribution company, Kilgore International, previously sold skeletal materials but transitioned from real bone goods to plastic dental models for dental students. They still buy and sell one or two human bone items per year, mostly purchased from doctors or dentists who retired and no longer need them, office manager Tammie Hutchins said. When the company was distributing more skeletal materials than they do now, a collector or artist typically couldnt afford it. Due to the cost of these items, the majority went to educational institutions and the like, Hutchins said. Once in a while, especially around Halloween, we would get calls for skeletons or skulls for decoration, but once they heard the price, that generally stopped that. By Maggie Prosser, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) PHILADELPHIA Sheriff Rochelle Bilalhas garnered national headlines and condemnation for calling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement fake, wannabe law enforcement and sending a blunt warning to immigration officers who commit crimes in Philadelphia. If any [ICE agents] want to come in this city and commit a crime, you will not be able to hide, nobody will whisk you off, Bilal said. You dont want this smoke, cause we will bring it to you. The criminal in the White House would not be able to keep you from going to jail. Bilal made the now-viral remarks at a news conference on Thursday alongside Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who vowed to prosecute law enforcement officers who commit crimes. The news conference was held in response to the killing of Renee Nicole Goodby ICE officer Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. Since then, clips of Bilal have circled social media with one post on X amassing 1.6 million views and more than 91,000 likes as of Saturday afternoon and the sheriffs name has been invoked in Fox News, Newsweek, and HuffPost headlines, among others. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethelsaid his department has been inundated with calls and emails, leading him to put out a statement Friday affirming that the sheriffs office is a separate entity from the Philadelphia Police Department. One Floridapolitician said Bilal should be arrested. The sheriffs office and a spokesperson for Bilal did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday. In an interview with CNNs Erin Burnett, Bilal said, Enough is enough. People are tired of these people coming into the city, masked up basically all masked up and pulling people out and causing havoc, Bilal told the network. This was supposed to be helping cities out, this was supposed to be eliminating crime, but yet, you are committing them here, you are putting people in fear, you are breaking up families. Bilal spoke for less than four minutes at the Thursday news conference. She upbraided ICE agents for wearing masks that obscure their faces and said their actions violate not only legal law but the moral law. 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, Bilal said. You had one negative nutcase that causes this problem, and now we all have to fight again to let people know law enforcement works with communities. Some praised Bilal on social media. Ben Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney, wrote on Facebook, Sheriff Rochelle Bilaldidnt hold back. Tragedies like this happen when agents operate in our communities with little to no oversight. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania GOP posted on X, When local law enforcement stands with criminals rather than people keeping our communities safe, you know theres a problem. Rhetoric like this only makes this situation more dangerous for federal law enforcement and the city of Philadelphia. A video of Bilals statement was also posted by LibsofTikTok, a controversial far-right social media account. That post had more than 746,800 views and 8,500 likes as of Saturday afternoon. U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican from Florida, responded to LibsofTikToks post, writing, She should be arrested. The Philadelphia Sheriffs Office does not police the city; instead, the offices core functions are deploying deputies to the countys courtrooms and transporting in-custody defendants to court. In his statement, Police Commissioner Bethel distinguished the roles of the sheriffs office and the police department, noting that the sheriffs office does not conduct criminal investigations, nor does it in any way direct municipal policing. The sheriff is an elected official, while police commissioners are appointed by the mayor. The Philadelphia Police Department will continue to work professionally with all of our enforcement partners, Bethel said. But clear lines of authority and accurate public representation of those roles are essential to maintaining public trust and effective public safety operations. Under Bilal who took office in 2020 theres been a series of breakdowns in the sheriffs office, The Inquirer has reported, including misappropriated funds, lax courthouse security, mishandled domestic-abuse cases, and allegations of missing guns. The issues have renewed calls to reform or abolish the embattled office. 2026 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Its not often that the nation celebrates MLK Day and the inauguration of a new president on the same day, but this year the events also are coinciding with a nation mourning the passing of President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Flags throughout the nation will be at half-staff this month in tribute to President Carter for his lifetime of service and sacrifice. A military body bearer team carries the casket of former President Jimmy Carter into the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum to lie in repose in Atlanta, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Brynn Anderson, AP, pool President Carter and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King shared many traits, including a deep faith, a heart for helping the poor, downtrodden and marginalized, and a commitment to human rights at home and abroad. They shared a persistent hope for a better America and for a more humane and compassionate world. They should inspire every American to do the same. The theme of hope will resonate throughout our region in a myriad of events to commemorate Kings birthday, which is officially being celebrated on Jan. 20, the same day President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Author Michael Eric Dyson will speak on a "King Sized America" at the Jan. 15 MLK Banquet at the Hershey Lodge. Penn State Harrisburg In addition to the events associated with the Jan. 20 MLK Day of Service, several events are planned throughout the region, including the Penn State Harrisburg MLK banquet that will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15 at the Hershey Lodge on the actual day of Kings birth. Michael Eric Dyson, author and minister, will speak on a King Sized America at the $100 a ticket event that is also supported by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Tables of 10 seats can be reserved for $1000, but youll need to reserve tickets immediately. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, Jan. 8. After that, all inquiries should be directed to Dr. Wanda B. Knight via email at IDEALatPennState@psu.edu. The MLK banquet seeks to unify our region around the high ideals of public service and appreciation for multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion. High school writers will be able to showcase their talents at the World Affairs Council of Harrisburgs 2025 MLK International Poetry & Storytelling Festival from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 at The Civic Club of Harrisburg, 612 N. Front St. High school students can submit original poems or short stories to the 2025 International Poetry & Storytelling Festival on the theme of infinite hope. World Affairs Council of Harrisburg PennLive is media sponsor of the event that invites students to write poems or short stories on one of Rev. Kings most profound statements: We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. King spoke his historic words of hope in February 1968, only two months before his assassination in Memphis, Tenn. There are a myriad of actiivites being held throughout Central Pennsylvanian to commemorate the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Here, Dr. King speaks March 25, 1967 at the Chicago peace march. (AP Photo/Chick Harrity) AP The event will be held 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at The Civic Club of Harrisburg and will feature acclaimed poets such as Maria James Thiaw, author of poetry collection, Count Each Breath; and the Rev. Nathaniel Gadsden, author of numerous books of poetry and founder of the Writers Wordshop. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission also is a partner organization for the event. PennLive is encouraing young writers to enter the 2025 International Poetry & Storytelling Competition to celebrate MLK Day in Central Pennsylvania. World Affairs Council of Harrisburg The MLK International Poetry & Storytelling Festival is free, but registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/MLKFest25. Students poets and storytelling can submit their original works by 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. Submissions should be sent to: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/hMwsl7QaOdeEGxGoes3NKw; or emailed before the Jan. 10 deadline to wacharrisburg@gmail.com. Student poets show off their awards as finalists in the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg's 2024 MLK International Poetry & Storytelling Festival held at the Civic Club on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. PennLive and The Patriot-News were sponsors of the event. Photo by MIchelle Angert The MLK International & Poetry Festival and high school writing competition is an annual event that attracts young writers from schools throughout Central Pennsylvania. Student writers should send original poems or short stories that reflect the theme. A panel of judges will announce the top three winners who will receive prizes and read their works. The festival is a time for the community to come together to celebrate diversity, equity and justice for all Americans, ideals to which both King and Carter devoted their lives. Joyce M. Davis is PennLives Outreach & Opinion Editor. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter @byjoycedavis. Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. By Robert Shaffer Will this be the year that Democrats retire Scott Perry, the election denier and MAGA extremist who represents PA-10 (Dauphin and parts of Cumberland and York counties) in Congress? Challengers have come increasingly close, turning an 8 percentage point 2022 loss into a 2024 nail-biter, when Perry beat Janelle Stelson by only 1-1/2 percentage points. With Donald Trump unpopular on numerous issues, Democrats could maintain in 2026 the dramatic voter swing seen in last Novembers victories in Virginia and New Jersey as well as in several races in Dauphin and Cumberland. But as the petition-gathering period approaches to qualify for the primary ballot, Democrats face a tougher choice selecting this years challenger than might at first appear. Stelson, with wide name recognition from years as a television newscaster, is running again, this time with the early support of Gov. Josh Shapiro, the four elected Democratic state representatives whose districts are within PA-10, and other prominent Democrats. Her campaign raised over $1 million in 2025 for a race which will be exceedingly expensive. And Stelson has moved from Lancaster County into the district, eliminating a (self-inflicted) headache from her 2024 campaign. So whats the Democratic dilemma? I worked hard for Stelson in the primary last time, but, like some other Democratic activists, I was dismayed with her timidity in the general election. She had convinced me that she had abandoned her longtime affiliation as a Republican, but she then refused to endorse the Democratic nominee against Trump. While she played up support for union rights in the primary, that disappeared from her literature in the general. And her statement in the one televised debate that all undocumented immigrants should be deported shocked those of us who support a path to citizenship for Dreamers, say. With Shapiros backing, Stelson will now presumably campaign alongside other Democrats, but other aspects of her current campaign are still worrisome to those who regard Trumps second term (with Perrys faithful subservience) as an assault on American institutions, the environment, and international law. Except in links to news articles, Stelsons website makes no mention of Trump: nothing, for example, on cuts to funding allocated by Congress, or on military actions taken without Congressional authorization. She criticizes chaotic tariffs and devastating health insurance cuts, but without naming these harmful policies architect. Unless Stelson makes explicit now her opposition to Trump, she will have difficulty, if elected, convincing constituents that she must confront him and his policies. As portrayed on her website, Stelson is most forthright in support for womens reproductive rights and for maintaining current eligibility for Social Security, both of which Perry opposes. But many of what she calls priorities are too weak to meet the present crisis. For example, Stelson will champion educators and students, but her only specific call is to prioritize vocational education. Foreign policy is key to Congresss job, but Stelsons websiteb(and daily fund-raising emails) sidestep it entirely. Most egregious is Stelsons immigration plank, which appears to accept Trumps and Perrys charges that the presence of undocumented immigrants is what makes our communities unsafe. Not a word about violent, masked ICE agents arresting people without warrants or while they are attending asylum hearings, or the denial of due process in deportation. For some Democrats, the fresh alternative is Justin Douglas, who burst on the political scene with his 2023 election as Dauphin County commissioner. He has begun (alongside important exposes by PennLives journalists) to overturn deeply-rooted corruption by county officials of both parties. Challenging Stelson in the primary, Douglass approach is uncompromising: restraints on militarism and on ICE, movement towards single-payer health insurance, and calling out Trump as well as Perry. Given Democratic gains last year, progressives might dream that PA-10 could elect not just a moderate like Stelson but a game-changer like Douglas. But while my progressive heart embraces Douglas, my head says no. There are familiar pragmatic reasons: an uphill battle against a seeming Stelson steamroller; lack of name recognition in York and Cumberland; and an almost certain inability if he were somehow to win the primary to raise the kind of money needed to win in November. Under normal circumstances, I would support even a quixotic candidacy, as it could impel Stelson to toughen her platform and reorient her campaign to target not just Perry but Trump. But Douglass campaign could also set back reforms begun in Dauphin County. New instances of corruption, hazy ethics, and mismanagement are still arising, and Douglas needs to be there full-time to consolidate and extend what has been achieved. If he miraculously beat Stelson and then Perry, his county post would be vacant, leaving the old guard to fill the void and reverse progress. And if as is likely Douglas loses, his running for higher office after serving less than a full term could alienate many voters and jeopardize reelection as county commissioner in 2027. So this progressive Democrat, while applauding Douglass indispensable work in Dauphin County and impressed with his keen grasp of national issues, will settle for Stelson, despite her shortcomings. Robert Shaffer writes from Mechanicsburg, Pa. BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A group of Chinese researchers revealed that the volatile loss from the lunar mantle was induced by the giant impact that formed the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin in the moon's far side, providing crucial evidence for understanding the impact of large-scale collisions on the lunar evolution and for uncovering the causes of different nature of moon's near side and far side. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Tuesday. Since the formation of the moon, asteroid impacts have been the dominant geological processes triggered by events outside the Moon, producing impact craters and basins across the lunar surface and profoundly modifying its topography and geochemical characteristics. However, the extent to which large-scale impact events have affected the moon's deep interior remains unclear. A research team led by Tian Hengci from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, examined the isotopic compositions of potassium (K) in Chang'e-6 lunar basalts collected from the SPA basin. The isotopic systems of moderately volatile elements, such as K, are prone to volatilization and fractionation under the high-temperature conditions generated by impacts. Their compositions can record information such as temperature, pressure, and material sources during impact events, making them key evidence for revealing impact scales, thermal histories, and their modifications to the lunar crust and mantle materials. The team found that the Chang'e-6 lunar basalts exhibit significantly heavier K isotopic compositions than all previously reported lunar basalts from Apollo missions and lunar meteorites. Then they evaluated potential mechanisms that could modify K isotope composition, including long-term cosmic-ray irradiation, magmatic differentiation and impactor input. But the result showed that such factors only exert minor effects. Further research showed that the impact events altered the K isotope composition of the lunar mantle, leading to an increase in isotope values. During the high-temperature and high-pressure processes generated by impacts, lighter K isotopes were preferentially lost compared to heavier ones, leading to elevated isotopic ratios in the residual materials. The study also implied that such volatile depletion may have suppressed magma generation and volcanic activity on the lunar far side, potentially contributing to the long-recognized asymmetry in volcanic activity between the near side and far side of the moon. Republican state Rep. Sheryl Delozier announced Tuesday she wont seek re-election to a 10th term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. When reached by PennLive, Delozier, who represents part of Cumberland Countys fast-growing West Shore, didnt offer a specific reason for leaving after her term expires in December. After talking it over with family and friends, she said, she is ready to seek out new opportunities. An open 88th District seat has the potential to become one of the most hotly contested races of the 2026 campaign cycle, as both parties fight for majority control of the 203-member state House. President Donald J. Trump won the 88th with 49.6% of the vote in 2024, to Democrat Kamala Harriss 48.5%, with the rest going to third-party candidates. Thats one of the closest margins in the state. Democrats have clung to a one-seat majority in the state House for the past three years, putting extra attention on every competitive district. Delozier insisted Tuesday, however, that she wasnt leaving out of any fear of a tough race. In fact, the popular moderate Republican ran far better than the top of the GOP ticket in each of the last two elections cycles, including scoring a 10-percentage point win in 2024. I have no doubt that if my name was on the ballot and I ran an election, I would win. That is not the issue, Delozier said Tuesday. Its just time for some other opportunities, and looking ahead and looking for some other ways to accomplish some of the goals that I have. First elected in 2008, Delozier has carved out a career that has seen several bipartisan legislative triumphs, even as she rose to leadership ranks within an increasingly conservative House GOP caucus. She was a leader with Democratic Rep. Jordan Harris in work to expand Pennsylvanias Clean Slate laws, which made it easiers for tens of thousands of people convicted of non-violent crimes to have their criminal histories expunged after a period of clean living. Book-ending that move aimed at helping ex-offenders get a fresh start, Delozier also spearheaded legislation guaranteeing a crime victims right to be heard in sentencing proceedings. Ive been proud of being able to put those pieces of legislation into place that, you know, actually would stand up for people. Whether its giving them second chances dealing with Clean Slate, or giving them a a voice when theyve been a victim of a crime, Delozier said. In the district, Delozier led the charge to block Gov. Tom Wolfs 2021 proposal to toll a set of highway bridges across the state including the Interstate 83 bridge over the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, to pay for eventual bridge replacements in a tight funding environment. In a major win for Harrisburg-area commuters, the state subsequently won federal funding for the South Bridge project. Another signature moment marking Deloziers independence? In the fraught aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, with Republicans in swing states like Pennsylvania under tremendous pressure to support Trumps claims that that years elections results were tainted by fraud, Delozier refused to sign a letter state GOP leaders penned asking the states Congressional delegation to block certification of Pennsylvanias electoral college votes for President-elect Joe Biden. So fifty percent of my voters voted for one side, and fifty percent of my voters voted for the other side. I am absolutely not going to stand and say that, you know, one was right and one was wrong, Delozier said Tuesday, when asked about those times. I didnt sign those letters because I stood for my district, and thats what I always did in my career. Delozier did sign a separate letter asking then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro to name an independent prosecutor to investigate potential violations of Pennsylvanias election code, that fall, including guidances from the Wolf administrations Department of State that some late-arriving mail ballots could still be counted. That effort was aimed, in part, at making fixes to the election code going foward, Delozier said. Shapiro did not make the appointment. Delozier, a 58-year-old Lower Allen Township resident whose husband is Magisterial District Judge Christopher Delozier, worked for Gov. Tom Ridge and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission before seeking office in 2008. She said she has no set plans for her post-legislative life, nor, at this point, does she plan to endorse a potential successor. You know, theres a lot of really great people in the 88th District. And I have full confidence that this seat will be in good hands, Delozier said. Besides a small piece of Lower Allen, the 88th is comprised of all of Hampden Township and the boroughs of Mechanicsburg, Shiremanstown and New Cumberland. The 2026 primary election is May 19; candidates interested in getting on the ballot must file nominating petitions with the state by March 10. Dina Powell McCormick, the wife of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, has been named the president and vice chairman of Meta, the parent company of Facebook. Powell McCormick was a national security adviser to President Donald Trump in his first term and worked in the administration of President George W. Bush. She is a longtime finance executive and had served on the Meta board of directors. 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 ViceChairman, Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement. I am incredibly proud of my wife Dina and all that she has accomplished, wrote McCormick in an X post. Shes incredible! Congratulations, Dina! Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform that Dina McCormick was a great choice by Zuckerberg, adding that she had served the Trump Administration with strength and distinction, reported the Associated Press. Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who has forged a friendship with the McCormicks, applauded the decision in his own post on X. Gisele and I warmly congratulate our friend @DinaPowellMcC and my colleague @SenMcCormickPA for this tremendous opportunity, he wrote. According to the company, Powell McCormick will be on the Meta management team helping guide the companys overall strategy and execution, including overseeing multi-billion-dollar investments and expanding artificial intelligence efforts. The New York Post reported that Meta has a $600 billion infrastructure plan over the next decade. Sen. McCormick has made AI and technology a key priority, hosting an AI summit last summer in Pittsburgh and touting billions in investments in Pennsylvania via the AI and energy sectors. The senator sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Banking, House and Urban Development Committee, the Special Committee on Aging and the Joint Economic Committee. PennLive asked the senators office if he foresaw any Meta issues coming before his committees and if he would recuse himself if they did. Senator McCormick is very proud of Dinas accomplishments, said a spokesperson. As he has from day one, Senator McCormick will continue to comply with all U.S. Senate ethics rules and honorably and enthusiastically serve the great citizens of Pennsylvania. Snow is coming this week across nearly the entire state of Pennsylvania. Mike Dangelo, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College, said that there is a rather complex storm system on the way. The northern tier, particularly those counties bordering New York, will receive the most snow, Dangelo said. Some areas in the northwestern half of the state may see as much as 3 inches of snow on Wednesday and Thursday. I think the lighter stuff will be over southeast PA, Dangelo said, noting that a chance for heavier precipitation exists thanks to a weak low-pressure system that could form over the mid-Atlantic and go up the East Coast. But overall, he said, everybody else is going to get an inch or less. The Lower Susquehanna Valley, including Harrisburg and the surrounding regions, will probably only get a coating of a half-inch or less, Dangelo said. The word snow starts to scare people, he said. But there will be some light precipitation, light snowfall there, Wednesday night and Thursday morning. After that, it just turns mostly sunny again. While there are no big storms out there in the [near] future, Dangelo said, you can certainly expect it to get colder. High temperatures on Thursday will be right around freezing, he said. It gets a little bit colder [around Harrisburg] every day into the weekend. KABUL, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Monday in an interview that Afghanistan does not accept any form of foreign military presence and will never hand over Bagram Air Base to the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened last year to reoccupy Bagram Air Base, located about 50 kilometers north of the Afghan capital Kabul. "Bagram Air Base is an integral part of Afghan territory, and we will not allow the military of another country to be stationed on Afghan soil. We have repeatedly stated this position." Mujahid said in the interview. The last time Mujahid expressed similar views was at a press conference held in Kabul on Oct. 12 last year, when he noted that the Afghan government was willing to engage in political and economic exchanges with all countries, including the United States, and hoped that "the United States would reopen its embassy in Kabul and initiate positive engagement through diplomatic channels, rather than insist on focusing on Bagram Air Base." Aiken, SC (29801) Today A mix of clouds and sun early, then becoming cloudy later in the day. High 59F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low near 45F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Reporter Kenna Coe covers the city of North Charleston for The Post and Courier. She graduated from the University of South Carolina. She previously worked for The Moultrie News as the editor and general assignment reporter. CANBERRA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday declared that a national day of mourning will be held on Jan. 22 for the victims of the terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Flags will be flown at half mast in all government buildings around Australia on Jan. 22 to honor the victims of the attack that targeted an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at the iconic Bondi Beach on Dec. 14., Albanese said at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. This will have a theme of "light will win," a gathering of unity and remembrance, Albanese said. The prime minister on Monday announced that the federal parliament will be recalled from its summer break two weeks early on Jan. 19 to pass legislation for stronger hate speech and gun ownership laws in response to the attack. Fifteen people were fatally shot in the attack by alleged gunmen Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid, who was shot dead by police. Authorities have said that the attack was inspired by Islamic State ideology and have charged Naveed Akram with 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (facing camera) is pictured at a court hearing in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 13, 2026. South Korea's special counsel on Tuesday sought the death penalty for former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of insurrection, according to multiple local media. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua) SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's special counsel on Tuesday sought the death penalty for former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of insurrection, according to multiple local media. This file photo taken on Feb. 20, 2025 shows Yoon Suk-yeol (C) attending a hearing of his impeachment trial at the constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea. South Korea's special counsel on Tuesday sought the death penalty for former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of insurrection, according to multiple local media. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (R, close to the screen) is pictured at a court hearing in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 13, 2026. South Korea's special counsel on Tuesday sought the death penalty for former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of insurrection, according to multiple local media. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua) Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. You are the owner of this article. PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-13 04:05:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 470 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilJanuary 26, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or the "Company") (NYSE:ARE), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between January 27, 2025 to October 27, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Alexandria and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-are/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 26, 2026 .About the LawsuitAlexandria and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On October 27, 2025, post-market, the Company disclosed financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 that were below expectations, including cuts to its FFO guidance for the full-year 2025, due to lower occupancy rates, slower leasing activity and most notably, a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its LIC property.On this news, the price of Alexandria's shares fell from a closing market price of $77.87 per share on October 27, 2025 to $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025, a decline of about 19% in the span of just a single day.The case is Warren Hern v. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-11319.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC WINDHOEK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's latest school results show that while top students are performing better than ever, more and more students are having to retake their examinations. Presenting the data from school examinations on Tuesday, Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, announced that the percentage of full-time candidates qualifying for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS) levels rose to 36 percent, up from 29.5 percent in 2024. According to Steenkamp, the improvement comes as the ministry introduced more benchmarks under the National Development Plan, raising the quality threshold from 20 to 25 points. Under this new standard, 40.3 percent of candidates succeeded, a marked improvement over the previous year's 34.6 percent, she said. While academic quality for the top performers is increasing, Steenkamp said the demographic data suggests a system shift. Full-time registrations for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) fell to 38,692. Meanwhile, part-time registrations increased to 42,819, effectively making the second-chance cohort larger than the traditional full-time student body, she said. Steenkamp noted that while the rise in part-time enrollment demonstrates a demand for alternative pathways, the decline in full-time students highlights "challenges within earlier stages of the schooling system." According to the minister, results for part-time candidates remain heavily in the lowest bands (grades E, F, and G), "signaling persistent challenges in quality learning outcomes that require targeted intervention." "Of particular concern is the fact that a significant number of candidates have enrolled on a part-time basis for up to five times without achieving success, pointing to the need for a more targeted and effective intervention strategy, so that at least the second attempt brings them to achieving their goals," Steenkamp stated. Steenkamp said the ministry needs to map out ways to provide and guide these candidates on alternative pathways where possible. PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-13 19:30:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 747 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Art Serna Advances a Regenerative Vision for K-12 and Youth Development in AmericaMILWAUKEE, WI / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Art Serna, founder of Cosmos Renewedand a long-time leader in education and community systems, is calling for a fundamental shift in how the United States approaches K-12 education and youth development. Drawing on regenerative design principles and recent field insights from leaders across the youth-serving sector, Serna is advancing a vision that moves beyond crisis response toward long-term renewal, resilience, and shared well-being.Serna's work centers on the belief that the current youth development ecosystem is operating under unsustainable conditions. Nonprofit and education leaders are facing intense pressure from policy instability, funding uncertainty, workforce burnout, and rising mental health needs among young people. These dynamics have pushed many organizations into reactive modes, limiting their ability to plan, innovate, or collaborate in ways that lead to lasting impact."What we are seeing is not a failure of commitment or talent," Art Serna said. "It is a system that has been stretched beyond its design. Regeneration asks us to rebuild the conditions that allow young people and the institutions that serve them to actually thrive." The regenerative approaches applied by Cosmos Renewed emphasize healing, adaptability, and long-term value creation. In the context of K-12 and youth development, this means shifting from fragmented interventions to integrated systems that support the whole child. It also means designing environments where educators, nonprofit leaders, and communities are supported rather than depleted by their work.Recent field insights from youth-serving organizations across the country highlight urgent challenges. Leaders report spending more time managing risk, compliance, and short-term survival than investing in long-term strategy. Youth mental health concerns are escalating, particularly among LGBTQ+, immigrant, undocumented, and BIPOC students. Trust in institutions is eroding, and many young people feel disconnected from systems that were once sources of stability and opportunity.Art Serna argues that regenerative thinking offers a path forward. Rather than asking how organizations can do more with less, regeneration asks how systems can be redesigned to reduce harm, restore trust, and build capacity over time. This includes shared services models that reduce duplication, deeper collaboration between organizations, and funding approaches that prioritize flexibility and learning over rigid outcomes."Regeneration is not about scaling programs at all costs," Serna said. "It is about strengthening the roots of the system so growth is healthy, equitable, and durable." In practice, this approach calls for closer alignment between education, health, and community well-being. Schools and youth organizations must be equipped to address mental and emotional health alongside academic outcomes. Young people must be seen not only as recipients of services, but as active contributors whose voices shape solutions. Institutions must invest in trust-building, transparency, and culturally responsive practices that reflect the realities of the communities they serve.Art Serna also points to the growing interest in structural partnerships, including mergers and shared infrastructure, as a signal that the sector is searching for more sustainable models. When designed with care, these collaborations can reduce administrative burden, preserve mission integrity, and free leaders to focus on impact rather than survival.Philanthropy plays a critical role in this transition. Art Serna emphasizes that regenerative systems require funders willing to support experimentation, capacity building, and long-term transformation. Flexible capital, clear communication, and partnership-oriented funding relationships are essential to moving the sector forward."The moment we are in demands courage," Serna said. "Philanthropy has a unique ability to take risks that government and markets cannot. That responsibility has never been clearer." As part of this work, Serna is expanding his public engagement as a speaker, podcast guest, and author. Through these platforms, he aims to translate field insights into practical frameworks and hopeful narratives that help leaders navigate complexity without losing sight of purpose. His message is rooted in the idea that the challenges facing young people today are not inevitable, but the result of choices that can be changed."The future of youth development depends on whether we are willing to imagine something better," Serna said. "Regeneration gives us the language and the tools to do that work together." ThroughCosmos Renewed, Art Sernacontinues to partner with educators, nonprofit leaders, and philanthropists who are ready to move from fragmented fixes toward systems that support healing, resilience, and shared prosperity for the next generation.To learn more visit: https://artserna.com/ Contact Art Serna: cosmosrenewed@ gmail.com SOURCE: Art Serna PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-13 01:10:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1000 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 THUNDER BAY, ON / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV:AIR)(FRA:CKU0(OTCQB:CLRMF) is pleased to provide an overview of its 2026 objectives and highlights of 2025, for its 100%-owned Thunder Bay North ("TBN") Critical Minerals Project in Northwestern Ontario.Critical Project Advancement ObjectivesSpot prices for platinum, copper and palladium have appreciated by 70% (1000 $/oz), 25% (1.20 $/lb) and 50% 624($/oz) respectively versus study prices, since the results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) were announced in the October 9th release. Using the financial model published in the PEA and applying current spot metal prices (as of January 6th), the TBN project shows a $708M1 NPV8 and a pre-tax IRR of 100% (post-tax NPV8 = $494M1 and IRR = 84%).This is a significant improvement in the project outlook in comparison to the PEA results that featured a $219.4M2 pre-tax NPV8 and a pre-tax IRR of 39%. This year, considering the recent record prices attained by both platinum and copper and the positive market outlook for platinum, palladium and copper, the company is committed to taking the following critical steps to advance the project, including:Update and advance the stand-alone mill case for Thunder Bay North that will create a parallel development path to become a regional processing centre for Copper-PGE feed.Develop and implement a new metallurgical test program to confirm the potential toll milling performance.Complete the early design for the site access road and power infrastructure, with the active participation of First Nations communitiesComplete Advanced Exploration permitting that includes approvals for a future ramp and bulk sample. The Notice of Project Change was filed in early 2025 in anticipation of improving market conditions.Continuation of the collection and analysis of environmental baseline studies in support of permitting.Notes:1January 6, 2026 Spot pricing is as follows (USD) Pt $2424/oz, Pd $1849/oz, Cu $6.00/lb, Ni $8.36/lb, Au $4489/oz, Ag $81.00/oz2Study pricing is as follows (USD) Pt $1425/oz, Pd $1225/oz, Cu $4.80/lb, Ni $6.80/lb, Au $2800/oz, Ag $30/oz2026 Exploration ObjectivesThe Thunder Bay North project updated resource was released in November 2025 (see November 24 Release). The deposit now boasts a 14.9M tonne indicated resource grading 2.66 g/t 2PGE (Pt+Pd), 0.40% Cu and 0.24% Ni, with 2.49M tonnes of inferred resource grading 1.62 g/t 2PGE (Pt+Pd), 0.31% Cu and 0.19% Ni. On a contained basis, the asset holds a combined 1.39Moz (Pt+Pd) including 67kt of copper and 41kt of nickel in resource.The Company plans to build on the success of the 2025 programs which featured the successful expansion of high-grade ballrooms at Current (Figure 1 and April 15 release ) and the initial step-out hole 53m intersection at the Escape deposit down-plunge target (Figure 2 and October 20 release). In 2026, the Company intends to focus on refining remaining targets in the down-plunge extension of the Escape Deposit with a magnetotelluric survey and launch a follow-up drilling program to demonstrate the significant resource upscale potential over the 2.5km strike.Figure 1. Plan view map showing locations of high-grade intercepts of the 2025 Winter Drilling Program at the Current Deposit.Figure 2. Drill hole EL25-001 relative to the modelled extension of the known resource drilled as the initial step-out target at Escape Down-PlungeMike Garbutt, President and CEO, commented, "2026 will be a pivotal year for Clean Air Metals building on the tremendous successes achieved in 2025. Our primary objective now is to advance the Thunder Bay North project technical studies with urgency, building on the PEA completed in late 2025. The significant improvement in PGE and Copper markets adds to the potential value of this asset and with the team in place, creates an environment and opportunity for the company to create real value." Regional Strategy and Financing Clean Air Metals continues to utilize the team's best-in-class technical capabilities in PGE resource development to identify and evaluate regional opportunities, with an intent to becoming a leading PGE focused explorer and developer in Canada. Recent changes to federal and provincial support for critical mineral development, in conjunction with supportive First Nation partners, make the region a tier-one jurisdiction for mineral development. To drive this initiative, the company has started outreach with key federal and provincial funding agencies including the Critical Minerals Infrastructure fund, the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund, Export Development Canada and the Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund, to set the stage for rapid project development. In parallel, the Company is working to attract strategic partners that share our view on continued and long-term strength in PGM and copper markets.Qualified Person Dr. Lionnel Djon, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and Vice President of Exploration for the Company, has reviewed and approved all technical information in this press release.About Clean Air Metals Clean Air Metals is a development and exploration company advancing its flagship, 100% owned Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals ("TBN") project, 40 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The TBN project, accessible by road and next to established infrastructure, hosts two (2) deposits - the Current and Escape deposits, only 2.5 km apart. Together, the deposits host a 14.9 Mt indicated mineral resource grading 2.66 g/t (Pt+Pd), 0.40% Cu and 0.24% Ni (NI 43-101 PEA Technical Report, Thunder Bay North Project, Ontario, Canada SLR Consulting Canada Ltd, November 21, 2025,) with significant potential for expansion down-plunge.One of the rare primary platinum resources outside of South Africa, the TBN project is in a stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction and benefits from longstanding relationships with local First Nations. The TBN project has the potential to develop into a secure source of rare platinum metals, as well as other critical metals such as copper, nickel, and cobalt, for the North American manufacturing sector. Ongoing concerns over future platinum supply are driving prices to historic highs, with obvious benefits for a future TBN mining operation. With its proven technical team, Clean Air Metals is committed to advancing the TBN project and creating long-term value for shareholders.Social Engagement Clean Air Metals Inc. acknowledges that the Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project is located within the area encompassed by the Robinson-Superior PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-13 04:15:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 492 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilFebruary 17, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Coupang, Inc. (NYSE:CPNG), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between May 7, 2025 and December 16, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Courts for the Northern District of California and Western District of Washington.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Coupang and would like to discuss your legal rights and how these cases 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-cpng/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in the class actions, you must petition the Courts byFebruary 17, 2026 .About the LawsuitsCoupang and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company had inadequate cybersecurity protocols that allowed a former employee to access sensitive customer information for nearly six months without being detected; (ii) this subjected the Company to a materially heightened risk of regulatory and legal scrutiny; (iii) when defendants became aware that the Company had been subjected to this data breach, they did not report it in a current report filing in compliance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission reporting rules; and (iv) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all times.The first-filed case is Barry v. Coupang, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-10795. A subsequent case, Lee v. Coupang, Inc., et al., No. 26-cv-00047, expanded the class period.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: 2026-01-13 19:35:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 591 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN JUAN, PR / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / After nearly a decade inside global corporations such as Johnson & Johnson and L'Oreal Caribe, Puerto Rican entrepreneur Veronica Velez has officially launched Veronica Velez Real Estate PR, a boutique real estate model rooted in strategic guidance, negotiation expertise, and interior design insight. The new venture represents the next chapter of a journey shaped by corporate experience, cultural grounding, and a personal commitment to ownership and excellence.A Journey from Corporate Leadership to Independent OwnershipVelez's path to entrepreneurship began in 2015 when she entered the Johnson & Johnson commercial organization in Puerto Rico. Her early years in sales and marketing laid the foundation for how global brands operate, execute, and scale. In 2018, she relocated to Tampa, Florida, where she continued sharpening her skill set through high-stakes marketing roles that exposed her to competitive markets and complex brand strategy.In 2022, Velez returned to Puerto Rico and accepted a position at L'Oreal Caribe while simultaneously earning her Puerto Rico real estate license. What began as an after-hours pursuit quickly turned into active momentum, with client referrals growing based on trust, relationship building, and consistent results. By 2023, she had also enrolled in interior design school, deepening a passion she had held since adolescence. The transition into full-time entrepreneurship came in July 2024, when Velez stepped away from corporate life to officially commit to building Veronica Velez Real Estate PR, a move that strengthened both her professional autonomy and her impact in the Puerto Rico market.The Strategic Edge Behind Veronica Velez Real Estate PRThe market landscape Velez serves is expanding rapidly, particularly in mid-to-luxury segments and among buyers and sellers seeking clarity during emotional, high-value decisions. Her practice prioritizes intention over urgency and over-delivery over rapid turnover, positioning Veronica Velez Real Estate PR as a trusted guide in a market that can be overwhelming for clients navigating rising prices, relocation trends, and long-term value considerations.Velez's background in interior design plays a defining role in her model. Clients often struggle to visualize potential or understand what a property can become. By evaluating functionality, aesthetics, and future resale through both analytical and creative lenses, she translates hesitation into informed confidence. This dual capability, negotiator and design thinker, allows her to identify opportunity, mitigate risk, and align purchases or sales with lifestyle needs and long-term financial goals."Real estate may seem like a business built around contracts and numbers, but it's really a business built around people," Velez explains. "Every transaction is emotional. My job is to stay grounded, communicate clearly, and guide clients with vision and facts, not pressure." An Entrepreneur Committed to Clarity, Service, and ImpactAs she continues to build Veronica Velez Real Estate PR, Velez is focused on scaling sustainably within Puerto Rico's evolving real estate market. She plans to deepen her integration of interior design services, expand her client network, and contribute to reshaping how Puerto Rican families and professionals view home buying, selling, and ownership. She also hopes to empower more Puerto Rican professionals to pursue entrepreneurship strategically, recognizing that corporate experience and cultural roots can become assets rather than limitations.Velez's long-term vision extends beyond closing transactions; she aims to educate residents on value creation, strategic investment, and design-driven decision-making. Her work reflects discipline, cultural understanding, and service-oriented leadership, qualities she believes will distinguish her brand and create meaningful economic ripple effects across the island.For announcements, updates, and inquiries, Velez can be found onInstagram.Media ContactVeronica VelezEmail: veronica@ thecolectivogroup.com Phone Number: 787-218-6368SOURCE: Veronica Velez PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-13 19:00:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 475 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Coupang, Inc. ("Coupang" or the "Company") (NYSE:CPNG). 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 Coupang and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until February 17, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Coupang 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 November 30, 2025, Reuters published an article reporting that Coupang had "apologized . . . over the breach of personal information from 33.7 million customer accounts through unauthorized data access" and that the government of South Korea had "held an emergency meeting" to "look[] into whether Coupang violated safety rules regarding personal information protection[.]"On this news, Coupang's stock price fell $1.51 per share, or 5.36%, to close at $26.65 per share on December 1, 2025.Then, on December 10, 2025, the New York Times published an article reporting that Coupang's Chief Executive Officer had resigned in connection with the data breach and providing additional details on the fallout from the data breach, including a police raid on Coupang's offices in Seoul.On this news, Coupang's stock price fell $0.87 per share, or 3.2%, to close at $26.06 per share on December 10, 2025.Then, on December 16, 2025, Coupang acknowledge the breach in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and revealed that the South Korean regulatory and law enforcement investigations uncovered that "a former employee may have obtained the name, phone number, delivery address, and email address associated with up to 33 million customer accounts, and certain order histories for a subset of the impacted accounts." On this news, Coupang's stock price fell $0.47 per share, or 2.03%, to close at $22.72 per share on December 17, 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 20:00:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 487 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CHICAGO, IL AND MILWAUKEE, WI / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / Reserve Advisors, a leading provider of reserve studies, announced the acquisition of Waldman Engineering Consultants, Inc. (WEC), an Illinois-based architectural and engineering evaluation and design services firm serving community associations throughout the Greater Chicagoland area.Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, WEC delivers full-service engineering solutions to residential and commercial properties. The firm has supported more than 5,000 clients through engineering and construction oversight services, including moisture and forensic investigations, specification development, and building envelope and structural inspections.Todd Walter, Regional Executive Director of Reserve Advisors, highlighted the strategic alignment between the two organizations, noting their shared commitment to a client-first approach. "As community associations face increased scrutiny around building safety, structural integrity, and long-term capital planning, access to trusted engineering and reserve planning expertise has never been more important," said Walter. "By bringing Waldman Engineering Consultants into Reserve Advisors, we are expanding our ability to support condo boards and property managers with a broader, more integrated set of services that deliver clarity, confidence, and peace of mind." The acquisition strengthens both firms' ability to serve clients by combining WEC's engineering-focused expertise with Reserve Advisors' national leadership in reserve studies and capital planning. Together, the firms will offer a more seamless client experience through an expanded suite of reserve study, forensic engineering, and insurance appraisal services.Mark Waldman, founder of Waldman Engineering Consultants, emphasized the complementary nature of the two firms. "Reserve Advisors and WEC share a common philosophy centered on supporting community associations with reliable expertise and practical guidance," Waldman said. "This partnership allows us to enhance the services available to our clients while continuing to deliver the same high-quality engineering solutions they expect. We see this as a meaningful step forward for both our team and the communities we serve." About Reserve AdvisorsFounded in 1991, Reserve Advisors provides reserve study and capital planning consulting services for more than 19,000 community associations nationwide. The firm's services encompass reserve studies, property insurance appraisals, and energy consulting services. Reserve Advisors is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a Chicago office in the Ravenswood neighborhood, employing over 85 professionals across 14 states. For more information, visitwww.reserveadvisors.com About Waldman Engineering Consultants, Inc.Waldman Engineering Consultants, Inc. provides full-service engineering and consulting solutions to community associations, apartments, churches, and commercial real estate throughout the Greater Chicagoland area. Known for its detailed building investigations and accurate inspection reporting, WEC specializes in structural inspections, moisture investigations, life safety and ordinance inspections, plan of repair specifications, bidding assistance, construction oversight, and fall protection testing, delivering solutions-driven recommendations that support long-term building performance and safety. WEC will continue serving clients from its Lisle, Illinois location, with leadership continuity supported by Mark Waldman and Todd Walter, Regional Director at Reserve Advisors. For more information, visit waldmaneng.com CONTACT:Todd Walter ( todd@ reserveadvisors.com ) or Mark Waldman (markw@ waldmaneng.com) SOURCE: Reserve Advisors PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-13 17:03:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 855 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The Dallas-based plastic surgeon outlines the procedures, patient priorities, and innovations influencing cosmetic surgery in 2026.DALLAS, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / January 13, 2026 / As the aesthetic industry enters 2026, patients are approaching cosmetic surgery with greater knowledge, intention, and discernment. Rather than chasing short-term fads, today's patients are prioritizing safety, longevity, personalization, and natural-looking results. This shift is redefining modern aesthetic care and influencing how procedures are planned, performed, and evaluated.Board-certified plastic surgeonKevin R. Hanz , founder of Kevin R. Hanz, MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Dallas, is sharing expert insight into the most influential aesthetic trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for patients considering cosmetic surgery. A full breakdown of these trends is available on the practice blog: https://drkevinhanz.com/2026-top-aesthetic-trends/ "Patients today are asking more specific questions about procedures, recovery, and long-term outcomes," says Dr. Hanz. "The trends we are seeing in 2026 reflect a move toward refined techniques, regenerative solutions, and highly customized treatment plans designed to age well over time." The Biggest Aesthetic Trends for 2026According to Dr. Hanz, the most requested and influential aesthetic trends for 2026 include deep-plane facelifts, awake cosmetic procedures, bio-stimulating and regenerative treatments, the evolution of the Mommy Makeover, growth in men's aesthetics, and regenerative fat grafting. Together, these approaches reflect patient demand for natural results, longer-lasting outcomes, and individualized care rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.Deep-Plane Facelifts Redefine Facial RejuvenationDeep-plane facelift techniques continue to gain momentum as patients seek more natural and durable facial rejuvenation. Unlike traditional facelifts that primarily tighten the skin, deep-plane facelifts address the deeper facial structures responsible for aging. This allows for restoration of youthful contours in the midface, jawline, and neck while avoiding an over-tightened appearance. Patients are increasingly choosing this approach for its refined, balanced, and longer-lasting results.Awake Cosmetic Procedures Gain PopularityAwake cosmetic procedures are becoming a preferred option for many patients seeking safer, more flexible surgical experiences. Performed using local anesthesia with or without mild oral medication, these procedures allow patients to remain awake and comfortable throughout treatment.Patients are choosing awake procedures for several reasons, including enhanced safety by avoiding general anesthesia, faster recovery with less downtime, improved comfort and communication during surgery, lower overall cost due to reduced facility and anesthesia fees, and greater convenience through in-office scheduling. Surgeons can also fine-tune results in real time, enabling precise, personalized outcomes."As aesthetic medicine evolves, awake procedures reflect a broader shift toward patient-centered care," explains Dr. Hanz. "For many patients, staying awake is not about discomfort. It is about empowerment, control, and a smarter approach to cosmetic surgery." The Rise of Bio-Stimulating and Regenerative TreatmentsBio-stimulating procedures are trending as patients seek treatments that improve skin quality, tissue health, and longevity rather than temporary fixes. These treatments work with the body's natural regenerative processes, encouraging collagen production and gradual, refined improvement over time.Common bio-stimulating options include PDO collagen-stimulating threads, radiofrequency-based body contouring, long-lasting collagen stimulators, growth factor-based hair therapies, and peptide-rich regenerative skin boosters. Together, these treatments support natural-looking rejuvenation across the face, body, and hair while aligning with the growing demand for preventative and regenerative aesthetic care.The Modern Evolution of the Mommy MakeoverIn 2026, the Mommy Makeover represents a fully customized approach to post-pregnancy body restoration. Rather than a standardized set of procedures, today's Mommy Makeovers are tailored to each patient's anatomy, goals, lifestyle, and recovery needs. Surgeons may also recommend staging procedures or advanced techniques to enhance safety, recovery, and long-term results.Men's Aesthetics Continue to ExpandMen's aesthetics are reaching new levels of demand, with continued growth expected in 2026. Male patients are increasingly seeking subtle enhancements that improve confidence while maintaining a natural, masculine appearance. Popular treatments include hair restoration, chin and jawline sculpting, non-surgical eye rejuvenation, and sweat-reduction treatments.Regenerative Fat Grafting Gains MomentumRegenerative fat grafting is becoming increasingly common as patients seek natural alternatives to fillers or implants. By using a patient's own fat, this technique restores volume while also improving skin quality, elasticity, and tissue health. Patients are drawn to fat grafting for its biocompatibility, regenerative benefits, and ability to support both aesthetic and long-term tissue health goals.What These Trends Mean for the Future of AestheticsThe trends shaping 2026 highlight a clear shift toward thoughtful, patient-centered care. Precision, customization, and longevity are replacing quick fixes and exaggerated results. Patients considering cosmetic surgery in 2026 are encouraged to seek board-certified surgeons who stay current with advanced techniques and prioritize balanced, natural-looking outcomes."A personalized consultation is essential," says Dr. Hanz. "The right procedure depends on anatomy, goals, health history, and lifestyle. An experienced surgeon helps patients navigate their options safely and confidently." About Kevin R. Hanz, MD Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryKevin R. Hanz, MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is a premier plastic surgery practice based in Dallas, Texas. Led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kevin R. Hanz, the practice specializes in advanced facial rejuvenation and body contouring procedures, focusing on personalized care, modern techniques, and natural-looking results.For more information or to schedule a private consultation, visit https://drkevinhanz.com or call (469) 471-9501.SOURCE: Kevin R. Hanz, MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Nigeria has secured duty-free access for over 7,000 products to the United Arab Emirates under a newly signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a move expected to boost exports, attract investment, and support industrial growth. The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi during the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, according to a statement by Nigerias Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole who was also present. The UAE was represented by its Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. The statement said President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were present at the signing. Under the CEPA, Nigerian agricultural and industrial products, including fish and seafood, oil seeds, cereals, cotton, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, will immediately enter the UAE market duty-free. Tariffs on machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, apparel, and furniture will be phased out over the next three to five years. According to Ms Oduwole, the agreement also allows Nigerian businesses to set up operations in the UAE through new corporate entities, branches, or subsidiaries. Business visitors can enter the UAE for up to 90 days in 12 months to explore trade opportunities, while managers, executives, and specialists can relocate with their companies under renewable three-year arrangements. Ms Oduwole said the CEPA prioritised market access for Nigerian goods and services, facilitated quality investment inflows, and advanced Nigerias economic diversification agenda. To the Nigerian private sector: this Agreement was negotiated for you. I urge you to identify your opportunities with enhanced market access and move with confidence into the UAE market with the protections we have secured for you, she said. The CEPA is expected to address longstanding barriers to foreign direct investment in Nigeria, giving UAE investors greater clarity and confidence to invest in the countrys productive sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and digital services. Nigeria has already recorded interest from UAE institutional investors, including First Abu Dhabi Bank, particularly in infrastructure projects such as the LagosCalabar Coastal Road. Under the agreement, Nigeria will also remove tariffs on about 6,000 products, mostly industrial inputs, capital goods, and machinery, with 60 per cent eliminated immediately and the rest phased out over five years. The import prohibition list remains in effect. Nigerias commitments on services cover 99 areas across ten sectors, including transport, financial services, health, construction, tourism, and business services. This Agreement prioritises market access for Nigerian goods and services, supports investment inflows, and strengthens our industrialisation agenda, the minister added. The government said key agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, would ensure swift implementation and help Nigerian businesses fully leverage the new opportunities. The CEPA aligns with Nigerias obligations under the World Trade Organisation, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and ECOWAS. Washington, DC The Africa Bureau at the State Department has a new top official, Nick Checker. Unlike his recent predecessors who were career diplomats, he has been at State for only four months, having served for the previous decade as a military analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He spent part of 2025 working in the White House as deputy executive secretary on the National Security Council (NSC) staff. African developments are mostly overshadowed by highly publicized crises in other regions, including the worlds worst humanitarian emergency in Sudan. But Africas vast untapped resources and ongoing brutal conflicts promise to keep American policymakers engaged during 2026.. Checker replaces Jonathan Pratt as Senior Bureau Official, the Department announced in a post on X. A former U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, Pratt had been in the post since July, when he succeeded Troy Fitrell, who was serving as U.S. Ambassador to Guinea when he was named to the position shortly after President Trump took office last January. As Senior Bureau Official the designation the administration is using for acting positions in many agencies Checker is charged with managing day-to-day relations with 49 countries in west, east, central and southern Africa. Algeria, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia are assigned to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Africas strategic geopolitical position, as well as its vast resources, promise to keep American policymakers engaged. At the CIA, Checker focused on conflicts in the greater Middle East and Horn of Africa, according to his State Department bio. He spent one year as a national security fellow in the office of Senator Bill Hagerty, a Republican from Tennessee. At the beginning of Trumps term, Checker moved to the CIAs Congressional Affairs office, where he supported the confirmation process for Director John Ratcliffe, according to a press release from Hagertys office. At the National Security Council, Checker provided senior-level review of NSC products for substance, policy relevance, and appropriateness, the Hagerty release said. The Presidents unorthodox approach to foreign policy using Truth Social posts as a primary communication channel and sidelining experienced diplomats has devolved much of U.S. high-visibility diplomacy involving Africa to the Presidents chosen envoy, Massad Boulos and Trump himself. Most recently, Boulos engineered the signing ceremony for a peace accord he mediated between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and Rwanda. Trump hosted the ceremony at the U.S. Institute of Peace, renamed in December by the State Department as the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. Before his appointment as U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, Boulos whose son is married to the Presidents daughter Tiffany ran a truck and heavy machinery dealership in Nigeria. His globe-trotting and episodic engagements over the past year have ranged from meetings last week with top officials in Yemen and Saudi Arabia to negotiating with rival factions in Libya and spearheading the Quads initiative involving Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE that produced a proposed roadmap to end fighting in Sudan. Sudanese civil society groups, often in the middle of battles, provide what limited food and medical care is available in many areas primarily from contributions by Sudanese abroad. Those still trapped inside, or who moved abroad, protest that no peace accord will be durable without the participation of professionals, farmers, womens groups and workers whose campaigns led to the ouster of the former dictatorship. Pursuing deals and resources In May the Trump administration unveiled its commercial diplomacy strategy, prioritizing access to rare earths and other critical minerals and promoting business opportunities for U.S. companies. The objective, now-retired State official Fitrell said in his announcement, is to increase U.S. exports and investment in Africa, eliminate our trade deficits and drive mutual prosperity. He said American ambassadors in the region were tasked to go out and find commercial opportunities and to find opportunities to advocate for American companies. A litany of other administration policy shifts have resulted in major disruptions across Africa: Since the launch in September of the America First Global Health Strategy, the administrations signature health initiative, the State Department has signed bilateral agreements with 13 governments all in sub-Sahara Africa: Eswatini, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda and Lesotho, Botswana, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, and Ethiopia and, most recently, Cote dIvoire. Citing data privacy concerns, the High Court in Kenya last month suspended the agreement that President William Ruto signed in Washington, DC on December 4th, after critics raised concerns that personal health information would be shared with private-sector pharmaceutical firms and laboratories and with tech and cloud-storage companies. Independent health consultant Yirgalem Addisu, writing in the Addis Standard, called for a sober assessment of trade-offs in Ethiopias pact with the U.S. government, to determine if Ethiopian interests are served by the extensive data sharing, integration of health surveillance systems, and adherence to strict performance benchmarks, or whether it should be reexamined. Trade and investment, backed by military force and presidential interventions, is replacing conventional diplomacy in U.S. Africa policy. Trumps personal engagement with Africas leaders has included two publicized Oval Office sessions. The first was with Cyril Ramaphosa in May, when the South African president was lambasted by false charges of white genocide in his country. In July, the American president hosted five leaders from coastal Sahelian nations Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia, Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, and Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, where Trump spoke about the incredible commercial opportunities that could move relations from aid to trade. During the DR Congo-Rwanda signing ceremony last month, Trump singled out the importance of the valuable resources in the area and announced bilateral agreements with the Congo and Rwanda to unlock new opportunities for the United States to access critical minerals and provide economic benefits for everybody, including some of our biggest and greatest companies. Trump team is leveraging deals to halt the fighting in eastern DRC. Boulos has sought to leverage the prospect of lucrative contracts and American private sector involvement to convince the warring parties to halt the killing. In addition to last months peace accord, DR Congo and Rwanda signed an extensive Regional Economic Integration Framework that links peace to shared economic prosperity by securing mineral supply chains, promoting cross-border infrastructure connectivity (roads, railways and energy), enhancing collaboration for disease prevention and sustainable tourism, and encouraging U.S. investment to raise the opportunity cost of wartime profiteering. Today, 12 January, the DR Congo state-owned mining company Gecamines announced the first shipment of copper to the United States through its partnership with Mercuria Energy Group, a Swiss-based commodities broker part of a deal Boulos has been promoting. The company will supply 100,000 tons from the giant Tenke Fungurume mining project, Bloombergs Michael J Kavanagh reported. Congo supplies about two-thirds of the worlds cobalt and is the second-largest supplier of copper minerals vital for production of lithium batteries used in electric vehicles and for the data centers that are required for AI. But the reliance on dealing-making has yet to produce the desired outcome. The latest advance of M23 has boosted its already extensive control over valuable mineral resources in eastern Congo, many of which are believed by many analysts to end up in Rwanda. M23 says it is providing protection for Congolese Tutsis from the FLDR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), which has ties to perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide against Tutsis in 1994. Meanwhile, the Congolese womens rights organization SOFEPADI and Human Rights Watch said on 12 January that conflict-related sexual violence in eastern DRC has escalated, while support to survivors has significantly dropped. Some five million people have been displaced by recent fighting in the eastern DRCs provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, according to the UN Refugee agency. Every month brings reports of violence that Congolese thought couldnt get worse. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, a pastor from eastern Congo and a world expert on repairing fistulas, often a result of rape by armed factions, still operates a clinic supported by the Panzi Foundation and Hospital in Bukavu, a provincial capital in eastern DRC on the Rwandan border. Despite armed attacks, at one point being taken prisoner with his family, the work continues. The Panzi website notes that the DRC has U.S. $24 trillion in untapped mineral resources. Africa mineral-rich but on the periphery diplomatically as embassies are downgraded Securing access to vital resources is highlighted as a top administration priority in the National Security Strategy (NSS) issued by the White House last month. This will require expanding American access to critical minerals and materials, says the document, which is a Congressionally mandated report, issued by every President since 1987, outlining Executive Branch assessment of global threats and a broad approach to safeguarding U.S. interests. The United States should transition from an aid-focused relationship with Africa to a trade- and investment-focused relationship, favoring partnerships with capable, reliable states committed to opening their markets to U.S. goods and services, the NSS states, in an echo of the Commercial Strategy issued in April. The Africa strategy is laid out in a scant 210 words at the end of the 33-page NSS document. The 2025 NSS report gives little attention to Africa, mainly identifying it as a source of natural resources, Council on Foreign Relations editors stated in a 5 December briefing on the Councils website day after the NSS document was issued. Confining Africa to the periphery, foreign policy analysts Christopher Faulkner and Raphael Parens argue, risks deferring engagement, ensuring that future interventions, when they become unavoidable, are costlier and less effective. Nevertheless, the emphasis on U.S. access to critical resources, including minerals and rare earth elements elevates Africas importance among administration officials. Africa is home to significant reserves of critical energy transition minerals such as 55% of cobalt, 47.65% of manganese, 21.6% of natural graphite, 5.9% of copper, 5.6% of nickel, 1% of lithium, and 0.6% of iron ore globally, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, citing statistics compiled by UNCTAD. 2025 saw a rapid rise in U.S. military operations including Somalia, Nigeria and the Sahel region. Although the NSS includes only a one-sentence mention of resurgent Islamist terrorist activity in parts of Africa, it cites a need to remain wary while avoiding any long-term American presence or commitments. Last year saw a rapid rise in U.S. military operations in both east and west Africa. Trump has presided over an unprecedented escalation of the U.S. counterterrorism war in Somalia, according to the New America Foundation, which tracks American military actions in several countries. The Foundation says there have been 128 U.S. air, drone, and ground operations in Somalia since January 2025 the most in any year since covert action began there in 2003. (see chart). The most publicized U.S. military undertaking in Africa last year was the Christmas Day bombing aimed at camps in Nigeria said to be linked to Islamic State-aligned militants. Trump described the action as a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum who he said, have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries! Subsequent reporting has raised questions about the effectiveness of the strike, and four unexploded missiles -believed to have been among 16 Tomahawk warheads launched from MQ-9 Reaper drones fired from a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Guinea have been found by local residents and Nigerian police. Additional attacks may be coming, Trump warned last week. Id love to make it a one-time strike, he told the New York Times. But if they continue to kill Christians, he continued, it will be a many-time strike. He also conceded, when asked, that Muslims are also being killed, But its mostly Christians. More than three months earlier, speaking to reporters in Rome after meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Trump advisor Bulos, questioned about Senator Ted Cruzs claims that Christians were being targeted in Nigeria, characterized that assertion as unfortunate and misleading. He said insecurity affects all Nigerians and is not driven by religion. Those who know the terrain well know that terrorism has no colour, no religion and no tribe We even know that Boko Haram and ISIS are killing more Muslims than Christians. He said Nigerian religious groups had lived in harmony for centuries. The population is split 50-50 between Christians and Muslims, so this has never been a serious religious issue and should not be, he said. Nigerian and international experts in peacebuilding policy have long said that, in addition to terrorism against both Muslims and Christians in the north, much of the violence across central Nigeria stems from a competition for scarce resources between farmers and herders, worsened by spreading deserts and disappearing water sources, markers of climate change. A similar pattern in intensified terrorist attacks on civilians, many in Muslim countries across the continent, suggests that more U.S. military operations might be expected this year. Fatalities linked to militant Islamist groups in Africa over the past year sustain a record level of lethality observed since 2023 and represent a 60-percent increase from the 2020-2022 period, according to the African Center for Strategic Studies, a Pentagon-affiliated research institution funded by Congress. The figures include the Sahel region in west Africa, Somalia and Mozambique, and the Lake Chad Basin (Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic). Vacant ambassadorships across Africa As Checker moved into his sixth floor office on January 6th, senior-level foreign service officers serving in 15 African posts were packing to leave, following the late December recall of an unprecedented number of U.S. ambassadors, with Africa the most affected region. The Bureau that Checker now leads at State was chronically understaffed even before the latest recalls. The administrations drastic staffing reductions over the past year have reduced most U.S. diplomatic missions on the continent. In his second term, Trump has submitted only four nominations for Africa posts. The first two were sent to the Senate in March and confirmed in October Richard Buchan III (Morocco), a financier who served as Ambassador to Spain during Trumps first term and then became finance chair of the Republican National Committee; and Bill Bazzi (Tunisia), a Lebanese-American who, as mayor of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, campaigned for Trump in the 2025 election. Joseph Giordano was confirmed in October as ambassador to Namibia following his removal as United States attorney for the District of New Jersey in March. Trumps choice for South African ambassador, conversative media critic Leo Brent Bozell III, won Senate approval on December 18, and was sworn in by Republican Senator Ted Cruz on January 8. He heads to South Africa to present his credentials to Ramaphosa and fill the position that has not had a confirmed chief-of-mission since President Bidens appointee, Reuben Brigety, departed a year ago. Across Africa, 17 U.S. embassies have full-fledged ambassadors, 35 are without. The 15 ambassadors who were recalled were serving in Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Egypt, Gabon, Cote dIvoire, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda. That leaves only 17 of the 52 U.S. missions in Africa with ambassadors in place and 35 with no Senate-confirmed envoy. The White House has not sent any additional nominations for Africa posts to the Senate and hasnt announced a nomination for Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, one of four regions headed by an unconfirmed Senior Bureau Official. (Only the two regional bureaus dealing with Asia have confirmed assistant secretaries.) Checkers move from the NSC in September to the Africa Bureau, where he initially was put in charge of southern Africa and foreign assistance, came amid the fallout from the Presidents announcement that he would not attend the November G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Trump said Vice President JD Vance would represent the United States, and plans were underway for him to stop in Kenya and visit U.S. troops stationed at Camp Lemonnier, the U.S. base in Djibouti. In early November, Trump announced a Summit boycott, repeating in a Truth Social post the false claim that Afrikaners are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated. Meanwhile, Checker during his short tenure as a deputy assistant secretary made trips in November to Mozambique and in December to Malawi, where he visited Liwonde National Park and met with government leaders and private sector representatives to discuss trade and investment between the U.S. and Malawi, the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe reported. Checker currently has four deputies helping to run the Africa Bureau Peter Lord (the principal deputy assistant secretary who also covers Southern Africa), Sarah Troutman (Central Africa and commercial and economic affairs), Vincent D. Spera (East Africa and Regional/Multilateral Affairs), and Will Stevens (West Africa). Spotlight on Sudan and DR Congo-Rwanda Conflicts The challenges facing the Trump Africa team in 2026 are extensive. The proxy war in Sudan has now lasted more than a thousand days, with civilians bearing an intensifying toll amid the widespread and brutal violence, displacement and humanitarian access constraints. Following a meeting last Thursday in Abu Dhabi with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other UAE officials, Boulus reiterated the urgent need to reach and swiftly implement a humanitarian truce in Sudan. That followed talks with the Saudi defence and foreign ministers and other senior officials in Riyadh, his second in a month, after which Boulos said there was agreement on practical steps toward a humanitarian truce, durable stability, and expanded humanitarian access and assistance for the Sudanese people. But all previous efforts to end the fighting have failed, as arms flows have continued. Weapons from as many as a dozen countries have been found to be in use by both sides in this war in violation of the 2004 arms embargo, Cameron Hudson, a Washington DC-based analyst and former U.S. government official dealing with Sudan, told the United Nations Security Council last month. Hudson and many other observers blame in particular the UAE, which Hudson said has used its wealth and political influence across the Horn of Africa to construct the largest and an extensive military air bridge operation, flying weapons into the RSF via client regimes in Chad, Libya, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Somalias Puntland region, efforts, he said that have enabled and expanded this conflict in ways that have no justification and are beyond any doubt. Trump is best positioned to halt the war, the International Crisis Group said in a survey of conflicts to watch in 2026. Calling a truce a first step towards ending the fighting and suffering, ICG said U.S. pressure could make a critical difference by getting the UAE to stop sending arms to the RSF and working with Riyadh and others to win acceptance of the U.S.-led proposal by the Sudan army. Another pressing concern facing the Trump team is salvaging the peace accord between the DR Congo and Rwanda that Trump has touted as a signature achievement. The peace accord that Presidents Felix Tshisekedi (DR Congo) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) signed on December 5th failed to end the fighting. A few days later, the M23 militia, which is backed by Rwanda, captured the strategically located town of Uvia in South Kivu Province, reportedly with significant backing from the Rwandan army. The large-scale offensive coming on the heels of the signing ceremony angered U.S. officials, prompting a sharp response by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in post on X. Rwandas actions in eastern DRC are a clear violation of the Washington Accords signed by President Trump, and the United States will take action to ensure promises made to the President are kept. At the United Nations, the U.S. Representative told the Security Council that negotiations were yet again disrupted by M23 advances supported by the Rwanda Defence Forces, and urged the group to comply with the commitments made in the Doha framework, which Boulos, along with Qatar, negotiated in November. The M23 responded by announcing it had agreed to a request from the United States to withdraw from Uvira, but fighting has reportedly continued in the area. READ ALSO: US lawmaker introduces bill to annex Greenland More than six million people are believed to have died as a result of the conflict that has raged for three decades. ADDITION: Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau, the Departments number two, is expected to travel to Kenya later this month where mining issues high on his agenda, according to the Paris-based newsletter Africa Intelligence. His visit would be the first by a high-ranking U.S. official since Trump took office last year, Also possible is a visit to Camp Simba, a U.S.-Kenyan facility near the Kenyan naval base in Manda Bay and close to the border with Somalia . Stopovers in Djibouti and Egypt are likely. (This story was first published by AllAfrica.com. We have their permission to republish.) Nigerias war on terror continues to be framed through the lenses of firepower, troop strength and defence budgets. Far less attention is paid to a quieter but consequential failure of information pathways that repeatedly fail to convert early warning signs into timely response, often resulting in mass tragedies. Across the countrys terrorised zones, communities often see danger coming. What they lack are safe, trusted and reliable channels to transmit the information to those who can act on it. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) offers a way to rethink this gap. DPI refers to open, interoperable and publicly governed digital systems designed to serve society at scale, not as one-off applications, but as foundational infrastructure. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, such as many parts of northern Nigeria, such infrastructure can mean the difference between foresight and catastrophe. In this report, PREMIUM TIMES Yakubu Mohammed examines how Ushahidi, a crowdsourced reporting and real-time crisis mapping platform previously deployed for elections and oil-theft monitoring, can be adapted into a civilian early-warning counterterrorism toolif designed with security, governance and public interest safeguards at its core. When communities see violence coming On a quiet night in Papiri, a rural community in Niger State, barely 150 kilometres from two major military formations, Boko Haram fighters under the command of Mallam Sadiku advanced towards St Marys school. Villagers in nearby settlements saw them coming. Some tried to send a signal to Papiri, but none could get through. By morning, more than 300 people, including students and staff members, were declared missing. While some later returned home, 230 others were confirmed abducted after conflicting figure narratives were reconciled. All the kidnapped victims were eventually released after spending several days in captivity. Ahmed Adamu, a community leader known locally as the Dan Madami, believes the failure was not only military. It was infrastructural. People in other villages saw them coming, he said. But there was a poor network. They could not get us on the phone. This Papiri episode reflects a recurring pattern in Nigerias security crisis. Attacks on vulnerable communities in the northern region are often preceded by warning signssuspicious movements of armed men, rumours of impending raids and visible mobilisation. But these signals rarely travel far, fast or safely enough to elicit a coordinated response. Ushahidi as a digital solution Founded in 2008 in response to post-election violence in Kenya, Ushahidi is an open-source platform that allows citizens to submit incident reports via Short Message Service (SMS), phone calls, web, and social media. These reports are then verified and mapped in near real time. Its architecture aligns closely with the DPI principles. As an open-source, modular system, Ushahidi is designed for reuse across contexts rather than single-purpose deployment. It supports multiple low-tech input channels, making it accessible in low-connectivity zones, an essential requirement in fragile and conflict settings. In Nigeria, the platform had been used by civil society organisations during elections to collect reports of violence, intimidation and irregularities. During the 2011, 2015 and 2023 polls, citizen reports were transformed into live crisis maps to support verification and rapid response by observers and security agencies. The 2023 real-time map The 2023 Ushahidi deployment, which garnered 1,158 responses, was championed by Connected Development (CODE). The organisation deployed what it described as UZABE, an Open Situation Awareness Room (OSAR) initiative that provided real-time intelligence, mapping tools and witness reports from our 20,000 trained observers spread across various polling units in Nigeria. Beyond elections, Ushahidi had also been adapted by the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) to monitor oil spills and environmental crises in the oil-rich Niger Delta. In the early 2010s, SDN deployed Ushahidi through the Niger Delta Watch project to crowdsource reports of oil spills and environmental abuses. The platform mapped incidents in near real-time, building situational awareness around pollution, sabotage and illegal refining. SDN later partnered with the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to develop the Nigerian Oil Spill Monitor, a web-based mapping tool that allows regulators to visualise spill incidents and access records through an interactive map and table. However, while the platform displays individual spill entries and locations, it does not publicly provide an aggregated figure showing the total volume of oil spilt, leaving key questions about the scale of environmental damage unresolved. This limitation highlights a recurring DPI tension: technology can enable transparency, but governance choices determine how much accountability it ultimately delivers. SDNs project manager, Joseph Ekong, told PREMIUM TIMES that his team has partnered with agencies like NOSDRA, which he described as responders. We train some local volunteers to feed information into the platform to elicit responses, he said. We also link responders to the platforms. Despite the huge achievements recorded, Mr Ekong expressed frustration over issues around security and privacy. While responders have been able to use information on the platform positively, infiltration remains a major challenge, he said. It may be difficult to identify perpetrators of this crime, as there is a likelihood that a few of them we have as volunteers may be actively involved or be sympathisers. This could affect the quality of reports. Mr Ekong explained that citizens reports are submitted anonymously to protect volunteers from retaliation by perpetrators. Ushahidis counterterrorism potential and limits When adopted in counterterrorism, Ushahidi, Mr Ekong said, could function as an early warning and early response security architecture that complementsnot replacesmilitary intelligence. Experts, however, warn that poorly designed or governed deployments could expose civilians to harm. Without military-grade encryption, a centralised database could become a honeypot for hackers, potentially exposing informants and turning sensitive records into a kill list, warned Olugbenga Odeyemi, a digital security expert. He explained that Ushahidis deployment for counterterrorism, especially in remote areas, must be a low-tech and high-security framework. He cautioned that in such areas, app-based solutions would fail. An app-based solution will fail in rural Zamfara or Borno, for instance, Mr Odeyemi stated. In vulnerable villages where internet connectivity could be a problem, the expert advised designing an offline-first system that relies on GSM (2G) networks using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes or encrypted SMS gateways. Like the SDN project manager, Mr Odeyemi raised concerns about weak safeguards that could result in what he described as signal noise. Armed groups could deliberately flood the platform with false alerts to divert security forces, underscoring the need for rigorous verification and validation protocols, he cautioned. To mitigate this, Mr Odeyemi argued that open crowdsourcing alone is insufficient in conflict settings. Instead, he pointed out that any civilian early-warning system must rely on what he described as a web of trusta layered verification model that assigns greater credibility to reports from trusted nodes such as recognised community leaders, local vigilante groups, or verified civil society organisations. You cannot treat all reports as equal in a war environment, he explained. You need trusted human anchors in the system. Equally critical, he added, is anonymity by design, warning that if platforms retain identifiable metadata, such as phone numbers or location histories, citizens will be less likely to report. If people believe their number could end up with a compromised official or intercepted by insurgents, they will stay silent, he said. The interface must automatically strip metadata from the sender before it reaches the central database. Another risk he envisioned is data weaponisation, where tools built to track terrorists are repurposed to monitor political dissidents or journalists. To prevent this, he argued, independent oversight is essential. Strict data governance and independent (perhaps by a consortium of CSOs rather than solely the government) oversight is non-negotiable, he stated. Rethinking security as public infrastructure The Papiris incident was not only about guns and insurgents. It was also about broken information pathways. As Nigeria confronts increasingly decentralised and mobile armed groups, Mr Ekong, the SDN project manager, said the question is no longer whether technology can help, but whether the country is willing to treat early-warning and early-response systems as public infrastructure rather than ad-hoc, donor-driven projects. If used responsibly, he believes that tools like Ushahidi could help bridge the gap between communities and responders. Used carelessly, Mr Odeyemi, the digital security expert, warned it could expose civilians to new risks. PREMIUM TIMES shared its findings with the National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC), asking if it would adopt a digital tool like Ushahidi as part of its tech-based counterterrorism strategies, with key DPI principlesinclusivity, interoperability, privacy, security and reusability, among othersconsidered. The centre acknowledged our enquiry but has yet to respond to it. Should such a system be adopted, Mr Odeyemi warned against vendor lock-in, another DPI principle that requires that proprietary software not be exclusively private. For a national security project, Software Sovereignty is non-negotiable, he emphasised. We must avoid proprietary black box solutions where the government is locked into a single foreign vendor for maintenance and updates. He argued that systems must be built on open standards and open-source frameworks to ensure that the Nigerian government, not private contractors, owns the code and the data. It also allows local Nigerian developers to rapidly adapt the tool as security challenges evolve, rather than waiting for a vendor in Europe or Asia to push an update, Mr Odeyemi stated. MEXICO CITY, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Mexico is willing to act as a mediator if the United States and Cuba agree to dialogue, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday. "If Mexico were to become a vehicle to facilitate communication between the United States and Cuba, both parties would agree," she said at a regular morning press conference following her phone conversation earlier in the day with U.S. President Donald Trump. "Mexico is in the best position to do so," she added, referring to acting as mediator. In a post on social media on Sunday, Trump said, "No more oil or money will be sent to Cuba," and recommended the Cuban government make a deal with Washington "before it's too late." Sheinbaum said that shipping Mexican oil to Cuba is legal within the framework of national sovereignty and for humanitarian purposes. The humanitarian aid is "not new," and this policy has been supported by successive Mexican administrations, regardless of their political affiliation, she said. The State Security Service (SSS) has opened a fresh investigation into the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, following the reported discovery of arms and ammunition in his residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. The Nation newspaper first reported the development, citing security sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovered the arms during a search of Mr Malamis Kebbi home as part of ongoing financial crime investigations. However, because the possession of illegal arms falls outside the EFCCs statutory mandate, the anti-graft agency reportedly handed over the recovered weapons to the SSS for further investigation. The Nation quoted sources as saying the exact quantity and type of arms recovered could not be immediately confirmed, but described the cache as substantial enough to warrant a full-scale DSS probe. Mr Malami, who served as attorney-general between 2015 and 2023, was granted bail last week by a Federal High Court in Abuja alongside his son, Abdulaziz, and wife, Asabe Bashir, in connection with an N8.7 billion money laundering case. Despite the bail ruling, he remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, having yet to meet the conditions attached to his release. Last week, SaharaReporters alleged that the former minister was deliberately slowing down the perfection of his bail to avoid an imminent rearrest by the SSS over the arms-related investigation and alleged terrorism financing offences. The online platform reported that dozens of SSS operatives were deployed around the Kuje facility as a precautionary measure to ensure Mr Malamis availability for questioning once released on bail. One security source, quoted by both SaharaReporters and The Nation, claimed that the inventory of the arms allegedly recovered from Mr Malamis residence had already been transferred to the SSS. It is now left to Malami to explain to the DSS how he came about the arms, the source was quoted as saying. An EFCC source also told reporters that Mr Malami had not fulfilled the requirements for his bail and remained in lawful custody, dismissing social media reports suggesting that he had regained his freedom. The source added that investigations into Mr Malamis activities began several years ago and predated the current leadership of the EFCC. The EFCC Chairperson, Ola Olukoyede, confirmed during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday night that he inherited the Malami case upon assuming office. Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja last week ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 assets allegedly linked to Mr Malami and his two sons, valued at about N213.2 billion. The court granted the former attorney-general and other interested parties 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government under the non-conviction asset forfeiture provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act. Mr Malami has yet to publicly respond to the latest arms-related allegations as of the time of filing this report. The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Monday inaugurated a seven-member ad hoc committee to intervene in the renewed political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, with a view to restoring peace in the oil-rich state. PANDEF, the apex socio-political body of Nigerias South-south geopolitical zone, mandated the reconciliation committee to resolve the crisis and restore political confidence in the governance of the state within two weeks. The committee, chaired by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was inaugurated in Abuja. A former senator who represented Edo North in the Seventh National Assembly, Obende Domingo, will serve as vice-chairman, while Godwin Okotie, PANDEFs Deputy National Secretary, will act as secretary. Other members of the committee include Essien Nduese, a former Minister of Housing; Timiebi Koripamo-Agari, a retired federal permanent secretary; Mike Ejiofor, a retired director of the State Security Service (SSS); and Nella Rabana-Andem, SAN, a former Attorney-General of Cross River State. The development comes amid another impeachment move on 8 January by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly against Mr Fubara. The latest move is the third attempt to remove the governor since his feud with Mr Wike began in 2023. The assembly first initiated impeachment proceedings against Mr Fubara in October 2023 over allegations of gross misconduct. However, the process was later dropped following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who brokered a truce between the warring parties at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Mr Fubara recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move widely seen as an attempt to secure political protection from the ruling party. Call for respect for committees work While inaugurating the committee, PANDEF National Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Godknows Igali, appealed to all parties involved in the crisis to respect the committees process and abide by its recommendations. It is our belief that as committed members of PANDEF and leaders with a stake in the Niger Delta, all parties involved will respect the process and abide by the outcome of the committees work, Mr Igali said. Committees assurances In his acceptance speech, Mr Agabi assured that the committee would make every effort to bring the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end. He described the crisis as one that had lingered for too long and warned that its continuation would call into question the commitment of the parties involved to the interests of the people of Rivers State and the nation at large. We cannot afford to stand by and do nothing or pass by on the other side as Rivers State, a state whose talents and resources have blessed and continue to bless the nation, struggles with issues of political power, he said. He urged the parties to embrace humility, forgiveness, and reconciliation, stressing that the dispute could be resolved amicably without external interference. We trust that the Lord will touch the hearts of those to whom we address our appeal for peace and reconciliation. It is our firm conviction that this matter can be resolved amicably. That conviction is rooted in the fact that the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one. They played significant roles in assisting one another to the various offices that they hold now. If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found. The resolution of this matter is something that the parties can handle themselves without the intervention of third parties. They must be willing to go the extra mile with one another, to turn the other cheek and to pray for one another. Let them not dismiss this as weak or sentimental as we often do when the name of the Lord is mentioned in politics or economics. The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation. Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators, whoever we are, it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions. Whether we are servants or slaves it is the Lord that we serve. And it is to him that we shall, in the end, render account. We urge the parties to proceed with caution. We urge them to make allowance for error. We appeal to them to proceed with a prayer for forgiveness just in case they may be wrong, he added. Mr Agabi also appealed to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to exercise restraint and demonstrate maturity by reconsidering the impeachment process. We have great respect for the members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State and we have no doubt whatsoever that their motives are genuine and patriotic. We pray for a change of heart on their part. It is in forgiving the governor whatever wrongs he has committed that they will demonstrate their restraint, their public spirit and their maturity. This committee is not appointed to sit in judgment over the parties. We have no competence to do so. Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one another, and we now do so. We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation. We urge them, we beg them, we appeal to them. Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace. MultiChoice Nigeria, a Canal+ company, has announced a leadership transition, as Chief Executive Officer John Ugbe retires after a distinguished tenure. He will be succeeded by Kemi Omotosho, who will be appointed Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria, effective this January. Mr Ugbe steps down after nearly fifteen years at the helm, during which he steered the business through significant industry and market shifts, strengthening operational foundations and long-term resilience. Ms Omotosho brings over 20 years of leadership experience across media, telecommunications, and digital businesses in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. She has held several senior roles within the MultiChoice Group, including Executive Head of Customer Value Management in Nigeria and Group Executive Head of Customer Value Management for the Rest of Africa, providing functional leadership across more than 50 markets. Most recently, she served as Regional Director for Southern Africa, with full profit and loss (P&L) responsibility for a seven-country portfolio. With a proven record of leading complex organisations, driving disciplined growth and building high-performing teams, Ms Omotosho will lead MultiChoice Nigerias strategy, operations and stakeholder engagement, building on the foundations laid by her predecessor. Speaking on her appointment, Ms Omotosho said, It is a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of MultiChoice Nigeria at this important moment. Nigeria remains one of the Groups most strategic and dynamic markets. I look forward to working with our teams and partners to deepen our relationship with consumers, champion local storytelling and the creative economy, as well as build a future-ready organisation that delivers sustainable value. Multichoice Nigeria said Mr Ugbes retirement and Ms Omotoshos appointment follow a structured and orderly transition, ensuring continuity and stability. Canal+ had completed its acquisition of the Multichoice Group in late 2025 and had since been restructuring the companys leadership across jurisdictions. The Kogi State Police Command says its operatives have foiled an attempted attack on the Obajana operational base by suspected criminal elements, arresting several suspects during the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, William Aya, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday. He said the attack followed recent security operations across the state. The Nigeria Police Force has foiled an attempted attack on the Obajana Operational Base by suspected criminal elements and successfully arrested several suspects, Mr Aya said. According to him, the attempted attack occurred days after a police-led clearance operation carried out on 10 January, which targeted identified flashpoints, hideouts, and assembly points known to be frequented by bandits and other criminal elements within Kogi State. He said the operation was supported by the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing through what he described as precision air strikes and recorded results that may have provoked criminal sleeper cells. Mr Aya said the suspects attempted to retaliate by attacking police assets and facilities at the Obajana base but were repelled. Police operatives on duty conducted a coordinated counter-drill, effectively neutralising and degrading the assailants, he said. He added that several suspects were arrested during the exchange and that many of them sustained gunshot injuries. According to the police, efforts are ongoing to track fleeing suspects and to determine the source and motive behind the attack on the Police Operational Base. The statement said the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Operation in Kogi State, Alonyenu Idu, alongside the Commissioner of Police in the state, Naziru Kankarofi, visited the base for an on-the-spot assessment after the incident. The police spokesperson said the command would continue its operations across the state and urged residents to provide information to security agencies. He said members of the public should promptly report suspicious movements, strange persons, or groups to the nearest law enforcement agency. The attempted attack comes amid heightened security operations and recurring violence across parts of Kogi State. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the police and the military had launched joint air and ground operations in forested areas of the state, with security agencies saying several bandit camps were dismantled during the exercise. Those operations followed a series of deadly attacks and abductions, particularly in the Yagba and Kabba-Bunu axes. On 31 December 2025, suspected bandits attacked Omi-Ara community in Yagba West Local Government Area, abducting an unspecified number of residents. PREMIUM TIMES also reported that gunmen attacked churches in the Yagba axis between August and November, abducting a pastor and his wife. In another incident, at least four residents were abducted during an attack on Odo-Ere community. More recently, residents of Idofin community in Yagba East Local Government Area reported an evening attack that left one person dead and another injured. In Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Ayetoro-Kiri community was thrown into mourning after three abducted residents were confirmed dead despite the payment of ransom, while several others were hospitalised and dozens reportedly remained in captivity. The spate of incidents has continued to raise concerns among residents, who have called on the state government and security agencies to intensify efforts to curb attacks and restore safety across affected communities. The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Akwa Ibom State has dismissed as false and malicious a media report alleging that local government chairpersons in the state rejected federal allocation over claims that Governor Umo Eno pilfered funds belonging to the local councils. A local newspaper in Akwa Ibom, the Crest, alleged in a recent report that the chairpersons had dared the governor by rejecting pilfered allocations meant for their councils. However, ALGON said no such incident occurred. It described the report as a misrepresentation of facts that could mislead the public. In a statement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, ALGON said that no Local Government Chairman in Akwa Ibom State rejected any federal allocation. ALGON Chairperson in the state, Uwemedimo Udo, signed the statement. Mr Udo, who is the chairperson of the Uyo Local Government Council, stated that the claim that the chairpersons would confront Governor Eno was unfounded and illogical. He explained that councils experienced a shortfall in federal allocation, prompting the Akwa Ibom State Government to intervene with grants to cushion the impact and ensure continuity in grassroots administration. Mr Udo further stated that the local government administration has been up to date in payment of salaries and entitlements of workers, including the 13th month salary in December. He added that it is even the governor that has assisted in the payment of the backlog of gratuity to local government retirees due to the shortfall in federal allocation for November shared in December. According to him, the state government has never failed in augmenting local government allocations whenever there was a shortfall, a practice that predates Mr Enos administration. He urged journalists to verify facts before publication. When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, the publisher of Crest Newspaper, Kufre Etuk, insisted that the story was factual. Mr Etuk posted the front page of the newspaper on Facebook. Background Governor Eno has repeatedly denied interfering with local government funds. PREMIUM TIMES in 2024 reported how the governor denied tampering with local government funds, stressing that statutory allocations are paid directly to the councils. Money goes to them directly, the governor said, stressing that he neither controls nor withholds local government funds. He explained that the state only steps in when councils face revenue shortfalls from federal allocations, usually through grants to enable them to meet salary and pension obligations, insisting that such support should not be mistaken for interference. The debate arises amid heightened national attention to local government financial autonomy following a landmark Supreme Court judgement, which affirmed that local governments are entitled to receive their statutory allocations directly from the federation account. The ruling followed a suit by the federal government seeking to end state control of council funds and reinforce the independence of the local governments. ALGON said the recent intervention by the Akwa Ibom State Government aligns with this legal framework and reflects support rather than misappropriation. An Abakaliki Magistrates Court on Monday remanded Polycap Alegu over alleged defamation and cyberbullying of the Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, Grace Umezurike. Mr Alegu, 36, is facing a two-count charge of criminal defamation and cybercrime. The court did not take his plea. Prosecuting counsel, Linda Akam, said Mr Alegu committed the offences on 16 December 2025, through a Facebook post. Alegu published defamatory content against Umezurike, punishable under Section 375(A) of the Criminal Code Act, Ms Akam told the court. She added that he knowingly made a false and defamatory Facebook publication, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act. Defence counsel, Sunday Ununu, argued that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) lacked authority to initiate remand proceedings or file charges for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mr Ununu contended that only the attorney general of the federation has constitutional powers to institute such criminal proceedings. Chief Magistrate Sandra Ifeanyi-Onyibe overruled the objection. She held that the Nigerian Constitution empowers NSCDC to act on behalf of the attorney general of the federation. The magistrate dismissed the locus standi argument, denied bail to the defendant, ordered his remand. She ordered that the case file be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution for advice. The matter was adjourned until 26 January for a report on compliance. Alegus Facebook post The defendant, Mr Alegu, made a Facebook post last December alleging that the Ebonyi deputy governor held a secret meeting in an Abuja hotel with her critic, Chika Nwoba, and offered him millions of naira as a bribe to stop publishing articles accusing her of stealing government funds. READ ALSO: Nestoil setback as Supreme Court orders return to Appeal Court over debt Recall that it was Chika who broke the news on the financial malfeasance of the SSG, where billions of naira went south. EFCC recovered the money. The condition is, if the state government needs the money, the SSG must be probed and punished duly, or they should forfeit it. Since the SSG was appointed on ground of political clintelism and prebendalism, the oga at the federal wadded in and the case died. The money was forfeited to save the image of the accused, and the EFCC gained it at the detriment of the entire state, whose billions were looted, Mr Alegu wrote in the Facebook post. He later deleted the post. (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted more than 50,000 litres of petrol suspected to have been diverted for illegal export through border communities in Adamawa and Taraba states. The development revealed persistent fuel smuggling despite ongoing reforms in Nigerias downstream petroleum sector. The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the service said the seized petrol 50,495 litres stored in 1,868 jerry cans, has a duty-paid value of 58.1 million and was intercepted at multiple border corridors notorious for cross-border fuel smuggling. The area comptroller, Mohammed Tako, disclosed the seizures on Tuesday in Yola during a briefing with journalists. Mr Tako said the operations were intelligence-driven and conducted at different locations and times, largely in the early hours of the dayan indication, he noted, of increasing sophistication among smugglers exploiting porous border routes. According to him, customs officers intercepted 410 jerry cans of petrol along the MubiSahuda axis at about 2:45 a.m. on December 12, 2025. Four days later, at about 4:15 a.m., another 362 jerry cans were seized along the DawareFufore axis. He said operatives also intercepted 330 jerry cans along the FuforeGurin corridor late on December 31, while on January 5, officers seized 141 jerry cans and a 220-litre drum of petrol at Wuro Bokki, a border community frequently linked to illicit fuel movements. In addition to the petrol, the command also seized 10 bales and two sacks of second-hand clothing along the MubiSahuda axis, items prohibited under Nigerias import regulations. Mr Tako said the seizures were carried out in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, particularly Sections 150, 245, and 246, which empower the service to prevent illegal exportation of petroleum products and confiscate smuggled goods. The Nigeria Customs Service is statutorily empowered to protect national economic interests. Smuggling of petroleum products undermines government revenue, distorts local fuel supply, and fuels criminal networks across borders, he said. The seizures come amid rising concerns over continued petrol smuggling despite Nigerias fuel subsidy removal, which has narrowed price differentials between Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Mr Tako warned individuals and syndicates involved in fuel smuggling to desist or face prosecution, stressing that the command would sustain surveillance across known smuggling routes. He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for what he described as strategic leadership, and praised sister security agencies for their cooperation in the border operations. A US-based Nigerian and media expert, Uchenna Ekwo, has established a Media and Digital Centre at the Mass Communication Department of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Enugu State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ekwo, an alumnus of the institute, also presented certificates to some staff members of the department trained on media and literacy in Enugu on Monday. Speaking at the event, Mr Ekwo, who is the president of the Consortium for International Education and Development (CIED), New York, urged staff members and students to embrace digital and media literacy to adapt to the changing world. He said that as an alumnus of IMT, he decided to give back to his alma mater by establishing the centre. Mr Ekwo emphasised the need for both staff and students to be trained in the necessary digital and media skills to adapt to the changing world and combat misinformation. The media expert, who was once a chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Enugu Council, noted that from social networks to news platforms, mobile phones to artificial intelligence, media now mediates how people see reality itself. He said that digital and media literacy was no longer optional but a civic skill, a professional competency, and increasingly, a survival skill in modern society. Nigeria and across Africas future of democracy, development, and social cohesion will depend on citizens who can interpret information responsibly, tell their own stories authentically, and use media as a tool for empowerment rather than manipulation. To be digitally and media literate is not merely to know how to use a smartphone, create content, or navigate platforms, but also about who created this message and why. What assumptions does this content make? Whose voices are amplified, and whose are silenced? How can technology be used for development rather than division? This programme has equipped our graduates not just with technical skills, but with critical awareness, ethical judgment, and civic consciousness, Mr Ekwo said. He explained that the certificates received by the staff members represented resilience in committing to learning in a rapidly changing digital environment and readiness to participate responsibly in the digital public sphere. It also represents responsibility, to combat misinformation, disinformation, and harmful narratives as well as relevance, in a global economy where digital skills open doors to opportunities, he stressed Mr Ekwo challenged the staff members to use their skills to promote truth, not falsehood, build digital communities rooted in respect, inclusion, and empathy and apply their knowledge to solve local problems with global tools. He commended Consortium for International Education and Development for its vision and commitment to using education as a bridge between knowledge and development, between local realities and global opportunities. Mr Ekwo thanked the IMT for providing not just physical space, but intellectual partnership in nurturing digitally empowered citizens. He explained that out of 13 staff registered for the training, only five graduated due to the rigorous nature of the programme, explaining that they were the first cohort that had completed their basic course. Very good initiative In his remarks, the Rector of IMT, Gozie Ogbodo, described the digital and media centre at Mass Communication Department of the institution as a very good initiative. He said the initiative aligned into new IMT project, whereby the school had been campaigning that every student should key into one skill before graduation. So we expect that our students should take advantage of many of these opportunities which we have provided them to acquire a skill, so that when they graduate with their diploma, they would, in the same process, acquire a life-sustaining skill, he advised. Thanking Mr Ekwo for giving back to his former school, Mr Ogbodo, a professor, pledged to continue to support the centre to ensure it was sustained. A beneficiary, Jonah Mamah, while thanking the Consortium for International Education and Development and IMT for the training, said that it was a life-changing initiative while the digital skill he and others acquired would assist them in life. (NAN) The Abia State Government has inaugurated a State Safe School Steering Committee to ensure the safety of educational institutions in the state. The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made this known on Monday during a media briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, in Umuahia. Mr Kanu said that the development formed part of the state governments strategic efforts to safeguard lives and property in Abia, especially in light of recent security concerns nationwide. Terrorist attacks in schools Nigeria has recorded renewed terrorist attacks in some schools lately, especially in the northern part of the country. For instance, in November last year, terrorists attacked St Marys School, a Catholic-owned institution in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, and abducted an unconfirmed number of students and staff. The abduction happened less than a week after a similar abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State. The Abia information commissioner, Mr Kanu, said, This (the State Safe School Steering Committee) is in response to the growing need to safeguard educational institutions in the state, following emerging security concerns around the country. During the inauguration, it was highlighted that the committee will serve as a multi-sectoral strategic platform to coordinate state-level implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration. The safe schools declaration includes developing and monitoring safety and protection protocols for schools across the state. Others include engaging stakeholders from the education, security, humanitarian and civil sectors, and to mobilise financial and technical resources for safer learning spaces across the state. Abia smart schools ready for inauguration Mr Kanu also said that the government had announced the resumption of schools statewide for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session. He said that education officers, covering basic and secondary levels, would monitor compliance to ensure all public schools reopened as scheduled. Mr Kanu said that work was in progress on smart school projects being executed by the state government, recording major milestones in infrastructure, equipment and teacher training for smart schools. He added that two smart schools may be inaugurated in February, following substantial completion. Regarding teacher recruitment, Mr Kanu stated that the second batch exercise garnered 28,213 applications between 6 and 29 November 2025. He said that applicants were given a verification window to correct details, which would close this week, after which computer-based tests would be conducted. Mr Kanu added that those who pass the tests would proceed to interviews, as there were plans to employ 4,000 additional teachers from the exercise, adding to the 5,394 teachers recruited in the previous year. He said that as part of the governments efforts to digitise the Abia public service operations in the state, some major digital milestones had been recorded. Mr Kanu disclosed that the government, through the Office of the Chief Information Officer, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, had established a Document Digitisation Bureau for land records and processing. He also said that the government had introduced a centralised online recruitment platform to promote access and equity in public sector employment. Mr Kanu further said that the Abia State Government website had been redesigned and now serves as the primary source of official information about the state. He said that the government further implemented an e-Health project, with six pilot institutions automating medical records and hospital management systems. The Commissioner added that laptops had been procured and distributed to all senior government officials to support efficient and digital service delivery. 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. JUBA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Tuesday launched the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) for South Sudan, noting that more than 10 million people may require humanitarian assistance this year. Anita Kiki Gbeho, UN humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan, said the plan, with a budget of one billion U.S. dollars, aims to prioritize four million people facing the most acute humanitarian risks across the country, as partners brace for the spillover effects of the Sudan conflict, economic deterioration, and persistent violence. "Despite receiving only 43 percent of the requested funding last year, humanitarian partners managed to reach about four million people with lifesaving assistance, including food, health, water, sanitation, education, and protection support," Gbeho said in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, at the launch of the HNRP. Gbeho said South Sudan faced one of its most challenging years in 2025 as political tensions escalated into conflict, limiting humanitarian access and compounding an already dire situation. The HNRP projects that 7.5 million people could face acute food insecurity in 2026, including 28,000 people already in catastrophic conditions, said Gbeho. Albino Akol Atak, South Sudan's minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, said the government is committed to protecting vulnerable populations as the country confronts conflict, climate shocks, and the spillover of the Sudan crisis, which has driven more than 1.3 million people into South Sudan. Akol said the 2026 HNRP reflects a "humanitarian reset," targeting 4.3 million people most in need, down from 5.4 million in 2025, as part of a more focused and accountable approach. "This is not a withdrawal from responsibility, but a commitment to reach those in the most acute need with greater impact," Akol added. The Nigerian government has kick-started the implementation of some components of the agreement reached between it and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ahead of the signing ceremony. The agreement, reached on 23 December 2025, marked the end of a 16-year impasse between the duo. The Ministry of Education has scheduled a formal ceremony to sign the agreements for Wednesday, 14 January. Implementation begins However, the government has directed relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to begin the implementation of the component relating to the allowances for the academics, according to a letter from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) seen by PREMIUM TIMES. The letter, signed by the Chairperson of the NSIWC, Ekpo Nta, and addressed to MDAs, including the Head of Civil Service, Ministry of Finance and Accountant General of the Federation, said the federal government has approved the reviewed remuneration and directed implementation from 1 January. According to the letter, the academics are now entitled to increased allowances for Consolidated Academic Tools Allowances (CATA), secretarial allowance for professors and readers, and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA). While these allowances have existed since 2009, ASUU has constantly accused the government of failing to release them to the academics. The union had also maintained that it needed to be reviewed upwards since 2012, as agreed in the 2009 agreement. New remunerations According to the new agreement, the CATA allowance for the academics ranges from N952,412 annually for Graduate Assistants to N3,790,676 annually for full professors. Professors are also entitled to N1.74 million annually for secretarial assistance, and N840,000 annually for academics on the readership cadre. For the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), academics are entitled to allowances for postgraduate supervision, industrial training and teaching practice supervision, honorarium for conducting oral examination, study grants, responsibility allowance and excess workload allowance. New agreement The new agreement also included a 40 per cent salary increase for the academics and the establishment of a National Research Council (NRC) with statutory funding of at least one per cent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Professors are now to earn a pension equivalent to their annual salary at retirement at the age of 70, according to the agreements reached. ASUU optimistic PREMIUM TIMES had reported the President of the union, Chris Piwuna, as expressing optimism that the government would honour the agreement this time. Mr Piwuna, a professor and consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital (JUTH), said the union expects the current administration to follow through with the implementation of the agreement, as against the failure that characterised previous administrations. We reached an agreement with the government, and we expect this government to show a difference from previous administrations that had no fidelity to their words, he had told PREMIUM TIMES. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed that more than two million Nigerians have been digitally registered and verified as members nationwide, barely one week after the commencement of its electronic membership revalidation exercise. The partys National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while briefing journalists after a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) with state coordinators overseeing the exercise. The meeting was jointly presided over by the APC National Chairperson, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Chairperson of the APC State Chairmen Forum, Cornelius Ojelabi, alongside other party leaders from across the country. Mr Basiru said although several states are yet to commence full-scale registration, the party has already recorded significant progress, attributing this to the adoption of a digital platform approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) last year. As of today, just one week into the exercise, we already have over two million Nigerians who have been digitally verified, complete with their names and voter identification numbers, he said. He added that the party expects the figure to rise to between eight and nine million registered members by next week. According to him, the electronic registration process captures comprehensive demographic data, including gender, occupation and age, while ensuring data integrity through linkage to members phone numbers and voter identification numbers. The electronic membership registration follows the partys release in December of a comprehensive timetable for its 2025/2026 nationwide ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, setting the stage for the APC National Convention scheduled for March 2026. The detailed timetable, signed by Mr Basiru, underscores strict adherence to Articles 11 and 17 of the APC constitution, which govern membership, congresses and internal democracy. The schedule outlines a phased, bottom-up process beginning with membership registration and culminating in the election of national party officers at the convention. According to the document, the timetable signals the formal commencement of preparations for the convention, widely regarded as critical to the partys organisational cohesion ahead of future electoral contests. Mr Basiru said the online nature of the exercise allows for real-time monitoring, transparency and credibility, stressing that data remains central to the operational efficiency of the party, particularly in mobilisation, organisation and consultation. The NEC, which is the second most powerful organ of the party, directed that before the end of January, all our members should be digitally identified, he said, adding that the NWC has been empowered to review the performance of state coordinators and replace any found wanting. He urged party stakeholders across the states to take the exercise seriously, describing it as fundamental to building a strong and organic party capable of mobilising Nigerians in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubus Renewed Hope agenda. We commend our stakeholders at the state level for committing time, energy and resources to ensure the success of the exercise, Mr Basiru added. In a related development, the APC National Chairperson, Mr Yilwatda, directed all state coordinators of the ongoing electronic registration exercise across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure that no member of the party is left unregistered. He issued the directive during a meeting with state registration coordinators at the partys National Secretariat in Abuja, warning that any coordinator who fails in the assignment would be replaced. Mr Yilwatda said the role of coordinators was not ceremonial but central to strengthening the partys structure nationwide. Under the arrangement, state organising secretaries are serving as coordinators for the exercise, except in states where they were unavailable or not trained. The nationwide electronic membership registration exercise is scheduled to end on 30 January. At least 10 Nigerians are among 34 suspected members of the transnational criminal organisation, widely known as Black Axe, arrested in a coordinated operation by Spanish and German authorities, with support from Europol. The arrests, according to a statement by Europol, followed a large-scale crackdown led by the Spanish National Police in collaboration with the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office and backed by Europol. Investigators said the operation targeted the core leadership of the group operating in Spain. Police said 28 suspects were arrested in Seville, three in Madrid, two in Malaga and one in Barcelona. Authorities added that the suspects are believed to be linked to large-scale fraud schemes that caused financial losses estimated at more than 5.9 million. During coordinated raids on residences and other locations connected to the suspects, investigators froze 119,352 in bank accounts and seized an additional 66,403 in cash. The Black Axe is commonly associated with the Neo-Black Movement of Africa and is regarded by European law enforcement agencies as one of the most organised and sophisticated criminal networks operating across borders. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the group is believed to have started as a cult in Nigerian universities before it spread and became a transnational organisation. It divides its territory into approximately 60 zones in Nigeria and 35 abroad, with about 200 members per zone. In total, the organisation has roughly 30 000 registered members, and countless affiliated individuals such as money mules and facilitators. The group enforces strict codes of conduct, violent and ritualistic initiations, and spiritual practices, Europol said in its 9 January statement. Investigators say the group is involved in a range of criminal activities, including cyber-enabled fraud, drug trafficking, human trafficking and prostitution, kidnapping and armed robbery. European authorities estimate that the organisation generates billions of euros annually through numerous small-scale operations which, when combined, cause significant economic and social harm across multiple countries. As part of the investigation, Spanish and German authorities engaged in extensive intelligence sharing and joint operational planning. Two German officers were deployed to Spain during the action day, while Spanish investigators received analytical and operational support from their German counterparts. Police also disclosed that the network routinely recruits so-called money mules from economically vulnerable communities with high unemployment rates. These individualsmany of them Spanish nationalsare used to move illicit funds and shield the organisations leadership from direct exposure to law enforcement. Europol said it played a central role in the operation by providing intelligence analysis, hosting a data sprint in Madrid and offering real-time support during the arrests. The agency noted that its work has helped map the groups structure across several countries and connect crimes that often appear to be isolated, low-level offences. Authorities said investigations are ongoing and further arrests and asset seizures may follow as European law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to dismantle the groups international networks. Suspected armed herdsmen have killed five persons in Otobi, a community in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, residents and community leaders said on Tuesday. Among those killed was Igbabe Ochi, a former House of Assembly candidate for the Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party during the 2019 general election. The attack occurred at about 1.30 a.m. on Tuesday, following a failed kidnap attempt in the community on Sunday night. Local sources said the earlier incident had put residents on high alert, with community volunteers and youths conducting patrols through the night. A resident said that the attackers struck shortly after the patrol teams withdrew around midnight. At about 1.30 a.m., gunmen suspected to be herdsmen stormed the community and started shooting. They killed five people and looted foodstuff and other valuables, the source said. The President of the Otobi Community Development Association, John Anyebe, confirmed the attack CHANNELS TV, saying the assailants entered the community through the railway station bridge from the Ijami area. Yes, the attack was carried out by suspected herdsmen who have been terrorising our community, Mr Anyebe said. They first shot one person close to the water board before heading to where Hon. Igbabe Ochi and four others were seated near the transformer junction. They opened fire on them and later looted nearby stores for food and other valuables, he added. Mr Anyebe recalled that Otobi had suffered repeated attacks in the past year, including an incident on 15 April 2025 when 13 persons were killed. He said two weeks later, three more residents were killed at the Omebe axis of the community. The Benue State Police Command had yet to issue a statement on the latest attack as of the time of filing this report. Calls and messages to the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, were unanswered. Reacting to the killings, the lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency, Kennedy Angbo, said the situation had become unbearable. Speaking with Channels Television, Mr Angbo linked the Otobi attack to other recent incidents in the area. You can imagine that five of my people have been killed again at Otobi community of Akpa district, barely a year after 13 persons were killed on April 15, 2025, he said. Mr Angbo also recalled the recent attack on a Benue Links bus along the Otukpo axis. On Sunday at about 7 p.m., around Burnt Bricks, Otukpo, gunmen opened fire on travellers, injuring three persons. It was just God that prevented more deaths, he said. He called on security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and operations to flush out what he described as terrorists operating around Otukpo and neighbouring communities. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that insecurity has escalated across Benue State in 2026, with a series of deadly incidents recorded in Otukpo, Kwande, Makurdi, Gboko and other areas. These include the killing of a retired army officer in Otukpo and the abduction of his wife and infant, as well as the attack on a Benue Links bus in which three passengers were injured. The newspaper also reported the killing of two security operatives in Kwande Local Government Area, where a soldier and a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officer were ambushed and killed while on duty. In the same area, suspected armed herdsmen earlier killed five farmers during harvest activities. Residents and community leaders say the repeated attacks have spread fear across Benue communities, with many calling for stronger security presence, sustained patrols and coordinated intelligence-led operations to stem the violence. Residents of Makoko, a densely populated waterfront community beneath the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, on Tuesday protested the demolition of their homes, accusing the Lagos State Government of extending the exercise far beyond an agreed powerline setback without notice, compensation or resettlement. The protesters, under the banner of the Makoko Community Development Association, blocked sections of the waterfront and prevented bulldozers from entering the community. The demolition began on 23 December 2025 to clear a 30-metre safety setback from a high-tension power line that runs between Makoko, Oko Agbon, Sogunro and the Third Mainland Bridge. Residents initially cooperated after officials assured them that the clearance would be limited and that affected families would be compensated. However, a joint statement issued on Sunday by the Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation, Justice and Empowerment Initiatives (JEI) and other civil society organisations said demolition equipment on 4 January moved far beyond the agreed setback, destroying homes deep inside the communities and triggering protests on 4 and 5 January. The groups said police dispersed the protesters with teargas. According to the statement, the demolition has now extended beyond 100 metres, placing more than 80,000 residents of Makoko and tens of thousands in neighbouring waterfront communities at risk of displacement. Residents, community leaders recount ordeal, seek intervention from governor, president Speaking at the community during the protest on Tuesday, the President of the Federal Base Social Club, A. Olasukanmi, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and urge Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to halt the demolitions. We are pleading with the President to step in and stop what is happening here before it turns into a humanitarian disaster, he said. Also speaking during the protest, a traditional chief in Makoko, Felix Fasinu, said his family had lived in the community for generations and depended entirely on fishing. I was born here. My father and grandfather were born here. Fishing is our only source of livelihood. The government should please come to the aid of the homeless and displaced, he said. A resident and corps member, Kunnu Benedicta Abigail, said the demolition had severely affected women, especially those menstruating. There is no privacy anymore. We bathe, sleep and change our pads in the same open space. My family has been sleeping under this debris for weeks, she said. The leader of the Makoko Community Youth Association, Iroko Temitope, said school attendance had collapsed since the demolition began. At Ayetoro School, out of over 300 pupils, only 16 came to school. At Adekunle School, out of more than 1,000 pupils, only about 25 showed up, he said. He said many children were now living on boats and had no stable place to sleep or study. They are scattered on the lagoon. How can they come to school like this? he asked. Alleged deaths and arrests Mr Temitope alleged that the demolition and the security operation that accompanied it had claimed lives. He said two newborn babies died after inhaling teargas fired by police during protests, while an elderly woman, Albertine Ojadikluno, died from trauma linked to the destruction of her home. Two babies died after inhaling teargas when the police were dispersing people. We also lost Mama Albertine Ojadikluno because of the shock and trauma from this demolition, he told PREMIUM TIMES. Police authorities had not responded to the claims as of press time. He added that many residents were afraid to seek medical care for fear of harassment by security operatives. Teachers raise the alarm A school teacher and president of the Makoko Students Association, Kojah Phinehas, said the demolition had disrupted learning and the mental well-being of children. The children have been sitting at home. Their parents have lost their homes and income. How do you expect them to think of school? he asked. He said the community had initially agreed to a 30-metre, later 50-metre and then 100-metre setback from the power line, but that the demolition had gone much farther. As we speak, it has gone beyond 200 metres and they are still coming. We want the government to stop and come for dialogue, he said. Deaths, arrest and displacement in aftermath of demolition CSO Three civil society organisations the Centre for Childrens Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE), the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) said the demolition had resulted in the deaths of two babies and one adult. In a statement on Tuesday, CAPPA said a youth leader, Oluwatobi Aide, also known as Woli, was arrested on Monday after appealing to demolition officials to allow residents to retrieve their belongings. The group said Mr Aide, who was earlier teargassed and hospitalised, is being detained at Area F Police Station, Ikeja, and that his health has deteriorated in custody. The organisations said more than 3,000 houses had been destroyed, displacing over 10,000 people, while schools, clinics and churches were also pulled down. The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), has announced the delivery of military supplies to its Nigerian partners in Abuja. The mission disclosed this in an X post on Tuesday. US forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja, it posted, adding the delivery supports Nigerias ongoing operations and emphasizes our shared security partnership. However, the mission did not provide details on the type or quantity of equipment transferred. A picture attached to the post showed the sealed military equipment being offloaded from an aircraft. Background The delivery comes against the backdrop of intensified Nigerian military operations targeting terrorist networks across multiple regions. It also occurs a few weeks after American missile strikes targeted suspected terrorists in Sokoto State. Nigerian authorities confirmed that they cooperated with their American counterparts and provided intelligence for the missile strikes. The aftermath of the strikeswhether they hit the targetscontinues to be debated. Nigeria and the United States have maintained a long-standing security relationship centred on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, military training and logistical support. The partnership has been largely shaped by Nigerias fight against Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), as well as rising threats from terror groups exploiting ungoverned spaces. US assistance to Nigeria has included training programmes for military units, provision of logistics and equipment, and capacity-building initiatives designed to improve operational effectiveness. In recent years, Nigeria has also deployed US-supplied A-29 Super Tucano aircraft in air operations against insurgent targets. Neither the US Mission nor Nigerian authorities disclosed when or how the newly delivered military supplies would be deployed, and no further operational details have been made public. A US lawmaker, Randy Fine, has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives calling on Congress to approve the annexation of Greenland and its admission as part of the United States. The Republican lawmaker, representing Florida, introduced the bill, titled the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, on Monday. According to Mr Fine, control over Greenland would give the US influence over key Arctic shipping lanes and enhance its defence architecture, warning that failure to act could leave the region open to adversarial powers. In a post on X, he declared that the bill allows the president to take the necessary measures to annex Greenland. He insisted that the island is not a distant outpost that can be ignored, as US adversaries are also trying to establish a foothold there. Mr Fine described the legislation as a landmark and as a necessary choice to safeguard Americas strategic security interests in the Arctic amid intensifying geopolitical competition with China and Russia. The bill, published online by Mr Fine, also noted that As global competition intensifies in the Arctic, the United States cannot afford to allow adversarial powers to gain influence over one of the worlds most strategically important regions. Whoever controls Greenland controls key Arctic shipping lanes and the security architecture protecting the United States. America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security. It stated that, The Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act authorises the President to take whatever steps necessary to annex or acquire Greenland as a territory of the United States. The legislation also requires the submission of a full report to Congress outlining the changes to federal law required to admit Greenland to become an official US state, ultimately. The introduction comes against the backdrop of renewed public debate over US ambitions in the Arctic. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his intention to acquire Greenland, an autonomous self-governing territory of Denmark. Mr Trumps comments, including suggestions that the US should not rule out military options, have drawn intense international criticism and reaffirmations of Greenlands sovereignty by world leaders. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Trump cited security concerns as justification for the proposed annexation of the island. He said Denmark is not doing enough to protect the island. But his recent comment on the semi-autonomous island, which came after the US military attacked Venezuela and abducted President Nicholas Maduro, disturbed world leaders. European leaders have rallied behind Denmark, pledging support against a forceful annexation of the island. READ ALSO: US delivers military supplies to Nigeria amid intensified operations against terror groups Meanwhile, the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, said an attack on Greenland would mean the end of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). One should take the American president seriously when he says that he wants Greenland. However, the US Homeland Security Advisor, Stephen Miller, insisted that it is the formal position of the US government that Greenland should be part of the US. The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has launched a formal investigation into the death of a woman, Aishatu Umar, following allegations of medical negligence during a surgical procedure at one of its facilities. The deceaseds husband, Abubakar Mohammed, narrated the harrowing experience to Nasara Radio. According to Mr Mohammed, his late wife underwent surgery in September last year at the Abubakar Wali Urology Centre. Following the procedure, she suffered persistent and debilitating abdominal pain. Mr Mohammed alleged that despite her recurring agony, medical staff merely prescribed pain-relief medication rather than diagnosing the underlying cause of her distress. The gravity of the situation only came to light recently at a different facility, the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Mr Mohammed stated that medical tests and scans conducted just two days before his wifes passing revealed a shocking discovery: a pair of surgical scissors had been left inside her abdomen during the initial surgery in September. Tragically, Mrs Umar passed away shortly after the discovery was made. The grieving family appealed to the Kano State Government and health regulatory bodies to investigate the circumstances of her death and ensure justice is served. In response, the spokesperson for the State Hospitals Management Board, Samira Suleiman, in a statement on Tuesday stated that the Boards Executive Secretary, Mansur Nagoda, has ordered an immediate and thorough probe into the incident. The Board has taken note of the distressing report concerning the late Aishatu Umar and extends its deepest condolences to her family, the statement read. We assure the public that the investigation will be transparent, impartial, and professional. Should negligence be established, appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with established regulations, the official stated. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to patient safety and the maintenance of high healthcare standards across Kano State. A prosecution witness, on Tuesday, relived the horror of the deadly June 2022 terrorist attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in which more than 40 worshippers were killed and dozens injured. The witness, who recounted the hour-long tragic incident before the Federal High Court in Abuja, identified two of the suspected assailants out of the five men that are being prosecuted on terrorism charges over the massacre. The second prosecution witness, who said he was present at the church when the gunmen stormed in, pointed at Al Qasim Idris (20 years old) and Abdulhaleem Idris (25 years old), and maintained that they were among those who carried out the attack. The rest of the defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25 years), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26 years), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47 years). The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation is prosecuting the five defendants on terrorism charges over their alleged involvement in the June 2022 killings. The witness, who testified with a codename SSB adopted as part of the witness protection measure approved by the court, described himself as a retiree living at Isuaga Owo. Led in evidence by prosecution lawyer Ayodeji Adedipe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SSB said gunshots were first heard outside the church at about 10 a.m. He recalled that a member of the churchs Men of Order asked that the main door to be locked when the gunshots began to rang out outside. He those that were close to the door complied. But he said the assailants came into the church through the side doors, firing at the choir stand and the lectors (members of the congregation who are assigned to read scriptures) seats. He told the court that after some worshippers had fled in panic and others were hiding under the seats, he saw a man holding a gun who looked around the church and beckoned to someone behind him. At that time, another man emerged with a gun and started shooting at the choir. The first person beckoned, and the second began shooting at the lectors seats. Then I heard a series of explosions, three in total. The third one made me fall to the ground, the witness said. He continued, Raising my eyes a few seconds later, I saw three people, including one carrying a bag across his shoulder. He made a sign as if telling the others lets go, and then the shooting stopped. Recognition drama The prosecution lawyer asked the witness if he could recognise the individual who beckoned on the other person. Responding, the witness said, Yes, my lord, I will be able to recognise him. He then said, That person in the middle. The court confirmed it was the fifth defendant. But the witness later pointed at someone else, this time, identifying the second defendant, Al Qasim Idris, after the prosecution asked him to remove his face mask and the judge directed the witness to move closer for a clearer view. The defence lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammed, raised an objection, arguing the witness could not be allowed to point to a different person alter his initial identification. The prosecution disagreed, saying the trials purpose was to uncover the truth and that the second defendants mask had tainted the first identification. Ruling on the objection, the trial judge, Emeka Nwite, urged both sides not to waste time and advised the defence to focus on discrediting the witnesss testimony during cross-examination rather than arguing over who was first identified. He said he could not identify the person who threw the explosives or the one who was beckoned, but he identified Abdulhaleem Idris, the fourth defendant, as the man carrying the bag. Escape Describing the aftermath, he said: After they left, we waited a few minutes. When there were no more gunshots, I raised my head and saw two other victims trying to run out of the church. I jumped through a window and saw the dead body of a woman beside a car, and another mans body by the fence. The number of dead exceeded 40, and the hospital was soon filled with the injured. the witness narrated. The witness told the court he returned to the church the following day and saw that it was badly damaged. The whole church was filled with blood everywhere, he said. When SSB told the court that he saw a man holding a gun who looked around the church and beckoned to someone behind him. During cross-examination, the witness said the Pentecost Mass began at 8 a.m., and the attack occurred between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. The church was full, with only the main door locked by the time the gunmen entered. He said he saw the assailants enter through a side door near the choir stand and witnessed the explosions. He said the attack damaged the altar, windows, and ceiling of the church. Third witness recounts injuries in Owo church attack After the second witness was discharged, the prosecution, with about eight witnesses remaining, called its third witness, SSC, a student from Achala, Anambra State, and a victim of the attack. She said the Mass was ending when chaos erupted. I was confused and didnt know what to do. I was in that state until an old woman sitting close to me was killed. Someone from the choir gallery grabbed me, and we ran towards the altar. SSC said a dynamite exploded under her left leg, causing severe injury. When asked if she had evidence of the injury, she stepped out of the witness box to show her leg to the court. She was taken to the hospital, underwent four operations and skin grafting, and the leg is currently being supported by an iron replete. READ ALSO: Kano govt probes death of woman over alleged surgical negligence Backstory On 5 June 2022, gunmen stormed the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, during Pentecost Mass, killing more than 40 worshippers and injuring over 100 others. On 11 August 2025, well over three years after the attack, the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) arraigned five men, including the two identified on Tuesday by the second prosecution witness, on terrorism charges regarding the attack. Prosecutors alleged that they were members of the Al Shabaab terrorist group operating a cell in Kogi State, and that they planned and executed the Owo Catholic Church attack as part of a violent religious agenda. The five defendants all pleaded not guilty to the charges and were subsequently remanded in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS). Their lawyer later applied for bail, arguing during a 19 August 2025 hearing that the defendants were presumed innocent. He assured the court that they would attend trial and would not interfere with prosecution witnesses. The prosecution lawyer also said some accomplices were still at large, posing a threat to witnesses. The prosecution opposed the application in a counter-affidavit, citing the defendants alleged links to foreign terrorist groups, including Al-Shabab. In September, the trial judge, Emeka Nwite, dismissed the bail application, ruling that it lacked merit. He said bail could not be granted given the gravity of the offences and the strength of the prosecutions case. When the trial resumed on 11 December, the prosecution opened its case and called its first prosecution witness, a Catholic priest who led the Pentecost Sunday Mass on the day of the attack. His identity was shielded under the court-approved witness protection measure. The priest told the court that the service was nearing its end when he heard a loud bang, followed by gunshots, which caused panic among worshippers. He said church members locked the main entrance while he helped move children to a restroom within the church for safety. The priest added that he heard sustained gunfire and explosions, adding that one of the blasts occurred close to where they were hiding. After the attackers left, he said, he came out and saw bodies and injured worshippers inside the church. A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday nullified the outcome of the last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election in Ekiti State, which produced Wole Oluyede as its candidate, and ordered a fresh exercise in the state. Mr Oluyede had emerged winner of the election conducted on 8 November by the partys electoral committee headed by Ibrahim Dankwambo, a senator and former governor of Gombe State. He got 279 votes to defeat Funsho Ayeni and Funmi Ogun. In the suit numbered FHC/AD/CS/29/2025, Mrs Ayeni challenged Mr Oluyedes victory, alleging that the party failed to present the original and authentic list of statutory and ad-hoc delegates, used for the exercise. She argued that the absence of the original delegates list constituted a fundamental breach of the PDP guidelines and the Electoral Act, thereby rendering the primary election null and void. Delivering judgement on the matter, the presiding judge, Babs Kuewumi, held that the conduct of the primary election did not comply with the provisions of the law and the partys constitution. Mr Kuewumi consequently nullified the primary election and ordered the PDP, in conjunction with INEC, to conduct a fresh governorship primary election, in strict compliance with the law and relevant guidelines. The judge further directed that all eligible aspirants be allowed to participate in the fresh primary election, to ensure transparency, fairness, and internal democracy within the party. During the hearing, Kola Kolade (SAN) led other lawyers to represent Mrs Ayeni, while Ola Olanipekun (SAN) and Owoseni Ajayi represented Mr Oluyede. The Osun State Legal Adviser of the party, Ola Alonge, a lawyer, held brief for the PDP. Speaking with journalists on the telephone, Mr Ajayi, a counsel to the defendant, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling of the court, disclosing that the process for appealing the judgement has commenced, including filing for a stay of execution. The judgement has dealt another blow to Mr Oluyedes ambition to become the governor of the South-west state. Before the close of last year, INEC had excluded his name from the list of the governorship candidates for the 20 June election. The commission had reportedly premised its decision on a leadership crisis in the PDP, which has led to the split of the opposition party into two and multiple litigations and judgements. HANGZHOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Alibaba's Qwen family of artificial intelligence (AI) models have recorded 700 million downloads on the Hugging Face collaborative AI platform as of this month, making it the most popular open-source AI system worldwide, according to the Qwen team. Data from Hugging Face show that Qwen had overtaken Meta's Llama in terms of cumulative downloads by October 2025. In December of the same year, its single-month downloads exceeded the combined total of the next eight most popular models -- Meta, DeepSeek, OpenAI, Mistral, Nvidia, Zhipu.AI, Moonshot and MiniMax. Alibaba open-sourced its Qwen models in 2023, becoming the first major Chinese tech company to release a homegrown large language model (LLM) to the public. The Qwen family covers both text and multimodal tasks and supports 119 languages and regional dialects. To date, Alibaba has open-sourced nearly 400 models in its Qwen lineup and spawned more than 180,000 derivative versions. These numbers cement the family as the world's most prolific open LLM, according to the Qwen team. The team said that since the second half of last year, the global download growth rate of Qwen has ranked first among the five major open-source model vendors. "Our core goal remains to keep pushing the performance frontier of LLMs while staying committed to open-source openness so that AI can truly help more people around the world," a Qwen team researcher told Xinhua. A prosecution witness in a N33.2 billion arms funds diversion trial at the FCT High Court in Abuja on Tuesday detailed how some of the beneficiaries of the funds used the proceeds to buy properties and foreign currencies, particularly dollars and euro, for their personal use. In his testimony, Michael Adarikun, the first prosecution witness and detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), traced the money trail from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA), then led by Sambo Dasuki, to two firms Acacia Holdings and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited which allegedly further disbursed the funds as instructed by their owners. The EFCC is prosecuting former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Dasuki, a retired colonel, alongside Aminu Baba-Kusa, and Acacia Holdings and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited two firms which are at the heart of the subject matter transactions of the trial. Both Acacia Holdings and Reliance Referral Hospital are said to belong to Mr Baba-Kusa, who is a former official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The defendants face a total of 32 counts of fraud involving the diversion of 33.2 billion arms funds entrusted to the NSA office. EFCC re-arraigned the defendants in March 2025, following the reassignment of the decade-old case to the judge, Charles Agbaza. The defendants denied all charges. Mr Adarikun, who continued his testimony which started last year, told the trial court that on 17 April 2015, ONSA, led by Mr Dasuki, transferred N600 million to Acacia Holdings, a firm on trial. He noted that the money was disbursed to different companies, including Medical Plastic Limited, where Mr Baba-Kusas wife is a majority shareholder. Mr Dasuki duly signed the payments made to the two companies, the witness said. In his earlier testimony when he took the stand on 11 November 2025, Adarikun told the court that EFCCs analysis of Acacia Holdings account in UBA revealed a transfer of N200 million from ONSA into the said account. EFCCs money trail of N600 million from ONSA Continuing his testimony on Tuesday, the witness stated that the EFCC found a meagre balance of only N27,094 in Acacia Holdings account shortly before it received N600 million from the ONSA on 17 April 2015. He said the anti-graft agency stumbled on the discovery while poring over the companys UBA account statement. The witness said the money was disbursed to other companies for various reasons. For instance, the witness said, on 23 April 2015, Acacia Holdings transferred N60 million to Hidayatul Atfaal Islamic Academy (HAIA) on the orders of Mr Baba-Kusa for the payment of 3.62 hectares of land at Kiyami district, Abuja. After EFCC interviewed the owner of HAIA, Mohammed Tashir, he stated it was a down payment for the land, That land cost a total of N120 million, so he made a half payment, Mr Adarikun said. Similarly, Zabati BDC Limited received N25 million in three tranches. The owner, Abdulrahman, told the EFCC that the money was part payment for the property Hospitality Property Nigeria. Ibrahim Saleh, who purchased properties for Mr Baba-Kusa, paid the remaining balance for the property, N15 million, said Mr Adarikun. On 24 April 2015, there was a transfer of N100 million and N24 million with no clear description. Then, on 27 April 2015, N8.7 million was transferred to Mr Saleh for beacon processing of lands purchased by the second defendant at Kwali, Wasa district, Kiyami district, and within the Central Area in the FCT. On the same day, N50 million was disbursed in five tranches to Squad Developers Nigeria Limited. Its owner, Sunday Ugwu, told the anti-graft agency that it was also part payment for 118.132 hectares of land at Stadium Layout, Kwali, Abuja. Mr Saleh paid the remaining balance of N25 million for the property, the witness said, also telling the court that on 30 April 2015, over N33 million was transferred to O.A Akinrinmade. Transfers and conversion to foreign currencies On 28 April 2015, over N55 million was transferred in six tranches to Pasman Investment Limited. Its owner, Farouk Suleiman, told EFCC that Mr Baba-Kusa contacted him through a staff member of the defunct Heritage Bank to fast-track a $1 million transfer to a doctor, Suleiman Alhabib, working with Medical Plastics Services Limited in Saudi Arabia, said Mr Adarikun. According to the witness, all the transfers made to Pasman Investment Limited were mopped up to represent the naira equivalent of $630,000. On 15 May 2015, over N23 million was transferred to Namuduka Ventures. The owner, Murtala Bashir, told the EFCC that it was for conversion to dollars. Acacia Holdings, Medical Plastic Limited, and Reliance Referral Hospital transferred a total of over N56million to Namuduka Ventures. This was converted to 233,944 units and transferred to the second defendants Furnishing Touches (FT) account in the United Kingdom (UK), which is a cash card account. According to the witness, Mr Bashir told the agency that on 13 May 2015, Mr Baba-Kusa transferred N23 million, which was converted to 65,075 and sent to the same FT account. Similarly, Namuduka Ventures received another N2,220,000 from Reliance Referral Hospital Limited, which was converted to 1,500 and sent to Mr Baba-Kusas Business Free Empty account in the UK. Mr Baba-Kusa also ordered a transfer of $200,000 to Blue-Lake Management Consultancy Limited. Transfer to Mr Baba-Kusas company On 4 May 2015, N70 million was transferred to Mr Baba-Kusas company, Medical Plastic Limited, of which his wife, Hauwa Baba-Kusa, owns 1.8million majority shares, the witnes said. Mr Adarikun said N80 million was also transferred to the company on 6 May 2015. After hearing the witnesss narration, the trial judge, Mr Agbaza, adjourned further proceedings until Wednesday. Background Mr Dasuki has been on trial for a decade. His trials suffered multiple adjournments in their early years, largely due to the State Security Services (SSS) refusing to release Mr Dasuki on bail despite multiple court orders. He served as NSA between 2012 and 2015, in the heat of Boko Haram attacks in Nigerias North-east, under the administration of then-President Goodluck Jonathan. The N33.2 billion fraud trial is one in several cases the EFCC filed in the aftermath of the scandal of alleged diversion of funds meant for procurement of arms to firm up the Nigerian militarys offensive against Boko Haram terrorists between 2014 and 2015, durin the President Jonathan administration. An audit panel, established by President Muhammadu Buhari following his 2015 election victory, found that approximately $2 billion for arms procurement was unaccounted for. These funds were managed by the NSA, led by Mr Dasuki. READ ALSO: Sterling Oil appoints media manager for Akwa Ibom Aside from the N33.2 billion corruptio case, Mr Dasuki is standing trial alongside former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, his son Sagir Bafarawa, former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda, and Dalhatu Investment Limited for N4.6 billion arms procurement fraud. The charges accused them of diverting N4.6 billion from the NSA offices account. The money was said to be meant for the procurement of arms to firm up the offensive against Boko Haram terrorists between 2014 and 2015. Today marks a historic milestone in Nigerias trade relations. The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA that will transform economic ties between our two nations and deliver tangible benefits for Nigerian businesses, professionals, and workers. This Agreement is the product of focused and determined negotiations led by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment under the direction of the Honourable Minister and Chief Negotiator for Nigeria, Jumoke Oduwole. It prioritises market access for Nigerian goods and services, facilitates quality investment inflows, and advances our national economic diversification under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. What This Agreement Delivers for Nigeria For Nigerian exporters, the UAE will eliminate tariffs on over 7,000 products. Immediately, our agricultural and industrial products fish and seafood, oil seeds, cereals, cotton, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and more, will enter the UAE market duty-free. Over the next three to five years, the UAE will eliminate tariffs on Nigerian machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, apparel, and furniture. Nigerian industrial exports now have a clear and competitive pathway into one of the worlds most dynamic trading hubs. In addition, Nigerian businesses can establish operations in the UAE through new corporate entities, branches, and subsidiaries. Nigerian business visitors can enter the UAE for up to 90 days in 12 months to explore trade and investment opportunities while intra-corporate transferees, our managers, executives, and specialists can relocate with their corporate entities for renewable three-year periods. For Nigerias investment climate, this Agreement addresses longstanding impediments to foreign direct investment. UAE investors now have clarity and confidence to invest in Nigerias productive sectors. This will support Nigerias industrialisation agenda, enhance transport and logistics connectivity, and contribute to the creation of quality jobs for our youthful population. Nigerias Commitments Under the Agreement For trade in goods, Nigeria will eliminate tariffs on around 6,000 products. Tariffs on around 60 per cent of these products will be eliminated immediately, with the remainder phased over five years. These imports are concentrated in industrial inputs, capital goods, and machinery that will strengthen Nigerias productive capacity. Nigerias Import Prohibition List remains in effect. On trade in services, Nigerias commitments cover 99 specific services across 10 sectors, including business services, communication, transport, financial services, construction, distribution, health, environment, recreational/sporting, and tourism. A Strategic Agreement for a Diversified Economy This CEPA is a strategic instrument for economic transformation. With significant market access secured for value-added and industrial goods, this agreement incentivises Nigerian manufacturers to scale production for export. The CEPA also positions Nigeria as the gateway for international investors seeking access to the African Continental Free Trade Area and its 1.4 billion people. Nigeria has already recorded unprecedented participation from UAE institutional investors, including First Abu Dhabi Bank, particularly in infrastructure financing. Notably, this includes support for the construction of the LagosCalabar Coastal Road, representing a strong vote of confidence in Nigerias macroeconomic trajectory and reform agenda. Sky Capital has been instrumental in supporting the CEPA agreement and in projecting Nigerias investor readiness. The signing of the Agreement signals acceleration of deals in agriculture, real estate, digital banking, retail and infrastructure financing. The Agreement is fully consistent with our obligations under the World Trade Organisation, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and ECOWAS. Swift Implementation The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, working with key MDAs such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), alongside FMITI agencies such as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) will ensure that Nigerian businesses, and the investors we host, have the information, support, and facilitation they need to take swift and full advantage of this Agreement in line with Mr. Presidents Nigeria First directive. I would like to appreciate the Nigerian negotiation team, including the Lead Technical Advisers, FMITI/Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiation, the Nigerian Customs Service and the Ministry of Justice, among several other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, who played a critical role in this milestone Agreement. Collectively, these institutions will ensure that Nigerian businesses are equipped with the necessary information, support, and facilitation mechanisms required to fully leverage the opportunities created by this Agreement. I would like to seize this opportunity to appreciate Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and the UAE negotiation team for this strong collaborative effort. To the Nigerian private sector: this Agreement was negotiated for you. I urge you to identify your opportunities with enhanced market access and move with confidence into the UAE market with the protections we have secured for you. Nigeria is open for business, and Nigerian businesses now have open access to the UAE, the Middle East and the rest of the world. Jumoke Oduwole Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abu Dhabi, UAE 13 January 2026 Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged public servants in Nigeria to embrace the virtues of selflessness, discipline and excellence, saying enduring legacies in public service are built on consistency of effort, strength of character and resilience in the face of institutional challenges. Mr Shettima spoke in Abuja on Tuesday while chairing a high-level colloquium organised to mark the 50th birthday of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), Hadiza Bala Usman, According to the vice president, the most lasting achievements in governance are sustained not by spectacle or applause, but by daily discipline, consistency and an unwavering commitment to excellence. If we are to raise more generations of Nigerians ready to lead with purpose, to deliver with excellence, and to serve with courage, we must remember this truth: intention without the willingness to pay the price of service remains wishful thinking, he said. Mr Shettima praised Ms Usman, describing her as a public servant whose rise was earned through clarity, courage and excellence He said Ms Usmans career exemplified the values of discipline, service and courage required to reform public institutions and deliver results in governance. There is no doubt that Hadiza Bala Usmans place in our public service history is secure, he said. This was not built on spectacle, nor did it rely on applause. What she has become is the product of decisions taken quietly, responsibilities carried fully, and institutions strengthened with care. After her education, Hadiza Bala Usman studied the system, understood its demands and earned her place. She is someone we hope our children will emulate, the vice president said. Mr Shettima recalled the Chibok girls incident in 2014 stressing that Ms Usman stepped forward at critical moments in Nigerias history, when the government required committed and capable hands. In one of Nigerias darkest moments, she answered the call of service. We have seen her show up when the government needed her the most, he said. According to him, her journey in public service required uncommon courage, making her a symbol of hope, particularly for young women. She is a mirror not only for northern girls, but for young women across the country who are still searching for their voices. Her rise was earned, not gifted. She leads with clarity, guided by courage, and delivers with excellence, he added. Maintaining that her achievements were never accidental, Mr Shettima said Ms Usmans rise in public service was deliberate and sustained by a faithful commitment to the difficult work of building a functional nation. May your example continue to guide those who still believe that service, when done well, can ennoble a nation, he added. Tributes In his goodwill message, the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, drew parallels between Ms Usman and her late father, renowned historian and intellectual, Bala Usman. Those who know your father know he was the only Nigerian academic who refused a professorial title. He earned it but didnt need it. That is the Bala Usman in you, Mr Oshiomhole said. He added that criticisms often directed at Ms Usman, including claims that she was stubborn or overly detailed, were reflections of her fathers principled character. When you were appointed managing director of the NPA, some people with bad belle tried to rubbish you, not knowing your background. They wanted to rubbish your family name, but in the end, they only rubbished themselves, he said. The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, described Ms Usman as a leader who acts by conviction rather than convenience, and by principle rather than popularity. He noted that for more than two decades, she had operated at the intersection of civic advocacy and institutional leadership, playing significant roles in civil society and government. Mr Gbajabiamila recalled her involvement in the 2014 civic advocacy following the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, which helped sustain national and international attention on the issue. He said Ms Usman later transitioned into government with the same sense of discipline and commitment, bringing accountability, coordination and evidence-based decision-making into public institutions. She exercised authority without spectacle, governed with discipline, made decisions grounded in policy and evidence, and maintained focus in the face of resistance to reform, he said. According to him, her leadership expanded expectations of women in positions of power, prioritising performance over rhetoric. This occasion is not just a celebration of personality, but a reflection on leadership, service and what it means to deliver results in complex environments, he added, noting that Ms Usman works closely with his office. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, also commended Ms Usman for her consistent commitment to accountability and results-driven governance. He described her role as special adviser on Policy and Coordination as central to strengthening institutional performance and ensuring alignment with the administrations priorities. This celebration is not just about age, but about a life of purpose, discipline and national service, Mr Akume said. In her vote of thanks, Ms Usman expressed gratitude to the vice president, senior government officials, colleagues and guests for honouring her. She also spoke emotionally about her late father, thanking Mr Oshiomhole for referencing him during his remarks. I am truly a daddys girl, and I miss my father so much, she said. I am humbled, and I cannot thank you enough. I appreciate everyone from the bottom of my heart. Thank you all for coming, and God bless you. Several dignitaries attended the event, including the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele; Hadiza El-Rufai; the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud; senior officials of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); senators; and members of the House of Representatives. Ms Usmans biography Ms Usman was appointed special adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy and Coordination in June 2023, a position that places her at the centre of aligning government policies and tracking the presidents delivery agenda across ministries, departments and agencies. Her public service career spans key roles at both state and federal levels. In 2015, she was appointed chief of staff to the Governor of Kaduna State by former Governor Nasir el-Rufai. In 2016, she made history as the first female managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), a role she held until February 2022. During her tenure, she oversaw wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving port efficiency, transparency and accountability. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria, the body empowered to investigate financial crimes in Nigeria, money laundering, corruption, economic sabotage and prosecute offenders, is in a similar situation. It is being accused of committing a crime itself and its adversaries are pressing its neck. They are choking it, and like Floyd, the EFCC is crying out loud and proclaiming its innocence. Those who have their legs on this legal, rightful institution are pressing very hard. The knee on his neck reminds us of the case of the American citizen, George Floyd, who was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 25 May, 2020 by a policeman, Derek Chauvin, a white police officer who pressed his knee on Floyds neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds. Floyds last words were: I cant breathe. He died. Cause of death: cardiopulmonary arrest due to neck compression. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria, the body empowered to investigate financial crimes in Nigeria, money laundering, corruption, economic sabotage and prosecute offenders, is in a similar situation. It is being accused of committing a crime itself and its adversaries are pressing its neck. They are choking it, and like Floyd, the EFCC is crying out loud and proclaiming its innocence. Those who have their legs on this legal, rightful institution are pressing very hard. The only difference in the Floyd analogy is that the EFCC is a creation of law: the EFCC Establishment Act of 2004, and except that law is repealed or abrogated, the institution should continue to live. Nonetheless, institutions can die if they lose their relevance, value and respect in the eyes of the public. Those who are trying to kill the EFCC are trying to achieve that objective. Any institution, no matter its legal justification, is only as useful as it is accepted by the society it serves. It is therefore understandable that the EFCC, thus finding itself in the eye of the storm, has been all over the media defending its reputation in the last few weeks. Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC spokesperson, was on Arise News. The Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede Esq., was himself on Channels TV this last Sunday. This tit-for-tat between EFCC and its critics is not new. Long before now, informed Nigerians, notably Nuhu Ribadu and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had argued that corruption always fights back. The latter, in a book of the same title, in fact concluded that fighting Corruption is Dangerous. The current EFCC Chairman is having another round of baptism, linked directly to the reluctance of the Nigerian elite to accept that corruption deserves to be investigated and tackled. The reason for this is both cultural and human. Most Nigerians believe that Nigeria is a huge pie, a well-made cake, that is not shared fairly and whoever gets a chance to steal a slice of that cake, either at a personal, corporate or institutional level, and does not get caught, to redress the imbalance or inequity in the country, is a very smart person indeed. In other words, cheating, fraud, theft, greed, more or less, constitute a national ethic. Even so-called religious figures steal. It does not matter what the Holy Books say. Some of the biggest thieves in this very religious country are the clerics, be they Christian, Muslim or animist. Civil servants are not civil in any way. Public officers do not serve the public, they serve themselves. Traditional institutions would rather honour persons whose source of wealth is unknown. The universities have now joined them, and honour is now a commodity that can be bought. Nigeria has always been affected by this reputation in the international sphere. In 2002, Nigeria was listed along with 23 other countries that were notorious for financial crimes and money laundering. The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) blacklisted the country, making international financial transactions difficult for Nigerians. In response to this pressure, the Obasanjo administration established the EFCC to go after corrupt persons, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to descend on corrupt public officials. The ICPC came earlier in 2000, and there have been arguments about the overlap of functions between both bodies, and their independence from political influence exerted by the Executive, but over time, the EFCC has been the most dominant of the two bodies, and perhaps the most controversial. It handles more high-profile cases. It is far more dramatic in its efforts, and it has been accused of being a willing tool for the promotion of the preferences of the government of the day to suppress the opposition and to demonise persons who are not in the good books of the ruling party. This is the clear context of the pressure currently on the neck of Olukoyedes EFCC, triggered by cases involving the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Muhammed and his Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr Yakubu Adamu, as well as the case of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). Yakubu Adamu, a former branch manager of Polaris Bank Plc was accused of having conspired to launder a total sum of $9.7 million for the Bauchi State Government; a charge to which he has since pleaded not guilty and for which he has been denied bail and remanded in prison, along with three other defendants who are altogether accused of terrorism financing. The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Muhammed, the principal of the accused persons, has since decried the attempt to link either his state or his person, or associates with terrorism financing, alleging that as a sitting governor, he enjoys constitutionally guaranteed immunity, and that the only reason he is being targeted is because he has refused to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) political party at the centre. He said: The APC-led Federal Government thinks it can use the courts and institutions of government, like the EFCC, to persecute and prosecute Nigerians who are not in their party. If they dont stop, were going to declare war. His name was mentioned in a motion in court. He has now vowed never to join the APC. He has the support of groups in Bauchi State, including the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Christian Youths Initiative for Peace (CYIFP), and Concerned Bauchi Citizens. These supporters have been very loud in the media, so loud that the EFCC was left with no option but to defend itself. Similarly, the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) was arraigned along with his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged money laundering offences to the tune of 8.7 billion, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy. They have pleaded not guilty. They were briefly remanded in Kuje prison, and have since been granted a 500 million bail each by the court of Justice Emeka Nwite. Hearing in the case has been adjourned till 17 February. But as in the Bauchi case, the principal accused person has declared that the allegations against him and his family are baseless, illogical and wholly devoid of substance. He insists that he was not involved in any form of money laundering, and that the EFCC is acting on the basis of deep-seated historical animosity, personal vendetta, bias and retaliatory persecution. He demanded that the EFCC Chairman should step aside. Malami was a member of the APC, and served as attorney general of the federation under the Buhari administration. He recently declared his interest in running for the governorship of Kebbi State on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The link between both cases is the claim that the main persons are being persecuted and tried in court because of their refusal to join the ruling party. Their supporters have also alleged that the Tinubu administration is using the anti-corruption agencies to play politics: to forgive those who join the APC and promote the president in the light of the obvious drift towards APC dominance across the country, and punish, persecute and trouble those who insist on opposition politics. A wing of the Nigerian commentariat is also all over the media with the argument that cases involving APC figures, where such exist, tend to run very slowly in the courts, and they quietly peter out, whereas allegations against opposition figures tend to run very quickly judicially, with the EFCC showing much enthusiasm. The allegations against the EFCC are weighty and it is just as well that the institution has chosen to defend itself. Uwujaren has argued that the EFCC is completely neutral and apolitical, and that it is not the fault of the body if cases tend to drag in the courts. The EFCC, he noted, has no control over the machinery of justice. The EFCC Chairman has also responded that he has no personal animus against former AGF Malami, and on the allegation that he was once indicted by the Ayo Salami panel of inquiry, he said the proof should be published by those who claim to have it. He added: Let me tell Nigerians that the commissions investigation panel cleared me of any wrongdoing. The presidency at the time also cleared me. The law enforcement agencies handed me a clean bill. I can say clearly that theres no report anywhere that Ive been involved in any fraudulent dealings He added that he, in fact, inherited the Malami case from his predecessor, and that in 2025 alone, he re-opened many cases that had gone cold. He used the opportunity to draw attention to many high profile cases that the EFCC under his watch has treated, leading to thousands of convictions, and the recovery of assets tangible and intangible. He denied that opposition politicians are being targeted. He wants Nigerians to allow the EFCC to breathe! I cant breathe said George Floyd on 25 May, 2020. It seems to me that the EFCC should indeed be allowed to breathe. While it is important to keep the Nigerian public abreast of the activities of the EFCC, in the spirit of transparency, both the agency and the public, especially the media, should desist from a media trial. The pattern around this, which is absolutely wrong, is that once a persons name is mentioned in connection with any matter involving the EFCC, the person is immediately considered guilty by interested groups who may even have no knowledge of the details of the matter. This stems from the widespread assumption that whoever goes into government to serve is not there to serve anybody but himself or herself, and that only thieves accept public appointments. There is so much distrust of the public arena among Nigerians. The principle in law, however, is that no man can be judged guilty until he has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction. Nigerians do not trust the courts. They believe that judges are not pursuing justice but their own self-interests or the dictates of hidden puppeteers. Culturally, Nigerians believe that the only man who gets caught is the one society calls a thief, otherwise every Nigerian is a thief. The rule is dont get caught a mindset that does not even respect the administration of justice system. It is a great burden, indeed, to have a society that has no faith in its own processes. This is the big challenge that the current EFCC Chairman, those before him and the ones that will come after, face. In Olukoyedes case, there is the added skepticism that the Tinubu administration that has not been aggressive about the fight against corruption many even doubt its moral credentials has now suddenly woken up in the lead up to the 2027 elections to launch a war against corruption. Why now? Nigerians ask. But is there a best time to apply the law? The current ruckus will pass. Everything passes in Nigeria, without record, trace, or resolution. But let this be said and noted: Nobody is above the law. It is not true that the governor of a state in Nigeria cannot be investigated or mentioned in a motion in court because he enjoys immunity. There is a plethora of decided cases establishing that a governor can be investigated, and illegal assets acquired by a governor can be temporarily forfeited. In the on-going Malami case also, a temporary forfeiture of assets is reported, obviously to preserve the res in the matter 57 properties in all valued at 213.2 billion. The burden has now shifted to Malami (SAN). What is in his original assets declaration form before and after office? What was his salary or income? What is he paying as tax? These are the issues, not the media debates between EFCC and its critics. In the long run, however, there should be dedicated, special courts, designated strictly to deal with corruption cases expeditiously and to address the allegation that EFCC cases tend to stay too long in the courts. Our courts do not always meet the peoples expectations. They are part of the problem. Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson, writes from Lagos. The media must now hold INEC to account by minutely and doggedly inspecting and reporting its preparations, refusing to be baited by cliches or self-congratulations. Never again should Nigerians be treated to preventable institutional collapse where the loser is Nigerian democracy. The obvious starting point should be the Strategic Plan 20222026, which gives the media an unusually strong tool to turn INECs promises into a public ledger and insist on receipts. On 3 January, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerias electoral umpire, denied having published the 2027 election schedule. As it often happens, the Nigerian mass media was eager to affirm, Not me! But equally ready to quote and take the powers word for it, many outlets widely published the denial. But INEC was wrong, and so were the outlets that broadcast its claim particularly Daily Trust, The PUNCH and The Guardian because in March 2018, INEC put its 37-year election calendar in place, making the front pages. That calendar was not invalidated by the Electoral Act 2022, which provides that INEC should publish election notices not later than 360 days ahead of an election. INECs denial of a new schedule did not suggest that it even remembered its existing schedule. Former INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, had told political party chairmen: In 2019, the dates are February 16 and March 2; in 2023, the dates are February 18 and March 4. In 2027, the dates are February 20 and March 6; in 2031, it is February 15 and March 1in 2055, it is February 20 and March 6. The purpose was to engender certainty in our electoral calendar, Yakubu said, allow for long-term planning by the commission and stakeholders, and bring Nigerias democracy in line with the best practice around the world. Again, and sadly, none of the newspapers that I read last week contextualised their reporting with that calendar, or asked questions beyond the commissions bulletin. This is precisely the danger that yet another Nigerian election faces: haphazard institutions, including journalists quoting officials and bulletins, rather than their own reporting and recall. Last week, for instance, new INEC chairman, Joash O. Amupitan, was widely asserting his commissions commitment to deliver free, fair and credible elections. That the chairman finds it necessary to make that declaration in 2026 is a red flag and a confession that it suffers widespread public distrust. There is nothing in the value statement of INEC that suggests anything other than credibility. Still, nobody asked an official who should not enjoy the benefit of the doubt he has not earned, How will you do it? Following 2023, INEC should be considered a repeat offender until it clears its name by means of a resounding, internationally acclaimed performance. INECs boisterousness does not confer credibility, and if it is preparing in 2027 for a contest, as opposed to a coronation, it must demonstrate and not proclaim its preparedness. What do we know? In 2023, local and international observers criticised its opacity, weak explanations, and institutional defensiveness. Among the foreign organisations were the European Union, the Commonwealth, NDI/IRI. The INEC Strategic Plan 2022-2026 shows that the commission knows its weaknesses. The medias role, then, is simply to force external accountability against INECs own benchmarks. This is because INECs operational failures in 2023 stemmed partly from inadequate media scrutiny of its preparations, the EU report noting that closer to the polls, some started to doubt INECs administrative and operational efficiency. By then, it was too late. Nigeria does not lack plans, laws, or technology. The problem is that plans without adversarial oversight collapse into self-congratulation. The media must now hold INEC to account by minutely and doggedly inspecting and reporting its preparations, refusing to be baited by cliches or self-congratulations. Never again should Nigerians be treated to preventable institutional collapse where the loser is Nigerian democracy. The obvious starting point should be the Strategic Plan 20222026, which gives the media an unusually strong tool to turn INECs promises into a public ledger and insist on receipts. But before that, and with the elections just over one year away, the media must alter its mindset and, over these 12 months before the first ballot is cast, strategise to cover the elections differently from the international media, which naturally arrives on the eve of the crime. Dont accept INECs proclamations for preparations, or volubility for competence! The media plan must begin with the Guild of Editors and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, creating a collaborative coalition with civil society organisations, technology experts, and academic institutions. Objective: to independently monitor, test, and audit electoral technologies before 2027. This will represent significant resource commitments beyond regular news-gathering operations, so they should seek support, now, from international media development organisations and democracy-support foundations. And because no organisation is big enough to cover the election thoroughly nationwide, there is immense room for cooperation. Establish specialised investigative teams to track, document, and expose illicit money flows, vote-buying, and campaign finance violations throughout the electoral cycle. Build a joint mediacivil society election security and impunity tracker. Part of this must involve election security arrangements for reporters, including insurance protection. The media should extract from the commissions plan, its five strategic objectives, key actions, and KPIs, and republish them as a simplified public scorecard. The plan should include tracking implementation monthly, naming what INEC said it would do, what it has done, what is delayed or unimplemented, and which officials or departments are responsible. The media should map out INECs plan commitments on ICT capacity-building, integration of EMS/ERM/EOSC into EMSC, and IT governance as testable claims, not press-release material. Dont quote officials on accomplishments without their systems being publicly tested repeatedly. Remember INECs own admission that in the previous plan cycle, only 37.8 per cent of its activities were fully implemented. Thats a terrible grade. The Commonwealth report noted, for instance, INEC was not sufficiently forthcoming regarding the procurement process for electoral technologies and failed to provide adequate testing. The media merely accepted INECs promises. The EU similarly reported, closer to the polls, some started to doubt INECs administrative and operational efficiency. By then, it was too late. In response, the media must outpace election managers and even manipulators by introducing an Election Technology Watch system to focus on BVAS technology, that ace that became a menace, results transmission architecture, server redundancy, network coverage, and contingency protocols. This must be a continuous investigative beat, not an election-week spectacle. Some Nigerian tertiary institutions have excellent higher technology departments: get up and collaborate! Keep in mind: INEC is a politician, not a performer; a talker, not a doer. Even in its Strategic Plans 20122016 and 2017-2021, it talked long and loud about improved deployment and utilisation of ICT, but also admitted its outdated infrastructure, poor connectivity, and lack of audits. Yet, despite the armada of human, technological and financial resources available to it thereafter, all it gave Nigerians in 2023 was a go to court argument. EU and NDI/IRI reports identified the 2023 technology collapse as a trust-destroying event, not merely a technical glitch. Let INEC execute its constitutional duty. Robust, sustained media scrutiny of its preparations is also constitutional. Among other measures, implement standardised media scorecards to track voter registration processes, PVC distribution rates, staff training completion, technology procurement transparency, and logistics planning. Organise monthly interviews with INEC commissioners in all 36 states, demanding specific progress metrics and regular independent audits of voter registration. Focus on delays that INEC itself admits recur due to procurement bottlenecks, over-centralisation, and late cash releases. Question all, gentlemen, and question early. Because this election is too important to be left to the electoral commission. Premier Cool, Nigerias leading antibacterial cooling bar soap, has announced the launch of its nationwide consumer promotion, 10K for 10K, in partnership with Palmpay, Nigerias leading digital bank. This promo is designed to reward 10,000 Nigerians with 10,000, amounting to a total of 100 million in cash rewards paid instantly via PalmPay wallets. Running from 12 January to 11 April 2026, 111 winners will emerge daily throughout the three months. Speaking on the campaign, the MD PZ Cussons Africa, Mr Oghale Elueni, said At a time when financial pressure is real for many households, this promo is our way of easing the load and refreshing Nigerians, emotionally and financially, with a brand they already know and trust Participation is straightforward, and reward is instant on your PalmPay wallet Consumers can take part in three easy steps: 1. Buy a promo-coded pack of Premier Cool 110g (Ultimate or Black) and unwrap to reveal a unique code inside. 2. Scan the QR code on the pack, which leads directly to the campaign microsite and the PalmPay app. 3. Enter the unique code on PalmPay for an instant draw and a chance to win 10,000 instantly. New PalmPay users participating in the campaign will also enjoy a welcome bonus of up to 5,550, further reinforcing PalmPays commitment to delivering practical value and smarter everyday banking. Also speaking at the launch, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, Chika Nwosu, noted that this campaign reflects PalmPays commitment to delivering real, everyday value to Nigerians. By partnering with a brand that families have trusted for decades, we are reinforcing our promise of smarter banking that supports daily living, saving, and financial growth.. Rewarding Loyalty, the Premier Cool Way Premier Cool understands the value of loyalty and believes freshness should come with real rewards. With the 10K for 10K Promo in partnership with PalmPay, Premier Cool reinforces its commitment to consumers through meaningful engagement, proving that staying fresh pays. With decades of heritage under PZ Cussons, Premier Cool remains a symbol of reliability, family well-being, and consistent quality in Nigerian homes. PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money. PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network. Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users and processes up to 15 million transactions daily. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh. For more information, visit www.palmpay.com Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed deep condolences to the family of former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, over the passing of their matriarch, Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo, who died at the age of 101. In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Tuesday, Governor Abiodun described the demise of Mama Onabanjo as the end of a glorious era, noting that she lived a highly exemplary, fulfilled, and distinguished life devoted to God, family, and humanity. He said that although the loss of a mother is always painful, regardless of age, Mama Lucias transition at 101 is also worthy of celebration, given her impactful life and enduring legacy. According to the governor, Mama Onabanjo stood firmly by her husband, the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, through his historic struggles for democracy, human rights, and social justice in Nigeria. He said: After a glorious epoch in which she joined her husband, our Papa, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, in the fight for democracy, the delivery of its dividends on a massive scale, and the advancement of human rights and social justice, Mama has now been reunited with Papa in glory. Mama was a treasure and a source of joy to all who knew her. She consistently supported us with her prayers and goodwill, spreading joy, comfort, and hope to everyone around her. I commiserate with the Onabanjo family, even as I celebrate them for the great gift that Mama was to all of us. She stood by her husband through thick and thin and raised children and grandchildren who are today highly distinguished in diverse fields of human endeavour, breaking records and contributing meaningfully to society. We bless the Lord for her long and fulfilled life, her legacy of love, strength, deep faith, and commitment to development. We will miss her warmth, her wise counsel, her passion for progress, and her prayers. May the Good Lord grant her eternal rest in His bosom. Governor Abiodun prayed that God would grant the Onabanjo family, friends, and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. (Editors Note: We wrongly interpreted Mr Kwankwasos statement in Hausa to mean he was endorsing his supporters defection to the APC. That error, which is regretted, has been corrected in this copy.) The former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has advised his supporters, who are being pressured to join a political movement in the All Progressives Congress (APC), to sign any document indicating their agreement to do so. Mr Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), spoke in Hausa on Tuesday in Kano while addressing some of his supporters. He described the movement his supporters are being pressured to join as the Gandujiyya movement of former APC national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje. Although Mr Kwakwanso repeatedly referred to the Gandujiyya movement, the statement is believed to refer to the pressure on many of his supporters to join the APC, alongside the state governor, Abba Yusuf. Mr Kwankwaso stated that he was aware that some NNPP members holding elective or appointive offices in the state were being pressured. He said some of these officeholders were being asked to sign documents indicating that they agreed to defect to the Gandujiyya movement. The former Kano governor urged such NNPP members to sign the documents so they do not suffer any victimisation by the state government. Several of our supporters who currently hold political appointments, as well as members of the State Assembly, have reached out to me in distress, he said in Hausa, Many of them have been unable to sleep at night; some have reportedly been hospitalised, receiving medical treatment, while others are showing signs of severe emotional strain. After consulting closely with my associates, we agreed, purely in the interest of easing tension and protecting the well-being of our supporters, that anyone who is asked to sign such documents should do so. He said all these were happening even when intense politicking had not commenced in the state for the 2027 general election. PREMIUM TIMES has reported on the infighting in the NNPP, the party on whose platform Mr Yusuf was elected as governor. Messrs Yusuf, Ganduje and Kwankwaso were allies, with Mr Ganduje serving as deputy governor when Mr Kwankwaso was Kano governor. However, Mr Ganduje, as Kano governor, joined the APC and rose within its ranks to become its national chairman, a position he vacated last year. The 2023 governorship election in Kano was widely seen as a battle between Mr Kwankwasos Kwankwasiyya movement (NNPP) and Mr Gandujes Gandujiyya movement (APC). The current governor, Mr Yusuf, a close ally of Mr Kwankwaso, is reportedly planning to defect to the APC, along with many state and federal lawmakers in Kano, as well as other NNPP members. Mr Kwanwaso has, however, insisted that he will not defect to the APC or any other party that does not include him in its presidential ticket for the 2027 presidential election. An ICT expert, Willy Ibiok, has advised Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State to seek dialogue on the controversy over the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve in the state, rather than dismissing legitimate voices. Mr Ibiok, who hails from Akwa Ibom but resides in Abuja, offered the advice to Mr Eno via a Facebook post on 10 January. He stated that the Akwa Ibom State Government appears to be receiving advice that misses the mark on the nature and direction of wider governance issues. Too often, decisions seem driven by expediency rather than broad consultation, scientific evidence, community engagement, and long-term public good. The result? Unnecessary divisions, mistrust, and alienation of the masses who yearn for progress but feel sidelined, he said of Governor Enos handling of the dispute over the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve. The Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve The Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve is a vast mangrove and freshwater swamp ecosystem spanning parts of Eket, Ibeno, and Esit Eket local government areas in Akwa Ibom. Designated as a forest reserve in 1930 for conservation, the area has historically been associated with the Ekid ancestral lands and livelihoods, making it a recurring flashpoint between development ambitions, environmental protection, and indigenous land rights. Reports suggest that the ongoing LagosCalabar Coastal Highway, which is a federal project, will pass through the forest reserve. The Ekid people, through the Ekid Peoples Union, have raised concerns with routing the project through the forest reserve without adequate consultation or clarity on compensation. Governor Eno administration, besides rejecting Ekids ownership claim of the forest reserve, had warned the Ekid people that they would constitute themselves into terrorists by opposing the coastal highway project, a remark that the Ekid people have rejected. Mr Eno cautioned that the government would act with the force of nature if challenged. In 2024, the governor declared the state governments ownership of the forest following a violent communal clash between the Ibeno and Ekid people. This is not about sabotage; it is about sustainable development that benefits all Akwa Ibomites without irreversible harm. The governments reaffirmation of authority over the reserve, citing the Land Use Act and historical rulings, is noted, but it must be balanced with inclusive dialogue, not dismissal of legitimate voices, Mr Ibiok stated in the Facebook post. Mr Ibiok stated that the forest reserve is one of the last major ecological treasures in Akwa Ibom, a biodiversity hotspot with rare species, flood control functions, and cultural significance. Past projectsthe abandoned 2017 superhighway and the ongoing BUA refineryhave already left scars, with unchecked logging and deforestation accelerating. Proceeding without proper de-reservation (via a gazetted notice as required by Cap 52 of the Laws of Akwa Ibom State 2022) and before a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment)which the Federal Ministry of Environment only began in January 2026raises serious questions about transparency and foresight, he stated. No one in their right mind opposes genuine development. The LagosCalabar Coastal Highway is a federal initiative with immense potential to boost connectivity, trade, and economic opportunities for Akwa Ibom State. The Ekid Peoples Union has repeatedly clarified that they are not against the highway itselfthey support roads, hospitals, schools, industries, and jobs for our youth, just like every other community. Their concerns centre on legality, due process, environmental protection, and respect for ancestral rights in a reserve established since 1930 under colonial Forest Reserve Order No. 45. Mr Ibiok urged Mr Eno to appoint advisers who understand the complexities of modern governance, such as experts in environmental policy, constitutional law, community relations, sustainable economics, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. There are so many things the government is not getting quite right with the people: Unemployment remains high among our youth despite oil wealth. Access to quality healthcare and education is uneven, with many still struggling. Unbalanced government appointments across the support groups and political class. Environmental degradation from industrial activities affects livelihoods in host communities. Public trust erodes when assurances of due process lack visible proof, such as gazetted documents or completed Environmental and Social Impact Assessments before approvals. NAIROBI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese telecoms firm Huawei will partner with the Kenya School of Government, a state-funded training institution for civil servants, to advance the digitization of the public sector. The expected collaboration will focus on boosting digital capacity through advanced skills development in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital governance, Huawei said in a statement released in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, late Monday. "We welcome this strategic engagement with Huawei as a catalyst for accelerating digital transformation within Kenya's public service," said Nura Mohamed, the director general of the Kenya School of Government. "Our objective is to build a public workforce that is not only digitally literate but also proficient in applying cloud, AI, and cybersecurity tools to improve service delivery, enhance institutional performance, and safeguard citizen data," he added. Huawei has recently ramped up support for digital literacy in Kenya through partnerships with state agencies. Some of the Huawei-backed initiatives align with national efforts to boost the resilience of the country's cyberspace amid evolving threats. Yuta Leng, the public affairs director at Huawei Kenya, said the company is committed to a strategic partnership with government institutions to accelerate digital transformation. "By leveraging our core expertise in technology and emerging digital solutions, we aim to improve public service delivery, support capacity building for civil servants, and help Kenya fully realize its digital economy ambitions," Yuta said. Besides enhancing digital skills across the public sector, the proposed partnership between Huawei and the Kenya School of Government will complement Kenya National AI Strategy 2025-2030, which advocates public sector AI adoption and capacity building as enablers of growth, innovation, and quality service delivery. A key outcome of the partnership will be the integration of practical AI and cloud technology applications into the Kenya School of Government's executive development programs, placing the country's public sector workforce at the center of digital transformation, Huawei said. GLASGOW, United Kingdom and TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- John Baird, Managing Director, UK at NORR, a global architecture and engineering firm, recently announced the creation of a dedicated UK Interior Design Studio to expand their services within NORR's operations. This strategic expansion will provide enhanced interior solutions from a project's briefing stage to its full completion. NORR UK's expanded Interior Design team: Jonathan Ives, Gemma Ramsay, Nicolle Cairney, Laura Jones, and Chloe Robertson. NORR - Integrated Thinking. Inspired Design. "This natural progression of our Interior Design services will strengthen the integration between architecture and experiential spaces, allowing us to create more cohesive, adaptable, and sustainable environments while providing greater value, clarity, and long-term performance for our clients and project partners," said Baird. "We're building on the success of our integrated Interior Design approach in North America and applying global best practices in our local markets." Leading the expanded team in the UK is Nicolle Cairney, appointed Director, Interior Design. Cairney brings proven knowledge in the Commercial, Education, Hospitality, and Transportation markets. She will lead a team of interior designers with a collective 40 years' experience including Jonathan Ives, Gemma Ramsay, Laura Jones, and Chloe Robertson. "Our clients are seeking spatial solutions that combine creativity, functionality, and wellbeing," said Cairney. "Customized solutions with a purpose have the power to significantly reduce environmental impact and deeply enrich spaces with identity and flexibility. This reflects a vital and growing shift toward resilient, responsible design that cares for our world and the people within it." "NORR's global growth strategy reinforces our commitment to deliver integrated design solutions and advance sustainable practices," said Brian Gerstmar, President and CEO. "As a signatory to the Architecture & Design Materials Pledge, an extension of the AIA 2030 Commitment, we are applying environmentally sound material specifications helping our clients meet their own sustainability and ESG goals. Like all our disciplines, the Interior Design team is adopting circular economy principles by repurposing materials, from structural elements to finishes and furnishings, to reduce embodied carbon and waste, and to celebrate their origin and history within new spaces." About NORR NORR is a global team of 750 architects, engineers, planners, and interior designers creating design strategies and solutions that express the unique vision of every project. Driven by a common purpose with our clients and partners, we share ideas to create and innovate together. Our story began in 1938 and has evolved into an employee-owned, fully integrated firm committed to sustainable development goals across 12 market sectors in Canada, the US, UK, and UAE. Design excellence continues to guide everything we do. For more information: Visit NORR.COM Connect with us on LinkedIn Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859935/NORR_Group_Inc__NORR_Announces_Global_Expansion_of_Interior_Desi.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859934/NORR_Group_Inc__NORR_Announces_Global_Expansion_of_Interior_Desi.jpg AbbVie will provide low prices in Medicaid, and expand affordable, direct-to-patient offerings for treatments used by millions of Americans through TrumpRx AbbVie will commit $100 billion in U.S. research and development (R&D) and capital investments, including manufacturing, over the next decade This three-year agreement provides AbbVie with exemption from tariffs and future pricing mandates NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced a voluntary agreement with the Trump administration to further advance access and affordability for Americans while protecting and investing in U.S. pharmaceutical innovation. The company will provide low prices in Medicaid while pledging $100 billion in U.S.-based research and development and capital investments, including manufacturing, over the next decade. AbbVie will also expand direct-to-patient offerings through TrumpRx for medicines used by millions of Americans, including ALPHAGAN, COMBIGAN, HUMIRA and SYNTHROID. "AbbVie's mission is to make a remarkable impact for the patients we serve around the world through our innovative medicines," said Robert A. Michael, chairman and chief executive officer, AbbVie. "With approximately 29,000 U.S.-based employees and products treating 16 million Americans annually, we understand the complexity and access challenges in our healthcare system. AbbVie is following President Trump's call to action by reaching this agreement, allowing us to collectively move beyond policies that harm American innovation. Thank you to President Trump and his team for their leadership to help deliver cost savings and supporting our efforts to deliver innovative treatments for American patients." AbbVie's agreement, which addresses all four of the President's drug pricing priorities, was enabled by the Trump administration providing exemption from tariffs and future price mandates, and the government's continued efforts to ensure global prices reflect the full value of U.S. medical innovation. Further terms of this agreement remain confidential. About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, neuroscience and eye care and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube. Forward-Looking Statements Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to the future impact of AbbVie's voluntary agreement with the U.S. government. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the voluntary agreement with the U.S. government, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry, the impact of global macroeconomic factors, such as economic downturns or uncertainty, international conflict, trade disputes and tariffs, and other uncertainties and risks associated with global business operations. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in other documents that AbbVie subsequently files with the Securities and Exchange Commission that update, supplement or supersede such information. AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines, to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. SOURCE AbbVie IAC Co-Founder and Philanthropist Leads Discussion on Innovative Strategies to Counter Rising Hatred HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Adam Milstein, Israeli-American Council (IAC) Board Member & Chairman Emeritus and president of the Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation, will host a panel titled "Innovating the Fight Against Antisemitism Part 1: Decoding Antisemitism: Ideologies and Impact" at the 10th IAC National Summit. The event takes place Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. The panel examines the innovative tools and strategies needed to counter antisemitism effectively in an era when digital threats shift by the day. Drawing on expertise from across tech, community advocacy, and content creation, the session outlines a forward-looking blueprint for online resilience. Joining Milstein on the panel are Karys Rhea, Political Commentator and Writing Fellow at the Middle East Forum and Israel365 Action; Maya Vorobyov, Executive Director of TalkIsrael; Jordana Cutler, Director of Public Policy at Meta for Israel and the Jewish Diaspora; and Yossie Hollander, IAC Board Member, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist The IAC National Summit is one of the largest and highest-profile gatherings in the Jewish world, bringing together thousands of Israelis, Israeli-Americans, and Jewish-Americans of all ages. This year's summit marks a double milestone: the 10th National Summit and 18 years of IAC impact. The three-day event features world-class speakers, innovators, and creators, offering meaningful conversations, powerful experiences, and celebrations that capture the spirit of Israel. Milstein served as IAC national chairman from 2015 to 2019 and currently serves as a board member and chairman emeritus. He co-founded the organization in 2007 to foster an engaged and dedicated Israeli-American community. Milstein will also participate in a second panel at the summit, "Philanthropy in the Duty of Israel," alongside Dr. Miriam Adelson and Noa Peri-Jensch of the Israeli American Council, scheduled for 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, January 17, 2026. About Adam Milstein Adam Milstein is a venture philanthropist, business investor, and community leader. A native of Israel, he served in the IDF during the Yom Kippur War and graduated from the Technion in 1978. He earned an MBA from USC and is a Managing Partner at Hager Pacific Properties, a private commercial real estate investment firm. Milstein and his wife Gila established the Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation in 2000, which supports a network of nonprofits that strengthen American values, support the U.S.-Israel alliance, and combat hatred and bigotry in all forms. About the Israeli-American Council The Israeli-American Council (IAC) is the largest Israeli-American organization in the United States, dedicated to building an engaged and united Israeli-American community that strengthens the Israeli and Jewish identity of its members and the bond between Israel and America. For more information, visit israeliamerican.org.\ Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Israeli-American Council Highlights for the Three Months Ended November 30, 2025 Total revenues of $236 million and net income of $31 million 22% increase in lease rental revenue compared to third quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA (1) of $221 million of $221 million Acquired 9 aircraft for $355 million; fiscal year-to-date aircraft acquisitions of $1.3 billion with a weighted average age of 4.1 years Year-to-date sales proceeds of $369 million New technology aircraft comprised 52% of our fleet's net book value as of November 30, 2025 Entered into additional insurance settlements totaling $7 million Liquidity Moody's upgrade to Baa2 98% of total debt is unsecured as of November 30, 2025 Adjusted net debt-to-equity of 2.2 times as of November 30, 2025 Total liquidity of $2.6 billion as of October 1, 2025 which includes $1.8 billion of undrawn facilities, $0.7 billion of projected adjusted operating cash flows and sales through January 1, 2027, and $0.1 billion of unrestricted cash 269 unencumbered aircraft and other flight equipment with a net book value of $8.5 billion (1) Refer to the selected financial information accompanying this press release for a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP numbers. STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mike Inglese, Aircastle's CEO, stated, "Aviation continues its long-term trajectory of growth and aircraft demand is high. While travel numbers continue to increase from 2024, airlines are managing costs amid challenging supply chains by leveraging aircraft leasing solutions. We're pleased to share that we completed our third fiscal quarter with net income of $31 million. Lease rental revenue increased 22% versus the third quarter of 2024, reflecting our global team's successful and profitable fleet growth in a very competitive market." Mr. Inglese concluded, "For over twenty years, Aircastle has built a reputation as a valued trading partner due to our ability to execute quickly and efficiently. This is primarily due to our liquidity advantages, now further bolstered by recent ratings upgrades. With a proven track record and the shareholder support we receive from Marubeni Corporation and Mizuho Leasing, we look forward to closing out another successful fiscal year." Aviation Assets As of November 30, 2025, Aircastle owned 273 aircraft and other flight equipment having a net book value of $8.6 billion. We also manage 6 aircraft with a net book value of $205 million on behalf of our joint venture with Mizuho Leasing. Owned Aircraft As of November 30, 2025 As of November 30, 2024 Net Book Value of Flight Equipment (in millions) $ 8,583 $ 7,117 Net Book Value of Unencumbered Flight Equipment (in millions) $ 8,465 $ 6,064 Number of Aircraft 273 244 Number of Unencumbered Aircraft 269 213 Number of Lessees 73 75 Number of Countries 44 47 Weighted Average Age (years)(1) 8.6 9.7 Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (years)(1) 5.5 5.2 Weighted Average Fleet Utilization during the three months ended November 30, 2025 and 2024(2) 99.2 % 99.2 % Managed Aircraft on behalf of Joint Ventures Net Book Value of Flight Equipment $ 205 $ 262 Number of Aircraft 6 9 _______________ 1. Weighted by Net Book Value. 2. Aircraft on-lease days as a percentage of total days in period weighted by Net Book Value. Conference Call Following this press release, management will host a conference call on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time. All interested parties are welcome to participate in the live call. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1 (800) 836-8184 (from within the U.S. and Canada) or +1 (646) 357-8785 (outside the U.S. and Canada) ten minutes prior to the scheduled start. Please reference our company name "Aircastle" when prompted by the operator. A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at www.aircastle.com. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast. For those who are not available to listen to the live call, a replay will be available on Aircastle's website shortly after the live call. About Aircastle Limited Aircastle Limited acquires, leases and sells commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As of November 30, 2025, Aircastle owned and managed on behalf of its joint ventures 279 aircraft leased to 73 airline customers located in 44 countries. Safe Harbor All statements in this press release, other than characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not necessarily limited to, statements relating to our proposed public offering of notes and our ability to acquire, sell, lease or finance aircraft, raise capital, pay dividends and increase revenues, earnings, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and the global aviation industry and aircraft leasing sector. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "enables," "intends," "plans," "positions," "projects," "believes," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seeks," "estimates" and variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our historical performance and that of our subsidiaries and on our current plans, estimates and expectations and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results being materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements; Aircastle can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this press release. These risks or uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described from time to time in Aircastle's filings with the SEC and previously disclosed under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Aircastle's most recent Form 10-K and any subsequent filings with the SEC. In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Aircastle to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Aircastle expressly disclaims any obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances. Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in thousands, except share data) November 30, 2025 February 28, 2025 (Unaudited) ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 138,649 $ 279,052 Accounts receivable 9,013 9,662 Flight equipment held for lease, net 8,344,273 7,644,867 Net investment in leases, net 238,746 257,249 Unconsolidated equity method investment 47,996 45,813 Other assets 247,954 273,521 Total assets $ 9,026,631 $ 8,510,164 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES Borrowings from secured financings, net $ 113,112 $ 502,609 Borrowings from unsecured financings, net 5,212,982 4,452,781 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 362,756 295,132 Lease rentals received in advance 58,231 68,120 Security deposits 67,437 82,477 Maintenance payments 590,798 583,658 Total liabilities 6,405,316 5,984,777 Commitments and Contingencies SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Preference shares, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 400 (aggregate liquidation preference of $400,000) shares issued and outstanding at November 30, 2025 and February 28, 2025 Common shares, $0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 17,840 shares issued and outstanding at November 30, 2025 and February 28, 2025 Additional paid-in capital 2,378,774 2,378,774 Retained earnings 242,541 146,613 Total shareholders' equity 2,621,315 2,525,387 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 9,026,631 $ 8,510,164 Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended November 30, Nine Months Ended November 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Revenues: Lease rental revenue $ 192,563 $ 158,440 $ 565,722 $ 483,389 Direct financing and sales-type lease revenue 5,158 5,294 15,491 16,177 Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives (1,051) (5,288) 202 (18,005) Maintenance revenue 33,908 14,517 81,748 76,044 Total lease revenue 230,578 172,963 663,163 557,605 Gain on sale or disposition of flight equipment 5,443 20,483 59,621 56,909 Other revenue 401 130 992 903 Total revenues 236,422 193,576 723,776 615,417 Operating expenses: Depreciation 96,055 87,604 288,633 264,637 Interest, net 71,802 58,752 211,172 185,989 Selling, general and administrative 21,034 18,426 65,972 60,571 Provision for credit losses (66) (40) 281 Impairment of flight equipment 15,710 8,419 51,929 19,391 Maintenance and other costs 4,513 4,872 12,734 13,411 Total operating expenses 209,048 178,073 630,400 544,280 Other (expense) income: Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt (2,973) 285 Other 7,569 6,135 68,154 6,557 Total other income 7,569 6,135 65,181 6,842 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment 34,943 21,638 158,557 77,979 Income tax provision 5,579 4,281 23,528 16,881 Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax 1,328 738 2,183 1,737 Net income $ 30,692 $ 18,095 $ 137,212 $ 62,835 Preference share dividends (10,500) (10,500) Net income available to common shareholders $ 30,692 $ 18,095 $ 126,712 $ 52,335 Total comprehensive income available to common shareholders $ 30,692 $ 18,095 $ 126,712 $ 52,335 Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Nine Months Ended November 30, 2025 2024 Cash flows from operating activities : Net income $ 137,212 $ 62,835 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities: Depreciation 288,633 264,637 Amortization of deferred financing costs 13,570 12,722 Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives (202) 18,005 Deferred income taxes 18,926 10,480 Collections on net investment in leases 1,496 5,285 Security deposits and maintenance payments included in earnings (103,868) (9,543) Gain on sale or disposition of flight equipment (59,621) (56,909) (Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt 2,973 (285) Impairment of flight equipment 51,929 19,391 Provision for credit losses (40) 281 Other (2,273) (1,746) Changes in certain assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (763) (4,132) Other assets 850 (3,661) Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 28,872 35,993 Lease rentals received in advance (10,451) 13,709 Net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities 367,243 367,062 Cash flows from investing activities : Acquisition and improvement of flight equipment (1,328,102) (583,541) Proceeds from sale or disposition of flight equipment 368,813 474,053 Proceeds from settlement of insurance claim 62,324 Proceeds from sale of investment in debt securities 10,128 Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments, net of returned deposits and aircraft sales deposits 3,110 (2,269) Other (990) (4,796) Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities (884,717) (116,553) Cash flows from financing activities : Proceeds from issuance of common shares 300,000 Proceeds from secured and unsecured debt financings 1,715,489 1,076,193 Repayments of secured and unsecured debt financings (1,349,093) (1,304,352) Debt extinguishment costs 285 Deferred financing costs (12,234) (5,361) Security deposits and maintenance payments received 123,425 109,668 Security deposits and maintenance payments returned (37,732) (12,166) Dividends paid (62,784) (21,000) Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities 377,071 143,267 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (140,403) 393,776 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 279,052 129,977 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 138,649 $ 523,753 Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended November 30, Nine Months Ended November 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net income $ 30,692 $ 18,095 $ 137,212 $ 62,835 Depreciation 96,055 87,604 288,633 264,637 Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and incentives 1,051 5,288 (202) 18,005 Interest, net 71,802 58,752 211,172 185,989 Income tax provision 5,579 4,281 23,528 16,881 EBITDA $ 205,179 $ 174,020 $ 660,343 $ 548,347 Adjustments: Impairment of flight equipment 15,710 8,419 51,929 19,391 (Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt 2,973 (285) Adjusted EBITDA $ 220,889 $ 182,439 $ 715,245 $ 567,453 We define EBITDA as income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense, and depreciation and amortization. We use EBITDA to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance, and we believe this non-U.S. GAAP measure is helpful in identifying trends in our performance. This measure provides an assessment of controllable expenses and affords management the ability to make decisions which are expected to facilitate meeting current financial goals, as well as achieving optimal financial performance. It provides an indicator for management to determine if adjustments to current spending decisions are needed. EBITDA provides us with a measure of operating performance because it assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges on our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization) from our operating results. Accordingly, this metric measures our financial performance based on operational factors that management can impact in the short-term, namely the cost structure, or expenses, of the organization. EBITDA is one of the metrics used by senior management and the Board of Directors to review the consolidated financial performance of our business. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (as defined above) further adjusted to give effect to adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance as that term is defined in the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes. Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of these covenants. Contact: Aircastle Limited Jim Connelly, SVP ESG & Corporate Communications Tel: +1-203-504-1871 [email protected] SOURCE Aircastle Limited NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Trust Investment Services, Inc. ("ATIS"), a FINRA- and SEC-registered boutique investment bank and broker-dealer, today announced the appointment of Ziyao "Wayne" Wang as Co-Head of Investment Banking for the Asia-Pacific ("APAC") region, effective immediately. In this role, Mr. Wang will work alongside Kristopher "Kit" Kessler, President of ATIS and Co-Head of Investment Banking, to support the firm's international investment banking activities involving APAC-based issuers. The appointment reflects ATIS' continued focus on aligning leadership responsibilities with its investment banking operations and regional coverage. Mr. Wang joined ATIS as an Investment Banking Analyst and has been involved in supporting transactions for issuers based in the Asia-Pacific region. He is fluent in Mandarin and holds both his Series 24 and Series 79 licenses, enabling him to contribute across investment banking origination, transaction execution, and regulatory coordination. "Wayne has demonstrated strong analytical skills and a practical understanding of the investment banking process," said Ian Lippy, Chief Operating Officer of ATIS. "His familiarity with APAC-based issuers and the regulatory considerations involved makes him well suited to support our investment banking activities in the region." "This appointment reflects Wayne's contributions to the firm and our confidence in his ability to support our investment banking efforts in the Asia-Pacific region," said James Dever, Chief Executive Officer of ATIS. "Placing experienced, properly licensed professionals in leadership roles is an important part of how we approach our investment banking business." "I appreciate the opportunity to take on this expanded responsibility," said Ziyao "Wayne" Wang, Co-Head of Investment Banking, APAC. "I look forward to continuing to work with the firm's leadership team to support issuers in the Asia-Pacific region." The appointment is consistent with ATIS' approach to organizing its investment banking platform around regional expertise, sector focus, and evolving client needs. About American Trust Investment Services, Inc. American Trust Investment Services, Inc. ("ATIS") is a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer providing investment banking and capital markets services, including underwriting of public offerings and strategic advisory services. With professionals and offices located in several U.S. locations, ATIS participates in public and private offering activities for emerging and established companies across multiple sectors. Securities offered through American Trust Investment Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Media Contact: Ariella Sherman CEO, AS Strategic [email protected] | www.amtruinvest.com SOURCE American Trust Investment Services, Inc. ATK Opens the Door for Advertisers to Reach a High-Intent, Food-Focused Audience With Scalable, Brand-Safe FAST Channel Inventory BOSTON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- America's Test Kitchen (ATK), the iconic culinary media brand trusted by millions, today announced the launch of direct and programmatic advertising opportunities across its rapidly expanding footprint of Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channels. With distribution now live across major CTV and FAST platforms, ATK offers advertisers new ways to partner and to reach highly engaged, food-forward audiences at scale on streaming platforms with national reach and measurable advertising capabilities. ATK's FAST network is available on leading platforms including Roku, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Vizio WatchFree+, Pluto TV, and Xumo Playdelivering 24/7 free access to ATK's trusted, high-quality, brand-safe cooking content and engaging younger, streaming-first households. "America's Test Kitchen operates two of the top FAST cooking channels in the media ecosystem, distributing our trusted content to streamers everywhere," said Daniel Suratt, CEO, America's Test Kitchen. "The success of our FAST distribution opens the door for brands that want to partner with ATK to reach a passionate, high-intent food audience." America's Test Kitchen partnered with leading ad-tech companies Magnite and PubMatic to deliver programmatic monetization and premium demand access across participating FAST platforms. Advertisers can engage through direct partnerships including sponsorships and custom brand integrations or through programmatic channels such as private marketplace (PMP) deals and programmatic guaranteed buys. This integrated ad tech infrastructure allows brands to connect with America's Test Kitchen however they prefer to transact. "As a primary partner to America's Test Kitchen, Magnite is proud to help unlock new advertising opportunities across its growing FAST channel portfolio," said Ryan Kenney, SVP, Revenue, SpringServe at Magnite. "By enabling seamless programmatic access to their premium, brand-safe inventory, we're helping ATK create a stronger, more sustainable revenue stream that supports continued investment in the high-quality content viewers crave." "As FAST continues to grow, premium publishers like America's Test Kitchen need infrastructure that supports both scale and flexibility," said Nicole Scaglione, VP of CTV at PubMatic. "PubMatic enables ATK to open its FAST footprint to advertisers through efficient, programmatic access across top streaming platforms." As America's Test Kitchen continues its evolution in streaming media, the brand plans to expand its FAST-specific content slate, add new platform partners, and deepen relationships across the FAST and CTV ecosystem. Additionally, ATK will introduce new ad-supported formats and audience capabilities, further enhancing FAST opportunities for advertisers. About America's Test Kitchen The mission of America's Test Kitchen (ATK) is to empower and inspire confidence, community, and creativity in the kitchen. Founded in 1992, the company is the leading multimedia cooking resource serving millions of fans with TV shows (America's Test Kitchen, Cook's Country, and America's Test Kitchen: The Next Generation), a magazine (Cook's Illustrated), cookbooks, a podcast (Proof), FAST channels, short-form video series, and the ATK Essential subscription for digital content. Located in a state-of-the-art, 15,000-square-foot test kitchen in Boston's Seaport District, ATK has earned the trust of home cooks and culinary experts alike thanks to its one-of-a-kind processes and best-in-class techniques. Fifty full-time (admittedly very meticulous) test cooks, editors, and product testers spend their days tweaking every variable to find the very best recipes, equipment, ingredients, and techniques. Learn more at https://www.americastestkitchen.com/. SOURCE America's Test Kitchen NORRIS, Tenn., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tennessee River system a lifeline of biodiversity, recreation, and commerce has long faced a pressing ecological challenge: invasive carp. Species like silver carp, bighead carp, black carp and grass carp are non-native and highly prolific. They outcompete native fish for food, alter aquatic ecosystems, and even pose safety risks to boaters when startled they jump powerfully out of the water . Why Invasive Carp Are a Problem Invasive carp were introduced decades ago and have since spread throughout much of the Mississippi River basin, including the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers and their reservoirs. These fish reproduce quickly and consume vast amounts of plankton the foundation of the aquatic food web which starves native species like bass, crappie, and catfish. Their explosive jumps can also injure boaters and disrupt recreational activities. "This river ecosystem connects over 652 miles of connected waterways." said TRV Stewardship Council Executive Director, Julie Graham "Unchecked invasive species threaten more than fish populations they threaten the outdoor recreation, tourism, and quality of life that communities along the Tennessee River depend on." Commercial harvest has been one of the most effective tools in suppressing carp populations. Partnering state and federal agencies are removing millions of pounds of invasive carp annually from the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service How Harvest Incentive Programs Work Harvest incentive programs pay commercial fishers for removing invasive carp from waterways. These programs are crucial because: They reduce carp biomass lowering competition with native species and improving overall ecosystem health. lowering competition with native species and improving overall ecosystem health. They support local economies by providing revenue for commercial fishers and processors. by providing revenue for commercial fishers and processors. They encourage innovation in fishing methods that target invasive species while minimizing bycatch of natives. 2026 Commercial Fishing Incentives in Kentucky For 2026, Kentucky is stepping up its efforts on two of the Tennessee River system's largest reservoirs Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley . The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources recently announced an increase in its commercial fishing incentive for invasive carp. Commercial fishers will now be paid 15 cents a pound for invasive carp harvested from Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley , up from 10 cents per pound in 2025 . This boost in payment aims to: Maintain harvest pressure on carp populations that continue to threaten native species and aquatic habitats. that continue to threaten native species and aquatic habitats. Encourage commercial fishers to sustain high removal rates , even as carp densities change. , even as carp densities change. Support the local economy , including the sportfishing and tourism industries that depend on healthy waters. Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife In 2024 alone, fishermen harvested more than 15 million pounds of invasive carp through Kentucky's program, pushing the total to over 74 million pounds removed since 2013 . Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Tools and Techniques Enhancing Carp Control Beyond financial incentives, managers are employing cutting-edge tools like the BioAcoustic Fish Fence at Barkley Dam. This system uses sound, light, and bubbles to deter carp from migrating upstream, effectively reducing upstream movement by around 50%. Experimental commercial fishing methods and specialized gear are also being tested to increase removal efficiency while protecting native fish. Looking Ahead While carp removal is making measurable gains catch rates and young silver carp detections have declined these fish remain a formidable invader. Sustained removal efforts, coupled with innovative deterrents and expanded incentive programs like Kentucky's 2026 bump to $0.15/lb , are critical for protecting the ecological and recreational value of the Tennessee River watershed. Learn more here . The Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting stewardship, economic vitality, and tourism across the seven-state Tennessee River watershed. The Council works to connect communities and visitors through initiatives that celebrate the region's diverse landscapes, history, and culture. The Council's efforts are made possible through the generous support of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). SOURCE TRV Stewardship Council Centralized single platform streamlines global trade operations, boosting speed, transparency and scalability JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra, a global leader in financial services software, announced that PT. Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BNI), one of Indonesia's largest state-owned banks, has accelerated customer onboarding by around 25%, unifying its domestic and international trade finance operations on Finastra Trade Innovation. The centralized deployment replaced multiple legacy systems and is also delivering shorter approval cycles, and a single source of truth for reporting across BNI's regional footprint. BNI selected Finastra's Trade Innovation to consolidate siloed trade finance processes, modernize compliance, and enable real-time processing and analytics. Finastra provided end-to-end implementation and co-innovation services, while a local systems integrator supported on-site deployment and localization. BNI initially operated local instances for overseas offices and is completing the migration of nine international locations onto a central instance in Jakarta to streamline group-level processing while preserving local regulatory controls. Since deployment, BNI has realized measurable operational and customer-experience gains: Customer onboarding has accelerated by approximately 25%, helping the bank deliver a number of services with SLAs of under three hours. Automated compliance workflows and straight-through processing have significantly reduced approval times, with most approvals now completed within one day. The platform has supported a 10% increase in customer acquisition in the current fiscal year and underpins a growing digital trade across over 160 branches and more than 2,645 trade customers. The centralized architecture facilitates advanced analytics, risk modeling, and easier integration with fintech and AI partners, supporting BNI's ongoing modernization efforts. "Our relationship with Finastra is a strategic partnership. We collaborate not just on technology, but on shaping the future of trade transactions within BNI, across Indonesia, and beyond," said I G W Anantayoga, General Manager of Wholesale Product Transaction & Value Chain Division, BNI. "Finastra's solution has seamlessly integrated with our core banking system, providing instant insights that enable us to process trade documents quickly and accurately. Most approval decisions are made within a day, strengthening the customer experience. At the same time, automation has significantly streamlined operations and delivered measurable efficiencies." "Modernizing trade finance is essential for banks to serve their customers faster and to collaborate effectively with fintech and AI innovators," said Andrew Bateman, EVP for Lending at Finastra. "Working with BNI, we delivered a scalable, centralized Trade Innovation platform that streamlines compliance, enhances straight-through processing, and positions the bank for rapid product innovation across its regional footprint." About Finastra Finastra is a global leader in financial services software, trusted by 8,000+ customers - including 45 of the world's top 50 banks - in over 130 countries. With expertise in Lending, Payments, Universal Banking and Treasury & Capital Markets, we deliver reliable, scalable, mission-critical solutions such as Loan IQ, LaserPro, Trade Innovation, Essence, Global PAYplus, Payments To Go, and Financial Messaging. Backed by Vista Equity Partners, we co-innovate with customers to build modern technology that helps financial institutions grow with confidence. Visit www.finastra.com or follow Finastra on LinkedIn. LinkedIn | X | YouTube About BNI Headquartered in Jakarta, PT. Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BNI) is one of Indonesia's largest state-owned banks, serving over 2,645 trade customers across retail, corporate and SME segments. BNI has more than 160 branches nationwide currently handling trade services and trade finance transactions, and a growing digital footprint that focuses on financial inclusion, digital innovation, and sustainable banking, especially in the transactional banking sector. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1916021/5703973/FINASTRA_Logo.jpg SOURCE Finastra Settlement Resolves Claims Against Landlord for Toxic Lead Paint Exposure Causing Severe Neurological Harm Families Concerned About Lead Exposure in Their Homes Encouraged to Seek Free Legal Consultation BRONX, N.Y., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Frankel Law Firm announced today that a childhood lead poisoning lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court, Bronx County, has been settled for $2.35 million. The settlement compensates a young child who suffered severe lead poisoning and resulting neurological injuries after chronic exposure to lead-based paint hazards in a Bronx residential apartment. This settlement ensures that a child who will face lifelong challenges due to entirely preventable landlord negligence will have the resources necessary to access specialized education, medical care, and support services. The infant plaintiff was exposed to dangerous levels of lead paint in their home, resulting in blood lead levels reaching 34 micrograms per deciliter (g/dL)more than nine times the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's reference level of 3.5 g/dL. The child sustained significant injuries including neurocognitive deficits, heme inhibition, persistent headaches, and will require ongoing medical monitoring. The lawsuit alleged that the property owners and management company negligently maintained the residential premises and failed to comply with New York City's Local Law 1 of 2004, which mandates strict protocols for investigating and remediating lead-based paint hazards in residential buildings where young children reside. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issued violations documenting the presence of lead paint hazards in the apartment, establishing the defendants' failure to maintain safe living conditions. "This settlement represents justice for a child whose life has been forever altered by preventable lead exposure," said Reuven Frankel, lead counsel for the plaintiffs. "Landlords have a legal and moral obligation to maintain safe, lead-free homes for families with young children. When they fail to do so, they must be held accountable." The case was resolved through settlement negotiations prior to trial and following extensive motion and appellate practice. Lead poisoning remains a persistent public health crisis in New York City, particularly affecting children in older housing stock. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause irreversible developmental delays, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and other serious health consequences. The settlement will provide necessary resources for the child's ongoing medical care, educational support, and future needs stemming from the lead-induced injuries. Parents Should Watch for These Warning Signs Lead poisoning often goes undetected because symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other conditions. Parents should be alert to developmental delays, difficulty concentrating, learning problems, irritability, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Children living in buildings constructed before 1978when lead paint was bannedface elevated risk. Free Case Evaluation Available Families who believe their child may have been exposed to lead paint hazards are encouraged to contact The Frankel Law Firm for a free, confidential case evaluation. There is no fee unless compensation is recovered. About The Frankel Law Firm For 47 years, The Frankel Law Firm has represented lead-poisoned children and their families throughout New York. The firm has established landmark legal precedents including Juarez v. Wavecrest Management Team Ltd., 88 NY2d 628, which requires landlords to maintain lead-safe housing regardless of whether they know a child resides in the unit, and Munoz v. Puretz, which extended liability to prenatal lead exposure. These victories have fundamentally strengthened protections for New York's most vulnerable residents and recovered millions of dollars for affected families. The firm represents families in lead poisoning cases throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and the greater New York metropolitan area, including cases involving NYCHA properties and private landlords. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The outcome of any legal matter depends on the unique facts and circumstances of each case. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Website: www.frankellawfirm.com SOURCE The Frankel Law Firm TBILISI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Georgia's former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has been sentenced to five years in prison and fined 1 million Georgian lari (about 370,000 U.S. dollars) over money laundering charges, local media reported on Monday. The Prosecutor's Office of Georgia said that Garibashvili pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to the terms of a plea deal, which were subsequently upheld by the court. Funds obtained through criminal activity and seized during a search of his residence will be transferred to the state treasury. Garibashvili, 43, served as Georgia's prime minister from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2024. CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Results from AGC of America's newly released 2026 Construction Outlook show that contractors across the Carolinas are entering the New Year with cautious optimism, especially in healthcare, power, water/sewer, and data center markets. While national expectations have "dampened" overall, North Carolina and South Carolina firms continue to report notable areas of momentum, along with steady backlogs and plans to grow their workforce. "While contractors across the country are facing real uncertainty, the outlook from our members in North and South Carolina shows clear areas of strength," said Dave Simpson, President and CEO of Carolinas AGC (CAGC). "Healthcare, data centers, power, and water and sewer work are creating meaningful opportunities across the Carolinas. Backlogs remain solid and many firms are planning to hire, which tells us construction is still a driving force for economic growth in our region. At the same time, workforce shortages and rising costs continue to be major challenges, reinforcing how important advocacy, workforce development, and smart infrastructure investment will be in the year ahead." North Carolina: Healthcare, Power, and Data Centers Lead the Way North Carolina contractors reported some of the strongest optimism in the southern region. The most positive outlooks were tied to healthcare, data centers, and power-related construction. "We are seeing strong opportunities across data centers, water and wastewater, energy, manufacturing, and institutional work. There is a lot being built in North and South Carolina, and that diversity is important," said Jim Rhodes, Senior Vice President at Wayne Brothers Companies. "It allows our industry to stay healthy and keep moving forward, even when individual markets fluctuate." Other healthcare facilities (clinics, testing, and medical facilities) showed the strongest outlook, with a 67% net positive reading, meaning far more firms expect growth than decline. Data centers and power projects both posted 50% net positive expectations, placing them among the most promising markets in the state. Contractors also expressed positive expectations for water/sewer (38%), hospitals (36%), multifamily residential (36%), and K12 school construction (33%). Nearly 55% of North Carolina firms described themselves as very confident or confident in their 2026 backlog and bidding pipeline. About 48% reported larger backlogs than this time last year, while another 31% said backlogs are about the same. Hiring expectations also remain strong, with 76% anticipating increased headcount in 2026. Workforce challenges continue. More than 90% of North Carolina respondents said they are having a hard time filling craft and salaried positions, reinforcing the need for continued workforce development, training, and recruitment initiatives. South Carolina: Hospitals, Data Centers, and Public Buildings Show Momentum South Carolina contractors reported optimism that exceeded the Southern regional averages in several major markets, led by hospital, K-12, and data center construction. Hospital construction leads all South Carolina markets with a 70% net positive outlook. Data centers followed closely at 67%, and other healthcare facilities posted a 60% positive reading. Public buildings and higher education both came in at 56% net positive expectations, signaling continued demand in institutional work. Confidence levels were similar to North Carolina. Approximately 60% of South Carolina contractors said they are very confident or confident in their backlog and bidding pipeline, and 45% reported larger backlogs than a year ago. Hiring plans remain aggressive, with 70% expecting to increase headcount in 2026. Labor pressures are even more pronounced in South Carolina. 76% of firms reported difficulty filling craft positions, and 95% said they are struggling to fill salaried roles. Rising labor costs and worker availability ranked among the top concerns heading into 2026. "If we want to grow this industry in a sustainable way, it comes down to people. Our ability to deliver projects more efficiently and to value the people putting that work in place is what will ultimately determine how successful we are," Rhodes said. Southern Region: Carolinas Outperform Several Traditional Markets Across the broader Southern region, contractors' strongest growth expectations are centered on data centers (60% net positive), hospitals (33%), power (32%), and water/sewer (28%). In contrast, retail and private office construction posted negative outlooks, reflecting a broader market shift already underway. Compared to the Southern averages, both North Carolina and South Carolina outperformed the region in healthcare, power, and data center optimism, reinforcing the Carolinas' position as a leader in these sectors. Regionally, about 71% of Southern firms expect to increase staffing levels, even as workforce shortages, rising labor costs, and economic uncertainty remain top concerns. National Outlook Cools, Carolinas Markets Remain Active Nationally, AGC's outlook found that contractors' expectations have softened overall, outside of data centers and power projects. Economic uncertainty, financing costs, tariffs, and workforce shortages continue to weigh heavily on contractors' outlooks. Against that backdrop, the Carolinas results stand out. Contractors in both states reported stronger-than-national confidence in healthcare, institutional, and utility-related markets, along with solid backlogs and continued hiring intentions. Despite the challenges, most Carolinas firms plan to grow in 2026, signaling continued demand for construction services and reinforcing the importance of Carolinas AGC's advocacy, workforce, and industry support efforts in the year ahead. Carolinas AGC (CAGC) is a construction trade association made up of small and large commercial contractors and construction-related firms that perform building, utility, and/or highway work in the Carolinas. CAGC is a chapter of AGC of America and ARTBA. Visit us at www.cagc.org, www.cagcfoundation.org, Facebook, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn. Learn about CAGC membership here CONTACT: Lori McGovern, [email protected] SOURCE Carolinas AGC ATLANTA, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ECI Group (ECI) welcomes retired Ernst & Young Partner, Joseph King, to its Board of Managers, where he will also serve as Chairman of the firm's Audit Committee. ECI Group (ECI) welcomed retired Ernst & Young Partner, Joseph King, to its Board of Managers, where he will also serve as Chairman of the firms Audit Committee "ECI is excited to welcome Joe King to our Board, where we will welcome not only his skills as a 25-year partner at Ernst & Young, but also as a recognized leader in the business and philanthropic communities in Atlanta and in other major cities where he worked," said ECI Group CEO Seth R. Greenberg. "We are proud of the accomplishments of our Board and our team and know that Joe's values, professional insights, and experiences will complement us as we realize our goal as a best-in-class, fully integrated multifamily platform." Joe King retired in 2025 after serving at Ernst & Young for almost 40 years, most recently as Senior Partner and a member of the firm's Professional Practice Group. King previously led the firm's Growth Markets Group and the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Programs. King began his career in 1987 in the firm's national offices in the Accounting Research department, where he did extensive research on corporate disclosures. From 1993 to 1995, King was a resident at EY's National Accounting Group (New York), working on national and international accounting matters. King has also served some of the Southeast's largest technology clients throughout his career. King was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987. King is a graduate of the Ernst & Young / Kellogg Graduate Program at Northwestern University and the EY/INSEAD Leadership Program. King is also an Eagle Scout and served on the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business Board of Governors, the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Parents Board at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Governing Board of the Cherokee Town and Country Club. He currently serves on the board of The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. About ECI Group For more than 50 years, ECI Group has been one of the most highly regarded, privately owned real estate organizations in the United States. The firm is fully integrated, with development, construction, investment, and property management groups that have garnered national recognition for innovation and performance in the multifamily industry. With a portfolio of more than 7,500 units located throughout the Southeast and Texas, ECI is strategically positioned to continue to be a leader in the multifamily industry. For more information, visit www.ecigroups.com. Media Contact: Karen Widmayer KW Communications, LLC [email protected] 301.661.1448 SOURCE ECI Group Oklahoma manufacturer provides certainty in uncertain times with proven on-time delivery and increased domestic production planned at its new high-tech manufacturing facility. TULSA, Okla., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- EMCO Industries, a leading manufacturer of leaf springs for trailers, agricultural equipment, recreational vehicles and specialty vehicles, today announced the launch of its High-Performance Mono-Leaf Spring for heavy-duty trailer applications. The new 22,400-pound gross-axle-weight-rated spring addresses critical onshore supply chain delays that have long plagued major OEMs and distributors, leaving them struggling to source this basic, yet essential, component. EMCO Industries Launches High-Performance Mono-Leaf Spring The company's entry into the mono-leaf market comes as trailer manufacturers also face mounting uncertainty due to tariffs on offshore suppliers. EMCO's new offering provides a 25 percent weight reduction compared to traditional 22.4K axle leaf springs, dropping from 53 pounds to 40 pounds, while delivering performance characteristics that exceed Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) B-10 fatigue life requirements. The High-Performance Mono-Leaf Spring is particularly well suited for applications requiring lower suspension clearance, including container chassis, flatbed trailers and drive-on trailers. Both low-arch and high-arch configurations will be available, with the low-arch variant expected to see the highest demand based on customer feedback. "In today's environment of supply chain uncertainty, we're providing reliability," said Marcus Hester, president of EMCO Industries. "Fueled in part by demand and by our track record of on- time delivery, we've seen a lot of customer enthusiasm. We're seizing this opportunity and are doubling down on our commitment to domestic manufacturing with a significant multimillion dollar investment in automation and expanded capacity." Meeting Market Demand The launch comes as EMCO nears completion on a new 30,000-square-foot automated manufacturing facility that will more than double the company's production capacity. The expansion, featuring robotic cells working in conjunction with EMCO's skilled labor force, will also enhance the company's ability to meet on-time delivery schedules. "We've been urging EMCO to develop a mono-leaf spring and we're thrilled that they've done it," said Joel Schubach, chief operating officer and owner of Pratt Industries. "Their commitment to using U.S. steel and investing in a state-of-the-art automated facility right here in America demonstrates exactly what we need more of in this industry. EMCO has proven they will deliver when they say they will deliver, and that's one less factor, for our production folks to worry about." Chad Dugger, sourcing manager for Stoughton Trailers, LLC, agreed with Schubach: "We look forward to adding EMCO's mono-leaf spring to our supply chain. Their past track record of reliability and on-time delivery has earned our trust and we're confident this new product will meet the same high standards we've come to expect from our relationship with EMCO." Focused Expertise Drives Innovation For more than 35 years, EMCO's focus on spring manufacturing has enabled the company to respond quickly to market needs. The company's engineering team, with over 100 years of combined leaf spring experience, worked hard perfecting the mono-leaf design to ensure it met the company's stringent quality standards before bringing it to market. "We're not going to introduce a product until it's right," Hester explained. "With mono-leaf springs, functionality and durability are critical. That's why we've invested the time to ensure our product exceeds industry standards for fatigue, longevity and performance." The new mono-leaf springs will be manufactured using EMCO's proprietary steel specifications and heat-treating processes, with each spring individually painted for superior corrosion resistance. The company's ISO certification and multiple OEM Supplier of the Year awards underscore its commitment to quality and reliability. EMCO will begin taking orders immediately, with delivery times of around eight weeks. The new automated facility is expected to create approximately 20 new jobs in Claremore and the surrounding area. To access high-resolution images of EMCO's new High-Performance Mono-Leaf Spring, please click here. About EMCO Industries, LLC For more than 35 years, EMCO Industries has manufactured leaf springs and heat-treated products for the trailer, agricultural and specialty vehicle industries. The company produces springs with capacities ranging from 250 pounds to 14,000 pounds, serving OEM and aftermarket customers globally from its facilities in Claremore, Oklahoma. As a U.S. manufacturer using American steel, EMCO has built its reputation on delivering quality products on time, every time. For more information, visit https://emcoind.com/. Website: https://emcoind.com/ SOURCE EMCO Industries Strategic investment will enhance client service and market reach TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Franklin Street, a full-service commercial real estate services firm headquartered in Tampa, Florida and serving clients nationwide, announced Hodges Ward Elliott, the premier hospitality focused real estate capital advisor with extensive market share and a 50-year track record of excellence, joined its platform. HWE specializes in institutional and private transactions and will continue to serve its clients with the same long-tenured team that built its reputation. Additionally, HWE clients will gain greater exposure to Franklin Street's portfolio of developer and investor clients and have access to Franklin Street's full-service capabilities, including insurance, project management, capital advisory, leasing, and property management. HWE will continue to provide its services under its current name and brand. Franklin Street "This is an important and significant step as we continue to build a firm that offers exceptional client service and tailored solutions across all asset classes nationwide," Tony DeSisto, president and chief operating officer, Franklin Street, said. "HWE's experience with executing institutional deals will benefit Franklin Street as we expand our reach and market share. They have built a reputation as the premier firm in hospitality real estate by embodying qualities our founder and Chairman Andrew Wright established Franklin Street on; hard work, collaboration, and a strong culture that values its people." Over the last five years HWE's transaction team and capital markets team completed: $17 billion in closed transactions 30 completed transactions of $100 million or larger 175 hotels sold in the $25 million and under range totaling $2.5 billion In 2025 HWE completed $1.5 billion in transactions including: W London Viewline Resort Snowmass Planters Inn Charleston Cumberland House Knoxville Residence Inn Tampa Downtown Crowne Plaza/Staybridge Suites Atlanta Midtown Hayes Street Hotel Nashville Homewood Suites Downtown Indianapolis Hotel Trouvail South Beach Gabriel South Beach note sale Sold over half a billion worth of hotels under $25 million HWE offers strategic, tailored solutions through a multi-disciplined approach and has built a forward-thinking team of professionals focused on cultivating long-term client relationships. As HWE brokers and team join Franklin Street, clients will continue to work with the same team and experience the same collaborative culture on which HWE and Franklin Street have built successful legacies and businesses from the ground up with. "Joining together with Franklin Street allows HWE to build momentum and expand our ability to serve clients with the high standard of service we hold ourselves to and our clients expect," Bill Hodges, chief executive officer, HWE, said. "We are emboldened by what the future holds and are actively looking to add top brokers to our team. We will continue to execute on institutional level transactions for the premier brands and investors in hospitality while providing excellent client service and thoughtful solutions to our clients, now across the spectrum of commercial real estate services." Franklin Street is executing its strategic growth plan by expanding its geographic footprint, targeting top brokers in its existing markets, and now, by identifying companies that are additive to the firm's services and culture. In May of this year, Franklin Street opened its Nashville office and in August announced the opening of its Dallas office and the hiring of a regional managing director in Miami. "We have worked diligently for years to lay the groundwork for intentional growth by investing in our people and our platform to evolve Franklin Street into a scalable and sustainable firm with national reach," Kurt Keaton, president of real estate services, Franklin Street, said. "As we grow, we're going to be relentless in building a firm that is true to our foundations and core values." Throughout its history, HWE has focused on people, both internally and in client relationships. As a testament to its culture, HWE has built a team that is long tenured and has meaningful relationships within the industry. "Our legacy is built off the character, culture and commitment to excellence of Bill Hodges, Jack Ward, and Mark Elliott," Clint Hodges, managing director, HWE, said. "The next chapter for our team is to build on what was established by our founders and to continue that tradition with the backing and support of Franklin Street's infrastructure to continue to be thought leaders, problem solvers and trusted advisors. This was an opportunity to grow with a firm that values HWE's legacy and is like minded in its ambition, culture, and approach to excellence in client service." HWE team members have joined existing Franklin Street offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, and Tampa. About Franklin Street Franklin Street is a privately held, full-service commercial real estate services firm headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The firm provides tailored solutions nationwide, serving owners and occupiers through Capital Markets, Insurance Services, Leasing, and Management. Founded in 2006, Franklin Street has a network of industry-leading brokers and capital partners across the country to ensure exceptional client service. Learn more about Franklin Street. About Hodges Ward Elliott HWE is the premier hospitality focused real estate capital markets advisor. With 50 years of excellence in real estate, HWE is committed to delivering exceptional results for its clients. The HWE team comprises the most forward-thinking, experienced professionals in the commercial hospitality real estate industry today and has earned its reputation through intelligence, a collaborative spirit, and a culture dedicated to putting its clients' interests first. Learn more about HWE. SOURCE Franklin Street Real Estate Services, LLC. VAUGHAN, ON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - GFL Environmental Inc. (NYSE: GFL) (TSX: GFL) ("GFL" or the "Company") today announced the pricing of US$1 billion in aggregate principal amount of 5.500% senior notes due 2034 (the "Notes"), in a transaction that was significantly oversubscribed (the "Notes Offering"). The Notes will be issued by a U.S. wholly owned subsidiary of GFL and will be guaranteed by GFL and certain of its other subsidiaries. Following the successful execution of the Company's capital allocation strategy in 2025, GFL intends to use the proceeds from the Notes Offering to repay amounts drawn on its revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes, with a view to maximizing its available liquidity to execute on its growth strategy in 2026 and beyond. The Notes Offering is expected to have an immaterial impact on the Company's borrowing rate and to be leverage neutral, consistent with the Company's commitment to maintain leverage in the low-to-mid 3.0x range. "The successful pricing of these Notes demonstrates the continued support we have from our institutional debt investors," said Patrick Dovigi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "We have worked very hard to build their trust as stewards of their capital and in turn they have supported us in our growth strategies, allowing us to further pursue our goal of creating long-term value for all of our stakeholders." The Notes being offered in the Notes Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The Notes are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. In Canada, the Notes are to be offered and sold on a private placement basis in certain provinces of Canada. This release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any security in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. About GFL GFL is the fourth largest diversified environmental services company in North America, providing comprehensive solid waste management services through its platform of facilities throughout Canada and in 18 U.S. states. Across its organization, GFL has a workforce of more than 15,000 employees. Forward-Looking Information This release includes certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking information"), within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws, respectively. Forward-looking information includes all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and may relate to our future outlook, financial guidance and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding our financial performance, financial condition or results, business strategy, growth strategies, budgets, operations and services. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "outlook", "forecasts", "projection", "prospects", "strategy", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", or "potential" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved", although not all forward-looking information includes those words or phrases. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections, guidance, potential or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts nor assurances of future performance but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Forward-looking information is based on our opinions, estimates and assumptions that we considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such information is stated, is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Important factors that could materially affect our forward-looking information can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of GFL's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024 and GFL's other periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these risks carefully in evaluating our forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. There can be no assurance that the underlying opinions, estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors not currently known to us or that we currently believe are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information. 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. The forward-looking information contained in this release represents our expectations as of the date of this release (or as the date it is otherwise stated to be made), and is subject to change after such date. However, we disclaim any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable U.S. or Canadian securities laws. For more information: Patrick Dovigi +1 905-326-0101 [email protected] SOURCE GFL Environmental Inc. MIDWAY, Utah, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Giv Care Inc. announced today that J. Wade Kelson, Co-Founder and President, has stepped down from his role following several years of foundational leadership and contribution to the company's early growth. Kelson has been involved with Giv since 2021 and played an important role in shaping the company's initial vision and operating model. "Wade's energy, creativity, and belief in what Giv could become were instrumental during our formative years," said Andrew Larson, CEO of Giv Care Inc. "We're grateful for his contributions and wish him continued success in his next chapter." Giv's caregiving agency, giv.care, provides family-centered support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization currently supports more than 800 clients, maintains low caregiver turnover, and is known for dependable service delivery and sustainable caregiver pay. Under Wade Kelson's leadership, the agency has more than doubled, reflecting strong demand, operational momentum, and effective management. According to Kelson, "My lived experience is what drove me to create this untraditional agency. I have an older brother with intellectual disabilities. I saw what he and our family struggled with, and I knew there was a better way to provide caregiving support." Kelson emphasized that his departure reflects a transition into the next phase of his life, not a change in commitment to the disability community. He remains optimistic about Giv's future and its continued impact on families and caregivers nationwide. Giv Care Inc. remains focused on its mission of delivering reliable, compassionate care with families at the center, and continues to build a durable, repeatable service model designed to scale responsibly across multiple states. About giv.care Giv.care is a Utah-based caregiver services organization dedicated to delivering high-quality, relationship-driven support for individuals with disabilities. Serving residents across Utah through Medicaid waiver programs, giv.care combines compassionate care with modern, caregiver-friendly tools to strengthen outcomes, support workforce stability, and help individuals and families navigate long-term care. Learn more at https://giv.care. Media contact Kassie Williams [email protected] SOURCE giv.care "From the earliest days of commercial oil production to the rise of the automobile, the interstate travel boom, and the development of branded retail stations, Gulf has been a catalyst for progress. Generations have grown up with the iconic orange disc and the familiar Gulf station along America's roads. Throughout every era, Gulf has been powered by strong partnerships with distributors and dealers who built their businesses with confidence in the brand," said Gulf's Chief Operating Officer, Ron Sabia. Throughout 2026, Gulf will honor its legacy by celebrating the customers, industry partners and consumers who have helped fuel 125 years of growth. Gulf is launching a year-long series of events designed to honor the past while looking toward the future. In celebration, Gulf is unveiling a new family of commemorative logos that will be featured across the brand's national marketing campaigns throughout the year, on internal and industry-facing communications and at planned events. The refreshed visuals honor Gulf's rich heritage while reinforcing the brand's continued evolution and relevance in today's marketplace. As part of the anniversary celebration, Gulf is also collaborating with select licensed merchandise partners to develop exclusive 125th anniversary items, created for both its valued customers and the consumer, extending the brand experience beyond the forecourt. The kickoff will start with hosted regional meetings and customer road shows throughout the year. These events will recognize the people behind the brand's success and highlight the continued evolution of Gulf's marketing, fuels, digital capabilities and payment solutions. Gulf customers have always been at the center of its story, with a commitment, entrepreneurial spirit and pride in the brand that has kept Gulf thriving through every shift in the industry. This anniversary will be a celebration of shared progress and the strength of a network that continues to grow. "Watching the Gulf brand continue to evolve is nothing short of incredible. The passion for the iconic orange and blue has never been stronger, from accelerating growth in our wholesale business to the demand for the Gulf livery. I am proud to showcase how far this brand has come and excited to celebrate 125 years while fueling the momentum for what's next," said Nikki Fales, Gulf's Vice President of Marketing & Payments. As one of the most recognizable energy brands in the world, Gulf entered its 125th year with renewed momentum and a focus on innovation that serves modern retailers and consumers. The next chapter will honor the legacy built at Spindletop while continuing to advance the customer experience, strengthen brand visibility and support partners across the entire portfolio. About Gulf, Inc. Gulf, Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and is a subsidiary of family-owned RaceTrac, Inc. The Gulf brand has 125 years of experience fueling consumers through approximately 1,200 Gulf branded locations across 36 states and Puerto Rico. Gulf also trades and supplies products to premier branded and unbranded partners across the United States. More information can be found at www.gulfinc.com. SOURCE Gulf Oil Award-Winning Instagram Growth Platform for Influencers and SMEs PRAGUE, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexrate, a leading organic Instagram growth platform, today announced the expansion of its growth-focused tools designed to help brands and creators increase Instagram followers and engagement organically. Organic Instagram Growth Without Restrictions Hexrate allows users to analyze and plan instagram growth for any account, not just their own. This enables brands, creators, and agencies to research competitors, niche leaders, and potential partners before launching or scaling growth campaigns. Smart marketers love Hexrate New Growth Tools Designed to Increase Followers and Engagement The latest Hexrate update introduces several tools built specifically to support organic reach and engagement growth: Instagram Photo & Video Downloader Download public Instagram content to study high-performing posts and engagement-driving formats. AI Profile Audit for Growth An Instagram AI Profile Audit that evaluates how effectively a profile converts visitors into followers, highlights growth blockers, and identifies key competitors within the same niche. Hashtags & Mentions Extractor Discover the hashtags and mentioned profiles that help top accounts gain followers and visibility faster. AI-Powered Growth Our system helps you boost reach, visibility, and engagement by connecting your content with the right audience. Instagram Profile Comparison Compare your Instagram profile with competitors to understand differences in follower growth, engagement rate, and content strategy. All tools are focused on real audience growth and real engagement, not artificial metrics. Trusted by Brands and Creators Worldwide Hexrate is already delivering measurable results for users across multiple industries: "Hexrate grew my travel blog by 300% in weeks. The dashboard is intuitive and the results feel completely natural." Alina R., Travel Influencer "My brand page finally gets real engagement and sales are up." Jorge M., E-commerce Owner "Other services failed. Hexrate delivers consistent, high-quality growth." Diana T., Fashion Creator Built for Long-Term Instagram Success Hexrate helps brands and creators: 1. Gain real instagram followers interested in their content 2. Increase instagram likes, comments, and meaningful interactions 3. Improve instagram profile visibility within their target niche Get Started Hexrate's organic Instagram growth tools are available now at https://hexrate.io, with no limitations on which public Instagram profiles can be analyzed. Connect today! Press Release Service provided by 24-7PressRelease.com. SOURCE Hexrate SHANGHAI, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunofoco, a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing innovative CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors, recently announced clinical data from its Phase I/IIa study of IMC002, a VHH-based anti-CLDN18.2 CAR-T therapy, in patients with advanced gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJ). The data were presented as a poster (Abstract No. 398) at the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI 2026). The study is a multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation Phase I/IIa trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of IMC002 in patients with CLDN18.2-positive, locally advanced or metastatic GC/GEJ who had failed at least two prior lines of systemic therapy. The results presented at ASCO GI 2026 focus on the GC/GEJ cohort. As of the data cutoff on August 8, 2025, 16 patients had received a single infusion of IMC002 and were included in the safety analysis, with 15 patients evaluable for efficacy. IMC002 demonstrated a favorable and manageable safety profile, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed during the dose-escalation phase. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in all patients but was limited to Grade 1 or 2, and no Grade 3 CRS, ICANS, or treatment-related deaths were reported. In evaluable patients, IMC002 achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 66.7% (10/15). Survival data were immature at the time of analysis, with a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 7.0 months (95% CI: 3.9, NA) and a median overall survival (OS) of 10.3 months (95% CI: 6.1, NA). Notably, one patient in the 2.510 CAR-T cell dose cohort achieved a complete response (CR) and has remained tumor-free for 60 weeks, demonstrating antitumor activity following IMC002 treatment in a heavily pretreated setting. Further analyses indicated that IMC002 provided clinically meaningful PFS benefits in third-line and later-line GC/GEJ patients, comparing favorably with historical outcomes reported for this population. Together with its well-tolerated safety profile, these findings support the continued clinical development of IMC002 and its potential evaluation in earlier-line treatment settings. "IMC002 demonstrated a controllable safety profile and encouraging antitumor activity in patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers, including those who had failed multiple prior lines of therapy," said Professor Jianming Xu, corresponding author of the study and Professor at the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital. "Of particular clinical significance, one patient achieved a complete response lasting for more than one year. These findings provide important clinical evidence supporting the application of CLDN18.2-targeted CAR-T therapy in solid tumors, and the favorable safety profile also opens the possibility for future exploration in earlier-line settings and strategies aimed at long-term clinical benefit." IMC002 is a novel CLDN18.2-targeted CAR-T cell therapy incorporating a highly specific VHH domain, designed to enhance tumor targeting while maintaining a favorable safety profile in solid tumors. Based on the encouraging results from this Phase I/IIa study, a Phase III randomized controlled trial of IMC002 in late-line GC/GEJ patients has been initiated. The presentation at ASCO GI 2026 highlights Immunofoco's continued progress in advancing CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors and underscores the therapeutic potential of CLDN18.2-targeted approaches in addressing significant unmet medical needs in advanced gastrointestinal cancers. About Immunofoco Immunofoco is a clinical-stage biotech company, devoted to developing innovative immune cell therapies for patients with solid tumors worldwide. The company was established in September 2020 in Zhangjiang, Shanghai, by a team of renowned scientists and industry experts who achieved the approval of the first CAR-T product in China. Immunofoco has developed several innovative platforms that overcome the treatment challenges of solid tumors. These platforms, such as Peri Cruiser, SNR, T-Booster, FOCO-CAR, Solid Guard are designed to improve the safety and efficacy of CAR-T products by 1) limiting CART entry to normal tissues, 2) counteracting tumor heterogeneity, 3) enhancing CART activation, proliferation and infiltration, We also developed iMagic platform that utilizes a noval fusogen and T-cell targeting modules to allow effecient T-cell transduction and CART generation in vivo. Committed to addressing unmet clinical needs, our company has built a diverse and robust product pipeline. Notably, IMC002, a CLDN18.2-targeted CAR-T therapy, has progressed to a Phase III pivotal trial in China. This milestone follows the U.S. FDA and Chinese NMPA approvals of its Investigational New Drug (IND) applications in April 2023. IMC002 has also received significant regulatory recognitions from the U.S. FDA, including Fast Track Designation (FTD), Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation, and Orphan Drug Designation for both gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer. Similarly, our IMC001 (EpCAM CAR-T) product obtained ODD from the U.S. FDA in August 2023, and its IND application has been approved in both the U.S. and China in February 2024, followed by the approval of a second IND in China in March 2025. The IMC008 (SNR CAR-T) product has rapidly moved to the IIT stage and received two ODD approvals from the U.S. FDA in August 2023. IMV101in vivo CAR-Thas also rapidly moved to the IIT stage. In August 2022, we successfully completed the construction validation of our nearly 2500m2 GMP plant in Suzhou and commenced operations. In December 2025, the company established its operational headquarters in the Shenzhen Qianhai Free Trade Zone to further promote the comprehensive development of the company's international business. The company upholds the development concept of "collaboration, aspirations, striving for new heights," by assembling industry talents and expert support to jointly develop innovative cell therapies that provide long-term survival benefits to patients with solid tumors. For more information about Immunofoco, please visit the company's website at www.immunofoco.com. SOURCE Immunofoco Biotechnology Students and educators to celebrate educational options during School Choice Week TULSA, Okla., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of students from across Oklahoma will gather at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa on Tuesday, Jan. 27 with a simple message: they love their schools. The event, which showcases the different K12 school choice options in The Sooner State, is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week. At the event, students will show off their talents with performances and local schools will share what they have to offer. Over the past decade, the Sooner State has significantly expanded K12 education options, broadening access to public, public charter, magnet, private, online, home, and non-traditional learning environments. Organized by Fuel OKC in collaboration with the nonprofit National School Choice Awareness Foundation, it will take place from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa (700 N Greenwood Ave, Tulsa, OK 74106). "This event gives Tulsa families the tools they need to make confident choices about their child's education," said Brent Bushey, CEO of Fuel OKC. "When families have access to more options, students have greater opportunities to succeed, no matter where they live." National School Choice Week runs Jan. 2531 and includes 28,000 events across America. The goal of the week is to raise awareness about the various education options available to families, empower parents to find the learning environment that best suits their child's needs, and help them feel confident in navigating those choices. For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/events/tulsa-school-choice-expo/ The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K12 school choice can change their children's lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children's needs. Our three charitable programsNational School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolaresraise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government. SOURCE National School Choice Week NAIROBI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), a state-owned wildlife management body, said on Tuesday that the preservation process for the iconic elephant known as Craig, which died early this month at the age of 54, has begun. Renowned for his majestic tusks, each weighing about 45 kg, Craig inhabited Kenya's Amboseli National Park and was one of the few remaining super tuskers in Africa. During his lifetime, Craig fathered many calves, ensuring the continuation of his genetic lineage across generations, and became a global ambassador for Amboseli National Park, embodying the success of sustained protection, monitoring and community partnership, the KWS said. "In recognition of Craig's extraordinary ecological, scientific and cultural significance, KWS has initiated a professional taxidermy preservation process aimed at conserving his physical form for long-term educational, scientific and public exhibition purposes," the agency said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. The agency added that the taxidermy process will involve meticulous preservation of Craig's skin and physical features to create a lifelike mount, enabling future generations to experience the iconic bull elephant and understand the importance of safeguarding Kenya's wildlife heritage. Upon completion, Craig's taxidermy mount will be housed at a designated facility for public viewing, education, and conservation awareness, the KWS said. Erustus Kanga, director general of the KWS, said that Craig's life exemplified the success of collective conservation efforts spanning decades, which have boosted elephant populations in Kenya. "Through taxidermy preservation, we are ensuring that his legacy endures beyond his lifetime, offering future generations a tangible connection to Kenya's rich wildlife heritage," Kanga said. Students and educators to celebrate educational options during School Choice Week TOPEKA, Kan., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of students, parents, and teachers will rally at the Capitol in Topeka on Tuesday, Jan. 27 with a common goal: to highlight the success of school choice for Kansas families. The event, organized by advocates, families, educators, and schools from across Kansas in collaboration with the nonprofit National School Choice Awareness Foundation, is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week. The event will take place from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Tuesday, Jan. 27 in the Rotunda on the 2nd Floor of the Kansas Capitol (201 SW 8th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603). The event provides the public with an opportunity to hear from legislators about how school choice has impacted their lives and what it means to their community. "Our coalition and events keep growing year after year," said James Franko, President of Kansas Policy Institute. "More Kansans want the right educational fit for their family and are clamoring for the educational freedom to realize it." National School Choice Week runs Jan. 2531 and includes 28,000 events across America. The goal of the week is to raise awareness about the various education options available to families, empower parents to find the learning environment that best suits their child's needs, and help them feel confident in navigating those choices. For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/events/kansas-school-choice-rally The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K12 school choice can change their children's lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children's needs. Our three charitable programsNational School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolaresraise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government. SOURCE National School Choice Week Students and educators to celebrate educational options during School Choice Week MADISON, Wis., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 500 students, parents, and teachers will rally at the Capitol in Madison on Tuesday, Jan. 27 with a common goal: to highlight the success of school choice for Wisconsin families. This event celebrates all students and Wisconsin's diverse education sectors, including traditional public schools, public magnet and charter schools, private schools participating in parental choice programs, virtual and online learning options, homeschooling, and other nontraditional learning environments. During the event we will hear from students, leaders and advocates that have experienced the benefits of school choice in Wisconsin. The event, organized by the School Choice Wisconsin in collaboration with the nonprofit National School Choice Awareness Foundation, is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week. The event will take place from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM on Tuesday, Jan. 27 in the Rotunda of the Wisconsin Capitol (2 E Main St., Madison, WI 53702). The event provides the public with an opportunity to tell their legislators about how school choice has impacted their lives and what it means to their community. "Students from across Wisconsin's education system demonstrate the real-world impact of school choice," said Carol Shires, VP of Operations of School Choice Wisconsin. "This event celebrates their hard work while reaffirming our commitment to expanding opportunities that allow every child to reach their full potential." National School Choice Week runs Jan. 2531 and includes 28,000 events across America. The goal of the week is to raise awareness about the various education options available to families, empower parents to find the learning environment that best suits their child's needs, and help them feel confident in navigating those choices. For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/events/wisconsin-school-choice-rally. The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K12 school choice can change their children's lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children's needs. Our three charitable programsNational School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolaresraise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government. SOURCE National School Choice Week Analysis to Be Presented at the American Association for Hand Surgery Meeting DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Keenova Therapeutics plc announced today that a new presentation related to Dupuytren's contracture (DC) and XIAFLEX (collagenase clostridium histolyticum, or CCH) will be shared at the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) Annual Meeting, taking place January 13-17, 2026. The survey analysis provides insights into patient perceptions of DC and highlights opportunities to improve education and support treatment outcomes. "These survey results highlight the need to raise awareness of Dupuytren's contracture and to empower patients to seek care earlier through patientprovider conversations," said Dr. Philip Blazar, hand specialist, orthopedic surgeon, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School, and presenting author. "By equipping providers and patients with better education and resources, we can improve recognition of the condition and help support outcomes for those affected." The Keenova-sponsored presentation is below: A National Survey of Patient Perceptions, Attributes, and Satisfaction Related to Dupuytren's Contracture (DC) Diagnosis and Treatment Options: Surgery, Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum (CCH) Injection, and Needle Aponeurotomy Authors: Philip Blazar, MD; Jason Nydick, DO; Nirav Gupta, DO; David Hurley, MD; Sherry Chen, MS; Mark Vitale, MD About the Survey Conducted in March 2024, the online survey explored perceptions of DC, treatment attributes, and satisfaction across three treatment options: surgery, collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) injection, and needle aponeurotomy. Two hundred U.S. adults responded. Findings revealed that many patients remain unaware that DC is a treatable condition, and even those diagnosed often delay care. Among treated respondents, satisfaction was highest with CCH injections, and most patients expressed a wish that they had initiated treatment earlier. These insights underscore the importance of timely diagnosis, informed decisionmaking, and stronger patientprovider dialogue. About Dupuytren's Contracture Dupuytren's contracture is a lifelong condition that may get worse over time. It's caused by a buildup of collagen in the hand, which forms a rope-like cord that pulls fingers toward the palm so they can't be straightened. As Dupuytren's contracture progresses, it may become difficult for individuals to use their hand(s) for daily tasks and activities.1,2 It affects an estimated 13 million Americans.3,4* INDICATION XIAFLEX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Dupuytren's contracture with a palpable cord. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR XIAFLEX XIAFLEX is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to XIAFLEX or to collagenase used in any other therapeutic application or application method In the controlled and uncontrolled portions of clinical trials in Dupuytren's contracture, flexor tendon ruptures occurred after XIAFLEX injection. Injection of XIAFLEX into collagen-containing structures such as tendons or ligaments of the hand may result in damage to those structures and possible permanent injury such as tendon rupture or ligament damage. Therefore, XIAFLEX should be injected only into the collagen cord with a metacarpophalangeal (MP) or proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contracture, and care should be taken to avoid injecting into tendons, nerves, blood vessels, or other collagen-containing structures of the hand. When injecting a cord affecting a PIP joint of the fifth finger, the needle insertion should not be more than 2 to 3 mm in depth and avoid injecting more than 4 mm distal to the palmar digital crease Other XIAFLEX-associated serious local adverse reactions in the controlled and uncontrolled portions of the clinical studies included pulley rupture, ligament injury, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), sensory abnormality of the hand, and skin laceration (tear). In a historically controlled post-marketing trial, the incidence of skin laceration (22%) was higher for subjects treated with two concurrent injections of XIAFLEX compared with subjects treated with up to three single injections in the placebo-controlled premarketing trials (9%). Post-marketing cases of skin laceration requiring skin graft after finger extension procedures and local skin and soft-tissue necrosis, some requiring skin grafting, or other surgical interventions including finger amputation have been reported. Signs or symptoms that may reflect serious injury to the injected finger/hand should be promptly evaluated because surgical intervention may be required Cases of syncope and presyncope have been reported in the post-marketing period in patients treated with XIAFLEX. In most cases in patients with Dupuytren's contracture, the injection procedure, finger extension procedure, or pain following the procedures were reported as potential triggers for the events, suggesting a vasovagal mechanism. Most, but not all, cases occurred in the immediate treatment period (injection or finger extension procedure) or within 1 to 2 days following the injection or finger extension procedure. If presyncopal symptoms occur, patients should remain recumbent until symptoms resolve. Syncope may be associated with bodily injuries, including concussion, head abrasion, and other accidental injuries In the controlled portions of the clinical trials in Dupuytren's contracture, a greater proportion of XIAFLEX-treated patients (15%) compared to placebo-treated patients (1%) had mild allergic reactions (pruritus) after up to 3 injections. The incidence of XIAFLEX-associated pruritus increased after more XIAFLEX injections in patients with Dupuytren's contracture Because XIAFLEX contains foreign proteins, severe allergic reactions to XIAFLEX can occur. Anaphylaxis was reported in a post-marketing clinical trial in one patient who had previous exposure to XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Healthcare providers should be prepared to address severe allergic reactions following XIAFLEX injections In the XIAFLEX trials in Dupuytren's contracture, 70% and 38% of XIAFLEX-treated patients developed an ecchymosis/contusion or an injection site hemorrhage, respectively. Patients with abnormal coagulation (except for patients taking low-dose aspirin, eg, up to 150 mg per day) were excluded from participating in these studies. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of XIAFLEX in patients receiving anticoagulant medications (other than low-dose aspirin, eg, up to 150 mg per day) within 7 days prior to XIAFLEX administration is not known. In addition, it is recommended to avoid use of XIAFLEX in patients with coagulation disorders, including patients receiving concomitant anticoagulants (except for low-dose aspirin) In the XIAFLEX clinical trials for Dupuytren's contracture, the most common adverse reactions reported in 25% of patients treated with XIAFLEX and at an incidence greater than placebo were edema peripheral (eg, swelling of the injected hand), contusion, injection site hemorrhage, injection site reaction, and pain in the injected extremity. Post-marketing experience Syncope and presyncope have been reported in patients treated with XIAFLEX. Most, but not all, cases occurred in the immediate treatment period or within 1 to 2 days following injection. Bodily injuries associated with the syncopal events have been reported Click for full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide. About Keenova Keenova Therapeutics is a leading global developer and manufacturer of branded therapeutics that strives to help patients with rare or unaddressed conditions live happier and healthier lives. The Company's diversified brands portfolio is focused across a wide range of therapeutic areas of significant unmet need, including endocrinology, gastroenterology, hepatology, immunology, neonatal respiratory critical care, nephrology, neurology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, rheumatology and urology. Globally headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Keenova benefits from a strong U.S. manufacturing footprint with facilities in Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. To learn more, please visit www.keenova.com. Keenova uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the Company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website. Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks and uncertainties related to, among other things: the expected benefits and synergies of the business combination with Endo ("Business Combination") may not be fully realized in a timely manner, or at all; the Company's increased indebtedness as a result of the Business Combination and significant transaction costs related to the Business Combination; the expected growth opportunities, profit improvements, cost savings and other benefits as a result of the spin-off of Par Health may not be fully realized in a timely manner, or at all; unanticipated costs, litigation and/or regulatory inquiries and investigations as a result of the spin-off of Par Health; risks associated with being a smaller, less diversified company as a result of the spin-off of Par Health; potential changes in the Company's business strategy and performance; exposure to global economic conditions and market uncertainty; governmental investigations and inquiries, regulatory actions, and lawsuits, in each case related to the Company's or its officers; the Company's contractual and court-ordered compliance obligations that, if violated, could result in penalties; compliance with and restrictions under the global settlement to resolve all opioid-related claims; matters related to Acthar Gel, including the settlement with governmental parties to resolve certain disputes and compliance with and restrictions under the related corporate integrity agreement; the ability to maintain relationships with the Company's suppliers, customers, employees and other third parties; scrutiny from governments, legislative bodies and enforcement agencies related to sales, marketing and pricing practices; pricing pressure on certain of the Company's products due to legal changes or changes in insurers' or other payers' reimbursement practices resulting from recent increased public scrutiny of healthcare and pharmaceutical costs; the reimbursement practices of governmental health administration authorities, private health coverage insurers and other third-party payers; complex reporting and payment obligations under the Medicare and Medicaid rebate programs and other governmental purchasing and rebate programs; cost containment efforts of customers, purchasing groups, third-party payers and governmental organizations; changes in or failure to comply with relevant laws and regulations; any undesirable side effects caused by the Company's approved and investigational products, which could limit their commercial profile or result in other negative consequences; the Company's and its partners' ability to successfully develop, commercialize or launch new products or expand commercial opportunities of existing products, including Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) SelfJect, the INOmax Evolve DS delivery system, and XIAFLEX; the Company's ability to successfully identify or discover additional products or product candidates; the Company's ability to navigate price fluctuations and pressures, including the ability to achieve anticipated benefits of price increases of its products; competition; the Company's and its partners' ability to protect intellectual property rights, including in relation to ongoing and future litigation; limited clinical trial data for Acthar Gel; the timing, expense and uncertainty associated with clinical studies and related regulatory processes; product liability losses and other litigation liability; material health, safety and environmental laws and related liabilities; business development activities or other strategic transactions; attraction and retention of key personnel; the effectiveness of information technology infrastructure, including risks of external attacks or failures; customer concentration; the Company's reliance on certain individual products that are material to its financial performance; the Company's ability to receive sufficient procurement and production quotas granted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; complex manufacturing processes; reliance on third-party manufacturers and supply chain providers and related market disruptions; conducting business internationally; the Company's significant levels of intangible assets and related impairment testing; natural disasters or other catastrophic events; the Company's substantial indebtedness and settlement obligation, its ability to generate sufficient cash to reduce its indebtedness and its potential need and ability to incur further indebtedness; restrictions contained in the agreements governing the Company's indebtedness and settlement obligation on the Company's operations, future financings and use of proceeds; the Company's variable rate indebtedness; the Company's tax treatment by the Internal Revenue Service under Section 7874 and Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; future changes to applicable tax laws or the impact of disputes with governmental tax authorities; the impact of Irish laws; the comparability of the Company's post-emergence financial results and the projections filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and the lack of comparability of the Company's historical financial statements and information contained in its financial statements after the adoption of fresh-start accounting following emergence from Mallinckrodt's and Endo's respective bankruptcy proceedings. The "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2024, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 28, 2025, its Quarterly Report for the quarterly period ended June 27, 2025, its Quarterly Report for the quarterly period ended September 26, 2025 its Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, filed with the SEC, and other filings with the SEC, all of which are on file with the SEC and available from the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) and the Company's website (www.keenova.com), identify and describe in more detail the risks and uncertainties to which the Company's businesses are subject. There may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to predict at this time or that we currently do not expect to have a material adverse effect on our business. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law. Given these uncertainties, one should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. * Dupuytren's contracture prevalence estimation calculation in the U.S.: Average Dupuytren's contracture prevalence in the U.S. (5%) multiplied by U.S. adult population (~258 million adults per 2020 U.S. Census data) = ~13 million. References Hurst LC, Badalamente MA, Hentz VR, et al. Injectable collagenase clostridium histolyticum for Dupuytren's contracture. N Engl J Med. 2009;361(10),968-979. Bayat A, McGrouther DA. Management of Dupuytren's disease--clear advice for an elusive condition. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2006;88(1):3-8. MedlinePlus Genetics. Dupuytren contracture. National Library of Medicine. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/dupuytren-contracture/#frequency Ogunwole SU, Rabe MA, Roberts AW, Caplan Z. Adult population grew faster than total population from 2010 to 2020. U.S. Census Bureau. Published August 12, 2021. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/08/united-states-adult-population-grew-faster-than-nations-total-population-from-2010-to-2020.html ### SOURCE Keenova Therapeutics Victor Smith Named SVP of Retail Divisions; Several Operating Unit Presidents Promoted to Key Divisions CINCINNATI, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced several appointments of experienced enterprise leaders to new retail roles and expanded responsibilities. "We are excited to promote several talented senior executives to key roles that will position Kroger for future success," said Ron Sargent, Kroger's Chairman and CEO. "Victor Smith, Monica Garnes, Kendra Doyel, and Ken DeLuca are strong leaders with decades of experience, and I look forward to their continued success in their new roles. I also want to thank Colleen Juergensen and Tom Schwilke for their many contributions to our customers, associates, and shareholders. We wish them well in their well-deserved retirements." Kroger announces promotions in corporate leadership, the Atlanta Division, and the Fry's Division Kroger promoted Victor Smith, president of the company's Atlanta division, to senior vice president of Retail Divisions. Smith brings more than 40 years of experience in the grocery industry, first joining the company as a courtesy clerk in the Ralphs division in 1983. Smith held various roles within Kroger, including store leader, district manager, and meat merchandiser. In 2015, he was promoted to vice president of Operations in the Houston Division, before returning to Ralphs as vice president of Merchandising in 2016. He was promoted to president of the Delta Division in 2018 and became president of the Atlanta Division in 2022. Smith currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Kroger Company Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation and the Georgia Food Industry Association Board of Directors. In 2025, he was named CEO of the Year by the Georgia Minority Business Association. Smith joins Valerie Jabbar and Joe Kelley as the company's senior vice presidents of retail divisions. Monica Garnes, currently president of the Fry's Division, has been promoted to president of the Atlanta Division. Garnes began her career with Kroger in 1995 in the Columbus Division. She held a variety of leadership roles in her 31-year career with the company, including Produce buyer, store manager, and district manager. Garnes was promoted to vice president of Merchandising for the Fry's Division in 2013 and named vice president of Produce/Floral Merchandising at General Office in 2015. She was promoted to her current role in 2018. She currently sits on The University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees and Arizona Commerce Authority Board. Ken DeLuca, currently president the Michigan Division, has been promoted to president of the Fry's Division. DeLuca began his 38-year Kroger career in 1988 as a clerk in the Michigan Division. Since starting his Kroger career, DeLuca held multiple leadership positions in the Michigan Division, including store manager, Labor Relations manager, and Operations district manager. In 2004, he moved to the Columbus Division as Operations district manager and in 2005 was promoted to Retail Operations vice president for the Dillon's Division. DeLuca was promoted to vice president of Merchandising in 2008 and subsequently back to vice president of Operations. He was promoted to his current role in 2018. DeLuca served as an executive board member on the Rags Remembered Foundation in Michigan. During his time in the Dillon's Division, he was a board member for the Kansas Children's Service League and the Cancer Council of Reno County. Kroger announces retirement, promotion in Ralphs Division and retirement in Central Division Tom Schwilke, president of the Ralphs Division, announced his plans to retire after seven years with Kroger and more than 42 years in the retail industry. Schwilke joined Kroger in 2019 as division president in the Dallas Division with 35 years of merchandising and retail leadership experience, including president and general manager of Safeway's NorCal Division, president and general manager of Perishables and group vice president of Produce and Floral. He was promoted to his current role leading the Ralphs Division in 2020. Kendra Doyel, currently president of the Food 4 Less/Foods Co Division, has been promoted to president of the Ralphs Division. Doyel joined the company in 1998 as a pharmacist in the Fry's Division. Since then, she has held several diverse and important leadership roles for Fry's, Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Fred Meyer. In 2017, Doyel was promoted to HR leader for Ralphs and Food 4 Less, and in 2022, she was promoted to vice president of Merchandising for Ralphs. She was named to her current role in 2025. She served as the board chair for the California Grocers Association and on the board of directors for the Network of Executive Women. In 2022, the CGA Educational Foundation presented Doyel with the Hall of Achievement Award for her outstanding service and dedication to the food industry. After 45 years of dedicated service, Colleen Juergensen, president of the Central Division, announced her plans to retire. Juergensen began her career with the company as a bakery clerk in her hometown of Great Bend, Kansas, in 1981. She served in various leadership roles in the Dillons Division including store leader, district manager, and vice president of Operations. Juergensen joined the Smith's Division as vice president of Operations in 2012 and was named to vice president of Merchandising for Smith's in 2015. She was promoted to her current role as president of Dillons in 2016. About Kroger At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies, nearly 420,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an e-commerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site. SOURCE The Kroger Co. WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Newly filed legislation in Maryland would enact comprehensive reforms aimed at improving water quality management and ultimately would save lives, according to the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires Disease (APLD), who is supporting the legislation. Delegate Nick Allen (District 8, Baltimore County) has filed House Bill 204 in the House and Senator Ben Brooks, Sr. (District 10, Baltimore County) has filed the accompanying bill in the Senate. "Every Marylander deserves to turn on the tap and know that the water coming out is safe, especially for seniors, the immunocompromised, and others most at risk from Legionnaires' disease," Allen said. "This bill sets clear, sciencebased standards so that water systems are accountable, outbreaks are prevented before they start, and families can trust that the State is doing everything possible to protect their health." Key components of the reform legislation include: Public Water System Requirements: Maintain minimum detectable disinfectant levels (0.5 mg/L for chlorine; 1.0 mg/L for chloramine). Develop a distribution system maintenance plan to mitigate the risk of Legionella bacteria. Records of Disruption: Public water systems must report disruptions to the Department of Environment within 72 hours. Environmental Rules and Regulations: The Department of Environment must adopt regulations to minimize the growth and distribution of Legionella bacteria, including customer notification requirements during potential exposure. Investigations: Mandatory epidemiological investigations for each reported case to identify potential sources of infection. Building Owner Responsibilities: Owners must implement water management programs according to recognized standards to prevent Legionella growth. Public Awareness Campaign: A program to educate consumers, especially vulnerable populations, on Legionella sources and prevention methods. Annual Reporting: The Department of Health to report case numbers, water sampling results, and violations to the Governor and General Assembly. "Legionnaires' disease has taken a devastating toll on many families, often as a result of preventable failures in water systems management," Brooks said. "This legislation establishes clear responsibilities and effective tools for regulators, building owners, and water suppliers to ensure early detection, transparent public communication, and proactive prevention - so we protect Marylanders before illness occurs." The legislation will not only help prevent outbreaks but also tackle the far more common individual and sporadic cases. According to the CDC, more than 8,000 cases of Legionnaires' disease are reported each year, with individual cases making up 96% and outbreaks just 4%. Tragically, one in ten people who contract Legionnaires' disease will die from it, and the fatality rate is even higher among more vulnerable populations including the elderly, those with respiratory illnesses and individuals who are immune compromised due to other serious ailments. The Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires' Disease is urging Maryland lawmakers to join Senator Brooks and Delegate Allen and enact these comprehensive reforms. "States like New Jersey and Illinois have already stepped up to implement preventative measures to stop the spread of Legionnaires' Disease," said Dr. Hung Cheung, former Maryland State Medical Director, on faculty at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Board Member of the Alliance. "It is my hope Maryland will be the next state to recognize the fact that the potentially fatal Legionnaires' Disease is preventable. With the right reforms in place through the source to tap approach taken in this legislation, we can prevent the spread of Legionnaire's Disease and help the most vulnerable in our population." These bills await further legislative action from the Maryland legislature, whose session commences on Wednesday, January 14th. Similar legislation has recently been filed in the states of New York and Pennsylvania. The Alliance to Prevent Legionnaire' Disease is a national nonprofit focused on preventing Legionnaires' disease through education, advocacy, and awareness. For more information, visit the Alliance's website:https://preventlegionnaires.org/. SOURCE Prevent Legionnaires' Plaintiffs in AAP v. Kennedy will seek to enjoin the February 25-26 ACIP meeting to prevent it from taking place. will seek to enjoin the February 25-26 ACIP meeting to prevent it from taking place. Plaintiffs will ask the Court to vacate the January 5 changes to the pediatric immunization schedule and restore the childhood schedule to what it was as of April 15, 2025. Plaintiffs will argue both issues in a hearing on plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction, scheduled for Friday, February 13. BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A group of medical professional societies, led by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and including the American Public Health Association (APHA), seek to enjoin the upcoming February 25-26 ACIP meeting and vacate recent changes to the pediatric immunization schedule. A hearing on plaintiffs' preliminary injunction is scheduled for Friday, February 13. On January 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced sweeping changes to the childhood vaccine schedule without involving the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and without following the scientific, evidence-based standard process, necessitating immediate legal action. Plaintiffs will seek an expedited injunction to vacate the changes to the childhood schedule announced on January 5 to prevent further harm and protect evidence-based public health. Plaintiffs also argue that the current ACIP has repeatedly and consistently relied upon spurious evidence when making vaccine recommendations and, therefore, plaintiffs will seek an injunction to stop the ACIP from meeting and issuing further recommendations based on problematic or misconstrued evidence. Plaintiffs will continue to challenge any additional final agency actions that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) takes to damage public health through unnecessary, unsupported, and ill-advised changes to the CDC's immunization schedules. In a January 6, 2026, ruling, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts denied the government's motion to dismiss and ruled that the Plaintiffs had standing to challenge final agency actions that predated the January 5 schedule change. Plaintiff and Attorney Statements Statement from Richard Hughes IV, Epstein Becker Green, Attorney for Plaintiffs: "Court intervention is now essential to prevent further harm, protect evidence-based recommendations, and ensure that critical decisions affecting children's health are made transparently and guided by evidence, not ideology. We are confident that we will demonstrate for the court that this administration has acted arbitrarily and capriciously in revisions to the childhood immunization schedule and, furthermore, that the current ACIP will continue this destructive pattern if allowed to continue meeting. The integrity of the vaccine policymaking process is not a technical detail: it's what maintains public trust in vaccination and protects communities across the country." Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics (Lead Plaintiff): "Children's health depends on vaccine recommendations based on rigorous, transparent science. Unfortunately, recent decisions by federal officials have abandoned this standard, causing unnecessary confusion for families, compromising access to lifesaving vaccines and weakening community protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics will continue to champion an evidence-based schedule that protects every child, just like we always have. We ask the Department of Health and Human Services to do the same." Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association: "The ACIP committee is tasked with providing evidence-based guidance to practitioners on the front lines of improving the health of all communities. Disregarding the scientific process to fast-track partisan policy changes through a new vaccine schedule will lead to increased illness and suffering by children and their families. We ask the courts to require the Secretary and the Department of Health and Human Services to adhere to the law and follow the administrative and scientific process that was in place before Secretary Kennedy replaced the qualified ACIP members with conflicted and less qualified people, weakened the national vaccine policy making infrastructure, and radically changed the vaccine schedule for children without evidence for change." Ronald G. Nahass, MD, MHCM, FIDSA, President, Infectious Diseases Society of America: "Drastic changes to the vaccine schedule made without clear scientific justification and a transparent public process are already causing significant confusion for families and clinicians, likely leading to lower vaccination rates and putting children and adults at risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death. Making these changes during a flu season that is already taking the lives of children and many others and has not yet peaked is particularly reckless. America's infectious diseases physicians will continue to stand up for our patients and communities as we fight to stop the Secretary's treacherous march to dismantle the vaccine infrastructure that has kept people healthy for decades." Carlene Pavlos, Executive Director, Massachusetts Public Health Alliance: "The Massachusetts Public Health Alliance joins our sister plaintiffs in expressing outrage and frustration at the most recent actions of the Department of Health and Human Services in changing the childhood immunization schedule without any of the transparent and scientifically sound process that has been used in the past. Make no mistake, this decision, and the chaos and confusion of the last six months of ongoing attacks on vaccinations, will result in more cases of preventable childhood disease and will cost some children their lives." Jason M. Goldman, MD, MACP, President, ACP: "The American College of Physicians is vehemently opposed to the actions the administration has taken to undermine the scientific integrity of the U.S. vaccine schedule. Their most recent action unilaterally substitutes guidance from other countries that was developed without taking into consideration how those countries' health care systems, social structures, and disease patterns differ from those of the U.S. Abandoning the U.S. evidence-based process is a dangerous and potentially deadly decision for Americans that will lead to preventable morbidity. The U.S. vaccine recommendations should be developed, as they have been for decades, using a rigorous, transparent process and an evidence-to-recommendation framework that examines the best available scientific evidence, and is designed to prevent illness, hospitalizations, outbreaks, and death in this country's large, diverse population with uneven access to care. My patients, and everyone in America, deserve vaccine recommendations that are designed to best meet the needs of our country's population and protect our health." Sindhu K. Srinivas, MD, MSCE, President, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine: "SMFM members rely on vaccine recommendations based on rigorous, transparent, evidence-based review by qualified experts. The recent changes to the schedule of recommended childhood vaccinations by HHS and the CDC do not meet this standard and will cause more unnecessary confusion among our patients and the general public. These misguided changes will lead to an increase in the number of preventable illnesses and deaths, not only among children but also among other populations at increased susceptibility, including pregnant people, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. SMFM remains committed to providing our patients with trustworthy vaccination guidance based on objective scientific evidence." MEDIA CONTACT: Annalise Carol, [email protected] SOURCE American Academy of Pediatrics; Infectious Diseases Society of America; Massachusetts Public Health Alliance; American Public Health Association; American College of Physicians; Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine TAIPEI, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NEXCOM, a leading supplier of network appliances, will join MWC Barcelona 2026 presenting a broadened portfolio designed to support future-ready networks across telecom, enterprise, and industrial environments. As one of the selected innovators featured in the Taiwan Pavilionsupported by the Industrial Development Bureau, MOEANEXCOM brings breakthrough technologies designed and manufactured in Taiwan to MWC Barcelona at booth 5A61 (Hall 5). NEXCOM brings expanded edge, security, and quantum-resistant innovations to MWC Barcelona 2026. Must see at booth 5A61 (Taiwan Pavilion): broadened portfolio of solutions addressing todays most pressing challenges in secure, synchronized, and resilient networking, built to solve real-world problems across telecom, enterprise, and industrial environments. Visitors will be able to explore NEXCOM's latest innovations designed to address emerging challenges in secure, synchronized, and resilient networking. Key highlights include: Post-Quantum Cryptography ( PQC) Platforms designed to integrate PQC-ready frameworks that aim to help customers strengthen long-term protection as operators prepare for quantum-era threats. Platforms designed to integrate PQC-ready frameworks that aim to help customers strengthen long-term protection as operators prepare for quantum-era threats. Time-Sensitive Networking ( TSN) Activation Kit Total solution to simplify configuration, accelerate deployment, and enable precise, real-time synchronization across smart warehouse automation, production logistics, and industrial edge networks. Total solution to simplify configuration, accelerate deployment, and enable precise, real-time synchronization across smart warehouse automation, production logistics, and industrial edge networks. NEXBOOT D ual-Layer Failover Mechanism A combined hardware-level redundancy and firmware-level self-recovery approach to reduce costly field returns and maintenance time with minimal effort. A combined hardware-level redundancy and firmware-level self-recovery approach to reduce costly field returns and maintenance time with minimal effort. Compact , Value-Driven Network Appliances SD-Edge, security, and uCPE platforms engineered for strong performance, efficient power usage, and rich functionality within smaller footprints. SD-Edge, security, and uCPE platforms engineered for strong performance, efficient power usage, and rich functionality within smaller footprints. Collaborative Partner Solutions Ecosystem-integrated solutions demonstrating how NEXCOM hardware aligns with partner technologies to accelerate the rollout of advanced networking, cybersecurity, and edge-AI applications. NEXCOM invites industry professionals to secure a meeting slot and explore collaboration possibilities. NEXCOM experts will be available throughout the event at the Taiwan Pavilion booth 5A61 (Hall 5) to guide through latest network and communication platforms and engage in focused solution discussions. NEXCOM will share additional technology highlights and introduce new products in the coming press announcements. Stay tuned for more updates. About NEXCOM Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, NEXCOM is shaping the future of AI-powered networking with its software-defined solutions. Through its Network and Communication Solutions (NCS) unit, NEXCOM delivers cutting-edge platforms for Cybersecurity, OT Security, SD-WAN, SASE, Load Balancing, 5G uCPE, edge AI, and more. NCS specializes in professional design and manufacturing services, enabling reliable and scalable network infrastructures for businesses of all sizes. With a focus on innovation, NEXCOM's solutions empower customers worldwide to build resilient, high-performance networks tailored to the demands of tomorrow's connectivity challenges. SOURCE NEXCOM International Co., Ltd. SHANGHAI and SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Oricell Therapeutics Holdings Limited ("Oricell" or "the Company"), a global leader in innovative cancer immunotherapy, announced today the closing of a $70M Series C1 financing. The round was co-led by Beijing Medical and Health Care Industry Investment Fund, Qiming Venture Partners and a leading global healthcare fund, with participation from a sovereign wealth fund, NGS Super (NGS), E-Town Capital, Elikon Venture, and Talon Capital. Proceeds will accelerate Oricell's global expansion and clinical development, while strengthening its technological capabilities and paving ways to commercialization. Oricell is advancing a differentiated pipeline of CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors, underpinned by three proprietary platforms developed over the past decade: OriAb: antibody discovery and engineering library OriArmoring: enhancement of T-cell persistence and other crucial functions by TAsTherapeutic Areas OnGo (Fast) CMC: rapid, scalable and effective manufacturing Oricell has generated proof-of-concept (POC) clinical data across multiple pipeline CAR-T products. Its lead program, Ori-C101, is an autologous GPC3-targeted CAR-T therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both a Phase I Investigator-Initiated Trial (IIT) and a Phase I IND study of Ori-C101 are completed. With far-leading-industry efficacy and safety profile, Ori-C101's clinical data have been featured at major academic conferences such as ASCO 2021 and ASCO 2025. Ori-C101 is entering the registrational pivotal trial and is well positioned to become the world's first approved CAR-T therapy for HCC. Beyond Ori-C101, Oricell's integrated platforms are also yielding multiple next-generation CAR-T products with multi-targets and multi-mechanism designs. The innovative secreting CAR-T, OriC902, has shown groundbreaking efficacy and durability in ultra-late-line and difficult-to-treat solid tumor patients. Additionally, the company has initiated an IIT study to evaluate its proprietary dual-targeted in vivo CAR-T. "We are deeply grateful for the strong vote of confidence from our investors," said Dr. Helen Yang, Chairlady and CEO of Oricell Therapeutics. "Oricell will continue to push forward the global clinical advancement of our pipeline, as well as continuous R&D of in vivo products and new technologies. Leveraging our deep technical expertise, policy tailwind and expanding market opportunities, we are able to accelerate the development of our CAR-Ts in the clinic at full speed. Our mission is to bring efficacious and affordable cell therapies to cancer patients worldwide with the hope of cure. By doing that, we aim to become a leading global immunotherapy enterprise." Mr. Peng Ren, Chairman and General Manager of Beijing Medical and Health Care Industry Investment Fund, noted: "We believe cell therapy is a pivotal frontier in the fight against solid tumors, and we are highly impressed by the clinical progress of Oricell's GPC3 CAR-T in treating HCC. We strongly value the team's R&D capabilities and commercial vision, and look forward to supporting the company in accelerating global clinical breakthroughs for its core products." "As an early investor in Oricell, we've witnessed the Company's evolution from a promising startup to a technology powerhousefrom advancing autologous CAR-Ts to secreting CAR-Ts, to pioneering a 3-day rapid manufacturing process, and now to exploring in vivo CAR-T in the clinic," said Mr. Xubo Hu, Managing Partner of Qiming Venture Partners. "Oricell's relentless innovation efforts continue to impress us and we are delighted to back a team that is committed to building truly global and groundbreaking therapies." About Oricell Therapeutics Oricell is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation cell therapies to address unmet needs in oncology and immunology. Built on three proprietary platforms: OriAb (antibody discovery), OriArmoring (T-cell enhancement), and OnGo (Fast) CMC (rapid manufacturing) Oricell has advanced a diversified pipeline targeting both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Multiple candidates have demonstrated favorable tolerability and meaningful clinical activity in early-phase studies. Data have been featured at leading global conferences and top-tier academic journals, including 2021 ASCO, 2022 ASCO, 2022 EHA, 2024 ASCO, 2024 SITC, 2024 ASH, 2025 AACR, 2025 ASCO, 2025 EHA and The Lancet Haematology. Guided by scientific rigor and patient-centric innovation, Oricell is committed to transforming the future of cell therapy and delivering new hope to patients worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.oricell.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" which are not historical facts, but instead are predictions about future events based on the beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of Oricell Therapeutics Holdings Limited ("the Company" or "Oricell"). The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievement implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE OriCell Therapeutics Co., Ltd. NANTONG, China, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ractigen Therapeutics is pleased to announce that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase II clinical trial of RAG-17, an innovative siRNA therapy targeting SOD1-mutated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The initial dosing occurred at Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, under the leadership of Dr. Zhi-Ying Wu, head of the Department of Medical Genetics/Center for Rare Diseases. This Phase II trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple ascending dose (MAD) study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and preliminary efficacy of repeated intrathecal injections of RAG-17 in patients with SOD1 mutations. The participating sites include Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University (led by Dr. Yi-Long Wang), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (led by Dr. Zhi-Ying Wu), West China Hospital of Sichuan University (led by Dr. Hui-Fang Shang), Fujian Medical University Union Hospital (led by Dr. Zhan-Yu Zou) and the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University (led by Dr. Jing-Sheng Zeng) . This milestone marks the progression into the Phase II stage of the study, building on the successful completion of the Phase I single ascending dose (SAD) portion. The transition to the Phase II MAD phase was supported by highly encouraging data from the SAD study, which demonstrated an exceptional safety profile and sustained biomarker modulation following a single injection, including significant reductions in CSF SOD1 protein and improvements in plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels. These results validate the capability of our proprietary SCAD delivery platform for central nervous system (CNS) in humans. Dr. Long-Cheng Li, Founder and CEO of Ractigen Therapeutics, emphasized Ractigen's dedication to advancing treatments for ALS: "The successful dosing of the first patient represents a significant milestone in our mission to develop transformative therapies for ALS. The positive results from the Phase I trial affirm the promise of RAG-17 and provide us with strong confidence in its potential to markedly improve the lives of patients suffering from SOD1-mutated ALS." Dr. Zhi-Ying Wu shared optimistic expectations for the Phase II trial: "We are excited to be part of this important study. Based on the improvements we have observed clinically, we look forward to further investigating RAG-17's potential to enhance the quality of life for ALS patients as we progress." About RAG-17 RAG-17 is an investigational siRNA therapeutic candidate designed using Ractigen's proprietary SCAD delivery platform technology to specifically target and silence the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene mRNA. Mutations in the SOD1 gene cause a toxic gain-of-function and are a known cause of familial ALS. By reducing the production of the toxic mutant SOD1 protein, RAG-17 aims to slow or halt the progression of SOD1-ALS. RAG-17 has obtained Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and been selected for the CARE Program of the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE), National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), which facilitates the accelerated development of rare disease therapies. About ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately death, typically within three to five years of diagnosis. SOD1 gene mutations account for approximately 10-20% of familial ALS cases and about 1-2% of sporadic ALS cases. There remains a critical unmet medical need for effective treatments that can slow or stop disease progression. About Ractigen Therapeutics Ractigen Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company innovating next-generation RNA therapeutics, with a primary focus on small activating RNAs (saRNAs) developed through its clinically validated RNA activation (RNAa) technology. Leveraging proprietary delivery platforms such as SCAD, LiCO, and GLORY, Ractigen is advancing a robust pipeline addressing unmet medical needs in oncology, neurological diseases, and genetic disorders. Its versatile technologies also enable the rapid development of RNA-based solutions, including siRNAs, where applicable, to target life-threatening, fast-progressing conditions such as those in the CNS. Committed to scientific excellence and patient-centered innovation, Ractigen strives to transform healthcare through the power of RNA therapeutics. For more information, visit www.ractigen.com. SOURCE Ractigen Therapeutics NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rokid, a pioneer in human-computer interaction and AI-powered smart glasses, announced the accelerated global expansion of its offline retail channels, marking a step in bringing Rokid Glasses and Rokid Ai Glasses Style closer to consumers worldwide through premium shopping destinations across Asia and Europe. The expansion follows a year of strong global momentum for Rokid and the recent successful wrap of CES 2026, driven by record-breaking crowdfunding performance, growing ecosystem adoption, and rising consumer interest in practical, everyday AI glasses. Expanding Global Retail Presence As part of its retail channel strategy, Rokid has entered several high-profile commercial locations: United Kingdom (November): In November 2025, Rokid entered Selfridges, one of the UK's most prestigious department stores, marking a significant milestone in Rokid's European retail expansion and premium channel positioning. Philippines (December) : Rokid officially opened a pop-up island store at SMX Mall of Asia (MOA) , one of the largest shopping malls in Asia. The store began operations on December 21, 2025, marking one of Rokid's major offline retail presences in Southeast Asia. : Rokid officially opened a at , one of the largest shopping malls in Asia. The store began operations on December 21, 2025, marking one of Rokid's major offline retail presences in Southeast Asia. Taiwan , China (December): Rokid also entered the Taiwan market in December 2025, with a crowdfunding campaign on the platform zeczec that surpassed NT$62 million , ranking No. 1 across all categories in 2025 and becoming one of the Top 10 funded projects in the platform's history. Rokid also entered the Taiwan market in December 2025, with a crowdfunding campaign on the platform zeczec that surpassed , ranking No. 1 across all categories in 2025 and becoming one of the Top 10 funded projects in the platform's history. Hong Kong , China (January): Rokid is launching a brand image store in collaboration with Optical 88, located at the SOGO Kai Tak shopping mall. The store will debut in the central atrium from January 6 to January 20, then transition to a permanent location on the 3rd floor starting January 21, in one of Hong Kong's most prominent retail hubs. Rokid Ai Glasses Style Rokid Ai Glasses Style is part of Rokid's consumer-ready AI glasses line, designed to emphasize comfort, personalization, and everyday usability. The product is a practical alternative to Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses for everyday use, featuring a lightweight (38.5g) fashion-oriented form factor and supporting hands-free global AI interaction, real-time translation, and intelligent assistance through an open-ecosystem approach. Lighter design : At 38.5g, Style prioritizes long-term comfort for daily use. : At 38.5g, Style prioritizes long-term comfort for daily use. Global AI access : AI assistant and real-time translation are available across regions through Rokid's open, multi-LLM ecosystem. : AI assistant and real-time translation are available across regions through Rokid's open, multi-LLM ecosystem. Comprehensive prescription support : Rokid offers one of the most complete prescription lens solutions in the category, supporting a wide range of vision needs. : Rokid offers one of the most complete prescription lens solutions in the category, supporting a wide range of vision needs. Price advantage: Rokid Ai Glasses Style starts at US$299, with bundled options at US$389, positioning it significantly below comparable Meta Ray-Ban configurations, lowering the barrier for consumers exploring AI glasses for daily use. Rokid Ai Glasses Style officially enters the consumer market on January 19, 2026, strengthening Rokid's portfolio alongside its flagship AI & AR smart glasses and reinforcing the company's commitment to making AI wearables accessible through both online and offline channels. Building a Global Retail Presence The retail activations across Asia and Europe are reflecting Rokid's broader strategy to combine the physical retail experience with global brand visibility, enabling consumers to try AI glasses firsthand through live demonstrations and guided interactions. These initiatives also support Rokid's long-term vision to expand international adoption, enhance localized services, and strengthen partnerships with leading retailers worldwide. "Expanding into premium retail environments is a critical step in making AI glasses part of everyday life," said Yuanfang Long, Head of Global Operations at Rokid. "By working with leading shopping destinations and optical partners across regions, we are creating more opportunities for consumers to experience Rokid Glasses in real-world settings and understand how wearable AI can fit naturally into their daily routines." About Rokid Founded in 2014, Rokid is a global pioneer in augmented reality (AR) and AI, focused on creating human-centered smart glasses that seamlessly integrate intelligence into everyday life. As one of the industry's earliest innovators, the company is widely recognized as the first to deliver smart glasses with open, global AI access, enabling real-time translation and AI interaction across platforms and regions. Rokid serves consumers, developers, and enterprise users globally and hosts China's largest XR developer community, with over 20,000 registered developers and 5,000 enterprise partners. Recognized for engineering and design excellence, Rokid has received the CES Innovation Award for three consecutive years and the German iF Design Award five times. For more information, please visit https://global.rokid.com/ SOURCE ROKID Chinese otolaryngologist Li Li (R) performs an ear surgery for a local child in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Jan. 12, 2026. (The 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar/Handout via Xinhua) by Xinhua writers Hua Hongli, Lin Guangyao, Lucas Liganga ZANZIBAR, Tanzania, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- For Zuhura Khamis, a kindergarten teacher and mother of six on Pemba Island in Tanzania's Zanzibar, relief came when her 13-year-old daughter, Salama, was freed from months of ear pain. The turning point was a surgery performed by Li Li, an otolaryngologist with the 35th Chinese medical team stationed on Unguja Island, the main island of Zanzibar. Li recently led a week-long pediatric ear surgery initiative targeting children with otitis media, a widespread yet often undertreated condition in the region. Using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques, she treated several young patients experiencing chronic ear discharge and hearing loss, enabling them to regain hearing and return to normal daily activities. Zanzibar's tropical climate and sanitation challenges contribute to the high prevalence of ear infections among children. Limited access to specialized care means many patients live with untreated conditions that interfere with education and, in severe cases, lead to permanent hearing impairment. Recognizing these challenges, Li conducted detailed assessments of local patients and healthcare infrastructure. She adapted advanced endoscopic surgical methods to suit local conditions, prioritizing safety and faster recovery for young patients. One beneficiary, a 10-year-old boy who had suffered for years from chronic ear disease, showed marked improvement just days after surgery. Beyond performing surgeries, Li emphasized sustainability. She provided hands-on training to local medical staff, transferring essential skills in endoscopic ear surgery and reinforcing clinical best practices. This approach is crucial in the long-term capacity building within Zanzibar's healthcare system, ensuring continued access to quality ear, nose and throat (ENT) services for local communities. According to Maulid Bakari Shariff, also known locally as Dr Mao, an ENT specialist and coordinator with the Zanzibar Outreach Program, seven children from Pemba Island underwent successful ear surgeries between Dec. 18 and 20, 2025, at Lumumba Hospital in Unguja. Shariff praised the strong partnership between Chinese medical teams and local healthcare providers. The Zanzibar Outreach Program is a charitable organization founded in 2006 by local residents to provide community services across Unguja and Pemba islands. Shariff also coordinates the organization's School Health Monitoring Program, which plays a key role in improving child health in schools across Zanzibar through early detection and referral. For parents like Khamis, the impact is deeply personal. "Li Li truly deserves appreciation for rescuing my child from pain," she said. "The relationship between China and Tanzania should continue, because it has brought us so much benefit." Li's work reflects a broader legacy of China's overseas medical assistance programs, which for decades have delivered care, expertise, and solidarity across Africa. Through practical cooperation and people-centered healthcare, such efforts continue to strengthen international partnerships and advance the shared goal of health for all. China sent its first medical team to Zanzibar in 1964 and to the Tanzanian mainland in 1968. To date, 27 medical teams have served the mainland and 35 in Zanzibar, treating nearly 20 million patients and helping local hospitals fill technical gaps. The 35th Chinese medical team to Zanzibar arrived in September 2025, including specialists from general surgery, orthopedics, respiratory medicine, cardiology, traditional Chinese medicine, medical imaging, and other disciplines. Bao Zengtao, the leader of the medical team, said the team will continue to carry out diverse medical outreach activities to help more local residents. For Khamis, the change is felt most clearly at home. Her daughter has returned to school without pain, able to hear her teachers clearly and to play freely with her classmates once again. "She can finally sleep well at night," Zuhura said, adding that the surgery has brought peace back to the family after months of worry. As Salama's laughter fills their home again, Zuhura sees the impact of the Chinese medical team not only in her child's recovery but also in the lasting care and commitment they have shown to the community. "This help came when we needed it most," she said. "I hope the friendship between China and Tanzania will continue, so that more families like mine can have the same chance." Chinese otolaryngologist Li Li poses for a photo with a family she has helped in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Dec. 25, 2025. (The 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar/Handout via Xinhua) FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) welcomed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to the Fort Worth, Texas, F-35 Lightning II production facility today. The visit was part of the secretary's Arsenal of Freedom industry tour and underscored Lockheed Martin's role in accelerating acquisition transformation and delivering critical capabilities to the warfighter. During the tour, Hegseth toured the F-35 assembly line, met with Lockheed Martin leaders and addressed more than 600 of the 19,000 Fort Worth employees. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addresses employees of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in front of an F-35 Lightning II. "I'm looking out into an incredible audience of Americans here who are committed to an incredible company that's building incredible platforms," Hegseth said. "Thank you for accepting and grasping the challenge of President Trump as well as our department. Thank you all so much for what you do, for why you're doing it. We are shoulder to shoulder with you because we can't deter the next conflict without the skills and capabilities you have." Over 1,900 suppliers across the United States, more than half of which are small businesses, contribute to the F-35 supply chain. Propelled by the strength of American manufacturing, annual F-35 production is running at a pace five times faster than any other allied fighter currently in production, underscoring the program's scale and maturity. "The F-35 is the most advanced multi-mission fighter jet in the world as clearly shown in many recent and successful military engagements around the world. Our U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine F-35 pilots, along with those of our allies, ensure air superiority when they take to the skies, and are critical contributors to President Trump's strategy of peace through strength," said Jim Taiclet, chairman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin. "It was an honor to host Secretary of War Hegseth during his visit to our F-35 production operation in Fort Worth, Texas, and introduce him to members of our amazing workforce who in 2025 delivered a record number of 191 fighter jets. Every one of our 19,000 employees at the Fort Worth plant, and many more at our own and our suppliers' factories around the country, are totally dedicated to building these jets faster and more efficiently. It was great to hear their dedication and excitement in speaking to Secretary Hegseth about their work during our visit." Beyond aircraft production, the company announced a landmark framework agreement with the U.S. Department of War last week to rapidly accelerate the production and delivery of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors the first example of the Acquisition Transformation Strategy being put into action. About the F-35 More than 1,290 F-35s are currently operational around the globe, and the fleet surpassed 1 million flight hours in 2025. The combat proven F-35 operates from 50 bases worldwide, including 11 nations operating on home soil. As adversaries advance and legacy aircraft age, the F-35 is critical to maintaining air dominance for decades to come. About Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com. SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics SAN DIEGO, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that Smartsheet Inc. (NYSE: SMAR) shareholders who held Smartsheet securities as of the record date, October 25, 2024, and were harmed by defendants' alleged violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with the acquisition of Smartsheet by Blackstone Inc., Vista Equity Partners Management, LLC, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (the "Merger"), have until February 24, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Smartsheet class action lawsuit. The Smartsheet class action is captioned KaraEftimoglu v. Mader, No. 25-cv-02530 (W.D. Wash.). If you held substantial Smartsheet securities as of the record date and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Smartsheet class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-smartsheet-inc-class-action-lawsuit-smar.html You can also contact attorney J.C. Sanchez of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected]. CASE ALLEGATIONS: Smartsheet is an enterprise software company providing software-as-a-service ("SaaS") work management solutions. As a SaaS company, Smartsheet tracked its Annual Recurring Revenue ("ARR") metric, which normalized contracted recurring revenue components of its subscription services to a one-year period. The Smartsheet class action lawsuit alleges that in connection with Smartsheet's solicitation of stockholder approval of the Merger, defendants issued and filed with the SEC a false and misleading Schedule 14A Proxy statement, as amended ("Proxy"). And as a direct result of the misleading Proxy, Smartsheet's former shareholders approved the Merger and received the unfair price of $56.50 in cash for each share of Smartsheet common stock they owned, the complaint alleges. Moreover, the Smartsheet class action lawsuit alleges among other things that every press release published and every associated earnings call during the period covered by the narrative in the Proxy touted Smartsheet's increasing ARR metric, which management, after re-evaluating its business metrics, guided the market to rely on as the best indicator of Smartsheet's future financial performance. Nevertheless, despite the clear materiality of this financial metric, the Proxy did not disclose this positive metric in the narrative, the complaint alleges. Nor did the Proxy disclose the January 2024 Forecasts prepared in the ordinary course of business and not in the midst of negotiations thereby preventing shareholders from comparing and fully assessing Smartsheet's financial prospects, including any changes between the two sets of projections versus Smartsheet's actual results and guidance, the Smartsheet shareholder class action alleges. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who held Smartsheet securities as of the record date of the Merger to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Smartsheet class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Smartsheet investor class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Smartsheet shareholder class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Smartsheet class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder litigation. Our Firm has been ranked #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for four out of the last five years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. In 2024, we recovered over $2.5 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases more than the next five law firms combined, according to ISS. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world, and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever $7.2 billion in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 [email protected] SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Suncoast Credit Union announces the launch of a new and improved student loan and refinancing program in collaboration with College Ave, a leading provider of private student loans. This partnership provides members with access to an innovative and comprehensive suite of financial solutions for students and families. Suncoast members can now take advantage of: A new student loan refinance option to help manage and consolidate existing loans A new parent loan option designed specifically for families supporting a student's education Extensive educational resources and videos to guide borrowers through the loan process A swift, user-friendly online application that can be completed in just three minutes with an instant credit decision Zero application fees for all loan types Flexible choice of repayment terms to fit each member's financial goals Multiple repayment options for added convenience and budgeting flexibility "This new partnership provides an improvement to our student loan program," said Darlene Johnson, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. "Our members can now choose from a wider range of options, providing stronger support to students and families throughout the education journey." Brian Reed, Head of Partnerships at College Ave, added, "We are excited to join Suncoast Credit Union in delivering a seamless and stress-free financing experience for both students and parents. Our collaborative program is centered on transparency, simplicity, and servicehelping borrowers pay for college with confidence." The enhanced program reflects Suncoast Credit Union's ongoing commitment to the financial well-being of its membership and their families, as well as the support of educational advancement in the communities it serves. About Suncoast Credit Union Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $19.2 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 78 full-service branches and serves more than 1.3 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union's service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union's field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida's 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $55 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. About College Ave Based in Wilmington, Delaware, College Ave offers a customer-centric approach to private student loans, parent loans, graduate loans, and refinancing options. Founded with a simple mission to take the stress out of paying for college College Ave combines best-in-class technology with deep industry expertise to deliver practical and personalized financial solutions. The company provides competitive rates, flexible repayment options, and seamless customer experience that empowers students and families to focus on building bright futures. SOURCE College Ave Texas Southern becomes the first HBCU in Texas to achieve combination of research and community engagement designations HOUSTON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Southern University has been awarded the nationally recognized Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a highly selective designation that recognizes institutions where community engagement is deeply embedded across research, teaching, service, and institutional practice. TSU Carnegie R2 and Community Engagement Seal Fewer than 10-percent of the nearly 4,000 degree-granting institutions in the United States hold the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, placing Texas Southern among an elite group of institutions recognized as institutions for public purpose and for integrating community engagement into the core functions of the university. Texas Southern is the first HBCU in the state to earn the classification. "This designation affirms Texas Southern University's longstanding commitment to advancing education, research excellence, and societal impact through meaningful community partnerships.," said President J.W. Crawford III. "It reflects the work of faculty, students, staff, and community partners who have collaboratively shaped research, teaching, service, and outreach to address real-world challenges and improve outcomes locally and beyond. I am proud of the women and men whose hard work put the University in position to achieve this prestigious classification." The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is an elective designation that requires a rigorous application process. The review process includes extensive qualitative and quantitative evidence demonstrating that community engagement is institutionalized, assessed, and sustained. Unlike Carnegie research classifications, which are based primarily on research expenditures and doctoral output, the Community Engagement Classification evaluates how universities work with communities through mutually beneficial and reciprocal partnerships. "This designation recognizes that community engagement at Texas Southern University facilitates reciprocal partnerships that shape teaching, research, and institutional practice" said Provost and Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Carl B. Goodman. "These partnerships add value to the community around us and beyond. Likewise, this classification affirms our commitment to academic excellence that is grounded in shared purpose and public impact." Texas Southern continues to deepen its commitment to community engagement through meaningful partnerships, hands-on learning, and service-driven academic programs that benefit both students and the Greater Houston community. A few examples of the University's community engagement include, but are not limited to: Preparing Culturally Responsive Educators The Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education integrates community engagement into its mission to prepare culturally responsive educators. Through strong partnerships with PreK12 schools, students gain practical classroom experience while supporting local schools and families. Mental Health Access and Workforce Development Mental Health America of Greater Houston operates a comprehensive referral system that helps residents connect with vital mental health services. Faculty contributed their expertise to help develop the system. In partnership with the University and other organizations, Mental Health America also hosts a biannual Internship and Practicum Fair for graduate counseling studentscreating a pipeline for future mental health professionals while expanding access to care across the region. Community-Focused Health Education In the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Doctor of Pharmacy students complete required service-learning and community engagement activities throughout their academic careers. These experiences ensure students gain real-world exposure while supporting health initiatives that serve diverse communities. Public Service Through Professional Practice The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program requires students to complete internships with government agencies or nonprofit organizations. These placements allow students to contribute to community development, policy analysis, and program evaluation in areas such as housing, education, and public healthwhile building professional experience and supporting underserved populations. Social Work Internships Serving Greater Houston The Department of Social Work partners with agencies throughout Greater Houston to provide internship opportunities for senior students. Students complete 450 hours of supervised fieldwork across the academic year, with partner agencies currently spanning 16 ZIP codes. These placements expand access to social services while preparing students for professional practice. Arts, Culture, and Community Storytelling Through a partnership with Kindred Stories, the English Department collaborates with community organizations to curate literary events that engage both Texas Southern students and the broader public, amplifying diverse voices and fostering cultural connection. This designation, which Texas Southern earned on its first attempt, further distinguishes the University as a research-active institution with a strong mission-driven focus. The University's combination of Carnegie R2 (Doctoral University with High Research Activity) status and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification places the university in a very select institutional category. Among peer Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), data suggests the University is the first HBCU in the state of Texas to hold both designations concurrently. Nationally, the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is increasingly viewed as a signal of institutional readiness by major federal agencies and foundations and philanthropic organizations focused on social impact. The designation strengthens Texas Southern' s positioning for community-engaged and translational research funding while reinforcing alignment between research growth and institutional mission. Texas Southern University honors our designation as a special-purpose institution for urban programming and research. As such, Texas Southern is a comprehensive university providing higher education access to the nation's underserved communities with academic and research programs that address critical urban issues and prepares its diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society. distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, the University has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. CONTACTS: Office of Marketing and Communications [email protected] 713-713-7371 SOURCE Texas Southern University Leading Children's Enrichment and Physical Development Center Recognized Following Year of Expansion, Innovation, and Record Engagement DALLAS, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Little Gym, the world's premier enrichment and physical development center for children ages four months through 12 and part of the youth enrichment growth-focused platform Unleashed Brands, ranked No. 125 on Entrepreneur magazine's 2026 Franchise 500 list, jumping 73 spots from last year and marking the brand's seventh consecutive year on the list. The recognition reflects a record year, highlighted by nationwide expansion, record engagement with families, and enhanced support for franchise owners. Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 is considered as one of the most competitive and comprehensive franchise rankings, evaluating brands on more than 150 data points including unit growth, financial strength, stability, and brand power. The Little Gym's placement on the list underscores the brand's continued momentum as a franchise opportunity in the youth enrichment space. The brand's 2025 success is marked by several notable milestones, including: 44 New Locations Opened: The brand expanded significantly across the U.S., with notable growth in several established and emerging markets, including an increased presence in Chicago and expansion in Canada. The brand expanded significantly across the U.S., with notable growth in several established and emerging markets, including an increased presence in Chicago and expansion in Canada. 74 New Franchise Agreements : The Little Gym signed 74 new agreements in 2025, signifying franchise growth with the theme of entrepreneurs looking to make an impact in their local communities. : The Little Gym signed 74 new agreements in 2025, signifying franchise growth with the theme of entrepreneurs looking to make an impact in their local communities. Record Engagement: Served more than 150,000 members nationwide through programs and milestone events, including over 15,000 birthday celebrations. Served more than 150,000 members nationwide through programs and milestone events, including over 15,000 birthday celebrations. Industry Recognition: Earned placement on Franchise Time's Top 400 list, a comprehensive ranking of franchises by global systemwide sales. Looking ahead to 2026, The Little Gym is poised for another transformative year with the upcoming national launch of Tummy Timers, a new program designed for babies ages one to three months, expanding developmental offerings from the earliest stages of childhood. "Being recognized on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 is a powerful validation of the work our team and franchise owners have accomplished together," said Samantha Musonda, Brand President of The Little Gym International. "2025 was a year of growth, from expanding our footprint and serving more families, to enhancing the systems and support that fuel franchisee success. As we head into 2026, we're excited to introduce new curriculum and continue strengthening our impact on children and their communities." With nearly 400 locations across 31 countries, The Little Gym teaches kids social and physical skills appropriate to each stage of childhood by creating opportunities to experience achievement and build self-confidence. At the core of the international franchise's mission is becoming the foundation of a child's development that will set them up for success. Through three-dimensional learning including physical activities, cognitive skills and social and emotional learning, the core teaching methods create opportunities for children to experience achievement and build self-confidence. To view The Little Gym in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2026 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 13, 2026. To learn more about The Little Gym and its franchising opportunities, visit www.TheLittleGymFranchise.com/. About The Little Gym International The Little Gym is an internationally recognized program that helps children build the developmental skills and confidence needed at each stage of childhood. The very first location was established in 1976 by Robin Wes, an innovative educator with a genuine love for children. The Little Gym International was formed in 1992 to franchise The Little Gym concept. Today, The Little Gym International has nearly 400 locations in over 31 countries including the U.S., Canada, China, the United Kingdom, Thailand and more. For more information, visit The Little Gym at www.TheLittleGym.com. About Unleashed Brands Unleashed Brands currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, The Little Gym , Sylvan Learning , Snapology, Class 101 , Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School. The platform was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable franchise brands that help kids learn, play, and grow. Over the last 10 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every child by providing fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences that help them reach their full potential. For more information, visit UnleashedBrands.com. Media Contact: Destiny Garcia, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or (580) 471-2845 SOURCE The Little Gym International, Inc. MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Born out of a partnership between the New Jersey Community Resource Center (NJ CRC) and the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services, TruuCONNECT NJ has expanded and refined its first-of-its-kind digital hub designed to connect employees, residents, students, families, and staff with verified local support - quickly, anonymously, and in real time. At a time when communities across the United States are confronting rising mental health challenges, substance-use concerns, and growing resource gaps, TruuCONNECT gives New Jersey government at all levels, public safety, businesses, non-profits and schools a smarter, data-informed way to understand emerging needs and respond effectively. "TruuCONNECT NJ is about changing how support shows up in people's lives," said Jonathan Ferguson CEO of Truusight. "For too long, communities, businesses and organizations have relied on fragmented systems and delayed data to address urgent needs. This platform gives New Jersey a smarter, more human-centered way to connect people to verified help - while giving leaders the real-time insight they need to respond earlier, more effectively, and with greater impact." Over 17,000 people have utilized the TruuCONNECT platforms to find the support they need, which at launch offers: Anonymous, real-time insights showing what communities are seeking most Verified, hyperlocal resource listings for basic needs, mental health, substance-use support, housing, food assistance, and more Tailored training and hands-on implementation support for participating schools and municipalities A complete tailored engagement toolkit, including, a webpage, posters, QR codes, email templates, one-pagers, and social media graphics Seasonal support and whole-person care resources that complement existing programs Access to search results to identify and respond to emerging trends before they become larger challenges The platform builds on the successful model of the NC Community Resource Center, where anonymous search data and community engagement insights have already helped local leaders better understand resident needs and direct outreach efforts more effectively. "TruuCONNECT gave us a powerful new way to understand and respond to the real challenges our employees, families and students face," said NC CRC User "The ability to see emerging needs in real time - while protecting privacy - helps us deploy resources more effectively and strengthen the support systems our community relies on." The launch represents a major step forward in giving New Jersey communities the tools they need to identify challenges earlier, strengthen wraparound supports, and close gaps in care across schools and municipalities. About Truusight At Truusight, our mission is to simplify access to essential resources and develop comprehensive programs that provide holistic support for diverse populations. Through data-driven insights, community partnerships, and a whole-person approach, Truusight works to confront today's most pressing challenges and create a meaningful, positive impact across the communities it serves. SOURCE Truusight Krishnaiah joins host Andrew Seaman to discuss the role of upskilling in career development PHOENIX, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Raghu Krishnaiah, chief operating officer for University of Phoenix, was a featured guest on the "Get Hired" podcast in an episode focused on creating a successful upskilling strategy and why lifelong learning matters for both employees and employers. The episode, titled "How to Get Ready for Tomorrow's In-Demand Skills," was released November 19, 2025, and features insights from Krishnaiah and podcast host Andrew Seaman on how upskilling can influence career paths across industries. "Upskilling isn't just about learning new tools; it's about building confidence and adaptability for a changing workforce," said Krishnaiah. "When individuals recognize that many of their existing skills are transferable, it opens doors to new opportunities and makes career transitions far less daunting." Seaman brings a unique perspective as a LinkedIn Editor and career expert, having interviewed recruiters, hiring managers, and professionals about what drives career success. His conversation with Krishnaiah explores not only technical aspects of upskilling but also the mindset shifts that help professionals thrive in an evolving job market. Key topics from the discussion include: Why 80 percent of skills are transferable across industries The mindset shift that makes upskilling more engaging Why prompt engineering is the baseline AI skill everyone needs to learn What to look for in a training program The top qualities employers seek: adaptability, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks "Upskilling is becoming a cornerstone of career growth," said Seaman. "This conversation explores practical and motivating ways to approach learning and stay ready for what's next in a changing job market. It's a discussion that can help professionals think differently about how they prepare for future opportunities." The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, with the November 18 episode and further podcast information available here. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor's and master's degree programs and a Career Services for Life commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/blog.html. SOURCE University of Phoenix MONROE, La., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - USA Rail Terminals has commenced operations at its newest rail terminal in Monroe, Louisiana, expanding critical rail-to-truck logistics capacity to support construction activity associated with Meta's Richland Parish Data Center in nearby Holly Ridge, Louisiana the largest hyperscale data center announced by Meta to date. Monroe rail terminal. Photo courtesy of USA Rail Terminals. (CNW Group/USA Rail Terminals) "This is exactly the type of project rail is built for," said Rich Montgomery, Chief Executive Officer of Alpenglow Rail, the parent company of USA Rail Terminals. "When you're moving massive volumes of aggregate and construction materials on a sustained basis, rail delivers unmatched efficiency, reliability, and scale." The Monroe terminal is designed to handle high-volume movements of aggregate and other bulk construction materials, supporting both the initial buildout and long-term supply needs of large-scale infrastructure projects. The facility is served by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway and is capable of handling 90-car unit trains, providing high-throughput rail-to-truck transloading. Ground-pile storage at the terminal enables customers to stage materials efficiently and maintain consistent delivery flows to regional construction sites. "The Richland Parish Data Center is one of the most significant global infrastructure builds currently underway anywhere in the world," Montgomery added. "Our job is to ensure that the supply chain never becomes the bottleneck and this terminal is well suited to do exactly that." Meta has announced plans for the Richland Parish campus to span approximately 4 million square feet across more than 2,000 acres, representing a multi-billion-dollar investment in advanced artificial intelligence infrastructure. Construction is expected to extend through the end of the decade, with peak activity employing thousands of skilled-trade workers. Once operational, it is expected to support hundreds of permanent jobs. "Projects of this magnitude don't succeed without logistics partners who understand scale," said Chad Womack, Director of Business Development at USA Rail Terminals. "By railing aggregate materials directly into the local market and efficiently unloading 90-car unit trains, we aim to significantly reduce long-haul truck traffic while providing a reliable supply to keep construction timelines on track." The Monroe terminal strengthens USA Rail Terminals' growing national footprint and reinforces Alpenglow Rail's strategy of aligning rail infrastructure investments with large-scale industrial and technology developments. "This facility reflects our long-term view of rail assets as part of the critical backbone that enables next-generation infrastructure," Montgomery said. "From AI data centers to energy, manufacturing, and industrial development, rail terminals like Monroe are essential to building the economy of the future." Meta has also committed to matching the data center's electricity usage with 100% clean and renewable energy, along with investments in local infrastructure such as roads, utilities, and water systems, further enhancing the project's regional economic impact. "Supporting a project that combines advanced technology, sustainability commitments, and regional economic growth is something we're proud of," Montgomery said. Monroe Terminal Highlights Rail-to-truck transloading of aggregate and dry bulk materials Capacity for 90-car unit trains Service by CPKC Railway Ground pile storage for large-scale construction staging About USA Rail Terminals USA Rail Terminals is a premier rail logistics provider offering rail-to-truck transloading, railcar storage, switching, and railcar services at strategically located facilities. The company supports customers across infrastructure, industrial, and bulk commodity markets and is wholly owned by Alpenglow Rail. For more information, please visit www.usarailterminals.com. About Alpenglow Rail Alpenglow Rail develops and manages freight rail businesses and related transportation assets across North America. Alpenglow Rail currently owns and operates six rail terminals strategically located in leading industrial markets within Canada (under the VIP Rail brand) and the US Gulf Coast (under the USA Rail brand). Alpenglow Rail was founded by a team of seasoned railroad executives with significant experience in the acquisition, operation, development and growth of short line railroads and terminals in North America. For more information, please visit www.alpenglowrail.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. Because some of these risks and uncertainties cannot be predicted or quantified and some are beyond our control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Contact Information: USA Rail Terminals / Alpenglow Rail Phone: (720) 339-5720 Email: [email protected] SOURCE USA Rail Terminals One emerging solution could provide some relief. Virtual power plants (VPPs) can play a key role in providing reliable and affordable power on demand in seconds. VPPs are an aggregation of distributed energy resources (DERs)energy solutions such as solar and battery systems, smart thermostats, and electric vehicles installed at or close to homes and businessesthat can help balance electricity demand and supply. In places where VPP programs are available through a utility or third-party company, customers who install eligible DERs at their homes or businesses can enroll their devices into these programs. These customers are then compensatedusually in the form of a credit on their utility billin return for allowing their DER to provide energy to the grid when it needs it the most. Customers with batteries can typically reserve some battery capacity solely for their personal use or even opt out of VPP events entirely. To send energy from a VPP to the grid, a central controller (a utility or independent company) monitors VPP resources from hundreds or thousands of buildings and dispatches their energy when it's needed most. Traditional power plants, on the other hand, generate a large amount of energy at one site and inject it onto the transmission grid. The earliest VPPs in the U.S. came online in the 2010s, and today their use is growing. In 2024,VPPs reached 33 gigawatts of capacity in 30 states, according to Wood Mackenzie, a global data and analytics firm specializing in energy and natural resources. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) projects that VPPs can be a valuable toolpotentially supplying 10% to 20% (80 gigawatts to 120 gigawatts) of U.S. peak demand by 2030. The Benefits of Community-Based Energy There is growing interest from state policymakers and utilities in VPPs today because they can improve grid reliability at relatively low costs, can be permitted and deployed more quickly than traditional generation, and help to meet emissions reductions objectives. Lower electricity costs VPPs offer a cost-effective way to meet electricity demand, resulting in savings on electricity bills for all electric customers. Customers save money when utilities leverage VPP programs and offset the need to invest in large capital infrastructure such as new power plants. Additionally, VPP participants can receive direct payments or credits on their energy bill for enrolling their devices in these programs. Green Mountain Power's Bring Your Own Device and Powerwall programs in Vermont reduced energy costs by cutting power demand during energy peaks, saving the utility's customers $3 million in costs. Meeting peak demand and reliability VPPs help ensure "resource adequacy," a term experts use to refer to the ability of the grid to supply enough electricity at all times. So, in periods of high demand, such as a summer heat wave, VPPs can dispatch power from clusters of DERs to augment the supply from utility-scale generation. This also gives utilities the ability to rely on a more diverse set of generation sources across a broader geography. VPPs can also automatically adjust devices such as thermostats during periods of high demand, thereby reducing electricity consumption; they can also remotely charge batteries when the grid has excess energy. In just one example, Arizona Public Service's Cool Rewards program has 90,000 thermostats enrolled, which is the equivalent of taking 140 megawatts of energy off the grid during times of peak demand (enough to serve 22,000 Arizona homes). Speed of deployment By tapping DERs, VPPs are less capital-intensive and quicker to deploy when compared with building new power plants. In 2023, PG&E launched a pilot VPPthe Energy Efficiency Summer Reliability Programin California, which offered 7,500 customers financial incentives for allowing their residential batteries to be tapped during the hottest months. This VPP program was stood up in six months. Emissions reductions These VPP programs can also accelerate the use of clean energy solutions such as batteries, solar, and electric vehicles. Compared with fossil fuel-based generation, this can lower greenhouse gas and local air pollutant emissions, leading to healthier air. Scaling VPPs VPPs have scaled beyond the pilot stage in the U.S., and increasing energy demand is making it a more appealing solution to ensure a reliable grid. But there are some challenges. Further regulatory and legislative actions are necessary to enable these programs to be created and grow. In a 2023 report, DOE recommended: Expanding DER adoption Simplifying customer enrollment in VPP programs Increasing standardization in VPP operations to allow systems to work together and easily exchange information Integrating VPPs into utility planning and financial incentives Integrating VPPs into wholesale markets (where power is purchased and sold in bulk) Recognizing the value of VPPs, utilities, state lawmakers, regulators, and industry professionals are working together to bridge some of these gaps and scale VPPs as cost-effective, near-term energy solutions. For more information, visit Energy Modernization | The Pew Charitable Trusts (pewtrusts.org) Contact: Matt Herbert, officer, [email protected], 605-759-8911 SOURCE The Pew Charitable Trusts CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziegler is pleased to announce the successful closing of the $47,900,000 Series 2025 Bonds for Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community (Bishop Gadsden). Bishop Gadsden owns and operates a nonprofit life plan community located on James Island in Charleston, South Carolina, approximately six miles from downtown and six miles from Folly Beach. Founded in 1850, Bishop Gadsden provided housing for senior adults previously on the peninsula of Charleston and moved to its current location in 1987 on land donated by St. James Episcopal Church. Over the years, the community has grown to include a campus of 125 acres consisting of 283 independent living units, 79 assisted living units, 32 memory care units, and 100 skilled nursing beds (32 of which are rehabilitation beds), together with a variety of related common areas. Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Communities (BGEC), the parent company established to facilitate future growth, became the controlling and supporting organization of Kiawah Life Plan Village, Inc. d/b/a Seafields by Bishop Gadsden (Seafields). Seafields is a life plan community on Kiawah Island, South Carolina that opened in late 2025 and consists of 88 independent living units, 16 assisted living units and provides skilled nursing services through an agreement with Bishop Gadsden. Neither BGEC or Seafields are members of the Bishop Gadsden Obligated Group. Bishop Gadsden is embarking on capital improvements consisting of a variety of new, renovated or expanded settings on the campus to include: (1) expanded Wellness Center, including new aquatic complex, expanded fitness center with new training and cardio equipment, new locker rooms, new pickleball and multi-sport courts, new clinical pavilion with expanded PT suite, all anchored by gathering space in the Wellness Hub, (2) performing arts and event space projects (large new performing arts and multipurpose venue with an adjacent outdoor event courtyard), (3) culinary upgrades (expanded refrigeration, new catering/storage areas, kitchen enhancements), (4) meeting space and office projects (new resident meeting spaces, expanded board room and culinary service area, additional administrative offices and new restrooms), (5) additional parking, (6) new team member lounge and courtyard and (7) previously completed central plant improvements (HVAC/new chillers, etc.). These capital improvements were funded with the Series 2025 Bonds, which are rated BBB- with a stable outlook by Fitch Ratings and will be issued through the South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority. The Series 2025 Bonds have a 30-year final maturity with a wrapped debt service structure that results in a weighted average maturity of 20.03 years, and a blended yield to maturity of 5.13%. The offering attracted participation from nineteen institutional investors. Tad Melton, Managing Director in Ziegler's Senior Living Finance Practice stated, "Ziegler has enjoyed a 20+ year relationship with Bishop Gadsden, one of the premier life plan communities in America. The Series 2025 financing will fund a series of campus reinvestment projects that round out a multi-year strategy of replacing and growing assisted living and skilled nursing, adding independent living and addressing needs for physical plant and amenity priorities. We are proud to be a partner with Bishop Gadsden as they advance their mission and serve their residents." Ziegler is the nation's leading underwriter of financings for not-for-profit senior living providers. Ziegler offers creative, tailored solutions to its senior living clientele, including investment banking, financial risk management, merger and acquisition services, seed capital, FHA/HUD, capital and strategic planning, as well as senior living research, education, and communication. For more information about Ziegler, please visit us at www.ziegler.com. About Ziegler: Ziegler is a privately held, national boutique investment bank, capital markets, and proprietary investments firm. It has a unique focus on healthcare, senior living, and education sectors, as well as general municipal and structured finance. Headquartered in Chicago with regional and branch offices throughout the U.S., Ziegler provides its clients with capital raising, strategic advisory services, fixed income sales, underwriting and trading as well as Ziegler Credit, Surveillance, and Analytics. To learn more, visit www.ziegler.com. Certain comments in this news release represent forward-looking statements made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This client's experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients, nor is it indicative of future performance or success. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, in particular, the overall financial health of the securities industry, the strength of the healthcare sector of the U.S. economy and the municipal securities marketplace, the ability of the Company to underwrite and distribute securities, the market value of mutual fund portfolios and separate account portfolios advised by the Company, the volume of sales by its retail brokers, the outcome of pending litigation, and the ability to attract and retain qualified employees. SOURCE Ziegler NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon is presenting U.S. President Donald Trump with a "wider range of strike options" on Iran than previously reported, The New York Times reported on Monday. According to the report, which cited a U.S. official, possible targets include Iran's nuclear program, beyond the U.S. airstrikes that battered it in June, as well as ballistic missile sites. However, the official noted that narrower options, including a cyberattack or a strike against Iran's domestic security apparatus, are more likely. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday that "Airstrikes would be of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief," but diplomacy is always the first option with Trump. Trump threatened on Sunday that his administration is weighing "some very strong options" against Iran, including potential military action. About this content About Jamie Ashcroft Jamie Ashcroft, the News Editor for Proactive UK, has developed an impressive career in financial journalism, focusing on the small-cap sector for over fourteen years. Before joining the Proactive team, he was a stockbroker during the global financial crisis, a role that complemented his educational background - a first-class degree in Business and Economics and qualifications in software design and development. As one of the early external hires at Proactive in 2009, Jamie contributed... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Ian Lyall Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About 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. 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 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. COLOMBO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka should seek revisions to the targets set under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Monday night. During a local television interview, Weerasinghe said discussions on revising the program's benchmarks are expected later this month when an IMF team arrives in Colombo for the fifth review of the 48-month EFF. The mission is scheduled to assess Sri Lanka's progress and hold consultations with government authorities, he added. The governor said it has become necessary to adjust the targets due to unexpected shocks, particularly Cyclone Ditwah, which caused extensive damage to infrastructure and severely disrupted livelihoods across several districts. He said the annual budget had been formulated before the cyclone struck, and its impact, along with other emerging challenges, must be taken into account during the upcoming review. The IMF approved the 48-month EFF in March 2023, providing Sri Lanka with about 3 billion U.S. dollars to support its economic reform program and recovery efforts. 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 Nara, Jan 13 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Japan on Tuesday for summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, with the two leaders expected to discuss bilateral ties, as well as regional and global issues, amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Lee will stay in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi's home prefecture, for two days as part of reciprocal leader-level visits dubbed 'shuttle diplomacy,' aimed at sustaining the recent momentum in improved relations. It will mark Lee's second visit to Japan following his trip last August for talks with Takaichi's predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, and his third meeting with Takaichi since she took office in October. Lee and Takaichi first held summit talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju in late October and briefly met again during the Group of 20 leaders' gathering in South Africa in November. The meeting comes days after Lee's state visit to China for summit talks with President Xi Jinping, at a time of heightened tensions between Beijing and Tokyo following Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan. In an interview with Japan's NHK on Monday, Lee stressed that South Korea's "relations with Japan are as important as relations with China" and said that their tensions over Taiwan are not a matter Seoul will "engage in or intervene in." South Korea's ban on seafood imports from eight Japanese prefectures is also expected to be on the agenda as Tokyo has long demanded that Seoul lift the restrictions imposed in 2013 over radiation concerns following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. In the interview, Lee said easing the restrictions would take time until public concerns are alleviated but noted that the issue is a major item on Seoul's diplomatic agenda as it seeks Tokyo's support for its bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. North Korea is also likely to be discussed as both leaders have expressed interest in engaging Pyongyang, Yonhap news agency reported. Lee welcomed Takaichi's expression of intent to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over the abduction issue, offering to play a role in facilitating dialogue between Tokyo and Pyongyang and even help the two sides move toward establishing diplomatic ties. Historical issues are also expected to be on the agenda as the Lee administration pursues a 'two-track' approach of expanding future-oriented cooperation while continuing to address unresolved wartime history issues from Japan's 1910a"45 colonial rule of Korea. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac voiced hope that the upcoming talks will help advance cooperation in efforts to recover the remains of Korean forced laborers from the Chosei undersea coal mine in Japan's western Yamaguchi Prefecture, where a flood in 1942 killed 136 Koreans. On Wednesday, the two leaders are scheduled to attend diplomatic events together, including a visit to Horyuji Temple, which houses the world's oldest surviving wooden structures and is Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lee is also scheduled to meet with members of the Korean community in Japan before returning home later in the day. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Washington, Jan 13 : On the eve of President Donald J. Trump's visit to Detroit, two Indian American leaders in Michigan have put forward sharply contrasting messages, underscoring political divisions within the community over the president's record and rhetoric towards the city. Republican leader Sunny Reddy announced that he is sponsoring billboards across Michigan to welcome Trump during his visit. In a social media post, Reddy said the effort was meant to greet the president and signal support for Michigan Republicans. "I wanted to share that I'm sponsoring billboards across Michigan to welcome President Trump to our state," Reddy wrote, adding that he was "proud to stand with Michigan Republicans". He was recently elected as vice chairman of the Republican Party in Michigan. A very different message was offered by Democratic Congressman Shri Thanedar, who represents a Detroit-area district and has been openly critical of Trump. Thanedar recalled Trump's previous visit to Detroit, saying the former president had insulted the city. "The last time Donald Trump visited Detroit, he insulted our city, saying the whole country would end up like Detroit if Kamala Harris were elected," Thanedar said. He challenged Trump's economic claims, particularly regarding manufacturing and job creation. Thanedar said Trump had promised to bring manufacturing jobs and economic success to the region, but argued that the opposite had occurred. "For the last eight months, we've lost 68,000 manufacturing jobs, and unemployment has hit a four-plus year high," Thanedar said. Thanedar also criticised rising living costs, saying everyday expenses have increased for Americans. "Life in America is more expensive than ever," he said, adding that Detroit "does not need any more of your insults or lies." Positioning himself as an advocate for working families, Thanedar said he was focused on lowering costs and improving affordability in the city. "Detroit deserves better," he said. "I'm fighting for you, Detroit. Fighting to bring your costs down and make life more affordable." Canberra, Jan 13 : Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday declared that a national day of mourning will be held on January 22 for the victims of the terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Flags will be flown at half mast in all government buildings around Australia on January 22 to honour the victims of the attack that targeted an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at the iconic Bondi Beach on December 14., Albanese said at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. This will have a theme of 'light will win,' a gathering of unity and remembrance, Albanese said. The prime minister on Monday announced that the federal parliament will be recalled from its summer break two weeks early on January 19 to pass legislation for stronger hate speech and gun ownership laws in response to the attack, Xinhua news agency reported. "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. Fifteen people were fatally shot in the attack by alleged gunmen Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid, who was shot dead by police. Authorities have said that the attack was inspired by Islamic State ideology and have charged Naveed Akram with 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. 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 story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text DAMASCUS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Syria's army declared on Tuesday the Kurdish-held areas of Deir Hafir and Maskanah east of Aleppo in northern Syria as "closed military zones," warning civilians to stay away as it moves to prevent what it described as renewed armed activity by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its allied groups. In a warning broadcast by state television Al-Ikhbariya and accompanied by a map, the Operations Command of the Syrian Arab Army said all armed groups in the designated areas must withdraw east of the Euphrates River "to preserve their lives," adding that the zones are now considered off-limits for security reasons. The command said the decision followed continued mobilization by the SDF alongside fighters from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and what it called remnants of the former Syrian administration, describing the area as a launch point for suicide drones that recently struck Aleppo. It added that the army would take "all necessary measures" to prevent the use of Deir Hafir and Maskanah as bases for attacks. A day earlier, the army said it had detected the arrival of additional armed groups, including PKK-linked fighters, at SDF positions near Maskanah and Deir Hafir, warning that any military movement would be met with a "forceful response." The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Syrian interim government forces shelled the Umm al-Tina bridge in Deir Hafir after the military zone was announced, damaging the structure and prompting a wave of civilian displacement toward the cities of Raqqa and Tabqa. The monitor also said the SDF carried out heavy rocket fire on the Kuwaires military airbase in eastern Aleppo, triggering heightened alert inside the base as the interim government's military reinforcements were dispatched to nearby fronts. The claims could not be independently verified. The escalation in eastern Aleppo comes days after intense fighting and security operations in Aleppo city's Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, the last Kurdish-controlled districts in the city since 2012. Syrian interim government forces moved into the two areas following days of clashes, drone attacks and shelling that killed dozens of civilians and wounded more than 100, according to health authorities. The government has described its actions in those neighborhoods as a limited "law-enforcement operation" aimed at ending non-state armed presence and restoring state authority, while the SDF has accused Damascus of "indiscriminate shelling and targeting civilians." Washington, Jan 13 : The United States must urgently adopt a coordinated national strategy to develop nuclear energy, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems if it hopes to stay ahead of China in emerging military technologies, according to a new commentary by top aerospace and defence executive Vivek Lall. In the article in National Review, Lall argues that while China publicly revealed its nuclear triad in September 2025, its faster and more consequential progress has been in what he describes as a "tech triad" integrating nuclear energy, AI and autonomous systems. He says Beijing has moved "at lightning speed" to link these technologies, while the United States has only begun to recognise how interconnected they are. "You can say this for the Chinese Communist Party: It sees the big picture," Lall writes, noting that China views nuclear energy, AI and autonomous systems as the three pillars of future military power. He says nuclear energy provides the steady electricity required for advanced AI, while AI enables autonomy across platforms ranging from coordinated drone swarms to unmanned aircraft. Lall points to China's construction of 34 nuclear reactors, with plans for nearly 200 more, as part of a coordinated effort to power energy-intensive AI models. He says China is already using large amounts of electricity to deploy AI for autonomous technologies with military applications, including robot scout dogs and war-game simulations. As more nuclear plants come online, he adds, Chinese AI programs such as DeepSeek are expected to improve rapidly, enabling power projection across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace. By contrast, Lall says the US approach has been fragmented. While private American companies lead globally in AI development, he notes there is no comparable national commitment to powering it, and that zero large-scale nuclear reactors are currently under construction in the United States. He says President Donald Trump's new National Security Strategy offers a foundation, as it states that the "future of military power" will be decided by "AI, quantum computing, and autonomous systems, plus the energy necessary to fuel these domains." Lall calls on the administration to direct the Department of War and the Department of Energy to implement a National Integration Initiative without delay. Such an initiative, he writes, should remove regulatory roadblocks, streamline licensing and reviews, ease export restrictions with allies, and fund high-impact demonstration projects, while empowering -- not replacing -- the private sector. Washington, Jan 13 : A US federal court, in a one of its kind verdicts, has ordered immigration authorities to facilitate the return of an Indian national who was deported to India despite a court order explicitly barring his removal. The judge ruled that the deportation was unlawful and a violation of judicial authority. In a memorandum and order issued on January 9, the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas said Francisco D'Costa was removed from the United States on December 20, 2025, "more than three hours after the Court order prohibiting the Government from removing him" had been issued. The court noted that it had assumed jurisdiction over D'Costa's habeas petition earlier that morning and ordered that the government "SHALL NOT remove or deport Petitioner from the United States" without first obtaining permission from the court. Despite that order, the court said, D'Costa was placed on a Turkish Airlines flight that departed Houston at 2:55 p.m. the same day. According to a memorandum submitted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the US Attorney's Office, ICE officials, and the detention facility had notice of the stay before the flight departed. "The intent behind Petitioner's unlawful removalwhile relevant to contempthas no bearing on the lawfulness of the removal," the court said, rejecting the government's argument that the deportation was inadvertent. D'Costa, a native of India who has lived in the United States since 2009, was granted voluntary departure by an immigration judge in October 2025. After retaining counsel, he filed a motion to reopen his case, citing changed country conditions in India and a risk of persecution due to his conversion to Christianity, the court record shows. The filing of that motion automatically converted his voluntary departure into a final removal order under federal regulations. The immigration judge denied a stay request but had not ruled on the motion to reopen at the time of D'Costa's removal, the court said. In its order, the court said removal at that stage risked depriving D'Costa of his statutory right to pursue a motion to reopen, raising serious due process concerns. However, the government argued that facilitating D'Costa's return was unnecessary. The court lacked jurisdiction; it asserted that D'Costa could pursue further proceedings abroad. The court rejected those arguments, stating that return was required to ensure the case is handled "as it would have been had he not been improperly removed". Citing a unanimous Supreme Court ruling, the court said facilitating return to the United States is a proper remedy when a noncitizen is unlawfully removed in violation of a court order. The court ordered the government to facilitate D'Costa's return "as soon as possible" and directed authorities to file, within five days, a plan outlining the steps they will take to do so. At this stage, the court denied D'Costa's request for contempt findings and monetary sanctions without prejudice, allowing those issues to be raised later if necessary, the order said. January 13 : Lucknow: Through the sustained efforts of the CM Yogi government, another significant initiative has emerged in the direction of making Uttar Pradesh the countrys leading technology and innovation hub. An MoU has been exchanged between the India AI Mission, an independent unit of Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, and Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited (UPDESCO), Lucknow. This MoU will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the Artificial Intelligence ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh. The MoU was exchanged between Principal Secretary, IT and Electronics Department, Anurag Yadav, and Chief Executive Officer of India AI Mission, Abhishek Singh. Officials and experts present on the occasion described it as a symbol of strong cooperation between the state and central governments. In line with the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the government has been continuously promoting digital governance, startups, IT parks, data centers and emerging technologies for the past nearly nine years. Preparing the youth for the future in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Analytics remains a key priority of the Chief Minister. This is why, under the India AI Mission, the MoU will open new avenues of opportunity for the youth, students and startup ecosystem of the state. The MoU will create new opportunities for the startup ecosystem, youth and students of Uttar Pradesh. Principal Secretary IT and Electronics Anurag Yadav stated, this initiative under the India AI Mission will play a crucial role in providing future-ready digital and AI skills to the youth of the state. He clarified that the Yogi government is effectively leveraging advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence to promote skill development, encourage innovation and create new employment opportunities for young people. This initiative is a strong step towards making the state technologically self-reliant. UPDESCO Managing Director Neha Jain informed, for the implementation of the India AI Mission project, the IT and Electronics Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as the nodal administrative department, while UPDESCO has been appointed as the state nodal agency. She further stated that under the India AI Mission, there is a plan to establish a total of 65 Data and AI Labs across the state. At present, two India AI Data and AI Labs are already operational at NIELIT centers in Lucknow and Gorakhpur, while one Data and AI Lab has been established in Pilibhit with the support of an industry partner. In addition, the Yogi government has already granted approval for the establishment of 49 Data and AI Labs, and the implementation process has commenced. The remaining 13 additional locations will be identified soon. These India AI Data and AI Labs will be equipped with modern infrastructure and advanced technical resources, specifically designed for AI skilling. Through these labs, students will receive practical training based on AI tools, datasets and real-time problem statements. This will enable students not only to acquire skills aligned with industry requirements, but also to develop innovation-driven AI solutions. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Tesla CEO and founder of AI firm xAI, Elon Musk, on Tuesday sharply criticised Apple's decision to adopt Google's Gemini models for nextageneration Siri and Apple Foundation Models, calling it "an unreasonable concentration of power" for Google. New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) Tesla CEO and founder of AI firm xAI, Elon Musk, on Tuesday sharply criticised Apple's decision to adopt Google's Gemini models for nextgeneration Siri and Apple Foundation Models, calling it "an unreasonable concentration of power" for Google. Musk posted his criticism on the social media platform X after Google confirmed the multiyear deal would supply Gemini models and cloud infrastructure to power Apple Intelligence features. "This seems like an unreasonable concentration of power for Google, given that they also have Android and Chrome," Musk wrote. The dispute comes at a time when Apple seeks to close its generative AI gap, and Google faces ongoing antitrust scrutiny in the US and overseas over its dominance in search, advertising, and browsers. Further, Musk's AI firm xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI over an earlier integration of ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence as an optional add-on. Musk alleged that Apple's app Store practices disadvantage rivals such as Grok, and the lawsuit has survived initial dismissal and is set to proceed, according to multiple reports. The row also followed international backlash for Grok, which has been blocked in countries including Indonesia and Malaysia after allegations it generated nonconsensual sexualised images, including content involving minors. India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) also cracked down on X Corp for failing to prevent the generation and circulation of obscene, nude, and indecent content on its platform. Google recently announced the introduction of new Gemini-powered experiences, including AI Inbox, for more helpful and personalised insights for its users. The new capabilities have started rolling out in the US to Gmail users as well as Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, said the company. Earlier this month, xAI announced completion of a $20 billion funding round from investors including Nvidia Corp., Valor Equity Partners, and the Qatar Investment Authority. The firm, which had already raised about $10 billion of corporate equity and debt in 2025, has been burning through about $1 billion per month. Musk had earlier confirmed that xAI is expanding datacentre capacity in Memphis toward almost 2 gigawatts. January 13 : Lucknow: The double-engine governments commitment to building a developed India and a developed Uttar Pradesh is now clearly visible on the ground. Future-oriented technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) are being rapidly adopted across various sectors in Uttar Pradesh. AI is being seen as the next big thing the next major transformation. This was stated by Puch AI Co-founder and CEO Siddharth Bhatia, who met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday. The meeting focused on AI-related initiatives in the state and ways to make the technology more accessible to the public. Praising Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Siddharth Bhatia said that when the vision, objectives, and ambitions of the leadership are clear, positive outcomes naturally follow. He noted that the way AI policies are being formulated and implemented in Uttar Pradesh will lead to major achievements in the coming years, including significant employment generation. He emphasized that widespread and inclusive access to AI will be a key driver in transforming both the state and the country. The Puch AI Co-founder and CEO said that AI usage in India has grown rapidly over the past few years. However, it is essential that Indias data remains secure within the country. This, he said, will enable more effective implementation of government schemes through AI. He added that his team is working to make AI accessible in a manner where farmers, homemakers, professionals, and students can seek solutions through a simple phone call or WhatsApp message without the need to download any app. He stressed that the service should be free for all and so simple that users do not need to learn prompts. Drawing a parallel, he cited UPI as an example. Initially met with apprehensions, UPI has today become a powerful digital payment tool reaching every household, including the most remote areas of the country. Similarly, AI should reach every citizen of Uttar Pradesh and India, and continuous efforts are being made in this direction. Siddharth Bhatia further said that AI is not a tool for job losses but a powerful medium for employment generation. He noted that adopting AI is the need of the hour, and those who remain unaware of it risk being left behind. The future, he said, demands that professionals and citizens alike not only understand AI but use it effectively. While Uttar Pradesh has taken commendable steps at scale, these efforts must be taken further. During the meeting, discussions were also held on investment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh. Siddharth Bhatia will also represent the AI sector at an upcoming international conference to be held in Davos, Switzerland. Kolkata, Jan 13 : A Trinamool Congress worker has been arrested in connection with the recent suicide of a BLO in Bengal's Murshidabad, said the police on Tuesday. Kolkata, Jan 13 (IANS) A Trinamool Congress worker has been arrested in connection with the recent suicide of a BLO in Bengalas Murshidabad, said the police on Tuesday. The police said the Trinamool worker had refused to repay a loan of Rs 20 lakh to the deceased BLO concerned, which pushed the latter into a state of acute mental frustration. Initially, Trinamool's Murshidabad leadership projected the death due to SIR-related pressure. The party even staged protests outside the office of West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kolkata. However, investigations led the sleuths to the Trinamool worker, who was arrested on Monday. The Trinamool Congress worker was identified as Bullet Khan, a resident of the Ranitala police station area in Murshidabad district, and the deceased BLO as Hamimul Islam. Khan was produced before the Lalbagh sub-divisional court, which remanded him to a five-day police custody. On Saturday night (January 10), the body of Hamimul Islam, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) from Alaipur village under Bhagwangola Block II, was recovered from a school. According to the police, Khan had borrowed Rs 20 lakh from the BLO. Khan allegedly did not return the money and even threatened to kill him when the BLO asked for repayment. This led the BLO to commit suicide. A case was lodged against the Trinamool Congress worker on charges of abetting suicide. A senior officer of Murshidabad police district said, "A person named Bullet Khan has been arrested. He is known to be a Trinamool Congress worker. An FIR has been filed based on the complaints lodged by the family of the deceased BLO. Investigation into the matter is on." Following these allegations, BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said, "This is the real face of Trinamool Congress. They are misleading people regarding the death of BLOs. They are intimidating people through deception." Bappaditya Banerjee, the convener of the BLO Rights Forum, said that the committee will fight for the rights of the BLOs. New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Lashkar-e-Taiba is heading for a major split, and the situation in Pakistan could get more chaotic, Indian Intelligence agencies have learnt. For years, the Lashkar has remained Pakistan's favourite proxy, and never has there been a rebellion within the outfit. New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) The Lashkar-e-Taiba is heading for a major split, and the situation in Pakistan could get more chaotic, Indian Intelligence agencies have learnt. For years, the Lashkar has remained Pakistanas favourite proxy, and never has there been a rebellion within the outfit. Moreover, the outfit has always towed the ISIas line and never diverted from what it had been told. An Intelligence Bureau official said that problems have started to arise, and some of the top leaders are expressing discontentment over a few decisions that the outfit has had to take in recent months. The official added that Operation Sindoor was the tipping point during which the outfit lost a considerable amount of infrastructure. Since then, the regrouping has been hard and many even lost faith in the ISI and Pakistan Army as they felt that they were not protected well enough. The ISI did manage to iron out differences, and the regrouping process had begun. However, the decisions taken by the army and ISI to engage the Lashkar-e-Taiba against the Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Nationalist Army (BLA) have not gone down well at all with a large majority of the operatives. Officials said that the cadres feel that the establishment is catering too much to both the Chinese and Western needs. Both China and the United States are interested in the rare earth present in Balochistan. Both the TTP and BLA are battling hard against the Pakistan Army in both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Since the army is unable to handle these outfits, it decided to bring in the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and align it with the Lashkar-e-Taiba to battle the TTP and BLA. The Lashkaras leadership has started asking questions about the need to battle their own people so that the Chinese and Western interests are protected. Further, the outfit does not naturally ally with the ISKP, as they are considered to be enemies of the Afghan Taliban. The Lashkar-e-Taiba has been very vocal about its support for the Taliban, and now that the Pakistan Army is fighting the group in Afghanistan has further angered the Lashkaras leadership, officials add. Pakistan watchers said that the discontent is becoming increasingly visible. Earlier, it was hush-hush, but today it is out in the open. They feel that the establishment is expecting too much out of them. The leadership is unable to explain to its cadres why they are battling their own people. The cadres are of the view that all of them must stand united and battle only India and the Western forces. Recently, a video of Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Mohammad Ashfaq Rana went viral in which he is seen criticising the establishment. He says that they have been taken advantage of by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. Rana says in the video that the establishment has, on one hand, failed to protect them and, on the other, it has ruined the nation. He speaks about the debt-ridden country and adds that even if half the borrowed money had been utilised without being siphoned off, the country would have been a prosperous one. Officials said that all these recent developments are a sign that there is a major rift between the outfitas certain members and the establishment. They also added that the very fact that Hafiz Saeed is hardly seen in public is a sign that all is not well. It would be extremely dangerous if the Lashkar-e-Taiba continues to openly rebel against the establishment. The outfit has very dedicated cadres, and cases of them rebelling in the past are close to nil. If these persons come out and join outfits such as the TTP, then the Pakistan establishment is in for a major setback. If violence in Pakistan continues to increase and terror groups start acting on their own, then it also poses a major security risk to the region, another official said. He also added that if this happens within the Lashkar-e-Taiba, then it would not be too long if one witnessed similar development in the Jaish-e-Mohammad too. Mumbai, Jan 13 : NCP leader Nawab Malik on Tuesday accused the BJP, Shiv Sena(UBT) and the MNS of polarising the civic body elections and playing with the emotions of the public, claiming that people have understood that real issues are not being raised by these political parties. The Municipal Corporation elections in Maharashtra are scheduled to be held on January 15, with the results set to be announced the following day on January 16. Tuesday marks the final day of campaigning. Malik, a leader of Ajit Pawar-led NCP, expressed confidence about his party's prospects in the elections and said, "Our candidates are working hard across different areas and putting in all their strength... We believe that our candidates will win in large numbers." Taking a swipe at rival alliances contesting the civic body elections, Malik said, "The way religion is being misused to play with people's emotions in the Mumbai municipal elections is unfortunate. They have brought 'Jai Shri Ram', burqas, Bangladeshis, immigrants, and even the issue of 'Marathi manus' is being raised. Overall, it appears that attempts are being made to polarise the elections. However, a large section of society here does not care about such things." He said that it is not right to divide people based on caste, religion, region or language, adding that the results will show that these issues were "insignificant" and not valid. "Be it the BJP, Shiv Sena(UBT) or MNS, all are playing with the public's emotions, and the actual issues are not being raised. That is why people in large numbers here want unity across all sections of society. Everyone -- Marathi, South Indian, North Indian, Bengali -- has worked hard to take Mumbai to a new level," he added. The NCP leader further took aim at MNS chief Raj Thackeray over his remarks on people coming to Maharashtra from other parts of the country. Thackeray had recently said that people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar should understand that if Hindi is imposed, "I will kick you". This was followed by remarks from his son, Amit Thackeray, who said that the MNS would not allow people from other states to enter Maharashtra and would even stop trains. Reacting to this, Malik said, "The MNS's stand is evident to everyone. Sometimes he targets South Indians, sometimes North Indians, and sometimes even Muslims. He does not seem to understand which issues should be raised to establish his ground. Politics cannot be built on anger, hatred and division, whether it is against immigrants, Muslims or anyone else." "Provide people with direction and programmes. If you speak about Marathi youth, then talk about how they will get employment, how their education will improve and how their problems will be solved. Politics based on issues earns lasting support. Politics driven only by emotions cannot last long, and people need to understand this," he added. Malik also criticised BJP leader K. Annamalai over his remarks that Mumbai is not the capital of Maharashtra but the financial capital of the country and an international city that needs to be administered by the "right people". "Annamalai needs to be careful. Madras is now Chennai. First, go there and say that you will still call it Madras. Once a name has been legally changed, it is not right to create controversy over it," Malik said. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 13 : With Assembly elections drawing closer and the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) facing a setback in the December 2025 local body polls, the Kerala Congress(M), the third-largest ally in the ruling coalition, is actively weighing a return to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The party, led by Jose K. Mani, is once again at the centre of intense political churn, triggering speculation of a realignment that could significantly alter Keralaas electoral landscape. In 2020, Jose K. Mani led the Kerala Congress(M) out of the UDF and into the LDF, ending a long-standing association with the Congress-led front. The move was formalised ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections, when the party emerged as a full-fledged ally of the Left. Contesting 12 Assembly seats, the Kerala Congress(M) managed to win five, securing ministerial representation in the Pinarayi Vijayan government. However, the results were mixed for Jose personally, as he suffered a decisive defeat in Pala, the traditional stronghold and former seat of his late father, K.M. Mani. Five years into the LDFas second consecutive term, the political context has shifted. The Leftas less-than-expected performance in the recent local body polls has prompted introspection among its allies, including the Kerala Congress(M). Within the party, there is a growing assessment that remaining with the LDF may not be advantageous in the long run, particularly with Assembly elections on the horizon. Talks over a possible return to the UDF have gathered momentum, backed by strong signals from the Congress high command and active interest from key UDF constituents, especially the Muslim League. Equally significant is the reported intervention of the Catholic Church, which is keen on consolidating Christian votes in central Kerala and restoring what it sees as a community balance within the UDF. However, the move is not without internal resistance. State Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, one of the partyas most prominent faces in the LDF government, is said to be reluctant to give up the advantages of being in power. Pramod Narayanan MLA is also in double minds and at the moment is with Augustine, while two others are firm with Jose. The party's Chief Whip, Dr N. Jayaraj, is still undecided. Hectic parleys are reportedly underway to persuade Augustine to cross over along with Jose K. Mani, a move considered crucial to ensuring organisational unity and political credibility. In the past few days, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan and IUML strongman P.K. Kunhalikutty have spoken to Jose, and unconfirmed reports said that Sonia Gandhi has also spoken to reassure him that things will be taken care of if he decides to return. The Kerala Congress, with its long history of switching alliances, now finds itself at a crossroads. Whether Jose K. Mani can successfully navigate internal dissent, manage coalition negotiations and engineer a return to the UDF could prove decisive not only for his partyas future but also for the broader contours of the Assembly election battle in Kerala. All eyes are on the Friday meeting of the party when a decision will clearly emerge. New Delhi, Jan 13 : A political storm erupted on Tuesday after Telangana Congress MLC Bomma Mahesh Kumar Goud accused the BJP of invoking Lord Ram for electoral gains, with senior BJP leaders launching a sharp counter-attack and accusing the Congress of repeatedly insulting Hindu beliefs and Sanatan Dharma for political gains. Reacting to the controversy, Union Minister Giriraj Singh strongly criticised the leader's statement, saying it reflected a lack of understanding of India's cultural and spiritual traditions. "If leaders in Telangana do not understand Hindu and Sanatan culture, it shows their lack of knowledge of Indian culture. The Gita says that whenever there is a decline of dharma, such forces arise, and then someone like Ram or Krishna is born. Today, Narendra Modi has emerged in the form of such an incarnated leader, taking the country to great heights, working to make India a Vishwaguru, and ensuring all-around development that has never happened before," Singh claimed. The row was triggered after Bomma Mahesh Kumar Goud accused the BJP of exploiting religion and caste for electoral benefits. "The BJP plays politics on caste and religion. Has Lord Rama taken membership in the BJP? They invoke religious sentiments only for electoral gains. Before every election, the BJP attempts to disturb the peaceful atmosphere by seeking votes in the name of religion, instead of focussing on real issues faced by the people," Goud said. BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also hit out alleging that insulting Hindu beliefs had become part of the party's political strategy. "Insulting Hindus and Sanatan has become the identity of the Congress because they need to run their vote bank shop. Therefore, insulting Hindus is no coincidence it is a calculated strategy and an industry of the vote bank," Poonawalla claimed. He further added, "Today, a Telangana MLC is speaking about Prabhu Ram in a manner that would never be used for any other deity, god, or prophet. Revanth Reddy also made objectionable remarks about Hindus a few days ago. Congress has a long history of using terms like Hindu terror, Sanatan terror, saying 'eliminate Sanatan,' calling saffron terrorism, saying Lord Ram is imaginary, calling the Ram Mandir consecration a 'naach-gaana,' and opposing the Ram temple." Echoing similar sentiments, BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo questioned the intent behind the remark. "Only someone with such a cheap mindset can make this kind of statement about Sanatan Dharma, and only because we are tolerant people. Do they have the courage to make such remarks about Islam, Christianity?" he said. MOSCOW/KIEV, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Ukraine reported overnight strikes against each other amid intensified military actions on Tuesday, with Moscow saying it had carried out a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, while Kiev reported a strike on a drone production facility inside Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces conducted a massive strike using high-precision ground-based weapons and drones, targeting Ukrainian energy facilities. The ministry described the operation as a response to what it called Ukrainian "terrorist attacks" on Russian civilian targets, adding that "all designated targets had been hit." Earlier on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched nearly 300 strike drones, 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles overnight, mainly targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said Ukrainian forces struck the Atlant Aero plant in Russia's Rostov region overnight. The facility is involved in the production and testing of strike and reconnaissance drones, including Molniya-type unmanned aerial vehicles, according to a statement. The Ukrainian military said the strike was aimed at reducing Russia's ability to produce drones and strike civilian targets in Ukraine. On the other hand, the Russian Defense Ministry said Russian air defense systems had intercepted multiple aerial targets over the past day, including guided bombs, rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles. Thiruvalla, Jan 13 : A court here on Tuesday sentenced expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil to three days of police custody in connection with a rape case, marking a major escalation in a politically sensitive investigation that has triggered sharp reactions across Kerala's political spectrum. The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Thiruvalla, allowing the prosecution's plea, directed the police to produce Mamkootathil again on Thursday, while posting the hearing on his bail application to Friday. The prosecution argued that custodial interrogation was essential to collect further evidence, including electronic and circumstantial material, and to verify inconsistencies in statements already recorded. Incidentally, in two similar cases, Mamkootathil managed to secure anticipatory bail. However, in this case, he was arrested on Saturday midnight. The arrest of Mamkootathil has drawn intense public and political attention, with the case unfolding at a time when the State is already witnessing heightened political activity ahead of the Assembly elections. Adding momentum to the investigation, the complainant arrived in Kerala from Canada earlier on Tuesday. Police sources said the complainant's presence would be crucial for further questioning and for corroborating evidence gathered so far. Her statement is expected to play a key role during the next phase of the probe, particularly as the police seek to strengthen the prosecutionas case ahead of the bail hearing. Meanwhile, the situation outside the court premises turned tense as protesters from the youth wings of both the BJP and the CPI(M) converged, raising slogans against Mamkootathil. The police faced a difficult task in preventing clashes and ensuring law and order, deploying additional personnel to control the crowd and keep rival groups apart. While the Congress has distanced itself from Mamkootathil by expelling him from the party, opposition parties have stepped up attacks, accusing the party of moral hypocrisy and demanding swift and transparent action. The BJP and the CPI(M) youth wings have both sought to use the case to mount political pressure, underlining the caseas broader political ramifications. With custodial interrogation underway and the bail hearing scheduled for Friday, the coming days are expected to be crucial, both legally and politically, as the case continues to reverberate beyond the courtroom. Seoul, Jan 13 : US tech giant Nvidia officials have expressed their intent to offer South Korea priority in supplying its next-generation Vera Rubin graphics processing units (GPUs), a senior Seoul official said on Tuesday. Second Vice Science Minister Ryu Je-myung made such a remark in a social media post recalling his recent visit to Nvidia's headquarters in the U.S. after attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, reports Yonhap news agency. "Nvidia officials pledged early supply of its Blackwell GB300 GPUs, as well as priority supply to South Korea of the Vera Rubin series, which is scheduled to enter mass production in 2027," Ryu said. The vice minister said he was personally guided by Madison Huang, the daughter of Nvidia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang. "As the opportunity to use the latest GPUs ahead of others plays a very important role in competition over AI models, such a promise is meaningful," he added. In October, Nvidia announced a plan to supply up to 260,000 GPUs to South Korea in partnership with the government and major companies to build large-scale AI factories in the country. Ryu also shared his experience of experiencing autonomous vehicles at CES while noting intensifying competition in related fields. "We are already facing a situation in which products and services across all sectors, including autonomous driving, robotics, digital health care and smart home solutions, cannot survive without a competitive AI foundation." Meanwhile, science ministry said it has shared a view with Nvidia on swiftly setting up a research centre in South Korea. Second Vice Science Minister Ryu Je-myung met with Jay Puri, executive vice president at Nvidia, in California on Friday (U.S. time), according to the Ministry of Science and ICT. During the meeting, Ryu and Puri shared a consensus on the need to promptly establish Nvidia's research and development facility in South Korea and discussed ways to jointly foster artificial intelligence startups, the ministry said. Guwahati, Jan 13 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday expressed concern over the latest situation in Bangladesh, where Hindus have come under violent attacks. He said the Indian government stands with minority Hindu citizens in the neighbouring country. CM Sarma, while attending a government programme in the Sribhumi district, which shares a long boundary with Bangladesh, told reporters, "It is our concern that the Hindu community have been coming under frequent attacks in Bangladesh and it is our moral right to stand with the minority people in the neighbouring country and protect them from being subjected to any kind of unwanted situation. The central government has taken cognisance of the matter, and the state government has also been put on high alert." The Chief Minister also mentioned that the unrest in Bangladesh has some impact in Assam, and the state government has stepped up security vigilance in the localities adjacent to the international boundary. CM Sarma went on to say that the Assam government would also request the Union government to take steps to ensure the safety and security of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. "Although the foreign relation is a matter of the Central government; however, we can make a request to take care of the Hindu people who have been subjected to torture in Bangladesh. The recent incidents are highly condemnable," he added. Earlier, the CM said that developments across the international border cannot be viewed in isolation, particularly at a time when violence and insecurity appear to be escalating. "Whatever is happening in Bangladesh is a matter of serious concern for us. The torture and harassment of Hindus are reportedly increasing, and such developments could have an impact on Assam as well," the Chief Minister said, stressing the need for heightened vigilance. Referring to recent political and social developments in the neighbouring country, CM Sarma said incidents of mob violence and targeted attacks against minority communities have intensified in recent weeks. He underlined that the Assam government and security agencies must remain alert and continuously monitor the situation to prevent any spillover effects into the state. "At this moment, we need to stay cautious and closely track developments across the border. At the same time, it is important to extend moral support and reassurance to the Hindu society in Bangladesh," he added. According to the 2022 census data, Bangladesh is home to approx 13.13 million Hindus, constituting nearly eight per cent of the country's population. CM Sarma's remarks come amid the growing concern in the region over the safety and security of minority communities in Bangladesh. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Kanpur, Jan 13 : Four police officers were suspended on Tuesday following a public outcry over the alleged recovery of banned meat in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur district. Speaking to IANS, Joint Commissioner of Police Ashutosh Kumar said that a video related to the incident had gone viral, triggering public outrage. "A video went viral in which banned meat and bones were reportedly found. This led to widespread anger among the public. However, senior police officers reached the spot promptly and brought the situation under control," he said. He added that members of various Hindu organisations gathered at the site and raised slogans. "Despite the tense situation, senior officers managed it effectively. FIRs have been registered, and action has been taken. There is a godown at the site, and a case has also been registered against those associated with it," Kumar told IANS. To maintain peace, security forces were deployed in the area. "So far, two people have been arrested, and further investigations are underway. Based on preliminary findings, it does not appear to be a case of slaughtering animals. It seems that bones and flesh were being collected. A large quantity of chemicals and salts has also been found at the location," he said. Kumar further stated that four police officers have been suspended for negligence and dereliction of duty. "We have suspended four police personnel so far due to their irresponsibility in handling the matter. Further investigations are being conducted to identify all those involved," he added. Providing an update on the situation, the Joint Commissioner said that peace has now been restored in the area. "During the protest, some individuals damaged the glass panes of a few parked vehicles. However, there have been no reports of injuries. The banned items have been removed from the site," he said. He added that the police are making continuous efforts to ensure law and order and prevent any further escalation. As the situation deteriorated earlier, police went on high alert and deployed a large force in the area. Following evidence of negligence, the Station House Officer (SHO), the outpost in-charge, and two other police officers were suspended. Additional police personnel, along with the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), have been deployed to maintain peace. The administration has appealed to the public to remain calm and stated that the situation is being closely monitored. Mumbai, Jan 13 : In a high-decibel campaign, the Thackeray brothers drew powerful parallels between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and the historic Samyukta Maharashtra Movement of the 1960s. Aiming to consolidate the Marathi vote bank, both leaders framed the current political climate as a second struggle for the soul of Mumbai. The Thackeray brothers collectively characterised the upcoming municipal polls as a "decisive battle" to prevent a "hostile takeover" of the city. By invoking the legacy of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement - a deeply sensitive and influential issue in Mumbai's political history - the duo tried to position themselves as the sole protectors of local interests against the Mahayuti government. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray revisited the historical struggle that was required to keep Mumbai within Maharashtra during the state's formation. They used these historical references to instil a sense of urgency among voters, suggesting that the city's identity is once again under threat. Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray linked the fears of the past to the January 15 BMC elections. "To protect Maharashtra, we have set aside all differences and come together. We will never let Mumbai be severed from Maharashtra, and we will not let it bow down before anyone," he declared. Explaining the reason behind his reconciliation with his cousin Raj Thackeray, Uddhav stated, "We have set aside all our mutual differences and come together solely for the protection of Maharashtra. We will never allow Mumbai to be severed from this state. If anyone even attempts such a move, we will ensure they do not succeed. We take an oath today that we will never let Mumbai bow down before anyone." Warning that Mumbai is "slipping out of Maharashtra's hands," the Thackeray brothers accused the BJP of practising "politics of revenge." They termed the BMC elections, scheduled for January 15, as a decisive battle for Marathi identity 'asmita'. Raj Thackeray issued a grave warning to Marathi voters. He stated, "This is the last election for the Marathi manoos. If you make a mistake today, it will be a mistake for eternity." He urged the community not to fight amongst themselves, claiming that the BJP thrives on such internal divisions. The Thackeray duo believes that the traditional Marathi voter base will consolidate behind them, viewing their reunion after two decades as a pivotal political shift. The Thackeray brothers expressed concerns that Mumbai is being "tied to the stake of Gujarat." They alleged that political and economic interests linked to Gujarat are gradually seizing control of the city. Raj Thackeray clarified that his warning isn't about Mumbai being geographically ceded to another state, but about the loss of control over land, wealth, and decision-making processes. They described the BMC election as the final opportunity to prevent outsiders from dominating the cityas resources. Further, the Thackeray brothers accused the BJP of relying on religious polarisation rather than actual development. Uddhav targeted CM Devendra Fadnavis, alleging that he consistently raises "Hindu-Muslim" issues before every election. Uddhav went as far as offering a reward of Rs 1 lakh to anyone who could point out an election the BJP fought without resorting to "religious polarisation". (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Bangladesh elections are just a month away and currently all opinion polls suggest a clear victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) headed by Tarique Rahman. Both Pakistan and the Chinese who have made several investments in the country are aware that the BNP is ahead and the Jamaat-e-Islami would come second and remain in Opposition. However, both the Chinese and Pakistanis continue to engage closely with the Jamaat. For both nations the Jamaat is an important player even if itas not in power. Both nations view the Jamaat as a counter-weight to Indiaas influence in Bangladesh. While Pakistani officials at multiple levels have stayed in touch and engaged with the Jamaat, Indian agencies are tracking the developments closely following a meeting between Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman. Bangladesh watchers say that the Chinese are well-aware that the Jamaat will remain relevant and strong even if it does not win the elections. It has manpower and influence over several institutions in the country. The Jamaat is capable of creating unrest in the country with the sole intention of hurting Indiaas interests in the nation. Moreover these meetings also come at a time when India has been engaging heavily with the BNP leadership. External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar attended the funeral of BNP founder, Khaleda Zia. He also handed over a condolence note from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An official said that this reset of ties which is being attempted has not gone down too well with both Pakistan and China. They would look to engage the Jamaat post the elections in carrying out protests and ensure that there is political volatility always in the country. A volatile Bangladesh is a headache for India as the border areas would remain extremely stressed the official added. This would increase the workload of the security agencies who will have to always remain alert against infiltrations and terror attacks. An Intelligence Bureau official says that the Jamaat would be used to create chaos each time there is an Indian investment or attempts are made to improve ties. Further the Jamaat enjoys a lot of street power and this comes in handy to those nations who want to ensure that there is no post-poll stability in the nation. The Jamaat also has influence over all the student unions in the country. It has a good number of people both in the army as well as the police who are loyal. All these factors work in favour of the anti-India forces, officials also add. As China and Pakistan have made significant investments under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Beijing wants an assurance from the Jamaat that any form of violence that would take place should not affect their investments. The agencies have been anticipating a lot of violence in the run-up to the polls and even after it. The Chinese and Pakistanis want the Jamaat to ensure that the violence does not impact their investments. Another official said that the Jamaat has gladly agreed and even given assurances. The Jamaat would side with anyone who works against Indian interests, officials added. By meeting with the Jamaat leadership, both nations are also trying to send a message to the BNP that if it does not tow their line, then the Jamaat will be used to create instability in the nation. Both China and Pakistan do not want the BNP leadership to re-calibrate their policy, especially when it comes to India. Under Muhammad Yunus ties between India and Bangladesh have fallen to an all-time low and Islamabad and Beijing would like this to continue post the elections as well, another official added. Jaipur, Jan 13 : The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Rajasthan, has registered a case against officials of the Mining (Mineral) Department, crusher owners, and royalty contractors for allegedly causing massive revenue loss to the state government by fraudulently portraying illegal mining as legal. The case has been registered following a preliminary investigation conducted by the ACB Outpost, Bharatpur Unit, under the directions of ACB Headquarters, Jaipur. The action was initiated after the Bureau received a complaint alleging large-scale irregularities in mining operations in the Bharatpur region. According to the complaint, officials and employees of the Mining Department, Bharatpur, in connivance with private crusher owners and royalty contractors, were misusing permits issued for closed or non-operational mines to facilitate illegal mining activities. These permits were allegedly used to transport and process illegally extracted minerals while falsely showing them as legally mined, thereby evading royalty and other government dues. During the preliminary inquiry, the ACB found prima facie evidence indicating the involvement of several public servants and private entities in the illegal activities. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ACB said, "The accused include Ramniwas Mangal, then Mining Engineer, Bharatpur, and currently posted as Mining Engineer, Kota; Virendra Kumar, Mining Supervisor-II; Rajendra Singh, then Mining Engineer; Sanju Singh, then Surveyor; and Bhim Singh, then Supervisor-I. In addition to departmental officials, the inquiry also found the involvement of lease owner Abhishek Tanwar, crusher owner JP & Brass, M/s Paras Infra, M/s CDS Infra, M/s Balaji & Company, Shubh Labh Stone Crusher, and royalty contractor M/s Dev Dashrath, along with other associated persons." The investigation revealed that the accused, acting in collusion, carried out illegal mining on a large scale, involving the extraction of millions of tonnes of mineral resources. By misusing permits and falsifying records, the illegally mined material was shown as legal, resulting in substantial financial loss to the state exchequer. The acts of omission and commission by Mining Department officials and private parties point towards abuse of official position and criminal conspiracy, said the ACB statement. On the basis of the findings of the preliminary investigation, the ACB has registered a case under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the illegal mining, quantify the revenue loss, identify additional beneficiaries, and take strict legal action against all persons found involved in the case, said the statement. Bengaluru, Jan 13 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday called for continuing the struggle until the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is restored and the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) is repealed. Bengaluru, Jan 13 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday called for continuing the struggle until the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is restored and the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VBa"G RAM G) is repealed. Speaking at the preparatory meeting for 'Save Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Scheme' agitation, here, he said, "This movement must take shape from the village level to the state level. Just as farmers in North India fought against changes in laws, a similar struggle must be undertaken." The AICC Executive Committee meeting was held last month, during which the party took serious note of the scrapping of MGNREGA. "The BJP is allergic to the name of Mahatma Gandhi," the Chief Minister alleged. Recalling Manmohan Singh's tenure as Prime Minister, he said, "During that period, MGNREGA, landmark legislations such as the Food Security Act, Employment Guarantee Act, Right to Information Act, Right to Education Act, and Forest Rights Act were enacted." Under the Act, which had been in force for 20 years, 12.16 crore labourers across the country were provided employment, including 6.21 crore women, he added. "Under MGNREGA, rural workers had the right to seek work for 365 days a year and could work within their own villages and on their own land. However, it has changed under the VB-G Ram G Act," Siddaramaiah alleged. He pointed out that earlier, workers could even approach courts if employment was not provided under the Act. CM Siddaramaiah said, "Now, the Central government will decide the nature and location of work through notifications, forcing workers to work only in those places." "States are now required to bear 40 per cent of the expenditure, which would cost Karnataka around Rs 2,500 crore. That is why we have launched the NREGA Save Movement. This must turn into a people's movement," the Chief Minister said. Thiruvananthapuram Jan 13 : In a major political setback for Kerala's ruling CPI-M, three-time former party MLA Ayisha Potty on Tuesday formally joined the Congress, sending shockwaves through the Left establishment and giving a morale boost to the Opposition ahead of the Assembly elections. A lawyer by profession, Potty represented the Kottarakara Assembly constituency for three consecutive terms, beginning in 2006, earning a reputation as a formidable grassroots leader. Her political journey took a dramatic turn in 2021 when she was denied a ticket by the CPI-M, reportedly following a steady deterioration in her relationship with the party leadership, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The estrangement deepened further when she was later eased out of organisational responsibilities at the grassroots level, effectively marginalising her within the party. The first public indication of Potty's political shift came when she made a surprise appearance at a memorial meeting for former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, a Congress stalwart for whom she had openly expressed deep respect. That appearance triggered speculations, which were confirmed on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan had hinted at "major surprises" in store. Within an hour, he was seen escorting Potty to the forefront of an ongoing Congress protest outside the Lok Bhavan. Satheesan announced that state Congress President Sunny Joseph would formally induct her into the party. Potty was later invited to address the gathering, which included Congress General Secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Deepa Das Munshi, along with senior State leaders. In an emotional but firm speech, she said she was prepared for personal attacks on social media following her decision. "I know I will be abused in the coming days, but I am not afraid. I was given opportunities by the party I belonged to, and I acknowledge that. I will not speak about my experiences there. I assure you all that I will always stand with the people," she said. Potty first shot to prominence in 2006 when she stunned Keralaas political circles by defeating veteran leader R. Balakrishnan Pillai, earning the tag of a "giant killer". Veteran Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh remarked wryly that the Congress had long tried to defeat her at the polls, "but never succeeded a" now we wonat have to". Her entry is expected to sharpen political equations in central and southern Kerala, adding to the CPI-Mas growing concerns of erosion within its ranks. Patna, Jan 13 : A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held on Tuesday approved 41 proposals aimed at job generation and infrastructure development. This was the first cabinet meeting of the new year and was attended by all ministers, including Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. The meeting was considered significant as several key decisions were taken to fulfil the promises made by Nitish Kumar and the NDA to the people of Bihar during the 2025 Assembly elections. Following the formation of the new government, the Nitish Kumar-led administration is preparing a special action plan for jobs and employment. The cabinet emphasised the filling of vacancies across various departments and attracting private sector investment to generate large-scale employment in the state. Several decisions related to development schemes and employment generation were approved. The state cabinet has approved a scheme worth Rs 33.29 crore for the construction of a 220 KV DC transmission line to ensure uninterrupted and quality power supply to the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC), Gaya, under the Bihar State Power Transmission Company Limited. It has also been approved for the reorganisation and creation of 694 posts under the Agriculture Department. This includes 534 posts of Plant Protection Supervisor and 160 posts of Plant Protection Inspector, achieved by surrendering/repatriating 293 sanctioned posts under various designations and creating 293 additional posts under the Bihar Agriculture Subordinate Service (Category-05 Plant Protection) cadre. The cabinet has approved the temporary creation of one ex-cadre post of Forest and Environment Advisor for a period of three years. The post will be filled on a contractual basis by a retired Indian Forest Service or Bihar Forest Service officer to facilitate the speedy resolution of forest and environment-related issues and ensure the timely implementation of departmental projects. Approval for the identification and reorganisation of 200 sanctioned posts in the office attendant cadre under the Directorate of Fisheries, functioning under the Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department, in accordance with the Bihar Office Attendant/Attendant (Special) Recruitment and Service Conditions Rules, 2023. In another major step, the cabinet has approved the "Bihar Anand Karaj Marriage Registration Rules, 2025", enabling the registration of marriages solemnised in the Anand Karaj tradition under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909. In the transport department, the cabinet has approved an amendment to Rule 30 (1)(iv) of the Bihar Motor Vehicle Rules, 1992, reducing the minimum educational qualification for issuing a Conductor License from Class 10 pass to Class 8 pass. Under the Building Construction department, the cabinet has approved Rs 314.20 crore for the construction of Bihar Bhawan in Mumbai. The cabinet's decisions reflect the state government's focus on employment generation, infrastructure development, administrative reform, and inclusive governance in the initial phase of the new year. Members of the China National Acrobatic Troupe perform a hoop-diving act during the gala show of the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 12, 2026. The China National Acrobatic Troupe claimed the Grand Prix at the Budapest International Circus Festival. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua) BUDAPEST, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The China National Acrobatic Troupe claimed the Grand Prix at the Budapest International Circus Festival, which concluded late Monday with a gala performance marking the 30th anniversary of the event since its launch in 1996. The Chinese troupe received the festival's highest honor for its hoop-diving act, which was praised by the international jury for its technical precision, artistic expression and innovative choreography. At the biennial festival, three gold prizes were awarded. Flying Tabares from Argentina and the United States won gold for flying trapeze, Ukrainian artist Kateryna Kornieva received gold for swing pole, while the Martinez Brothers of Colombia and Japan claimed gold for Icarian Games. Silver prizes were awarded to acts from Israel, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Italy. Bronze prizes went to performers from Italy, France and Switzerland, Russia, and Canada. Budapest International Circus Festival is widely regarded as one of the world's most prestigious professional circus competitions. Members of the China National Acrobatic Troupe perform a hoop-diving act during the gala show of the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 12, 2026. The China National Acrobatic Troupe claimed the Grand Prix at the Budapest International Circus Festival. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua) Members of the China National Acrobatic Troupe celebrate after winning the Grand Prix of the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 12, 2026. The China National Acrobatic Troupe claimed the Grand Prix at the Budapest International Circus Festival. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua) Members of the China National Acrobatic Troupe perform a hoop-diving act during the gala show of the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 12, 2026. The China National Acrobatic Troupe claimed the Grand Prix at the Budapest International Circus Festival. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua) Members of the China National Acrobatic Troupe perform a hoop-diving act during the gala show of the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 12, 2026. The China National Acrobatic Troupe claimed the Grand Prix at the Budapest International Circus Festival. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua) Members of the China National Acrobatic Troupe perform a hoop-diving act during the gala show of the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 12, 2026. The China National Acrobatic Troupe claimed the Grand Prix at the Budapest International Circus Festival. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua) Members of the China National Acrobatic Troupe perform a hoop-diving act during the gala show of the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival in Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 12, 2026. The China National Acrobatic Troupe claimed the Grand Prix at the Budapest International Circus Festival. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua) New Delhi, Jan 13 : While US President Donald Trump's recent warning that any country trading with Iran could face an additional 25 per cent tariff has direct implications for India, any choppy waters ahead may affect future operations at the Chabahar port as well. New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) While US President Donald Trumpas recent warning that any country trading with Iran could face an additional 25 per cent tariff has direct implications for India, any choppy waters ahead may affect future operations at the Chabahar port as well. India is among Iranas top business partners, as are China, Turkey, the UAE, Pakistan, and Armenia. The proposed addition will compound earlier US duties, which included a 25 per cent reciprocal trade tariff plus an equal amount as a punitive measure for buying Russian oil. The extra surge was added since Moscowas oil fell under Western sanctions due to the war in Ukraine. Now, any effect on Chabahar port operations could pose a strategic risk for India, the project being New Delhias counter to Pakistanas Gwadar Port, built with Chinese support. India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement in May 2024 to develop the Shahid Beheshti terminal. But the US Secretary of State revoked the sanctions exception issued in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA) for Afghanistan reconstruction assistance and economic development, effective September 29 last year. India secured a short exemption, allowing continued operations and development till April this year. Meanwhile, New Delhi engaged with Washington in sanction negotiations and trade talks. Thus, India could continue developing and operating the terminal at least for some time without facing punitive sanctions from the United States. The port is crucial for Indiaas access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, allowing it to bypass Pakistan for trade and connectivity. The extension was seen as a diplomatic win for India, especially amid broader tensions involving Washingtonas sanctions on Iran and Russia. New Delhias $500 million investment and its 10a'year agreement to run the Shahid Beheshti terminal are now exposed to secondary sanctions, complicating trade routes to Afghanistan and Central Asia. According to a US Congressional research paper from August last year, Washingtonas sanctions on Iran are aimed "to deter, constrain, and encourage change in the adversarial behaviour of the Iranian regime" since the 1979 Revolution. "The Carter Administration initially imposed sanctions to press for the release of US Embassy staff taken as hostages in 1979; the executive branch and Congress expanded US sanctions in the 1980s and 1990s," it cited. It further mentioned the 118th Congress enacting "a number of Iran-related sanctions measures, mostly as part of the emergency national security supplemental" passed in the wake of Tehranas "unprecedented direct attack against Israel in April 2024". Among those measures is an act that directs the President to impose sanctions on port operators, refineries, and other entities linked to Iranian oil. In case the White House now decide to re-exercise that power with force, Indian companies involved in Chabahar could face restrictions in US markets, leading to uncertainty over financing and insurance. Global banks and insurers may avoid transactions linked to Chabahar, slowing port operations. Additionally, with its border with Pakistan closed due to intermittent firefights, Afghanistanas access to sea trade via Chabahar was an alternative that could face disruptions, affecting humanitarian supplies too. For New Delhi, additional sanctions and punitive tariffs could further complicate ongoing trade negotiations with Washington. The current waiver, valid until April 2026, had given India a window to continue operations and assess future developments at Chabahar. New Delhi is expected to use this time to strengthen its regional ties and infrastructure investments, which are critical to India's economic and geopolitical strategy for Central Asia and beyond. New Delhi, Jan 13 : There will not be any material impact on credit profiles of Indian corporates engaged in business with Venezuelan customers, given their modest exposure, a report said on Tuesday. Crisil Ratings does not expect the recent developments in Venezuela to have any material impact on India's global trade or the credit quality of Indian corporates. "Even in the event of any escalation that disrupts crude oil production in Venezuela, the country's relatively small share (1.5 per cent) in global supply means it is unlikely to cause sustained turbulence in crude oil prices, shielding India Inc from any material adverse impact," the report mentioned. The price of brent crude oil has also remained almost stable over the past few days, hovering a tad above $60 per barrel. Besides, India's direct trade with Venezuela is also insignificant, accounting for less than 0.25 per cent of its total imports. Crude oil is the primary import from Venezuela, with India sourcing 1 per cent of its crude oil requirements from the South American country. "In fact, crude oil and allied products accounted for over 90 per cent of the Rs 14,000 crore total imports from Venezuela in fiscal 2025," said the report. India's exports to Venezuela were under Rs 2,000 crore in fiscal 2025, making up less than 0.1 per cent of its total exports. The exports are diversified, too, spanning sectors like pharmaceuticals, ceramics, textiles and two-wheelers, among others. Pharmaceutical products led India's exports to Venezuela, at Rs 900 crore last fiscal, making up less than 0.5 per cent of India's total pharmaceutical exports. Exports of ceramics, textiles and two-wheelers were modest, ranging from Rs 80-120 crore each, and formed a negligible part of exports of these sectors as well as our rated universe's exports, said the report. "While we do not anticipate any material near-term impact of the Venezuela situation on crude oil prices, investments for increasing crude oil production in Venezuela, which has vast untapped reserves, could boost oil supply globally and lead to softening of crude oil prices over the medium to long term, which could be a positive for India Inc.," the report noted. Nara, Jan 13 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday told Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that cooperation between their countries is more important than ever, citing the complex and dizzying international order. Lee made the remarks at the start of summit talks with Takaichi, calling for the two nations to take steps toward a better future, despite the painful past caused by Japan's occupation of the Korean Peninsula. "Amid a complex and dizzying international order, I believe that cooperation between Korea and Japan is more important than ever," Lee said, Yonhap News Agency reported. The summit talks with Takaichi came after Lee held summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing earlier this month, at a time when tensions have been running high between Beijing and Tokyo over Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan. Lee said South Korea and Japan have built mutually beneficial relations over the past 60 years since normalising diplomatic ties and expressed hope to further develop the relationship over the next 60 years. Takaichi said she would work closely with Lee to promote regional stability, expressing hope that his visit would help further elevate Seoul-Tokyo ties. Lee expressed hope for broadening cooperation with Japan in the fields of artificial intelligence, the economy, society, culture and people-to-people exchanges. "Geopolitical uncertainty is growing, multilateralism is being put to the test in the international community, and interdependence within global supply chains is being weaponised," he said. "To address the pressing challenges we face, I hope that the two countries will squarely confront history while expanding cooperation based on deep mutual trust," he added. Lee arrived in Nara for a two-day stay as part of reciprocal leader-level visits dubbed "shuttle diplomacy," aimed at sustaining the recent momentum in improving relations. The two leaders first held summit talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju in late October and briefly met again during the Group of 20 leaders' gathering in South Africa in November. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Congress said on Tuesday that its 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' is reaching 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats, accusing the Union government of letting loose a bulldozer on the rural job schemes of the UPA-era. Jairam Ramesh, Rajya Sabha MP MP and Congress General Secretary Communications In-charge, in a message on social media platform X, said, "The Union government has run a bulldozer over the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, which has become the lifeline for crores of people in India." Urging people to join the Congress' protest against the replacement of MGNREGA with Viksit Bharat a" Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB a" G RAM G) Act, Ramesh said, "This nationwide struggle is... for the restoration of the constitutional rights to work, to wages, and to accountability. Join this movement too." The Congress leader's X account also ran a live counter indicating, in real time, the number of people joining the struggle. Till Tuesday afternoon, as many as 30,177 people had joined the campaign by giving a missed call. The 'Sangram' launched by the Congress follows a decision by the party President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to take the issue to the people and mount pressure on the Union government to reverse its decision -- like in the case of the farm laws that were forced to be withdrawn. Rahul Gandhi claimed the VB-G RAM G Act was rushed through the Parliament without adequate scrutiny and debate. He described MGNREGA as the most successful poverty alleviation programme, and said that he and the Congress will not let the Narendra Modi-led Union government destroy the rural poor's last line of defence. "We will stand with workers, panchayats, and states to defeat this move and build a nationwide front to ensure this law is withdrawn," he said in a hard-hitting social media post. Taking exception to the "hurried" passage of the VB-G RAM G Bill through both the Houses of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the Narendra Modi government demolished 20 years of MNREGA in just one day and also questioned the "anti-state and anti-village" design of the new scheme, which is set to replace the UPA-era MGNREGA. Patna, Jan 13 : The Nitish government has announced the introduction of Mobile Registration Units to facilitate elderly people aged 80 years and above in registration of their land and flat from the comfort of their homes. It has often been observed that senior citizens face significant difficulties in completing land or flat registration due to physical limitations and procedural complexities. To address this issue, the Bihar government has decided to provide doorstep land registration services to elderly citizens in this age group. Announcing the decision through a written statement posted on his official social media account on Tuesday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that senior citizens aged 80 years or above will now be able to avail all land and flat registration services from their homes, if required. "The Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department will provide document registration services within a fixed timeframe through Mobile Registration Units. Applicants can apply online for this service, and the concerned department will ensure that the registration process is completed within seven working days," the Chief Minister said. Referring to the government's broader governance agenda, CM Nitish said that after the formation of the new government on November 20, 2025, the state has begun implementing the 'Seven Resolutionsa"3' programme to place Bihar among the developed states in the country. "The core objective of the seventh resolution, 'Respect for All a" Ease of Living', is to reduce the difficulties faced by citizens in their daily lives and to make governance more citizen-friendly. We are continuously taking important decisions in this direction," he said. The Chief Minister also announced another significant reform related to land transactions. He said that buyers and sellers often face problems due to the lack of updated land information at the time of registration. To address this, a new system is being introduced under which the Registration Department will obtain updated land status information from the Circle Office and provide it to applicants before registration, upon request. "This system will ensure transparency and provide accurate land-related information to buyers and sellers, thereby preventing disputes and inconvenience," he added. CM Nitish said that officials of the concerned departments have been instructed to implement both initiatives with effect from April 1. He expressed confidence that these measures would greatly benefit senior citizens and improve the overall land registration process in the state. The Chief Minister also invited public feedback on the new system, stating that suggestions can be submitted until January 19, 2026, through the prescribed channels. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 13 : Kerala's Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday accused the ruling CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) of conducting election campaign activities using government funds, calling it "unacceptable and unethical", and warned of legal action to recover public money allegedly diverted for partisan purposes. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 13 (IANS) Kerala's Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday accused the ruling CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) of conducting election campaign activities using government funds, calling it "unacceptable and unethical", and warned of legal action to recover public money allegedly diverted for partisan purposes. Satheesan alleged that the Public Relations Department under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had organised a government-funded quiz competition barely two months ahead of the elections, in which children were made to give "Pinarayi Vijayan" as the answer to every question. Describing it as a "shameful programme" unprecedented in Kerala, he said the exercise amounted to the misuse of the state machinery for electioneering. "This will eventually become a personal embarrassment for the Chief Minister and a disgrace to Kerala," Satheesan said, demanding that the programme be withdrawn immediately. He also objected to CPI-M volunteers allegedly going door to door as part of election-related activities funded by the government, insisting that all political parties must conduct their campaigns using their own resources. "We have no objection to any election work, but public money should not be used for it," he said. Warning that officials facilitating such activities would not be spared, Satheesan said the UDF would fight a legal battle "to any extent" to ensure that funds taken from the government treasury for the CPI-M's election campaign are fully recovered. At the same time, the Congress leader hinted at major political developments ahead of the Assembly elections. He said parties from the LDF and the NDA, along with independent leaders, would soon move to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). "If you wait a few days that can be counted on your fingers, you will understand what those surprises are," he said, declining to name the parties or individuals involved. Satheesan clarified that the Kerala Congress-M continues to function as part of the LDF and said the UDF would not make any remark questioning the party's credibility. "When the time comes, the media will be informed. A surprise announced in advance will no longer remain a surprise," he said. With Assembly elections drawing closer, Satheesan's sharp attack on the ruling front and his hints of impending political realignments signal a more aggressive Opposition posture, as the UDF seeks to capitalise on alleged misuse of state resources and shifting political equations in Kerala. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Vice-President (V-P) C.P. Radhakrishnan, on Tuesday, inaugurated the Drug Free Campus Campaign at the Delhi University (DU), calling for efforts to make the drive an integral part of all Central higher educational institutions. The Vice-President called upon the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to ensure that sustained and collective efforts are made to protect the youth from substance abuse and to realise the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. He said that the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, reflects a holistic vision by emphasising mental health, life skills and student well-being. He added that initiatives such as the Drug Free Campus Campaign resonate with the spirit of the NEP by creating safe, inclusive and nurturing learning environments. Commending the varsity for integrating awareness programmes, counselling mechanisms, student-led initiatives and stakeholder collaboration, the Vice-President said that when students become ambassadors of change, the impact extends beyond campuses to families and communities. He urged students to remain vigilant, support peers in distress, speak up against substance abuse and lead by example. Highlighting that India is a youthful nation, the Vice-President described substance abuse as not merely a personal problem but a serious social challenge, public health concern and a threat to the country's demographic dividend. Emphasising that strong nations require strong leadership, V-P Radhakrishnan said universities are not merely centres of academic learning but institutions where values are shaped, leadership is nurtured and the future of the nation is forged. He added that when a premier institution like the DU takes a firm stand against substance abuse, it sends a powerful message to society at large. The Vice-President also launched a dedicated e-pledge platform (https://pledge.du.ac.in/home) and mobile application under the 'Nasha Mukt Parisar Abhiyaan', and urged students from universities across the country to actively participate and take the pledge for a drug-free campus. He noted that drug abuse adversely affects physical and mental health, academic performance, family harmony, productivity and national security, including its links with narco-terrorism. The Vice-President said the vision of a developed and self-reliant India can be realised only when the youth remain healthy, drug-free and purpose-driven. A drug-free youth, he added, is better equipped to acquire skills, promote entrepreneurship and contribute meaningfully to economic growth and national development. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (PSA) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday announced a partnership with Netflix to launch Inspiring Innovators-Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaaan -- a skilling initiative aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Inspiring Innovators Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaaan underscores the role of storytelling, skilling, and start-ups in strengthening India's innovation ecosystem. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity and implemented by Graphiti Studios, showcases the contributions of eight Indian start-ups identified by the Office of the PSA for their work in driving social-impact innovation. These start-ups are featured through eight short, animated films created by students from eight universities across India, including the National Institute of Design, Chitkara University, Satyajit Ray Institute of Film and Television, and several others. The voiceovers for the films were recorded by participants from the Voicebox -- a skilling initiative by Netflix in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). "Inspiring Innovators was designed to highlight innovation with social relevance while also strengthening skills and knowledge pathways. By bringing together start-ups and students through a creative process, and with skilling support enabled through the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity and industry mentorship, the programme reflects a holistic approach to building India's innovation ecosystem, connecting policy intent with talent development and real-world application," said Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, PSA. "Inspiring Innovators reflects a shared commitment to recognising innovation that delivers real social value. By combining storytelling with hands-on skilling, the initiative brings together government, industry, and young creators to showcase ideas shaping India's innovation ecosystem in a meaningful and inclusive way," added Mahima Kaul, Director, Global Affairs, Netflix India. Designed as a storytelling-and-skilling-led programme under the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, the initiative provided hands-on creative experience to a cohort of 26 students from diverse parts of India. Fifty per cent of the participants were women, with several students coming from Tier-2 cities. The students were mentored by experts from the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, and Graphiti Studios, gaining practical, real-world exposure to industry processes. "As storytelling enters a new era shaped by creators and emerging technologies, initiatives like Inspiring Innovators highlight how creativity can be applied in the service of society," Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State, for Information & Broadcasting. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Amid rising fears of United States weighing options that include military action to take control of Greenland, Germany has played down an invasion even as the NATO tried to convince Washington of working on "next steps" to protect Arctic's security, said reports. New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) Amid rising fears of United States weighing options that include military action to take control of Greenland, Germany has played down an invasion even as the NATO tried to convince Washington of working on "next steps" to protect Arctic's security, said reports. Beijing has meanwhile taken "exception to US President Donald Trump's attempts to use Russia and China as an excuse for his push into the Arctic", reported Moscow-based RT.com, quoting China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson. According to the Financial Times, a senior Nordic diplomat has said that it is "simply not true that the Chinese and Russians are there," claiming to have seen specific Intelligence inputs. "There are no ships, no submarines," stated the official. Germany's state-funded public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) quoted NATO chief Mark Rutte as reiterating on Monday, "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." But he also asserted that NATO member-countries were working on "next steps" to protect Arctic security. In a separate report, the DW said that German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday "played down" suggestions that the United States could "invade Greenland with its military". Wadephul's statement came after his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where the German Minister emphasised that there was "no reason" to believe that such action was being "seriously considered". He insisted that NATO members shared a common interest in ensuring security in the Arctic. On Monday, a Newsweek article also covered the evolving situation where US officials have said that Washington needs control of Greenland to safeguard its national security and shore up NATO defences. "Onlookers also say sharp U.S. interest in the island, which is a semi-autonomous part of Denmark, is also about expanding Washington's sphere of influence in the Western Hemisphere and securing vital resources," it added. "But the region in general is garnering more and more attention, not only from states with Arctic coastlines but also from farther-flung nations. China has declared itself a "near Arctic" state, and Russia the dominant Arctic power has been heavily investing in its footprint in the region," said the Newsweek report. There has been talk of China's Polar Silk Route initiative to develop Arctic shipping routes, as efficient management of trade routes and seeking newer resources, a part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Monday's Newsweek report quoted Belgium's Defence Minister Theo Francken that NATO nations should launch a new operation in the Arctic to fend off US concerns about security in the region. The report also shared that many Greenlanders are in favour of eventually separating from Denmark, but opinion polls showed that a vast majority of them also do not want to become part of the US. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen has already rejected President Trump's repeated statements on the annexation of his country, saying "the United States will not get it". He has emphasised that Greenland is a self-governing territory and its future lies with its own people. The icy expanse is said to possess abundant natural resources, with availability of both fossil fuels and critical raw materials. It also holds a highly strategic location in the North Atlantic. With the US President eyeing the resources and the location, Nielsen has reacted with, "We are fully aware of our country's strategic location", said reports. American troops are already stationed in Greenland in the northwest of the island, where the base is of strategic importance for detecting long-range missiles bound for the US mainland, media coverage on the standoff have added. Ranchi, Jan 13 : The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday ordered a CBI probe into a case in which students were denied permission to appear for examinations despite being admitted to a Dhanbad-based technical institution duly approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The High Court passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by the Principal of the Dhanbad Institute of Technology. The court made strong observations regarding the conduct of the Jharkhand University of Technology (JUT) and the AICTE, terming the issue far more serious than a mere administrative lapse. As per the courtas directions, the Registrar of JUT appeared before the bench. Upon examining the records, the court noted that the AICTE had granted approval to the petitioner institute for admissions for the academic session 2025-26 on April 30, 2025. Acting on this approval, the institute admitted students. However, the JUT subsequently refused to allow the enrolled students to appear for the examinations. The High Court compared the situation to traffic police removing "No Entry" or "No Parking" signs to trap unsuspecting citizens, observing that the JUT appeared to have adopted a similar approach in this case. The court remarked that the matter prima facie involved serious manipulation of studentsa futures and could amount to grave and corrupt practices by state agencies. Considering the seriousness of the allegations, the High Court impleaded the CBI through the Union of India as a respondent and ordered a detailed investigation. The CBI has been directed to probe the process under which the AICTE and the JUT denied students the opportunity to appear for examinations after their lawful admission, as well as the roles played by the officials concerned. Assistant Solicitor General Prashant Pallav accepted notice on behalf of the CBI. The court directed the agency to submit its investigation report in a sealed cover within two weeks. Both the JUT and the AICTE have been instructed to extend full cooperation to the investigating agency. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on February 3. A conservation base in China's Guangdong has welcomed its first-ever endangered black-shanked douc langur baby. The newborn is thriving under mom's care, bringing the base's total of these rare primates to four. #primates #BlackShankedDoucLangur #endangered #wildlife Chandigarh, Jan 13 : BJP's Punjab President Sunil Jakhar on Tuesday took a dig at the state police for seeking additional time to respond to the Delhi Legislative Assembly after being summoned in a case where it had conducted a forensic examination of a video related to former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi within a single day. He questioned that if an investigation could be completed in one day, why so much time is now needed to send a reply to the Assembly. In a message shared on social media, Jakhar wrote: "The same Punjab Police which completed the forensic examination of the former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi's video in one day is now asking for 10 days' time to reply to the Delhi Assembly Speaker's notice seeking a response within 48 hours. "On the other hand, we have been continuously demanding an investigation into the objectionable video resembling the Chief Minister's face, yet the police are maintaining silence on that issue. Is there something fishy going on?" The Chief Minister has been consistently stating that if the Punjab Police can examine a video related to the former Delhi Chief Minister within one day, then why is a forensic investigation not being conducted into the objectionable video resembling the Chief Minister, and why is there no probe into the audio allegedly involving the Patiala Police that reflects an intent to undermine democracy. In this connection, he has also written a letter to the Punjab DGP, demanding a forensic examination of the video resembling the Chief Minister's face. Earlier, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a rebuttal to the BJP over the "tampering" of Atishi's Assembly video, declaring "it a deliberate conspiracy to provoke communal unrest in Punjab". Asserting that the secular state government would not allow such designs to succeed, the Chief Minister had said the video was edited with false subtitles, an act of "beadbi (sacrilege)", and pointed out that forensic findings have conclusively established that Atishi never used the word "Guru". Defending the Punjab Police's action against BJP leader Kapil Mishra, CM Mann had said the falsified clip does not figure anywhere in the official Assembly records and pointed out that the BJP "is pursuing an anti-Punjab agenda on issues ranging from Chandigarh and the BBMB to Panjab University, while Opposition leaders are scrambling to defend lies in the absence of any real issue against the state government". The Chief Minister had said the BJP's mindset towards Punjab was hostile. "Former CM Capt Amarinder Singh, state BJP President Sunil Jakhar and Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu are in an awkward situation today as they are forced to justify the BJP's enmity towards Punjab through a bundle of lies," he had added. New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) on Tuesday urged the government to reduce telecom license fee from 3 per cent to 0.5 per cent-1 per cent in the upcoming Budget, just to cover the administrative costs. The leading industry body for telecom operators also suggested that the rate of GST under 'Reverse Charge on Spectrum' payment, license fees, spectrum usage charges, etc. can be reduced from the existing 18 per cent rate to the lower rate of 5 per cent slab, since it is revenue neutral to the government and would help in reducing input tax credit (ITC) accumulation. "COAI has been advocating measures that would reduce the sector's financial burden, thereby enabling further expansion and rollout of next-generation connectivity to achieve the goal of a Viksit Bharat," said Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, Director General, COAI. The license fee, which is a combination of the license (3 per cent of AGR) and Digital Bharat Nidhi Contribution (5 per cent of AGR), is a huge financial burden for the licensed telcos, Kochhar added. "The Digital Bharat Nidhi contribution should be paused for the time till the unused corpus has been completely utilised by the Department of Telecommunications," he said. COAI recommended that special benefit may be provided to telecom operators in GST by way of exemption of GST on regulatory payments of LF, SUC and spectrum assigned under auction. COAI also suggested that usage of existing ITC balance be allowed for discharging GST under RCM (Reverse Charge Mechanism) on LF/SUC, which will not only protect the cash outflow for telcos but also help in utilizing accumulated ITC. "Since telecom today is no longer just a vertical, but a 'horizontal value-added enabler' for all other verticals, a recalibration of spectrum pricing and assignment models too is necessary," Kochhar said. Patna, Jan 13 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended a traditional 'Dahi-Chura' feast at the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Tuesday, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Several Ministers of the state government, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, were also present. The programme began with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar paying tribute to Swami Vivekananda by garlanding his portrait. One of the major attractions of this feast was Tej Pratap Yadav, who reached the residence of Deputy CM Sinha and greeted him. During the occasion, they had the photo sessions together, but when asked whether Tej Pratap Yadav would join the NDA, both the leaders said that the announcement would be made only when the time comes. Makar Sankranti holds special significance in Bihar's politics. The Dahi-Chura feasts organised by public representatives provide an opportunity for direct interaction with the common people. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha organises a 'Dahi-Chura' feast every year on Makar Sankranti. On Monday, he also hosted a grand feast in his home constituency of Lakhisarai, which was attended by thousands of people. According to Deputy Chief Minister Sinha, such events not only keep folk traditions alive but also strengthen social and political dialogue. In Bihar, Makar Sankranti is not just a religious festival, but also a symbol of social unity and cultural identity. Consuming Dahi-Chura, Tilkut (sesame seed sweets), and other sweets is traditionally considered auspicious on this day. Dahi-Chura is an integral part of Bihar's culinary culture, reflecting the values of simplicity, equality, and community. From villages to cities, people of all classes celebrate this festival with equal enthusiasm. This year, Makar Sankranti is being celebrated in Bihar on January 14-15. This is the day when the sun astronomically moves from Sagittarius to Capricorn, which is considered Sankranti. According to some traditional customs, the auspicious period or celebration continues until January 15, but according to astrology and the Hindu calendar, the main Sankranti day is January 14. However, this year, Makar Sankranti is being observed on January 15 in most districts of Bihar. Melbourne, Jan 13 : The Premier of the Australian state of Victoria on Tuesday announced an additional (Australian) $15 million (about US$10 million) in support funding for communities affected by the statewide bushfire crisis. Premier Jacinta Allan said at a press conference in the central Victorian town of Alexandra that $10 million of the new funding package will go to a new bushfire clean-up programme to help landowners deal with the wreckage of over 500 structures that have been destroyed across the state, Xinhua News Agency reported. "This is particularly focused on uninsured and underinsured households who have lost their primary place of residence to be able to get underway with the clean-up," she said. The remaining $5 million will be spent on waiving fees at landfills in affected areas to ensure that bushfire waste can be disposed of free of charge. Twelve active fires were continuing to burn across Victoria as of Tuesday, down from 27 on Monday, and Allan said the situation has de-escalated. Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, said that six of those fires were still a concern to firefighting crews and that conditions are expected to become more severe in late January. He said that the number of structures confirmed to have been destroyed by fires now exceeds 500, including 90 homes that were destroyed in the town of Longwood near Alexandra. Wiebusch said that detectives from Victoria Police's arson squad are investigating the cause of the Longwood fire, which has burned through 144,000 hectares of land and has a perimeter of 400 km. Earlier on Sunday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Allan announced an (Australian) $19.5 million (US$ 13 million) emergency funding package to provide immediate support to communities across the state affected by the fires. The funding includes $10 million to supply fodder to farmers who have been affected by significant livestock losses, $1.5 million in emergency accommodation support for thousands of people who have been ordered to evacuate their homes, and $1 million for mental health support. Speaking at a press conference alongside Allan and emergency services personnel in the central Victorian city of Bendigo, Albanese said on Sunday that the federal government would support Victorians through the crisis and the recovery period. "We've got your back," he said. "We'll work cooperatively with the state government to make sure we deliver what is necessary so that people and communities can get back on their feet after what has been a very difficult period." Chandrapur, Jan 13 : Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal, on Tuesday, alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Asaduddin Owaisi's All India Majlis-e-Iteehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) are fuelling religious issues to serve their respective political interests. "They (BJP and AIMIM) incite the people by creating "Hindua"Muslim" and "Marathaa"OBC" divisions, yet come together when it comes to power. The green kite's string is saffron, and the bow's arrow is green," Sapkal said. He appealed to the voters of Maharashtra to teach the hypocritical BJP, Shiv Sena and AIMIM a lesson in the upcoming municipal corporation elections and ensure a majority victory for the Congress. Sapkal said that both the BJP and Owaisi's AIMIM are spreading fear among people in the name of Hindua"Muslim issues, but are seen coming together to enjoy the fruits of power. "In Akot, the BJP and AIMIM joined hands for power. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claims thumping his chest that he will never ally with AIMIM, yet he neither breaks the alliance in Akot nor takes any action against it -- because both parties are essentially the same. In this power game, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena is no different; it too joined hands with the AIMIM in the Parli Municipal Council in Beed district," he added. Calling on people to teach these hypocrites -- who spread fear among the public and then embrace each other for power -- a lesson, Sapkal quoted: "Tu idhar udhar ki na baat kar, mujhe rehzanon se gila to hai, par teri rahbari ka sawal hai." (Do not wander into diversions; though I hold a grudge against those who robbed the way, it is your guidance that stands questioned). Congress Legislative Party Leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that the BJP, which questions what the Congress has done in 70 years, is now selling what the grand old party built. "The Chandrapur city is riddled with potholes, there is no water supply, and the condition of the city has been made extremely poor. Seeing defeat ahead, the BJP is distributing packets of three thousand rupees. If Congress comes to power in Chandrapur, well-equipped hospitals will be built, at least 10 English-medium schools will be started, and an ample supply of drinking water will be ensured. The people are with the Congress party; 40 Congress Corporators will be elected in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation, and the Congress flag will fly over the civic body," he added. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said on Tuesday that Punjab Police had sought 10 more days but have been told to file their report on the Atishi video matter within three days. "Punjab Police have replied asking for 10 days' time, but looking at the seriousness of the matter, the Delhi Assembly Secretariat has given them only three days to submit the full report by January 15," Gupta said at a Press Conference over developments arising out of the use of "unparliamentary and objectionable" language in the House on January 6 by AAP's Leader of the Opposition Atishi. The Speaker said that notices have been issued by the Delhi Assembly Secretariat to the Director General of Police, Punjab; the Special DGP, Cyber Cell; and the Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar. The notices were issued after the registration of an FIR against Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra in Jalandhar for allegedly circulating a "doctored" video showing Atishi speaking in the Delhi Assembly on January 6. The case was registered after receiving a complaint from a local resident. The Speaker remarked that the Punjab Police seeking more time to reply to the Delhi Assembly Secretariat raises serious questions about the independence and impartiality of the investigating agency. While the Punjab Police claimed that FIR registration and forensic examination of a video downloaded from the social media account of Mishra were carried out within hours, they are taking days to reply to the Assembly's notice, said Gupta. He emphasised that the matter relates directly to the jurisdiction of the Delhi Assembly and that all original videos and documents are the property of the Assembly. The Speaker questioned how the Punjab Government initiated forensic examination, who issued the orders and on what basis, and which video material was examined when the Assembly was neither contacted nor any documents requested. The Speaker stated that this sequence of events appears aimed not at clarification of facts but at creating confusion and misleading the public, after sentiments have already been hurt. Calling the issue both legally sensitive and emotionally significant for the people, the Speaker said that the developments point towards direct political interference. He asserted that any conspiracy to undermine the dignity of the House will not be tolerated. The Speaker stated that the incident deeply disturbed the functioning of the House and subsequently led to repeated disruptions, as the Leader of the Opposition chose not to attend the sittings. The Speaker informed that on January 7, after examining the relevant video footage, it became evident that the remarks had hurt the sentiments of people, particularly because they were perceived as being disrespectful towards revered Gurus. Members of the House were of the unanimous opinion that the Leader of the Opposition should come to the House and tender an unconditional apology. However, this did not occur, resulting in the disruption of proceedings on January 6, 7 and 8. Gupta stated that, keeping in view the seriousness of the matter and the emotions involved, the Assembly took decisions on January 8 and, on the request of the Opposition itself, referred the video material to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination. The Speaker reaffirmed that the authority to seek forensic examination in this matter rests with the Delhi Assembly and assured that it will work with full responsibility and transparency to ensure that the truth comes out and the dignity of the House is preserved. New Delhi, Jan 13 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday filed a set of charges against the third accused in a case related to attempts to revive a CPI (Maoist) Northern Regional Bureau (NRB), an official said. Priyanshu Kashyap alias Rakesh alias Nilesh, a resident of Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, has been charged under sections 13, 18, 20, 38 and 39 of the UA (P) Act in the supplementary chargesheet filed on Tuesday by the NIA. The anti-terror agency had earlier charge sheeted two others, Ajay Singhal and Vishal Singh, in February and November last year, respectively, in the case. The case relates to attempts by various leaders, cadres and sympathisers/Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of the CPI (Maoist) to re-energise the terror organisationas decrepit influence in the NRB, comprising the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. An active member of the proscribed CPI (Maoist) terror organisation, Priyanshu was in charge of the outfitas Area Cell Committee in Delhi and Sub-Zonal Committee (SZC) in Rohtak. Arrested in July 2025, he was found by NIA to be engaged in ideological indoctrination, recruitment and mobilisation for CPI (Maoist), and was also involved in the revival of front organisations and dissemination of banned material for the banned outfit. The NIA investigations had further revealed that Priyanshu had carried out his underground activities under a false identity, using clandestine methods. He was found in possession of various incriminating underground and operational documents of CPI (Maoist), leading to the filing of charges against him. In a separate case on January 9, the NIA filed a charge sheet against two more accused in the Assam Independence Day IED seizure case of 2024. In its supplementary chargesheet filed before the NIA Special Court, Guwahati, the anti-terror agency has indicted Bhargab Gogoi and Sumu Gogoi under various sections of the IPC, Explosive Substance Act and UA(P) Act. The duo, both residents of Dibrugarh district of Assam, were arrested in June 2025 by the NIA, which took over the case from the Dispur Police in September 2024. The filing of charges against the two took the total number of accused chargesheeted in the case to five, as the NIA had earlier, in June last year, charged three other accused in the case. Jaipur, Jan 13 : In compliance with the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Special Intensive Revision-2026 of electoral rolls in Rajasthan is being carried out in a systematic, transparent, and time-bound manner. Jaipur, Jan 13 (IANS) In compliance with the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Special Intensive Revisiona"2026 of electoral rolls in Rajasthan is being carried out in a systematic, transparent, and time-bound manner. As part of this process, a comprehensive review of the ongoing revision work was conducted on Tuesday at the Secretariat by the Special Roll Observer appointed by the ECI. Rajasthan Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Naveen Mahajan, told that the Special Roll Observer, Aditi Singh, reviewed the progress of the Special Intensive Revisiona"2026 during a detailed meeting held at the Secretariat. The meeting focused on various stages and activities of the revision process and was attended by representatives of recognised political parties of the state, ensuring participatory oversight and transparency. The CEO said that a large administrative machinery has been mobilised for the successful implementation of this extensive poll exercise. A total of 41 District Election Officers, 200 Electoral Registration Officers, more than 854 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, 6,373 Booth-Level Officer (BLO) Supervisors, 61,404 BLOs, over 2.03 lakh volunteers, and more than 1.06 lakh Booth Level Agents are actively engaged in the campaign. The Special Intensive Revision is being conducted across 200 Assembly constituencies in 41 districts of Rajasthan. Explaining the key activities of the electoral roll revision, CEO Mahajan said that during the pre-enumeration phase, voters were categorised into four groups based on their date of birth and the final SIR electoral roll of 2002. "The state-level database mapping was carried out, BLOs were provided with necessary training and resources, and the 2002 electoral rolls were made available for verification." "Inter-assembly and inter-state coordination was also established, resulting in successful mapping of nearly 70 per cent of voters even before the enumeration phase began," the CEO added. He also told that the ECI announced the SIR in 199 Assembly constituencies (excluding Anta Assembly Constituency) on October 27, 2025. "Enumeration forms were issued to 5.46 crore voters, of whom 5.04 crore were included in the draft electoral roll." Of these, 98.36 per cent were successfully mapped with the 2002 electoral roll, CEO Mahajan said. "The draft electoral roll was published on December 16, 2025, while that for the Anta Assembly Constituency was published on January 12, 2026. During this period, the number of polling stations was rationalised and increased from 52,469 to 61,404 to improve voter convenience." Highlighting the transparency measures, the CEO said that ASD (Absentee, Shifted, and Dead) lists were shared with all political parties. "The draft electoral roll, claims and objections details, and lists of excluded voters have been displayed at polling stations, Panchayat and Urban Local Body offices, and on the official websites of the Chief Electoral Officer and District Election Officers. During the notice period from December 16, 2025, to February 7, 2026, notices were issued to nearly 8.28 lakh voters seeking submission of documents. Additional roll supervisors have been deployed to ensure effective monitoring so that no eligible voter is excluded from the final electoral roll." CEO Mahajan also said that roll supervisors have been directed to visit each district at least three times -- during the receipt of claims and objections, their disposal, and at the time of publication of the final electoral roll -- to review field-level work and provide necessary guidance. The CEO is regularly briefing the media to keep the public informed about the progress of the Special Intensive Revisiona"2026. Officials from election departments of other states have also visited Rajasthan to study and replicate the best practices adopted during the revision process. The meeting was attended by representatives of recognised political parties, divisional in-charge officers, and Electoral Registration Officers from Shahpura, Bassi, Chomu, and Hawamahal. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 13 : Stepping up its protest against the alleged gold theft at the Sabarimala temple, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will light the 'Sabarimala Protection Jyoti' at more than 10,000 centres across Kerala on Wednesday evening, coinciding with the Makara Sankranti and Makara Jyoti day. The statewide programme, titled 'Ayyappa Jyoti at homes and in localities', will be held at 6 pm, with lakhs of BJP workers and supporters expected to participate. Lamps will be lit at BJP offices, temples, public spaces, and private homes, turning the event into a mass mobilisation aimed at drawing attention to what the party calls a serious lapse in the protection of the hill shrine. Announcing the programme, BJP state general secretary S. Suresh said the protest is intended to demand a thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged gold theft at Sabarimala and to ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice. He said the symbolic lighting of lamps on Makara Jyoti day underscores the gravity of the issue and reflects the deep emotional and spiritual significance Sabarimala holds for devotees. According to the BJP, prominent individuals from various sections of society are expected to join the Ayyappa Jyoti, lending broader social support to the protest. Suresh reiterated the partyas demand for a CBI probe into the incident, alleging that the existing investigation has failed to inspire public confidence. The BJP has also accused the ruling CPI(M) and the Congress of collusion, with Suresh describing the alleged Sabarimala gold theft as the latest example of what he termed CPI(M)-Congress cooperation. He alleged that political interference has weakened accountability mechanisms related to the administration of the temple. The protest comes amid growing political tension in the state, with Sabarimala once again emerging as a major flashpoint. By choosing a culturally and religiously significant day for the protest, the BJP appears to be signaling its intent to keep the issue at the centre of Keralaas political discourse in the run-up to the April/May Assembly election. Bhopal, Jan 13 : The Enforcement Directorate's Indore Sub-Zonal Office has filed a charge sheet before the Indore Special Court in the money laundering case involving Kishore Wadhwani, Nitesh Wadhwani, Poonam Wadhwani, and M/s Dabang Duniya Publications Private Limited, a press statement said on Tuesday. The charge sheet was lodged on October 30, 2025, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and the court took cognisance of the offence on January 12, 2026. The investigation stemmed from an FIR registered at the Tukoganj Police Station in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. The FIR alleged that Kishore Wadhwani, Nitesh Wadhwani, and others conspired with malicious intent to convert illegally acquired money into lawful income by hatching a scheme to defraud the government on a large scale, the statement said. A key element uncovered is a direct connection between M/s Dabang Duniya Publications Private Limited and M/s Elora Tobacco Company Limited, the latter found by the Central Goods and Services Tax Department to be engaged in the illegal distribution and clandestine trade of cigarettes, it added. The probe revealed that cash proceeds from the sale of these illicit cigarettes were funnelled into the books of Dabang Duniya Publications through inflated sales figures and fictitious advertisements. Kishore Wadhwani and his accomplices allegedly used inflated newspaper circulation numbers and bogus advertisements to portray legitimate business activity. Fake tax invoices were created, and the disproportionate funds were laundered through multiple layered transactions to obscure their criminal origins. The proceeds of crime in the matter have been identified as exceeding Rs 11.66 crore. "During the investigation, the ED's Indore Office issued a provisional attachment order amounting to Rs 11.33 crore, targeting assets linked to the accused to prevent further dissipation of the tainted funds," the statement said. This case highlights the alleged nexus between an illegal tobacco cigarette operation and a media publishing entity, where press-related facades were reportedly used to facilitate smuggling and evasion. Vehicles transporting tobacco products were said to carry press stickers of Dabang Duniya and drivers possessed media identity cards to avoid checks, according to related probes. "Kishore Wadhwani, associated with the newspaper business and tobacco trade, has faced prior actions under GST laws for tax evasion, forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy," the statement added. The Enforcement Directorate's filing of the charge sheet marks a significant step in holding the accused accountable under anti-money laundering provisions, aiming to dismantle the financial infrastructure built on proceeds from the alleged fraud and illegal trade. The central probe agency continues its efforts to trace and attach further assets derived from these activities while the judicial process advances in the special court, the press statement added. YINCHUAN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- On the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the Xixia Imperial Tombs, dormant for nearly a millennium, have experienced a surge in popularity among travelers. The site received around 1 million visitors in 2025, an increase of about 30 percent compared to the previous year. It ranked among the top scenic sites in Ningxia in terms of the number of inbound tourists, said Chen Xiaoxu, marketing director of the Xixia Imperial Tombs Cultural Tourism Development Company under the Yinchuan Cultural Tourism Group. "During peak seasons, guides are in short supply," Chen said, adding that the site is recruiting multilingual volunteer guides and offering reservation-based tour services. The tombs were built by the Tangut, an ethnic group that thrived in northwest China between the 11th and 13th centuries. Since excavations began in 1972, archaeologists have uncovered nine imperial tombs, 271 subordinate tombs, an architectural complex spanning five hectares, 32 flood control sites and over 7,100 artifacts -- revealing the engineering, artistry and cultural achievements of the dynasty. The Xixia Imperial Tombs were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List last year, underscoring their importance as a testament to a multicultural civilization shaped by agro-pastoralism and trade in northwest China. "The fact that these earthen mounds have survived for so long is a miracle in itself," said Wang Tong, a 33-year-old visitor from Guizhou Province who toured the site with his family. After visiting Tomb No. 3, believed to belong to Li Yuanhao, founder of the Xixia Dynasty (1038-1227), a visitor surnamed Li from Sichuan Province, wrote in a social media post that she could imagine people living beneath the mountains a thousand years ago -- farming, forging metal, praying, laughing and grieving. The post drew nearly 20,000 likes. To satisfy visitors' curiosity about the tombs' underground chambers, the Xixia Imperial Tombs Museum has introduced immersive VR and XR experiences. Key artifacts are displayed in digital cases that enable close examination of their details. An advanced monitoring network covers roughly 40 square kilometers of the site and its surrounding buffer zones, ensuring round-the-clock protection. More than 160 graded relics have been digitally preserved, supporting the development of about 800 cultural and creative products, according to Na Shan, deputy curator of the museum. Liu Qianyu, director of Yinchuan's Tourism Development Service Center, said preparations are underway for a mounted battle performance inspired by Tangut nomadic culture, featuring a full narrative storyline, with script development and site planning nearing completion. Plans are also in place for a large immersive costume experience center, a recreated border market inspired by the bustling trade between Xixia and Song Dynasty traders, and a Xixia-themed restaurant. "We also plan to link the Xixia Tombs with wineries along the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountain and other scenic sites to offer visitors a more memorable experience," Liu said, adding that the World Heritage inscription has injected strong momentum into Ningxia's push to build itself into an international tourism destination. The surge of interest in the Xixia Imperial Tombs mirrors a broader nationwide trend. Across China, more than 7,000 museums -- over 91 percent offering free admission -- now receive nearly 1.5 billion visits annually. The country has also developed 65 national archaeological site parks and more than 200 themed cultural relic tourism routes, linking urban and rural areas through shared historical and cultural resources. The Communist Party of China Central Committee has released its recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which call for deeper integration of culture and tourism through the vigorous development of cultural tourism and the use of culture to empower economic and social development. By further uncovering the site's historical value and innovating how it is presented, the museum hopes more visitors can better understand the diversity and unity of Chinese civilization and appreciate the enduring appeal of Chinese culture, Na said. Kolkata, Jan 13 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced that over 11,000 "unmapped" voters in West Bengal have been identified as eligible for exclusion from the final voters' list following the hearing sessions on the claims and objections on the draft voters' list conducted so far. The hearings for 9,30,993 "unmapped" voters have been completed so far, as per the latest information available from the Commission, and out of them names of 11,472 "unmapped" voters have been found eligible for exclusion in the final voters' list to be published on February 14. Currently, the hearing sessions are on for the "unmapped" voters, that is, voters in whose cases links with the voters' list of 2002 could not be established either through "self-mapping" or through "progeny-mapping". The last time that the SIR was conducted in West Bengal was in 2002. Currently, the hearings for the "unmapped voters" are on. In the next stage, there will be hearings for the "logical discrepancy" cases identified in the course of progeny mapping. "Logical discrepancy" cases are those in which weird family-tree data have been detected in the course of "progeny-mapping". The draft voters' list in West Bengal was published on December 16 last year. The hearing sessions on the claims and objections to that draft voters' list started on December 27. The final voters' list is scheduled to be published on February 14. Shortly after that, the full bench of the ECI will come to West Bengal, and soon after that, the polling dates for the crucial Assembly polls in the state will be announced. The SIR exercise in West Bengal had been marred with controversies since the beginning, with the ruling Trinamool Congress constantly accusing the poll panel of steering the revision exercise as per the whims of the Union Government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On the other hand, the BJP had been claiming that the main reason behind the ruling party's opposition to SIR was the fear of the names of its dedicated vote bank of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya voters being excluded from the voters' list. Navi Mumbai, Jan 13 : Gujarat Giants confirmed that Anushka Sharma, who was out from Tuesday's action against the Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026, has "sustained a minor injury" and will be out of action for a shorter period. Anushka was seen wearing a strapping on her right hand ahead of Tuesday's match. "Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants confirm that young batter Anushka Sharma will be out of action for a short period as she recovers from a minor injury sustained while fielding during our match against Delhi Capitals on Sunday night. "Anushka is under the close supervision of the teamas medical staff and is progressing well. She will be a big miss for the side, but her health and long-term well-being remain our priority. The entire Gujarat Giants family is firmly behind her and looks forward to welcoming her back soon," the Gujarat Giants said in a statement on Tuesday. Anushka, a 22-year-old batting all-rounder, was snapped up by Gujarat Giants (GG) in the WPL 2026 auction after a keen bidding battle with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). She wasted little time in announcing her arrival, striking a fluent 44 off 30 balls on her WPL debut at No. 3 against UP Warriorz (UPW), an innings that laid the foundation for GGas first-ever winning start to a WPL season. Ayushi Soni was handed a debut cap by the Giants, replacing Anushka in the eleven. Gujarat Giants' initial performance has been impressive this season, with two victories out of two matches -- versus Warriorz and an extremely tight game against Delhi Capitals. They stand in second position in the WPL points table currently, as MI has won only one of their first two matches. However, MI has a strong history against the Giants, having beaten them in each of their previous seven matches in WPL history. For the Mumbai Indians, a fit-again Hayley Matthews is back in the eleven as Nat Sciver-Brunt is unwell. Washington, Jan 13 : India's economy is projected to remain among the world's fastest-growing major economies, with growth estimated at 7.2 per cent in FY2025-26, supported by strong domestic demand despite rising global trade tensions, the World Bank said on Tuesday. Washington, Jan 13 (IANS) India's economy is projected to remain among the worldas fastest-growing major economies, with growth estimated at 7.2 per cent in FY2025-26, supported by strong domestic demand despite rising global trade tensions, the World Bank said on Tuesday. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank said Indiaas resilience helped lift overall growth in South Asia in 2025, offsetting the impact of heightened policy uncertainty and global trade frictions. Growth in South Asia strengthened to 7.1 per cent in 2025, "mainly because of resilient activity in India", the report noted. The World Bank does not include Pakistan and Afghanistan in South Asia, and their economies are included in the Middle East and North Africa division. Indiaas expansion is "mainly reflecting robust domestic demand, including strong private consumption, supported by earlier tax reforms and improvements in real household earnings in rural areas", the bank said. Indiaas growth is projected to slow modestly to 6.5 per cent in FY2026-27, assuming higher US import tariffs remain in place, before edging up to 6.6 per cent in FY2027-28, the report said. The bank attributed this to strong services activity, a recovery in exports, and improved investment flows. The report said that despite higher tariffs on certain exports to the United States, Indiaas growth forecast is unchanged from earlier projections because "the adverse impacts of higher tariffs will be offset by stronger momentum in domestic demand than previously anticipated". Across South Asia, India remains the regionas primary growth engine. Excluding India, growth in South Asia is forecast to strengthen to 5.0 per cent in 2026 and 5.6 per cent in 2027, while the region as a whole is expected to slow to 6.2 per cent in 2026 before rebounding. Globally, the World Bank said easing financial conditions and fiscal expansion in major economies are helping cushion the impact of softer trade and demand. However, it warned that the 2020s are on track to be the weakest decade for global growth since the 1960s. "With each passing year, the global economy has become less capable of generating growth and seemingly more resilient to policy uncertainty," said Indermit Gill, the World Bank Groupas Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics. "But economic dynamism and resilience cannot diverge for long without fracturing public finance and credit markets." Gill warned that the world economy is set to grow more slowly than it did in the 1990s, even as it carries record levels of public and private debt, underscoring the need for reforms to sustain long-term growth. For developing economies such as India, the report highlighted the importance of strengthening productivity and job creation. It said per capita income growth in developing economies is projected at 3 per cent in 2026, well below long-term averages, limiting convergence with advanced economies. Aizawl, Jan 13 : The Central government has waived the requirement for the Mizoram government to pay for the depreciated cost of buildings and infrastructure vacated by the Assam Rifles in Aizawl, Chief Minister Lalduhoma said. The Chief Minister, in a Facebook post, said that Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai conveyed the decision through a letter, in response to a similar letter sent by the Mizoram government in May last year. As per the earlier Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed between the Mizoram government and the Assam Rifles, the state was required to bear the depreciated cost of the buildings and infrastructure vacated by the paramilitary force. The depreciated value had been assessed at Rs 5.2304 crore. Lalduhoma said that while the amount may not be significant for the Central government, it would have been a heavy financial burden for a small state like Mizoram. He added that the state government had requested the Centre to waive the payment, and the acceptance of this request has come as a major relief. The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the Central government and the Union Home Ministry for the decision. On March 15 last year, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Assam Rifles establishments were shifted from Aizawl to Zokhawsang, about 15 km east of the state capital. Lalduhoma, during the handing over ceremony, had said that Home Minister Shah significantly supported the transfer of the Assam Riflesa land to the state government and stated that his name shall be remembered and engraved in the history of Mizoram. The Chief Minister had said that the relocation of the Assam Rifles complex from Aizawl is a long-awaited step that would significantly impact the cityas development. He emphasised that Mizoram, as a mountainous state, faces unique challenges in urban planning, and Aizawlas rapid expansion necessitates infrastructural improvements. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Assam Rifles and the Mizoram government was signed on October 23, 2024, at Mizoram House, New Delhi, outlining the relocation process and the terms of the land transfer. The relocation programme was inaugurated by the Union Home Minister with a ceremonial lamp-lighting. In 1988, the then Mizo National Front (MNF) government, headed by Chief Minister Laldenga, first raised the demand for relocation of the Assam Rifles complex from Aizawl to Zokhawsang after the paramilitary force allegedly killed 11 civilians in a violent clash. In February 2019, the Union Home Ministry directed the paramilitary force to shift its complex to Zokhawsang by May 31 of that year. However, the relocation was delayed after the Assam Rifles claimed that the infrastructure was not ready by that time. The Zokhawsang complex was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Shah in April 2023. --IANS sc/vd Kolkata, Jan 13 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of deliberately and specially targeting the women voters in the state for deletion of their names from the voter list through the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state. Speaking to the media persons, the Chief Minister hinted that this attempt by the Commission comes amid the records in the past few elections of West Bengal, where Trinamool Congress received the overwhelming support of the women voters, a large section of whom had benefited from the different social welfare schemes of the state government exclusively meant for women. She also said that because of the errors on the part of the Commission, there had been several instances where the names of married women voters had been shown as "unmapped" and hence had been excluded from the draft voters' list. According to her, the surnames and addresses of women voters change after their marriage, and in many such cases, the names of the women voters have been deleted from the draft list. She also accused the Commission of deliberately deleting the names of several genuine voters through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched a scathing attack against the Commission for deliberately appointing micro-observers for the hearing sessions on claims and objections over the draft voters' list in West Bengal. "These micro-observers are actually agents of the BJP. The Commission seems to be deciding which voters will elect which government. Already, 84 people in West Bengal have died after becoming victims of SIR. Four made suicide attempts. A total of 13 people died from heart attacks. The BJP and the ECI should take the responsibility for it," the Chief Minister said. Her allegations on the issue of micro-observers come just a day after the Commission announced the decision to appoint 2,000 additional micro-observers for West Bengal, thus taking the total number of micro-observers in the state to 6,600. Incidentally, since these micro-observers are either direct central government employees or employees of central public sector undertakings or public sector banks, the state government has no control over them like the electoral registration officers, assistant electoral registration officers, and the booth-level officer, who are either state government employees or are teachers of state-run schools. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the Chief Minister also accused the Commission of unilaterally rejecting the authenticity of the identity certificates that are being issued by the state government without citing any reason. "Our booth-level agents were not allowed at the hearing session just because the BJP could not arrange for an adequate number of booth-level agents. The factor of 'logical discrepancy' was not mentioned at the beginning of the SIR process. It was introduced later with the sole intention of deleting the names of genuine voters," the Chief Minister said. Washington, Jan 13 : Pakistan's economy is expected to remain largely stagnant, with growth hovering around 3 per cent, as structural weaknesses and climate shocks continue to weigh on activity, the World Bank said on Tuesday. Washington, Jan 13 (IANS) Pakistanas economy is expected to remain largely stagnant, with growth hovering around 3 per cent, as structural weaknesses and climate shocks continue to weigh on activity, the World Bank said on Tuesday. The World Bank estimates Pakistanas economy grew 3.0 per cent in FY2024-25 and projects growth to remain at 3.0 per cent in FY2025-26, before edging up modestly to 3.4 per cent in FY2026-27, according to its latest Global Economic Prospects report. The report said recent growth was supported by stronger industrial activity. This followed a relaxation of import restrictions and an expansion of bank credit. However, gains were offset by weaker agricultural output. The World Bank said farm production was dampened "partly due to a series of floods in 2025". Pakistan is grouped within the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan region, where overall growth is expected to strengthen. But the report said prospects vary widely across economies. For Pakistan, the outlook remains constrained by structural challenges, climate risks and fiscal pressures. The World Bank said recovery in agriculture and reconstruction following last yearas floods is expected to provide some support going forward. Even so, growth remains well below the levels needed to significantly raise incomes or absorb population growth. The report warned that public debt levels across emerging and developing economies are at their highest in more than half a century, limiting governmentsa ability to support growth. "With public debt in emerging and developing economies at its highest level in more than half a century, restoring fiscal credibility has become an urgent priority," said M. Ayhan Kose, the World Bank Groupas Deputy Chief Economist. He said fiscal rules can help stabilise debt and rebuild buffers, but stressed that outcomes depend on "credibility, enforcement, and political commitment". Pakistanas economy has faced repeated shocks in recent years, including floods, balance-of-payments pressures and policy instability, which have slowed investment and growth. Bengaluru, Jan 13 : The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Tuesday, hit out at the Congress after the grand old party did not meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz while he arrived in Bengaluru but instead chose to prioritise the visit of the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in Mysuru. "Congress party creates a big furore when their leaders aren't invited to a banquet hosted in honour for a foreign leader. But when a foreign leader visits their home state, they choose to please ignore such occasions to prioritise the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi," the Karnataka BJP said in a post on X. Karnataka Opposition leader, R. Ashoka, made the statement in this regard on Tuesday. Taking to his X account while hitting out at the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for not meeting German Chancellor Merz in Bengaluru, Ashoka said, "Today, the German Federal Chancellor visited Karnataka -- a moment of immense diplomatic, economic and strategic significance for our state. Any other responsible Chief Minister would have personally ensured that such a visit was accorded the seriousness it deserved -- as an opportunity for investment, industry, employment and long-term growth for Karnataka." "But look at the situation today. While the German Chancellor landed in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar chose to be in Mysuru to receive Rahul Gandhi, who was merely transiting to Ooty." "Let that sink in. Welcoming the Head of the State from one of the world's strongest economies was relegated to the back seat. Political loyalty and "high command pleasing" took priority over Karnataka's global standing. This is not just bad optics -- it reflects a deep disregard for the state's interests," Ashoka said. "Karnataka deserves leadership that puts the state before the party, state's progress before power politics, and global opportunities before political appeasement. Karnataka deserves better," he added. German Chancellor Merz and his delegation arrived in Bengaluru on Tuesday, visited various institutions in the city, and departed from Kempegowda International Airport in the evening. Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, M.B. Patil, bid a warm farewell to the German Chancellor and his delegation at the airport. Earlier, Merz arrived at the Bengaluru International Airport on Tuesday along with his delegation as part of his visit to the city. The German Chancellor and his delegation were warmly received by State Minister M.B. Patil. Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, Secretaries of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms K.G. Jagadeesh, Bangalore City District Magistrate G. Jagadish, Bangalore City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, Bangalore Regional Passport Officers, and officials from the German Consulate General in New Delhi were present. United Nations, Jan 13 : China, at the UN Security Council, criticised US sanctions against trade with Russia, asserting that it was using the Ukraine crisis as an excuse for the action. "China opposes the use of the crisis by any party as a pretext to impose illegal unilateral sanctions and disrupt normal trade and economic relations," Beijingas Deputy Permanent Representative Sun Lei said at a meeting on Ukraine on Monday. So far, China has escaped the punitive tariffs for buying Russian oil, which US President Donald Trump singled out India among all those buying petroleum products from Moscow. However, China could be snagged by a legislative move greenlighted by Trump. Senator Lindsey Grahamas proposed legislation seeks to impose a 500 per cent tariff on countries buying Russian oil, which, if passed by Congress, could apply to China. Sun warned: "The continued spillover of the (Ukraine) crisis has severely impinged on the global economy." "The international community should send a more objective, balanced, and rational voice to help realise the vision of peace as soon as possible," he added. Speaking at the Council meeting on behalf of the Baltic states, Lithuaniaas representative took a shot at those involved economically with Moscow, only mentioning North Korea and Iran. But he asserted that "Moscow's aggression" was financed through "shadow fleet tankers" and illegal oil trade, he said. Besides China, other countries, including Hungary and Turkey, also buy Russian oil, but Trump has spared them punitive tariffs. While not criticising Russia, Sun put some distance from Moscow, supporting a "sustainable European security architecture" as he backed the peace efforts that he said were gaining momentum. A security architecture could include guarantees for Ukraine from the US and Western Europe, and European troops in Ukraine for its safety. Patna, Jan 13 : Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas President and Union Minister, Chirag Paswan, launched a sharp attack on the Bihar Grand Alliance during a Makar Sankranti celebration in Delhi on Tuesday. Speaking at a traditional Dahi-Chura feast, Chirag Paswan commented extensively on Bihar politics, the internal situation within the Opposition alliance, and the political developments in West Bengal. Raising questions over growing discontent within the Grand Alliance, the Union Minister took a jibe at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar's Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, particularly the latter's statement that he would remain silent for the first 100 days of the new government in the state. "What kind of democracy is this where the Opposition itself chooses silence?" Chirag Paswan asked. "Were you appointed as Leader of the Opposition just to stay quiet? If Tejashwi Yadav wants to remain silent, he should hand over the responsibility to someone else," he added. Referring to the absence of MLAs at the Dahi-Chura feast organised by the State Congress President Rajesh Ram, Chirag Paswan said it clearly reflects internal unrest within the Opposition in Bihar. "When MLAs don't attend even their own party's programme, it shows that everything is not well," he added. According to the LJP-RV Chief, resentment among the RJD and Congress MLAs over alliance dynamics is now coming out in the open. Taking a broader political stand, Chirag Paswan also condemned attempts to divide the country on the basis of language. "Languages are friends, not enemies," he said, criticising leaders who freely use foreign languages but hesitate to respect Indian languages. He asserted that the NDA government is moving forward with the inclusive philosophy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. In West Bengal, Chirag Paswan expressed strong displeasure over attacks on central probe agencies and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's confrontation with them. "It does not suit a Chief Minister to personally stand in front of central agencies," he said. "If there is nothing to hide, then why such anxiety and panic?" he asked. Chirag Paswan claimed that public sentiment in West Bengal is changing and asserted that the NDA is heading towards a major political victory in the state. His remarks on Makar Sankranti added fresh momentum to political debates, especially amid visible cracks within the Opposition-led alliance and escalating confrontations in national politics. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Senior members of Nepal's former cabinet, including deposed Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, have reiterated the involvement of "foreign hands" behind the Gen Z protests that led to the ouster of the government in September 2025. New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) Senior members of Nepal's former cabinet, including deposed Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, have reiterated the involvement of "foreign hands" behind the Gen Z protests that led to the ouster of the government in September 2025. Speaking to Russia's state-run global television news network, RT, Oli said, "That (the uprising) was not a simple and usual thing. That was unusual, and it couldn't have taken place all of a sudden. It was organised in a planned way; it was evident even at that time and later on." On Tuesday, the RT website carried another quote from an interview with Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Nepal's former foreign minister, who backed Oli's assertion. "Those elements who were actively engaged with the deep state, who used the cross-border misinformation and disinformation to instigate the violence, they were active," Gyawali told RT India. He further claimed that Kathmandu's growing engagement with India and China and its aspiration of being a bridge for the economic development of Nepal between the two neighboring countries was not a very good message to some powers. In Monday's interview, Oli claimed that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had warned that protests like those in their countries could happen in Nepal as well. "Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were telling us Leaders were talking that such things would happen, and things happened. It was an attack on our democracy, to send them back to poverty," he told RT. He added that the current situation in Nepal is not conducive to holding elections. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed Nepal's interim prime minister after Oli's ouster last year. A general election is scheduled for March. Gyawali also said that the powers "wanted to use Nepal's geostrategic location for their policy in their favour. So maybe our engagement with our neighboring countries may have some grievances to the big powers as well". RT also quoted its earlier report about a US-based news outlet, The Grayzone, having cited leaked documents "revealing that the US government's National Endowment for Democracy (NED) spent hundreds of thousands of dollars tutoring Nepalese young people to stage the protests". The NED, it claimed, is officially a US State Department-funded nonprofit that provides grants to support "democratic initiatives" worldwide. On its website, NED describes itself as "a valuable resource for information related to democracy worldwide. Staff experts are available for comment on democratic development and related topics in Africa, Asia, Central Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East". According to the RT, the Grayzone investigations had revealed Nepal's Gen Z protests happened as the US sought to neutralise Chinese and Indian influence over Kathmandu. Russia's television network further added that "International Republican Institute (IRI), a NED division, has been accused of funding clandestine activities in Bangladesh". It went on to allege that NED has also "been accused of funneling tens of millions of dollars to Ukrainian political entities and anti-Russian interests". RT India was launched on December 5 last year, commemorating the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, a tradition dating back to 2000, when President Vladimir Putin visited India. OSLO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt will attend talks held in Washington with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, said Danish local media on Tuesday. The talks, to be held at the White House with Vance as the host, aim to bring discussions concerning Greenland "into the meeting room" for a direct and frank dialogue between the two allies, Rasmussen told reporters after a meeting with the Danish Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee. In a related move, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on the same occasion that he will meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte alongside Motzfeldt on Jan. 19. He further emphasized the Danish government's commitment to "a more permanent and larger military presence" for Denmark and its NATO allies around Greenland. Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over its defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. The upcoming talks occur amid sustained tensions, as U.S. President Donald Trump, since returning to office in 2025, has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland and has not ruled out the use of force. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Tuesday that the state government will inaugurate 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs on Wednesday under the fifth phase of expansion, significantly strengthening neighbourhood-level primary healthcare services across the city. With this expansion, total centres will rise to 319 across the national capital, he added. "With this addition, Delhi is steadily progressing toward the establishment of more than 1,100 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, as envisioned under the national capital's long-term primary healthcare roadmap," he said. "At present, 238 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational. Following tomorrow's inauguration, the total number of functioning centres will rise to 319 across the national capital," Minister Singh added. "These centres represent a major step in the Delhi government's mission to provide free, accessible, and dignified primary healthcare close to every household. The initiative is being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in line with the national vision of 'Healthcare for All'," the Minister said. He added that each Ayushman Arogya Mandir will offer free doctor consultations, essential medicines, and diagnostic tests, along with screening for diabetes, hypertension, cancer, maternal and child healthcare, immunisation support, growth monitoring, lifestyle counselling, mental health services, and preventive health programmes such as yoga and nutrition guidance. "These neighbourhood-level facilities will significantly reduce pressure on major hospitals, ensuring timely care for women, senior citizens, and low-income families without long travel or queues." "Parallel to the expansion of Arogya Mandirs, Delhi continues to strengthen coverage under both the Ayushman Bharata"Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Ayushman Bharat-Vaya Vandana Yojana (AB-VVY). As on 13 January 2026, a total of 6,91,530 health cards (combined PM-JAY + VVY) have been issued in Delhi, including 2,65,895 VVY cards," Minister Singh said. The Health Minister said that to ensure seamless access to secondary and tertiary care, Delhi now has 189 empanelled hospitals, comprising 138 private hospitals, 41 Delhi government hospitals, and 10 Central government hospitals. "These empanelled institutions provide cashless treatment, ensuring that financially vulnerable families can receive lifesaving care without cost barriers," he added. Agartala, Jan 13 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday asserted that no one can stop the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from forming the government in West Bengal, alleging that the party currently in power in the state has ruined the state. Addressing an organisational meeting at the Araliya community hall here, Saha said that fear is a sign of weakness and that those who are afraid cannot bring about social change. "Those who once fought against the CPI (M) have now come together to contest elections. What kind of policy is this ? These are all signs of fear. We live in a democracy, which allows everyone to speak. The CPI (M) is an expert in spreading lies," he said. The Chief Minister alleged that the Congress had several opportunities to bring change but failed to do so. "They fought against the misrule of the CPI (M) but ultimately cheated the people only to contest elections. Now we have clearly understood how the CPI (M) ruled the state for 35 years," he added. Saha emphasised that there is no alternative to hard work and said that the double-engine government is functioning at full speed. "In the coming days, the CPI (M) will be nowhere. The BJP works only for the people, while the opposition thinks only about itself. Despite enjoying benefits from the government, they keep changing their stance," he said. Highlighting the party's ideology, the Chief Minister said that the BJP follows the principle of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, which states that service to man is service to God. "Before 2014, the country, including the Northeast, suffered greatly. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, the situation changed. We are not a goonda party. We act strictly within the framework of the law. Our goal is to build a 'New Tripura'," he said. Saha said that the party must now focus on the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and on those ten state Assembly seats currently held by the CPI(M). "The CPI (M) is known for violence and terror during its regime. Many people were killed and justice was denied. People had to approach party offices for help. However, after the BJP came to power, there has been no political murder in the state," he claimed. Referring to West Bengal, the Chief Minister said people there are opposing what he termed as attempts to damage the state's fabric. "Bengal, which once produced many great personalities, has been destroyed by the Trinamool Congress. People are raising their voices, and we are confident that the BJP will win. No one can stop us," he added. During the programme, Rajya Sabha member and BJP's state president Rajib Bhattacharjee and other party leaders were present. --IANS sc/dan Kolkata, Jan 13 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has become more active in the investigation of the coal smuggling case. According to sources, several businessmen have been summoned again to the ED office for questioning as part of the investigation. Sources said on Tuesday that these businessmen have already been interrogated, and they will have to appear before the investigators again this week. The ED has recently become more proactive in the investigation of the coal smuggling case originating from Kolkata. Investigators have already questioned several businessmen involved in the coal trade. According to ED sources, they have been summoned again to the CGO Complex office in the Salt Lake area this week. The investigation has revealed that the suspected businessmen may have influential connections. According to sources, all allegations are being thoroughly examined. In November last year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations in West Bengal and Jharkhand as part of its investigation into coal smuggling. The central investigative agency raided several areas in Asansol, Purulia and Kolkata, as well as Dhanbad in Jharkhand. In total, more than 40 locations were searched. According to ED sources, several crores of rupees in cash, gold jewellery and a large quantity of illegally mined coal were seized during these raids. It is worth noting that there are several cases related to coal smuggling. In 2020, a case was filed regarding the illegal extraction of coal from various mines of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), including those in Asansol and Durgapur and its subsequent smuggling to different districts. Several people, including some former ECL officials, were arrested in connection with that case. It was in connection with the investigation into this case that the ED last week raided the I-PAC's office and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain. However, a new case related to coal smuggling has recently been filed in the area surrounding Kolkata. The investigators have become active in this new case. Islamabad, Jan 13 : Pakistan's recent sentencing of journalists on terrorism charges marks the latest development in government campaign to stifle criticism of the Pakistani military, with the US and other allies continue to public support Islamabad, despite its escalating crackdown on the country's civil society and dissent, a report said on Tuesday. "On January 2, an Islamabad anti-terrorism court in Pakistan sentenced a group of prominent journalists, social media commentators, and former military officers to life imprisonment in absentia for alleged "terrorism-related" online activities. The charges included expressing support for both the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is presently incarcerated on politicized corruption charges and has been subject to repeated stints in solitary confinement, and the nationwide protests from his supporters during the summer in 2023," a report in 'Drop Site News' detailed. "Those convicted include well-known journalists and commentators such as Moeed Pirzada, Adil Raja, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, Shaheen Sehbai, Haider Raza Mehdi, and retired Col. Akbar Hussainall of whom have been given 80-year double life sentences in absentia. The court's ruling, under broad anti-terror laws, said the defendants' digital content "promoted fear and unrest" and "waged war against the state," although most had never been served summonses or appeared before the court. The defendants had been given only seven days to appeal the decision," it stated. Speaking to Drop Site News, one of those sentenced to life, journalist Wajahat Saeed Khan, said, "he was never served summons, never informed that a lawyer had been appointed to represent him, and was explicitly barred from retaining counsel of his own unless he appeared in personan impossibility given that he lives abroad". According to Khan, the Pakistani court-appointed attorney never reached out to him or any of the other accused. The court, he said, has not released a written judgmentcirculated sentences only on social mediawhile allowing only a week to appeal without providing the official order needed to do so. "They want us convicted without a judgment, without representation, and without the ability to appeal," Drop Site News quoted Khan as saying. He called the trial a predetermined "a mockery of justice," accusing the judge of acting as "judge, jury, and executioner all at once." IANS scor/as Bhopal, Jan 13 : Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, expressed his gratitude to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for approving a 50 per cent rebate in motor vehicle tax on automobile sales at the Gwalior Trade Fair-2026 from the state Cabinet on Tuesday. Soon after Chief Minister Yadav's Cabinet approved the proposal, Union Minister Scindia responded saying that the decision will give a new momentum for trade in Gwalior-Chambal region and provide direct benefits to the people. "Madhya Pradesh Cabinet's decision to exempt automobiles from road tax at the world-renowned Gwalior Trade Fair is highly commendable. Heartiest thanks to Chief Minister (Mohan Yadav) for his visionary decision," the Union Minister said on social media platform X. Sharing the historical journey of Gwalior Trade Fair, he also added that it was started by his father and former Union Minister late Madhavrao Scindia in 1905 with the objective of providing a platform to local traders. "Today it has become one of Asia's largest and the world-renowned trade fairs, establishing the economic, industrial and cultural identity of the Gwalior-Chambal region," he said. In a letter to Chief Minister Yadav on January 3, Union Minister Scindia had requested for a rebate in motor vehicle tax on automobile sales, mentioning that the decision will not only increase the sale of vehicles but it will also ensure a large amount of revenue in a short duration for the Madhya Pradesh government. Chief Minister Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, on Tuesday, approved several key proposals, including a 50 per cent rebate in motor vehicle tax on automobile sales at the Gwalior Trade Fair and Ujjain Vikramotsav Trade Fair for this year. The other major decisions includes the Madhya Pradesh Space Act, 2026, along with the Madhya Pradesh Tech Policy, 2026. This landmark policy aims to foster innovation in satelite manufacturing, geospatial analysis, and downstream applications. It is projected to attract Rs 1,000 crore in investments and generate around 8,000 jobs over the next five years. Guwahati/Imphal, Jan 13 : A crucial meeting of Kuki-Zo community MLAs, leaders of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), and representatives of Kuki-Zo armed groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) was held on Tuesday. The meeting urged the Central government to resolve its political demands before the Manipur Assembly elections scheduled for 2027. Since the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur in May 2023, all Kuki-Zo tribal organisations, including their apex body KZC, the ten MLAs belonging to the community, and the militants under the SoO agreement, have been demanding a separate administration equivalent to a Union Territory with a legislative assembly. A joint press statement issued after the meeting, held in Guwahati, said that participants of three groups reviewed the current political status of Manipur and the prevailing situation in the state. "Taking cognisance of the unprecedented de facto demographic and administrative separation that has existed for the past 32 months, the meeting unanimously adopted five resolutions," the statement said. The resolutions include a demand that the Kuki-Zo communities' political issues be resolved before the 2027 Assembly elections. It also resolved that Kuki-Zo MLAs would not participate in the formation of any new state government and that any commitments made by the Central government must be implemented in a time-bound manner, specifically within the current Assembly's tenure. Last week, the KZC and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a leading body representing tribal communities in Manipur, reiterated that the ten MLAs from the Kuki-Zo tribal community would not, under any circumstances, take part in the formation of a new state government. Of the ten Kuki-Zo legislators, seven belong to the BJP, while the remaining three represent other regional parties. However, the Central government, the BJP, and various Meitei community organisations have on several occasions rejected the demand for a separate administration or a Union Territory with a legislature. Meanwhile, officials from the Union Home Ministry have held multiple rounds of separate meetings with SoO militants, the KZC, various Kuki-Zo civil society organisations, MLAs, and non-governmental organisations to discuss their demands. --IANS sc/dan Kolkata, Jan 13 : A mishap occurred during coal theft at an open-cast mine belonging to a state-owned company. Several people were trapped when a landslide struck the mine in Asansol of West Burdwan district in West Bengal on Tuesday. Ajay Poddar, BJP MLA from Kulti, stated that the bodies of three people have been recovered from inside the mine. Two others have been admitted to the hospital in critical condition. It was earlier feared that several people were trapped inside. Rescue operations began at the mine immediately after the accident. Coal theft from open-cast mines is not uncommon in the Asansol area. Many people illegally enter these mines to extract coal, despite the risks. On Tuesday, several people had descended into the mine in the Barira area under the Kulti police station. The mine is operated by the state-owned company BCCL. The landslide occurred while they were extracting coal. As soon as news of the landslide spread, locals gathered at the site. Officials from BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited) also arrived at the scene, along with a police team. Rescue operations began with the help of a JCB machine. However, neither the police nor the mine authorities have officially disclosed how many people were trapped inside the mine or the number of casualties. Regarding the incident, the District Magistrate of West Burdwan, Ponnamabalam S, said, "An investigation is underway to determine what happened. We will be able to provide more details after the investigation is complete." Following the death of three people, a pall of gloom has descended on the Kulti area. Locals have alleged that illegal mining has been going on in the coal mine for a very long time, with locals risking their lives to work in the mines by avoiding local administration and central security forces. Locals claimed that the mine authorities and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) guarding the mine are keeping quiet despite knowing everything. Local sources have also said that a section of the residents of the area, just for the sake of earning a living, try to enter the mine in a risky way and steal coal. Bengaluru, Jan 13 : Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, and his delegation arrived in Bengaluru on Tuesday, visited various institutions in the city, and departed from Kempegowda International Airport later in the day. Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development M.B. Patil bid a warm farewell to the German Chancellor and his delegation at the airport. However, Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has objected to the absence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and charged for prioritising to welcome and seeing off the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, at Mysuru airport instead. Earlier, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, arrived at Bengaluru International Airport today, along with his delegation, as part of his visit to the city. The Minister warmly received the Chancellor and his delegation, led by M.B. Patil, for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development. The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and his delegation visited various institutions in Bengaluru today and departed from the Bengaluru International Airport this evening. Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, Secretaries of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms Dr K.G. Jagadeesh, Bangalore City District Magistrate G. Jagadish, Bangalore City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, Bangalore Regional Passport Officers and officials from the German Consulate General, New Delhi, were present. Meanwhile, raising objections over the absence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka questioned, "Is loyalty to the high command outweighing Karnataka's interests?" "Today, the Chancellor of Germany, one of the world's strongest economic powers, arrived in our Karnataka. Any responsible Chief Minister would have welcomed such a global leader and utilized this visit for the development of the state. Such a visit should have been viewed seriously as a golden opportunity to boost investment, job creation, and industrial growth in Karnataka," Ashoka said. "But look at the tragedy of our state. On one side, the German Chancellor was arriving in Bengaluru. On the other, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar were standing in a queue in Mysuru to welcome Rahul Gandhi, who was merely passing through on his way to Ooty," he said. "This is not just a lapse in protocol; it is a betrayal of Karnataka's interests. The welcome of a global economic power was not given priority. Servile loyalty to please the high command was given importance," he said. When political loyalty takes precedence over the development of the state, the future of Kannadigas is inevitably put at risk. This government has proven that it has little concern for Karnataka and its people, as it sacrificed potential opportunities for the state in its hunger for power, Ashoka said. What Kannadigas need are leaders who are committed to Karnataka and possess the will to work for ita"not subservient figures who forget their responsibility and duty, standing with folded hands before the high command merely to protect or secure their chairs, Ashoka said. Patna, Jan 13 : The Patna Police of Bihar, in coordination with the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), achieved a major breakthrough on Tuesday in the sensational Aman Shukla murder case, which had rocked the state capital earlier this month. Police arrested three criminals and uncovered that a Rs 5 lakh contract had been given to execute the crime. The incident occurred in broad daylight on January 5 in the Patrakar Nagar police station area, triggering panic and serious law-and-order concerns in the locality. Following the incident, a special investigation team comprising Patna Police and the DIU's technical unit was constituted. Using scientific evidence, technical surveillance, and intelligence inputs, the team successfully tracked and arrested the accused. During the operation, police recovered a cache of illegal arms used in the crime, including three illegal firearms, large quantities of live cartridges, and magazines. During interrogation, the arrested accused revealed that the attack was carried out on a contract worth Rs 5 lakh. According to Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma, the contract was given by Sonu alias Kallu, who is also the main conspirator in the case. "The crime stemmed from a dispute over criminal dominance and Sonu alias Kallu's exclusion from an illicit operation. To avoid suspicion, Sonu alias Kallu had surrendered in court earlier after orchestrating the entire plan," Sharma said. The arrested individuals have been identified as Dharmendra Kumar, Sujit Kumar, and Jitendra Kumar. Police also noted that the deceased Aman Shukla had a prior criminal background and was previously accused of a bank robbery and other incidents, which further intensified rivalry among local criminal groups. "This was a planned criminal conspiracy driven by rivalry and dominance. With the help of technical surveillance and evidence, the accused have been arrested and weapons recovered. Further investigation is ongoing," SSP Kartikeya Sharma said. The swift action by Patna Police and DIU has been widely appreciated and is being seen as a significant step in cracking down on organised crime in the capital. Washington, Jan 14 : US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday spoke over the phone with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, reviewing key areas of cooperation, including civil nuclear energy, trade talks, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific. "Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence, and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues," EAM Jaishankar wrote on X after the call. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described it as a positive call. "They discussed next steps regarding our bilateral trade negotiations, critical minerals, and a possible meeting next month," Gor wrote on X. During the call, Rubio congratulated India on enacting the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India bill, a recent law that is part of India's nuclear energy framework, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. He said the United States is interested in building on the legislation to strengthen civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries. "He expressed interest in capitalising on this important development to enhance U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation, expand opportunities for American companies, advance shared energy security goals, and secure critical mineral supply chains," Pigott said. The two diplomats discussed ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations and their shared interest in strengthening economic cooperation. "They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments, reaffirming the United States' and India's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Pigott said. This video screenshot shows the "Tianma-1000" unmanned transport aircraft during its maiden flight on Jan. 11, 2026. Developed by Xi'an ASN Technology Group Co., Ltd. under China North Industries Group Corporation, the "Tianma-1000" integrates logistics transport, emergency rescue, and material delivery into a single platform. It is China's first unmanned aircraft capable of adapting to high-altitude complex terrain, achieving ultra-short takeoff and landing, and swiftly switching between cargo transport and airdrop modes, according to its developer. (Xinhua/Fu Ruixia) This undated file photo shows the "Tianma-1000" unmanned transport aircraft. China's self-developed "Tianma-1000" unmanned transport aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight on Sunday. Developed by Xi'an ASN Technology Group Co., Ltd. under China North Industries Group Corporation, the "Tianma-1000" integrates logistics transport, emergency rescue, and material delivery into a single platform. It is China's first unmanned aircraft capable of adapting to high-altitude complex terrain, achieving ultra-short takeoff and landing, and swiftly switching between cargo transport and airdrop modes, according to its developer. (Xinhua) This video screenshot shows the "Tianma-1000" unmanned transport aircraft after its maiden flight on Jan. 11, 2026. Developed by Xi'an ASN Technology Group Co., Ltd. under China North Industries Group Corporation, the "Tianma-1000" integrates logistics transport, emergency rescue, and material delivery into a single platform. It is China's first unmanned aircraft capable of adapting to high-altitude complex terrain, achieving ultra-short takeoff and landing, and swiftly switching between cargo transport and airdrop modes, according to its developer. (Xinhua) Patna, Jan 14 : Despite repeated actions against corruption in Bihar, incidents of bribery involving government officials continue to surface almost daily. In a major action, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau has arrested a revenue officer posted in the Barauli Circle of Gopalganj district while accepting a bribe. The incident has caused a stir in administrative circles. The accused has been identified as Vijay Singh, a Revenue Officer posted at the Barauli Circle office. He was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 6,000 in connection with a land mutation case. According to official sources, a mutation case related to 9.9 decimal of land belonging to Shailendra Kumar, a resident of Baghaichi village, was pending at the circle office. It is alleged that the revenue officer initially demanded Rs 10,000 to clear the mutation file. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to Rs 6,000. Unable to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Vigilance Police Station and submitted a written complaint. The Vigilance Investigation Bureau conducted a preliminary verification, which confirmed the demand for illegal gratification. Following verification, a trap team was constituted, and a planned operation was carried out on Tuesday. As soon as Revenue Officer Vijay Singh accepted the bribe money from the complainant, the vigilance team arrested him red-handed. Confirming the action, Nagendra Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Investigation Bureau, said, "A complaint was received alleging that a revenue officer posted in Barauli Circle was demanding a bribe for land mutation. The complaint was verified and found to be true. A trap team was formed, and today the accused was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 6,000. Further legal action is underway." Following the arrest, the accused officer was taken into custody and is being interrogated. He is being produced at the Vigilance Police Station for further legal proceedings. The Vigilance Department reiterated that its campaign against corruption will continue unabated and that no government employee is above the law. The action has sent a strong message across the district administration. Gandhinagar, Jan 14 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday visited the Wildlife Care Centre in Ahmedabad's Bodakdev area to review ongoing operations under the statewide Karuna Abhiyan, an initiative aimed at rescuing and treating birds injured by kite strings during the Uttarayan festival. Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia accompanied him. During the visit, the Chief Minister inspected various facilities at the centre, including the specialised Water Birds Unit, and interacted with teams involved in rescue and treatment efforts. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests A.P. Singh said the campaign, conducted under the Chief Minister's guidance, has emerged as one of the most impactful rescue operations in the country. "Thousands of injured birds have been saved so far. Departments, municipal bodies and voluntary organisations are working together to ensure no injured bird is left unattended," he said. This year's Karuna Abhiyan-2026 has mobilised a massive on-ground force across the state, comprising 728+ veterinary doctors, 8,620+ volunteers, and 1,036+ treatment and collection centres. Animal clinics, veterinary polyclinics, branch clinics, mobile veterinary units and the Karuna Animal Ambulance will remain fully operational - including on holidays - between January 10 and 20, when bird injuries peak. Launched in 2017, the state's compassionate initiative has rescued over 1.12 lakh animals and birds in the last nine years. In 2023 alone, more than 12,771 birds and animals were saved. Of the total rescues since inception, 1,03,874 were successfully treated and rehabilitated. Gujarat's Karuna Abhiyan - the first state-driven campaign of its kind in India - has now become a national benchmark for festival-time wildlife protection. To ensure swift assistance, the Forest Department has activated a 24/7 WhatsApp helpline at 8320002000 and an emergency helpline at 1926. Sending a simple "Hi" on WhatsApp provides an instant district-wise list of all treatment centres. The Animal Husbandry Department's helpline 1962 is also operational for reporting injured animals and birds. The Chief Minister's visit was attended by Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain, District Panchayat Chairperson Kanchanben, Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani, senior officials from the Forest and Animal Husbandry Departments, as well as volunteers, NCC cadets, and representatives of organisations associated with the campaign. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Community Experience helps districts deliver timely answers to communities, streamlined processes for staff, and meaningful engagement for their entire communityall from a single platform. Post this An All-in-One Experience for the Community, Staff, and Leaders Families and community members expect fast, accurate information from their district, yet school systems still rely on scattered channels such as email, phone calls, walk-ins, and social media messages. Without a centralized customer support approach, staff often absorb the burden of routing and tracking inquiries, while leaders lack insight into what their communities need. Community Experience solves this by introducing the first AI-powered communication hub designed specifically for K12. "Districts want to serve their communities better, but the tools haven't kept up," said Bob Butler, Apptegy CEO. "Community Experience helps districts deliver timely answers and a more consistent support experience to communities, streamlined processes for staff, and meaningful engagement for their entire communityall from a single platform." Built for the Realities of K12 Communication Community Experience was designed for how families and community members interact with their schools and for the workflows school staff rely on to deliver effective customer support every day. AI search provides accurate, district-branded answers from live website content, helping families quickly find enrollment details, schedules, transportation updates, events, and more, even if they're unfamiliar with the district's website. If the search doesn't provide all of the needed information, a visitor can continue the search through a conversation with an AI-powered chatbot. The next-generation chatbot opens the door for every member of the community to engage naturally with their schools. It supports multilingual conversations and keeps interactions smooth from start to finish. When a question requires human help, the contact form beside the chatbot makes it simple to reach the district directly. From there, staff can assign and resolve inbound requests quickly, while leaders keep visibility across every organization. And with analytics that highlight what people search for and where confusion occurs, districts can sharpen communication and stay ahead of emerging needs. A Different Approach Than Corporate Inbound Communication Tools Unlike IT ticketing systems or repurposed corporate platforms, Community Experience is purpose-built for community-facing inbound communication. It uses real district content rather than static knowledge articles, lives inside the Apptegy platform staff already rely on, and simplifies workflows rather than overwhelming teams with complex ticket queues. It is more than a help desk it is a communication layer designed for the people who run, support, and engage with school districts every day. Meeting Rising Community Expectations Families want immediate answers, external stakeholders want to stay informed, and staff are stretched thin delivering customer support across multiple channels. Districts need a better way to manage inbound communication, stay connected and build trust across their communities. Community Experience enables faster responses, reduces manual work, and gives leaders a clear understanding of their community's needsall within a fully district-branded experience. "Community Experience will redefine how districts serve their families," said Charlie Lang, Apptegy Chief Product & Technology Officer. "This functionality is no longer just a nice-to-have within a school district it's a new layer in the communication ecosystem that lets districts shift from reactive to proactive engagement." Availability Community Experience will be launching in Q1 2026. Districts can connect with the Apptegy team today to learn more! About Apptegy Trusted by more than 5,000 districts nationwide, Apptegy empowers school districts to elevate their brands while simplifying their communications strategies. Apptegy's all-in-one platform powers district websites, mobile apps, notifications, and teacher-family communication tools. With exceptional client support and intuitive solutions, Apptegy allows educators to focus on what matters most: educating, engaging, and growing their communities. Apptegy transforms how schools connect with their entire school community. Learn more at apptegy.com Media Contact Marketing Team, Apptegy, 1 501-222-3447, [email protected], https://www.apptegy.com/ SOURCE Apptegy V.T. Bidania was a baby in 1975 when her Hmong family escaped the Communist government taking control of Laos after the end of the Vietnam War. She describes her memories of her familys life in Laos as a fuzzy dream, told to her by older relativesuntil she decided to explore her history by writing a middle grade novel in verse. In A Year Without Home, Bidania tells her familys story in the voice of her oldest sister, who was 11 when they fled Laos. The author spoke with PW from her home in Minneapolis about writing from an older siblings perspective, trying to research a secret war, and bringing public awareness to the under-represented Hmong culture. Before writing this novel, you wrote the early-reader series Astrid & Apollo and the forthcoming spinoff series about Astrid and Apollos little sister, Extraordinary Eliana. Both series feature Hmong characters. Did you always know you wanted to write a novel based on your family history, or did the idea come to you while you were working on the earlier books? I love writing for the middle grade audience and I had written a few middle grade fiction manuscriptsones I tucked away in my drawerbefore getting the idea for the Astrid & Apollo series. I certainly never thought Id write a novel in verse, as Im a prose writer. But I had read some and found them so compellingbooks like Love, Love by Victoria Chang and Unsettled by Reem Faruqithat I realized the verse format can make stories even more powerful. That realization inspired me to think about writing a verse novel. Then I thought, Why shouldnt I write a verse novel about my familys experiences leaving Laos in the 1970s? This was probably in mid- or late 2020. The main character in a middle grade novel, though, is usually 11 or 12 years old. I was just a babythe youngest sibling of fivewhen my family had to escape Laos. My oldest sister, Gao Sheng, was that age at the time, though. Because shes the oldest, she remembered the most about the experiencethough my brother, Yia, also remembered a lot. I decided to write a book from Shengs point of view. Everything in the book is based on her and Yias experiences, as well as things my other two sisters and my parents added. I wanted to tell not just a refugee story, but a human story. Early on I showed Sheng drafts to ask if the voice felt authentic to her because, after all, it was from her perspective. She never suggested any changes; she would just elaborate on details regarding things like her school, the food at the town market, what the landscape looked like. She told me how our father wore his army uniform even after he was no longer in combat but still working for the Royal Lao Army. She described the city streets and how she felt when we left. If I needed information Sheng didnt haveusually historical details about the warI asked my parents and older aunties and uncles. Sadly, some of them no longer remembered much, or were developing dementia, so they werent able to be that helpful. Yia remembered a number of things that my sister didnt, and I included some of the stories he told me in the book. Before I began working on the book, my ideas of our family life in Laos had been like a fuzzy dream, like memories I thought I had but were really just stories that had been told to me. By writing, I came to truly understand what my familys life in Laos had been like and how traumatic it was to have to leave our home. What additional research did you do to ensure the book is historically accurate? It was very difficult to research this war because it was a secret war being directed by the CIA. And because Laos is a developing country, and a Communist country, historical information is not easy to come by. I found a few documentaries and videos, and I was also lucky enough to visit Laos a few years ago. My father, who had been a captain in the Royal Lao Army, would have been my best resource for the historical information. He knew the history of the war and the role the Hmong played, and he remembered details about life at the time that my other relatives didnt. He had kept a few notebooksmostly dates and records of where various relatives werefrom the time we were in the camps, written in the Laotian languagewhich I cant read, but my older sister and brother can, to some extent. But very sadly, when I was about halfway through the bookand was actually taking a break from itmy father passed away. His passing was devastating, and I felt paralyzed by this unexpected loss. But then I threw myself back into the book, and worked obsessively on it. Writing it really helped me through the grieving process. I felt like my father was present with me as I was telling my familys story, even though it was so hard to do at the time. In terms of other resources, there are a few websites run by Hmong organizations that have some information, though much of that is very technical accounts from soldiers. I found some newspaper interviews with newly arrived refugees on those sites, which gave me additional context. Theres also a Hmong Museum in St. Paul that has a website, and the Minneapolis Historical Society has a section called the Hmong in Minnesota. These sources were primarily useful for creating the timeline and the map for the book. Everything in the story itself is based on my familys personal experiences. Gao Shengs internal struggles with the patriarchal Hmong culture are a powerful part of this book. Do these patriarchal traditions live on here in the U.S., 50 years after many Hmong people escaped from Laos? I think that when we first arrived here, those traditions did live on, but people have grown more laid back about them over the years. The third and fourth generations are no longer enforcing those traditions. My nieces are certainly not being brought up that way. I do remember when both Sheng and Yia had drivers licenses, he was allowed to drive by himself, but she was not, even though she was older than him. And when we asked why, our question was responded to as though it were obviousbecause hes a boy. My sisters and I always talked about how unfair that was. Sheng didnt express her feelings the way the character does in the book, though. I chose to make the character a little more assertive, because I wanted to give her more agency, and show her feeling more empowered. The refugee story unfortunately remains timely, and many books reflecting this experience have been written for young readers in recent years. Why did you feel it was important to write another refugee story for this audience? First, there are a few books about Hmong refugees, but there are no middle grade novels from the point of view of a child. Second, not many people know the history of the Hmong people in Laos who fought with the U.S. in the Vietnamese war. Our story is not part of the history of the Asian American experience. Most people in this country who dont live in states with large Hmong communities, like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Californiaand even people around the worldare not familiar with the Hmong. It wasnt until Suni Lee, who is a first-generation Hmong born in the United States, won an Olympic gold medal [in 2020] that the general public heard about the Hmong people. As a child growing up in Minnesota, I was often asked, Why are you here? I wanted to educate people about this time in history and what brought the Hmong people to the United States. On the rare occasions that the Hmong are included in Asian American histories, the narrative often depicts us as struggling war refugees facing hardships and suffering. I wanted to show a more fully dimensional story about us and our lives, such as our love for our home country and our culture and communities. When I was finally able to visit Laos in 2024, my first time back since I left as a baby, I saw how truly beautiful it is. Setting foot back in the place where I was born, breathing the same air, and walking through the city, mountains, and villages we lived in was a deeply powerful experience that strengthened my connection to the home I had left behind. I hope that my audience will understand that the things I write about in my book are happening right now to kids like them in other parts of the world. I want my book to give young readers an awareness and understanding of war and what its like to lose your home, your country, and everything you love. I hope that I can help build empathy for kids they might know in their schools, who had to leave their homes and countries they love. I wanted to tell not just a refugee story, but a human story. A Year Without Home by V.T. Bidania. Penguin/Paulsen, $18.99 Jan. 13 ISBN 978-0-593-69720-7 The Independent Publishers Caucus, a collective of 117 small and independent publishers, has announced the launch of a new weekly bestseller list in partnership with the American Booksellers Association, creating what organizers say is the first national ranking focused exclusively on independent press titles sold at independent bookstores. Dubbed the Independent Press Top 40, the new list debuts this Wednesday and offers separate fiction and nonfiction lists of 40 titles each. The intent is to surface popular titles that are typically denied appearances on traditional bestseller lists due to the dominance of Big Five blockbusters. The new list draws from sales rankings reported by independent bookstores to the ABAthe same methodology the ABA uses for its Indie Bestseller and regional listsbut filtered to include only independent publishers. Updated lists will be published every Thursday and will be available as PDFs and Excel spreadsheets at the IPC website, with direct links to titles on Bookshop.org. "When you take out Amazon, when you take out the large press books, and you just have independent publishers at independent bookstores, you get this really interesting list," Dan Simon, IPC cofounder and publisher at Seven Stories Press, told PW. "It's like going to a foreign land. It's really different." Unlike BookScan-based lists that track unit sales, the Top 40 uses rankings supplied by ABA member stores. Each participating bookstore submits its top 40 fiction and nonfiction titles ranked by sales volume, regardless of whether the top seller moved 10 copies or 1,000. This methodology, Simon said, creates "an equalizing force" that allows both high-volume titles and books selling smaller quantities across many stores to appear. Publishers do not need to be members of the IPC to qualify for inclusion on its lists. While titles from larger independent publishers like Europa, Grove Atlantic, and Norton (the largest publisher that qualifies for the list) have featured prominently, the lists have also included books from smaller presses like Transit Books, Nightboat Books, Library of America, and Binary Press, among others. "There are books in the top ten that are selling vast numbers, but it also recognizes titles from independent publishers that are selling remarkably well at a lot of independent stores but not altogether in vast numbers," Simon said, noting that the relatively large number of 40 books per list means that a wider variety of publishers have an opportunity to appear on the list. "We want as many publishers as possible represented." The IPC chose the ABA partnership over working with BookScan because, Simon said, "We ultimately felt there was more philosophical alignment with the ABA." He added, "There's a natural solidarity between independent bookstores and independent publishers." Allison Hill, chief executive officer of the ABA, concurred. "ABA is excited about this partnership to highlight the indie publishing books that indie bookstores know and love," she said. "This indie-to-indie collaboration is a celebration of the creativity, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit that defines both independent publishing and independent bookselling." Sanj Kharbanda, associate publisher and marketing director at Beacon Press and member of the IPC steering committee, said he hopes the lists will be useful to the more than 400 new stores that opened in 2024, according to ABA data. "The lists could help these booksellers differentiate their inventory and discover independent press titles selling well at established stores around the country," Kharbanda said. Furthermore, they could help "librarians who struggle with collection development for books without reviews," he added. The impact, he noted, is intended to be long-term. "Maybe a bookseller will see one title from a press and then start following those presses, rather than just buying one title from that press," Kharbanda said. The lists can also serve the overall industry by offering additional data, even if non-quantifiable, to complement BookScan, which often struggles to capture sales of books that sell in small quantities and at a modest total volume. "BookScan can capture 60% of one title's sales and 90% or higher of another, but it often skews in certain directions," Kharbanda said. "The Top 40 is probably something of an antidote to that." Simon framed the lists as revealing what the book industry looks like when stripped of its largest players. "We hope that this creates a really exciting tool for independent publishers to excite our retailers," he said. LISBON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said on Monday that Portugal is willing to work together with China to promote greater development of bilateral relations. De Sousa made the remarks while receiving the credentials of Yang Yirui, China's newly appointed ambassador to Portugal. He welcomed Yang on his assumption of office and spoke positively of the development of China-Portugal relations. Yang said that China has always viewed its relations with Portugal from a strategic and long-term perspective. In recent years, President Xi Jinping and President De Sousa have successfully paid state visits to each other, charting the course for the development of bilateral relations. Political mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen, practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and people-to-people exchanges have grown increasingly close, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Portugal to further advance bilateral relations, Yang said. Denmark and the U.S. are set to meet this week to discuss president Trumps desire to acquire Greenland. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently hinted at President Trumps willingness to use military force to seize the island. In a closed-door meeting with members of Congress, Rubio reportedly insisted that the administrations real goal is to purchase Greenland. A growing number of key Republicans in Congress now publicly oppose pressuring Denmark into selling Greenland. More than 90% of Americans disapprove of using force to annex Greenland. Citizens and elected officials are right to oppose any attempt to formally add Greenland to the United States. The public discourse, though, has largely missed the mark in articulating why the administration should avoid this temptation. One commonly cited reason for opposing the acquisition of Greenland is that doing so would be stupid. Sen. Thom Tillis recently said that he is sick of stupid, while Sen. John Kennedy called the idea of an invasion weapons-grade stupid. Another line of argument is that antagonizing Denmark would undercut NATO, which could lead to a less stable world. This scenario, argues New York Times columnist David French, would likely lead to the return of great power wars. Neither of these positions truly engages with Trumps stance on Greenland. To show why restraint here is the right move, it is vital to have a clear picture of the world today. First, it is important to note that Greenland is strategically important now and will remain so for the rest of this century. It contains important natural resources, is located in a militarily advantageous position on the Arctic sea, and is a potential choke point for increasingly lucrative trade routes. Next, it is important to note that Denmark has been an excellent ally to the U.S. In 1951, the two countries agreed on a plan for Americans to provide for Greenlands defense. In the ensuing 75 years, Denmark has consistently granted American requests for security cooperation. Even the State Departments current website praises Denmark for its ample contributions to American interests. The longstanding arrangement allows for U.S. forces to be stationed in Greenland and there is no reason to believe Denmark is considering retracting that permission. Furthermore, the U.S. will have to prioritize where and how it engages with military allies in the coming few decades. The U.S. now struggles to build naval ships. The war in Ukraine continues to drag on, soon to be entering its fifth year. China remains aggressive in the western Pacific. American military analysts remain worried that Xi will attempt to take Taiwan by 2027. The Middle East remains chaotic, in spite of Iran and Hezbollahs degraded capabilities. Meanwhile, the U.S. military is struggling to retain troops, even though recent recruitment has gone up. Servicemembers who do leave are disproportionately likely to possess hard-to-replace skills. In this environment it is not cowardice, but prudence to choose carefully how the U.S. invests its resources. This includes material and personnel assets, as well as political capital. Talk that the U.S. must do everything for every ally in order to maintain credibility is overblown. And yet, it is hard to imagine a more antagonistic move against a more helpful ally than the U.S. coercively (whether that be by force or by imposing an annexation agreement) taking Greenland from Denmark. Doing so would violate both the letter and spirit not only of NATOs charter, but of the bilateral agreement that governs American-Danish cooperation via Greenland. National interests can change over time, but a countrys leadership ought to be selective at when and how it deviates from its agreed to treaty obligations. In this case, the Trump administration is right to insist on the strategic importance of Greenland. It is misguided, though, to think that the bully pulpit is the way to secure American prosperity in the Arctic region. Continuing to work closely with Denmark, while looking for opportunities to align American resources with American priorities is the best path forward. Last years National Security Strategy report argues that a strategy must evaluate, sort, and prioritize." It goes on to say that the administration wants to maintain the United States unrivaled soft power through which [the U.S.] exercises positive influence throughout the world. In order to keep (or regain) this advantage the U.S. should treat its most important and cooperative allies well. The U.S. does not (as the National Security Strategy puts it) have to continue propping up the entire world like Atlas, but it benefits Washington to act with honesty, respect, and fairness toward its partners. If it aint broke, dont fix it. Wise words to live by, but sometimes you cant help yourself. The Springfield Kuna is a great PCC on its own, but if its possible to make it better why not? Entier, the Nexus Firearms Billet Aluminum Kuna Lower. NEXUS FIREARMS BILLET ALUMINUM KUNA LOWER Not commonly seen but helpful in this case, the Springfield Armory Kuna has a serialized upper as the actual firearm, with the lower being just another gun part. Because of this, we have some options for aftermarket lowers! After about 2,000 rounds on my OG Kuna, I love it. But it has one major and one minor downside for me. The trigger is meh and proprietary magazines arent ideal. Kuna mags work well and are only $35 retail, but its annoying having a magazine that only fits one gun. Nexus Firearms Kuna lower solves both of these issues. First, it takes standard AR triggers, meaning I can drop in a KE Arms Rekluse for an insanely crisp mouse-click shooting trigger. Second, instead of proprietary Kuna magazines, the Nexus Firearms lower now takes CZ Scorpion magazines. And with the ability to use an AR trigger also comes the option to add a Super Safety or similar firing system. Both the new trigger and new magazines are substantial upgrades for the Kuna and really help transform it. The working bits stay the same, so there is no change in durability or reliability, but with the enormously better trigger, it now feels more like a high-speed, low-drag shooting gun that I like in a PCC. Its not JP-5 race gun speedy, but its a huge improvement over the Honda Camry feeling original trigger. CZ mags are durable and dependable. Nexus uses the Magpul CZ Scorpion magazine as their standard of choice, so the PSA AK-V magazines fit and function, but are tight in the magazine well. They work fine, but take a good push to seat and a good pull to drop. Because of this, I finally picked up a few Magpul CZ magazines, and they work famously in the Nexus lower. Drop free and easy to seat. 2,000 rounds through my standard Kuna and another 500 rounds with the Nexus Firearms lower, Im still crazy about this gun. Changing the lower isnt an inexpensive change, but its not horrible either. $350 to dramatically improve a platform is not the end of the world. That said, this isnt an upgrade that everyone needs to buy, or youll get killed in da streets. My Kuna is my PCC of choice for range sessions and competitions. Making it the best Kuna it can be is worth a little effort in my book. Nexus Firearms lower is available in two flavors: push-button magazine release, kind of like an AR-15, and paddle release, like a CZ Scorpion. If you choose the Paddle Release, youll have a few options for paddle design. Mine is the Magpul version because I trust Magpul the most. On that note, huge thanks to AmmunitionToGo.com for providing S&B 124gr 9mm ammo for this review! INSTALLATION Even for those who are mechanically uninclined, this is a simple change to tackle. Trigger and grip are installed in the stripped Nexus Firearms lower the same way they would be in a standard AR-15 lower. Two trigger pins and a screw for the grip. Installing the lower to the upper is even easier; just take out the two takedown pins connecting the upper to the lower, and swap out the entire unit. Nothing small or weird to install or fiddle with. LOOSE ROUNDS Springfield Armorys Kuna is one of the best guns of the past several years, but there is room for improvement. Factory options for lowers would be nice, or just redesign it to use AR triggers from the start, but were not there yet. The Kuna is an easy recommendation to make for value and a great shooting PCC. If you want to give it a major upgrade, I highly recommend Nexus Firearms Kuna lower to take it to a new level. Office redevelopment is emerging as a key growth frontier for developers as Indias commercial real estate market shifts towards quality, sustainability, and capital efficiency. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters With land parcels scarce in central business districts (CBDs) and demand for Grade A offices remaining strong, developers and investors are increasingly turning to ageing office stock in prime locations to unlock value. Across top cities, a large share of office buildings in CBDs and established business districts were built two to three decades ago. While demand for these locations remains intact, many such buildings no longer meet occupier expectations in terms of floor efficiency, sustainability, technology integration, parking, or employee wellness. Redevelopment, industry experts say, is becoming the natural response to this mismatch between supply and demand. Office redevelopment is an interesting opportunity because many buildings were strata-sold and not maintained well. "There is clear potential to redevelop such assets, and the right players will look at it, said Kshitij Bahri, senior general manager and head of commercial leasing at Oberoi Realty. While the company is currently focused on its own land parcels, Bahri said its business development team is evaluating select redevelopment proposals. The opportunity is sizeable. According to Knight Frank India, the Indian office market was valued at Rs 16.07 trillion as of the first half (H1) of 2025. Of this, around 43 per cent of office stock falls in the Grade B category, while another 4 per cent is classified as Grade C. As of H1 2025, India had about 99 million square feet (msf) of Grade B office stock in CBDs valued at Rs 1.34 trillion, and 157 msf worth Rs 1.58 trillion in secondary business districts (SBDs). CBDs also accounted for 25 msf of Grade C stock valued at Rs 34,100 crore, while SBDs had 17 msf worth Rs 17,000 crore. In all, Indias Grade B and C office stock stood at about 298 msf, valued at Rs 3.42 trillion. The redevelopment trend is being reinforced by a strong flight to quality among occupiers. Rajat Rastogi, chief executive officer (CEO), West region and commercial assets (pan-Indian) at Puravankara, said older office stock is increasingly misaligned with occupier expectations around sustainability, wellness, and technology. Redeveloping well-located assets has become a strategic lever to enhance rentals, occupancy, and long-term asset performance, he said, adding that redevelopment offers faster market readiness and better capital efficiency in land-constrained locations. Consultants say redevelopment activity is gaining traction on the ground. Anuj Puri, chairperson, Anarock group, said most office stock in core CBDs and older business districts such as Connaught Place in Delhi or Udyog Vihar in Gurugram was built decades ago and no longer matches current requirements. In Mumbai, older buildings in Nariman Point, Bandra-Kurla Complex, and parts of the western suburbs are being upgraded or repositioned to meet Grade A standards. A key economic driver behind redevelopment, particularly in Mumbai, is a higher floor space index (FSI). Older buildings were typically constructed with FSI limits of 1.22, compared with current permissible levels of 3.55 in many CBDs. This allows developers to increase built-up area by 2.53x without acquiring additional land. Incentive FSI, often 50-70 per cent additional area, helps offset demolition and reconstruction costs, improving project viability. For institutional owners and real estate investment trusts (Reits), redevelopment is also emerging as a portfolio strategy. Ramesh Nair, CEO and managing director of Mindspace Business Parks Reit, said redevelopment has strong potential in mature business districts where assets built 1520 years ago need repositioning. Mindspaces recent demolition of two 18-year-old office buildings at its Madhapur campus in Hyderabad to develop a 1.6 msf sustainable office project highlights the value-unlocking potential of such strategies. Global real estate consultancy CBRE echoed this view. Anshuman Magazine, chairperson and CEO, India, Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Africa at CBRE, said Indias office market is booming, with 2025 likely to mark an all-time high in leasing. Demand for Grade A offices continues to outpace supply. "Redevelopment is no longer optional but a strategic necessity, especially in CBDs, he said. With prime office rentals ranging from Rs 569 to Rs 1,090 per square foot per month, redeveloped assets can deliver stronger long-term returns than greenfield projects, experts said. BEIRUT, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said late Monday that Israeli tanks fired shells near its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, calling the move a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. UNIFIL said in a statement that peacekeepers observed two Israeli Merkava tanks moving from an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) position inside Lebanese territory near the town of Sarda further into the country earlier Monday. Despite peacekeepers' requests through liaison channels to halt the activity, an Israeli tank fired three shells, with two landing approximately 150 meters from the peacekeepers. As the UN personnel withdrew for safety, they were "continuously tracked with a laser" from the tanks, the statement said. The tanks retreated about 30 minutes later, and no injuries were reported. UNIFIL said that it had informed the IDF in advance about activities in the area in line with standard procedures for patrols near the Blue Line, and that such attacks on identifiable peacekeepers performing tasks are becoming increasingly frequent. UNIFIL called on the IDF to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and to cease attacks on them, noting that such actions undermine regional stability. 'The Maoist leadership spread fear that surrender meant torture or death. Once that false narrative collapsed and our operations proved transparent and credible, the surrender momentum became irreversible.' 'From 42,000 square kilometres, Maoist activity is now confined to barely 500-600 square kilometres -- less than two per cent of Bastar. This is their last remaining base area.' IMAGE: A joint team of 203 CoBRA Battalion and 131 Battalion of the CRPF recover a large stock of explosives, including 21 improvised explosive devices, multiple barrel grenade launcher bombs, a generator set, lathe machine accessories, material, and weapon manufacturing equipment during an anti-Maoist operation in the forest area between Metagudem and Duler villages in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, January 23, 2025. Photograph:ANI Photo "By the end of March there will be no base area left for the CPI (Maoist) to carry out their activities," Bastar Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff in the concluding part of the interview. With the Maoist area of influence reduced from 42,000 square kilometres to merely 500-600 square kilometres -- less than two per cent of Bastar's geographical area. IGP Sundarraj outlines the five-pronged strategy combining operational intensity, development initiatives, connectivity infrastructure, confidence-building measures and opportunity to native population in administration and security of their own region. Some critics argue that heavy encounters discourage surrenders. Yet Bastar has witnessed a huge number of Maoists laying down their arms and surrendering before the government. How do you explain this paradox? What measures were undertaken by Bastar Police, as well as the Chhattisgarh government, to build confidence amongst the Maoists that they can surrender? We have been making this appeal continuously. There was a narrative, particularly from the top Maoist leadership -- those from outside Chhattisgarh, from Telangana and other places -- who set a false narrative amongst the lower-level formations. They told them that if they came into contact with the police, they would be subjected to torture or eliminated. That was the narrative set by the top leaders to misguide and control the lower level cadres. We have tried to make the lower level cadres realise that this is not the case. The government is ready to accept anyone who realises that they should not continue on the path of violence. We have also involved the community. The village and tribal leaders have conveyed this message to the family members of the cadres, and they have facilitated many surrenders. The credibility and transparency of our operations have ensured that it is safe to come forward, hand over weapons, and surrender before the state. The credibility factor and the transparency with which we have operated, combined with other factors -- such as the leadership being depleted and the realisation setting in that there is no future for this armed rebel movement -- have all contributed. Once the momentum was initiated, it gained considerable speed over the past couple of years. Now that the Maoists are in decline, almost decimated, what are the immediate priorities before the Bastar police? Would it be stronger security action, or faster development and governance outreach? We are following a five-pronged strategy. One of these five strategies is the operational front, where our specialised groups -- Special Task Force, District Reserve Guard, Bastar Fighters, CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for jungle warfare and anti-insurgency) and other central paramilitary forces are operating together and producing favourable operational outcomes. The second is the development strategy. We have opened numerous camps in the interior areas, and each camp is acting as an integrated development centre. The third is the connectivity strategy. We are working to connect the local population to the outside world. For this, we have established numerous mobile towers. The youth are now getting connected to the outside world and are able to learn what is happening in other parts of the country and the world. That connectivity is being ensured. The fourth strategy is to provide an opportunity to the local population to have an active role in the safety and security of their own region. We have inducted a significant number of local personnel into the security forces and other government departments so that they can be part of the process, rather than merely observing from outside. They are now part of the entire process. The fifth element is confidence-building measures. Earlier, there was a widening gap between the population and the government. Now, through various community outreach programmes, we are bridging that gap. All these factors together constitute the five-pronged strategy, and this has produced favourable outcomes. Hopefully, for the next couple of years, this will remain our priority. Can you say that, by the end of 2025, 90 to 95 per cent of areas that were under Maoist influence have come back into the mainstream? Out of the 42,000 square kilometres in the Bastar region, they are now left with only approximately 500 to 600 square kilometres -- which is less than 2 per cent of the total geographical area -- where we can still observe their activity. This is the last remaining base area. We are hopeful of clearing those areas as well within another couple of months. By the end of March there will be no base area left for the CPI (Maoist) to carry out their activities. What role did sophisticated technology, as well as local support and intelligence from locals who assisted the police against the Maoists, play in these operations? IMAGE: IGP Bastar Sundarraj P along with range DIGs/District SPs/field commanders inspects the weapons recovered by troops in the Abhujmad encounter in June 2024. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bastar Police For security concerns, we won't be able to discuss in detail the technological aspects used during these operations. However, I can assure you that the (Union) government (and the government of Chhattisgarh) has provided adequate support in terms of equipment and troops to meet the operational challenges -- whether it is the mobility of security forces, enhancement of firepower, air support for evacuation of injured personnel, logistical support in core areas, or other technological provisions. Due to security concerns, we are not in a position to disclose specifics. Nevertheless, the government has been very particular that there should be no shortcomings and no handicaps for our forces due to lack of infrastructure or technology. That has been the bottom line. Our ground troops have received the best training in jungle warfare and the best intelligence inputs. All these factors combined have enabled us to produce remarkable outcomes over the past couple of years. Do you believe Bastar is now near a tipping point where Maoism can be decisively defeated, or is this fight still a protracted one, even though the Maoists have been decimated? The top Maoist leadership, who were previously advocating for this armed rebellion and claiming they could bring about a revolutionary form of government, have themselves realised that this is not going to happen. That is why, as I mentioned earlier, a huge number of top leaders -- central committee members and politburo members who have been advocating this ideology for the past 40 years -- have decided to come forward and join the mainstream. We do not foresee any reason for the resurgence of this movement. Their leadership has been totally eliminated, and the local population is not going to support any such violent activity within a democratic system of governance. People have the right to freedom of expression. They can express their ideas, their consent, and their discontent -- all of this is possible within the legal and democratic framework. However, they are not going to embrace the violent pathway that the CPI (Maoist) was advocating. We are very certain about that. There would also be a significant development push in the forthcoming period, so that people who have joined the mainstream can decide for themselves what is good and better for them. The democratic institutions will gain strength in the days to come. Even in January 2025, we held local body elections across the region, including areas where there used to be zero per cent polling. Now, those areas have also witnessed elections. People are conducting the elections. Young men and women who are educated are coming forward to become sarpanchs and members of panchayats in these areas. We are witnessing positive indications towards the strengthening of democratic institutions. Hopefully, in the days to come, Bastar will flourish with a new identity. After major gains against Maoists in the last two years, what is your roadmap for 2026 in Bastar -- both in terms of security operations and winning the trust of local communities? IMAGE: Special medical camps for women conducted by the Bastar police. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bastar Police As Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, I can assert that building on the decisive achievements of the past two years, we have taken a firm resolve for 2026 to eliminate the remaining Maoist networks and establish lasting peace in Bastar. Our focus in 2026 will be to take the peace-restoration process to its decisive stage through well-planned strategies, effective action, and sustained operations. At the same time, we will implement the rehabilitation policy for citizens and youth affected by Naxalite violence in a humane, sensitive, and inclusive manner, with renewed efforts to integrate them into the mainstream of development. Equal priority will be given to security, development, and trust-building. In close coordination with the local administration and all stakeholders, we will intensify efforts to ensure last-mile delivery of government welfare schemes, expand infrastructure, and strengthen access to education, healthcare, and employment. Through police-public partnership, dialogue, and social harmony, we aim to ensure that Bastar leaves behind the legacy of fear and violence and moves decisively toward a peaceful, secure, and prosperous future. With Resolve 2026, Bastar will emerge beyond its identity of conflict and stand as a strong symbol of peace, trust, and development. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio focusing on cooperation in areas of trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy and defence. IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting, in Washington, DC on July 2, 2025. Photograph: @DrSJaishankar on X/ANI Photo The Jaishankar-Rubio phone call came a day after newly-appointed US ambassador Sergio Gor said there will be some contact between the two sides on the trade issue. The external affairs minister said he had a "good conversation" with Rubio and that they agreed to remain in touch. "Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy," he said on social media. "Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues," he added. An American readout said, "Secretary Rubio and Minister Jaishankar discussed ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations and their shared interest in strengthening economic cooperation." "They also exchanged perspectives on regional developments, reaffirming the United States' and India's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," it added. The US State Department said Rubio congratulated India on enacting the sustainable harnessing and advancement of nuclear energy for transforming India bill. He expressed interest in capitalising on this "important development to enhance US-India civil nuclear cooperation and expand opportunities for American companies", it said. The India-US ties witnessed a major downturn after President Donald Trump slapped a whopping 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25 percent punitive levy over Russian oil purchases. Both sides have held multiple rounds of negotiations last year to firm up a bilateral trade deal. However, it could not be sealed yet largely in view of Washington's demands to open up India's farm and dairy sectors. In an address at the US embassy on Monday, Gor said India and the US are actively engaged on the proposed trade deal. "Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow," he said. In his remarks, Gor also said that no country is as essential as India to the United States. "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. The phone conversation between Jaishankar and Rubio also came on a day Trump announced that a 25 percent tariff will be levied on countries doing business with Iran. Sources in the Indian government said the new tariff is expected to have "minimal impact" on India as volume of trade between India and Iran is currently less than $2 billion. For India, Iran does not even figure in the top 50 global trading partners, the sources said. Last year, India's trade with Iran was USD 1.6 billion, which is approximately 0.15 per cent of India's total trade, they said. Indian Army troops opened fire to take down multiple suspected Pakistani drones that entered Indian territory from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday evening, army officials said in Jammu. IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo However, the drones briefly hovered in the Manjakote sector before returning to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), officials said. The fresh drone sightings came as Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said that the Indian Army on Tuesday strongly raised with Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) about sightings of Pakistani drones along the border areas in the Jammu Sector in the last three days. Defence sources said that the Indian Army implemented counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) measures after drones were spotted along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. Around 7 pm, troops fired upon a few Pakistani drones when they entered Indian territory over Dunga Gala in the Chingus area of Rajouri. The drones subsequently vanished and are believed to have retreated to the other side, officials said. Officials noted that army personnel detected the movement of two drone-like objects over the forward Dheri Dhara village around 7.35 pm and fired several live rounds to target them. However, the suspected drones moved toward Kalali before returning, officials said, adding that a search operation was initiated to ensure no weapons or narcotics were airdropped by the drones. On Sunday, troops guarding the Nowshera sector fired medium and light machine guns after observing drone activity over Gania-Kalsian village. On the same day, drone movements were also detected over Khabbar village in Teryath, Kalakote in Rajouri, Tain-Topa in the Mankote area of Poonch district, and Chak Babral village in the Ramgarh sector of Samba. However, those flying objects returned within a few minutes. Earlier on Friday night, security forces recovered an arms consignment, dropped by a drone from Pakistan, in Paloora village of Ghagwal near the International Border in Samba. The recovery included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds and a grenade. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday said it held a formal meeting with a Chinese delegation openly, given the "improved" relations between New Delhi and Beijing, unlike the Congress which, it alleged, "secretly" signed a memorandum of understanding with the neighbouring country's ruling party. IMAGE: A delegation from the Communist Party of China visits the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, January 12, 2026. Photograph: @vijai63/X The ruling party also slammed the Congress for raising border issues, saying it has "no locus" to do so as the root of the actual problems with China can be traced back to the time of the first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. "Nevertheless, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has been working to resolve it. And that effort is continuing unabated," BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli told PTI Videos. The BJP was reacting after the Congress targeted it over the Communist Party of China delegation visiting the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, accusing the saffron party of showing hypocrisy in its dealings with the neighbouring country and asking whether it raised the issue of "repeated Chinese transgressions" during such interactions. The Congress media and publicity department head, Pawan Khera, said his party demands full accountability and complete transparency from the government on its China policy. Formal meeting, says BJP Hitting back, BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha said, "It was a process of a formal meeting. A formal meeting takes place when a situation improves. We do it very openly." "We do not secretly sign any such MoU which we can not explain for years," he said, in an apparent reference to the Congress reportedly signing a memorandum of understanding with the Communist Party of China. The BJP has attacked the Congress on this issue several times, alleging that Rahul Gandhi signed a secret MoU with the Communist Party of China in Beijing in 2018 in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. It has also been demanding that the Congress make public the details of the MoU. Sinha said the meeting with the Chinese delegation took place at the BJP headquarters because "things have improved". "Recently, flights (between India and China) resumed. Trade talks are also going on," he said, when asked about the Congress's allegations. The BJP spokesperson also attacked Rahul Gandhi, saying he lost his right to raise questions on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's foreign policy since he made a baseless claim that Indian soldiers were "thrashed" by Chinese soldiers during the Galwan Valley clash. "Rahul Gandhi should not be compared with our people," Sinha said. 'Congress has no locus to protest' Reacting to the Congress criticising the Modi government over China reaffirming its territorial claims over the Shaksgam Valley, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said the Government of India has made its stand on this issue very clear that "this is not acceptable to us". "As far as the Congress party raising questions about it, they really have no locus to do so because the actual problems with regard to the issues on the border with China can be traced back to the time of Prime Minister Nehru," Kohli said. "Nehru's statements should be recalled about what he said on Aksai Chin and what all happened during the period of the late 50s and early 60s," he said, adding, "Nevertheless, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has been working to resolve it. And that effort is continuing unabated." On Monday, a delegation from the Communist Party of China, led by its international department's vice minister Sun Haiyan, visited the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. During the meeting, a BJP delegation headed by party general secretary Arun Singh discussed at length the means to advance inter-party communications between the BJP and the Communist Party of China (CPC)". The Chinese ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, also joined the CPC delegation. CCP team meets RSS's Hosabale The Chinese Communist Party delegation on Tuesday called on RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale in New Delhi, sources said. The delegates met the RSS second-in-command at 11 am at his office, and their meeting lasted for about an hour, they said. "It was a courtesy call by them. The request for the meeting had come from the Chinese side," the sources said. 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. On Monday, China reaffirmed its territorial claims over the Shaksgam Valley, saying its infrastructure projects in the area are "beyond reproach". Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday strongly rejected China's claim over the Shaksgam valley, asserting that the entire region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to India. He also asserted that no expansionist attempt would be tolerated. The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will ask states to pay a "heavy compensation" for dog-bite incidents and hold dog feeders accountable as it flagged its concern over the lack of implementation of norms on stray animals for the past five years. IMAGE: Animal lovers stage a protest against the Supreme Court's order removing stray dogs from the institutional areas and roads. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria said that even dog lovers and feeders will be held responsible and accountable for dog-bite incidents. "For every dog bite, death or injury caused to children or elderly, we are going to ask the state governments to pay heavy compensation, as they did not do anything on implementation of norms in the past five years. Also, responsibility and accountability will be fixed on those who are feeding these stray dogs. If you love these animals so much, then why don't you take them to your house. Why should these dogs loiter around, bite and scare people?" Justice Nath said. Justice Mehta concurred with the views of Justice Nath and said, Who should be held accountable when dogs attack a 9-year-old? The organisation that is feeding them? You want us to shut our eyes to the problem." The top court was hearing several petitions seeking modification of its November 7, 2025, order directing the authorities to remove these stray animals from the institutional areas and roads. When lawyers attacked dog-catchers The top court said the worst part is that a lawyer from Gujarat was bitten in a park and when civic authorities went to catch that animal, the lawyers, who claimed to be dog lovers, attacked the civic officials. The top court also lamented that for four days, it has been hearing arguments on the issue and was not allowed to proceed further in the matters by activists and NGOs and was not able to hear the views of the Centre and the states. "Our request to all the lawyers is to allow us to take to task the Union, the state authorities and other bodies. Allow us to pass an order. We need to spend half a day with the states and Union. To see whether they have a plan of action or not. The problem has multiplied a thousand times. We just want implementation of statutory provision. Allow us to do that. Allow us to work. Allow us to proceed further," the top court observed during the hearing. At the outset, senior advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for an NGO, defended the apex court's November 7, 2025, order dealing with institutional areas, arguing that it was fully justified and supported by statutory rules. He contended that there was no need to constitute any new expert committee since reports of the existing committees were already on record. Justice Mehta remarked that Datar was the first who has come to the rescue of the order." 'Stray dogs shouldn't occupy premises' Datar argued that stray dogs have no legal right to occupy institutional premises or other public spaces to which people have access. He submitted that dogs do not have a right to be brought back to the institutional area because these animals have no right to be in that place in the first instance. Datar referred to a separate writ petition filed by conservation groups regarding feral dogs in wildlife areas, especially Ladakh. He told the court that reports placed before it showed the presence of around 55,000 free-ranging feral dogs in Ladakh, posing a grave threat to critically endangered species. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for an animal welfare trust, urged the court to view the matter not merely as a human-versus-animal issue but from the perspective of ecological balance. During the hearing, Justice Mehta said, "A young counsel just showed us statistics of orphan children on the streets. Perhaps some lawyers could argue for adoption of those children. Since the year 2011 when I was elevated (as a judge), these are the longest arguments I have heard. And till now no one has argued so long for human beings." Senior advocate Pinky Anand emphasised that the law required animals to be treated with compassion, cautioning against approaches that amounted to culling. Similarly, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy and other lawyers made arguments on the issue. On January 9, the top court said it would not go into the allegations of harassment of women dog feeders and caregivers by purported anti-feeder vigilantes since it was a law and order issue and the aggrieved persons could lodge FIRs about it. The top court also refused to go into the claims about certain derogatory remarks being made about women on the issue. Taking note of the "alarming rise" in dog-bite incidents within institutional areas such as educational institutions, hospitals and railway stations, the apex court on November 7 directed relocation of stray canines forthwith to designated shelters after due sterilisation and vaccination. It also said stray dogs picked up shall not be released back to the place they were picked up from. It directed the authorities to ensure the removal of all cattle and other stray animals from the state highways, national highways and expressways. The top court is hearing a suo motu case, initiated on July 28 last year, over a media report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital. The State Election Commission on Monday barred the Maharashtra government from releasing the January instalment of the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme in advance, citing the enforcement of the model code of conduct for municipal elections. IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, and RPI leader Ramdas Athawale at a rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on January 13, 2026. Photograph: @mieknathshinde/X The SEC's clarification came after it received several complaints following media reports claiming that beneficiaries of the scheme would receive Rs 3,000- covering the December and January instalments- in their bank accounts before January 14 as a Makar Sankranti gift. BJP leader and minister Gitish Mahajan had claimed eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme will receive a combined transfer of Rs 3,000 for December and January in their bank accounts before Makar Sankranti, The SEC had sent a letter to state Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal on Sunday, seeking clarification on the factual position following media reports and whether the government intended to release two months' instalments together just ahead of the polls, with a response sought on Monday. The Chief Secretary stated that the SEC had issued consolidated instructions on November 4, 2025, regarding the model code of conduct for local body elections. The SEC has clarified that the regular or pending instalments under the "Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana" scheme may be disbursed, the commission has made it clear that no advance payment will be allowed during the model code period, according to a statement. As per these guidelines, development works and welfare schemes that had already commenced before the announcement of elections may continue during the code period. The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is a flagship scheme of the state government under which eligible women beneficiaries get a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500. The scheme is widely credited with helping the Mahayuti secure victory in the 2024 state assembly elections. The controversy erupted after Gitish Mahajan claimed eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme will receive a combined transfer of Rs 3,000 for December and January in their bank accounts before Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14, terming it a "special gift" from CM Devendra Fadnavis. The Opposition had termed the announcement a bid to influence voters ahead of the January 15 polls to 29 municipal corporations. State Congress leader and advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar submitted a complaint to the SEC on Saturday, claiming the payment was proposed for January 14, a day before polling, and sought the poll body's intervention to stop the transfer. Amid the controversy, CM Fadnavis has said the Ladki Bahin Yojana was a continuous scheme of the state government and did not fall under the restrictions of the election code of conduct. Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, however, said his party was not opposed to the scheme, but objected to the release of two months' assistance on the eve of voting, calling it a clear violation of the model code of conduct. The state Congress on Monday slammed the Mahayuti government, claiming the ruling party leaders were "selfish brothers" who expect votes as a "return gift" from the women beneficiaries. "These selfish brothers have no emotion. They stopped the instalment for two months and disbursed the amount during the election campaign. They seek something in return. The sisters should show these selfish brothers their place as they expect a return gift in the form of votes," state Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant told reporters. The instalment is paid from taxpayers' money and is not the private property of those in power, he pointed out. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) called on protesters in Iran to continue demonstrating, saying that assistance would arrive soon, without sharing further details. IMAGE: A person holds a "Lion and Sun" pre-Iranian Revolution national flag design umbrella as protesters gather outside the Houses of Parliament in support of nationwide protests in Iran, in London, Britain, January 13, 2026. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP." Trump's remarks came amid heightened US messaging about the Iran situation and a series of White House statements indicating that multiple options remain under review. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists yesterday that airstrikes are among the "many, many options" under consideration, while stressing that diplomacy remains the administration's "first option." Her comments followed a fresh directive from Trump aimed at countries doing business with Iran. Trump announced that any country doing business with the Islamic Republic would face a 25 percent tariff on all trade conducted with the United States. In a statement, Trump said, "Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This order is final and conclusive." The developments come as Iran has been witnessing sustained nationwide protests since late December, drawing divided reactions internationally, with some governments expressing concern over what they describe as foreign-instigated riots, while others have accused Iranian authorities of responding violently to demonstrators, Al Jazeera reported. Araghchi has said Iran is not seeking war but told Al Jazeera that Tehran was "prepared for all options" after Trump threatened military action over the response to the protests. Against this backdrop, Iran's exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has appealed to Trump to move "sooner rather than later" against Iran's clerical leadership, as demonstrations continue across the country amid reports of a harsh crackdown. In an interview with CBS News on Monday, Pahlavi said, "We need action to be taken." "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 said. Trump told reporters on Sunday night that he spoke with Iranian leaders on Saturday and said they "called to negotiate", even as he has threatened military action against the regime. The US President said he was considering his options after warning on Friday that the United States would intervene if the regime began "killing people like they have in the past." "We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts," Trump said Friday. "And that doesn't mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts." Reports have also emerged of heavy casualties linked to the unrest. Around 2,000 people have been killed in protests against Iran's regime, The Times of Israel reported, citing Reuters and quoting an Iranian official who blamed "terrorists" for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. The report said this is the highest official death toll confirmed so far in the unrest that has rocked the Islamic Republic and threatened the country's stability. Meanwhile, Iran has also imposed major restrictions on communication. Iran's top cyberspace authority announced on Monday that access to the global internet will remain restricted in the country until officials are satisfied that full security has been restored amid widespread anti-government rallies, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported. According to Press TV, citing the President of Iran's National Centre for Cyberspace, Mohammad Amin Aqamiri, the internet blackout, imposed on January 9 amid widespread unrest in several provinces, will continue for the time being. "The time to return to normal conditions will be announced in the future, and authorities must certainly brief us on security considerations," Aqamiri said, as quoted by the IRNA news agency. Aqamiri described the shutdown as necessary to counter "cognitive warfare" carried out by Iran's adversaries in cyberspace, noting that the domestic intranet system, known as the National Information Network (NIN), has been strengthened to maintain essential online services despite limited access to the global internet. "The NIN is a platform through which we can guarantee stable services for the public," Aqamiri said. According to NetBlocks, a watchdog organisation that monitors cybersecurity and Internet governance, 108 hours have passed since Iran imposed a nationwide internet blackout. "Update: It has been 108 hours since #Iran introduced a nationwide internet shutdown, leaving Iranians isolated from the rest of the world and each other," the organisation said in a post on X. Amid mounting violence, the United Nations rights chief voiced horror at the situation across Iran. "The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop, and the labelling of protesters as 'terrorists' to justify violence against them is unacceptable," Volker Turk said in a statement, according to The Times of Israel. Turk also decried the authorities' decision "to inflict brutal force to repress legitimate demands for change." Campaigning for the high-stakes elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra culminated on Tuesday with all eyes fixed on the big fight for Mumbai, where the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti is making a strong pitch to control the Brihammumbai Municipal Corporation in the face of a challenge from a united Thackeray front. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo Polling for the 2,869 seats spread across 893 wards will begin at 7.30 am and conclude at 5.30 pm on January 15. A total of 3.48 crore eligible voters will decide the fate of 15,931 candidates, including 1,700 in Mumbai and 1,166 in Pune. The counting of votes will take place on January 16. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spearheaded the campaign for the ruling alliance, crisscrossing the state to canvas for Mahayuti candidates. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP, the third partner in the Mahayuti combine, was strategically excluded to attract "non-Hindu" voters, observers said. The run-up to the elections saw the coming together of estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray after 20 years, steadfast in their attempts to consolidate Marathi votes, while rival factions of the NCP joined hands for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Parbhani polls. Notably, this would be the first Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election for the Shiv Sena since the 2022 split, which saw party leader Eknath Shinde leaving with a majority of the legislators, the party name and symbol. The undivided Shiv Sena ruled the country's richest civic body for 25 years. The Congress party has also projected a strong image this election by stepping out of the shadow of its Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) in Mumbai. The grand old party has aligned with Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) and the Rashtriya Samaj Paksh in the capital, while opting to go solo in Nagpur. Elections to the 29 municipal corporations are being held after a gap of more than six years their tenure ended between 2020 and 23. Of these, nine are in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), India's most urbanised belt. The battlegrounds include Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Mumbai, Solapur, Amravati, Akola, Nashik, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Ulhasnagar, Thane, Chandrapur, Parbhani, Mira-Bhayandar, Nanded-Waghala, Panvel, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Latur, Malegaon, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad, Jalgaon, Ahilyanagar, Dhule, Jalna and Ichalkaranji. Telangana Minister Mohammad Azharuddin, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai were star campaigners for the polls. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar campaigned for their candidates across the state, while the Thackeray cousins focused on Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where Uddhav addressed a rally. Populist promises for women were the highlight of the manifestos of both the Mahayuti and the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS. The Mahayuti has promised a 50 per cent concession for women in BEST bus travel, while the Thackeray cousins have assured a Rs 1,500 monthly allowance for women domestic helps and a property tax waiver on houses up to 700 sq ft. The Congress's manifesto, on the other hand, has focused on tackling pollution in Mumbai, improving the BEST fleet and the city's financial position. The Mumbai mayor post dominated the campaign discourse, with the BJP alleging that the city would have a Muslim mayor if the Sena (UBT) is voted to power, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led party countered the claim with the assurance of a Marathi mayor. CM Fadnavis also guaranteed that the mayor will be a "Hindu and Marathi". In the final seat-sharing tallies for Mumbai, the BJP is contesting 137 seats, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena 90, while the NCP is fighting separately on 94 seats. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded 163 candidates, the MNS 52, the Congress 143 and the VBA 46 in the city. The Congress has fielded 1,263 candidates across the rest of the state. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday dismissed media speculation about a possible change in the state's leadership, reiterating that he will abide by the Congress high command's decision. IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during an event in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, January 13, 2026. Photograph: @siddaramaiahX/ANI Photo Speaking to reporters after briefly meeting top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the airport, Siddaramaiah said there was no confusion within the party regarding leadership issues. He clarified that he did not hold any political discussions with Rahul Gandhi during the meeting. "No discussion has taken place today, and none is scheduled for the evening. He (Rahul Gandhi) is en route to Gudalur in Tamil Nadu and will return here (Mysuru) later to fly back to Delhi. I will see him off again," Siddaramaiah said. Responding to questions about media reports on a possible leadership change, the CM said, "What speculations? You (the media) are the ones speculating. There is no such issue within the party. This question itself is baseless." Addressing rumours of confusion over a potential Cabinet reshuffle, he added, "Where is the confusion? These are discussions in newspapers and media; there is no such thing in the party." Speculation over a leadership tussle has intensified since the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, fueled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at the time of the government's formation in 2023. Commenting on reports that legislators were giving dates for a leadership change, Siddaramaiah said, "Either D K Shivakumar or I would speak on this issue, as we are the ones who know. Have we spoken? No. In fact, legislators are not discussing it now; it is you (the media) who are discussing it." When asked about Shivakumar and his supporters referencing promises regarding power transfer, he said, "When was this said? They have not said anything; you are creating it. Ultimately, we will abide by whatever the high command decides." On the issue of MLAs publicly commenting on his tenure, Siddaramaiah said, "MLAs don't know the details. The high command has not informed them. The decision will be taken as per the high command." Referring to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's earlier remark that local leaders should resolve leadership issues, the CM said, "Shivakumar and I have had discussions and even visited each other's homes for breakfast. We agreed to abide by the high command's decision." Siddaramaiah added that he would not be going to New Delhi immediately to discuss the proposed Cabinet reshuffle with the Congress leadership. Many eyebrows were raised on Tuesday when Tej Pratap Yadav, the estranged elder son of Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad, turned up at a feast organised here by senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Bihar deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. IMAGE: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's son Tej Pratap Yadav. Photograph: ANI Photo Yadav, a former minister who has floated his own outfit -- Janshakti Janata Dal -- following expulsion from the RJD, received a warm welcome by Sinha. He had met the deputy CM a few days ago to extend invitation for a feast he will be hosting on Wednesday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Sinha hosted the feast on the eve of the festival, which was attended by a host of senior NDA leaders, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, fellow Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha and minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha chief Santosh Kumar Suman. When Yadav, who lost his seat in the recently held assembly polls, was asked by journalists whether he had any plans to join the NDA, he said: We may have different political ideologies, but we share the same cultural ethos. As regards other things, you will get to know about it in due course. Sinha replied in a similar vein, saying all Biharis stand united, drawing positive energy from the Sanatan culture, which Makar Sankranti is an epitome of. Faced with further queries about the possible entry of Yadav into the BJP-led coalition, he said, "As you have already been told, you will get to know when the time comes." The BJP leader did not reply to another question as to whether Yadav's younger brother Tejashwi, the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, was expected at the feast. UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is concerned about the increase of military-like rhetoric around the situation in Iran, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said Tuesday. "Of course we're very concerned about the increase of military-like rhetoric that we're seeing around the Iranian situation," Dujarric said at a daily briefing in response to a question posed by Xinhua. "It is imperative that all (UN) member states push for diplomacy as opposed to military rhetoric," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has cancelled "all meetings" with Iranian officials, one day after he announced that any country doing business with Iran would pay a tariff rate of 25 percent on any business conducted with the United States. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is presenting Trump with a "wider range of strike options" on Iran than previously reported, according to a report from The New York Times on Monday. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Monday that his country is ready for war but remains open to dialogue, after Trump said the U.S. military is considering "very strong options" regarding Iran. Tintin Stays Timeless. Indeed. From his earliest appearances to the extraordinary stories that followed, Tintin's journey is one of imagination and curiosity. Not to forget daring. As Herges legendary young reporter marks 97 years, his adventures continue to hold fascination for generation after generation, proving that true icons are ever young. Photograph: Kind courtesy Amazon A Journey That Started It All On January 10, 1929, a fearless young journalist named Tintin, accompanied by his faithful fox terrier Snowy, set off by train from Brussels to Moscow. It was a moment that signalled both Tintin's debut mission and the start of Herges remarkable creative journey. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons Tintin Before Tintin The roots of the character can be traced to Totor, an earlier comic strip by Herge, from where Tintin's intriguing personality and adventurous spirit gradually evolved. Photograph: Kind courtesy Anonyme/Wikimedia Commons The Man Behind The Pen The series began publication in 1929, authored by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, better known by his pen name Herge (1907-1983), whose clean-line style reshaped comic storytelling worldwide.

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US slams Russia's use of nuclear-capable missile in Ukraine United Nations, United States, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 The United States on Monday decried Russia's use of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile in Ukraine, calling it an "inexplicable escalation" during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Russia's use Friday of the intermediate-range missile, which was not carrying a nuclear warhead, "constitutes another dangerous and inexplicable escalation of this war, even as the United States is urgently working with Kyiv, other partners and Moscow to end the war through a negotiated settlement," US Deputy UN Ambassador Tammy Bruce said. "We condemn Russia's continuing and intensifying attacks on Ukraine's energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure," Bruce continued. Moscow on Monday said the missile hit an aviation repair factory in the Lviv region, in western Ukraine, and that it was fired in response to Ukraine's attempt to strike one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's residences - a claim which Kyiv denies. Ukraine confirmed the missile was fired on the Lviv region, close to the border with Poland, but did not say whether the plant was struck. Acting British ambassador James Kariuki called the attack "reckless," adding that "it threatens regional and international security and carries significant risk of escalation and miscalculation." In addition to deploying the Oreshnik missile on Friday, Russia pummeled the capital Kyiv with air strikes, killing at least four people and leaving half the city's residential buildings without heating during below freezing winter temperatures. Trump has options on Iran, but first must define goal Washington, United States, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 US President Donald Trump has options to intervene in protest-hit Iran that range from low to high risk, but choosing his course depends on him deciding his ultimate goal. It has been 10 days since Trump said the United States was "locked and loaded" and ready to "come to the rescue" if Iran's clerical state kills demonstrators who have taken to the streets in major numbers. Since then, Trump has kept threatening a military option, even as hundreds of people have died, according to rights groups. Iran has been a sworn foe of the United States since the 1979 Islamic revolution toppled the pro-Western shah. The downfall of the Islamic republic in power since then would transform the Middle East. But Trump has previously lashed out against "regime change" as a goal, especially pointing to lessons from US involvement in Iraq, a smaller country. Trump on Monday exercised economic leverage, announcing 25 percent tariffs on Iran's trading partners, and he has spoken of ways to forcibly restore internet access shut by Tehran. The two governments have also revealed that they have been in communication, coordinated by Trump's friend and roving envoy Steve Witkoff. - Momentum on streets - In a message likely designed to galvanize Trump, Reza Pahlavi, the US-exiled son of the late shah, has publicly encouraged Trump not to be like Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, who hesitated at supporting 2009 protests for fear of co-opting a homegrown movement. Some experts say that Obama's fears nearly a generation ago may no longer be as relevant, with demonstrations having spread well beyond educated, urban circles that always opposed the religious state. Ray Takeyh, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations who wrote a book about the fall of the late shah, said that Trump could target forces including the elite Revolutionary Guards that have taken the lead in repressing the protests. Intervention could ease Iranians' fears and "affect the fence-sitters in thinking about joining the protests or not," Takeyh said. Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the Chatham House think tank, agreed that intervention by Trump could bring momentum on the streets. But she said: "It could equally play further into the hands of a regime that is paranoid and this would build further unity and propel them to crack down further." - How much action needed? - Trump in June ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in support of an Israeli campaign. While Trump had previously spoken of a diplomatic resolution, the attack was in line with his inclination, as seen again recently in Venezuela, for one-off military operations he quickly claims as successes. Vali Nasr, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, noted 130 to 150 Iranian cities have seen protests. "Trying to hit security forces in all of these, or even major cities of Iran, is more than just a few airstrikes," Nasr said. As Trump likely "doesn't want to get his hands dirty, a performative strike may be more where he wants to go," Nasr said. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the risk from intervention was less that Iranians rally around the flag than that they become afraid to go out. "The challenge of the strikes is how to make sure they don't lead to the disbursement of protesters rather than the amplification of protests, if the strikes go off the rails -- if targeting is poor, if intelligence is poor," he said. He said the impact would also be high if Trump finally decides not to strike. Inaction would "play into the regime's narrative of painting America as not able to actually come through," Ben Taleblu said. Pahlavi and a number of Republican hawks have voiced opposition to diplomacy, warning it would only give the Islamic republic a lifeline. But Mohammad Ali Shabani, editor of the Amwaj.media site that closely follows Iran, believed many Iranians would welcome a deal that eases sanctions and "lifts the shadow of war." "I think this would supersede any kind of short-term survival for the Islamic republic because the way things are structured, I think most Iranians at this point accept that the Islamic republic is not going to be there forever." Myanmar pro-military party claims most seats in junta-run election Yangon, Myanmar, Jan 13 (AFP) Jan 13, 2026 Myanmar's dominant pro-military party on Tuesday claimed a majority of elected lower house seats in the country's junta-run polls, which democracy watchdogs say will prolong the armed forces' grip. The military has ruled Myanmar by force for almost all of its post-independence history, before a decade-long democratic experiment gave civilian politicians tentative control. But the generals took back power in a 2021 coup deposing the government of Aung San Suu Kyi, detaining the democratic figurehead and plunging the country into civil war. The junta is overseeing a staggered election it pledges will return power to the people after the third and final phase of voting on January 25. With Suu Kyi detained and her party dissolved, democracy advocates say it has been rigged by a dissent purge and a ballot stacked with military allies in the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). A USDP official -- speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to disclose results -- told AFP they "won 87 seats out of 100" in Sunday's second phase of the vote. Combined with confirmed overwhelming wins in the first phase, the official's figures give the party 176 lower house seats so far -- just over half the 330 elected positions, even before the third phase has taken place. The UN's special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews said in a statement last week "the junta engineered the polls to ensure victory for its proxy, entrench military domination in Myanmar, and manufacture a facade of legitimacy". There are 440 seats in Myanmar's lower house, but 110 are reserved for the armed forces under the military-drafted constitution. And analysts describe the USDP, many of whose officials are retired officers, as the military's prime political proxy. Parliament is due to convene in March, when MPs from the combined lower and upper houses will choose the president, and junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has not ruled out resigning as top general to take over the civilian role. Russia strikes power plant, kills four in Ukraine barrage Kharkiv, Ukraine, Jan 13 (AFP) Jan 13, 2026 Russia battered Ukraine with more than two dozen missiles and hundreds of drones early Tuesday, killing four people and pummelling another power plant, piling more pressure on Ukraine's brittle energy system. Moscow has pummelled Ukraine with daily drone and missile barrages in recent months, targeting energy infrastructure and cutting power and heating in the frigid height of winter. An AFP journalist in the eastern Kharkiv region, where the four people were killed, saw firefighters battling a fire at a postal hub and rescue workers helping survivors by lamp light in freezing temperatures. Andriy Pidnebesny, a manager at the postal facility, said he was knocked down by the blast wave and tried -- but failed -- to free several colleagues still alive under the rubble. "You never know what will happen to you. You go out to the store and you could get killed. You go to work and the same thing could happen. You could be sleeping at home and the same thing could happen," the 31-year-old told AFP. President Volodymyr Zelensky said "several hundred thousand" households near Kyiv were without power after the strikes, and again called on allies to bolster his country's air defence systems. "The world can respond to this Russian terror with new assistance packages for Ukraine," Zelensky wrote on social media. "Russia must come to learn that cold will not help it win the war," he added. Authorities in Kyiv and the surrounding region rolled out emergency power cuts in the hours after the attack, saying freezing temperatures were complicating their work. AFP journalists in Kyiv saw customers walking through a darkened grocery store that was running just one or two cash registers from a rumbling generator. DTEK, Ukraine's largest energy provider, said Russian forces had struck one of its power plants, saying it was the eighth such attack since October. The operator did not reveal which of its plants was struck, but said Russia had attacked its power plants over 220 times since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. - Daily attacks - The Ukrainian air force said that Tuesday's bombardment included 25 missiles and 293 drones. The Kharkiv governor gave the death toll and added that six people were wounded in the overnight hit outside the region's main city, also called Kharkiv. White helmeted emergency workers could be seen clambering through the still-smoking wreckage of a building used by postal company Nova Poshta, in a video posted by the regional prosecutor's office. Within Ukraine's second city, Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said a Russian long-range drone struck a medical facility for children, causing a fire. No casualties were reported. The overnight strikes hit other regions as well, including southern city Odesa. Residential buildings, a hospital and a kindergarten were damaged, with at least five people wounded in two waves of attacks, regional governor Sergiy Lysak said. The Russian defence ministry acknowledged its attacks, claiming its strikes targeted Ukrainian military facilities. Russia's use last week of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile on Ukraine sparked condemnation from Kyiv's allies, including Washington, which called it a "dangerous and inexplicable escalation of this war". Moscow on Monday said the missile hit an aviation repair factory in the Lviv region and that it was fired in response to Ukraine's attempt to strike one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's residences -- a claim Kyiv denies and that Washington has said it does not believe happened. Ukraine has stepped up long-range drone strikes on Russian military and energy sites in response. Kyiv said Tuesday its forces had struck a drone manufacturing plant in the western Rostov region and the governor reported a local state of emergency there after two "enterprises" were hit. At least 100 children killed in Gaza since ceasefire: UN Geneva, Jan 13 (AFP) Jan 13, 2026 At least 100 children have been killed by Israeli airstrikes and ground forces in Gaza since the start of a tenuous ceasefire three months ago, the United Nations said on Tuesday. The UN children's agency UNICEF said that at least 60 boys and 40 girls had been killed in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory since early October. "More than 100 children have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire," UNICEF spokesman James Elder told reporters in Geneva. "That's roughly a girl or a boy killed here every day during a ceasefire," he said, speaking from Gaza City. "These children are killed from airstrikes, drone strikes, including suicide drones. They're killed from tank shelling. They're killed from live ammunition. They're killed from quad copters. "We are at 100 -- no doubt," he said, adding that the true number was likely higher. "A ceasefire that slows the bombs is progress but one that still buries children is not enough." AFP has sought a response from the Israeli military. An official at Gaza's health ministry, which maintains casualty records, has reported a higher figure of 165 children killed during the tenuous ceasefire, out of a total 442 fatalities. "Additionally, seven children have died from exposure to cold since the beginning of this year," Zaher Al-Wahidi, Director of the Computer Department at the Ministry of Health, told AFP. Elder stressed that the ongoing Israeli attacks came after more than two years of war which has "left life for Gaza's children unimaginably hard". "They still live in fear. The psychological damage remains untreated, and it's becoming deeper and harder to heal the longer this goes on," he said. In November, authorities in Gaza said more than 70,000 people had been killed there since the beginning of the war waged by Israel in response to Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Nearly 80 percent of buildings in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged in the relentless air and ground offensive, according to UN data. On January 1, Israel suspended 37 international aid agencies from accessing the Gaza Strip, despite what the UN said at the time was an "outrageous" move. "Blocking international NGOs, blocking any humanitarian aid... that means blocking life-saving assistance," Elder stressed on Monday. While UNICEF had managed to significantly increase aid entering the densely populated strip since October, he stressed: "You need partners on the ground, and it (the aid) still doesn't meet the need." "It's impossible to overstate just how much still is required to be done here." He also insisted: "When you've got key NGOs banned from delivering humanitarian aid and from bearing witness, and when foreign journalists are barred" it begs the question if the aim is "restricting scrutiny of suffering of children". US delivers 'critical military supplies' to Nigeria after Xmas strikes Lagos, Jan 13 (AFP) Jan 13, 2026 The United States on Tuesday said it had delivered "critical military supplies" to Nigeria after staging Christmas Day strikes targeting militants in the restive northwest. The delivery is the latest sign of increased security cooperation between Washington and Abuja, and also comes as Nigeria's national security adviser struck a $750,000-per-month deal with a US firm to lobby President Donald Trump's administration. On the evening of December 25, the United States struck sites in Sokoto state in what Nigeria called a "joint" operation on targets linked to the Islamic State group. "This delivery supports Nigeria's ongoing operations and emphasizes our shared security partnership," US Africa Command said on X, without giving details. The December bombardments marked a turnaround after ties plummeted late last year when Trump said violence in Nigeria amounted to the "persecution" and "genocide" of Christians. The Nigerian government and independent analysts reject that framing, long used by the US and European religious right. Africa's most populous country, roughly split between a mostly Muslim north and mostly Christian south, faces myriad and sometimes overlapping armed conflicts, including a jihadist insurgency raging since 2009. Separatists in the southeast, who have long maintained a lobbying presence in Washington, have also used the "Christian genocide" narrative. - Lobbying effort - According to new disclosure forms filed with the US Department of Justice, viewed by AFP on Tuesday, Abuja has also entered into the lobbying fray. Security chief Nuhu Ribadu hired US lobbying firm DCI Group in mid-December to help Abuja communicate "its actions to protect... Christian communities and (maintain) US support in countering west African jihadist groups and other destabilising elements". Days before the US strikes, Nigeria's information minister said the "spat" with Washington had been resolved, "culminating in a strengthened partnership between America and Nigeria". Last week, a Nigerian source familiar with the post-strike security arrangement told AFP the Nigerian air force would take the lead in future strikes, with the United States supplying intelligence from reconnaissance flights. Abuja remains open to future US strikes, the source said. While the strikes marked an improvement from Trump's earlier threats of unilateral military intervention, they caused headaches in Abuja when the US leader took complete credit for them. Adding to the uncertainty around Nigeria-US relations, Trump recently told The New York Times: "I'd love to make it a one-time strike. But if they continue to kill Christians it will be a many-time strike." Nigeria remains labelled a "country of particular concern", a State Department designation over alleged religious freedom violations. The Nigerian government said the strikes targeted Islamic State group fighters, members of the Lakurawa jihadist group and "bandit" gangs, though it is unknown how many were killed, and from which groups. However, local and international journalists have only been able to confirm damage to farmland and civilian buildings as well as injuries among civilians. fvl/nro/sn/ach/cc She told him: Even though you were not aiming at her, you put Pc Forsyths life in danger. This was obviously dangerous and criminally stupid You had a sense of grievance against police to do with another individual. MADRID, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Spanish police reported on Monday that they had seized massive amounts of cocaine from a cargo vessel intercepted on the high seas, marking the largest maritime drug haul ever made by Spain. Police officers discovered nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine concealed beneath a shipment of salt aboard a foreign-flagged ship around 530 kilometers west of the Canary Islands, said Spain's National Police report. A firearm was also found on board. Thirteen crew members were arrested during the operation. Investigators said the vessel had departed from Turkiye and loaded the drugs in Brazil before heading toward Spain, with the southern port of Huelva believed to be its intended destination. Spanish authorities said the operation involved law enforcement agencies from several countries, highlighting the scale and complexity of transnational drug trafficking networks operating across the Atlantic. According to the judge, Dimov claimed one of the women wordlessly asked to have oral sex performed on them, which he did over fears she might make a false claim of rape against him. The judge said: If your account was true, if you are as professional as you claimed to be, then all you had to say was, No, I dont do things like that. Residents have come together in a campaign group to oppose the proposed tower as they say it is too tall and out of character with the neighbourhood, which borders a conservation area. They say it would also loom over a community garden and the Hogsmill River, which is fragile and in need of protection, while they say construction would cause disruption. The stance by the central bankers, who normally stay well clear of the political fray, is another sign of the chaos being caused by Trumps presidential approach and comes after the turmoil created by his wave of tariffs. Former UK ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, expressed confidence that Mr Trump would not use military force against a Nato ally. President Trump is not going to land on Greenland, take Greenland by force, he told the BBC. Hes not a fool. Whats going to happen is theres going to be a lot of discussion, a lot of consultation, a lot of negotiation and at the end of the day, we are all going to have to wake up to the reality that the Arctic needs securing against China and Russia. 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 Packham said: The great joy of our live programmes is that theres always something new and you dont know what its going to be, and thats part of what keeps us coming back to it. One-China principle is political foundation of China-Africa relations: foreign ministry Xinhua) 08:41, January 13, 2026 BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm governing international relations, as well as the political foundation of China-Africa relations, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday. Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on the remarks by the Taiwan authorities about the one-China principle as stated in the joint press release of the 9th China-African Union (AU) Strategic Dialogue. She said that the joint press release fully and accurately reflects the consistent, unambiguous position held by the African side regarding the Taiwan question. She quoted AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as saying in a recent interview that "we will be on board with China on the issue of one-China principle forever." The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024 adopted the Beijing Declaration, Mao noted. Participating African countries and the AU Commission reaffirmed their firm support for the one-China principle, stressing that there is only 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 of China, and backed China's efforts to achieve national reunification, Mao added. "We urge the Taiwan authorities to face up to reality and stop their self-humiliating and shoddy political stunt," Mao said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) This photo taken on Jan. 13, 2026 shows a breakfast meeting co-hosted by the Hungarian Ministry of Justice and the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Hungary in Budapest, Hungary, on Jan. 13, 2026. Hungarian Minister of Justice Bence Tuzson on Tuesday praised the contributions of Chinese enterprises to Hungary's economic and social development. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua) BUDAPEST, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian Minister of Justice Bence Tuzson on Tuesday praised the contributions of Chinese enterprises to Hungary's economic and social development. Speaking at a breakfast meeting co-hosted here by the Hungarian Ministry of Justice and the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Hungary, Tuzson said the Hungarian government is promoting the development of digital rule of law and is committed to improving judicial facilitation to effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses operating in the country. The minister also answered questions from enterprise representatives regarding the legal systems of the European Union and Hungary. Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao said at the meeting that economic and trade cooperation between the two nations has yielded fruitful results, noting that cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as digital economy and artificial intelligence continues to deepen, while judicial exchanges have grown increasingly close. The ambassador expressed the hope that the Hungarian side will continue to foster a fair and transparent legal environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Hungary, and to promote bilateral pragmatic cooperation at a high level. Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao (3rd L) sepaks during a breakfast meeting in Budapest, Hungary, on Jan. 13, 2026. Hungarian Minister of Justice Bence Tuzson on Tuesday praised the contributions of Chinese enterprises to Hungary's economic and social development. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua) Hungarian Minister of Justice Bence Tuzson (2nd R) speaks during a breakfast meeting in Budapest, Hungary, on Jan. 13, 2026. Hungarian Minister of Justice Bence Tuzson on Tuesday praised the contributions of Chinese enterprises to Hungary's economic and social development. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks Monday in Fort Worth, the first stop on the Texas leg of his Arsenal of Freedom tour. Later in Starbase, he said the Pentagon was adding Elon Musks artificial intelligence tool Grok into Pentagon networks. Amanda McCoy/Fort Worth Star-Telegram Elon Musks embattled artificial intelligence chatbot Grok is getting support from the Pentagon. The chatbot embedded into X, the social media network owned by the Texas billionaire, drew global outcry earlier this month for generating highly sexualized images of minors and adults without their consent. And this week, Democrats in the Texas House called for Attorney General Ken Paxton to take on Musk over the issue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Call to investigate The ask: More than 40 Texas House Democrats want Attorney General Ken Paxton to investigate Elon Musks AI chatbot Grok over the creation of sexualized images. The stakes: The request puts Paxton, now running for the Senate, between his tough-on-tech, child-protection record and a powerful conservative donor. The hook: Lawmakers cite Texas new AI law and Paxtons past billion-dollar tech settlements as evidence he has the authority to act. But in a speech Monday evening in Starbase, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Grok will join Googles generative AI engine in operating inside the Pentagon network as it pushes to get all its data into the developing technology. Very soon we will have the worlds leading AI models on every unclassified and classified network throughout our department, he said at Musks SpaceX headquarters in South 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 That stirred new global concern about the chatbot, but Texas Democrats were already seeking action at home. Led by Rep. Mihaela Plesa of Dallas, more than 40 Democrats this week demanded an inquiry into the allegations that X is being used to churn out explicit, sexualized images. Their move sets up a politically charged test for Paxton, potentially pitting the Republican against a powerful conservative figure, key national GOP donor and major presence in Texas. Paxton is campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. John Cornyn. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Paxtons office could not be reached for comment. But he has long emphasized a tough stance on child exploitation and big tech, including lawsuits against major technology companies. Plesa said she became concerned with Musks chatbot tool after encountering a sexualized image of Renee Good, the Minnesota woman fatally shot last week by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. I was horrified when I saw what I saw on X, and Im sure that parents are horrified to see this, too, she told Hearst Newspapers, adding that her searches had found other inappropriate imagery. Musk has at times appeared to delight in use of the tool, recently asking it to create an image of himself in a bikini. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Amid last weeks uproar, Musk said accounts trying to use Grok to create images of undressed children would suffer consequences. The company also said in a statement on X that it would remove illegal content depicting children and permanently suspend accounts that asked Grok to make such images. On Thursday, it said it would restrict use of the platforms image generation and editing features to paying subscribers. As of Tuesday, though, they were still available to free users. Plesa said Xs assurances fall short. We are asking the attorney general to focus on our kids, on women in the state who have experienced this and have become victims of this, she said. We are asking for clear pathways as to if you are a victim, how to resolve this, how to get legal action, how to get these images removed from the internet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her call for an investigation adds Texas lawmakers to a growing list of officials across the U.S. and the globe seeking government scrutiny of X. Several Democratic U.S. senators have called for a review of Grok, and the European Union ordered X to retain documents related to the AI chatbot. On Tuesday, Malaysian authorities said they would take legal action against X, accusing it of failing to ensure user safety. The U.K.s media regulator said Monday it launched an investigation into whether X violated its duty to protect people from illegal content. On Saturday, Indonesia blocked access to Grok. Officials in France said they were widening an existing investigation. The Indian government accused Grok of gross misuse of AI and serious failures of its safeguards and enforcement. Last year in Texas, the Legislature passed the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, making it illegal to design an AI tool solely for the creation of child pornography and deepfake videos. The law took effect Jan. 1. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Under that law, Paxton has the authority to ask X to shut down until we figure out whats going on, Plesa said. President Donald Trump said he could begin sending $2,000 stimulus checks to Americans toward the end of the year using revenue from tariffs, according to an interview with The New York Times. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images President Donald Trump recently claimed that those $2,000 stimulus checks could be sent to Americans toward the end of the year using revenue from tariffs, stating he would not need congressional approval to do so, according to an interview with The New York Times. Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly said he wants to pay out $2,000 stimulus checks, though the idea has not been formally proposed to Congress. During a Cabinet meeting last month, Trump outlined additional ideas for distributing some of that revenue as payments to Americans beginning in 2026. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Next year is projected to be the largest tax refund season ever, and we're going to be giving back refunds out of the tariffs, as we have taken in literally trillions of dollars," Trump said in 2025. "We're going to be giving a nice dividend to the people in addition to reducing debt." On Dec. 18, Trump addressed the nation and announced plans to send one-time payments of $1,776 to U.S. military service members, which he referred to as a warrior dividend. The Defense Department funded those payments, according to the Pentagon, and they were sent to about 1.45 million service members before Christmas. However, for Americans to receive any new stimulus payment, a formal legislative process would have to take place and there is no guarantee Congress would approve such checks. What needs to happen for Americans to get another stimulus check? Despite Trump's claim, any form of stimulus payment issued by the U.S. government must be approved by Congress. 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 On Dec. 21, during an interview with CBS News' "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said stimulus checks remain a possibility for 2026. "The deficit relative to last year is down by $600 billion and so, in the summer, I wasn't so sure that there was space for a check like that. But now I'm pretty sure that there is, and so, I would expect that in the new year, the president will bring forth a proposal to Congress to make that happen," said Hassett. Hassett added that tariff revenue would be only one potential funding source, noting that Congress ultimately decides how federal revenue including taxes and tariffs is spent through the appropriations process, according to remarks reported by USA TODAY. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Is there a stimulus check coming in January? There has been no official announcement or legislative action indicating that a stimulus check will be issued in January. Plans for tariff-funded checks could also be derailed if the Supreme Court strikes down some of Trumps tariffs. During Nov. 5 oral arguments, justices raised questions about the scope of the presidents authority to impose certain tariffs. Lawmakers have also introduced the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025, proposed by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, which would distribute tariff rebate checks funded by tariff revenue of at least $600 per person, up to $2,400 for a family of four. The bill has not advanced in Congress. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What happened to those $5,000 DOGE checks? Last year, Trump said he weighed a proposal to send taxpayers a $5,000 check, funded by savings from the Department of Government Efficiency and framed as a dividend. Theres even a under consideration, a new concept where we give 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% goes to paying down debt, Trump said at the FII Priority Summit in Miami in 2025. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Actors Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson leave the field after leading Austin FC fans in the heartbeat of Austin chant ahead of the Austin FC MLS playoff match against LAFC at Q2 Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Austins Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey has set off a wave of speculation about a potential True Detective reunion after posting a photo on Instagram with co-star Woody Harrelson and series creator Nic Pizzolatto. The first season of HBOs True Detective, released in January 2014, starred McConaughey as philosophical, hard-drinking detective Rust Cohle, alongside Harrelsons Marty Hart. It remains one of the most celebrated performances in recent TV history. While later seasons of the anthology received mixed reviews, the original eight episodes continue to be held in high regard by fans and critics alike. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cohle and Hart reunion in the works? Instagram thinks so. McConaugheys Instagram post appearing alongside Harrelson and Pizzolatto quickly sparked rumors of a potential return for the duo. Pizzolatto himself weighed in on the post, commenting, Oh man, you gotta know the rumors you just started. The series creator previously hinted at a new story involving Cohle and Hart during a May 2025 appearance on the "Nothing Left Unsaid" podcast. I actually have another story for Cohle and Hart that who knows? maybe well do it one day, Pizzolatto said. Its character-based again. Weve talked about getting back together and doing it, and I think the guys are open to it. Its just a question of whether that would ever happen or not. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While no official confirmation of a reunion has been made, McConaughey is in talks to play the iconic detective Mike Hammer in an upcoming film adaptation, marking a return to the screen after six years focused on writing projects, including his memoir Greenlights. Woody Harrelson, left, and Matthew McConaughey film a scene for their upcoming Apple TV+ comedy series Brothers. The scene showed the two stars, who wore matching blue cowboy suits, riding in a Ford F-150 and being pulled over by Austin police officers on West Riverside Drive. The show's premise centers on the bond between McConaughey and Harrelson as they navigate life on McConaughey's Texas ranch. Jay Janner/American-Statesman Fans have recently spotted McConaughey and Harrelson filming in Austin for the Apple TV+ comedy series Brothers, in which the duo plays friends navigating life on a Texas ranch. The sighting featuring the actors in matching blue cowboy suits pulled over by Austin police has only fueled excitement about potential collaborations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cindy Smock is led away to a police car after preaching about religion, criticizing students and talking about politics to a group of students Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. SOPA Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett Sister Cindy has not yet arrived at the University of Texas at Austin, but she has already preceded herself. The evangelical street preacher, who is scheduled to appear on campus March 11, has become a familiar figure on college campuses nationwide, not through official notices but through Reddit posts and TikTok clips passed from student to student, usually accompanied by some version of the same question: Who is she, and why does she keep coming to college campuses? Advertisement Article continues below this ad The preacher who went viral: Who is Sister Cindy? Sister Cindy, whose real name is Cindy Smock, is a 66-year-old evangelical Christian street preacher from Indiana who has spent more than five decades traveling to universities to deliver sermons about abstinence, modesty and what she calls simple living. For much of that time, she preached alongside her husband, Brother Jed Smock, who died in 2022. She continues the campus tours alone. What has changed is not the message, but the audience and the platform. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2021, videos of Smocks campus appearances began circulating widely on TikTok, filmed mostly by students who initially found her delivery shocking and funny. Rather than resist the attention, Smock embraced it. She launched her own account, adopted Gen Z slang and leaned into her now-famous catchphrase, Ho No Mo, a slogan promoting chastity that has since become a meme and a merchandise brand. George Edward Smock, aka Brother Jed, is led away to a police car after preaching about religion, criticizing students, and talking about politics to a group of students Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. SOPA Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett Today, Smock has over 400,000 TikTok followers and a hashtag that has accumulated hundreds of millions of views. She sells branded apparel, records paid personalized videos and hosts online Bible studies. Her campus appearances now draw crowds that range from the curious to the openly amused. Advertisement Article continues below this ad @sistercindyforreal Ho No Mo Tour Spring 2026 1/2021 U of Central Florida 1/22 U of S Florida 1/2728 Florida Atlantic U 1/29 Florida International U 2/3 Florida State U 2/45 U of Florida 2/11 Georgia S U 2/12 U of S Carolina 2/17 U of N Florida 2/18 Flagler College 2/19 Stetson U 3/3 U of Houston 3/4 Sam Houston State U 3/5 Texas A&M U 3/10 Texas State U 3/11 U of Texas Austin 3/12 U of Texas Dallas 3/1618 Louisiana State U 3/23 Mississippi State U 3/24 Ole Miss 4/1428 California Campuses original sound - Sister Cindy Sister Cindy frequently condemns premarital sex, pornography and what she sees as moral decline on college campuses. She has also made statements targeting the LGBTQ+ community, including assertions that being gay leads to hell remarks that many students and advocacy groups describe as hateful. Even so, students often linger. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Public universities, including UT Austin, are generally limited in how they can respond. As publicly accessible spaces, campuses are required to allow a wide range of viewpoints, even those that many find offensive. Administrators often emphasize counter-speech protest, debate or simply walking away rather than bans. Amber Hagerman was abducted on Jan. 13, 1996. Her body was found four days later in a nearby creek. The murder is still unsolved. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Tuesday marks 30 years since Texas 9-year-old Amber Hagerman disappeared while riding her bicycle in Arlington a crime that not only devastated her family and community, but ultimately changed how missing children are searched for across the country. Hagerman was found dead four days after her disappearance in January 1996. Her murder remains unsolved. In the aftermath of her case, however, the AMBER Alert system was created, giving law enforcement a powerful tool to quickly notify the public when a child is believed to have been abducted. Jan. 13 is now recognized as National AMBER Alert Day. As of December 2025, 1,292 missing children have been safely recovered as a direct result of AMBER Alerts issued nationwide. As of December 2025, 1,292 missing children were recovered due to an AMBER Alert. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Heres what is known about Hagerman's case, how the alert system was created in her name and where the search for missing children continues today in Texas. What happened to Amber Hagerman? According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Hagerman was abducted just eight minutes after leaving her home with her brother on the afternoon of Jan. 13, 1996. A man described as either white or Hispanic and estimated to be in his 20s or 30s grabbed the 9-year-old off her bike in the parking lot of an abandoned Winn-Dixie. Police believe the man kept Hagerman alive for at least two days before killing her and dumping her body in a creek behind an apartment complex. A man who lived by the Winn-Dixie witnessed the abduction, according to NCMEC. He told investigators he saw and heard Hagerman kicking and screaming as the man put her in his black single-cab pickup truck. He described the man as less than six feet tall with brown or black hair and a medium build. 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 Police later recovered Hagerman's bicycle from the parking lot. A man walking his dog found her body four days after her abduction. How was the AMBER Alert System created? According to NCMEC, after hearing Hagerman's story on the news, Arlington resident Diane Simone called a Dallas-Fort Worth radio station with the idea to create alerts for abducted children, similar to weather alerts. From that idea, the AMBER (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert System bloomed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The program began in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and was expanded statewide in 2002 by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Now, the program is used nationwide as well as in 27 other countries. Are there still active AMBER Alerts in Texas? As of this week, eight AMBER Alert cases remain active in Texas, according to NCMEC. Alexis Ortiz, a sales representative with THC Supply Co., shows cannabis flower to a customer at CHAMPS Trade Show at the Palmer Events Center Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. A new proposal could raise licensing fees and effectively ban smokable cannabis products. The Austin American-Statesman/He/The Austin American-Statesman vi A set of new rules proposed by the Texas Department of State Health Services could price out the hemp business by significantly raising licensing fees. Texas health regulators have proposed hiking licensing and registration fees for some hemp businesses by more than 10,000%, according to agency documents. In addition to the higher license fees, DSHS' draft rules include child-resistant packaging, stronger warning labels, expanded testing, and recall procedures. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to DSHS' proposed state Hemp Rules, manufacturer licenses would increase from $250 to $25,000 per facility per year and retail registrations from $150 to $20,000 per location annually. This represents an increase of more than 13,000% for some classes of business, the Texas Tribune reports. State health records show more than 9,100 retail locations in Texas are registered to sell consumable hemp products. An emergency rule adopted in September already barred sales to anyone under 21 and requires proof of valid government-issued ID at the point of sale. Industry members argue that the proposed THC testing requirements for consumable hemp products would effectively bar the use of hemp flower in products such as edibles and smokables because the plant naturally contains THC levels above the new threshold. They say removing hemp flower from the supply chain would instead open the door for greater use of synthetically derived THC, such as delta-9. 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 Houston Public Media, during a public hearing on Jan. 9, DSHS commissioners heard testimony from dozens of small hemp business owners, cannabis users and advocates. While many said they backed tighter packaging requirements and age restrictions, they opposed what they described as a de facto ban on smokable products and steep hikes in licensing and registration fees. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "These proposed fees dont regulate small businesses, they eliminate them, Estella Castro, owner of Austinite Cannabis Co., told commissioners. This proposal would force me to close, despite doing everything right. Other speakers urged tighter regulation, citing public health concerns. Christine Scruggs warned commissioners that cannabis-induced psychosis is becoming increasingly common, calling it a silent epidemic. Is recreational marijuana legal in Texas? No. Under state and federal law, recreational marijuana remains illegal. Possession penalties vary by amount. Under the Texas Health and Safety Code, possession of up to two ounces or less is a Class B misdemeanor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What is hemp? The Texas Agriculture Code defines "hemp" as "the plant Cannabis sativa L." containing a delta9 THC concentration of less than 0.3% on a dryweight basis. When does the Texas hemp ban take effect? State health officials crafted the proposed regulations in response to a Sept. 10 executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott that instructed agencies to develop new rules for what Texas labels consumable hemp products. Officials may still modify the proposal based on public input, and the rules could take effect as early as Jan. 25, though the department could also delay or roll out enforcement in stages. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The proposed rules would not apply to the states medical marijuana program, which was expanded in 2025 to increase the number of licensed dispensaries statewide from three to 15. Whats the difference between THC and CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD) is a nonpsychoactive compound derived from cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the compound that causes intoxication or a high. What is Delta-8 vs Delta-9? Delta-9 is a type of cannabis. It gets its name from the fact that it has 9 THC molecules. Delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC come from the cannabis sativa plant. Unlike CBD, delta-9 THC is psychoactive, which means it can make you feel high or intoxicated. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Delta-8 carries a low amount of hemp (0.3%) and, therefore, is permitted under Chapter 443 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. According to the FDA, delta-8 has psychoactive and intoxicating effects; however, it is generally less potent than delta-9. Delta-8 was considered a scheduled controlled substance, but a temporary injunction filed in Travis County has removed the status. Is medical marijuana legal in Texas? Yes but only in limited form. The CompassionateUse Program, created in 2015, allows lowTHC cannabis for patients with intractable epilepsy. It was expanded in 2021 and again in 2025 to include chronic pain, hospice care and terminal illness, among other conditions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Qualifying conditions under the current law include: A protesters stands amidst pepper balls after State Troopers deployed them to disperse a protest outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building while listening to speakers during a protest in downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman After largely peaceful protests swept across Austin last week, police arrested four people on obstruction charges after a downtown demonstration escalated Saturday evening, according to authorities. Earlier in the day, several hundred people gathered outside Austin City Hall to protest the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, a case that has sparked demonstrations nationwide. Organizers announced plans to continue biweekly demonstrations at 11 a.m. every two weeks. The Austin Police Department said in a statement that it worked closely and successfully with various protest organizers to help keep demonstrations peaceful. Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, at the End ICE Terror demonstration Saturday night, officers arrested five people: Eden Scheible, 21; Victoria De Varona, 25; Vladimir Herrera, 25; David Torres, 23; and Esau Gutierrez, 33. The protest escalated after demonstrators moved into downtown streets, initially blocking East Eighth Street outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building. Protesters march down Sixth Street, shutting down traffic, Jan. 10, 2026 during a protest to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters burn an American flag in front of the J.J. Pickle Federal Building before marching through the streets of downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A protesters eyes water from pepper spray and tear gas after State Troopers deployed gas to disperse a protest outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building while listening to speakers during a protest in downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A protester stand amidst pepper balls after State Troopers deployed them to disperse a protest outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building while listening to speakers during a protest in downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters meet with the Austin Police Department at the intersection of 10th and Red River Streets after shutting down traffic, Jan. 10, 2026 during a protest to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Joycelyn Henderson leads chants on the bullhorn during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters join in chants during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman U.S. Representative Greg Casar prepares to speak to a large crowd gathered during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A protester walks passed a sign during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters burn a flag with the seal of the Department of Justice outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building during a protest in downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters march up San Jacinto Street, stopping traffic, as they leave the J.J. Pickle Building on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 during a protest to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A protesters stands amidst pepper balls after State Troopers deployed them to disperse a protest outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building while listening to speakers during a protest in downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters link arms outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building while listening to speakers during a protest in downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7.] Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters hold signs and listen to speakers during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A crowd of hundreds lines the sidewalk and holds signs to passing traffic during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Jennifer DeLeon recites a prayer during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters hold signs up to passing traffic on both sides of Cesar Chavez Street during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Susan VanHaitsma holds a sign to passing cars during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Joycelyn Henderson leads chants on the bullhorn during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A protester blows a whistle during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A crowd begins to build as a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) kicks off, Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A crowd of hundreds lines the sidewalk and holds signs to passing traffic during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A protester holds a sign with a quote from George Orwells 1984 during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Philosophy professor Bryan Register speaks to a gathered crowd during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Greg Pierce holds a sign to passing traffic as protesters gather near the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Brian Miller, from the Offhand Brass Band, leads a chant with the crowd as the band plays during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Jennifer DeLeon holds rosary beads as she recites a prayer during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters hold signs up to passing traffic on both sides of Cesar Chavez Street during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A protester pulls up their mask while leading chants outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building while listening to speakers during a protest in downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman State Troopers gather at the J.J. Pickle Federal Building in downtown Austin as protesters gather in front of the building on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters gather in front of the J.J. Pickle Federal Building before marching through the streets of downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman U.S. Representative Greg Casar speaks to a large crowd gathered during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters join in chants during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Joycelyn Henderson leads chants on the bullhorn during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters join in chants during a rally at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A crowd of hundreds lines the sidewalk and holds signs to passing traffic during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman A protester cheers as cars honk during a rally held at intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Traffic passes through the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard as all four corners are lined with protesters against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman A woman holds a sign memorializing Renee Good as activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Good, a Minneapolis woman and U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Monica Castillo flies a Mexican flag as rush hour traffic passed by protesters gathered at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A crowd of hundreds lines the sidewalk and holds signs to passing traffic during a rally at Austin City Hall to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 10, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Anza Aleman-Goldstein, 6, holds a sign to passing cars from atop a parents shoulders at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Anna LaVallee leads chants as protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters bang on the walls of an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Adileta Rostami waves an American flag to passing rush-hour traffic as protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters fly Mexican flags out of their car as they arrive to a rally at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Anna LaVallee leads chants as protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Jose Zarzoza carries a Palestinian Flag as activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Jon Siebels leads a chant as activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman A protester holds up a sign to passing cars during a rally held at intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Forrest Novy holds up a sign to passing cars at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Anna LaVallee leads chants as protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Samuel G holds an upside down American Flag as he protests outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street andNorth Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman A protester kicks at the wall of an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman A protester spray paints a security camera outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Protesters spray paint outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Tycho Weidmann holds a sign as protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman John Joyner holds a sign to passing traffic as protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A Mexican flag flies as protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Andrew Dybevik chants with the crowd as protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Anna LaVallee leads chants as protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Adileta Rostami waves an American flag to passing rush-hour traffic as protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters gather at the intersection of 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters holds up the signs of facism to passing traffic at the intersection of 45th Street and Burnet Road to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Jan. 8, 2026 in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of a Minneapolis woman, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters that would not give their names hold anti-ICE signs at a protest at the south gates of the Texas Capitol on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. About one hundred demonstrators gathered to protest ICE operations and decry the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Kaleb Aziz, right, and Arion Moore, left, hod signs at a protest at the south gates of the Texas Capitol on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. About one hundred demonstrators gathered to protest ICE operations and decry the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman A protester holds up an anti-ICE sign at a protest at the south gates of the Texas Capitol on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. About one hundred demonstrators gathered to protest ICE operations and decry the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Arion Moore holds an anti-ICE sign at a protest at the south gates of the Texas Capitol on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. About one hundred demonstrators gathered to protest ICE operations and decry the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Moore said he was out to protest, "The murder of Renee and how quickly Trump tried to frame it as self-defense." He added, "If that's what they're willing to do to a white person in broad daylight, then imagine what's going on in those detention centers." Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Protesters gather at the south gates of the Texas Capitol on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. About one hundred demonstrators gathered to protest ICE operations and decry the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman A protester that would not giver her name holds up an anti-ICE sign at a protest at the south gates of the Texas Capitol on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. About one hundred demonstrators gathered to protest ICE operations and decry the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Rad Decker holds up a photo.of Renee Good at a protest at the south gates of the Texas Capitol on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. About one hundred demonstrators gathered to protest ICE operations and decry the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Protesters gather in front of the J.J. Pickle Federal Building before marching through the streets of downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters march up San Jacinto Street, stopping traffic, as they leave the J.J. Pickle Building on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 during a protest to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters link arms outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building while listening to speakers during a protest in downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters burn an American flag in front of the J.J. Pickle Federal Building before marching through the streets of downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters meet with the Austin Police Department at the intersection of 10th and Red River Streets after shutting down traffic, Jan. 10, 2026 during a protest to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters march down Sixth Street, shutting down traffic, Jan. 10, 2026 during a protest to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters march down Sixth Street, shutting down traffic, Jan. 10, 2026 during a protest to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters march up San Jacinto, back toward the J.J. Picle Building after shutting down traffic on Sixth Street, Jan. 10, 2026 during a protest to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Protesters give speeches outside the J.J. Pickle Federal Building during a protest in downtown Austin on Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2026 to decry Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by ICE agents on January 7. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman The Texas Department of Public Safety warned the crowd to clear the roadway as demonstrators marched through downtown and shut down traffic on Sixth Street. Police also said they used "pepperballs," or pepper powder projectiles that shatter on impact, to disperse protestors. A chemical irritant caused the crowd to scatter around 7:55 p.m., the American-Statesman reported. The actions of the protesters escalated throughout the evening as they obstructed the roadways and placed drivers and bystanders in dangerous positions, APD said in a statement. Prior to making any arrests, officers gave numerous dispersal orders and other opportunities for those in attendance to be in compliance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Scheible, Varona, Herrera and Gutierrez were all arrested for obstructing a highway, according to police, while Torres was taken into custody for interference with duties of a police officer. A woman holds a sign memorializing Renee Good as activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Good, a Minneapolis woman and U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Editor's note: A previous version of this story said protesters marched in the streets at an earlier demonstration Saturday. The story has been updated to clarify that the earlier demonstration did not involve a march. Shirley Malca, a parent of a Perez Elementary School student, cuts the ribbon during a grand opening ceremony for a new food pantry at the school Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, joined by parents and representatives from Austin ISD, Austin Voices for Education & Youth and the Central Texas Food Bank. The food bank is expanding its Feeding Futures School Pantry program to six additional Austin ISD campuses serving communities with high economic need and large numbers of families who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman The new food pantry at Perez Elementary School on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. The food bank is expanding its Feeding Futures School Pantry program to six additional Austin ISD campuses serving communities with high economic need and large numbers of families who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Blanca Herrera, a social worker with Austin Voices for Education & Youth, looks at items in the new food pantry at Perez Elementary School after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. The food bank is expanding its Feeding Futures School Pantry program to six additional Austin ISD campuses serving communities with high economic need and large numbers of families who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Produce is available at the new food pantry at Perez Elementary School on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. The food bank is expanding its Feeding Futures School Pantry program to six additional Austin ISD campuses serving communities with high economic need and large numbers of families who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Canned goods are available at the new food pantry at Perez Elementary School on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. The food bank is expanding its Feeding Futures School Pantry program to six additional Austin ISD campuses serving communities with high economic need and large numbers of families who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Anurita Mittra, vice president of network programs and services for the Central Texas Food Bank, speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new food pantry at Perez Elementary School in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. The food bank is expanding its Feeding Futures School Pantry program to six additional Austin ISD campuses serving communities with high economic need and large numbers of families who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Baked items are available at the new food pantry at Perez Elementary School on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. The food bank is expanding its Feeding Futures School Pantry program to six additional Austin ISD campuses serving communities with high economic need and large numbers of families who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Shelves piled with squash, baked goods and bags of rice filled a portable building alongside Perez Elementary School on Tuesday morning as staff from the Central Texas Food Bank and Austin Independent School District celebrated the opening of a campus food pantry. The food pantry at Perez is one of six new locations that opened this year in Austin ISD as part of the Central Texas Food Banks Feeding Futures School Pantry program. Food pantries also opened this year at Jordan, Cook, Ortega, Padron and Walnut Creek elementary schools. Including the newly opened locations, the food bank supports 15 on-campus food pantries in its 21-county service area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If a kiddo brings hunger into the classroom, the teacher sees it. No learning is happening on an empty belly, said Anurita Mittra, vice president of network programs and services at the Central Texas Food Bank. With rising food costs, the pantry has already been an in-demand resource for families at Perez, said Gabriela Salguero, a school office staff member and mother of a Perez third grader. Though the pantry officially opened Tuesday, it started serving families before winter break. On its first day, a line wrapped around the front of the pantry. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Some days, you need more. Other days, you take what you need, Salguero said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The need for resources like the on-campus food pantry are increasing, Mittra said. Last year, one in five children experienced food insecurity in Travis County. This year, its one in four, she said. About 18% of Travis County residents experience food insecurity, including more than 61,000 children, according to the food bank. The on-campus location for the pantry makes it easier on parents with a busy schedule to get the food they need without traveling to a separate location or waiting in a long line, she said. Its easy to drop off your kid, pick up your kid, come to a parent-teacher meeting, Mittra said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Inside, the portable is set up like a mini-grocery store with shelves of canned and dry goods, produce and a refrigerated section of meats and dairy. The pantry has been a dream for many of the school staff who work with families because of the options it provides for them, said Eric Salinas, the coordinator of the Family Resource Center at Perez. It represents a sense of choice and dignity, Salinas said of the grocery store-style layout. They didnt have to wait in line for just the bag of food. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown, left, listens to oral arguments in a school finance case at the state Supreme Court, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, in Austin, Texas. Eric Gay/AP The Texas Supreme Court has formally moved to end the American Bar Associations oversight of law school accreditation for determining bar eligibility in the state. In a Jan. 6 order, the all-Republican court finalized rule changes first floated in September, asserting that the ABA should no longer have the final say on whether law school graduates are eligible to practice law in Texas, according to court records. Under the new rules, the court is reclaiming the authority to determine who can sit for the bar exam, which it previously delegated to the ABA in 1983, shifting approval power for law schools back to the states highest civil court. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In its final order, the Texas Supreme Court said it intends to provide stability, certainty and flexibility by guaranteeing ongoing approval to currently recognized schools that meet simple, objective and ideologically neutral criteria, including standards related to bar passage rates and transparency. How will the ruling affect lawyers and students? A former Bastrop federal corrections officer has pleaded guilty to bribery in connection to receiving $300 to smuggle cigarettes to an inmate, officials said. American-Statesman While graduates who want to practice in Texas are no longer required to attend an ABA-accredited school like in most states, the court said it intends to preserve the ability of Texas graduates to practice in other states and for out-of-state graduates to practice in Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The justices said they do not anticipate immediate changes to the current list of approved law schools. The court also said a loss of ABA accreditation, by itself, wont automatically knock a school off Texas approved list, and it said currently approved schools wont have to take extra steps to remain eligible. Why the Texas Supreme Court took on the ABA Texas Supreme Court Justices Jeff Boyd, Jimmy Blacklock and Jane Bland hear oral arguments for Zurawski v. State of Texas Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. The plaintiffs, 20 women who were denied abortions despite severe pregnancy complications and two OB-GYNs suing on behalf of their patients, are demanding that the state clarify medical exceptions to its near-total abortion ban. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman The court first raised the issue in April 2025, sought public comment again in September on proposed rule changes, and finalized the amendments this month after making no revisions following the Dec. 1 deadline. 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 Notably, the court has never publicly explained why it initiated the review, though observers have pointed to broader political and legal currents surrounding the ABA. Texas acted after Floridas Supreme Court launched a similar review, with Florida justices pointing to the ABAs diversity standards and what they called the groups political activity. Ohio and Tennessee have also launched similar reviews. The shift also unfolded amid escalating tensions between the ABA and the Trump administration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad President Donald Trump earlier this year issued an executive order stripping the ABA of millions of dollars in federal funding tied to USAID and State Department contracts. The ABA sued, alleging the administration violated federal law. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi later sent a letter accusing the organizations diversity standards of conflicting with the U.S. Supreme Courts 2023 decision ending affirmative action in college admissions and threatening to revoke its authority to accredit law schools. Debate grows over future of legal education in Texas Supporters of the change argue ABA oversight has helped make legal education prohibitively expensive and contributed to a nationwide shortage of lawyers, particularly in rural and low-income communities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The University of Texas at Austin School of Law on Wednesday November 30, 2022. Jay Janner / American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman Deans from eight of the states 10 ABA-accredited schools warned in a July letter that abandoning the accreditation system could increase barriers for prospective lawyers. The University of Texas School of Law dean did not sign the letter, instead telling the court it should examine alternatives to the ABA. NEW YORK, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- About 15,000 nurses went on strike in New York City on Monday after their union and hospitals failed to reach a breakthrough in contract negotiations, marking the largest nursing strike in the city's history. Large groups of nurses in red knitted hats gathered outside Mount Sinai Hospital and New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, chanting slogans and carrying signs that read "Nurses Deserve Good," "Stop Silencing Nurses," "Fair Contract," and "Safe Nurses, Safe Patients." The New York State Nurses Association said nurses from five major 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." "Hospital management refuses to address our most important issues -- patient and nurse safety," Nancy Hagans, head of the association, said in a statement Monday. The union said that nurses are under pressure of unbearable workloads, demanding better security measures in the workplace, as well as limitations on the use of artificial intelligence in hospitals. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined protesters outside a Manhattan hospital to show support for the striking nurses. He urged both sides to keep negotiating and reach a deal that "both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open." "Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable," he said. 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 hospitals involved have hired temporary nurses in an attempt to fill the labor gap during the walkout, and said in a statement during negotiations that they would "do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions." Montefiore Einstein Hospital, one of the involved hospitals in Bronx, said in a message that it was preparing for the strike to last several weeks, assuring patients that appointments would be kept. T1 Energy has Americanized this solar factory in Wilmer, near Dallas, which it acquired from a Chinese firm. And last month, T1 Energy began construction on a new solar cell fabrication plant just outside Austin, adding to the efforts to build an America-first solar supply chain. T1 Energy In Texas, we pride ourselves on being builders of the American economy. We build more, build bigger and build faster than almost every other state. Affordable energy is foundational to that advantage. That track record of innovation and know-how is why Texas should take the lead in reviving an American-made solar industry one that further disentangles us from China. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas is widely known as an oil and gas powerhouse. But we are far more than that. Today, Texas is the second-largest producer of solar power in the nation, and growth is accelerating rapidly. Solar now accounts for nearly 10% of our states electricity generation. The success Texas has seen in building solar power facilities is a source of pride. But it is not nearly enough to compete with China across the full supply chain. The real vulnerability lies upstream. The global solar supply chain remains dominated by China from polysilicon to wafers to the technical expertise required to assemble final modules. For an industry that will shape Americas economic and energy future, that dependence represents a serious strategic risk. Leaders across the political spectrum agree the United States must rebuild its manufacturing base and reduce reliance on geopolitical rivals. We are already making progress in other parts of the energy value chain, including critical minerals and nuclear power. Investing in domestic solar manufacturing is another clear opportunity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In recent years, companies have stepped up their commitment to building an America-first solar supply chain and much of that momentum is happening in Texas. Since 2022, U.S. solar manufacturing investments have totaled $36.6 billion. As of 2024, Texas was home to at least 10 planned solar panel manufacturers, along with nine additional facilities producing other solar components. Texas continues to lead. Last year, SEG Solar completed its first utility-scale delivery from its new Houston manufacturing plant. In Wilmer, Texas, T1 Energy has Americanized a solar factory it acquired from a Chinese firm. Beyond restoring American ownership, the company is prioritizing American-made materials shifting away from imported aluminum frames in favor of U.S.-made steel and partnering with Corning to supply domestically produced solar wafers from Michigan. Last month, T1 Energy also began construction on a new solar cell fabrication plant just outside Austin, investing more than $400 million in the project. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is what a genuine American solar renaissance looks like: Factories coming online, jobs reshored to U.S. soil and real production capacity returning home. Rebuilding domestic solar manufacturing takes time. Assets must be acquired, facilities modernized and supply chains reassembled. But Texas is already proving this can be done and we should accelerate the effort. SIGN UP FOR THE AUSTIN ANGLE and get Statesman commentaries in your inbox Yet even as this renaissance unfolds, some policymakers and advocates argue we should pull the rug out from under the solar industry, relying on debunked talking points that undermine real progress. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The more productive question and one Texans should unite around is how to accelerate reshoring and ensure America controls the materials and expertise behind one of the worlds fastest-growing industries. Voters already understand this. More than 70% of Americans, including 60% of Republicans, view renewable energy favorably. They want cleaner power and the economic benefits that come with it. In Texas alone, the current fleet of utility-scale wind, solar and energy storage projects is estimated to generate $12.3 billion in new local tax revenue. Imagine how much stronger that economic story could be more jobs, more tax revenue and lower energy prices if Texas made a meaningful commitment to reshoring the solar industry. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas has the workforce, the infrastructure and the record of execution to lead. If we commit to building the full solar supply chain, we can keep America competitive, strengthen our energy security and ensure the future of solar is made here at home. A photo of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, is displayed at a small memorial at a protest and rally against immigration enforcement. A reader who's watched videos of the shooting sees human beings misunderstanding each other. Lindsey Wasson/Associated Press Truth found in the middle Is it possible that there is a reality where the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent felt he might be killed by a vehicle, so he used deadly force, but now has to live with the heartbreak of shooting a woman and wondering if he was right? Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the same reality, is it possible that Renee Nicole Good wasn't a domestic terrorist? It is possible she was just an observer with law-abiding intentions? When I think about what I saw in the videos, it's not political at all. It seems more like human beings misunderstanding each other. Automatically villainizing these ordinary people who had seconds to navigate an extraordinary circumstance seems absolutely ridiculous. Tonight, there is a 6-year-old boy without his mother. His dad died three years ago. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It's hard to think about the heartbreaking simplicity of it alone. It's easy to be mad and blame someone. It's easier to be self-righteous and unforgiving. Social media is overflowing with vile comments about the incident. It seems nothing is off limits for that crowd. For me, I am wide-eyed, pondering possibilities and the lonely, heartbreaking simplicity of making such a grave mistake. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Stephanie Lease, Austin Believing what we see U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt posted on social media, "Weve hit a breaking point in this country when an ICE officer is rammed by a lunatic in an SUV and the Mayor of Minneapolis responds not with condemnation, but by telling federal law enforcement to 'get the f--- out!' " Hunt is betting that Republican primary voters will believe him rather than their own eyes. I think he is probably right. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Folks, say hello to the new leader for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. John Cornyn. Steven Medlock, Austin Creating a narrow mind Advertisement Article continues below this ad Apparently Texas is so afraid of freedom of thought that even Ancient Greek philosophers are too woke for their comfort. Will William Shakespeare, with his female characters pretending to be men, be next? Its alarming to see our educational institutions barreling toward narrow-minded illiteracy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It will become glaringly obvious when todays students are faced with their better-educated peers in the rest of the world and the value of a Texas education drops to the bottom of the barrel. Rona Distenfeld, Austin Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock delivers remarks during a stop of the Good for Texas Tour at StandardAreo in San Antonio, Texas on Friday September 19, 2025. Brenda Bazan/Brenda Bazan for the San Antonio Express-News Hundreds of private schools have been shut out of Texas new school voucher program while the state comptrollers office awaits a decision in its bid to block some Islamic and allegedly Chinese-linked institutions. Nearly all schools accredited by Cognia, the largest private school accreditor in Texas, have been unable to submit applications in the month since the state began accepting them. As of Tuesday, only 30 of the 600 schools accredited solely by the nonprofit were added to the list of approved vendors, most of them offering only pre-K and kindergarten. The majority of those were added overnight on Monday, after Hearst Newspapers began inquiring about the issue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Applications for families are set to go live in just over three weeks. The hold-up appears to be linked to a request that acting comptroller Kelly Hancock made to the Attorney General Ken Paxtons office on December 10, seeking a legal opinion on whether certain schools could be barred from the program for their alleged ties to the Chinese government or the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which Gov. Greg Abbott designated as a terror group. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Hancocks letter states that each of the schools in question is Cognia-accredited. But the pause appeared to reach beyond those targeted institutions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas Private School Association told its members in December that all Cognia-accredited schools would be on hold until the Attorney General submitted an answer to this request, or more information was provided. Almost a third of private schools eligible to participate in the states $1 billion voucher program are Cognia-accredited. Another 200 are approved by Cognia and another accreditor, and some began receiving access to apply on Friday, according to the private school association. The Houston Quran Academy, a Cognia-accredited school, told Hearst Newspapers it applied in December but had not heard back. Beren Academy, a Jewish day school in Houston, said on Sunday it had not yet received an invitation to apply but was eager to be part of the new program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At least 15 Islamic-focused schools in Texas have received eligible accreditations, all from Cognia; none has been approved so far. A spokesperson for Cognia said the group was aware of a concern delaying its schools applications and it was working with the comptroller to find a resolution. The comptrollers office said it has implemented additional safeguards to ensure every participating school complies with Texas law, in accordance with the concerns in Hancocks letter, but did not explain why other Cognia schools have been unable to register. The program will invite additional batches of schools to participate in the coming days, and those requests should be completed and processed quickly, the office said. Schools that are not affected by issues referenced in our OAG opinion request should not experience any difficulty participating, the statement said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Families, who must both apply to the voucher program and separately gain admission to a participating school, will be able to apply between February 4 and March 17. Hancock, whose office oversees the program, is a former state senator who Abbott appointed to the comptroller post in June. He is competing against two other Republicans in the March 3 primary. He appeared to confirm the block on at least some schools during a political speech last week, telling the Bexar County Republican Womens Club that requesting the legal opinion gave his office a pause button until Paxton responds. To address some concerns, we asked for an attorney general's opinion regarding some Muslim schools that we saw that were connected to CAIR and some schools that were connected to the Chinese government, Hancock said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He said the text of Senate Bill 2, which created the voucher program, outlines concrete requirements for participant schools and does not give him a lot of discretion. Weve had to be a little creative on some of these issues, to address some of those concerns, he said. In his letter to the attorney general, Hancock specifically inquired whether his office could disqualify certain unnamed schools that are based at an address that have hosted publicly advertised events organized by the Council of American-Islamic Relations, the nations largest Muslim civil rights group, which Abbott has sought to label as a terrorist group in recent months. The group is fighting the designation and has sued the governors office. His letter also raised concerns about another school that may be owned or controlled by a holding group linked to the Chinese government. While an attorney generals opinion is not legally binding, the state could use it to justify barring schools from the program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TPSA Executive Director Laura Colangelo warned Hancock may be overstepping his authority, arguing in a brief sent to Paxtons office that Hancocks bid to block certain schools would give him unwarranted discretion over the program. The Comptroller may not create additional requirements for preapproval, Colangelo wrote in the brief. To do so would be to exceed his authority under S.B. 2. The possibility of some of Texas two dozen Islamic schools receiving voucher funding has long been a concern among right-wing critics of the program, which was one of Abbotts signature legislative accomplishments last year. Hollie Plemons, a Tarrant County GOP precinct chair and voucher critic, told Hearst Newspapers she hand-delivered a list of eligible Muslim private schools to every GOP lawmaker, including then-Sen. Hancock, last spring, asking them to vote against the legislation. The bill passed each chamber, with support from nearly every Republican, with little discussion of the schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Muslim schools can immediately become ESA schools, she said in a March 30, 2025 post on X. There is nothing stopping this from happening nor can they legislate it. Thats why this is flat out bad legislation. Republican lawmakers in Florida have made moves to restrict funding from flowing to some Islamic schools but have not been able to block them categorically. Bayliss Wagner, Elizabeth Sander and Sam Gonzalez-Kelly contributed reporting. Rain after a dry spell produces a particular smell and the main contributor to the smell is geosmin caused by actinobacteria, or decaying organic matter that provides nutrients for developing plants and other organisms. If the rain is heavy enough, the force of the raindrops on the surface will splatter and release microscopic particles into the air as aerosols. Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman If you were wondering what that strange substance falling from the sky was Tuesday morning, it was rain. After nearly a month without measurable rainfall at Austin's weather station at Camp Mabry, light showers returned, leaving behind wet roads and that familiar, unmistakable scent in the air. Sometimes, when it hasnt rained in a long time, a distinct smell accompanies the first rainfall but why? That familiar scent comes from a combination of ozone, plant oils, and nontoxic soil bacteria that are released into the air when rain hits the ground. This is called petrichor, a term coined by two Australian scientists in 1964, to describe the unique scent of rain-soaked ground. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Petrichor is the smell of rain when it falls on dry ground and is made up of several different factors like ozone, plant oils and soil bacteria. Sciencenotes.org Ozone The first contributor to the smell of rain is ozone produced by lighting within the clouds. Lightning is extremely hot and powerful. Its so strong that when it strikes, it splits oxygen and nitrogen molecules and when this occurs, three oxygen atoms bond with each other to form ozone molecules. That ozone is then carried down to the surface by rainfall, adding a clean, fresh scent to the air. Plant oils During drought, plants release natural or essential oils, which are concentrated, fragrant liquids that evaporate easily. They give plants their distinctive aromas and serve roles in pollination and defense. They will gradually build up on surfaces, such as soil, rocks and pavement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rain can interact with a plants natural or essential oils, which are concentrated, fragrant liquids that evaporate easily. They will gradually build up on surfaces, such as soil, rocks and pavement. Sara Diggins / American-Statesma Soil bacteria or geosmin The main contributor to the smell of rain is geosmin caused by actinobacteria, or decaying organic matter that provides nutrients for developing plants and other organisms. 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 an article from the Texas A&M University geosciences department, geosmin is a type of alcohol and its complex chemical structure makes it especially noticeable, even at extremely low levels. Our noses can detect just a few parts of geosmin per trillion of air molecules. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During a prolonged period of dryness, when it has not rained for several days, the decomposition activity rate of the actinobacteria slows down, the Texas A&M article stated. Just before a rain event, the air becomes more humid, and the ground begins to moisten. This process helps to speed up the activity of the actinobacteria and more geosmin is formed. When rain finally arrives, the force of the raindrops on the surface will splatter and release microscopic particles into the air as aerosols. This process helps spread the familiar earthy scent that many people notice when rain follows a long dry spell. Bottling up the scent Our fondness for the smell of rain is one that can bring up nostalgic feelings. Thats why it is sought after in oils, candles, and air fresheners. Some fragrance makers have found a way to bottle it up in perfumes, colognes, and soaps. Advertisement Article continues below this ad WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, on Monday filed a lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to block the secretary's efforts to cut his rank and pay as a veteran. In November 2025, when Kelly, a retired Navy Captain, and five other Members of Congress released a video urging service members to refuse unlawful orders, President Donald Trump and Hegseth publicly branded his statements as "sedition" and "treason," and warned that there would be consequences. At Hegseth's direction, the Department of the Navy initiated proceedings to "reconsider" the rank and pay at which the Senator retired nearly 15 years ago, the complaint said. "These actions are based on Captain Kelly's public statements from June through December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and counseled members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders," said Hegseth in a post on the social platform X on Jan. 5. Hegseth said that the video released by Kelly and five other members of Congress was "reckless and seditious," and was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline. Actions of Hegseth and the Defense Department violate numerous constitutional guarantees and have no basis in statute, according to Kelly's complaint, which highlighted the principles of the First Amendment, the separation of powers, and due process. WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of State on Monday updated a travel warning urging U.S. citizens to leave Iran immediately amid the unrest across the Middle East country. WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran on Monday updated a travel warning urging U.S. citizens to leave Iran immediately amid the unrest across the Middle East country. "U.S. citizens should expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Turkiye," said the virtual embassy in a statement on its website, adding that U.S.-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports since the Iranian government does not recognize dual nationality. "U.S. nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran," it said. According to the statement, airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran, with several suspending services until Friday. The U.S. Department of State has long designated Iran as a level 4 "Do Not Travel" destination, warning that U.S. citizens should not travel there for any reason and that those in Iran should leave immediately due to serious security risks. Earlier on Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy remained the preferred approach in U.S. dealing with Iran, though the Trump administration will not rule out military options if necessary. "What President Donald Trump will do next only he knows. So the world will have to keep waiting and guessing, and we will let him decide," she said on Fox News. Trump said Sunday that his administration is weighing "some very strong options," including potential military action against Iran, and that Iran was "starting" to cross the U.S. red line. There is no U.S. Embassy or consular presence in Iran, and the Swiss Embassy in Tehran acts as the protecting power for U.S. interests, but the services are limited. Protests have erupted in Iran's several cities since late December over the sharp fall in the national currency rial and long-standing economic hardships. The reported death toll from the unrest on both sides of the security forces and civilians is mounting. 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Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Angeles Wealth Management, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based registered investment advisor with $2.7 billion in assets under management, has made its first acquisition, adding a firm that will seed and lead a new family office division for the firm. Through the acquisition of XO Capital, Angeles Wealth is launching Angeles Family Office, offering services tailored to affluent families. XO Capital founder Adam Stern will be CEO of the family office division, and founder Jason Oclaray will be its president, according to an announcement made on Tuesday. Jonathan Foster, president and CEO of Angeles Wealth, said he has a long-term relationship with the two founders and that the teams have been in discussions for a considerable time about a potential merger that would combine XOs family office expertise with Angeles Wealths private and institutional wealth businesses. Were a business that has historically been focused purely on organic growth but always been on the hunt for high-quality people to add to the venture, Foster said. If you look on the private client side, we deal with very wealthy families that are increasingly going to complex issues that are beyond managing the money. Stern and Oclaray founded XO Capital in 2021. The duo had 50/50 ownership of the firm and client assets of about $186 million, according to their most recent Form ADV. Angeles Wealth did not share details of the transaction. Angeles Family Wealth will offer families with assets ranging in the hundreds of millions with investment management, tax and legal advice, customized financial reporting, cash-flow management, bill pay and other services. Foster said its those other special projects for wealthy families that can be the most challenging, as well as the most exciting, for advisors working in the field. He gave examples of families that might need guidance on how to allocate their wealth to hundreds of different projects annually, or those starting a new business in a different state. Theres a hole in the market, Foster said. How do you serve these generationally wealthy families, some of whom have gotten wealthy just recently. ... This is not the Walton family. They need things that are the right size for them. There is a push by other RIAs to either open dedicated family office divisions or acquire family office expertise as they seek to meet the needs of multi-generational wealth in the United States. In March, Prime Capital Financial, a $35 billion wealth and retirement asset manager, launched a dedicated family office division by acquiring an Austin, Texas-based firm. Last year, CI Financials Corient acquired a $10.4 billion multi-family office to join the firm. Airman 1st Class Kwon Jin, a South Korean military police officer, explains what to look for during entry procedures at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 5, 2026. (Sarah Williams/U.S. Air Force) The Air Force has changed entry procedures at its largest base in South Korea following a search-and-seizure operation conducted there by South Korean officials last year. Security guards at Osan Air Base, about 35 miles south of Seoul, now use the Defense Biometric Identification System to check in both U.S. and South Korean personnel, Capt. Kristina Strickland, a 51st Fighter Wing spokeswoman, said by email Friday. The system uses barcodes and fingerprints to verify those authorized to access U.S. military installations. Previously, South Korean personnel could enter the base, which also hosts South Korean air force facilities, using identification issued by their government, according to a report last month in the Korea JoongAng Daily. The change followed U.S. military complaints after South Korean officials carried out a raid at the base in July as part of an investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeols failed martial law bid in December 2024, the newspaper reported. Investigators entered the installation under South Korean authority, prompting the Air Force to assume full control of gate access that had previously been jointly managed, according to reports by the Yonhap News Agency, most recently on Tuesday. South Koreas Ministry of National Defense declined to provide details about the operation. We cannot confirm the details for security reasons, a spokesman said by text message Monday. Some South Korean government officials must speak to the press without providing their names. Another fighter wing spokesman, Andy Ahn, referred questions about the raid to U.S. Forces Korea. Stars and Stripes has reached out to a command spokesperson for comment. Strickland declined to provide a timeline for the changes to entry procedures, citing operational security. Changes followed a routine review of installation access requirements, she said. U.S. and South Korean military police continue to work together to protect Osan, including updating requirements and practices to ensure base security, Strickland said. A Sunday wing news release said U.S. and South Korean airmen have conducted joint training and standardized procedures at entry control points. Operating on the same procedures improves clarity, trust, and interoperability, Lt. Col. Daniel Evans, commander of the 51st Security Forces Squadron, said in the release. Our defenders understand what their counterparts are doing and why, which allows them to support each other more effectively if an issue arises. Interoperability is a term the military often uses to describe the ability of a countrys armed forces to use another countrys training methods and military equipment. The U.S. and South Korean air forces worked together to establish a unified set of entry procedures, the release said, adding that the changes were developed through coordination and negotiation between U.S. and South Korean leadership. Stars and Stripes reporter Yoojin Lee contributed to this report. A ground-based missile interceptor is lowered into its silo in 2007. The 800-acre Missile Defense Complex at Fort Greely, Alaska, is the largest anti-ballisitic missile site in the U.S. (Jack W. Carlson III/Department of Defense) A remote Army base in Alaska that has a key role in intercepting incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles in the event of nuclear war says it is struggling to keep its dining facilities operating following an exodus of staff under the DOGE budget-slashing campaign. Fort Greely, about 100 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska, is facing a critical disruption in food service operations resulting from the governments loss of essential civilian positions due to the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), retirements and the federal hiring freeze, the Army wrote in its justification review document filed to allow for a waiver to requirements for a competitive bid contract. The solicitation and documents were posted on government websites. The lack of staff as a result of the quasi-official Department of Government Efficiency campaign had led to reduced dining facility hours, jeopardizing the readiness of soldiers, the document said. Fort Greely is home to the 49th Missile Defense Battalion, which operates the largest Ground-Based Midcourse Defense anti-ballistic missile system. Congress has authorized up to 40 interceptor missiles for Fort Greely. A fictionalized version of the base is featured in the nuclear doomsday film A House of Dynamite that recently made its debut on Netflix. Because nighttime winter temperatures at times drop below -20 degrees, Fort Greely is also the site of the Cold Regions Test Center (CRTC), which measures the ability of military equipment to withstand extreme low temperatures. Without an operable dining facility, military and government workers will be denied accessibility to prepared meals on the installation, the command said. That will result in negatively impacting their physical and cognitive readiness and contribute to degraded performance during training and normal duty requirements. The addition of two cooks and five food service workers carries a projected cost of $750,000 per year, according to the Army document. The Army is looking to speed the food services contract the solicitation received a waiver from competitive bidding, meaning the first company that meets the Armys criteria can be awarded the contract. Competition is not possible for this requirement due to the short timeline to procure the services needed to prevent mission failure to the government, the statement said. The Army said it had explored alternative ways to feed the roughly 350 troops at Fort Greely, including transferring staff from Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks to Fort Greely. As a temporary fix, the Army considered using MREs Meals Ready to Eat the field rations used by the U.S. military. The Army said it didnt have enough MREs to support the switch. Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, commander of the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Evan Garner render honors during the national anthem at the battalions demobilization ceremony at South Medford High School in Medford, Ore., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Wayne Clyne/U.S. Army) About 200 soldiers with the Oregon National Guard were welcomed home from a nine-month deployment to Egypt at a demobilization ceremony in Medford, Ore., on Sunday, according to a service news release. The soldiers, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, were tasked with supervising the Multinational Force and Observers mission in Egypts Sinai Peninsula, the release said. Some National Guard personnel from the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, were also deployed. The 205-soldier battalion was mobilized on Oct. 20, 2024, and returned to its home state in October of last year. The MFO mission is a decades-old international peacekeeping force tasked with enforcing the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. The Oregon soldiers worked alongside military personnel from 14 other nations, per the release. The deployment came amid strains in the MFO mission and broader regional tensions. A three month period of the deployment saw MFO bases identified as potential targets, the release said. Three months before the troops were mobilized, an exchange of fire between Egyptian and Israeli forces in the Rafah border area left one Egyptian soldier dead and several Israeli soldiers wounded, which itself came months after Egyptian officials warned their countrys landmark treaty with Israel could be voided. Tensions continued in 2025 as the deployment was underway, including over a purported Egyptian military buildup in the Sinai Peninsula, but the treaty held. In a region marked by volatility and tension, you stood watch. You maintained peace. You prevented violations of that historic treaty, Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, Oregons adjutant general, said at the ceremony. Despite the tensions, the release said the mission also had unusual leisure opportunities, with some soldiers learning to scuba dive and getting tours of Egypts historical sites. The U.S. Army is the single largest contributor to the MFOs forces, according to the organization, with about 465 U.S. troops deployed in 2026 out of a total international force of over 1,100 personnel. The 1-186th Infantry Regiments previous deployments include Washington, D.C., for the 2021 presidential inauguration, Oregon for COVID-19 support, the Horn of Africa (2019-2020), Afghanistan (2014-2015) and Iraq (2009-2010). A U.S. soldier who police said was driving without winter tires was hospitalized with moderate injuries after a three-vehicle collision Friday on a highway near Auerbach, Germany. (Erinn Burgess/U.S. Army) GRAFENWOEHR, Germany Improper tires contributed to a pair of crashes on the snow-slicked roads of Bavaria last week, and a U.S. soldier was driving in at least one instance, local police said. An unidentified 32-year-old soldier was airlifted to a hospital in Bayreuth with moderate injuries after a three-vehicle collision Friday on the B470 near Auerbach, Oberpfalz police said in an email. The soldier lost control of his car and struck an oncoming vehicle. A third driver then collided with the other two vehicles, police said. The summer tires on the soldiers car likely contributed to the collision, investigators said. The crash site is approximately 30 minutes west of Grafenwoehr Training Area. An update on the soldiers condition was not available Tuesday. Another driver in that crash was transported to a separate nearby hospital, police said. A day later, a single-car accident occurred on the B299, a local road running parallel to Grafenwoehr, the Armys largest training area in Germany. An unidentified 21-year-old American driving from Grafenwoehr in the direction of Freihung tried to pass a snowplow, lost control of the vehicle and ended up in an embankment, three local media outlets reported. The newspaper Oberpfalz Aktuell referred to the driver as a U.S. soldier, while the Oberpfalz Echo said only that he is an American man. When asked for confirmation, police declined to say whether he is a soldier. No one was injured in the crash, news reports said. The articles all cited the lack of winter tires as a contributing factor for the vehicles loss of traction, though local police did not immediately respond to queries confirming the primary cause. U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria issued weather advisories on Facebook on Thursday and Friday warning of inclement weather and hazardous road conditions and announced delays and closures to services on several installations. Soldiers also get regular reminders about outfitting their vehicles with season-appropriate tires, especially in the fall before winter weather begins, garrison spokeswoman Kayla Overton said Monday. Military police and the Directorate of Emergency Services also do spot and safety checks at installation gates to ensure vehicles are in compliance, she said. The general rule of thumb in Germany is that tires suitable for winter weather are required between October and Easter. Violators are subject to a fine of up to 120 euros and the assessment of one point on their driving record. Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this article. Incoming soldiers complete temporary housing allowance paperwork at Camp Kosciuszko in Poznan, Poland, on Jan. 13, 2026. Unexpected housing costs and lack of on-post lodging are forcing some soldiers to rely on emergency grants and loans to secure housing upon arriving for duty in Poland. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes) POZNAN, Poland When Spc. Jontae Fielder arrived at her new duty station in Poland, she was in for immediate sticker shock. With on-post housing unavailable for soldiers on permanent change of station orders to the Armys garrison in Poznan, Fielder was given just days to find her own apartment, a process that involved lease negotiations and the need to cough up thousands of dollars along the way. I found out I would have to pay the upfront costs the first week I got to Poland, said Fielder, a signal operations support specialist said. Thankfully, I had a little money saved, but it caused me to use all of my savings. Like other soldiers new to the Armys first permanent garrison in Poland, Fielder said delays in processing her travel voucher compounded the strain, forcing her to cover housing costs out of pocket for months. Poland has emerged as the center of gravity for the Army in Europe. The vast majority of U.S. troops assigned there are on rotational missions focused on deterring potential Russian aggression on NATOs eastern flank. But the Army also has begun offering more permanent duty assignments in the country as it solidifies its presence alongside the forces of what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called a model ally. With that transition has come some growing pains, such as grappling with how to assist soldiers making a move to an Army garrison less-established than counterparts in other countries such as Germany. As the U.S. military presence in Poland continues to expand, many soldiers arriving on PCS orders say they were unaware of and unprepared for the high costs associated with making the move to Poznan and the laborious process of navigating a foreign real estate market. At the low end of the price range, a roughly 600-square-foot Poznan apartment with one bedroom and one bathroom was listed at about $970 per month in rent. Agency fees, deposit requirements and utilities add to the cost, although the fees can be avoided by using the base housing office. The situation has forced some soldiers to seek out financial assistance from organizations such as Army Emergency Relief just to make ends meet. Staff Sgt. Courtney Brittian, an intelligence specialist, said coming to Poland on PCS orders was much different from her previous stint in 2018, when she was deployed on a rotational mission and lived in the barracks. I wasnt informed by my sponsor about the upfront costs of living off post before I arrived, Brittian said. I knew Poland, but I didnt realize how different the financial side would be when youre here permanently. Fielder voiced the same concerns. I wish someone would have informed me that I would be living off post and at least given me an estimate of how much money I needed to have available, Fielder said. I also wish someone would have explained what could cause delays in receiving back pay. Like many soldiers arriving on PCS orders, Brittian was required to secure civilian housing immediately, paying deposits and agent fees out of pocket while waiting for the finance and housing offices to process her paperwork and entitlements. To bridge the gap while her paperwork and entitlements were processed, Brittian applied for an Army Emergency Relief grant and loan. The assistance was approved within five hours and covered the cost of her first months rent plus utilities, she said. AER helped me stay afloat while everything was being processed, Brittian said. Without that assistance, it would have been much more stressful trying to cover those costs upfront. The harsh realities of housing in the country are something that U.S. Army Garrison Poland seek to convey. Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Stewart, one of the first U.S. soldiers permanently assigned to Poland, stands in his apartment in Poznan on Feb. 7, 2023, shortly after moving in as a tenant. Soldiers assigned to Poland face upfront housing costs due to a lack of on-post lodging. (Devin Klecan/U.S. Army) Younger soldiers and those unfamiliar with European rental markets are prone to feeling the strain of the living situation, garrison housing manager Rhona Nutter said. For a newly arriving soldier, the first week can be financially overwhelming, Nutter said. Agent fees are standard here, deposits are higher than soldiers expect, and landlords typically want large payments upfront before they hand over the keys. Unit-level sponsors are typically responsible for informing soldiers about such matters, but there can be breakdowns in the communication process. Army officials in Poland say they are working on bringing a more formal process for advising incoming troops. Meanwhile, the garrison is taking steps to help soldiers make the transition more easily. For example, the first local Army Emergency Relief section gives soldiers in-country access to direct assistance for emergencies and unexpected costs. AER plans to open a support site in Poznan later this year. As USAG Poland moves toward full operational capability, its essential that we offer the same comprehensive quality-of-life support found at established military communities, said Diane Hupko, the personal financial readiness program manager for the garrison. A local AER presence gives soldiers a place to sit down with someone, talk through concerns and get immediate help. Although soldiers apply for AER assistance online, having representation in Poland removes barriers related to time zones and distance. The larger challenge has often been awareness, according to Hupko. Many soldiers didnt realize AER followed them wherever they went, she said. Too often, they waited until challenges worsened before reaching out. Requests for support at Army locations across Poland vary, but move-in expenses remain one of the most common issues for incoming personnel, Hupko said. The goal is to help get new arrivals into housing quickly so they can integrate into their duty assignment, she added. Support is available, Hupko said. We want soldiers to feel empowered to ask for help before a setback becomes a crisis. An American soldier serving in Germany was sentenced Tuesday to six months confinement and a dishonorable discharge for viewing child sexual abuse images including one of an infant. (Aspen Reid/U.S. Air Force) KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany An American soldier serving in Germany was sentenced Tuesday to six months confinement and a dishonorable discharge for viewing child sexual abuse images including one of an infant. Warrant Officer 1 Zachary B. Lawson pleaded guilty in a general court-martial at Kleber Kaserne to one count under Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Known as the general article, it covers conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline or conduct that brings discredit upon the armed forces. Prosecutors said Lawson had viewed four sexually explicit images on his phone that showed six children. He initially faced the possibility of up to a 10-year prison sentence. Warrant Officer 1 Zachary B. Lawson, pictured on the right as a staff sergeant in July 2022, pleaded guilty Jan. 13, 2026, to viewing child sexual abuse images and was sentenced at a general court-martial in Kaiserslautern, Germany, to six months confinement and a dishonorable discharge. (Candy Knight/U.S. Army) The crimes occurred between 2023 and 2025 while he was assigned to the 102nd Strategic Signal Battalion in Wiesbaden. Lawson said people he communicated with in various online forums sent him child sexual abuse material involving children. Each image the defendant consumed was an echo of a real child suffering, a commercial transaction in a marketplace of abuse, prosecutor Capt. Stella McBride said. They are grotesque violations of the innocence of children who are among the most vulnerable in our society. Under the terms of a plea agreement, Lawsons sentence was capped at between three and six months. Lt. Col. Jordan Stapley, the military judge, imposed the maximum. Two related charges were dismissed without prejudice as part of the agreement. As a warrant officer, Lawson could not be reduced in rank. Lawson previously worked on the communications team for the commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa as part of the 102nd Strategic Signal Battalion. The unit provides and protects strategic networking and communications services for U.S. Army Europe and Africa and allied forces. The position typically is filled by our best soldiers by character and technical expertise, battalion commander Lt. Col. Matthew Britnell said in court. I believe that he was one person at work, and then he had an addiction that people at work didnt see, Britnell said. Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, speaks during a headquarters company stand-up ceremony at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Jan. 13, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa The Marine Corps only permanently deployed expeditionary brigade stood up a new headquarters company on Tuesday, aligning it with a Japanese amphibious brigade to streamline joint humanitarian and warfighting missions in the Indo-Pacific. Maj. Codi Anne Mullen took command of the newly minted Headquarters Company, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, during a small, intermittently rainy ceremony on Camp Courtney. As company commander, Mullen provides command and control, administrative and logistical support for the brigade commander and approximately 90 Marines, thus far. The brigade itself is a middleweight air-ground task force under the III Marine Expeditionary Force. This formation behind you serves as a leadership element that can aggregate and command and control multiple [expeditionary units] in a high intensity conflict, brigade commander Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie said in his ceremony remarks. Thats what the job is. Maj. Codi Anne Mullen, foreground, headquarters company commander for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, receives the command guidon during a stand-up ceremony at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Jan. 13, 2025. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) The brigade is expected to respond rapidly to crises across the Indo-Pacific, including humanitarian and disaster relief. In November, its Marines provided relief in the Philippines following Typhoon Kalmaegi and Super Typhoon Fung-Wong. Mullen, a native of Riverhead, N.Y., and a 2016 Naval Academy graduate, has been with the brigade since July, according to her LinkedIn profile. She previously served three years as an aide-de-camp and logistics analyst at Marine Corps Logistics Command in Albany, Ga. She earned a masters in operational analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School in 2022. The companys mission is to make sure that the Marines across the brigade are prepared to go when theyre called on, Mullen told Stars and Stripes after the ceremony. It provides ability against any adversary in this region for us to be more responsive and adaptable and able to move forward more rapidly to respond when something occurs, she said. III MEF commander Lt. Gen. Roger Turner and 3rd Marine Division assistant commander Brig. Gen. Mattew Good were among the approximately 80 Marines and sailors at the ceremony. Maj. Gen. Toshikatsu Musha, commander of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, represented the Japanese side. Maj. Codi Anne. Mullen, headquarters company commander of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, speaks to Stars and Stripes following a stand-up ceremony on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Jan. 13, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) Brodie said he reorganized the brigade to include a headquarters company to maintain parity with the Japanese marines. Our relationship and the things that we may be asked to do in a time of conflict or crisis, there will not be time to build leadership within, he said. There will not be time for us to have worked out the challenges ahead of time that could pose us threats to our Marines and our mission success. The headquarters companys centralized command and synchronization will enhance the brigades ability to fight and win in a contested battlespace, according to a Dec. 23 email announcing the standup. The move comes as U.S. Forces Japan restructures into a joint force command. The first phase of restructuring USFJ from a liaison-focused organization to an operationally integrated command was announced March 30 by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a visit to Tokyo. While not necessarily aligned with those changes, the headquarters command is there, though, for both, to make sure that the units that are here are best postured for why were here, brigade spokesman Maj. Edward Pingel told Stars and Stripes after the ceremony. Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands in Kekaha, Hawaii, shown here in July 2025, has earned one of the first shore Battle "E" awards from the Navy. (Louis Lea/U.S. Navy) For the first time, the Navy has recognized its shore installations for improving facilities, boosting readiness and sharpening operations with the same award long given to warships. The 2025 Battle Efficiency, or Battle E, Award was presented to five installations large and small for improvements that enhanced operations and quality of life for the people who live and work there, Naval Installations Command said in a Jan. 6 news release. The largest installation recognized, Naval Base San Diego, earned its award for installing 680 electric vehicle charging stations and increasing shuttle ridership by 200%, according to a Thursday post on the bases official Facebook page. It won in the fleet concentration/extra-large category. Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands in Hawaii one of the smallest installations honored built two playgrounds and established 24-hour access to its fitness center, according to a Barking Sands news released Friday. It received the Battle E for small installations outside the continental United States, the Navy said. Barking Sands employs about 900 civilians and roughly 80 Navy sailors, according to Navy information posted July 9 in the Defense Visual Information Distribution System. Our core mission at [Pacific Missile Range Facility] is to enhance warfighter readiness through fleet training and support of test and evaluation events, base commander Capt. Robert Prince said in the release. Excellent leadership at all levels and steadfast support from our civilian staff is critical to this mission. The Navy listed the other Battle E recipients as: Large: Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for ship and aviation support, ordnance capabilities and housing satisfaction. Medium: Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla., for sustaining more than 1 million flight operations while meeting energy and water conservation goals. Small (continental U.S.): Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., for supporting large-scale aviation training with an exceptional safety record. The traditional Battle E award was established in 1976 by then-Secretary of the Navy John Middendorf. It recognizes Navy ships, submarines and aviation squadrons that demonstrate superior battle readiness, operational performance and achievement in required certifications. The shore-focused version of the award formally recognizes installation teams whose work directly enables operational success across the fleet, according to the Jan. 6 press release. The outstanding performance of this years winners is a direct reflection of the dedication and professionalism of our Sailors and civilians, Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander of Navy Installations Command, said in the release. They are the backbone of our shore enterprise, and their relentless work ensures our installations are true force multipliers, enabling fleet readiness and power projection around the globe. Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, greets Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 29, 2025. (Madelyn Keech/U.S. Air Force) WAIKIKI BEACH, Hawaii U.S. military intervention in Venezuela this month and missile strikes in Iran in June enhanced Americas deterrence of its adversaries in Asia by demonstrating capabilities and will, the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Monday. Those operations demonstrated a level of excellence of integrating the joint force that will help to preserve deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, Adm. Samuel Paparo told attendees at the two-day Honolulu Defense Forum on Waikiki Beach. The annual conference, hosted by Pacific Forum International, brings together military and defense industry leaders from around world with an emphasis on taking actionable steps on readiness and deterrence. In an operation dubbed Absolute Resolve, U.S. forces snatched Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on Jan. 3 during a series of strikes on the South American country. The couple was flown to the United States and face charges related to narco-terrorism. President Donald Trump described the operation as brilliant, but many Democrats have decried the action as illegal under domestic and international law. Some critics contend the operation could embolden China to carry out its threat to seize neighboring Taiwan by force. In Operation Midnight Hammer, U.S. aircraft and missiles struck three nuclear facilities in Iran in June. To the extent that Midnight Hammer and Absolute Resolve were expressions of capabilities and will, Paparo said, ultimately they help to preserve deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Paparo, who delivered the forums opening keynote speech, was asked during a subsequent question-and-answer portion whether the Indo-Pacific was no longer a strategic priority given the strikes on Venezuela, Iran, Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen. The Department of War has been quite clear that the Indo-Pacific is a priority theater, Paparo said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth understands that the Indo-Pacific theater is where the greatest threats could potentially emanate, he said, alluding to North Korea, China and Russia. The White Houses National Security Strategy released this fall, however, elevated the Americas as the highest priority for the United States. The strategy focuses on controlling migration and transnational crime such as narcotics smuggling. The strategy at the same time highlights the Pacific as a crucial region but calls on allies to spend a greater share on the regions defense. Paparo said he did not view U.S. military operations in the Western Hemisphere, Africa or the Middle East as competing with deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Weve not seen any of those operations actually divert forces that would otherwise be used for deterrence, he said. None of those [operations] have really imposed any cost at all on our ability to fight and win in the Indo Pacific, he said. As the Dow and S&P 500 close at record highs, buoyed by a decline in unemployment rates, investors are increasingly looking to solidify their portfolios with reliable income sources. In this thriving market environment, dividend stocks yielding between 3% and 5.1% can offer a stable income stream while capitalizing on the current economic momentum. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In The United States Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Provident Financial Services (PFS) 4.78% Peoples Bancorp (PEBO) 5.32% OTC Markets Group (OTCM) 4.63% OceanFirst Financial (OCFC) 4.48% First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) 5.05% Farmers National Banc (FMNB) 5.10% Ennis (EBF) 5.43% Dillard's (DDS) 4.58% Columbia Banking System (COLB) 5.09% Citizens & Northern (CZNC) 5.47% Click here to see the full list of 116 stocks from our Top US Dividend Stocks screener. Underneath we present a selection of stocks filtered out by our screen. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: CB Financial Services, Inc. is the bank holding company for Community Bank, offering a range of banking products and services to individuals and businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia, with a market cap of $172.98 million. Operations: CB Financial Services, Inc. generates its revenue primarily through Community Banking Services, which accounts for $40.24 million. Dividend Yield: 3% CB Financial Services has a history of stable and reliable dividend payments over the past decade, with dividends per share increasing consistently. However, the current payout ratio is high at 189.9%, indicating dividends are not well covered by earnings. Despite trading below estimated fair value and projected earnings growth, recent financials show a net loss and reduced profit margins compared to last year. The dividend yield of 3.01% is below top-tier US payers' average. CBFV Dividend History as at Jan 2026 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest lodging real estate investment trust, owning a significant portfolio of luxury and upper-upscale hotels with a market cap of approximately $12.84 billion. Operations: Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. generates its revenue primarily from its hotel ownership segment, which amounted to $5.95 billion. Dividend Yield: 5.2% Host Hotels & Resorts offers a compelling dividend yield of 5.15%, placing it in the top 25% of US payers. Despite a volatile and unreliable dividend history, recent earnings growth supports its current payout ratio of 45.2%. The cash flow coverage is also reasonable at 51%. However, high debt levels and significant insider selling may concern investors. A special dividend announced recently reflects positive financial performance, with improved RevPAR guidance for year-end bolstering investor confidence. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, right, on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon for initiating proceedings to reduce his retirement rank and military pension after Kelly reminded troops in a video that they can refuse illegal orders. (Kaitlyn Bailey/U.S. Navy; Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona on Monday sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon for initiating proceedings to reduce his retirement rank and military pension after Kelly reminded troops in a video that they can refuse illegal orders. The federal lawsuit also names the Navy and Navy Secretary John Phelan as defendants, alleging the Trump administration is illegally disciplining Kelly for political speech protected by the Constitution and violating due process laws by publicly charging Kelly with sedition. Hegseth last week said the military had started administrative actions against Kelly and issued a formal censure letter accusing Kelly of making a series of public statements that undermined the chain of command, counseled disobedience and constituted conduct unbecoming an officer. Kellys lawsuit asks the courts to declare those moves unlawful. If permitted to stand, the secretarys censure and the grade-determination proceedings that he has directed will inflict immediate and irreparable harm, 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. Kelly said in a statement Monday that Hegseth was engaging in an unconstitutional crusade against me and coming after what I earned through my 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. A Pentagon official said the department was aware of the litigation but declined to comment as a matter of policy. Kelly retired from the Navy as a captain in 2011 after serving as an officer and flying 39 combat missions as a naval aviator. He is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is charged with providing congressional oversight of the Defense Department. In November, Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers who served in the military or the intelligence community came under fire from President Donald Trump for releasing a video reminding service members that they are required not to follow unlawful orders. The video enraged Trump, who called it seditious behavior at the highest level, and led to efforts by Hegseth to punish Kelly. The other involved lawmakers did not serve long enough to retire with a military pension or did not fall under military law. Hegseth in his censure letter also took issue with Kellys comments over a six-month period in which the senator criticized military leadership for firing admirals and generals and voiced concerns about the legality of certain military operations, including strikes on alleged drug boats. We have evaluated those statements, not just that one video, which was incredibly reckless, Hegseth said in a media appearance last week. He knew exactly what he was doing. And watching the, I dont know, hissy fit that hes been throwing ever since, shows us just how over the target we are. The lawsuit states that Hegseths actions violate Kellys freedom of speech as well as the Speech and Debate clause of the Constitution, which grants immunity to lawmakers for official acts. Allowing defendants to punish a senator through military proceedings for his political speech erodes the separation of powers and gives the executive a power over legislators that the Constitution does not contemplate, the complaint states. Contributing: Stars and Stripes reporter Matthew Adams Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at Lockheed Martins Fort Worth facility on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, as part of his Arsenal of Freedom industry tour. The Fort Worth facility builds the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. (Amanda McCoy via TNS) (Tribune News Service) In fiery remarks at Lockheed Martins F-35 fighter aircraft plant in Fort Worth, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke Monday of prioritizing defense spending, saying it was imperative to rebuild the arsenal of freedom by getting advanced weapon systems into the hands of the military. Last week, President Donald Trump said the defense budget will increase by more than 50% in 2027, rising to $1.5 trillion. At Lockheed Martin, Hegseth said that money will be spent re-establishing Americas military might, stressing that the administration is looking to unleash the countrys defense resources in the preservation of peace. But Hegseth cautioned that defense contracts will be granted to companies based on their ability to deliver a superior product quickly, and he promised that large and small manufacturers will compete for those contracts on an equal playing field. We ultimately dont care what the name is on the side of the missile or the plane, Hegseth said, before adding that he hopes Lockheed Martin wins a lot of new defense contracts, pointing to the companys decades-long track record of success, which goes back to World War II. Speaking on the factory floor in front of a newly finished F-35, Hegseth thanked the roughly 1,000 plant employees in attendance for their contributions in providing weapons for Americas military. Hegseth received a warm reception from the crowd, who cheered many of the secretarys points, including his remarks about social issues. No more dudes in dresses On Jan. 7, President Trump issued an executive order barring defense contractors from paying stockholder dividends or buying back stocks if their production speeds lag or if they are deemed to be underperforming on their contracts, among other requirements. Although some contractors have made critical investments in increased production capacity and been responsive to our Nations vital interests, far more have not, read part of the executive order. Many large contractors while underperforming on existing contracts pursue newer, more lucrative contracts, stock buy-backs and excessive dividends to shareholders at the cost of production capacity, innovation and on-time delivery. During his remarks, Hegseth whom Trump gave the title secretary of war in September said he wanted to revive the warrior ethos in the U.S. That means eliminating bureaucratic red tape at the Pentagon and rewarding defense manufacturers that take risks in developing new products. It also means, Hegseth said, eliminating distractions around what the Trump administration has referred to as woke ideology. No more DEI, no more dudes in dresses, no more climate change worship and social justice and political correctness. Were done with that. Were unleashing the war fighter to be ready, trained, disciplined, accountable and lethal, said Hegseth. F-35 is nations most ambitious and costly weapon system The visit to Fort Worth was part of Hegseths Arsenal of Freedom tour, which has taken him to defense industry facilities in Virginia and California in recent days. Hegseth also visited SpaceX in Brownsville on Monday. Final assembly of the F-35 takes place in Fort Worth, and its production directly and indirectly supports an estimated 49,000 jobs in this area. The estimated regional economic impact is north of $9 billion. All told, 1,900 companies contribute to the F-35 project, according to Hegseth. But following President Donald Trumps 2024 election victory, there were worries the F-35 program could be sunset. Billionaire Elon Musk, who was preparing to lead a newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, publicly said the F-35 was too expensive and suffered from design flaws. At the time, Musk advocated for greater investment in drone technology as opposed to manned fighter aircraft. A report put out last year by the U.S. Government Accountability Office called the F-35 the nations most ambitious and costly weapon system. The report went on to say the aircraft will cost the U.S. roughly $2 trillion over the coming decades in production and sustainment costs. Meanwhile, the same report said the F-35 has suffered from reliability issues in recent years. Between fiscal year 2019 and 2024, the aircraft, which is used by the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, never met its readiness target. In 2024, the Navys F-35C aircraft were only available to perform at least one mission task 22% of the time. However, a Lockheed Martin spokesman said a lot of variables go into the readiness metric. For example, he said if an aircraft doesnt have a certain minimum amount of fuel, it could be deemed unready. As far as what Lockheed Martin controls, the spokesman said company engineers are working to make the F-35 easier to maintain in the field. Last summer, the U.S. Department of Defense reduced its order of F-35s for the 2026 fiscal year from 74 to 47. For 2025, though, Lockheed Martin broke a record in delivering 191 F-35s, surpassing the previous by nearly 50 aircraft. In September, Lockheed Martin received a contract worth $24.3 billion to deliver 294 of the F-35s for the U.S. and allied nations. Late last year, Trump said the U.S. would begin selling the F-35 to Saudi Arabia. In addition to the U.S., 19 countries fly or have placed orders for the aircraft. Politicians who attended Hegseths speech included Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Mayor Mattie Parker, and U.S. Reps. Roger Williams and Craig Goldman. 2026 Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Visit star-telegram.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from King Salmon Airport, Alaska, Sept. 10, 2025. F-16 aircraft will participate in a North American Aerospace Defense Command exercise in the skies of the national capital region in the early hours of Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (Spencer Hanson/U.S. Air Force) F-16 fighter jets will be among the aircraft buzzing the national capital region during a NORAD exercise in the overnight hours on Wednesday. North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct Exercise FALCON VIRGO between midnight and 2 a.m. EST in the skies above Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area, NORAD said in a news release. Participating in the exercise will be: F-16 fighter aircraft. U.S. Coast Guard MH-65D Dolphin helicopter. U.S. Air Force UH-60 helicopter. Civil Air Patrol C-182 aircraft. Some portions of the exercise will involve flights at approximately 1,000 feet and may be visible from the ground. The exercise is a routine live-fly air defense drill to practice intercepting unknown or threatening aircraft, ensuring airspace security over critical areas to simulate scenarios such as hijackings and airspace violations. Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, is among several lawmakers with military backgrounds whove announced they will not seek reelection in 2026. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Several high-profile veterans in Congress will not seek reelection in 2026, as a record number of lawmakers have declared they will not run again. Some of the military veterans leaving Congress expressed frustration over increasing polarization, divides within their own party and an environment of plain nastiness in Washington, D.C. A total of 55 incumbents will not run in midterm elections this year 46 in the House and nine in the Senate. With Republicans holding a majority in both chambers, elections in November will likely sway the balance of power on Capitol Hill. At least seven lawmakers who will exit Congress in January 2027 are military veterans. Five are Republicans, and two are Democrats. In the House, they include Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a retired Air Force brigadier general; Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, a medically discharged Navy SEAL; Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, a retired Army Reserve major; and Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, a former corporal in the Marine Corps. Im choosing a different path one that allows me to stay rooted in Texas and focus on the people and places that matter most, said Luttrell, who is finishing out his second term representing Texas eighth congressional district. A total of 79 lawmakers in the House are veterans, and there are 18 veterans in the Senate. A significant number, like Luttrell, served in the military following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Luttrell, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, served as a Navy SEAL who was medically retired in 2014 as a lieutenant, after a 14-year military career. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury in a helicopter crash in 2009 in Afghanistan. My service to our great nation started in the Air Force, where I served 16 assignments, five commands and four deployments and will continue in Congress until the end of the 119th Congress, said Bacon, a 30-year Air Force veteran. But Bacon, who has served in Congress since 2017, said he is not ruling out runs for governor or the White House. Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has expressed frustration about the current dysfunction in Washington and sharp divisions within his own party. In 2025, Bacon said he was mad as hell after the U.S. voted against a resolution condemning Russias aggression in Ukraine. In the Senate, veterans not seeking another term include Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a retired Army lieutenant colonel; Gary Peters, D-Mich., a Navy Reserve veteran; and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the former Senate majority leader, whose Army Reserve service in 1967 ended with basic training because of a serious eye condition. McConnell has been a steadfast supporter of military aid to Ukraine and critical of the approach by President Donald Trumps administration for a peace deal as too soft on Russia. Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to Americas interests, said McConnell, in his seventh term. McConnell, 83, disclosed in early 2025 he would not run again. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, was the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate in 2014. She is shown with John Phelan at his 2025 confirmation hearing to be Navy secretary. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) When Ernst announced in September 2025 that she would not seek reelection, she said she was sticking to her plan not to serve more than two terms. Ernst in 2014 was the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate. Ernst, a 55-year-old cancer survivor, was a strong advocate for passage of the 2022 PACT Act, which granted benefits and compensation to veterans who became sick from toxic exposures, including burn pits, Agent Orange and radiation. But Ernst also faced criticism within the Trump administration over her initial hesitancy to support Pete Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran and Fox News host, as defense secretary. She raised concern about Hegseths statement on a podcast that we should not have women in combat roles and about prior sexual misconduct allegations against him. But Hegseth emphasized in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee the need for equal, not equitable, standards for men and women in the military. Ernst ended up backing Hegseths nomination, with her vote considered pivotal to his approval. Peters, a 67-year-old attorney and former naval officer, has complained recently that it is hard to advance policies in the current political climate in Washington. Politics are more polarized. Working together to help people does not get rewarded in this environment, Peters said on a Detroit radio talk show. Peters is completing his third term in the Senate, after three terms in the House. The [politicians] who get the most attention are the ones who are more provocative. Its about performative politics getting the most clicks on social media instead of getting things done, Peters said. Peters served in the Navy Reserve from 1993 to 2008. He was a supply corps officer deployed to the Persian Gulf. He achieved the rank of lieutenant commander. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, cites incivility, plain nastiness and polarization in Congress in his decision not to run again. Golden is shown meeting with constituents at a Maine diner in 2021. (Office of Rep. Jared Golden) Golden, 43, also complained about the political climate in Washington. Public incivility, plain nastiness and threats of violence against him and other politicians convinced Golden to step aside, he wrote in a recent guest editorial in the Bangor Daily News, a Maine newspaper. I have never loved politics. But I find purpose and meaning in service, and the Marine in me has been able to slog along through the many aspects of politics I dislike by focusing on the good work that Congress is capable of producing with patience and determination, Golden wrote. Golden served in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2006, achieving the rank of corporal. He had combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Golden, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, has served in the House since 2018. But he expressed safety concerns for himself and his family if he runs again. As my oldest daughter reaches school age, the threats, the intolerance and hate that often dominate political culture, and my long absences, will be more keenly felt, Golden wrote. I have to consider whether the good I can achieve outweighs everything my family endures as a result. There are no important events for this country at this time. Select "All" to see top events in other countries or view all events. SUR in English Tuesday, 13 January 2026, 11:45 Share The Gibraltar Health Authority has successfully carried out its first-ever organ donation procedure, Health Minister Gemma Arias-Vasquez confirmed, marking a historic achievement for the territory's healthcare system. The landmark procedure took place at St Bernard's Hospital last week following the passing of Juan Jesus Vecino, known locally as "Susi". The GHA has expressed profound gratitude to Mr Vecino and his family for their selfless decision to donate his organs during their time of grief. The donation was facilitated through collaboration between local GHA clinicians and a specialist transplant team from the UK. The procedure forms part of a formal pathway established between the GHA and NHS Blood and Transplant under Gibraltar's reciprocal healthcare arrangements, which also guarantee Gibraltarians access to organ transplantation services within the NHS. Following the successful retrieval of organs at St Bernard's Hospital, they were transported under blue light escort to the airport before being flown to the UK for transplantation. The organs are expected to save and transform multiple lives. The GHA is now working to establish permanent capacity to carry out future organ donations locally. Minister Arias-Vasquez praised the GHA team involved in the procedure and personally extended her condolences to the Vecino family. "In the midst of unimaginable loss, they made a decision of profound generosity that will now go on to save and transform lives," she said. As a lasting tribute, the GHA will install a commemorative plaque in Susi's memory at the hospital in the coming weeks to honour Gibraltar's first organ donor. Health authorities are encouraging the public to register their organ donation decisions on the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision and to discuss their wishes with family members. A single donor can save or improve up to nine lives and registration takes just two minutes. Grant Thomson and the four Al-Mailem brothers, with the model of the Hadi Center. Jose Rodriguez Camara Torremolinos Tuesday, 13 January 2026, 11:56 Share As happened in many other corners of Torremolinos, 40 years ago, the Bajondillo promenade, near Calle del Peligro, underwent a transformation due to the growth of the town as a tourist destination. The Hadi Center was built where La Caracola hotel once stood and is still there today. "It was conceived as an ultra-luxury project in a prime location," explained James Thomson, son of Grant Thomson, the developer who facilitated the deal for the investors, the four Al-Mailem brothers from Kuwait, as their trusted adviser. Zoom The residential building in Bajondillo. James Thomson The idea the Persian Gulf businessmen had in mind, Thomson said, was to erect a building that "would stand out both for its aesthetics and its construction quality" and with which they would also pay tribute to their family, as the complex is named after their Kuwaiti grandfather, Abdul Hadi Al-Mailem. "The result was a work ahead of its time, capable of maintaining its relevance and appeal," he added. 36 Flats The development is divided into thirty flats of no less than 200 square metres and common areas. Jesus Valero Navarrete, whose best known works include the former headquarters of Caja de Malaga on Avenida de Andalucia in Malaga, now Unicaja, was the architect chosen to design the Hadi Center. To market the property, a brochure was published in English, which is still kept by the president of the community of owners, Jose Carlos Jimenez, and whose information included the details of the sales offices, one in Bajondillo itself and the other in Safat, Kuwait City. Zoom Advertising the Hadi Center to potential buyers. Jose Carlos Jimenez The advertising was to the point and promised "5-star luxury residential apartments on the beach", with some very modern-sounding claims, such as that its location allowed a quick drive to Malaga Airport and, from there, to the main cities of the world. In this way, the Al-Mailems, with Grant's advice, captured the market's interest in the flats, particularly among Kuwaitis interested in a second home for holiday periods. Mirrors and marble, along with Moorish-style pointed arches, are defining elements, as is the iconic facade that has just been restored Thirty-six spacious rooms, no less than 200 square metres in size, with terraces and other amenities, in addition to the communal areas and where mirrors and marble, together with Arabic-style pointed arches, are defining elements, as described by the president of the owners' association, as is the iconic facade that has just been restored. The refurbishment has come as part of an energy improvement project, with an investment of one million euros, including aid from the Junta de Andalucia of almost 700,000 euros. Preparing the land for the construction of the apartment complex, La Caracola Hotel and part of the marketing leaflet. James Thomson/Jose Carlos Jimenez Over the years, the presence of Kuwaiti nationals and the use of the complex has been maintained, as Jimenez points out. Thomson estimates that the percentage of Spaniards among owners is around 30%, and most of them are from the province of Cordoba, and use the properties for summer holidays. Place of reception But beyond its architectural value, the Hadi Center is also part of the human and social memory of the town. During the Gulf War, in August 1990, the four brothers who owned the building offered their available housing to host compatriots in need of refuge after the invasion of their land by Saddam Hussein's troops. "It is a gesture of solidarity that left a deep impression and is still remembered as an example of humanity and commitment," said James Thomson. Jimenez, who lived through the episode as a child, recalls that for a time there were even diplomatic representatives from Kuwait in the apartment complex and that there was constant surveillance by the National Police to maintain security at a time of international upheaval. The building is also an example of the municipality's good relations with the Kuwaiti community, which has a strong presence. According to the chronicler of Torremolinos, Carlos Blanco, this closeness was reflected in a council agreement to erect a monument to peace, currently near the Cervantes Hotel, by the Kuwaiti sculptor Mohamad Qambar, which is carved in Macael marble. Zoom The monument to peace. It involved an investment of five million pesetas, almost entirely paid for by Kuwaiti citizens, and was inaugurated, Blanco explains, on 2 June 1992, in the presence of the artist. It originally had a protective fence and is perforated on the inside for a fountain spout. The design insinuates a palm tree, with a trunk attached and the leaves protruding above the work, an allegory of the most symbolic and representative tree of that country, says the historian from Torremolinos, who draws attention to the need to draw attention to this piece, which has not always been well maintained, and which is part of the recent past of Torremolinos, together with the Hadi Center. E. PRESS Tuesday, 13 January 2026, 15:05 Share The National Police have arrested in Estepona (Malaga) a fugitive from Turkish justice in connection with the murder of a man in 2018 in Turkey. The 28-year-old suspect was arrested under a warrant issued by Interpol calling for her extradition to Turkey to serve a 13-year prison sentence, said the National Police in a statement. A report to police of alleged real estate fraud led officers attached to the heritage unit of Estepona police station to come across a female, Turkish citizen who, after further investigation, turned out to be a fugitive from Turkish authorities. The fugitive was hiding in a residential development in this Malaga town. The Interpol arrest warrant sought the woman's arrest to serve her time for the fatal shooting of a man outside a bar in Bodrum, Turkey, in June 2018. According to the warrant, despite not being the one who pulled the trigger, the woman now detained on the Costa del Sol "acted in concert" with other individuals in deliberately murdering the victim. Disagreements in a "business relationship" triggered the violent death. Following her arrest on 8 January in Estepona, on the next day the woman was brought before the central court of instruction number 4 for referral to the national courts. Enrqiue Rodriguez Castellon (left), Maria Cruz Lopez Escalante (centre) and Olga Guerrero (right) were among the researchers who took part in the study. Chus Heredia Tuesday, 13 January 2026, 13:34 Share An international team of scientists has developed an artificial intelligence model that can harvest green hydrogen from wastewater, offering a potential double-win for the climate crisis. Scientists at the University of Malaga (UMA) have helped pioneer a method using artificial intelligence to extract green hydrogen from the water we flush away. The researchers have taken part in an international research project supported by the association of western Costa del Sol municipalities' water company (Acosol), Fundacion Unicaja and the Ministry of Science and Innovation. The results have been published in prestigious specialist journal El Servier. What is green hydrogen? Green hydrogen is neither an energy source nor a fuel in itself, but an energy carrier. It allows energy that has been produced by primary sources (light, heat, electrical energy or combinations of these sources) to be stored, transported and released when and where it is needed. It is like a battery, a transporter. Both the EU and Spain's government are committed to green hydrogen as a tool to accelerate the decarbonisation of the economy. Some of the specific uses of green hydrogen are: electricity generation, transport, industry, energy storage, heating and air conditioning, production of synthetic fuels, among others. Electrolysis The main method of obtaining green hydrogen right now is water electrolysis, splitting water molecules (HO) into oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) using electricity. To generate one tonne of hydrogen, about 11,000 litres of water are needed. Malaga-based research Green hydrogen projects are slowly gaining ground in the province of Malaga, as SUR reported in March 2025. There is still a long way to go, however, and research is key. 'The next step would be to obtain funding to implement the procedure at scale, in a mini-purifier,' Olga Guerrero said One of the participants in the study is UMA professor of chemical engineering Dr Olga Guerrero. She spoke to SUR to explain the importance of the conclusions they have obtained. "It is already complicated to adjust the process when it is done with non-wastewater. In this case, it is even more complicated. These are operations that depend on yeasts, PH... It is complicated. But we have taken an important step forward with a technology that is new for all of us and which opens up many possibilities. The next step would be to obtain funding to implement the procedure at scale, in a mini-purifier, so to speak," she said. Time and cost savings Modelling the process would save a lot of time and money. It would be fine-tuned and not require so many lab tests, so many hours of work, so much money in materials and substances. The production of hydrogen in wastewater could serve to remove many of the pollutants and would be applied in the secondary phase of wastewater treatment, which also generates a lot of sludge. In the tertiary phase, there is no more organic matter and this is when the water is called reclaimed or recycled. The potential is very high. Acosol alone produces 47 million cubic metres a year (a volume equivalent to Malaga city's annual needs), of which it manages to use between seven and ten. As Dr Guerrero said, hydrogen could not only be used as a fuel but also as a basic reagent. The way forward Guerrero mentioned two interesting points: this modelling process could be extended to more areas and, in turn, open up a field of close collaboration with the faculty of computer science for the development of algorithms. "A lot of information and many parameters are required to feed these tools," she said. In dark fermentation, heavy metals can be saved and organic products and CO2 can be generated. Everything can be used. For example, aldehydes and alcohols can be generated. "In the future, we could be talking about an alternative to traditional purification systems. We have a long way to go, but it is a tool that we need to keep researching and learning about. There are teams doing this all over the world, although the process is still at its early stages,"she stated. The research, in brief To summarise the research, we must first explain the term 'dark fermentation'. It is an anaerobic biological process (no light or oxygen) in which micro-organisms, mainly bacteria, break down organic matter (wastewater) to produce biohydrogen as a clean fuel. "It has become a promising method," Dr Guerrero said, but then she listed a number of technical constraints that need to be addressed in order to have a mature technology. Being able to control all the factors and processes to make the leap to commercialisation is the challenge. AI In this context, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning opens a new avenue to create predictive models for the optimisation of chemical processes such as dark fermentation. These models facilitate the identification and learning of patterns, resulting in more accurate process predictions and system control. A key element is that wastewater has a very different and variable incoming quality, parameters, to which it has to be adapted. The work, developed by an international consortium, has shown that it is possible to develop predictive models for this process based on machine learning and AI and clarify the influence of process parameters on performance. In addition, the model has been used to optimise energy recovery and minimise organic waste from the process. International consortium The study is the result of the collaboration between researchers from different countries such as Vietnam, South Korea, India and Taiwan, alongside UMA professors Enrique Rodriguez, Olga Guerrero and M. Cruz Lopez Escalante, from the departments of inorganic chemistry and chemical engineering. The water resources optimisation side of the project has been funded by Acosol, while Fundacion Unicaja and the ministry's research agency have sponsored hydrogen production and decarbonisation. Key Points After struggling for years, Boeing is finally turning things around. Deliveries are touching multiyear highs even as Boeing ramps up 737 Max production. 10 stocks we like better than Boeing The narrative for Boeing (NYSE: BA) is finally shifting from survival to growth. Boeing's journey has been fraught with challenges in recent years, including two fatal crashes between 2018 and 2019 and a freak door accident in 2024, all of which have cost the aerospace giant tens of billions of dollars in production freezes and losses, as well as a significant blow to its reputation. Boeing, however, has taken things in stride and is transforming itself under the leadership of CEO Kelly Ortberg. And nearly every major recent development suggests this aerospace stock is about to take off. I'll list the three biggest ones here. Image source: Getty Images. 1. 737 Max will finally take off The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had capped Boeing's 737 Max production to 38 aircraft per month after the midair door accident in 2024. The FAA recently lifted the cap to 42, and Boeing expects to further ramp up production to 47 aircraft in 2026. 2. Deliveries are zooming Boeing delivered 160 commercial planes in the third quarter, its highest quarterly total since 2018. Deliveries are expected to cross 600 in fiscal 2025, the highest in seven years. Boeing's backlog as of Sept. 30 included more than 5,900 planes worth $535 billion. Boeing has won some big orders since, including a contract for 105 737-10 Max planes from Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK), also the airline's largest order ever. 3. The big $4.7 billion acquisition In December, Boeing acquired Spirit Aerosystems for $4.7 billion. With this acquisition, Boeing has purchased its largest spare-parts supplier, regaining control over the quality and supply of key components, including fuselages for the 737, major structures for the 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner, and components for its military aircraft. Boeing is among the largest defense contractors for the U.S. government and continues to win big defense contracts. With Boeing's backlog growing steadily, and production and deliveries on the rise, its cash flows are expected to improve in 2026 and beyond, which should further cement the aerospace behemoth's turnaround and send the stock price soaring. Should you buy stock in Boeing right now? Before you buy stock in Boeing, 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 Boeing wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Juan Cano Malaga Tuesday, 13 January 2026, 11:48 Share A 32-year-old man has avoided a potentially decades-long prison sentence after a plea deal that has seen him sentenced to four years jail suspended after he shot and injured a nightclub bouncer. The incident dates back to 8 January 2024, when the defendant was denied access to Sala Leblon in Malaga city. "I'll come back and shoot you," he threatened the bouncers. True to his word, he returned less than two hours later, around 3.45am. He stood on the pavement in front of the club, about 15 metres from the bouncers, and fired three shots. A bullet hit one of the bouncers in the left foot, while the other two hit the club's facade. According to the court, the defendant did not have any weapons registered in his name or a licence to use them. The Spanish perpetrator already had a criminal record at the time of the shooting, for which he was facing a sentence of 26 years in prison, as requested by the public prosecution for two crimes of attempted murder and one of illegal possession of weapons. However, the defendant admitted responsibility and reached an agreement with the parties, which granted him a very considerable reduction in the sentence: four years, but he won't enter prison, as this sentence has been suspended. Juan Cano Tuesday, 13 January 2026, 14:40 Share A new case of aggression towards a healthcare professional was reported on 7 January. The incident happened at the Hospital Regional in Malaga, where a patient reportedly punched and tried to kick a doctor in the hospital's emergency department. According to the Malaga medical union (SMM), the woman went to the hospital after suffering an anxiety attack following a break-up. She reportedly punched the doctor in the chest while he was treating her. After that first blow, the patient tried to kick him several times, but the doctor managed to dodge the attack. The woman reportedly damaged the furniture and the medical equipment in the consultation room. The situation ended with the intervention of hospital security guards, who removed the patient from the premises. The doctor, who was physically unharmed, informed his head of department and is currently waiting to report the assailant to the police. On the morning of Tuesday, 13 January, healthcare workers gathered outside the hospital in an act of protest against this new case of violence, the second against a doctor in the province of Malaga so far in 2026. SMM warns that such incidents, which must not be tolerated, have been on the rise in recent years. The union hopes that "there will be no further attacks in the coming months". Antonio M. Romero Tuesday, 13 January 2026, 15:03 Share The provincial authority of Malaga has announced an initial 18.3 million investment to upgrade its road network this year, targeting one in five roads under its jurisdiction. The funding, which is expected to increase as surplus funds from 2025 are rolled over, will cover essential resurfacing, structural repairs, and safety enhancements across provincial roads. President of the provincial authority Francisco Salado made the announcement and took stock of the actions carried out in 2025 as well as outlining the priorities for 2026 during a press conference on Tuesday. The road operation involves 46.42 kilometres of roads connecting municipalities such as Moclinejo, Almachar, El Borge, Alcaucin, Benamargosa, Archez, Archidona, Villanueva de Algaidas, Alhaurin el Grande, Coin, Almogia, Valle de Abdalajis, Canete la Real, Jubrique, Benalauria and Acinipo in Ronda. The institution will allocate 3.1 million euros to the rehabilitation and stabilisation of the MA-7401 road from Ronda to Benaojan, where micropiling work will be carried out to prevent the road from slipping; 1.2 million will be invested in repairing the MA-3107 from Benamargosa to Riogordo; and almost 600,000 euros will be spent on solving drainage problems on the MA-3113, which connects the A-356 with Benamargosa, as it passes through the town of Triana in Velez. In addition, two million will be allocated to the conservation and maintenance of the entire road network (totalling 860 kilometres with 118 roads) and 1.6 million will be invested in specific actions related to improving road safety, such as replacing barriers and horizontal and vertical road signage. REVIEW OF 2025 In 2025, the provincial authority spent 17.6 million euros in 58 roads and a total of 90 kilometres. Of this, almost 7.8 million was spent on surface work on 25 roads, including the asphalting of some 70 kilometres, the repair of road surface deformations and the repair of ditches. Over the past four years, work has been carried out on 72 provincial roads. The 17 roads included in the fifth road surface enhancement plan, which is currently in the tendering phase for 6.6 million euros, will be added this year. The deadline for submitting bids is 19 January. In 2025, 3.2 million euros were allocated to structural work that improved almost 20 kilometres of eight roads, including the MA-4402, which provides access to the Antequera district of La Joya (a project requested by local residents); the MA-8405, which provides access to Cortijo Los Villalones, in the Serrania de Ronda; the MA-4105, between Canillas de Aceituno and Sedella; and access roads to the municipalities of Canete la Real, Villanueva de Algaidas, Villanueva de Tapia and Cuevas de San Marcos. DAMAGE CAUSED BY STORMS In addition, 3.3 million was invested to repair damage caused by storms, which allowed traffic on 25 roads to return to normal. To this, the two million euros spent on road conservation and maintenance work (clearing ditches, filling small potholes, maintenance of embankments and replacement of complementary containment elements) should be added. Plan Via-ble projects received 1.3 million to improve municipal roads and work was carried out on 31.4 kilometres in the municipalities of Archidona, Villanueva de Algaidas, Cortes de la Frontera and Benarraba. Francisco Salado highlighted the provincial authority's commitment to improving traffic. "In recent years, we have demonstrated our firm commitment to structuring the province and improving transport in the interior. Having good roads and adequate road connections in the interior is essential for improving the quality of life in villages and for establishing new business initiatives and enterprises. In short, to combat depopulation," he stated. Salado has been very vocal in his demands to the central government. He finished his announcement on Tuesday with a message addressing the Ministry of Transport: "I would be satisfied if other administrations, especially the central government, invested in roads the same amount as the provincial authority," he said, calling for specific actions to improve the A-7 motorway through the town of Rincon de la Victoria, of which he is the mayor. Susana Zamora Tuesday, 13 January 2026, 10:19 Share A court in Vigo has ruled that a company was well within its rights to hire a private investigator to track a union representative, ultimately justifying his dismissal after he was spotted at a beach bar on company time. According to the court, the company took proportionate measures on suspicion that the employee was using union time to carry out activities outside his role as a workers' representative. The judge dismissed the claim against the company, in which the former employee said that he had always complied with his obligations and that the company had violated his right to privacy by subjecting him to surveillance by private detectives. The judge said that the monitoring operation "was limited to the six days during which the company suspected that the announced absence was motivated by personal interests". He also ruled appropriate the employer's decision "to confirm whether the employee was using the union time-off allowance for activities related to his representative role", given that "no other measure could reasonably" verify that. According to the ruling, consulted by SUR, the measure was "proportional", as it was not a "capricious" investigation ordered with the "aim of satisfying the employer's curiosity". Therefore, the measure complied with the requirements of "suitability, necessity and proportionality". The ruling also notes that the evidence does not suggest the company intended to monitor the employee while he was performing his duties, since the surveillance was ordered on specific days to verify whether he was going to make irregular use of his allocated union time. Furthermore, it notes that, while some of the surveillance was carried out near the worker's home, there is no image in the report showing said home. The judge stated that, in cases involving union time-off, evidence collected by private detectives is generally regarded as valid. According to the resolution, the employee was seen "in what appears to be a beach bar", where he "carried out private activities unrelated to his status as a workers' representative", even though those activities were carried out within working hours. He was accompanied by his family. The ruling is not final, as an appeal can be lodged with the High Court of Justice of Galicia. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Quantum computers, the next-age machines that one day will make current laptops feel like outdated abacuses, are still experimental. But Abhishek Chopra isnt waiting for the future. Instead, his Syracuse-based company, BQP, creates software that mimics the computing power of a quantum computer. Quantum computers are incredibly powerful tools capable of unraveling complex problems in a fraction of the time it takes today, Chopra said. To do that, he says, you dont need the quantum hardware immediately. BQPs software using quantum math to analyze data 10 times faster than todays high-powered computers, Chop Abhishek Chopra started BQP in Syracuse in 2022. He and the company's 40 employees are creating a bridge to quantum computing with software. syracuse.com That can mean faster analysis of medical trials, better fuel efficiency in jets and military aircraft, even speedier manufacturing lines with far fewer quality concerns, he said. In other words, BQP aims to supersize the power of a more traditional computer system. The math that goes behind these tools are outdated and havent changed in the past 40 years, Chopra told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. Chopra said that while quantum computers are still in the experimental stage, the transition has begun. We will soon see hybrid data centers where standard high-performance computers handle the day-to-day heavy lifting, while quantum computers sit alongside them to unlock the hardest scientific puzzles, Chopra said. BQPs work is getting notice from private investors and the U.S. military. Since Chopra founded the company four years ago, its raised nearly $7 million, including about $5 million last year from a mix of venture firms, including Syracuse-based Armory Square Ventures. The company also got $250,000 in state taxpayer money from Empire State Developments investment arm, New York Ventures. BQP, formerly called BosonQ Psi, won recognition as Upstate Capitals venture deal of the year in 2025. Two years ago, the company won a $100,000 grant from the HUSTLE Defense Accelerator, run by the Griffiss Institute with the Air Force Research Lab in Rome, to explore how quantum computing could improve the militarys simulations. Chopra runs BQP, which has grown to 40 workers, from CenterState CEOs tech business accelerator INSPYRE Innovation Hub in downtown. A core group of cofounders and leaders work out of the downtown office, while others work across the U.S., Chopra said. Todays computers rely on binary systems, basically a long string of commands that force the machine to decide yes or no to perform tasks. Quantum systems operate more like a multiple-choice test on steroids. The machine can cipher through several directions while exploring various answers and options, all at the same time. The goal is, how can we accelerate these tools of modeling and simulation for engineers and scientists to do these things not in years and several months, but in days and minutes, Chopra said. Currently, BQP has contracts with some leaders in simulation modeling, including Nvidia, IBM, Intel, and MathWorks, Chopra said. Chopra, an aerospace engineer and computational scientist, also has his eye on the day when quantum computers are more readily available for industries and consumers. He estimated BQPs software installed on a quantum computer could run analyses up to 1,000 times faster than todays best desktops. He said he believes Syracuse and other cities along the New York Thruway could become a home for quantum industries. Already, the military has designated its lab in Rome as the quantum headquarters for the Air Force. One of my big goals is not just to make BQP successful, of course thats my day-to-day job, but also how to really impact the region, Chopra said. We in Upstate New York, I feel like, are aching for the next Kodak movement. The Reading League, a Syracuse-based national nonprofit, announced the hiring of Soledad Calvino as director of public relations. Calvino will lead the organizations national media strategy and shape public relations campaigns to amplify its mission and impact. >> Send us your companys news about People in Motion She joins the team at TRLs headquarters at 103 Wyoming St. in Syracuse. Calvino has more than a decade of experience translating complex science and public policy into accessible messages. Prior to joining The Reading League, she held communications and public affairs roles across the federal government, specializing in media relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. She holds a bachelor of science degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida and a master of public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. Calvino currently resides in Melbourne, Fla. Founded and headquartered in Central New York, The Reading League has grown from a local grassroots movement into a national nonprofit led by educators and reading experts dedicated to advancing evidence-aligned practices in classrooms across the country and around the world. Through professional development, resources, and strategic support, TRL empowers educators and school leaders with the knowledge and tools to deliver effective reading instruction grounded in the science of how people learn to read. If youd like to submit an item about People in Motion at your organization, send a press release including photo, to business@syracuse.com with Company News in the subject field. We publish news about people with ties to Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison and Oswego counties. See all recent Company News items. NBC has pulled this weeks episode of Law & Order: SVU after an arrest warrant was issued for one of its guest stars following child abuse allegations. Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield was set to appear in this Thursdays episode, which is titled Corrosive. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the episode has been shelved and will be replaced with Fidelis Ad Mortem, which was originally scheduled to air on Jan. 22. It is currently unknown if the Corrosive episode will be rescheduled. The networks decision follows an announcement on Friday by authorities in New Mexico. Busfield is alleged to have abused two boys in 2024 on the set of the Fox drama series The Cleaning Lady, which was filmed in Albuquerque. Busfield directed and acted in the series. An affidavit in the case states one of the boys claimed Busfield first touched him when he was seven years old and again at age eight. Both incidents were on set, with the child stating that the 68-year-old actor touched him on his poop and pee area over his clothing. Busfield also reportedly told the boys to call him Uncle Tim. According to the affidavit, the boys parents questioned their sons after hearing rumors that Busfield had been handsy with women on set. When they were asked if anyone had ever touched them in a way that made them uncomfortable, the children reportedly responded, You mean like Uncle Tim? Police first became aware of the allegations after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted Albuquerque police to initiate a sexual abuse investigation. This warrant follows a history of similar claims against Busfield. He previously faced allegations of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old extra on the set of the 1994 film Little Big League, which he directed. He settled a lawsuit with the victim and a separate legal action against a law firm he had accused of defamation. Additionally, in 2012, a woman accused him of groping her on a date, though Los Angeles prosecutors did not file charges in that instance. Busfield is a veteran of the Law & Order franchise, having previously guest-starred on SVU in 2011 and directed two episodes in 2019. He is still at large since New Mexico authorities issued an arrest warrant for him on Friday. Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET. Viewers without cable or an over-the-air antenna can watch the show live for free with DIRECTVs five-day free trial or stream the next day on Peacock. Taye Diggs latest accolade hits close to home. On Monday, the Rochester Music Hall of Fame announced that Diggs will be inducted into its Class of 2026. Taye Diggs exemplifies the spirit of Rochesters creative community, board member Tony Gross said in a statement. His achievements reflect not only extraordinary talent, but a commitment to artistic excellence, representation, and storytelling that continues to inspire audiences worldwide. The Rent star and local band The Skycoasters are the first two inductees to be announced for the upcoming ceremony in April. Diggs, who was born in New Jersey, grew up in Rochester and attended the School of the Arts (SOTA). In 1993, he graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in musical theater before launching his prolific Broadway and television career. In addition to his role as Benny in Rent, Diggs stage credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Chicago, Wicked, and Moulin Rouge! On the small screen, hes appeared in All American, Private Practice, and Empire. Meanwhile, his film career includes roles in River Runs Red, Til Death Do Us Part, and Opening Night, as well as the film adaptations of Rent and Chicago. In response to the news, Diggs shared his gratitude. Im incredibly grateful and humbled to be recognized by my hometown. Rochester played a huge role in shaping who I am as an artist, and this honor means more to me than I can express, read a statement from him on the Hall of Fames website. Last Thursday, Diggs also showcased his Rochester pride by sharing a photo of his old Rochester City School District ID on Instagram. The ID featured a baby-faced Diggs in glasses and listed his familys former Rochester address. Back in the day, Diggs wrote in the caption. The induction ceremony is scheduled for April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Eastman Theatre. Q : How quickly can you monetize the long-term receivables in Brazil, and what impact will this have on cash flow? A : James Rudyk, CFO: We have a BRL1.2 billion fund in place to monetize receivables. The process is administrative and expected to complete by early 2026. We aim to monetize 60-80% of sales, which will fund costs without impacting working capital, leading to positive cash flow in 2026. Q : Can you explain the internal control weaknesses related to the reporting delay, and have they been resolved? A : James Rudyk, CFO: The delay was due to complex projects in Brazil, requiring a deeper dive into operations. Issues included segregation of duties and technical accounting complexities. We have a remediation plan in place to address these, aiming to prevent future delays. Paul Householder, CEO, added that the plan is comprehensive and aims to avoid future issues. There was a delay in filing Q3 results due to complexities in accounting and internal control issues in Brazil. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript . Story Continues Q: Were you surprised by the length of the reporting delay, and what was the outcome of the review? A: Paul Householder, CEO: The complexity of projects and the fund setup in Brazil required more time. We prioritized getting it right, which took longer than expected. The outcome provided valuable insights to enhance our financial procedures, setting us up better for future projects. Q: What is the current status of inventory levels for portable equipment in North America, and when do you expect normalization? A: Paul Householder, CEO: Inventory levels have improved, especially in the US, due to dealer partnerships and incentives. We expect Canadian levels to normalize in the first half of 2026. The early order program is slightly ahead of last year, indicating progress. Q: Can you provide more details on the large-scale projects in Brazil and their impact on future revenue? A: Paul Householder, CEO: We have a strong pipeline in Brazil, with projects extending into 2026. While these projects create revenue variability, our established customer relationships and unique receivables monetization solution provide a competitive advantage. Q: What are the expectations for the Commercial segment in 2026, given the current order book and market conditions? A: Paul Householder, CEO: The order book is healthy, but we remain cautious for 2026 due to ongoing challenges in North America and India. The timing of large project signings will impact the order book, and we expect challenging conditions to persist. Q: How will the remediation plan for Brazil's accounting issues unfold, and when will it be completed? A: Paul Householder, CEO: The plan is a top priority, with specific actions and timelines. Some elements will be completed quickly, while others, like training, may take longer. We aim to implement it as soon as possible. Q: What are the expected impacts of facility consolidations and efficiency initiatives on margins in 2026? A: Paul Householder, CEO: Facility consolidations in North America are nearing completion, improving our manufacturing footprint. We expect these actions to enhance operational efficiency and support margin improvements in the second half of 2026. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. New York State Police have arrested two East Syracuse men in connection with a series of retail thefts at Bass Pro Shops that netted more than $3,000 in merchandise. Zachary S. Rathburn, 42, and Corey Scott, 42, face charges of grand larceny in the third degree, a felony, and conspiracy in the fifth degree, a misdemeanor, according to State Police. The charges stem from thefts that occurred on Dec. 18, 19, and 21, at the store located in the Fingerlakes Mall in the town of Aurelius. State Police said the investigation revealed the two men worked together to steal hunting and outdoor equipment from the store over multiple dates. Surveillance footage and assistance from the public helped investigators identify the suspects. Rathburn faces additional charges connected to earlier thefts at Sunglass Hut, which operates inside the Bass Pro Shops location. State Police said Rathburn stole multiple pairs of sunglasses valued at more than $2,800 on May 10 and May 12. He was additionally charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, a felony, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor. Scott was taken into custody on Jan. 5, processed at State Police barracks in Auburn, and transported to Cayuga County Jail for arraignment. Rathburn was arrested on Jan. 9, processed at the Auburn barracks, and transported to Cayuga County Jail for arraignment. Jordan, N.Y. A woman convicted for her role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot is now facing new charges after a neighborhood dispute in Jordan where state police seized three guns from her apartment. Troopers said her boyfriend was arrested after firing a rifle in the direction of a neighbor. Renee Fatta, 43, was also arrested and charged with second-degree criminal trespass and second-degree harassment after a confrontation with the neighbors Thursday night, according to State Police. Around 8:12 p.m., troopers were called to 26 Mechanic St. after a report of a shooting, troopers said. The incident began with a verbal dispute between residents of upstairs and downstairs apartments, they said. Troopers said Fatta, who lived in the upstairs unit, forced her way into the downstairs apartment and accused one of the residents of stealing packages delivered to her home. Fatta was pushed out of the apartment and the door was locked, they said. A short time later, one of the downstairs residents went into the driveway to move a vehicle when Daniel T. Ballard, 40 who is in a relationship with Fatta armed himself with a rifle, went downstairs and fired one round into the driveway in the direction of the neighbor. No one was hit and no injuries were reported, troopers said. State police later obtained a search warrant for the upstairs apartment, seizing two Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifles, a Rossi RS22M rifle, ammunition and body armor, according to court records. Ballard was arrested and charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree unlawful purchase and possession of body armor. He was taken to Syracuse City Court for arraignment. Fatta was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Elbridge Town Court on Jan. 26. After the Jan. 6 riots, Fatta pleaded guilty in Washington, D.C., federal court to one misdemeanor count of parading, picketing or demonstrating in a Capitol building. Prosecutors said Fatta traveled to Washington with another rioter and entered the Capitol through the Parliamentarian doors after they were breached. Surveillance footage showed her inside the building, and authorities said she later posted a photo from outside the Capitol to Facebook. She was originally charged with disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a capitol building or grounds; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building On the first day of his second inauguration, President Donald Trump issued pardons or sentence commutations to more than 1,500 people charged in the Capitol riot. Fatta was among those pardoned. Utica, N.Y. A former corrections officer on trial in the death of an inmate did not touch the man but caused his death by failing to stop the beatings, prosecutors said in opening statements Tuesday. Michael D. Fisher is one of 10 guards charged after Robert Brooks, 43, was beaten to death hours after he arrived at the Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9, 2024. Fisher is charged with second-degree manslaughter and if convicted faces 15 years in prison. Fishers attorney, Scott Iseman, told the jury his client did not witness some of the most brutal blows Brooks suffered and could not have known the assaults could be fatal. He warned the jury not to let hindsight bias cloud their judgment. Officers repeatedly punched and kicked Brooks in the groin, abdomen, neck and face in the prisons infirmary. He died hours later at a Utica hospital. The brutal beating which prosecutors said was the final of three beatings to Brooks was recorded on video by body cameras worn by four officers. None had turned on their camera, but 30 minutes of video was passively recorded without audio. Fishers body camera was one of four that captured the incident. In Fishers video, the guard doesnt touch Brooks during the assaults. Iseman said Fishers camera footage also shows he missed some of the most brutal assaults: one by Christopher Walrath before Brooks was taken to the infirmary and another by Anthony Farina before Fisher arrived. Iseman pointed out that those assaults targeted Brooks neck, where some of the worst injuries were sustained. He told the jury Fisher would not have known of the potentially fatal damage Brooks was already suffering from before he arrived. Fisher is the last former officer waiting for a resolution of his charges in the beating death. Six guards have pleaded guilty and three went to trial together. Judge Robert Bauer gave Fisher a separate trial after his attorneys argued they needed more time, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick confirmed. They argued prosecutors changed their theory to accuse Fisher of being an accessory to the crime rather than an active participant, Fitzpatrick said. Before opening statements Tuesday, Fitzpatrick said that the essence of their case against Fisher is that if he, or others, had intervened during the assault, Brooks would not have died. Prosecutors directed the jury to pay close attention to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision policy on the duty to intervene, a key topic in the last trial. The policy requires officers to step in when they see excessive force. Fitzpatrick told the jury Fisher witnessed Brooks being assaulted for six minutes and never honored his oath to intervene. Fitzpatrick said inmates are dependent on the corrections officers for their safety. He said that the officers duty to intervene stems from their custodial power over the inmates. Iseman told the jury to put themselves in Fishers shoes. He said Fisher walked in to see a wall of corrections officers, including his supervisors, after responding to a call that officers needed help. He told the jury the supervisors in the room were sanctioning the force Fisher was witnessing. The case will hinge on what the jury finds Fisher was aware of when he was witnessing the assault. They must decide if he had a reasonable belief that there was a risk of death and still failed to step in and stop the abuse. In an October trial for other officers, two officers who never struck Brooks were acquitted of murder charges. Fisher faces a lesser charge that does not require prosecutors to prove he intended to kill or seriously injure Brooks. The other guards Here is what has happened to the 10 corrections officers charged in connection with Brooks death. Three other former officers went to trial in October. All three men were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. New York State Police issued 47,711 tickets and arrested 767 people for driving while intoxicated during a three-week enforcement campaign over the Christmas and New Years holiday period. The initiative, part of the national Drive High Get a DUI campaign, ran from Dec. 10, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2026, and targeted impaired and reckless drivers across the state. Troopers investigated 6,244 accidents during the enforcement period, including 13 fatal crashes. Law enforcement utilized sobriety checkpoints and additional DWI patrols throughout the campaign. Officers also deployed Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles alongside marked State Police cruisers to identify motorists violating traffic laws. The CITE vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but become recognizable as emergency vehicles once their lights are activated. Speeding violations accounted for the largest portion of citations, with troopers issuing 14,460 tickets. State Police also cited 1,810 drivers for distracted driving involving handheld electronic devices, 1,600 for seatbelt violations, and 828 for Move Over Law infractions. The enforcement results represent a slight increase from the previous years campaign, when State Police issued 45,770 total tickets and arrested 755 people for DWI. Regional enforcement varied across the state. The NYS Thruway Troop recorded the highest total with 7,709 tickets and 102 DWI arrests. Western Hudson Valley saw 141 DWI arrests, while Eastern Hudson Valley issued 5,333 total tickets. New York City recorded the fewest violations with 2,058 tickets and 23 DWI arrests. State Police emphasized that holiday enforcement campaigns aim to save lives and prevent tragedies on New York roadways. Officials noted that increased traffic, celebrations, and winter driving conditions during the holiday season significantly raise the risk of serious crashes. Authorities urged drivers to designate sober drivers, use seat belts and child restraints, obey speed limits, move over for emergency vehicles, and avoid distractions. Want to go on an adventure with Hoggle, Sir Didymus, Ludo, and the Goblin King? Jim Hensons Labyrinth: In Concert is going on tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the beloved 1986 movie. The event features the film shown on the big screen with its iconic soundtrack performed by a live band on stage, accompanied by the late David Bowies vocals. Tour dates include a Sept. 15, 2026, performance at the Palace Theatre in Syracuse. The show begins at 7 p.m.; attendees 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. via showclix.com and AfterDarkPresents.com. Other Upstate New York stops on the tour include performances Sept. 14 at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda and Sept. 18 at the Hart Theatre at The Egg in Albany. Labyrinth, directed by The Muppets creator Jim Henson, is a fantasy adventure about a teen girl (Jennifer Connelly) who must navigate a maze to save her baby brother from Jareth, the Goblin King (David Bowie). The cult classic also includes memorable lines like you remind me of the babe and Henson creatures like the dwarf Hoggle, a large troll called Ludo, and a dog-riding fox terrier named Sir Didymus. The concert will also feature live performances of original songs by Bowie like Magic Dance, Underground and The World Falls Down. Watching audiences connect with Labyrinth this deeply has been extraordinary. From the costumes to the sing-alongs, the energy in every theater is electric, says John Kinsner, CEO of Black Ink Presents. With the film celebrating its 40th anniversary, this tour gives audiences a chance to rediscover the soundtrack with Bowies vocals and Trevor Jones score in a way that feels completely fresh and genuinely unforgettable. For more information, visit labyrinthinconcert.com. Upstate New York recently got a close encounter of the Hollywood kind and now the first glimpse has been revealed. The first trailer for Steven Spielbergs new extraterrestrial thriller, Disclosure Day, has been released, giving audiences their first look at scenes filmed in the Catskills and Westchester County. The film features a high-profile cast that includes Emily Blunt, Josh OConnor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, Eve Hewson and Wyatt Russell. While the story reaches far beyond Earth, parts of it were grounded firmly in the Hudson Valley. In the trailer, Blunt stars as a Kansas City television meteorologist whose on-air broadcast takes a strange turn. Viewers see unsettling behavior during a live studio segment intercut with hints of unexplained animal activity, eerie abandoned locations and secretive government actions. OConnor appears as a whistleblower whose revelations suggest a long-hidden truth is about to surface. In the spring of last year, Spielberg and Blunt were spotted filming scenes across New York and neighboring New Jersey, including locations in Westchester County and the Catskills. Production crews also put out a casting call in April seeking Greene County residents and their vehicles to appear as hotel guests, diner patrons and drivers turning quiet Hudson Valley mountain towns into temporary movie sets. Films which question our solo existence in the universe are not alien to the award-winning director. Previous films include Close Enounters of the Third Kind, E.T. and War of the Worlds. Disclosure Day is set to hit U.S. theaters on June 12, 2026. This article introduces one of six finalists for The Syracuse Orchestras position of music director. We profile finalists before the first of two concerts each is scheduled to conduct. Finalists will be introduced to the community at events listed on the orchestras website, where professional biographies can also be found. The successful candidate will be announced at the end of the 2025-26 season. Its a little bit of magic, said Stilian Kirov about the moment when everythingscore study, planning, collaboration with musicians, and rehearsalsultimately comes together in a live performance. Local audiences will have three opportunities to experience that magic when Kirov conducts The Syracuse Orchestra on Jan. 24 in a Masterworks concert and again Feb. 28 and March 1 in Casual series performances. Kirov, music director of the 48-year-old Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bakersfield (California) Symphony, founded in 1932, began his professional music career as a piano performance major and was recognized internationally for his talent. After having opportunities to lead ensembles, however, he made a choice to focus on conducting because he enjoyed the experience of connecting with other musicians. Professional piano performance and conducting have in common the fact that they both provide one the opportunity to create music, Kirov said. I am drawn to conducting because, although I dont play a note during concerts, I am in unity with other musicians, open to their interpretations and ideas, responding to everything that is going on in the orchestra. Essentially, as we proceed, we are building the performance together. Kirov said he believes music organizations have a responsibility to serve their communities not only through staged concerts, but also in ways that are creative and inclusive. He notes, for example, the Bakersfield Orchestras outreach to young people, including encouraging attendance at regular concerts, an incentive that involves thousands of children annually. Under Kirovs baton, the Illinois Philharmonic has finalized its commercial recording debut available on C.D. or streaming platforms. Childrens Stories is based on tales by Leo Lionni and poetry by former United States Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks. The literature is set to music by classical composers Michael Abels and Augusta Read Thomas. I recognize it is a privilege to be engaged in this profession, to be involved in artistic pursuits, Kirov said. A significant part of our job is to reach out to all the people in our communities. The Syracuse Orchestra Masterworks concert Jan. 24 will be preceded by a social gathering at 6 p.m. in the Banner room of the Oncenter where refreshments will be served and attendees can meet Kirov and musicians. Special event tickets may be purchased online. The concert program opens with Claude Debussys Pagodes, the first of three pieces in which the young French composer tried to convey, on the piano, the sound of Asian gamelan music, which is performed on woodwinds and bowed instruments along with gongs, marimbas, drums and rattles. Kirov refers to it as a unique piece which connects with the contemporary concerto that will follow. Tan Duns 22-minute Trombone Concerto featuring Ben Dettelback, TSO principal trombone, is among the few works that feature the brass instrument. The 2021 three-movement composition, titled Three Muses in Video Game, conjures the muse of Bili, the muse of Xiqin, and the muse of Sheng, imagined game icons. Principal percussionist Michael Bull will be featured, along with other percussionists, on traditional and exotic instruments. Following intermission, Kirov will lead the orchestra in a performance of the second symphony of Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). He wrote it in only three months in the summer of 1877, Kirov said. Its remarkable, considering it took him 21 years to write the first. Primarily a work that conveys a sunny, pastoral mood, it hints at a realistic view of life as also harboring dark themes. When at home between performances, Kirov cherishes time with his wife and their 11-year-old son. On Feb. 14, he will conduct the Illinois Symphony Orchestras Valentines Day concert, and his wife, world renowned pianist Anastasiya Poff, will perform. Soon after, Kirov will head to Syracuse to meet musicians and members of the community. After several rehearsals, the day of the concert will arrive. Kirov will follow his quiet, normal schedule. He will eat lightly and intentionally to build energy. And, if time allows, he will spend the final half hour simply meditating before taking the stage, welcoming the audience, and mounting the podium to join the other artists in creating a meaningful, shared experience that will evoke that little bit of magic. Music, Kirov said, makes us all see the world from a higher perspective. SHOW DETAILS What: Masterworks Brahms and Debussy, conducted by Stilian Kirov Where: The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater, 421 Montgomery St. When: Saturday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Run Time: Two hours with one intermission Tickets: Starting at $17; Free for 18 and under; $5 with a college/university ID Syracuse Orchestra Unlimited: $19.99 month for one or $29.99 for two adult tickets for regular series concerts (kids are free) Community Give Back: Call for free tickets if financial assistance needed (no proof required) Purchase: 315-299-5598 or syracuseorchestra.org Shuttle: See website for pay-as-you-will shuttle from DeWitt, Camillus or Liverpool. Syracuse, N.Y. More than 1,200 people rallied Monday afternoon in downtown Syracuse against the Trump administrations crackdown on immigrants and the killing of a Minnesota woman last week by a federal agent. A wave of protests surged across the country in the past few days after a federal agent shot and killed Renee Good, 37, last Wednesday in Minneapolis. Cell-phone videos of the shooting have gone viral online. People of all ages and backgrounds attended the protest Monday in Syracuse. Many waved American flags, and others held up signs attacking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Protesters first gathered at 3:30 p.m. in Columbus Circle, and then marched down South Salina Street to the base of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Clinton Square. A crowd of 300 to 400 people in Columbus Circle grew to 1,200 to 1,600 in Clinton Square, syracuse.com reporters estimated. Organizers put the crowd size at about 1,600. Among the slogans spotted on protest signs were, The only illegal is in the White House, and Hate + Fear will never make America great. People played drums and blew whistles, a new symbol of activism to alert neighbors when immigration agents are nearby. Tom Keck, a Syracuse University political science professor and activist with the group CNY Solidarity, gave the crowd a lesson in Constitutional law, his expertise. Some things are complicated and some things are simple, he said. If armed agents of the state are shooting people dead in the streets of a U.S. city, that is obviously illegal. If they are refusing medical treatment to that person after they shoot her, that is obviously illegal. Also illegal, he said, is arresting people without warrants, detaining campus protesters and launching foreign military action without Congressional approval. We are stuck with a criminal, corrupt, craven government acting in all of our names, he said. Like, I dont care if you didnt vote for the guy. That is the government of the United States right now purporting to act on our behalf and we gotta keep saying no to that. The rally Monday was one of many that have been held since President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term last year. Dozens of people in Central New York have been caught up in the presidents crackdown on immigrants, including restaurant owners, farmworkers and hospital employees. As the protesters marched to Clinton Square, chants of No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here, rang out down the street. Some motorists honked their horns in approval. Protesters used the sidewalks and patiently waited for crosswalk signs. The large crowd stretched about two city blocks. Paul Lell, 37, told syracuse.com that the No Kings protest last fall in DeWitt was his first protest. The rally Monday was his second. I just cant anymore, he said. This was the last straw. I had to come out. Lell, a veteran, said that as someone trained in combat, he felt that the federal agent who shot Good was completely in the wrong. I think theres a lot of people who feel the same way, he said, and thats why you are seeing a lot more people at these protests. Peter Haggerty, 61, said he had to push himself to attend the rally because of the frigid temperatures. I still had to come, he said. The presidents actions, our government, ICEs actions ... its outrageous to say the least. As the protesters began speaking in Clinton Square, the song I Wont Back Down by Tom Petty was playing over the ice rink loudspeakers. A woman read an award-winning poem written by Good. A long banner was unfurled with the names of people who died last year while in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security. The names were read aloud, one by one. Tammy Honeywell, who helped organize the protest, told the crowd to stay tuned for future rallies. Lets stand together to show that we are not going to allow this, she said. Some protesters wore masks, saying they feared potential retaliation if seen at the rally. At one point, a man wearing a Donald Trump mask drove up in black pickup truck and played loud music. He left after about five minutes. Paul Calderwood, 62, was one of the few Trump supporters who attended the rally. Calderwood described Goods death as an unfortunate event, but believed that she was in the wrong in the situation. Calderwood did not go to the rally to be disruptive. The former state trooper said he would fight for the right to free speech for every person here. Syracuse, N.Y. - More than 1,000 people gathered in downtown Syracuse Monday to protest against ICE and the recent fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis. The protesters gathered in Columbus Circle at 3:30 p.m. for a rally and then marched to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Clinton Square to hold a vigil at 4:30 p.m. The crowd of 300 to 400 people in Columbus Circle grew to 1,200 to 1,600 in Clinton Square, according to Syracuse.com reporters estimates. Organizers put the crowd size at about 1,600. Many people waved American flags, and others held up anti-ICE posters. The largest sign read No ICE in America. As they marched to Clinton Square, chants of No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here, rang down South Salina Street. Some protesters wore masks, telling syracuse.com | The Post-Standard they feared potential retaliation if seen at the event. At one point a man wearing a Donald Trump mask drove up in black pickup truck and played loud music. He left after about 5 minutes. The event follows a weekend of protests nationwide in what was dubbed the ICE Out For Good weekend of action by Indivisible, a national progressive grassroots coalition. Tens of thousands took to the streets of Minneapolis, the city where Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by ICE agents last Wednesday, sparking the mass protests. Thousands also attended large protests in Los Angeles and Chicago, among others. The Syracuse protests follow on several smaller ones held in Syracuse last week. Syracuse, N.Y. Hundreds of political leaders from around New York will come to Syracuse next month to decide which statewide candidates should get the partys endorsement. The New York State Democratic Committee today is sending invitations for its convention to be held Friday, Feb. 6, in Syracuse, the first time the city has hosted the event since 1982. The proceedings will take place at the Carrier Theater inside the Onondaga County-owned Mulroy Civic Center in the citys downtown. This years elections include statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and comptroller. The convention takes place ahead of the window from late February through early April when candidates can gather petition signatures to secure places on primary ballots. There are about 440 members of the New York State Democratic Committee. They are elected during party primaries to represent party voters within each state Assembly District. The last Democratic State Convention for statewide offices took place in New York City in 2022. Incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul secured the party committees backing ahead of her wins in the primary and general elections. Former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Hillary delivered the keynote address at that convention. The 2018 and 2014 gatherings took place on Long Island. The conventions most recent Upstate New York host city was Buffalo in 2006. The State Party likes to convene in different cities and regions of the state, demonstrating the importance of and our commitment to every region, said Jay Jacobs, the New York State Democratic Committee chair since 2019. Democrats are focused on competing everywhere and notching wins across the entire state. At the 1982 convention held at Hotel Syracuse, New York City Mayor Ed Koch earned the party leaders backing, but he later lost in the primary to then Lt. Gov. Mario Cuomo. Past conventions held in Syracuse included a 1936 gathering at the downtown armory, where President Franklin Roosevelt spoke to kick off the active campaigning phase of his re-election bid that year. Primary elections, if needed, take place June 23, with early voting June 13-21. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, with early voting from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1. Alphabet's latest stock surge brought its valuation past $4 trillion on Monday. Shares of the Google parent soared 65% last year amid the broader AI rally. It marks the first time its stock has surpassed Apple in market cap in about seven years. Another tech titan just joined the $4 trillion club. Alphabet became the fourth company to reach a $4 trillion valuation on Monday, attesting to the immense hype surrounding AI that has propelled mega-cap tech firms to the stratosphere. The stock rose as much as 2% before paring gains. Alphabet joins Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple in the elite club of the world's most valuable companies. Its surge to all-time highs on Monday came as Apple said that it picked Google's Gemini to power the iPhone maker's AI features in its devices. "Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year," the companies said in a statement. CNBC earlier reported news of the deal. The search giant launched its latest Gemini 3 AI model to rave reviews. The gains have leapfrogged competing models from OpenAI and other rivals that have been trying to chip away at Google's dominance. Google's full-stack advantage is also winning investor confidence. It's demonstrating that its in-house TPU chips are becoming a greater threat to Nvidia's AI chip monopoly, while Google has huge distribution for AI through Search, YouTube, and other popular products. Alphabet's latest stock surge also marks the first time it has surpassed Apple's valuation in seven years. Apple's market cap hovered around $3.8 trillion on Monday. Shares of the Google parent soared 65% in 2025, and the stock is up 3% year-to-date. Read the original article on Business Insider Syracuse, N.Y. Sharon Owens is not hesitating on publicly declaring the candidate shes backing in this years gubernatorial race. The new Syracuse mayor today is endorsing Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul re-election bid. The Hochul campaign is announcing the endorsement on the same day the governor delivers the annual State of the State address in Albany. It also comes on a day when one of Hochuls opponents, Democratic Lt. Gov. Anthony Delgado, is planning a Central New York campaign visit. Hes holding a town hall meeting in Auburn tonight. Delgado, Hochuls hand-picked second-in-command, launched his campaign to challenge his boss last year. Owens worked with the Hochul administration during her time as deputy mayor under Ben Walsh. That included securing up to $29 million in state funding to redevelop the former Syracuse Developmental Center into more than 500 housing units. The Hochul administration has also provided grant funding for many public safety initiatives in Syracuse, including programs to reduce gun violence. Governor Hochul understands that affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing working families, and shes taken real action to meet that challenge investing in housing and delivering relief that is making a difference for families here in Syracuse, Owens said in written remarks being released by the Hochul campaign. She doesnt just talk about supporting Syracuse, she shows up and works with us to deliver, investing real resources to keep our communities safe and affordable. Owens is also returning a favor from the governor, who endorsed Owens in the final days of the 2025 election during a visit to Syracuse. Owens won in a landslide victory, securing more than 70% of the vote in a four-person race. Hochul attended and spoke at Owens inauguration ceremony on Jan. 3 at the Landmark Theatre. Owens and Hochul are both Syracuse University alums. The governor graduated in 1980, a year before Owens enrolled as a freshman student. Hochul has lined up the SU marching band to perform at todays State of the State speech, which Owens will attend. Early public polling in the governors race has heavily favored Hochul. A survey released by Siena College in mid-December showed the governor leading Delgado among registered Democrats, 56% to 13%. She also held a substantial edge over a Republican candidate, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, 50% to 25%. Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse Common Council will hold a public hearing at the end of the month on a proposed six-month moratorium on battery energy storage systems. The council voted unanimously today to set the hearing for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Common Council chambers on the third floor of City Hall in Syracuse. Councilor Jimmy Monto proposed the moratorium, which has support from the citys Code Enforcement division and the Syracuse Fire Department. More time is needed to review potential adverse environmental and fire safety impacts of the lithium-ion battery storage sites, the proposed law reads. At least one company has applied for a permit to build a storage facility in Syracuse, and others have shown interest. But Fire Chief Michael Monds previously has expressed concerns about how to battle fires if the storage site catches fire. The lithium-ion battery facilities are billed as environmentally friendly because they could reduce the need to generate energy with natural gas and oil to meet peak demand. The battery storage systems fill up at night, collecting power from the grid when demand for electricity is lowest. Then, the company that owns the storage system gets paid to feed that power back to the grid during the daytime, when demand is higher. New York officials have been encouraging the development of battery systems in an effort to increase the reliability of the electric grid as demand for energy in New York ramps up. Syracuse, N.Y. Joyce Suslovic was at one of the semi-regular meetings Salt Springs neighbors have with Jack Brower, Le Moyne Colleges off-campus housing coordinator, when she discovered an opportunity. A couple of city officials were presenting details of the new Block Challenge Program, launched in August to offer exterior home improvement grants of up to $2,500 residents in the Salt Springs and Tipperary Hill areas. With teams of at least three neighbors, the city would match dollar-for-dollar the costs of projects that would spruce homes on the outside. Within a few months, Suslovic had a new roof over her head, partially funded by a $2,500 check received a week after the work was finished. It helped cover a needed improvement on the house this retired teacher bought two years ago to be close to Le Moyne, where she does part-time student advising work. And it also helped her feel more engaged with her neighborhood. I mean the people that designed this program really got it right, Suslovic said. Its really good as far as preventive stuff and as far as getting to know your neighbors, too. Encouraging investment and building neighborhood pride and cohesion are two primary goals behind the Block Challenge Program, said Michelle Sczpanski, the citys Deputy Commissioner of Neighborhood Development and executive director of the Syracuse Housing Strategies Corp., which is running the program. Its the initial program in the first phase of the citys strategy to tackle a housing crisis that includes a lack of quality housing stock and a resident income base that cannot afford the cost of renovations and new home construction. When applications for the program opened in August, city officials estimated paying out about $70,000 in grants, but acknowledged the figure was very much a guess because they didnt know how the neighborhoods would respond. The numbers so far are tracking to greatly exceed those expectations, and thats welcomed news for program coordinators. Through Dec. 11, the city received 203 applications for repair grants on projects with a combined cost of $972,000. If all of those projects are approved and completed, the Block Challenge Program will pay out $391,000 in grants. So far, 25 projects valued at a combined $137,000 have been supported by $44,000 from the city. Weve been really pleased with the response weve gotten, Sczpanski said. The city first unveiled its housing strategy in 2024, a year after a housing consultant completed a property-by-property assessment of every dwelling in Syracuse to determine the extent of its housing challenges. Based on the findings, the plan targets investment of public funds in middle-income areas, where homeowners may struggle with maintenance costs but dont qualify for many of the state and federal assistance programs because they dont live in poverty-stricken census tracts. The plan seeks to boost home values and encourage private investment so the middle-income neighborhood housing stock doesnt deteriorate. The city of Syracuse Block Challenge Program helped fund a new roof, shown in top photo, for Joyce Suslovic's home on Beaumont Place in Salt Springs. (Provided by Joyce Suslovic) Provided by Joyce Suslovic Building community pride Salt Springs and Tipperary Hill are the first two neighborhoods the strategy targets. They have seen similar responses to the Block Challenge Program, with 95 applications in Salt Springs and 108 in Tipperary Hill. Tipperary Hill Neighborhood Association President Janice McKenna said that level of investment in a small neighborhood has a big impact. It just sparks people, McKenna said. And the way theyre doing it with trying to get multiple households on a block and in a certain area to participate, then the improvements will be much more visible in those areas. So I think it is going to work. McKenna herself took advantage of the opportunity by replacing 30-year-old pavers on the walkways at her house. She was impressed with the efficiency of the process, which included getting her $2,500 reimbursement check within a week of submitting an after photo and invoice to show the work was completed. It was quite simple, she said. Suslovic, the Salt Springs homeowner, has been impressed with the city staffs support for those who are applying for the grants. She said Sczpanski and Hannah Garty, the citys housing initiatives project manager, have made themselves available quickly, often in-person, to help answer questions and fill out paperwork. They were so non-judgmental, she said. There are quite a few older neighbors in this community and they just got it, helping us to upload, download whatever needed to be done. They were totally patient and totally supportive. Sczpanski said residents in both neighborhoods have been instrumental in helping the city tweak the program. Early feedback guided them to reduce the number of properties required for a team from five to three, and theyve also loosened restrictions on how close people have to live within one another. Theyve also done plenty of matchmaking. Its been pretty eye opening just the number of times that weve had people that have reached out and submitted the inquiry form basically saying I cant find anyone on my block, I want to apply, I cant find any neighbors to do it with me, and they all live on the same block, she said. So its been very fun for us to kind of facilitate those efforts and kind of connect people. Those connections are helping to boost a sense of community within the neighborhoods. In Salt Springs, residents have even organized a neighborhood association that formally launched earlier this year. The housing strategy was one of the things that really got the neighborhood association to launch, because some of us were meeting together and we saw that we needed to step up and take things into our own hands and organize ourselves, said Michael Messina-Yauchzy, a co-founder and treasurer of the association. The associations leaders organized a neighborhood-wide yard sale in the summer that had 60 households participating. Its also held barbecues and potluck dinner gatherings, and plans to spin off a new neighborhood watch group. For Sczpanski, a Salt Springs resident herself, seeing that type of ripple effect in a city neighborhood is encouraging. If youre in a situation where you feel like youre the only person on your block that is trying, it creates this kind of cycle of further disengagement, disinvestment, she said. Thats important for us to figure out ways that we can change that. And I think it really starts with something as simple as kind of saying hello to your neighbors. Wheres the money and whats next? The Block Challenge Programs funding comes from city taxpayers. In the 2024-25 city budget, Mayor Ben Walsh proposed allocating $2 million to the Housing Strategies Corp. The Syracuse Common Council modified the budget and added $500,000 to that total. Those funds did not get spent last fiscal year but remain available to spend down this and in future years. The Block Challenge Program will continue for at least five more years. Residents in the designated neighborhoods can submit for matching grants up to $2,500 three times in a five-year period. The next neighborhoods that will see housing strategy funding become available are Elmwood and Eastwood, but the timing is not certain, Sczpanski said. The next city budget will play a big role in how soon the program expands. Although the housing strategy calls for the city to invest $2 million per year in targeted investments, Walsh only proposed $1 million in the 2025-26 budget in an effort to contain expenses. Council then redirected those funds to the private nonprofit Home HeadQuarters as it made cuts to the mayors budget. Sczpanski hopes the $2 million annual housing strategy allocation returns in the next budget. If that happens, Block Challenge Program could open up to the next two neighborhoods in the second half of 2026. The housing strategy also has $5 million from the state of New York to work with. That funding will help cover a more robust grant program that should start in Salt Springs and Tipperary Hill sometime in 2026. Sczpanski said the Housing Strategies Corp. is considering a program that would offer up to $75,000 in forgivable loans for repair projects that would be a combination of interior and exterior work. Another tier to allow for renovations above that amount would require the borrower to pay back the portion over $75,000 without interest. The requirements for matching funds under the larger program and the timing of when grants would be allocated are still being worked out. And just like the Block Challenge Program, many decisions on the program for more substantial projects will depend on funding availability. In addition to looking for a sustained investment in the city budget, the Housing Strategies Corp. will be actively seeking state, federal and private philanthropic funding. The hope, Sczpanski said, is that early successes will encourage more outside support. You do need to demonstrate what the impact is, and so what we have available from Block Challenge so far I think helps us kind of make that case, she said. Three hunters from Cortland County recently pleaded guilty and received penalties for illegally taking a massive trophy buck in Tioga County. On the night of Nov. 7, Dakota Holcomb, Nick Holcomb, and Andrew Allen drove through fields in the town of Richford, sweeping the area with a spotlight. The driver, Dakota Holcomb, shot an 11-point buck from the vehicle as the buck stood motionless in the spotlights glare. A nearby resident saw the spotlight, heard the shot, and called a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation police officer who responded from Tompkins County. But by time the ECO arrived at the scene, the poachers had already fled. The next day, the ECO and the landowner went back to the field where the buck was shot and found it still alive but not moving. The ECO determined the buck had been shot with a medium-caliber rifle before he euthanized it. The landowner spread word on social media, and feedback led ECOs to interview the three hunters, who admitted to shooting the big buck. Dakota Holcomb received five tickets for the illegal take of deer, taking deer from a motor vehicle, taking deer from a public highway, hunting deer with an artificial light, and possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. Passengers Nick Holcomb and Andrew Allen each received four tickets. Under NYS environmental conservation law, accessories are just as guilty as principals. All three defendants pleaded guilty in the Town of Richford Court. Dakota Holcomb was fined $3,000; Nick Holcomb and Allen were each fined $2,000. Additionally, the rifle used in the crime was surrendered. As for the trophy buck, it had an antler score, or measurement, of approximately 163 inches. However, the score is unofficial because the deer was taken unlawfully. The following reports are excerpted from DEC ECO Seabury poses with antlers confiscated from a Jefferson County poacher who shot seven deer during regular deer season, including a 10-pointer. NYS DEC Way over the limit On Dec. 5, DEC police got a tip that a hunter had shot more than the legal limit of bucks in Wilna, Jefferson County, including a 10-pointer sought by many hunters in the area. An ECO discovered the accused poacher had dropped off three bucks and three does at a local deer processing station. The 10-pointer was dropped off at a different processor. ECOs interviewed the poacher at his residence in Natural Bridge. He admitted to taking two three-point bucks, a seven-point buck, the popular 10-point buck, and three does. Hunters are allowed only one antlered deer during the regular season. He received 11 tickets, including six misdemeanor charges for the illegal take of big game, taking over the limit of deer, and several deer tagging-related offenses. ECOs confiscated the antlers of the four bucks as evidence. Charges are pending in the Town of Wilna Court. Stuck with the evidence On November 20, a hunter got stuck on the side of a road in Conesville after shooting a 10-point buck from his vehicle. ECOs interviewed the hunter, who claimed he was hunting nearby and had left the woods at around 4:30 p.m. when he spotted a buck in fields off Wood Drive. The hunter claimed he then pulled off the road, got out, loaded his rifle, and shot the 10-pointer. ECOs ticketed the hunter for discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling and the illegal take of a protected animal. They also confiscated the deer as evidence. Charges are pending in Conesville Town Court. Drive by shooter An ECO patrolling Basswood Pond State Forest on Nov. 30 noticed blood and drag marks from a wood line to the road and a fresh gut pile approximately 30 yards into the woods. While canvassing the area he saw a pickup truck driving slowly down the road. Joined by another ECO, the officers approached the vehicle on foot and saw the driver fumbling with a rifle on his lap while unloading it. They told the driver and other occupants of the truck to get out while securing the rifle. There was blood and gloves in the truck bed. The driver initially claimed he shot a deer in a different CNY county the previous day, but then admitted to illegally taking a deer near Basswood Pond State Forest and led the ECOs to the deer carcass at his hunting camp approximately five miles away. The poacher received tickets for possessing a loaded gun in a motor vehicle, illegal take of protected wildlife, and improper tagging of deer. ECOs confiscated the deer as evidence. Charges are pending in the Town of Brookfield Court. Serial poacher A hunter called DEC police on Dec. 9 after he found a large, dead buck on property he hunts in the town of Arcade. The hunter suspected the deer had been shot by someone without a hunting license. An ECO checked into the claim and found it to be true. Furthermore, the accused hunter previously had had his license revoked for a deer poaching conviction six years earlier. The hunter denied any involvement in the incident, but when an ECO pulled out a photo of him posing with the buck in question, the hunter admitted to poaching the deer. He was ticketed for the illegal take of big game and hunting deer without a license. Charges are pending in Arcade Town Court. Gov. Kathy Hochul today will propose a $30 million relief fund for New York dairy and specialty crop farmers facing higher costs from President Donald Trumps tariffs on imported goods. Hochuls office said the relief fund is among the priorities the governor will include in her 2026 State of the State address outlining her vision for New York. Hochul plans to deliver her address at 1 p.m. in the Hart Theatre in Albany. The Trump administration last month announced it would make $12 billion worth of one-time payments available to farmers whose costs have soared due to federal tariffs. Those federal payments would reach farmers on Feb. 28 for major covered commodities such as soybeans, corn, and wheat. Payments will be capped at $155,000 per farm or person. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture program wont provide any meaningful support for dairy farms and specialty crop farmers, according to state officials. To make up for some of the tariff-related losses, Hochul wants to establish the Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program. Eligible growers, livestock producers and dairy farmers in New York would be able to apply for direct payments from the state to offset rising costs from the tariffs, the governors office said. Washington Republicans have turned their backs on our farmers, advancing crippling tariffs that are causing costs to rise across the board, Hochul said in a statement. By providing direct tariff relief, extending the refundable investment tax credit and advancing an additional round of the Dairy Modernization Program, New York is stepping in to provide real support to our farmers when they need it most. Details on how farmers would apply for the payments and eligibility requirements will be included in Hochuls budget proposal later this month, a spokesperson said. New Yorks 30,000 farms have seen prices rise over the past year for essential items like seed, fertilizer and farm machinery because of tariffs on imports, while being hit hard by retaliatory tariffs from traditional trade partners like Canada and Mexico. More than 20 percent of farm income in New York state comes from exports, while more than 80 percent of agrochemical imports and 70% of farm machinery imports come from nations subject to U.S. tariffs, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. An initial state analysis of the impact of Trumps tariffs on New York through Sept. 30 found the extra costs were taking a disproportionate toll on the dairy and wine industries. The states milk exports in the first half of 2025 were down 7 percent to 12 percent compared to the same period in 2024, the report said. Wine exports to Canada, the largest destination for U.S.-produced wine, were down more than 91% from the previous year. Karin Reeves, a fifth-generation family farmer from Baldwinsvilles Reeves Farms, said any relief from the higher costs caused by Trumps tariff policies would be welcome news. Her family grows strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers on about 350 acres and leases more than 1,000 acres to other farmers. Reeves said the tariffs have raised the costs of imported seeds the family buys in the winter and fertilizer prices have been up and down as a volatile market tries to adjust to the tariffs. She said most vegetable seeds are produced in Asia and are now subject to the federal tariffs. While farmers pass along some of the costs to consumers, the rising prices also cut into profits. Reeves said the tariffs are the latest blow to hit family farms, prompting some to consider leaving the business. Between labor challenges and the pressure to put land into solar, there are a lot of other options farmers are looking at other than farming, Reeves said. When you add the challenge that everything is more expensive, and were not really getting anything more for our crops, people begin considering other things. Update: The three-year contract with Magda Parvey starts March 1, 2026. It calls for a salary of $232,000 the first year, with the school board determining any increases after that. It also provides for $12,000 in relocation expenses. Outgoing F-M Superintendent Craig Tices last day will be Feb. 28, 2026. The Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education hired a new superintendent who most recently ran a district in Massachusetts. The board appointed Magda Parvey as the next superintendent. The appointment is effective as of March 1. The vote was 8 to 1 with board member Marissa Mims voting against the appointment. She did not say why. Parvey is currently the superintendent of schools in Andover, Massachusetts, where she has led that district since 2021. Parvey is coming from a district that is slightly larger than F-M, which has about 4,700 students and nearly 700 staff members. Andover Public Schools has about 5,500 students and nearly 900 staff members and typically scores well-above the states average test results. At Andover, at least two-thirds of grades 3 to 8 were proficient in math over the past three years, according to Massachusetts data. Statewide, just 41% are, according to state data. Andovers most recent graduation rate is 96%. During her tenure at Andover, Parvey and its teacher union butted heads repeatedly over contracts, morale, a middle school schedule and work hour requirements, andovermanews.com reported. In 2023, the union held a five-day walkout over a contract dispute. Parvey also worked in the New Rochelle school district in Westchester County at a time when another school administrator was accused of changing 212 grades for 32 students. The district appointed Parvey to take over responsibility of the troubled situation in 2016, according to lohud.com. The other administrator, a high school principal, was ultimately fired. Parvey has also worked in districts in Connecticut and North Carolina. Current F-M Superintendent Craig Tice announced in September 2024 he would be retiring during this school year. Tice has been F-M superintendent since July 2015. Before that, he was superintendent in the Marcellus school district. Tices annual salary when he was appointed was $192,000. His 2025 annual salary was $263,576, according to SeeThroughNY, a database of payrolls. NEW YORK (AP) Getting married and allegedly embracing a monogamous lifestyle cannot prove the innocence of a man charged in a conspiracy with his two brothers both luxury real estate brokers to sexually assault dozens of women, a federal judge said Monday. Judge Valerie E. Caproni rejected Alon Alexanders request to dismiss one count of the indictment he faces and use his 2019 engagement and subsequent marriage as a defense at a trial scheduled to start next week in Manhattan with jury selection. The three brothers Alon, Oren and Tal Alexander are jailed without bail after pleading not guilty to conspiracy and other charges alleging that they drugged and raped women. Oren Alexander and Tal Alexander sold high-end properties in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles before the charges were filed alleging that they used their wealth and influence to attack women from 2002 to 2021. Alon Alexanders lawyers argued that getting engaged and married signaled his exit from the single life and amounted to a withdrawal from any alleged conspiracy. Caproni said he saw an opportunity to reach for the prize and try to win an acquittal with the argument as she denied his request and said he is also precluded from introducing evidence of his engagement and marriage at the trial. The judge wrote that proof of Alon Alexanders engagement and marriage is irrelevant and amounted to hearsay that could not be introduced at trial, including photographs, social media posts and home videos of his engagement announcement, along with statements from his co-defendants and a rabbi. In a footnote, Caproni wrote that Alon Alexanders contention that his withdrawal from the single life meant he abandoned any conduct that could be part of the sex abuse conspiracy fails to adequately grapple with the nuance of the Governments allegations or the contours of a sex trafficking conspiracy more generally. She said participation in the criminal conspiracy was not comparable or akin to participation in the single life. There are plenty of single men who engage in sexual activity without trafficking, drugging, or raping women and girls, the judge said. By the same token, the inverse of the Governments alleged conspiracy is not, for example, the engaged life or the married life. Thus, she said, there is nothing about the mere transition from single to engaged that clearly indicates that Defendant withdrew himself from the conspiracy, or that he would cease helping his brothers accomplish the goals of the conspiracy even if his participation in the scheme no longer involved him having sex (consensual or otherwise) with women that were not his fiancee." Police say a man wanted in Texas has been arrested in Upstate New York. WTEN reports Jody Harr, 47, was taken into custody on Sunday night and charged with driving while intoxicated by the Saratoga Springs Police Department. Police said he had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than twice the legal limit. Officers said they received a report of a possible drunk driver on Caroline Street near Henry Street in Saratoga Springs and, as they approached the car, Harr fled the scene in his vehicle. He was stopped on West Circular Street near Union Street after a brief pursuit. Police said they later learned he was a fugitive, wanted out of state in Texas on child exploitation-related charges. According to WTEN, he is currently being held by the Saratoga County Sheriffs Office and awaiting extradition to Texas. Harr is facing the following charges: fugitive from justice/arrest without warrant charge in another state driving while intoxicated two prior convictions within 10 years operating a motor vehicle with .08% BAC or more with two prior convictions aggravated DWI per se (.18% BAC or More) reckless driving unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle passed a red light failed to stop at a stop sign driving to the left of pavement markings driving on or across a side walk Additional details about Harrs case in Texas were not provided. Saratoga Springs is located about 30 miles north of Albany, N.Y., and more than 1,500 miles from Texas. Oswegatchie, N.Y. A shoveler was hit with a snowplow Tuesday after an argument in a snowy mobile home park in Upstate New York. The incident happened around 5:06 p.m. in Oswegatchie, a small Northern New York town a little over an hour northeast of Watertown, the New York State Police said in a news release. William L. Morley, 67, of Ogdensburg, was plowing the mobile home park on Morley Park Drive with a snowplow attached to a 2020 Chevrolet pickup truck when he got into an argument with a person shoveling snow, troopers said. Morley drove away after the argument hitting the person shoveling with his trucks snowplow as he left, troopers said. The person hit by the plow was not seriously injured, troopers said. The victim was treated at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg and later released. The state police did not release the victims name, age or gender. During the investigation, the person hit by the snowplow provided the state police with security camera footage of the incident leading to Morleys arrest, troopers said. Morley was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor. He was transported to the state polices Ogdensburg barracks for processing and later released from custody on an appearance ticket. Troopers did not specify if Morley is the owner of the mobile home park, which shares his last name. This wasnt Morleys first run-in with troopers at the park. Last fall, Morley was arrested by state police for a landlord-tenant dispute at the Morley Park Drive mobile home park, according to a news release. The state police responded to the park on Oct. 10, 2025, and learned Morley had turned off the electricity for a tenants mobile home without notice and had refused to turn the power back on, troopers said. Morley was charged with unlawful eviction and released from custody. Halfmoon, N.Y. A Valvoline employee died days after he was crushed between cars at a shop in Upstate New York. The deadly accident happened at 11:52 a.m. on Saturday at the Valvoline auto maintenance shop at 1682 U.S. Route 9 in Halfmoon, a town in Saratoga County, the Saratoga County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Two vehicles were waiting in line behind the back garage door to enter the shop when the second vehicle in line suddenly accelerated rapidly, deputies said. The vehicle hit Sikander Samuel, a Valvoline worker, and pushed him into the back of the first vehicle in line pinning the man between the two cars, deputies said. The crash pushed the first vehicle in line through Valvolines rear glass garage and into a car that was being serviced inside the garage, deputies said. The car inside the garage was then forced through the shops front glass door. Samuel, 50, of Schenectady, was rushed by Clifton Park-Halfmoon EMS to Albany Medical Center with serious injuries. He died Monday in the Albany hospital. Deputies have identified Erik J. Lundgren as the driver of the vehicle that pinned Samuel. The 63-year-old Schagticoke man is cooperating with investigators, the sheriffs office said. No charges were immediately announced. Valvolines building was left with extensive damage from the crash, deputies said, and was forced to close after the accident. Halfmoon, a town in Saratoga County, is about 30 minutes north of Albany and 30 minutes south of Saratoga Springs in the Capital Region. Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) is included among the 10 High Yield Crude Oil Stocks to Buy After Trump's Blitz in Venezuela. Analyst Raises Halliburton (HAL) Price Target to $36 Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) is one of the largest providers of products and services to the energy industry in the world. On January 7, Susquehanna raised its price target on Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) from $29 to $36, while maintaining a Positive rating on the shares. The revised target indicates an upside of over 10% from current levels. The analyst believes that the US drilling and completions activity appears to have held in better than most were expecting, since the countrys rig and frac spread count remained flattish from Q3 levels as we enter the Q4 earnings season. Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) has surged by over 15% since the beginning of 2026, as the market weighs the potential impact of the US action in Venezuela. While the situation remains unclear for now, investors believe that reviving the South American countrys crumbling oil infrastructure would require exactly what companies like Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) provide: rigs, crews, and equipment to drill and complete wells. Moreover, just before Maduros arrest, Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) had filed an international arbitration case against Venezuela over hundreds of millions in broken contracts and accounts receivable, after it had to leave the country entirely in 2020 due to sanctions. So the company could expect some compensation if the Trump administration manages to replace the Maduro regime with a more US-friendly administration. While we acknowledge the potential of HAL 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: 10 Best Natural Gas Stocks to Buy Right Now and 11 Best Performing Energy Stocks in 2025. Disclosure: None. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang skipped the popular GPU announcement during CES 2026 to pave the way for the next-gen AI platform, Rubin. It doesn't mean that graphics cards won't be sold by the company, but the focus will just be shifted to an AI-powered approach. During the AI boom, Huang's net worth soared by nearly $100 billion. As an AI advocate, he believes that people should stop talking about its risks and focus instead on how it could help society. Huang Criticizes Regulation and Fear-Based Messaging On the "No Priors" podcast with Elad Gil and Sarah Guo, Huang called cautionary AI narratives "extremely hurtful," arguing that overemphasizing risks. From job losses to privacy concerns, it creates unnecessary fear that harms people, governments, and the tech industry. Huang specifically targeted lobbying efforts that urge governments to impose heavy AI regulations. "[It's] extremely hurtful, frankly, and I think we've done a lot of damage with very well-respected people who have painted a doomer narrative." According to Huang, excessive caution slows innovation and prevents AI from achieving its full potential. The NVIDIA CEO isn't alone in this viewpoint. Silicon Valley companies have invested heavily in political campaigns, with over $100 million spent in Super PACs promoting pro-AI messaging ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. What's more, this lobbying often frames AI as both transformative and risky, positioning major firms as essential guardians while limiting outside oversight. Critics Warn Real AI Risks Remain While Huang promotes optimism, critics note that real-world AI risks like job displacement, misinformation, and digital abuse cannot be ignored. Huang argues that fear discourages investment in "safer, more productive" AI applications, but offers few concrete solutions beyond accelerating AI development. Some experts see this as a "build fast, figure it out later" mindset that conveniently aligns with Nvidia's financial interests, benefiting the company while sidestepping accountability for societal consequences. Balancing Innovation With Responsibility Huang's comments highlight the key tension in AI. According to Gizmodo, it's about driving innovation while addressing societal risks. Optimism fuels investment and breakthroughs, but unchecked enthusiasm could worsen inequality, privacy threats, and the spread of misinformation. Huang's dismissal of "doomer" warnings can be alarming to others, especially since safety is not guaranteed with AI. There should still balance and check for every new change in society. What are the early trends we should look for to identify a stock that could multiply in value over the long term? Firstly, we'll want to see a proven return on capital employed (ROCE) that is increasing, and secondly, an expanding base of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. Speaking of which, we noticed some great changes in Anpario's (LON:ANP) returns on capital, so let's have a look. We've found 21 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)? Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. To calculate this metric for Anpario, this is the formula: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.16 = UK6.9m (UK48m - UK6.7m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2025). So, Anpario has an ROCE of 16%. On its own, that's a standard return, however it's much better than the 12% generated by the Food industry. See our latest analysis for Anpario AIM:ANP Return on Capital Employed January 13th 2026 In the above chart we have measured Anpario's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free analyst report for Anpario . What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us Anpario is showing promise given that its ROCE is trending up and to the right. More specifically, while the company has kept capital employed relatively flat over the last five years, the ROCE has climbed 43% in that same time. Basically the business is generating higher returns from the same amount of capital and that is proof that there are improvements in the company's efficiencies. On that front, things are looking good so it's worth exploring what management has said about growth plans going forward. The Bottom Line To sum it up, Anpario is collecting higher returns from the same amount of capital, and that's impressive. Considering the stock has delivered 5.2% to its stockholders over the last five years, it may be fair to think that investors aren't fully aware of the promising trends yet. So exploring more about this stock could uncover a good opportunity, if the valuation and other metrics stack up. Anpario does come with some risks though, we found 2 warning signs in our investment analysis, and 1 of those is a bit unpleasant... Disaster losses drop in 2025, picture still 'alarming': Munich Re Frankfurt, Germany, Jan 13 (AFP) Jan 13, 2026 Natural disaster losses worldwide dropped sharply to $224 billion in 2025, reinsurer Munich Re said Tuesday, but warned of a still "alarming" picture of extreme weather events likely driven by climate change. The figure was down nearly 40 percent from a year earlier, in part because no hurricane struck the US mainland for the first time in several years. Nevertheless, "the big picture was alarming with regard to floods, severe... storms and wildfires in 2025", said Munich Re, a Germany-based provider of insurance for the insurance industry. The costliest disaster of the year came in the form of Los Angeles wildfires in January, with total losses of $53 billion and insured losses of around $40 billion, Munich Re said in its annual disaster report. It was striking how many extreme events were likely influenced by climate change in 2025 and it was just chance that the world was spared potentially higher losses, according to the group. "The planet has a fever, and as a result we are seeing a cluster of severe and intense weather events," Tobias Grimm, Munich Re's chief climate scientist, told AFP. Last month Swiss Re, another top player in the reinsurance industry, also reported a hefty drop for 2025, putting total losses at $220 billion. According to Munich Re's report, insured losses for 2025 came in at $108 billion, also sharply down on last year. Around 17,200 lives were lost in natural disasters worldwide, significantly higher than about 11,000 in 2024, but below the 10-year average of of 17,800, it said. Grimm said 2025 was a year with "two faces". "The first half of the year was the costliest loss period the insurance industry has ever experienced," he said -- but the second half saw the lowest losses in a decade. - LA wildfires, Myanmar quake - It is now the cumulative costs of smaller-scale disasters -- like local floods and forest fires -- that are having the greatest impact. Losses from these events amounted to $166 billion last year, according to Munich Re. After the LA wildfires, the costliest disaster of the year was a devastating earthquake that hit Myanmar in March, which is estimated to have caused $12 billion in losses, only a small share of which was insured. Tropical cyclones caused around $37 billion in losses. Jamaica was battered by Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest hurricanes ever to make landfall, generating losses of around $9.8 billion. By region, the United States' total losses amounted to $118 billion, $88 billion of which was insured -- around the same as an estimate of $115 billion total losses from US nonprofit Climate Central. The Asia-Pacific region had losses of about $73 billion -- but only $9 billion was insured, according to the report. Australia had its second most expensive year in terms of overall losses from natural disasters since 1980 due to a series of severe storms and flooding. Europe saw losses of $11 billion. Natural disasters in Africa led to losses of $3 billion, less than a fifth of which was insured. The report comes at a time when scepticism towards green policies is growing, particularly since the return to power of US President Donald Trump, who derides climate science as a "hoax". But Grimm warned that the Earth "continues to warm". "More heat means more humidity, stronger rainfall, and higher wind speeds -- climate change is already contributing to extreme weather," he said. sr/fec MUENCHENER RUECKVERSICHERUNG Cold winter and AI boom pushed US emissions increase in 2025 Washington, United States, Jan 13 (AFP) Jan 13, 2026 Greenhouse gas emissions in the United States rose last year, snapping a two-year streak of declines as cold winter temperatures drove demand for heating fuel and the AI boom led to a surge in power generation, a think tank said Tuesday. The 2.4 percent increase in the world's largest economy came as President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress enacted a series of policies hostile to climate action, though the authors of the Rhodium Group report said the full impact of those decisions will only be felt in the coming years. Rich nations, including Europe's largest economies Germany and France, are slowing the pace of planet-warming gas reductions even as global temperatures continue to soar, with 2025 set to be confirmed as the third-hottest year on record. US emissions fell in 2024 by 0.5 percent and in 2023 by 3.5 percent, after the economy rebounded from the Covid pandemic and emissions rose in both 2021 and 2022, by 6.3 percent and 1.2 percent respectively. Building emissions rose 6.8 percent, followed by the power sector where emissions increased by 3.8 percent, the report found. "Weather is bumpy year-to-year -- we tend to see building emissions bump around like this due to higher fuel use for heating," Rhodium Group analyst and the report's co-author Michael Gaffney told AFP. "But in the power sector this is about growing significant demand from data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and other large load customers," he added. Compounding matters, high natural gas prices driven by heating demand and increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports allowed a comeback for coal, the "dirtiest" fossil fuel, which accounted for 13 percent more electricity generation than in 2024. Still, solar had a strong year, surging by 34 percent and helping lift the grid share of zero-emitting power sources by one percentage point to a record-high 42 percent -- even as wind growth slowed and nuclear and hydropower output held steady. In transport, the highest-emitting sector, emissions were nearly flat despite a fifth straight year of record road traffic, as the vehicle fleet became more efficient and consumers rushed to buy electric and hybrid vehicles before tax credits expired. - Solar energy up - The United States is the world's second-largest emitter after China, but has the highest cumulative emissions since the start of the industrial era in the mid-19th century. US greenhouse gas emissions have generally trended downward since peaking in 2007, averaging a decline of around one percent per year despite periods of flat or rising emissions, driven by natural gas replacing coal, a growing share of renewables in power generation, improved energy efficiency and more. Since taking office, Trump has declared war on renewable energy -- from abruptly halting wind farm permits to signing into law legislation that brought an early end to clean energy tax credits and revoking electric vehicle incentives. He has also opened more public lands to drilling, while his administration has sought to repeal regulations aimed at limiting emissions of the super-pollutant methane from oil and gas facilities. But co-author Ben King told AFP that growth in solar generation and electric vehicle sales still pointed to "sustained progress." What this all means for the medium and long term remains unclear, though the United States is far off track to meet its previous Paris Agreement target of cutting emissions 50-52 percent by 2035 relative to 2005 levels, set under former president Joe Biden. "Solar, wind, batteries, these are some of the cheapest things to bring onto the grid right now and some of the most available things," said King. "So there's some economic impetus to be doing that, regardless of whether the White House or Congress, or whoever likes it or doesn't." The Rhodium Group generates its annual estimates using a combination of official data and -- because government greenhouse gas inventories have a significant lag -- supplements this with modeling based on economic and power-generation data. But since the Trump administration is no longer expected to collect relevant data, future forecasts are set to become more difficult. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the Argentine repayment of $2.5 billion in a post on X. Stabilizing a strong ally and generating tens of millions in gains for Americans is a major achievement of the America First initiative,, he wrote. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Argentina has repaid $2.5 billion to the U.S. Treasury, returning funds it received in October under a $20 billion currency swap agreement, authorities from both countries said. Argentina's central bank said in a statement the repayment was completed Friday, using resources from multilateral financial institutions, without naming them. Some analysts said part of the funds may have come from the Bank for International Settlements, based in Basel, Switzerland, though there was no official confirmation. Argentina only used $2.5 billion from the swap because the credit line functioned as an emergency backstop, not as a loan that had to be fully drawn. The country took only what was necessary at a specific moment to cover dollar shortages and reassure the markets. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the repayment in a post on X. "Stabilizing a strong ally and generating tens of millions in gains for Americans is a major achievement of the America First initiative," Bessent wrote. "Setting the course for Latin America, with a strong and stable Argentina that helps consolidate a prosperous Western Hemisphere, is clearly in our best interest." Bessent said the Treasury activated the Exchange Stabilization Fund under authority granted by Congress. He said the mechanism allowed the United States to assist Argentina at a critical moment marked by an acute liquidity shortage and immediate pressure on the exchange rate and financial stability. "Only the United States could act with the speed we did in October to preserve market stability," he said. Argentina turned to the swap during a period of severe financial stress, when a shortage of hard currency threatened economic stability. The government needed foreign exchange to meet immediate payments, avoid a sharp devaluation of the peso and keep trade functioning. Without the support, officials warned of the risk of another crisis. According to U.S. government documents, the funds helped contain currency volatility in the weeks leading up to Argentina's Oct. 26 legislative elections. Argentine officials described the agreement as temporary backing similar to an emergency credit line. It allowed the country to navigate weeks of uncertainty without resorting to harsher measures such as tighter controls or a sudden devaluation while it worked to regain access to private financing. Bessent also responded to criticism from Democratic lawmakers, saying the fund "has never lost money" and that the full repayment generated "tens of millions" in gains for U.S. taxpayers. France climate goals off track as emissions cuts slow again Paris, France, Jan 13 (AFP) Jan 13, 2026 France's cuts to greenhouse gas emissions slowed for a second straight year in 2025 and remain well off track to meeting its climate goals, according to provisional government-commissioned estimates published Tuesday. The slowdown comes as appetite for climate action flags and major economies in Europe and elsewhere struggle to make good on their pledges to reduce planet-warming pollution. France's emissions were estimated to have declined 1.6 percent year-on-year, said Citepa, a non-profit organisation tasked by France's ecology ministry with tallying the country's greenhouse gas inventory. The reduction of 5.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent was "far below the pace needed to reach 2030 targets" which would require cuts nearly three times larger, Citepa said. "The decrease in emissions is confirmed for 2025. This is an encouraging sign, but it is not enough. We must collectively remobilise with all emitting sectors," Monique Barbut, France's Minister for Ecological Transition, said in a press release. France, often seen as a leader in transitioning to a low-carbon future, unveiled in December its updated pathway for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To stay on track, greenhouse gas emissions need to fall 4.6 percent on average every year until 2030. After France slashed its output by 3.9 percent in 2022 and 6.8 percent in 2023, the rate slowed sharply to 1.8 percent in 2024. Citepa had earlier predicted a decline of just 0.8 percent in 2025 but said fresh data and updated methods of calculation had allowed a "more accurate" estimate for the full year. - Climate risk - Big polluting nations most responsible for climate change are under pressure to make faster and deeper cuts to the emissions driving record-breaking global temperatures and more extreme weather events. Scientists say the last three years have been the hottest globally on record. The result in France echoes a slowdown in neighbouring Germany, where emissions fell just 1.5 percent in 2025, the Agora Energiewende expert group said in its annual report last week. France encouraged energy conservation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but since then has faltered in decarbonising some of its most polluting industries. While improvements were recorded in 2025 in heavy-emitting sectors such as industry, agriculture and transport, they remained virtually flat in energy and waste treatment, Citepa said. The latest assessment highlighted the urgency for France to phase out its use of fossil fuels, said Anne Bringault, a director at Climate Action Network France. "It is high time to take seriously the climate risk but also the geopolitical risk of making us suffer from our dependence on fossil fuels, which are overwhelmingly imported," she told AFP. The European Union has pledged to cut its net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. It had already achieved a 37 percent reduction by 2023. Freezing rain hampers transport in Central Europe Vienna, Jan 13 (AFP) Jan 13, 2026 Freezing rain led to travel disruptions in Central Europe on Tuesday, including flights being temporarily suspended at several airports. Snow and freezing temperatures buffeted Europe last week, with gale-force winds and storms claiming some 15 lives, causing travel mayhem, shutting schools, and cutting power to hundreds of thousands. A thick layer of ice on the Vienna airport runways led to a temporary shutdown, with flights gradually resuming around midday on Tuesday. Austria's state railway company OeBB also asked travellers to postpone non-urgent journeys, with numerous train connections facing interruptions and cancellations. In neighbouring Slovakia, the Bratislava airport was also closed temporarily early Tuesday due to bad weather. Slovak police on Facebook urged people to avoid travel because of "extreme" ice and snow in the west of the country. In the Czech Republic, ice was also hampering road and rail traffic. Prague airport came to a virtual standstill, with firefighters having to de-ice the runways. Around 50 people were treated for injuries because of the icy conditions, according to Prague's emergency services, cited by the CTK agency. In neighbouring Hungary, where severe winter conditions have affected a large part of the country since last week, Budapest airport was shut down because of "black ice and extreme icing", the airport said. Earlier Tuesday, an Ethiopian Airlines cargo aircraft went off the runway while taxiing coming to a standstill in the grass, the airport said in a statement, adding the incident was under investigation. Trains and flights were also experiencing delays, while authorities reported drift ice on the Danube and the Tisza rivers, where icebreakers have been put on alert. Lake Balaton in the west of the country is currently frozen -- a relatively rare phenomenon seen about once every ten to fifteen years. However, authorities warned that the ice is still too thin for skating, urging the public to be cautious. France climate goals off track as emissions cuts slow again Paris, France, Jan 13 (AFP) Jan 13, 2026 France's cuts to greenhouse gas emissions slowed for a second straight year in 2025 and remain well off track to meeting its climate goals, according to provisional government-commissioned estimates published on Tuesday. The slowdown comes as government appetite for climate action flags and major economies struggle to make good on their pledges to reduce planet-warming pollution. France's emissions were estimated to have declined 1.6 percent year-on-year, said Citepa, a non-profit organisation tasked by France's ecology ministry with tallying the country's greenhouse gas inventory. The reduction of 5.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent was "far below the pace needed to reach 2030 targets", which would require cuts nearly three times larger, Citepa said. "The decrease in emissions is confirmed for 2025. This is an encouraging sign but it is not enough," Monique Barbut, France's ecological transition minister, said in a press release. She said all sectors needed to double their efforts to make cuts in greenhouse gases. The result echoes a slowdown in neighbouring Germany, where emissions fell just 1.5 percent in 2025, the Agora Energiewende expert group said in its annual report last week. Emissions in the United States meanwhile rose 2.4 percent last year, the Rhodium Group think tank said on Tuesday, spurred by demand for heating and electricity for the AI boom in the world's biggest economy. France unveiled in December its updated pathway for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To stay on track, greenhouse gas emissions need to fall 4.6 percent on average every year until 2030. After France slashed its output by 3.9 percent in 2022 and 6.8 percent in 2023, the rate slowed sharply to 1.8 percent in 2024. Citepa had earlier predicted a decline of just 0.8 percent in 2025 but said fresh data and updated methods of calculation had allowed a "more accurate" estimate for the full year. - Climate risk - Big polluting nations most responsible for climate change are under pressure to make faster and deeper cuts to the emissions driving record-breaking global temperatures and more extreme weather events. Scientists say the last three years have been the hottest globally on record. France encouraged energy saving after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but since then has faltered in decarbonising some of its most polluting industries. While improvements were recorded in 2025 in heavy-emitting sectors such as industry, agriculture and transport, they remained virtually flat in energy and waste treatment, Citepa said. The latest assessment highlighted the urgency for France to phase out its use of fossil fuels, said Anne Bringault, a director at Climate Action Network France. "It is high time to take seriously the climate risk but also the geopolitical risk of making us suffer from our dependence on fossil fuels, which are overwhelmingly imported," she told AFP. The European Union has pledged to cut its net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. It achieved a 37-percent reduction by 2023. India hunts rampaging elephant that killed 20 people Patna, India, Jan 13 (AFP) Jan 13, 2026 Indian wildlife officers are hunting a rampaging wild elephant blamed for killing at least 20 people and injuring 15 others in the forests of Jharkhand, villagers and officials said Tuesday. The elephant, a lone bull, is reported to have gone on the rampage for nine days beginning in early January, creating panic in the rural West Singhbhum district. "We are trying to trace and rescue this violent wild elephant that killed so many people," government forest officer Aditya Narayan told AFP, confirming the toll of 20 dead. Children and the elderly are among the dead, as well as a professional elephant handler, known as a mahout. But after wreaking a trail of destruction, it had not been spotted since Friday, despite multiple patrols in the area. Officials said search teams, aided by drones, are combing dense forest tracts, including a national reserve in neighbouring Odisha state. Fear has driven residents of more than 20 villages to abandon their farms or barricade themselves indoors at night, elected village head Pratap Chachar told AFP. "A police team, or forest official vehicle, visits in the night to provide essential help to villagers," Chachar said. Hundreds of thousands of Indians are affected each year by crop-raiding elephants. Asian elephants are now restricted to just 15 percent of their original habitat. The usually shy animals are coming into increasing contact with humans because of rapidly expanding settlements and growing forest disturbance, including mining operations. As elephant habitats shrink, conflict between humans and wild elephants has grown -- 629 people were killed by elephants across India in 2023-2024, according to parliamentary figures. The elephants that pose the most danger to humans are often rogue bulls, solitary male animals enraged during "musth", a period of heightened sexual activity when testosterone levels soar. A former forest official said the elephant was likely in musth, and may now have calmed down and rejoined its herd. India is home to the majority of the world's remaining wild Asian elephants, a species listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and increasingly threatened by shrinking habitat. The Wildlife Institute of India last year issued a new estimate, that put the country's wild elephant population at 22,446, a report that also warned of the deepening pressures on one of India's most iconic animals. 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 Netflix is kicking off 2026 with a bang, thanks to the return of one of its most successful shows and the addition of one of cinemas most bankable franchises. This month will see the streamer bounce back from two huge removals by releasing part one of Bridgertons fourth season, starring Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha in the lead roles. Therell also be a new crime thriller from Joe Carnahan starring real-life friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, and rock climber Alex Honnold, the subject of documentary Free Solo, will free climb Tapei 101, one of the planet's tallest skyscrapers, in a live special set to air through the night in the UK. But in the US, the streamers biggest moment will be every James Bond film becoming available on Netflix for the first time. Their addition arrives following a licensing deal with Amazon MGM Studios, who owns the rights. Find the full list of every new release arriving on Netflix in January 2026 below and a rundown of everything being removed here. NB: The Independent put this list together with help from Whats on Netflix. ORIGINAL Movies 9 January People We Meet on Vacation UK/US 16 January The Rip UK/US 21 January Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart UK/US 22 January Cosmic Princess Kaguya! UK/US 23 January The Big Fake UK/US open image in gallery ( Netflix ) Television 1 January Dr Seusss Red Fish, Blue Fish season two UK/US Love from 9 to 5 season one UK/US My Korean Boyfriend season one UK/US Run Away season one UK/US Time Flies season one UK/US 2 January Land of Sin season one UK/US 5 January Defying Destiny season one UK/US 7 January Unlocked: A Jail Experiment season two UK/US 8 January HIS & HERS season one UK/US Love is Blind: Germany season two UK/US 9 January Alpha Males season four UK/US 13 January The Boyfriend season two UK/US 14 January Taskaree: The Smugglers Web season one UK/US The Queen of Flow season three UK/US 15 January Agatha Christies Seven Dials season one UK/US Love Through a Prism season one UK/US To Love, To Lose season one UK/US The Upshaws part seven UK/US 16 January Can This Love Be Translated? season one UK/US No Tail to Tell season one UK/US 20 January Star Search season one UK/US WWE: Unreal season two UK/US 22 January Finding Her Edge season one UK/US 23 January Skyscraper Live UK/US 29 January Bridgerton season four, volume one UK/US open image in gallery Luke Thompson is leading 'Bridgerton' season five ( Netflix ) Documentary 27 January Take That UK/US Comedy 7 January Marcello Hernandez: American Boy UK/US 27 January Mike Epps: Delusional UK/US LICENCED Movies 1 January Becky UK Bleeding Tiger: Resolution US Bruno US Colombiana US Conan the Destroyer US Dawn of the Dead (2004) US Despicable Me US Despicable Me 2 US District 9 US Dune (2021) US Erin Brockovich US Facing the Giants US Ford v Ferrari US Forever My Girl US Free Solo US Ghostbusters (2016) US Green Room US Harry and the Hendersons US Hellboy (2004) US Johnny Mnemonic US Just Go With It US Lies We Tell US Lone Survivor US Man on Fire US The Miracle Season US Monty Pythons The Meaning of Life US Mr Malcolms List US My Girl US Only the Brave US Pitch Perfect US Pitch Perfect 2 US Priscilla US Raging Bull UK 30 Minutes or Less US 12 Years A Slave US Twins US Wild Things US The Vanishing of Sidney Hall US 2 January After the Quake US 3 January Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire UK 5 January The Life of Chuck UK open image in gallery Tom Hiddleston in The Life of Chuck ( Neon ) 7 January Good Night, and Good Luck: Live from Broadway UK 9 January Depeche Mode: M UK/US Stone Cold Fox US The Threesome US 12 January Bob Marley: One Love US 14 January Distorted US 15 January Amish Stud US Bone Lake US The Children Act US James Bond collection US Dr No From Russia with Love Goldfinger Thunderball You Only Live Twice On Her Majestys Secret Service Diamonds Are Forever Live and Let Die The Man with the Golden Gun The Spy Who Loved Me Moonraker For Your Eyes Only Octopussy A View to a Kill The Living Daylights Licence to Kill GoldenEye Tomorrow Never Dies The World Is Not Enough Die Another Day Casino Royale Quantum of Solace Skyfall Spectre No Time to Die Never Say Never Again Kumiko: The Treasure Hunter US The Royal We US Suitcase Killer: The Melanie McGuire US 16 January Licorice Pizza US 25 January Chatroom UK Ordinary Angels UK open image in gallery Ordinary Angels is arriving on Netflix ( 2023 Lionsgate ) Television 1 January Detective Conan collection three US Falling Skies season one to five US The Good Doctor season one to seven UK Physical: Welcome to Mongolia season one (new episodes weekly) US Transformers: Earthspark season three US 2 January Found season one to two US Grizzly & The Lemmings season four US Your Turn to Kill season one US 3 January The Following season one to three US 6 January Good Cop / Bad Cop season one US 7 January 11.22.63 season one 9 January Prodigal Son season one to two US 14 January Veronica Mars season one to three US 16 January Southland season one to five US 19 January Sandokan season one US open image in gallery Freddie Highmore in The Good Doctor ( ABC / screengrab ) 20 January Just a Dash season one to three US Rizzoli & Isles season one to seven US 24 January Agatha Christies Poirot UK 26 January My Sesame Street Friends: My Sesame Music US The Government of Bahrain is set to discuss a bill in its parliament this week to revise the countrys framework for external auditors, the Daily Tribune reported. The draft, forwarded with Royal Decree No. 76 of 2025, would amend Decree-Law No. 15 of 2021. It would introduce new registration, oversight and disciplinary arrangements, including replacing the current disciplinary body with an Account Auditors Accountability Council. The Financial and Economic Affairs Committee has recommended approval in principle after holding sessions with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Central Bank of Bahrain, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Bahrain Accountants & Auditors Association (BAAA). The ministry told the committee the accelerated timetable is linked to updating the rules in line with international standards, addressing unclear provisions, and reinforcing transparency, independence and accountability. It also stated that while audit and reporting requirements would be strengthened, the duty to design and operate internal control systems would remain with company management. One major amendment concerns eligibility to register as a practicing external auditor. Under the proposal, applicants will need a valid professional accounting certification in addition to meeting conduct and experience requirements. For non-Bahrainis, extra conditions would apply, including proof that they remain permitted to practice in the country where they previously worked. The committee has supported revising Article 10 to add a Bahrainisation obligation for branches of foreign audit companies registered in Bahrain. Under the committees suggested wording, those branches would have to employ Bahraini external auditors at a ratio at least equal to the level set by the Cabinet, based on a ministerial proposal and coordination with the competent authorities. Changes are also proposed for the appointment and rotation of auditors, distinguishing between non-listed companies and listed entities. The Central Bank of Bahrain would continue to set selection requirements for financial institutions, and the committee has recommended that the relevant wording should also include listed companies. Additionally, the bill would expand what auditors must communicate in their reports. It would require disclosure of serious breaches identified during an audit that affect a companys activity or financial position. The bill will also expand the ministrys quality control powers. The designated unit would be able to conduct full inspections or sample checks to evaluate audit work, compliance with international standards and adherence to professional ethics. 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 Stephen Graham has addressed the possibility of Adolescence returning for a second series following the Netflix dramas huge success at the Golden Globes. The four-parter was named Best Television Limited Series at Sunday (11 January) nights Los Angeles ceremony, while Liverpudlian star Graham won the Best Actor in a Limited Series accolade for his phenomenal performance as a father who is distraught after his teenage son is accused of murdering a classmate. The shows four-gong haul was completed by 16-year-old Owen Coopers Best Supporting Male Actor award and Erin Doherty's win for Best Supporting Female Actor. While speaking to reporters in the press room after his win, Graham was asked whether there could be a second series of Adolescence at some point in the future. The 52-year-old replied: I cannot answer that question because its somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind and [screenwriter] Jack [Thorne]s mind, and well pull it out in about three or four years. So stay tuned. open image in gallery The Adolescence stars with their Golden Globes ( Getty ) Adolescence fast became one of Netflixs most-watched and critically-acclaimed releases when it debuted in March last year. The single-shot drama followed 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Cooper) after his arrest for killing a girl at his school. The show was praised for its exploration of toxic masculinity and incel culture, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer backing calls for it to be shown in schools. Showrunner Thorne previously said he did not have immediate plans for more episodes, explaining during an appearance on This Morning last year: I dont think theres anywhere more we can take Jamie, so I dont think there is a series two. Wed love to explore the one shot format in another way. Wed love to tell other stories with it, but I dont think a series two of Adolescence is quite right for us. open image in gallery Cooper and Doherty in episode three of Adolescence ( Netflix ) With his triumph on Sunday night, 16-year-old Cooper became the youngest star to win in the Golden Globes Best Supporting Male Actor category. As he gave his winners speech to an audience packed with Hollywood A-listers, the Warrington-born actor said: Im still very much an apprentice. Im still learning every day. Im still learning from the people that are sitting in front of you and sitting in front of me. Its mad, what is going on? he added, before signing off with a nod to his beloved team Liverpool FC: Youll never walk alone. Picking up his Best Actor prize, Graham said: I want to say to every parent, please give your kid a massive cuddle. Tell them how much you love them and listen to them when they want to talk to you. Make sure the bedroom door is always open and make sure you communicate with each other. 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 Bill Maher has faulted his woke peers as the reason hell never win another Emmy, despite having earned 42 nods and a singular win throughout his career. The outspoken comedian, 69, made the remarks on the latest episode of his Club Random podcast, which was filmed before Sundays Golden Globes ceremony, where he was nominated in the best stand-up comedy performance on television category. He lost to fellow comedian Ricky Gervais. Maher was joined by Train Dreams star Joel Edgerton, who had also been nominated for a Globe. Connecting over their shared nominations, Edgerton asked: How do you feel going in? To me and maybe its because Ive always set my ceiling quite low in life. Like, being nominated to me is a win. Sweetheart, Ive been nominated for 33 Emmys, and they would never give it to me, Maher responded. Thats not a gag number. Thats a real number. Its crazy. open image in gallery Bill Maher was joined by fellow Golden Globe nominee Joel Edgerton on the latest episode of his 'Club Random' podcast ( Club Random with Bill Maher/YouTube ) open image in gallery Bill Maher and Joel Edgerton bonded over their shared Golden Globe nominations at the 2026 ceremony ( Club Random with Bill Maher/YouTube ) According to the Emmys website, Maher has received a total of 42 nominations throughout his career, winning once in 2014 as an executive producer on HBOs VICE docuseries. Thirty of those nominations have come from his work on his eight-season talk show, Politically Incorrect, which ran from 1993 to 2002, and his ongoing HBO Max talk show, Real Time with Bill Maher. Obviously, its something I said. Well, its everything I said, he later joked. Because I speak freely. And this woke town f***ing hates that. And thats okay. Ive made my peace with that. If by some miracle, he received an Emmy, he said: I really should be shocked. Maher, who identifies as a Democrat, has previously explained that he uses the word woke in place of progressive. I know that word triggers a lot of people, he said of the term on a July 2025 episode of Real Time, because it had a great beginning as a meaning, but words migrate, and it went to something else. I think theres a difference between an old-school liberal and a woke person, he added. Over the years, Maher has repeatedly found himself in hot water for making controversial comments on politics, religion, race and culture. open image in gallery Bill Maher recently railed against DEI practices in Hollywood on his podcast ( HBO ) Just last week, the TV host railed against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in Hollywood on his Club Random podcast. Speaking to actor Tim Allen, Maher said diversity on television is a great virtue, but noted that its not the only one. Not everything in America has to look like Angelina Jolies Christmas card, you know, sometimes, and its always okay in reverse, he said, referencing Jolie being the adoptive mother of children from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam, as well as of her biological children with Brad Pitt. I love people of color, and Im so glad that things are better than they used to be for people of color, but you know, it shouldnt intrude on the creative process to the degree it has in this town, Maher continued. It has intruded on the creative process. And by the way, lots of people of color agree with that because they want the creative process to be pure, too. 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 Jon Stewart began The Daily Show Monday by mocking the moment President Trump interrupted a meeting with oil company executives to stare at the White Houses beautiful ballroom. Trump convened the meeting on Friday to discuss the U.S.s divvying up of Venezuelas oil supplies after its surprise seizure of President Nicolas Maduro. Lest you worry that Donald Trump is in any way feeling the burden of this moment, the terrifying responsibility of so many lives held in his hands, let me reassure you: hes fine, Stewart said. He then showed a clip of Trump getting up from his chair at the meeting Friday to stare out the window at his new ballroom. Wow! What a view, the president declared. Staring at the camera in disbelief, Stewart reacted, Look at f***ing Rubio and Vance. open image in gallery Jon Stewart lambasted Trumps old man moment on 'The Daily Show' ( Comedy Central ) open image in gallery Trump appeared to catch Marco Rubio off guard as he read a private note during the meeting ( AFP/Getty ) Look at the faces on Heckle and Jekyll over there. Just looking and smiling like, Oh, Paw Paw. Hes so cute. You should see him when the ice cream truck goes by. And by the way, Stewart added, if youre getting up and walking to the window and you dont think thats enough of a doddering old man move, old Cankles McGee had one more chewable Tums up his sleeve. Stewart then showed another clip from the same meeting in which Trump appeared to blindside Marco Rubio as he read a private note aloud to the room. Stewart jokingly responded, Does anyone else have a private note theyd like me to read aloud? Anybody? The host went on to skewer Trump for posting a screenshot from Wikipedia to Truth Social over the weekend, declaring himself acting president of Venezuela. Doesnt your oath of office to America have a noncompete?Stewart said. What are we doing? What, are you just trying to pick up a few extra hours? What, the holidays hit you hard? I just need a couple extra bucks until like February, March. That ballrooms not going to pay for itself. Trumps decapitation of the Venezuelan government has drawn condemnation from much of the world and raised concerns in the U.S. about whether it violated U.S. laws. In the wake of Maduros ouster, Trump claimed the U.S. would be taking over sales of Venezuelan crude across the globe and said the government in Caracas was providing Washington with between 30 and 50 million barrels of formerly sanctioned oil to sell. However, the president said Sunday that he is inclined to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after its top executive was skeptical about oil investment efforts in the country after the toppling of former President Nicolas Maduro. I didnt like Exxons response, Trump said to reporters on Air Force One as he departed West Palm Beach, Florida. Theyre playing too cute. 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 NBC has pulled an upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU after charges of alleged child sexual abuse were brought against guest star Timothy Busfield. Last Friday, an arrest warrant was issued for Busfield, 68, who is facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and an open count of child abuse. The actor is best known for playing Danny Concannon in The West Wing and has also appeared in films including Field of Dreams and Revenge of the Nerds. The Law & Order: SVU episode in question was titled Corrosive and was expected to air this week on January 15. In it, Busfield was set to play a respected judge whose life is threatened after an anonymous video is posted to the SVU tip-line. Every episode of the show, which focuses on a Special Victims Unit, opens with the lines: In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories... Timothy Busfield, pictured in New York in 2020, is facing allegations of child sexual abuse ( Steven Ferdman/Getty Images ) Deadline reports that the episode will be replaced on NBC schedules by the subsequent episode, originally slated for January 22. The arrest warrant for Busfield was issued in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where local station KOAT reported that one child told law enforcement that Busfield allegedly touched them inappropriately at the age of 7, according to court records. Busfield was reportedly directing the Fox crime series The Cleaning Lady when the alleged acts took place, beginning in November 2022. The incidents allegedly occurred around five or six times. Court documents show that Albuquerque police began their investigation of Busfield in November 2024 after staff at the University of New Mexico Hospital told police it appeared children were being groomed on the set of the television show. According to those records, two children at the hospital did not accuse Busfield of sexual contact but did state that Uncle Tim would tickle them on the stomach and legs, and that they did not care for the tickling. Busfield was born in June 1957 in Lansing, Michigan. He has worked extensively in theatre as an actor and director, with Broadway credits including A Few Good Men and Brighton Beach Memoirs. He has been married three times. He has a son from his first marriage to actor and director Radha Delamarter. After they divorced in 1986, he married fashion designer Jennifer Merwin in 1988 and they had two more children. They divorced in 2007, and in 2013, he married Little House on the Prairie actor Melissa Gilbert. 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 After Mock the Weeks cancellation in 2022, producers expressed hope the show would resurface somewhere someday in the future. That day is almost here. The BBC called time on the satirical panel series after 17 years in order to create room for new shows but Irish comedian Dara O Briain will return for a brand new nine-episode edition in February, airing on TLC. Mock the Weeks format sees six comedians answering questions about the past weeks news, with the wittiest answers awarded points. New episodes will be double the length increasing from 30 minutes to one hour and will stay true to the classic format, with the return of rounds If This Is the Answer, What Is the Question? and Scenes Wed Like to See. However, new segments will be introduced throughout the series, which will feature guests Katherine Ryan, Rhys James, Sara Pascoe and Mock the Week legends Hugh Dennis (who appeared in every episode of the original run), Russell Howard and Ed Byrne. Other stars on the panel will include Angela Barnes, Ahir Shah, Milton Jones, Sarah Keyworth, Lou Sanders, Glenn Moore and Ellie Taylor, with more set to be announced. Speaking about the shows return, O Briain, who presented the panel show for its entire duration from 2005 until 2022, said he was genuinely delighted to be back. From what I remember, its a show that thrives on silly jokes from smart people and any actual insight is purely accidental, he stated. Also, from what I remember, my job was mainly just pressing a buzzer and handing out imaginary points. I can still do that. Here, have some imaginary points! Thats how easy it is. O Briain also told Radio Times in a new interview he wasnt precious about damaging the legacy as its just seven people in a room telling jokes. At the time of the shows cancellation in 2023, O Briain joked that the decision stemmed from the UK finally running out of news. The storylines were getting crazier and crazier; global pandemics, divorce from Europe, novelty short-term prime ministers. It couldnt go on. We just couldnt be more silly than the news was already. Mock the Week is returning on TLC ( BBC ) A BBC spokesperson said the corporation was really proud of the show. In 2025, OBriain addressed being the butt of many jokes on the show, with the panellists often ridiculing his nationality, voice, weight and appearance. Responding to a question about whether this was a form of bullying, O Briain told The Times: No. It really wasnt. If I were in a low-status position, it would be bullying. But Im the one pressing the buzzer and handing out the points, and I have a kind of high-status mien about myself. So actually its fine. Its grand. And a lot of it was from Ed Byrne, who is one of my closest friends. So I think its allowable. Mock the Week will premiere on TLC on 1 February at 9pm. 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 Timothy Busfield has surrendered to police, concluding a four-day hunt for the actor that involved the U.S. Marshals after he was charged with child sexual abuse. Busfield, 68, turned himself in Tuesday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to TMZ. He faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and an open count of child abuse. The actor, best known for his performances on The West Wing and in the 1989 film Field of Dreams, declared his innocence in a video taken before he surrendered to the cops. Im sure most of you know that are watching this that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque, Busfield said in the video obtained by TMZ. Im here now, I got the call Friday night. I had to get a lawyer. Saturday, I got in the car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. He continued, Im going to confront these lies. Theyre horrible. Theyre all lies. I did not do anything to those little boys. And Im going to fight it. Im going to fight it with a great team and Im going to be exonerated. I know I am because this is all so wrong and all lies. So hang in there and hopefully Im out real soon and back to work. open image in gallery Timothy Busfield was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center Tuesday afternoon ( Metropolitan Detention Center ) open image in gallery Timothy Busfield, pictured in New York in 2020, is facing allegations of child sexual abuse ( Steven Ferdman/Getty Images ) An arrest warrant was issued Friday in New Mexico after Busfield was accused of touching two juvenile actors inappropriately while working on the now-cancelled Fox crime series The Cleaning Lady (2022-25), on which he served as executive producer and directed several episodes. The alleged abuse took place from November 2022 and spring 2024, according to the criminal complaint. Police documents report that allegations against Busfield also include claims that he kissed a boy on the face while the child was getting a haircut in the hair and makeup trailer. The Albuquerque Police Department began investigating Busfield in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted police to the alleged sexual abuse. Complaints were reported to Warner Bros. in February 2025, launching an independent investigation, but the company was not able to find any evidence supporting the allegations. Busfield told investigators in November that he believed the mother of his alleged victims was trying to get revenge on him because her children were not cast in the final season of the show, according to police documents. The actors representatives did not immediately return The Independents request for comment. After the charges against Busfield were brought last week, NBC pulled an upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU he was slated to guest star on. Busfield is married to actor Melissa Gilbert, who deleted her Instagram after the allegations against her husband surfaced. A statement from her lawyers shared with The Independent said that Gilbert will not comment on the situation at this time, per the request of Busfields lawyers. 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 Elon Musk has demanded full custody of his one-year-old son with Ashley St. Clair after she spoke out about her support for the transgender community. Billionaire Musk, 54, said he plans to petition a judge to have their son, Romulus, taken away from St. Clair, 27, after the conservative influencer apologized online for transphobic comments she had previously made. I will be filing for full custody today, given her statements implying she might transition a one-year-old boy, Musk wrote Monday on X. St. Clair never said anything about plans to transition their son, whom she announced last year had been born in September 2024. However, she shared a statement in response to social media users asking her to address blatant transphobia in her past comments about Vivian Wilson, Musks estranged 21-year-old daughter. Musk has repeatedly deadnamed Wilson and been outspoken about his conservative stance against trans people. open image in gallery Elon Musk said he is seeking full custody of his son with Ashley St. Clair ( @stclairashley/X/Reuters ) I feel immense guilt for my role, St. Clair wrote on X. And even more guilt that things I have said in the past may have caused my sons sister more pain. She continued, [I dont really know] how to make amends for many of these things, but I have been trying incredibly hard privately to learn + advocate for those within the trans community that Ive hurt. St. Clair said she has previously been hesitant about retracting her past statements out of fear that it would be painted as disingenuous. Even this reply will become right wing hysteria but yeah I am sorry, she wrote. Let me know how I can help. open image in gallery Ashley St. Clair is a conservative influencer who says she has a one-year-old son with Elon Musk ( @stclairashley/X ) open image in gallery Elon Musk is the father of at least 14 children ( AFP via Getty Images ) Musk, who is the father of 13 other children, has previously said he was unsure if St. Clairs child is his. However, after St. Clair wrote on X that Musk financially retaliated against their child, he insisted that he gave St. Clair $2.5 million as well as $500,000 a year to raise the boy. St. Clair fired back that Musk refused to take a paternity test for Romulus, whom the Tesla CEO purportedly named, adding: And you werent sending *me* money, you were sending support for your child that you thought was necessary until you withdrew most of it to maintain control and punish me for disobedience. But youre really only punishing your son. Earlier this month, St. Clair accused Musks artificial intelligence bot on X, Grok, of being used to generate inappropriate sexual pictures of her as a child. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The pursuit of financial savings has overtaken health improvements as the leading motivation for Britons participating in Dry January, according to a charity's latest findings. Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind the initiative, estimates a "staggering" 17.5 million individuals plan to abstain from alcohol for the entire month. Saving money was cited by 21 per cent as their primary driver, narrowly ahead of the 20 per cent focused on better health. Other significant motivations included weight loss (15 per cent), while 11 per cent aimed to improve their mental health and wellbeing or enhance physical fitness. Alcohol Change UKs chief executive Dr Richard Piper said: Given the current pressure on our personal finances, were not surprised to see that saving money is the top motivator for taking a break from alcohol in January. People are often shocked to hear estimates of what an average drinker spends on alcohol, which our research suggests is more than 62,000 over a lifetime thats a lot of holidays, more than a brand new car or a big chunk off our mortgage. Even on a day-to-day basis, our drinking habits add up, and we can easily find ourselves spending more money on alcohol than wed like often without us really noticing until we step back and take a break. In fact, many members of our community who are actively changing their relationship with alcohol report being surprised by how much money theyre saving in a short period of time, or in other words just how much they were spending on booze beforehand. 11 per cent of drinkers expressed a desire to enhance their mental health and wellbeing or boost their physical fitness ( iStock ) A total of 1.55 billion has been saved since 2018 by drinkers who used the charitys Try Dry app along with other online tools and groups to take part in Dry January, researchers found. A closer look at figures from the app which tracks units drunk, calories and money saved while enabling drinkers to log dry days and get tips, found that drinkers also cut their alcohol consumption by 258 million units. This is around 129 million pints of average strength beer or medium glasses of wine which amounts to approximately two units per drink. They also avoided 16.2 billion empty calories which is equivalent to around 80 million 200-calorie chocolate bars. Some 31 per cent of UK drinkers said they had concerns about the long-term damage their alcohol consumption might be doing to them, a survey of 2,000 people carried out by Censuswide also found. They also felt that alcohol may be negatively affecting their appearance, fitness, sleep and physical health and 52 per cent of drinkers said they had taken steps to manage their intake in the past year. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said: Its fantastic that millions of people will be taking positive steps towards better health and wellbeing in the New Year. As we work to build a healthier nation through our 10 Year Health Plan, initiatives like the Dry January challenge remind us that prevention starts with the choices we make every day, and the evidence shows it can lead to lasting changes. Whether its improving sleep, boosting mental health or saving money, taking a break from alcohol can make a real difference to our lives. Regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week risks damaging your health, the NHS website states. The number of units in a drink is based on the size of the drink and its alcohol strength. 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." 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 Meghan Markles brand both personal and lifestyle has always been a little confused. The latter, originally launched as American Riviera Orchard in 2024, became As Ever a little under a year later, with the Duchess claiming the moniker limited her to selling goods manufactured and grown in the Santa Barbara area in which she lives. Much like Markle, sorry, Sussex, her jam had an identity crisis. Still, her products (flower sprinkles for 11, honey for an eye-watering 21) flew off the digital shelves upon release, with the Duchess even being forced to offer free gifts to customers whod bought items after the initial inventory was, in fact, gone within the first 45 minutes. Markle announced she wouldnt restock the products because of the toll the success of the business had taken on her, admitting she feared she might be annoying customers. I dont want you to eat that jam once every six months, she acknowledged. I want that to be on your shelf all the time. Cut to 2026, and shes just released a new unwind set (47), comprised of a black leather fell asleep here bookmark, a jar of sage honey and tin of peppermint tea. The bookmark is stamped with gold and is penned in Meghans own handwriting. A far cry from Santa Barbara, the product is produced in the UK, a nod back to the Duke and Duchesss life before heading back to the US in 2020. So how is business doing really? After her jam with her jam at launch, miraculously, her As Ever products went on sale just over a fortnight later. You guys are doing it again, were nearly sold out on everything and I cant believe it, Markle told fans on social media, in which she unveiled a new apricot spread in keepsake packaging (10), as well as a limited edition orange blossom honey (20), which sold out 10 minutes after release. We spent so much time making sure we had so much more inventory, Markle grinned, seemingly in disbelief. Then came this months tech snafu, which appeared to expose exactly how many products As Ever had sold as well as had still available. Neither Markle nor her company have ever published sales figures, yet reports suggested that the brands online site displayed the precise number of each item left in stock. For example, The Times reported the As Ever website showed that 137,465 units were left of the signature fruit spread box, which contains three jams of jam for 31, per. open image in gallery ( Instagram/As Ever ) This inspired some quick maths among reporters. A source close to the business told The Sun that the figure for the jam represented the number left in stock after an original purchase order of one million. If this is true, it would mean Markle has sold 862, 535 boxes of signature fruit spread for a total of 26.7m. It doesnt take a genius to work out that 87 per cent of what has been ordered has been sold, the insider said. The Duchess and As Ever did not comment. Of course, these hypothetical figures dont take into account overheads, operating costs, production, packaging, marketing and shipping before profit. Ballpark these expenditures and they amount to somewhere between 12-16m based on similar celebrity business models, which leaves Markles profits seemingly sitting somewhere between 10-14m. An absolute killing for jars of jam. But the problem remains of the brand image. Here, business is not so good. She did a drop that sold out, then she said she wasnt doing more, then she did another one, then she said there were no products and then there was a website glitch that showed there were thousands of jars of honey and jam left. Its brand confusion, diagnoses Renae Smith, founder of the PR and branding firm The Atticism. Meghan does have the potential to actually have a really good brand, Smith acknowledges. But she either has no understanding of what she wants the brand to be, or she has very poor advisors in that space, she says. Or maybe she doesnt want to listen. Notably, the Sussexes have lost 11 publicists in the space of five years, with the last, Meredith Maines, quitting after less than a year in the role. Compared to other celebrity wellness brands, like Gwyneth Paltrows Goop, which launched in 2008 and is valued at around $250m (185m), Smith predicts Markles business could struggle with longevity unless she hones her brand both as a business and a public figure. Goop had a plan from the beginning, it was neat, it was structured, she says. Meghan doesnt stick to a lane; shell go and be an influencer for a bit, then she goes back on TV and does something weird, then she does a podcast, which was also weird, she says, in reference to the maligned Archetypes. If youre going to be the next Martha Stewart, just do that, Smith advises. Dont take photos of yourself near the bridge where Diana died or even go to Paris for a Balenciaga show, commit! Hone [your image]: My husbands a prince and I love staying at home with my children, whether its true or not, who cares? But she wont, Smith concludes. In her latest curveball move, Markle is reportedly preparing to return to the UK for the first time in four years to join her husband at an Invictus Games event in Birmingham this July. Could this return streamline her image at all? Her diehard fans will buy what shes selling wherever in the world she is, Smith observes. You love her or hate her with as much aggression as you do Trump. open image in gallery Markle launched her lifestyle brand alongside the Netflix show With Love, Meghan in 2025 ( Netflix/As Ever ) She could come back to the UK and try to somewhat recover a little bit of the aspirational Princess energy here, maybe get her brand into Fortnum & Mason not somewhere like Soho House that suits her followers who align with her girl boss, sort of vibe. But, from a monarchy standpoint, there are people wholl never forgive her for whats happened. They wont be swayed whether shes in the US or the UK. Shes permanently damaged her reputation here. When markle announced her latest unwind products, the standalone bookmark sold out in minutes with the whole unwind bundle not far behind. For the chapters you want to savour most the teaser told fans ahead of the drop. A quiet pause. thoughtfully bundled, the announcement added. While its entirely unpredictable what direction the brand will veer into next, the expert advice is clear and simple: play it safe and think carefully about bookmarking your next chapter. Bitmine Immersion Technologies has further cemented its position as the largest corporate holder of Ether after adding more than 24,000 ETH to its balance sheet over the past week. Key Takeaways: Bitmine now controls about 4.17 million ETH, equal to roughly 3.4% of Ethers circulating supply. The companys crypto and cash holdings total around $14 billion, with staking playing a growing role. A pending shareholder vote could determine Bitmines ability to keep expanding its ETH holdings. In a statement released Monday, the company said it purchased 24,266 Ether during the week, bringing its total ETH holdings to roughly 4.17 million tokens. That figure represents about 3.4% of Ethers circulating supply, underscoring the scale of Bitmines presence in the market. Bitmine Reports $14B in Crypto and Cash Holdings Alongside its growing crypto stack, Bitmine reported around $14 billion in combined crypto and cash holdings, including nearly $1 billion in cash reserves. Ether remains the cornerstone of the companys strategy, but Bitmine also holds 193 Bitcoin and a $23 million equity stake in Eightco Holdings. The balance sheet expansion reflects a broader push by the company to position itself as a long-term participant in the Ethereum ecosystem rather than a passive holder of digital assets. Staking has become an increasingly important part of that strategy. Bitmine disclosed that approximately 1.26 million ETH is now staked, an increase of nearly 600,000 ETH from the previous week. Staking allows token holders to lock up assets to help secure the Ethereum network in exchange for yield. The company is developing its own staking platform, which it plans to deploy in early 2026. The latest update also revived calls from chairman Tom Lee for shareholders to approve an increase in authorized shares. According to Lee, the companys charter requires a majority vote of outstanding shares to move forward, and failure to secure approval could limit Bitmines ability to continue acquiring Ether at scale. The proposal is expected to be a focal point at the companys annual meeting scheduled for Thursday in Las Vegas. Investors appeared to respond positively to the news. Bitmine shares rose about 3% in early trading, while Ether was trading near $3,100, down roughly 3% over the past week amid broader market softness. Crypto Treasury Boom Leaves Digital Asset Holdings Highly Concentrated Bitmines rapid accumulation highlights a wider trend among digital asset treasury companies that gained momentum in 2025. While dozens of firms have adopted crypto-focused balance sheet strategies, holdings remain heavily concentrated. 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 Chris Noth has seemingly gone after his former Sex and the City co-star, Sarah Jessica Parker. Days after Parker was honored by the Golden Globe Foundation with the Carol Burnett award, Noth shared a photo on Instagram of himself working out in the gym, sitting on a bench press while holding two dumbbell weights. F&@k new years - LETS GO!!!! he captioned the post. Underneath, one fan commented, You mean f*** SJP & her award right? Lol, referencing the And Just Like Thatactors honor for outstanding contributions to television on or off the screen. Noth simply responded, Right. The Independent has contacted a representative for Parker for comment. open image in gallery Chris Noth replied to an Instagram comment addressing his former co-stars recent Carol Burnett award win ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Noth had briefly appeared in And Just Like That... before he was killed off following sexual assault allegations ( Getty Images ) Over the years, Parker and Noth played love interests, Carrie Bradshaw and John James Preston commonly known as Mr. Big or just Big in both Sex and the City and its respective reboots, including the films Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2. Big was also briefly brought back for the HBO sequel series, And Just Like That However, in December 2021, Noth was accused of sexual assault by two women. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred in 2004 and 2015, respectively, and were made public after the actor returned to the spotlight with And Just Like That. In response to the claims, Noth told The Independent at the time: The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false. These stories couldve been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago no always means no that is a line I did not cross. The encounters were consensual. Its difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out. I dont know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women. After Noths character was killed off in the first episode of the sequel, Parker and the rest of the cast released a statement, claiming they stood by the women and their claims against Noth. We are deeply saddened to hear the allegations against Chris Noth, read the statement posted to Instagram and signed by Parker and her co-stars Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. We support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences. We know it must be a very difficult thing to do and we commend them for it. Parker was then asked by The Hollywood Reporter in May 2022 what her reaction to the allegations was as a producer of the series. She replied by saying: I dont even know if Im ready to talk about it, but I dont think I wasnt reacting as a producer. Acknowledging how hard it was to speak about the subject, she added: I should have worked on this because Im just its just... Parker, asked if she had spoken to Noth since the allegations surfaced, replied: No. 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 Opening statements are set to start Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of murdering his wife and another man while in a romantic relationship with a Brazilian au pair. Brendan Banfield is charged with aggravated murder in the February 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan at the Banfields home in northern Virginia. He pleaded not guilty and faces life imprisonment. Brendan Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhaes, the familys au pair, initially told investigators they shot Ryan after they found the stranger stabbing Christine Banfield in the bedroom. Prosecutors say Banfield and Magalhaes lured Ryan to the house and staged it to look like they had shot an intruder. The two had begun a romantic relationship about a year earlier. Both were initially arrested and charged with murder. In 2024, Magalhaes pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter after cooperating with investigators. open image in gallery Prosecutors say Banfield and Magalhaes lured the male victim to the house and staged it to look like they had shot an intruder ( Fairfax County Police Department ) Magalhaes told them she and Brendan Banfield created an account in his wifes name on a social media platform for people interested in sexual fetishes. Ryan connected with the account, planning to meet on the morning of Feb. 24, 2023, for a sexual encounter involving a knife. Not all officials investigating the case have believed that Banfield and Magalhaes lured Ryan to the home. Brendan Miller, a former digital forensic examiner with the Fairfax County Police Department, testified last year that he analyzed dozens of devices and concluded Christine Banfield had connected with Ryan herself. An evidence analysis team at the University of Alabama peer-reviewed and affirmed Millers digital forensic findings, according to evidence submitted to the court. Miller was transferred out of the departments digital forensics unit in late 2024, though a former Fairfax County commander testified the reassignment was not punitive. open image in gallery A framed photo of Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhaes was found on his bedside table ( Fairfax County Police Department ) John Carroll, Banfields attorney, has argued that Millers transfer is directly related to his work on the case. Carroll also noted in court that Fairfax County police reassigned the cases lead detective after that man pushed back on the catfishing theory. It is a theory in search of facts rather than a series of facts supporting a theory, Carroll said. Banfield, whose then-4-year-old daughter was at the house on the morning of the killings, is also charged with child abuse and felony child cruelty in connection with the case. He will also face those charges during the aggravated murder trial. 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 historic Philadelphia-area cemetery is rolling out new security measures after authorities say a man carried out what prosecutors described as a horror movie come to life, allegedly stealing more than 100 skeletons. Officials with Mount Moriah Cemetery, which spans Philadelphia and Delaware counties, announced the upgrades following the arrest of Jonathan Gerlach, 34, of Ephrata, who is accused of burglarizing and desecrating 26 mausoleums and underground vaults. Gerlach was arrested last week and charged with dozens of offenses, including 26 counts each of burglary and criminal trespassing, 26 counts of intentional desecration of a public monument, and 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property. The plan to implement new security measures was announced on social media by John R. Schmehl Jr., president of the Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery, who said the nonprofit group was working urgently to address these violations of our sacred space. Schmehl noted his own familys ties to the cemetery, which date back to 1855. The investigation began after members of the nonprofit group that helps preserve the cemetery contacted police to report widespread grave desecration, NBC News reported. Investigators later determined that Gerlachs vehicle had been near the cemetery repeatedly during the time the burglaries occurred. open image in gallery Jonathan Gerlach faces nearly 500 charges or allegedly stealing skeletons from graves in Pennsylvania ( Delaware County District Attorney's Office via AP ) Detectives conducting surveillance on January 6 observed Gerlachs car near the cemetery with numerous bones and skulls in plain view in the back seat, according to the Delaware County District Attorneys Office. Gerlach was then seen exiting the cemetery holding a burlap bag, crow bar and other assorted items, the DAs office said. The offender was brought into custody where he admitted to stealing approximately 30 sets of human remains. In response to the alleged crimes, Schmehl said the group has fast-tracked an expansion of its surveillance camera system throughout the cemetery. The group is also repairing fencing along 61st Street, 63rd Street and Kingsessing Avenue, including a recently completed section near the SEPTA loop, and plans to patrol the cemetery at random hours to deter trespassing. Schmehl said the group has already spent $20,000 repairing damaged mausoleums and gravesites and has been quoted $9,000 in materials to repair a single section of fencing. The nonprofit is now seeking donations to help fund the security upgrades. open image in gallery Gerlach, 34, of Ephrata, is accused of targeting the sprawling burial ground in a months-long series of grave robberies ( GoogleMaps ) The arrest of Gerlach came after a monthslong investigation into break-ins at Mount Moriah, where at least 26 mausoleums and vaults had been broken into since early November. Investigators later searched Gerlachs home and a storage unit in Ephrata, where they reported finding more than 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, two decomposing torsos and other skeletal remains. They were in various states. Some of them were hanging, as it were. Some of them were pieced together, some were just skulls on a shelf, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said. Investigators also recovered jewelry believed to have been taken from graves. In one case, a pacemaker was still attached. Detectives walked into a horror movie come to life in that home, Rouse said during a press conference last week. It is truly, in the most literal sense of the word, horrific. I grieve for those who are upset by this, who are going through this, who are trying to figure out if it is in fact one of their loved ones. Gerlach is being held on a $1 million bond. Police say the investigation remains ongoing as they work to identify the remains and locate surviving family members. 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 Karen Read a Massachusetts woman accused and later acquitted of killing her police officer boyfriend with a car has given her first in-depth interview since her trial, and revealed that she is working on a book about her experience. Read appeared on the Rotten Mango podcast, which covers true crime stories, where she recalled the trial, her retrial, the verdict, and how her life has changed since being thrust into the public eye. In January 2022, John O'Keefe a Boston police officer who was dating Read died while he was at a house party with colleagues and was found dead outside a Canton home on the night of a snowstorm. Read was accused of hitting him with her SUV while drunk and leaving him to die outside, but she and her defense team argued that police framed her to protect another officer who was at the party. Based on his injuries, it looks to me like he got into a fight and fell backwards," Read told the podcast. "Someone in that house killed John OKeefe. open image in gallery KKaren Read said during her first in-depth interview since her trial that she plans to write a book about her experiencearen Read Trial ( AP ) Read revealed during the podcast that she was afraid that someone from the law enforcement community would try to kill her and frame her death to look like a suicide. I live alone; Im like a sitting duck. Will I be hanging from a doorknob in my house? she said. And they could easily explain it as guilt, depression over what had happened, and, She just gave up. During her trial, critics of Read complained that she lacked empathy while discussing her boyfriend's death. She said that the public had no idea what she was feeling, and noted that she had grieved in the months and years before she became publicly known. I am out of tears about the tragedy of January 29th, she said. I have mourned for months and years before the public ever knew me... I would not cry in front of the OKeefes. I would not cry in front of the prosecution. She said that since the trial, she has faced financial difficulties and is living at home with her parents. Despite her struggles, she said that she and her team are working on a book that she hopes will hit shelves sometime in the next five years. open image in gallery Karen Read leaves the courthouse after she was found not guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Dedham, Massachusetts ( Copyright The Associated Press 2025. All Rights ) While Read was ultimately acquitted, she said memories of the trial and fears over what might have happened to her if she'd been found guilty still weigh heavily. Im trying to understand why I havent felt more celebratory, and what I think is that I lived with some very singular emotions fright, anger, and anxiety, Read said. It was very intense every waking hour. Every hour, I thought about my freedom and if I could lose it. And those feelings just dont disappear when a jury foreman says, Not guilty. Read's first trial ended in a mistrial, and her retrial ended when she was found not guilty of all charges save for a misdemeanor drunk driving charge. Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, whose office spearheaded Read's prosecution, said he would not run for re-election this year, according to Boston 25 News. 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 15-year-old girl accidentally shot her friend dead while the pair were sitting in a car in a Lowes parking lot with a 21-year-old man they met on Snapchat, police say. The victim has been named as Katen Atwell, 15. Her friend has not been publicly named due to her age. The owner of the vehicle, Bryan Harbison, told police he believed the two teens he was talking to online were over the age of 18. He is also facing charges in relation to the incident. Harbison allegedly told police he bought alcohol before picking up the girls and driving them to the Lowes in Elizabethtown about 45 miles from Louisville, Kentucky where the trio hung out and drank. open image in gallery The victim has been named as Katen Atwell, 15. Her friend has not been publicly named due to her age ( GoFundMe ) Harbison told police he was in the back seat of his truck with Atwell while the other teen was in the front seat. The friend then found his gun located in his cars center console, police said. The alleged teenage shooter told police she picked up a handgun, pointed it at Atwell, and pulled the trigger, believing the gun to be unloaded, as Harbison told her. Although Harbison told investigators a different story. Harbison told police the gun was secured in the glove compartment, and the teen pulled it out without his knowledge. Elizabethtown police told WKYT, they were called to the scene around 2:30 am on January 11 after receiving a report of gunshots. Police said they found Harbison giving CPR to Atwell. She was rushed to nearby Baptist Health Hardin, where she was pronounced dead. open image in gallery Bryan Harbison has been charged with third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and first-degree Wanton Endangerment ( Hardin County Jail ) Obviously, this is terribly tragic. As I said, our most sincere thoughts and prayers go out, said Elizabethtown PD Public Affairs Officer Chris Denham. A lot of lives are devastated and ruined. I cant imagine, from a parents standpoint, what it would be like to lose a 15-year-old child. The 15-year-old suspect is in custody and has been charged with murder. Harbison has been charged with third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and first-degree wanton endangerment. In a post to Facebook, Hardin County Schools confirmed the passing of one of its students, Katen Atwell. Katen was enrolled in the HCS Virtual School and previously attended Heartland Elementary School and Bluegrass Middle School. Katens teachers remember her for her dedication and personal growth, the post said. We ask our community, families, students, and staff to keep Katens family in their thoughts during the difficult days, weeks, and months ahead. HCS counselors are available to support students through their grief and will remain accessible for as long as needed. We appreciate our communitys cooperation in providing privacy and respect for Katens family during this time. Family members have created a GoFundMe page to pay tribute to Atwell and raise money for her family. Organiser Lena Milburn described the teens loved ones as being shattered by the news. It is with shattered hearts that we share the news of the passing of my baby sister Katen at just 15 years old. Her life was taken from us far too soon, leaving a void in our family that can never be filled, the post said. Katen had so much life left to live, she was truly a beautiful soul and we are struggling to navigate a world without her in it. As we grieve this immense loss, we are also faced with the sudden financial reality of funeral and cremation services. We want to give Katen the beautiful send away she deserves, but the unexpected costs are a heavy burden for our family to carry alone during this painful time. Please if you are able to contribute, any amount no matter how small will help relieve the financial pressure on our family and allow us to focus on honouring Katens memory. 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 After more than a week of searching for a beloved Chicago teacher who vanished on her way to an acupuncture appointment, her body has been found. The body of 53-year-old Linda Brown was recovered from Lake Michigan on Monday, authorities confirmed. Brown, a Chicago Public Schools special education teacher, had been missing since January 3, when she left her Bronzeville home for her appointment, but never made it. Chicago police said the departments marine unit recovered a womans body just before noon on Monday from Lake Michigan in the 31st Street Harbor after several days of searching the lakefront. The Cook County Medical Examiners Office later identified the woman as Brown. Police said a death investigation is ongoing pending autopsy results. open image in gallery Linda Brown, 53, a special education teacher with Chicago Public Schools, vanished on January 3. Her body was found Monday in Lake Michigan ( Chicago Police Department ) Brown, who taught at Robert Healy Elementary School in Bridgeport, was last seen January 3 in the 4500 block of South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near her home. Investigators later located her blue Honda Civic near 35th Street and Lake Park Avenue. Surveillance video reviewed by family members showed Brown parking her car around 3 a.m. that day, getting out alone and walking toward a pedestrian bridge leading to the lakefront. She was last seen crossing the bridge. Browns husband, Antwon Brown, said her disappearance was completely out of character. Everything was fine, he said. Next morning I woke up, it was like 8:35 a.m., and she was gone. No sign of her. I thought she went to acupuncture because she goes to acupuncture on Saturdays. When Brown failed to show up for her appointment and could not be reached by phone or text, family members reported her missing. He added that she disappeared before she was set to return to teaching on January 5, after taking a leave of absence for several months. "She has a little mental issues going on, and she took a leave of absence from her job to get help for that," Antwon told CBS Chicago. "As school was getting closer, it was kind of getting worse, like the anxiety, the panic attacks." Browns family confirmed her death in a statement. It is with heavy hearts that we share an update regarding our beloved Linda Brown. Today, Lindas body was found in the 31st Street Harbor along the Chicago lakefront. This is not the outcome we were hoping or praying for, but we are grateful that she has been found and can now be brought home to our family. We want to extend our deepest and most sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us during this unimaginable time. To the individuals, organizations, volunteers, advocates, and members of the community who helped search, shared Lindas story, amplified her flyer, and stood beside our family your love, compassion, and tireless efforts will never be forgotten. The outpouring of support meant more to us than words can express. open image in gallery Surveillance video showed Brown parking her car around 3 a.m. that day, getting out alone and walking toward a pedestrian bridge leading to the lakefront ( Chicago Police Department ) Browns niece, Jen River, told FOX32 Chicago that Antwon Brown was struggling to process the loss. He is beside himself, he is very, very upset. This wasnt the outcome any of us hoped for He really thought that we would bring Linda home safely and she would be alive and well, River said. He is very deep in grief, having a hard time speaking and processing his thoughts. He just lost the love of his life. As speculation circulated online during the search, River said the family also wanted to address rumors. Antwon has always been innocent. Hes never been a suspect in this case Weve seen a lot of apologies to Antwon. It doesnt matter now but Im glad people are seeing who Antwon truly is, she said. Im glad the facts have been released and we can now move on as a family. Brown was remembered as a dedicated educator who left a lasting mark on her students. Former student Rene Lopez told WLS she had a rare ability to make students feel seen. 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 taught Lopez, his brother and several of his cousins. Lopez said she played a key role in his becoming the first in his family to graduate. I want the city of Chicago to really understand how much of an impact she played to her community, he said. Although shes not no longer here physically, her legacy will continue to flourish through all the lives that she was able to touch. open image in gallery Brown is remembered as a dedicated educator who left a lasting mark on her students ( Chicago Police Department ) Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also issued a statement Monday. I am deeply saddened by the news of Linda Browns passing, Johnson said. 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. Im praying for her family, and for her students as they grieve and remember Linda and all the joy she brought. In a message to families, the principal of Robert Healy Elementary said the school is working with Chicago Public Schools to provide grief counseling and mental health support to students and staff. Our own school-based mental health professionals will also be available for students who need ongoing services, part of the message said. We are deeply saddened by this loss and will do everything we can to help our school community heal." Its unclear how Brown ended up in the water. The investigation is ongoing. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 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. In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org 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 man is in custody after a shooting rampage across three locations in a Mississippi county left six people dead including a seven-year-old girl in what local authorities called one of the worst cases theyve seen. Daricka Moore, 24, is charged with first-degree murder. The charges are expected to be upgraded to multiple counts of capital murder, Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said at a Saturday news conference. Scott said the rampage began shortly before 7 p.m. Friday at a home on David Hill Road in Clay County. Moore allegedly shot and killed his father, Glenn Moore, 67; his uncle, Willie Guine, 55; and his brother, Quinten Moore, 33. Each man was shot in the head, the sheriff said. Investigators believe Moore then stole his brothers F-150 truck and drove to a second home, where he allegedly forced his way inside and attempted to sexually assault someone while armed with a handgun. During the attack, Moore allegedly shot and killed a seven-year-old girl, who Sheriff Scott said was Moores second cousin. Her mother, Moores cousin, was also at the home with three children. open image in gallery Daricka Moore is charged with murder in a shooting rampage that left six people dead ( Clay County Sheriffs Office ) Moore then drove to a home on Siloam-Griffith Road, where investigators later found the truck hidden behind the house. Inside, authorities discovered the bodies of Barry Bradley and Samuel Bradley, both of whom appeared to have been shot in the head. One of the men was a pastor at an Apostolic church attended by some of Moores family members, Scott said. It is unclear why the two men were targeted. Following a manhunt that same day, Moore was arrested at a checkpoint nearby, Scott said. District Attorney Scott Colom said prosecutors are preparing to upgrade the charges. I dont know what kind of motive there could be to shoot a seven-year-old child, Colom said. This guy has not been on our radar, Scott added. We dont know what was going through his mind. Scott described the toll on the victims family as devastating. For this family to lose this many family members in one setting is just hard to imagine, he said. The sheriff said his office had no prior contact with Moore and no previous calls for service at the targeted homes. I spoke to the family last night, and they just never wouldve believed that hed be capable of doing something like this, Scott said. Moore is being held without bail in the Clay County Jail in West Point. 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 Missing 12-year-old Ryan Davis was found alive in Oklahoma a week after he vanished and just days after his parents were charged with a string of offenses. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed on Monday that Davis was located by the United Cajun Navy. We can say that the outcome that we were all hoping for has come true. RJ Davis was found safe. Hes doing well, an official told the media. The exact location where he was found was not disclosed. To say were excited is an understatement. I mean, weve been on plenty of these when its been the other way, so when you get to bring one home, its pretty rewarding. Its quite the high, United Cajun Navys Shaun Schraeder said. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation had described Ryan Davis disappearance as suspicious. He vanished on January 2, last seen in the community 40 miles south of Oklahoma City. Authorities said he had been staying in a hotel with his family. On January 7, officials announced that Davis mother, Kimberly Cole, 33, and his stepfather, George Cole, 43, were in custody on charges that included child abuse and child sexual abuse. One of the charges levelled against Kimberly Cole is of crime against nature. In announcing the arrests, OSBI spokesperson Hunter McKee described the Coles home as not safe for Davis who also went by RJ and Ryker. This is extremely sad. This is a horrific case so far for everybody involved, McKee added. Last week, a $5,000 reward was issued for anyone who could confirm RJs location, leading to his safe return. We're still receiving several tips, we're still following up on those tips, but the boy has not been found. We do believe he is alive at this time, so we are doing everything we can to locate him, McKee told the media last week while discussing the case that a multi-agency search operation was underway that involved drones, dogs, and water searches. Its getting to a point where it is scary. Time is of the essence. We have to find this child. open image in gallery Davis' mother, Kimberly, is facing among other charges, crimes against nature ( Caddo County Jail ) The spokesman also said that Davis has run away in the past, though he did not elaborate on the circumstances. He asked anybody with surveillance cameras in the Chickasha area to check the footage for any trace of the missing child. All we want to do is lay eyes on this child, get him the medical care that he needs, and assure him, physically and emotionally, he will not be returning back to that environment, Chickasha Chief Goebel Music said at the same press conference. Music said that under no circumstances will Davis return to live with his parents. Prior to her arrest, Kimberly Cole publicly thanked those searching for her son in an interview with ABCs Oklahoma City affiliate KOCO. We just want our son back home, we want him back, she said. open image in gallery George Cole has been identified as Ryan Davis' stepfather, he's in custody on various child abuse charges ( Caddo County Jail ) According to Kimberly Coles Facebook page, Davis last went missing on December 17. Its not clear when he was found in that instance. A member of George Coles family has received a restraining order against him and Kimberly Cole, reports The Oklahoman. Over the weekend, search parties concentrated their efforts around Lake Burtschi in Grady County. A volunteer told KOCO that he was using his drone over the lake to help in the search. What I've been able to see so far out there is there's a lot of clearing areas, so what they tell me is RJ really knows good camping skills and maybe camping out somewhere so I'm looking for signs of anything he may have left behind campsite tent anything, Kent Jones told the station. One sign posted up close to the lake that was uploaded on Facebook read: RJ. This is a safe place. Plz come to our home. 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 An alleged late-night home invasion in Texas turned deadly and the homeowner is now facing a murder charge. Joel Adrian Florez, 43, was arrested and charged with murder after police say he shot and killed an armed intruder inside his home in Big Spring, Texas on Friday night. Officers arrived to find Florez and a 40-year-old woman standing outside the home. Florez told officers there was a gunshot victim inside, according to the Big Spring Police Department. The victim was identified as 36-year-old Phillip Samuel Lozano Jr. He was pronounced dead at the scene According to investigators, Lozano was armed and had forced his way into the house when Florez shot him. Police confirmed Lozano suffered multiple gunshot wounds. open image in gallery Joel Adrian Florez, 43, is accused of shooting and killing an armed intruder at his home in Texas ( Big Spring Police Department ) Florez was arrested on Saturday and charged with murder. Authorities have not said whether Florez and Lozano knew each other. No additional details about the incident were released. Texas has a stand your ground law that states that a person may use force against another person when they reasonably believe that force is needed to protect themselves. Under the Castle Doctrine, in certain circumstances, residents can use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves, their family, and their property, considered to be their castle, from an intruder or attacker, without the duty to retreat. Florez remains in the Howard County Detention Center. Blue Elephant Energy (BEE) has agreed to acquire a 381MW onshore wind portfolio in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in northern Germany from Rostock-based WIND-projekt. The acquisition will increase Blue Elephant Energys wind power capacity in the country to 533MW, a three-and-a-half-fold rise. Upon completion, the companys total portfolio will reach 2.1GW, with wind accounting for approximately 25% of its overall assets. The portfolio involved in the deal includes 37 operational wind farms providing 260MW. It also has four wind developments under construction with a combined capacity of 46MW, scheduled for commissioning in 2026. Three more sites totalling 75MW are also part of the deal and are due to be transferred to BEE at the start of their construction phase. These wind farms are expected to come online in 2027. The projected annual output of the overall portfolio is sufficient to supply electricity to approximately 33,000 households. The wind farms operate under the Renewable Energy Sources Act and offer long-term potential for repowering. WIND-projekt transaction lead Stephan Eckermann said: We are delighted to have found a strong partner in BEE with green DNA that suits us perfectly. In the future, we want to continue working together as a service provider in the technical and commercial management of BEE, as well as in the implementation of upcoming projects, and grow together as partners. BEE was established in 2016, and focuses on solar, wind and battery storage across Europe. Regulatory approval from authorities including the German Federal Cartel Office is required before final closing, which is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026. BEE chief investment officer Tim Kallas said: With this acquisition, we are securing a high-quality portfolio and tripling our wind portfolio in one of our core markets. Beyond this transaction, we are planning further collaborations with WIND-projekt and look forward to continuing our cooperation. Since its inception, BEE has built a project pipeline amounting to 9.5GW, alongside its installed capacity. "Blue Elephant Energy to acquire 381MW wind portfolio in Germany" was originally created and published by Energy Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand. 2026 has kicked off with a global tightening of regulations. Countries are moving quickly to close compliance gaps. If 2026 is truly the breakout year for crypto, is this preparation for it? Even SEC Chair Paul Atkins said that clear legislation and well-defined rules deliver market certainty. To start with, Kazakhstan, the country that has promised to build a crypto-city, has cracked down on over 1100 unlicensed cryptocurrency platforms in 2025. The Kazakh regulator, Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM), has shut down illegal crypto exchanges and frozen assets in order to ensure compliance. According to the statement issued on 12 January 2025, 1135 criminal cases were investigated, 141.5 billion tenge had been reimbursed to victims. Notably, the authorities took down 22 crypto exchanges and $16.7 million worth of crypto was seized by the government. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2026 Italy Says Social Media Posts Hyping Get Rich Quick Schemes Linked To Crypto Can Get In Trouble Meanwhile, Italy continues to dial up efforts to bring local crypto activity into compliance. Unregistered Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in Italy have been given until December 2026 to secure all licenses. The country has been aggressive in blocking unregistered platforms. Regulators have shut down 1500 investment sites. Italys top securities regulator has issued a warning to finfluencers promoting crypto. The Italian authority explicitly said that the EU investment rules apply fully to the social media activity of financial influencers. On 12 January 2026, Italys Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa (CONSOB) published a guidance from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Promoting a financial product or service on social media is not like promoting shoes or watches, explains the factsheet published on the ESMA and Consob websites. The guidance said, Telling people what to invest in, or what to avoid, can be considered a form of investment advice that requires authorization from the competent national authority. From now on, this is not investment advice will not suffice. If a casual social media post recommends buying, selling, avoiding anything the influencer may require formal authorization from a national regulator. Follow 99Bitcoins on X for the Latest Market Updates and Subscribe on YouTube for Daily Expert Market Analysis DISCOVER: 16+ New and Upcoming Binance Listings in 2026 Read original story Crypto News Today: Italy, India, Kazakhstan Tighten Grip On Crypto Trading And Advertising by Akriti Seth at 99bitcoins.com Advertisement CultureMoviesReview Hamnet won Golden Globes for best drama and best actress but is it any good? Sandra Hall January 13, 2026 2:34pm 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 FILM Hamnet (M) 126 minutes Germaine Greer was the first writer to set about rehabilitating the reputation of Shakespeares wife, Anne Hathaway. Must-see movies, interviews and all the latest from the world of film delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our Screening Room newsletter. Her speculative biography, Shakespeares Wife (2007), was an eloquently forthright feminist look at a woman who had been dismissed by several other scholars as an illiterate opportunist who forced the young playwright into a loveless marriage through pregnancy. Hathaways detractors had let their imaginations loose on a meagre supply of known facts. So had Greer. But she backed up her interpretation with a hefty amount of research into Elizabethan history and custom. Hathaways social status, Greer wrote, suggested that not only could she read and write, she might have been considered more eligible than Shakespeare himself. Advertisement Jessie Buckley (left) and Paul Mescal in Hamnet. Then in 2020, Irish novelist Maggie OFarrell offered up an even more audacious portrait of Hathaway in Hamnet, her lyrically heartfelt treatment of Shakespeares most personal tragedy the death of Hamnet, his 11-year-old son, from the plague. OFarrell co-wrote the script for this adaptation which has just won a Golden Globe with the films director, Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), and with a few changes, it maintains the novels shape, mood and themes. OFarrells Anne or Agnes, as shes called is a healer, more at home with the plants and animals of the forest than she is in the house where she lives with her father and straitlaced stepmother. Buckley (centre) is a revelation in Hamnet, and won the Golden Globe for best female actor in a drama. AP The book conjures a setting in intimate contact with the natural world and the films design vividly evokes its ambience. These families may have grand houses by Stratford standards but their nearness to the surrounding woodlands hints at the presence of something untamed and unpredictable. That threat is borne out when the plague comes to town. Advertisement Agnes intuitions make her aware of all this but the only person who makes any effort to understand and appreciate the acuteness of her instincts is her brother, Bartholomew (Joe Alwyn). Then Will, a neighbours son making a living of sorts as a Latin tutor, falls in love with her and everything changes. Will is played by Irish actor Paul Mescal, who hasnt stopped working since the TV adaptation of Sally Rooneys Normal People made him a star. Related Article Cinema Jessie Buckley wept and raged in Hamnet. She says it woke me up Inevitably perhaps, hes been wrong for some of his recent roles, but he makes a plausible and attractive Shakespeare. Hes no firebrand. OFarrell and Zhao have avoided the cliches that often go with portrayals of the artistic temperament, but Mescal makes Wills ambitions and frustrations plain enough. Because Agnes recognises the strength of these passions, she agrees to a marriage that means he will spend much of his time in London while she stays in Stratford with their children, until they can join him. Advertisement Jessie Buckley, also Irish, won her Golden Globe this week by giving us a wonderfully complex character in Agnes. A rebellious stepdaughter and a fiercely protective mother with an intelligence reflected in the way she makes up her medicinal remedies, shes indomitable. But the death of her son (a heart-breaking Jacobi Jupe) pushes her and her marriage to the limit. The films storyline is more straightforward than the books and its main points are spelt out more emphatically but if the plot loses some of its delicacy on screen, the impact of its ending makes up for it. The films second half is all about grief, the many forms it can take and the strains caused when one persons sorrow cant be adequately conveyed to the person with the greatest need to hear about it. Its a desperately sad film but it finishes on a note of reconciliation. Anne Hathaway is not the only character to be reinvented here. Shakespeare, too, is given his due as a father. The ending can also be read as a touching tribute to the healing power of art itself. Hamnet is in cinemas from Thursday Advertisement MoneyInvestingActive investing At 76, Vicki turned her family group chat into an investing club Nina Hendy January 13, 2026 11:16am 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 Discussing finances and investing is close to taboo in most families, but thats not the case for grandmother Vicki Price. Instead, she actively encourages it. Having spent more than 30 years investing, the 76-year-old has made it her mission to openly discuss which investments and asset classes have worked and importantly, which havent with the women in her family. For many families, discussing money can feel awkward or taboo. Dominic Lorrimer Price has overseen her own share portfolio on behalf of herself and her husband since she was in her late 50s, so she feels well equipped to drive the family conversations. While she admits it was a case of trial and error in those early days, shes since learned the benefit of leaving investments time to mature, and how to research companies she wants to invest in over the years. Advertisement Vicki Price, 76, has made it her mission to educate her family about investing. Im the one that pushes things along after a bit of research, sharing what Ive learned with my two daughters, my granddaughter and my sister, Price says. For years, family group chats and get-togethers have quickly turned to the topic of who has been investing in what, and what the returns have been like. Its not so much about me giving advice, but more about sharing what each of us are investing in, and what returns were achieving. Price started investing out of necessity in the beginning, hoping she could build her retirement savings. When we reached our early 50s, we didnt have much saved as we had been raising kids, so I was looking to build the nest egg. Advertisement Price started out with a CommSec portfolio, but now uses Stockspot to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Others in her family invest in silver, property and shares. Over the years, her investment portfolio has experienced steady growth. Price says her husband doesnt have much interest in investing, so leaves her to make the decisions. I always do my homework, researching all the big investment companies and looked at their returns, and I could see you were just a small cog in a big wheel, and I didnt like that. Over the next decade, women are expected to inherit and control about 65 per cent of the nearly $5 trillion set to change hands in the largest intergenerational wealth transfer on record. This will make women the primary decision-makers for family budgets and wealth creation. So its perhaps not surprising that a growing number of women are turning to investing, and they now account for 42 per cent of investors with active holdings up 18 per cent over the past three years. Advertisement Despite ongoing efforts to close the gender gap, women still trail men in finances. The average Australian woman has $428,000 in net wealth, compared to $597,000 for men a 40 per cent gap. This comes down to factors such as lower workforce participation, the gender pay gap and more time spent out of the workforce raising children, along with superannuation disparities. Editor's pick Opinion Kids & money The best financial gift you can give your kids beyond doubt Victoria Devine Money columnist This year has seen all previous Australian ETF inflows records broken, with investors channelling $15.8 billion into the asset class in the September quarter alone, according to ETF provider Vanguard Investments. ETFs have taken off because people want a simple way to invest without the stress of picking stocks, says Chris Brycki, founder and chief executive of Stockspot. People know theyre not betting on one company, theyre buying the whole market, he says, adding that ETFs are designed for patience. Advertisement You can have good years and bad years. The magic happens when you stay invested through the full cycle. We recommend a time horizon of at least three to seven years for the best chance of success. Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that considers their personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money delivered to your inbox every Sunday. Sign up for our Real Money newsletter. Danish Crown is moving ahead with plans to expand its pork processing capacity in Denmark through a new facility in Vejen. In a statement, the co-operative said the decision is driven by rising pig supplies from farmers, which has prompted a need for more deboning capacity. The additional output from the Vejen site is intended for export as finished products to what the company described as attractive markets, including destinations in Asia. Headquartered in Randers, the co-op expects to create around 100 jobs at the new location. Niels Ulrich Duedahl, the group CEO of Danish Crown, said: It is fantastic that we are now hiring more employees. This is the result of once again receiving more pigs for slaughter, which creates a need for more hands. We have therefore carefully assessed where and how we could expand our production. By doing so in Denmark, we can sell the products fresh in Europe and as well export them frozen to customers around the world, and it is precisely this flexibility that we have prioritised. Operations at the Vejen plant are scheduled to begin around 1 October this year. Danish Crown said it plans to debone about 60,000 pork fore ends a week at the facility, which is located in buildings the group already owns. The raw material for the Vejen plant will be sourced from Danish Crowns slaughterhouses in Horsens, Herning, Rnne and Blans near Snderborg. The new factory will occupy part of roughly 14,000 square metres of premises that Danish Crown acquired in 2023. The investment follows an internal reorganisation at Danish Crown announced last April, when the company split what it termed its core business into three separate divisions: Danish Crown Industry, Danish Crown Foods and Danish Crown UK. Jesper Srensen, SVP of production at Danish Crown Industry, added: In recent months, we have been utilising the deboning capacity at our Danish slaughterhouses to the fullest, which is why we need to expand. By establishing a specialised production facility in Vejen, we can achieve very high efficiency. At the same time, it will reduce complexity at our abattoirs, allowing them to operate more efficiently as well. Danish Crown has begun seeking the necessary regulatory approvals for the project. It expects permits to be secured before the end of the first quarter of the year, paving the way for production to run on a two-shift basis from 1 October. "Danish Crown eyes Asia markets with new pork facility" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. Fate of Bondi footbridge to be decided The footbridge from which two gunmen carried out the Bondi Beach terror attack will be debated at a special council meeting this week. Advertisement Updated NationalCrime Kazem Hamad arrested in Iraq, declared one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world Chris Vedelago and Marta Pascual Juanola Updated January 14, 2026 7:20am ,first published 11:49pm 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 Exiled gangland boss Kazem Hamad has been arrested by the Iraqi government on behalf of Australian law enforcement authorities after being labelled one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world. Rumours have been circulating in the underworld for more than 24 hours that the head of Australias most powerful illicit tobacco cartel had been detained in his native Iraq, where he had been accused of running a transnational crime empire worth billions of dollars. Kazem Kaz Hamad in 2015. The Australian Federal Police said it had deployed officers offshore for intelligence gathering and passed on information about Hamad to law enforcement agencies in Iraq late last year. Iraqi officials have made an independent decision to arrest this alleged offender after launching their own criminal investigation, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said in a statement on Wednesday. Advertisement This arrest is a significant disruption to an alleged serious criminal and his alleged criminal enterprise in Australia. A statement from Iraqs National Center for International Judicial Cooperation, posted online late on Tuesday, said Hamad had been arrested in response to an official request from Australia. The accused individualwas arrested in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, after obtaining the necessary approvals from the Supreme Judicial Council to conduct investigations against him. The proceedings were initiated by the First Karkh Investigation Court, which specialises in drug cases, the statement said, which has been translated from Arabic. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive Organised crime Hes one of Australias most wanted criminals. This is why hes untouchable The accused is one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world. He is responsible for importing large quantities of drugs into Iraq and Australia, as well as smuggling heroin. He is also involved with the most prominent organised crime gangs in Australia Sydney, responsible for shootings, murders, kidnappings, violent assaults, extortion, and drug imports. Furthermore, he is involved with outlaw gangs that have extensive influence within Australia and the Middle East and are responsible for carrying out murders, shootings, money laundering, fraud, assaults, arson, and drug trafficking on a global level. Advertisement The statement refers to Hamad as Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush welcomed news of the arrest. We will continue to work with the AFP and our international law enforcement partners to assist as required. Victoria Police is determined to drive down organised crime in this state and the havoc it wreaks on innocent members of the community. As the matter remains ongoing, we are not in a position to comment further at this time. Advertisement Since his release from prison in July 2023 and deportation to Iraq, police suspect Hamad and his gang have taken control of large sections of the illicit tobacco market and forced a new order on Melbournes gangland scene. The Hamad syndicate are responsible for a significant number of serious offences, including arsons, extortions [and] shootings linked to the illicit tobacco trade as well as the importation and distribution of illicit tobacco, a police intelligence report obtained by this masthead says. Law enforcement sources say Hamad tops the list of Australian priority organisation targets, a designation used by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission for the most significant organised crime groups in the country. During a recent Senate Estimates hearing, Barrett declared Hamad a national security threat over his involvement in the illicit tobacco industry, alleged links to serious violence and suspected involvement in the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in December 2024 on behalf of the Iranian government. Advertisement On Wednesday, Barrett once again referred to Hamad as her No.1 target and said a number of significant events had led to the AFP supercharging its efforts to apprehend him. A source familiar with the law enforcement operations against Hamad said it was unclear whether the Australian government would be able to extradite Hamad to Australia or whether Iraqi authorities would continue to hold him. Hamad had come to be regarded as almost untouchable in his base in Iraq, where he lives in a fortified compound and conducts business through encryption technology. Hamad is suspected of having deep and influential links to the Iraqi security services, in part due to family connections and in part due to his massive wealth. Advertisement 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 Updated NationalVictoriaBushfires Fires destroy 500 structures, premier heckled over CFA funding Angus Delaney Updated January 13, 2026 2:25pm ,first published January 13, 2026 10:42am 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 More than 160 homes have been burnt down in the devastating fires across the state, as the full extent of last weeks catastrophic bushfires remains to be realised. A dozen major fires are still burning across Victoria, but calmer weather and the scaling back of emergency warnings have turned the focus to recovery. More than 400,000 hectares of public and private land has been destroyed this fire season. Eddie Jim The largest increase in home losses was suffered by victims of Longwood fire, with authorities confirming that the blaze claimed 90 homes and 243 outbuildings, burning 144,000 hectares of land an area roughly double the size of Singapore. This is not a fire ground to be anywhere near, at this point in time, Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch warned potential rubberneckers at a Tuesday press conference. Advertisement Wiebusch also said the cause of that fire, which on Monday was reported as being started by a trailer sparking on the Hume Freeway, was still unknown. What I can tell you is the Victoria Police arson squad is still actively investigating this fire. At this stage, the cause has not been determined, and there are active investigations under way. A home destroyed by fire in Ruffy. Eddie Jim Across the state, 51 homes and three businesses were destroyed in the Harcourt-Ravenswood fire, 15 homes were lost in the Streatham fire, fire took four homes in the Walwa blaze and one home was lost in each of the fires in the Otways, Mount Mercer and Wonnangatta. Wiebusch said calmer weather brought some reprieve to the state, and there are no emergency warnings currently in effect. Twenty watch-and-act advice messages remain in the fire zones, some urging people to monitor changing conditions and others warning residents it is not safe for them to return home. Advertisement The conditions have eased for today and for perhaps the next couple of days, but we are likely to see those conditions change as we head into next week, he said. Theres a lot of work going on now to open up what are very much roads that are still unsafe to be travelled. Senior meteorologist Angus Hines said temperatures and wind speeds arent particularly high, which was good news for firefighters, but added that a lack of rain forecast was troublesome. It is another dry day, so theres no support or help from rain, which is sort of the No.1 thing wed be hoping for at the moment across those active fire grounds, he told the ABC. Advertisement A high fire danger rating has been declared for the Mallee, Wimmera, North Central, North East and South West districts, while other regions are considered to have moderate risk. On Tuesday, Premier Jacinta Allan announced that the state government has spent an initial $10 million in state and federal funding to assist uninsured fire victims with cleaning up their destroyed homes. An additional $5 million has been spent to waive tip fees for fire-affected communities. Jaime and Ann Laherty-Hunt at the remains of their property near Ruffy. Eddie Jim Allan made the announcement during a press conference at a health centre in Alexandra and was heckled by a member of the public who claimed the CFA was underfunded. Shame on you, shame on your government for what youve done, the woman said, according to Nine News. Advertisement Video captured a group of locals trying to corner the premiers car as she arrived for the press conference, but they appeared to have the wrong vehicle. Allan said the claim of underfunding was false and peddling incorrect information could add stress on fire traumatised communities. Loading Allan and the CFA board and its senior management on Monday denied funding had been cut and defended the organisations ageing fleet despite the comments appearing at odds with the CFAs most recent figures. The confrontation occurred on the fringe of the Longwood fire, which claimed the life of cattle farmer Maxwell Hobson. Advertisement Related Article Updated Victoria bushfires CFA funding sparks political stoush as bushfires burn nearly 400,000 hectares Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began his press conference in Canberra on Tuesday morning by expressing his condolences over Hobsons death. That community will be grieving today and I say to those people in Victoria, but also those in the flood-affected areas of north Queensland: this is not over, Albanese said. Please stay safe, listen to the authorities and once again, I thank the volunteers, the police and emergency services, the rural fire service and others who are helping each other get through what is a very difficult time. Tuesdays $15 million relief package follows Mondays announcement that grants of up to $52,000 for householders who lost their homes in the fires and were not insured. Advertisement Nearly 800 people have also applied for hardship payments of up to $1000 per adult and $400 per child. Allan said more relief funding would be announced in due course. 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 NationalVictoriaCourts Man accused of attacking imam tries to jump out of dock after bail refused Tara Cosoleto January 13, 2026 5:45pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A A man accused of attacking an Islamic religious leader in a road rage incident has tried to jump out of the dock after being refused bail. Brendan Nicholls, 23, made the application in Dandenong Magistrates Court on Tuesday after being charged with criminal damage and assault. Imam Ismet Purdic and his wife were allegedly set upon on Saturday. Nine News After the magistrate handed down his decision to deny bail, there was commotion in the court, with Nicholls swearing and trying to jump out of the dock. His mother ran to him, but the guards pulled him from the courtroom. Advertisement Its alleged Nicholls and a 22-year-old Cranbourne East man abused Imam Ismet Purdic and his wife in Melbournes south-east on Saturday. Police say the couple were travelling along the South Gippsland Highway in Dandenong South about 7.40pm when the occupants of a small black hatchback allegedly targeted them. The couples vehicle was boxed in, and the accused allegedly drove dangerously to intimidate them before getting out and kicking the imams car. Purdic was allegedly punched in the face while his wife was called a Muslim b--- during the incident, the court was told. Bystanders intervened before the accused allegedly returned to their vehicle and fled. Advertisement Nicholls and his co-accused were arrested in Dandenong South on Sunday and charged with criminal damage and common assault. The 22-year-old man was bailed to appear at court in May, while Nicholls briefly faced Dandenong Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon. His bail application was adjourned to Tuesday as he was withdrawing from drugs and was unfit to see a magistrate. On Tuesday, Detective Senior Constable Courtney Milner told the court Nicholls was also facing separate allegations of choking a woman. Its alleged he attacked the woman in December, choking her twice until she felt faint and dizzy, the court heard. Advertisement The detective told the court Nicholls was an immediate risk to the womans safety and no bail conditions could alleviate those concerns. But Nicholls lawyer said his client should be bailed because he had available treatment for drug and anger issues through the court-integrated services program. Nicholls could also live with his mother in stable accommodation at a Dandenong South caravan park, the lawyer said. But Milner raised concerns about the address, saying the co-accused from Saturdays incident also lived in the same caravan park. Magistrate Hugh Radford also flagged that as an issue as he refused Nicholls bail application. Advertisement He accepted it was Nicholls first time in custody and the CISP program would assist him if released. But Radford said Nicholls would be facing a jail term if convicted, noting the choking allegations were relatively strong and the alleged attack on the imam was concerning. Nicholls was remanded in custody to return to court in February. AAP Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Courts Crime Road rage Advertisement Exclusive NationalVictoriaCrime Underworld kingpin Kaz Hamads gang gets a new name Chris Vedelago and Marta Pascual Juanola January 13, 2026 11:25am 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 gangland crew run by underworld kingpin Kazem Kaz Hamad have begun referring to themselves as the 313s in an apparent nod of loyalty to their leader, and as a symbol of their fierceness. Underworld sources say various members of Hamads gang have been getting the number tattooed on their chests and forearms as a sign of dedication to their leader, who has become one of the most powerful criminals in Australia in recent years. Kazem Hamad was recently declared a national security threat by AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett. The Age Since his release from prison in July 2023 and deportation to his native Iraq, Hamad and his gang have taken control of large sections of the illicit tobacco market and forced a new order on Melbournes gangland scene. The number is a reference in Sunni and Shiite theology. There were 313 men who fought alongside the Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Badr in AD 624, and this same number of soldiers according to Shiite belief will wage war again alongside the 12th Shiite Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, in an apocalyptic battle before the Day of Judgment. Advertisement Hamad, according to materials tendered at his 2019 sentencing for drug trafficking, identifies as a Shiite Muslim. The 41-year-old now runs a cartel that is the dominant force in Australias multibillion-dollar illicit tobacco trade following a two-year tobacco war during which there were more than 200 arson attacks, multiple shootings and several murders in Melbourne. Related Article Exclusive Organised crime Hes one of Australias most wanted criminals. This is why hes untouchable Previously, Hamads crew were known in criminal circles as Kazs boys or The Iraqis, the latter because a core group of his lieutenants and soldiers were born in Iraq or have parents who migrated to Australia from Iraq. Hamad was born in Iraq but migrated with his family to Australia when he was a teenager. According to police intelligence tendered to court in a bail hearing in 2024, Hamads gang members refer to the boss as old mate. The number 313 has previously been used by others in the underworld, with a Shiite-oriented group known as Al-Salam-313 operating in Western Europe along similar lines to an outlaw motorcycle gang. Advertisement A 313 tattoo is also popular among some Muslims keen to show their adherence to the faith, further muddying the waters about who may or may not be a part of Hamads nationwide syndicate. Its adoption is also disturbing for the faithful who disagree with the use of a religious belief as a gang sign. A Victoria Police source said it appeared the use of the name originated from members of Hamads gang as a sign of loyalty. Dr Rachel Woodlock, deputy director of the National Centre for Contemporary Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne, said: What the number is invoking is the idea of true, loyal Muslims, supporting the Mahdi in an end-times battle. There is probably much to be said about the psychology of gang/cult leaders invoking fantasies of the apocalypse and using symbolism to inculcate a bond of loyalty (even as fighters to the death, so to speak). Woodlock said a Christian parallel could be South American cartel members invoking the Santa Muerte mythology. Advertisement Underworld sources say Hamads gang could number as many as 100 dedicated members and associates across Australia and in the Middle East. Dozens more street gang members and unaffiliated criminals have been contracted to carry out arson attacks in the tobacco war via anonymous apps and encrypted communications. Hamad and his gang have taken control of large sections of the illicit tobacco market. Jim Rice Theres an old saying: Dont f--- with anyone whos got money, a source said. The gang has acquired a reputation for lavishly rewarding its members, including first-class travel, luxury cars, and top-notch lawyers when they are arrested. The Hamad syndicate are responsible for a significant number of serious offences including arsons, extortions [and] shootings linked to the illicit tobacco trade as well as the importation and distribution of illicit tobacco, one police intelligence report says. Advertisement The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police declined to comment on the 313 branding of the gang. But law enforcement sources say Hamad has rocketed to the top of the list of Australian priority organisation targets, a designation used by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission for the most significant organised crime groups in the country. Hamad was recently declared a national security threat by AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett over his involvement in the illicit tobacco industry, links to serious violence and suspected involvement in a terror attack on the Australian Jewish community in December 2024 on behalf of the Iranian government. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. On a recent episode of The Ramsey Show, personal finance expert Dave Ramsey called the so-called Trump Accounts a political stunt. These federally established investment accounts for children, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year, include a one-time $1,000 government contribution for eligible children, along with the option for families to contribute up to $5,000 annually. Ramsey dismissed the program as more politics than substance. 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 A Money Squirrel Distraction, Not A Real Plan When a caller wanted to know if this new account type, touted as a hybrid between a 529 education plan and a Roth IRA, was worth incorporating into their savings strategy. Ramsey was firm: No. I would not be doing any of this. Im a fan of some of the things the president is doing. Im not a fan of some of the things the president is doing, he said. I think this is a political stunt its just spreading around the money to get peoples attention to a political office. Co-host Jade Warshaw agreed, calling it a money squirrela flashy but ultimately unhelpful distraction. Its not that big a deal. Youve got other ways to save, Ramsey added. It's not as revolutionary as the original Roth was. It's not as revolutionary as the 529 is. Trending: 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform Before the Raise Ends 1/19 Peter Schiff: Its Just a Gimmick Economist and SchiffGold founder Peter Schiff also weighed in on the Trump Accounts, calling the policy both unconstitutional and fiscally irresponsible. The federal government giving newborns $1,000 to invest in the stock market isn't only unconstitutional, it's a bad idea, Schiff posted on X in June. Rather than taking on more debt that those babies will grow up to repay, it's better to reduce deficit spending now, so they don't have to pay for it later. In a follow-up reply, Schiff added: It's just a gimmick that takes the focus away from the greater harm they are doing to newborns with the Big, Beautiful Bill. See Also: Missed Tesla? EnergyX Is Tackling the Next $200 Billion Opportunity Lithium A Better Way To Build Wealth While Ramsey and Schiff warn against quick political fixes, some Americans are turning to long-term strategies that don't rely on the government. For the December quarter, executives reported record revenue of $14.6 billion . Janki said the quarter produced pre-tax profit of $1.3 billion , an operating margin of 10% , and earnings of $1.55 per share . He noted the government shutdown reduced pre-tax profit by $200 million , or $0.25 per share . Management also cited FAA-mandated flight reductions and weather disruption as factors that affected capacity and non-fuel unit costs during the quarter. Chief Financial Officer Dan Janki added that Delta reinvested $4.3 billion in the business in 2025, including 38 aircraft deliveries , and used cash flow to reduce debt by $2.6 billion . Delta ended the year with gross leverage of 2.4 times , adjusted net debt of approximately $14 billion , and $35 billion in unencumbered assets. Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian told investors Delta delivered a strong close to its centennial year despite what he described as a challenging environment. The company reported full-year record revenue of $58.3 billion , an operating margin of 10% , pre-tax income of $5 billion , and earnings of $5.82 per share . Bastian emphasized free cash flow as a key highlight, with Delta generating $4.6 billion for the year, which he said was the highest in company history. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) executives said the carrier closed fiscal 2025 with record revenue, strong cash generation, and continued progress on balance sheet improvement, while outlining expectations for renewed demand momentum and earnings growth in fiscal 2026. Management also highlighted a leadership transition in the commercial organization and announced a new wide-body aircraft order aimed at supporting long-term international expansion and fleet renewal. Strategically, Delta ordered 30 Boeing 787-10s (options for 30 more) to support long-haul international expansion, while diversifying revenuehigher-margin streams now represent 60% of total revenue and AmEx co-brand remuneration grew to $8.2 billion with a longer-term target of $10 billion ; leadership changes include Joe Esposito elevated to Chief Commercial Officer. For fiscal 2026 management forecast March-quarter revenue growth of 5%7% , Q1 EPS of $0.50$0.90 , full-year EPS of $6.50$7.50 , free cash flow of $3$4 billion , targeted year-end leverage of 2x , about 3% capacity growth concentrated in premium cabins, and $5.5 billion of planned capex (50 aircraft deliveries). Delta closed fiscal 2025 with record revenue of $58.3 billion , an operating margin of 10% , pre-tax income of $5 billion , and record free cash flow of $4.6 billion , using cash to reduce debt by $2.6 billion and finish the year at roughly 2.4x gross leverage. Story Continues Commercial performance: premium strength and diversified revenue Broadcom Earns Top Pick Status From Wall Streets Biggest Banks Delta Air Lines Stock Looks Ready to Fly to New Highs President Glen Hauenstein said Deltas strategy has helped diversify revenue into higher-margin sources, with diversified revenue streams representing 60% of total revenue in 2025. He reported that premium revenue grew 7% for the year, cargo revenue increased 9%, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) revenue rose 25%. Total loyalty revenue improved 6%, while travel products continued to grow at double-digit rates. Hauenstein also highlighted the performance of Deltas co-brand relationship with American Express. He said American Express remuneration grew 11% to $8.2 billion, supported by a fourth consecutive year of more than 1 million new card acquisitions and double-digit year-over-year co-brand spend growth in every quarter. Looking ahead, Delta expects high single-digit growth in co-brand remuneration in 2026 and reiterated a longer-term goal of reaching $10 billion within the next few years. How Concerned Should Investors Be About Palantir Stock? During the analyst Q&A, management said premium demand remained strong, while the Main Cabin recovery has been slower. Hauenstein said Delta has not really seen main cabin move yet, adding that movement in Main Cabin would be a factor that could support results toward the higher end of guidance if it materializes in 2026. Outlook: March quarter growth and fiscal 2026 targets Executives said fiscal 2026 has started with strong booking momentum. Bastian said Delta set a new record for bookings last week, with cash sales up double digits on top of last years strength. Delta forecast March quarter revenue growth of 5% to 7% year over year, supported by what the company described as improving consumer and corporate demand and a healthier supply-demand environment as unprofitable flying is rationalized. Janki guided to March quarter earnings of $0.50 to $0.90 per share and an operating margin of 4.5% to 6%, both expected to improve year over year. For the full year, Delta projected earnings of $6.50 to $7.50 per share, free cash flow of $3 billion to $4 billion, and leverage of two times by year-end. Management cautioned that early-year booking strength is still limited in duration. In response to an analyst question about guidance sensitivity, executives said it was the second week in January and warned that the industrys volatility in 2025 remains a reminder to remain cautious when projecting outcomes. Capacity: Hauenstein said Delta plans to grow capacity about 3% for the full year, with all new seat growth concentrated in premium cabins, driven by interior upgrades and new aircraft deliveries. Costs: Janki said non-fuel cost performance is expected to remain within Deltas low single digit long-term framework, though first-quarter non-fuel CASM growth is expected to be modestly above the full-year average due to fleet preparation for peak summer. Capital spending: Delta plans $5.5 billion of capex in 2026, including about 50 aircraft deliveries and ongoing investment in customer experience and technology. Fleet and strategy: Boeing 787 order and international expansion Delta announced an order for 30 Boeing 787-10s with options for 30 more, with deliveries starting in 2031. Bastian said the aircraft would enhance the international network and extend long-haul capabilities. Janki said next-generation wide-body aircraft can deliver up to a 10 points margin advantage over the aircraft they replace, with more premium seating, improved fuel efficiency, and expanded cargo capability. In response to questions, Hauenstein said the 787-10 order supports both growth and replacement, particularly for the 767-400 fleet, and also adds diversification to Deltas wide-body and engine mix. Executives also reiterated plans to expand internationally in 2026 and beyond, including growth in Asia and Middle East markets, while continuing to use joint ventures and a strong domestic foundation to support network expansion. Leadership changes, operations, and reporting updates Bastian said Hauenstein will retire next month, and Joe Esposito has been elevated to Chief Commercial Officer. Esposito told analysts Deltas core strategies are not changing and that the airline plans to dig even deeper into integration across network, pricing, loyalty, products, and merchandising. On operations, Bastian said Delta continues to lead on reliability metrics, citing Cirium recognition as the most on-time airline in North America and a number one Net Promoter Score among major airlines. However, he acknowledged the airline is working to improve recovery from irregular operations, pointing to post-COVID changes and pilot contract-related complexities as contributors to recovery challenges. Delta also said it will change aspects of its financial reporting. Janki said the company will provide additional detail on its third-party MRO business, separating MRO from non-fuel unit cost metrics to preserve visibility into core airline cost trends. He described MRO as a unique Delta capability and said the company is optimistic about growing the business beyond the $1 billion revenue level over time, with potential to reach $2 billion and then $3 billion in revenue, while improving margins from high single digits toward the mid-teens. On capital allocation, management reiterated that debt reduction remains the top priority, while noting opportunities to expand shareholder returns as leverage declines. Janki referenced dividend growth and said the company expects to utilize an existing share repurchase authorization over its timeframe, while remaining focused on paying down debt in the near term. About Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) Delta Air Lines is a major U.S.-based global airline that provides scheduled passenger and cargo air transportation, aircraft maintenance and repair services, and related travel products. Its operations include mainline domestic and international passenger services, a branded regional network operating under the Delta Connection name, dedicated air cargo carriage, and in-house maintenance, repair and overhaul through Delta TechOps. Delta offers a range of cabin products for different customer segments, including premium business-class service on long-haul routes and tiered economy offerings on domestic and international flights, and it markets customer loyalty benefits through the SkyMiles frequent-flyer program. The carrier operates a mixed fleet of narrow- and wide-body aircraft from multiple U.S. The article "Delta Air Lines Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. Advance payment under Ladki Bahin scheme barred during poll code: Maharashtra poll body MUMBAI : SEC has clarified that regular or pending installments under Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme may be disbursed, but not during the model code period THE State Election Commission on Monday barred the Maharashtra Government from releasing the January instalment of the Ladki Bahin scheme in advance, citing the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for Municipal elections. The SECs clarification came after it received several complaints following media reports claiming that beneficiaries of the scheme would receive Rs 3,000- covering the December and January installments- in their bank accounts before January 14 as a Makar Sankranti gift. BJP leader and Minister Gitish Mahajan had claimed eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme will receive a combined transfer of Rs 3,000 for Dec and January in their bank accounts before Makar Sankranti. The SEC had sent a letter to State Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal on Sunday, seeking clarification on the factual position following media reports and whether the Government intended to release two months installments together just ahead of the polls, with a response sought on Monday. The Chief Secretary stated that the SEC had issued consolidated instructions on Nov 4, 2025, regarding the model code of conduct for local body elections. The SEC has clarified that the regular or pending installments under the Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme may be disbursed, the Commission has made it clear that no advance payment will be allowed during the model code period, according to a statement. As per these guidelines, development works and welfare schemes that had already commenced before the announcement of elections may continue during the code period. The controversy erupted after Gitish Mahajan claimed eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme will receive a combined transfer of Rs 3,000 for December and January in their bank accounts before Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14, terming it a special gift from CM Devendra Fadnavis. The Opposition had termed the announcement a bid to influence voters ahead of the January 15 polls to 29 Municipal Corporations. State Congress leader and advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar submitted a complaint to the SEC on Saturday, claiming the payment was proposed for January 14, a day before polling, and sought the poll bodys intervention to stop the transfer. Amid the controversy, CM Fadnavis has said the Ladki Bahin Yojana was a continuous scheme of the State Government and did not fall under the restrictions of the election code of conduct. Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, however, said his party was not opposed to the scheme, but objected to the release of two months assistance on the eve of voting, calling it a clear violation of the model code of conduct. The State Congress on Monday slammed the MahaYuti Government, claiming the ruling party leaders were selfish brothers who expect votes as a return gift from the women beneficiaries. Chinese manja continues toendanger lives across Statedespite ban and campaigns Staff Reporter: As Madhya Pradesh gears up for Makar Sankranti, the deadly threat of Chinese manja, the banned nylon-coated kite string, continues to pose a serious risk across the state. Authorities had proactively imposed a ban on the use, sale, and storage of Chinese Manja across the State, along with awareness campaigns to prevent accidents. Despite these measures, multiple incidents highlight that the state is far from safe, with lives are still being lost, and residents are being injured. In Indore, tragedy struck on Sunday evening when Raghuveer Dhakad, a 45-year-old tile contractor from Om Sai Vihar, Bicholi Mardana, was riding his motorcycle between Kanadia and Tilak Nagar. His a stray severed neck Chinese manja near Shakuntala Hospital. He was rushed to MY Hospital but was declared dead. Mere minutes later, NEET aspirant Narendra Jamod suffered severe neck injuries from another kite string on Sapna-Sangeeta Road while travelling with a friend. Both incidents mark the second fatality in Indore in just six weeks, following the death of 16-year-old Gulshan in November 2025 from a similar accident. In Chhindwara, nine-year-old Atharv Karade sustained serious ear injuries while playing outdoors after coming into contact with Chinese Manja. He required 43 stitches and remains under medical observation. Similarly, incidents in Sonkatch last January, saw Moolchand and his wife Purnima suffered deep injuries after falling from their motorbike when Moolchands head was slashed by a kite string along the Bhopal-Dewas State Highway. Across the state, authorities have repeatedly emphasised public safety. The Say No to Chinese Manja campaigns, including foot rallies, neighbourhood meetings, shop inspections, and helpline awareness, are being conducted in multiple districts. Shopkeepers are warned against selling banned strings, and citizens are urged to use only traditional cotton strings. Yet, black-market distribution continues in Indore, Bhopal outskirts, Ujjain, Gwalior, and other areas, making enforcement a major challenge. Safety experts stress practical precautions during kite flying: avoid carrying children on two-wheelers, slow down near kite-flying areas, and cover the neck with scarves or mufflers. However, residents argue that awareness campaigns alone cannot replace strict enforcement along the entire supply chain, from manufacturing to street-level distribution. An anonymous resident expressed frustration over the same and said The ban is on paper, but these strings are still everywhere. Even after repeated warnings and campaigns, dangerous manjas continue to claim lives. Until authorities act decisively against the suppliers, more people will be injured or killed Dogecoin price moved slightly higher after confirmation that a new spot DOGE exchange-traded fund from 21Shares has cleared final steps with United States regulators and is expected to begin trading this week. This will add another regulated option for investors following recent Dogecoin ETF launches. Dogecoin ETF from 21Shares Gets Green Light Dogecoin price showed a modest reaction after 21Shares filed its final prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The filing allows the product to go live under the ticker TDOG. With this approval, the fund becomes the third spot Dogecoin ETF available in the United States. This comes after similar products from Grayscale and Bitwise launched in November 2025. The ETF is structured to track the spot value of DOGE using the CF Dogecoin Dollar US Settlement Price Index. In an earlier post, Coinspeaker reported that 21Shares confirmed a management fee of 0.50%, charged daily and paid weekly in DOGE. No fee waiver was included in the filing. The company also disclosed its service partners. Bank of New York Mellon will act as administrator, cash custodian, and transfer agent. Digital asset custody will be handled by Coinbase Custody Trust, Anchorage Digital Bank, and BitGo. These details provide clarity for investors seeking regulated exposure without holding the asset directly. Dogecoin Price Holds Steady as Market Data Stays Mixed Following the announcement, Dogecoin price traded near $0.140, moving between $0.135 and $0.142 in early trading. At the time of writing, DOGE was trading at $0.1368, up 2,2% in 24 hours. Trading volume jumped 152.09% over the past 24 hours to $1.22 billion, showing higher activity beyond just a strong price surge. It is important to add that the market data showed mixed signals. Futures open interest edged slightly higher, with gains on Binance and OKX, while positions fell on Bybit and Gate. On the technical side, DOGE remained above its 50-day moving average around $0.138. The relative strength index stayed near neutral levels. For now, Dogecoin price shows steady interest as traders watch early ETF trading. In a related update, South Korea has confirmed plans to launch spot crypto ETFs in 2026 as part of its broader economic growth strategy. Read original story Dogecoin Price Reacts as New DOGE ETF from 21Shares to Go Live This Week by Godfrey Benjamin at Coinspeaker.com Citizens being bombarded with ear-splitting sound Loudspeakers installed on vehicles roaming across prabhags while campaigning. (Pic by Anil Futane) By Kabir Mahajan : Campaigning cacophony reaches its crescendo as parties competing to reach maximum voters As the voting for Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) 2026 elections draw closer, the city has transformed into a high-decibel battleground. While candidates across 38 prabhags are pulling out all the stops to reach voters, the method of outreach, specifically the relentless use of auto-rickshaws mounted with heavy-duty loudspeakers, has pushed residents to the brink of frustration. The traditional door-to-door campaign has been overshadowed by an audio arms race. Throughout the day, auto-rickshaws traverse narrow lanes, blaring pre-recorded jingles and announcements at ear-splitting volumes. A particularly chaotic scene was witnessed on Sunday in Prabhag 12, where two rival parties rickshaws ended up pitted directly at each other, and the continuous blaring of high decibel campaign left the voters confused. The scene was quite pathetic as administration seems to be looking the other way, with little mechanism in place to check and implement sound pollution norms. In an attempt to drown out the competition, both drivers cranked their amplifiers to the maximum. The result was a distorted, deafening wall of sound that rendered both announcements completely unintelligible. It wasnt information; it was just noise, said one local resident. They were competing to be the loudest, but all they achieved was making us want to plug our ears. The timing of this acoustic battle couldnt be worse. Currently, thousands of students are appearing for the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) winter exams. For these students, concentration is a casualty of the campaign. I am trying to revise for my final papers, but every hour, a new rickshaw passes by, lamented a student, Samir Patel. This constant interruption has become a significant source of stress, leading to a growing resentment among the youth toward the very political leaders seeking their first vote. Furthermore, the elderly and those with health conditions are suffering the most. The high-frequency noise is not just a nuisance but a health hazard, causing sleep deprivation and anxiety among senior citizens. To restore sanity to our streets, the administration must intervene. Residents and civic activists are calling for the following solutions: The NMC and local police must fix a strict decibel limit for mobile campaigning. Teams equipped with sound-level meters should monitor rickshaws and if any vehicle exceeding the limit or operating near Silence Zones like hospitals and exam centers should have its permit revoked immediately. If the parties truly care about the citizens they wish to represent, they must realise that winning a vote shouldnt require losing the peace of the neighborhood. CM disburses Rs 10.22 crore in incentives,loans at MP Start-up Summit 2026 Staff Reporter : CHIEF Minister Dr Mohan Yadav emphasised the crucial role of youth and innovation in nation-building, while addressing the two-day Madhya Pradesh Startup Summit-2026 at Ravindra Bhavan on Monday. Highlighting Indias rich history of enterprise, entrepreneurship and commerce, he said, Madhya Pradesh is a land of emerging opportunities, and young innovators are driving the state and nation towards new directions. Dr Yadav underlined the contribution of Indias over 6 crore MSMEs, which account for more than 30 percent of the national GDP and nearly 45 per cent of exports, and praised the countrys start-up ecosystem, now the third largest in the world. He said that the State Government is committed to promoting innovation and providing financial and institutional support to start-ups. During the summit, financial incentives exceeding Rs 2.5 crore were transferred to 156 start-ups, while loan assistance of over Rs 8.17 crore was provided to 21 start-ups under the Chief Minister Udyam Kranti Yojana. Long-term MoUs were signed with organisations including the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Central Bank of India, Karvy Start-up Labs, and Start-up Middle East. Dr Yadav also released a booklet showcasing successful Madhya Pradesh start-ups and provided bank loans and investment assistance to founders under the states start-up schemes. Recalling Indias scientific heritage, the Chief Minister highlighted the pioneering work of Dr Jagadish Chandra Bose and stressed that today, under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, start-ups and research in India are receiving unprecedented support. Over 2,200 start-ups are now operating in Indore alone, reflecting the growing culture of innovation in the state. MSME Minister Chaitanya Kashyap highlighted Swami Vivekanandas vision in inspiring youth, while Chief Secretary Anurag Jain emphasised how start-up policies and initiatives like Start-up India and StandUp India have empowered young entrepreneurs to become job creators. Raghavendra Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, shared that Madhya Pradesh has over 6,500 registered start-ups, with more than 3,100 led by women, and plans to grow the number to 10,000. The summit also featured an exhibition of start-ups at Ravindra Bhavan, which Dr Yadav inaugurated, reviewing innovations and congratulating founders. State-level awards were presented to entrepreneurs across categories including Best Young Entrepreneur, Best Woman Entrepreneur, Best Growth Start-up, Best Innovation Startup, and Best Rural Start-up. Hackathon winners were also recognised in the Code It, Build It and Ship It categories. The Chief Minister lauded the talent and determination of young entrepreneurs, stating that with their energy and innovations, India is on track to becoming the third-largest and eventually the numb Dy CM inspects 120 MLD Water Filter Plant Staff Reporter: DEPUTY Chief Minister Jagdish Devda on Monday inspected the 120 MLD Water Filter Plant located at Ramnagra and lauded its management, cleanliness and technical efficiency. He described the facility as remarkable and said it has the potential to become a model for Madhya Pradesh. During inspection, Devda said that Jabalpurs water supply system and sewerage treatment plant management have reached a level worth showcasing. He informed officials that he would discuss the Jabalpur Model with Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, indicating that similar systems could be adopted in other cities of the state. Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh briefed the Deputy CM on the technical functioning of the Ramnagra plant. He said the plant is equipped with five pumps of 500 kilowatt capacity each. Of these, three pumps operate continuously to ensure uninterrupted water supply, while two pumps are kept in reserve for emergency situations. Water from the Ramnagra plant is supplied to 28 high capacity overhead tanks, from where drinking water reaches residents of 36 wards in the city. The Deputy CM inspected the in-house laboratory, where samples of raw water, treated water from the plant and water collected from different parts of the city are regularly tested. Officials apprised Devda of chemical and physical testing process. He also reviewed recent reports. The results showed that the water supplied meets all prescribed quality standards. MLA Ashok Rohani, Collector Raghavendra Singh, Municipal Commissioner Ramprakash Ahirwar, Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay, Assistant Engineer Sandeep Jaiswal and other senior officials were also present. Fulfilling youth dreams key to nationsprogress: CM Dr Yadav at Yuva Sangam Staff Reporter : CHIEF Minister Dr Yadav virtually addressed the Yuva Sangam Employment Fair-2026 held at Sarangpur in Rajgarh district from Ravindra Bhavan, Bhopal, on Monday. MSME Minister Chaitanya Kashyap was present with him. The programme at Sarangpur was attended by Member of Parliament Sumer Singh Solanki, along with local MLAs and other public representatives. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation is moving forward by connecting society with employment-oriented initiatives and fulfilling the dreams of youth. He said the Government aims to support youth through employment, enabling them to improve their lives and contribute to nationbuilding. Youth are being assisted through the Startup Policy and other Government schemes. The Chief Minister said that employment fairs are being organised across various regions of the State to ensure that the youth of Madhya Pradesh get job opportunities with national and international companies at the regional level itself. The Yuva Sangam Employment Fair organised at Sarangpur in Rajgarh district witnessed participation from youth candidates from Shajapur, Sehore, Agar-Malwa, Dewas, Bhopal and Guna districts. He said that the employment fair would prove to be a milestone in providing meaningful employment opportunities. Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that representatives from over 150 companies were participating in the Yuva Sangam Employment Fair. Employment opportunities are being offered across the finance, sales, marketing, healthcare, manufacturing, IT, software, digital marketing and quality management sectors.He said that workshops were organised in colleges, ITIs and polytechnic institutions to enhance the skills and competencies of youth in line with industry requirements, enabling a higher selection rate during employment fairs. Representatives of participating companies expressed their consent to provide employment to youth for over 16,000 positions. Consent was also given for the recruitment of more than 3,000 women candidates. Additionally, eight companies participating in the fair are providing employment opportunities to persons with disabilities. Companies at the fair are also offering job opportunities both within the country and abroad. Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that providing employment to persons with disabilities is a noble service, equivalent to serving the Almighty. He stated that employment offers a new beginning in life and is not merely a source of income, but a means of realising selfrespect and fulfilling family aspirations. The State Government is fully committed to providing all possible support through various schemes and programmes, and youth welfare remains a top priority. He added that the organisation of the Yuva Sangam Employment Fair reflects the spirit of National Youth Day, celebrated on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Skill Development and Employment Minister Gautam Tetwal informed that the Yuva Sangam Employment Fair organised at Sarangpur has emerged as a historic achievement among employment fairs held in the State. He said that during the current financial year, 626 employment fairs were organised across Madhya Pradesh, connecting approximately 1.02 lakh youth with employment opportunities. Minister Tetwal said that out of nearly 35,000 youth registered at the Sarangpur employment fair, over 10,112 youth were provided employment, marking a new record in the State. He described it as the largestever example of providing employment to the maximum number of youth in a single day through an employment fair in Madhya Pradesh. He stated that leading national and international companies such as Tata, Mahindra, Kirloskar, Tesla, Eicher, Paytm, Pratibha Syntex and Motherson participated in the fair. Their active participation provided youth with employment opportunities across diverse sectors and strengthened both industrial confidence and youth morale at the regional level. NMC accepts error in nomination as ineligible aspirants enter fray Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari briefing mediapersons about voting and counting process. Staff Reporter : Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari said, only courts are eligible to rule out persons who are ineligible Nomination papers of persons with three and also four children accepted whereas as per norms they are not eligible to contest the election to local bodies With reports pointing to error on the part of election machinery in accepting nomination papers of candidates with either three or four children, the only option now left is to approach the courts. Stating this, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari said, a possible explanation for this oversight on part of Returning Officers (ROs) could be very less time that was available for scrutiny to the administration. ROs decision is final, even as he mentioned that an explanation is called from them. Dr Chaudhari was addressing mediapersons on eve of civic elections at NMC headquarters on Monday. As per rules, any aspirant wishing to contest the local body poll is limited by clause that none of them should be having more than two children. However, for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections, it has now been reported that at some Prabhags, the machinery erred in accepting nomination of ineligible persons. Dr Chaudhari said, they had gone through the newspaper reports about the same and have sought clarification from the ROs. The machinery was busy with the final leg of election-related work and he added that even as Municipal Commissioner, he cannot overturn the nominations of ineligible persons, if any remains in the fray. The only recourse is to file regular suit in the court that can then rule on the issue, he added while responding to a query. He said, since the nomination continued till late in the night and thereafter, for scrutiny, very less time was available. The careful check of the aspirants documents might have not been done. So, in the rush, the civic body machinery might have overlooked the aspect relating to number of children. Asked about no home voting facility, the Municipal Commissioner said, only the State Election Commission (SEC) can shed light on the reason behind it. But leaving that, the civic body had made elaborate arrangements for the senior citizens, Divyangs and pregnant ladies at voting centres. There are about 3,004 located in 964 buildings. Giving details, the Municipal Commissioner said, these persons would not be needed to stand in queue and can cast their votes on priority. At each of the centres, two NSS volunteers would be on duty to provide assistance to needy persons. Elaborate arrangements would be in place on voting day with about 504 buses of NMC to be utilised for election duty. But that would not leave commuters high and dry as about 250 buses, long range electric ones and diesel buses, would ply on city roads on regular routes. NMC polls: Campaigning to end today D Fadnavis N Gadkari C Bawankule V Thakre Staff Reporter : The Municipal Corporation election campaign guns will go silent on Tuesday at 5.30 pm. Candidates and party members swung into action to reach maximum people in two days. On Monday, maximum rallies and yatras were conducted. A roadshow by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and public meetings of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari are the two major aspects on the last day of the campaigning of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The roadshow of Fadnavis will start at 11 am on Tuesday from Bharatmata Chowk. It will pass through Teen Nal Chowk, Shahid Chowk, Tanga Stand Chowk, Gandhi Putla, Badkas Chowk, Mahal Chowk and will end at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, Gandhi gate. BJP has also organised meetings of Nitin Gadkari where he will address the gathering. The party has also planned prabhagwise rallies by the candidates. The candidates will hold rallies, padyatra in their respective prabhags, maximum of which are likely to be attended by City President Dayashankar Tiwari. Congress party has decided to hold bike rallies, padyatra in all 38 prabhags. Its City President Vikas Thakre has chalked out a schedule so that he will be able to become a part of maximum rallies and padyatras. Similarly, Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) too has planned four major rallies in four different constituencies--Central, East, North and West. Its Working President Shrikant Shivankar said, Apart from padyatras in the prabhags, where our candidates are contesting, we are holding rallies at four major locations in four constituencies so that our maximum candidates can be covered. On Monday, most parties conducted rallies, padyatras, door-to-door campaigns. This time, no prominent leader of any party except BJP came to Nagpur for campaigning. BJP roped in Manoj Tiwari, former minister Krupashankar Singh apart from their top leaders like Fadnavis, Gadkari and State Election in-charge Chandrashekhar Bawankule. The candidates of Bahujan Samaj Party, Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, Aam Aadmi Party, Gondwana Loktantra Party, Republican Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and other parties organised rallies, padyatras. As usual, on the eve of voting, several social and community-based organisations have declared their support to prominent candidates of other parties. Over 1,500 students perform mass Surya Namaskar Staff Reporter : OVER 1,500 students performed yogasanas and Pranayam in unison during the district-level mass Surya Namaskar organised marking the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda celebrated as Yuva Diwas on Monday. Deputy Chief Minister and District In-Charge Minister, Jagdish Devda graced as chief guest in the district-level mass Surya Namaskar organised at Pandit Lajja Shankar Jha Government Model Higher Secondary School. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of prominent dignitaries included Mayor, Jagat Bahadur Singh, MLA Ashok Rohani, Dr Abhilash Pandey and Santosh Warkade, Jila Panchayat President, Asha Gontia, Chairperson, JMC, Rikunj Vij, State BJP Treasurer, Akhilesh Jain, BJP City President, Ratnesh Sonkar, Collector, Raghavendra Singh, SP Sampat Upadhayay, CEO, Jila Panchayat, Abhishek Gehlot and others, who joined the students in the yoga session. Addressing the gathering after inaugural ceremony, Deputy CM Devda extended his greetings to the youth. He characterised Swami Vivekananda not merely as a saint, but as the Consciousness of Modern India, whose ideologies remain vital for the contemporary generation. The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that yoga and Surya Namaskar should be integrated into daily life and noted that Swami Vivekanand was instrumental in globalising yoga, famously representing Indian spiritual science at the Worlds Parliament of Religions in Chicago. The programme followed a structured format synchronised with a Statewide broadcast from Akashvani (All India Radio) Bhopal.The event commenced with the national song, Vande Mataram. A recorded message from Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav was broadcast to all participants. A Hindi translation of Swami Vivekanandas iconic Chicago speech was played, inspiring the gathered students. Later, following the radio instructions, students performed Surya Namaskar and Pranayama. The programme began with the national song, Vande Mataram, and concluded with the National Anthem. The District Education Officer, Ghanshyam Soni, proposed a vote of thanks. Similar mass Surya Namaskar events were reported across various educational institutions in both urban and rural sectors of the district, marking a widespread celebration of yogic traditions and youth empowerment. Paryavaran Parisar turns pollution hotspot By Akanksha Gupta: BHOPALS air quality has once again raised an alarm, with Paryavaran Parisar is emerging as the citys most polluted location over the past week. Fresh data from the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) shows that within a span of seven days, the area recorded poor to very poor Air Quality Index (AQI) levels on four days, underlining a worrying trend as winter pollution tightens its grip on the State capital. The most severe spike was recorded on January 10, when the AQI at Paryavaran Parisar shot up to 315, placing it firmly in the very poor category. Even on other days, pollution levels failed to return to a healthy range, indicating persistent exposure to harmful air. Paryavaran Parisar, a pollution hotspot: According to monitoring data, Paryavaran Parisar recorded an AQI of 235 on January 9, followed by a sharp deterioration the next day. After touching a very poor level on January 10, the AQI stood at 285 on January 11, remaining in the poor category. On January 12, data recorded till 4 pm showed an AQI of 201, suggesting only marginal improvement. PM2.5 remained the prominent pollutant on all these days. With four days of poor to very poor air quality within a single week, Paryavaran Parisar has clearly turned into a pollution hotspot, even as other monitoring stations such as TT Nagar and the Collectorate have largely remained in the moderate category during the same period. Several factors are at play: Earlier in the month, Bhopal had already witnessed a pollution spike during the New Year period. On January 1, AQI readings touched 278 at Paryavaran Parisar, 264 at the Collectorate, and 273 at TT Nagar, pushing air quality into the poor category across the city. Similar conditions persisted on January 2 and 3. Explaining the reasons behind the rise, MPPCB Regional Officer Brajesh Sharma had said that increased vehicular movement, construction activity along with other conventional factors, significantly contribute to higher emissions. He also pointed out that winter-specific conditions such as low wind speed and temperature inversion trap pollutants close to the ground, preventing their dispersion and causing AQI levels to rise. A long-term risk for health: Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to PM2.5- fine particulate matter small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream- can have serious health consequences. Continuous inhalation of these particles can cause respiratory discomfort such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, while also triggering eye irritation, throat infections, and headaches. Over time, sustained exposure significantly increases the risk of chronic respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis, and can aggravate existing heart conditions, leading to a higher likelihood of cardiovascular diseases. Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing lung or heart problems are considered especially vulnerable during periods of elevated PM2.5 levels. To address the issue, pollution control authorities have stressed the need for immediate mitigation measures. These include regular water sprinkling on roads to suppress dust, strict and frequent checking of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates of vehicles, and better traffic management to reduce congestion-related emissions. Civic efforts under scrutiny as AQI stays poor: Despite the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) claiming to have intensified pollution control efforts, including regular water sprinkling on major roads, air quality levels across the city have shown little sign of improvement. Officials maintain that sprinkling operations are being carried out as part of routine winter mitigation measures, especially in areas prone to high vehicular movement and road dust. However, the continued poor to very poor AQI readings, particularly at Paryavaran Parisar, suggest that these measures have so far failed to deliver tangible relief on the ground. Irregular implementation of the mitigation measures: Meanwhile, residents and daily commuters in several localities have raised concerns over the effectiveness and consistency of these interventions. Locals claim that while water sprinkling and other mitigation steps are occasionally visible, they are not conducted on a regular or sustained basis. Many allege that sprinkling is often limited to specific stretches and times of the day, leaving large areas uncovered and allowing dust to resettle quickly. Environmental observers also point out that irregular implementation of measures such as dust suppression and enforcement of pollution norms could be contributing to the continued high AQI trend. They stress that without consistent, city-wide execution of mitigation efforts, short-term actions by the civic body may have little impact on improving air quality. PM to open Commonwealth speakers conference NEW DELHI : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday inaugurate the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), which is expected to witness participation from 42 of the 56 member nations. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Monday that the participation will be the highest ever in the history of the conference that will be attended by countries including Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Birla said there will be no representation from Bangladesh as that countrys Parliament is under suspension. Pakistan is also unlikely to send any representative, officials said. A total of 61 speakers and presiding officers are expected to attend the event to be held at the Samvidhan Sadan here from January 14 to 16. It is a matter of pride that the 28th CSPOC being hosted in India will see the highest participation so far, Birla said. The CSPOC will discuss shared parliamentary values, democratic governance and institutional cooperation. Birla said the 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. The 27th edition of the CSPOC was hosted by Uganda in January 2024 where Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, the leader of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation, assumed the baton as the host of the next edition of the conference. The Lok Sabha speaker will chair the meeting of the Standing Committee of the CSPOC at the Red Fort here on Wednesday. The 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 the CSPOC with a secretariat to support its activities. The stated aims of the CSPOC are to maintain, foster and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of speakers and presiding officers of Parliaments, promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms and develop parliamentary institutions. The conference will have workshop sessions on topics, such as AI in Parliament: Balancing Innovation, Oversight and Adaptation, Social Media and its Impact on Parliamentarians, Innovative Strategies to Enhance Public Understanding of Parliament and Citizens Participation Beyond Voting and Security, Health and Wellbeing of Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Officials. Pro-Govt rallies in Iran DUBAI : Donald Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran, including cyber attacks and direct strikes by US or Israel 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. 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. 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. 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 on Monday the death toll in the nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 544. Iran had no direct reaction to Trumps comments, which 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 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, 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, 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. 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 two people familiar with internal White House discussions who were not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Death toll in protests rises to at least 572: UNITED States President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its crackdown on protesters, a move coming as activists said Monday that the death toll in nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 572. Iran had no direct reaction to Trumps comments, which 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 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 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, 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 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, 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! Irans attorney general has said prosecutors will levy such charges against protesters, which carry the death penalty. Dubais financial regulator has moved to ban privacy-focused cryptocurrencies across the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), citing heightened risks related to anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance. Key Takeaways: Dubai has banned privacy tokens and anonymity tools in the DIFC to align with global AML and sanctions standards. The regulator has tightened stablecoin definitions, excluding algorithmic models from fiat crypto token status. Crypto firms, not regulators, are now responsible for approving and monitoring the tokens they list. The decision is part of a broader overhaul of the emirates crypto framework that also narrows the definition of stablecoins and shifts greater responsibility for token approval onto licensed firms. Dubai Shifts Crypto Oversight From Token Approval to Firm Accountability The updated Crypto Token Regulatory Framework, which takes effect on January 12, reflects a change in approach by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. Rather than maintaining a centralized list of approved crypto assets, the regulator will focus on enforcing global compliance standards and holding firms accountable for the tokens they choose to offer. Under the new rules, privacy tokens are prohibited across trading, promotion, fund activity and derivatives conducted in or from the DIFC. The ban arrives at a time when some privacy-focused assets have seen renewed market attention, but the DFSA said compliance concerns leave little room for flexibility. In addition to banning privacy coins, the framework also prohibits regulated firms from using or offering tools designed to mask transaction data, including mixers, tumblers and other obfuscation services. The move places Dubai closer to the European Unions stance under MiCA, which has effectively pushed anonymous crypto activity out of regulated markets, while contrasting with jurisdictions such as Hong Kong that still allow privacy tokens in theory under strict licensing conditions. Stablecoins are another major focus of the revised rules. The DFSA has tightened its definition of what it calls fiat crypto tokens, limiting the category to assets pegged to fiat currencies and backed by high-quality, liquid reserves capable of meeting redemptions during periods of stress. Algorithmic stablecoins, which rely on trading mechanisms rather than direct asset backing, fall outside that definition. While algorithmic tokens would not be banned outright, they would be treated as standard crypto assets rather than stablecoins within the DIFC framework. Perhaps the most significant shift is procedural. Instead of approving individual tokens, the DFSA will now require licensed firms to assess, document and continuously review the suitability of the crypto assets they list. QUIET APPLAUSE UK-BASED actor Purab Kohli, who plays the character of a tiresome professor in The Great Shamsuddin Family, has been basking in the praise being heaped on the recently released family drama. Written and directed by Anusha Rizvi, the film premiered on JioHotstar last month and is primed for wider international release this year as its layered and light-hearted take on familial tugs of war continues to make OTT waves. Kohli, known for standout performances in My Brother...Nikhil and Rock On!!, felt instantly drawn to the character of Amitav and has been gratified by the films steady word-of-mouth impact. It's been quite lovely and I'm pretty certain a film like The Great Shamsuddin Family, 20 years from now, people will still be talking about it," said Kohli, during an interview with PTI. As they do more deals internationally, this will be appreciated and seen by people worldwide on other platforms. So, I think this film has got that long lifespan, which will go on, and people will watch, and I am quite proud to be associated with projects like that, he said. Set over the span of one day in the Delhi home of Bani Ahmad, portrayed by actor Kritika Kamra, the film captures the chaos that unfolds when troublesome siblings and spirited matriarchs clash.The ostensibly simple storyline tackles a range of profound subjects with a characteristically light touch associated with the Delhi-based filmmaker behind the acclaimed 2010 satire "Peepli Live". It was one of those scripts that I couldn't put down. I read it at one go and loved it," recalls Kohli, who plays Bani's buddy in the film. I think Amitav is that annoying friend that everybody has. You love him, but he's annoying, extremely so. But there's also some sort of dependability and support that he offers. I think that makes him quite relatable, in that sense, in a family setup," he reflects. The JioHotstar film packed with very strong female roles, portrayed on screen by the likes of Farida Jalal, Sheeba Chaddha, Juhi Babbar and Shreya Dhanwanthary. Trump describes himself as Acting President of Venezuela NEW YORK : US 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. The post on Truth Social has Trumps 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 countrys 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 cant take a chance that someone else takes over Venezuela who doesnt have the interests of Venezuelans in mind. Venezuelas Vice President and Oil Minister, Delcy Rodriguez, was formally sworn in as the countrys 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. Jan 13 (Reuters) - Global drugmakers are ramping up U.S. manufacturing and stockpiling inventory as the Trump administration considers imposing a 100% tariff on imported branded and patented medicines. Although enforcement is delayed for companies investing in U.S. manufacturing, the policy has already prompted fast-tracked projects, price cuts and direct-to-consumer sales. More from Yahoo Scout How will tariffs impact drug supply chains? What manufacturing investments are drugmakers making domestically? Which companies secured exemptions from Trump's tariff policy? How are pharmaceutical companies responding to potential tariffs? Pfizer and AstraZeneca secured multi-year tariff exemptions through pricing deals and commitments to the new TrumpRx.gov platform. Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and Merck have pledged billions to expand U.S. operations to avoid penalties. Here's what drugmakers are doing to mitigate supply-chain risks and reassure investors: Pfizer Pfizer reached a deal with President Donald Trump on September 30 to invest $70 billion in research and development and domestic manufacturing, and received a three-year grace period exempting its products from the pharmaceutical-targeted tariffs. GSK The London-based drugmaker plans to invest $30 billion in U.S. research and development and supply chain infrastructure over five years. Eli Lilly The U.S. drugmaker said in September it will invest $5 billion to build a manufacturing facility in Virginia. The facility is the first of four new U.S. plants planned under its $27 billion expansion over the next five years. Johnson & Johnson The drugmaker plans to raise U.S. investments by 25%, totaling $55 billion, over the next four years. It plans to build four plants, including one at Wilson, North Carolina, and another at Tokyo-based Fujifilm Biotechnologies' manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, over the next 10 years. Locations for the other plants remain undisclosed. Roche The Swiss drugmaker said in April it will invest $50 billion in the U.S. over the next five years. A month later, it announced an additional $550 million investment to expand its Indianapolis diagnostics manufacturing hub. The expansion will span Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and California, creating more than 12,000 jobs. Roche said in May it plans to invest more than $700 million in a new drug manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina. CEO Thomas Schinecker said in July the company had moved around inventories and ramped up production of all the medicines that it already produced in the U.S. in anticipation of tariffs. AstraZeneca The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker will invest $50 billion on U.S. manufacturing by 2030. The investment will fund a new drug substance facility in Virginia, its largest single-site global investment, alongside expansions in Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana and Texas. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:HSCZ Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 34,396 shares, an increase of 6,131.2% from the December 15th total of 552 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 16,788 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.0 days. Currently, 0.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 0.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 16,788 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.0 days. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF Stock Up 0.2% NYSEARCA:HSCZ traded up $0.09 on Monday, reaching $40.52. 16,038 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,391. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $38.75 and a 200-day simple moving average of $37.60. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF has a 12 month low of $28.57 and a 12 month high of $40.52. The firm has a market cap of $179.50 million, a PE ratio of 14.36 and a beta of 0.65. Get iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HSCZ. Flow Traders U.S. LLC grew its holdings in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF by 116.8% during the 3rd quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 54,023 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,032,000 after buying an additional 29,101 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF by 25.0% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 18,726 shares of the companys stock worth $705,000 after buying an additional 3,750 shares in the last quarter. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF during the third quarter worth $384,000. First PREMIER Bank grew its stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF by 53.2% during the third quarter. First PREMIER Bank now owns 10,078 shares of the companys stock valued at $379,000 after acquiring an additional 3,498 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Square LLC bought a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $214,000. About iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (HSCZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund tracks an index of small-cap stocks from developed markets outside the US and Canada, hedged against movements in the underlying currencies for US investors. HSCZ was launched on Jul 1, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Two Harbors Investments Corp (NYSE:TWO Get Free Report) EVP James Campbell sold 1,692 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.39, for a total value of $20,963.88. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 37,056 shares of the companys stock, valued at $459,123.84. This represents a 4.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Two Harbors Investments Price Performance NYSE TWO traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $12.29. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,831,848 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,663,533. The firms 50-day moving average price is $10.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $10.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. Two Harbors Investments Corp has a 1 year low of $9.30 and a 1 year high of $14.28. The company has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.91 and a beta of 1.19. Get Two Harbors Investments alerts: Two Harbors Investments (NYSE:TWO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Two Harbors Investments had a negative net margin of 44.10% and a positive return on equity of 11.92%. The business had revenue of ($18.67) million during the quarter. On average, equities research analysts predict that Two Harbors Investments Corp will post 0.81 EPS for the current fiscal year. Two Harbors Investments Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 29th. Investors of record on Monday, January 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.34 per share. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 11.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 5th. Two Harbors Investmentss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -54.40%. TWO has been the subject of several research reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Two Harbors Investments from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Two Harbors Investments in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Maxim Group cut Two Harbors Investments from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Zacks Research cut Two Harbors Investments from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Two Harbors Investments from $9.50 to $10.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $11.96. View Our Latest Analysis on Two Harbors Investments Institutional Investors Weigh In On Two Harbors Investments A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Two Harbors Investments in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,621,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Two Harbors Investments by 11.3% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 12,391 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $129,000 after purchasing an additional 1,261 shares during the last quarter. Commons Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Two Harbors Investments during the 4th quarter valued at $162,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Two Harbors Investments by 3.3% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 172,900 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,707,000 after buying an additional 5,459 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new position in Two Harbors Investments during the third quarter worth $110,000. 64.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Two Harbors Investments (Get Free Report) Two Harbors Investments Corp. is a mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) that primarily invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) issued or guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises, as well as non-agency residential mortgage loans, mortgage servicing rights and credit risk transfer securities. The company seeks to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for its shareholders by employing leverage to enhance net interest income derived from its portfolio of high-quality fixed-income assets. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Two Harbors operates through a self-managed platform that combines portfolio management, risk-management and securitization expertise. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Two Harbors Investments Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Two Harbors Investments and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares FinTech Active ETF (NYSEARCA:BPAY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 12,113 shares, an increase of 7,921.9% from the December 15th total of 151 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 6,949 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.7 days. Currently, 3.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 3.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 6,949 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.7 days. iShares FinTech Active ETF Price Performance BPAY stock traded down $0.25 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $27.95. 2,369 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,624. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $28.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $31.20. The firm has a market cap of $10.06 million, a P/E ratio of 19.83 and a beta of 1.30. iShares FinTech Active ETF has a 1-year low of $20.66 and a 1-year high of $34.69. Get iShares FinTech Active ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares FinTech Active ETF An institutional investor recently bought a new position in iShares FinTech Active ETF stock. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares FinTech Active ETF (NYSEARCA:BPAY Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 2,753 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $88,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. owned about 0.76% of iShares FinTech Active ETF as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). About iShares FinTech Active ETF The BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF (BPAY) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in stocks based on a particular theme. The fund is an actively managed fund of global companies involved in innovative technologies used and applied in financial services. BPAY was launched on Aug 16, 2022 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares FinTech Active ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares FinTech Active ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Agree Realty (NYSE:ADC Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report released on Sunday. Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on ADC. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Agree Realty from $84.00 to $82.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on Agree Realty from $80.00 to $79.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Agree Realty in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on Agree Realty from $85.00 to $83.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Agree Realty from $77.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $80.23. Get Agree Realty alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on ADC Agree Realty Trading Up 1.2% Shares of Agree Realty stock opened at $71.35 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $72.82 and a 200-day moving average price of $72.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.68 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The firm has a market cap of $8.20 billion, a PE ratio of 41.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.55. Agree Realty has a 1 year low of $68.10 and a 1 year high of $79.65. Agree Realty (NYSE:ADC Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $183.22 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $181.87 million. Agree Realty had a net margin of 28.11% and a return on equity of 3.52%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 18.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.03 earnings per share. Agree Realty has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.310-4.330 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Agree Realty will post 4.27 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Chairman Richard Agree bought 24,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 9th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $70.67 per share, for a total transaction of $1,696,080.00. Following the purchase, the chairman directly owned 159,855 shares in the company, valued at $11,296,952.85. This trade represents a 17.67% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director John Rakolta, Jr. bought 15,000 shares of Agree Realty stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $72.18 per share, with a total value of $1,082,700.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 562,606 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,608,901.08. This represents a 2.74% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Agree Realty A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of ADC. AE Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Agree Realty by 3.5% in the third quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,653 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $331,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of Agree Realty by 18.2% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,111 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $79,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Agree Realty by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,395 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $241,000 after buying an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Agree Realty by 5.8% during the 3rd quarter. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC now owns 3,162 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $225,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Agree Realty by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,217 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $454,000 after acquiring an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.83% of the companys stock. Agree Realty Company Profile (Get Free Report) Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE: ADC) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1971, the company converted to a REIT structure in 2013 and focuses on acquiring, developing and managing a diversified portfolio of retail properties under long-term, triple-net (NNN) leases. Its tenant roster spans national and regional retailers in sectors such as grocery, home improvement, convenience and specialty retail. Agree Realtys primary business activities include sourcing and underwriting new property acquisitions, originating build-to-suit projects and executing value-add redevelopment programs. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Agree Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agree Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA Get Free Report) traded up 10.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $167.69 and last traded at $166.37. 35,035,683 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 99% from the average session volume of 17,642,271 shares. The stock had previously closed at $150.96. Key Headlines Impacting Alibaba Group Here are the key news stories impacting Alibaba Group this week: Get Alibaba Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have weighed in on BABA. Loop Capital set a $140.00 price target on Alibaba Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Susquehanna upped their target price on Alibaba Group from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Rosenblatt Securities set a $195.00 price target on shares of Alibaba Group in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Arete Research set a $172.00 price target on shares of Alibaba Group in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Alibaba Group from $168.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Seventeen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Alibaba Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $191.84. Alibaba Group Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 1.46. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $155.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $146.59. The company has a market capitalization of $396.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.98, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.37. Institutional Trading of Alibaba Group Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC boosted its holdings in Alibaba Group by 1,349,768.3% in the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 49,013,718 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $5,558,646,000 after buying an additional 49,010,087 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors raised its stake in Alibaba Group by 1,074.9% during the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 6,038,318 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $1,079,229,000 after purchasing an additional 5,524,354 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $527,243,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new position in shares of Alibaba Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $227,567,000. Finally, Alkeon Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Alibaba Group in the second quarter valued at about $184,291,000. 13.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Alibaba Group (Get Free Report) Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, by Jack Ma and a group of cofounders. The company built its business around internet-based commerce and related services and has grown into one of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world. Alibaba completed a highprofile initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014. The company operates a portfolio of online marketplaces and platforms serving different customer segments: Alibaba.com for global and domestic B2B trade, Taobao for consumer-to-consumer shopping, and Tmall for brand and retailer storefronts targeted at Chinese consumers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Alibaba Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alibaba Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms: 1/12/2026 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had its price target raised by analysts at Truist Financial Corporation from $11.00 to $12.00. They now have a hold rating on the stock. 1/12/2026 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust was given a new $15.00 price target on by analysts at Robert W. Baird. They now have an outperform rating on the stock. 1/6/2026 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust is now covered by analysts at Barclays PLC. They set an underweight rating and a $10.00 price target on the stock. 1/6/2026 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust is now covered by analysts at Barclays PLC. They set a strong sell rating and a $10.00 price target on the stock. 12/29/2025 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had its sell (d) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/22/2025 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had its sell (d) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/15/2025 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had its sell (d) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/8/2025 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had its sell (d) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/1/2025 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had its sell (d) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/1/2025 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $11.00 to $13.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock. 11/25/2025 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had its sell (d) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/24/2025 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating. 11/19/2025 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had its sell (d) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/13/2025 Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had its sell (d) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.01 per share. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Pebblebrook Hotel Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -3.36%. Get Pebblebrook Hotel Trust alerts: Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB) is a real estate investment trust specializing in premium, high-barrier-to-entry hotel properties in gateway markets across the United States. Established in 2009, PEB focuses on lifestyle-oriented lodging assets that cater to business and leisure travelers seeking elevated experiences. The companys investment strategy emphasizes select-service and full-service hotels with established brands and prime urban or resort locations. PEBs portfolio comprises more than 30 properties in major metropolitan areas including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pebblebrook Hotel Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR Get Free Report) fell 6.2% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $8.18 and last traded at $8.3150. 12,262,409 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 72% from the average session volume of 44,288,609 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.86. Analyst Ratings Changes ACHR has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Archer Aviation in a research report on Monday, December 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $11.00 target price for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating on shares of Archer Aviation in a report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Archer Aviation in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Archer Aviation from $10.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price objective on Archer Aviation from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Archer Aviation currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $12.14. Get Archer Aviation alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Archer Aviation Archer Aviation Price Performance The businesss 50 day moving average is $8.13 and its 200-day moving average is $9.57. The company has a quick ratio of 18.19, a current ratio of 18.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.52 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.72 and a beta of 3.10. Archer Aviation (NYSE:ACHR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.20) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of ($0.20). As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Archer Aviation Inc. will post -1.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity at Archer Aviation In other news, CFO Priya Gupta sold 5,479 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.49, for a total value of $41,037.71. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 161,523 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,209,807.27. This trade represents a 3.28% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Tosha Perkins sold 45,018 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.49, for a total transaction of $337,184.82. Following the transaction, the insider owned 334,632 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,506,393.68. This represents a 11.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 307,635 shares of company stock worth $2,367,936 over the last three months. 7.65% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Archer Aviation Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust raised its position in Archer Aviation by 45.9% in the third quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 3,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 986 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Archer Aviation by 45.7% in the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,524 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 1,106 shares during the period. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Archer Aviation by 2.5% in the third quarter. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 46,262 shares of the companys stock valued at $443,000 after buying an additional 1,107 shares during the period. Moody National Bank Trust Division raised its holdings in Archer Aviation by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 169,345 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,837,000 after buying an additional 1,211 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HighPoint Advisor Group LLC boosted its position in Archer Aviation by 3.6% during the 3rd quarter. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC now owns 35,919 shares of the companys stock worth $344,000 after buying an additional 1,237 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.34% of the companys stock. Archer Aviation Company Profile (Get Free Report) Archer Aviation, Inc (NYSE: ACHR) is a California-based aerospace company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to serve as sustainable urban air mobility solutions. Founded in 2018 by Adam Goldstein and Brett Adcock, Archer focuses on the design, development and certification of zero-emissions air taxis aimed at reducing traffic congestion in densely populated metropolitan areas. The companys flagship prototypes, Maker and Midnight, have been engineered to deliver quiet, efficient short-haul flights with ranges of up to 100 miles per charge. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Archer operates a manufacturing facility in nearby Santa Cruz County and maintains research partnerships with automotive and energy companies, including a collaboration with Stellantis to integrate advanced battery systems. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Archer Aviation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer Aviation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jan 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said any country that does business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on trade with the U.S., as Tehran grapples with its most substantial anti-government protests in years. Iran, a member of the OPEC oil producers group, exported products to 147 trading partners in 2022, according to the most recent data from the World Bank. More from Yahoo Scout How could the 25% tariff impact global oil markets? What are Iran's major exports and imports globally? How significant is China's trade relationship with Iran? Which countries would Trump's Iran tariff threat affect? Its top trade partners include China, other countries in East Asia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Germany. Fuel is Iran's biggest export item by value, while major imports include intermediate goods, vegetables, machinery and equipment. CHINA China is Iran's largest trading partner. Iranian exports to China amounted to $22 billion in 2022, with fuels accounting for more than half of the total, according to the World Bank. Imports from China stood at $15 billion. In 2025, China bought more than 80% of Iran's shipped oil, according to data from Kpler, an analytics firm. Iranian oil has a limited pool of buyers because of U.S. sanctions that seek to cut off funding to Tehran's nuclear programme. INDIA India's total bilateral trade with Iran stood at $1.34 billion for the first 10 months of 2025, according to India's commerce ministry. Major Indian exports to Iran include basmati rice, fruits, vegetables, drugs and other pharmaceutical products. TURKEY Iran's exports to Turkey hit $5.8 billion in 2022, with imports amounting to $6.1 billion, according to the World Bank. GERMANY Iran's exports to Germany stood at $178 million in 2022, while imports totalled $1.9 billion. SOUTH KOREA South Korea's exports to Iran between January and November 2025 were marginal at $129 million, while imports stood at $1.6 million during the same period, according to data from the Korea International Trade Association. JAPAN Japan imported modest amounts of fruit, vegetables and textiles from Iran and shipped some machinery and vehicle engines there, according to the latest trade data from Japan that goes through November 2025. (Reporting by Jihoon Lee, Heekyong Yang, John Geddie, Shubham Kalia, Akanksha Khushi; Compiled by Miyoung Kim) Wall Street Zen cut shares of Arcosa (NYSE:ACA Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Saturday morning. Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Arcosa in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research cut Arcosa from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on Arcosa from $106.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $115.00. Get Arcosa alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Arcosa Arcosa Trading Down 0.5% Shares of Arcosa stock opened at $110.83 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $106.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $97.62. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. Arcosa has a 12-month low of $68.11 and a 12-month high of $113.25. The company has a market cap of $5.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.70, a PEG ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 0.99. Arcosa (NYSE:ACA Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 17th. The company reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter. Arcosa had a net margin of 5.25% and a return on equity of 7.46%. The business had revenue of $515.10 million for the quarter. On average, equities analysts expect that Arcosa will post 3.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Arcosa Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be issued a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. Arcosas dividend payout ratio is presently 6.62%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Arcosa A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in Arcosa in the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new stake in shares of Arcosa in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Arcosa by 47.8% in the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 368 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP grew its holdings in shares of Arcosa by 160.0% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 403 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH bought a new position in shares of Arcosa during the 2nd quarter valued at $40,000. 90.66% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Arcosa Company Profile (Get Free Report) Arcosa, Inc (NYSE: ACA) is a Dallasbased industrial company that was formed through the spinoff of Trinity Industries construction products business in 2018. Since its inception, Arcosa has focused on the manufacture and sale of critical infrastructure components, serving a diverse set of end markets including transportation, construction and energy. The companys Construction Products segment produces a broad range of highway safety products, such as guardrail systems, sign supports and crash cushions, as well as aggregates and readymix concrete. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Arcosa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arcosa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust (NYSE:BKN Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,920 shares, a drop of 86.0% from the December 15th total of 13,678 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 104,844 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 104,844 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Trading Up 0.3% Shares of NYSE:BKN traded up $0.03 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $11.36. The company had a trading volume of 16,706 shares, compared to its average volume of 27,751. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $11.20 and its 200 day moving average price is $11.07. Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust has a fifty-two week low of $10.22 and a fifty-two week high of $11.83. Get Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust alerts: Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 6th will be paid a $0.057 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 6th. Institutional Trading of Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust About Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in shares of Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust by 39.8% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 23,902 shares of the companys stock valued at $275,000 after acquiring an additional 6,800 shares in the last quarter. Ackerman Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust by 47.5% during the 2nd quarter. Ackerman Capital Advisors LLC now owns 45,125 shares of the companys stock worth $493,000 after purchasing an additional 14,522 shares during the period. Koshinski Asset Management Inc. increased its position in Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust by 53.0% during the 2nd quarter. Koshinski Asset Management Inc. now owns 64,936 shares of the companys stock worth $709,000 after purchasing an additional 22,508 shares during the period. Wolverine Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust by 64.9% during the 2nd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 100,791 shares of the companys stock worth $1,101,000 after buying an additional 39,684 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new position in shares of Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $80,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.67% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust, Inc (NYSE: BKN) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with current income exempt from regular federal income tax. The trust primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade municipal securities, including general obligation and revenue bonds issued by state and local governments and their agencies. By focusing on high-quality credits, the fund aims to balance income generation with a conservative risk profile suitable for income-oriented investors. The portfolio strategy emphasizes fundamental credit research and sector diversification across the U.S. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blackrock Investment Quality Municipal Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BNP Paribas SA (OTCMKTS:BNPQY Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 540,099 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 74% from the previous sessions volume of 309,589 shares.The stock last traded at $50.51 and had previously closed at $50.79. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages recently weighed in on BNPQY. DZ Bank cut shares of BNP Paribas from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised BNP Paribas from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Barclays cut BNP Paribas from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of BNP Paribas in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold. Get BNP Paribas alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on BNP Paribas BNP Paribas Trading Down 0.4% The company has a market cap of $112.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.11, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $44.04 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $44.62. BNP Paribas (OTCMKTS:BNPQY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.53. BNP Paribas had a net margin of 22.74% and a return on equity of 8.56%. The firm had revenue of $81.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.84 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that BNP Paribas SA will post 5.02 EPS for the current year. About BNP Paribas (Get Free Report) BNP Paribas is a major international banking group headquartered in Paris, France, formed through the 2000 merger of Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) and Paribas. The group provides a broad range of banking and financial services to retail, corporate and institutional clients, operating as one of the leading universal banks in Europe with a global footprint. Its principal business activities encompass retail banking and services, corporate and institutional banking, and investment solutions. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BNP Paribas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BNP Paribas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $245.49 and last traded at $244.5680, with a volume of 2953809 shares. The stock had previously closed at $239.81. More Boeing News Here are the key news stories impacting Boeing this week: Get Boeing alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on BA shares. BNP Paribas set a $150.00 price objective on Boeing in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Loop Capital set a $223.00 target price on Boeing in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Zacks Research raised Boeing from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Boeing from $240.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $240.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $235.33. Boeing Stock Up 2.2% The company has a market capitalization of $186.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -17.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.68 and a beta of 1.16. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $204.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $216.24. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The aircraft producer reported ($7.47) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.51) by ($6.96). The company had revenue of $23.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.61 billion. The companys quarterly revenue was up 30.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned ($10.44) earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that The Boeing Company will post -2.58 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, SVP Dana S. Deasy purchased 554 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $178.88 per share, for a total transaction of $99,099.52. Following the completion of the acquisition, the senior vice president directly owned 28,442 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,087,704.96. The trade was a 1.99% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Uma M. Amuluru sold 1,366 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $197.66, for a total transaction of $270,003.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 14,656 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,896,904.96. This represents a 8.53% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.09% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Boeing A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BA. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC boosted its stake in Boeing by 43.3% in the second quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC now owns 3,598 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $754,000 after buying an additional 1,088 shares in the last quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Boeing in the second quarter worth about $62,859,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Boeing by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 66,773,360 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $13,991,022,000 after purchasing an additional 1,118,316 shares in the last quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Boeing by 50.4% in the 3rd quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC now owns 26,360 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $5,689,000 after purchasing an additional 8,833 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Patton Fund Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Boeing by 734.4% during the 3rd quarter. Patton Fund Management Inc. now owns 10,322 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $2,228,000 after purchasing an additional 9,085 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.82% of the companys stock. About Boeing (Get Free Report) Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense systems, and space and security technologies. Founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, the company today operates as an integrated aerospace and defense contractor with a global customer base. Boeing relocated its corporate headquarters to Arlington, Virginia in 2022 and maintains extensive engineering, manufacturing and service operations across the United States and around the world. Boeings principal lines of business include Commercial Airplanes, which produces and supports a range of jetliners used by airlines globally; Defense, Space & Security, which develops military aircraft, rotorcraft, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, satellites, and launch and missile systems; and Boeing Global Services, which provides aftermarket maintenance, training, spare parts, digital analytics and logistics support. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rempart Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Brookfield Renewable Corporation (NYSE:BEPC Free Report) by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 356,400 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 13,410 shares during the period. Brookfield Renewable makes up 2.3% of Rempart Asset Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. Rempart Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Brookfield Renewable were worth $12,277,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in BEPC. Curio Wealth LLC boosted its position in Brookfield Renewable by 95,300.0% during the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 954 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 953 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 88.4% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,157 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 543 shares in the last quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new stake in Brookfield Renewable in the 2nd quarter valued at about $42,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Brookfield Renewable by 180.3% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,696 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 1,091 shares in the last quarter. Finally, McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Brookfield Renewable during the 2nd quarter valued at about $90,000. 75.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Brookfield Renewable alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (e+) rating on shares of Brookfield Renewable in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen cut Brookfield Renewable from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Brookfield Renewable from $41.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Brookfield Renewable from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Brookfield Renewable from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $39.75. Brookfield Renewable Trading Up 1.9% BEPC opened at $38.74 on Tuesday. Brookfield Renewable Corporation has a 12-month low of $23.73 and a 12-month high of $45.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.61 billion, a PE ratio of -43.53 and a beta of 1.23. The firms fifty day moving average price is $40.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $37.28. Brookfield Renewable Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th were given a dividend of $0.373 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.49 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.9%. Brookfield Renewables dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -167.42%. Brookfield Renewable Profile (Free Report) Brookfield Renewable Corporation (NYSE: BEPC) is a leading global owner, operator and developer of renewable power assets. Through its preferred equity securities, BEPC provides investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of hydropower, wind, solar and energy storage facilities that are underpinned by long-term contractual revenues. The company focuses on delivering clean energy to wholesale and retail markets across multiple jurisdictions, leveraging the experience and financial backing of its parent, Brookfield Asset Management. The companys operations span North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, with more than 23,000 megawatts of operational capacity. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BEPC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Renewable Corporation (NYSE:BEPC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Renewable Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Renewable and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC (NYSEAMERICAN:CMCL Get Free Report)s share price rose 10.7% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $32.57 and last traded at $32.29. Approximately 228,412 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 21% from the average daily volume of 189,115 shares. The stock had previously closed at $29.18. Caledonia Mining Stock Up 11.8% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $627.15 million, a P/E ratio of 12.65 and a beta of 0.50. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $27.01 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $27.24. Get Caledonia Mining alerts: Caledonia Mining Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st were issued a dividend of $0.14 per share. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 21st. Caledonia Minings dividend payout ratio is 116.67%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Caledonia Mining Caledonia Mining Company Profile A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. State of Alaska Department of Revenue bought a new position in Caledonia Mining in the third quarter worth about $27,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Caledonia Mining by 6,486.2% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,910 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,881 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Caledonia Mining by 65.7% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,037 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 411 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Caledonia Mining during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, Optimum Investment Advisors bought a new position in Caledonia Mining during the 3rd quarter worth $54,000. Institutional investors own 31.78% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC is a UKdomiciled gold producer listed on the NYSE American under the ticker CMCL and on the London AIM market. The companys flagship asset is the Blanket gold mine, located near Gwanda in southwestern Zimbabwe. Blanket is a conventional underground and surface gold operation that includes a carboninleach processing plant and tailings retreatment facilities, providing a structurally diverse resource base and established production infrastructure. Caledonia acquired the Blanket mine in 2004, adding to its long operating history that traces back to the early 20th century. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Caledonia Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caledonia Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CGI Group, Inc. (NYSE:GIB Get Free Report) (TSE:GIB.A) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the six ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $117.00. GIB has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Cibc Captl Mkts lowered CGI Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, December 14th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $81.00 price target (down previously from $105.00) on shares of CGI Group in a research note on Monday, November 10th. TD Securities upgraded CGI Group to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of CGI Group in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of CGI Group in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Get CGI Group alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on GIB Institutional Inflows and Outflows CGI Group Trading Up 1.0% Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. boosted its stake in CGI Group by 13.0% in the 2nd quarter. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. now owns 3,452,820 shares of the technology companys stock worth $361,881,000 after purchasing an additional 397,005 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of CGI Group by 275.3% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 898,276 shares of the technology companys stock worth $89,675,000 after buying an additional 658,925 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of CGI Group by 786.2% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 81,470 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $8,141,000 after acquiring an additional 72,277 shares during the period. Kepler Cheuvreux Suisse SA purchased a new position in CGI Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $6,498,000. Finally, Mediolanum International Funds Ltd grew its stake in CGI Group by 35.1% during the third quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 67,190 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $5,972,000 after acquiring an additional 17,448 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.68% of the companys stock. Shares of NYSE GIB opened at $94.78 on Friday. CGI Group has a 1-year low of $84.00 and a 1-year high of $122.79. The company has a 50-day moving average of $90.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $93.21. The company has a market cap of $20.77 billion, a PE ratio of 18.02 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. CGI Group (NYSE:GIB Get Free Report) (TSE:GIB.A) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The technology company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.53 by $0.02. CGI Group had a net margin of 10.41% and a return on equity of 18.55%. The business had revenue of $2.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.92 earnings per share. CGI Groups revenue was up 9.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that CGI Group will post 5.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. CGI Group Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st were paid a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 21st. This is a boost from CGI Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.11. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. CGI Groups payout ratio is 9.13%. About CGI Group (Get Free Report) CGI Group Inc is a global information technology and business consulting firm that delivers a broad range of services including IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure and network services, managed IT and business process outsourcing. The company works with clients to design, build and operate IT systems and business solutions, with capabilities spanning cloud and hybrid IT environments, cybersecurity, data analytics and artificial intelligence, digital transformation and enterprise resource planning implementations. Founded in 1976 in Quebec by Serge Godin and Andre Imbeau, CGI has grown from a regional systems integrator into a multinational professional services organization. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for CGI Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CGI Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $228.88 and last traded at $225.56, with a volume of 153606 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $218.82. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. William Blair upgraded shares of Charles River Laboratories International from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Argus set a $200.00 price objective on Charles River Laboratories International in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Charles River Laboratories International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, December 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Charles River Laboratories International from $165.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Charles River Laboratories International has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $203.07. Get Charles River Laboratories International alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on CRL Charles River Laboratories International Stock Up 2.3% The stocks fifty day moving average price is $187.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $172.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The company has a market capitalization of $11.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -143.58, a P/E/G ratio of 6.60 and a beta of 1.61. Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The medical research company reported $2.43 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.32 by $0.11. Charles River Laboratories International had a negative net margin of 2.07% and a positive return on equity of 15.78%. The business had revenue of $1 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $990.43 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.59 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. will post 9.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CRL. Cromwell Holdings LLC increased its position in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 542.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 180 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Charles River Laboratories International in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Rothschild Investment LLC increased its holdings in Charles River Laboratories International by 82.4% during the third quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 186 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in Charles River Laboratories International during the third quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in Charles River Laboratories International by 98.0% in the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 293 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. 98.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Charles River Laboratories International (Get Free Report) Charles River Laboratories International, Inc is a leading provider of research models and preclinical and clinical support services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The companys core offerings include discovery, safety assessment, toxicology, and pathology services, as well as supply of laboratory animals and related diagnostics. Services extend across in vivo and in vitro testing, biologics testing, and support for advanced therapies, helping clients accelerate drug development from early discovery through regulatory submission. Founded in 1947 in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Charles River has grown through strategic investments and acquisitions to establish a broad portfolio of capabilities. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Charles River Laboratories International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles River Laboratories International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (NYSEARCA:XCEM Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $40.21 and last traded at $40.1870, with a volume of 26917 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $39.98. Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF Stock Up 0.7% The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $38.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $36.49. The stock has a market cap of $1.32 billion, a PE ratio of 14.14 and a beta of 0.84. Get Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in XCEM. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF by 192.9% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,604,767 shares of the companys stock worth $54,851,000 after buying an additional 1,056,911 shares in the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV bought a new stake in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,958,000. Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF by 52.3% during the 2nd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 1,319,497 shares of the companys stock worth $45,100,000 after acquiring an additional 453,037 shares during the period. O Brien Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF by 49.5% in the 2nd quarter. O Brien Wealth Partners LLC now owns 747,975 shares of the companys stock worth $25,566,000 after purchasing an additional 247,750 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF by 3,662.7% in the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 250,973 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,118,000 after purchasing an additional 244,303 shares during the period. Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF Company Profile The Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index that provides broad equity exposure to emerging markets excluding China. XCEM was launched on Sep 2, 2015 and is managed by Columbia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CPC Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund acquired 17,917 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $1,952,000. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC lifted its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 466.6% during the third quarter. GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC now owns 35,178 shares of the banks stock worth $3,833,000 after purchasing an additional 28,969 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its holdings in Bank of New York Mellon by 10.2% in the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 68,579 shares of the banks stock valued at $7,483,000 after buying an additional 6,357 shares during the period. ZEGA Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,050,000. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 23,450 shares of the banks stock worth $2,555,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. Finally, Gradient Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $650,000. 85.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BK has been the subject of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $106.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Barclays boosted their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $120.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $120.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Truist Financial upgraded Bank of New York Mellon from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from $119.00 to $134.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $118.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $115.43. Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance Shares of BK opened at $120.66 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $84.14 billion, a PE ratio of 17.41, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $113.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $106.84. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation has a 12-month low of $70.46 and a 12-month high of $122.36. Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The bank reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 14.03% and a net margin of 12.86%.The company had revenue of $5.07 billion during the quarter. Analysts anticipate that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will post 6.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of New York Mellon Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 27th were paid a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 27th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.59%. Bank of New York Mellon Profile (Free Report) Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon) is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City that provides a wide range of asset servicing, custody, and related financial infrastructure solutions to institutional clients. Its core businesses include custody and asset servicing, clearing and collateral management, treasury services, securities lending, corporate trust services, and depositary receipt administration. The company also offers investment management and advisory services through its asset management arm and provides technology-enabled solutions for trade processing, foreign exchange, and liquidity management. BNY Mellon serves a broad client base that includes asset managers, pension funds, corporations, banks, broker-dealers and sovereign entities. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. With increasing reports of a K-shaped economy in the U.S., the divide between those who can save and invest and those who cant is growing wider. In fact, The Wall Street Journal reported that American investors are feeling good about their money and spending more on restaurants, business-class airline tickets and home improvement projects (1). JPMorgan Chase noted the growth of the top 30 AI stocks has added $5 trillion to household wealth nationwide this year. Meanwhile, Bank of America data shows spending for higher-income households rose 2.7% in October year over year (2). So what does this look like in real life? Meet Renee. She just turned 40 and has finally paid off her student loans. She owns a condo in a small city and has built solid equity. She has also been contributing modestly to her companys 401(k) for several years. For most of the last decade, though, she felt perpetually underwater, living paycheck to paycheck. Now, with the last of her loans gone and more room to save, Renee has crossed over into a new financial category: a positive net worth. She feels proud of how hard she worked to get here, but shes also noticing a new feeling creeping in, the urge to splurge. Heres why the wealth effect can quietly derail your finances if youre not careful and how to keep your spending in check when it feels like youve finally earned a break from strict budgeting. The wealth effect The wealth effect refers to the tendency to spend more when assets like stocks, retirement accounts and real estate rise in value, even if your cash flow and monthly budget stay the same. While its clearly fueling spending across the country, economists warn it can also lead to debt or risky financial decisions. When people feel wealthier on paper, or when their income increases, they often feel like they can do more, Erica Cameron, a partner at wealth-management firm Cerity Partners, told the Wall Street Journal (3). For Renee, that shows up as a new wardrobe and a long-held dream: a month-long vacation in France. But even with her student debt behind her, can she really afford it? A 2023 Visa study found that for every $1 increase in household wealth, consumer spending rose by 34 cents. Thats far higher than the pre-pandemic wealth effect of about 9 cents per dollar (4). Renee, it turns out, is far from alone. Lifestyle creep For many people whose wealth is tied to stocks or the housing market, that feeling of being flush may not last. All of this can go away pretty quickly, Cameron said. We could have a 20% housing correction. We could have a 20% or more market correction. Credicorp (NYSE:BAP Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by equities research analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $263.00 to $293.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the banks stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups price target suggests a potential downside of 6.02% from the stocks previous close. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Credicorp from $242.00 to $310.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Wall Street Zen lowered Credicorp from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, December 20th. Zacks Research raised Credicorp from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Credicorp in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Credicorp from $257.00 to $318.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Credicorp currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $290.20. Get Credicorp alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BAP Credicorp Trading Up 1.5% Credicorp stock traded up $4.61 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $311.76. The stock had a trading volume of 187,831 shares, compared to its average volume of 314,405. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The firm has a market cap of $24.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.89. Credicorp has a 52-week low of $165.51 and a 52-week high of $311.06. The company has a fifty day moving average of $272.89 and a 200 day moving average of $257.77. Credicorp (NYSE:BAP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The bank reported $6.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.05 by $0.12. Credicorp had a return on equity of 19.50% and a net margin of 23.59%.The firm had revenue of $1.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.71 billion. On average, analysts anticipate that Credicorp will post 21.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Credicorp Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Summitry LLC acquired a new stake in Credicorp during the second quarter worth $257,000. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 19.3% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 12,516 shares of the banks stock worth $3,333,000 after purchasing an additional 2,023 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Credicorp by 46.6% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 464,098 shares of the banks stock worth $103,698,000 after purchasing an additional 147,573 shares during the last quarter. Carrhae Capital LLP raised its holdings in Credicorp by 7.5% in the 2nd quarter. Carrhae Capital LLP now owns 213,806 shares of the banks stock valued at $47,790,000 after buying an additional 14,931 shares during the period. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in Credicorp in the second quarter valued at about $418,000. 89.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Credicorp Company Profile (Get Free Report) Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE: BAP) is a Lima-based financial services holding company that operates a diversified group of banking, insurance, and investment businesses. Established in the mid-1990s, Credicorps principal subsidiaries include Banco de Credito del Peru (BCP), Mibanco (microfinance), Credicorp Capital (investment banking and asset management) and Pacifico Seguros (insurance). The company serves retail, commercial and corporate clients and is one of the largest financial conglomerates in Peru. Through Banco de Credito del Peru and its retail network, Credicorp provides a full suite of banking products including deposit accounts, consumer and commercial loans, mortgages, payment and transaction services, and digital banking solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Credicorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credicorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:DWAHY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 2,872 shares, a drop of 76.0% from the December 15th total of 11,985 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 77,722 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 77,722 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Daiwa House Industry Trading Up 1.1% Shares of Daiwa House Industry stock opened at $34.38 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.45 and a beta of 0.36. The firms 50-day moving average price is $33.67 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.54. Daiwa House Industry has a 1-year low of $27.96 and a 1-year high of $38.72. Get Daiwa House Industry alerts: Daiwa House Industry (OTCMKTS:DWAHY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by ($0.18). The firm had revenue of $8.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.57 billion. Daiwa House Industry Company Profile Daiwa House Industry Co, Ltd. is a major Japanese construction and real estate development company headquartered in Osaka, Japan. Founded in 1955, the company is best known as one of Japans largest homebuilders and a comprehensive provider of real estate solutions. Its core activities span the planning, design, construction and sale of detached houses, condominiums and rental housing, leveraging prefabrication and standardized building techniques to serve residential markets across Japan. Beyond residential construction, Daiwa House operates broadly across commercial and industrial segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Daiwa House Industry Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Daiwa House Industry and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 6.500-7.500 for the period. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Delta Air Lines also updated its Q1 2026 guidance to 0.500-0.900 EPS. Delta Air Lines Stock Down 1.9% Shares of NYSE DAL opened at $70.97 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $65.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a current ratio of 0.40. Delta Air Lines has a 52-week low of $34.74 and a 52-week high of $73.16. The company has a market capitalization of $46.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.38. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 13th. The transportation company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $14.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.80 billion. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 7.36% and a return on equity of 23.83%. Delta Air Liness quarterly revenue was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.85 earnings per share. Delta Air Lines has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.500-0.900 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 6.500-7.500 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on DAL. UBS Group started coverage on Delta Air Lines in a research note on Friday, December 12th. They issued a buy rating and a $90.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on Delta Air Lines from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Dbs Bank upgraded Delta Air Lines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $71.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Wolfe Research dropped their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-two have issued a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $77.51. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DAL Insider Buying and Selling at Delta Air Lines In other Delta Air Lines news, EVP John E. Laughter sold 23,323 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.33, for a total transaction of $1,453,722.59. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 81,109 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,055,523.97. The trade was a 22.33% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP William C. Carroll sold 14,010 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total transaction of $858,112.50. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 15,816 shares in the company, valued at approximately $968,730. The trade was a 46.97% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock. Delta Air Lines News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Delta Air Lines this week: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 54.8% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,817,783 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $330,159,000 after buying an additional 2,058,744 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its stake in Delta Air Lines by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,553,451 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $88,158,000 after acquiring an additional 20,463 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 1,379,612 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $78,293,000 after acquiring an additional 30,237 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP grew its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 16,044.7% in the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,263,320 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $71,693,000 after acquiring an additional 1,255,495 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 831,278 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $47,174,000 after acquiring an additional 19,232 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.93% of the companys stock. Delta Air Lines Company Profile (Get Free Report) Delta Air Lines is a major U.S.-based global airline that provides scheduled passenger and cargo air transportation, aircraft maintenance and repair services, and related travel products. Its operations include mainline domestic and international passenger services, a branded regional network operating under the Delta Connection name, dedicated air cargo carriage, and in-house maintenance, repair and overhaul through Delta TechOps. Delta offers a range of cabin products for different customer segments, including premium business-class service on long-haul routes and tiered economy offerings on domestic and international flights, and it markets customer loyalty benefits through the SkyMiles frequent-flyer program. The carrier operates a mixed fleet of narrow- and wide-body aircraft from multiple U.S. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE:DIN Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $37.37 and last traded at $37.31, with a volume of 107851 shares. The stock had previously closed at $36.23. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently commented on DIN shares. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $29.00 price target on shares of Dine Brands Global in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Dine Brands Global in a report on Monday, December 29th. UBS Group increased their target price on Dine Brands Global from $21.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. KeyCorp boosted their price target on Dine Brands Global from $26.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on Dine Brands Global from $28.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $31.29. Get Dine Brands Global alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Dine Brands Global Dine Brands Global Trading Up 2.9% The stock has a market cap of $537.45 million, a P/E ratio of 16.64 and a beta of 0.92. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $30.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $26.70. Dine Brands Global (NYSE:DIN Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The restaurant operator reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.82 by ($0.09). The company had revenue of $216.17 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $221.61 million. Dine Brands Global had a negative return on equity of 26.01% and a net margin of 3.91%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.44 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Dine Brands Global, Inc. will post 5.84 earnings per share for the current year. Dine Brands Global Cuts Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 7th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 23rd were given a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 23rd. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Dine Brands Globals payout ratio is presently 33.93%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Howard M. Berk acquired 4,082 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $24.50 per share, for a total transaction of $100,009.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 41,947 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,027,701.50. This trade represents a 10.78% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Richard J. Dahl bought 3,600 shares of Dine Brands Global stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $27.47 per share, for a total transaction of $98,892.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 3,600 shares in the company, valued at approximately $98,892. This represents a increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have bought 8,332 shares of company stock valued at $220,455. 4.56% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dine Brands Global A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in Dine Brands Global in the third quarter valued at about $27,000. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. increased its stake in shares of Dine Brands Global by 33.3% in the second quarter. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. now owns 2,000 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC bought a new position in Dine Brands Global in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in Dine Brands Global by 307.6% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,091 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 1,578 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC acquired a new stake in Dine Brands Global during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $87,000. Institutional investors own 92.83% of the companys stock. About Dine Brands Global (Get Free Report) Dine Brands Global, Inc is a leading franchisor and operator of fullservice restaurants in the casual dining and breakfast segments. The companys primary brands include IHOP, known for its wide variety of breakfast offerings and pancakes, and Applebees Neighborhood Grill + Bar, a casual dining concept featuring a range of American entrees, appetizers and cocktails. Through its franchise model, Dine Brands works with independent restaurant owners to develop, market and support both domestic and international locations. The origins of Dine Brands Global date back to the founding of the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) in 1958 in California. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Dine Brands Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dine Brands Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund boosted its holdings in shares of Dover Corporation (NYSE:DOV Free Report) by 32.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 15,617 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,820 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Dover were worth $2,605,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Machina Capital S.A.S. grew its position in Dover by 38.8% during the second quarter. Machina Capital S.A.S. now owns 8,779 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,609,000 after purchasing an additional 2,452 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its stake in shares of Dover by 9.3% during the 2nd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 124,031 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $22,701,000 after buying an additional 10,581 shares during the period. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR grew its holdings in shares of Dover by 103.4% during the 3rd quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR now owns 16,020 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,673,000 after acquiring an additional 8,145 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Resource Group increased its stake in shares of Dover by 7.7% in the second quarter. Advisory Resource Group now owns 28,732 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $5,264,000 after acquiring an additional 2,047 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vinva Investment Management Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Dover during the second quarter worth $1,411,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.46% of the companys stock. Get Dover alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have weighed in on DOV. Barclays upped their target price on Dover from $195.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. BNP Paribas began coverage on Dover in a report on Thursday, December 4th. They issued a neutral rating and a $195.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Dover from $185.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Dover from $183.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Dover from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $217.09. Insider Activity In related news, CFO Christopher B. Woenker sold 1,627 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $186.04, for a total transaction of $302,687.08. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 2,553 shares in the company, valued at $474,960.12. The trade was a 38.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Ivonne M. Cabrera sold 2,630 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $190.80, for a total value of $501,804.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 72,968 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,922,294.40. This trade represents a 3.48% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock. Dover Price Performance Shares of Dover stock opened at $203.46 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $191.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $182.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.51, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.31. Dover Corporation has a 1-year low of $143.04 and a 1-year high of $222.31. Dover (NYSE:DOV Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, June 30th. The industrial products company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter. Dover had a net margin of 28.37% and a return on equity of 17.62%. The firm had revenue of $1.78 billion for the quarter. Dover has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.500-9.600 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Dover Corporation will post 9.45 earnings per share for the current year. Dover Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th were given a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. Dovers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.79%. Dover Company Profile (Free Report) Dover Corporation is a diversified global manufacturer of industrial products, components and specialty systems that serve a wide range of commercial and industrial end markets. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, the company has built a portfolio of operating businesses that design, manufacture and distribute engineered equipment, aftermarket parts and related services for customers around the world. Dovers activities span several product and solution categories, including fluid-handling and pumping systems, material handling and processing equipment, refrigeration and foodservice technologies, product identification and printing systems, precision components and automation and sensing solutions. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DOV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dover Corporation (NYSE:DOV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dover Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dover 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 peers? We will compare Equity Bancshares to similar businesses based on the strength of its earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, valuation and institutional ownership. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current recommendations for Equity Bancshares and its peers, 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 6.27%. Given Equity Bancshares peers higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Equity Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its peers. Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Equity Bancshares $335.67 million $62.62 million 38.28 Equity Bancshares Competitors $723.51 million $95.99 million 39.05 This table compares Equity Bancshares and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Equity Bancshares peers have higher revenue and earnings than Equity Bancshares. Equity Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Profitability This table compares Equity Bancshares and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Equity Bancshares 5.01% 11.67% 1.33% Equity Bancshares Competitors 7.23% 6.94% 0.79% Volatility & Risk Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.87, indicating that its stock price is 13% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Equity Bancshares peers have a beta of 1.01, indicating that their average stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Dividends Equity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Equity Bancshares pays out 60.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies pay a dividend yield of 2.3% and pay out 67.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Insider & Institutional Ownership 71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies are owned by institutional investors. 6.6% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Equity Bancshares peers 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. SuperGroup (OTCMKTS:SEPGY Get Free Report) and Tillys (NYSE:TLYS Get Free Report) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership and dividends. Profitability This table compares SuperGroup and Tillys net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get SuperGroup alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SuperGroup N/A N/A N/A Tillys -6.24% -39.59% -10.17% Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for SuperGroup and Tillys, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SuperGroup 0 0 0 0 0.00 Tillys 1 4 0 0 1.80 Valuation & Earnings Tillys has a consensus price target of $2.25, indicating a potential upside of 27.48%. Given Tillys stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Tillys is more favorable than SuperGroup. This table compares SuperGroup and Tillyss revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio SuperGroup $655.98 million 0.01 -$177.94 million N/A N/A Tillys $569.45 million 0.09 -$46.23 million ($1.14) -1.55 Tillys has lower revenue, but higher earnings than SuperGroup. Insider & Institutional Ownership 76.4% of Tillys shares are held by institutional investors. 2.8% of Tillys shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Summary Tillys beats SuperGroup on 6 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About SuperGroup (Get Free Report) Superdry plc designs, produces, markets, and sells clothing, footwear, and accessories primarily under the Superdry brand for men and women in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through Retail and Wholesale segments. The Company operates through stores, concessions, various Internet sites, multi-brand independents and distributors, franchise, and license stores. It operates 213 owned, and 410 franchised and licensed stores; and 18 international websites. The company was formerly known as SuperGroup Plc and changed its name to Superdry plc in January 2018. Superdry plc was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Cheltenham, the United Kingdom. About Tillys (Get Free Report) Tillys, Inc. engages in the retail of casual apparel, footwear, and accessories. Its stores are located in retail centers, including malls, lifestyle centers, power centers, community centers, outlet centers, and street-front locations. The company was founded by Hezy Shaked and Tilly Levine in 1982 and is headquartered in Irvine, CA. Receive News & Ratings for SuperGroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SuperGroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Farmers and Merchants Co. (OTCMKTS:FFMH Get Free Report)s share price traded up 1% on Monday . The company traded as high as $49.50 and last traded at $49.50. 600 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 19% from the average session volume of 740 shares. The stock had previously closed at $49.00. First Farmers and Merchants Trading Up 1.0% The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $48.15 and a 200-day moving average price of $45.34. First Farmers and Merchants Company Profile (Get Free Report) First Farmers and Merchants Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Farmers and Merchants Bank that provides various banking and financial services in Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama. The company's deposit products include personal and business checking and savings, and individual retirement and investment accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio comprises personal mortgages; home equity lines of credit; debit and credit cards; personal, auto, and farmer loans; and business loans, such as commercial mortgages, equipment lending and leasing, construction lending, accounts receivable financing, lines of credit, and other products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for First Farmers and Merchants Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Farmers and Merchants and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Geberit AG (OTCMKTS:GBERY Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,563 shares, a decline of 81.2% from the December 15th total of 8,302 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,059 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,059 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days. Geberit Price Performance GBERY stock opened at $79.90 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $77.86 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $76.70. Geberit has a 12-month low of $53.38 and a 12-month high of $81.47. Get Geberit alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have weighed in on GBERY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Geberit to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Geberit in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Reduce. About Geberit (Get Free Report) Geberit AG is a Swiss-based manufacturer specializing in sanitary products and systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Headquartered in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland, the company develops and supplies installation systems, bathroom ceramics, faucets and piping solutions. Its product range encompasses concealed cisterns, flush plates, wall-hung toilets, washbasins, shower trays and underfloor heating systems, complemented by digital bathroom controls and smart water management technologies. Founded in 1874, Geberit evolved from a regional metalworking business into a global market leader in sanitary technology. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Geberit Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Geberit and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. George Weston Ltd. (OTCMKTS:WNGRF Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the six brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on WNGRF. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of George Weston in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Scotiabank reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of George Weston in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Desjardins reissued a buy rating on shares of George Weston in a report on Monday, November 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of George Weston in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Finally, CIBC reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of George Weston in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Get George Weston alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on George Weston George Weston Stock Performance Shares of George Weston stock opened at $164,865.00 on Tuesday. George Weston has a one year low of $49.82 and a one year high of $164,865.00. The company has a market capitalization of $62.75 trillion, a PE ratio of 60,836.92 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 1.42. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $3,363.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1,259.96. George Weston (OTCMKTS:WNGRF Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 14th. The company reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.96 by $0.03. George Weston had a net margin of 2.37% and a return on equity of 13.21%. The firm had revenue of $14.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.95 billion. George Weston Company Profile (Get Free Report) George Weston Limited (OTCMKTS:WNGRF) is a Canadian diversified food processing and distribution company with principal interests in grocery retail and baked goods. The company operates primarily through its controlling ownership of Loblaw Companies Limited, one of Canadas largest food retailers, and through its Weston Foods bakery operations. Its business model spans product manufacturing, retailing, and associated services that support grocery operations and consumer packaged goods distribution. Through its ownership stake in Loblaw, George Weston is connected to a wide array of retail banners, pharmacy operations and private-label brands that serve Canadian consumers, including national supermarket formats and in-store pharmacy and financial services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for George Weston Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for George Weston and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. In a simple coincidence, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) moved into a new headquarters in November. It is based in Dearborn, where its previous headquarters, known as the Glass House, was built in 1956. It will soon demolish the Glass House. 24/7 Wall St. Key Points Both Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) recently moved their headquarters. GM remained in Detroit, while Ford stayed in nearby Dearborn, Michigan. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) has just moved its headquarters from the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit, the tallest building in Detroit, to nearby Hudsons building, once the site of one of Americas largest retailers. To be direct, Ford made a conscious decision not to move into the troubled city. It did overhaul a nearby building known as the Michigan Central Station. It rebuilt the disintegrating former rail station and the surrounding area. The cost of this has been pegged at $950 million. Ford could have had an impressive headquarters in Detroit by investing that amount to build its home base. Ford says its new headquarters will change Fords workspaces, as well as the employee experience. It will also change the way that Ford tests new products and improves products for its customers. Again, that does not have to happen in Dearborn. It could happen in many places in the Detroit area, including within the city limits. Ford has actually built a new campus. About 14,000 people will work in the area. As the Detroit News reported when GM announced its new headquarters, Hudsons Detroit is GMs fourth headquarters in the city and comes under the leadership of two Metro Detroit natives: CEO Mary Barra and President Mark Reuss. General Motors Stock Price Prediction and Forecast 20252030 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. Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS:HHULY Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 55 shares, a drop of 78.0% from the December 15th total of 250 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 4 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 13.8 days. Based on an average trading volume of 4 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 13.8 days. Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft Stock Performance HHULY stock opened at C$12.39 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of C$12.20 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$10.58. Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft has a 52-week low of C$7.66 and a 52-week high of C$12.56. Get Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft alerts: Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS: HHULY), commonly known as HHLA, is a leading German logistics and transport services provider based in Hamburg. The companys core activities center on the handling and storage of maritime containers, supported by a network of modern terminal facilities. In addition to traditional loading and unloading services, HHLA offers terminal automation, warehousing, and value-added handling solutions designed to optimize supply-chain efficiency. At the Port of Hamburg, HHLA operates three major container terminals equipped with advanced gantry cranes and automated storage systems. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE:ADC Get Free Report) CFO Peter Coughenour acquired 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 9th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $69.80 per share, for a total transaction of $34,900.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer directly owned 18,544 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,294,371.20. This trade represents a 2.77% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Agree Realty Stock Performance ADC opened at $71.35 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.68 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $72.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $72.70. The firm has a market cap of $8.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.73, a PEG ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.55. Agree Realty Corporation has a 1-year low of $68.10 and a 1-year high of $79.65. Get Agree Realty alerts: Agree Realty (NYSE:ADC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.02. Agree Realty had a net margin of 28.11% and a return on equity of 3.52%. The company had revenue of $183.22 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $181.87 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.03 earnings per share. Agree Realtys quarterly revenue was up 18.7% on a year-over-year basis. Agree Realty has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.310-4.330 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Agree Realty Corporation will post 4.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Agree Realty Announces Dividend Institutional Investors Weigh In On Agree Realty The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.262 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Agree Realtys payout ratio is currently 183.63%. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Agree Realty by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 15,646,573 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,111,533,000 after acquiring an additional 329,892 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Agree Realty by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,792,525 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $412,954,000 after buying an additional 27,546 shares during the last quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in Agree Realty by 1.8% in the third quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 2,896,229 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $205,748,000 after acquiring an additional 51,269 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Agree Realty by 6.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,680,417 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $205,489,000 after acquiring an additional 170,827 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its position in Agree Realty by 0.7% in the third quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 2,362,396 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $167,825,000 after purchasing an additional 15,389 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.83% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have issued reports on ADC. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Agree Realty from $77.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Agree Realty from $81.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Agree Realty in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Agree Realty from $85.00 to $83.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Agree Realty from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Sunday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $80.23. Read Our Latest Research Report on Agree Realty About Agree Realty (Get Free Report) Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE: ADC) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1971, the company converted to a REIT structure in 2013 and focuses on acquiring, developing and managing a diversified portfolio of retail properties under long-term, triple-net (NNN) leases. Its tenant roster spans national and regional retailers in sectors such as grocery, home improvement, convenience and specialty retail. Agree Realtys primary business activities include sourcing and underwriting new property acquisitions, originating build-to-suit projects and executing value-add redevelopment programs. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Agree Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agree Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:IQI Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $10.15 and last traded at $10.1050, with a volume of 47385 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $10.09. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Price Performance The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $9.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.75. Get Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust alerts: Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.0631 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. Insider Transactions at Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Institutional Inflows and Outflows In other Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust news, Portfolio Manager Jack Connelly sold 3,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.02, for a total value of $39,078.00. Following the transaction, the portfolio manager owned 5,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $55,110. The trade was a 41.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 214,022 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,072,000 after acquiring an additional 6,738 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 23.7% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 112,245 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,087,000 after acquiring an additional 21,515 shares in the last quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC grew its position in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 4.5% in the second quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 44,873 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $421,000 after purchasing an additional 1,921 shares in the last quarter. River Street Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at $143,000. Finally, Olistico Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust during the 2nd quarter worth about $110,000. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust (NYSE: IQI) is a closed-end management investment company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, the funds primary objective is to provide investors with a high level of current income that is exempt from federal income taxes. To achieve this, the trust invests predominantly in investment-grade municipal securities issued by U.S. states, municipalities, and their agencies. The portfolio holds a diversified blend of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and other tax-exempt obligations. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:ILCG Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 12,232 shares, a decline of 67.8% from the December 15th total of 38,005 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 54,121 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 54,121 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. AdvisorShares Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Growth ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $41,913,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares Morningstar Growth ETF by 9,590.0% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 251,940 shares of the companys stock worth $24,413,000 after acquiring an additional 249,340 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in iShares Morningstar Growth ETF by 191.4% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 304,261 shares of the companys stock worth $29,483,000 after acquiring an additional 199,835 shares during the last quarter. Goodman Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in iShares Morningstar Growth ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $17,925,000. Finally, GM Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Growth ETF by 182.2% in the 2nd quarter. GM Advisory Group LLC now owns 246,525 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,888,000 after purchasing an additional 159,159 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Morningstar Growth ETF alerts: iShares Morningstar Growth ETF Trading Up 0.4% Shares of iShares Morningstar Growth ETF stock opened at $105.90 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $2.99 billion, a PE ratio of 38.10 and a beta of 1.16. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $104.08 and a 200 day moving average of $102.48. iShares Morningstar Growth ETF has a 12 month low of $69.47 and a 12 month high of $109.22. iShares Morningstar Growth ETF Company Profile The iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of growth stocks, selected from the top 90% of the US market-cap spectrum. ILCG was launched on Jun 28, 2004 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Morningstar Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Morningstar Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI BIC ETF (NYSEARCA:BKF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 26,655 shares, an increase of 3,920.4% from the December 15th total of 663 shares. Currently, 1.3% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 22,608 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.2 days. Based on an average trading volume of 22,608 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.2 days. Currently, 1.3% of the companys shares are sold short. iShares MSCI BIC ETF Stock Performance Shares of BKF stock traded up $0.88 on Monday, hitting $45.60. 6,718 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,627. iShares MSCI BIC ETF has a one year low of $34.69 and a one year high of $46.23. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $44.49 and its 200 day simple moving average is $43.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $95.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.95 and a beta of 0.38. Get iShares MSCI BIC ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Abound Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI BIC ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in iShares MSCI BIC ETF by 4.4% in the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 24,342 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,101,000 after purchasing an additional 1,028 shares during the last quarter. Allianz SE lifted its position in iShares MSCI BIC ETF by 0.7% in the second quarter. Allianz SE now owns 292,052 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,108,000 after purchasing an additional 2,049 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI BIC ETF by 8.3% during the third quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 31,391 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,420,000 after purchasing an additional 2,408 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI BIC ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $145,000. About iShares MSCI BIC ETF iShares MSCI BRIC ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund is an exchange-traded fund that seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI BRIC Index (the Index). The Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the combined equity market performance in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI BIC ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI BIC ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MGO One Seven LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA Free Report) by 20.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 61,389 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 10,339 shares during the period. MGO One Seven LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $5,732,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EFA. Pineridge Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Addison Advisors LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 56.6% in the second quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 379 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Pflug Koory LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 65.9% in the third quarter. Pflug Koory LLC now owns 375 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Angeles Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the second quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $48,000. 79.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares MSCI EAFE ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Up 0.6% NYSEARCA:EFA opened at $99.41 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $73.36 billion, a PE ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.84. The businesss 50 day moving average is $95.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $93.12. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 52 week low of $72.14 and a 52 week high of $99.44. About iShares MSCI EAFE ETF iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance. The Index includes stocks from Europe, Australasia and the Far East. 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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Japan Airlines Ltd (OTCMKTS:JAPSY Get Free Report)s share price gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $9.63, but opened at $9.27. Japan Airlines shares last traded at $9.27, with a volume of 2,226 shares traded. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Zacks Research lowered shares of Japan Airlines from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Japan Airlines alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Japan Airlines Japan Airlines Trading Down 4.0% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.46. The companys 50 day moving average is $9.36 and its 200 day moving average is $9.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.73 and a beta of 0.38. Japan Airlines (OTCMKTS:JAPSY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.48 billion for the quarter. Japan Airlines had a net margin of 6.48% and a return on equity of 11.17%. On average, research analysts forecast that Japan Airlines Ltd will post 0.8 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Japan Airlines (Get Free Report) Japan Airlines (OTCMKTS:JAPSY) is the flag carrier of Japan, providing both scheduled passenger and cargo air transportation services. The company operates a comprehensive network of domestic and international flights, connecting major cities across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. In addition to its core passenger services, Japan Airlines offers charter operations, cargo logistics and maintenance support through its technical services division. The airlines network is centered on its primary hubs at Tokyos Haneda and Narita airports. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Japan Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Japan Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:JPSWY Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $26.4836, but opened at $28.49. Japan Steel Works shares last traded at $28.49, with a volume of 2 shares. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Japan Steel Works in a report on Thursday, September 25th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Japan Steel Works alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Japan Steel Works Japan Steel Works Stock Up 5.8% The stock has a market cap of $4.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.49 and a beta of 0.29. The businesss 50 day moving average is $28.46 and its 200-day moving average is $30.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 2.18. Japan Steel Works (OTCMKTS:JPSWY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $444.78 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $428.31 million. Japan Steel Works had a net margin of 7.97% and a return on equity of 10.37%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. will post 0.81 EPS for the current fiscal year. Japan Steel Works Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. engages in the provision of industrial machinery products, and material and engineering business in Japan and internationally. It operates through Industrial Machinery Products Business, and Material and Engineering Business segments. The Industrial Machinery Products Business segment offers plastic production and processing machinery, such as pelletizers, film and sheet manufacturing equipment, and twin-screw extruders; molding machines including plastic injection molding, magnesium injection molding, and blow molding machines; and other machinery consists of excimer laser annealing systems, defense equipment, railway products, hot press devices, vacuum laminators, and deposit systems, as well as after-sales services for plastics, mobility, high-performance batteries, electronic devices, and defense applications. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Japan Steel Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Japan Steel Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) traded up 2.6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $209.90 and last traded at $209.7910. 11,726,784 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 47% from the average session volume of 7,983,578 shares. The stock had previously closed at $204.39. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently weighed in on JNJ. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $190.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $193.00 to $208.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday. Johnson Rice set a $190.00 price objective on Johnson & Johnson and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $240.00 target price on Johnson & Johnson in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Scotiabank started coverage on Johnson & Johnson in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $230.00 price target for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Johnson & Johnson presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $213.33. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on JNJ Johnson & Johnson Trading Up 2.6% The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $203.34 and a 200-day moving average price of $185.38. The company has a market capitalization of $505.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.25, a PEG ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.34. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 30th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 32.73% and a net margin of 27.26%.The business had revenue of $24.02 billion during the quarter. Johnson & Johnson has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.800-10.900 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 EPS for the current year. Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 24th will be paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 24th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio is currently 50.19%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Johnson & Johnson A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of JNJ. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Johnson & Johnson in the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Clayton Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson in the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 55.0% in the 2nd quarter. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 203 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. acquired a new position in Johnson & Johnson in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.55% of the companys stock. Johnson & Johnson Company Profile (Get Free Report) Johnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world. The companys pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)s share price dropped 4% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $310.57 and last traded at $311.4830. Approximately 19,129,352 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 77% from the average daily volume of 10,831,937 shares. The stock had previously closed at $324.49. Key Stories Impacting JPMorgan Chase & Co. Here are the key news stories impacting JPMorgan Chase & Co. this week: Get JPMorgan Chase & Co. alerts: Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat JPM reported adjusted EPS and revenue above consensus, helped by strong Markets/trading and NII, which underpins nearterm profitability and supports cash returns to shareholders. MarketBeat: Q4 Results Q4 beat JPM reported adjusted EPS and revenue above consensus, helped by strong Markets/trading and NII, which underpins nearterm profitability and supports cash returns to shareholders. Positive Sentiment: CEO upbeat on macro Jamie Dimon described the U.S. economy as resilient and defended continued investment in tech/AI to protect revenue streams longerterm, a sign management expects durable business momentum. Benzinga: Dimon Outlook CEO upbeat on macro Jamie Dimon described the U.S. economy as resilient and defended continued investment in tech/AI to protect revenue streams longerterm, a sign management expects durable business momentum. Neutral Sentiment: NII guidance and strategic spending JPM outlined ~$95B NII exmarkets and signaled sustained tech/AI and payments buildout that can drive future revenue but will lift expenses in 2026. Investors must decide whether growth offsets higher costs. MSN: NII Guidance & Spending NII guidance and strategic spending JPM outlined ~$95B NII exmarkets and signaled sustained tech/AI and payments buildout that can drive future revenue but will lift expenses in 2026. Investors must decide whether growth offsets higher costs. Neutral Sentiment: Onetime items The quarter included a $2.2B hit tied to the Apple Card acquisition; that lowers headline profit but is nonrecurring, so its longterm effect is limited if integration succeeds. Reuters: Apple Card Charge Onetime items The quarter included a $2.2B hit tied to the Apple Card acquisition; that lowers headline profit but is nonrecurring, so its longterm effect is limited if integration succeeds. Negative Sentiment: Investmentbanking weakness IB fees fell more than expected, a direct hit to fee revenue that markets flagged as a structural soft spot for the quarter. Proactive Investors: IB Miss Investmentbanking weakness IB fees fell more than expected, a direct hit to fee revenue that markets flagged as a structural soft spot for the quarter. Negative Sentiment: Policy/regulatory risk JPMs CFO warned that President Trumps proposed 10% creditcard rate cap would force lenders to cut access to credit and damage margins; markets are pricing in political risk to card revenue and higher lobbying/legal uncertainty. Reuters: CFO on Rate Cap Policy/regulatory risk JPMs CFO warned that President Trumps proposed 10% creditcard rate cap would force lenders to cut access to credit and damage margins; markets are pricing in political risk to card revenue and higher lobbying/legal uncertainty. Negative Sentiment: Market reaction Despite the beat, the stock acted like a market weight dragging indices lower as investors focused on the IB miss, reserve/expense signals and political/regulatory uncertainty, increasing intraday selling pressure. WSJ: Market Reaction Analysts Set New Price Targets JPM has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Dbs Bank raised JPMorgan Chase & Co. to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. DZ Bank reiterated a neutral rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $343.00 to $330.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Loop Capital set a $310.00 price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $300.00 to $320.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $333.90. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Trading Down 4.0% The firm has a market cap of $847.94 billion, a PE ratio of 15.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $315.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $304.82. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 13th. The financial services provider reported $5.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.93 by $0.30. The firm had revenue of $46.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.98 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 20.90% and a return on equity of 17.18%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.81 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 6th will be given a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 6th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.72%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, insider Robin Leopold sold 966 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $311.92, for a total value of $301,314.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 58,479 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,240,769.68. This represents a 1.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 450.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 110 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. acquired a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 3rd quarter worth about $32,000. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC increased its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 92.6% during the 3rd quarter. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC now owns 104 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. purchased a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. 71.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Company Profile (Get Free Report) JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) is a diversified global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. The company provides a wide range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, corporations, governments and institutional investors worldwide. Its operations span retail banking, commercial lending, investment banking, asset management, payments and card services, and treasury and securities services. The firms principal business activities are organized across several core lines: Consumer & Community Banking, which offers deposit accounts, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and branch and digital banking under the Chase brand; Corporate & Investment Banking, which provides capital markets, advisory, underwriting, trading and risk management services; Commercial Banking, delivering lending, treasury and capital solutions to middle-market and corporate clients; and Asset & Wealth Management, which offers investment management, private banking and retirement services to institutions and high-net-worth individuals. See Also Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A new year is often meant to symbolize fresh starts, but for one of America's most recognizable casual dining brands, 2024 delivered the opposite. Instead of renewal, the year was marked by financial troubles, bankruptcy, and a significant loss of its domestic and international footprints. Founded in 1965 in New York City, this restaurant chain became a household name by serving classic American bar food and offering popular happy hour drink deals intended to make every day feel like a Friday. For decades, the brand portrayed itself as a lively escape where guests could relax, enjoy indulgent food, and unwind. But behind that image, the chain had been quietly struggling with years of declining sales and rising costs. Those pressures ultimately reached a tipping point, leaving the company unable to sustain its financial obligations. TGI Fridays' Chapter 11 bankruptcy and widespread closures In early 2024, TGI Fridays began closing dozens of underperforming restaurants nationwide, describing the move as a strategic effort to streamline operations and position the brand for long-term growth. However, the closures continued throughout the year, reaching around 50 locations before the company made the announcement it had long feared would come. In November of that same year, TGI Fridays filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing $37 million in debt. In the court filings, the company attributed much of its financial collapse to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced it to temporarily close restaurants and suffer the aftermath of consumers' cautious spending. The bankruptcy filing applied only to company-owned restaurants, not franchise locations. TGI Fridays secured debtor-in-possession financing, allowing restaurants to remain open and continue normal operations during the restructuring process. At the time of the filing, the brand operated fewer than 40 company-owned restaurants in the U.S., alongside 120 domestic franchise locations, and 316 international units. TGI Fridays announced a new turnaround plan to boost growth after bankruptcy and widespread restaurant closures.Shutterstock Shutterstock TGI Fridays faces international challenges TGI Fridays' struggles expanded beyond the U.S. In September 2024, Hostmore PLC, the brand's UK franchisee, filed for administration, the UK equivalent of bankruptcy, putting 87 restaurants at risk of closure. A month later, investment firms Breal Capital and Calveton acquired the UK business, preventing the brand from disappearing from the region entirely. The deal saved 51 locations and thousands of jobs, though 35 restaurants ultimately closed and more than 1,000 employees were laid off. More Restaurant Business News: Kiker Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 11,749 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,507,000. Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in NVS. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in Novartis by 1.7% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,763 shares of the companys stock valued at $611,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK grew its stake in shares of Novartis by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 2,027 shares of the companys stock worth $260,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the period. Glenview Trust co increased its holdings in shares of Novartis by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Glenview Trust co now owns 3,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $460,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Essex Savings Bank lifted its stake in shares of Novartis by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Essex Savings Bank now owns 4,611 shares of the companys stock valued at $558,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the period. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its position in Novartis by 5.8% during the second quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 1,541 shares of the companys stock valued at $186,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the period. 13.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Novartis alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on NVS shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Monday, December 29th. Bank of America raised Novartis from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Novartis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, January 3rd. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Barclays raised shares of Novartis from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $119.75. Novartis Stock Performance NVS opened at $141.85 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $299.64 billion, a PE ratio of 19.38, a PEG ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.51. Novartis AG has a twelve month low of $97.39 and a twelve month high of $143.49. The firms 50-day moving average price is $133.33 and its 200 day moving average price is $127.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Novartis (NYSE:NVS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $2.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.26 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $14.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.70 billion. Novartis had a net margin of 26.49% and a return on equity of 41.21%. The firms revenue was up 8.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.06 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current fiscal year. Novartis Profile (Free Report) Novartis is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel that researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines and related health-care products. Formed through the 1996 merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, Novartis operates globally and focuses on bringing therapeutics from discovery through clinical development to commercial markets worldwide. The companys activities center on innovative pharmaceuticals across several therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience and ophthalmology, alongside capabilities in advanced therapies such as biologics, cell and gene therapies. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novartis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novartis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Kohls (NYSE:KSS Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Saturday morning. Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Kohls from $4.50 to $7.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued a market perform rating and set a $23.00 price objective (up from $16.00) on shares of Kohls in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Robert W. Baird set a $24.00 price objective on shares of Kohls in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Gordon Haskett upgraded shares of Kohls from an accumulate rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Kohls in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and six have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $15.73. Get Kohl's alerts: Get Our Latest Report on KSS Kohls Price Performance Shares of KSS opened at $19.74 on Friday. Kohls has a twelve month low of $6.04 and a twelve month high of $25.22. The company has a market capitalization of $2.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.48 and a beta of 1.42. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $20.59 and a 200 day moving average of $16.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. Kohls (NYSE:KSS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.19) by $0.29. Kohls had a return on equity of 4.30% and a net margin of 1.23%.The business had revenue of $3.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.37 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.20 EPS. The companys revenue was down 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Kohls has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.250-1.450 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Kohls will post 1.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Kohls Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 24th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th were issued a dividend of $0.125 per share. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 10th. Kohlss payout ratio is currently 29.07%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CFO Jill Timm sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.00, for a total value of $240,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 325,561 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,813,464. This trade represents a 2.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Kohls Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Kohls in the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Kohls by 3,777.6% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 1,851 shares during the last quarter. Caldwell Trust Co purchased a new position in Kohls in the third quarter worth about $33,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC increased its stake in Kohls by 400.0% during the third quarter. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC now owns 2,500 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, iSAM Funds UK Ltd purchased a new stake in Kohls during the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Institutional investors own 98.04% of the companys stock. About Kohls (Get Free Report) Kohls Corporation, founded in 1962 by Maxwell Kohl and headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is a leading American department store retailer. The company operates approximately 1,100 stores across 49 states, offering a combination of value-oriented pricing, private-label brands and national labels. Since its initial public offering in 1992, Kohls has focused on broadening its product assortment and enhancing the in-store and online shopping experience. The retailers merchandise portfolio spans apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty products for women, men and children, as well as home goods, kitchenware and seasonal decor. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Kohl's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kohl's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD Free Report) by 92.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 198,669 shares of the fast-food giants stock after acquiring an additional 95,251 shares during the quarter. McDonalds makes up approximately 3.4% of Liberty One Investment Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Liberty One Investment Management LLCs holdings in McDonalds were worth $60,380,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its holdings in McDonalds by 84.1% during the second quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 141,775 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $41,422,000 after buying an additional 64,757 shares during the period. Welch Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of McDonalds by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Welch Group LLC now owns 206,004 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $60,188,000 after acquiring an additional 2,180 shares during the period. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of McDonalds by 236.7% in the 3rd quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. now owns 6,502 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $1,976,000 after acquiring an additional 4,571 shares during the period. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its position in shares of McDonalds by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 143,492 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $43,606,000 after acquiring an additional 3,774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Choreo LLC lifted its stake in shares of McDonalds by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 58,515 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $17,096,000 after purchasing an additional 954 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the companys stock. Get McDonald's alerts: McDonalds Trading Down 0.2% Shares of McDonalds stock opened at $306.78 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $308.14 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $305.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $218.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.18, a PEG ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.53. McDonalds Corporation has a 12-month low of $276.53 and a 12-month high of $326.32. McDonalds Increases Dividend McDonalds ( NYSE:MCD Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.33 by ($0.11). McDonalds had a net margin of 32.04% and a negative return on equity of 280.89%. The company had revenue of $7.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.10 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.23 earnings per share. McDonaldss quarterly revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This is a boost from McDonaldss previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.48%. Insider Transactions at McDonalds In other news, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,486 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $320.00, for a total value of $795,520.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 6,268 shares in the company, valued at $2,005,760. This trade represents a 28.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 3,195 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.82, for a total value of $977,094.90. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 6,088 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,861,832.16. This trade represents a 34.42% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 42,516 shares of company stock valued at $13,036,090 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MCD has been the topic of several analyst reports. Mizuho upgraded McDonalds to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of McDonalds in a research report on Friday, October 31st. TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $320.00 price objective on shares of McDonalds in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Oppenheimer upgraded shares of McDonalds from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $355.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $335.00 target price on shares of McDonalds in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $328.88. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on McDonalds About McDonalds (Free Report) McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafe coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonalds serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships. Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brands national and international expansion. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MCD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for McDonald's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McDonald's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA acquired a new stake in shares of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 3,960 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $963,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of RNR. New York State Teachers Retirement System increased its holdings in RenaissanceRe by 7.4% in the 3rd quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 53,661 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $13,626,000 after acquiring an additional 3,707 shares during the last quarter. Lecap Asset Management Ltd. grew its position in shares of RenaissanceRe by 512.9% during the third quarter. Lecap Asset Management Ltd. now owns 5,136 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,304,000 after purchasing an additional 4,298 shares in the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of RenaissanceRe by 6.7% during the third quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,960 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $752,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS increased its holdings in shares of RenaissanceRe by 22.7% in the third quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS now owns 14,600 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $3,707,000 after purchasing an additional 2,700 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lifted its position in shares of RenaissanceRe by 815.4% in the third quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 83,065 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $21,093,000 after buying an additional 73,991 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.97% of the companys stock. Get RenaissanceRe alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth RNR has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Mizuho began coverage on RenaissanceRe in a report on Monday, December 15th. They set a neutral rating and a $281.00 price target for the company. Barclays raised their target price on shares of RenaissanceRe from $278.00 to $304.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of RenaissanceRe from $278.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a sell rating and set a $267.00 price objective on shares of RenaissanceRe in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of RenaissanceRe from $278.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, RenaissanceRe has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $295.67. RenaissanceRe Trading Up 0.5% Shares of RNR opened at $274.50 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $269.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $253.90. The company has a market cap of $12.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.63, a P/E/G ratio of 6.43 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. has a twelve month low of $219.00 and a twelve month high of $285.26. RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The insurance provider reported $15.62 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.49 by $6.13. The company had revenue of $3.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.97 billion. RenaissanceRe had a net margin of 14.23% and a return on equity of 16.83%. The firms revenue was down 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $10.23 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. will post 26.04 EPS for the current year. RenaissanceRe Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. RenaissanceRes payout ratio is presently 4.45%. About RenaissanceRe (Free Report) RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. is a global provider of reinsurance and insurance solutions, specializing in property catastrophe, casualty, and specialty lines. Established in 1993 and headquartered in Bermuda, the company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RNR. With a focus on underwriting and risk assessment, RenaissanceRe offers tailored programs designed to help insurers and corporations manage exposure to natural disasters, liability claims, and other complex risks. The company operates through two primary segments: Reinsurance and Insurance. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for RenaissanceRe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RenaissanceRe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Free Report) by 280.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,570 shares of the airlines stock after purchasing an additional 13,683 shares during the quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $593,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of LUV. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Southwest Airlines in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Corsicana & Co. bought a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in Southwest Airlines by 81.4% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,056 shares of the airlines stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 474 shares during the period. Finally, Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in Southwest Airlines in the second quarter valued at about $42,000. 80.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $42.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Southwest Airlines from $38.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price target on Southwest Airlines from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $31.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Southwest Airlines presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $42.11. Southwest Airlines Stock Down 1.5% NYSE LUV opened at $43.86 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $37.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $34.36. Southwest Airlines Co. has a one year low of $23.82 and a one year high of $45.02. The firm has a market cap of $22.68 billion, a PE ratio of 67.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.49 and a quick ratio of 0.42. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The airline reported ($0.38) EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $6.17 billion during the quarter. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 6.39% and a net margin of 1.38%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Investors of record on Friday, December 26th will be given a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio is 110.77%. About Southwest Airlines (Free Report) Southwest Airlines Co is a U.S.-based low-cost carrier that operates a point-to-point domestic and near-international airline network. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company primarily flies Boeing 737 aircraft and offers no-frills, single-class service designed to keep fares competitive. Southwests operating model emphasizes high aircraft utilization, quick turnaround times and an open seating policy, allowing customers to board and select seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Founded in 1967 by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King as Air Southwest Company, Southwest began commercial service in 1971, initially connecting Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LUV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Roblox (NYSE:RBLX Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by research analysts at Morgan Stanley from $170.00 to $155.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the stock. Morgan Stanleys target price would suggest a potential upside of 86.25% from the companys current price. A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on the company. Cowen reissued a sell rating on shares of Roblox in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. BTIG Research cut their target price on shares of Roblox from $180.00 to $174.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Oppenheimer restated an outperform rating and issued a $150.00 price target on shares of Roblox in a research note on Friday, October 31st. B. Riley assumed coverage on Roblox in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued a buy rating and a $125.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of Roblox from $115.00 to $100.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Eighteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Roblox presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $134.23. Get Roblox alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Roblox Roblox Stock Up 8.5% NYSE RBLX traded up $6.50 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $83.22. 10,849,188 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,014,859. The firm has a market cap of $54.50 billion, a PE ratio of -58.40 and a beta of 1.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.96. Roblox has a 52-week low of $50.10 and a 52-week high of $150.59. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $90.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $112.57. Roblox (NYSE:RBLX Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported ($0.37) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.44) by $0.07. Roblox had a negative net margin of 21.70% and a negative return on equity of 314.20%. The firm had revenue of $1.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.64 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.37) earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 70.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Roblox will post -1.49 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other news, Director Anthony P. Lee sold 59,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.96, for a total value of $4,717,640.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 257,258 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,570,349.68. The trade was a 18.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Amy Marie Rawlings sold 2,642 shares of Roblox stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.24, for a total transaction of $251,624.08. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 46,452 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,424,088.48. This represents a 5.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 497,300 shares of company stock valued at $45,713,286 in the last three months. 12.92% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Roblox Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in RBLX. Pilgrim Partners Asia Pte Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Roblox during the third quarter worth $26,000. Total Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in Roblox during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. ORG Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Roblox in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Roblox in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. bought a new position in shares of Roblox during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. 94.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Roblox Company Profile (Get Free Report) Roblox Corporation operates Roblox, a user-generated online platform that enables people to create, share and monetize immersive 3D experiences and games. The core offering centers on Roblox Studio, a development environment that allows independent creators and studios to design interactive worlds using the companys building tools and scripting language. Content on the platform spans games, virtual hangouts, branded experiences and live events, all delivered through a persistent social environment. Robloxs business model is built around its virtual economy and creator ecosystem. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Roblox Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Roblox and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nordea Bank AB (OTCMKTS:NRDBY Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $19.40 and last traded at $19.3080, with a volume of 9189 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $19.17. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Nordea Equity Research downgraded shares of Nordea Bank from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Zacks Research cut Nordea Bank from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Nordea Bank from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Nordea Bank in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets raised Nordea Bank from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Nordea Bank alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Nordea Bank Nordea Bank Stock Performance The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $18.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $16.58. The company has a market capitalization of $66.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.66, a P/E/G ratio of 3.91 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.32, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.23. Nordea Bank (OTCMKTS:NRDBY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The company reported $0.42 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.40 billion during the quarter. Nordea Bank had a return on equity of 15.38% and a net margin of 21.42%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Nordea Bank AB will post 1.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Nordea Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nordea Bank is a leading financial services group focused on serving retail, corporate and institutional customers across the Nordic region. The banks core activities include retail and commercial banking, corporate and institutional banking, asset and wealth management, and related financial services such as payments, cash management and trade finance. Nordea delivers these services through branch and digital channels, aiming to provide integrated banking solutions for everyday consumers, small and medium enterprises, and large corporations. Product offerings span deposit and lending products including mortgages and consumer loans, transaction banking and treasury services for corporate clients, investment and pension solutions through its asset management businesses, and wealth management services for private clients. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nordea Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nordea Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nordea Investment Management AB lowered its holdings in Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 6.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,461,497 shares of the companys stock after selling 173,904 shares during the quarter. Nordea Investment Management ABs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $378,578,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 233,211,283 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,155,222,000 after purchasing an additional 3,189,111 shares during the period. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC raised its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 655,209.0% during the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 76,028,952 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,832,680,000 after buying an additional 76,017,350 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 59,415,933 shares of the companys stock worth $9,439,341,000 after acquiring an additional 1,060,713 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Procter & Gamble during the second quarter worth $5,099,644,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,385,571 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,770,035,000 after buying an additional 294,673 shares in the last quarter. 65.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades PG has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Monday, December 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $165.00 to $157.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Dbs Bank raised Procter & Gamble to a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $168.00 to $150.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane lowered their target price on Procter & Gamble from $177.00 to $172.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 23rd. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Procter & Gamble has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $169.23. Insider Activity at Procter & Gamble In other Procter & Gamble news, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 725 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.57, for a total transaction of $108,438.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 979 shares in the company, valued at approximately $146,429.03. This trade represents a 42.55% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. Procter & Gamble Price Performance NYSE PG opened at $143.48 on Tuesday. Procter & Gamble Company has a 12-month low of $137.62 and a 12-month high of $179.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The firms 50 day moving average is $144.84 and its 200-day moving average is $151.34. The company has a market capitalization of $335.27 billion, a PE ratio of 20.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.79 and a beta of 0.39. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.09. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 19.74% and a return on equity of 32.63%. The firm had revenue of $22.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.23 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.93 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.100 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. 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. Featured Articles 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. North of South Capital LLP raised its position in YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:YPF Free Report) by 4.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,619,983 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock after acquiring an additional 69,634 shares during the period. YPF Sociedad Anonima comprises 3.8% of North of South Capital LLPs portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest position. North of South Capital LLPs holdings in YPF Sociedad Anonima were worth $39,349,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima by 194.9% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,898,315 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $154,052,000 after purchasing an additional 3,237,154 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima by 55.7% in the 2nd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 3,379,408 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $106,282,000 after acquiring an additional 1,208,440 shares in the last quarter. Ping Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima by 88.9% in the second quarter. Ping Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,482,200 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $46,615,000 after acquiring an additional 697,600 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in YPF Sociedad Anonima by 45.5% in the second quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 781,640 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $24,583,000 after purchasing an additional 244,597 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima by 161.2% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 568,507 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $17,880,000 after purchasing an additional 350,842 shares during the last quarter. 10.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get YPF Sociedad Anonima alerts: YPF Sociedad Anonima Stock Down 0.6% YPF stock opened at $33.87 on Tuesday. YPF Sociedad Anonima has a fifty-two week low of $22.82 and a fifty-two week high of $45.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -28.70, a PEG ratio of 0.30 and a beta of 1.48. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $36.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $32.16. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In YPF Sociedad Anonima ( NYSE:YPF Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The oil and gas exploration company reported ($0.53) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.82 by ($1.35). YPF Sociedad Anonima had a negative net margin of 2.45% and a positive return on equity of 2.88%. The business had revenue of $4.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.55 billion. On average, equities analysts anticipate that YPF Sociedad Anonima will post 7.25 earnings per share for the current year. Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on YPF Sociedad Anonima from $47.00 to $44.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, YPF Sociedad Anonima has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $41.67. Get Our Latest Analysis on YPF Sociedad Anonima YPF Sociedad Anonima Profile (Free Report) YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE: YPF) is an integrated oil and gas company headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The companys primary businesses encompass upstream exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, midstream transportation and storage, and downstream refining and distribution. YPF operates several major refineries and a nationwide network of service stations, supplying fuels, lubricants, and petrochemical products to both retail and industrial customers. Founded in 1922 as Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales, YPF was the worlds first stateowned oil company. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding YPF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:YPF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for YPF Sociedad Anonima Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for YPF Sociedad Anonima and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NOM Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.061 per share on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund Trading Down 0.1% Shares of NYSE NOM traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $11.19. The stock had a trading volume of 1,662 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,588. The firms 50-day moving average price is $11.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.04. Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 52 week low of $9.63 and a 52 week high of $12.19. Get Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NOM) is a closed-end investment company that focuses on high-quality, tax-exempt municipal securities issued by the state of Missouri and its political subdivisions. The fund seeks to provide a high level of current income that is exempt from federaland, where applicable, Missouri state and localincome taxes. By concentrating on investment-grade general obligation and revenue bonds, the portfolio aims to balance income potential with capital preservation. Managed by Nuveen Asset Management, a subsidiary of TIAA, the fund employs a disciplined, research-driven approach to credit selection and risk management. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. "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." 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. 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. 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. Story Continues 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. Please visit www.freeportresources.com or contact the email address below for more information. On behalf of the Board, Freeport Resources Inc. Gord Friesen, Chief Executive Officer T. (236) 334-1660 E. gord@freeportresources.com www.freeportresources.com 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 Owlet, Inc. (NYSE:OWLT Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Buy from the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $14.25. A number of research firms have recently weighed in on OWLT. Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Owlet in a report on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Owlet in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research upgraded Owlet from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Northland Securities set a $20.00 target price on Owlet and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Owlet from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Get Owlet alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Owlet Owlet Stock Down 8.4% Shares of OWLT opened at $14.51 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $13.31 and its 200 day moving average is $9.99. Owlet has a 12-month low of $2.75 and a 12-month high of $16.94. The stock has a market cap of $247.75 million, a P/E ratio of -4.92 and a beta of 1.78. Owlet (NYSE:OWLT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.23) by $0.26. The business had revenue of $31.99 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $26.00 million. On average, analysts expect that Owlet will post -0.76 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Owlet Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Granahan Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Owlet by 135.9% during the 3rd quarter. Granahan Investment Management LLC now owns 509,904 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,319,000 after buying an additional 293,771 shares during the last quarter. Next Century Growth Investors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Owlet in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,653,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Owlet by 86.3% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 389,840 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,302,000 after buying an additional 180,619 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Owlet by 70.0% during the second quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 402,260 shares of the companys stock worth $3,379,000 after acquiring an additional 165,657 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Archon Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Owlet in the second quarter worth $442,000. Institutional investors own 72.60% of the companys stock. About Owlet (Get Free Report) Owlet Baby Care, Inc is a consumer health technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of smart baby monitoring products. The companys flagship device, the Owlet Smart Sock, is a wearable monitor that tracks a newborns heart rate and oxygen saturation levels and transmits real-time data to a mobile app. Owlet has since expanded its product suite to include the Owlet Cam, an HD video monitor with audio and motion alerts, and the Dream Sock, a non-wearable device that collects sleep metrics to help parents understand and improve their babys rest patterns. Founded in 2013 by engineer and father Kurt Workman, Owlet is headquartered in Lehi, Utah. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Owlet Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Owlet and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pacific Life Fund Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP Free Report) by 8.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 701,989 shares of the companys stock after selling 61,177 shares during the period. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF makes up about 10.3% of Pacific Life Fund Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 2nd biggest position. Pacific Life Fund Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF were worth $99,970,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Abound Wealth Management raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 223.2% during the 3rd quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 223 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the period. Clean Yield Group bought a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Ryan Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Berkshire Money Management Inc. bought a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $45,000. 74.49% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Stock Up 0.3% Shares of IWP opened at $141.33 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $138.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $140.45. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF has a twelve month low of $99.85 and a twelve month high of $145.60. The stock has a market cap of $21.16 billion, a PE ratio of 30.48 and a beta of 1.15. About iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF, formerly iShares Russell Midcap Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell Midcap Growth Index (the Growth Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market. It is a subset of the Russell Midcap Index and measures the performance of equity securities of Russell Midcap Index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Polaris Capital Management LLC reduced its position in shares of Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WGO Free Report) by 49.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 18,467 shares of the RV manufacturers stock after selling 18,000 shares during the period. Polaris Capital Management LLC owned about 0.07% of Winnebago Industries worth $618,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Winnebago Industries by 53.3% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,107 shares of the RV manufacturers stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 385 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Winnebago Industries by 62.8% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,123 shares of the RV manufacturers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 433 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming increased its stake in Winnebago Industries by 151.4% in the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 3,406 shares of the RV manufacturers stock valued at $99,000 after buying an additional 2,051 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Winnebago Industries during the 2nd quarter worth about $100,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in Winnebago Industries by 135.3% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,694 shares of the RV manufacturers stock worth $107,000 after buying an additional 2,124 shares in the last quarter. Get Winnebago Industries alerts: Winnebago Industries Price Performance Shares of WGO opened at $44.85 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $1.27 billion, a PE ratio of 35.04 and a beta of 1.08. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $38.55 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $35.14. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 2.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. Winnebago Industries, Inc. has a 12-month low of $28.00 and a 12-month high of $50.31. Winnebago Industries Announces Dividend Winnebago Industries ( NYSE:WGO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, December 19th. The RV manufacturer reported $0.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.26. Winnebago Industries had a return on equity of 4.83% and a net margin of 1.27%.The company had revenue of $702.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $628.51 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.03) earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. Winnebago Industries has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.100-2.800 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Winnebago Industries, Inc. will post 3.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 14th will be given a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 14th. Winnebago Industriess dividend payout ratio is presently 109.38%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts recently commented on WGO shares. Roth Capital increased their price target on Winnebago Industries from $36.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Winnebago Industries in a report on Monday, December 29th. KeyCorp restated a sector weight rating on shares of Winnebago Industries in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Winnebago Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 22nd. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Winnebago Industries from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $42.50. Check Out Our Latest Report on Winnebago Industries Insider Activity at Winnebago Industries In related news, CEO Michael J. Happe sold 7,105 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.38, for a total transaction of $294,004.90. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 347,501 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,379,591.38. This trade represents a 2.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Sara E. Armbruster purchased 2,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 24th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $40.27 per share, with a total value of $108,729.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 14,426 shares in the company, valued at $580,935.02. This trade represents a 23.03% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 4.88% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Winnebago Industries Profile (Free Report) Winnebago Industries, Inc is a leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles (RVs) and specialty vehicles, headquartered in Forest City, Iowa. Since its founding in 1958, the company has gained recognition for its motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth-wheel products under the Winnebago and Grand Design brands. Its portfolio also includes towable RVs, camper vans and commercial vehicles tailored for healthcare, government and mobile retail applications. In addition to vehicle production, Winnebago Industries maintains an extensive dealer and service network across the United States and Canada, supplemented by parts distribution centers and customer support resources. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Winnebago Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Winnebago Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Polaris Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS Free Report) by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 607,101 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 16,600 shares during the period. Webster Financial accounts for about 2.4% of Polaris Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Polaris Capital Management LLC owned 0.37% of Webster Financial worth $36,086,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in Webster Financial by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,296,071 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $289,165,000 after buying an additional 246,774 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Webster Financial by 14.5% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,453,778 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $188,576,000 after purchasing an additional 438,131 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Webster Financial during the second quarter valued at about $131,780,000. Azora Capital LP boosted its holdings in Webster Financial by 30.5% during the second quarter. Azora Capital LP now owns 1,886,385 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $102,997,000 after purchasing an additional 440,347 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its position in Webster Financial by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 1,612,758 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $88,057,000 after purchasing an additional 23,605 shares in the last quarter. 85.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Webster Financial alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have commented on WBS shares. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Webster Financial from $75.00 to $70.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Barclays lifted their price target on Webster Financial from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Webster Financial in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Cowen began coverage on Webster Financial in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $72.00 price target on shares of Webster Financial in a report on Friday. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $72.77. Insider Activity In other news, CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.45, for a total value of $443,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 231,872 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,857,302.40. This trade represents a 3.34% 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. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Webster Financial Trading Down 2.4% Shares of Webster Financial stock opened at $63.20 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.77, a P/E/G ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.05. Webster Financial Corporation has a 52-week low of $39.43 and a 52-week high of $66.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.85. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $61.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $59.73. Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.02. Webster Financial had a net margin of 21.32% and a return on equity of 11.07%. The firm had revenue of $756.06 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $725.22 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.34 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Webster Financial Corporation will post 5.88 EPS for the current year. Webster Financial Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. Webster Financials payout ratio is presently 29.80%. About Webster Financial (Free Report) Webster Financial Corporation is a bank holding company headquartered in Waterbury, Connecticut. Through its principal subsidiary, Webster Bank, N.A., the company offers a broad range of banking products and financial services to individuals, small businesses, and middle-market commercial clients. Key offerings include deposit accounts, residential and commercial real estate lending, equipment finance, treasury management, and payment processing solutions. In addition to traditional banking services, Webster Financial provides wealth management and insurance products designed to help clients plan for retirement, preserve assets, and manage risk. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WBS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Webster Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Webster Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Primerica, Inc. (NYSE:PRI Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the seven ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $300.00. Several research firms have commented on PRI. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on Primerica from $320.00 to $315.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Piper Sandler set a $292.00 price target on Primerica and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. BMO Capital Markets raised Primerica from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $292.00 to $318.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $292.00 price objective on shares of Primerica in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Primerica from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Get Primerica alerts: Get Our Latest Report on PRI Primerica Stock Performance Shares of Primerica stock opened at $265.55 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.20 and a beta of 0.90. Primerica has a 1 year low of $230.98 and a 1 year high of $298.75. The companys fifty day moving average is $258.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $264.64. Primerica (NYSE:PRI Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $6.33 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.52 by $0.81. Primerica had a net margin of 22.36% and a return on equity of 31.75%. The business had revenue of $838.88 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $817.81 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $4.83 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Primerica will post 20.6 earnings per share for the current year. Primerica announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Wednesday, November 19th that permits the company to repurchase $475.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to reacquire up to 5.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Primerica Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st were given a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 21st. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. Primericas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.12%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Primerica news, President Peter W. Schneider sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $255.30, for a total transaction of $510,600.00. Following the transaction, the president owned 7,301 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,863,945.30. The trade was a 21.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Joel M. Babbit sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $255.00, for a total value of $178,500.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 8,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,142,000. This trade represents a 7.69% 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 5,200 shares of company stock worth $1,338,225. Company insiders own 0.61% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Primerica Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PRI. Olympiad Research LP increased its holdings in Primerica by 3.9% in the second quarter. Olympiad Research LP now owns 1,061 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $290,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Primerica by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 3,866 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,058,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Primerica by 6.5% in the 3rd quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 836 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $232,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC increased its stake in Primerica by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 1,776 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $486,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its holdings in Primerica by 0.3% during the second quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 22,844 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,252,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Primerica (Get Free Report) Primerica, Inc is a financial services company that focuses on delivering term life insurance and investment products to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The firm operates a network of independent, licensed representatives who provide personalized guidance on coverage needs, retirement planning, and wealth accumulation. Primericas core mission is to help clients obtain affordable life insurance protection while also offering a suite of savings and investment solutions designed for long-term financial security. In addition to term life insurance, Primerica offers a range of financial products and services that include mutual funds, annuities, auto and home insurance through partner carriers, and personal lending solutions such as secured and unsecured loans. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Primerica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Primerica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primoris Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Free Report) in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 7,850 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $2,260,000. Huntington Ingalls Industries makes up approximately 1.4% of Primoris Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 24th biggest position. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries in the second quarter valued at $25,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its stake in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 140.0% in the 2nd quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 108 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. SouthState Corp lifted its position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 310.0% during the second quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 123 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 400.0% in the second quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 125 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 363.3% in the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 139 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.46% of the companys stock. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have commented on HII. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $287.00 to $342.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen lowered Huntington Ingalls Industries from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from $320.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Melius raised shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Huntington Ingalls Industries presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $325.75. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Huntington Ingalls Industries news, VP Chad N. Boudreaux sold 787 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $314.17, for a total transaction of $247,251.79. Following the sale, the vice president owned 20,441 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,421,948.97. The trade was a 3.71% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Edmond E. Jr. Hughes sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 8,731 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,754,106.64. The trade was a 8.87% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 17,103 shares of company stock valued at $5,477,768. Corporate insiders own 0.86% of the companys stock. Huntington Ingalls Industries Stock Performance Shares of HII opened at $398.39 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $329.28 and a 200-day moving average of $292.47. The company has a market cap of $15.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.14. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. has a 1 year low of $158.88 and a 1 year high of $399.61. Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The aerospace company reported $3.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.39. The business had revenue of $3.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.95 billion. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a net margin of 4.74% and a return on equity of 11.79%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.56 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 13.99 earnings per share for the current year. Huntington Ingalls Industries Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th were issued a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. This is a boost from Huntington Ingalls Industriess previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. Huntington Ingalls Industriess dividend payout ratio is presently 38.12%. About Huntington Ingalls Industries (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HII? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Free Report). 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. Primoris Wealth Advisors LLC trimmed its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 14.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 17,713 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,100 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International accounts for approximately 1.8% of Primoris Wealth Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Primoris Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $2,873,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Traub Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Marquette Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 1,677.8% in the third quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 160 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Abound Wealth Management boosted its position in Philip Morris International by 566.7% in the 2nd quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 160 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Briaud Financial Planning Inc grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 266.7% during the 2nd quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 165 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the period. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Stock Up 1.6% PM opened at $165.22 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $156.05 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $161.90. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $116.12 and a 52-week high of $186.69. The company has a market cap of $257.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.93, a PEG ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.40. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.33% and a negative return on equity of 122.14%. On average, research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Investors of record on Friday, December 26th will be paid a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 106.52%. Analysts Set New Price Targets PM has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $189.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Philip Morris International Philip Morris International Profile (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE: PM) is a global tobacco company that manufactures and sells cigarettes, other nicotine-containing products and a growing portfolio of smoke-free alternatives for adult smokers. The firm traces its corporate roots to the 19th century Philip Morris enterprise and was established as an independent, publicly traded company following a 2008 separation from what is now Altria. Since the spin-off, the company has focused on serving international markets outside the United States. PMIs product mix includes traditional combustible cigarettes as well as smoke-free offerings such as heated tobacco systems and other reduced-risk products. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Saturday morning. Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on PRU. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Mizuho assumed coverage on Prudential Financial in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $125.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Prudential Financial from $120.00 to $117.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wolfe Research started coverage on Prudential Financial in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and an average target price of $118.60. Get Prudential Financial alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Prudential Financial Prudential Financial Trading Down 0.3% NYSE:PRU opened at $117.76 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $111.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $106.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $41.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 0.97. Prudential Financial has a 1-year low of $90.38 and a 1-year high of $123.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $3.58 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $8.35 billion during the quarter. Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.65% and a return on equity of 16.60%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Prudential Financial will post 14.36 earnings per share for the current year. Prudential Financial Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 18th were paid a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 18th. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 74.18%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Chairman Charles F. Lowrey sold 48,164 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.39, for a total value of $5,172,331.96. Following the transaction, the chairman directly owned 165,564 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,779,917.96. This trade represents a 22.54% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Timothy L. Schmidt sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.69, for a total value of $861,520.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 11,535 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,242,204.15. This represents a 40.95% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 62,719 shares of company stock valued at $6,796,067 over the last 90 days. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Prudential Financial Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wealth Watch Advisors INC acquired a new stake in Prudential Financial during the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 146.5% in the 3rd quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC now owns 350 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Prudential Financial during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $36,000. AlphaCore Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Prudential Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Capital A Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Prudential Financial by 4,600.0% during the second quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 376 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 368 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 56.83% of the companys stock. About Prudential Financial (Get Free Report) Prudential Financial, Inc, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, is a diversified financial services company with roots dating to 1875. The firm provides a range of insurance, retirement and investment products aimed at helping individual and institutional clients manage risk, accumulate and protect wealth, and plan for retirement. Prudentials long history in life insurance and related financial services has positioned it as a major participant in the U.S. insurance market and a provider of services to a broad client base. Prudentials core business activities include individual life insurance, annuities, retirement solutions and group insurance products for employers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT Free Report) Research analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for California Water Service Group in a research report issued on Monday, January 12th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the utilities provider will post earnings per share of $0.69 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $0.66. The consensus estimate for California Water Service Groups current full-year earnings is $3.15 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for California Water Service Groups Q4 2026 earnings at $0.39 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.27 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.72 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.32 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $0.32 EPS. Get California Water Service Group alerts: California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.20 by ($0.17). The business had revenue of $311.24 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $321.35 million. California Water Service Group had a return on equity of 8.23% and a net margin of 13.61%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.03 EPS. A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on CWT. Robert W. Baird set a $55.00 price target on shares of California Water Service Group in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of California Water Service Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, California Water Service Group currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $55.00. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on California Water Service Group California Water Service Group Trading Up 2.2% NYSE:CWT opened at $44.59 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $44.39 and a 200-day moving average price of $45.67. California Water Service Group has a 12 month low of $41.29 and a 12 month high of $51.63. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market cap of $2.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.47, a P/E/G ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.64. California Water Service Group Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. California Water Service Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 52.40%. Institutional Trading of California Water Service Group A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of California Water Service Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,757,000. Amundi boosted its holdings in California Water Service Group by 19.4% in the third quarter. Amundi now owns 2,276,599 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $104,318,000 after acquiring an additional 369,430 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in shares of California Water Service Group by 5,365.1% in the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 368,074 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $16,891,000 after acquiring an additional 361,339 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in shares of California Water Service Group during the first quarter valued at $5,979,000. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. purchased a new position in shares of California Water Service Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $4,548,000. 82.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About California Water Service Group (Get Free Report) California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) is a publicly traded holding company that provides regulated water utility services through its subsidiaries. The company delivers safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater management to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers across California, Hawaii and New Mexico. Its principal operating units include California Water Service, New Mexico Water Service and Hawaii Water Service, each responsible for endtoend water supply operationsfrom source development and treatment to distribution and customer service. Founded in 1926 as the California Water Service Company, the group has grown to become one of the largest investorowned water utilities in the United States by customer count. See Also Receive News & Ratings for California Water Service Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for California Water Service Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:RKT Get Free Report) Director Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.78, for a total value of $56,950.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 1,041,036 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,714,800.08. This represents a 0.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Matthew Rizik also recently made the following trade(s): Get Rocket Companies alerts: On Monday, January 12th, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.99, for a total value of $57,475.00. On Wednesday, January 7th, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.26, for a total value of $53,150.00. On Monday, December 29th, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.25, for a total transaction of $48,125.00. On Friday, December 26th, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.38, for a total transaction of $48,450.00. On Wednesday, December 24th, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.44, for a total transaction of $48,600.00. On Monday, December 22nd, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.99, for a total transaction of $47,475.00. On Friday, December 19th, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.21, for a total transaction of $48,025.00. On Wednesday, December 17th, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.21, for a total transaction of $45,525.00. On Friday, December 12th, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.99, for a total transaction of $47,475.00. On Wednesday, December 10th, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.17, for a total value of $47,925.00. Rocket Companies Stock Performance Shares of RKT traded down $0.42 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $22.76. 30,022,775 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 37,727,172. Rocket Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $10.41 and a twelve month high of $23.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16, a current ratio of 19.68 and a quick ratio of 19.68. The company has a market capitalization of $47.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 284.55 and a beta of 2.29. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $18.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.83. Analysts Set New Price Targets Rocket Companies ( NYSE:RKT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.07. The firm had revenue of $1.78 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.65 billion. Rocket Companies had a positive return on equity of 2.83% and a negative net margin of 1.77%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 148.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.08 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Rocket Companies, Inc. will post 0.15 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several analysts recently commented on RKT shares. UBS Group set a $17.00 price target on shares of Rocket Companies and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Zacks Research raised shares of Rocket Companies from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Rocket Companies in a report on Friday, December 19th. They set a buy rating and a $25.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $22.00 price target (up previously from $16.00) on shares of Rocket Companies in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on Rocket Companies from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Rocket Companies has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $20.50. Get Our Latest Analysis on Rocket Companies Rocket Companies News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Rocket Companies this week: Positive Sentiment: Political catalyst: President Trumps spotlight on a housing-affordability plan drove investor enthusiasm for mortgage and housing-related stocks, pushing RKT to multiyear highs. Rocket Stock Just Hit a New 3-Year High Political catalyst: President Trumps spotlight on a housing-affordability plan drove investor enthusiasm for mortgage and housing-related stocks, pushing RKT to multiyear highs. Positive Sentiment: Momentum confirmation: Additional coverage noted RKTs large YTD gains (reports saying ~+125%), reinforcing momentum-driven flows into the name. Rocket Companies Stock Is Up 125% Momentum confirmation: Additional coverage noted RKTs large YTD gains (reports saying ~+125%), reinforcing momentum-driven flows into the name. Positive Sentiment: New trading vehicle: Defiance launched RKTL, a daily 2x long ETF for RKT likely to increase intraday volume, volatility and shortterm bullish flows from active traders. Defiance Launches RKTL New trading vehicle: Defiance launched RKTL, a daily 2x long ETF for RKT likely to increase intraday volume, volatility and shortterm bullish flows from active traders. Neutral Sentiment: Technical action: Analysts and trading write-ups show consolidation after a >10% intraday rally; market is watching whether the breakout holds. Will The Rocket Companies Breakout Hold? Technical action: Analysts and trading write-ups show consolidation after a >10% intraday rally; market is watching whether the breakout holds. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst mix: Coverage is increasing (Benzinga notes eight analysts takes) with varied views; JPMorgan initiated coverage with a neutral rating and $24 price target modest upside from here. 8 Analysts Have This To Say About Rocket Companies Analyst mix: Coverage is increasing (Benzinga notes eight analysts takes) with varied views; JPMorgan initiated coverage with a neutral rating and $24 price target modest upside from here. Negative Sentiment: Fundamental/valuation risks: RKT trades near its 52week high with a very high trailing P/E (~285) and a negative net margin despite strong revenue growth these factors support profit-taking risk and make the stock sensitive to any slowdown in housing optimism. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rocket Companies A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RKT. Cloud Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Rocket Companies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. North Capital Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Rocket Companies by 287.2% in the 2nd quarter. North Capital Inc. now owns 1,820 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 1,350 shares during the period. SouthState Corp boosted its stake in shares of Rocket Companies by 2,044.8% in the second quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 2,059 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 1,963 shares in the last quarter. Miller Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Rocket Companies by 65.0% during the third quarter. Miller Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,650 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 650 shares during the period. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Rocket Companies during the third quarter worth $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.59% of the companys stock. About Rocket Companies (Get Free Report) Rocket Companies, Inc is a Detroit-based holding company whose businesses are centered on digital mortgage origination and related consumer finance and real estate services. The company grew out of the Quicken Loans franchise and completed an initial public offering in 2020. Founder Dan Gilbert remains a prominent figure associated with the firm, which operates a suite of brands that aim to simplify the home financing and buying experience through technology and scale. The companys core activity is mortgage lending through its Rocket Mortgage platform, which offers online application, underwriting and servicing for home purchase and refinance loans. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Rocket Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rocket Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. By Elizabeth Howcroft PARIS, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Nearly a third of crypto companies without an EU licence in France are still to tell the regulator whether they intend to get the licence required under new EU rules or will cease operating by July, the country's markets regulator warned on Tuesday. More from Yahoo Scout What are France's concerns about EU crypto regulation? What is the MiCA licensing deadline for crypto companies? How many French crypto companies haven't responded to regulators? Which major crypto companies have received MiCA licences? Under the European Union's crypto rules, MiCA, crypto companies must receive licences from national regulators in order to be able to operate across the bloc. Those rules, a landmark regulatory package, came into force last year to bring crypto assets under formal regulation. Stephane Pontoizeau, executive director of the market intermediaries and market infrastructures supervision directorate at the AMF, told journalists in Paris that the regulator had written to companies in November to remind them that the country's transition period ends on June 30 this year. Of about 90 registered crypto companies in France that are not MiCA-licenced, 30% have already applied for a licence and 40% were not seeking one. A remaining 30% had not told the regulator their plans nor responded to the November letter, Pontoizeau said, adding that he was concerned by this group. 'ORDERLY WIND-DOWN PLANS' The European Securities and Markets Authority said in December it expects crypto companies without MiCA authorisation to have either implemented "orderly wind-down plans" or have such plans in place by the end of the transition period, which varies for different EU countries. MiCA licences have been granted to crypto companies including U.S. exchange Coinbase, stablecoin issuer Circle, and British fintech Revolut. Last year, France threatened to challenge the "passporting" of licences granted by different member states, saying it was concerned companies were seeking out jurisdictions with more lenient licensing standards. In December, the European Commission proposed that ESMA should supervise crypto companies at a centralised EU level, a move which is opposed by some countries. Setting out the regulator's 2026 plans, AMF President Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani also reiterated France's support for boosting European capital markets, and for giving more powers to ESMA. (Reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft; Editing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes and Jan Harvey) Romanian Investment Fund (NYSEAMERICAN:RIF Get Free Report) shares rose 1.2% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $11.93 and last traded at $11.90. Approximately 60,100 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 12% from the average daily volume of 68,210 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.76. Romanian Investment Fund Price Performance The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $11.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $11.90. Get Romanian Investment Fund alerts: About Romanian Investment Fund (Get Free Report) Romanian Investment Fund is a closed-end investment company listed on the NYSE American under the ticker RIF. The funds primary objective is long-term capital appreciation through equity investments in Romanian companies across a range of industries, including financial services, industrials, consumer goods and real estate. By pooling capital into a diversified portfolio of publicly traded and privately placed Romanian securities, the fund offers investors targeted exposure to the countrys growing economy and capital markets. The fund is managed by a Bucharest-based team that conducts fundamental research and company analysis to identify growth opportunities and attractively valued equities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Romanian Investment Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Romanian Investment Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) had its price objective decreased by research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$62.00 to C$61.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective indicates a potential upside of 32.44% from the companys current price. Several other brokerages have also commented on CNQ. Evercore ISI lowered Canadian Natural Resources from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Evercore Partners lowered Canadian Natural Resources from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and set a C$50.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Scotiabank increased their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$54.00 to C$58.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. National Bankshares reduced their price objective on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$48.00 to C$47.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Finally, Desjardins set a C$52.00 target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Canadian Natural Resources currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$53.70. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Canadian Natural Resources Canadian Natural Resources Trading Up 2.8% Shares of TSE:CNQ traded up C$1.25 during trading on Tuesday, reaching C$46.06. The stock had a trading volume of 5,495,890 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,021,199. Canadian Natural Resources has a 52 week low of C$34.92 and a 52 week high of C$49.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.79, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.84. The firms fifty day moving average is C$45.73 and its 200 day moving average is C$44.20. The stock has a market cap of C$95.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.53, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 0.71. Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported C$0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$9.52 billion for the quarter. Canadian Natural Resources had a net margin of 21.25% and a return on equity of 19.14%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Canadian Natural Resources will post 3.833989 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Canadian Natural Resources (Get Free Report) Canadian Natural Resources is one of the largest oil and natural gas producers in western Canada, supplemented by operations in the North Sea and Offshore Africa. The companys portfolio includes light and medium oil, heavy oil, bitumen, synthetic oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas. Production averaged 1.16 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020, and the company estimates that it holds over 11.5 billion boe of proven and probable crude oil and natural gas reserves. Further Reading 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. Scor SE (OTCMKTS:SCRYY Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Tuesday . 24,174 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 66% from the previous sessions volume of 14,522 shares.The stock last traded at $3.31 and had previously closed at $3.39. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on SCRYY shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Scor in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of Scor in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Zacks Research upgraded Scor from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Scor from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy. Get Scor alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Scor Scor Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $5.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.13 and a beta of 0.59. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $3.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3.32. Scor (OTCMKTS:SCRYY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.14. The business had revenue of $4.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.75 billion. Scor had a net margin of 5.63% and a return on equity of 20.01%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Scor SE will post -0.01 EPS for the current year. Scor Company Profile (Get Free Report) SCOR SE, trading over-the-counter as SCRYY, is a leading global reinsurer headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in 1970, the company specializes in providing property & casualty and life & health reinsurance solutions to insurance companies worldwide. By pooling and diversifying risk, SCOR enables its clients to underwrite larger exposures, stabilize loss experience and safeguard their balance sheets against extreme events. The companys main business activities encompass risk underwriting, claims management and portfolio solutions designed to address evolving market needs. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Scor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Scor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ORG Partners LLC lessened its stake in shares of Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:EUAD Free Report) by 95.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,077 shares of the companys stock after selling 22,311 shares during the quarter. ORG Partners LLCs holdings in Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF were worth $51,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EUAD. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. purchased a new position in Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $56,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF by 82.8% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,258 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 570 shares during the last quarter. NBT Bank N A NY lifted its stake in shares of Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF by 283.6% during the second quarter. NBT Bank N A NY now owns 1,400 shares of the companys stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 1,035 shares during the period. SSA Swiss Advisors AG purchased a new position in shares of Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $76,000. Finally, Chung Wu Investment Group LLC acquired a new stake in Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $155,000. Get Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF alerts: Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF Stock Up 80.8% EUAD stock opened at $48.06 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $42.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $43.17. Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF has a one year low of $24.24 and a one year high of $43.88. Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF Company Profile The Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (EUAD) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in industrials equity. The fund tracks a narrow index of European stocks, or ADRs of companies headquartered in Europe, who derive a significant portion of their revenue from the aerospace and defense industry. Holdings are weighted based on market-cap. EUAD was launched on Oct 22, 2024 and is issued by Tuttle Capital. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EUAD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:EUAD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW Get Free Report) had its target price cut by research analysts at Oppenheimer from $230.00 to $200.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the information technology services providers stock. Oppenheimers price target points to a potential upside of 43.60% from the companys previous close. Several other research analysts have also commented on the company. Zacks Research lowered ServiceNow from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $240.00 target price on shares of ServiceNow in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of ServiceNow from $242.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $195.00 price objective (down previously from $240.00) on shares of ServiceNow in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $263.00 target price on shares of ServiceNow and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-two have assigned a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, ServiceNow presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $215.97. Get ServiceNow alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on ServiceNow ServiceNow Trading Down 2.4% Insider Transactions at ServiceNow NOW traded down $3.36 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $139.28. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,177,462 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,849,110. The stock has a market cap of $144.62 billion, a PE ratio of 84.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.98. ServiceNow has a fifty-two week low of $135.73 and a fifty-two week high of $239.62. The businesss 50-day moving average is $161.17 and its 200-day moving average is $177.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 1.06. In related news, Director Paul Edward Chamberlain sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.60, for a total transaction of $242,400.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 47,930 shares in the company, valued at $7,745,488. This trade represents a 3.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Paul Fipps sold 1,525 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $163.51, for a total value of $249,352.75. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 2,705 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $442,294.55. This represents a 36.05% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 15,310 shares of company stock worth $2,533,585. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On ServiceNow Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of NOW. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 2,753 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,919,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares during the period. Modern Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 16.9% during the first quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC now owns 402 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $320,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in ServiceNow by 6.9% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 5,704 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $5,864,000 after purchasing an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Co. lifted its position in ServiceNow by 26.3% in the second quarter. Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Co. now owns 1,239 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,274,000 after purchasing an additional 258 shares during the period. Finally, Everpar Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in ServiceNow in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $331,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.18% of the companys stock. ServiceNow Company Profile (Get Free Report) ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is a cloud computing company that builds enterprise software to manage digital workflows and automate business processes. Its offerings are designed to replace manual work and legacy systems with cloud-based, service-oriented applications that support IT operations, customer service, human resources, security response and other enterprise functions. The companys flagship product family is the Now Platform, a suite of subscription software and platform services that includes IT Service Management (ITSM), IT Operations Management (ITOM), IT Business Management (ITBM), Customer Service Management (CSM), HR Service Delivery, Security Operations and Asset Management. See Also Receive News & Ratings for ServiceNow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ServiceNow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF (NYSEARCA:USNG Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 6 shares, an increase of 200.0% from the December 15th total of 2 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 779 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 779 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are short sold. Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF Price Performance Shares of Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF stock traded down $0.01 on Tuesday, reaching $28.33. 2,402 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,571. Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF has a 52 week low of $24.49 and a 52 week high of $28.85. The firms 50-day moving average is $27.74 and its two-hundred day moving average is $27.12. Get Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF alerts: Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also The Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF (USNG) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in energy equity. The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through an actively managed portfolio of US-listed companies involved in the upstream, midstream, and downstream categories of the natural gas industry. USNG was launched on May 20, 2025 and is issued by Amplify Investments. Receive News & Ratings for Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Skeena Resources (TSE:SKE Get Free Report) had its target price raised by investment analysts at CIBC from C$40.00 to C$44.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs price objective would indicate a potential upside of 19.60% from the companys current price. A number of other analysts have also issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on Skeena Resources from C$34.00 to C$53.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Desjardins upgraded shares of Skeena Resources to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, TD Securities increased their price objective on Skeena Resources from C$28.00 to C$35.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Skeena Resources presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$34.40. Get Skeena Resources alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on SKE Skeena Resources Stock Performance Skeena Resources Company Profile TSE:SKE traded up C$0.06 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching C$36.79. The stock had a trading volume of 175,021 shares, compared to its average volume of 259,947. Skeena Resources has a 12-month low of C$12.15 and a 12-month high of C$37.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.27, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a current ratio of 1.87. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$29.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$25.48. The stock has a market cap of C$4.46 billion, a P/E ratio of -37.54 and a beta of 2.11. (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. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,959,032 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 25,931 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up approximately 0.9% of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 13th largest holding. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. owned about 0.21% of Eli Lilly and Company worth $1,494,741,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of LLY. Braun Bostich & Associates Inc. boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.5% in the second quarter. Braun Bostich & Associates Inc. now owns 527 shares of the companys stock worth $411,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Rise Advisors LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 732 shares of the companys stock worth $571,000 after buying an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Occidental Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Occidental Asset Management LLC now owns 1,966 shares of the companys stock worth $1,533,000 after acquiring an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. New Insight Wealth Advisors increased its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. New Insight Wealth Advisors now owns 394 shares of the companys stock valued at $307,000 after acquiring an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dash Acquisitions Inc. raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the second quarter. Dash Acquisitions Inc. now owns 485 shares of the companys stock worth $387,000 after acquiring an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages recently weighed in on LLY. CICC Research raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Wolfe Research increased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Daiwa America raised Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. HSBC restated 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, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $1,169.00. More Eli Lilly and Company News Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week: Positive Sentiment: Nvidia partnership Lilly and Nvidia will fund a San Francisco Bay Area coinnovation AI lab with up to $1 billion committed over five years to accelerate AIdriven drug discovery; the deal boosts Lillys AI capabilities and signalmarkets view it as a major productivity/innovation catalyst. Nvidia, Eli Lilly to spend $1 billion over five years on joint research lab Nvidia partnership Lilly and Nvidia will fund a San Francisco Bay Area coinnovation AI lab with up to $1 billion committed over five years to accelerate AIdriven drug discovery; the deal boosts Lillys AI capabilities and signalmarkets view it as a major productivity/innovation catalyst. Positive Sentiment: Ventyx acquisition Markets reacted positively to Lillys deal for Ventyx Biosciences (inflammationfocused assets that could complement Lillys GLP1 franchise), which investors interpret as strategic bolton M&A that expands weightloss program adjacencies and clinical upside. Eli Lilly Stock Broke Out Following Plan To Acquire Ventyx Biosciences Ventyx acquisition Markets reacted positively to Lillys deal for Ventyx Biosciences (inflammationfocused assets that could complement Lillys GLP1 franchise), which investors interpret as strategic bolton M&A that expands weightloss program adjacencies and clinical upside. Positive Sentiment: Manufacturing expansion Lillys large Houston manufacturing project (multibillion dollar plant) supports production capacity for growing drug volumes and reduces supply risk, a positive for longterm revenue visibility. Texas seals Eli Lillys plans for $7B manufacturing plant in Houston biotech hub Manufacturing expansion Lillys large Houston manufacturing project (multibillion dollar plant) supports production capacity for growing drug volumes and reduces supply risk, a positive for longterm revenue visibility. Positive Sentiment: Supply reassurance for orforglipron Lilly said its confident in supply ahead of expected U.S. approval for its oral weightloss candidate, reducing nearterm execution risk around a potential major launch. Lilly says its confident weight-loss pill supply ahead of U.S. approval Supply reassurance for orforglipron Lilly said its confident in supply ahead of expected U.S. approval for its oral weightloss candidate, reducing nearterm execution risk around a potential major launch. Neutral Sentiment: Aktis/AKTS exposure and other biotech bets Lillys equity and collaboration investments (e.g., Aktis) signal diversified R&D exposure but remain speculative and will only move LLY materially if programs hit milestones. Aktis/AKTS exposure and other biotech bets Lillys equity and collaboration investments (e.g., Aktis) signal diversified R&D exposure but remain speculative and will only move LLY materially if programs hit milestones. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary & price forecasts Several outlets reiterated growth narratives and longterm forecasts (Zacks, Motley Fool, 24/7 Wall St. pieces), supporting investor sentiment but not immediate fundamentals. Analyst commentary & price forecasts Several outlets reiterated growth narratives and longterm forecasts (Zacks, Motley Fool, 24/7 Wall St. pieces), supporting investor sentiment but not immediate fundamentals. Negative Sentiment: Competition from Novo Nordisks Wegovy pill The launch of an oral Wegovy competitor increases market competition in the oral weightloss category and was earlier cited as the key nearterm headwind that pressured LLY shares. (Market reaction has been mixed as investors weigh competition vs. Lillys pipeline and M&A.) Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance LLY stock opened at $1,080.92 on Tuesday. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $623.78 and a twelve month high of $1,133.95. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. The company has a market cap of $1.02 trillion, a P/E ratio of 52.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.35. The businesss fifty day moving average is $1,040.85 and its 200-day moving average is $863.67. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The business had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.09 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.18 earnings per share. The firms 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. Equities research analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a $1.73 dividend. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). 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. Swiss Re Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SSREY Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,842 shares, a growth of 2,778.1% from the December 15th total of 64 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 92,673 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 92,673 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Oddo Bhf cut shares of Swiss Re to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an underperform rating on shares of Swiss Re in a research report on Monday, December 8th. UBS Group lowered Swiss Re from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Citigroup downgraded Swiss Re from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, DZ Bank upgraded Swiss Re from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Reduce. Get Swiss Re alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on SSREY Swiss Re Price Performance Swiss Re Company Profile Shares of SSREY stock traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $39.65. 56,726 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 47,328. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $42.81 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $44.49. Swiss Re has a 1-year low of $35.39 and a 1-year high of $48.62. (Get Free Report) Swiss Re (OTCMKTS: SSREY) is a global reinsurance company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Founded in 1863, the firm provides risk transfer and insurance solutions to insurers, reinsurers, and large corporations worldwide. Its core activities encompass reinsurance for property & casualty and life & health lines, as well as tailored corporate insurance products designed to protect complex commercial and industrial risks. Swiss Res product offering spans treaty and facultative reinsurance, structured reinsurance solutions, and capital marketslinked risk transfer such as insurancelinked securities. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Swiss Re Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Swiss Re and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. lessened its stake in Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:TRGP Free Report) by 96.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 540 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 15,016 shares during the period. Meeder Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Targa Resources were worth $90,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in Targa Resources by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 27,960,214 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $4,867,314,000 after acquiring an additional 375,939 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Targa Resources by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,856,899 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $1,022,222,000 after purchasing an additional 95,611 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Targa Resources during the second quarter worth about $708,366,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its stake in Targa Resources by 12.0% in the second quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,886,844 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $328,462,000 after purchasing an additional 201,927 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Chickasaw Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Targa Resources by 3.3% in the second quarter. Chickasaw Capital Management LLC now owns 1,831,228 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $318,780,000 after purchasing an additional 57,886 shares in the last quarter. 92.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Targa Resources alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, insider Gerald R. Shrader sold 2,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.21, for a total value of $498,327.50. Following the sale, the insider owned 29,561 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,356,748.81. The trade was a 8.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider D. Scott Pryor sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.21, for a total value of $3,444,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 22,139 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,812,557.19. This trade represents a 47.46% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 1.34% of the companys stock. Targa Resources Stock Performance Shares of NYSE TRGP opened at $174.81 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.91. Targa Resources, Inc. has a 12-month low of $144.14 and a 12-month high of $218.51. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $176.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $168.46. The company has a market cap of $37.53 billion, a PE ratio of 23.25, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 0.87. Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The pipeline company reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.22 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $4.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.70 billion. Targa Resources had a net margin of 9.35% and a return on equity of 51.87%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Targa Resources, Inc. will post 8.15 EPS for the current year. Targa Resources Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 31st were given a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 31st. Targa Resourcess dividend payout ratio is 53.19%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TRGP has been the topic of several research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $196.00 price objective on shares of Targa Resources in a research note on Monday. Scotiabank boosted their price target on Targa Resources from $198.00 to $199.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Wall Street Zen lowered Targa Resources from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Targa Resources in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Targa Resources from $240.00 to $261.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Targa Resources has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $211.36. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on TRGP Targa Resources Profile (Free Report) Targa Resources Corporation (NYSE: TRGP) is a U.S.-focused midstream energy company that provides gathering, processing, transportation, storage and marketing services for natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and condensate. Its operations span the midstream value chain, including gas gathering systems that collect production from wells, processing plants that separate and recover NGLs and other hydrocarbons, fractionation and purification facilities that prepare NGLs for market, and pipeline and terminal assets that move and store products for producers, refiners and other customers. The company operates a network of pipelines, processing plants, fractionators and storage facilities that serve producers and consumers across major U.S. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRGP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:TRGP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Targa Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Targa Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is a major U.S. global aerospace and defense company headquartered in Reston, Virginia. Valued at $95.6 billion by market cap, it operates through four principal business segments, Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies, offering a diversified portfolio of products and services that includes business jets, nuclear-powered submarines and other naval vessels, armored combat vehicles and weapons systems, and secure communications, command-and-control, and IT solutions for military and government customers worldwide. The defense giant is expected to announce its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings for 2025 soon. Ahead of the event, analysts expect GD to report a profit of $4.12 per share on a diluted basis, down marginally from $4.15 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company beat the consensus estimates in each of the last four quarters. More News from Barchart For FY2025, analysts expect GD to report EPS of $15.40, up 13% from $13.63 in fiscal 2024. Its EPS is expected to rise 11.6% year-over-year to $17.19 in fiscal 2026. www.barchart.com GD shares have surged 35.4% over the past year, surpassing the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 17.7% gains and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLI) 21.9% gains over the same time frame. www.barchart.com On Jan. 8, shares of General Dynamics rose 3.1% after President Donald Trump called for a sharp increase in the U.S. military budget for 2027, proposing $1.5 trillion versus $901 billion approved for the prior year. The announcement sparked a broad rally across the defense sector on expectations of higher government spending and contract awards. Analysts consensus opinion on GD stock is reasonably bullish, with a Moderate Buy rating overall. Out of 23 analysts covering the stock, 12 advise a Strong Buy rating, 10 give a Hold, and one recommends a Strong Sell. Its mean price target of $379.80 implies an upswing potential of 7.3% from the current market prices. On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com TD Private Client Wealth LLC lessened its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Free Report) by 2.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 784,549 shares of the companys stock after selling 23,200 shares during the period. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF accounts for about 1.2% of TD Private Client Wealth LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. TD Private Client Wealth LLCs holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $51,717,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $41,000. S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $44,000. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $44,000. Kentucky Trust Co grew its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 68.8% in the second quarter. Kentucky Trust Co now owns 908 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Painted Porch Advisors LLC purchased a new position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF in the second quarter worth $61,000. Get iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Stock Up 1.3% NYSEARCA IEMG opened at $70.96 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $67.41 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $64.92. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a twelve month low of $47.29 and a twelve month high of $71.00. The company has a market capitalization of $128.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.65 and a beta of 0.65. About iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of emerging-market firms, covering 99% of market capitalization. IEMG was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP Free Report) during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund acquired 9,930 shares of the railroad operators stock, valued at approximately $2,347,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. increased its holdings in Union Pacific by 10.6% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 93,337 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $21,475,000 after purchasing an additional 8,925 shares in the last quarter. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 26.4% in the second quarter. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI now owns 23,875 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $5,494,000 after buying an additional 4,980 shares during the period. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 9.8% in the third quarter. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA now owns 52,849 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $12,492,000 after buying an additional 4,707 shares in the last quarter. CX Institutional raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 39.8% during the 3rd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 65,826 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $15,559,000 after buying an additional 18,742 shares during the period. Finally, SCS Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Union Pacific by 165.2% during the 2nd quarter. SCS Capital Management LLC now owns 34,808 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $8,009,000 after acquiring an additional 21,685 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the companys stock. Get Union Pacific alerts: Union Pacific Trading Up 0.5% NYSE UNP opened at $229.55 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.75. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $229.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $227.21. Union Pacific Corporation has a one year low of $204.66 and a one year high of $256.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $136.16 billion, a PE ratio of 19.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.99. Union Pacific Announces Dividend Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.99 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $6.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.24 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.23% and a net margin of 28.73%.Union Pacifics quarterly revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.75 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th were paid a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio is presently 46.90%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently issued reports on UNP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $267.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday. UBS Group set a $253.00 target price on Union Pacific and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 target price on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $259.58. Get Our Latest Research Report on UNP About Union Pacific (Free Report) Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services. Union Pacifics core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western twothirds of the United States. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Union Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Union Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC bought a new position in shares of Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 14,497 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $1,660,000. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PLD. New York State Teachers Retirement System boosted its stake in shares of Prologis by 1.4% during the third quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 705,466 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $80,790,000 after purchasing an additional 9,612 shares in the last quarter. Washington Trust Bank grew its stake in Prologis by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Washington Trust Bank now owns 54,309 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $6,219,000 after buying an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Prologis by 3.7% during the third quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,021 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $346,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Warwick Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Prologis by 191.0% during the 3rd quarter. Warwick Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,799 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $664,000 after purchasing an additional 3,806 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ORG Partners LLC raised its stake in Prologis by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 2,867 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $328,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. 93.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Prologis alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Director Cristina Gabriela Bita sold 621 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.60, for a total transaction of $79,239.60. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 8,208 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,047,340.80. This trade represents a 7.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director James B. Connor sold 80,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.58, for a total value of $10,126,400.00. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 81,121 shares of company stock worth $10,267,210. Insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Bank of America upgraded Prologis from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $118.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $130.00 target price (up previously from $128.00) on shares of Prologis in a research note on Thursday. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Prologis in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of Prologis from $127.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Prologis from $120.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Prologis has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $129.18. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on PLD Prologis Stock Performance NYSE PLD opened at $129.05 on Tuesday. Prologis, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $85.35 and a fifty-two week high of $131.70. The stock has a market cap of $119.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 1.40. The business has a fifty day moving average of $127.26 and a 200-day moving average of $117.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Prologis (NYSE:PLD Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter. Prologis had a return on equity of 5.55% and a net margin of 36.71%.The business had revenue of $2.21 billion during the quarter. As a group, analysts predict that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Prologis Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 16th were paid a dividend of $1.01 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. Prologiss payout ratio is 117.78%. Prologis Profile (Free Report) Prologis, Inc is a real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in logistics and distribution facilities. The company focuses on acquiring, developing, and managing high-quality industrial real estate assets that support supply chain infrastructure for third-party logistics providers, e-commerce businesses, retailers and manufacturers. Its portfolio primarily consists of warehouse and distribution centers designed to optimize goods movement and storage near key transportation hubs. With a global presence, Prologis serves customers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Prologis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prologis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT Free Report) by 24,292.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,001 shares of the aerospace companys stock after acquiring an additional 9,960 shares during the quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Textron were worth $845,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Textron by 2.5% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,007,450 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $723,384,000 after buying an additional 217,401 shares during the period. Boston Partners raised its holdings in shares of Textron by 1.5% during the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 7,190,786 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $577,304,000 after acquiring an additional 109,277 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management lifted its position in shares of Textron by 7.2% in the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 4,153,321 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $333,470,000 after acquiring an additional 279,237 shares in the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP lifted its position in shares of Textron by 19.9% in the 2nd quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 2,714,466 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $217,945,000 after acquiring an additional 451,017 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Textron by 144.1% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,664,612 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $213,942,000 after purchasing an additional 1,573,206 shares during the period. 86.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Textron alerts: Textron Stock Down 0.6% TXT opened at $93.27 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $16.44 billion, a PE ratio of 20.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 1.84 and a quick ratio of 0.86. Textron Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $57.70 and a fifty-two week high of $94.01. The business has a 50-day moving average of $85.33 and a 200-day moving average of $82.99. Textron Dividend Announcement Textron ( NYSE:TXT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The aerospace company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.47 by $0.08. Textron had a return on equity of 14.16% and a net margin of 5.81%.The business had revenue of $3.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.70 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.40 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Textron has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Textron Inc. will post 6.12 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th were given a $0.02 dividend. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 12th. Textrons payout ratio is currently 1.76%. Analyst Ratings Changes TXT has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Textron from $92.00 to $89.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Citigroup started coverage on Textron in a report on Thursday, December 11th. They set a neutral rating and a $91.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings lowered Textron from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Textron from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Textron from $90.00 to $88.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $91.25. View Our Latest Research Report on TXT Textron Profile (Free Report) Textron Inc is a global, multi-industry manufacturing company headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. The company designs, manufactures and services a diverse range of products for the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. Textron operates through four primary business segmentsTextron Aviation, Bell, Textron Systems and Industrialeach of which serves customers around the world. Textron Aviation is known for its Cessna and Beechcraft branded business jets and turboprop aircraft, offering models that range from light jets and turboprops to larger cabin aircraft designed for corporate and charter use. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TXT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Textron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Textron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 11.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 86,887 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 9,240 shares during the quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Chevron were worth $13,493,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CVX. Kera Capital Partners Inc. boosted its position in shares of Chevron by 37.7% during the second quarter. Kera Capital Partners Inc. now owns 1,680 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $241,000 after buying an additional 460 shares during the period. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Chevron by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 30,887 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,423,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. GK Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Chevron by 10.2% during the 2nd quarter. GK Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,405 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $488,000 after acquiring an additional 315 shares during the period. Gradient Investments LLC grew its position in Chevron by 9.9% in the 2nd quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 317,405 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $45,449,000 after acquiring an additional 28,496 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Chevron by 23.7% in the second quarter. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,378 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,200,000 after purchasing an additional 1,605 shares during the period. 72.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Chevron this week: Chevron Price Performance Shares of CVX opened at $162.36 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $326.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.19 and a beta of 0.70. Chevron Corporation has a twelve month low of $132.04 and a twelve month high of $168.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a 50 day moving average of $152.48 and a two-hundred day moving average of $153.68. Chevron (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $48.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $46.99 billion. Chevron had a return on equity of 8.74% and a net margin of 6.57%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.48 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Chevron Corporation will post 10.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Chevron Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th were issued a $1.71 dividend. This represents a $6.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 18th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 96.20%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CVX. 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 note on Thursday, November 13th. Freedom Capital cut shares of Chevron from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Chevron from $185.00 to $179.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Chevron in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on Chevron from $204.00 to $206.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Chevron currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $167.14. View Our Latest Stock Report on Chevron Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director John B. Hess sold 275,000 shares of Chevron stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.75, for a total transaction of $41,456,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 1,128,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $170,052,783.75. The trade was a 19.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Michael K. Wirth sold 320,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.99, for a total value of $52,270,893.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 14,450 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,355,205.50. The trade was a 95.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 631,990 shares of company stock worth $99,716,808 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. Chevron Profile (Free Report) Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is an American multinational energy company engaged in virtually all aspects of the oil and gas industry. As an integrated energy firm, Chevrons core activities include upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants, and petrochemical manufacturing through joint ventures and subsidiaries. The company markets fuels under brands such as Chevron, Texaco and Caltex and supplies a range of products and services to retail customers, industrial users and commercial fleets worldwide. Chevron traces its corporate lineage to the early petroleum companies that eventually became Standard Oil of California and has evolved through significant mergers and restructurings, including the acquisitions of Gulf Oil and Texaco. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX Free Report). 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. Triumph Financial (NYSE:TFIN Get Free Report) is one of 20 public companies in the State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Triumph Financial to related businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, dividends, profitability and valuation. Institutional & Insider Ownership 91.1% of Triumph Financial 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. 5.6% of Triumph Financial shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Triumph Financial alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Triumph Financial and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Triumph Financial 1 0 0 0 1.00 Triumph Financial Competitors 29 167 197 19 2.50 Profitability As a group, State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 6.27%. Given Triumph Financials competitors stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Triumph Financial has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. This table compares Triumph Financial and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Triumph Financial 2.00% 1.76% 0.24% Triumph Financial Competitors 7.23% 6.94% 0.79% Volatility and Risk Triumph Financial has a beta of 1.48, suggesting that its share price is 48% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Triumph Financials competitors have a beta of 1.01, suggesting that their average share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Triumph Financial and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Triumph Financial $487.93 million $16.09 million 231.62 Triumph Financial Competitors $707.57 million $95.99 million 39.05 Triumph Financials competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Triumph Financial. Triumph Financial is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Summary Triumph Financial competitors beat Triumph Financial on 10 of the 13 factors compared. Triumph Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) Triumph Bancorp, Inc. operates as a financial holding company for TBK Bank, SSB that provides various banking and commercial finance products and services to retail customers and small-to-mid-sized businesses in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Banking, Factoring, Payments, and Corporate. It offers depository products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; and commercial and industrial loans, loans to purchase capital equipment, and business loans for working capital and operational purposes. The company also provides asset-based, and equipment and premium finance loans; real estate loans to finance commercial properties; to factoring services the transportation and non-transportation sectors; agriculture loans; commercial construction, land, and land development loans; mortgage warehouse loans; residential real estate loans; and consumer loans. In addition, it offers debit cards; electronic banking, trust, and treasury management services; and insurance brokerage services. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated through a network of 10 branches in the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area of Iowa and Illinois; 8 branches in northern and central Illinois; 7 branches in southern Colorado; 3 branches in New Mexico; 31 branches in central and eastern Colorado; and 2 branches in far western Kansas, as well as a branch office dedicated to deposit gathering activities in Dallas, Texas. Triumph Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for Triumph Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Triumph Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Volta Finance Limited (LON:VTA Get Free Report) was down 1.7% on Monday . The company traded as low as GBX 6.54 and last traded at GBX 6.54. Approximately 1,000 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 69% from the average daily volume of 3,243 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 6.65. Volta Finance Stock Down 1.7% The firm has a market cap of 239.24 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.32 and a beta of 0.87. The business has a 50 day moving average of GBX 6.61 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 6.76. Get Volta Finance alerts: Volta Finance Company Profile (Get Free Report) Volta Finance Limited (the Company or Volta) is a closed-ended limited liability company registered in Guernsey under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) with registered number 45747. Voltas investment objectives are to seek to preserve capital across the credit cycle and to provide a stable stream of income to its Shareholders through dividends that it expects to distribute on a quarterly basis. Voltas investment strategy focuses on direct and indirect investments in, and exposures to, a variety of assets selected for the purpose of generating cash flows for the Company. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Volta Finance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Volta Finance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Warrior Met Coal (NYSE:HCC Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Saturday morning. HCC has been the subject of several other research reports. B. Riley reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Warrior Met Coal in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Warrior Met Coal in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Warrior Met Coal from $80.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Warrior Met Coal from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded Warrior Met Coal from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $77.33. Get Warrior Met Coal alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Warrior Met Coal Warrior Met Coal Trading Up 3.3% NYSE HCC opened at $100.22 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $83.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $67.48. The company has a current ratio of 4.13, a quick ratio of 3.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The stock has a market cap of $5.27 billion, a PE ratio of 149.58 and a beta of 0.63. Warrior Met Coal has a 12 month low of $38.00 and a 12 month high of $101.00. Warrior Met Coal (NYSE:HCC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by $0.91. The company had revenue of $328.59 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $302.51 million. Warrior Met Coal had a net margin of 2.87% and a return on equity of 2.01%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.80 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Warrior Met Coal will post 4.86 earnings per share for the current year. Warrior Met Coal Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.3%. Warrior Met Coals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.76%. Insider Activity at Warrior Met Coal In other news, CEO Walter J. Scheller sold 18,966 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total value of $1,422,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 394,183 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $29,563,725. The trade was a 4.59% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 2.10% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Warrior Met Coal Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. L1 Capital Pty Ltd lifted its position in shares of Warrior Met Coal by 175.8% during the second quarter. L1 Capital Pty Ltd now owns 1,981,045 shares of the companys stock valued at $90,791,000 after buying an additional 1,262,736 shares during the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. grew its position in shares of Warrior Met Coal by 130.4% in the 2nd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 1,889,025 shares of the companys stock worth $86,574,000 after buying an additional 1,069,025 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its stake in shares of Warrior Met Coal by 219.2% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,554,071 shares of the companys stock worth $98,901,000 after acquiring an additional 1,067,247 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Warrior Met Coal by 25.2% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,099,070 shares of the companys stock worth $187,860,000 after acquiring an additional 825,807 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Maple Rock Capital Partners Inc. lifted its position in Warrior Met Coal by 31.4% during the third quarter. Maple Rock Capital Partners Inc. now owns 1,461,738 shares of the companys stock valued at $93,025,000 after acquiring an additional 349,400 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.28% of the companys stock. About Warrior Met Coal (Get Free Report) Warrior Met Coal (NYSE: HCC) is a leading producer of premium metallurgical coal, operating deep underground mining complexes in Central Alabamas Blue Creek and Brookwood mining districts. The company focuses exclusively on the extraction and sale of high-grade hard coking coal, a critical raw material used in steel production. Its mining operations harness longwall mining technology and rigorous safety protocols to deliver consistent coal quality to customers worldwide. Warrior Met Coals product portfolio centers on premium hard coking coal, semisoft coking coal, and pulverized coal injection (PCI) products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Warrior Met Coal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Warrior Met Coal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of GAP (NYSE: GAP) recently: 1/7/2026 GAP was upgraded by analysts at UBS Group AG from a neutral rating to a buy rating. They now have a $41.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $26.00. 1/6/2026 GAP had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Barclays PLC. 1/1/2026 GAP was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating. 12/29/2025 GAP had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/22/2025 GAP had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/21/2025 GAP was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a buy rating. 12/17/2025 GAP was upgraded by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group from a market perform rating to an outperform rating. They now have a $32.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $26.00. 12/17/2025 GAP was given a new $33.00 price target on by analysts at Robert W. Baird. They now have an outperform rating on the stock. 12/17/2025 GAP was upgraded by analysts at Baird R W from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating. 12/16/2025 GAP was given a new $30.00 price target on by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company. They now have an overweight rating on the stock. 12/16/2025 GAP was upgraded by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating. They now have a $30.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $24.00. 12/15/2025 GAP had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/13/2025 GAP was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating. 12/9/2025 GAP is now covered by analysts at Guggenheim. They set a neutral rating on the stock. 12/8/2025 GAP had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/1/2025 GAP had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/28/2025 GAP was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a buy rating. 11/24/2025 GAP had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/24/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $23.00 to $25.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock. 11/21/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at Evercore ISI from $25.00 to $28.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock. 11/21/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from $26.00 to $29.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 11/21/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at UBS Group AG from $25.00 to $26.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock. 11/21/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $30.00 to $31.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock. 11/21/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $22.00 to $24.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock. 11/21/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at BTIG Research from $30.00 to $31.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 11/21/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $32.00 to $36.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock. 11/21/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at Robert W. Baird from $26.00 to $27.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock. 11/21/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group from $24.00 to $26.00. They now have a market perform rating on the stock. 11/21/2025 GAP had its price target raised by analysts at Bank of America Corporation from $23.00 to $27.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock. 11/18/2025 GAP had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/14/2025 GAP was upgraded by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group Inc. from a hold rating to a buy rating. They now have a $30.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $22.00. GAP Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 7th will be issued a $0.165 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 7th. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. GAPs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.46%. Get The Gap Inc alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Director Elisabeth B. Donohue sold 3,000 shares of GAP stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.11, for a total transaction of $81,330.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 1,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $27,110. The trade was a 75.00% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Robert J. Fisher sold 500,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.45, for a total value of $13,725,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 2,329,502 shares in the company, valued at $63,944,829.90. The trade was a 17.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 1,349,044 shares of company stock worth $36,857,065. Corporate insiders own 31.00% of the companys stock. Gap Inc is a global specialty retailer renowned for its portfolio of apparel and accessories brands, including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta. The company designs, sources and markets clothing across a broad price range and style spectrum, catering to men, women and children. Its offerings extend from everyday wardrobe essentials such as denim, tees and outerwear to performance and lifestyle pieces, reflecting each brands distinct identity and price point. Founded in San Francisco in 1969 by Donald and Doris Fisher, Gap Inc has grown into one of the worlds largest apparel companies. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for The Gap Inc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Gap Inc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westwood Wealth Management decreased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 59.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 415 shares of the companys stock after selling 620 shares during the period. Westwood Wealth Managements holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $317,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 114.3% in the second quarter. Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. now owns 77,295 shares of the companys stock worth $60,253,000 after buying an additional 41,222 shares during the period. Rede Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $487,000. Precedent Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 15.3% during the second quarter. Precedent Wealth Partners LLC now owns 294 shares of the companys stock valued at $229,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 25.8% in the third quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 8,990 shares of the companys stock worth $6,859,000 after purchasing an additional 1,843 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Advisors Inc. OK increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 6.8% in the second quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 6,747 shares of the companys stock worth $5,260,000 after purchasing an additional 429 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein restated an outperform rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, December 19th. BMO Capital Markets set a $1,200.00 price target on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, December 4th. HSBC restated a hold rating and issued a $1,070.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $1,169.00. Eli Lilly and Company News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week: Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance NYSE:LLY opened at $1,080.92 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.24. The company has a market cap of $1.02 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.88, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.35. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $623.78 and a 1 year high of $1,133.95. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $1,040.85 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $863.67. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.18 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Companys 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. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a dividend of $1.73 per share. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). 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. Pioneering computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, whose work has earned him a Nobel Prize and the moniker godfather of AI, said artificial intelligence will spark a surge in unemployment and profits. In a wide-ranging interview with the Financial Times last year, the former Google scientist cleared the air about why he left the tech giant, raised alarms on potential threats from AI, and revealed how he uses the technology. But he also predicted who the winners and losers will be. Whats actually going to happen is rich people are going to use AI to replace workers, Hinton said in September. Its going to create massive unemployment and a huge rise in profits. It will make a few people much richer and most people poorer. Thats not AIs fault, that is the capitalist system. That echoed comments he gave to Fortune in August 2025, when he said AI companies are more concerned with short-term profits than the long-term consequences of the technology. Layoffs havent spiked, but evidence is mounting that AI is shrinking opportunities, especially at the entry level where recent college graduates start their careers. A survey from the New York Fed at the time found that companies using AI were much more likely to retrain their employees than fire them, though layoffs are expected to rise in the coming months. Hinton said earlier healthcare is the one industry that will be safe from the potential jobs armageddon. If you could make doctors five times as efficient, we could all have five times as much health care for the same price, he explained on the Diary of a CEO YouTube series in June 2025. Theres almost no limit to how much health care people can absorb[patients] always want more health care if theres no cost to it. Still, Hinton believes jobs that perform mundane tasks will be taken over by AI, while sparing some jobs that require a high level of skill. In his interview with the FT, he also dismissed OpenAI CEO Sam Altmans idea to pay a universal basic income as AI disrupts the economy and reduces demand for workers, saying it wont deal with human dignity and the value people derive from having jobs. Hinton has long warned about the dangers of AI without guardrails, estimating a 10% to 20% chance of the technology wiping out humans after the development of superintelligence. In his view, the dangers of AI fall into two categories: the risk the technology itself poses to the future of humanity, and the consequences of AI being manipulated by people with bad intent. Wiluna Mining Co. Limited (ASX:WMX Get Free Report) declared a interim dividend on Tuesday, January 13th, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 26th will be paid a dividend of 0.005 per share on Thursday, February 26th. This represents a dividend yield of 31.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 16th. Wiluna Mining Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.83, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 0.32. Get Wiluna Mining alerts: About Wiluna Mining (Get Free Report) Further Reading Blackham Resources Limited explores for and develops gold properties in Australia. It holds 100% interests in the Matilda-Wiluna gold operation located in Australia. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is based in West Perth, Australia. Receive News & Ratings for Wiluna Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wiluna Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Yes safety oversight must come before anything else Regulation is needed, but delays and red tape are the real problem No enforcement already exists; regulation wont prevent accidents Vote View Results Gold and silver surged during the Asian market open, while Bitcoin struggled to maintain momentum amid escalating tensions between the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Trump administration, triggering a flight to traditional safe havens. The divergence intensified after the Department of Justices actions against Fed Chair Jerome Powell sparked concerns about central bank independence, with gold climbing 1.72% and silver soaring over 4.5% in 24 hours, while Bitcoin retreated sharply from $92,000 to $90,000. The crisis unfolded after the DOJ issued a subpoena to the Federal Reserve and threatened criminal charges against Powell on Friday, which the Fed Chair characterized as retaliation for refusing to align monetary policy with President Trumps preferred interest-rate trajectory. Markets are now pricing political rates instead of data-driven policy, fundamentally altering the risk landscape for both traditional and digital assets. Political Interference Triggers Capital Rotation Into Hard Assets The DOJ investigation represents an unprecedented threat to the Federal Reserves independence, which has remained intact for 113 years, according to QCP Asia analysts. They warned that any erosion of confidence in central bank autonomy poses a material risk to institutional credibility. Powell explicitly stated that the probe stems directly from his refusal to cut rates when Trump demanded, marking what analysts describe as an open war that has proven exceptionally damaging for risk assets. History suggests that such narratives are sufficient to prompt capital rotation into alternative stores of value, QCP Asia noted in their January 12 market analysis. Both gold and silver responded as the markets default hedges against political and institutional instability, with their overnight surge extending already constructive momentum. Bitcoin Fails to Capitalize on Fiat-System Risk Narrative Bitcoin initially participated in the safe-haven rally but failed to sustain a close above $92,000, retracing sharply toward $90,000 at the European open, a pattern that mimicked much of Q4 2024. The inability to capitalize on bullish narratives shows a structural breakdown Bitcoin has faced since October 10, as optimism around a Q1 breakout has rapidly faded among institutional traders. QCP analysts observed significant reductions in long-dated call exposure last week, including unwinding of BTC-30JAN26-98k-C and BTC-27FEB26-100k-C positions. Portions of BTC-30JAN26-100k-C were rolled into BTC-27MAR26-125k-C, suggesting traders are pushing out bullish expectations rather than maintaining conviction in a near-term rally. Alphabet just joined one of the rarest clubs in markets, companies worth roughly $4 trillion or more, according to Reuters and real-time quote data. The companys class A shares pushed its market value to around $4 trillion in intraday trading on Monday, Jan. 12, as the stock traded near a record high, with GOOGL changing hands around $331 and the market cap hovering just under $4 trillion at the close, reported MarketScreener. Only a handful of companies have ever traded at or above that level, with Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple the only other names to hit the $4 trillion mark in recent years. Alphabet had previously joined the $3 trillion club in September 2025 after a months-long rally powered by AI optimism and relief over regulatory and antitrust worries, according to Yahoo Finance. Alphabets corporate team marked the occasion with a short note, calling the new value a milestone built on years of investing in AI and helpful products for everyone, according to a post from the companys official @NewsFromGoogle account on X that was cited in coverage of the move. That tone matches what you are seeing from Wall Street, where the stock is now treated as less of a cyclical ad name and more of a core AI platform. Why investors are paying up for Alphabet Alphabets move into this valuation tier is being driven by investors who now see it as one of the cleanest ways to own large-scale AI infrastructure, not just a search and ads business. Alphabet briefly hit the $4 trillion line after its sharpened artificial intelligence focus allayed doubts about its strategy and thrust it back to the forefront of the high-stakes race, said Reuters in a piece on the milestone. Apples Siri deal changes the AI math.Photo by Scott Olson on Getty Images Photo by Scott Olson on Getty Images The stocks recent surge sits on top of a big year, because Alphabets shares gained around 65% in 2025 as the company turned Google Cloud into a real growth engine and pushed its Gemini models across search, YouTube, and enterprise AI, reported Channel Africa. Analysts have credited that combination of ad stability, cloud momentum, and AI product launches for the multiple expansions that took Alphabet from a $3 trillion story into the $4 trillion club, noted Virginia Business and MarketScreener. More Wall Street Alphabets rally is also being reinforced by influential market voices who are treating the stock as a core AI winner for 2026. Jim Cramer said he bet it keeps climbing in 2026 and admitted that selling Alphabet for his charitable trust was a mistake he did not want to repeat, according to coverage of his comments from InsiderMonkey and Finviz. Veralto Corporation (VLTO), based in Waltham, Massachusetts, delivers water analytics, treatment, marking and coding, packaging, and color solutions globally. With a market capitalization brushing $25.5 billion, it operates brands including Hach, Trojan Technologies, ChemTreat, Videojet, Linx, Esko, X-Rite, and Pantone, serving municipal, food, pharmaceutical, and industrial customers with precision tools. As the company approaches its fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter earnings release, expectations remain encouraging. Analysts project diluted EPS of $0.98, representing 3.2% growth from $0.95 a year earlier. The outlook builds on credibility, as Veralto has exceeded EPS estimates in each of the past four quarters. More News from Barchart Looking beyond the near term, Wall Street forecasts fiscal 2025 diluted EPS of $3.84, implying an 8.5% year-over-year increase. Momentum appears intact into fiscal 2026, with EPS expected to reach $4.20, up 9.4% from the previous year. www.barchart.com Despite this earnings trajectory, share-price performance has remained measured. VLTO stock has posted marginal gains over the past 52 weeks and is up nearly 3% year-to-date (YTD). By comparison, the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has jumped 17.7% over the last 52 weeks and 1.8% YTD, creating a relative gap. A similar pattern emerges against sector peers. The First Trust Water ETF (FIW) gained nearly 12% over the past 52 weeks and 4.7% YTD, again outpacing Veralto. www.barchart.com However, investor sentiment briefly shifted on Nov. 25, 2025, when shares climbed 5.9% intraday following Veraltos announcement to acquire In-Situ, a global leader in environmental water measurement and monitoring solutions. The transaction carries a headline value of $435 million, or approximately $422 million after estimated tax benefits, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. Strategically, the acquisition adds both scale and profitability. In-Situ is projected to generate about $80 million in 2025 revenue, with gross margins near 50% and mid-teens EBITDA margins. Veralto expects roughly $11 million in pre-tax run-rate cost synergies by year three, alongside meaningful commercial and operational benefits. Complementing growth initiatives, Veralto also strengthened its capital-return framework. The board authorized a share repurchase program of up to $750 million, providing flexibility to execute buybacks over time through open-market or privately negotiated transactions. Candidates urge | IMPHAL, Jan 13 : A group of aspiring Assistant Professors has urged the Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) to refrain from mixing positions in the Education subject with those in other fields. Notably, a notification issued by the MPSC for Assistant Professor recruitment recently allowed students from allied subjects to apply for positions in other fields, such as candidates from Home Science applying for posts in Economics. Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club, Thongram Anilkumar, an aspirant, stated that there are 28 positions for Education in the recruitment of 419 Assistant Professors. He appealed to the authorities concerned not to award any marks during the screening process for Education posts to candidates who did not study Education during their undergraduate course. He also said that there are no allied subjects for Education subject as per an order issued by the Manipur University on January 7. He said that they submit a representation which highlights their demand to the Directorate of University and Higher Education. Written reply awaited | IMPHAL, Jan 13: COCOMI has not yet received the written plan for return and resettlement of internally displaced persons assured by the Governor, said Khuraijam Athouba today. The convenor of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCO-MI) said this during a press meet at the committee's office at Lamphelpat. Notably, the assurance to present the IDP return/resettlement plan in writing was reportedly given to COCOMI members and representatives of internally displaced persons at Lok Bhavan yesterday. The IDPs and COCOMI had organised a massive protest demonstration yesterday, and their representatives met Governor Bhalla at the Lok Bhavan. During the meeting, the Governor reportedly assured the COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba and several IDP representatives to give a "written reply" on the plan for return, resettlement of IDPs today. Addressing media persons this evening, Athouba said COCOMI has not yet received the assured "written reply" from the Governor. If the written reply as assured is given late in the evening, Athouba said, the COCOMI and IDPs will study it, and share with the public. IDAK Food Group has continued its acquisition spree with a deal for the France-based bakery business Onore. Located in Toulouse, Onore supplies customers in Europe with bakery products, pastries, desserts and Cornish pasties. In France, its brands include Boncolac in bakery and snacks, Mag'M macarons and So Mochi ice cream. In the UK, Onore makes and markets Proper Cornish pasties and Cakesmiths cakes. Operating five production plants in France and two in the UK employing over a 1,000 staff, the company generated a turnover last year of more than 220m ($256.8m). Onore will widen IDAKs geographical reach. IDAK is mainly focused on the Swiss and Italian markets for pizza, snacks, finger foods and bakery. IDAK, which is backed by private-equity firm TowerBrook Capital Partners, did not disclose the purchase price. The transaction involves the purchase of a majority interest from Waterland Private Equity and the rest to be acquired from the Onore management team, a spokesperson for IDAK confirmed. The deal is expected to close in the current half of this year but is subject to regulatory approval. IDAK CEO Christof Lehmann said in a statement: IDAK and Onore complement each other perfectly to form a unique and leading company in the premium frozen-food sector in Europe. We share common strengths such as organic growth, diversification of our channels and customer base, a foothold in several countries, positioning in the premium frozen-food sector, leveraging market synergies, a high degree of cultural alignment and leadership style, experience in collaboration with investors and an impressive track record in M&A. With a number of recent deals under its belt, IDAK is generating annual sales of more than SFr330m ($413.6m) with a staff of around 1,300. The most recent of those deals was Sorrento Sapori e Tradizioni, an Italian pizza producer IDAK acquired last year for an undisclosed sum. It also struck a deal for fellow Swiss bakery business Kern & Sammet earlier in 2025. In 2024, IDAK bought a majority stake in another pizza company in Italy, ProPizza, through its subsidiary Margherita. Switzerlands Romers Hausbackerei was also brought on board in 2023 through a majority interest. Commenting on entering the IDAK stable, Onore CEO Alexandre Vigneron said: We are delighted with this transaction, which would give Onore a new international dimension. We share the same DNA as IDAK and look forward to starting to build our common future. Together, we will continue to craft signature products inspired by European cuisines in bakery, pastry and snacks. The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) has issued a set of Viewpoints that describe eight core components of an ethical culture and governance approach for accounting practices. These Viewpoints are meant to encourage discussion globally on areas such as ethical leadership, governance arrangements and incentives, and how these factors can affect conduct and decision-making within companies. The planned discussions will also cover international and regional standard-setting activity, sustainability-related standards, and experience gained from applying the Responding to Non-compliance with Laws and Regulations standard. Additional items include the restructured IESBA Code, the effects of technology-driven change and private equity investment in accounting practices. The launch of the initiative coincides with an outreach visit to Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong SAR. During the visit, IESBA will meet with a range of parties including accounting practices, authorities focused on market integrity and the prevention of financial crime, chief financial officers, investors, professional accountancy organisations, regulators standard setters, and others. The outreach is linked to Asias role in adopting and applying international ethics standards, and to the regions significance for the global financial system and IESBAs ongoing programme. IESBA chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias said: Asia is at the forefront of many of the developments reshaping the accounting profession and the broader financial sector from sustainability and technology to evolving business models and regulatory expectations. This outreach is an opportunity to listen, exchange views and deepen engagement with stakeholders in a leading region who are shaping how ethics is applied in practice across the region. "IESBA launches Viewpoints on ethical culture and governance" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The three great harvest festivals celebrated in January have been set in motion. According to Hindu beliefs, Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal are celebrated to pay homage to the sun god (Surya Deva) and the fire god (Agni Deva). The festivities are to mark the positive beginning of the year, spreading hope and prosperity. All three festivals share the same story, even though the names of the festivals differ based on the region where they're celebrated. The essence of these festivals is, like every other, about togetherness, hope, and revitalisation of new and positive thoughts. Why is Lohri celebrated? Women perform a folk dance known as 'Giddha' around a bonfire during celebrations ahead of Lohri, in Amritsar | AFP You will find Lohri marked on calendars, a day before Makar Sankranti. January 13 is celebrated as Lohri this year. It is primarily celebrated in the Northern part of India, predominantly in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir. Bonfires and offerings are made on Lohri to celebrate to the fullest. This is an act to pay honour to Agni, the fire god. The celebrants also recall the legacy of Dulla Bhatti, the 16th-century Punjabi folk hero, who stood up to resist the injustice of the Mughal regime and saved the two sisters, Sundri and Mundri. Many such Lohri tales are sung as songs to help the festival set its rhythm. Among the offerings burnt in the glorious bonfire of Lohri are sesame seeds, peanuts, jaggery, and popcorn. Sweets made from peanuts, Revri, Gajak, Pinni, along with a blend of Lohri-Punjabi delicacies, also mark the days specials. Crossing the gates of Makar Rashi Women paint alpona designs, a folk art, ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival, in Agratala | PTI People will always find space for celebrations and memories, no matter what happens, and irrespective of the stories behind them. This statement is especially true for Makar Sankranti. In the simplest terms, the entire purpose of this celebration is to mark the movement of the sun to the Tropic of Capricorn. Astronomically, the sun moves towards the northern hemisphere, entering the zodiac sign Makara (Capricorn), marking Uttarayan. It is believed that the sun's journey brings a feeling of renewal, elevation, and grace, which is what Makar Sankranti is about. The festival takes different names in different places. In Kerala, it's Makara Vilakku, Tamilians celebrate it as Thai Pongal, whereas in the North-East, it is Magh Bihu. The festival is also a part of culture in Nepal as Maaghe Sankrant, in Thailand as Songkran, and in Cambodia as Mohan Songkran. Everywhere, it's celebrated with unique add-on customs, marking the departure of the long winter and the beginning of longer days, leading to a joyous harvest. Matching Lohri, sesame-jaggery sweets are the centre of the festival. Til Gul Ladoo, Puran Poli, puffed rice Ladoo (Murmura), Til Chikki, and Khichidi varieties, and many more fill the table during Makar Sankranti. The Brimming Joy of Pongal Students dressed in traditional attire take part in rituals during a programme marking the 'Pongal' festival celebrations, at Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women in Chennai | PTI The four days of Pongal are central to celebrations for Tamil Nadu and also certain parts of its neighbouring states. The first day of Pongal, Bhogi Pongal, is to welcome renewal. The second day, Thai Pongal, is the main day of the festival. The day is sweetened by the cooking of sweet rice, more colloquially termed as Pongal. The third day, Mattu Pongal is allotted to celebrate the strength and efforts of cattle involved in farming activities. The final day of celebrations is Kaanum Pongal, the day for visiting relatives and spending quality time with loved ones and family. The celebrations are remarkable with the vibrant line-art of Kolams, drawn using rice powder. They symbolise prosperity and highlight the colourful nature of the whole festival. Reflecting a strong investor participation, the initial public offering (IPO) of Bharat Coking Coal received a stunning 146.87 times the applications on the final day of bidding. The public bidding of the IPO commenced on January 9 and the window period to submit the applications concluded on January 13. As per the data available on the official website of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), BCCL received a total of 146.87 times applications, with Qualified Institutional Buyers subscribing to 310.81 times their subscription. Meanwhile, Non Institutional Investors subscribed 203.99 times and Retail Individual Investors subscribed 38.3 times. The company's Rs 1,071-crore IPO is the first mainboard issue of 2026. The price range has been set at Rs 21-23. The minimum investment needed to apply for the BCCL IPO was Rs 12,600/ per lot with 600 shares. As per the official schedule, the allotment of shares is expected to take place on January 14, with the listing of shares expected to take place on January 16. Tentative Allotment Matrix in Bharat Coking Coal IPO: Big HNI: 1 out of 54 will get 9000 shares Small HNI: 1 out of 200 will get 9000 shares Retail: 1 out of 31 will get 600 shares Shareholder: -If you applied for 600 shares, chances are 1 out of 87 will get 600 R.K. (@ipo_mantra) January 13, 2026 Investors who have not been allotted the shares will receive their money as early as possible. As per multiple media reports, the latest grey market premium (GMP) for Bharat Coking Coal Limited stands at Rs 10- 11 per share, suggesting a listing gain of around 46-48 per cent for the investors. However, GMP is an unofficial indicator and can change before listing. About BCCL: Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL). The company was incorporated in 1972 to mine and supply coking coal concentrated in mines at Jharia, Jharkhand, and Raniganj, West Bengal, coalfields. As per PTI, the listing of BCCL is part of the government's broader divestment push in the coal sector, aimed at unlocking value in Coal India's subsidiaries and enhancing transparency through market discipline. By Rajendra Jadhav MUMBAI, Jan 13 (Reuters) - India's palm oil imports fell to an eight-month low in December, as refiners increased purchases of rival oils such as soyoil and sunflower oil amid weaker seasonal demand during the winter months, a leading trade body said on Tuesday. Lower palm oil imports by India, the world's largest buyer of vegetable oils, could lift inventories in top producers Indonesia and Malaysia, weighing on benchmark Malaysian palm oil futures, while lending support to U.S. soyoil futures. India's palm oil imports in December fell about 20% from the previous month to 507,204 metric tons, he lowest since April 2025, the Mumbai-based Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said in a statement. India imported an average of about 632,000 tons of palm oil each month during the marketing year that ended in October 2025, according to SEA. Imports of soyoil rose 36% to 505,112 tons in December, the highest in three months, and sunflower oil imports were up about 145% to a 17-month high 349,929 tons, the SEA said. Total vegetable oil imports rose 17% to 1.38 million tons, the statement added. India buys palm oil mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, and imports soyoil and sunflower oil from Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine. "Palm oil demand was hit by seasonal slowdown during the winter months," said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trade house. India's palm oil imports typically moderate during the winter months, as the tropical oil solidifies at lower temperatures, limiting its use in northern parts of the country. Palm oil's discount to rival soyoil and sunflower oil has widened in recent weeks, which is expected to push India's imports above 700,000 tons in January, the dealer said. Soyoil and sunflower oil imports are likely to fall sharply in January, he said. (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Janane Venkatraman) The new labour reforms, coupled with intervention from the Union Ministry of Labour, seemed to have had an effect on the countrys quick commerce majors. Earlier on Tuesday, Blinkit, sibling firm of Zomato and unit of stock market-listed Eternal, reportedly removed its claim of ten-minute delivery from its platform. Multiple users have reported that Zepto has also removed its ten-minute claim. Swiggy Instamart, however, in its app still showed either eight or ten-minute delivery in its ETA on many locations. All three are yet to come up with official announcements on the same. Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had been pushing these q-comm giants to remove the ten-minute deadline, according to an ET report citing sources in the know. The year began on a sour note in the quick commerce sector after a nationwide gig workers strike during New Years Eve snowballed into a larger conversation that the Centre took note of. Following this, representatives from Eternal, Swiggy, Zepto, and similar players were called in for a meeting to discuss worker safety and delivery schedules, agencies reported. Quick commerces 10-minute promise DOES NOT put pressure on gig workers, and it DOESNT lead to unsafe driving. Why? (3/5) The most common concern is that faster delivery promises translate into pressure on delivery partners to drive unsafely. That isnt how the system operates. Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) January 2, 2026 On Monday, Zepto issued a clarification regarding a delivery executive who was killed in an accident in Hyderabad. This confirmation came after CCTV footage of the January 5 incident went viral on social media. In their official statement, Zepto stressed: "We would like to clarify that the individual mentioned was not associated with Zepto, and was not delivering for Zepto at the time of the accident. This has been confirmed through thorough database checks, facial recognition, and CCTV reviews across our store network. We are fully cooperating with the Mehdipatnam Police Station and have submitted our findings to rectify the initial misconception." The viral video invited public outcry on the work conditions of gig workers. The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) also flagged the issue, raising concern over delivery timelines and a lack of timely support for the deceased gig worker. This also comes just ten days after Zomato founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal shared a five-point statement on X defending the gig industry model. Goyal stressed that "delivery partners are not overworked on our platforms" and went on to say that the ten-minute delivery promise did not put pressure on gig workers. "In 2025, the average distance travelled per order on Blinkit was 2.03 km. Average driving time was ~8 minutes, which implies an average speed of ~16 km/h," he had then clarified. Given that market leaders like Goyal defended the ten-minute delivery less than two weeks ago, it remains to be seen what urged Blinkit to lead the change and drop its ten-minute delivery claim. The tagline does not read "10,000+ products delivered in 10 minutes" anymore. It is now simply: "30,000+ products delivered at your doorstep." US President Donald Trump's announcement to impose a 25 per cent duty on countries doing business with Iran is likely to have minimal impact on India. According to government sources, for India, Iran does not even figure in the top 50 global trading partners. Last year, India's total trade with Iran was $1.6 billion, which is approximately 0.15 per cent of India's total trade, news agency ANI quoted government sources as saying. They said Indias trade value with Iran is expected to further go down in the current financial year, given external economic factors. "Iran's total imports were about $68 billion in 2024, of which its leading import partners were the UAE ($21 billion - 30 per cent), China ($17 billion - 26 per cent), Turkiye ($11 billion - 16 per cent), and the EU ($6 billion - 9 per cent). Indias share is only $1.2 billion (2.3 per cent)," according to government sources. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the apex body of exporters, too, said the tariff directive will have almost no impact on India. FIEO said that Indian companies and banks are in full and demonstrable compliance with OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) sanctions on Iran, engaging exclusively in clearly permitted humanitarian trade, mainly in food and pharmaceuticals. "There is, therefore, no basis to anticipate any adverse impact on India," FIEO Director General Ajay Sahai said. India's top exported products to Iran were cereals, animal fodder, tea and coffee, spices, fruits and vegetables, and pharmaceuticals. "As we all know that the trade with Iran is outside the sanctions imposed by the US, given the humanitarian nature of most of these products. And therefore, FIEO is of the view that the impact of an additional 25 per cent tariff imposed by the US on any country doing business with Iran will almost have no impact on India," FIEO said. Major Indian exports to Iran include rice, tea, sugar, pharmaceuticals, manmade staple fibres, electrical machinery and artificial jewellery, while major imports consist of dry fruits, inorganic/organic chemicals and glassware. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recently released new test results on how well mobile networks were working across Mumbai, covering city roads, coastal stretches and local railway routes. They revealed that the countrys top three private telecom players, Jio, Airtel and Vi, were far ahead of the competition in both call quality and data performance. The tests were carried out in November 2025, and the findings have now been shared with telecom operators for corrective action wherever needed, the telecom ministry confirmed in a statement. TRAI conducted an Independent Drive Test (IDT) in the Mumbai Licensed Service Area over 320.km between November 3 and 7, 2025. This included 192.4km of city roads, 9.7km of coastal routes, 115km of local railway routes, seven hotspot locations and a 3.1km walk test. The exercise was supervised by TRAIs Regional Office in Bengaluru and used calibrated equipment and standard procedures. Areas and networks covered The assessment covered several dense neighbourhoods such as Navy Nagar, Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Byculla, Dadar, Dharavi, Kurla, Chembur, Ghatkopar, Bandra East, Wadala and many others. Tests were also done at key points like CSMT and Ghatkopar railway stations, Saki Naka Metro, Kem Hospital in Sion Koliwada, and the Gateway of IndiaKaranja coastal stretch. The study measured performance on 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks, depending on what each operator offers. TRAI checked call setup success rate (how often calls connect), call drop rate, call setup time, silent-call issues and voice quality (MOS score). In auto mode (5G/4G/3G/2G), Airtel, MTNL, Reliance Jio (RJIL) and Vodafone Idea (VIL) recorded call setup success rates of 99.62 per cent, 28.52 per cent, 99.81 per cent and 96.07 per cent respectively. Call drop rates were 0.00 per cent for Airtel, 22.47 per cent for MTNL, 0.56 per cent for Jio and 6.43 per cent for Vodafone Idea, while average voice quality scores (MOS) were 3.91, 2.67, 3.80 and 4.44, respectively, the TRAI noted. Mobile data experience For overall data performance, average download speeds were 221.34Mbps for Jio, 84.99Mbps for Airtel, 49.79Mbps for Vodafone Idea and 4.05Mbps for MTNL. Upload speeds averaged 32.82Mbps (Jio), 25.86Mbps (Airtel), 18.94Mbps (Vodafone Idea) and 1.11Mbps (MTNL). In hotspot locations, 5G speeds peaked at around 319.76Mbps download on Jio, 134.32Mbps on Airtel and 51.52Mbps on Vodafone Idea, while 4G and 5G were not seen on MTNLs network, TRAI noted. The test revealed that private players were largely delivering strong call connectivity and high 4G/5G data speeds in many parts of Mumbai, whereas MTNLs network lagged on both call success and data speeds. Amid reports that India and Indonesia are advancing military ties, with the possible sale of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile to Jakarta, Pakistan too is trying to pitch its defence equipment to the country, especially JF-17 Thunder jets. In November, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed that Indonesia has made a bid to purchase the BrahMos missile, saying, "Indonesia has requested to purchase the BrahMos missile being manufactured in Lucknow." For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India Now, Pakistan, which has intensified efforts to market the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet globally as a cost-effective multirole aircraft, claimed that Indonesia has joined Libya, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia in expressing interest in buying the JF-17. Indonesian Defence Minister Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Retd) called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Monday at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi and discussed matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and exploration of avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. The Indonesian defence minister expressed his country's desire to further expand defence ties with Pakistan across multiple domains. A leading Urdu-language paper, The Jang, reported that the Indonesian defence minister, during his meeting with Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, discussed a defence agreement to buy 40 JF-17 Thunder, developed jointly by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). ALSO READ: India has a role in saving Pakistan's economy, suggests Khawaja Asif as he brags about JF-17 fighter jet sales Pakistan has been claiming that the jet has proved its capabilities during the conflict with India last year. A few days ago, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said his country has been receiving so many orders that Pakistan may not need the International Monetary Fund bailout in six months. India, which has already exported Brahmos to the Philippines, has been discussing the sale deal with Indonesia for a quite some time. A possible sale would be major step in India's journey towards Aatmanirbharata in defence and would boost the nation's stature as a global arms supplier. Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, on Tuesday, underscored the importance of setting up a missile force in the country to counter threats from Pakistan and China, which already have such forces. The rocket missile force is expected to integrate long-range rockets and missiles under unified command, consisting of systems like Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, Pralay tactical ballistic missile, and BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India Addressing a press conference, he said today, rockets and missiles have become intertwined as both are capable of delivering high, decisive impact. "We are looking towards a rocket missile force because, as you know, Pakistan has established a rocket force, and China has also created such a force. It is the need of the hour that we also establish such a force," news agency ANI quoted him as saying. He pointed out that India has been expanding its long-range strike capabilities with successful tests of the Pinaka system with a range of 120 km. A few days ago, the DRDO carried out the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket. The rocket was tested for its maximum range of 120 kms. ALSO READ: India sharpens anti-tank warfare edge with successful MPATGM test "We have also signed several other contracts that will explore ranges up to 150 km, and later we will see it reaching a range of 300-450 km," the Indian Army chief said. He noted that existing systems such as Pralay and BrahMos will help in building a layered strike capability. Pralay is an indigenously developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile employing advanced guidance and navigation to ensure high precision. The missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads against various targets. BrahMos, meanwhile, is a supersonic cruise missile, develped by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russias NPO Mashinostroyeniya, designed for rapid, high-precision strikes across multiple platforms. Right after China defended its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure projects in the Shaksgam Valley on Tuesday, Indias Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi reiterated that India considers the 1963 agreement made between Pakistan and China illegal, during a media briefing in New Delhi. He said that the county does not support any activity in the region. "As far as the Shaksgam Valley is concerned, India considers the 1963 agreement between Pakistan and China as illegal. Therefore, we don't approve of any activity in the valley. The MEA has already stated on this. We don't accept the joint statement by China and Pakistan on CPEC 2.0," the Army chief said. The 1963 Sino-Pakistan agreement China has used its 1963 agreement with Pakistan to justify its claims over the Shaksgam Valley and build infrastructure in the region. The country is currently building a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through the region via roads, railways and pipelines. In the agreement, the two countries signed that the boundary between Chinas Sinkiang region and a region part of India, which Pakistan claimed after the war in 1948, would be delimited in a spirit of equality and mutual benefit. The Shaksgam Valley and region in question spans 5,180 kilometres and lies north of the Karakoram range, next to the Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan region, and close to Siachen. The agreement also says that the China would be able to replace the treaty with a formal boundary treaty only after Pakistan the settles its dispute with India on the same region mentioned in the treaty. The treaty was signed between the countries' foreign ministries in Peking on March 2, 1963. According to the Indian Ministry of Affairs, the Sino-Pakistan agreement allowed China to secure the region it wanted. However, Pakistan did not gain much except de facto recognition of its Kashmir occupancy. India has maintained since 1962 that any agreement made by Pakistan with China is a violation, as it has no sovereignty over the state, and it was not hers to trade away. Just last week, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaisawal said, 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." "Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory. We have never recognised so called China Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963. We also do not recognise so-called China-Pakistan economic corridor which passes through Indian territory." - MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pic.twitter.com/fHJ2dgNRG3 News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) January 9, 2026 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reacted to the comments, saying that the territory was Chinas and that its infrastructure activities in the territory are beyond reproach The Shaksgam Valley is currently administered by China as part of the Sinkiang or Xinjiang region. India, however, has maintained that the region is part of Jammu and Kashmir since 1947. Pakistan occupied the region during the war in 1947-48 and then ceded it to China. In what comes as a major boost for Vijay and the makers of Jana Nayagan, the Supreme Court case hearing of the censor row is likely to be listed on January 15. The development has been reported late on Tuesday (January 13), hours after earlier reports suggested January 19 to be the listed date of hearing. On Monday (January 12), the producers of Jana Nayagan, KVN Productions, had approached the Supreme Court for a plea against the Madras High Court's ruling on the film's censor certificate row. For the unversed, the Madras High Court had heard the case last week and on January 9, initially ordered the Censor Board to give U/A certificate to the film. However, in the matter of hours, the Madras High Court was forced to issue a stay order on its earlier ruling due to a complaint filed by the Censor Board, challenging the earlier decision. With January 21 listed as the date of hearing at the Madras High Court, it became evident that Jana Nayagan shall not release until the last week of January, unless brisk action was taken by the producers. This is why KVN Productions decided to approach the Supreme Court to fast track the case for brisk resolution. The Pongal holidays in Tamil Nadu mean that the Madras High Court cannot function until the festival period ends. However, the Supreme Court has just a solitary holiday (January 14) for the festival of Pongal/Sankranthi. Latest reports suggest that the Jana Nayagan censor row case will be listed on Thursday (January 15). Further updates are awaited. Hollywood has shown time and again that one project failing on first impact isn't really a deterrent to keep making the same property in a different form. There are currently two projects based on The Mummy one that has already been completed and the other yet to be made. The completed one, directed by Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise), has unveiled its first glimpse in the form of a teaser. From the looks of it, Cronin and team have gone the route of the 1970s-style possession thrillers, but with a Middle Eastern touch that borrows iconography and elements from the Mummy franchise. Without giving anything, the teaser concerns the disappearance of a young girl. The teaser and first poster are accompanied by the caption, 'What happened to Katie?' The official synopsis reads: "The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare." Lead cast members include Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, May Calamawy, Natalie Grace, and Veronica Falcon. Lee Cronin's The Mummy the official title to avoid confusion with the previous entries is gearing up for an April 17 release. Recently, Brendan Fraser told Associated Press that he and Rachel Weisz will return for the fourth installment of the franchise they starred in, adding that it's the version he always wanted to see made. It will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett (collectively known as Radio Silence). The directing duo is known for the horror-action thrillers Ready or Not and the recently released Abigail. "The one I wanted to make is forthcoming," Fraser said. "And Ive been waiting 20 years for this call. Sometimes it was loud, sometimes it was a faint telegraph. Now? Its time to give the fans what they want." In July last year, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal announced that his daughter Vismaya is making her directorial debut with director Jude Anthany Joseph's Thudakkam. On Monday evening, Mohanlal shared a first-look poster of Vismaya, confirming an Onam 2026 release window for the film. Interestingly, Mohanlal's face is reflected on the bus window through which Vismaya is looking, hinting at his cameo alongside his daughter. Jude Anthany Joseph is known for his acclaimed work in Malayalam cinema, noted for films such as 2018 and Ohm Shanthi Oshaana. Thudakkam has cinematographer Jomon T. John and editor Chaman Chakko on the technical team. Thudakkam is backed by Mohanlal's longtime associate, friend, confidante, and producing partner, Antony Perumbavoor, under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas. The company introduced Vismaya to their social media followers through a note last year. "Aashirvad Cinemas takes immense pride and honour in introducing Ms. Vismaya Mohanlal in her silver screen debut. With hearts full of pride and eyes set on the horizon, we unveil a new voice, a fresh vision, and the dawn of a luminous new chapter. In a world woven with stories, a storyteller emerges, not from shadows, but from light. Welcome, #VismayaMohanlal," the note read. A gifted artist, poet, and performer, Vismaya published her book of poems, Grains of Stardust, in 2021. She has also dabbled in martial arts (Kung Fu) during a 2022 visit to Thailand. Vismaya is making her screen debut 23 years after her brother Pranav, who first appeared as a child actor in Mohanlal's Onnaman, as the younger self of his father's character. Pranav, last seen in Bramayugam director Rahul Sadasivan's new horror thriller Dies Irae. The film had been met with a positive reception by both critics and audiences. After the success of Sitaare Zameen Par, fans of Aamir Khan have been waiting to hear what the actor will do next. The actor has an upcoming release in the form of Vir Das's Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos (Jan. 16), which has Aamir as a producer and in a cameo appearance. The latter's next full-fledged acting venture, however, is expected to be a reunion with one of his former blockbuster collaborators, Rajkumar Hirani ("3 Idiots", "PK"). The project is a biopic of Dadasaheb Phalke, celebrated as the "father of Indian cinema." The project was reportedly supposed to go on floors in January 2026. However, the latest update is that both Aamir and Hirani have opted for a script revision to make it more accessible to modern audiences, with a plan to start filming in March 2026. Hirani and Aamir agree that the film must feel emotionally contemporary while staying rooted in history. The rewrite is to fine-tune the balance of humour and sincerity. They want to ensure that the character arc captures Phalkes stature. The draft will likely be finalised by February, and production will begin in late March, reported Mid-Day. An earlier report in Bollywood Hungama quoted an industry source saying, After repeated sessions of rewrite, the duo have collectively decided to put the project on hold. They believe that a personality as iconic as Dadasaheb Phalke deserves a script that is both emotionally stirring and universally engaging. Until they arrive at that benchmark, they are in no hurry to rush the film into production. Hirani has been working on the project for four years. As per the makers, the film is set against the backdrop of India's independence struggle and will chronicle the extraordinary journey of the man who laid the foundation of Indian cinema. ALSO READ | 'Sitaare Zameen Par' review: Aamir Khan's film doesn't break any new ground but its existence isn't without justification Phalke made his directorial debut in 1913 with Raja Harishchandra, a silent film inspired by the legend of King Harishchandra. Phalke's desire to make a film on this subject was born out of an urge to do a film along the lines of Alice Guy-Blache's 1906 French silent short film The Birth, the Life, and Death of Christ. The film's behind-the-scenes account is filled with fascinating anecdotes, such as the casting of men in roles meant for women, given that it was difficult to find women to act at the time due to constrictive socio-political norms of the time. Notably, Marathi filmmaker Paresh Mokashi directed a light-hearted, humorous biopic of Phalke in 2009 titled Harishchandrachi Factory, starring Nandhu Madhav as the eponymous figure. Interestingly, Madhav reprised his role, briefly, in the Prithviraj-starrer Celluloid (2013), directed by Kamal. It was also a biopic of a real-life filmmaker, J.C. Daniel, the father of Malayalam cinema. Aside from the Hirani movie, Aamir is also expected to announce another project this year. Intel (INTC) stock climbed more than 7% Tuesday as investment firm KeyBanc upgraded shares to Overweight from Sector Weight, citing the chipmakers advances in its manufacturing business and demand for its chips from AI data centers. Analyst John Vinh said in a note to clients Tuesday that Big Techs demand for chips and servers to power AI is leading to higher sales of Intels CPUs central processing units, or more traditional computer chips used alongside AI chips such as Nvidia's (NVDA) GPUs to train and run artificial intelligence models. Vinh said his supply chain checks show Intel is almost sold out for the year in data center server CPUs and may raise prices on the chips. Vinh also cited significant progress" in Intel's manufacturing business. Intel has worked to revive its manufacturing arm, Intel Foundry Services (IFS), just as its chips have lost ground to AMD (AMD) and Arm (ARM). The company has fallen into a vicious cycle: Manufacturing stumbles hurt the competitiveness of its chips, and softer chip sales left its factories underutilized, which only made the manufacturing turnaround harder. Early reported tests of Intel's latest manufacturing process, 18A, by Nvidia and Broadcom (AVGO) failed to result in major deals for Intel. More from Yahoo Scout How is AI demand boosting Intel's CPU sales? Can Intel's 18A process compete with industry leaders? Why did KeyBanc upgrade Intel to Overweight? What is Intel's rumored manufacturing deal with Apple? But a new CEO, investments from the US government and Nvidia, and the so-far successful launch of PC chips made with 18A have buoyed investor confidence in Intels ability to right the ship. In what would be a major boost for IFS, Vinh said his supply chain checks in Asia indicate that Intel has signed Apple (AAPL) as a customer to use its next-generation manufacturing 18A-P process to make low-end PC chips for its Macs and iPads. In semiconductor terms, Intel's recently launched 18A process node represents the latest generation of its chip fabrication technology, and 18A-P is an advanced, upcoming version of that node. The potential Apple deal was first predicted by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in late November, sending Intel shares soaring. Vinh called the rumored partnership Intels first big whale design win. The KeyBanc analyst also said he believes the two tech firms are in discussions for Apple to use Intels upcoming process, 14A, to make low-end chips for iPhones in 2029. Intel and Apple did not immediately respond to Yahoo Finance's request for comment on the possible deals. Meanwhile, Vinh said 18As improving yield the percentage of chips that a manufacturer produces from a silicon wafer that function correctly is enough to convince us it could credibly be the #2 foundry supplier in the industry ahead of Samsung. The chip manufacturing industry has just three large-scale players: the leading, Taiwan-based TSMC (TSM), Koreas Samsung (005930.KS), and US-based Intel. CLAIM: Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing cataracts at an early age. An unhealthy lifestyle, along with factors such as excessive sun exposure, diabetes, and genetic predisposition, can accelerate early-onset cataracts, especially among younger people. FACT: Smoking is a well-established risk factor for cataracts in general, but current scientific evidence does not conclusively prove that it directly causes early-onset cataracts. Large studies show no significant difference in early cataract risk between smokers and non-smokers. According to experts, proven causes of early cataracts include genetic predisposition, long-term steroid use, uncontrolled diabetes, eye injury, and chronic eye inflammation. In a viral Instagram reel posted by Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, addresses the link between smoking and early cataracts. The clip is from his podcast series, which he describes as a space where every episode has been designed to bring you some kind of value adds, with conversations centred on health, lifestyle, and self-improvement. In the reel, Ranveer is seen in conversation with Dr Rahil Chaudhary, an ophthalmologist, as he asks what he calls a crucial question around declining eye health among younger generations. Raising concerns about early-onset cataracts, Ranveer asks what could be driving this trend. Responding to the question, Dr Chaudhary points to smoking as a major risk factor. Smoking is one of the biggest reasons for early cataract, he says, adding that excessive exposure to sunlight also contributes significantly to the condition. Taking the conversation further, Ranveer asks whether todays Gen Z and millennials should be worried about developing cataracts early in life. Dr Chaudhary responds candidly, warning that lifestyle choices play a critical role. He explains that an unhealthy lifestyle can accelerate the onset of cataracts, and adds that diabetes is another important risk factor. He also notes that cataracts can be genetically determined, making some individuals more susceptible than others. Does smoking cause early cataracts? If we first look at the broader association between smoking and cataracts, medical evidence is consistent - smoking increases the overall risk of developing cataracts. For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH A cataract refers to the clouding of the eyes lens, which is normally clear. This clouding blocks light from passing through to the retina, leading to gradual vision loss. Cataracts usually develop slowly over several years, and advancing age remains the strongest risk factor. Smoking, however, further increases this risk. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Smoking cigarettes can cause cataracts. People who smoke cigarettes are two to three times more likely to develop cataracts than people who dont smoke. The FDA notes that smokers may not notice symptoms initially, but as cataracts worsen, they can significantly impair vision. What does research say about smoking and cataract risk? Strong evidence supporting this association comes from a large 2014 prospective cohort study conducted in Sweden. The study followed 44,371 men aged 4579 years from the Cohort of Swedish Men over a 12-year period, tracking incident cases of age-related cataract extraction through national surgical registers. The researchers found that smoking intensity and cumulative exposure were strongly associated with cataract risk. Current smokers consuming more than 15 cigarettes a day had a 42 per cent higher risk of cataract extraction compared to never-smokers. Importantly, the study also showed that quitting smoking reduced the risk over time, although the elevated risk persisted for decades, especially among heavy smokers. The authors concluded that smoking cessation seems to decrease the risk of cataract extraction with time, although the risk persists for decades, emphasising the importance of early cessation and, ideally, avoiding smoking altogether. More recently, a 2025 population-based study from Sweden examined both the prevalence of cataracts and the incidence of cataract surgery in relation to smoking. Analysing data from over 9,300 participants, researchers found that people who had ever smoked had a significantly higher prevalence of self-reported cataracts and cataract surgery compared to never-smokers. Current and former smokers also had a higher risk of undergoing cataract surgery, demonstrating a doseresponse relationship with years of smoking. But does smoking cause early-onset cataracts? While the evidence linking smoking to cataracts in general is strong, the picture becomes less clear when the focus shifts to early-onset cataracts. A large prospective Australian cohort study specifically examined whether smoking increased the risk of cataract surgery before the age of 65. The study followed 70,886 participants aged 4555 years and identified early-onset cataracts through linked Medicare records. Although individuals with early-onset cataracts showed longer smoking duration or higher smoking intensity in certain sub-groups, the researchers found no statistically significant difference in early-onset cataract risk between current smokers, former smokers, and never-smokers after adjusting for confounding factors. The authors concluded that smoking has neither a beneficial nor harmful effect on the long-term incidence of early-onset cataracts. Similar findings emerged from a 2024 clinical study analysing electronic medical records of 718 patients aged 4065 years who underwent cataract surgery. Researchers found no significant difference in the age of cataract surgery between smokers and non-smokers, even after controlling for diabetes and hypertension. Smoking intensity and smoking status also showed no association with earlier surgery. The study concluded that no significant associations were found, and called for further research to better understand whether smoking plays any role in triggering cataracts at a younger age. In a nutshell, while smoking remains a well-established risk factor for age-related cataracts, its role in triggering cataracts earlier in life appears less certain, highlighting the need for more targeted research on early-onset disease. What do the experts say? Dr Uma Mallaiah, Ophthalmologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, with over 28 years of clinical experience, said that past research has shown an association or a link between smoking and cataracts, but clarified that it is not proven that smoking actually causes cataracts. Emphasising the difference between causation and risk, she noted, Its not that because you smoke, you will get cataracts. Smoking is considered a risk factor, just like diabetes is a risk factor, but that does not mean everyone with diabetes or everyone who smokes will develop cataracts. Dr Mallaiah added that the exact reason why some people develop cataracts earlier than others remains unclear. Nobody really knows why certain people get cataracts while others dont, she said, pointing instead to genetics as a strong underlying influence. What is definitely true is that there is a genetic predisposition. Cataracts tend to run in families. Explaining this variability, she said that in some families cataracts appear in the early 60s, while in others they develop much later, or sometimes hardly at all. Youll have families where people get cataracts at 60, 70, or 80 years of age, and youll also have families where very few people need cataract surgery, she explained. Commeting on the reel, Dr Mallaiah said she was not aware of strong evidence linking sunlight exposure directly to cataracts. Ive never heard of sunlight causing cataracts, she remarked. She then outlined the proven risk factors for early-onset cataracts, stressing that some causes are well established in medical literature. One of the most important and proven causes is long-term steroid use, she said. Steroids, whether taken as tablets, applied as eye drops or ointments, or used for chronic medical conditions, are known to trigger early cataract formation. Patients with asthma, allergies, autoimmune conditions, or those who have undergone organ transplants are particularly at risk, she explained. Dr Mallaiah added that uncontrolled diabetes is another well-established cause of early cataracts. Uncontrolled diabetes definitely causes early cataracts, she said. Other proven contributors include eye injuries, trauma, and long-term inflammation inside the eye. This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS. The Central Bureau of Investigation, probing the Karur stampede, has reportedly postponed its second round of interrogation and let actor-politician Vijay return to Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. The central agency had earlier scheduled a second round of interrogation with the actor on Tuesday. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader reached Delhi on Monday morning after the central agency summoned him in connection with the probe into the tragic stampede during Vijay's rally in Karur last year. Vijay, who reached Delhi from Chennai in a chartered flight and landed at Palam airport just before noon. He reached the headquarters of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Lodhi Road soon after. The new entrant in Tamil Nadu politics was questioned for over six hours on various aspects related to the tragedy. The agency reportedly questioned Vijay to narrate the sequence of incidents as known to him and his perspective on what could have led to the stampede. The actor-politician was reportedly also asked about whether he expected such a huge turnout for the rally, and whether he was aware of the situation before he reached the venue. The TVK leader was also reportedly quizzed why he arrived about seven hours late to the meeting and why he left soon after the incident. According to official sources, Vijay told the CBI sleuths that neither Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) nor its functionaries were responsible for the Karur stampede and squarely blamed the state and district administration for the tragedy. Vijay reportedly told the investigators 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. Vijay left from the CBI headquarters around 7pm, along with party functionaries Aadhav Arjuna and C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar. While the CBI had summoned Vijay for second day of questioning on Tuesday, Vijay requested the agency to postpone the questioning so that he could take part in Pongal events organised by his party in Tamil Nadu. Vijay will return to Chennai on Tuesday morning. The CBI is likely to summon again the actor again for probe after Pongal festival. The Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece, Saamana, on Tuesday published a scathing editorial targeting the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra as well as Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai over his recent remarks on Mumbai city. The newspaper accused the Devendra Fadnavis-led government of tarnishing Maharashtras image through corrupt practices and of crushing the Marathi language, culture, and identity. "They are engaging in corrupt politics by crushing the Marathi language, Marathi culture, and Marathi identity. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry comes to Mumbai, insults the pride of Maharashtra, and leaves, and the Marathi rulers support him. This is a terrible situation," it said, referring to Annamalais comments during a campaign speech in Mumbai. A beggar from Tamil Nadu, BJP leader Annamalai, came to Mumbai as a star campaigner for the BJP and blabbered, Mumbai has nothing to do with Maharashtra. What connection does Mumbai have with Maharashtra? the editorial said. The paper also lambasted the BJP leaders who were present on the stage when Annamalai made the statements on Mumbai. "When this anti-Maharashtra Rasmalai of the BJP was giving his speech, several Marathi leaders of Mumbai BJP were present on the stage, and they were not bothered by Rasmalai's venomous words," it said. The Sena mouthpieces editorial came a day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray lashed out at Annamalais remarks and questioned his authority to comment on Mumbais affairs. What Annamalai said The controversy erupted after 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 said. How Raj Thackeray hit back The BJP leader's comments did not go down well with the MNS, with party chief Raj Thackeray questioning his 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. Yasashwini, a 23-year-old student of a private dental college in Bengaluru, died by suicide at her residence on January 8, triggering protests against the college administration and staff. The students family accused several faculty members of subjecting her to mental harassment, an allegation that was supported by a preliminary investigation. Following the findings, the college has suspended six lecturers for allegedly humiliating the student over her skin tone and dressing style. The Oxford Dental College said in a statement that the inquiry in the matter would continue and that the suspension would remain in force till further notification. The suspended faculty members include senior lecturers Anmol Razdan, Shabana Banu, Faika Kolkar and Alba Dinesh, Reader Sindhu R, and Professor Sushmini Hegde, all from the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, said the statement. Yashaswini was the only child of her parents, Parimala and Bhudevaiah. She had taken a days leave on January 7, citing eye pain. According to an IANS report, when she returned to college the following day, she was allegedly denied the opportunity to present a seminar and handle a radiology case and was subjected to verbal abuse. The report further alleged that she was insulted with derogatory remarks, including comments questioning how someone with dark skin could become a doctor. A complaint was filed at the Suryanagar Police Station, following which an FIR was filed against six faculty members. "She was insulted over her eye problem in front of her classmates. She shared everything with me. Don't they have children? The lecturer and the college management humiliated my daughter, following which she took the extreme step," Parimala told the news agency. The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party slammed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for prioritising a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Bengaluru on Tuesday. The Opposition accused the Congress government of 'betraying' Karnataka's interests. The BJP accused the Congress government of misplaced priorities and took a dig at the Congress leaders for choosing to be in Mysuru to receive senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, who was only transiting to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Karnataka Opposition leader R. Ashoka charged that welcoming the head of government from one of the world's strongest economies had been relegated to the back seat. "When political loyalty outweighs the state's development, it's certain that the future of Kannadigas will be doomed," he charged in a post on X. Merz, on the second day of his two-day official visit to India, arrived in Bengaluru and visited the Bosch campus at Adugodi. He also visited the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science before departing from the city. "This government, which sacrifices opportunities that could benefit the state just to quench its thirst for power, has proven it has no concern whatsoever for Karnataka or the Kannadigas," Ashoka charged. "Any responsible chief minister would welcome such global leaders and leverage this meeting for the state's progress. They would view this encounter with global leaders as a golden opportunity to boost investment, job creation, and industrial development in our state. But look at our state's misfortune...", he added. "Karnataka deserves leadership that puts the state before the party, progress before power politics, and global opportunities before political appeasement," he said. Ashoka said Congress has failed Karnataka. The Central Bureau of Investigation has reportedly summoned actor-politician Vijay for a second round of questioning on the Karur stampede on January 19. The central agency questioned the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader on Monday over the tragedy. According to reports, the CBI issued a summons to the actor-politician on Tuesday. Though originally the CBI had scheduled a second round of questioning for the day, the TVK leader sought another day to appear before the agency, citing Pongal festivities in Tamil Nadu. The CBI, which is probing the tragedy that claimed 41 lives following a Supreme Court order, interrogated the actor-politician on Monday. Vijay, who reached Delhi on a special flight from Chennai, reached the CBI headquarters in Delhi around noon on Monday. The central agency questioned him for six hours. During the interrogation, the CBI reportedly asked Vijay to narrate the sequence of incidents as known to him and his perspective on what could have led to the stampede. The actor-politician was reportedly also asked about whether he expected such a huge turnout for the rally, and he was aware of the situation before he reached the venue. According to reports, the TVK leader was also asked why he continued his speech despite noticing onlookers fainting during his speech. He was also questioned about his close to seven-hour delay in reaching the venue. The Central agency asked Vijay why he left Karur soon after the tragedy, reports said. Vijay reportedly told the investigators that he left Karur soon after the incident since he feared his presence could lead to chaos and further aggravate the situation. The CBI sleuths will now corroborate Vijay's statement with those of other TVK functionaries who appeared before the agency earlier. The development comes amid a legal battle over the release of his latest film, 'Jana Nayagan', in the Supreme Court. The apex court is likely to hear a plea moved by KVN Productions, producers of 'Jana Nayagan', against the CBFC over the delay in clearing its certification. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Mysuru on Tuesday, dismissed media speculation about a possible change in the state's leadership saying there is no confusion regarding leadership issues right now. The senior Congress leader said he will abide by the decision of the party high command even as he clarified that he did not hold a political discussion with Rahul Gandhi. "No discussion has taken place today, and none is scheduled for the evening. He (Rahul Gandhi) is en route to Gudalur in Tamil Nadu and will return here later to fly back to Delhi. I will see him off again," he said. Responding to questions about media reports on a possible leadership change, Siddaramaiah said, "What speculations? You (the media) are the ones speculating. There is no such issue within the party. This question itself is baseless." According to news agency PTI, the chief minister also addressed rumours of confusion over a potential cabinet reshuffle, saying, "Where is the confusion? These are discussions in newspapers and media; there is no such thing in the party." On reports that legislators were giving dates for a leadership change, he said, "Either D.K. Shivakumar or I would speak on this issue, as we are the ones who know. Have we spoken? No. In fact, legislators are not discussing it now; it is you (the media) who are discussing it." On the issue of MLAs publicly commenting on his tenure, Siddaramaiah said, "MLAs don't know the details. The high command has not informed them. The decision will be taken as per the high command." The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections are finally set to take place in Mumbai this Thursday. As political parties compete for control, a new trend has emerged: the number of independent candidates has declined significantly compared to the previous civic polls. A research study conducted after the 2017 civic polls by Sanjay Patil revealed the trend. His research report, 'Contesting Municipal Elections: Motivations and Strategy', under the guidance of Mumbai University professor Surendra Jondhale, says that since 2012, there has been a decline in the number of independent candidates. In the 2012 BMC elections, the independents accounted for 40.97 per cent of all contestants. While the figure declined to 30.67 in 2017. However, Patil noted that there has been a slight rise in the 2026 elections as the figure became 32.8 per cent. Why is there a decline in independent candidates? The civic polls have become extremely competitive, requiring huge financial and organisational resources. Since most candidates are managed by political parties, the financial aspect is taken care of. "Elections today demand huge resources, which genuine independents often lack," Patil told Hindustan Times. Now, the independent candidates mainly fall under the rebel category, who seek party tickets but contest as independents after being denied a ticket. Aspirants who fail to secure tickets from any party and those fielded strategically by political parties also contest the polls as independents. BJP leaders, including Divya Dhole from Versova (ward 60), Nehal Amar Shah from Matunga (ward 177), and Janhvi Rane from Abhyudaya Nagar (ward 205), are contesting the polls as independents as they were denied tickets. Sena (UBT) leader (Sewri ward 202) is contesting polls as a rebel in this year's polls. The elections held after a gap of nine years are also a significant factor to be noted. Revolts within the parties occurred due to this. Patil stressed that the high cost of campaigning remains a key deterrent for independents. The polls is to be held across 227 wards, with 1,700 candidates in the fray. The Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi are battling for control in several corporations, while the Opposition alliance is also hoping to put up a spirited fight. In a major setback to the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, the State Election Commission has barred advance payments under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme, citing the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming municipal elections. Although the government had made no official announcement on the payment, Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan had earlier stated that eligible beneficiaries of the scheme would receive a combined transfer of 3,000 for December and January in their bank accounts before Makar Sankranti. The poll panel said that while the regular or pending instalments under the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme may be disbursed, no advance payment will be allowed during the model code period. The Commission had written to the Chief Secretary on Sunday, seeking clarification on the factual position following media reports suggesting that the government intended to release the January instalment of the scheme before Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14. The flagship scheme of the state government, which provides eligible women beneficiaries with a monthly assistance of 1,500, is widely credited with helping the Mahayuti secure victory in the 2024 state assembly elections. The SECs decision also came after a complaint by Congress leader Sandesh Kondvilkar, who alleged that the government planned to release the payment on January 14, a day before polling. Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said the party is not opposed to the scheme but asserted that releasing two months assistance on the eve of voting amounts to a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The buzz created by the elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the country's richest municipal corporation, is at its peak in Maharashtra. All eyes are on whether the Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP, Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction, and NCPs Ajit Pawar faction will be able to take on Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's MNS. The elections to the BMC are being held after a gap of three years. According to the new C-Voter survey conducted among voters in Mumbai, 53 per cent of those surveyed confidently believed the Mahayuti will win the BMC elections. They believe the Grand Alliance will once again perform resoundingly, while only 18 per cent believe the ruling alliance will not achieve the same success this time. On whether the Thackeray brothers will sweep Marathi votes, over 61 per cent of voters claimed the alliance will help them clinch Marathi votes. Only 14 percent believed it would have no significant impact. There has been considerable discussion about the meetings between the two leaders in recent days. Another point of the survey was regarding the Thackeray family, which has been facing a setback over the last few elections. While 72 per cent agreed that the Thackeray name was still a major brand in Maharashtra politics, only 11 per cent believed otherwise. On who would be the heir of Shiv Sena, 41 per cent of respondents considered Uddhav Thackeray the frontrunner, while only 28 percent named Eknath Shinde. Just 10 per cent supported Raj Thackeray. On whether the Mayor of Mumbai should be a Marathi, 62 percent said the next mayor of Mumbai should be Marathi, while 21 per cent disagreed. The poll questioned 1,241 people across age groups, genders, castes, political affiliations, and languages. The survey has a 5% margin of error, making the results highly reliable. Meanwhile, another survey conducted by Asendia regarding the BMC election results revealed the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's MNS alliance is in a strong position, while the BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena could face a major setback. Those surveyed were also asked about the electoral impact of the faces of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Only four percent of women, four percent of Muslim voters, two percent of Marathi-speaking voters, and four percent of other voters said they would vote solely based on the performance of the councilor, not on the faces of politicians. On who the Muslims will vote for, the survey revealed their diverse preferences. Twelve per cent of Muslim voters said they would vote for a party that fielded a Muslim candidate, while two percent said they would support a candidate who was positioned to defeat the BJP. According to the same survey, 10 per cent of Muslim voters favored the alliance of Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, while 11 percent supported the Congress-led coalition. However, 64 percent of voters in this significant segment did not provide a clear answer, leaving their preferences unclear. A fund managed by Fondo Italiano dInvestimento has picked up a majority stake in Alimenta Produzioni, an Italian baked goods manufacturer. In a statement on 9 January, the private-equity firm said it is backing Alimenta through its Fondo Italiano Agri&Food Fund (FIAF). Financial terms of the deal were not revealed. The transaction is being carried out with Alimenta's existing management team, which will stay in place and invest alongside the fund to support the groups medium-to-long-term growth plans. Established in 2013, Alimenta is headed by founder and chief executive Valter Baldacci, along with partners Alberto Fenati and Matteo Federici. The Riccione-based firm has 265 employees and reported revenues of around 50m ($58.3m) in 2025. Pier Felice Murtas, senior partner at Fondo Italiano, said: Alimenta represents a solid industrial platform with a distinctive positioning and significant growth opportunities, particularly in international markets. Together with the current management team led by Valter Baldacci - whose achievements in just a few years since the companys founding we greatly appreciate - we share a medium-to-long-term vision: we aim to guide the group into a new phase of its journey, leveraging industrial investments, customer base expansion and organisational strengthening, while fully valuing internal expertise. Alimenta claims a leadership position in the Romagna piadina category, or Italian-style flatbreads. It also produces pinsa and other savoury bakery products. It supplies retail customers from three production facilities and a logistics centre located in Emilia-Romagna and Marche. Alimenta has also increased its exposure to overseas markets, which now represent more than one-third of its total turnover. Markets include the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and destinations in Northern Europe, as well as Australia and the US. Fondo Italiano said the investment will underpin a fresh phase of development. Priorities include reinforcing Alimentas international reach - especially in pinsa, which now accounts for about 30% of the groups turnover - and consolidating its position in the domestic market. The plan also covers the launch of new product ranges using Altograno flour, described as having a high natural content of protein and fibre. This initiative has been developed with Molino Casillo, a flour and semolina producer based in Apulia, for which Alimenta holds exclusive licensing rights in its relevant product segments. In addition, the shared strategy envisages greater focus on the Horeca channel. The latest Trump tirade on Iran might cost India a key trade and maritime partner. For the Narendra Modi-led nation, the Islamic Republic of Iran is not only a key strategic player in West Asias maritime security, it is a bilateral trade companion in some of Indias strongest industries, such as agriculture. Ever since 2015, Iran has been a key maritime partner for India. Back then, it began as an infrastructure deal, an MoU to partner on the development of Chabahar Port. By May of 2016, it elevated to a trilateral deal between India, Iran, and Afghanistan to establish the International Transport and Transit Corridor (Chabahar Agreement). India was a key player in the phase-1 development of the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port. Two years later, in 2018, India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ) took point on Chabahar Port operations. The IPGCFZ is a unit of the India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), a joint venture company formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Kandla Port Trust (KPT) as per the directives of the Union. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW). For more maritime and shipping news and views, visit: Maritime, Ahoy! The maritime link between India and Iran is so intertwined that it is not something that New Delhi can simply detether because Washington threw a fit. Beyond maritime, Iran is also a key trade partner. From rice to bananas: Irans key Indian imports In 2025, according to the commerce ministry's recently updated trade statistics, India's merchandise trade with Iran stood at more than $1 trillion in exports and $323 million in imports. The trade balance in favour of India stood at a healthy $695 million during the calendar year. The top export to Iran from India is cereals, especially rice. In calendar year 2025, Iran imported $649.4 million worth of rice from India (FY2024-2025 rice exports were at $757 million). Bananas are the next biggest export item for India to Iran, clocking $44.8 million in the past year, followed by tea at $43.8 million. Top exports from Iran to India in 2025 included petroleum bitumen at $110 million and fresh apples at $60.4 million. India also imported $29 million worth of khayzur or wet dates from Iran. And trade has been steady between the two partners. In 2023 and 2024, exports to Iran were in line with 2025 numbers, hovering around the $1.2 billion mark. Suffice to say, Iran has been a good partner for India for quite some time. Trumps latest announcement of slapping 25 per cent tariffs on countries trading with Iran is quite a troubling notion. The US already imposed 50 per cent tariffs on the country's exports to America. This included 25 per cent for India's purchases of Russian energy. Adding more tariffs on Indian goods could harm exporters, especially in labour-intensive sectors like textiles, which have already borne the brunt of earlier duties. Iran is set to execute Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old man, in what would be the first capital punishment linked to the ongoing antiregime protests sweeping the country. Soltani was arrested last week during demonstrations in Karaj and is scheduled to be hanged on Wednesday, according to human rights groups. His family was informed that he has been sentenced to death and that the execution is due to be carried out on January 14, Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) quoted a source as saying. In a statement, the NGO warned of a serious risk of mass and extrajudicial executions of protesters. "Under the Responsibility to Protect, the international community has a duty to protect civilian protesters against mass killings by the Islamic Republic and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. We call on people and civil society in democratic countries to remind their governments of this responsibility," it said. Another rights group, the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFD), also appealed for international intervention to halt Soltanis execution, alleging that he was denied access to legal counsel. Erfan Soltani was arrested for protesting during Iran's 2026 uprising. The Islamic Republic is set to execute him this Wednesday, and informed his family that the sentence is final. He was denied access to a lawyer. Erfans only crime was calling for freedom. Be his voice. pic.twitter.com/73WfZCJiq2 National Union for Democracy in Iran (@NUFDIran) January 11, 2026 According to a US Sun report, Soltani has been charged with waging war against God, an offence punishable by death under Iranian law. His supporters claim he has not been allowed legal advice and had no chance to defend himself before a verdict of death by hanging was delivered. He was allowed to see his family for just ten minutes yesterday to say goodbye, the report said, citing activists. Meanwhile, the death toll from Irans nationwide protests has risen to at least 646, with activists warning that the figure is likely to increase. The estimate comes from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has a track record of accurately documenting casualties during past demonstrations, the Associated Press reported. The group compiles its figures through a network of activists inside Iran who verify reported deaths. Backing anti-regime protests in Iran, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called of talks with Tehran and urged Iranians to continue their protest. Taking to Truth Social, Trump assured the protesters that help is on its way and urged them to "take over institutions". For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price," he wrote on the social media platform. Amid the "senseless killing of protesters", Trump said he has called of diplomatic engagement with the Islamic regime. "I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS." Then he added, HELP IS ON ITS WAY." However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Al Jazeera that he spoke with US special envoy Steve Witkoff during the protests and Tehran was studying ideas proposed by Washington. This comes as an Iranian official requesting anonymity told Reuters that 2,000 people have died in the violence, including protesters and security personnel. However, a detailed report by Iran International's editorial board based on official sources and on-ground testimonies put the death toll at 12,000. Most of these death occurred on January 8 and 9. The report blamed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its paramilitary volunteer militia Basij for the killings. Most of these victims were below the age of 30. At least 2,000 people have been killed in the ongoing protests in Iran, an Iranian official acknowledged on Tuesday. Speaking to Reuters, the official said the deaths include not just protesters but also security personnel. The official requested anonymity while revealing the figures. This is the first time that Iranian authorities acknowledged the massive casualty in the country. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East However, another publication, Iran International in a statement released by its Editorial Board claimed that at least 12,000 Iranians have died so far in the violence. The statement was titled, "The killing of 12,000 Iranians will not be buried in silence." Most of these victims were aged under 30. The outlet's statement claimed that most of these killings took place on January 8 and 9 and were carried out mainly by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij. "In terms of geographic scope, intensity of violence, and the number of deaths in a short time span, this killing is unprecedented in Irans history," the reports said. "This killing was fully organized, not the result of 'sporadic' and 'unplanned' clashes." The editorial board of the outlet said their findings were based on a source close to the Supreme National Security Council, two sources in the presidential office, several sources within the IRGC in Mashhad, Kermanshah and Isfahan, accounts from witnesses and victims' families, medical centre data, and other testimonies. Citing sources from the Supreme National Security Council and the presidential office, Iran International reported that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei gave a direct order for the killings. It was approved by the head of all three branches of the Islamic regime. The Trump administration has reportedly begun talks to explore options on how to carry out a potential attack on Iran, including non-military options. This comes as President Donald Trump warned of "very strong" options on Iran if Tehran contravenes his warnings on killing protestors. Trump was briefed on a wide array of military and covert tools that can be used against Iran, which also includes cyber operations and psychological campaigns that can disrupt Iranian command structures, communications, and state-run media, CBS News quoted US Defense Department officials. U.S. Sec of War Pete Hegseth visits Elon Musk at SpaceX factory in Starbase, Texas pic.twitter.com/j8LujQtjoA Hassan Sajwani (@Sajwani) January 13, 2026 While airpower and long-range missiles still remain central to the discussions, the officials are also actively considering an integrated operation which has cyber and psychological operations simultaneously with traditional military force. They could also deploy cyber operations as a standalone option. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East However, the report did not mention which digital infrastructure is under consideration for targeting in Iran or what, exactly, the psychological campaign against Iran's state-run media would look like. If Trump moves ahead with cyber operations, this wont be the first time Iran has faced it. In 2021, Iranian gas stations came under cyberattack. Though the US and Israel did not take responsibility for the same, Iran had blamed it on them. In 2019, Iran claimed to have busted a CIA spy ring following a cyberattack on weapons systems. There were speculations that the operation was led by the US. Its quite likely that nonmilitary options are also being considered. These could include a complete economic blockade of Iran to prevent its oil exports to China or cyberattacks that disrupt the communication and decision-making systems of Iranian security agencies, Ali Vaez, Iran project director for the International Crisis Group, told Radio Farda. There are also speculations that the US is looking at restoring internet communications in Iran, as its leaders have cut off internet and phone services in the country. We may get the internet going, if thats possible, Trump told reporters the other day. We may speak to Elon Musk. Im going to call him as soon as Im finished with you. Iran has rep The UAE is set to sign the US-led Pax Silica declaration on January 15, three days after Qatar joined the initiative. The program seeks to secure the AI and semiconductor supply chain, including critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, computing and data infrastructure, according to a report. What makes Pax Silica interesting is that the initiative includes Israel, bringing the country and the GCC signatories together under a single tech-based economic deal. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East "The Silicon Declaration isnt just a diplomatic communique. Its meant to be an operational document for a new economic security consensus," said Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg. Other countries in the grouping includes the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Interestingly, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said New Delhi is invited to join Pax Silica. "As the world adopts new technology, it is essential that India and the United States work hand-in-hand together," he posted on X on January 12. Highlighting the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor that connects the India and Europe via GCC countries and Israel, Helberg said projects that could modernise trade and logistics routes using advanced US technology are also being discussed. According to Reuters, American and Israeli officials are working on a strategic framework linked to the Pax Silica to accelerate projects. The Fort Foundry One industrial park in Israel is also part of this. On January 12, 2026, millions watching the PSLV-C62 mission from Sriharikota felt their hearts sink. Minutes after liftoff, the rocket failed. Sixteen satellites, including DRDO's strategic surveillance satellite Anvesha (EOS-N1) and payloads from Indian startups and countries like Brazil, the UK, Nepal, Spain, and Thailand, were lost. What makes this failure particularly painful is the pattern. Just eight months earlier, on May 18, 2025, the PSLV-C61 mission carrying EOS-09 failed in an almost identical fashion. For a vehicle that had only three failures in its first 62 launches, two consecutive breakdowns raise uncomfortable questions: Why was the May failure not fully resolved before launching again? With the PSLV-C61 investigation report still pending at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the decision to rush the C62 launch is now under intense scrutiny. This is the heart of the problem: launching without learning. The rocket's first two stages performed nominally. However, during the third stage (PS3)a solid motor phasea critical anomaly occurred. Telemetry showed a drop in chamber pressure, the same issue that doomed the May 2025 mission. The rocket lost control, its roll rates spiked, and it drifted off course. Without the required thrust to reach orbital velocity, the mission was lost. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has announced a Failure Analysis Committee. While space exploration is inherently risky, NASA and SpaceX have faced their share of disasters. The difference between a setback and a crisis is the ability to learn. Two identical failures suggest a systemic issue rather than a random accident. The financial blow is significant, with losses estimated between 200 and 250 million dollars. While international payloads and some Indian startups carry insurance through domestic and international insurers, the trust deficit is harder to cover. PSLV's lifetime success rate has dipped to 93.7 per cent. Consequently, insurance premiums for future Indian launches are expected to jump 20-30 per cent, threatening the cost advantage that made ISRO a global leader in the small satellite market. For international partners like Spain, Thailand, Brazil, the UK, and Nepal, the loss of years of engineering work is devastating. PSLV missions are now grounded until at least mid-February 2026, causing a massive backlog for NewSpace India Limited, ISRO's commercial arm, explained space analyst Girish Linganna. Indian startups that lost their satellites on this mission have lost years of research and development. Despite staying positive publicly, this could seriously affect investor confidence in India's space sector. The 2020 reforms that opened up space to private players now face their biggest test. Will venture capitalists continue betting on Indian space startups after witnessing such losses? Similarly, the loss of Anvesha is a blow to national security. Designed for hyperspectral imaging, it was intended to unmask military camouflage along India's borders. Beyond the hardware, there is a psychological toll. The Gaganyaan program, India's human spaceflight mission, uses the larger LVM3 (GSLV MkIII) rocket, not the PSLV. However, the manufacturing of solid motors for the PSLV's third stage shares quality control protocols with the GSLV. If there is a broader manufacturing rot, the safety of India's future astronauts becomes a paramount concern. Is ISRO trying to do too much? India's space economy was valued at $8.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $44 billion by 2033. Achieving this requires absolute reliability. Many experts now ask: Is ISRO trying to do too much? With Chandrayaan-4, Shukrayaan (Venus mission), Gaganyaan, regular satellite launches, and commercial missions running simultaneously, quality checks may be suffering. The fact that both recent failures involve the same PS3 stage suggests a specific, recurring problem that should have been caught and fixed after the first failure. The recurring PS3 failure points toward two main possibilities. First, manufacturing defectsa bad batch of solid propellant or casing materials. Second, design ageingthe 30-year-old PSLV design may be struggling with modern, heavier, and more complex multi-satellite rideshare configurations. Why is only PSLV failing while ISRO's other rockets like GSLV continue performing well? The answer likely lies in these factors. PSLV has been our workhorse for three decades, but perhaps it's showing its age and limitations. This crisis should be ISRO's wake-up call. Success can breed complacency; failure forces evolution. To restore global confidence, ISRO must take immediate action. First, publicly release the investigation reports for both C61 and C62. People deserve to know what went wrong. Second, ground the PSLV fleet until the PS3 motor is completely redesigned or re-certified. No more rushing launches to meet calendar deadlines. Third, order external audits wherein we invite private sector experts and international partners to audit quality control processes. Fresh eyes can spot problems that internal teams might miss. Fourth, accelerate the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle to replace the ageing PSLV. Fifth, empowermentfully hand over commercial operations to private players, allowing ISRO scientists to focus on research, development, and deep-space exploration, pointed out Linganna. To prevent future failures, this expert feels that ISRO should consider replacing the entire PS3 solid motor inventory with freshly manufactured units using stricter quality protocols. Install additional sensors and telemetry on the third stage to catch problems earlier. It might be time to retire the ageing PSLV design entirely and move to newer launch vehicles. The technology that worked brilliantly for thirty years may not be suitable for todays complex missions, says Linganna. No doubt that the failure of PSLV-C62 on January 12, 2026, comes at a sensitive moment for Indias space ecosystem, but in the global context, it is far from an isolated or unprecedented event. Across decades of orbital launch history, even the most mature and commercially successful space powers, including Europe, Russia, China, and the United States, have experienced clusters of launch failures that temporarily disrupted markets, shook customer confidence, and forced programmatic resets. Viewed through this comparative lens, the PSLV-C62 setback reflects a familiar stress cycle in launch systems rather than a singular collapse of capability. For the Indian Space Research Organisation, PSLV-C62 was primarily a commercial mission, carrying a mix of private, educational, and international payloads. Its loss, therefore, affects not only national objectives but also Indias standing as a dependable launch provider. Similar moments have confronted Europe through Arianespace, whose experience offers a particularly relevant comparison. Europes Ariane 5 achieved one of the most impressive reliability records in spaceflight, exceeding 9498 per cent success over more than a hundred launches. Yet even this highly trusted system suffered anomalies, such as the 2018 VA-241 mission that placed satellites into an incorrect orbit. The difference lay in response: swift investigation, transparent communication, and rapid corrective action allowed Ariane 5 to continue flying with minimal long-term commercial damage, Srimathy Kesan, the founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, told THE WEEK. The implications extend beyond commerce into strategic and human spaceflight programs. Although PSLV is not the launch vehicle for Gaganyaan, repeated anomalies inevitably raise broader questions about organisational quality systems and supply chain robustness. Europe faced similar scrutiny when Vega failures coincided with the transition from Ariane 5 to Ariane 6, forcing ESA to reassure stakeholders that human-rated and heavy-lift programs were insulated from small-launcher issues. The lesson is that a clear separation of quality assurance streams and a visible safety culture are essential when human spaceflight is involved. PSLVs overall performance remains strong by global standards, with a success rate comparable to Ariane 5 prior to its final years. However, two similar third-stage anomalies within a short span elevate concern, particularly because PSLV underpins Indias commercial launch offerings through NewSpace India Limited. In the commercial launch market, perception is critical: insurance premiums rise, contractual conditions tighten, and customers diversify launch options after consecutive failures. Europes Vega experience shows that even a technically capable vehicle can lose market momentum if corrective action is slow or opaque, added Kesan. Everyone deserves answers: the startups that lost their satellites, the foreign partners who trusted India with their payloads, and the taxpayers whose money funded Anvesha. But we shouldn't lose sight of what ISRO has achieved. Landing on the moon's south pole when superpowers failed, reaching Mars on the first attempt with a budget smaller than a Hollywood movie, these aren't flukes. They prove ISRO's capability and brilliance. Failure will ultimately strengthen our space program. Failures expose hidden weaknesses that success conceals. They force uncomfortable conversations about quality, accountability, and systematic improvement. They remind us that space is unforgiving and demands perfection in every bolt, every weld, every calculation. India has a history of resilience. After the 2017 PSLV failure, the program returned stronger than ever. However, the stakes are higher now. We are no longer just a budget space agency; we are a global contender competing with the best in the world. The loss of PSLV-C62 must be the turning point where India moves from a culture of rushing for the calendar to a culture of perfection in every detail. Will India recover from this setback? Absolutely. The real question is whether we'll use this failure as a catalyst to build a more transparent, robust, and accountable space ecosystem. If we choose honesty over face-saving, quality over speed, and long-term excellence over short-term targets, then years from now, we might look back at PSLV-C62 not as a disaster, but as the moment that pushed India to become a truly world-class space power. Award-winning Australian author Craig Silvey has appeared in court after being charged with the possession and distribution of child exploitation material. The 'Jasper Jones' novelist was arrested on Monday after a police raid at his home in Perth. Police say that Silvey, 43, who is a father of three children, was caught red-handed as he was found actively engaging with child exploitation offenders online when they arrived. A WA Police spokeswoman said that Silvey was immediately arrested, and his electronic devices were seized. He appeared in the Fremantle Magistrate's court on Tuesday, where state prosecutors alleged that Silvey was engaging in online conversations where he expressed a sexual interest in children and distributed child exploitation material over several days in January. Prize-winning Australian author Craig Silvey has appeared in court charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material. The 43-year-old father of three did not enter a plea during his appearance in Freemantle Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was granted bail. pic.twitter.com/9Bl8evv2q0 Ness Brisbane (@BrisbaneNe57067) January 13, 2026 He also allegedly refused to provide passwords to police to gain access to his mobile, laptop, and other devices. The court described the charges as 'very serious'. Silvey was granted bail with $100,000 surety and must report to his local police station three times a week. He has been banned from child-related work, including school visits, and is not allowed to be around children unsupervised, including his own. He has also been banned from accessing the internet. Silvey is best known for his work, Jasper Jones, an award-winning novel written in 2009, which was also adapted into a popular movie. He has also won accolades for his works Rhubarb, Honeybee, and Runt, a children's novel which was also turned into a film. He was named twice as one of the Sydney Morning Herald's best young Australian novelist. Most of his books, popular with children and young adults, have teenage protagonists dealing with racism, sexual identity, and abuse. Australian schools have widely adopted some of his works as part of the curriculum. India and Germany have outlined a broad, future-focused roadmap to deepen their strategic partnership, following the first official visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India from January 1213 2026. This was also Merzs first trip to Asia as the German chancellor. On Monday, he was with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat. On Tuesday, he landed at Bengaluru. Karnataka Minister for Large & Medium Industries M.B. Patil and senior government officials received him at the airport. He is scheduled to visit the India GQ of German tech major Bosch at Adugodi later in the day. A detailed joint statement issued after his talks with PM Modi on Monday highlighted major new cooperation plans in defence, technology, trade, green energy, education and people-to-people ties. It was a pleasure to welcome H.E. Mr. Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, to Karnataka. Warmly received him at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. We look forward to further strengthening Karnataka Germany relations and advancing pic.twitter.com/oVz5AIGuQe M B Patil (@MBPatil) January 13, 2026 Chancellor Merz, accompanied by a high-powered delegation including 23 top German CEOs, made India his first destination in Asia as Federal Chancellor, signalling Berlins priority for ties with New Delhi. The leaders met in Ahmedabad on Monday, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram and took part in the famous kite festival, before holding formal talks and addressing the IndiaGermany CEOs Forum. Germanys role as a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific and 25 years of the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership formed the backdrop to the visit. Defence, security, and global issues India and Germany agreed to strengthen defence cooperation, including a new Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap for long-term co-development and co-production of military platforms. Germany plans to participate in the naval exercise MILAN, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Conclave of Chiefs and air exercise Tarang Shakti in 2026, and will post a liaison officer at the Information Fusion CentreIndian Ocean Region. Both sides condemned terrorism in all forms, specifically referring to attacks in Pahalgam and Delhi in 2025, and pledged closer counter-terrorism collaboration. Trade, technology, and green agenda Bilateral trade in goods and services has crossed $50 billion in 2024, over a quarter of Indias trade with the EU, and both sides want to push this further, including through an IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement. New joint declarations cover semiconductor ecosystem partnership, critical minerals, telecommunications and an expanded innovation and technology partnership. Under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, Germany has already used or earmarked about 5 billion euros from its 10billioneuro commitment till 2030 for climate and sustainable development projects in India. Education, mobility, and people The two leaders on Monday welcomed growing numbers of Indian students and professionals in Germany and agreed to deepen educational and research links, including an Indo-German roadmap on higher education. Germany would also offer visa-free transit for Indian passport holders and expand legal skilled migration under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement, including a Global Skills Partnership focused on healthcare workers. The next round of IndiaGermany Inter-Governmental Consultations will be held in Germany later in 2026. Amid continuing violence against minority communities in Bangladesh, a Hindu auto-rickshaw driver was beaten to death in Daganbhuiyan in Chittagong on Sunday night. The victim, identified as Samir Das, was allegedly attacked by a group of assailants who brutally thrashed and stabbed him with country-made weapons before fleeing with his auto-rickshaw. Prima facie, it appears to be a premeditated murder. The perpetrators also looted the auto-rickshaw after killing the victim. The family will file an FIR, and police operations are underway to identify and arrest those responsible, a police officer was quoted as saying by NDTV. #BREAKING: Another minority Hindu has been killed in Bangladesh under the watch of Muhammad Yunus. 28-year-old auto-rickshaw driver Samir Chandra Das was found dead last night. He had reportedly been facing death threats and extortion demands from radical Islamist groups. Yunus pic.twitter.com/Gh9GtpslTC AsiaWarZone (@AsiaWarZone) January 12, 2026 Bangladesh has witnessed a series of attacks on minority communities since youth-led anti-government protests last year culminated in the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government. Last week, a 25-year-old Hindu man died after jumping into a canal while attempting to escape a mob that accused him of theft in northwestern Bangladesh. This incident followed the killing of a 40-year-old grocery shop owner by unidentified attackers on January 5 at Charsindhur Bazar in Palash Upazila. In another incident on the same day, a 38-year-old ice factory ownerwho also served as the acting editor of the Narail-based newspaper Dainik BD Khabarwas shot dead by unidentified assailants. India has expressed concern over the situation, urging Bangladesh to take firm action against communal violence. We continue to witness a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities, as well as their homes and businesses, by extremist elements, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week. He added that India has observed a troubling tendency to attribute such incidents to personal rivalries, political differences, or other extraneous factors, rather than addressing the broader pattern of communal violence. Jersey Mikes Subs, a franchisor of more than 3,200 fast-casual sandwich outlets, plans to open up to 400 locations in the UK and Ireland. The company has entered a franchise arrangement with JM Submarines UK, headed by Jersey Mike's founder and board chairman Peter Cancro, for the expansion. Cancro said: I see tremendous potential in these markets, and I'm eager to personally operate the brand I love in regions that value quality and community as much as we do. The agreement is the companys first move into Europe. The first outlet under the expansion is expected to open this year. Jersey Mike's CEO Charlie Morrison said: This marks a pivotal milestone in Jersey Mike's growth journey as we expand into the European market. We could not ask for a better partner than Peter to lead this market expansion. Peter built this brand from the ground up, from our first location on the Jersey Shore to over 3,000 locations across North America during his time as CEO." Cancro established the business in 1975 after buying the original Mikes Subs site in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. He ran Jersey Mikes as chief executive for nearly five decades and assumed the role of chair in April 2025. He continues to hold a significant shareholding after the business was sold to Blackstone in November 2024. Blackstone acquired Jersey Mikes Subs for $8bn, including debt, and agreed to support its expansion within the US and internationally. Jersey Mikes appointed Morrison as CEO last year. "Jersey Mikes to open 400 stores in UK and Ireland" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. Canadas Peel Regional Police said that they arrested two men in connection with what was described as the largest gold heist in Canadian history. On Monday, a 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary was arrested at Toronto International Airport as he flew in from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as part of Project 24K, an investigation into the theft of gold bars worth over $20 million. BREAKING@PeelPolice have arrested its seventh accused in the 2023 Pearson $40-million Airport gold heist. Arsalan Chaudhary taken into custody today at Terminal 1 watch for column and video pic.twitter.com/MRAJmCZEcU Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) January 12, 2026 Chaudhary had no fixed address and faces charges of theft over $5000, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He was held for a bail hearing and appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Peel Regional Police Insp. Mike Mavity told CBC News that Chaudhary arranged to turn himself in through his lawyer, and he didn't know specifically why he chose to surrender. Chaudhary is one of the final suspects to be captured in the Project 24K probe. Investigators say that about 21 charges were laid to about 10 people who were the subject of warrants in relation to the case. The heist took place on April 17, 2023. Police said that a cargo shipment arriving at Pearson from Zurich, Switzerland, went missing and that the shipment contained 400 kilograms of .9999 pure gold. There were a total of 6,600 bars valued at more than $20 million along with $2.5 foreign currency. After the plane landed the gold and cargo were transported from the plane to a cargo facility. One of the suspects drove a five-ton truck to the warehouse, provided a fraudulent airway billl to the warehouse attendant and loaded the gold onto the vehicle and drove away. In 2024, police seized $312,000 worth of cash which they believed to be some of the profits the suspects made after selling the gold along with Smelting pots, casts and molds which they believe were used to change the composition of the gold bars. Two groups were involved in the case, one consisting of Air Canada employees who police allege helped facilitate the theft and a group of outsiders to which Chaudhary belonged. Once the gold was removed from Air Canada cargo, he helped, we believe, facilitate the sale and get it ultimately out of Canada," Mavity said. Two suspects remain absconding: Preet Panesar and Prasath Paramalingam. Panesar, a 33-year-old former Air Canada employee from Brampton, is wanted on Canada-wide warrants for theft over $5,000 and conspiracy. He is believed to be in India, and an extradition request has been submitted. Paramalingam, a 36-year-old man from Brampton, failed to appear in court in August 2024, and a bench warrant has been issued. The suspects arrested as part of Project 24K | Peel Regional Police via X Those arrested include 54-year-old Parmpal Sidhu, a former Air Canada employee, 40-year-old Amit Jalota, Ali Raza, a 37-year-old from Toronto and 43-year-old Ammad Chaudhary. Durante King-Mclean, a 27-year-old from Brampton, had pleaded guilty to firearms-trafficking-related charges in the United States and is expected to be sentenced later this year in relation to the case. Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, in a post on X said, "Project24K is a clear example of how our officers, working alongside national and international partners, can disrupt sophisticated criminal activity and hold those responsible accountable. Let it be known: no matter where you try to run or hide, we will find you." Oxford Nanopore Technologies (LON:ONT) outlined progress in expanding its nanopore-based sequencing platform and highlighted continued revenue growth during a presentation at the 2026 JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. Get alerts: Chief Executive Officer Gordon Sanghera, who said he will step down at the end of the first quarter, described a 20-year effort to build a single molecule electronic sensing platform designed to enable the analysis of anything by anyone, anywhere. He said the company has moved from DNA and RNA sequencing into early-stage proteomics work, with potential extensions into metabolites and volatile organic compounds. 2025 revenue update and mix Sanghera said the company estimated 2025 revenue of, representing. He added that Oxford Nanopore heldin cash equivalents and noted thatof revenue comes from sequencing consumables. He also pointed to the firms growth trajectory, stating that Oxford Nanopore has delivered 28% CAGR over the last five years and that growth in 2025 was supported by performance in all our regions, each growing over 20% and outperforming the broader market, according to management. By end market, Sanghera said life science research tools remain the core of the business, representing 67% of revenue and growing 15% in 2025. He said applied markets now represent about one-third of revenue after increasing traction over the last two to three years, with clinical up 60%, biopharma up 30%, and applied industrial up 27%. Platform positioning and workflow focus Sanghera emphasized platform differentiation built on reading native DNA without fluorescence tags or amplification, as well as direct RNA sequencing. He said the companys approach supports sequencing across a wide range of read lengths and enables detection of modifications. He cited the longest read reported to date as 4.5 million bases and described an ambition for customers to read end-to-end chromosomes in one contiguous read. Management tied its commercial strategy to selecting applications suited to these capabilities. Sanghera described a broad market opportunity of $2025 billion that could benefit from the platform, with $1314 billion of white space opportunities in clinical and biopharma research that he said are unique to nanopore sequencing. He said partnerships help prioritize workflows across sample preparation, targeted enrichment, and downstream analysis. Examples cited in clinical and biopharma In clinical applications, Sanghera said infectious disease programs are the most advanced. He described work at Guys and St Thomas Hospital in the U.K. involving respiratory metagenomic sequencing in intensive care settings, which he said has evolved into a U.K. government-funded rollout to 30 hospitals, with seven live at the time of the presentation. He said turnaround time can be two to three hours versus two to three days and noted that one in three people are on a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is not going to do anything for them, based on what the program has observed. He also described a U.S. example involving the Advent Group, saying it established an in-house pathogen identification workflow and, in its first pilot, is saving $250,000 per year. Sanghera said Advent plans to roll the workflow out across 20 hospital groups. He further highlighted an always-on pandemic radar concept in which sequencing data is uploaded to the U.K. Health Security Agency, providing early warning capability for novel respiratory variants. Another clinical workflow highlighted was adaptive sampling, which Sanghera described as on-instrument, real-time targeted enrichment. He said this approach could simplify panel workflows, citing a hereditary cancer panel example involving 258 genes that can be selected without a separate enrichment step. He also referenced a partnership with Asuragen involving 11 genes with challenging long-read-related issues such as copy number and gene fusions, positioning nanopore sequencing as a way to consolidate multiple assays into a single workflow for carrier screening. In biopharma, Sanghera said partners have not publicly disclosed work with Oxford Nanopore, but he offered examples of use cases. In mRNA analytics, he said nanopore-based workflows can reduce characterization that typically requires six to eight orthogonal analytical measurements and takes about a month to an overnight run. He also discussed adventitious agent viral testing for viral contamination, saying traditional approaches take two to three weeks, while nanopore sequencing can provide real-time results. He cited ViruSure launching a fee-for-service CRO AVA workflow and said Eurofins used sterility testing that provided early warning and saved a $15 million recall for a biopharma customer. 2026 priorities and longer-term targets Looking ahead, Sanghera highlighted increased throughput on PromethION. He said typical output has been about one human genome per flow cell, with early access work demonstrating two genomes per flow cell, and noted platform headroom to reach four genomes per flow cell. He said this could enable a couple of hundred dollar fully loaded genome. He also discussed ongoing platform development, including exploration of modifications beyond methylation, progress in direct RNA and future tRNA work, and early steps toward proteomics. Sanghera said the company can now measure 2030 peptides in a row and described progress on amino acid callers as part of efforts toward protein sequencing. During the Q&A, CFO Nick Kehoe said the companys initial 2025 guidance range of 20%23% constant-currency growth reflected a cautious stance amid disruption to U.S. research funding, but Oxford Nanopore ultimately delivered 24%. Kehoe said the company believes it gained share in the Americas in research and government markets, supported by an increase in order volume that tended to be smaller orders. He said U.S. federal funding exposure was about 13% of revenue and noted China was less than 8%. Kehoe also discussed a shift to a more traditional CAPEX model for larger instruments, saying it improved cash flow by about GBP 20 million per year and that the company saw more than 500 basis points improvement in gross margin in the first half, with 3400 basis points attributed to pricing benefits tied to the change. He characterized the benefit as structural and said the business was exiting the year at more like 100% CapEx. On medium-term targets, Kehoe reiterated that the company expects to reach EBITDA break-even in 2027 and said gross margin progress was tracking ahead of earlier expectations, noting an underlying level of 61% for the most recent half year after adjusting for a write-off, compared with a target of over 62% in 2027. He also said the company completed two restructurings during the year to refocus resources toward higher-growth opportunities. Sanghera said incoming CEO Francis Van Parys will join in March, citing Van Parys experience at Cytiva and leading Radiometer. Sanghera also addressed manufacturing, saying a factory opened in 2018 with projections of greater than 30% growth and that there is plenty of headroom in consumables manufacturing, with additional scalability expected from improved chip capacity and throughput. He added that the facility is close to an FDA-auditable standard today and that the company expects further focus on regulated manufacturing as clinical growth increases. About Oxford Nanopore Technologies (LON:ONT) Oxford Nanopore Technologies goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The Group has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology that is currently used for real-time, high-performance, accessible, and scalable analysis of DNA and RNA. The technology is used in more than 125 countries, to understand the biology of humans, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses and environments as well as to understand diseases such as cancer. Read More Prada S.p.A. (OTCMKTS:PRDSY Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 30,765 shares, an increase of 4,640.4% from the December 15th total of 649 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 28,788 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 28,788 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, UBS Group cut shares of Prada from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, Prada currently has an average rating of Hold. Get Prada alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Prada Prada Stock Down 0.9% About Prada PRDSY traded down $0.10 on Monday, hitting $10.98. 12,989 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,552. Prada has a one year low of $10.12 and a one year high of $18.00. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $11.65 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.73. (Get Free Report) Prada S.p.A. is an Italian luxury fashion house renowned for its high-end leather goods, ready-to-wear collections and accessories. Founded in 1913 by Mario Prada in Milan, the company has built a reputation for craftsmanship and understated elegance. Its product portfolio spans handbags, small leather goods, footwear, eyewear and fragrances, all designed to reflect a blend of traditional techniques and contemporary sensibilities. The company distributes its products through a network of directly operated boutiques, franchise stores and e-commerce platforms. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Prada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (NYSEARCA:SPHQ Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $77.46 and last traded at $77.44, with a volume of 512096 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $77.35. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Stock Up 0.4% The firm has a market capitalization of $15.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.36 and a beta of 0.92. The businesss 50 day moving average is $74.77 and its 200-day moving average is $73.34. Get Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 458.9% in the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 208,184 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,835,000 after acquiring an additional 170,936 shares in the last quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC increased its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC now owns 39,672 shares of the companys stock worth $2,827,000 after purchasing an additional 1,323 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 9.6% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,843,952 shares of the companys stock worth $131,400,000 after purchasing an additional 161,638 shares during the last quarter. CW Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 72.8% in the second quarter. CW Advisors LLC now owns 17,122 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,220,000 after purchasing an additional 7,216 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 14.8% in the third quarter. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 53,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,892,000 after purchasing an additional 6,850 shares in the last quarter. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Company Profile The Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap stocks selected by return on equity, changes in net operating assets and financial leverage. Stocks are weighted by these quality factors, scaled by market cap. SPHQ was launched on Dec 6, 2005 and is managed by Invesco. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $28.64 and last traded at $28.5990, with a volume of 1336804 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $28.57. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have issued reports on IVZ. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Invesco from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays raised their price objective on Invesco from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Invesco from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Invesco from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Invesco from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and thirteen have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Invesco has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $24.70. Get Invesco alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on IVZ Invesco Stock Performance The firms fifty day moving average is $25.43 and its 200 day moving average is $22.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.56, a PEG ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 1.23. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The asset manager reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.17. Invesco had a net margin of 14.15% and a return on equity of 9.11%. The company had revenue of $1.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.17 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.44 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Invesco Ltd. will post 1.87 EPS for the current fiscal year. Invesco Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $0.21 dividend. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. Invescos dividend payout ratio is presently 57.14%. Insider Buying and Selling at Invesco In other news, Director Douglas J. Sharp sold 160,000 shares of Invesco stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.56, for a total transaction of $3,769,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 192 shares in the company, valued at $4,523.52. The trade was a 99.88% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 1.21% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Trust Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Invesco by 5,065.4% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,380,933 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $53,317,000 after purchasing an additional 3,315,480 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Invesco during the second quarter worth $51,838,000. Holocene Advisors LP bought a new position in Invesco during the third quarter valued at about $55,719,000. Samlyn Capital LLC bought a new position in Invesco during the third quarter valued at about $44,567,000. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in shares of Invesco by 58.1% in the second quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 5,092,189 shares of the asset managers stock worth $80,304,000 after buying an additional 1,871,666 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 66.09% of the companys stock. About Invesco (Get Free Report) Invesco Ltd. is an independent global investment management firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: IVZ). With origins dating back to 1935, the company is dedicated to offering a wide array of investment strategies and solutions to both individual and institutional clients worldwide. The firms product suite encompasses actively managed equity and fixed income funds, passive index funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), closed-end funds, and unit investment trusts, alongside specialized offerings such as private markets, real estate, and structured products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SSP Group (OTCMKTS:SSPPF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 10,123 shares, a decrease of 85.9% from the December 15th total of 71,884 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,746 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 2,746 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.7 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays lowered SSP Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating on shares of SSP Group in a research note on Monday, December 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold. Get SSP Group alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on SSP Group SSP Group Price Performance About SSP Group OTCMKTS:SSPPF remained flat at $2.50 during mid-day trading on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.39. SSP Group has a 12-month low of $1.71 and a 12-month high of $2.55. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $2.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $2.17. (Get Free Report) SSP Group is a leading operator of food and beverage concessions in travel locations worldwide. The company designs, manages and operates branded and independent restaurants, bars, cafes and kiosks across airports, railway stations, motorway service stations and cultural attractions. Its portfolio encompasses both proprietary concepts and partnerships with major global food and beverage brands, offering tailored dining experiences for travellers. Headquartered in London, UK, SSP Group traces its roots to Travellers Fare, founded in the 1960s, and was formally established as SSP Group following a spin-off from Compass Group in 2006. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for SSP Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SSP Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:MTSFF Get Free Report) shares gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $11.30, but opened at $12.10. Mitsui Fudosan shares last traded at $12.10, with a volume of 100 shares traded. Mitsui Fudosan Trading Up 5.2% The firm has a fifty day moving average of $11.25 and a 200 day moving average of $10.58. Get Mitsui Fudosan alerts: Mitsui Fudosan Company Profile (Get Free Report) Mitsui Fudosan Co, Ltd. is a leading integrated real estate developer based in Tokyo, Japan, and a core member of the Mitsui Group. The company engages in a wide range of property-related activities, including the development, leasing and management of office buildings, retail facilities, residential complexes, hotels, resorts and logistics centers. Through both ground?up and redevelopment projects, Mitsui Fudosan has established a diverse portfolio that spans landmark mixed?use developments such as Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown. Founded in 1941, Mitsui Fudosan has grown from its domestic origins into a global real estate enterprise. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mitsui Fudosan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mitsui Fudosan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Singapore Airlines Limited (OTCMKTS:SINGY Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 20,456 shares, a growth of 698.1% from the December 15th total of 2,563 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 92,378 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Based on an average trading volume of 92,378 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Singapore Airlines Stock Performance SINGY traded down $0.01 during trading on Monday, reaching $9.97. The stock had a trading volume of 51,210 shares, compared to its average volume of 31,021. Singapore Airlines has a 1-year low of $8.78 and a 1-year high of $11.77. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $9.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.27. Get Singapore Airlines alerts: Singapore Airlines Company Profile (Get Free Report) Singapore Airlines (OTCMKTS:SINGY) is the flag carrier airline of Singapore, providing scheduled air passenger and cargo services to destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. Headquartered at Singapore Changi Airport, the carrier operates a modern fleet of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, offering premium, business and economy class cabins designed to meet the needs of leisure travellers, business executives and freight customers alike. Since its establishment on May 1, 1972following the split of MalaysiaSingapore AirlinesSingapore Airlines has grown from a regional operator into a globally recognized brand. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Singapore Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Singapore Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramers game plan for this week. Cramer noted that a solid growth quarter should be good for the stock over time, as he said: Bank of America reports too, and its been consistently good with very few surprises. I expect none this time, just a solid growth quarter that will help drive up the stock over time. Photo by Adam Nowakowski on Unsplash Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) provides banking, investment, and financial services, including lending, wealth management, trading, and advisory solutions. During the episode aired on October 6, 2025, a caller asked about the companys stock, and in response, the Mad Money host remarked: Let Bank of America ride. Its very inexpensive. I think it can go much higher. I dont think its going to be stuck at this level, and I like the way the financials trade very much. Youll do well with Bank of America. It is worth noting that since the above comment was aired, the companys stock has gained nearly 11%. While we acknowledge the potential of BAC 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: 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. PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (OTCMKTS:PBCRY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 83 shares, a decline of 100.0% from the December 15th total of 460,576 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 354,765 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 354,765 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. PT Bank Central Asia Tbk Trading Down 1.1% PBCRY stock traded down $0.13 during trading on Monday, hitting $11.91. The company had a trading volume of 136,457 shares, compared to its average volume of 122,407. PT Bank Central Asia Tbk has a 52-week low of $10.78 and a 52-week high of $15.90. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.42. Get PT Bank Central Asia Tbk alerts: PT Bank Central Asia Tbk Company Profile (Get Free Report) PT Bank Central Asia Tbk, commonly known as Bank BCA, is one of Indonesias leading banking institutions. Established in 1957 and headquartered in Jakarta, the bank provides a comprehensive range of financial products and services to retail, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and corporate clients. Bank BCA is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange under the ticker BBCA and trades in the United States through American Depositary Receipts on the OTC Markets under the symbol PBCRY. The banks core business activities span consumer banking, SME and corporate lending, treasury operations, and transaction banking. Read More Receive News & Ratings for PT Bank Central Asia Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PT Bank Central Asia Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rare Element Resources Ltd. (OTCMKTS:REEMF Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,782 shares, a drop of 89.0% from the December 15th total of 16,155 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 749,808 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 749,808 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Rare Element Resources Trading Up 6.1% Shares of Rare Element Resources stock traded up $0.05 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $0.82. The stock had a trading volume of 582,733 shares, compared to its average volume of 533,644. The stocks 50 day moving average is $0.91 and its 200 day moving average is $1.00. Rare Element Resources has a twelve month low of $0.41 and a twelve month high of $1.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $425.27 million, a PE ratio of -82.40 and a beta of 0.98. Get Rare Element Resources alerts: About Rare Element Resources (Get Free Report) Rare Element Resources is a U.S.-based exploration and development company focused on rare earth element deposits. The companys flagship asset is the Bear Lodge project in northeastern Wyoming, which hosts both light and heavy rare earth oxides such as neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium. Rare Element Resources is working to advance this project through feasibility, permitting and eventual commercial production to establish a domestic supply of critical minerals. Incorporated in the mid-2000s and headquartered in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Rare Element Resources has conducted extensive drilling, metallurgical test work and engineering studies to refine its processing technology. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rare Element Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rare Element Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Terreno Realty (NYSE: TRNO) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms: 1/8/2026 Terreno Realty was given a new $64.00 price target on by analysts at Robert W. Baird. They now have an outperform rating on the stock. 1/8/2026 Terreno Realty was upgraded by analysts at Baird R W from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating. 1/5/2026 Terreno Realty was given a new $67.00 price target on by analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald. 12/29/2025 Terreno Realty had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/22/2025 Terreno Realty had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/15/2025 Terreno Realty had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/8/2025 Terreno Realty had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/4/2025 Terreno Realty had its price target raised by analysts at KeyCorp from $64.00 to $68.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock. 12/4/2025 Terreno Realty was given a new $56.00 price target on by analysts at UBS Group AG. 12/4/2025 Terreno Realty had its price target raised by analysts at Mizuho from $53.00 to $56.00. They now have an underperform rating on the stock. 12/2/2025 Terreno Realty had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/26/2025 Terreno Realty had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/25/2025 Terreno Realty had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $60.00 to $63.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock. 11/20/2025 Terreno Realty had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/13/2025 Terreno Realty had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $58.00 to $64.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock. Terreno Realty Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were given a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. Terreno Realtys dividend payout ratio is presently 66.03%. Get Terreno Realty Corporation alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Terreno Realty news, EVP John Tull Meyer sold 4,758 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.95, for a total transaction of $285,242.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 119,949 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,190,942.55. This represents a 3.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock. Terreno Realty Corporation (NYSE: TRNO) is a real estate investment trust specializing in the acquisition, ownership and operation of industrial properties in key coastal markets across the United States. The companys portfolio primarily consists of bulk distribution, warehouse and light-industrial assets that serve a diverse tenant base, including third-party logistics providers, e-commerce companies and manufacturers. Terreno aims to generate stable rental income while pursuing long-term capital appreciation through targeted investment and active asset management. Terreno focuses on eight major coastal regions, emphasizing markets with strong supply-and-demand fundamentals and barriers to new development. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Terreno Realty Corporation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Terreno Realty Corporation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Globus Medical, Inc. (NYSE:GMED Get Free Report) CFO Kyle Kline sold 3,594 shares of Globus Medical stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.10, for a total transaction of $363,353.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Kyle Kline also recently made the following trade(s): Get Globus Medical alerts: On Monday, December 1st, Kyle Kline sold 18,542 shares of Globus Medical stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.00, for a total transaction of $1,668,780.00. Globus Medical Trading Down 2.9% Globus Medical stock traded down $2.72 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $91.75. The company had a trading volume of 1,990,840 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,293,094. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $86.41 and a 200 day simple moving average of $68.25. The company has a market cap of $12.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.06. Globus Medical, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $51.79 and a fifty-two week high of $101.40. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Globus Medical Globus Medical ( NYSE:GMED Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The medical device company reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.39. Globus Medical had a return on equity of 11.52% and a net margin of 15.30%.The company had revenue of $769.05 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $734.58 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.83 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 22.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Globus Medical has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.750-3.85 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Globus Medical, Inc. will post 3.44 EPS for the current year. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in GMED. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in Globus Medical in the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Globus Medical by 74.3% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 462 shares of the medical device companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Globus Medical in the second quarter worth $28,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new position in Globus Medical in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its position in Globus Medical by 45.1% during the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 557 shares of the medical device companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 95.16% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently weighed in on GMED. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Globus Medical from $106.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Globus Medical from $66.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Zacks Research cut Globus Medical from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Globus Medical in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded Globus Medical from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $65.00 to $91.00 in a report on Friday, November 7th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Globus Medical presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $97.78. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on GMED About Globus Medical (Get Free Report) Globus Medical, Inc (NYSE:GMED) is a leading medical device company specializing in musculoskeletal solutions for spine and orthopaedic applications. Founded in 2003 by David C. Paul and headquartered in Audubon, Pennsylvania, the company develops, manufactures and markets implantable devices and surgical instruments designed to treat spinal disorders and promote bone healing. Its product portfolio encompasses solutions for minimally invasive and open surgical procedures, including interbody fusion devices, pedicle screw systems, and biologics used to enhance fusion outcomes. In addition to its core spine business, Globus Medical has expanded into robotics and navigation systems to support precision and efficiency in the operating room. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Globus Medical Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Globus Medical and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IP Group Plc (OTCMKTS:IPZYF Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 364 shares, a decrease of 99.6% from the December 15th total of 102,591 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 90,909 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 90,909 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. IP Group Price Performance IPZYF remained flat at $0.79 during trading on Monday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $0.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $0.70. IP Group has a 52 week low of $0.76 and a 52 week high of $0.81. Get IP Group alerts: IP Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) IP Group plc is a UK?based intellectual property commercialization company that partners with leading universities and research institutions to identify, develop and invest in technology?based businesses. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in London, the company supports the full life cycle of spin-out creationfrom early?stage research through to growth capital and exit. In addition to its primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, its American Depositary Shares trade in the United States under the ticker IPZYF on the OTC Markets. The firms core activities include sourcing promising technologies from academic research, providing seed and venture funding, and offering strategic guidance on licensing, governance and business development. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for IP Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IP Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $698.46 and last traded at $698.6710, with a volume of 2871144 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $697.08. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting iShares Core S&P 500 ETF this week: Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Up 0.2% The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $683.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $662.14. The company has a market capitalization of $764.46 billion, a PE ratio of 25.10 and a beta of 1.00. Institutional Trading of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF About iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Forza Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 28.7% during the 3rd quarter. Forza Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,457 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,322,000 after buying an additional 1,438 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 13.4% in the 3rd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 49,231 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,950,000 after purchasing an additional 5,800 shares during the last quarter. Community Trust & Investment Co. lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 29.9% in the 3rd quarter. Community Trust & Investment Co. now owns 4,314 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,887,000 after purchasing an additional 992 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Legacy Wealth Management Inc now owns 537,532 shares of the companys stock worth $359,770,000 after purchasing an additional 7,487 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cobblestone Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 10.1% during the third quarter. Cobblestone Asset Management LLC now owns 21,216 shares of the companys stock worth $14,200,000 after buying an additional 1,941 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.12% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) 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. See Also 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. Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap ex Canada Index ETF (TSE:VXC Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as C$76.73 and last traded at C$76.72, with a volume of 127545 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$76.67. Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap ex Canada Index ETF Stock Up 0.2% The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$74.40 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$72.00. About Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap ex Canada Index ETF (Get Free Report) The investment objective of Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Ex Canada Index ETF (the ETF) is to track, to the extent reasonably possible and before fees and expenses, the performance of the FTSE Global All Cap ex Canada China A Inclusion Index (the Index). The Index is a market capitalization-weighted index representing the performance of large-, mid- and small-capitalization stocks in developed and emerging markets, excluding Canada. To achieve its investment objective, the ETF employs a passive management, or indexing, investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index by investing primarily in a U.S.-domiciled fund managed by The Vanguard Group, Inc hat seeks to track the Index. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap ex Canada Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap ex Canada Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (NYSEARCA:LCTU Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $75.50 and last traded at $75.4210, with a volume of 30872 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $75.38. BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF Stock Performance The company has a market cap of $1.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.46 and a beta of 1.03. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $73.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $71.74. Get BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Kilter Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF during the second quarter worth $51,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF in the second quarter valued at about $56,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF by 54.3% in the 3rd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,140 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,000 after acquiring an additional 401 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF Company Profile The BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell 1000 index. The fund is an actively-managed portfolio of large- and mid-cap US firms in the Russell 1000 Index that are selected and weighted with a preference for lower carbon emissions. LCTU was launched on Apr 6, 2021 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:DBEU Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 23,245 shares, an increase of 1,131.2% from the December 15th total of 1,888 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 30,185 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days. Based on an average daily volume of 30,185 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days. Currently, 0.2% of the companys stock are short sold. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. ORG Partners LLC increased its position in Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF by 120.6% during the 2nd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,562 shares of the companys stock valued at $69,000 after buying an additional 854 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its stake in shares of Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF by 11.2% during the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 13,537 shares of the companys stock worth $619,000 after acquiring an additional 1,365 shares during the last quarter. Cooksen Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF by 31.6% during the second quarter. Cooksen Wealth LLC now owns 47,785 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,106,000 after acquiring an additional 11,466 shares in the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC raised its position in shares of Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF by 289.7% in the 2nd quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 98,510 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,342,000 after purchasing an additional 73,230 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake in Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF by 149.2% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 109,825 shares of the companys stock worth $4,842,000 after purchasing an additional 65,754 shares in the last quarter. Get Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF alerts: Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF Trading Up 0.3% Shares of DBEU traded up $0.14 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $49.71. 60,666 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 65,909. The company has a market capitalization of $686.00 million, a P/E ratio of 16.40 and a beta of 0.71. Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF has a 52 week low of $38.58 and a 52 week high of $49.90. The companys 50 day moving average is $47.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $46.38. Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF Company Profile The Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF (DBEU) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted and currency-hedged index of companies in developed Europe. DBEU was launched on Oct 1, 2013 and is managed by Xtrackers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ECN Capital Corp. (TSE:ECN Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as C$25.85 and last traded at C$3.05, with a volume of 730872 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$3.03. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of ECN Capital from C$3.25 to C$3.10 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, ECN Capital has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$3.28. Get ECN Capital alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on ECN ECN Capital Stock Performance The company has a 50-day moving average of C$3.00 and a 200-day moving average of C$2.95. The company has a market cap of C$859.29 million, a PE ratio of 64.68, a PEG ratio of 0.24 and a beta of 1.72. The company has a quick ratio of 3.81, a current ratio of 13.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 304.13. ECN Capital (TSE:ECN Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported C$0.06 earnings per share for the quarter. ECN Capital had a negative return on equity of 21.93% and a negative net margin of 24.40%.The business had revenue of C$104.04 million for the quarter. As a group, analysts anticipate that ECN Capital Corp. will post 0.2446449 earnings per share for the current year. ECN Capital Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a $0.01 dividend. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 12th. ECN Capitals dividend payout ratio is presently 60.33%. ECN Capital Company Profile (Get Free Report) ECN Capital Corp is a financial business service provider. It originates, structures and manages financial products and provides advisory services for financial institutions. The companys operating segment includes Service Finance Home Improvement Loans; KG Consumer Credit Card Portfolios and Related Financial Products; Triad Financial Services Manufactured Home Loans and Corporate. It generates maximum revenue from the Service Finance Home Improvement Loans. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for ECN Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ECN Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon offered an upbeat outlook on the US economy in 2026 but pointed to looming geopolitical issues and persistent inflation as risks (Chandan Khanna) Chandan Khanna/AFP/AFP JPMorgan Chase reported lower fourth-quarter profits Tuesday as CEO Jamie Dimon endorsed Federal Reserve independence and offered an upbeat reading on the US economy. The giant US bank reported $13.0 billion in profits, down seven percent from the year-ago period following a $2.1 billion hit connected to the assumption of the Apple credit card, replacing Goldman Sachs. While revenues rose seven percent to $45.8 billion, bank executives expressed disappointment at the performance of investment banking. Shares of the bank finished down 4.2 percent, dragging on the Dow index. Some analysts questioned a plan to lift capital spending by more than $9 billion, in part due to increased technology investment. A note from Morningstar also pointed to the bank's lofty valuation. Dimon, who has struck a cautious tone in some recent quarters, characterized the United States outlook as "pretty positive," while also offering a strong defense of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who is under investigation by President Donald Trump's Justice Department. Powell has dismissed the DOJ probe into a Fed construction project as a pretext for Trump's criticism of US monetary policy decisions. "While I don't agree with everything the Fed has done, I do have enormous respect for Jay Powell," said Dimon, who predicted that any effort to weaken Fed independence would backfire and "probably increase (interest) rates over time." Executives also took issue with a call by Trump last week to cap credit card interest at 10 percent. Trump said he is "calling for a one year cap" from January 20, according to a January 9 social media post. "Actions like this will have the exact opposite consequence to what the administration wants in terms of helping consumers," said JPMorgan Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Barnum. "Instead Of lowering the price of credit, it will simply reduce the supply of credit." Barnum said it was too early to quantify the impact because "there's just way too much uncertainty about the whole thing." - Deal delay - In terms of performance, the bank scored higher net interest income, a closely watched benchmark measuring the difference between revenue from lending and outward-bound interest payments. Expenses grew five percent, with the bank citing increases in front office employees, higher occupancy expense and other factors. In its commercial and investment bank, JPMorgan benefited from increases in trading-related revenues in financial markets, but investment banking revenue and fees both fell. Canadian Life Companies Split Corp. (TSE:LFE Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as C$7.65 and last traded at C$7.63, with a volume of 79497 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$7.57. Canadian Life Companies Split Price Performance The stock has a market cap of C$82.10 million, a P/E ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 3.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 210.26, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a current ratio of 1.47. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$6.95 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$6.53. Canadian Life Companies Split Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Companys investment objectives are (i) to provide holders of Preferred Shares with fixed cumulative preferential monthly cash dividends in the amount of $0.04375 per Preferred Share to yield 5.25% per annum on the original issue price (ii) to provide holders of Class A Shares with regular monthly cash distributions targeted to be $0.10 per Class A Share to yield 8.0% per annum on the original issue price and (iii) to return the original issue price to holders of both Preferred Shares and Class A Shares at the time of the redemption of such shares on December 1, 2012. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Life Companies Split Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Life Companies Split and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Los Andes Copper Ltd. (CVE:LA Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$12.75 and last traded at C$12.25, with a volume of 25674 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$12.50. Los Andes Copper Price Performance The company has a 50 day moving average of C$9.21 and a 200 day moving average of C$8.04. The company has a current ratio of 34.50, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.87. The firm has a market cap of C$357.52 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 100.83 and a beta of 0.02. About Los Andes Copper (Get Free Report) Los Andes Copper Ltd. acquires, explores, and develops copper deposits in Latin America. It operates through Mineral Exploration and Hydroelectric Project segments. The company holds a 100% interest in the Vizcachitas copper, molybdenum, and silver porphyry project located north of Santiago, Region V, Chile. It is also involved in the development of a hydroelectric project. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Los Andes Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Los Andes Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $6.32 and last traded at $6.27, with a volume of 6998067 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $5.93. Taseko Mines Trading Up 5.7% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.71 and a quick ratio of 1.05. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $5.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $4.15. The firm has a market cap of $2.26 billion, a PE ratio of -209.00 and a beta of 1.27. Get Taseko Mines alerts: Institutional Trading of Taseko Mines Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. L1 Capital Pty Ltd raised its position in shares of Taseko Mines by 18.4% in the third quarter. L1 Capital Pty Ltd now owns 24,479,399 shares of the companys stock valued at $107,709,000 after buying an additional 3,797,792 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Taseko Mines by 11.7% during the 3rd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 8,126,773 shares of the companys stock worth $34,376,000 after purchasing an additional 854,016 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of Taseko Mines by 261.5% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,019,297 shares of the companys stock worth $12,661,000 after acquiring an additional 2,907,611 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its stake in shares of Taseko Mines by 121.7% in the 3rd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 3,556,688 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,075,000 after acquiring an additional 1,952,116 shares during the period. Finally, Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Taseko Mines in the 3rd quarter valued at $12,260,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 17.94% of the companys stock. About Taseko Mines Taseko Mines Ltd. is a Vancouver?based mining company primarily engaged in the exploration, development and production of copper?based projects. Its flagship operation is the Gibraltar copper mine in central British Columbia, which ranks among Canadas largest open pit copper producers. In addition to copper, Gibraltar yields byproducts such as molybdenum and silver, reflecting Tasekos focus on base and precious metals. Beyond Gibraltar, Taseko holds two advanced development assets. The Florence Copper project in Arizona employs an in?situ recovery process to extract copper, positioning it as one of North Americas first large?scale applications of this technology. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Taseko Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taseko Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O Get Free Report) were up 1.2% on Monday . The company traded as high as $59.06 and last traded at $58.8750. Approximately 6,343,234 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 8% from the average daily volume of 6,876,063 shares. The stock had previously closed at $58.17. Trending Headlines about Realty Income Here are the key news stories impacting Realty Income this week: Get Realty Income alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts recently commented on O shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Realty Income in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Realty Income from $62.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an underweight rating and set a $61.00 price target on shares of Realty Income in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Realty Income from $60.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald cut their price target on Realty Income from $64.00 to $60.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $62.23. Realty Income Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The stock has a market cap of $54.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.51, a PEG ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 0.80. The stocks fifty day moving average is $57.11 and its 200-day moving average is $58.04. Realty Income (NYSE:O Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.08 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.07 by $0.01. Realty Income had a net margin of 17.17% and a return on equity of 2.45%. The company had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.35 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.05 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Realty Income has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.250-4.270 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Realty Income Corporation will post 4.19 EPS for the current year. Realty Income Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.27 per share. This is a boost from Realty Incomes previous monthly dividend of $0.27. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 5.5%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. Realty Incomes dividend payout ratio is presently 300.00%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Realty Income Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Realty Income during the 2nd quarter valued at about $676,500,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Realty Income by 2.5% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 146,136,211 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $8,418,907,000 after buying an additional 3,624,852 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Realty Income by 8.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 26,979,134 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,548,687,000 after buying an additional 2,058,031 shares in the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group boosted its holdings in shares of Realty Income by 420.0% in the second quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 2,139,550 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $123,259,000 after buying an additional 1,728,082 shares during the period. Finally, State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Realty Income by 2.1% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 63,028,892 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,831,526,000 after acquiring an additional 1,295,936 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.81% of the companys stock. Realty Income Company Profile (Get Free Report) Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: O) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and manages commercial properties subject primarily to long-term net lease agreements. The companys business model focuses on generating predictable, contractual rental income by leasing properties to tenants under agreements that typically place responsibility for taxes, insurance and maintenance on the tenant. Realty Income is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and markets itself as a reliable income-oriented REIT. Realty Incomes portfolio is concentrated in single-tenant, retail and service-oriented properties such as drugstores, convenience stores, dollar and discount retailers, restaurants, and other essential-service businesses. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Realty Income Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Realty Income and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vertical Aerospace Ltd. (NYSE:EVTL Get Free Report)s share price was up 1.1% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $6.85 and last traded at $6.6750. Approximately 1,856,895 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 9% from the average daily volume of 2,051,234 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.60. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently commented on EVTL. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Vertical Aerospace in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $11.00 target price (up from $9.00) on shares of Vertical Aerospace in a report on Monday, December 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Vertical Aerospace in a research note on Monday, November 10th. HC Wainwright reissued a buy rating and set a $15.00 price target on shares of Vertical Aerospace in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, D. Boral Capital reissued a buy rating and issued a $14.00 price objective on shares of Vertical Aerospace in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $11.80. Get Vertical Aerospace alerts: View Our Latest Report on Vertical Aerospace Vertical Aerospace Stock Up 1.1% The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $5.38. The company has a market cap of $666.10 million, a PE ratio of -0.14 and a beta of 1.21. Vertical Aerospace (NYSE:EVTL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported ($0.32) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.23) by ($0.09). As a group, research analysts anticipate that Vertical Aerospace Ltd. will post -3.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vertical Aerospace Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Vertical Aerospace by 293.4% in the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,787,790 shares of the companys stock worth $9,279,000 after acquiring an additional 1,333,312 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in Vertical Aerospace by 81.1% in the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,428,299 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,413,000 after purchasing an additional 639,404 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its position in Vertical Aerospace by 459.1% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 471,424 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,447,000 after purchasing an additional 387,104 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP raised its position in Vertical Aerospace by 56.1% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 231,967 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,204,000 after purchasing an additional 83,404 shares during the period. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC lifted its stake in Vertical Aerospace by 1,190.8% during the third quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 195,151 shares of the companys stock worth $1,013,000 after purchasing an additional 180,032 shares in the last quarter. 81.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Vertical Aerospace (Get Free Report) Vertical Aerospace is a United Kingdombased aerospace manufacturer specializing in the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. Founded in 2016 by entrepreneur Stephen Fitzpatrick, the company is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker EVTL. Vertical Aerospaces mission is to deliver zero-emission, high-speed electric aircraft designed to transform short-haul journeys in densely populated areas. The companys flagship model, the VA-X4, is a piloted, five-seat eVTOL craft engineered for quiet operation, low running costs and minimal environmental impact. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Vertical Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vertical Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Live Oak Bancshares (NYSE:LOB Get Free Report) is one of 20 publicly-traded companies in the State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Live Oak Bancshares to similar companies based on the strength of its valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, earnings and institutional ownership. Profitability This table compares Live Oak Bancshares and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Live Oak Bancshares alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Live Oak Bancshares 6.94% 6.61% 0.51% Live Oak Bancshares Competitors 7.23% 6.94% 0.79% Valuation and Earnings This table compares Live Oak Bancshares and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Live Oak Bancshares $936.15 million $77.47 million 24.23 Live Oak Bancshares Competitors $723.51 million $95.99 million 39.05 Dividends Live Oak Bancshares has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its peers. Live Oak Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Live Oak Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Live Oak Bancshares pays out 8.1% 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. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Live Oak Bancshares and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Live Oak Bancshares 0 2 0 1 2.67 Live Oak Bancshares Competitors 29 167 197 19 2.50 As a group, State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 6.27%. Given Live Oak Bancshares peers higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Live Oak Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its peers. Risk and Volatility Live Oak Bancshares has a beta of 2.02, suggesting that its share price is 102% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Live Oak Bancshares peers have a beta of 1.01, suggesting that their average share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Insider and Institutional Ownership 64.0% of Live Oak 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. 23.4% of Live Oak 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 endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Live Oak Bancshares peers beat Live Oak Bancshares on 9 of the 15 factors compared. Live Oak Bancshares Company Profile (Get Free Report) Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Live Oak Banking Company that provides various commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, and professionals in North Carolina, the United States. The company accepts various deposit products, including noninterest-bearing demand, as well as interest-bearing checking, money market, savings, and time deposits. It also offers commercial and industrial loans; construction and development loans; owner occupied and non-owner occupied collateral commercial real estate loans; and commercial land loans. In addition, the company provides settlement, accounting, and securitization services for government guaranteed loans; wealth and investment management services to high-net-worth individuals and families; investment advisory services to a series of funds focused on providing venture capital to new and emerging financial technology companies; and an on-site restaurant location to company employees and business visitors. Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina. Receive News & Ratings for Live Oak Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Live Oak Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE:BCAT Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 43,939 shares, a drop of 93.1% from the December 15th total of 640,429 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 762,139 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 762,139 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BCAT. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust by 401.7% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 428,585 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,172,000 after purchasing an additional 343,154 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust by 35.7% during the 1st quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 34,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $490,000 after buying an additional 8,950 shares during the last quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust during the second quarter worth approximately $166,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its stake in shares of BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust by 83.3% in the second quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 1,947 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 885 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Red Tortoise LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust in the second quarter worth $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 36.12% of the companys stock. Get BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust alerts: BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust Trading Up 1.0% Shares of NYSE BCAT traded up $0.15 during trading on Monday, reaching $14.60. 615,837 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 614,213. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $14.34 and its 200 day moving average price is $14.70. BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust has a twelve month low of $12.91 and a twelve month high of $15.91. BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust Announces Dividend About BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.2607 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 21.4%. (Get Free Report) BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: BCAT) is a closed-end, diversified management investment company organized as a term trust. The funds primary objective is to deliver high current income and total return by investing across a broad range of credit and equity markets. BCAT seeks to achieve this objective through a portfolio of corporate debt securities, floating-rate loans, convertible securities, common and preferred equity, and asset-backed securities. BCAT employs an actively managed, multi-sector credit approach that spans investment-grade and below-investment-grade bonds, senior secured loans and structured credit. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pieridae Energy Limited (PEA.V) (CVE:PEA Get Free Report) shares were down 10.4% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.30 and last traded at C$0.30. Approximately 395,956 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 344% from the average daily volume of 89,233 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.34. Pieridae Energy Limited (PEA.V) Trading Down 10.4% The stock has a market cap of C$47.29 million and a P/E ratio of -0.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 199.86. The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$0.30 and its 200 day moving average price is C$0.30. About Pieridae Energy Limited (PEA.V) (Get Free Report) Pieridae Energy Limited engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of petroleum and natural gas resources in Canada. The company holds interests in 19,342 net acres in Ojay area, and 212,155 net acres in the Deep Basin Sierra and Ekwan areas, British Columbia; and 220,212 net acres in Northern Alberta Foothills, 180,938 net acres in Central Alberta Foothills, and 5,423 net acres in Southern Alberta Foothills, Alberta. It also holds interests in Bourque, Gastonguay, Matapedia, and Restigouche properties located in Quebec; and approximately 50,000 acres of land in New Brunswick. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Pieridae Energy Limited (PEA.V) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pieridae Energy Limited (PEA.V) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Great Bear Resources Ltd. (CVE:GBR Get Free Report) were down 2.3% on Monday . The company traded as low as C$28.15 and last traded at C$28.15. Approximately 1,886,525 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 525% from the average daily volume of 301,841 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$28.80. Great Bear Resources Stock Down 2.3% The firms 50-day moving average price is C$28.15 and its 200-day moving average price is C$28.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 3.85 and a quick ratio of 3.82. The company has a market cap of C$1.63 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of -153.83. About Great Bear Resources (Get Free Report) Great Bear Resources Ltd. operates as a mineral exploration company in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold. Its flagship property is the Dixie project covering an area of 9,140 hectares located in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The company was formerly known as Great Bear Uranium Corp. and changed its name to Great Bear Resources Ltd. in January 2010. Great Bear Resources Ltd. was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Great Bear Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Bear Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD Get Free Report) was downgraded by Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Sunday. Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,200.00 to $1,285.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,450.00 to $1,600.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,600.00 to $1,550.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,400.00 to $1,450.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,600.00 to $1,700.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Mettler-Toledo International presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $1,441.67. Get Mettler-Toledo International alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Mettler-Toledo International Mettler-Toledo International Stock Up 0.5% Shares of NYSE:MTD opened at $1,492.87 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $30.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.23, a PEG ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 1.41. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $1,429.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $1,331.33. Mettler-Toledo International has a twelve month low of $946.69 and a twelve month high of $1,525.17. Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The medical instruments supplier reported $11.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.62 by $0.53. The business had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $997.36 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a net margin of 21.20% and a negative return on equity of 426.96%. Mettler-Toledo Internationals quarterly revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $10.21 earnings per share. Mettler-Toledo International has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 12.680-12.880 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 42.050-42.250 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Mettler-Toledo International will post 42.71 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at Mettler-Toledo International In related news, CEO Patrick Kaltenbach sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,462.50, for a total transaction of $2,925,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 3,670 shares in the company, valued at $5,367,375. This represents a 35.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Elisha W. Finney sold 474 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,433.57, for a total transaction of $679,512.18. Following the sale, the director directly owned 311 shares in the company, valued at approximately $445,840.27. This represents a 60.38% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 19,565 shares of company stock valued at $28,683,737. 0.77% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mettler-Toledo International Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 42.1% during the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 27 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 8 shares during the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 2,700.0% during the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 28 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 94.4% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 35 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 50.0% in the second quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 36 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 12 shares during the period. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the third quarter valued at approximately $42,000. 95.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Mettler-Toledo International (Get Free Report) Mettler-Toledo International Inc is a global manufacturer and distributor of precision instruments and services for laboratory, industrial and food retail applications. The companys product portfolio includes laboratory balances and analytical instruments, industrial weighing systems, process analytics and sensors, metal detection and x-ray inspection equipment, checkweighers, and a range of automated inspection and data-management solutions. Mettler-Toledo also provides software, calibration and lifecycle services intended to support compliance, quality control and operational efficiency across customer facilities. The company serves a broad set of end markets including pharmaceutical and biotech laboratories, chemical and food processors, logistics and manufacturing operations, and retail environments where accurate weighing and inspection are critical. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mettler-Toledo International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mettler-Toledo International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. With a market cap. of $15.2 billion, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) is a leading U.S. defense company that designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships, including nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. It also provides advanced mission technologies such as C5ISR systems, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and fleet sustainment solutions. The Newport News, Virginia-based company is expected to release its Q4 2025 results soon. Ahead of the event, analysts anticipate Huntington Ingalls to report a profit of $3.75 per share, up 19.1% from $3.15 per share in the year-ago quarter. It has exceeded Wall Street's earnings expectations in three of the past four quarters while missing on another occasion. More News from Barchart For fiscal 2025, analysts expect HII to report EPS of $15.07, a rise of nearly 8% from $13.96 in fiscal 2024. Moreover, EPS is anticipated to grow 14.1% year-over-year to $17.19 in fiscal 2026. www.barchart.com HII stock has surged 107.1% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 19.4% rise and the State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETFs (XLI) 23.7% return during the same time frame. www.barchart.com Shares of HII climbed 6.9% on Oct. 30 after the company reported strong Q3 2025 results, including record revenues of $3.2 billion and net earnings of $145 million, or $3.68 per share. Investors also reacted positively to improved profitability, with operating income rising to $161 million and operating margin expanding to 5%, driven by stronger performance at Newport News and Ingalls shipyards. In addition, HII raised its full-year free cash flow guidance to $550 million - $650 million, backed by a strong $55.7 billion backlog and $2 billion in new contract awards during the quarter. Analysts consensus opinion on the stock is cautiously optimistic, with a Moderate Buy rating overall. Among the 12 analysts covering the stock, five are recommending a Strong Buy, six recommend a Hold, and one suggests a Moderate Sell. As of writing, the stock is trading above the average analyst price target of $336.70. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Terex Corporation (NYSE:TEX Free Report) Equities researchers at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Terex in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, January 8th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $0.84 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.86. The consensus estimate for Terexs current full-year earnings is $4.83 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Terexs Q2 2026 earnings at $1.61 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.49 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.50 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.44 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.21 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.79 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.74 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $1.60 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $6.33 EPS. Get Terex alerts: Terex (NYSE:TEX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The industrial products company reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $1.39 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.41 billion. Terex had a return on equity of 15.93% and a net margin of 2.92%.The firms revenue was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. Terex has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.700-5.100 EPS. Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Terex in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group cut their target price on Terex from $52.00 to $51.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Citigroup reduced their price target on Terex from $58.00 to $52.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen lowered Terex from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, December 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Terex in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $50.00 price objective on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $57.73. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TEX Terex Stock Performance TEX stock opened at $60.95 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $50.29 and a two-hundred day moving average of $51.03. Terex has a 12 month low of $31.53 and a 12 month high of $61.00. The company has a market capitalization of $4.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.93, a P/E/G ratio of 5.37 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. Terex Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th were issued a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Terexs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.94%. Insider Transactions at Terex In other Terex news, Director Andra Rush purchased 2,120 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $46.59 per share, with a total value of $98,770.80. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 25,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,184,690.52. This represents a 9.10% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Terex Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in Terex by 68.0% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 704,844 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $32,909,000 after purchasing an additional 285,186 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Terex during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $613,000. QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Terex by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,954 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $278,000 after acquiring an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Terex during the second quarter worth $1,551,000. Finally, Nordea Investment Management AB increased its holdings in Terex by 37.5% in the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 149,487 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $7,021,000 after purchasing an additional 40,754 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.88% of the companys stock. About Terex (Get Free Report) Terex Corporation is a global manufacturer of lifting and material-handling plant and equipment, serving a range of industries that includes construction, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and shipping logistics. Its product portfolio encompasses aerial work platforms, rough terrain and tower cranes, port and cargo handling equipment, material processing machinery and utility products. These offerings are marketed under well-known brands such as Genie, Terex AWP, Terex Cranes, Demag, and Powerscreen, and are designed to meet diverse application requirements from building sites to industrial facilities and ports. Headquartered in Westport, Connecticut, Terex traces its roots back to 1933 and has grown through strategic acquisitions and organic expansion. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Terex Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Terex and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of CoastalSouth Bancshares (NYSE:COSO Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report published on Saturday. COSO has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Zacks Research raised shares of CoastalSouth Bancshares from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 2nd. Weiss Ratings assumed coverage on shares of CoastalSouth Bancshares in a research report on Saturday, October 25th. They set a buy (b) rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get CoastalSouth Bancshares alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on COSO CoastalSouth Bancshares Stock Down 0.0% Hedge Funds Weigh In On CoastalSouth Bancshares COSO opened at $23.14 on Friday. CoastalSouth Bancshares has a twelve month low of $19.24 and a twelve month high of $25.56. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $22.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The company has a market capitalization of $277.22 million and a PE ratio of 20.85. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in COSO. New York State Common Retirement Fund acquired a new stake in CoastalSouth Bancshares in the third quarter valued at approximately $41,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets bought a new position in shares of CoastalSouth Bancshares in the 3rd quarter valued at $47,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. bought a new position in shares of CoastalSouth Bancshares in the 3rd quarter valued at $47,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new stake in shares of CoastalSouth Bancshares during the 3rd quarter valued at $67,000. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers acquired a new stake in shares of CoastalSouth Bancshares during the 3rd quarter valued at $91,000. 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. Further Reading 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. Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH Get Free Report) was downgraded by Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report issued on Sunday. Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Needham & Company LLC reduced 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 note on Friday, October 24th. Citigroup upgraded Sonic Automotive from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $82.00 price target for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Barclays started coverage on Sonic Automotive in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. They set an equal weight rating and a $71.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Sonic Automotive from $76.00 to $70.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Sonic Automotive in a report on Monday, December 29th. Four research 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Sonic Automotive currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $80.25. Get Sonic Automotive alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on SAH Sonic Automotive Stock Down 1.1% Shares of NYSE SAH opened at $64.02 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.19 billion, a PE ratio of 17.30 and a beta of 0.92. Sonic Automotive has a one year low of $52.00 and a one year high of $89.62. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $63.29 and its 200-day moving average price is $72.56. Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $1.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.82 by ($0.41). The firm 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 was up 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.26 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Sonic Automotive will post 6.14 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sonic Automotive in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,202,000. Bryce Point Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Sonic Automotive during the second quarter valued at approximately $793,000. CWA Asset Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in Sonic Automotive in the third quarter worth $2,006,000. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Sonic Automotive by 30.3% in the second quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 94,468 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,551,000 after acquiring an additional 21,960 shares in the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd increased its position in Sonic Automotive by 45.1% during the 2nd quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 13,912 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,112,000 after purchasing an additional 4,327 shares during the period. 46.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Sonic Automotive Company Profile (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. See Also 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. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Saturday. PM has been the topic of a number of other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Morgan Stanley set a $175.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 17th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $189.00. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Philip Morris International Philip Morris International Stock Up 1.6% Shares of PM opened at $165.22 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $156.05 and a two-hundred day moving average of $161.90. Philip Morris International has a twelve month low of $116.12 and a twelve month high of $186.69. The company has a market cap of $257.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.40. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 122.14% and a net margin of 9.33%.The firm had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Philip Morris International will post 7.14 EPS for the current year. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be paid a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 106.52%. Institutional Trading of Philip Morris International A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PM. PFS Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 24.8% during the 2nd quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 292 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.1% in the second quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 5,666 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,032,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Second Line Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.8% during the 2nd quarter. Second Line Capital LLC now owns 1,338 shares of the companys stock worth $245,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 6.5% during the 2nd quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,014 shares of the companys stock valued at $185,000 after buying an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meridian Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Meridian Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,060 shares of the companys stock valued at $375,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the period. 78.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Philip Morris International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE: PM) is a global tobacco company that manufactures and sells cigarettes, other nicotine-containing products and a growing portfolio of smoke-free alternatives for adult smokers. The firm traces its corporate roots to the 19th century Philip Morris enterprise and was established as an independent, publicly traded company following a 2008 separation from what is now Altria. Since the spin-off, the company has focused on serving international markets outside the United States. PMIs product mix includes traditional combustible cigarettes as well as smoke-free offerings such as heated tobacco systems and other reduced-risk products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Celsius, Canadian Natural Resources, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Canadian Solar, Canadian National Railway, Bank Of Montreal, and TC Energy are the seven Canadian stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Canadian stocks are shares of ownership in companies that are incorporated in Canada or primarily listed on Canadian exchanges such as the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). They give investors exposure to the Canadian economy and to sectors that dominate the marketespecially financials, energy, mining and materials. Investing in Canadian stocks also involves considerations like Canadian-dollar currency risk, domestic regulation and taxation, and the liquidity characteristics of Canadian markets. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Canadian stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Celsius (CELH) Celsius Holdings, Inc. develops, processes, markets, distributes, and sells functional energy drinks and liquid supplements in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canadian, European, Middle Eastern, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company offers CELSIUS, a fitness drink or supplement designed to accelerate metabolism and burn body fat; various flavors and carbonated and non-carbonated functional energy drinks under the CELSIUS Originals and Vibe name, as well as functional energy drink under the CELSIUS Essentials and CELSIUS On-the-Go Powder names; and CELSIUS ready-to drink products. Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). Read Our Latest Research Report on CNQ Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP) Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers. Read Our Latest Research Report on CP Canadian Solar (CSIQ) Canadian Solar Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides solar energy and battery energy storage products and solutions in in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy. The CSI Solar segment designs, develops, and manufactures solar ingots, wafers, cells, modules, and other solar power and battery storage products. Read Our Latest Research Report on CSIQ Canadian National Railway (CNI) 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. Read Our Latest Research Report on CNI Bank Of Montreal (BMO) Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The companys personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products. Read Our Latest Research Report on BMO TC Energy (TRP) TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Energy Solutions. The company builds and operates a network of 93,600 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses. Read Our Latest Research Report on TRP Featured Stories Wall Street Zen cut shares of Best Buy (NYSE:BBY Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday morning. Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Loop Capital raised their price objective on shares of Best Buy from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on Best Buy from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Wedbush reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $75.00 price objective on shares of Best Buy in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of Best Buy from $85.00 to $80.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets raised their price objective on Best Buy from $76.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Best Buy currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $83.89. Get Best Buy alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Best Buy Best Buy Price Performance Best Buy stock opened at $67.20 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. Best Buy has a 52-week low of $54.99 and a 52-week high of $91.68. The firm has a market cap of $14.08 billion, a PE ratio of 22.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.41. The companys 50 day moving average is $73.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $73.67. Best Buy (NYSE:BBY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 25th. The technology retailer reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.31 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $9.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.57 billion. Best Buy had a return on equity of 50.02% and a net margin of 1.54%.The companys revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.26 earnings per share. Best Buy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.250-6.350 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Best Buy will post 6.18 EPS for the current fiscal year. Best Buy Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th were paid a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.7%. Best Buys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 125.83%. Insider Activity In other news, Chairman Richard M. Schulze sold 74,553 shares of Best Buy stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $84.31, for a total transaction of $6,285,563.43. Following the sale, the chairman owned 11,451,911 shares in the company, valued at $965,510,616.41. This trade represents a 0.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders have sold a total of 1,534,993 shares of company stock worth $126,626,855 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.59% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Best Buy A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BBY. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Best Buy by 69.3% in the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 337 shares of the technology retailers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. Palisade Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Best Buy during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group acquired a new position in shares of Best Buy in the second quarter worth about $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Best Buy in the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new position in Best Buy in the second quarter valued at about $33,000. 80.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Best Buy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Best Buy Co, Inc is a leading North American consumer electronics retailer that sells a broad range of products including computers, mobile phones, televisions and home theater systems, major appliances, smart-home devices, gaming hardware and software, wearables and related accessories. The company operates through a mix of large-format stores, smaller specialty locations and an e-commerce platform, offering national and private-brand merchandise from major consumer-technology manufacturers as well as third-party sellers. Beyond product retailing, Best Buy provides a suite of services aimed at installation, repair and ongoing technical support. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Best Buy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Best Buy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hubbell Inc (NYSE:HUBB Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $497.25. Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays increased their target price on Hubbell from $456.00 to $465.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Hubbell in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Hubbell from $417.00 to $458.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Hubbell from $480.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Hubbell from $500.00 to $515.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Get Hubbell alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Hubbell Insider Transactions at Hubbell Institutional Inflows and Outflows In related news, insider Alyssa R. Flynn sold 2,011 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $470.32, for a total transaction of $945,813.52. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 3,243 shares in the company, valued at $1,525,247.76. This trade represents a 38.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, Director John F. Malloy acquired 435 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $429.24 per share, with a total value of $186,719.40. Following the acquisition, the director owned 19,085 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,192,045.40. This trade represents a 2.33% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders own 0.76% of the companys stock. A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its position in Hubbell by 171.9% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 2,401 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $795,000 after acquiring an additional 1,518 shares during the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association bought a new stake in shares of Hubbell during the first quarter worth $400,000. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hubbell by 18.9% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 1,233 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $408,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hubbell by 5.6% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 288,342 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $95,415,000 after purchasing an additional 15,178 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SCS Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Hubbell in the 1st quarter worth about $468,000. 88.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Hubbell Stock Performance NYSE:HUBB opened at $473.22 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $444.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $435.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The stock has a market cap of $25.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.36, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 1.02. Hubbell has a 1-year low of $299.42 and a 1-year high of $484.26. Hubbell (NYSE:HUBB Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The industrial products company reported $5.17 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.98 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $1.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.54 billion. Hubbell had a return on equity of 27.68% and a net margin of 15.24%.The companys revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.49 earnings per share. Hubbell has set its FY 2025 guidance at 18.100-18.30 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Hubbell will post 17.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hubbell Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th were issued a dividend of $1.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. This is a boost from Hubbells previous quarterly dividend of $1.32. Hubbells dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.24%. Hubbell Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBB) is an industrial manufacturer and distributor of electrical and electronic products serving a range of end markets including commercial and residential construction, industrial, and utility customers. Founded in 1888 by Harvey Hubbell, the company has a long history in electrical innovation and product development and is headquartered in Connecticut. Hubbell designs, manufactures and sells components and systems that enable the distribution and control of electrical power and provide lighting solutions for indoor and outdoor environments. The companys offerings span a broad portfolio of products used by contractors, utilities, original equipment manufacturers and facility owners. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hubbell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hubbell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Nabors Industries Ltd. (NYSE:NBR Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the eight research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have 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 $56.4286. NBR has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Nabors Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Nabors Industries in a report on Monday, December 29th. Susquehanna set a $64.00 price objective on Nabors Industries and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Morgan Stanley set a $65.00 target price on Nabors Industries in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Barclays set a $50.00 target price on Nabors Industries and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Get Nabors Industries alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on NBR Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nabors Industries Nabors Industries Stock Performance A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of NBR. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. raised its position in shares of Nabors Industries by 25.0% during the 2nd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 750,000 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $21,015,000 after purchasing an additional 150,000 shares during the period. Apollo Management Holdings L.P. raised its holdings in Nabors Industries by 54.2% during the second quarter. Apollo Management Holdings L.P. now owns 650,623 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $18,230,000 after acquiring an additional 228,787 shares during the period. Highbridge Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Nabors Industries by 26.9% during the third quarter. Highbridge Capital Management LLC now owns 491,795 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $20,100,000 after acquiring an additional 104,219 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its position in shares of Nabors Industries by 10.6% in the third quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 489,507 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $20,006,000 after acquiring an additional 46,802 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Nabors Industries by 10.3% in the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 354,901 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $14,505,000 after acquiring an additional 33,101 shares during the period. 81.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Shares of NYSE NBR opened at $60.41 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $52.93 and its 200-day moving average price is $42.97. Nabors Industries has a 52-week low of $23.27 and a 52-week high of $69.20. The company has a market cap of $879.63 million, a PE ratio of 6.26 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.93, a current ratio of 2.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50. Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The oil and gas company reported ($3.67) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($2.37) by ($1.30). The company had revenue of $825.51 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $824.61 million. Nabors Industries had a net margin of 7.08% and a negative return on equity of 30.85%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($6.86) earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Nabors Industries will post -6.22 EPS for the current year. About Nabors Industries (Get Free Report) Nabors Industries Ltd. is a global oil and gas drilling contractor that provides land and offshore drilling rigs, drilling equipment and related services to energy companies around the world. The companys operations span two core segments: drilling and evaluation, which includes land?based and platform drilling rigs as well as wellbore survey services, and wellbore technologies, offering pressure control equipment, downhole tools and specialized maintenance services. Nabors integrated model combines rig operations with engineered products and field support, positioning it as a full?service provider in the upstream sector. The company maintains a diverse, modern fleet of automated and conventional drilling rigs and has pioneered advanced drilling technologies, including automated drilling controls and managed pressure drilling systems. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nabors Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nabors Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of NEXT plc (OTCMKTS:NXGPF Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. NXGPF has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of NEXT in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered NEXT from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, December 14th. Get NEXT alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on NEXT NEXT Stock Performance About NEXT Shares of NXGPF opened at $187.76 on Thursday. NEXT has a one year low of $121.50 and a one year high of $187.78. The companys fifty day moving average price is $187.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $174.04. (Get Free Report) Next Plc is a British multinational retailer specializing in clothing, footwear and home products. Headquartered in Enderby, Leicestershire, the company operates through a combination of full-price stores, outlet locations and an extensive online platform. Since its launch under the Next brand in 1982, the company has focused on designing and sourcing a wide range of apparel and homeware items for men, women and children. The companys core business activities include product design, sourcing and distribution, underpinned by its integrated logistics network. See Also Receive News & Ratings for NEXT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NEXT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC decreased its position in SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD Free Report) by 3.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 130,168 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 4,475 shares during the quarter. SPDR Gold Shares makes up 0.8% of Concurrent Investment Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $46,271,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of GLD. Mccarter Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Mccarter Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 870 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares during the period. Norris Perne & French LLP MI increased its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 3.3% during the third quarter. Norris Perne & French LLP MI now owns 873 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $310,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Revisor Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 2.4% during the third quarter. Revisor Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,237 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $452,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC raised its position in SPDR Gold Shares by 12.0% in the third quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 271 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $96,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Phil A. Younker & Associates Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Phil A. Younker & Associates Ltd. now owns 781 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $278,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. 42.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get SPDR Gold Shares alerts: SPDR Gold Shares Price Performance NYSEARCA:GLD opened at $422.23 on Tuesday. SPDR Gold Shares has a one year low of $245.15 and a one year high of $425.74. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $391.15 and a 200-day moving average price of $353.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $157.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -32.43 and a beta of 0.09. Trending Headlines about SPDR Gold Shares About SPDR Gold Shares Here are the key news stories impacting SPDR Gold Shares this week: (Free Report) SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares). The Trust issues Shares in Baskets to certain authorized participants (Authorized Participants) on an ongoing basis. The creation and redemption of Baskets is only made in exchange for the delivery to the Trust or the distribution by the Trust of the amount of gold and any cash represented by the Baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which will be based on the combined net asset value of various Shares included in the Baskets being created or redeemed determined on the day the order to create or redeem Baskets is properly received. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Gold Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Gold Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Omar wasted no time responding to the coverage of her financial situation. Read More: Approaching retirement with no savings? Dont panic, you're not alone. Here are 6 easy ways you can catch up (and fast) President Donald Trump has attacked her personally, claiming in a Nov. 28 post on Truth Social that Omar, who moved from Somalia to the U.S. as a child, is an illegal immigrant (7). The administration has also taken aim at Minnesotas Somali community, including supporting unverified accusations of fraud among Somali daycares in the state (8). In early January, this rhetoric culminated in the DHS's presence in Minneapolis, in part to dismantle the massive fraud empires built in Minnesota, according to a White House press release (9). Omar is no stranger to allegations from across the aisle, many of them coming from the Oval Office (6). What raised even more questions was how quickly those assets appeared to balloon. In Omars previous years filing, ESTCRU was valued at just $15,001 to $50,000, while Rose Lake Capital was listed at a mere $1 to $1,000 (5). Taken together, those figures suggest a combined value of $6 million to $30 million. When Omar was first elected to Congress in 2019, her financial disclosure showed a negative net worth (3). But her May 2025 filing for the 2024 reporting year painted a dramatically different picture (4). The claim raised eyebrows, not least because earlier this year, Omar herself called allegations of her being a millionaire ridiculous and categorically false (2). Pre-IPO tech investing isnt just for the ultrawealthy anymore. With Fundrise Venture Capital, you can access a curated portfolio of innovative private companies starting at $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 Several outlets, starting with the Washington Free Beacon and later Fox News, among others, reported that Omars net worth had surged to as much as $30 million (1). The personal wealth of members of Congress has long been a matter of public curiosity and recently, Rep. Ilhan Omars, D-Minn., finances took center stage. Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Story Continues Learn to read before you post misleading s--t, she said in a TikTok video addressing the reports (10). In a caption, she clarified: The value range listed for the assets reflects the full cost assessment of the businesses, in which my husband is one of several partners and does not reflect his individual share. She also took a jab at the claims with a bit of humor: Keep wishing millions into existence so I could pay off these student loans. It is true that the assets are tied to Mynett, whom Omar married in 2020 and not solely to her. Coupled with any liabilities, that distinction could help explain why Omar rejected the characterization of her net worth ballooning to as much as $30 million. Her filings also reveal a far more relatable financial reality: In 2024, Omar reported $15,001 to $50,000 in student loan debt. Building wealth beyond Washington The debate over Omars net worth highlights a broader truth: Whether youre in politics or not, building wealth often comes down to the growth of assets and smart financial decisions. Most Americans dont have a stake in a venture capital firm or winery. But there are accessible ways to build net worth today. Heres a look at three of them. The best thing to do, according to Warren Buffett Long-term exposure to the growth of American businesses has created enormous fortunes. As investing legend Warren Buffett wrote in 2016, American business and consequently a basket of stocks is virtually certain to be worth far more in the years ahead (11). And you dont need to be a stock-picking genius to benefit. In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund, Buffett has famously stated (12). This approach gives investors exposure to 500 of Americas largest companies across a wide range of industries, providing instant diversification without the need for constant monitoring or active management. The beauty of this tactic is its accessibility anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. And even small contributions can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change. Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: Link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference your spare change into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5 and, if you sign up today with a recurring investment, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your journey. Become a real estate mogul Like stocks, real estate has long served as a cornerstone of wealth building in America. Owning property can generate passive income through rent and offer appreciation potential especially in high-demand markets. Its also a classic hedge against inflation: When the cost of materials, labor and land goes up, property values often rise as well. Meanwhile, rental income typically climbs too, creating a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation. In fact, Buffett has often pointed to real estate as a prime example of a productive, income-generating asset. In 2022, Buffett stated that if you offered him 1% of all the apartment houses in the country for $25 billion, he would write you a check (13). Of course, you dont need billions or even to buy an entire property to benefit from real estate investing. Platforms like mogul offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class. Mogul offers investors fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, which can give investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits without the need for a $250,000 down payment or 3 a.m. tenant calls. Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors, the team hand-picks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide, guided by proprietary underwriting and market analytics typically used by large institutions. Each property undergoes a vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios. Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Their cash-on-cash yields, meanwhile, average between 10-12% annually. Every investment is secured by real assets, not dependent on the platforms viability. Once you verify your information with their team, you can invest in the properties of your choice in as little as 30 seconds. Another option for tapping into this market is to invest in shares of vacation homes or rental properties through Arrived. Backed by world-class investors, including Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of vacation and rental properties, potentially earning a passive income stream without the extra work that comes with being a landlord of your own rental property. To get started, simply browse through their selection of vetted properties, each picked for their income generation and appreciation potential. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100, earning any quarterly dividends. A golden alternative Precious metals have been on a remarkable run in the past year, with silver prices rising over 160% (14), and gold rising by more about 70% over the same period (15). If youre curious about adding precious metals to your broader inflation-hedging strategy, a gold IRA from Goldco lets you hold physical gold and other metals while still getting the tax advantages of an IRA. Goldco is widely regarded as one of the leading companies in the space, with a 4.8/5 rating on Trustpilot and an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. They also offer a guaranteed buyback program, meaning theyll repurchase your metals at the highest price according to market value if you ever decide to sell. If you want to explore whether precious metals could be a helpful hedge for your portfolio, you can download Goldcos free gold & silver guide to see if its a good fit for you. 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. Fox News (1); Business Insider (2); Clerk of the House of Representatives (3), (4), (5); New York Times (6); @realDonaldTrump (7); Snopes (8); The White House (9); @ilhanmn (10); Berkshire Hathaway (11); CNBC (12), (13); Apmex (14), (15) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. SG Americas Securities LLC cut its holdings in Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE:WTRG Free Report) by 47.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 70,978 shares of the companys stock after selling 63,236 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLCs holdings in Essential Utilities were worth $2,832,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. SouthState Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Essential Utilities by 834.7% during the second quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 701 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 626 shares during the last quarter. American National Bank & Trust bought a new position in Essential Utilities during the third quarter worth $27,000. Kennebec Savings Bank acquired a new position in Essential Utilities during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its holdings in Essential Utilities by 141.2% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 1,213 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 710 shares during the period. Finally, Bfsg LLC boosted its holdings in Essential Utilities by 39.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bfsg LLC now owns 2,022 shares of the companys stock valued at $75,000 after purchasing an additional 569 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.78% of the companys stock. Get Essential Utilities alerts: Essential Utilities Stock Up 2.1% Shares of WTRG opened at $39.13 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $38.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.68. The stock has a market cap of $11.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.24 and a beta of 0.81. Essential Utilities Inc. has a 12 month low of $33.18 and a 12 month high of $42.37. Essential Utilities Announces Dividend Essential Utilities ( NYSE:WTRG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.06. Essential Utilities had a return on equity of 10.20% and a net margin of 28.09%.The business had revenue of $476.97 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $472.40 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.25 EPS. Essential Utilitiess quarterly revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Essential Utilities Inc. will post 1.99 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th were given a $0.3426 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 12th. This represents a $1.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. Essential Utilitiess payout ratio is 56.85%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently issued reports on WTRG. Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded shares of Essential Utilities from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Zacks Research upgraded Essential Utilities from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Northcoast Research raised Essential Utilities from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $42.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Essential Utilities in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Barclays set a $38.00 price objective on Essential Utilities and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $43.29. Get Our Latest Research Report on Essential Utilities Essential Utilities Profile (Free Report) Essential Utilities, Inc, formerly known as Aqua America, is a publicly traded water and natural gas utility holding company. Through its regulated water and wastewater subsidiaries, the company provides essential water services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. In addition, Essential Utilities delivers natural gas distribution services in Pennsylvania through its Peoples Gas subsidiary, offering integrated utility solutions under a unified corporate framework. The company traces its roots to the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, founded in 1886 to serve growing communities outside Philadelphia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Essential Utilities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Essential Utilities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its position in shares of Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN Free Report) by 31.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 72,584 shares of the energy companys stock after acquiring an additional 17,195 shares during the quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Devon Energy were worth $2,545,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Devon Energy during the third quarter valued at $25,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Devon Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Caldwell Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of Devon Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Trust Co. of Vermont lifted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 241.3% in the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 942 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 666 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American National Bank & Trust grew its position in Devon Energy by 2,638.9% in the third quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 986 shares of the energy companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 950 shares in the last quarter. 69.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Devon Energy alerts: Devon Energy Stock Performance Shares of Devon Energy stock opened at $35.72 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stocks fifty day moving average is $36.02 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.56. Devon Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $25.89 and a 52 week high of $38.88. The company has a market capitalization of $22.41 billion, a PE ratio of 8.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.60. Devon Energy Announces Dividend Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The energy company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $0.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.10 billion. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 18.14% and a net margin of 15.56%.During the same period last year, the company earned $1.10 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Devon Energy Corporation will post 4.85 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were given a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. Devon Energys payout ratio is 22.59%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have issued reports on DVN. Citigroup upped their price objective on Devon Energy from $43.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price target on Devon Energy from $48.00 to $42.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 5th. Susquehanna raised their price target on Devon Energy from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Johnson Rice dropped their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $70.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $50.00 to $48.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell 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 $44.62. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Devon Energy Devon Energy Profile (Free Report) Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE: DVN) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The company focuses on the exploration, development, production and marketing of hydrocarbons, including crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas. Devon operates as an upstream energy company that acquires, evaluates and develops onshore resource plays using a combination of drilling, completion and production optimization techniques. Core business activities include identifying and developing energy reserves, operating well programs and managing reservoir performance to generate production and cash flow. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Devon Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Devon Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report) by 31.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 49,308 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 11,825 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Citizens Financial Group were worth $2,621,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its position in Citizens Financial Group by 1.5% in the second quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 35,352 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,582,000 after acquiring an additional 512 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 37.2% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 479,415 shares of the banks stock valued at $25,284,000 after purchasing an additional 129,995 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 856,204 shares of the banks stock worth $38,315,000 after purchasing an additional 42,971 shares during the last quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $60,434,000. Finally, OLD National Bancorp IN bought a new position in Citizens Financial Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,848,000. 94.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Citizens Financial Group Stock Down 0.6% NYSE:CFG opened at $60.20 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $25.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.86, a P/E/G ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.85. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $56.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $52.20. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $32.60 and a 52-week high of $62.16. Citizens Financial Group Increases Dividend Citizens Financial Group ( NYSE:CFG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The bank reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.02. Citizens Financial Group had a return on equity of 7.48% and a net margin of 14.17%.The company had revenue of $2.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.79 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Citizens Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.92 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 29th were given a dividend of $0.46 per share. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 29th. This is a boost from Citizens Financial Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. Citizens Financial Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 51.54%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have weighed in on CFG. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Stephens restated an overweight rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. DA Davidson reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $59.00 price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on Citizens Financial Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Citizens Financial Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $60.33. Get Our Latest Analysis on Citizens Financial Group Citizens Financial Group Profile (Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc (NYSE: CFG) is a bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial services to individuals, small and middle-market businesses, corporations and institutional clients. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens conducts its banking operations principally through its primary banking subsidiary, Citizens Bank, and serves customers through a combination of branch locations, ATMs and digital channels. The company is publicly traded and operates under the regulatory framework applicable to U.S. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund boosted its holdings in Edison International (NYSE:EIX Free Report) by 32.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 43,956 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 10,762 shares during the quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Funds holdings in Edison International were worth $2,430,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. FARMERS & MERCHANTS TRUST Co OF LONG BEACH boosted its position in shares of Edison International by 2.7% during the second quarter. FARMERS & MERCHANTS TRUST Co OF LONG BEACH now owns 7,422 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $383,000 after buying an additional 196 shares during the last quarter. Kentucky Trust Co lifted its stake in Edison International by 66.7% during the 2nd quarter. Kentucky Trust Co now owns 500 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. MAI Capital Management boosted its holdings in Edison International by 20.8% during the 2nd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 1,172 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $60,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its stake in shares of Edison International by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 8,875 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $523,000 after acquiring an additional 211 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale grew its stake in shares of Edison International by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 73,809 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,818,000 after acquiring an additional 213 shares in the last quarter. 88.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Edison International alerts: Insider Activity In related news, Director Peter J. Taylor sold 1,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.27, for a total transaction of $99,486.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 35,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,946,167.24. This represents a 4.86% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Edison International Trading Down 1.7% Shares of EIX stock opened at $59.94 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95. The firm has a market cap of $23.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.84, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a 50 day moving average of $58.74 and a 200-day moving average of $55.90. Edison International has a 12-month low of $47.73 and a 12-month high of $64.34. Edison International (NYSE:EIX Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $2.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.31 billion. Edison International had a return on equity of 13.62% and a net margin of 17.24%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.51 earnings per share. Edison International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.950-6.200 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Edison International will post 4.95 earnings per share for the current year. Edison International Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 7th will be paid a $0.8775 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 7th. This is a positive change from Edison Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.51 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.9%. Edison Internationals dividend payout ratio is 45.88%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently weighed in on EIX. Morgan Stanley set a $57.00 price target on shares of Edison International in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Zacks Research downgraded Edison International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered Edison International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. UBS Group lifted their price target on Edison International from $66.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised Edison International to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $63.50. View Our Latest Analysis on EIX About Edison International (Free Report) Edison International is a publicly traded utility holding company based in Rosemead, California, whose principal subsidiary is Southern California Edison (SCE). As an electric utility holding company, Edison International oversees the delivery of electricity through SCEs integrated network of generation procurement, transmission and distribution infrastructure, serving millions of customers across central, coastal and southern California. The companys operations focus on reliable energy delivery, customer service, regulatory compliance and long-term infrastructure planning for a complex and high-demand service territory. The companys activities include procuring and managing a diverse resource mix, maintaining and upgrading transmission and distribution systems, and implementing grid modernization projects. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EIX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Edison International (NYSE:EIX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Edison International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edison International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC acquired a new position in shares of Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 10,114 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $2,150,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mather Group LLC. increased its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 4,540 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $965,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Capital One Financial by 3.6% during the second quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 1,407 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $299,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the period. Optas LLC grew its holdings in Capital One Financial by 1.4% during the third quarter. Optas LLC now owns 3,484 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $741,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the period. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. increased its position in Capital One Financial by 0.3% in the second quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. now owns 16,603 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,532,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 66.7% in the second quarter. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 125 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the period. 89.84% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Capital One Financial alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets COF has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on Capital One Financial from $271.00 to $294.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating and issued a $290.00 price target on shares of Capital One Financial in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Capital One Financial in a research note on Monday, December 8th. They set an outperform rating and a $270.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $237.00 to $256.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on Capital One Financial from $290.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 31st. Three 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $278.20. Insider Buying and Selling In other Capital One Financial news, insider Lia Dean sold 3,269 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $218.15, for a total transaction of $713,132.35. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 69,855 shares in the company, valued at $15,238,868.25. This represents a 4.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Frank G. LapradeIii sold 17,840 shares of Capital One Financial stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the insider owned 48,315 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,727,379.45. This represents a 26.97% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 298,895 shares of company stock worth $67,111,541 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.26% of the companys stock. Capital One Financial Price Performance Shares of Capital One Financial stock opened at $233.21 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $230.71 and its 200-day moving average price is $222.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $148.26 billion, a PE ratio of 98.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.13. Capital One Financial Corporation has a 12 month low of $143.22 and a 12 month high of $259.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $5.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $15.46 billion during the quarter. Capital One Financial had a return on equity of 10.94% and a net margin of 2.24%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Capital One Financial Corporation will post 15.65 EPS for the current fiscal year. Capital One Financial Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th were given a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. This is a boost from Capital One Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. Capital One Financials dividend payout ratio is 135.02%. Capital One Financial News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Capital One Financial this week: Positive Sentiment: High bullish options activity: Unusually large call buying (roughly 63,136 calls, ~368% above normal daily volume) suggests some traders are positioning for a rebound or takeover of downside risk, adding speculative demand that can support the stock on dips. High bullish options activity: Unusually large call buying (roughly 63,136 calls, ~368% above normal daily volume) suggests some traders are positioning for a rebound or takeover of downside risk, adding speculative demand that can support the stock on dips. Positive Sentiment: High-profile endorsement: TV commentator Jim Cramer publicly praised Capital One, which can attract retail buying interest. Jim Cramer Calls Capital One Absolutely Terrific High-profile endorsement: TV commentator Jim Cramer publicly praised Capital One, which can attract retail buying interest. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst target moved up but rating unchanged: JPMorgan raised its price target to $256 (still a neutral rating), which signals some analyst conviction on upside but not a clear upgrade to buy. Price Target Increase Analyst target moved up but rating unchanged: JPMorgan raised its price target to $256 (still a neutral rating), which signals some analyst conviction on upside but not a clear upgrade to buy. Neutral Sentiment: Heavy trading/volatility: Intraday volume is well above average, which increases short?term volatility and can magnify moves in either direction as algorithms and options hedging react. Heavy trading/volatility: Intraday volume is well above average, which increases short?term volatility and can magnify moves in either direction as algorithms and options hedging react. Negative Sentiment: Policy risk: President Trumps proposal to cap credit-card APRs at 10% is the main near-term driver of selling; a binding cap would materially compress card yields and margins for issuers like Capital One. Policy Cap Coverage Policy risk: President Trumps proposal to cap credit-card APRs at 10% is the main near-term driver of selling; a binding cap would materially compress card yields and margins for issuers like Capital One. Negative Sentiment: Settlement confirmed: A federal judge granted preliminary approval to a revised class-action settlement requiring Capital One to pay $425 million and offer higher rates to certain depositors a direct cash/earnings hit and reminder of legal risk. Settlement Coverage Settlement confirmed: A federal judge granted preliminary approval to a revised class-action settlement requiring Capital One to pay $425 million and offer higher rates to certain depositors a direct cash/earnings hit and reminder of legal risk. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: Capital Ones general counsel sold roughly $500k of stock recently, which can be interpreted negatively by some investors as a signal to reduce exposure. Insider Sale About Capital One Financial (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. See Also 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. Tema Etfs LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 27,044 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,787,000. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Altria Group by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,987 shares of the companys stock valued at $462,000 after purchasing an additional 271 shares during the last quarter. Warwick Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $202,000. Trilogy Capital Inc. increased its holdings in Altria Group by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Trilogy Capital Inc. now owns 8,099 shares of the companys stock valued at $535,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. Associated Banc Corp boosted its stake in Altria Group by 1.2% in the third quarter. Associated Banc Corp now owns 42,986 shares of the companys stock worth $2,840,000 after purchasing an additional 495 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Phillips Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the third quarter valued at $218,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Altria Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $61.00 to $63.00 in a report on Friday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $62.56. Altria Group Trading Up 1.7% MO opened at $58.53 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $58.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $61.50. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $50.08 and a 12 month high of $68.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.17, a P/E/G ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 0.47. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 319.43% and a net margin of 37.89%.During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.38 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Altria Group announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Thursday, October 30th that permits the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to purchase up to 1.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Altria Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Investors of record on Friday, December 26th were given a dividend of $1.06 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 26th. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.2%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is 80.92%. Altria Group Profile (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc (NYSE: MO) is a U.S.-based consumer goods company whose principal business is the manufacture and sale of tobacco products. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the companys operations are focused primarily on the U.S. market and include the production, marketing and distribution of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and cigars. Its flagship cigarette franchise in the United States is sold through its operating subsidiaries and is among the most recognizable cigarette brands in the country. Altrias principal operating businesses include Philip Morris USA (cigarettes), U.S. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC acquired a new position in U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 26,649 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,288,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 323.0% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 48,274 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,309,000 after purchasing an additional 36,863 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 34,411 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,453,000 after buying an additional 714 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 18.9% during the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 39,276 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,658,000 after buying an additional 6,252 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 7.2% during the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 8,462 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $357,000 after buying an additional 566 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 6.6% in the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 21,312 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $964,000 after buying an additional 1,320 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 77.60% of the companys stock. Get U.S. Bancorp alerts: U.S. Bancorp Price Performance Shares of USB opened at $54.39 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. U.S. Bancorp has a twelve month low of $35.18 and a twelve month high of $56.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $84.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.45, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a 50 day moving average of $51.23 and a 200-day moving average of $48.63. U.S. Bancorp Announces Dividend U.S. Bancorp ( NYSE:USB Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.11. U.S. Bancorp had a net margin of 16.89% and a return on equity of 13.34%. The business had revenue of $7.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.17 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.03 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that U.S. Bancorp will post 4.38 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio is 47.60%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on USB shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $53.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on U.S. Bancorp from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of U.S. Bancorp in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wolfe Research lowered U.S. Bancorp from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on U.S. Bancorp from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $56.30. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on USB Insider Buying and Selling at U.S. Bancorp In other news, EVP James L. Chosy sold 26,909 shares of U.S. Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.86, for a total value of $1,260,955.74. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 226,375 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,607,932.50. This trade represents a 10.62% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Chairman Andrew Cecere sold 140,445 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.34, for a total transaction of $6,508,221.30. Following the transaction, the chairman owned 1,360,414 shares in the company, valued at $63,041,584.76. This represents a 9.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 0.23% of the companys stock. U.S. Bancorp Profile (Free Report) U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) is a bank holding company and the parent of U.S. Bank, a national commercial bank that provides a wide range of banking, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services. The company operates through consumer and business banking, commercial banking, payment services, and wealth management segments. Its product set includes deposit accounts, consumer and commercial lending, mortgage origination and servicing, credit and debit card services, treasury and cash management, merchant processing, and institutional and trust services. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding USB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for U.S. Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for U.S. Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco China Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:CQQQ Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 135,486 shares, a decline of 67.5% from the December 15th total of 416,767 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 806,168 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 806,168 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Currently, 0.2% of the companys shares are short sold. Invesco China Technology ETF Price Performance Shares of Invesco China Technology ETF stock opened at $58.89 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $53.18 and its 200 day moving average is $52.21. Invesco China Technology ETF has a one year low of $35.62 and a one year high of $61.20. The firm has a market cap of $3.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.61 and a beta of 0.43. Get Invesco China Technology ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of Invesco China Technology ETF Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of CQQQ. CWM LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco China Technology ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC increased its stake in Invesco China Technology ETF by 331.6% in the second quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 1,187 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 912 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco China Technology ETF during the third quarter valued at about $60,000. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Invesco China Technology ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $79,000. Finally, Optimum Investment Advisors boosted its position in shares of Invesco China Technology ETF by 40.3% during the 2nd quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 2,525 shares of the companys stock worth $112,000 after purchasing an additional 725 shares in the last quarter. Invesco China Technology ETF Company Profile Guggenheim China Technology ETF (the Fund), formerly Claymore China Technology ETF, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before the Funds fees and expenses, of an equity index called the AlphaShares China Technology Index (the Index). The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in common stock, American depositary receipts (ADRs), American depositary shares (ADSs), global depositary receipts (GDRs) and international depositary receipts (IDRs) that comprise the Index and depositary receipts or shares representing common stocks included in the Index (or underlying securities representing ADRs, ADSs, GDRs and IDRs included in the Index). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Invesco China Technology ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco China Technology ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Janney Capital Management LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT Free Report) by 23.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 86,816 shares of the companys stock after selling 26,851 shares during the quarter. Janney Capital Management LLCs holdings in Vertiv were worth $13,097,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. grew its stake in Vertiv by 1,560.0% in the 3rd quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 166 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Promus Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vertiv during the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Vertiv by 67.6% in the third quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 171 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Avion Wealth boosted its position in shares of Vertiv by 99.1% in the second quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 213 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the period. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC grew its stake in Vertiv by 54.0% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 194 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.92% of the companys stock. Get Vertiv alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have commented on VRT. Roth Capital reissued a buy rating and issued a $195.00 price target (up from $162.00) on shares of Vertiv in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Zacks Research raised Vertiv from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $216.00 target price on Vertiv and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Mizuho lifted their price target on Vertiv from $165.00 to $198.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Vertiv in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $181.38. Vertiv Price Performance VRT opened at $170.08 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 64.18, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 2.06. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $171.10 and a 200-day moving average price of $153.91. Vertiv Holdings Co. has a 12-month low of $53.60 and a 12-month high of $202.45. Vertiv (NYSE:VRT Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.99 by $0.25. Vertiv had a return on equity of 50.82% and a net margin of 10.67%.The company had revenue of $2.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.59 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.76 EPS. Vertivs quarterly revenue was up 29.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Vertiv has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.230-1.290 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 4.070-4.130 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Vertiv Holdings Co. will post 3.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Vertiv Increases Dividend The business 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 is an increase from Vertivs previous quarterly dividend of $0.04. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 25th. Vertivs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.43%. Insider Buying and Selling at Vertiv In other Vertiv news, EVP Stephen Liang sold 5,501 shares of Vertiv stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.48, for a total value of $937,810.48. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,050 shares of the companys stock, valued at $690,444. The trade was a 57.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 5.01% of the companys stock. About Vertiv (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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VRT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT Free Report). 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. Kiker Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Grupo Supervielle S.A. (NYSE:SUPV Free Report) by 148.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 316,161 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 189,156 shares during the period. Kiker Wealth Management LLC owned approximately 0.36% of Grupo Supervielle worth $1,565,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Sparta 24 Ltd. grew its holdings in Grupo Supervielle by 39,572.6% during the 3rd quarter. Sparta 24 Ltd. now owns 1,002,526 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,963,000 after purchasing an additional 999,999 shares during the last quarter. GAM Holding AG purchased a new stake in shares of Grupo Supervielle in the third quarter worth approximately $248,000. Paradiem LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Grupo Supervielle in the third quarter worth approximately $363,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC lifted its stake in shares of Grupo Supervielle by 243.7% during the 2nd quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 48,977 shares of the companys stock worth $519,000 after acquiring an additional 34,726 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Engineers Gate Manager LP boosted its holdings in Grupo Supervielle by 242.8% during the 2nd quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 84,132 shares of the companys stock valued at $891,000 after acquiring an additional 59,586 shares during the period. Get Grupo Supervielle alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SUPV has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Itau BBA Securities assumed coverage on Grupo Supervielle in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. They set an outperform rating and a $15.00 target price for the company. Citigroup raised shares of Grupo Supervielle from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Grupo Supervielle in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. They set a neutral rating and a $13.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Grupo Supervielle from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price target for the company from $5.00 to $12.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Bank of America restated a neutral rating on shares of Grupo Supervielle in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $13.33. Grupo Supervielle Stock Down 2.5% NYSE:SUPV opened at $11.71 on Tuesday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $11.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 0.96. Grupo Supervielle S.A. has a fifty-two week low of $4.54 and a fifty-two week high of $19.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 97.57, a P/E/G ratio of 9.45 and a beta of 1.76. Grupo Supervielle (NYSE:SUPV Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The company reported ($0.43) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.03 by ($0.46). Grupo Supervielle had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 1.15%. The firm had revenue of $178.38 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $252.85 billion. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Grupo Supervielle S.A. will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Grupo Supervielle (Free Report) Grupo Supervielle (NYSE: SUPV) is a diversified Argentine financial services holding company headquartered in Buenos Aires. Through its principal subsidiary, Banco Supervielle, the group offers retail and commercial banking products including checking and savings accounts, consumer and corporate loans, credit and debit cards, treasury services and foreign exchange solutions. These services cater to individual customers, small and medium-sized enterprises and larger corporates throughout Argentinas provincial and urban centers. Beyond traditional banking, Grupo Supervielle operates in insurance and asset management. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Supervielle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Supervielle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Todays Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is vastly different than what consumers once knew. While similar in name to the Bed Bath & Beyond retail chain shoppers may remember, the company has undergone a series of transformations since exiting bankruptcy a few years ago. Bed Bath & Beyond filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2023. The highly anticipated move followed a drop in store traffic, sales and a pullback on its well-loved coupons. This was, at least in part, brought on by its late arrival to e-commerce and was compounded by COVID-19 pandemic challenges across retail. But the home retailer reemerged after Overstock won a bankruptcy auction with a $21.5 million stalking horse bid to buy elements of Bed Bath & Beyonds intellectual property. The acquisition was followed by a series of major changes, with then-CEO Jonathan Johnson who relaunched Bed Bath & Beyonds e-commerce site and changed the companys corporate name to Beyond exiting the retailer in November of 2023. Businessperson and TV personality Marcus Lemonis, a board member at the company, ascended to the position of principal executive officer by March of 2025. Lemonis has embarked on an overhaul of the company, whose corporate name is now Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. In its current iteration, the companys banners include Overstock, BuyBuy Baby, Bed Bath & Beyond and Kirklands Home. Thats in addition to other ventures, including blockchain-oriented investments. But much of the actual retail work across its portfolio, such as its stores and e-commerce sites, have been revamped and are now operated by The Brand House Collective, formerly Kirklands Home. Kirklands Home entered into a strategic partnership with Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. in October of 2024, though that relationship has since transformed into a pending merger acquisition. We view the purchase price as savvy, with the underlying store value likely greater than what the market was valuing [The Brand House Collective] for, Jefferies analysts said in a Nov. 24 note regarding the acquisition news. Of course, the ultimate ROI will depend on whether the Bed Bath brand can be reincarnated at scale with minimal operating expenses. [Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.] remains a 'show me' story. The major changes at Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. are part of Lemonis approach to making it an asset light retail company, all while he expands its involvement in blockchain. New Republic Capital LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report) by 33.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 46,501 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 11,563 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Japan ETF comprises 1.1% of New Republic Capital LLCs holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest position. New Republic Capital LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $3,730,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of EWJ. LRI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Trust Co. of Vermont acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Front Row Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $51,000. 64.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares MSCI Japan ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Japan ETF Stock Performance Shares of EWJ stock opened at $85.29 on Tuesday. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 1 year low of $59.84 and a 1 year high of $85.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.73 billion, a PE ratio of 14.63 and a beta of 0.68. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $82.39 and a two-hundred day moving average of $79.86. iShares MSCI Japan ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nordea Investment Management AB decreased its position in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report) by 3.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,058,931 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after selling 288,861 shares during the period. TJX Companies comprises about 0.9% of Nordea Investment Management ABs holdings, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Nordea Investment Management AB owned about 0.63% of TJX Companies worth $1,018,392,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Lavaca Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in TJX Companies during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new stake in TJX Companies during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Capital A Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in TJX Companies by 776.7% during the second quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 263 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock. Get TJX Companies alerts: Insider Activity at TJX Companies In other TJX Companies news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the sale, the director owned 22,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,362,896.80. This trade represents a 2.20% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.31, for a total transaction of $3,686,365.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 510,780 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $77,286,121.80. The trade was a 4.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 54,863 shares of company stock valued at $8,226,366 over the last three months. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. TJX Companies Stock Performance TJX opened at $157.02 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day moving average is $152.00 and its 200 day moving average is $141.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The company has a market cap of $174.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.66, a PEG ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.75. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $112.10 and a 12-month high of $159.48. TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.30% and a net margin of 8.68%.TJX Companiess revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. 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. On average, equities research analysts predict that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current year. TJX Companies Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 12th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess payout ratio is 37.53%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen raised TJX Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $162.00 price objective (up from $159.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating and set a $170.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an outperform rating and issued a $170.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on TJX Companies from $163.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-four have given a Buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $163.86. Check Out Our Latest Report 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. Janney Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 13.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 120,463 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 18,059 shares during the period. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing accounts for 2.1% of Janney Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest holding. Janney Capital Management LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $33,644,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of TSM. Argyle Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $210,000. Gradient Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 2.8% in the third quarter. Gradient Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,543 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,548,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the period. Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the third quarter worth $119,000. First Horizon Corp bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 3rd quarter valued at $2,023,000. Finally, MGO One Seven LLC raised its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 7.2% in the 3rd quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 51,200 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $14,300,000 after buying an additional 3,458 shares in the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Itau BBA Securities started coverage on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and issued a $360.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, January 2nd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $355.00. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance Shares of TSM stock opened at $331.86 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $1.72 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.04, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.29. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 12 month low of $134.25 and a 12 month high of $333.55. The company has a quick ratio of 2.47, a current ratio of 2.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $296.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $271.18. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 14th. The semiconductor company reported $14.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 34.34%. Research analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a $0.9678 dividend. This is a boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.74%. More Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing News Here are the key news stories impacting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing this week: About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is a leading pure-play semiconductor foundry that provides wafer fabrication and related services to the global semiconductor industry. Founded in 1987 by Morris Chang and headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, TSMC manufactures integrated circuits on behalf of fabless and integrated device manufacturers, offering contract chip production across a broad set of technologies and products. TSMCs service offering covers logic and mixed-signal process technologies, specialty processes for radio-frequency, power management and embedded memory, and advanced nodes used in mobile, high-performance computing and AI applications. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nordea Investment Management AB decreased its position in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ Free Report) by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,599,828 shares of the cell phone carriers stock after selling 134,401 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB owned about 0.20% of Verizon Communications worth $374,781,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Verizon Communications in the 2nd quarter valued at $2,504,150,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 1.3% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 372,787,016 shares of the cell phone carriers stock worth $16,130,494,000 after buying an additional 4,615,075 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of Verizon Communications by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 208,213,255 shares of the cell phone carriers stock worth $9,009,388,000 after acquiring an additional 4,205,449 shares in the last quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its stake in Verizon Communications by 21.5% in the second quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 21,159,040 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $915,552,000 after buying an additional 3,743,892 shares during the period. Finally, VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new position in Verizon Communications during the second quarter worth $113,004,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.06% of the companys stock. Get Verizon Communications alerts: Verizon Communications News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Verizon Communications this week: Positive Sentiment: FCC rule change reduces Verizons liability for phone-unlocking fraud the FCC revised a long-standing rule that required Verizon to unlock phones 60 days after activation; the agency says the old rule was costing Verizon hundreds of millions annually due to fraud, which should meaningfully improve margins and cash flow retention. FCC revises Verizon phone unlocking rules after significant fraud issues FCC rule change reduces Verizons liability for phone-unlocking fraud the FCC revised a long-standing rule that required Verizon to unlock phones 60 days after activation; the agency says the old rule was costing Verizon hundreds of millions annually due to fraud, which should meaningfully improve margins and cash flow retention. Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment is improving coverage notes steadier growth and defensible cash flows, with a consensus price target implying upside from current levels; growing analyst confidence supports the stocks income/total-return case. Analyst Sentiment on Verizon Communications (VZ) Improves Amid Steadier Growth and Defensible Cash Flows Analyst sentiment is improving coverage notes steadier growth and defensible cash flows, with a consensus price target implying upside from current levels; growing analyst confidence supports the stocks income/total-return case. Positive Sentiment: High-yield appeal remains Verizon is being featured in dividend screens (e.g., Dogs of the Dow/high-yield lists), reinforcing interest from income-focused investors given its attractive yield relative to peers. That helps provide a demand floor for the shares. The Dogs of the Dow: 10 Downtrodden Dividends Paying Out Up to 6.8% High-yield appeal remains Verizon is being featured in dividend screens (e.g., Dogs of the Dow/high-yield lists), reinforcing interest from income-focused investors given its attractive yield relative to peers. That helps provide a demand floor for the shares. Negative Sentiment: Scotiabank trimmed its price target on Verizon (from $51 to $48) and cited intensifying wireless promotions as a reason this highlights near-term margin pressure and competitive risks that can weigh on sentiment and cap short-term upside despite the regulatory relief. Scotiabank Trims Verizon (VZ) Price Target as Wireless Promotions Intensify Verizon Communications Stock Down 1.5% Shares of NYSE:VZ opened at $39.84 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $167.99 billion, a PE ratio of 8.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 0.34. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 1 year low of $37.74 and a 1 year high of $47.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $40.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $41.86. Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.02. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.31%. The business had revenue of $33.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.19 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.69 earnings per share for the current year. Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 12th will be paid a $0.69 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 12th. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.9%. Verizon Communicationss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 58.97%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently commented on VZ. BNP Paribas downgraded Verizon Communications from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $47.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $44.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Verizon Communications from $56.00 to $51.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $47.47. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Verizon Communications About Verizon Communications (Free Report) Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) is a major U.S.-based telecommunications company that provides a broad range of communications and information services. Its operations span consumer and business markets, with core offerings that include wireless voice and data services, fixed-line broadband and fiber-optic services, and enterprise networking solutions. Verizon is headquartered in New York City and operates a nationwide wireless network that supports consumer subscribers as well as business and government customers. The companys consumer products include mobile phone plans, unlimited data services, and Fios, its branded fiber-optic internet, television and voice service for homes and small businesses. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Verizon Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Verizon Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Janney Capital Management LLC lessened its holdings in The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL Free Report) by 16.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,056 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 3,223 shares during the quarter. Janney Capital Management LLCs holdings in Allstate were worth $3,446,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Arlington Trust Co LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Allstate by 261.8% during the second quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 123 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Allstate by 79.7% in the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 124 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Allstate by 112.3% during the third quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 138 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC increased its position in Allstate by 3,800.0% during the 2nd quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 156 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its stake in Allstate by 315.0% in the 2nd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 166 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.47% of the companys stock. Get Allstate alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Allstate In related news, insider Suren Gupta sold 19,593 shares of Allstate stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.00, for a total transaction of $4,114,530.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 100,646 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,135,660. The trade was a 16.30% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders have sold a total of 48,400 shares of company stock valued at $10,313,256 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.70% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have commented on ALL shares. UBS Group increased their target price on Allstate from $250.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Allstate from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Allstate from $202.00 to $216.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Allstate from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Evercore ISI set a $225.00 target price on shares of Allstate in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Allstate currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $235.69. View Our Latest Research Report on Allstate Allstate Trading Down 1.7% Shares of ALL stock opened at $208.53 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $54.57 billion, a PE ratio of 6.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 0.24. The Allstate Corporation has a 1 year low of $176.00 and a 1 year high of $215.89. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $207.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $203.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.43 and a quick ratio of 0.43. Allstate (NYSE:ALL Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $11.17 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.48 by $5.69. Allstate had a return on equity of 35.42% and a net margin of 12.53%.The firm had revenue of $17.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.59 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.91 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that The Allstate Corporation will post 18.74 earnings per share for the current year. Allstate Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were given a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. Allstates payout ratio is 12.95%. Allstate Profile (Free Report) Allstate Corporation is a publicly traded insurance company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, and is one of the largest personal lines property and casualty insurers in the United States. Founded in 1931 as a subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck and Co, Allstate has grown into a diversified insurer that serves millions of consumers and businesses through a mix of distribution channels and product offerings. The company underwrites a broad range of insurance products, with primary emphasis on auto and homeowners coverage. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Allstate Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Allstate and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its stake in General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD Free Report) by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 616,302 shares of the aerospace companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,852 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. owned 0.23% of General Dynamics worth $210,159,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Pure Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in General Dynamics by 52.4% during the 2nd quarter. Pure Financial Advisors LLC now owns 9,181 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,678,000 after acquiring an additional 3,156 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp lifted its stake in General Dynamics by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 286,456 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $83,548,000 after buying an additional 1,370 shares in the last quarter. Davis Capital Management purchased a new position in General Dynamics during the third quarter worth $1,007,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 20.9% in the second quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 299,137 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $87,246,000 after acquiring an additional 51,655 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Silver Coast Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of General Dynamics in the second quarter valued at $218,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.14% of the companys stock. Get General Dynamics alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Melius Research raised shares of General Dynamics to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and set a $400.00 price target on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of General Dynamics from $370.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Argus lifted their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $345.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $385.00 price target on General Dynamics in a report on Monday, October 27th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $359.00. Insider Activity In other General Dynamics news, VP David Paddock sold 20,360 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $334.92, for a total transaction of $6,818,971.20. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 36,644 shares in the company, valued at $12,272,808.48. The trade was a 35.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.50% of the stock is owned by insiders. General Dynamics Stock Up 2.0% Shares of GD opened at $360.89 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $97.48 billion, a PE ratio of 23.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The companys fifty day moving average is $342.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $328.81. General Dynamics Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $239.20 and a fifty-two week high of $367.65. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.88 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.69 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $12.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.49 billion. General Dynamics had a return on equity of 18.27% and a net margin of 8.18%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.35 earnings per share. General Dynamics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.300-15.35 EPS. Analysts forecast that General Dynamics Corporation will post 14.83 earnings per share for the current year. General Dynamics Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be paid a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 16th. General Dynamicss payout ratio is currently 38.89%. General Dynamics Company Profile (Free Report) General Dynamics is a major American aerospace and defense contractor that designs, manufactures and supports a broad range of products and services for government and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in the United States (Reston, Virginia), the company supplies platforms and systems used by armed forces, civil authorities and private operators across multiple domains including air, land, sea and cyber. Its principal activities span several operating businesses: a business aviation unit that develops and supports Gulfstream business jets; land systems that produce armored combat vehicles and related logistics and sustainment services; marine systems that design and construct submarines and surface ships for navies; and mission systems and information technology operations that provide command-and-control, communications, cybersecurity and systems-integration services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RWC Asset Management LLP decreased its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 7.3% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 116,687 shares of the companys stock after selling 9,172 shares during the quarter. RWC Asset Management LLPs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $18,927,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of PM. PFS Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 24.8% during the 2nd quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 292 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC boosted its position in Philip Morris International by 1.1% during the second quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 5,666 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,032,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Second Line Capital LLC grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 4.8% in the second quarter. Second Line Capital LLC now owns 1,338 shares of the companys stock valued at $245,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 6.5% during the second quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,014 shares of the companys stock valued at $185,000 after buying an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Meridian Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Meridian Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,060 shares of the companys stock worth $375,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth PM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 17th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 target price on Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Philip Morris International presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $189.00. Philip Morris International Stock Up 1.6% Shares of NYSE PM opened at $165.22 on Tuesday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $116.12 and a 52-week high of $186.69. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $156.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $161.90. The firm has a market cap of $257.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.40. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 122.14% and a net margin of 9.33%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be given a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is 106.52%. Philip Morris International Company Profile (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE: PM) is a global tobacco company that manufactures and sells cigarettes, other nicotine-containing products and a growing portfolio of smoke-free alternatives for adult smokers. The firm traces its corporate roots to the 19th century Philip Morris enterprise and was established as an independent, publicly traded company following a 2008 separation from what is now Altria. Since the spin-off, the company has focused on serving international markets outside the United States. PMIs product mix includes traditional combustible cigarettes as well as smoke-free offerings such as heated tobacco systems and other reduced-risk products. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinion Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund acquired 4,477 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $803,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new stake in Digital Realty Trust in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. South Plains Financial Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 280.5% in the 2nd quarter. South Plains Financial Inc. now owns 156 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust during the third quarter worth $28,000. Tobam bought a new position in Digital Realty Trust during the second quarter worth $28,000. Finally, First Horizon Corp acquired a new position in Digital Realty Trust in the third quarter valued at $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.71% of the companys stock. Get Digital Realty Trust alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Director Mary Hogan Preusse sold 4,166 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.42, for a total value of $655,811.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Digital Realty Trust Stock Performance Shares of DLR stock opened at $157.76 on Tuesday. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a 12 month low of $129.95 and a 12 month high of $187.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $54.19 billion, a PE ratio of 40.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.71 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $158.15 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $166.89. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter. Digital Realty Trust had a return on equity of 6.41% and a net margin of 23.67%.The business had revenue of $1.58 billion for the quarter. Analysts forecast that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.22 per share. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 126.10%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently weighed in on DLR. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $195.00 price objective for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Digital Realty Trust in a research note on Monday, January 5th. They issued a buy rating and a $180.00 price target on the stock. Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Friday, October 24th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $163.00 to $179.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $141.00 to $161.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Digital Realty Trust presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $194.10. Read Our Latest Research Report on Digital Realty Trust Digital Realty Trust Company Profile (Free Report) Digital Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: DLR) is a real estate investment trust that owns, acquires and operates carrier-neutral data centers and provides related colocation and interconnection solutions. The company focuses on large-scale, mission-critical facilities that support the physical infrastructure needs of cloud providers, enterprises, network operators and content companies. Digital Realtys offerings are designed to enable secure, reliable and highly available IT infrastructure with an emphasis on power density, cooling, and physical security. Digital Realtys product set spans wholesale data center space, turnkey build-to-suit facilities, and retail colocation suites, complemented by interconnection services that allow customers to establish private and public connections to networks, cloud on-ramps and other ecosystem partners. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DLR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Digital Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Digital Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund Inc. (NYSE:NBXG Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a dividend of 0.12 per share on Friday, January 30th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund Stock Performance Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund stock opened at $14.84 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $14.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $14.79. Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund has a twelve month low of $10.05 and a twelve month high of $15.65. Get Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund alerts: Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund (NYSE:NBXG) is an actively managed, closed-end fund dedicated to investing in companies driving the evolution of global connectivity infrastructure. Launched in February 2024 by Neuberger Berman, NBXG seeks total return by building a diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities in firms involved in 5G networks, fiber-optic systems, satellite communications, data centers, cloud computing, and other emerging technologies that support faster and more reliable digital connections. Under its investment strategy, NBXG allocates capital across hardware and software providers, telecommunications carriers, semiconductor manufacturers, and equipment suppliers that benefit from the rollout and expansion of next-generation networks. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RWC Asset Management LLP grew its holdings in Hubbell Inc (NYSE:HUBB Free Report) by 6.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 30,756 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,910 shares during the period. RWC Asset Management LLPs holdings in Hubbell were worth $13,235,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in HUBB. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Hubbell by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,646,922 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,714,669,000 after purchasing an additional 21,508 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its position in Hubbell by 1.2% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,183,405 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $891,724,000 after buying an additional 26,708 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Hubbell by 0.6% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,532,035 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $625,698,000 after buying an additional 9,697 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Hubbell by 1.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,353,824 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $550,571,000 after acquiring an additional 24,110 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Impax Asset Management Group plc raised its stake in shares of Hubbell by 9.5% in the second quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 1,006,783 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $409,363,000 after acquiring an additional 87,627 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.16% of the companys stock. Get Hubbell alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently commented on HUBB. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Hubbell from $417.00 to $458.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. UBS Group reissued a neutral rating and set a $450.00 price target on shares of Hubbell in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Hubbell from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Hubbell in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $515.00 target price on shares of Hubbell in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $497.25. Insider Activity at Hubbell In related news, insider Alyssa R. Flynn sold 2,011 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $470.32, for a total value of $945,813.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 3,243 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,525,247.76. This trade represents a 38.28% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director John F. Malloy bought 435 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of $429.24 per share, with a total value of $186,719.40. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 19,085 shares in the company, valued at $8,192,045.40. This represents a 2.33% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.76% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hubbell Price Performance Shares of HUBB stock opened at $473.22 on Tuesday. Hubbell Inc has a twelve month low of $299.42 and a twelve month high of $484.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.36, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $444.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $435.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 1.02. Hubbell (NYSE:HUBB Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The industrial products company reported $5.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.98 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $1.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.54 billion. Hubbell had a return on equity of 27.68% and a net margin of 15.24%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.49 earnings per share. Hubbell has set its FY 2025 guidance at 18.100-18.30 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Hubbell Inc will post 17.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hubbell Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th were issued a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. This is an increase from Hubbells previous quarterly dividend of $1.32. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. Hubbells dividend payout ratio is currently 35.24%. About Hubbell (Free Report) Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBB) is an industrial manufacturer and distributor of electrical and electronic products serving a range of end markets including commercial and residential construction, industrial, and utility customers. Founded in 1888 by Harvey Hubbell, the company has a long history in electrical innovation and product development and is headquartered in Connecticut. Hubbell designs, manufactures and sells components and systems that enable the distribution and control of electrical power and provide lighting solutions for indoor and outdoor environments. The companys offerings span a broad portfolio of products used by contractors, utilities, original equipment manufacturers and facility owners. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HUBB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hubbell Inc (NYSE:HUBB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Hubbell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hubbell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. This story was originally published on Supply Chain Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Supply Chain Dive newsletter. Macys plans to close a fulfillment center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this spring, a company spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive in an email. After careful consideration, weve made the decision to close our supply chain facility in Tulsa as part of our ongoing work to modernize our supply chain to better serve customers, while simplifying how we operate, the spokesperson said. Employees at the location have already been informed and are being provided transfer opportunities where available, as well as severance and support where applicable, the spokesperson added. Macys did not elaborate further on the decision behind the closure, or how many employees are being impacted. Macys first announced plans for the the direct-to-consumer fulfillment facility, which is located near Owasso in Tulsa County, in 2013, with the site going live in 2015. At the time of the announcement, the 1.3 million-square-foot warehouse was expected to employ approximately 1,500 full- and part-time employees, as well as another 1,000 temporary seasonal associates. Macys has made adjustments to its supply chain network as part of its Bold New Chapter strategy, which is meant to deliver an estimated $235 million in cost savings by 2026, former CFO and COO Adrian Mitchell told analysts in 2024. In a Jan. 8 memo to Macys employees, CEO Tony Spring noted that the retailer is seeing faster and more reliable operations due to its efforts to modernize its supply chain as part of the strategy. Turnaround efforts include a 1.4 million-square-foot facility in China Grove, North Carolina. The automated customer fulfillment and store replenishment center opened in October. The site is expected to account for nearly 30% of Macys digital supply chain capacity. Elsewhere, Macys shuttered an operating unit at a distribution center in Connecticut in phases beginning at the end of December, impacting 106 employees. Recommended Reading Polaris Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW Free Report) by 19.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 336,903 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 54,800 shares during the period. Arrow Electronics makes up 2.7% of Polaris Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Polaris Capital Management LLCs holdings in Arrow Electronics were worth $40,765,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI bought a new stake in Arrow Electronics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $208,000. Forum Financial Management LP raised its position in shares of Arrow Electronics by 20.6% during the 3rd quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 2,187 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $265,000 after purchasing an additional 373 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue lifted its stake in shares of Arrow Electronics by 19.8% during the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 41,195 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $4,984,000 after buying an additional 6,808 shares in the last quarter. Steinberganna Wealth Management bought a new position in Arrow Electronics in the 3rd quarter worth $228,000. Finally, Foster & Motley Inc. increased its stake in Arrow Electronics by 14.7% in the 3rd quarter. Foster & Motley Inc. now owns 16,896 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,044,000 after buying an additional 2,166 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.34% of the companys stock. Get Arrow Electronics alerts: Arrow Electronics Stock Up 0.3% Shares of NYSE:ARW opened at $115.29 on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $110.99 and its 200 day moving average is $119.46. The stock has a market cap of $5.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 1.03. Arrow Electronics, Inc. has a 52-week low of $86.50 and a 52-week high of $134.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Arrow Electronics ( NYSE:ARW Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The technology company reported $2.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.28 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $7.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.67 billion. Arrow Electronics had a return on equity of 8.19% and a net margin of 1.62%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.38 EPS. Arrow Electronics has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.440-3.640 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Arrow Electronics, Inc. will post 10.57 EPS for the current year. A number of research firms recently commented on ARW. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Arrow Electronics from $98.00 to $94.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 31st. Wall Street Zen lowered Arrow Electronics from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Arrow Electronics in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Arrow Electronics from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Arrow Electronics presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $102.00. Get Our Latest Research Report on Arrow Electronics About Arrow Electronics (Free Report) Arrow Electronics (NYSE: ARW) is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. The company offers a broad portfolio of semiconductors, passives, connectors, electromechanical devices and embedded solutions, serving customers across diverse end markets including automotive, communications, computing, aerospace, defense and healthcare. Through its extensive supplier relationships, Arrow enables design engineers to identify and procure components required for the development of new electronic systems and devices. In addition to component distribution, Arrow delivers value-added services such as design engineering support, supply chain management, global logistics and technical training. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Arrow Electronics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arrow Electronics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 181,380 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $51,167,000. Chubb makes up about 2.9% of Liberty One Investment Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 20th biggest holding. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of CB. Polaris Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Chubb by 1.4% during the third quarter. Polaris Capital Management LLC now owns 105,949 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,904,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares during the period. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in Chubb by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 11,693 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,300,000 after purchasing an additional 294 shares during the period. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Chubb during the 3rd quarter valued at $8,457,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. increased its position in shares of Chubb by 39.8% during the 3rd quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 509 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $144,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MGO One Seven LLC raised its stake in shares of Chubb by 331.0% during the 3rd quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 32,685 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $9,225,000 after purchasing an additional 25,101 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.81% of the companys stock. Get Chubb alerts: Chubb Stock Performance Shares of CB stock opened at $306.54 on Tuesday. Chubb Limited has a 12 month low of $256.00 and a 12 month high of $316.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $120.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.79, a PEG ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a current ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The firms 50 day moving average is $301.95 and its 200 day moving average is $285.52. Chubb Dividend Announcement Chubb ( NYSE:CB Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The financial services provider reported $7.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.51 by $1.98. The business had revenue of $16.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.95 billion. Chubb had a net margin of 16.53% and a return on equity of 12.93%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.72 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Chubb Limited will post 21.52 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th were issued a dividend of $0.97 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 12th. This represents a $3.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Chubbs dividend payout ratio is 16.19%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Chubb news, insider John J. Lupica sold 23,698 shares of Chubb stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $281.00, for a total transaction of $6,659,138.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 90,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,458,600. The trade was a 20.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Joseph F. Wayland sold 5,830 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.08, for a total transaction of $1,731,976.40. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 60,593 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,000,968.44. The trade was a 8.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 57,333 shares of company stock worth $16,629,873 in the last quarter. 0.86% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently weighed in on CB shares. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Chubb from $331.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Chubb from $277.00 to $293.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Chubb from $292.00 to $298.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b+) rating on shares of Chubb in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Mizuho started coverage on Chubb in a research note on Monday, December 15th. They issued a neutral rating and a $318.00 price objective on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $318.00. Read Our Latest Stock Report on CB Chubb Profile (Free Report) Chubb is a global property and casualty insurance company that underwrites a broad range of commercial and personal insurance products and related services. Its offerings include commercial property and casualty coverage, specialty liability, professional and management liability, cyber and technology insurance, marine and energy, surety, accident and health solutions, and high-net-worth personal lines such as homeowners, auto and valuables protection. Chubb serves businesses, individuals and institutions with tailored underwriting and risk-transfer solutions across multiple industry sectors. In addition to core underwriting, Chubb provides risk engineering, loss control, claims management and risk consulting services intended to reduce loss severity and help clients manage exposures. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chubb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chubb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR Free Report) by 61.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 142,892 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 54,260 shares during the quarter. Entergy makes up about 0.7% of Liberty One Investment Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Liberty One Investment Management LLCs holdings in Entergy were worth $13,320,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Atwood & Palmer Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Entergy by 135.7% in the second quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. now owns 330 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Entergy by 5,466.7% in the 2nd quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 334 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 328 shares during the last quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC lifted its position in Entergy by 5,733.3% during the 2nd quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 350 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 344 shares in the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new position in shares of Entergy during the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Entergy during the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.07% of the companys stock. Get Entergy alerts: Entergy Stock Down 0.0% ETR opened at $93.51 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $93.98 and its 200 day simple moving average is $91.32. Entergy Corporation has a 1-year low of $75.04 and a 1-year high of $98.58. The stock has a market cap of $41.76 billion, a PE ratio of 23.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a current ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. Entergy Increases Dividend Entergy ( NYSE:ETR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter. Entergy had a net margin of 14.26% and a return on equity of 11.53%. Entergy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.850-3.950 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Entergy Corporation will post 3.88 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th were given a $0.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 13th. This is a positive change from Entergys previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. This represents a $2.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. Entergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.21%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms recently issued reports on ETR. Morgan Stanley set a $91.00 target price on Entergy in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Cowen assumed coverage on Entergy in a research report on Thursday. They set a buy rating on the stock. Scotiabank set a $105.00 price objective on Entergy and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. KeyCorp set a $102.00 target price on shares of Entergy and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Barclays set a $100.00 price target on shares of Entergy and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Entergy has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $103.19. View Our Latest Analysis on Entergy Insider Buying and Selling In other Entergy news, insider Anastasia Minor sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.39, for a total transaction of $481,950.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 10,122 shares in the company, valued at $975,659.58. This trade represents a 33.06% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Haley Fisackerly sold 5,136 shares of Entergy stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.50, for a total value of $495,624.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 7,899 shares of the companys stock, valued at $762,253.50. This represents a 39.40% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 10,179 shares of company stock valued at $981,707. Insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock. About Entergy (Free Report) Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) is an integrated energy company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, that generates, transmits and distributes electricity. The companys operations combine regulated utility services with competitive power production, supplying retail electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers while also participating in wholesale energy markets. Entergys generation fleet includes nuclear, natural gas, hydropower and other resources, and it operates a network of transmission and distribution assets to deliver power to end users. Entergy conducts its regulated utility business through state-based operating subsidiaries that serve customers across parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and southeast Texas. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Entergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Entergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RWC Asset Advisors US LLC lessened its position in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR Free Report) by 68.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,518,583 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock after selling 3,224,940 shares during the period. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras accounts for 3.1% of RWC Asset Advisors US LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest position. RWC Asset Advisors US LLCs holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras were worth $19,225,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of PBR. Abbington Investment Group purchased a new position in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras during the 3rd quarter valued at about $3,627,000. Moran Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 3.5% during the third quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC now owns 453,477 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $5,741,000 after buying an additional 15,430 shares during the period. Park Avenue Securities LLC raised its holdings in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 8.1% during the third quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 18,283 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $231,000 after acquiring an additional 1,364 shares in the last quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 17.6% in the third quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 39,942 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $506,000 after acquiring an additional 5,976 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brave Asset Management Inc. increased its position in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 47.1% during the 3rd quarter. Brave Asset Management Inc. now owns 23,239 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $294,000 after purchasing an additional 7,446 shares during the period. Get Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras alerts: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Stock Up 0.0% Shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras stock opened at $11.89 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.28 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.59 billion, a PE ratio of 5.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.25 and a beta of 0.51. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has a 52-week low of $11.03 and a 52-week high of $14.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.82. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Dividend Announcement Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras ( NYSE:PBR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.03. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras had a net margin of 16.15% and a return on equity of 23.32%. On average, analysts anticipate that Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras will post 2.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.0658 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobrass dividend payout ratio is presently 21.76%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on PBR. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 3rd. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $14.90. Get Our Latest Analysis on Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras About Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (Free Report) Petro?leo Brasileiro SA Petrobras is a Brazilian, state-controlled integrated oil and gas company headquartered in Rio de Janeiro. Founded in 1953, Petrobras is principally engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, and operates across the full value chain from upstream activities through refining, transportation and downstream marketing of petroleum products. The company is a major player in Brazils energy sector and is a listed public company with global capital market presence. Petrobrass core activities include deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration and production, where it has been a pioneer in developing pre-salt reserves off Brazils coast. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cellcom Israel, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CELJF Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 620 shares, a decline of 89.2% from the December 15th total of 5,760 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,405 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,405 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Cellcom Israel Stock Performance Shares of Cellcom Israel stock opened at $12.15 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The company has a 50 day moving average of $11.22 and a 200-day moving average of $9.81. Cellcom Israel has a 1-year low of $3.00 and a 1-year high of $13.42. Get Cellcom Israel alerts: Cellcom Israel (OTCMKTS:CELJF Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $311.45 million during the quarter. Cellcom Israel had a net margin of 5.40% and a return on equity of 9.56%. Cellcom Israel Company Profile Cellcom Israel Ltd. is a leading provider of wireless telecommunications services in Israel. Established in 1994 and headquartered in Netanya, the company operates one of the countrys most extensive cellular networks. Through its infrastructure, Cellcom delivers voice, messaging and data solutions to a broad customer base that includes individual consumers, small businesses and large enterprises. The companys core offerings encompass mobile voice plans, high-speed 4G and 5G data connectivity, international roaming and value-added content services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Cellcom Israel Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cellcom Israel and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schmidt P J Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,965 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $447,000. Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADV raised its position in Vertiv by 1.9% during the third quarter. Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADV now owns 3,020 shares of the companys stock worth $456,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. JBR Co Financial Management Inc lifted its stake in Vertiv by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. JBR Co Financial Management Inc now owns 7,825 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,180,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Plancorp LLC grew its holdings in Vertiv by 1.3% during the third quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 5,317 shares of the companys stock worth $802,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in Vertiv by 54.0% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 194 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Vertiv by 67.6% in the third quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 171 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.92% of the companys stock. Get Vertiv alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Vertiv from $182.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Cowen reiterated a buy rating and issued a $211.00 price objective on shares of Vertiv in a report on Monday, December 1st. KGI Securities raised shares of Vertiv from a hold rating to an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Vertiv in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Vertiv from $191.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Two equities 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 given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Vertiv currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $181.38. Vertiv Stock Up 4.0% Shares of VRT opened at $170.08 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.03 billion, a PE ratio of 64.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 2.06. The firms 50 day moving average is $171.10 and its 200-day moving average is $153.91. Vertiv Holdings Co. has a 12 month low of $53.60 and a 12 month high of $202.45. Vertiv (NYSE:VRT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.99 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $2.68 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.59 billion. Vertiv had a return on equity of 50.82% and a net margin of 10.67%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 29.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.76 earnings per share. Vertiv has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.230-1.290 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 4.070-4.130 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Vertiv Holdings Co. will post 3.59 EPS for the current year. Vertiv Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 25th were given a dividend of $0.0625 per share. This is a positive change from Vertivs previous quarterly dividend of $0.04. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 25th. Vertivs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.43%. Insider Transactions at Vertiv In other Vertiv news, EVP Stephen Liang sold 5,501 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.48, for a total value of $937,810.48. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,050 shares of the companys stock, valued at $690,444. This trade represents a 57.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 5.01% of the stock is owned by insiders. Vertiv Company 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. See Also 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. Rempart Asset Management Inc. trimmed its position in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 2.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 306,625 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 8,285 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company comprises about 4.8% of Rempart Asset Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. Rempart Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $25,701,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Hidden Cove Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 2.0% in the third quarter. Hidden Cove Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,948 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $499,000 after acquiring an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2.0% during the third quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 6,340 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $532,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Embree Financial Group grew its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 3.9% in the third quarter. Embree Financial Group now owns 3,330 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $279,000 after buying an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont lifted its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 12,098 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,014,000 after acquiring an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Traphagen Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Traphagen Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,346 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $532,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.90% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently weighed in on WFC. Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating and set a $110.00 price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b) rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $93.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $93.91. Wells Fargo & Company Trading Down 1.0% Shares of WFC stock opened at $95.00 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. The company has a market capitalization of $298.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.62, a P/E/G ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.09. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $89.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $84.59. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12-month low of $58.42 and a 12-month high of $97.76. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.18. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.51% and a net margin of 17.18%.The company had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.11 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.42 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.61%. Trending Headlines about Wells Fargo & Company Here are the key news stories impacting Wells Fargo & Company this week: Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, U.S.-based financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, the firm has evolved from its origins in express delivery and pioneer-era banking into one of the largest full-service banks in the United States. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial, and institutional clients. Charles W. Scharf serves as chief executive officer. Wells Fargo operates across several core business segments, including consumer banking and lending, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ZEGA Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 1,715 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $835,000. Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of S&P Global during the second quarter worth approximately $2,188,945,000. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in S&P Global by 70,734.1% during the 2nd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,168,411 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,670,671,000 after purchasing an additional 3,163,938 shares during the period. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main boosted its stake in S&P Global by 3,430.6% during the 2nd quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 1,554,571 shares of the business services providers stock worth $819,699,000 after purchasing an additional 1,510,540 shares during the period. TCI Fund Management Ltd. grew its position in S&P Global by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter. TCI Fund Management Ltd. now owns 11,091,623 shares of the business services providers stock worth $5,848,502,000 after purchasing an additional 730,354 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. acquired a new position in S&P Global in the second quarter valued at $310,348,000. 87.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get S&P Global alerts: S&P Global Trading Up 0.4% Shares of SPGI stock opened at $544.34 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $164.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. S&P Global Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $427.14 and a fifty-two week high of $579.05. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $507.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $516.54. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In S&P Global ( NYSE:SPGI Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 28th. The business services provider reported $2.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.87 billion during the quarter. S&P Global had a net margin of 28.10% and a return on equity of 15.90%. S&P Global has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.800-15.050 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that S&P Global Inc. will post 17.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup raised their price target on S&P Global from $600.00 to $635.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on S&P Global from $660.00 to $661.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, September 19th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $627.00 price target on shares of S&P Global in a research note on Tuesday. BMO Capital Markets set a $546.00 price objective on shares of S&P Global in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $640.00 price objective on shares of S&P Global in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and sixteen have assigned a Buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $615.64. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on SPGI About S&P Global (Free Report) S&P Global is a leading provider of financial information, analytics and benchmark indices that serve investors, issuers, corporations and public institutions worldwide. The company operates through well-known businesses that include credit ratings, market intelligence and index licensing, as well as commodity and energy information services. Its products and services are used to assess creditworthiness, inform investment decisions, construct and track benchmark portfolios, and support risk and commodity market analysis. S&P Global Ratings provides independent credit ratings, research and data used by fixed income investors and capital market participants to evaluate issuer and transaction risk. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SPGI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for S&P Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for S&P Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DiamondRock Hospitality (NYSE:DRH Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued on Tuesday. The firm currently has a $12.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price objective suggests a potential upside of 29.31% from the companys previous close. Several other analysts have also issued reports on DRH. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on DiamondRock Hospitality from $9.00 to $8.50 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of DiamondRock Hospitality in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays started coverage on shares of DiamondRock Hospitality in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $10.00 price target on the stock. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of DiamondRock Hospitality from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Truist Financial upgraded shares of DiamondRock Hospitality from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the company from $10.00 to $11.00 in a report on Friday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $9.91. Get DiamondRock Hospitality alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on DRH DiamondRock Hospitality Price Performance Shares of NYSE:DRH opened at $9.28 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $9.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.64. The company has a market capitalization of $1.89 billion, a PE ratio of 37.12, a PEG ratio of 4.50 and a beta of 1.03. DiamondRock Hospitality has a 1-year low of $6.18 and a 1-year high of $9.44. DiamondRock Hospitality (NYSE:DRH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $285.38 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $277.45 million. DiamondRock Hospitality had a net margin of 5.69% and a return on equity of 4.04%. DiamondRock Hospitalitys revenue was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.27 EPS. DiamondRock Hospitality has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.020-1.06 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that DiamondRock Hospitality will post 0.96 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of DiamondRock Hospitality Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of DiamondRock Hospitality by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,587,578 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $97,400,000 after buying an additional 93,929 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in DiamondRock Hospitality by 17.5% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 9,231,991 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $70,717,000 after purchasing an additional 1,377,897 shares during the period. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. grew its stake in shares of DiamondRock Hospitality by 5.5% in the third quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 9,152,343 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $72,853,000 after acquiring an additional 475,611 shares in the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of DiamondRock Hospitality by 2.1% in the second quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 8,785,278 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $67,295,000 after acquiring an additional 181,610 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Centersquare Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of DiamondRock Hospitality by 6.0% in the 3rd quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 7,536,975 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $59,994,000 after buying an additional 427,467 shares during the period. DiamondRock Hospitality Company Profile (Get Free Report) DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and manages a diversified portfolio of upscale, full-service hotels in urban gateway markets across the United States. Established in 2004 and headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company focuses on investing in high-quality lodging properties that cater to both business and leisure travelers. Its assets are positioned in key metropolitan areas, enabling DiamondRock to benefit from strong demand drivers such as corporate travel, group conventions and resort leisure stays. The companys portfolio includes full-service hotels offering a broad range of amenities, including guest rooms, on-site food and beverage outlets, meeting and event space, fitness centers and spa services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for DiamondRock Hospitality Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DiamondRock Hospitality and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eagleford Energy Inc. (OTCMKTS:GRUSF Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 139,698 shares, an increase of 334.5% from the December 15th total of 32,154 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 605,872 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 605,872 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are short sold. Eagleford Energy Stock Down 2.2% Shares of OTCMKTS:GRUSF opened at $0.43 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $0.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.40. The company has a current ratio of 4.78, a quick ratio of 3.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Eagleford Energy has a one year low of $0.28 and a one year high of $0.64. Get Eagleford Energy alerts: Eagleford Energy (OTCMKTS:GRUSF Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 11th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Eagleford Energy had a net margin of 31.81% and a return on equity of 28.90%. The company had revenue of $5.36 million for the quarter. Eagleford Energy Company Profile Grown Rogue International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells cannabis products in the United States. It offers a range of cultivars for consumers, such as indicas, sativas, and hybrids; strain-specific prepackaged flowers; and pre-roll pack products, as well as provides consulting services. The company sells its products through direct-to-retail delivery and third-party delivery, wholesalers, and processors. Grown Rogue International Inc is headquartered in Medford, Oregon. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Eagleford Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eagleford Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. This story was originally published on Hotel Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Hotel Dive newsletter. Marriott International has appointed three executives to drive the companys continued expansion, as two long-time leaders prepare to depart, the company announced Friday. Satya Anand, currently president of Marriotts Europe, Middle East and Africa region, will become group president for the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean and Latin America region. Meanwhile, Neal Jones, currently chief operating officer for Europe and Africa and global leader for the Design Hotels brand, will assume the role of president of EMEA. Federico Fede Greppi, currently COO for CALA, will become the regions president. All of the appointments are effective March 28, per Marriott. The leadership transitions come as Liam Brown, currently group president for the U.S. and Canada, and Brian King, president of enterprise transformation and CALA, step down from their roles at the end of March. Liam and Brian are extraordinary leaders whose impact on Marriott and our people cannot be overstated, Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano said in a release. They have guided our company through pivotal moments with vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to our associates, guests and owners. Brown will depart Marriott after a nearly four-decade career with the company, during which time his leadership in EMEA as well as the U.S. and Canada delivered sustained portfolio growth, operational efficiencies and resilience through periods of significant industry disruption, according to Marriott. King, meanwhile, spent roughly three decades at Marriott, per the company. During that time, he accelerated the companys footprint and strengthened profitability in CALA, Marriott said in the release. Notably, King spearheaded Marriotts entry into the midscale segment through the acquisition of the City Express brand in 2023. The company has since expanded in the segment in the U.S. through the launch of the StudioRes extended stay brand. In their new roles, Anand, Jones and Greppi continue their own long-term careers at Marriott, and are slated to advance the companys strategy, Capuano said. Satya brings a powerful combination of operational depth, financial discipline, and design expertise to a unified regional structure, while Jones brings a laser focus on innovation and owner relationships, Capuano said. Greppis deep market, financial and operating expertise in CALA will position the region well as we focus on further accelerating our growth in the southern hemisphere, Capuano added. Smith Shellnut Wilson LLC ADV increased its stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report) by 49.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 34,618 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 11,524 shares during the period. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF comprises about 1.6% of Smith Shellnut Wilson LLC ADVs holdings, making the stock its 15th largest holding. Smith Shellnut Wilson LLC ADVs holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $4,114,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. RMG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Curio Wealth LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 26,900.0% in the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 270 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 269 shares during the period. Bulwark Capital Corp bought a new stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Marshall & Sullivan Inc. WA purchased a new stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Quaker Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 200.4% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 452 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 902 shares during the period. 66.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Trading Up 0.1% IJR stock opened at $126.54 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $120.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $117.60. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a 12-month low of $89.22 and a 12-month high of $126.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $92.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.52 and a beta of 1.08. About iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The Index serves as the underlying index for the S&P 600/Citigroup Growth and Value Index series. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap 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 Small-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BULZ Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 30,582 shares, a decrease of 89.7% from the December 15th total of 298,260 shares. Approximately 0.4% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 176,298 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 176,298 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days. Approximately 0.4% of the companys stock are short sold. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Stock Up 1.9% Shares of MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN stock opened at $285.43 on Tuesday. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN has a fifty-two week low of $57.00 and a fifty-two week high of $335.58. The firm has a market cap of $2.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.09 and a beta of 4.45. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $264.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $237.88. Get MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN alerts: About MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN (Get Free Report) Further Reading The MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Solactive FANG Innovation index. The fund tracks 3x the daily price movements of an equal-weighted index of US-listed technology companies. BULZ was launched on Aug 20, 2021 and is issued by REX Microsectors. Receive News & Ratings for MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAC Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a dividend of 0.0735 per share on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.3%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund Price Performance Shares of NYSE NAC opened at $12.02 on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $11.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $11.53. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 52-week low of $10.35 and a 52-week high of $12.25. Get Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NAC) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide investors with a high level of current income exempt from federal and California state income taxes, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The fund primarily acquires a diversified portfolio of municipal securities issued by entities located in California, focusing on investment-grade bonds. These securities typically include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and other taxable or tax-advantaged instruments that finance public projects such as transportation, education and utilities. In managing the portfolio, the funds investment team applies rigorous credit research to identify issuers with strong balance sheets, stable revenue streams and manageable debt levels. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NPV Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.065 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.9%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund Price Performance Shares of Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund stock traded up $0.02 on Tuesday, hitting $11.23. The stock had a trading volume of 7,610 shares, compared to its average volume of 28,518. The businesss 50 day moving average is $11.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $11.27. Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund has a twelve month low of $10.68 and a twelve month high of $12.74. Get Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Institutional Trading of Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 55,404 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $624,000 after purchasing an additional 3,185 shares in the last quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC increased its stake in Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 239,764 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,700,000 after acquiring an additional 6,458 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund by 7.3% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 37,827 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $426,000 after acquiring an additional 2,585 shares during the period. Northwest Financial Advisors lifted its position in shares of Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund by 10.5% during the 2nd quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors now owns 45,804 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $516,000 after acquiring an additional 4,346 shares during the period. Finally, Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund in the second quarter worth $61,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.68% of the companys stock. About Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NPV) is a closed-end investment company advised by Nuveen Asset Management. The funds primary objective is to provide shareholders with high current income exempt from federal and Virginia state personal income taxes by investing in a diversified portfolio of municipal debt securities. The portfolio is focused on investment-grade municipal bonds issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and its political subdivisions, including general obligation bonds and revenue bonds financing education, transportation, public utilities and other essential infrastructure. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NMT Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a dividend of 0.064 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund Stock Up 0.1% Shares of NMT traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $11.50. 2,204 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 23,027. Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 52 week low of $10.90 and a 52 week high of $12.33. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.49. Get Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: About Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund (Get Free Report) Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NMT) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. The fund primarily invests in investment-grade municipal securities, with an emphasis on bonds issued by state and local governments and agencies in Massachusetts. Its portfolio includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and other municipal debt instruments that meet the funds credit quality standards. As part of the Nuveen family of investment products, the fund is managed by Nuveens municipal fixed income team. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU Get Free Report) had its target price raised by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $113.00 to $115.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an equal weight rating on the financial services providers stock. Wells Fargo & Companys target price would suggest a potential downside of 2.06% from the companys current price. PRU has been the subject of several other research reports. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Prudential Financial from $120.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $111.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Prudential Financial in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $118.80. Get Prudential Financial alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on PRU Prudential Financial Stock Performance NYSE:PRU traded down $0.33 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $117.42. 75,969 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,418,111. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Prudential Financial has a twelve month low of $90.38 and a twelve month high of $123.88. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $111.27 and a 200 day moving average of $106.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.13, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 0.97. Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $3.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.65% and a return on equity of 16.60%. The company had revenue of $8.35 billion for the quarter. On average, analysts forecast that Prudential Financial will post 14.36 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Prudential Financial In other news, SVP Timothy L. Schmidt sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.69, for a total value of $861,520.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 11,535 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,242,204.15. The trade was a 40.95% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Charles F. Lowrey sold 48,164 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.39, for a total value of $5,172,331.96. Following the sale, the chairman directly owned 165,564 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,779,917.96. This represents a 22.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 62,719 shares of company stock worth $6,796,067 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Prudential Financial Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Mattson Financial Services LLC boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 312.8% in the third quarter. Mattson Financial Services LLC now owns 12,119 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,257,000 after acquiring an additional 9,183 shares during the last quarter. Econ Financial Services Corp bought a new stake in Prudential Financial during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,662,000. Capital Advisors Inc. OK lifted its position in Prudential Financial by 28.4% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 384,404 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $39,878,000 after purchasing an additional 85,072 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 49.2% in the 2nd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,720,781 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $184,192,000 after purchasing an additional 567,571 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 31.9% during the 3rd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 40,254 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,176,000 after buying an additional 9,741 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 56.83% of the companys stock. Prudential Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) Prudential Financial, Inc, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, is a diversified financial services company with roots dating to 1875. The firm provides a range of insurance, retirement and investment products aimed at helping individual and institutional clients manage risk, accumulate and protect wealth, and plan for retirement. Prudentials long history in life insurance and related financial services has positioned it as a major participant in the U.S. insurance market and a provider of services to a broad client base. Prudentials core business activities include individual life insurance, annuities, retirement solutions and group insurance products for employers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NQP Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.078 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 7.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund Trading Up 0.5% Shares of Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund stock traded up $0.06 on Tuesday, hitting $12.05. 15,640 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 102,452. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $12.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $11.60. Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 1-year low of $10.65 and a 1-year high of $12.23. Get Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: About Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund (Get Free Report) Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NQP) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal and Pennsylvania state income taxes. Launched in the early 1980s, the Fund primarily invests in investment-grade municipal securities issued by state and local government entities within Pennsylvania, targeting bonds that finance public infrastructure, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and utility projects. Under its 80% asset policy, the Fund allocates the majority of its portfolio to bonds rated BBB or higher, emphasizing general obligation and revenue-secured municipal debt. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF (NYSEARCA:WLTH Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $16.50 to $15.50 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys target price suggests a potential upside of 43.12% from the stocks previous close. WLTH has been the topic of several other research reports. KeyCorp started coverage on LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. They set a sector weight rating on the stock. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. They set an outperform rating and a $20.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued a neutral rating and a $14.50 price target on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods assumed coverage on shares of LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued an outperform rating and a $16.50 target price on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on shares of LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. They set an outperform rating and a $17.00 target price for the company. Get LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF Stock Down 14.0% Insider Activity LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF stock traded down $1.76 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $10.83. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,738,564 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,524,811. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.46 and a beta of 0.67. LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF has a twelve month low of $9.70 and a twelve month high of $14.88. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $10.50 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.09. In other news, VP Kal Iyer sold 167,722 shares of LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.00, for a total value of $2,348,108.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 127,514 shares in the company, valued at $1,785,196. This trade represents a 56.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Lauren Lin sold 30,229 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.00, for a total value of $423,206.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 95,279 shares in the company, valued at $1,333,906. The trade was a 24.09% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 1,101,965 shares of company stock valued at $15,427,510. LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF Company Profile (Get Free Report) The LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF (WLTH) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in target outcome asset allocation. The fund is an actively managed fund-of-funds that allocates to equities, debt securities and commodity-linked instruments. The fund seeks long-term capital growth. WLTH was launched on Sep 9, 2021 and is managed by LifeGoal. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for LifeGoal Wealth Builder ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The company traded as high as $122.84 and last traded at $122.1160, with a volume of 1250941 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $120.66. The bank reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon had a net margin of 12.86% and a return on equity of 14.03%. The company had revenue of $5.07 billion during the quarter. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Investors of record on Monday, October 27th were given a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 27th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Bank of New York Mellons payout ratio is currently 30.59%. Bank of New York Mellon News Summary Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of New York Mellon this week: Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a research note on Monday, December 29th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a report on Friday, October 3rd. They set an outperform rating and a $125.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $106.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Truist Financial raised Bank of New York Mellon from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $119.00 to $134.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $120.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $115.43. Get Our Latest Analysis on Bank of New York Mellon Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bank of New York Mellon A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 71,092,148 shares of the banks stock valued at $6,477,206,000 after acquiring an additional 517,081 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 4.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 18,898,373 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,717,074,000 after purchasing an additional 785,478 shares during the period. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 15,803,214 shares of the banks stock worth $1,439,831,000 after acquiring an additional 139,544 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 18.0% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 13,345,266 shares of the banks stock worth $1,454,116,000 after acquiring an additional 2,034,781 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in Bank of New York Mellon during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,081,847,000. 85.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.70. The company has a market capitalization of $85.19 billion, a PE ratio of 17.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $113.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of $106.84. Bank of New York Mellon Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon) is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City that provides a wide range of asset servicing, custody, and related financial infrastructure solutions to institutional clients. Its core businesses include custody and asset servicing, clearing and collateral management, treasury services, securities lending, corporate trust services, and depositary receipt administration. The company also offers investment management and advisory services through its asset management arm and provides technology-enabled solutions for trade processing, foreign exchange, and liquidity management. BNY Mellon serves a broad client base that includes asset managers, pension funds, corporations, banks, broker-dealers and sovereign entities. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Firstgroup (OTCMKTS:FGROY Get Free Report) and Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico (NYSE:PAC Get Free Report) are both transportation companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation, risk and dividends. Dividends Firstgroup pays an annual dividend of $0.05 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico pays an annual dividend of $7.90 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico pays out 75.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Get Firstgroup alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Firstgroup and Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Firstgroup 0 0 1 0 3.00 Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico 1 5 2 0 2.13 Insider and Institutional Ownership Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico has a consensus price target of $210.00, suggesting a potential downside of 21.65%. Given Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacificos higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico is more favorable than Firstgroup. 11.7% of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico shares are held by institutional investors. 0.2% of Firstgroup shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares Firstgroup and Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacificos net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Firstgroup N/A N/A N/A Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico 25.27% 42.07% 12.39% Risk and Volatility Firstgroup has a beta of 0.4, indicating that its share price is 60% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico has a beta of 1.02, indicating that its share price is 2% more volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Firstgroup and Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacificos gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Firstgroup $6.46 billion 0.21 $162.68 million N/A N/A Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico $1.84 billion N/A $472.81 million $10.42 25.72 Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Firstgroup. Summary Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico beats Firstgroup on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Firstgroup (Get Free Report) FirstGroup plc provides public transport services in the United Kingdom. The company operates through First Bus and First Rail segments. The First Bus segment offers local bus services with a fleet of approximately 4,800 buses in the United Kingdom. The First Rail segment operates a passenger rail network that provides long-distance, commuter, regional, and sleeper services through a portfolio of Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, and Avanti West Coast franchises; and hull trains and Lumos. FirstGroup plc was founded in 1986 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. About Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico (Get Free Report) Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, holds concessions to develop, operate, and manage airports in Mexico and Jamaica. The company operates twelve international airports in Guadalajara and Tijuana areas, Mexico; and two international airports in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It also offers aeronautical services, such as passenger, aircraft landing, parking, airport security, and passenger walkway and airport bus, as well as car packing charges; complementary services, including baggage handling, catering, aircraft maintenance and repair, and fuel; cargo handling; and ground transportation services. In addition, the company provides non-aeronautical services, such as redesigning and modernizing terminal spaces and developing new projects; telephone and internet services; and ground handling services under the brand Primesky, as well as advertising services. Further, it engages in commercial activities comprising leasing space in terminals to airlines and other service providers; to retail stores, such as souvenir and gift shops, fashion and footwear stores, pharmacies, jewelry, electronics, cosmetics, and others; to various food and beverage services; car rental service companies, including parking spots, lots, and car rental reservation booths; to timeshare developers; to financial service providers; and to operators of duty-free stores. Additionally, the company operates parking facilities; VIP lounges; convenience stores; and vending machines. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Guadalajara, Mexico. Receive News & Ratings for Firstgroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Firstgroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jan 13 (Reuters) - Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled an initiative to curb water usage at its U.S. data centers and limit the impact on the general population from any potential surge in power prices. Political leaders across the U.S. are urging a rapid expansion of data-center capacity and new power production to keep the country competitive in AI. However, local communities are voicing concerns over how the power-hungry facilities will impact their utility bills and use land, water and other natural resources in the region. Microsoft said it will pay utility rates high enough to cover its power costs and work with local utilities to expand supply when needed for its data centers. It also pledged to replenish more water than its data centers consume, saying it would start publishing water-use information for each data center region in the U.S., along with its progress on replenishment. "Especially when tech companies are so profitable, it's both unfair and politically unrealistic for our industry to ask the public to shoulder added electricity costs for AI," Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said in a statement. The company did not respond to a request seeking financial details of its initiative. Ahead of the announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the tech giant would make "major changes" in its AI infrastructure plans to curb data center power costs for Americans. "Data centers are key to (the U.S. AI boom) ... but the big technology companies who build them must 'pay their own way.' ... Congratulations to Microsoft. More to come soon," Trump said in a social media post. Ahead of the midterm elections this year, Trump is under pressure to address growing cost-of-living concerns. Microsoft had pulled its plans for a new data center in Wisconsin after opposition from the local community, CNBC reported in November. The company said on Tuesday that as part of its investment in Wisconsin, it is supporting a new rate structure that would prevent data center power costs from being passed on to consumers. Microsoft will also train local residents to fill construction and maintenance jobs at its data centers, as well as provide AI literacy training to communities. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Sriraj Kalluvila) MNTN (NYSE:MNTN Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by research analysts at Morgan Stanley from $22.50 to $20.50 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Morgan Stanleys target price suggests a potential upside of 73.58% from the stocks previous close. A number of other research firms have also recently commented on MNTN. UBS Group set a $20.50 price target on MNTN in a report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of MNTN from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Citizens Jmp cut their target price on shares of MNTN from $33.00 to $23.00 and set a market outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of MNTN from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 1st. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their price objective on MNTN from $39.00 to $33.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $25.83. Get MNTN alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on MNTN MNTN Price Performance Shares of MNTN stock traded down $0.24 on Tuesday, hitting $11.81. 84,875 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 395,102. MNTN has a 52 week low of $11.46 and a 52 week high of $32.49. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.91 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $18.21. The firm has a market cap of $522.36 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.39. MNTN (NYSE:MNTN Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by $0.04. MNTN had a negative return on equity of 30.86% and a negative net margin of 16.47%.The business had revenue of $70.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $70.11 million. The companys revenue was up 22.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Insider Activity at MNTN In related news, Director Hadi Partovi sold 192,598 shares of MNTN stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.46, for a total value of $2,592,369.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 254,922 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,431,250.12. This trade represents a 43.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 447,520 shares of company stock valued at $6,005,775. Hedge Funds Weigh In On MNTN A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in MNTN. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in MNTN in the 3rd quarter worth about $54,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in shares of MNTN during the third quarter valued at approximately $86,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in shares of MNTN by 622,300.0% in the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,224 shares of the companys stock worth $115,000 after buying an additional 6,223 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of MNTN during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $170,000. Finally, AMH Equity Ltd purchased a new position in MNTN during the 3rd quarter valued at $186,000. 72.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About MNTN (Get Free Report) MNTN is a software platform specializing in connected television (CTV) advertising, offering marketers the tools to plan, launch and measure streaming TV campaigns. Its platform enables brands to reach audiences across major OTT and CTV channels, helping advertisers target viewers based on demographic, behavioral and contextual data. The companys core product suite includes campaign management, real-time bidding and performance analytics. MNTN integrates with leading streaming services and ad exchanges, allowing clients to execute programmatic buys, track view-through conversions and optimize media spend through automated reporting dashboards. Founded by experienced digital advertising professionals, MNTN is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and primarily serves brands and agencies across the United States and Canada. See Also Receive News & Ratings for MNTN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MNTN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:NMI Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.038 per share on Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. Nuveen Municipal Income Fund Price Performance Shares of NMI traded down $0.03 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $10.11. The company had a trading volume of 7,942 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,589. Nuveen Municipal Income Fund has a 1-year low of $9.21 and a 1-year high of $10.85. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $10.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.95. Get Nuveen Municipal Income Fund alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nuveen Municipal Income Fund A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Nuveen Municipal Income Fund in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Nuveen Municipal Income Fund in the second quarter worth approximately $72,000. Cetera Investment Advisers bought a new position in Nuveen Municipal Income Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at $118,000. Community Bank & Trust Waco Texas acquired a new position in shares of Nuveen Municipal Income Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at $117,000. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of Nuveen Municipal Income Fund by 74.6% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 35,583 shares of the companys stock worth $358,000 after buying an additional 15,200 shares in the last quarter. 16.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Nuveen Municipal Income Fund Nuveen Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NMI) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide current income exempt from federal income tax. The fund primarily invests in municipal obligations issued by U.S. states, territories and municipalities, as well as certain municipal securities issued outside the United States. By focusing on a diversified portfolio of investment-grade and select below-investment-grade municipal bonds, NMI aims to deliver tax-advantaged income to its shareholders. The funds portfolio typically includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and other municipal securities across a broad range of sectors, including transportation, utilities, health care and education. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Natural Resources, Canadian Solar, Celsius, Canadian National Railway, TC Energy, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, and Bank Of Montreal are the seven Canadian stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Canadian stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that are domiciled in Canada or primarily listed on Canadian exchanges (e.g., the TSX and TSXV), including Canadian firms trading abroad via ADRs. They give investors exposure to Canadas economy and common sector concentrations (financials, energy, materials), and carry country-specific risks such as commodity-price sensitivity and Canadian dollar exchange-rate fluctuations. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Canadian stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). Canadian Solar (CSIQ) Canadian Solar Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides solar energy and battery energy storage products and solutions in in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy. The CSI Solar segment designs, develops, and manufactures solar ingots, wafers, cells, modules, and other solar power and battery storage products. Read Our Latest Research Report on CSIQ Celsius (CELH) Celsius Holdings, Inc. develops, processes, markets, distributes, and sells functional energy drinks and liquid supplements in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canadian, European, Middle Eastern, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company offers CELSIUS, a fitness drink or supplement designed to accelerate metabolism and burn body fat; various flavors and carbonated and non-carbonated functional energy drinks under the CELSIUS Originals and Vibe name, as well as functional energy drink under the CELSIUS Essentials and CELSIUS On-the-Go Powder names; and CELSIUS ready-to drink products. Read Our Latest Research Report on CELH Canadian National Railway (CNI) 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. Read Our Latest Research Report on CNI TC Energy (TRP) TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Energy Solutions. The company builds and operates a network of 93,600 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses. Read Our Latest Research Report on TRP Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP) Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers. Read Our Latest Research Report on CP Bank Of Montreal (BMO) Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The companys personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products. Read Our Latest Research Report on BMO Featured Articles PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (NYSEARCA:KDEF Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 3,712 shares, a decline of 91.0% from the December 15th total of 41,249 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 31,627 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 31,627 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days. PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF Stock Performance Shares of KDEF traded up $0.36 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $54.86. 74,320 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 125,590. The company has a market cap of $90.52 million, a PE ratio of 23.08 and a beta of 3.24. PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF has a 52-week low of $21.20 and a 52-week high of $55.31. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $43.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $44.27. Get PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in KDEF. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF by 37.5% in the 3rd quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. now owns 11,000 shares of the companys stock worth $546,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF by 4,029.3% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,097 shares of the companys stock worth $128,000 after buying an additional 3,022 shares during the last quarter. Militia Capital Partners LP purchased a new position in PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF during the third quarter worth $240,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. purchased a new position in PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF during the third quarter worth $331,000. Finally, Trek Financial LLC increased its position in PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF by 22.7% during the second quarter. Trek Financial LLC now owns 40,330 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,665,000 after acquiring an additional 7,462 shares during the last quarter. PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF Company Profile The PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Korea Defense Industry index. The fund is passively managed to track an index which provides concentrated exposure to Koreas leading defense companies. The fund uses an AI program to identify, score and select companies for industry relevance KDEF was launched on Feb 5, 2025 and is issued by PLUS. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bridgestone Corp. (OTCMKTS:BRDCY Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $11.26, but opened at $10.52. Bridgestone shares last traded at $10.96, with a volume of 503,738 shares traded. Analysts Set New Price Targets BRDCY has been the topic of several recent research reports. CLSA raised shares of Bridgestone to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Zacks Research lowered shares of Bridgestone from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Bridgestone alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Bridgestone Bridgestone Stock Down 2.6% Bridgestone Company Profile The firm has a market cap of $31.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.51. The firms 50 day moving average is $22.23 and its two-hundred day moving average is $22.14. The company has a current ratio of 2.48, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. (Get Free Report) Bridgestone Corporation is a Japanese multinational company principally engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of tires and rubber products. Founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi and headquartered in Tokyo, the company has grown into one of the worlds largest tire manufacturers, offering products for a broad range of vehicles and applications. The companys core offerings include tires for passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial trucks and buses, agricultural and off?the?road equipment, and aircraft. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bridgestone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bridgestone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Merchants Bank Co. (OTCMKTS:CIHKY Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $32.4040, but opened at $31.0101. China Merchants Bank shares last traded at $32.2150, with a volume of 2,589 shares. China Merchants Bank Trading Down 0.6% The company has a market cap of $162.47 billion, a PE ratio of 8.18 and a beta of 0.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.81. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $33.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.16. Get China Merchants Bank alerts: China Merchants Bank (OTCMKTS:CIHKY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $1.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. China Merchants Bank had a net margin of 32.06% and a return on equity of 12.04%. The business had revenue of $10.96 billion during the quarter. China Merchants Bank Company Profile China Merchants Bank (OTCMKTS: CIHKY) is a major Chinese commercial bank headquartered in Shenzhen. Established in 1987 as one of the countrys early joint-stock commercial banks, it has grown into a full-service banking group serving individual, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), and corporate clients. The bank is part of the broader China Merchants Group ecosystem and maintains listings on domestic and international exchanges to facilitate investor access. The banks core businesses encompass retail banking, corporate and commercial banking, private banking and wealth management, credit cards, transaction banking and trade finance, treasury and markets, and asset management. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for China Merchants Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Merchants Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD Get Free Report) insider Joseph Erlinger sold 2,626 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction on Monday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $306.58, for a total transaction of $805,079.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 5,398 shares in the company, valued at $1,654,918.84. This represents a 32.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. McDonalds Trading Down 0.1% Shares of MCD traded down $0.35 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $306.40. 1,138,227 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,256,222. The stock has a market capitalization of $218.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.53. McDonalds Corporation has a 1 year low of $276.53 and a 1 year high of $326.32. The firms fifty day moving average is $308.14 and its 200-day moving average is $305.16. Get McDonald's alerts: McDonalds (NYSE:MCD Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.33 by ($0.11). McDonalds had a net margin of 32.04% and a negative return on equity of 280.89%. The business had revenue of $7.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.23 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 EPS for the current year. McDonalds Increases Dividend More McDonalds News The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were paid a $1.86 dividend. This is a boost from McDonaldss previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 63.48%. Here are the key news stories impacting McDonalds this week: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on MCD shares. Guggenheim boosted their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $295.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Barclays boosted their price target on McDonalds from $358.00 to $372.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of McDonalds in a report on Friday, October 24th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of McDonalds from $322.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Oppenheimer upgraded shares of McDonalds from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $355.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $328.88. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on McDonalds Institutional Trading of McDonalds Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MCD. WD Rutherford LLC boosted its stake in McDonalds by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. WD Rutherford LLC now owns 3,261 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $991,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its position in McDonalds by 1.4% during the third quarter. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 2,423 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $736,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Symmetry Partners LLC grew its stake in McDonalds by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Symmetry Partners LLC now owns 1,771 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $538,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Jackson Hole Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in McDonalds by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Jackson Hole Capital Partners LLC now owns 11,032 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $3,352,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CFO4Life Group LLC raised its holdings in McDonalds by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. CFO4Life Group LLC now owns 1,669 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $507,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the companys stock. About McDonalds (Get Free Report) McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafe coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonalds serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships. Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brands national and international expansion. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for McDonald's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McDonald's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by research analysts at Citigroup from $567.00 to $604.00 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the scientific and technical instruments companys stock. Citigroups price target indicates a potential upside of 8.42% from the companys previous close. TDY has been the subject of several other reports. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $626.00 to $645.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Teledyne Technologies in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price objective on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $585.00 to $615.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Teledyne Technologies from $584.00 to $579.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Teledyne Technologies from $580.00 to $620.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Teledyne Technologies currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $605.38. Get Teledyne Technologies alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on TDY Teledyne Technologies Price Performance Shares of Teledyne Technologies stock traded up $7.46 on Tuesday, reaching $557.09. The stock had a trading volume of 152,896 shares, compared to its average volume of 320,825. The businesss 50 day moving average is $512.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $535.96. The company has a current ratio of 1.79, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Teledyne Technologies has a 1 year low of $419.00 and a 1 year high of $595.99. The company has a market cap of $26.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.03. Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $5.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.47 by $0.10. Teledyne Technologies had a return on equity of 9.95% and a net margin of 13.62%.The company had revenue of $1.54 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.53 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.10 EPS. Teledyne Technologiess quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Teledyne Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 21.450-21.600 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 5.730-5.880 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Teledyne Technologies will post 21.55 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Teledyne Technologies Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Teledyne Technologies by 1.2% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,910,808 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $3,463,970,000 after acquiring an additional 69,284 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 2.9% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,204,554 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $1,291,957,000 after acquiring an additional 61,135 shares during the period. Dodge & Cox lifted its stake in Teledyne Technologies by 12.2% in the third quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 1,680,962 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $985,111,000 after buying an additional 183,222 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 2.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,242,610 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $635,107,000 after purchasing an additional 28,461 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 2.6% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 942,825 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $552,536,000 after buying an additional 24,222 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.58% of the companys stock. About Teledyne Technologies (Get Free Report) Teledyne Technologies (NYSE: TDY), headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California, is a diversified industrial technology company that designs, manufactures and supports sophisticated electronic systems, instruments and imaging products. Founded in 1960 by Henry Singleton and George Kozmetsky, Teledyne has grown into a multinational provider of high-performance equipment and software for commercial, scientific and government customers. Its offerings are used in markets that include aerospace and defense, marine, industrial manufacturing, environmental monitoring and scientific research. The company operates through businesses that develop precision instrumentation, digital imaging products, engineered systems and aerospace and defense electronics. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Teledyne Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teledyne Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Strathcona Resources (TSE:SCR Get Free Report) had its price target lowered by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$40.00 to C$35.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective suggests a potential upside of 29.92% from the stocks current price. Several other brokerages also recently commented on SCR. National Bankshares upgraded Strathcona Resources from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and dropped their target price for the company from C$36.00 to C$32.00 in a report on Friday. TD Securities lifted their price objective on shares of Strathcona Resources from C$35.00 to C$36.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Scotiabank reduced their target price on shares of Strathcona Resources from C$40.00 to C$33.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 30th. Natl Bk Canada raised shares of Strathcona Resources from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday. Finally, ATB Capital dropped their price target on shares of Strathcona Resources from C$42.00 to C$32.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Strathcona Resources currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$32.86. Get Strathcona Resources alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SCR Strathcona Resources Trading Up 1.2% About Strathcona Resources Strathcona Resources stock traded up C$0.33 during trading on Tuesday, hitting C$26.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 248,177 shares, compared to its average volume of 201,309. The stocks fifty day moving average is C$37.44 and its 200 day moving average is C$36.14. Strathcona Resources has a 1-year low of C$22.75 and a 1-year high of C$45.09. The stock has a market capitalization of C$5.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.26, a P/E/G ratio of -2.02 and a beta of 2.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.06, a quick ratio of 11.09 and a current ratio of 0.53. (Get Free Report) Strathcona Resources Ltd. is a Canada-based oil and gas producers with operations focused on thermal oil, enhanced oil recovery and liquids-rich natural gas. The Company has three operations, including Lloydminster Heavy Oil, Cold Lake Thermal Oil and Montney. The Lloydminster Heavy Oil segment has multiple large oil-in-place reservoirs with existing and expanding enhanced oil recovery (EOR) opportunities primarily located in southwest Saskatchewan. Its Saskatchewan thermal properties rely on the same steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) processes as its Cold Lake Thermal properties. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Strathcona Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Strathcona Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF (NYSEARCA:RSPN Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 104,569 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 51% from the previous sessions volume of 69,418 shares.The stock last traded at $60.0650 and had previously closed at $59.71. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF Price Performance The stocks 50-day moving average price is $56.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $55.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $901.27 million, a PE ratio of 22.94 and a beta of 1.09. Get Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF by 11.1% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 908,585 shares of the companys stock worth $50,972,000 after buying an additional 90,512 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF by 1.0% in the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 275,182 shares of the companys stock worth $15,425,000 after acquiring an additional 2,843 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 257,564 shares of the companys stock worth $14,449,000 after acquiring an additional 1,450 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 234,668 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,165,000 after purchasing an additional 7,572 shares during the period. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 173,328 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,482,000 after purchasing an additional 1,458 shares in the last quarter. About Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF (RSPN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in industrials equity. The fund tracks an equal-weighted index of industrial US stocks drawn from the S&P 500. RSPN was launched on Nov 1, 2006 and is managed by Invesco. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Industrials ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Another source of friction is that big data center developers can strike bulk power deals with local electric utilities that are profitable for utilities, but also kept confidential. That means it may never be clear whether data center operators really are paying for their electricity or foisting the cost onto the rest of the utilitys ratepayers, consumer advocates say. Electricity bills are expected to keep rising as payments to power plant owners grow to entice the construction of new power sources to meet demand from new and yet-to-be-built data centers in hot spots like Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In the mid-Atlantic region grid that encompasses all or parts of 13 states, ratepayers have been paying higher prices on their bills since at least June because of data centers, according to utilities and analysts. People are asking not just pointed questions but completely reasonable questions and its our job, I think, to acknowledge them and address them head on and show that we can do this and pursue this expansion in a way that fully meets their needs, said Smith, who is also Microsoft's vice chair and has spent decades leading its legal and political work. The defeats have spread alarm among data center allies and spurred efforts to ramp up the amount of money that operators are willing to offer communities in exchange for approval. Rising electric prices are one problem. Heavy water usage by data centers to cool electronic equipment has also elicited concerns from local residents that theyll see their wells run dry or their water utility bills spike. Smith's campaign comes as data center developers are increasingly running into hostility in towns where they want to build and meeting defeat at municipal boards that must approve zoning applications or construction permits. Local communities naturally want to see new jobs but not at the expense of higher electricity prices or the diversion of their water, Smith said in an interview with The Associated Press. President Donald Trump gave Microsoft's effort a nod in a Truth Social post Monday evening, where he stated that he does not want Americans to pick up the tab for these data centers and pay higher utility costs. The software giant's president, Brad Smith, is meeting with federal lawmakers Tuesday to push forward an approach that calls for the industry, not taxpayers, to pay the full costs of the vast network of computing warehouses needed to power AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google's Gemini and Microsoft's own Copilot. It wont be easy for Big Tech companies to win the hearts and minds of Americans who are angered about massive artificial intelligence data centers sprouting up in their neighborhoods, straining electricity grids and drawing on local reservoirs. Story Continues Data center projects have also met objections in communities where people are worried about losing open space, farmland, forest or rural character, or are concerned about the damage to quality of life, property values, environment or their health. In Hobart, Indiana, last week, the City Council approved a tax-abatement package for a multibillion-dollar Amazon data center planned there. In turn, the deal promises Amazon will make two payments of $5 million each for issuing a pair of building permits, plus another series of payments totaling $175 million over three years at various project milestones. Opponents say the money unduly influences the decision-making of city officials. In Wisconsin, where Smith grew up and the home of what Microsoft has called the worlds most powerful AI datacenter, the company has encountered hurdles in expanding its construction projects near the shores of Lake Michigan. The company has promised the centers will employ hundreds of people when theyre finished. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has touted the projects he says will put Wisconsin on the very cutting edge of AI power. But environmentalists and consumer groups have warned that the centers will consume unprecedented amounts of electricity, driving up rates across the Midwestern power grid, and could use hundreds of thousands of gallons of Lake Michigan water daily. Company officials have pledged that the centers impact will be minimal and will contribute carbon-free energy to the power grid. Environmental group Clean Wisconsin has called for government officials to pause data center approvals until the state develops a comprehensive plan to regulate them. Francesca Hong, one of several Democratic candidates for governor Evers is not seeking re-election in November has developed a proposal she calls CONTROL ALT DELETE that calls for a moratorium on data center construction until we know how to protect ourselves from their environmental and energy costs. In the interview with AP, Smith talked about data center projects in Wisconsin and elsewhere. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Whats the heaviest lift for Microsoft in terms of what you are contributing to ameliorate data center opposition? Smith: We dont use nearly as much water as we do electricity. Electricity is a heavier lift. Its a larger investment. And it comes after several decades where electricity production in the United States was basically flat. If you look at the approach that were taking in terms of partnering with utilities, paying our own way, I think we can address this problem to the satisfaction of local communities. At the end of the day, it requires the approval of the utilities commissions. Who are you talking about when you say you disagree with those who say AI is so beneficial that the public should help pay for the electricity the technology needs? Smith: I shouldnt name names. First of all, we wholeheartedly agree with the positive impact that AI is going to create for the future. But we dont think that the public should be devoting tax dollars to pay for the improvements in the electricity grid that are needed to serve data centers. Private companies can incorporate that into their financial planning, especially when you look at things like improvements on the transmission side or improvements in substations. Clean energy is not a priority for the current presidential administration. Are you still pushing for the electricity to power your data centers to be clean? Smith: We set a goal for ourselves in 2020 of being what we call carbon-negative by 2030. That requires that we reduce the amount of carbon emissions that we create, and that we then remove from the environment each year, beginning in 2030, more carbon than we emit. We have not changed course on that. There are times when the power that is coming to our data centers is generated by something like natural gas. We can work with a utility to ensure that its cleaner natural gas, but beyond that, we also invest in bringing to the regional grid new sources of carbon-free energy as well, whether its nuclear, solar, hydro or others. To what extent are you on track for the 2020 commitments? Smith: On the carbon commitment, we have a clear path to reach our goal in 2030. As we often say, progress is lumpy, not linear. A lot of what were doing in the middle of the decade is making the investments that will benefit us at the end of the decade. Its not like walking upstairs, where every step is the same length. But overall, I continue to be confident in our ability to meet our goals at the end of the decade. What's your position on groups calling for Wisconsin to pause AI data center approvals until there's a plan to ensure these projects won't harm communities? Smith: We are supportive of Wisconsin developing a comprehensive electricity plan. I dont think our project should be paused to wait for that. Were partnering to build out and improve the electricity grid in southeastern Wisconsin. A rate tariff that we have proposed to the public utility commission would impose on Microsoft additional costs that we would help pay for in the state. And because of other investments were making, including a 150-megawatt solar farm. AP writer Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed to this report. iShares New York Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:NYF Get Free Report) shares saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 119,603 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 1% from the previous sessions volume of 120,744 shares.The stock last traded at $53.8150 and had previously closed at $53.80. iShares New York Muni Bond ETF Price Performance The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $53.58 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $52.98. Get iShares New York Muni Bond ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Jane Street Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 296.8% in the 2nd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 347,152 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,101,000 after purchasing an additional 259,657 shares during the period. TIAA Trust National Association lifted its position in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 21.2% in the third quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 1,040,875 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,531,000 after buying an additional 182,200 shares during the last quarter. Alesco Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 42.0% during the 3rd quarter. Alesco Advisors LLC now owns 415,465 shares of the companys stock worth $22,165,000 after acquiring an additional 122,915 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 14.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 645,341 shares of the companys stock worth $33,648,000 after acquiring an additional 81,191 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Retirement Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $3,636,000. iShares New York Muni Bond ETF Company Profile iShares New York AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF, formerly iShares S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series 2016 IndexTM (the Index). The Underlying Index measures the performance of investment-grade, noncallable United States municipal bonds maturing in 2016. The Index includes municipal bonds primarily from issuers that are state or local governments or agencies such that the interest on the bonds is exempt from United States federal income taxes and the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT). See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares New York Muni Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares New York Muni Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Norsk Hydro ASA (OTCMKTS:NHYDY Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Tuesday . 133,952 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 94% from the previous sessions volume of 69,017 shares.The stock last traded at $8.22 and had previously closed at $8.19. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages recently weighed in on NHYDY. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Norsk Hydro ASA in a report on Friday, November 21st. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Norsk Hydro ASA in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Norsk Hydro ASA from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, October 26th. BNP Paribas upgraded Norsk Hydro ASA to an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Pareto Securities lowered Norsk Hydro ASA from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Norsk Hydro ASA alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on NHYDY Norsk Hydro ASA Stock Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $16.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.88, a P/E/G ratio of 0.24 and a beta of 1.15. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $7.45 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.83. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Norsk Hydro ASA (OTCMKTS:NHYDY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 24th. The industrial products company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.08 by $0.02. Norsk Hydro ASA had a return on equity of 10.20% and a net margin of 4.96%.The company had revenue of $5.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $47.19 billion. On average, analysts forecast that Norsk Hydro ASA will post 0.72 EPS for the current year. About Norsk Hydro ASA (Get Free Report) Norsk Hydro ASA is a Norwegian industrial company with a primary focus on aluminum production and renewable energy. Established in 1905, the company has grown from its roots in fertilizer manufacturing to become one of the worlds largest integrated aluminum producers. Its operations span the full value chain, including bauxite mining, alumina refining, primary aluminum production, and downstream processing of rolled and extruded products. In addition to its aluminum business, Hydro maintains a significant portfolio of hydropower assets to support its energy-intensive processes. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Norsk Hydro ASA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norsk Hydro ASA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:JHCP Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 2,513 shares, a decline of 76.8% from the December 15th total of 10,816 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 25,758 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 25,758 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF Stock Down 0.4% Shares of JHCP traded down $0.10 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $25.46. The stock had a trading volume of 12,980 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,410. John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF has a 12 month low of $24.35 and a 12 month high of $25.95. The companys 50-day moving average is $25.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $25.39. Get John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Andina Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF during the third quarter worth $253,000. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF in the first quarter valued at $364,000. Finally, Coign Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF by 8.2% during the second quarter. Coign Capital Advisors LLC now owns 446,775 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,222,000 after acquiring an additional 33,980 shares during the last quarter. John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF Company Profile The John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF (JHCP) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund is actively managed with a focus on a diversified bond portfolio, which includes a potential 20% allocation to high-yield bonds. The fund aims for a high level of current income while also considering ESG factors in its investment analysis JHCP was launched on Dec 18, 2024 and is issued by John Hancock. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Core Plus Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UiPath, Inc. (NYSE:PATH Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Investors bought 134,459 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 54% compared to the average volume of 87,495 call options. UiPath Price Performance Shares of PATH traded down $1.30 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $15.94. The company had a trading volume of 49,504,429 shares, compared to its average volume of 27,973,926. The company has a market capitalization of $8.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.95, a P/E/G ratio of 4.79 and a beta of 1.08. UiPath has a twelve month low of $9.38 and a twelve month high of $19.84. The companys 50-day moving average is $15.67 and its 200-day moving average is $13.85. Get UiPath alerts: UiPath (NYSE:PATH Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, December 3rd. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.02. UiPath had a net margin of 14.79% and a return on equity of 3.73%. The company had revenue of $411.11 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $392.46 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.11 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that UiPath will post -0.17 EPS for the current fiscal year. More UiPath News Positive Sentiment: Recent results and product traction: UiPath continues to show revenue and EPS beats (Q3 2025 revenue +15.9% and an EPS beat), and management has highlighted accelerating adoption of AI agents and Maestro orchestration positive fundamentals that support upside over time. MarketBeat: PATH company/earnings summary Recent results and product traction: UiPath continues to show revenue and EPS beats (Q3 2025 revenue +15.9% and an EPS beat), and management has highlighted accelerating adoption of AI agents and Maestro orchestration positive fundamentals that support upside over time. Positive Sentiment: Momentum & analyst commentary: Recent Zacks pieces argue PATH is regaining market confidence and has momentum as AI automation adoption improves, which can attract momentum-focused flows. Zacks: Momentum stock piece Momentum & analyst commentary: Recent Zacks pieces argue PATH is regaining market confidence and has momentum as AI automation adoption improves, which can attract momentum-focused flows. Positive Sentiment: Positioning in AI theme: MarketBeats AI roundup lists UiPath as a cross-cloud/agentic-AI play, reinforcing longer-term thematic interest from AI-focused investors. MarketBeat: 5 AI stocks Positioning in AI theme: MarketBeats AI roundup lists UiPath as a cross-cloud/agentic-AI play, reinforcing longer-term thematic interest from AI-focused investors. Positive Sentiment: Event visibility: UiPath presented at the Needham Growth Conference (transcript available), giving investors fresh management commentary on strategy and execution. Positive conference commentary can support sentiment if details on client wins/product metrics resonate. Seeking Alpha: Needham transcript Event visibility: UiPath presented at the Needham Growth Conference (transcript available), giving investors fresh management commentary on strategy and execution. Positive conference commentary can support sentiment if details on client wins/product metrics resonate. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst/valuation backdrop: Consensus remains a Hold with a ~$16 target; some boutiques have nudged targets higher while several analysts remain cautious this mixed guidance can limit large rallies. MarketBeat: analyst consensus Analyst/valuation backdrop: Consensus remains a Hold with a ~$16 target; some boutiques have nudged targets higher while several analysts remain cautious this mixed guidance can limit large rallies. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling pressure: CEO Daniel Dines has sold multiple 45k-share blocks in early Jan. (latest disclosed sale ~45,000 shares at ~$16.61), a string of sales that may stoke short-term selling pressure and investor concern despite his large remaining stake. InsiderTrades: CEO sells Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Here are the key news stories impacting UiPath this week: A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of UiPath in a report on Monday, December 29th. Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of UiPath in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Wall Street Zen cut UiPath from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, December 6th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of UiPath from $13.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on UiPath from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $16.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on PATH Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Daniel Dines sold 45,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.61, for a total transaction of $747,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 28,163,585 shares in the company, valued at approximately $467,797,146.85. This trade represents a 0.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Ashim Gupta sold 67,468 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.10, for a total value of $1,086,234.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 557,028 shares in the company, valued at $8,968,150.80. This represents a 10.80% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 1,405,362 shares of company stock valued at $23,325,637 over the last 90 days. 23.19% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On UiPath A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in PATH. Noble Wealth Management PBC acquired a new position in shares of UiPath in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in UiPath in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its holdings in shares of UiPath by 320.4% in the second quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 2,476 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 1,887 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of UiPath by 48.0% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,989 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 969 shares during the period. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in shares of UiPath by 508.0% during the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 3,283 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 2,743 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the companys stock. UiPath Company Profile (Get Free Report) UiPath Inc provides an end-to-end automation platform that offers a range of robotic process automation (RPA) solutions primarily in the United States, Romania, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company offers a suite of interrelated software to build, manage, run, engage, measure, and govern automation within the organization. Its platform's embedded AI, ML, and NLP capabilities improve decisioning and information processing; emulate human behavior allows organizations to address a myriad of use cases; emulate human behavior allows organizations to address a myriad of use cases; multi-tenant platform enterprise deployment with security and governance and Automation Cloud, which enables customers to begin automating without the need to provision infrastructure, install applications, or perform additional configurations; intuitive interface and low-code, drag-and-drop functionality; signed to enable people and automations to work together; and tracks, measures, and forecasts the performance of automations, enables customers to gain powerful insights and generate key performance indicators with actionable metric. Read More Receive News & Ratings for UiPath Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UiPath and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canyon Creek Food Company Ltd. (CVE:CYF Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$0.04 and last traded at C$0.04, with a volume of 143200 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.02. Canyon Creek Food Stock Performance The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$0.01 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$0.01. The firm has a market cap of C$1.41 million, a PE ratio of -0.50 and a beta of 0.19. Canyon Creek Food Company Profile (Get Free Report) Canyon Creek Food Company Ltd. operates as a food processing company in Canada and the United States. The company engages in the provision of fresh soups, sauces, gravies, side dishes, and other prepared food products. It offers its products to grocery retailers and various food service establishments, as well as involved in the provision of freight services. The company was founded in 1995 is based in Edmonton, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Canyon Creek Food Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canyon Creek Food and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM Get Free Report) shares were down 3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $301.87 and last traded at $302.8430. Approximately 4,481,150 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 18% from the average daily volume of 3,783,399 shares. The stock had previously closed at $312.18. More International Business Machines News Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week: Get International Business Machines alerts: Positive Sentiment: Bank of America raised its price target to $335 and kept a Buy rating , signaling stronger analyst conviction on IBMs outlook and providing upside support for the stock. Read More. , signaling stronger analyst conviction on IBMs outlook and providing upside support for the stock. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Confluent cleared a key U.S. antitrust hurdle related to its deal with IBM , removing a material regulatory uncertainty and making the acquisition more likely to close a direct strategic positive for IBM if the deal completes. Read More. , removing a material regulatory uncertainty and making the acquisition more likely to close a direct strategic positive for IBM if the deal completes. Read More. Positive Sentiment: IBM expanded its edge AI offering with Datavault AI using watsonx and zero-trust micro data centers , which supports revenue and margin upside if enterprise adoption of secure, low-latency AI at the edge accelerates. Read More. , which supports revenue and margin upside if enterprise adoption of secure, low-latency AI at the edge accelerates. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Jim Cramer reiterated that IBM looks inexpensive , a high-visibility endorsement that can attract bargain-hunting retail flows. Read More. , a high-visibility endorsement that can attract bargain-hunting retail flows. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: IBM vice chairman Gary Cohn said hes bullish on the economy , a macro view that could indirectly help IBM via stronger IT spending, but its not company-specific news. Read More. , a macro view that could indirectly help IBM via stronger IT spending, but its not company-specific news. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Market/sector stories (AI, defense, quantum) spotlight other leaders like NVDA and IONQ , which can shift headline attention away from IBM but dont directly change IBMs fundamentals. Read More. Read More. , which can shift headline attention away from IBM but dont directly change IBMs fundamentals. Read More. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Short-term market note: IBM recently outperformed on a day-to-day basis , a trading observation that can encourage short-term profit-taking. Read More. , a trading observation that can encourage short-term profit-taking. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Analyst commentary shows diverging views on IBMs strategic trajectory, highlighting investor uncertainty about the pace and payoff of IBMs AI, cloud and M&A strategy a factor that can weigh on the stock if confidence falters. Read More. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on IBM shares. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on International Business Machines from $300.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $300.00 to $360.00 in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Friday, November 21st. They issued an outperform rating and a $360.00 price objective for the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of International Business Machines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday. Finally, Erste Group Bank raised shares of International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $303.38. International Business Machines Trading Down 3.0% The company has a market capitalization of $283.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $303.70 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $282.04. International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.20. International Business Machines had a net margin of 12.09% and a return on equity of 37.76%. The business had revenue of $16.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.30 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. International Business Machines Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a $1.68 dividend. This represents a $6.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio is presently 80.38%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Business Machines Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in International Business Machines by 12.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 21,011 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $4,619,000 after buying an additional 2,323 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in International Business Machines by 25.8% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 164,539 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $40,210,000 after acquiring an additional 33,725 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank raised its stake in shares of International Business Machines by 1.0% during the second quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 4,357 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,284,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 1.2% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 29,063 shares of the technology companys stock worth $8,567,000 after purchasing an additional 333 shares during the period. Finally, Cultivar Capital Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 34.3% during the second quarter. Cultivar Capital Inc. now owns 6,100 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,798,000 after purchasing an additional 1,557 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.96% of the companys stock. International Business Machines Company Profile (Get Free Report) International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM. IBMs principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development. See Also Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Navitas Petroleum has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with JHI Associates to acquire a 65% working interest in the PL001 North Falklands Basin Licence. Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas, which holds a 6.6% interest in JHI, announced the agreement. The licence involved in the deal is adjacent to the Sea Lion Development operated by Navitas and located in the Falkland Islands. PL001, which covers approximately 1,126km, is at a water depth of around 500m. It holds an estimated 3.1 billion barrels (bbbl) of potential oil resources. The memorandum outlines that JHI will retain a 35% interest in the licence and continue as the operator. It includes provisions for Navitas to finance JHIs share of exploration-related expenses up to a specified limit, with repayments contingent upon the generation of free cash flow from the licence. Eco Atlantic president and CEO Gil Holzman said: "We are encouraged to see a further strengthening of our relationship with Navitas, this time through our holding in JHI. As part of our Strategic Partnership with Navitas, technical and commercial discussions in relation to our projects in both Guyana and South Africa are continuing and we look forward to keeping the market updated." A 90-day exclusivity period is part of the MoU, during which JHI will negotiate solely with Navitas about the transaction. This period may be extended by an additional 30 days if necessary. Completion of due diligence and obtaining regulatory approvals are among the conditions set forth for finalising binding agreements by May 2026. Following completion, a joint operating agreement will be executed between the parties. The licence, initially extended in November 2024 for a second exploration period until December 2026, may be extended for an additional decade, with an obligation for one exploration drilling programme within that time frame. A seismic survey has been conducted and data reprocessed within the area, although no mandatory work plan is currently required by Falkland Islands authorities. While no significant immediate investments are planned beyond general fees and future costs, Navitas and JHI intend to develop an exploration drilling strategy for PL001. The transaction does not ensure binding commitments outside of specified technical provisions during negotiations, which remain ongoing. Meanwhile, Navitas continues to advance Phase A of the Sea Lion project under Falkland Islands and British Overseas Territory regulations. All necessary approvals are coordinated between local and British governmental entities. The media minister has dismissed calls from the Labour Party for the social media platform X to be banned in Ireland. Patrick ODonovan was asked by reporters if the Government would make such a move in light of recent reports that the websites AI chatbot, Grok, was creating images of sexual abuse, including of children. He said it was important to point out that the European Commission is the regulator for X, in conjunction with Coimisiun na Mean. Mr ODonovan was speaking at the start of construction of the National Concert Halls Discover Centre, which is described as a new, state-of-the-art, national centre for music participation, learning and community engagement. The 21 million euro project is due to be completed early next year. Last week, the minister was criticised after he was reported as emphasising the responsibility of individuals for images they produce using Grok, rather than criticising X. Mr ODonovan claimed his comments were taken out of context. He said there are lot of roles, a lot of moving parts when it comes to images of sexual abuse created by AI. He said a number of bodies bear responsibility for control of the images including the Department of Justice, An Garda Siochana, Coimisiun na Mean and the European Commission. When pushed as to why he had not mentioned the responsibility born by X, he said the platform is regulated by Coimisiun na Mean, and as the minister responsible for the body, it would be highly inappropriate for him to tell them what to do. Asked if an Irish organisation was to publish child sexual abuse images online would he call for it to be shut down he said: If an Irish business did that, I would be saying exactly the same thing. He added: If I said that Coimisiun na Mean should be doing something you would probably, and rightly so, accuse me of overstepping my role as minister in telling an independent body what to do. OnTrac CEO Mike Duffy will leave the multi-regional parcel carrier at the end of the month to be the Chief Executive Officer of U.K.-based pest control specialist Rentokil Initial PLC. Duffy will be based in North America, Rentokils largest market, the company said. Privately-held OnTrac, which is positioning itself as the largest alternative carrier to FedEx and UPS, on Tuesday promoted Mike Brown to succeed Duffy, who led the company for nearly four years. Brown will move into his new role on Feb. 1. The last-mile delivery company characterized the executive moves as a planned transition, but planned transitions are normally announced far in advance of a CEOs retirement. The news release only said Duffy has accepted an opportunity outside OnTrac. Brown currently serves as OnTracs chief financial officer after management roles at Amazon, Chewy, Flexport, Accenture, Johnson Controls and Honeywell. Over the past 18 months, Brown has played a central role in shaping OnTracs operating model, investment priorities, and long-term strategy. Mike Brown OnTrac, based in Chantilly, Virginia, is owned by private equity firm American Securities. The leadership change follows what OnTrac said was a record year for parcel volumes, which it attributed to customer growth and the expansion of its network OnTrac has reached an important inflection point, said David Horing, OnTracs chairman and managing director at American Securities. The integration is complete, the network is operating at national scale, and customer demand continues to grow. Mike Brown is the right leader to build on that momentum expanding our relevance with shippers, sharpening our differentiation in the market, and leading the company into its next chapter as a scaled challenger in U.S. parcel delivery. During Duffys tenure, OnTrac completed the integration with LaserShip to emerge with a unified network that reaches more than 75% of U.S. online shoppers. OnTrac covers 35 states and the District of Columbia, with a gap in the Great Plains. The carrier partners with more than 7,000 independent contractors to make same-day and next-day residential and business deliveries using a hub-and-spoke network. The company has 102 delivery locations and 18 sort centers, according to its website. The carrier is in the process of establishing a coast-to-coast network. A two-to-three day Express delivery product is scheduled to be rolled out early this year in partnership with ClearJet. The service is pitched as cheaper than traditional express air, but faster than transcontinental ground transportation. Prog blog radio celebrates suburban bliss for the neighborhood where all of their senior staff live . . . "The Chiefs are building a new headquarters in Olathe, in addition to their stadium in Kansas City, Kansas. A big Kansas City company is jumping state lines. Add elections on top of all that, and you have the recipe for a dramatic year in Johnson County." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Followup from a shooting report earlier in the day . . . Here's KCMO violence emerging on the nice side of the bridge as well . . . Check the report police share with local media: Homicide 2500 blk of NE 78th St. This morning, just after 7:30 AM, officers were dispatched to the 2500 block of NE 78th Street on a reported shooting. As officers arrived they located an adult male victim, lying in the street, suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD Medics responded simultaneously and began performing life saving measures. However, the victim was pronounced deceased on scene. This is being investigated as a homicide. A subject of interest was taken into custody by patrol officers on scene. The preliminary investigation revealed there was a dispute between two individuals that were known to one another. A physical altercation ensued, which led to shots being fired and the victim being struck. Investigators are canvassing the area for witnesses, physical evidence, and any possible surveillance footage. 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 . . . Police respond to homicide Monday morning in Northland neighborhood Law enforcement has reported Kansas City's fifth homicide this year. Machine intelligence will drain water . . . And probably help locals better strip all of your copper plumbing. Check-it . . . According to project representatives, water use will be limited through a closed cooling system, which they said will be a key component of Nebius first American site. An attorney with Rouse Frets White Goss, explained the system would require a one-time water fill with only annual refills moving forward . . . Despite those assurances, some residents said they left the meeting with lingering concerns. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Thank you for signing up! Youll soon be getting your Toronto scoop in your inbox. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. One of the issues discussed at 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, held on January 12, is related to desalinizing the water of the Caspian Sea and making it usable. How and in what sequence will this issue, reflected in the above program, approved by the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, be addressed? The Azerbaijani State Water Resources Agency (ADSEA) said in response to Trend's inquiry that in line with President Ilham Aliyev's decree aimed at ensuring the country's water security, increasing access to drinking water for the population, and introducing new technologies in this field, work continues on the "Pilot project for producing drinking water through desalination of seawater", which is in its first phase. The agency noted that a contract for the pilot project of seawater desalination for producing drinking water was signed between the agency and Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power company on September 22, 2025, during the First Azerbaijan International Investment Forum. "The project will be implemented in Sumgayit city, covering an area of approximately 30 hectares and a coastal strip. The desalination plant's daily production capacity will be 300,000 cubic meters, which translates to about 100 million cubic meters of water annually. This will provide a 20% increase in the current water demand of the Absheron Peninsula. Saltwater will be purified and converted into drinking water," the agency explained. The agency added that from 2026 through 2028, the construction of a main pipeline from the Sumgayit desalination plant to the Jeyranbatan reservoir is planned. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is becoming an increasingly integral part of Eurasia's new geo-economic architecture. It serves as a key transport hub, providing an alternative route for international freight transport and enhancing strategic connectivity between Asia and Europe. For Azerbaijan, the Zangezur Corridor is both a domestic connectivity project and part of its international transport strategy. As President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with local TV channels on January 5, Of course, we expect cargo from China and Central Asian countries to travel along the Zangezur Corridor as well. "We naturally view it primarily as a link with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, but also as an international transport corridor. Currently, there is only one railway route from Azerbaijan westward. There will be two. Two are always better than one, especially when you have no access to the world ocean and have to go through neighboring countries. It is always better to have an alternative for volumes, to be competitive, to prevent monopolization of the transit route by anyone, and, of course, to ensure more competitive tariffs," said the head of state. This position underscores a critical strategic insight: the Zangezur Corridor should not be viewed as simply duplicating existing routes, but rather as establishing a vital alternative and an essential logistical asset for landlocked nations lacking direct access to open seas. As an alternative, it offers a competitive edge through more favorable tariff structures, reduced operational risks, decreased reliance on a single route, and enhanced predictability of deliveries, all of which are paramount for the efficiency and resilience of modern supply chains. Connecting the main territory of Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Zangezur Corridor is far more than an internal transportation link; it is an integral component of the broader Eurasian logistics network known as the Middle Corridor. This corridor serves as a crucial channel for dependable connectivity between Asian and European markets, thereby unlocking significant opportunities not only for Azerbaijan but also for Central Asia, Iran, the Caucasus, and the European Union. In recent years, the Middle Corridor has experienced steady and remarkable growth, evolving from a secondary route into a fully independent geo-economic artery linking China, Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Turkiye, and Europe. Within this framework, the Zangezur Corridor emerges as a strategic western extension, easing congestion on existing routes and complementing the BakuTbilisiKars railway line. On the existing BakuTbilisiKars railway, freight trains are required to traverse approximately 250 kilometers through Georgia. In contrast, the Zangezur Corridor offers a significantly shorter alternative, reducing the overall travel distance. The inauguration of the Zangezur Corridor does not diminish the strategic importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars route. Rather, both corridors will serve complementary roles, enhancing transit flexibility and reinforcing stability across the regions logistical network. The opening of the Zangezur Corridor promises substantial benefits for all countries within the region. It not only provides Asian nations with more direct access to European markets via land routes, but also bolsters the logistical capacity of both the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Furthermore, it is expected to stimulate an increase in external demand for transit services, thereby strengthening the region's position as a pivotal transport hub linking Asia and Europe. From a transit perspective, particularly concerning China, the rationale is clear: an increase in land crossings enhances logistical flexibility and mitigates the risk of bottlenecks at specific choke points. Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, have a vested interest in expanding their access to Turkiye and Europe. The introduction of an alternative land route through Nakhchivan offers a new logistical pathway, circumventing congestion-prone areas within the Caucasus. Notably, the significance of the Zangezur Corridor has attracted attention beyond the regions immediate geographical confines. The United States, in particular, has embraced the project, framing it within a broader political and economic initiative known as TRIPP, further elevating its global strategic importance. TRIPP is no longer perceived as a single-country initiative and has begun to be discussed as a regional platform with the potential to strengthen the American presence in Eurasian logistics. US participation in regional projects was previously associated mainly with energy, oil, gas, and pipelines. Now, the focus has shifted to transport infrastructure. The key difference with TRIPP is that it is not limited to infrastructure construction. The concept addresses issues of regulatory coordination, investment mechanisms, and private sector participation, which takes the project beyond the traditional build and transfer logic. The Zangezur Corridor has the potential to become a key driver of regional integration, strengthening economic ties between the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Iran, and Turkiye. In addition to its purely logistical function, the route contributes to the formation of alternative trade arteries, minimizing the risks of monopolization and ensuring competitive tariff conditions. The integration of TRIPP into the Middle Corridor allows countries in the region to develop multilateral infrastructure projects, including joint customs points, single window platforms, and the digitization of logistics, which increases the predictability and efficiency of transit. At the same time, the Turkic dimension of the corridor is being strengthened. For Turkiye, the Zangezur Corridor means direct rail links with the rest of the Turkic space and eliminates the need for detours. For Azerbaijan, it is an outlet to Turkiye. For the countries of Central Asia, it reduces the distance to European markets, which is an important factor in the context of growing competition among transit routes. Thus, the corridor strengthens energy, trade, and logistics connectivity between Turkic states, precisely the direction that has been consistently developed over the past two decades and is already manifesting itself in institutional form within the Organization of Turkic States. The Zangezur Corridor is a strategic initiative that intertwines Azerbaijan's domestic and international interests with those of Central Asian nations, while also engaging global partners, such as the United States. Its establishment reinforces Azerbaijan's role as a regional transport hub, reduces delivery times, enhances transit reliability, and fosters economic growth across Eurasia. As the TRIPP framework is implemented and cargo flows from Central Asia and China increase, the corridor is poised to become a vital alternative to traditional routes, catalyzing long-term regional integration. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. A public discussion on The Role of Civil Society in the Peace Process was held in Baku, Trend reports. According to information, the event was organized by the National NGO Forum. The purpose of the event was to share with the public the results of the dialogue between representatives of civil society in Azerbaijan and Armenia within the framework of the Bridge of Peace initiative, to openly discuss the current situation, and to put forward practical mechanisms and proposals for building sustainable peace. The public discussion focused on ways to involve civil society institutions more systematically in the peace agenda, mechanisms for public communication and confidence-building, as well as opportunities for cooperation between expert circles, NGOs, and the media. At the same time, the agenda of the event included practical recommendations for future peace initiatives. Representatives of civil society institutions, public figures, experts on peace and conflict resolution, and representatives of the media took part in the discussions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Civil society participation in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia should be institutionalized, Director of the Center for Studies of the South Caucasus (CSSC) Farhad Mammadov said at a public discussion on The Role of Civil Society in the Peace Process today, Trend reports. "If the current government wins the parliamentary election in Armenia, this will allow us to institutionalize civil society participation in the peace process. Our achievement today is that communication between the two sides has been formed at the level of civil societies," he stressed. Mammadov also noted that the main obstacle to the signing of the Baku-Yerevan peace treaty is that the Armenian Constitution still contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Key Points Energy Fuels Inc. may have beaten Cameco's return in 2025, but in the long term, there's no contest. Cameco is growing its revenue much faster than Energy Fuels, and it's profitable while Energy Fuels is running a loss. Over a longer time frame, Cameco's return is much more impressive than Energy Fuels'. 10 stocks we like better than Cameco Given the energy needs of AI, it's no wonder that nuclear energy has seen a bit of a renaissance in the past couple of years. The International Energy Agency reports that there is more than 70 gigawatts of new nuclear energy capacity under construction around the world. The U.S. Department of Energy has said that it plans to triple American nuclear energy production by the middle of the century. As such, uranium miners like Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSEMKT: UUUU) have had a good run lately. Last year saw Energy Fuels' shares grow 183%. Energy Fuels, based in Denver, has produced two-thirds of all the uranium in the U.S. since 2017. Image source: Getty Images. It's one of America's largest players in the uranium mining industry, with a 45-year history with uranium. It holds more than 81 million measured and indicated pounds of uranium in its mines across the U.S. West and Southwest, and has the largest uranium production capacity among U.S. miners at 10 million pounds. The company has also branched out into rare-earth mineral production and aims to expand its capacity to produce the materials for up to 6 million electric vehicles (EVs) annually. A better option for investors However, if you're looking for a pure-play uranium stock, you ought to look north. Canada's Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) is the world's second-largest player, behind only Kazakhstan's state-run Kazatomprom. Cameco produced 17% of all the world's uranium in 2024. Now, if you're just looking at returns in the past year, that probably sounds wrong. After all, Cameco only grew its share value by 78% in 2025 -- not bad, but it's not 183%. In the long term, though, Cameco is much stronger. Over the past five years, it has returned 600% to Energy Fuels' 350%. I think that Energy Fuels' growth is mostly due to speculation. That's because it doesn't produce much uranium. Cameco produced 27 million pounds of uranium in 2024, while Energy Fuels produced just 158,400 pounds. What's more, most of Energy Fuels' growth over the recent five-year period came in 2025, while Cameco has been on its incredible growth trajectory since late 2022. Cameco has a much stronger balance sheet as well. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. The Joint Declaration signed by Azerbaijan and Armenia in the U.S. is an important political achievement that serves the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and a new stage of regional cooperation, the Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev said, Trend reports. He made the remark during the swearing-in ceremony of young lawyers recently admitted to the prosecutor's office. Aliyev noted that the meeting held in the U.S. on August 8, with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev, the Prime Minister of Armenia, and the President of the U.S., was a decisive step in ensuring long-term stability and security in the region: "This meeting once again demonstrated Azerbaijan's commitment to the peace agenda and its principled position in the international arena. The Joint Declaration signed following the meeting, and the initialed text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia are important political achievements that serve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country and a new stage of regional cooperation," he noted. 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. 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. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Tartar Electromechanical Plant following its reconstruction on January 13, Trend reports. The head of state first laid flowers at the bust of National Leader Heydar Aliyev erected in the plants courtyard. Minister of Defense Industry Vugar Mustafayev briefed the President on the facilities established at the plant. The plant was established in 1976 as the Tartar branch of the Lianozovo Electromechanical Plant. It began operations in April 1977, producing electrotechnical industry products and special-purpose items. In its early years, the plant manufactured tachometer and speedometer products for motorboats. National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who laid the foundation of the plant, attended its official opening ceremony in 1978. Under an order signed by President Ilham Aliyev in 2005, the Ministry of Defense Industry was established, and the Tartar Electromechanical Plant was placed under its subordination. A range of modern, high-precision technological equipment acquired from advanced countries has been installed at the facility, where various types of military-purpose products will be manufactured. The design of technological lines, establishment of production flows, and adaptation to serial production were carried out by local specialists of Azersilah Defense Industry Holding CJSC. Currently, production processes are being aligned with national military-technical standards and international quality standards. For this purpose, a quality control laboratory has been established. Large-scale construction and reconstruction works have been carried out on the plants territory. New production and auxiliary buildings have been commissioned, while existing facilities have undergone reconstruction. Special polygons for ballistic and resource tests have also been created in line with technological requirements. President Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to the development of the defense industry. Local companies are being established in this field, cooperation with foreign partners is expanding, and production volumes are increasing through the application of technologies that meet modern challenges. Last year, Azerbaijan produced military-purpose products worth 1.4 billion manats, part of which was supplied to the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, while another part was exported. Currently, Azerbaijan exports military-purpose products to nearly 20 countries. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the village of Chapar in the Aghdara district to review the reconstruction and development works undertaken there, Trend reports. Elchin Yusubov, Special Representative of the President in the city of Khankendi and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, provided the head of state with a detailed briefing on the progress of reconstruction in the village. Chapar village is situated in the Imarat Garvand administrative territorial unit of Aghdara district, on the southeastern slopes of the Karabakh mountain range. It is home to historical fortress and temple architectural monuments. The village was liberated from occupation following the anti-terror operation carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in 2023. Currently, there are 104 private houses in Chapar. Of these, 41 were deemed beyond repair, while 63 were found partially usable. To date, 40 houses have been fully commissioned, with an additional 23 scheduled for restoration by the end of the year. In the initial phase of the "Great Return" program, 26 families (96 people) have already resettled in the village. Considerable work has been completed to address social needs. Three existing transformers and associated power lines have been rehabilitated, new electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications lines have been installed, a modern water supply network has been created, water reservoirs have been restored, and approximately 6 kilometers of internal village roads have been fully rebuilt. A newly landscaped park will soon be made available for residents' use. Following the briefing, President Ilham Aliyev visited the family of Kamala Dadashova, one of the families who have relocated to the village, and inquired about their living conditions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Austria's Vienna hosted discussions on the role of the Middle Corridor in connecting east and west as part of events organized within Turkic Week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend. Turkic Week is being held in Vienna on January 12-15 with the joint organization of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and the permanent missions of its member states to the United Nations Office in Vienna. The week began with the ceremonial opening of an exhibition titled The Turkic World on the Silk Road at the UN Vienna Office. The opening ceremony was organized by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the International Organizations in Vienna and attended by OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov, heads of several international organizations based in Vienna, and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in the city. The statement reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Samir Sharifov, representing Azerbaijan as the current chair of the OTS, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. In his remarks, Sharifov outlined the priorities of Azerbaijans chairmanship in the OTS, referred to the Nakhchivan Agreement signed to establish the organization, and the Gabala Declaration adopted at the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the OTS, as well as the declaration adopted at the informal summit held in Budapest. Highlighting the economic potential of cooperation among Turkic states, he emphasized the role played by the Middle Corridor in linking east and west. During his speech, Sharifov also touched upon current issues of cooperation among Turkic states in the fields of culture, science, and education, noting that the first Turkological Congress dedicated to the study of the shared Turkic cultural heritage and language was held in Baku a century ago, and that the second Congress will also take place in Baku this year. Speeches at the exhibition opening were also delivered by OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev, as well as senior officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The exhibition features photographs and exhibits reflecting the rich cultural heritage and ancient history of Turkic peoples. As part of the visit, Deputy Foreign Minister Samir Sharifov and OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev also met with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Deputy Director General of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Driss El-Hadani, and Deputy Director General of UNIDO Fatou Haidara, discussing potential areas of cooperation between the OTS and these organizations. In addition, within the framework of Turkic Week, a roundtable titled From the Silk Road to the Middle Corridor: Promoting Connectivity Through Transport and Trade Facilitation will be held at the headquarters of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), alongside a gala concert featuring cultural representatives of Turkic states and the third training program aimed at strengthening the diaspora potential of the OTS. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. The longing of many long years is now behind us; justice and righteousness have prevailed with victory. Azerbaijan has fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty, said President Ilham Aliyev during his meeting with residents of the villages of Ashaghi Oratagh, Childiran, Heyvali, and Chapar in the Aghdara district, Trend reports. Azerbaijanis have returned to their ancestral lands and will live here with pride. They will live happily and comfortably. I am confident that from now on there will be no more war. The state of Azerbaijan is a strong state, the president added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Over the past two years - since the anti-terror operation in 2023 - life has been restored across all these regions: Aghdara, Khojaly, Khankendi, and Khojavend, said President Ilham Aliyev during his meeting with residents of the villages of Ashaghi Oratagh, Childiran, Heyvali, and Chapar in the Aghdara district, Trend reports. Recalling that displaced persons began returning to other formerly occupied territories five years ago, the head of state noted: Today, already 73,000 people - both former internally displaced persons and those who are not displaced but are working, employed, or studying in the liberated territories - have settled there. And every month, the number of citizens returning to Garabagh is increasing. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. We will forever cherish the memory of our martyrs in our hearts, President Ilham Aliyev said during a meeting with residents of the villages of Ashaghi Oratagh, Childiran, Heyvali, and Chapar in the Aghdara district, Trend reports. "I must also state that we have already avenged our martyrs on the battlefield. Their blood did not go unavenged," the head of state emphasized. Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. We will rebuild the city of Aghdara as well, just as we have already revitalized nine villages. We will construct the city too, said President Ilham Aliyev during his meeting with residents of the villages of Ashaghi Oratagh, Childiran, Heyvali, and Chapar in the Aghdara district, Trend reports. Emphasizing that Aghdara will become a beautiful industrial and tourism center, the head of state noted: These refreshing places are a delight to the eye. Mountains, forests, fresh air, springs, and rivers are everywhere. That is why the future development of Aghdara will be very bright. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, held a phone conversation with Minister of Peoples Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Yvan Gil Pinto, on January 13, 2026, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the phone call, the sides discussed recent developments in Venezuela, as well as issues related to bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Venezuela. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov expressed his deep condolences to the families and relatives of those who lost their lives as a result of the events in Venezuela, and conveyed his hope for the restoration of peace and stability in the country, as well as the preservation of Venezuelas unity. During the conversation, the Venezuelan minister provided detailed information on the latest developments, noting that presidential duties are being carried out successfully in Venezuela and that state institutions remain fully functional. He also emphasized that dialogue with the United States is ongoing, that the U.S. companies, particularly in the energy sector, have resumed their activities, and that negotiations are underway for the mutual reopening of embassies. The ministers underscored the importance of continuing efforts to develop bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Venezuela, as well as cooperation based on mutual support and solidarity within international organizations, particularly the United Nations (UN) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the village of Chapar in the Aghdara district to review the reconstruction and development works undertaken there, Trend reports. Following the review, President Ilham Aliyev visited the family of Kamala Dadashova, one of the families who have relocated to the village, and inquired about their living conditions. Kamala Dadashova, who expressed immense pride in returning to her native land, conveyed her deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev. The head of state once again congratulated Kamala Dadashova on the occasion of moving into her new home. The Federal Reserve's renovation project was expected to cost $1.9 billion. It now has a $2.5 billion price tag. Lead paint and asbestos discoveries contributed to increased renovation expenses and delays. Fed chairman Jerome Powell said a new DOJ probe is part of ongoing pressure from the Trump administration. The Federal Reserve's planned five-year renovation project is causing quite the stir in Washington. Renovations began around 2022 on two Federal Reserve offices, the Marriner S. Eccles Building and the Federal Reserve Bank of East Building, which were first assembled in the 1930s, according to plans reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission in 2021. As workers gutted the aging structures, they uncovered lead paint and asbestos, pushing the cost of the renovations rose from $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion, as Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell described in a letter defending the renovation's budget last year. President Donald Trump has blamed the overruns on mismanagement and allegations of luxury additions. On Sunday, Kevin Hassett, director of the administration's National Economic Council, told ABC's This Week that the project became "the most expensive project in D.C. history." Later that day, Powell revealed the central bank now faces a potential Department of Justice investigation, and he's facing a potential criminal indictment over the cost increases. "No one certainly not the chair of the Federal Reserve is above the law," Powell responded in a two-minute social media video. "But this unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration's threats and ongoing pressure." As questions swirl around the renovations, Business Insider gathered images of the construction, floor plans for the renovations, and design mock-ups. The Eccles and FRB-East buildings have been wrapped in scaffolding and cranes since 2022. The Federal Reserve has been renovating its two buildings since 2022. The project is expected to wrap up by late 2027. Heather Diehl/Getty Images Construction workers broke ground on the renovations in 2022 on the 93- and 88-year-old buildings. The Fed said the building has not had a modernization project in decades. A series of decades-old electrical, heating, plumbing, and air ventilation systems ran through the historic building. The project was necessary to "address a critical backlog of upgrades, to respond to changes in building codes and regulatory requirements, and to meet requirements for information technology, building security, environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency," according to plans produced by the Fed and released to the public in 2021. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. In accordance with the 2026 training plan, the tactical exercise was conducted in one of the military units, the statement of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense says, Trend reports. At the command and control point deployed in field conditions, the units activities on the fulfillment of assigned tasks were clarified on the map, and commanders reports on the decisions taken were heard. The exercise focused on further enhancing the commanders rapid decision-making skills, improving the headquarters interaction and units combat capability, as well as on developing the field and practical skills of the personnel. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. The 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation took place today in Baku, Trend reports. The meeting was focused on assessing the current status and exploring the future potential of bilateral cooperation between the two nations, spanning critical sectors such as energy, trade, industry, investment, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Azerbaijan's co-chair of the commission, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, was leading the discussions, while Italy is represented by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli. Speaking at the event Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov said that Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has supplied Europe with 54.3 billion cubic meters of gas and Italy with 45.4 billion cubic meters so far. According to him, last year, Italy was supplied with 10.34 million tons of oil and a total of 9.5 billion cubic meters of gas through the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) alone. "Additionally, the Italian company CESI SpA serves as a consulting partner for Azerbaijan in preparing feasibility studies for the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe and Central Asia-Azerbaijan green energy corridor projects. The Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor, which is set to be commissioned in stages beginning in 2032, will enable Italy to benefit from electricity transmitted to the European market," the minister added. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Edmondo Cirielli, in turn, noted that Italy, as a reliable partner, could become one of Azerbaijan's main routes to the Mediterranean basin and the market of 500 million consumers in the European Union (EU). According to him, one of the main goals of the commission is to expand investment and business opportunities in both Italy and Azerbaijan: "At the same time, both countries have a strategic approach to projects for the development of transport infrastructure and the further development of economic, cultural, and interpersonal ties. Italy, as a reliable partner, can become one of Azerbaijan's main routes to the Mediterranean basin and the market of 500 million consumers in the EU.'' A protocol on the results of the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Joint Intergovernmental Commission has been signed. The agreement was formally endorsed by Azerbaijans Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and Italys Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli. The event participants also adopted an Action Plan, which provides for the implementation of 65 activities in 18 priority areas for 2026-2027. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Iran's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance is working to accelerate the process of operations at the borders with Coordinated Border Management, Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Seyed Ali Madanizadeh told local media, Trend reports. According to him, after the establishment of a working group on increasing the country's trade turnover, this program was prepared and submitted to the president following the instructions of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to prepare a program for changes in the country's customs in coordination with other ministries and related agencies. Madanizadeh said that currently, there are a number of problems at various border and customs points in the country. The most important is the lack of coordination between citizens and businessmen, and agencies located at the borders. The minister noted that in order to eliminate problems at the country's borders and accelerate the processes, it was decided to establish a working group with the participation of representatives of other ministries and related agencies. They should submit real proposals for the start of coordinated border management at the 10 main borders of the country. A number of bureaucratic obstacles at Iran's border and customs checkpoints have a serious negative impact on the country's trade turnover. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Italy, as a reliable partner, could become one of Azerbaijan's main routes to the Mediterranean basin and the market of 500 million consumers in the European Union (EU), the Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli said, Trend reports. He made the remark at the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy, held today in Baku. According to him, one of the main goals of the commission is to expand investment and business opportunities in both Italy and Azerbaijan: "At the same time, both countries have a strategic approach to projects for the development of transport infrastructure and the further development of economic, cultural, and interpersonal ties. Italy, as a reliable partner, can become one of Azerbaijan's main routes to the Mediterranean basin and the market of 500 million consumers in the EU.'' 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. A protocol on the results of the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Joint Intergovernmental Commission has been signed, Trend reports. The signing ceremony took place during the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, which was held in Baku today. The agreement was formally endorsed by Azerbaijans Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and Italys Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli. In conjunction with the signing, an action plan was adopted, outlining 65 specific measures across 18 sectors, set for implementation between 2026 and 2027. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. A total of 65 events in 18 directions will be held between Azerbaijan and Italy from 2026 through 2027, Trend reports. This issue was announced during the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Baku today. The discussions included topical issues related to the development of cooperation in political, trade and economic, industrial, energy, transport, information and communication technologies, healthcare, science, culture, and other areas. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. The Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor, which will be commissioned in stages from 2032, will allow Italy to benefit from the electricity transmitted to the European market, Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov said at the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Baku today, Trend reports. "The Italian CESI SpA company is our consulting partner in the preparation of feasibility studies for the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe and Central Asia-Azerbaijan green energy corridor projects," the minister stressed. He added that Italy is Azerbaijan's largest trading partner, accounting for 25% of the country's foreign trade turnover and 46.7% of its exports. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 13. Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan engaged in discussions regarding preparations for the upcoming session of the Turkmen-Azerbaijani Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Ashgabat, as well as other significant events scheduled for 2026, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. The talks took place on January 12 in Ashgabat between Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan, Gismat Gezalov. The discussion focused on political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian ties. Particular attention was given to organizing high-level and top-level visits, as well as meetings between leaders and representatives of the two countries. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation was examined in detail, with plans for Azerbaijani Culture Days to be held in Turkmenistan this year. The sides also discussed opportunities for cooperation in equestrian arts and horse sports. L3Harris says the spinoff and investment would allow it to significantly boost capacity to meet growing demand. - Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The Pentagon said it would invest $1 billion in L3Harris Technologies missile business to turbocharge production of weapons that officials want on hand for future conflicts. The defense contractor said Tuesday it plans to spin off the missile segment into a separate publicly traded company, backed by the Pentagons minority investment. The stand-alone business would focus on making rocket parts for the U.S. and its allies, including those for Patriot, Thaad and Tomahawk missiles. Most Read from The Wall Street Journal L3Harris shares were little changed in Tuesday trading. Chief Executive Christopher Kubasik called the investment a creative way to start unwinding a three-decade consolidation spree that has shrunk the count of major defense contractors since the end of the Cold War. The industry can go faster and be more agile and more competitive when theres more people involved, he said in an interview. This is the first step of potentially deconsolidating the defense industry. The company will retain a controlling interest in its missile business following the spinoff. The Defense Departments investment in the unit through preferred stock would convert to common equity after an initial public offering. Kubasik declined to detail the spun-off units expected valuation but said L3Harris expects to get the $1 billion cash infusion this quarter. The IPO is expected to occur in the second half of this year. Pentagon officials have spent most of the past year urging weapons makers to dramatically increase missile production rates to better prepare for a potential future conflict with China, The Wall Street Journal previously reported. Some defense contractors responded with new investments but stopped short of making big bets without the multiyear government orders that experts say are needed to justify them. Lockheed Martin last week struck a deal with the Pentagon to more than triple production of Patriot interceptors to about 2,000 missiles a year. Lockheed agreed to pay to expand its Patriot missile factory in return for Pentagon orders over a seven-year period. L3Harris shook up the rocket-motor business in 2023 with a nearly $5 billion purchase of supplier Aerojet Rocketdyne. The company last week agreed to sell a majority stake in some space-propulsion lines to private-equity firm AE Industrial Partners. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 13. Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov discussed the countrys initiative to establish a University of Peace and Neutrality with Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Kaha Imnadze, Trend reports via Turkmen MFA. The meeting, held on January 12 in Ashgabat, provided an opportunity for both parties to assess the UN Regional Centres activities over the past year and to outline future steps for 2026. These discussions focused on enhancing programmatic and project-based cooperation across all five Central Asian nations, as well as reinforcing the strategic partnership between Ashgabat and the UN. The proposal to establish the University in collaboration with the UN was introduced by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during the International Forum in Ashgabat on December 12, 2025. The forum, which commemorated the International Year of Peace and Trust, International Neutrality Day, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistans permanent neutrality, saw widespread support for the initiative. The plan was subsequently incorporated into the Ashgabat Declaration, which was circulated as an official document at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 13. Turkmenistan and Turkiye discussed ongoing efforts to improve the legislative framework in the migration area, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government. The issue was discussed during a meeting between representatives of Turkmenistans State Migration Service and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkiye, Ahmet Demirok. During the meeting, the sides reviewed the current state of cooperation and outlined priorities for further interaction, emphasizing that migration issues remain a key element of interstate trust. Particular attention was given to regular high-level contacts, and the sides exchanged views on expanding cooperation, business relations, tourism, and humanitarian exchanges. Earlier, the Turkish company Mosaic Visa was appointed as the official operator for processing Turkish visa applications from Turkmen citizens, taking over from Gateway International, which has discontinued its operations in the country. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Azerbaijan supplied 9.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Italy last year, accounting for 38% of the countrys total gas exports, Azerbaijans Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov wrote in a post on his official X page, Trend reports. The statement came as Azerbaijan and Italy held the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. The talks were attended by Italys Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, representing Azerbaijans largest trading partner. "The achievements that strengthen multidimensional strategic partnership across all areas were reviewed, as well as the new projects on the cooperation agenda. Promising opportunities for collaboration with Italy, to which 38% (9.5 bcm) of gas was exported last year, were discussed in the fields of energy, transport, investment, and technological innovation. As a result of the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, co-chaired by us, an Action Plan providing for the implementation of 65 actions across 18 areas for 2026-2027 was adopted," the publication reads. Azerbaijani gas exports to Italy are carried out via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). TAP, a key component of the Southern Gas Corridor, transports natural gas from the Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea directly to European markets. As of January 1, 2026, TAP has provided additional long-term transmission capacity under a new Gas Transportation Agreement (GTA). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 13. Uzbekistan has resolved key organizational issues related to the Trans-Afghan railway project, and work is currently underway to develop the projects feasibility study, Trend reports via the Uzbek Ministry of Transport. According to information, the active construction of the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway continues as part of ongoing efforts to bolster the countrys transit capacity. In the realm of international road transport, Uzbekistan has introduced an E-permit system in collaboration with Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan. This initiative aims to streamline cross-border transportation and enhance logistical efficiency. Additionally, 24 transport and logistics centers across the country have been designated as international dry ports, further solidifying Uzbekistans position as a key regional transport and logistics hub. Earlier in July, the inaugural meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan took place in Kabul, during which a framework intergovernmental agreement was signed. This agreement set the groundwork for a feasibility study (FS) to assess the UzbekistanAfghanistanPakistan Trans-Afghan Railway Project. Under the terms of the trilateral agreement, the proposed 573-kilometer railway will connect Termez (Uzbekistan) to Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar (Afghanistan), extending to Kharlachi (Pakistan). Once completed, the corridor is anticipated to handle up to 20 million tonnes of freight annually, significantly reducing both transportation costs and transit times. Azerbaijan discloses cost of residential quarter construction project in its Zangilan A project to build the 2nd residential neighborhood in Zangilan city is underway, with work already started by the relevant service. The agency is currently selecting a construction company for the project. In 2026, significant funds are allocated for the reconstruction of the liberated territories. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Italy looks with interest to the Southern Gas Corridors possible expansion, Edmondo Cirielli said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the occasion of the Sixth Session of the Italy-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission in Baku. Cirielli noted that the Southern Gas Corridor is a strategic infrastructure for Italy and for the European Union. Especially in the aftermath of the Russian aggression on Ukraine, Azerbaijans gas supplies have been critical for Europes energy security and for sustaining the phase-out from Russian gas. Since its inauguration in 2020, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has transported over 40 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijans gas to Italy, making Baku the second largest supplier of gas of Italy. Based on the positive results achieved so far, the Italian government looks with interest to the possible expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, based on market assessments and an active involvement of International Financial Institutions, he said. As a critical component of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP transports natural gas from Azerbaijans Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea directly to European markets. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline, the final leg of the Southern Gas Corridor, has transported more than 54 bcm of gas to Europe over the last five years. Starting from January 1, 2026, TAP made available the additional long-term capacity under a new gas transportation agreement (GTA). BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Italy commends interests of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) in seizing investment opportunities in its market, Edmondo Cirielli said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the occasion of the Sixth Session of the Italy-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission in Baku. He pointed out that as the oil and gas industry remains the backbone of foreign investments to Azerbaijan, the Intergovernmental Commission will also highlight other relevant areas. Important investment and business opportunities could stem from connectivity projects, in particular in the framework of the Middle Corridor transport route connecting Europe and Asia, as well as in developing new transport and infrastructure facilities in Azerbaijan. Equally interesting are the opportunities in the domain of agricultural modernization, ICT development programs, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, said the deputy FM. Cirielli went on to add that at the same time, the Italian government is also actively attracting foreign investment creating a favorable environment for foreign investors. Italy also presents important investment opportunities in sensitive sectors such as energy, networks, telecommunications and transport. As the second largest manufacturing economy in Europe, Italy is one of the main gateways to a market of 500 million consumers in the European Union. In this regard, we commend SOFAZ interests in seizing investment opportunities in Italy and we look with favor to further investments in our country from Azerbaijani companies and investment funds, he explained. On July 18, 2025 the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) and Enfinity Global signed an agreement in Rome, under which SOFAZ has acquired a 49% stake in Enfinity Globals solar power portfolio. It has a total installed capacity of 402 MW. Enfinity Global retained the remaining 51% and will continue to manage the assets over the long term. The investment includes 14 solar power plants - both operational and under construction - located in the Lazio and Emilia-Romagna regions. All electricity generated will be sold under long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), providing stable pricing for consumers and predictable returns for investors. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 13. Kazakhstans low-cost carrier FlyArystan has announced the resumption of seasonal flights from Almaty to Kyrgyzstans Issyk-Kul for summer of 2026, Trend reports via the company. Flights will begin on June 18 and continue until August 30, 2026. The Almaty - Tamchy (Issyk-Kul) - Almaty route will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays. The direct flight between Almaty and Issyk-Kul was first launched on July 3, 2025. Moreover, FlyArystan recently announced the resumption of flights on the Almaty - Samarkand - Almaty route as part of its spring and autumn schedules for 2026. These flights will run twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, from March 21 to May 30 for spring, and from September 1 to October 24 for autumn. By Michael Erman SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Pfizer is preparing for a consumer market for obesity drugs on par with the booming business it saw after it launched erectile dysfunction drug Viagra in 1998, CEO Albert Bourla said on Monday. Bourla said that even when the drugmaker was negotiating its purchase of weight-loss drugmaker Metsera, initially announced in September 2025, Pfizer did not expect the cash-pay market for obesity drugs currently dominated by Eli Lilly and Co and Novo Nordisk to get so big, so fast. "Both Lilly and Novo presented their sales and had significant sales outside the reimbursement system. Basically, outside the U.S., we were calculating very limited sales," Bourla said, speaking to a group of reporters during the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. "Now we see that this operates almost like Viagra, where people were willing to pay and buy it, although it was not reimbursed at all." Pfizer developed and sold Viagra, which is now sold mostly as a generic drug, for years, but spun off the business that controls the brand in 2020. Pfizer has said it does not expect to return to revenue growth until 2029, as it works to develop new blockbuster drugs, including the obesity treatments it picked up in the $10 billion acquisition of Metsera. The company announced earlier on Monday that it plans to launch 10 different phase 3 studies of obesity compounds from Metsera by the end of the year, including one it launched in November. It bought Metsera for up to $10 billion after winning a bidding war against Novo. "We are all in on obesity," Bourla said. "We invested. We have good expertise in commercial, good expertise in development and good expertise in discovery." Pfizer has said it expects the next few years to be bumpy, due to the expiration of patents on key drugs, lower sales from its COVID-19 business and price cuts promised to the U.S. government. It was the first major pharmaceutical company to sign a deal with the Trump administration to lower the price of its prescription drugs in the Medicaid program in exchange for three years of tariff relief. Bourla said the government deals, which require drugmakers to offer their new medicines at the same price in the U.S. as overseas, will help companies put pressure on European countries to increase what they will pay for drugs. "Do you reduce the (U.S.) prices to France's level or stop supplying France? You stop supplying France," Bourla said. "So they will stay without new medicines ... because the system will force us not to be able to accept the lower prices." (Reporting by Michael Erman; Editing by Jamie Freed) ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 13. By decree of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Erzhan Khozeuly Kazykhan has been appointed as the Presidential Representative in negotiations with the U.S. on key issues of bilateral cooperation, Trend reports via the presidential press service. He already serves as the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva. On January 9, 2026, the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Julie Stufft, presented her credentials to Tokayev. During the ceremony, the president highlighted the significance and success of his visit to the U.S. in November 2025. "We had a friendly yet substantive discussion with President Donald Trump. Recently, we also held a productive phone conversation on a range of issues concerning our bilateral cooperation. I am grateful for the invitation to attend the G20 summit later this year in the United States. We will do everything in our power to maintain and strengthen our strategic partnership across various fields," the president stated. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 13. Samruk-Kazyna Invest and China's Envision Energy have agreed to localize the production of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Kazakhstan, Trend reports via Samruk-Kazyna. The parties signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit 2026, held from January 13 to 15 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The agreement is aimed at elaborating a project to localize and establish the production of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Kazakhstan. Under the JDA, the sides will jointly assess the projects technical, investment, and organizational parameters, as well as consider potential cooperation models. The project is viewed as an important step toward strengthening Kazakhstans industrial base in green energy, improving the reliability of the national power system, and developing export-oriented production with access to neighboring markets. According to the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, the country currently operates 162 renewable energy facilities with a total installed capacity of 3.5 gigawatts. This includes 67 wind power plants, 49 solar power plants, 43 hydropower plants, and 3 biogas power plants. By the end of 2025, the share of clean generation reached 7%, reflecting positive progress toward a sustainable energy balance. For comparison, in 2024, the share of renewable energy accounted for 6.43% of the countrys total electricity production. In 2025, nine new renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 503 MW were commissioned, including five wind power plants totaling 387 MW, three solar power plants totaling 90 MW, and one hydropower plant with 26 MW. Photo: Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Tajikistan and the US discussed prospects for strengthening interparliamentary ties, Trend reports via the press service of the Tajik MFA. The matter was addressed during a meeting between Zavqizoda Zavqi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tajikistan to the United States, and Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Central Asia Caucus. The discussion centered on avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States, with particular emphasis on strengthening interparliamentary ties between Tajikistan's Majlisi Milli (upper chamber of the Majlisi Oli) and the US Senate. The exchange also underscored the importance of sustaining regular political dialogue and fostering cooperation on shared priorities, both bilaterally and within the context of regional engagement. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Canada has urged its citizens to urgently leave Iran, Trend reports. Canadians currently in Iran should leave the country now if possible. Many airlines have suspended flights to and from Iran, but it is possible to cross the border by land. The land borders with Armenia and Turkiye are open, and Canadian passport holders do not require a visa to enter these countries, the Canadian government said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks in Washington, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports. During the meeting Mirzoyan and Rubio discussed the progress in implementing the agreements reached at the Washington Peace Summit on August 8, 2025. Both sides emphasized the importance of further institutionalizing the peace process between Baku and Yerevan and reviewed specific steps in this direction. Following the talks, the Armenian foreign minister and the U.S. secretary of state approved a joint statement on a framework agreement between the two countries for the implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 14. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to "take very strong action" if Iranian authorities begin hanging anti-government protesters this week, Trend reports. "We will take very strong action. If they do such a thing, we will take very strong action," Trump told "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil during an exclusive network interview in Dearborn, Michigan, airing Tuesday night. During the interview, Trump reiterated that "there's a lot of help on the way" for Iranian citizens, saying it's being offered in "different forms," including economic assistance. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. The US State Department has urged its citizens to leave Iran amid mass protests, internet restrictions and disruptions to public transportation, the US Embassy in Iran said on its website, Trend reports. According to the information, US citizens are advised to plan alternative means of communication and, if possible, leave the country through land borders with Armenia, Turkiye or Turkmenistan. The US State Department urges citizens to find safe places and stock up on water, medicine, and other essential items if they are unable to leave Iran. US citizens with dual citizenship are advised to use Iranian passports for travel, as Tehran does not recognize their US citizenship. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. U.S. President Donald Trump addressed protesters in Iran on Tuesday, urging them to take control of government institutions and promising support from Washington, Trend reports. Patriots of Iran, keep protesting, seize government offices; help is already on the way! Trump wrote on his account in Truth Social. In the same message, he announced the suspension of all meetings between U.S. and Iranian officials, stating that the talks would remain on hold until the senseless killings of protesters come to an end. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Investing.com -- Pacific Investment Management Co (Pimco), one of the worlds largest bond managers, maintains a bullish outlook on mortgage securities as the U.S. government works to reduce housing costs. "We definitely think it could bring down rates and reduce the spread on mortgage-backed securities," Daniel Ivascyn, Chief Investment Officer at Pimco, told Bloomberg News in an interview. The firm has held overweight positions in mortgage debt throughout 2025, viewing the governments recent announcement as "another tailwind" for these investments. "The announcement wasnt the driver behind our overweight decision, but it was always one potential catalyst for more aggressive spread tightening," Ivascyn explained. Despite these positive short-term developments, Ivascyn pointed to deeper structural issues in the housing market. "The long-term problem is that we have too few homes versus the number of households and the only long-term solution will be to increase the housing stock," he said. The U.S. 10-year yield, which typically influences 30-year fixed mortgage rates, has remained above 4% for most of the past year, hampering the Trump Administrations efforts to make loans more affordable. Ivascyn characterized the administrations approach as creative, saying, "This is an administration that will be very creative on the policy side and I think this is an example of their willingness to engage a balance sheet at their disposal." He suggested the government could take additional measures if necessary: "To the extent that long rates were to drift higher than what they would like, they certainly have the potential to make outright duration purchases as well." Ivascyn noted that mortgage securities were already attractively valued before the governments announcement. "Even though mortgages have tightened relative to corporates, they still look reasonably attractive," he said. Related articles Pimco bullish on US mortgage securities amid government intervention These 2 stocks are best positioned to benefit from higher uranium prices: analyst JPMorgan outlines ten strategic themes that could shape the outlook for 2026 Articles Sorry, there are no recent results for popular articles. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has submitted an agreement with Belarus to the Russian State Duma for ratification, which provides for the refusal to extradite or arrest citizens of both countries at the request of third countries and international courts. According to Ukrinform, this was reported by Nastoyashchee Vremya. The document has been published in the legislative activity support system. The agreement between Russia and Belarus was signed in March 2025 and concerned so-called persons under protection. The agreement states that the basis for refusing to comply with requests from foreign courts and states may be the risk of torture or ill-treatment of Russians and Belarusians. The parties also undertake to inform each other of instances where other countries attempt to restrict the freedom of their citizens illegally and to take measures to counteract such actions. As reported by Ukrinform, at the end of December, Putin signed a law stipulating that foreign courts with jurisdiction in the field of criminal justice, operating without Russia's participation, are no longer subject to enforcement in Russia. Tweet tweet button for twitter Published January 13, 2026 MONROE, La. The University of Louisiana Monroe will hold a donation drive on January 14-16, 2026, for its annual MLK Service Project. The theme of the project is Serving with Dignity: Meeting Needs, Lifting Lives. ULM students, faculty, and staff, as well as community members, are encouraged to donate non-perishable foods, hygiene products, and household supplies to support The Renewal Center of Northeast Louisiana, a local nonprofit, as well as the on-campus ULM Food Pantry. The 2026 theme of Serving with Dignity: Meeting Needs, Lifting Lives, reflects ULMs mission to foster civic responsibility and uplift the communities that ULM serves. The initiative mobilizes students, faculty, staff, and community members to work collaboratively in addressing critical needs that impact quality of life and human dignity across Northeast Louisiana. Through strategic collaboration with The Renewal Center of Northeast Louisiana and the ULM Food Pantry, this service project directly responds to issues of resource and food insecurity affecting both our campus and surrounding community. The Renewal Center of Northeast Louisiana provides essential resources, compassion, and supportive pathways for individuals and families facing hardship, while the ULM Food Pantry plays a vital role in ensuring that Warhawk students and families have access to basic necessities. Donations for the drive will be accepted Wednesday, January 14, through Friday, January 16 at any of these three locations: The Office of Global and Multicultural Affairs, Sandel Hall 200; The Office of Student Development, Student Center 2nd Floor; or The ULM Activity Center. To ensure balanced distribution and maximize participation, the following ULM divisions are asked to contribute items as listed: The Office of the President/Marketing & Communications/Assessment & Evaluation: baby food, diapers, non-perishables Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs/All Academic Colleges: water, paper towels Graduate School, Library & Professional Development: 3-compartment to-go containers, toilet paper Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: first-aid kits, cleaning supplies Assistant Vice President for Admission, Recruitment, & Operations: non-perishable foods, laundry detergent, water, feminine hygiene products Vice President for Business Affairs/Executive Director for Auxiliary Enterprises & Student Services: water, trash bags Assistant Vice President for Budgets & Administration: shampoo & conditioner, toothbrushes & toothpaste Executive Director, ULM Foundation & Alumni Relations: baby products, 3-compartment to-go containers Artificial Intelligence an Asset, not a Substitute to Media Highlighting the possibilities and concerns of Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominating all walks of life in the world, senior analyst and columnist Asad Mirza said that AI is a tool for journalism, not a substitute New Delhi: At the ongoing world Book Fair 2026, In New Delhi, Abu Dhabi-based Muslim Elders Council organised a panel discussion on AI for Humanity: Religious Perspective on Ethical AI, chaired by former ambassador Dr Zikrur Rehman, former Indian Ambassador to erstwhile Palestinian Authority (PA) and consul general in Riyadh. Sanjay Kapoor, a renowned journalist and president of the Editors Guild of India, said that that reporting is an occupation, which has the greatest power compared to Artificial Intelligence (AI). The problem is that most news organisations are now spending less on reporting and are becoming more dependent on the internet. Elon Musk had said that in the future, the job of a plumber will be safe, but not that of a journalist, especially if he is limited to asking questions. But in fact, in this way, the reporter himself is strengthening AI, Kapoor further said. Kapoor also warned about the dangers of AI and said that the media community in India is not fully aware of the dangers of AI. For example, ChatGPT, despite being two years old, can write better than a regular journalist. The result is that jobs may disappear, if journalism does not include emotional attachment, ground reporting and human experience, AI will replace journalists and people will not even know when and how it happened. Kapoor also said that there is a dire need for regulation and oversight to control AI and unless developers and institutions take ethics and journalistic values seriously, misinformation will continue to spread. Dr. Mudassar Qamar, Assistant Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said evolution of AI and its impact on academics is big achievement and a cause of concern also. Today, there are AI tools that do everything from reference lists, literature reviews, grammar checking, etc. "Some students have become completely dependent on AI, which makes research dehumanised and uncreative, but it also has positive aspects, such as helping students with language difficulties. He said that both teachers and students need to strike a balance between caution and understanding in using AI", he said. Highlighting the possibilities and concerns of Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominating all walks of life in the world, senior analyst and columnist Asad Mirza said that AI is a tool for journalism, not a substitute. He said that as far as artificial intelligence in journalism is concerned, when artificial intelligence came to the fore, there were serious concerns that it would eliminate jobs, especially in the writing sector and content preparation. "These concerns proved to be correct to some extent. In March last year, an Italian newspaper Il Folgio published a four-page supplement for the first time that was created entirely by artificial intelligence i.e. the selection and editing of news, page layout, everything was done by AI", he said. Mirza, further said that the next day, the British newspaper, The Guardian gave this supplement to its AI tool and had it analysed for quality. Its submission was that the selection of news was good, editing was sharp, page layout was excellent, however, the human element was missing in the news presentation. The news seemed to be purely computer-generated. It had everything but the human emotions that are prominent in the news were missing. Mirza said that AI can help in creating content, but human supervision over this content is indispensable. Without a human touch, news cannot connect with the reader, cannot meet his expectations. Therefore, artificial intelligence can be an aid in journalism, but it is not a complete substitute nor can it completely dominate journalism, at least not for now. He proved from Quranic references that there is no evidence anywhere that AI is opposed or prohibited in Islam. In fact, Quran encourages people to use their resources to improve their lives and benefit themselves. He said that Islams stance on AI is that it allows the use of everything new, except for worship, as long as it does not fall under the ambit of prohibition. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Jan 13 (Reuters) - Blockchain firm Polygon Labs said on Tuesday it would buy crypto payments company Coinme and crypto infrastructure provider Sequence for more than $250 million, as it looks to tap the growing demand for stablecoin-based transactions. Stablecoins, digital tokens pegged to stable assets such as the U.S. dollar, are increasingly being explored as a tool for payments and settlements, especially after the passage of the Genius Act last year. However, the infrastructure for such transactions remains fragmented, and Polygon's acquisitions aim to bring key pieces in-house while expanding its reach in the market. "Our goal is to become a regulated U.S. payments player. Payments is the killer use case," Polygon CEO Marc Boiron said in an interview with Reuters. The initial push will target business-to-business payments, with a pivot to consumer services expected later, Boiron said. Established players such as Visa and Mastercard are vying for dominance in stablecoin payments, but the crowded market may make it harder for companies to differentiate themselves. Boiron, however, said Polygon's strategy in the near term would be built on partnerships instead of head-to-head rivalry. "In five or 10 years, we will find out if cards are still going to be necessary. But for the time being, we can work together quite collaboratively and grow the pie," he said. Coinme, founded in 2014, allows users to convert cash to crypto. Its investors include crypto industry heavyweights such as Pantera, Digital Currency Group and Circle. Sequence offers technology to simplify crypto transfers across blockchains. It has been backed by Brevan Howard Digital and Coinbase, among others. (Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar) Modi, Mamata Battle in Bengal is Not Political Alone What is happening in West Bengal during the last few days is more than RSS and BJP, the Saffron Ecosystem, simply trying to set a political narrative What is happening in West Bengal during the last few days is more than RSS and BJP, the Saffron Ecosystem, simply trying to set a political narrative. Both have their divergent reasons for targeting Bengal, but it is the Bengali sub-nationalism that has been under attack. In their desperation to capture West Bengal and expand with the pan-India dynamics, they have endangered the identity and the very existence of the Bangali and their culture. It is indeed frightening to see that the idea of Bengal has turned a battleground for Gujarati and Bengali culture with the spectre of intensification of the social conflict. Once the social conflict escalates, the much talked about and admired Bengali culture would suffer serious erosion. The most potent threat that Bengal faces is from the Gujarati duo, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Their consistent rhetoric that Bengal should emulate Gujarats growth model and turn into a developed industrial destination causes much consternation. Though they have not been forthcoming, their desire is to turn Bengal into a Gujarat colony. Some may deny it as a literal policy or plan, but their desperation to win the election and capture Bengal is testimony to this. Only recently a top BJP leader has described winning Bengal assembly election essential for the expansion of BJP across India. Bengals culture and civilisation have been major impediments in its plan to expand across India. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Gujarat model, is the synonym of Adanis protuberance. Whether the Gujarat model has failed or led to significant growth is a subject of intense debate among economists and political analysts, but the fact remains that significant rural poverty persists, with high multidimensional poverty rates in certain districts (like Dahod), alongside issues like educated youth unemployment and distress suicides linked to economic hardship, indicating a gap between industrial growth and inclusive poverty reduction. Gujarat might have attained high industrial economic growth but has been lagging in human development and social equity indicators. Recent datas of Niti Ayog indicates around 11.66% of its population is multidimensionally poor, facing deprivations in health, education, and living standards, with significant district-level variations, like high poverty in Dahod (over 38%). High rates of maternal mortality rate (MMR), infant mortality rate (IMR), and child malnutrition were significant concerns. Modi who has not succeeded to alleviate poverty in his own state, which he ruled for twelve years claims to bring prosperity to Bengal. It is indeed sad to listen to Bengal BJP leaders claiming to emulate Gujarats growth model to develop West Bengal if voted to power. This is purely an act of misleading the people. It is wrong to construe that Modis focus on West Bengal is primarily driven by political and developmental factors. The real motive has been to benefit Adani. While the Adani Group has proposed significant investments in Bengal, it already has massive investment in the neighbouring Bangladesh. Besides, the Adani Group is significantly expanding its presence in the North Eastern states of India through a massive investment plan, focusing on developing a strong network in key infrastructure sectors, particularly green energy and digital infrastructure. In May 2025, Gautam Adani announced a doubling of the groups investment commitment in the Northeast to a total of 1 lakh crore over the next decade. This is in addition to the 6.2 lakh crore reportedly invested in the region since 2014. The groups network development is concentrated in critical infrastructure areas across most North Eastern states. It already has some of the airports in eastern India in its kitty. The investments span other vital areas such as city gas distribution, cement production, and capacity-building through skill development centers. Bengal has historically faced challenges with industrialization and attracting private investment. Taking advantage of the situation he intends to promote Adani in Bengal and it cannot be done under Mamatas government though she too has been soft to Adani. But she was not for handing over Bengal in platter to Adani. The Adani Group has expressed a strong interest in investing over 10,000 crore in West Bengal across various sectors, including ports, data centers, logistics, and edible oil production. While Adanis business interests align with the central governments push for infrastructure development, Modis focus on West Bengal is promote Adanis agenda. Significantly some days back Modi has said that West Bengal holds immense potential for industrial development. Bengal needs a massive industrialisation and growth, a requisite requirement for checking migration. But certainly it cannot be done at the altar of sacrificing the culture and societal ethics and relations. It is worth taking note that Mamata has been holding investors meet to bring investment. But she has been opposed to outsider penetration in the state. Some time back she has used the Gujarat colony phrase to counter the BJPs narrative, framing the BJP as an outsider party that does not understand or respect Bengals unique cultural identity and heritage. Bengal thrives on a culture of excellence and harmony, which she contrasts with the Gujarat model. Also Read: The Othering of Bengalis In contrast to Modi, the RSS is interested in promoting its Hindutva ideology and working toward a Hindu Rashtra. However the RSS is scared of Bengals strong cultural and nationalistic sentiment which embodies Hinduism, but is antagonistic to RSSs Hindutva. Though RSS has been active in the state for quite long, it has not succeeded so far in creating a strong base. It aims to counter what it perceives as a decline in the Hindu population and the rise of radicalism in the state, which it argues poses a threat to national security.The RSS accuses the TMC government of appeasing minority communities, which it argues is detrimental to Hindu interests. Like BJP and Modi, RSS also has a mystifying perception about Muslims. Bengali Muslims practice different nature of social-culture ethos than the Bihari Muslims, those migrated from Bihar. In 1941-42 Syama Prasad Mukherjee had served as the Finance Minister in coalition the Ministry, led by A.K. Fazlul Haq , which included the Muslim League, when Congress ministries had resigned and the Quit India Movement was active. Unfortunately it is the communal politics of RSS and BJP which alienated the Bengali Muslims. After a long gap in 2016, the RSS had set a Mission Bengal. Districts after districts were taken over by men wearing saffron bandanas, who chanted Jai Shree Ram, and welded swords and trishuls. The saffron flags were mounted on vehicles, on houses and on shops. The slogan Jai Ram Shree Ram has not been the part of Bengali culture. In Bengali culture Maa Durga is superior to Ram. RSS tried to change the cultural tenet by imposing Ram. The RSS took out massive Ramnavami processionto display aggression of the Hindu youth. It was shakti pradarshan. Since 2016 RSS had tried to mobilise thousands of Hindu youth for the processions in every possible district. The political narrative jihadis are entering into Bengal was basically flawed and was part of its conspiracy. The RSS says jihadis have entered Bengal. Fine. But they must substantiate their allegation. The primary reason is no such development has taken place. They have been targeting the migrant Muslims coming to Bengal for employment. Like Hindu migration, Muslims from Bihar and eastern UP have been migrating to Bengal. Ironically, the RSS in 2017 at its ABPS summit instead of looking at this from economic perspective, described it as the rise of jihadi elements in West Bengal, and encouragement to the anti-national elements by the state government due to its Muslim vote bank politics and declining Hindu population in the state. It also urged the Central government to take firm action against these anti national Jehadi elements of the state. Yet another fact which the RSS deliberately ignores is; the Muslims or Hindus from both Bengal and Bangladesh have close familial relation. They interact. But this interaction is projected by RSS as infiltration of Bangladeshis in India. It is a widely known fact that Kolkata is the medical destination for Bangladeshis. A large number of hotels, lodges and even specialist hospitals depend on patients from Basngladesh. The RSS has smashed this business. For RSS, a BJP government will help it to accomplish its mission. During these years it has expanded awfully. At least 1,700 shakhas, 800 milan units and 300 mandalisa unit that holds monthly meetingsare operational in the state. Nearly 4,000 swayamsevaks work in each of 294 constituencies of the state. RSS has used the proximity of Mamata with the BJP of Atal Behari Vajpayee government to expand in Bengal. During her rule the shakhas mushroomed in the state. During CPI(M) rule there were 800 sakhas now they have shot to 1,700. The two cultures have historically different primary value systems regarding occupation. Bengali culture has traditionally emphasized academics, arts, and government service as sources of social standing, while Gujarati culture has a long, strong tradition of trade, enterprise, and business. It is a known fact that cultural differences generate conflicts and, therefore, retard economic development. The cultures of Bengal and Gujarat are not compatible. Moreover Modi has his plan to hand over the state to Adani. This will be more tragic for the state. The state will witness huge influx of non-Bengali further endangering the Bengali culture. The tussle between the BJP and the TMC is as a clash between the TMCs assertion of Bengali sub-nationalism and the BJPs narrative of a uniform, Hindi-centric national identity, which is often associated with its leaders who hail from states like Gujarat. The TMC often frames the BJP as a party of bohiragoto (outsiders) who are ignorant of or disrespectful towards Bengals unique culture and heritage. BJP leaders occasional mispronunciations of Bengali names or words have been used by the TMC to reinforce this narrative. It has even been evident in their slights against Bengali cultural icons like Rabindranath Tagore and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and others.Besides TMCs Jai Bangla slogan is often presented as a secular and regionally authentic counter to the BJPs Jai Shri Ram chant. The TMC has accused the Modi government of systematic marginalization of Bengalis, including issues related to central funds and the treatment of Bengali migrant workers in other states, including Gujarat. While regional identity is a potent factor in the political discourse, the underlying issues also involve intense political competition for power, control over resources, economic factors like unemployment, and a long-standing history of political violence in the state. With the 2026 Assembly elections barely two months away Mamata is working to consolidate her image as the sole defender of Bengals pride and rights. While BJP BJP is banking on welfare delivery, Hindu vote consolidation, and anti-incumbency to challenge TMC in key districts. The Gujarati duo quite surprisingly have been engaged in the battle to appropriate Bengali icons and symbols. Saffron ecosystem uses its might to identify with illustrious Bengali figures, like Swami Vivekananda. But this appears to have backfired. Notwithstanding putting its best effort to entice Bengalis, the party could not succeed in achieving its object. It is still being identified as party of Hindi speaking migrants. The BJP has electorally performed well in the areas inhabited by the Hindi speaking OBC, EBC and to some extent Gujaratis. In the latest SIR exercise unfortunately the names of large number of these saffron supporters have been deleted logical discrepancies. They have not been to produce the necessary certificates and documents. [The writer, Arun Srivastava, is a Senior Journalist] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic With a market cap of $20.1 billion, Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG) is a global financial services company providing retirement, asset management, and insurance solutions to businesses, individuals, and institutional clients. The company operates through Retirement and Income Solutions, Principal Asset Management, and Benefits and Protection segments. The Des Moines, Iowa-based company is set to release its fiscal Q4 2025 results soon. Analysts expect PFG to report an adjusted EPS of $2.23 for the quarter, a growth of nearly 15% from $1.94 in the prior year's quarter. It has surpassed Wall Street's bottom-line estimates in one of the past four quarters while missing on three other occasions. More News from Barchart For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast the financial services company to post adjusted EPS of $8.30, a 19.1% increase from $6.97 in fiscal 2024. www.barchart.com Shares of Principal Financial have gained 15.3% over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 17.7% return. However, the stock has slightly outpaced the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLF) 14.9% rise over the period. www.barchart.com Despite reporting weaker-than-expected Q3 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.10 and revenue of $3.68 billion on Oct. 27, shares of Principal Financial rose 3.3% the next day as adjusted operating earnings grew year-over-year to $473.7 million. Investors were encouraged by a 3% rise in specialty benefits premiums and fees to $845.2 million, an 11% jump in retirement and income solutions net revenue to $751.7 million, and a 6% increase in assets under management to $784.3 billion. Analysts' consensus view on PFG stock is cautious, with a "Hold" rating overall. Among 14 analysts covering the stock, three recommend "Strong Buy," nine suggest "Hold," and two have a Strong Sell rating. As of writing, it is trading above the average analyst price target of $89.58. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com MOSCOW, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Oil assets that Russia develops in Venezuela belong to Russia, which will continue working there, Moscow said on Tuesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump's claims of control over the South American country. Russia's Roszarubezhneft firm said that all the company's assets in Venezuela were the property of Russia and it would stick to its commitments to international partners there, TASS news agency reported. Roszarubezhneft, owned by a unit of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, was incorporated in 2020 and soon afterwards acquired the Venezuelan holdings of Russian state-run oil company Rosneft after Washington imposed sanctions at the time on two Rosneft units for trading Venezuelan oil. All Roszarubezhneft assets in Venezuela "are the property of the Russian state," in compliance with the laws of Venezuela, international law and agreements between the two countries, it said in a statement, according to TASS. PUTIN HASN'T PUBLICLY COMMENTED ON MADURO CAPTURE Trump has openly spoken of controlling Venezuela's vast oil reserves, the world's largest, in conjunction with U.S. oil companies, after arresting and jailing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom he has described as a drug-trafficking dictator in league with Washington's foes. Maduro has pleaded not guilty. The U.S. has also seized a Venezuela-linked, Russian-flagged oil tanker after a weeks-long pursuit. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not commented publicly on the U.S. operation in Venezuela but Russia's foreign ministry has urged Trump to release Maduro and called for dialogue. Russia has long maintained close ties with Venezuela, spanning energy cooperation, military links and high-level political contacts, and Moscow has backed Caracas diplomatically for years. In November, Venezuela's National Assembly approved a 15-year extension of the joint ventures between state company PDVSA and a unit of Russia's Roszarubezhneft that operate two oilfields in the South American country's western region. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Marina Bobrova; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Bernadette Baum) Two major American universities are celebrating transformative donations that will reshape their health care and academic missions. Penn State Health received a $50 million contribution from philanthropist Tom Golisano, while the University of Texas at Austin secured a $100 million gift from Austin residents Tench and Simone Coxe. Penn State's Golisano Children's Hospital Gift The $50 million donation from Tom Golisano will name Penn State Health's Children's Hospital and support its expansion as a cutting-edge pediatric care center. The contribution represents a significant milestone for the institution, as it marks the largest single philanthropic gift to Penn State Health since 1963, when the M.S. Hershey Foundation provided $50 million to establish Penn State College of Medicine and Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The newly designated facility will join a broader network of pediatric institutions. Penn State Health Golisano Children's Hospital at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center will connect with nine other leading institutions across the country as part of the Golisano Children's Alliance. This collaborative network aims to share resources and expand access to essential pediatric care throughout the region. Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi emphasized the impact of this donation on the university's health mission. The gift will enhance pediatric care, research, and community outreach across central Pennsylvania. Located on the Hershey campus, the Children's Hospital serves as the most comprehensive pediatric facility between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, featuring the region's only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit and Level I pediatric trauma center. Golisano, founder of Paychex Inc., has built a reputation for supporting children's hospitals nationwide. The Golisano Foundation announced donations to six children's hospitals, with four facilities receiving $50 million each and two receiving $25 million and $3 million respectively. These contributions are part of creating the Golisano Children's Alliance, designed to strengthen pediatric health care across multiple states. University of Texas at Austin Medical Center Initiative Meanwhile, the University of Texas at Austin is advancing its plans for a world-class academic medical center with substantial backing from local philanthropists. Tench and Simone Coxe pledged $100 million to support the university's emerging medical center, one of the largest gifts in UT Austin's history. The donation will support a comprehensive health care initiative that integrates multiple components of the university's medical infrastructure. The new UT medical center will combine the university's research enterprise, Dell Medical School, and UT MD Anderson cancer care into a digitally enabled, patient-centered academic health system serving Central Texas. Tench Coxe, whose venture capital career included early investments in companies like Nvidia, brought a strategic perspective to the gift. He now serves on Nvidia's board of directors. Tench Coxe expressed confidence in UT's senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of Dell Medical School, Claudia Lucchinetti, citing her vision as a key factor in their decision to invest. The couple's motivation stemmed from personal observations of health care gaps in the region. They noted that some patients were forced to travel to Houston for specialized treatments that should have been available locally. Their unrestricted donation provides flexibility for university leaders to allocate resources to areas of greatest need, including clinician recruitment, construction, technology investments, and community health programs. The $2.5 billion University of Texas Austin Medical Center is expected to break ground in 2026 and is projected to open in 2030. The facility will include a new UT hospital focused on complex and serious conditions, along with an expansion of UT MD Anderson's cancer services in the Austin area. Impact on Higher Education Philanthropy These donations reflect a broader trend of major philanthropic investments in university health care infrastructure. Both gifts emphasize the importance of academic medical centers in serving their communities while advancing research and education missions. The Penn State gift comes as the university prepares to launch a new fundraising campaign in 2026, with a particular focus on health initiatives across the commonwealth. Similarly, the UT Austin contribution supports the university's goal of becoming what it calls the world's highest-impact public research university. Both institutions hope these high-profile donations will inspire additional contributions from other supporters. The Coxes initially considered remaining anonymous but decided to publicize their gift to encourage others to join the effort. This approach to philanthropy demonstrates how major donors can catalyze broader support for ambitious institutional projects. As these two universities move forward with their expanded health care missions, they join a growing number of academic institutions investing heavily in medical research and patient care infrastructure. The success of these initiatives will likely influence how other universities approach similar expansions in the coming years. 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. SEOUL, Jan 13 (Reuters) - South Korea's SK Hynix said on Tuesday it has decided to invest 19 trillion won ($12.90 billion) to build an advanced chip packaging plant in South Korea to meet rising memory chip demand related to artificial intelligence. The chipmaker said in a statement that the construction of the new factory will begin in April, with completion targeted by the end of next year. SK Hynix said accelerating global competition in AI is driving a sharp rise in demand for AI-focused memory, underscoring the need to respond proactively to growing demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips. HBM - a type of dynamic random access memory or DRAM standard first produced in 2013 - involves stacking chips vertically to save space and reduce power consumption, helping to process the large volumes of data generated by complex AI applications. SK Hynix, the main HBM supplier to Nvidia, was the leading player in the HBM market last year, with a 61% share, followed by Samsung Electronics at 19% and Micron at 20%, data from Macquarie Equity Research showed. ($1 = 1,472.8300 won) (Reporting by Heekyong YangEditing by Ed Davies) US President Donald Trump warned of unspecified "very strong action" if Iranian authorities go ahead with threatened hangings of some protesters, with Tehran calling American warnings a "pretext for military intervention". International outrage has built over the crackdown that a rights group said has likely killed thousands during protests posing one of the biggest challenges yet to Iran's clerical leadership. Iran's UN mission posted a statement on X, vowing that Washington's "playbook" would "fail again". "US fantasies and policy toward Iran are rooted in regime change, with sanctions, threats, engineered unrest, and chaos serving as the modus operandi to manufacture a pretext for military intervention," the post said. Iranian authorities have insisted they had regained control of the country after successive nights of mass protests nationwide since. Rights groups accuse the government of fatally shooting protesters and masking the scale of the crackdown with an internet blackout that has now surpassed the five-day mark. New videos on social media, with locations verified by AFP, showed bodies lined up in the Kahrizak morgue just south of the Iranian capital, with the corpses wrapped in black bags and distraught relatives searching for loved ones. Trump -- who earlier told the protesters in Iran that "help is on its way" -- said Tuesday in a CBS News interview that the United States would act if Iran began hanging protesters. Tehran prosecutors have said Iranian authorities would press capital charges of "moharebeh", or "waging war against God", against some suspects arrested over recent demonstrations. "We will take very strong action if they do such a thing," said the American leader, who has repeatedly threatened Iran with military intervention. "When they start killing thousands of people -- and now you're telling me about hanging. We'll see how that's going to work out for them," Trump said. The US State Department on its Farsi language X account said 26-year-old protestor Erfan Soltani had been sentenced to be executed on Wednesday. "Erfan is the first protester to be sentenced to death, but he won't be the last," the State Department said, adding more than 10,600 Iranians had been arrested. Rights group Amnesty International called on Iran to immediately halt all executions, including Soltani's. Trump urged on his Truth Social platform for Iranians to "KEEP PROTESTING", adding: "I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY." It was not immediately clear what meetings he was referring to or what the nature of the help would be. - 'Rising casualties' - European nations also signalled their anger over the crackdown, with France, Germany and the United Kingdom among the countries that summoned their Iranian ambassadors, as did the European Union. "The rising number of casualties in Iran is horrifying," said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, vowing further sanctions against those responsible. Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said it had confirmed 734 people killed during the protests, including nine minors, but warned the death toll was likely far higher. "The real number of those killed is likely in the thousands," IHR's director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said. Iranian state media has said dozens of members of the security forces have been killed, with their funerals turning into large pro-government rallies. Authorities in Tehran have announced a mass funeral ceremony in the capital on Wednesday for the "martyrs" of recent days. Amir, an Iraqi computer scientist, returned to Baghdad on Monday and described dramatic scenes in Tehran. "On Thursday night, my friends and I saw protesters in Tehran's Sarsabz neighbourhood amid a heavy military presence. The police were firing rubber bullets," he told AFP in Iraq. Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran's ousted shah, called on the military to stop suppressing protests. "You are the national military of Iran, not the military of the Islamic Republic," he said in a statement. - 'Serious challenge - The government on Monday sought to regain control of the streets with mass nationwide rallies that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hailed as proof that the protest movement was defeated, calling them a "warning" to the United States. In power since 1989 and now aged 86, Khamenei has faced significant challenges, most recently the 12-day war in June against Israel, which forced him to go into hiding. Analysts have cautioned that it is premature to predict the immediate demise of the theocratic system, pointing to the repressive levers the leadership controls, including the Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is charged with safeguarding the Islamic revolution. Nicole Grajewski, professor at the Sciences Po Centre for International Studies, told AFP the protests represented a "serious challenge" to the Islamic republic, but it was unclear if they would unseat the leadership, pointing to "the sheer depth and resilience of Iran's repressive apparatus". sjw/sbk/rmb/ceg/jm As the number of U.S. travelers to several Asian countries continues to grow, a number of airlines have been launching new flights to cities that previously did not have the traffic to justify a direct route. South Korean low-cost airlines Parata Air and Air Premia have both recently set their sights on new flights from Seoul to cities like Los Angeles for the former and Washington for the latter in 2026. Taiwan-based China Airlines has recently started running a new flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei. New Eva Air flight between Taipei and Washington to launch in July 2026, run four times a week The latest news of a new direct route linking Asia and the U.S. comes from fellow Taiwanese player Eva Airways (stylized as Eva Air). This week, the Taipei-based carrier confirmed that it will launch a new 16-hour flight to Washington Dulles International (IAD) in July 2026, Focus Taiwan reported. The route is currently slated to run four times a week on a 278-seat Boeing 787-9 and brings Eva Air's total North American destinations to 10. Related: A low-cost airline may soon launch a flight to Korea from the US "When launching a new flight service, the company considers factors such as fleet size and effectiveness," Eva Air President Clay Sun said at a local press event covered by Taipei Times. "We are using Boeing 787s for flights to Washington before we receive Airbus 350-1000s." Sun further explained that many of the carrier's North American destinations end up serving as gateways for Taiwanese travelers going elsewhere in the U.S. as well as American and Canadian travelers going further into Asia. Taiwan in general has also been in the midst of a tourist boom from the U.S. and Europe that is expected to last into the coming years. Eva Air is also taking this into account with a route whose success in terms of uptake could go either way. Eva Airways will now fly to 10 North American destinations.Shutterstock Shutterstock Eva Air president explains rationale behind new Washington Dulles flight Sun said that Washington and its suburbs are home to approximately 14,000 Taiwanese residents and 320,000 members of the wider Southeast Asia diaspora that they expect to serve as their main customer base. The Boeing 787 is equipped for 26 business class seats, 28 premium economy seats, and 224 economy class seats. As the majority of Eva Air's North American flights go to West Coast cities, this route stands out for its length and distance: 6,834 nautical miles or 12,657 kilometers between the two cities. Travel news: Doctor charged in killings of his ex-wife and her Ohio husband waives right to extradition hearing A Chicago doctor has been charged in the killings of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in Ohio Meloni government seeks to overhaul Italy's justice system in move opposed by the judiciary. Italy will hold a referendum on 22-23 March over a controversial constitutional reform of the justice system, amid opposition from magistrates and the centre-left opposition. A key provision of the sweeping reform is the separation of careers for judges and prosecutors, meaning they would no longer be able to switch between the two roles and must choose from the outset which career to follow. Currently, those wishing to become a magistrate take a single public competition, valid for both positions, and after passing it, decide whether to become a public prosecutor or a judge. They can also decide to switch between the two positions, but can only do so once and within the first nine years of their career. Reform The justice reform, championed by the right-wing government of prime minister Giorgia Meloni, was approved by parliament in October but requires a referendum to become law. The government claims the flagship reform is intended to bolster the impartiality of judges by separating their career path from that of prosecutors, arguing that this will prevent conflicts of interest and reduce the risk of alleged political factions within the judiciary. Meloni has long been at odds with Italys judiciary, regularly accusing magistrates of stymying plans by her government, from immigration to public works. She has hailed the reform as "an important step towards a more efficient, balanced and citizen-orientated system". "Those who think that everything is fine in the justice system will vote against the reform, and therefore will vote no" - Meloni said in October - "Those who think it can improve will vote yes for the reform". Opposition The National Association of Magistrates (ANM) and centre-left opposition parties are fiercely opposed to the reform, claiming it will weaken the judiciary and accusing the government of seeking control over who investigates crimes. Elly Schlein, leader of the Partito Democratico (PD) party, said the reform "serves this government to have free rein and put itself above the laws and the constitution", while Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Movimento 5 Stelle, said: "They want full powers, and we will oppose them at all costs." Referendum date The date of the referendum has been long-debated: the government wanted to set it for early March, while the opposition wanted to hold it in April. The centre-left parties and various committees against the move have sought to delay the referendum date as much as possible, assuming that with more time, it would be possible to mount a more effective referendum campaign against the reform. Debate The separation of judicial careers would represent a significant change to the judicial system, which has been debated by successive governments for decades. Right-wing parties are in favour of the justice reform because, in their view, it would allow judges to have specific skills without being influenced by previous prosecutorial experience or by frequenting the same circles as prosecutors. The reform is particularly popular with Forza Italia because it implements a long-standing thesis of Silvio Berlusconi, the party's former leader and three-time prime minister, who claimed that his legal battles amounted to persecution by left-leaning magistrates. The referendum is seen as a key test of support for Meloni's government ahead of a 2027 election. How the reform would change Italy's judiciary structure The reform aims to redefine the internal judiciary structure by creating distinct professional paths for judges and public prosecutors, who are currently part of a single body of magistrates. There are currently significant overlaps between the two spheres, with the vast majority of both judges and prosecutors belonging to the ANM. The reform would replace the current single judiciary council which oversees appointments, careers and disciplinary actions with two distinct councils - one for judges and one for prosecutors - while a new, separate high disciplinary court would be established to handle sanctions against magistrates. Photo credit: Massimo Todaro / Shutterstock.com. Eva Osborne A man in his 20s has been arrested after Revenue officers seized nearly 300,000 worth of cannabis at Dublin Airport on Monday. 14.96kg of suspected herbal cannabis was discovered in luggage. The man arrested by gardai has since been charged and appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Tuesday morning. He was remanded in custody. Gardai said investigations are ongoing. Houses in Waterford were the most expensive theyve ever been in 2025, according to a national survey carried out by the Real Estate Alliance (REA). The price of the average second-hand three-bed semi-detached house in Waterford city rose to 345,000 in 2025, up 10.6pc from 312,000 at the end of 2024. This makes Waterford the cheapest city to buy a house in Ireland. In Waterford county, the average price was slightly lower at 295,000. But this was still an increase of 10.7pc from 266,500 in 2024. In the county, the average time taken to sell a house was eight weeks, while in the city it was five weeks. House prices in Waterford city are higher than the national average of 359,417. But houses in Waterford county are well below the national average. Prices in Dublin city rose by 1.5pc in the last three months, with the average three-bed semi in the capitals postcode areas now selling at 586,000, an 8.1pc annual rise. Selling prices in Irelands major cities outside Dublin rose by 1.3pc to an average of 373,750 a 7.4pc annual increase. In 2008, the price of a house in Waterford was 289,318. Landlords leaving the market One-quarter of all house sales were attributed to landlords selling their properties and leaving the market. This is ahead of a change to the law, which provides stronger security of tenure for tenants. This means that landlords will face tighter restrictions with regard to no-fault evictions. There is emerging evidence that more and more small landlords are looking at their options on whether to hold or sell by reason of the pending Residential Tenancy Legislation, said Eamonn Spratt of REA Spratt, Dungarvan. The survey shows that this quarter, 75pc of purchasers in the city and 40pc across the county were first-time buyers. A recent rise in landlords exiting the housing market is set to sharply increase in the first months of 2026, according to agents. The upcoming nationwide rent pressure zone at the end of February has experienced a 38pc annual rise in landlord sales in many areas now covered by the legislation. Prices in commuter counties rose by 1.6pc to 373,513, and while supply continues to cause issues, there is an anticipation of further landlord sales across the area in the new year. Mr Spratt told the Waterford News & Star that "it's going to benefit those in a position to buy, but in terms of renters, there will be challenges". At the moment, the majority of people buying homes are buying for personal use but Mr Spratt predicts that once the legislation is passed in March, there will be an increase in people buying investment properties. Strategy unveiled its largest Bitcoin purchase in over five months on Monday, scooping up around 13,600 Bitcoin in the past week, according to a press release. That's more than $1.2 billion worth at the current price of Bitcoin. The Tysons Corner, Virginia-based firm now owns 687,400 Bitcoin, a stockpile worth over $62.8 billion, as the assets price hovered $91,415, according to CoinGecko. The cryptocurrency changed hands around $93,000 when U.S. markets opened a week ago. The Bitcoin-buying firm financed its latest purchase primarily through common stock, issuing 6.8 million shares for $1.1 billion. The company meanwhile issued $119 million worth of its STRC preferred stock, a high-yield product that co-founder and Executive Chairman Michael Saylor has billed as an alternative to traditional savings accounts for risk-averse inventors, including retirees. Plowing more than $1.2 billion into Bitcoin, the last time Strategy purchased as much BTC over a weekly period was in late July. At the time, the company said that it had purchased a whopping 21,000 Bitcoin, when it closed its $2.5 billion public offering of STRC. Strategy shares opened around $157, a 5.7% dip from Fridays closing price, according to Yahoo Finance. The dip came as fears towards the Federal Reserves independence flared on Wall Street, after Chair Jerome Powell warned of a Trump-led criminal probe on Sunday. However, MSTR has since ticked above $159 per share, showing a roughly 1% rise on the day. With Strategys latest purchase, the company now owns Bitcoin at an average purchase price of $75,300 per Bitcoin. So far, the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin has spent $51.8 billion on the asset, according to Bitcoin Treasuries. Global Index Maker MSCI Defers Decision on Dropping Crypto-Focused Companies Last week, Strategy investors breathed a sigh of relief after MSCI, the financial firm providing a range of stock market indices, signaled that it wouldnt exclude companies that are heavily expanded to cryptocurrencies from its product. Although JPMorgan analysts warned in November that Strategys exclusion from MSCIs products could stoke billions of dollars in outflows for MSTR, MSCI deferred the decision, preserving index eligibility for digital-asset treasury and infrastructure firms through its February review. In a post on X, Strategy thanked the Bitcoin community and its investors, describing MSCIs decision as a strong outcome for neutral indexing and economic reality. Strategys mNAV, or multiple-to-net asset value, stood at 1.03 on Monday, according to the companys website. After wavering last year, some analysts foresee the metric thats central to Strategys approach to buying Bitcoin recovering to historic levels. One of County Waterford's most highly regarded drama groups will be staging one of theatre's most celebrated works later this month. Brideview Drama Group will stage their production of the hugely popular play, 'Da', by Hugh Leonard in Ballymacarbry Community Centre on Friday, January 30. The Tallow-based group are renowned for the quality of their productions and the professionalism the members bring to the stage. Described as a hilarious comedy, the show will follow on from the group's extremely successful production of 'The Weir' which was staged in the same venue last year. One of those involved with the centre commented: "Following on from last years extremely successful production of The Weir, we look forward to another packed house on the night." Tickets for the forthcoming event, priced 15, are now available from the Ballymacarbry Community Centre (086 0328467), the local school (052 6136349) and from members of the Ballymacarbry Tidy Towns committee. Waterford is deep in mourning this week at the loss of one of its most important figures. As the coffin of the late Kathleen Fitzgerald (nee Butler), of Dunmore East, made its way onto the drizzly street outside the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity on Monday, the large funeral congregation gathered just steps away from Georges Court Shopping Centre; its shutters closed and hallways empty in mourning. Kathleen was a director of Georges Court for decades, through which she helped shape, not only Waterford retail, but the very heart and soul of the city centre. Kathleen Fitzgerald Her business ventures, community work and charity endeavours have moulded Waterford, quietly touching countless lives whether they realise it or not. At her funeral mass, Kathleen was described as inspirational, formidable, kind, and, most importantly, as a lady who valued family above all. A full life Kathleen passed away peacefully on January 9 following a brief illness. A notice outside George's Court Shopping Centre on Monday, as the funeral took place of the late Kathleen Fitzgerald. A successful and respected businesswoman, Kathleen was a director of George's Court Shopping Centre in the city centre, along with several other business interests, which started with the establishment of the 'Mother Needs' store in the 1970s. She has left her mark on Waterford in countless ways, from pedestrianising streets to developing car parks. As Kathleen herself graciously told this newspaper in 2023: We started the pedestrianisation of Waterford. We came here in 1976 and I think we started it then. It was only as far as T&H Doolan's when we first started it and bit by bit it extended and extended. Barronstrand Street was done in 1989, 1990, and John Roberts Square but it started here in the late 1970s. "My late husband and I were involved in the building of the carpark on The Quay because there was nowhere to park. We got together a group of city centre retailers and built the carpark on the Quay, the first section of it, and then the Port built the rest of it. Giving us 300 spaces made all the difference in the world. Kathleen also served as a Director of Waterford Chamber from 2000 to 2014 and served with distinction as President of Waterford Chamber from 2006 to 2007. In 2011, she made history as the first female president of Waterford Rotary Club. The late Kathleen Fitzgerald, photographed during her term as President of Waterford Chamber. Photo: Terry Murphy Tributes poured in from Waterfords business community this week, commending Kathleens strength, vision and creativity. CEO of Waterford Chamber Gerald Hurley said that Kathleen made an outstanding contribution to the business community in Waterford. Kathleen will be fondly remembered for her professionalism, generosity, and lasting impact on Waterfords business and civic life, Mr. Hurley said. 'An incredible force of nature' The Cathedral in Waterford city was packed with a congregation of family, friends and the wider Waterford community for Kathleen's funeral mass on Monday. Fr. John Harris said: "There is a great sense of sadness in Waterford today because Kathleens known presence in the city will be missed. In his homily, Fr. Harris reflected on Kathleens excellent business instinct, attention to detail and her nurturing of the many who worked for her. Waterford and its people held a special place in Kathleens heart, Fr. Harris added. Whether it be her business or charity work, Kathleen helped make life in Waterford better for so many people. However, her successful entrepreneurial ventures never took precedence over family. She married her beloved husband Liam in 1968. The pair always worked as a team to build a future for themselves and their children. Their time together was tragically cut short after Liam passed away when Kathleen was 44. Although devastated over Liams loss, Kathleen was determined to continue to build the future that she and her husband had always promised each other. She remained a wise and loving mother and grandmother, who was always right in her advice, but never gloated". The business never drove a wedge, and family always came first. When she reached retirement age, Kathleen chose to stay working so she could be with her children every day while they managed the business. Despite being tired, she would stay in work because she wanted to be with her children. During her final days and nights spent in hospital, Kathleen would tell her children, Lisa and Bill, to go home and rest, having spent long hours by her bedside. They would say no because they wanted to be with their mother. In his touching eulogy, Kathleens son Billy described his mother as an incredible force of nature. She had unending motivation and drive. She was inspirational, formidable and kind, he said. Helping take care of her for the past couple of weeks and be there for her in her final hours was the greatest privilege of our lives, he concluded. Kathleen was laid to rest following funeral mass, at Killea Church Cemetery in Dunmore East. Her family extended heartfelt thanks for the exceptional care she received from all the staff of the Stroke Unit and Palliative Care Oak Ward at University Hospital Waterford during her short illness. Predeceased by her husband Liam, parents Tom and Nellie and brother Thomas, Kathleen is sadly missed by her loving son Bill, daughter Lisa, grandchildren Luca, Poppy, Tilda and Finn, son-in-law Philip, daughter-in-law Irene, brothers John, Teddy and Don, sisters Mary and Helen, brother-in-law Bob, sisters-in-law Lucy, Mary and Finola, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. May She Rest in Peace. Waterford MMA fighter Solomon Simon was honoured with a mayoral reception in City Hall on Friday, January 9, commemorating his crowning as the Cage Warriors World Featherweight Champion. Simon currently holds a record of 7-0 in professional MMA. He beat Brazilian Vincente Araujo in November 2025 to claim the division belt. Simon is scheduled to defend his title against Nik Bagley at the RDS in Dublin on February 21. Mayor of Waterford City and County Council Seamus Ryan said: Solomon is proudly Nigerian-Irish and hails from Ballybeg here in Waterford. He is a great example of the talent, diversity and determination that exists in our community, and a reminder of the positive stories that come from hard work and opportunity. Mayor Ryan and Simon pictured beside a Harley-Davidson- the motorcycle manufacturer that sponsors Simon. Photo: Joe Evans Those of you who know Solomon will also know Solomon as a grounded, humble and hardworking individual. Speaking to the News & Star, Simon said the reaction to his title win has been amazing. I just have to do the work so I dont have to pay too much attention to whats going on, but once I got that win, and seeing how much support came out, I was surprised people were even aware of the sport. The last month or so has been hectic but good. My goal from the start has always been the same, Im aiming as high as I can go in the sport, and that would be the UFC - that would be the biggest stage to display myself. Im doing this purely not to be like oh Im this tough guy. This sport itself brings growth to you in so many different waysthe way I approach life, the discipline it gives you. Getting to the UFC is the next aim, but to get there we have to get through whats in front of us, we get through February, we get through whatever comes nextevery step I take I get closer to that goal. The reception was packed to the brim with Simon's friends and family, training partners at Team Ryano (Simon's MMA team) and delegates from Cage Warriors. Cage Warriors is an Irish-owned MMA promotion based in London. The organisation has previously acted as a springboard for Conor McGregor and UFC Welterweight contender Paddy Pimblett. Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association Ireland is working to resolve outstanding issues for quite a number of industries following the EU-US trade agreement last year, the Taoiseach has said. As part of what has become a traditional annual St Patricks Day visit to the White House, Micheal Martin would be expected to meet US president Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Last year, the two leaders engaged with reporters for 50 minutes on a range of issues, including the tariff dispute. In July and August 2025, the EU and the US reached an agreement on trade and further negotiation in the context of Mr Trumps tariff regime on imports into the country. On Tuesday, Mr Martin said dialogue was ongoing on a range of issues. Speaking to reporters before a Cabinet meeting, he said: Last year, the European Union and the United States reached an agreement in respect of tariffs and the trading issue which did stabilise the situation as evidenced by our own economic and fiscal returns. The Trump administration initiated a range of section 232 investigations which examine the impact of imports on national security. These relate to several sectors including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, medical devices, robotics, drones, wind turbines, commercial aircraft, crtitical minerals, and timber. The EU has also continued to engage in negotiations for US tariff exemptions on steel and aluminium products, while Irish politicians have argued for a carve out applying to wines and spirits. Mr Martin said: It still is challenging for quite a number of industries, so our focus is on dialogue, continuing to work with United States government to resolve any outstanding issues. The Taoiseach also cautioned it is early days in relation to planning for the March trip. Asked if the USs territorial ambitions for Greenland put pressure on diplomatic relations, the Taoiseach said: I would hope that the situation in relation to Greenland would be resolved. There is a clear basis for doing that and I look forward to that happening. The writer never thought she would tell the story of her ancestor who brutally murdered a woman in London. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Dinner parties are always a roll of the dice. You could find yourself seated beside the guest who presses a business card into your hand before the entree has even landed, or the one determined to recount between courses the entire plot of a television series youve already admitted you dont watch. But Heather Rose got lucky, ending up next to someone who told her a story that lingered long after the tables had been cleared. Id been sat next to a winemaker, and he said that thing you sort of dread as a writer Oh, Ive got a really good story you might be interested in because you think, Ive got enough of my own ideas, please dont tell me, Rose recalls with a laugh. The winemaker in question was Dr Andrew Pirie, a pioneer of Tasmanian viticulture, and the story he shared was an overlooked fragment of local history: a 19th-century vineyard, established by ex-convict Bartholomew Broughton in Hobart around 1823, which produced such exceptional sparkling that, legend has it, one vintage travelled all the way to Paris and took home a medal at the great wine exhibition. The vineyard fell fallow in 1829 after Broughtons death, but today, more than half of Tasmanias grapes are grown for sparkling a lineage that begins with this almost-mythical fizz, the states first commercial vineyard. Tasmanias Apogee winery, run by Dr Andrew Pirie. Nic Walker At the time, Rose was deep into what would become her Stella Prize and NSW Premiers Literary Awards-winning novel The Museum of Modern Love. But the story of the vineyard began to age in her imagination, like a good vintage. I sort of said, dont tell anyone else that story, Im really, really keen on that, she says. Fast-forward some 15 years, and Rose raised her own glass of bubbles at the launch in Hobart of A Great Act of Love her tenth novel, and her most ambitious yet. Onto the fertile ground of the vineyard, Rose overlays another one rooted in her own family tree. At its centre is Caroline, modelled on Roses grandmothers real great-grandmother, a young woman who arrived in Hobart, then Van Diemens Land, searching for her father. Jacques-Louis, an apothecary, had been transported from London to the brutal Norfolk Island penal colony after confessing to the murder of a woman with whom he was having a relationship. Rose believes his life was marked by spells of madness, the result of a frontal-lobe injury. Louis himself was born into turbulence: his parents, Rose believes, were a duke and duchess executed in the French Revolution, their children escaping to Scotland and then to London. Advertisement Rose had known the story for some time her sister, Melinda, had researched the family history and court documents and letters had been uncovered but for years she resisted writing about it. I thought, God, Id never write about that, she says. It just felt too awful. The novel draws on Heather Roses own family history of settlement in Van Diemens Land. But the fragment of wine history opened the door to her familys own past. When I realised that Caroline had lived almost beside the vineyard in colonial Van Diemens Land, I got this spine-chilling feeling. I thought: I have to wind those stories together somehow. What emerged is less a straightforward historical novel than a layering: a palimpsest of Tasmanian history, family lore and myth. The fabled Broughton sparkling becomes entwined with Carolines journey and the shadow of her fathers crime. The characters in A Great Act of Love are all wrestling with what it means to inherit a legacy of shame, of violence, of ambition and how to transform it. Rose was, too. There is something very powerful about coming to terms with your ancestral lineage. Its been a long journey to come to terms with that, Rose says of her ancestors violent crime, the legacy that explains why Tasmania is now the place she calls home. I did feel a real sense of responsibility to the past. There is something very powerful about coming to terms with your ancestral lineage. It felt important to honour the past, to come to terms with the past. It was a painful reckoning. The violence perpetrated against the islands First Peoples is not foregrounded in the novel; their absent presence runs like a gaping wound through a text, a reminder of the enduring brutality of settlement. While A Great Act of Love is, in one sense, an intimate story about a daughter searching for her father, it also expands outward to the French Revolution, global commerce routes, the slave trade, and the violence of the British Empire. Advertisement I started with a question really. I thought, how the hell did we get here? How did economics become the dominant conversation? Rose says. Her reading ranged widely, from Adam Smith and Benjamin Franklin to John Milton and the Bronte sisters and in her studio no Wi-Fi, only books (more than 160, Rose estimates) she immersed herself in another century, one that still echoes today. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO HEATHER ROSE Worst habit? Buying books. Greatest fear? Silverfish. The line that stayed with you? But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs. From George Elliots Middlemarch. Biggest regret? Not eating more creme brulee when I was lactose tolerant. Favourite book? The Macquarie Thesaurus my father gave me when I was 21. The artwork/song you wish was yours? I would have liked to create the Mr Lincoln rose If you could time travel, where would you choose to go? To Haruki Murakamis jazz cafe in the 1970s. It was very peaceful because I could be away from the modern world, she says. And the longer I wrote it, the stranger the modern world seemed when I came back up to the house at the end of the day. Maggie OFarrells 2022 novel The Marriage Portrait sat on her desk as a reminder of the power of the best historical fiction to make the past pulse with life. Wine, of course, was never far from her thoughts. As a young adult, Rose spent a season picking grapes in Champagne, where she became fluent in French. Plans to return were thwarted by COVID, so instead she read widely, visited vineyards and interviewed winemakers. And writing and winemaking share a temperament: both are labours of love, requiring patience, tradition, and a touch of alchemy. Across her career spanning crime, satire, magical realism, and a New York art world novel Rose has always sought to stretch herself as a storyteller. Now, as her back catalogue is being reissued by Allen & Unwin, she admits revisiting her early novels is strange. You kind of dont really recognise the person who wrote them. It takes a long time to just become a reader of your own work and Id prefer never to have to do it. Advertisement Advertisement CultureMoviesStreaming The 10 best Rose Byrne performances to watch after her Golden Globes win Nell Geraets January 13, 2026 2:28pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Rose Byrne is on a roll. Since December, the Australian star has won four best actress awards for her performance in A24s haunting comedy-drama If I Had Legs Id Kick You, the most recent of which was delivered on Monday at the 83rd Golden Globes. We shot this movie in 25 days for like $8.50. This is like a tiny film, so this is a huge thing to be up here, the 46-year-old Balmain-born actor said during her acceptance speech. Loading Since having her screen debut with Ann Turners Dallas Doll in 1994, Byrne has enjoyed an extremely varied career, starring in the X-Men series, horror franchises, buddy comedies, romantic crime capers and auteur-led hits. Shes even become the face of recent Domain ads. The question now is whether shell clinch the win at the biggest night in Hollywood, the Academy Awards in March. In the meantime, here are 10 of Byrnes best performances to stream before the Oscars. Advertisement Related Article Golden Globes Where to watch the films and TV that won the 2026 Golden Globes Two Hands (SBS On Demand, ABC iview) This 1999 crime caper, directed by Gregor Jordan (Buffalo Soldiers, Dirt Music), is where Byrne truly broke onto the scene. She plays a quintessentially sweet country girl who, after travelling to the big city, is drawn into the criminal underworld by her newfound crush, small-time hustler Jimmy (played by a 19-year-old Heath Ledger). Its an offbeat adventure that chaotically weaves together comedy, crime and romance. But its the chemistry between Byrne and Ledger, two little-known Australian actors at the time, that truly sells it. The camera scene in particular, in which Ledger is left speechless by Byrne as she poses for a photo, displays their undeniable chemistry. Their charm didnt stop after the credits ended either Byrne and Ledgers quirky US promotional campaign is surely one of the most fun movie marketing efforts to date. Advertisement Troy (Binge, HBO Max) From eccentric crime caper to Greek mythological epic, Byrnes filmography is a varied one. In Wolfgang Petersens Troy (2004), a retelling of the Trojan War, she plays a Trojan priestess given to the Greek hero Achilles (Brad Pitt) as a war prize. Despite his power over her, the pair fall in love. Its a complex love story, one that begins with Byrne as Achilles slave-concubine, but she performs it with appropriate nuance. Though Byrne was already well-known in Australia, the star-studded Troy propelled her into the Hollywood mainstream. Advertisement Marie Antoinette (Netflix, Stan*) Byrne took a stroll through French history in Sofia Coppolas 2006 historical drama Marie Antoinette. Playing the Duchess of Polignac, the Queens close confidant who has a penchant for gossip and manipulation, Byrnes performance leans into opulence and glamour a perfect contrast to the volatility brewing beyond Versailles. Damages (10Play) Byrne has done a bit of television, but Damages is arguably her most critically lauded turn on the small screen. The legal thriller explores the complicated relationship between ruthless litigator Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) and her brilliant but naive protege Ellen Parsons (Byrne) as they take on massive cases against powerful figures. Advertisement The series ran for five seasons, beginning in 2007 and concluding in 2012. Byrne held her own beside Close, earning two Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nods for her performance. Rose Byrne held her own against the powerhouse that is Glenn Close in Damages. Insidious (Stan) Though Byrne featured in 28 Weeks Later in 2007, the Insidious franchise really strengthened her horror chops. Beginning in 2011, James Wans supernatural horror series follows families who are terrorised by demons from a spiritual realm called The Further. Byrne plays the mother in one of these families, whose son becomes a vessel for spirits, his soul trapped in the alternate realm. There are now five Insidious films, and Byrne features in three. While the creepy red-faced demon tends to steal focus, Byrne still manages to bring family dynamics to the forefront, making this horror series more than simple haunted house fare. Advertisement Rose Byrne has starred in three of the Insidious films, including Insidious: The Red Door. Nicole Rivelli/Sony Pictures Bridesmaids (Binge, Stan, Prime Video) Byrne has said she was useless at comedic acting early in her career, but if Bridesmaids is any indication, she was born to make people laugh. In the 2011 Paul Feig comedy, two women Kristen Wiig and Byrne battle it out for maid of honour duties in their mutual friends upcoming wedding. Byrne is almost too convincing as the snobby, two-faced superwoman, and the scene in which she and Wiig try to one-up each other during an engagement party speech, eventually diving into a duet of Dionne Warwicks Thats What Friends Are For, never gets old. Advertisement Bad Neighbours (Binge) After Bridesmaids, Byrne went on something of a comedy crusade. In 2014, she paired up with comedy legend Seth Rogen and Zac Efron to release Bad Neighbours, an adult comedy that follows new parents Mac (Rogen) and Kelly (Byrne) as they go to war with the wild fraternity next door. Its filthy fun with a dose of pathos, and Byrne and Rogen sublimely play newbie parents still dying to be young and cool a relatable struggle for many. Special mention must also be given to the scene featuring a party filled with Robert de Niros. Its comedy gold. Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen are not to be messed with in Bad Neighbours. Universal Pictures Spy (Stan, Disney+) Advertisement A year after Bad Neighbours, Byrne went from annoyed first-time mum to Bulgarian arms dealer. Reuniting with director Feig, Byrne played Rayna Boyanov, a well-off criminal who is bent on creating a nuclear crisis. However, a formerly deskbound agent, played by Melissa McCarthy, goes undercover to stop her. Byrne nonchalantly delivers biting lines to great comedic effect, such as when referring to her childhood in Bulgaria, a place where poor people [are] everywhere and cabbage is constantly cooking. It turns out playing the villain suits her. Juliet, Naked (Stan, Amazon Prime) Byrne and Ethan Hawke shine in this 2018 rom-com directed by Jesse Peretz and based on Nick Hornbys 2009 novel. Byrne embodies Annie, a woman disillusioned with her music-obsessed boyfriend. However, after writing a negative review about an acoustic album by her partners idol, Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke), the artist reaches out to her and romance unexpectedly blossoms. Advertisement Only stars as confident and proficient as Byrne and Hawke could take such a contrived plot and turn it into a genuinely moving love story. It also shines an interesting light on music and male fandom. Ethan Hawke (left), Rose Byrne (centre) and Chris ODowd (right) enter a complicated love triangle in Juliet, Naked. Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions/AP Platonic (Apple TV) Byrne reunites with Rogen in this refreshing take on the buddy comedy, which demonstrates how men and women can (more or less) be friends. The duo play Sylvia and Will, two best friends who fell out following a disagreement over the latters fiancee. However, they reconcile later in life when Will is divorced and Sylvia is a slightly disenchanted stay-at-home mum. All sorts of hijinks ensue, and good news for Byrne fans: the show has been renewed for a third season. Advertisement *Stan is owned by Nine, the owner of this masthead. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday. Advertisement The year that changed me LifestyleLife & relationshipsEducation I thought I had to quit the thing I loved to become a doctor. I was wrong Louis Wang January 13, 2026 2:00am 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 This article is part of an opinion summer opinion series where writers share the story of a year that changed their lives. See all stories . I was 16 and standing in the doorway of my piano teachers studio, at what would turn out to be my final music lesson. I had just played a rendition of a piece I would never again play as well: Beethovens Sonata in D minor, commonly known as The Tempest. Beneath the soft yellow light, with fingers moving across the keyboard with uncharacteristic control, I managed to catch the colours of rolling thunder and driving rain in Beethovens stormy soundscape. To the right, my teacher smiled as she listened. But my true critics, her three shih tzus one a yappy little Chihuahua-cross perched on a vintage rosewood two-seater to the left. Judging by their silent attention, they too seemed to think I had done a fine job. It was a sliding doors moment, in front of three shih tzus and a Chihuahua cross. So what do you want to do now? my piano teacher asked. She posed the question with such gentle sadness, as if she knew what was about to happen next. Only later did I understand she had seen this ending many times before, played out in music studios around the country. Advertisement Youre naturally quite musical, she said. But now you need to decide if you want to go further. I had started late and was an ordinary student but she had been an extraordinary teacher. A magician. She taught me to listen and my body to sway. And in one delightful moment of discovery, she unlocked something else: the way certain chords could send a quiet, colourful shiver through me. But some familiar roadblocks remained. While touch and tone had been my forte, I struggled with long allegro passages. Proper technique still eluded me when I played fast. Related Article The year that changed me Family I didnt realise at the time, but it was the last summer I would spend with my little brother That gap, she said, would be best served by formal study. A piano diploma would take two years, daily practice and hours of repetitive drills. But like a doctor, she also offered informed consent. The pass rate at the end, if the rumours were true, was 25 per cent at best. My teacher also knew I wanted to be a doctor. The difficulty was that, back then, my dream medical school required a university entrance score that left little room for error. I was about to enter senior high school and with it came a focus on schoolwork and results. Those years, marked by long hours and rising expectations, would prove trying. Advertisement What I believed then wrongly, as it turns out was that, given the circumstances, studying music would dilute my focus. I thought I had to choose between a future career and something I loved, to either listen to my head or follow my heart. That day, I listened to my head. Louis Wang playing a concert aged 15, and playing the same song as an adult at a school reunion. To others, it might have appeared an easy decision. I was not a prodigy. And yet, stopping piano sounded a deeper dissonance than giving up other subjects I enjoyed, like history and geography. Music was a refuge when life grew hard. Walking away from the piano was like muting an intrinsic part of myself. To stop then was also to stop short of independence. Once formal lessons ended, I knew my skills would regress quickly. I understood that I was moving from making music to listening to it. Maybe forever. Advertisement Dont worry, just remember to keep listening. That way, youll never really stop being a music student, my teacher said. As we said our goodbyes, I vowed to return. But the pursuit of a place in medical school quickly became all-consuming. Related Article The year that changed me Renting My dream share house turned into a bucket-filled nightmare. It wasnt a leak Yet my teachers lessons followed me far beyond the piano. She taught me the importance of listening to others, but also to myself. From her, I learnt to trust instinct, a confidence forged through practice and rehearsal. Even now, when seeing patients, it can surface as a sense that something is off, before it is clear on paper a recognition shaped by patterns I have seen many times before. In this way, my years at the piano became a way of practising for life. And when life grew busy, and the days stormy, listening to music became a much-needed elixir. I came to see that my decision that day was less final than it had felt a rest mistaken for an ending. Advertisement Decades later, after working in the clinic, and as the late afternoon melts into dusk, I sometimes find myself standing at the doorway of another piano studio. Im late, but its not my lesson. In the soft glow of tungsten-yellow lights, I see two grand pianos, not one. And there are no dogs. At the closest piano, still in her high school uniform, sits a younger version of me, midway through a fast passage I dont recognise and can barely even read. I recognise a familiar sway. Her teacher, seated at the other piano, smiles as I enter and gives me a knowing look. Trying not to interrupt, I plonk, like one of my old teachers shih tzus, onto the nearest sofa. And while I sit in silent attention, closing my eyes and letting the wash of my daughters latest musical adventure soften the colours of my day, I hear my teachers parting words from all those years ago. She had been right all along. I had never really left. Louis Wang is a cardiologist and a medical educator. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. Advertisement NationalVictoriaBushfires Big as Black Saturday: Critically endangered species on brink as fires rip through habitats Bianca Hall January 13, 2026 2:00am 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 NationalWATobacco WAs tobacco laws stop kids buying ciggies at the deli but not much else Hamish Hastie January 14, 2026 2:00am 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 Western Australias tobacco laws are two decades old this year and were enacted in a time when the market for illicit tobacco was minimal, given the cheapness and availability of legal smokes at the time. But the market has changed dramatically since the Tobacco Products Control Act was passed, with the advent of vapes and a global illicit tobacco trade that easily established roots in the state. WA Premier Roger Cook. Hamish Hastie The issue has ballooned into a political headache for the WA government, with firebombings and shootings of tobacco shops becoming commonplace as organised crime gangs vie for control of the lucrative market. WA Premier Roger Cook conceded on Tuesday the governments current legal framework was not up to the job. Advertisement Let me be really clear, under the Tobacco Products Control Act, thats essentially about stopping kids buying ciggies from the corner deli, he said. These are not laws which are designed to deal with illegal tobacco, with illegal vapes, and, of course, with criminal networks which support that system. Cook has promised a complete overhaul of laws that will help the state crack down on the trade of vapes and illegal tobacco. However, he has refused to put an exact date on when those laws, which are currently being drafted, will be introduced to parliament only that it would be this year. Let me be clear, we are going to crush and destroy this underworld activity, and were going to make sure that we do it with appropriate laws, with the resources, and making sure we have the police ready to crack down, he said. Advertisement Related Article Opinion Tobacco Why are law-abiding WA citizens turning a blind eye to organised crime? Rebecca Peppiatt Journalist But the opposition and health groups are angry Labor didnt act on early warning signs and introduce tougher laws sooner, pointing to other states which have led the charge. WAs laws only detail what and how cigarettes can be sold, but are not explicit about illicit tobacco. Penalties for breaching the act range between $10,000 and $20,000 for individuals, and $40,000 and $80,000 for businesses. WA Police are monitoring the illicit tobacco trade, but an ongoing operation is mostly focused on catching the low-level foot soldiers allegedly tasked by bigger criminal syndicates to conduct firebombings and shootings. Police cannot currently close stores selling illegal tobacco or vapes. Advertisement Queensland is considered the leader of the pack in terms of laws bolstering the arsenal of health regulators and police. In September, new tobacco and vaping laws gave Queensland Health the power to shut down businesses selling illegal cigarettes and vapes for 90 days without a court order, and up to 12 months with a court order. Landlords were also given greater powers to terminate the leases of illicit tobacco store owners, while landlords who knowingly allow an illegal business to operate face fines of up to $161,000 and one year in jail. Queensland Health officers can also conduct covert operations to purchase illegal products, and have the power to seize all legal products found at the stores. The laws came into effect in November and, in a 10-day operation, Queensland Health shut down 148 illegal stores and seized more than 11.8 million cigarettes, 1.7 tonnes of loose tobacco, 87,000 vapes, 4.2 litres of vaping liquid and 270,000 nicotine pouches. Advertisement New South Wales and South Australia also introduced new powers last year. NSW also has the power to close stores for 90 days or 12 months with a court order, while maximum penalties for tobacco offences or illegally supplying or possessing vaping goods have been increased to seven years imprisonment, a fine of $1.54 million, or both. NSW Health is also increasing the size of its inspection team and has established a new Centre for Regulation and Enforcement to drive its response. South Australia can also shut down stores without court orders but only for 28 days, while longer-term closures can be sought through the courts. Advertisement Related Article Crime Firebombings no deterrent as Perth tobacco shops keep selling illicit cigarettes Its penalties can reach $1 million for selling commercial quantities of illegal tobacco products to $2.1 million for a second offence. Body corporates can be fined between $2.25 million for a first offence and $4.5 million for a second offence. Larger quantities can attract bigger fines between $4.5 million and $6.6 million for a second offence. The Australian Council on Smoking and Health warned the WA government it needed to hasten updates to its laws back in May after releasing a scorecard that showed the state was lagging the rest of the country. Advertisement Cook flagged the new laws would include closure powers, better resourcing and changes to the tenancy act that would empower landlords to remove illicit tobacco shop owners. Opposition police spokesman Adam Hort said Cook talked big but failed to deliver. Related Article Tobacco WAs toothless penalties blamed for rampant illegal tobacco, vape sales The writing has been on the wall for years. Experts have been calling for stronger legislation for years. And now, because of Cooks inaction, criminal gangs are exploiting weaknesses his Government has allowed to fester across Western Australia, he said. They need the ability to shut down illegal storefronts immediately, disrupt criminal networks, and send a clear deterrent message with serious penalties, including six and seven figure fines, so no one ever thinks selling illegal tobacco in Western Australia is worth the risk. Advertisement Curtin University public health expert Professor Jonine Jancey said it was never too late for the government to act. I think its really important for them to act now, I know theres a lot of health agencies submitting joint statements, asking them to act, and hopefully ... they will act, she said. WA Health did not respond before deadline. 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 Analysis TechnologyAI Apples Gemini deal a win for Google, but will it make your iPhone smarter? Tim Biggs January 13, 2026 8:49am 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 Apples future artificial intelligence (AI) features, including a revamped Siri assistant due to arrive this year, will be powered by Google as the two tech giants have announced an agreement that could potentially shake up how AI works in smartphones. The specifics of the deal are still unclear, with a brief joint statement from the two companies saying only that the next generation of Apple AI models will be based on Google technology, but will continue to use Apples Private Cloud Compute architecture. The statement was published on Googles blog. Apples iPhones will soon be powered by new AI features built on Google tech. The announcement comes after years of pressure from analysts and investors for Apple to plug a perceived AI gap, with the company drip-feeding elements of its Apple Intelligence suite and delaying its new Siri while competitors raced ahead with experimental generative AI. The development is obviously a win for Google, and for Wall Streets AI hype-pushers. Parent company Alphabet briefly broke above a $US4 trillion ($5.9 trillion) market capitalisation on Tuesday as shares rose 1.7 per cent following the announcement, making it the second-largest firm after Nvidia. Advertisement Related Article Opinion AI Does Apple really need to become an AI company? Tim Biggs Consumer Technology Writer Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives said the move was what the Street had been waiting for, a stepping stone to accelerate [Apple] AI strategy into 2026 and beyond. The deal could be a threat to Samsung, which also leans heavily on Google AI to differentiate its phones from Apples, and to OpenAI which wants its ChatGPT to find a home on iPhones. But what will the development mean for consumers? On the one hand, the tech industrys enthusiasm for AI is far greater than the average phone users need for more generative features. An OPPO Australia survey published in October found only four per cent of respondents thought AI was an important factor in choosing a phone. Behind the scenes, AI can positively affect smartphone elements people actually care about improving battery life, maximising storage space, powering computational photography but the more language-focused or creative elements explicitly marketed as AI have received a lukewarm welcome. Advertisement The buzziest of Gemini capabilities, including real-time voice conversations and image generation, have proven to be hit-and-miss, while the chatbot itself continues to struggle when it comes to serving reliable and verified information without invention or confusion (and Gemini is not alone in this). By hitching a core part of its smartphone experience to Googles wagon, Apple could make it much more difficult for consumers to find an AI-free path to information. Editor's pick AI Googles Gemini 3: Whats new and what can it do? On the other hand, Apple has arguably proven itself to be the most cautious and trustworthy of the tech giants when it comes to AI. If it uses Googles raw resources to create responsible features, the iPhone could become a superior overall platform for AI. If consumers consider the major issues with these features to be around privacy, utility and seamless integration, Apple is ideally positioned to deliver an experience thats preferable to what is currently found on Pixel and Galaxy phones. However, the iPhone-maker also has other challenges ahead of it. It appears determined to deliver the more personal, more context-aware AI Siri it originally promised years ago, but it needs to find a way to avoid the problem Gemini and ChatGPT have with lying and overconfidence. Advertisement Apple also runs platforms favoured by the creative industry, and will likely want to avoid the perception that its technology is based on art that Google has scraped and repurposed behind creators backs. The final piece of the puzzle will be price. Consumers currently pay Apple subscription money for tangible benefits including cloud storage and premium news content, but will the company charge for high-end AI like Google and OpenAI do? Perhaps unsurprisingly, analysts view that as inevitable. This was a necessary move for Apple to deliver its own personal assistant within its hardware ecosystem, while expecting to deliver a new subscription-based revenue stream to the largest consumer installed base in the world, Ives said. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here. Sudan's Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim speaks with AFP during an interview in Port Sudan (STRINGER) STRINGER/AFP/AFP Widespread destruction, massive military spending and plummeting oil and gold revenues have left Sudan's economy in "very difficult times", army-aligned finance minister Gibril Ibrahim said, nearly three years into the army's war with rival paramilitary forces. In an interview with AFP from his office in Port Sudan, Ibrahim said the government is eyeing deals for Red Sea ports and private investment to help rebuild infrastructure. This week, Sudan's prime minister announced the government's official return to Khartoum, recaptured last year, but Ibrahim's ministry is among those yet to fully return. Dressed in combat uniform, the former rebel leader said Sudan, already one of the world's poorest countries before the war, "lost all sources of state revenue in the beginning of the war", when the Rapid Support Forces overtook the capital Khartoum and its surroundings. "Most of the industry, most of the big companies and all of the economic activity was concentrated in the centre," he said, saying the heartland had accounted for some 80 percent of state revenue. Ibrahim's ex-rebel group the Justice and Equality Movement once battled Khartoum's government but it has fought on the army's side as part of the Joint Forces coalition of armed groups. - Smuggling - Sudan, rich in oil, gold deposits and arable land, is currently suffering the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with over half of its population in need of aid to survive. Gold production is rising year-on-year, but "unfortunately, much of it has been smuggled... across borders, through different countries, and going to the Gulf, mainly to the United Arab Emirates", he said. Of the 70 tonnes produced in 2025, only "20 tonnes have been exported through official channels". In 2024, Sudan produced 64 tonnes of gold, bringing in only $1.57 billion to the state's depleted coffers, with much of the revenue spilling out via smuggling networks. Agricultural exports have fallen 43 percent, with much of the country's productive gum arabic, sesame and peanut-growing regions in paramilitary hands, in the western Darfur and southern Kordofan regions. Sudan's livestock industry, also based predominantly in Darfur, has lost 55 percent of its exports, he said. Since the RSF captured the army's last holdout position in Darfur in October, the war's worst fighting has shifted east to the oil-rich Kordofan region. While both sides scramble for control of the territory, the country's oil revenues have dropped by more than 50 percent -- its most productive refinery, Al-Jaili near Khartoum, severely damaged. Advertisement WorldEuropeMining Trump has big hopes for Greenland Australia just gave him a reality check David Crowe January 13, 2026 10:56am 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 Nuuk: Grand hopes for a mining boom in Greenland have been countered by two Australian mining companies, just as US President Donald Trump steps up his talk of taking over the Arctic territory. The Australian decisions over the past two weeks, including the closure of a vast zinc project, reveal the barriers to the boom, despite White House talk of extracting critical minerals for technology and defence companies. The site of Skylarks (formerly known as Ironbark Zinc) proposed Citronen zinc-lead mine in northern Greenland. Trump threatened on Friday to gain control of Greenland whether they like it or not and previously spoke of major deals to develop its rare earth deposits, but experts say his takeover would not change the obstacles to new mines. Im sceptical, borderline cynical, that its going to make any difference, Skylark Minerals chief executive Michael Jardine said. The company spent almost two decades in Greenland seeking to develop a major zinc deposit. Advertisement But Skylark announced on December 30 it would wind up its operations in Greenland despite the potential of the Citronen project, once said to be big enough to produce zinc worth more than $1 billion a year at a fjord in the Arctic Circle. Another Australian company, Energy Transition Minerals, is locked in a legal dispute with the governments of Denmark and Greenland over a policy change that blocked its plans. Loading Company managing director Daniel Mamadou blamed political volatility rather than geology for halting the work to mine rare earth oxides at Kvanefjeld, near the southern tip of the island. Trump has not set out any detailed proposal to control Greenland and his talk has been flatly rejected by political leaders in Denmark and Greenland, and several NATO members including Britain, France, Germany and Italy. Advertisement US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet foreign ministers from Denmark and Greenland in Washington on Wednesday to discuss the USs ambitions. Jardine said his companys experience with the zinc project confirmed the high cost of mining in Greenland when new projects need transport links, energy, labour and political certainty to succeed. Theyre not issues that will be fixed simply by changing the flag, he told this masthead. The Citronen deposit was discovered in the 1990s and is located on the northern coast of Greenland, about 750 kilometres from the North Pole and further north than the US military base at Pituffik, formerly called Thule. Advertisement Daniel Mamadou, managing director of Energy Transition Minerals. The project gained support in 2021 from the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a government agency known as EXIM, in a non-binding plan to provide up to $US657 million ($979 million) in debt. The loans were never issued, however, because the cost structure of the project was too high to secure equity investors, a necessary step for EXIM. Debt is relatively available, and government debt is available, but when you go to do project equity it is much, much harder, Jardine said. As a company and a collective of people, we probably overcommitted to trying to make that project work And there comes a point where sinking more and more time, energy and capital into it is just the wrong decision. So we are leaving with our heads held high. Advertisement Im sceptical that any of these geopolitical concerns will change project outcomes when investors come to the point of needing to write very large equity tickets. 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 The experience is a reminder of the obstacles to major projects despite the promise of loans from government funds that are guided by strategic as well as financial goals. EXIM said last October it was willing to lend $US2.2 billion to Australian rare earth companies including Arafura Rare Earths, Northern Minerals and Sunrise Energy Metals but the companies have to meet key conditions to gain the loans. Skylark, previously known as Ironbark Zinc, has a market value of $35 million on the ASX. Its shares rose above $6 in the wake of the EXIM announcement, but have since fallen below 30. Advertisement Jardine said the company was now focusing on more promising projects outside Greenland, and he cautioned that exploring for minerals in the Arctic territory cost about 10 times that of similar work in Australia. Related Article Explainer US politics This is not a joke: Could the US take control of Greenland? Energy Transition Minerals sued the governments of Denmark and Greenland for $US11.5 billion three years ago when the Greenland parliament passed a law to ban uranium mining. While the company sought to mine rare earths and not uranium, its project fell foul of the law because there are small amounts of uranium in the ore at Kvanefjeld. Energy Transition Minerals has a market value of $386 million on the ASX. It announced last Friday that it had hired Ballard Partners as strategic advisers in Washington DC. Its lawsuit continues in the courts after an arbitration tribunal ruled last October that the Danish government should not be a party to the case. Advertisement Mamadou told this masthead that barriers to mining in Greenland were not insurmountable. Related Article Trump diplomacy Greenland PM speaks out as Trump questions NATO alliance Greenland unquestionably has the geological endowment to develop critical minerals, he said. The question is whether the policy and governance framework can consistently support long-cycle, capital-intensive mining projects. Our experience highlights that the key challenge is not geology, but uncertainty. Advertisement Another Australian company, European Lithium, has a stake in a project in Greenland through a US company, Critical Metals Corporation, which is seeking to mine the Tanbreez rare earth deposit in the far south of the island. Related Article Analysis World politics The new world disorder where might is right The companies announced on Friday that work would start on a pilot plant at the Qaqortoq site. European Lithium, based in Perth, saw its shares rise as high as 48.5 last October, in the months after Critical Metals gained a letter of intent from EXIM to lend money to the Greenland project. The share price has since fallen to 27. 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 WorldMiddle EastTrump diplomacy There are rivers of blood: Iran horror emerges as phone lines restored Michael Koziol Updated January 14, 2026 6:41am ,first published 2:00am 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 Washington: US President Donald Trump says he will act accordingly against Iran after receiving new intelligence on the estimated number of protesters killed by the Islamic dictatorship, with upwards of 2000 people now reported dead. Trump cancelled talks with Iranian officials and displayed greater inclination to military action on Wednesday (AEDT) amid fresh reports of the regimes brutal repression of Irans biggest anti-government demonstrations in many years. US President Donald Trump has cancelled talks with Iran. AP Iran is on my mind. When I see the kind of death that is happening over there ... Were going to get some accurate numbers, Trump said as he returned to Washington from Michigan about 9am AEDT. The killing looks like its significant, but we dont know yet for certain. Ill know within 20 minutes, and well act accordingly. Top national security officials convened at the White House, but there was no update about options presented to the president or any decisions. Advertisement Earlier, Trump told CBS News he had not heard reports about protesters being hanged, but if that were to occur, he would take very strong action. We dont want to see whats happening in Iran happen when they start killing thousands of people, and now youre telling me about hanging, well see how that works out for them. Its not going to work out good. Loading In a social media post and again during his speech in Detroit, the president said he had cancelled US talks with Iranian officials. He also urged Iranians to continue and intensify their demonstrations, encouraging them to take over your institutions, and promising them: Help is on its way. When asked by reporters, Trump declined to explain what that phrase meant, though in his speech he implied the help referred to his announcement of 25 per cent tariffs on countries that do business with Tehran. Advertisement The changing rhetoric came a day after the White House indicated a preference for diplomacy, while keeping military options on the table, including airstrikes against regime targets. Trumps press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said on Tuesday AEDT that diplomacy was always the first option for the president, and that Tehran was privately delivering a different message to the administration from its hard-headed public rhetoric. I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages, Leavitt said. Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran on January 9. The scale of the demonstrations has surpassed all recent Iranian uprisings. AP Trumps move to pause diplomatic efforts and promise help for demonstrators could indicate a hardening of his resolve, particularly as certain figures in Washington urge him to intervene using the US military. Lindsey Graham, an interventionist Republican senator from South Carolina, said decisive action by Trump would be the tipping point for the Iranian regime and a death blow for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Advertisement Advertisement Omid in his early 40s and whose name the BBC changed for his safety said security forces had opened fire at unarmed protesters in his city with assault rifles. We are fighting a brutal regime with empty hands, he said. Related Article Middle East tensions Trumps Iran tariff threatens to reignite China trade war Medics in Iran say the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. Dead bodies and injured people men, women and children are arriving in trucks, ambulances and private cars, one medic near Tehran told Londons Telegraph. We cannot help everyone. Many died because we could not even visit them. Some of my colleagues have collapsed. We have shortages of everything There are rivers of blood in hospitals here. Advertisement Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince and son of the deposed shah of Iran, is also among those urging Trump to intervene militarily. Pahlavi met with Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, on the weekend, US news site Axios reported. The freedom of Iran is near, Pahlavi told Iranians in a video message on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT). We are not alone. Global assistance will arrive soon as well. Wait for my next messages. He told his followers that all institutions and apparatuses responsible for the regimes false propaganda and cutting off communications are considered legitimate targets. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance rejected a Wall Street Journal report suggesting he was trying to convince Trump to pursue a diplomatic solution instead of using force, in contrast to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Advertisement Vances office said he and Rubio were together presenting a suite of diplomatic and military options to the president, without bias or favour. Loading The US, which has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since 1980, and already warns Americans against travelling to the country, issued another alert on Wednesday (AEDT) saying any American citizens in Iran should leave now. The State Department alert cited escalating protests which could turn violent. Trump also said citizens of US allies in Iran should get out. In Europe, governments summoned Iranian ambassadors to account for the regimes brutality against its own people. The German Foreign Office called the Islamic Republics actions shocking in a statement on X. Advertisement British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the United Kingdom was preparing new sanctions targeting Irans finance, energy, transport and software industries. Related Article Analysis Protests Iranian leaders brutal gamble in showdown with Trump This latest conduct by the Iranian regime is no aberration. It is no outlier. It is all too in keeping with the fundamental nature and track record of this regime, Cooper told the House of Commons. Just as they did in 2022, it is absolutely clear that the Iranian regime are trying to paint these protests as the result of foreign influence and instigation. They are using that accusation to try and whip up opposition to the protests amongst anti-Western Iranians, and to try and justify their vicious and sickening attacks on the ordinary civilians marching in the streets. Advertisement The protests began on December 28 over the fall in value of Irans currency and have grown into wider demonstrations and calls for the fall of the clerical establishment. Irans authorities have taken a dual approach by brutally cracking down on demonstrators while also calling protests over economic problems legitimate. 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 WorldMiddle EastMiddle East tensions Trumps Iran tariff threatens to reignite China trade war Lisa Visentin Updated January 13, 2026 4:00pm ,first published 12:24pm 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 Singapore: The fragile US-China trade truce is facing its first major stress test after US President Donald Trump announced he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods from countries doing business with Iran. Trump is also weighing whether to order a military response against the Iranian government as it continues a violent crackdown on protests that have left more than 600 dead and led to the arrests of thousands. People protest in Zurich, Switzerland in support of Iranian protesters on Tuesday. AP Beijing, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, made clear its opposition to the new measure on Tuesday, and signalled its preparedness to respond with countermeasures that could once again kick off a tit-for-tat escalation that derailed trade between the two countries in 2025. Chinas position on the tariffs issue is very clear. Tariff wars have no winners. China will firmly protect its legitimate and lawful rights and interests, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said at a press conference in Beijing. Advertisement It is unclear yet what exactly Trumps latest tariff threat means for the one-year truce he and Chinese President Xi Jinping struck in South Korea in October, an action designed to pave the way for the two leaders to meet in Beijing in April to discuss a more expansive deal. Under that truce, both sides agreed to extend their pause on triple-digit tariffs on each others goods, while also pausing their most recent export control restrictions, including Beijings bid to dramatically expand its chokehold on rare earths supply. The Trump administration has so far provided no further details on the new tariff beyond the presidents social media post on Monday evening, US time. Effectively immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America, Trump posted to Truth Social, adding the order was final and conclusive. In recent months, Trump has taken a cautious approach to dealing with China in what analysts have interpreted as a bid to smooth the passage for his state visit to Beijing. Advertisement However, Chinas ties with Iran could reignite tensions before then. China purchases about 90 per cent of Irans crude oil exports, providing it with an economic lifeline in the face of crippling Western sanctions. Beijing and Tehran also share a mutual goal in weakening US global influence. As anti-government protests have gathered momentum across Iran, the US president has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action if his administration found the Islamic Republic was using deadly force quash the unrest. Its a red line that Trump has said he believes Iran is starting to cross and has left him and his national security team weighing very strong options. Protesters block a road in Tehran. Getty Images But the US military which Trump has warned Tehran is locked and loaded appears, at least for the moment, to have been placed on standby mode as Trump ponders his next steps, saying that Iranian officials want to have talks with the White House. 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, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday (Tuesday AEDT). Advertisement 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. Hours later, Trump announced on social media that he would slap 25 per cent tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran effective immediately. China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Brazil and Russia are among economies that do business with Tehran. The White House has offered scant details on Irans outreach for talks, but Leavitt confirmed that the presidents special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will be a key player engaging Tehran. Advertisement Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and key White House National Security Council officials began meeting on Friday to develop a suite of options from a diplomatic approach to military strikes to present to Trump in coming days, according to a US official familiar with the internal administration deliberations. The official was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire as they take to the streets despite the intensifying crackdown in Tehran. AP Can the protests be sustained? Demonstrations continue, but analysts say it remains unclear just how long protesters will remain on the street. Advertisement Iran drew tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators to the streets on 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. An internet blackout imposed by Tehran makes it hard for protesters to understand just how widespread the demonstrations have become, Vali Nasr, a former State Department adviser and now professor of Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University, said. It makes it very difficult for news from one city or pictures from one city to incense or motivate action in another city, Nasr said. Related Article Explainer Middle East tensions Arrogant powers: How the era of the ayatollahs began The protests are leaderless, theyre organisationless. They are actually genuine eruptions of popular anger. And without leadership and direction and organisation, such protests, not just in Iran, everywhere in the world its very difficult for them to sustain themselves. Advertisement Early last year, T-Mobile rolled out several harsh changes that have frustrated its customers to the point where some have decided to cut ties with the company. In April last year, T-Mobile raised the monthly prices for some of its older phone plans by $5 and increased its Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fee, which customers pay each month. It also officially retired its Go5G plans in June and started removing taxes and fees from plan pricing. By August, T-Mobile even booted select customers from older phone plans and placed them on its Go5G Plus plan. After these changes took effect, T-Mobile revealed in its third-quarter earnings report for 2025 that its postpaid phone churn, the number of customers who cut their phone service, ticked up by 3 basis points year over year. The loss of loyal customers is no surprise, as many Americans have drawn a line in the sand when it comes to the price of their monthly phone bills. This has resulted in more consumers exploring cheaper nontraditional options for phone service, such as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), according to a survey from WhistleOut last year. How higher phone bills are impacting Americans: The average cost of a single-line phone plan is $76 per month . About 42% of T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T customers have seen their phone bills increase in the past year, which is 7% higher than average. Also, 58% of T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T customers are contemplating switching to a different phone carrier as prices go up. Additionally, 34% of these customers said they'd c onsider switching to an MVNO within the next year. T-Mobile risks losing a combined 75.9 million customers due to high mobile plan pricing. Source: WhistleOut In the wake of economic uncertainty and rising prices, many people are realizing that they can save by switching their phone service to smaller carriers called MVNOs, wrote Max McCaskill, senior staff writer at WhistleOut, in the survey. These carriers use the major carrier networks, but at significantly lower cost. Consumers are increasingly exploring less expensive, nontraditional options for phone service.Helen89/Shutterstock Helen89/Shutterstock T-Mobile raises fee customers pay every month Despite the risk of incurring more customer losses, T-Mobile has decided to kick off the new year by raising monthly bills with another fee increase. In an update on its website, the phone carrier has warned customers that it is once again raising its Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fee. T-Mobile says this fee helps recover certain costs that it incurs, such as charges from other carriers and costs for funding and compliance with government mandates. Starting Jan. 21, the fee will increase from $3.99 to $4.49 per voice line for phone customers. For mobile internet lines, the fee will climb from $1.60 to $2.10 per line. Related: T-Mobile makes bold phone plan change after customer losses The rate adjustment will only impact customers who are on plans that dont have taxes and fees included in the price. Customers on older plans that already include taxes and fees will see no changes in their bills. When T-Mobile last raised its Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fee in April of last year, the fee increased from $3.49 to $3.99 for voice lines and from $1.40 to $1.60 for mobile internet lines. The fee has faced criticism from customers in the past, with some questioning its legitimacy. In 2024, T-Mobile was hit with a class-action lawsuit, where customers alleged they had been illegally charged this fee for decades, and claimed that the description of the fee was unfair and deceptive since the fee isnt strapped to any benchmark and can change at will. T-Mobile has been making harsh billing changes T-Mobiles latest fee increase comes shortly after the company made several significant billing changes affecting its customers in recent months. In October, T-Mobile began informing customers that they will lose their autopay discount if they make early payments with a credit card. It also started requiring customers who wish to set up payment arrangements for past-due balances to do so through the T-Life app, rather than at a T-Mobile store or the companys automated phone system. The following month, T-Mobile also hiked its late fee for customers who dont pay their bills on time, from $7 to $10 (or 5% of the past-due balance; T-Mobile will pick whichever is higher). Most recently, on Jan. 1, the phone carrier began charging $3 a month for its Apple TV On Us perk, which had been free for Plus-level phone plan customers since 2021. These changes come as T-Mobile is operating under new leadership. On Nov. 1, Srini Gopalan became the company's CEO after serving as chief operating officer for roughly seven months. More Telecom News: Under his leadership, Gopalan aims to usher in a digital transformation at T-Mobile, which he hopes will tackle customer frustration. I want all of you to know that I am committed to not only being the network leader of today, but also investing tirelessly to defend and widen the margin of our network leadership for tomorrow, said Gopalan during an earnings call in October. Let me talk a bit about digital transformation. The amount of friction and frustration we cause customers today because of our processes and the state of evolution in this industry is phenomenal. We have a huge opportunity to change that with our digital transformation, he continued. T-Mobiles change in direction comes after a recent survey from J.D. Power found that the phone carrier is falling behind MVNOs in terms of consumer satisfaction rates. Phone carrier consumer satisfaction rates for postpaid phone plans: T-Mobile has a consumer satisfaction score of 636 (on a 1,000-point scale)for its postpaid plans, surpassing Verizon and AT&T, which have scores of 583 and 573, respectively. However, MVNOs have an average satisfaction score of 641 . Specifically, Consumer Cellular has a score of 726, while Google Fi Wireless has a score of 671. Source: J.D. Power The findings show that value is the most important driver of the overall experience, followed closely by service quality, said Carl Lepper, senior director of technology, media and telecom at J.D. Power, in a press release. These two dimensions are central to our new model and for good reason, he added. As the market expands with a wide variety of brands designed to meet diverse customer needs, expectations are rising not just for strong network performance, but also for service plans that reflect individual preferences. Related: DirecTV makes harsh move as customers keep leaving This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jan 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Shin Kong Life Insurance and Taishin Life Insurance, both part of TS Financial Holdings, have formally completed their merger as of 1 January 2026. Taishin Life Insurance has become the surviving company in legal terms. However, the merged company will operate under the Shin Kong Life Insurance name, retaining a brand that has been established in Taiwan for more than 60 years. The board has named Paul Wei as chairman, Hung Shih-chi as vice-chairman and Huang Min-yi as president. The company reported that a revaluation of assets at fair value has provided additional flexibility for asset allocation decisions. The total contractual service margin for the combined entity is projected to be above T$250bn ($7.9bn). With assets now exceeding T$4tn, Shin Kong Life plans to unify and rationalise its product offerings and take advantage of both companies distribution channels. The insurer intends to pursue more cross-selling opportunities within TS Holdings. The merger brings together Shin Kong Lifes focus on traditional life, health, accident and some investment-linked insurance products with Taishin Lifes experience in investment-linked, interest-sensitive and participating policies. This combined approach is expected to allow the new company to provide a broader suite of insurance and retirement planning solutions. The company also stated that it is preparing to comply with international standards such as IFRS 17 and the Insurance Capital Standard. Going forward, Shin Kong Life aims to strengthen its network of distribution partners and adopt digital technology including AI and data analytics. It will also continue efforts related to environmental, social and governance matters. TS Holdings chairman Thomas Wu said: Shin Kong Life and Taishin Life each bring distinct strengths and share a common spirit. This merger upholds our commitment to customers and reinforces our values. Shin Kong Life will remain dedicated to professionalism, innovation and sustainability, becoming a trusted partner in life insurance protection and wealth management. "Taiwans Shin Kong Life and Taishin Life finalise merger " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. Casual dining chain TGI Fridays has unveiled a new expansion plan as it seeks to scale the business substantially over the rest of the decade. Under its 1-2-3 Strategic Vision, the company is aiming for more than 1,000 units and $2bn in annual revenue by 2030. TGI Fridays said that the plan is based on four pillars, which include activating the brand, enabling flexible growth across markets, strengthening the franchise system, and improving performance through people. Phil Broad has been appointed president to lead this vision. He previously worked as TGI Fridays UK managing director from 1997 to 2001 and rejoined in April 2025 as president of international franchising, where his role involved expanding the brand in international markets. In his position as president, Broad will oversee growth efforts in the domestic business as well as internationally. TGI Fridays CEO Ray Blanchette said: TGI Fridays pioneered the casual bar and grill category and continues to introduce Americana culture to millions around the world. Our focus as we accelerate our growth is to resonate with the next generation of consumers while preserving the classic Americana feel and signature experience that has made the brand beloved in more than 40 countries. Through these strategic pillars, we honour the heritage of the Fridays brand while appealing to today's guests who crave bold flavours, high-energy experiences, and reasons to celebrate every day. The company has signed new development agreements to support the opening of more than 150 locations worldwide. The US-based chain intends to support the "1-2-3 Strategic Vision" with initiatives covering menu and beverage changes, improved guest experiences, and upgrades to restaurant atmosphere. The expansion plan marks a turnaround for the company after it emerged from bankruptcy. TGI Fridays initially filed for Chapter 11 in November 2024 in the Northern District of Texas following financial struggles and an unsuccessful acquisition attempt by UK-based Hostmore. "TGI Fridays unveils expansion plan, targets 1,000 locations by 2030" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association Migration, housing and a controversial EU trade deal are among the issues that politicians will be grappling with as they return to the Dail chamber after the Christmas break. International issues such as the crackdown on protesters in Iran, the crisis in Venezuela and the suggestion that Donald Trump is mulling whether to acquire Greenland by funds or by force are also expected to feature. The coalition government is expected to kick off the parliamentary term with a draft law to introduce a series of migration and asylum reforms as part of an EU-wide change due to take effect by June. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan was bringing his bill to Cabinet on Tuesday, containing stricter rules on the reunification of refugees with their families, on refugees applying for citizenship, and other issues. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan was bringing his bill to Cabinet on Tuesday (Conor O Mearain/PA) The country's record-high homeless numbers with 16,996 in emergency accommodation as of November and sky-rocketing house and rent prices will also be a priority for the Government in the coming year. It had signalled before the Christmas break that clearing infrastructure blockages would help unlock greater housing supply, as its latest housing plan scrapped annual new-build targets. Promises made during the 2024 general election campaign, around childcare and disability issues in particular, will remain a pressure point for the Government as families struggle with accessing services and the cost of living. Billions of euros in corporation tax revenues collected mostly from a handful of tech multinationals will also prove contentious after Irelands budgetary watchdog warned last year that the Fianna Fail-Fine Gael government was budgeting like theres no tomorrow. People protested against the EU-Mercosur trade deal in Athlone on Saturday (Cillian Sherlock/PA) The Dail is also returning after thousands of farmers gathered in Athlone at the weekend to protest against an EU trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Ireland voted against the deal after Irish farmers raised concerns that beef exports to Europe could be at risk due to the introduction of cheaper Brazilian beef; a debate on the EU-Mercosur deal was due in the Dail later on Tuesday. As Ireland gears up to host the Presidency of the Council of the EU in July, ministers will be preparing issues to focus on during its six-month term media minister Patrick ODonovan has said the theme for communication ministers will be protecting the child online, an issue more relevant now after controversy over sexualised deepfakes on social media X. The EU presidency will give Ireland an element of influence at a time of political instability across the world. By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association The Green Party leader has said the Minister for Justice needs to confirm today if he feels existing legislation is strong enough to tackle the issue of AI-generated child sexual abuse images. Speaking to reporters at Leinster House on Tuesday, Roderic OGorman said we have a crisis situation right now in terms of the degeneration of child sexual abuse imagery online and the issue has to be addressed. He had been asked about material reportedly produced by the AI chatbot Grok, which is a tool on the social media platform X, owned by billionaire Elon Musk. Mr OGorman said: I think weve become a bit numbed to whats happening in the online space, and particularly on X, but we are talking about the generation of child sexual abuse imagery, one of the most heinous crimes that we recognise as a society. I think the Government needs to examine right now if it has the criminal law tools to deal with, what I certainly believe is, a criminal law offence. And if theyre not satisfied they need to take action, and swiftly. He said the UK is taking very serious actions to tackle the issue and Ireland cant allow itself to be helpless. The British media watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether X has breached UK law. UK technology secretary Liz Kendall said generating sexual images without consent will become illegal this week, using an Act passed by the British Parliament last year. The EUs AI act was due to be brought to cabinet today, but Mr OGorman said its not enough to rely on existing EU legislation because advances in technology in this sphere are so quick. Key Points Gold has kept its positive momentum in the opening days of 2026. Agnico Eagle has good prospects for increasing production at reasonable costs. Investors seem to be assuming that gold will decline in valuing many mining stocks. 10 stocks we like better than Agnico Eagle Mines As economic uncertainty has grown, investors have increasingly turned to gold as an alternative to traditional investments in stocks, bonds, and other asset classes. Gold soared in 2025, and already in the opening days of 2026, the yellow metal has continued to gain momentum. That's been good news for Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE: AEM), one of the premier gold-mining companies in the world. The first two parts of this Voyager Portfolio series on Agnico Eagle gave a broad overview of the Canadian miner's business and highlighted the sources of the gold stock's financial success. In this final installment, you'll get a peek at Agnico Eagle's most promising opportunities to boost production from existing mines and to develop new projects. Image source: Getty Images. Agnico Eagle has growth plans in place Agnico Eagle has a detailed blueprint for future growth. Through optimization of existing assets and new exploration, the miner has short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term goals. Most of its near-term goals are geared toward increasing production on existing mines, although transitions from above-ground operations to underground work will also play a role. In the mid-term, the focus largely shifts to undeveloped assets. Long-term, Agnico Eagle hopes that the areas surrounding its existing mines will also turn out to be full of valuable resources, making future growth simpler. The mineral reserves at potential new projects are extensive. Upper Beaver has 2.8 million ounces of gold, and Agnico Eagle believes that its Hope Bay property in Nunavut could generate 400,000 ounces per year. In addition, the San Nicolas project in Mexico, which is a 50/50 joint venture with mining stock peer Teck Resources (NYSE: TECK), is a volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit that could pay off not just in gold but in base metals like copper, zinc, or lead. Agnico Eagle's 2 most important assets What's evident, though, is that two key complexes stand out from the rest. The Canadian Malartic region is progressing toward potential annual production of 1 million ounces of gold. The first phase of expansion is currently under way, with the transition to underground mining at the Odyssey first shaft could produce 550,000 ounces by itself. A potential second shaft is under evaluation, with an update expected next year. If successful, it could add another 220,000 ounces to production. With satellite deposits at Marban and Wasamac contributing another 230,000 ounces per year, Agnico Eagle's million-ounce aspirations seem like a reasonable long-term possibility. A young couple with no previous convictions have received suspended prison sentences for their involvement in the theft of more than 2,400 worth of perfumes and aftershave from a Castlebar department store. Lorena Voins and Iulian Samu, of 33 Fana Glas, Ballybane, Galway City, appeared before Castlebar District Court in connection with a shoplifting incident at Shaws Department Store on September 5, 2025. Gda Sgt Conor McShane told the court that two couples entered Shaws with a buggy at about 4.55pm on the date in question. They concealed a total of 27 containers of aftershave and perfume in the buggy. The value of the items was 2,403.26. Security staff followed the group as they left the premises and gardai were contacted. The accused were apprehended shortly afterwards and the stolen goods were recovered. Solicitor Gary Mulchrone said neither accused has previous convictions. A child present during the incident belonged to the other couple. Samu, aged 23, was born in Ireland but has family roots in Romania. He is employed by his father who "worked hard to establish a food distribution business in Galway". Voins, aged 25, is originally from Romania and also works in the family business. Mr Mulchrone said both defendants had foolishly travelled with the other couple to Castlebar and had become involved in the theft. They had complied strictly with bail conditions over the previous five months and had not come to garda attention in that time. They were anxious to have the matter finalised and were willing to engage in restorative justice if the court wished. Judge Sandra Murphy questioned the use of a specially concealed compartment within the buggy, noting that this was an aggravating factor as it implied a level of pre-meditation. However, she acknowledged that the defendants have no previous convictions and were not the principal organisers of the joint enterprise. Mr Mulchrone told the court that Samus father had offered 2,000 by way of compensation for the court to deal with the case as it saw fit. Noting the aggravating and mitigating factors, Judge Murphy convicted Samu and Voins and sentenced them to five months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. She also made a compensation order of 2,000. Judge Murphy said the case should serve as "a serious wake-up call" for both defendants and warned that any further offending would have grave consequences. 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. The News An executive at the largest owner of single-family rental homes in the US said President Donald Trumps move to outlaw institutional investors from owning homes wont actually address a homebuilding shortage. The notion that we are crowding out the individual homebuyer, I think, is an old view, Stephen Scherr, co-president of investment firm Pretium, said in an interview. Trumps announcement that he hopes to ban institutional investors from owning single-family homes is the presidents latest acknowledgment of an affordability gap hes previously shrugged off or blamed on Democrats. His administration is also buying housing bonds and floated the idea of a 50-year mortgage in an effort to bring down the cost of homeownership. A third of Americans are renters, either by choice or because they belong to the roughly half of Americans who wouldnt qualify for a mortgage, Scherr, a former Goldman Sachs CFO, said. That figure is about 90% for Pretiums renters, who otherwise look like the population at large mostly millennials and Gen X, roughly 40% married, and with incomes actually a fair bit higher than the average. Know More Corporate landlords and investment firms own less than 5% of the nations 87 million homes, according to BatchData, though that fraction is growing and obscures bigger footholds in local markets. Investment firms own one in four homes in Atlanta, one in five in Jacksonville, Fla., and one in six in Phoenix, according to a 2024 report from the federal Government Accountability Office. Chart showing institutional homeownership Critics say appetite from firms like Pretium, Blackstone, and others has driven up prices and pushed homebuilders to build to Wall Street specs, rather than increasing the number of disappearing starter homes. Pretium buys a de minimis number of homes one-by-one on the open market, Scherr said. Instead it buys most of its homes in bulk from homebuilders, which helps defray the risk of new developments and lets companies like Lennar and Toll Brothers invest more quickly in new projects. The US has a shortage of between 4 million and 5 million homes. Lizs view The industry is still outrunning its early days, when investors like Blackstone went on buying sprees after the foreclosure crisis. These investors also torched goodwill by aggressively fighting their property tax bills, drowning small-town officials in paperwork and, according to one study, shifting $4.1 billion from local government coffers to Wall Street investors. But the industry looks different today. Its a source of financing for homebuilders whose traditional lenders, regional banks, have pulled back from construction loans. As an always-there buyer, they play a similar role for housing as big tech companies do for data centers or electric grids do for power stations. By Joe Cash BEIJING, Jan 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to slap a 25% tariff on countries that trade with Iran risks reopening old wounds with Beijing, Tehran's biggest trading partner. Iran became a flashpoint in U.S.-China ties during Trump's 2017-21 first term as president as Washington tightened sanctions on Tehran and put China's Huawei, accused of selling technology to the Islamic Republic, in its crosshairs. The arrest of Meng Wenzhou, the daughter of Huawei's founder, in Canada at Washington's request sparked retaliation and a hostage crisis, with bitter recriminations lingering for the remainder of Trump's first administration. With Iran in his sights once again, the duty would see Chinese shipments to the U.S. incurring levies exceeding 70%, higher than the effective 57.5% tariffs in place before Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a deal in October to de-escalate their trade war. It remains unclear which countries with Iranian business links Trump might target, and he has not named China. The U.S. president has also made offhand remarks that threatened to upend U.S. foreign policy without acting on them before. "China will call (Trump's) bluff. I can assure you that Trump has no guts to impose the extra 25% tariffs on China, and if he does, China will retaliate and he will be punished," said Wu Xinbo, dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, "just like in Meng Wenzhou's case." BACK TO THE FUTURE Some Chinese experts questioned why Trump seemed intent on revisiting one of the most contentious foreign policy issues from his first term, despite having already made Beijing think twice about providing economic support to Tehran. "China and Iran are not as close as in the public imagination," said a Beijing-based Chinese academic who advises the foreign ministry on Iran policy, and requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to media. China has sharply reduced Iranian imports in recent years, according to Chinese customs data, with Chinese companies wary of being sanctioned by the U.S. government. China bought just $2.9 billion of Iranian goods in the first 11 months of last year, the latest customs figures show, compared with a peak of $21 billion in 2018 during Trump's first presidency. That said, Beijing moves around 80% of Iran's shipped oil through small independent refiners trading off the books to skirt U.S. sanctions over the country's nuclear ambitions. Before we begin Investing in antenatal care is crucial for South Africas future, but women need support even earlier than in pregnancy. The health of a child, their ability to learn, resist disease and reach their potential, starts before they are even born. However, extreme inequality in South Africa threatens the health and welfare of future generations. Integrated policy around nutrition support, the promotion of health behaviours, mental health screening and social protection that begins before conception could support pregnant women and break the cycle of poverty. Inequality affects women more According to World Bank statistics for 2025, 68% of South Africans live below the upper-middle-income poverty line. Of these, at least 51% are female and it is women who face higher unemployment, dominate informal work and carry the burden of caregiving. This means that women of reproductive age make up a large number of South Africas poor, explains Dr Pooja Nair, an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist and lecturer at Wits. The consequences of high poverty rates amongst women include delayed or absent antenatal care, poor nutrition, chronic diseases like obesity and hypertension and heightened exposure to gender-based violence and mental-health struggles. Nair says that each of these factors directly affects not only pregnancy outcomes but the childs long-term development. Mother and child links "Nutritional status, stress and chronic diseases are directly related to placental function and development. When these are compromised, there is a rise in preterm births and intrauterine growth restriction, as well as long-term metabolic changes in the child due to epigenetics, says Nair. Dr Alessandra Prioreschi, a scientist consultant at the Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit concurs and explains that womens poor nutrition, stress or social hardship alter the biological environment in which the baby develops, putting children at a disadvantage before they are even born. These biological consequences, which span generations, begin pre-conception and continue during pregnancy as the programming of a child's metabolic health and organ function occurs. Research shows that women experiencing food insecurity or chronic stress face higher rates of anaemia, obesity and depression all of which affect infant growth and development. Very young mums The alarm bells to the looming crisis have already begun ringing and teenage girls are among the most vulnerable. Reports show that 150 000 South African teenage girls were made pregnant between 2022 and 2023. In the Eastern Cape alone, 117 girls aged 10 to 14 gave birth between April and July 2025. These early pregnancies perpetuate the same disadvantages that shaped the mothers life, passing them on to the next generation, cautions Nair. Some premature births happen as a result of early pregnancies. When a baby is born prematurely, the costs are enormous and the infant will require specialised neonatal care, long hospital stays and years of developmental and neurological follow-up. Nair believes that saving future generations requires investment in the education of children, communities and families. Better education means fewer teenage pregnancies, less gender-based violence and young people who understand their bodies and choices. Health information must reach households, teaching how nutrition, healthy habits and managing chronic illness affect pregnancy and a childs future, she adds. Government putting real resources into primary and regional healthcare, strengthening the health system and ensuring that clinics are staffed, accessible and consistent, are also critical to the success of future generations. Lifesaving immunisation Holistic pre-natal and maternal support includes lifesaving vaccination. Vaccines are critical for improving maternal and child health outcomes because they protect both mothers and infants from life-threatening infections during pregnancy and early childhood, according to Professor Michelle Groome, a researcher at the Wits Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics (Wits VIDA) research unit. Protection in the first months of life is especially vital because newborns cannot receive many vaccines directly, leaving them vulnerable and without protection from maternal antibodies, which are then transferred to the baby. When vaccines are missed, mothers and babies face a high risk of disease, hospitalisation and even death from preventable infections, says Groome. Some of the studies at Wits VIDA have included the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and rotavirus vaccines in infants, which significantly influenced public immunisation programmes in South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries. The first randomised controlled trials of inactivated influenza vaccine in women (with and without HIV) demonstrated safety and efficacy in the women and their young infants. Another study was the first globally on the clinical development of Group B Streptococcus vaccines and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines in pregnant women. Before 1 000 days Prioreschi acknowledges that mothers want to do the best for their children but do not always have the means, knowledge or support. We need to make it easier for women to be healthy before, during and after pregnancy through access to affordable nutritious food, antenatal care that includes mental health support, safe environments for physical activity and education around breastfeeding and responsive caregiving, she says. South Africa already recognises the first 1 000 days the period from conception to a childs second birthday as critical. Prioreschi argues that the focus should be extended to pre-conception so that maternal health and nutrition is embedded into social protection, education and labour policies. The health of mothers and children should not be seen as a cost but as an investment in the foundation of the countrys future wellbeing and productivity. Thrive Flourishing in a changing world Welcome to the 20th edition of CURIOS.TY. This milestone reflects how far the magazine has come since its launch 10 years ago. Over time, CURIOS.TY has grown in format, depth and reach. It has explored themes such as Cities, Gender, Energy, and Disruption, and has helped make Wits research accessible to a wide audience. The growth in readership is encouraging. In the past four years, engagement with CURIOS.TY online has quadrupled to almost 50 000 page views, with 77% of readers exploring multiple pages. We also print 20 000 paper copies that are distributed locally and available to travellers at South Africas major airports. Our audience now spans South Africa and includes readers in the USA, the Netherlands, Ireland, the UK, China, Australia, Canada, Germany, Singapore, India, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Kenya and France. This international reach speaks to the relevance of our research and the interest in scholarship coming from the Global South. This 20th edition examines what it means to thrive at various stages of life and in different social and environmental contexts. Our first feature shares research and strategies to thrive, whether you are an expectant mum, parenting toddlers or teens, navigating higher education or your first job, raising a family, or settling into your senior years. Wits researchers show that thriving begins early. Maternal health, nutrition and commercial determinants shape a childs long-term development and wellbeing. Supporting mothers and young children is both good public health practice and a foundation for a more caring society. Adolescence brings another set of challenges. Initiatives such as AfriCAT, which uses digital tools to strengthen youth mental-health data, illustrate how innovation can improve support for young people during a critical phase of their lives. Thriving also depends on the systems around us. In our second feature, Wits economists and governance experts examine how African countries can build more self-reliant and inclusive economies through local innovation, philanthropy and trade. Their work highlights the conditions needed for societies to move from coping to long-term stability. Environmental research reminds us that human wellbeing is closely linked to the health of the natural world. Studies on soil nutrients, biodiversity and genetic resilience help us understand which species may endure in a changing climate. The nexus of nature, climate change and people reminds us that healthy ecosystems are essential for flourishing, thriving communities. Cities form another part of this picture. Wits researchers examine how housing, infrastructure, transport and public spaces shape daily life. Their work shows how well-designed cities can support dignity, safety and social connection. The theme of this edition also prompts reflection on the role of universities and how teachers and students can thrive. Throughout history, universities have survived wars, political transitions and social upheaval because societies rely on places where knowledge is created, questioned and shared openly. Today, academic freedom and institutional autonomy face pressure in several parts of the world, including attempts to limit what can be taught or researched. Protecting strong, independent universities is essential if future generations are to learn, innovate and contribute to a more resilient society. The Thrive edition explores the factors that help people and societies flourish in a changing world. Twenty editions on, CURIOS.TY continues to lead the way in sharing research that informs and inspires that progress. By Francesco Guarascio HANOI, Jan 13 (Reuters) - The Trump administration plans to replace the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam with a nominee set on addressing "imbalanced" trade relations, as Hanoi's goods trade surplus with Washington surpassed China's in recent quarters while it was locked in unresolved tariff negotiations with Washington. On Sunday, current ambassador Marc Knapper will end his tenure after being abruptly recalled before Christmas alongside several other career diplomats. His designated successor, career diplomat Jennifer Wicks McNamara, who is awaiting U.S. Senate confirmation after being nominated in October, has said the trade relationship needs rectifying. The Southeast Asian nation reported record exports to the United States last year despite 20% U.S. tariffs since August, generating a surplus of nearly $134 billion, according to Vietnamese government data, which are more conservative than U.S. figures. "The current trade relationship is imbalanced," Wicks told U.S. lawmakers in December, noting that if confirmed she would promote equitable access for U.S. goods and services to Vietnam and encourage Vietnamese investment in the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court may rule on the legality of the White House's tariffs as soon as this week, but analysts said Vietnam will likely face U.S. pressure regardless of the ruling. "The administration still has multiple avenues to re-escalate tariff rates," said Adam Samdin, an economist at Oxford Economics. The U.S. trade deficit with Vietnam leaves Hanoi "vulnerable," he said. Knapper was an advocate for closer ties with Vietnam and frequently expressed optimism about the outcome of trade talks with Hanoi. Wicks, a State Department official for over two decades, also aims to deepen security cooperation with Vietnam, an objective long emphasised by Knapper. VIETNAM OVERTAKES CHINA The latest seasonally adjusted U.S. data shows Vietnam's January to October trade surplus in goods reached $144.2 billion, already surpassing its full-year 2024 record. Crucially, Vietnam's goods trade surplus was higher than China's in the second and third quarters of 2025, the latest available U.S. data shows. Among U.S. partners, only Mexico had a larger gap in those quarters. Vietnam's rise is closely linked to a sharp decline in China's trade with the United States: Beijing's goods trade surplus nearly halved to $41.4 billion in the third quarter from the same quarter in 2024, whereas Vietnam's rose by about 43% in the same period to $44.8 billion, according to seasonally adjusted U.S. data. "We made education and learning a priority, and encouraged curiosity, reasoning, and discourse," their parents, Nora Ghodsian and Bijan Raphael, said via email. The Raphael siblings grew up in Los Angeles, the children of Iranian immigrants who emphasized the importance of education. Their parents collectively hold three master's degrees and a Ph.D. They shared with Business Insider an intimate look at how they navigated their rise. The elevator encounter captured the unusual convergence of two careers that had spent decades running in parallel for most of their time at Goldman , the siblings worked in different divisions and on different continents. Only recently did they begin showing up to the same office. "Our clients have a huge appetite for hearing his insights on all things data-related," Padi told Business Insider in a joint interview with her brother. For years, she joked, Neema was known internally as Padi's younger brother. Now, the shorthand has flipped. Neema, 44, rose through the tech business and now leads hundreds of engineers who work on the bank's data and AI systems . His role is central to Goldman's push into artificial intelligence, a priority for CEO David Solomon. Padi, 47, is the global cohead of the third-party wealth business at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, having built her career in markets and client-facing roles across Europe and Asia. She's center ring in a hot sector for the firm, working with broker-dealers, private banks, and investment advisors to attract more wealthy clients. They now steer parts of the firm that are essential to its future. What makes the moment at the elevator so unusual isn't just that Padi and Neema Raphael are siblings. It's that both have risen to become partners at Goldman, placing them among roughly 500 people at a firm of about 49,000. It also meant Padi was coming face-to-face with the coworker she calls her "best friend": her brother. The timing couldn't have been better. The client had been asking for the chance to meet him. One recent afternoon at 200 West Street, Goldman Sachs partner Padi Raphael was walking a client toward the elevator at the bank's New York headquarters when the doors opened. Out stepped Goldman's chief data officer. They shared the story of rising alongside each other at one of Wall Street's most demanding firms. Neema is the chief data officer; Padi is the global cohead of third-party wealth in asset management. Story Continues Growing up, neither imagined a career in financial services. Padi studied neuroscience at UCLA. Neema went on to study computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. Padi arrived at Goldman first, almost by accident. A mentor encouraged her to talk to the firm, telling her it would teach her things she had yet to learn. She joined in 1999 as an analyst, after a hiring process she still remembers as grueling. Padi with her younger brother Neema. The siblings are both partners at Goldman Sachs. Courtesy of Goldman Sachs "I'd fly in, do 12 interviews, and then fly back home," Padi, who was still living on the West Coast at the time, said. The firm did this three times more than 30 interviews in total a process she later suspected was a test of endurance. She spent her first year in New York in asset management before relocating to London in 2000, where she moved into equity derivatives sales on the trading floor and built a career there. A few years later, her brother called. Rising the ranks together After college, Neema was keen to apply his tech training to a real-world business like Goldman. He asked his sister if she could help him get a foot in the door. Padi couldn't promise more than introductions, but agreed to circulate his resume. She also offered advice: "Be yourself and be thoughtful and show them your work," Neema recalled her telling him. He got the job, joining the technology division as an analyst in 2003. Padi Raphael and her younger brother, Neema, grew up in Los Angeles. Courtesy of Goldman Sachs Five years later, at the height of the financial crisis, Neema's team helped Goldman assess its exposure quickly because his team had helped digitize key systems. The effort earned an internal award typically reserved for dealmakers and cemented his focus on the intersection of data and finance. Early in his career, his manager asked if he would consider moving to Tokyo. Unsure what the request meant for his prospects at the bank, Neema called his sister. Her reaction was swift and definitive. "You have to do that," she told him. "That's a no-brainer." Padi encouraged him, she said, because she believed that "any adventure, any opportunity to broaden your perspective about the world, about people, about the business" was worth taking. While the siblings' careers unfolded in very different parts of the firm, they continued comparing notes. Making partner was the next milestone. Padi was named a partner in 2016. Her career had taken her from the equities trading floor during the Dot-com bust to returning from maternity leave during the recession, to navigating the European financial crisis in London, and to experiencing the coronavirus pandemic in Hong Kong. Four years later, it was Neema's turn. He became a partner in 2020, which Padi said marked the first year he was under consideration. The role brought a shift: greater visibility inside a firm where data and technology had become increasingly central. Family now In 2022, Padi moved back to New York after nearly a decade in Hong Kong. "Coming back home to the US was a natural choice for our growing family," she said. And it came as Solomon and his deputy, President and COO John Waldron, were combining Goldman's asset and wealth management businesses. The two leaders were "seeking to reinforce our asset management business' client leadership group with seasoned partners from around the firm," she added. For a stretch, Padi and her family stayed with Neema and his family. They often headed to the office together. Outside work, the siblings' closeness is unmistakable. Padi has three children two teenagers and a kindergartener while Neema is raising a young family, including a four-year-old and a newborn. Their kids are best friends, they said, and Friday nights are reserved for Shabbat dinners, with both families gathering to mark the end of the week together. That dynamic was on display at Goldman's annual winter gathering in Miami for its global partners, where the firm fills a wall with the names of every partner it has ever named. Like everyone else in attendance, the Raphael siblings went in search of theirs. A stylistic break in the display left Neema's name at the end of one section, and Padi's at the beginning of another. They tracked both down and snapped selfies in front of each a quiet marker of two careers that ran in parallel for two decades before converging at the top. Read the original article on Business Insider The head of the U.S. oil industrys top lobbying group said Tuesday that American producers are prepared to be a stabilizing force in Iran if the regime there falls even as they remain skeptical about returning to Venezuela after the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro. This is good news for the Iranian people theyre taking freedom into their own hands, American Petroleum Institute President Mike Sommers said of the mass protests that have embroiled Iran in recent days. President Donald Trump is said to be weighing his options for potential actions against the Iranian government in response to its violent crackdown on the protests. Our industry is committed to being a stabilizing force in Iran if they decide to overturn the regime, Sommers told reporters following APIs annual State of American Energy event in Washington. Its an important oil play in the world, about the sixth-largest producer now they could absolutely do more, he said of the country. Iran's oil industry, despite being ravaged by years of U.S. sanctions, is still considered to be structurally sound, unlike that of Venezuela's. In order for companies to return to Venezuela, on the other hand, they will need long-term investment certainty, operational security and rule of law all of which will take significant time, Sommers said. If they get those three big things right, I think there will be investment going to Venezuela, he said. Background: Experts who spoke earlier from the stage at APIs event also underscored the differences between Iran and Venezuela, whose oil infrastructure has deteriorated under years of neglect from the socialist regime. Iran was able to add production under the weight of the most aggressive sanctions the U.S. could possibly deploy, said Kevin Book, managing director at the energy research firm ClearView Energy Partners. Imagine what they could do with Western engineering. Bob McNally, a former national security and energy adviser to former President George W. Bush who now leads the energy and geopolitics consulting firm Rapidan Energy Group, said the prospects for growing Irans oil production are completely different from Venezuelas. You can imagine our industry going back there we would get a lot more oil, a lot sooner than we will out of Venezuela, McNally said. Thats more conventional oil right near infrastructure, and gas as well. No equity stakes: Sommers told reporters that API would oppose any efforts by the Trump administration to take a stake in oil companies that invest in Venezuela. The administration has taken direct equity stakes in a range of U.S. companies in a bid to boost the growth of sectors it sees as a geopolitical priority, such as semiconductor manufacturing and critical minerals. We would be opposed to the United States government taking a stake in any American oil and gas companies, period, Sommers said. Wed have to know a little bit more about what the administration is proposing in terms of stake in [Venezuelan state-owned oil company] PDVSA, but were not for the nationalization of oil companies or for there to be a national oil company in the United States. Two-dozen former hunger strikers have released an open letter to Keir Starmers Labour government in defence of the Palestine Action political prisoners refusing food and at imminent risk of death. Heba Muraisi has spent 72 days on hunger strike, Kamran Ahmed 65 days, and Lewie Ciaramella 51 days (fasting every other day as he is type-one diabetic). They are among 29 young peoplethe Filton 24 and Brize Norton 5held on remand for over a year in exceptionally repressive conditions for alleged participation in direct action protests against the Gaza genocide. A protester in Manchester holds up a photo of hunger striker Heba Muraisa Starmers government refuses to even meet with the prisoners, their legal representatives or their families. Survivors of state violence The letters signatories have histories of imprisonment at the hands of the Israeli government in Palestine, the British government in Ireland and the American government in Guantanamo. They write as survivors of state violence, explaining, The Palestine Action political prisoners began their hunger strike when they had no other choice. The states decision to rely on the use of the classification of terror to enforce the systematic repression of those who refuse to conform has left them with no other alternative as they seek the rights they are entitled to by law. Their letter demands: An urgent ministerial meeting with families and legal representatives, Immediate bail for the Palestine Action prisoners, the Dropping of terror charges designed to criminalise dissent, Fair trial conditions free from fear-driven narrative and political interference, Immediate access to independent medical care chosen by the prisoners and An end to censorship and restrictions on family visits. A veil of silence has been drawn over the event in the media, whose corporate owners and political handlers understand the explosive significance of a letter highlighting the dictatorial record of the war on terrorwritten by many of its victims. In their words, the use of terror legislation to target Palestine protesters is not a new phenomenon: the use of the word terror has long been used to manufacture fear, to poison public perception, to justify the repeated violation of even the most basic human rights. Once this label is attached, rights become conditional, liberty becomes transactional, and the presumption of innocence evaporates. The rule of law that is so proudly claimed to be upheld is swiftly desecrated in the face of a singular word, deployed by unscrupulous politicians determined to protect their own interests: terrorist. The war on terror continued Most of the signatories are former Guantanamo Bay detainees. They include Lakhdar Boumediene, lead plaintiff in the Boumediene v. Bush case which sought to secure the right of detainees to challenge their detention in US courts, and Mansoor Adayfi and Samir Naji al Hasan Moqbel, whose writing raised international awareness of the crimes committed by the American government. Their intervention coincides with the British government paying substantial compensation to Abu Zubaydah, the first man subjected to CIA torture under the euphemism of enhanced interrogation. He was waterboarded 83 times, locked in coffin-shaped boxes and physically assaulted. Abu Zubaydah [Photo: Reprieve] Agents working for British intelligence services MI5 and MI6 passed questions to his CIA torturers. They observed in internal communications that his treatment would have broken 98 percent of UK special forces soldiers. Zubaydah is still held in Guantanamo, without charge, 24 years after being kidnapped by the US in Pakistan in 2002. His international legal counsel Professor Helen Duffy commented, The compensation is important, its significant, but its insufficient, adding that the UK and other governments share responsibility for his ongoing torture and unlawful detention. Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer is directly implicated in these crimes. As Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), he protected MI5 from prosecution in 2010 for its involvement in the torture of Binyam Mohamed, a British resident also kidnapped in Pakistan in 2002 and subjected to torture during his seven-year detention in Guantanamo. Starmer claimed there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. Two years later, with police having spent the last 30 months investigating the crime, Starmer admitted that MI5 had provided information to the CIA but claimed was insufficient evidence of knowledge of a real or serious risk that Mr Mohamed would be exposed to ill-treatment amounting to torture. Starmer gave the same answer to allegations of MI6 involvement in torture at Bagram air base in Afghanistan. Keir Starmer, the then director of public prosecutions, delivers a statement to the media, February 5, 2010 [AP Photo/ John Stillwell ] Labours right-wing authoritarianism The lawless violence rubber-stamped by Starmer as DPP under the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition is now directly employed by him at the head of a Labour government. He is overseeing a massive strengthening of the authoritarian powers of the state, from the proscription of Palestine Action to the intimidation of journalists, draconian sentencing and restrictions on mass demonstrations. Labours treatment of the hunger strikers is the most brutal example to date of anti-democratic crackdown. Workers in Britain have been outraged by the murder of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of ICE. The Socialist Equality Party (US) described the killing as the intended consequence of the massive paramilitary mobilization that the Trump administration has unleashed in cities across the country, the spearhead for the broader conspiracy for dictatorship. That conspiracy is intertwined with the American imperialist policy pursued abroad. In the words of an earlier WSWS statement: To impose neocolonial domination abroad, the administration must also overcome mass opposition at home. The inevitable disasters flowing from this strategy will be met with even greater violence, both internationally and within the United States. In the same way, Starmers own authoritarian agenda could soon add the bodies of three British citizens to the toll of its genocide-supporting, militarist foreign policy. A new labour movement against imperialism The long and extensive record of oppression inscribed in the biographies of the open letters signatories is deeply significant. It underscores that what the hunger strikers and all pro-Palestine protesters confront is not just Starmer, his government, or even the British political establishment, but a global imperialist system: a sprawling apparatus of violence and coercion serving the interests of a capitalist oligarchy and political elite. Confronting such an enemy requires the development of a mass movement against all imperialist warsfrom Venezuela to Gaza to Ukraineand attacks on democratic rights. Moreover, that movement must be built in the working class as the sole social force capable of defeating the imperialist governments. Hundreds of thousands of people march through central London in protest at the genocide on Gaza and UK involvement in the bombing of Yemen, January 14, 2024 Enormous popular opposition to the genocide in Gaza and British government complicitybringing millions into the streets on national and local demonstrationswas led down the dead end of supporting appeals to Starmer made by the Labour left handful and the trade union bureaucracy, backed by no action whatsoever. Many young people turned to Palestine Action as an alternative to this impotent perspective. What is being done to them shows the stakes. As the SEPs youth movement in the UK wrote of their fate last year: Every worker and students neck is on the line Their cause is the cause of the entire working class and student youth, which must be mobilised in their defence. The trade union bureaucracy and Corbynite lefts are the opponents of such a mobilisation. It must be accomplished through the dogged reconstruction of a labour movement infused with socialist principles: the establishment of rank-and-file committees as the practical means through which workers can coordinate actions across industries and borders, defend targeted communities, expose state and corporate propaganda, and unify struggles against repression, austerity and war into a conscious political movement. The US operation in Venezuela ordered by the would-be dictator Donald Trump has elicited concern and anger among workers and youth in Britain. Not so much as a pale reflection of this has been shown in the protests organised by the Stop the War Coalition under the figurehead of Your Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, attended by a few hundred people. These were called as bankrupt appeals to Keir Starmers government of warmongersalready reviled as genocide defenders in Gazato stand up to Trump and defend international law. On Saturday, a Socialist Equality Party campaign stall outside the Town Hall in Sheffield, South Yorkshire attracted workers and youth for discussions and to take copies of the leaflets: Oppose Trumps criminal invasion of Venezuela! Release Maduro!, and Venezuela and Ukraine highlight bankruptcy of Britains anti-war movement. Socialist Equality Party campaign team in Sheffield A retired university canteen worker said, It is appalling what happened in Venezuela. Trump is a dictator. He is implementing a plan for the US to take control of the worlds resources. No one is prepared to stop him. The war against Russia is also about resources, especially those in Ukraine. Governments dont care about dictators, only resources. We cant sleepwalk into war and fascism again. We need to learn from the 1930s. A student criticised the single issue politics he associated with the Western left. Two British Asian women active in the pro-Palestinian campaign said, these issues are all connected: Venezuela, Gaza, the attack on free speech. After an initial discussion challenging the idea that Ukraine was the good war, they agreed, It is all about Empire. Like many others who stopped, they condemned the killing of mother of three Renee Good in Minneapolis by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. From Trump to Starmer they are calling us all domestic terrorists, they said, a reference to the banning of Palestine Action last July and the arrest of 2,700 for protesting this anti-democratic outrage. The WSWS also spoke with a cross-section of workers and students who are readers and supporters. They condemned the state violence by Trump against Venezuela and inside the US, the Starmer governments warmongering against Russia in Ukraine and repression of protests. And they addressed the need for a perspective to mobilise the power of the international working class against the descent into criminality and war. Ricky, a former refuse worker and safety rep in Coventry, said, Its clear as day Trump invaded Venezuela for its natural resources, not only the oil but also silver and gold. It is even more naked than Iraq in 2003 when the US and Britain concocted the lies about Weapons of Mass Destruction. Venezuela and Latin America are the immediate target, but Trump has said it is about controlling the Western Hemisphere, directed against China and Russia. No one wants World War III. People are warning about this across social media. Keir Starmer has shown his fealty to Trump; why would he stand up for international law? He is guilty of breaking it over Gaza, arming the genocide against the Palestinians. The killing of Renee Good was shocking. I follow Instagram: the way these ICE agents act, they can kill with impunity and are masked up. It is like the darkest days of history and the Nazis in the 1930s and 40s. She has been labelled a domestic terrorist by Trump and Vance. She was entirely innocent; that was her street and neighbourhood she was looking out for, to monitor ICE so people could go about their daily lives. People gather for a vigil honoring Renee Good, who was murdered by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier in the week, at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. [AP Photo/John Locher] Starmer banned Palestine Action as terrorist. Really! That is for raising peoples awareness, telling you where your taxes are going and protesting to block arming Israel. How can it be that it is terrorist to oppose war? These wars, including Ukraine, are about resources. It is the working class and poor that will pay, to make the rich more wealthy and powerful. There is a lot of anger, but people need to step back and take a hard look at what is taking place. I was talking to a friend, and he was saying we need a revolution. This is the crux of it for me. This censorship and repression, its because of the feelings among the working classes towards revolution and civil unrest against social inequality. There has been what I call the Great Distractionthe scapegoating of immigrants for all the problems created by the wealthy few, by Labour, and Farages Reform UK supported by Trump. This is to turn your head the other way while the rich plunder everything. We need to stand up together. We need standard bearers to take up the fight to give the confidence to everyone who feels things are wrong but are more hesitant and dont know how to express their opposition. Mike, a building worker from Manchester, also condemned the US action against Venezuela: Trump is a capitalist billionaire and he wants Venezuelas oil. He wants to take control of their oil and then hell go after all of South America and Cuba. Hes an imperialist. They are behaving like Al Capone, Chicago in the 1920s. Starmer is Trumps lapdog; hes weak, hell go along with anything. President Donald Trump monitors U.S. military operations in Venezuela, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, left, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. [AP Photo/Molly Riley] They want Russias and Chinas markets. This is a very dangerous timemilitarism and gangsterism! Asked about the connection between war abroad and oppression by governments at home, Mike said, Theyre letting the [pro-Palestinian, anti-genocide] hunger strikers die. Theyre not even mentioning it on the mainstream media. Theyre behaving like fascists. Mike spoke about the need for a general strike, but warned, 100 years ago in Britain it was the TUC [Trades Union Congress] leaders that called off the general strike. George, a Royal Mail worker in Glasgow, Scotland and member of the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee, said, What Trump has done against Venezuela is gangsterism and theft, committing war crimes against another country, bombing fishing boats, seizing oil tankers, kidnapping the head of state and his wife, bombing the capital to get the US oil companies back in to steal the resources. It wont stop there. He bombed Nigeria just before this and he wants their resources. Its capitalism, blatant colonialism to condemn people to poverty so they cannot have the resources. Bypass the law and Congress, go straight to war crimes! Look at the profits of the arms firms like BAE Systems in the UK with record share prices. George opposed the Starmer government committing troops to Ukraine and the dangers of war with Russia: The war was provoked by NATO expanding eastwards since the end of the Soviet Union, including the Maidan coup in 2014 in Ukraine to put that chocolate billionaire [Petro Poroshenko] in as a puppet government and now taking all the riches from Ukraine. NATO has used the Ukrainians as cannon fodder. I help families, refugees from Ukraine and they tell me life expectancy is just a month on the frontline. Trench warfare and people being blown to bits with drones. They are asking What is this for?, they are just told to go out and fight. Ukrainian soldiers prepare to fire at Russian positions from a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, July 14, 2022. [AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka] If it was my son, I would not want him fighting. The regime in Ukraine arrested the socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk, he faces trumped-up charges of treason because he is fighting for the unity of the working class in Ukraine and Russia against Zelensky and Putin. They fear the truth and the message of working-class unity. The media is quick to hail pro-democracy protests in Iran. They are being attacked, but Starmer is locking up people here for peaceful protests over the genocide in Gaza. You are labelled terrorist for opposing war crimes and the Labour government is prepared to see the pro-Palestinian activists starve for demanding their rights, held in prison without even being convicted of anything. These wars and the destruction of democracy can only be stopped by a popular movement of the working class from the bottom up. In Venezuela, US and around the world, uniting the working class. Capitalism has an appetite for destruction to increase power and wealth. It wont stop until it is stopped, and the working class has the power to do this. Saxony State Chancellery with pillar of the collapsed Carola Bridge One and a half years after the sudden collapse of the Carola Bridge in Dresden, it is becoming clear how the current austerity budget of the Saxony state government is also bringing social bridges crashing down, particularly in the areas of culture, education and social affairs, strengthening the fascists. Shortly before the turn of the year, the state government also made clear that following the 2025/26 austerity budget, it considers there is no alternative to further billions in savings in the 2027/28 biennial budget. The minority government of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by Minister President Michael Kretschmer, was elected to office in December 2024 with the votes of the anti-migrant Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and the Left Party, from which it is a split-off. From the very beginning, Kretschmer declared that his government would rely on consultations with all parties, including the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). After six months and lengthy negotiations, the budget plan through 2026 was passed in the summer of 2025 with the votes of the Greens and the Left Party. A budget gap of around 4 billion was plugged primarily through the depletion of remaining reserves and drastic cuts in all areas not classified as mandatory statutory expenditure. Since the largest item in this category is personnel costs, around 400 posts are to be cut by not filling vacancies left by retirements. Budgets in voluntary services fell by around 470 million in 2025 and by 499 million in 2026. With this biennial budget, the state government is embarking on a path of personnel reduction that we must necessarily continue to follow in the coming years. Otherwise, personnel expenditure will grow over our heads, stated Finance Minister Christian Piwarz. Exempted from this is the police force, which is to be increased by 500 posts. This is even more duplicitous as the cuts exacerbate precisely those social conflicts that are then used as justification for the expansion of the police state. In an open letter, welfare associations warned that 5,000 to 10,000 jobs and numerous services such as debt counselling, addiction support, migration counselling and integration projects are at risk of collapsing. Without secured financing, painstakingly built structures would be permanently destroyed. The immediate consequences: staff reductions, the elimination of local contact points, and the cessation of language courses, school projects and counselling centres. In rural regions, where such associations are often the only reliable partners, this leads to growing social isolation, intensified conflicts and a higher potential for escalation. This, in turn, is grist for the mill of right-wing extremist agitators. Formally, the state is committed to language promotion and counselling structures in the Saxony Integration and Participation Act; in practice, however, these areas are being systematically hollowed out. Civil society networks such as the Saxony Refugee Council and Tolerant Saxony warn of a statewide dying off of projects, which is taking place precisely at a time of increasing right-wing extremist danger. In the area of equality and anti-discrimination, funds are dropping from 5.9 million to 3.5 million. For Integrative Measures, funds are sinking from 14.9 million to just 2.9 million. Subsidies for health promotion and prevention are being reduced from 2.9 million to 1.2 million. On top of this, social initiatives and associations complained at the end of the year that the Saxony Development Bank actually has fewer funds available than were planned in the budget. As a consequence, only 21 of 91 applications for 2026 were approved. Many established providers are thereby losing their funding basis and face closure. Cultural institutions, for example in the state capital Dresden, are also expected to face cutbacks of 4.76 million, with 400,000 cut from libraries alone. While Dresden is merging theatres and the State Operetta into a State Stages municipal enterprise, for the purpose of savings; institutions in smaller cities like Gorlitz and Zwickau are threatened with complete closure. Iris Edenheiser, director of the German Hygiene Museum in Dresden, made clear to broadcaster MDR that fewer subsidies also mean reduced contribution for third-party funding, upon which they are significantly dependent. The consequence is that the loss of 665,000 is effectively doubled. 1.33 million lesswe really cant just shrug that off anymore, the director told Artour magazine, describing it as a vicious circle. Less money means fewer special exhibitions, therefore less audience and attention, and ultimately less funding. At the same time, the municipalities face a deficit of 1 billion, with half being in the red, the Saxony Association of Towns and Municipalities reported last week. This year, Dresden intends to offset a deficit of 144 million through cuts, Leipzig faces a deficit of around 100 million, and Chemnitz 113 million. Nationwide, the municipal deficit rose from 6.3 billion in 2023 to 25 billion in 2024. This year, it is expected to amount to around 30 billion. This leads to a double burden: cuts at state level coincide with municipal austerity measures, leading to parallel cutbacks in identical fields. In Saxony, the land of collapsing bridges, local and state politicians declare that the poor financial situation impacts directly on investments in municipal infrastructure and that finances are definitely not sufficient to maintain or improve the condition of our roads. The Greens and the Left Party cynically justified their support for the state budget by claiming they had prevented worse. Both parties support the war policy of the federal government, which has been a major factor in rising costs while federal subsidies were cut to finance rearmament. When the Greens were in government at federal and state levels, they implemented the austerity budgets themselves. Now, with Sebastian Scheel (SPD), a former Left Party member is even serving as state secretary in the Saxon Ministry of Economics. Scheel, who had previously made a name for himself with the austerity budget imposed by the Berlin Senate (state executive), quit the Left Party in 2024 because its support for the pro-war policy did not go far enough for him. However, as is so often the case, the Left Party plays a particularly foul role outside parliament. While occasionally feigning criticism of the cuts and pro-war policies, to provide itself with an alibi, it says that approving the austerity budget is an anti-fascist act, claiming otherwise the Alternative for Germany (AfD) would be strengthened. Yet it takes meticulous care to isolate from one another all movements expressing opposition, waiting for them to run out of steam. If it organises small protests against cuts in the state and municipalities, or against the AfD, it avoids any reference to the pro-war policies that it supports itself. It is impossible to win even the smallest social improvements without connecting them to the fight against rearmament and war. These, in turn, are inseparably linked to the trade war measures and mass layoffs that are also hitting Saxony hard. In addition to the loss of thousands of jobs related to the Volkswagen plant near Zwickau, thousands more job cuts will be added in the coming years at Thyssenkrupp Automotive, Dow in Bohlen and Bosch in Sebnitz. In October 2025, the unemployment rate already stood at 6.8 percent, the highest level in October in 10 years. The lesser evil policy of the Left Party and the Greens also tramples underfoot a central lesson of German history. Just as liberals and Social Democrats once supported Reich President Hindenburg to block Hitler coming to poweronly then for Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Reich chancellorthey now support right-wing CDU politicians like Merz and Kretschmer to block the AfD. Just as in the past, they are paving the way for the fascists, who profit from both the social devastation and rearmament. In the new year, the Saxony state government has already announced a type of budget freeze. All commitment appropriations that lead to a financial pre-commitment of expenditures from 2027 onwards are temporarily restricted. Right-wing Finance Minister Christian Piwarz declared this to be unavoidable, as the next biennial budget for 2027/28 will also have a deficit amounting to approximately 2.9 billion. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva joined by other officials at ceremony "in defense of democracy" on January 8 in Brasilia [Photo: Ricardo Stuckert\ASCOM\SGPR] On January 8, the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Workers Party PT) held a ceremony to mark three years since the coup attempt led by his predecessor, the fascist former president Jair Bolsonaro with the support of Brazils military chiefs. The third anniversary of the January 8 fascist insurrection in Brasilia was the first held since Bolsonaro and his military co-conspirators were convicted and jailed for their attempt to overturn the elections and establish a dictatorship. It was also the first ceremony marking the event since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Bolsonaro whose coup attempt on January 6, 2021, served as a model for the former Brazilian president. Last July, the Trump administration imposed abusive 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian products with the open aim of reversing the imminent conviction of Bolsonaro and his allies, who were tried by Brazils Supreme Court (STF) on September 11. Since then, the Trump administrations offensive against the region US imperialism has historically considered its backyard has undergone a qualitative escalation. In December, it launched its new National Defense Strategy, which introduced a Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. Following its stated aims of challenging Chinas influence and asserting its domination over the Western Hemisphere, US imperialism launched its criminal invasion of Venezuela and kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3. Held in this explosive context, Lulas ceremony aimed to sow illusions about the alleged strength of Brazilian democracy. According to Lula, January 8 is marked in history as the day of democracys victory. The Brazilian president also took the opportunity to reinforce his governments nationalist agenda, claiming that January 8 also represented a victory over the traitors to the homeland, who conspired against Brazil to cause chaos in the economy and unemployment for millions of Brazilians. Lula praised the alleged virtues of the Supreme Court, saying that Perhaps the most compelling evidence of the vigor of Brazilian democracy is the trial of the coup plotters by the STF. In a reference to the judge who presided over the case, Alexandre de Moraes, who was targeted by Trump under the Magnitsky Act, he said that the STF did not bow to pressure. It was not intimidated by threats. It did not allow itself to be swayed by revenge. In a calculated move, Lula failed to mention in his speech the enormous implications of the US invasion of Venezuela for Brazils vigorous democracy. The aggression of US imperialism against Brazils northern neighbor sets a dangerous precedent for all Latin America. A central aim of Trumps attack was to send a clear message that any government that stands in the way of the United States will face the same fate as Maduro. Neither did Lula mention the systematic interventions of the Trump administration in the politics of Brazil and the whole region promoting fascistic forces that are heirs to the US-backed military dictatorships of the 1970s. Lula and his administration have, in fact, done everything possible to avoid further straining relations with the Trump administration. The PT President continues to seek politically corrupt deals with the US administration to reverse the tariffs imposed on Brazil. In addition, since October, amid the Trump administrations escalation against Venezuela, Lula has spoken three times with the would-be American dictator, declaring in mid-December that Trump became my friend with a little conversation. But, as they act to consciously chloroform the Brazilian working class, Lula and his officials are nervously monitoring Maduros kidnapping and the developments in Venezuela, conscious of their implications for Brazil, which are exacerbated by this being an election year in which Lula will run for re-election. On January 6, the Metropoles website reported that the [Lula] government is concerned about the possibility of White House interference in the 2026 presidential elections, with Brazilian diplomats drawing clear parallels between what has recently occurred in countries such as Honduras and Argentina and what may happen in Brazil. The fate of Nicolas Maduro foreshadows an escalation of direct intervention by US imperialism in Brazilian politics, which is aggressively advocated by the far-right opposition linked to Bolsonaro. These fascist forces have already begun to exploit the Trump administrations offensive against Venezuela to boost their campaign for the release of Bolsonaro and the others convicted for the January 8 coup attempt. As part of the official commemoration of the January 8 anniversary, Lula fully vetoed a bill to drastically reduce sentences for convicted antidemocratic conspirators, the so-called Dosimetry Bill. Approved by both houses of the Brazilian Congress in December, it aimed to reduce penalties for crimes such as violent abolition of the democratic rule of law and coup detat, directly benefiting Bolsonaro and other imprisoned coup plotters. The rapporteurs of the Dosimetry Bill in Congress harshly criticized Lulas veto. Congressman Paulinho da Forcawho is also the lifetime president of Brazils second largest trade union federation, Forca Sindicalstated that Congress handed Brazils white flag of peace to Lula. Do you know what he did? He tore it up and set it on fire.... He went to the already pacified terrain and threw gasoline on it. He preferred confrontation to dialogue. The congressman also linked the approval of the Dosimetry Bill with Brazils capacity to bring down Trumps tariffs, claiming that the bill has been recognized and praised internationally, including by the United States, as a clear sign of stability, democratic maturity, and pacification in the country. Paulinho has already stated that Congress will overturn Lulas veto. Senator Esperidiao Amin (Progressives) reacted to Lulas veto with an even more incisive measure, filing a new bill on the same day, January 8, proposing total, broad, and unrestricted amnesty for Bolsonaro and others convicted of the January 8 coup attempt. The Dosimetry Bill was approved by a wide margin in the Brazilian House of Representatives and Senate, indicating the active base in Brazils Congress and the bourgeois establishment as a whole working to rehabilitate Bolsonaro and support the candidate he backs in the October presidential election. Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who is being launched as a presidential candidate in his fathers name, already appears at second place in the polls. Undoubtedly, the attack on Venezuela and Trumps offensive against Latin America will fuel the fascistic oppositions electoral ambitions and its active plans to continue their 2022-23 dictatorial conspiracy. Lulas response to these developments is completely bankrupt. The daily Folha de S. Paulo reported on January 8 that his government is expected to defend the presidents veto of reduced sentences for those convicted in the coup plot, but without straining the dispute to the point of compromising the executive branchs relationship with Congress. Folha explained that The president seeks to attract allies from different political camps to his reelection bid in October. These include right-wing political forces that voted in favor of the Dosimetry Bill which Lula aims to incorporate in a revival of the broad front of the 2022 election against a candidate supported by Bolsonaro. This also means reinforcing his nationalist rhetoric and defense of national sovereignty, advanced to garner support from sectors of the Brazilian bourgeoisie affected by Trumps tariffs. The Lula government will face a growing crisis until the October 2026 general elections, which will coincide with the escalation of the Trump administrations offensive against the region and the entire world. As shown throughout the history of Latin America in the 20th century, bourgeois nationalism is incapable of offering a progressive response to the crisis of US imperialism and its increasingly rapid turn toward dictatorship at home and war abroad. On the contrary, Lulas failed appeals to multilateralism and his defense of national sovereignty only disarm the Brazilian working class against the dangers it faces. The threat of imperialist intervention in Brazil and all of Latin America, including the imposition of a new military dictatorship, can only be stopped by an international movement of the working class against capitalism and its pillars, including the alleged parties of the nominal left such as Lulas PT. In a major escalation of Trumps plans to establish a presidential dictatorship, multiple outlets reported on Monday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to flood Minneapolis with an additional 1,000 federal agents, intensifying what is already the largest federal immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota history. Since the start of Operation Metro Surge in early December, more than 2,000 immigration Gestapo have been deployed to the city as part of this occupation. Students walk out of Roosevelt High School during a protest, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. [AP Photo/Jen Golbeck] The ongoing mass deportations and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) murder of Renee Nicole Good on January 7 have provoked widespread anger in Minnesota and across the United States. Over the weekend, protests were held in every major US city and hundreds of rural towns in opposition to fascism and the murderous immigration Gestapo. In defiance of immigration agents and threats from the Trump administration, workers, students and residents have continued to resist kidnapping operations. On Monday, hundreds of students at multiple high schools across the Minneapolis metro area engaged in peaceful protests and walkouts in opposition to the immigration police and the murder of Good. At Roosevelt High School, hundreds of students walked out of class and held an afternoon rally. The school was the site of a violent kidnapping operation last week that ended with several students suffering tear gas exposure and at least one school worker detained. At Mondays rally, students chanted against ICE and carried signs reading Beat the heat, melt the ICE, No human is illegal, and ICE is the domestic terrorist. Students at Maple Grove High School also walked out of class but remained on campus in a show of solidarity with immigrants and Good. Ria De Looze, a senior at Maple Grove, told CBS News that her church has been getting threats because it was associated with Renee Good. She added, I know a lot of my friends who might not necessarily be immigrants are feeling fear just on the possibility of being racially profiled. Looze said the heart of the message is to express our need for justice. Hundreds of Roseville Area High School students marched and held a protest on the Hamline Avenue pedestrian bridge. Photos show students packing the overpass, bearing signs opposing ICE and demanding justice for Good. Hundreds of Roseville Area High School students protest the police murder of Renee Nicole Good and the ongoing federal occupation of Minneapolis by the immigration Gestapo, January 12, 2026. In the wake of the killing of Good, Trump administration officials have doubled down on their slanders of the slain mother as a domestic terrorist and a deranged leftist, while glorifying her killer, Jonathan Ross, as brave. As of this writing, Ross faces no charges. In an appearance on Fox News Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt smeared Good as a deranged lunatic woman and falsely claimed that she was attempting to use her vehicle as a weapon, which she asserted justifies the governments claim that it was domestic terrorism. Independent journalist Ken Klippenstein obtained Department of Homeland Security documents on Operation Metro Surge indicating that the agency is seeking volunteers for the occupation. Klippenstein reposted a leaked memo from Border Patrol Acting Assistant Chief Joshua Andre Post requesting 300 personnel to be surged to Minneapolis. Klippenstein reported that agents are reluctant to volunteer for the operation. He cited an unnamed high level career official at Homeland Security headquarters in Washington, who said there is genuine fear that ICEs heavy handedness and the rhetoric from Washington are creating a condition where the officers lives are in danger rather than the other way around. Every day in MinneapolisSt. Paul, immigration thugs are violating workers democratic rights and inflicting violence on those who peacefully protest or record their operations. In scenes reminiscent of Nazi Germany, heavily armed agents of the state are going door to door in residential neighborhoods, demanding documentation to prove citizenship and serving administrative warrants and orders of final removal. Furious that residents continue to peacefully film and follow ICE kidnapping operations, Border Patrol agents on Monday abruptly stopped their vehicles at a busy intersection and deployed chemical munitions, gassing dozens of bystanders and reporters. After deploying the tear gas, the agents quickly drove away, leaving a cloud of stinging and nauseating gas. In an interview with Status Coup, Skye, a US Marine veteran, accused ICE agents of ramming their vehicle and assaulting them. We were following them from a safe distance, following ICE agents. They stopped in the middle of the road and reversed on 62. They tried to ram our car. Skye said the agents then broke their window, assaulted them, and choked them. They said, Have you not learned? This is why we killed that lesbian bitch. They pushed my face on the ground. They put the cuffs on as tight as possible to the point where it took six agents to try to get them off. Skye added that the agents called me a bunch of derogatory names, calling me it. They tried to break my ankle. When he turned my ankle all the way around, I screamed and he said, Yeah, I bet you fucking like that, dont you? Skye concluded, I took an oath, and it is the oath that they are spitting on and stomping on. This is not Germany. They are Nazis. They are Gestapo. They think they are above the law. They do not care. Multiple news agencies filmed masked and heavily armed immigration agents using a battering ram to break down the door of a residential home before kidnapping a man inside at gunpoint. Video posted by a family member shows the thuggish and illegal character of the operation. The agents did not provide a warrant before smashing the door and entering the home with semi-automatic rifles and tasers. In a nearly five-minute video of the incident, a woman repeatedly demands to see a warrant but is not shown one until after the target has been handcuffed. Agents eventually produced an administrative warrant issued by DHS itself. The document, signed by an immigration officer rather than a judge, does not authorize forced entry into private homes and permits arrests only in public areas. The kidnapping operations are targeting workers regardless of immigration status. In video taken Monday, CBP agents are seen approaching drivers in their cars and demanding documentation. Dozens of videos are circulating on social media showing residents confronting immigration Gestapo, demanding they leave. Seeking to prevent a social explosion, in response to the federal occupations, Democratic officials in Minnesota and Illinois on Monday filed lawsuits against the Trump administration seeking to halt the kidnapping operations. At a press conference, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the occupation violates the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which affirms that the federal government possesses only powers enumerated in the Constitution, with all other powers belonging to the states or to the people. This is in essence a federal invasion of the Twin Cities and Minnesota, Ellison said. It must stop. The Minnesota lawsuit states that thousands of armed and masked DHS agents 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 hospitals, all under the guise of lawful immigration enforcement. It notes that the actions of DHS officials and agents appear designed to provoke community outrage, sow fear and inflict emotional distress. The unlawful tactics used by DHS agents have left members of plaintiffs communities afraid to shop, go to work, attend school, access basic government services or otherwise live their lives. They have also resulted in school closures across the Twin Cities due to safety concerns. The lawsuit states that the occupation has nothing to do with fraud but is motivated by Trumps desire to retaliate against perceived political enemies. It further notes that in a January 9 interview, Trump falsely claimed that he won a majority of votes in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Minnesota presidential elections. The lawsuit filed by the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago likewise accuses the federal government of unleashing an organized bombardment on the state and its largest city. It states that Border Patrol agents under the command of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Gregory Bovino have acted as occupiers rather than officers of the law, randomly 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. While these lawsuits make their way through the courts, the Trump administration is deliberately creating the conditions to invoke the Insurrection Act and move toward the declaration of martial law. The working class cannot rely on the capitalist courts, which have already granted Trump sweeping immunity for official acts while in office, or the Democratic Party to defend democratic rights. The only social force capable of halting the drive toward dictatorship is the working class, organized independently and imbued with socialist consciousness. The elimination of the immigration Gestapo requires the overthrow of the capitalist system itself. The fight to hold Goods killers accountable and to end the occupation of Minneapolis requires the organized, independent intervention of the working classthe social force that produces everything and whose interests are fundamentally opposed to the oligarchys assault on democratic rights and social conditions. Opposition to the escalating assault on democratic rights must be linked to a struggle against the capitalist system itself and the implementation of an international strategy that unites the struggles of workers in the United States with those of the global working class. Shortly after this article was published, it was announced that the entire Adelaide Writers Week for 2026 has been cancelled as a result of the mass boycott by writers protesting censorship. The WSWS will write further on this. The future of Adelaide Writers Week (AWW) is in serious doubt after its director, Louise Adler, and four members of the Adelaide Festival board, resigned over the decision to remove PalestinianAustralian author Randa AbdelFattah from this years program. Louise Adler [Photo: Adelaide Festival] The boards decisiontaken under mounting political pressure from the South Australian Labor government and Zionist lobbyistshas triggered a mass boycott not only by authors, 180 at the time of writing, but also by scores of musicians scheduled to appear at Tryp, the festivals threeday music program. Musicians who have withdrawn include New York producer DJ Haram and Australiabased artists SOVBLKPSSY, Skorpion King, Mr. John and H34VEN0N34RTH. Their departure has already forced organisers to cut Tryp from three days to two, underscoring the scale of the crisis engulfing the entire Adelaide Festival. On Sunday, an open letter signed by previous AWW directors and senior Adelaide Festival officials, including Rob Brookman, Robyn Archer, Peter Sellars and Neil Armfield, demanded AbdelFattahs immediate reinstatement. Their intervention reflected deep concern across artistic circles that the festival is being transformed into an instrument of statesanctioned political censorship. In a powerful comment announcing her resignation, published by Guardian Australia, Adler condemned the disinvitation of AbdelFattah, declaring that it weakens freedom of speech and is the harbinger of a less free nation, where lobbying and political pressure determine who gets to speak and who doesnt. She warned that in the wake of the Bondi attack protests are being outlawed, free speech is being constrained and politicians are rushing through processes to ban phrases and slogans, while religious leaders are to be policed, universities monitored, the public broadcaster scrutinised and the arts starved. Adler drew a direct and powerful historical analogy, asking, Are you or have you ever been a critic of Israel? Joe McCarthy would be cheering on the inheritors of his tactics. She went on to expose the fraudulent character of the boards invocation of community cohesion, describing it as a managerialist term intended to stop thinking. The raison detre of art and literature, she wrote, is to disrupt the status quo, and art in the service of social cohesion is propaganda. She noted that the supposed concern for safety is in reality code for I dont want to hear your opinion, applied in this case to a single Palestinian invitee. Denouncing the increasingly extreme and repressive efforts of proIsrael lobbyists to stifle even the mildest criticism, Adler explained that the mantra Bondi changed everything has given these forces, their media stenographers and a spineless political class yet another coercive weapon. She concluded that she could not be party to silencing writers and warned that AWW is the canary in the coalmine, telling writers and other colleagues in the arts: They are coming for you. While the Adelaide Festival board and state and federal Labor governments mouth platitudes about fighting antisemitism, their actions constitute a direct, antidemocratic attack not only on AbdelFattahthe only Palestinian writer in the programbut also on Adler, a nonZionist Jew and leading member of the Jewish Council of Australia whose relatives were murdered in the Holocaust. So much for their hypocritical claims about cultural sensitivity. The Adelaide Festival board held a crisis meeting on Saturday. Confronted with potential revenue losses from the likely collapse of Writers Weekwhich in 2025 attracted more than 160,000 attendees, almost half the total festival audiencesome board members reportedly considered reinstating AbdelFattah. Under intense political pressure from South Australian Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas, almost certainly in close consultation with the Albanese federal Labor government, the board rejected reinstatement and reaffirmed the ban on the PalestinianAustralian academic. Three board members resigned after the meeting, followed by board chair Tracey Whiting, whose departure took immediate effect. Their resignations leave the board unable to meet quorum requirements under the Adelaide Festival Corporation Act 1998, including gendercomposition rules, unless the state government rapidly appoints replacementsunder conditions where the 2026 event is already teetering on the brink. The remaining board members are Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox, Adelaide City Council member Mary Couros, former Labor minister Leesa Chesser and senior Treasury and Finance analyst Dr Jennifer Fuller, described as a government observer. Premier Malinauskas has publicly declared his wholehearted support for the decision to exclude AbdelFattah, boasting that he gave the board his clear and plain opinion before it acted, even as he cynically insists that he did not formally instruct it. He has framed the disinvitation as a matter of cultural safety, claiming AbdelFattahs statements crossed a line and endangered community cohesion, parroting the language of official nationalsecurity and social cohesion doctrine. More revealing still, the board has created a special subcommittee to conduct an ongoing boardled review of Writers Week, with ongoing engagement with relevant government agencies and external experts. This body stands above existing Writers Week structures and is clearly intended to vet future programming according to governmentdefined standards of safety and cohesion. In practice, it means Palestinian authors, opponents of Zionism and critics of the Gaza genocide can be filtered out in advance under the guise of risk management and cultural sensitivity. This mechanism, which vindicates Adlers warnings about the future, conforms entirely to the censorship framework advanced by Jillian Segal, the Albanese governments Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, which has already been adopted by Labor at the federal level. Segals recommendations call for external oversight and community safety criteria over cultural and academic institutions; funding conditionalities and hate speech clauses allowing grants to be terminated when recipients are deemed antisemitic or otherwise hateful; and broad, politicised definitions that equate antiZionism and criticism of Israeli policy with antisemitism. Albanese government Resources Minister Madeleine King yesterday welcomed the festivals ban on AbdelFattah, confirming that the disinvitation is fully in line with Labors broader response to the Gaza genocide and its alignment with US and Israeli interests. State and federal Labor alike are sending a clear message: writers who oppose Zionism and denounce the mass killing in Gaza can be barred from public platforms with the explicit blessing of government. The censorship of AbdelFattah and the forcing out of festival curators and administrators who defend free speech and refuse to comply with Labors proZionist dictates are not isolated incidents. They form part of an escalating, global pattern of government interference in the arts, through which the ruling class seeks to police cultural institutions and crush mounting opposition to imperialist war and domestic authoritarianism. In the United States, Donald Trump has used the presidency to remake cultural bodiesstacking boards, threatening funding and issuing executive orders. His administration has targeted museums, universities and public broadcasters that host antiwar or progressive voices, using accusations of unAmerican or antiIsrael bias to justify cuts and purges. In Australia, the same basic instruments of class rulepolitical vetting, blacklisting, funding threats, smear campaigns, the creation of supervisory bodies and codes of conduct to police acceptable ideasare being implemented by federal and state Labor governments. Labors unwavering support for the cancellation of AbdelFattah from Adelaide Writers Week is a deliberate provocation aimed at setting a precedent: if a PalestinianAustralian writer can be removed under government pressure and a new censorship subcommittee imposed over a flagship literary festival, similar mechanisms can and will be extended across the entire cultural and educational sphere. The powerful boycott of the writers festival and the support of tens of thousands of people on social media demanding AbdelFattahs reinstatement demonstrate deepseated opposition among writers, artists and ordinary people to this authoritarian campaign. This resistance, however, must be consciously developed into an independent political movement of the working class against war, racism and the capitalist system that is generating these antidemocratic attacks. The attempt to silence opponents of the Gaza genocide at Adelaide Writers Week is a stark warning that Australias political elites are preparing far broader assaults on free expression and political dissent. These attacks must be met with organised, collective resistance, oriented to mobilising the working class in Australia and internationally on a socialist program against the entire imperialist order. The US attack on Venezuela has dragged the world toward open colonial rule. Washington has declared it intends to seize control of Venezuelas oil resources, block its relations with Russia and China, and reimpose colonial domination not only over Venezuela but across Latin America and beyond. Its actions are rapidly imploding South Africas post-Apartheid foreign policy of non-alignment adopted by the African National Congress (ANC) after it came to power in 1994. The strategy seeks to balance relations with the US, Europe, Russia and China, allowing the ANC to appeal to popular hostility to imperialismparticularly the US, which backed the white supremacist apartheid regimewhile maintaining foreign investment and patronage to the benefit of an aspiring Black elite tied to the state. President Donald Trump meets South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] Americas turn to open colonialism has sharply narrowed the ANCs room for maneuver. A policy of remaining silent in the face of events like Trumps air strikes in Nigeria, or President Cyril Ramaphosas deference to Trump while he repeated fabricated claims of a white genocide in South Africa, is becoming untenable. The ANC felt forced to comment on Venezuela to appease popular opposition to the war crime, as hashtags such as #HandsOffVenezuela surged across social media and even the conservative bureaucratic leaderships of the COSATU, SAFTU, and NUMSA unionsrepresenting millions of workerswere compelled to denounce the invasion. However, the ANC still waited three days to release an official statement condemning Washingtons acts as driven by contests over strategic resources, control of markets, and resistance to the independent development paths chosen by sovereign nations of the Global South. It further softened the blow by limiting itself to a call on the United Nations and the UN Security Council to act swiftly and decisively the very institutions that have repeatedly legitimised US-led wars, from Korea (19501953) to the Congo crisis of 1961, the Gulf War of 19901991, Somalia in the early 1990s, and Libya in 2011. The ANC hopes in this way to balance concerns for its reputation at home with efforts to maintain relations with the US, after a year of mounting pressure from the White House. This includes aid cuts in the health sector and punitive tariffs which have destroyed thousands of jobs. The measures are compounded by Trumps bogus narrative of a white genocide in South Africaan allegation Pretoria understands could be weaponized like the narco-state claims made of Venezuela. Such are the fears that the ruling class is now openly discussing the possibility of US intervention in South Africa. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, widely viewed as a contender to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa, told Newzroom Afrika: America is the world policeman. They can attack Nigeria, they can attack South Africa. Nobodys safe from a unipolar state like the United States of America. The press is full of opinion pieces like Can what happened to Venezuela happen to South Africa? (Times Live), in which the author argues that Washington may target South Africa because of its position as the worlds largest producer of platinum. Highlighting the contradiction in its policy of non-alignment, the ANC government began the year by hosting week-long Will for Peace military exercises at South Africas main naval base in Simons Town with China, Iran and Russia. Wary of Washingtons ire, it sought to downplay the geopolitical implicationsdescribing the operation as an exercise in maritime safety, interoperability and the protection of shipping and economic activityand even attempted to persuade Iran to participate only as an observer. Time is clearly running out for this balancing act, however, as US imperialism demands total allegiance and subordination. That fact has provoked a deep crisis within the South African ruling elite, with one faction calling for closer alignment with Washington, and another looking toward China. The ANCs own partners in the Government of National Unity have openly welcomed Trumps colonial war. The right-wing Afrikaner Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), founded by a former apartheid-era general who opposed the dismantling of apartheid and the end of white minority rule, explicitly endorsed US actions against the illegitimate regime of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. The Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party in parliament, condemned a statement by the ANC-run South Africas Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), which opposed the US attack. The statement smack[ed] of hypocrisy and contradiction because South Africa failed to take a similar stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the DA claimed, signaling its backing for the NATO-proxy war against Russia. It is the DA which stinks of hypocrisy. Composed of remnants of apartheid-era formations, including the National Party which ruled South Africa from 1948 to 1994, the partys heritage is of wars waged across southern Africa to crush liberation movements and defend white minority rule. Carried out with the backing of US imperialism and in collaboration with Portuguese colonialism, these crimes cost hundreds of thousands of lives. That the ANC governs in alliance with these political descendants of the very forces that waged war against it, and today openly endorse colonial wars abroad, is a devastating indictment of the degeneration of the bourgeois national liberation movement into an out-and-out party of capitalist rule. Among the opposition parties, calls are made for the ANC to break with the DA and VF Plus and make a coalition with Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSize Party (MK), the third largest party in the country, centred on an orientation to China. Businessperson Kananelo Sexwale, best known as the niece of Tokyo Sexwalea former anti-apartheid activist, ANC leader, and billionaire businessmansaid in an opinion piece in Sunday Times, If the republic is to protect itself in an era of open extraction, the ANC must abandon the Government of National Unity and pursue a clear, programmatic coalition with the MK Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters. Its purpose would be restoring policy coherence, advancing unapologetic positions on land, ownership, industrial strategy and foreign alignment, and closing the internal fractures that external powers exploit. The EFF and MK have opposed the US attack on VenezuelaMK a year after it pathetically congratulated Trumps inauguration as a pivotal opportunity for global politics to embrace justice, fairness, and respect for national sovereignty. Both are oriented to China, South Africas largest trading partner. Last month, EFF leader Julius Malema, appealed to the ANC: We are saying to you, trade with China. Lets work with China We have been saying to you, go to China... So what is it that you [President Ramaphosa] are scared of EFF to be in the GNU (Government of National Unity), is it because it is going to push you to go to China? Events in Venezuela deliver a stark warning of the potential consequences of such a policy. Caracas did not break with capitalism or threaten the imperialist order but merely sought room to manoeuvre by deepening ties with Washingtons rivals. For this it has been subjected to open colonial subjugation. There is no peaceful multipolar path available to global capitalism, in which oppressed countries can find a safe middle ground. Intensifying competition between the imperialist ruling classes, and the ruling capitalist class in China, is waged at the expense of South African and all workers. In opposition to all these parties of the affluent middle class and factions of the South African ruling elite, the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) appeals to the only force capable of preventing a repeat of Venezuela and putting an end to the conditions that lead to war: the international working class. Workers in South Africa and across the continent must build independent political parties based on socialist internationalism, rejecting all illusions in capitalist states, imperialist institutions like the UN, or capitalist powers like China and Russia. This requires the founding of new sections of the ICFI across Africa. Previously, we reported that global upstream operators will cut investment for a second consecutive year in 2026, with capital expenditure expected to fall by at least 2-3% year-on-year, and more than 5% compared to 2024 levels, as the industry navigates sub-$60/bbl oil prices while maintaining focus on long-term resilience. Still, Wood Mackenzie has predicted that operators will continue to add strategic, new growth opportunities in several regions across the globe. To wit, the Middle East and North Africa are slated to add at least 20 billion barrels of oil equivalent through the 2030s through licensing rounds and contract negotiations. Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) launched its first oil exploration bid round in over 17 years in March 2025, with companies expected to submit offers and open bids in February 2026, covering 22 onshore and offshore blocks to boost production and attract foreign investment after years of instability. The move aligns with Libya's goal to reach 2 million barrels per day (bpd) production, a level near pre-2011 crisis output. This initiative is seen as a landmark moment, opening a significant, resource-rich market to international energy companies. Meanwhile, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, and Syria are indeed poised to offer significant new oil drilling opportunities, driven by Iraq and Oman building export pipelines, Kuwait expanding offshore, and Syria opening up after years of conflict for new investment, signaling major developments in the Middle East's upstream sector. These countries are focusing on diversification and revitalizing fields, with Iraq and Oman planning a major Basra-to-Duqm pipeline and Syria attracting new partners for redevelopment. Iraq and Oman have a preliminary agreement to build a crude oil pipeline from Basra to Duqm, diversifying Iraq's export routes beyond the Ceyhan pipeline. Oman's Duqm port will host storage facilities, making it a key export hub, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz chokepoints. Related: Trumps Venezuela Gambit Could Erode OPECs Clout in Oil Markets Kuwait is expanding offshore production and drilling, with major finds like the Nokhetha discovery. This is a major offshore oil and gas find by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) east of Failaka Island, containing estimated reserves of 2.1 billion barrels of light oil and 5.1 trillion cubic feet of gas (about 3.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent). This discovery marked a significant milestone in Kuwait's offshore exploration program, part of a broader strategy to boost national energy security, with subsequent finds like Jaza reinforcing these efforts, noted for high-quality, low-emission resources. ADNOC Drilling is expanding into Kuwait and Oman by acquiring a 70% stake in SLB's (NYSE:SLB) land drilling rig business, securing six rigs in Oman and two in Kuwait, with plans to double that fleet and further grow in the region through new tenders and acquisitions, marking a significant regional expansion. Socialist Equality Party members have been campaigning across the UK with leaflets of the articles Oppose Trumps criminal invasion of Venezuela! Release Maduro!, and Venezuela and Ukraine highlight the bankruptcy of Britains official anti-war movement. Workers and students have been giving us their thoughts. Jenny, a student at Birbeck college in London and a three-time army combat veteran, said, The U.S. has always claimed it wasnt involved in colonisation, but they just chose a different name; it has had the same despicable results. The invasion of Venezuela isnt about drugs or democracy; its about power, resources, and control. Venezuela has oil, strategic importance, and refuses U.S. domination. That alone makes it a target. The U.S. has a long imperial history in Latin America. When governments dont comply, they are destabilised, sanctioned, or attacked. Calling a military operation law enforcement doesnt make it legal, it just hides imperial violence behind rhetoric. President Donald Trump monitors U.S. military operations in Venezuela, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, left, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. [AP Photo/Molly Riley] Venezuela is a proxy battlefield in a wider U.S./China struggle. The raid sent a message: China is not allowed influence in the Americas. Smaller nations are treated as pawns in a great-power game they never chose. This is how imperial rivalry works: ordinary people pay the price for elite geopolitical competition. Imperialism abroad always comes home. The same state that bombs, kidnaps, and sanctions overseas also kills migrants, crushes protest and criminalises dissent. The ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] killing [of mother of three Renee Good] in Minneapolis and the repression of hunger strikers are not exceptions they are the domestic face of imperial power. You cannot defend democracy while normalising violence against the powerless. War abroad and repression at home are two sides of the same system. If we oppose police violence, border violence, and attacks on protest, we must also oppose imperialist war. International solidarity isnt optional, it is necessary. The struggle for democratic rights here is inseparable from the struggle against imperialism everywhere. Stephen, a retired aid worker from Kenya now living in Sheffield, told the WSWS, Trumps invasion of Venezuela I equate to all his intentions to promote oligarchy, hegemony and flouting international law. He continued, No one can think that Trump was acting to promote Venezuelan freedom! He is exploiting their oil, metal and other minerals, adding that Trumps foreign policy is intended to inflict fear on the global south and even the US population. The El Palito refinery rises above Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. [AP Photo/Matias Delacroix] Stephen explained that abductions, like those of Maduro and his wife, are the twin of extra-judicial killings that are witnessed around the world and done with impunity, pointing out that Trump, in his own words, said he does not recognize international law. Moreover, Inside US, Trump associates all dissenting views to his poor governance and his uncontrollable behaviour with being leftist, socialist; he is using derogatory language such as domestic terrorism. Stephen specifically opposed Trumps anti-migrant attacks on Somalis. The shooting of Renee Good must be viewed based on the evidence of the videos and not from the Trump administrations stand point. The killing is barbaric and should be condemned for what it is. As I have stated, Trump wants to enforce American hegemony, so he is testing the waters to see how the world will react. After Venezuela others will follow. The answer is that Trump must be stopped by all means, Stephen concluded, asking what the UN General Assembly was doing apart from lamentations? Gale, an actor and drama student at Leeds City College, said, We can clearly see that the objectives were to take over Venezuela and take the oil to make more money for capitalfor capitalist gain. Its quite clear Trumps after the oil and the money. He added, I do see it as a wider geographical confrontation. As we know, the biggest oil buyer of Venezuela was China. So, its clearly a dig at China to get an advantage over them in the global market and to cause global tensions to rise. I also see it as a move to raise tariffs as well. Gale Trump and Starmer are in it for themselves, Gale continued. Theyre here for the money. They represent billionaires and capitalists. Labour say they are a left party; theyre clearly not a left party and we need a left alternative. For me, its about a socialist, left alternative. We need a socialist government. Thanking the reporter for the interview, Gale explained, It gets my voice across, and Im one small voice among millions of people that are concerned with whats going currently going on in the world with the rise of the far right and austerity for workers. He concluded, Im an optimist, so I hope this year is the year of the left, the year of the socialists, the year of the workers. I hope this year we gain some traction, that we rise, we fight. Amy, a student in Manchester, told WSWS, The motivations are oil. Trump said its oil. Its not even like I think they are covert motivations. He said he wants to take over the oil. They have the biggest proven reserves in the world. Of Trumps statement that the US wants to own Greenland, she said Greenlands been back on the cards, isnt it? Everyones talking about Greenland again. I think they [the US] are showing that they can do things and are making other people bend under their will. Asked her opinion of the Labour governmentheaded by former human rights lawyer Keir Starmerand his refusal to acknowledge any violation of international law by the US in its invasion of Venezuela, Amy said, I was unsurprised by the whole thing. Its what were getting more and more used to him doing. Jack, also a student at Manchester, said, I agree its oil and he is stealing oil tankers. Venezuela has a reserve of 312 billion barrels. Obviously what Trump wants is a return to a prior period where Venezuela had a privatised oil industry, and it would be good for US interests and US companies to take back control of that. Britain was definitely in the camp of America. Were under their sphere of influence. And Starmer just follows whatever Trump says. Thats been the relationship weve had with America even prior to Trump. Theres contracts for security, military, and things like healthcare that get outsourced to American companies all the time. International law means nothing to them [the Labour government] because we are under the sphere of American influence. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Secretary of Defence John Healey visit the HMS Prince of Wales in the Carrier Strike Group off the coast of the United Kingdom as it is deployed for duty, April 24, 2025. [Photo by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Asked his thoughts on the attack on democratic rights at home with repression worsening against protests opposing Israels genocide in Gaza, Alex said, Yes, its an imperial boomerang. So, what happens overseas, like you see in Palestine, boomerangs back to us. Like the surveillance state that the Palestinians live under, it boomerangs back to us one day. Theyve already got lots of cameras here and facial recognition systems. In the year ahead, I see America exerting its power more. I think we have to look at the 1930s and Germany. Their [the Nazis] excuse for economic troubles was a Jewish problem. And they became the scapegoat in the same way that people crossing the Channel are now the scapegoat. I think we have to build solidarity against it, and also in workplaces as our pockets are getting tighter. Bushfires across the Australian state of Victoria have now burned close to 400,000 hectares of land, destroyed roughly 500 buildings and claimed at least one life, laying bare the criminal indifference of the political establishment to an entirely foreseeable catastrophe. Authorities report that around a dozen major fires are still burning, with dozens more smaller blazes and hotspots across central and northeastern Victoria days after the worst of a heatwave has passed. Police on Sunday announced the first confirmed fatality of these bushfires. Max Hobson, a beloved cattle farmer in his 80s, perished while trying to save his herd. The former mechanical engineer and project manager had only recently taken up full-time farming. Hobsons body was discovered roughly 100 metres from his vehicle along a remote dirt road in Gobur, just a 10-minute drive from his home which was destroyed in the ferocious Longwood fire complex. Longwood bushfire in Victoria, January 2026 [Photo: CFA Beveridge Fire Brigade] Hundreds of families from Longwood, Ruffy, WalmerRavenswood South, the Castlemaine region and along the Murray River near Walwa have returned to find their homes, sheds and livelihoods reduced to ash. Among the hundreds of structures destroyed are at least 179 homes, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), with that figure expected to grow in the coming days as fires continue to burn out of control across the state. The Longwood complex in central Victoria and the WalwaMount Lawson fires on the New South Wales border remain among the largest and most destructive, but at least 10 other significant bushfires are still active, including in the heavily forested and rural-residential areas near Castlemaine and Ravenswood South northwest of state capital Melbourne. Many residents have also lost their livelihoods, particularly mass livestock losses. The Victorian Farmers Federation estimates more than 15,000 cattle, sheep and horses have perished statewide. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allans visits to bushfire-affected areassuch as her trip to Natimuk on Monday, 12 January, alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses appearance in Bendigo on Sunday, 11 Januaryare cynical, politically motivated photo opportunities designed to deflect from the governments criminal unpreparedness and offer hollow assurances amid the ongoing devastation. These were carefully choreographed events where Allan and Albaneseflanked by emergency workersannounced a meagre $19.5 million relief package. Apart from the fodder relief, this package includes just $5 million for a recovery support program, $2 million for a recovery hotline, $1.5 million for emergency accommodation and $1 million for mental health support. The one-off payments are an insult to families who have lost everything and demonstrate the contempt of the Labor governments and the ruling class they represent for ordinary workers, farmers and other members of the rural and regional communities who have been affected. The combined state and federal governments are providing just $680 per adult and $340 per child for families affected by the fires, and up to $2,380 per family. Another one-off grant is being offered for some uninsured families of up to $52,250, presented as generous aid to help find temporary accommodation for families who have lost their homes. This will not come close to replacing even a modest rural home, let alone farm infrastructure, vehicles and lost income. Residents in bushfire-prone areas face extremely high premiums from billion-dollar insurance companies or refusal of coverage by some insurers which make it practically impossible to obtain insurance for their homes or vital agricultural infrastructure. In an interview with ABC News Breakfast, Ruffy resident Theo Lagarde said: Hopefully most people are covered by insurance, some people wont be. But insurance doesnt cover everything. The amount of infrastructure thats under the ground and thats been destroyed like pipes, fittings the tools you need to get, the basic stuff its a lot of money to get going again. None of thats covered by insurance. Lagarde conducted the interview after having lost his home and all of his possessions while he fought the fires as a Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer in nearby Tarcombe. We were at the head of the fire and then the wind would change and throw sparks out another way and, by the time the trucks got there, its already spread again. Just didnt have enough trucks or cars or helicopters, he said. Despite the obvious and long foreseen dangers of global fire seasons intensified by climate change, successive governments in Australia have refused to provide the necessary resources to prevent such catastrophes. Fire authorities and scientists had cautioned months ago that spring growth would swiftly evolve into a highly combustible state in January, and that climate change driven heatwaves would produce extreme to catastrophic fire weather across southeastern Australia. Instead of massively expanding professional firefighting capacity and infrastructure, the Victorian Labor government has continued to rely on overstretched volunteer brigades in the CFA, while federal Labor, like its Coalition predecessors, starves disaster preparedness and climate mitigation programs of funds even as hundreds of billions are poured into the military and into subsidies for the fossil fuel and mining giants. The CFA, which is responsible for most of the states country areas, has long warned of aging truck fleets, insufficient full-time staff and an over reliance on volunteers who must somehow balance firefighting with paid work and family responsibilities. Many of these volunteers fought against blazes for long hours while their own properties, homes and livelihoods were destroyed. During the 201920 Black Summer fires, the lack of a coordinated, properly funded national response was starkly exposed: volunteer brigades fought day after day in apocalyptic conditions, while the federal government refused for weeks even to deploy military resources and there was no unified command or national level firefighting air fleet. Those fires burned an estimated 24 million hectares, directly killed 33 people and caused smoke-related illnesses in thousands more. Nearly six years later, in the face of another state of disaster in Victoria, the same basic problems remain. Fire services remain fragmented along state lines, with no permanent, federally owned national aerial firefighting fleetonly ad hoc contracts and interstate requests that leave aircraft competing for availability when heatwaves strike multiple states simultaneously. Water bombers can cross borders under negotiated arrangements, but delays and cost-sharing hamper rapid deployment. Incompatible radios, mapping systems and command structures have further paralysed cooperation across the Victoria-NSW border, while volunteer brigades exhaust themselves shuttling between jurisdictions. Far from a coordinated government response, working people are leading the relief effort. Communities have already organised fundraisers, feed drives, and shared meals while local businesses provided accommodation. From donating ammunition to bringing jams to exhausted volunteer firefighters, local residents are sustaining each other. Six years after the 201920 Black Summer infernos exposed the complete ineptitude of Australias disaster response architecture, the Victorian bushfires have shattered the empty promises of reform peddled by the Albanese Labor government and its Liberal National predecessors. The Albanese government touted a nationally coordinated disaster response through the establishment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in 2022 which was tasked with disaster coordination and risk reduction through the $200 million annual Disaster Ready Fund (DRF). So far, the DRF has funded hundreds of projects to the tune of $600 million, but these have been disconnected state mitigation projects criticised by a 2025 Australian National Audit Office report as being only partly appropriate and their selection not open or transparent. These projects have delivered zero additional firefighting capacity. A unified national servicewith professional crews, standardised communications and guaranteed resourceshas not been created under a profit system that treats working peoples lives as expendable while billions flow to coal barons and the armed forces. This criminal response flows directly from the subordination of every sphere of lifeemergency services, energy policy, infrastructureto the accumulation of profit by the capitalist class. Commitments to emissions cuts and disaster preparedness dissolve when they collide with the imperatives of banks, mining conglomerates and arms contractors, leaving volunteer firefighters to bear the impossible burden of defending remote communities with aging tankers and no backup. The defence of working class and farming communities, alongside the natural environment itself, hinges not on further inquiries or bipartisan handwringing, but on rational, scientific planning and the equitable distribution of societys resources. The escalating frequency of heatwaves, cyclones and droughts demands not only a national but an international emergency response: unified firefighting fleets capable of surging across borders, global research networks to map and mitigate climate tipping points, and the rapid phase out of fossil fuels under workers democratic control. Such a program is incompatible with capitalism, which treats human lives and ecosystems as collateral damage in the drive for private profit. The fight to protect Victorias fire ravaged districts, Queenslands cyclone threatened coast and every other frontline community requires the independent political mobilisation of the working class to overthrow the profit system and establish socialismwhere production is reorganised for need, not private wealth, and international solidarity becomes the basis for humanitys survival in the face of environmental catastrophe. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) held an online public meeting Sunday, to provide a socialist assessment of the mass shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach on December 14 and its aftermath. The meeting was attended by more than 160 people from across Australia and around the world, many of whom were attending their first SEP meeting. Speakers Oscar Grenfell, Cheryl Crisp and chair Max Boddy exposed both the reactionary character of the terror attack and the ruthless exploitation of the tragedy by the political establishment, led by state and federal Labor governments, as a pretext for a deepening assault on democratic rights. They insisted that the only progressive response to the atrocity lies in the independent mobilisation of the working class on a socialist program against genocide, war and authoritarianism. Opening the meeting, Boddy, assistant national secretary of the SEP, stressed that the Bondi attack, in which 15 people were murdered and dozens more wounded at a Hanukkah celebration, was a reactionary, cowardly act of terrorism and must be rejected without qualification. He emphasised that Jewish people in Australia and internationally bear no responsibility for the Zionist Israeli regimes imperialist-backed genocide in Gaza. Boddy explained that the shooters adhered to the communalist, sectarian ideology associated with Islamic State, which diverts the anger produced by imperialist crimes into ethnic and religious hatred. This ideology, he said, is profoundly anti-working class and counter-revolutionary, seeking to divide workers and block the development of a unified struggle against capitalism, the real source of war and oppression. All speakers warned that the central political significance of the Bondi atrocity lies in how it is being seized upon to justify farreaching attacks on democratic rights, above all the effort to suppress the growing antigenocide and antiwar movement. Boddy pointed to legislation rushed through parliament by the state Labor government on Christmas Eve, which empowers the police commissioner to ban protests for up to 90 days after a declared terrorist incident. These measures are not about protecting Jewish people from violence, Boddy said. They are aimed at silencing mass opposition to genocide in Gaza and to the broader agenda of militarism and austerity. Grenfell, a leading writer for the World Socialist Web Site and member of the SEP national committee, delivered a detailed political analysis of the Bondi shootings and their aftermath, which, he stressed, could only be understood by drawing upon historical experience. Grenfell drew a parallel with the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in the US, which claimed almost 3,000 lives. Almost overnight, Grenfell said, the American ruling class and its allies seized upon September 11 to carry out policies that would impact the lives of hundreds of millions, or even billions, of people, including the war against Afghanistan, the longest-running imperialist war in modern history, and the illegal 2003 invasion of Iraq. At the same time, September 11 was used as a pretext for a massive restructuring of political life domestically, centred on boosting the powers of the state and attacking democratic rights. Grenfell characterised this as the classic case of a murky terrorism incident immediately being exploited by the ruling elite to pursue unstated aims, and said the same is true of the Bondi attack. He noted that the terror attack was not a random act of criminality, but a political crime with political motives, rooted in Sunni extremist ideology associated with Islamic State (IS). This current, he explained, is not only violently antisemitic but also hostile to many Muslims, as well as to secularism, democracy and socialism, functioning as a reactionary weapon against the working class across the Middle East and globally. Grenfell explained that the emergence of IS was the direct outcome of imperialist interventionfirst the ravaging of Iraqi society, and then Washingtons conscious policy of arming, funding and training an Islamist opposition in Syria. This ideology is antithetical to the mass protest movement against the genocide, which has been multi-ethnic, multi-religious and secular, and which has explicitly rejected antisemitism and drawn a distinction between Judaism and Zionism. Despite this, the Australian political and media establishment immediately insisted that the Bondi atrocity was the result of mass opposition to the Israeli genocide in Gaza, and that the solution was to ban all demonstrations. Grenfell indicted the pseudoleft groups, including Socialist Alternative, Socialist Alliance and Solidarity, for covering up Labors central role in this offensive. Socialist Alternative was calling on workers and youth to build a popular-front style movement, encompassing Labor, the unions, the Greens and the pseudo-left against the far-right, while the other groups have raised only the need for more protests, appealing to and pressuring the governments to halt their attacks on democratic rights, even when protests are banned. Crisp warned that an analysis of the Bondi terror attack could not stop at denunciation. Whatever the purported aims of the terrorists, she explained, their actions have been seized upon as a pretext to push a wider political agenda that poses an existential threat to democratic rights and to the political independence of the working class. Crisp situated the Australian developments within a rapidly escalating world situation, drawing particular attention to the Trump administrations neocolonial assault on Venezuela and the police execution of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis in the opening days of 2026. She explained that imperialism abroad and repression at home are two sides the same coin. The US abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the imposition of a naval blockade and the open proclamation that American capitalism will seize and indefinitely exploit the countrys oil resources mark, she said, a decisive turn to naked, colonialstyle plunder and the repudiation of any pretence of adherence to international law. At the same time, the murder of Good by an ICE agent, brazenly defended by the White House, reveals the consolidation of dictatorial methods at home, including the normalisation of state killings and the unleashing of Gestapostyle immigration raids against tens of thousands of workers. However, these processes are not confined to the US, Crisp explained. The political situation in Australia is shifting sharply. Once touted as a stable haven of peace and prosperityalways a liethe real relations and situation have exploded in a violent shattering of this false facade. Labor, long presented as a social-democratic guardian of working-class interests, has openly positioned itself as the central enforcer of imperialist foreign policy and domestic authoritarianism. From backing Israels war to deepening alignment with US geostrategic aims in the Indo-Pacific, Labor is accelerating militarisation and remaking Australia into a frontline state for confrontation with China. At home, the same logic that drives support for warthe need to discipline labour, to restructure social spending, to impose a productivity offensiveis being used to justify domestic repression: higher military spending, aggressive policing and the dismantling of democratic and social rights. Crisp presented a concrete outline of the implications of this assault for the working class and the programmatic basis upon which it must be fought: Political independence Workers must break from the illusions that any section of the bourgeois stateincluding Laborcan be appealed to for protection. Defend democratic rights as class rights The right to assemble, to protest, and to organise are the class weapons of workers everywhere. International working class solidarity Only a united international working-class movement can confront the capitalist redivision of the world and its drive to war. Organise democratically in workplaces and communities We call for the formation of rank-and-file committees in workplaces, in public services and in universities that are independent of the bureaucratic and conciliatory union structures. Political leadership and a revolutionary program The construction of a Trotskyist vanguard, internationally coordinated, is the strategic task in the present conjuncture. The role of the SEP Our party stands for the independent political organisation of the working class. Crisp concluded by stating that the murder at Bondi is a human tragedy that must be grieved. But the political use to which it is being put must be resisted by organised working-class action. The capitalist class will never hand us democracy; we must fight for it. The global drive to war and dictatorship will not be reversed by appeals to the capitalist state. It can only be ended by the international working class taking political power and reorganising society on the basis of genuine democratic control and social need. The reports were followed by a Q&A session, in which the three panellists, along with other longstanding SEP members, answered important questions from attendees, who were highly engaged and contributed to a lively discussion in the meetings chat window. Mike Head, a prominent WSWS writer and a member of the SEPs national committee, reiterated the complete opposition between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. He explained that hatred towards Jews has been used historically to divide the working class and bolster the most reactionary regimes most notoriously, by the Nazis in the 1930s. Head explained that Zionism had been used to exploit the holocaust to divert growing support among Jewish workers and intellectuals for socialism and the struggle against capitalism, the ultimate source of class oppression, into a separatist apartheid-like state, which has nothing to do with religion, but which is a product of imperialism itself. Nick Beams, former SEP national secretary and a leading writer for the WSWS, stressed the importance of understanding new political developments, including the Bondi terror attack, within the context of deepening crisis of global capitalism, expressed most sharply in its centre, the US. He noted that even bourgeois media outlets were now raising that imperialism is back. As such, the perspective of the Marxist movement, grounded in the analysis of Lenin and Trotsky, far from being outdated, as our political opponents claim, was in fact more relevant than ever. Socialism is not some utopia for which we have to fight, but an immediate necessity. It is the only alternative to capitalist barbarism. There is no other road. Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk is an extraordinary documentary directed by Sepideh Farsi, an Iranian filmmaker living in exile in Paris. In early 2024, Farsi traveled to the Egyptian-Palestinian border to document the Israeli genocide in Gaza, but was prevented from entering the enclave. Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk In April 2024, Farsi found herself in Cairo, where she filmed Palestinian refugees in the Egyptian capital. She met a man who had just gotten out of Gaza. He told the filmmaker about Fatima Hassouna, a young, brilliant and talented photographer. The film begins when Farsi first contacts the 24-year-old photojournalist in the north of the territory, and enlists her in documenting life under murderous Israeli siege. After just two conversations, the idea arises of making a film through interviews with Fatima as she describes her life and those of the people trapped in the bombarded coastal strip. The rich and lively conversation between the two women lasts for nearly a year. Both of our lives are conditioned by war, says the director, who faces arrest if she returns to Iran. On April 15, 2025, Farsi shares publicly the news of her documentary films selection by the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, and Fatima expresses her desire to attend the world premiere of Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk. Farsi ends the cellphone call requesting Hassounas passport. On the following morning, April 16, Fatima Hassouna and nine relatives are killed in their sleep in a targeted Israeli airstrike. This is how the fascist Netanyahu regime responds to the exposure of its crimes. An open letter, published in the run-up to the Cannes festival opening ceremony, condemning Hassounas killing and denouncing the industrys passivity and silence regarding the events in Gaza, was signed by more than 350 actors, directors and producersamong them Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Joaquin Phoenix, Guillermo del Toro, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, David Cronenberg, Viggo Mortensen and Javier Bardem. Juliette Binoche, the jury president of the film festival, honored Hassouna at the opening of the festival with the words: She should have been here among us this evening [...] Art remains. It is a powerful testimony of our lives and dreams; and we, the audience, embrace it. In the documentary, Fatima describes the unbearably harsh living conditions as well as the mass killings of her relatives. The photojournalist is constantly interrupted by poor internet connection. The video calls are intertwined with Fatimas photography, mainly focused on the incredible suffering of the Gaza population. The films title comes from an expression Fatima uses to describe working as a photographer in Gaza: Its like putting your soul on your hand and walking, meaning that every time she goes out, she carries her life openly, exposed to death at any second. This phrase captures the films core theme of the will to survive in the middle of catastrophe. The documentary relies on cellphone video, problematic audio recordings and still photographs, giving it a rough, immediate feel rather than that of polished reporting. The tone is emotionally intense and serious but not despairing. Fatima often jokes, smiles and insists on hope. The film often operates in the tension between her optimism and the awareness she may not survive. Fatima lives with her family in a small apartment in one of the most devastated areas of northern Gaza, surrounded by ruins and rubble. Bombed-out buildings, collapsed streets and frequent airstrikes make the area physically dangerous, so simply going outside to take photos means risking death Access to basic necessities such as food, water and electricity is highly unreliable; over time, shortages worsen and Fatima describes scavenging and eating like animals to get by She remains outwardly optimistic and often smiles, but gradually shows exhaustion and depression as more friends and relatives are killed and the siege tightens Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk Fatima speaks of having many different options to die in Gaza, revealing a life lived under continuous fear, yet she insists on staying on her land and refusing forced displacement. Her neighborhood is repeatedly bombed, and she documents the destruction, making violence a normal part of her surroundings. Staying indoors is not the ultimate security, as she and her family were assassinated in an airstrike as they slept. Bodies, body parts and blood are part of the everyday landscape. At one point the head of her aunt is found. Drones, explosions and collapsing houses are routine, so every outing with her camera means risking being killed like many of her colleagues. Fatima experiences repeated bereavement, describing her life as surrounded by death, black and red colors, and the smell of corpses, and becoming visibly overjoyed when she manages to get small treats like potato crisps. Many days are spent in overcrowded, makeshift shelters or tents with no privacy, safety or warmth, where families live in cramped conditions and tents collapse in wretched weather. Familiar places like stadiums and streets are turned into displacement camps and cities of ghosts, adding to the psychological burden of seeing her home transformed into ruins. She roams the streets without a fixed plan, photographing destruction and survivors despite the same dangers that ultimately killed her in an airstrike in her family home. Gaza journalists like Fatima face extreme, often fatal risks under blockade and during assaults, including murder, injury, harassment and starvation while trying to report. Gaza has been one of the deadliest places in the world for journalists, with reporters and camera crews killed or injured in murderous Israeli airstrikes, shelling and shootings while working or at home. The films press kit reports that Since October 7th, 2023, at least 211 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli army. Media workers report being hit in clearly marked Press gear, and newsrooms, cars and press equipment are destroyed or damaged in attacks. Phone calls from the IDF obviously warn them to stop reporting, as well there is harassment, detention and ill-treatment during raids and military operations. Reporters in northern Gaza work under siege conditions, with little food, clean water or medicine, sometimes going out to film while themselves hungry, weak and sleep-deprived, as is the case with Fatima. The blockade and repeated assaults destroy infrastructure, making safe shelter scarce and forcing journalists to move between damaged homes, hospitals and makeshift camps. With foreign correspondents largely barred from entering Gaza, local journalists bear almost the entire burden of reporting, often without protective gear, backup teams or safe exit routes. Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk Access to information is systematically restricted: press freedom groups document blocked access to sites, broken equipment, confiscated devices and orders to leave under threat of arrest. Beyond physical attacks, there was a wider war on narrative, as restrictions and intimidation seek to silence or discredit local reporting from inside the strip. Stealing our money, our tradition. They are stealing everything, acknowledges Fatima. I have no focus. I cant stand up. I cant talk. We dont have healthy food. One of the means she expresses herself is through poetry. She reads a poem in Arabic on Farsis little cellphone screen: The man who wore his eyes Maybe Im ushering in my death now Before the person standing in front of me loads His elite sniper rifle And it ends And I end. Silence. Are you a fish? I did not answer when the sea asked me I didnt know where these crows came from And pounced on my flesh Would it have seemed logical? -If I said: Yes- Let these crows pounce at the end On a fish! She crossed And I did not cross My death crossed me And a sharp sniper bullet I became an angel For a city. Huge Bigger than my dreams Bigger than this city Over the weekend, mass anger erupted across the United States as more than 1,000 protests and walkouts were held in cities and towns nationwide against the police murder of Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. World Socialist Web Site reporters intervened at protests across the country speaking with workers and students opposed to the federal occupation of Minneapolis and attacks on immigrants. For more videos from the WSWS, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, TikTok and Twitter/X. Detroit We have video evidence that we can clearly see with our own eyes. The regime is willing to lie about it to protect its own interests... When you think about it, what they did to Maduro is the same thing. Los Angeles It was outright murder... By initiating wars in other states, [Trump] is telling ICE and everyone around him you can be as violent as you want and youll have no repercussions. We need to focus on the working class... the billionaires are not doing anything to help us. We need to stop ICE and all the fascists in government right now from entering our communities and hurting our neighbors. I dont think [the Democrats] have been doing a lot to help... They dont actually stand for what they say they stand for. San Diego ICE is not judge, jury and executioner. Theres legal due process... I think theyre definitely terrorizing communities. Trump needs to go. Hes trying to be Hitler. But were not following him. [Vance] is a shame to our country. Its abhorrent. [Senator Chuck] Schumer and [Rep. Hakeem] Jeffries are opposed to abolishing ICE. But we have to fight back. What were doing now is not enough. New York City Weve literally got American citizens being shot dead for trying to peacefully observe an ICE protest... We shouldnt be invading other countries. We are against the wars and the horrible things ICE is doing... This generation is not going to let anything happen that can hurt other working class people... Renee Good was a wonderful person and shes now an example of what this country is capable of. Nurses at New York Presbyterian Hospital Nearly 15,000 nurses in New York City walked off the job Monday morning in the first major strike of the new year. Nurses at New York Presbyterian, Mount Sinai and Montefiore hospital systems staffed boisterous picket lines throughout the day, carrying strike placards and homemade signs that provided a glimpse of the conditions they are struggling against. Closets are for clothes, not for babies, one sign read. Who takes health care away from heroes? another asked. The walkout, which was pared back by the New York State Nurses Associations last-minute deals with eight hospitals, is nonetheless the largest nurses strike in history in New York City. It comes three years after the last major nurses strike in the city, which involved two of the same hospital systems, Mount Sinai and Montefiore. A key issue then, as now, is unsafe staffing levels that have led to impossible conditions for nurses. Not only have staffing levels remained dangerous for patients and untenable for workers, but the hospital executives are demanding workers accept cuts to their own health benefits. They have also refused to address safety concerns, which have increased as the social crisis in New York City has deepened and nationwide, as the Trump administration spearheads the dismantling of the public health infrastructure. WSWS reporters spoke with striking nurses on the picket line at New York Presbyterian Monday about the conditions that have provoked this struggle and the political issues behind them. A nurse at New York Presbyterian pointed to the atrocious staffing levels and the impacts on care. Currently, we have patients that wait in the recovery room for up to two days because theyre willing to pack them in, but theyre not willing to account for how many beds are in the hospital. And that results in patients waiting, that results in patients suffering, and it results in nurses not being able to help you. I think its incredibly inappropriate to make massive cuts to health. Why should nurses not have healthcare, while we are working during COVID conditions, while were working during extreme influenza conditions, while the EDs are packed? Your family members should not be sitting in the recovery room next to somebody with influenza when your family member just waited six months to a year to get a solid organ transplant. That is a gift, and you should not have to squander it because the hospital decides that you are not important. Asked about the political situation where unlimited funds are made available for war and advancing dictatorship at home while healthcare and other workers are forced to sacrifice, she responded, I dont support any money going to war. Nurses are here to protect you. Nurses are here to save you, and nurses will always be here to save you. Its corporations that are trying to stuff the money out of you and are trying to make you suffer. Nurses stand with you, we want you to stand with us. This is just the beginning. If we can do it, you can do it. Know your worth. A neurosurgery nurse explained, Were here, were having the strike specifically for fair wages, for a patient-to-nurse ratio, safety for our patients and to hopefully negotiate our contract. We do a lot of advocating for our patients, a lot of advocating for people in the hospital, and we dont think theres much advocacy for us. We have to advocate for ourselves, and thats how were doing this strike. A veteran nurse of 24 years added, Its just heartbreaking that we were recognized as heroes back in the pandemic. And now were treated just like nobody. And management didnt even show up at the negotiation table. So, its just right for us to preserve our rights. A nurse in the postpartum unit said, Were fighting for a fair contract, better staffing, especially for our babies and our high-risk moms. We got a lot of patients with high acuity so were fighting for better staffing. Also were fighting for our health insurance and our pension and just better safety for all of us. Discussing the broader context in which the nurses strike is unfolding, she commented, I feel like its very brave for anyone who goes on strike or protests, lets say for the ICE raid. It takes a lot to be brave and fight for what you want and what you believe in. Another striker said, We, the people, have to remember that it is us against executives that want to make us feel like we are voiceless and powerless. If we remember that we actually do have a voice, across all different workforces, across all states and countries, and that when we unite together theres nothing that we cant do and theres nothing that we cant accomplish. She added, We have managers and executives who are making millions and millions of dollars. The hospital in 2024 made over $10 billion in revenue. And we, as we stand here today, are asking for management to pour back into their nurses, pour back into their staff, pour back into their team, so we can continue pouring into our patients. I think a really big thing thats uniting all of us is the fight for patient rights and patient safety. Theres been a narrative thats being pushed out that the nurses here are only like fighting for greedy purposes ... but thats the exact opposite of what were here to do. I think its incredibly hypocritical, especially because the reason why we are outside is because management has pushed us here. We have not left our patients. We are outside here today fighting to get back to you guys. Striking New York City nurses on January 12, 2026 Another commented, Were asking for job security so AI doesnt take over nursing because that is definitely not possible. We want a safe work environment. At one of our local hospitals a patient came and tried to attack a nurse in the ED. We are risking our lives every day, trying to save patients. So we want to ensure that were cared for as well. [Management is] trying to silence us, she continued. Its trying to make sure that no one on the outside knows whats really happening. As a nurse, were suffering inside, but our voices need to be heard now. We see a lot of horrific things every day, but we have to pretend like every day is fine, but thats clearly not the case. Were overrun, one striker said. Were always at work taking care of others, and then were expected to not fight for ourselves. Thats why were here, fighting for a fair contract. Theyre trying to attack our healthcare. Its not fair that we put everything that we have to take care of all of New York City, but then our health is whats being questioned. These companies are concerned about their profits, the nurse continued. Theyre not concerned about their employees, and theyre not concerned about their patients because this wouldnt have gotten this far. They would have been at negotiations in good faith, and we would have never gotten here. None of these nurses want to be here, but we are. Healthcare has been a problem in this city for a long time, so we need to try and tackle it, but government needs to step in to help. The problem is we dont have what we need. We get the job done, but we get it done because of our patients. At the end of the day they do need to be taken care of, so we make it work. But after a while of making it work, you end up with scraps and scraps of scraps. You can only do so much with what little were being given, and even with that were making it work. So that just goes to show our commitment towards the community, towards our patients. If only we saw that same kind of commitment from these big hospitals. Trump proposed a 10% cap on credit card interest, sending financial stocks tumbling on Monday. UBS said the plan would have unintended negative effects. Rather than offer cheaper credit cards, many firms would dial back credit availability, UBS said. President Donald Trump's idea to cap credit card interest could have far-reaching unintended consequences, UBS said on Monday. On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he was calling for a one-year, 10% rate cap for credit card interest, stating that the industry has been taking advantage of consumers. The idea sparked a sell-off in major financial stocks on Monday, including Capital One, Synchrony Financial, JPMorgan, and Citigroup. While investors reacted to the latest threat to lenders' bottom line, UBS said that Trump's plan would have a negative impact on Main Street despite its intention to relieve high borrowing costs for many Americans. UBS analyst Erika Najarian said that the proposed credit card rate cap would likely backfire, as it would likely reduce consumer spending and curtail lending to certain borrower groups. Najarian said that credit card providers are more likely to dial back the availability of credit to certain borrowers, rather than simply offer cheaper credit. "It is pretty clear that a 10% credit card rate cap would cut off credit availability to those that need it most: middle- and lower-income Americans," she added. The team of analysts at UBS said that while they see a low likelihood of the plan becoming law, the overall impact on credit availability would be felt by both investors and consumers. "According to the Boston Fed, the aggregate credit card spend by annual household income was as follows in May '25: 1) <$39k: ~$26bn; 2) $59-83k: ~$37bn; 3) >$121k: $175bn. Based on Boston Fed data, this means 26% of credit card spend, at least, would be at severe risk, implying a major impact on the economy." The analysts noted that consumer spending accounts for roughly 70% of US GDP on average. Additionally, credit card spending accounts for nearly half of Visa's payment volume and more than half of Mastercard's. The kind of pullback predicted by UBS could severely compromise US economic growth. Najarian isn't the only finance pro to suggest that Trump's credit card rate cap plan could backfire. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman described it as a "mistake" and claimed that millions of credit cards could be cancelled as a result. Read the original article on Business Insider The U.S. economy added just 50,000 jobs in December, ending last year with one of the weakest years for job growth in decades. While President Donald Trump continually praises the economy's performance, investor and entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary has a different take. The job number was soft, O'Leary said during a Friday NewsNation interview. Fifty thousand was soft. I mean, theres no getting around it. You wish it was 150,000. Hiring Stalls As Small Businesses Pull Back O'Leary said that the slowdown is mostly due to small business owners holding back on hiring amid policy uncertainty. "Seventy-two percent of jobs created in America are created by companies between five and 500 employees," he said. They are the economy. Don't Miss: 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. Fast Company Calls It a Groundbreaking Step for the Creator Economy' Investors Can Still Get In at $0.85/Share One major concern is tariffs. OLeary said that small business owners are still waiting on a Supreme Court ruling that could determine whether they get any rebate on tariff costs incurred during emergency trade actions. Until then, many are in wait-and-see mode, limiting hiring and spending. Meanwhile, the December report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed a tepid labor market. The U.S. economy added just 584,000 jobs last year overal the lowest non-recession total since 2003. And a big portion of that came from health care and hospitality. Leisure and hospitality added 47,000 jobs in December, while health care and social assistance added 38,500. Manufacturing and retail shed jobs. Navy Federal Credit Union Chief Economist Heather Long called it a jobless boom, telling CNN that if not for health care and social assistance, the U.S. would have posted net job losses last year. Others, like ZipRecruiter's Nicole Bachaud, said the rise in long-term unemployment signals that unemployment is increasingly becoming a permanent state rather than a temporary transition. Trending: 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform Before the Raise Ends 1/19 OLeary Is Optimistic About 2026 Despite the weak data, OLeary said hes optimistic about this year, especially when it comes to energy infrastructure. Everybodys been talking about power and we all know the Chinese are killing us in creating faster power generation by a factor of 4x, he said. XRP stayed in positive territory even as digital asset funds posted $454 million in weekly outflows. This happened as investors pulled back from Bitcoin and Ethereum while favoring select altcoins amid rising concerns over delayed US rate cuts. XRP Attracts Inflows as Market Turns Defensive XRP emerged as one of the few bright spots in a difficult week for crypto funds. While the broader market saw heavy withdrawals, XRP recorded inflows of $45.8 million, according to the latest CoinShares data. This came as investors reduced exposure to major assets, especially Bitcoin and Ethereum, which faced sharp outflows. The wider digital asset market recorded $454 million in total outflows for the week. This extended a four-day selling streak that erased most of the $1.5 billion inflows seen at the start of the year. Still, market sentiment weakened after fresh economic data lowered expectations for a US Federal Reserve rate cut in March. Bitcoin carried the largest share of losses, with $404.7 million leaving BTC-linked products. Ethereum followed with $116.1 million in outflows. Multi-asset products also saw withdrawals of $20.8 million, showing a cautious stance across diversified strategies. In contrast, XRP continued to draw steady interest. Solana and Sui also posted inflows of $32.8 million and $7.6 million, signaling selective risk-taking rather than a full market exit. Despite this positive news, XRP had a rough first week of 2026. Coinspeaker disclosed that US-listed spot XRP ETFs recorded their first net outflow of $40.7 million on Jan. 7. This ended a 6-7 week run of steady inflows as the wider crypto ETF market weakened. In the same week, XRP price fell 5% to $2.27 after WisdomTree withdrew its ETF filing, even as US spot XRP ETFs saw continued inflows. As of writing, XRP is trading at $2.03, down 2.42% per CoinMarketCap data. XRP Gains as US Leads Regional Outflows Regional data showed a clear split. The United States recorded $568.9 million in outflows, making it the main driver of weekly losses. Investor sentiment in the US turned negative as bond yields rose and rate cut hopes faded. Outside the US, several markets remained firm. Germany led inflows with $58.9 million, followed by Canada at $24.5 million and Switzerland at $21 million. These inflows helped offset some global pressure and supported assets like XRP. Interestingly, XRP stood out again in this regional mix, benefiting from demand outside the US. While overall market confidence weakened, XRP maintained its appeal, reflecting a focused shift rather than broad selling. Timothy Busfield turned himself into police on Tuesday after authorities in New Mexico issued an arrest warrant for the director and Emmy Award-winning actor accused of child sex abuse. A spokesperson for the Albuquerque Police Department confirmed to CBS News that Busfield had surrendered. He was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County on a child sex abuse charge. The arrest warrant, which was signed by a judge, said the charge was for two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. An investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department on Friday filed a criminal complaint that alleged a child reported that Busfield touched him inappropriately. The acts allegedly occurred on the set of "The Cleaning Lady," a TV series that Busfield directed and acted in. Advertisement Advertisement In a video provided to TMZ, Busfield said the allegations "are all lies." "I did not do anything to those little boys," the 68-year-old actor said in the video appearing to show him in Albuquerque. He said he arrived in the city after driving 2,000 miles. In a statement provided to CBS News, Busfield's attorney, Stanton "Larry" Stein, said his client "is innocent and is determined to clear his name," adding that "the claims" against Busfield are "completely false." Actor Timothy Busfield after being booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Jan. 13, 2026. / Credit: Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center The criminal complaint states the boy reported that he was 7 years old when Busfield touched him three or four times on private areas over his clothing. Busfield allegedly touched him five or six times on another occasion when he was 8, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement The child was reportedly afraid to tell anyone because Busfield was the director and he feared he would get mad at him, the complaint said. The boy's twin brother told authorities he was touched by Busfield but did not specify where. He said he didn't say anything because he didn't want to get in trouble. When interviewed by authorities, Busfield suggested that the boys' mother was seeking revenge for her children being replaced on the series. He also said he likely would have picked up and tickled the boys, saying the set was a playful environment. The mother of the twins who are identified only by their initials in court records reported to Child Protective Services that the abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement "The Cleaning Lady" aired for four seasons on Fox, ending in 2025. It was produced by Warner Bros., which, according to the complaint, conducted its own investigation into the abuse allegations but was unable to corroborate them. Busfield is known for appearances in "The West Wing," "Field of Dreams" and "Thirtysomething," the latter of which won him an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series in 1991. He is married to actor Melissa Gilbert, who deactivated her Instagram account amid the allegations. Gilbert indicated through a publicist that she won't speak publicly at the request of attorneys for Busfield while the legal process unfolds. "Her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family," publicist Ame Van Iden said in a statement provided to CBS News. "Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time." Advertisement Advertisement The investigation began in November 2024, when the investigator responded to a call from a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. The boys' parents had gone there at the recommendation of a law firm, the complaint said. According to the complaint, one of the boys has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. A social worker documented him saying he has had nightmares about Busfield touching him. Sneak peek: The Blackout Murder of Livye Lewis Civil Rights icon Claudette Colvin dies at 86 U.S. reduces some personnel at Qatar airbase as Trump threatens action in Iran Ever sine he welcomed his first child back in 2002, Elon Musks kids have been making headlinesand not just for their unusual names. The number of children hes fathered has also become tabloid fodder, with Elons estranger daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, even telling Teen Vogue during a 2025 interview that she does not actually know how many siblings she has, especially when her half-siblings are thrown into the mix. For the record: The Tesla and SpaceX founder has welcomed 14 children (Nevada, Vivian, Griffin, Kai, Saxon, Damian, X A-Xii, Exa, Strider, Azure, Techno, Arcadia, Seldon Lycurgus, and Romulus) with four different women (Justine Wilson, Grimes, Shivon Zilis, and Ashley St. Clair)...so Vivians confusion is understandable. Most recently, Elon made headlines after sparking a custody battle with Ashley St. Clair, with whom he welcomed a son in 2024. After Ashley apologized for her past transphobic views, Elon took to X to write, I will be filing for full custody today, given her statements implying she might transition a one-year-old boy. Truly, the drama never ends. Advertisement Advertisement Read on for a quick intro to all of Elons children, which include two pairs of twins and a set of triplets. Nevada Alexander Born: May 2002 Mother: Justine Wilson Following their January 2000 wedding, Elon and his first wife, Justine Wilson, had their son, Nevada Alexander, on May 18, 2002. Tragically, he died of complications from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome at ten weeks old. As Justine later explained in an essay for Marie Claire, Elon made it clear that he did not want to talk about Nevadas death. I didnt understand this, just as he didnt understand why I grieved openly, which he regarded as emotionally manipulative. Vivian Jenna and Griffin Born: April 2004 Mother: Justine Wilson Advertisement Advertisement A few years after Nevadas death, Justine and Elon welcomed twins via IVF. Born April 15, 2024, Vivian went on to legally change her name and gender in a court filing 18 years later. As she explained in her 2022 petition for the change (per People), Gender Identity and the fact that I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form. Griffin, for his part, has largely avoided the limelightthough he did accompany his father to an event in May 2024. Thats my eldest son, Griffin, who was with me at the event Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 5, 2024 Kai, Saxon, and Damian Born: Jan. 2006 Mother: Justine Wilson Two years after welcoming the twins, Justine and Elon quietly welcomed triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian in January 2006. During a 2017 TedTalk, Justine confirmed the trio was conceived via IVF, but little has been said about the boys by either Justine or Elon. Advertisement Advertisement By September 2008, Justine and Elon announced that they were divorcing. X A-Xii Born: May 2020 Mother: Grimes Name meaning: According to Grimes, X stands for the unknown variable, while is the Elven spelling of AI, which is shorthand for artificial intelligence and the word for love in several languages. Of A-12, she said its the precursor to SR-17 (our favorite aircraft). No weapons, no defenses, just speed. Great in battle, but non-violent. (Elon later corrected her, saying, SR-71, but yes.) Originally named X A-12, Elons first child with musician Grimes was born in May 2020, and it seems they cant agree on how to pronounce the name. (Grimes has said its pronounced Ex-A-I, while Elon has said its pronounced Ex-Ash-A-Twelve.) In February 2025, Elon brought his four-year-old to the Oval Office, where Little X made headlines after he was caught telling Donald Trump, I want you to shush your mouth. JIM WATSON - Getty Images Strider Sekhar Sirius and Azure Astra Alice Born: Nov. 2021 Mother: Shivon Zilis Name meanings: Strider is likely a reference to Aragorns alias in The Lord of the Rings, while Sekhar and Sirius are Sanskit and Greek in origin, respectively. Nothing is really known about Azures name, other than the fact that Azure means sky blue and Astra means of the stars. Taking notes. Dream big, little ones! pic.twitter.com/8mabLNVp4L Shivon Zilis (@shivon) May 29, 2025 According to court documents published by Business Insider, Elon welcomed twins Strider and Azure in November 2021 with Neuralink executive (and former Tesla employee) Shivon Zili, though their birth did not go public until the following summer. Advertisement Advertisement Once the news went public, Elon seemingly responded to the criticism with a...questionable tweet, writing, Doing my best to help the underpopulation crisis. A collapsing birth rate is the biggest danger civilization faces by far. Doing my best to help the underpopulation crisis. A collapsing birth rate is the biggest danger civilization faces by far. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 7, 2022 Exa Dark Siderl Born: Dec. 2021 Mother: Grimes Name meaning: As Grimes explained during an interview with Vanity Fair, Exa is a supercomputing term; Dark references the unknown; and Siderl is a more elven spelling of sidereal, which refers to the true time of the universe, star time, deep space time, not our relative earth time. The name also serves as a tribute to Grimess favorite Lord of the Rings character, Galadriel. My daughter is dancing to techno over this copy of the birth of tragedy by nietzsche - what a queen pic.twitter.com/GajRCEVDen (@Grimezsz) September 18, 2022 Grimes welcomed her second child with Elon via surrogate in December 2021, just weeks after Strider and Azure were born. She then made her daughters arrival public during her March 2022 interview with Vanity Fair. Oh, and her nickname? Simply Y. She's Y now, or "Why?" or just "?" (But the government won't recognize that). curiosity, the eternal question,.. and such. (@Grimezsz) March 23, 2023 Techno Tau Mechanicus Born: June 2022 Mother: Grimes Name meaning: Techno likely references the musical genre, while his middle name, Mechanicus, is a Latin term for something mechanical or resembling a machine. Meanwhile, his nickname, Tau, is probably a nod to a mathematic constant representing pi multiplied by two. Advertisement Advertisement Though born in June 2022, Elons third child with GrimesTechno Mechanicus, also known as Tauwasnt made public until the September 2023 release of Walter Isaacsons Elon Musk biography. In the book, Grimes is quoted as saying, Tau is so amazing. He came out with eyes that could just see so deeply into your soul, with so much knowledge. He looks like a little Spock. Hes definitely a Vulcan. Soon after, Grimes released a statement about her newest addition on X, writing, I wish I could show u how cute little Techno is but my priority rn is keeping my babies out of the public eye. Plz respect that at this time. Hey, I wud prefer to not breathe any more life into this current press cycle but I want to de-escalate the narrative atm. I spoke with Shivon at length finally, which was long overdue. This wasn't her fault, plz don't be angry at her! We respect each other a lot and we're (@Grimezsz) September 10, 2023 She also revealed that she and Shivon were on good terms following the birth of Strider and Azure. Arcadia Born: Feb. 2024 Mother: Shivon Zilis Name meaning: Arcadia has roots in classic Greek literature (representing an idyllic land) but could also be a reference to Arcadia Planitia, a large, flat region on Mars that Elon considers a potential site for a future habitat. Girl has her heart set on the ice no matter how many times she gets scooped away. Its like a homing beacon pic.twitter.com/rjMd4QuwqB Shivon Zilis (@shivon) June 7, 2025 The news of Elons third child with Shivon (who was born in February 2024) was first made public by a Bloomberg article entitled Elon Wants You to Have More Babies in June 2024. Not long after, Elon confirmed the rumors to Page Six. Advertisement Advertisement All our friends and family know, he said at the time. Failure to issue a press release, which would be bizarre, does not mean secret. It wasnt until the babys first birthday that Shivon revealed the childs name, writing on X, Happy 1st birthday, darling Arcadia. Mommy loves you with all her heart. Happy 1st birthday, darling Arcadia. Mommy loves you with all her heart Shivon Zilis (@shivon) February 28, 2025 She then went on to drop an even bigger bombshell...but more on that in a minute. Romulus Born: Sept. 2024 Mother: Ashley St. Clair Name meaning: Romulus is likely a nod to the mythological founder of Rome. Following a romantic relationship between Elon and conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair that started in approximately May 2023 (per her petition for sole custody), Elons thirteenth child, Romulus, was born in September 2024. However, Ashley didnt announce her sons birth (and reveal the identity of his father) until five months after the fact. Advertisement Advertisement She dropped the news on X on February 14, 2025, writing in part, Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father. I have not previously disclosed this to protect our childs privacy and safety, but in recent days it has become clear that tabloid media intends to do so, regardless of the harm it will cause. Alea Iacta Est pic.twitter.com/gvVaFNTGqn Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) February 15, 2025 Elon later claimed that he didnt know if the child is [his] or not...which led to further mess. Ahem: Elon, we asked you to confirm paternity through a test before our child (who you named) was even born. You refused. And you werent sending *me* money, you were sending support for your child that you thought was necessary until you withdrew most of it to maintain control and Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) March 31, 2025 The Wall Street Journal later confirmed that Elons probability of paternity was 99.9999 percent, according to a report from Labcorp. The latest drama: After Ashley took to X to apologize for anti-trans sentiments shed expressed in the past, noting that she feels guilt that things I have said in the past may have caused my sons sister more pain, Elon responded with a statement of his own. Advertisement Advertisement I will be filing for full custody today, given her statements implying she might transition a one-year-old boy, he wrote. I will be filing for full custody today, given her statements implying she might transition a one-year-old boy Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2026 Its unclear, however, whether he actually followed through on this. Seldon Lycurgus Born: 2025 Mother: Shivon Zilis Name meaning: Seldon may be a reference to the character Hari Seldon from Isaac Asimovs Foundation series, while his middle name Lycurgus may be inspired by the ancient Spartan lawmaker. Two weeks after the news of Romulus dropped, Shivon took to Twitter on February 28, 2025 (which was also Arcadias first birthday) to announce that she and Elon had welcomed a fourth child togetherthough when exactly the child was born is unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Discussed with Elon and, in light of beautiful Arcadias birthday, we felt it was better to also just share directly about our wonderful and incredible son Seldon Lycurgus, she wrote. Built like a juggernaut, with a solid heart of gold. Love him so much. Discussed with Elon and, in light of beautiful Arcadias birthday, we felt it was better to also just share directly about our wonderful and incredible son Seldon Lycurgus. Built like a juggernaut, with a solid heart of gold. Love him so much Shivon Zilis (@shivon) February 28, 2025 Thats it...for now. But well let ya know if that changes. You Might Also Like NEED TO KNOW Actor Timothy Busfield says in a video that he drove "2,000 miles to Albuquerque" to surrender to police on charges of unlawful sexual conduct with minors The video was obtained by TMZ and shows Busfield claiming that the allegations against him are untrue, and that he "got the call Friday night" that an arrest warrant had been issued Busfield is married to actress Melissa Gilbert and best known for his role as Danny Concannon on The West Wing Actor Timothy Busfield says he drove "2,000 miles to Albuquerque" to surrender to police on charges of unlawful sexual conduct with minors. The actor, 68, surrendered on Tuesday, Jan. 13, PEOPLE confirms. Advertisement Advertisement In a video obtained by TMZ and reportedly filmed at his lawyer's office in Albuquerque, Busfield claimed, "I did not do anything wrong," and detailed his surrender. "Hi everybody, it's Tim," Busfield who is married to Melissa Gilbert and best known for his role as Danny Concannon on The West Wing says in the video. "I'm sure most of you know, that are watching this, that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque I'm here now. I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday I got in the car, drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I'm gonna confront these lies. They're horrible." He continued, "They're all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I'm gonna fight it. I'm gonna fight it with a great team, and I'm gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies." Busfield concluded the video by saying. "So hang in there and hopefully I'm out real soon and back to work. I love everybody for supporting me, thank you." Advertisement Advertisement The video came four days after the Albuquerque Police Department issued an arrest warrant for the actor, 68, on Jan. 9, alleging that Busfield engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two boys, 11-year-old twins, whose identities were withheld from the public. The parents of the victims said the boys met Busfield on the set of the FOX series, The Cleaning Lady, after Busfield joined as a director in season 2 (which aired in 2022 and was filmed in New Mexico), and "grew closer" to the boys, according to the arrest warrant. An investigation began on Nov. 1, 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) alerted police about alleged sexual abuse. Arturo Holmes/Getty Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield Per the warrant, the boys' mother asked her sons, "if anyone had ever touched them in a manner that made them feel uncomfortable. The children allegedly responded by asking, You mean like Uncle Tim? " Advertisement Advertisement The parents were advised by an attorney to take the children to UNMH, where they say professionals suggested the boys were groomed," according to the warrant. At the time, the children did not disclose any sexual contact, a police officer said in the warrant, but they did claim Busfield would tickle them on the stomach and legs. The case did not meet their acceptance criteria at the time. The warrant details how, on Oct. 3, 2025, the boys' mother filed a police report, telling Child Protective Services that her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024." At the time, according to the warrant, she was told that because physical abuse had not occurred, nothing could be done. The mother then told authorities on Sept. 2, 2025, and Sept. 22, 2025, that one of the boys told his counselor that Busfield inappropriately touched him. Advertisement Advertisement According to the warrant, Busfield allegedly told police that the parents were upset their sons had been replaced with a younger actor who auditioned. The actor further alleged that he'd been told by an actress on the show that the mother of the alleged victims "wanted revenge," per the warrant. When asked by investigators if he ever picked up or tickled the boys, Busfield allegedly said it was highly likely that he would have because he wanted a playful environment. "It's not allowed at all, Busfield allegedly told investigators of touching on set. There is no, there's no protocol. I mean, I'm always around people, right? It would be, you know, in front of the parents. An internal investigation by Warner Bros. documented that an individual claimed to have witnessed" an incident in the hair and make-up trailer, in which "executive producer/director Tim Busfield entered and kissed a minor male on the face as the minor was getting a haircut in December 2024. Advertisement Advertisement In the warrant, a police officer writes, In my training and experience, pedophiles often infiltrate families under a trusted role, like Timothy, who, as a producer, exploited the hectic film sets to tickle and touch SL on his penis and buttocks, masking it as play." The officer added that Busfield "would invite the family to off-set gatherings, with his wife buying Christmas gifts to foster closeness, making SL feel special and dependent classic grooming to erode boundaries, isolate the victim, and silence suspicions by blending abuse into normalcy." This dual tactic, charming parents while secretly violating the child, builds a web of complicity that is hard to unravel, delaying detection, as families trust the abuser's facade," the officer wrote in the warrant. In a statement, Melissa Gilbert's representative said she was "not making public statements at this time" and was "honoring the request of Tims lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds." Advertisement Advertisement "During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected," the statement added. 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 The Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna has sold out in record time, with virtually all 90,000 tickets snapped up within minutes, organizers said on Tuesday. Tickets for the Grand Final were gone in just 14 minutes, while tickets for all other shows were snatched within an hour, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said. Nine shows are staged in total over the course of the week, including two dress rehearsals ahead of each live broadcast. Advertisement Advertisement Any remaining tickets for example if national delegations do not take up their full allocations will be released at a later date, the EBU said. "The response has been phenomenal," said Eurovision director Martin Green in a statement. "To see every single show sell out so quickly is a powerful reminder of what the Eurovision Song Contest represents - joy, togetherness, and shared experience at a time when that feels more important than ever." 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. A total of 35 countries will take part. The 15 acts competing in each of the two semi-finals were confirmed on Monday. In the first semi-final on May 12, Israels entry will compete for a place in the final alongside songs from Greece, Belgium, Sweden and Croatia, among others. Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and host country Austria automatically qualify for the final on May 16 and do not need to compete in the semi-finals. As HBO Max goes live today in eight new European countries including Germany, Italy and Austria the streamer has announced a new bundling deal with Prime Video in those territories that extends their existing partnership in France, Spain, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands. The global streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery that operates in more than 100 countries has just added Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Israel and Greece to its footprint as it moves closer to being available across all of Europe, with the U.K. and Ireland launching at the end of March. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Following its announcement last week of a distribution deal with Germans RTL, HBO Max has now revealed that in Germany, besides Prime Video and RTL+, the service will be available on Waipu.tv. They have also struck deals in Switzerland deals with Sunrise and Swisscom. In Italy, customers of Telecom Italias TIM platform with also have HBO Max access. As previously announced, for the first time, viewers in these territories will be able to enjoy content from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, the DC Universe and Max Originals all in one place. Some of the streamers most popular shows include The Pitt, It: Welcome to Derry, House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, The White Lotus and Euphoria, while movie offerings include Superman, The Batman, Dune and the Harry Potter franchise. The news also comes in time for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, which will broadcast live on HBO Max from Feb. 6 to 22. It is exciting to kick off the new year by expanding into some of the biggest economies in the world, as we continue to deliver HBO Max to new viewers, said JB Perrette, CEO and president of global streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery. Next up is the launch of HBO Max in the U.K. and Ireland in late March, which will complete HBO Maxs rollout across Europe. HBO Max, which first launched first in the U.S. in 2020, has since expanded across Latin America, Europe, and Asia. For Q3 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery reported 128 million global streaming subscribers. Advertisement Advertisement The bombshell news of Netflixs acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery had cast some doubt over the future of HBO Max but the streamer confirmed its European rollout plans during Content London in December. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A longtime actor who played roles in The Thing and the hit TV series Punky Brewster has died. He was 69. T.K. Carter was declared dead Friday night after deputies responded to a call for an unresponsive man in Duarte, California, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department told the Associated Press. Police did not disclose the cause of death or other details, but said no foul play was suspected. Advertisement Advertisement Carter was raised east of Los Angeles and began stand-up routine at 12 years old, according to IMDb. While in high school, he appeared in Neil Simons production of The Odd Couple. In 1974, the actor had a role in Police Woman and was cast in a variety of shows and films during the 1990s, including Space Jam, A Rage in Harlem and Ski Patrol. The latest from MassLive Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Austin, a 19-year-old from Peoria, Illinois, had recently moved out of his parents house and onto his grandfathers farm, yet his father was demanding $2,800 a month from him, despite not contributing to his expenses or living with him. Hosts Call It Manipulation And Urge Him To Stop Paying When Austin confronted his dad about it being unfair, the response was chilling. He said he was offended that I even had the audacity [to question it], Austin said on The Ramsey Show. For four months, Austin sent his father $3,000 a month, even though he no longer lived with him. Before that, his father had taken all of his income, supposedly while covering some of his expenses. Don't Miss: 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. The AI Marketing Platform Backed by Insiders from Google, Meta, and Amazon Invest at $0.85/Share Advertisement Advertisement Co-host Ken Coleman was stunned. Hear us loud and clear: Your dad is manipulating you, he said. This is crazy unhealthy. Theres no good way to stop doing this other than just stop doing it. Coleman then spoke directly to the dad. This is twisted. It is manipulative. It is wrong, he said. And it is destroying, if not has already destroyed, the relationship with your son. Stop this nonsense. Let the boy fly. The justification, according to Austin, had something to do with a family tradition of treating 21 as the age of adulthood. Until then, the father believed he still had control over Austin's money. The hosts encouraged Austin to stop payments immediately and look for his own place to live. With that money, he could easily afford a decent apartment. Advertisement Advertisement You made the first right move by moving out, co-host Jade Warshaw said. The next right move get your own place. See Also: Americans With a Financial Plan Can 4X Their Wealth Get Your Personalized Plan from a CFP Pro The situation even extended to Austin's grandfather, who knew about the arrangement. According to Austin, his grandfather wasn't against the dad getting some money, but didn't agree with how much. Then you need to get up out of there, Warshaw said. Because Grandpa is not helpful, Coleman added. With a monthly income that high, the show hosts pointed out how much progress Austin could be making instead. Advertisement Advertisement Platforms like Fundrise, for example, let individuals start investing in private real estate and technology portfolios with as little as $10. Instead of losing $3,000 a month to unhealthy family dynamics, someone like Austin could be building long-term wealth. Coleman ended with a message directly to the father. If youre hearing this, I got to tell you, my friend, Id shake your hand. Id have coffee with you, he said. But I would tell you straight up that this is twisted. Read Next: Wall Street's $12B Real Estate Manager Is Opening Its Doors to Individual Investors Without the Crowdfunding Middlemen 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform Before the Raise Ends 1/19 Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Advertisement Advertisement Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga: This article A 19-Year-Old Reaches Out To 'The Ramsey Show' After His Father Started Demanding $2,800 A Month. They Don't Live Together At All originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Mardi Gras is quickly approaching, and those who celebrate should get ready for parades, King Cakes and tons of beads. The Mardi Gras season, also referred to as Carnival, begins 12 days after Christmas on Jan. 6 and lasts until Fat Tuesday. Heres everything you should know about the celebration as it approaches. When is Mardi Gras 2026? When is Fat Tuesday? See date This year, Mardi Gras, sometimes called "Fat Tuesday," will be on Tuesday, Feb. 17. What is Mardi Gras? How did it start? Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites, according to History.com. Advertisement Advertisement The Carnival season is predominantly celebrated in countries with large Roman Catholic populations, with Mardi Gras being the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and penance before Easter Sunday. The holiday traditionally offered celebrants an opportunity to binge on rich, fatty foods like meat, eggs, milk, lard and cheese ahead of the fast. Mardi Gras celebrations swept across medieval Europe as the Christian religion spread, with celebrations emerging in France, Germany, Spain and England. Today, some of the biggest celebrations in the world take place in Brazil, Venice, Italy and New Orleans. What is Fat Tuesday? What is the meaning behind it? Fat Tuesday is a feast before fasting for the Lenten season begins, according to dynamiccatholic.com. The concept is to make it easier to fully engage in Lent and experience spiritual growth. Advertisement Advertisement Fat Tuesday actually comes from its traditional name, Shrove Tuesday where shrove means to give absolution to be forgiven. Shrove Tuesday is an invitation to prepare for Lent and reflect on one's life. Why do they call it Fat Tuesday? Brittanica.com states Fat Tuesday means the same as the French name Mardi Gras, which comes from the custom of using all the fats in the home in preparation for abstinence and fasting ahead of Lent. How did Mardi Gras celebrations begin in New Orleans? According to History.com, the famed New Orleans Mardi Gras festivities began in 1699 when two French explorers landed in what is now New Orleans. The explorers held a small celebration and called their landing spot Point du Mardi Gras. In the following years, New Orleans and other French settlements began marking the holiday with large-scale events that included dinners, parties and balls. Advertisement Advertisement The first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade took place in 1837. Louisiana is the only state where Mardi Gras is a legal holiday. Mardi Gras 2026: 9 bakeries in Louisville to get a King Cake this Mardi Gras season How is Mardi Gras celebrated in other parts of the world? Brazil hosts weeklong Carnival events with African and European traditions. In Venice, Carnevale dates back to the 13th century. There, participants dance at the citys famous masquerade balls. In Quebec City, Canada, the Quebec Winter Carnival includes a night parade, a snow bath, an ice palace and other activities. Then there are the more interesting traditions. In Germany, for example, women are encouraged to cut off men's ties during festivities, and in Denmark, children dress up and collect candy in a tradition that mirrors Halloween. What do people eat on Mardi Gras? A Mardi Gras celebration is not complete without a King Cake. A round cake with a brioche texture, King Cakes are typically decorated with icing and sugars in bold colors like purple, green and gold. It's usually filled with cream cheese or fruit. Advertisement Advertisement Partakers may find a small toy baby or bean inside the cake. Whoever finds the object is typically tasked with hosting the next party. Other common Mardi Gras foods include jambalaya, paczki and pancakes. When is Easter 2026? What date is Easter Sunday this year? Easter 2025 will be celebrated on Sunday, April 5, for most Christians, predominantly Catholics and Protestants. Orthodox Christians will celebrate on Sunday, April 12. Contributing: Chris Sims, USA TODAY NETWORK. Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Why do we celebrate Mardi Gras? When are Fat Tuesday, Lent? The Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce to offer two international travel experiences in 2026. According to a community announcement, more than eight chambers across the state are participating in the initiative, making these trips available to chamber members and the broader community. The first trip, Discover Italy, is scheduled for October 2026. Participants will embark on an eight-day, small-group tour through Venice, Pisa, Florence, Assisi and Rome, with an optional extension to the Amalfi Coast. The itinerary is designed for travelers who seek a balance of culture and comfort without the stress of planning, according to the announcement. Information webinar planned More information, including pricing, is available from the Chambers' tour page at indus.travel/tour/discover-italy-with-the-battle-creek-chamber-of-commerce. Advertisement Advertisement To help interested travelers learn more, the Chambers are offering a free travel information webinar at 10 a.m. Jan. 28. The session will provide an overview of the experience, address questions and assist participants in deciding if the trip is right for them, according to the announcement. Those interested can register online at meeting.zoho.com/meeting/register?sessionId=1067431433. This story was created by Dave DeMille, ddemille@gannett.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 Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek Chamber announces Italy tour and webinar We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Slurping on steaming noodles on a tiny plastic chair in Southeast Asia, rattling through the mountains on a rickety old bus in Central America, playfully haggling with vendors in a North African market budget travel certainly brings its own adventures. If you're happy to go without the luxury room and settle for a comfortable guesthouse, forgo the Michelin-starred restaurant for some odd-looking barbecue, or miss out on that city center mall to browse in a local market, it's easy to experience the world on a shoestring. For what you might spend on a single meal in New York City, you can fund an entire day (or maybe even two) in a low-cost location. After all, some of the most vivid memories a traveler can have come from frugal journeys where every dollar was stretched. But some places are so wallet-friendly that you don't even need to stretch those dollars. We've looked at a few of these places and put together a list of cost-effective countries that offer a diverse range of activities and cultures. We've tried to balance overall daily costs with flight prices, and here are 10 of the best budget-friendly spots we could find for you to travel to in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 25 Gorgeous Islands For Vacationing That Won't Break The Bank Egypt The Giza Pyramid Complex at sunset - muratart/Shutterstock Egypt is a land bursting with ancient history. You can stand beneath the colossal pyramids of Giza, the only Wonder of the Ancient World still standing; drift by ancient temples and tombs on the legendary River Nile; or even climb the sacred Mount Sinai at dawn, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. It's not all about ancient history, though. Egypt is one of the cheapest destination-worthy places where you can get scuba certified, and you can even go sandboarding on towering dunes at the Great Sand Sea. You should time your visit outside of the December through February high season to snag hotels at lower rates and avoid peak-season crowds. However, getting there from the U.S. can run between $800 and $1,200 for a round-trip ticket, and you'll need to connect through Europe or the Middle East. Once you touch down, those flight costs are offset by rock-bottom prices. Dorm beds in hostels start as low as $2, with budget hotels starting at around $25. A good street meal will only cost you a few bucks, and you can even dine in a restaurant for as little as $5. You can stretch your budget even further by traveling within the country by train or bus instead of flying. And if you're visiting multiple historic sites, the Cairo and Luxor Passes offer unlimited access to major attractions across five days for around $200. Time travel has never been so cheap. India Indian women walking in front of the Taj Mahal. - Btwimages/Getty Images India is a land of sights and smells some of them famously good, others famously bad. It's an assault on the senses you'll never forget, and one that won't break the bank. Landscapes sweep from Himalayan peaks to tropical shores, and you'll find grand palaces, ancient temples, and battle-scarred forts in between. Nothing is quite as majestic as standing before the Taj Mahal, while Varanasi, where devotion hums along the Ganges, is a surreal religious wonder you won't believe exists. Advertisement Advertisement Getting there is another story. From New York, direct flights take about 15 to 16 hours, with ticket prices hovering around the $800 mark. Fly from the West Coast, and you're looking at layovers in Europe or the Middle East. To save on flight costs, consider traveling outside the November to March peak season. Budget travelers can survive on less than $20 per day in India. That'll cover accommodation, street meals, and local transport. Bump that up to $50, and you're staying in nice guesthouses, eating sit-down meals in restaurants, and taking overnight trains between cities. Prime attractions cost much more than what locals pay, but at $12 for a ticket to the Taj, including priceless memories, can we really complain? Another great way to spend frugally is learning how to bargain. Actually, it isn't optional shopkeepers inflate prices for tourists. Keep things jolly with a smile on your face, offer 25% of the asking price, and then look to settle at 50%. It can be a pain, but downloading the Ola app for booking autorickshaws takes the haggle dance out of the equation (at least for local travel). Mexico Ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tulum in Mexico. - Asmithers/Getty Images Despite recent price hikes, Mexico remains an affordable vacation destination. With powder-soft beaches, layered cities, ancient pyramids, and bags of culture, it also has a lot to offer, budget-friendly or otherwise. Luckily, you can comfortably travel in Mexico for comparatively little with some smart choices. Staying in hostels or affordable guesthouses certainly keeps costs down: Dorm beds in the shoulder season can be found for under $10, while a double room in a decent hotel can average out at $35 for two people. Eating street food and market meals is recommended, not just for cost, but also for the incredible flavor and cultural experience. Weekly trips for two can average under $700 with food, hotels, and even a little partying thrown in. And, once you factor in the short flight time and costs from the U.S., the overall trip price starts to balance out. The July to August shoulder season is the best time to travel for cheaper flights and hotels. However, prices are low throughout the June to October wet season, while January offers a short post-holiday window of excellent deals before spring break ramps things up again. Advertisement Advertisement Booking attractions and transport in advance can give you even more discounts. There are plenty of free attractions, too. In Mexico City, you can walk the Historic Center and Zocalo and visit museums like the Museo Soumaya, or take advantage of the Sunday-gratis options at the National Museum of Anthropology and Palacio de Bellas Artes. You can also explore local markets or relax in Chapultepec Park without getting your purse out. Morocco People on the street inside the bazaar of Fes el Bali - Sergio Capuzzimati/Getty Images From ancient quarters of spice vendors and artisans working beneath carved cedar ceilings to climbing up rippling Saharan sand dunes at sunset, Morocco simply mesmerizes. You can lose yourself in the thousands of alleys of markets and mosques in Fez, hike high in the Atlas Mountains, or just sip mint tea and watch the world go by. The country pulses with North African soul and you don't have to sell your own soul to enjoy it. Direct flights from U.S. hubs like New York, Miami, and Washington, D.C., can be found for anywhere between $600 and $900 for a round-trip. You might even be lucky enough to find one for as low as $400, though you'll likely need to search the May to October low season to find one at that price. Once there, budget travelers can explore the country for as little as $35 per day, which will cover a dorm bed, delicious tagines and couscous, and local travel. Couples or travel buddies sharing a comfortable double or twin room can share costs of less than $500 a week. For extra savings, skip expensive hotel tours and book online before you travel for discounts of around 50%, while you can get around the country cheaply on Morocco's efficient bus system. Free highlights for the visitor include exploring the historic walled medinas, from the orange-red alleyways of Marrakesh to the sky-hued urban wonderland of Chefchaouen. You can also enjoy the sunset and buzz in any city square, or embrace lazy beach days in empty coastal villages. Nepal Bustling square in Kathmandu, Nepal. - Fotovoyager/Getty Images The incredible hiking trails in Nepal are the primary reason most tourists come to the country. Climbing through stacked landscapes, passing ancient monasteries and spinning prayer wheels, and admiring glacial lakes shimmering beneath Himalayan titans are experiences that are difficult to put into words. You'll walk along steep mountain trails winding past villages perched on impossible slopes and suspension bridges strung across roaring rivers, and it all costs so much less than you might think. Advertisement Advertisement While flights from the States are priced anywhere between $800 and $1,500 and may even go as high as $2,000 in the peak season, once up in those mountains, budget travelers can get by on as little as $15 a day (including accommodation). Granted, there isn't much in the way of luxury on the trails, and you're expected to have meals in your chosen teahouse in exchange for a basic-but-cheap or even free bed. There isn't much else to spend money on when you're up there admiring the peaks, and a pricey guide isn't always mandatory, nor is a porter. You can leave your primary luggage at a hotel in the city and take only the bare necessities on your back, admiring the bewildering scenery from well-marked trails in blissful solitude at very affordable prices. Avoid the monsoon season (June to September) and the bitter winter (January to March), and set aside a little extra for stays in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. You'll also experience high crowds on popular trails during the busy trekking months of October to November. So, the spring shoulder season, from March to April, is an excellent alternative. While the skies won't always be a crisp, deep blue, it's still mostly dry and clear, and the crowds are much thinner and flight prices are cheaper. Colombia An aerial view of Bogota. - Wirestock/Getty Images Colombia is slowly shaking its tumultuous reputation and stepping forward into the future. However, the U.S. Travel Advisory still recommends that tourists reconsider travel and in certain areas, this advice is definitely justified. That said, major tourist centers are considered to be generally safe. The usual precautions should be applied, as petty crime can be an issue, and it's recommended that you don't display valuables or bring your phone out on the streets. You should also use official taxis or ride apps at all times. If you are unperturbed, Colombia is a land of contrasts that few destinations can match. It has everything from powder-white Caribbean islands ringed by kaleidoscopic coral, black-sand Pacific beaches where humpback whales breach offshore, and Amazon tributaries where pink dolphins surface among lily pads. For culture vultures, Bogota and Medellin buzz with nightlife and art, while coffee plantations cling to Andean slopes and produce some of the world's finest beans. Advertisement Advertisement You can get all this variety at rock-bottom prices, too. Colombia is one of South America's most affordable countries for tourists, with budget travelers reporting they can enjoy the place on just $19 a day (when sharing a room). Three meals a day can average out at $8, and you can even throw a few beers into that daily total. Altogether, a single traveler can spend as little as $135 in a week, while a two-week vacation for a couple can cost just $540. You can keep costs down by flying with budget airlines between destinations, which are often cheaper than buses. Just note that foreigners do pay higher fares, but you can get around this by using the Spanish version of airline websites and booking at local rates. Vietnam An aerial view of Halong Bay, Vietnam. - Dong Nhat Huy/Shutterstock Vietnam is one of the cheapest travel destinations in the world, and stretches from misty mountain peaks in the north all the way down to tropical shores in the south. Rival cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City buzz with chaotic traffic, streetside vendors, and two-stroke engines, while ancient towns like Hoi An glow with warm lanterns at night. You'll find vast cave systems, dense tropical forests, and limestone peaks dotting both the land and the ocean, while every corner seems to engage a different sense. Vietnam is a country of sights, smells, and sounds that will long leave an impression. Travelers report daily costs as low as $25, covering everything from accommodation to activities. Vietnam is one of the best destinations in Asia for foodies, yet filling your tummy remains very cheap. A steaming bowl of pho can be found for about a dollar or two, while a three-course lunch won't exceed $5. But these prices are based on restaurants and street vendors favored by locals, so skip the tourist-trap Western joints and opt for authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The November to April high season can drive prices up. It's still incredibly affordable at those times, but if you want to experience Vietnam as frugally as possible, you'll need to get a bit wet in the rainy season. The only downside is getting there; Vietnam Airlines runs the only direct flight from the U.S. It's a 15-hour slog from San Francisco, with economy tickets at an average of around $1,200. From other cities in the States, you'll need to take connecting flights through various hubs. Guatemala Tikal Temple 1, Guatemala. - Marcophotos/Getty Images Bordering Mexico makes Guatemala another easily accessible country for North Americans, and it is even cheaper to travel than its more developed neighbor. It may not have the beaches or the fascinating capital city to match Mexico, but Guatemala oozes culture and wonder. It's a land of volcanic peaks with slopes of coffee and sugarcane plantations, deep crater lakes, awe-inspiring temples and pyramids in lush jungle, and colonial towns of cobblestone streets and indigenous traditions. It's an amazing country to explore, and you'll find it wonderfully light on the wallet, too. Advertisement Advertisement Traveling on "chicken" buses, which are old American school buses hidden under psychedelic paint jobs, costs next to nothing though you may want to avoid them after dark when theft increases. Eating hearty plates of tamales or Guatemalan-style enchiladas at local comedores or from street vendors can keep your daily meal rates under $10, while sharing a room means a decent deal at around $7 per person. Solo travelers can get by on $23 per day, while museum tickets and coffee tours will rarely cost more than $10. Once you factor in the costs of getting there, Guatemala works out to be one of the cheapest and easiest places to visit. It's also a world away from Western development, so it really is adventure on your doorstep. Budget airlines like Spirit, JetBlue, and Volaris offer the best deals from major U.S. hubs like Miami and New York. For the lowest fares, travel between September and November, while May to October offers rainy-season discounts on the ground. Negotiate directly with hotels and hostels rather than reserving through booking platforms for the best deals. Ecuador Colorful building in the heart of Old Quito, Ecuador - Nancy Pauwels/Getty Images Traveling to Ecuador offers so much more than the legendary Galapagos. These islands may be the destination of a lifetime for many, but tours there can quickly drain the frugal traveler's budget. However, there are also volcanic peaks, the Amazon rainforest, and pink river dolphins to experience, while Quito's UNESCO-listed colonial center offers culture lovers plenty of history and architecture. The pristine beaches at Montanita are a draw for surfers, and rafting, bungee jumping, and whale-watching are other activities you can pack into a fun-filled vacation to the country. However, flexible budget travelers can still discover Darwin's legendary wildlife in the Galapagos. Booking at the last minute can see you snag substantial savings, or you can fly directly to the islands and hunt for favorable tours on arrival. Otherwise, you can enjoy everything else Ecuador has to offer on as little as $29 per day. This budget will cover a shared room, daily meals at local eateries, and travel costs, while getting there is also affordable for North Americans. Travel times and total vacation budget remain low when you fly with JetBlue. This budget airline has competitively priced direct flights from New York, while other carriers like Avianca offer flights with layovers in Colombia or El Salvador. These two countries are also affordable destinations, so scheduling a stop before Ecuador is another option for the thrifty traveler. The Philippines A care-free woman kayaking on the transparent waters of El Nido. - Oleh_slobodeniuk/Getty Images With well over 7,000 islands waiting for you to hop around, the Philippines is a dream destination. There's El Nido's ultimate tropical paradise of crystalline lagoons and towering karst peaks, Tubbataha's world-class diving, Ifugao's 2,000-year-old UNESCO-approved neck-craning rice terraces, and Manila's Spanish colonial district across the river from the world's oldest Chinatown to name just a few. There's a lot to pack in on a trip to the Philippines, but the good news is, you don't need to spend big. While you'll need to budget in a bit more if you do decide to explore multiple places, shoestring travelers can generally expect to enjoy the country on $29 a day. Advertisement Advertisement You can keep costs down by taking ferries between islands rather than flying, although approach this method with a bit of caution. Ferries sometimes run even when sea conditions are bad or the ferry is overloaded, so check weather reports and apply common sense. Outside peak season, domestic flights can still be reasonably priced. It's getting there from the U.S. or Canada that is the problem, but more so the flying time rather than the costs. Direct flights leave from several U.S. and Canadian hubs. From the East Coast, they can take longer than 17 hours to arrive, but if you choose a flight with a connecting stop, you can save several hundred dollars. West Coast flights from cities like Los Angeles or Vancouver take less time, but again, add in a stop, and you can find a return flight for under $700, even in the dry season from December to May. Methodology Holding up cash saved on a vacation. - Allanim/Getty Images To begin, we looked at the 100 cheapest countries in the world to live in on World Population Review's NUMBEO index. We then dropped those that are completely unsafe to visit, then considered flight costs from the U.S. and balanced it with data from BudgetYourTrip.com a website that tracks expenses reported by independent travelers across accommodation, meals, transportation, and activities. We didn't consider countries like Tanzania, where daily costs might be low, but the primary reasons for traveling there (going on safari or hiking Kilimanjaro) are expensive. We also cut places with rising costs due to overtourism or those that had little to offer in the way of attractions. 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. The first time I cruised in the Galapagos Islands, I thought the blue-footed boobies would be the most amazing thing I encountered. That's what everybody talked about, these birds with the bright blue feet that stood perfectly still and let you walk right up to them, completely unbothered and unafraid. These wild animals of the Galapagos Islands have been protected for so many generations, they simply exhibit no signs of fear. And seeing those boobies from mere inches away was, indeed, a lot of fun, but not nearly as exciting as watching the frigate birds steal food. Talk about a bunch of hooligans-they basically harass the other birds until a victim coughs up its catch, which the frigate then swipes. Watching a battle with a frigate is kind of like looking up at a Top Gun battle in the sky, albeit with occasional fish guts dropping into the sea. And even that experience got topped on the day I walked along the beach and encountered a colony of sea lions. Some wayward male started sniffing around the harem of females, and then out of nowhere, an enormous dominant bull let out a sound that had me promising out loud to skedaddle. I don't know what that guy weighed, but the bulls can be up to 800 pounds in these islands. I backed up off the beach fast enough that I wouldn't be around to witness any flesh flying. Accommodations are for as many as 16 guests on this yacht, which 26 North Charter is promoting. Courtesy Royal Galapagos To be in this archipelago, about 600 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador, is to be inside the natural world itself. Not to look at animals or to experience beauty, but to be in it, all of it, every minute of every day. I couldn't wait to go back again, and I've had a hard time finding any other place like it on earth, even after venturing through South Africa and into the remote cruising grounds of Raja Ampat in Indonesia. The Galapagos Islands are, with good reason, a bucket-list destination for a lot of people. I could return a half dozen times and still want to go back for more. Advertisement Advertisement The 115-foot Galapagos Angel is at the ready for anyone interested in all this natural wonder. The yacht, being promoted by 26 North Charter, accommodates as many as 16 guests in eight staterooms and cruises with 10 crew. Itineraries from about now through May promise good snorkeling, sun-soaked cruising and crystal-clear waters. The cooler season, from about June to November, typically brings the whales, dolphins, penguins and sea lions in great numbers. The itinerary also helps to define the experience, which can include visits with giant tortoises, hiking through the dried lava tunnels, or gazing out over the black lava fields that somehow seem to ripple in a crispy-fried expanse to the edge of the sea. Fans of Charles Darwin can focus on the finches and their oh-so-famous beaks, while reptile connoisseurs can watch the marine iguanas slither their way off the rocks into the water. I thought the land iguanas, with their yellow-orange coloring, were better looking than the green-and-red marine iguanas, but it's not exactly a beauty contest with that species. For cuteness, keep a lookout for the Galapagos penguins-especially in the water, where they pierce the surface like bullets. Scuba diving near them feels a little like taking incoming fire, but somehow, in the most amazing way that nature intended. The post Charter in the Galapagos Islands appeared first on Yachting. After his condo association deviously banned his electric skateboard, a commuter was rattled and unsure how to proceed. They went to the r/HOA subreddit for advice and shared a screengrab of the notice banning the device. Photo Credit: Reddit The board's decision came after an interaction with the condo association VP about the user's new electric skateboard. In somewhat disturbing fashion, it appears the OP was tricked into the board getting banned. While they thought the VP was earnestly interested in the product and its specs, it was instead information gathering to be able to include it in a comprehensive ban of electric vehicles. The notice essentially banned e-bikes, electric scooters, and electric skateboards due to unspecified "potential hazards." Advertisement Advertisement That probably relates to the threat of fires that generates quite a bit of publicity, especially in urban environments. That being said, rules around proper safety and handling, as well as ensuring that residents don't use off-brand batteries, could mitigate the issue without a complete ban. For the OP, the situation put them in a bind. They revealed they had car issues that were beyond their means to fix. "It's my only way to work," they said of the electric skateboard. The whole ordeal was impeding on their worldview. "The deception of my neighbors has given me a cold wall around strangers now who act seemingly polite," they admitted. Advertisement Advertisement Since electric vehicles like the OP's or e-bikes tend to have less environmental impact than traditional gas-powered ones, the board's move is frustrating. It also took away a cost-effective form of transit with limited justification. This situation echoes broader issues, as HOAs and condo associations across the nation have been known to block homeowners from similar eco-friendly moves like installing EV chargers. Working with HOAs can be a worthwhile endeavor. Redditors suggested the OP draw the board's attention to the flaws in the anti-EV ban. "I'd attend the next meeting and ask the board which specific portion of the bylaws was violated," a user suggested. "Also ask about banning any and all hybrid and electric vehicles," a user added as a maneuver to bring the rule to its logical absurdity. Advertisement Advertisement "Remind them that petroleum products like gasoline, kerosene, diesel and propane are also flammable, so they should also ban cars, lawnmowers, boats, gas stoves, grills, gas water heaters and gas furnaces too," a user suggested to drive the point home. 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. Known for its rugged Granite State spirit and classic New England charm, the Merrimack River Valley region, spanning the cities of Manchester, Londonderry, and Concord, New Hampshire, offers a flying experience that blends deep industrial history with some of the most scenic approaches in the country. Rich in history, Manchester was originally built on the power of the Amoskeag Falls, where 19th-century business leaders constructed the largest textile mill complex in the world. Those mile-long brick facades still line the Merrimack River, serving as perfect visual checkpoints while cruising overhead. Boasting deep agricultural roots, the area is said to be home to the first potato crop planted in North America. Today, the landscape has shifted to a scattering of apple orchards that provide a quaint and rustic feel without compromising on the strides in commercial growth the area has made over the past couple of decades. Advertisement Advertisement For pilots looking to take in the rolling hills of the White Mountains just to the north, or soak up the history-of both aviation and country-found at numerous museums in the area, the southern New Hampshire region is worth more than a consideration. Here are some highlight aviation adventures to discover throughout the Merrimack Valley corridor: Aviation History Museum of New Hampshire Located on the Londonderry side of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (KMHT), the Aviation History Museum of New Hampshire offers a number of exhibits honoring the state's aviation pioneers, as well as ongoing community events for pilots to participate and keep their skills sharp. KMHT and the museum itself are pieces of New Hampshire aviation history, taking the place of what was formerly Grenier Air Force Base. The base was in operation from 1940 until 1966, where during World War II, its initial mission was to support anti-submarine activity in the Atlantic by locating and attacking German U-boats. Advertisement Advertisement Last summer, the museum hosted a Father's Day Weekend Fly-In BBQ, where more than 300 people joined the celebration. The event was sponsored by local aviation-services provider Nashua Jet Aviation, which provided the hangar space for the event, and raised thousands of dollars for the youth education programs. This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, June 20. For pilots looking to get an extra lesson and keep their skills sharp, every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET, the museum's Elite Flight Simulator is open to the public. According to the facility, the most common scenario practiced is taking control of a Mooney M20. Starting on Runway 35 at KMHT, participants take off, climb, make turns, and then come back for a landing. The easiest way to access the museum is by flying into KMHT and parking at Signature Aviation's FBO at the airport. While the museum is located just outside the perimeter, Signature often provides a shuttle service, or the museum can be contacted directly for transportation options. Run the Rail Trail 4-Miler On Saturday May 2, aviation enthusiasts who want to stretch their legs and engage in some physical activity can attend the fifth annual Run the Rail Trail 4-Miler walk/run event. Advertisement Advertisement Also located at the museum, the run begins and ends at the museum and takes participants on a winding route through north Londonderry along part of the Londonderry Rail Trail. [Credit: Aviation History Museum of New Hampshire] The event is a fundraiser to support the museum's youth education programs, which include an upcoming summer camp and student plane-building projects at three New Hampshire high schools. This year, children 8 and under can participate in the "Pilot in Training" race, a 100-yard run where prizes will be given to all who run. The cost to sign up for the race through March 31 is $25. Beginning April 1, the registration fee will increase to $30 and climb to $50 for all day-of signees. Boston Logan 9/11 Memorial After enjoying the southern New Hampshire countryside, pilots can easily connect to one of Americas busiest and most historic cities-Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Accessible with a short 40-mile hop, the transition from the quiet New Hampshire hills to the busy corridors of Boston's Logan International Airport (KBOS) brings pilots to one of the most significant sites in modern aviation history. The Boston Logan 9/11 Memorial honors the passengers and crews of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, the two aircraft that departed Logan for Los Angeles on that fateful morning in 2001. For any aviator, a visit presents a powerful reminder of the weight of the profession and the resilience of the industry. The memorial is a two-and-a-half-acre site featuring a large, shimmering glass cube known as The Place of Remembrance. Inside the structure, the names of those lost are etched into glass panels that catch the light from the sky. At night, the cube glows from within, serving as a beacon visible from various points on the airport grounds. Two winding walkways lead visitors through a lushly landscaped grove of trees, specifically designed to provide a buffer of silence and reflection away from the constant roar of jet engines nearby. Sightseeing For pilots that have the luxury of choosing their route, flying in from the north into the Manchester-Concord corridor offers a spectacular transition from the rugged alpine terrain of the White Mountains to the rolling river valleys of the south. Advertisement Advertisement If you are able to choose your arrival route, a flight path that takes you over the Presidential Range, a distinct section of the White Mountains, is a visual masterpiece. As you clear the high peaks of Mount Washington and Mount Adams, the terrain drops away into the vast, blue waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. This transition serves as a dramatic introduction to the state, where the jagged granite of the high peaks slowly gives way to the verdant, agricultural lowlands of the Merrimack Valley. Navigating requires a keen eye on both the altimeter and the weather. On a clear VFR day, the sight of the snow-capped peaks in the distance provides a stark contrast to the gold-domed State House in Concord, which serves as a primary visual landmark for your final approach into Concord Municipal Airport (KCON) or KMHT. This northern route allows you to appreciate the sheer diversity of the New Hampshire landscape, moving from the highest points of elevation to the historic industrial centers that powered the nation's growth. It is a reminder that in this part of the country the wilderness and city are separated only by a few minutes of flight time. The post Your Next Flight Plan: Southern New Hampshire appeared first on Plane + Pilot. A journey to see the dramatic ridges of the Black Hills in South Dakota is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The forested bluffs of the Black Hills are a fall favorite for crowd-free trails and wildlife spotting, while iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore add excitement for sightseers and history fiends. For convenience, most road-trippers will probably base themselves in Rapid City, which brims with famous attractions and renowned beauty. However, travelers will also find diversions in Summerset, a petite but charming community just a short drive northwest of Rapid City. Stretched across the rolling farmland of the Piedmont Valley, this thriving gem offers all the conveniences of close proximity to the big city, coupled with scenic landscapes all around. In the late 19th century, Summerset was a modest railroad stop called Williamsport, which sustained itself through rural farms and ranches. The bucolic countryside has attracted families to settle down in the area, leading to a flourish of urbanization, and Summerset was finally incorporated in 2005, making it South Dakota's youngest city. Despite all the development, Summerset still embraces a laid-back atmosphere. Standing by the road, you wouldn't know the bright lights of Rapid City were less than 20 minutes away. Grassy meadows stretch in all directions to meet the rounded slopes of the Black Hills in the distance, fringed with dense trees. Once roamed by dinosaurs, the landscape is as ancient as it is breathtaking. When you're not exploring the meandering trails and woodland lakes of the Black Hills National Forest, a smattering of quiet campsites beckon trekkers to spend the night in the wilderness. Creature comforts awaiting back in Summerset offer travelers a tasty meal and cozy lodging. Whether you just want to soak up small-town charm or find adventure in the Black Hills, add Summerset to your travel itinerary. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The Most Breathtaking And Lively Mountain Towns Across America, According To Reddit Explore the Black Hills around Summerset, South Dakota The Petrified Forest in the Black Hills, South Dakota - Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock With the Black Hills wilderness all around, travelers can take their pick of outdoor adventures when stopping in Summerset. Strap on some hiking boots to explore Botany Canyon, where a dusty road slices through idyllic woodlands blanketed by wildflower meadows. The trailhead is barely a 10-minute drive from Summerset. Craggy boulders mottle the landscape, and the trails bring hikers to the edge of rugged cliff walls rising between the trees. Meanwhile, just a short drive northwest of Summerset is the Piedmont Trailhead, which stretches through the Northern Hills region of the Black Hills National Forest. Travelers who much prefer simply admiring scenic views without needing to put in all the legwork can drive up to the Piedmont Overlook, which offers panoramas of the majestic pine forests covering the sweeping ridges. To the northeast of Summerset is the Petrified Forest, a charming museum tucked within a pocket of woodlands where the fossilized remains of prehistoric trees still stand. In a Google review, a previous visitor called the site a "hidden gem in the Black Hills." The museum displays samples of fossils and gemstones, while hiking tours take visitors amidst the hushed woodlands to see the excavated specimens of petrified tree trunks out in the wild, appearing exactly as they would have millions of years ago. Step into an otherworldly landscape at the Wonderland Cave system, which claims to be the "greatest show under the earth." Formed by erosion over millions of years, these subterranean caverns feel like an extraterrestrial planet where bulbous stalagmites are crowded amidst rugged rock formations. Situated about 30 minutes by car from Summerset, visitors can take guided tours to explore the caves, which a previous visitor described as an "[a]mazing experience." Where to stay and what to eat around Summerset, South Dakota A cold drink from Tin Cup Coffee Co. sitting on hay - @oliviashull_ / Instagram Head back to Summerset after the day's adventures to refuel. You'll find hearty burgers and a lively atmosphere at Neighbors Grub and Pub, a casual grill in the middle of town. Patio seating lets diners soak up the rural atmosphere while sipping on excellent craft beers. A previous review claims they serve "[s]ome of the best food in the Black Hills". At the south end of town is J.R.'s Rhodehouse BBQ Pit, known for pulled pork and boasting close to five stars on Google. Advertisement Advertisement If you've spent the day at the Petrified Forest, make a detour to grab coffee at the Tin Cup Coffee Co., a solitary log cabin set amidst a backdrop of grassy meadowland. One visitor claims it's the "[b]est local coffee experience you can possibly get." Meanwhile, travelers on the way back from the Wonderland Cave should stop at The Barn for tasty cold drinks served within a rustic gabled farmhouse, which a previous visitor declared is a "[g]reat place to hang out" in a Google review. Get a good night's rest at the Summerset Hotel & Suites, an affordable lodge with spacious guest rooms and an indoor pool for relaxing. Road-trippers in a motorhome can pull into the Three Flags RV Park to spend the night between the South Dakota prairies, while the Elk Creek Resort offers rustic cabins surrounded by forested slopes. If you're flying in from out of state, the nearest airport is Rapid City Regional Airport, located just 30 minutes southeast of Summerset by car. No matter what you decide, a getaway to Summerset is sure to be memorable. To continue your Black Hills adventures, head northwest to Belle Fourche, a rustic haven of antique shops, history, and an odd monument. 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. Prosecutors revealed new disturbing details about a deadly downtown stabbing that happened on a CTA train early Saturday. Demetrius Thurman, a 40-year-old Chicago man, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case. In court on Tuesday, prosecutors said Thurman randomly approached sleeping passenger on a CTA Blue Line train around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Thurman allegedly recorded himself on a cellphone, approaching the victim from behind, before, court documents state, he stabbed him "once in the chest near his heart and then a second time in his abdomen" with a large knife. Advertisement Advertisement The victim, identified as 37-year-old Dominique J. Pollion, woke up and tried to back away before, prosecutors say, Thurman continued to stab him multiple times. Prosecutors say Thurman then went to another train car and recorded security personnel trying to save the Pollion's life before leaving the scene. Pollion was taken to Northwestern Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Thurman was later identified in surveillance video and arrested the next day, allegedly wearing the same clothes he wore during the attack and carrying the phone that captured the crime. Not only was footage of the deadly stabbing found on the phone, but prosecutors say, "as well as pictures of other sleeping passengers on the train." Advertisement Advertisement Thurman was ordered detained during Tuesday's hearing. In their request to keep Thurman in custody, prosecutors said he is "so dangerous to the entire community, no lesser conditions can mitigate that danger." To ride public transportation, nowadays, or some, means traveling with the utmost caution. "Some places, I just feel really scared to get on and get off," said CTA Rider Esmerly Medina. "They should not feel scared to get on the CTA, and people are scared to get on the CTA." Saturday's deadly encounter is the latest violent attack on the CTA, which has come under fire recently by the Trump administration, with threats of withholding federal funding unless the transit agency comes up with a new safety plan. Advertisement Advertisement "It just makes me feel vulnerable, because it could happen to anybody," said CTA rider Francisco Rodriguez. Tio Hardiman, with Violence Interrupters, has aimed for years to help the city by addressing ongoing violence on the CTA, that he says, also stems from lack of mental health resources. "Remember, about a year ago, a guy shot four people to death on the Blue Line. They were complete strangers," Hardiman said. "A lot of people need trauma support. You have a lot of hurt people on the trains... I just hope the CTA does not overlook Violence Interrupters as they put out a call for proposals." Thurman is due back in court next month. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood After the Trump administration sent over 2,000 ICE agents to Minneapolis early last week for the " largest immigration operation ever ," according to Acting Director Todd Lyons, Minneapolitans have been posting videos on social media to share their experiences, including the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good The Washington Post / Getty Images Although many of the videos show how difficult it's been (rightfully so), there have been some "winning" moments to celebrate, like this video that has been watched by nearly 10 million people. Related: "Put This On A T-Shirt" People Are Praising This Anti-ICE Protestor's 3-Word Response To Getting Tear-Gassed At The LA Protests The video begins with people and photographers surrounding ICE agents in the middle of a road in a neighborhood. While it's not disclosed as to why, an ICE agent starts running toward the camera from his vehicle at full speed. You also hear all the neighbors yelling at once, but it's hard to discern exactly what they're saying. Next thing you see is the same ICE agent falling flat on his back after slipping on some ice. Advertisement Advertisement Let's view this in baby steps, shall we? (Which the agent did NOT do Sorry, I had to.) Related: People Are Calling This JD Vance Habit His "Single Most Obnoxious Characteristic," And I Have To Agree Legs in the air. Butt on the ground. Related: The White House Shared A Picture Of Donald Trump From The Charlie Kirk Memorial, And People Are...Noticing Some Things The neighborhood erupted in laughter after the agent immediately got up, with some yelling spicy language directly at the ICE agent. Advertisement Advertisement For some reason, the ICE agent decided not to continue on his journey and instead turned around, heading back to the car down the street. Naturally, this garnered a lot of reactions on Twitter (now known as X): "ICE SLIPS ON ICE. Its poetic justice." Related: "If You Knew Anything": Donald Trump Mansplained To A Female Journalist Asking This Important Question, And It Completely Backfired "Minnesota really eating these guys up." Advertisement Advertisement Here's the full video below: ICE AGENT EATS SHIT pic.twitter.com/NIHyUT1NPm north star radio (@comrade_casey) January 11, 2026 Via Twitter: @comrade_casey Thoughts????? Also in In the News: After Nancy Mace Said She Left A Meeting With Epstein Victims Early Because She Had A "Panic Attack," People Are Pointing Out 1 Glaring Irony Also in In the News: "My Face Aint Hidden, B*tch": People Are Absolutely In Awe Of This Woman Yelling At ICE Agents Also in In the News: Donald Trump Is Planning A Massive New DC Monument, And Here's What That's Going To Look Like Read it on BuzzFeed.com Some Americans are looking to move abroad amid global and domestic tensions, among other factors. Recent military tensions in the Caribbean put pressure on travelers, leaving many stuck overseas. These 10 countries are ranked as the most peaceful by the Global Peace Index. Amid international conflicts and domestic tensions, some may feel that the US is not the safest place to live right now. While safety can be a subjective measure, that assessment is not entirely off base: The US is ranked the 128th most peaceful country in the world falling behind nations like South Africa, Zimbabwe, and India by the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), which considers factors like societal safety and security, ongoing conflicts, and country militarization. Advertisement Advertisement Some Americans have even considered moving overseas due to factors like crime rates, work-life balance, cost of living, and parenting values. A Gallup poll released in October 2024 showed that 21% of polled Americans expressed a desire to move abroad, up from 17% in 2023 and 10% in 2011. However, Gallup also found the US was the most desired destination for citizens from other countries to move to. In recent days, international peace has gained new importance for those looking to travel or move abroad. After the US launched a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, thousands of travelers found themselves stuck in the Caribbean following airspace restrictions. Here are the 10 most peaceful countries in the world, according to the 2025 Global Peace Index. 10. Finland Helsinki, Finland. Getty Images Finland was ranked as the third most peaceful country on the societal safety and security domain of the GPI, which looks at homicide rates, political terror, and violent demonstrations, and perceptions of criminality. Advertisement Advertisement As well as being one of the 10 most peaceful places in the world, the country has also consistently been ranked as the happiest country in the world, attracting expats looking for a higher quality of life. 9. Slovenia Virtuoso said summer bookings for Slovenia were up 24$ in 2024 compared to 2023. TTstudio/Shutterstock Slovenia, first lady Melania Trump's home country, ranked as the sixth most peaceful country based on the GPI militarization domain, which looks at factors like military expenditure and weapons exports. The country is often categorized as a hidden gem in Europe for travelers, thanks to its beautiful landscapes. 8. Denmark Daily Life in Copenhagen Stefano Guidi / Contributor Denmark is ranked as the world's sixth most peaceful country based on the GPI societal safety and security domain. However, the country did see a relative deterioration in its militarization ranking as it increased its military spending, where it falls near nations like Libya and Trinidad and Tobago. Advertisement Advertisement It has been ranked as the country with the best quality of life in the world, which looks at factors like cost of living, job markets, and quality of healthcare. 7. Portugal Camara de Lobos village Madeira, Portugal. VW Pics/Getty Images For Americans looking to move abroad, Portugal has emerged as a recent favorite. A survey of over 116,000 Americans who were interested in moving abroad in 2024 showed the country as the most requested destination, according to Expatsi, a website with resources for Americans looking to relocate. The country was ranked the second most peaceful in the world based on the GPI militarization domain. 6. Singapore Singapore is expensive, but expats can also earn high salaries. Calvin Chan Wai Meng/Getty Images Singapore, which was ranked as the second-safest country in the Asia-Pacific region on the GPI ranking, is another popular destination for American expats, including those looking for entrepreneur economies like that of Silicon Valley. Advertisement Advertisement The country was ranked in the top five in the societal safety and security and ongoing conflicts domains of the GPI. 5. Switzerland Aerial view of the Basel medieval old town in Switzerland - stock photo @DidierMarti /Getty Images Housing Geneva, the global "Peace Capital," Switzerland ranked in the top 10 most peaceful cities in the ongoing conflicts and societal safety and security GPI domains. Quality of life has been one of the factors driving expats to move there in recent years. 4. Austria Vienna, Austria was ranked as the best city for ex-pats to move to. Giannis Alexopoulos/NurPhoto via Getty Images Austria has stayed in the top most peaceful countries since the GPI began measuring global peace in 2008. Vienna, Austria's capital, has been ranked as the world's most livable city and one of the best destinations for expats to move. Advertisement Advertisement 3. New Zealand View over Queenstown, New Zealand. Matteo Colombo/Getty New Zealand ranked as the most peaceful country in the Asia-Pacific region, and received the top ranking in the ongoing conflicts domain. New Zealand transplants have cited its family-friendly towns, natural beauty, and outdoor activities as some of the reasons they love the country. 2. Ireland The beautiful landscape of Inis Mor Island, Ireland. matthibcn/ Getty Images Ireland ranked within the top five countries in the militarization domain, and the second most peaceful country overall. Ireland, known for its stunning landscapes and cultural heritage, has also been a common destination for Americans looking to move. 1. Iceland Skogar, Southern Iceland. Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images Iceland, which ranked first across all three domains of the GPI ranking, is the world's safest country despite also being one of the most expensive. For Americans looking to relocate overseas, the country offers the highest level of safety based on global peace, along with breathtaking landscapes. Read the original article on Business Insider NEED TO KNOW Nearly 15,000 nurses at 3 major New York City hospitals have gone on strike Nurses say they are striking for higher pay, safe staffing, fully funded benefits and an increase in workplace safety protections PEOPLE has reached out to Montefiore, New York-Presbyterian, and Mount Sinai hospitals for comment An historic strike is underway in New York City as nearly 15,000 nurses in Manhattan and the Bronx walked off the job on Monday, Jan. 12. Striking is always a last resort, but greedy hospital management at wealthy private hospitals have given frontline nurses no other choice, New York State Nursing Association president Nancy Hagans said in a video statement shared with PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement The key sticking points, Hagans said, were "safe staffing for our patients, protection from workplace violence, and healthcare for frontline nurses." The union is also demanding higher pay, per The New York Times. The union's demands come amid a rise in nurses reporting experiencing or witnessing violence while on the job. Per a 2023 survey by National Nurses United, more than 80% of nurses experienced violence within the last year, both from patients and their family members. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Nurses on the picket line in New York City on Jan. 12, 2026. Nurses on the picket line in New York City on Jan. 12, 2026. Three main healthcare systems are impacted by the strike: Montefiore, New York-Presbyterian, and Mount Sinai. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stood on the side of the nurses at the strikes kickoff at New York-Presbyterian, wearing a red scarf emblazoned with the NYSNA logo. In every one of our citys darkest periods, nurses showed up for work. Their value is not negotiable, Mamdani said in a video of his appearance, shared to the NYSNA Facebook page. We know that during 9/11 it was nurses that tended to the wounded. We know that during the global pandemic it was nurses that came into work even at the expense of their own health. They showed up even when we didnt have protective equipment for them They are here for us. Advertisement Advertisement However, reps for the hospital groups say the issues at hand go beyond healthcare and workplace violence. In a statement to PEOPLE, Joe Solmonese, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications at Montefiore, says, "NYSNAs leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job. We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last." A representative for New York-Presbyterian told PEOPLE, While NYSNA has told nurses to walk away from the bedside, we remain focused on our patients and their care. This strike is designed to create disruption, but we have taken the necessary steps so our patients continue to receive the care they trust us to provide. Our patients should visit nyp.org/nursingupdate for important updates and other additional information. 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. We have proposed significant wage increases that keep our nurses among the highest paid in the city, enhancements to their outstanding employer-funded benefits and new measures that reflect our shared commitment to safe staffing and workplace safety. However, good faith bargaining requires compromise from both sides. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks on behalf of the nurses during the first day of their strike on Jan.12, 2026. Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks on behalf of the nurses during the first day of their strike on Jan.12, 2026. 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. A representative for Mount Sinai told PEOPLE, "Unfortunately, NYSNA decided to move forward with its strike while refusing to move on from its extreme economic demands, which we cannot agree to. We are ready with 1,400 qualified and specialized nurses and prepared to continue to provide safe patient care for as long as this strike lasts." Advertisement Advertisement The statement continued: "Our patients are our top priority and we are well prepared to continue to deliver excellent care to our communities for however long a strike may last. We have secured more than 1,000 qualified and specialized agency nurses to join our care teams, many of whom have already been integrated into units across our hospitals. All of our hospitals and emergency departments will remain open, and we expect most appointments will proceed as originally scheduled. There has been tremendous coordination across our entire network to manage discharges and ensure that we are prepared for the start of the strike and able to increase our capacity if a potential strike drags on. While we know a strike can be disruptive, we are prepared for a strike that could last an indefinite amount of time and have taken every step to best support our patients and employees during this strike." While addressing the crowd, Mamdani calling the three hospital groups the wealthiest in the entire city, and said there is no shortage of wealth in the healthcare industry, especially so at the three privately operated hospital groups at which nurses are striking, He continued: The hospital executives who run these hospitals, the ones where these hardworking nurses are asking for what they deserve, these executives are not having difficulty making ends meet. The mayor pointed out the multi-million dollar salaries of the health group CEOs and also said, New York City will do everything in our power to ensure the sick and injured can continue to receive high-quality care, and we will do so while refusing to abandon those who have time and again refused to abandon us. Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani said all parties need to return to negotiations and bargain in good faith, calling on them to come to an agreement that allows the nurses who work in this city to live in this city." Read the original article on People You can use the database to search by county or by restaurant name. Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So every week, we provide that information for you. For a complete list of local restaurant inspections, including violations not requiring warnings or administrative action, visit our Okaloosa County restaurant inspections site. Advertisement Advertisement Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Okaloosa County, Florida, for the week of Jan. 5-11, 2026. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here. Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as a 'snapshot' of conditions present at the time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. For full restaurant inspection details, visit our Okaloosa County restaurant inspection site. Which Okaloosa County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections? These restaurants met all standards during their Jan. 5-11 inspections and no violations were found. Advertisement Advertisement ** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week Which Okaloosa County restaurants had high priority violations? Mobile food dispensing vehicle Complaint Inspection on Jan. 8 Advertisement Advertisement Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 4 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations High Priority - Establishment operating without an approved sewage system: observed the gray water tank has been removed. MFDV has been attached with a quick disconnect to a local sewer system that has not been permitted by the City of Fort Walton Beach per the City Building Inspector. **Warning** High Priority - Nonfood-grade hose conveying potable water: observed the unit has a potable water hose that it begins with and then transitions to a non-potable hose. **Warning** Mobile food dispensing vehicle Advertisement Advertisement Complaint Inspection on Jan. 9 Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 4 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Establishment operating without an approved sewage system: observed the gray water tank has been removed. MFDV has been attached with a quick disconnect to a local sewer system that has not been permitted by the City of Fort Walton Beach per the City Building Inspector. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-09: Gray water tank has been reinstalled. MFDV is still attached to an un-permitted sewage system. Time is extended for 60 days from the time of the original violation, 01/08/2026. **Time Extended** High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Nonfood-grade hose conveying potable water: observed the unit has a potable water hose that it begins with and then transitions to a non-potable hose. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-09: MFDV has not gotten a second potable water hose. **Time Extended** 791 Harbor Blvd., Destin Advertisement Advertisement Routine Inspection on Jan. 7 Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 3 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Line salad make bar - tuna dip 56, cheese 55, cut lettuce 51, fresh mozzarella 59, Bread pudding 51F Greater than 4 hrs / Items held on bar overnight. Prob Thermometer calibrated with operator. **Repeat Violation** High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Line salad make bar - tuna dip 56, cheese 55, cut lettuce 51, fresh mozzarella 59, Bread pudding 51F Greater than 4 hrs / Items held on bar overnight. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** Mobile food dispensing vehicle Advertisement Advertisement Complaint Inspection on Jan. 8 Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 1 total violation, with 1 high-priority violation High Priority - Establishment operating without an approved sewage system. Establishment operating on an un-approved sewage system: MFDV has been attached with a quick disconnect to a local sewer system that has not been permitted by the City of Fort Walton Beach per the City Building Inspector. Unit still has approved and operable potable and wastewater tanks installed.**Warning** Priority: High Priority **Warning** Mobile food dispensing vehicle Advertisement Advertisement Complaint Inspection on Jan. 8 Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 4 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Mobile unit has no sanitizer on hand for 3 compartment sink. Operator sourced Chlorine Sanitizer and test strips during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** High Priority - Establishment operating without an approved sewage system. MFDV has been attached with a quick disconnect to a local sewer system that has not been permitted by the City of Fort Walton Beach per the City Building Inspector. Mobile unit still has potable and gray water tanks affixed to unit. Priority: High Priority **Warning** 34717 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin Advertisement Advertisement Routine Inspection on Jan. 8 Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 6 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold hold- Make bar- on ice- sliced tomato 50F, lettuce 59F, shredded cheese 63F (1:20-2:20). Cooler- ambient 59F. **Warning** What agency inspects restaurants in Florida? Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments. How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida? If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online. Advertisement Advertisement Get the whole story at our restaurant inspection database. What does all that terminology in Florida restaurant inspections mean? Basic violations are those considered against best practices. A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report. An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over." An emergency order is when a restaurant is closed by the inspector based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public. A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license. This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Fort Walton Beach/Destin area restaurant/food truck inspections: Jan. 5-11, 2026 HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Gov. Ned Lamont announced $2.6 million in state spending Monday to increase staffing at the 211 call center. The call center is operated by the Connecticut branch of the United Way and provides on-demand assistance for residents trying to access a range of social services. Demand at the 211 call center has been steadily rising, according to Tanya Barrett, a senior vice president with the United Way of Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Lamont to announce state funding for 211 call capacity, support for unhoused Between calls and web visits, weve seen a 300% increase in requests since 2019, Barrett said. Last years federal government shutdown led to a spike in demand, with the call center being inundated with requests by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries who saw their benefits lapse. There was just no way that we were going to be able to handle all the calls that came in in real time, Barrett said, recalling the days during the SNAP funding pause. Looking forward to this year, state officials expect additional hurdles for SNAP recipients navigating new federal eligibility requirements, as well as the prospect of additional unforeseen funding interruptions. Advertisement Advertisement Connecticut Senate votes to deposit $500M into state budget reserves The unpredictable nature of policymaking in Washington is part of the reason the state legislatures Democratic majority granted Lamont broad latitude to spend $500 million from the states budget surplus during a special session late last year. The funding for the 211 call center will be drawn from that fund. Reflecting on the breakneck speed of federal funding changes, Lamont borrowed a line from the late Bob Weir. His epitaph could read, What a long, strange trip its been, and I think you could say that for the last week and I think you could say that for the last year, Lamont said. Across the aisle, the GOP leader in the State Senate said hes generally supportive of the 211 spending while reiterating longstanding Republican criticism of Lamonts ability to spend from the $500 million fund with minimal legislative checks. Advertisement Advertisement I do believe this is an appropriate expenditure of the funds and I likely would vote yes if this were a legislative vote, State Senate GOP leader Steve Harding leader said. And every legislator in every district representing every resident would have that opportunity, which is the point. 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. The year 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians in Ukraine since 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported on Jan. 12. In the previous year, the war in Ukraine killed 2,514 civilians and injured 12,142 over the past year, according to the U.N. monitoring group's verified data. The total number of Ukrainian civilians killed or injured in 2025 was 31% higher than in 2024 and 70% higher than in 2023. "The 31% increase in civilian casualties compared with 2024 represents a marked deterioration in the protection of civilians," HRMMU Danielle Bell said. Advertisement Advertisement "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." Despite a diplomatic push from Washington following U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025, Russia sharply escalated drone and missile attacks against Ukrainian cities that spring and maintained its the campaign of aerial destruction and record-shattering strikes month after month. The number of explosions recorded over the course of 2025 are reminiscent of 2022-2023 in intensity. (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent) The deadliest attack came in November, when Russia launched long-range missiles against the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, killing 38 civilians and injuring at least 99 others. Eight children were killed. Russian attacks on Ukrainian-controlled territory accounted for 97% of the casualties in 2025, HRMMU said. Over 60% of the casualties occurred in front-line areas, with older individuals in those regions suffering in higher numbers. People over 60 years old represented 45% of civilians killed in front-line areas, while only making up 25% of the population. Advertisement Advertisement Civilian casualties due to Russian short-range drones also increased in 2025, HRMMU found. "The expanded use of short-range drones has rendered many areas near the frontline effectively uninhabitable," Bell said. "As essential services shut down and infrastructure is destroyed, it has become too dangerous in some communities even to provide emergency medical care or evacuate civilians." Over the past year, Russia has scaled up its deployment of cheap, high-precision first-person view (FPV) drones along the front lines, targeting civilians in systematic attacks. Read also: Killzone Devastating scale of Russias drone terror against Ukraines civilians laid bare in new report Advertisement Advertisement HRMMU also noted Russia's escalating campaign against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which has led to prolonged power outages in freezing temperatures. The attacks have disrupted civilians' access to water, electricity, heating, and food. Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy grid have put civilians at "heightened risk" and illustrate how "the consequences of the war are now felt by civilians far beyond the frontline," Bell said. The first 12 months of Russia's full-scale invasion remain the deadliest thus far, with the U.N. documenting at least 8,006 civilians killed and 13,287 wounded between February 2022 and February 2023. HRMMU's latest report on civilian casualties comes a month after the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) revealed that Russia's war in Ukraine was the world's deadliest conflict in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement The project documented deaths of soldiers and civilians, concluding that the Trump administration's efforts to achieve a ceasefire "bore no fruit." Read also: Russia going all in to destroy Ukraines energy system as 70% of Kyiv left without power Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians in Ukraine since 2022, according to the United Nations (UN). Conflict-related violence killed at least 2,514 civilians last year, the UN's Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said, compared with 2,088 in 2024 and 1,974 in 2023. The number of injured civilians also increased sharply each year. The year's deadliest attack killed at least 38 civilians in the western city of Ternopil in November, it reported, including eight children. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday President Volodymyr Zelensky said overnight Russian strikes had killed four people in Kharkiv and left "several hundred thousand households" without power in and around Kyiv amid freezing temperatures. The total number of civilians killed and injured in 2025 represented a 31% increase on 2024, and 70% on 2023, according to the UN mission. It previously said at least 8,006 civilians were killed and 13,287 injured in the first 12 months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. In November, it reported more than 14,534 civilians had been killed since the war began. Advertisement Advertisement The mission's chief Danielle Bell said 2025's figures represented "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." Separately, Zelensky said almost 300 drones, 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles had targeted cities across the country overnight, causing a major power outage in the Kyiv region. Advertisement Advertisement The city's mayor Vitali Klitschko said air defences were in operation during what the military said had been a missile attack. The CEO of energy company Yasno said the whole city had gone into "emergency shutdowns" as a result, while emergency workers sought to put out fires and reconnect supplies in sub-zero temperatures. The country's foreign minister accused Russia of deliberately targeting energy infrastructure to "deprive people of power, water and heating" and heating as they woke up to temperatures below -15C. Parts of the capital had already faced days without heating and electricity in freezing temperatures due to strikes last week. Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky said four people were killed in a missile strike "without any military purpose whatsoever" on a postal terminal in Korotych, Kharkiv. The north-eastern region's governor said 10 people had been injured, while Ukraine's foreign ministry said 30 people had been evacuated. Elsewhere, the governor of Donetsk Vadym Filashkin said two were killed in strikes across the eastern region, while officials in Odesa in southern Ukraine said six people were injured by strikes which damaged homes, energy facilities, a hospital and a kindergarten. Kyiv said it had also launched its own attack overnight on a drone manufacturing plant in Russia's western Rostov region. The army's general staff said explosions and a fire were recorded in the area. Advertisement Advertisement The latest attacks came two days after Russia's full-scale invasion hit its 1,418th day - the same length of the Soviet army's participation in World War Two. The EU's ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Matheronva wrote on social media: "Back then, the USSR was attacked, fought back, and - thanks to massive Western support - ended the war victorious... Today, Putin chose this war. Planned it. Launched it. Owns it." Tucked away inside an enormous gated mansion on the outskirts of Los Angeles, a couple was raising nearly two dozen children, most under the age of 3, when their shrouded lives were thrust into public view. Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang drew national interest in July after authorities raided their Arcadia home and took 21 kids, mostly surrogate-born, into custody. The raid came after their 2-month-old son was rushed to the hospital with injuries that medical staff suspected were due to child abuse. His trauma was consistent with "either a traffic accident or the child being shaken and/or dropped," said Arcadia Police Captain Kollin Cieadlo, but "there was no car accident." The unmarried couple remains at the center of a state child abuse investigation and has drawn federal scrutiny. Meanwhile, over the last six months, the couple has had at least five more surrogate-born babies in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Georgia all of whom were also taken into state custody. Advertisement Advertisement Xuan and Zhang are fighting for custody of their children across four states and suing some surrogates in the process. Two of those surrogates are now pushing back, seeking custody of the children they carried. Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang are seen in photos released by the Arcadia Police Department in July 2025. / Credit: Arcadia Police Department Some surrogates say they were deceived Surrogates Melissa Epps and Stacy King cut off contact with Zhang, Xuan and their lawyers in the weeks before they gave birth to babies in Virginia last fall. They initially refused to turn over the newborns, per court documents. Xuan and Zhang filed separate suits against the surrogates, claiming breach of contract. They demanded custody of the newborns and $1 million from each woman, who had originally agreed to contracts of $70,000 and $45,000, plus additional pregnancy-related expenses. Advertisement Advertisement The couple claims in their lawsuit that they learned of King's delivery five days after it happened, and they say Epps delivered their baby at a different hospital than they agreed to. The babies have since been taken into state custody. The cases add to the mystery of the couple with questions still swirling about why they arranged the births of so many children, and for whom. Epps' attorney described how Zhang and Xuan sought out and persuaded women to carry children for them as hired surrogates with a pitch she said was misleading. "My client was led to believe that this was a couple who had one child and wanted to have one more," said Pamela DeCamp, of the Virginia Legal Aid Society. "She had no idea they wanted dozens of children and would never have wanted to do that if she knew." Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, two more surrogates delivered babies last fall both are in state custody. And in Georgia, surrogate Hallie Weaver told Courthouse News that she gave birth last summer to a baby boy who was taken into state custody. She said she is also formally fighting to adopt him in the courts. The surrogates were recruited through Facebook, communicating with agencies called Mark Surrogacy and Future Spring Surrogacy. They were each told they'd be carrying a baby for a couple who had either one child or no children a far cry from the busload living with Zhang and Xuan. Potential surrogates were never told that the surrogacy businesses they were dealing with were actually registered to the couple's home and office building. A view of the home of Silvia Zhang and Guoiun Xuan on July 16, 2025 in Arcadia, California. / Credit: I RYU/VCG via Getty Images But some surrogates noticed oddities as they went through the process. Advertisement Advertisement One surrogate, who asked not to be named due to ongoing litigation, said she never met the couple during the pregnancy. After the surrogate gave birth, Zhang "didn't arrive until the next day." The postpartum surrogate said she was appalled and refused to see Zhang, who left shortly after with the baby. Zhang declined to comment when reached by phone. A woman at the couple's palatial Arcadia home twice refused to speak when approached by reporters outside the property, turning around wordlessly each time and walking back into the mansion. A person at an office building owned by Xuan, where Zhang has worked as a realtor, turned CBS News reporters away. The pair's attorneys in Virginia and California did not respond to requests for comment. Lawyers for the unmarried couple, who immigrated separately to the U.S. from China, have said in court filings that they are interested in building a large family and that they haven't done anything wrong. They claim child abuse allegations and media reports are "over sensationalized and false" and insist the pair are likely to win all their cases, regaining custody of every child taken from their care. Advertisement Advertisement The biological parents of some of the children remain unclear, but in the Virginia cases, Xuan claims to be both children's genetic father. The genetic mothers are anonymous egg donors, according to affidavits filed by California Dr. John Wilcox, who wrote that his fertility practice collected sperm from Xuan in 2021. Allegations of violence and abuse: "It didn't look normal" Records show police responded to at least three dozen calls to the couple's mansion in less than four years, including noise complaints related to verbal altercations, an anonymous 2024 call alleging child abuse, and a claim that $400,000 worth of wine had been stolen from their 17,000-square-foot estate. In one call made in 2022, a person said they went to the mansion seeking payment for work and were met with a weapon that looked "like a machine gun." A note in the police report says, "video shows male take a gun from trunk, [unknown] if real." No charges were brought. Advertisement Advertisement Neighbor Chuck Trujillo recalled wondering about the home and its residents when he saw children with crew cuts or short hair "like soldiers" in the backyard. He said it "seemed like they were being trained for something." Another neighbor, Lorraine Jimenez, said, "The kids were screaming like someone was killing them. This cry was a cry for help, that's what this was." Cieadlo, the police captain, said staff for the Department of Child and Family Services "had never seen this many kids in one place." "They were all different genders, but had the same general appearance in terms of their hair being close cut, and the clothing was like shorts and t-shirts, so very gender neutral," Cieadlo said. Advertisement Advertisement For police and child protective services, the issue became urgent in May, when a 2-month-old was brought to a hospital with severe injuries. CBS News reviewed images of the infant in medical care: a brace encases his tiny head and neck. Zhang told doctors that the baby had fallen off a bed while being cared for by a nanny, according to a police warrant. But his injuries more resembled those of a child who had been shaken, or in a car accident, investigators said. An investigator described a short surveillance video clip that he was provided, which showed the baby "shaking/trembling as if he was seizing" in the home before being brought to the hospital. Photos recovered from Zhang's phone, from two days before the infant was brought to the hospital, show "an apparent head injury," an investigator wrote in the warrant. A nanny, Chunmei Li, has been sought by police in connection with the baby's injury. CBS News was unable to locate or contact Li. Advertisement Advertisement Other surveillance video obtained by police from within the home shows eight small children, all with closely cropped hair, sitting in a classroom-like setting. In one image, a child appears to have been placed on a table and spanked by a person described as a "teacher/nanny," one of at least six house staff. Surveillance image included in an Arcadia Police warrant shows an adult described as a In another image, a child who appears to be a toddler does what police describe as "squats," while in the back of the room, a baby in a high chair appears to be hit in the face by another "teacher/nanny." Surveillance image included in an Arcadia Police warrant shows an adult described as a "There was definitely abuse," said Cieadlo, "It was consistent with physical and emotional abuse that would go well beyond what a reasonable person would expect to be normal discipline." Zhang and Xuan "were well aware of what was occurring in that home, and they were allowing it to continue and take place," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Lorraine and her husband, Steve Jimenez, said they witnessed an older woman shaking a baby months before the couple's arrest. "I was in the kitchen and then I heard the baby screaming," said Lorraine Jimenez. "When I went outside, she had the baby in her arms and was shaking the heck out of it until I yelled at her, and then she stopped." Jimenez said she called the police, who told her they would do a welfare check. Trujillo said that he saw adults at the home being aggressive towards the children. "It wasn't the way you treat a little kid," Trujillo said. "You didn't see them holding them. It was more like a drill school. It didn't look normal." The neighbors spoke of seeing young children being potty-trained in a single line in the couple's backyard. Trujillo said the kids weren't allowed to stand up until they urinated. "They would grab them, pull their pants down and force them on the little potty chairs," Lorraine Jimenez said. All three neighbors recalled hearing screaming from within the house. Another neighbor said he heard so many kids in the backyard that he "thought it was a kindergarten." The Arcadia Police Department is actively pursuing a child abuse investigation. Sergeant Mario Castro said the police department recently received FBI translations of audio from the home surveillance videos and is "still conducting an examination on the footage." Federal investigators have also taken note. The FBI was notified about the couple's unusual surrogacy setup at least as early as 2023, according to one person who spoke to an agent that year, and its investigation ramped up last year. Four surrogates told CBS News that FBI agents contacted them last year. At least two attorneys spoke to the FBI. A Justice Department source told CBS News that federal prosecutors are tapped into the probe. International surrogacy sparks concerns of child trafficking Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott introduced a bill in November that would ban the use of surrogacy in the U.S. by people from certain foreign countries, including China. Scott's legislation makes a startling accusation about the Arcadia couple. "This presents an acute national security threat, and recent events in Arcadia, California, reveal that surrogacy is even being used to facilitate human trafficking," wrote Scott without elaborating further. Wealthy Chinese nationals have flocked to America to hire surrogates. A 2024 study published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine found that, over a six-year span, about 42% of foreign nationals who traveled to the U.S. to work with surrogates were from China, where surrogacy is illegal. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted Chinese billionaires having dozens of U.S.-born babies through surrogacy. Neither Zhang nor Xuan has been charged, but their legal trouble has continued to mount. In September, the neighboring city of El Monte filed a civil abatement claim targeting one of Xuan's many properties in his real estate and business portfolio. Police records show dozens of calls to the office building between 2022 and 2025. Lawyers for the city wrote in a Sept. 3 court filing that police had uncovered an "illegal casino" and "indicators of an illicit cannabis and psilocybin operation," at the building. They said, "firearms had been previously found in various locations and on various persons relating to illegal gambling and narcotics." The court filing, which was first reported by the Los Angeles Times, claimed Xuan and other defendants, "acting in concert, operated a well-established, sophisticated, and persistent criminal enterprise that has operated over the course of several years and across multiple properties." Court records do not show when Xuan arrived in the United States. Zhang arrived in the U.S. in 2016 after marrying another older man, Henry Tang, in 2014. He was 68 and she was 27 years old. The couple moved to nearby Pomona. By 2021, their marriage ended. Zhang's ex-husband accused her of elder fraud and "trickery" in a lawsuit, claiming she sold their home while he was away in Taiwan. He alleged that she pocketed the money, according to court records. Within months, Zhang and another much older man Xuan, now 66 visited HRC Fertility, one of Southern California's largest fertility chains. It's not clear if their doctor, Wilcox, was aware of the couple's ambitions or if he knew how they convinced women to carry children. A representative of the clinic told CBS News its staff does not talk to the media. Not long after moving to the Arcadia mansion, Xuan and Zhang began steadily filling it with babies, according to neighbors and court records. The connected court cases for 19 of the 21 children seized in California read like the alphabet, an identical case number followed by a letter signifying each child's case: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, and S. We are continuing to investigate this story. Please contact us with any tips via email or Signal: cara.tabachnick@paramount.com (@cara.10) katrina.kaufman@cbsnews.com (katrinakaufman.33) KatesG@cbsnews.com (grahamkates.91) Editor's note: This story has been updated with more details of the surrogates' compensation. New details emerge about how Renee Good died Tape of woman's last words upends husband's account of accidental shooting Inside look at Buffalo Bills' new stadium Delhi experienced its coldest January morning in three years this week as the temperature dropped to around 3 degrees Celsius and a cold wave gripped much of the countrys north-western plains, according to Indias weather office. Near-freezing temperatures were recorded in cities across Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, while the satellite city of Gurugram in Indias national capital region recorded the near-freezing temperature of 0.6C one of its lowest in nearly five decades. The plunge has made parts of northern India colder than several Himalayan hill towns, an unusual reversal that has left the region shrouded in dense fog, frost and hazardous air quality. Safdarjung, Delhi's main weather station, recorded 3.2C on Monday. It had recorded 2.6C on 18 Jan 2023. Advertisement Advertisement The temperature in Amritsar, a city close to Indias western border, dropped to 1.1C, and Churu, in the desert state of Rajasthan, recorded 1.3C. Hisar in Haryana was at 2.6C, while hill stations such as Shimla and Mussoorie remained markedly warmer this time, at 8.8C and 7.7C respectively as the Himalayan region struggled with low snowfall. Delhis typical January minimum ranges between 7C and 9C, making this weeks readings unusually low even by winter standards. Meteorologists say the pattern has been driven by clear night skies and cold north-westerly winds over the plains, which allow heat to escape rapidly after sunset. In contrast, cloud cover over the Himalayan foothills linked to an active western disturbance has acted like a blanket, preventing temperatures there from falling as sharply. The night was cloudy over the higher reaches, which is why minimum temperatures remained higher there, said M Mohapatra, director general of the India Meteorological Department. Over the plains, clear skies led to strong radiative cooling, he said. Advertisement Advertisement The cold has been visible as a cover over the northern Gangetic plains, a satellite image released by Nasa showed. On the ground, frost formed on crops, grasslands and car windscreens in and around Gurugram, while dense fog reduced visibility on highways and elevated roads during early morning hours. Low clouds blanketed the delta while parallel cloud bands rolled over the Bay of Bengal during a January cold wave. (Nasa) The cold snap also coincides with persistent poor air quality, a common winter combination in north India. Calm winds and temperature inversions trap pollution close to the ground, worsening smog levels across Delhi and neighbouring states. Weather officials have issued orange alerts for cold wave to severe cold wave conditions, warning of health risks including hypothermia, respiratory illness and increased strain on vulnerable groups such as the elderly and young children. This winter has also been exceptionally dry, with north-west India recording rainfall deficits of more than 80 per cent in December and early January, leaving little snow cover in the hills and allowing cold air to spill freely across the plains. Temperatures are expected to remain abnormally low for several more days before gradually rising later in the week, forecasters said, as cloud cover increases and winds weaken. NEED TO KNOW More than two dozen dogs were found deceased in a large pile in plastic bags in the backyard of a home in the Beauregard community of Lee County, Ala. Approximately another 24 were found inside emaciated Curtis Dewayne Haralson, Patricia Ann Sims, and Tiffany Ann Sims, were arrested and booked into Lee County Jail on Monday, Jan. 12. No charges have been filed yet Three people were arrested after 29 dogs were found deceased in plastic bags in the backyard of a Lee County, Ala., home. Another 24 dogs were found emaciated inside, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Curtis Dewayne Haralson, Patricia Ann Sims, and Tiffany Ann Sims were arrested and booked into Lee County Jail on Monday, Jan. 12, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Haralson, 63, Patricia, 64, and Tiffany, 27, were all living in the home located on the 8100 block of Lee Road 146 in the Beauregard community, where authorities were called by a neighbor at around 10:45 a.m. local time on Monday to alert them to the condition of the dogs, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said. Lee County Animal Control took the surviving dogs into custody, according to AL.com. No charges have been filed against any of the three people involved, and the investigation remains ongoing. However, the sheriff's office said in a statement that the investigation "will more than likely result in felony charges for all three individuals." The dogs' ages ranged from puppies to grown dogs. 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. PEOPLE has reached out to the Lee County Sheriff's Office and to Lee County Animal Control for further comment. Read the original article on People 18th Annual Gupot Chamorro & Crab Festival (Photo by The Municipality of Malesso/courtesy of Guam Visitors Bureau) The Municipality of Malesso invites you to their 18th Annual Gupot Chamorro & Crab Festival! Join the community for a weekend of fun in scenic southern Guam. This event is presented in partnership with the Guam Council on the Arts & Humanities Agency. Organizers: Municipality of Malesso & Guam Council on the Arts & Humanities Agency Three dozen states are set to hold races for governor across the country this November, with a handful offering a test of the national mood halfway into President Trumps second term. Six of the seven battleground states will hold gubernatorial elections, with several interesting races shaping up, particularly in Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Iowa and Ohio are offering Democrats a chance to flip the governors mansions in two red states. Advertisement Advertisement Here are six gubernatorial races to watch for this year: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender, is term-limited, leaving his seat open in a state that Trump won by just more than 2 points in 2024. The Republican primary has largely turned into a three-way race between Trump-endorsed Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, state Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and state Attorney General Chris Carr. All three played prominent roles during the 2020 election, when the president looked to overturn former President Bidens win in the state. A dark money group called Georgians for Integrity has spent millions attacking Jones, though its unclear whos behind the group and his opponents have said theyre not involved, according to The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a crowded primary is taking shape on the Democratic side that includes former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former GOP Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former state Sen. Jason Esteves and former DeKalb CEO County Executive Michael Thurmond. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the seat a toss up. Iowa The Hawkeye State hasnt elected a Democrat as its top executive since 2006, when former Gov. Chet Culver defeated former Rep. Jim Nussle (R-Iowa). Democrats have seen a similar drought on the Senate side. The last Democrat to serve in the upper chamber from Iowa was Tom Harkin, who left office in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement On the Democratic side in this years governors race, State Auditor Rob Sand is proving to be a formidable candidate. Sands campaign announced earlier this month he had raised $9.5 million last year and is starting off 2026 with more than $13 million in the bank an impressive sum for a Democrat running in a red state. On the Republican side are Rep. Randy Feenstra (Iowa), Iowa state Rep. Eddie Andrews, former state Rep. Brad Sherman and former Iowa Department of Administrative Services Director Adam Steen. So far, Trump has not waded into the Republican primary. The Cook Political Report rates the seat Lean Republican. Michigan The Great Lakes State will hold closely watched contests for governor and Senate this year. Advertisement Advertisement In the gubernatorial race, Democrats are hoping to retain the states top executive post as term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) plans to exit. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has emerged as the Democrats top candidate, while Republicans have a crowded primary field that includes Rep. John James (Mich.), former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard (R) and former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox (R). A wild card in the race is former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who was elected as a Democrat but is now running for governor as an independent. Duggan argues the constant swings between the two major parties in Michigan have stymied the states ability to enact effective policies. Advertisement Advertisement Some recent polls have shown a tight race between Benson and James, with Duggan also garnering a significant amount of support. The Cook Political Report currently rates the Michigan governors race a toss up. Ohio Vivek Ramaswamy, who ran for the GOP presidential nod in 2024 and briefly worked on the advisory Department of Government Efficiency, is running to succeed term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine (R). Meanwhile Amy Acton, a former Ohio Department of Health director, is running on the Democratic side. Ohio has turned increasingly red over the years, underscored by former Sen. Sherrod Browns (D-Ohio) reelection loss in 2024. Yet Browns decision to launch another bid for the upper chamber and challenge Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) could help energize Democrats and encourage turnout for the governors race. Advertisement Advertisement An Emerson College Polling survey released last month showed Acton narrowly beating Ramaswamy at 46 percent to 45 percent, making them essentially tied because of the margin of error. The Cook Political Report rates the seat likely Republican. South Carolina South Carolinas gubernatorial race is of interest due mainly to the primary, which features several prominent Trump loyalists. Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, state Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell are running in the GOP primary to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster (R) in the deep-red state. Public polling has shown Wilson, Mace and Evette as the top contenders in the primary. Advertisement Advertisement The battle for Trumps endorsement is fierce. Evette launched an ad campaign that included clips of Trump praising her, drawing ire from Mace and Wilson, who argued it made it appear like she had his endorsement. State Rep. Jermaine Johnson and Justin Bennett are running on the Democratic side; however, Cook Political Report rates it as solid Republican. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced last year he would not seek a third term as the states top executive, setting off a scramble on both sides to succeed him. A crowded primary is shaping up on the Democratic side. The candidates include former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who narrowly lost to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) in 2022; Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley; Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez; state Rep. Francesca Hong and former Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, three Republicans have launched bids for their partys nod: Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and political outsider Andy Manske. Control of the governors seat has flipped between Democrats and Republicans over the past few decades. Trump won Wisconsin by less than 1 point, underscoring how competitive the state is. The Cook Political Report rates the seat a toss up. 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. Authorities in Westminster, a suburb in Orange County, are looking to spread awareness of vandalism at the Westminster Mall, which closed last October but has since become a hotbed of illicit activity. According to the Westminster Police Department, the mall has been boarded up since its closure; however, people still are finding ways to enter. One look inside shows that trespassers have trashed the mall, smashing glass storefronts, throwing leftover merchandise around and spray painting much of the interior. Westminster police say that, since the mall shut down, their department has received 402 calls for service for various crimes, including vandalism and trespassing. Individuals with arrest warrants have also been apprehended there, per WPD. Advertisement Advertisement A witness told KTLA that this weekend, they saw around 60 people in the mall at once with no police or security in sight. They submitted pictures and video of the damaged mall but insisted they were only there for footage and did not participate in the vandalism. Authorities in Westminster are looking to spread awareness of vandalism at the Westminster Mall, which closed last October but has since become a hotbed of illicit activity. (Photo credit: TT/@theteenagedirtbagg) Authorities in Westminster are looking to spread awareness of vandalism at the Westminster Mall, which closed last October but has since become a hotbed of illicit activity. (Photo credit: TT/@theteenagedirtbagg) Authorities in Westminster are looking to spread awareness of vandalism at the Westminster Mall, which closed last October but has since become a hotbed of illicit activity. (Photo credit: TT/@theteenagedirtbagg) Authorities in Westminster are looking to spread awareness of vandalism at the Westminster Mall, which closed last October but has since become a hotbed of illicit activity. (Photo credit: TT/@theteenagedirtbagg) Authorities in Westminster are looking to spread awareness of vandalism at the Westminster Mall, which closed last October but has since become a hotbed of illicit activity. (Photo credit: TT/@theteenagedirtbagg) Just this past weekend, at least 30 people were arrested for vandalism, a Westminster Police Department spokesperson confirmed to KTLA. The spokesperson added that investigators believe the recent uptick in incidents may have to do with videos circulating online that show the vandalized interior. However, those videos are not an invitation to enter the mall, the spokesperson stated. Advertisement Advertisement This has become a safety issue, they said. Anyone trespassing will get arrested. 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) An Abilene man has been arrested on a charge of animal cruelty after a dog lost its tail due to what authorities say was negligent care following an injury. According to court documents, on September 3, 2025, an animal outreach officer was called to capture a group of dogs in South Abilene. One of the dogs was captured the following day and was described as underweight and suffering from tail trauma. The officer later contacted those who lived at the dogs home, who reportedly said the dogs injury occurred after the mother dog bit the dog, causing damage that ultimately led to the tail falling off. Advertisement Advertisement Documents state the dogs owner, Shequon Bernard Smith, confirmed the dog did not receive veterinarian treatment for the injury. Later on, a veterinarian who evaluated the dog said it should have been taken in for care much sooner. Records also show the dog gained 39 percent of its body weight in just 13 days while under shelter care. A woman involved in the case told officers she had been the dogs primary caretaker until she moved out in August. Documents say she treated the dogs injury using medication purchased from PetSmart, and that Smith did not think the injury required veterinarian treatment. BigCountryHomepage is not identifying the woman at this time, as she has not been charged as of January 12, 2026. Smith was booked into the Taylor County Jail and later released on a $1,000 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File Actor and director Timothy Busfield has been missing for three days since a warrant was issued for his arrest for alleged child sex abuse of two boys on the set of one of his shows, and the U.S. Marshals have been called in to help search for him. Busfield, 68, rose to fame with roles on beloved shows like Thirtysomething and The West Wing; his directorial credits include dozens of television programs. He has been married to actress Melissa Gilbert since 2013. He has three children from two previous marriages. Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 9, the Albuquerque Police Department issued a warrant for Busfield, listing three counts: two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor, and one count of child abuse. According to the police affidavit, the two boys, 11-year-old twin brothers, were child actors who met Busfield on the set of the Fox television series The Cleaning Lady, which he joined as director in 2022. To protect their identities, the boys are identified by the initials SL and VL in the affidavit. The investigation into Busfield originated with a report by a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) in November 2024 of alleged child sexual abuse. The police declined to take the case initially, but in October 2025, the boys mother filed a new report with the police and Child Protective Services with additional information that led to the Jan. 9 arrest warrant. The boys mother told police that her children were groomed and sexually abused by Timothy, and that Busfield had told them to call him Uncle Tim. She also added that before Busfield joined the show, it had been common practice for the crew to pass out iPads for the parents of the child actors on set to be able to monitor their children, but that ended after Busfield came on board. Advertisement Advertisement SL told his therapist that Busfield had touched both his genitalia and bottom.' During the boys interviews with police, SL said that Busfield began abusing him when he was seven years old. Both boys described multiple incidents where they say Busfield sexually abused them for several years. When Busfield was interviewed by police, according to the warrant affidavit, he acknowledged to the police in a phone interview that he probably tickled the boys, describing the set as a playful environment,' and suggested that the allegations were a form of revenge by the boys mother after the children were terminated from the show, reported The New York Times. The latest update on the case was reported by People magazine on Monday evening, noting that Busfield had yet to be located in the three days since his arrest warrant was issued. The U.S. Marshals Service was called in by the APD to help find Busfield and execute the arrest warrant, an APD spokesperson confirmed to People. The spokesperson also confirmed that Busfield had not been located, detained, or arrested, the report added. The post Actor Timothy Busfield Remains Missing 3 Days After Warrant Issued for Alleged Child Sex Abuse first appeared on Mediaite. VAN BUREN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Court documents reveal new details in an Oklahoma murder investigation that netted five arrests after a mans body was found in the Arkansas River in Van Buren last year. Danny Goad, 59, of Muskogee, is facing first-degree murder and possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. He was booked into the Muskogee County Jail on Dec. 3 on unrelated charges, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Danny Goad, 59 (Courtesy: Muskogee County Detention Center) Jason Quick, 46, Jerry Pratt, 56, and Rhonda Jeremiah, 56, were arrested and booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on accessory after the fact charges. Advertisement Advertisement Nathern England, 56, was charged with obstructing an officer and booked into the Sequoyah County Jail. Authorities said the five were reportedly connected to the death of Derek Marshall, 30, whose body was found in the Arkansas River on Nov. 14. Oklahoma court records show the cases were unsealed on Jan. 8 through a court order. 2-vehicle collision in Fort Coffee kills 2 men What court documents say A probable cause affidavit filed on Nov. 25 in Sequoyah County said that on Oct. 4, Goad and Marshall were arrested in McLoud, Oklahoma. Marshall was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, and Goad was charged with driving while intoxicated. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities searched the vehicle and found more than $25,000 in cash and a locked black safe that contained roughly 35 grams of methamphetamine. An arrest warrant was issued for Goad and Marshall for drug trafficking charges. On either Nov. 5 or 6, Goad, Marshall and a woman were at a home belonging to Pratt in Muldrow. The affidavit said Goad was arguing with Marshall for about 30 minutes over the incident where both were arrested. Goad allegedly insinuated that Marshall may have snitched because the two were arrested on the same day but had different court dates. Witness statements from the woman and Pratt said that they were both in the home when they heard gunshots. Advertisement Advertisement Pratt said he saw Goad dragging Marshalls body after the shots were fired. Goad then reportedly pointed a gun at both Pratt and the woman, ordering them to get in Pratts vehicle. The affidavit does not specify how Marshalls body ended up in Van Buren. On Nov. 7, Goad was arrested in Mount Ida, Ark., after crashing Pratts vehicle. He was arrested on a drug trafficking warrant stemming from his October arrest out of Pottawatomie County. Arkansas State Police issued Goad a traffic citation for the accident, according to the affidavit. Pratts home was searched by OSBI, and deputies collected multiple items of evidentiary value. The affidavit said those items would be submitted to the OSBI Forensic Science Center for comparison and analysis against evidence recovered from Marshalls body. Advertisement Advertisement Fort Smith police investigate life-threatening stabbing Court dates No court dates were listed for Goad as of Jan. 12. Quick pleaded not guilty on Dec. 10. Sequoyah County Judge Kyle Waters issued a failure to appear warrant for Quick on Jan. 7. No court records were listed for Pratt or Jeremiah as of Jan. 12. England pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Dec. 17. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 4. 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 KNWA FOX24. Maine is expected to get its own Aldi grocery store soon. Founded in 1961 in Germany, this chain of grocery stores have become increasingly popular in the United States, lauded for its low prices and in-house brands. Like Trader Joe's, another budget-friendly grocery store with mostly private-label brands, Aldi has many locations in New England. Connecticut has 33 Aldi stores, Rhode Island has nine, Massachusetts has 23, Vermont has three, and New Hampshire has 10, according to the chain's store locator. Advertisement Advertisement And Maine has zero, at the time of writing. But that's about to change. Aldi logo is seen in this illustration taken, February 11, 2025. Is Aldi in Maine Aldi has plans to expand into Maine soon, according to a company press release. "In 2026, ALDI will enter Maine as its 40th state in the U.S., opening in the city of Portland to bring unbeatable value to Maine shoppers," the press release said. Multiple online reports say that this Portland Aldi, allegedly located in what was the Big Lots building in Pine Tree Shopping Center, was supposed to open late 2025, but the opening has been reportedly delayed to early 2026. "The loyalty built in the first 50 years in the U.S. has helped transform ALDI into more than just a grocery store and instead into a movement," the press release said. Advertisement Advertisement This expansion would finally see Aldi stores in all six states of New England. Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Aldi expanding into another state in 2026. Here's where For thousands of Palestinian families in Gaza, the ongoing Israeli genocidal war is not just about the huge loss of life, utter destruction and relentless bombardment, but the agonising silence of missing loved ones swallowed by Israels detention system. We do not know if he is detained or a martyr, the wife of Abdul Rahman, a young man who disappeared in January, told Al Jazeera. We filled out many forms but hope still exists. This psychological limbo was highlighted this week by the case of Hamza Adwan, a 67-year-old detainee whose family was informed of his death on Sunday four months after he actually died in custody on September 9, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Adwan, a father of nine who had already lost two sons before the war, was arrested at a checkpoint on November 12, 2024. According to his family, he was detained despite suffering from serious health issues, including heart disease, and requiring constant medical care. The delayed notification of his death is not an isolated incident. It reflects a systematic policy of enforced disappearance creating a total void of information that the Commission of Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Society describe as an integral part of the ongoing war of genocide. A system of uncertainty In testimonies gathered by Al Jazeera, families described a chaotic reality where official information is often scarce or contradictory. The father of Amro, a young man arrested in December 2024, lives in a cruel state of uncertainty. He was initially told by officials that his son had died in custody on December 13. However, released prisoners later reported seeing Amro alive after that date. Advertisement Advertisement We live on hope that he is alive and well, the father said, despite fearing his son may have been subjected to unimaginable torture. Legalising execution The rights groups accused Israel of pursuing a policy of slow execution through starvation, medical neglect, and torture, aimed at making this the deadliest phase in the history of the Palestinian prisoner movement. They warned that this surge in deaths coincides with Israeli political efforts to pass legislation approving the execution of Palestinian prisoners. According to the groups, this move aims to legalise extrajudicial killings and transform them from actions taken outside the law into a legitimate and codified policy. Advertisement Advertisement This legislative push targets a population where the vast majority are held without charge or trial. By the numbers The Commission and the Prisoners Society released alarming new statistics illustrating the scale of the crackdown. As of January 2026, the total number of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons has surpassed 9,300. Most are legally in limbo, including: 3,385 administrative detainees, held indefinitely on secret evidence without trial. 1,237 detainees classified as unlawful combatants, a designation Israel uses to hold Palestinians from Gaza without granting them prisoner-of-war status or legal rights. Advertisement Advertisement With the confirmation of Adwans death, the number of prisoners known to have died in Israeli custody since the war began has risen to 87, including 51 from Gaza. ICRC denied access Compounding the families distress is the paralysis of international monitors. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed to Al Jazeera that it remains completely barred from visiting Palestinian detainees. The ICRC has not been able to access detainees held in Israeli detention centres since October 2023, Amani Al Naouq, the ICRC spokesperson in Gaza, told Al Jazeera. We are constantly receiving inquiries from families concerned about the health and safety of their loved ones, she added. Medics under fire The crackdown has not spared those saving lives. On Monday, medical staff in Gaza held a protest demanding the release of 30 doctors and paramedics detained from Kamal Adwan Hospital alone. Advertisement Advertisement Protesters held banners and photos of dozens of detained colleagues, prominently featuring Dr Hussam Abu Safia, the hospital director who was seized while treating patients. These heroes were arrested outside the framework of international humanitarian law, said Fares Afana, director of ambulance services. The testimonies we hear from those released are beyond the comprehension of the human mind. Another medical representative at the rally warned of the lethal risks facing detainees, pointing to the fate of Dr Iyad al-Rantisi, the director of the maternity department at Kamal Adwan Hospital, who died under interrogation. Our colleagues have been subjected to kidnapping and torture and even killing inside detention centres, just as happened with Dr al-Rantisi, the representative said. Six alleged Antifa members went on trial in the German city of Dusseldorf on Tuesday on charges including attempted murder, forming a criminal organization and causing serious bodily harm. The defendants, a man and five women aged 22 to 24, are accused of attacking and injuring neo-Nazis at a right-wing rally in the Hungarian capital Budapest in 2023. The trial opened in the Higher Regional Court's high-security wing amid intense public interest. Before the trial opened, some spectators voiced support for the defendants, greeting them with applause. Advertisement Advertisement Two of the accused held up folders bearing the words Solidarity with Maja, referring to a suspect currently facing trial in Hungary over the incidents in Budapest. Separate proceedings against other alleged members of the group known as Antifa-Ost are under way in Dresden. Because four of the six defendants were adolescents at the time of the offence, the court interrupted the proceedings to discuss potentially closing the trial to the public. The court ultimately decided to hold a public hearing. The Federal Public Prosecutor has classified Antifa-Ost as a militant left-wing extremist organisation. The group has also been designated a terrorist organization by the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors allege that several people in Budapest were attacked using fists, batons and a hammer. In addition to the Budapest incidents, which took place on the sidelines of an international gathering of right-wing extremists, the defendants are alleged to have attacked and injured a saleswoman working in a clothing store in the German city of Erfurt that was known for selling a brand often worn by right-wing extremists. The defence lawyers have criticized the charges, calling them "excessive." Allegiant Air announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Sun Country Airlines in a deal valued at approximately $1.5 billion. The move could eventually bring more destinations and nonstop options to travelers flying out of Orlando Sanford International Airport. The proposed merger still faces regulatory scrutiny, with federal officials expected to examine whether the deal would reduce competition or lead to higher airfare prices. However, industry analysts note there is limited overlap between Allegiant and Sun Country routes, a factor that could ease approval and expand destination choices from Sanford. Advertisement Advertisement For travelers, the potential expansion is welcome news, especially for those who currently have to be flexible or creative when booking flights. Christina Bodanza, a frequent traveler, said limited destinations often influence how she plans her trips. I prefer to fly, and right now, the only thing that limits me is some of the locations that I can fly into. In fact, I will fly into Grand Rapids to fly to Portland, just so I can fly Allegiant, Bodanza said. Allegiant, a major carrier at Sanford, said the acquisition would create one of the largest leisure-focused airlines in the country. For Central Florida travelers, one of the biggest potential benefits is access to Sun Countrys international routes, which include destinations in Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean. Advertisement Advertisement Traveler Jeff Minkwic said expanded service from Sanford could help ease congestion and offer alternatives to larger airports. You get into Orlando International and whatnot, or even around Tampa... and those can be quite mind boggling at times. So, its nice to see some of that local economy grabbing a little bit of something, a little of their share of it, Minkwic said. In a statement, Orlando Sanford International Airport officials expressed optimism about the announcement. While it is still early and details of the proposed merger are limited, we view this announcement as a positive reflection of the strength and leadership of these carriers, the airport said. Advertisement Advertisement According to the airlines, there will be no immediate changes to flights, tickets, or scheduling. Allegiant and Sun Country will continue operating separately until federal approval is finalized. Any route expansions or additional nonstop options for underserved cities like Sanford would come later. For travelers like Minkwic, the timing couldnt be better. I just retired last year, so nows the time to travel, he said. The merger still requires regulatory approval and shareholder consent. If cleared, the deal is expected to close in the second half of next year. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. High above the Arctic Circle, surrounded by Greenlands frozen wastes, American scientists conducting a secret research project hit upon a brilliant idea. Suppose nuclear missiles could be hidden inside the polar ice cap? These instruments of Armageddon might be able to survive a Soviet strike and then wreak terrible revenge. Alas, the US military had to abandon this dream after finding that constantly shifting ice fields were never going to be safe homes for missile silos. Advertisement Advertisement But the location of this scheme in the 1960s a once-secret city under the ice known as Camp Century may hold the key to resolving a diplomatic problem that European governments never believed they would have to face. Namely, the prospect of America seizing Greenland from Denmark. Over 1,000 miles from Greenlands capital, US engineers tunnelled into a glacier to create Camp Century - Pictorial Parade/Getty Images If we dont take Greenland, Russia or China will and Im not letting that happen, said President Donald Trump on Sunday. One way or the other, were going to have Greenland. The dawning realisation that he is deadly serious has triggered a scramble for solutions, intended to avoid the catastrophe of America using force against an ally. If the United States chooses to attack another Nato country militarily, then everything stops, said Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister. Including our Nato [agreement], and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War. Advertisement Advertisement The clock on defusing the crisis is ticking. Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, will meet Danish representatives as soon as Wednesday. For now, plans are being laid for a new Nato mission to secure Greenland, perhaps involving British forces. But if that idea is not enough to satisfy Trump, the solution may lie on a small, temperate island 4,000 miles away. b' ' Cyprus has hosted British military bases throughout its 65-year history as an independent state. Today, RAF Akrotiri on the southern coast serves as Britains busiest overseas base, while GCHQ has a vital listening post in the eastern Dhekelia area. Advertisement Advertisement What makes these facilities different is that both are located on British sovereign territory. The Union Flag flies over Akrotiri and Dhekelia, whose 98 sq miles or 3 per cent of the island of Cyprus are, legally speaking, just as British as Cornwall or Sussex. Suppose Americas military installations in Greenland were to be converted into sovereign base areas on the Cyprus model. Given that this arrangement has worked for nearly seven decades on a small and crowded Mediterranean island, it should be relatively simple to replicate on a vast and largely empty territory like Greenland. Could this be the answer? It might be a way of giving Trump the sort of victory that he wants, so it has a plausibility, replies Michael Clarke, a visiting professor at the Department of War Studies at Kings College London. Any possible solution has to deal with the fact that Trumps public reasons for taking Greenland make no objective sense. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, he said earlier this month, apparently unaware that America already has an agreement with Denmark, signed in 1951, allowing the US to construct, install, maintain and operate any military base on Greenland and to station and house personnel. Advertisement Advertisement The US military also enjoys free access to the seas around the island. If Trump is right to claim that Russian and Chinese ships are now prowling these waters, then America can already counter this threat with whatever deployments might be necessary. There is simply no need for Trump to have Greenland. During the Cold War, America used its rights under the 1951 agreement to build a far-flung archipelago of at least 17 installations across the island, ranging from airfields to radar stations and weather observatories. In the high north, over 1,000 miles from Greenlands capital, Nuuk, US engineers tunnelled into a glacier to create Camp Century in 1960. Powered by a subterranean nuclear reactor, this secret maze of living quarters and research facilities codenamed Project Iceworm housed 200 experts studying the possibility of hiding missile silos beneath the snow. When that proved impossible, Camp Century was shut down in 1967. Later, as the Cold War came to an end, America dismantled all but one of its military installations in Greenland, withdrawing virtually all of its 6,000 personnel. Advertisement Advertisement Today, the only remaining US facility is Pituffik Space Base on the shores of Baffin Bay, 138 miles west of the carcass of Camp Century. Here, about 200 American personnel watch for incoming ballistic missiles as part of the US Early Warning System. The only remaining US facility in Greenland is Pituffik Space Base, where about 200 American personnel are stationed - Thomas Traasdahl/RitzauScanpix If Pituffik were to become US sovereign territory, just as RAF Akrotiri belongs to Britain, then Trump would be able to say that he had planted the Stars and Stripes in the snow and gained new land for the United States. If the same status were to be accorded to the abandoned tunnels and unusable silos of Camp Century and perhaps the locations of all the other former military sites then 17 US flags might appear on the map, and perhaps a few hundred square miles of Arctic ice cap might be added to America. Given that Greenland covers over 836,000 sq miles and has only 56,000 people, this would make little practical difference. No-ones life would be changed if the Stars and Stripes were to fly over some uninhabited snow-bound creeks and inlets far above the Arctic Circle. Advertisement Advertisement Even if the boundaries of any sovereign base areas were to be drawn as expansively as possible, and Trump gained a few thousand square miles, that would only amount to a fraction of Greenland. The real issue is that Trump wants to add a big chunk of territory to the United States so that he gets his face on Mount Rushmore, says Prof Clarke. Hes not going to get the Nobel Peace Prize, so he wants another sort of prize. About 40 per cent of the current territory of the United States was purchased, with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the Alaska Purchase of 1867 being the most famous examples, and Trump apparently yearns for something comparable. Granting America sovereign base areas in Greenland may be a way of handing him the territorial prize that he craves without, in practice, changing very much. A protester in front of the American Consulate stands against the possibility of the annexation of Greenland by America - Joe Raedle/Getty Images Marion Messmer, the director of the International Security Programme at the Chatham House think tank, agrees that this could be a solution, while adding that any territorial concessions made under American pressure would be a bitter pill for Denmark and Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement It would still be a big concession for Denmark and Greenland, but a better concession than risking an American attack, so I can see why Denmark and Greenland might go for that, she says. For Denmark and Greenland, it is such a matter of national security that they probably could make far-reaching concessions just to end this. There must be a danger that Trump may act unilaterally and simply declare US sovereignty over Pituffik, and perhaps the chain of defunct installations, including Camp Century. Denmarks best option could be to pre-empt him by offering to convert these facilities into sovereign base areas as part of an overall settlement. Some possibilities are infinitely worse. Marco Rubio has said that America wants to buy the entirety of Greenland, reviving Trumps proposal from his first term. But the Danish government has neither the legal power nor the appetite to sell its territory and citizens to a foreign power. If no solution is possible, Denmark could stand firm and rally its European allies, hoping that Trumps attention may turn elsewhere. But that option would increase the risk of America resorting to military action and just about anything would be better than that calamity. Advertisement Advertisement Yet even if the confrontation could be resolved by giving the US sovereign base areas, Prof Clarke believes this outcome would still weaken the West. Nato will have suffered because of that the fact that theyve had to buy him off. And Denmark will have suffered. So Nato would still come out of this weaker, he says. But it would not be as destructive as the possible alternative. 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. (Refiles to include more subscribers, edit story header, no change to text) By Matt Spetalnick, John Geddie and Antoni Slodkowski WASHINGTON/TOKYO/LONDON/BEIJING/MEXICO CITY, Jan 13 (Reuters) - He has toppled Venezuelas leader, vowed to control its vast oil reserves and threatened other Latin American countries with similar military action. He has talked openly about annexing Greenland, even by force. And, beyond the Western Hemisphere, he has warned Iran that the U.S. could strike it again. Advertisement Advertisement Ushering in the new year with a flurry of aggressive moves and fiery rhetoric just days before the first anniversary of his inauguration, President Donald Trump has taken a wrecking ball to the rules-based global order that the U.S. helped build from the ashes of World War Two. That has left much of the world reeling, with friends and foes alike struggling to adjust to seemingly altered geopolitical realities. Many are uncertain of what Trump will do next and whether the latest changes will be long-lasting or can be undone by a more traditional future U.S. president. Everyone expected Trump to return to office with bluster, said Brett Bruen, a former foreign policy adviser in the Obama administration and now head of the Global Situation Room consultancy. But this bulldozing of the pillars that have long undergirded international stability and security is taking place at an alarming and disruptive pace. SPHERES OF INFLUENCE Advertisement Advertisement While much is still unclear, Trump in a matter of months has demonstrated a taste for exercising raw American power, as he did with the bombing of Irans nuclear sites in June and the January 3 attack on Venezuela. And he has signaled that he may intervene again, especially in the Western Hemisphere, where he has vowed to restore U.S. dominance, despite having campaigned on an America First agenda of avoiding new military entanglements. This assessment of Trump's shakeup of the global system draws on interviews with more than a dozen current and former government officials, foreign diplomats and independent analysts in Washington and capitals around the world. On the global stage, Trump is resuscitating what much of the international community had long spurned as an outdated worldview spheres of influence carved out by the big powers. Advertisement Advertisement The inspiration is the 19th century Monroe Doctrine that prioritized U.S. supremacy in the Western Hemisphere and which Trump has embraced and reworked into the Donroe Doctrine. Experts say that while the revival of this playbook may have unnerved some U.S. allies, it could also serve the interests of Russia, locked in a war in Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, and China, which has long had its sights set on Taiwan. Following the U.S. attack on Venezuela and Trumps transparent play for the OPEC states vital resources - some of Americas staunchest allies have shown increasing concern about the undoing of the world order. At stake is an international system that has taken shape over the past eight decades largely under U.S. primacy and though subject to occasional reversals had helped stave off worldwide conflict. It has come to be based on free trade, rule of law and respect for territorial integrity. Advertisement Advertisement A White House official said the policies Trump is pursuing, including heavy focus on the Americas, the display of military might, a border crackdown and sweeping use of tariffs, were what he was elected to do and "we are seeing world leaders respond accordingly." Stephen Miller, an influential White House adviser, appeared to summarize the administration's worldview when he told CNN on January 5: We live in a world, in the real world ... that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power." Europeans, already shaken by doubts about Trumps willingness to defend Ukraine against Russia, have spoken out more openly in recent days, especially over his fixation with Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, a fellow NATO member. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier last week accused the U.S. of a breakdown of values and urged the world not to let the international order disintegrate into a "den of robbers. Advertisement Advertisement Trump said on Friday that the U.S. needs to own the Arctic island to prevent Russia or China from occupying it, though Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a U.S. move to take Greenland would mean the end of the transatlantic alliance. Amid the growing unease, some European leaders have suggested NATO should deploy forces in the Arctic to address U.S. security concerns. SAFEGUARDING THEIR INTERESTS Even before the latest developments, some U.S. allies had begun taking steps to safeguard against Trumps sometimes erratic policies, including growing European efforts to boost its own defense industry. Advertisement Advertisement Trump also has stirred anxiety among Washingtons Asian partners. Itsunori Onodera, an influential Japanese ruling party lawmaker and former defense minister, wrote on X that the U.S. operation in Venezuela was a clear example of changing the status quo by force. Trumps berating of European allies and seeming tilt toward Russia last spring prompted a contingent of senior Japanese lawmakers to consider that the only nation to have been attacked with atomic bombs might have to develop one of its own. In South Korea, Kim Joon-hyung, lawmaker of the progressive Rebuilding Korea Party, said Trumps actions in Venezuela opens a Pandoras box where the strong can use force against the weak. Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told Reuters he did not see Trumps Venezuela action as an earth-shattering development for the world order, though he questioned whether Trumps increased focus on the Western Hemisphere was a message that Europe, youre on your own. Most friendly governments have had a largely muted response on Venezuela, reluctant to antagonize the U.S. president. Publicly scolding Trump is not going to help achieve our aims, said one British official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Leftist-governed Mexico was quick to criticize the U.S. ouster of Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelas authoritarian socialist leader, but with so much at stake in relations with its northern neighbor, a senior Mexican official said it will not go beyond publicly condemning the use of force." Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who has threatened unilateral military action targeting drug cartels inside Mexico and Colombia, told the New York Times in an interview last week that his authority as commander in chief is constrained only by his own morality, not by international law. A NEW IMPERIALISM? While critics accuse Trump of a new imperialism in Latin America, his defenders say it is long overdue, especially given Chinas economic and diplomatic inroads in the region. The White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump was "rightfully restoring American influence," especially by taking out Maduro, who he had accused of "poisoning" Americans with a flow of illegal drugs and sending Venezuelan migrants to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement While the administrations actions in Venezuela have shocked the world and sent a strong message to U.S. rivals in Beijing, Moscow, Havana, and Tehran, they are likely only the starting point for a longer-term and more comprehensive reappraisal of U.S. core interests in the hemisphere, Alexander Gray, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and former foreign policy adviser in Trumps first term, wrote on the think-tanks website. Trump's approach carries risks for the U.S. Key regional players such as Brazil could be pushed even closer to China as they hedge their bets against Trump's pressure, some analysts say. Most unsettling for U.S. allies has been Trumps focus on Venezuelas oil as a driving force behind the removal of Maduro. Washington has left the deposed presidents loyalists in power for now while strong-arming them to grant U.S. companies privileged access. That use of U.S. power without any reference to international norms could, experts warn, embolden China and Russia to intensify coercive moves against their own neighbors. The White House official countered that U.S. adversaries had "undoubtedly taken note of the president's strength." Zhao Minghao, an international affairs expert at Shanghai's Fudan University, said the U.S. had hyped up the notion of a China threat in Latin America." Soon after taking office, Trump spoke of taking back the Panama Canal and pressed the Panamanian government to reconsider Chinese-run facilities near the strategic waterway. But Zhao also noted that Trump appeared supportive of major powers spheres of influence, an approach that many believe carries appeal for Beijing. The prevailing view in Russia is that the U.S. attack on Venezuela, including taking Maduro to New York to face narco-trafficking charges, was a pure power play. "That Trump just 'stole' the president of another country shows that there is basically no international law - there is only the law of force, Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, told Reuters. But Russia has known that for a long time. Trumps appetite for further foreign military action may continue for targets well beyond the Western Hemisphere. Even amid the fallout over Venezuela, he has threatened to intervene on behalf of protesters in Iran where Muslim clerical rulers are facing one of the stiffest challenges to their control since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. On Sunday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One he was weighing possible responses, including military options. "We may have to act because of what is happening," he said. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington, John Geddie in Tokyo, Antoni Slodkowski in Beijing, Elizabeth Piper in London, Kyu-seok Shim in Seoul, Michelle Nichols in New York, David Brunnstrom and Patricia Zengerle in Washington, Diego Ore and Stephen Eisenhammer in Mexico City, and Jonathan Spicer in Ankara; Writing by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis) At a glance Donoho School sophomore Zainatu Sesay, 15, organized a weeklong donation drive that gathered clothing, toiletries, food and solar chargers for families in Jamaica recovering from a devastating hurricane. The Sesay family spent their Christmas break on the Caribbean island, distributing more than 250 care packages and visiting hardhit communities where many residents still lack electricity and running water. Advertisement Advertisement Supported by Donoho families, teachers and administrators, the project combined schoolwide donations, an Amazon registry and the familys own contributions to reach stormaffected residents in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland. ANNISTON While many families in Calhoun County spent Christmas morning unwrapping gifts in warm homes, 15yearold Zainatu Sesay was standing in a hurricanedamaged community in the Caribbean, handing out food, water and solar lights to people who had lost nearly everything. The Donoho School sophomore spent her entire holiday break in Jamaica with her parents, Dr. Nadia McKitty and Dr. Michael Sesay, delivering more than 250 care packages to residents still struggling in the aftermath of a powerful storm that tore through parts of the island late last year. For Zainatu, the project began with a simple desire: To give back to the places that shaped her family. Advertisement Advertisement I just really wanted to give back to my community and where my parents are from, she said. We go there all the time, and everyone there is always so nice. I really just wanted to give back and make sure that everyone here could be a part of something to help other people in need. Her mother, Nadia, is originally from St. Mary, Jamaica, and her father is from Sierra Leone in West Africa. Although their home region in Jamaica was spared the worst of the storm, other areas including St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, where Nadias father is from suffered severe damage. That area was not hit as badly with the hurricane, Nadia said of St. Mary. It was more like the western side of the island that was hit. We went to two areas in Jamaica that were hit pretty badly. One was St. Elizabeth, and the other one is called Westmoreland. The family arrived on Dec. 21 and stayed through Jan. 2, spending two days sorting donations and the rest traveling to stormdamaged communities. They brought 35 pieces of luggage filled with supplies everything from toothbrushes and toilet paper to solar cell phone chargers, tarpaulin sheets and clothing. Advertisement Advertisement We looked crazy, but we got there, Nadia said with a laugh. We carried everything out, and then we had a big bus that we hired that drove us to the areas. The need, she said, was overwhelming. Many families still had no electricity or running water weeks after the storm. Some homes had lost roofs entirely. Others were so damaged that multiple families were living together in cramped, makeshift spaces. Solar chargers were among the most sought after items. Since the hurricane happened, a lot of places to this date still have not gotten back any electricity or running water, Nadia said. If they have a solar cell phone charger, just using the sunlight in the daytime charges your phone or other devices for the rest of the day. Advertisement Advertisement The family also purchased groceries and mosquito repellent locally once they arrived, hoping to meet needs that became clearer on the ground. Theres been a lot of mosquito outbreaks in the area, Nadia said. Some people are pretty much living almost outdoors, so youre exposed to different insects and things like that. Zainatu said seeing the conditions firsthand changed her perspective. It really was a lot different than the stuff you see here, she said. A lot of the houses were very run down, and they had holes in their houses. People had to live together because they didnt have a home anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Still, she said, the gratitude was immediate and deeply felt. It felt really good to be able to help maybe someones life be a little bit easier in that moment, she said. I did have a few people come up to me and just pray with me and thank me. It felt really good to see I was making a difference. The project began in Anniston, where Zainatu organized a donation drive at Donoho School. Boxes were placed in the Upper, Middle and Lower Schools, and families were invited to donate clothing, shoes and other essentials. She also created an Amazon registry, allowing families to purchase items that were shipped directly to the Sesay home. The donation drive was for about a week, and honestly, a lot of families, teachers, the administration everybody contributed a lot, Nadia said. There was definitely a lot of support. Advertisement Advertisement The school helped spread the word through email, sharing details about Zainatus project and linking to the Amazon registry. There was really a great deal of support, Nadia said. A lot of families really tried to reach out and help. The familys work continues to resonate, especially as many Jamaican communities remain without power and some children have yet to return to school due to damaged buildings. Its still an ongoing problem, Nadia said. A lot of families still have not gotten electricity back as yet. For Zainatu, the experience has strengthened her commitment to service and her connection to her familys roots. Advertisement Advertisement It felt really good to help, she said. Just knowing that even for a little bit, someones life was easier. Her mother echoed that sentiment, proud of her daughters determination to lead the effort. She really wanted to do something meaningful, Nadia said. And she did. Its that time of year, when were making room for gifts received over the holidays and taking the time to clean out a closet on a cold winter weekend. One mans trash is another mans treasure, and St. Alphonsus Liguori Church wants the community to bring all of the things they no longer want and drop them off at the church for their annual rummage sale. Theyll take furniture, tools, clothing, household goods, purses, luggage and childrens toys among other items. Advertisement Advertisement Maribeth McCurren, coordinator for the rummage sale said its easier to make a list of items they wont take, including mattresses, large batteries, large appliances, gas-powered items, tube televisions, car seats, cribs and chemicals. If the Salvation Army wont take it, we cant take it, McCurren said. Thats because at noon on the last day, they bring a big box truck and take anything we have left over from the sale. We do ask that donated items are in working order and we have electrical outlets for shoppers to check them out before purchasing. Other than that, well take anything you want to get rid of. The sale is an annual event to benefit a mission of the church. More than 10 years ago when the rummage sale began, McCurren said the proceeds would be donated to various charities. However, in the past several years, theyve been donating the funds to St. Anthony of Padua in Croix Fer, Haiti. Advertisement Advertisement The churchs partnership and work with the church in Haiti began in 2015. Theyve built a K-8 school and assist in teacher salaries, school lunches and clean water technicians. We havent been to Haiti for several years because its too dangerous, McCurren said. In fact, our priest used to come here for the sale and he isnt able to make it either. But before the pandemic, I had been there on mission trips five times. The roads arent paved. It took us at least five hours to make it to the church. There is no hospital, and many of the children are not going to school. In our mission, we look at public health, education and feeding the children. McCurren said before their arrival at Croix Fer, the school was propped up by a few pieces of wood and had an aluminum roof. There were no walls and no restrooms. But now more than 400 children attend school in a new building with clean water, restrooms and classrooms to learn in Drop-off days for the rummage sale are 2- 7 p.m. Jan. 28 and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 29. Shopping days are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 30 and 8 a.m.-noon Jan. 31. St. Alphonsus Liguori Church sits at 1807 W. Oak St., Zionsville. A team of archaeologists working in South Africa has discovered a hoard of 60,000-year-old arrowheads affixed with a surprising, and extra-fatal, security feature. The find was revealed in a study recently published in the journal ScienceAdvances. Archaeologists Discover Oldest-Known Poison Arrowheads Per the study, the remarkable discovery was made inside the Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter, located within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. They were made from quartz during the Pleistocene era and affixed with a dose of poison on the head itself, which indicates that human beings were constructing and utilizing "advanced weaponry" long before scientists previously believed. The toxin used was derived from Boophone disticha (b. disticha), which is an extremely toxic flowering plant native to southern regions in Africa. Scientists have found this poison on similar arrowheads, albeit from thousands of years later, in South Africa and Egypt. Researchers say that the poison contained on the arrowheads was not potent enough to instantly kill prey. Instead, it slowed the hunters prey down and made the animal much easier to catch. Weapons Displayed Surprising Amount of 'Cognitive Complexity' Scientists said the arrows displayed a much higher level of cognitive complexity than they had expected from Pleistocene people, who endured many ice ages in a particularly brief and brutal lifetime. Prior to this discovery, the oldest arrowheads ever discovered were from the mid-Holocene period, aged between 4,000 and 8,000 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Understanding that a substance applied to an arrow will weaken an animal hours later requires cause-and-effect thinking and the ability to anticipate delayed results, lead author Sven Isaksson, a professor of archaeological science at Stockholm Universitys Archaeological Research Laboratory, told CNN. The evidence points to prehistoric humans having advanced cognitive abilities, complex cultural knowledge, and well-developed hunting practices. Marlize Lombard/University of Johannesburg (Marlize Lombard/University of Johannesburg) Marlize Lombard/University of Johannesburg (Marlize Lombard/University of Johannesburg) 'Finding Traces of the Same Poison...Was Crucial' This strengthens the view that the bow is not a late invention, but a fundamental and complex technology whose origins go back at least 80,000 years in Africa and Asia, and which later accompanied the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe around 54,000 years ago, added Ludovic Slimak, an archaeologist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research and Paul Sabatier University who did not participate in the research. Finding traces of the same poison on both prehistoric and historical arrowheads was crucial, Isaksson added. By carefully studying the chemical structure of the substances and thus drawing conclusions about their properties, we were able to determine that these particular substances are stable enough to survive this long in the groundIt tells us something new about how people at that time thought, planned, and understood the world around them. 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. WASHINGTON Sen. Mark Kelly is suing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after the top Pentagon official censured the former Navy captain, an effort Kelly said violates numerous constitutional guarantees and sets a dangerous precedent for other military veterans. Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, filed the lawsuit on Monday, naming Hegseth, the Defense Department, the Department of the Navy and John Phelan, the secretary of the Navy, as plaintiffs in the case. The 46-page lawsuit accuses Hegseth of violating the First Amendment and unfairly targeting Kelly for making statements the administration disagrees with. The Secretarys letter makes clear on its face that he is disciplining Senator Kelly solely for the content and viewpoint of his political speech, the lawsuit states. Nothing in the statute authorizes the Department of Defense to reopen (Kellys military status) based on post-retirement political speech and if it did, it would raise serious constitutional concerns and subject all of the nations retired veterans to an ever-present threat against their retirement. Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth announced last week that he formally issued the censure against Kelly and opened official proceedings to downgrade his retired rank and pay grade. Phelan is instructed to review Kellys status and provide a recommendation to the Defense Department within the next 45 days. Kelly had 30 days to respond to the censure, with Mondays lawsuit being the senators official appeal. Kelly argued that Hegseths order violates the First Amendment by punishing disfavored expression or retaliating against protected speech, a protection that Kelly says should be applied with particular force for lawmakers speaking on public policy. Kelly also accused Hegseth and the administration of making a verdict in advance by announcing the investigation after President Donald Trump had called Kelly and five other lawmakers traitors who should be arrested and put on trial. In one social media post, Trump said seditious behavior is punishable by DEATH! The group of lawmakers came under fire after posting a video late last year encouraging service members and those in the U.S. intelligence community not to follow orders that violate the law even if they come from their superiors or directly from the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Hegseths review of Kelly cited that video as well as other public statements from June through December of last year as the basis for his possible demotion and pay cut. Hegseth had accused Kelly of characterizing lawful military operations as illegal and counseled members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders. Kelly listed his military experience in his lawsuit as being crucial to his work as a senator, noting it informs his policy on issues related to national security, the military, and veterans affairs. His criticism and pushback of the administrations military policy, he said, falls under his responsibilities as a lawmaker meaning his speech in the video is protected speech, he said. Its not yet clear whether Hegseth will respond to the lawsuit before a review is provided by Phelan. The Deseret News contacted the Defense Department, which declined to comment on pending litigation. HONOLULU (KHON2) Honolulu police and the Hawaii Department of Education are rolling out a new pilot program to boost safety at select Oahu campuses. Dedicated school resource officers will be assigned to three high schools. Armed security coming soon to select Hawaii schools The pilot program is slated to place special duty resource officers at Waianae, Kapolei and Kaimuki high schools before the current school year wraps up. Advertisement Advertisement Councilmember Andria Tupola said the officers will not be pulled from regular police patrol. Reserve officers are taking this contractual position. So not patrol officers, were not taking away from any of the districts. They will specifically be assigned and work every day at their assigned school, Honolulu City Councilmember Andria Tupola said. State Sen. Samantha DeCorte has been pushing for this sort of program for years and hopes to expand it to Nanakuli High School in the 2025-2026 school year. She said balancing building trust with students while providing an authoritative presence will be key. That first and foremost is going to be the biggest deter and then second of all, it absolutely is the relationships. I mean, these officers are retired police officers. They have a passion to serve our community, our public, but most importantly, our students, Sen. DeCorte said. Advertisement Advertisement Theyll have their gun belt on them. Theyll have the vests, so theyll have a bulletproof vest. I mean, anything that a regular officer is required to wear to work, thats what theyll be wearing to work, Tupola said. Tupola added that the officers can lighten the load on school staff by handling other emergency protocols. So, I know for a lot of the school resource officers on the neighbor islands, they run a lot of emergency protocol with the staff so that they can run drills for like hurricanes. They can run drills for a shooter, they can run drills for a missing child, Tupola said. Theyre going to be able to guide the principal, the vice principal, the kids at school. So I think overall its going to benefit the community, the students and the staff. Waianae High School said in a letter to parents on Friday, Jan. 9, that their pilot program was expected to begin during the week of Monday, Jan. 12, which said in part: Advertisement Advertisement The assigned school resource officer will serve as a mentor and trusted adult, focusing on relationship-building, student well-being, and engagement with school programs and activities. Theyre going in with a relationship-minded approach, and were looking forward to just normalizing that presence, Sen. DeCorte said. Honolulu police and the HDOE will host a joint press conference with Kaimuki High Schools principal on Wednesday, Jan. 14, to reveal more details on the rollout of the pilot program. 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 KHON2. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca has agreed to buy Boston-based Modella AI, the companies said on Tuesday, as the drug industry increases its use of artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery of new drugs. The companies did not disclose financial terms. In a press release, Modella AI said its "foundation models" and AI agents would be integrated into oncology research and development to support clinical development and biomarker discovery. "Oncology drug development is becoming more complex, more data-rich and more time-sensitive," said Gabi Raia, Modella AI's chief commercial officer, adding that joining AstraZeneca would allow it to deploy its tools in global trials and clinical settings. Advertisement Advertisement AstraZeneca said that this was the first acquisition of an AI firm by a big pharmaceutical company. In an interview at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, AstraZeneca Chief Financial Officer Aradhana Sarin said the acquisition would "supercharge" the company's quantitative pathology and biomarker discovery efforts by bringing more data and AI capabilities in-house. The deal was one of a number of pacts between major drug firms and AI companies that were unveiled at the healthcare conference, including a $1 billion collaboration between Nvidia and Eli Lilly. They plan to build a new research lab using Nvidia's latest-generation AI chips. Modella will accelerate AstraZenecas efforts to make pathology more quantitative - using computers to analyze biopsies for relevant proteins and correlate them with clinical data - so AstraZeneca can develop highly targeted biomarkers and then highly targeted therapeutics, Sarin said. Advertisement Advertisement The deal is an expansion of a multi-year collaboration that the companies unveiled in July. Sarin said that partnership served as a "test drive," adding that AstraZeneca ultimately wanted Modella's data, foundation models and AI talent in-house. She said AI tools could be used to more rapidly select patients for drug trials, which could increase the odds of clinical success and cut related costs. (Reporting by Maggie Fick; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus) Augusta authorities this week arrested someone related to the murder of a Grovetown man near Helms College in October. Martin Gordon, 30, was fatally stabbed outside the college on Washington Road in Augusta on Oct. 13. After someone came forward with information about the murder, the Richmond County Sheriff's Office said investigators interviewed and then charged Justin Lee Johnson, 32, of the 3000 block of Washington Road in Gordon's death. Advertisement Advertisement Despite the arrest, the sheriff's office noted in an email that the investigation remains active. I want to thank the individual who came forward and provided vital information that helped move this case forward," said Sheriff Gino Brantley in a released statement. "When members of our community partner with us and share what they know, it makes a tremendous difference in bringing violent offenders to justice." More: Online fundraiser for fatal stabbing victim seeks to help his children This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta man arrested for role in fatal stabbing outside Helms College DENVER (KDVR) Days after a federal immigration officer shot and killed former Colorado Springs resident Renee Good in Minneapolis during a crackdown in the city, Denver and Aurora city councils are responding to immigration enforcement. The Aurora City Council Tuesday night passed a resolution opposing unlawful and overreaching federal immigration enforcement actions and affirming constitutional due process protections after a three-hour public comment and debate among council members. Woman killed by ICE agent was a mother of 3, poet and new to Minneapolis Advertisement Advertisement The Denver City Council, meanwhile, in their budget and policy committee meeting heard a presentation from two council members on a potential resolution that would ban face coverings on law enforcement officers who are interrogating, detaining, arresting, or otherwise restraining a person in Denver city and county limits. The Denver City Council did not take any action on the potential resolution as it was just a presentation from councilmembers Flor Alvidrez and Shontel M. Lewis. Aurora condemns Renee Good shooting, in talks to limit ICE cooperation The Aurora City Councils resolution touches several issues, including the deadly shooting of Good in Minnesota, ICE enforcement in Aurora and the Aurora ICE Processing Center run by the GEO Group, which the resolution calls a stain on our city. The resolution directs the council to provide direction to city management about limiting cooperation with I.C.E. and their affiliates, beginning in the public safety committee meeting in February. Advertisement Advertisement Photos: Demonstrators gather at Colorado Capitol to protest ICE, honor Renee Good The City Council heard from residents for several hours widely in support of the resolution. Supporters of the resolution who spoke were met with wide cheers from attendees, with the few opposing the resolution were often met with boos. Safety is not fear. Safety is not intimidation. Safety is not stripping people of their constitutional rights and calling it enforcement, Gayla Charrier said. Due process is not a technicality. It is a lifeline that is transparency. It is not optional. It is protection. Many residents called on the council to pass the resolution as a way of affirming to Auroras immigrant community that they are seen and treated as equals. Advertisement Advertisement Some, like Kelly Schilling, told Auroras new council members, who are all progressives, to learn you jobs before we take on these kind of weighty subjects and said the resolution was not in the best interest of Aurora citizens. According to the resolution, about 20% of Auroras residents, or one in five, were not born in the U.S. After the public comment, the city council then debated the measure for another hour. Councilmember and Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Coombs, who initiated the resolution, said, When people are being picked up off the street because of what they look like and what they sound like, not because of any actual proof, not because of a warrant, not because of anything else, I dont know what that could be other than not only illegal but unjust seizure of their person. Advertisement Advertisement Councilmember Stephanie Hancock questioned what the resolution would actually direct the city to do, to which Coombs said the resolution directs the council to have conversations about what to do to uphold laws. It is not about inflammatory sanctuary city rhetoric or removing federal authority to enforce immigration law, Coombs said. Its about opposing the actions that have demonstrably been taken in the course of immigration enforcement that are violent, that oppose state law here in Colorado and that also oppose and remove people of their constitutional rights at the federal level. Hancock said she felt the resolutions statements were more symbolic than actionable and divisive. Councilwomen Francoise Bergan opposed the resolution and received boos from a large group of attendees as she began questioning the facts of Renee Goods killing, to which she then started a short back-and-forth with attendees. Advertisement Advertisement Youre not my constituents, Bergan, who represents southeast Aurora, said to some of the audience, who responded with loud opposition. No, some of you are, and some of you arent. And guess what? I do represent 70,000 constituents in my ward who dont necessarily agree with this particular resolution. Im supposed to represent all my constituents, not just a minority of my constituents. Councilmember Angela Lawson also questioned the symbolic nature of the resolution and raised concerns about the possibility of federal defunding, which the Trump administration has done in Minnesota in the wake of Goods shooting. The resolution ended up passing 6-4 after the debate. After the bill passed, Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain released a statement, saying he believes the councils actions on limiting ICE cooperation will come at a cost. Advertisement Advertisement Federal partnerships are nothing new, Chamberlain said. Unfortunately, they have been exploited for political purposes. Keeping these partnerships out of the equation of public safety will leave the community more vulnerable to crime and victimization. Chamberlain reiterated that Aurora police does not enforce federal immigration laws but does work with federal partners to hold those who victimize members of our community accountable for their criminal actions. These continued partnerships have enhanced our crime-fighting strategies, contributed to measurable reductions in crime and demonstrated their value in advancing our collective mission to make Aurora a safer city to live, work and raise a family, he 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 FOX31 Denver. One of Australia's biggest cultural festivals has been left in disarray after a decision to disinvite a prominent Australian-Palestinian writer, triggering a massive backlash, a mass exodus from fellow authors and the ultimate cancellation of the festival's Writers' Week. The board of the Adelaide Festival last week said Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, a vocal critic of Israel, had been removed from its Writers' Week lineup due to "sensitivities" after the shooting of 15 people by gunmen allegedly inspired by the Islamic State militant group at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach in December. Though the Adelaide Festival's board said they "do not suggest in any way" that Abdel-Fattah had "any connection with the tragedy at Bondi", they made the decision that it would not be "culturally sensitive" to include her "given her past statements". Advertisement Advertisement She called the decision to exclude her a "blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism and censorship" and the attempt to link her with the Bondi attack "despicable". In the following days, dozens of other writers scheduled to appear withdrew from the festival, which also features music, dance, theatre and other cultural events. By Tuesday the list had jumped to 180, including former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, British author Zadie Smith, beloved Australian writer Helen Garner and British-Australian novelist Kathy Lette. Over the weekend, four members of the eight-member board, including the chair, resigned without detailing their reasons. And on Tuesday the director of the Writers' Week - who had invited Abdel-Fattah - stood down too. Advertisement Advertisement Louise Adler, the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivors, said art had increasingly come under attack since the start of the Israel-Gaza war and that she could not "be party to silencing writers". Louise Adler said she would not be 'party to silencing writers' [ABC] "Writers and writing matters, even when they are presenting ideas that discomfort and challenge us," she wrote in the Guardian Australia. Hours later, the board put out a fresh statement, apologising to Abdel-Fattah for "how the decision was represented" and announcing that the Writers' Week could "no longer go ahead". "We recognise and deeply regret the distress this decision has caused," it wrote. Advertisement Advertisement All remaining members of the Adelaide Festival board would step down bar one, it said, a move it hoped could "secure the success" of the festival this year "and beyond". The saga has now left the festival board-less just weeks out from its start late next month, has threatened to spark legal action, and has reignited discussions in Australia about freedom of expression. Why has Randa Abdel-Fattah been criticised? Abdel-Fattah, a novelist, lawyer and academic, had been invited to the festival to discuss her latest novel Discipline which she describes as "a cautionary tale about the cost of silence and cowardice". She has previously been criticised for statements arguing that Zionists had "no claim or right to cultural safety" and a 2024 post on X in which she said "the goal is decolonisation and the end of this murderous Zionist colony", a reference to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Controversies around her also include an image posted to her social media in the hours after the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, depicting a person parachuting with a Palestinian flag. Hamas fighters used paragliders to cross the high-tech security fence into Israel at the start of the attack, landing in civilian areas where many residents died. About 1,200 people were killed in the attack. It triggered a massive Israeli military offensive on Gaza, which has killed more than 71,419 people since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Abdel-Fattah confirmed to Australian broadcaster ABC that she had posted the image, but said she had done so before the true extent of the attacks was known. "At that point, I had no idea about the death toll, I had no idea about what was happening on the ground... Of course, I do not support the killing of civilians," she told the ABC. Advertisement Advertisement The academic has been the target of public campaigns before. Opposition politicians and some prominent Jewish Australians called for research funding awarded to Abdel-Fattah to be cancelled in 2024. After a letter from Education Minister Jason Clare, the funding was suspended while Abdel-Fattah was investigated over allegations she had bent the grant's rules, though she was ultimately cleared last month. South Australia's premier Peter Malinauskas has backed the decision [Getty Images] Norman Schueler, of the Jewish Community Council for South Australia, last week said his organisation had sent a letter to the Adelaide Festival board lobbying for Abdel-Fattah's removal. "It was a very wise move and it will improve the cohesiveness of the festival by not having her there," he told the Adelaide Advertiser after her removal. Upon news of the growing walkout, he added: "I think for everyone who has dropped out that it's rather pathetic because that means they agree with what Dr Fattah is on about... Namely, that Israel should not exist." South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskus - whose government is a key backer of the festival - said that he "wholeheartedly" supported Abdel-Fattah's exclusion and had "absolutely made clear to the board that I did not think it was wise" to invite her. Advertisement Advertisement However, Malinauskus denied having played any role in the board's decision, telling the ABC on Monday that, though he shared his opinion, he had not threatened to withdraw funding or sack anyone. He also denied that his position was influenced by Jewish lobby groups. Adler said the board's decision had been taken "despite my strongest opposition" and added: "In my view, boards composed of individuals with little experience in the arts, and blind to the moral implications of abandoning the principle of freedom of expression, have been unnerved by the pressure exerted by politicians calculating their electoral prospects and relentless, coordinated letter-writing campaigns." "The board's statement cites community cohesion, an oft-referenced anxiety which should be treated with scepticism," she said. "One doesn't have to be a student of history to know that art in the service of 'social cohesion' is propaganda." After her appearance was cancelled, Abdel-Fattah said Australian arts and cultural institutions had displayed "utter contempt and inhumanity towards Palestinians". Advertisement Advertisement "The only Palestinians they will tolerate are silent and invisible ones." It isn't the first time Abdel-Fattah has been at the centre of the derailment of a writers' festival. Two days before it was due to begin in August last year, Bendigo Writers Festival issued a code of conduct requiring speakers to "avoid language or topics that could be considered inflammatory, divisive, or disrespectful". A subsequent walkout - led by Abdel-Fattah and others over concerns it could prevent free discussion of the Israel-Gaza war - led to the cancellation of around a third of the programme. Allegations of hypocrisy However Abdel-Fattah has been accused of double standards, by sections of the media and Malinauskus, who claim that she had successfully demanded the exclusion of New York Times journalist Thomas Friedman from the Adelaide festival two years ago. Advertisement Advertisement A letter sent by her and nine other academics to the board followed his publication of a column in which he compared players in the Middle East to members of the animal kingdom, including caterpillars, wasps and spiders. "Call it what you like, after the correspondence from Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, they removed a pro-Jewish Israeli speaker. Fast forward two years and I think it's reasonable for the board to apply the same principle," Malinauskus said. Abdel-Fattah rejected the allegations of hypocrisy, saying in a statement to the BBC that Friedman's article had "compared various Arab and Muslim nations and groups to insects and vermin requiring eradication at a time when talk of 'human animals' was being used to justify wholesale slaughter in Gaza". "In contrast, I was cancelled because my presence and identity as a Palestinian was deemed 'culturally insensitive' and linked to the Bondi atrocity," her statement continued. Advertisement Advertisement She also denied that Friedman had been removed at her behest. In a letter dated February 2024 and quoted by Australian media, the board wrote that cancelling a writer was an "extremely serious request" and that while Friedman had been scheduled to attend he would no longer take part due to "last-minute scheduling issues". "If he was in fact quietly cancelled, it only underscores the racism of cancelling me in such a brazen and publicly humiliating manner," Abdel-Fattah said. The BBC has contacted Friedman for comment. What have other writers said? Jacinda Ardern did not make a statement but confirmed her withdrawal on Monday [Getty Images] Adler said at least 180 writers had withdrawn from the festival, devastating its programme. Some said that while they did not necessarily agree with Abdel-Fattah, they defended her right to free speech. Australian journalist Peter Greste, who was jailed in Egypt a decade ago in what human rights groups called a sham case, in an opinion piece for the Guardian Australia wrote that her exclusion meant "we are undermining our capacity to hold those difficult conversations" and "doing the work" of extremists for them. Kathy Lette in an Instagram post argued that audiences should be trusted to "make up their minds about all speakers me included. As authoritarianism rears its hideous head around the world, we need to defend these havens of free speech." However, former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr, who has strongly criticised Israel's assault on Gaza, said he supported Abdel-Fattah's exclusion. He told the Guardian Australia he believed some of her previous statements had been counterproductive to the Palestinian cause and that given the circumstances after the Bondi attack the decision was not unreasonable. "The Adelaide writers' festival has supported hearing Palestinian voices, its record on this is unimpeachable," Carr said. He was one of the only festival speakers to publicly back the board. Former Foreign Minister Bob Carr has been a regular critic of Israel [Getty Images] Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis posted a video on X in which he tore up his "precious" and "coveted" invitation to speak, claiming the festival had been "destroyed" by the "Zionist lobby". Award-winning First Nations poet Dr Evelyn Araluen said she was "so disappointed to witness yet another absurd and irrational capitulation to the demands of a genocidal foreign state from the Australian arts sector". "Erasing Palestinians from public life in Australia won't prevent antisemitism," she added. ABC journalist and presenter Sarah Ferguson, who had been due to host conversations with Tina Brown and Jacinda Ardern both now cancelled said the festival had "created a place where debate flourished including on our most difficult subjects" and that it "should be defended in our cultural life". What happens next? In its latest statement, the board said: "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 Australia's worst terror attack in history." The focus would now turn to re-assembling the board, the statement said, and "ensuring a successful Adelaide Festival... which safeguards the long and rich cultural legacy of our state." It added that it is "committed to rebuilding trust with our artistic community". Abdel-Fattah has rejected the board's apology as "disingenuous". "It is clear that the board's regret extends to how the message of my cancellation was conveyed, not the decision itself," she wrote in a post on Instagram. "The Bondi shooting does not mean I or anyone else has to stop advocating for an end to the illegal occupation and systematic extermination of my people - that is an obscene and absurd demand," she added. Her lawyer has sent a letter to the board demanding to know which of her past statements were used to justify the decision to uninvite her, and has told the BBC the writer is yet to decide whether to take any legal action. Signing off her statement on Tuesday, Abdel-Fattah said she was "exhausted". "Please remember that the genocide of Palestinians continues and that all of this is a smokescreen. I am not the story. Palestine is." Government officials in Indonesia have launched a crackdown after uncovering widespread illegal gold mining deep inside a protected forest area in West Nusa Tenggara. According to Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Ministry, enforcement teams targeted unlicensed mining operations inside the Pelangan Limited Production Forest in the Sekotong Subdistrict of West Lombok during a coordinated operation. Antara News reported that the area is legally protected, yet authorities discovered local villagers were still carrying out manual mining inside the forest. The joint operation, involving the ministry's law enforcement unit, provincial forestry and environmental agencies, and military personnel, found more than 500 people actively extracting gold using basic tools, air compressors, and highly toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide. These substances are commonly used in small-scale gold mining to separate gold from ore, but they pose severe risks to ecosystems, water sources, and human health. Advertisement Advertisement "Illegal mining in forest areas damages ecosystems and threatens community safety," said Dwi Januanto Nugroho, the ministry's director general for law enforcement, per Antara. "We will act firmly against the perpetrators while considering social aspects. Law enforcement must go hand in hand with community development to reduce dependency on illegal activities." Authorities sealed off multiple access points to the mining site, including waste ponds and underground shafts, placing warning signs and crime-scene tape across the forest. Illegal mining has become a persistent challenge across Indonesia, where rising living costs and limited income sources have driven people to seek alternative ways to survive even if that involves illegally mining gold in protected forests. But these activities not only degrade forests and wildlife habitat but also endanger miners and nearby communities through chemical exposure and unstable excavation sites. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has instructed enforcement agencies to carry out future crackdowns "firmly, proportionately, and fairly," per Antara, while President Prabowo Subianto has reiterated his administration's commitment to eliminating illegal mining and protecting the country's natural resources. Advertisement Advertisement "We must not be afraid to eliminate smuggling, illegal mining, and all related crimes," Prabowo said. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure 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. In one week of paid parking at Balboa Park, the city said parking meters have brought in $110,000, and parking passes have brought in $161,600. The city said nearly 2,000 San Diegans have purchased parking passes. Despite the numbers, the paid parking policy is facing backlash from residents, some city council members and from elected officials from outside the city. On Monday, several mayors of neighboring cities spoke out against the paid parking policy. Advertisement Advertisement Our residents in Chula Vista should not be treated as tourists or visitors, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann said. My parks are for everyone to use and they are a regional asset as well, San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones said. You could say, Oh what is the mayor of El Cajon doing coming here to San Diego telling us how to run our city? Well, let me tell you something the people of El Cajon pay for a lot of things that happen in the city, who do you think pays for your bike lanes, it goes from our Transnet sales tax to pay for the bike lanes and thats every constituent in every group here thats not represented pay for those taxes, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells said. This is really balancing everything on the backs of the poor, because the wealthy can afford to pay the parking. Ahead of the mayors speaking out Monday morning, Mayor Todd Gloria spoke to our news crews at a separate event and said, I mean its a free country theyre welcome to have their own opinions, I wont be interfering in their citys operations, Gloria said. As with any new program there will always be a period of accommodation, thats why we are trying to show grace in regard to enforcement, but the point is this, what were doing is working as intended and the result will be millions of dollars spent to improve Balboa Park for the foreseeable future. Advertisement Advertisement Many residents, including William Dorsett are growing frustrated. Despite registering online as a resident, Dorsett said he couldnt figure out how to pay the resident-rate, which is not available on the kiosks, and ended up paying double. Most people wont know how to jump through all these hoops, Dorsett said. I already did the work and paid the $5 to get into this thing and save money and now being charged what tourists are being charged, Dorsett said. Dorsett also makes a living creating art at Balboa Park, and said the parking will be cutting into his profits. Ive already talked to other buskers who had been here over the weekend and they said that it was less money than they normally make I feel like if theres less people that are going to be involved in art and stuff and on top of it, what they would be spending on parking is what they may have had extra to spend on us, Dorsett said. Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear yet if this will be brought up in another discussion at city hall. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The trial of a German man accused of joining Lebanon's Hezbollah militia following the October 7 attacks on Israel began in Berlin on Tuesday. Prosecutors say the 30-year-old defendant decided to join Hezbollah after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. He is said to have travelled to Lebanon later that year where he received weapons training and took part in combat operations in the border area with Israel and Syria. Advertisement Advertisement He is also accused of posting Hezbollah propaganda on social media, glorifying the Iran-backed group. On the first day of proceedings, the defendant rejected all accusations against him, including membership of a terrorist organization. His lawyer told the Berlin Higher Regional Court that his client had travelled to Lebanon and Syria several times between the end of 2023 and April 2025 for private reasons. During those visits, the man spent time with his cousins, got a haircut, went bowling, took a trip to the zoo and to the funfair, and smoked joints. He also visited a shooting range, but "purely as a leisure activity," the lawyer said. Advertisement Advertisement The defendant has a criminal record that includes various drug offences and has served several years in prison. He was arrested at a flat in Berlin's Neukolln neighbourhood on April 15 and has since been remanded in custody. The court has scheduled a total of 13 trial dates until March 10. Over two weeks of protests mark the most serious challenge in years to Iran's theocratic leadership in their scale and nature but it is too early to predict the immediate demise of the Islamic republic, analysts say. The demonstrations moved from protesting economic grievances to demanding a wholesale change from the clerical system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 revolution that ousted the shah. The authorities have unleashed a crackdown that, according to rights groups, has left hundreds dead while the rule of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, now 86, remains intact. Advertisement Advertisement "These protests arguably represent the most serious challenge to the Islamic republic in years, both in scale and in their increasingly explicit political demands," Nicole Grajewski, professor at the Sciences Po Centre for International Studies in Paris told AFP. She said it was unclear if the protests would unseat the leadership, pointing to "the sheer depth and resilience of Iran's repressive apparatus". The Iranian authorities have called their own counter rallies, with thousands attending on Monday. Thomas Juneau, professor at the University of Ottawa, said: "At this point, I still don't assess that the fall of the regime is imminent. That said, I am less confident in this assessment than in the past." Advertisement Advertisement These are the key factors seen by analysts as determining whether the Islamic republic's leadership will hold on to power. - Sustained protests - A key factor is "simply the size of protests; they are growing, but have not reached the critical mass that would represent a point of no return," said Juneau. The protest movement began with strikes at the Tehran bazaar on December 28 but erupted into a full-scale challenge with mass rallies in the capital and other cities from Thursday. The last major protests were the 2022-2023 demonstrations sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini who had been arrested for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code for women. In 2009, mass rallies took place after disputed elections. Advertisement Advertisement But a multi-day internet shutdown imposed by Iranian authorities has hampered the ability to determine the magnitude of the current demonstrations, with fewer videos emerging. Arash Azizi, a lecturer at Yale University, said "the protesters still suffer from not having durable organised networks that can withstand oppression". He said one option would be to "organise strikes in a strategic sector" but this required leadership that was still lacking. - Cohesion in the elite - While the situation on the streets is of paramount importance, analysts say there is little chance of a change without cracks and defections in the security forces and leadership. Advertisement Advertisement So far there has been no sign of this, with all the pillars of the Islamic republic from parliament to the president to the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) lining up behind Khamenei's defiant line expressed in a speech on Friday. "At present, there are no clear signs of military defections or high-level elite splits within the regime. Historically, those are critical indicators of whether a protest movement can translate into regime collapse," said Sciences Po's Grajewski. Jason Brodsky, policy director at US-based group United Against Nuclear Iran, said the protests were "historic". But he added: "It's going to take a few different ingredients for the regime to fall," including "defections in the security services and cracks in the Islamic republic's political elite". Advertisement Advertisement - Israeli or US military intervention - US President Donald Trump, who has threatened military retaliation over the crackdown, announced 25 percent tariffs on Monday against Iran's trading partners. The White House said Trump was prioritising a diplomatic response, and has not ruled out strikes, after having briefly joined Israel's 12-day war against Iran in June. That war resulted in the killing of several top Iranian security officials, forced Khamenei to go into hiding and revealed Israel's deep intelligence penetration of the Islamic republic. US strikes would upend the situation, analysts say. Advertisement Advertisement The Iranian foreign ministry said on Monday it has channels of communication open with Washington despite the lack of diplomatic relations. "A direct US military intervention would fundamentally alter the trajectory of the crisis," said Grajewski. Juneau added: "The regime is more vulnerable than it has been, domestically and geopolitically, since the worst years of the Iran-Iraq war" that lasted from 1980-1988. - Organised opposition - The US-based son of the ousted shah, Reza Pahlavi, has taken a major role in calling for protests and pro-monarchy slogans have been common chants. Advertisement Advertisement But with no real political opposition remaining inside Iran, the diaspora remains critically divided between political factions known for fighting each other as much as the Islamic republic. "There needs to be a leadership coalition that truly represents a broad swathe of Iranians and not just one political faction," said Azizi. - Khamenei's health - Khamenei has now been in power since 1989 when he became supreme leader, a post for life, following the death of revolutionary founder Ruhollah Khomeini. He survived the war with Israel and appeared in public on Friday to denounce the protests in typically defiant style. Advertisement Advertisement But uncertainty has long reigned over who could succeed him, with options including his shadowy but powerful son Mojtaba or power gravitating to a committee rather than an individual. Such a scenario between the status quo and a complete change could see "a more or less formal takeover by the Revolutionary Guards", said Juneau. sjw/sw/dcp/lb Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in Detroit at a 2023 voting rights bill signing. | Ken Coleman/Michigan Advance Three current Michigan Department of State employees and one former employee, all Black, have filed a lawsuit against Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and several of her staff members, alleging racial discrimination in hiring practices and application of state vehicle use policies. The four employees David Murray, Elvine Vanbolden, Mychael Foster and Nirva Civilus all alleged in their complaint that a pattern and practice of unlawful racially discriminatory employment practices against its African American employees exists, including that retaliation against Black employees who complain of discrimination is widespread and well-known. Advertisement Advertisement Bensons office denied the allegations in the lawsuit, calling them absolutely false. Every member of the Michigan Department of State from the top down must follow the law, uphold the departments ethical standards, and come to work every day committed to serve the people of Michigan, wrote Department of State spokesperson Angela Benander in a statement. The Secretary and department leadership do not tolerate any harassment, discrimination, or retaliation against any employee, customer, or Michigan resident based on their race, gender, or age. The allegations from all four employees all generally deal with policies and procedures for the department being unequally applied to Black employees and not enforced for white employees. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Advertisement Advertisement The complaint, which alleges violations of the states Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, reads, MDOSs White managers and supervisors have adopted and regularly engage in a pattern and practice of applying said written and unwritten policies, rules and guidelines, as stated above, subjectively and in an unlawful, racially discriminatory manner towards MDOSs African American employees and in a more favorable way toward its White employees. The complaint was filed on Monday in Wayne County Circuit Court, the same day that Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, the first Black person to hold that position, announced that he was dropping out of the gubernatorial race against Benson to run for Secretary of State instead. The Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus also endorsed Bensons gubernatorial run on Tuesday, the day after the suit was filed. Some of the concerns in the complaint center around policies regarding use of state vehicles the plaintiffs argue that policies around vehicle usage for the department are not evident to employees and are unevenly enforced for Black employees. The department provided the Michigan Advance with department data showing that Civilus, then the departments director of quality and customer experience, traveled over 7,300 miles in state vehicles between December 2024 and September 2025 nearly 2,000 miles more than the person with the next-highest mileage, leading to an internal investigation into her state vehicle usage. Advertisement Advertisement MDOS has no written policies, rules and or guidelines, and or those that are written are not clearly articulated as it pertains to hiring, promotions, use of state vehicles and other state properties, dispensing of discipline to employees and use of performance improvement plans, the complaint reads. The department also provided the Advance with copies of state driver agreements signed by Civilus, as well as other plaintiffs Murray and Foster, along with the departments travel policy, which notes that Any personal use of a State-owned vehicle must be pre-approved in writing by the employees supervisor and All travel must be authorized and approved by the Secretary of State or designated representative. Civilus argued in the complaint that the vehicle use conduct for which she was placed on a performance improvement plan was not unique to her, writing that the Department of State, although aware that Plaintiff Civilus similarly situated white coworkers engaged in the conduct Plaintiff was alleged to have engaged in, have not applied the rules and policies used to justify placing Plaintiff on a PIP discipline and or hold accountable Plaintiffs white and similarly situated co-workers. The other three plaintiffs in the case, who all are still employed by the department, alleged that they had faced racial discrimination in other parts of their job. Advertisement Advertisement Murray, who is an executive office analyst for the department, alleged in the complaint that when he was hired into that position, he was not given a pay increase that had initially been a part of the position and that his white coworkers did receive the pay increase. He further alleged that he was passed over for a Youth Engagement Specialist position, which eventually was given to a less-qualified white applicant, because of his race. Murray also alleged in the complaint that, after complaining about these discriminatory practices, his supervisors at the department began to strip him of job responsibilities and unfairly accused him of violating the state motor vehicle policy, punishing him in ways that his white counterparts were not. Foster, a training specialist for the department, alleged in the complaint that he was held by his superiors to higher performance, organizational and policy standards than his white, similarly situated coworkers, which he made numerous complaints to the departments human resources team about. He was placed on a performance improvement plan, which he alleges in the complaint he was on for a longer time period than the departments policy allows. VanBolden, a state administrative manager and division deputy director for the department, alleged in the complaint that she was discriminated against while hiring for Department of State positions, specifically in one instance in which she hired a Black candidate over a white candidate, for which she was given a low rating on a performance evaluation. Advertisement Advertisement Plaintiff VanBoldens similarly situated white coworkers, (having supported the hire of white individuals), although having engaged in the same and or similar conduct Plaintiff was alleged to have engaged in, did not have said conduct referenced as derogatory on their performance reviews, the complaint reads. Two signed affidavits were filed along with the lawsuit from former Department of State employees. The first came from former Assistant Secretary of State Heaster Wheeler, who said that African American MDOS employees are still subjected to the above-described unlawful discriminatory employment practices that has become a custom policy and practice at MDOS, and has been agreed to, tolerated, approved and adopted by the Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and that this played a role in his decision to leave the department in 2024. The second came from Angela Harness, the departments former director of quality and customer experience for the Department of State who reached a separation agreement with the department in August after she filed a notice of intent to sue the department. Harness similarly wrote in her affidavit that MDOS had knowingly failed to take action to address what has become a racially hostile environment for its African American employees. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Bolivia's government and major labor and farm groups reached an agreement to end weeks of protests and road blockades that paralyzed the country, easing a standoff triggered by a disputed economic decree. The administration of President Rodrigo Paz signed the accord with the Central Obrera Boliviana, known as the COB, the country's largest labor federation, along with peasant unions and other social groups. The agreement calls for repealing the decree and creating a commission to draft a new measure that would keep fuel subsidies and review other provisions challenged by protesters. Advertisement Advertisement Six cabinet ministers signed the document alongside representatives of the social organizations. Talks took place over the weekend in El Alto, a city neighboring La Paz that was among the areas hardest hit by road closures, according to Bolivian news outlet Erbol. Protests began in early January after the government issued a decree declaring an economic emergency and moving to eliminate state fuel subsidies. The measure led to gasoline and diesel price hikes of up to 160%, driving up transportation costs and the price of basic goods. The core of the agreement is the full repeal of Supreme Decree 5503, which sparked public anger for its economic changes, including the end of fuel subsidies. The draft framework for a new decree also includes plans to reschedule bank loans, improve social benefit payments and reorganize wage policy, according to the signed text. Advertisement Advertisement In the days before the deal, Bolivia experienced one of its most severe traffic disruptions in years. The Bolivian Road Administration reported at least 52 blockade points on key highways, especially in the La Paz region. Thousands of passengers and truck drivers were stranded and supplies of food and fuel began to tighten. The protests, led by the COB and peasant federations, intensified after the government insisted on keeping the decree despite widespread opposition. Union leaders called on "all Bolivian people" to mobilize for its repeal, warning the measure would bring "hunger" to future generations. While the agreement reopened most roads, some isolated protests continued, particularly in parts of Cochabamba, where groups maintained blockades, arguing their demands have not been fully addressed. Unions said they will remain on alert until the new decree is formally issued, according to Vision 360. Advertisement Advertisement Paz initially defended ending the subsidy in a post on X, saying, "For each day without the subsidy, we saved $10 million, which means public works and jobs. For each day of blockades, we lost $20 million in public works, jobs and production." Analysts said the government now faces the challenge of balancing economic goals with social demands. Claudia Edith Serrano. a specialist in Latin American studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and a professor at the Faculty of Higher Studies Aragon, told Reporte Indigo that any renewed attempt to fully remove subsidies could reignite protests, urging the administration to proceed cautiously and prioritize dialogue with grassroots groups. New research out of California has revealed troubling data about PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," being deliberately applied to some of the state's more important food crops. What's happening? According to The Guardian, a new review of California Department of Pesticide Regulation data by the Environmental Working Group found that farms all over the state added an average of 2.5 million pounds of PFAS per year between 2018 and 2023, which is about 15 million pounds in total. PFAS is shorthand for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The review found that these chemicals were added to pesticides sprayed on crops like almonds, pistachios, wine grapes, alfalfa, and tomatoes. Advertisement Advertisement The research also found that this was happening across 58 California counties, with a high concentration in Fresno, Kern, San Joaquin, Napa, and Riverside counties. PFAS are occasionally used as "inactive" ingredients to help pesticides spread or stick better. But because they are highly mobile and attracted to water, they can be easily absorbed by water-rich fruits and vegetables. Bernadette Del Chiaro, senior vice president of California for the Environmental Working Group, told The Guardian, "We know every pound of forever chemicals presents a risk of contamination of our food, water, and soil, so it doesn't make sense to deliberately be spraying these on California's food." Why are PFAS important? PFAS get their "forever chemical" alias because they do not break down naturally. So, unlike most other chemicals, PFAS can persist in the body for years or even a lifetime. Advertisement Advertisement Consumption of PFAS has been linked to cancer, kidney and liver disease, immune system damage, and birth defects. This issue has been found to disproportionately affect farmworkers, who often earn low incomes and face repeated exposure to pesticides that carry PFAS. Additionally, communities near farm regions may also be at higher risk due to contaminated groundwater and drinking water supplies. While this is a public health issue first and foremost, it is another case that fits into a broader pattern of modern risks shaped by industrial practices, aging infrastructure, and chemical-heavy food systems. Advertisement Advertisement As populations grow and food production intensifies, the consequences of long-lasting contaminants become harder to contain and harder for people to avoid. What's being done about PFAS? Groups have advocated for regulation change around PFAS for years now. Europe has already banned several PFAS-containing pesticides, including bifenthrin and trifluralin. For the average consumer, raising awareness about what foods or cookware typically contain PFAS is crucial. Nonstick cookware, several forms of takeout packaging, and some water-repellent kitchen products have all historically been sources of exposure. 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. Jan. 13The defense lawyer for an Oakwood attorney accused of stalking and secretly recording a teenage girl and other women in his neighborhood is seeking a reduction of his $250,000 bail. Matthew Nicholas Currie, 50, was arraigned Tuesday in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court on 91 charges: 49 counts of illegal use of a minor in a nudity-oriented material or performance, 40 counts of voyeurism and two counts of unauthorized use of a computer, cable or telecommunication property following his indictment last week by a county grand jury. Cincinnati-based attorney Ryan Nelson, who is representing Currie, filed a motion for bond review to reconsider his bail, according to court records. Nelson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Currie was booked at 4 p.m. Monday into the Montgomery County Jail, according to online jail records. The U.S. Marshals Service took him into custody Jan. 7 in Birmingham, Michigan, said Deputy U.S. Marshal Daniel Tebo of the Southern District of Ohio. Currie reportedly was residing in a nursing home, but Tebo did not confirm whether Currie was apprehended at a care facility. Currie told the Dayton Daily News in an August 2025 story that he retired from his job as the managing legal aid attorney for Advocates for Basic Legal Equality due to Parkinson's disease an incurable, progressive neurological disorder with symptoms including tremor, slowed movement, rigid muscles, poor balance and speech changes as well as depression, sleep problems and possible cognitive issues, according to the Mayo Clinic. A family friend described Currie as "profoundly disabled" and unable to walk without the aid of a walker and unable to speak intelligibly. She said his family placed him in an assisted living facility in Dayton following repeated falls. His mother shared with her that he was moved around Christmastime to a care center close to her in Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement A background check on Currie by the Dayton Daily News confirmed his most recent residence locally was at 10 Wilmington Place in Dayton, a senior living community that offers independent and assisted living as well as memory care. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office cannot comment on any specific inmate's medical needs due to privacy concerns; however, the jail arranges for all levels of health care, including mental health and dental care, according to a statement from the agency. "If necessary medical care isn't a available in our jail, then the inmate is referred to an appropriate setting, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities," the statement read. "Addressing inmates with complex medical issues is a significant issue in the jail. While the jail is currently undergoing renovation to better our medical unit, we will still not rise to the level of care that could be provided in a hospital or long-term care facility." Currie is next due in court Jan. 28. Advertisement Advertisement Police investigation The investigation into Currie began in October 2024 after one of his family members found what appeared to be voyeuristic photos and videos on his cell phone, Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck, Jr. said. The family member reported the images to the Oakwood Public Safety Department, which obtained a search warrant for Currie's phone and other electronic devices. "The search revealed that the defendant stalked a 17-year-old Oakwood High School student. The defendant went to her residence on numerous occasions and surreptitiously photographed and videotaped her in her bedroom through her windows, including in various states of nudity, obviously, all without her knowledge," Heck said. Advertisement Advertisement Also, the investigation determined that Currie on at least one occasion tried to film up girls' skirts in a video taken at Oakwood High School as he walked through the auditorium, Heck said. When the teen left to attend college, Currie reportedly continued to return to photograph and record women in various states of undress, including a family member of the teen and a neighbor, Heck said. Heck said investigators identified four victims but encouraged those who believe they could be a victim to call Oakwood police at 937-298-2122. BOUND BROOK A borough man has been charged with stealing $800 from a woman at gunpoint who had just visited an ATM in the area of West Union Avenue. Steven P. Loureiro, 40, is facing a potential minimum sentence of 10 years in state prison if he is convicted of the first-degree armed robbery charge. According to Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, at about 1:05 p.m. Dec. 28 Bound Brook Police received a 911 call about an unknown incident on West Union Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Officers arrived at the scene and spoke with the woman who told them that after withdrawing money from an ATM, she returned into her vehicle. She was then approached by a man with a black handgun who tried get into her vehicle. The man, the prosecutor said, was allegedly banging on her window and pointing the gun at her. The woman, who said she was afraid for her life, ran from her vehicle and the man got in the vehicle and allegedly stole about $800 in cash, the woman's wallet and personal papers, McDonald said. The woman told police the man as wearing a hooded sweatshirt, black pants with white stripes and a bandana across his face. Advertisement Advertisement Detectives from the Bound Brook Police Department determined that the suspect was driving a Subaru wagon with tinted windows and a missing hubcap, the prosecutor said. On Dec. 31, McDonald said, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit along with Bound Brook detectives saw a vehicle matching this description in Bound Brook. A Bound Brook patrol officer tried to stop the Subaru, but the driver fled and erratically headed toward Route 287, McDonald said. Bound Brook police officers terminated the pursuit for safety reasons. Detectives were able to locate the Subaru in a parking lot in Piscataway and the driver, identified as Loureiro, was taken into custody without incident. Advertisement Advertisement A Superior Court search warrant was executed at Loureiros home where officers found clothing matching the woman's description of the clothing worn by the robber. Officers also found an imitation firearm, McDonald said. In addition to armed robbery, Loureiro was charged with second-degree eluding. Loureiro was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a Superior Court detention hearing. Louriero has a previous conviction for eluding in 2018 in Middlesex County and was sentenced to Recovery Court. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Bound Brook Borough Police Department at (732) 356-0800 or via the STOPit app. Email: mdeak@MyCentralJersey.com This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Bound Brook NJ man charged in armed robbery at Union Avenue ATM Japan did make some progress regarding LGBTQ+ rights in the two years between The Boyfriend season 2 released today on Netflix and its inaugural season in 2024. Alas, the country is still behind in its support, legitimization, and protections for queer people. "Being the first same-sex romance reality show in Japan, we paid careful attention to ensure that the story was an authentic portrayal of these relationships," executive producer Dai Ota told Tudum in an interview. "In season 1, we showed not just romance, but their friendship and meaningful connections with one another. In season 2, we will continue to showcase their compassion and stories of growth, with more unique perspectives and backstories." But where do LGBTQ+ rights stand as this second season of The Boyfriend premieres today on Netflix, and how does this new reality affect season 2? Let's break it down. LGBTQ+ rights in Japan: The years leading up to The Boyfriend season 1. Cast members on The Boyfriend season 1 Cast members on The Boyfriend season 1. Netflix Advertisement Advertisement Six same-sex couples filed separate lawsuits against the Japanese government to challenge the country's stance on marriage equality in 2019, as reported by The Loop. Generally, the couples argued that a ban on marriage equality was "unconstitutional." The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly subsequently "committed the city government to raising awareness of LGBTQ people and outlawed the expression of hateful anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in public," as noted on The Conversation. Despite marriage equality in Japan having a "mixed ruling" in 2022, several cities did allow for queer couples to get married by 2023. Within this context, the years leading up to The Boyfriend season 1 had a pretty significant momentum for LGBTQ+ rights in Japan. The very different reality around The Boyfriend season 2. Cast members on The Boyfriend season 2 Cast members on The Boyfriend season 2. Netflix Advertisement Advertisement In a shocking turn of events, marriage equality was actually banned in 2025. "A court in Tokyo ruled Friday that the country's ban on marriage equality does not violate Japan's constitution," Alex Cooper wrote on The Advocate. "Several court cases in recent years have found the ban unconstitutional, meaning the most recent ruling is an outlier." On the one hand, BBC News reported that Japan wasn't an outlier in Asia. In fact, only Thailand, Taiwan, and Nepal had passed marriage equality legislation. On the other hand, Japan became the only country among G7 nations to not offer protections or marriage equality for people in the LGBTQ+ community. As The Boyfriend season 2 premieres today on Netflix, these cast members are surprisingly experiencing a different set of circumstances regarding LGBTQ+ rights in Japan a negative one, without the same momentum and progress that cast members were navigating in the first season. The Boyfriend season 2 is streaming on Netflix. This article originally appeared on Out: The Boyfriend season 2 faces a new reality for LGBTQ+ rights in Japan If an elected representative of our nation cannot safely visit a school because of his identity, then something has gone badly wrong in Britain. This is what happened to Damien Egan, a Jewish Labour MP, who was forced to cancel a visit to a Bristol school due to anticipated pro-Palestine protests who objected to his alleged support of Israel. This was not a fringe incident or a one off-lapse in judgment. It was a warning signal not just about Bristol, but about the direction of the country as a whole. Schools are meant to be among the last neutral civic spaces we have: places of learning, not ideological backgrounds; environments where children are shielded from the political storm of the adult world. Yet they are increasingly being pulled into conflicts far beyond Britains borders. Advertisement Advertisement Cancelling a democratic representatives visit because of an anticipated political disruption marks a troubling shift. What we are witnessing is the importation of foreign conflicts into British public life, not as distant matters of foreign policy but as emotive causes that override local norms and institutions. The Israel-Palestine conflict is uniquely charged, but that does not justify its transplantation into school settings. There is a clear distinction between free expression and the effective vetoing of civic participation. This is not about denying anyone the right to demonstrate. It is about recognising that Britain cannot function if every international conflict is re-enacted on our streets, with schools, private events and local authorities caught in the dangerous cross fire. The inability, or unwillingness, to draw these boundaries is not just increasingly obvious; it is actively destabilising. Advertisement Advertisement Nor can the wider dynamic be ignored. When Jewish public figures are singled out or treated as proxies for a foreign conflict, the consequences are deeply troubling. Egan was not visiting the school as a representative of Israel, but as a British MP. That his Jewish identity alone was enough to trigger concern speaks volumes. At the heart of this incident lies an abdication of civic authority. Institutions are no longer prepared to assert their authority in the face of organised pressure. Cancelling a visit is easier than confronting protestors. But every such decision emboldens those who believe that disruption works. Meanwhile, children become the unseen casualties. What message is sent when schools are deemed too politically volatile for an MP to visit? That intimidation is effective. None of this prepares Britains young people for democratic life. A diverse society can only function if there is a shared commitment to common civic norms. When imported grievances begin to override these norms, and absolutism replaces pluralism, the social fabric frays. Britain has long prided itself on accommodating differences. But accommodation cannot mean institutional paralysis. Advertisement Advertisement Bristol is not uniquely flawed; it is simply ahead of the curve and not in the inclusive way it imagines. If schools can no longer guarantee neutrality, if elected officials are deterred by protest, and if institutions continue to retreat rather than lead, then the warning could not be clearer. The canary is coughing. The question is whether anyone is listening. 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. President Donald Trump has reportedly been souring on Attorney General Pam Bondi over a host of issues. The president has griped to aides in the past few weeks that Bondi isnt doing enough to prosecute his perceived political enemies, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing administration officials and others familiar with his grousing. Trump, 79, has also complained that the governments handling of files on dead sex predator Jeffrey Epstein has been insufficient, as have her efforts to try to prove his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Trump has reportedly been pushing the attorney general for more action on a number of fronts. / Alex Wong / Getty Images Some administration officials said Trump has ramped up his criticisms of Bondi, 60, to get the Justice Department to move more quickly. Sources in touch with Bondi told the Journal that she was growing increasingly concerned about Trumps complaints. Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department has brought charges against several Trump antagonists, but prosecutors have faced substantial setbacks. The government is appealing Novembers dismissals of its cases against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey after a judge ruled that Trump had illegally appointed Lindsey Halligan, the attorney who obtained those indictments. Since that ruling, the Trump administration has tried and failed on two separate occasions to persuade a grand jury to indict James. Meanwhile, John Bolton, Trumps former national security adviser, was indicted in October for allegedly mishandling classified documents. A trial date has yet to be determined. Advertisement Advertisement Yet another investigation was revealed on Sunday. The Justice Department is now probing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over comments he made to Congress about the banks building renovation. In response to the Wall Street Journal's story, the Justice Department said that Bondi According to Trump, Bondi is also coming up short when it comes to the Epstein files, which have long cast a shadow over his presidency. That the government has produced less than 1 percent of its files, despite a law requiring their release last month, has only intensified scrutiny over the Trump-Epstein relationship and the presidents handling of it. The Journal cites two officials who said that Trump agreed with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles assessment to Vanity Fair that Bondi whiffed on the issue. Trumps obsession with the 2020 election has also led him to demand more from the Justice Department, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Trump resorted to issuing a symbolic pardon of Tina Peters, the former Colorado county elections clerk convicted of seven state charges, including tampering with voting machines. Peters remains in prison serving a nine-year sentence. Trump has occasionally confronted Bondi directly about his list of grievances, officials told the Journal. When reached for comment, the White House provided statements from Trump, Wiles, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavittall praising Bondi. Pam is doing an excellent job, said Trump. She has been my friend for many years, he added. Tremendous progress is being made against radical left lunatics who are good at only one thing, cheating in elections and the crimes they commit. The Justice Department, in a brief statement, did not address the substance of the Journals report, telling the Daily Beast merely that Bondi is focused on executing President Trumps directive to Make America Safe Again. (The Center Square) Louisiana has indicted a California physician with allegedly sending abortion pills to the state and is seeking his return to face charges, Attorney General Liz Murrill said Tuesday. Murrill has requested the extradition of Dr. Remy Coeytaux of Healdsburg, California to face a felony charge of criminal abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs. The Center Square was unsuccessful getting comment from Coeytaux prior to publication. Gov. Jeff Landry said he will sign the extradition request. Representatives for California Gov. Gavin Newsom could not immediately be reached for comment. Advertisement Advertisement The request comes nearly a year after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul blocked Louisiana's pursuit of Dr. Margaret Carpenter, charged with prescribing abortion pills online to a mother seeking them for her daughter, a minor who was pregnant. In the case against Coeytaux, prosecutors allege he knowingly caused an abortion by delivering or providing abortion-inducing drugs in St. Tammany Parish. The penalties include fines and up to 50 years in prison. The two cases highlight an interstate showdown in the years following the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. While some Republican-led states, including Louisiana, forbid most abortions, Democrat-led states have passed "shield laws" that add privacy and legal protections for providers who prescribe abortion pills online and send them to patients in states with bans. Advertisement Advertisement In California, Newsom signed a measure allowing providers to prescribe abortion medication anonymously, a step his administration said was aimed at protecting patient privacy and providers amid out-of-state legal threats. Murrill, a Republican, wants to "pursue some relief" at the Supreme Court, a campaign that gained momentum among conservatives after the Federal Drug Administration in October approved another generic version of mifepristone, a medication used in abortion pills. "FDA had promised to do a top-to-bottom safety review of the chemical abortion drug, but instead they've just greenlighted new versions of it for distribution," U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, wrote on X. "I have lost confidence in the leadership at FDA." Authorities in Finland released a vessel on Monday that had been seized on suspicion of damaging an undersea cable linking Helsinki and Estonia's capital Tallinn on 31 December, though one crew member remains in custody, police said. Three other crew members remain subject to a travel ban as Finnish authorities continue their investigation. The Fitburg, a 132-metre-long cargo ship that had left St Petersburg in Russia and was sailing to the Israeli port of Haifa was detained on New Year's Eve following suspicion that the ship's anchor had damaged a telecoms cable in the Gulf of Finland. Advertisement Advertisement "The Finnish and Estonian police have completed their work on board the vessel and the seizure can therefore be lifted," the head of the investigation, Risto Lohi of the National Bureau of Investigation, said in a statement. Under the Border Guard's supervision, the Fitburg set sail from the Kantvik harbour in Kirkkonummi on Monday at around 11:00 am local time, police said. Seized vessel Fitburg in the harbor of Kirkkonummi, 1 January, 2026 - AP Photo Authorities are investigating the incident as "aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage and aggravated interference with telecommunications." The vessel, flagged from St Vincent and the Grenadines, is believed to have dragged its anchor along the seabed for several kilometres, according to Finnish authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Of the vessel's 14 crew members from Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, one person remains in custody, while three others are subject to a travel ban. Finnish customs last week determined that the cargo of steel products was subject to sanctions against Russia but no criminal investigation was launched as the products were only brought into Finnish territorial waters when authorities ordered the ship to move. Meanwhile, an inspection by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency found no severe deficiencies in the ship. Finnish telecoms group Elisa owns the cable, which is located in Estonia's exclusive economic zone. Advertisement Advertisement Related Similar incidents Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many experts and political leaders have viewed suspected sabotage of undersea cables as part of a hybrid war carried out by Russia against Western countries. In December 2024, Finnish authorities boarded the Russian-linked oil tanker Eagle S which investigators said had damaged power cables and telecommunications links in the Baltic Sea by dragging its anchor along the seabed. Advertisement Advertisement That case was dismissed by a Finnish court in October after prosecutors failed to prove intent. Crew members aboard a French Navy Atlantique 2 surveillance plane patrolling the Baltic Sea as part of NATOs Baltic Sentry mission, 23 January, 2025 - AP Photo Eight NATO countries bordering the Baltic Sea, which also borders Russia, have been on high alert following a series of incidents that damaged undersea power cables, telecoms links and gas pipelines. Those incidents have generally been regarded as deliberate acts of sabotage suspected of being linked to Russia and have prompted NATO to boost its presence in the region with patrol frigates, aircraft and naval drones. Both NATO and the EU have also been on high alert following a string of airspace violations, thought to be from Russia. Myanmar heard accusations that it is responsible for genocide against the Rohingya ethnic minority at the top court of the United Nations, as long-awaited hearings began in The Hague on Monday. The West African country The Gambia first filed the case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2019, arguing a so-called "clearance operation" by Myanmar's military in 2017 violated the 1948 Genocide Convention. The Southeast Asian country, which has since been taken over by the military, has denied the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement In his opening statements, Gambian Justice Minister Dawda Jallow said his country brought the case out of "a sense of responsibility" after its own experience with a military government. Judges walk to their seats before a session at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, 22 October, 2025 - AP Photo "We must use our moral voice in condemnation of oppression, of crimes against individuals, and of groups, wherever and whenever they occur," he said, addressing a full courtroom. Myanmar launched the campaign in Rakhine state in 2017 after an attack by a Rohingya insurgent group. Security forces were accused of mass rapes, killings and torching thousands of homes as more than 700,000 Rohingya fled into neighbouring Bangladesh. Advertisement Advertisement Now, around 1.2 million members of the persecuted minority are languishing in chaotic, overcrowded camps, where armed groups recruit children and girls as young as 12 are forced into prostitution. Related Impact of aid cuts The sudden and severe foreign aid cuts imposed last year by US President Donald Trump shuttered thousands of the camps schools and have caused some children to starve to death. "We don't have anything that human beings should have," Yousuf Ali, who travelled from a refugee camp in Bangladesh to the Netherlands for the proceedings, told the Associated Press news agency ahead of the hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Myanmar was initially represented at the court by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who denied her country's armed forces had committed genocide, telling the ICJ in 2019 that the mass exodus of Rohingya people from the country she led was the unfortunate result of a battle with insurgents. Rohingya refugees collect plastic waste from a drainage canal inside the refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, 22 November, 2025 - AP Photo The pro-democracy icon is now in prison after being convicted of what her supporters call trumped-up charges after a military coup in 2021. Myanmar contested the court's jurisdiction, saying The Gambia was not directly involved in the conflict and therefore could not initiate a case. Both countries are signatories to the genocide convention, signed in the wake of World War II, and in 2022, judges rejected the argument, allowing the case to move forward. South Africa's case against Israel The decision opened the door for South Africa to bring a case accusing Israel of Genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Israel has strongly denied that allegation and accused Pretoria of providing political cover for the militant group Hamas. Whatever the court ultimately decides in the Myanmar case will impact the South African case, Juliette McIntyre, an expert on international law at the University of South Australia, told the Associated Press. Palestinians walk amid buildings destroyed by Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza City, 6 January, 2026 - AP Photo "The legal test for genocide is very strict but it is possible the judges broaden the definition," she said. A finding of genocide would bolster the ongoing investigation at another court based in The Hague, the International Criminal Court. In 2024, the court's chief prosecutor asked judges to issue an arrest warrant for the head of Myanmar's military regime Senior General Min Aung Hlaing for crimes against the Rohingya, a request that is still pending. (PUEBLO, Colo.) The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the 10th Judicial District Attorneys Office have confirmed that three more bodies have been positively identified from the ongoing Davis Mortuary investigation, bringing the total up from six to nine. According to CBI, these most recent identifications came thanks to ANDE, a Colorado-based technology company whose Rapid DNA technology was offered to the bureau for the case, free of charge. The bureau states that the newly identified bodies are from people who had died between 2010 and 2012. CBIs official release regarding the identifications states that the remaining 15 bodies are actively being studied through Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG), a process involving a private lab to use DNA databases to find distant relatives and construct family trees, under the direction of the Pueblo County Coroners Office, CBI, and the 10th Judicial District Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement The choice in favor of FGG was based on the poor record-keeping done by Davis Mortuary, as well as a lack of investigative leads, the poor condition of the remains, and the deteriorated DNA of the bodies found within Davis Mortuary. CBI assures that while this might be a slower process, FGG is more likely to yield usable results. The CBI continues to investigate the multiple containers of bones, cremains, and probable human tissue representing an unknown number of deceased individuals. Investigators with the CBI and the 10th Judicial District Attorneys Office continue to work diligently on this active investigation. Once completed, the case information will be presented to the District Attorneys office for review and filing of charges. Colorado Bureau of Investigations press release If you or your family may have used Davis Mortuary services between 2010 and 2012, CBI requests you to fill out an investigative questionnaire. You can also call the dedicated victim tip line at (719) 257-3359, or email CBITips@state.co.us. CBI thanks the community for their vital response in this investigation. As of Dec. 16, 2025, CBI received 1,542 phone or email tips and 711 responses to the bureaus information form. 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 FOX21 News Colorado. CENTCOM announces MEAD-CDOC at Al Udeid Air Base, enhancing regional air defense coordination with partner nations. US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday announced the establishment of the Middle Eastern Air Defense - Combined Defense Operations Cell (MEAD-CDOC), to operate within the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. MEAD-CDOC will act as a "new coordination cell... designed to enhance coordination and integration for air and missile defense efforts among regional partners," CENTCOM stated. Advertisement Advertisement Soldiers from US Air Force Central (AFCENT) will work alongside regional partners at MEAD-CDOC in "planning multinational exercises, conducting drills, and responding to contingencies," CENTCOM confirmed. MEAD-CDOC will also be "responsible for sharing information and threat warnings." CAOC was established over 20 years ago, and includes representatives from 17 nations who "coordinate the employment of military air assets across the Middle East," CENTCOM clarified. US troops react as President Donald Trump walks to deliver remarks, near a banner reading, ''Peace Through Strength'', during a visit to Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar, May 15, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/BRIAN SNYDER/FILE PHOTO) Opening MEAD-CDOC follows the opening of bilateral Combined Command Posts for air and missile defense by CENTCOM with Qatar and Bahrain in 2025. The new facilities serve as "hubs for integrated air defense planning, coordination, and operations," CENTCOM stated. Advertisement Advertisement "This is a significant step forward in strengthening regional defense cooperation," CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper said. MEAD-CDOC "will improve how regional forces coordinate and share air and missile defense responsibilities across the Middle East," Cooper added. "The MEAD-CDOC creates a consistent venue to share expertise and collectively create new solutions together with our regional partners. This strengthens our integrated air and missile defense throughout the region," AFCENT chief Lt.-Gen. Derek France stated. This announcement comes amid speculation over whether the US will militarily intervene in ongoing protests across Iran. Iran targeted Al Udeid Air Base amid closure of June's Israel-Iran war Iran launched 10 ballistic missiles towards Al Udeid Air Base on June 23, shortly before the ceasefire between Israel, the US, and Iran came into effect after 12 days of conflict. Traces are seen in the sky after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al Udeid base in a missile attack, in Qatar, June 23, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER) Iran stated this was in retaliation for the US airstrikes on three nuclear facilities, which occurred the previous day. Advertisement Advertisement No US personnel were killed or injured in Iran's attack against Al Udeid Air Base. However, the ballistic missiles may have caused damage to the base, London-based anti-Iranian regime outlet Iran International reported in July. Authorities had previously issued a warning that Al Udeid - the largest American base in the Middle East - could be the target of an imminent Iranian attack, The Jerusalem Post was told at the time by a source familiar with the details. The US was briefed before the attack via diplomatic channels. Israel was also notified about when and what the Iranians were expected to attack, a regional diplomat confirmed to the Post at the time. Amichai Stein and Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report. The Santa Barbara Airport is adding a flurry of new flights in 2026 and ending service to one destination. Once the changes take effect, the Central Coast airport will serve as a hub for five airlines, offering 26 daily flights to 13 nonstop destinations. Heres how air travel is changing in Santa Barbara this year: Santa Barbara airport adds direct flight to Chicago United Airlines will begin offering daily direct flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago OHare International Airport beginning on Monday, April 6. Advertisement Advertisement United Airlines previously offered seasonal service from Santa Barbara to Chicago during the summers of 2021 and 2022, according to a news release from the Santa Barbara Airport. This destination adds another key hub to the SBA network, expanding connectivity and providing travelers with access to hundreds of cities across the globe, the release said. One-way plane tickets start at $274. When do nonstop flights to San Diego start? Santa Barbara Airport will also begin offering nonstop flights to San Diego International Airport starting this spring. Alaska Airlines will launch direct daily service from Santa Barbara to San Diego on Wednesday, April 22, while Southwest Airlines will begin daily flights to the Southern California city on Tuesday, Aug. 4, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Through San Diego International Airport, Santa Barbara travelers will have access to numerous destinations, including Hawaii, Mexico, and Europe, the airport said. Alaska Airlines previously offered flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego in 2021 and 2022, according to the release. How cheap are San Diego plane ticket prices? Prices for one-way flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego start at $79, according to Google Flights. A United Airlines plane seen at Santa Barbara Airport in May 2020. (Tom Bolton/Noozhawk.com) Can I fly direct to San Francisco? Salt Lake City? Travelers will soon have even more flight options at the Santa Barbara Airport. In February, United Airlines will add a fifth daily direct flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco International Airport, the airport said. Advertisement Advertisement Alaska Airlines will offer a second daily nonstop flight from Santa Barbara to Portland, Oregon, starting in May, according to the airport release. Delta Air Lines will also increase direct flights to Salt Lake City from Santa Barbara to three departures per day. When do direct flights to Atlanta end? Delta will soon cease nonstop service from Santa Barbara to Atlanta. Starting Wednesday, Jan. 21, the Santa Barbara Airport will no longer offer any direct flights to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to the release. Nations around the world are dedicating a tremendous amount of resources to projects that can help reduce or restore some of the damage caused by climate change. One significant change that's taking place is shifting how some energy is produced. In October 2025, the BBC reported that an Ember study revealed renewable resources had overtaken coal as the planet's most significant source of electricity. China was an enormous part of this push: The outlet notes that, during the first half of 2025, its growth in wind and solar energy outpaced every other country in the world combined. This dramatic embracing of solar energy's potential is helping to make energy use greener and could be the only defense against the more drastic effects of the planet's warming. It's about much more than just energy generation, though. China has previously found that its enormous solar farm was doing a lot more than just producing energy, and this has also proven to be the case for its expansive efforts in wind. A December 2025 study titled "Offshore wind farms can enhance the structural composition and functional dynamics of coastal waters," concluded that the wind farms in Chinese waters are making a positive change to the biodiversity of the regions where they were installed. The study, published in Global Ecology and Conservation (via ScienceDirect), reports that "While OWFs contribute significantly to clean energy production, they also bring notable physical, chemical, and biological changes to the surrounding marine environment." Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 13 Celebrities Who Own A Gulfstream G650 Private Jet The regenerative effects of wind farms for local ocean life Land near the seashore. - inna_sandrakova/Shutterstock The oceans are heavily impacted by climate change. The Atlantic Ocean, for instance, has been described by scientists as at a 'tipping point' regarding its ability to regulate the temperature of the world's waters. While offshore wind farms are large and rather imposing structures, they aren't necessarily unfriendly. The Global Ecology and Conservation study noted that the changes a nearby offshore wind farm can have on its ecosystem are considerable, and in order to investigate them further, "ecopath models were developed for an OWF area and, separately, for a nearby control area, using biological and environmental survey data collected in 2022 and 2023." The researchers were able to put together a picture of how the two areas have developed over time and the effects that the wind farm may have had on the broader marine population. The scientists note that, for fish, the area around an offshore wind farm can be something of a safe area, "as turbine monopiles hinder trawling," and the protected status of some species allows communities to form. Other local wildlife find benefit in living in a turbine's surrounding regions or directly on its surface. Dalian Ocean University Associate Professor Zhongxin Wu is quoted by Murdoch University: "Our results showed that in the offshore windfarm area, benthic fish biomass was almost doubled compared to the control area." Benthic fish dwell near the seafloor, and a potential reason for their abundance is that there are other organisms in the vicinity, too. Animals such as oysters can enjoy the large, strong, sturdy surface of a wind farm's turbines, which may otherwise be difficult to come by in the area. The positive and negative environmental impacts of offshore wind farms Offshore wind farm turbine being repaired. - Ryan Pyle/Getty Images An offshore wind farm is a huge, imposing symbol of green energy. Those who live by the coast will be more than familiar with the ocean's sheer strength and its accompanying winds, so witnessing those huge turbines spinning to harness that power leaves an impression. As green as they may be, though, it's essential to remember that these are huge and considerable pieces of infrastructure. Installing huge towers with 81-meter-long turbine blades that can spin 200 meters over the ocean's waves can be a disruptive process. Advertisement Advertisement Liwei Si et al note in their Global Ecology and Conservation study that the installation of a wind farm can cause damage, noise pollution that can be harmful to all sorts of creatures that live in the vicinity, also highlighting "electromagnetic interference, and habitat fragmentation, further affecting benthic invertebrates, fish, and marine mammals." The concept of decommissioning, much like what happens to an oil rig when the oil runs out, applies to it, too. It's a complex and expensive procedure on an enormous scale. Nonetheless, there are some positive effects wind farms can have on the marine environment. To humanity, of course, they are artificial energy infrastructure, but for the fish and other creatures who find them in their domain, they can become another part of the habitat. Rather like an artificial reef or even a shipwreck, marine creatures can find havens and flourish in the most unlikely places, and can adapt their environment to their own needs. 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. Greenland's prime minister has said his people would choose Denmark over the US if they were asked to make such a choice "here and now". Jens-Frederik Nielsen's remark at a joint news conference with Denmark's prime minister is the strongest by a representative of the semi-autonomous Danish territory since US President Donald Trump renewed his plan to annex it. Trump says the US needs to "own" Greenland to defend against Russia and China. The White House has suggested buying the island, but not ruled out the use of force to annex it. Advertisement Advertisement Denmark is a fellow Nato member and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that military force would spell the end of the trans-Atlantic defence alliance. Asked later on Tuesday what he made of Nielsen's comments, Trump said: "That's their problem, I disagree with him... That's going to be a big problem for him." Despite being the most sparsely populated territory, Greenland's location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region. Trump has repeatedly said that Greenland is vital to US national security, claiming without evidence that it was "covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place". Advertisement Advertisement The US already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base in Greenland's north-western tip - a facility that has been operated by the US since World War Two. Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US has the power to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland. But Trump told reporters in Washington last week that a lease agreement was not good enough - the US "had to have ownership" and "Nato's got to understand that". At the news conference in the Danish capital Copenhagen, Frederiksen did not mince her words as she condemned the "completely unacceptable pressure from our closest ally". Advertisement Advertisement She warned that "there are many indications that the most challenging part is ahead of us". The Greenlandic prime minister said they were "facing a geopolitical crisis", but the island's position was clear: "If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark," he said. "One thing must be clear to everyone. Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States." The Copenhagen news conference comes a day before the Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt are due to travel to the US to meet Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Advertisement Advertisement Denmark's Nato allies - major European countries as well as Canada - have rallied to its support this week with statements reaffirming that "only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations". Stressing they were as keen as the US on Arctic security, they have said this must be achieved by allies, including the US, "collectively". They also called for "upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders". Advertisement Advertisement Concerns over the future of the territory resurfaced after Trump's use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize its president, Nicolas Maduro. Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term, only to be told it was not for sale. In recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources - including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron - which are becoming easier to access as its ice melts due to climate change. Scientists think it could also have significant oil and gas reserves. Cincinnati Public Schools' board welcomed a new face and a new leadership pair at its first meeting of 2026 on Jan. 12. Kari Armbruster was sworn in as the newest member of Greater Cincinnati's largest district serving over 34,000 students across 66 schools. The corporate consultant is a mother to three Sands Montessori students and former Kroger executive. Board member Brandon Craig, recently elected to a second term, was chosen to be president after earning a majority of votes by the seven-person board. The longtime Cincinnati native and University of Cincinnati alum has served on the board since 2022. In 2023, he served as vice president. Advertisement Advertisement "I want to thank our prior President Dr. Moffett, who has done a tremendous amount of work this last year," Craig said during Monday night's meeting. "Every one of these folks are ... really talented people who are really focused on making sure our students are getting the best quality education." "I am proud to be president but I recognize it takes the full board to ensure things can get done," Craig added. Joining Craig as vice president-elect is Kareem Moncree-Moffett, former president of the board in 2025. She also earned a reelection to the board in the November 2025 election. CPS Board Member Dr. Kareem Moffett at the CPS board meeting on Monday December 9, 2024. Faculty and community members spoke to the board about their thoughts and concerns before the middle school growth plan was voted on. "I am grateful to the citizens of Cincinnati, to the voters," Moffett said. "I'm super excited to be able to work on behalf of the children of Cincinnati Public Schools." Advertisement Advertisement The pair earned the most support among the board candidates in the general election. Moffett garnered over 48,000 votes and Craig earned north of 47,000, per Hamilton County election results. The shift in leadership comes amid the district's ongoing financial stress, the rollout of a sweeping growth plan that brought back middle schools and a new era in central office with the introduction of Superintendent Shauna Murphy after the controversial resignation of her predecessor in 2024. Who are Brandon Craig and Kareem Moffett? Craig begins his second term on the board, which will expire in 2029. He has previously served on the board's budget, finance and growth committee and on the Council of Great City Schools. A graduate of CPS, Craig holds a bachelor of arts in economics degree and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. The president-elect has devoted the past decade to civil rights work, first as the compliance manager at the Cincinnati-based Housing Opportunities Made Equal social services group, per his bio on the district's website. In 2017, he joined his alma mater working in civil rights policy at UC's Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Brandon Craig is sworn in as president of the Cincinnati Public Schools board on Jan. 12. Moffett is a longtime Cincinnati resident with a PhD in Educating Urban African American Students and master's degree in remedial education in higher education. She is embarking on her second term on the board from now through 2029. Advertisement Advertisement She has previously served as board president, member of the budget, finance and growth committee, the legislative liaison and member of the diversity and equity committee for the Ohio School Boards Association and on the Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition. As part of the national Gear Up program, Moffett co-taught math and science at CPS' John P. Parker School, South Avondale School and Withrow High School. According to her district bio, she is the lead consultant at education research and training firm Moncor, LLC, and founder of the nonprofit Youth Lead Alliance: Hear us Now. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: CPS board names new president and vice president, welcomes new face Joel Willett made a big splash last year when, in just a few weeks, he had his national security clearance revoked and entered Kentuckys Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. He exited that primary quietly at the start of 2026. The deadline to file for office in 2026 passed on Jan. 9, and Willett, who had begun to build out a campaign structure late last year, never signed his official paperwork to get on the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement After months of work, he decided to leave the race in early January because of finances. Ultimately, I was not able to build a financially viable campaign, Willett told the Herald-Leader. Campaigns, like any business, have to have cash to survive, and I was not successful at funding the campaign in that way. I was excited to provide a new voice and a new face to Kentucky politics Ive said from the beginning that if we keep doing the same things, were going to get the same results, and I still have concerns about that but ultimately, if I felt I didnt have a path, it was important for the other candidates to have the space to make their case, he added. The former CIA officer, who spent time in the White House situation room in that role, was running alongside two former U.S. Senate candidates in Amy McGrath and Charles Booker. Also in the race are state House Minority Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville; Lexington attorney Logan Forsythe and Louisville horse trainer Dale Romans. Advertisement Advertisement All are running for the seat being made open by longtime Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is not seeking reelection. Prominent Republicans like U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Lexington tech entrepreneur Nate Morris have lined up for the GOP nomination. A big part of Willetts decision was an inability to gin up interest among Democratic donors in flipping the seat. The odds were seen as long, he said, given that no Democrat has won a U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky since 1992, and nobody has come close since 2004. He said he made every case to donors on why Kentucky could be flipped and why he was the man to do it to no avail. The mood nationally doesnt seem to be one where many people think Kentucky is a competitive race. I wasnt sure reinforcement was going to come after the primary, Willett said. Advertisement Advertisement He dropped out largely because he didnt see himself as a viable primary candidate given the tremendous amount of name ID some Democratic candidates have, he said. Willett, a Louisville native, entered the race at a time when just Stevenson and Forsythe were on the board as Democratic candidates. Booker and McGrath, well-known entities in Kentucky politics, and the well-connected Romans had not yet launched their campaigns. It was difficult, for me at least, to overcome the narrative of both Amys and Charles previous results as the nominees, and the task was complicated further by their unexpected entry into the race, Willett said. Still, Willett doesnt think its impossible for the seat to be flipped. Advertisement Advertisement He says its possible if candidates are willing to speak boldly about the harms of President Donald Trumps policies and to buck Democratic Party leadership, then theres a chance. I think if they are willing to say the hard things, be courageous, act authentically, I still think Kentucky voters will give them a chance. Running the same kind of campaigns and trying to play it safe? Theres no chance, Willett said. The question of Willetts next steps is an open one, he said. Days before he jumped in the race, Willett who had just stepped down from his role as CEO of Washington-area technology contractor Cybermedia Technologies had his security clearance revoked in what he called a nakedly political stunt. He blamed National Director of Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for the revocation, which occurred after a Herald-Leader story floated his name as a potential candidate. Advertisement Advertisement A veteran, Willett said whatever comes next in his life will involve service and that hell carry on his political message against the Trump administration. That doesnt necessarily mean my names got to be on a ballot somewhere, but it will involve continuing to speak out against the moral and economic failings of this administration. Whether thats speaking up for candidates or supporting organizations that are standing in the breach to fight back against some of this, or continuing to support a strong labor movement, service has been a key piece of my life, and it will remain so, Willett said. As for where the money raised in his campaign will go, Willett said he will let his next campaign finance report, due out within the next week, speak for itself. Starting anything is capital intensive in the early stages, and our campaign was no different, Willett said. Nashua voters check in on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Will Steinfeld/New Hampshire Bulletin) Weeks before a lawsuit against a recent New Hampshire voting law goes to trial in federal court, state lawmakers are pushing to tighten voting requirements further. The House passed a bill this month that would eliminate the ability for high school or college students to use their student identification cards to vote. Instead, under the proposed law, those students would be required to present an ID issued by the federal government or any U.S. state, such as a drivers license, government ID card, or passport. Advertisement Advertisement The Republican-led chamber also advanced legislation to end the ability for local election officials to personally identify voters they know and allow them to vote without identification. The two bills which will both need approval from the Senate were passed on Jan. 7, the first day that lawmakers returned to the House after a monthslong break. And they highlighted an ongoing push by Republicans to impose no-excuses laws requiring proof of residency, citizenship, and identity in order to vote and register to vote in New Hampshire. Rep. Ross Berry, a Weare Republican and the chairman of the House Election Law Committee, argued the state has made major strides toward building trust in elections through a series of recent laws requiring more documentation and verification to vote. To Berry, the previous voting process in which people could register without showing citizenship documents and could vote on Election Day without showing identification was a farce. In both cases, voters were required to sign legally binding affidavits stating they were qualified to vote on penalty of perjury. But Berry said because their ballots were accepted after they signed the affidavits, the process left the possibility of fraud. Advertisement Advertisement In order to have the general will of the people, you have to know whos voting in your elections, Berry said, addressing the House Wednesday. Its a contention at the heart of the yearslong partisan war over elections. Democrats and voting rights groups say the instances of voter fraud are vanishingly small and that the affidavit system still allowed for the prosecution of illegal voters. Imposing stricter requirements, on the other hand, could bar otherwise eligible voters from being able to vote, impeding on their rights, they argue. The political fight has persisted through the recent passage of state laws requiring IDs at the polls with no exceptions, and mandating that people newly registering to vote in the state provide hard-copy proof of their U.S. citizenship via a birth certificate, passport, or other document. That latter law, passed in 2024 under House Bill 1569, is the strongest proof-of-citizenship statute in the country, and is currently being challenged by a number of voting rights groups. Those groups, which include the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire and the progressive Elias Group, allege that the laws are unconstitutional. A multi-week trial in that case is scheduled for February. Advertisement Advertisement Addressing House Bill 323, the legislation to bar student IDs as forms of identification, Democrats have denounced it as an unnecessary barrier to voting. Rep. James Newsom of Hopkinton dismissed concerns that people are using fraudulent student IDs to vote, noting that there have been no known examples in the state. Newsom argued that the process to obtain a student identification card from the University of New Hampshire which requires fingerprints is robust. With zero cases of voter fraud of this type, this bill will not improve election security, he said. Zero minus zero is still zero. Instead, Newsom and other Democrats said the law would have the effect of turning away legitimate voters who live in New Hampshire from being able to vote in the state. And they have charged that Republicans are targeting students in college towns, which tend to vote for Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement The reality behind this bill is a blatant attempt to unconstitutionally prohibit students who are already registered and qualified voters in New Hampshire from exercising their undeniable constitutional right to vote, Newsom said. Berry and other Republicans reject the charge that the laws impose major barriers to vote, and compare the documentary requirements to those needed to drive a car. Berry argued all the recent stricter voting laws strike a balance between accountability and ease. Republicans have made a mission of trying to get to a system where its easy to vote and its actually not easy to cheat, and that you know whos voting in your elections, Berry argued. And he said it is necessary to ban student ID cards because it is too easy to forge student ID cards. Advertisement Advertisement This is kind of the last buttoning up of five years worth of work, Berry said. Five Democrats joined Republicans to vote for the bill last week. House Republicans continued that effort by passing House Bill 317, which bars election officials from personally identifying voters. Republicans had argued the process was impossible to verify and was vulnerable to abuse; Democrats called it another roadblock to voting. It is the classic bill that is a solution in search of a problem; it also takes a needless swipe at the integrity of our outstanding election officials, wrote Rep. Gerald Ward, a Portsmouth Democrat, in a written argument ahead of the vote. One Republican effort fell short last week: an attempt to amend the New Hampshire Constitution to require that voters actually reside in their place of domicile to vote failed to get a three-fifths supermajority vote in the House necessary to advance. Advertisement Advertisement But as lawmakers hurtle into the 2026 session, the efforts to tighten voting laws are continuing. Lawmakers will consider Republican bills to prohibit voters who are legal residents of other states from registering to vote in New Hampshire; to allow the Secretary of States Office to conduct random audits of voters citizenship status; and to require stricter identification requirements for people voting by absentee ballot and for overseas voters. Not all proposals are partisan. Rep. Matt Wilhelm, a Manchester Democrat, and Berry are co-sponsoring House Bill 1600, which would allow New Hampshire residents to register to vote when renewing their drivers license at the Division of Motor Vehicles. New Hampshire is one of a handful of states that do not provide that service; past efforts to pass it have run into opposition from Senate Republicans, who cite cost concerns. The Delaware City Council held its first meeting since Councilman Corey Hoffman resigned after being arrested two times in two months. Hoffman has served as a Delaware City Councilman since 2019, according to our news partners, WBNS. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Hoffman was arrested for the first time on Nov. 21 for allegedly harassing a woman for nearly a month. He was charged with telecommunications harassment and menacing by stalking. He was arrested six weeks later and faced another count of menacing by stalking. The victim said she received several text messages from the councilman and found a package on her front porch that was drenched in the cologne the suspect wears, according to the arrest report. The package also contained letters and gifts for the victims children. Delaware Mayor Carolyn Riggle announced Hoffmans resignation in a statement after his second arrest. Advertisement Advertisement She said, "Council Member Hoffman devoted more than six years of service to the City of Delaware and to the residents of the Third Ward. We thank him for his time and commitment to public service. Hoffmans council seat was expected to expire in 2027. The City Council will announce the process to fill the third ward seat. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The lawsuit at the center of a long-running feud between Oklahoma Republican political rivals Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond has been dismissed. The dismissal comes Tuesday, Jan. 13, after about three years of political back-and-forth between Stitt and Drummond over who has the power to represent the state's interest in legal battles. Stitt has repeatedly filed the lawsuit, and Drummond has repeatedly moved to dismiss it. It remains unclear whether the latest development will be the final chapter in the dispute, as Stitt has not said whether he will pursue any other legal avenues in the case. Advertisement Advertisement More: Needless 'drama' and 'misguided leadership': The lawsuit Stitt and Drummond are feuding over The lawsuit in Oklahoma City federal district court is over the misspending of about $1.7 million in federal education funds from a COVID-19 stimulus program. It centers on Stitt's allegations that Florida-based ClassWallet,a financial management vendor, failed to prevent the misspending of the pandemic-era funds. Drummond has argued Stitt and his administration are to blame for the mismanagement, not ClassWallet. This lawsuit was baseless from the outset and nothing more than a waste of taxpayer dollars, Drummond, who's running for governor, said. Overwhelming evidence has shown that Gov. Stitt and his administration rejected internal controls and oversight as well as failed to use ClassWallets available controls, leaving his administration responsible for the payout failures that occurred. U.S. District Court Judge Joe Heaton said Stitt's complaint that ClassWallet breached its contract with the state is devoid of underlying facts regarding the nature of the payments allowable or not under the grant program. Advertisement Advertisement Stitt's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ruling or next steps. Stitt, Drummond feud over ClassWallet lawsuit Former Attorney General John OConnor, who Stitt appointed in 2021, filed the original lawsuit against ClassWallet in 2022. The suit came after a U.S. Department of Education audit accused the state of failing to follow federal regulations and noted that former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters had approved the purchases. After Drummond succeeded OConnor in January 2023, Drummond said he believed "state actors" should be blamed for the misspending of the federal pandemic relief funds, not ClassWallet. He announced the state would drop the lawsuit against ClassWallet's parent company, Kleo Inc., the vendor Stitt hired to help disburse $31 million in federal funds. But in January 2024, OMES refiled the lawsuit. Less than two weeks later, Drummond seized control of the case and moved for it to be dismissed with prejudice, meaning it could not be refiled. That action drew critique from Stitt, who said then that Drummond has chosen to continue operating a political office in pursuit of personal aspirations as opposed to representing the states interests. Through a series of legal maneuvers, the case had remained open until Tuesday. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Judge dismisses Oklahoma ClassWallet lawsuit amid political feud By Dave Sherwood and Marianna Parraga HAVANA/HOUSTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Cubans are bracing for impact after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to cut off a lifeline of Venezuelan oil from reaching Cuba, setting up a siege scenario for an island already reeling from crippling blackouts and shortages. Venezuela, once the island's top supplier, has not sent crude or fuel to Cuba for about a month, according to shipping data and internal documents from state company PDVSA, with cargoes falling off due to a U.S. blockade even before the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in early January. Advertisement Advertisement The last cargo for refining on the island was sent from PDVSA's Jose port in mid-December onboard a tanker that sailed with its transponder off, carrying some 600,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude. In 2025, Venezuela was Cuba's largest oil supplier with 26,500 barrels per day (bpd), or roughly one third of the island's daily needs, followed by Mexico with some 5,000 bpd, the data and documents showed. "I just don't see any light at the end of the tunnel for Cuba to survive the next few months facing zero deliveries of oil from Venezuela," said Jorge Pinon, an energy researcher at the University of Texas at Austin. "The situation is going to be catastrophic." Advertisement Advertisement Trump has made no secret of his expectation that the recent U.S. intervention in Venezuela could push Cuba over the edge, but in recent days he has doubled down on the communist-run island, pushing the neighboring nation on Sunday to strike a deal "before it is too late." The question of how long Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and the country's communist-run government can hold out in the face of vastly reduced oil imports is now top of mind for the island's struggling residents, who already face daunting hurdles to find food, medicine and fuel. "It's very stressful because we don't know what decision the Cuban government will make or what actions the United States government will take," said 75-year-old former state worker Victor Romero, of Havana. Diaz-Canel has made clear his government will stand firm against U.S. threats. Advertisement Advertisement "Nobody tells us what to do," he said Sunday after Trump vowed to shut off Venezuelan oil. "Cuba is...prepared to defend the homeland until the last drop of blood." Much of rural Cuba, in far-flung provinces with little economic output, already resembles a caricature of 19th-century life. Horse-drawn carriages and bicycles provide transportation in many villages and even in urban areas. The internet falters often, if it works at all, and electricity is fleeting, with more hours without power than with it. Deyanira Gonzalez, a 57-year-old housewife who lives in Havana's countryside, already prepares her morning coffee and her children's lunch over charcoal, she says, with electricity spotty and liquefied gas largely unavailable or too expensive. Advertisement Advertisement "What will happen now? If Donald Trump doesn't let fuel into Cuba we'll be in the dark with our kids suffering," she said. Cuba's capital Havana has not yet felt the impacts of the plummeting Venezuelan fuel cargoes, observations backed by Cuba's daily generation deficit tallies. Many city residents report that blackouts have subsided somewhat in early January amid decreased power demand since a peak in December, and gasoline and diesel service at the pump, while rationed in the peso currency, continues unabated. FEW OPTIONS There is no public information about how much oil Cuba may be holding in reserve. It is also unclear whether Cuba's political allies would be willing to risk Trump's ire to help bail out Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement "We have not seen any support whatsoever from Cuba's political allies, who are also exporters of oil, like Angola, Algeria, Brazil," said energy expert Pinon. "No one is coming to Cuba's aid, with the exception of maybe Mexico, in limited amount, and also Russia, in limited amount." A tanker bound from Mexico, the Ocean Mariner, arrived in Havana on Friday, carrying some 85,000 barrels of fuel from the state company Pemex's terminal of Pajaritos/Coatzacoalcos, according to a Reuters witness and ship tracking data. But Mexico's contribution, albeit a fraction of Venezuela's former exports, is far from enough to keep the lights on across the island of around 10 million inhabitants, a concern not lost on many Cubans. Advertisement Advertisement "It's the uncertainty of not knowing what's going to happen," said Ivet Rodriguez, a 39-year-old entrepreneur in Havana. "I try not to even think about it." (Reporting by Dave Sherwood in Havana and Marianna Parraga in Houston, additional reporting by Mario Fuentes and Anett Rios; Editing by Christian Plumb and Alistair Bell) CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig called it utterly indefensible if a report is true that top prosecutors in Minnesota resigned after being pressured to investigate the widow of Renee Good, who was shot and killed last week by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Honig joined Jake Tapper on CNNs The Lead on Tuesday, where he went off on a New York Times report on six prosecutors resigning in Minnesota. According to the report, prosecutors like Joseph H. Thompson, formerly second in command at the U.S. attorneys office, resigned over a push by the DOJ to investigate the widow of Good. Good was shot and killed last week by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. ICE officials have claimed Ross acted in self-defense, and Good used her car as a weapon, a narrative local officials like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) have rejected. Footage from the scene shows Good partially blocking a roadway for agents. When they try to get her out of the vehicle, she moves her car, and Ross lets off three rounds. Advertisement Advertisement Honig argued on Tuesday that if senior DOJ officials really were pressing for an investigation into actions by her widow, then they had every reason to resign. He said: Its an utter outrage. If the Department of Justice has chosen to focus their investigation not on the actions of the officer, not on actions of Renee Good at the scene of the fatal shooting, but rather on the widow of the deceased, that is indefensible. First of all, whatever the widow of Renee Good may have done, what her associations may have been is completely and totally irrelevant to the question of whether this was a justified legal self-defense shooting by the ICE officer. Second of all, prosecutors get leads on cases from all different places. Sometimes a cooperator or an informant will give you leads. Sometimes youll read a story in the newspaper, but to get a lead based on a person who was fatally shot and say, now lets look at that persons widow to see if they broke the law, its utterly indefensible. And I think it lends context to why these prosecutors chose to resign. Watch above via CNN. The post CNNs Elie Honig Goes Off On DOJ Reportedly Pushing Probe Into Renee Goods Widow: Utter Outrage first appeared on Mediaite. NEED TO KNOW A 19-year-old college student has been arrested in connection with an alleged arson at a Jewish synagogue Authorities have identified Stephen Spencer Pittman as a suspect The teen sustained burns, and allegedly told his father he finally got them A Mississippi man has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to a Jewish synagogue once bombed by the Ku Klux Klan, authorities said. Stephen Spencer Pittman, 19, of Madison, was taken into custody Saturday evening, Jan. 10 in connection with charges related to the alleged arson of Beth Israel Congregation and the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life building in Jackson, the United States Department of Justice said in a press release on Monday, Jan. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Pittman is accused of using gasoline to set fire to the religious site, resulting in extensive damage to a significant portion of the building which rendered it inoperable indefinitely. DOJ Footage of person setting fire to a religious building in Mississippi Footage of person setting fire to a religious building in Mississippi An individual was seen on CCTV footage inside of the synagogue wearing a hooded top and pouring liquid from what appeared to be a gasoline container. Beth Israel Congregation was founded in 1860. Its present location has been the same since 1967. On Sept. 18 of that year, it was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan. Citing an FBI affidavit, ABC 7 NY reported that the suspect allegedly laughed about the attack, telling his father he finally got them and referring to the place of worship as the synagogue of Satan. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis Beth Israel Congregation synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi Beth Israel Congregation synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi He also allegedly told investigators he set the fire at the religious site because it had "Jewish ties, the outlet and CNN reported. Advertisement Advertisement Pittman received burns to parts of his body during the act, officials said. He transported himself to the University of Mississippi Medical Center where was treated for non-life-threatening burn injuries, and then taken into custody, the office of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said in a release. The Jackson Fire Department responded to the scene, with fire investigators later determining the blaze was intentional, Reeves shared in a release. Reeves, who condemned the heinous act, added that the Beth Israel Congregation is one of Mississippis oldest Jewish institutions. However, due to fire, smoke, and water damage, the building is currently not usable for services. DOJ Arson of Beth Israel and the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life Arson of Beth Israel and the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life This disgusting act of anti-Semitic violence has no place in our country, and unlike the prior administration, this Department of Justice will not let anti-Semitism fester and flourish, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, per the United States Department of Justice press release. Advertisement Advertisement I have directed my prosecutors to seek severe penalties for this heinous act and remain deeply committed to protecting Jewish Americans from hatred, she continued. FBI Director Kash Patel also issued a statement about the "targeted' attack." Every American has a fundamental right to live and worship free from violence and fear, Patel said in the United States Department of Justice release. The FBI will never waver in our mission to protect Jewish communities from targeted anti-Semitic attacks and will work to hold accountable anyone who engages in these types of violent acts." U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi called the hateful, anti-Semitic attack at Beth Israel Congregation both disturbing and unacceptable, in a statement included in the United States Department of Justice release. Mississippians may rest assured that my office will not stand idly by when violence and intimidation threaten our community. We will seek the most serious charges warranted by the evidence and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, Kruger continued. Courtesy of Beth Israel Congregation Beth Israel Congregation Beth Israel Congregation The 19-year-old, who had completed three semesters of college before the incident, appeared in court on Monday and was appointed a public defender, CNN reported. Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, Pittman could face a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. 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. PEOPLE reached out to the Beth Israel Congregation for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. In a post to Facebook on Sunday, Jan. 11, the synagogue shared a link for those who wish to contribute to rebuilding efforts. We thank you deeply for your love and support, the post read. Read the original article on People What a disaster! By their lawless attacks on Venezuela, the desperate men of the Trump administration threaten to trigger a civil war. If the conflict does indeed develop, Trumps accomplices will feel compelled to send in U.S. troops. Once again, our servicemen and women will die in a futile attempt to reverse the damage created in Washington. And the killing of Venezuelans will continue. Although the Trump administration has snatched Nicolas Maduro from the presidency, it it has propped up the rest of his unpopular authoritarian regime. Under the leadership of Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, the government has stepped up repression, arresting journalists and subjecting bystanders to harassment by armed militiamen. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhiile, Trump has dashed the hopes of the exiled democratic leader, Maria Machado, claiming absurdly she is not respected. Machado was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize after winning the 2024 presidential election, whose results were overturned by Maduros corrupt ministers. The killings and the abduction, praised for now by some Venezuelan ex-patriates, will come to be seen realistically: a grab for Venezuelas petroleum resources. If Chevron, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips take on this dubious treasure, they will take on the risk of continued political turbulence. The majority of the population, as represented in the 2024 election, supports a democratic, government with Machado at the helm. These people will soon come to feel betrayed by the United States. The Maduristas, backed by the United States, are digging in. Conflict in this country of 28 million now seems all but inevitable. It will not be easy for the United States to battle in Venezuela, a tropical country that is 1.3 times the size of Texas. Because it is bordered by jungle in Colombia, Guyana, and the Amazonias state of Brazil, the clandestine infiltration of guerrillas and weapons will be nearly impossible to block. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Trump administration is threatening to bomb Colombia, Cuba and Mexico and to invade Greenland. Amid widening hostilities, foreign actors, such as Russia, China, and Iran are likely to intervene. Let us pause the geopolitical analysis for a personal note. As members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), we value every human life as containing the seed of God. Consequently, we deplore violence under any circumstances. We are especially shocked by violence that tends to destroy our democracy and undermine the rule of law. Our Friends Meeting in Dover, which has encouraged us to write this column, has formally stated that it recoil[s] in horror from Trumps violent adventure in Venezuela. That adventure is the latest in a series of illegitimate interventions by the United States in the affairs of other nations, driven by arrogance and an increasingly powerful presidency. There is space here to list only a few. Advertisement Advertisement Vietnam Ho Chi Minh, the nationalist leader who had resisted Japanese aggression during World War II as an ally of United States, approached President Truman repeatedly in 1946-47, seeking support for independence from France. Truman refused, and in 1950 he authorized direct financial and military aid to the French. Ho turned to China and the Soviet Union for support. A decade later the United States invaded Vietnam with the purported goal of stopping the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia. That war, which ended in humiliating defeat, took the lives of some 58,200 US troops at a cost of about $1 trillion in todays dollars. About 3 million Vietnamese lost their lives. A Communist government rules from Hanoi. Nicaragua The U.S.-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza was overthrown by Sandanista revolutionaries in in 1979. Rather than approach the countrys liberators, the United States financed and armed the counter-revolutionary Contras, driving the Sandanistas into the arms of Cuba and the Soviet Union. Despite a US expenditure of more than $300 million, plus secret payments of millions more, the Sandanistas remain in power today. Iraq The invasion of Iraq in 2003 was justified with two lies. Using bogus intelligence, the U.S. falsely claimed that the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. The G.W. Bush administration also claimed falsely that Hussein, a secular Muslim, had ties to the religious fanatics of al-Quaeda, who were responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Eight years of war led to the deaths of 4,826 coalition troops and 32,776 wounded at a cost of more than $2 trillion. Iraqi deaths numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Afghanistan The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 in direct response to the 9/11 attacks. The initial objectives were to destroy al-Qaeda, capture the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, and drive the Taliban from power. Unfortunately, the war became an end in itself, dragging on for 20 years and killing approximately 200,000 Afghans. The war cost $2.26 trillion and left the Taliban in power. Advertisement Advertisement Can we ever put an end to these tragic scenarios? Congress must shake off its passivity in the face of an increasingly powerful executive, and the American people must rise up in peaceful protest against these unending campaigns of violence. Bill Castle, left, and Greg Hunt. Greg Hunt, a Dover resident, served as a military intelligence officer and a Russian area specialist. He has 25 years experience as a chief financial officer. Bill Castle is retired after a career as a newspaper editor. He was employed at the Boston Herald and the Boston Globe as well as at community newspapers. He lives in Portsmouth. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Commentary: Trump's Venezuela move a disaster and it could get worse CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil, a Connecticut native, has scored interviews with some of the leading figures in the Trump administration during a rocky start to his tenure helming the network's flagship news show. On Thursday, that included President Donald Trump himself, who Dokoupil questioned on inflation, the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minn. and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in an interview on the floor of a Ford factory in Detroit, Mich. Advertisement Advertisement Against the din of an assembly line, Dokoupil threw questions at Trump through a 14-minute, seemingly unedited segment. The two settled into a comfortable pattern during the interview; Dokoupil would lob a question at Trump, the president would answer with his usual mix of truth, lies and bombast, and the anchor would move on to the next question, usually with little follow-up. When asked about what he would tell Good's father, a Trump supporter, about his administration's description of the 37-year-old mother as a "domestic terrorist," Trump said, "I would bet you that she, under normal circumstances, was a very solid, wonderful person, but her actions were pretty tough." Loretta Fiora, of Collinsville, holds a sign during a protest against ICE at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Hundreds gathered to stand in solidarity against ICE and demand justice for Renee Good. (Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media) The president described Powell, who is facing a criminal investigation linked to a $2.5 billion renovation of the Fed, as "either corrupt or incompetent," and said that he "can't help what it looks like" when asked by Dokoupil about whether the investigation was political retribution. Advertisement Advertisement And Trump took a shot at the Farmington-born anchor while bragging about how the economy was the "hottest" in the world, though the United States was not in the top 100 countries for real GDP growth as of October 2025, according to the IMF. Trump told Dokoupil that "if (Kamala Harris) got in, you probably wouldn't have a job right now." When Dokoupil pushed back, telling Trump at the end of the interview that he thought he'd have his anchor job regardless of who won the 2024 Presidential election, Trump ended the conversation by quipping, "yeah, but at a lesser salary." Viewers in Connecticut were able to watch the interview on their local CBS affiliate, either Channel 3 WFSB or Channel 2 WCBS, depending on their media market. CBS News anchor Tony Dokoupil, center, interviews people near the site where Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed on Jan. 8, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Dokoupil's presidential interview comes after his first weeks in his new role at CBS have seen him draw both praise and criticism for his comments saluting Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the "ultimate Florida man" during a segment, and commentary on Good's killing last week. Advertisement Advertisement Dokoupil, who was born in Connecticut, before growing up out of state, promised when he debuted to tailor his show to his viewers' questions and ignore the opinions of "elites" and the "legacy media." His first week featured teleprompter flubs and moments of dead air, but also high-wattage interviews with Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Media commentators have tied much of Dokoupil's on-air messaging back to his boss, Bari Weiss, a right-leaning opinion journalist who took over CBS in October and has invested heavily in a new-look "Evening News" as part of her vision for a reinvented CBS, according to the New York Times. Weiss drew criticism last month, including from U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., for delaying a "60 Minutes" segment about the treatment of migrants deported from the United States to a prison in El Salvador. She has been viewed by many on the left as trying to steer the network in a more pro-Trump direction. Tony Dokoupil reporting from Doral, Fla. (CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images) Although Dokoupil's broadcast has brought more media attention to the "Evening News" than under previous co-anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, it did not move the ratings needle significantly in its first week, with the show still trailing competitors on ABC and NBC. Advertisement Advertisement Trump's visit to the Michigan Ford plant was part of a push by the president to encourage more American manufacturing, his time in the state also included a speech at the Detroit Economic Club on Tuesday. The president's CBS interview was just the latest in a recent press tour that has seen him sit down with Sean Hannity of Fox News, as well as several reporters for the New York Times, in part to promote the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and attempts to seize the country's oil reserves. This article originally published at Connecticut native Tony Dokoupil and Trump talked economy, Renee Good on CBS. Here's what to know. Illinois residents have an extra 16 days to enroll in health insurance through the state's official marketplace, according to an announcement from Get Covered Illinois. Customers now have until Jan. 31 to apply for and enroll in coverage through Get Covered Illinois. "We are seeing record numbers of customers finding more affordable coverage by taking the time to shop for and compare plans," Morgan Winters, director of Get Covered Illinois, said in the announcement. "As a state-based marketplace, not only do we now have the authority to offer this special enrollment extension, but we also have more resources to support our customers in finding affordable health coverage options." Advertisement Advertisement More: Illinois Department of Human Services reports yearslong data breach Illinois invested nearly $7 million into navigator grants, which provide enrollment support to residents, and has built a strong certified broker network. Brokers are critical enrollment partners who help customers navigate the application and enrollment process and provide individual plan recommendations, according to the announcement. These services are free to Illinois residents. "There are more than 140 navigators and 9,000 brokers located around the state who stand ready to help our customers apply for and enroll in quality health coverage," Ezra Watland, chief operating officer at Get Covered Illinois, said in the announcement. "I recommend anyone needing health coverage or who hasnt taken the time to compare their options, use this additional time to reach out to a broker or navigator." Residents can connect with navigators and brokers by using the Get Covered Illinois online directory, according to the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement The deadline for enrolling in coverage starting Feb. 1 is Jan. 31. Visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov to apply and enroll or call the Customer Assistance Center at 866-311-1119 (TTY: 711). The Customer Assistance Center is offering extended hours through Jan. 31. This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@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 https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Health insurance deadline extended by Get Covered Illinois A Chicago Public Schools teacher's drowning death has been ruled a suicide, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said on Tuesday. Linda Brown, a 53-year-old Robert Healy Elementary special education teacher, was found dead in Lake Michigan on Monday. If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org or dial the current toll free number 800-273-8255 [TALK]. The Chicago Police Department said its marine unit recovered her body from the water in the 3100-block of South Lake Shore Drive on the city's South Side just before noon. Advertisement Advertisement Brown had been missing for over one week, and her family spent days searching for her. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Those who knew Brown have described her as a loving woman and wife. In a text message, her family said they are "absolutely heartbroken." 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. Advertisement Advertisement Lopez said he became the first in his family to graduate, and Brown played a strong role in that. "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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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." After more than five months in space, four astronauts on a mission known as Crew-11 are about to cut their mission short and return to Earth. Since the beginning of August, the crew of the joint NASA and SpaceX mission have lived and worked at the International Space Station, conducting scientific research and keeping the iconic outpost humming along. But a health issue in January with one of the spacefarers prompted NASA to initiate the first medical evacuation in the space station's 25-year history. Now, the Crew-11 members, including two Americans, are potentially a day away from boarding the spacecraft that brought them to the orbital laboratory to make their way home. 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 the Crew-11 mission, including a look at the astronauts and what they've been up to at the ISS. Advertisement Advertisement Spaceflight in 2026: 6 spaceflights ahead in year ahead, from NASA moon missions to SpaceX Starship When will Crew-11 astronauts be medically evacuated? After one of the Crew-11 astronauts experienced what NASA called a "medical concern," the space agency made the decision to cut the mission short and return all four of them to Earth. Citing privacy, NASA did not specify the nature of the medical issue, nor identify the crew member, who is now stable. The astronauts 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. Advertisement Advertisement NASA will provide live coverage of the return of the astronauts on the agency's streaming app, NASA+. What is the SpaceX Crew-11? Four SpaceX Crew-11 members pose for a portrait inside the International Space Station. Clockwise from bottom left are, NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui. As the name suggests, Crew-11 is NASA and SpaceX's 11th science expedition to the International Space Station. 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 of Crew-11? The four crew members of NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station train inside a Dragon training crew spacecraft at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California. From left to right: Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, and JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui. 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 How long will Crew-11 be in space? When they reached ISS The four astronauts selected for the mission reached the orbital laboratory after an Aug. 1, 2025, launch, replacing the Crew-10 contingent. They themselves will eventually be replaced by the Crew-12 mission. 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 have the NASA astronauts been doing at the ISS? Since their arrival more than five months ago, the Crew-11 astronauts have participated in scientific research aboard the International Space Station while assisting in routine station maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps most prominently, Crew-11 helped NASA prepare for its upcoming Artemis human missions to the moon by conducting experiments to simulate landing scenarios that astronauts could encounter near the lunar South Pole. In her downtime, Cardman also practiced her craft as a budding astral photographer, documenting celestial wonders like auroras on Earth. Cardman and Fincke were also due to participate in a Jan. 8 spacewalk before the undisclosed medical issue prompted NASA to indefinitely postpone it. The spacewalk, which would have involved the astronauts suiting up to partake in activity outside of the space station, would have been Cardman's first and Fincke's 10th. Had Fincke completed the spacewalk, he would have tied the record with Peggy Whitson for most spacewalks by a NASA astronaut. Advertisement Advertisement 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: What is Crew-11? Return date, what to know about SpaceX, NASA mission A crypto investor and his family were bound with cable ties and beaten during a violent home invasion in Verneuil-sur-Seine, France, on Friday evening, as armed attackers targeted the familys digital assets before fleeing toward a nearby train station. The incident adds to Frances escalating crisis of crypto-related violence, bringing the countrys total to 14 documented attacks in recent weeks. According to LeParisien, three armed men burst into the familys residence around 8 p.m., wielding a handgun as they forced their way inside. Advertisement Advertisement The father, who heads a crypto investment firm, and his wife endured repeated beatings before attackers restrained them and their two children with cable ties. The family managed to free themselves under circumstances that remain unclear and sought refuge with neighbors, who immediately contacted the police. Authorities confirmed the assailants fled toward Verneuil-sur-Seines train station but remain at large. The Criminal Investigation Department is tracking down the criminals. | Source: LeParisien. Criminal Networks Exploit Government Data to Target Victims The attack follows shocking revelations that criminals access tax databases to identify cryptocurrency holders. Advertisement Advertisement French prosecutors imprisoned tax official Ghalia C. on June 30, 2025, after discovering she used Mira tax software to provide addresses and financial details to organized crime networks. Investigators found that she specifically searched for crypto investors, billionaires, and prison officials before selling their information for approximately 800 euros per operation. This woman abused her position in a completely abnormal manner to serve a hardened criminal, prosecutors stated during her hearing. Police linked her data sales to multiple violent robberies, including a September 26, 2024, attack on a prison officer whose home address she provided to armed assailants. Advertisement Advertisement She refused to unlock her phone or identify her criminal contacts during interrogation. France Leads Global Surge in Physical Crypto Attacks Physical violence against cryptocurrency holders has reached unprecedented levels, with security researcher Jameson Lopp documenting 269 total attacks globally since tracking began. The year 2025 has recorded 65 incidents through early January, averaging more than one per week. France leads all nations with 14 confirmed cases, representing nearly a quarter of Western Europes total. Source: Haseebq Criminals successfully steal assets in 2/3 of documented attacks, while 60% of perpetrators eventually face capture. Advertisement Advertisement Attackers have adopted sophisticated tactics, including fake delivery uniforms, stolen service vans, and extensive surveillance operations. Western Europe accounts for 27% of global attacks, followed by North America at 24% and Asia-Pacific at 20%. Recent incidents demonstrate escalating brutality. Just days before the Verneuil-sur-Seine attack, three hooded individuals invaded a home in Manosque, tying up a woman at gunpoint while demanding crypto data from a USB drive. In November, a San Francisco resident lost $11 million when an attacker posing as a delivery driver forced entry during early morning hours. Advertisement Advertisement A British Columbia family endured waterboarding and sexual assault as attackers stole $1.6 million in cryptocurrency after initially demanding 200 Bitcoin. Market Growth Drives Violence as Criminals Shift Tactics Investor Haseeb Qureshis analysis revealed a 0.67 correlation between crypto market capitalization and attack frequency, with 45% of the variance in violence explained by price movements alone. Crypto was actually more dangerous in 2015 and in 2018, back when crypto was very small, Qureshi noted, observing that while Coinbases monthly users increased 60-fold from 2 million to 120 million, violence hasnt grown proportionally. Attack severity has intensified dramatically. Current data shows 51% classified as serious involving armed robbery or kidnapping, 21% as severe including torture, and 5% resulting in fatalities. Advertisement Advertisement Source: Haseebq Security researcher Jameson Lopp advises crypto holders to keep their wealth anonymous and avoid face-to-face trades entirely. He talked particularly about Dubai. Dubai is actually from a number of different perspectives very risky, Lopp noted, though acknowledging the UAE maintains a 100% success rate in capturing criminals before they escape. The Verneuil-sur-Seine investigation continues with no arrests announced. Authorities have not disclosed whether financial losses occurred during the attack. Read original story Crypto Investor's Family Tied Up and Beaten by Armed Gangs in Their Home by Anas Hassan at Cryptonews.com Afghan refugees, like all refugees, are those who are persecuted or who (have) a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries. But many Afghan refugees are subject to persecution for their service to the United States. Those people, thousands of whom have been resettled in Connecticut since the fall of Kabul in 2021, have built lives here with the help of volunteers from immigrants groups, church congregations and veterans. Now those people say the safety and stability they were building in the U.S. has turned to fear and waiting as the Trump administration enacts sweeping immigration changes to purge the country of immigrants, both legal and illegal. One of them, an Afghan woman who worked with American military and fled to escape the Taliban, began a new life in Connecticut this spring. Advertisement Advertisement She is passionate about America, which she calls calm and friendly. With her husband and four children, she said she felt safe and hopeful, aspiring to become a medical assistant, until the Trump administration ruled it would reexamine green cards for people from 19 countries including Afghanistan. I hope for the best and that everything will be fine, the woman told the Courant in a phone interview. Immigration advocates and lawmakers say the future remains uncertain for Afghan refugees, who were initially brought to the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome. Advocates say if forced to return to Afghanistan, they would face a serious threat to their life and safety from the Taliban. The U.S. considers the country to be a haven for international terrorist groups, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has called it the most repressive nation in the world regarding womens rights and potentially guilty of crimes against humanity. Advertisement Advertisement Effective Jan. 1, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States, the Department of State fully suspended visa issuance to nationals of Afghanistan, including Afghan Special Immigrant Visas. The U.S. government estimates tens of thousands of additional Afghans who remain in Afghanistan or other countries potentially qualify for various forms of immigration relief, denied as a result of new Trump administration policies. In addition, in November, Trump ordered officials to reexamine all green cards previously issued to people from 19 countries of concern, casting doubt on whether those the government brought to the U.S. over the past few years will be returned to the threats they fled. The 19 targeted countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. President Donald Trumps administration ended temporary protected status for Afghans in April 2025. According to the Afghan Special Immigrant Visas Quarterly Report for the second quarter of 2025, the average time to complete the 13-step vetting process from application to issuance of Afghan special immigrant visas (which are issued to Afghan U.S. allies) was 796 days. According to the report, approximately 125,000 primary applicants (who often bring eligible family members) had pending applications. Advertisement Advertisement Before they have been in the U.S. one year, applicants who come to the U.S. through Afghan SIVs may apply for asylum. And if approved for asylum, applicants may apply for a green card granting lawful permanent resident status. Five years after obtaining a green card, applicants may apply for naturalization. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he has come to know personally more than 100 Afghan allies who served as interpreters, translators, guards and guides and they are not just at risk but will have targets on their backs if they are returned to Afghanistan. They will be tortured and murdered along with their families by the Taliban because they helped the United States during the conflict with the Taliban, he said. They put their lives on the line to help our troops and diplomats and they, along with their families, will pay the price if the Taliban get their hands on them. Their situation is extremely dire. The level of anxiety and apprehension has reached heightened levels because they have no idea what the future will bring. Blumenthal said the government has has seemingly yanked away from them the hope they had to make new lives here and be productive members of our society. I dont know of any that have any criminal record. The United States made a promise to them. Literally it promised these people they would have a new life here if the Taliban took over there and now the United States seemingly is reneging on that promise and my feeling is a great nation keeps its promises and the United States ought to keep its promises. Advertisement Advertisement Blumenthal had advocated for the release of Zia, who served as a translator for the U.S. military during the war in Afghanistan and was granted a chief of mission special immigration visa in 2024. He was arrested by ICE when he went to provide fingerprints for his green card in July. Advocates say he had no criminal history. He was detained at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts until his release in October. Blumenthal said that Zias status is still unsettled. The immigration policy changes follow the shooting Nov. 26 of two National Guard members near the White House. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is a legal Afghan immigrant who worked with the CIA in Afghanistan and was legally admitted to the U.S. in 2021. National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed in the shooting and another was injured. The Trump administration has said the new policies are necessary to ensure that those entering the country or are already here do not pose a security threat. Advertisement Advertisement On Truth Social, Trump posted This is part of the horrendous airlift from Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of people poured into our Country totally unvetted and unchecked. We will fix it, but will never forget what Crooked Joe Biden and his Thugs did to our Country! Immigrants, he said the same day, are mostly on welfare, from failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels and are responsible for social dysfunction, failed schools, high crime, urban decay, overcrowded hospitals, housing shortages, and large deficits. Dana Bucin, an immigration attorney and partner with Harris Beach Murtha in Hartford, said she hopes if the government does have issues with individual cases that it would provide due process. I am not sure what is being desired to be achieved here because our legal obligations under U.S. domestic law is to not send someone to a place where they would be prosecuted on account of their political opinion, ethnicity, nationality, religion, membership and social group or race, Bucin said. Advertisement Advertisement Trump has advocated potentially sending asylum seekers to third countries that have agreed to accept them, such as Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador and Uganda. Trump has previously sent asylum seekers to Guatemala, Panama and Colombia, according to the American Immigration Council. Helping resettle families Susan and Michael Sames, part of the Simsbury United Methodist Church, have been volunteering since 2021 to help resettle refugees including the Afghan family who recently resettled in the country and spoke to the Courant. They have helped settle five families including two from Afghanistan and three from Syria. We do feel in a sense we have adopted them and we love all these families, said Susan Sames. We have 23 people and 15 kids. All these people are really looking to us to help them get through this. I dont know how to make it if we lose one of them to this deportation. Among them is a 5-year-old girl from Afghanistan. Sames said she fears what might happen to her if she is forced back to a country under Taliban rule. Advertisement Advertisement They are going to marry her off if she goes back to Afghanistan, she said of reports girls are being married to Taliban members. I dont think that is what the American people want, Sames said. I dont think people want to have our formal allies be thrust back into the situation. Daad Serweri, associate director of sponsorship at IRIS, who served as a translator for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said that it goes without saying that if Afghans are deported to their country of origin, there is a very serious risk to life and their safety. Women have no rights in Afghanistan and will definitely face persecution, detention and torture and even death, if they are deported, he said. If they have asylum they will definitely be considered as disloyal or what the current administration calls westernized and this is sufficient to make Afghans a target for retaliation upon return, Serweri said. Advertisement Advertisement Serweri said Afghan refugees are living in deep fear. They are severely distressed because they do not know what is going to happen and there is mistrust in the process, he said. A new beginning The Afghan refugee who spoke to the Courant said she worked with U.S. forces from 2012 to 2014, when she served as an interpreter. She then taught in private school until 2021. When the U.S. left Afghanistan in 2021, the woman said, she was fearful, living in secrecy and dressing from head to toe in the burqa. Every second I was scared, she said. She worried the Taliban would take her daughter away. When the Taliban began going door to door, she burned the papers identifying her with the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and stayed away from the home until they had passed. Rapes were occurring when the Taliban went door to door and she feared for her daughter, she said. Advertisement Advertisement The family secured a visa and arrived in Connecticut in May 2025. Susan and Michael Sames made her family feel at home as soon as they arrived, she said, and her children feel safe. Once she asked if they ever wanted to go back to Kabul, and they told her Mommy never ask this question again, she said. Her 15-year-old daughter, and sons 13, 12 and 7 years old, are happy in school. It feels so incredibly good to see the kids go into school. Their children are very bright and eager to be in school, Michael Sames said, noting they have learned English quickly. The Trump administration made false assumptions about most of these people. I dont think they really understand who these people are, Michael Sames said. Susan Sames agreed. For all of our differences we are all the same, she said. They are devoted to their children and did all of this to bring their kids here to have a better life. Blumenthal said there is hope for the refugees because Americans are decent and caring and understand that these individuals and families have risked their lives to serve our troops and diplomats abroad and they understand the promises that have been made and are hopeful that the Trump administration will listen to the American people who respect the basic sense of decency and fairness. But, Blumenthal added, when he speaks to them, he avoids false reassurances. The Trump administration has been cruel and draconian, he said. In fact (the administration) has detained U.S. citizens and threatened to deport them. This cruel and misguided policy will have human consequences. Susan Sames said she is inspired by the families courage. They are trying not to borrow tomorrows trouble, she said. They are trying to just make sure they are enjoying what they have now and trusting that things will work and faith that they have the ability to deal with this regardless of what happens. Customers left hundreds of pounds out of pocket after a furnishing shop abruptly closed have voiced "frustration and disappointment" after it emerged the owner had opened a brand new business the same week. The owner of J Franks Interiors in Chelmsford told customers the original company had gone bust and they should claim refunds from their credit card provider. Yet records from Companies House show Jason Franks, the owner, started a new firm selling blinds, shutters and curtains, similar to the old store, just days later. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Franks said "we deeply sympathise" with those who lost out and blamed "difficult trading conditions" for the closure of the business and denied the new company was an example of "phoenixing", where directors start up new companies in order to avoid debts associated with a previous firm. Judith and Adrian Gibbons, from Brightlingsea in north Essex, chose to buy curtains from J Franks Interiors because they wanted "to support a small, independent, local business". After choosing the fabric, they paid a 737 deposit and placed their order in March 2025. The couple were told the curtains would be delivered in June. Advertisement Advertisement But after months of "delays and stalling", they received a text message from Mr Franks on 7 October saying "the company had gone into liquidation". Mrs Gibbons said she felt "frustrated, sad and annoyed" and was "sad that we didn't get the truth earlier on in the process". Mr Franks said "we worked hard to resolve the issue" but a "protracted" situation involving supplying the correct curtain track meant "the business ceased trading before the issue could be resolved". Mr Franks bought the store in Moulsham Street, which was previously called Curtain Talk, in July 2023. Advertisement Advertisement He is a director of two companies associated with the business; Moulsham Interiors, which was dissolved in August 2025 and J Franks Interiors, which is still listed as "active" on Companies House, but has two outstanding county court judgements amounting to 3,632. The BBC understands insolvency practitioners AABRS have been appointed as receivers. Action Report, formerly known as Action Fraud, confirmed it had received a report about the business, but it "has not been passed to a police force for investigation at this time". The store had positive online reviews until about a year ago, with customers praising its "professionalism" and "attention to detail". Advertisement Advertisement But two most recent ones are negative, with complaints about "unreliable service" and "terrible communication", after which comments were switched off. A new company, Nook Interiors Limited was registered on Companies House on 6 October. The website for the business said it offer shutters, curtains and blinds and had "30 years of interior styling experience". The J Franks Interiors shop on Moulsham Street in Chelmsford is now up for let [BBC/Charlotte Rose] The BBC has spoken to other customers who paid deposits for goods they did not receive. It includes a couple from Chelmsford who paid 2,280 to have six antique dining chairs and two sofas re-upholstered. Six weeks after the shop closed they did get their furniture returned to them, but the work had not been completed. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Franks said: "Given the surrounding circumstances of store closure, the return of the furniture did unfortunately take some weeks as you note." Another woman from Old Moulsham was unhappy with the service she received. She paid 1,340 for shutter blinds from J Franks Interiors which were fitted in 2024 but which she said were defective. The homeowner said she had been contacting the company ever since to get them replaced, but had now "lost hope" as the company has ceased trading. Safer buying Consumer expert Rob Lilley-Jones from Which? has offered some tips when making a larger purchase: Advertisement Advertisement Always check a company's credentials, especially if buying online Buy it on a credit card as it gives you greater protection Keep records of order numbers, receipts and any paperwork to do with the purchase If a firm goes bust, contact your credit card company and the administrators as soon as possible with evidence of what you are owed If you think you've been the victim of a scam get in touch with Report Fraud or the National Cyber Security Centre A former employee told the BBC that in mid 2025 they became concerned about the way Mr Franks was running the business. They alleged bills were not being paid on time and products were not being ordered when customers paid deposits, leading to long delays. "I just feel really bad for anyone that's handed over any money on a promise from the company when the owner was obviously not ordering any products" they said. Advertisement Advertisement The staff member left the company in September . They added they did not think the business closure was simply down to bad management. "All the display books and sample books from the shop disappeared, which would be no use to anyone unless they were starting a new business." "I fear he's gonna open a shop somewhere, different name, and do the whole scenario all over again," he told the BBC in an interview recorded before the new business came to light. Mr Franks said: "Unfortunately, trading conditions for J Franks Interiors became very difficult in the latter half of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement "As a result, there were customers whose orders were never fulfilled, and this is a matter of considerable regret to us." He blamed UK economic conditions for the business' failure, which he said had "negatively impacted many other similar businesses small and large". Mr Franks denied the new company was an example of "phoenixing" because no assets from the previous business had been used and it had not been set up to avoid debts. He added that because the new business had no physical store it would be "free of the heavy burden of rising rents and business rates" and a smaller team will reduce "exposure to increased employer's national insurance contributions". Advertisement Advertisement Follow Essex news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830 More from London and East Investigations Related internet links A top aide to Cyprus' president has resigned after a video circulated online appearing to show him and others offering political influence to would-be investors in exchange for cash. President Nikos Christodoulides said he accepted the resignation of Charalambos Charalambous who is the director of the presidential office and his brother-in-law describing it as "an act of self-confidence" and "not of pressure or guilt". Charalambous had earlier posted on Facebook that he would never allow his government job to be "converted into a tool of manipulation" to harm Cyprus or the president. Advertisement Advertisement He called his appearance in the video a product of "deliberate distortions" and of "selective editing" aimed at manufacturing false and misleading conclusions. The video, posted on social media last week, features Charalambous alongside a former energy minister and the chief executive of a major construction firm. The trio are heard boasting about their close relationship to the president and securing foreign investments, as if to suggest influence peddling. The footage also claims that Christodoulides exceeded a 1 million campaign funding cap by taking off-the-books cash donations for his 2023 presidential run. Advertisement Advertisement The most damning allegation is that the Cypriot government would work to block EU sanctions against Russian oligarchs in exchange for corporate cash. Cypriot authorities had called the video a malicious disinformation attack bearing all the hallmarks of previous Russian campaigns against other countries. An initial Cyprus Security Services analysis said the eight-and-a-half-minute video exhibits "the characteristics of organised Russian disinformation campaigns". Related Advertisement Advertisement The video surfaced a week after Cyprus a staunch supporter of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assumed the EU's rotating presidency, rousing suspicions among Cypriot officials about its intentions. Christodoulides on Monday said that the 27-nation bloc had warned the Cypriot government that it could be the target of such "hybrid" attacks during its EU presidency. He said that EU members and other third countries are assisting Cypriot authorities in their investigation into the video. "In such moments of crisis, any leader, when his hands are clean, must be calm," he told reporters. "I am here. I am publicly taking a position. I have nothing to fear." Opposition parties have been scathing in their criticism of Christodoulides and his government, saying the video has revived long-standing allegations of rife state corruption. NEED TO KNOW The Coast Guard said authorities were notified on Jan. 9 about a missing 68-year-old man who failed to return to his Airbnb in Puerto Rico The man's daughter said her father went surfing the previous day in the vicinity of Surfers Beach He was later found and rescued by a helicopter A 68-year-old man who went surfing in Puerto Rico and was reported missing after he failed to return was found alive over 30 hours later. In a statement over the weekend, the Coast Guard said they first heard that the man was missing on Friday, Jan 9, after he failed to return to his Airbnb by which point he'd already been missing for more than 24 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking with his daughter, officials were able to confirm that the man went surfing in the vicinity of Surfers Beach in Aguadilla at noon local time on Thursday, Jan 8, and had not been heard from since. With assistance from other authorities, the maritime law enforcement agency said an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was dispatched from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen to perform shoreline and offshore searches north of Aguadilla. During their shoreline search, the helicopter crew spotted an individual matching the description of the missing surfer stranded on rocks outside Surfers Beach, next to a surfboard and attempting to signal the aircraft, the Coast Guard said, explaining that due to surrounding rocks, reefs, and sea conditions, the location was inaccessible by foot or boat. U.S. Coast Guard Southeast The Coast Guard shared footage of a 68-year-old man who had earlier went missing after surfing in Puerto Rico The Coast Guard shared footage of a 68-year-old man who had earlier went missing after surfing in Puerto Rico The Coast Guard later shared footage of the 68-year-old man, who appeared to be holding onto walking sticks, as he made his way to safety. Advertisement Advertisement He was then placed in a stretcher and lifted up by the rescue chopper. The aircrew conducted a flawless hoist operation and safely recovered the individual aboard the aircraft despite difficult nighttime conditions and low visibility, the agency added. Capt. Robert Stiles, the deputy sector commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan who coordinated the search and rescue mission, hailed the outcome in a press statement. We activated the inter-agency search and rescue effort as soon as we received the information, especially after realizing that it had been more than 24 hours Stiles said. It was truly a team effort and I appreciate the responsiveness and professionalism of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, the Sector San Juan Command Center and our local emergency responders. 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. Stiles encouraged those entering the waters to have a plan, wear proper-life saving equipment, and to tell someone about theyre planning to do in advance. Read the original article on People KANSAS CITY, Mo. A courtroom battle more than a year in the making is now underway one that could once again reshape abortion access across Missouri. Day one of the trial between Planned Parenthood and the State of Missouri opened on Monday with sweeping implications for reproductive health in the Show Me State. Baby dies in Salina; adult accused of homicide At the heart of the case: how far the state can go in placing limits around abortion care, even after voters approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement The trial is expected to last two weeks and has all the markings of a courtroom drama expert witnesses, oversized evidentiary displays, and testimony that could directly impact the lives of countless women across Missouri. Right now, abortion remains legal in the state only because the judge overseeing the case granted an injunction. That temporary order will soon give way to a final ruling that will determine not just what Missouri law allows but how it will be enforced. Both sides made it clear from the outset, neither is backing down. The legal fight traces back to 2024, when Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment granting the right to abortion. Advertisement Advertisement That vote followed the Missouri Legislatures near-total abortion ban after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, triggering Missouris abortion ban. Kansas City doctor debunks popular New Years health myths Inside the courtroom on day one, opening statements set the tone. Two key witnesses took the stand, the chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers and Planned Parenthood Great Plains CEO, the plaintiffs in this case. Their argument is simple they should be allowed to continue providing care without what they describe as unnecessary and harmful restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri, sharply criticized the states position. The state is trying to protect their ability to lie to, mislead and control Missourians pregnancy outcomes and their healthTheir ultimate goal is not about health and safety, its about power and control, Schwarz said. The states plan is to push back hard, arguing that while voters approved abortion access, that access was never meant to be without limits. Their case hinges on what they describe as necessary guardrails to protect womens health and safety. Samuel Lee, director of Campaign Life Missouri, made that argument clear. Advertisement Advertisement Well the people voted to not only have access to abortion but also to have health and safety for women who seek abortions and thats what planned parenthood wants to throw out, he said. This is a bench trial meaning the judge alone will weigh the evidence and issue a ruling. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Even as this case unfolds, the abortion debate in Missouri is far from over. In November, abortion will once again appear on the ballot, setting the stage for yet another pivotal decision by voters in a state where the issue continues to hang in the balance. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The death toll in a collapsed landfill in the central Philippines has risen to 11, authorities said. The landslide occurred at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City last week while more than 100 workers were on site, officials said. Rescuers have so far pulled 12 injured people out of the debris, but more than 20 people still remain missing. One local fire official had earlier told AFP that was unlikely for "people to still be alive" three days after "tons of debris collapsed over them". Advertisement Advertisement But "signs of life" were detected in the debris during a search on Monday, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival told GMA News in an interview, adding that officials remain in "rescue mode". The incident has sparked calls for investigation into the cause of the collapse, as well as a review of the country's waste management system. Environment authorities have since ordered Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc., the landfill's operator, to suspend its activities at the site. The company would have to "submit a compliance plan within 90 days", the local Department of Environment and Natural Resources said in a statement on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement The department also said it would conduct an investigation into the cause of the collapse and hold to account the responsible parties. Relatives are waiting for any form of updates on their loved ones [Getty Images] Lawmakers have called for reviews of the country's waste management system and working conditions of waste workers. "This should have never happened," Senator Imee Marcos, who has requested an investigation into the Binaliw landfill's operations, said on Monday. "We have seen similar tragedies before, yet the same dangers persist." "The lives lost in Cebu demand clear answers and real reforms." Bienvinido Ranido, who lives near the landfill and whose wife worked there, told Reuters that he saw people fleeing from the site last week, saying the "garbage exploded". Advertisement Advertisement "I quickly took my motorcycle and rushed to the landfill. When I got there, I saw the collapsed building and it was buried by the garbage. I just screamed," he said. Rescuers retrieved his wife's body the next day. The Binaliw landfill is located on a piece of land measuring 20 hectares (49 acres) - three hectares of which are used for the landfill, Cebu newspaper The Freeman reported, citing the landfill's operator. While authorities are still looking into the cause of the landslide, a preliminary report from the local Mines and Geosciences Bureau points to continuous rainfall in recent weeks, which made the rubbish heavier, as well as other engineering factors, local media reported. Landfills are common in major Philippine cities like Cebu, which is the trading centre and transportation gateway of the Visayas, the archipelago nation's central islands. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images Picture the scene: you climb into bed and drift off with ease only to be wide awake again around 3am. This has been my reality for the last few months. Im often then left wide awake in the middle of the night, heart racing and unable to fall back to sleep. I had to find out why this was happening, so I tracked down two sought-after sleep experts to give me some answers... Although frustrating, waking up around 3-4am and being unable to fall back asleep is a common problem and may be more frequent in women, explains behavioral sleep specialist Dr Carleara Weiss, PhD, MS, RN, a Sleep Science Advisor at Aeroflow Sleep. Here, Dr Weiss, along with Dr. William Lu, MD, a sleep medicine physician and Medical Director at digital sleep clinic Dreem Health, each explain the potential reasons behind these 3am wake ups, plus their advice on how to fall asleep quickly again. Credit: Getty Images Why do I keep waking up at 3am? As annoying as it is, I know that Im certainly not alone in waking up at 3am or 4am most days. Being unable to stay asleep all night is a common problem, and there are many different reasons behind it. Arousals during sleep can be attributed to various causes, explains Dr Lu. These range from underlying issues like hormonal changes due to aging or menopause, or specific sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea. "Additionally, environmental factors and lifestyle choices play a significant role, continues Dr Lu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simple elements like light exposure, noise levels, room temperature, consumption of caffeine or alcohol in the evening, and inconsistent bedtimes can all contribute to those frequent 3-4 am awakenings. Lets take a closer look at some of the most common reasons behind those 3am wake ups... Credit: Getty Images Insomnia and other underlying sleep issues Underlying sleep issues can cause you to wake up at 3am. These include insomnia, a disorder characterized by problems falling and staying asleep, as well as waking up at night. Theres also sleep apnea, characterized by interrupted breathing at night, and nocturia, the repeated need to urinate at night. Parasomnias, such as sleep walking or sleep talking, could also be to blame for your nighttime waking. If you suspect that you could have an underlying sleep issue, speak to your doctor to get professional advice and to discuss treatment. External factors Dont underestimate how much of an impact noisy neighbors, snoring partners or a blinking light from a charging device can have on your ability to stay asleep all night too. Credit: Future Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brushing up on your sleep hygiene, which means that your bedroom is optimally set up for sleep, is step one. That means ensuring all ambient light is blocked out, that your bedroom is the right temperature for sleeping, and it's quiet too. Your mattress can also cause you to wake up through the night, so it's worth investing in the best mattress for your body. Lifestyle choices Inconsistent bedtimes, late night sugary snacks, caffeine and alcohol consumption can each interfere with an optimal sleep cycle, and ultimately your ability to stay asleep all night. Credit: Getty Images You might not think that your nightcap, afternoon cappuccino or heavy meal before bed affects your sleep (you have no trouble falling asleep, after all). However, if youre partial to the above habits and wonder why you cant sleep through the night, its worth reconsidering your choices. Hormonal fluctuations Both the menopause and perimenopause, which is the stage leading up to menopause, cause fluctuations in hormone levels, which can impact both sleep quality and quantity for women aged 35 and over. Most notably, a drop in estrogen can make it difficult for women to regulate their temperature at night, which can lead to night sweats and hot flushes. (Investing in one of the best cooling mattresses can help with this.) A drop in progesterone further disrupts the ability to both fall and stay asleep, while elevated nighttime levels of cortisol can add to difficulties staying asleep and fuelling feelings of anxiety. Credit: Getty Images Stress and anxiety Stress and anxiety cause cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for making us feel alert during the day, to rise. Unsurprisingly, being in a heightened state of arousal makes it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Waking up with a racing mind, heightened alertness, or worry often signals sleep disturbances related to stress and anxiety, explains Dr Lu. Ding ding ding, we have a winner. Waking with a racing heart and a head full of whirring thoughts feels all-too familiar to me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that resonates with you too, Dr Lu and Dr Weiss share their tips to falling back to sleep when elevated stress levels have woken you up further down the page. The culprits behind my 3am wake-ups For me, my racing heart and quickened breathing indicates that my 3am wakes are caused by stress and anxiety. As a woman in the 40+ age category, the underlying cause of this could be due to an increase in cortisol, the hormone responsible for our fight or flight response. During perimenopause, which is the reproductive life stage I'm likely in, rising cortisol levels are exacerbated by a drop in key hormones that are pivotal to sleep quality. These are estrogen and progesterone. people suffering from anxiety and depression may have a heightened cortisol level or be sensitive to its rise, which may cause an early morning awakening Carleara Weiss, PhD, MS, RN Regardless of the root cause of my underlying anxiety, the result is the same Im left wide awake in the middle of the night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This, explains Dr Weiss, is due to a Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). CAR is a natural surge of the hormone cortisol that happens within the first 30-45 minutes after waking, she explains, noting that cortisol functions as an alarm clock, preparing our bodies for the day by boosting alertness, energy, and focus. Although the peak in CAR occurs between 30-45 minutes after awakening, cortisol production begins to increase around 3am to 4am. "Therefore, people suffering from sleep disorders, such as insomnia or OSA, or mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, may have a heightened cortisol level or be sensitive to its rise, which may cause an early morning awakening, she explains. Credit: Getty Images How to tell what's waking you up in the middle of the night Underlying sleep disorder or stress and anxiety how can you tell what's keeping you awake at night? "This is a critical question, because daytime symptoms may be similar," explains Dr Weiss, who recommends exploring the symptoms you're experiencing in addition to your 3am wake ups. "For instance, daytime symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, irritability, and lack of attention or concentration may be common for a person experiencing nighttime awakenings due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or stress and anxiety," continues the sleep apnea expert. Credit: Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement However, those with OSA will experience different nighttime symptoms to someone with anxiety, such as loud snoring, a dry mouth and coughing. "They may also have a sore throat and a dry mouth, and sometimes halitosis upon awakening, which does not apply to those experiencing stress and anxiety," explains Dr Weiss. In addition to staying in tune with your symptoms, Dr Lu recommend thinking about thinking about what is happening in your day to day life. "A recent history of stress in your daily life can further suggest that your nighttime awakenings are stress-related," he explains. How to fall back asleep when you're awake at 3am If elevated stress levels are the cause of your nighttime awakenings, both Dr Weiss and Dr Lu agree that the key to falling back to sleep is to regulate your sympathetic nervous system. "This can be done by keeping lights low and not checking the time, and by slowing your breathing," advises Dr Lu. "If you have a racing mind, counting breaths or silently naming objects can help as well." What's more, Dr Lu notes that it's important to attempt to lower levels of stress during the day, as well as keeping consistent bedtimes, earlier caffeine cutoffs, and regular movement, which can all lower elevated cortisol levels. Wide awake at 3am? Here's some of our tried and tested methods to falling back to sleep: Credit: Getty Images 1. Try the 4-7-8 breathing method The 4-7-8 breathing method was popularized by Dr. Andrew Weil, whose team call it a "perfect, portable stress antidote." To practice the breathing method, you inhale for 4 second, hold the breath for 7 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds. You can repeat this cycle a further 3-4 more times, noting how your nervous system begins to feel regulated and feeling of anxiety dissipate. 2. Follow the 15 minute rule Our sleep writer Ruth Jones swears by the 15 minute sleep rule when she's struggling to fall asleep. If after 15 minutes she hasn't fallen asleep, she gets up and does a low-stimulation activity, such as reading or stretching. This is advice that I've taken on board when I wake up in the middle of the night. If, after a few minutes of doing something relaxing in a different room, I return back to bed once the feeling of anxiety has worn off. Usually, this is enough to help me fall back to sleep. Credit: Getty Images 3. Try cognitive shuffling Another tried and tested technique to falling back to sleep when you're wide awake at night is the cognitive shuffling method. The sleep technique, developed by Canadian scientist, Dr. Luc P. Beaudoin, involves visualizing seemingly random objects and thoughts. 'Shuffling' your stream of consciousness effectively switches off racing thoughts, which helps to break the cycle of rumination. If you need a steer on where to start, think only of objects beginning with one specific letter. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. WASHINGTON, D.C. (FOX 44) The National Desert Storm Memorial Association has confirmed the date for its Dedication Ceremony in Washington, D.C. The public ceremony will be taking place at 11 a.m. EDT on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The memorial is under construction at the southwest corner of Constitution Avenue and 23rd Street NW. On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, fully occupying the land within 24 hours. In response, President George H.W. Bush launched Operation Desert Shield on August 7, 1990, in order to deter and contain potential Iraqi attacks on neighboring countries. Advertisement Advertisement As the deployment of hundreds of thousands of American combat forces into the Middle East grew, President Bush issued a mandate to Iraq stating all Iraqi troops had to leave Kuwait by January 15, 1991. The deadline passed, with Kuwait still occupied by Iraqi forces. On January 17, 1991, the United States led an international coalition against Iraqi forces, a campaign known as Operation Desert Storm. President Bush declared a cease fire on February 28, 1991, and proclaimed the successful liberation of Kuwait. According to National Desert Storm War Memorial, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm were remarkable examples of American leadership, values, and sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom. President Obama signed the memorials enabling legislation in December 2014. In March 2017, President Trump signed the law authorizing the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial to be built near the National Mall in an Area 1 location. The site located in close proximity to the Lincoln Memorial in June 2018, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial received approval. For more information on the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, you can visit www.ndswm.org. 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 KWKT - FOX 44. Police have located a 16-year-old boy who went missing after a shooting that injured two people Monday night in New Castle County, Delaware. The teen, whose disappearance prompted a Gold Alert, was found late Tuesday at the same Edgemoor apartment where the violence occurred. New Castle County detectives returned to the Paladin Club Apartments in the 8000 block of Park Court, where they located the teen in an apartment where police say he had fled the night before. Advertisement Advertisement "We know he was present during the incident; however, after he ran away from the area, detectives do not believe he sustained any injuries. Because he is a juvenile, a Gold Alert was issued," said New Castle County Master Cpl. Richard Chambers. The alert has since been canceled, and investigators are interviewing the teen. He has not been named a suspect. The shooting was reported around 9:15 p.m. on Monday. Police said a 15-year-old girl was shot and a 44-year-old woman was injured by debris after what authorities described as some kind of altercation. Police confirmed the 16-year-old boy is the woman's son. The victims' names have not been released. Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors said the incident left them unsettled, especially with no information yet on a suspect or motive. "Everyone right now is a little on alert," said resident Thea Snyder. "We try to kind of keep an eye out for each other, but again, it's a good, safe neighborhood. When things like this happen, everyone gets on edge." On Tuesday night, multiple unmarked police vehicles were parked outside the building as detectives canvassed the area with flashlights, took photographs and were in and out of the apartment. Chambers asked anyone with relevant footage to come forward. "Detectives are asking if anybody has any type of Ring camera or security camera in the area that picked up any of this incident, please contact our detectives," he said. Police have not released any suspect information. According to investigators, both victims are expected to recover and are cooperating with the investigation. The Department of Homeland Security has altered its account of an immigration enforcement-related shooting in a Baltimore suburb on Christmas Eve after details in its initial statement were contradicted by local police. On December 24, DHS issued a statement saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers defensively fired at a van occupied by two undocumented immigrants during an enforcement operation in Glen Burnie, Maryland, after the driver rammed ICE vehicles while trying to flee and then drove his van directly at ICE officers, attempting to run them over. The driver was shot and wounded, and the passenger was injured when the van crashed seconds later, according to the original statement from DHS. Advertisement Advertisement The department now says the injured man was not in the van but was a passenger in one of the ICE vehicles that was rammed, according to a new statement to CNN from DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. The changed account comes as DHS faces increased scrutiny over the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE agent last week and more broadly over the veracity of the information the department puts forward regarding federal officers actions while carrying out President Donald Trumps nationwide immigration crackdown. The new detail in the Maryland ICE shooting was first announced Thursday by the Anne Arundel County Police Department, which is investigating the incident. To clarify preliminary information released publicly on the shooting involving ICE agents in Glen Burnie, Maryland, on December 24, 2025: one ICE detainee who was injured during the incident was already in custody in an ICE vehicle, and the other individual injured was struck by gunfire while operating a separate vehicle, the police department said. Advertisement Advertisement Anne Arundel County police said their investigation into the incident is ongoing and emphasized that its officers do not enforce immigration law or conduct ICE operations. The ICE officers were conducting a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Glen Burnie when they confronted the van, McLaughlin said. The two undocumented migrants were identified as Tiago Alexandre Sousa-Martins, a Portuguese man who was driving the van, and Salvadoran national Solomon Antonio Serrano-Esquivel, the man authorities now say was in an ICE vehicle. Officers approached the van and asked Sousa-Martins to turn off the engine, but he refused and attempted to leave the scene, ramming ICE vehicles, and then (driving) his van directly at ICE officers, McLaughlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Fearing for their lives and public safety, officers defensively fired their service weapons, striking the driver, she said. Sousa-Martins then wrecked his car between two buildings, McLaughlin said, although photos posted by DHS on X on the day of the incident show a white van crashed into a tree. DHS has not responded to CNNs request for clarification on that detail. Officers immediately gave medical care to the two men and took them to the hospital, McLaughlin said, stating no ICE agents were injured. Sousa-Martins is currently being held at a detention center in Bowling Green, Virginia, according to ICE detainee records. Serrano-Esquivel was treated for whiplash at the hospital on the day of the incident and is now in ICE custody, the DHS said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement The December incident is one in a series of violent encounters involving federal officers since Trump ramped up immigration enforcement during his second term. Last weeks fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good a 37-year-old mother of three who was in her car when she was shot has drawn outcry and massive protests both in Minneapolis and across the country. A day after Good was killed, a Border Patrol agent in Portland, Oregon, shot and injured two people, who authorities said were associated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. As with the Maryland incident, DHS officials allege both Good and the driver in Portland weaponized their vehicles and targeted law enforcement. CNNs Taylor Romine contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BEIRUT, Jan 13 (Reuters) - In a packed Beirut nightclub, electronic beats pulsed alongside projected videos of popes in white robes as Catholic priest Father Guilherme Peixoto spun tracks on the turntable. The performance drew 2,000 attendees, but it also sparked opposition from some Christians in Lebanon, the first time the man known as Padre Guilherme to his 2.6 million Instagram followers says he has faced such vocal objection. If you don't feel comfortable with what I'm doing, please pray for me. Because I cannot do anything more about that. It's a free world and it needs to be free, he told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement BACKING FROM A POPE Peixotos foray into electronic music started in his native Portugal more than a decade ago as a way to raise funds for parish debts. Since then, he has toured the world. Pope Francis blessed his headphones. A recent performance in Slovakia incorporated a special message from Pope Leo. But in Lebanon, a small yet vocal group, including some clergy, filed a formal complaint seeking to cancel Peixotos event, claiming it distorted Christian images and customs and violated the church's morals. Beirut has a vibrant electronic music scene and is seen as one of the most socially liberal cities in the region, though religious and political leaders have had some success in censoring films, plays and other performances they deem offensive. Advertisement Advertisement To some, the complaint against Peixoto felt inconsistent with the support he has won from Catholic leaders. I dont see why the priests in Lebanon are unhappy with this idea, because two popes didnt have a problem with it, said Charbel Hatem, a 19-year-old student who attended Peixotos Mass at a local university hours before the DJ set. The show went ahead after a judge rejected the complaint, with Peixoto performing in a t-shirt printed with loaves and fishes, a reference to a biblical miracle. Not all need to like what I'm doing, but they need to respect, he said, adding that if he returns to Lebanon, he hopes to explain his music to his critics. Advertisement Advertisement It's music to bring the church outside of the church, he said. PEACE, ON AND OFF THE DANCEFLOOR As she left the club, Cecile Freiha, 36, told Reuters that the image of a dove, projected throughout the concert, reminded her of Pope Leos December visit to Lebanon, part of his first foreign tour. We felt it was a continuity and message for us also. Religion is a message of love, of openness, she said. Like Leo, Peixoto hopes to bring a message of peace to a country grappling with Israels near-daily strikes and fears of further escalation. We need to live as a family, of course with different religions or even without religion. But this is our house. And if you live in Lebanon, Lebanon is your house for all, he said. (Reporting by Raghed Waked and Catherine Cartier in Beirut; Writing by Catherine Cartier; Editing by Maya Gebeily, Aidan Lewis) FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is demanding Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey honor federal immigration detainers for the more than 1,300 criminal illegal aliens within the state's custody, after hundreds were allegedly let back on the streets. Both Walz and Frey "refuse" to cooperate with federal immigration officials, according to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who accused the pair of releasing nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens back onto Minneapolis' streets. "We are calling on Walz and Frey to stop this dangerous policy and commit to honoring the ICE arrest detainers of the more than 1,360 criminal illegal aliens in Minnesotas custody," McLaughlin said. "It is common sense. Criminal illegal aliens should not be released back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans." Advertisement Advertisement Ilhan Omar Says Federal Agents Wasting 'Taxpayer Resources' During Crackdown On Fraud, Illegal Immigration DHS Assistant Tricia McLaughlin is demanding Minnesota's leaders, including Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, adhere to federal immigration detainers for the more than 1,300 criminal illegal aliens currently in the state's custody. (Getty Images) Last week, Frey told Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to "get the f---- out" of his city, while Walz similarly told the Trump administration to "leave Minnesota alone," following the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis by an ICE official. Mayor Frey has also issued an executive order prohibiting federal agents from using city property to conduct operations, and a city separation ordinance was recently bolstered by local Minneapolis officials to protect illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, in February of last year, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a formal opinion arguing state law prohibited state and local law enforcement from holding someone solely on an ICE civil detainer. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement The consequences of not adhering to ICE detainers were felt hard in one Northern Virginia county last year after an illegal immigrant with a detainer was released from custody and killed someone a day later. However, Walz's office told Fox News Digital that DHS's accusations "are categorically false," arguing the state's Department of Corrections "honors all federal and local detainers," including those from ICE. "We always have," a Walz spokesperson said. "We also notify ICE of the anticipated release date so they can arrange transfer from DOC custody if they so choose." The spokesperson noted that there are times "when a person in DOC custody is subject to multiple detainers or holds," but noted that "if they are released to an agency other than ICE, the ICE detainer remains active, and DOC ensures the receiving agency is informed of the ICE hold." They added that ICE is also responsible for arranging any detainee pickups and said that for every transfer the Minnesota Department of Corrections makes, it "verifies transportation and transfer arrangements to ensure the release is safe, secure, and coordinated." Advertisement Advertisement In the Minnesota prison system, there are 207 people on an ICE detainer currently, according to Walz's office. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks during a press conference, following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, in Minneapolis, Minn., on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. Thousands of federal immigration officials have been deployed to the Twin Cities to assist with deportation efforts, with more to come and plans to begin commencing door-to-door operations, according to Vice President J.D. Vance. Wild Video Shows Federal Agents Detaining 2 Men At Minnesota Gas Station As Agitators Gather Since Saturday, ICE officials have released several examples of the "worst of the worst" criminal illegal aliens arrested during the surge in deportation operations in Minnesota. Child predators, individuals with murder charges and drug traffickers are among those on the DHS's list. Advertisement Advertisement Leny Odemel Ramirez-Santos, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras who was charged with sex offenses against a child and driving under the influence; Edwin Amable Ashca Ninasuta, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador charged with committing sexual acts with a minor; Lenda Neh Mama Epse George, a criminal illegal alien from Cameroon charged with cruelty toward a child and domestic violence; German Adriano Llangari Inga, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador charged with homicide; Puol Both, a criminal illegal alien from Sudan convicted of making terroristic threats and several burglaries; and Somsalao Thonesavanh, a criminal illegal alien from Laos convicted of drug trafficking and selling a synthetic narcotic, are among the "worst of the worst" shared by DHS on Monday. Click Here To Download The Fox News App Over the weekend, DHS also shared that nearly a dozen criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota who have been convicted of killing someone have been arrested in Minneapolis as well. Many of the individuals were ordered to be previously deported, but remained inside the country. Original article source: DHS demands MN leaders honor ICE detainers, alleges hundreds of criminal aliens have been released under Walz "The Copperhead Conspiracy," a new documentary podcast series from award-winning public radio producer and Louisville resident Dan Gediman, tells a story from Kentuckys past thats largely been forgotten. The six episode project recounts the story of when a group of Northerners, angry at President Abraham Lincoln, conspired with Confederates to plan an armed insurrection. The uprising was intended to topple the governments of several midwestern states, including Kentucky, and free tens of thousands of Confederate prisoners from Union prisons, hoping it would force an end to the Civil War with the Confederacy intact and slavery still legal. Advertisement Advertisement "It would have worked," Gediman tells the Courier Journal, "except for a Union spy from Nelson County named Felix Stidger, who was embedded in their midst." Stidger, who was forced to leave Louisville after exposing the plot, is buried near Chicago, Illinois where his grave marker reads "The Spy Who Saved the Union." More from Kirby Adams: Racing this spring? Sign up for this free KDF, Norton training program Among the notable Kentuckians who were a part of the thwarted conspiracy were the sitting Chief Justice of the Appellate Court Joshua Bullitt, future Kentucky Governor Luke Blackburn, future Chief Justice of the Appellate Court Thomas Hines, future Secretary of State John Headley, and future U.S. Army General John Castleman (of Castleman statue fame). Advertisement Advertisement Riddled with tantalizing intrigue, back street collusion and heroic acts in the face of danger, Gediman's podcast transports listeners to a time which has been left out of history books. "Kentuckians are right in the middle of all of it," Gediman said. "Including a group of Kentucky gentleman who became spies for the Union, were captured and imprisoned before making their escape." The Copperhead Conspiracy, a podcast series that tells a truly amazing story from Kentuckys past thats largely been forgotten. "The Copperhead Conspiracy," which debuts Jan. 13, contains interviews with noted Civil War scholars as well as actors reading first-person accounts of the conspiracy from both the Union and Confederate viewpoints. A new episode from the series will be released each week for six weeks. You can subscribe to the Copperhead Conspiracy podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and visit CopperheadConspiracy.org for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Reach lifestyle and entertainment reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Copperhead Conspiracy podcast explores Kentucky Civil War history (WSPA) Prosecutors requested last week a judge sentence former South Carolina lawmaker RJ May III to 20 years in prison for distributing hundreds of videos of children being sexually abused. On Monday, Mays lawyers filed a motion asking for a reduced sentence, claiming it would allow May a chance to begin living and working on a family farm in Virginia and begin paying restitution to his victims. May pleaded guilty in 2025 to five counts of distributing child sexual abuse materials. Previous court filings describe some of the materials as graphic videos depicting children and infants being sexually abused. He is due to be sentenced on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement More: Court suggests 20-year sentence for former South Carolina Rep. R.J. May In a 26-page court filling, Mays lawyers argue since he possessed and distributed CSAM but did not produce it, he should not be sentenced as harshly as someone who produces certain materials or exploits minors. The Guidelines nevertheless treat his offense as if he were among the most culpable offenders, despite the absence of aggravating factors such as production, exploitation of a minor in his care, or long-term collection behavior, they wrote. RJ is not the typical child sexual abuser, producer, or predator whom Congress and the Sentencing Commission had in mind when crafting the highest guideline ranges. The Guidelines here function less as a measure of just punishment and more as a mechanical escalation driven by outdated and harsh enhancements. For these reasons, the Court should limit reliance on the advisory range. Mays lawyers did not say how many years in prison May should be sentenced to, only for a sentence lower than the 20 years prosecutors suggested last week. Advertisement Advertisement They also cite multiple other cases of offenders receiving significantly shorter sentences, including some as low as five years in prison. No schools, daycares, malls, parks, arcades, movie theaters, or playgrounds for miles Mays lawyers also lay out his plans for returning to life outside of prison, and how he wants to work to pay more than $70,000 in restitution to his victims. According to their filing, May plans to reside on a family farm in rural Virginia. The only people living on the land are Mays parents, and it has no access to the internet or cable television. The filing also claims there are no schools, daycares, malls, parks, arcades, movie theaters, or playgrounds for miles, but it is near the state polices regional headquarters and mental health providers he will need to see after his release. Advertisement Advertisement Mays lawyers said he has completed designs for a tiny home he plans to build on the property, and he plans to restart and expand his fathers landscaping business. May request to depart from guildelinesDownload 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Heres what youll learn when you read this story: A diver just stumbled upon a bounty of ancient coins off the coast of Italy. Cultural ministers believe the that find could point toward an unknown lost shipwreck in the region. The bronze and copper coins were originally minted in Rome. A diver stumbled across the find of a lifetime off the coast of Sardinia when a stray shiny item loosened itself from the sea grass below. That metallic sheen turned out to herald a bounty of more than 30,000 bronze and copper coins minted in Rome during the fourth century. Advertisement Advertisement The treasure found in the waters of Arzachena represents one of the most important discoveries of numismatic finds in recent years, Luigi La Rocca, director general of archaeology, fine arts, and landscape for the region, says in a translated statement from the Italian culture ministry. Near the town of Arzachena, divers were trawling an area of sandy clearing near the beach that was also surrounded by seagrass. That one coin soon yielded tens of thousands of others, all in an excellent and rare state of preservation and dating back to between 324 and 340 AD. The ministry says that, thanks to the weight of the coins, there could be at least 30,000 of them and as many as 50,000. That would make this one of the largest ancient coin finds in the past few decades. And, if were lucky, it may even point to a completely undiscovered hidden shipwreck. The underwater makeup of the region has the potential to preserve a lost shipwreck, which could explain the finding of so many coins in one spot. While there is no news yet of a wreck being found, experts remain hopeful that one could turn up after further investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Right now, we will have to content ourselves with the excitement of the huge bounty of coins discovered littering the seafloor. The follis coinsfound in both bronze and copperwere used first by the Romans and then later by the Byzantine Empire. When the divers first saw the coins, they contacted authorities and art protection squad drivers joined with the ministrys undersea archaeology department, firefighter divers, and border police divers to dig into the area. Alongside the coins, the divers also located walls of narrow-necked jugs with two handles, which also helped point experts towards the idea that a shipwreck may be nearby. (The finding) highlights the richness and importance of the archaeological heritage that our seabed, traversed by men and goods since the earliest times, still guards and preserves, La Rocca said. Photo credit: Hearst Owned Find Answers Photo credit: Hearst Owned Get The Facts Photo credit: Hearst Owned Start Your Build Photo credit: Hearst Owned Advertisement Advertisement Learn The Truth Photo credit: Hearst Owned What Are They? Photo credit: Hearst Owned What Are They? Photo credit: Hearst Owned Get The Facts Photo credit: Hearst Owned Advertisement Advertisement Transform Your Perception Photo credit: Hearst Owned Start Your Build Photo credit: Hearst Owned Transform Your Perception Photo credit: Hearst Owned Learn The Truth You Might Also Like Jan. 12A 65-year-old Dixon man pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Jan. 7, to attempted murder, home invasion and other charges related to a Dec. 28 stabbing of a man in his home. Joseph A. Willwerth was charged Dec. 31 with one count each of attempted murder and home invasion, both Class X felonies; unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, a Class 3 felony; aggravated battery, also a Class 3 felony; criminal trespass to property and reckless conduct, both Class 4 felonies and one count of unlawful use of weapons, a misdemeanor. He's being held in the Lee County Jail, court records show. The charges stem from Dec. 28. Dixon police were dispatched at 9:07 p.m. that day to the 400 block of Crawford Avenue for a report of a man being stabbed with a knife. Upon arrival, officers entered the residence and located two men, one being the homeowner and the other man identified as Willwerth, according to a news release from Dixon police. Advertisement Advertisement Officers were able to take control of the scene and requested assistance from Dixon City Fire paramedics to treat both men's injuries, police said. The homeowner suffered injuries to his hands, according to the release. Willwerth was transported to OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine for treatment of his injuries and later released, according to the news release. Officers and detectives have determined this was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the public, according to the release. On Jan. 7, Willwerth and his attorney, Lee County Public Defender Robert J. Thompson, appeared before Lee County Judge Jacquelyn D. Ackert. At the hearing, Willwerth waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered his not guilty plea, court records show. Ackert ordered Willwerth to be detained in the Lee County Jail, court records show. Willwerth's next court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 5, with Ackert presiding. A South Carolina family walked away from a Saturday evening crash after they hit seven cows that were in the middle of a Horry County highway. The Schulze family were on their way to Marion from Myrtle Beach when they came upon the black Angus cattle running across S.C. 22, between U.S. 501 and S.C. 319, in the Aynor area, Heather Schulze said. Her husband, who was driving, slammed on his brakes, but it was too late. Their 14-year-old son also was in the vehicle, which was totaled in the crash. Advertisement Advertisement I dont know how we are alive, Schulze said. I cant believe its real. All seven cows died. Another cow was also killed in a crash that happened earlier in the day, Schulze said she was told by police. There are six cows still on the loose, according to a text Monday from Horry County public information officer Thomas Bell. They are actively working to capture them and Horry County Police is assisting, he said. However, it is unclear who they might be. It is also not known how the cows got out or where they came from. Bell said he didnt have that information, but I can add the situation is under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Signage was placed along the roadway warning drivers to slow down because of the cows, Bell said previously. Horry County Police posted on its Facebook page at 10:39 p.m. Saturday that several cows were roaming the area of the highway that runs parallel with Horry Road in the Aynor area. Schulze said the signs were placed along the roadway after their accident. She doesnt understand why drivers werent notified after the first crash. They knew these cattle were loose, Schulze said. It was completely avoidable. The speed limit on S.C. 22 is 65 mph. Schulzes husband was driving about 68 mph when the crash occurred, she said. The cows, though on the smaller side, were estimated to weight about 400 to 500 pounds each, Schulze said. Advertisement Advertisement The highway was shut down while rescue crews handled the crash and removed the cows. For the Schulzes, they are now waiting on insurance. Their vehicle, which was brand new, was badly damaged and not drivable, Schulze said. I was raised in cow country in Ohio, and didnt have any problem with them, Schulze said. I move to South Carolina and I hit cows. Donald Trump addressed one of his most talked-about ambitions in a recent interview, offering new insight into his ongoing interest in Greenland. The former president explained why the idea of owning the Arctic island holds personal significance for him. Donald Trump talks about owning Greenland President Donald Trump told The New York Times on January 7, 2026, that taking ownership of Greenland is psychologically important to him. When asked why he wont just send more American troops to Greenlandsomething legal under a Cold Warera agreementTrump responded, Because thats what I feel is psychologically needed for success. He explained, Ownership gives you things and elements that you cant get from just signing a document, that you can have a base. When asked whether the psychological importance was personal or national, Trump replied, Psychologically important for me. Trump has discussed acquiring Greenland almost daily since the start of 2026. On January 9, he said, We are going to do something on 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. He told The New York Times he would use nuclear force if needed but admitted it might upset NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Greenland governs itself but remains part of Denmark, a NATO member. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty declares that an armed attack on one NATO member counts as an attack on all. Senator Chris Murphy warned that if the U.S. took over Greenland, it would be the end of NATO. Chinese officials responded by accusing Trump of using other countries as an excuse to pursue its own private interests. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed on Facebook that Denmark believes in peoples right to self-determination and emphasized, We should never compromise on this. Trump also said, My own morality. My own mind. Its the only thing that can stop me, in reference to world dominance. He claimed he now runs Venezuela after capturing its president on January 3, 2026. Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com. The post Donald Trump Explains Reason for Wanting Greenland appeared first on Reality Tea. Hundreds of earthquakes have been detected rattling Antarcticas Thwaites Glacier, also known as the Doomsday Glacier the disintegration of which could send between two and 10 feet of devastating flooding to coastal communities worldwide. This stunning finding, published in a new study in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, suggests that this gigantic behemoth of ice, which is almost as big as the island of Great Britain, is even more fragile than experts feared and that world governments efforts to stop global warming havent been nearly enough. To keep an eye on its imminent collapse, Australian National University seismologist Thanh-Son Pham suggests in the paper that a dedicated seismic network be located and maintained on the icy continent to monitor glacial dynamics, which may evolve abruptly in the coming decades or even years. Advertisement Advertisement The risk is high; Pham detected a total of 362 previously unrecognized seismic events between 2010 and 2023, and they mostly occurred in the West Antarctic region, the home of the Thwaites Glacier and Pine Island Glacier, another big block of ice thats become visibly smaller over the years due to climate change. Glacier earthquakes are detected at around magnitude 5 on the Richter scale, and are often associated with iceberg calving in warmer months of the Arctic Circle such as the ones in Greenland. By contrast, the dynamics that drive Antarctic earthquakes are little understood because there is simply isnt much data on them and they tend to register at a lower magnitude. To rectify that situation, Pham developed an algorithm to pick up wave patterns collected by seismic monitors on Antarctica. From this data, he determined that 245 of the 362 earthquakes recorded came from Thwaites Glacier, where he believes they were caused by icebergs calving off into the ocean. Scientists are deeply concerned about the Thwaites Glacier collapse not only because of the immense amount of water it could displace, but because it acts like an icy plug on the West Antarctic ice shelf that keeps all that ice from sliding into the ocean. More on glaciers: Doomsday Glacier Approaching Catastrophic Collapse Police in Altamonte Springs said they pulled over a driver with an illegal plate-obscurant device. Officials stated that they discovered the device during a traffic stop on Ronald Reagan Boulevard last week. During the stop, officers discovered the vehicle was equipped with a remote-controlled license plateobscuring device, which is illegal. Florida law prohibits the use of any device that obscures license plates. Advertisement Advertisement This law was enacted to enhance vehicle identification and improve public safety by allowing law enforcement to read license plates easily. As a result of the traffic stop, the driver was issued a criminal citation and given a court date to address the violation. Motorists are encouraged to ensure their vehicles comply with all state vehicle safety regulations. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. MOSCOW/ATHENS/LONDON Jan 13 (Reuters) - Drones struck two oil tankers in the Black Sea on Tuesday, including one chartered by U.S. oil major Chevron, the companies involved said, as they sailed toward a terminal on the Russian coast. Both were en route to the Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka terminal, a loading point for around 80% of Kazakh oil destined for international markets as well as some Russian crude, according to eight sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "All crew are safe, and the vessel remains stable. It is proceeding to a safe port, and we are coordinating with the ship operator and relevant authorities," Chevron said of its chartered tanker. Advertisement Advertisement The attacks come as Kazakhstan's output cratered in early January with the U.S. oil majors that dominate its oil sector struggling to pipe crude via Russia due to winter storms and infrastructure damage caused by an earlier Ukrainian drone attack. Kyiv has been targeting Russian energy infrastructure to pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine. It was not immediately clear, however, who was behind Tuesday's tanker strikes. Ukraine's government did not comment on the attacks. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which operates the terminal where the tankers were due to take on board cargoes, declined to comment. Shareholders in CPC's 1,500-km (930-mile) pipeline include Kazakhstan's state-owned oil company KazMunayGas, Russia's Lukoil and units of U.S. oil giants Chevron and ExxonMobil. Advertisement Advertisement KAZAKH OIL AND GAS OUTPUT DOWN 35% The Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka terminal itself previously came under attack on November 29, when a Ukrainian drone hit one of CPC's three main moorings at the facility, located near the port of Novorossiysk. Oil and gas condensate output in Kazakhstan plunged by 35% between January 1 and January 12 compared to December's average, a source familiar with the data told Reuters, adding that the drop was mainly due to export constraints via the terminal. Kazakhstan's energy ministry said on Tuesday that CPC was continuing to export oil via one mooring. TANKER STRIKES DRIVE UP INSURANCE COSTS Advertisement Advertisement War insurance costs for ships sailing to the Black Sea nearly doubled on Tuesday following the attacks, five industry sources said. Russian terminals on the Black Sea handle more than 2% of global crude. Its waters, which are shared by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania and Turkey, as well as Russia and Ukraine, are also crucial for the shipment of grain. One of the tankers attacked on Tuesday, the Delta Harmony, is managed by Greece's Delta Tankers, LSEG data showed. According to the sources, it was expected to load Kazakh-produced oil from Tengizchevroil, a unit of U.S. oil major Chevron. Delta Tankers confirmed later that it was investigating a security incident on board Delta Harmony, which was hit with a projectile at 0512 GMT while the vessel was off the coast of Novorossiysk. Advertisement Advertisement All crew were safe, the company said, adding that a short-lived fire was extinguished, and there had been no reports of marine pollution. Following the attack, the vessel shifted out of the area under its own power. Delta Tankers said that a second vessel under its management, Delta Supreme, was not impacted, dismissing earlier indications from industry and trade sources that it too was hit. Another vessel, Matilda, chartered by a subsidiary of KazMunayGas (KMG) and managed by Greece's Thenamaris, was expected to load Kazakh oil from Karachaganak when it was struck, the sources added. Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry confirmed on Tuesday evening that Matilda and Delta Harmony were attacked by drones. Advertisement Advertisement A Thenamaris official said Matilda was hit by two drones while waiting in ballast condition 30 miles (48 km) off CPC's moorings. KMG also confirmed the attack. "There were no injuries and the ship suffered minor damage to deck structures according to an initial assessment, which is fully repairable. The ship, seaworthy as it is, is now sailing away from the area," the Thenamaris official said. Two sources in maritime security said that a fire reportedly broke out on board Matilda and was quickly extinguished. A fourth vessel, the Freud, managed by Greece's TMS, was also initially believed to have been attacked. But TMS later denied that it had been hit. (Reporting by Reuters in Moscow, Renee Maltezou and Yannis Souliotis in Athens and Jonathan Saul in London; Editing by Louise Heavens, Jan Harvey, Guy Faulconbridge and Joe Bavier) Millions of households will soon be able to benefit from cash payments, rent support, food vouchers and more under a new scheme set to be launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). From April, councils will be able to administer Labours new Crisis and Resilience Fund, designed to support low-income households at times when affording the essentials becomes a struggle. This is a scenario many are facing, with recent research by the Trussell Trust finding that 14 million adults are going without food because they cannot afford it. At the same time, stubbornly high household bills mean many are finding it difficult to balance their finances. Advertisement Advertisement The government has pledged 1 billion a year for at least three years to local authorities through the new fund. It will replace the Household Support Fund, which has previously had its continuation and exact funding confirmed yearly. Millions of households will soon be able to benefit from cash payments and help with rent (Getty Images) Responding to the funding, the Local Government Association welcomed the long-term commitment, but told The Independent in October that many councils do not feel it will meet local needs. While nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) surveyed said it would help to at least a small extent, just two per cent said that it will to a great extent. On Tuesday, the DWP revealed more information about the scheme in guidance to councils, confirming what households across the UK can expect come April. Alongside provision to bolster local support services, two new payments will be introduced under the fund: the crisis payment and the housing payment. These both serve different purposes, and will have different eligibility. Crisis payment The new crisis payment as it will be known across the UK is designed to offer payments to individuals in crisis, the DWP said. Advertisement Advertisement Like the Household Support Fund, councils will continue to have discretion over the exact eligibility criteria. However, the governments guidance says it should not be limited just to those in receipt of benefits. Authorities will use the crisis payment to support low-income households that have experienced a financial shock, or are at risk of entering crisis. On Tuesday, the DWP revealed more information about the crisis and resilience fund (Getty) This could include people going without essentials like food, shelter or heating, or items like furniture and appliances. It covers the many reasons this could occur, such as disasters, health issues, theft, leaving an abusive relationship, or a gap in regular income. The DWP has asked that councils take a cash-first approach to the crisis payment, meaning cash payments should be awarded unless there is a fair reason not to do so. This could be in the form of food vouchers, or directly provided the required items. Advertisement Advertisement A crisis payment is designed to meet occasional or short-term need, the department adds, and not become a supplement to regular income. Some local authorities will also use the funding to provide parents of children eligible for free school meals with food vouchers over the summer. Barnardos chief executive Lynn Perry said: We welcome the publication of the governments guidance on the new Crisis and Resilience Fund. For too many families, a sudden crisis can push them to the brink, leaving children at risk of going without food, warmth or other essentials. This guidance sets out how crisis support can be delivered in a way that protects dignity, offers real choice and reaches those who need it most. It has the potential to make a meaningful difference to children growing up in poverty. Housing payment A new housing payment will also be introduced across the UK, aimed at providing financial support towards housing costs for those in need. It will replace the discretionary housing payment for claimants from April. Advertisement Advertisement This will usually be related to rent, such as needing rent in advance, a rental deposit, or shortfall. It could also cover a lump sum associated with housing, like the cost of moving. Unlike the crisis payment, the housing payment will be restricted to those in receipt of certain benefits. These are either housing benefit, or universal credit with the housing element for rental costs. However, DWP says those who do not qualify but are still in need could be considered for a crisis payment instead. It will also have the scope to be longer-term, and paid more regularly. For instance, someone seeking work and currently facing a rental shortfall could apply for a regular housing payment until they are able to increase their income or find somewhere else to live. A Government spokesperson said: We're committed to tackling poverty and delivering more security and opportunity for families across the UK. The 1bn multi-year Crisis and Resilience fund will help prevent households from falling into crisis by giving local authorities the certainty they need to provide emergency financial support. EastEnders spoilers follow. EastEnders Sam Mitchell undergoes an operation to remove a lump from her breast next week, just as Phil plots to whisk Nigel Bates away to Portugal! Knowing Phils reckless plan, Sam tries to convince her older brother that hes making the wrong decision. However, Phil throws caution to the wind and plans to leave for Portugal with Nigel after Sams all-important surgery taking place that day Advertisement Advertisement "Sam ends up going to the hospital with Ricky and Jack for the lumpectomy that will treat her breast cancer," explains our EastEnders source. "Once its all over and done with, Sam finds that its Phil standing by her bedside, which brings a smile to her face. But even so, is he still plotting to flee with Nigel?" BBC BBC Related: Best streaming services To kick off the week, Ricky throws a surprise birthday bash for Phil on behalf of Raymond. The Mitchell clan including Amy, Jack and Lexi come together for the occasion, but the party spirit is crushed when Ricky suspects that his mum is about to up and leave her family yet again. Advertisement Advertisement "Rickys relationship with Sam has come on leaps and bounds, but its still fragile," shares our insider. "At Phils party, Ricky comes to believe that Sam is about to abandon him again, which must feel like a punch in the gut. Its such a shame that he doesnt know the truth about his mums health well, not yet anyway." BBC BBC Related: EastEnders pays tribute as fan favourite Derek Martin dies, aged 92 Later, George spots Sam out on the Square holding a letter about her lumpectomy. As a friend and fellow parent, George advises Sam to come clean to Ricky about her health. Eventually, Sam plucks up the courage to admit the truth to Ricky, who vows to be there through thick and thin. Advertisement Advertisement Following her operation, Sam accidentally lets slip to George about Phils intentions with Nigel. In response, George relays the information to Denise but will Phils ex intervene and help him see sense? BBC BBC Related: EastEnders' Aaron Thiara promises hope for Ravi and Priya after horror attack "Denise has her eye on Phil," reveals our source. "Even before Sams procedure, she notices that Phil isnt acting himself and asks George to check that hes feeling all right. And thats before George comes back and tells her whats really going on behind closed doors" Can Denise talk Phil out of his reckless plan? Or will he manage to slip off to Portugal with Nigel before anyone else realises whats going on? EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast. Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage For exclusive soap star interviews, gossip, spoilers and theories every week, don't miss the Soap Scoop podcast from Inside Soap magazine. This week's episode reacts to the biggest twists from the Corriedale crossover. You Might Also Like Eastern New Mexico will experience above normal wildfire risk in February, according to a forecast from the National Interagency Fire Center. (Courtesy NIFC) Citing high temperatures and ongoing drought, national forecasters are warning that above normal fire risk will reach parts of New Mexico this winter. According to a National Interagency Fire Center forecast, all of eastern New Mexico along the states border with Texas and Oklahoma transitions from little to no risk of fire to low risk, which marks the first increase of the year. In February, the same region will experience above normal wildfire potential, according to a long-term forecast from NIFC released earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Eastern New Mexico will also experience above-normal wildfire potential in March, according to the forecast, before subsiding in April. The forecasters cite ongoing drought, which they said is expected to persist and expand across the Southwest, as well as above normal temperatures. The state, along with much of the West, is experiencing snow drought, marked by snow cover at levels far below average. Even after winter storms hit much of the state last week, on Jan. 10, snow covered only about 7,700 square miles of land, which is far less than the median this time of year of approximately 12,400 square miles, according to the National Snow and Ice Center at the University of Colorado in Boulder. This is the second consecutive year forecasters have issued January forecasts deeming eastern New Mexico at high fire risk through the winter. Prior forecasts in 2023 and 2024 did not predict high fire risk in the winter months. Advertisement Advertisement Still, February wildfires are uncommon, according to Source New Mexicos review of Southwest Coordination Center wildfire data over the last decade. Since 2016, New Mexico has had 369 wildfires, but only seven of those ignited during the month of February. The wildfire risk is increasing as the federal government, which intervenes to fight large and complex wildfires, begins a potentially dramatic shakeup of its wildland firefighting operations. On Monday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued an order establishing a new, unified Wildland Fire Service that seeks to consolidate firefighting efforts under one agency. He also named Brian Fennessy, a longtime California firefighter, as the official in charge of leading the agency. At the moment, federal firefighters are employed across multiple bureaus and offices, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and others. Burgum said the new agency will help better organize and modernize the federal governments wildfire response. However, the Wilderness Society, an environmental group, said the consolidation effort actually just creates a larger bureaucracy and disrupts the people who manage land and fight fire every day. Advertisement Advertisement Instead of a new agency, according to a statement Monday from the organization, Congress should fully fund the agencies currently tasked with fire prevention and suppression. Fully fund our land managers and wildland firefighters and support proven prevention work like fuels reduction, restoration and science-based planning so our children inherit healthier, safer landscapes, spokesperson Max Greenberg said. A conservative organization has sued a Massachusetts public school district in federal court, alleging it violated an associate principals First Amendment rights by firing him over political Facebook posts made prior to his employment. Judicial Watch filed the complaint against Barnstable Public Schools on behalf of John Bergonzi in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on Jan. 8 and publicly announced the legal action on Jan. 12. The complaint accuses the district of unlawful retaliation for protected speech, breaching Bergonzis at-will employment contract and promissory estoppel, a legal doctrine that allows someone to seek damages when they reasonably relied on a promise that did not come to fruition. Advertisement Advertisement Spokesperson Mike DeFina said Barnstable Public Schools does "not discuss personnel matters or ongoing litigation involving the district." Posts referenced illegal immigration, other issues Bergonzi had taught science at Brockton Public Schools in Brockton, Massachusetts, for 17 years when he was offered a position as an associate principal at Barnstable High School in Hyannis, Massachusetts, in September 2024. The district made clear during the interview process that it would not make a job offer unless and until" a review of a candidate's social media profiles took place, according to the complaint, which went on to say that no concerns about Bergonzis accounts were raised at the time. Bergonzi started the position in early October 2024. He was called into a meeting with the school principal and district HR director the following month, where he was told he was being placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation into memes and posts on his Facebook page took place, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement He later learned the matter stemmed from an anonymous email sent to the district by someone identified only as a concerned colleague. In a Dec. 3, 2024, meeting with district officials, he was shown several of his Facebook posts at issue, the complaint said. Among the posts, the latest of which was made in April 2024, was a meme saying, If A Fence Around The Capital Seems Like A Good Idea But Not On The US Border Youre A Special Kind Of Stupid, as well as one showing the Statue of Liberty alongside text reading, Where Does It Say Bring Me Hostile, Free Loading (expletive), Waving Their Own Flags? Another post showed Bergonzi writing SMH in response to an NBC News article about Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosting an Electeds of Color Holiday Party in 2023, and Seriously?!?!! in response to an image saying in part that Massachusetts Tells Residents To Open Up Their Homes For Illegal Migrants. Advertisement Advertisement The district officials acknowledged in the December meeting that Bergonzis Facebook page had not identified him as being affiliated with the district and that the posts had not caused any disturbance, the complaint said. Bergonzi was later told by a district official that his posts did not reflect the values of Barnstable Public Schools, the complaint said, and he was fired in December 2024. The complaint requested a jury trial and asked for the court to award Bergonzi damages for lost income and benefits, saying he has been unable to secure comparable employment and faces diminished employment prospects in his field because of the matter. BrieAnna Frank is a First Amendment reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at bjfrank@usatoday.com. Advertisement Advertisement USA TODAY's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Educator sues after being fired for conservative Facebook posts At least five Palestinian people have been killed in Gaza as a fierce winter storm toppled buildings damaged by Israeli attacks in its genocidal war on the territory, local health officials said. Dangerous living conditions persist in Gaza after more than two years of devastating Israeli bombardment and aid shortfalls. A ceasefire has been in effect since October 10. But aid groups say that Palestinians broadly lack the shelter necessary to withstand frequent winter storms. The people who died in Tuesdays stormy conditions include two women, a girl and a man, according to al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza Citys largest, which received their bodies. Advertisement Advertisement There were also reports of several other deaths of children and the elderly due to the cold weather. The Gaza Health Ministry said on Tuesday that a one-year-old boy died of hypothermia overnight. Two other children had died on Monday night due to the freezing conditions and inadequate shelter, Al Jazeera Arabic reported. Meanwhile, Israels military said it exchanged fire on Tuesday with six people spotted near its troops deployed in southern Gaza, killing at least two of them in western Rafah. Tents blown away, damaged On Tuesday, hundreds of tents and makeshift shelters were also blown away or heavily damaged, the UN humanitarian office reported. Advertisement Advertisement Three members of the same family 72-year-old Mohamed Hamouda, his 15-year-old granddaughter and his daughter-in-law were killed when an 8-metre (26-foot) high wall collapsed onto their tent in a coastal area along the Mediterranean shore of Gaza City, al-Shifa Hospital said. At least five others were injured. Their relatives on Tuesday began removing the rubble that had buried their loved ones and rebuilding the tent shelters for survivors. The world has allowed us to witness death in all its forms, Bassel Hamouda told the Associated Press after the funeral. Its true the bombing may have temporarily stopped, but we have witnessed every conceivable cause of death in the world in the Gaza Strip. A second woman was killed when a wall fell on her tent in the western part of the city, Shifa Hospital said. Advertisement Advertisement Civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal warned of catastrophic repercussions from the storm for Gazas population, the majority of whom have been left without adequate shelter as a result of Israels war and its ongoing restrictions on goods entering the territory. The majority of Palestinians in Gaza live in makeshift tents since their homes were reduced to rubble during the war. When storms strike the territory, Palestinian rescue workers warn people against seeking shelter inside damaged buildings for fears of collapse. Aid groups say not enough shelter materials are entering Gaza during the truce. The UN and its humanitarian partners have been distributing tents, tarps, blankets and clothes as well as nutrition and hygiene items across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. But Israel continues to block desperately needed humanitarian aid and critical supplies for shelters from entering the besieged Gaza Strip in violation of a ceasefire that began on October 10. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Hamas said it was regrettable that the international community was failing to provide relief to Gaza, saying the rising death toll and spread of illness showed the territory was experiencing the most horrific form of genocide. Surge of hospital patients A civil defence spokesperson said hospitals across the territory were also observing an influx of patients, particularly children, with cold-related illnesses, and the organisation had received hundreds of calls for support due to extreme cold. He said shelters had been damaged by the storm and were no longer fit for use, while other tents were being blown away completely by strong winds in western Gaza City. Advertisement Advertisement Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza, told Al Jazeera that the situation was the worst it had been since the winter storms began. He said about 10,000 families on Gazas coast were exposed to danger and further displacement as a result of the storm. Shawa said Israels restrictions on goods entering the Strip were preventing access to much-needed shelter and medical supplies and hampering the work of aid organisations, endangering Gazas hard-hit population. Gaza City Mayor Yahya al-Sarraj told Al Jazeera that Palestinians in the Strip were trapped in tragic circumstances, sheltering in inadequate tents and shelters, many of which were at risk of collapse, with insufficient supplies of medicine to treat those who are ill or wounded. Advertisement Advertisement He called on the international community to pressure Israel to allow aid into the territory so Palestinians would be able to rebuild their homes. The low-pressure system is expected to bring cold temperatures to Gaza until at least Tuesday evening, forecasters said. Man-made humanitarian catastrophe At a briefing on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the man-made humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and said Israel should allow aid into the enclave. Majed al-Ansari said that Qatar is working with mediators to push for the transition to the second phase of the Gaza agreement, noting that the complexities on the table at this moment necessitate progress towards implementing this phase. Advertisement Advertisement Al-Ansari stressed in his statements the need to avoid linking the agreement in Gaza with the opening of the Rafah crossing or the entry of humanitarian aid without conditions, adding that every day that passes without aid entering Gaza means more victims. He also stated that there are no specific timetables regarding Gaza, noting that Qatari contacts are ongoing and daily to push the agreement forward, and he asked Israel to answer the question: Why is the implementation of the Gaza agreement being delayed? As the death toll from the storm rose in Gaza, UNICEF said dozens of children have been killed since the start of the ceasefire three months ago. More than 100 children have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire of early October. Thats roughly a girl or a boy killed here every day during a ceasefire, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, told reporters. He said the children had been killed in air strikes, drone strikes, tank shelling and by live ammunition. Weve now gone to six children who died of hypothermia just in this winter, he added. The post Elephants Are Worshipped as GodsBut Their Sacred Status Doesnt Always Protect Them appeared first on A-Z Animals. Quick Take Elephants are revered as deities by Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions. Elephants have excellent memories , demonstrate empathy , and are exceptionally strong . These characteristics, and others, are what earned the elephant such high religious regard . Modern Indian festivals (poorams) feature live elephants in elaborate processions. Animal advocacy groups are fighting for better living conditions for captive elephants used in festival processionals. The elephant is an important part of many religions. Elephants play a central role in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions throughout Asia and Africawhether as deities, central characters in mythological stories, or through their depictions on temples. Read on to discover why the elephant has achieved this elevated status. Ganesha the Elephant-Headed God Perhaps the most famous elephant is the one associated with Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings, wisdom, and the remover of obstacles. Ganesha is one of the most revered deities in the Hindu religion, the son of Shiva and Parvati. He has an elephants head with one broken tusk and a human body with four arms. The most widely held myth of Ganeshas birth is an interesting one. Advertisement Advertisement It is said that Parvati created Ganesha out of the need to guard her from Shiva while she bathed. Shiva had a habit of barging in on Parvati while she bathed, and she wanted her privacy. So she collected the dirt she rubbed off her body and crafted a statue of a child, which then came to life. It became the newly formed childs duty to keep Shiva out. Shiva, upon encountering the child, did not recognize him and, in a fit of anger, cut off the boys head. To remedy this, he replaced it with an elephants head. He also gave him a protruding belly as an extra touch. Thus, the Ganesha we know today was born. Ganesha is one of the most revered Hindu deities. Denis Moskvinov/Shutterstock.com (Denis Moskvinov/Shutterstock.com) Ganesha is considered the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and the remover of obstacles. His head represents divine wisdom and the soul, while his body represents the physical world. He is the patron of intellect, representing writers, intellectuals, and students. His primary role is to clear the way to success. Elephants in Other Religious References Other religions, such as Buddhism, Jainism, and African belief systems like those of the Ashanti, also recognize the elephant as an important part of their worship. Elephant carvings can be found in temples, the animal appears as a central character in religious scriptures, and references to elephants are common in daily life. Advertisement Advertisement For example, the elephant appears prominently in Buddhisms Jataka tales, which are stories of Buddhas past lives. Elephant images and characteristics are often used as metaphors in Buddhist teachings, too. What Does the Elephant Symbolize? Elephants are known for their exceptional intelligence, powerful memory, and the ability to show empathy. They are comparable to great apes in terms of their intelligence, ability to solve problems, use tools, and demonstrate self-awareness. As the largest land mammals in the world, elephants are also incredibly strong. They also live very long lives, with many reaching more than 80 years old. The elephant is a truly unique and special animal. It is no wonder that so many religions chose the elephant to symbolize important attributes. While many religions revere the elephant, they do not all focus on the same traits. Elephants are beautiful animals full of symbolism. ElephantErik/Shutterstock.com (ElephantErik/Shutterstock.com) In Hinduism, elephants are sacred and divine. They represent loyalty, wisdom, and strength. Buddhists revere elephants for their purity, power, and potential. Various folk religions bring elephant figurines to shrines for luck and longevity. How Living Elephants Play a Role In Religious Life Throughout India, elephants can be found participating in a variety of Hindu religious ceremonies and festivals. The most eye-catching are the temple processions, where youll see elephants decorated with elaborate headgear and brightly-colored garments adorned with ornaments. These blinged-out elephants lead processions, symbolizing chariots for the gods. Advertisement Advertisement One of the grandest and most famous of these festivalsknown as pooramsis the Thrissur Pooram in Kerala, India. Held annually in April/May at the Vadakkunnathan Temple grounds, the festival features elaborate processions of elephants, accompanied by drum performances and fireworks. Elephants prepare for a festival procession in India, adorned in elaborate outerwear. Santhosh Varghese/Shutterstock.com (Santhosh Varghese/Shutterstock.com) Elephants are also often present near the entrance to temples throughout India. Worshippers receive blessings when these elephants gently tap them on the head with their trunks. Buddhists also incorporate elephants into their religious ceremonies, but not as elaborately as Hindus. Some Buddhists, especially in places like Thailand, may keep temple elephants near worship pagodas. These elephants are mostly for show and are not used in elaborate processions as seen in India. For Buddhists, though, elephants are most often referenced in teachings as symbols of patience, mental strength, and calmness. The Use of Live Elephants Is Not Without Controversy The modern use of live elephants in religious ceremonies is highly controversial. Conservation groups and elephant protection organizations regularly speak out about the negative impact that captive elephants, like the ones used in processions or as temple elephants, face. Advocacy groups are fighting to give captive elephants a better life. SuperJew, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Original / License (SuperJew, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons) These elephants are often kept in poor conditions, chained up with nothing but concrete floors beneath them. They lack the social interaction with other elephants that is essential for their well-being. When used in processionals, these elephants are subjected to loud noises and unruly crowds. The elephants may be treated cruelly in an effort to train them to endure these unnatural conditions. That training is not always effective. Advertisement Advertisement Thanks to advocacy by groups like Wildlife SOS and World Animal Protection, new laws have been implemented to protect elephants. For example, the Supreme Court of India has addressed the use of elephants in temple festivals, emphasizing the need to balance cultural traditions with animal welfare. The post Elephants Are Worshipped as GodsBut Their Sacred Status Doesnt Always Protect Them appeared first on A-Z Animals. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) pulled no punches on Monday in roasting her former fellow Senate Democrat, Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). Warren spoke at the National Press Club and accused Sinema of cashing in from the industry she protected. Many voters are rightly skeptical that well really make something happen, Warren said, referring to party policy on fixing the affordability crisis. After all, we didnt even take the extraordinarily obvious and simple step of increasing the minimum wage the last time we had power. Ask Kyrsten Sinema, the former Democratic senator from Arizona, who curtsied on the Senate floor while rejecting a minimum wage increase in 2021 to raise wages for up to 27 million Americans, and then spent the rest of her time in office protecting hedge fund managers from paying taxes and blocking filibuster reform, Warren said, adding: Sinema faced no consequences from her president or her leaders in Washington. Eventually, it was her own constituents back home who chased her out of the Senate. But today, she is cashing in from the industry she protected. The Wall Street Journal recently marveled at the sheer number of projects Sinema has taken on from crypto, AI, and other wealthy corporate clients. And meanwhile, millions of working Americans who have not seen a minimum wage increase in almost two decades are still waiting for Democrats to deliver on one of our most basic promises. Sinema sparked fury on the left during her time in office for skuttling some of the Democrats top policy agenda items during President Joe Bidens term, including closing the carried interest loophole that benefits hedge fund managers and stopping an increase in corporate taxes. Watch the clip above via C-SPAN. The post Elizabeth Warren Accuses Former Democratic Colleague of Blatant Corruption: She Is Cashing In first appeared on Mediaite. Police Scotland's commanding officer has failed to persuade the Scottish government to provide funding for an extra 850 officers and 348 civilian staff. Chief Constable Jo Farrell had asked for an additional 33.7m to strengthen frontline policing and modernise the workforce in the face of increasing online harm, gangland violence and public protests. But the new funding allocation of a record 1,729m for policing falls short of what she said the force needed to "stand still." Advertisement Advertisement The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Scottish Prison Service (SPS) also expressed disappointment after receiving less than they had asked for. The Scottish government said the total funding for the justice sector had increased to 4,616.8m and "strengthens Scotland's commitment to a safer and fairer society." Police Scotland had argued for the 33.7m as part of an overall increase of 138.6m, in the face of "critical" resource issues, a cost of living crisis, civil unrest, new laws and increasingly complex investigations. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Farrell said: "I recognise a 90m cash-terms uplift to revenue funding and an improved capital allocation for policing against a challenging public finance picture. "Police Scotland will continue to engage with the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish government to understand the full implications of the budget and develop our planning for the year ahead. "My focus continues to be on prioritising our frontline to deliver safer communities, less crime, and supported victims as part of our vision for policing." David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation - which represents officers up to the rank of chief inspector - said that due to inflation, rising demand and workforce pressures meant that police are being asked to "do more with less". Advertisement Advertisement He said there were already fewer officers on shift, slower response times, and less visible community policing. "If ministers want a police service that prevents crime, supports victims and responds when communities need it, they must fund policing at the level required - not the level hoped for," he added. [PA Media] The SFRS had sought an additional 31m of resource funding to avoid further reducing firefighter numbers and 61m of capital funding to repair its stations. Instead, its budget is going up by 23.8m to 436m. Chief Officer Stuart Stevens said: "While we welcome additional investment for our service, our capital backlog and increasing running costs remain a significant challenge for our organisation. Advertisement Advertisement "We will now take time to fully analyse and consider the details and begin planning for the next financial year. "However, we will continue to deliver a reliable, effective service as we work to keep the people of Scotland safe." John McKenzie says the budget does not repair cuts to the fire service [BBC] John McKenzie, of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), described the budget as "a wasted opportunity" and claimed the government had failed "for the fourth year in a row" to find the investment the service needed. "While our members will broadly welcome the increase to the resource budget as a small step in the right direction, it is still over 11m short of what the SFRS set out as being required to recruit the new firefighters needed over the next three years," he said. Advertisement Advertisement "With 1,250 firefighter jobs lost since 2013, the resource increase doesn't go far enough to repair the damage these cuts have caused." McKenzie described the capital budget increase of less than 1.5m as "utterly inadequate" and said it sat against an 818m capital backlog which had left fire stations "not fit for purpose". He added some were held up by scaffolding and many were without adequate toilets or running water. McKenzie said: "Overall the proposed budget announced today fails the FBU members who keep our communities safe and are being forced to work under increasingly intolerable conditions." Teresa Medhurst said the Scottish Prison Service's funding fell short of what was needed [PA Media] The budget for the Scottish Prison Service has increased by 124.3m to 1,012.3m. Advertisement Advertisement But that is at least 20m less than it was looking for, as it tries to cope with record levels of overcrowding, build new prisons and repair existing jails. Chief executive Teresa Medhurst said: "We have operated in a period of sustained operational challenge for many months, with an exceptionally high and complex population putting pressure on all those who live and work in our establishments. "It is therefore welcome that this budget contains continuing support for HMP Glasgow and HMP Highland, but it's disappointing that it falls short of all the requirements I set out, and we will now take time to consider the details and implications of this." 'Bitter blow for legal aid' The government said it was investing 212m in the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service, 86.5m in criminal justice social work and 195m in the legal aid system. Advertisement Advertisement But the Law Society of Scotland said the legal aid fund was going up by just 3%, despite "an ongoing crisis in access to justice." The society's president Patricia Thom said the budget was a "bitter blow for legal aid" and access to justice in Scotland. She added: "The finance secretary speaks about 'delivery and hope', yet the Scottish government has failed on both counts for people who can't afford the legal help they need. "We've consistently highlighted the need for substantial reforms and an urgent fees uplift to put the system back on a viable and sustainable footing. Advertisement Advertisement "If the Scottish government cares about access to justice, it cannot afford to ignore this issue until after the election." Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: "We will invest 4.6bn across the justice system in 2026-27 to support frontline services, build safe communities, reduce crime and re-offending and support victims and witnesses. "This includes record funding of more than 1.7bn for policing, and a further 3m to tackle retail crime to build on its successes in 2025-26; almost 436m for the SFRS and over 1.bn for prisons and community justice." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that Iran's current leadership may be nearing its end amid mass protests across the country. "If a regime can only stay in power through the use of violence, then it is effectively finished," Merz said on Tuesday during a visit to Bengaluru in India. "I assume that we may now be witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime." Merz had already condemned the actions of Iranian security forces against peaceful protesters on Monday, describing them as "disproportionate" and "brutal." Advertisement Advertisement Iran has been gripped since December 28 by its most serious protest wave for years. What began as protests by shopkeepers over a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial and mounting economic hardship quickly spiralled into nationwide demonstrations against the country's hardline Islamic rulers. Activists say the security forces have responded using brutal tactics, including firing tear gas and bullets. The Oslo-based human rights group Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) says at least 648 people have been killed since the protests erupted. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) also puts the death toll at around 650, including 505 protesters - nine of whom are said to be minors aged under 18. Advertisement Advertisement IHRNGO said that some estimates put the toll at over 6,000, while more than 10,000 are believed to have been arrested. It is impossible to verify the figures, also due the ongoing internet blackout imposed by the authorities. "The population is now rising up against this regime," Merz said. "I hope that there is a way to end this conflict peacefully." The chancellor said the foreign ministers of Germany, the US, the UK and France were in "close contact to ensure that there can now be a peaceful transition in Iran to a democratically legitimate government." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday said the European Union is working on new punitive measures for Tehran as the death toll from a crackdown on anti-government protests rises. "The rising number of casualties in Iran is horrifying," von der Leyen wrote on social media. "I unequivocally condemn the excessive use of force and continued restriction of freedom," she said. Advertisement Advertisement The Oslo-based human rights group Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) says at least 648 people have been killed since the protests erupted in December. IHRNGO said that some estimates put the toll at over 6,000, while more than 10,000 are believed to have been arrested. Von der Leyen said that "further sanctions on those responsible for the repression will be swiftly proposed." "We stand with the people of Iran who are bravely marching for their liberty." Iran has been gripped since December 28 by its most serious protest wave for years. What began as protests by shopkeepers over a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial and mounting economic hardship quickly spiralled into nationwide demonstrations against the country's hardline Islamic rulers. Advertisement Advertisement The violence against protesters has reignited a debate in the EU about the possible classification of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The government in Berlin said on Monday that Germany was committed to reaching agreement on this issue. Von der Leyen stressed that the EU had previously imposed sanctions on the IRGC over human rights violations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday said the European Union is working on new punitive measures against Tehran as the death toll from a crackdown on anti-government protests rises. "The rising number of casualties in Iran is horrifying," von der Leyen wrote on social media. "I unequivocally condemn the excessive use of force and continued restriction of freedom," she said. Advertisement Advertisement The Oslo-based human rights group Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) says at least 648 people have been killed since the protests erupted in December. IHRNGO said that some estimates put the toll at over 6,000, while more than 10,000 are believed to have been arrested. Von der Leyen said that "further sanctions on those responsible for the repression will be swiftly proposed." "We stand with the people of Iran who are bravely marching for their liberty." Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, also sharply condemned the crackdown on protesters during a visit to Berlin on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement "The regime has a track record of brutally suppressing protests, and no one knows what the next days will bring," Kallas said during a meeting with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. "The heavy-handed and brutal response by the security forces is unacceptable and exposes a regime afraid of its own people," she said, echoing von der Leyen's remarks that the EU was working on additional sanctions. Iran has been gripped since December 28 by its most serious protest wave for years. What began as protests by shopkeepers over a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial and mounting economic hardship quickly spiralled into nationwide demonstrations against the country's hardline Islamic rulers. Advertisement Advertisement The violence against protesters has reignited a debate in the EU about the possible classification of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The government in Berlin said on Monday that Germany was committed to reaching an agreement on this issue. Von der Leyen stressed that the EU had previously imposed sanctions on the IRGC over human rights violations. By Manuela Andreoni and Lucinda Elliott SAO PAULO/MONTEVIDEO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - A mega trade deal clinched between the European Union and South Americas biggest economies after a quarter-century of talks may signal the limits of the Trump administrations pressure tactics in the region, officials and analysts said. The trade alliance between the EU and South America's Mercosur, comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, will substantially boost trade ties in a region that saw commerce with China soar in recent decades while U.S. influence plummeted. Advertisement Advertisement But even as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration seeks wider regional fealty, South American governments from Brazil to Peru are unlikely to relinquish strengthening ties to China or Europe at a time when they have eclipsed the U.S. in trade in most of the region. If anything, several analysts said, Trumps efforts to flex American power in the region may have helped push past the finish line a trade agreement that suffered numerous delays over two decades of negotiations. If credit for this deal goes to anyone, it is to the international context," said Ignacio Bartesaghi, a foreign policy adviser who has worked with numerous Uruguayan governments over the years. "It goes to Trumps tariff war, the conflict in Ukraine, to what happened in Venezuela recently. Trumps commando raid to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which set the stage for a more amenable successor government, was the latest of several moves by the U.S. president to sway regional governments. Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Trump threatened to cut off U.S. financial support to Honduras if a conservative candidate did not win the presidential election and conditioned billions of dollars in loans to Argentina on conservatives triumphing in the country's midterms. He also used steep tariffs on Brazilian goods to try forcing the country to stop the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a staunch Trump ally. Voters backed Trump's choice in both elections. But Bolsonaro was later convicted, and the U.S. government dropped most of the new tariffs against Brazilian products soon after. The return of Americas pre-eminence in the Western Hemisphere, led by President Trump, is undisputed, Anna Kelly, a White House spokeswoman, said in a statement. "All of the Presidents foreign policy actions have restored American strength after four years of weakness under Joe Biden." Advertisement Advertisement MORE DEALS TO COME Trump has repeatedly bashed multilateralism and refused to abide by international rules, withdrawing the U.S. from several global pacts and even telling The New York Times last week that he did not need "international law." Few countries in Latin America seem to agree. While Argentine President Javier Milei, one of Trump's closest allies in the region, praised the U.S.-backed capture of Maduro, his Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno also celebrated the deal with the EU as a victory for clear rules and freedom." Venezuela was a full Mercosur member until its suspension in 2016 for failing to meet trade and human rights commitments. Advertisement Advertisement One Brazilian official close to the presidency, who asked not to be named to discuss private deliberations, called the EU deal a "breath of fresh air" in "the most shameful and negatively critical week for multilateralism in decades. The agreement signed this month may also push Mercosur to conclude other trade agreements with Canada and the United Arab Emirates, said Welber Barral, a former Brazilian trade secretary. "Countries are seeking to create regional rules that can be obeyed, so they won't depend on the World Trade Organization, which is being discredited by Trump," Barral said. The EU-Mercosur deal is just one more example of several being negotiated and signed by countries that were hit with steep tariffs by the Trump administration, such as Indonesia's trade accord with the European bloc and a pledge between Japan, South Korea and China to increase regional trade. Officials from the European Commission will travel to Asuncion, Paraguay, on Jan. 17 for the formal signing of the agreement. Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi and foreign ministers from the Mercosur bloc are also expected to attend. Advertisement Advertisement The deal between Europe and South America shows that many countries want to reinforce global norms, said Margaret Myers, director of the Asia & Latin America Program at the Inter-American Dialogue. At a time when the U.S. is breaking from the status quo, parts of Latin America appear to be upholding it, she said. Its a wake-up call for the U.S. (Additional reporting By Luciana Magalhaes in Sao Paulo and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; Editing by Christian Plumb and Diane Craft) President Donald Trump has been briefed about possible ways the U.S. might intervene in Iran, as the government there reportedly has become increasingly violent toward protesters. On Monday, Trump also announced new tariffs in response to the escalating violence. At the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center, just south of Tehran, videos released online showed Iranian families searching through hundreds of black bags for the bodies of their loved ones over the weekend. From video taken at several locations, some of the deceased appear to be young men and women. Advertisement Advertisement Protests began in Iran on Dec. 28 against the countrys government and failing economy, and have since spread to 180 cities and towns across all 31 provinces, according to accounts. Most of these accounts have not been independently verified because of the difficulty in gathering information in the country. Though several reports conflict, the death toll has been estimated to be more than 500, with thousands more reportedly arrested. The countrys internet was blocked starting on Jan. 8, presumably by the government. Iran is now in its fourth day of the blackout, per the cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks. Advertisement Advertisement The blackout has shut down the countrys SMS system, and phone calls are shut off at night. Messaging on the Islamic Republics app is unavailable, but mobile banking apps have started back up, a resident of central Iran told Los Angeles-based tech entrepreneur Mehdi Yahyanejad. In Shahsavar, northern Iran, thousands of anti-regime protesters took to the streets. pic.twitter.com/VTSM1MK8yN Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) January 11, 2026 A 20-year-old civil engineering student, Novian, told IranWire that everything changed once Iran cut the internet. Shootings increased, and gunfire came from all directions. It wasnt even possible to distinguish who was shooting at whom. It was like an apocalypse movie, he said. Iran says its prepared for war In a news conference Monday, Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told a group of ambassadors, We are not warmongers, but we are prepared for war. We are also prepared for negotiations, but fair negotiations, with equal rights and mutual respect." Advertisement Advertisement Irans foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei added that the communication line between Araghchi and U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is open and messages are exchanged whenever necessary. The Islamic State-run newspaper Tasnim reported that any media or political support for the countrys protests is an unacceptable intervention in the internal security of the country. Meanwhile, President Trump announced that any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25%, from the U.S., effective immediately. He also confirmed that Iran had contacted the U.S. about potential talks. But we may have to act before a meeting, he said, per The Washington Post. "Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive...." - PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/UQ1ylPezs9 The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 12, 2026 BREAKING: Tonight, Isfahan in Iran is on fire. Uprising against the Islamic Occupation continues. pic.twitter.com/Yt1M4uFqXT Tousi TV (@TousiTVOfficial) January 12, 2026 Trump says its looks like theyre starting to cross a line Aboard Air Force One on Sunday, when asked if Iran had crossed a red line yet to trigger a response, Trump said, Theyre starting to. Advertisement Advertisement Were looking at it very seriously. The militarys looking at it. And were looking at some very strong options. Well make a determination, Trump said. He added that he is getting hourly reports and will make a determination soon. During his conversation with the press, Trump said that he was going to call Elon Musk about helping reconnect the country to the internet. We may get the internet going, if thats possible, Trump said. We may speak to Elon, as you know hes very good at that kind of thing. Hes got a very good company. Starlink blocked Though owning a Starlink receiver is illegal in Iran and can result in two years in prison, Yahyanejad estimated that there are tens of thousands of the devices currently in the country. Advertisement Advertisement But the receivers that exist in country have been having abnormal issues connecting users to the internet. Internet researcher Amir Rashidi told IranWire that military-grade jamming signals were detected targeting Starlink satellites, after the protests began. By 10 p.m. local time, more than 80% of packets sent by Starlink devices is lost, he said. Rashidi said hed never seen interference of this kind before. The technology involved is highly sophisticated and military-grade, IranWire reported. The U.S. State Department has financially supported several organizations that provide Iranians with free virtual private network technology for more than 15 years, as an effort to get around Iranian censorship. David Cunio (photo credit: SCREENSHOT/VIA SECTION 24A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT) The 35-year-old was abducted from his home on October 7, 2023, along with his wife, Sharon Aloni Cunio, and his then-3-year-old twin daughters, Yuli and Emma. Former Gaza hostage David Cunio was repeatedly told by his captors that his wife had moved on, he shared with Channel 12 in an interview on Monday. The 35-year-old was abducted from his home on October 7, 2023, along with his wife, Sharon Aloni Cunio, and his then-3-year-old twin daughters, Yuli and Emma. The four of them, along with Cunio's sister-in-law Danielle Aloni and then-5-year-old niece, attempted to hide in their house's safe room, only for Hamas terrorists to set fire to the house. Advertisement Advertisement Cunio attempted to block the incoming smoke with a thick towel, but eventually was forced to flee out of the window along with Yuli. The two were caught outside the house, while the rest of the family was caught separately and kidnapped to Gaza. "Suddenly I see Sharon out of the corner of my eye, being dragged by one of the terrorist," Cunio told N12 about being taken to Gaza. "I shouted, 'My wife, my wife!'" "As soon as I got to the vehicle, he asked me where Emma was," Sharon recalled. Hostages Ariel and David Cunio on a phone call with their mother, Silvia, ahead of their slated release from Gaza terror captivity, October 13, 2025. (credit: SCREENSHOT/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT) An IDF helicopter shot at the Hamas vehicles as they made their way to Gaza, killing a kibbutz member and wounding Sharon, Cunio, and Yuli with shrapnel. Throughout their ordeal, they still had no idea what happened to Emma. Advertisement Advertisement "The whole time we were asking them, telling them there was another girl who looked really similar to Yuli named Emma, and that she was her twin and if they could find her," Cunio said. "But nobody knew, there was such chaos." Once they reached the house in Gaza where they'd start off being held, Cunio described, he felt that he had to protect his wife and daughter, as the only man there. "I'd see the two Hamas members guarding us sleeping," he said, "and the knife under the bed, and I wondered if I could do something." But even if Cunio had succeeded in killing the two guards, he had no hope of escaping that way, he decided. On the tenth day of the war, the house Cunio and his family were being kept in was bombed, and the three were transferred to the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis. Advertisement Advertisement "Yuli was in silent mode," Cunio told N12. "Her sister wasn't at her side, she didn't understand what was happening with her sister. We don't know, we don't have answers for her. She's asking questions you don't know how to respond to." At the hospital, the family was finally reunited with Emma. She was skinny, neglected, and had rashes, and had been brought so that Hamas could film a propaganda piece of the family. "We were holding her and she didn't recognize us," Cunio said, "She looks at us and just keeps crying." Eventually, Sharon was able to get Emma to calm down by singing the children's song"Red Eleinu Aviron" (Come Down to Us, Airplane). A family divided again: 'I was dying of fright' On day 49 of their captivity, Sharon, Emma, and Yuli were released as part of a deal Israel made with Hamas. "The worst moment of my life is when I was separated from Yuli, Emma, and Sharon," Cunio recounted. "I couldn't stop telling Sharon that I was dying of fright. I asked everyone in the room to not give up on me, to get me out." Advertisement Advertisement Only a few weeks later, Cunio was removed from the hospital and taken down to Hamas' tunnels below Gaza, where he would spend the remainder of his two years of captivity. On his first day, Cunio recalled, he asked one of the Hamas terrorists who spoke Hebrew about his twin brother, Eitan. "The last message I got from him had been 'Save me, I'm burning in my house with my family.' I was convinced he was dead, and I wanted to know more." The terrorist told Cunio that they had Eitan there and brought him to a different room - only for Cunio to learn that the hostage the terrorist described was Eitan Horn, not Eitan Cunio. Horn and Cunio remained close during their captivity, but Cunio shared that he found it difficult to say Horn's name. "I would say 'Eitan' and just start to cry," he remembered. Advertisement Advertisement It wouldn't be until the last day of his captivity that Cunio would learn that his brother was alive. Cunio experienced physical, psychological torture Cunio detailed the extensive physical and psychological torture he withstood during his time in captivity. "There was a period of time when we were on 250 milliliters of water and half a pita per day," he recalled. "Complete darkness, and you can hear people's stomachs. We pleaded with them to give us another spoonful of jam, something else small, but they didn't give us anything." Despite steadily growing weaker from the inhumane treatment, Cunio and the other hostages had to walk for hours through the tunnels. "We thought we'd walk for an hour or two... From ten in the morning until 11 at night, we walked in those tunnels." Cunio described moments of anguish and despair, but also a fragment of hope he was able to hold onto. "I had a hair tie belonging to my girls that I found in my pocket, and bracelets I made from date pits," he shared. "I would sit with them, close my eyes, and pray. I'd talk to them, tell them I love them, that they are my most precious things in the world." This connection to his daughters gave Cunio the strength to hold on to reality when things seemed darkest. Advertisement Advertisement Hamas members lied to Cunio about his family, he shared, telling him that his wife had moved on and might have been with someone else. "It slowly penetrates, that garbage," he said. "No matter how fake it sounds, in there it felt completely real." On October 8, 2025, Cunio was finally informed that he was going to be released. He was overjoyed to be reunited with his younger brother, Ariel, who had also been taken hostage. The two of them conducted avideo call with their family on the morning of their release. "Suddenly, I see that everyone in my family is still alive," Cunio described. "Everyone, everyone, not even one missing." Cunio was shaking when he met his daughters again for the first time after his captivity. "All I wanted," he shared, "was for them to run up to me and hug me." Advertisement Advertisement Cunio was amazed at how much his daughters had grown. "Their communication, how they talk to Sharon, the sentences that connect and don't get stuck in the middle, it's like all the little things changed. Their hair was long, long, long." "It's not easy to return from captivity and try to build a family as if nothing ever happened, especially when you have little girls," Cunio concluded. "They're slowly coming to trust me again, to want me around them more. Things are starting to get back in place." The man arrested in connection with the deaths of a dentist and his wife will be extradited to Ohio. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Michael McKee appeared in court on Monday afternoon in Winnebago County, Illinois, according to our media partner WBNS-10 TV. McKee is facing charges of two counts of murder in the deaths of 37-year-old Spencer Tepe and 39-year-old Monique Tepe. Advertisement Advertisement He waived his extradition hearing on Monday, meaning he will be transported to Ohio for his arraignment in Franklin County. TRENDING STORIES: WBNS-10 reported that his public defender indicates that he plans to plead not guilty. The Winnebago County Sheriffs Office and the Franklin County officials will work together to get McKee to Ohio. Court documents obtained by WBNS-10 confirm that McKee is Moniques ex-husband. Advertisement Advertisement As previously reported by News Center 7, the couple was found dead in their Weinland Park home on Dec. 30. Officers found the couple during a wellness check after Spencer Tepes coworker reported that the dentist had not appeared for work at a dental practice in Athens. >>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Ohio dentist, wife found dead in home; police release video of person of interest Records say police were able to identify McKee through neighborhood video surveillance, WBNS reports. He was reportedly tracked to a vehicle that arrived just before the shootings and left shortly after. The vehicle was located in Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Officers also found evidence that McKee had ownership of the car, WBNS said. The Tepe family released a statement to WBNS after the arrest. Todays arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer. Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, but we are grateful to the City of Columbus Police Department, its investigators, and the assisting law enforcement community whose tireless efforts helped to capture the person involved. We thank the community for the continued support, prayers and compassion shown throughout this tragedy. As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible fully accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind. We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Claim: Gov. Tim Walz changed the state flag of Minnesota to closely resemble the national flag of Somalia. Rating: Rating: False Context: Minnesota is home to the largest number of Somali Americans in the country, but any similarities between the new flag and the Somali flag are pure coincidence. In December 2025 and January 2026, social media posts claimed Minnesota had changed its flag to closely resemble the national flag of Somalia. This is the Somali flag and the newly adopted Minnesota flag. Americans, when will you organize to protest, fight, and recover our home? pic.twitter.com/QsiTXHbFGp Dale Partridge (@dalepartridge) December 29, 2025 The claim was not new. Posts on social media have compared the two flags since 2024, when Minnesota adopted a new design. For instance, some posts spread the claim in August 2024, when then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice presidential running mate. Advertisement Advertisement Those 2024 posts claimed Walz was behind the design choice and implied he would turn the U.S. into some kind of "New Somalia" as vice president. The claims are demonstrably false Walz did not change the state flag of Minnesota to resemble that of Somalia. Here's what actually happened: Minnesota's old flag centered the state's seal, which featured a white settler tilling land and an Indigenous man on horseback, on a blue background. Indigenous Minnesotans, including Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, said the seal and the state flag were insulting to their heritage and attempted to erase the historical record of settler-inflicted violence against Native American groups. Meanwhile, others noted that the old flag broke several principles of "good flag design" as published by the North American Vexillological Association. So, in 2023, the Minnesota Legislature created a commission to redesign the state flag and seal. According to Minnesota Public Radio, it took 10 attempts in the Legislature to pass a bill calling for a new flag and a new seal. Walz signed that bill into law, but that was the only part he played in creating the new flag. Advertisement Advertisement The commission received more than 2,500 redesign proposals, both serious and unserious, before choosing its top six designs, then whittling the number down to three, before finally selecting a base design created by Andrew Prekker. Prekker's design featured a three horizontal stripes of white, green and light blue, with a navy blue stylized outline of Minnesota's shape on the left side of the flag and an eight-pointed star a nod to the state's motto, "L'etoile du Nord," French for "The Star of the North" centered in the outline. The commission modified Prekker's design slightly by simplifying the star and removing the horizontal stripes in favor of a field entirely of light blue, representing the water of the so-called "Land of 10,000 Lakes" and the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The commission released a comprehensive report on the design that is publicly available, and the new flag was officially flown for the first time on May 11, 2024. So where does Somalia play into this? Minnesota is home to more than 60,000 Somali Americans, the largest such community in the nation. And indeed, both flags feature a star and a light blue field. But looking at both flags side by side reveals that they're not very similar. (Wikimedia Commons) (Wikimedia Commons) Somalia's flag features a white, five-pointed star (representing the five Somali homelands) in the center of a light blue background (inspired by the United Nations, which helped Somalia gain independence), while Minnesota's uses an eight-pointed star specifically over the simplified state outline, which is in navy blue. Advertisement Advertisement Sure, there are similarities. But the resemblance is purely a coincidence, according to the commission's explanation of the symbols on the flag. The Dispatch, an online publication that openly describes itself as conservative, spoke with a representative from the Minnesota Historical Society, who confirmed that the similarities were coincidental: The new Minnesota flag was not designed based on the Somali flag. The designer who submitted the design concept, who is from Luverne, Minnesota, cited many symbols and references of Minnesota as his design inspiration. The Commission further refined the design to represent important features of Minnesota including the North Star, the shape of the State of Minnesota, and blue representing the waters of Minnesota. Finally, it's not uncommon for flags to look alike sometimes much moreso than those of Minnesota and Somalia: Romania and Chad both use a tricolor design of vertical blue, yellow and red bars, while Indonesia and Monaco's flags both are horizontal stripes of red on top of white, for example. Sources: Bettin, Anthony, and WCCO Staff. Minnesota Changed Its State Flag. But Why? - CBS Minnesota. 13 May 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/new-flag-minnesota-explanation-history/. Demas, Alex. "Does Minnesota's New State Flag Resemble That of an Autonomous Somali State?" The Dispatch, 21 Dec. 2023, https://thedispatch.com/article/does-minnesotas-new-state-flag-resemble-that-of-an-autonomous-somali-state/. Advertisement Advertisement Derwin, Jack. "Elon Musk Just Discovered That Chad and Romania Have Almost Identical Flags but They're Not the Only Lookalikes." Business Insider, https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-tweet-shows-chad-and-romania-have-identical-flags-2019-9. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024. Epstein, Reid J., et al. "Tim Walz Is Kamala Harris's Choice for Vice President." The New York Times, 6 Aug. 2024. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/us/politics/kamala-harris-vp.html. Flag of Minnesota | Meaning, Colors, & History | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Minnesota. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024. Flag of Somalia | Meaning, Colors & Symbolism | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Somalia. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement "Let It Wave: Minnesota's New Flag Takes Flight." MPR News, 11 May 2024, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/05/11/new-minnesota-state-flag-debuts-state-capitol. Minnesota Secretary Of State - State Flag. https://www.sos.state.mn.us/about-minnesota/state-symbols/state-flag/. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024. Somali Population by State 2024. https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/somali-population-by-state. Accessed 6 Aug. 2024. The New Official Flag and Great Seal. Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission, 1 Jan. 2024, https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/5892/2023-state-emblem-redesign-commission-report.pdf. Advertisement Advertisement What Is The History Behind Minnesota's Somali-American Community? - CBS Minnesota. 23 July 2019, https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-somali-american-population-good-question/. "What to Know about Minnesota's New State Flag and Seal." PBS News, 3 Jan. 2024, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-to-know-about-minnesotas-new-state-flag-and-seal. NUUK, Greenland (AP) U.S. President Donald Trump has made an American takeover of Greenland a focus of his second term in the White House, calling it a national security priority while repeating false claims about the strategic Arctic island. In recent comments, he has floated using military force as an option to take control of Greenland. He has said if the U.S. does not acquire the island, which is a self-governing territory of NATO ally Denmark, then it will fall into Chinese or Russian hands. Heres a closer look at the facts. Advertisement Advertisement TRUMP, discussing the security situation in the Arctic: We need that because if you take a look outside of Greenland right now, there are Russian destroyers, there are Chinese destroyers and, bigger, there are Russian submarines all over the place. Were not gonna have Russia or China occupy Greenland, and thats what theyre going to do if we dont." THE FACTS: Experts have repeatedly rebuffed Trump's claims of Chinese and Russian military forces lurking off Greenland's coastline. Experts say Russia instead operates in the Barents Sea, off the Scandinavian coast, and both China and Russia have a presence in the Bering Sea south of Alaska. That statement makes no sense in terms of facts, said Andreas sthagen, research director for Arctic and ocean politics at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Oslo, Norway. There are no Russian and Chinese ships all over the place around Greenland. Russia and/or China has no capacity to occupy Greenland or to take control over Greenland. The only Chinese I see is when I go to the fast food market, Lars Vintner, a heating engineer told The Associated Press in Greenland's capital Nuuk. He said he frequently goes sailing and hunting and has never seen Russian or Chinese ships. Another Greenlander, Hans Nrgaard, told AP that Trump's claims are fantasy. Advertisement Advertisement Lin Mortensgaard, an expert on the international politics of the Arctic at the Danish Institute for International Studies, said that while there are probably Russian submarines as there are across the vast Arctic region near Greenland, there are no surface vessels. China has research vessels in the Central Arctic Ocean, and while the Chinese and Russian militaries have done joint exercises in the Arctic, they have taken place closer to Alaska, she said. Asked about Trumps claim that there are multiple Chinese and Russian ships and submarines around the island, Greenland business minister Naaja Nathanielsen responded Tuesday: "Not that we are aware of." While Russia and China have an interest in the Arctic, we dont detect an actual threat," she said. Advertisement Advertisement America is still recognized as quite a big superpower, Nathanielsen added, and I dont see any appetite from Russia or China to destabilize this. __ TRUMP, discussing Denmark's defenses in Greenland: "You know what their defense is? Two dog sleds." THE FACTS: The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite Danish naval unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, is stationed in Greenland. It's a key part of the Danish military infrastructure in the inhospitable Arctic terrain, experts say. Remember, transportation of the area is either by sea or by air. There are no highways, said Steven Lamy, an international relations professor and Arctic security expert at the University of Southern California. You can't basically get in a car or a Bradley vehicle or tank or anything and go up there. So they have dog sleds. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to these special elite forces, Denmark has several surface patrol ships and surveillance aircraft and the kingdom is moving to further strengthen its military presence around Greenland and in the wider North Atlantic. Last year, the government announced a roughly 14.6 billion-kroner ($2.3 billion) agreement with parties including the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, another self-governing territory of Denmark, to improve capabilities for surveillance and maintaining sovereignty in the region. The plan includes three new Arctic naval vessels, two additional long-range surveillance drones and satellite capacity. Meanwhile, Denmarks Joint Arctic Command is headquartered in Nuuk, the capital, and tasked with the surveillance, assertion of sovereignty and military defense of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, according to its website. It has smaller satellite stations across the island. Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic. The U.S. Department of Defense also operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which was built after the U.S. and Denmark signed the Defense of Greenland Treaty in 1951. It supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations for the U.S. and NATO. Advertisement Advertisement __ TRUMP, discussing why Greenland is part of the Danish kingdom: The fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesnt mean that they own the land. Im sure we had lots of boats go there also. THE FACTS: The first humans arrived in northern Greenland circa 2,500 B.C., traveling from what is now Canada after the narrow strait separating the island from North America froze over. The Norse explorer Erik the Red arrived circa A.D. 985 with a fleet of Viking ships, according to the medieval Icelandic sagas. In 1721, Lutheran missionary Hans Egede arrived in Greenland and ultimately began efforts to convert the Indigenous people to Christianity, marking the start of Denmarks modern colonization of Greenland, which formally became a Danish colony in 1814. The U.S. government recognized Denmarks right to the whole of Greenland more than a century later. Advertisement Advertisement Its the same logic about the U.S. and sovereignty, right? You have a couple of boats arriving from Europe and now you own the United States of America, said sthagen, of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute. The Indigenous population was there before you guys." In 2009, Greenland became a self-governing country within the Danish kingdom. The island has a right to independence when requested by local voters. International law has developed over the centuries, pivoting from land-grabbing colonial powers to modern-day treaties honoring borders largely developed after World War II. Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher and Arctic security expert at the Danish Institute for International Studies, said postwar it has remained important, especially to the U.S., for countries to refrain from exerting power over other territories. Advertisement Advertisement We shouldnt just grab and go to war, he said. Rather, it should be peoples who have their self-determination. __ Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck. __ Dazio reported from Berlin and Zhang reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report. A Palmetto man faces a murder charge in a deadly 2019 shooting after investigators found him in another country and deported him back to the U.S., according to the Manatee County Sheriffs Office. After an investigation that spanned over six years, the sheriffs office worked with the FBI and local authorities in Mexico to catch 27-year-old Irving Zuniga in Mexico City, according to a news release. Zuniga had allegedly fled from Florida to Mexico after shooting and killing 18-year-old Jesus Molina on June 29, 2019, in Manatee County, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement When authorities found him, they transported Zuniga to Miami, where the sheriffs office and members of the FBI task force took him into custody, the news release said. Law enforcement then transported him to Manatee County, where he is facing a charge of second-degree murder, according the sheriffs office. Palmetto man charged with 2019 murder At about 7:17 a.m. on June 29, 2019, an individual notified the Manatee County Sheriffs Office of a man lying unresponsive in the grass in the 1200 block of 61st Street East in Palmetto. Deputies found 18-year-old Jesus Molina deceased with a gunshot wound to the head, the news release said. After the Manatee Homicide Investigation Unit began its investigation, detectives determined that Zuniga and Molina were arguing outside a residence in the 1200 block of Martin Luther King Place, which led to Zuniga allegedly shooting Molina in the head and taking his body to a remote area, according to the release. Detectives attempted to locate Zuniga in Manatee County, but later discovered that he had fled to Mexico, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office began working with the FBI on the case over the summer, and learned last week that Zuniga was in Mexico City, the news release said. Zuniga was booked into the Manatee County Jail on Saturday, where he is being held without bond, according to the release. The FBI is reportedly probing whether Renee Good had ties to activist groups as part of its investigation into an ICE agent fatally shooting her last week in Minneapolis, potentially giving fuel to critics who have warned the administration is trying to chill left-wing activism critical of its policies. The day of the January 7 shooting, Good and her wife, Becca, had stopped to protest agents in the city during the Trump administrations ongoing immigration crackdown there. [W]e stopped to support our neighbors, Becca Good told Minnesota Public Radio. We had whistles. They had guns. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators are reportedly probing whether Good was involved with the activist groups that have been protesting Trumps immigration agenda and might have acted as instigators of the January 7 shooting, The New York Times reports, citing people familiar with the probe. At the same time, federal investigators have stopped state investigators from fully scrutinizing the shooting by blocking their access to evidence, according to Minnesota officials. The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment. The FBI is reportedly investigating whether Rene Good had ties to local activist groups as part of its probe into her fatal shooting at the hands of an ICE agent last week (Alpha News/Jonathan Ross) Administration officials have, however, repeatedly insinuated Good was part of some kind of larger conspiracy. President Trump has referred to Good as a professional agitator, though he did not provide any evidence of this. Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller, meanwhile, has suggested after the shooting that the Democratic Party has acted to support and orchestrate violent resistance against federal law enforcement, though he also did not provide information to support that claim. Shortly after the shooting, as investigators were still combing the scene, the administration described Good as a domestic terrorist. Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous federal sources told Fox News that Good, who had recently moved to Minneapolis, was part of a neighborhood watch-style ICE Watch group that aims to monitor and interfere with immigration operations. Federal officials accuse Good of blocking agents and attempting to ram them with her call. Local officials dispute this, pointing to a widely circulated video of the incident that appears to show Good was not heading straight for agents as ICE officer Jonathan Ross opened fire. The administration has previously cracked down on protest groups, labelling the loosely organized, leaderless antifa movement a domestic terrorist organization (REUTERS) The reported push to investigate local groups comes after the administration last year declared antifa, a varied, leaderless, left-wing anti-fascist movement, to be a major domestic terrorist group. Later in the year, the DOJ launched a prosecution against an alleged group of antifa members accused of attacking an immigration detention center in Texas. In a leaked memo, the Justice Department reportedly listed what criteria it would use to identify domestic terror organizations, and many of them corresponded with left-wing causes like anti-capitalism, opposition to immigration enforcement, and criticism of the United States. CAVENDISH, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Nobody was injured in a second-alarm house fire early on Monday morning. Vermont State Police said that the homeowner was alerted by a carbon monoxide and smoke alarm, which helped him and his two children get out safely. The fire was reportedly on Vermont Route 131 near 20 Mile Stream. According to the Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department, the fire was originally reported as a first-alarm at 5:12 a.m., but more agencies were called to help after reports that the fire was going through the roof of the building. (Courtesy: Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department) (Courtesy: Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department) (Courtesy: Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department) (Courtesy: Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department) (Courtesy: Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department) (Courtesy: Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department) Screenshot (Courtesy: Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department) Firefighters battle a blaze on Main Street in Cavendish, Vermont, early Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Fire officials and the homeowner are crediting working smoke detectors and CO alarms for alerting the three occupants and preventing the fire from becoming a tragedy. A second house only about 15 feet away was saved thanks to a quick response from firefighters. Advertisement Advertisement Seven agencies helped with mutual aid or coverage. Windsor County Sheriffs deputies directed people away from the area while the fire was being put out. The fires cause is being investigated but it is not considered suspicious at this time, according to authorities. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Mid City Mall could soon have a redevelopment plan in the works that may feature a prominent grocery store such as Publix or Harris Teeter. Highlands Commerce Guild President Aaron Givhan confirmed to The Courier Journal that at its upcoming Jan. 28 meeting, the guild will hear from former Metro Councilman Brandon Coan about a redevelopment plan for Mid City Mall, 1250 Bardstown Road. Coan will speak at the meeting on behalf of the Metts family, which owns the Mid City Mall property, and Branch Properties, an Atlanta-based development firm, according to an email newsletter from the Highlands Commerce Guild. The Metts' and Branch Properties have partnered in a joint venture to reinvest and redevelop the iconic Bardstown Road mall. Advertisement Advertisement Branch Properties, in a statement provided to The Courier Journal on Tuesday, said it's exploring plans for the site but that final plans aren't yet set. "Branch Properties is evaluating potential improvements at Mid City Mall," the statement reads. "The team is reviewing a range of options at this stage, and no final plans have been determined. As details are finalized and the process moves forward, Branch Properties looks forward to sharing more information and engaging with neighbors and city leaders at the appropriate time." Branch Properties is a firm focused on the investment and development of "grocery-focused retail," according to its website. The majority of its projects across Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida boast a Publix as the anchor grocery store. Some of Branch Properties' projects also feature the Cincinnati-based grocery store Kroger or grocery stores Whole Foods and Harris Teeter, according to its website. A Publix spokesperson told The Courier Journal via email, "Unfortunately, we dont have anything to share as it relates to a new location in Louisville." The grocery store is unlikely to confirm a speculated new location until a lease has been signed or a land sale has closed. Advertisement Advertisement More Mid City Mall news: Movie fans flock to Baxter Avenue Theatres for final curtain call Since hitting the market in November 2024, the property in the heart of the Highlands has drawn interest from numerous groups "that are taking serious time and energy to figure out this puzzle," Craig Collins, senior director at commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Kentucky, previously told The Courier Journal. The propertys assessed value is nearly $11.4 million and is owned by Bardstown Road Investment Company and David A. Metts Irrevocable Term Trust, according to the Jefferson County Property Valuation Administration. The mall, which sits on 11.5 acres, opened in 1962 and is currently home to numerous tenants, including ValuMarket Supermarket, which said it intends to stay through its current lease, which ends June 30, and The Highlands-Shelby Park Library, which will also stay through at least June 2026, The Courier Journal previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement One of its most well-known tenants, Baxter Avenue Theaters, closed at the end of December 2025. Despite the looming redevelopment of Mid City Mall, one business, Nearly New 2 U, an indoor vintage vendor mall opened in November 2025, The Courier Journal previously reported. What to know about Publix in Louisville Publix, the Florida-based grocery chain known for its signature green logo and iconic "Pub Subs" entered the Louisville market in January 2024 with the opening of its first Kentucky store at 2500 Terra Crossing Blvd. The expansion to Kentucky was a natural extension for the company, which has a stronghold in the southeast, Publix's former CEO Todd Jones previously told The Courier Journal. Kentucky became the eighth state to have a Publix, joining a network of more than 1,300 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, The Courier Journal previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Publix opened two additional Louisville-area locations in September 2025: Publix at Marshall Commons, 10005 Ballardsville Road and Publix at Flat Rock, 150 Flat Rock Road, The Courier Journal previously reported. More Mid City Mall news: Which Mid City Mall businesses are closing? What we know Developers of completed and forthcoming Publix locations in Louisville include Skilken Gold, Harris Development and Stiles. All three of the Louisville Publix locations are on the outskirts of Jefferson County, outside of the Interstate 265 loop, on the eastern side of the county. If Publix were to come to Mid City Mall, it would be the first location in the urban area of the county. Advertisement Advertisement In May 2025 Publix announced it intends to open a store at Blankenbaker Plaza on the site of the former Walmart Neighborhood Market. The 50,325-square-foot store is expected to create 140 jobs. The company has not announced an opening timeline for that location. This story was updated to include a comment from Publix and Branch Properties. Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on at @oliviamevans_. Reach reporter Matthew Glowicki at mglowicki@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4000. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Firm known for Publix, Harris Teeter developments linked to Mid City Mall On January 7, guides Boris Egorov, Vladimir Murzaev, and their partner Konstantin Yaemurd made the world's first BASE jump from Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia. The Russian team climbed the Royal Flush route, carrying the climbing, bivouacking and BASE jumping gear over the three-day climb. They then jumped from the summit, a feat never done before, 7 Summits Club reported. Luck, experience - and no permission? The jumpers are a group of mountain, paragliding and BASE jumping guides known as The Dirty Climbers. Member Boris Egorov posted on Instagram that their jump, in perfect conditions, was "a stroke of pure luck, [but also] earned through all our experience." The jump took place during a good weather window last week. Advertisement Advertisement We have found no mention of previous BASE jumps from the Patagonian spires. In a 2022 post, Rolando Garibotti of Patagonia Vertical confirmed that the activity is not among the activities allowed in Argentina's Parque de los Glaciares. He noted that the park administration says that "everything that is not specifically permitted is prohibited." In response, the Dirty Climbers told ExplorersWeb, "[We] spoke with the president of the paragliding federation in El Chalten in advance. Officially, flying is not allowed. However, everyone flies, and no one prohibits it." The team has shared a photo gallery with images from the climb, preparations for the jump, and the final flight from Patagonia's famous granite spire. Five severed human heads were found hanging from ropes on a beach in southwestern Ecuador Sunday in a gruesome display linked to ongoing gang violence sweeping across the country, according to reports. The killings came amid a wave of bloody violence tied to drug trafficking and organized crime, which has surged across Ecuador in recent years. The Associated Press reported that the grim discovery underscores the tactics used by criminal groups competing for control of territory and trafficking routes, especially along the countrys coastline. Advertisement Advertisement Tren De Aragua Gang Leader Charged With Racketeering Conspiracy And Cocaine Trafficking Under Trump Crackdown Drug trafficking gangs leave five human heads on an Ecuador beach with a threatening message to fishermen, police said, as violence surges along the country's coastal trafficking routes. (Getty Images) Police said the heads were found on a tourist beach in the small fishing port of Puerto Lopez, in Manabi province. The images shared by Ecuadorian media and on social media showed the severed heads tied with ropes to wooden poles planted in the sand, with blood visible at the scene. Read On The Fox News App A wooden sign left beside the heads carried a threatening message aimed at alleged extortionists targeting local fishermen. The message warned those demanding so-called "vaccine cards" protection payments commonly extorted by gangs that they had been identified, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Rubio Identifies 'Single Most Serious Threat' To The Us From Western Hemisphere Authorities said the display was likely the result of a conflict between criminal groups operating in the area. Drug-trafficking networks with links to transnational cartels are active along Ecuadors coast and have used fishermen and their small boats to transport illicit shipments, according to local police. President Daniel Noboa launched an armed campaign against gangs and declared states of emergency in several provinces, including Manabi, deploying the military to support police operations. Despite his efforts, violence has continued to escalate with police increasing patrols and surveillance in Puerto Lopez following recent massacres in the province, The Associated Press said. Advertisement Advertisement Ms-13 Gang Leader Accused In Murder Of Ex-honduran Presidents Son Arrested In Nebraska In 2025, at least nine people, including a baby, were killed there in an attack that authorities blamed on clashes between local gangs also. Click Here To Download The Fox News App As previously reported by Fox News Digital, in 2025, infighting between factions of a gang vying for control over territory in Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil, left nearly two dozen people dead. Ecuador ended the year with a record homicide rate of 52 per 100,000 people, according to the Organized Crime Observatory, making it the deadliest year on record. Original article source: Five severed heads found hanging on Ecuador beach amid escalating gang clashes Is Florida about to slash property taxes? What would that mean? As the Florida Legislature begins its 2026 session, one of the biggest fights will be over state property taxes. Eight bills have been put forward, seven of them for constitutional amendments that would cut property taxes in different ways. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to abolish all property taxes for homestead owners. He's slammed the multiple bills, calling them milquetoast and "a political game" that will confuse voters at the polls and potentially prevent any of them from passing. Instead, he has floated the idea for a special session to consolidate all the measures into one. Advertisement Advertisement "Seven years ago, local governments throughout Florida took in about $32 billion in property tax revenue," DeSantis told legislators during his final State of the State speech at the state of the session Tuesday, Jan. 13. "Last year, that number rose to a whopping $56 billion. We have residents that are locked into their homes because they can't afford the taxes on a new residence. Others have been priced out of the market entirely." DeSantis pointed out that the state has worked to help bring down skyrocketing insurance rates but tax relief was still needed. "You should be able to own your home without paying perpetual rent to the government. The legislature has the ability to place a measure on the ballot to provide transformational relief for taxpayers. Let's resolve to all work together get something done and let the people have a say." Gov-Lawmakers feud: GOP bad blood lingers as Florida legislative session starts Whatever happens, local governments may be looking at drastic cuts to their operating budgets for valuable community services such as fire rescue, road maintenance, parks, local health services and more. State economists project that one of the measures, which would eliminate non-school property taxes for homestead properties, would cut taxes by $14.1 billion in the 202728 budget year and $18 billion in future years. Advertisement Advertisement The move would also be another way to further erode the authority and power of local governments, also called home rule, which has been a recurrent theme in many of the measures from DeSantis and Florida's Republican legislators. During his time in office DeSantis has overseen limitations on local emergency powers, prohibitions against investing taxpayer funds using environmental, social and governance guidelines, elimination of local government's ability to challenge land-use or zoning decisions, and more. Here's what to know. What property tax bills are the Florida House debating? Eight bills have been filed in the House to reduce or eliminate property taxes: HB 215: Would require property tax rate proposals to win a two-thirds vote HB 201: Would eliminate all property taxes except for school district levies for anyone with homestead exemptions and prevent local governments from reducing funding for law enforcement to make up the loss, starting Jan. 1, 2027. HB 203: Similar to HB 201, but would phase out non-school property taxes for homestead properties over 10 years by increasing the assessed property value exemption by $100,000 each year HB 205: Would eliminate non-school property taxes for residents with a homestead exemption if they are over 65 HB 207: Would increase the current homestead exemption for non-school taxes to 25% of the assessed value of the home HB 209: Would increase homestead exemption by $100,000 for homesteaders who also have property insurance HB 211: Would eliminate the $500,000 cap on transferring the benefit of the difference between the taxable value and the just value (or market value) to a new homestead HB 213: Would lower the 3% cap on the annual growth in assessed value for homestead properties and 10% cap on non-homestead properties to 3% over three years for homestead properties and 15% over three years for non-homestead properties Advertisement Advertisement Seven of these, if passed, would appear on voter ballots in November. Property taxes are defined in the Florida Constitution and require an amendment to get approval from 60% of voters to change them. What are property taxes? Property taxes are fees you pay based on your property's assessed value, which is a percentage of what your property is worth. The more your property is worth, the higher your property tax bill will be. Unlike income tax, which goes to the federal and state government, property taxes go to the general fund for your city, county or school district and they cover a large amount of the community's budget. Often most of it. If you have a mortgage, your property taxes are generally included in your payments. If not, you will be billed by the county every year if you have not opted for quarterly payments. What do my property taxes pay for in Florida? Property taxes go toward essential local services that don't pay for themselves or have offsetting revenues, such as: Advertisement Advertisement Police and fire departments 911 dispatchers Emergency management Road maintenance Schools Parks and recreation Libraries Public health services Local government The eight bills under discussion all seek to reduce property taxes in slightly different ways but the ones that slash taxes also exempt the part that goes to K-12 school funding and specifically ban local governments from cutting law enforcement spending. That means cuts in everything else. What happens if Florida reduces or eliminates property taxes? For existing homeowners, you get to keep more of your money. However, your community and your standard of living may suffer when local governments are forced to cut back. Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Policy Institute, an Orlando-based organization, analyzed preliminary data from the Department of Revenue and estimated that dropping the property taxes on homesteaded properties would result in counties and school districts losing about $7.8 billion each and cities having to replace some $3 billion. The Tallahassee-based Florida TaxWatch made a similar projection based on 2024s local taxes. Slashed property taxes could mean higher rent, more expensive first homes Local governments also may hike property taxes on commercial and rental properties to make up the difference, resulting in higher rent and higher overhead costs for private businesses. And new first-home buyers could get hit with higher property values of 7-9% more, according to an analysis from Realtor.com, "It would be a boon to existing property owners," says Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner, who conducted the analysis. "But this measure would disproportionately benefit wealthy Floridians at the expense of those who don't own homes, and would make it even harder to break into homeownership because of the increased prices." How does Florida's property tax rate compare to the US? Florida's effective tax rate in 2024 was 0.91%, according to Business Insider, which was under the national average of 1.02%. The highest rate was 2.23%, in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement The Tax Foundation ranked Florida No. 30. More than 80% of Florida's counties have kept their millage rates the same or even lowered them since 2019, according to the Florida Association of Counties advocacy group, based on Florida Department of Revenue data. What happens if the property tax bills are approved? Proposed property tax changes must be approved by Florida voters. First, each one would need to get 60% of the votes in both the state House and Senate to get on the ballot., Then, 60% of the voters would need to approve them in the statewide election. C. A. Bridges and Gray Rohrer are journalists 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. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: DeSantis calls again for slashing property taxes in State of the State speech A multi-agency operation led to the arrest of Hernando Thompson, the suspected leader of the Sex Money Murder Gang in Florida. Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thompsons conviction during a press conference, highlighting the violent nature of the gang, which is affiliated with the Bloods. This criminal led a violent, Bloods-affiliated gang that treated crime like a businessa business of robberies, drive-by shootings and violence against children, Uthmeier stated that the trial ended with guilty verdicts on all five charges: Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, and three counts of Directing Criminal Gang Activities. The jury took just one hour to deliberate before finding Thompson guilty during the trial from January 5 to 8, 2026, following an investigation that started in 2022. Thompson, 36, is now detained at Polk County Jail and is scheduled for sentencing on February 20, 2026. He faces up to five consecutive life sentences. Advertisement Advertisement The joint investigation involved the Office of Statewide Prosecution, Polk County Sheriffs Office, Florida Department of Corrections, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, leading to the arrest of twelve additional gang members. These efforts significantly intensified the crackdown on the gangs illegal activities. Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay noted the cases complexity, saying, This case was tough because of the defendants leadership in the criminal organization, but our prosecutors managed to peel away the layers he tried to hide behind. He also praised the Polk County Sheriffs Office and the Department of Corrections for their essential contributions. Thompson awaits sentencing scheduled for Feb. 20, 2026. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The United States Coast Guard is looking for potential sites for a new training center, and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine thinks that it should be in the Miami Valley. The Former Urbana University property has been vacant for years. The school closed in the Spring of 2020. DeWine believes the former university campus may have what the Coast Guard wants. Holly Wright of Urbana said, All those rooms and stuff that they need to have for college kids are all going to waste. Advertisement Advertisement A proposal from the state could give the property new life. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: DeWine wrote a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and said he thinks Ohio should be home to the U.S. Coast Guards next training facility. The governor released the letter on social media two months after DHS and the Coast Guard released this video. Advertisement Advertisement As part of a press release, the agencies said they were asking for information to identify prospective locations for an additional training center. DeWine listed things like dorms, a cafeteria, and an indoor swimming pool as selling points for the former Urbana University. The land also includes several more things that the Coast Guard said its looking for in a potential training center site. According to its website, there are six Coast Guard stations in Ohio, all on Lake Erie. The one in Cleveland is a regional headquarters for the service branch. A training facility in Urbana would be at least the seventh Coast Guard facility in Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Michael Mullin of Dayton said, Its all a part of our national security, and that would be good to develop something like that. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story and will report when theres a decision on Gov. DeWines pitch and proposal for the former university property. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes said Monday she wants Rhode Island to ban lobbyists from donating to elected officials during the annual General Assembly session, as she continues to step up her campaign activity. The proposal was one of three ethics reforms Foulkes rolled out on Monday, a day before Gov. Dan McKee delivers his State of the State address. It also indirectly targets one of her potential rivals, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, who has banked $4 million in campaign money through assiduous fundraising. Too many Rhode Islanders feel like the State House isnt working for them, Foulkes said in a statement. Im excited to share three commonsense ideas to help ensure the State House works for all Rhode Islanders, not just the insiders. Advertisement Advertisement Foulkes said 26 other states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, limit lawmakers fundraising during the legislative session. She is also proposing that lobbyists be required to disclose their activities in real time, and wants the disclosure of all gifts over $1 that lobbyists give to legislators. Foulkes said her campaign is already following the rules she is proposing, on a voluntary basis, and called on other candidates for governor to do the same. One of the most consistent things I hear while talking to Rhode Islanders is something along the lines of it just doesnt feel like our leaders are listening to us or the State House isnt focused on the things that my family and I are dealing with,' she said, or the evergreen Rhode Island cliche of it seems like you have to know a guy.' Christina Freundlich, a spokesperson for the McKee campaign, said the governor opposes Foulkes proposals. Advertisement Advertisement Helena Foulkes has a long record of siding with corporate and elite interests over working people from personally profiting from the opioid crisis to helping steer corporate PAC funds that backed Donald Trump, she said. That record shows who she would fight for: wealthy elites and corporate interests, not working Rhode Islanders. Governor McKee will continue to stand up to powerful interests, hold them accountable, and put Rhode Islanders first. READ MORE: Foulkes time leading CVS drugstores under the microscope in new US opioid lawsuit Shekarchi, D-Warwick, is scheduled to hold his annual fundraiser on Monday night at the Warwick Crowne Plaza. The speakers fundraiser traditionally kicks off the busy State House fundraising season each year, as incumbents hold events to fund their next campaigns. The response to Foulkes from Shekarchi was terse. Advertisement Advertisement If legislation is introduced, it will be given fair consideration in the public committee process, he said in a statement. I invite all interested parties to come and testify. Senate President Val Lawson, D-East Providence, had a similar reaction, saying any legislation would go through the usual committee process. John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, said the Foulkes campaigns proposal rightly highlights several troubling practices with how money influences our politics. But he suggested they could be tailored better to reflect how government works in Rhode Island. Marion said the practice of holding fundraisers during session is a real problem, calling it a fundamental conflict for lawmakers to take checks from lobbyists while making decisions about legislation they support or oppose. Lawmakers sometimes skip committee hearings where the public is testifying to attend fundraisers, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Getting a proposal like this passed will take a lot of political capital, and we hope a Governor Foulkes would be willing to spend capital on this issue, Marion said. The general idea isnt new. State Rep. John Lombardi, D-Providence, introduced a bill last year that would ban campaign donations by lobbyists from Jan. 1 through the end of the legislative session. The Rhode Island ACLU opposed Lombardis bill, arguing it would infringe on the First Amendment rights of lobbyists. The bill was held for further study and never brought up for a vote during last years session. Marion expressed support for the idea of real-time lobbying disclosure, recalling that negotiators removed a requirement that lobbyists list what bills they were working on as part of a compromise to pass a lobbying overhaul back in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement But he questioned the $1 gift reporting threshold and pointed out that Foulkes was silent when the R.I. Ethics Commission doubled the limit for lobbyist gifts to $50 last year. Setting the disclosure limit at $1 while keeping the gift limit at $50 creates a system where someone might get in trouble for failing to report a gift that it was legal to give, Marion said. The gift, not the lack of disclosure, is the real problem. Another Democrat, restaurant owner Gregory Stevens, has also filed paperwork to seek the partys nomination for governor. The primary election is Sept. 8. Three Republicans Aaron Guckian, Elaine Pelino and Robert Raimondo have filed to seek the GOP nomination. Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, Bluesky and LinkedIn. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup 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 WPRI.com. France's cuts to greenhouse gas emissions slowed for a second straight year in 2025 and remain well off track to meeting its climate goals, according to provisional government-commissioned estimates published on Tuesday. The slowdown comes as government appetite for climate action flags and major economies struggle to make good on their pledges to reduce planet-warming pollution. France's emissions were estimated to have declined 1.6 percent year-on-year, said Citepa, a non-profit organisation tasked by France's ecology ministry with tallying the country's greenhouse gas inventory. Advertisement Advertisement The reduction of 5.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent was "far below the pace needed to reach 2030 targets", which would require cuts nearly three times larger, Citepa said. "The decrease in emissions is confirmed for 2025. This is an encouraging sign but it is not enough," Monique Barbut, France's ecological transition minister, said in a press release. She said all sectors needed to double their efforts to make cuts in greenhouse gases. The result echoes a slowdown in neighbouring Germany, where emissions fell just 1.5 percent in 2025, the Agora Energiewende expert group said in its annual report last week. Advertisement Advertisement Emissions in the United States meanwhile rose 2.4 percent last year, the Rhodium Group think tank said on Tuesday, spurred by demand for heating and electricity for the AI boom in the world's biggest economy. France unveiled in December its updated pathway for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To stay on track, greenhouse gas emissions need to fall 4.6 percent on average every year until 2030. After France slashed its output by 3.9 percent in 2022 and 6.8 percent in 2023, the rate slowed sharply to 1.8 percent in 2024. Citepa had earlier predicted a decline of just 0.8 percent in 2025 but said fresh data and updated methods of calculation had allowed a "more accurate" estimate for the full year. Advertisement Advertisement - Climate risk - Big polluting nations most responsible for climate change are under pressure to make faster and deeper cuts to the emissions driving record-breaking global temperatures and more extreme weather events. Scientists say the last three years have been the hottest globally on record. France encouraged energy saving after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but since then has faltered in decarbonising some of its most polluting industries. While improvements were recorded in 2025 in heavy-emitting sectors such as industry, agriculture and transport, they remained virtually flat in energy and waste treatment, Citepa said. Advertisement Advertisement The latest assessment highlighted the urgency for France to phase out its use of fossil fuels, said Anne Bringault, a director at Climate Action Network France. "It is high time to take seriously the climate risk but also the geopolitical risk of making us suffer from our dependence on fossil fuels, which are overwhelmingly imported," she told AFP. The European Union has pledged to cut its net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. It achieved a 37-percent reduction by 2023. jmi/np/gil The foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Italy decried the Iranian regime's crackdown on protestors as "unbearable and inhumane," "brutal," and "absolutely unacceptable." The foreign ministries of France, Germany, and Italy summoned their nations Iranian ambassadors on Tuesday, as worldwide concern spreads over the Iranian regimes treatment of domestic protests. Jean-Noel Barrot, Frances foreign minister, described the regimes attempts to violently crack down on protests as "unbearable and inhumane" while speaking to the French parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Barrot announced that he had communicated the condemnation to his Iranian counterpart and stated that the sentiment will be reiterated to the Iranian ambassador in Paris," whom Barrot stated that he summoned on Thursday. 'no impunity for those who turn weapons against peaceful protesters' "There can be no impunity for those who turned their weapons against peaceful protesters, Barrot announced. Germanys Federal Foreign Office additionally announced that it summoned its Iranian ambassador for similar reasons. In a statement released on X/Twitter, Germany described the regimes actions as brutal and shocking, urging Iran to end the violence against its own citizens and to respect their rights. Advertisement Advertisement Italys foreign minister called the crackdown "absolutely unacceptable" and summoned Italys Iranian ambassador for discussion. "These days, men and women across Iran are fighting in the streets and squares, paying a very high price," Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani told the lower house of the Italian parliament. Reuters contributed to this report. France is pushing to stop Ukraine from buying American weapons with a 90bn (78bn) EU loan. It wants the portion of the fund earmarked for weapons to be spent only in the European defence industry. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has long argued that the blocs support for Ukraine should be used to bolster the Continents arms manufacturers and promote defence independence from the United States. Advertisement Advertisement But Germany and the Netherlands said this approach would impede the delivery of weapons key to Kyivs defence, including American-made Patriot air-defence systems. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, wants Europe to achieve defence autonomy, seeing the US under Donald Trump as an unreliable partner - Michel Euler/EPA/Shutterstock Member states and the European Commission are currently wrangling over the finer details of the loan, which was agreed by EU leaders in December. The bloc decided to lend the money to Ukraine itself, after failing to reach an agreement to use frozen Russian assets for a so-called reparations loan. A senior EU official told The Telegraph that the planned loan favoured weapon deliveries because calculations behind the scenes suggested that Vladimir Putin was not ready to stop fighting. Advertisement Advertisement The latest version of the plan envisages two-thirds of the 90bn being spent on weaponry for Kyiv, with the remaining funds plugging the countrys wartime budget black hole. It lays down harsh conditions on any attempt by Ukraine to buy systems from the US or other countries. b' ' Both Germany and the Netherlands have argued that those conditions are too strict and an EU diplomat told The Telegraph that the Commission had listened way too much to Paris and angered many with its stance. Germany and the Netherlands which both operate Patriot batteries and have donated them to Ukraine in the past also argue that there are no alternatives available to the American-made system. Advertisement Advertisement Germany does not support proposals to limit third-country procurement to certain products and is concerned that this would put excessive restrictions on Ukraine to defend itself, Berlin wrote in a secret policy paper seen by The Telegraph and circulated to member states. Similarly, the Hague argues that key systems, such as Patriot, F-16 fighter jets, Himars rocket launchers and Atacms medium-range ballistic missiles should all be funded through the loan scheme. b' ' A paper circulated by the Dutch calls for 15bn of the loan to be reserved for Ukraines urgent military needs sourced from third countries, such as deep-strike capabilities and air and missile defence. Advertisement Advertisement The Dutch government states that this money could be injected into Purl, a Nato system under which European countries purchase American-made weapons for Ukraine. Poland is among the EU nations to rely on American-made Patriot missile systems - Jacek Marczewski/Agencja Wyborcza Ukraines military needs are extensive and urgent, the Dutch wrote in the paper. The EUs defence industry is well-positioned to address a significant portion of these requirements. But the paper continued: That said, Ukraine cannot fend off Russian attacks using only military equipment produced within the EU and/or Ukraine itself. Ukraine also urgently requires equipment produced by third countries, notably US-produced air defence systems and interceptors, F-16 ammunition and spare parts and deep-strike capacities. Advertisement Advertisement The EUs defence industry is currently either unable to produce equivalent systems or to do so within the required timeframe. France has argued for a buy European approach to supporting Ukraine amid fears that the continent is too reliant on the US for its defence supplies and that Donald Trump is not a reliable ally. It sought to restrict Britains contribution to a 150bn defence loans programme for European rearmament, even as Sir Keir Starmer negotiated to join it. Other loan packages for Ukraine have included similar demands to those the French wanted to build in to the current plan. Ultimately, they failed to restrict weapons purchases when member states prioritised Kyivs needs over the French strategy of securing Europes strategic autonomy from the US. 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. Cold weather is expected to plunge temperatures across South Mississippi below freezing later this week and chill the region through the weekend. The temperature, which hit 33 degrees Monday morning in Gulfport, could fall again early Tuesday with light freezes along the Pearl River and the Pascagoula River in Jackson County. Anywhere north of the coastline could also feel an hour or two of freezing temperatures. High temperatures this week will hover in the 50s and 60s. But a cold front on Wednesday will unleash another freeze across the region, according to the National Weather Service. Ice accumulates on a palm tree in Ocean Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.. (Hannah Ruhoff/Sun Herald) Low temperatures Thursday night and Friday morning are expected to fall in the upper 20s, according to Danielle Manning, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Slidell. She said the freeze is expected across the entire Mississippi Coast. Advertisement Advertisement Temperatures in some areas along the immediate coastline could hit just above freezing. The moderate freeze is less likely to impact plumbing, but Manning said it could keep some places below freezing for 6 to 10 hours. Forecasters are urging residents to protect plants and bring pets inside. The cold weather could also mean frost appears several mornings this week in communities along and north of Interstate 10, including Diamondhead, Saucier, DIberville and Vancleave. Hundreds of French farmers drove their tractors to parliament on Tuesday to protest an EU trade deal with four South American countries that is due to be signed at the weekend. The farmers argue the EUMercosur agreement will flood European markets with cheap agricultural imports, threatening their livelihoods. The tractors crawled through central Paris before lining up in front of the National Assembly building. Advertisement Advertisement While the tractor convoy was a registered demonstration, riot police carried out an early-morning operation to clear a blockade erected weeks earlier by farmers on the A64 motorway south-west of Toulouse. Meanwhile, on the heavily trafficked A1 motorway from Paris toward the Channel coast, Belgium and the Netherlands, farmers south of Lille continued to carry out unauthorized checks of trucks. They said they were searching for imported agricultural products they believe do not meet French standards and regulations. On Friday, a majority of European Union countries gave the go-ahead for the bloc to sign the long-delayed trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. France voted against the pact. The agreement is scheduled to be signed on Saturday in Paraguay. Advertisement Advertisement The French government has sought to ease tensions with relief measures, with Tuesday marking the second time in a week that tractors rolled into Paris. Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said the Cabinet was working on additional support for the sector after recently announcing 300 million ($350 million) in aid. Farmers have also vented frustration over what they describe as excessive bureaucracy and overly strict environmental regulations. Hundreds of French farmers drove their tractors to parliament on Tuesday to protest against an EU trade deal with four South American countries that is due to be signed at the weekend. The farmers argue the EUMercosur agreement will flood European markets with cheap agricultural imports, threatening their livelihoods. The tractors crawled through central Paris before lining up in front of the National Assembly building. Advertisement Advertisement While the tractor convoy was a registered demonstration, riot police carried out an early-morning operation to clear a blockade erected weeks earlier by farmers on the A64 motorway south-west of Toulouse. Meanwhile, on the heavily trafficked A1 motorway from Paris toward the Channel coast, Belgium and the Netherlands, farmers south of Lille continued to carry out unauthorized checks of trucks. They said they were searching for imported agricultural products they believe do not meet French standards and regulations. On Friday, a majority of European Union countries gave the go-ahead for the bloc to sign the long-delayed trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. France voted against the pact. Advertisement Advertisement The agreement is scheduled to be signed on Saturday in Paraguay. The French government has sought to ease tensions with relief measures, with Tuesday marking the second time in a week that tractors rolled into Paris. Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said the Cabinet was working on additional support for the sector after recently announcing 300 million ($350 million) in aid. Later, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced an emergency law for agriculture would be set in motion within weeks. He said it would provide relief on water use, slurry restrictions and taxes. French farmers have also vented frustration over what they describe as excessive bureaucracy and overly strict environmental regulations. The fundraiser collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars for the ICE agent who killed Renee Nicole Good has been busted spewing antisemitism. A description for the GiveSendGo account, titled Stand With Our Brave ICE Hero, called Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey an anti-American traitor and pointed out that he is Jewisha head-scratching aside that was called out by CNN host Jake Tapper, among many others. Liz you are linking to a fundraiser that attacks Jacob Frey as an "anti-American traitor" "who is Jewish" pic.twitter.com/Q63eEaYrY6 Christopher Ingraham (@_cingraham) January 12, 2026 But this didnt happen in a vacuum, the fundraiser said, continuing, its the direct result of anti-American traitors like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (who is Jewish) fanning the flames of resistance. Advertisement Advertisement The fundraiser quietly edited out (who is Jewish) sometime Monday afternoon. An extra space was hastily left in its place. I love how someone appears to have deleted it -- but inadvertantly left an extra space there in their haste to change it pic.twitter.com/RaUMn3Or0w Chris Vanderveen (yepme) (@chrisvanderveen) January 12, 2026 The Atlantic journalist James Surowiecki called out the antisemitism. This preferred method to donate to the ICE agent who shot Renee Good calls Jacob Frey an anti-American traitor and, even more offensively, makes a point of saying hes Jewish, he wrote on X. Seems like a bad sign when the people raising money for you are Nazis. There was no shortage of outrage in the comments of the GiveSendGo fundraiser. / X Neither the fundraiser nor its author, Tom Hennessey, has addressed the edit. X user Mike Nelson pointed out that Hennesseys X page was making antisemitic posts earlier Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Notice the pattern? Jews arrive in Australia, flood it with non-Whites. Non-Whites rampageeventually turning on Jews, Hennesseys account posted. Jews then push new anti-semitism laws aka free speech bans, gun control to disarm Whites, and ban White nationalist groups for noticing. Tom Hennessy (@Tomhennessey69) January 12, 2026 The same page, whose bio describes him as a White Independent Journalist, also tweeted a 100 emoji in response to a post praising Adolf Hitler. The fundraiser for the ICE agent raised approximately $190,000 by Monday afternoon, bringing the total near its goal of $200,000. A GoFundMe set up for Goods family, including her 6-year-old son, has raised over $1.5 million. Facebook Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent receiving the money from GiveSendGo, fired three shots through the windshield and side window of Goods SUV on Wednesday morning. She was struck in the head and died at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Rosss use of deadly force has been widely condemned by officials, including Mayor Frey, but has been defended by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and other top Trump officials as being justified. The White House claims the 43-year-old Iraq War veteran fired in self-defense, despite videos from the scene showing he was able to maneuver to the side of Goods vehicle by the time he fired two shots through her window. Gavin Newsom and his staff have quietly talked to the champion of a controversial wealth tax proposal seeking an off-ramp to defuse a looming ballot measure fight. The conversations, reported here for the first time, have occurred intermittently for months as SEIU-UHWs ballot initiative targeting billionaires migrated from the backrooms of California politics to the center of a raging debate about Silicon Valley and income inequality, sparking tech titans wrath and vows to move out of state. "Weve been at this for four months," Newsom said in an interview with POLITICO, describing an "all-hands" effort that has included him meeting one-on-one with SEIU-UHW's leader, Dave Regan. Advertisement Advertisement A compromise does not appear imminent. A union official cast doubt on the possibility of a deal, saying the two sides do not currently have another meeting scheduled and framing a ballot fight as an inevitability. "Healthcare workers are going to the ballot to prevent California hospitals and emergency rooms from closing," the union's chief of staff, Suzanne Jimenez, said in a statement. "Congress created a $100 billion crisis for California through HR1 last July and California voters will solve that problem when they pass the billionaire tax act this November. Newsom has staunchly opposed both the current proposal and earlier versions that surfaced in Sacramento, arguing they would hamstring Californias tentpole industries and topple a pillar of the states tax base. Proponents with SEIU-UHW, a major union representing more than 100,000 workers, argue the measure is the only idea commensurate with the scale of federal cuts that could lead to widespread health care job losses and hospital closures. Officials with SEIU-UHW have said they are confident Newsom will come around an unlikely proposition given Newsoms adamant rejection of such measures. Advertisement Advertisement Yet despite the gulf between them, both Newsom and Regan have ample experience forging deals to clear labor initiatives off the ballot including with each other. In 2022, the Newsom administration and a labor coalition that included Regan struck an agreement to raise the states minimum wage for health care workers to $25 an hour. Regan is one of Sacramentos most prolific practitioners of ballot measure politics, regularly filing initiatives that force affected industries to the negotiating table in hopes of averting a costly and uncertain campaign. The wealth tax proposal is one of three state initiatives SEIU-UHW has filed this cycle. The union is still collecting signatures to qualify it for the November ballot, where it would face a fierce and well-funded opposition campaign. Nevertheless, Newsom is highly motivated to halt the initiative. Beyond his belief that such a tax would harm Californias finances, sidelining the idea could help Newsom avert a home-state backlash ahead of an expected 2028 presidential run while bolstering his credibility in Silicon Valley. The governor has deep industry ties that stretch back to his days as an innovation-touting mayor of San Francisco. Advertisement Advertisement In his interview with POLITICO, Newsom said the drumbeat of wealthy tech players making moves to exit California vindicated his warnings about the ballot measure's downsides. "This is my fear. Its just what I warned against. Its happening," Newsom said. Opponents of the wealth tax include Ron Conway, an investor and prominent San Francisco political figure who is close with Newsom. Conway has donated $100,000 to an opposition campaign run by political consultants who have previously worked for Newsom. A Georgia man was arrested in Lexington after he used a phony title to sell a truck, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Lorenzo Fabio Constantin a 26-year-old from Kennesaw, Georgia was charged with obtaining property under false pretenses (value $10,000 or more) and forgery (value $10,000 or more), SLED said Monday in a news release. Constantin was arrested Jan. 8, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement The incident that led to the arrest happened in the 800 block of Hendrix Street on Sept. 7, 2025, arrest warrants show. Thats in Lexington, near the junction of West Main Street and U.S. 378. Constantin knowingly sold a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 to the victim using a fraudulent Florida vehicle title, according to the arrest warrants. He sold the Chevy pickup for $25,500 cash, the arrest warrants said. The counterfeit title was used to hide a lien, according to the arrest warrants. Both a photo lineup and facial recognition technology were used to identify Constantin, the arrest warrants show. Advertisement Advertisement The Lexington Police Department asked SLED to lead an investigation. Constantin will be prosecuted by the 11th Circuit Solicitors Office. Information about Constantins bond was not available, and hes not currently listed on the Lexington County Detention Centers inmate roster, jail records show. By Alexander Ratz WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday that there is more consensus than disagreement with the United States. "I am really returning calm, but also with the feeling that it is good to remain in close exchange in the future," he said ahead of his return to Berlin following two days of meetings in the U.S. Wadephul's comments came amid increasing tensions over Washington's aims toward Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark which U.S. President Donald Trump says is vital for U.S. security. Advertisement Advertisement Wadephul reiterated that Greenland and Denmark should decide the future of the island. "Questions of sovereignty over the territory of the Kingdom of Denmark will be decided by Denmark, by no one else," he said. The standoff over Greenland has fueled deepening fears in Europe over the future of the NATO alliance and transatlantic relations but Wadephul said almost all his interlocutors said they want to attend the Munich Security Conference in February. "That shows the United States' broad interest across party lines in a close relationship with Germany and Europe," Wadephul said. (Reporting by Alexander Ratz in Washington; Writing by Maria Martinez; Editing by Chris Reese and Matthew Lewis) German prosecutors have charged two Ukrainian nationals with planning arson and explosive attacks on behalf of Russian intelligence. The two men are accused of having sent parcels containing GPS tracking devices from Cologne to Ukraine to test potential routes ahead of the planned attacks, according to the charges brought at the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court on Tuesday. Federal prosecutors in Karlsruhe said the plan was to mail packages containing explosive devices that "ignite in Germany or elsewhere on their way to parts of Ukraine not occupied by Russia" to cause "as much damage as possible in order to undermine the population's sense of security." Advertisement Advertisement The two men, who were arrested at separate locations in Germany in May, face charges including acting as secret agents, acting as agents for the purpose of sabotage, and conspiring to commit aggravated arson. A third Ukrainian thought to be an accomplice in the case was arrested in the Swiss canton of Thurgau on May 13. He was recently extradited to Germany and is set to be charged in the case soon, federal prosecutors said. All three men are in pre-trial detention. One of the suspects is believed to have mailed two test packages containing GPS trackers at the end of March last year, prosecutors said following his arrest in Cologne. Advertisement Advertisement He was given the order to do so by the man arrested in Switzerland, who is also believed to have supplied the tracking devices via the third suspect, who was arrested in the southern German city of Konstanz. Germany's domestic intelligence agency has reported a steep rise in espionage, sabotage and disinformation efforts targeting the country since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with both state and non-state actors believed to be behind the rising threat. In October 2024, German intelligence officials said an act of sabotage believed to be linked to Russia came close to causing a plane crash in Germany earlier that year. The incident in July 2024 saw a package catch fire at a DHL logistics centre in the eastern city of Leipzig, setting a cargo container alight. Advertisement Advertisement In February 2025, it became known that German police were probing a possible Russian connection after the exhaust pipes of several cars across the country were blocked with construction foam. According to initial investigations, those responsible may have received money from a Russian client, according to security sources. Germany has summoned the Iranian ambassador over the country's "brutal" crackdown on protesters, the Foreign Office said on Tuesday, as European nations try to ramp up pressure on Tehran to end the bloodshed. France has also summoned the Iranian envoy to the country, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, following similar moves by the United Kingdom and Denmark. Iran has been gripped since December 28 by its most severe protests in years. What began as demonstrations by shopkeepers over a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial and mounting economic hardship quickly spiralled into nationwide protests against the country's hardline Islamic rulers. Advertisement Advertisement Activists say the security forces have responded using brutal tactics, including firing tear gas and bullets. The Oslo-based human rights group Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) says at least 648 people have been killed since the protests erupted. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) also puts the death toll at around 650, including 505 protesters - nine of whom are said to be minors aged under 18. IHRNGO said that some estimates put the toll at over 6,000, while more than 10,000 are believed to have been arrested. It is impossible to verify the figures, also due to the ongoing internet blackout imposed by the authorities. Germany said Sunday it was ready to assume greater responsibilities in the Arctic after US President Donald Trump threatened to seize Greenland "one way or the other", sparking a diplomatic crisis between Washington and its European allies. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin would increase its Arctic commitments while rejecting Trump's threats against the mineral-rich Danish territory. "Security in the arctic is becoming more and more important and is part of our common interest in NATO," Wadephul said at a joint news conference with Iceland's foreign minister in Reykjavik. Advertisement Advertisement "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." "But the future of Greenland must be decided by the people of Greenland" and Denmark, he said. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that Washington would take Greenland "one way or the other," warning that Russia and China would "take over" if the United States did not act. "If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I'm not letting that happen," Trump said, despite neither country laying claim to the island. "Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over." Advertisement Advertisement Trump mocked Greenland's security forces, saying: "You know what their defence is, two dog sleds," while Russia and China have "destroyers and submarines all over the place." 'Decisive moment' amid 'threatening rhetoric' Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Sunday her country faces a "decisive moment" in its diplomatic battle with the United States over Greenland. "There is a conflict over Greenland. This is a decisive moment," Frederiksen said in a debate with Danish political leaders ahead of meetings in Washington on Monday. She posted on Facebook that Denmark was "ready to defend our values wherever it is also in the Arctic. We believe in international law and in peoples' right to self-determination." Advertisement Advertisement Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned US "threatening rhetoric" after Trump's latest statements. "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 attended by NATO's supreme allied commander. "On the contrary, the US should thank Denmark, which has been a very loyal ally over the years. In Afghanistan and Iraq, over 50 Danish soldiers have paid the ultimate price for that loyalty," Kristersson said. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said, "We are strengthening security in the Arctic together, as NATO allies, and not against one another." Advertisement Advertisement Leaders of seven European countries including France, Britain, Germany and Italy signed a letter Tuesday saying it is "only" for Denmark and Greenland to decide the territory's future. Trump says controlling Greenland is crucial for US national security given increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic. The United States has maintained a military base on the island since World War II. 'No immediate threat' amid growing importance NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Alexus Grynkewich told the Swedish conference that alliance members were discussing Greenland's status. While there was "no immediate threat" to NATO territory, the Arctic's strategic importance was rapidly growing, Grynkewich said. He said talks on Greenland were being held at the North Atlantic Council in Brussels. Advertisement Advertisement "Those dialogues continue in Brussels. They have been healthy dialogues from what I've heard," the general said. Grynkewich said Russian and Chinese vessels had been seen patrolling together on Russia's northern coast and near Alaska and Canada, working together to gain greater access to the Arctic as ice recedes due to global warming. Related A Danish colony until 1953, Greenland gained home rule in 1979 and is contemplating eventually loosening its ties with Denmark. Polls indicate Greenland's population strongly opposes a US takeover. Advertisement Advertisement The vast majority of Greenland's political parties have said they do not want to be under US control and insist Greenlanders must decide their own future. Frederiksen 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, they need us much more than we need them." Wadephul held talks in Iceland before meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday to address "strategic challenges of the far north," according to a German foreign ministry statement. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent with Peoria ties who fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis last week had a GoFundMe page set up for him, with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised as of Tuesday. Jonathan Ross, a 2001 graduate of Richwoods High School in Peoria, shot and killed Renee Good, 37, on Jan. 7 in the midst of immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis. More: ICE agent who killed woman in Minnesota is graduate of Richwoods HS in Peoria Advertisement Advertisement A GoFundMe page set up in the name of Clyde Emmons had raised over $625,000 as of Tuesday afternoon, surpassing its original goal of $550,000. The goal on Tuesday had been raised to $800,000, with donations continuing to come in. Emmons said he created the page in response to fundraisers for Good. "I feel that the officer that was 1000 percent justified in the shooting deserves to have a go fund me," Emmons said in the GoFundMe post. "Funds will go to help him." Emmons said that he has been in contact with Ross' father Ed, as well as the organizer of another fundraiser. However, he had yet to hear from Jonathan Ross as of Monday afternoon, according to the GoFundMe post. GoFundMe reviewing fundraiser for Jonathan Ross GoFundMe told USA TODAY that it has not verified this fundraiser or others stemming from the shooting, saying that its Terms of Service prevents fundraisers for people charged with violent crimes. As of Tuesday, Ross had not been charged with any crime. Advertisement Advertisement "Our Trust & Safety team is currently reviewing all fundraisers related to the shooting in Minneapolis to ensure they are compliant with our Terms of Service," GoFundMe told USA TODAY on Jan. 12. "We are also working to gather additional information from the organizer of this fundraiser." During the review process, the company wrote in a statement, all funds "remain safely held by our payment processors." The GoFundMe remained active as of Tuesday afternoon. Among the donations includes a $10,000 sum from billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who said in a post on Twitter that the situation was a "tragedy," but that he believed in the principal that people are innocent until proven guilty. "An officer doing his best to do his job, and a protester who likely did not intend to kill the officer but whose actions in a split second led to her death," Ackman said. "Our country is stronger if we work together to resolve the complex issues that are tearing us apart." Who is Jonathan Ross? Jonathan Ross is a 10-year veteran of ICE, serving on the agency's Special Response Team operating out of St. Paul, Minnesota. He served in the Indiana National Guard before joining ICE, with a tour of duty in Iraq with the 138th Signal Battalion from 2004-05. Advertisement Advertisement Ed Ross told the the Daily Mail that he "couldn't be more proud" of him," of his son calling him a "committed, conservative Christian, a tremendous father (and) a tremendous husband." Ed Ross declined to speak to the Journal Star on Friday during a reporter's brief visit to his North Pekin home. Good, a 37-year-old native of Colorado, left behind her wife and three children a 15-year-old, 12-year-old and 6-year-old. Her mother told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that she was a "loving, forgiving and affectionate" person and a "amazing human being." More: ICE agent who shot Renee Good gets $10K donation from Bill Ackman This article originally appeared on Journal Star: GoFundMe set up for ICE agent with Peoria ties who fatally shot woman The legislative session began Jan. 13 with lawmakers headed for heated disputes over school voucher programs, health care regulations, rural investments and more, as the tension from last years extended session lingers in the Capitol. In their opening remarks, Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, acknowledged the bitterness of last year but said theyll work to pave over differences in the weeks ahead. Its fair to say that last session turned out different than most people wouldve expected, Albritton said. Advertisement Advertisement And Perez told House members, Our story took several surprising twists and turns." Swan song: DeSantis touts legacy with eye on property taxes, AI as session starts He went on: We learned that issues we tackle are not easily reduceable to a slogan or an idea. We live in an incredible state, but that doesnt mean we dont face challenges. Our problems are not simple ones, and they cant be waived away with a magic wand. But difficult doesnt mean impossible and hard isnt an excuse for cowardice. The differences between the chambers remain intense. For instance, the Senate plans to pass two of Albrittons priority bills on Jan. 14, a Rural Renaissance bill that would boost funding for rural areas, and a bill to impose transparency requirement on the universal voucher program for K-12 students. Advertisement Advertisement The Rural Renaissance bill has struggled to advance in the House. Last year Albritton and Perez deadlocked on a tax cut bill, sending the typical 60-day session into 45 days of overtime. The eventual compromise left the Rural Renaissance bill on the cutting room floor. Speaker of the House Danny Perez, left, and Senate President Ben Albritton hug one another during the joint session Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Perez preferred sales tax cut was also left out of the deal, and this year hes pushing a pair of health care bills aimed at slashing regulations for health care facilities and lowering prescription drug costs but the bills havent advanced in the Senate. The simmering feud between Perez and Gov. Ron DeSantis will underlie much of the session. DeSantis objected to Perezs sales tax cut plan last year, fearing it would crowd out his preference for a major property tax cut. DeSantis has also bashed Perez for putting forward eight different property tax cut bills instead of a single ballot measure, and has called a special session in April to redraw congressional district lines after Perez set up a special, or 'select,' committee to deal with the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Albritton stressed the need to keep up funding for the citrus industry, which has $100 million to research citrus greening and devise ways to bring back Floridas signature crop, which has seen production nosedive in recent years. "Im keeping my foot on the gas Florida Citrus is not going down on my watch," he said. He also stressed the importance of affordability for Floridians. While Albritton said the legislature can only do so much in 60 days, he was looking forward to "providing voters the opportunity to pass meaningful property tax relief." Gray Rohrer is the Policy and Politics Reporter for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. 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://tallahassee.com/newsletters. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: GOP bad blood lingers as Florida legislative session starts SOUTH CAROLINA (WSPA) South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster shared his proposed executive budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 on Monday. LAST YEAR: SC Senate and House passes $14.7 billion budget The financial plan suggested investing more than $1 billion into the states roads, cutting the state income tax, strengthening savings, and raising teacher pay. The budget, pending revisions, will take effect on July 1. Infrastructure Gov. McMaster proposed that $1.1 billion in state surplus money be utilized to existing and future road, bridge, highway, and interstate projects going. Advertisement Advertisement With the states rate of growth, he added that the states infrastructure systems are having trouble keeping up, citing possible future issues with water and sewer access, traffic congestion, road and bridge repair, demand for electric power generation, public safety, school overcrowding and healthcare availability. U-Haul: South Carolina the fastest growing state in the country McMaster also announced plans to study the impacts of the Palmetto States projected population growth in the next 10 and 20 years. Additionally, $1.4 billion was recommended to be put in South Carolinas rainy day fund which is used to cover a year-end shortfall states General Fund revenue collections. State Income Tax Cuts Currently, in South Carolina, the top income tax rate is 6%. In his budget recommendation for 2026, McMaster suggested the rate be dropped to 5.9%, which would cut the states income by $107.2 million. Advertisement Advertisement In 2025, state leaders announced a bill that would make the state income tax 3.99% for everyone. Leaders said in discussions about this bill, they will also be talking about sales and property tax. Education Teacher Pay, School Resource Officers, & College Tuition Rates Approximately $150 million of the states budget surplus is put toward increasing teacher pay from $48,500 to $50,000. State officials said the change is a 68% increase since 2017, when the minimum starting salary for a teacher was $30,113. The average salary of a public school teacher in South Carolina has increased now to $64,050 a year and has exceeded the southeast average every year since 2021, he said. McMaster said that placing a certified school resource officer (SRO) in each of the 1,283 public schools across the state has been one of his top priorities since becoming governor. The number of SROs in South Carolina has tripled since 2018, going from 406 to 1,181 officers within the states public schools. Advertisement Advertisement The governor also proposed that all public school students receive free breakfast, which would cost around $8.7 million. College tuition rates will be frozen for in-state students, with $39.2 million being set aside in the budget to keep higher education more affordable. Whats next? Now that the states financial plan has been released, the House Ways and Means Subcommittees will begin deliberations before the entire committee meets for discussions in February. The budget proposal, in its entirety, can be found below: FY27 Executive Budget Book FINAL 0112026Download 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 WSPA 7NEWS. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday called on the Republican-controlled Legislature to act on a broad array of his priorities in his final year in office, even if it means working for longer than they are scheduled to be in session. Republicans are unlikely to follow Evers' call to action on many of the proposals he outlined in a letter, just a year after they rejected the same or similar ideas in his state budget. But Evers expressed optimism that bipartisan agreement is near on several issues, including protecting funding for SNAP, the countrys main food aid program, and combating water pollution caused by PFAS chemicals. We have a year left and its not all about me, Evers, who opted against seeking a third term, told reporters on Monday. All of the things that need to be addressed, many of them can be. Advertisement Advertisement Evers has served as the swing state's governor since 2019, helping Democrat Joe Biden narrowly win the state on the way to becoming president in 2020. President Donald Trump carried Wisconsin in 2024 and in 2016, both times by less than 1 percentage point. Evers' term ends in a year, but he's focused on setting up his party to take back the legislative majority for the first time since they lost it in 2010. Evers signed new district maps in 2024 that helped Democrats chip into Republican majorities in the Assembly and Senate. Democrats are also counting on anger toward Trump helping them in the midterm. The Legislature is scheduled to be done with its session by mid-March, giving lawmakers more time to campaign for the fall election. The Assembly is planning to quit in mid-February. But Evers said Monday that there's still time to advance Democratic priorities. Advertisement Advertisement I think its bad politics to say were done in February, were done in March, and well see you at the polls, Evers said. That doesnt work. I dont think its a good message. We have the opportunity to do some good things. Evers called for bipartisanship to tackle issues that have long been Democratic priorities, such as increasing public school funding, lowering health care costs and enacting gun control laws. While many of his proposals are likely to be summarily rejected, Evers said Democrats and Republicans were close on reaching deals to release $125 million in funding to combat PFAS pollution. He also said both sides were close to an agreement that would put additional safeguards in place to ensure Wisconsin isn't penalized by the federal government for errors in who gets SNAP food assistance. Evers called on lawmakers to spend $1.3 billion more on public schools in an effort to reduce property taxes, a month after homeowners across the state received higher tax bills. Republicans blame Evers because of a veto he issued that allows schools to increase spending limits for 400 years. But that is only one part of the complicated school aid formula. Evers and school officials have said funding from the state has not kept pace with expenses, forcing schools to ask voters to approve referendums for an increase in property taxes to make up the difference. Advertisement Advertisement If schools aren't given more money, Evers said we're in a world of hurt because property taxes will only continue to increase. Republican legislative leaders, in interviews with The Associated Press last month, did not express support for increasing general school aid funding. We have to have a bigger conversation about how were going to fund schools long term than just saying were gonna put more money to the same formula doing the same thing, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said. Evers also urged the Legislature to make progress on his plan to close a 128-year-old prison in Green Bay as part of a larger overhaul of the correctional system. In October, the state building commission approved $15 million for planning. But once that is spent, absent further action, the work will stall, Evers said. We have to get this across the finish line, he said. Organizers of Greenlands annual national dog sled race have questioned who invited Donald Trumps U.S. envoy to the event, saying that its presence would be wholly inappropriate amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. On January 8, 2026, KNQK [The Greenland Dog Sledding Association] received an inquiry from an American journalist stating that the US president's recently appointed envoy, Governor Jeff Landry, had been invited to Avannaata Qimussersua, a statement from the associations president, Mikkel Jeremiassen, read. The KNQK Board finds it unacceptable that political pressure is being exerted from outside and therefore considers the participation of foreign political actors in Avannaata Qimussersua to be wholly inappropriate. Advertisement Advertisement Jeremiassen added that the associations board was currently working closely with patrons to determine who sent the invitations to foreign actors, adding that once this investigation is complete, the board will provide further information. Organizers of Greenlands annual national dog sled race have questioned who invited Donald Trumps U.S. envoy to the event, saying that its presence would be wholly inappropriate amid ongoing tensions between the two nations (Getty Images) Avannaata Qimussersua is Greenland's annual national sled dog race and brings together approximately 37 mushers and their 444 dogs from across the country. Though the location and distance change every year, the race is always held in west Greenland above the Arctic Circle. Strict rules mean that only Greenland dogs may enter the race, as other breeds are restricted from entering the country north of the Circle. The blocking of Landry and others comes as tensions continue to flare between the U.S., Greenland and Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement Denmark controls Greenland through its status as an autonomous territory. Avannaata Qimussersua is Greenland's annual national sled dog race and each year brings together approximately 37 mushers and their 444 dogs from across the country (Getty Images) Trump has been adamant that he needs U.S. control over Greenland right now and claims it is vital for Americas national security, though the comments have caused alarm in NATO countries. As a result, Denmarks foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlands Vivian Moltzfeldt requested a meeting with U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio which vice president JD Vance has now requested to join and will host in Washington D.C. at a date yet to be specified. The vice president and his wife Usha were scheduled to attend the Avannaata Qimussersua last year during a visit to Greenland, though changed their itinerary following angry protests from residents. Though the location and distance change every year, the race is always held in west Greenland above the Arctic Circle. Strict rules mean that only Greenland dogs may enter the race, as other breeds are restricted from entering the country north of the Circle (Getty Images) The couple, who were accompanied by then-national security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, were ultimately kept away from the more populated areas of the island in an attempt to reduce the likelihood that they would encounter demonstrators. Advertisement Advertisement Vances inclusion in the talks with Rubio, Rasmussen and Moltzfeldt could prove controversial given his vocal support for the U.S. seizing the territory from Denmark. Last week, he warned Europe that they needed to take Trump seriously on his aspiration to acquire it. What we're asking our European friends to do is to take the security of that land mass more seriously, because if they're not, the United States is going to have to do something about it, he said. Vice president JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance were scheduled to attend the Avannaata Qimussersua last year during a visit to Greenland, though changed their itinerary following angry protests from residents (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) What that is, I'll leave that to the president as we continue to engage in diplomacy with our European friends and everybody on this particular topic. Greenland holds a large and untapped wealth of natural resources, including oil and gas as well as natural earth minerals, zinc, copper, nickel and graphite. Its geographical location, positioned between the North American Arctic and Europe, also makes it appealing to Trump for strategic reasons. The president has had his eyes on the territory since 2019, when he first publicly floated the idea of purchasing it. EFFINGHAM Sixty years after the largest draft in Effingham County, 14 of the 37 men that were drafted got together on Sunday at the Disabled American Veterans to honor their time served during the Vietnam War. The group was drafted on Jan. 26, 1966, and a few of the men died during service. Others have either passed away or couldnt make the gathering. Chuck Rentfrow completed training in both Fort Leonardwood, Mo. and in Maryland before being sent to Fort Shafter in Hawaii. Advertisement Advertisement Air Force planes flew over North Vietnam and took pictures of where the enemy troops were. It was Rentfrows job to help determine where their destination was, and the information was then taken to the U.S. troops in Vietnam. Since Rentfrow had top-secret clearance, he was taken out of his position 90 days before leaving the military so he wouldnt have updated information. Then, he joined a few other men to help dispose of the film that had been collected. Big reels of film were driven to a cave on Oahu. The cave had sliding doors that were actually bars. The group would go through the first door, close it, open the second one, go through it and close it. The two sets of doors were never open at the same time, says Rentfrow. The film was fed off the reels and into gunny sacks that were then stapled shut. Once they had lots of gunny sacks, theyd make arrangements with Pearl Harbor to use a few boats in order to dump the bags in the sea once they couldnt see any more shoreline. The sacks were so heavy that they needed two or three men to lift them overboard. Advertisement Advertisement They would sink immediately, but the saltwater would eat the film up. That way, nobody knew what was on it, said Rentfrow. They say that within days, the saltwater would just destroy the film. Wayne Cox, 79, was a mortar and a forward observer even though he wasnt trained to be a forward observer. When he got to Vietnam, he was given a radio to carry on his back and told he was going to be a forward observer. He told others where to shoot by giving them coordinates. Shortly after getting to Vietnam, Cox bought a camera for $100. He took pictures, but he also lent it out to other men to take pictures with. Cox was never shot, despite being shot at frequently. Nobody was safe, even the door gunners, said Cox. Advertisement Advertisement Since Cox didnt take a rest-and-relaxation break, he got out of the military sooner. When he got back home, he developed all the pictures, and then sold the camera for $100. Cox also noted that he and the others were not treated well when they returned home. The war was still going on, and there was a lot of conflict around the country. It trickled down to the point where the men werent recognized, honored or appreciated when they came home. It took four years for Cox to hear welcome home. It was from a city cop. Charlie McWhorter, 81, knew at least half of the men who were drafted with him in 1966. He was an observer in Vietnam and called in artillery rounds in the field. At night, he would go with six to eight squad members to radio-in observations of those going in and out of the local villages. Vietnam was very uncivilized, says McWhorter. I dont know what kinda person I would be without that experience, said McWhorter. I didnt want to go, but I hope Im a better person before I left. After his arrest, accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann told court officers he would no longer need the pricey watch he had been wearing, according to a new court filing. "I guess I won't be needing that," Heuermann allegedly told court officers in Suffolk County as they reviewed his property, including a $6,000 wristwatch. The statement, uttered less than 24 hours after Heuermann's July 2023 arrest, is among several defense attorneys are trying to exclude from Heuermann's trial, which is expected to begin later this year. Advertisement Advertisement Defense attorney Danielle Coysh wrote that the statements "were involuntarily made and may not be used in evidence against the defendant." Heuermann, who has pleaded not guilty to killing seven women whose remains were found on Long Island, is appearing Tuesday in court in Riverhead. When members of the Suffolk County Police Department and the FBI arrested Heuermann outside his office in Midtown Manhattan, prosecutors quoted him saying, "What is this about?" and "It's a mistake." Prosecutors also quoted him asking the officers and agents, "What did I do?" according to the defense filing. The defense is also seeking to suppress evidence seized from Heuermann's home, office, vehicles and a rented storage unit, along with DNA evidence. Advertisement Advertisement The judge has already denied an attempt by Heuermann to exclude DNA but now the defense argued the DNA evidence was obtained through an unreasonable search of a Manhattan garbage can where investigators said they discovered discarded pizza crust that links Heuermann to the murders. "While a person may voluntarily discard a physical item, they do not necessarily intend to abandon the genetic information contained embedded in that item," the defense filing said. In the same filing, Heuermann's attorneys sought to dismiss one of the murder charges he faces in connection with the 1993 death of Sandra Costilla. The Suffolk County district attorney's office linked Heuermann to a hair lifted from Costilla's shirt, which the defense said was insufficient. Advertisement Advertisement "This evidence, even if accepted as true, does not establish that Mr. Heuermann killed Sandra Costilla, nor that he acted with the intent to cause her death," Coysh said. "The prosecution presented no eyewitness testimony, surveillance footage, digital evidence, phone records, fingerprint impressions, confession, or murder weapon linking Rex A. Heuermann to this crime." The judge told lawyers he expects Heuermann's trial to start after labor day, "come hell or high water." Heuermann's lawyers responded with the 175 page omnibus motion, challenging all components of the complex case. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said his office will oppose all the defense motions. Advertisement Advertisement Mazzei vowed the legal jousting will not delay the trial. Heuermann will stand trial for the Gilgo Beach murders shortly after Labor Day, the judge said Tuesday. The judge gave the Suffolk County district attorney's office until March to respond to Heuermann's request to suppress certain evidence and dismiss one of the charges. ALSO READ: DNA testing technique allowed in the Gilgo Beach murder trial Chantee Lans has the details to this story. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More Manhattan 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. By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Hamas is expected to elect a new leader this month, two sources in the group told Reuters, filling the role left vacant since Israel killed Yahya Sinwar in 2024 despite concerns that a successor could suffer the same fate. Khalil Al-Hayya and Khaled Meshaal are seen as frontrunners for the helm at a vital moment for the militant Islamist group, battered by two years of war ignited by its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and facing international demands to disarm. Advertisement Advertisement Both men reside in Qatar and sit on a five-man council that has run Hamas since Israel killed Sinwar, a mastermind of the October 7 attack. His predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated by Israel while on a visit to Iran in 2024. The election process has already begun, the sources said. The leader is chosen in a secret ballot by Hamas' Shoura Council, a 50-member body that includes Hamas members in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and exile. A Hamas spokesperson declined to comment. HAMAS FACES TOUGH CHALLENGES The sources said a deputy leader will also be elected to replace Saleh Al-Arouri, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Sources close to Hamas said it was determined to conclude the vote, though some preferred an extension of collective leadership. Hamas watchers regard Meshaal as part of a pragmatic wing with good ties to Sunni Muslim countries, and Hayya, the group's lead negotiator, as part of a camp that deepened its relations with Iran. Hamas faces some of the toughest challenges since it was founded in 1987. While fighting has largely abated in Gaza since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in October, Israel still holds almost half the coastal enclave, attacks continue, and conditions for Gaza's 2 million people remain dire. Hamas has also drawn criticism within Gaza because of the heavy toll inflicted by the war, with much of the enclave reduced to ruins and more than 71,000 people killed, according to Gaza health authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted 251 others in the October 7 cross-border assault on Israel. U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan for Gaza demands Hamas disarm and foresees the enclave being run by a technocratic Palestinian administration overseen by an international body called the Board of Peace. BOTH MESHAAL AND HAYYA PREVIOUSLY TARGETED BY ISRAEL Hamas has so far refused to disarm, saying the question of armed resistance is a matter for wider debate among Palestinian factions and that it would be ready to surrender its weapons to a future Palestinian state, an outcome Israel has ruled out. Advertisement Advertisement Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by Western powers including the United States. Born in Gaza, Hayya was among Hamas leaders targeted by an Israeli airstrike on Qatar in September. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later expressed regret to the emir of Qatar - a U.S. ally - in a three-way call with Trump and affirmed Israel would not conduct such an attack again in the future, the White House said at the time. Meshaal previously led Hamas for almost two decades. Israeli agents tried to assassinate him in Jordan in 1997 by injecting him with poison. His relations with Iran were strained in 2012 when he distanced Hamas from Tehran's Syrian ally, the now-ousted President Bashar al-Assad, early in the Arab Spring uprisings. Advertisement Advertisement Hamas was founded as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and is the main rival to the Palestinians' Fatah national movement led by 90-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas' founding charter called for the destruction of Israel, although its leaders have at times offered a long-term truce with Israel in return for a viable Palestinian state on all Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. Israel regards this approach as a ruse. Analyst Reham Owda said there were limited differences between Hayya and Meshaal over the conflict with Israel but believed Meshaal had better chances as he could "market (Hamas) internationally and help rebuild its capabilities". (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; editing by Tom Perry and Mark Heinrich) The Ukrainian Armed Forces are using the U.S.-made V2X Tempest, a high-mobility vehicle with a launcher for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles that is optimized for the counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) role. Mounting Hellfires on a high-mobility vehicle provides a new means of employing these weapons unpredictably, not only against drone threats, but potentially also other aerial targets, too. The Tempest was showcased in a video put out recently by Ukraines Air Force Command Center, suggesting that the flying branch is the likely operator. However, the new weapon was neither announced nor identified. The footage shows a pair of Hellfire missiles being launched, purportedly against Russian drones, with tracer rounds also seen climbing into the night sky. The related video is posted below, but if it does not appear for you, here is the link to the Facebook reel. Interestingly, a blurred version of the same video had been published last October, but it wasnt possible to identify the system involved. Advertisement Advertisement In the last few days, more still imagery has appeared, providing a much better look at the Ukrainian-operated Tempest. These photos reportedly show the combat vehicle while undergoing crew training. Ukraines Armed Forces have reportedly received prototypes of the new U.S.-made Tempest air defense system for testing, per Defense Express. Developed by V2X and unveiled in 2025, Tempest includes mobile and trailer-mounted variants tailored to counter drone threats. pic.twitter.com/nReBbm7ANh NOELREPORTS (@NOELreports) January 11, 2026 This confirms the identity of the system, which the Virginia-based V2X debuted at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exhibition last October. The transfer of the Tempest to Ukraine had not been publicly announced. The Tempest combines a twin Longbow launcher with a radar placed on a highly mobile, modular, lightweight 44 chassis apparently a Can-Am Maverick X3 side-by-side vehicle (SSV). According to V2X, the system is suitable for targeting short- and medium-range drones, in all weather conditions. The radar appears to be an existing counter-drone type that operates in the millimeter wave for active detection and to initially cue the missile. This radar would be ideal for picking up relatively small and relatively slow-moving targets, but it only has a very limited range similar to that of the Hellfire. A commercial-standard Can-Am Maverick X3 side-by-side vehicle (SSV). Can-Am There is no evidence of electro-optical and infrared cameras to supplement the radar, but there are aerials visible on the left rear side of the vehicle. These are almost certainly a passive radio frequency (RF) detection system. This is an independent way to locate some drones that are giving off their own radio emissions. The buggy can do this without emitting its own radio frequency energy, that helps it from being targeted, as well. Passive detection would help mitigate the single radar array, which means the vehicle needs to be pointed in the direction of the target in order to acquire it and fire its missiles. Usually, such radars are arrayed in a group of four, pointing in each direction for 360-degree coverage. Instead, the passive detection system can be used to initially pick up the threat, before the vehicle (and its radar) is oriented toward it for acquisition and firing. Many drones do not give off RF emissions, especially those that run on autopilot or use fiber optic wire control links. In those cases, they would have to pass through the radars field of view. A promotional shot of the Hellfire-armed V2X Tempest. V2X Fundamental to the design is its ability to employ shoot and scoot tactics, rapidly moving to a new position after firing, making it less vulnerable to detection and to enemy counterfire. Advertisement Advertisement Since it makes extensive use of commercially available off-the-shelf components, the Tempest is also said to be cheaper and faster to produce than more traditional vehicles of this type. As well as its primary C-UAS role, the Tempest can also engage helicopters, some cruise missile types, and fixed-wing aircraft, although against the latter target set, in particular, it is limited by the relatively short range of its Hellfire missiles. V2X also offers a stationary, trailer-mounted variant of the Tempest for the static defense of high-value objectives, such as storage facilities and airfields. Its unknown if any of these have been delivered to Ukraine. As for the missile armament, this is understood to comprise the AGM-114L Hellfire Longbow version. Hellfire missiles, the majority of which are laser-guided munitions, are best known as air-to-ground weapons, but the millimeter wave radar-guided AGM-114L variant has emerged as a useful tool for tackling drones in recent years. The AGM-114L has a range of around five miles and carries a roughly 20-pound warhead. This is enough destructive power to deal with many kinds of drones, while also reducing the risk of collateral damage on the ground. While these missiles are now out of production, they were likely substantially more expensive than the laser-guided versions. As of 2020, Hellfire had an average cost, across all variants, of more than $200,000. An official U.S. Army infographic that provides details on various Hellfire variants, including their weights. U.S. Army The AGM-114L is the same missile that U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters are using for C-UAS, with specific modifications made to them for this role. In this application, the missile is initially cued by the Apaches AN/APG-78 Longbow mast-mounted radar system. AGM-114Ls are also primary weapons for other land-based counter-drone systems, including the Armys M-SHORAD. Advertisement Advertisement Its worth noting that a very different version of the Hellfire has already been fielded by Ukraine. This is the Swedish RBS 17 coastal defense missile system, which uses a derivative of the semi-active laser-guided AGM-114C Hellfire anti-tank missile and was sent to Ukraine by Sweden in an aid package announced in the summer of 2022. Subsequently, further examples were provided to Ukraine from Norwegian stocks. A Ukrainian missile team fires an RBS-17 (ground launched AGM-114C Hellfire) at a Russian position, eastern Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/9bkMicyhji OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) December 19, 2023 While mainly designed for the close-in shore defense role defending against amphibious landings and shallow water threats Ukrainian forces instead seem to have employed the RBS 17 primarily against land targets. The missiles used in the RBS 17 system would not be suitable for use from the Tempest, however, whether for C-UAS use or against other targets, due to their guidance mode and the apparent lack of additional targeting systems on the vehicle. Overall, Ukraines new C-UAS system may well still be in the evaluation phase, or at least only fielded in small quantities, but the video evidence suggests that it might already be enjoying some success. At the very least, this is probably the most highly mobile ground C-UAS kinetic shooter we have seen. Advertisement Advertisement Whatever its status and the number of systems that are being delivered, the Tempest is clearly of interest to Ukraine, especially as the winter months mean that Russia is upping the tempo of its regular drone barrages against cities and infrastructure. Update, January 13: A new video has emerged showing the Tempest in action with the Ukrainian Air Force, including an interview with one of the operators. This provides a better view of the missile and radar installation in particular. Reportedly, the system has already downed 21 Russian Shahed/Geran-series long-range one-way attack drones. The Tempest air defense system in service with the Ukrainian Air Force. It has already accounted for 21 downed Russian Shahed drones. https://t.co/3Z36rJ7Yea pic.twitter.com/cIsZFAtqFF Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) January 13, 2026 Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) The Henderson Police Department (HPD) made an arrest in relation to a motel shooting. HPD says on December 28, 2025, officers responded to the Downtown Motel at 425 North Green Street in reference to a shooting. Officers found one person who had been shot, and he was transported to a local hospital for his injuries which did not appear to be life-threatening. HPD notes detectives responded to the scene and conducted an investigation leading to the identification of the suspect. On December 30, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued for Menelik H. Brank, 46, of Henderson. Evansville police say man squared up and flung boulder in gas station fight Advertisement Advertisement Police say on January 12, 2026, Brank was arrested in reference to the shooting. Officials say Brank was arrested in Clarksville, Tennessee with the assistance of the US Marshals Service and the Clarksville Police Department. Officials note Brank is being held at the Montgomery County Tennessee Detention Center until being extradited back to Henderson. Brank is being charged with Assault 1st Degree. 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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). A high-ranking Boston police official has filed a lawsuit against Commissioner Michael Cox, alleging retaliation after uncovering widespread fraud in the departments paid-detail system. In a new complaint filed in Suffolk Superior Court, longtime department veteran Marcus Eddings claims Cox demoted him from superintendent to deputy superintendent after he reported evidence of 693 violations involving 43 officers in the paid-detail program. According to the filing, some violations were backed by video evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Eddings alleges that Cox told him to stop investigating, warning that further scandals would give the department another black eye and harm Coxs legacy. At this time, another BPD official told Eddings that the Department could not realistically fire 15-25 officers, the lawsuit states. Despite that, Eddings continued his probe, which he says led to his demotion on January 20, 2024. Read the full filing: Lawsuit filed against BPD Commissioner Michael Cox by Boston 25 Desk The suit alleges a violation of the Massachusetts Whistleblower Act and tortious interference by Cox, claiming the demotion was motivated by retaliation and personal hostility. Advertisement Advertisement Eddings is seeking reinstatement as superintendent, compensatory and punitive damages for lost income, emotional distress, and reputational harm, and attorneys fees and injunctive relief to enforce whistleblower protections. In a statement in response to the lawsuit, the Boston Police Department told Boston 25 News, Due to pending litigation, we would decline comment. Eddings joined the department in 1996, working in various roles, including patrol force, drug control, youth violence, internal affairs, and homicide, before a string of promotions that landed him the superintendent job in 2019. In a statement, his legal team told Boston 25, Eddings is a highly credentialed and respected officer who has dedicated his entire career to faithfully serving the people of Boston. As this case shows, he has always placed duty and commitment to the rule of law above all else and has carried out his responsibilities with the utmost integrity and professionalism. We keenly look forward to proving the merits of his claims and ensuring he is restored to his rightful position as a Superintendent of the Boston Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement The case is calling for a jury trial. RELATED: Criminal process: Commissioner Cox addresses domestic allegations against Boston police officer BPD Commissioner Cox responds to calls by Karen Reads lawyer to be placed on Brady list Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW During the coldest months of the year, electric bills tend to spike with the increased usage of heat. However, for one Boston resident, his electric bill is going up due to heat, but for a different reason. Eli moved into his apartment on Seaverns Avenue in Jamaica Plain back in October. However, before even a month could go by, Eli said his heat pump unit stopped working. He explained he called maintenance, and after a few days they came by, and heat restored but only briefly. That was the beginning of a cycle Eli has been in for months. He said the longest period of time that hes had consistent heat was seven days. Advertisement Advertisement Eli bought two space heaters to keep warm, but after racking up hundreds of dollars in his electric bill, he now only uses them at night and stays bundled up. Its not pleasant, Eli said. Im wearing flannel lined pants, a thermal undershirt, and then a flannel right now. After months of no permanent solution through the buildings owner, Hajjar Management Company, Eli said he called Bostons inspection services. He said the inspector collected a temperature reading of 58 degrees, which is 10 degrees below the legal requirement for heating in a home during the day. She did tell me on the phone that the landlord has now been cited, Eli said. Advertisement Advertisement A week after that inspection visit, Eli is still left with a blinking error light on the heating unit, and a nearly $2,600 rent payment. If its 2-days on, and then 4, 5, 7 days off consistently, again and again and again, or a week on and 2 and a half or three weeks off, I dont think that meets the standard, Eli said. In a statement from COO of Hajjar Management Company, Paul Mahoney wrote, We understand that it can be frustrating and uncomfortable when the heat is inconsistent. Electric heat pumps can be complicated and not as straight forward as old-fashioned boilers are. We have been there multiple times with two different heating contractors to make sure that we are giving this the attention that our tenant deserves and provided temporary heat. We will resolve it one way or another, even if it means removing the entire system and replacing it. For other Boston residents who find themselves in similar situations, they can report violations to their landlords in writing. If issues still prevail, tenants can contact inspection services to request a home visit. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Jessi Heiner and Liz Silva have requested public records from the Houston Independent School District in the past. But, they said, one of their latest requests for copies of Superintendent Mike Miles' emails has been an ongoing back-and-forth, and they don't know how it will end. "It's really easy to submit the request. It's really hard to actually get the information that you're requesting," Silva said. Advertisement Advertisement Heiner, with the Houston Federation of Teachers, teamed up with Silva and about eight others to request copies of 16 months' worth of Miles' emails to what they believe is his internal HISD address, not the one listed on the district's website. Silva said she was having trouble getting information on why decisions were being made at her children's school. Heiner said she was interested in the $4.4 billion bond that was on the ballot in 2024. They said they hoped the emails they requested would answer their questions. "My children's school's as transparent as they can be. It's more so what's happening above them," Silva said. Advertisement Advertisement Normally, a public records request is simple. We make a request, the state attorney general confirms what has to be released, and we may pay a small fee. But with HISD, it's often a battle. The district is actively suing the Texas Attorney General just to keep us in the dark on an unrelated request we sent, saying attorney-client privilege should apply. That's been our fight. SEE ALSO: Houston ISD sues state AG to keep PR firm emails from 13 Investigates Silva and Heiner are fighting too, but theirs looks different. In October 2024, Heiner sent the group's request for Miles' emails. About two weeks later, an outside law firm paid by HISD sent over an initial cost estimate to Heiner for $2,446.80, and said they may still ask the attorney general what had to be released. Advertisement Advertisement Heiner, Silva, and a couple of others got together and paid the invoice. Then Heiner said the law firm hired by HISD sent a 25-page memo to the attorney general's office arguing that they should be able to withhold certain information for a number of reasons, including attorney-client privilege. Before the attorney general issued a ruling, the law firm told Heiner it would be about $1,891.20 more than they originally estimated. Heiner said she was confused because nothing had changed on her end, but the attorneys noted that, because the request was broad, it was going to take a "substantial amount" of time to compile the emails and redact them. Advertisement Advertisement In an attempt to reduce the additional cost, Heiner said she narrowed the request to a year of emails, rather than about a year and a half. The law firm hired by the district said it would only be roughly $400 more after the change. The district said that amount was based on documents they deemed public and not subject to the attorney general's ruling. Heiner and the group paid for it, but nothing was released to them. Then came the attorney general's ruling, saying much of Miles's emails had to be turned over. The law firm paid by HISD sent Heiner a new bill saying it would now cost $8,172.00 in total to gather the information. Advertisement Advertisement "It's not hard to speculate that the reason the cost keeps going up is to make it inaccessible," Silva said. Heiner filed a cost complaint with the attorney general's office, and HISD's attorneys were forced to explain how they arrived at their $8,172 cost estimate. HISD's letter to the attorney general shows a detailed breakdown of how long it believes it will take to gather and redact the 49,000 pages Heiner requested, saying an "excessively burdensome data dump" is not why the Texas Public Information Act was created. The district's attorneys say the cost increased because the AG required HISD to release more emails than they initially planned. Advertisement Advertisement "Ultimately, now what they're saying is that it's going to take 52 full days of one person full-time to do that, like 400 hours, and that is just absurd," Heiner said. Right now, after the cost complaint, the total cost for the emails is $7,571.60. Silva and Heiner said they wonder how that cost compares to the district's bill with the law firm to fight releasing the records and justifying the price tag. "We're probably spending more as taxpayers than we are to just get the information," Heiner said. Heiner said they are trying to decide if they are going to pay the updated cost estimate, which would be another $4,700, with no guarantee that it's the final cost. Advertisement Advertisement This request is now more than a year old, but Heiner said they're still interested in the information. HISD told us in a statement that the attorney general determined their labor estimates were legal. "Ms. Heiner submitted a Texas Public Information Act request seeking all emails sent to or from Superintendent Mike Miles over a 16-month period, without keywords or other limits, resulting in nearly 80,000 pages of responsive records. She later narrowed the timeframe, but the request continued to require extensive review and redaction of confidential information. As processing progressed and the full scope of the records became clear, the District issued updated cost estimates consistent with the Texas Public Information Act and Attorney General guidance," HISD said in a statement. Contact 13 Investigates Have a tip? A problem to solve? Send a tip below. If you don't have a photo or document to include, just hit 'skip upload' and send the details. (On mobile? You can open our form by tapping here.) ALBANY, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is making a simple pitch to New Yorkers: Defying President Donald Trump will be good for your pocketbooks. The moderate Democrat will unveil her 2026 agenda Tuesday with the interlocking goals of tackling wide-ranging affordability woes while also making New York a bulwark against the Trump administrations aggressive policies on immigration, energy and funding cuts. Her State of the State speech, set against the backdrop of her looming reelection bid, is expected to back legislation that would make it easier to sue federal immigration enforcement officials if they violate a New Yorkers constitutional rights. The governor is pressing to expand wind energy as the federal government rescinds approval, casting it as a way to aid blue-collar construction workers. And, in a previously unreported proposal, Hochul will call for a bill to block civil immigration enforcement actions without a judicial warrant in sensitive locations, like schools, hospitals and houses of worship. Advertisement Advertisement The governor will propose protecting student loan borrowers a reaction to Trumps effort to overhaul repayment rules. She wants to bolster farmers whose businesses have been disrupted by Trumps tariffs and plans to propose $30 million in direct payments to agricultural producers. Hochul is also pushing a muscular proposal to boost free child care statewide, a signature policy for her and New York Citys new mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Some Democrats see her agenda of countering Trump, framed around protecting New Yorkers bottomline, as a replicable strategy for blue states nationally as the party struggles to adapt to the Republican presidents whipsaw policies. We have an obligation to set the pace and the tone for what the rest of the country is doing, said Brooklyn Assemblymember Brian Cunningham, a Democrat and potential Hochul running mate. Given New Yorks reputation, were the Empire State, were the natural cultural setter. Just having that kind of bravado in film, Broadway and sports, we apply that to our politics. Advertisement Advertisement Hochul holds large polling advantages over her Democratic primary rival, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, as well as likely Republican nominee, Trump-endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. But the stakes for the governor go beyond her own reelection bid. Democrats are counting on her to mount a robust campaign at the top of the ticket this year to support down-ballot candidates running in crucial House races that may determine control of the chamber next year and the course of Trumps presidency. Unfortunately for New Yorkers, Gov. Hochul wants illegal criminals on the streets, unreliable and unaffordable green energy sources to drive up prices for families and businesses, and hard-earned taxpayer dollars wasted on fraud, said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers. Its a shame that governors in blue states refuse to implement President Trumps commonsense agenda that is making America safer and more affordable. The governors policies will also set the tone for the next four years in New York City, a financial powerhouse for the country where voters elected Mamdani, an inexperienced democratic socialist who ran a campaign focused on bringing down the cost of living. At the federal level, the temperamental Trumps maximalist view of power underscores his desire to control Democratic-led states withholding cash for child care and infrastructure projects while dramatically reducing health care funding. Advertisement Advertisement As she rolls out her agenda and campaigns for reelection, Hochul is walking a narrow line between two polarizing figures who command zealous support. She must navigate the tricky politics of Trumps immigration enforcement as Empire State Democrats push to broaden so-called sanctuary protections for undocumented residents. At the same time, the governor is also resisting a push to boost taxes on rich people a red line thats angered Mamdani supporters. Hiking taxes would open her up to criticism from the right, and Blakeman has already knocked her for presiding over a high-tax state. Taken together, Hochul has little room for error when it comes to alienating the untested mayor, an unpredictable president and her own states voters especially among suburbanites, with whom shes struggled to gain traction. If she goes too far to the left on ICE, or anything really, there will be two people cheering her on, Zohran Mamdani and Bruce Blakeman, said Republican former city Councilmember Joe Borelli. But for vastly different reasons. Hochul, a reserved 67-year-old Democrat, has tried a menu of affordability measures suspending state gasoline taxes, reducing a controversial Manhattan toll from $15 to $9, and sending rebate checks to taxpayers. Her favorability rating among New Yorkers has risen slightly over the last year and stands at 43 percent. A similar slice of voters, 44 percent, believe the state is heading in the right direction, a Siena University poll found last month. Advertisement Advertisement Few voters appear to link Hochul with some of her more popular policies, like middle-income tax cuts and a push to expand home building in order to drive down stubbornly high housing costs. Affordability is certainly at the forefront right now, but that has been what shes focused on since she first took office, New York Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs said. There are budget policies and initiatives that back that up, this isnt new to her. She didnt read a poll and decide to do this. Its deep in her roots and where she came from. President Trump remains far less popular than Hochul in his home state. The same voter survey in December found Trump is viewed unfavorably by 62 percent of voters. Since then, Trump has conducted a risky seizure of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro, withheld child care funds to New York citing a Minnesota fraud scandal and offered his full-throated support to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who shot and killed a 37-year-old woman. The events of the last several weeks have emboldened New York Democrats to take a more assertive approach with the federal government, even as they pledge to address the cost-of-living problems facing New Yorkers. Advertisement Advertisement The top Democrat in the state Senate, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, kicked off the legislative session in Albany last week with a call to approve a bill that would prevent local and state law enforcement officials from working with federal immigration agents. Lawmakers are also weighing bills intended to guarantee legal representation for people facing deportation proceedings and prohibit ICE agents from wearing masks while on duty. Hochul has typically walked a cautious line around immigration, which is seen as a third rail for Democrats. As a local official in western New York, she opposed allowing undocumented immigrants to access drivers licenses a position she later reversed. Yet in the wake of Renee Goods shooting in Minneapolis, the governor is embracing a measure that would enable New Yorkers to sue federal officials in state court when theyre accused of violating their constitutional rights. Hochul also signaled that shes arm-in-arm with Mamdani on opposing ICE expanding its efforts in New York. The mayor and I will stand together and reject any efforts to try and militarize our streets, but they never should have been in Minneapolis in the first place, Hochul told MSNOW last week. That's the catalyst for this. Advertisement Advertisement Underscoring the multi-dimensional challenge for Hochul is Trumps predilection for punishing Democratic-led states. Hes tried to kill Manhattans congestion pricing toll program, withheld funding for infrastructure projects like the Gateway tunnel and cut off billions of dollars in child care reimbursement funds to blue states. Hochul has managed up with the often difficult president and frequently speaks with him on the phone. Shes met twice with him in the Oval Office to discuss energy projects and the Manhattan tolls. Yet shes publicly expressed exasperation with his administration and cheered lawsuits meant to claw back money, including the child care funds. The governor this month rallied with construction union members to blast the Trump administrations decision to yank approval for offshore wind projects around the country, including one off the Long Island coast. Hochul struck a populist note with the workers playing up her own blue collar roots in a historically hardscrabble part of the state. My uncles are longshoremen, carpenters, plumbers, she said. They help build the economy where I come from, a steel town, a tough, gritty place. That actually prepares you very well for the rough and tumble of politics. Advertisement Advertisement New York Democrats, though, will likely pressure Hochul to go further against Trump in the courts and in their own legislation testing the governors mettle against a powerful political foe. If you ask me, Is he going to come after New York state because were a progressive state that tries to do all the right things? said influential Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger. Of course he will. Trump border czar Tom Homan said Tuesday he has had no communication with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing the newly inaugurated democratic socialist of refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. "He's made it clear he's not going to work with ICE," Homan told "America's Newsroom." "When Mayor Adams was here we had an agreement that he would allow us back into Rikers Island to arrest those public safety threats in the safety and security of a jail, but the city council shut it down." Advertisement Advertisement Homan went on to cite a meeting last year between President Donald Trump and Mamdani, saying it remains unclear whether the mayor will change course and help bring alleged threats to society to justice. Mamdani Pledges Nyc To Remain Sanctuary City After Chummy Trump Meeting Border czar Tom Homan and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (Getty Images) "We'll see down the road if he's going to help arrest public safety threats," he said. Read On The Fox News App "We're not asking any NYPD to be immigration officers. We're asking their cops to work with our cops to remove national security threats and public safety threats in New York City." Advertisement Advertisement Secretary Kristi Noem offered similar remarks last week, telling reporters that talks involving Mamdani and the Department of Homeland Security are reportedly not going well. Mamdani Calls Ice Detention Of Nyc Employee 'Assault On Our Democracy' An ICE agent monitors hundreds of asylum seekers being processed after entering the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 6, 2023, in New York City. "We're hoping the mayor will work with us to get these criminal elements, and especially gang members and terrorist organizations, out of New York City," Noem said during a news conference. "I know he and the president had a productive conversation. Our communication at the Department of Homeland Security has not been productive with the mayor's office or with the NYPD , but we want to continue those conversations so we can work together on success." Advertisement Advertisement Click Here To Download The Fox News App Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Mamdani has espoused anti-ICE rhetoric since rising to prominence in the race for New York City mayor last year, encouraging those confronted by the agency to "know [their] rights" in a video last month and listing ways to handle potentially risky encounters with agents. Fox News' Rachel Wolf and Bryan Llenas contributed to this report. Original article source: Homan says NYC Mayor Mamdani 'made it clear he's not going to work with ICE' on immigration Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) on Monday took a swing at his Democratic congressional colleague Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) over Iran. In an earlier interview on CNN News Central, the networks Kate Bolduan pressed Fetterman about possible American military action in Iran. The presidents saying hes now considering taking military action inside Iran, do you want the U.S. to get involved like that? Bolduan asked Fetterman. Advertisement Advertisement Sure, absolutely. And now, if it continues to make more sense, absolutely. I think I was the only Democrat that fully supported our strike of their Iranian nuclear facilities last year. And now, by then, without those kinds of strikes, Iran could have acquired a nuclear bomb, the Keystone State senator responded. Key national security officials with the Trump administration are prepared to brief President Trump on Tuesday with options on how the U.S. could respond to the Iranian governments lethal use of force against protests in the country. The president has warned of military intervention and said he is considering strong options to counter the alleged killing and injuring of numerous protestors. CNNs John Berman noted Fettermans earlier comments later in the broadcast, to which Ryan reacted negatively. Advertisement Advertisement My blood pressure went through the roof when I heard that, because that pisses me off. I mean, to say, Sure, sure were going to bomb another country. Sure, were going to start a potentially another regime change war in the Middle East, Ryan, who served in the Army during the Iraq War, said. And I was on the receiving end of 27 months in combat in Iraq, where I lost friends and many innocent Iraqis lost their lives. Look, the regime in Iran is evil, and I dont use that term lightly. We know that, and doing what we can to support the brave people rising up against their government, is what we should do, the New York Democrat added. Ryan later responded to a clip of his earlier appearance on CNN, saying [d]amn right it pissed me off. Unlike the Senator, Ive actually seen combat in the Middle East. Its really easy to sit at home in a hoodie and casually suggest starting a war. Its a lot harder to do the work required to actually bring peace, Ryan added in a Monday afternoon post on the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement The Hill has reached out to Fettermans office for comment. 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. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. Former vice presidential contender and current aw-shucks Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced that he won't run for a third term, dogged by a scandal over child care funds that may or may not be going to fraudsters. It's a politically driven mess that not coincidentally focuses on a Black immigrant community, tying the real problem of scammers stealing government funds. Despite the ugliness of current racial politics in America, the fraud remains real, and not just in Minnesota. California has lost billions to cheats in the last few years, leaving our own governor, who also harbors D.C. dreams, vulnerable to the same sort of attack that has taken down Walz. As we edge closer to the 2028 presidential election, Republicans and Democrats alike will probably come at Gavin Newsom with critiques of the state's handling of COVID-19 funds, unemployment insurance and community college financial aid to name a few of the honeypots that have been successfully swiped by thieves during his tenure. In fact, President Trump said as much on his social media barf-fest recently. "California, under Governor Gavin Newscum, is more corrupt than Minnesota, if that's possible??? The Fraud Investigation of California has begun," he wrote. Right-wing commentator Benny Johnson also said he's conducting his own "investigation." And Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is claiming his fraud tip line has turned up "(c)orruption, fraud and abuse on an epic scale." Just to bring home that this vulnerability is serious and bipartisan, Rep. Ro Khanna, the Silicon Valley congressman rumored to have his own interest in the Oval Office, is also circling the fraud feast like a vulture eyeing his next meal. "I want to hear from residents in my district and across the state about waste, mismanagement, inefficiencies, or fraud that we must tackle," Khanna wrote on social media. Newsom's spokesman Izzy Gardon questioned the validity of many fraud claims. "In the actual world where adults govern," Gardon said, "Gavin Newsom has been cleaning house. Since taking office, he's blocked over $125 BILLION in fraud, arrested criminal parasites leaching off of taxpayers, and protected taxpayers from the exact kind of scam artists Trump celebrates, excuses, and pardons." What exactly are we talking about here? Well, it's a pick-your-scandal type of thing. Even before the federal government dumped billions in aid into the states during the pandemic, California's unemployment system was plagued by inefficiencies and yes, scammers. But when the world shut down and folks needed that government cash to survive, malfeasance skyrocketed. Every thief with a half-baked plan including CEOs, prisoners behind bars and overseas organized crime rackets came for California's cash, and seemingly got it. The sad part is these weren't criminal geniuses. More often than not, they were low-level swindlers looking at a system full of holes because it was trying to do too much too fast. In a matter of months, billions had been siphoned away. A state audit in 2021 found that at least $10 billion had been paid out on suspicious unemployment claims never mind small business loans or other types of aid. An investigation by CalMatters in 2023 suggested the final figure may be up to triple that amount for unemployment. In truth, no one knows exactly how much was stolen in California, or across the country. It hasn't entirely stopped. California is still paying out fraudulent unemployment claims at too high a rate, totaling up to $1.5 billion over the last few years more than $500 million in 2024 alone, according to the state auditor. But that's not all. Enterprising thieves looked elsewhere when COVID-19 money largely dried up. Recently, that has been our community colleges, where millions in federal student aid has been lost to grifters who use bots to sign up for classes, receive government money to help with school, then disappear. Another CalMatters investigation using data obtained from a public records request found that up to 34% of community college applications in 2024 may have been false though that number represents fraudulent admissions that were flagged and blocked, Gardon points out. Still, community college fraud will probably be a bigger issue for Newsom because it's fresher, and can be tied (albeit disingenuously) to immigrants and progressive policies. California allows undocumented residents to enroll in community colleges, and it made those classes free two terrific policies that have been exploited by the unscrupulous. For a while, community colleges didn't do enough to ensure that students were real people, because they didn't require enough proof of identity. This was in part to accommodate vulnerable students such as foster kids, homeless people and undocumented folks who lacked papers. With no up-front costs for attempting to enroll, phonies threw thousands of identities at the system's 116 schools, which were technologically unprepared for the assaults. These "ghost" students were often accepted and given grants and loans. My former colleague Kaitlyn Huamani reported that in 2024, scammers stole roughly $8.4 million in federal financial aid and more than $2.7 million in state aid from our community colleges. That's a pittance compared with the tens of billions that was handed out in state and federal financial aid, but more than enough for a political fiasco. As Walz would probably explain if nuanced policy conversations were still a thing, it's both a fair and unfair criticism to blame these robberies on a governor alone state government should be careful of its cash and aggressive in protecting it, and the buck stops with the governor, but crises and technology have collided to create opportunities for swindlers that frankly few governmental leaders, from the feds on down, have handled with any skill or luck. The crooks have simply been smarter and faster than the rest of us to capitalize first on the pandemic, then on evolving technology including AI that makes scamming easier and scalable to levels our institutions were unprepared to handle. Since being so roundly fleeced during the pandemic, multiple state and federal agencies have taken steps in combating fraud including community colleges using their own AI tools to stop fake students before they get in. And the state is holding thieves accountable. Newsom hired a former Trump-appointed federal prosecutor, McGregor Scott, to go after scam artists on unemployment. And other county, state and federal prosecutors have also dedicated resources to clawing back some of the lost money. With the slow pace of our courts (burdened by their own aging technology), many of those cases are still ongoing or just winding up. For example, 24 L.A. County employees were charged in recent months with allegedly stealing more than $740,000 in unemployment benefits, which really is chump change in this whole mess. Another California man recently pleaded guilty to allegedly cheating his way into $15.9 million in federal loans through the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs. And in one of the most colorful schemes, four Californians with nicknames including "Red boy" and "Scooby" allegedly ran a scam that boosted nearly $250 million in federal tax refunds before three of them attempted to murder the fourth to keep him from ratting them out to the feds. There are literally hundreds of cases across the country of pandemic fraud. And these schemes are just the tip of the cash-berg. Fraudsters are also targeting fire relief funds, food benefits really, any pot of public money is fair game to them. And the truth is, the majority of that stolen money is gone for good. So it's hard to hear the numbers and not be shocked and angry, especially as the Golden State is faced with a budget shortfall that may be as much as $18 billion. Whether you blame Newsom personally or not for all this fraud, it's hard to be forgiving of so much public money being handed to scoundrels when our schools are in need, our healthcare in jeopardy and our bills on an upward trajectory. The failure is going to stick to somebody, and it doesn't take a criminal mastermind to figure out who it's going to be. (COMMENT, BELOW) Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Republican Rep. Randy Fine introduced legislation Monday authorizing President Donald Trump to take measures necessary to acquire Greenland, amid renewed White House rhetoric about taking the autonomous Danish island. The Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, which is anything but assured of passage through the House, would give Trump the power to take the island, including through annexation, and require a report to be submitted to Congress detailing necessary changes to federal law to admit Greenland as the 51st state. "Whoever controls Greenland controls key Arctic shipping lanes and the security architecture protecting the United States," Fine, of Florida, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement "America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security." President Donald Trump has talked of the importance of Greenland to U.S. national security since his first term, but he has increased rhetoric about acquiring the island since returning to the White House last year. Following the U.S. military abduction of Venezuela's authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro, earlier this month, and amid heightened geopolitical concerns, the Trump administration has increased its rhetoric about acquiring Greenland. Trump said Sunday that the United States must control the territory, which is an autonomous island of Denmark, a NATO ally. Advertisement Advertisement "One way or another, we're going to have Greenland," he said, adding that "if we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will. And I'm not letting that happen." The threat to Greenland's sovereignty has drawn staunch criticism from Democrats, Denmark and other European and NATO allies. The U.S. Pituffik Space Force Base is located on Greenland, and Jesper Moller Sorensen, Denmark's ambassador the United States, has said that since 1951, the United States has had the option to establish additional military bases and increase its military presence on the island. Sorensen said he met with Fine on Monday and made clear that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. "Together, [Greenland] & [Denmark] are ready to deepen our security cooperation w. [the United States] to strengthen our collective defense within @NATO," Sorensen said on X. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Strong winter winds collapsed walls onto flimsy tents for Palestinians displaced by war in Gaza, killing at least four people, hospital authorities said Tuesday. Dangerous living conditions persist in Gaza after more than two years of devastating Israeli bombardment and aid shortfalls. A ceasefire has been in effect since Oct. 10. But aid groups say that Palestinians broadly lack the shelter necessary to withstand frequent winter storms. The dead include two women, a girl and a man, according to Shifa Hospital, Gaza Citys largest, which received the bodies. Advertisement Advertisement The Gaza Health Ministry said Tuesday a 1-year-old boy died of hypothermia overnight, while the spokesman for the U.N.'s children agency said over 100 children and teenagers have been killed by military means" since the ceasefire began. Meanwhile, Israels military said it exchanged fire Tuesday with six people spotted near its troops deployed in southern Gaza, killing at least two of them in western Rafah. Family mourns relatives killed by wall collapse Three members of the same family 72-year-old Mohamed Hamouda, his 15-year-old granddaughter and his daughter-in-law were killed when an 8-meter (26-foot) high wall collapsed onto their tent in a coastal area along the Mediterranean shore of Gaza City, Shifa Hospital said. At least five others were injured. Advertisement Advertisement Their relatives on Tuesday began removing the rubble that had buried their loved ones and rebuilding the tent shelters for survivors. The world has allowed us to witness death in all its forms, Bassel Hamouda said after the funeral. Its true the bombing may have temporarily stopped, but we have witnessed every conceivable cause of death in the world in the Gaza Strip. A second woman was killed when a wall fell on her tent in the western part of the city, Shifa Hospital said. Hundreds of tents and makeshift shelters were blown away or heavily damaged, the U.N. humanitarian office reported. The U.N. and its humanitarian partners were distributing tents, tarps, blankets and clothes as well as nutrition and hygiene items across Gaza, said the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement The majority of Palestinians live in makeshift tents since their homes were reduced to rubble during the war. When storms strike the territory, Palestinian rescue workers warn people against seeking shelter inside damaged buildings for fears of collapse. Aid groups say not enough shelter materials are entering Gaza during the truce. In the central town of Zawaida, Associated Press footage showed inundated tents Tuesday morning, with people trying to rebuild their shelters. Yasmin Shalha, a displaced woman from the northern town of Beit Lahiya, stood against winds that lifted the tarps of tents around her as she stitched hers back together with needle and thread. She said it had fallen on top of her family the night before, as they slept. The winds were very, very strong. The tent collapsed over us, the mother of five told AP. As you can see, our situation is dire. Advertisement Advertisement On the shore in southern Gaza, tents were swept into the Mediterranean. Families pulled what was left from the sea, while some built sand barriers to hold back rising water. The sea took our mattresses, our tents, our food and everything we owned," Shaban Abu Ishaq said, as he dragged part of his tent out of the sea in the Muwasi area of Khan Younis. Mohamed al-Sawalha, a 72-year-old man from the northern refugee camp of Jabaliya, said the conditions most Palestinians in Gaza endure are barely livable. It doesnt work neither in summer nor in winter, he said of the tent. We left behind houses and buildings (with) doors that could be opened and closed. Now we live in a tent. Even sheep dont live like we do. Advertisement Advertisement Residents arent able to return to their homes in Israeli-controlled areas of the Gaza Strip. Child death toll in Gaza rises Gaza's Health Ministry said the 1-year-old in the central town of Deir al-Balah was the seventh fatality due to the cold conditions since winter started. Others included a baby just seven days old and a 4-year-old girl, whose deaths were announced Monday. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, says more than 440 people were killed by Israeli fire and their bodies brought to hospitals since the ceasefire went into effect. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. Advertisement Advertisement UNICEF spokesman James Elder said Tuesday at least 100 children under the age of 18 60 boys and 40 girls have been killed since the truce began due to military operations, including drone strikes, airstrikes, tank shelling and use of live ammunition. Those figures, he said, reflect incidents where enough details have been compiled to warrant recording, but the total toll is expected to be higher. He said hundreds of children have been wounded. While bombings and shootings have slowed during the ceasefire, they have not stopped, Elder told reporters at a U.N. briefing in Geneva by video from Gaza City. So what the world now calls calm would be considered a crisis anywhere else, he said. Gaza's population of more than 2 million people has been struggling to keep the cold weather and storms at bay while facing shortages of humanitarian aid and a lack of more substantial temporary housing, which is badly needed during the winter months. It's the third winter since the war between Israel and Hamas started on Oct. 7, 2023, when militants stormed into southern Israel and killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 others into Gaza. Gazas Health Ministry says more than 71,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's retaliatory offensive. Advertisement Advertisement ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Toqa Ezzidin in Cairo, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, and Julia Frankel in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Jan. 12Some 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, 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. French farmers have rolled their tractors into Paris to protest against a trade deal struck by the European Union with four South American countries. Some 350 tractors passed through the capitals major thoroughfares, including the Champs-Elysees, before gathering by the French parliament and the Arc de Triomphe, according to police. The trade agreement will create one of the worlds largest free-trade areas, boosting commerce between the 27-nation EU and the Mercosur bloc of Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay. Advertisement Advertisement But farmers fear being undercut by an influx of cheap beef and other products from South America, with thousands in France, Ireland, Poland and Belgium staging protests over the weekend. The demonstration has been organised by the French agricultural unions - Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Farmers fear the deal will result in an extra 99,000 tonnes of cheap beef from agriculture giant Brazil and its neighbours. Major Mercosur exports to the EU include agricultural products and minerals, while the EU would export machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals with lowered tariffs applied. EU governments backed the deal last week, outvoting France, Ireland, Austria, Poland and Hungary to end 25 years of negotiations over the free trade agreement. Advertisement Advertisement The decision was a setback for French president Emmanuel Macron, whose influence in Brussels has been sapped by his domestic political problems. Mr Macron lost his majority in the now-hung National Assembly after calling snap elections in 2024. He was able to extract an extra 45bn (39bn) of EU funding for farmers but not stop the deal, which Paris still opposes. A farmer cuts pieces of an Epiphany cake as they protest outside the National Assembly in Paris - Emma Da Silva In contrast, it has been a victory for Germanys chancellor Friedrich Merz and his CDU colleague Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. Mr Merz has pushed hard for new EU trade deals to prop up the stuttering German economy and its car industry, which is suffering at the hands of Chinese competition. Advertisement Advertisement On Monday he suggested during a visit to India that the bloc sign a free trade agreement with New Delhi by the end of January to put fresh impetus behind long-running EU trade negotiations. Brussels had argued the deal was vital to shore up international trade rules put under threat by US president Donald Trump and his use of punitive tariffs. Most EU nations backed the Mercosur trade deal, which supporters argue is crucial to boost exports, help the continents ailing economy and foster diplomatic ties in an uncertain time. The farmers marched down the Champs-Elysees before gathering in front of Parliament - Anadolu Mrs von der Leyen will sign the trade deal in Paraguay on Saturday. The agreement still needs the approval of the European Parliament. It will be opposed by Greens fearful of its impact on animal welfare and the environment as well as protectionist MEPs. Advertisement Advertisement The hard-Right Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament will reportedly table a vote of no confidence in Mrs von der Leyen this week over the agreement. The move, which has almost no chance of success, is being driven by Marine Le Pens National Rally party, which accuses the EU of abandoning French farmers. Istvan Nagy, Hungarys agriculture minister, said on Tuesday that Budapest would challenge the agreement in the European Court of Justice if Mrs von der Leyen signed the deal at the Jan 17 ceremony. 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. Backed by FNSEA, one of France's largest farm unions, the protest action piles pressure on President Emmanuel Macrons government after most EU member states approved the pact despite Pariss opposition. Farmers in France, the European Union's largest agricultural producer, and other member states have been protesting for months over the EU-Mercosur deal as well as numerous local grievances. A separate farmers' union, the Coordination Rurale, had already brought tractors below the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe last Thursday in a surprise demonstration. Advertisement Advertisement The Paris police said it estimated around 350 tractors at Tuesday's demonstration. One convoy of tractors had converged again by the Arc de Triomphe, while another convoy arrived by the French parliament building. The route for the demonstration has been "validated" by the police prefect, after the organisers "agreed to comply with security instructions". Unprecedented crisis Damien Greffin, vice president of the FNSEA and a farmer from the Paris region said that the Mercosur agreement was approved "even though the European Parliament hasn't had its say". "This is going to lead to imports of foreign goods that we are perfectly able to produce in France and that don't respect standards which are imposed on French farming," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Greffin said that besides the protest in front of the French parliament, they were also planning to demonstrate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 20 January. Thousands of Irish, French farmers protest EU-Mercosur trade deal Just days before the signing of the EU-Mercosur agreement, scheduled for Saturday in Paraguay, farmers have stepped up their protests, including in Le Havre, France's leading commercial port, where blockades have been set up. The ports of Bayonne and La Rochelle have also seen blockades. Other groups have set up roadblocks in regional areas across France. The Mercosur deal's approval by most EU states last Friday, despite France's rejection, has intensified pressure on the government from farmers and opposition parties, some of which have filed no-confidence motions. A long list "Farming is going through a crisis like weve never seen and we need to make ourselves heard," said Guilllaume Lefort, a crop farmer, holding an FNSEA flag in front of the National Assembly (parliament) building. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told French media on Tuesday that "dialogue and discussions are continuing". "What the government has put on the table is not the final word," she told broadcaster TF1. Among the topics that could be the subject of further announcements, Bregeon cited "the transfer of assets, the issue of income, the issue of water, and adaptation to climate change." "The list is obviously not exhaustive," she added. (with newswires) The Brief Jonathan Ross, an ICE officer with ties to Peoria, Illinois, fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Good was shot after agents approached her vehicle and she attempted to drive away; officials say Ross fired in self-defense. It is unclear whether charges will be filed, and the shooting has sparked protests and increased federal law enforcement presence. MINNEAPOLIS - A federal immigration agent accused of fatally shooting a Minnesota woman has ties to downstate Illinois, according to multiple reports. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, identified as Jonathan Ross, shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good last Wednesday, authorities said. According to the Peoria Journal Star, Ross was a 2001 graduate of Richwoods High School in Peoria, Ill. What we know The deadly shooting happened around 9:30 a.m. in the area of East 34th Street and Portland Avenue in Minneapolis. Good was traveling in a red Honda Pilot when multiple ICE agents approached her vehicle. As she attempted to drive away, Ross, who was standing near the drivers side door, backed away and opened fire, shooting three times through the drivers side window, according to reports. Advertisement Advertisement Good was struck by the gunfire and died at the scene. Officials said Ross feared for his life and fired "defensive shots" to protect himself and other officers at the scene. According to USA Today, Ross served in the Indiana National Guard from 2002 to 2008 and was deployed to Iraq from November 2004 to November 2005. In 2015, he joined ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations as a deportation officer. It is not known whether Ross will face charges in connection with the shooting. What's next On Monday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said hundreds of additional federal law enforcement officers were deployed to Minnesota on Sunday and Monday following the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Tensions have risen since Goods death, sparking protests in Minnesota and across the country. The Source The information in this article was provided by previous FOX reports, the Peoria Journal Star and USA Today. ICE wants to make Minneapolis cower in fear. The opposite is happening. MINNEAPOLIS It is a tender moment in Minnesota, where the Twin Cities have been forever marked by twin tragedies: killings by law enforcement officials not quite six blocks and six years apart. The working-class neighborhood where both Renee Nicole Good and George Floyd were killed has experienced more than its fair share of anguish. I was raised about a mile south of both scenes. In recent days, I have found myself reporting on another incident of police violence in my hometown close to the same streets and alleys I used to ride my bike up and down as a kid. The Twin Cities have been forever marked by twin tragedies. The killing of Renee Good happened on a stretch of Portland Avenue a major thoroughfare where residents are known for their community ties. There are block parties and puppet shows and extravagant yard decor. At least three homes have massive dinosaurs replicas in their front yards. Advertisement Advertisement For residents of this stretch of south Minneapolis, this latest killing added to deep-seated trauma that has not healed, though the lawsuit state and local officials announced Monday to block the Trump administrations immigration enforcement operation may help. The Twin Cities were ravaged by riots, rage and looting after Floyds death. The Third District police precinct was set ablaze. The acrid sting of smoke and tear gas lingered in the air for days. People in this area still talk about the protesters who used backyards as bathrooms and porches as impromptu havens while residents had to decide whether to approach strangers or remain safely huddled inside. Their houses and apartments were close enough to the unrest to see the sky glow orange. These residents struggled to move on after the trial and conviction of Derek Chauvin played out on national television. Faded Black Lives Matter signs are still in windows, many now sitting next to vivid De-Ice Minnesota or ICE-OUT placards (a play on words with particular sentiment here not only about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge but also because so many locals keep canisters of de-icer spray handy for frozen windshield wipers and car locks during frigid winters). How much can one neighborhood take? said Nikesha Lust, who works with a group that is trying to deescalate tensions. This is something nobody wants, or nobody asked for, but its here. There are people who come here just for that reason, to cause problems and go home, and then we are stuck with no gas stations to go to. No grocery stores. And everybody is just mad. We finally got to a point where we were getting back on our feet here. George Floyds death is never really in the rearview mirror for Minneapolis, especially for a particular stretch of the near southside. George Floyds death is never really in the rearview mirror for Minneapolis, especially for a particular stretch of the near southside. Property values are down since 2020. There are visible reminders in the graffiti, the murals and the mountain of stuffed animals and dried flowers still standing as a makeshift monument. Residents see it in the neighborhood businesses that clawed their way back to viability and the ones that never recovered. They deal with it in their daily egress around the busy intersection at 38th and Chicago, where cars, buses and bicycles must navigate the memorials and tourists. Yes, tourists: People from around the world still arrive to take photos where Floyd was killed and leave mementos. Advertisement Advertisement A few blocks away, makeshift memorials have been amassing to the more recent high-profile victim. Flowers, candles, stuffed animals and crowds have accumulated to honor Good and protest aggressive immigration enforcement. Amid bonfires and stacks of pizza delivered several times a day, people sing and chant and leaders with bullhorns make speeches. For residents near 34th and Portland, there is now another monument to pain right outside their front doors. There are deep worries about anger spilling over into unrest, infused with concern about the aggressive militarized law enforcement tactics not seen before on Minneapolis streets. Its not lost on people here that Floyds killing ignited a national debate about police reform and restraint. And the irony that the hundreds of immigration officers who have descended on Minnesota wearing masks and military gear are operating in a manner that appears blind to the hard-won reforms that followed the Floyd tragedy. In essential ways, the tensions gripping the Twin Cities revolve around tolerance. Minnesota has historically prided itself on tolerance. The state is known for its progressive politics and its open-armed approach to diversity and immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Those values have been tested somewhat in recent years as large waves of immigration strained the states welfare system, and by a political scandal that involved hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud perpetrated by a small circle of scammers. A renewed focus on a years-old fraud case and its Somali offenders helped escalate the immigration sweeps roiling neighborhoods. Minnesotans have responded with a robust effort to monitor and document ICE activity. Networks of citizen patrols use whistles, kazoos and car horns to warn immigrants and neighbors about sweeps. The organization behind that effort runs deep. A constellation of ICE monitoring groups has sprung up all over the state but is especially prevalent in the Twin Cities. They send out communications on how to mobilize and monitor activity. They track geographic positions and license plates on vehicles used by immigration agents. Heat maps show where sweeps have been carried out. Not only are there trainings on how to conduct this work, but they have also set up legal hotlines. Instructions have been vetted by lawyers to help ensure that ICE monitors do not cross lines. They said they are going after the worst of the worst but are the worst of the worst mothers dropping their kids off at school? asked Andrew Fahlstrom, a leader with a citizen monitoring group called Defend the 612. (The name draws on the original area code for Minneapolis.) When its really bad in our neighborhoods, it looks like from 5 a.m. until about 7 p.m., packs of cars roaming the streets trying to grab anyone they can. It looks like cultural malls Somali malls, Latino mercados being targeted. People being grabbed left and right, Fahlstrom told me. It looks like bus stops on Lake Street where three cars pull over, armed agents with masks on, who dont identify themselves, taking a human being and throwing them into a car. Advertisement Advertisement Fahlstrom said he thinks the raids are meant to instill fear. But instead of driving people underground, residents continue to sign up as monitors. As of Saturday, more than 4,000 had volunteered. Renee Good could have been any one of us. She wasnt doing anything different than what thousands of people on the street were doing. People are committed. People are showing up. People are taking to the streets to protect each other. Im not afraid. Im here to make sure that we protect each other. And thats what well do every day as long as we can, Fahlstrom said. State political leaders have said they think that Minnesota is being used as a proving ground for what Americans everywhere will accept from a law enforcement agency that operates without clear identification and using military-type uniforms and tactics. This is in essence a federal invasion of the Twin Cities, and it must stop, Attorney General Keith Ellison said Monday, announcing the lawsuit to end the ICE presence in the state. This surge has made us less safe. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration calls the immigration sweep in Minnesota Operation Metro Surge. Although residents are traumatized, they are resilient. Some have taken to calling the immigration patrols the Ice Storm and noting that Minnesotans are used to dealing with those. The post ICE wants to make Minneapolis cower in fear. The opposite is happening. appeared first on MS NOW. This article was originally published on ms.now Hundreds of Idahoans gathered in the rotunda of the Idaho Capitol on Jan. 12, 2026, to protest cuts to the state's Medicaid program. The protest, organized by Idaho Voices for Children, took place before the governor's State of the State Address. (Photo by Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun) Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Monday called for more Medicaid cuts as the state attempts to avoid a projected budget deficit. But notably, he says his plan that calls for spending cuts to balance the state budget doesnt propose repealing Medicaid expansion a health insurance public assistance program approved by Idaho voters through a ballot initiative in 2018. Leading up to the 2026 session of the Idaho Legislature, some Republican state lawmakers have said they are considering repealing Medicaid expansion to avoid a budget shortfall. Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Little is calling for $45 million in cuts to Idaho Medicaid from the states general fund. Those cuts are split between extending 4% cuts to doctor pay rates and a list of options for cuts the governor says he is giving the Legislature. Repealing Medicaid expansion isnt on that list, the governors office says. Little says the true cost of repealing Medicaid expansion isnt what it may seem. Its the net net net effect of it, the governor told reporters after his State of the State address. Its not the big top line. Its the bottom line, when you take all the other areas out of it. And it was passed by 60% (of voters), a plurality in the state of Idaho. But he said theres still work to do on Medicaids budget. Advertisement Advertisement Its the right thing to do, Little said. Its the fastest growing expense to state government; you have to scrutinize that. The governors list of possible Medicaid cuts was not immediately available. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advocates say Idaho needs to wait before more Medicaid cuts This fiscal year and next fiscal year, Idaho is facing multimillion dollar projected budget deficits after years of state tax cuts. To avoid a shortfall, the governor last year ordered midyear budget cuts across state government, including cuts to pay rates for medical providers who treat Medicaid patients. He wants to extend those cuts permanently. Advertisement Advertisement But the states provider pay cuts dont appear to be enough, with projections showing the state will save much less than it hoped for, the governors office says. That has prompted the governor to propose $22 million in more Medicaid cuts. I think one of the toughest decisions well be making this year is some of the Medicaid reductions, the governors budget chief, Lori Wolff, told reporters Monday morning. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle, a Republican from Star, said the governors proposed $45 million in Medicaid cuts likely wont be enough. Somehow weve got to get that Medicaid expansion under control because its taking resources away from, in my opinion, the most important issue, that being education, Moyle said. Advertisement Advertisement Idaho House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, a Boise Democrat, said repealing Medicaid expansion would actually raise the states budget deficit by around $20 million. This would be a staggering mistake for so many reasons if they tried to solve the budget mess that theyve created by going there, Rubel told reporters. Before Little delivered his address, advocates wearing red T-shirts that read Medicaid unites us gathered in the Idaho State Capitol Building and called for state officials to wait before making more Medicaid cuts. They said the state hasnt even seen the full impact of Medicaid cuts from a sweeping cost cutting state law last year, and President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act. But the states cuts to Medicaid provider pay rates are already taking a toll, advocates said. Advertisement Advertisement The disabled community did not create this budget problem, but they are being asked to pay for it, said Trixy Wade, who said her disabled child has struggled to find a home-based speech therapist. What Medicaid cuts is the governor considering? The governor is presenting a few options of Medicaid cuts for the Legislature to consider, Wolff told reporters including to the states shift to managed care, hospital reimbursements, and other programs. Because many of those services are spelled out in law, Wolff said carrying out the cuts would need more than just a budget bill. The reason the governor did not choose is a lot of those actually have statutory requirements in terms of services offered. And it will require a policy bill, and we will work closely with the Legislature and the Department of Health and Welfare to decide what path we want to take, Wolff said. After the governor ordered midyear budget cuts last year, Idaho Medicaid contractor Magellan cut a critical mental health service. Providers and sheriffs warn the cuts will risk public safety. Idaho health officials arent sure the cuts will save the state money long-term, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Asked how officials approach making more Medicaid cuts, Little said Thread the needle is an appropriate analysis. The governor is also recommending more cuts for Medicaid because provider pay rate cuts are looking like they wont save as much as officials hoped for. In October, Wolff estimated the cuts would save $41.6 million next fiscal year. But now the governors office is estimating the cuts will save just $23 million. Wolff said Idahos savings are projected to come in short because the federal government took longer to approve the states cuts to provider pay rates, and the feds wouldnt let the state cut pay rates across the board, prompting Idaho to exempt some services. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Monday presented a sensible, balanced budget that preserves public education funding, spreads cuts out to minimize pain and preserves rainy-day funds for a true emergency. Idaho legislators would be wise to follow Littles reasonable lead unlike last year when legislators proposed $450 million in tax cuts, capping off a whopping combined $4 billion in state tax reductions during the pandemic years when federal relief dollars were flowing. Little is right to brag that Idaho spent those federal dollars on one-time projects and not ongoing programs that would expand long-term obligations. Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, though, the Legislature, with the governors signature, used federal dollars to approve ongoing cuts to the budget, passing tax rate cut after tax rate cut, balancing the states budget with federal tax dollars and masking declining state revenues. Now that the federal faucet has been turned off, the shorfall is laid bare. In the current fiscal year, the state had to cut $200 million from the budget, and Little is proposing more cuts to next years budget. Conforming to the tax cuts that are in the One Big Beautiful Bill no tax on tips, overtime, Social Security is expected to reduce state revenues by $155 million. Advertisement Advertisement Thats a tax cut. So if there are any legislators out there itching to cut Idaho tax rates again this session, may they stick with simply conforming to the cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill and not attempt to pass more ongoing cuts to Idahos already competitive tax rates. People and businesses were already flocking to Idaho even when we had higher tax rates, and all we have proved since passing ongoing rate cuts is that growth isnt paying for itself, and we cant keep up with the rapid growth were experiencing. The good news in Littles budget: No cuts to K-12 education. Cuts to funding for some online education programs, some of which were shown to be rife with fraud, abuse and double-dipping (school voucher advocates take note: Without transparency and accountability, this is what you get). Miraculously balances the budget without touching rainy-day funds. This isnt a rainy day; this is a self-inflicted problem. Rainy-day funds should be preserved for if and when we have a recession like we had in 2009. Doesnt include repealing Medicaid expansion, which some legislators are champing at the bit to do, mostly out of principle, not practicality. Little recognizes that repealing voter-approved Medicaid expansion would be cutting off our nose to spite our face and could end up costing us more. Little continues to stand up forcefully for his Idaho Launch in-demand job training program, which could be his enduring legacy. Directs recipients of the Empowering Parents education expense grants to the states new school choice tax credit program. Advertisement Advertisement While Littles budget aims to mitigate pain and largely does so this is a reminder that we shouldnt even be in this position in the first place. Sure, looking for efficiencies, cutting waste and rooting out fraud are all well and good, but making cuts simply because you failed to budget properly has to be the worst way to go about business. Consider this: General fund revenues are expected to be $5.632 billion for fiscal year 2027. Thats down 1.5% from the current fiscal year, and 9% less than the $6.198 billion general fund that Idaho enjoyed in 2022. Think about that for a minute. At a time when we have more people and businesses moving into Idaho, bringing with them more needs for roads and bridges and public safety, the revenue Idaho gets from personal and corporate income taxes and sales taxes is going down. Advertisement Advertisement Legislators should respect the work done by the governors office and the Division of Fiscal Management under new director Lori Wolff. Its a solid budget that minimizes harm. The big question will be, though, if legislators choose to stray from the governors budget and continue their reckless cuts, will the governor have the courage to stand up for what he knows is right and tell them no? Well find out in the coming weeks. Statesman editorials are the opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, assistant editor Jim Keyser and community members John Hess, Debbie McCormick and Julie Yamamoto. INDEPENDENCE, MO After more than three years of planning, the team behind the proposed Nebius AI data center met with Independence residents Monday night for a public question-and-answer session. This gave people the chance to raise concerns and seek clarity on a project that could significantly impact the city. Many of the questions centered on how wastewater will be processed and how the data center could affect electricity costs for Independence residents. Day one of high-stakes abortion trial begins in Missouri Advertisement Advertisement According to project representatives, water use will be limited through a closed cooling system, which they said will be a key component of Nebius first fully-built and operated site. Currently, the company has two co-located data centers in the former Kansas City Star building and another in Vineland, New Jersey. Mark Coulter, an attorney with Rouse Frets White Goss, explained the system would require a one-time water fill with only annual refills moving forward. Well have a one-time top off with annual refills that will really lower the amount of water thats used, Coulter said, adding that the water is cooled and then recycled through the system, reducing environmental impact and avoiding a significant draw on the citys water supply. Despite those assurances, some residents said they left the meeting with lingering concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Mike Parker, who lives about half a mile from the potential project site, said while questions were answered, he still felt there was more to uncover when it comes to the plans. Our input really doesnt make a whole lot of sound, Parker said. It just, theyre going to do what they want to do, and well have to deal with it. Electricity usage and cost were also front and center. The City of Independence operates on its own power grid, and Joe Hegendeffer, director of Independence Power & Light, said the high-energy demand coming from the Nebius data center would require the utility to add more generation capacity. He said that expansion would actually help alleviate electricity costs for residents, not raise them. Advertisement Advertisement This, to me, is our opportunity to be able to take advantage of that and help the future of Independence Power & Light and do those projects and not on the backs of the residents, Hegendeffer said. Hegendeffer also stressed that power generation tied to the project would not run around the clock. He explained that when the regional grid operator calls for more energy, Independences units would run, but they would not operate solely to power the data center. None of this is going to fall back on the ratepayers, Hegendeffer said. Still, Parker remains skeptical, saying changes like this sometimes leave residents with the short end of the stick. Advertisement Advertisement The project site, Eastgate Industrial Park, was purchased by Nebius in December 2025; however, it has been in development by Northpoint for the last three years. Project plans show an over two-million-square-foot campus to be built near Little Blue Parkway and Missouri Highway 78. Independence Mayor Rory Rowland said the project could bring significant growth through payments in lieu of taxes, creating new opportunities for the city to improve infrastructure. It will give us an opportunity for better roads, better curbs, Rowland said, calling the potential cash infusion something the city has never seen before. KC Momentum Report highlights key initiatives ahead of World Cup Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, the mayor acknowledged the citys history with high-profile developments that failed to deliver as promised. He said he does not want to see another botched project and remains hopeful this one will move forward responsibly. When asked about the jobs this will create, Coulter said about 125. However, he could specify if those would be international tech employees or local. Coulter did say theres a preference for locals. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. While Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence turned the smoldering embers of rebellion into the glorious fireworks of independence and revolution, it was a short pamphlet published six months earlier, in January 1776, that ignited the colonies' revolutionary zeal and crowded out any notion of rapprochement with Britain. Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," a mere 47 pages long, "swept through the colonies like a firestorm, destroying any final vestige of loyalty to the British crown," according to historian Joseph Ellis, a prominent Jefferson biographer. "Common Sense," as the title implies, is full of practical arguments. The colonies need to declare independence, Paine wrote, because so long as their goal was seen as reconciliation, foreign governments would consider the Americans as rebels and the conflict an internal affair. Declaring independence, Paine argued, would turn the rebellion into a war between sovereign states and open the door for a negotiated peace. Moreover, without a commitment to independence, the Americans would not be able to secure assistance from France or Spain. Why, Paine asked, would Britain's rivals choose to support the colonists if their stated goal was to reunite with the mother country? Finally, to assuage any fears among potential allies that Americans might seek to promote rebellion in their countries, Paine thought it important for the colonists to lay out their grievances and their efforts to see them addressed. Separation needed to be seen as a last resort. As the Declaration would later state, the colonists did not seek independence for "light and transient causes," but rather as a last resort to restore their rights. France and Spain, therefore, need not fear any contagion of revolution reaching their shores from the Americas. The pamphlet went viral. There were 2.5 million people in the 13 colonies in 1776. More than 500,000 copies were distributed, or one copy for every five Americans. As a percentage, it doesn't quite match illusionist Zach King's "Magic Broomstick" (2 billion views, or 25% of the world population), it dwarfs the popularity of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (a mere 120 million copies worldwide). John Adams, who would later become America's first vice president, and after that, its second president, wrote, "Without the pen of Paine, the sword of Washington would have been wielded in vain." George Washington ordered it read to his troops and commented that it "is working a powerful change there in the minds of men." Paine's arguments for independence helped change history, but he also included a long section on the ills of monarchy, drawing on the Jewish Bible's recounting of the Jewish people's demand for a King (1 Samuel 8:5) and the prophet Samuel's warning of the abuses that would result. Paine called on the colonists to declare that in America, "THE LAW IS KING. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King." This points to a core American principle: that in America, we are governed by the rule of law, not the diktats or whims of individuals. While a select few American families have succeeded in producing multiple presidents (the Adamses, Bushes, etc.), family dynasties have yet to succeed here. While "Common Sense" made a compelling case for independence, Paine began his pamphlet by outlining a radical and controversial theory of government. On his account, the role of government was extremely limited. "Society is produced by our wants," he wrote, "and government by our wickedness." Society is a "patron," while government is a "punisher." "Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil." Paine's radical critique of government frightened some, including Adams, who later wrote, "I dreaded the Effect so popular a pamphlet might have among the People, and determined to do all in my Power to counteract the Effect of it." Still, Paine's recognition that Americans' lives are primarily mediated through voluntary associations in "society," rather than the coercive power of government, would come to define one of the most admired aspects of American democracy throughout its 250-year history. Frederic J. Fransen is the president of Ameritas College Huntington (W.Va.) and CEO of Certell Inc. (COMMENT, BELOW) The worlds two most populous countries are stepping up regulation of delivery platforms in a bid to curb damaging competitive practices. Chinas antitrust regulator this week opened an investigation into the countrys e-commerce sector to target aggressive discounting that has pushed prices down and dampened margins. And Indian authorities convinced major delivery apps to stop promising 10-minute delivery times, following concerns about the impact on gig workers health and safety. Competition in the Indian market has driven a quick commerce sector boom, aided by strategically located warehouses and armies of drivers who could be penalized for late deliveries. Some 200,000 gig workers recently protested across the country to call for better wages and conditions. Indias labor ministry is pushing the countrys booming quick-commerce sector to prioritize the wellness and safety of its gig workers. The countrys minister of labor and employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, met with executives from Zomatos Blinkit, Swiggys Instamart, and Zepto to ask them to drop their marketing language, which promises deliveries within 10 minutes, and discuss ways to improve safety and working conditions for delivery personnel, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous sources. While the instant delivery model has faltered elsewhere, its taken off in India at an unprecedented rate in the past few years as consumers in urban cities have come to expect having everything from PlayStation 5s to groceries delivered within 10 to 15 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Companies like Zepto, Blinkit, and Instamart have raised and poured hundreds of millions of dollars into setting up dark stores discrete warehouses located strategically around neighborhoods that serve as hubs. These companies have also hired armies of delivery personnel as competition heats up in the countrys booming e-commerce space. The pressure on workers has intensified as the sector has grown. On New Years Eve, more than 200,000 gig workers staged protests across major Indian cities during the peak delivery period, according to the South China Morning Post, citing the Indian Federation of App Based Transport Workers. The workers demanded legislative protection, social security benefits, better wages, and changes to automated penalty systems that reduce their ratings for late deliveries. Safety concerns have emerged around workers rushing through traffic to meet delivery deadlines. Ultra-fast delivery models of 10-15 minutes materially change the risk and stress profile of gig work, Prabir Jha, founder and CEO of the HR consultancy Prabir Jha People Advisory, told the outlet. Amid the worker protests and pressure from the labor ministry, Blinkit has removed messaging that promised deliveries within 10 minutes, and its rivals are also expected to follow suit, Bloomberg said. The news comes little more than a month after India granted legal status to millions of gig and platform workers under new labor laws that define gig and platform workers in statute, and require aggregators, such as food-delivery and ride-hailing platforms, to contribute 1% to 2% of their annual revenue (capped at 5% of payments made to such workers) to a government-managed social security fund. Advertisement Advertisement Indias gig economy employed about 7.7 million workers in 2020-21 and is projected to reach 23.5 million by 2029-30, according to government think tank NITI Aayog. Swiggy, Blinkit, and Zepto did not immediately return requests for comment. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blasted Germany on Tuesday, after Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that the leadership in Tehran might be days away from being toppled by the mass protests gripping the country. "Germany should end its unlawful interference in our region," Araghchi wrote on X. "Of all governments, the one in Germany is perhaps the worst placed to address 'human rights.' The reason is simple: its blatant double-standards over the past years have obliterated any shred of credibility," he charged, citing German support for Israel during the Gaza war. Advertisement Advertisement Merz on Tuesday found clear words regarding the future of the Islamic Republic, where security forces have responded with a deadly crackdown to suppress what have become the most severe protests against the government in several years. "If a regime can only stay in power through the use of violence, then it is effectively finished," Merz said during a visit to Bengaluru in India. "I assume that we may now be witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime." According to Merz, the foreign ministers of Germany, the US, the UK and France were in "close contact to ensure that there can now be a peaceful transition in Iran to a democratically legitimate government." "The population is now rising up against this regime," Merz said. Advertisement Advertisement Araghchi strongly rejected the German leaders' account. "Iranians also recall Mr Merz's repugnant hailing of Israel when it bombed homes and businesses in our country last summer," he said. "That unprovoked and unlawful violence, the German Chancellor insisted, was Israel doing Europe a favor by carrying out its 'dirty work.'" At a G7 summit in June last year, Merz defended large-scale Israeli attacks on Iran, saying the country was doing "the dirty work" for the West. Iran has been gripped since December 28 by its most serious protest wave for years. What began as protests by shopkeepers over a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial and mounting economic hardship quickly spiralled into nationwide demonstrations against the country's hardline Islamic rulers. Advertisement Advertisement Activists say the security forces have responded using brutal tactics, including firing tear gas and bullets. The Oslo-based human rights group Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) says at least 648 people have been killed since the protests erupted. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) also puts the death toll at around 650, including 505 protesters - nine of whom are said to be minors aged under 18. IHRNGO said that some estimates put the toll at over 6,000, while more than 10,000 are believed to have been arrested. It is impossible to verify the figures, also due the ongoing internet blackout imposed by the authorities. As Iran weakens, a power vacuum is emerging across the Middle East and Saudi Arabia is moving to fill it by recalibrating relations with former rivals, hedging global partnerships and asserting a more independent foreign policy, according to several experts. Javed Ali, former senior official at the National Security Council and professor at the University of Michigan, told Fox News Digital that "Since Irans 1979 revolution, both Saudi Arabia and Iran have vied for influence across the broader Muslim world. Mohammed bin Salmans consolidation of power in the kingdom has also introduced a markedly different vision from that of his predecessors." Riyadhs recent moves, from Yemen to Turkey, are fueling debate over whether Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans expanding regional role still aligns with U.S. interests. As part of that recalibration, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 9 that Turkey is seeking entry into the SaudiPakistan mutual defense pact signed four months earlier, according to people familiar with the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Trump Faces Middle East Test As Netanyahu Balks At Erdogans Gaza Troop Hopes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the inaugural session of the Shura Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 10, 2025. (Reuters Photos) Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said Saudi Arabias current trajectory must be viewed through years of accumulated frustration with U.S. policy. "To be fair to MBS, previous U.S. administrations did not uphold their end of the bargain either," Rubin told Fox News Digital, pointing to repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. "The Houthis launched hundreds of drones and rockets that the Obama administration ignored." Read On The Fox News App Rubin said tensions deepened as Mohammed bin Salman pursued reforms long urged by U.S. policymakers, only to face sharp criticism from Washington. He cited the Biden administrations decision to remove the Houthis terror designation. Advertisement Advertisement "By no objective measure should Secretary of State Antony Blinken have removed the terror designation from the Houthis," Rubin said, calling the move "pure spite directed at MBS and Donald Trump." Rubin said that decision marked a turning point. "MBS calculated that if the United States did not have his back, he would need to embrace a Plan B," he said, describing outreach to Russia and China as tactical signaling rather than ideological realignment. Saudi geopolitical researcher Salman Al-Ansari rejects claims that Riyadh is drifting ideologically or embracing Islamist movements, framing Saudi policy as interest-driven. U.S. President Donald Trump poses for a family picture with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and other attendees during the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., U.S., Nov. 19, 2025. "Saudi Arabia does not base its foreign policy on ideological alignment, but on pragmatic considerations aimed at stability and development," Al-Ansari told Fox News Digital. He said outreach to Turkey reflects an effort to de-escalate rivalries. "The rapprochement with Turkey reflects this diplomatic approach, which seeks to transform the Middle East from a region of chronic conflict into one of greater stability." Advertisement Advertisement Al-Ansari said the shift has already delivered results. "This shift has given Riyadh increased flexibility in engaging regional powers, a change Ankara quickly recognized and that has translated into expanding economic cooperation." He rejected claims of alignment with the Muslim Brotherhood. "Saudi Arabia designated the group as a terrorist organization in 2014, and this position remains unchanged," he said. Saudi Defense Minister Secretly Meets With Trump To Discuss Iran De-escalation, Israel: Sources Those competing interpretations of Saudi intent are now colliding most visibly in Yemen, where the Saudi-Emirati alliance originally formed to counter Irans Houthi proxy. While both entered the war to roll back Iranian influence, their strategies diverged. Riyadh backs a unified Yemeni state under the internationally recognized government, arguing fragmentation strengthens Iran. The UAE has supported southern separatists, including the Southern Transitional Council, prioritizing control over ports and security corridors. Advertisement Advertisement In the last few days, Saudi and Yemeni government forces have largely recaptured southern and eastern Yemen from the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), and the STCs leader reportedly fled to the UAE amid the groups reported dissolution, highlighting a sharp rift involving Emirati support for separatists Rubin called Yemen the clearest warning sign. "This is best seen in Yemen, where he has been supporting the Muslim Brotherhood faction militarily and attacking the more secular Southern Forces in a way that only empowers al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Houthis," he said. Al-Ansari countered that "differences with the UAE stem from its backing of separatist armed actors in Yemen, which complicates the political process, fragments the anti-Houthi front, and ultimately benefits the Iranian-backed Houthi militia." Rubin warned of long-term consequences. "By blowback I mean the same Islamists MBS cultivates today will end up targeting Saudi Arabia in the future," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Click Here To Download The Fox News App People hold a banner with images of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia during a rally organised by Yemen's main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), in Aden, Yemen Dec. 21, 2025. A Saudi official told Fox News Digital that "the Kingdoms policies and goals are aimed at stabilizing Yemen in full coordination with Yemens legitimate government. Over the past week, the Kingdom has invited Yemeni leaders to hold talks in Riyadh, which have resulted in positive measures to ensure Yemens unity and stability. "One key outcome, decided by our Yemeni brothers, was the dissolution of the STC." Addressing claims by the STC that it was unable to communicate with its delegation after they arrived in Saudi Arabia, the official said, "All attendees are our guests and have been treated with respect, in the spirit that binds us with our Yemeni brothers. No restrictions have been placed on their movement or communication." With Iran weakened and regional power shifting, Washington now faces a central question: whether Saudi Arabias expanding role will reinforce U.S.-backed stability, or redefine the balance of power in ways that test the limits of the long-standing partnership. Original article source: As Iran weakens, questions grow over Mohammed bin Salmans regional ambitions By Susan Heavey and Elwely Elwelly WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians on Tuesday to keep protesting and said help was on the way, without giving details, as Iran's clerical establishment pressed its crackdown against the biggest demonstrations in years. "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!... HELP IS ON ITS WAY," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, adding he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the "senseless killing" of protesters stopped. Advertisement Advertisement The unrest, sparked by dire economic conditions, has posed the biggest internal challenge to Iran's rulers for at least three years and has come at a time of intensifying international pressure after Israeli and U.S. strikes last year. Following the U.S. president's post, Iranian security chief Ali Larijani said on social media platform X that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were the "main killers" of the Iranian people. An Iranian official said about 2,000 people had been killed in the protests, the first time authorities have given an overall death toll from more than two weeks of nationwide unrest, though the official gave no breakdown. U.S.-based rights group HRANA said that of the 2,003 people whose deaths it had confirmed, 1,850 were protesters. It said 16,784 people had been detained, a sharp increase from the figure it gave on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement On Monday evening, Trump announced 25% import tariffs on products from any country doing business with Iran - a major oil exporter. Trump has also said more military action is among options he is weighing to punish Iran over the crackdown. Tehran has not yet responded publicly to Trump's announcement of the tariffs, but it was swiftly criticized by China. Iran, already under heavy U.S. sanctions, exports much of its oil to China, with Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and India among its other top trading partners. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday he had continued to communicate with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff during the protests and that Tehran was studying ideas proposed by Washington. RUSSIA CONDEMNS 'SUBVERSIVE EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE' Advertisement Advertisement Iranian authorities have accused the U.S. and Israel of fomenting the unrest. Russia on Tuesday condemned what it described as "subversive external interference" in Iran's internal politics, saying any repeat of last year's U.S. strikes would have "disastrous consequences" for the Middle East and international security. Despite the protests, the economic strains, and years of external pressure, there are as yet no signs of fracture in the security elite that could bring down the clerical system in power since a 1979 Islamic Revolution. Britain, France, Germany and Italy all summoned Iranian ambassadors in protest over the crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement "The brutal actions of the Iranian regime against its own people are shocking," the German Foreign Ministry said on social media platform X. Underscoring international uncertainty over what comes next in Iran, which has been one of the dominant powers across the Middle East for decades, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he believed the government would fall. "I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime," he said, adding that if it had to maintain power through violence, "it is effectively at its end". He did not expand on whether this forecast was based on intelligence or other assessments. Advertisement Advertisement Araqchi dismissed Merz's criticisms, accusing Berlin of double standards and saying he had "obliterated any shred of credibility". RIGHTS GROUP SAYS MAN ACCUSED IN PROTESTS SET TO BE EXECUTED The protests began on December 28 over the fall in value of the currency and have grown into wider demonstrations and calls for the fall of the clerical establishment. Iran's authorities have taken a dual approach, cracking down while also calling protests over economic problems legitimate. Hengaw, an Iranian Kurdish rights group, has reported that a 26-year-old man, Erfan Soltani, arrested in connection with protests in the city of Karaj, will be executed on Wednesday. Authorities had told the family that the death sentence was final, Hengaw reported, citing a source close to the family. Advertisement Advertisement Reuters could not independently confirm the report. State media has not reported any death sentences so far. The head of Iran's judiciary has said specialized courts have been appointed to deal with protests. Parliament member Mohammadreza Sabaghian, who represents an area in Yazd, in central Iran, said the government needed to resolve people's dissatisfaction, otherwise "the same events will occur with greater intensity". Communications restrictions including an internet blackout have hampered the flow of information. The U.N. rights office said phone services had been restored but internet links with Iran remained patchy. Advertisement Advertisement The Iranian Intelligence Ministry said it had confiscated electronic devices intended to be used in the protests, according to a statement carried by state media. Hengaw reported that authorities had started to confiscate communications devices from households in several cities. (Reporting by Elwely Elwelly and Dubai newsroom; Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Bhargav Acharya in Toronto and Maxim Rodionov in Moscow; Writing by Michael Georgy, Angus McDowall, Tom Perry and Aidan Lewis; Editing by Frances Kerry) 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) Iran's judiciary issued its first indictments against several detained demonstrators, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Tuesday, amid ongoing mass protests. The prosecutor's office in Tehran has filed charges against several detained individuals, Tasnim reported. Especially serious cases of "rioters" would be handled as a priority and separately, the report said. Included in this category is the charge of "waging war against God,", an offence subject to the death penalty under Islamic law in Iran. Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Iran's judiciary chief called for retribution for security force members and police killed during the protests. Those who attacked police or targeted security facilities and urban infrastructure must be prioritized for prosecution, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei told state radio. Last week, the judiciary announced "maximum severity" in dealing with demonstrators. During earlier waves of protest, it also handed down death sentences. In 2022, people took to the streets nationwide under the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" following the death of a Kurdish-Iranian woman in police custody who was accused of improperly wearing her headscarf. In connection with the unrest then, Iran executed at least 12 people. Human rights organizations have said hundreds have been killed so far in the latest nationwide protests. Israel is set to advance two major illegal settlement plans for occupied East Jerusalem, which Palestinian officials and experts warn will serve as the final blow to hopes for a contiguous Palestinian state. The Jerusalem governorate announced on Sunday that Israeli authorities will discuss approving 9,000 settlement units on the ruins of the Qalandiya airport, also known as Atarot, and a separate project in Sheikh Jarrah to displace 40 families. To understand the strategic implications of these moves, Al Jazeera spoke to Suhail Khalilieh, a political analyst and expert on illegal Israeli settlements. The Trump factor The Atarot plan was briefly shelved in December 2025 but has now returned to the table. According to Khalilieh, the timing is directly linked to the shifting geopolitical landscape following the recent meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United States President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement The meeting served as a green light for continued settlement expansion, Khalilieh told Al Jazeera. The American position, which treats Jerusalem as being outside any negotiation process has encouraged the occupation to put this project into direct implementation, he added, noting that international criticism has been reduced to mere verbal objections without any deterrence. Severing the north The airport project is not just about housing; it is a strategic chokehold, Khalilieh said. He explained that the Atarot settlement is one of the three major axes designed to complete the Greater Jerusalem vision: North: The Atarot project will link East Jerusalem with the Givat Zeev settlement bloc, effectively severing the city from Ramallah. East: The E1 plan aims to create a bridge between East Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim bloc. South: Expansions in Har Gilo and the new Nahal Heletz settlement will connect the city to the Gush Etzion bloc. Advertisement Advertisement This will increase the area of Jerusalem by adding 175sq km [68sq miles], Khalilieh said. The current area of East Jerusalem, according to the Israeli definition, is 71sq km [27sq miles]. With these additions, Greater Jerusalem under Israeli control will reach 246sq km [95sq miles], 4.5 percent of the West Banks area, aiming to abort any possibility of establishing a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem. Encirclement of the Old City In parallel, the Nahalat Shimon plan in Sheikh Jarrah targets the historic Holy Basin area north of the Old City. This falls under the old-new Israeli efforts to expand the settlement ring around the Old City, Khalilieh said. Advertisement Advertisement The goal, he argued, is to dismantle geographical continuity between Palestinian neighbourhoods like Silwan, the Mount of Olives, and Sheikh Jarrah, transforming them into isolated population islands. Today, the takeover of the Old City has begun through this ring aiming to empty these areas gradually through intensified demolitions. Silent transfer Khalilieh warned that Israel is using neutral planning terms like urban renewal and land settlement to camouflage a policy of forced displacement. Development for Israelis means demolishing Palestinian homes under the guise of building without a permit, he said, noting that more than 300 Palestinian homes were demolished in East Jerusalem in 2025 alone. Advertisement Advertisement He also pointed to the unification of the Arnona property tax, which forces residents of neglected Palestinian neighbourhoods to pay the high rates as those in affluent Israeli areas. This puts them under cumulative pressure to leave Jerusalem it constitutes a silent forced transfer. Is it too late? Khalilieh stressed that legal and diplomatic intervention must happen before construction begins, as reversing facts on the ground is politically nearly impossible. He called for activating provisional measures at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and targeting international companies involved in the projects. The problem, first and last, is a political dilemma, not a legal one, he concluded. Early intervention is crucial to freeze these projects until the political situation can be addressed. JERUSALEM (AP) Israels recognition of Somaliland has thrust the breakaway territory into the international spotlight, causing an uproar in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East as a surprise new factor in regional power struggles. For Israel, the decision reignites questions about the contentious proposal raised last year by American and Israeli officials for Somaliland to take in Palestinians displaced from Gaza. Israel also could use Somaliland as a base to more closely respond to attacks from Iran-backed Houthis rebels in Yemen, just across the Gulf of Aden. Israel also would get a diplomatic win. Somaliland's foreign minister told The Associated Press that it aims to join the Abraham Accords, bilateral agreements between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority countries. Advertisement Advertisement It is a mutually beneficial friendship," Abdirahman Dahir Adan said in an interview. In return, Somaliland gains open cooperation with Israel in trade, investment and technology." But the first international recognition of Somaliland as an independent nation also could make it a target. Analysts warn that its ties with Israel could become a rallying cry for Islamic extremists, destabilizing an already volatile region in which Somaliland has prided itself as an oasis of relative calm. Al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabab, based in Somalia and the key challenge to that country's stability, is already making threats. The group has rarely carried out attacks in Somaliland, which broke away in 1991 as Somalia collapsed into conflict. Members of the movement reject Israels attempt to claim or use parts of our land. We will not accept this, and we will fight against it, al-Shabab spokesperson Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rageal said in an audio message posted on one of the group's sites. Advertisement Advertisement Strategic location Somaliland sits along one of the worlds busiest maritime corridors. It has drawn interest from foreign investors and military powers who see it as a potential alternative to neighboring Djibouti, which is home to the premier African bases for the American and Chinese militaries, and those of several other nations. Somaliland lies less than 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Yemen, where the Houthis have been targeting commercial and other ships in response to the Israel-Hamas war. The attacks have upended shipping in the Red Sea, through which about $1 trillion of goods pass annually. The Houthis also fired scores of missiles and drones at Israel during the war in Gaza, triggering long-range strikes by Israel's air force. If you are trying to watch, deter or disrupt Houthi maritime activity, a small footprint (in Somaliland) can provide disproportionate utility, said Andreas Krieg, a military analyst at Kings College London. Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after Israel's recognition, the Houthis threatened Somaliland. No limits to cooperation Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somaliland last week, and Somalilands president is expected to visit Israel soon. This is a natural connection between democratic countries both in challenging regions, Saar said in defending Israel's recognition. Israel and Somaliland have said their new ties would include defense cooperation, but officials declined to elaborate. Somaliland's foreign minister said that details would follow his presidents visit to Israel. There are no limits as to what areas we can work with, Adan said. Advertisement Advertisement He expressed hope that Israel's recognition would bestow new legitimacy on Somaliland and prompt others to recognize its sovereignty, even as Somalia has angrily rejected it. Before Israels recognition, we were worried so much that other powers like Turkey and China would squeeze us, Adan said, mentioning two of Somalias top benefactors. Im very hopeful that in the near future there will be many other countries that will follow Israel. But the foreign minister insisted there has been no discussion with Israel about taking in Palestinians from Gaza. U.S. and Israeli officials told the AP last year that Israel had approached Somaliland about the proposal. Warnings of violence Advertisement Advertisement Israeli recognition of Somaliland has pushed the region into uncharted waters, said Mahad Wasuge, director of Somali Public Agenda, a think tank. It could increase violence or bring proxy wars, particularly if the Israelis want to have a presence in the port of Berbera to counter threats in the Red Sea, he said, referring to Somaliland's largest port. The 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union continental body, have condemned Israel's recognition. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said it threatens his country's sovereignty. He said that Somalis wouldn't accept their nation being used by a foreign power accused of harming civilians meaning Palestinians in Gaza and warned that the establishment of foreign military bases would further destabilize the region. Advertisement Advertisement Somali territory cannot be divided by a piece of paper written by Israel and signed by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu," Mohamud said in a televised address. Adan dismissed the criticism from Mogadishu, calling Somalia a failed state. Great power rivalries Already, Israel's recognition has rocked the balance of powers in a region where rich Gulf countries and others have a growing interest. On Monday, Somalia annulled its security and defense agreements with the United Arab Emirates, a key regional ally of Israel that has long invested in Somaliland's Berbera port, saying it was meant to safeguard unity, territorial integrity, and constitutional order. Advertisement Advertisement For the UAE, the area is important for its proximity to Sudan, where it has been accused of funding and arming the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in that country's civil war. And last week, Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of using Somaliland as a transit point to smuggle the leader of a separatist group out of southern Yemen. Asher Lubotzky, an analyst with Israels Institute for National Security Studies, said that Somaliland is one of several examples of the emerging alliance between Israel and the UAE, which have sought to align with U.S. foreign policy and shown a willingness to eschew international norms while countering extremist groups. We know the Israeli interest is with the Houthis, but Somaliland also has an interest in some kind of an external protection, he said. Others put on alert by Israel's recognition are Turkey, Somalias largest investor and a rival to Israel, and China, which has long viewed Somaliland with suspicion over its ties with Taiwan. A rare visit to Somalia by China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, set for last week did not occur as the Chinese embassy cited scheduling reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Closer to home, landlocked Ethiopia, Africas second-most populous country, sees Somaliland next door as a key route to the sea. It has remained silent on Israel's recognition perhaps scrambling, like many other countries, to understand what might come next. ___ Omar Faruk reported from Mogadishu, Somalia. Samy Magdy in Cairo, and Josef Federman in Jerusalem, contributed to this report. ___ This version corrects the name of the Somali Public Agenda think tank. Sherwin Manalon was taken into custody on January 6 after a shooting incident the night before on Bay Street, according to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. Police say gunfire was reported around 8:38 p.m. on January 5. Officers arrived to find Manalon leaving a garage near the scene, and while they tried to detain him, more shots rang out. Authorities later said Manalons father, Ofero, pointed a rifle at officers, adding to the tension. Advertisement Advertisement Inside the targeted home, Bon and Midori Stephens said they were watching TV when a bullet hit the house. They investigated and called the police after realizing their home had been struck. JSO says Manalon faces felony charges under Florida law for shooting into an occupied home. >>> 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. Despite noting that Republicans and independents were present in the packed carpenters union hall, the only boos came when Shapiro mentioned his Philadelphia Eagles fandom. It was, unmistakably, Steeler country. The crowd was loud and enthusiastic, packed with local figures such as newly sworn-in Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor and labor leaders, including Darrin Kelly of the Allegheny-Fayette Labor Council, alongside scores of trade and union workers filling the cavernous hall. Visually, the rollout differed from Shapiro's 2022 kickoff along the river in Johnstown. Substantively, however, it was familiar: a message rooted in the importance of place. In an exclusive interview with the Washington Examiner after the speech, before departing for his Philadelphia announcement, Shapiro summed it up simply: different location, same goal -- ensuring every community in Pennsylvania gets a fair shot. "I wanted to be focused here in the union hall on those who I believe are going to make up the power of the next generation of workers in Pennsylvania," he said of the trade union members who are already working on shovel-ready energy projects in the region. "If we don't invest in skills-based labor, we're not going to have as bright a future in our commonwealth," he said. "And so that's why I'm here today, focused on what I think is the ability to help every Pennsylvanian chart their own course and achieve success. And so much of that runs through halls like this one." Before Shapiro took to the stage, one of the people who stepped up ahead of him was a man who goes by "Tim O.," a 52-year-old father who is on his second career and his second year in a carpentry apprenticeship. Tim became choked up when he said, "I don't look like other apprentices." Shapiro said Tim was an example of his administration's investment in trade programs in a state where over 60% of the population did not attend college and that it was important to give him a platform. "One of the things I always ask the apprentices is, 'Hey, how'd you get here? What brought you here? What was your journey?' Some of them come right out of high school, and we want to create those pathways," Shapiro explained of the variety of answers he has received over the years. "Some of them go to college for a year, realize it's not for them. Some of them have different careers and then find their ways here." "The key is opening up the doors to places like this and showing people it exists because we need people like Tim O., who, even at 52, to dedicate their lives to having the skills we need to produce more energy, to quite literally build bridges and build buildings," Shapiro said. The speech was filled with stories highlighting accomplishments, future goals and governing with purpose, and included a brief swipe at the bipartisan chaos in Washington. Notably, Shapiro avoided inflammatory language, steering clear of demonizing Republicans or President Donald Trump. And he used the word "we" instead of "I" when discussing accomplishments, something many politicians cannot find a way to do. "I obviously have profound differences from the president. You have written about that," he said. "No one expects us to agree on everything. But to me, vilifying others, attacking others, is not a way to bring people together and get stuff done." Shapiro, who has a good relationship with Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), said his job is to champion the things people can do together for the commonwealth. "My focus is on building bridges, creating more opportunity for folks to come together, and delivering results for people like Tim O. and others who need help," he said. "And so, to me, I want this campaign to be hopeful. I want to highlight differences where we have different policy views, but I want to focus on uplifting people." Larry Ceisler, a Washington County native and Philadelphia-based public affairs official, said the reason you do not see Shapiro go personal on Trump is that, first of all, that is always who he has been and, second, because he always wants his governance to be about purpose, not divisiveness. "He always tries to make it substantive and not personal because he never wants to be perceived as attacking the people who support the president, so when he does criticize, it is based on the issues," Ceisler said. Shapiro begins his launch with a formidable amount of cash. This week, his campaign announced he ended 2025 with over $30 million in cash on hand and a Quinnipiac University poll that showed Shapiro's favorability rating at 58%. He faces Republican Stacy Garrity, the state treasurer, who has won back-to-back races for that statewide elected office. Garrity said in a statement that "Josh Shapiro is more concerned with a promotion to Pennsylvania Avenue than serving hardworking Pennsylvanians." Shapiro's governorship entered the national spotlight early, shaped by crisis decisions beginning in 2023, shortly after he took office, with the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border. The fiery wreck, visible for miles, was followed by a controlled burn that raised concerns across Beaver and Lawrence counties over toxic contamination in the air and water. That was followed in June 2023 by a tanker truck crash beneath Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, a vital East Coast artery carrying more than 150,000 vehicles a day. The crash killed the driver and caused the overpass to collapse. Despite predictions that the highway could be closed for years, six temporary lanes reopened within two weeks, allowing traffic to move while permanent repairs were made. Shapiro was also governor in July 2024 when gunman Thomas Crooks attempted to assassinate Trump, killing local fire chief Cory Comperatore and wounding two others. Shapiro was on the scene in Butler the following morning with first responders and investigators. He was in office as well when Luigi Mangione was arrested in Altoona for the alleged killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and when three police officers were murdered in York County in the deadliest day for Pennsylvania law enforcement in 16 years. During that period, Shapiro was also on the short list of possible running mates for 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, before ultimately determining the role was not the right fit. Last year, an arsonist attempted to kill Shapiro and his family by firebombing the governor's residence, setting the home ablaze and causing extensive damage. Shapiro, his wife, their children and other family members narrowly escaped the rapidly spreading flames. Shapiro has said the attack prompted serious conversations with his wife about whether he should seek reelection. "I think a couple of days after that, my primary focus was on being a good dad and a good husband and being a good governor. And I have tried very, very hard to both heal myself and be there for my kids as they work through this and be there for Laurie," he said of his wife, who was with him at the beginning of the interview. Shapiro admits there were many family discussions on what they should do. "We had a long talk about whether we wanted to keep doing this in the face of that kind of attack and that kind of threat," he said. "The reality is we all ended up in the exact same place. Yes, we not only have to keep governing, but we've got to run again and keep doing this because you can't let those who want to inflict pain on others bring harm to communities. You can't let them win." Shapiro said he expects to continue working through the aftermath for years, noting that members of both parties privately reached out to check on his well-being and offer help, including Trump, who was himself the target of an assassination attempt. "He called, and I appreciated that," he said. "And we talked about his brush with death in public. No public officials should have to go through this. Our politics shouldn't be this way." Shapiro said he hopes the way he runs his campaign and governs will help lower the temperature and allow for a measure of healing. "I said today in my speech, go talk to that person that voted a different way in the last election and have a respectful conversation," Shapiro said. "We need more of that." (COMMENT, BELOW) Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst, and a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism, traveling from Main Street to the beltway and all places in between. NARA, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Japan and South Korea aim to deepen security and economic ties to counter growing tension in East Asia, their leaders said on Tuesday, after a summit meeting in Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung discussed industrial supply chains, artificial intelligence, denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and cooperation with mutual ally, the United States. "The importance of JapanSouth Korea relations, as well as cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States, continues to grow," Takaichi said in a joint announcement with Lee in her home region of Nara. Advertisement Advertisement Lee said the leaders will also step up cooperation to combat online scams that have targeted victims across borders. The talks came a week after Lee met Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid strained ties between Tokyo and Beijing following remarks by Takaichi that Japan could deploy its forces if a Chinese attack on Taiwan posed an existential threat. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, a claim the democratically governed island rejects. LEE SAYS TASK OF DEEPENING TIES IS URGENT Earlier, Lee, who is set to spend two days in Japan, vowed not to intervene in its dispute with China, although the diplomatic stand-off was not desirable for regional peace. Advertisement Advertisement "The current international environment and trade order are unprecedentedly volatile," he said, speaking alongside Takaichi. "It is an urgent task of our time to deepen bilateral relations." Despite a recent thaw, ties between Tokyo and Seoul have been strained by disputes over Japan's colonial rule of the Korean peninsula, including the treatment of Korean women forced to work in military brothels and labourers conscripted to support Japan's wartime effort. Takaichi added that she welcomed progress in efforts to identify human remains discovered at an abandoned coal mine in western Japan, where some 136 Koreans and 47 Japanese died in 1942, when the mine beneath the seabed collapsed and flooded. South Korea says the remains of as many as 10,000 Korean forced labourers are still in Japan, which says it has identified about 3,000. Advertisement Advertisement The leaders said they would continue their "shuttle diplomacy" effort, with Takaichi expected to travel next to South Korea for their third meeting, without giving a date. (Reporting by Kentaro Okasaka in Nara, Tim Kelly in Tokyo and Heejin Kim and Jack Kim in Seoul; Editing by Kate Mayberry and Clarence Fernandez) Vice President JD Vance will host a meeting with Denmark's foreign minister and his Greenlandic counterpart at the White House this week. The meeting comes as tensions spiral over the Trump administration's desire for control of Greenland. The vast Arctic island is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO ally of the U.S. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen and his counterpart from Greenland, Vivian Motzfeldt, had been widely expected to meet on Wednesday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though the meeting hadn't officially been confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Lkke Rasmussen told reporters after a meeting of the Danish parliament's foreign policy committee on Tuesday that Vance had expressed a wish to take part and that he will host the meeting at the White House, with Rubio in attendance. Neither the White House nor Vances office responded immediately to emails and text messages seeking comment. Lkke Rasmussen, a former Danish prime minister, has been foreign minister since 2022 in the government of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Vance toured the US military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland in March in a visit that was seen as a provocation amid President Donald Trump's bid to annex the strategically-placed, resource-rich Danish territory (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Tensions have grown between Washington, Denmark and Greenland this month as President Donald Trump and his administration push the issue and the White House considers a range of options, including military force, to acquire the vast Arctic island. Trump reiterated his argument that the U.S. needs to take Greenland, otherwise Russia or China would, in comments aboard Air Force One on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement He said hed rather make a deal for the territory, but one way or the other, were going to have Greenland. A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation is headed to Copenhagen for meetings on Friday and Saturday in an attempt to show unity between the United States and Denmark. Before that, Frederiksen plans to meet Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, along with the leader of the Faroe Islands, Denmark's other semi-autonomous territory, in Copenhagen as part of a periodic gathering of parliamentarians from the Danish realm. US vice-president JD Vance will host talks with Denmark in Washington DC after repeated threats of a takeover of the territory despite widespread backlash from European allies. Donald Trump has been adamant that he needs the territory right now and claims it is vital for Americas national security, in comments that have caused alarm in Nato countries. The escalation prompted Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, and Greenlands Vivian Motzfeldt to request a meeting with US secretary of state Marco Rubio which Mr Vance has now requested to join. Advertisement Advertisement US vice-president JD Vance also wanted to participate in the meeting, and he will host the meeting, which will therefore be held at the White House, Mr Rasmussen told reporters in Copenhagen on Tuesday. Our reason for seeking the meeting we have now been given was to move this whole discussion ... into a meeting room where we can look each other in the eye and talk about these things. The US vice-president has asked to be a part of discussions on the territory (AFP/Getty) In a striking statement on Tuesday, Denmarks prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said: One thing must be clear to everyone: Greenland does not want to be owned by the US, Greenland does not want to be governed by the US, Greenland does not want to be part of the US We choose the Greenland we know today, which is a part of the kingdom of Denmark. She added that it had not been easy to put up with unacceptable pressure from the countrys closest ally. Mette Frederiksen has said Greenland chooses Denmark over the US (PA) It is feared that Mr Vances inclusion in the talks will heighten tensions as he has historically been vocal in his support for the US seizing the territory from Denmark, a member of Nato. Advertisement Advertisement Last week, he warned Europe that it needed to take Mr Trump seriously on his aspiration to acquire it. What were asking our European friends to do is to take the security of that land mass more seriously, because if theyre not, the United States is going to have to do something about it, he said. What that is, Ill leave that to the president as we continue to engage in diplomacy with our European friends and everybody on this particular topic. In March last year, Mr Vance said the country has not done a good job at keeping Greenland safe and accused Denmark of passing it all off to the Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Several politicians have warned that a US takeover of Greenland would effectively spell the end of Nato, including US democratic senator, Chris Murphy, who said: It would be the end of Nato, right? Nato would have an obligation to defend Greenland. Mr Trump has had his eyes on the territory since 2019, when he first publicly floated the idea of purchasing the territory from Denmark, which runs it as an autonomous and self-governing entity. Greenland holds a large and untapped wealth of natural resources, including oil and gas as well as natural earth minerals, zinc, copper, nickel and graphite. Its geographical location, positioned between the North American Arctic and Europe, also makes it appealing to Mr Trump for strategic reasons. RED HOOK - The case of the Afghan refugee in Ulster County who was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at an asylum interview last year has hit a major roadblock after a federal judge denied a petition to release him from detention. Ali Faqirzada has been in ICE custody at Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, N.J., since Oct. 14, when he was detained by ICE after attending a credible fear interview on Long Island as part of his asylum case. After an immigration officer told Faqirzada that he had a viable asylum claim and gave him a November court date to appear before an immigration judge, ICE agents arrested him in front of his legal team, his sister, Saida Faqirzada, previously told the Times Union. Advertisement Advertisement Faqirzada's case has become one of the most high-profile immigration cases in New York and a local symbol of President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown that has included immigrants who have followed legal pathways to stay in the country. Faqirzada and his family fled Afghanistan in early 2022. When he entered the United States, he was apprehended by Customs and Border Protection near Calexico, Calif., after he admitted to crossing the border illegally, according to the opinion signed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Shipp, a New Jersey-based judge. Because Faqirzada had been apprehended shortly after crossing the border and within a few miles of the nearest border crossing, immigration officials determined Faqirzada was subject to expedited removal, a process for deporting noncitizens without a hearing before an immigration judge. But during interviews, he expressed a fear of returning to Afghanistan based on the threat that the Taliban posed to him and his family. Immigration officials then released him on humanitarian parole pending an asylum interview. That parole grant, the judge's opinion states, would terminate if Faqirzada left the country, was deported, "or at any time in the discretion of ICE." Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 14, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warrant for Faqirzada's arrest and a notice to appear for removal proceedings. Faqirzada was then arrested pursuant to an I-200 warrant - an administrative warrant for civil violations, not a criminal one. USCIS also administratively closed his asylum application on Oct. 14 and referred him to an immigration judge, ICE previously told the Times Union. The detention remains lawful and mandatory until Faqirzada's removal and asylum proceedings finish, either with relief or with an order of removal, Shipp's opinion states. In addition, Faqirzada's detention does not violate due process because he has been in custody for less than three months, far shy of what the courts consider arbitrary, according to the opinion. The judge's denial of Faqirzada's petition for habeas corpus challenging his detention also rendered his petition for a temporary restraining order moot. Judge Shipp granted Faqirzada's request to seal parts of his case due to privacy interests. Faqirzada's legal team has since appealed the judge's denial. Advertisement Advertisement "He respectfully disagrees with the decision and is appealing to the Third Circuit," Kevin A.G. Barbosa, an attorney with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan representing Faqirzada, wrote in an emailed statement. "Mr. Faqirzada's asylum claim is under consideration by the Immigration Court and we are awaiting a decision." Ali and his family fled Afghanistan under threat due to their involvement in different causes contrary to the Taliban's ideology and their faith as Shia Muslims, his sister previously told the Times Union. Every other member of the family of eight has now successfully gone through the asylum process except for Faqirzada. His asylum application had been pending since December 2022 until his arrest in October. The family moved to Ulster County in 2022 after hearing about a volunteer group, New Paltz for Refugees, and the Christ the King Episcopal Church in Stone Ridge, which were helping Afghan refugees settle in the region. Since then, they've become active and beloved members of the interfaith community. Advertisement Advertisement Ali Faqirzada, who had received work authorization during his pending asylum case, was a full-time student at Bard College and worked at Kingston Hospital as a security guard, his sister said. Since his arrest, the community has rallied behind him, holding vigils at Bard College, raising funds to support his family and launching a letter-writing campaign urging the ICE field office overseeing Faqirzada's detention to release him. Several public officials have expressed support for Faqirzada's case, including U.S. Reps. Pat Ryan and Mike Lawler, state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, State Sen. Patricia Fahy, D-Albany, and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, who lauded Faqirzada's contributions to the community and described him as a "generous, respectful, and kind man." This article originally published at Judge denies Afghan refugee's request for release from ICE detention. NEED TO KNOW Actor Julian Sands was reported missing three years ago on Jan. 13, 2023, after going on a hike in California His remains were found on June 24, 2023, with his death confirmed three days later Sands, who was mourned by his family and fans, was 65 years old at the time of his death Actor Julian Sands disappeared during a hike on Mount Baldy in southern California three years ago on Jan. 13, 2023. The search for the star ended in tragedy when he was confirmed to be dead five months later on June 27, 2023. The British actor was best known for roles in films like A Room with a View, Warlock and Arachnophobia. He had three children: a son, Henry, whom he shared with ex-wife Sarah Sands, and daughters Natalya and Imogen, whom he shared with wife Evgenia Citkowitz. Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 13, 2023, the Smallville star was reported missing by Citkowitz after he had set out to hike California's Mount Baldy. The spot was Sands' "favorite place" when he was in Los Angeles, as his brother Nick later told the Craven Herald & Pioneer. Searches continued for more than five months before Sands' remains were found on June 24, 2023, by a group of hikers. So, what exactly happened to the actor? Here's everything to know about Julian Sands' death, including what his family has said about the hiking accident. When did Julian Sands die? Charley Gallay/WireImage Julian Sands attends the re-opening of the Ferus Gallery on May 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Julian Sands attends the re-opening of the Ferus Gallery on May 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The exact date that Sands died is unknown due to the length of time it took to find his body. He died between the dates of Jan. 13, 2023, when he was reported missing, and June 24, 2023, when his remains were found. Authorities confirmed his death on June 27. Advertisement Advertisement The San Bernardino County sheriffs department warned of a dangerous situation for Mount Baldy hikers on their Facebook page just days after Sands disappearance on Jan. 18. Due to the high winds, the snow has turned to ice making hiking extremely dangerous, the post read. "Teams have responded to 14 rescue missions on Mt Baldy and in the surrounding area. These rescue missions have been for lost, stranded and/or injured hikers." The department also noted that their rescue efforts had been affected, stating, Sheriffs Search and Rescue efforts are often hampered by poor weather along with dangerous avalanche conditions. What was Julian Sands' cause of death? Adam Orchon/Sipa via AP Julian Sands attends The Great British Film Reception on February 20th, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Julian Sands attends The Great British Film Reception on February 20th, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The actors official cause of death was ruled as undetermined" by the coroner, an information officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department in San Bernardino, Calif., confirmed to PEOPLE on July 24, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement According to the officer, the decision to classify Sands death as such was the result of the deteriorated condition of his body. This is common when dealing with cases of this type, the officer said. While the location of Sands body in Goode Canyon could suggest a fall, the Los Angeles Times reported that he may have been a victim of an avalanche, been injured or gotten lost. Where was Julian Sands' body found? AP Photo/Nick Ut The snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains, with Mount Baldy the highest peak at the left, as seen from Chinatown near downtown Los Angeles. The snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains, with Mount Baldy the highest peak at the left, as seen from Chinatown near downtown Los Angeles. Bill Dwyer and a group of other unnamed hikers found Sands in a flat area of Mount Baldy known as Goode Canyon. They spotted him after first noticing his boots, trekking poles, a pile of clothing and a wallet containing his driver's license. Advertisement Advertisement It was surreal, Dwyer later told the Los Angeles Times. According to the newspaper, members of Sands search and rescue team had previously searched the area after receiving a ping from the actors cell phone from a nearby ridge on the Baldy Bowl trail. If they had gone another 600 feet farther down, they might have found him, search team member Donna Newlins told the publication. Why did it take so long to find Julian Sands? Arthur Mola/Invision/AP Julian Sands at the Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2019 in Venice, Italy. Julian Sands at the Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2019 in Venice, Italy. After Sands was reported missing, eight separate searches were conducted by authorities, both from the sky and on the ground, with 500 hours of man time logged and $100,000 spent on resources, per the Los Angeles Times. Advertisement Advertisement In part, search parties were unable to locate Sands remains due to dangerous weather conditions. A final search was conducted on June 17, 2023, which included more than 80 search and rescue volunteers and staff members. They were supported by two helicopters and drone crews, according to a statement from San Bernardino sheriffs department. Sands family issued a statement via the San Bernardino County sheriffs X account on June 21, 2023, writing, We are deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian. The actors remains were found by a group of hikers three days later. What was the public reaction to Julian Sands death? zz/GPTCW/STAR MAX/IPx Julian Sands attends The Great British Film Reception on February 20th, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Julian Sands attends The Great British Film Reception on February 20th, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Sands funeral details were kept private by the family, but several people close to the actor publicly spoke out about his death. Advertisement Advertisement His ex-wife Sarah told the Daily Mail in August 2023 that he was a "restless" and "curious" person. "Both artistically and geographically an adventurer," she said. "I couldn't imagine him being imprisoned in any way; through illness or old age." Sands manager Sarah Jackson said in a statement to PEOPLE that Julian was a great friend and client ... He was a passionate climber, and we draw consolation from knowing that he passed in a place he loved, doing what he loved. Read the original article on People Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, convenes the Kansas Senate at outset of the 2026 Kansas legislative session Monday Jan. 12. Masterson, who has served in the Kansas Legislature since 2005, is seeking the GOP nomination for governor in a crowded primary. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA The 2026 session of the Kansas Legislature burst to life Monday as Republicans and Democrats staked out public policy priorities, welcomed members to fill unexpired terms of the departed and awaited the upcoming final State of the State speech by Gov. Laura Kelly. Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, gaveled in the Senate and House in what could be the final legislative session for both. Masterson is competing in a crowded field for the GOP nomination for governor, while Hawkins tossed his hat into the ring in the race for state insurance commissioner. Advertisement Advertisement In brief remarks with reporters, Masterson said his mind was on finding ways to control rising property taxes, embracing the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump and, possibly, redrawing the states congressional district boundaries for benefit of Republican candidates for Congress. A constitutional amendment to cap property tax, at least authorizing the big, beautiful bill and parental freedom in education. Like to do a little tort reform. Obviously, get a budget passed, Masterson said. In terms of redistricting, the Senate president said he would love to advance a bill that shifted boundaries of the states four U.S. House districts to give GOP candidates a distinct edge over Democratic candidates. The idea would be to make it difficult for U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, to win reelection. The original plan was to convene a special session of the Legislature in November to consider a new congressional map. The required two-thirds majority in the Senate signed a petition calling a special session, but Hawkins was unable to convince two-thirds of Republican peers in the House to sign a special-session petition. Advertisement Advertisement If we get it from the House, were going to take it up, said Masterson, who would appear to have the easier task of securing enough votes to thwart a veto by Kelly. Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen swears in new senator Silas Miller, a Democrat from Wichita, on the first day of the 2026 legislative session. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) The first order of business Monday was for Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen to swear into office the Senates newcomers. Sen. Scott Hill, R-Abilene, and Sen. Silas Miller, D-Wichita, were drafted from the House to fill vacancies in the Senate. Hill replaced Sen. J.R. Claeys, a Salina Republican who went to work for the Trump administration. Miller took the seat left open by Sen. Mary Ware, who announced her retirement in November. At the front of the Senate chamber, Rosen turned to Hill and began reciting the oath: Do you, Silas Miller The gaffe was noted, and Rosen affirmed: Not a good start. He replaced Millers name in the script with Hills, and the perfunctory ceremonies for both were completed. Advertisement Advertisement House and Senate committees begin meeting Tuesday. Kelly, a Democrat in the final year of her two terms as governor, is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the State speech to a joint session of the Legislature at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, speaks to a House colleague before convening the Kansas House on Monday Jan. 12, 2026. Hawkins is seeking the Republican nomination for state insurance commissioner, and that candidacy means he will be leaving the Legislature in January. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Last first day Hawkins, a Republican insurance executive, marked his last first day of the session after 14 years in the House and three years as speaker. While hes running for insurance commissioner, all 125 seats in the House will be up for election in November. The Senate wont do likewise until 2028. The first day of the session is always a happy day, Hawkins said to an almost full chamber. I tried for the House to be the best House there ever was, and I think, for the most part, we have done just that. Advertisement Advertisement He said he strived to promote mutual respect in the House so that we listen, hopefully, more than we talk. Hawkins encouraged spirited debate on the House floor that avoided personal jabs. Be engaged, and put everything you have into this session. But dont leave wishing you would have done something, he said. Ahead of the Houses more ordinary first-day business, Rosen swore in Rep. Abi Boatman, a Wichita-area Democrat, Air Force veteran and advocate who replaced Miller. Boatman, who is Kansas second-ever transgender legislator, worked in advocacy and civic engagement for the past decade. She said her first moments in the Legislature were fast-paced as she received a warm welcome. She said the Legislature felt like the next natural step. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Steve Brunk, a Wichita Republican who served in the House from 2003 to 2015, was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Rep. Patrick Penn, who took a job in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During the interim period, Brunk lobbied for a conservative policy organization opposed to abortion. After checking with Capitol security at the visitor center to make certain the states conceal-carry gun law hadnt changed in his absence, he discussed his reasons for returning to the House. I just felt like there was unfinished business here. I always liked the process, he said. Sen. Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, outlined personnel changes on the Senate Democratic office staff on the first day of the 2026 legislative session. Sykes is a candidate for state insurance commissioner. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) Democrats agenda Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat running for state insurance commissioner, said one of her top priorities would be to approve a refundable child tax credit. In the past, proposals have been made to offer a $25 to $600 per child income tax credit for low- and middle-income households to help families deal with escalating costs. She said it was unlikely the GOP-led Legislature would approve the bill. Advertisement Advertisement I would love to see child tax credits passed through, but I dont think theres a possible way for that, Sykes said. She said the Legislature ought to extend the existing K-12 school finance formula due to expire in mid-2027 for another year. That would allow the 2027 Legislature to craft a new formula that wouldnt be implemented until 2028, she said. Sen. Cindy Holscher, a Democrat seeking the partys nomination for governor along with Sen. Ethan Corson, said she would take on a defensive mindset in an attempt to disrupt GOP legislation that she would view as harmful to the states most vulnerable people. I am always focused on things that will help the people, she said. Weve been pushing things like Medicaid expansion for years. Im going to look for ways to bring things good forward and push back against the bad stuff. Advertisement Advertisement After the House adjourned for the day, House Democrats gathered with reporters at the Capitol to highlight an agenda designed to benefit working families. House Democrats proposed raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, allowing renters to get 15% of their rent back in a tax rebate, providing universal school meals and addressing access to and the cost of child care. They also wanted to exempt $125,000 of a homes value from the state property tax. The current threshold is $75,000. House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, a Democrat from Johnson County, speaks to reporters at a Jan. 12, 2026, news conference at the Statehouse where he outlines House Democrats ideas to address the rising cost of living. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, D-Lenexa, said Democrats were exploring ways to pay for their wish list. Legalizing recreational marijuana was on the table, he said, along with raising taxes for millionaires. However, he said, cost of living was the No. 1 issue on Kansans minds. But their proposals would need support from Republicans to reach the minimum 63 votes for passage in the House. Advertisement Advertisement In the superminority, we have to go find friends, right? Woodard said. Theres only 37 of us, so we have to find 26 members that will work with us. The idea of coming up with our own agenda allows us to, one, tell Kansans what we stand for, but also, these are going to be floor amendments that you see on any of the bills that are introduced by Republicans. Rep. Dan Osman, D-Overland Park, said Kansas should be a place where growing families could afford child care, seniors could live in their homes on a fixed income, and young people could see a future instead of looking to other states. Families are doing everything right, working hard, budgeting correctly, planning for our future. Yet too many are still feeling squeezed, Osman said. Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen delivers the State of the Judiciary Speech on Jan. 13, 2026, to members of the 2026 Legislature. He was sworn into office as chief justice last week in Topeka. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen pressed the Kansas Legislature on Tuesday to expand funding for specialty courts tailored to special challenges of defendants and asked lawmakers to collaborate on solutions to the shortage of attorneys in rural Kansas. Rosen, delivering his first State of the Judiciary speech to a joint session of the Legislature, said the state must continue to move forward with initiatives to enhance access to justice, build public confidence in the judiciary and improve efficiency of state court operations. Advertisement Advertisement Together we are making great strides improving and strengthening our courts and serving our communities, said Rosen, who was sworn in as chief justice last Thursday. But much work remains to be done. Rosen, with a father and father-in-law who worked at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, said he had a front-row seat in his youth to the Menninger staffs transformational work on an integrated, multidisciplinary model of treating people with mental illness. As a Shawnee County District Court judge, he became acutely aware of how individuals with mental health conditions or substance abuse disorders too often cycled through courthouses. Data demonstrated young women with mental health issues were significantly more likely to be arrested, he said. Young men taken into custody by law enforcement were more likely to suffer substance use problems, he said. What we came to understand then and what we know even more clearly today: Without addressing underlying issues and providing individualized support, lasting change is unlikely, the chief justice said. Advertisement Advertisement The consequences of people mired in the judicial system led Kansas and other states to begin investing in special problem-solving courts. In Kansas, those have centered on veterans, drug treatment, mental health and family relationships. Judges who guide specialty courts aim for root causes of crime, rather than just the consequences. The goal would be to break detrimental cycles by moving people to treatment and recovery. Rosen urged the Legislature to respond favorably to an advisory committees request for $1.5 million in the upcoming fiscal year to broaden the states specialty court offerings. Stable funding enabled the system to better coordinate services, gather more data, expand programs and guarantee accountability, Rosen said. Individuals who graduate from specialty court programs are more likely to live stable, productive lives and are less likely to return to court, Rosen said. Rural attorney shortage Rosen outlined the states shortage of attorneys in rural parts of the state. Starting in 2022, he said, the judicial branch and legislators began studying how to respond to an imbalance between urban and rural Kansas. In 2024, a report containing 10 recommendations was issued. Some required legislative support, while others didnt. Advertisement Advertisement It became evident while conducting research that law students and young attorneys were unprepared to establish and operate a small law firm in a rural county. The University of Kansas and Washburn University law schools responded by developing rural curriculum with insights into business aspects of a rural law practice, Rosen said. Rosen said the 2025 Legislature conducted hearings on a bill that would create a rural attorney training program and a tuition reimbursement program for those who attended a Kansas law school and located in a rural area after graduating. The financial aid would be modeled after comparable initiatives tied to other scarce professionals, including veterinarians and physicians. He said Senate Bill 214, which included those provisions, remained available for consideration by the House and Senate. I want to be clear about the challenges that lie ahead if we dont act, the chief justice said. Accessing the court system will become more difficult for Kansas businesses and Kansans seeking remedies in criminal and civil matters. He said there was a public safety component to the shortage. Expansion of case loads for lawyers undermined access to legal representation for children in need of care cases. The lack of lawyers complicated representation for people involved in domestic conflicts as well as criminal cases, he said. Advertisement Advertisement He said urban and suburban attorneys attempted to fill the gap but were stretched thin. He said the judicial branch did launch the Kansas Online Self-Help Center to provide information to Kansans about payment of fines, court forms, court contact information and hearing schedules. The portal became one of the most popular resources available to Kansans through the judicial branchs website, Rosen said. Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen talks to reporters outside the state library in the Statehouse following the Jan. 13, 2026, State of the Judiciary speech. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector Constitutional amendment During a post-speech news conference with reporters at the Capitol, Rosen said he intentionally didnt bring up the proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution that would transition the state to a system of electing justices to the Supreme Court rather than having them appointed by a governor. The amendment, crafted by conservatives irritated by the Supreme Courts decisions on abortion and education, will be on statewide ballots in August. He said it wouldnt have been appropriate for him to delve into the proposed amendment during the State of the Judiciary speech to the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Its really not before the court and its not something were going to be dealing with, Rosen said. Thats really up for the people to decide that question. Rosen, who grew up in Topeka and began his professional life as a school counselor, has been on the state Supreme Court since 2005. He served as a district court judge for 12 years prior to that appointment. The core values that I embraced in those early years of my training and professional experience serving others, focusing on shared interests, working collaboratively to identify solutions and effect positive change, and acting with integrity continue to guide my work today and I believe they are values that everyone in this chamber shares, he said. Four people were charged following a weekend encounter where two men were held captive in a city residence, threatened and assaulted, according to Rochester police. The incident - which occurred at a Weyl Street residence and involved two people who were bitten by dogs - ended around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, officers said. What happened at the Weyl St. house? Rochester police officers were called to the residence in northeast Rochester after it was reported that a man inside the house was "being held hostage" over an alleged drug debt after the man and his cousin went to the home to buy drugs, said Rochester Police Capt. Greg Bello. The caller also reported that after he was attacked, he was followed to a nearby home "to obtain valuables to pay off the debt." Advertisement Advertisement As officers arrived at the Weyl Street house, a 22-year-old Pennsylvania man ran from the front porch and was apprehended in a nearby yard, Bello said. A loaded handgun was found next to him in the yard, according to police. A second loaded handgun was recovered after it was allegedly tossed through a side window of the house, he said. Officers surrounded the home and a man bound with duct tape ran from the house, Bello said. After a period of time, three more suspects left the house and were apprehended. After a search warrant for the house was secured, officers recovered nearly 300 vials of what appeared to be fentanyl and a bloody sword, Bello said. Both victims reported that they were bound with tape, assaulted and bit by a dog, which caused significant injuries, Bello said. Who was arrested? What were the charges? Wilson Ventura-Cruz, 22, of West Reading, Pennsylvania; and Carlos Dejesus, 26, Eliezer Davila, 43, and Rose Colon, 46, all of Rochester, were each charged with the following felonies: Advertisement Advertisement first-degree kidnapping first-degree robbery second-degree assault second-degree criminal possession of a weapon third-degree criminal possession of a weapon third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance Dejesus was also charged with an outstanding parole warrant from Pennsylvania. All four were arraigned in City Court and were remanded to the Monroe County Jail without bail, according to jail records. They are all scheduled to return to City Court on Jan. 15. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Kidnapping investigation leads to multiple arrests in Rochester NY The ICE agent who killed Renee Nicole Good reportedly lied to his neighbors about what he does for work. Jonathan Ross, 43, revealed at a 2020 neighborhood garage party during the COVID pandemic that he was a botanist, one of Ross neighbors told People. He said he worked with plants, as a botanist, so he lied about what he did, the neighbor told the outlet. Ross has worked for ICE since 2015, when he joined the agency as a deportation officer. A screen grab of ICE agent Jonathan Ross, circled in red, fatally shooting Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota. / The Daily Beast/Youtube The widow and mom-of-one was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. / Facebook On Jan. 7, Ross, an Iraq war veteran, shot and killed the 37-year-old mother of three in Minneapolis. Good had just dropped off her 6-year-old son at school when she encountered ICE agents, according to her ex-husband. Advertisement Advertisement Goods car was positioned in the middle of the street as she attempted to drive away from the agents when Ross shot into her car window three times. Videos captured by various bystanders show her car skidding on the snow and hitting parked vehicles further up the road. Jonathan Ross, 43, reportedly told neighbors he According to the neighbor in Ross Minnesota exurb, those living around him didnt know he was an ICE agent until he was identified as Goods killer. [He said he] enjoyed border control... but loved plants, the neighbor told People. Ross, whose house displays a yellow Dont Tread On Me flag in the yard in satellite images, apparently kept to himself in the neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement It really creeps me out that those are my neighbors that thats the kind of people I live next to. Its really upsetting," the neighbor told the outlet. I just assumed all the ICE agents were like, from Texas and Arizona and Florida. The neighbor also claimed that she saw Ross belongings being removed from the house by agents the day after the shooting. She added that there has also been a patrol car at the address. In an email, a DHS spokesperson told The Daily Beast that We are not going to expose the name of this officer. He acted according to his training. They confirmed that the agent in question had more than 10 years of experience as an ICE Deportation Officer and was a member of ICEs Special Response Team. Good was shot three times through the window of her Honda SUV. / Stephen Maturen/Getty Images President Donald Trumps goons have attempted to characterize Good as a domestic terrorist. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared in a press conference that the mother was trying to harm the federal officer with her vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Trump also backed up his immigration enforcers statements. He wrote on Truth Social hours after the shooting that 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. Videos captured from different angles by multiple bystanders contradict official statements by members of the Trump administration and the president himself. BEIRUT (AP) The Trump administration waded into a regional debate over the Muslim Brotherhood on Tuesday, designating the Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the transnational Sunni Islamist group as terrorist organizations. The group founded in the 1920s in Egypt inspired Islamist political movements around the region. Its ideology has been both popular and divisive in the Arab and Muslim world. The Brotherhoods leaders say it renounced violence decades ago and seeks to set up Islamic rule through elections and other peaceful means, but some of the group's offshoots have armed wings. Critics, including a number of autocratic governments across the region, view it as a threat. Advertisement Advertisement Here's how the group started and where it stands now. Early days The Muslim Brotherhood rose as a pan-Arab Islamist political movement, founded in Egypt in 1928 by a school teacher-turned-ideologue Hassan al-Banna. He believed that Islamic teachings should be the basis for governance. In its early days, the group largely focused on providing social services, but it later turned to militancy, with an armed wing that fought against British colonialists and Israel. It was implicated in the assassination of Egyptian Prime Minister Mahmoud Fahmi al-Nokrashi in 1948 after he outlawed the group. Two months later, al-Banna was assassinated in Cairo. Advertisement Advertisement After Egypts 1952 military coup, the Brotherhood was accused of an assassination attempt against President Gamal Abdel-Nasser, who retaliated by executing prominent Brotherhood ideologue Sayyed Qutb and imprisoning thousands of other members. The group witnessed a revival in the 1970s under then-President Anwar Sadat, who tolerated the Brotherhood and used it as a counterweight to leftist opponents. The group formally foreswore violence. Rise and fall During the 30-year rule of autocrat Hosni Mubarak, the Brotherhood was technically banned but also tolerated. By 2005 it had become Egypts strongest political opposition group, winning a fifth of the seats in parliament. Advertisement Advertisement The Brotherhood rose to power following elections in Egypt a year after the 2011 popular uprising that toppled Mubarak. But the group fueled opponents fears that it aimed to monopolize power. After giant protests over Brotherhood President Mohammed Morsi's divisive rule, the Egyptian army ousted the group in 2013, crushing it in a bloody crackdown. The authorities later outlawed the group and labeled it a terrorist organization. Authorities under President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi have cracked down heavily on Brotherhood members and those suspected of links to the group, jailing thousands. The Brotherhoods leader, or supreme guide, Mohammed Badie, remains behind bars in Egypt under several life sentences, the last of which was upheld in July 2021. Nearly all of the groups senior leaders have been imprisoned or live in exile. Advertisement Advertisement The spread of ideology and armed conflict After its founding in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood developed into a transnational network with chapters across the Middle East. Some of those have engaged in armed uprisings against their own governments or fought against Israel. In 1982, the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria staged an anti-government rebellion, launching attacks that targeted military officers, state institutions and ruling party offices. In February 1982, then-Syrian President Hafez Assad ordered an assault on the city of Hama to quell the unrest. Between 10,000 to 40,000 people were killed or disappeared in the government offensive that left the city in ruins. Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinian militant group Hamas, which launched the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel triggering the war in Gaza, has roots in the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas was formed in December 1987 in Gaza, several days after the outbreak of the first intifada, or Palestinian uprising, against Israel. It called for armed resistance and for setting up an Islamic state in all of historic Palestine. In its founding charter, Hamas defined itself as a Palestinian branch of the Brotherhood. The Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Jamaa al-Islamiya (or the Islamic Group) is a Sunni Muslim political party but also has an armed wing. After the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, its armed wing joined forces with the Shiite militant group Hezbollah and launched rockets across the border into Israel. The al-Jamaa al-Islamiya leader Mohammed Takkoush told The Associated Press at the time that his group and Hezbollah supported different sides in regional conflicts and Syria and Yemen but put their differences aside to fight Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Regional and international divisions Sunni regional powers Turkey and Qatar have been sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood's ideology, while other Sunni powers in the region including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt see the group as a threat and have cracked down on it. Earlier this year, Jordan announced a sweeping ban on the Brotherhood that could include shutting down the countrys largest opposition party, after accusing the Islamist group of planning attacks. The monarchy banned the Brotherhood a decade ago but officially licensed a splinter group and continued to tolerate the Islamic Action Front while restricting some of its activities. The U.S. says its chapters in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt engage in or facilitate and support violence and destabilization campaigns that harm their own regions, United States citizens and United States interests. Advertisement Advertisement The State Department designated the Lebanese branch a foreign terrorist organization, the most severe of the labels, which makes it a criminal offense to provide material support to the group. The Jordanian and Egyptian branches were listed by Treasury as specially designated global terrorists for providing support to Hamas. ___ Mednick reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. As the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement nationwide, a wave of high-profile arrests many unfolding at private homes and businesses and captured on video has pushed one legal question into the center of the national debate: When can federal immigration agents lawfully enter private property to make an arrest? That question has taken on new urgency in cities like Minneapolis, where thousands of federal agents are operating on the streets amid protests, confrontations and a fatal shooting, sharpening scrutiny of the legal authority immigration officers rely on when they arrive at the front door. At the heart of the debate is a legal distinction largely unfamiliar to the public but central to immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Most immigration arrests are carried out under administrative warrants, internal documents issued by immigration authorities that authorize the arrest of a specific individual but do not permit officers to forcibly enter private homes or other nonpublic spaces without consent. Only criminal warrants signed by judges carry that authority. Legal experts say the administrations aggressive enforcement push, combined with public awareness of those limits, is increasingly turning door-knock encounters into flashpoints, fueling confrontations that are now playing out in cities across the country. Here is what to know about the limitations on the warrants that authorize most immigration related arrests. Immigration warrants typically don't authorize entry onto private property All law enforcement operations including those conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection are governed by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects all people in the country from unreasonable searches and seizures. That means law enforcement is required to have a warrant before searching one's private property or arresting someone, regardless of immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement But not all warrants are the same. Typically, arrests carried out by Department of Homeland Security agencies are authorized by administrative warrants sometimes known as immigration warrants not judicial warrants. Judicial warrants are issued by a court and signed by a magistrate or a state or federal judge. These warrants allow a relevant law enforcement agency to apprehend a specified individual in any context regardless of whether the person is on public or on private property. In other words, law enforcement is legally allowed to enter and search a home or business to make the arrest without the consent of the property owner once a judge signs off on the arrest. By contrast, the administrative warrants used in most immigration operations are sanctioned by an agency, officer or immigration judge, and don't allow law enforcement to forcibly enter private property to detain someone. That means people can legally refuse federal immigration agents entry into private property if the agents only have an administrative warrant. Advertisement Advertisement There are limited exceptions, some of which include if someone is in immediate danger, an officer is actively chasing a suspect or if someone is calling for help inside the residence. But those exceptions don't apply in routine immigration arrests, legal experts say. John Sandweg, a former ICE acting director, said officers are trained on what circumstances legally justify forced entry. But as the scope of ICE's work has expanded, and more Border Patrol agents have begun conducting the work of ICE officers, there is a greater chance that agents will misapply the rules, he said. Your risks of all of these types of incidents increase dramatically when you take officers out of their normal operating environment and ask them to do things that they have not been trained to do, because its not part of their core missions, Sandweg said. Mounting tensions in Minneapolis Advertisement Advertisement The thorny legal distinction between judicial and administrative warrants came to the fore on Sunday when immigration law enforcement raided a private home to make an arrest in Minneapolis, after clashing with protesters who confronted the heavily armed agents. Documents reviewed by The Associated Press revealed that the agents only had an administrative warrant meaning there was no judge that authorized the raid on private property. When asked, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin didn't provide a legal justification for the forced entry and arrest of the man, who is a Liberian national with a deportation order from 2023. She said his arrest was part of the administration's efforts to arrest the worst of the worst and added that he had that a criminal history including robbery, drug possession with the intent to sell, possession of a deadly weapon, malicious destruction and theft." McLaughlin didn't specify whether he was convicted of any of those crimes, or whether his arrest was related to any criminal activity. Vice president of policy at the National Immigration Law Center, Heidi Altman, said she couldnt comment on that specific raid, but said that generally an officer entering a home without consent or permission could result in serious consequences. Advertisement Advertisement That is not just an illegal arrest. Its numerous illegal actions by the officer themselves that could open up liability, not just for being sued, but potential criminal actions under state law as well, she explained. But in the current political climate, Altman said, it isnt clear if there are any realistic avenues for accountability since the federal government would be responsible for investigating such a breech. There are layers of federal laws and regulations and policies prohibiting this kind of behavior. But then the second layer is: Is the federal government going to impose consequences?" she said. On top of that, immigrants have less recourse after an illegal arrest or search, because illegally obtained evidence can generally still be used in immigration court. A rule of evidence called the exclusionary rule would prohibit the use of such evidence in criminal court, but most often that rule does not apply in immigration court, Altman explained. Any consequences that the officer may face would probably not undo the immediate consequences immigrants could face if they are quickly deported after an illegal arrest. Advertisement Advertisement As those legal challenges come and people are facing very, very quick detentions and deportations on the basis of these illegal arrests, theres very little recourse in actual immigration court proceedings that allows people to have a judge disregard evidence or the actual arrest, even if it was done in this very violent, illegal manner, Altman said. 'Know-your-rights' campaigns ICE has long relied on knock and talks" to make apprehensions, informally requesting residents to leave a home without giving any indication they plan to make an immigration arrest. As outlined in a 2020 lawsuit in which a federal judge found the practice illegal, officers tell their targets that they need them to step outside to answer a few questions. In one case, they told a woman that they were probation officers looking for her brother. In response, activists, lawyers and local governments have launched know-your-rights campaigns around the country, attempting to educate people on the legal nuances of the extremely convoluted legal framework that is supposed to govern immigration law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Many groups have published fact sheets and infographics on social media, while others facilitate meetings that go over constitutional protections that immigrants have regardless of legal status in interactions with federal agents. Often groups will instruct immigrants to request to see a warrant before opening the door if an immigration officer knocks. The trainings also typically emphasize that an immigrant can refuse to open the door if law enforcement only has an administrative warrant. ___ This story has been updated to make clear that the exclusionary rule can be applied in immigration court under certain circumstances. The woman shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis was a loving mother, a poet and a partner whose family along with neighbors across her stunned city and strangers far beyond is shocked by the circumstances surrounding her death. Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old US citizen, was killed when an ICE agent shot into her vehicle during an encounter Wednesday morning. Goods ex-husband said she had just dropped off her 6-year-old son at school when she encountered the ICE agents, The Associated Press reported. Advertisement Advertisement The victim tried to weaponize her vehicle to run over an officer near an ICE vehicle stuck on a snow-lined street before he opened fire, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. State and local officials have strongly disputed claims the shooting, captured on video, was done in self-defense as tensions exploded amid this weeks deployment of some 2,000 federal agents as part of the latest surge in the Trump administrations nationwide immigration enforcement crackdown and following claims of welfare fraud in the Somali immigrant community. Still, loved ones and leaders paused to remember the newcomer to Minnesota as an amazing human being. Renee was one of the kindest people Ive ever known. She was extremely compassionate, her mother, Donna Ganger, told the Minnesota Star Tribune. Shes taken care of people all her life She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. Good had a good life but a hard life Born in Colorado, Good moved to Minnesota last year and lived in the Twin Cities with her partner, the Star Tribune reported, citing Ganger. Advertisement Advertisement A mother of three, Good had two children, ages 15 and 12, from her first marriage, The Associated Press reported. Her 6-year-old childs father died in 2023, according to the Star Tribune. Theres nobody else in his life, the childs grandfather told the newspaper. After spending most of her life in Colorado, Good briefly moved to Kansas to live with her parents for a time after her husband a military veteran died, her father, Tim Ganger, told The Washington Post. A Minneapolis police officer looks on as they hold a perimeter around the scene of a shooting by an ICE agent Wednesday in Minneapolis, Minnesota. - Stephen Maturen/Getty Images She had a good life, but a hard life, he said. She was a wonderful person. Goods death hit her family especially hard because it was her older sisters birthday, her uncle, Robert Ganger, told CNN affiliate KMGH. Advertisement Advertisement CNN has reached out to Goods family. A very welcomed member of the community Goods southside Minneapolis home still had holiday decorations on the front porch and in the window Thursday afternoon. Signs of support for Good could be seen in windows around the neighborhood, where she and her family had settled relatively recently, neighbors said. Good had a really sweet family, one neighbor told CNN, recalling how Goods son would sometimes ask to pet their dog. A few houses down, another neighbor, Clark Hoelscher told CNN, We saw her kids sidewalk drawings during the summer. Hoelscher did not know the family personally but would see them in the neighborhood from time to time. Advertisement Advertisement As Hoelscher spoke about Good, a tear streamed down their face. Im a parent, Ive helped raise five children. I have two kiddos that are my own. I cant imagine that they came home and their mom isnt gonna be there anymore, Hoelscher explained. Hoelscher, who is also a teacher, said ICEs presence in Minneapolis was already having an effect before Wednesdays shooting. We have students and families who are scared to be at school, Hoelscher said. Its really hard when I have a student who misses school, Im just scared about whats happened to them or their family members, they added. Another community member stood in front of Goods house for much of the day Thursday, greeting anyone who tried to knock on the door and relaying that Goods family would release a statement at the appropriate time. Advertisement Advertisement She was a very welcomed member of the community, neighbor Kimmy Hull said of Good, whose home is less than a mile from where George Floyd was killed in 2020. Hull said she isnt surprised by the groundswell of organizing efforts and support in the community. What happened with (George) Floyd, theres a lot of hard things that came out of it. But theres a lot of really good things. One of the best things was it taught a lot of people how to work together. How to come together, Hull said. A devoted mom and Christian who loved to sing A former neighbor in Kansas City called Good and her family lovely, CNN affiliates KCTV and KMBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement She is a neighbor who, you know, is not a terrorist. Not an extremist, Joan Rose told KMBC. That was just a mom who loved her kids, loved her spouse. On her social media accounts, Good described herself as a poet and writer and wife and mom, according to the AP. She recently said she was experiencing Minneapolis, posting a pride flag emoji on her Instagram account. A Pinterest account with her name features photos of Good smiling and holding a young child against her cheek, along with saved posts about tattoos, hairstyles and home decorating. Good also was a devoted Christian who took part in youth mission trips to Northern Ireland when she was younger, her ex-husband told the AP. She also loved to sing and participated in a chorus in high school before studying vocal performance in college, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Good attended Old Dominion University in Virginia, graduating in 2020 with an English degree, the school said in a statement. During her time at Old Dominion, Good took advanced courses on creative writing and the craft of fiction, according to one of her professors, Kent Wascom. Good excelled in her studies, Wascom told CNN, even though she was pregnant and working at the same time. A lot of times, young writers write about themselves, Wascom said. But Good wrote about others. She wrote about elderly people, and about people in and from other places, and in circumstances that were unlike her own, Wascom added. Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, Goods poetry was awarded ODUs American Academy of Poets Prize, Wascom said. A Facebook post from the school says Good hosted a podcast with her late second husband, Tim Macklin. A bullet hole is seen in the windshield of a vehicle involved in a shooting by an ICE agent during federal law enforcement operations on Wednesday in Minneapolis. - Stephen Maturen/Getty Images May Renees life be a reminder of what unites us: freedom, love, and peace. My hope is for compassion, healing, and reflection at a time that is becoming one of the darkest and most uncertain periods in our nations history, Old Dominion President Brian O. Hemphill said in the statement. Shooting scene becomes site of vigil Hours after the shooting, throngs of neighbors gathered at a vigil near the scene to remember Good and express their outrage at her killing. The group surrounded a makeshift shrine of flowers and candles and, at one point, chanted Goods name. Say it once. Say it twice. We will not put up with ICE, they also chanted. Some carried signs with messages such as: Killer ICE off our streets. Advertisement Advertisement Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, urged residents to remain calm in the wake of chaos in the city. People gather during a vigil for Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7. - Tim Evans/Reuters This is a moment where all of us in Minneapolis and beyond, we can rise to the occasion, Frey said. We can show them who we are. We can show them the kind of courage, bravery, love and compassion that makes Minneapolis and that makes America. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, also a Democrat, offered condolences to Goods family and vowed his administration is going to stop at nothing to seek accountability and justice. CNNs Omar Jimenez, Sarah Boxer, Lauren Mascarenhas, Taylor Galgano, Ray Sanchez, Amanda Jackson and Brian Todd contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Question : Can you clarify whether the new law regarding parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk /intersection only pertains to parking infractions within a school zone ? Answer : You are referring to Act 171, which was approved last legislative session and took effect Jan. 1, amending the statewide traffic code (Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C ) to require that vehicles park no closer than 20 feet from a crosswalk or intersection ; the law is broadly applicable statewide, not limited to school zones. To be clear, this rule is not new for Oahucounty law in effect prior to Jan. 1 prohibits parking within 20 feet of an intersection or crosswalk. The new state law originated in last sessions Senate Bill 1195, which said that Hawaiis rising number of traffic fatalities and injuries disproportionately affect pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable roadway users, and that a disproportionate number of the crashes hurting and killing them occur at crosswalks and intersections. One solution proven to help reduce these tragedies is to allow pedestrians and motorists greater visibility as they enter and drive through crosswalks, the bill said, noting that vehicles parked too close to a crosswalk or intersection obstruct visibility in what should be a buffer zone. Advertisement Advertisement The main provisions of the new state law are found in HRS 291C-116, which says no vehicle shall be parked abutting the curb or edge of a vehicle travel way within 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection, regardless of the presence or absence of official signs or curb markings . The law provides exceptions, including for authorized emergency vehicles ; official federal, state, or county vehicles performing their duties ; stalled or broken vehicles and vehicles assisting them ; and vehicles yielding to emergency vehicles. Violators face a $50 fine per offense, with the money going to the Safe Routes to School special fund. You are one of several readers asking about the new state law, apparently having heard about it without realizing that Honolulu County already had a similar law on the books. The Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Section 15-14.1 (a )(6 ) says that no sign is required to prohibit parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection or within 20 feet upon the approach to any midblock crosswalk. Meanwhile, on a related topic, unsafe driving in school zones prompted recent complaints from several readers Auwe To the woman driving the SUV in Salt Lake on Likini Street the morning of Dec. 9 at about 7 :40 a.m., passing a stopped school bus picking up children with the flashing side stop signs out : Shame on you. I yelled at you because what you did is illegal and punishable by a hefty fine and community service. You looked at me like you had no idea what I saying, but you were close enough to hear and understand. In fact, you slowed down to listen. Please, Kokua Line, remind people now that school is back in session.Mahalo, Kip Auwe Auwe to Mililani speeders, especially those driving from 5 :30 to 6 a.m. on weekdays on Lanikuhana Avenue by Makohilani Street near Mililani Uka Elementary School. The speed limit is 25 mph but as Im walking my dog it seems theyre going 40 to 50 mph. I call it the Lanikuhana Freeway, not Avenue. There used to be a police officer with a radar gun after the Mililani District Park but I havent seen one for years. Drivers : If youre late, leave earlier. Fellow walkers : Be careful because even when we have the pedestrian walk sign, some cars just drive through the red light.Concerned resident Auwe I am sick and tired of seeing drivers zoom up and down the hill past Kamiloiki Elementary School on Hawaii Kai Drive, even when school is in session and parents are trying to drop off or pick up their kids. The problem is not lack of signage or traffic lights. Its drivers who think only of themselves. Slow down !Frustrated parent------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------ NASHUA, NH The YMCA of Greater Nashua has announced that longtime Chief Executive Officer Mike LaChance will retire effective Aug. 31, 2026, concluding a remarkable 40-year career in the YMCA movement and more than three decades of leadership in New Hampshire. LaChances connection to the YMCA began unexpectedly through a college assignment an experience that sparked a lifelong calling. From his early years as a summer camp counselor to becoming CEO in 2003, his career has been defined by service, innovation, and a steadfast belief in the power of community. Since joining the YMCA of Greater Nashua in 1993, LaChance expanded its reach, strengthened its financial foundation, significantly increased access to critical programs and services for children, families, and individuals of all ages, and strengthened the Ys community presence. He has guided the organization from modest beginnings into a vibrant, multi-branch association serving more than 40,000 individuals annually across Southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Major accomplishments under his tenure include: Advertisement Advertisement Development of the Nashua Branch and Westwood Park Branch Creation and expansion of early childhood education at the Merrimack Y, making it the largest YMCA childcare site in the country Hosting a sitting US President of the United States at the local Y Facility investments at Camp Sargent to double the capacity of children served Strengthened the YMCAs role as an essential community partner throughout the pandemic by expanding access to emergency childcare and essential services while ensuring the Y remained a trusted community anchor during the COVID 19 pandemic Forged more than 150 strategic partnerships with local and regional nonprofits, dramatically expanding the YMCAs reach and ability to serve children, families and vulnerable populations LaChances impact has been recognized regionally and statewide. In 2018, he received the New Hampshire Governors Council on Physical Activity and Healths Outstanding Achievement Award for public health programming. In 2024, the Eastern Bank Foundation honored him with its Community Advocacy Award for his long-standing commitment to youth development, community health, and family services. He was also recognized by the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce as their Business Person of the Year in 2012 and the Business Leader of the Year by the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce in 2014. Reflecting on his career, LaChance shared, It has been the honor of my life to serve this YMCA and this community. What began as a summer job became a life mission. Im deeply proud of what weve built strong programs, welcoming facilities, and above all, a community rooted in respect, belonging, and opportunity. The Board of Directors has unanimously selected Joe Manzoli as the next CEO, effective September 1, 2026, ensuring a thoughtful and seamless transition of leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Mike LaChances decades of devoted leadership have shaped the YMCA of Greater Nashua into the thriving, community-centered organization it is today, Chief Volunteer Officer Jack Olson said. His legacy is reflected in the countless lives touched, the programs strengthened, and the deep sense of belonging he helped foster across our communities. Under his guidance, we have grown in strength, deepened our commitment to families, and solidified our mission of service and impact. As we plan for the future, we are grateful that Joe Manzoli, who brings passion, operational experience, and a profound commitment to our values and community will lead the Y into its next chapter. We are confident that the Ys mission, impact, and long-standing legacy of service will continue to flourish under his leadership. The YMCA of Greater Nashua expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Mike LaChance for his decades of service, passion, and vision. His legacy will continue to shape the organization for many years to come. Submitted by the YMCA of Greater Nashua LaChance, CEO Of YMCA Of Greater Nashua, To Retire At The End Of August originally appeared on the Nashua Patch A married couple who work as landscapers were left shaken after thieves violently robbed the couple of their tools and seriously injured one of them. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Jan. 7 as Esteban Vargas and his wife, Linda Huerta, were working at the South Pasadena home of one of their customers, according to a GoFundMe organized for the couple. Vargas happened to be working in the customers backyard when two men approached the familys pickup truck and began stealing tools out of it, prompting Huerta, who was nearby, to intervene. Advertisement Advertisement Brandon Ruiz, one of the couples customers, explained that she tried to stop the men from taking their tools. She held onto the guy as the guy was getting back into his truck and he dragged her down the street, he explained. He hit her hard and she fell out of the truck and I guess thats how she got the staples in her head, from that hit. Huerta, who suffered an injury to the head that required staples and a large abrasion on her back from being dragged down the street, told KTLA that the incident has left her scared and still in pain. Vargas grew emotional when talking about how scared he was for his wifes safety. Landscapers Linda Huerta, seen with her husband Esteban Vargas, suffered serious injuries during a violent robbery on a South Pasadena job site on Jan. 7, 2026. (KTLA) Landscapers Linda Huerta, seen with her husband Esteban Vargas, suffered serious injuries during a violent robbery on a South Pasadena job site on Jan. 7, 2026. (KTLA) Landscapers Linda Huerta, seen with her husband Esteban Vargas, suffered serious injuries during a violent robbery on a South Pasadena job site on Jan. 7, 2026. (KTLA) He had showed me that he got new equipment, and I thought that was a Christmas present and then he was going to start crying, and I was like, Whats wrong? He said that his wife got beaten and robbed of their equipment. He showed me their truck and the chain that they had broke, Ruiz told KTLA. Advertisement Advertisement In all, it cost the couple about $1,500 to replace the equipment that was stolen during the ordeal. Starbucks employee delivers coffee to L.A. deputy with hand-drawn pig on cup When he showed me the pictures, I was super upset, Ruiz added. These families are hard-working, and we have a lot of things going on with this immigration right now and its just sad to see that someone would rob them of whats bringing their livelihood. The incident was reported to police and the search is on for the two suspects involved in the violent robbery. I hope whoever did it, they catch them, but more importantly that the family is able to recover, Ruiz said. Not just the physical but the emotional trauma that theyre going to experience from this. Advertisement Advertisement While the couple is already back to work just days after the harrowing incident, community members organized a GoFundMe to help them recoup their losses and provide for their family during the recovery. 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. An effort to transform Indianapolis public education brewing in the Indiana Statehouse would weaken the Indianapolis Public School Board and transfer significant power to an independent entity controlled by the Indianapolis mayor. To many of the teachers, parents and advocates of traditional public schools, such a dramatic shift could be the final nail in the coffin for Indiana's largest public school district, which has long been subject to legislative intervention with little success. For years the district has been at the center of the debate over charter schools that crosses party lines. "I think this may be the last straw for IPS," Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, said during testimony against House Bill 1423 in the House's education committee. "I fear that if this were to go into effect, what they're really doing is setting up IPS for failure." Advertisement Advertisement HB 1423 is the culmination of a months-long effort by the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance, which was charged by the legislature with assessing current school facilities and creating a framework for how to fairly share revenue with charter schools. In an 8-1 vote in December, the local group recommended the legislature create the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, a nine-member independent entity with the power to levy and distribute property taxes, oversee transportation and facilities and create standards for both charter and traditional public schools within IPS district boundaries. The legislation is a win for most Indianapolis-based charter schools, whose leaders mainly testified in support of the bill due to the transportation benefits it would provide to charter schools. But some traditional public school advocates saw merit in the bill, too. It repeals the $1 law, which requires schools to make unused buildings available to charter schools for one dollar, and limits the number of charter authorizers for schools within the district. Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, said the legislation will help increase oversight of charter schools while creating savings opportunities for IPS, even though he opposed last session's revenue-sharing requirement. "I share your concern," Delaney told one Hoosier who testified against the bill. "I'm just stuck with the fact that we're giving IPS' money away, and we have to figure out what to do about it." A more powerful mayor One of the biggest concerns of traditional public school advocates was how the bill gives Mayor Joe Hogsett and future mayors full power over the board's composition. Advertisement Advertisement The nine members would include three current IPS board members, three charter school leaders and three additional appointees who either have expertise in the logistics of school operations or experience working with "vulnerable student populations." Some advocates feared this would insulate IPEC members from accountability and encourage "mayor-appointed privatizers." "By creating an appointed board," said Kristen Phair from the IPS Parent Council, "it will strip parents of their power." Some testifiers pointed out Hogsett's administration has been at the center of some controversies, a reference to allegations of sexual misconduct within his administration. Others requested amendments that would require members of the corporation to file economic interest forms and ensure the corporation is subject to Indiana's Open Door Law. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Bob Behning, the bill's author and House Education Committee chair, had previously expressed reservations about giving the mayor full authority to appoint members of the corporation. But the mayor's control over the independent corporation was a key part of the vision of early education reformers like the pro-charter nonprofit The Mind Trust, whose 2011 report House Bill 1423 appears to mimic. It's not a novel concept, either. Both Chicago and New York City mayors wield significant power over schools, though Chicago will soon transition back to a fully elected school board while NYC's system continues to field criticism for neglecting teacher and parent input. A troubled past The legislation that created ILEA passed the same legislative session that another, more controversial bill one that would dissolve IPS entirely failed. For some Indianapolis-based lawmakers and advocates, the bill was a signal of what could happen if IPS did not compromise. So instead, lawmakers passed legislation to require public schools to share property tax revenue with charter schools. Advertisement Advertisement The legislature's focus on IPS stems from decades of challenges. The district has lost 87,000 students since 1971 and closed dozens of schools. The district was the subject of a desegregation court order in 1971, during which already falling enrollment continued as White families fled the district and some Black families moved away when they could no longer send their children to neighborhood schools. Though IPS' enrollment problems have slowed, the district faces a rocky road ahead. Projects will run out of money when referendum funds expire in 2026, and the district will have to begin sharing property tax revenue with charter schools in 2028. Tina Ahlgren, an IPS teacher who was the sole member of the ILEA to vote against the recommendations, is well aware of the district's fraught history. Though she sees merit in what the bill could do for IPS, she said she worries that the shift may be too rushed. "My nightmare again is that we wake up in a decade and we're in the same place," she said, "or worse." Advertisement Advertisement 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: 'The last straw for IPS': Indianapolis mayor would wield greater power under education bill Somalia tore up its agreements with the United Arab Emirates after UAE-backed Yemeni separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi illegally entered the Gulf Arab country through the breakaway region of Somaliland, a top minister has said. Ali Omar, Somalias state minister for foreign affairs, told Al Jazeera that the entry of al-Zubaidi, leader of the now-defunct Southern Transitional Council (STC), into Somali territory on January 8 was the last straw that prompted Mogadishu to cancel all deals with Abu Dhabi. Somalias immigration authority said it launched an investigation into reports of the alleged unauthorized use of Somalias national air space and airports to facilitate the movements of a fugitive political figure. Advertisement Advertisement The decision to cancel the deals, announced by Somalias Council of Ministers on Monday, annuls agreements spanning port operations, security cooperation and defence. Using Somalias airspace, Somalias airfields to smuggle a fugitive is not something that Somalia condones, Omar said, describing how al-Zubaidi allegedly travelled on a UAE-registered cargo plane from Berbera port to Mogadishu. He said Somali authorities received the planes manifest, but al-Zubaidis name was not listed, suggesting he was hiding aboard. Omar emphasised that while the incident triggered the decision, it reflected deeper frustrations with the UAEs conduct in Somalia. It was one of the reasons we took this action. Not the reason, but one of the reasons, he said. We tried to deal with them diplomatically, but now we have decided to take action. Diplomacy didnt work, and so now the constitution has to work. Advertisement Advertisement The announcement has exposed deep fractures in Somalias federal system, which grants member states significant autonomy over their affairs. Within hours of the decision, two regions with close commercial and security ties with the UAE rejected Mogadishus authority to cancel the agreements. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but lacks international recognition, also closely aligned with Abu Dhabi, rejected it too. The minister said Somalia had exhausted diplomatic channels before taking action. We were hoping things would change, but it did not change, Omar told Al Jazeera, adding that the country is claiming its sovereignty again, and we are asking people to respect that. Advertisement Advertisement He drew parallels between Somalias situation and Yemens conflict, praising Saudi efforts to stabilise the country and noting that a stable Yemen helps stabilise Somalia and vice versa. A broader regional convergence of interests with Riyadh forms the backdrop to this decision, following Saudi Arabias move to push the UAE-backed STC out of Yemen and its adoption of a more assertive posture against Abu Dhabi. Somalias Information Minister Daud Aweis insisted the decision wasnt taken under Saudi pressure in an interview with Al Jazeera. The UAE has not commented on the allegations or Somalias decision to cancel agreements. Advertisement Advertisement Somalias move comes amid anger in Mogadishu over what officials view as the UAEs significant influence through large infrastructure investments in breakaway and autonomous regions. According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a Washington-based research institution, Emirati investments in East Africa total approximately $47bn, accounting for more than half of Gulf funding flowing into the area. There was a time that Somalia accepted any help that it could get, regardless of how it came through. But that has created challenges, Omar said. Today we have an established government system that needs to be respected, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Somalia is trying to reclaim its sovereignty and asking the international community and other partners to deal with state-to-state, rather than state-to-non-state actors. Israeli recognition fuels tensions The breakdown in relations also follows Israels recognition of Somaliland in December, a move many Somalis believe the UAE facilitated. The UAE has not commented on that allegation. While the UAE declined to sign a joint Arab-Islamic statement in December condemning Israels recognition of Somaliland, on January 7, it released a joint statement with the African Union pledging support for Somalias sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability. Omar expressed confidence that no other countries would follow Israels lead, citing diplomatic outreach and continental concerns. Advertisement Advertisement I dont think so. And I hope that will not happen. I think we have done enough diplomatic outreach throughout the world, he said. Dozens of countries and international bodies have condemned the move, and while Trump said he would not follow Israels decision, he added that the matter was under review. He said other countries shared challenges with separatist movements and warned that it could open a Pandoras box. I dont think the world is ready to make that kind of action, he said. Omar also pointed to internal divisions within Somaliland on the issue of whether separate statehood in the north is the right move. Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991, has been one of the most stable parts of Somalia and boasts its own currency, flag, central bank, and distinct political identity. Advertisement Advertisement After Somalilands President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, announced Israels recognition in December, he said that the existence of a separate state did not mean that the cultural, ethnic, and religious bonds among Somalis had been severed. Omar, the Somali minister, explained that the region comprises five major clans, with two eastern clans having already separated from Somaliland to form the Northeast State, while similar dynamics are emerging in the west. There isnt sufficient momentum for separatism, he said. The minister warned that reports of a potential Israeli military base in Somaliland pose broader regional security risks. The region has enough mess, enough trouble, enough insecurity. To bring Israel into the region will only create more challenges, he said, cautioning that such a presence would attract armed fighters to an area where ISIL (ISIS) and al-Shabab already operate. This will only destabilise an already stable part of Somalia. President Donald Trump has set his sights on several targets in the Western Hemisphere beyond Venezuela from Mexico with its drug cartels to the political cause celebre of Cuba. But one place is oddly missing from Trumps list: Nicaragua. This is a country led not by one, but two dictators. A place where the opposition has been exiled, imprisoned or otherwise stifled so much the word totalitarian comes to mind. A place the first Trump administration named alongside Cuba and Venezuela as part of a troika of tyranny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet its barely been mentioned by the second Trump administration. That could change any moment, of course, but right now Nicaragua is in an enviable position in the region. That got me wondering: What is the regime in Managua doing right to avoid Trumps wrath? What does it have that others dont? Or, maybe, what does it not have? And what does Nicaraguas absence from the conversation say about Trumps bigger motives? Current and former government officials and activists gave me a range of explanations, including that the regime is making smart moves on battling drug trafficking, that its benefiting from a lack of natural resources for Trump to covet and that it doesnt have a slew of migrants in the U.S. Taken together, their answers offer one of the strongest arguments yet that Trumps actions in the Western Hemisphere or beyond are rarely about helping oppressed people and more about U.S. material interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lesson from Nicaragua is: Dont matter too much, dont embarrass Washington and dont become a domestic political issue, said Juan Gonzalez, a former Latin America aide to then-President Joe Biden. For an administration that doesnt care about democracy or human rights, thats an effective survival strategy for authoritarians. Some Nicaraguan opposition leaders say they remain optimistic, and I cant blame them. Trump is rarely consistent about anything. Hes threatening to bomb Iran right now because, he says, he stands with protesters fighting an unjust regime (albeit one with oil). So maybe he might direct some fury toward Nicaragua? The fact that Nicaragua is not at the center of the current conversation doesn't mean that Nicaragua is irrelevant, Felix Maradiaga, a Nicaraguan politician in exile, told me. It means that the geopolitical interests of the U.S. right now are at a different place. Nicaragua is run by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, a husband and wife who take the term power couple somewhat literally. They are now co-presidents of the Central American nation of 7 million. Over the years, theyve rigged elections, wrested control over other branches of the government and crushed the opposition, while apparently grooming their children to succeed them. It has been a strange and circular journey for a pair of one-time Sandinista revolutionaries who previously fought to bring down a dynastic dictatorship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans have fled the impoverished country, some to the United States. Meanwhile, the regime has enhanced ties to Russia, China and other U.S. adversaries, while having rocky relations with Washington. Nicaragua is part of a free trade agreement with Washington, but it has also faced U.S. sanctions, tariffs and other penalties for oppressing its people, eroding democracy and having ties to Russia. Even the current Trump administration has used such measures against it, but the regime hasnt buckled. Nicaraguan officials I reached out to didnt respond with a comment. Several factors appear to make Nicaragua a lower priority for Trump. Unlike Venezuela, Nicaragua isnt a major source of oil, the natural resource Trump covets most. It has gold, but not enough of that or other minerals to truly stand out. (Although yes, I know, Trump loves gold.) Its also not a major source of migrants to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides, Trump has largely shut down the border. Unlike Panama, another country Trump has previously threatened, it doesnt have a canal key to global commerce, although theres occasional talk of building one. Nicaragua may be placating the president and his team by taking moves to curb drug trafficking. At least, thats what a White House official told me when I sought comment from the administration on why Nicaragua has not been a focus. Nicaragua is cooperating with us to stop drug trafficking and fight criminal elements in their territory, the official said. I granted the White House official anonymity to discuss a sensitive national security issue. Its difficult to establish how this cooperation is happening, and the White House official didnt offer details. In fact, there were reports last year of tensions between the two countries over the issue. A federal report in March said the U.S. will terminate its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) operations in Nicaragua in 2025, partly due to the lack of cooperation from Nicaraguas agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DEA didnt reply when I asked if it had followed up with that plan, but its possible the regime has become more helpful recently. The U.S. and Nicaraguas cooperation on drugs has waxed and waned over the years. In any case, although drug runners use Nicaraguan territory, its not a major cartel hub compared to some other countries facing Trumps ire, such as Mexico. Some Nicaraguan opposition activists have been hoping that U.S. legal moves against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro would expose narcotrafficking links between Managua and Caracas, providing a reason for the U.S. to come down harder on the regime. Theyve pointed to a 2020 U.S. criminal indictment of Maduro that mentioned Nicaragua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the latest indictment, unveiled upon Maduros Jan. 3 capture, doesnt mention Nicaragua. When I asked the White House official why the newer indictment doesnt mention Nicaragua, the person merely insisted that both indictments are valid. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment. Nicaraguan opposition leaders say that although the new indictment doesnt mention the country, they still hope it will come up during Maduros trial. My sense, though, is that Ortega and Murillo are cooperating just enough with the U.S. that the administration is willing to go easy on them for now. It probably also doesnt hurt that, despite railing frequently against Washington, Ortega and Murillo dont openly antagonize Trump himself. They may have learned a lesson from watching how hard Trump has come down on Colombias president for taunting him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another reason Nicaragua isnt getting much Trump attention? It is not a domestic political flashpoint in the U.S. Not, for example, the way Cuba has been for decades. The Cuban American community can move far more votes than the Nicaraguan American one. Plus, none of the aides closest to Trump are known to be too obsessed with Nicaragua. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has long denounced the Nicaraguan regime, but hes of Cuban descent and more focused on that islands fate. Cubas regime also is more dependent on Venezuela than Nicaraguas, making it an easier target. Ortega and Murillo arent sucking up to Trump and striking deals with him like another area strongman, El Salvadors Nayib Bukele. But, especially since the U.S. capture of Maduro, the pair seem bent on proving their anti-imperialist credentials without angering Trump. The results can be head-scratching. For example, in recent days, the regime is reported to have detained around 60 people for celebrating Maduros capture. But around the same time, the regime also reportedly freed tens of prisoners, at least some of whom were critics of Ortega and Murillo. Those people were released after the U.S. embassy in the country called on Nicaragua to follow in Venezuelas recent footsteps and release political prisoners. However, the regime is reported to have described the releases as a way to commemorate 19 years of its rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alex Gray, a former senior National Security Council official in the first Trump administration, argued that one reason the president and his current team should care more about Nicaragua is its ties to U.S. adversaries such as Russia and China ties that could grow if the U.S. ignores the Latin American country. Russia in particular has a strong security relationship with the regime in Managua. China has significantly expanded its ties in recent years, though more in the economic space. Iran also has warm relations with Managua. Nicaragua is the poster child for what Trumps own National Security Strategy called the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which warns the U.S. will deny its adversaries the ability to meddle in the Western Hemisphere, Gray said. The White House official said the administration is very closely monitoring Nicaraguas cooperation with U.S. rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even that may not be enough for Trump to prioritize Nicaragua. Regardless of what his National Security Strategy says, Trump has a mixed record of standing up to Russia and China, and Nicaraguas cooperation with them may not be as worrisome as that of a more strategically important country. With Trump, who himself often acts authoritarian, many things must fall in place at the right moment for him to care or act, and Nicaraguan opposition activists havent solved that Rubiks Cube. Many are operating in exile. (In 2023, Ortega and Murillo put 222 imprisoned opposition activists on a plane to the U.S., then stripped them of their Nicaraguan citizenship. Many are now effectively stateless but vulnerable to Trumps immigration crackdown.) It's not lost on these activists that Trump has left much of Maduros regime in place in Venezuela. It suggests Trump values stability over democracy, human rights or justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some hope Ortega and Murillo will be weakened by the fall of their friend, Maduro. The two surely noticed how little Russia, China and others did to help the former leader. Maybe Nicaraguas co-dictators will ease up on internal repression as one reaction. When you get this kind of pressure, there are things that get in motion, said Juan Sebastian Chamorro, a Nicaraguan politician forced out of the country. They are feeling the heat. Washington A bipartisan congressional delegation will visit Denmark later this week for meetings as President Trump threatens to take over Greenland. Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware is leading the trip to Copenhagen, which includes several other members of Congress, including Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The group is expected to meet on Friday and Saturday with government officials and business leaders from Denmark and Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory. The trip comes as Mr. Trump has increasingly expressed a desire to acquire Greenland, and he has not ruled out military action. His remarks about potential military involvement have prompted bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who have said they do not support acquiring Greenland using military force, and backlash from Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement "If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland, and I am not going to let that happen," Mr. Trump said Sunday. Mr. Trump said he open to making a deal because "it's easier," but added that "one way or the other, we're going to have Greenland." Lawmakers said this week's trip is meant to show unity with Denmark, a NATO ally. "At a time of increasing international instability, we need to draw closer to our allies, not drive them away, and this delegation will send a clear message that Congress is committed to NATO and our network of alliances," Coons said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement "I believe it is critical that Congress stands united in supporting our allies and respecting the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland," Tillis said in a statement. Trump administration officials are set to meet with Danish officials about Greenland on Wednesday, diplomatic sources told CBS News. Eye Opener: Minnesota files lawsuit amid immigration raids surge Extended Interview: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes remembers Bob Weir as "a sharp guy who knew things about everything" French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has told a Paris court she hopes will overturn her conviction for embezzling EU funds that she had "no sense of having committed an offence". Le Pen, 57, was found guilty last year for hiring assistants who worked on her National Rally party's affairs rather than for the European Parliament (EP) that paid them. "The EP did not play its role of raising the alarm as it should have," she told judges at the start of an appeal trial against a conviction banning her from running for public office for five years. Advertisement Advertisement If the ban is upheld, she will not be able to stand in the 2027 presidential election. The case at the Paris Court of Appeal will last until 12 February but a ruling is not expected before the summer. Last year's case centred on charges that Le Pen, along with more than 20 other senior party figures, used European Parliament funding to pay for National Rally staff in France. Le Pen was given a four-year prison sentence with two years suspended and the remaining two to be served with an electronic tag rather than in custody. She was handed a 100,000 (82,635) fine and banned from seeking public office "with immediate effect". Advertisement Advertisement More than 20 RN figures were also found guilty in last year's trial and the party was ordered to pay a 2m fine, with half the amount suspended. Eleven of Le Pen's colleagues are taking part in the Paris appeal, but 12 have decided not to challenge the original verdicts, including her sister Yann Le Pen who was given a one-year suspended prison term. With Le Pen standing, presiding judge Michele Agi started the hearing by reading the charges and last-year's verdict. The RN leader then returned to her seat, in the company of some of the other co-defendants and her lawyers. Judge Agi then read a report summarising facts of the case, after which Le Pen and her co-defendants took the floor. Advertisement Advertisement "We have never concealed anything, neither in the publication of our organisational charts, nor in the contracts filed, nor in the numerous press articles," the RN leader said. Under the French legal system, an appeals court reviews the decision of the lower, first-instance court in its entirety - including facts as well as points of law. Le Pen will be hoping the Paris appeals court overturns last year's verdict and clears her name and path to run for the highest office in France for the fourth time. A second possible outcome would be for the appeals panel to affirm the guilty verdict but remove the "immediate effect" clause. This would enable her to run even if she decided to appeal to the country's highest court the Court of Cassation to overturn the guilty verdict. Advertisement Advertisement A third outcome could see the appeals judges curtail the five-year ban sufficiently to enable Le Pen to register by the March 2027 deadline. And a fourth would be to leave the lower court's decisions intact. This would make it next to impossible to run even though she would still be expected to take the case to the Court of Cassation. The fifth - which would definitely rule Le Pen out of the race - would be for the original conviction to be upheld and the sentence to be stiffened. After all, the offence may be punishable with up to 10 years in jail. With the presidential election expected to be held around April 2027, much will depend on the substance as well as the timing of the judgements. Advertisement Advertisement The far-right leader has twice made it to the run-off stage and many of her supporters think she has a chance of winning if she is cleared to run next year. On Monday, the president of her National Rally party, Jordan Bardella, said barring her from the election would be "deeply worrying for democracy". Bardella said he would not stand for president but would instead seek the lower-ranking post of prime minister. An opinion poll - published by Le Monde newspaper on the eve of the appeal - suggested Bardella may have a better chance of winning the French presidency - 49% against 18% for Le Pen. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung Tuesday to help "ensure regional stability", as Beijing pressures Tokyo over its stance on Taiwan. The two leaders met in Takaichi's picturesque home region of Nara in western Japan, days after Lee visited Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. They agreed to strengthen cooperation on economic security, regional and global issues, as well as artificial intelligence, according to South Korea's presidential office. Advertisement Advertisement Looming in the background of the meeting was Japan's heated diplomatic spat with China, triggered by Takaichi's suggestion in November that Japan could intervene militarily if China attacks Taiwan. China, which regards Taiwan as its own territory, reacted angrily, blocking exports to Japan of "dual-use" items with potential military applications, fuelling worries in Japan that Beijing could choke supplies of much-needed rare earths. Takaichi said she told Lee that "while advancing Japan-South Korea relations, both countries should cooperate to ensure regional stability and fulfill their respective roles". "As the environment surrounding both of our countries becomes ever more severe, our bilateral relations, as well as the cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States, are assuming greater importance," she later told a news conference. Advertisement Advertisement At the beginning of his meeting with Takaichi, Lee said that cooperation between the two US allies "is more important than ever". "In this increasingly complex situation and within this rapidly changing international order, we must continue to make progress toward a better future," Lee added. They agreed to continue their "shuttle diplomacy" of regular meetings, according to Takaichi, as well as work towards the complete denuclearisation of North Korea. Lee and Takaichi, who both took office in 2025, last met in October on the sidelines of the APEC regional summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. Advertisement Advertisement It is Lee's second visit to Japan since August, when he met Takaichi's predecessor Shigeru Ishiba. - Bitter memories - Lee and Takaichi will have dinner Tuesday, before visiting one of Japan's oldest temples in Nara on Wednesday. "Behind closed doors, the leaders will certainly discuss the current Japan-China crisis, as Beijing's retaliatory measures, including export controls, will have an impact on Korea as well," Benoit Hardy-Chartrand, an East Asian geopolitics expert at Temple University's Tokyo campus told AFP, with the supply chains of the three nations deeply intertwined. Advertisement Advertisement Lee said in an interview with Japanese public broadcaster NHK aired on Monday that it was not his place to "intervene or get involved" in the Japan-China row. "From the standpoint of peace and stability in Northeast Asia, confrontation between China and Japan is undesirable," he said. "We can only wait for China and Japan to resolve matters amicably through dialogue." Hardy-Chartrand said he believed "the South Korean government felt that it was necessary for President Lee to visit Japan not too long after going to China, in order to demonstrate that Seoul is not favouring one side over the other". Lee and Takaichi were also expected to discuss their relations with the United States because the unpredictable Trump "has put in doubt old certainties and highlighted the importance of strengthening their ties", he said. Advertisement Advertisement On the bilateral front, bitter memories of Japan's brutal occupation of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945 have cast a long shadow over Tokyo-Seoul ties. Lee's conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law in December 2024 and was removed from office, had sought to improve relations with Japan. Lee is also relatively more dovish towards North Korea than was Yoon, and has said that South Korea and Japan are like "neighbours sharing a front yard". hih/aph/abs Minneapolis has become a flashpoint for protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its tactics. The raids and protests continue across the country, including in Southern California. Social media posts on Monday alerted residents to ICE activity around Los Angeles, including near the Eagle Rock Plaza. In Highland Park, community members say immigration agents arrested a food vendor Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement "There was an empty taco stand, his van and many people from the neighborhood were helping put all the stuff away into the van so it could be taken and brought back to his family," said Darren Golt, who witnessed the aftermath of the arrest. Residents in Los Angeles' Silver Lake neighborhood said an immigration arrest occurred on Friday. Video of the incident shows a person on the ground being placed in handcuffs. A woman who asked that her face and name not be shared said the man seen being taken away by immigration agents is her godfather, Rafael. She and other neighbors say Rafael has been a fixture in the neighborhood for about 40 years, collecting recyclables and doing handyman work. Advertisement Advertisement She noted that family and neighbors have hope that Rafael will be OK as they try to secure an attorney for him. The goddaughter said Rafael saw immigration agents chasing two other men, became scared and ran. Rafael was the one who was caught and taken into custody. Over the weekend in Downey, immigration agents detained nearly a dozen people. In a written statement to Eyewitness News, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said, "On January 10, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) conducted a targeted immigration operation in Downey, California, resulting in the arrest of 11 illegal aliens from Mexico and El Salvador that have all broken the immigration laws of the nation." Several incidents involving immigration agents were reported on Saturday in Downey, including activity captured on video in a Home Depot parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement In another incident in Downey, video shows the attempted detention of two landscapers. Witnesses say two landscapers were confronted and grabbed by what appears to be immigration agents as they tried to take them into custody. As neighbors began to come outside, the landscapers were released, and the agents drove away. In the video, an agent inside a car was seen pointing a gas canister at people on the street who were filming. New video of an attempted immigration detention in Downey as tensions remain high across the country following the deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Neighbors say one of the landscapers has a green card and has lived in the U.S. for 40 years. The other has a valid work permit that he was carrying with him at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Eyewitness News spoke with Victor Correa, who shot cellphone video of the Downey arrests. "Stay active. Be vigilant. Be an active witness. Create awareness. Don't be afraid to get up close. Now obviously, don't interfere, but make sure that you're trying to see why they're detaining them, if they have a warrant, ask the people what their name is. Because if they are detained, we want to get their information so we can pass it along to their families. We don't want this happening anymore in our city," Correa said. In a statement, Downey councilmember Mario Trujillo said the city was not given any warning that immigration agents were coming in this weekend, and he noted that city police are not helping immigration agents. By Laila Bassam BEIRUT, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Lebanese prosecutors have indicted former central bank governor Riad Salameh and two lawyers on charges including embezzlement of public funds, forgery and illicit enrichment, judicial authorities said on Tuesday. Salameh, who headed the Lebanese Central Bank for three decades, was detained for about 13 months over alleged financial crimes committed during his tenure and was released in September after paying record bail of more than $14 million. The banker, who remains in Lebanon and is subject to a travel ban, has denied any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement According to a copy of the indictment issued by Beirut's indictment chamber seen by Reuters, the panel accused Salameh alongside lawyers Marwan Issa el-Khoury and Michel John Tueni of embezzling $44.8 million from what it described as a central bank "consultancy account". It said the chamber also approved a request by the financial public prosecutor to widen investigations into how funds were moved into and out of banks without senior bank managers notifying the central bank's Special Investigation Commission. KHOURY SAYS HE HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF 'CONSULTANCY ACCOUNT' In a statement to Reuters, Khoury said he had no knowledge of the "consultancy account" referenced in the charge, had not been involved in the central bank's financial transactions and had never received funds from the institution. Advertisement Advertisement He said the indictment itself called for a continuation of the inquiry and that there should not have been an accusation against him before the investigation was complete. Khoury said the inquiry had already proved that he had not received any funds from the central bank or any fees in relation to its financial transactions. Tueni could not be reached for comment. The indictment follows earlier moves by the central bank to file a criminal complaint against a former senior bank official at the central bank, a former banker and a lawyer over alleged illicit enrichment through misuse of public funds, the bank's acting governor Wassim Mansouri has said. Advertisement Advertisement Salameh, whose 30-year term ended amid a cascade of domestic and international investigations, has been under scrutiny over allegations that more than $300 million was siphoned off between 2002 and 2015. The central bank has said it will act as a principal plaintiff in a state investigation into Forry Associates, a company suspected of receiving commissions from commercial banks and transferring them abroad. The company is controlled by Salameh's brother Raja, who also denies wrongdoing. The Salameh brothers are under investigation in France, Germany, Switzerland and other countries over alleged embezzlement. (Reporting by Laila Bassam; Additional reporting by Maya Gebeily; Writing by Jana Choukeir; editing by Mark Heinrich and Sharon Singleton) A Lebanon man has pleaded guilty to murder in connection to the May 2024 shooting death of his wife, according to the 15th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Steven Yarbrough, 44, was sentenced to life in prison after he pleaded guilty in court Jan. 13 to premeditated first degree murder and aggravated assault in Wilson County. Yarbrough was also sentenced to three years for aggravated assault to be served simultaneously with the life sentence, according to Assistant District Attorney General Tammy Meade. Advertisement Advertisement Catara Yarbrough was fatally shot at The Ridge at Lebanon apartments on Fairview Avenue. Police found her suffering from multiple bullet wounds, according to the city's police department at the time. Steven Yarbrough, front, is brought into a Wilson County courtroom on Jan. 12, 2026. Catara Yarbrough was taken to Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital, where she died, police have said. The aggravated assault conviction involved a different person, identified as a friend of Catara Yarbrough, according to the prosecution's evidence. Catara Yarbrough had gone to the friend's apartment upstairs. Eventually, Steven Yarbrough went to the friend's apartment and pointed a gun at the friend, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Steven Yarbrough fled the area after the shooting, but eventually turned himself in, according to police at the time. Catara Yarbrough was described as a caregiver to her ailing father in a GoFundMe description. Steven Yarbrough first appeared in front of Criminal Court Judge Brody Kane on Jan. 12, with the intent to enter the plea. However, the judge delayed the proceedings to make sure Yarbrough understood all aspects of the plea deal. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lebanon man pleads guilty to murder in wife's death, gets life Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler, R-Noblesville, speaks during an Indiana House committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13. 2026. (Photo by Tom Davies/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Hundreds of Indiana township governments could be forced into consolidation under a renewed attempt in the Legislature for streamlining the 1,000-plus such bodies across the state. A House committee on Tuesday advanced a proposal that would require many townships to merge with other townships, with others being taken over by city or county governments. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler, the author of House Bill 1315, said Indianas township government structure was developed for a different era when the state was more rural in the 1800s. The proposal would require consolidations by township units that dont operate fire departments, have fewer than 6,700 residents and dont meet a minimum level of emergency financial assistance distribution. A township with at least 80% of its territory and half of its population living within city limits would have its functions assumed by the city unless the township operates a fire department. If youre fully engulfed, or 80% engulfed, within another local unit of government as a township, theres a redundancy in services, said Shonkwiler, R-Noblesville. If youre not operating the fire department, my question is, why do we need another layer of government to do those other services? Long debate over townships Indianas township officials have long argued for the importance of the services they provide. That work includes providing emergency aid for expenses such as utilities and housing to low-income residents, with some townships also operating fire departments or parks and maintaining old cemeteries. Members of the Indiana House Local Government Committee discuss a bill on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Photo by Tom Davies/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Critics believe townships are inefficient and that those functions could be better operated by cities or counties. But numerous attempts in the Legislature for major reorganization of Indianas 1,008 townships have failed dating back to a 2007 report on local government reform headed by former Gov. Joe Kernan and then-Chief Justice Randall Shepard. Advertisement Advertisement A legislative analysis estimated about 650 townships could be forced into a consolidation under Shonkwilers bill. The House Local Government Committee voted 9-3 in favor of the bill, which now goes to the House Ways and Means Committee for a review of its financial impact before possibly advancing to the full House for action in the coming weeks. A Senate committee is scheduled to consider a differing township reorganization proposal, Senate Bill 270, on Thursday. Townships argue for different approach Dan Shackle, a lobbyist for Indiana Township Association, told the House committee that the group considered the Senate bill a better solution as it does not rely on a population level to force consolidations. Advertisement Advertisement But (it) rather uses performance metrics to distinguish efficient townships from underperforming ones, a solution which clearly guarantees continuity of important township services and a solution which does not allow for a requirement for taxpayers to pay taxes to an entity in which they have no representation, Shackle said. Several business organizations and city and county government groups spoke in favor of Shonkwilers proposal during Tuesdays committee hearing. Shonkwiler said after the meeting that she was concerned about efficiency and accountability for township government. I think weve seen too many media stories about townships, township trustees that have had some fraud or some embezzlement or mishandling of funds, or arent live streaming their meetings, or dont have a (board) quorum for a budget, Shonkwiler told the Indiana Capital Chronicle. Thats a concern. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Brief Missing Chicago teacher Linda Brown, 53, has been found dead; her family says her body was recovered from Lake Michigan, while police have not released details on the cause or timing. Brown was last seen early Jan. 3 after parking her car near the lakefront and walking toward a pedestrian bridge; she never attended a scheduled appointment and was reported missing later that day. Brown, a CPS special education teacher, is being mourned by her school community, which is offering grief counseling as the investigation continues. CHICAGO - After more than a week of uncertainty and mounting fear, a missing Chicago teacher has been found deceased. Advertisement Advertisement The body of Linda Brown, 53, was recovered Monday afternoon from Lake Michigan in the 31st Street Harbor following several days of searching the lakefront, according to her family. Chicago police confirmed Brown had been found but did not release any further details in the investigation. The backstory Brown was reported missing Saturday, Jan. 3, after she was last seen in the 4500 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the Bronzeville neighborhood. She is a Chicago Public Schools special education teacher. Her husband, Antwon Brown, said she had an acupuncture appointment scheduled for Saturday morning that she never attended. Advertisement Advertisement He said the night before her disappearance, the couple watched a movie before Brown went to bed. When he woke up the next morning, she was gone, he said. Family members tried contacting Brown through phone calls and text messages, but after receiving no response, she was reported missing. Relatives said Brown has a history of mental illness but had never gone missing before. On Thursday, the family released new details in their search. They said Browns blue Honda Civic was found near 35th Street and Lake Park Avenue. Surveillance video showed Brown parking her car, getting out and walking toward a pedestrian bridge leading to the lakefront, family members said. She appeared to be alone in the footage, recorded about 3 a.m. Jan. 3, the day she was reported missing. She was last seen walking across the bridge. Advertisement Advertisement A search party began looking for Brown along the lakefront Friday morning and has been ongoing since she was located on Monday. What they're saying Browns family spoke out about her death Monday evening in a statement, shared below: "It is with heavy hearts that we share an update regarding our beloved Linda Brown. "Today, Lindas body was found in the 31st Street Harbor along the Chicago lakefront. This is not the outcome we were hoping or praying for, but we are grateful that she has been found and can now be brought home to our family. "We want to extend our deepest and most sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us during this unimaginable time. To the individuals, organizations, volunteers, advocates, and members of the community who helped search, shared Lindas story, amplified her flyer, and stood beside our family your love, compassion, and tireless efforts will never be forgotten. The outpouring of support meant more to us than words can express. Advertisement Advertisement "At this time, we are respectfully asking for privacy as we grieve, process this loss, and come together as a family to honor Lindas life. "Thank you for continuing to hold our family in your thoughts and prayers. - Lindas Family" Brown's niece, Jen River, said her husband Antwon, is "beside himself" after learning she was found deceased. "He is beside himself, he is very, very upset. This wasn't the outcome any of us hoped for He really thought that we would bring Linda home safely and she would be alive and well. He is very deep in grief, having a hard time speaking and processing his thoughts," River said. "He just lost the love of his life." Advertisement Advertisement After Brown's story drew nationwide attention, the family also took time to address some of the rumors and speculations they said could now be put to rest. "Antwon has always been innocent. He's never been a suspect in this case We've seen a lot of apologies to Antwon. It doesn't matter now but I'm glad people are seeing who Antwon truly is. I'm glad the facts have been released and we can now move on as a family," River said. Principal of Robert Healy Elementary School, where Brown was employed, issued a statement on her passing in a letter to the school community, shared below: "Dear Healy Community, "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. "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. "Sincerely, Principal Kamradt" What's next Details on funeral arrangements haven't yet been announced. We'll bring more updates to this story as they become available. The Source The information in this article was provided by Chicago police, Linda's family and previous FOX 32 reporting. Nerijus Aleksiejunas, Lithuania's Ambassador to the European Union, has said that his country opposes proposals to resume dialogue between the EU and Russia. Source: Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT Details: Aleksiejunas said that at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU had agreed on conditions under which contacts with Moscow could be resumed but stressed that those conditions were far from being met. Advertisement Advertisement He noted that there was still no argument suggesting that anything had changed on Russia's side and underlined that this was a commitment agreed unanimously, meaning that any change in policy would also require a unanimous decision. He also said that the EU still had the opportunity to be involved in peace negotiations on Ukraine, adding that while the union might not be at the very centre of the negotiating table, it remained close to the process and was being kept informed. Background: On 12 January, European Commission Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho said that talks would take place with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin at a certain stage of the process of establishing peace in Ukraine, with the EU also taking part. Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe must find a way to engage directly with the Russian leader. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed with this position. For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he does not oppose direct negotiations between European states and Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Eight candidates for Naples City Council are making their pitch at a live forum Tuesday night, Jan. 13, for why residents should back them at the voting booth next month. A two-hour question-and-answer forum begins at 5 p.m. and wraps up at 7 p.m. It is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Collier County. Co-moderators are Wendy Fullerton Powell, executive editor of the Naples Daily News and Florida Region Editor for USA TODAY; and John Davis, assistant news director WGCU Public Media. Advertisement Advertisement The forum was livestreamed at the city government site at naplesgov.com. Here is the video: https://naplesfl.new.swagit.com/play/372031/4 Local channels to watch it will be Comcast channel 98 and Summit channel 95. Only voters living within the Naples city limits are eligible to vote in the Feb. 3 elections. City leaders have been grappling with recovery from Hurricane Ians wrath in 2022, which includes rebuilding the landmark Naples Pier, and extensive redevelopment plans by developers in both commercial and residential areas who seek to maximize density. Another focus is upgrades and maintenance of critical infrastructure, such as the stormwater management system. Who is running for Naples City Council in 2026? While there are eight candidates, three seats on the council are up for grabs. Advertisement Advertisement Candidates include one current council member, Ray Christman, and two who served on the council previously. They are Ted Blankenship and Penny Taylor. The five other candidates are Dan Barone, John J. Krol, John A. Langley, Sally Petersen and Scott T. Schultz. The nonpartisan elections are for three seats on the seven-member board that includes the mayor. Council members serve four-year terms. Council member Beth Petrunoff and Terry Hutchison are not seeking re-election. Brief backgrounds of the candidates for Naples City Council DAN BARONE Barone grew up in Naples. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Florida in 2004 and an MBA in 2022 from the Florida Gulf Coast University. He has a real estate Brokers license. Advertisement Advertisement He worked for a time for his familys construction business in Naples until forming a consulting firm, Barone & Cola CPAs. He is married with two children. He serves on the Naples Planning Advisory Board. His five-point platform calls for leading common sense government, promoting a positive and intentional staff culture and prioritizing residents needs. The last two involve instilling accountability and responsibility, and focusing on the future. His website is DanforNaples.com TED BLANKENSHIP Blankenship worked for 30 years in diversified global corporations, including two overseas tours in London and Zurich. He retired as an audit and advisory services partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers; CPA. He is married with three children. He was elected to serve on the city council in 2020 and decided to run for mayor in 2024 as opposed to seeking a second term on the council. He was defeated. Advertisement Advertisement His campaign website says he stands for ending overdevelopment, advocating for storm readiness and recovery, and cutting wasteful spending. He aims to protect the waterways and protect local control and support for local law enforcement. His website is tedblankenship.com. RAY CHRISTMAN Christman has an undergraduate degree in business from Florida State University and a masters degree in city planning from the University of Pittsburgh. He served as Pennsylvania Secretary of Commerce and headed both the Pittsburgh and Atlanta Federal Home Loan Banks. He was first elected to the council in April 2019 during a special election and reelected in 2022. He and his wife were regular visitors to Naples and have owned a home in the city since 2003. They have three grown children. Advertisement Advertisement In his campaign platform, he calls for protecting quality of life through four key platforms. They are having properly staffed public safety resources, mitigating flood risk through planning and investment, preventing overdevelopment and sound fiscal management. His website is christmanforcouncil.com. JOHN KROL Krol has lived in Naples for 22 years. He has an undergraduate degree in finance and an MBA in business. He served 16 years as a vice president at Goldman Sachs and five years as a managing director at Schwab Capital Markets. He serves on the citys code enforcement board. His campaign is focusing on having a safe and prosperous community, promoting inclusion and preserving wildlife and clean water. He wants to update the citys infrastructure and promote more government transparency. His website is krolforcouncil.com JOHN LANGLEY Langley moved to Naples in 2003. He has degree in accounting from the University of Florida and is a certified public accountant. He worked as a CPA in Jacksonville and founded MedScribe Information Systems and Medical Transcription Resources Inc. Advertisement Advertisement He is retired. He is married and has two children from a first marriage and three stepchildren. In his campaign platform, Langley calls for creating city concierge service for residents and addressing the conflict between the council and Naples Airport Authority. He said the city must deal with traffic, stormwater and flooding. Another focus is protecting the waterways. SALLY PETERSEN Petersen has been a resident of Naples since 2022. She previously lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she served on the Ann Arbor City Council. She has an MBA from Harvard University and her career was in customer satisfaction consulting; developing business strategies before serving on the Ann Arbor council. Advertisement Advertisement Later she chaired the Ann Arbor Commission on Disabilities Issues and served as Treasurer of Michigan League of Conservation Voter Education Fund. She is running to ensure neighborhood priorities are reflected in the new comprehensive plan, to defend home rule, and to manage growth responsibly. She will focus on exercising fiscal responsibility, make the downtown areas safe, walkable and accessible, and making sure natural resources are protected and will address stormwater risks. Her website is sally4naples.com. SCOTT SCHULTZ Schultz has been a resident for 21 years and worked in money management as an investment management firm owner before retiring in 2017. He graduated from Michigan State University. He is married and has two grown children. Advertisement Advertisement He talks of smart growth and stopping zoning variances and making sure projects fit and protecting home rule. He is advocating for safeguarding the citys infrastructure, digital systems, and public utilities from flooding, aging, and cyber threats. He wants to build a strong relationship with Collier County Commission on shared challenges like infrastructure, flooding, and transportation. He serves on the Naples Planning Advisory Board. His website is schultzfornaples.com. Taylor is a professional photographer who served on the Naples council from 2000 to 2010, with two years as vice mayor from 2008 to 2010. Advertisement Advertisement She served on the Collier County Commission from 2014 to 2022 and as the board chairwoman in 2017 and 2022. Additional public service includes serving on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Tourist Development Council and on the FAC Water & Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee. Building resiliency is a top priority, so is preventing overdevelopment. She said the council has alienated key state and federal partners that could help Naples fund critical resilience. Her website is votepenny.com. Liz Freeman is a health care reporter. Reach her by emailing lfreeman@naplesnews.com Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Watch: 8 Naples, Florida city council candidates compete for 3 seats BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Louisiana pushed Tuesday to extradite a California doctor accused of mailing abortion pills, setting up a likely test of laws designed to protect telehealth providers who ship abortion pills nationwide. This is the second time Louisiana has pursued an out-of-state doctor under its abortion restrictions, with Republican Gov. Jeff Landry saying on social media that he wants to bring the abortion provider to justice. The two criminal cases pit Louisiana, which has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country, against jurisdictions that have enacted what are known as shield laws for providers who facilitate abortions from afar in states with bans. Louisiana has a zero tolerance policy for those who subvert our laws, seek to hurt women, and promote abortion, Landry said in a post X announcing he'd sent the extradition paperwork. California Gov. Gavin Newsoms office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Advertisement Advertisement Remy Coeytaux, a physician in the San Francisco Bay Area, faces a criminal charge of abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced Tuesday. If convicted, the doctor could face up to 50 years in jail and fines, Murrill said. An email and a telephone message seeking comment were left for Coeytaux. According to court documents, he is accused of mailing mifepristone and misoprostol in 2023 to a Louisiana woman who sought the medication through Aid Access, a European online telemedicine service. The woman took the pills in combination to end her pregnancy, investigators wrote in the indictment, which says authorities confirmed Coeytaux as the sender. Murrill told The Associated Press she believes this is not the only time he sent abortion pills into our state and that it probably won't be the last time we will indict him. Advertisement Advertisement The Center for Reproductive Rights, a legal advocacy group that is representing Coeytaux against civil charges, stressed that the criminal charge in Louisiana is an allegation. While we cant comment on this matter itself, one thing is clear the state of Louisiana is going after doctors for allegedly harming women, yet they are enforcing an abortion ban that puts womens lives at risk every day, Nancy Northup, president of the group, said in a written statement. Coeytaux is also the subject of a separate federal lawsuit filed in July in Texas, where a man alleges the doctor illegally provided abortion medication to his girlfriend. Medication abortion has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration since 2000. Louisiana bans abortion at all stages of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest. Physicians convicted of providing abortions face up to 15 years in prison and $200,000 in fines. Last year, state lawmakers passed additional restrictions targeting out-of-state prescribers and reclassified mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled dangerous substances. Advertisement Advertisement The law came after an arrest warrant was issued in Louisiana in a separate case for a New York doctor accused of mailing abortion pills to a pregnant minor. In that case, officials said the minors mother ordered the medication online and directed her daughter to take it. The mother was later arrested, pleaded not guilty and was released on bond. That case appeared to be the first of its kind since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Louisiana also sought that doctors extradition, but New York Gov. Kathy Hochul refused, saying her states shield laws were designed to protect providers who offer abortion care to patients in states with bans or where telehealth prescribing is restricted. New York and California are among eight states with such protections, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. A brass relief sculpture of state troopers at the entrance of Louisiana State Police headquarters in Baton Rouge. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator) A three-year analysis of Louisiana State Police data shows troopers use force against Black people at a rate thats out of proportion with their share of the states population. Black residents represent 31% of Louisiana population, yet they accounted for 902 use-of-force incidents involving state troopers from 2022-24, or 60.5% of all recorded, according to a data analysis report from Innocence and Justice Louisiana. White residents, who account for 61% of the state population, were involved in 341 or 23%. Advertisement Advertisement Another 11% of use-of-force incidents were reported with the race of the suspect listed as unknown, which could mean the disparities could be higher or lower, said Esme Lee, data and community coordinator for Innocence and Justice Louisiana. There was a high category of unknown citizen race entries in that incident data, so that does limit the precision of our analysis, Lee said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Racial disparities were present across all 10 State Police regional troops, with the largest occurring in Troop D in Southwest Louisiana, according to the report. Black and Native American residents in that area were involved in use of force incidents at a rate three times higher than their population percentages. Advertisement Advertisement Capt. Russell Graham, State Police public affairs commander, said the data provided to Innocence and Justice Louisiana doesnt provide the complete picture. In response to questions about the groups findings, Graham provided the Illuminator a breakdown for 2024 that separates LSP vehicle pursuit interventions, or how troopers ended chases, from other uses of force. He acknowledged these details were not provided to Innocence and Justice Louisiana for its data analysis. While the numbers are accurate, its not a fair depiction of our stats, Graham said about the Innocence and Justice report. Lee said her organization considered how the FBI collects and reports use-of-force data for its database. The bureau does not exclude vehicle pursuits, listing them as a reason for initial contact. LSPs current practice of including pursuits in its use-of-force data is therefore not inconsistent with national standards; rather, it reflects a more granular, tactic-level approach to capturing high-risk enforcement actions, Lee said. Reclassifying pursuits outside of use-of-force reporting would reduce transparency and break continuity with both LSPs historical data and broader accountability norms. Advertisement Advertisement The State Police breakdown shows troopers ended 303 vehicle pursuits in 2024 with termination techniques such as stop spikes and other tire deflation devices. At the end of those pursuits, troopers used their stun guns 33 times, were hands on with suspects in 26 incidents and used firearms twice. Graham said the vast majority of Louisiana State Police pursuits are related to speeding motorists. Were not looking at anything besides speed, he said. Youre not looking at the color of someones skin, whether theyre male or female or even what theyre driving. Its troopers running down the road in one direction, catching somebody speeding in the opposite direction. Whether race is a factor in pursuits is analytically distinct from whether their impacts are racially disparate, Lee said. The Innocence and Justice report does not assert Louisiana State Polices use of force is racially motivated, she stressed. Instead, it documents the disparate outcomes of such incidents. Advertisement Advertisement The analysis evaluates how policing is experienced and distributed in practice not the subjective intent of individual officers, Lee said. Even when pursuits are initiated for speeding, repeated exposure to police contact, including pursuits, systematically increases the likelihood of escalation, serious use of force and harm. This distinction between causation and impact is intentional and central to the analysis. Separate from its vehicle pursuits, State Police reported 73 more hands on use-of-force incidents, 20 Taser incidents, two firearm discharges and one use of a chemical agent in 2024. After reviewing the data compilation from State Police, Lee noted it includes the same racial discrepancies as her report. It shows 307 Black suspects (64%) were involved in use-of-force and pursuit incidents, compared with 102 white suspects (21%). Public has struggled to access police discipline data Lees data work will be uploaded to the Louisiana Law Enforcement Accountability Database, or LLEAD for short. The project that is independent of any policy agency will allow the public to search online for officers with a history of infractions. Advertisement Advertisement The genesis of LLEAD was really wanting to be able to track officer histories of conduct and identify those patterns and practices of misconduct in order to aid our own case review, Lee said, but also to provide a public resource to individuals to hold officers accountable. The organization, which focuses on post-conviction relief for the wrongly incarcerated, is gathering information from more than 600 police agencies across the state to catalog complaints and use-of-force incidents. A state law approved last year requires police departments statewide to report all use-of-force incidents that result in bodily injury. The impetus for the Shantel Arnold Act was a 2021 incident in which a Jefferson Parish sheriffs deputy was captured dragging the laws namesake, a Black woman, by her hair and slamming her into the ground. The sheriffs office settled a civil lawsuit Arnold brought for $300,000, but the agency continued to employ her assailant, Deputy Jose Alvarado, despite a lengthy record of excessive force complaints. Innocence and Justice is seeking all complaints against law enforcement officers for its database, including those deemed unsubstantiated through internal investigations to avoid instances where departments opted against discipline or dismissal for problem officers, Lee said. Advertisement Advertisement The group has also requested full officer history reports from the Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, the state body that certifies police. Lee said the council has not responded to a request it made for those records in September. A coalition of news organizations made a comparable request in 2022 and was denied. The POST Council initially quoted a cost of $21,000 to fulfill the request, but it was winnowed down to $1,300 before the request was shot down. Reached by phone, POST Council executive director Jim Craft, a former Lafayette police chief, said a request of that scope would create a tremendous workload for his staff, who he described as very small and very busy. The council tracks the status of some 28,000 law enforcement officers in Louisiana. State law requires police departments to notify the POST Council in instances of officer misconduct. The council, composed of police chiefs, prosecutors and the state attorney general, can revoke an officers certification, often a requirement to hold a job in law enforcement. The disciplinary reporting also allows police departments to research a job applicants work and disciplinary history when hiring. New hires, retirements, resignations and deaths must also be reported, but Craft said not all police agencies provide this information on a timely basis. Advertisement Advertisement He expressed reservations about the Innocence and Justice LLEAD project because it will include unfounded complaints, resulting in some officers being wrongly branded. Graham said recent technology upgrades for Louisiana State Police will allow the agency to dive deeper into its use-of-force data so that it could inform training and practices for troopers. An online dashboard to make the information available to the public might also lie ahead, he added. Lee said she is encouraged that State Police is investing resources in transparency and data accessibility. Correction: The original version of this report included inaccurate information from Innocence and Justice Louisiana regarding its records request to the Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall has confirmed that a batch of Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles will arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks. While a single example has already been provided for evaluation, the next five vehicles are expected to make the types combat debut. The KF41 variant was unveiled in 2018 and is otherwise only used by Hungary. Its future success could depend on how it fares on the battlefield with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Rheinmetall announced yesterday that five KF41s funded by the German government will soon be in Ukraine, in line with a contract signed last month. A KF41 Lynx fires its gun while on the move during trials. Rheinmetall We are grateful for the trust that Ukraine has placed in us, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said in a company statement. He also thanked the German government for paying for the initial batch. Advertisement Advertisement The value of that contract is not known but is reported to be in the mid-double-digit million-euro range. More important is the potential for much larger procurement by Kyiv, potentially including setting up a Ukrainian production line. Ukraine made the decision to acquire the KF41 following the testing of a single evaluation example that was delivered in late 2024. Profile view of a KF41 Lynx with the door to the crew compartment open. Rheinmetall Nyakas Viktor www.zalafoto.hu Its also noteworthy that the version of the KF41 now headed to Ukraine has been specially adapted to local requirements. This includes a two-person Lance turret and other changes. The exact configuration of the Lance has not been revealed, but this is a highly modular turret that can accommodate a variety of weapons and sensors and is available in crewed and uncrewed configurations. So far, Lynx versions have appeared with Lance turrets armed with 30mm or 35mm autocannons. Advertisement Advertisement There is also provision for an anti-tank guided missile launcher, which has been demonstrated with a pair of Israeli-made Spike-LR missiles. Other payloads include small drones or loitering munitions, or additional equipment, while a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun is also a normal fixture. Overall, Rheinmetalls Lynx was designed with modularity in mind so that it can readily accept different mission modules to perform different roles. The company began work on the vehicle in 2015, originally as a competitor to the Puma, which the German Army eventually selected as a successor to its Cold War-era Marder infantry fighting vehicle. A German Army soldier in front of a Puma IFV. Rheinmetall The company developed the Lynx with an eye toward the export market and uses a greater number of commercial-off-the-shelf automotive parts and other existing components to reduce overall cost and potential strains on logistics chains. So far, however, the two major variants the company has shown publicly, the KF31 and KF41, are relatively similar. Advertisement Advertisement The KF41 has a larger overall configuration, though, with a weight of around 44 tons, almost 10 tons heavier than the KF31 and even bigger than the Puma in its base configuration. Within these main versions, Rheinmetall has also offered a variety of mission-specialist Lynx vehicles. These include a mortar carrier, heavy fire support vehicle, self-propelled anti-aircraft gun with Skyranger 30 air defense turret, command and control vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, recovery vehicle, and ambulance. Any of these could also be attractive to Ukraine, with a common platform offering logistics advantages as well as economies of scale. A prototype KF41 Lynx fitted with a Skyranger 30mm air defense turret. Rheinmetall Otherwise, the KF41 has a standard crew of three as well as provisions to transport a squad of up to eight infantry. Like most modern infantry fighting vehicles, the Lynx is provided with sufficient firepower to engage enemy infantry as well as lightly armored targets. As well as the standard attributes of mobility and firepower, the design of the Lynx focuses on a high level of protection to defend against certain anti-armor weapons, medium-caliber ammunition, artillery shrapnel, and bomb blasts. There is also the option to add active protection systems if specified by the customer. Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Almost exactly a year ago, Rheinmetalls Papperger announced that a single KF41 had been delivered to Ukraine at the end of 2024. This first evaluation vehicle was produced at Rheinmetalls factory in Unterlu, Germany. 06 June 2023, Lower Saxony, Unterlu: Lynx infantry fighting vehicles stand in a Rheinmetall production hall. Photo: Philipp Schulze/dpa (Photo by Philipp Schulze/picture alliance via Getty Images) picture alliance However, in the future, additional KF41s could be manufactured in Ukraine. In 2023, Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraines then-Minister of Strategic Industries, announced plans for joint production of the vehicles with Rheinmetall. This was followed up in November of last year by Papperger proposing Ukrainian production lines for the Lynx, as well as the Fuchs and Panther vehicles. This would be broadly in line with a similar arrangement that Rheinmetall implemented in Algeria. Advertisement Advertisement As it stands, Ukraine will become the second country to introduce the KF41 to service, following Hungary, which received its first vehicles last December. These were manufactured in a purpose-built Rheinmetall facility in Szeged, Hungary. The Lynx KF41 in Hungarian Army service: Hungarian 30th Armored Infantry Brigade "Pal Kinizsi" pic.twitter.com/13yy3PAwAg (@cecilie0019) January 11, 2026 The payment of the first batch of Ukrainian KF41s by the German government underscores the military support that Berlin has provided to Kyiv since the start of Russias full-scale invasion. As of October last year, German military aid to Ukraine amounted to more than $23.3 billion. German military equipment transferred to Ukraine includes surplus Marder infantry fighting vehicles, as well as secondhand Soviet-designed BMP-1s that previously served with Germany but were later donated to Greece and Slovakia and then passed on to Ukraine with Berlins approval. Ukrainian soldiers disembark from a Marder IFV on December 7, 2023, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo by Roman Chop/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Roman Chop The case of the KF41, however, is somewhat different, since it is the first time that Germany is providing a vehicle in this class that is brand-new; in fact, not even in service with the German military. Advertisement Advertisement Rheinmetall clearly sees a market for a new-generation infantry fighting vehicle, optimized for export, to challenge more established designs like the U.S. Bradley and the Swedish CV90. A U.S. Army M2A3 Bradley from 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, moves into position to conduct a firing systems check at the Presidenski Range, Trzebien, Poland, in 2023. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Wallace Bonner As far as the Bradley is concerned, a version of the Lynx is also in the running to replace this vehicle with the U.S. Army. Under the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) program, or XM30, American Rheinmetall Vehicles and General Dynamics Land Systems are each building a prototype. Two previous efforts to replace the Bradley the Future Combat System (FCS) program and the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) program were cancelled. Already, the Lynx has been connected with around a dozen potential customers, but aside from Ukraine, only Hungary and Italy have so far placed firm orders. Much, therefore, could rest on whether the KF41 proves a success in Ukrainian hands, something that we might start to learn before too long. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com By Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Marco Rubio's sweeping influence in Trump's second administration juggling posts from secretary of state to national security advisor has sparked a wave of AI-generated memes, including a recent one portraying him in military garb as Venezuela's ruler. The online joke is particularly resonant for Rubio, a son of Cuban immigrants who long has trained his ire on the Communist-run nation's most important regional ally, Venezuela, and its longtime leader, Nicolas Maduro, who was seized by U.S. forces on January 3 on allegations of drug trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement The military success was a personal triumph for Rubio. But it could be a mixed political blessing for a man who ran for president in 2016 and is widely regarded as a leading contender in 2028. He is now charged with steering Venezuela from potential chaos in the vacuum created by Maduro's capture toward the democratic future he once envisioned as a junior senator, tightly binding his political fortunes to those of the country itself. Rubio mounted an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2016, losing a bruising primary to Donald Trump, and in 2028 could find himself competing with Vice President JD Vance for the Republican nomination. Vance favors restraint in foreign policy, a contrast to Rubio's hawkish record, which has drawn criticism from some in Trump's MAGA movement who view him as a neoconservative who advocates for more U.S. intervention abroad. "The administration is going to be dealing with Venezuela for months and probably years to come, and this could well be a millstone around Marco Rubio's neck, politically and otherwise," said Justin Logan, director of defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Vance's office did not have a comment for this story. Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department, disputed there was any difference in approach within the administration and said Washington's phased plan for Venezuela included political reconciliation and ultimately normalization. "The entire administration is unified in fulfilling President Trump's goal - moving Venezuela from a country oppressed by a narcoterrorist illegitimate regime that threatens our security, to a stable country that is a partner in the region," Pigott said. EXILE POLITICS The Venezuela operation has already burnished Rubio's image among some online supporters who see him as the competent face of an often chaotic administration. Advertisement Advertisement It has also given him a boost in his home state of Florida, where he spent part of his childhood among Miami's staunchly anti-communist Cuban community, an experience that former aides say fundamentally shaped his worldview. The fight against communism and socialism is "part of his DNA" and "central to his political identity," said Cesar Conda, a Republican strategist who was Rubio's chief of staff from 2011 to 2014. "This is OUR hemisphere, and President Trump will not allow our security to be threatened," a social media post from Rubio's State Department read this week. Rubio's political base in Florida would be energized by a return to democracy in Venezuela, and even more so if the administration can use its removal of Maduro to bring about change in Cuba, which relies on Venezuela for subsidized oil imports. Trump has said no more Venezuelan oil or money will go to Cuba and suggested Havana should strike a deal with Washington. Advertisement Advertisement The Venezuela operation was immensely popular among Venezuelan and Cuban Americans in South Florida, a potential help to Republicans in the 2026 mid-terms, Ford O'Connell, a Florida-based Republican political strategist, argued. Still, he added, Latin American policy was unlikely to affect the make-up of the Republican 2028 presidential ticket. Trump is the kingmaker, and as of now is leaning toward Vance, O'Connell said. Trump himself has repeatedly nodded to both Rubio and Vance as potential successors, making clear both are frontrunners in his eyes, as well as possible running mates for each other. "I think if they ever formed a group, it'd be unstoppable," Trump said in October. Advertisement Advertisement A DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION? Rubio, 54, made his mark in the Senate railing against the socialist government in Caracas and in particular its close ties with Havana, and worked with the first Trump administration from 2017-2021 on ramping up sanctions on Venezuela. His first foreign trip as secretary of state underscored his focus. In February, during a swing through Central America and the Caribbean, he oversaw the formal seizure of a plane used by Delcy Rodriguez, then Maduro's vice president, that had been held by Dominican authorities. Rubio has backed Trump's decision to allow Rodriguez to remain in power, and has led the administration's contacts with the new leader. But he has longstanding ties to Venezuelan opposition leaders, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, and has spoken of his hopes of democracy for Venezuelans. Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, he outlined a three-phase plan where the U.S. would ensure stability in Venezuela, oversee a recovery in which U.S. companies would help rebuild the country's energy sector and members of the opposition would be released from jail or allowed to return from exile, before finally moving to a transition. On Friday, Venezuela began releasing prisoners, and Trump has met with oil executives to push them to invest. But the road to a democratic Venezuela remains long. Will Freeman, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said it remained unclear whether other top administration officials were invested in overseeing the full transition. Advertisement Advertisement "How is he going to convince Trump, most importantly, and a critical mass of other administration officials, that it's in their interests for things to advance beyond that phase two?" Freeman asked. (Reporting by Simon Lewis and Humeyra PamukAdditional reporting by Gram SlatteryEditing by Don Durfee and Rosalba O'Brien) Lindsey Halligans No. 2 at the ever-embattled district court for the Eastern District of Virginia was reportedly ousted after declining to lead the effort to re-indict James Comey and secretly meeting with federal judges to get her job. Robert McBride, 64, is out as Halligans deputy after just a few months on the job, several sources told MS NOW. He was formerly a federal prosecutor in Kentucky and was brought into the office late last year. McBride was asked in recent days to take charge of the case against the former FBI director, but he told top Justice Department officials it would be difficult to do that while also running the office, according to the outlet. James Comey was fired as FBI director by Donald Trump in 2017. / Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Halligan, 36, also learned that her deputy had been quietly meeting with federal judges in the district behind her back. A source told MS NOW that the move was viewed as undermining the administration. Advertisement Advertisement NBC reported that McBrides meetings with federal judges were part of his efforts to get appointed as acting U.S. attorney. The Justice Departments leadership supported his termination, sources told the outlet. The Justice Department referred the Daily Beast to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, which declined to comment. James defense team argued that Halligan violated multiple ethical and secrecy rules in the case. / MARCO BELLO / AFP via Getty Images The controversy marks the latest blow to the beleaguered office led by a former beauty queen and ex-Trump attorney whose appointment was found to be illegal in November. Last week, a federal judge demanded that Halligan explain why she has remained in the role. The Trump administration is still appealing the ruling that dismissed Halligan and her cases against two of the presidents top enemies, Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The Times reported that Justice Department officials privately decided Halligan could remain in office because Judge Cameron McGowan Curries ruling did not expressly remove her. Advertisement Advertisement The administration has not given up on its pursuit of Comey and James. Federal prosecutors have begun probing financial transactions involving the New York attorney general and her longtime hairdresser, who was charged with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The Justice Department has also launched a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, the latest development in the presidents long-running campaign against his foes. The move prompted a rare video message from Powell on Sunday night. I have deep respect for the rule of law and for accountability in our democracy. No onecertainly not the chair of the Federal Reserveis above the law, he said. But this unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administrations threats and ongoing pressure. A campaign sign supporting the Question 4, Right to Repair, which was on the Nov. 2023 ballot in Maine. (Photo by Jim Neuger/Maine Morning Star) Lawmakers in the Maine House of Representatives voted to override Gov. Janet Mills veto on Tuesday, reiterating their desire to tweak the states right to repair law. The House voted 96-44 in support of LD 1228, which would clarify certain terms, particularly in regards to cybersecurity, in the automotive right to repair law passed by citizens initiative in November 2023. Originally, the vast majority of the House (135-12) and Senate (21-14) backed the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Overriding a veto requires the support of two-thirds of present members of both chambers. Although the House met that threshold, the final outcome of the bill will depend on the vote in the Senate. The upper chamber did not take up the issue Tuesday but is likely to next week. The successful 2023 ballot referendum required certain vehicle manufacturers to standardize their diagnostic systems and make them accessible to both owners and independent repair facilities in Maine. In a Jan. 7 veto letter, Mills said she rejected LD 1228 because she believes it harms local auto repair shops and veers too far from the intent of the law voters passed. Though the bill would implement a series of recommendations to clarify and improve the effectiveness of the right to repair law, Mills took issue with what she described as a controversial provision in the proposal that would allow manufacturers to decide how vehicle telemetric data would be accessible to independent repair shops. I have heard from hundreds of independent repair shop owners asking that I veto this bill, based on significant concerns about the bills language that would restrict independent shops from performing even routine maintenance on modern vehicles, Mills wrote in her letter. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Kenneth Fredette (R-Newport) was the only member to speak on the House floor Tuesday morning in favor of sustaining the veto. He expressed concern that the bill could undermine the ability of mom-and-pop auto shops, especially in rural Maine, to stay open and offer affordable repairs. However, the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Tiffany Roberts (D-South Berwick), was joined by Republicans and another Democrat in speaking in favor of overriding the veto. Roberts said she hadnt heard any objection from the Mills administration prior to the veto. For Rep. Tracy Quint (R-Hodgdon) and others who backed the bill, it wasnt a question of whether people should be able to repair what they own. She reiterated that that was already decided on the November 2023 ballot. Rather, she said, what we are deciding today is whether we are comfortable opening digital doors we do not yet know how to lock, underscoring the cybersecurity risks that can come with vehicle data, particularly the potential to interfere with the operation of a car. LD 1228 doesnt undo Right to Repair. It doesnt take anything away from consumers. It doesnt pick winners, said Rep. Shelley Rudnicki (R-Fairfield). It fixes a flaw a serious one. Cabarrus County authorities seized thirty pounds of methamphetamine and arrested two suspects during a large-scale drug investigation last week. The arrests were made following undercover operations, indicating a possible connection to drug trafficking organizations. The Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office reported the arrests of Guillermo Martinez-Herrera and Alexis Herrera-Roofe, both from Columbus, Ohio, after an extensive investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Captain Chris Smith of the sheriffs office noted that this kind of seizure is significant, as a single agency typically might not seize thirty pounds in a year. They seized it in the first week of 2026, Smith remarked, emphasizing the scale of this operation. ALSO READ: Meth, marijuana seized after Catawba County case, driver facing trafficking charges The investigation involved undercover operations over several weeks that culminated in locating the methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Cabarrus County. Law enforcement executed the stop after undercover detectives had made contact with a broker involved in drug trafficking, who arranged a meeting to facilitate the transaction. Advertisement Advertisement Captain Smith explained the implications of the drug seizure on community safety. He stated, Everything from a domestic to robbery, homicide, specifically, more car-related break-ins, people are stealing to provide to support their habit. So when you got that significant amounts of drugs hitting the streets, its ultimately fueling those victim-based crimes, which ultimately impact all of the community. Both suspects are currently held on a $1million bond and are subject to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers. Investigators suggested that the drugs may have originated from a border state, but specific details about their origin remain unconfirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Both suspects are scheduled for hearings to address their bond status as the investigation continues. Further developments in the case will be monitored by law enforcement as they uncover additional connections in the network linked to the seized drugs. VIDEO: Meth, marijuana seized after Catawba County case, driver facing trafficking charges X says Grok will no longer edit images of real people into bikinis X says it is changing its policies around Groks image-editing abilities following a multi-week outcry over the chatbot repeatedly being accused of generating sexualized images of children and nonconsensual nudity. Police in two Houston-area cities say they have linked the same man to two violent crimes committed weeks apart, including a kidnapping and sexual assault in the City of South Houston and an aggravated robbery on the University of Houston campus. Jerome Ruben is now facing a long list of charges: aggravated robbery, sexual assault, and kidnapping in the City of South Houston, along with a separate aggravated robbery charge connected to the TDECU Credit Union at UH. His total bond across all cases has been set at $6 million. RELATED: Armed robbery at credit union on University of Houston campus, leaves students on edge According to court records, the first incident happened on Dec. 17. A female employee leaving the Ace Cash Express on Garth Road in Baytown told police she noticed a vehicle following her as she drove away from work. Surveillance video captured her SUV leaving the shopping center. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said Ruben followed the woman all the way to an apartment complex in the City of South Houston. There, he allegedly pulled a gun, forced his way into her SUV, and ordered her to drive back to the check-cashing business, where video from the store shows her vehicle returning. When the woman was unable to access cash, Ruben allegedly forced her into the back of her SUV and raped her. Court documents state he assaulted her twice before abandoning his attempt to obtain money. The victim immediately contacted the police. City of South Houston investigators later gathered surveillance footage from a nearby sandwich shop and a neighbor's home. That evidence helped them identify Ruben, and the victim later picked him out of a photo lineup. As City of South Houston police were preparing to arrest Ruben in the Baytown case, investigators say he committed another violent crime, this time on the University of Houston campus. Advertisement Advertisement UH police allege Ruben robbed the TDECU Credit Union in an aggravated robbery. Sources told ABC13 that Ruben was dressed in a full black hijab and wore fake breasts during the theft, trying to disguise himself as a woman. However, sources said that credit union workers described him as speaking in a deep voice. He was charged in that case just two days after being taken into custody for the City of South Houston attack. During his initial court appearance, a judge noted that Ruben was already on probation for a separate armed robbery case from December 2024. Ruben is next scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 17. For news updates, follow Miya Shay on Facebook, X and Instagram. A Montgomery County man is facing charges for allegedly sexually abusing a local teen dating back to when she was six. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Munta Wells was arrested on Monday on 11 charges, including: Gross sexual imposition Rape of a child under 10 Sexual battery Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor An investigation in Wells was launched in December after a Northridge High School student told a school staff member about sexual abuse by someone known to them, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement The alleged abuse began when the child was six years old and continued until she was at least 14, according to an affidavit and statement of facts filed in Vandalia Municipal Court. The alleged abuse continued even after the victim became pregnant. A DNA test was conducted, and results showed Wells was the father of the child, court records show. The victim said she didnt report the abuse earlier because he reportedly made threats. Wells is currently booked in the Montgomery County Jail. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office says a man accused of stealing a handgun from a Highlands area pawn shop is behind bars, thanks to quick detective work and surveillance footage. Police say Rashard Fulton, 26, walked into the Leonid Road pawn shop on January 5 and asked to see a handgun. When an employee handed it over, Fulton reportedly ran out with the weapon. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Advertisement Advertisement Detectives reviewed security video to identify Fulton. Officers with the Crime Gun Intelligence Center and Community Problem Response Unit arrested him three days later, on January 8. The stolen gun was found in his bag at the time of his arrest. This marks Fultons fourth local arrest. He now faces a felony charge for the pawn shop theft, according to JSO. [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. A 40-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of another man who was shot in the head at point-blank range. Hemawand Ali Hussain was found dead in a derelict house on Charterhouse Street, in Hartlepool, on 14 September 2019. Sajmir Dodoveci was extradited to the UK and charged with murder after being detained at a train station in Brussels on 23 December 2025. Dodoveci, of no fixed abode, appeared at Teesside Crown Court via video link from Holme House Prison earlier, where he remains in custody until his plea hearing on 26 January. Advertisement Advertisement A trial is expected to start on 22 June and last up to 10 days. Four men have already been jailed over Hussain's death. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Related internet links It had been more than three years since Rachel Castillo's death, but her loved ones pain was still fresh as they begged a Ventura County Superior Court Judge to impose the maximum possible sentence on her murderer. Judge Paul Feldman did just that Jan. 12, sentencing Zarbab Ali, Castillo's estranged husband and the father of her two children, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Ali, now 29, fatally stabbed Castillo, 25, in her Simi Valley apartment Nov. 10, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement After three hours of deliberation, a jury found Ali guilty of murder Nov. 21 and found to be true the special allegations of first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon and murder by means of lying in wait; the latter special allegation elevated the possible sentence to life without the possibility of parole. Rachel Castillo The jurors found the special allegation of murder for financial gain not to be true, though that did not affect sentencing. Ali previously pleaded guilty to sexual contact with human remains. The judge expressed regret at the Monday hearing that he could not do more to ease the familys pain, especially that of the estranged couples two young sons. Whatever I sentence him to is not going to bring back Ms. Castillo Feldman said, referring to Ali. In one act, these children lost both parents, and there are no words for that. Advertisement Advertisement Ali will return to court Feb. 11, when Feldman will determine whether to order him to register as a sex offender at the request of the Ventura County District Attorneys office. It is not clear which prison Ali will be transported to. From trial to sentencing hearing, judge weighs arguments The trial began Nov. 6, with the prosecution presenting more than 20 witnesses and the defense presenting four, including Ali. Ali testified that on the night of Nov. 10, 2022, he said he entered Castillos unlocked apartment in the 300 block of Country Club Drive and waited quietly for her to walk out of her bedroom and into the hallway. He said he then stabbed her multiple times before putting her body in the trunk of his car. The defendant then testified that he drove to a remote desert in the Antelope Valley and buried the body. He returned to the body to sexually assault it the next morning before burying her again. Advertisement Advertisement Alis public defender, Erik Aucoin, argued that his client did not commit the murder by lying in wait or for financial gain. Without those two special allegations, Ali would have been eligible for parole after serving 26 years in prison. During the sentencing hearing, Aucoin opposed the maximum sentence of three years for the sexual contact with human remains allegation and the maximum sentence of one year for the use of a deadly weapon special allegation. Zarbab Ali listens as prosecutor David Russell gives closing arguments in Ventura County Superior Court on Nov. 20. Ali is accused of killing his estranged wife Rachel Castillo in Simi Valley in 2022. Theres no utility to it, he said, explaining that, regardless, Ali will spend his life behind bars. Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell countered, arguing that Ali displayed no remorse and would harm another person again if given the chance. Advertisement Advertisement He doesnt deserve any leniency he said. No amount of incentives or disincentives could keep the community safe. Russell also asked the judge to formally find that the matter was a domestic violence case, which Feldman agreed to do. The judge ordered Ali to pay restitution to Castillos family members and to not contact them. For victim's father, God is ultimate judge Six of Castillos loved ones delivered victim impact statements at the beginning of the Jan. 12 hearing, all urging the judge to impose the maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole. They shed tears, though Ali displayed no visible emotion. Instead, he appeared to stare at the wall as they told him the ways he had shattered their lives irreparably. Advertisement Advertisement Castillo was more than a victim, they said. She was a wonderful daughter, sister and friend. She was kind and loving, loyal and generous, and she dedicated her life to caring for others. At the time of her murder, she worked at nonprofit Interface Children and Family Services and was earning her masters degree in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University, hoping to become a marriage and family therapist like her mother. Castillos role as a mother, however, was most important to her. She was a devoted mother, Castillos mother, Robyn Castillo, said. Her sons meant everything to her. The youngest son was nearly 2 years old at the time of the murder and doesnt remember his mother. The oldest was 5 at the time and is currently in therapy as a result. Advertisement Advertisement How do you explain to a 2-year-old that their daddy stabbed their mommy, and now theyre not going to see their mommy anymore? asked Claira Castillo, Castillos oldest sister. She and her husband adopted the two boys and care for them as their own. They never got to say goodbye, and she never got to give them one last hug the sister said. Every milestone will be a reminder of what was taken from them. They said they accepted Ali into their family, and in return, he did the unimaginable. We trusted him, and he betrayed that trust by taking Rachel away forever, Robyn Castillo said. He should never be allowed the freedom he stole from her. Advertisement Advertisement For Castillos father, Chris, God is the ultimate judge. This is a vile, evil act and has repercussions not only in this life but in the next, Chris Castillo said. He said he hopes that after serving a life sentence in prison, his former son-in-law will spend eternity in hell. Makena Huey is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at makena.huey@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation's Fund to Support Local Journalism. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Man gets life without parole for killing estranged wife in Simi An 82-year-old Rochester man will spend at least five years in prison after being convicted of negligent homicide connected to a hit-and-run crash that killed the commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard back in July 2024. Paul Clement Paul Clement Paul Clement was sentenced on the charges of negligent homicide, driving while intoxicated and conduct after an accident, which caused the death of John Pogorek, 57. Advertisement Advertisement Pogorek, a brigadier general, was parked along the side of Crown Point Road in Rochester with his teenage son about 5 p.m. July 8, 2024, when a westbound Toyota RAV4 struck him while he was out of the vehicle. His son was uninjured. The Strafford County Attorneys Office sought to have Clement sentenced to the maximum of 7 to 15 years in prison, but Judge John Curran reduced the amount to 5 to 10 years. Clement also had his license revoked as part of his sentence for driving while intoxicated. A 2- to-4-year sentence for the conduct after an accident has been suspended. Clement was taken to the state prison in Concord after Judge Curran denied a motion for release on bail while the case is under appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement The appeal in this case is primarily based on faulty jury instructions that misstated or omitted essential elements of the charged offense and the limitations placed on the defense expert that the defense believes, given the testimony at trial, were in error, Clements attorney, Andrew Cotrupi, said in the motion. Prosecutor Emily Garod discussed Pogoreks family and his career in the New Hampshire National Guard in her sentencing memorandum. Despite flying dangerous combat missions and despite clocking 6,300 flight hours, he died at 57 years on the side of the road because the defendant chose to drink and drive, she wrote. He died with only two years left to retirement, and while his daughter was pregnant with his first grandchild. Cotrupi asked Curran to sentence Clement to a year of home confinement followed by a lengthy period of probation and significant prison sentence over his head. Paul Clement is already on borrowed time exceeding his life expectancy by 7 years, Cotrupi wrote To be sure those crimes, such as child-sexual assault or related conduct, with high levels of recidivism, may warrant a 'de-facto' life sentence, that is not this defendant or his crime. DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) A Columbus man is set to spend at least the next 27 years in prison after pleading guilty to a July 2025 fatal shooting. Elijah Roberts, 19, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder with a one-year firearm specification and tampering with evidence charges in connection with the death of Joseph Suiter on July 9, 2025. Elijah Roberts Roberts was sentenced by Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Marianne T. Hemmeter to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 27 years. Watch a previous report on the shooting in the video player above. Advertisement Advertisement According to Columbus police, Roberts and a second man Ali Mustaf Mohamed, 19 attempted to rob Suiter before Roberts allegedly shot him at an apartment complex near the Target on the 1400 block of Polaris Parkway. Mohamed is facing charges of murder and aggravated robbery, while a third man, Michael Bernard Chaney, is facing one count each of murder, robbery, tampering with evidence, and obstructing justice. Online court records show Mohamed is scheduled for an appearance in Delaware County Court on Tuesday, while Cheny is scheduled to appear on Feb. 3 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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 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. Several career prosecutors in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division announced they are leaving the department, shortly after they learned there would be no civil rights probe into the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal immigration agent, according to six sources briefed on the matter. At least six prosecutors, most of whom are supervisors in the Civil Rights Division's criminal section, will be leaving their jobs. Their decision to depart was announced in a meeting to staff on Monday, the sources told CBS News. The announcement came after CBS News reported on Friday that career prosecutors in the section had offered to drop all of their work to help investigate the Minneapolis shooting, but they were told there would be no criminal civil rights investigation. The ICE officer who shot and killed Renee Good has been identified as Jonathan Ross, who a DHS source told CBS News last week was previously dragged by a car when trying to arrest a man in Bloomington, Minnesota, six months ago. Advertisement Advertisement Although the Justice Department contemplated treating the investigation as a "color of law" civil rights investigation into the excessive use of force, it later changed course, two different sources briefed on the matter told CBS. Now, the investigation is being treated as an assault on a federal officer, in which Ross, as opposed to Good, is seen as the victim of a crime, the sources added. CBS could not immediately determine who made that decision. At least six career prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office in Minnesota have also resigned from their jobs, CBS also reported on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Their resignations come as the office faces pressure from senior department leadership to treat the investigation as an assault on a federal officer, rather than a civil rights investigation. "There is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told CBS in a statement. A Justice Department official confirmed to CBS that leadership in the Civil Rights Division's criminal section gave notice they were going to depart under an early retirement program, and said they sought to participate "well before the events in Minnesota." "Any suggestion to the contrary is false," the official added. Advertisement Advertisement Several sources told CBS that while most of those departing in the Civil Rights Division criminal section are taking the early retirement option, the timing of the events in Minneapolis factored into their decision to make the announcement this week. Video footage shows the officer, identified in court records from the prior incident as Ross, fired three rounds at the car as Good started to drive away. The video also appeared to depict the officers did not take immediate steps to ensure that Good received emergency medical care after the shooting took place. A separate video from the scene showed officers stopping a man who claimed to be a doctor from moving toward Good. Senior officials in the Trump administration, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have publicly sought to cast blame on Good, alleging she was trying to assault Ross with her car. Advertisement Advertisement But some legal experts say the video evidence shows that the car was turning away from Ross and that is sufficient to justify investigating the case as a civil rights one. "Just looking at the totality of the evidence that I see, which is limited, there is enough there to make a criminal inquiry to determine whether there was deprivation of Ms. Good's rights under color of law," Julius Nam, a former federal civil rights prosecutor in Los Angeles, told CBS in an interview last week. The Civil Rights Division has already faced a mass exodus in its ranks since last year, after political leadership drastically altered its mission of historically protecting the country's most vulnerable populations. Until now, the criminal section had lost fewer attorneys compared with the division's other sections, which collectively lost approximately 75% of their staff in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement The departures, which include that of the section's chief, were not solely driven by Minneapolis, but also by frustrations at how political leaders in the division were handling other cases and sidelining prosecutors, two of the sources said. Last year, for example, political leadership in the division intervened in a pending sentencing of a former Louisville police officer who was convicted of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights and assigned a new prosecutor to the case who then asked a federal judge to sentence him to serve just one day in prison. The judge ultimately sentenced him to serve 33 months. Then in November, the division abruptly filed a motion to dismiss a case that was just about to go to trial against two officials in a local sheriff's office in the Middle District of Tennessee who were facing charges for using excessive force and trying to hide their alleged misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Officials in the section were recently offered a chance to retire early, and several of them decided to take it, several of the sources said. The lack of an investigation in Minneapolis was a breaking point for some of them and helped factor into their decision to announce it in a staff meeting, several of the sources added. The Civil Rights Division's criminal section is responsible for prosecuting hate crimes, as well as cases against law enforcement such as excessive use of force, sexual misconduct, making false arrests or showing deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. In a statement, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said that if incidents that are visible like the Minneapolis shooting "are not subjected to full, impartial investigations that genuinely seek accountability, we must wonder how many other cases go unreported, undocumented, or purposefully obscured by an administration that is no longer attempting to conceal its intent to intimidate and silence all who do not conform to its agenda." Although U.S. Attorney's offices can also conduct their own investigations into excessive force by a law enforcement officer, the incident in Minneapolis would likely be deemed to be a case of national significance under Justice Department guidelines because it resulted in death. Advertisement Advertisement In cases of national significance, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division is supposed to coordinate with the local U.S. Attorney's office, the Justice Manual says. One of the most high-profile civil rights prosecutions by the section in recent years took place in Minneapolis, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd in May 2020. Chauvin pleaded guilty to willfully depriving, while acting under color of law, Floyd's constitutional rights, as well as the rights of a 14-year-old boy in an unrelated case from 2021. Sneak peek: The Blackout Murder of Livye Lewis Emotional testimony from teacher about Uvalde shooting in trial of former cop Tony Dokoupil's final thoughts from Detroit After years of anticipation and social-media drooling, McDonalds is finally rolling out The Big Arch across the United States, marking the end of a nearly two-year wait for American fans eager to sink their teeth into a towering new classic. As the fast-food giant prepares for the U.S. rollout of what is being called their biggest burger in history, the question remains: does this beefy behemoth live up to the multi-year hype, or is it simply too much to handle? America may soon get a taste of McDonalds biggest burger yet McDonalds The Big Arch has been years in the making, and now, after a long global rollout, signs suggest Americas turn may finally be near. First floated in December 2023, the oversized sandwich marked a historic move for the brand as its first new permanent, worldwide menu addition since Chicken McNuggets launched in 1983. Momentum picked up in summer 2024 with an early trial in Canada, before the towering burger made its way across Portugal, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, quickly earning a reputation as McDonalds biggest burger ever. But while the burger went global, the U.S. was left off the list until now. According to The Daily Mail, during the first weekend of 2026, a U.S. McDonalds employee shared a Reddit post showing an internal manager document teasing January menu additions, with The Big Arch listed alongside hot honey sauce and the returning Oreo and Shamrock shakes. While McDonalds has yet to make an official announcement about The Big Archs U.S. debut, the Reddit leak has fueled speculation that the long-anticipated burger could arrive on menus sooner rather than later. How big is McDonalds The Big Arch? McDonalds The Big Arch is a massive upgrade over the chains classic hamburger. While a regular hamburger measures about 3.5 inches in diameter and features a single quarter-pound beef patty, a modest amount of cheese, ketchup, mustard, pickles, and a standard bun, The Big Arch stacks two quarter-pound patties, three slices of white processed cheese, extra pickles, lettuce, onions, and a special Big Arch sauceall on a larger 5-inch-diameter sesame-and-poppy-seed bun. Advertisement Advertisement The difference in size is dramatic: the burger is not only taller but also wider, making it the biggest burger McDonalds has ever offered, clearly designed for those with a serious appetite. The overall weight of The Big Arch is roughly 14 oz, with a total calorie count of approximately 1,057 kcal, while the chains regular hamburger weighs only 3.5 oz with 255 kcal. Fans weigh in on McDonalds The Big Arch Burger fans whove sampled The Big Arch abroad have been quick to comment on its sheer size. Many called it massive, with one describing it as feeling like two Big Macs in one. Another fan joked it was over the top, highlighting just how towering and hearty the burger truly is. Not everyone, however, was sold on the new Big Arch sauce. Several reviewers mentioned they would prefer the classic Big Mac sauce instead. Its huge, but the sauce didnt quite hit the mark for me, wrote one diner in a post shared on a McDonalds employee forum. Price is also on U.S. fans minds. In Canada, a Big Arch mealincluding fries and a drinkcost about CAD $12.59, roughly USD $9, positioning it as a premium step up from McDonalds regular menu items while still undercutting many competitor burgers. Advertisement Advertisement McDonalds CEO Chris Kempczinski described the burger as a quintessential McDonalds burger with a twist, emphasizing its blend of classic familiarity with a bigger, more indulgent build. The introduction of The Big Arch comes as part of McDonalds strategy to regain momentum after reporting its first sales decline since the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2024. Executives have noted that customers are seeking more value, prompting the chain to focus on larger, more filling items rather than endlessly tweaking existing burgers. Source: The Daily Mail Read the original article on GEEKSPIN. Affiliate links on GEEKSPIN may earn us and our partners a commission. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Iran's current leadership may be nearing its end amid mass protests across the country. "If a regime can only stay in power through the use of violence, then it is effectively finished," Merz said on Tuesday during a visit to Bengaluru in India. "I assume that we may now be witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime." Merz had already condemned the actions of Iranian security forces against peaceful protesters on Monday, describing them as "disproportionate" and "brutal." Advertisement Advertisement Iran has been gripped since December 28 by its most serious protest wave for years. What began as protests by shopkeepers over a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial and mounting economic hardship quickly spiralled into nationwide demonstrations against the country's hardline Islamic rulers. Activists say the security forces have responded using brutal tactics, including firing tear gas and bullets. The Oslo-based human rights group Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) says at least 648 people have been killed since the protests erupted. A video circulating online shows a Michigan man shouting, We executed one of you yesterday at an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis the day after a mother of three was fatally shot in the head by an immigration agent in Minnesota. The video, which includes explicit language, shows Jayden Scott of Bay City shouting at demonstrators on Jan. 8 in the wake of the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation on Jan. 7. "The storm is here ... no one can stop what is coming," Scott says in the footage before calling anti-ICE protesters (expletive) terrorists and urging others to join him. Patriots get out here. We need the backup. Advertisement Advertisement "All you liberal, commie mother (expletive), keep your hands to yourself or you're going to get hurt today, alright? We executed one of you yesterday," he continued. On Jan. 10, Scott announced on LinkedIn that he had resigned as CEO and founder of Harmony Investment Group, a Troy-based private health care investment firm and search fund platform. US Customs and Border Protection agents arrest a man after not providing documents proving he's a citizen of the United States while patrolling a neighborhood during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 11, 2026. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7, leading to huge protests and outrage from local leaders who rejected White House claims she was a domestic terrorist. U.S. Border Patrol agents smash a man's car window before dragging him out and taking him into custody when he failed to present citizenship documentation at a gas station on Jan. 11, 2026 in St. Paul, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Border Patrol agents deploy tear gas as they clash with residents in a residential neighborhood after a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents clash with residents in a neighborhood following a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents deploy tear gas as they clash with residents in a residential neighborhood after a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents ask a women to produce citizenship documentation as she was walking down the street Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents take a person who was standing in a residential neighborhood into custody when he was unable to produce citizenship documentation Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. ICE agents in St. Cloud on Jan. 12. State Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, speaks with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at around 12:30 p.m. Jan. 12 in front of a few businesses on Third Street North. Crowds gathered at the intersection of Third Street N and 33rd Avenue N in St. Cloud as ICE agents came through the area Jan. 12. Federal agents continue surge of immigration enforcement in Minnesota 1 of 10 US Customs and Border Protection agents arrest a man after not providing documents proving he's a citizen of the United States while patrolling a neighborhood during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 11, 2026. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7, leading to huge protests and outrage from local leaders who rejected White House claims she was a domestic terrorist. "With recent developments in America, the board and I have decided (that) we have different views of the future of America," he wrote on LinkedIn. "It was a great run." More: Protesters to urge Detroit City Council, mayor to end ICE activities Advertisement Advertisement More: Hart Plaza protest draws hundreds opposing ICE killing of Renee Good The footage of Scotts remarks has drawn criticism online, with many users posting disapproval and negative comments on his social media accounts and LinkedIn. The Detroit Free Press reached out to Scott, Harmony Investment Group and Scotts former business partner for comment, but had not received responses as of publication. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan CEO steps down after remarks at Minneapolis anti-ICE protest The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at Jan. 12, 2026, results for each game: Winning Daily 3 numbers from Jan. 12 drawing Midday: 9-3-7 Evening: 7-8-2 Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily 4 numbers from Jan. 12 drawing Midday: 3-6-1-7 Evening: 0-0-8-3 Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 12 drawing 21-23-24-28-39, Lucky Ball: 01 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Poker Lotto numbers from Jan. 12 drawing KC-JD-AH-9D-8S Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Jan. 12 drawing 01-02-05-27-29 Advertisement Advertisement 01-06-10-19-37 Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily Keno numbers from Jan. 12 drawing 01-02-04-05-16-19-22-28-31-32-38-41-44-47-53-56-60-65-69-73-78-79 Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here. Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices. To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to: Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Lottery Attn: Claim Center 101 E. Hillsdale P.O. Box 30023 Lansing, MI 48909 For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2. If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325 Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325 Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325 Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325 Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325 Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325 For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page. When are Michigan Lottery drawings held? Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m. Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for Jan. 12, 2026 Michigan Supreme Court / Hall of Justice | Photo by Jon King The Michigan Supreme Court will host a public administrative hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for a proposed court rule that would prohibit any civil arrests from taking place in a courthouse while attending a court proceeding or having legal business in the courthouse. The rule, put forward for public comment by the court in late November, would cover most ICE arrests, usually done under civil immigration warrants which are administrative warrants, not judicial warrants. Advertisement Advertisement The proposals public comment period garnered a huge response, with over 2,500 comments posted to the courts website over the course of just over a month. Most of the comments were submitted by individuals, but legal organizations such as the State Bar of Michigan Executive Committee and the Michigan State Planning Body also submitted comments in support of the proposed rule. Some elected officials also submitted comments in support, including Attorney General Dana Nessel and state Sens. Mary Cavanagh, Jeremy Moss and Stephanie Chang, all Detroit-area Democrats. This rule update would align Michigan with other states to ensure that individuals conducting legal business at courthouses regardless of their citizenship status are able to do so without the concern that they will be subsequently arrested for a matter unrelated to their business at the courthouse, says the statement from the senators. Nessels comments directly addressed the potential impact of such a rule on ICE enforcement. The existence of, and ICEs compliance with, its own prior policies shows that ICE can carry out its operations without making civil arrests in a courthouse. And there is nothing in the proposed amendment to suggest otherwise, she wrote. All told, the impact of the proposed amendment on ICEs operations will be minimal, and any impact is far outweighed by the need to protect and preserve the peoples fundamental right to participation and accountability in the fair administration of justice. Advertisement Advertisement This rule would align Michigan with a number of other states that have enacted policies to limit ICE actions at courthouses, including New York, Connecticut and Illinois. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A fiery feud between Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and California Gov. Gavin Newsom that began last summer has spilled over into 2026 and pitted the politicians' two home states against each other. Johnson fired the first verbal volley of the New Year with the following Jan. 5 post on X: "The company U-Haul just released its yearly report showing more people are leaving California than ANY OTHER STATE - for the 6th year in a row. Its EASY to see why. California has the highest state income tax in America 13.3% and now Democrats like @GavinNewsom are blocking President Trumps Working Families Tax Cuts, denying workers real money back in their pockets. Workers are leaving high taxes behind and red states are welcoming them with open arms." Advertisement Advertisement Newsom quickly responded with his own post from his campaign account on X on Jan. 5: "Louisiana ranking for best states: #50. Dead last. Not good Mike. Californias population has grown for the last 3 consecutive years. Fix your own damn state." That drew Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry into the fray: "I know California ranks last in the Nation for literacy, @GavinNewsom, but can you at least try harder!," Landry posted Jan. 8 on X along with a collage of recent positive news stories about Louisiana. Newsom also mentioned Johnson and President Trump in his California State of the State Address Jan. 8. Advertisement Advertisement "Its time for the President to act like a President for ALL of the United States," he said. "Its time for the Speaker of the House to ACT like the man of faith he claims to be." Their fiery feud began last summer when Johnson suggested Newsom should be "tarred and feathered" for what the speaker said was "obstructing" President Trump's immigration crackdown. Newsom considered the deployment of federal agents an attempt "to subvert state laws" in a "blatant power grab." Newsom said he might run for president in 2028, but will wait until after the 2026 congressional mid-term elections to make a final decision, while Johnson is working to maintain a razor thin Republican majority to advance Trump's agenda. Advertisement Advertisement More: Speaker Mike Johnson, Jeff Landry tell Gavin Newsom to mind his own business after Shreveport insult Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Speaker Mike Johnson and Governor Gavin Newsom feud extends to New Year Iran is once again at the center of a familiar and dangerous dynamic: mass protests met with lethal state repression at home and escalating threats of U.S. military action from abroad. As security forces crack down on demonstrators across major cities, President Donald Trump has openly signaled his readiness to attack Iran, claiming the United States stands ready to help as Iran looks toward FREEDOM. The political imagination has been narrowed to two grim choices: a state killing its own people or a foreign military intervention that would worsen the crisis and entangle the U.S. in another open-ended war. In a functioning international orderone that took international law seriously and treated civilian protection as more than rhetoricwe would not be trapped in todays absurd and dangerous choice between a government killing its citizens and U.S. military action that would further endanger civilians and distort any path toward democratic change. This false binary reflects a deeper credibility gap in U.S. foreign policya pattern in which the language of human rights and democratic solidarity is invoked selectively, embraced when it aligns with geopolitical aims and quietly abandoned when it becomes inconvenient. Over the past decade, most starkly in the context of Israels war on Gaza, the U.S. has hollowed out the very institutions meant to offer a universal alternative to this selective enforcement. By sidelining the United Nations, undermining international humanitarian law, and even sanctioning the International Criminal Court for seeking accountability, Washington has helped erode the norms that once constrained both state violence and foreign intervention. The result is a world where civilian protection is treated as conditional, diplomacy as disposable, and military force as the default. This leaves societies like Iran trapped between repression at home and a form of help from abroad that has repeatedly proven conditional, fleeting, and ultimately unreliable. Advertisement Advertisement This collapse of guardrails is now acutely visible in Iran, along with the mistrust in diplomatic solutions. Irans current upheaval is the result of years of economic decline, political exclusion, and repeated protest cycles that the state has answered with repression rather than reform. These dynamics follow domestic misrule, exacerbated by a long-running confrontation with the U.S. marked by draconian sanctions, isolation, and repeated diplomatic breakdowns. The latest wave of protests, sparked by sharp currency depreciation but rooted in deeper grievances, represents not a sudden rupture but a tipping point. The states response has followed a familiar authoritarian script: lethal force, mass arrests, internet blackouts, and the insistence that unrest is foreign-orchestrated rather than domestically rooted. The scale, persistence, and geographic spread of these protests mark a qualitative shift. According to data compiled by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, or HRANA, at least 544 people have been killed in the course of the protests so far, with hundreds of additional deaths still under investigation. More than 10,600 people have been arrested, and demonstrations have been recorded in over 180 cities across all 31 provinces. These figures have emerged despite a near-total internet shutdown since the evening of January 8, which severely hinders independent verification. They point to a sweeping campaign of repression aimed at extinguishing dissent rather than addressing its causes. Yet the scale of repression cannot restore the previous, already volatile balance between state and society. The protesters message to the ruling elite is unmistakable: Coercion can no longer compel consent. Iranians breached the fear barrier, and are risking bullets en masse to demand change. The Islamic Republic may succeed in suppressing this round of protests, but without meaningful political and economic transformation, the conditions that produced this upheaval will persist, and the regime will merely limp forwardmore brittle, more unstable, and increasingly vulnerable to the next eruption of public anger. Advertisement Advertisement This dynamic is not without precedent. One of us witnessed it firsthand in Egypt in 2011, while working alongside civil society actors during the uprising against Hosni Mubarak. The regime responded with killings, internet shutdowns, and claims of foreign conspiracy, believing repression would restore order. Instead, it accelerated Mubaraks downfall by alienating a broader spectrum of society and destroying what remained of the regimes legitimacy. While the Iranian and Egyptian systems are profoundly different, once a regime crosses a certain threshold of violence and denial, coercion alone cannot reconstitute the political order it seeks to preserve. Egypt also illustrates a second, equally important lesson. Toppling a ruler is not the same as building a stable political order. In Egypts case, external intervention and foreign support, particularly by the U.S. and key regional allies, prioritized military rule over a genuine democratic transition. The military establishment manipulated elites after Hosni Mubaraks fall, further distorting the transition and contributing to the emergence of a new authoritarian equilibrium. Outside interventions for regime change, witnessed in the region and elsewhere most recently in Venezuelaall point to this same dismal outcome. That is why calls for U.S. military intervention in Iran are profoundly misguided. Political change cannot be engineered or forced from the outside without warping its outcome. Societies do not reach stability through the triumph of one faction imposed by foreign backers, but through internal rebalancing shaped by their own social forces, pressures, and conflicts. Rejecting war is not indifference to state violence. It means pursuing accountability through international mechanisms, calibrating sanctions to reduce civilian harm, protecting information flows and internet access, and sustaining diplomacy rather than substituting military force for politics. For Washington to place its weight on the scale militarily would not protect civilians or advance accountability. It would freeze Irans crisis in a distorted form, strengthen the most coercive actors, help delegitimize indigenous demands for change, and leave the United States owning the consequencesregional escalation, civilian harm, and prolonged instabilitywithout any credible pathway to a durable or just outcome. Advertisement Advertisement What is already clear is that the Islamic Republic cannot simply repress its way back to the political status quo ante. How this reckoning unfolds remains uncertain and contested, but it will be shaped primarily inside Iran, and not by foreign military force. In a world where international law has been weakened and civilian protection treated as conditional, Trump offers war as a substitute for politics. U.S. military intervention in Iran would accelerate that erosion, reinforcing the lesson that when institutions fail and diplomacy collapses, military force fills the vacuum. That message is likely to empower the most coercive actors worldwide, exacerbate instability, and further hollow out an international order that once aspired to constrain both domestic repression and war. NEED TO KNOW Pastor Kenny Callaghan says he was detained by ICE in Minneapolis after heading toward a protest near his church He tells Fox 9 Minneapolis that agents repeatedly asked him, Are you afraid now? while he was in handcuffs inside an SUV Callahan said he was eventually released after an agent allegedly told him, Youre white and you wouldnt be any fun anyway A Minneapolis pastor said he was detained by ICE after heading toward protests near his church. Pastor Kenny Callaghan of All Gods Children MCC shared his account with Fox 9 Minneapolis, saying the encounter unfolded on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 7. Callaghan told the outlet he realized something was happening nearby when he heard whistles and car horns outside. He said he grabbed his own whistles and moved toward the commotion, only for the situation to escalate quickly. Advertisement Advertisement He told Fox 9 he managed to take a few photos as the vehicle drove down Portland Avenue before pocketing his phone when he noticed agents surrounding a brown-skinned woman. Callaghan said he joined in as a crowd chanted, We are not afraid, and tried to redirect attention toward himself, telling the agents to arrest him instead of the woman they were surrounding. Before I knew it, they were putting handcuffs on my arms and they asked me, Are you afraid now? he recalled. He said he answered, No, I am not, as agents continued detaining him. Callaghan told Fox 9 he was held in the SUV with two other detainees as agents returned multiple times to question him. Advertisement Advertisement Callaghan said the message stayed the same during those check-ins, with agents repeatedly asking if he was afraid. He also said they asked for his ID and his phone while he remained in the back of the vehicle. At one point, Callaghan said he asked whether he was under arrest and was left alone for a period of time afterward. He also told Fox 9 that an agent allegedly waved a gun in his face, and while fear flickered for a moment, it was quickly overtaken by outrage. And then they came back the last time and they said, Are you afraid yet? he said. And I said, No. " Callaghan said he was ultimately released after an agent made a remark that he described as both dismissive and disturbing. Well, youre white, and you wouldnt be any fun anyway. Get out of the car, he recalled being told. Advertisement Advertisement Callaghan said he was detained for less than an hour, but he walked away feeling shaken by what he believed the interaction revealed. Now I was confronted with the fact that these ICE agents that are supposed to be keeping my neighborhood safe were actually there for sport, he said. 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. Despite what he described as an intimidating encounter, Callaghan told Fox 9 he would not hesitate to step in again. I will always stand up for people who are being mistreated for simply being human, he said, adding, It is not right. It is wrong. PEOPLE did not immediately hear back from DHS and ICE when contacted for comment. Advertisement Advertisement The incident involving Callaghan came amid unrest in Minneapolis after driver Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mom, was shot and killed by an ICE agent during an immigration enforcement operation. Read the original article on People Federal agents spray demonstrators at close range with irritants as they gather after ICE officers shot and killed a woman through her car window Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 near Portland Avenue and 34th Street. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) Minnesota and the Twin Cities are suing the Trump administration to stop its latest immigration enforcement surge, alleging that the increased federal actions are unconstitutional and a violation of federal law. Attorney General Keith Ellison at a Monday press conference called the immigration enforcement surge an invasion. Advertisement Advertisement The deployment of thousands of armed, masked (Department of Homeland Security) 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, Ellison said. Tensions between federal agents and protesters continue to escalate following the Wednesday killing of Renee Good by federal immigration officer Jonathan Ross. The suit alleges that the influx of federal agents under the Trump administrations Operation Metro Surge harms Minnesotas police powers and violates state sovereignty, according to the lawsuit. These rights are guaranteed under the 10th Amendment, the lawsuit states. (The 10th Amendment argument was once used by Jim Crow states that resisted civil rights laws, but Ellison and the cities are seeking to use the oft-derided 10th as a tool to protect civil rights.) Advertisement Advertisement Ellison and the cities are also alleging that the federal agents are using unreasonable force against Minnesotans and arresting people without warrants, regardless of their immigration status and based on their perceived race violations of the federal Administrative Procedure Act. Illinois and the city of Chicago on Monday also filed a similar lawsuit against the Trump administration. Illinois is suing over allegedly unlawful tactics used by Customs and Border Protection and ICE agents in the state. The Trump administration will likely fight the Minnesota and Illinois lawsuits. Cities and states in the past have sued the Trump administration to stop the deployment of National Guard troops. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court left in place a ruling by a federal judge in Chicago that bars the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops in Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement But the high court has let immigration officials arrest people based on their appearance and what language they speak, with the courts conservative super-majority consistently giving Trump wide latitude to exert executive power. The Trump administration has said that fraud of public programs is a driving factor behind the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota. But Ellison said that stopping fraud is a pretext for the Trump administration to punish its political opponents. The real reason its no secret. Donald Trump and his administration have been targeting people, cities and states that dont agree with him politically, Ellison said. The Trump administrations decision to target Minnesota and Twin Cities is motivated by a desire to retaliate against Trumps perceived political opponents. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. Delays in federal funding have forced at least one St. Louis area childcare provider to temporarily close. The Missouri Office of Childhood (OOC) confirms that the federal government has not released grant funding that is meant to pay for December childcare subsidies. The OOC says late last week the federal government requested justification for the funds. OOC says it provided the information requested, and then the federal government requested more information on Monday. OOC says that it has now been provided as well, but did not say when funding is expected to be released. Advertisement Advertisement Little Precious Angels in south St. Louis County closed its doors after director Samantha Cross said the center could no longer operate without the funds it relies on to pay employees. Its hitting us hard. Its hitting our families hard. Its hitting the community hard, Cross said. Its a lot to deal with. Its an internal struggle that Im dealing with. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News A sign posted on the centers door explains that the closure is due to missing subsidy payments. Cross said she is owed about $50,000 and that 41 out of 42 children enrolled at her center utilize subsidies. She says without the subsidies, she would not be able to make payroll if she were to keep the doors open. Advertisement Advertisement We stayed open during COVID, through the debacle with the new system updates that failed and put us all on back pay, but we took so many hits that financially we cant take those hits any longer, Cross said. Brionna Collier works for Cross and also uses subsidies to pay for her childrens childcare. How many jobs do parents have to lose and how many kids have to have empty bellies because their mom cant provide? she said. Collier said if parents are not able to get their kids into childcare, they will be forced to quit their jobs, and that will create needs elsewhere. They also have to look for food resources, utility resources and rental assistance. As a parent, I do as well, she said. Advertisement Advertisement ICE officer shoots suspect during ambush in Minneapolis: DHS Cross said if the funds are not released soon, more closures could follow, affecting families and employers statewide. All of these businesses that seem small are going to hit the corporate world because theres nobody to watch their children so they can work, Cross said. Its going to be a domino effect. Other childcare providers say they are also waiting for answers. Baden Christian Childcare Center said it has not been told when the subsidy payments will be released. Praying. Praying that it gets released. Praying that this is happening, said Lisa Scheer, the centers director. I dont know about hopeful. We dont have that information. Advertisement Advertisement More than 1,700 childcare providers across Missouri accept childcare subsidies. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled unanimously to uphold a state law barring minors from accessing gender-affirming care for the purpose of gender transition. Pictured, Judges Kelly Broniec, left, and Robin Ransom listen to oral arguments Feb. 1, 2024, in a case over state Senate redistricting (Pool photo by David Lieb/Associated Press). The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously upheld a law barring minors from receiving cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers and gender transition surgeries and prohibiting Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming care for all ages. The decision, written by Judge Kelly Broniec, affirms a 2024 Cole County Circuit Court ruling from that sided with the state on all counts. Both courts rejected arguments that the law should be subject to heightened scrutiny, a standard of review reserved for statutes that classify based on sex or are discriminatory in nature. Advertisement Advertisement There is no fundamental right to seek care the legislature has prohibited, Broniec wrote.Because (the law) does not infringe on a fundamental right, rational-basis review is appropriate. Under rational-basis review, a statute is presumed sensible unless challengers can show the law is arbitrary and irrational. In their arguments, challengers represented by the ACLU of Missouri and LGBTQ+ rights law firm Lambda Legal alleged that the law discriminates on the basis of sex and transgender status. The courts rejection of this argument was key to upholding the ban. The law classifies only based on medical use and age, Broniec wrote, aligning with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld Tennessees gender-affirming-care ban in June and a decision from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld Arkansas gender-affirming care restrictions in August. Challengers attempted to differentiate Missouris ban from the case precedents, arguing that Missouris Constitution offered more protections than the U.S. Constitution. These arguments were not persuasive, Broniec wrote in a footnote. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Supreme Court precedent allows lawmakers broad discretion in areas fraught with medical and scientific uncertainty. The trial in Cole County spanned two weeks, delving into whether medical experts agreed on the treatment of gender dysphoria, a condition marked by distress felt when ones gender identity differs from sex as assigned at birth. Challengers insisted that gender-affirming care is evidence-based and medically necessary, with physicians and patients testifying about their positive experiences and defending a widely adopted standard of care from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. But the state criticized this standard of care with witnesses who painted the association as an activist group. Some of the states expert witnesses admitted to be outliers, calling themselves victims of cancel culture. The testimony was deceptive, Lambda Legal attorney Nora Huppert said in oral arguments in September, and the trial courts decision included legal and factual errors. Advertisement Advertisement Tuesdays decision didnt delve into the alleged errors, saying that argument was moot. The state has demonstrated the ongoing debate among medical and ethical experts regarding the risks and benefits associated with the treatments at issue, the decision says. Claims that the Medicaid ban violated the states constitution were also thrown out. Adults can still access gender-affirming care if they pay out-of-pocket, the ruling notes, but the state cannot be obligated to cover the care through its Medicaid program. The state has a legitimate interest in ensuring limited public funds are used efficiently, Broniec wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys with the ACLU of Missouri and Lambda Legal have not said outright whether they will appeal the decision. Though Huppert said in a statement to press that attorneys will continue to explore every legal avenue to protect the rights and health of transgender people in Missouri. Todays decision allows the state to continue to enforce a harmful ban that singles out transgender Missourians and denies them compassion and equal access to medically necessary health care, said Gillian Wilcox, director of litigation at the ACLU of Missouri. The decision not only allows the state to target transgender Missourians access to health care but also leaves everyones health care options at the whims of politicians, should certain care ever fall into the political arena. Support for victims and survivors of domestic violence is available 24/7: 1-800-897-LINK (5465). If you or someone else is in immediate danger or an emergency, please call 911 immediately. MOAB, Utah (ABC4) A North Dakota woman was arrested in Moab after allegedly coming to Utah during divorce proceedings with her husband and threatening to ruin his life by releasing intimate images. A 48-year-old woman whom ABC4 is not naming to protect the identities of the victims was arrested for sexual extortion, distribution of an intimate image, electronic communication harassment, possession or use of a controlled substance, and possession or use of drug paraphernalia. She has not been formally charged. Advertisement Advertisement According to the arrest statement, an officer with the Moab City Police Department spoke with an officer from a police department in North Dakota. Man arrested for burglary after allegedly breaking into Midvale hotel room The North Dakota officer reported that a woman was staying in a hotel in Moab and had multiple warrants for her arrest out of his state. He stated that the warrants involved stalking and domestic-related offenses, and they were working to make the warrants extraditable from Utah. The 48-year-old had allegedly stolen intimate pictures of her husband and his current girlfriend from his Google accounts. She then began threatening the victim that she would release them if he didnt do what she wanted. Advertisement Advertisement After learning about the womans threats, the Moab City Police officer made contact with the victim, her husband. He explained that he had been trying to divorce the 48-year-old for over a year, but she allegedly refused to show up to court and instead harassed and intimidated him and their children. He explained that before leaving North Dakota, his wife had taken a laptop and used it to get into his accounts, change all of his passwords, and download the intimate photos from his phone. One dead after being ejected in crash on I-70 The victim stated that in the past 24 hours, his wife had flooded his voicemail with more than 30 messages, meaning he couldnt get any more voicemails. He said that many of the messages included threats about releasing the photos if he didnt bring their children to Utah, and shared several of them with the police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Over the phone, a lethality assessment was completed by the victim, and his wife was considered high risk, as she had threatened to kill his girlfriend, ruin his life, and then kill him. Using information and a photo that the 48-year-old had shared with her husband, police were able to locate the hotel she was staying at in Moab. Two officers went to her hotel room and knocked on the door. When the 48-year-old opened the door, she told police she did not want to talk to them and was placed under arrest. While they were handcuffing her, the woman said she didnt know why her ex-husband was doing this to her, despite them still being legally married. How to make ABC4 your preferred news source on Google Advertisement Advertisement The Moab officers read the woman her Miranda warning, and she agreed to speak with them. She initially claimed that her husband had molested their children and now he was sending the cops after her. When asked about whether she had been harassing her husband, the 48-year-old denied the allegations. An officer asked to look through her phone to confirm she hadnt sent threats to the victim, and she agreed. However, when the officer collected two phones from the room and asked how to access them, she revoked consent and didnt let them look. During a search of her hotel room, officers reportedly located marijuana and paraphernalia. The 48-year-old woman was booked into the Grand County Jail, where she is being held without bail. Advertisement Advertisement Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Latest headlines: Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Gov. Wes Moore named three new delegates to the House on Monday, and shuffled chairs on the Public Service Commission, making Kumar Barve chair to replace retiring Fred Hoover. Gov. Wes Moore (D) appointed three new delegates Monday to fill the last three vacancies in the House, just two days before the General Assembly convenes for 90-day legislative session for 2026. Moore named Gabriel M. Moreno of Howard County to fill the District 13 seat vacated by Vanessa Atterbeary; Derrick Coley was tapped in District 24 seat in Prince Georges County that was held by Jazz Lewis; and Darrell Odom Sr. will replace Kevin Harris in District 27A, which straddles Prince Georges and Charles counties. All three are Democrats, nominated by their county Democratic Central Committees. Advertisement Advertisement Each of these leaders has a proven track record from empowering vulnerable communities and serving in vital county government roles to protecting our state and nation, Moore said in a statement. These are dedicated public servants, and I am grateful that they each raised their hands to represent their districts in Annapolis. Odom and Coley served on the central committee in Prince Georges. The Prince Georges committee overwhelmingly chose Odom on Dec. 31 to replace Harris, who held the seat until he was elevated to the District 27 Senate seat, which also includes a portion of Calvert County. But four days later, on Jan. 3, Charles County Democrats selected Yanelle Moore, who chairs the countys school board. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Moore eventually chose Odom, who served 31 years in the Army and Coast Guard. He also worked as an acting fire chief in Prince Georges. The committee unanimously selected Coley to replace Lewis, who stepped down to accept a job as a lobbyist for his alma mater, the University of Maryland, College Park. Coley works as a deputy director in the countys Department of the Environment. On Wednesday, Howard County Democratic Central Committee selected Moreno to replace Atterbeary, who stepped down to focus on her race for Howard County executive. Moreno, who served as a member of the central committee, becomes the first Latino to represent the county in the General Assembly. Moreno is an attorney who works as the CEO of the Luminus Network Inc., a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of the immigrant community in Howard County and across the state. The three appointments mean both the 141-member House and the 47-member Senate begin the 2026 session at full strength. Musical chairs for the chair Moore also announced Monday that Maryland Public Service Commission member Kumar Barve is swapping seats with PSC Chair Fred Hoover, who resigned as chair. Advertisement Advertisement The switch means Barves term, which would have ended in 2029, will now end on June 30, 2028, and Hoover, whose term would have been up in 2028, is not extended through 2029, a PSC spokesperson said. Both appointments still have to be approved by the Senate, but the governors office said the switch takes effect immediately. No reason was given for Hoovers resignation, but Moore said in a prepared statement that Hoover exemplifies what it means to be a public servant and has been a tremendous partner in our efforts to build a cleaner, more reliable, more affordable energy system. Frederick H. Hoover, chair of the Maryland Public Service Commission until Monday. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Im grateful for the work Chair Hoover has done for our state, and I have full confidence in Commissioner Barve, who understands the importance of energy sustainability and grid reliability, his statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Hoover, in the same statement from the governors office, said it has been an honor to serve as PSC chair during such a transformative time for Marylands energy sector. I am proud of what we have achieved over my past three years as chair of the commission to modernize our energy system and advance our States clean energy goals. Before being appointed to the PSC in 2023, Barve served 32 years representing Montgomery County in the House of Delegates, serving as the Democratic majority leader from 2003 to 2015, and as chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee from 2015 to 2023. In a statement from the PSC, Barve thanked Moore for the opportunity to lead the commission during this extraordinary period of energy transition in Maryland and in our nation. He said he, Moore and Hoover agree that this moment in history requires an assortment of new policy and legislative approaches to control energy bills and to build a more stable and sustainable energy grid. I will boldly collaborate with the Maryland Energy Administration, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland General Assembly, Barves statement said. I look forward to continuing our advocacy on behalf of Maryland ratepayers before the regional grid operator, PJM, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A visit by a Jewish MP to a school in their constituency was cancelled, after concerns were raised by local pro-Palestinian campaigners. Palestine Solidarity Bristol said it had opposed the visit by Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, due to his support for Israel. The cancellation took place in September but was highlighted by Communities Secretary Steve Reed during a speech to the Jewish Labour Movement at the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Reed did not name Egan but told the audience: "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... and 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." Egan confirmed the event had been cancelled but declined to comment further. In a statement a spokesperson for the school, the Bristol Brunel Academy, said: "Damien Egan MP as a high-achieving alumnus of the CLF [Cabot Learning Federation], 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. Advertisement Advertisement "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." Advertisement Advertisement On 5 September, when the event had been due to go ahead, the Palestine Solidarity Bristol group published a social media post celebrating the cancellation. It said the event had been axed after "concerns were raised by the National Education Union trade union staff group, parents and local constituents". It said the cancellation was "a clear message" that politicians who support Israel's actions in Gaza "are not welcome in our schools". A National Education Union spokesperson said its head office had "no knowledge that the school had rescinded the invite to the local MP" until this was reported in the media on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement "It is good that MPs, especially those in the party of government, seek to engage with schools, especially on issues such as the dire state of school funding, the intensity of teaching and the impact of social media on young people," they said. "It is also legitimate for constituents to express their views to MPs on national and international issues, including the extraordinary human suffering in Gaza. "The NEU believes in democratic engagement. Central to that is dialogue and discussion, and sometimes this will include a robust exchange of views." The spokesperson added that the union was "an organisation rooted in anti-racism in all forms, including antisemitism". You might not have seen the headline today that today a federal court blocked the Trump administration from cutting energy funding just for blue states. This is billions of dollars Congress appropriated for clean energy projects of various kinds all over the country. Trump administration decided, and they admitted this they decided that just in blue states, just in states that didnt vote for Trump, they would cut all of that funding. Theyd leave the funding in place in states that voted for Trump. They would cut it in states that didnt vote for Trump. A federal court today ruled that that is illegal and stopped the Trump administration from doing that. That ruling today came after another federal court today stopped Trump from shutting down a big offshore wind farm in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Trumps shutdown of that project, according to the courts today, was also illegal. And so, yet another federal court blocked Trump on that as well. So that work on the wind farm will be able to go ahead. Both of those rulings today follow. Last night, yet another federal court blocking Trump, this time from cutting funding to the American academy of pediatrics. This is a doctors group of pediatricians group that criticized the flock of ducks level insane quackery at Trumps Department of Health and Human Services under RFK Jr. Trump responded by canceling federal grants for the American Academy of Pediatrics. A judge has now ruled that that was illegal retaliation. And so, Trump is blocked from doing that. That funding has to be reinstated. That ruling comes after another federal judge just blocked Trump from cutting off federal election funds to states in retaliation for them not changing their election rules in ways that Trump wants. The judge said, quote, the Constitution assigns no authority to the president over federal election administration. And so, Trump got blocked on that one, too. Shall I keep going? I could keep going. Another federal court just blocked Trump from freezing billions of dollars for childcare and social services for kids, again, in Democratic run states, as some kind of punishment against those states for electing Democrats, punishing them for that by cutting off the temporary assistance to needy families program. Because, you know, you know, what would Jesus do? Trump was also just blocked from a from doing that by yet another federal court. It`s almost like he is losing all the time and everywhere now. There may still be people in America who are shocked that Trump keeps breaking the law over and over again, blatantly and insistently. The courts no longer appear to be shocked by that, and the courts now are just telling him no very bluntly, every single day, and often multiple times a day. And its not even just the courts, as I know you are aware, last week in one 48-hour stretch, we had a Senate vote for a War Powers resolution to block Trump from any further military adventurism. In Venezuela, five Republican senators crossed over to side with Democrats to pass that War Powers resolution. It was enough to advance that its going to get another vote in the Senate this week. That came right on the heels of 17 Republicans in the House breaking ranks with Trump and siding with Democrats on the Affordable Care Act to try to, at least temporarily, undo the disastrous decision Trump and Republicans made in their so-called big beautiful bill. The decision to send tens of thousands of American families health insurance rates through the roof. Seventeen Republicans crossed over, defied Trump and joined with Democrats to pass that health care matter in the House. Now it`s going to come to the senate. Trump is now whining about how he might have to veto it if and when it passes in the senate as well, because he definitely wants to make sure that peoples health insurance premiums double or triple in cost for nothing other than something that he personally did. He apparently wants that. I mean, what weve just seen in Congress is one of the worst rebukes Trump has had from congressional Republicans since he has been back in office this whole disastrous year. China seeks to cushion AI impact on jobs, build talent strength Xinhua) 08:51, January 13, 2026 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A Chancery Court judge has agreed to dissolve a partnership formed to profit from uninsured motorists whose license plates were captured by traffic cameras in Ocean Springs, Biloxi and other Mississippi cities. A politically prominent trio of Mississippians formed QJR LLC to run the uninsured motorist program in Mississippi with Jonathan Miller, chairman of Georgia-based Securix LLC. Miller and his company have a proprietary system that randomly checks license plate numbers against state databases to identify uninsured vehicles and ticket their owners through law enforcement agencies. Miller and Securix started the program in Ocean Springs, signing a contract in May 2021 with the city. Miller then teamed up with QJR, whose members are Quinton Dickerson and Josh Gregory of Frontier Strategies advertising firm in the metro Jackson area, plus attorney Robert Wilkinson of Pascagoula. Advertisement Advertisement Frontier manages high-profile state and local political campaigns, while Wilkinson was city attorney for Ocean Springs when the partners formed Securix Mississippi to spread the potentially profitable program to more cities and states. Miller was supposed to manage the technology, while an operating agreement between his company and QJR stipulated that only QJR would handle marketing and direct contact with Mississippi customers. Motorist ticketing program unravels The partnership began to unravel within a month, Josh Gregory testified Monday morning in Chancery Court before Judge Harris. Miller failed to show up for the trial. He was representing himself after Harris excused Millers attorney from the case in October, when the attorney-client relationship had completely broken down. QJR filed its lawsuit against Miller and Georgia Securix in September 2024, asking that Harris dissolve Securix Mississippi and order Miller to stop defaming QJR and its members and levy punitive damages against him. The lawsuit was sealed for more than a year, although Harris did not follow established procedure for removing the case from public view. He unsealed most, but not all, records in the case after statewide media company Mississippi Today, later joined by the Sun Herald, objected to the sealing. On Monday, Harris decided that Securix Mississippi bank records would remain sealed again without establishing a need to prevent public access to the entire bank record. Advertisement Advertisement By the time QJR filed its lawsuit, the state Department of Public Safety had cut off Securix Mississippis access to the database of uninsured motorists after receiving at least one complaint from Miller about how Securix Mississippi was operating. Gregory testified that Miller was not supposed to be communicating with public officials, according to their operating agreement. He said Securix Mississippi had ceased operations by 2025 and has no remaining assets. The company had previously pulled in $1.3 million in a year, according to records in a federal case that motorists filed in August 2023 against Georgia Securix. Cameras at the intersection of Bienville Boulevard and Washington Avenue in Ocean Springs on June 17, 2025. While Securix cameras no longer record license plates to cite uninsured vehicle owners, the Mississippi Department of Transportation has a live traffic camera at the intersection and theres a Flock camera for public safety. (Hannah Ruhoff/Sun Herald) MS partner testifies about Securix Gregory testified that Miller was spreading false rumors of criminal wrongdoing against him and QJR. Miller sent emails and letters to public officials, including Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, and others. Miller claimed QJR was misusing sensitive personal information about vehicle owners that only law enforcement officers were supposed to access. Pretty much everything he wrote, via email, letter or post, was untrue, Gregory testified. . . . If he didnt get his way, he would send email after email, to the point that we had to block his emails. They were excessive. Advertisement Advertisement Gregory said that QJR had attempted to keep Miller out of day-to-day operations in Mississippi because the program Miller and Georgia Securix ran in Ocean Springs was such a disaster. One of Millers later allegations was that Wilkinson was involved in the Ocean Springs program and shared in its profits, which Gregory testified was completely untrue. Commissioner Tindell pulled Securix access to the uninsured motorist database in August 2023, court records show, after a letter from Miller alleged the program was being mismanaged. Gregory testified that Miller did not provide documentation of the wrongdoing that he alleged. Judge Harris has found Miller in contempt of court multiple times, but Miller has not returned to Mississippi and still owes more than $63,603 in attorneys fees that Harris ordered the businessman to pay QJRs attorney, Jaklyn Wrigley. Harris ordered the fees paid after finding that Miller had wrongly tried to move QJRs case to federal court. The federal judge sent the case back to Harris. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to dissolving Securix Mississippi, Harris also could consider QJRs request for punitive damages against Miller and Georgia Securix, along with other relief QJR is seeking. While the other side did not show up for court yet again, we continued to provide the facts about this matter and are glad to be moving toward the resolution weve been advocating for since the start of this process more than a year ago, said Jaklyn Wrigley, attorney for QJR. A Mississippi sex offender first took to TikTok last year seemingly for laughs, posting a video of herself lip-syncing to Tyler Perrys Madea while portraying the prying off of her court-ordered ankle monitor. The self-proclaimed Biloxi rapper, Ayiesha Cook Bowdry known as @momoney_27 on TikTok went viral with the clip that shows her using a slathering of butter cream lotion, a rat tail comb and scissors to tamper with her tracking device. The 15-second video, which also features a Madea scene involving an ankle monitor in the background, racked up over 184,000 views and over 10,000 likes. Advertisement Advertisement After a Mississippi probation officer brought the video to the attention of Harrison County Judge Lisa Dodson last year, the judge issued a stern warning to Bowdry: any further stunts on social media and more could land Bowdry in prison for violating her probation. Ayiesha Cook Bowdry (Harrison County Adult Detention Center) But that warning didnt stop Bowdry. She returned to TikTok with a sharper edge and a new video using her own lyrics to lash out at the judge, the Sun Herald for its coverage of the case, the district attorney and the MFN b...... (or commenters) reacting to the story. Now, Bowdry is back in custody at the Harrison County jail and waiting to return to court after skipping her Jan. 6 court date for an update in her status. Advertisement Advertisement Harrison County sheriffs deputies arrested Bowdry on charges for failure to appear in court and failure to notify authorities of her change of address a requirement because she is a registered sex offender. She was previously convicted in a human trafficking case in Hattiesburg. Mississippi Probation Officer Wendy King has since alerted the judge to Bowdrys latest actions, that include posting the new TikTok video, this one dubbed Mo Money Yavo Flo, and more. In that video, Bowdry appears dancing while her ankle monitor is tucked beneath a pair of bright yellow socks. She uses the platform to criticize the media, the prosecutor, and the judge. Im wearing my ankle monitor and booty shorts, Bowdry says in the clip, referring to herself as a hood b and mocking the court proceedings. She uses the platform to criticize the Sun Herald, the judge and prosecutor. Advertisement Advertisement In one lyric, Bowdry casually mentions the court action, saying By a show of hands, who would think Im breaking free on a TikTok video. In addition to the TikTok clip, the probation officer told the judge that Bowdry used Facebook to address her human trafficking case., placing blaming on the child for selling herself for sex and saying, in part, I aint never sold a b. King said Bowdry appears to have some genuine talent, but continues to misuse it. Its a shame she continues to use her talents in a way that does not serve her, King said. In addition, Bowdry has not made any payments toward her fines and remains unemployed, the probation officer said. Advertisement Advertisement Bowdrys human trafficking arrest occurred during an undercover operation in Hattiesburg targeting those who traffick children for sex. She is currently on probation for failure to register as a sex offender. Bowdry said she has been wearing the tracking device for several years. The United Nations top court has begun hearing a landmark genocide case accusing Myanmar of trying to wipe out its Rohingya Muslim minority. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague was told on Monday that Myanmars military used horrific violence against the group in a military crackdown in 2017. It is the first genocide case the ICJ has heard at this level in more than a decade, and is being watched keenly as a test for how South Africas case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza could be dealt with by the court. Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of Rohingya were killed and more than 700,000 fled to neighbouring Bangladesh in August 2017 as Myanmars military claimed to be fighting insurgents. The Gambia brought the case against Myanmar in 2019, accusing it of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention. A Bangladeshi border guard stops Rohingya Muslims as they walk towards refugee camps in October 2017 - Dar Yasin/AP Photo Paul Reichler, the West African nations lawyer, accused Myanmar of mass murder and gang rape with the intent to destroy the Rohingya as a group in whole or in part. He also alleged the military carried out systematic clearance operations and deliberately torched villages, including burning children alive. Speaking at The Hague on Monday, Dawda Jallow, the Gambias justice minister, said the Rohingya were subject to the most horrific violence and destruction. Advertisement Advertisement He said: This is about real people, real stories and a real group of human beings. The Rohingya of Myanmar. They have been targeted for destruction. Myanmar has denied the allegation of genocide and will present its arguments between Jan 16 and 20. In the cases 2019 preliminary hearing, Aung San Suu Kyi ,Myanmars former leader, dismissed the allegations as a misleading picture of an internal armed conflict. She said the crackdown by Myanmars armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, was justified to capture Rohingya rebels after a series of attacks killed dozens of soldiers. She was ousted by the military in February 2021 and has been under house arrest ever since. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Judges may broaden definition of genocide Juliette McIntyre, an international law expert, said the ICJs ruling on the Myanmar case would affect South Africas case against Israel. The legal test for genocide is very strict, but it is possible the judges broaden the definition, she said. South Africa has alleged that by killing Palestinians in a way calculated to bring about their physical destruction, Israel is committing genocide. At least 70,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Oct 7 2023, when Hamas launched cross-border attacks on Israel, according to the territorys Hamas-run health ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Israel has dismissed the case as a mockery of the Genocide Convention and claims its military response is justified to destroy the militant group. The Oct 7 Hamas attacks killed around 1,200 people, while 250 were abducted, according to Israeli tallies. 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. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: ESO/K. Ikiewicz and S. Scaringi et al. Background: PanSTARRS Using the Very Large Telescope (VLT), astronomers have discovered an unexpected shockwave around a dead star. The team behind the shock discovery (in more ways than one) is baffled by this beautiful arc of material, which defies expectations and current theories surrounding such stellar remains. Thus, it could redefine our understanding of how dead stars interact with their surroundings. This stellar remnant is a white dwarf, the exhausted stellar core left over when a star around the same mass as the sun runs out of the fuel for nuclear fusion and sheds its outer layers. This white dwarf is designated RXJ0528+2838 and is located 730 light-years away from Earth . It has a companion star in orbit around it, from which the dead star is stripping material with its gravity. In normal circumstances, this matter would usually form a disk around the white dwarf that gradually drops material to its surface, leaving other stellar matter to be lost to space via powerful outflows that fling it into space. However, in the case of RXJ0528+2838, there is no trace of such a disk, and that makes the presence of the shockwave entirely unexpected. Advertisement Advertisement "We found something never seen before and, more importantly, entirely unexpected," team leader Simone Scaringi of Durham University in the U.K. said in a statement . "The surprise that a supposedly quiet, discless system could drive such a spectacular nebula was one of those rare 'wow' moments." An image taken by the MUSE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope shows shock waves around the dead star RXJ0528+2838. | Credit: ESO/K. Ikiewicz and S. Scaringi et al The shockwave, observed by the VLT's Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE), is being created as the white dwarf moves through space, rotating around the center of the Milky Way as it does, much as the sun and our galaxy's other stars do. The dead star is pushing the interstellar gas in front of it as it travels, creating a type of shockwave called a bow shock, similar to how a wave builds up in front of the bow of a ship. "Our observations reveal a powerful outflow that, according to our current understanding, shouldn't be there," Krystian Ikiewicz, a postdoctoral researcher at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center in Warsaw, Poland, said. The team first saw hints at this unexpected structure when they examined images of RXJ0528+2838 captured by the Isaac Newton Telescope in Spain. Noting the unusual shape of this formation, they followed these initial observations up with the VLT's MUSE instrument. Advertisement Advertisement "Observations with the MUSE instrument allowed us to map the bow shock in detail and analyse its composition," Ikiewicz added. "This was crucial to confirm that the structure really originates from the binary system and not from an unrelated nebula or interstellar cloud." This image from the Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) shows the region of the sky around the dead star RXJ0528+2838, which is located at the very centre of the image. | Credit: ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2. Acknowledgement: D. De Martin Both the size and the shape of the bow shock around RXJ0528+2838 imply to the team that material has been flowing away from this white dwarf for at least 1,000 years. That is a mystery in itself, as scientists can't explain how a white dwarf with no surrounding disk of matter can maintain an outflow for such a prolonged period of time. The team isn't completely in the dark with regards to this, though. They suspect that the powerful magnetic field of RXJ0528+2838 is channeling stellar matter stolen from the companion star directly to the white dwarf, without giving a disk a chance to form. "Our finding shows that even without a disc, these systems can drive powerful outflows, revealing a mechanism we do not yet understand, Ikiewicz said. "This discovery challenges the standard picture of how matter moves and interacts in these extreme binary systems." Advertisement Advertisement However, even with this magnetic field accounted for, the team thinks that the shockwave should only have been maintained for around 100 years. That means there must be another energy source or "mystery engine" in this system that has been powering this outflow and the shockwave it creates for a period ten times longer than that. An illustration of the ELT which could be integral to solving the mystery of this unexpected white dwarf shockwave | Credit: ESO/L. Calcada Solving this mystery could depend on studying further binary systems of this type using the forthcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently under construction in the same location as the VLT operates, the Atacama Desert region of northern Chile. Scaringi predicts that the 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." In a nearly 10-hour voting session Monday, New Jersey legislators passed a package of bills aimed at severely limiting cooperation between state and local agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, marking the latest salvo in a national showdown over hardline immigration tactics. The bills now head to Gov. Phil Murphys desk. Murphy has been critical of ICE enforcement tactics. The measures were originally part of a more comprehensive piece of legislation. Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat who takes office Jan. 20, raised concerns that one expansive bill could be struck down in court and endanger existing protections that limit sharing immigration information with law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Democratic legislators then split the measures into separate bills and advanced them to Murphy before he leaves office next week. The push gained urgency after a fatal and controversial Jan. 7 shooting in Minneapolis, where an ICE officer killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. The shooting ignited widespread demonstrations across the country. Against this backdrop, New Jerseys bills would ban local law enforcement from holding individuals on ICE detainer requests without a judicial warrant and restrict sharing personal data with federal immigration authorities. They would also establish safe zones in places such as hospitals and schools. Republicans argue the law violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which states federal law takes precedence. Democrats say the laws fall within states rights under the 10th Amendment, which prevents states from being forced to enforce federal laws. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats contend the law helps local law enforcement solve criminal cases while avoiding controversial civil enforcement. Republicans argue the opposite. ICE bills pass State Assemblyman Paul Kanitra, R-Ocean, and other Republicans voiced opposition to the bill for nearly an hour. Kanitra spent his testimony putting up signs and boards with slogans opposing the measure. You want boundaries that legally cant be crossed to protect criminal aliens who couldnt respect our legal borders themselves, he said. Assemblywoman Ellen Park, D-Bergen, a sponsor of the bill, voiced support and spoke of her journey as an immigrant. Advertisement Advertisement We as Jerseyans must protect our home, she said. In the state Senate, Republican Minority Leader Anthony Bucco, R-Morris, argued that local police involvement in immigration enforcement could de-escalate tension with communities unfamiliar to federal officers. They could assist and eliminate that chaos and fear, so it just doesnt make any sense to put those agencies in silos, he said. ICE bills pass Sen. Raj Mukherji, D-Bergen, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said he respected Bucco but disagreed. Mukherji also raised concerns about racial profiling in the wake of a Supreme Court case that allowed stops and searches based on ethnicity, race, accent and language spoken. Advertisement Advertisement My kids, my wife and I are of color, and I wonder if I should be carrying a passport because Americans are being detained and even deported by ICE, Mukherji said. ICE bills pass Supporters, celebrating after the bills were passed, urged Murphy to sign them. These bills will cement long overdue protections for immigrant New Jerseyans and allow people to access state and local government services without fear of detention and deportation, said ACLU campaign strategist Ami Kachalia. Murphy conditionally vetoed one of the bills on Monday night that dealt with state agencies and health care facilities sharing information with the federal government. He requested clarification that medical licenses and qualifications could still be verified and that healthcare facilities as opposed to individuals should be held accountable for violations of the law. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - The largest U.S. civil rights group on Tuesday said President Donald Trump was being deceptive in his comments about "reverse discrimination" and in his claims that civil rights hurt white people, with the NAACP adding that "deception is the point" of such remarks to lay groundwork for rolling back social progress. In an interview from last week published by the New York Times, Trump said he believed civil rights-era protections resulted in white people being treated unfairly. Advertisement Advertisement "White people were very badly treated, where they did extremely well and they were not invited to go into a university to college," the newspaper quoted Trump as saying in an apparent reference to affirmative action in college admissions. The comments came after Trump was asked whether protections that began in the 1960s with passage of the Civil Rights Act resulted in discrimination against white men, according to the newspaper. "It accomplished some very wonderful things, but it also hurt a lot of people people that deserve to go to a college or deserve to get a job were unable to get a job," Trump was quoted as saying. "It was a reverse discrimination." NAACP President Derrick Johnson denounced the comments. Advertisement Advertisement "Donald Trump knows he is lying through his teeth. The issue isn't that he is unaware of the history or lacks education, it's that deception is the point," Johnson said in a statement. There is "zero evidence, none, that the civil rights movement harmed white people in any way," Johnson added. "Trump does this all the time. He deliberately invents a false reality to lay the groundwork for policies that further benefit the top one percent by privatizing government services and stripping resources away from underserved communities." Trump has been criticized by rights groups over his immigration crackdown, assault on diversity initiatives, funding freeze against universities over pro-Palestinian protests and attacks against cultural institutions for focusing on issues like slavery. Trump cites security reasons for his immigration crackdown and says he is fighting against what he calls "anti-American views." (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in WashingtonEditing by Bill Berkrot) The first human U.S. moon mission in more than half a century is rapidly approaching. And in the days ahead, NASA plans to roll out to the Florida launch pad the massive spacecraft that will help the lunar voyage get underway. In potentially weeks, four astronauts on a mission known as Artemis 2 are due to board an Orion capsule hitching a ride out of Earth's atmosphere atop a NASA rocket dubbed the Space Launch System. Ahead of them? A 10-day journey circling the moon to lay the groundwork for a future American lunar landing. Advertisement Advertisement The impending mission comes amid a heated space race with China to get back to the moon in the years ahead. While the astronauts on Artemis 2 won't step onto the lunar surface, President Donald Trump has signaled he wants to see a subsequent moon landing before the end of his second term in 2028. As NASA moves closer to committing to a target launch date, the space agency has unveiled specifics about final preparations ahead of liftoff. We have important steps remaining on our path to launch and crew safety will remain our top priority at every turn, as we near humanitys return to the moon, Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASAs Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said in a Jan. 9 statement. 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 the latest on Artemis 2, including when it could potentially launch from Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Spaceflight in 2026: 6 spaceflights in year ahead, from NASA moon missions to SpaceX Starship What are NASA's Artemis moon missions? NASA's Artemis program is the agency's ambitious campaign to return Americans to the surface of the moon for the first time since the Apollo era came to an end more than 50 years ago. In the years ahead, NASA's Artemis campaign aims to launch a series of crewed missions to establish a continuous human presence on the moon with a lunar settlement on the south pole. That's where water ice thought to be abundant in the region could be extracted and used for drinking, breathing and as a source of hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel. From there, the lunar settlement would serve as a base of operations to make the first crewed space missions to Mars possible. Space Launch System rocket to be rolled out in January A full moon in June 2022 sets over the Orion capsule atop NASA's Space Launch System rocket just before dawn at Kennedy Space Center. The rocket had been rolled out to launch on the Artemis 1 uncrewed moon mission. Now, the towering rocket will soon be rolled out ahead of Artemis 2, which will have astronauts aboard. In a matter of days, NASA will roll out the towering rocket that will propel the astronauts on their lunar journey. Advertisement Advertisement Standing at 322-feet tall, the Space Launch System, or SLS built by Boeing and Northrop Grumman is one of the largest active rockets in the world. Once the Orion capsule the astronauts will pilot toward the moon is mated on top of the SLS, the integrated spacecraft will be brought to Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rollout could take place as early as Saturday, Jan. 17, and is expected to take up to 12 hours until the fully-stacked rocket reaches the launch pad where it will lift off. The four-mile trek will be made with the SLS on a massive vehicle known as a crawler-transporter that NASA uses to convey rockets. Once at the launch pad, preparations will commence to ready the large rocket for takeoff, including connecting cryogenic propellant feeds so that it can eventually be fueled. The SLS will also be fired up on the launch pad to ensure all its hardware and systems work as expected. What is Artemis 2? Orion capsule to take 4 astronauts around moon The astronauts of Artemis II (from left) Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch leave crew quarters December 20, 2025 during their pre-launch rehearsal. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK The crew of Artemis 2 won't be making a lunar landing, but will rather circle the moon on a 10-day trip to test systems and hardware for future expeditions to the surface. Advertisement Advertisement The Orion capsule the crew will pilot built by Lockheed Martin is due to travel about 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the moon before returning to Earth. The mission would come more than three years after Artemis 1 launched Nov. 16, 2022, from the Kennedy Space Center, sending the Orion capsule on a moon-orbiting mission without a crew in the first test of the vehicle. When will Artemis 2 launch? What to know about mission dates NASA's Artemis 2 mission could get off the ground as early as Feb. 6 and no later than April. However, NASA has identified three launch periods during which the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket can lift off on a precise orbital trajectory in order to meet mission objectives while keeping the crew safe. Because mission managers have to account for the moon's location in its orbit of Earth, the result is a week of launch opportunities, followed by three weeks with none. Advertisement Advertisement Here's a look at NASA's three launch periods, which include all potential dates for Artemis 2 to get off the ground. Launch period Jan. 31-Feb. 14 Launch opportunities Feb. 6-8 and Feb. 10-11 Launch period Feb. 28-March 13 Launch opportunities March 6-9 and March 11 Launch period March 27-April 10 Launch opportunities April 1 and April 3-6 The mission team will come up with the final target launch date after a flight readiness review in which they assess a variety of factors, including the status of the spacecraft. The review itself will come after what's known as a wet dress rehearsal a prelaunch test in which the the SLS rocket is fueled with 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants and a mock launch countdown is conducted. 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. Who are the astronauts on the Artemis 2 crew? The crew of Artemis 2 includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, as well as the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen. Advertisement Advertisement Koch and Glover represent the first woman and first African American, respectively, assigned to a NASA lunar mission. Additionally, Hansen is set to become the first Canadian to fly close to the moon, according to Reuters. 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: What is the launch date for Artemis 2? NASA shares moon mission timeline The towering rocket that will help propel a group of astronauts on NASA's first human moon mission in half a century may soon be visible along Florida's Space Coast. In a matter of days, NASA plans to roll out the massive spacecraft that will help the Artemis 2 lunar voyage get underway. The move would set the stage in the weeks ahead for the four Artemis 2 astronauts to board an Orion capsule hitching a ride out of Earth's atmosphere atop a NASA rocket dubbed the Space Launch System. Ahead of them? A 10-day journey circling the moon to lay the groundwork for a future American lunar landing. Advertisement Advertisement The mission comes amid a heated space race with China to get back to the moon, and President Donald Trump has signaled he wants to see a lunar landing before the end of his second term in 2028. As NASA moves closer to committing to a target launch date, the space agency has unveiled specifics about final preparations ahead of liftoff. We have important steps remaining on our path to launch and crew safety will remain our top priority at every turn, as we near humanitys return to the moon, Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASAs Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said in a Jan. 9 statement. Here's the latest on Artemis 2, including when it could potentially launch from Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Spaceflight in 2026: How Florida's Space Coast will have a central role in the year ahead What are NASA's Artemis moon missions? NASA's Artemis program is the agency's ambitious campaign to return Americans to the surface of the moon for the first time since the Apollo era came to an end more than 50 years ago. In the years ahead, NASA's Artemis campaign aims to launch a series of crewed missions to establish a continuous human presence on the moon with a lunar settlement on the south pole. That's where water ice thought to be abundant in the region could be extracted and used for drinking, breathing and as a source of hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel. From there, the lunar settlement would serve as a base of operations to make the first crewed space missions to Mars possible. Space Launch System rocket to be rolled out in January A full moon in June 2022 sets over the Orion capsule atop NASA's Space Launch System rocket just before dawn at Kennedy Space Center. The rocket had been rolled out to launch on the Artemis 1 uncrewed moon mission. Now, the towering rocket will soon be rolled out ahead of Artemis 2, which will have astronauts aboard. In a matter of days, NASA will roll out the towering rocket that will propel the astronauts on their lunar journey. Advertisement Advertisement Standing at 322-feet tall, the Space Launch System, or SLS built by Boeing and Northrop Grumman is one of the largest active rockets in the world. Once the Orion capsule the astronauts will pilot toward the moon is mated on top of the SLS, the integrated spacecraft will be brought to Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rollout could take place as early as Saturday, Jan. 17, and is expected to take up to 12 hours until the fully-stacked rocket reaches the launch pad where it will lift off. The four-mile trek will be made with the SLS on a massive vehicle known as a crawler-transporter that NASA uses to convey rockets. Once at the launch pad, preparations will commence to ready the large rocket for takeoff, including connecting cryogenic propellant feeds so that it can eventually be fueled. The SLS will also be fired up on the launch pad to ensure all its hardware and systems work as expected. What is Artemis 2? Orion capsule to take 4 astronauts around moon The astronauts of Artemis II (from left) Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch leave crew quarters December 20, 2025 during their pre-launch rehearsal. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK The crew of Artemis 2 won't be making a lunar landing, but will rather circle the moon on a 10-day trip to test systems and hardware for future expeditions to the surface. Advertisement Advertisement The Orion capsule the crew will pilot built by Lockheed Martin is due to travel about 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the moon before returning to Earth. The mission would come more than three years after Artemis 1 launched Nov. 16, 2022, from the Kennedy Space Center, sending the Orion capsule on a moon orbiting mission without a crew in the first test of the vehicle. When will Artemis 2 launch? What to know about mission dates NASA's Artemis 2 mission could get off the ground as early as Feb. 6 and no later than April. However, NASA has identified three launch periods during which the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket can lift off on a precise orbital trajectory in order to meet mission objectives while keeping the crew safe. Because mission managers have to account for the moon's location in its orbit of Earth, the result is a week of launch opportunities, followed by three weeks with none. Advertisement Advertisement Here's a look at NASA's three launch periods, which include all potential dates for Artemis 2 to get off the ground. Launch period Jan. 31-Feb. 14 Launch opportunities Feb. 6-8 and Feb. 10-11 Launch period Feb. 28-March 13 Launch opportunities March 6-9 and March 11 Launch period March 27-April 10 Launch opportunities April 1 and April 3-6 The mission team will come up with the final target launch date after a flight readiness review in which they assess a variety of factors, including the status of the spacecraft. The review itself will come after what's known as a wet dress rehearsal a prelaunch test in which the the SLS rocket is fueled with 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants and a mock launch countdown is conducted. Who are the astronauts on the Artemis 2 crew? The crew of Artemis 2 includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, as well as the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen. Advertisement Advertisement Koch and Glover represent the first woman and first African American, respectively, assigned to a NASA lunar mission. Additionally, Hansen is set to become the first Canadian to fly close to the moon, according to Reuters. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA's moon rocket for Artemis 2 may soon be visible in Florida Joni Little Owl, left, and Preston Freeman demonstrate in front of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck on Jan. 11, 2026, as part of a wave of protests across the United States decrying violence by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. North Dakota tribal governments are advising their citizens to carry ID amid reports of ICE detaining Native Americans. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Tribal leaders in North Dakota are urging their citizens to carry tribal IDs and other forms of identification amid reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detaining Native Americans in Minnesota. At least five tribal citizens were reportedly detained by ICE last week in Minneapolis, reported ICT, an Indigenous news organization. Four are citizens of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and the fifth is a descendant of the Red Lake Nation, the news organization reported. Advertisement Advertisement Reports of Indigenous people being targeted by ICE agents prompted Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chair Steve Sitting Bear to issue a public safety alert on social media Friday. Standing Rock is working on a designated telephone line to ensure tribal members know their rights if they come into contact with immigration agents, Sitting Bear said in a statement. Our Nation is a sovereign government and our members are not immigrants, he said. We are not subject to immigration enforcement on our own lands. The Spirit Lake Nation and Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate in a joint statement with the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe said ICEs activities in Minnesota have caused fear and uncertainty among their citizens. Advertisement Advertisement The joint statement also condemned the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent on Wednesday. As Dakota people, we are reminded of the sacrifices of our ancestors and the enduring impacts of displacement and violence experienced by our Nations, the tribes said. Tribal governments have advised tribal members to carry tribal identification cards, certificates of degree of Indian blood or other official documentation. The warnings come as at least 2,000 ICE agents are in neighboring Minnesota, with Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem reportedly ordering additional federal agents to the area. As tribal nations, our fundamental rights are not granted, they are inherent and written in our treaties, our sovereignty, and our laws, North Dakota Native Vote Deputy Director Kendyl Harrison said in a statement to the North Dakota Monitor. Any attacks or discrimination on any Indigenous person is a clear violation and intrusion upon those rights. Advertisement Advertisement Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Chairman Jamie Azure in a Facebook post also denounced ICEs activity as divisive and abhorrent. He told tribal citizens that ICE cannot go on tribal land without the consent of the tribe. In addition to the incidents in Minneapolis, ICE reportedly detained multiple Arizona tribal citizens last year, with one woman nearly being deported in November, according to the Arizona Mirror. Tribal leaders also urged citizens who are approached by immigration agents to contact their respective tribal governments, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Native American Rights Fund. Were seeing the same reports that Native people are being unlawfully detained as U.S. citizens, said Matthew Campbell, deputy director of the Native American Rights Fund. It appears that there is certainly unlawful force and violence being used in these detentions. Advertisement Advertisement He said the organization is investigating the reports. Campbell invited any tribal citizen who has been detained by ICE to contact his organization. We certainly welcome speaking to them to understand the issues and what has been happening, and looking at what a lawsuit may look like, he said. 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 A Navy sailor, and Wisconsin high school alum, was sentenced Jan. 12 to about 16 and half years in prison for providing sensitive military information to China in exchange for $12,000. A federal judge in California handed down that sentence to Jinchao Wei, 25, after a jury found him guilty of six charges, including conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of, and conspiracy to export, technical data related to defense articles in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Wei, also known as Patrick, is a 2019 graduate of Delavan-Darien High School, according to an online version of the school's yearbook. Delavan is in Walworth County, less than an hour's drive southwest of Milwaukee. Advertisement Advertisement A federal grand jury in the Southern District of California indicted Wei, and another sailor, in August 2023, alleging they sold national defense information to a Chinese spy. The U.S. Department of Justice charged both men under a rarely used Espionage Act statute that makes it a crime to gather or deliver information to aid a foreign government. While he worked as a machinist's mate with a security clearance on the U.S.S. Essex, Wei sold several dozen technical and mechanical manuals, among other sensitive information, to the Chinese intelligence officer, the DOJ said in a statement. The documents included information about the ships weapons, propulsion and desalination systems. Wei, who was born in China, met the intelligence officer in February 2022 while he was applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, prosecutors said. Wei admitted to the officer that he knew the arrangement could affect his application. Wei was arrested along with Wenheng Zhao another naturalized citizen from China, who pleaded guilty to conspiring with the same Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for money. Zhao, also known as Thomas, was sentenced in 2024 to two years in prison. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin sailor sentenced for selling military secrets to China The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid met Tuesday afternoon, where members heard presentations about the effects of federal funding cuts to Medicaid and new workforce requirements for beneficiaries. KFF estimates North Carolina will see a reduction of $23 billion in federal funding in the next decade as a result of the cuts, part of $911 billion in national spending reductions toward the program. "We know that many providers, particularly in rural areas, are already facing difficult budget situations, and so these Medicaid cuts could have a significant impact that could lead to some providers either cutting back on services or shutting down altogether," said Jennifer Tolbert, Deputy Director for the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at KFF. Advertisement Advertisement The new workforce requirements must be in place by January 2027, a deadline that Rep. Donny Lambeth, who serves as Co-Chair of the Committee, expressed doubt was feasible. "Personally, I don't think we can meet (the deadline). I think it's too fast, too much work to do. I just don't see how we can do it. And so we are going to be asking for a little bit of a concession on the time or hopefully we could talk to our congressmen, whether they give us any additional time, but any additional amount of time would help us. I think we're at least six months away or need at least another six months before we actually would be in a better position," said Lambeth, a Republican who represents Forsyth County. "Currently, what it looks like is those H.R. 1 rules around work requirements will flow down to the states. The states will then make their own rules about whether or not they're going to exempt people with disabilities, which we will, of course, advocate for that exemption. But how are they going to define disability?" said Lisa Poteat, Executive Director of The Arc of NC, a nonprofit that advocates for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Despite the timing concerns, Lambeth did express support for workforce requirements and administrative changes. Advertisement Advertisement "The concept of what they're trying to do is actually very, very good. I do think there's people on the Medicaid rolls that probably don't need to be on the rolls. They're probably errors being made. And, you know, we've seen that in their rates. I think this gives us an opportunity to step back, reform on this portion of the plan. I was always for a work requirement on the Medicaid expansion," said Lambeth. There are more than 3 million North Carolinians covered by Medicaid, a figure that has been significantly boosted by Medicaid expansion. which was signed into law in 2023. "I've heard a lot from (constituents) because I was the point person on getting expansion done, and I get constant emails from folks asking about what's going on. And, quite frankly, my response is we don't know. We don't know where we're going yet," said Lambeth. He did express concern over how the funding shortfall could be addressed. Advertisement Advertisement "That is the $64 million question. And I've been talking to the counties. You heard from the (North Carolina Association of) County Commissioners, they're not able to take it on. And that's worrisome because neither is the state. And I've tried to make it very clear that the state is not going to take on additional cost. We have to either find a way, i.e., the savings discussion that went on here or a revenue source that will fund any new cost. If we can't find that, then we will have to look at options to either scale back the Medicaid program and an extreme case of canceling the expansion population that we worked so hard to try to get in place to start with," said Lambeth. "H.R. 1, from the view of the (Association of North Carolina County Commissioners), is one of the most significant unfunded mandates and one of the largest shifts of administrative and economic responsibility that our state and our counties have seen in generations," said Executive Director Kevin Leonard. Poteat, who listened to Tuesday's meeting, expressed the importance of continuing coverage. "We've got to be able to sustain the services they need going forward and not lose the ability to be innovative. Part of sustaining some of those services is finding new ways to do them for the same or less dollars. That's where the innovation comes in," said Poteat. Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App Israels Security Cabinet met to discuss Phase II of the Gaza peace plan amid ongoing Iranian protests. The progression hinges on Hamas disarming and returning the remains of the final hostage. The Security Cabinet met on Tuesday evening to discuss Phase II of the Gaza peace plan. The discussion comes amid ongoing protests in Iran, which may affect the security implications of advancing the deal's progress. Advertisement Advertisement Israel has repeatedly insisted that Hamas terrorists disarm and return the remains of the final hostage, St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, before Phase II can begin. This included Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting that the Rafah Border Crossing will not reopen until Gvili's remains are returned, Israel's public broadcaster KAN News reported last week. An illustrative photo of Hamas terrorists with hostage demonstrations in the background. (credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90, Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa) Hamas claims to resume searches for Gvili's remains, source tells 'Post' Hamas terrorists claimed to have renewed searching for Gvili's remains in coordination with Israel, a source confirmed to the Post on Wednesday. Additionally, Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to prepare for the possibility of returning to fighting against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, Walla learned earlier this month. Amir Bohbot contributed to this report. As a "stanch advocate" for second chances, Crystal Avilla wrote a story about a woman who entered the criminal justice system before her 16th birthday "forced to learn how to become an adult surrounded by hopelessness and concrete." Avilla's story "Coming of Age in Prison" was featured in The Mabel Bassett Balance, a newspaper produced by women incarcerated at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud. Such compelling, real life stories are a mainstay of The Balance, and why Avilla was excited when the newspaper won the "Best Debut" award in the 2025 American Penal Press Contest. Advertisement Advertisement "Pride bubbled up and I think I did a little dance," said Avilla, one of the newspaper's founding editors. "Of course, we think our paper is amazing, but to hear that it stood out among other prison newspapers is satisfying on a whole other level." More: How an Oklahoma prison newspaper helps inmates 'live a life of purpose' Deborah "Jax" Franks, another editor at The Balance, said the award from the American Penal Press "recognizes speaking truth to power and relaying the realities, for good or ill, faced in the American penal system." "We are honored to be part of that history as it takes up the mantle once more," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Avilla said the first edition of the newspaper was created as a capstone project after a summer of journalism sponsored by the national nonprofit Prison Journalism Project and Poetic Justice. The Balance, and The Warrior Standard, a newspaper produced at Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft, both emerged from an 11-week journalism workshop that provided participants with training and support to create community newspapers within the prisons, according to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. The April 2025 issue of The Balance, shown in this photo, was submitted for the American Penal Press Contest. Judges with the American Penal Press Contest, a prestigious national journalism competition for prisonbased publications, conveyed their appreciation for "the positivity and strength of the journalists" who produce The Balance. The judges also said the depth and breadth of the stories included in the newspaper "paint a vivid picture of the community." The Balance also received good marks for advocating for reforms and including a Spanish-language article alongside what judges called "the stalwarts of a local newspaper obituaries and opinion." Melissa Antonucci, an assistant teaching professor at the University of Oklahoma, serves as a volunteer advisor for The Balance. She said she was just as excited as the newspaper's staff when she learned about the "Best Debut" award. "This national recognition is a testament to the professionalism, hard work and talent of our inside journalists, as well as the impact theyre making in their communities, both inside and outside," Antonucci said. Advertisement Advertisement "They inspire me everyday, and Im proud to work alongside them." Melissa Antonucci, assistant teaching professor at OU, right, helps an inmate Deborah "Jax" Franks make final edits on the prison newspaper at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in 2024. More: Tears of joy, pearls of wisdom: Prison Fellowship Academy celebrates fifth graduating class 'A part of something bigger' Avilla, along with two other editors of The Balance, Lindsey Smith and Deborah "Jax" Franks, each had their own reasons for being part of the staff at the award-winning newspaper. They each love writing and also liked the idea of helping to nurture a sense of community at the correctional center. Franks, 67, said she works closely with other staff writers and outside volunteers in the development, layout, editing and proofing of The Balance. She also produces some of the artwork and coordinates with other artists at Mabel Bassett for the cover art and the art that is included within the pages of the paper itself. Advertisement Advertisement Franks said her favorite part of working on the newspaper is seeing how the prison community responds to the staff's efforts. "Staff and incarcerated residents alike have been very supportive," she said. "They are often eager to read what we have written, and they look for themselves and their friends and loved ones represented within the pages of The Balance. The administration staff at both Mabel Bassett and Oklahoma Department of Corrections headquarters have been surprisingly engaged and willing to assist with our efforts." Inmates at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center make final edits on their newspaper in 2024. More: What I've learned in prison about political disagreements | Opinion Avilla, 47, said her favorite part of working at The Balance is handing out the newspaper to the entire Mabel Bassett population staff and residents. Advertisement Advertisement "People on the yard are so excited to receive each edition, and are always asking when the next one will come out," she said. The publication has featured stories about officers going above and beyond the call of duty to make holidays special, new classes and upcoming programs, and milestone events like the correctional center's 5K memorial run commemorating the Oklahoma City bombing, Avilla said. "We celebrate wins, both big and little," she said. "We cry together and laugh together, just like any other community. Seeing pictures of themselves and their community is life-changing for some of the ladies, because it is the first time they feel like they are a part of something bigger, that they matter." Smith, 35, said she recently became an editor for The Balance but she was a staff writer for all past issues of the newspaper. She said there were a couple of factors that intrigued her enough to get involved in journalism and The Balance, including her love of writing. Advertisement Advertisement More: 'Something sacred happened.' Incarcerated women find freedom in Poetic Justice art exhibit Smith said she also had a "deep desire to accurately portray the incarcerated community and its people whose stories are often skewed toward the negative or sensationalized for shock value." "Often, this overlooks the resilience, goodness and sense of community that deserves to be acknowledged," she said. "I saw the newspaper as the perfect fit to combine the two." Smith said her favorite part of working on The Balance is the collaborative aspect of it. "Its cool to see the end product of everyones hard work and each unique lens coming together so beautifully to tell the stories of our community," she said. Advertisement Advertisement "I always feel proud to be a part of it." Inmates make final edits on the prison newspaper at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in 2024. Connection 'inside and outside the fences' The trio of editors said the newspaper plays an important role in the Mabel Bassett community and beyond. "The most important aspect of The Balances existence is that it does exist," Franks said. "People are investing their time and money in the lives of the women here to produce strength and goodness and prove that a felony conviction need not steal ones voice, purpose or integrity." Smith said The Balance is an outlet for stories, voices and relationships, that are often "discarded, silenced or overlooked. "I believe it helps my community feel valued and heard," she said. "It connects us to one another, inside and outside the fences. And connection is what progresses society." Advertisement Advertisement Avilla agreed. "The Balance provides hope to a marginalized population who feel forgotten," she said. "It offers a much-needed platform for women to share their experiences, recipes, opinions their lives with the larger world. It is our legacy, proof that we are here, and that we are human." To learn more For a look at editions of The Balance and The Warrior Standard, go to https://www.poeticjustice.org/prison-journalism. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: The Mabel Bassett Balance newspaper in McLoud wins award Niger has revoked the licences of dozens of transport operators and drivers for refusing to deliver fuel to neighbouring Mali where they face possible attacks by jihadists. An al-Qaeda affiliate imposed a fuel blockade on Mali in September and began attacking petrol tankers on major highways. The landlocked country depends on fuel imports and in July had signed a deal with Niger to supply 85 million litres of fuel over six months to its vast, northern desert region, where various militant groups operate. Advertisement Advertisement Niger is an oil-producing country and a major ally of Mali - both run by military juntas which face jihadist violence. The fuel convoys from Niger making the journey crossing a route of 1,400km (870 miles) have faced jihadist attacks even under military escort. Last November, Niger delivered 82 fuel tankers to Mali, which managed to stabilise the energy supply hit by the recent blockade - as convoys travelling from Senegal and Ivory Coast have also been hit. Additional fuel shipments from Niger were expected in the following months, but plans were disrupted after drivers and transport operators refused to make the deliveries. Advertisement Advertisement This has prompted Niger's transport ministry to revoke the licences of 14 transport operators and 19 drivers for refusing to transport the fuel. "This refusal constitutes a serious violation of the legal and regulatory obligations in force," Niger Transport Minister Abdourahamane Amadou said in a statement dated 6 January that has just come to light. Another operator was handed a one-year suspension. "Those who are sanctioned must also surrender their transport documents and licences to the ministry," the statement said. It is the militant group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) that has imposed the blockade - broadening its years-long insurgency to include economic warfare. Advertisement Advertisement JNIM's fighters have kidnapped drivers and torched lorries. Last year, schools and universities across Mali were temporarily closed because of the severe fuel scarcity. The fuel shortage has sparked concern outside of Mali, with the US last November urging Americans not to travel to Mali and France advising its citizens in the West African country to leave. Mali's military government is led by Gen Assimi Goita, who first seized power in a coup in 2020. He had popular support at the time - promising to deal with the long-running security crisis prompted by a separatist rebellion in the north by ethnic Tuaregs, which was then hijacked by Islamist militants. Advertisement Advertisement A UN peacekeeping mission and French forces were deployed in 2013 to deal with the escalating insurgency - both have left since the junta took over. It has hired Russian mercenaries to tackle the insecurity, though large parts of the country remain outside government control. You may also be interested in: [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 Nir Barkat files Israel's largest libel lawsuit against Channel 12, accusing them of false claims following a broadcast of an investigation by journalist Omri Maniv. Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat filed a libel lawsuit against Channel 12 News's Omri Maniv on Tuesday, seeking a total of NIS 12 million in damages, a statement from Barkat's office confirmed. This represents the largest libel lawsuit in Israel's history, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Barkat is accusing Maniv of broadcasting a "false, negligent, and defamatory investigation" into Barkat. The claim contains 25 pages of documents, which it believes "dismantles all of Maniv's allegations, proving it is a chain of fundamental errors, distortion of facts, and the presentation of false representations - carried out while ignoring material information and facts, and with a blatant and severe deviation from the rules of journalism and professional ethics." "Freedom of expression is not freedom to demean, and freedom of the press is not freedom to defame without basis. This time, Channel 12 chose the wrong target - and acted negligently. The limits of power will now have to be learned in court," the statement concluded. Channel 12 journalist Omri Maniv, pictured in November 2024. (credit: MOSHE SHAI/FLASH90) Barkat's office released a summary of the claim. It alleges that Maniv's investigation failed as he "did not investigate even a single fact." Advertisement Advertisement "Instead of verification and validation, an artificial circumstantial link was created between random events, from which a story was woven that fits a pattern of personal, obsessive, multi-year persecution of Barkat," it added. Barkat: Investigation was 'disgrace to journalism, platform giving it airtime' The broadcast was a "disgrace to investigative journalism and to the platform that granted it 22 minutes of airtime," the claim alleges. The alleged libelous "smear campaign" rests on three lies, which Barkat's attorneys claim they seek to dispute. The first "lie" is that Barkat remains a shareholder and is actively involved in the activities of BRM and the companies in which it invests. Advertisement Advertisement The claim states that Barkat has not been connected to the company for 24 years, has not visited its offices, does not know the managers, and transferred any shares he owned to his brother, Eli. It also states that he does not own any shares in any company, including those in which BRM invested. The second "lie" is that BRM invested in shares of a news site, both to purchase political influence for Barkat and to serve as a conduit for transferring funds into his personal account through advertising in exchange for regulatory benefits. The claim seeks to refute this by asserting that BRM did not invest in the news site, directly or indirectly. The third "lie" is that Barkat made his fortune in Israel and maintains extensive local business ties that create a conflict of interest. Advertisement Advertisement The claim attempts to refute this by presenting evidence that Barkat made his fortune in hi-tech through exits from companies including Check Point and Mobileye, among others. It also refutes the allegation that Barkat has any business interests in the local economy and owes no favor to any local businessperson. "The statement of claim exposes a pattern of lies, gross negligence, and deliberate malice on the part of Channel 12 News. This is not a journalistic mistake, but a fundamental and deep failure that stains journalism in Israel with a mark of disgrace," Barkat said. "This is an unprecedented defamation lawsuit in both scope and severity. This is certainly one of the gravest cases in Israel of an obsessive, systematic, and ongoing media attack, including a series of publications that, through simple and readily available journalistic verification, would have immediately been shown to be fundamentally false," his attorney added. A 68-year-old New Jersey man who spent more than two decades in the United States has died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, prompting grief from his family and calls for accountability. Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, 68, a native of Honduras who lived in Union City, died on Jan. 6 in California, where he had been detained, ICE said. The agency said Yanez-Cruz was admitted to a hospital for what it described as heart-related health issues. He was the second person from New Jersey to die in ICE custody since December. His death comes amid growing national concern over deaths in immigration detention, with advocates and lawmakers calling for improvements in oversight and medical care, and as there are anti-ICE protests across the nation, including in New Jersey, sparked by the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Advertisement Advertisement Yanez-Cruz left behind three children and six grandchildren. His daughter Josselyn Beltran of Houston, Texas, described her father as a hardworking man and a devoted grandfather who called his family daily, remembered his grandchildrens birthdays and sent gifts. As a father, he was an excellent dad, she said. As a grandfather, the best grandfather of all. We hoped our father would get out of that place, that he would come out alive not the way he did. Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz of Union City died in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 6, 2026. He was being detained at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico, California. Their last phone call ICE said it detained Yanez-Cruz on Nov. 16 during a targeted operation in Newark because he was in the country without legal permission. Beltran said he was detained in Union City, not Newark. He had just finished breakfast at McDonalds and stopped to greet friends who gathered at a bus stop to find work, she said. Then, ICE agents arrived and detained a few of the men, including Yanez-Cruz. Advertisement Advertisement According to ICE, Yanez-Cruz entered the United States illegally in June 1993, was removed and returned. He applied multiple times for Temporary Protected Status immigration status granted when a country is deemed unsafe for return between 1999 and 2012, ICE reported. ICE said the applications were denied. His family said he previously had TPS but was unable to renew it. More than 80 people attended at vigil Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Clifton City Hall. After holding him for about a week at Delaney Hall in Newark, ICE transferred Yanez-Cruz to the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico, California. In calls to his family, Yanez-Cruz said he was dealing with stomach pains and shortness of breath. He was ill for weeks, Beltran said, but the staff gave him pills for pain without knowing where the pain was coming from. On Jan. 4, the detention facility admitted Yanez-Cruz to its medical unit for an evaluation of chest pain, ICE said in its statement. He was taken to a local hospital and later airlifted by helicopter to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio for a higher level of care. Advertisement Advertisement Despite medical intervention, Yanez-Cruz was pronounced deceased in the early morning hours of Jan. 6, ICE said. Beltran did not know that his health had taken a sharp turn for the worse. She last spoke with her father on Jan. 4. In that call, she said, he told her, Dont forget that I love you very much. Then she got a call at around noon on Jan. 6 saying her father had died about 11 hours after he was pronounced dead. The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to return his body to Honduras for burial. His funeral will take place in Texas, where Beltran lives with her family. Four deaths in 2026 Beltran said her she wants answers and justice after what she believes was a lack of proper medical care. Advertisement Advertisement As a human being, he didnt deserve to be treated that way," she said. ICE did not respond to a request for comment about Yanez-Cruz's case. Management and Training Corporation, the private company that operates the detention center, said it was unable to comment about Yanez-Cruz's care "out of respect for resident privacy." A spokesperson said the facility is committed to high standards of safety and medical care. Tejal Desai, of Clifton and Eric Lerner, of Warren, speak before the start of a vigil Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Clifton City Hall. They are shown between a picture of Renee Nicole Good and Jean Wilson Brutus. Good was killed after being shot by ICE in Minneapolis earlier this month while Brutus died while in ICE custody last month here in New Jersey. "Our professionally trained medical staff including licensed doctors and nurses provide timely, compassionate care to all individuals in our custody," the spokesperson said. "We take every medical concern seriously and ensure that appropriate care and oversight are provided at all times." Yanez-Cruz's death followed the Dec. 12 death of Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian national. He died one day after he was detained at Delaney Hall in Newark. His family said he was in good health before his detention, and ICEs own intake evaluation found no signs of medical distress. ICE said he died from suspected natural causes, but the matter is pending investigation. His family has called for transparency and an independent investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Deaths of immigrant detainees have grown amid the Trump administrations efforts to expand detention and deportation. More than 65,700 people were being held in ICE detention as of Nov. 30, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonpartisan research center at Syracuse University. Nearly 75% had no criminal convictions. At least 30 people died in ICE custody in 2025, the highest level in two decades, agency figures showed. ICE has reported four in-custody deaths so far in 2026. The other incidents involved another migrant from Honduras, one from Cuba and one from Cambodia, and took place between Jan. 3 and 9, ICE said. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: ICE detainee from NJ dies in custody in California Jan. 13 (UPI) -- The Trump administration said Tuesday it's ending the temporary protected status for Somali immigrants, giving those with the designation until March 17 to leave the country. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the expiration of the TPS in 60 days. "Temporary means temporary," she said in a statement. "Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law's requirement for Temporary Protected Status. Further, allowing Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interests. We are putting Americans first." Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump announced his intentions to end Somalia's TPS in November. The country has had the designation since 1991 and former President Joe Biden renewed the protections Sept. 18, 2024. It's due for renewal March 17. "I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post at the time. "Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It's OVER!" He provided no evidence for his allegations of gangs, but Somali communities in the state -- particularly in Minneapolis -- has faced increased scrutiny by the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement In December, Trump sent a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area amid reports of widespread fraud targeting state support programs. The New York Times reported dozens of Somali migrants were charged with crimes in which they are accused of creating businesses that defrauded the state by billing state agencies for more than $1 billion in services for children that never were provided. Federal prosecutors said 59 people already have been convicted of related crimes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services froze federal child care funding to the state amid the accusations of fraud. One of the ICE agents sent to carry out immigration enforcement in Minneapolis shot and killed a woman allegedly using her vehicle to disrupt a convoy of federal immigration officials. Advertisement Advertisement ICE said the woman, Renee Nicole Good, was trying to run over the agent who shot her, but some bystanders and city officials said she was trying to drive away from the scene. Good's death has sparked protests across the country by people concerned about an increase in federal immigration enforcement. Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey will not seek to keep his position, the longtime DA announced Monday. Morrissey, who has overseen the prosecution of high-profile trials such as the Karen Read Murder Trial and the disappearance of Ana Walshe, told Boston 25 News he was prepared to start a new chapter by not seeking reelection this coming November. 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, Morrisey said in a statement to Boston 25 News. I want to thank the Massachusetts State Police, the twenty-eight Norfolk County police chiefs, and the dedicated men and women of law enforcement who work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe. Advertisement Advertisement Morrisey has served as DA for Norfolk County for the past 15 years but came under scrutiny for his offices role in the Karen Read case. When Read was found not guilty on the most serious charges in her retrial for the death of John OKeefe, Morrissey only released a brief statement: "The jury has spoken." Norfolk DA Michael Morrissey releases 4-word statement on Karen Read verdict Morriseys office was able to gain a conviction later in the year after a Norfolk Superior Court jury found Brian Walshe guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Ana. I would just say today, clearly we are much happier with the outcome, and very happy with the work that was done by the professionals who work both in law enforcement and in the district attorneys office, Morrissey said outside court just after the ruling. I couldnt be happier. Advertisement Advertisement Adam Deitch, who served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts from 2019 until November 2025, announced recently that he would be running for Morrisseys office. 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 SEOUL, Jan 12 (Reuters) - North Korea has lashed out at a special sanctions monitoring team composed of multiple countries, calling its activities "illegal" and irrelevant to the United Nations, state media KCNA reported on Monday. The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, composed of 11 countries including South Korea and the United States, is aimed at monitoring and reporting Pyongyang's violations and evasions of sanctions imposed by United Nations Security Council Resolutions. A press statement by North Korea's permanent mission to the United Nations said that the United States was planning to hold a briefing session at U.N. headquarters, KCNA reported. Advertisement Advertisement It said the body was "recklessly formed" outside the U.N. system and could not be recognised by the international community. The mechanism under the new team was introduced after Russia in 2024 rejected the annual renewal of a U.N. panel of experts that had over the past 15 years overseen the implementation of sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. China abstained from the vote. In October 2025, the team issued a report on "deep connections" between U.N.-designated North Korean entities and Pyongyang's malicious cyber activities. The allegation on North Korea's cyber threats is "a fabricated story based on imagination," KCNA cited the press statement as saying. (Reporting by Heejin KimEditing by Ed Davies) NEW YORK (AP) A New York City Council employee detained in the Trump administrations immigration crackdown is an asylum-seeker from Venezuela, according to a court petition seeking his release. Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez was arrested Monday at a scheduled immigration check-in, enraging city leaders and drawing protesters Tuesday to the Manhattan federal building where he is being held. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Rubio Bohorquez had long overstayed a tourist visa, had once been arrested for assault and had no legal right to be in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement City Council Speaker Julie Menin disputed that, telling reporters that Rubio Bohorquez, a data analyst for the city legislative body, was legally authorized to work in the U.S. until October. Menin, a Democrat, said the council employee signed a document as part of his employment confirming that he had never been arrested and cleared the standard background check conducted for all applicants. The court petition, reviewed Tuesday by The Associated Press, said Rubio Bohorquez identified in the document as R.A.R.B. had always been seeking asylum and was arrested at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services asylum office in Bethpage, on Long Island. Menin called it a regular check-in that quickly went awry. Advertisement Advertisement The document, known as a petition for writ of habeas corpus, said Rubio Bohorquez has no criminal record no arrests, charges or convictions. A hearing on the petition is scheduled for Friday. ICE confirmed Rubio Bohorquezs name. Menin said she wanted to protect his identity and referred to him only as a council employee. We are doing everything we can to secure his immediate release, Menin told reporters Monday. She decried the arrest as egregious government overreach. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat, said he was outraged by what he called an assault on our democracy, on our city, and our values. Advertisement Advertisement New York Gov. Kathy Hochul referenced Rubio Bohorquezs arrest in her state of the state speech on Tuesday, asking: Is this person really one of the baddest of the bad? Is this person really a threat? I will do whatever it takes to protect New Yorkers from criminals, but people of all political beliefs are saying the same thing about what weve seen lately: Enough is enough, said Hochul, a Democrat. Menin said officials were attempting to reach Rubio Bohorquezs family and obtain contact information for his immigration lawyer. The nonprofit New York Legal Assistance Group filed the habeas petition on Rubio Bohorquezs behalf. The organizations president and CEO, Lisa Rivera, said it represents dozens of people who have been wrongfully detained by ICE and hundreds who are following immigration procedures in hopes of staying in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement This staffer, who chose to work for the city and contribute his expertise to the community, did everything right by appearing at a scheduled interview, and yet ICE unlawfully detained him, Rivera said in a statement. According to ICE, Rubio Bohorquez entered the U.S. in 2017 on a B2 tourist visa and was required to leave the country by Oct. 22, 2017. He has been employed by the City Council for about a year, Menin said. His position pays about $129,315 per year, according to city payroll data. He had no work authorization, ICE said in a statement confirming Rubio Bohorquezs arrest. The agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security, said that under Secretary Kristi Noem criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States. If you come to our country illegally and break our law, we will find you and we will arrest you. Several dozen people protested Tuesday outside the Greater New York Federal Building, where Rubio Bohorquez was being held. Some carried signs that said Abolish ICE and No Human Is Illegal.' Advertisement Advertisement Venezuela, whose former President Nicolas Maduro was seized Jan. 3 by U.S. forces, has been roiled for years by violence and economic instability. Nearly 8 million people have fled the South American nation since 2014, according to the United Nations refugee agency. Last year, President Donald Trump's administration ended Temporary Protected Status that had been allowing hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan refugees to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation. It wasn't clear from court papers whether Rubio Bohorquez had been a part of that program. Disputes over an immigrants work authorization have arisen before, in part because many employers rely on E-Verify. The system compares information provided by employees with records available to the government but doesnt automatically notify an employer if an employees right to work is later revoked. NEW YORK New York City Council members and Department of Homeland Security officials are offering clashing portraits of the legislative employee detained this week at an immigration court appointment. Local lawmakers demanding the release of their colleague a data analyst and Venezuelan national describe him as hard-working, law-abiding and one of many immigrants caught up in the Trump administrations dragnet. He provided legal work authorization and cleared all background checks, they said. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who disclosed that the mans name is Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, condemned a criminal illegal alien with an assault arrest on his record and a tourist visa that expired in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement He had no legal right to be in the United States, McLaughlin said. Its not the first time the administration has contradicted details of arrests that local, state and federal elected Democrats have tracked in their districts. But it is the first time a City Council employee has been detained. Rubio Bohorquezs arrest Monday at a Long Island courthouse has ratcheted up tensions in deep-blue New York City, where anti-ICE demonstrators, including Democratic elected officials, routinely protest masked federal agents arresting immigrants. Some City Council members were attending a Monday evening rally protesting ICEs fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good when they learned of Rubio Bohorquezs arrest. They then rushed to an emergency news conference called by Council Speaker Julie Menin at City Hall. This man chose to work for the council, on behalf of the public, on behalf of New Yorkers, and despite every indication that he was doing everything the right way, he still found himself a victim of egregious government overreach, Menin, a Manhattan Democrat, told reporters there. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y) said Tuesday that the detained council employee had Temporary Protected Status and subsequently obtained work authorization. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia from Ohio, is back to doing what she does best: gaslighting the American people, Goldman said, calling the DHS officials statement about Rubio Bohorquezs legal status a bald-faced lie. As of Tuesday afternoon, council officials had not been able to contact Rubio Bohorquez, but were trying to reach his immigration attorney, they said. The New York Legal Assistance Group has filed an emergency habeas petition challenging his detention. We have confirmed this morning that the staffer is being held in New York State, confirming that the habeas petition was properly filed and preventing his removal from the state until his petition is resolved by a court, Menin and Goldman said in a joint statement. Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of council members and their unionized employees also gathered Tuesday outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in lower Manhattan where they say Rubio Bohorquez had been held at least for a short while. Members of the councils Progressive Caucus took turns lambasting the administration while there. Abolish ICE, their handwritten signs read. Fuck ICE, more than one called out. They jointly called for ICE to get out of New York City. Im an immigrant, and every single time the deportation machine takes one of us and kidnaps us and disappears us, we should be able to see ourselves in their faces and in their stories, Council Member Carmen De La Rosa said. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was outraged Monday after a city council staffer was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, posting a statement calling for his immediate release. According to Politico political reporter Emily Ngo, the employee is of Venezuelan descent, had legal work authorization, and was working for the city as a data analyst. City Council Speaker Julie Menin told Ngo that the employee was detained during a scheduled immigration appointment on Long Island, but when he arrived at this routine court appearancequickly went awry, and he was detained and moved to an immigration detention center. Advertisement Advertisement We are doing everything we can to secure his immediate release, and we demand swift and transparent action by the federal government on this apparent overreach, said Menin, who did not disclose his name to protect his identity. DHS confirmed that this employee had gone in for a routine court appointment and was nevertheless detained, Menin added. They provided no other basis for his detainment. DHS confirmed that this employee had gone in for a routine court appointment and was nevertheless detained. They provided no other basis for his detainment, @SpeakerMenin says of @NYCCouncil employee detained in Nassau County pic.twitter.com/P7KZpNHA7t Emily Ngo (@emilyngo) January 13, 2026 Mamdani responded quickly to the news, posting a statement on his social media. I am outraged to hear a New York City Council employee was detained in Nassau County by federal immigration officials at a routine immigration appointment. This is an assault on our democracy, on our city, and our values. I am calling for his immediate release and will continue Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 12, 2026 I am outraged to hear a New York City Council employee was detained in Nassau County by federal immigration officials at a routine immigration appointment, wrote Mamdani. This is an assault on our democracy, on our city, and our values. I am calling for his immediate release and will continue to monitor the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Ngo added that the New York Legal Assistance Group was filing a habeas corpus petition challenging the council employees detention, according to a spokesperson. .@nylag is filing a habeas corpus petition challenging the City Council staffers detention, a spokesperson tells me. Emily Ngo (@emilyngo) January 13, 2026 The New York Post reported that the council staffer has a work visa that is valid until October, and is currently being held at a detention center in Lower Manhattan. Menin said that she had been unable to speak to the employee when she called the detention center. City staffers found out the employee had been detained when he used his one call after detainment to call the Councils human resources department, the Post reported. New York Attorney General Letitia James echoed Mamdanis call for the city staffer to be released immediately, and noted that she had spoken with Menin to express my support for her staff. The @NYCCouncil staffer being detained by ICE must be released immediately. I just spoke with @SpeakerMenin to express my support for her staff. We will not stand for attacks on our city, its public servants, and its residents. NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) January 13, 2026 We will not stand for attacks on our city, its public servants, and its residents, James added. The post NYC Mayor Mamdani Outraged After City Staffer With Work Permit Detained By ICE, Calls For His Immediate Release first appeared on Mediaite. A six-century silence is ending in London's skies. White storks, extinct locally since the Middle Ages, will be reintroduced to Eastbrookend Country Park in the east London neighborhood of Dagenham in October 2026, reported the BBC. The return is part of a coordinated rewilding effort to reconnect Londoners with nature and restore lost wildlife habitats. I am so here for this. Well done London!! White storks back in London after 600-year absence https://t.co/kcEM169IvY Celia Richardson (@CeliaRichards0n) December 8, 2025 The park's wetlands and meadows have been carefully shaped to support the storks' return. A large aviary will house the first birds, allowing them to acclimate before exploring nearby lakes and grasslands. Eastbrookend will become only the second publicly accessible site in the UK where people can see white storks reintroduced on this scale, following a successful program in Sussex. Advertisement Advertisement Beavers are also set to return to the park in March 2027. These rodents were absent from the capital for about 400 years until a small group was released at a nature reserve in Greenford, Ealing in 2023. Beavers shape wetland environments by creating ponds and channels that support insects, amphibians, birds, and fish, making them powerful partners in ecological regeneration, as the U.S. National Park Service explained. "Species reintroductions like this close to where people live spark conversations about the art of the possible in urban areas. It might surprise people that east London has lots of suitable habitat for these species," Sam Davenport, the director of nature recovery at London Wildlife Trust, told The Guardian. The initiative has received nearly 500,000 from the mayor of London's Green Roots Fund, alongside support from Barking & Dagenham Council and the London Wildlife Trust. Dominic Twomey, leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, highlighted the community aspect of the rewilding project. "It's about more than wildlife it's about giving families, schools, and community groups the chance to be part of something inspiring and hopeful," he said. Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasized that access to green space is a matter of social justice. "It can't just be those who live in the countryside who get to share their home with our amazing wild creatures," he said, per the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement With schools and local communities invited to engage directly, the project promises not only to restore London's lost wildlife, but also inspire the next generation of urban conservationists. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure 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. The Gavel outside the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) The Ohio Supreme Court is considering the meaning of probable cause when it comes to inspections of rental homes, in a case that could have major impacts to Ohio tenants and landlords alike. The states highest court heard arguments last week from CF Homes, LLC, and the Department of Development Services for the City of North Canton, on an appeal from the Fifth District Court of Appeals. Advertisement Advertisement The city enacted laws in 2022 establishing a rental registry, which it argues is a way to keep rental properties in compliance with health and safety standards, including the presence of things like smoke detectors and proper ventilation. The case centers on whether or not North Canton had the right under Ohios probable cause standard to inspect a rental property, despite the fact that the owner, CF Homes, declined the inspection. Probable cause is a legal standard to which officials like law enforcement must adhere in order to search premises or arrest someone for a particular charge, for example. Often, probable cause is noted when police want to enter a home where criminal activity is alleged. In this case, the city of North Canton said they had probable cause for an administrative inspection, in order to determine a six-unit rental propertys compliance with health and safety standards. Advertisement Advertisement The Stark County Common Pleas Court approved a warrant for the inspection, leading to an appeal by CF Homes to the Fifth District Court of Appeals. The appellate court agreed with the trial court, leading the company to take the case to the Ohio Supreme Court. The appeals court cited a U.S. Supreme Court case from 1967, in which inspection programs were aimed at securing city-wide compliance with minimum physical standards for private property, unlike in a criminal investigation, according to court documents. Attorneys representing CF Homes said the city needed more proof of the need for an inspection than they were given, especially considering the company said no allegations of hazardous conditions were made. Legal aid groups across Ohio have jumped in on the case, supporting the city ordinances as ways to help ensure that the rental housing stock in North Canton meets minimum safety requirements, and also allow the city to protect low-income tenants. Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Maurice Thompson, on the side of CF Homes, asked the court to leave undisturbed the original public meaning of probable cause, meaning the government would be required to provide evidence that an inspection was needed, not just the potential for a hazardous situation. Because the protections of the home are so important and are so strong in Ohio, I dont think we should leave this issue twisting in the wind, Thompson said. The government has to justify getting into a home. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Brendan Heil, an attorney representing North Cantons Department of Development Services, argued probable cause standards could be met by showing that the property may become hazardous, not just in a situation when a hazard already exists. Advertisement Advertisement In the case of CF Homes, Heil said the inspection was deemed necessary partly because the property was aging and because the building had not been searched before. Arguments on the North Canton side met with many questions and challenges from Ohio Supreme Court justices. Justices Pat DeWine and Pat Fischer went back and forth with Heil and an attorney from the Ohio Attorney Generals Office also on the side of the city government, to question the standard of a potential hazard as meeting probable cause. Unless may become hazardous is just something that applies to any property over a certain age, it seems kind of a meaningless standard, DeWine said. Advertisement Advertisement Fischer contended that any apartment could become hazard, though some may not, an argument Heil acknowledged as true. And so the tenants are going to be invaded whether theres probable cause or not, Fisher responded. Is that what youre saying? The North Canton attorney said showing that the apartment is aging and had never been searched before is the showing that it may become hazardous. Were merely saying that as long as youre promulgating a reasonable legislative reason to inspect for health and safety, you can satisfy the may become hazardous under the statute, Heil said. He further argued that proactive inspection of a home can be an excellent tool in protecting tenants from having to go through tedious court proceedings, like withholding rent through municipal court action, to force problem landlords to fix health and safety problems. Advertisement Advertisement This prospective inspection would be much quicker because it would happen before the violations would even get to the point of the tenant withholding the rent, Heil said. Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy took hold of that argument, pointing out that proactive inspections would circumvent the need for probable cause actions. You just said that theres no violation, so there no probable cause theres no reason to enter the premises because the government has no knowledge that there is actually a violation, Kennedy said. Samuel Peterson, of the Ohio Attorney Generals Office, further argued the standard to warrant an inspection can be met in the belief that things may pose a hazard. Advertisement Advertisement You dont have to have an objective belief that there is an existing hazard, Peterson said. Kennedy posed a hypothetical situation to Peterson in which she received a certificate of occupancy for a building, proof she was compliant with the law up to that point. What you are now saying to me is the government has the right to enter my premises any time they want to inspect anything they want if Im renting my premises, even though Ive complied with everything under the law when I built my structure, Kennedy said. Peterson doubled down, arguing that to ensure health and safety, there are certain times that it would be appropriate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE An oil tanker seized by the US in the North Atlantic last week has been brought to Scotland to take on fresh supplies, the UK government has said. The US has accused the Marinera of breaking its sanctions by carrying oil for Venezuela, Russia and Iran. The ship, previously known as Bella 1, was boarded while south of Iceland in an operation supported by British armed forces. The Marinera is in the Moray Firth - a sheltered area of sea between the east Highland coast and the coasts of Moray and Aberdeenshire - along with tugs and a US Coast Guard ship. Advertisement Advertisement A UK government spokesperson said: "The Bella 1 entered UK waters to be replenished with essential supplies - including food and water for the crew - earlier today before it continues its onward journey." The US Department of War, which was involved in co-ordinating the operation to seize the tanker, has been contacted for comment. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said "deterring, disrupting and degrading" Russia's "shadow fleet" was a priority. A spokesperson said: "Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels and we will continue to do so. Advertisement Advertisement "We will not comment on specific operational planning or give a running commentary on live maritime activity." It is understood US military aircraft landed at small civilian airports in Wick in Caithness and Benbecula in the Western Isles during the operation on 7 January. The MoD did confirm at time that the Royal Navy tanker RFA Tideforce and RAF surveillance aircraft supported American personnel. A federal appeals court has rejected for a second time a claim by Oklahoma's only female death row inmate that her 2004 murder trial was unfair because prosecutors sex-shamed her. Brenda Andrew, 62, always has maintained her innocence in the fatal shooting of her husband. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver on Tuesday, Jan. 13, upheld her conviction and death sentence in a 3-0 decision. The three judges found that the jury "had overwhelming evidence of guilt unrelated to Ms. Andrews sexual conduct." Advertisement Advertisement The decision came almost a year after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Andrew's favor and ordered the lower court to review her claim again. Brenda Andrew is shown in court in 2004. In an unsigned opinion last year, a majority of justices at the Supreme Court agreed state prosecutors "spent significant time at trial introducing evidence about Andrews sex life and about her failings as a mother and wife, much of which it later conceded was irrelevant." "Among other things, the prosecution elicited testimony about Andrews sexual partners reaching back two decades; about the outfits she wore to dinner or during grocery runs; about the underwear she packed for vacation; and about how often she had sex in her car," the majority wrote. "In its closing statement, the prosecution again invoked these themes, including by displaying Andrews 'thong underwear' to the jury, by reminding the jury of Andrews alleged affairs during college, and by emphasizing that Andrew 'had sex on [her husband] over and over and over' while 'keeping a boyfriend on the side.'" Advertisement Advertisement Andrew still can ask the U.S. Supreme Court for a new trial but further relief from the high court is a long shot. Oklahoma has only executed three women since statehood, all in 2001. Andrew was convicted in the fatal shooting of her estranged husband at their Oklahoma City home in 2001. Her lover, James Pavatt, now 72, was convicted at a separate murder trial in 2003 and is awaiting execution. Pavatt confessed to the shooting to a friend but denied Andrew had been involved. Pavatt, an insurance salesman, and Brenda Andrew became lovers after meeting at church, according to testimony at the trials. They even taught a Sunday school class together. Advertisement Advertisement Pavatt had been friends with her husband, Rob Andrew. He assisted Rob Andrew in setting up a life insurance policy worth $800,000. The Andrews' 17-year marriage fell apart in 2001, with her filing for divorce and him moving out. How was Rob Andrew killed? On Nov. 20, 2001, Rob Andrew came to the family home to pick up his son and daughter for Thanksgiving. He went into the garage after Brenda Andrew told him the pilot light on the furnace was out. There, he was shot twice, first by Pavatt and then by Brenda Andrew, with his own 16-gauge shotgun, prosecutors alleged. Pavatt also shot Brenda Andrew in the arm with a .22-caliber pistol to make it look like she was a victim, too, prosecutors alleged. Advertisement Advertisement Brenda Andrew told police two armed, masked men had attacked her husband. Police later found evidence that Pavatt hid afterward in the attic of the home of the Andrews' next-door neighbors, who were away. As police suspicions about her story grew, Pavatt and Brenda Andrew fled to Mexico with her children. After running out of money, the couple re-entered the United States in February 2002. They were arrested at the border. The federal appeals court in Denver had upheld her conviction and punishment in a 2-1 decision in 2023. In the dissent in 2023, Judge Robert Bacharach wrote prosecutors focused from start to finish on her sex life. Advertisement Advertisement "This focus portrayed Ms. Andrew as a scarlet woman, a modern Jezebel, sparking distrust based on her loose morals," he wrote. "The drumbeat on Ms. Andrews sex life continued in closing argument, plucking away any realistic chance that the jury would seriously consider her version of events." In a twist, Bacharach wrote the 2026 opinion upholding her conviction and punishment. He wrote that some of the sexual evidence was irrelevant but the "properly admitted evidence was overwhelming." Quoting from a 2021 opinion at the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, he wrote, Where evidence against a defendant is strong, the likelihood that erroneously admitted evidence will have an unduly prejudicial impact is lessened. Bacharach pointed out some of the sexual evidence in his opinion including that a prosecutor had described Andrew as a "slut puppy" in closing arguments to the jury during the guilt phase. However, he wrote the "alleged stereotyping didnt concern the central jury issues." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma death row inmate Brenda Andrew loses 'sex-shaming' appeal President Trump prides himself on being the great disruptor, saying and doing things no other president has ever said or done. Thats often because no predecessor ever considered such behavior fitting or appropriate for an American president. But Trump considers such thinking stupid and sees it as the reason so many national and international problems have lingered unresolved for so long. In the realm of foreign policy, especially, Trump points to achievements his predecessors lacked the imagination or the courage to undertake. In his first term, there were the Abraham Accords, under which several Middle East countries finally recognized Israels legitimacy. In the Russia-Ukraine war, which began under the Obama-Biden administration and greatly expanded under Biden-Harris, Trump prevailed upon NATO member states to raise substantially their contributions to the defense alliance while reducing Americas share of the burden. At the same time, he released weapons for Ukraine that the Biden administration had withheld for fear of antagonizing Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement In his second term, however, Trumps actions on Russia and Ukraine, while still unprecedented, are unique in demonstrating moral and political support not for Ukraine, the victim of Russian aggression and war crimes, but for Putin himself. In the Indo-Pacific, Trumps superb first-term national security team staked out a strong position, resisting Chinas aggressive posture against Taiwan and in the region generally. In this term, he is anxious to reach a trade deal with Xi Jinping and to ingratiate himself with another powerful leader. That Xi dictator was found by both Trumps first administration and Bidens to be guilty of genocide against the Muslim Uyghurs has not diminished Trumps admiration for the Chinese dictators toughness. At least one of Trumps audacious initiatives ended badly partly because President Biden made infinitely worse a flawed plan that trusted the Taliban to make genuine peace in Afghanistan. Biden managed to squander the few security safeguards Trump had built into his agreement and then tragically botched Americas withdrawal. But recently, Trump has had two dramatic successes, both still incomplete. Advertisement Advertisement First came the brilliant operation last June that destroyed much, if not all, of Irans nuclear weapons facilities. Trump has promised to resume the bombing if Iran tries to rebuild them, which it is clearly doing, along with expanding its long-range missile capabilities. The other flawless military operation was the daring penetration into Venezuela to arrest its illegitimate leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife and bring them to New York to face multiple criminal charges of drugs and weapons transfers to the U.S. However, the people who had long surrounded Maduro and were intimately complicit in his criminal enterprises are all still in power in Caracas, including Delcy Rodriguez, his equally illegitimate vice president, now sworn in as acting president. The regime has been only partially decapitated; Trump is confident he can manage the status quo for an extended period, as long as the remaining Maduro regime complies with his wishes to exploit Venezuelas oil resources. This is a deal with the devil that is doomed to fall apart at some point; in the meantime, the Venezuelan people continue to be denied their political rights under an unnatural, quasi-proconsul arrangement between the U.S., the worlds leading exponent of democracy, and a brutal, corrupt, authoritarian group of narco-terrorists. Iran is now in the midst of a second existential crisis, brought on to some extent by Trumps successful evisceration of its nuclear program, which, despite all Irans threats and bravado, showed its relative weakness when confronted by the Great Satan. Unlike in 2009, when protesting Iranians implored President Barack Obama to offer at least moral and diplomatic support, to no avail, and the protests were crushed like all others, this time Trump has threatened a severe response. If they start killing people like they have in the past, he said, well be hitting them very hard where it hurts. Advertisement Advertisement Those words, the strongest any U.S. president has ever addressed to Iran, can only encourage the population to persist in their push to rid themselves of the Islamic Republic. With two Trump threats of military action against Iran now extant and defied, the regimes days are surely numbered. The tide of history now sweeping through Venezuela may soon engulf Cuba, Nicaragua and other authoritarian or authoritarian-leaning governments in the Western Hemisphere. Iran can lead a similar trend in the Middle East. If Trump will apply his own revolutionary logic to Europe and the Indo-Pacific some evil leaders wont change unless changed from without the U.S. president least interested in regime change and democracy-building may well prove to be the most consequential in history. Joseph Bosco served as China country director for the secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2006 and as Asia-Pacific director of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief from 2009 to 2010. He is a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, a member of the advisory board of the Global Taiwan Institute and member of the advisory board of the Vandenberg Coalition. 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 case against an accused Orange Cove killer is now moving forward after nine years. Fresno County Superior Court Judge Brian Alvarez ruled on Monday that there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Action News could not show Basilio Rodriguez's face in court. His attorney argued there could be an identity issue. Sheriff's Deputies arrested Rodriguez last October, saying he killed Angel Esquibel at the Orchard Village Apartments in November 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors previously described the victim, who went by "Navajo," as a "good guy, (a) working guy." On Monday, a witness suggested he was upset before the stabbing. "He didn't like getting called 'dog' because he was not affiliated with the gangs," the man, whom Action News cannot name, said. Attorneys on both sides agree there was a homicide, even revealing that Esquibel died of multiple stab wounds. The 59-year-old has pleaded not guilty to murder. His daughter took the stand. "I heard a knock on the door, I opened it," the woman said. "It was Navajo standing there bleeding from his chest. He just said, 'he got me.'" Advertisement Advertisement That testimony was nine years in the making. Rodriguez's daughter testified against him as a witness called to the stand by prosecutors. "I saw somebody run out to the left side," the woman said. "I just saw the back." Defense attorney Greg Gross then pushed back, pointing out that Rodriguez's daughter didn't recognize his voice. The woman said she only saw the figure for half a second. "Did you know what he sounds like?" Gross asked. "Yes," the woman said. "Did you hear his voice outside during the commotion?" Gross asked. "No," she replied. Rodriguez will return to court on January 27 as the case heads to trial. For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, X and Instagram. This story was originally published on Higher Ed Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Higher Ed Dive newsletter. Oregon's Higher Education Coordinating Commission last week approved a suite of policy recommendations meant to increase efficiency at the state's seven public universities. If enacted, institutions would see regular audits of academic programs and could face mergers. The recommendation report, passed in a 13-2 vote at a special Jan. 6 meeting, found that "bold action is necessary to guarantee the ongoing vitality of Oregons public universities." Advertisement Advertisement But discussions around the report raised questions about how the recommendations would be adapted to the states broad range of university types. Challenges continue Oregon's public universities are expected to face ongoing budget shortfalls in the near future, the report said. That's despite the institutions' already significant efforts to balance their budgets. For example, the University of Oregon last year laid off nearly 120 employees and cut almost 60 vacant positions to save $29.2 million and close a projected multimillion budget shortfall. The smaller Southern Oregon University declared financial exigency last fall and enacted even more dramatic cuts meant to stabilize its budget following years marked by unprecedented fiscal crises. In September, its board approved closing 23 academic programs and eliminating dozens of positions, including 18 through layoffs. Advertisement Advertisement The commission's report, created at the behest of the Oregon Legislature's Joint Ways and Means Committee, found that each university had been operating efficiently in recent years. Even so, they are up against a shrinking prospective student pool and declining enrollment, as well as "the states constrained fiscal environment," the report said. During the Jan. 6 meeting, Commissioner Michael Dembrow said any policy changes must be accompanied by increased funding from the Legislature. "This report shows very clearly that the universities have been working hard to contain costs," said Dembrow, who voted to approve the recommendations. "It once again reminds us of just how far behind other states Oregon's funding of higher education is." Advertisement Advertisement In fiscal 2024, Oregon legislators appropriated $8,625 per higher education student, well below the national average of $11,683, according to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. "On the current path universities will be forced to continue to make substantial cuts annually or, in aggregate, fund balances will be completely exhausted within an estimated three to five years," the report said. Institutional integration HECC's report advised all of Oregon's public colleges to collaborate and develop plans for "targeted institutional integration." The integration could range from two independent colleges "operating under a single system policy umbrella" and sharing certain programs to "a full merger of two or more institutions," the report said. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to its seven universities, Oregon is home to 17 public community colleges. The report suggested that a university and community college could combine services if they find they overlap regionally. Prior to the board's vote, HECC Executive Director Ben Cannon presented the recommendation, and the report as a whole, as a much needed expansion of institutional options. "The failure to go down that path means that we are likely to experience at many of our universities the same thing that we have been experiencing over the last several years, which is these very, very difficult budget cuts that have negative impacts on students and communities," Cannon said during the meeting. He also cautioned against framing the vote as either approving the recommendations or continuing to make cuts. Advertisement Advertisement The report "doesn't make those financial realities immediately go away," he said. But it does put some different options on the table." If the institutional integration recommendation is enacted as written, the Legislature would empower HECC to act as a facilitator among higher ed institutions. The commission's proposal would be due by January 2027. A review for academic programs The commission's report also advises the Legislature to require degree programs at public universities to be "periodically reviewed and renewed." Its suggested metrics for judging programs include minimum enrollment thresholds, financial sustainability requirements, support for a university's mission, and the value provided for students and communities. Advertisement Advertisement The report also said a university's programs should not unnecessarily duplicate its other offerings. The audit process, which the commission would oversee, should allow institutions a "substantial window" from one to three years to correct the issue before shuttering a program, the report said. Whatever the yet-to-be-established factors, legislation should "strictly limit" them as to not allow overreach, the report said. "HECC should be required to take into account impacts on underrepresented students, institutional missions and priorities, statewide workforce needs and not strictly financial returns to the individual, and must be guided by well-researched policy, not ideological preferences," the report said. Universities respond University representatives showed support for the commission's efforts but warned against enacting wide-sweeping policy shifts. Advertisement Advertisement Charles Hoffman, board chair at Eastern Oregon University, told HECC commissioners that officials at his institution share the goals of affordability, efficiency and long-term financial sustainability. He pointed to the 8.4% cut Eastern Oregon made to its fiscal 2025 operating budget. However, Hoffman said at the special meeting that the call for institutional integration is "premature and could harm our regional universities." "It assumes inefficiency where discipline already exists and it risks imposing one-size solutions onto institutions that have fundamentally different missions, different scales and different geographies," Hoffman said. HECC's report acknowledged the significant variances in Oregon's public universities, both in their scale and the demographics they serve, and noted that sectorwide challenges would manifest differently at each. Advertisement Advertisement "While each of the seven public universities will experience these trends differently some perhaps even managing to stay cash-positive Oregon needs all of its public higher education institutions to thrive," the report said. Hoffman also flagged that cutting seemingly low-performing academic programs could unintentionally hurt areas where universities are seeing progress. "Much of the growth at EOU and at other universities reflects low-cost concentrations, certificates, and workforce aligned pathways built onto existing courses. Often with net-neutral or positive fiscal impacts," he said. Should the Legislature enact a program review, the criteria must be developed through collaboration between HECC and the universities, Hoffman said. Advertisement Advertisement AJ Romero-Gemmell, the graduate student trustee at Portland State University, expressed concern that the HECC report both duplicated efforts that are already underway and could introduce challenges. "Our board, as well as the boards at many of the universities, is already addressing many of the issues outlined in the HECC recommendations," he said. "We should work to enhance the efforts already underway to support our students rather than introducing ideas that may inadvertently harm those efforts." Recommended Reading Protesters gathered in Irans largest cemetery, Behesht-e Zahra, on Monday, chanting slogans such as This year is the year of bloodshed, Seyyed Ali will be overthrown. Over 12,000 people have been killed during the protests in Iran, largely over the course of Thursday and Friday nights, Iran International reported on Tuesday, describing the events as the largest killing in Irans contemporary history. These figures are unconfirmed estimates by the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement One source within Iran told CBS that the death toll could be as high as 20,000 people. Data from the US-based rights organization HRANA confirms the deaths of 646 people since the outbreak of the demonstrations last month. Iran International's sources included individuals close to the Supreme National Security Council, two sources within the presidential office, and personnel from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Mashhad, Kermanshah, and Isfahan. Additional information came from eyewitnesses, families of those killed, field reports, medical center data, and accounts from doctors and nurses in multiple cities. According to HRANA, as of Sunday, of the 646 people confirmed killed during the protests, 505 were active protesters, nine of whom were children. Additionally, 133 members of the military and law enforcement, one prosecutor, and seven non-protesting civilians have been killed. An further 579 reported deaths are under review. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have detained at least 10,721 people since the start of the demonstrations, and 97 cases of forced confessions by detainees have been published by official or government-affiliated media, HRANA noted. Protesters gather in Iran's largest cemetery, chant 'Seyyed Ali will be overthrown' Also on Monday, Protesters gathered in Irans largest cemetery, Behesht-e Zahra, chanting slogans such as This year is the year of bloodshed, Seyyed Ali will be overthrown, according to footage published online. The term "Seyyed Ali" refers to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Reports from Behesht Zahra Cemetery in Tehran show that families of those killed have gathered at burial sites and chanted protest slogans. Iranian officials call international reporting on protests a 'fabricated narrative' Iranian officials and state media have dismissed international reporting on the protests, calling it a fabricated narrative and attributing violence to foreign elements, terrorists, and rioters. Pro-government rallies have also been reported in several cities. Advertisement Advertisement International reactions include condemnation from European governments. Germany, France, and the UK have strongly condemned the crackdown and called for an immediate halt to violence and the restoration of internet access. "The Iranian authorities have the responsibility to protect their own population and must allow for the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal. We urge the Iranian authorities to exercise restraint, to refrain from violence, and to uphold the fundamental rights of Irans citizens," the countries stated. However, there have been several reports of regime forces deliberately firing at protesters. One video released by HRANA shows an Iranian military officer standing on the back of a moving motorcycle and firing at a group of protesters in an alley. Several other officers later joined him. The exact recording time of the video is unknown. Advertisement Advertisement The European Parliament restricted entry for Iranian diplomatic staff, while France and Sweden evacuated non-essential embassy personnel or advised citizens to leave Iran. US officials said various options are under review but indicated a preference for diplomatic measures. HRANA said the communications blackout has limited independent documentation of events, and all figures represent minimum verified estimates. The protests, which began on December 28, continue despite the communications restrictions and rising casualties. When Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact in September last year, it was clear what Riyadh wanted from Islamabad. A similar interest has been shown by Bangladesh, Iraq, Indonesia and the Libyan national army. Agreements have either been signed, or soon will be, for Pakistans domestically produced JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. Low in cost, high in performance, the jets were tested in combat against India as the two nuclear powers went to war in May. The JF-17 excelled against Indias French-made Rafales, and now other countries are lining up to buy their own. Advertisement Advertisement The lightweight, multi-role fighter aircraft is manufactured at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), just 50 miles from the capital, Islamabad. Its Block II variant is a 4.5-generation fighter jet equipped with an advanced radar and beyond-visual-range missiles capable of air-to-air and air-to-surface combat missions. They are fitted with Chinese-made PL-10E high off-boresight air-to-air missiles. Such is the affordability of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, Pakistans defence export industry is taking off - Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images It has advanced avionics, an active electronically scanned array (Aesa) radar and electronic warfare systems, representing an upgrade from the US F-16 and Russian Su-27, which were primarily built for speed and dogfighting. The Pakistan air force (PAF) says the jet offers high manoeuvrability at medium and low altitudes and combines firepower, agility and survivability, making it a potent platform for any air force. Advertisement Advertisement The Aesa radar enables it to simultaneously track multiple targets and provides more visibility at longer distances. It does not feature stealth technology, so sits in the same category as Swedens Gripen, Frances Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Chinas J-10. Except it is far cheaper. The estimated price of the JF-17 is between $25m-$30m (18.6m-22.3m). The Rafales cost more than $90m (66.8m) per unit, while the Gripen is priced at more than $100m (74.3m). Typhoons are around $117m (86.9m) and J-10s are around $50m (37.1m). US F35 Lightning IIs cost $109m (80.9m). The other appeal of the JF-17s is that they have already proven themselves in combat: with India in 2019 and 2025. Advertisement Advertisement In February 2019, Pakistan shot down an Indian fighter jet and captured its pilot, Group Captain Abhinandhan Varthaman, who was released two days later after the US and China intervened. The short conflict also resulted in the deaths of of five Indian air force officers and a civilian in India-administered Kashmir. In the four-day conflict in May last year, Pakistan claimed to have shot down six Indian aircraft including three French-made Rafales. India has admitted losses, but it has not provided specific numbers of jets lost in the conflict. Credit: Reuters The PAF says JF-17 Thunder took part in the formations that engaged Indian aircraft and was used to strike Indias Russian-made S-400 air defence system with a hypersonic missile. India has denied there was any damage to its defence system. Advertisement Advertisement The fighting stopped abruptly on May 10 after Donald Trump announced a full and immediate ceasefire. Pakistan later nominated the US president for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him with defusing a potential nuclear confrontation. Mr Trump also stated a number of times that six to eight jets were shot down, highlighting PAFs performance. The jets capabilities and competitive pricing had been noticed years before by smaller militaries. In 2015, Myanmar became the first country to buy the JF-17. Seven out of 15 have been delivered so far and the delay has been attributed to the sanctions on Myanmars military junta. In 2021, Nigeria bought three JF-17 jets. In February 2024, Azerbaijan signed a deal to buy 16 jets for $1.5bn (1.1bn). In November, it unveiled five JF-17 during its Victory Day parade. Advertisement Advertisement But analysts say the May conflict boosted the JF-17s appeal, particularly after the French-made Rafales were shot down. Deals agreed with six countries On Jan 6, Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, Pakistans Air Chief Marshal, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, his Bangladeshi counterpart, met in Islamabad and discussed potential procurement of the JF-17 Thunder aircraft. Now, Pakistans military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, says that a deal to sell JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Bangladesh is imminent. On Monday, Reuters reported that Indonesias defence minister met Pakistans air force chief in Islamabad to discuss a potential deal that includes the sale of JF-17s. One source cited by the news agency said Jakarta would buy more than 40 jets. Advertisement Advertisement Iraq has also shown keen interest in making purchases. These agreements come less than a month after a $4bn (3bn) deal with the Libyan national army for more than a dozen jets. Pakistan is reportedly close to striking deals to provide JF-17s and associated electronic and weapons systems to six countries - Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert about $2bn (1.5bn) of Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal. Aamir Masood, a retired air marshal and analyst, said Pakistan was in talks about or had finalised deals with six countries to provide equipment including JF-17s and electronic systems and weapons systems for the jets. He said those countries included Saudi Arabia, but could not confirm any details about the negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Pakistan is currently under a $7bn (5.2bn) International Monetary Fund programme, its 24th, which followed a short-term $3bn (2.2bn) deal that helped avert a sovereign default in 2023. It secured the funds support after Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies provided financial and deposit rollovers. Christopher Clary, a non-resident fellow with Stimsons South Asia program and associate professor of political science at the University of Albany said: The JF-17 has had some real export success. If Pakistan can develop a real defence export industry, that will help with international status and hard currency. It will also provide economies of scale for its own defence acquisitions of indigenous or co-produced hardware. Last week, Pakistans defence minister said the success of its weapons industry could transform the countrys economic outlook. Khawaja Asif told broadcaster 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. 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. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) On Monday night, Panama City officials met with several representatives from the housing community for a roundtable discussion involving the reality of the housing crisis. The goal is to look at different ways they can collaborate to tackle issues like the availability of housing, the affordability of housing, and an overall lack of funding. Several different types of housing needs were addressed through the makeup of organizations present. Advertisement Advertisement Groups like Habitat for Humanity, Lead Coalition, Rebuild Bay County, Anchorage, Arch of the Bay, Panama City Housing Authority, the Salvation Army and more gave their perspective on their biggest challenges and successes working in the housing world. And Panama City officials were able to hear feedback on ways local government can help. Florida Housing Coalition officials said that to address the affordable housing need for residents in Panama City by the year 2035, 3400 units are needed. What I see in this room is this incredible capacity that just needs the collaboration or a little bit more to make things happen a little bit faster than they are right now. And I think theres a way to tackle that, you know, with the folks in this room. So going forward we are going to continue this conversation, Florida Housing Coalition CEO Ashon Nesbitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Another workshop is scheduled to take place within the next couple of months to continue discussing solutions and looking for ways to collaborate. 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 mypanhandle.com. FREEHOLD -- On the evening before he and his family were murdered in their Colts Neck mansion, Keith Caneiro called his brother, Paul, demanding an explanation for money that was missing from a trust account his brother oversaw, a detective testified Jan. 13. "Paul, I need to know where that money went,'' Keith demanded on the phone call, played in court for a jury during the detective's testimony. "I just spent a half a day looking for it. I need to know where it went.'' Paul Caneiro never provided an answer. Advertisement Advertisement But Detective Debra Bassinder of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office testified Paul Caneiro, 59, of Ocean Township, diverted the money from the trust account earmarked to pay premiums on Keith Caneiro's $3 million life insurance policy to his own bank accounts to finance his own living expenses. PREVIOUSLY: Heartbreaking details emerge in Paul Caneiro murder trial When Keith Caneiro learned the life insurance premiums weren't being paid from the account, Paul Caneiro murdered him, his wife and their two young children, prosecutors allege. Bassinder, an expert in forensic accounting, provided daylong testimony on the second day of Paul Caneiro's trial in the murders of his brother, Keith, 50; sister-in-law Jennifer, 45; niece, Sophia, 8; and nephew, Jesse, 11. Advertisement Advertisement Bassinder's testimony was designed to provide a basis for what prosecutors said was Caneiro's motive for the killings. While the balance of his personal bank account dipped into the negative, Paul Caneiro's personal expenses in 2017 and 2018 totaled more than $700,000 and included lease payments on three Porsches for his family, and payments for an Audi and apartment for another woman, Bassinder testified. During that same time frame, he diverted more than $78,000 from a trust account set up to fund his brother's life-insurance premiums and transferred it to his personal bank accounts, Bassinder told the jury. After finding out about the missed premium payments, Keith Caneiro placed two phone angry calls to Paul on Nov 19, 2018, hours before he and his family were slain, Bassinder testified. Advertisement Advertisement Paul, as trustee of the account set up to pay the life insurance premiums to Canada Life Assurance Company, had sole access to that account. Keith Caneiro's home security system captured audio of his side of the phone calls he placed to his brother, demanding the password for the account. "Give me the (expletive) login, Paul,'' Keith Caneiro yelled at his brother, on audio that was played for the jury while Bassinder was on the witness stand. "Give me the login, Paul,'' Keith yelled at him. "Paul, just give me the login so I can see where the money went." The investigation continues Wednesday morning, November 21, 2018, at the scene of a fire at 15 Willow Brook Road in Colts Neck that left four people dead Keith Caneiro gave his brother a deadline of two hours to get back to him with the login and an explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Instead, prosecutors allege, Paul Caneiro drove to his brother's Colts Neck mansion in the early morning of Nov. 20, 2019, and fatally shot Keith on the front lawn. Then, prosecutors allege, Paul Caneiro went inside the house and fatally shot and stabbed Jennifer and repeatedly stabbed the two children, leaving them to die in a massive fire he started in their basement. Nicole Wallace, assistant Monmouth County prosecutor questions Monmouth County Prosecutors Office Detective Debra Bassinder as she testifies during the second day of Paul Caneiro's trial before State Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux at Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, New Jersey, on Tuesday, January 13, 2025. In her opening statement to the jury on Jan. 12, Nicole Wallace, assistant Monmouth County prosecutor, asserted that greed motivated Paul Caneiro to murder his family members. She said the defendant, having a hard time paying his bills and keeping up with his extravagant lifestyle, helped himself to the money held in trust to pay for his brother's life insurance. Then, when Keith learned that money was missing, Paul Caneiro committed the murders and set his brother's mansion on fire to cover up the theft, she said. Part of Bassinder's testimony centered on Paul Caneiro's living expenses in 2017 and 2018, as documented through payments from his bank accounts. Advertisement Advertisement They included mortgage payments, which totaled more than $70,000 for the two years, Bassinder testified. Paul Caneiro listens as Monmouth County Prosecutors Office Detective Debra Bassinder testifies during the second day of his trial before State Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux at Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, New Jersey, on Tuesday, January 13, 2025. Lease payments on three Porsches for Paul Caneiro and his family were more than $65,000 for the two years, the detective testified. During the same time, Paul Caneiro paid more than $20,000 for a lease on a Jeep, and almost $10,000 in 2018 for a lease on an Audi for a woman identified as Yisel Restrepo. Prosecutors at a pretrial hearing last year identified Restrepo as a woman with whom Paul Caneiro was having an affair. Caneiro paid $2,673 in 2017 to an apartment complex in Ocean Township where Restropo lived, Bassinder testified. Advertisement Advertisement He made almost $400,000 in payments on various credit cards during 2017 and 2018, Bassinder said. In addition to listing other of Caneiro's expenses during that time frame, including payments for utilities, insurance and educational costs, Bassinder testified the defendant also made payments to Tiffany & Co. totaling more than $20,000, as well as more than $20,000 to Restoration Hardware, she said. More than $400,000 in revenue from disability insurance payments came into Paul Caneiro's bank accounts in 2017 and 2018, and he received a total of more than $250,000 in income those two years from the two Asbury Park businesses he co-owned with Keith - technology consulting business Square One and Ecostar Pest Management, Bassinder testified. But, he also drew the tens of thousands of dollars of revenue from the trust account earmarked for his brother's life insurance premiums, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Only one premium toward the life insurance was paid in 2018, but none of the three other required $7,854 quarterly premium payments were made that year, Bassinder said. The balance in Paul Caneiro's personal checking account dipped as low as -$6,855 in September 2018 and remained in the negative as of Nov. 19, 2018, she said. Bassinder said statements for Keith Caneiro's trust account that she received from TD Bank showed payments were made to Paul Caneiro's personal accounts from it in 2018, but statements for the corresponding period for the trust account supplied to her by the Caneiro brothers' accountant showed those same monies were paid to Canada Life. Prosecutors allege Paul Caneiro doctored bank records supplied to the accountant to mask the thefts. Advertisement Advertisement The trial is before Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux. Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Paul Caneiro financed brother's funds for lavish lifestyle: detective Annual pay for the states 120 part-time legislators will jump 67% from $49,000 to $82,000, their first pay raise in two decades. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor) New Jersey legislators will have more to celebrate after swearing in Tuesday than their brethren of past years theyre getting a giant pay raise. A controversial salary hike that the Democratic-led Legislature passed on the last day of its 2022-23 legislative session takes effect Tuesday, when a new two-year legislative session starts. Advertisement Advertisement Annual pay for the states 120 part-time legislators will jump 67% from $49,000 to $82,000, with the Senate president and Assembly speaker each getting roughly $27,000 extra a year for their leadership roles. Every legislator gets $150,000 annually to pay their staff. The legislative raises will cost taxpayers $9.8 million a year $4 million a year more than previously. Raises for New Jerseys governor and lieutenant governor, which take effect with next weeks inauguration, are similarly eye-popping. Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill and Lt. Gov.-elect Dale Caldwell will make $210,000 each, up $35,000 from the $175,000 annual salaries Gov. Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way made. Supporters of the salary hikes said lawmakers pay had stagnated since 2002 and should climb to keep up with the cost of living in one of the nations most expensive states. Legislators also have said they sometimes work outside of scheduled legislative days because of constituent services and other duties. Advertisement Advertisement The law also hiked the salaries for 22 executive-branch officials, as well as the state Board of Public Utilities five commissioners, from $175,000 to $210,000 although those raises began soon after Murphy signed the law in January 2024. Critics had complained that the bumps would make New Jersey lawmakers among the highest paid in the nation, at a time of growing deficits and other budget challenges. Lawmakers passed a record-high $58.8 billion budget in June that included controversial cuts and budget diversions impacting colleges and universities, affordable housing, harm reduction work, and more. New Jersey legislators now make more than any other state lawmakers outside of New York ($142,000), California ($128,000), Pennsylvania ($106,000), Illinois ($89,000), and Alaska ($84,000), according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. New York, California, and Pennsylvania have full-time legislatures, while Illinois and Alaska are considered full-time lite, which the conference defines as having fewer session days and smaller districts and staffs than truly full-time legislatures. Advertisement Advertisement New Jerseys part-time legislators typically hold other jobs and logged just 89 legislative days in 2025 and 90 in 2024. Sherrill will be the ninth-highest-paid governor nationally, according to Business Insider. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX When its possible to order products with next, or even the same-day delivery, we take the speedy arrival of our latest tech purchases for granted. Having to wait 16 years between placing an order and its eventual arrival would certainly dampen the dopamine hit that comes with the anticipation, but thats how long one retailer had to wait for a collection of phones to arrive. Yes, 16 years Une commande de Nokia arrive avec 16 ans de retardUn revendeur libyen, installA A Tripoli, avait commandA ces tAlAphones en 2010, mais n'a reAu sa livraison qu'en 2026. pic.twitter.com/0SoXaMCK7w Renard Jean-Michel (@Renardpaty) January 8, 2026 The backstory to this is one that seems scarcely believable. In 2010, a phone dealer in Tripoli, Libya ordered a collection of mobile phones, likely expecting them to arrive in a timely manner ready to be resold. Advertisement Advertisement The order eventually arrived at the beginning of 2026, according to a post made on social network X, where a video shows a man unwrapping the extensively delayed collection of Nokia and other old phones, and laughing about how mobile technology has changed. Eagle-eyed viewers will recognize a variety of classic analog phones, including a Nokia 5300, and the famed Nokia N95, which was first released around 2007. Each phone has been carefully wrapped in plastic, helping to keep them safe when first shipped, but unfortunately, also away from our eager eyes in the video. Why so long? What happened? The long-awaited phone order wasnt subject to a logistical error or from being lost in the system, and the circumstances around its delay are far more serious. Advertisement Advertisement At the beginning of 2011, an uprising saw the start of the Libyan Revolt, followed by years of civil war until a cease-fire in 2020, and the region is still divided today. Understandably, the order was apparently forgotten in a warehouse, according to a local report, until making its way to the recipient in 2026. Reports also state the order was not coming from outside Libya, and the sender was just a few miles away in the same city, making the lengthy delivery time even more ironic. Commenters on the social media post remarked on how surprising it is for the package to be kept for that long, and for it to remain intact. Others add that some of the phones may be worth more today than they were in 2011, given the rarity and relative collectability of classic mobile tech. The video itself has caught attention due to the wholesome reaction and infectious laughter of the people opening a package of phones they likely never expected to ever see. WASHINGTON (AP) The plane used by the U.S. military to strike a boat accused of smuggling drugs off the coast of Venezuela last fall was painted to look like a civilian aircraft, a move that appears to be at odds with the Pentagon's manual on the laws of war. The plane, part of a secret U.S. fleet used in surveillance operations, also was carrying munitions in the fuselage, rather than beneath the aircraft, raising questions about the extent to which the operation was disguised in ways that run contrary to military protocol. Details of the planes appearance, first reported Monday by The New York Times, were confirmed by two people familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. Advertisement Advertisement Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said in a statement that the U.S. military utilizes a wide array of standard and nonstandard aircraft depending on mission requirements. The new details come after the Trump administration's pressure campaign on Venezuela which began with it massing military resources in Latin America and attacking a series of alleged drug-smuggling boats, killing at least 115 people culminated this month in a stunning raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. He and his wife were spirited to the United States to face federal drug trafficking charges. Alarmed by the actions, the U.S. Senate is preparing to vote this week on a war powers resolution that would prohibit further military action in Venezuela without authorization from lawmakers. Trump said to be trying to deter Republicans from war powers resolution Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump was been so incensed over the Senate's potential slapback on his war powers authority that he has been aggressively calling several Republican senators who joined the Democrats in voting to advance the resolution last week. Its headed for a final vote as soon as Wednesday. He was very, very fired up, said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who did not vote for the resolution. He described Trump as animated on the subject when they spoke before last weeks vote. In justifying the boat strikes since September, the Trump administration has argued that the U.S. is in an armed conflict with drug cartels in the region and that those operating the boats are unlawful combatants. US military guidelines warn against a civilian disguise Advertisement Advertisement However, U.S. military guidelines on the laws of war prohibit troops from pretending to be civilians while engaging in combat. The practice is legally known as perfidy. The Defense Department manual, which runs over 1,000 pages, specifically notes that feigning civilian status and then attacking is an example of the practice. An Air Force manual says the practice was prohibited because it means the enemy neglects to take precautions which are otherwise necessary. The Navys manual explains that attacking enemy forces while posing as a civilian puts all civilians at hazard, and sailors must use offensive force within the bounds of military honor, particularly without resort to perfidy. Wilson said each aircraft goes through a "rigorous procurement process to ensure compliance with domestic law, department policies and regulations, and applicable international standards, including the law of armed conflict. Advertisement Advertisement The plane that was painted as a civilian aircraft was used in a Sept. 2 strike, the first in what would become a monthslong campaign of U.S. deadly military strikes on suspected drug boats with political and policy ramifications for the Trump administration. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top officials have been called on by Congress to answer questions and concerns about the actions particularly the first one because it involved a follow-up strike that killed two survivors holding onto the wreckage of the vessel hit in the initial attack. Legal experts have said the follow-on strike may have been unlawful because striking shipwrecked sailors is considered out of line with laws of war. Some lawmakers have called for the Pentagon to publicly release the unedited video of the operation, which Hegseth has said he will not do. In a Dec. 1 meeting of Trump's Cabinet, Hegseth said he watched that first strike live but that he left before the follow-up strike. Advertisement Advertisement Legal justification for Maduro's ouster shared with lawmakers Senators on Tuesday were able to review, in a classified setting, the White Houses still undisclosed legal opinion for having used the military to oust Maduro. It was described as a lengthy document outlining the Trump administration's rationale. Exiting the classified facility at the Capitol, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, a Republican who has long opposed U.S. military campaigns abroad, said none of the legal rationale should be kept secret. Legal arguments and constitutional arguments should all be public, and its a terrible thing that any of this is being kept secret because the arguments arent very good, Paul said. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said he is not confident in the legality of the Venezuelan operation and in particular Trumps plans to run the South American country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the control will come from enforcing a quarantine on sanctioned oil tankers tied to Venezuela as the U.S. asserts power over the country's oil. Theres an ongoing question whether the use of military can be for bringing a person to justice, Welch said, calling Maduro "a really bad guy. The legal rationale addressed the military action "but not the current reality that the president is saying well be there for years and that were running Venezuela, Welch said. If a post-holiday cruise is on your bucket list, be cautious about where you plan to visit, even popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean. The latest advisory from the U.S. Department of State was for Grenada. The popular Caribbean destination now has a Level 2 travel advisory due to a risk of crime. Americans urged to exercise caution in this Caribbean destination Travel advisories are nothing unusual for several Caribbean islands and even parts of Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement The highest level of travel advisory issued by the State Department, a Level 4, warns U.S. residents not to travel to those areas. Haiti has been under a Level 4 travel advisory since July 2025. Here's what you should know. Travel advisory issued for Grenada, raising ranking to Level 2 A Level 2 travel advisory warns travelers to "exercise increased caution." The U.S. State Department issued the travel advisory update Jan. 5 due to the risk of crime in Grenada. "Violent crime can occur anywhere in Grenada. American citizens in Grenada have been victims of armed robbery, assault, burglary, and rape. "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 said. Advice if you plan to travel to Grenada The State Department issued these tips if you decide to travel to Grenada: Advertisement Advertisement Review the State Department's information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Use caution when walking or driving at night. Keep a low profile. Stay aware of your surroundings. Do not answer your door at your hotel or residence unless you know who it is. University students: Contact campus security in the event of an on-campus emergency. Security staff may respond more quickly than local police. Boaters: Use caution if unfamiliar people or watercraft approach your boat, whether at anchor or at sea. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in case of an emergency. Places near Florida where travelers are encouraged not to visit or to reconsider travel Travel advisories are issued by the U.S. State Department. Areas in dark red or orange-hatched represent the highest threat levels as of Jan. 13, 2026. The U.S. State Department has issued Level 3 or 4 travel advisories for the following locations near Florida. A Level 4 advisory is the highest ranking, where officials encourage U.S. citizens not to travel. Haiti, Level 4 Jamaica, Level 3 Trinidad and Tobago, Level 3 What do State Department travel advisories mean? The U.S. State Department issues travel advisories on a regular basis, from one to four. Levels 1 and 2 are updated every 12 months; Levels 3 and 4 are updated at least every six months, although advisories can be updated at any time if conditions change substantially. Advertisement Advertisement Here's what each travel advisory means: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risks. There is some risk in any international travel, and conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States. Level 2: Exercise increased caution Be aware of increased risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory. Level 3: Reconsider travel Reconsider your travel to the destination due to serious risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory. Level 4: Do not travel This is the highest advisory level due to life-threatening risks. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory. The U.S. government may have very limited or no ability to help, including during an emergency. We advise that U.S. citizens do not travel to the country, or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. 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 floridatoday.com/newsletters. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: State Department travel warning issued for Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica (This story was updated to add new information.) The real estate company looking to bring a data center to Greenleaf has ended its pursuit of property after residents and officials made clear they opposed the idea. Greenleaf last week became the latest Wisconsin community swept up in the national, bipartisan backlash to a growing AI industry when residents learned Cloverleaf Infrastructure was offering to purchase property between Fair Road and Mallard Road west of State Highway 32/57. Advertisement Advertisement The Seattle-based company and village officials on Jan. 13 confirmed that Cloverleaf is no longer looking at Greenleaf for a data center. Residents of Greenleaf and other nearby communities on Jan. 12 gathered to learn what they can do to oppose efforts to develop an AI data center in the southern Brown County village. The news reached residents and supporters after about 80 Greenleaf, Wrightstown and rural southern Brown County residents filled the Gnarly Cedar Brewery tasting room Jan. 12 to capacity to learn how to focus their opposition to a possible data center development. Cloverleaf Infrastructure had offered purchase agreements to property owners in southern Brown County, specifically in Greenleaf and the Town of Wrightstown, as part of a larger property scouting effort in northeastern Wisconsin, according to its chief development officer Aaron Bilyeu. On Jan. 13, Bilyeu said the company would no longer pursue property in Greenleaf, but continues to be interested in siting a data center in northeastern Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement "We will continue to look for sites in supportive jurisdictions," Bilyeu told the Press-Gazette in an email. Greenleaf area residents rapidly mounted opposition, got support from Charlie Berens Word of purchase agreements immediately spurred residents in the village and nearby towns to rapidly organize in opposition to the data center. They created a Facebook group called Stop the Greenleaf Data Center the morning of Jan. 7 as a place for locals to communicate and organize against this unwanted development," the group's description said. The group as of Jan. 12 had almost 3,000 members, or about three times the population of Greenleaf. Residents circulated online and paper petitions opposing the data center. One area resident organized a yard sign order; another made "no data center" stickers. The community even got a supportive video shoutout from Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens, who noted "they picked the wrong week to mess with Wisconsin" after the Green Bay Packers' wild-card game loss to the Chicago Bears. "We are going to push back against this data center. We're gonna help your local officials see there has got to be a better way to help a community than an AI data center, which it doesn't. It's not investment, it's extraction," Berens said in the video. "They're here for our land. They're here for our water. And in the long run, these things just don't work out." Advertisement Advertisement Adam and Katrina Magnuson, owners of LedgeStone Vineyards and Gnarly Cedar, hosted the community information meeting where presenters offered residents tips from other communities' fights against data center proposals and suggestions on how to press elected officials to oppose such projects. Jodi Labs of the Izaak Walton League's Brown County chapter encouraged residents to educate themselves on data centers' impacts, show up to government meetings, consider a voter referendum and to stick with it even if the current effort doesn't materialize. "You need to come together and let [your elected officials] know how you feel," Labs said. Here's what we know about the plans for a data center in the region and why Greenleaf residents opposed it. LedgeStone Vineyard and Gnarly Cedar Brewery owners Adam and Katrina Magnuson address Greenleaf and southern Brown County residents concerned about a possible data center development in the recently incorporated village. More: Electricity demand in Wisconsin was declining until data centers arrived What was behind the rumors of a data center in Greenleaf? Bilyeu said Cloverleaf was interested siting an AI data center somewhere in northeastern Wisconsin. To that end, his company has contacted representatives of multiple units of local government to gauge their support for an AI data center, as well as reached out to landowners to purchase their properties. Advertisement Advertisement The Village of Greenleaf, which incorporated as Brown County's newest village in 2023, was one of those locations. The community formed from the Town of Wrightstown and is home to about 920 residents. Residents have learned the company made offers to purchase land in the village. Greenleaf has received no application, plan submission or other request in writing, according to village clerk Stephanie Owen. However, Bilyeu said the company has offered purchase agreements to residents, some of whom have already agreed to sell land. "I'm not trying to hide anything. We're just trying to find the right spot," Bilyeu said. What is Cloverleaf's role in the data center development? Cloverleaf is a data center development company whose job is to assemble enough land for a data center, apply for local permits, and works with power companies to ensure ample supply to the site. It then sells the project site to an end user and a builder, Bilyeu said. Advertisement Advertisement The company would play the same role as it did in Port Washington. It acquired the rights to the land involved, lined up the necessary approvals and sold the project to the developer, Vantage Data Centers, and end-users, Open AI and Oracle. Why northeastern Wisconsin for an AI data center? There's much that's attractive about Wisconsin and its northeast to Cloverleaf Infrastructure for AI data centers. Bilyeu cited the state's abundant electric supply and the region's spacious land, plus a nearby workforce capable of building and staffing the centers. But most crucially, Bilyeu pointed to a special privilege Wisconsin has given since 2023 of exempting data centers from sales and use taxes. "That really fueled the expansion of data centers" in Wisconsin, Bilyeu said. "States with sales and use tax exemptions have data centers. States without exemptions dont." Advertisement Advertisement So far, four data centers have qualified for the exemption, according to the Department of Revenue, all in the state's south: Epic Hosting in Verona, Microsoft in Mount Pleasant, Meta in Beaver Dam, and Vantage in Port Washington that has been especially contentious with residents calling for a mayoral recall. How much land were we talking about? The minimum required would be about 200-300 acres for a small data center, but the amount of land it is able to secure in a given area will determine the size and scope of a project, Bilyeu said. A large site could host multiple small data centers or a single, very large one, Bilyeu said. Who would have occupied the Greenleaf data center? That would have been determined much later. The plan would have had to advance further along before a company is attached to a data center project. Stickers opposing a potential data center in Greenleaf were available at a Jan. 12, 2026 informational meeting at Gnarly Cedar Brewing. Greenleaf residents say a data center would be too big for such a small village The general consensus among residents at Gnarly Cedar was the data center would be so big and imposing it would destroy the charm and character that made Greenleaf incorporate. Advertisement Advertisement Brandon Huebner said residents incorporated because they wanted Greenleaf to "stay a village," not to become "an industrial park." He said a data center doesn't fit here and he's concerned Cloverleaf isn't being forthcoming with the community. Amy Leonhard lives off State 57 near where Cloverleaf had made offers to purchase land. She hasn't heard of any neighbors who support the data center. The sudden announcement and lack of details about what could be involved have left her concerned about how a data center would impact her water well, property values and the quaint community she calls home. "We're too small for this," Leonhard said. Julie and Doug Carter said the quiet, rural setting they moved to 30 years ago on Fair Road would be forever changed if the view out their front door went from farmland to a data center. Advertisement Advertisement "I would look at a factory that stretched as far as the eye could see," Julie Carter said. "It would be devastating." Cloverleaf addresses concerns about power, water, utility costs Bilyeu said data center builders and operators have incorporated technologies to minimize water use. Most data centers now use closed-loop systems to cool data centers with a lot less water use. He cited Port Washington as an example, saying that data center will use the same volume of water as about 65 homes. He also said data center operators have committed to paying all costs for additional electric infrastructure new data centers require and support a legislative proposal to create an electric rate structure just for data centers. Bilyeu said Cloverleaf and other companies involved are willing to work with municipalities and residents to address common quality of life questions around noise, building heights and other concerns. Republicans have their own policy proposals to mitigate data center side effects. Not everyone's happy, especially Cloverleaf A Republican bill, similar to a Democratic-led bill several months before, proposes to mitigate the worst effects of data centers, like spiking electricity costs and water consumption, while reaping the economic benefits, such as job creation and, in the case of Racine County, millions of dollars added to tax rolls. The bill would: Advertisement Advertisement Require annual energy and water usage reports to the state's Public Service Commission. Prohibit costs associated with a data center's electric infrastructure from being passed on to other customers. Mandate that water used for cooling purposes be part of a closed-loop system. Require that any renewable energy facility primarily serving the data center be located on-site. Return the site to its former state after the data center is finished operations. "New is scary. Big is scary. That's why we're doing this bill," said state Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, during a Jan. 12 news conference at the Brown County STEM Innovation Center on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus. Some of the bill's provisions raised Bilyeu's eyebrows. He said he had no qualms with abiding by the bill's measures, except for two: the restrictions on renewable energy, which he said went against how electricity is returned to the larger electric grid, and the condition to return the site to its a pre-construction state, which he called "an absurd condition to put on a private business." Democrats were also wary specifically of the renewable energy provision. State Sen. Jamie Wall said he was on board with the bill, except for the restriction for on-site renewable energy, which he likened to Republican "hostility" to renewable energy. Steffen during the news conference had attributed the reason for the renewable energy measure to insulating the region from local affairs, or as he put it: "Not 'Greenleaf decides to maybe allow a data center,' and then the people of Oconto, who weren't involved in that discussion, then have to deal with losing farmland to a solar field or whatever." "If they got rid of that, I think [the bill] would pass almost unanimously." Wall said. Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X at @JeffBollier. Jesse Lin is a reporter covering the community of Green Bay and its surroundings, as well as politics in northeastern Wisconsin. He also writes a weekly column answering reader questions about Green Bay. Contact and send him questions at 920-834-4250 or jlin@usatodayco.com. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Greenleaf data center plans scrapped amid community's growing backlash Polar vortex to usher in much colder air to central and eastern US into end of January Colder air is becoming re-established in the central and eastern United States after a recent warmup. Over the next 10-14 days, the polar vortex will be active, with the possibility of cold air dominating the weather pattern through the end of the month and into early February. "Over the next couple of weeks, the jet stream will develop a large buckle with a northward bulge along the Pacific Coast and a southward dip centered on the Great Lakes," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. "This setup stretches the polar vortex, sending persistent warmth near the bulge and repeated shots of cold air through the dip." AccuWeather.com For example, temperatures in Chicago are expected to swing from near average to 10-20 degrees below average over the next one to two weeks. The average high in Chicago is near 32 degrees Fahrenheit. In New York City, temperatures will range from near the historical average in the upper 30s to 5-10 degrees below during the same period. Advertisement Advertisement Because of the large, rounded shape of the jet stream dip, it will be difficult for storms in the South to rapidly strengthen along the Atlantic coast and become major snowstorms. Instead, most storms will stay weak, move quickly and exit out to sea through much of next week. However, any fluctuation, even brief, could be enough to allow a southern storm to track farther north and hug the Atlantic coast. AccuWeather meteorologists continue to monitor a brief snow event along the Atlantic coast from Saturday night to Sunday night. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP The waves of cold will bring clipper systems and rounds of lake-effect snow, snow squalls and flurries from the Midwest to the Northeast. Advertisement Advertisement "Very cold air is building back again in western and central Canada, but it will take some time," Pastelok explained. "As this happens, people in the Central and Eastern states will experience typical winter weather and colder conditions than during the past week or two." Later this month and into early February, there is the potential for a more significant shift in the polar vortex. AccuWeather.com "There are some indicators that point toward unusual warmth poking all the way into northern Alaska," AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Alex Duffus said. "That setup could play a role in a major shift of the polar vortex." Depending on snow cover across southern Canada, the Midwest and the interior Northeast, along with ice cover on the Great Lakes, this has the potential to bring some of the coldest air of the winter. Advertisement Advertisement In December, while the lakes were mostly ice-free, there was extensive snow cover across the north-central and interior Northeast. On the coldest December days, temperatures in the Midwest were 20-30 degrees below average, and in the Northeast, temperatures were 10-20 degrees below average. Snow and ice cover tend to act as an insulator and lock out the warming effects of the ground and water. AccuWeather.com One way a major storm could develop would be if a roadblock in the atmosphere forms near Greenland, which can trap storms along the Atlantic coast and raise the risk of heavy snow. There are signs a large storm could develop late next week, but AccuWeather's long-range team says it is still too early to determine specific details of the potential storm. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. Federal agents say a man suspected of robbing at least 11 stores in metro Atlanta could be responsible for even more. Marietta police sent out an alert on Tuesday, saying if you recognize the man to call them. They said the same suspect robbed a Subway in a strip mall off Cobb Parkway at gunpoint on Dec. 28. Clerks say he was wearing a blue and white hoodie and a ski mask, hiding his face. Then pulled out a gun, demanding money, and ran after the worker handed it over. Advertisement Advertisement FBI Atlanta saw Mariettas surveillance pictures, and agents said they arrested the robber on Jan. 2. They identified him as Tracy Mingo Jr. Now theyre working with Marietta police to add their case to their list. TRENDING STORIES: Were not surprised because we actually think hes probably responsible for more robberies. Weve only had certain agencies reach out to us that were working with, but we think maybe this attention from Marietta, as well as us today, is going to help identify other locations hes responsible for, Supervisory Special Agent Matthew Komar with the FBI field office in Atlanta said. Advertisement Advertisement Komar said Mingo has also used costumes as a disguise to sneak up on unsuspecting clerks. Hes dangerous. He was targeting female employees at these locations. He would dress up in costumes, kind of be like a security guard, construction worker, Door Dash delivery guy, to where they wouldnt suspect him at first, then he would pull his gun out, Komar said. So far, investigators believe Mingo is responsible for robberies at Circle Ks, Subways, and Family Dollars in Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb counties. Those cases date back to Oct. 20. If you think hes connected to a crime in your neighborhood, call the FBI Atlanta field office. During his last year in office, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis will make his final decisions on which prisoners in the state he will grant clemency. Among those under consideration is Tina Peters, who was convicted of multiple felonies stemming from unauthorized accessing of voting machines, and who President Trump has repeatedly demanded be set free. Peters, a former county clerk of Mesa County in western Colorado and former candidate for Colorado secretary of state, was sentenced in October 2024 to nine years in prison after being convicted on seven of 10 state charges, including three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation. Polis previously refused to move Peters to federal custody, but has also said recently that he would be looking into her case in his final year. Mr. Trump said in December he was granting a pardon to Peters, even though the president's pardon power is widely understood to only apply to federal crimes, and she was charged in state court. Advertisement Advertisement "You can't give the president the headspace on this," Polis told "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil. "You look at every case on clemency on the merits. You have somebody who is nonviolent, a first-time offender, elderly. On the other hand, does she take full accountability for her crime? We don't look at this in isolation." Peters insisted, even during her sentencing, that she did nothing wrong and was trying to prevent and discover voter fraud. There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, contrary to Mr. Trump's repeated claims. "I have dozens of these requests that we look at regularly, and I want to make sure that we don't look at this one in any different way," Polis said, but noted he has not made a decision. Polis said he will only make his decision based on the facts of the case, "and there's some that work in her favor, some that work against her." Advertisement Advertisement Polis said he has a harder time with cases where people have committed violent crimes. "To let somebody out at some point have they made restitution? is a tough decision, but it's one that I'm never afraid to shy away from," he said. Extended Interview: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes remembers Bob Weir as "a sharp guy who knew things about everything" Jacksonville Jaguars coach gets pep talk from reporter after playoff loss Gov. Wes Moore (D) talks to reporters in November. A new poll shows the governor is still popular, but his popularity continues to wane. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Roughly half of Maryland voters said they would vote to reelect Gov. Wes Moore to a second term, even as the first-term Democrats job approval numbers continue a downward trend. The poll released Tuesday by Annapolis-based Gonzales Research & Media represents a mixed bag for the governor. Advertisement Advertisement If the election were today, Moore would be reelected, but the election isnt today, said Patrick Gonzales, a veteran state pollster. Its 10 months away. We have a session that is going to be rather problematic, I suspect, for the governor. Where we are six months from now, where we are on Labor Day, thats going to matter. Thats how I see it. The poll of 808 registered Maryland voters who said they were likely to vote in 2026 was conducted between Dec. 21 and Jan. 6. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.5%. Gonzales also asked who voters would support if the 2026 election were held today. Moore, with 49.9%, tops a generic Republican and third-party candidate. The number is driven by nearly 76% of Democrats who said they would give Moore a second term. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats hold a 2-1 registration advantage over Republicans in Maryland, making up slightly more than 50% of all registered voters in the state. Predictably, 81% of Republicans said they would back a Republican candidate. Unaffiliated voters are more evenly split, with 35% saying they would vote for Moore and 32% favoring the unnamed Republican. Gonzales noted that polling data suggests voter discontent over pocketbook issues: affordability, the economy and taxes. Nearly six in 10 voters who responded said they believe they are paying too much in taxes. Theyre paying too much for their electricity, he said. Theyre paying too much in taxes and people are [angry]. Advertisement Advertisement All of which is a harbinger for a potential pocketbook election, he said. Gov. Wes Moore has seen a narrowing of the separation between voters who approve of his job performance and those who disapprove since entering office. (Gonzales Research & Media Services) Gonzales noted that of those who said they pay too much in taxes, a hypothetical Republican candidate bests Moore by 13 points, 47% to 34%. Another 41% said they believe they pay the right amount in taxes. Just 1% said they believe they should pay more. Last year, Moore and the General Assembly increased taxes by a projected $1.6 billion, part of a plan to close a projected $3.3 billion structural budget deficit. The expectation was that the tax increase, coupled with one-time fund shifts and some cuts, would fill the spending gap and leave $300 million for the fiscal 2028 budget year. Advertisement Advertisement Those expectations fizzled. The state faces a $1.5 billion projected structural deficit for the coming budget year. Officials point the finger at federal actions including the loss of 25,000 federal jobs since President Donald Trump took office. Republican candidates in recent history enjoyed late election year surges tied to one or more so-called pocketbook issues. In 1994, Ellen Sauerbrey lost to Parris Glendening by just 6,000 voters. In 2002, Robert Ehrlich became the first Republican elected governor in nearly four decades. In 2014, Larry Hogan won the first of two consecutive elections. He was the first Republican to do so since Theodore McKeldin. Downward job approval trend continues Moore entered office in 2023 enjoying approval of roughly six in 10 Marylanders. He peaked in Gonzales September 2024 poll, when 64% of those surveyed approved of his efforts. The gap between those who approved and those who disapproved in that poll was 35 points. Since then, there has been a downward trend. Last March, there was a 19-point separation. In Tuesdays poll, 52% said they approve of the job Moore is doing compared to 41% who disapprove, three points lower than a Gonzales survey in March 2025. The governor has performed similarly in other surveys, including the Institute for Politics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Advertisement Advertisement Beneath those top-line numbers in the Gonzales poll, the survey shows a continuing trend of voters who are changing their minds about Moores efforts. The current poll shows an 11-point separation between those who approve and those who disapprove. And for the first time since Gonzales asked about Moores job performance, the number of those who said they strongly disapprove is larger than those who strongly approve. Roughly one voter in three said they strongly disapproved of Moores job performance heading into the final session of the current term a 7-point change from March. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Advertisement Advertisement Moore lost ground with Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters. While 73% of Democrats approved of Moores performance, that was down from 83% in March 2025. At the same time, those who disapproved increased five points, to 18%. In March, one-fifth of unaffiliated voters declined to offer an opinion on Moores job performance. Now, just 10% declined to answer: 41% of independent voters approve of the governors performance a 7-point increase from March but 49% said they disapproved, also an increase of seven points. Democratic optimism Moores job approval numbers come even as the Gonzales poll shows an uptick in overall sentiment about the direction of the state. Of those surveyed, 47% said the state is moving in the right direction compared to 44% who said the state is on the wrong track. Advertisement Advertisement The results are an improvement from last March when 50% said the state was on the wrong track and 41% said things were moving in the right direction. The results dont track directly with Moores job approval numbers. Its not solely tied to whether people think taxes are too high, Gonzales said. There are other factors that play into what seems like a contradiction in the poll. I wouldnt get all bollixed up on that. Instead, Gonzales said national politics and the impending midterm elections a referendum on Trump may be in play. Democrats nationally are eying the potential to retake a majority in the U.S. House in November. When we did the poll in March, Trump had just taken office and Democrats were a bit demoralized, Gonzales said. Now theyve got that eye of the tiger, Rocky and Apollo Creed running on the beach mentality back and 70% of Democrats see things moving in the right direction for them. By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met Pope Leo at the Vatican on Monday and said afterwards that she had asked the pontiff to press Caracas to release political prisoners. The Vatican confirmed the meeting in its daily press release on Monday, but did not offer comment or further details about the encounter. In a brief video clip released by the Vatican, the two were seen shaking hands and smiling as they sat across from each other at the pope's desk in his official office in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. Advertisement Advertisement Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, said in a statement that she asked Leo "to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared." Leo, the first U.S. pope, has called for Venezuela to remain an independent country after the capture by U.S. forces of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on the orders of President Donald Trump. In a major foreign policy speech on Friday, the pope decried the use of military force as a means of achieving diplomatic goals and called for human rights to be protected in Venezuela. Venezuela's government said on Monday that 116 prisoners had been released, although rights groups reported a lower figure. Advertisement Advertisement The release of hundreds of political prisoners in the South American country is a long-running demand of human rights groups, international bodies and opposition figures. Machado, a former National Assembly member, has been one of the leading voices calling for prisoner releases. She was barred from running in Venezuelas 2024 general election by authorities aligned with Maduro. She backed a standin candidate who was widely considered to have won the vote, although Maduro claimed victory. Ballot audits by independent observers showed irregularities in the official results. (Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Cristina Carlevaro, Crispian Balmer and Hugh Lawson) During an address to members of the diplomatic corps on Friday, Pope Leo XIV warned that "Orwellian-style" ideology is taking root in the West and undermining free speech. "It is painful to see how, especially in the West, the space for genuine freedom of expression is rapidly shrinking," Pope Leo said . "At the same time, a new Orwellian-style language is developing which, in an attempt to be increasingly inclusive, ends up excluding those who do not conform to the ideologies that are fueling it." The pope said freedom of conscience is also increasingly under attack. Advertisement Advertisement Marco Rubio Voices Concern That Americans May Someday Be Arrested For Social Media Posts When Visiting Europe During an address to members of the diplomatic corps, Pope Leo XIV warned that woke ideology is taking root in the West and undermining free speech. (Getty Images) "At this moment in history, freedom of conscience seems increasingly to be questioned by States, even those that claim to be based on democracy and human rights," Pope Leo said. "This freedom, however, establishes a balance between the collective interest and individual dignity. It also emphasizes that a truly free society does not impose uniformity but protects the diversity of consciences, preventing authoritarian tendencies and promoting an ethical dialogue that enriches the social fabric." The Pope also condemned "jihadist violence," and addressed the persecution of Christians, calling it "one of the most widespread human rights crises today, affecting over 380 million believers worldwide." Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement "Here, I would especially call to mind the many victims of violence, including religiously motivated violence in Bangladesh, in the Sahel region and in Nigeria, as well as those of the serious terrorist attack last June on the parish of Saint Elias in Damascus," he said. "Nor do I forget the victims of jihadist violence in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique." Christians Targeted In Systematic Kidnapping Campaign In Nigeria By Jihadi Herdsmen, Experts Say People gather around the charred remains of a burned vehicle following a deadly attack in Komanda, Ituri province of eastern DR Congo, where 49 worshipers were killed at a church service by jihadists. Sunday, July 27, 2025. In August, Fox News reported that international observers witnessed ISIS-aligned soldiers were beheading Christians and burning churches and homes in central and Southern Africa, with some of the most brutal attacks happening in the nation of Mozambique. It is estimated that more than 16 million Christians have been displaced from their homes in sub-Saharan Africa, facing threats of persecution, kidnapping, sexual violence and, in some cases, death from Islamist radicals. Click Here To Download The Fox News App Original article source: Pope Leo XIV calls out jihadist violence, warns Orwellian-style ideology is eroding free speech in the West A 19-year-old Calgary man who was once placed on a terrorism peace bond for social media posts promoting ISIS and the killing of gay men got into an argument with a judge Monday about his pro-Nazi beliefs. The teen was caught posting more ISIS videos and pro-Nazi materials, in breach of court-ordered conditions that he stay off social media. He was also caught taking a selfie at a synagogue, also a breach of a court-ordered condition. The young man, who cant be named because of a publication ban under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was convicted of the breach by youth court Justice Todd LaRochelle on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement The behaviour is racist, the behaviour is homophobic, the behaviour is bigoted, said Justice LaRochelle. 'Do the right thing' LaRochelle attempted to reason with the 19-year-old, who told the judge he uses the internet to educate himself about the Nazis who, he argued, were also the victims of horrible acts and a lot of deaths. The judge told the teenager to stop arguing but acknowledged that, I cant order him to change his beliefs. The judge urged the young man to begin counselling and a program that addresses ideological extremism ahead of his sentencing decision set to take place in four months time. Advertisement Advertisement I want you to do the right thing, LaRochelle said. I want you to think hard about all the people who died over the last 100 years because of racist, homophobic and bigoted ideologies. The Nazi material appears to be a new strain of interest for the young person, said prosecutor Kent Brown. 'High risk' to join extremist group In 2023, a major RCMP national security investigation saw the then-17-year-old arrested alongside two other youths and a 20-year-old. A report prepared ahead of the peace bond hearing found that the boy had "a pathological fixation with Islamic extremist ideology, violence and weapons. Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Justice John Shaw found the boy was a "moderate" risk to the community and was considered a high risk of joining an extremist group. Justice Shaw urged the teens lawyer to make him aware of the consequences of failing to comply with the conditions, which "could very well result in him actually seeing the inside of a jail cell." Ban on promoting hatred, depicting terrorism On Monday, Brown and defence lawyer Curtis Mennie asked LaRochelle to impose an 18-month probationary period with conditions including a ban on viewing, accessing, producing or distributing media or social media that promotes hatred or depicts terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement The goal is to try to convince this young person to recognize that perhaps the things hes been engaging in ... is not going to benefit him, is certainly not going to benefit society at large, said Brown. The conditions also require the 19-year-old to stay away from 2SLGBTQ+ events and synagogues. Hes also banned from making any social media posts about those groups. Both Brown and Mennie acknowledged that a further breach would likely result in jail time. Calgary 2SLGBTQ+ community targeted The teen, along with more than a dozen others, was in a Snapchat group called the "Islamic State Soldiers of Allah." Advertisement Advertisement The participants shared photos and videos related to ISIS recruiting, propaganda videos, suicide bombers and videos with men being thrown off buildings to their deaths. In total, three youths were placed on terrorism peace bonds. A fourth person, Zakarya Hussein, who was 20 years old at the time, pleaded guilty to facilitating terrorist activity and received a six-year sentence. Hussein admitted that he posted videos, photos and messages to social media accounts, such as Telegram, TikTok and Snapchat, as well as instructions on how to make explosive devices. One of his targets was Calgary's 2SLGBTQ+ community with a Google history for searches that included "gay pride month," "pride month Calgary" and "the killing of gay persons." Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star) Frankie Bachelder first entered Long Creek Youth Development Center when he was 14 years old, and was sent to the juvenile detention facility five times by the time he turned 17. On Monday, Bachelder, along with a handful of other previously detained young people, testified in favor of a bill that was intended to repurpose Long Creek into a secure residential treatment facility instead of a prison. Each time I was released from Long Creek, there was no real treatment plan, no meaningful reentry support, and no follow up care, Bachelder told members of the Maine Legislatures Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. I was sent home and expected to do better, with the same trauma, the same addiction issues, and the same lack of support I had before. Advertisement Advertisement Bachelder said he was denied phone calls, showers and, on one occasion, he was not provided a shirt for the duration of his stay until he had to be on a Zoom call. The fifth and final time Bachelder was in Long Creek, he was locked in his room on Christmas, unable to see his family, which he said was because of a staffing shortage. When Bachelder finally sought treatment for addiction outside of the detention center, he never went back. The problem was not that I was incapable of change, the problem was that Long Creek was not designed to help me change, Bachelder said. This bill matters because it recognizes that youth incarceration should not function like a prison, and that young people need mental health care, substance use treatment, education and real re-entry planning. Advertisement Advertisement Several other former residents of Long Creek also testified at the hearing for LD 1923, which was originally proposed by Rep. Mike Brennan (D-Portland) last year to fund the rehabilitation of the facility, which has been repeatedly sued for a lack of adequate services amid allegations of abuse including violence, denial of services and excessive isolation against the young people detained there. The same day as the public hearing on Monday, a longtime guard at the facility was charged with assaulting a 16-year-old resident. The young former residents echoed these complaints, with some saying they werent allowed to attend family members funerals virtually or in person, and others describing how they were consistently mistreated by staff members. The problem was not that I was incapable of change, the problem was that Long Creek was not designed to help me change. Frankie Bachelder The Maine Department of Corrections broadly disputed those claims, though said it could not comment on specific cases without a signed release. Advertisement Advertisement In an emailed statement, Jill OBrien, the departments director of government affairs, said the facility provides mental health treatment, substance use treatment, medical care, and education to all residents, and listed several services and other enrichment opportunities available to detainees. She also said the detention facility recently held holiday dinners for which they assisted far-away family members to attend. Edwin Chester, a juvenile defense lawyer, highlighted the lack of re-entry support. What we have seen over the years is that kids get detained and then we cant get them out because we dont have the necessary community-based services to keep everybody safe, said Chester in his testimony supporting the bill. The longer you take them out of their community, the harder it is for them to integrate, Chester said. Advertisement Advertisement Besides the evidence-based reasons to keep young people out of unnecessary incarceration, part of the argument behind repurposing Long Creek is the consistent underutilization of the facility, Brennan said. The South Portland facility currently holds about 50 young people, but was built to detain about 300. The Maine Department of Corrections opposed the original bill, because what it sought to do was not workable, said OBrien during the hearing. The funding allocated in the original bill would not have been enough to redesign the building to be a secure residential recovery program as proposed, she said. After working with the department, Brennan on Monday presented what he described as a compromise an amendment that proposes a working group to study the various options to repurposing the facility. The department supported the amendment, with OBrien telling the committee, we agree the state should examine the feasibility and cost of making changes to the existing facilities at Long Creek that will continue to improve and normalize the environment. Some advocates expressed concern that the intent of the bill had changed, saying a study would delay the much-needed redevelopment of the detention facility, which numerous people and organizations at the hearing were advocating for. Advertisement Advertisement We definitely want changes at Long Creek, but we are tired of studies, said Jan Collins, assistant director of the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition.Report after report has outlined the need to provide services for children in the community as an alternative to incarceration. Why, after spending tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on outside evaluations, have we not closed Long Creek? In 2024, the Legislature gave preliminary backing to a proposal to allocate $20 million to enhance support services for at-risk youth in an effort to avoid involvement with the criminal justice system but the bill eventually died because it was not funded in the budget. Rep. Grayson Lookner (D-Portland) sponsored that bill as well as another in 2021 that was vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills, which would have closed the facility and instead fund community-based programs and services, such as job training, mental health support and housing. At the time, the governor said closing Long Creek without an alternative plan was fundamentally flawed. Long Creek is a very harmful place, and its counterproductive to any rehabilitation efforts to get youth on their feet and be successful, Lookner said, expressing disappointment over Brennans amendment. Advertisement Advertisement But he noted that the original bill faced an uphill battle, even if the majority of the committee supported it. As long as the governor is who the governor currently is, I dont see much hope for the Department of Corrections changing its tune on Long Creek, Lookner said.Theres always hope that the new governor coming into Augusta will be more supportive of closing or repurposing Long Creek. A 17-year-old girl was shot and killed in her own home over the weekend in New Jersey, and prosecutors say the gunman was a boy she was dating. A 1:19 a.m. Saturday, a 911 call was made to report shots fired at a townhome on Grove Avenue in Edison. First responders raced to the home where the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office says a 17-year-old girl was found dead inside. Friends and relatives say the victim was 17-year-old Justice Deas. Advertisement Advertisement A 17-year-old boy from Plainfield, who was at the home, was immediately taken into custody and charged with acts of juvenile delinquency, which would have been weapons and manslaughter charges had the suspect been an adult. Investigators say the two had been in a dating relationship. It appears no one else was at the home when the shooting happened. Deas' unexpected and untimely death has left friends and family reeling. A memorial of candles and balloons have been placed at the apartment complex in Deas' memory. Friends there said she was the life of the party and was always laughing. Leila Martinez said she knew Deas since middle school. Advertisement Advertisement "Ever since then, we've just been locked in forever, I used to get picked on in school and Justice, whenever I needed her, she was there for me whenever I needed her, when I had no one, I always had her," Martinez said. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Spielman of the Edison Police Department at 732-248-7471 or Detective Redline of the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office at 732-745-3316. ---------- * 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. For the record: 10:34 a.m. Jan. 13, 2026: A previous version of this article said Tuesdays news conference would be at Santa Ana City Hall. It was at the city jail. A young protester narrowly avoided being killed but was left permanently blind after a Department of Homeland Security agent fired a nonlethal round at close range during a Santa Ana protest last week, according to family of the victim. Jeri Rees said her 21-year-old nephew, Kaden Rummler, underwent six hours of surgery and that doctors found shards of plastic, glass and metal embedded in his eyes and around his face, including a metal piece lodged 7 millimeters from a carotid artery. Advertisement Advertisement "That could have cost him his life," Rees said. "But now, for the next six weeks, he can't sneeze or cough because it could do a lot of damage." She said doctors did not want to remove the shrapnel near the artery out of fear that it could kill him. She said her nephew also suffered a fractured skull around his eyes and nose and that doctors said he had permanently lost the vision in his left eye. She said the Homeland Security agent was a few feet from her nephew when he fired the weapon. Several videos of Friday's incident were shared on social media. One video shows demonstrators, who were protesting the fatal shooting in Minnesota of Renee Good, throwing orange safety cones at the agents, who were standing guard outside the Santa Ana federal building. Advertisement Advertisement The video cuts to three agents approaching the group before one agent tries to take a young person into custody, prompting at least three demonstrators to try to intervene. The person taken into custody was identified by friends as Skye Jones. In the video, at least one agent appears to fire nonlethal rounds at the crowd, hitting one woman in the leg before aiming and striking Rummler's face. The video shows Rummler dropping to the ground after being shot, holding his face as the crowd retreats. The same agent then drags him by the hood of their jacket; they appear to be choking, grasping at the jacket binding their neck as blood pours from their left eye. Another video shows Rummler inside the building, lying on the ground bleeding while agents fire what appear to be pepper balls at the back of the head and neck of a man trying to record the incident with his cellphone. Advertisement Advertisement Rees said her nephew told her that the agents pressed his face against the pool of blood and did not immediately call paramedics. "The other officers were mocking him, saying, 'You're going to lose your eye,'" she said, recalling what her nephew told her. Friday's violent clash occurred just two days after a federal immigration agent fatally shot Good, a Minnesota mother of three. The slaying sparked public outcry, nationwide protests and scrutiny of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who said the agent was acting in self-defense. Read more: Congress debates possible consequences for ICE, Noem after Renee Good's killing Advertisement Advertisement Friday's incident is the latest in a number of confrontations around the country in which agents have used deadly or what experts say is excessive force. "This constitutes as deadly force as far as the law is concerned," said Ed Obayashi of the video. The Modoc County sheriff's deputy and legal advisor to police agencies, who has testified in similar cases, said that "all the training manuals and [legal] cases say you don't aim at the face because these projectiles can cause serious injury [or] death." Obayashi said, based on law enforcement use-of-force standards, an officer can deploy deadly force if they feel their life is in imminent danger, or that they are in danger of great bodily harm. "I just don't see that here," he said. Advertisement Advertisement In downtown Santa Ana, hundreds had gathered that Friday night to protest the killing of Good and the Trump administration's mass deportations. Some were there to speak out against police brutality as well. Protesters marched around the downtown area, chanting "ICE out of O.C." and holding signs that read "No more raids, keep families together." An earlier protest started at 3 p.m. and was organized by the social justice organization Dare to Struggle, said member Connor Atwood. Some members reconvened just before 6:30 p.m. for a demonstration outside the federal building put together by another organization, he said. Atwood, who was present during the incident, said the scene turned chaotic as the protest began to wind down and the crowd dwindled. A group of protesters are seen in a video standing near a staircase away from the buildings entrance. Homeland Security agents stepped out of the building various times throughout the night, firing nonlethal rounds toward protesters, Atwood said. Advertisement Advertisement Protesters had not attempted to get closer or breach the entrance of the building, Atwood said. A portion of the crowd eventually dispersed, but leaders of Dare to Struggle encouraged some protesters to stand their ground to say we're not going to be intimidated away from expressing what we feel right now and delivering our message, Atwood said. Some protesters then began burning an American flag. At some point after 8:30 p.m., Jones, a leader of Dare to Struggles Orange County chapter, was arrested, Atwood said. The other protester was then hit in the eye. It wasn't just completely out of nowhere, but it was very sudden, Atwood said, adding that agents had come out of the building several times before that, but they had not tried to arrest anyone or grab anyone. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Thousands gather statewide in anti-ICE protests, including hundreds in Huntington Beach In an email response to The Times, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary with the Department of Homeland Security, said a "mob of 60 rioters threw rocks, bottles and fireworks at law enforcement officers outside of the federal building." "Two officers were injured. Two violent rioters were arrested and were charged with assault on federal officers and disorderly conduct," she wrote. "This was a highly coordinated campaign of violence where rioters wielded shields." McLaughlin did not respond to questions about protocols agents must follow when using less-lethal devices. Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Santa Ana Police Department said the only violence they were aware of that night were demonstrators tossing orange cones at the agents. Atwood said he didnt witness bottles or rocks being thrown toward agents. Some firecrackers were set off near the sidewalk but away from the building entrance, he said. Both Homeland Security agents and Santa Ana police were seen standing outside the federal building just after 10:30 p.m., according to video footage reviewed by The Times. Fire paramedics can be seen taking Rees' nephew in a gurney. Atwood said Jones had an initial hearing Monday. Rees said Jones had been released and was at the hospital with her nephew as of Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the social justice group held a news conference outside Santa Ana City Jail where members read a statement from Rummler, who remained hospitalized. The group is also raising money through GoFundMe to help with Rummler's medical expenses. 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. Dozens of protesters crowded in front of the "Spirit of Detroit" statue outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on Jan. 13, then packed the City Council session inside, urging officials to keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents out of the city and to prevent any cooperation between the federal agency and the Detroit Police Department. State, city and religious leaders, along with activists and residents stood outside for nearly 45 minutes before the council session, holding signs calling on the city's legislative body and Mayor Mary Sheffield to Make Detroit ICE-free among other anti-ICE sentiments in the wake of President Donald Trumps visit to the Motor City on Tuesday, and following an ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother, last week in Minneapolis. Nancy Parker, executive director of the Detroit Justice Center, asked those who had gathered outside in the cold morning air: "When will it be enough?" She added, that she does not want "empty platitudes" or thoughts and prayers from elected officials. Advertisement Advertisement "I am tired. Why do we keep having to come out here and plead the humanity of human beings," Parker said to the agreeing crowd. "This country resorts to violence upon violence, upon violence ... and has the audacity to look at people like us, who are tired, and say we are the ones rioting in the streets when theyre dropping bombs and executing human beings? "We all have eyes ... we want ICE out. It is under no misgivings that they're keeping anyone safe. We are literally operating under fascist control and we are being told 'stand down.' There is no more law of the land." Protesters and local government officials gather outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center before a Detroit City Council meeting to demand city officials keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of Detroit on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Parker was one of about a half-dozen speakers that included city and state elected officials, as well as community advocates. The Rev. Paul Perez, pastor of Central United Methodist Church, said he has come across several residents who stopped attending church out of fear that they will be targeted. Advertisement Advertisement "No one should be afraid to go to their church, or their temple, or their mosque," Perez said to the crowds outside. "We have comforted people who are afraid and people who are grieving the loss of family members and loved ones who have been detained and deported. Enough is enough. Sometimes, laws need to change. Our immigration system is broken." Outside the MotorCity Casino Hotel, where Trump was scheduled to speak to the Detroit Economic Club, Detroit police arrested at least two protesters during a demonstration organized by BAMN. The group appeared to be roughly 200 strong. The first arrest was made just before 1 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the intersection of Temple Street, the John C. Lodge Service Drive and Grand River Avenue, as police blocked access around the casino. A short time later, police arrested at least one additional person outside the venue, Free Press reporters witnessed. Ann Smith, a 52-year-old Ypsilanti resident who was at the protest outside the casino, said the level of police interaction and the arrest of at least two protesters was frightening and unlike anything she had experienced at a demonstration before. Its not the America that I know, she said through tears. "Were living in a fascist state right now, Advertisement Advertisement At Trumbull and Temple streets, more than 100 protesters gathered for an emergency rally organized by the Drop Trump Coalition. Police blocked nearby streets and set up barricades as demonstrators opposed Trumps visit and criticized increased immigration enforcement. Anti-Trump brings everyone out, said organizer Michael Muczynski, 29. Protesters cited fear over ICE activity and the recent killing of Good as motivation for demonstrating. More: President Trump speaks to the Detroit Economic Club TJ Rogers, communications manager for Detroit City Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero, said outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, before the council meeting, that since Trump was elected, their office has received countless calls and emails from residents who are worried. Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors are worried about each others safety. Teachers are worried about their students. Residents are fearful to go to work, afraid to go to the grocery store; or to go worship, visit the doctor. Children are terrified to go to school, uncertain when they come home, if their parents are still going to be there, Rogers said. He added that fear spread like a tidal wave across the city following the brutal murder of Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis last week by an ICE agent. Everyone, citizen and immigrant, documented and not, is afraid, Rogers said. State Sens. Mary Cavanagh, D-Redford Township, and Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, told the crowd gathered outside that they have partnered on legislation with state Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, establishing more humane immigration enforcement policies. Advertisement Advertisement Im pissed that we even have to be here, said Cavanagh, a first-generation Mexican American. What we are seeing in our country is not public safety, its fear this administrations immigration enforcement tactics are creating panic, not protection, pointing out places that should never be associated with fear such as hospitals, schools and grocery stores. More: ICE protesters gather in Hart Plaza Saturday afternoon She added that the legislation would: prevent law enforcement from handing over identifying information for the purposes of immigration enforcement without a warrant; prevent law enforcement officers from wearing masks to conceal their identity while exercising authority, and designate places of worship, hospitals and courthouses, as well as organizations providing services to pregnant women, victims of crime, or individuals with disabilities, as protected spaces from ICE unless it's in the case of exigent circumstances. We see detained people being moved from facility to facility, across state lines, making it impossible for their loved ones to locate them or for attorneys to provide legal services, Chang tearfully said. We see due process violation after due process violation, and we hear deportees shackled for more than 40 hours on flights to countries sometimes theyve never even lived in. State Sen. Stephanie Chang, wipes tears off her face while speaking during a rally demanding city officials keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of Detroit, ahead of a Detroit City Council meeting at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Advocates then poured into the City Council meeting to support Councilmember Santiago-Romeros memo, sent last week to Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison seeking further information on the departments cooperation with ICE, and to firmly urge other officials to make Detroit a sanctuary city and protect its residents. Advertisement Advertisement Detroit police previously told the Free Press that in sanctuary cities, local police refuse to cooperate with federal agencies in enforcing federal immigration law, and saying that Detroit is not a sanctuary city. However, DPD added, the department does not enforce federal or immigration laws. After more than two hours of public comment during the council session, Santiago-Romero asked residents to take photos and videos if they see DPD supporting federal agents and to send it to their councilmembers. "We know deportations are happening in District 6, in District 7, in District 4, in District 1, and we have immigrants here from all over the world who need protection," Santiago-Romero said at the council meeting. Outside, Victoria Camille, District 7 Board of Police commissioner, had thanked Santiago-Romero for advancing the memo to Chief Bettison, indicating that as long as our neighbors are not safe and free, then we are not safe and free, adding that it is a collective fight. Advertisement Advertisement More: Protesters to urge Detroit City Council, mayor to end ICE activities While DPD is not perfect, and there is work to be done locally, at least we have our charter-mandated civilian oversight of DPD and processes for residents to air their grievances. We have no such grievance process for ICE. ICE agents should not be running around Detroit with no accountability measures, jumping out of cars with guns and masks, and terrorizing our communities with no impunity, Camille said. She then joined the dozens of others who had packed the council meeting or called in to urge officials to protect its citizens from ICE activity in Detroit's neighborhoods calling for Detroit to be a sanctuary city and to prevent any cooperation with DPD. Omar Santana, who was met with grand applause from attendees inside the council chambers auditorium on the 13th floor of the municipal center, said he has had to personally move families in the city to "safe homes" out of fear their homes were being watched by agents who were dressed like law enforcement without badges or other identifiers on them. Advertisement Advertisement "This is real life. It might not be your reality, but its the reality of many Detroit residents. A lot of these people dont have anybody to go to. These people are newcomers they dont understand our laws or rules or regulations," Santana said. "The system is corrupted. It has been corrupted for decades or centuries against Black and Brown people, and now they're weaponizing it against all of us." Kassandra Rodriguez, an organizer with Detroit Community Action Committee, reiterated to council members during the session that Detroiters "do not want ICE" in the city. "We want them to go. And I think we should be doing everything we can to kick them out," Rodriguez said, adding that she hopes the nine-member body would relay everyone's sentiments to Mayor Sheffield. "I would just want to let her know that she has an opportunity to set a precedent for the type of mayor she wants to be." Melissa Skuta, a concerned citizen, holds a sign during a rally demanding Detroit officials keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of the city, before a Detroit City Council meeting at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. A message was left for Sheffield, seeking her reaction to the demonstration and the public comments. Former Mayor Mike Duggan had previously emphasized that Detroit is a "welcoming city" for immigrants, but is not a sanctuary city. Advertisement Advertisement Several others who spoke in the council chambers shared Rodriguez's sentiments, telling city officials to "grow a spine and become a sanctuary city" and asking council members for a commitment that DPD will not perform the duties of ICE agents and that residents are not asked for their immigration status unless required by law. In response, City Council President James Tate said the body still is at the point of fact-finding and identifying future strategies. "We are listening, we are learning, but we are also strategizing," Tate said. "You have to do it in a way that makes sure that those who you are trying to address in the most positive way are shielded from the negative effects of what could happen." Dana Afana is the Detroit City Hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana. Free Press reporters Darcie Moran and Rebeca San Martin contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Protesters urge Detroit City Council to end ICE activities X/@VoteRandyFine Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) introduced a bill on Monday to give President Donald Trump authorization to take such steps as may be necessary to annex the Danish territory of Greenland. Huge News! Today, I am proud to introduce the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, a bill that allows the President to find the means necessary to bring Greenland into the Union, announced Fine in a social media post, which featured a mock-up image of a Trump Tower in Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement He continued, Let me be clear, our adversaries are trying to establish a foothold in the Arctic, and we cant let that happen. By acquiring Greenland, we would prevent our adversaries from controlling the Arctic Region and secure our northern flank from Russia and China. Huge News! Today, I am proud to introduce the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, a bill that allows the President to find the means necessary to bring Greenland into the Union. Let me be clear, our adversaries are trying to establish a foothold in the Arctic, and we cant pic.twitter.com/h28sXU7LAU Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) January 12, 2026 If passed, the bill would give Trump explicit congressional authorization for the annexation of Greenland by any means necessary. The president is authorized to take such steps as may be necessary, including by seeking to enter into negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark, to annex or otherwise acquire Greenland as a territory of the United States, the bill reads: Upon completion of such annexation or acquisition, the President shall submit to Congress a report consisting of such changes to Federal law as the President may determine necessary to admit the newly acquired territory as a State, in order to expedite congressional approval of such statehood for Greenland after the adoption of a constitution that Congress determines to be republican in form and in conformity with the Constitution of the United States. Danish Ambassador to the United States, Jesper Moller Sorensen, met with Fine following the introduction of the bill to make it abundantly clear that Greenland belonged to Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Mail reported on Saturday that Trump had ordered special forces commanders to draw up a plan for a potential invasion of Greenland as the White House continues to taunt Denmark and European leaders over the territory. I think the president was very clear last night. He said that he wants to see the United States acquire Greenland because he feels that if we do not, then it will eventually be acquired or even perhaps hostilely taken over by either China or Russia, which is not a good thing for the United States, or for Europe, or for Greenland, said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum made similar comments on Thursday, arguing that Europeans should be cheering for the United States to annex Greenland as it would be a win for all democracies in the world. Denmark has repeatedly informed the Trump administration that Greenland is not for sale, prompting the Trump administration to make threats about taking the territory by force. Advertisement Advertisement Seven European leaders issued a joint response to the White Houses comments last week, reiterating that Greenland belongs to its people and that it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland. The statement was signed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Just days after the statement, Trump vowed to do something about Greenland, whether it had to happen the nice way or the more difficult way. The post Randy Fine Introduces Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act to Take Over Territory By Any Means Necessary first appeared on Mediaite. Proud To Partner Leadership Academy, pictured Nov. 11 in southwest Oklahoma City, has been ordered to close after the 2025-26 school year ends. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY A state board governing charter schools has decided its seen enough from Proud To Partner Leadership Academy and voted Monday to pull the plug on the school. The Statewide Charter School Board made the rare decision to issue a notice of termination to the charter high school in southwest Oklahoma City. Seven board members voted in favor and two abstained. Advertisement Advertisement The decision sets in motion the process of closing the school once the current academic year ends and voiding its charter contract. The 100 students attending the school, known as PTPLA, then would have to return to their neighborhood school districts or find another educational option. The board placed PTPLA on probation in November over financial, operational and academic quality concerns. Members of the state board grew frustrated with what they considered to be an uncooperative response from the schools leadership. Thats what we always ask for is a spirit of cooperation and desire to work together to improve the outcomes at the school, board Chairperson Brian Shellem said after Mondays meeting. As it continued to progress, it seemed like it got harder and harder. Statewide Charter School Board Chairperson Brian Shellem speaks at a board meeting Aug. 12, 2024, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) State officials said they still had more questions than answers after three months of probation and multiple meetings with PTPLA. Advertisement Advertisement The boards staff made three visits to the school this fall and reported seeing only one teacher giving instruction. PTPLA leaders contend the report is inaccurate. Rebecca Wilkinson, executive director of the state board, said she observed students with a computer open but not logged in, others not completing any work, seven who were sleeping or had their heads down, and some who were unable to say what course or topic they were studying, all of which raised concerns about the schools educational quality. PTPLA, which opened in 2024, faced scrutiny over weak finances, as well. It laid off four teachers in October and finished the previous school year in a budget deficit. State officials also complained of missed deadlines and other unfulfilled obligations by the schools administration. Advertisement Advertisement My opinion is its time to pull the plug, statewide board member William Pearson said before the vote. Its time to move to termination. Despite the schools struggles, PTPLA leaders told the state they had nothing to fix. Proud To Partner Leadership Academy board chairperson Sharri Coleman speaks while Superintendent Dawn Bowles listens during a meeting at the southwest Oklahoma City charter school on Nov. 18. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) School founder and Superintendent Dawn Bowles said her students now face the prospect of returning to schools that were not serving them in the first place. Our next feat will be, what is our next move to make sure that we dont drop the ball on the ones that weve committed to serving, Bowles said. We will continue to serve them. We will continue to educate them. We will continue to provide opportunities outside of education, and we will continue to be their village as we move forward because this is what we consider to be the greater way. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX South Dakota is one of several states at risk of postmark delays because of Postal Service changes that make it more likely the stamped date will not reflect when mail was first sent, raising questions about how that could affect time-sensitive documents, a new report from the Brookings Institution says. The postmark, a marking that shows where and when the Postal Service accepted a piece of mail, has for years been used as evidence that someone met a deadline for everything from mail-in ballots to tax returns. However, in a new section added to its Domestic Mail Manual on Dec. 24, 2025, the Postal Service clarifies that while a postmark confirms the agency possessed the mail on that date, it does not "inherently or necessarily align with the date on which the Postal Service first accepted possession of the mailpiece." Advertisement Advertisement The Postal Service says such "lack of alignment has and will become more common" under its Delivering for America initiative, the agency's long-term plan meant to cut costs and improve efficiency. The plan includes the consolidation of mail processing and infrastructure upgrades intended to help the mail service adapt to a time when the number of letters being sent is decreasing and the number of packages is increasing, USA TODAY reported. "The result is a system in which the first handling event occurs significantly farther from the point of mailing than in the legacy network," says the report from the Brookings Institution, a nonpartisan public policy think tank. More: 'Devastating:' Residents react to being reduced to 2 post offices in Sioux Falls In February 2025, the Postal Service announced it would keep "certain local mail processing operations" at its Dakota Central facility in Huron. The mail service had previously said it would move "all originating mail processing operations" for the region across the North Dakota border to a facility in Fargo. Advertisement Advertisement The reversal "means that mail being delivered from one address in Huron to another will not leave the region for processing," the Postal Service said in a news release at the time. The report from the Brookings Institution notes that the Dakota Central decision "illustrates that the timing and location of first processing remain subject to ongoing adjustment as the (Delivering for America) plan is implemented." Mail transportation changes could also lead to postmark delays At the same time as mail processing is being consolidated, the Postal Service's Regional Transportation Optimization program is changing when some mail starts to move toward its processing facility eliminating multiple daily trips in favor of one trip a day for post offices more than 50 miles from their Regional Processing and Distribution Center. That change won't affect every post office nationwide, but its impact will be "concentrated in rural, small-town and less densely populated regions," including South Dakota, where 100% of ZIP codes are served by RTO-affected post offices, the Brookings Institution report says. Advertisement Advertisement "The redesign of the processing network and the adoption of RTO schedules are independent developments, but together they widen the gap between when a letter is mailed and when USPS applies the postmark," the report says. In several states South Dakota, along with Arkansas, Mississippi, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming a significant amount of mail will face potential delays due to RTO-affected post offices and out-of-state processing, according to the report. U.S. Postal Service trucks are parked at a California post office in August 2024. The U.S. Postal Service aims to save around $3 billion each year starting in 2025 with an adjustment in certain mail delivery times and an increased focus on regional hubs. What is a postmark? Here's how the Postal Service defines a postmark in its updated Domestic Mail Manual. "A postmark is a marking applied by the Postal Service to a mailpiece. If applied at a retail unit, the postmark displays the name or location of the retail unit and the date on which the mailpiece was accepted at the retail unit. If applied at a processing facility, the postmark displays the name or location of the processing facility and the date of the first automated processing operation performed on that mailpiece. Where necessary, a postmark also cancels postage so that it cannot be reused." What if I need a postmark to reflect the date a piece of mail was sent? Any customer who wants a postmark that aligns with the date that the Postal Service first accepted a piece of mail can request, at no additional cost, a manual postmark at any post office, station or branch when dropping off their mail, the agency says. South Dakota senator requests investigation of cause of mail delays In early December, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds urged the inspector general for the Postal Service to investigate the "root causes of mail delays" impacting residents across South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement In a Dec. 9 letter, Rounds one of South Dakota's two Republican senators wrote that he has in recent months heard from "hundreds of constituents" in his state who have had "substantial issues" with mail service. Rounds previously sent a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner expressing similar concerns, and Rounds and Steiner met in October. However, Rounds, in a Dec. 10 news release, claims Steiner dismissed the issues in a letter blaming the mail delays on processing facilities in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City but, according to Rounds, none of those facilities handle South Dakota's intrastate mail. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Here's what to know about risk of postmark delays in South Dakota Electric vehicles continued to dominate the Norwegian market in 2025, according to Reuters. Fresh data showed that 95.9% of new car registrations last year in Norway were EVs. 2025 was also the year that the number of EVs on Norway's roads surpassed that of diesel cars. Tesla captured the most new sales, with a 19.1% share and the Model Y leading the way. The robust adoption was thanks in large part to the implementation of tax incentives, but experts offered an additional dimension to consider. Advertisement Advertisement "That is often misunderstood outside of Norway - they all think it's about tax exemptions and incentives, but it's very much also about the whip," said Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian EV association, per Reuters. "ICE cars are taxed out of business in a way." Internal combustion engine cars in Norway are taxed extra at the pump, with a one-time registration fee commensurate with the vehicle's pollution potential, and congestion charges in urban centers. This is all on top of the usual value-added tax. This can lead to scenarios where drivers of gas cars pay three times more in annual fees than those of electric vehicles. Light-duty vehicles generate harmful pollution, both from their tailpipes and tires. Pollution captures heat in the atmosphere and exacerbates a range of destructive (and costly) weather patterns. These can include droughts, floods, storms, and wildfires, all of which impose hardship on homeowners, farmers, and society at large. Switching to an EV can help curb those outcomes while also being cheaper to drive in the long run. Advertisement Advertisement Norway has built a large sovereign wealth fund from oil production. Much of this money goes to subsidizing EV adoption and other sustainable ventures, though these EV incentives are beginning to taper off. At least one Norwegian tax exemption for EVs expired at the start of 2026. Some experts believe this will offer a window for smaller, cheaper cars that are still tax-exempt. "I think the tax changes will accelerate the return of compact cars... which used to dominate both Norway and Europe," said Gunnar Berg from Ford Norway, per Reuters. Do you think a majority of Americans will have EVs in 20 years? Absolutely Only in some states No way I'm not sure 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. A Republican lawmaker is vowing to begin contempt-of-Congress proceedings against former President Bill Clinton after he failed to show up on Tuesday to testify before a committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer told reporters he would start proceedings against Clinton next week, and could do the same against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton if she fails to answer questions on Wednesday. The committee had issued subpoenas for both Clintons to testify about the late convicted sex offender. Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for the Clintons called the subpoenas "unenforceable", and said they had already provided the "limited information" they had about Epstein. Bill Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing by survivors of Epstein's abuse, and has denied knowledge of his sex offending. In a statement on Tuesday, Comer said the subpoenas to the Clintons were voted on in a "bipartisan manner". "We communicated with President Clinton's legal team for months now, giving them opportunity after opportunity to come in, to give us a day, and they continue to delay, delay, delay, to the point where we had no idea whether they're going to show up today or not," he said. Advertisement Advertisement The Clintons contended the subpoenas - legal orders to provide testimony - "are nothing more than a ploy to attempt to embarrass political rivals, as President Trump has directed". In a letter to Comer, lawyers for the Clintons said they had communicated "proactively and voluntarily" with the committee and that the subpoenas were "untethered to a valid legislative purpose, unwarranted because they do not seek pertinent information, and an unprecedented infringement on the separation of powers". Bill Clinton appears with Epstein and at the late financier's estate in photographs that were recently released by the US Department of Justice after Congress passed a law requiring the agency to release material related to investigations of Epstein. One picture shows the former president swimming in a pool, and another shows him lying on his back with his hands behind his head in what appears to be a hot tub. Advertisement Advertisement Clinton was photographed with Epstein several times over the 1990s and early 2000s, before Epstein was arrested for sex-trafficking. Clinton spokesman Angel Urena said when the photos were released last month that they were decades old and Clinton stopped associating with Epstein before his crimes came to light. A spokesperson has previously acknowledged that Bill Clinton took four trips with staff on Epstein's private plane in 2002 and 2003, and met with Epstein in New York in 2002. Clinton also visited Epstein's New York apartment around that time. Citing flight logs, US media have previously reported Clinton flew on Epstein's jet more than two dozen times, occasionally without his Secret Service detail. Advertisement Advertisement Congress has the authority to detain someone until they comply with a subpoena, send a contempt certification to the justice department for prosecution or ask a court to force compliance. "If the court finds that the party is legally obligated to comply, continued non-compliance may result in the party being held in contempt of court," according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. "Where the target of the subpoena is an executive branch official, civil enforcement may be the only practical means by which Congress can effectively ensure compliance with its own subpoena." Criminal contempt of Congress is a misdemeanour offence punishable by a fine up to $100,000 (74,500) and imprisonment up to a year. Advertisement Advertisement Over the last year, lawmakers from both parties have pushed to learn about Epstein's associations with powerful people and passed a law demanding that the justice department release all files from federal investigations into the sex offender by the middle of December. After the department only released a portion of the files, the legislation's authors - Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna - went to court last week and asked a federal judge to appoint a special master to make sure the government complies with its requirements. Treasurer and Republican frontrunner Stacy Garrity used her first campaign speech of 2026 as an opportunity to repeatedly criticize sitting Gov. Josh Shapiro. (Photo by Whitney Downard/Pennsylvania Capital-Star) With months to go before Novembers gubernatorial election, state Treasurer and Republican frontrunner Stacy Garrity used her first candidate appearance of 2026 to repeatedly attack Gov. Josh Shapiro at a Pennsylvania Press Club event on Monday in downtown Harrisburg. Garrity took her first shot at Shapiro 15 seconds into her half hour speech, painting him as someone who talks to the national press first rather than state-level media. She mentioned the sitting governor by name at least 30 times. Advertisement Advertisement She earned the state GOPs endorsement in September, but still must secure her spot in the general election by winning the May primary. She is currently running unopposed. Garrity first won her state row office position in 2020 and was reelected in 2024. We will utilize the God-given resources under our feet to fuel the technological revolution of the 21st century. Stacy Garrity, Republican candidate for governor Reflecting on her three decades of service with the U.S. Army Reserve, where she rose to the rank of colonel, Garrity shared the story of an abused Iraqi woman and her children who she said she helped secure a divorce. Advertisement Advertisement Im pretty sure that I am the only American to get an Iraqi woman divorced, she quipped. (She) was one of the individual tragedies of war thats too often lost in the shuffle Today, all across Pennsylvania, there are individual crises that go unacknowledged and unknown every day. These crises included steep electricity bills, struggling to afford food and fatal drug overdoses all issues Garrity pinned to Shapiro. The hard truth is that Josh Shapiro has failed all of them. Poverty, abuse, addiction theyre not just an inner city issue. These are cancers plaguing every one of our communities, Garrity said. Those arent statistics; those are individual lives failed by Josh Shapiro. She accused Shapiro of blaming Trump for the states problems and not taking responsibility. Recognizing the pushback she received after calling Pennsylvania mediocre last month, Garrity said, Pennsylvania is not reaching our potential, and the buck stops at Josh Shapiros desk. Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania has, can and should lead, But Josh Shapiros failure has driven us into mediocrity, said Garrity. I dont accept mediocrity and I dont believe Pennsylvanians do either. Rather than suing the Trump administration as Shapiro has repeatedly done Garrity said she would work with President (Donald) Trump to make sure that Pennsylvania gets back on the right track. Several Democrat-led states have utilized the legal system to retain federal funds or defend state laws. For example, Pennsylvania joined a litany of states that sued over food assistance funding cut by the Trump administration during last years federal shutdown. When asked, Garrity declined to identify any areas where she disagreed with Trump. Its something the state Democratic Party condemned in a statement alongside criticism of her views on abortion and prior statements questioning the results of the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Stacy Garritys flailing campaign was on full display as she doubled down on her extreme, toxic positions, said a party statement. Garrity made it clear Pennsylvanians cannot trust her to do whats right for working families. A Garrity administration Garrity briefly touched on her achievements in office, including investments in college savings plans and tripling assets under PA ABLE, a program that benefits Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Additionally, her office has prioritized returning millions of dollars to taxpayers and distributing state-held military decorations including Purple Hearts, Bronze Stars and one Gold Star to veterans. I guess you could say weve gotten stuff done, panned Garrity, invoking Shapiros administrative catchphrase. You see, getting stuff done is not a catchy political pathway. Its something Ive prided myself in accomplishing at every point in my life because I believe actions speak louder than words. Shapiros version often includes the explicative, or Get s*** done. He has used that wording, for example, to describe the rapid rebuilding of a damaged bridge outside of Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement My question for Josh Shapiro: What about 3,000 deficient bridges found in nearly every community across our commonwealth? Garrity said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE She pitched ending wasteful turnpike transfers, adding accountability for transit agencies a reference, perhaps, to the evergreen debate about SEPTA funding in Harrisburg and prioritizing freight. Additionally, she said artificial intelligence would be used to predict maintenance needs, reduce congestion, prevent waste, and deliver projects faster and cheaper. Despite public skepticism over the deployment of AI and the resource-hungry data centers that power it, Garrity enthusiastically shared her vision for growing its development by tapping into the states natural gas stores. Advertisement Advertisement We will utilize the God-given resources under our feet to fuel the technological revolution of the 21st century. Pennsylvania can power the world, but only if the Shapiro administration stops its moratorium, said Garrity. Former Gov. Tom Wolf signed a moratorium on new drilling leases for oil and gas in state parks in forests prior to Shapiro taking office. Natural gas prices are currently sinking to new lows and eating into profit margins. Noting that nearly two-thirds of the states 67 counties are rural, she said there were a lot of areas where you can put data centers in welcoming communities. Grassroots groups have popped up across the state opposing such efforts. Garrity also vowed to improve the states education rankings, specifically by addressing reading achievement in third grade and making sure students were proficient in math and reading before entering high school. Garrity campaign positions The gubernatorial candidate briefly touched on a bevy of issues, including the following: Advertisement Advertisement Lieutenant Governor: Citing the recent news of state Sen. Doug Mastrianos (R-Franklin) decision not to run against her, Garrity said theres been renewed interest in the competition to be her running mate. I know that we will have the absolute best partner as lieutenant governor when the times right, she told reporters in a brief scrum following the luncheon. The 2020 election: When asked if Trump won the 2020 election, she said absolutely not, though in 2022 she said otherwise. Just to be clear, that was at a Trump rally and its easy to get caught up in a Trump rally. But I have to tell you that, after the 2020 election, I know Joe Biden was the president. I was painfully away of it. At a separate 2021 rally, Garrity said the previous Novembers election would be tarnished forever. She later told the Capital-Star her comment was about just one state Senate race, not the overall outcome. Property taxes: Garrity called the states property tax rate one of the highest in the nation and vowed to lower bills for seniors. The Tax Foundation ranks the Pennsylvania rate as the 13th highest in the country. Abortion: My position on abortion has never changed: I am pro-life, but I am for exceptions. She didnt list those exceptions at Mondays event. Advertisement Advertisement Recreational marijuana legalization: Garrity said she didnt believe there was as much revenue in the legalization of marijuana as you would think, instead advocating for natural gas drilling to bring more revenue to the state. She mentioned Ohio. In that states first full year of marijuana sales, it netted over $700 million in its first year, though Garrity said she thought it was under $300 million a year. Voter rolls: Garrity said she would comply with the Trump administrations request for the states voter rolls, which the commonwealth has resisted so far. Democratic critics and groups like the Committee of Seventy have criticized the push by the Department of Justice. Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are pushing new legislation to keep President Donald Trump from effectively dismantling NATO with attacks on other members of the security alliance. This is about our fundamental shared goals and our fundamental security, not just in Europe, but in the United States itself, Rep. Bill Keating told Politico. The Massachusetts Democrat is spearheading the legislation alongside his Republican counterpart Don Bacon and Democratic colleagues Steny Hoyer and Brendan Boyle. Trump and his supporters have repeatedly threatened to take Greenland, a territory of NATO member Denmark, by military force. / X This isnt just about Greenland, Keating added in a letter to other lawmakers, obtained by Politico. This is about our security. Advertisement Advertisement After launch targeted strikes on Christmas Day against Islamist insurgents in U.S. ally Nigeria, Trump kicked off the new year by invading Venezuela to capture the countrys despotic ruler Nicolas Maduro, who now faces narcoterrorism charges in New York federal court. Trumps newfound thirst for invasion follows the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. / XNY/Star Max / GC Images Trump has since followed up with threats of further military action against Iran and Cuba, as well as otherwise friendly countries like Colombia, Panama, Mexico, and Greenland, the last of which is a territory controlled by Denmark, a NATO ally. No NATO member has ever engaged in a military campaign against another. Thats principally because the 76-year-old alliance, of which the U.S. is a founding member, was specifically set up to protect signatory members from attack, albeit by non-member states. Moscow has observed these developments with glee. Kremlin propagandists have even suggested that Russia should help Trump with any prospective takeover. Advertisement Advertisement Keating and colleagues move to introduce legislation blocking any prospective attack against a NATO ally comes after Rep. Jimmy Gomez submitted a three-page bill to block federal funding from being used in any prospective action against Greenland specifically. The California Democrats move came after Rep. Randy Fine, a MAGA loyalist, proposed his own legislation Monday to grant Trump authority to annex the Danish territory. Whoever controls Greenland controls key Arctic shipping lines and the security architecture protecting the United States, the Florida Republican wrote in a statement. America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security. Again, Greenland is a territory of Denmark, which is a member of NATO, which exists specifically to protect the security of members, including the United States. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment on this story. WASHINGTON The House Oversight Committee will start contempt of Congress proceedings against former President Bill Clinton, committee chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said Tuesday. The committee voted last year to subpoena Bill and Hillary Clinton to ask them questions about their relationship with disgraced financier and *** predator Jeffrey Epstein. The vote came shortly after the committee moved in bipartisan fashion to subpoena the Justice Department for its files on Epstein. Politics: Musk, Thiel And Bannon Mentioned In Latest Epstein Files From Oversight Committee Standing next to an image of Bill Clinton reclining in a blue dress, Comer said the committee just wanted to talk to the former president. Advertisement Advertisement No ones accusing Bill Clinton of any wrongdoing, Comer said. We just have questions, and thats why the Democrats voted along with Republicans to subpoena Bill Clinton. House Oversight Committee chair James Comer, center, talks Tuesday to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., while Rep. Lauren Boebert holds a picture of Australian artist Petrina RyanKleid's painting "Parsing Bill." The painting was allegedly displayed in one of Jeffrey Epstein's properties. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images The committee will vote on holding Bill Clinton in contempt next week, Comer said. If the full House subsequently approved the resolution, it would result in a referral to the Justice Department for prosecution. If convicted, he could be sentenced to prison. Hillary Clintons deposition is scheduled for Wednesday; presumably, the committee also would hold her in contempt if she didnt show. In a long letter to Comer on Tuesday morning, the Clintons claimed their subpoenas were legally invalid and complained other subpoena targets, including several former attorneys general, were excused from having to show up for depositions. Politics: 'Absolutely': Jon Stewart Urges Clintons To Comply With Epstein Subpoenas The DOJ Too. Despite everything that needs to be done to help our country, you are on the cusp of bringing Congress to a halt to pursue a rarely used process literally designed to result in our imprisonment, the Clintons wrote. This is not the way out of Americas ills, and we will forcefully defend ourselves. Advertisement Advertisement They went on to say they expected Comer to hold them in contempt. You may even release irrelevant, decades-old photos that you hope will embarrass us, the Clintons wrote, adding they hoped other Republicans would prevent the House from passing a contempt resolution. The prison threat is real. Two former officials of the first Trump administration, Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, served prison time for defying congressional subpoenas issued by Democrats during the Biden administration. Like President Donald Trump, Bill Clinton frequently socialized with Epstein; neither has been implicated in his crimes. Epstein died by suicided in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of *** trafficking minors. Politics: Donald Trump Has A Very Unexpected Texting Buddy: Report Asked about hauling in Trump for a deposition, Comer said it wasnt possible to subpoena a sitting president, and there was no need to do so, anyway. He answers questions every day, Comer said. Advertisement Advertisement For years, Trumps allies in right-wing media claimed the government had information that would implicate Epsteins supposed clients, but the Trump Justice Department said last summer there was no client list and no information the department could use to bring new charges. The announcement caused a backlash that resulted in the Oversight Committee approving the subpoenas to the Clintons, the Justice Department and Epsteins estate. Photos of Clinton socializing with Epstein featured prominently in the first batch of Epstein files the Justice Department released last month in response to a law requiring the material to be made public. Contrary to the laws requirements, the department has only made a fraction of its Epstein documents public. Other material released by the committee included photos of Trump and emails from Epstein mentioning Trump. Comer complained the Democrats didnt come to the deposition room in a show of bipartisan solidarity. Politics: Jeanine Pirro Furiously Backpedals After Jerome Powell Probe Gets GOP Backlash The Democrats on the committee voted with the Republicans for Bill Clinton to come in, Comer said. I dont ever remember a bipartisan vote to subpoena anyone. Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for committee Democrats said they were willing to talk to anyone with relevant information. We support former President Bill Clintons calls on President Trump to direct Attorney General Bondi to immediately release the full Epstein files, including any material including the former president, Democratic committee spokesperson Sara Guerrero said. Cooperating with Congress is important, and the committee should continue working with President Clintons team to obtain any information that might be relevant to our investigation. As for the image of Clinton in a blue dress a photo of a 2012 painting by Australian artist Petrina RyanKleid Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who was holding the poster, said she wanted Clinton to explain it. Were told that this was in one of Jeffrey Epsteins properties, and I just wanted to ask what the inspiration of this photo was, Boebert told HuffPost. Political Updates Read the original on HuffPost Residents are sharing their concerns about a massive data center that could be built in their community. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, Amazon Web Services wants to build a nearly 500-acre, $4 billion data center off US-68 in Wilmington. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement About 50 Wilmington residents gathered to share their opinions about the center on Monday night. Several people didnt oppose the center being built in Wilmington; they just didnt like the specific location. >>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Southwest Ohio Amazon data center stalls development Jessica Sharp said she moved to the area four months ago. She recently found out the center may be built 200 feet away from her subdivision. My first thought was, what do we have to do to make it so we can move out of here? she said. Sharp told News Center 7s Taylor Robertson that shes heard some negative things about these centers in other parts of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Some include negative impacts on the environment, loud noise, and light pollution. It motivated her to gather a group of Wilmington residents to better understand Amazons plans. Weve been asking a lot of questions, and we keep being told you know, more to come, more to come, and those answers dont come, Sharp said. >>RELATED: I-TEAM: Data centers, water, and secrets: Companies using NDAs to hide their names, water usage Clinton County Port Authority is working with Amazon to turn this plan into reality. Last week, Wilmingtons Planning Commission decided to table the idea until it gets more information. Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, a port authority representative was at the meeting. He said he was there to listen, not answer questions. The same went for Wilmington City Commissioner Jamie Knowles, who was also in attendance. He would not answer News Center 7s questions, but welcomed residents to reach out to him directly. Its going to take us all to keep this place how we want it, Wilmington resident Molly Boatman said. Boatman said her opinion on the center changes daily. Which I feel like is shamed upon, but it should be the approach that everyone takes, she said. Only one person at the meeting didnt agree with the rest of the group. Advertisement Advertisement Could they have done a better job of educating and communicating? Probably. But theres a whole lot of things here where frankly, this is the kind of industry you want here, Wilmington resident Fred Duff said. Duff thinks the data center will help Wilmington in the long run. I would just ask that you have an open mind, he said. Thursday will be the first city council meeting for its newly elected members. Neighbors who spoke to News Center 7 said they plan to show up and let the city leaders know how they feel. News Center 7s I-Team previously obtained a statement from Amazon spokesperson Kylee Yonas regarding data centers across the region. Advertisement Advertisement Our data centers in Ohio exceed industry efficiency standards, Yonas told the I-Team. Our Water Use Effectiveness score, which measures the amount of water used per unit of computing power, is three times better than the U.S. industry average. Our commitment to the communities where we operate is equally important, which is why we have invested more than $19.7 billion in Ohio, creating thousands of jobs and supporting local communities through education programs, skills training, and renewable energy projects. In addition, Amazon told the I-Team, We follow standard industry practices with full transparency. Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and corporate structures are common in major infrastructure projects, and we work openly with local governments and utilities to ensure fair cost-sharing for any needed infrastructure. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A Rhode Island woman arrested earlier this month was clearly not having it, appearing to roll her eyes in a mugshot released by state authorities. Coventry woman Stephanie Hopkins, 40, is accused of sending "explicit" images of a man she had once been in a relationship with to the man's mother, police alleged. Hopkins was arrested just after 4 p.m. on New Year's Day, the Rhode Island State Police said in a statement, obtained by Patch. Advertisement Advertisement Hopkins was arrested on one count of unauthorized dissemination of indecent material. It is alleged in the statement that Hopkins' ex entered a state police barracks in Wickford "and advised that his ex-girlfriend Stephanie Hopkins ... sent explicit photos of himself from his old phone to his mother," Patch reported. A trooper is said to have called Hopkins a short time later, and she told them the ex-boyfriend "mistreated her throughout her relationship and that she sent his mother the video that '[he] would send to dudes' as retribution for his alleged mistreatment," the Patch report said. "Hopkins then informed Troopers that she believed [her ex] was solely doing this as he was arrested for the same crime in May of 2025," the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Patch said it accessed court records showing a 39-year-old man with the same name as Hopkins' ex was arrested in May by the Middletown Police on a charge of unauthorized dissemination of indecent material. Texas Woman Charged With Murder After Allegedly Killing Boyfriend on Christmas Eve That man later pleaded no contest to the charge, according to Patch, and was sentenced to a mental health program, 10 days home confinement, and 11 months' probation. Speaking to investigators, the ex-boyfriend allegedly said "that he had a brief intimate dating relationship with Hopkins and at the conclusion of the relationship" on New Year's Eve, he "gave back a cellphone that was a gift from Hopkins. [He] stated that when he returned the phone, he left it as it was and did not factory reset the phone which would have wiped all its contents." Advertisement Advertisement Those contents included "several explicit videos and pictures that he took of himself," Patch reported. He told police that his mother received the compromising images "at approximately 3 a.m. [New Year's Day]." Hopkins allegedly sent the man's mother "multiple explicit screenshots of him showing his genitals." Troopers then headed to the mother's house, where she confirmed receiving "videos and photos of her son from the number he had been previously using," according to the report. "While on scene, Troopers were shown the bathroom where the photos were taken of the victim," the report said. Florida Woman Accused of Sending Explicit Video of Child to Victims Abuser in Federal Prison Advertisement Advertisement Hopkins has a pretrial conference scheduled for January 27. It was unclear if she had entered a plea to the charge against her, and she has no attorney of record yet. Us Weekly did call numbers associated with Hopkins to give her a chance to respond to the allegations but was unable to connect with her. It was unclear if she was actually rolling her eyes the moment the mugshot was taken. A damaged section of State Route 542 between mileposts 43 and 45 east of Glacier after flooding from an atmospheric river in December 2025. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Transportation) Last months heavy flooding inflicted at least $40 million to $50 million of damage on Washingtons highways, state transportation officials estimated to lawmakers Monday. The state Department of Transportation has responded to dozens of locations due to flooding, officials told lawmakers. The state has signed 16 contracts for emergency repairs. A few more are still to come. Advertisement Advertisement The cost figures the agency provided are preliminary. Were still compiling costs, so it is a range at this point, Steve Roark, the agencys Olympic region administrator, told the House Transportation Committee. Its unclear how much federal funding will be available to cover those costs. Gov. Bob Ferguson will ask President Donald Trump for a major disaster declaration to open up funding. The most notable example of infrastructure damage from the December storms is U.S. Route 2. The highway, a major east-west crossing in Washington over the Cascades, was closed for over two weeks along a nearly 50-mile stretch between Skykomish and Leavenworth. Parts of the roadway collapsed entirely. Advertisement Advertisement But the state has since reopened the highway on both sides of Stevens Pass for limited travel with temporary fixes. Permanent repairs will take months. Specifically, work on the stretch of Highway 2 from milepost 58 to milepost 70 on the east slopes of the pass likely wont be done until July. The still-closed segment through Tumwater Canyon near Leavenworth could reopen by March. That work includes rebuilding the roadway embankment. Further work will then be needed over the summer when the weather is warmer. Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith has said there are more than 16 washed-out or damaged areas in Tumwater Canyon. Theres currently a detour around this area using the Chumstick Highway, but officials caution that this is a rural county road and not a recommended route for cross-state travel. A map showing the detour route on Chumstick Highway to avoid a closure due to storm damage on U.S. Route 2. (Map courtesy of Washington State Department of Transportation) On the western end of Highway 2, near Skykomish, the state is developing plans to replace a culvert and make other permanent repairs. Advertisement Advertisement Repairs on other highways will also take a while. On U.S. 12 near Naches, the roadway was gone, Roark said. He hopes to have the highway repaired by the end of the month. Repairs to U.S. 101 south of Forks on the Olympic Peninsula are anticipated for the summer, at earliest. Its an area prone to landslides. About 20 years ago, the state built a retaining wall to support the highway embankment. And were going to get to do it again, Roark said, noting a big section of roadway is moving into the Bogachiel River. U.S. 101 is open to alternating one-way traffic. And similarly, on State Route 542, also known as the Mount Baker Highway, one-way traffic is getting drivers up to the ski area. Theres quite a bit of work to do here to restore the drainage and repair the roadway, Roark said. We anticipate getting that contract underway soon. I dont have an estimated date I can give you for repairing the roadway, but the works going to get underway fairly shortly. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The creators behind the Inner Loop Blog are flipping the script on traditional best of awards shows with an event dedicated to the worst of Rochester. Shane Allen and Mark Maira, hosts of the Inner Loop Podcast, are launching their own tongue-in-cheek awards show this weekend at Boulder Coffee. The event celebrates, or skewers, everything from the citys roughest roads to its least-loved suburbs. We describe ourselves as Rochesters version of The Onion, Allen said. We talk about real Rochester news, just not seriously. Advertisement Advertisement The Inner Loop Blog and podcast have built a following through satirical takes on local headlines, politics and culture. Allen and Maira, both former radio hosts, turned to podcasting after being laid off from radio jobs a transition they joked was inevitable. Since were 35-plus, were required to have a podcast, Maira said. The idea for the awards show was sparked after the Inner Loop received nominations from CITY Magazine for best podcast and best social media presence. While honored, the pair said the experience inspired them to parody traditional awards shows. They do an event where you have to pay to attend in order to get your award, Maira said. So we thought, why dont we trick people into coming to a show and giving us money, too? Advertisement Advertisement The result is the Worst of Rochester awards a live comedy event featuring stand-up comics from New York City, a set from Maira, and the unveiling of several mock awards. Voting is open to the public through the Inner Loop Blog website, with most categories allowing write-in nominations. One winner, however, has already been decided. Worst suburb in Rochester, by a landslide Greece, New York, Allen announced during the interview, calling it a Channel 8 exclusive. Allen said he is building trophies for winners, though he doubts many will attend to claim them. Itd be tough for Greece, New York, to show up, he joked. But if someone does, Ill give them a trophy and a shirt. Advertisement Advertisement Despite the satire, Allen and Maira said the event is meant to bring the community together through humor. Its an awards show, but its also a comedy show, Allen said. Everybody leaves feeling a little bit worse about themselves. The Inner Loop Podcast recently won best podcast honors, a milestone Maira said reflects the projects growth and local impact. There are more people who know about the Inner Loop than anything else Ive ever been involved with, Maira said. That part is really cool. Still, both hosts stressed the financial reality of independent podcasting. Its not lucrative whatsoever, Maira said. So please come to the show. Its the only way we make money. Advertisement Advertisement The Worst of Rochester awards take place Saturday at Boulder Coffee. Tickets and voting information are available here. 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 RochesterFirst. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia launched a second major drone and missile bombardment of Ukraine in four days, officials said Tuesday, aiming again at the power grid amid freezing temperatures in an apparent snub to U.S.-led peace efforts as Moscow's invasion of its neighbor approaches the four-year mark. Russia fired almost 300 drones, 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles at eight regions overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media. One strike in the northeastern Kharkiv region killed four people at a mail depot, and several hundred thousand households were without power in the Kyiv region, Zelenskyy said. Advertisement Advertisement The daytime temperature in Kyiv, which has endured freezing temperatures for more than two weeks, was minus 12 degrees C (about 10 degrees F), with streets covered in ice and the rumble of generators heard throughout the capital. Kyiv has grappled with severe power shortages for days, although Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Monday night's strikes caused the biggest electrical outage the city has faced so far. Kyiv residents huddle for warmth More than 500 residential buildings remained without central heating Tuesday. Throughout the city, bare trees were weighed down with icicles and snow was piled up next to sidewalks. Advertisement Advertisement Olena Davydova, 30, charged her phone at what is called a Point of Invincibility" shelter in Kyivs Dniprovskyi district. The government-built temporary installations, often large tents on the sidewalk, provide food, drinks, warmth and electricity. Davydova said she had been without power for nearly 50 hours. That forced her to adopt some new routines: sleeping in one bed with her child and two cats, storing fresh food on the balcony, and using candles after dark. She says she is taking the changes in stride. I still have enough patience. Im not reacting to this in a very emotional way, she told The Associated Press. Elsewhere, friends and relatives gathered in apartments still with power or hot water, at least temporarily, to charge their phones, take showers, or share a warm drink. Advertisement Advertisement Klitschko ordered the city to provide one hot meal per day to needy residents. He also announced that workers in the citys water, heating and road maintenance services would receive bonuses for working day and night to restore critical infrastructure. US calls out inexplicable Russian escalation Four days earlier, Russia also sent hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in a large-scale overnight attack and, for only the second time in the war, it used a powerful new hypersonic missile that struck western Ukraine in what appeared to be a clear warning to Kyivs NATO allies that it wont back down. On Monday, the U.S. accused Russia of a dangerous and inexplicable escalation of the fighting at a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance peace negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Tammy Bruce, the U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations, told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that Washington deplores the staggering number of casualties in the conflict and condemns Russias intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructure. Russia has sought to deny Ukrainian civilians heat and running water over the course of the war, hoping to wear down public resistance to Moscows full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Ukrainian officials describe the strategy as weaponizing winter. The attack in Ukraines Kharkiv region also wounded 10 people, local authorities said. In the southern city of Odesa, six people were wounded in the attack, said Oleh Kiper, the head of the regional military administration. The strikes damaged energy infrastructure, a hospital, a kindergarten, an educational facility and a number of residential buildings, he said. Advertisement Advertisement 2025 was the deadliest year for Ukrainian civilians Last year was the deadliest for civilians in Ukraine since 2022 as Russia intensified its aerial barrages behind the front line, according to the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country. The war killed 2,514 civilians and injured 12,142 in Ukraine 31% higher than in 2024, it said. The sharp increase in long-range attacks and the targeting of Ukraines national energy infrastructure mean that the consequences of the war are now felt by civilians far beyond the front line, Danielle Bell, the agencys head, said in a statement Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy said Ukraine is counting on quicker deliveries of agreed upon air defense systems from the U.S. and Europe, as well as new pledges of aid to counter Russias latest onslaught. Meanwhile, Russian air defenses shot down 11 Ukrainian drones overnight, Russias Defese Ministry said Tuesday. Seven were reportedly destroyed over Russias Rostov region, where Gov. Yuri Slyusar confirmed an attack on the coastal city of Taganrog, about 40 kilometers (about 24 miles) east of the Ukrainian border, in Kyiv's latest long-range attack on Russian war-related facilities. Ukraines military said its drones hit a drone manufacturing facility in Taganrog. The Atlant Aero plant designs, manufactures and tests Molniya drones and components for Orion unmanned aerial vehicles, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Explosions and a fire were reported at the site, with damage to production buildings confirmed, the General Staff said. It wasn't possible to independently verify the reports. ___ Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England, and Volodymyr Yurchuk in Kyiv contributed. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine MOSCOW, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Russia said on Tuesday it had summoned Poland's ambassador to protest over the detention of a Russian archaeologist and demand that he be immediately released instead of extradited to Ukraine. Poland arrested archaeologist Alexander Butyagin last month at the request of Ukraine, which accuses him of conducting unauthorised excavations and plundering historical artefacts in Crimea. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it had called in Polish ambassador Krzysztof Krajewski on Monday and told him that the Ukrainian charges were "absurd". Advertisement Advertisement The statement said that Butyagin, an employee of the renowned Hermitage museum in St Petersburg, had been working in Crimea for decades, and all his finds had been transferred to a museum there. "It is emphasized that the Russian Federation demands the immediate release of the Russian citizen and that he not be handed over to the Kyiv regime's punitive machine, which has no resemblance to justice," it said. Ukraine says it is defending not just its people and territory but also its cultural heritage in the war against Russia. It has accused Russia of taking precious historical items from Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, and from other parts of the country following Russia's invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Mark Trevelyan and Gleb Stolyarov; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) By Sam Tobin and Corey Rudy LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - The captain of a container ship that crashed into a U.S. tanker off Britain's east coast last year did "absolutely nothing" to prevent an avoidable and fatal collision, British prosecutors said on Tuesday as his trial over a crew member's death began. Russian national Vladimir Motin, 59, was captain of the Portuguese-flagged Solong which was heading to Rotterdam in the Netherlands when it hit the Stena Immaculate tanker, which was anchored, on March 10 2025. Advertisement Advertisement The Solong was mainly carrying alcohol and some dangerous goods, including empty but unclean sodium cyanide containers, while the Stena Immaculate was carrying just over 220,000 barrels of high-grade aviation fuel, prosecutor Tom Little said. The Stena Immaculate was waiting for a berth to discharge its cargo when it was hit, causing a fire which spread to both vessels, Little added. Jurors were played footage of the crash and its aftermath showing fire and smoke billowing into the sky. Motin was charged days later with causing the death of Filipino national and Solong crew member Mark Pernia, 38, whose body has never been found and is presumed dead. He has pleaded not guilty to one count of gross negligence manslaughter and is on trial at London's Old Bailey court, where Little said Pernia's death was "entirely avoidable". Advertisement Advertisement CAPTAIN ACCUSED OF 'GROSSLY NEGLIGENT CONDUCT' Little told jurors as Motin listened with the help of a Russian interpreter: "He (Pernia) would still be alive if it was not for the grossly negligent conduct of the man in the dock." He said the Solong was on a collision course with the Stena Immaculate for over half an hour before the crash and was travelling at roughly 18 miles per hour (29 kph). Little said Motin had sent WhatsApp messages to his wife after the crash, saying "there had been a disaster and he will be 'guilty'", to which his wife replied that he should say he did not see the other vessel on the ship's equipment. Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor told the court that Motin owed Pernia a duty of care as the Solong's captain and as he was "on sole watch duty on the bridge" before the fatal crash. "Ultimately, he did nothing, absolutely nothing, to avoid the collision," Little added. The Solong's alarm system, which was intended to ensure someone was on the vessel's bridge, had been switched off and was not active on the morning of the crash, he said. Little added that the crew of the Stena Immaculate and the Solong were given no warning of the impending collision. The trial is expected to conclude next month. (Reporting by Sam Tobin and Corey Rudy; editing by Sarah Young and Tomasz Janowski) By Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash KYIV, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Russia struck cities across Ukraine with missiles and drones overnight in one of its biggest attacks of the New Year so far, killing at least four people and knocking out heat and power, exposing millions to dangerous winter cold. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia had launched nearly 300 drones, 18 ballistic missiles, and seven cruise missiles during overnight attacks on eight Ukrainian regions. Advertisement Advertisement The main targets were energy-generation facilities and substations, Zelenskiy said in a post on the Telegram app. "Every such strike against life is a reminder that support for Ukraine cannot be stopped. Missiles for air defence systems are needed every day, and especially during winter." Ukrainian air defence units shot down 247 drones and seven missiles, the air force said. It also said on the Telegram app that missiles and drones caused damage at 24 sites. Emergency power cuts were introduced in the capital Kyiv and also in the Chernihiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions, the Energy Ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, said the attack heavily damaged equipment at one of its thermal plants. Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, said emergency crews, hampered by "extraordinary challenges" and temperatures plunging to -16 Celsius (3 Fahrenheit) in Kyiv, remained engaged round-the-clock to restore heating and power. "It is important that so many of our people are working professionally, restoring supplies and striving to sustain normal life," he said. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko posted a video on Telegram of crews repairing pipes. He said that while heating was now on in most apartment buildings, it still had to be restored in nearly 500 dwellings. Advertisement Advertisement ELECTRICITY CUTS OFF IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES Russia has relentlessly targeted Ukraine's energy system throughout the conflict, claiming attacks on civil infrastructure are justified to impair Ukraine's war effort. Kyiv says Moscow's aim is to inflict suffering to break the national will. Ukrainian officials say the war's fourth winter is shaping up to be the coldest and darkest yet, with Russian strikes intensified, years of cumulative damage taking a toll and the weather dangerously cold even for Ukraine's climate. Kyiv residents have endured days of interrupted power and heating supplies after the last big Russian strike last week. Advertisement Advertisement Weeks before the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, diplomatic efforts to end the war have brought no tangible results and Russian troops are slowly advancing in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region in costly battles. Russia's Defence Ministry said that its troops carried out a massive strike targeting military-industrial facilities in Ukraine. In the city of Kharkiv, 30 km (18 miles) from the border with Russia and a frequent target, four people were killed during the attacks when a postal terminal was hit by several missiles and drones, said regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. "We faced a mass Shahed and missile attack," said Syniehubov, referring to Iranian-designed drones. "More than 30 people were wounded. Four people were killed on site." Advertisement Advertisement In the southern port city of Odesa, at least five people were injured as a result of the overnight Russian attack, the emergency service said. It reported fires at an unused new building, a fitness centre and a vocational school. (Additional reporting by Lidia Kelly, Alexandar Vasovic; Editing by Peter Graff, Ron Popeski and Alistair Bell) Parents reported feeling very positive about South Carolina's K-12 scholarship program for private tuition, though they raised concerns about inflated prices. (Photo by Getty Images) COLUMBIA Students erroneously awarded K-12 scholarships in 2024 spent nearly $64,000 in taxpayer money before their removal, but it appears the problem didnt repeat in the programs second year, according to two state education agencies. A report given to legislators last month and provided to the SC Daily Gazette revealed how much money was spent before the agency suspended students accounts because they didnt qualify for the $1,500 quarterly payments. It also represented the Department of Educations first public confirmation on the number of students removed. Advertisement Advertisement While that problem didnt resurface in a survey released Monday, parents indicated that at least some schools are raising tuition prices for participants. The $64,000 came from the accounts of 82 of the 1,005 ineligible students removed from the program in September 2024 because they still attended public school in their local district, which disqualified them from the program. The department clawed back the remaining $1.4 million in those students accounts. How the parents of those 82 students spent the money before being disqualified remains unclear. By law, the money can be spent on various education expenses, including private tuition, tutoring and books. A second survey of parents, similar to the one that revealed the problem, makes no mention of revoked funding. Parents who completed the survey for the programs second year gave overwhelmingly positive responses, researcher Jenny May said Monday. Everyone was very satisfied overall with this program, May told a panel of the Education Oversight Committee, an independent agency thats led by a committee of legislators, educators and business leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Its possible some students were still accepted to the program when they shouldnt have been, but none of the nearly 1,700 survey responses suggested that was the case, and the oversight agency has no reason to believe the same problem happened again, May told reporters. Students are no longer required to leave their public school district entirely to receive the funds, though they still cant attend their zoned public school. For the first time this year, students already enrolled in private schools were allowed to apply for the money, as long as their parents made no more than 300% of the federal poverty level. Considering around 45% of parents last year reported feeling dissatisfied with the program, Sen. Ross Turner, a member of the oversight committee, said he was pleasantly surprised with this years results. The program is obviously still young and still being molded into what it could be down the road, or what it will be down the road, said the Greenville Republican, who voted in favor of the law. But I think right now its on the right path. Advertisement Advertisement Applications for the 2026-27 school year open Thursday for students attending a public school this year, families making up to 300% of the federal poverty level, and/or children of active-duty military personnel stationed in South Carolina. Everyone else who qualifies can start applying Feb. 9. This year, the income cap is 500% of the federal poverty level, or $128,600 for a family of four. By law, the $7,600 vouchers must be made available to at least 15,000 qualified students this school year, though legislators can increase the amount. Gov. Henry McMaster and state Superintendent Ellen Weaver are asking for enough money to accept 20,000 students a total cost of $61.4 million. End-of-year report The end-of-year report noted that the department found and removed all ineligible students during the 45 days the agency had to make sure all participants met the programs requirements. That timing lined up with public schools first student count, which verifies state and federal funding per pupil. Advertisement Advertisement During that check, 1,229 students appeared to be enrolled both in their zoned public school district and the voucher program, named the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, according to the report. Under the law that created the inaugural program, students had to leave their home district to access the money, but some parents didnt seem to know about or understand that requirement, the report suggests. Department of Education staff suspended the accounts at that point and verified where students were attending school, leading to the removal of 1,005 students. The remaining 224 students were automatically reenrolled in their public schools despite transferring, so the department reinstated their funds. Thankfully, (education) officials detected these double counting problems early in the initial enrollment verification process and were able to pull back unspent funds that had been previously allocated, the report reads. That included all but $63,670. Thats a drop in the bucket for a program that ultimately spent more than $6 million, and the agency did claw back the vast majority of the $1.5 million put in accounts for students who didnt qualify, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Any dollar thats spent in a way thats out of line with the law is concerning, said Patrick Kelly, a lobbyist for the Palmetto State Teachers Association. Its notable that the department noticed that and addressed it. Survey results Although the results from the November survey were overwhelmingly positive, some parents comments did raise concerns, May said. For instance, some parents claimed private schools and other unspecified vendors charged parents receiving the taxpayer-funded benefit more than they charged those paying out of pocket. We thought our funds would go further, but when the school found out we had received the ESTF scholarship, they no longer gave us a previous discount, one parent wrote. We would have preferred to have the option of reimbursement so that we can choose how to spend those funds without schools setting prices based on what they know families are receiving. Advertisement Advertisement How many times this happened was unclear from the survey, and parents didnt name any schools that hiked tuition for voucher recipients or say how much more they were paying. Critics of the program have long warned that private schools would raise tuition to match whatever amount the state gives out. You could see this coming, Kelly said. Inflated prices will mean families cant stretch their money as far, Kelly said. For instance, a parent enrolling their child in private school may not also be able to pay for additional expenses, such as a school uniform or tutoring, if increased tuition prices eat up all their state-funded scholarship. Advertisement Advertisement Families will be priced out of educational opportunities as vendors continue to raise prices, Kelly said. Last year, as senators debated a revised version of the law, some proposed adding price caps. Legislators will likely need to take another look at the problem this year, now that the concerns are seeming to become reality, Turner said. I think those things are going to have to be ironed out, Turner said, stopping short of any specific proposals. A handful of teachers also reported that the school where they worked required them to apply for the program and use the money to cover tuition for their children who attended, even though the school previously allowed their children to attend for free. Those parents then couldnt use the money for other needs, such as tutoring or textbooks. Advertisement Advertisement That might minimize choice for some families who are trying to access all of the opportunities to finance support and education opportunities for their kids, May said. The teachers did not say where they worked. Confusion continues over homeschooling For the second year, parents wrote how happy they were to use the money for homeschooling, even though thats illegal. We wanted to home educate our children but we could not afford it, one parent wrote. This program gave us the opportunity to tailor our childrens education to their needs and gifts. Some parents may have conflated homeschooling with other acceptable forms of education under the program, such as virtual classes provided through a traditional school but completed at home. Advertisement Advertisement However, theres enough ambiguity that it could appear as an inappropriate use of funds without more clarity, May said. In its end-of-year report, the education department defended those parents, saying they werent technically homeschooling. Instead of opting for one of the state-provided homeschooling programs, which the law prohibits for those receiving vouchers, the parents agree to follow the Education Scholarship Trust Fund rules, according to the report. In that way, the state essentially acts as the homeschooling authorizer instead of a public school or homeschooling association. The Education Oversight Committees staff recommended legislators add homeschooling as an option for the program to cut down on confusion. Thats sure to stir up an ironic foe: parents who homeschool their children. Parents who signed up for one of the three homeschooling methods allowed under state law specifically requested legislators leave them out of the program out of fear of too much government involvement in their childrens education. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Homosexual behaviour 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 behaviour, with some of the earliest reports dating back to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. Advertisement Advertisement But this relatively common behaviour was long dismissed by the scientific community as a "Darwinian paradox". This held that homosexual behaviour 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 behaviour can in part be inherited from an animal's parents -- and can provide an evolutionary advantage. "Diversity of sexual behaviour is very common in nature, among species and in animal societies -- it is as important as caring for offspring, fighting off predators or foraging for food," Imperial College London biologist Vincent Savolainen told AFP. 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 females -- and therefore eventually more offspring. Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, the team also determined that the macaques inherited same-sex behaviour from their parents more than six percent of the time -- but 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 behaviour in 59 species, including lemurs, great apes and monkeys across the Americas, Africa and Asia. That the behaviour was so widespread indicates it has a "deep evolutionary root," the study said. Advertisement Advertisement The researchers then investigated how environment, social organisation and "life history" traits affected whether primates engaged in homosexual acts. They found that the behaviour 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 predators -- vervet monkeys, for example, have to avoid all sorts of big cats and snakes in Africa. - Stress reliever? - This all suggests that homosexual behaviour could help manage tension among primate groups during periods of stress, the researchers said. Advertisement Advertisement The behaviour 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. Same-sex sexual behaviour 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 theorised that similar factors could have played a role in human ancestors. Advertisement Advertisement "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 behaviour in modern humans. Isabelle Winder, an anthropologist at Bangor University in the UK not involved in the study, praised the research. Advertisement Advertisement "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' behaviours that I find most exciting," she commented in Nature. ber/dl/phz LANSING, Mich, (WLNS) Police have arrested a second suspect in connection to a May 2025 Summit Township homicide but say one remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous. The shooting happened on May 16, 2025 in the 100 block of Lincoln Court in Summit Twp., when police say three men opened fire on a home in the area, shooting four men: Anthony Owens, Kenneth Avant, Randall Hurst, and Michael Gant. The four victims were taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital, where Owens would later succumb to his injuries. It takes a village: Mama Tutu speaks out after losing son to gun violence Advertisement Advertisement Monday, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office announced Montez Martees White, 27, has been found and arrested in Ohio in connection to the incident, following the earlier arrest of Tyrek Tra-Quan Jabrie Rice, who was also located in Ohio late last year. Both of them are awaiting extradition to Jackson County to face multiple felony charges including open murder, assault with intent to murder, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and felony firearm. The final suspect charged by the Jackson County Prosecutors Office is 26-year-old Dion Jamel Flowers Jr., who has yet to be located and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the Jackson County Sheriffs Office or Lead Detective Kelley Ebersole at 517-768-7932. 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 WLNS 6 News. While New Mexico legislators and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham largely agree on how to spend state money in the upcoming fiscal year, some key differences have emerged through a review of budget docs. (Anna Padilla for Source NM) While New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state legislators mostly agree on how to spend more than $11 billion in state funds during the next fiscal year, some key differences have emerged in budget proposals unveiled ahead of the legislative session starting Jan. 20. Budget experts from both branches presented Monday to the state House Appropriations and Finance Committee, which is tasked with introducing the budget bill for lawmakers to consider when the Legislature meets for its finance-focused 30-day session. Advertisement Advertisement Wayne Propst, secretary of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, and Charles Sallee, director of the Legislative Finance Committee, both told the committee that their budget proposals reflect the tough economic conditions impacting the state and the rest of the country. We are in a period of declining or moderating revenue growth. The executive budget is an attempt to recognize that, Propst said at the beginning of his remarks. Despite the economic forces that are prompting fiscal architects to craft smaller budgets, Propst began his presentation with what he said was good news: Moodys, the global credit rating agency, on Friday upgraded the states bond issuance rating. Propst said the upgrade reflects the states years-long strategy to invest record oil and gas revenue into revenue-generating trust funds. As for the budget, the governor seeks just over $11.3 billion for state operations in FY27, which represents a roughly 4.7% increase over the current fiscal year ending July 1. The Legislative Finance Committee is pushing an $11.1 billion budget, representing a 2.5% increase over last fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement The roughly $230 million difference can be accounted for, according to Source New Mexicos review of the two budget proposals, in just a few of more than 125 line items detailed in budget documents. The biggest difference relates to funding for the Early Childhood Education and Care Department, the agency the governor has tasked with implementing her universal childcare proposal. The governors budget seeks a little over $465 million for the agency, which is $163 million more than the LFC has called for in its budget. The extent to which the Legislature will fund the governors proposal during her last year in office is shaping up as a key battle during the session. State Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces), told Source last week that the LFC budget is a starting point for negotiations. Another major difference between the two budgets centers on the state Health Care Authority, which administers major federal health and nutrition programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The governor seeks $80 million more than the LFC for the HCA, which currently has an operating budget of slightly more than $2 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Sallee said Monday that he believes Medicaid, and therefore the HCA, is overfunded by roughly $150 million, especially ahead of cuts to statewide enrollment expected due to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The budget proposals also reveal a potential fight over the fate of the embattled McKinley County District Attorneys office. Lawmakers in last years session slashed District Attorney Bernadine Martins funding due to concerns about her performance; they then provided additional funding to the DA next door and asked him to take over Martins cases. Since then, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez has taken action to remove Martin from office. She is facing a trial before the Supreme Court in March that will determine whether she will be removed from office. According to the budget records, the Legislature seeks to continue funding to the judicial district Martin now runs at the same level as last year, roughly $283,000, but Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams budget seeks to restore funding to roughly $3.8 million, on par with other district attorneys across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Apart from those key differences, the two budget proposals largely agree. The median difference on more than 130 programs is 1.2%, according to a Source review, and the governor and the Legislature have identical spending proposals on eight line items, including the New Mexico Compilation Commission, the Public Employee Labor Relations Board and the Economic Development Department. See our table below with more about where the governor and Legislature align on the next budget: A bill that would make doxing a criminal offense under state law advanced to the Senate chamber Tuesday. (Getty Images) Efforts to criminalize doxing in Indiana moved forward Tuesday after a Senate committee approved legislation targeting the malicious and intentional online disclosure of personal information. The proposal was filed amid ongoing concerns about threats and harassment tied to recent redistricting fights and now heads to the full chamber for further consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 140, authored by Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, cleared the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee on a 61 vote after lawmakers adopted a narrowing amendment. Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, cast the sole no vote, citing lingering concerns about the bills broad scope. The underlying bill would create a new criminal offense for doxing defined as the intentional sharing of personal information about a targeted person or someone closely connected to them when done with the intent to threaten or place them in fear of bodily harm. Lawmakers have said the proposal was prompted by a string of bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting legislators and others during the December redistricting debate. Before advancing, the committee adopted an amendment to narrow the bills reach by removing coworkers from the definition of a person closely connected to the targeted individual and explicitly stating that personal information could include only an individuals name. Advertisement Advertisement Committee chair Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, said the amendment addressed concerns Brown had raised previously about the bills breadth. I heard Sen. Brown and I agreed with her, Freeman said. I thought (the language) was a little broad. I agreed took it out. Still, Brown said she remained uneasy even after the change, particularly with language that could sweep in private communications. I am a little bit concerned, too, about the broadness of the section with respect to any email, post, text, Brown said. You could even be texting or emailing someone privately and they would be included in this. Advertisement Advertisement Freeman said further changes could come later in the legislative process. Not disagreeing with you, Freeman said. My suggestion would be, lets move it. Lets get it out of here, and Im happy to continue to work on it. Targeted lawmakers included those for and against President Donald Trumps failed push to eliminate Indianas two Democratic congressional seats in favor of a 9-0 Republican delegation, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Indiana Senate voted the maps down mid-December, after months of intense pressure and weeks of threats. Those included swatting attempts at lawmakers homes hoax reports to emergency services intended to trigger armed responses plus bomb threats and more. No arrests have been made. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Photo by Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) While tacos are arguably the most popular export from Mexican gastronomy, there are plenty of dishes and flavors to discover. At Ixchel in Seoul, while youll still find tacos on the menu, there are also other unexpected entrees for a trip to Mexico in the middle of Koreas capital. In Seoul, Ixchel has two locations, its main branch in Hapjeong and a counter at Lotte Department Stores Food Avenue in Myeongdong. According to their Instagram account, the restaurants are run by an unnamed two-Michelin star chef. If youve visited this food hall in the past, you may recognize that Ixchel is now in the same spot once claimed by Coreanos Kitchen, a Mexican restaurant with a main branch still running in Itaewon District. During a recent visit to Korea with my sister, I was craving Coreanos, but was surprised to find Ixchel there serving some of the standard favorites and other dishes Id never imagine seeing on a menu outside of Mexico. My sister and I were hungry after all the shopping wed done in Myeongdong, so we decided to pivot and give Ixchel a try. From the small menu, we ordered the Chile Colorado Rice, a beef stew in a spicy red sauce with rice on the side, for 16,000 won (about $11), an order of birria tacos (of course!) for 14,000 won and two soft drinks. Birria is brisket slowly simmered with herbs and spices like bay leaf, chiles, onions and garlic. The two other menu options are the restaurants signature, a sweet potato filled with guacamole and yogurt sauce and Birria ramen, which is a fusion dish that is popular stateside, too. (Photo by Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) (Photo by Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) After placing our order, it was time to get aggressive and look for a place to sit among the community tables. I quickly found a corner table and jumped on a seat as if I was doing a cake walk at a kids party. Soon our buzzer went off and our food was delivered straight to our table. The Chile Colorado came with a generous portion of beef and rice and a dollop of sour cream. The tortilla chips topping the rice were an interesting addition, but the crunch was nice. The beef was a little chewy for stew, but the sauce had a little kick and a little tanginess that we appreciated. It was far from the Chile Colorado my mom cooks up every time Im home, but it was not bad for all the Mexican food Ive had in Asia. And, believe me, Ive had a lot. (Photo by Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) Chile Colorado Rice (Photo by Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) The tacos were impressive. Two large crisp tacos with a delicious cheese crust crowning each. The filing was a little light, but it had all the makings of a delicious taco: tender, well-seasoned beef, cilantro and red onions. These did come with a birria broth on the side, but it was not enough to give the messiness expected from standard birria tacos. Being greasy, they definitely required the plastic gloves that the restaurant provided on my tray. I was disappointed that this plate did not come with any salsa or guacamole, which couldve drastically improved my meal. Birria tacos (Photo by Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) Birria tacos (Photo by Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) All in all, it was a somewhat expensive meal, but the Chile Colorado was the standout and absolutely a taste of home that would keep me coming back for more. Next time Ill try the main branch and really put this Michelin star claim to the test. Ixchel Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok has been producing sexualized imagery of women and minors, Gizmodo reported. What's happening? According to the publication, people on X have been directing Grok to generate sexual images of other users without those users' consent. Women are the most common targets, and the outputs have included imagery that sexualized minors. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, one of the authors of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, says artificial intelligence chatbots fall outside the law's protections. Advertisement Advertisement "As I've said before, AI chatbots are not protected by Section 230 for content they generate, and companies should be held fully responsible for the criminal and harmful results of that content. States must step in to hold X and Musk accountable if Trump's DOJ won't," Wyden told Gizmodo, referring to President Donald Trump's administration and the Department of Justice. Musk has mostly dismissed the criticism. On Jan. 3, he wrote, "Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content." He offered no explanation of how those consequences would be enforced. Why is deepfake abuse concerning? Generating sexual images of minors violates federal law. Non-consensual intimate imagery of adults, sometimes called revenge porn, is illegal, too. Advertisement Advertisement Real people are being harmed. Ashley St. Clair, who shares a child with Musk, said she has been attacked online for criticizing Grok's capabilities. Critics have told her to stop posting photos or expect them to be manipulated. Grok blocks certain types of content. The chatbot refuses to explain how to construct nuclear weapons. But it allows users to generate intimate pictures of people who never agreed to them. AI systems such as Grok require massive amounts of energy and water to run, prompting questions about whether those resources should power tools that produce harmful content. What's being done about deepfake abuse? With federal enforcement seeming unlikely, Wyden is calling on individual states to take action. If you want to help, you can contact your state legislators and voice support for stronger AI accountability measures. Report accounts that share non-consensual AI-generated images on social platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Think about which platforms earn your time and engagement based on how they respond to harmful material. 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. Jan 13 (Reuters) - Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said Greenlanders could vote to join Russia if U.S. President Donald Trump did not move quickly to secure the Arctic island, Interfax reported on Monday. Trump needs to hurry. According to unverified information, in a few days there could be a sudden referendum, at which the entire 55,000-strong Greenland could vote to join Russia," Interfax reported, quoting Medvedev, a former Russian president. "And then thats it. No new little stars on the (U.S.) flag." Advertisement Advertisement Trump has revived his push for the United States to take control of Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, arguing Washington needs to own it to deter Russia. The U.S. president has said its location and resources make Greenland vital for national security, prompting firm objections from Denmark and Greenland. While Russia makes no claim to Greenland, it has long monitored the islands strategic role in Arctic security, given its position on North Atlantic routes and the presence there of a major U.S. military and space surveillance facility. The Kremlin has not commented on Trump's renewed push but calling the Arctic a zone of Russias national and strategic interests, it said last year that was watching the rather dramatic debate around Greenland closely. Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine fractured much Arctic cooperation. As climate change opens new routes and resource prospects, the region has become more contested. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Most nights for the last year, Darlene Hamilton slept four hours and woke at about 4.30am. She wanted to sleep, but she could not. Instead the 66-year-old started the day at her Altadena rental home in morning darkness with a familiar routine, scouring through websites of local humane societies and lost animal groups in search of two familiar little faces. For a year, her days often began and ended with this ritual. When fire came for Hamiltons community one windy evening in January 2025, it sent countless lives into chaos. Survivors loss is felt in large and small ways, from the treasured 80-year-old hardware store, now gone, to the family photos, or a grandmothers wedding dress, burned up. Advertisement Advertisement Hamilton lost the green Altadena home she shared with her husband, the dragon fruit plants and the cherished Christmas ornaments she had spent a lifetime collecting. And most painfully, she lost her two beloved cats Merlyn and Kiki. Related: Then and now: one year on from the Los Angeles wildfires in pictures She had them for 12 years, through the early days of her marriage, her mothers death and during her career as a graphic designer and art director. While Hamilton worked from home, Merlyn, a 17lb Maine Coon, always sat by her side, and Kiki, a petite shy Calico, was never far. The fire arrived on her property in the middle of the night, moving impossibly fast, and despite Hamiltons best efforts, she was forced to flee without her cats. She left the doors open, leaving them an escape route. Advertisement Advertisement After that terrible night, Hamilton refused to give up hope they may have survived. So she kept searching, hanging up posters around the devastated area. She made a silent commitment to Merlyn and Kiki that she would look for them for a year and a day. I still have to look. What if theyre out there? I was out there every single day January 2025 was set to bring what the National Weather Service described as a life-threatening windstorm across southern California. Fire was a known risk in Altadena, the town of 43,000 people where Hamilton had resided with her husband, who works at Nasas Jet Propulsion Laboratory, since 2012. Their home was on a slope with a spacious front and back yard, and a collection of roses that her husband carefully tended to. A neighbor grew thick stands of bamboo. Advertisement Advertisement Merlyn, who Hamilton said had the affable and easy-going personality of a surfer, and skittery and sweet Kiki, would get supervised visits in the yard each day, but otherwise stayed indoors. Hamilton had lived in Los Angeles for decades, always with feline companions. Originally from Massachusetts, she was eager to escape cold winters and became enamored of southern California with its sunshine and Disneyland. Along the way, shed picked up English country dancing, the kind seen in Pride and Prejudice, becoming an instructor and starting a vibrant historical dance community. In early January, Hamilton was focused on a planned Jane Austen tea social and putting away Christmas ornaments. She hadnt seen much about the weather. But by the evening of 7 January 2025, the winds were impossible to ignore. A fire had already forced thousands of people to evacuate the Pacific Palisades, and another blaze, the Eaton fire, had broken out in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains. Advertisement Advertisement They thought their home in the middle of town would be safe as it always had been. Hamiltons husband had been securing the yard, tying umbrellas, and surveying the area every 45 minutes, she remembered. Kiki looked up at her nervously before running off to hide, while Merlyn, freaked out, stayed seated next to her. Late in the evening she dozed off briefly while sitting upright before waking up to monitor the progress of the blaze. Their home was just outside an evacuation zone. She was still sitting on the couch when she heard a crackle reminiscent of a fireplace, but far louder, and then something like a firecracker. She went to the door and saw a golden light the bamboo was in flames. Two men appeared in her driveway with hoses. Advertisement Advertisement Hamilton quickly put Merlyn in his carrier and went to find Kiki, but as she turned he busted out and ran. The alarms in the house rang out. Smoke filled the room. Her husband was fighting the fire outside, and the two men, strangers to her even now, came inside to help her evacuate. She couldnt find the cats, and the smoke was growing thicker. I had Merlyn in the cage, and if I just grabbed him and carried that cage out to the car, she said, not finishing. I would never think that he would be able to break out like that. She searched amid the chaos. And then she left the doors open and fled. Later she would sometimes think to herself: I should have just stayed and kept looking. As she slowly drove away, flames consumed Altadena in a scene that she thought resembled a war zone. Advertisement Advertisement The couple returned the next day, prepared to see some damage to the property. Instead their home was completely gone and there was no sign of the cats. They set out food and water. It would become impossible to return to the property in the coming weeks with the area blocked off under strict evacuation orders. Hamilton called every rescue center she could, the local humane society, and others further away after learning that some animals rescued from the fire zone were transported out of the area, she said. An official list of deceased animals found in the area had virtually no descriptions. She installed cameras and hung posters. Eventually, a volunteer group came to help the couple sort through the rubble. Even in highly destructive fires, animal remains and even cremains can often be recovered. But they never found anything. Countless others had lost their pets as well, and the community was eager to help. Advertisement Advertisement People that were driving through the neighborhood some of them were even putting flyers in their cars, she recalled. I was there every single day. I cannot tell you how many people told me stories about how somebody got their cat back six months later. She drove to shelters across the region, enlisted friends across the state to look at their local shelters, and undertook detective work. Once, after getting a potential lead, she drove into the valley to catch a glimpse of a cat that she thought could have been Merlyn. Altadena, a year later A year on from the fire, Hamilton and her husband have returned to Altadena. They live in a rental home in a neighborhood untouched by the flames. Shes avoided pet food aisles, and is reminded of her cats when she sees people cuddled up with their own pets on Zoom calls. As the deadline shed privately committed to came and went, Hamilton is preparing to step back from her search. Advertisement Advertisement I promised my babies, she said. I imagine Ill still always kind of look. When the holidays came around, the couple hung up posters around Altadenas Christmas Tree Lane, where thousands of people flock each year to watch the illumination of a mile of cedar trees, a local tradition that has lasted for more than a century. Related: Three LA wildfire victims on surviving the horror and what happened next As dense crowds moved through the street on 6 December, many passed Merlyn and Kiki, their faces frozen in time on missing posters dotting telephone poles. Kiki was smart, yet bashful, but Merlyn was friendly he especially could have ended up with someone, Hamilton thought. Advertisement Advertisement At this point even if somebody said, well, hes a beloved family member now, Id rather know hes alive and let him live his happy life, she said. The passage of time has softened the pain, she said. But she cant help thinking about what they might have endured. One of the things is like, those poor cats, they went through that trauma. If they did escape, then they come back and they go, wheres my house? Where are my people?, she said. She wishes they could see her new life now. Last month, Hamiltons husband strung Christmas lights outside their burned property. The roses there survived. Their new home is temporary, but beautiful, she said. Theres a lot of times I come to my new house and I think, oh, they would have liked it so much. I wish they could have been here. A snowmobiler was killed by an avalanche in the Wyoming backcountry on Sunday, January 11, 2026, local authorities said. The accident happened in the LaBarge Creek area at around 2 p.m. and involved two snowmobilers, according to a report published by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center. The forecasters stated that one of the snowmobilers triggered the avalanche and was buried between two and three feet deep as the snow slid into a creek bed. His partner, noticing the lack of engine noises, returned and found the avalanche. The rider had deployed his airbag in the slide, but the short distance the avalanche fell (~60 feet) allowed no time for the airbag to lift him to the surface, the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center wrote. The partner dug up the buried snowmobiler and started CPR, but the snowmobiler died as a result of being caught in the avalanche, police said. BTAC forecasters extend their deepest condolences to family, friends and others affected by this tragedy. Forecast staff will produce a more detailed report as more information becomes available, the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center wrote. From the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center: "Snowmobile triggered Avalanche in La Barge Creek just east of Commissary Ridge that resulted in a fatality on 1/11/2026. West facing at 8,950'. 20 inches (50cm) deep. Failed on surface hoar sitting on a crust buried on New Years Day. SS-AMu-R3-D2-O" Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center (Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center) The Lincoln County Sheriffs Office received a report of the avalanche via a Garmin InReach notification. Star Valley Search and Rescue responded to the accident. The Sheriffs Office identified the snowmobiler who was killed as Nicholas Bringhurst, 31, of Springville, Utah, in a news release. The Lincoln County Coroner met with rescuers and took Bringhursts body. The Sheriffs Office expresses our deepest sympathies to the Bringhurst family, the Sheriffs Office wrote in the release. The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center shared further preliminary information about the avalanche in the video below. Related: Utah Ski Resort Shows Off New Remote Avalanche Control Tech This story was originally published by Powder on Jan 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Powder as a Preferred Source by clicking here. MOAB A snowmobiler was lucky to avoid serious injury after being partially buried by a large avalanche in southeastern Utah, prompting officials to highlight the risks from the states latest wave of snow. The incident occurred on the east face of Laurel Peak in Dark Canyon of the La Sal Mountains southeast of Moab on Friday evening, according to the Utah Avalanche Center. Four people were snowmobiling in the area when one rider unintentionally triggered a slide at approximately 11,800 feet of elevation, sending a 700-foot-wide wall of snow tumbling 1,250 feet toward them. The snowmobiler, a man whose name and age were not released, was caught in the avalanche and carried about 100 feet, which almost completely buried him, according to the report. Three others, who were waiting farther down the mountain, rushed in and found him with his hands and head sticking out of the snow, before they dug him out of the snowpile. Advertisement Advertisement All four riders brought the proper rescue gear for an avalanche, but the partially buried rider was unable to reach his airbag, it added. This was a really lucky scenario, and this could have gone really bad for them, said Dave Garcia, a forecaster and Moab community coordinator for the Utah Avalanche Center, in a video the agency uploaded over the weekend. Garcia and other forecasters inspected the site on Saturday, where they found parts of the debris pile with snow 7 to 8 feet deep, more than double the amount of snow recorded in the area. They determined that the slide originated in weakened snow beneath the snowfall that fell after rain on Christmas. Over a foot of dense, water-heavy snow fell in the area over the past few weeks, while moderate to strong winds blew snow, adding to avalanche conditions at the time of the slide, their report noted. Advertisement Advertisement Fridays avalanche occurred near the same area where a snowmobiler was killed in a larger slide in 2019. Several natural and human-caused slides have been reported over the past few days after the latest wave of moisture. Avalanche danger in the area remains considerable in the mountains near Moab at the start of this week, while its as moderate across other mountains in the state, per the Utah Avalanche Center. Anyone recreating in the mountains is urged to avoid terrain with slopes steeper than 30 degrees. The state dedicated a webpage to other safety tips. This problem is going to be with us for a little bit longer, Garcia said. Its going to get harder and more stubborn to trigger, but its going to stick around. These are the kind of slopes that youre going to want to avoid. Days of protest across Iran have left hundreds dead and many more injured. Attempts by Iranian authorities to quell dissent through a near-total internet blackout point to the pivotal role that social media has played in organizing, spreading and documenting unrest. The Conversation asked Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, an expert on the impact of media in collective action in Iran, to analyze how social media has been used during the mass protests and what its use reveals about protesters demands. What has been the role of social media in the protests? The dynamics of collective action in Iran and elsewhere have changed dramatically with the global spread of smartphones and digital technology. Advertisement Advertisement This was first clearly visible during the Arab Spring, the series of uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East. During those events from late 2010, the phrase We use Facebook to schedule the protests, Twitter to coordinate and YouTube to tell the world first took hold. And social media has played a role in the cycle of Iranian protests that took place since then: In 2017-2018, 2019, 2022 and, most recently, starting in December 2025. Until the internet shutdown ordered by Iranian authorities on Jan. 8, there were numerous posts and videos documenting what began as the Bazaar protests against the falling value of Irans currency, the rial. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses the recent protests on Jan. 9, 2026. IRIB/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images However, social media use has shifted significantly since the blackout. While posts will likely reappear once access is restored, the more striking development is the global online response to the shutdown itself. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian diaspora communities and non-Iranians alike have used social media to share concerns about the blackout and about what may be happening inside Iran. Instagram and Twitter are filled with such reaction, making this form of engagement unusually widespread and visible. This level of attention appears even more pronounced than during the Woman, Life, Freedom protests following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish-Iranian woman detained by Irans morality police for not wearing a proper hijab. At the same time, Iranian dissident news channels outside the country have become key but controversial sources of rolling information, shaping their own narratives from limited available reports. Advertisement Advertisement Another thing to note about the social media element of the current protests is Reza Pahlavi. The exiled crown prince and son of the last shah of Iran ousted in 1979s Islamic revolution has actively used social media to foment and sustain pressure on the Iranian government. This demonstrates how such platforms continue to be used to mobilize and encourage further protest within Iran despite the blackout. How successful was the attempt to block internet access in Iran? The Iranian government has said it had restricted internet access in an attempt to prevent the organization of protests by what they claim to be agitators and external influences. The scale of the shutdown is unprecedented. The blackout has lasted several days and has reportedly extended beyond mobile networks to include landline communications. Advertisement Advertisement Reports suggest that some Iranians have turned to Elon Musks satellite-based internet service Starlink to transmit images, videos and messages. Even this alternative, however, is said to be facing interference from Iranian authorities. There is little doubt that in the modern era, rapid and real-time communication plays a decisive role in how collective action is organized and publicized. Despite the blackout, the Iranian government has continued to issue statements through its own social media channels, including those of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Both have claimed that legitimate protest will be heard, while warning that violence against public property will not be tolerated. The blackout could, however, backfire on the Iranian authorities. If, once lifted, it results in a surge of messages and visual evidence, then it may only serve to inflame a second wave of international scrutiny and provoke stronger reactions from both external actors and people in Iran seeing the images for the first time. This could present further political and diplomatic challenges for the Iranian government. Shops are closed during protests in Tehrans centuries-old main bazaar in Iran on Jan. 6, 2026. AP Photo / Vahid Salemi How are the protests being reported in Iranian media? Despite widespread restrictions, a small number of media sources remain accessible within Iran, with state-controlled Mehr News frequently cited as one example. Advertisement Advertisement In the early stages of the unrest, state media adopted a relatively engaged tone, including the publication of official statements from the president that directly addressed the economic concerns underlying the protests. More recent reports from Iranian state TV channels, however, have focused primarily on the damage done to public property as well as the numbers of security forces killed or injured in the protests, labeling them martyrs. The point is to blame what it calls terrorist actors for the damage to property and life. Given that the majority of Iranian news outlets are state owned, this narrative has been repeated with striking uniformity, demonstrating a high level of message discipline and coordination. Research suggests that the tactic could work. A 2020 study found that pro-government propaganda reduces the likelihood of popular protest by approximately 15% the following day, with effects lasting between 10 and 15 days. In this context, Iranian counternarratives, official news reports and coordinated social media messaging can be understood not merely as communication tools, but as mechanisms fundamental to government survival. What do social media postings tell us about the protest? Most online discussion of Iran is now being generated outside the country, largely by Iranian diaspora communities and expatriates. Dissident media channels have amplified this activity, maintaining continuous coverage of both the events themselves and the stated aims of the protests. Advertisement Advertisement A clear pattern has emerged: What began with anger over the devaluation of the rial has quickly escalated into calls for revolution and the removal of the Islamic Republic government altogether. These demands have been strongly reinforced by Pahlavi, who has increasingly tried to assume the role of de facto voice and symbolic leader of the movement. What is also striking is how the overall tone of social media posts differs from what I would expect. In recent research, I used quantitative text analysis and machine learning to examine sentiment across multiple global protest movements. In several cases, anger and explicit calls for violence were far more pronounced than what I am seeing in Iran. To date, the Iranian online discourse has not reached comparable levels of outright calls for violent unrest. Rather, the overall tone remains relatively restrained. Expressions of anger are less visible, with greater emphasis placed on raising awareness of the blackout and voicing nonviolent opposition to Khamenei. A man uses his smartphone as he sits at a cafe in Tehran, Iran, on Dec. 24, 2024. AP Photo / Vahid Salem How do the Iran protests fit a global pattern of Gen Z unrest? Irans estimated youth population under the age of 30 is around 60% of the overall population. This generation relies heavily on digital technology to communicate, exchange ideas and document everyday life. Owing to long-standing internet restrictions, however, access in Iran is limited to a small number of platforms. Instagram remains the most widely available. A protester flashes victory signs as traffic slows during demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on Jan 1, 2026. Mobina / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images As seen in previous protest movements, particularly in Nepal last year, access to information and digital spaces is central to youth mobilization. In Nepal, Gen Z protests intensified when authorities attempted to restrict major platforms. What began as peaceful demonstrations escalated into violence between demonstrators and armed police, leaving many dead and injured. A similar pattern is evident across youth-led protests in other places, including Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Internet access acts both as a trigger for protest and as an essential organizational tool, enabling the sharing of information, mobilization of peers and real-time broadcasting of events. The persistence of Irans protests despite the internet shutdown suggests that the mindset of younger protesters has not shifted. I argue that this is largely due to sustained external influence, whether through the Iranian diaspora, dissident media outlets or the limited social media content that continues to circulate via restricted access to Starlink. Together, these channels continue to shape narratives and reinforce collective action. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, Arizona State University Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Shirvin Zeinalzadeh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Joyce Lee and Kyu-seok Shim SEOUL, Jan 13 (Reuters) - South Korea's special prosecutor has requested the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of masterminding an insurrection over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. South Korea has not carried out a death sentence in nearly three decades. In closing arguments at the Seoul Central District Court late on Tuesday, a prosecutor said investigators confirmed the existence of a scheme allegedly directed by Yoon and his former defence minister, Kim Yong-hyun, dating back to October 2023 designed to keep Yoon in power. Advertisement Advertisement "Yoon...claims to have committed emergency martial law to protect liberal democracy, but his unconstitutional and illegal emergency martial law undermined the function of the National Assembly and the Election Commission... actually destroying the liberal democratic constitutional order," the prosecutor said in final arguments. "The defendant has not sincerely regretted the crime... or apologised properly to the people." Yoon shook his head and appeared to chuckle when he heard the sentencing request, while some of his supporters in court also laughed or even muttered expletives, prompting the judge to call for order. YOON DENIES THE CHARGES Advertisement Advertisement While the botched bid to impose martial law lasted only about six hours, it sent shockwaves through South Korea, which is Asia's fourth-largest economy, a key U.S. security ally and was long considered one of Asia's most resilient democracies. Yoon, 65, has denied the charges. He was quoted by the Yonhap news agency as saying in court that he declared martial law to fend off the "wickedness that would ruin the nation". He has argued it was within his powers as president to declare martial law and that the action was aimed at sounding the alarm over opposition parties' obstruction of government. The court will rule on the case on February 19. Advertisement Advertisement The sentence prosecutors seek is not always upheld in South Korean courts. In a previous court case in 1995-1996, when former South Korean Presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were accused of insurrection, prosecutors sought the death penalty and life in prison for Chun and Roh respectively. A lower court handed down a death penalty for Chun and a 22-1/2-year jail term for Roh, before an appeals court revised sentencing to life in prison for Chun and a 17-year jail term for Roh. Both received a presidential pardon after spending about two years in jail. South Korea last handed down a death sentence in 2016, but has not executed anyone since 1997. Advertisement Advertisement The office of President Lee Jae Myung, who was elected after Yoon was ousted last year, said in a statement it "believes the judiciary will rule... in accordance with the law, principles, and public standards." (Reporting by Joyce Lee and Kyu-seok Shim; additional reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Alexandra Hudson, Ed Davies and Michael Perry) SEOUL, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed Seoul on Tuesday for a two-day visit to Japan, where he is scheduled to hold a bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation amid heightened regional tensions. The summit is taking place in the ancient city of Nara, Japan's first permanent capital and Takaichi's hometown, adding symbolic weight to the meeting. Takaichi highlighted that symbolism in a post on X ahead of Lee's arrival, saying the leaders would meet "in the ancient capital of Nara with more than 1,300 years of history and longstanding cultural exchanges between Japan and the Korean Peninsula," adding that she hopes the talks will help push bilateral relations "in a forward-looking way." Advertisement Advertisement Seoul and Tokyo, whose relations have long been strained by historical disputes, have seen ties thaw in recent years as they confront shared challenges, including North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats and volatility in U.S.-China relations. Ahead of the trip, South Korea's presidential office said the visit reflects a commitment by both leaders to maintain regular, high-level dialogue. President Lee (R) waves as he and first lady Kim Hea Kyung prepare to board Korean Air Force One on Tuesday. Lee is making a two-day visit to Nara, Japan, to hold a summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said in a press briefing Friday that the summit follows through on an agreement reached when Lee and Takaichi met on the sidelines of last year's APEC summit in Gyeongju to sustain so-called "shuttle diplomacy" between Seoul and Tokyo. Wi said the talks are expected to focus on strengthening trust between the two leaders while expanding cooperation in future-oriented areas such as artificial intelligence. Lingering wartime historical issues are also expected to be on the agenda, alongside coordination around regional and global security challenges. Lee (R) shakes hands with Hirotaka Matsuo, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, before departing for Japan Tuesday. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI Lee's Japan visit comes less than a week after a high-profile trip to China, where he met President Xi Jinping, underscoring his administration's emphasis on "pragmatic diplomacy" and balancing relations with Seoul's two largest regional neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement The diplomatic choreography comes amid friction between Tokyo and Beijing, fueled by Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan last November. The conservative leader told parliament that a Chinese attempt to blockade or seize Taiwan could constitute an "existential threat" to Japan, raising the possibility of a military response under Japan's security laws. Officials wave as Korean Air Force One begins taxiing for departure to Japan on Tuesday. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI Beijing, which considers the self-governing democracy of Taiwan a breakaway province, responded sharply, lodging formal protests and tightening export controls on some rare-earth elements to Japan. Lee and Takaichi began holding talks in Nara shortly after the South Korean president's arrival. On Wednesday, the two leaders are scheduled to visit Horyu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses the world's oldest surviving wooden structures. Lee is also expected to meet members of the Korean community in the Kansai region before returning to Seoul later in the day. A South Shore man was arrested in New Jersey on Tuesday morning on charges in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation of two children in the Philippines, authorities said. Robert Meserve, 38, of Plymouth, is charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley announced in a news release. Federal prosecutors alleged that Meserve paid to watch and record livestream videos of six and eight-year-old victims in the Philippines being sexually abused. One of the victims was described as non-verbal with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement In June 2025, law enforcement in Bergen County, New Jersey, learned that Meserve had allegedly been engaging in communications, negotiating payment, and directing the sexual abuse of children by their trusted adults on live streams that he screen-recorded, according to charging documents referenced by Foleys office. An initial forensic examination of Meserves devices revealed files consistent with child sexual abuse material, as well as communications and corresponding payments, federal prosecutors said. Meserve faces up to 30 years in prison, at least five years, and up to a lifetime of supervised release, as well as a fine of up to $250,000. He will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Brief Some local lawmakers are pushing to end emissions testing in southeast Wisconsin, calling it unnecessary. Those lawmakers, including State Rep. Bob Donovan, sent a letter to the congressional delegation to work towards a solution. In recent years, some auto shops have stopped offering emissions tests, saying it's a hassle. MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. - It's a topic every southeastern Wisconsin driver probably knows all too wellgetting an emissions test. Advertisement Advertisement Back in December, state representatives pushed to get rid of this requirement, so where do things stand now? Emissions testing What we know There are two self-service emissions test kiosks in the Milwaukee area. One is on West Brown Deer Road in Brown Deer. There's another on South 27th Street in Oak Creek. Emissions testing kiosk FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android It's supposed to make the process easier. You simply take the cable inside and hook it into the OBD (on-board diagnostics) port underneath your steering wheel. It'll ask you for some information like VIN and odometer number. The rest should take care of itself, lasting maybe three minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Although that's supposed to be simple, local representatives call it unnecessary. WisDOT inspection station Push to end emissions testing What we know Back in December, State Rep. Bob Donovan and other lawmakers sent a letter to the congressional delegation. It asked to end the part of the 'Clean Air Act' requiring drivers in southeast Wisconsin to get their cars and trucks tested every other year. Donovan sent a statement today saying he's since gotten support from both residents and members of the delegation. Vehicles on the road Over the years, some auto shops have stopped offering emissions tests, saying it's a hassle. FOX6 spoke with one mechanic who explained why they still offer it. Advertisement Advertisement "It doesn't make any money. About how much does it make? It's about $2, $2 dollars a car," said Badger Auto mechanic Chevy Bueno. "It doesn't bring us a lot of money anyways, so we just help out the people, especially the elderly people." SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Getting an emissions test Statement from State Rep. Bob Donovan What they're saying Donovan says members of Congress are working toward a solution. He says this is real progress towards what he calls a common-sense proposal. "Since sending our letter to Congress, I have received overwhelming support from residents of SE Wisconsin who want to see this outdated program eliminated. I am in contact with members of our congressional delegation who are supportive and actively working toward a solution. There is real progress being made and I am thankful for those who support this common-sense proposal." -State Rep. Bob Donovan. Find a location What you can do Head to the WisDOT's website to find an emissions testing site near you. The Source This story was produced by FOX6 with information provided by lawmakers, a mechanic, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). Gyeongbokgung Palace (Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea) Seoul continues to evolve at a rapid pace, blending deep history with cutting-edge culture, design, and urban experiences. From royal palaces to nightlife hubs, these five places stand out as the most essential stops for visitors planning a trip to Seoul this year. 1. Gyeongbokgung Palace No visit to Seoul feels complete without stepping into Gyeongbokgung. As the largest and most iconic palace of the Joseon Dynasty, it remains a cornerstone of the citys cultural identity. Visitors continue to enjoy restored palace grounds, traditional guard ceremonies, and on-site museums that offer context to Koreas royal past. Hanbok rentals nearby make the experience even more immersive. 2. Myeongdong Myeongdong remains Seouls most visitor-friendly neighborhood for shopping and street culture. International travelers come for Korean beauty brands, fashion flagships, and ever-changing street food stalls. The area has further solidified itself as a global retail zone, with multilingual services and late-night energy that appeals to short-stay tourists. N Seoul Tower (Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea) 3. N Seoul Tower Rising above the city on Namsan Mountain, N Seoul Tower continues to be one of Seouls most recognizable landmarks. The panoramic views make it a favorite for first-time visitors, while upgraded lighting and viewing spaces keep it relevant for repeat travelers. Whether visited during the day or at night, the tower offers one of the clearest ways to understand Seouls scale. 4. Bukchon Hanok Village Bukchon remains one of the most photographed areas in the city, offering a rare glimpse of traditional hanok homes nestled between modern districts. Managed visiting hours and preservation efforts help balance tourism with residential life, making walks through its narrow streets calmer and more respectful. It remains a top destination for those interested in architecture, history, and slow travel. 5. Dongdaemun Dongdaemun continues to attract visitors with its mix of late-night shopping, wholesale fashion markets, and iconic modern architecture. Anchored by the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the area is a hub for design, pop-up events, and fashion culture. It stands out as a place where Seouls creative energy is most visible after dark. Four astronauts departing the International Space Station were all smiles during a change of command ceremony on Monday, despite a medical issue prompting an early return to Earth set for later this week. Outgoing space station commander Mike Fincke, a member of the returning Crew 11, turned the station over to cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, saying the combined crew had developed deep friendships during their stay in space together for over five months. "So one part of us are getting ready to leave this beautiful space station, and another part is getting ready to take over full command and get (it) ready for another Dragon crew to come," Fincke said. Advertisement Advertisement "This is the International Space Station. We've had continuous human habitation for 25 years. It's a wonder of engineering, a wonder of science and a wonder of diplomacy. We're from all over the planet, and we're working together. It's a great symbol of what human beings can do." In a change-of-command ceremony, Mike Fincke (front left) turned over command of the outpost to cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov (front right) prior to the early departure of Fincke and his three Crew 11 crewmates -- commander Zena Cardman, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and cosmonaut Oleg Platonov -- due to a medical issue. / Credit: NASA Fincke thanked each crewmate for their performance during the shortened mission, telling Crew 11 commander Zena Cardman, making her first flight, "you are a rock star, superstar, awesome star." "It's been a pleasure serving with you, watching you see Earth for the first time, riding on the rocket, and now it's coming to an end where we get to go home," he said. "It's bittersweet." All four Crew 11 fliers looked healthy and in good spirits on a space-to-ground television broadcast of the change of command ceremony with no indication of which astronaut may have experienced the undisclosed medical issue that triggered Crew 11's early departure. Advertisement Advertisement Fincke then presented Kud-Sverchkov with a symbolic key to the space station. "Despite all the changes and all the difficulties, we're going to do our job on board ISS, performing scientific tasks, maintenance tasks, whatever happens. It's a big honor to be a commander of space station," Kud-Sverchkov said. "Thank you, Mike. And I want to (issue) the first command: let's make a group hug!" And with that, all seven station crew members floated together to hug each other as suggested by Fincke before he handed over the key to the space station. The combined seven-member space station crew, floating in the Japanese Kibo lab module, floated together for a group hug have outgoing commander Mike Fincke officially turned the lab over to cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov. / Credit: NASA Fincke, Cardman, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and cosmonaut Oleg Platonov were told to cut their mission short last week after an unidentified crew member reported a medical issue. Advertisement Advertisement NASA said the early return was not an emergency. But by bringing the crew down right away, agency officials said, flight surgeons will be better able to diagnose the issue with facilities and expertise not available aboard the station. Cardman, Fincke, Yui and Platonov plan to undock from the station around 5 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday, about a month earlier than originally planned. If all goes well, their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the southern California coast at 3:40 a.m. Thursday. Kud-Sverchkov and his two Soyuz MS-28 crewmates Sergey Mikaev and NASA astronaut Chris Williams will have the station to themselves until mid February when Crew 12 commander Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev arrive. Advertisement Advertisement Crew 11 originally planned to depart around Feb. 20, a few days after the arrival of Crew 12. But with Crew 11's early departure, NASA and SpaceX are working to move up the Crew 12 launch to shorten the gap. 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 Who's up for a late afternoon rocket launch? A rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is scheduled to lift off. SpaceX plans to send a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit sometime between 1 and 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 14. Though rockets here launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, people from Volusia County can sometimes see this phenomenon. Advertisement Advertisement Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover and trajectory, a rocket launch from Floridas Space Coast could be visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach and as far south as West Palm Beach. When theres a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, theres an opportunity for unique photos the rocket lights up the dark sky, and the contrail after makes for a great photo. Below is more information on the next rocket launch from Florida and suggestions on where to watch it from the Fun Coast. Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX rocket launch schedule in Florida For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space. When is the next SpaceX rocket launch in Florida? Wednesday, January 14, SpaceX Starlink 6-98 Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Launch window: 1:01 p.m. to 5:01 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 Launch trajectory: Southeast Launch location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida Sonic booms: No Live coverage starts two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space: You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Networks Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at floridatoday.com/space, starting two hours before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser. Where to see Florida rocket launch in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach area In Volusia County, immediately north of Brevard County home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station you can get a great view of a SpaceX, NASA or United Launch Alliance rocket launch. The best views to watch a rocket launch from here are along the beach. Look due south. Recommended spots: Advertisement Advertisement South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore) Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park, 6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Bethune Beach is 3.5 miles south of New Smyrna Beach and one mile north of the Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore Park. Apollo Beach at Canaveral National Seashore (south of New Smyrna Beach). Canaveral National Seashore runs along Florida's East Coast in Volusia County and Brevard County. To access Apollo Beach, take Interstate 95 to exit 249, then travel east until it turns into State Road A1A. Follow SR A1A south to the park entrance. Oak Hill riverfront is the southernmost city in South Volusia County. Advertisement Advertisement Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill Goodrich's Seafood and Oyster House back deck, 253 River Road, Oak Hill Seminole Rest national historic site, 211 River Road, Oak Hill Riverbreeze Park, 250 H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill Mary Dewees Park, 178 N. Gaines St., Oak Hill Nancy Cummings Park, 232 Cummings St., Oak Hill Jimmie Vann Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill A.C. Delbert Dewees Municipal Pier, 243 River Road, Oak Hill Bird Observation Pier on River Road across from A.C. Delbert Municipal Pier (see above) Rose Bay in Port Orange, Florida beaches along New Smyrna Beach, Florida Advertisement Advertisement New Smyrna Beach Inlet, New Smyrna Beach lifeguard station Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach, Florida Ormond-by-the-Sea in Ormond Beach, Florida George R. Kennedy Memorial Park in Edgewater, Florida This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Rocket launches from Florida. Where to watch SpaceX launch from Volusia Two Minnesota superintendents were listed by the National School Public Relations Association in its annual Superintendents to Watch list, including St. Cloud's very own. St. Cloud Area School District 742 Superintendent Laurie Putnam made the list, along with 29 others, including St. Louis Park Public Schools Superintendent Carlondrea Hines. "These leaders understand that communication is not just about sharing information. It is about building relationships, NSPRA Executive Director Barbara M. Hunter wrote in a statement. Through meaningful engagement with families, staff and community members, they are advancing their districts with clarity and purpose." Superintendent Laurie Putnam chats with an Oak Hill student Sept. 3. St. Cloud's superintendent is no stranger to recognition. In October 2024, Putnam was also named the Minnesota Superintendent of the Year by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. Advertisement Advertisement District 742 is currently working to provide improvements to Apollo High School and looks to technology and student choice to improve test scores. St. Cloud's test score proficiency rate has stayed relatively stable, as it dipped by less than 1% compared to last year. However, St. Cloud's test scores still remain below average. Test scores don't paint a full picture of District 742, however. Attendance plays a part, and St. Cloud is making progress to get students involved, according to Donna Roper, director of research, assessment and generative AI integration for District 742. Attendance increased by about six percentage points from 2023 to 2024, which is the last reported year, meaning nearly 71% of District 742 students regularly attended class. More: St. Cloud District 742 test score proficiency dips slightly; two local districts increase Roper previously told the St. Cloud Times that providing choice in education can help motivate students to participate. Advertisement Advertisement "(We want to) show ways students can themselves have a little bit of a voice in the content versus the process of learning what we're trying to teach," Roper previously said. "There's relevance, making sure that we are connecting lessons to real-world topics. There's the idea of mastery, which is a motivator. When a student masters something, it's motivating them to continue." The Apollo High School referendum is among Putnam's accomplishments. The referendum was approved by voters in April and will bring roughly $65 million in facility improvements to the school. Putnam's contract goes to 2028. She holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a masters degree from the University of Maine. She also received a doctorate in K-12 Administration and Superintendent Licensure from St. Cloud State University. Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: National group recognizes St. Cloud District 742's Laurie Putnam Sir Keir Starmer is poised to join Donald Trumps board of peace for Gaza. Diplomatic sources told The Telegraph that the US president is set to offer Sir Keir a place on a team of world leaders who will run the territory and manage its reconstruction. Mr Trumps plan is expected to include the leaders of allied countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, in the coming days. It is understood that the UK has been involved in official-level negotiations about the board with members of the Trump administration, although no formal offer to join it has yet been made. On Tuesday, it was reported that the boards composition could be announced as soon as next week, when Mr Trump is planning to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Diplomatic sources involved in the peace project said the US believes it is necessary to have people in positions that equal Mr Trumps to oversee Gazas reconstruction. Donald Trump, seen with Sir Keir Starmer last February, has not yet made a formal invitation to the board of peace - Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street The Gaza board of peace is part of the US presidents 20-point plan to end the war, which has raged since Hamass attack on Israel on October 7 2023. Although the US has not confirmed, it has been widely reported that Sir Tony Blair, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff two senior Trump officials will be among the members of a so-called executive board. This body will be subordinate to the board of peace but play a central role in overseeing the complicated execution of phase two of the deal, which is supposed to put Gaza on the path for peace and reconstruction. It will, in turn, oversee a committee of Palestinian technocrats to execute the day-to-day rebuilding and policing of the Strip. Palestinians struggle as heavy rain and stormy conditions damage their tents in al-Maqusi, north of Gaza City - Saeed MMT Jaras/Anadolu via Getty There have also been reports that other members of the UK Government, including Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, and Jonathan Powell, the national security adviser, could have a formal role in Mr Trumps new governing plan. Israel has reportedly objected to numerous candidates because of their links to the Palestinian Authority, which runs the West Bank. Officials are also concerned that Qatar and Turkey will try to insist on members who are supportive of Hamas remaining in power. Last week, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, announced that Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian diplomat and former UN envoy to the Middle East, would serve as the secretary general of the board of peace. In practice, he would act as the boards on-the-ground representative and link with the subordinate committees. Displaced Palestinian students study in a tent near Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip - Mahmoud Issa/Reuters Neither the US nor UK have spoken publicly about the final design of the board and Sir Keirs involvement, although it is understood that British officials are involved in forming it. Asked about it on Sunday, Mr Trump said: Essentially, its the most important leaders of the most important nations. You take the most important leaders and nations, thats who the board of peace is going to be. The White House has said the board will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza, and provide oversight and supervision. Advertisement Advertisement Asked about reports that Sir Keir would sit on the board, Anna Kelly, White House deputy press secretary, said: Any announcements regarding the board of peace will come from President Trump directly. Stay tuned! A Foreign Office spokesman said: As the Foreign Secretary said to the foreign affairs committee on Dec 16, the discussions about the composition of the board of peace are still under way, so there is no conclusion to those yet. 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 North Carolina state auditor told ABC11 on Monday that the "initial forensic analysis" in an ongoing investigation in the Town of Cary "indicates potential criminal activity by the former town manager of Cary." State Auditor Dave Boliek met with Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman and the director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation on Monday to discuss the Town of Cary. Investigators said their work includes a procurement card analysis of several transactions that are "potentially indicative" of fraud. Advertisement Advertisement It all comes after town manager Sean Stegall stepped down last month after open records requests found a pattern of questionable spending. "As we move forward with our own review into the Town of Cary, the State Auditor's Office will continue working with law enforcement officials and the Wake County District Attorney's Office on this matter," Boliek said. "Our goal is to be as useful as possible in providing information that may support any prosecution of criminal activity." ALSO SEE | Cary Councilmember Sarika Bansal calls for transparency amid town manager controversy It's unclear what particular charges the report is mentioning, but records found, among other things, that Stegall approved a more than $1 million land deal without council approval, and allowed the town to cover nearly $40,000 for a master's degree program for councilmember Lori Bush, money Bush says she later paid back. Advertisement Advertisement Freeman said she will be reviewing the preliminary reports she received Monday. "I anticipate this is a matter that will need to be investigated to determine whether any of the alleged conduct rises to a criminal violation," Freeman said. If our review of this report from the State Auditor leads to the opening of a criminal investigation that will be done by a request to the SBI from me and Cary Chief of Police Terry Sult. As in all matters of public interest, we will exercise all due diligence in examining this matter." Newly released records also show Stegall's book "Top of Arc," highlighting his vision for running cities of the future, cost the town more than $150,000, including a ghostwriter for the book, and publishing and promoting the book. Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht Jr., who has been a vocal critic of Stegall's performance as town manager, also reacted to the latest development. Advertisement Advertisement "The State Auditor has raised concerns about potential legal violations by Sean Stegall that we take very seriously," Weinbrecht said. "Once presented to us, we will review the Auditor's findings carefully and will partner fully with any additional investigations. Our decision to act in November was based on values, not legal determinations. If legal lines were crossed, that reinforces the importance of acting when standards aren't being met. "Following the laws that govern us, as a town and as individuals, is fundamental to everything we do," Weinbrecht continued. "When one person violates the laws meant to protect taxpayers, it contradicts our commitment to serve our community with integrity. We will address any violations consistent with legal obligations and our values." The mayor added that several transparency measures have already been implemented, including live-streaming of Council work sessions, restructured meetings, improved documentation processes, and a public records portal for residents. Some expressed concern about why Stegall was still entitled to a nearly $200,000 severance package, worth six months of his salary. Advertisement Advertisement When asked about that on Sunday, Councilmember Sarika Bansal said criminal charges could change that. "We had to go give him that severance package, but if there is something that later stage that is identified and is criminal in nature, then that would be a different story," Bansal said. According to Stegall's original contract when hired in 2016, if he were charged or convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude, the town would not be obligated to pay severance. ABC11 also spoke to Congresswoman Deborah Ross, who said she's confident the truth will come out in Cary. "The good news is that we have very clear processes for dealing with these issues in North Carolina, getting the facts, and getting them corrected," Ross said. Advertisement Advertisement The next steps would be if Freeman believes this warrants a criminal investigation, the DA and the Cary police chief would make that request to the SBI. ABC11 has also reached out to Stegall for comment but has not heard back. Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App Two teachers are suing the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners for soliciting complaints about teachers who made negative public comments about Charlie Kirk in the wake of his death last fall. (Photo via Getty Images) The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners is now being sued for soliciting complaints about teachers who made negative public comments about Charlie Kirk in the wake of the conservative activists death last fall. Teachers Katherine Mejia of Manchester and Jennifer Smith of Johnston are suing the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and its executive director, Michael Cavin, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit challenges Cavins written solicitation of professional licensing complaints related to the shooting death of Kirk in September 2025. That solicitation, the teachers argue, resulted in complaints of unethical conduct filed against them by their employers. The lawsuit alleges the actions of Cavin and the board have violated the teachers First Amendment right to comment on matters of public concern. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Several other lawsuits have been filed by Iowa educators, a public defender and a paramedic, all of whom allege they were fired or sanctioned for online comments posted in the immediate aftermath of Kirks death. Those lawsuits have focused on the actions of the employers, while Mejias and Smiths lawsuit targets the state licensing board and its executive director. Mejias post: Kirk was not a hero or martyr Mejia is a counselor for the West Delaware Community School District near Manchester, and Smith is a high school family and consumer sciences teacher for the Johnston Community School District. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that on Sept. 10, 2025, while Mejia was on district-approved leave, she used her own personal device to repost another individuals Facebook post concerning human trafficker and child-sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and President Donald Trump. The post indicated that anyone who still supported Trump was either a pedophile or was OK with it happening. The lawsuit indicates Mejia also made another post concerning Kirk that stated, Lets make one thing clear from the start: Charlie Kirk was the victim of a shooting in a country where he, along with other right-wing extremist influencers, have been inciting violence for years. KIRK IS NEITHER A MARTYR NOR A HERO. HE IS A CAUSE! According to the lawsuit, one person complained to the West Delaware Community School District about the Epstein-Trump post and, the next day, one person complained about the Kirk-related post. Superintendent Jen Vance told Mejia that the second complainant intended to call U.S. Sen. Charles Grassleys office to complain about the Kirk-related post, according to the lawsuit. On Sept. 16, 2025, Vance issued a letter of reprimand to Mejia, claiming Mejia had made the post during work hours and asserting that Mejia should exercise professional discretion when engaging in any online activity. Advertisement Advertisement Three days after Vance resolved the matter with a reprimand, the lawsuit claims, Vance and other superintendents around Iowa received a letter from Cavin, on board letterhead, referencing educators comments regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk and stating that administrators are encouraged to file a complaint with the board. Cavins letter then went on to specify the precise regulatory violations to be cited in such a complaint. Because of Cavins letter, the lawsuit claims, Vance submitted a complaint to the board concerning Mejias online posts. Smiths post: Kirk was a monster who spread hate The lawsuit alleges that on Sept. 11, 2025, Smith was at home, after work, when she posted a message to Facebook using her personal device. The post was about comments that Kirk had made prior to his death, and stated: Words below are from the one that suddenly died due to gun violence. That one death flies our flags at half-staff, and yet time and again children and school staff (who) are constantly dying just because they were doing their jobs for the betterment of society are not honored nor barely remembered. There was a school shooting on this same day. Did you know that? Attached to Smiths post was an image with the words: We remember the things he said about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: MLK was awful. Hes not a good person. We remember his calculation on gun violence: I think its worth some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational. These are not the words of healing, not the words of unity. And yet they, too, are part of the ledger he leaves behind. Advertisement Advertisement According to the lawsuit, Smith also wrote on Facebook: RIP you monster. Im so sure your god is fine with the awful spread of hate you completed while here on earth. The following day, the lawsuit alleges, Smiths associate principal called her out of class to discuss the post, saying that there had been a couple of calls to the district about it. Later that day, a human resources employee called Smith at home to report that a school board member had been called about the post, adding that Smith should take down the post if she did not want her next workday interrupted. Smith then deleted the post, the lawsuit claims. No further action was taken in the matter, the lawsuit alleges, until after Cavins letter was sent out, after which Superintendent Nikki Roorda called Smith to her office and stated that the board had put out a directive about posts concerning Charlie Kirk. Roorda then filed a complaint with the board about Smiths post, court records show. Reynolds demands firings, objects to shutting down free speech The lawsuit notes that members of the Board of Educational Examiners are appointees of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and that the director of the Iowa Department of Education, McKenzie Snow, is a former Trump administration official appointed by Reynolds. Cavin, in turn, was appointed by Snow, the lawsuit notes. Advertisement Advertisement In the aftermath of Kirks killing, Reynolds publicly stated that anybody that celebrates the execution of a human being, its disgusting and unconscionable and its just not acceptable. Political violence should never be accepted, period. Period. End of story. And if we have discovered through the investigation that (school employees) did, in fact, celebrate taking another human life you know, shutting down free speech then they should, they should be fired. And well wait and see what happens, but they should be fired. It has a chilling effect on those that dont you know, it says, If you dont agree with what I agree on, then youre going to be silenced. So its unacceptable, just unacceptable. In addition, Republican Sen. Lynn Evans and Rep. Taylor Collins sent a letter to the Iowa Board of Regents urging the termination of any employees who made public comments celebrating the death of Kirk. Another Republican, House Speaker Pat Grassley, stated that public school teachers who commented on Kirks death should be fired, adding that individuals with this depravity cannot continue to hold a position with any level of influence over our children If appropriate action is not taken, you can trust that the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee will address this issue and take action to root out this hate from our schools. Lawsuit: Online comments are protected political speech Mejias and Smiths Facebook comments are classic, protected, personal and political speech, the lawsuit asserts. It claims Cavins letter represents viewpoint discrimination against those who dont share Kirks political views and that it threatened public school administrators, who are also licensed by the BOEE, for failure to engage in viewpoint discrimination against other licensed educators who had views adverse to Charlie Kirk. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges Cavin asserts he has the authority to discipline a licensee unilaterally, without a hearing, and can revoke any license issued by the board. Mejia and Smith take issue with that interpretation of Cavins authority, but add that Cavins views on the matter have put them at risk of licensure discipline or revocation without due process. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order preventing the board and Cavin from taking any further action in their cases, as well as an injunction restraining Cavin and the board from discriminating against, or retaliating against, Mejia and Smith. The lawsuit also seeks an award of punitive damages against Cavin for his reckless disregard, if not intentional indifference, to Mejias and Smiths First Amendment rights. Cavin and the board have yet to file a response to the lawsuit. The Iowa Attorney Generals Office, which defends the state in such cases, has said it does not comment on pending litigation. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Neighbors arent always easy. Life would be simpler if everyone got alongbut thats not always reality. So, when does a neighbors behavior cross the line into harassment? And if it does, can you take legal action? Heres what Delaware law has to say. What is harassment in Delaware? Harassment in Delaware is a misdemeanor crime. Per Delaware law, a person may be guilty of harassment when, "with intent to harass, annoy or alarm another person," they: Advertisement Advertisement Insult, taunt or challenge someone, or engage "in any other course of alarming or distressing conduct which serves no legitimate purpose and is in a manner which the person knows is likely to provoke a violent or disorderly response or cause a reasonable person to suffer fear, alarm, or distress." Communicates with a person by telephone, mail, telegraph or "any other form of written or electronic communication in a manner which the person knows is likely to cause annoyance or alarm." Notably, this can include "intrastate telephone calls initiated by vendors for the purpose of selling goods or services" or telemarketers. Makes "repeated or anonymous" phone calls to another person, whether or not conversation ensues. This must be done "knowing that person is thereby likely to cause annoyance or alarm." Can I sue my neighbor for harassment? Yep. It's important to note, however, that the state which prosecutes crimes wouldn't be involved. You'd be on the hook to initiate a lawsuit on your own in civil court. The suit could be for intentional infliction of emotional distress. But the bar is high, and according to a 2006 Court of Chancery case (Harris v. Hopkins), Delaware's criminal harassment statute "does not provide a basis for a civil cause of action since it is a general criminal statute, which is purely penal in nature." Advertisement Advertisement In layman's terms, this means that just because your neighbor may be guilty of criminal harassment doesnt automatically give you the right to sue them in civil court. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How to handle neighbor harassment under Delaware law Judges rarely complain openly about the Supreme Court, for the same reason that most people do not publicly chastise their bosses. Attacking your boss is a good way to ensure that your own work will be discounted or worse. So its remarkable just how many judges have published opinions criticizing the Supreme Courts decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn v. Bruen (2022), a decision by all six of the Courts Republicans that instructs lower court judges on how they should handle Second Amendment cases. Or, at least, Bruen purports to provide lower courts with this kind of guidance. As one federal judge complained in a 2023 opinion, the unique test the Republican justices came up with in Bruen does not provide lower courts with clear guidance. Courts, a different federal appellate judge wrote, are struggling at every stage of the Bruen inquiry. Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, in her concurring opinion in United States v. Rahimi (2024), the Supreme Courts only attempt to interpret Bruen since that decision was handed down, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson quoted a dozen different judicial opinions complaining that Bruen simply does not work. One Trump appointee protested Bruens inconsistent and amorphous standard and warned that it created mountains of work for district courts that must now deal with Bruen-related arguments in nearly every criminal case in which a firearm is found Briefly, Bruen held that for nearly any gun law to survive a constitutional challenge, the government must demonstrate that the regulation is consistent with this Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation. To meet this burden, government lawyers must show that the modern-day gun law they are defending is sufficiently similar to analogous regulations that existed when the Constitution was framed. And just how analogous must these long-forgotten laws be? As the dozen judges quoted by Justice Jackson show, no one really knows. In 2020, the federal government alone charged more than 14,000 defendants with firearm-related crimes. Thanks to Bruen, every single one of those cases can descend into a Mad Hatterlike inquiry into how a raven resembles a writing desk. Which brings us to Wolford v. Lopez, the first of two Second Amendment cases that the Court plans to hear in its current term. Wolford, which the justices will hear on January 20, is poised to be the Courts second-ever decision explaining what the hell Bruen means. Advertisement Advertisement A humbler Court would recognize that Bruen is a failure and overrule that decision prior to Bruen, every federal appeals court used a two-step framework (which I explain in more detail here) to analyze Second Amendment cases. The Court could simply restore this framework, which worked perfectly well and did not create the same confusion among judges. But that outcome is unlikely. Historical analysis is currently fashionable among Republican judges, many of whom identify with originalism an approach to constitutional cases which fixates on how words were understood more than 200 years ago. In Bruen, the Republican justices attempted to build a framework for interpreting an entire constitutional amendment that is grounded in originalism. Overruling Bruen means admitting that this originalist project failed. Still, the Wolford case should give pro-gun Republicans pause for an unexpected reason: The biggest advantage the lawyers defending a Hawaii gun law have on their side is the Courts cockamamie reasoning in Bruen. What happens when originalism favors liberals? The plaintiffs in Wolford, three gun owners and a pro-gun advocacy group, challenge a fairly clever Hawaii law that appears to be designed to undermine the result the Court reached in Bruen. Advertisement Advertisement Bruen struck down a 108-year-old New York state law that required anyone who wanted to carry a handgun in public to demonstrate proper cause before they could obtain a license allowing them to do so. The Hawaii law at issue in Wolford imposes similarly strict restrictions on public carry through a different means. It makes it a crime to bring a gun onto private property unless the person has been given express authorization to carry a firearm on the property by the owner, lessee, operator, or manager of the property. Thus, the practical effect of Hawaiis law is to remove guns from most shops, hotels, restaurants, and other places of business. Most business owners arent going to put out a sign announcing that guns are allowed inside. And few gun owners are likely to enter such a business without their firearm, track down the manager, obtain permission to bring their gun inside, and then go retrieve the weapon. If Bruen were a coherent decision that applied normal legal reasoning, in other words, the Wolford plaintiffs would have a fairly clear cut case. Typically, the Supreme Court does not allow states to bypass its decisions by concocting Rube Goldberglike devices to achieve ends that the Court has already determined are unconstitutional. And yet, somewhat ironically, the best thing that Hawaiis lawyers have going for them in Wolford is the nonsensical historical framework laid out in Bruen. Advertisement Advertisement In their brief to the justices, Hawaiis lawyers identify various colonial and early American state laws that closely resemble the Hawaii statute forbidding gun owners to bring their weapons onto private land without the landowners permission. This list includes a 1771 New Jersey law barring someone from bringing any gun on any Lands not his own, and for which the owner pays taxes, or is in his lawful possession, unless he has license or permission in writing from the owner. It also includes a similar 1721 Pennsylvania law preventing someone from hunting or bringing a gun onto another persons land without Lisence [sic] or Permission from the Owner of any such Lands or Plantation, and a 1763 New York law making it unlawful to carry a gun on inclosed Land without License in Writing first had and obtained for that Purpose from such Owner, Proprietor, or Possessor. It appears, in other words, that Americans around the time of the nations founding and the ratification of the Second Amendment were quite comfortable with laws banning gun possession on private land without the land owners permission. That should be enough to uphold Hawaiis law under Bruens historical tradition of firearm regulation standard. But its not that simple. Bruen doesnt actually prevent the justices from deciding Wolford however they choose Wolford should be an awkward case for the Courts Republicans, because the largely pro-gun framework they announced in Bruen doesnt actually point to a pro-gun result in this case. Realistically, however, the Bruen framework is sufficiently malleable that these justices can reach whatever result they want in Wolford. Advertisement Advertisement Consider, for example, Rahimi, the only post-Bruen case the Court has handed down interpreting that decision. Rahimi involved a cartoonishly violent individual who, when the Court decided this case, was accused of committing six different shooting crimes that is, crimes where he actually discharged a firearm. In one of these incidents, he allegedly fired his gun at a bystander who witnessed him beating the mother of his child. A majority of the justices voted to uphold his conviction under a federal law that prohibits many people who are subject to domestic violence restraining orders from possessing a gun. Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion in Rahimi, primarily reasoned that this federal law was sufficiently similar to Founding Era laws that required individuals who were believed to be likely to engage in violence to post a bond, which they would forfeit if they broke the peace. In dissent, meanwhile, Justice Clarence Thomas argued that these bond-posting laws were not sufficiently similar to the modern-day ban on carrying a gun while under a restraining order, because the Founding Era laws imposed a far less onerous burden. They neither disarmed individuals nor incarcerated them if they were later found with a gun. Advertisement Advertisement Because Bruens analogous regulations test is so vague, both Roberts and Thomas made plausible arguments: Bruen didnt fully explain just how similar a modern law must be to a colonial or early American law in order to survive judicial review. Indeed, if anything, Thomas had the stronger argument that the law in Rahimi should have been struck down under Bruen. Bruen said that when a challenged regulation addresses a general societal problem that has persisted since the 18th century, the lack of a distinctly similar historical regulation addressing that problem is relevant evidence that the challenged regulation is inconsistent with the Second Amendment. Violence between romantic partners is a societal problem that existed well before the 18th century. But every state permitted married partners to beat their spouses until 1871, when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that a husband and wife may be indicted for assault and battery upon each other. Bruen, in other words, does not actually tell judges how to decide gun cases as so many lower court judges have complained. It merely insists that they must tell a story about whether a modern law is similar to a very old law. Indeed, there is empirical evidence that Bruen gives judges broad leeway to decide gun cases however they choose. A 2023 paper by scholars Eric Ruben, Rosanna Smart, and Ali Rowhani-Rahbar indicates that Bruen has not meaningfully constrained judges and has instead freed them to decide gun cases according to their judicial ideology. The paper finds that judges appointed by Republican presidents are 1.8 times as likely to rule that a gun law violates Bruen as judges appointed by Democratic presidents. Bruen, in other words, is not law. Rather than constraining how judges decide cases, it merely requires them to cite historical sources in an opinion that reaches whatever conclusion aligns with their politics. On a 6-3 Republican Supreme Court, that means that the Hawaii law at issue in Wolford is likely to fall. QAMISHLI, Syria, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Several thousand people marched under the rain in northeast Syria on Tuesday to protest the expulsion of Kurdish fighters from the city of Aleppo after days of deadly clashes. The violence in Aleppo has deepened one of the main faultlines in Syria, where President Ahmed al-Sharaa's promise to unify the country under one leadership after 14 years of war has faced resistance from Kurdish forces wary of his Islamist-led government. Five days of fighting last week left at least 23 people dead, according to Syria's health ministry, and saw more than 150,000 flee the two Kurdish-run pockets of the city. Syrian Kurdish official Ilham Ahmad told reporters on Tuesday that 48 people were killed in government attacks. Reuters could not determine whether the two tolls overlapped. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, several thousand Syrian Kurds protested in the northeastern city of Qamishli. They carried banners bearing the logos of Kurdish forces and faces of Kurdish fighters who died in the battles - some of whom had detonated explosive-laden belts as government forces closed in. INTEGRATION DEAL STALLED The last Kurdish fighters left Aleppo in the early hours of January 11, ending Kurdish control of two pockets of the city they have held since Syria's war began in 2011. Kurdish authorities still run a semi-autonomous region in Syria's northeast and have resisted efforts to integrate them into Syria's new government, made up of former rebels who ousted longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Advertisement Advertisement A March 2025 agreement to integrate Kurdish authorities into the central government has stalled. Ahmad, the Kurdish official, said that the deal would be considered null and void if the government pursued offensives against other Kurdish-held zones. Other posters held by protesters on Tuesday featured the faces of Sharaa and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, crossed out with red "X"s and carrying the caption "Killers of the Kurdish people." Turkey accuses the Syrian Democratic Forces - the main Kurdish fighting force - of links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which Ankara considers a terrorist organization. The head of U.S. forces in the Middle East urged all parties to show restraint. Advertisement Advertisement "We also continue to call on all relevant actors to return to the negotiating table in good faith and to pursue a durable diplomatic resolution through dialogue," Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, said in a statement. FEARS OF WIDER CONFLICT Many Kurds say last week's bloodshed has deepened their scepticism about Sharaa's promises to govern for all Syrians. "If they truly love the Kurds, and if they sincerely say that the Kurds are an official and fundamental component of Syria, then the rights of the Kurdish people must be recognized in the constitution," said Hassan Muhammad, head of the Council of Religions and Beliefs in Northeast Syria, who attended Tuesday's protest. Advertisement Advertisement Others worry that the bloodshed will worsen. Syria's defense ministry on Tuesday declared eastern parts of Aleppo still under SDF control to be a "closed military zone," and ordered all armed forces in the area to withdraw further east. Idris al-Khalil, a Qamishli resident who protested on Tuesday, said the Aleppo violence reminded him of the sectarian killings last year of the Alawite minority on Syria's coast and the Druze minority in the country's south. "Regarding the fears of a full-scale war - if they want a full-scale war, the people will suffer even more, and it will lead to division among the peoples of the region, preventing them from living together in peace," Khalil said. (Reporting by Orhan Qereman; Writing by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Alistair Bell) The Scottish government has announced plans to change income tax thresholds as part of its Budget for 2026-27. Finance Secretary Shona Robison said the proposals would mean 55% of Scottish taxpayers would pay less income tax than people living in the rest of the UK in the next financial year. Robison also announced plans for a tax hike on homes worth more than 1m and an increase in the Scottish Child Payment. Advertisement Advertisement While opposition MSPs welcomed some measures, they warned the Budget would not deliver wide-ranging reforms. The 68bn Budget, which sets out proposals for the next financial year and beyond, comes just four months before Scots head to the polls for the Holyrood elections. While Robison said the tax and spending proposals would ensure "pressure on families and family budgets will ease", economists said they also contained considerable cuts. How is Scottish income tax changing? Currently, people in Scotland earning less than about 30,000 pay slightly less income tax than elsewhere in the UK, but people earning more than that face progressively higher taxation. Advertisement Advertisement The point at which people start paying income tax is determined by the UK government. Above that the Scottish government has three lower rates - starter, basic and intermediate. Robison said she would raise the threshold of the basic and intermediate rates, meaning people will pay the lower 19% starter rate on more of their earnings. [BBC] The threshold for the basic (20%) rate, currently 15,398, will go up by 7.4% to 16,537. The intermediate rate (21%), which currently starts at 27,492, will rise to 29,527. However, the higher rate (42%) will continue to kick in at 43,663, and the advanced (45%) and top (48%) rates will also remain unchanged. Advertisement Advertisement The result is Scots earning less than 33,500 will pay slightly less income tax than they would elsewhere in the UK, to a maximum of 40 a year. Yet those earning more than 33,500 will pay increasingly more. For example, someone earning 50,000 will pay almost 1,500 more than they would south of the border. The government aims to ensure that most Scottish taxpayers pay less income tax than they would elsewhere in the UK. But Robisons prediction that 55% of Scots will be better off is based on salary forecasts for the coming financial year. This means that at the end of the year, the governments ambitions may not match up to the reality - with such questions raised in two of the last three financial years. Advertisement Advertisement Robison also told parliament that two new council tax bands will be introduced from April 2028 for homes with an up-to-date valuation of more than 1m. She said the move would bring "greater fairness as well as increased revenues to councils". Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee told BBC Radio Scotland Drivetime that the measure would generate about 14m in revenue. While the Scottish government sets the overall structure of council tax, rates are set, administered and spent by local authorities. Robison's announcement comes after the UK government announced plans for a "mansion tax" on properties in England valued at more than 2m. Advertisement Advertisement Robison also announced: The Scottish Child Payment will be increased to 40 a week for families with a baby under the age of one from 2027-28 There will be a 15% non-domestic rates relief in 2026-27, worth 138m over three years for retail, hospitality and leisure premises Investment in roads and public transport , including on the rail network, the ferry fleet and nearly 200m for the dualling of the A9 and key sections of A96 1.5bn in efficiency savings via public sector reform The expansion of after school clubs and breakfast clubs for every primary school by August 2027 A "Summer of Sport", including free children's sport and swimming lessons for every primary school pupil An air departure tax on all eligible passengers, with the Highlands and Islands to be exempted. A private jet tax is to be levied through this new tax 22.5bn for health and social care, including funding to begin the national rollout of walk-in GP clinics An extra 70m for universities and colleges During her speech, Robison said: "To deliver even more for those with the least, we will ask those with the most, the very wealthiest in our land, to contribute that little bit more." She told MSPs: "This is a budget for a stronger NHS, a budget for a more prosperous Scotland, a budget that once again gives the people of Scotland the best cost-of-living deal anywhere in the UK." Advertisement Advertisement The Scottish Fiscal Commission says the income tax changes will generate 72m in 2027-28 and about 200m from 2028-29. Joao Sousa, deputy director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, said the government was actually cutting day-to-day spending by 480m compared to financial plans announced in June. He said this was largely due to much weaker underlying tax forecasts from the Scottish Fiscal Commission. The government has also cut its capital budget - used for long-term infrastructure projects - by 850m, according to Sousa. Scottish Budget 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy welcomed the freezes to lower tax thresholds but said it did "nothing" for middle earners. He also urged the government to go further in rates relief for businesses. Hoy said the Budget "prioritises welfare over work with 650m extra being spent in the social justice portfolio". He added: "This SNP government remains high on tax and low on delivery." Labour finance spokesman Michael Marra said the government's proposals would not deliver "real change". "They want to pretend on their own abysmal record, in reality they have decimated Scotland's finances and brought our services to their knees." Advertisement Advertisement The Scottish Greens, who had called for a "mansion tax", also welcomed an increase to wraparound care for children and support for workers affected by the closure of the Exxon Mobil plant at Mossmorran. However, co-leader Gillian Mackay said she was "disappointed" that rules on free childcare eligibility had not been changed. Liberal Democrat finance spokesman Jamie Greene welcomed business rates relief but called on more to be done to help struggling companies. What happens next? The Scottish government will table its plans in a budget bill later this week. MSPs will begin debating the proposals early next month. A final vote on whether to pass the bill into law is scheduled for 25 February. Advertisement Advertisement The government would need the votes of five other MSPs to get to a true majority of 65 - or they could try to reduce the numbers on the other side by convincing MSPs to abstain. Last year, the Budget was passed with the support of Green and Liberal Democrat MSPs, who negotiated concessions with the government. Labour have said they will not make the Budget fall - though they could still vote against it if the SNP have already agreed a deal with the Greens or LibDems. Sarwar said he was focused instead on ensuring a new administration was in place following May's Holyrood election. If that is the case, the new government could make some changes to spending plans in an emergency budget. However, it would be unable to change some major announcements, such as those on income tax, until the next financial year. An ex-soldier who became a teacher has been jailed for sexually assaulting a high school pupil. Simon Taylor, a former Sgt who was injured in Afghanistan, targeted the teenage girl while working at Hethersett Academy in Norfolk. The 43-year-old from Marston Jabbett, Warwickshire, abused his position of trust, grooming the teenager for more than two years, Norwich Crown Court heard. Jailing him for four-and-a-half years, Judge Andrew Shaw told Taylor the pupil mourned "the loss of her childhood stolen by you". Advertisement Advertisement The court heard how in 2009, Taylor had part of his leg amputated after his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. School messaging platform Prosecutor Isobel Ascherson said Taylor, who has not been employed at the school since July 2021, had acted as a "friend, not a teacher" and groomed and conditioned his victim. She said Taylor sent the victim sexual messages and if she did not send him pictures he resorted to emotional blackmail, threatening suicide. They communicated on a school messaging platform. After the school found Taylor had used inappropriate language he was given a written warning. He then changed how he contacted her. Advertisement Advertisement The court was told the offences were not limited to school premises. Ascherson said Taylor had used his service in the Army "as a shield" to protect him, telling police he was stalked by the teenager. He had "told blatant lies" to the school inquiry, Ascherson said. The judge acknowledged Taylor's Army service [Norfolk Police] In mitigation, Richard English, defending, said Taylor accepted he had caused "real and great harm". At Tuesday's sentencing hearing, the judge told Taylor: "[She] was a vulnerable child who you targeted, manipulated and groomed into believing that you were the only adult who cared for her." Taylor had not been motivated "by genuine love or affection" but by "lustful urges". Advertisement Advertisement The judge said Taylor's victim was now living a "reclusive life" and struggled to form relationships with young men her own age. "Internally, she rages at the adults at school who failed to protect her and she mourns the loss of her childhood stolen by you." The judge acknowledged the Army veteran's service to his country, but saw no "identifiable link" between Taylor's post-traumatic stress disorder and his decision to offend. 'Extraordinary courage' A spokesperson for the Inspiration Trust, which runs Hethersett Academy, said it placed the "highest priority on safeguarding and the protection of children". Advertisement Advertisement "All colleagues undergo rigorous pre-employment checks, including enhanced DBS [disclosure and barring service] screening, and are subject to ongoing safeguarding training and supervision throughout their employment," they said. "Where concerns arise, we work closely with statutory agencies to ensure swift and effective action is taken." Det Con Hannah Spinks, of Norfolk Police, who led the investigation, said: "The courage shown by this young victim has been extraordinary." Taylor was placed on the sex offenders register and given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Advertisement Advertisement He was banned from contacting the victim or her parents and told he would be barred from working with children. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A tech industry trade group is calling for a federal judge to temporarily block a revamped version of an Arkansas law previously struck down that would have restricted minors access to social media. NetChoice, a tech trade association based in Washington, D.C., with notable members such as Meta and X, called for a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas to issue a preliminary injunction against Act 900. Act 900, which amends the Social Media Safety Act, was signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on April 21, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement NetChoice said Act 900 emerged after Act 689 was permanently struck down from taking effect. Act 689 would have required would require minors to get a parents permission before they can create a social media account. Google teams up with Walmart and other retailers to enable shopping within Gemini AI chatbot The call for a preliminary injunction comes less than a month after a federal judge granted NetChoices request to temporarily block another social media law, Act 901, from taking effect. Act 901 would have allowed the parents of children who died of suicide, or attempted to do so, to sue over content on social media platforms. NetChoice filed the lawsuit against state officials in June over both Acts 900 and 901, claiming they violate the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement The December ruling from the judge did not address Act 900. Paul Taske, the co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, said the following in a statement: Arkansas cosmetic update does not remedy the laws continued constitutional defects. The new law, like its predecessor, ignores the First Amendment and will meet the same fate. No response has been filed as of Jan. 12. 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 KNWA FOX24. Tensions between the Governor and House Speaker were on full display as Governor Ron DeSantis laid out his vision for the 2026 legislative session, his last before leaving office. Property tax reform is the Governors top priority, but hell need to get on the same page with state lawmakers to give voters a chance to weigh in this November. Governor took to the rostrum without offering so much as a handshake to House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) as DeSantis prepared to address a joint session of the Florida House and Senate. Advertisement Advertisement The Governor spent much of his speech highlighting past accomplishments, but hammered down on his top priority, property tax relief, at the tail end of his remarks. Lets resolve to all work together, get something done, and let the people have a say, DeSantis said. Just before the Governors address, Speaker Perez spoke to his chamber, highlighting and celebrating the House leveraging its independence last year, which put it squarely in the way of the Governors agenda in many circumstances. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< I would not have traded this experience just for a little more peace, Perez said. Advertisement Advertisement The Governor is pushing for a ballot initiative that would allow Floridians to fully eliminate property taxes on their primary residences. Meanwhile, the House is considering a wide variety of measures ranging from full property tax elimination to increased homestead exemptions. Democratic legislative leaders have opposed most efforts to slash property taxes, raising concerns that the move would drain local budgets and strain local governments ability to provide services like police and fire. But Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) argued in the Governors lame duck session, rifts between Republican leaders could end with nothing addressing affordability crossing the finish line. Advertisement Advertisement Were in a crisis on affordability, and Id like to see us move forward on some of these issues, which unfortunately might get stalled because of the fighting between the chambers, said Berman. [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. AUSTIN (KXAN) The group building what could become the worlds most powerful optical telescope, the Giant Magellan, has a new leader. The GMTO Corporation announced Tuesday that The University of Texas at Austins Daniel T. Jaffe will serve as its new president. Jaffe joins fellow UT professor Taft Armandroff, who was elected in November to chair the GMTO board of directors. Dan Jaffe takes a new role as President of the Giant Magellan Telescope project. (Credit: University of Texas) Im very excited about the chance to lead this project. Im very enthusiastic about its prospects. I think its going to be a major breakthrough for astronomical science in the coming decades, Jaffe said. Advertisement Advertisement The Giant Magellan Telescope is under construction in the mountains of Chiles Atacama Desert. Each of its seven mirrors measures about 27 feet in diameter. Because of its size and location, it will be capable of observing fine details of objects in space. (The size) allows us to take light from very distant galaxies, from very faint planets around other stars and concentrate them together so that we can analyze that light to understand the properties of the objects, Jaffe said. Texas and the giant telescope UT Austin is a founding partner in building GMT, alongside other Texas universities like Texas A&M. Jaffe has been involved with the project for over 20 years. University of Texas invests $110 million into massive Chile telescope project Advertisement Advertisement Because I served as UTs vice president for research for about a decade, Ive garnered a fair amount of experience in dealing with large projects and complicated administrative problems and also working with our governmental officials to support science, Jaffe said. Jaffe said Texas is invested in this project, which could bring economic benefits to the state through its research. Primary mirror support system prototype integration with completed primary mirror for testing at the University of Arizona Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab. (Credit: Damien Jemison, Giant Magellan Telescope GMTO Corporation) It helps me to have some focus on how this benefits the universities here who are doing the research and how that benefit flows down to Texans at large, whether we can excite people about science and technology through this project, he said. The future of GMT While construction of the infrastructure is underway, the telescope itself is not completed. Several of the giant mirrors have been cast and are awaiting delivery to Chile. Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Giant Magellan Telescope enter final design phase Last June, the National Science Foundation authorized the start of the final design phase of the project. Jaffe said that at that phase, GMTO has to provide final costs of the project and ensure there are no technical barriers to completing the project. The final design review, Jaffe said, is scheduled for next June. Following that, Congress has to appropriate funding to begin assembly. Jaffe said they hope that would happen in fiscal year 2028. Sunlit daytime interior telescope rendering with people in the foreground. (Credit: Giant Magellan Telescope GMTO Corporation) Over the years, as weve learned more and figured out how to do things better, weve constantly improved the design to where were now confident that it can really do the things that we wanted it to do, Jaffe said. Advertisement Advertisement Telescopes like GMT typically operate 30 to 50 years. Once they complete their initial project, they can then be used for different tasks and have instruments swapped out. The telescopes that have been shut down are ones that were built when Thomas Edison was alive. But the ones that are still going are telescopes from 1930s and 40s on, so telescope that are almost a century old are still being used in some cases, Jaffe said. Jaffe replaces Robert N. Shelton, who announced his retirement last year. Jaffe has also developed instruments the James Webb Space Telescope and McDonald Observatory in West Texas. Fifteen universities are involved in the project, including UT and A&M. 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 KXAN Austin. Illinois will have a new state Supreme Court justice at the end of January, after Justice Mary Jane Theis announced her sudden retirement from the court. Theis' announcement came Monday, a little more than three years into her current 10-year term and three months since the end of her term as the state Supreme Courts chief justice. Neither Theis nor the court provided a reason for her abrupt retirement. Advertisement Advertisement Theis is 76 years old. According to a statement from the court, Theis will be replaced on the court by current Illinois First District Appellate Justice and former Cook County Circuit Court Judge Sanjay Tailor. Tailor's interim term will begin Jan. 30 and end Dec. 4, 2028, following that years November elections. Tailor was appointed by the state high court's justices. Illinois is the only U.S. state which constitutionally allows the state's Supreme Court justices to appoint members to replace retiring justices, with no outside input or review. Under the so-called retire-and-replace system, retiring Illinois state Supreme Court justices can choose to step aside well before their 10-year term on the court expires, and then essentially persuade their colleagues to sign off on their choice to replace them and fill out the term. Advertisement Advertisement The system then gives those newcomers the ability to run as an incumbent in the next election for state Supreme Court. The system has been used by Democrats and Republicans alike for decades. Theis is among the justices currently serving on the court who were appointed and then, later, elected following the increasingly common method of choosing state Supreme Court justices in Illinois. Others on the court who have landed on the state Supreme Court in such a manner include: Democrat Justice Joy V. Cunningham, selected to replace former Justice Anne M. Burke, the wife of convicted Chicago Ald. Ed Burke; Republican Justice Lisa Holder White, selected to replace retired Justice Rita B. Garman; and current Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, a Democrat, who was selected to replace former Justice Charles E. Freeman. The court's other three justices, Democrats Elizabeth M. Rochford and Mary K. O'Brien, and Republican David K. Overstreet, were all elected to the court without prior appointment following a retirement. Advertisement Advertisement Rochford and O'Brien each won contested partisan elections in Illinois' Second and Third Judicial Districts, respectively, in 2022, with strong financial backing from Illinois Democrats and Gov. JB Pritzker, particularly. Overstreet was elected in a rare special Supreme Court election, held in 2020 in Illinois' downstate Fifth Judicial District following the retirement of former Justice Lloyd Karmeier. Theis was appointed to the court by the Supreme Court justices in 2010, replacing the retiring Justice Thomas R. Fitzgerald. Theis, a Democrat, was elected by the voters of Cook County to a 10-year term in 2012. She won a retention vote in 2022, securing a new 10-year term on the court. Advertisement Advertisement Theis most recently served as the court's chief justice for three years, from 2022-2025, when she was replaced in the rotation by Neville. Theis had replaced Anne Burke in that role. During her time on the court, Theis played a role in deciding numerous consequential and precedent-setting cases. Theis, for instance, authored the unanimous opinion in 2012 that led to the exoneration of Stanley Wrice, a man convicted in 1983 of abducting and raping a Chicago woman. Wrice asserted his confession had been beaten out of him by two Chicago Police detectives working under the disgraced Commander Jon Burge. Advertisement Advertisement Burge was fired in 1993 for allegedly overseeing operations in which convictions were obtained against accused violent offenders by allegedly using torture to extract criminal confessions from suspects, many of whom were later cleared of the crimes after spending years in prison. Theis' opinion helped to set the stage for a stream of lawsuits which have continued unabated against the city of Chicago on behalf of convicted criminals who claimed they had been wrongfully convicted as a result of such tortured confessions. Theis also served as the lead author on two particularly politically charged decisions. In 2016, Theis wrote for a unanimous court, striking down a state law that would have allowed the city of Chicago under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel to rework its public worker pension funds. Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers and city officials argued the law was needed to avert a looming financial catastrophe in 10-20 years, as pension funds remained underfunded and continued to gobble up greater shares of city and state tax revenue. In the ruling, however, Theis and her colleagues again slapped down any attempt to sidestep the Illinois state constitution's so-called pension protection clause, which prohibits the state or local governments from "diminishing or impairing" public worker pensions. In the ruling, Theis pointedly proclaimed that it did not matter if there was actually any money available to pay workers' pensions or not; the pensions must be paid. "... As we have explained, the Illinois Constitution mandates that members of the Fund have a legally enforceable right to receive the benefits they have been promised not merely to receive whatever happens to remain in the funds, Theis wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Then, in 2023, Theis authored a 5-2 majority opinion, declaring that Illinois Democrats could abolish cash bail without amending the state constitution. That ruling was delivered along party lines. The decision delivered a loss to Illinois prosecutors outside Cook County and a big legal win to Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic leaders in the fight over the constitutionally questionable and controversial decision to reform the state's criminal justice by stripping judges of the ability to require criminal defendants, including violent offenders, to post cash bond to stay out of jail as they awaited trial. In the ruling, Theis and her fellow Democratic justices sided with Illinois Democratic lawmakers, Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul in deciding cash bail wasn't required by the Illinois state constitution. Rather, she and her Democratic colleagues said, the use of cash bail was merely a tool that lawmakers allowed courts to use when balancing the rights of criminal defendants to remain free pending conviction at trial, and the rights of the public to remain safe from known criminal threats. So, they said, lawmakers are free to take that tool away from judges now, and require courts to come up with other ways of trying to compel defendants to return to court to stand trial. They agreed with Raoul and Democrats that the bail language in the state constitution should be correctly read to protect the rights of accused criminals, not to be used as a tool to protect the community from accused criminals. Advertisement Advertisement Theis and her colleagues said they believed the so-called Pretrial Fairness Act had struck the correct balance between the rights of the accused and the community's interest in being protected from criminals. Theis also sided with Democrats repeatedly on many other consequential questions, including upholding the ability of Illinois lawmakers to ban so-called "assault weapons" and refusing to allow Illinois voters the chance to amend the state constitution to strip from Illinois state lawmakers the power to gerrymander the state's legislative and congressional districts. In that ruling, Theis and her Democratic colleagues sided with operatives of convicted Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who had argued the effort to amend the state constitution was itself unconstitutional, because it violated procedural rules. Theis and her colleagues refused to respond to calls from the public and her Republican colleagues for some guidance on how such grassroots reformers could actually ever amend the state constitution. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement included in the release from the state Supreme Court announcing her retirement, Theis said: I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to serve. It has been my foremost goal to further the Courts mission of providing access to equal justice, ensuring judicial integrity and upholding the rule of law. In a letter to her colleagues on the state Supreme Court announcing her retirement, Theis asserted Illinois courts have made great strides since the 1980s in addressing what she described as the perception they were not "fair." "People will respect judicial decisions if they believe the court was fair," Theis wrote in her letter, dated Jan. 12. Separately, Theis has said: The perception of fairness is what holds together our communities, our court system, the rule of law, and our democracy. She has been lauded for her work as chief justice to establish the Illinois Courts Commission as a separate agency to handle misconduct complaints against justice and dole out discipline against judges, without interference from the state Supreme Court. Theis, who served as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender before becoming a judge in 1983, has also been praised for her work at increasing "access to justice," particularly for "the most vulnerable people in our communities." In her letter, Theis urged her colleagues and others in Illinois' courts system to continue that work, with particular attention to the state's "crisis in indigent criminal defense." "Courts are not a place, they are a service," Theis wrote in her Jan. 12 letter. "Courts must respond to real people with real people problems." In replacing Theis on the court, Tailor, an Indian American, would become the first judge of Asian ethnic descent to serve on the state's high court. He also was the first Indian American male to serve on an Illinois appellate court. "I am grateful to Justice Mary Jane Theis and the other justices of the Illinois Supreme Court for their confidence and trust in appointing me justice of the Illinois Supreme Court," Tailor said in a prepared statement announcing Theis' retirement and his appointment to the court. I also look forward to continuing the work of the Illinois Supreme Court to ensure that our system of justice serves all people fairly and equitably. Tailor has served on the First District appeals court - a district which includes only Cook County - since 2022, when he was appointed to that court by the Illinois Supreme Court. Tailor has served as a judge since 2003, when he was appointed to the bench as an associate judge. He has faced voters just once, when he was elected as a Cook County Circuit Judge from the county's 9th Judicial Subcircuit, which includes only Chicago's far North Side and the North Shore suburbs, including Evanston, Wilmette and Winnetka. Tailor was never elected to the appellate court. Tailor's term on the Illinois Supreme Court will end in 2028. Should he wish to hold the seat after that date, Tailor will need to run for election to the court that year from the state's First Judicial District, which, again, only includes Cook County. Too capable to simply fly away into the sunset, we look at the brilliant aircraft that decided that age is just a number and soldiered on far longer than anyone expected. In the First World War, a particular aircraft model might expect an active life of a few months. An aircraft type made for the next war may have even enjoyed a life of ten years. By the 1950s, aeroplane models were making maiden flights that remain in active service today Here are 10 aircraft that refused to quit: 10. de Havilland Mosquito (1940) 10. de Havilland Mosquito (1940) The de Havilland Mosquito was a fast British multi-role combat aircraft that flew in 1940. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines and with a lightweight construction that made extensive use of wood, the Mosquito used its speed and ferocious firepower to significant effect. Advertisement Advertisement The de Havilland Mosquito is famous for its success as a fighter bomber and reconnaissance aircraft with the RAF and the Allies in the second world war, but its story did not stop there. The 'Wooden Wonder' saw its last combat in Israeli hands. Despite the punishing effects of the Middle Eastern climate on its wooden airframe, the Israeli Air Force was an enthusiastic Mosquito operator. 10: de Havilland Mosquito de Havilland Mosquito Its unrivalled performance made it virtually immune from air attack, and Mosquitoes were heavily employed in the reconnaissance role until the end of 1956. Even after Arab air forces introduced the MiG-15 jet fighter, Israeli Mosquitoes flew deep into their neighbour's territory, and not one was ever lost to enemy action during these missions. The final combat use of the Mosquito came in November 1956 when, as part of Operation Kadesh, the Israeli contribution to the Suez action, 110 squadron Mosquito FB.VIs attacked Egyptian armour and encampments in the Sinai in force repeatedly over four days. 110 squadron was disbanded less than two months later, and the Mosquitoes were sent to storage. 9: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1941) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1941) The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was a large fighter powered by a radial engine. Fast, long-ranged and tremendously tough, it was the primary United States Army Air Force fighter bomber of the war. Despite being complex and expensive to operate, the P-47 was rugged, potent and reliable. Over 15,636 were made. Advertisement Advertisement As such, ample numbers were available for both initial export and later surplus distribution. A swathe of nations, particularly in Central and South America, eagerly snapped up the Thunderbolt. P-47s served with Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Portugal, Soviet Union, Turkey, the UK, Venezuela (pictured), and Yugoslavia. 9: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Nicaragua was a major user of the type and loaned a handful to the CIA-backed Guatemalan insurgent Air Force in 1954, who used the Thunderbolts in the early stages of a successful coup to oust the elected government and install Carlos Castillo Armas. The final aerial combat for the mighty 'Jug' came in January 1955. During a border dispute, Gerald Delarm Amador (who had earlier flown in the same aircraft in the Guatemalan coup) shot down a Costa Rican Mustang in a Nicaraguan F-47N. This aircraft survives in the collection of the Commemorative Air Force in the US. The last user of the Thunderbolt, though, was Peru; the last operational Peruvian Thunderbolts were withdrawn in 1966. 8: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (1938) Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (1938) It is an interesting irony that an aircraft most famous for starting fires all over Europe for a couple of years then spent decades putting fires out. The Flying Fortress's career in its intended role was limited after 1945; the advent of the B-29 rendered it obsolescent in its home nation. Advertisement Advertisement It was also too large, too expensive to operate, and sophisticated for most developing nations. As a result, most of the B-17s operated by air forces after 1945 were used as transport craft. The one great exception was Israel, which operated three Fortresses for years, bombing Cairo in 1948 to great psychological, though militarily insignificant, effect. 8: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress The mighty B-17 ended its conventional bombing career by attacking Egyptian targets during the Suez crisis in late 1956. However, the Fortress's 'bombing' career did not end there. Various private operators bought up surplus B-17s to use as firefighting aircraft. With its prodigious load-carrying ability and pleasant flying characteristics, the Fortress was well suited to the task. Its immensely strong structure was well able to deal with the punishingly turbulent air near a large fire. The final B-17 firefighting operations were flown as late as 1985, and most of the preserved airworthy B-17s today are ex-firefighting aircraft. 7: Douglas C-47/DC-3 (1935) Douglas C-47/DC-3 (1935) The DC-3 was an airliner developed in the mid-1930s. At the beginning of the Second World War, it was adapted (with minor modifications) into a military transport aircraft and designated the C-47. Over 95% of the airframes built were these military versions. Advertisement Advertisement During the decade of C-47 production, several engine variants were used without significant changes to the type or size of the engine. The original DC-3 was powered by the 9-cylinder Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 producing 1000 horsepower. The C-47 predominately used the 14-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp, which produced 1,200 horsepower. 7: Douglas C-47/DC-3 Douglas C-47/DC-3 Roughly one-third of the US-built aircraft was the C-47B variant. This aircraft used Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90 engines with a high-altitude two-speed supercharger. This 1942 modification was critical for the China-Burma-India supply routes and allowed the aircraft to carry a full payload over the 15,000-foot mountain passes. Trustworthy and capable, the C-47 proved utterly brilliant, and a total of 10,174 were made. Though an ancient design, around 400 C-47s and DC-3s are still flying and serving today, over 90 years years after the first DC-3 took flight. 6: Mil Mi-24 Hind (1969) Mil Mi-24 Hind (1969) With many of the other aircraft in this article, we have compared the aircraft to Western equivalents, but in the case of the Mil Mi-24, this is not possible; it did not, and still does not, have a direct Western counterpart (the closest equivalent, the Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk, was cancelled). Advertisement Advertisement In the West, there are attack helicopters, like the Apache, and transport helicopters, like the H-60 Blackhawk, yet the Mi-24 is both at the same time. 6: Mil Mi-24 'Hind' Mil Mi-24 'Hind' Able to carry a squad of troops or fight in the 'tank-busting' or Close Air Support (CAS) role with unguided rockets, missiles and a powerful gun, the Mi-24 has become iconic after fighting in almost every war in the late 20th and early 21st century. Able to be delivered in discrete crates to foreign nations and then easily assembled in the field, the Mi-24 is a low-tech, high-performance' flying tank'. It is likely that the Mil Hind series has been used in more conflicts than any post-war aircraft. Despite the great age of the Hind series there is no sign of it going anywhere soon. Today it still serves with a multitude of operators around the world. 5: Avro Shackleton (1949) Avro Shackleton (1949) The Lancaster IV was a powerful, beefed-up Lancaster, which emerged so different from the baseline Lanc that it merited a new name, Lincoln. It first flew in 1944 and entered service in August 1945, just as the Second World War was ending. A long loiter time, bags of internal room and a very strong structure made the Lincoln an ideal choice for the anti-submarine warfare role. Advertisement Advertisement The anti-submarine Lincoln ASR.3 earned a new name once more, becoming the Shackleton. 5: Avro Shackleton Avro Shackleton On 30 March 1951, the first Shackleton was delivered to No. 120 Squadron RAF. By December 1952, seven squadrons were operating the type. With the arrival of the Nimrod in 1969, it was intended to begin the retirement of the Shackleton fleet. However, when the Royal Navy's large aircraft carriers and their Gannet aircraft were scrapped, the UK had no airborne early warning radar coverage. Pending the hoped-for arrival of an advanced Nimrod or Andover-based system, twelve Shackletons were fitted with ancient AN/APS-20 radar sets, essentially a 1945 vintage radar designed for use with the wartime Avenger. The resultant machine, the Shackleton AEW, was absurdly outdated and vulnerable but did keep the 'Shack' alive until 1991, meaning the Lincoln series spanned the entire Cold War. 4: Grumman F-14 Tomcat (1970) Grumman F-14 Tomcat (1970) The charismatic F-14 Tomcat 'swing-wing' fighter found international fame as the star (alongside Tom Cruise) of the 1986 movie Top Gun. More seriously, the F-14, which first flew in 1970, was a fleet defender with impressive capabilities and equipped with the best weapons and sensors of its generation. Advertisement Advertisement The F-14 is a twin-engined heavy fighter-bomber, unique in its ability to use the extremely long-range AIM-54 Phoenix air-to-air missile. Towards the end of its US Navy career, it developed into an extremely effective multi-role aircraft nicknamed the 'Bombcat' for its new air-to-surface role. 4: Grumman F-14 Tomcat Grumman F-14 Tomcat The F-14 Tomcat entered service in 1974 and retired from the US Navy, its primary operator, in 2006. Thirty-two years is a little on the short side for a modern fighter aircraft, but the US Navy was not the only operator of the F-14 Tomcat, nor was its US service the most significant combat in the Tomcat's combat career. The other operator of the F-14 is the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force. Iran ordered the F-14 Tomcat in 1974 and received aircraft two years later. Iranian Tomcats proved brilliant in the Iran-Iraq War, destroying many Iraqi aircraft. Despite American support for Iran's Tomcat having been suspended many decades ago, thanks to a massive effort of improvised engineering, the F-14 refuses to retire. It remains flying in Iran today, with around 41 planes in service. 3: A-10 Thunderbolt II A-10 Thunderbolt II We cannot avoid squeezing these three in, so we'll cheat slightly and put them in one entry. The A-10 is a tough armoured attack aircraft built for Close Air Support and 'tank-busting' anti-armour roles. It was built around a vast rotary cannon capable of spewing out thousands of shells as large as milk bottles a minute. It first flew in 1972 and developed a ferocious reputation in the 1991 Gulf War, as well as in Iraq and Afghanistan. Advertisement Advertisement The A-10 has become an extremely controversial aircraft in recent years, its supporters mainly from the US Army (that largely benefits from it) - championing its formidable Close Air Support capabilities and its detractors mainly from the US Air Force (that flies it) - noting its obsolescence and vulnerability on a modern battlefield. 3: F-4 Phantom II F-4 Phantom II The Phantom II first flew in 1958 and remains operational in 2025, with Greece, Iran, and Turkey. It has excelled in various roles: naval fighter, bomber, reconnaissance aircraft and more. Its great strengths are its speed, robust construction, and bombload. 3: C-130 Hercules C-130 Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter first flew in 1954 and was reborn as the radically improved C-130J Super Hercules in 1996. The C-130 remains in production today and continues to serve in many air forces worldwide. 2: Tupolev Tu-95 Bear (1952) Tupolev Tu-95 Bear (1952) It is quite possible that a current Tu-95 pilots grandfather may have also flown the plane. A tiny number of military aircraft types that first flew in the early 1950s remain in active service today, and one is the utterly distinctive and horrendously loud 'Bear'. Advertisement Advertisement This massive strategic bomber is known for its combination of sharply swept-back wings and four massive NK-12 turboprop engines with contra-rotating propellers. The turboprop powerplant was chosen as, at the time of the aircraft's conception, Soviet jet engines could not offer the fuel efficiency required for strategic range. 2: Tupolev Tu-95 'Bear' Tupolev Tu-95 'Bear' Though it does not have pure jet engines, the Tu-95 is extremely fast; at 575 mph (925 km/h), it is the second fastest propeller-driven aircraft (after the Piaggio Avanti business-aircraft). Other family members included the Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft, Tu-114 airliner and Tu-116 VIP transport aircraft. Developed primarily for the grim task of nuclear bomber, the Tu-95 delivered the most destructive bomb of the Cold War, the apocalyptic 50-megaton AN602 'Tsar' bomb. Tested on 30 October 1961, this horrific device created a fire 8 kilometres (5 miles) wide and a mushroom cloud 7.8 times higher than Mount Everest. 1: Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (1952) Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (1952) The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, an eight-engined long-range strategic bomber, has a combat history spanning over seven decades. Introduced in 1955, it first saw combat during the Vietnam War in Operation Rolling Thunder (1965-1968), conducting bombing runs over North Vietnam. During the Cold War, B-52s served as a nuclear deterrent, flying airborne alert missions under Operation Chrome Dome. In the Persian Gulf War (1991), they flew from bases worldwide, dropping 72,000 tons of bombs on Iraqi targets in Operation Desert Storm, targeting infrastructure and armoured units. 1: Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (1952) Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (1952) Its most intense use came in Operation Linebacker II (December 1972), where B-52s dropped over 15,000 tons of bombs on North Vietnam in 11 days. Despite losses to surface-to-air missiles, its payload capacity and range wrought massive devastation. The B-52 saw action in the Balkans during the 1990s, supporting NATO operations in Kosovo with precision-guided munitions. In the 21st century, B-52s supported Operations Enduring Freedom (2001) and Iraqi Freedom (2003), delivering close air support and strategic strikes against Taliban and Iraqi forces. More recently, they've bombed ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq (2016 onward). Despite being so old, there is no sign of the B-52's retirement coming soon; indeed upgraded B-52s are expected to keep flying into the 2050s. 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 Tories will sack underperforming civil servants in an effort to raise standards in Whitehall, Sir Mel Stride is to pledge. In a speech delivered on Tuesday, the shadow Chancellor will warn that dismissals in Whitehall as a result of poor performance are virtually non-existent as he pledges to move away from a system that rewards mediocrity. The number of civil servants has climbed consistently since the Brexit vote in 2016 and currently stands at 554,000 workers, according to official figures. Advertisement Advertisement Sir Mel pledged last year to return the civil service to its 2016 size of roughly 384,000 full-time equivalent staff in a move he claimed would save 8bn. The announcement comes just weeks after Reform unveiled plans to sack tens of thousands of civil servants, with staff invited to snitch on underperforming colleagues. Nadhim Zahawi, the former Tory chancellor, defected to Reform this week amid persistent rumours of a pact or a merger between the two parties ahead of the next election. Both sides have denied a pact is under discussion. Sir Mel has previously told The Telegraph that he will never do a deal with Reform, which he accused of peddling fantasy economics. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking at the Institute for Government, Sir Mel will suggest that the swelling of ranks in Whitehall reflects the fact that the civil service is too tolerant of people who are bad at their jobs requiring more staff than the private sector to get work done as a result. The former work and pensions secretary will say: When it comes to accountability, in some departments performance reviews are rare and dismissals for poor performance are almost non-existent. Thats across half a million employees. Either our civil servants are all vastly better at their jobs than people in the private sector, or a lot more civil servants should be losing their jobs than is currently the case. Rewarding high performers Sir Mel will insist that poor performance in Government will no longer be tolerated under the Tories, while high performers will be rewarded under a system that is closer to the private sector. Advertisement Advertisement He will also warn that the workers rights bill championed by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner will make unproductive civil servants even harder to dismiss. The Employment Rights Bill will give workers access to sick pay from their first day of employment and hand new powers to union barons. While Labour watered down plans to hand all workers the right to claim unfair dismissal from their first day in a job, enhanced protections will still be introduced after six months in employment. Sir Mel will warn that many underperforming staff are likely to fall under the new protections because of lax disciplinary procedures. Advertisement Advertisement He will say: In my experience poor performers are at best managed sideways into other areas of Government. There is no fresh probationary period for internal moves within Government. Directives to avoid expensive employment tribunals could end up as a false economy. The Governments employment rights bill will make it riskier still to try to deal with poor performance. The outlook currently is bleak. A Labour source said: Mel Stride would know a lot about being managed sideways. Exorbitant public sector spending Sir Mel will also warn that spending is out of control in the public sector as he calls for a root and branch review that exposes more detail about how taxpayers money is spent. Advertisement Advertisement He will say: It is too easy, at present, for departments to sweep waste and mistakes under the carpet to overstate their funding bids to the Treasury and to present deliberately unpalatable options when asked to find savings. The size of the civil service has climbed every year since 2016, driven by demands including the UKs decision to leave the EU and the need to respond to pandemic lockdowns. The Tories have failed in previous attempts to reduce the size of the civil service. Former prime minister Boris Johnson announced plans in 2022 to cut 91,000 jobs and bring the headcount, then at 475,000, back down to 2016 levels. Rishi Sunak, another Tory prime minister, also promised to bring down the civil service headcount to pre-pandemic levels, but similarly presided over an increase of tens of thousands. Advertisement Advertisement A Cabinet Office spokesman said: We are putting an end to the carousel of people shuffled from job to job with performance issues never being dealt with. This includes a cross-government fund for exit schemes to reduce staffing numbers over the next two years, and new Mutually Agreed Exits aligned with private sector practices for those who lack the right skills or cannot perform at required levels. The spokesman added: We have also strengthened our performance reviews for senior staff, with underperformers being put on Personal Development Plans with a six-month improvement timeline. 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. (FOX 5/KUSI) Two people who reportedly rode on top of a commuter train as it passed through San Diego County have been detained by local law enforcement. Over the weekend, videos of the people circulated on the internet, showing one person walking as the train is moving, while the other is lying on their stomach and appears to be filming the first. The videos were taken Friday afternoon and show the COASTER train as it was northbound toward Del Mar. COASTER trains are operated by North County Transit. Advertisement Advertisement The two peoples actions mirror so-called subway surfers, people who illegally ride atop moving subway, light rail and other train vehicles. The practice has existed nearly as long as trains have, and the daring experiences have sometimes ended fatally. A representative from North County Transit told FOX 5/KUSI that staff were Aware of the video and urges the public to be mindful of the dangers of moving trains. Riding on the outside of a train is illegal and can result in severe injury or death. NCTD is working with local law enforcement authorities to investigate and intends to take all appropriate legal action. On Monday, the San Diego County Sheriffs Office announced that two people had been arrested in connection with the incident. Advertisement Advertisement The agency said it received calls about the two people atop the train around 5 p.m. on Friday. When deputies responded, the two had already climbed off the train and left the area, although they were eventually found. Both individuals admitted to riding on top of the train, the sheriffs office said, adding that the two were arrested for trespassing on railroad property. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump's administration has made good on its pledge to label three Middle Eastern branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, imposing sanctions on them and their members in a decision that could have implications for U.S. relationships with allies in the region. The Treasury and State departments announced the actions Tuesday against the Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which they said pose a risk to the United States and American interests. The State Department designated the Lebanese branch a foreign terrorist organization, the most severe of the labels, which makes it a criminal offense to provide material support to the group. The Jordanian and Egyptian branches were listed by Treasury as specially designated global terrorists for providing support to Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters violence and destabilization wherever it occurs, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism. Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were mandated last year under an executive order signed by Trump to determine the most appropriate way to impose sanctions on the groups, which U.S. officials say engage in or support violence and destabilization campaigns that harm the United States and other regions. Bessent said in a post on X that the Muslim Brotherhood "has a longstanding record of perpetrating acts of terror, and we are working aggressively to cut them off from the financial system." He added that the Trump administration will deploy the full scope of its authorities to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat terrorist networks wherever they operate in order to keep Americans safe. Muslim Brotherhood leaders have said they renounce violence, and the Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt and Lebanon denounced their inclusion. Advertisement Advertisement The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood categorically rejects this designation and will pursue all legal avenues to challenge this decision which harms millions of Muslims worldwide," it said in a statement, denying any involvement in or support for terrorism. The Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, known as al-Jamaa al-Islamiya (the Islamic Group), said in a statement that it is a licensed Lebanese political and social entity that operates openly and within the bounds of the law and that the U.S. decision has no legal effect within Lebanon. In singling out the chapters in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, Trump's executive order noted that a wing of the Lebanese chapter had launched rockets on Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel that set off the war in Gaza. Leaders of the group in Jordan have provided support to Hamas, the order said. The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in 1928 but was banned in that country in 2013. Jordan announced a sweeping ban on the Muslim Brotherhood in April. Advertisement Advertisement Egypt on Tuesday welcomed the designation and praised Trumps efforts to combat global terrorism. This is a significant step that reflects the extremist ideology of this group and the direct threat it represents for regional and international security and stability, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Nathan Brown, a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, said other allies of the U.S., including the United Arab Emirates, would likely be pleased with the designation. "For other governments where the brotherhood is tolerated, it would be a thorn in bilateral relations, including in Qatar and Turkey, he said. While the Turkish ruling party has been associated with members of the Muslim Brotherhood in the past, the government of Qatar has denied any relationship with it. Advertisement Advertisement Brown also said a designation on the chapters may have effects on visa and asylum claims for people entering not just the U.S. but also Western European countries and Canada. I think this would give immigration officials a stronger basis for suspicion, and it might make courts less likely to question any kind of official action against Brotherhood members who are seeking to stay in this country, seeking political asylum, he said. Trump, a Republican, weighed whether to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization in 2019 during his first term in office. Some prominent Trump supporters, including right-wing influencer Laura Loomer, have pushed his administration to take aggressive action against the group. Two Republican-led state governments Florida and Texas designated the group as a terrorist organization this year. ___ Fatma Khaled in Cairo contributed to this report. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are." C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew Let's start with the shooting of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman killed by an ICE agent while attempting to drive away from the scene of an ICE operation. Moments after the first videos were available the mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz blamed ICE and called the shooting unnecessary. The leftist activist group that Good was reportedly part of is dedicated to tracking and "resisting" immigration enforcement operations through apps and a rapid response hot line, according to the NY Post. Frey and Walz also claimed Good was trying to drive away. Frey added that the agent who shot Good "hopped" down the street. Perhaps he was limping after Good's car hit him? Standing on the other side of the argument were Vice President J.D. Vance, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, current and former Border Patrol agents and other conservative commentators on Fox News. In Portland, Oregon, a CBP agent opened fire on a couple identified as members of the Venezuelan gangster group Tren de Aragua. A DHS statement said they had "weaponized" their car fleeing a traffic stop. If jumping to conclusions were an Olympic sport, these premature commentators who sought to create a narrative would receive gold medals. The media and Democrats have driven much of this. For the media it makes for good pictures. For Democrats and liberal groups who may provide them support money, it's a strategy they hope will bring President Trump and his administration down. There are two ways to break the law. One is by breaking it and the other is by ignoring it. The latter is mostly what the Biden administration did, letting in violent criminals who committed new crimes, including the murder of American citizens. Investigations take time to sort out the truth, but in the instant communication age many are impatient and produce their own "truth" to further personal political objectives. DHS claims that ICE and other law enforcement agents are in more danger than at any time in recent memory. They are cursed in vile ways, bottles and bricks are thrown at them and demonstrators demand they remove face masks so they can be identified and doxxed. This disrespect for legitimate authority goes back at least in modern times to race riots and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. where riots and looting destroyed many Black neighborhoods and forced a call-out of the National Guard to maintain order. Growing up in the Washington, D.C., area I was taught to respect and obey police officers because they were there to keep order and apply the law. Then there was only one officer on the steps of the House and Senate. There were no metal detectors (those were for the beach to find loose coins) and no identification required. If you seek to enter the Capitol Building today, there are stone-and-metal barricades blocking vehicles from getting close and X-ray machines to examine what's in your pocket as you enter on foot. Security cameras are everywhere. This modern, anti-law enforcement attitude, I believe, comes from too many university professors and social media that teach a different American history and promote an America that resembles the countries from which these migrants come. In Minneapolis, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle we have seen ICE trying to arrest and deport people with serious charges and convictions. And now those who are to "protect and serve" are the targets of organized demonstrators, many of whom are breaking the law. (COMMENT, BELOW) Cal Thomas, America's most-syndicated columnist, is the author of 10 books. Jan. 13 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump has announced on social media a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, tightening his financial vice on the Middle Eastern country whose regime has killed hundreds of protesters in the last two weeks. Trump said, "This order is final and conclusive" in a statement announcing the punitive measure on his Truth Social platform Monday, though it is unclear if the tariff is legal. Nor did the president specify what he exactly meant by "doing business." The president frequently uses tariffs as both a negotiating tactic and punishment, but those he has imposed during his second term in the White House have been challenged in the courts, as Congress constitutionally controls the nation's taxing authority and delegates trade powers to the executive branch. Advertisement Advertisement The announcement comes as the Trump administration has been publicly contemplating carrying out military strikes against Iran, a country whose relationship with the United States took a precipitous downward turn during his first tour of the White House and again since he returned to the helm of the executive branch last year. The Iranian regime, led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has confronted protests that began last month over the country's deepening economic crisis with escalating violence. As of Monday, the Iranian regime has killed at least 646 people and made more than 10,700 arrests, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based Iran watchdog. However, the alleged atrocities are now being committed under an Internet that has more than 100 hours, raising worries among human rights advocates that the actual death toll might be higher. Iran Human Rights states that in the 16 days of protests, at least 648 protesters have been killed, with some estimates putting the number of people dead in the thousands. Advertisement Advertisement Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night that Iranian leadership had made contact with his administration to initiate negotiations. He also floated the idea of a military response, stating Iran was "starting to" cross his red line. "We're looking at it very seriously. The military's looking at it. And we're looking at some very strong options," he said. "We'll make a determination." Trump's comments come amid reports that thousands have died since the protests began, as ITV News International Editor Emma Murphy and US Correspondent Dan Rivers report Warning - this report includes distressing images US President Donald Trump has threatened to "take very strong action" if Iranian authorities begin hanging anti-government protesters this week. "We will take very strong action. If they do such a thing, we will take very strong action," Trump said in a exclusive interview with the US network CBS, which was broadcast on Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement His comments to CBS Evening News follow a social media post in which the US president said he had "cancelled all meetings" with Iranian officials, in response to the countrys severe crackdown on anti-government protests. Widespread protests against Irans ruling regime, which began on December 28, have been met with a harsh government crackdown that activists say has left more than 2,000 people dead. Some estimates put that figure much higher. There are also reports that the regime is preparing to execute the first prisoner arrested and found guilty of participating in the ongoing protests in the country. Writing on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump urged Iranian protesters to take over state institutions, telling them that help is on its way. Advertisement Advertisement "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price," he wrote on Truth Social. Protesters dance and cheer around a bonfire as they take to the streets in Iran. Credit: AP "I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!" Later, as he toured an auto factory in Michigan, Trump declined to explain what he meant by 'help is on its way'. "You're going to have to figure that one out," he said. He also said he didn't have accurate numbers on the death toll in Iran but added: "I think it's a lot. It's too many, whatever it is." Trump and his national security team have been reportedly weighing a range of potential responses against Iran, including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Iran, through the country's parliamentary speaker, warned on Sunday that the US military and Israel would be legitimate targets if Washington uses force against them. However, the US president has previously said that Iran was "ready to negotiate" with Washington. President Donald Trump points as he boards Air Force One on Tuesday. Credit: AP It is unclear what Iran could offer in any negotiations, given Trumps strict demands over its nuclear programme and ballistic missile arsenal, which Tehran says are vital to its national defence. The US president's comments come as Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans for further sanctions against Iran targeting finance, energy, transport, software and other significant industries. Advertisement Advertisement She has also summoned the Iranian ambassador over the protests. Cooper told the Commons on Tuesday that reports on the violence carried out by the Iranian government may not reflect the severity of the situation, and they could be far worse. She added that she spoke to the Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday, and had voiced the UKs total abhorrence of the killings, the violence and the repression. As information starts to leave Iran, the death toll appears to have risen to over 2,000 people. Credit: AP The foreign secretary said the Iranian government was peddling its manufactured narrative of foreign manipulation and portrayed protesters as criminals and terrorists. The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest of terms the horrendous and brutal killing of Iranian protesters, and we demand that the Iranian authorities respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of their citizens," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Iran is reportedly preparing to execute the first prisoner arrested and found guilty of participating in the ongoing protests in the country. Human rights group Hengaw said on Tuesday that 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, a resident of Fardis, Karaj, was arrested at his home on January 8 and faces "imminent execution". Erfan Soltani, was arrested during recent protests in Iran and is facing an imminent death sentence. Credit: Hengaw Four days later, his family was informed a death sentence had been passed, and was due to be executed on Wednesday, according to Hengaw, which also said the case constitutes a "clear violation of human rights law." A source close to the Soltani family told Hengaw that officials informed them the death sentence is final and will be carried out on Wednesday. The family has reportedly been granted only a brief opportunity for a final visit before the execution. Advertisement Advertisement The Soltani family has struggled to contact Hengaw after Iran imposed a communications shutdown, making it difficult to verify official death tolls. Told about the possible execution during his CBS interview, Trump said: "If they want to have protests, that's one thing, when they start killing thousands of people, and now you're telling me about hanging we'll see how that works out for them. "It's not going to work out good." Who is Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Iran's supreme leader warns US as death toll from protests rises However, some restrictions appear to have been eased, with people able to make international phone calls on Tuesday, though internet access and text messaging remain unavailable. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, other world leaders have responded to the ongoing crisis, with France confirming it has reconfigured its embassy in Tehran after reports that the facility's nonessential staff left the country earlier this week. >> Why are there protests in Iran, and how are the UK and US involved? In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he believes the Iranian government is in its final days and weeks, as he renewed a call for Iranian authorities to end violence against demonstrators immediately. With some communications restored, witnesses in Tehran were able to tell the Associated Press that there was a heavy security presence in the city, which had increased over the four-and-a-half days since being cut off from the outside world. Advertisement Advertisement They said anti-riot police officers, wearing helmets and body armour, carried batons, shields, shotguns and tear gas launchers. Nearby, the witnesses saw members of the Revolutionary Guard's all-volunteer Basij force, who similarly carried firearms and batons. Several banks and government offices were burned down, and ATMs had been smashed as banks struggled to complete transactions without the internet. Meanwhile, pro-government demonstrators flooded the streets 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! Advertisement Advertisement 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. More than 10,700 people have also been detained over the two weeks of protests, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the latest death toll early Tuesday. >> Reza Pahlavi: Iran's exiled crown prince is rallying protesters, but who is he? The demonstrations began over the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, which trades at more than 1.4 million to $1, as Iran's economy is squeezed by international sanctions, in part levied over its nuclear program. The protests intensified and grew into calls directly challenging Irans theocracy. Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know President Donald Trump will be briefed on Tuesday on some kinetic and many non-kinetic options in Iran, two administration officials told POLITICO on Sunday. All eyes are on the presidents next moves after he threatened to strike the Iranian regime if it killed civilian protesters. Reports on Sunday indicated hundreds of Iranians have died during the current unrest, though information is limited. The options being presented to Trump would range from targeted strikes inside Iran to offensive cyber attacks, one official granted anonymity to discuss ongoing conversations said, adding that the administration would want to avoid options that create massive civilian impact so things that can be tailored to targeting Iran's military forces are preferable. The administration is also looking at whether it can send terminals for Elon Musks satellite-based internet service, a former U.S. official said. Advertisement Advertisement We could step up the pressure campaign in a number of ways, the official said. The window [for the President to take action] is small but the people are angry. Trump is not expected to send American forces to the country, and the second official said at the moment no large troop or asset movements are currently in the works. Some in the administration fear that U.S. action might inflame tensions in the Middle East or backfire in its attempt to help the escalating protest movement. The U.S. already has significant forces in the region, as shown in Saturdays strike on ISIS fighters in Syria in which over 20 fighter planes attacked several sites. Irans air defenses were also severely weakened during last years joint Israel/U.S. air and missile strikes against the Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the Tuesday briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trumps, told Maria Bartiromo on Foxs Sunday Morning Futures he hopes Trump will take action, not an invasion that will be a game-changer to strengthen the protesters and deter Irans leaders. Trump has prided himself in following through when he has made threats, including the recent military raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as well as American strikes on Irans nuclear program last year during the so-called 12 day war between Iran and Israel. "I think Trump will bomb them, because he said so," said a Republican foreign policy strategist, granted anonymity to speak candidly about possible military action. The person added that likely targets if Trump is looking to send a message to Irans leaders would be regime symbols and oil infrastructure. The regime over the weekend has stepped up repression and violence against protesters. Advertisement Advertisement Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the U.S. should look to inhibit the regimes slaughter in the dark by focusing on the governments control over electricity and phone service. If Trump were to choose to strike, he would likely consider Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and police and law enforcement targets, and even potentially leadership targets, though that would take time, said a former U.S. official who worked on Iran issues. Non-kinetic measures would include cyber and covert action, though leadership strikes are the ones that would have the biggest impact, said the former U.S. official. The current round of demonstrations in Iran began in late December over the collapse of Irans currency but have since intensified and morphed into a direct challenge to Irans theocratic government. Reports indicate at least 538 people have been killed amid a government crackdown on the demonstrations in Iran, though it has been hard to assess the full scale because Irans leaders have cut off internet and phone service. They are the largest protests since 2022, when Iranians took to the streets after a young woman died while imprisoned for not wearing a headscarf. Advertisement Advertisement Trump has been following the protests closely since they began in December, U.S. officials said. He has telegraphed his interest in intervening several times on his Truth Social platform. Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!! he wrote on Truth Social on Saturday. He told reporters Friday that Irans leaders would be in big trouble if they suppress demonstrations and use lethal force. If they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved, he said while meeting oil executives at the White House. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the hard-line speaker of Iran's parliament, threatened during a parliament session carried live by Iranian state television that Israel and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets if the U.S. attacks Iran. Irans Supreme Leader said Friday that Irans government will not back down amid the protests. Former Crown Prince of Iran Reza Pahlavi, meanwhile, has attempted to position himself in recent weeks as a contender to lead the country through a democratic transition. Pahlavi has lived in exile in the United States since his father Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last shah of Iran, was forced from power in 1979. Advertisement Advertisement In an interview on Foxs Sunday Morning Futures, Pahlavi told Bartiromo that he was prepared to return to Iran at the first possible opportunity, sharing a message to Trump as he asked for U.S. support for a democratic transition. Let's hope that we can permanently seal this legacy by liberating Iran, so that we and you can make Iran great again, Pahlavi said. Let's partner on this and have a better future for our countries and for our people. This is an opportunity that has presented itself. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, urged the Trump administration to focus on rallying the rest of the world to escalate external pressure on the Iranian regime instead of executing a strike on the country. The Iranian regime is awful, and I stand with the Iranian people, but what I'm worried about is if we take a kinetic strike, does that actually unite the Iranian people in a way that the regime has not been able to? Warner said in an interview with host Jacqui Heinrich on Fox News Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement The administration also faced skepticism from members of its own party, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), echoing Warners concerns on Sunday. Paul warned that a strike on the country could lead Iranians to turn against the United States and rally around their own leadership. We wish freedom and liberation the best across the world, but I don't think it's the job of the American government to be involved with every freedom movement around the world, and I do believe that bombing them may have the opposite, Paul told host Martha Raddatz on ABCs This Week. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump was consulting with his national security team Tuesday about next steps with Iran as he looked to get a better understanding of the number of Iranian citizens who have been killed and arrested in more than two weeks of unrest throughout the country. Trump said he believes that the killing is significant and that his administration would act accordingly. He added that he believed the Iranian government was badly misbehaving. But the president said he has yet to receive a confirmed number of Iranians killed in the protests that began late last month, saying he has heard five different sets of numbers about the death toll. Advertisement Advertisement Since the protests began Dec. 28, 16,700 people have been arrested and more than 2,500 have been killed, the vast majority protesters, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. The organization relies on a network of activists inside Iran that confirms all reported fatalities. The message is theyve got to show humanity, Trump said of the Iranian government. Theyve got a big problem. And I hope theyre not going to be killing people. The comments came after Trump earlier in the day announced he was cutting off the prospect of talks with Iranian officials amid a protest crackdown, telling Iranian citizens help is on its way. Trump did not offer any details about what the help would entail, but his remarks come just two days after the Republican president said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic. Advertisement Advertisement But Trump appeared to make an abrupt shift about his willingness to engage with the Iranian government. Iranian Patriots, keep protesting and take over your institutions if you can, Trump said in speech Tuesday at an auto factory in Michigan. Save the names of the killers and abusers that are abusing you. You are being very badly abused." Iranian ambassador responds to Trump Iran's chief envoy to the United Nations, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, denounced Trump's latest comments in a letter to U.N. officials as interventionist rhetoric. This reckless statement explicitly encourages political destabilization, incites and invites violence and threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iravani wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian state media has aired at least 97 confessions from protesters, many expressing remorse for their actions, since the protests began, according to a rights group that is tracking the videos. Iran alleges these confessions, which often include references to Israel or America, are proof of foreign plots behind Irans nationwide protests. Activists say they are coerced confessions, long a staple of Irans hard-line state television, the only broadcaster in the country. And these videos are coming at an unprecedented clip. Trump, in an exchange with reporters during the factory visit, demurred when asked what kind of help he would provide. Youre going to have to figure that one out, he said. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. president has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action if his administration found the Islamic Republic was using deadly force against antigovernment protesters. Trump on Sunday told reporters he believed Iran is starting to cross that line and has left him and his national security team weighing very strong options even as he said the Iranians had made outreach efforts to the U.S. Trump announced Monday he would slap 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran effective immediately, but the White House has not provided details on that move. China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Brazil and Russia are among economies that do business with Tehran. Administration leaders weigh US options Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and key White House National Security Council officials began meeting Friday to develop options for Trump, ranging from a diplomatic approach to military strikes. Advertisement Advertisement We dont want to see people killed and we want to see a little bit of freedom for these people," Trump said. "These people have been living in hell for a long time. Iran, through the countrys parliamentary speaker, has warned that the U.S. military and Israel would be legitimate targets if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators. Trump said he was undeterred by threats of Iranian retaliation. Iran said that the last time I blew them up, said Trump, referring to threats from the government ahead of U.S. military strikes in June on key Iranian nuclear facilities. They better behave. Advertisement Advertisement More than 600 protests have taken place across all of Irans 31 provinces, the Human Rights Activists News Agency reported Tuesday. Understanding the scale of the protests has been difficult. Iranian state media has provided little information about the demonstrations. Online videos offer only brief, shaky glimpses of people in the streets or the sound of gunfire. Trump's push on the Iranian government to end the crackdown comes as he is dealing with a series of other foreign policy emergencies around the globe. Its been more than a week since the U.S. military launched a successful raid to arrest Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and remove him from power. The U.S. continues to mass an unusually large number of troops in the Caribbean Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Trump is also focused on trying to get Israel and Hamas onto the second phase of a peace deal in Gaza and broker an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to end the nearly four-year war in Eastern Europe. But advocates urging Trump to take strong action against Iran say this moment offers an opportunity to further diminish the theocratic government thats ruled the country since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The demonstrations are the biggest Iran has seen in years protests spurred by the collapse of Iranian currency that have morphed into a larger test of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis repressive rule. ___ Associated Press reporter Michelle L. Price contributed to this report. Donald Trumps administration said Tuesday it will end Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Somalia, the latest move in the president's mass deportation agenda. The move affects hundreds of people who are a small subset of immigrants living in the United States with TPS protections. It comes during Trumps immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, where many native Somalis live and where street protests have intensified since a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent killed a U.S citizen who was demonstrating against federal presence in the city. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that affected Somalis must leave the U.S. by March 17, when existing protections, last extended by then-President Joe Biden, will expire. Advertisement Advertisement Temporary means temporary, said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, adding that the decision puts Americans first. The Congressional Research Service last spring said the Somali TPS population was 705 out of nearly 1.3 million TPS immigrants. Trump has ended protections across multiple countries in his second presidency. Homeland Security secretary says conditions in Somalia have changed Noem insisted circumstances in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the laws requirement for Temporary Protected Status. But the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which advocates for fair treatment of Muslims in the U.S., criticized the latest rollback as a bigoted attack that will send some Somalis back to a war-torn, unstable nation. Advertisement Advertisement This decision does not reflect changed conditions in Somalia, CAIR said in a statement released jointly with its Minnesota chapter. By dismantling protections for one of the most vulnerable Black and Muslim communities, this decision exposes an agenda rooted in exclusion, not public safety. Located in the horn of Africa, Somalia is one of the worlds poorest nations and has for decades been beset by chronic strife exacerbated by multiple natural disasters, including severe droughts. Al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabab controls parts of the country and has carried out truck bombings and other assaults in the capital, Mogadishu, in recent years that killed dozens of people. Congress established the Temporary Protected Status program in 1990 to help foreign nationals who've fled unstable, threatening conditions in their home countries and are living in the U.S. It allows the executive branch to designate a country, generally in 18-month increments, for the protected status. Citizens of that country who are already in the U.S. and qualify for protection can apply with Homeland Security for the designation. If approved, recipients can legally work and are protected from deportation but there is no pathway to a green card or U.S. citizenship and they are reliant on the government renewing the TPS designation every few years. Advertisement Advertisement Critics say that while these designations are supposed to be temporary, they are renewed so often that they essentially become permanent. Somalia designation traces to the elder Bush's administration Somalia first received the designation under President George H.W. Bush amid a civil war in 1991. The status has been extended for decades, most recently by Biden in July 2024. The 2025 congressional report stated that Somalis had received more than two dozen extensions because of perpetual insecurity and ongoing armed conflict that present serious threats to the safety of returnees. Trump has targeted Somali immigrants with racist rhetoric and accused those in Minneapolis of massively defrauding federal programs, charges he renewed again Tuesday speaking in Michigan. He promised, without a clear legal basis, to revoke the citizenship of any naturalized immigrant from Somalia, or anywhere else who was convicted of defrauding our citizens. Advertisement Advertisement In December, Trump said he did not want Somalis in the U.S. at all, saying they come from hell and contribute nothing. He made no distinction between citizens and non-citizens or offered any opinion on immigration status. Temporary status widened during Joe Biden's presidency Biden's administration broadly expanded the number of people covered by Temporary Protected Status but the Trump administration has steadily sought to strip protections away from various nationalities including 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians. The actions have prompted multiple court challenges but the U.S. Supreme Court has twice issued emergency rulings, last May and again in October, that allowed the Venezuelan revocations to continue as court cases proceed. Its not immediately clear how quickly those Somalis covered by TPS could be removed from the country once their protections expire. Most attempts by the administration to end a TPS designation have ended up in the courts. And people covered by TPS can also apply for asylum or other immigration avenues to stay in the U.S., although the Trump administration has made those options more difficult as well for Somalis as well as other nationalities. Associated Press journalist Cara Anna in New York contributed. Smoke rises from the Valero Oil refinery in Meraux on June 19, 2020. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) This report was originally published by ProPublica, an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Ethylene oxide was once considered an unremarkable pollutant. The colorless gas seeped from relatively few industrial facilities and commanded little public attention. All that changed in 2016, when the Environmental Protection Agency completed a study that found the chemical is 30 times more carcinogenic than previously thought. Advertisement Advertisement The agency then spent years updating regulations that protect millions of people who are most exposed to the compound. In 2024, the EPA approved stricter rules that require commercial sterilizers for medical equipment and large chemical plants to slash emissions of ethylene oxide, which causes lymphoma and breast cancer. It was doing what the EPA has done countless times: revising rules based on new scientific knowledge. Now, its ability to do that for many air pollutants is under threat. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In government records that have flown under the radar, President Donald Trumps EPA said it is reconsidering whether the agency had the legal authority to update those rules. Advertisement Advertisement Chemical companies and their trade organizations have argued that the EPA cannot reevaluate hazardous air pollution rules to account for newly discovered harms if it has revised them once already. It doesnt matter if decades have passed or new information has emerged. If the EPA agrees, environmentalists fear that the decision could have wide implications, significantly curbing the EPAs ability to limit nearly 200 pollutants from thousands of industrial plants. The next time new science reveals that a chemical is much more toxic, or that the amount of pollution released from a factory had been underestimated and would cause legally unacceptable health risks, the agency would not be able to react. Its a poor reflection on this administrations claim that they are actually interested in clean air, said Ana Baptista, a professor of environmental policy and sustainability management at The New School. By saying were no longer going to consider science, its abdicating your mission. Advertisement Advertisement The EPA didnt address ProPublicas questions about the ethylene oxide reevaluation or its broader implications. Instead, the agency pointed to a March press release about how it was reconsidering multiple air pollution rules issued by President Joe Bidens administration, including the ones for chemical plants and commercial sterilizers. EPA is committed to using the gold standard of science during these reviews, a spokesperson said in an email. Since day one, EPA has been clear that providing clean air, water, and land for all Americans is a top priority. The EPAs reconsideration focuses on the Clean Air Act, the countrys most powerful air quality law, which regulates hazardous air pollutants for different types of industrial operations. Theres a specific rule for oil refineries, for instance, and another for steel mills. Within eight years after each rule is published, the EPA is required to conduct an assessment, called a residual risk review, to decide if an update is necessary. These assessments use detailed data on the quantity of emissions coming from each facility, the toxicity of each chemical and other information on how the chemicals are released and dispersed in the air. The combined data reveals how the emissions put local residents at risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, reproductive harm and other health problems. If the EPA determines the overall risks exceed whats allowed under the law, the agency must tighten the rules. Advertisement Advertisement The Clean Air Act doesnt say whether the EPA is required to conduct additional residual risk reviews after the first one. Nor does it specifically prohibit the agency from doing so. As far back as 2006, the EPA under President George W. Bush asserted that the agency had the right to revisit and revise the rules based on risk. The issue became newly relevant in 2021, when the EPAs Office of Inspector General cited the new conclusions about the toxicity of ethylene oxide. The office estimated that nearly half a million Americans were exposed to unacceptable cancer risks from industrial emissions by chemical plants, commercial sterilizers and other facilities pumping out ethylene oxide. In its report, the inspector generals office advised the agency to exercise its discretionary authority to conduct new residual risk reviews as needed when new data or information indicates an air pollutant is more toxic than previously determined. (The inspector general was a Trump appointee.) Advertisement Advertisement The EPA had already conducted the first, mandatory risk reviews for large chemical plants and commercial sterilizers in the early 2000s. In response to the inspector general report, the agency launched additional reviews using the updated science on ethylene oxide. Ultimately, the EPA determined the health risks were unacceptable and revised the rules to lower them. The agency asserted that the Clean Air Act does not limit our discretion or authority to conduct another risk review should we consider that such review is warranted. According to the EPAs estimates, the new regulations for chemical plants under the 2024 revised rule would cut the number of nearby residents who are exposed to unacceptable cancer risks from 90,000 to 3,000. But the chemical industry opposed the stricter rules. Industry representatives disagreed with the EPAs new assessment of ethylene oxide, contending that it overestimated the risk the chemical posed, and argued the agency didnt have the authority to conduct those risk reviews. In a 2023 letter, the American Chemistry Council said the Agency has erred in conducting a new risk review, as the plain text of the Clean Air Act indicates that EPA actually lacks this authority. Similarly, the Louisiana Chemical Association submitted public comments on the chemical plant rule stating the EPA has no statutory authority to conduct a second risk review and that doing so was arbitrary and capricious. Advertisement Advertisement David Cresson, president and CEO of the association, told ProPublica that the trade group supports protecting the publics health through regulatory frameworks that are lawful, while remaining based in sound science. Brendan Bradley, a spokesperson for the American Chemistry Council, said the organization had no further comment on the issue. After Trump was inaugurated, one of his appointees to the EPA let the industry know the agency was conducting a reconsideration of the two rules focused on ethylene oxide emissions. Last spring, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Abigale Tardif, a former oil and gas lobbyist, hinted at how the EPA might challenge those rules. In letters addressed to trade groups representing commercial sterilizers and chemical plants, Tardif said the agency was reconsidering multiple issues related to the rules, including the EPAs authority and decision to undertake a second residual risk review under the Clean Air Act, as well as the analysis and determinations made in that review, and the resulting risk standards. Advertisement Advertisement Tardif didnt respond to requests for comment. The agency also filed a regulatory notice about its plans to revise the 2024 chemical plant rule. Citing the part of the Clean Air Act that deals with the updated rule assessments, the notice said the EPA had identified items for reconsideration around its CAA section 112(f)(2) residual risk review authority. While the stricter ethylene oxide rules are technically still in effect, the Trump administration has exempted dozens of large chemical plants and sterilizer facilities from following them as the agency works through a formal process that is widely expected to result in watered-down standards. If the Trump EPA does decide it lacks the legal authority to conduct multiple risk reviews, the agency might still have the authority to strengthen hazardous air pollution rules by using a separate part of the Clean Air Act, said Abel Russ, a senior attorney at the Environmental Integrity Project, an advocacy group. That section of the act allows the EPA to update a rule if agency scientists conclude that better pollution-control technology is affordable and available. But limiting the agencys ability to conduct residual risk reviews would be a serious blow to the act, Russ said, kneecapping the agencys authority over these toxic pollutants. Advertisement Advertisement Environmental groups will almost certainly sue if the EPA concludes it does not have the legal authority to revise hazardous air pollution rules more than once based on risk. Russ called industrys comments absurd and said they dont account for the reality that our knowledge of industrial pollution is changing all the time. As ProPublica reported in October, the agency recently received clear evidence that many industrial facilities are leaking far more pollution than the companies that own them previously reported. In 2023, researchers who conducted their own air monitoring in the industrial corridor of Louisiana known as Cancer Alley found much higher concentrations of ethylene oxide than expected. For more than half the areas they sampled, the local cancer risk from ethylene oxide would be unacceptable if residents were exposed to these concentrations over a lifetime. If the EPA decides it lacks the legal authority to conduct multiple risk reviews, it would find itself in the position of not being able to take action even if the agency confirmed similar results. The whole premise of risk assessment is that its based on the best available science, said Kimberly Terrell, a research scientist at the Environmental Integrity Project. As our knowledge grows, researchers tend to find that chemicals are linked to additional health effects, she added, so blocking these updates pretty much ensures the EPA is underestimating the risks. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) is facing backlash after announcing plans to introduce legislation that would allow President Donald Trump to take control of Greenland for the United States. On Monday, the Florida Republican gleefully shared the news on X, formerly Twitter, that he was proud to introduce the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, a bill that allows the President to find the means necessary to bring Greenland into the Union. Politics: I'm Sick Of Stupid!: GOP Senator Excoriates Stephen Miller Over Greenland Let me be clear, our adversaries are trying to establish a foothold in the Arctic, and we cant let that happen, Fine added, before echoing Trumps talking point that acquiring the self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark would prevent our adversaries from controlling the Arctic Region and secure our northern flank from Russia and China. Advertisement Advertisement Fine who has drawn controversy in the past for inflammatory remarks also shared a striking image depicting the president superimposed over a Trump-branded skyscraper towering above a Greenlandic village. Critics were quick to respond, noting that both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly rejected Trumps overtures. They also warned that any attempt to seize the self-governing island would amount to an attack on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, given Denmarks membership in the alliance. If you succeed in this, your adversaries will be in control of Europe. I dont think you understand the enormous negative consequences of what you are trying to do. Rasmus Jarlov (@RasmusJarlov) January 12, 2026 I don't know who you are, I don't care, but this is going to be your legacy: an attempt at annexing an ally country that you swore to defend under nato. Pathetic. No one should trust you ever again. Fred Lambert (@FredLambert) January 12, 2026 We're officially the enemy in the movies now. Congrats everyone slimditty (@StackedBundles) January 13, 2026 Guten Morgen Herr Fine, Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a founding member of NATO. One does not "annex" one's closest military allies. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and is protected by NATO Article 5. Then again, basic geopolitics is Rob Schafer (@GerMilHistory) January 13, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement most maga member of congress as defined by willingness to do whatever president trump wants. ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) January 13, 2026 Despite the population of Greenland being 97% against living under Americans. Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) January 13, 2026 No different than Russian Duma members, eager to please the president by enacting horrendous, criminal legislation. Tonu Runnel (@runnel) January 13, 2026 What the actual.. You guys really are fascists. Greenland is a part of Denmark! People live there. You cant just take a part of someones country. Who are you? Putin? Magnus Barse (@MagnusBarsoe) January 13, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement This is insane, and incredibly offensive. joel (@jpostman) January 12, 2026 As a nation, most believe in the sovereignty of other nations. This is deplorable. Kim (@mommavestor) January 13, 2026 Welcome to war with Europe Gandalv (@Microinteracti1) January 13, 2026 This is so ******* dumb and dangerous. Are you really that much of a moron? Randy Shulman (@RandyShulman) January 13, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement The funniest part about Trumps push to acquire Greenland is that its predicated upon the need for strategic arctic territory due to accelerated global warming, which he denies is even happening. Mark Strauss (@MarkDStrauss) January 12, 2026 Europe needs to sanction anyone supporting this Akash Maniam (@ManiamAkash) January 13, 2026 The worry of a secure Arctic has kept Floridians awake far too many nights. Jordan Sour (@JordanSour1) January 13, 2026 Related... Read the original on HuffPost The North Carolina Legislative Building (Photo: Clayton Henkel/NC Newsline) The Medicaid reforms in President Donald Trumps spending and tax cut bill may save North Carolina some money in the long run but theyll come with a hefty price tag up front. That was the bottom line from Medicaid leaders at the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services to state lawmakers at a hearing Tuesday. NCDHHS says the federal changes will require an additional $44.4M a year from the state for increased administration costs, plus another $6.5M this year to match the federal funding for implementation. Advertisement Advertisement The healthcare program will face new eligibility and work requirements for the more than 700,000 Medicaid expansion enrollees beginning Jan. 1, 2027. State Medicaid COO Sarah Gregosky told a joint oversight committee the changes will require NCDHHS to upgrade its existing system to gather the data needed. It will also require more staff at the county level, Gregosky said, to recertify benefits eligibility every six months, rather than annually. This is a complex technology, policy and process change for our systems, for our county caseworkers, for providers, for our beneficiaries, Gregosky told the panel. All of those system changes need to be in place prior to October. That upfront work, she said, needs to get underway soon to allow the state to design, test and deploy the system within the accelerated timeline required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act law. But she said thats complicated by the fact that federal Medicaid officials havent yet issued their official rules for the changes. Advertisement Advertisement The CMS guidance is not due out until June, Gregosky told lawmakers, which means that we need to make assumptions now based on whats in the legislation, but guidance may come out in June that requires us to adjust some of those assumptions. CMS has indicated while there is an allowance for an extension for states who are making good faith progress towards implementation, they do not intend to issue any of those extensions, she added. Assistant NCDHHS Secretary Melanie Bush said lawmakers will need to act to allow Medicaid access to additional funds, either through higher taxes on hospitals or by reallocating money from the General Fund or from other agencies, like the N.C. Dept. of Corrections, that have saved money due to Medicaid expansion, We need legislative action as soon as possible, Bush said. We need legislative action by early this year by March 31, if possible so that we can get the funding we need to build out these systems. Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers reactions ranged from concern to skepticism. Timing here is, I think, an issue that were going to think through, replied Chairman Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forysth). This is just me talking, but Im not sure well be back before April, and so thats something that were going to have to think about, talk about. Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke) said NCDHHS was failing to acknowledge the savings the reforms are intended to bring. By clarifying eligibility requirements, rather than expanding participants, you might be cutting back on participants, Blackwell said. The overall idea Im getting from the department is you all feel that what youre going to be required to do is just busy work thats going to add cost, and that there will be no savings anywhere as a result of all this new shuffling of policies. Advertisement Advertisement NCDHHS Medicaid chief Jay Ludlum took issue with that characterization. We are not trying to imply that there would not be offsetting costs and that this is purely busy work, he said. I dont know where the savings are going to fall over time, but at least initially, there will have to be some investments to get there, Ludlum said. We do have to build, in part, a system that doesnt exist yet. According to NCDHHS, NCs Medicaid program is already some $319M in the red due to underfunding for the current fiscal year, and will likely run out of money sometime this spring. Republican legislative leaders dont agree with that assessment. Theyve promised to supply more funding if needed, but so far, state House and Senate leaders have been unable to reach an agreement on a spending package. President Donald Trump spoke at the Detroit Economic Club on Tuesday at the Motor City Casino. Trump's speech marks his first visit to Michigan in 2026, and his third visit to the DEC. He previously delivered campaign addresses in August 2016 and October 2024 when the DEC invited both major party presidential candidates to speak, reports Natalie Davies. Update: In Detroit speech, Trump touts an economic boom invisible to many Advertisement Advertisement You can watch the speech replay using the video player above (or tap here). Here's what else to know about Trump's visit. Trump in Detroit for speech: What to know What: President Donald Trump will address the Detroit Economic Club. When: Around or after 2 p.m. today. Where: MotorCity Casino (specifically the Sound Board Theater) off Grand River in Detroit. Live stream: You can watch the stream live on this page (see the video player above or tap here.) What is the Detroit Economic Club? The Detroit Economic Club is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, 92-year-old organization that has been bringing in Fortune 500 CEOs and policymakers (including every president since Richard Nixon) to speak for decades. How long did Trump speak? Trump spoke for about one hour today in Detroit. Was Trump's speech open to the public? Not really. It was open to Detroit Economic Club members and their guests for a fee but those tickets are sold out. Can I watch Trump's speech in Detroit? Yes. You can watch the stream replay on this page (see the video player above or tap here.) Is Trump making any other stops in Michigan? Yes. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will also tour the Ford factory in Dearborn that makes the F-150 pickup. (Ford's F-series is the best-selling vehicle in the U.S.) Five years ago, then-President Joe Biden went to Dearborn, too, as Ford unveiled the all-electric F-150 Lightning and even took one for a test drive. Ford has since halted production of the Lightning. Were there anti-Trump protests in Detroit today? Yes. More than 100 protesters marched outside MotorCity Casino, where Trump gave his speech, and at least two protesters were arrested. More on that here. Advertisement Advertisement Follow the Detroit Free Press on Instagram (@detroitfreepress), TikTok (@detroitfreepress), YouTube (@DetroitFreePress), Twitter/X (@freep), and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook (@detroitfreepress). Stay connected and stay informed. Become a subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump in Michigan for speech to Detroit Economic Club: Replay Last week, as growing protests in Iran were met with violent crackdowns, Donald Trump issued a threat to the countrys leadership: Youd better not start shooting, because well start shooting too. This week the White House is doubling down on Trumps saber-rattling. Speaking to Fox News, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said although diplomacy remained Trumps first option, he was unafraid to use the lethal force and might of the United States military if and when he deems that necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief, Leavitt continued, adding: Hes made it quite clear he certainly doesnt want to see people being killed in the streets of Tehran, and unfortunately, thats something were seeing right now. In recent weeks, the Iranian regime has confronted its largest protest movement since 2009, which its leadership has sought to downplay, attributing the unrest to American-Zionist terrorism. Trump official says military force is an option for Iran as president announces tariffs Pointing to last years US strikes on Irans three major nuclear sites which subsequent satellite imagery suggested caused more limited damage than Trump had claimed White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt said of Trumps potential use of US military force: Nobody knows that better than Iran. Following Leavitts comments on Monday afternoon, Trump announced on Truth Social: Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. Advertisement Advertisement Read the full story Ex-Fed chairs condemn Trumps bid to weaken central bank Every living former head of the Federal Reserve condemned an unprecedented attempt by the Trump administration to weaken the central banks independence, after the Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into its chair, Jerome Powell. Ex-Fed chairs Alan Greenspan, Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen warned similar prosecutorial attacks in other countries had led to highly negative consequences for the cost of living and argued they had no place in the US. Read the full story Minnesota sues Trump administration to end surge of ICE agents in state Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison announced a lawsuit Monday against the federal government, seeking to end the surge of ICE agents in the state. Advertisement Advertisement This is in essence a federal invasion of the Twin Cities, and it must stop, Ellison said during a press conference, noting the shutdown of schools and the closure of local businesses. This surge has made us less safe. Read the full story Greenland says it cannot accept US takeover under any circumstances Greenlands government has said it cannot under any circumstances accept Donald Trumps desire to take control of Greenland, as Natos secretary general Mark Rutte said the organisation was working on ways to bolster Arctic security. At the start of a critical week for the vast Arctic island, a largely self-governing part of Denmark, the US president restated his interest in the strategically located, mineral-rich territory, saying the US would take it one way or the other. Advertisement Advertisement Read the full story Trump officials urged to halt violence against journalists amid ICE protests After a year in which US journalists faced a dramatic increase in violence from law enforcement, news organizations and advocacy groups have recently tried to better protect reporters through outreach to the Department of Homeland Security. Read the full story Trump threatens to block ExxonMobil from Venezuela over CEOs uninvestable comment Donald Trump has said he might block ExxonMobil from investing in Venezuela after the oil companys chief executive called the country uninvestable during a White House meeting last week. Darren Woods told the US president 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. Advertisement Advertisement Read the full story Trumps cannabis order will still leave users at risk of prosecution, experts say Experts say Donald Trumps recent executive order on cannabis rescheduling is unlikely to make a meaningful difference for those most vulnerable to cannabis-related criminal charges, which the president has ramped up in various ways during his second term. Read the full story What else happened today: Catching up? Heres what happened Sunday 11 January. After nearly 2 weeks of public marches and gatherings, Iranian protesters received a call to action from President Donald Trump Tuesday morning. The president asked Iranians to stay in the fight, take over their government and save the names of killers and abusers. They will pay a big price, he said. Trump added that he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the killings stop. Advertisement Advertisement He concluded, Help Is On Its Way. MIGA!!! MIGA, which stands for Make Iran Great Again, has been a rallying cry among those calling for the U.S. to help the protesters. With internet outages in the country going on five days, its been difficult to get an accurate estimate of the death toll, but it is likely in the thousands. Citing anonymous Iranian authorities, Reuters estimates the death toll to exceed 2,000, and The New York Times estimates it has reached at least 3,000. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that Trump was working through the decision of whether to bomb sites in the country. Trump has shown hes unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, Leavitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Several senators have expressed support for Trump getting involved in the conflict, including Sens. John Curtis, R-Utah, John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Images of the brutality emerge from Iran HRANA, a human rights advocacy group, told The New York Times that as Iranians sporadically gain access to the internet, the reported death toll jumps. On Saturday, HRANA reported that the toll was 70 dead, and by Monday, the number jumped to 572 dead. Accompanying the death toll, videos taken at night show massive crowds and rapid fire gunshots. Videos surfacing from the daytime show hundreds of bodies lined up in partially unzipped black bags, as family members walk through the lines, looking for their loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Yasi, a protester who asked The New York Times to withhold her full name for safety, said, The regime is on a killing spree. Yasi joined a march on Friday night in Tehran with several friends, where she saw Iranian officers intercede and begin shooting. They shot a teenage boy in the leg, and Yasi heard his mother yell, My son! My son! They shot my son! Other Tehran residents told The New York Times theyd seen snipers firing at crowds from rooftops, officers shooting people from cars as they drove by and enforcement officers opening fire with machine guns into crowds of young men and women. Protesters continue to flood the streets of Tehran. pic.twitter.com/hjt2X83l0V ME24 - Middle East 24 (@MiddleEast_24) January 12, 2026 Go and suppress by any means A physician who has since fled the country told the Center for Human Rights in Iran that the Islamic Republics reaction to the protests escalated significantly after they shut off the peoples internet access last Thursday. After the blackout, the nature of the injuries and the number of gunshot wounds had changed completely, he said. The situation was totally different. Shots from close range injuries leading to death. It was not possible for anyone to give an accurate death toll, whether one thousand, three thousand, or whatever. Advertisement Advertisement The doctor heard automatic gunfire and DShK heavy machine guns. People he knew said they saw pickup trucks with mounted heavy machine guns driving through streets. The trauma cases I saw were brutal, shoot-to-kill, he said. The doctor performed an extraordinary number of emergency surgeries for severe head, chest and abdominal gunshot wounds. The number of injured people arriving at the hospital where he worked quickly overwhelmed its facilities. We call this a mass casualty, he said. Mass casualty means your resources cannot support the situation. In northern Tehran, a nurse working at Nikan Hospital told The New York Times that 19 gunshot victims came in at once. At another hospital, Shohada Hospital in northeast Tehran, another doctor told The New York Times they declared many protesters dead upon their arrival, having suffered close-range gunshot wounds to the head, neck, lungs and heart. WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Tuesday proposed a rule revising Biden-era pollution protections for waterways, a move the Environmental Protection Agency said would speed permitting of energy and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The proposed rule concerns the 2023 finalization by the administration of former President Joe Biden of the 401 section of the Clean Water Act. That reversed a 2020 rule from President Donald Trump's first term and gave authority to states and tribes to protect waterways in their reviews of projects requiring federal permits. Jess Kramer, the EPA assistant administrator for water, told reporters the 2023 revision was "fundamentally flawed and it's inefficient and ineffective." Kramer said Biden's revision led to lengthy certification timelines. The proposed rule, Kramer said, will lead to predictable permitting that would "unleash American energy dominance" and support emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Biden's rule had been praised by conservationists and environmental justice groups concerned about pollution effects on waterways and communities depending on them. Kramer said the proposed rule will ensure that section 401 is "not weaponized by states to shut down projects for political purposes." The Biden administration had already narrowed the rule in August 2023 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9-0 to limit the regulatory reach of the EPA on the rule, after many farmers and landowners had slammed the agency for what they called regulatory overreach. The proposed rule will undergo a 30-day comment period and the EPA hopes to finalize the rule in the spring, Kramer said. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis) On the Tuesday, January 13, 2026, episode of The Excerpt podcast: In the aftermath of recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, Trump is considering targeting even more countries, including Greenland, Iran and Cuba. USA TODAY White House Correspondent joins The Excerpt to share her reporting. 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 Visual story: Whats happening in Iran? Trump threatens military action, thousands feared dead Advertisement Advertisement Dana Taylor: The reach of American might is rapidly spreading in real time. In the aftermath of recent US military action in Venezuela, the Trump administration is considering targeting even more countries. Has the president's America First promised faded, giving rise to what some have called the Donroe Doctrine? Hello and welcome to USA TODAY's The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Tuesday, January 13th, 2026. What months ago may have simply sounded like familiar bluster from President Donald Trump has now taken on a deadly serious tone. What are the president's plans for countries like Greenland, Columbia, Cuba and beyond? For more on that, I'm now joined by USA TODAY White House Correspondent, Francesca Chambers. It's good to have you here, Francesca. Advertisement Advertisement Francesca Chambers: Thanks, Dana. That's a long list of territories for us to cover. Dana Taylor: We need to start with Iran because a lot happened over the weekend and Trump has definitely amped up his rhetoric. What's happening there? Francesca Chambers: Well, the president says that he is looking at some very strong options when it comes to Iran and then he'll make a determination but no decisions have been made yet about what the president might do in response to these protests. President Trump had previously said that if they start shooting, then we'll start shooting. But it isn't entirely clear at this point what kind of response militarily or otherwise that the president may take to these protests. And while visibility into the situation in Iran has been difficult and we've been unable to verify this number, the US-based human rights activist news agency says that the death toll is around 500 people. Advertisement Advertisement Dana Taylor: Why is the president focused on Greenland? Is there a pressing national security issue at play here or is this primarily about gaining control of natural resources? Francesca Chambers: Well, I think part of the reason that Greenland is coming up so frequently is partially because he's being asked about it as well as senior officials. And so in response to that, the US has repeatedly refused to rule out the military options. But it says that he would like to resolve this diplomatically if that's possible. But just taking a step back for a second, if we could, you brought up this idea of America First and whether or not these things are essentially mutually exclusive with this robust military action he's hinting at here. And the White House's perspective on this is that you can still be America First but also be pursuing US national security interests as part of that in some of these other countries. And they say that was what was at play in Venezuela and then could potentially be at play in some of these other places like Greenland which is a territory of Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement Dana Taylor: Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that Trump wants to buy Greenland. And Trump has said, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." How have Denmark and other NATO countries responded? Could military action in Greenland effectively end the NATO alliance? Francesca Chambers: They've been responding to this with concern and saying that this is a NATO ally, this is a US military ally, and it's up to the people of Denmark as well as the people of Greenland to determine what happens. Now, it's important to note that Denmark has repeatedly said that Greenland is not for sale. And opinion polls would show that the people of Greenland, they also are not interested in either becoming part of the United States or in leaving Denmark. And so the Trump administration, however, has continued to push forward with this idea that he came up with it in his first term, and they pointed to that in response to some of the growing interest in this debate to say, "This isn't a new idea. This is something that the President has long been pushing." Advertisement Advertisement It's notable and important though that now Secretary of State Marco Rubio says that he will be having a meeting with Denmark to have a conversation about this. That's not necessarily to say that the US is going to be putting some sort of an offer on the table to buy Greenland at that meeting, but that's more in response to the Danes saying that it's time to have a conversation. Dana Taylor: Francesca, let's turn now to Cuba. For well over a century now, the US has maintained a military presence on the small island nation at Guantanamo Bay. President Trump and Secretary Rubio have said Cuba is ready to fall. Have they spelled out why the US is targeting Cuba? Francesca Chambers: Advertisement Advertisement Well, they believe that it's ready to fall in terms of the fact that it is so reliant on Venezuela. And so it's their belief, and not just their belief, by the way, experts who I've spoken to in the region that by cutting off Venezuelan oil to Cuba, by cutting it off from the Maduro regime that the Cuban regime could be under a lot of economic pressure and so that it could just collapse internally on its own. Now, there is some debate about how long that could potentially take and what the US's role then would be in Cuba afterwards. But that's why it is that the president, as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are now suggesting that maybe they don't need to take any military strikes or pull a Maduro-style action in Cuba to get the intended result. And by the way, some experts think that part of the reason that they took the action they did in Venezuela was to try and bring about that eventual outcome in Cuba. Dana Taylor: We've previously covered the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, the question of oil looms large here though and is definitely worth another mention. Is the US looking at a long-term military occupation in the interest of big oil? Francesca Chambers: Advertisement Advertisement Well, the president has said that he called off a potential second strike on Venezuela after he determined that the country was cooperating with the United States and really some political prisoners, but it still remains on the table. There's still a US military buildup in the Caribbean and the experts that I've spoken to have said that's a thing that they're watching here is if the US remains in the area, then that makes it a whole heck of a lot easier to carry out another strike on Venezuela in the future, which could be on the table because the president has said that if Delcy Rodriguez, the interim president, doesn't cooperate, that she could be paying a much bigger price than Maduro. Now, as far as the oil goes, the United States says that it has already intercepted and quarantined the embargoed oil. It's going to be putting it on the market. It says that 30 to 50 million barrels have already been intercepted by the United States and they're starting to lay out what that will look like in terms of who the money will go to. That money, they say, will first go to paying back American companies that had their businesses in Venezuela nationalized, and then it will go in some shape or form to the Venezuelan people, but we're still waiting to find out all the details of how exactly those things are going to work. Dana Taylor: Venezuela isn't the only South American country on Trump's radar. What's going on with Columbia? Advertisement Advertisement Francesca Chambers: Yes. Columbia is another one that the president has suggested was on his target list. He had said that Gustavo Petro, the country's president, was a sick man, and he said it was a sick country. Now, Petro notably is due to leave office this summer. He's constitutionally barred from seeking another consecutive term. And so Columbia is seen for many reasons as a country where Trump might actually be less likely to take action, namely because they're a key partner of the United States militarily, there's deep economic ties between the United States and Columbia, and no one is questioning Petro's election. Whereas in Venezuela, the United States has argued that he was an illegitimate leader because his last election is one that is widely disputed. That's not the same case in Columbia. And besides the fact, people close to the administration say that the fact that Petro is going to be leaving office soon means that there will be change coming either way. The President, by the way, did soften his tone when it came to Columbia after speaking to President Petro on the phone. He says the Columbian leader gave him a call and that now he's going to be having him over to the White House. Dana Taylor: Advertisement Advertisement Trump has also shown interest in the two countries we share our borders with. Let's talk about Mexico first. What's happening there in the battle against drug cartels? Francesca Chambers: Sure. Mexico is another country that the president has said repeatedly he could take land strikes against the cartels specifically. Now, Claudia Sheinbaum, the country's president has said she doesn't actually think that Trump is looking at an invasion and she doesn't think that he is serious about that. But notably, after she even said that, he did raise the idea again of taking strikes specifically against the cartels. Some of the experts that I've spoken to have said that they would hope if that's what he's going to do, that he would do that working hand in hand with the Mexican government rather than doing it independently. Dana Taylor: During his second presidential campaign, Trump referred to Canada as "a very large faucet." Last year we saw Canada and the US engaged in a battle over tariffs. What's the latest there? Francesca Chambers: Well, those threats against Canada and making it the 51st state and annexing it haven't come up recently in response to all this military intervention and action that we're talking about, nor has the president's comments about the Panama Canal which is something else he had said that he wanted to reclaim. But Greenland, as we talked about before, has come back around so that's not to say that all of these other things couldn't come back up too. Dana Taylor: Francesca, just glancing at a map, it appears as if President Trump may want the US to control most or all of North and South America. Is it clear what the ultimate end game is here for the Trump administration? Francesca Chambers: Well, military intervention by the United States could take a lot of forms. That could be a strike specifically against the cartels, as we're talking about in Mexico. Or when you look somewhere like Iran, it could be strikes against nuclear sites and military facilities like the United States did last summer there. It doesn't necessarily mean that going in and capturing and arresting a leader like what the President did in Venezuela. I think as we've discussed here, that robust US military intervention also doesn't necessarily mean American boots on the ground. Dana Taylor: Does this shift toward territorial control mirror what we're seeing in Russia and Ukraine or with China and Taiwan, and what are lawmakers who are opposed to the Trump administration's foreign policy ambitions saying right now? Francesca Chambers: Well, that's the concern of critics of the Trump administration is that if the United States is going to take robust action in the Western hemisphere and assert this updated Monroe doctrine, which Trump is now calling the Donroe doctrine, that what's to say then that Russia shouldn't assert more control in its backyard or China shouldn't have control over Taiwan. And the President has suggested more recently that it is up to China what happens with Taiwan, although I wouldn't say that it's a full scale US policy at this point. And the US has continued to support Ukraine. And of course, it is also trying to mediate an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. But Democratic lawmakers particular are very concerned about what President Donald Trump has said about this additional US military action that he wants to take. And they're asking where will he potentially strike next? Dana Taylor: Francesca, we've covered a lot of ground. What will you be watching for next? Francesca Chambers: Well, over the weekend, President Trump and the Trump administration carried out another round of retaliatory strikes against the Islamic State Group in Syria after the December ambush that killed two US soldiers. And so whether or not the president continues to take those strikes in Syria will be one thing. But the president has also talked about potential strikes in Mexico as another option on those cartels. And of course, we're looking ahead to see, does he meet with Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader in Venezuela who the president previously didn't throw his support behind. Can she get President Trump to change his mind as he says that Delcy Rodriguez's administration is cooperating with the United States? There's so much to keep an eye on this week but those are just a few of the things. Dana Taylor: Francesca Chambers is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. Thank you so much for taking the time to be on The Excerpt, Francesca. Francesca Chambers: Thank you so much. 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: Trumps renewed military bluster has a decidedly imperialist tone. | The Excerpt President Donald Trump said he's imposing a 25% tariff against countries that "do business" with Iran. Details about how the tariff would be implemented were not immediately clear. Iran is currently experiencing mass protests against its government. President Donald Trump said Monday that he'll impose a tariff of 25% on any country that does business with Iran. "Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear how the tariff will be implemented or which countries could be affected. The White House did not provide additional information when reached by Business Insider. According to the World Bank, China and the United Arab Emirates are Iran's major trading partners. The Trump administration has been trying to reach a trade deal with China after both countries backed down from a tariff war in 2025. According to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the trade volume between China and Iran reached $13.37 billion in 2024, with China exporting $8.93 billion worth of goods to Iran and importing around $4.44 billion from the country. More recent data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity shows that China exported $456 million and imported $208 million from Iran in October 2025. Trump's targeting of Iran comes as the country is experiencing mass protests against its government. Iran's crackdown on protesters has left hundreds dead and thousands arrested, the Human Rights Activists News Agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Trump has expressed support for the protesters and threatened the possibility of US involvement. "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday. "The USA stands ready to help!!!" Trump's announcement also comes as the Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on the legality of the tariffs his administration has imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a 1970s-era law typically used by the President to impose sanctions. Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, said in a petition to SCOTUS that the federal government could be on the hook to refund $1 trillion in tariffs to American businesses should the duties be ruled unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Trump also wrote in a post on Truth Social on Monday morning that "if the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza, WE'RE SCREWED." Read the original article on Business Insider President Donald Trump asks tech companies to "pay their own way" for their data centers. Data centers drove up utility bills in at least 13 states, Business Insider previously reported. Trump says that Microsoft will be the first to work with the White House to keep utility bills down. President Donald Trump said on Monday that even though data centers are "key" to the AI boom, tech companies must "'pay their own way,'" so that Americans don't have higher utility bills. "First up is Microsoft, who my team has been working with, and which will make major changes beginning this week to ensure that Americans don't 'pick up the tab' for their POWER consumption, in the form of paying higher Utility bills," Trump said on Truth Social, hinting at additional announcements in the coming weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Data centers drove up utility bills in at least 13 states, Business Insider previously reported. Over the past year, Microsoft has been planning for data centers in Wisconsin, Atlanta, Texas, and Michigan. The White House and Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The pressure on Big Tech to self-fund its energy needs comes as the Trump administration leans into the AI race with the Stargate Project, which is a massive $500 billion joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank announced by Trump early in 2025 to build AI infrastructure. As of 2026, at least one data center under the project is already underway in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Such buildouts are energy-intensive. OpenAI's data center plans will cost $400 billion and require seven gigawatts of power, Business Insider previously wrote, more than that of the entire New York City. Some tech companies are also moving their planned facilities off the grid entirely for easier permitting and less community resistance. To shield residents and small businesses from rate hikes, utilities in states like Indiana and Ohio have also started enforcing tariffs on power-hungry tech facilities. Read the original article on Business Insider By Bo Erickson and David Shepardson DEARBORN, Michigan/WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is not relevant for the U.S. but Canada wants it, as he pushed for companies to bring manufacturing back to American soil. "There's no real advantage to it, it's irrelevant," Trump said. "Canada would love it. Canada wants it. They need it." Advertisement Advertisement The Detroit Three are heavily reliant on supply chains that include significant parts production in Mexico and Canada and all three produce hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually in both countries. Major automakers including Tesla, Toyota and Ford in November urged the Trump administration to extend USMCA, saying it is crucial to American auto production.The automakers, which also included General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Stellantis. The American Automotive Policy Council, representing the Detroit Three automakers, said USMCA "enables automakers operating in the U.S. to compete globally through regional integration, which delivers efficiency gains" and accounts "for tens of billions of dollars in annual savings." Mark Reuss, president of General Motors, said at an event Tuesday: "Our supply chains go all the way through all three countries. It's not simple. It's very complex, he said. The whole North American piece of that is a big strength." Trump made the comments as he toured a Ford factory in Dearborn, Michigan, ahead of a speech on the economy he is delivering in Detroit. Advertisement Advertisement "The problem is we don't need their product. You know, we don't need cars made in Canada. We don't need cars made in Mexico. We want to take them here. And that's what's happening," he said. Stellantis said in November that under 15% tariffs with Japan, U.S. vehicles complying with North American content rules "will continue to lose market share to Asian imports, to the detriment of American automotive workers." The USMCA is up for review this year to decide whether it will be left to expire or another deal will be worked out. The trade pact, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement in 2020 and was negotiated during Trump's first term as president, requires the three countries to hold a joint review after six years. (Reporting by Bo Erickson, David Shepardson, Kalea Hall and Katharine Jackson; Editing by Caitlin Webber and Chizu Nomiyama ) In a bid to tamp down growing unrest in communities over tech giants expansion of power-hungry data centers, President Donald Trump said his administration would push Silicon Valley companies to ensure their massive computer farms do not drive up peoples electricity bills, seizing on a promise Microsoft made public Tuesday to be a better neighbor. The Trump administration has gone all in on artificial intelligence, pushing aside concerns within the MAGA movement and seeking to sweep away regulations that it says hamper innovation. But neighbors of the vast warehouses of computer chips that form the technologys backbone - many of them in areas otherwise supportive of the president - have grown increasingly concerned about how the facilities sap power from the grid, guzzle water to stay cool and secure tax breaks from local governments. And Trump now appears to be recalibrating his approach. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement We are the HOTTEST Country in the World, and Number One in AI. Data Centers are key to that boom, and keeping Americans FREE and SECURE but, the big Technology Companies who build them must pay their own way, Trump said Monday in a post on his Truth Social platform, teasing Microsofts announcement of an initiative to address the issue and framing it as part of a broader effort by his administration. The tech giant said Tuesday that it was making five policy pledges to ensure that its data centers are not a burden on people living nearby. The measures include replenishing water supplies, not asking for property tax breaks and ensuring that Microsofts data centers dont drive up electricity rates. Microsoft President Brad Smith announced the plan at an event near the White House, nodding to Trumps engagement as recently as last evening. He has made clear, quite rightly, in my view, that we need to stand up and step up as an industry and ensure that we pay the tab for things like the cost of electricity, Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Trump is attempting to ease voters concern over the AI build-out as the politics of data centers is rapidly shifting against Silicon Valley and lawmakers who support its push to quickly build hulking structures nationwide that can consume more electricity than entire cities. The community anger crosses the partisan divide. Conservative activists in ruby-red towns in Oklahoma have been circulating petitions demanding the firing of officials who sign nondisclosure agreements to negotiate terms with tech companies. And progressive groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America and the NAACP have rallied around data center opposition. Already, some liberal politicians, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), are calling for a moratorium on new data center construction. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts) and other Democrats have launched an investigation into the link between data centers and soaring electricity prices in certain regions of the country. On the right, some in the America First movement have split with Trump on the issue, most notably former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia), whose falling out with the president was fueled in part by her opposition to his unyielding support for the AI expansion. The big tech companies are feeling the sting. Communities that once embraced them are now blocking their plans. And in cities and counties where tech companies have been in quiet negotiations for months or even years to set up shop, local leaders are getting cold feet as they fear a backlash once plans become public. Advertisement Advertisement Between April and June of last year, 20 data center projects valued at about $98 billion were derailed across the country, according to a report by Data Center Watch, a tracking project by the nonpartisan research firm 10a Labs. More projects were derailed in those three months than in the past two years. Data Center Watch counted 53 active groups across 17 states targeting 30 projects over that three-month period. As development expands and media attention intensifies, local groups are learning from one another, its report says. Petitions, public hearings, and grassroots organizing are reshaping approval processes. Analysts at investment research firm Capstone said Microsofts announcement was largely a messaging effort and did not represent a significant departure from the way the industry has done business. Advertisement Advertisement That said, this move coupled with the Trump announcement illustrates growing political risk facing data center developers, so were not surprised to see Microsoft highlight proactively its plan to mitigate local impacts, Capstone analysts Jack Painter and Ishyan Veluppillai wrote in an email. Even as opposition mounts, tech companies are unveiling plans for ever-larger data centers. One being built in Homer City, Pennsylvania, will use seven gas-powered generating stations to create more power than is used by all the residents of the Philadelphia metropolitan area. In the Texas panhandle, a firm called Fermi America is aiming to build a data center campus more than twice that size, fueled largely by massive nuclear reactors and gas power plants. All this opposition is gelling because the tech industry and the utilities have done a poor job proactively engaging with these communities, said Eric Eve, a longtime public affairs consultant for big corporations pursuing major infrastructure projects. Now all these organizations and political leaders opposed to the projects are filling the void, translating what is happening. It is a vacuum created by industry. No White House will be able to help these companies at the scale they need, he said. You have to be willing to go to these neighborhoods and actively listen. Advertisement Advertisement Seeking to curb the backlash, Microsoft promised to work more closely with communities, even as it argued that data centers amount to transformative infrastructure akin to the railroad and the interstate highway system. Smith said the company would be less secretive, acknowledging concerns in some communities that residents do not know who is behind the mammoth projects. I think that the future is going to require a lot more communication, which, by definition, means fewer nondisclosure agreements, Smith told reporters after the announcement. We need more transparency. I think we took a big step in that direction today. 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 Trump encourages Iranian protesters; rights group says 2,000 killed WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday told Iranians to keep protesting and said help was on the way, but did not elaborate on whether that meant possible U.S. action. "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!... HELP IS ON ITS WAY," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. He said he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the "senseless killing" of protesters stopped. Advertisement Advertisement Trump has previously said military action is among options he is weighing to punish Iran, which is seeing its biggest anti-government protests in years. About 2,000 people including security personnel have been killed in protests in Iran, an Iranian official said on Tuesday. Late on Monday Trump also announced 25% import tariffs on products from any country doing business with Iran - a major oil exporter. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Al Jazeera on Monday that he had continued to communicate with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff during the protests and Tehran was studying ideas proposed by Washington. (Reporting by Susan Heavey and Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Doina Chiacu) I initially assumed that kidnapping Venezuelas president and imprisoning him in Brooklyn was Trumps way of distracting us all from Americas affordability crisis. After all, its not unusual for an American president to invade another country when hes worried about his domestic unpopularity; a 1997 movie called Wag the Dog dramatized that phenomenon, depicting a fictional but all-too-realistic president who starts a war to distract from a scandal. (Eerily, the movie came out a month before President Bill Clinton bombed South Sudan during a scandal of his own, and he began bombing Iraq later that year.) Or maybe Trump was just trying to wake himself up. Its a repulsive thoughtaround 75 people were killed in the raid that Trump bragged about watching literally like I was watching a television show. But Trump keeps falling asleep during meetings, and maybe he thought a vigorous conflict could keep him engaged in the job of being president, given hes obviously bored with the affordability crisis. But a recent Politico report suggests the real rationale may be even more senseless. Trump, according to close allies, is arguing that invading Venezuela will help make Americans lives more affordable by bringing down gas prices. One Republican adviser emphasized, Gas prices are going to come down, especially if Trump is brokering these oil deals. The Republican argument, then, is that this bloodthirsty, illegal interference in the affairs of another country is not a distraction for a president who wants us all to stop talking about working-class issues. Rather, it will help Americans who are struggling to pay their bills. Advertisement Advertisement It will not do that. One reason why it will not help is that gas prices are a tiny fraction of the kitchen-table problems facing Americans. Gas isnt even that expensive right now; prices at the pump have been declining steadily since last summer, and at no time during the Trump administration have they come close to the peak of $4.96/gallon that they hit under Biden in June 2022, which was the highest theyd been this century. Americans are suffering an affordability crisisits just not primarily caused by pain at the pump. In October, the Urban Institute found that over the last eight years, childcare costs, rents, home sales, health insurance premiums all outpaced the growth in American wages since 2017. The same research also showed that over the last six years, grocery prices too had outpaced earnings. Whats more, Trumps policies are exacerbating the problem. Last month, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that his tariffs had raised grocery prices; his cuts to the programs that make health care more affordable will cause suffering for millions; his cuts to rental assistance will make it harder for many tenants to afford their homes; his tariffs on construction materials will increase costs for both homebuyers and renters; and his cuts to federal financial aid programs will make college less affordable. The CBPP found too that all these cost increases would hit low- and moderate-income Americans the hardest. Trumps rollback of Bidens energy investmentsincluding his irrational war on renewable energy, especially windwill also raise energy bills and leave many struggling with cold in the winter and heat in the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Nor is there much evidence an imperialist occupation of Venezuelas resources would even bring down oil prices for Americans. Experts say the amount of oil in question is too small to make a difference to the average consumer and that there is already too much oil flooding the global market. While some oil companies may indeed make a profit off ventures in Venezuela, the outlook for the industry in general is a little less clear: According to another Politico report, the biggest companies are also the most skeptical. Exxons CEO called Venezuela uninvestable in a meeting at the White House on Friday, to which Trump later responded with his characteristically constructive efforts at dialogue. (That is, he threatened to exclude the oil giant altogether: Id be inclined to keep Exxon out. I didnt like their response.) According to Reuters, boosting oil output in Venezuela could weaken the global oil market and hurt oil companies in the United States, which are already losing profits and laying off workers. Trumps rhetoric on gas pricesevoking Sarah Palins 2008 exhortation to drill, baby, drillfeels out of date and out of touch. Gas probably cant get that much cheaper, and in any case, cheap gas is not the route to greater American ease and comfort. War for oillike all forms of petromasculinityis a shortsighted form of populism, given that climate risks and extreme weather caused by fossil fuel dependence will hammer the American working class and middle class. This time around, in classic Trump fashion, the war-for-oil strategy adds irrelevance to injury. Instead of addressing Americas affordability crisis with real solutions, the president is starting wars and lying about how they will help Americans pay their bills. But again, he doesnt really care. Venezuela is already starting to bore him almost as much as the troubles of working-class America: In the middle of Fridayss briefing with oil executives on Venezuela last week, he interrupted the proceedings to have a look at his new ballroom. As always, the real topic of the day was himself. For Trump, thats all that really matters. By Elwely Elwelly and Bo Erickson DUBAI/WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Iranians to keep protesting and remember the names of those abusing them, saying help is on the way, as Iran's clerical establishment pressed its crackdown against the biggest demonstrations in years. Iran in turn accused Trump of encouraging political destabilization and inciting violence. Advertisement Advertisement "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!... HELP IS ON ITS WAY," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, without saying what that help might be. He said he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the "senseless killing" of protesters stopped and in a later speech told Iranians to "save the name of the killers and the abusers ... because they'll pay a very big price." An Iranian official said about 2,000 people had been killed, the first time authorities have given an overall death toll from more than two weeks of nationwide unrest. U.S.-based rights group HRANA said that of the 2,003 people whose deaths it had confirmed, 1,850 were protesters. It said 16,784 people had been detained, a sharp increase from the figure it gave on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Asked what he meant by "help is on its way", Trump told reporters they would have to figure that out. Trump has said military action is among the options he is weighing to punish Iran over the crackdown. "The killing looks like it's significant, but we don't know yet for certain," said Trump upon returning to the Washington area from Detroit, adding he would know more after receiving a report on Tuesday evening about the Iran protests. "We'll act accordingly," he said. The U.S. State Department on Tuesday urged American citizens to leave Iran now including by land through Turkey or Armenia. Advertisement Advertisement IRAN POINTS TO U.S. AND ISRAEL Iranian authorities previously accused the U.S. and Israel of fomenting the unrest. In response to Trump's social media post that "help is on the way," Irans U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said the U.S. president was inciting violence, threatening the countrys sovereignty and security and seeking to destabilize the government. The United States and the Israeli regime bear direct and undeniable legal responsibility for the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives, particularly among the youth, he wrote in a letter to the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Russia on Tuesday condemned "subversive external interference" in Iran's internal politics, saying any repeat of last year's U.S. strikes would have "disastrous consequences" for the Middle East and international security. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday he had continued to communicate with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and that Tehran was studying ideas proposed by Washington. TRUMP WARNS AGAINST ANY EXECUTIONS In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Trump vowed "very strong action" if Iran started hanging protesters, but again did not elaborate. "If they hang them, you're going to see some things," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights Society, hangings are common in Iranian prisons. Hengaw, an Iranian Kurdish rights group, has reported that a 26-year-old man, Erfan Soltani, arrested in connection with protests in the city of Karaj, will be executed on Wednesday. Authorities had told the family that the death sentence was final, Hengaw reported, citing a source close to the family. Reuters could not independently confirm the report and state media has not reported any death sentences so far. Communications restrictions, including an internet blackout have hampered the flow of information in Iran. The U.N. said phone service had been restored but the internet still faced restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Holistic Resilience, a U.S. organization that works to expand information access in repressive or closed societies, said on Tuesday that billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service was now available for free in Iran. The unrest, sparked by dire economic conditions, has posed the biggest internal challenge to Iran's rulers for at least three years and has come at a time of intensifying international pressure after Israeli and U.S. strikes last year. The U.S. president on Monday announced 25% import tariffs on products from any country doing business with Iran - a major oil exporter. China, which buys much of Iran's oil exports, swiftly criticized the move. NO SIGNS OF FRACTURE Advertisement Advertisement The protests began on December 28 over the fall in value of the currency and have grown into wider demonstrations and calls for the fall of the clerical establishment. Iran's authorities have taken a dual approach, cracking down while also calling protests over economic problems legitimate. So far there are no signs of fracture in the security elite that could bring down the clerical system in power since a 1979 Islamic Revolution. Britain, France, Germany and Italy all summoned Iranian ambassadors in protest over the crackdown. "The rising number of casualties in Iran is horrifying," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Underscoring international uncertainty over what comes next in Iran, which has been one of the dominant powers across the Middle East for decades, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he believed the government would fall. "I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime," he said, adding that if it had to maintain power through violence, "it is effectively at its end". (Reporting by Elwely Elwelly and Dubai newsroom, Bo Erickson in Detroit, Susan Heavey, Joey Roulette and Doina Chiacu in Washington, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, Bhargav Acharya in Toronto, Ismail Shakil in Ottawa and and Maxim Rodionov in Moscow; Writing by Michael Georgy, Angus McDowall, Tom Perry, Aidan Lewis and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Frances Kerry and Cynthia Osterman) WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said he plans to withhold federal funds from so-called sanctuary cities and states that have them, seeking to punish jurisdictions that don't cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Trump announced the step in a Jan. 13 speech to the Detroit Economic Club, saying that his administration won't make "any payments to sanctuary cities or states having cities" starting on Feb. 1, because they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens." The move comes as Trump defends his administration's aggressive immigration enforcement amid protests that mobilized after a woman was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week in Minneapolis. Advertisement Advertisement More: Is your community an immigrant sanctuary? See Trump's new target list US Customs and Border Protection agents arrest a man after not providing documents proving he's a citizen of the United States while patrolling a neighborhood during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 11, 2026. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7, leading to huge protests and outrage from local leaders who rejected White House claims she was a domestic terrorist. U.S. Border Patrol agents smash a man's car window before dragging him out and taking him into custody when he failed to present citizenship documentation at a gas station on Jan. 11, 2026 in St. Paul, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Border Patrol agents deploy tear gas as they clash with residents in a residential neighborhood after a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents clash with residents in a neighborhood following a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents deploy tear gas as they clash with residents in a residential neighborhood after a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents ask a women to produce citizenship documentation as she was walking down the street Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents take a person who was standing in a residential neighborhood into custody when he was unable to produce citizenship documentation Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. ICE agents in St. Cloud on Jan. 12. State Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, speaks with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at around 12:30 p.m. Jan. 12 in front of a few businesses on Third Street North. Crowds gathered at the intersection of Third Street N and 33rd Avenue N in St. Cloud as ICE agents came through the area Jan. 12. Federal agents continue surge of immigration enforcement in Minnesota 1 of 10 US Customs and Border Protection agents arrest a man after not providing documents proving he's a citizen of the United States while patrolling a neighborhood during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 11, 2026. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7, leading to huge protests and outrage from local leaders who rejected White House claims she was a domestic terrorist. The Department of Justice has designated 11 states, as well as the District of Columbia, "sanctuary jurisdictions": California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Ten of the 11 states have Democratic governors. Eighteen cities are considered "sanctuary jurisdictions" by the DOJ, including New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, New Orleans, Denver, and Portland, Oregon. Four county governments have the status. More: Trump rips GOP senators against more Venezuela strikes as 'losers' President Donald Trump speaks at the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., January 13, 2026. Trump announced the new policy as he railed on Somali Americans in Minnesota who were charged in a sprawling $250 million fraud case involving state-administered programs. Trump said he is also providing "90-day notices" to states, such as California, that "bill the federal government" for costs associated with addressing the needs of immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement The president said his administration has suspended nearly 8,000 federal loans administered through the Small Business Administration to "suspected scammers in Minnesota." Trump could face legal hurdles in his effort to punish sanctuary cities, as a federal judge in San Francisco blocked the administration from withholding federal funding from 16 sanctuary jurisdictions in April 2025. More: Judge blocks Trump from withholding funds from 16 'sanctuary' cities, counties There's no legal definition of a sanctuary jurisdiction, but the DOJ said it considered things like failure to collaborate with ICE agents, providing government benefits to undocumented immigrants, or refusing to share immigration information about jail detainees. Advertisement Advertisement In August, Attorney General Pam Bondi singled out sanctuary jurisdictions across the country and threatened litigation, writing in a statement that, "Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design." The Trump administration promptly filed lawsuits targeting immigration policies in Minnesota, New York City and other jurisdictions. Contributing: Trevor Hughes Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says he's withholding funds from sanctuary cities and states US President Donald Trump has argued there would be a "complete mess" if the Supreme Court were to strike down his tariffs, in remarks that signalled his unease over the impending decision. His post on social media on Monday highlighted how much was at stake in the ruling, which could come as soon as Wednesday, and the challenges it would pose if businesses could claim refunds. "It would take many years to figure out what number we are talking about and even, who, when, and where, to pay," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, Trump has repeatedly bemoaned the legal battle over his trade strategy. Those challenging his administration's tariffs say Trump overstepped his authority. If the Supreme Court does not uphold his tariffs: "WE'RE SCREWED", the President wrote on Truth Social on Monday. The tariffs, including sweeping levies Trump first announced last April, are being challenged by a number of small businesses and a group of US states. They contend that the president exceeded his authority in imposing the extra taxes, which are levied on goods coming into the country. If the Trump administration loses the argument, the government could have to refund some of the billions of dollars it has collected. Advertisement Advertisement Tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) have brought in more than $130bn, according to the most recent data. That amounts to more than half of all tariff revenue - but a tiny fraction of the overall revenue collected by the government. Refunds would be "almost impossible for our Country to pay", Trump argued on Monday. "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 added. Before the case landed at the Supreme Court, two lower courts found that Trump did not have the authority to impose global tariffs. Businesses and investors are anxiously awaiting a decision from America's top court - which has a 6-3 conservative majority. Advertisement Advertisement At a hearing in November, the majority of the justices, including several conservatives, expressed doubts over the White House's justification for the import duties, which the president has claimed are necessary to restore America's manufacturing base and fix its trade imbalance. The White House has said that officials will find alternative avenues, if the court does not rule in its favour. That could include existing legislation which allows the president to put tariffs of up to 15% in place for 150 days. Trump has described the battle over tariffs in epic terms, warning a loss would tie his hands in trade negotiations and imperil national security. He has said that if he does not win the case, the US would be "weakened" and in a "financial mess" for many years to come. But many businesses in the US and abroad, which have been paying the price since Trump imposed global tariffs last year, are hoping the court deems his levies illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for the challenging states and private groups say IEEPA - the 1977 law the Trump administration invoked to impose the steepest tariffs - never mentions the word "tariffs". They contend that only Congress can establish taxes under the US Constitution. Opponents have also challenged whether the issues cited by the White House, especially the trade deficit, represent emergencies. At the November hearing, the justices spent relatively little time on questions about refunds. Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by Trump, did note that any refund process could become a "complete mess" - language Trump echoed. Some businesses have told the BBC that while they would try to recoup money if the government is forced to issue refunds, the payments would not make up for the disruption caused by the Trump administration's trade policies. A classroom assistant who's a U.S. citizen was arrested by federal immigration agents outside the Twin Cities school where she works on Monday morning. Sarah Hunkele tells Bring Me The News that her daughter Christina Rank was wrongfully detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) near Concord Education Center, a middle school in Inver Grove Heights that serves students with special needs. The arrest happened around 7:30 a.m. Monday and involved several agents, according to a report filed on People Over Papers, a website that crowdsources ICE activity. Advertisement Advertisement In a video posted to Facebook, an ICE agent claims Rank "rammed" his vehicle, but at least two of her colleagues who witnessed the collision dispute that claim. Based on the damage to the passenger side of Rank's white Honda, it's "evident they rammed her and then broke her window to pull her out of the vehicle," her mother says. The Inver Grove Heights Police Department wasn't able to share any information but confirmed an officer went to the scene to make sure the vehicle wasn't left unattended. A woman who answered the school's phone on Monday afternoon hung up after a BMTN reporter identified herself and asked for information surrounding the arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Intermediate School District 917 Superintendent Michael Favor did not respond to a request for comment, neither did ICE. As of 3:30 p.m. Monday, Rank was still in custody and "had no idea what was happening," according to her mother, who says she wants to know why ICE agents were at the school and why they used excessive force on her daughter. "I was told I could not see her and was not able to talk with anyone there. She was told she would get another phone call once they decided if they were going to charge her but havent heard anything since," Hunkele said. "The lack of visibility and accountability is awful," Hunkele writes in an email. "She is being treated like a criminal and for no reason. Advertisement Advertisement "The school is one for students with special needs - WHY were they there? What was their purpose being at this location and what was the purpose behind their excessive force with Christina?" Note: An earlier version of this story referred to Christina Rank as a teacher at Concord. Her job title, per district listings, is classroom assistant. 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. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) Two Utah men have been arrested for allegedly stealing over $12,000 worth of copper wire. Russell Swensen, 28, and Oscar Armando Martinez-Faudoa, 42, have been booked into the Utah County Jail on charges of transfer of a stolen vehicle, theft, and failure to wear a seatbelt. Swensen was also booked on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license. Advertisement Advertisement 5 vehicles hit exercise equipment on I-15 near Arizona-Utah border According to court documents, on Monday morning, law enforcement was advised of a potential theft of copper wire. Upon arrival, an officer observed a truck traveling southbound on University Avenue in Utah County. The driver, identified as Swensen, failed to signal before making a lane change and turning onto the northbound I-15 on-ramp. The officer pulled him over. Upon stopping the vehicle, the officer identified Swensen and his passenger, Martinez-Faudoa. Swensens drivers license was suspended, and he was not listed as the owner of the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the wire, Swensen told the officer that the two had picked it up from a man named Cooper that he met on Indeed. Law enforcement was unable to get in contact with Cooper. Later, Swensen told the officer that he had known Martinez-Faudoa for several years. He then advised that the two had gone to Magna to pick up the spool of wire and were on their way to give it to Cooper. How to make ABC4 your preferred news source on Google However, Martinez-Faudoa told the officer that he and Swensen has only known each other for approximately a month and a half. He said that the wire was already in the car by the time Swensen picked him up. Advertisement Advertisement Following the interaction, officers contacted Union Pacific Railroad who said that the copper wire belonged to them and had been removed from their property. The copper wire on the spool was valued at $12,000. Additionally, approximately $4,000 worth of cut copper, and a glass marijuana pipe, was discovered in the bed of the vehicle. Swensen and Martinez-Faudoa have been booked into the Utah County Jail without bail. Latest headlines: Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. WASHINGTON One is a smart, savvy political operator. She sometimes rubs people the wrong way but skillfully navigates her way through Venezuelas power hierarchy. Shes now installed as the countrys interim leader after the United States forcibly removed President Nicolas Maduro. The other is a former member of the countrys National Assembly and an activist who led the opposition to Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for what the committee that bestows the honor described as her tireless fight for peace. She was expected by many in Venezuela to take the reins of the country after Maduros downfall. Delcy Rodriguez and Maria Corina Machado are the most prominent political figures in Venezuela. Political rivals, Rodriguez and Machado are key players inside the Latin American nation's nascent power vacuum. Both deeply understand that their future, and that of their country, is tied to winning the favor of one man: Donald J. Trump. Advertisement Advertisement More: Trump shares Wikipedia page calling him 'Acting President of Venezuela' Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil is greeted by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez during their meeting in Caracas Feb. 27, 2015. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez speaks to the media during a news conference in Caracas March 25, 2015. Venezuela's socialist government said on Wednesday it has collected more than three million signatures asking U.S. President Barack Obama to repeal measures declaring the South American country a security threat. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shows the way to his Venezuelan counterpart Delcy Rodriguez during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, May 27, 2015. Kazakh Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrisov (R) shakes hands with his Venezuelan counterpart Delcy Rodriguez during their meeting in Astana on Jan. 16, 2015. Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Affairs Delcy Rodrguez (R) speaks during a press conference following a meeting with US Charge d'Affairs to Venezuela Lee McClenny in Caracas on March 2, 2015. Venezuela granted the United States 15 days to submit a plan to reduce the number of staff at its embassy in Caracas, Rodriguez announced. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez speaks during a news conference on the sidelines of the Organization of American States (OAS) 47th General Assembly in Cancun, Mexico on June 20, 2017. (L to R) Members of the Constituent Assembly Cilia Flores, Delcy Rodriguez, Diosdado Cabello and Aristobulo Isturiz pose with a picture of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during the Assembly's installation at the National Congress in Caracas on Aug. 4, 2017. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro installed a powerful new assembly packed with his allies, dismissing an international outcry and opposition protests saying he is burying democracy in his crisis-hit country. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (C) his wife Cilia Flores (R) and Constituent Assembly president Delcy Rodriguez arrive at the Congress in Caracas for the Presidential inauguration ceremony, on May 24, 2018. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, next to Venezuelan Vice-president Delcy Rodriguez signs at a balcony at Miraflores Presidential Palace, a document through which his government breaks off diplomatic ties with the United States, during a gathering in Caracas on Jan. 23, 2019. Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro announced on Wednesday he was breaking off diplomatic ties with the United States after counterpart Donald Trump acknowledged opposition leader Juan Guaido as the South American country's "interim president." Vice President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez raises her fist as she arrives to address the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters on Sept. 27, 2019 in New York City. World leaders from across the globe are gathered at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, amid crises ranging from climate change to possible conflict between Iran and the United States. Vice President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez exits the stage after addressing the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters on Sept. 27, 2019 in New York City. World leaders from across the globe are gathered at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, amid crises ranging from climate change to possible conflict between Iran and the United States. Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez speaks during the Antifascist Global Parliamentary Forum in Caracas on Nov. 5, 2024. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (2nd R) waves next to First Lady Cilia Flores, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez (L) and the president of the National Assembly Jorge Rodriguez on arrival at the Capitolio -house of the National Assembly- for the presidential inauguration, in Caracas on Jan. 10, 2025. Maduro, in power since 2013, will take the oath of office for a third term despite a global outcry that brought thousands out in protest on the ceremony's eve. Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez speaks during a press conference in Caracas on Sept. 8, 2025. Venezuela called the drug trafficking accusations made by the United States against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a "big farce" and said they were "yet another attempt to criminalize" the government. Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez speaks past portraits of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and the liberator Simon Bolivar during the presentation of the 2026 fiscal year budget at the National Congress in Caracas on Dec. 4, 2025. The Venezuelan government presented its budget for 2026 on December 4, 2025, which, calculated in dollars, is 12% less than the budget approved for 2025, while denouncing "a Dantesque deployment" of US military forces in the Caribbean. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, flanked by his wife Cilia Flores and National Constituent Assembly President Delcy Rodriguez, arrives for a special session of the National Constituent Assembly to take oath as re-elected President at the Palacio Federal Legislativo in Caracas, Venezuela May 24, 2018. Venezuela's VP Delcy Rodriguez takes over after Maduro capture 1 of 16 Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil is greeted by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez during their meeting in Caracas Feb. 27, 2015. Machado, who has been living in hiding outside Venezuela, is expected to bring her charm offensive to Washington later this week. She is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Thursday, Jan. 15. It will be the first time theyve spoken since Oct. 10, the day she was announced as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, which Trump had wanted and had lobbied to get. No meeting between Trump and Rodriguez has been scheduled, but the administration says it has been in regular touch with her in the months leading up to Maduros removal. Trump has said that hed like to go to Venezuela when things settle down and that hed like to meet with Rodriguez. The sit-down between Machado and Trump comes two weeks after members of a U.S. Army elite force, operating under the cover of darkness, swooped into Maduros compound in Caracas, captured him and his wife, Cilia Flores, and whisked both to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Advertisement Advertisement For Machado, the White House visit is make or break. Inside Venezuela, it had long been assumed that, should Maduro fall, the countrys next president would be Machado or Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, whom she had picked to run for president after the government barred her from running. Gonzalez won the 2024 election, but Maduro refused to accept the results and declared himself the winner. More: Trump touts himself as 'Acting President of Venezuela' on social media A few hours after Maduros capture on Jan. 3, Trump, speaking at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, dispelled any notion that Machado would become Venezuelas next president. "I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader, he told reporters. She 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. Delcy Rodriguez, top, and Maria Corina Machado. More: America First? What Trump's startling arrest of Maduro tells us. Advertisement Advertisement A classified CIA analysis had concluded that Rodriguez, Venezuelas vice president, would be best positioned to lead a temporary government in Caracas if Maduro should be removed, multiple news outlets reported. Trump said a U.S. team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, would run Venezuela until a safe and proper transition could take place. Rodriguez was formally sworn in as interim president Jan. 5. Nobel Peace Prize 2025 laureate Maria Corina Machado attends a press conference at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway, December 11, 2025. Machado missed opportunities to rally support For Machado, an outspoken opponent of Maduros party since it first won power under Chavez in 1998, Trumps remarks were not only a severe blow to her campaign to lead Venezuela. They were also a sign of how she had misread key cues and missed other opportunities in her effort to rally U.S. support. Machado, known by her supporters as Venezuelas Iron Lady, had been working for months to win over Trump, even dedicating her Nobel Peace Prize to him for his decisive support of our cause." Machado suggested in early January that she would give her prize to Trump, but the Norwegian institute that bestows the honor threw cold water on that idea, saying that the award is permanent and final and that it cannot be transferred to another person. Advertisement Advertisement More: Maduro bolted for the door as US forces raided. Trump's attack stuns the world. Other opportunities to curry favor with the Trump administration went unheeded. Machado, who speaks English, declined a request early in 2025 to meet with Trumps personal envoy, Richard Grenell. Grenell had been tasked with engaging in diplomatic talks with Maduros regime to explore possible oil deals with his administration and try to help secure the release of Americans detained in Venezuela. Grenell also reached out to Machado, who agreed to talk to him over the phone instead of meeting with him in person, according to The New York Times. Over time, the newspaper said, their relationship deteriorated; Machado and her team ignored Grenells request for a list of political prisoners, and Grenell grew frustrated when she expressed no concrete ideas of how to put the democratically elected government into power. Advertisement Advertisement Grenell did not respond to a request by USA TODAY for comment. Rodriguez, on the other hand, had been working behind the scenes for years to win Trumps favor. Rodriguez, who was Venezuelas finance minister when Trump was elected to his first term in 2016, ordered Citgo, a subsidiary of the state oil company, to contribute $500,000 to Trump's inaugural committee, according to Federal Election Commission records. Rodriguez is also fluent in English and reportedly lived in Santa Monica, California, during her college years. The daughter of a leftist guerrilla leader who was detained in the kidnapping of an American businessman, she served as the head of Maduro's communications ministry, later as foreign minister and then vice president. Advertisement Advertisement Her portfolio expanded to include control over much of Venezuelas oil economy after Maduro promoted her to vice president in 2018. Tasked with managing U.S. sanctions on the countrys most important industry, Rodriguez scrapped price controls, spearheaded an anti-corruption campaign and put in place other reforms that slowly helped boost oil production and endeared her to much of the countrys business community. More: Marco Rubio, who dreamed of ousting Venezuelas Maduro, takes charge Delcy Rodriguez swoops in after Maduro capture After Maduros capture, Rodriguez denounced the U.S. strike as a "brutal attack." But she quickly developed a more conciliatory tone, saying she wanted to move toward balanced and respectful relations with the United States. She invited the U.S. government to work with her on an agenda of cooperation. For her part, Machado took a swipe at Rodriguez during a television interview with Fox News Sean Hannity. Advertisement Advertisement "Delcy Rodriguez, as you know, is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narco-trafficking," Machado said. "Shes the main ally and liaison with Russia, China, Iran, certainly not an individual that could be trusted by international investors. And shes really rejected, repudiated by the Venezuelan people." But the Trump administration has been encouraged by what it has seen out of Rodriguez. Asked whether Trump has confidence in Rodriguez, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Jan. 11 that the events of the past week had shown that Trump made the right assessment of what needed to take place in Venezuela. Rodriguez and her team have been "very cooperative" with the United States, she said, as evidenced by the oil deal Trump cut with them and their commitment to release of political prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement "We've seen a great level of cooperation, and the president expects that to continue," Leavitt told reporters at the White House. During her meeting with Trump, Machado needs to convince Trump that the only way to actually ensure stability is for the opposition to be in a position to take power, said Uriel Epshtein, chief executive officer of the Renew Democracy Initiative, a nonprofit organization that runs a program that brings together dissidents from around the world. For example, Exxons CEO said last week that Venezuela is currently uninvestable. Machado needs to explain that will remain the case so long as Rodriguez is in charge of the country, said Epshtein, who is close to the Venezuelan opposition. So protecting and supporting the opposition is not only a matter of doing the morally right thing, it is a matter of achieving the ends that Trump himself set out, he said. Advertisement Advertisement More: 'Uninvestable': Big Oil skeptical of Trump's Venezuela push without big changes What is the plan for running Venezuela? Trumps work with the interim government is about the administration of the country in the short term during the transition from Maduro, said Alexander Gray, who was chief of staff at the National Security Council during Trumps first term. They have some real logistical challenges in that nobody from the Venezuelan opposition has had a role in running Venezuela for 25 years, he said. Trying to come in and take over some immediate role, I don't think that's realistic. Gray said Machado should have reasonable expectations for when it makes sense to have the opposition come back into the country and should arrive with a very clear sense of what shes asking the United States to do to help restore democracy. That includes presenting a plan for reforming the countrys national election commission and its judiciary, which is packed with pro-regime judges. There's just so many blocking and tackling pieces that have to get fixed here before it makes sense to announce this big democratic transition, said Gray, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan think tank. And so I think she needs to be very clear with the Americans about what it is she needs to realistically be in a position to have that transition. More: Who's next? Trump hints at military intervention beyond Venezuela For the United States, what happens next is less about picking and choosing the opposition and more about working with the current regime to get them to do the types of things that would make a transition possible, Gray said. Its not about Machado or Rodriguez, he said. It really is about having a partner who's willing to be cooperative here on this transition and executing the immediate things that we need in the short term. Contributing: Lauren Villagran Michael Collins writes about the intersection of politics and culture. A veteran reporter, he has covered the White House and Congress. Follow him on X: @mcollinsNEWS Francesca Chambers is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY covering foreign policy. Follow her on X: @fran_chambers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rivals vie for Trump's attention and the right to rule Venezuela The massive Loop 1604 North Expansion project is moving into a new phase with a major closure drivers should be aware of. Beginning Monday, January 12, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will close the eastbound Loop 1604 exit ramp to O'Connor Road through April. The closure, which is weather permitting, is needed to construct a new exit ramp and is part of Segment 5 of the long-term project, according to TxDOT. Advertisement Advertisement TxDOT is encouraging drivers to follow the detour signage. If you're driving on Loop 1604 going east and want to go to O'Connor Road, you can't take your normal turn. Instead, you will need to get off early at Bulverde Road, then take the frontage road until it reaches O'Connor Road. "At the completion of this closure, a new Eastbound Loop 1604 entrance ramp and a new Eastbound Loop 1604 exit ramp will open," TxDOT says. Also beginning Monday is a weeks-long closure impacting Loop 1604 at the I-10 interchange. The eastbound Loop 1604 to westbound Loop 1604 U-turn will be closed through January 26. Detour signs will be posted to guide drivers. Motorists traveling on the eastbound Loop 1604 frontage road will need to pass the I-10 interchange, turn left onto the westbound I-10 frontage road, then turn left again onto the westbound Loop 1604 frontage road to complete a U-turn. This article originally published at TxDOT warns of long-term closure plaguing San Antonio highway. The United States Department of State has a large database of travel advisories for hundreds of countries across the globe, providing travel advisories to travelers that give them all of the information they need to ensure their safety while they travel abroad. Sometimes, these advisories warn against traveling to a particular country completely, and that was the case this week when the United States issued an updated "do not travel" warning to one particular country in Africa. Levels of Travel Advisories The United States categorizes its travel advisories into four distinct levels, spanning from the less serious Level 1 to the most severe Level 4 warnings. Advertisement Advertisement A Level 1 travel advisory serves as a gentle reminder for travelers to exercise normal precautions while abroad. Destinations given this category are generally considered safe and include countries like Canada, Australia, and Greece. Level 2 advisories are a bit more severe, urging visitors to exercise increased caution in locations where issues such as theft or minor crime are more prevalent. Countries such as Brazil, France, Italy, and India currently fall under this classification. At Level 3, the warning becomes more serious, with travelers advised to reconsider travel because of heightened safety concerns. This category includes countries like Colombia, Pakistan, and Uganda. Level 4 advisories are the most severe, plainly warning travelers to do not travel due to extreme risk. Nations assigned this level include Iran, North Korea, and Russia. 'Do Not Travel' to Mali Mali is a landlocked country in western Africa that is home to the Bandiagara Escarpment. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bandiagara Escarpment is a massive sandstone cliff stretching over 90 miles that includes traditional Dogon villages built into the rock face. Advertisement Advertisement It's a beautiful country that is full of adventure, from hiking the Niger River delta to summiting Mount Hombori. Unfortunately, however, the United States has deemed Mali unsafe for travel. On Friday, Jan. 9, the United States issued a Level 4 "do not travel" warning for Mali, warning against traveling to the country "for any reason" due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, unrest, and health. Here is what the State Department warns about the country in the updated advisory: Crime: Violent crime is common throughout Mali. Crimes include kidnapping, assault, armed robbery, home invasion, and carjacking. Violent crime is a major concern in Bamako especially during local holidays and seasonal events. Roadblocks, including by armed groups, occur throughout the country. In cities, police checkpoints are possible, especially at night. Highways across the country often face attacks on government, civilian, and commercial target. Terrorism: There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mali. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Terrorist and armed groups target foreigners to kidnap for ransom. Terrorists may attack without warning. Kidnapping: The threat of kidnapping of Westerners by criminal or terrorist groups remains high throughout the region. Extortion and kidnapping for ransom are significant sources of financing for terrorist and criminal groups. Unrest: Periodic street demonstrations occur throughout Mali. Although some are planned and peaceful, demonstrations can occur spontaneously and turn violent. The majority of these are contained by security forces, but U.S. citizens should avoid street demonstrations and always maintain security awareness. Armed Conflict: Armed conflict between the Malian government and armed groups is common throughout Mali. Many terrorist and separatist armed groups are active throughout the country. These groups may plan and carry out deadly attacks against Malian government and military facilities, including in and around Bamako. Conflict between these groups often results in civilian casualties. Health: Medical services for routine and emergency procedures are limited. Health facilities are available in major cities. It may be harder to find adequate health care in rural areas. Advertisement Advertisement The updated "do not travel" advisory comes after the Department of State ordered non-emergency employees and family members to leave Mali back in October due to safety risks. As of Jan. 9, the Department of State has lifted this mandate. However, the "do not travel" warning is still in place, and government employees working in Mali are not allowed to travel outside of Bamako due to safety risks. This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jan 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The National Weather Service issued a new winter weather advisory as wintry weather makes it way through parts of the Midwest, Great Lakes and Appalachians. "A staunch ridge stationed over the West will promote above average temperatures across the region this week. A shortwave impulse diving south from central Canada will generate cloudy/warm conditions for the Great Plains and Upper Midwest tonight. Lows in the 30s and 40s will likely break numerous minimum temperature records for portions of the Northern/Central Plains and Upper Midwest as a result," the NWS said. New York Bracing for Up to 1 Foot of Snow, Strong Winds The National Weather Service warned the weather pushing across the United States will being lake effect snow across the Great Lakes. Advertisement Advertisement "The aforementioned shortwave is forecast to dive down through the Mississippi Valley, causing the parent mid-level trough to amplify from Hudson Bay to the Gulf Coast. At the surface, an arctic cold front will produce lake effect snow over downwind areas of the Great Lakes beginning Tuesday night. Wintry precipitation, the details of which are less certain, will spread across the Appalachians and parts of the interior Northeast beginning Wednesday night behind the cold front," the NWS said. The Buffalo office of the National Weather Service revealed a map showing parts of the state bracing for up to 12 inches of snow. "Winds pick back up this morning with gusts up to 45 mph, especially northeast of Lake Erie. Lake snows re-develop this morning with minor accumulations off Lake Erie, higher amounts expected off Lake Ontario where Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect thru tonight," it said. Winds pick back up this morning with gusts up to 45 mph, especially northeast of Lake Erie. Lake snows re-develop this morning with minor accumulations off Lake Erie, higher amounts expected off Lake Ontario where Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect thru tonight. #NYwx pic.twitter.com/3hQZ4suoMh NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) January 12, 2026 With the strong winter storm rolling through the area, the NWS offered a travel warning as well. Advertisement Advertisement "Travel will be difficult with snow covered roads and reduced visibility at times. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning and evening commutes," it said. The winter storm warning is in effect from Monday morning through Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. ET. Related: Netflix Quietly Cancels 'Stranger Things' Creators' Next Show 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. The October 2023 document, addressed to the Joint Operations Command of the UAE Forces, shows the Emiratis intended to use their military bases to support Israel. A leaked official document has revealed that the UAE planned to use its military bases to strengthen the State of Israel in its fight against terrorists in Palestine. The document, which was obtained and released by the website Emirates Leaks, has been making waves in anti-Israel media sites. The October 2023 document, addressed to the Joint Operations Command of the UAE Forces, shows the Emiratis intended to use their military bases in the southern Red Sea, including Yemen, Eritrea, and Somalia, to provide Israel with military, logistics, and intelligence aid for its war against Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement The documents take an unequivocally pro-Israel tone. One section a brief covered the start of the terrorists in Palestine launching attacks against the sister state of Israel. That same brief went on to reference the Abraham Accords, saying, The United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel are linked by close cultural, diplomatic, economic, and security relations, and these relations have intensified since the historic agreement of 2020. The brief then confirmed that the UAE Joint Operations Command issued an order to support the State of Israel through military bases in the southern Red Sea region al-Mokha on Yemens western coast, Massawa and Assab in Eritrea, and Berbera and Bassa in Somalia. Flags of United Arab Emirates and Israel flutter during Israel's National Day ceremony at Expo 2020 Dubai, in Dubai (credit: REUTERS/CHRISTOPHER PIKE) Rapid preparation and mobilization of available capabilities are needed to supply our military bases in the southern Red Sea, particularly in Yemen, with everything required to support the State of Israel, the brief read. Advertisement Advertisement The documents confirmed that UAE military officials traveled to various bases to assess their suitability for supporting Israel. UAE carried out investigations into Qatari support for Hamas A later page in the document revealed that the UAE soon after Hamass October 7 invasion carried out extensive investigations into the massive support provided by Qatar to Hamas. It found that the support provided by Qatar to the terrorist organization in the form of financial and logistical assistance was very substantial, and the support provided by Kuwait was sufficient to hinder any of our movements along the southern Red Sea. This, it continued, increased the likelihood of intervention by the Joint Operations Command of the UAE Forces, and consequently led to a significant increase in expenditures. Advertisement Advertisement The documents proceed to refer to Kuwait as among the parties hostile to [the UAE]. Later, the text detailed high-level meetings among UAE military officials in October. For example, on October 19, Emirati Brig.-Gen. Saeed al-Marzooqi, assistant to the first commander of the Emirati forces in Yemen, met with Brig. Tareq Mohammed Abdullah Saleh of the Yemeni resistance in the headquarters of the base operations room in al-Mokha, Yemen. During the meeting, the officers decided to open a communication channel between Yemens National Resistance Forces (NRF) and Israel. They also decided to allocate all light and medium weapons and prepare them technically and logistically for transfer to Israel. Then, in an October 21 meeting in the Assab base in Eritrea, UAE generals decided to provide this army base with all logistical support and allocate all sites on Dahlak Island and the Dahlak Archipelago for the purpose of supplying Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Included in this framework was the airport for transporting supplies to Tel Aviv by helicopters, floating piers, and communication stations. They also decided, per the leaked documents, to transport 27 of their modern tanks stationed at the base to Tel Aviv via designated ships and to supply Israel with phosphorus missiles stored in the bases warehouses. Further, during an afternoon meeting on the Massawa base on October 21, a decision was made to secure intelligence support by reassigning the mission of the operations room, which had been monitoring the movements of al-Islah/Muslim Brotherhood elements along the western coast, to instead serve intelligence support for Israel. The UAE also requested assistance from the private US intelligence company Stratfor, which maintains an honorary office at the base. A Stratfor representative, Ryan Paul, was present at the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement The documents assert that all support to Israel would continue until the terrorists in Palestine are defeated. Commenting on the documents, Emirati Leaks said they reveal an unprecedented level of direct Emirati military involvement in supporting Israel during its war on Gaza, using a network of bases that spans one of the worlds most important sea lanes. Ugandan authorities have imposed a nationwide internet blackout days before presidential elections in which President Yoweri Museveni is expected to prolong his 40-year rule. A government regulatory body instructed mobile network operators to block public internet access starting at 6pm (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday. Internet monitor NetBlocks later confirmed a nation-scale disruption to internet connectivity. The network outage has heightened concerns about repression in the run-up to the January 15 vote, in which 81-year-old Museveni, Africas third-longest-serving leader, is being challenged by pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine. Musevnis re-election all but locked down Ugandan security personnel have rounded up hundreds of opposition supporters in advance of the vote and repeatedly fired live bullets and tear gas at pro-Wine campaign rallies. Meanwhile, opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who challenged Museveni in four previous elections, is jailed on charges of treason. The United Nations Human Rights Office has criticised Ugandas authorities for creating an environment of widespread repression and intimidation before the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Brussels-based International Crisis Group has assessed that Museveni, with his firm grip on the levers of state power has re-election all but locked down. Wine views his candidacy as a campaign against impunity, reported Al Jazeeras Catherine Soi from Kampala, Uganda. But he doesnt believe that he is going to get a free or fair election. Government bans two NGOs from operating Musevenis government said security forces are acting to stop what it described as lawless conduct by opposition supporters. The Uganda Communications Commission defended the internet shutdown as necessary to curb misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks. In addition to cutting off the internet, the government on Tuesday ordered two local rights groups that have been critical of authorities Chapter Four Uganda and Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda to halt their work. Advertisement Advertisement The state-run National Bureau for NGOs accused Chapter Four Uganda of engaging in activities prejudicial to Ugandas security and should cease operations with immediate effect. Kristof Titeca, a Uganda expert based at Antwerp University, said the governments clampdown has made it too dangerous for the opposition to effectively organise. The price people have to pay for engaging in political opposition has become very high, said Titeca. Supporters of Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni head to a campaign rally in Kampala, Uganda, January 13 [Michael Muhati/Reuters] Uganda also blocked internet access during its last election in 2021 a vote marred by reports of state violence and electoral manipulation. Authorities had repeatedly promised the internet would remain available this time, saying as recently as January 5 that claims suggesting otherwise are false, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary fear and tension among the public. In addition to Museveni and Wine, six other candidates are running for president in the East African nation of roughly 45 million people. Electoral authorities say there are 21.6 million registered voters. By Ammu Kannampilly Jan 13 (Reuters) - When Yoweri Museveni seized power in Uganda in 1986, he said "the problem of Africa in general and Uganda in particular is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power." The 81-year-old president and former rebel is seeking a seventh term in office on Thursday after nearly four decades leading the East African nation, the vast majority of whose citizens have never known any other leader. Advertisement Advertisement Museveni came to power on a wave of optimism after leading insurgencies against autocratic governments. That goodwill was soon squandered amid allegations of graft and authoritarianism. "Corruption has been central to his rule from the beginning," Kristof Titeca, a professor at the University of Antwerp, told Reuters. Museveni has acknowledged that some government officials have engaged in corrupt practices but says all those who have been caught have been prosecuted. The canny political strategist has also cultivated foreign allies by embracing the security priorities of Western powers, deploying peacekeepers to hotspots such as Somalia and South Sudan and welcoming huge numbers of refugees to Uganda. Advertisement Advertisement In his own country, his record has been mixed. His government won praise for tackling the AIDS epidemic and for beating back the Lord's Resistance Army rebel group that brutalised Ugandans for nearly 20 years. But widespread corruption hollowed out state services and just one in four Ugandan children entering primary school makes it to secondary school, according to the United Nations children's agency UNICEF, while well-paid jobs remain largely out of reach for many. PATH TO POWER Born to Christian nomadic pastoralists, Museveni secured admission to an elite secondary school and went on to study political science at a university in neighbouring Tanzania. Advertisement Advertisement There, he founded a militant movement that eventually helped force out President Idi Amin, with Milton Obote taking over as Uganda's leader in 1980. Obote was toppled in a coup in 1985. The following year, the military wing of Museveni's National Resistance Movement overthrew Tito Okello, who had become president. "This is not a mere change of guard," Museveni said at his swearing-in. "This is a fundamental change in the politics of our government." His efforts to attract foreign investment, establish order and raise the standard of living were initially applauded by the West. But as Uganda's economy picked up, so did public anger over corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Under a privatisation programme, dozens of state enterprises were sold to Museveni's relatives and cronies at fire-sale prices, according to parliamentary reports which said some of the proceeds were embezzled. Kizza Besigye, Museveni's doctor during his years in the bush, fell out with him, accusing him of presiding over corruption and rights abuses. ALLEGED ELECTION FRAUD Museveni has won all six presidential elections he has contested, including four against Besigye, who was arrested in 2024 and faces treason charges. In 2005, parliament scrapped presidential term limits, a move critics said was aimed at letting him keep power for life. Advertisement Advertisement Museveni's election opponents rejected election results over alleged irregularities. The authorities denied the allegations and police cracked down on demonstrations by opposition supporters. Museveni dismissed criticism from Western powers, saying in 2006: "If the international community has lost confidence in us, then that is a compliment because they are habitually wrong." He also sought to cultivate ties with other countries, including China, Russia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, to reduce Uganda's dependence on the West. The discovery of substantial oil deposits buoyed his status, leading to agreements with energy giants TotalEnergies and CNOOC to build an export pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement SUCCESSION CONCERNS Muzeveni's main rival in Thursday's presidential election is Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old pop star. Political analysts say that while victory for Museveni is all but certain, the road ahead is clouded by uncertainty, with the president starting to show signs of frailty . "The big question looming over the election is the question of succession," university professor Titeca said, reflecting on the rapid rise of Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni's son and Uganda's military chief. Uganda's opposition has accused Museveni of fast-tracking Kainerugaba's military career to prepare him to eventually succeed him, despite the 51-year-old frequently taking to X to make inflammatory remarks, while veteran politicians who once fought alongside Museveni in the bush have sidelined. Advertisement Advertisement The election outcome could determine Museveni's next move, with a poor showing potentially prompting him to promote other party members and deflect criticism of an outright dynastic succession, said former newspaper editor Charles Onyango-Obbo. "This is less about the results that will be announced, and more about the mood on the ground," said Onyango-Obbo, adding that a handover could be some years away. "Museveni is more frail now, but he is a workaholic... he will not leave even if he needs to use a walking stick," he said. (Reporting by Ammu Kannampilly, Editing by Timothy Heritage) The United Kingdoms online watchdog launched a formal investigation Monday into Elon Musks X over sexualized pictures created by its Grok chatbot just two days after the billionaire accused Downing Street of being fascist. The UKS Office of Communications, or Ofcom, cited 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. Musks firm has faced renewed heat from regulators since December, when Grok began churning out creepy, scantily-clad photos of women and minors in response to user prompts. X responded by limiting the photo-editing feature to paid subscribers and warning that users who request illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content. Advertisement Advertisement Ofcom said it already received a response from X on its plan to protect kids and other users from harm ahead of a Friday deadline, and that the office would conduct an expedited assessment of available evidence. Elon Musks X faces a formal probe in the UK. REUTERS A formal investigation was widely expected after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the nonconsensual images produced by Grok as disgraceful and unlawful last week. Elsewhere, the UKs Technology Secretary Liz Kendall warned that Ofcom would have her full support if it decided to block access to X in response to any wrongdoing. Musk, meanwhile, has blasted the growing scrutiny from the UK, writing over the weekend on X that the countrys government wanted any excuse for censorship. Why is the UK government so fascist? he wrote in another X post on Saturday. He linked to a graph showing that the UK had recorded the most arrests for online comments. X has limited AI image editing to its paid subscribers. Getty Images The Post has reached out to X for comment. Advertisement Advertisement The platform is being probed for potential violations of the UKs Online Safety Act, which requires companies to protect UK-based users from harmful content. Ofcom can impose fines and other penalties if it decides Musks company has ignored its obligations. X is facing a separate inquiry by the European Commission, which has reportedly asked the company to retain documents related to the Grok chatbot while its officials examine whether the company has violated the European Unions strict online safety rules. In this photo illustration, a screen displays examples of AI prompt-created videos, made with Xs Grok app, on January 12, 2026 in London, England. Getty Images It is up to this company to address this indeed appalling situation otherwise indeed, we will act, an EC spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal. A major crackdown by British or European regulators could set up a clash with the Trump administration, which has been sharply critical of overseas efforts to impose penalties on US tech companies. By Anna Voitenko KYIV, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Emergency crews toiled to restore heat and power to beleaguered Kyiv residents on Monday, more than three days after Russian strikes on energy targets, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that new air attacks could be imminent. Officials said hundreds of apartment blocks in the capital remained without heat despite round-the-clock efforts by the crews. Humanitarian centres, dubbed "resilience points," were open for people to keep warm and charge electronic devices. Advertisement Advertisement Russia has systematically attacked Ukraine's energy system since it invaded its neighbour in 2022 and the air strikes have intensified in recent months. Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said a programme was being launched to raise wages and provide support for participants in emergency work brigades. He issued a new warning to heed air raid alerts as night-time temperatures sank to minus 15 Celsius (5 F) or lower. "There is intelligence information. The Russians are preparing a new massive strike," he said. "Drones to exhaust air defence systems and missiles. They want to take advantage of the cold. The strike may occur in the coming days. Please take care of yourselves. Protect Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba, writing on Telegram, said 90% of Kyiv's apartment buildings have had heating restored, leaving fewer than 500 dwellings still to be connected. Mayor Vitali Klitschko put the number with no heating at 800, most on the west bank of the Dnipro River. He said a meeting of the Kyiv city council would be convened on Thursday to debate the most pressing issues facing residents. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, presenting the programme for bonus payments, said the work conducted by emergency crews stood "at the very limit of human endurance, often involving life-threatening risks across the entire country. "This applies to specialists who, in freezing conditions, go directly to the sites of strikes and restore supplies of heat, electricity, water and gas." Advertisement Advertisement Residents made their way to one of the humanitarian centres on the east bank of the river in the evening - two tents pitched on a small area of open ground. They charged their devices and chatted, while outside, the din of whining generators filled the air. "It's dark in the apartment. I have an electric stove, so it's impossible to heat up lunch or dinner, or make tea," said Kateryna Zubko, 67, an engineer who has lived without power, heating and water since the latest attack. "We support each other. Ukrainians are such resilient people, I think that this war will end someday, it can't go on forever." (Reporting by Anna Voitenko in Kyiv; Additional reporting by Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Writing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Hello, this is Asami Terajima reporting from Kyiv on day 1,419 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today's top story: Ukraine's Khartiia Brigade on Jan. 12 said it had recaptured the city council building in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, and flown the country's flag from its roof. A video accompanying the announcement on social media shows intense street fighting as the unit makes its way into the building. Advertisement Advertisement 0:00 / 1 "The Kupiansk operation proves that thanks to planning, training of commanders and headquarters, and high-quality training of units everything that we call the Khartiia method the enemy can be successfully stopped and destroyed," comments Colonel Igor Obolensky, commander of the 2nd Corps of Khartiia, said. The report comes as Russia tries to push across the front by launching heavy offensive operations on multiple axes, including in the Kupiansk sector, to recapture the city it lost to a 2022 Ukrainian counteroffensive. Russian troops are attempting to close in on Kupiansk from the north and east, aiming to solidify their presence on the western side of the Oskil River. Advertisement Advertisement Soldiers of the Reconnaissance and Strike Group (R.U.G.) of the 4th Battalion of the Charter Brigade have raised the national flag of Ukraine over the city hall building in the center of Kupyansk. Russia intensifies push on Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian military says Russian troops are intensifying their offensive on Chasiv Yar, seeking to build up forces and deploying a range of weapons, including multiple launch rocket systems, the Ukrainian military reported on Jan. 12. Securing a firmer grip on the hilly town in eastern Donetsk Oblast would allow Russian troops to intensify pressure on nearby Ukrainian-controlled cities and towns, such as Kostiantynivka and Kramatorsk, by leveraging the higher ground. Since capturing Bakhmut in May 2023, Russian troops have inched toward Chasiv Yar by first capturing its surrounding villages and then slowly entering the town. Russia claimed it captured Chasiv Yar in July 2025, a claim Kyiv has denied as "propaganda." Advertisement Advertisement The 24th Mechanized Brigade manning the Chasiv Yar defense reported killing 62 Russian troops and wounding 24 others, as well as downing 425 drones and destroying two artillery systems, two ground drones, six vehicles, 13 communication antennas, and three electronic warfare systems over the past week. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the 24th brigade's claim. Russian drones attack 2 civilian ships, injuring one crew member, official says Russian drones attacked two civilian ships, injuring one crew member, Oleksii Kuleba, deputy prime minister for the restoration of Ukraine, reported on Jan. 12. One of the Russian drone attacks struck a Panamanian-flagged tanker that was waiting to load vegetable oil, injuring the crew member, Kuleba said. He said that maritime rescue services are working on the site, extinguishing the fire and providing medical assistance to the injured. Advertisement Advertisement Kuleba said that another Russian drone attack hit a ship flying the San Marino flag. He said that the ship was departing the port with a cargo of corn. He added that no casualties had been reported and that the ship continues on its journey. Kuleba has not specified the exact location or time of either attack. "This is further proof that Russia is deliberately attacking civilian ships, international trade, and maritime safety," Kuleba said in a Telegram post. "Despite constant terror from the aggressor, Ukraine continues to operate its ports and fulfill its international obligations." Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Zelensky orders final review of US security guarantees; White House source praises tremendous progress in ending war Russia ramps up infiltration efforts in northern part of Pokrovsk, Ukrainian military says Russian troops are ramping up their efforts to infiltrate the northern part of Pokrovsk, located above the city's railway, the 7th Rapid Response Corps said on Jan. 12. The 7th Corps said its troops are halting the infiltration efforts with drones and artillery. The report comes as Russia clinches to complete the capture of Pokrovsk, a key highway and railway hub in eastern Donetsk Oblast. In a fierce battle that has raged on for more than a year, Ukraine is trying to hold on to the last remaining grounds of Pokrovsk before withdrawing. Advertisement Advertisement The cold weather is making the battle harder for both sides, but warm clothing and individual heating devices have been delivered to the front-line troops, according to the 7th Corps. The logistics into the Ukrainian positions in the Pokrovsk sector remain complicated, with heavy drones and ground robotic systems being used to supply troops on the front, the 7th Corps said. Read also: Russia seeks to set stage for new offensive, potentially threatening Sumy, Ukraine warns Ukraine to receive five German Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles soon Ukraine is expected to receive five German Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles as early as the beginning of 2026, Germany's defense giant Rheinmetall announced on Jan. 12. Advertisement Advertisement The contract for the first batch of the Lynx KF41, hailed by Rheinmetall as the most advanced infantry fighting vehicle worldwide" for its mobility and massive firepower, was signed in December 2025, according to Rheinmetall's press release. Rheinmetall said that the German government financed the cost of transferring the vehicles to Ukraine, which is "in the mid double-digit million euro range." "We are grateful for the trust that Ukraine has placed in us," the press release cited Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, as saying. The fighting vehicles would be equipped with a two-man Lance turret and built specifically for Ukraine's Armed Forces, according to Rheinmetall. It said that work is underway to procure more batches, which may include potentially producing the vehicles in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Russia attacks UK defense chief with crude insult after Putin kidnapping remarks At least 2 killed, 6 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day At least two people have been killed and six others injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities said on Jan. 12. The Air Force reported on Jan. 12 that Russia attacked Ukraine with 156 drones overnight, of which about 110 were Shahed-type. Ukraine downed 135 of the drones, according to the report. In southeastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian attacks killed one person and injured four others over the past day, regional governor Ivan Fedorov reported on Jan. 12. In central-eastern Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a 59-year-old man was wounded by a Russian attack overnight, regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha reported on Jan. 12. Advertisement Advertisement In southern Kherson Oblast, a person was killed by a Russian attack over the past day, regional governor Oleksandr Prokrudin reported on Jan. 12. In southern Odesa Oblast, two people were injured by Russian attacks over the past day, regional governor Oleh Kiper reported on Jan. 12. Read also: Explosions, fires reported in Kyiv as thousands remain without heat General Staff: Russia has lost 1,220,000 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022 Russia has lost around 1,220,000 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Jan. 12. The number includes 1,060 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day. According to the report, Russia has also lost 11,541 tanks, 23,892 armored fighting vehicles, 73,742 vehicles and fuel tanks, 35,973 artillery systems, 1,598 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,270 air defense systems, 434 airplanes, 347 helicopters, 104,421 drones, 28 ships and boats, and two submarines. Read also: Russia repeated fascism, Zelensky says as war in Ukraine outlasts Nazi Germanys war with USSR Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Ukrainian parliament has failed to appoint a new defence minister in the midst of the war with Russia, as there were not enough supporters for the candidacy of Mykhailo Fedorov. The 34-year-old previously headed the Ministry of Digitalization, which was established in 2019. Fedorov would have been the fourth defence minister since the Russian invasion in February 2022. His candidacy was submitted by President Volodymyr Zelensky and must be proved by parliament in accordance with the constitution. Another attempt is expected on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement The appointment of former defence minister Denys Shmyhal as the new energy minister also failed, against the backdrop of massive power and heating outages. Shmyhal was 16 votes short of confirmation. He had previously been dismissed as defence minister, a post he held for less than six months. Before that, he served as prime minister for more than five years. The 50-year-old is considered loyal to Zelensky. Parliament did agree one move on Tuesday. The head of the SBU intelligence service, Vasyl Maliuk, was relieved of his duties. He had effectively led the agency since 2022. During his time in charge, the SBU carried out several spectacular attacks on Russian military bases. Several senior military officials have opposed Zelensky's plan to move Maliuk on. Advertisement Advertisement The parliamentary defence committee only gave its approval on the second attempt. Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion with Western support for nearly four years. Allegations of corruption have led to attempts to reshuffle the government. A Ukrainian brigade has been testing a fishing rod-like device on one of its drones. The line attached to the apparatus appears to be for entangling in the propeller of enemy drones. The brigade published two interception clips of quadcopters on Monday. Ukrainian troops appear to be testing a new drone attachment that uses a cord or line to disable enemy propeller drones in the sky. The tactic can be seen in a video posted on Monday by the 46th Separate Air Mobile Brigade, which published a video montage of its recent attacks against Russian infantry, vehicles, and drones. Advertisement Advertisement In a caption, the brigade highlighted a "new way of capture of enemy drones in the air." As seen from the first-person-view camera of the Ukrainian drone, the new contraption features a rod protruding from the interceptor's chassis. Thin rope or cord dangles from the rod, pulled taut by a small weight that sways into view as the Ukrainian drone flies high above the battlefield. The brigade's drone then appears to fly over its target a small quadcopter entangling the opposing device's propellers with the attached line. The brigade published footage of two such interceptions, as well as a third clip of a drone with the rod-like attachment attempting to crash into a fixed-wing drone. Advertisement Advertisement The third target was likely a Russian Molniya one-way attack loitering munition. It's unclear if the interception in the third clip was successful. The novel, fishing rod-style device is another example of how the war is pushing militaries to develop new methods of physically disrupting drones as electronic warfare technology adapts. Ukrainians and Russians have been experimenting with similar counterdrone tactics as a response to anti-jamming features on small attack drones, deploying fishing nets both on the ground and testing them on interceptors. Some Western companies have also begun trialing drone-mounted and handheld net launchers as a defense against small quadcopters. Advertisement Advertisement As Russia increasingly relies on large-scale attacks with fixed-wing Geran drones that typically fly at speeds of up to 115 mph, and in some cases even 230 mph, the war has led to the growing popularity of small, fast, and inexpensive drones acting as interceptors. The 46th Separate Air Mobile Brigade's fishing line apparatus, however, appears to be more suited to disabling quadcopters. Read the original article on Business Insider United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he could take his country to the International Court of Justice if it does not repeal laws targeting the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) and return its seized assets and property. In a January 8 letter to Netanyahu, Guterres said the UN cannot remain indifferent to actions taken by Israel, which are in direct contravention of the obligations of Israel under international law. They must be reversed without delay. Israels parliament passed a law in October 2024 banning UNRWA from operating in Israel and prohibiting Israeli officials from having contact with the agency. It then amended the law last month to ban electricity or water to UNRWA facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Israeli authorities also seized UNRWAs occupied East Jerusalem offices last month. The UN considers East Jerusalem occupied by Israel. Israel considers all of Jerusalem to be part of the country. Guterres said that UNRWA is an integral part of the United Nations, and highlighted that Israel remains under an obligation to accord UNRWA and its personnel the privileges and immunities specified in the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN. The convention states that the premises of the United Nations shall be inviolable. Israels ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, dismissed Guterress letter to Netanyahu. Advertisement Advertisement We are not fazed by the Secretary-Generals threats, Danon said in a post on X on Tuesday. Instead of dealing with the undeniable involvement of UNRWA personnel in terrorism, the Secretary-General chooses to threaten Israel. This is not defending international law, this is defending an organization marred by terrorism, he added. The UN Secretary-General is trying to intimidate Israel. In a letter he sent to Prime Minister Netanyahu, he threatened to file a complaint with the International Court of Justice in The Hague against the State of Israel. Instead of addressing the serious issue of UNRWA pic.twitter.com/MmhYfDBJcO Danny Danon (@dannydanon) January 13, 2026 Israel has long sought the dissolution of UNRWA, which was created by the UN General Assembly in 1949 following the war surrounding the founding of Israel. It has since provided aid, health and education to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Israel has alleged that a dozen of the agencys employees were involved in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel, in which 1,139 people were killed, and about 240 were taken into Gaza as captives. Advertisement Advertisement In response to the attack, Israel launched a devastating genocidal war against the Palestinian people of Gaza, killing more than 71,400, according to Gazas health authorities. The UN has said that nine UNRWA staff who may have been involved in the Hamas-led attack on Israel have been fired. A Hamas commander in Lebanon, killed in September by Israel, was also found to have had a UNRWA job. The UN has also promised to investigate all accusations made against UNRWA, and has repeatedly asked Israel for evidence, which it says has not been provided. According to a January 5 UN report, Israels war on Gaza has killed 382 UNRWA employees in the enclave, which is the highest number of UN casualties since the world body was founded in 1945. Some have been killed in Israels deliberate, repeated attacks on UNRWA hospitals and schools, which shelter more than one million displaced Palestinians in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Top UN officials and the UN Security Council have described UNRWA as the backbone of the aid response in Gaza, where Israels war has unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe. In October 2025, the ICJ reiterated Israels obligation to ensure full respect for the privileges and immunities accorded to the UN, including UNRWA and its personnel, and said Israel should ensure the basic needs of the civilian population in Gaza are met. The ICJ opinion was requested by the 193-member UN General Assembly. Advisory opinions of the ICJ, also known as the World Court, carry legal and political weight, but they are not binding, and the court has no enforcement power. More than 100 minors have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the truce in October, according to the UN childrens agency UNICEF. The organization reported 60 boys and 40 girls under the age of 18 had died. The health ministry in the Gaza Strip, which is run by Hamas militants, confirmed the figures and described itself as the main source for UNICEFs data. UN organizations have consistently described the ministrys figures as reliable. Advertisement Advertisement The health authoritys figures could not be independently verified. The Israeli army said on request that it never deliberately targets children and always tries to spare civilians during its operations. It said that under the truce agreement the military had targeted only terror targets or responded to Hamas violations of the accord. The army also urged caution regarding the health authoritys figures. The militarys information could not be independently verified either. UNICEF spokesman James Elder, who is in the Gaza Strip, said the fatalities were mainly due to air and drone strikes. "The bombings have slowed but not stopped," he said. Advertisement Advertisement He added that some victims had also been hit by gunfire and a few had been killed by previously unexploded ordnance. He believes the true number of those killed was higher, as UNICEF only counts what it sees as verified cases. Six children have already died of hypothermia this winter in Gaza, Elder said. Thousands of people are staying in tents amid the widespread destruction in icy cold and rain. Night-time temperatures in the Gaza Strip are currently dropping to around 10 degrees Celsius, with heavy rain and storms. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon on Monday, claiming moves to censure him run afoul of the First Amendment. Kelly, along with several other legislators, took part in a video that reminded members of the military of their legal right to refuse unlawful orders. Released in November, the video came amid accusations that the Trump administration had broken international law in carrying out airstrikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. Hegseth issued a letter of censure against the retired Navy veteran and announced the Department of Defense would decide whether to demote Kelly and reduce his pension in the coming weeks. Kellys lawsuit, filed in D.C. on Monday, asks a judge to block Hegseth and the Pentagon from taking action. Advertisement Advertisement The First Amendment forbids the government and its officials from punishing disfavored expression or retaliating against protected speech, the suit states. That prohibition applies with particular force to legislators speaking on matters of public policy. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. Harsh as Hegseths move might be, its considerably less severe than the punishment hinted at by President Donald Trump. After Kelly and the other lawmakers released the video, Trump suggested that their actions might constitute sedition, a capital offense. This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand, he wrote on Truth Social. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! The post Unlawful and unconstitutional: Kelly sues Hegseth, Pentagon over censure appeared first on Salon.com. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United States accused Russia on Monday of a dangerous and inexplicable escalation of its nearly four-year war in Ukraine at a time when the Trump administration is trying to advance negotiations toward peace. U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce singled out Russias launch of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile last week close to Ukraines border with Poland, a NATO ally. She told an emergency meeting of the Security Council that the United States deplores the staggering number of casualties in the conflict and condemns Russias intensifying attacks on energy and other infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine called for the meeting after last Thursdays overnight Russian bombardment with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including the powerful, new hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which Moscow used for only the second time in what was a clear warning to Kyivs NATO allies. The large-scale attack came days after Ukraine and its allies reported major progress toward agreeing on how to defend the country from further Moscow aggression if a U.S.-led peace deal is struck. The attack also coincided with a new chill in relations between Moscow and Washington after Russia condemned the U.S. seizure of an oil tanker in the North Atlantic. And it came as U.S. President Donald Trump signaled he is on board with a hard-hitting sanctions package meant to economically cripple Russia. Moscow has given no public signal it is willing to budge from its maximalist demands on Ukraine. And Russia's U.N. ambassador on Monday blamed the diplomatic impasse on Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Europes leaders condemned the attack using the Oreshnik as escalatory and unacceptable, and U.S. envoy Bruce was equally tough on Monday. At a moment of tremendous potential, due only to President Trumps unparalleled commitment to peace around the world, both sides should be seeking ways to de-escalate, she said. Yet Russias action risks expanding and intensifying the war. Bruce reminded Russia that nearly a year ago it voted in favor of a Security Council resolution calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine. It would be nice if Russia matched their words with deeds, she said. In the spirit of that resolution, Russia, Ukraine and Europe must pursue peace seriously and bring this nightmare to an end. Advertisement Advertisement But Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy comes to his senses and agrees to realistic conditions for negotiations, we will continue solving the problem by military means. He was warned long ago, with each passing day, each day which he squanders, the conditions for negotiations will only get worse for him, Nebenzia said. Similarly, each vile attack on Russian civilians will elicit a stiff response. Ukraines U.N. Ambassador Andriy Melnyk countered that Russia is more vulnerable now than at any time since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Its economy is slowing and oil revenue is down. Russia wants to sell to this council and the whole U.N. family the impression that it is invincible, but this is another illusion, he told the council. The carefully staged image of strength is nothing but smoke and mirrors, completely detached from reality. The Cameron County Sheriffs Office said two U.S. Army soldiers are under arrest for shooting at a mobile home near Harlingen after they were not allowed to attend an after-party. In a news release, the sheriffs office said deputies and investigators responded to the home in the 14000 block of Hughes Road on Nov. 30 at approximately 6 a.m. after receiving multiple reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they determined bullets had struck the occupied residence. There were no injuries, but the home sustained damage. Advertisement Advertisement The 24-year-old resident told investigators his roommate had invited two female acquaintances over for an after-party and one of the women subsequently invited the two soldiers, who the resident didnt know. Upon their arrival, the unknown males were informed they were not welcome at the residence, the release stated. As the two unknown subjects were leaving, they discharged a firearm toward the residence, striking the mobile home multiple times. Following an investigation, authorities identified the men as U.S. Army Infantryman Alexys Magallanes Ceja, 20, and Army Infantryman Zachary Ryan Palmorez, 20. They were arrested last week. Magallanes is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon while Palmorez is charged with failure to report a felony. Advertisement Advertisement Both suspects are currently in custody at the Bell County Jail and are awaiting extradition to Cameron County to answer to the charges, the release stated. The post US Army soldiers arrested over shots fired at Harlingen home appeared first on MyRGV.com. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Washington, DC The United States has designated Muslim Brotherhood organisations in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan as terrorist groups, as Washington intensifies its crackdown on Israels rivals across the world. The decision on Tuesday came weeks after President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing his administration to start the process of blacklisting the groups. The US Department of the Treasury labelled the groups in Jordan and Egypt as specially designated global terrorists, and the State Department blacklisted the Lebanese organisation with a more serious designation foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration cited alleged support for the Palestinian group Hamas and activities against Israeli interests in the Middle East as the reason behind targeting the Muslim Brotherhood. Chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood purport to be legitimate civic organisations while, behind the scenes, they explicitly and enthusiastically support terrorist groups like Hamas, the US Treasury said in a statement. Salah Abdel Haq, acting general guide of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, said the group categorically rejects this designation and will pursue all legal avenues to challenge this decision which harms millions of Muslims worldwide. Abdel Haq suggested on Tuesday that pressure from Israel and the United Arab Emirates in Washington drove the Trump administrations decision. Advertisement Advertisement We deny all allegations that the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood has directed, funded, provided material support for or engaged in terrorism, he told Al Jazeera in a statement. This designation is unsupported by credible evidence and reflects external foreign pressure by the UAE and Israel rather than an objective assessment of US interests or facts on the ground. Washingtons designations make it illegal to provide material support to the groups. They also impose economic sanctions to choke the groups revenue streams. The FTO label carries the added penalty of banning the groups members from entering the US. The Muslim Brotherhood Established in 1928 by Egyptian Muslim scholar Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood has offshoots and branches across the Middle East, including political parties and social organisations. Advertisement Advertisement The group and its affiliates say they are committed to peaceful political participation. The Muslim Brotherhood chapter in Lebanon, known as al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, is represented in the Lebanese Parliament. In Jordan, the group won 31 House of Representatives seats in the 2024 elections through its political arm, the Islamic Action Front. But Amman banned the organisation last year, accusing it of links to what the Jordanian government called a sabotage plot. The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood won the countrys only democratically held presidential election in 2012. But President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown a year later in a military coup and died in jail in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Cairo has outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood and launched a sweeping crackdown against the groups leaders and members since 2013, driving the organisation underground and into exile. On Tuesday, Egypts Foreign Ministry welcomed the US designation of the Egyptian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood as global terrorists and called it a pivotal step. The ministry in a statement that Washingtons decision reflects the danger of this group and its extremist ideology and the direct threat it poses to regional and international security and stability. Muslim Brotherhood-inspired organisations in the Middle East have been vocal critics of Israels genocidal war in Gaza within their countries. Advertisement Advertisement Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya backed Hezbollah in its support front in solidarity with Gaza against Israel, which culminated in an all-out war in September 2024. On Thursday, the group stressed that it is a licensed Lebanese political and social movement operating openly under the law for decades. This move is a political and administrative American decision, not based on any Lebanese or international judicial ruling, and has no legal effect within Lebanon, where the sole authority remains the Lebanese Constitution, the applicable laws, and the Lebanese state institutions, al-Jamaa al-Islamiya said in a statement. It added that the US designation serves the interests of the Israeli occupation, which continues its aggressions against our country and people. Effects in US In the US and other countries in the West, right-wing activists have for years tried to demonise Muslim immigrant communities and Israels critics with accusations of links to the Muslim Brotherhood. Advertisement Advertisement Some of Trumps hawkish allies in Congress have been calling for blacklisting the group for years. After Trump issued his decree to designate the Muslim Brotherhoods branches in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan as terrorist organisations, the Republican governors of Texas and Florida moved to crack down on the leading Muslim civil rights group in the US. Both states designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) along with the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist groups. CAIR, which denies links to the Muslim Brotherhood, has sued them in response. By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers will visit Denmark this week as President Donald Trump threatens a takeover of Greenland, an autonomous part of the kingdom of Denmark that houses a U.S. airbase. The delegation will be led by Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Coons and will include Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis and Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin along with some members of the House of Representatives, Coons' office said in a statement on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Democratic and Republican U.S. lawmakers said last week they expected the U.S. Senate would eventually vote on legislation seeking to rein in Trump's ability to attempt to seize Greenland from Denmark, a long-time U.S. ally. Trump has repeatedly said Washington must own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying the strategically located and minerals-rich Arctic territory. He says a U.S. military presence there is not enough. "One way or the other we are going to take Greenland," Trump has said while adding he would prefer to make a deal with Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement Greenland and Denmark have said that Greenland is not for sale, but Trump has not ruled out taking it by force. Denmark and the U.S., both NATO members, are scheduled to meet this week to discuss the issue. KEY QUOTES "As co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, I believe it is critical that Congress stands united in supporting our allies and respecting the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland," Senator Tillis from Trump's Republican Party said. Trump's "continued threats toward Greenland are unnecessary and would only weaken our NATO alliance," Durbin added. The delegation will be in Copenhagen on Friday and Saturday, Coons' office noted. Advertisement Advertisement COMPETING BILLS Republican U.S. Representative Randy Fine introduced a bill on Monday - called the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act - that, if passed, would give Trump the authority to annex Greenland. Democratic U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez planned a competing bill - called Greenland Sovereignty Protection Act - that would block federal money from being used to fund any of Trump's plans to takeover Greenland. CONTEXT While Trump has previously threatened a takeover of the island, concerns about it were renewed after he ordered a deadly U.S. military raid earlier this month in Venezuela to seize its now ousted leader Nicolas Maduro, who was subsequently brought to New York and remains in custody. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Michael Perry) In August 2022, the USS Florida, a nuclear guided-missile submarine, deployed for one of the longest submarine patrols in U.S. Navy history. It returned to its homeport in July 2024, amounting to a 727-day deployment. If you know anything about submarines, then you know that nuclear submarines can stay out at sea for a considerable time, so it shouldn't be too surprising that this was possible. However, it is a rare event. The true show of accomplishment here was that USS Florida conducted missions within the 5th, 6th, and 7th fleet areas of operation, traversing multiple oceans, including the Pacific. As Capt. Peter French, blue crew commanding officer, said (via the Navy), "It's very uncommon for East Coast submarines to deploy to the west coast, but we managed to do an exceptional job completing the mission." For the uninitiated, this doesn't mean the submarine and its crew worked for 727 days straight without any kind of break. It simply means that the submarine didn't return to its home port Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia until its planned deployment was concluded. During this extended deployment, the USS Florida routinely pulled into ports all around the world, including Greece, Guam, Diego Garcia, and the U.K., to replenish supplies and swap out crews. U.S. nuclear subs typically alternate between two crews, blue and gold, with each crew deploying for roughly 77 days at a time. Throughout the 727 days, 60,000 nautical miles the USS Florida traveled, it swapped out crews a total of five times. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 10 Of The Most Advanced Nuclear Submarines In The World What is the USS Florida? U.S. Marines sit in rigid hull boat with crew standing on submarine hull watching in the background. - U.S. Marine Corps The 560-foot USS Florida is an Ohio-class nuclear submarine that started its service as a ballistic missile submarine in 1983. However, after it had conducted 61 successful patrols as a boomer in 2003, it docked in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard to receive a refueling and conversion, going from an SSBN to a guided-missile submarine (SSGN). It was redesignated from SSBN-728 to SSGN-728. Where SSBNs specialize in launching tactical ballistic missiles that serve as an arm of America's nuclear triad, SSGNs are better suited to support Combatant Commanders and Special Operations Forces like the Navy SEALs and Marine Force Recon. The USS Florida has four torpedo tubes it can use against rival surface ships and submarines, but its creme de la creme is the 154 Tomahawk missiles it holds in its 22 missile tubes. The current iteration of these missiles has a range of 1,000 miles, letting SSGNs strike a land target well away from the coast. Besides just missiles, the Florida can accommodate as many as 66 special forces operators, on top of its 15 officers, and 150 enlisted. It can transport them to most any destination around the world and deploying them through one or both of the lock-out chambers that were once missile tubes. Special operators can also enter the sub through these chambers, so the sub doesn't have to surface and give away its position. There are only four SSGNs in the U.S. Navy, but they're vital to its strategy around the globe. 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. Armenia will give the United States a nearly three-quarters stake in a corridor of its land connecting parts of rival Azerbaijan, Washington announced Tuesday, as it said it expected to benefit financially from the arrangement but promised to respect sovereignty. Secretary of State Marco Rubio laid out a framework for the project as he met in Washington with the top diplomat of Armenia, whose government agreed to the plan after a crushing Azerbaijani military victory in 2023 that ended a long-running conflict. The United States had proposed developing a corridor that would connect the larger part of Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhchivan, which is not linked otherwise with the rest of Azerbaijan and borders the country's key ally, Turkey. Armenia lies between these two parts of Azerbaijan. Advertisement Advertisement In the typical fashion of President Donald Trump's administration, the corridor is named after him -- the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) -- and he has listed Armenia and Azerbaijan as beneficiaries of peace after a series of wars he claims to have ended. A framework released by the State Department after Rubio's meeting said that Armenia would give the United States a 74 percent share in a new "TRIPP Development Company" and retain the rest for itself. The company will set up a corporate structure bringing together the two governments that will develop rail and road routes through the corridor, it said. The company's objectives will include giving a "financial return to the US for its initial contribution or other economic benefits to the US government or for US companies," the framework said. Advertisement Advertisement The project will open new markets for US investment and speed up trade "to bring raw materials, critical minerals and rare earth metals to American markets," it said. Speaking with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Rubio said: "The TRIPP arrangement really is going to turn out to be a model for the world of how you can open yourself up to economic activity and prosperity without in any way questioning or undermining your sovereignty and your territorial integrity." "It's going to be great for Armenia, great for the United States, great for everyone involved," Rubio said. Release of the project details come days after the United States deposed the leader of Venezuela and said that US companies would profit from its oil sector, whose proceeds would go back to buy US products. Advertisement Advertisement - Sovereignty safeguards - The United States previously announced $145 million in funding for development of the Armenia corridor. The framework said that Armenia's sovereignty over the corridor would be "absolute and non-negotiable." Armenia will maintain the right to enforce its own domestic laws within the TRIPP area, including by controlling law enforcement. Some US policymakers hope that the corridor will also help reduce the influence of Russia, the historic ally of Armenia. Many Armenians voiced resentment that Moscow, bogged down in Ukraine, failed to prevent the Azerbaijani victory in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Armenian separatists for nearly three decades held the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh inside energy-rich Azerbaijan, which swept through the area in a lightning offensive in 2023. The TRIPP project, and the prospect of a major US presence, has raised concern in Iran, which also borders Nakhchivan and has had warm relations with Armenia. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan last year assured Iran's clerical government by saying that the corridor would remain under Armenian sovereignty. sct/dw Jan. 12The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a lower court's decision in a case involving subsistence fishing in Alaska, a decision that keeps in place a unique federal protection viewed as critical by Alaska Natives. "Petition DENIED," the Supreme Court said in the docket for the case Monday. The decision ends a bid by the state of Alaska to have the Supreme Court take up the case, which involved subsistence fishing on a 180-mile portion of the Kuskokwim River in Southwest Alaska, as it winds through the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. Advertisement Advertisement The court's denial is considered a monumental win for Alaska Natives. They said the state's challenge struck at the heart of the long-held subsistence protection and put at risk oversight of a vital food, the salmon that has sustained Alaska villages for ages. "We are deeply gratified by the Court's decision not to disturb the robust protections that affirm federal subsistence priorities," said Ben Mallott, president of the Alaska Federation of Natives the state's largest Native group in a prepared statement. "This supports the continuity of our rural subsistence rights, which are integral to our cultures, economies, and food security, and affirms the long-standing Katie John line of cases that shape federal subsistence management. We hope that this latest victory will be the final time we are called to defend our fundamental rights from legal attack by the state of Alaska." Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang said the state accepts the decision. "We will respect the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to not address the legal issues regarding fish and game management authorities over navigable waters belonging to the State of Alaska," he said in a prepared statement. Advertisement Advertisement "This said, we will continue to work with the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to ensure the rights Alaska was given under its statehood compact and envisioned under (the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act) are safeguarded," he said. Interior and Agriculture oversee the federal subsistence program, which faces an administrative review and possible changes by the Trump administration following a request from Safari Club International, a sport hunting group. Congress created the subsistence protection in 1980 in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, providing rural residents mostly Alaska Natives with a priority for hunting and fishing in federal areas during times of shortage, over sport or commercial fishing, for example. The state has challenged the subsistence priority in court for decades. Advertisement Advertisement The fight stems from a fundamental difference between the state and federal subsistence programs. Alaska's program is open to all residents, not just rural ones, based on the state constitution and a 1989 Alaska Supreme Court decision. That puts it at odds with the federal subsistence program that is limited to rural residents. The subsistence protection has been repeatedly upheld by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, while the Supreme Court has declined earlier requests from the state to review it. The state had petitioned the highest court in September to take up the case, challenging the federal government's authority to manage the river as it passed through the federal refuge. Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the state said the issue "is vital" and affects Alaska's ability to manage its lands and resources comprehensively. The federal priority creates a patchwork of state and federal management areas throughout Alaska. Crashing salmon stocks on the Kuskokwim River helped lead to the dispute. The federal government had originally brought the case against the state after Alaska wildlife managers in 2021 and 2022 had issued fishing orders along the river that conflicted with emergency issues issued by federal managers. Native groups in the lawsuit argued that the state issued the orders to find a new line of attack against the federal subsistence priority. Advertisement Advertisement Before petitioning the Supreme Court, the state lost before a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last year, and before U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason in 2024. Alaska Native groups joined the case on the side of the federal government, including the Alaska Federation of Natives and the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. "Our fish commission is very pleased with this historic victory in favor of the people of the Kuskokwim River," said Martin Andrew, chair of the Kuskokwim commission, in a prepared statement. The tribal commission works with the federal government to manage fisheries on the river. Advertisement Advertisement "The victory not only upholds rural subsistence rights in Alaska, but upholds the participation of local people, elected by the Tribes, in the co-management of Kuskokwim salmon," Andrew said. "We are encouraged that the courts have recognized our Tribes' role in the sustainable stewardship of Kuskokwim salmon, which have provided for our families' food security, culture, and well-being for tens of thousands of years, and will continue to do so in the future." Other Native groups involved in the case also weighed in with public statements Monday, including the Association of Village Council Presidents, which represents 56 tribes in the Kuskokwim and Yukon river regions, and Ahtna, the Alaska Native corporation for the Glennallen region. "This is a moment of relief for our communities, but our work is not done," said Vivian Korthuis, chief executive of the village council presidents association. The administration of Gov. Mike Dunleavy had argued that the so-called Katie John trilogy of cases that had long upheld the subsistence protection were wrongly decided. Advertisement Advertisement That marked a reversal of the state's position under the administration of Dunleavy's predecessor, Gov. Bill Walker. The Katie John cases were named after the late Athabascan elder who fought to protect subsistence fishing rights along the Copper River. She died in 2013 at age 97. The state asserted that a Supreme Court decision in 2019 known as Sturgeon II established that navigable waters within federal conservation units are not "public lands" under the Alaska lands conservation act. The waters are therefore not subject to federal subsistence management, the state argued. But in that Sturgeon case, the state had told the U.S. Supreme Court that it "need not and should not overrule Katie John" because those cases were correctly decided. Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court cited that view in the Sturgeon ruling in 2019 when it said the federal subsistence priority is "not at issue in this case, and we therefore do not disturb the Ninth Circuit's holdings that the (federal government) may regulate subsistence fishing on navigable waters." "I think what we saw here is that the U.S. Supreme Court meant what it said when it said Katie John is good law and will remain good law," said Scott Kendall, an attorney representing the Alaska Federation of Natives in the case. Last year, the 9th Circuit panel upheld the subsistence protection by ruling that the term "public lands" can have two different meanings within different titles in the 1980s Alaska land conservation act. In the Sturgeon case involving Title I of the law, the term "public lands" generally excludes navigable waters owned by the state, the court found. Advertisement Advertisement But Title VIII, creating the subsistence priority in rural Alaska, applies a broad interpretation of the term that includes navigable waters where subsistence fishing has traditionally taken place. "Congress intended the rural subsistence priority to apply to the waters and to the fish populations that rural subsistence users have traditionally fished and depended upon," including those navigable waters passing through federal areas, the appeals court said. Kendall said he has close family friends from Bethel in the Kuskokwim region who are rejoicing over the Supreme Court's denial. The race to load up on salmon each summer and prepare the fish for winter use consumes entire villages, where store shelves are often bare and groceries are pricey. "The state government really, unfortunately, has attacked not just food security, but the culture and traditions of folks who have been on these lands for thousands of years," Kendall said. This is the third time over the decades that the U.S. Supreme Court has denied a petition from the state of Alaska to hear a case directly involving the unique subsistence protection, said Nathaniel Amdur-Clark, an attorney for the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission in the case. "This has been essentially a four-decade-long attempt by the state of Alaska to undermine rural subsistence fishing rights," Amdur-Clark said. "And yet again, this (decision) sides with the tribes and the feds, and not with the state." It may be some time before the state tries again to challenge the federal protection, he said. "It's really hard to see how the state would try to get around this, but we've seen the state of Alaska try sneakier things," Amdur-Clark said. "So it'll be interesting to see what the state's response will be, if anything. But the law has always been clear, and now it's even more clear." Outside of the court's decision, the federal subsistence program that manages fish and wildlife under the rural priority remains under scrutiny. The Trump administration is preparing for a review of the program following a petition from the Safari Club International, which seeks to limit the program and require the federal government to give deference to the state on wildlife conservation matters. The Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, the Alaska Federation of Natives and Ahtna have filed responses to that petition. The administration is seeking comments by Feb. 13 to help determine what aspects of the program will be considered in the review, according to their notice. VAN BUREN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) River Valley-based USA Truck will remain in the Natural State, company officials announced on Friday. USA Truck said in a news release that its Danish parent company, DSV, sold 100% of its shares to a private Arkansas entity, UTAC LLC. The release said that the transaction marks a pivotal chapter for the company as its ownership returns to where it was founded. USA Truck CEO George Henry said the company is excited to have its ownership back in Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement I want to start by expressing my sincere gratitude to DSV for their engagement since the acquisition of DB Schenker and unwavering support throughout this process, Henry said. The extensive knowledge and global supply chain insights gained under two of the worlds leading freight forwarders are now a permanent part of our operational DNA. We are excited to have USA Truck return to U.S.-based ownership in the great state of Arkansas, where our legacy first laid out roots. Walmart appoints Superhuman CEO to board of directors The release said that UTAC is owned by three principals with deep institutional knowledge of USA Truck and the transportation industry. The owners include Henry, former Chief Financial Officer Zachary King, and former Chief Executive Officer James Reed. USA Truck said the move to private ownership will enable the company to operate with greater speed, flexibility, and focus. Advertisement Advertisement This return to private ownership headquartered in Arkansas reinforces USA Trucks identity as a U.S.-based carrier with deep regional roots, strong values, and a long-term commitment to customers, employees, and partners, the company said in the release. Details of the sale were not provided, and no filings have been posted about the deal as of Jan. 12. 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 KNWA FOX24. A sick soldier changed the trajectory of Dwight Hal Johnsons life. On January 13, 1968, Johnson believed he would be going home in less than two weeks after serving nearly a year as a U.S. Army tank driver in Vietnam. The next day, he learned he was being transferred to another M48 Patton tank because its driver was ill. His homecoming would have to wait. Related: The only time a Medal of Honor recipient killed another Medal of Honor recipient One day after that, Johnson saw combat for the first time during an intense battle near Dak To in Kontum Province. The 20-year-old Detroit natives heroism earned him the Medal of Honor, but the outcome could have been much different if not for that transfer. During that intense skirmish, enemy rockets struck two tanks in Johnsons platoon. One of them was the tank to which he was assigned only days before. As the hulk burned with his friends inside, Johnson raced to save them. He managed to pull one severely burned soldier to safety before the tank exploded, but the rest of the crew died. Johnson never forgot the image of his dying brothers in arms. He survived the battle near the Cambodian border that day, although it came at a steep price. Along with his peace of mind, his innocence was irrevocably shattered that day. Reaction Force Rushes to Aid of Platoon An M48 Patton tank conducts a patrol while serving in Vietnam. (U.S. Army) Johnson never wanted to fight. Growing up poor in Detroit, he was raised by a single mother. He made her proud, becoming an altar boy and a scout. Bullies targeted the slightly built Johnson, but his mother advised him not to respond with his fists and run away, and he listened. Johnson couldnt run away in Vietnam. It all began when four M48 Patton tanks, including the one driven by Johnson, were assembled as part of a reaction force to assist other elements of the platoon as it engaged with a large contingent of North Vietnamese fighters, according to Johnsons Medal of Honor citation. Once Johnson got there, his tank became disabled, and thats when raw courage, determination and adrenaline took over. He first emerged from his damaged military vehicle and fired its .50-caliber machine gun at the enemy as it seemingly converged from all angles. Outnumbered and Outarmed President Lyndon B. Johnson presents the Medal of Honor to Army Capt. Charles Liteky on November 19, 1968. Also receiving the Medal of Honor that day were, from left, Army Spc. 4th Class Gary Wetzel, Army Spc. 5th Class Dwight Johnson, Army Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Davis, and Army Capt. James Taylor. (Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library) Johnson used whatever weapons he could: his tanks externally mounted machine gun, a .45-caliber pistol and a submachine gun. The odds were heavily stacked against Johnson, but after watching his friends die, nothing was going to stop him. He fired at the North Vietnamese, killing as many as he could until his ammunition ran out. When it did, he simply raced to his next weapon, all the while dodging hostile fire. During the half-hour engagement, Johnson found himself in close contact with several enemy soldiers at various points. In one instance, Johnson looked straight into the eyes of an adversary wielding an AK-47. The U.S. soldier attempted to fire his pistol, only to realize he had no bullets left. Instead, Johnson used the stock end of his submachine gun (which also was out of ammunition) to kill the North Vietnamese soldier. Fighting his way through devastating fire and remounting his own immobilized tank, he remained fully exposed to the enemy as he bravely and skillfully engaged them with the tanks externally mounted .50 caliber machine gun, where he remained until the situation was brought under control, Johnsons Medal of Honor citation read. He Just Sort of Cracked Up By the time the engagement ended, Johnson is credited with killing up to 20 North Vietnamese soldiers. Despite running into the ambush multiple times, there is no evidence of Johnson sustaining any significant physical injuries. After his former tank exploded, though, Johnson was so uncontrollable that he wanted to harm captured troops. He just sort of cracked up, gunner Stan Enders recalled to The New York Times. When it was all over, it took three men and three shots of morphine to hold Dwight down. He was raving. They took him away to a hospital in Pleiku in a straitjacket. Struggling on the Home Front Medal of Honor recipient Dwight Johnson is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (U.S. Army/Elizabeth Fraser) Johnson returned home to Michigan a changed man. Like so many veterans, he was reluctant to talk about his experiences. If someone asked him about Vietnam, Johnson usually replied, Aw, shucks, nothing happened, sometimes punctuating his words with a laugh. Outward appearances notwithstanding, Johnsons transition back to civilian life was extremely difficult. No matter how hard he tried, he couldnt cope. With a young family to support, he struggled to find work. Gripped by post-traumatic stress disorder, images of the horrors of war were a constant, unwelcome companion. Nightmares persisted. On Nov. 19, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson placed the Medal of Honor around Johnsons neck. However, even receiving the U.S. militarys highest individual honor could not assuage Johnsons survivors guilt. After the ceremony, Johnsons mother noticed him in tears. Honey, what are you crying about, she asked her son. Youve made it back. She didnt understand. How could she? Outwardly, Johnson was presenting a brave front. Inside, the torment was relentless before it became too much. Johnson had been working as an Army recruiter when he was admitted for psychiatric care at Valley Forge Army Hospital near Philadelphia. While on convalescent leave, he attempted an armed robbery in his neighborhood in Detroit. During an exchange of gunfire, the store owner shot and killed Johnson a week shy of his 24th birthday. When the detectives went through Johnsons wallet for identification, they noticed his Congressional Medal of Honor Society card. Johnsons suffering was finally over. A hero was dead. Dont Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, pictured here in 2019. (Photo by Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) Senior members of Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration helped Republican state Sen. Richard Stuart clear a major regulatory hurdle for a planned solar farm on his King George County property last year. Its unclear what role Youngkin administration officials played behind the scenes. But their actions produced a letter and revised easement that helped the stalled project to proceed, as similar projects proposed by citizens met challenges in other rural areas of the state. In November, the solar farm was unanimously approved by the countys board of supervisors. Stuart serves as the county attorney, but recused himself from being involved in the boards debate of the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Stuart, a close political ally of the GOP governor, said in an interview the long road to building the solar farm was frustrating because he shared the goals of conservationists who opposed the project. He said the solar farm involved a small sliver of his 1,431 acres, on land that he said his ancestors had once owned. Im protecting 1,430 acres a thousand acres of timber, 300 and some acres of marsh, Stuart said. Yet they just beat you up if you try to do anything. And I dont understand that. Stuart worked with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation since at least 2022 over his plans to lease 122 acres of his land to TerraForm Power, which plans to build a 22 MW solar farm. Stuarts land is governed by an easement in this case, an agreement between a landowner and DCR designed to encourage preservation of open space land. The 2001 easement, signed by a previous landowner, forbids most industrial or commercial activities. But Stuart pointed to a later, 2017 management agreement he signed with DCR that lays out how the easement should be implemented. Advertisement Advertisement The 2017 agreement explicitly allowed solar facilities so long as any such project is in accordance with the Conservation Easement and/or Deed of Dedication. Stuart maintained that because the project sat on an exclusion zone, outside of the heart of the easement, he should be allowed to lease the land to TerraForm. The argument failed to persuade former DCR director Matthew Wells, who gently rejected Stuarts plan in an August, 2023 letter. Wells said Stuart needed to work with DCR to amend the easement in order to proceed. Wells also sought the opinion of the U.S. Department of the Interior, whose grant funded the easement. In a June 21, 2024 letter, an official at the department said they believed the solar farm was incompatible with the easement. But Stuart was undeterred. In a July 8, 2024 letter to Wells, Stuart threatened to proceed with the solar facility and vowed swift legal action if the state tried to stop him. Advertisement Advertisement Stuart said he was most distressed by your comments to me that you must treat me differently because of who I am. In an interview, Stuart said Wells had told him he needed to hold Stuart to a higher level of scrutiny given his status as a public official (Wells, who left DCR in October, did not respond to a LinkedIn message seeking an interview). Former Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis Voyles speaks during a Virginia Marine Resources Commission meeting in 2022. (Photo by Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury) Stuart ccd Richard Cullen, Youngkins counsel, then-Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis Voyles, and two men he described in an interview as attorneys whove represented him in legal matters: Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, and attorney Thomas Wood IV. A little over two weeks later, on July 26, 2024, Voyles responded to Stuart with a letter that struck a different note: Solar energy development is specifically permitted in certain areas of the property, where it is consistent with the easement. TerraForm representatives referenced Voyles letter in hearings in front of the countys planning commission, which nonetheless recommended against approving the project in September. Two months later, the five-member BOS opted to approve the project anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear what changed with the states treatment of the solar facility. Stuart said he cant remember if he spoke directly with Cullen during that period, but said it would certainly make sense if we talked, pointing to his threat of legal action against the state. He said hed known Cullen, an attorney and mainstay in Virginia and national Republican politics, for years, but wouldve alerted any governors counsel in the situation. Cullen did not respond to an email and phone call seeking comment. When the Mercury filed a public records request about the matter, the governors office said it was withholding 24 pages of text messages, emails and call logs between Stuart and Cullen during the period between Stuarts warning letter and Voyles response. Advertisement Advertisement It also withheld half of a manilla file worth of emails and text messages between Cullen and Voyles containing the keywords solar or Stuart. Last month, DCR and Stuart signed an amended easement that explicitly allows solar facilities and cites Voyles letter as rationale for the changes. A map depicts the proposed solar farm that would be developed on state Sen. Richard Stuarts property in King George County. (Courtesy Caledon Solar and TerraForm Power) A coalition of conservation groups called the Land Trust Alliance signed a letter to Voyles successor, Stefanie Taillon, in May saying that allowing a solar farm on easement was likely unprecedented in Virginia, and warning that the action could have local and national implications. Residents have shared mixed reviews for the project. Laurie Schlemm told the countys planning commission in September that the easement clearly barred solar and said the previous landowner, James Nash, whod initially set up the easement, would be turning over in his grave if he knew its fate. Others, like Rose Payne, said new subdivisions were a bigger threat than the solar farm. Advertisement Advertisement TerraForm representatives said the project would generate $11.3 million in economic benefits for the county over its 40-year lifespan, including $3 million in direct revenue. Stuart said in an interview last week that the whole process had made him wary of easements. He noted the original easement allowed for the extraction of oil and gas and said he needed to bring in revenue to help pay property taxes. Some folks in these fields believe that you should not be able to do anything but look at the land and pay taxes, he said. And unfortunately that probably will be the downfall of this program when theyre just too rigid with people. Advertisement Advertisement The solar farm proposal isnt the first issue that has prompted headlines about Stuarts property. In 2020, the Washington Post reported he and his wife discovered headstones on the riverbanks of the property that originated from a historic African American burial ground in Washington D.C. In 2021, 55 headstones were moved to National Harmony Memorial Park in Prince Georges County, Maryland. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Virginia State Police said they have canceled the search for a 26-year-old Norfolk man who was reported missing out of Virginia Beach, saying he has been recovered. Police had issued a critically missing adult alert on Monday for 26-year-old Daquantai Shane Thigpen. Thigpen was last seen around 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 11 on Hurley Avenue, possibly wearing a blue and white flannel hoodie with a gray hood and dark colored sweatpants. Advertisement Advertisement He was last believed to be on foot in the area of 85th Street. Thigpen is described as a man with brown hair and green eyes. He stands at 6 feet tall and weighs 140 pounds. Police said they believe his disappearance poses a threat to his health and safety. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Virginia Beach Police Department at (757) 385-2800 or 911. 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. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and a coalition of 11 other states sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday, arguing the agency is unlawfully tying hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding to policies they say require discrimination against transgender people, according to the lawsuit and a statement from Brown. Brown said the lawsuit marks his 50th legal challenge against what his office describes as federal overreach since he took office nearly a year ago. The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island and seeks to block a new HHS policy that conditions federal health, education and research funding on compliance with a presidential executive order redefining sex in ways that exclude transgender people. Advertisement Advertisement Under the policy, recipients of HHS funding including states, public universities, hospitals and health agencies must certify compliance with Title IX protections including the requirements of the executive order. The states argue HHS lacks the authority to impose those conditions and is attempting to force states to violate their own anti-discrimination laws to avoid losing funding already approved by Congress. The administration does not care who gets hurt or what laws are violated in their obsessive targeting of trans people, Brown said. We refuse to back down to these illegal demands and will fight for every dollar Congress has authorized. The lawsuit says the funding conditions apply broadly across HHS and put existing programs at immediate risk. Advertisement Advertisement According to the complaint, recipients could face termination of grants, repayment of funds, or even civil or criminal liability if HHS later determines they are out of compliance. The states also argue the agency has failed to clearly explain what compliance would require. Browns office says the legal challenges he has brought since Jan. 15, 2025, have helped protect more than $15 billion in federal funding for Washington state. His office said those funds support public schools, food programs for children, housing assistance for people transitioning out of homelessness, and efforts to prevent terrorism and environmental disasters. Advertisement Advertisement The coalition argues the HHS policy violates the U.S. Constitution by overriding Congress authority over federal spending, violates federal law by attaching vague and retroactive conditions to funding, and breaks the Administrative Procedure Act by implementing a major policy change without proper notice or explanation. The lawsuit also highlights conflicts between the federal policy and state laws. In Washington, the Washington Law Against Discrimination bars discrimination based on sexual orientation, which includes gender identity and expression, in employment, public accommodations, housing, credit and insurance. State law also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression in health care services and in public schools. Advertisement Advertisement The states are asking the court to declare the policy unlawful and block HHS from enforcing it so they can continue providing health care, education and other services without what they describe as coercive funding conditions. Joining Washington in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of New York, Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon and Vermont. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, speaking after talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday, said he does not expect the United States to take military action to annex Greenland. He welcomed the planned US-Danish discussions on the Arctic island and emphasized that decisions concerning Greenland and Denmark should be made by those countries and the island's residents. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants Greenland under US control, citing strategic importance, Russian and Chinese naval activity in the region and natural resources. His comments have caused concern because he did not rule out military force. Advertisement Advertisement NATO is working on concrete Arctic security plans, which will later be discussed with the United States, Wadephul said. Wadephul described the talks with Rubio as friendly and intensive, noting that both sides were aware they are close allies and friends. On his way to Washington, the foreign minister stopped in Iceland, about 300 kilometres south-east of Greenland, for talks with his Icelandic counterpart orgerur Katrin Gunnarsdottir on Arctic security. Like the US and Germany, Iceland and Greenland, which officially belongs to Denmark, are members of the trans-Atlantic NATO alliance. Wadephul pushes for tougher Iran sanctions After the talks with Rubio, Wadephul also pressed for tougher measures against Iran's leadership amid nationwide anti-government protests. He said Germany would seek to expand sanctions on Iranian leaders, including listing them under the EU's terrorism sanctions regime, which requires unanimous approval. Advertisement Advertisement He urged EU members to reconsider the issue in light of the violent crackdown on demonstrators. Wadephul described Iran as a regime lacking legitimacy among its people that uses measures against its own population that violate basic humanitarian norms. He stressed the need for the international community to show solidarity with the Iranian people. He and Rubio reportedly agreed on the importance of coordinated action and aim to work towards a joint G7 statement. On potential US military action in Iran, Wadephul said such decisions are the responsibility of Washington and Trump, adding that it is up to the US government to communicate if and when concrete measures would be taken. Wadephul urges Europeans not to question US commitments Wadephul also stressed that the partnership between Germany and the United States was strong, effective and committed to further development. He said the discussions on shared efforts for a just peace in Ukraine highlighted that both sides stand on the same side of history, values and interests. Advertisement Advertisement Wadephul added that the US is fully aligned with Europe politically and militarily within NATO and is committed to defending law and freedom in the Western world. He urged Europeans not to question commitments that are not questioned in Washington, referring to the NATO treaty's Article 5 mutual defence clause. Rubio, in a post on X, said that during the meeting both sides "underscored the importance of the U.S.-Germany partnership across many shared global challenges," including promoting peace in Ukraine and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Train journey to UN in New York Following the Washington meeting, Wadephul travelled by train to New York to meet UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Advertisement Advertisement His visit comes after the US announced it would withdraw from 66 international organizations, including many UN bodies, citing misalignment with US interests. Several of these organizations focus on climate, gender equality, education, democracy, civil society and the rule of law. A waitress who carried the sparklers that allegedly started the fatal Swiss bar fire was among those who died in the blaze, it has emerged. Cyane Panine was one of 40 people who died in the New Years Eve tragedy. She has been identified as the woman seen in images wearing a crash helmet and carrying sparklers moments before the accidental blaze erupted, 20 Minuten reported. Footage from the night showed a young woman sitting on one of her colleagues shoulders, brandishing two champagne bottles with sparklers attached. The ceiling then caught fire. A woman wearing a crash helmet and carrying sparklers appears to set the ceiling of the venue alight A waitress and partygoers holding sparkler-topped champagne bottles as the ceiling catches fire The owners of Le Constellation in Crans-Montana revealed last week how they viewed Ms Panine as a stepdaughter and said she suffocated in a pile of bodies behind a locked door. Advertisement Advertisement The owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, were able to identify the 24-year-old during photos taken during the blaze, according to local media. They said Ms Panines last moments alive reflected the nature of the tragedy. Ms Moretti had asked her employee to get the atmosphere going at the bar, located in an Alpine ski resort, in the early hours of Jan 1, according to her interview with Swiss investigators. Waitresses put sparklers in champagne bottles, with some lifted up onto the shoulders of waiters, who then paraded their colleagues around the room. The pyrotechnics lit the soundproofing foam in the ceiling, sparking the blaze which killed dozens and injured 116 others. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Moretti, 49, said he broke open the door to the basement from the outside, where he found Ms Panine dying, surrounded by a pile of bodies. On Friday, he told the Valais public prosecutors office he only realised that the bars service door was locked from the inside and on a latch after the blaze. The moment the ceiling of the Swiss bar was set ablaze Mr Moretti is in custody, while his wife was bailed with an electronic tag. They are awaiting a possible trial on a number of charges including manslaughter and causing bodily harm by negligence. He said that Ms Panine was the girlfriend of a close family friend, who he and his wife raised as if he were my own. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Moretti added: 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. Jacques Moretti and his wife Jessica face charges including manslaughter - Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images Speaking about how the bars service door was shut, he said: 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. Mr Moretti said he and Ms Panines 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. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to The Telegraph, a lawyer for Ms Panines family, Sophie Haenni, declined to confirm that she was the staff member in the crash helmet. Based on the current state of the case, I cannot confirm that. The investigation will prove it, she said. 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 child kidnapped from a Chester County classroom is an example of why lawmakers in South Carolina want to ensure dangerous hemp products get out of the hands of teens. READ MORE: Synthetic drugs may have fueled classroom kidnapping, suspects lawyer says Lawmakers want to ensure no one under 21 can buy synthetic drugs. Some are calling for greater oversight of smoke shops across South Carolina. Im definitely praying for the child and the childs family, and the man who committed this act, said The Rev. Marcus Tolliver, pastor at City of Hope Worship Center. Advertisement Advertisement Derrious Edwards is accused of kidnapping the child on Halloween. Tolliver said he knows the family. I think their family has gone through some pretty tough situations in the past and this was definitely not anything that any parent would want to go through, he said. The child was in a pre-school classroom at the Chester Park school complex when detectives said Edwards broke the glass, climbed inside, fought a teacher and pulled that child back out the window. School resource officers had to stop him. In court Monday, Channel 9 learned Edwards bought and later smoked a blunt from a Rock Hill smoke shop before the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Edwards attorney said the product may have contained synthetic drugs, which had a psychotic impact on his client. Testing is still underway. We have to take a real long deep look at what were allowing into our community, the pastor said. The Senate could pass a version of House Bill 3924 into law this year making it illegal for anyone under 21 to possess or use any consumable hemp product. VIDEO: Synthetic drugs may have fueled classroom kidnapping, suspects lawyer says Last week a small, yellow airplane made an emergency landing at a terminal inside the Port of Tacoma, officials confirmed on Monday. A fixed-wing, single-engine plane owned by a Seattle man reportedly landed at an empty marine-cargo terminal owned by TOTE Maritime Alaska, Inc. on Wednesday, Jan. 7 around 11:50 p.m., officials told The News Tribune. The Federal Aviation Administration said two people were in the plane, and there were no injuries. The FAA is still investigating, said public affairs specialist Steve Kulm. Advertisement Advertisement No police report was filed, and it appears the incident was not a crash but more of a mechanical issue that forced an emergency landing, said Shelbie Boyd with the Tacoma Police Department. According to a public records request received Tuesday, the plane experienced a loss of oil pressure. An eight-second video of the plane landing at the terminal was posted on Tacomas Reddit thread on Friday. The man who posted it, a retired longshoreman named Darin Moody, told The News Tribune over the phone Monday that the video was circulating in a group chat he was a part of. The video appears to be a recording of security footage the night of Jan. 7. Because the situation involved a marine-cargo terminal, the Port of Tacoma referred The News Tribune was to the Northwest Seaport Alliance. Kate Nolan, with the Northwest Seaport Alliance, confirmed the Cessna plane made a successful emergency landing at TOTE after a mechanical issue. No cargo was impacted, she said. Representatives with the TOTE company could not be immediately reached for comment Monday, including to verify the security footage. The U.S. Coast Guard Northwest District, which Tacoma police said might also be investigating the incident, did not have more information to share as of Monday evening. The Tacoma Fire Department did not respond to the incident, The News Tribune confirmed Tuesday morning. Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers her 2026 Condition of the State address at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13. Reynolds, a Republican, is not seeking reelection this year, meaning the speech before lawmakers is the last time she'll lay out her proposed legislative agenda. How can I watch the Condition of the State address? You can watch the address live here: The address also will be broadcast statewide on Iowa PBS. Iowa lawmakers formally kicked off the 2026 legislative session on Jan. 12, promising for the second year in a row to work to lower property taxes for Iowans. Advertisement Advertisement Republican leaders also pledged to address concerns over eminent domain and to propose "tough on crime" legislation. What is the Condition of the State address? Iowa governors use the Condition of the State address to lay out their top priorities for the year and present their proposed state budget. Reynolds will speak from the Iowa House chamber, where she'll address a joint session of the Iowa House and Senate. Reynolds has yet to provide specifics on her policy agenda for the year, but she has said she will present a plan to lower property taxes. She may also call for some of the recommendations from her Iowa Department of Government Efficiency Task Force to be made law. Follow the Des Moines Register for complete legislative coverage The Des Moines Register will have complete coverage of Reynolds' 2026 address and legislative reaction at DesMoinesRegister.com and in our free Iowa Politics Newsletter. Advertisement Advertisement We will also have in-depth coverage of the session and its impact on Iowans through the coming months. Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds delivers 2026 Condition of the State address: Watch live Jan. 12MORGANTOWN Morgantown Utility Board Communications Director Chris Dale the final component of MUB's Chaplin Hill water system upgrade project is in place. It was no small feat. Contractor Snider & Son has spent the last few months boring and reaming a hole beneath the Monongahela River between Long Street on the Westover side and lower Walnut Street in Morgantown in order to pull through a 26-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe to replace the existing water line connected to the Joseph C. Bartolo Memorial Bridge, more commonly known as the Westover Bridge. Advertisement Advertisement "The water line under the Mon River is now in place. The remaining work includes tying into the existing MUB water system on both sides and restoration of the drill pit and other work areas, " Dale said "It is anticipated that this work will be completed by the end of February, with final pavement restoration occurring in the spring once the weather warms and asphalt plants open." MUB approved a contract for just over $1.9 million with Snider & Son for the work in the summer of 2024 as one of several upgrades tied to a multifaceted project to improve capacity in the rapidly-developing area along Chaplin Hill Road. The drilling work was not without obstacles, or, as MUB General Manager Mike McNulty explained in October, "They've had some challenges." Two change orders would be approved by MUB in the second half of 2025 as the hole drilled beneath the river would ultimately need to be both deeper and wider than initially anticipated. Advertisement Advertisement MUB approved a $399, 549 change order in July to drop the excavation down to 38 feet. Last month, an additional $140, 840 was approved after McNulty explained the borehole, which had previously been reamed to 30 inches, would be expanded further. "The contractor was making some really great progress, as I reported in the last meeting, and then he encountered a problem. A clevis broke as he was pulling the line through and that ended up requiring him to pull the entire line back out of the hole they drilled, " McNulty said. "And now we've gotten approval from the railroad to have a larger ream of 36 inches, which we did not have before." In addition to the new line beneath the river, the Chaplin Hill water system upgrades include a new booster station, a new water storage tank and more than 9, 000 feet of 12-inch water line. Improvements to both the water and sewer infrastructure in the WestRidge and Chaplin Hill area are being funded through an agreement between MUB, the county and WestRidge in which each pledged just over $3.6 million to be added to $3 million from the West Virginia Water Development Authority. Advertisement Advertisement With the exception of the directionally-drilled water line beneath the river, all other components of both the water and sewer projects are substantially complete. "We're very excited to get that line into serve and the old line off the Westover Bridge, " McNulty previously said of the work. Jan 13 (Reuters) - WeatherTech founder David MacNeil has been nominated for a seat on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said in a post on social media site X on Tuesday. "I look forward to working with this outstanding businessman and great patriot," Ferguson said. President Donald Trump had previously nominated former Texas attorney Ryan Baasch to an open commissioner slot. But Trump opted instead to give Baasch a role on the National Economic Council, a White House official told Reuters last week. Advertisement Advertisement The FTC is structured so that no more than three of the five commissioners come from the same party. Ferguson and commissioner Mark Meador are Republicans. Trump fired the agency's two Democratic commissioners in March, sparking a U.S. Supreme Court case that could tighten the president's control over government agencies designed by Congress to be somewhat insulated from politics. (Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Chris Reese) After a high-profile controversy at Texas A&M University over classroom discussions on gender identity, public universities across the state began reviewing courses and content tied to race, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity. In the months that followed, the Texas A&M and Texas Tech university systems adopted new policies restricting or closely regulating how those topics can be taught, particularly in introductory and required courses. With some course changes taking place only days before the current semester began, The Texas Tribune is asking students and instructors to share revisions, delays or removals in courses and content, including how decisions were communicated and how those changes affected teaching, learning and students academic progress. We will not publish your name or any materials you share without speaking with you first and getting your permission. Disclosure: Texas A&M University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Flames lick around the edges of Omar's passport. "It's burning well," an unseen woman says in Russian in the video. Omar, a 26-year-old Syrian construction worker, had been deployed for about nine months on the front line of Russia's war in Ukraine when the clip arrived on his phone. He knew the woman's voice. It was Polina Alexandrovna Azarnykh, who he says had helped him sign up to fight for Russia, promising lucrative work and Russian citizenship. But now she was angry. Advertisement Advertisement In a series of voice notes from Ukraine, Omar, speaking under a pseudonym for his safety, describes how he ended up trapped and terrified in the war zone. He says Azarnykh had promised that if he paid her $3,000 (2,227), she would ensure he stayed in a non-combat role. But, he says, he was sent into battle with just 10 days of training, so he refused to pay and she eventually responded by burning his passport. He says he tried refusing to take part in a mission, but his commanders threatened to kill or jail him. "We were tricked this woman is a con artist and a liar," says Omar. Polina Azarnykh frequently posts images of herself with new recruits, including the Syrian group Omar travelled with [Telegram] A BBC Eye investigation has followed how Azarnykh, a 40-year-old former teacher, uses a Telegram channel to lure young men, often from poor countries, into joining Russia's military. Advertisement Advertisement The former teacher's smiling video messages and upbeat posts offer "one-year contracts" for "military service". The BBC World Service has identified nearly 500 cases where she has provided documents, referred to as invitations, which allow the recipient to enter Russia to join the military. These have been for men - mainly from Syria, Egypt and Yemen - who appear to have sent her their passport details in order to enlist. But recruits and their relatives have told the BBC that she misled men into believing they would avoid combat, failed to make clear they could not leave after a year and threatened those who challenged her. When contacted by the BBC, she rejected the allegations. Twelve families told us of young men they say were recruited by her who are now dead or missing. Advertisement Advertisement Azarnykh frequently posts videos of herself encouraging people to serve in the Russian military [Telegram] Domestically, Russia has expanded conscription, recruited prisoners and offered increasingly generous sign-up bonuses to maintain its operation in Ukraine, despite substantial losses. More than one million of its soldiers have been killed or wounded since the full-scale invasion in 2022, with 25,000 killed in the month of December 2025 alone, according to Nato. Research by BBC News Russian, based on obituaries and other publicly available death records, suggests Russian troop losses in Ukraine rose faster than ever last year. Advertisement Advertisement It is difficult to determine how many foreigners have joined Russia's military. BBC Russian's analysis - which also looked at the number of foreigners killed and injured - suggests at least 20,000 may have signed up, including from countries such as Cuba, Nepal and North Korea. Ukraine has suffered significant troop losses too, and has also taken foreign fighters into its ranks. 'Bodies everywhere' Omar's first contact with Azarnykh was when he was stranded with barely any money at a Moscow airport in March 2024, together with 14 other Syrians. Jobs in Syria were scarce and low paid. Omar says a recruiter there had offered the men what they understood to be civilian work guarding oil facilities in Russia. They flew to Moscow, only to learn they had been scammed. Advertisement Advertisement Searching online for options, Omar says, one of the group found Azarnykh's channel and messaged her. She met them at the airport within hours, and took them by train to a recruitment centre in Bryansk, western Russia, he says. There, he says, she offered them one-year contracts with the Russian army, with a monthly salary equivalent to about $2,500 (1,856), and a sign-up payment of $5,000 (3,711) - sums they could only dream of in Syria. Omar says the contracts were in Russian, which none of the men understood, and she took their passports, promising to arrange Russian citizenship. She also promised they could avoid combat roles if they paid her $3,000 (2,227) each from their sign-up payments, he says. Omar described fierce fighting and frequent explosions on the front line [Roman Chop/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images] But, he says, within about a month, he was on the front line with, he says, just 10 days' training and no military experience. Advertisement Advertisement "We're 100% going to die here," he says in one of his voice notes, sent to the BBC investigative team. "A lot of injuries, a lot of explosions, a lot of shelling. If you don't die from the explosion, you'll die from the debris landing on you," he says in May 2024. "Dead bodies everywhere I've stepped on dead bodies, God forgive me," he reports the following month. "If someone dies, I've seen it with my own eyes, they put him in a rubbish bag and throw him next to a tree," he adds. After nearly a year, he had discovered what he says Azarnykh had failed to explain - a 2022 Russian decree essentially allows the military to extend soldiers' contracts automatically until the war ends. Advertisement Advertisement "If they renew the contract, I'm screwed - oh God," he says. His contract was continued. 'Recruited from university' Azarnykh's Telegram channel has 21,000 subscribers. Her posts have often told readers wanting to apply to join the Russian military to send her a scan of their passport. She has then posted invitation documents, sometimes with a list of names of the men they are for. The BBC has identified more than 490 such invitations that she has sent over the past year to men from countries including Yemen, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Her posts have mentioned recruitment for an "elite international battalion" and made it clear that people in Russia illegally - including those whose visas have expired - are eligible. Outside the UK, watch the film on YouTube. We have spoken to eight foreign fighters including Omar who were recruited by her, as well as the families of the 12 men who are missing or dead. Advertisement Advertisement Many felt Azarnykh had misled or exploited recruits. They told us the men knew they were joining the military, but did not expect to serve on the front line. Several, like Omar, felt they had inadequate training or thought they would be able to leave after a year. In Egypt, Yousef - whose name we have also changed - told the BBC his older brother Mohammed, began a university course in Yekaterinburg in Russia in 2022. But he struggled to pay his fees, Yousef says, and told his family a Russian woman named Polina had begun offering him help online, including work with the Russian military that he believed would allow him to continue his studies. "She promised him housing and citizenship monthly expenses," he says. "Suddenly he was sent to Ukraine. He found himself fighting," says Yousef. Advertisement Advertisement His last call was on 24 January 2024, Yousef says. About a year later, Yousef says a message arrived on Telegram from a Russian number, containing images of Mohammed's body. The family eventually learned he had been killed almost a year earlier. 'Some lost their minds' Azarnykh became "one of the most important recruiters" for Russia's army, says Habib, another Syrian who has served in Russia's military. He was willing to be filmed but spoke under a pseudonym for fear of repercussions. Habib says he and Azarnykh "worked together for around three years on visa invitations to Russia". He gave no further details and we have not been able to confirm his role in the process. An image from social media in 2024 shows him alongside her. Azarnykh, who is from Russia's south-western Voronezh region, ran a Facebook group helping Arab students come to Moscow to study, before starting her Telegram channel in 2024. Habib told the BBC: "Polina would take the men, knowing that they were going to die" [BBC] Habib says most foreign recruits arrived expecting roles securing facilities or standing at checkpoints. "The Arabs who are coming are dying immediately. Some people lost their minds - it's hard to see dead bodies," he says. Habib says he met Omar and the group of Syrians at a military training site. "She had promised them citizenship, good salaries and that they'd be safe," Habib says. "But once you sign a contract here, there's no way you can leave." "None of them knew how to use a weapon. Even if they were shot at, they would choose not to shoot back if you don't shoot, you will be killed," he says. "Polina would take the men, knowing that they were going to die." He says she "received $300 (223) from the army for every person she recruited". The BBC could not confirm this, although other recruits also told us they believed she received payment. 'Nothing happens for free' Azarnykh's posts from mid-2024 begin to note that recruits will be "participating in hostilities" and mention foreign fighters who have died in combat. "You all understood well that you were going to war," she says in one video in October 2024. "You thought that you could get a Russian passport, do nothing and live in a five-star hotel?... Nothing happens for free." In another case, in 2024, the BBC has heard a voice message sent by Azarnykh to a mother whose son was serving in the military. Azarnykh says the woman has "published something horrible about the Russian army". Using expletives, she threatens the son's life and warns the woman: "I'll find you and all your children." The BBC made multiple attempts to contact Azarnykh. Initially she said she would do an interview with us if we travelled to Russia, but the BBC declined for safety reasons. Later, when asked in a voice call about claims that recruits were promised non-combat roles, she hung up. In voice notes sent afterwards, she said our work was "not professional" and warned of potential defamation proceedings. She also said: "Our respected Arabs can stick their accusations up their arses." The BBC contacted the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence for comment, but received no response. Previously, in March 2022 President Putin backed the recruitment of men from the Middle East, insisting they were ideologically, not financially, driven: "There are people who want to come voluntarily, especially not for money, and provide assistance to people." An image shared on Azarnykh's Telegram channel in January 2024 shows Habib standing next to her [Telegram] 'Cash incentives' Journalists and researchers following the issue say individuals like Azarnykh are part of a web of informal recruiters. The BBC has found two other Telegram accounts in Arabic making similar offers for joining Russia's military. One includes posts showing invitation documents and lists of names, the other has advertised large sign-up payments for joining an "elite battalion". In September, Kenyan police said they had broken up a suspected "trafficking syndicate" that they said was luring Kenyans with job offers, but sending them to fight in Ukraine. Kateryna Stepanenko, a research fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, told the BBC some municipal and regional authorities in Russia have been offering cash incentives of up to $4,000 (2,970) to individuals such as HR professionals and local residents who recruit Russians or foreigners into military service. She says the Kremlin initially used larger entities such as the Wagner private military group and prison system for recruitment, but since 2024 has also been "leveraging locals and smaller companies". This "suggests to me that those earlier versions of recruitment are no longer generating the same number of recruits", she adds. Meanwhile, Habib is now back in Syria after, he says, having bribed several commanders to terminate his contract. Omar eventually received Russian citizenship and has also managed to return to Syria. Two of the Syrians he served with are dead, according to their families. Azarnykh "sees us as numbers or money - she doesn't see us as people", he says. "We won't forgive her for what she did to us." Additional reporting by Olga Ivshina, Gehad Abbas, Ali Ibrahim, Victoria Arakelyan, and Rayan Maarouf CNN senior national correspondent Ryan Young walked viewers through a chaotic scene in Minneapolis on Tuesday morning where incensed Anti-ICE protesters physically tried to interrupt an operation. He joined The Situation Room, where co-host Pamela Brown asked him How officials are responding to this inflammatory rhetoric coming from President Donald Trump. She asked the question shortly after Trump vowed Minnesotas day of RECKONING & RETRIBUTION was coming amid the anti-ICE protests that have followed the shooting of protester Renee Good last week. The president said the ICE patriots were only trying to remove dangerous illegal immigrants, but were being stymied by anarchists and professional agitators. Advertisement Advertisement Young reported local officials have been really strong in their opposition to Trump and pointed to to the federal invasion lawsuit filed by Minnesota on Monday. He then recapped a wild scene that had just unfolded in a residential area. This is just where ICE and a lot of the Border Patrol agents just were, Young told viewers as he walked and talked. All these neighbors that you see here were using their whistles and they were blowing and they were trying to stop an arrest. As Young talked, CNN rolled footage of protesters confronting agents and yelling at them. Young said many protesters were crying, yelling, and screaming and that emotions were extremely high because the agents were only a few blocks away from where Good was shot. Advertisement Advertisement One protester in a a rainbow beanie could be seen flipping the middle finger to officers. Young said he saw people running through nearby alleys trying to escape being captured by ICE. He then said some protesters physically clashed with agents. This was a chaotic scene, it lasted for over 20 minutes, he said. There were flash bangs used, there were pepper balls sprayed into the crowd, there were tear gas agents deployed, and we saw people physically trying to get in the way of some of these arrests that were being made. Young said the CNN crew had to retreat at one point because the situation was so unruly. He said it got so chaotic that ICE agents were accidentally spraying each other with tear gas. Advertisement Advertisement He said there were three people detained, but he is not sure for what. Young reported many of the civilians were yelling ICE get out of our city at the hundreds of agents on the ground. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin on Tuesday said Minnesota leaders like Gov. Tim Walz (D) refuse to cooperate with federal authorities; she said the state has ignored immigration detainers and allowed around 470 illegal aliens to leave custody. Watch above via CNN. The post They Were Trying to Stop an Arrest: CNN Details How Protesters Are Physically Interfering With ICE in Minneapolis first appeared on Mediaite. CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) The candidate filing period in West Virginia for the primary election has officially begun. According to a press release, West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner has declared that as of Monday, January 12, 2026, the candidate filing period for the May 12, 2026, primary election is open. It will close on Saturday, January 31, 2026. West Virginia elections in 2026 The press release stated that candidates running for statewide and legislative offices, state executive committees, offices to be filled by voters in more than one county, and judicial offices (excluding magistrates) must file with the West Virginia Secretary of States Office (WV SOS). Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, for offices being filled in the same county, candidates must file with their County Clerk, according to the press release. These offices include county commission, magistrate, and district-level political party executive committees. Visit here for a directory of WV County Clerks in each county in the Mountain State. Congressman Moore proclaims victory for WV in FY26 appropriations package The press release also stated that candidates are required to file by mail or in person. Saturday, January 31, 2026, is the deadline by which Certificates of Announcements have to be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service for those mailing to the County Clerk or WV SOS. According to the press release, submissions will be declined if the filing fee is not paid when being filed. Furthermore, if official voter registration records are different in respect to the political party affiliation or home address in the Certificate of Announcements, they are subject to rejection. Advertisement Advertisement For more information about running for office in West Virginia, click here for a Running for Office Guide. Additional information about voting and elections in the Mountain State can be found on the WV SOS website. Stick with 59News for more local election news that matters to you! 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 WVNS. Many variables contribute to the difficulty or ease of raising a family for average Americans, and one of those variables is where you live. According to a recent WalletHub study on the best and worst states for raising a family in 2026, living in Florida makes raising kids pretty difficult. Florida was placed in the bottom 20 on the same list in 2024 and fell to the bottom 15 in 2025, where it remains on the 2026 version of the list. Despite Floridas recent bottom 15 placements on WalletHubs worst states to have a baby, healthcare, child care, and its most recent ranking as one of the worst states to raise a family, the Sunshine State still ranked among the top 10 best states to live overall in April 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Heres where Florida ranked on WalletHubs 2026 list of the worst states to raise a family, and which state ranked first on the best list. Best states to live: Florida ranks in best states to live, despite low healthcare, education scores. Here's why What is the best U.S. state to raise a family? See WalletHub's top 10 for 2026 To find the best and worst states to raise a family in 2026, WalletHub compared each state across 50 metrics in five categories: family fun, health and safety, education and child care, affordability, and socio-economics. Based on those metrics, Massachusetts took first place overall on WalletHubs 2026 list. Massachusetts is the best state to raise a family, in large part because it provides a good blend of economic opportunities and safe conditions for children, the study says. Advertisement Advertisement The Bay State has the third-best job security in the country and the ninth-lowest poverty rate, which increases the likelihood that parents will be able to provide for their children. Massachusetts also scored well in the health and education categories. Here are WalletHubs top 10 best U.S. states to raise a family in 2026: Massachusetts Minnesota North Dakota Wisconsin Nebraska New York Connecticut New Hampshire Illinois Maine Is Florida a good state to raise kids? WalletHub ranks it in 15 worst For the second year in a row, Florida ranked in the bottom 15 on WalletHubs list, placing as the 11th-worst state to raise a family. Its low ranking was mainly due to its high childcare costs, low percentage of families with young children, and low housing affordability. Heres how Florida ranked in key individual metrics: Overall rank 40th 49th Percentage of families with young children 42nd Child care costs (adjusted for median family income) 34th Infant mortality rate 36th Median annual family income (adjusted for cost of living) 20th Violent crimes per capita 33rd Percentage of families in poverty 46th Housing affordability 20th Unemployment rate 46th Separation and divorce rate Here are the 15 worst states to raise a family in 2026, according to WalletHub: New Mexico West Virginia Mississippi Nevada Alabama Louisiana Arkansas Oklahoma South Carolina Georgia Florida Arizona Kentucky Alaska North Carolina How much does child care cost on average in Florida? The cost of child care depends on the age of your children and whether you choose in-home or center-based care. Advertisement Advertisement According to Winnie, an online marketplace for child care, the average monthly cost of child care in Florida ranges from around $600 to $1,000 a month, depending on whether you choose in-home or center-based child care. "The average cost of child care in Florida ranges from $8,500 to $13,000 annually, depending on whether your child attends a licensed center or home-based program. Center-based infant care is the most expensive, while preschool and after-school care are more affordable," Winnie says. "The Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK) offers free early education for 4-year-olds, easing the financial load for many families. However, for infants and toddlers, families often spend more than 10% of their annual income on care." Can you get free child care in Florida? Although the cost of high-quality early education is out of reach for many Florida families, there are some subsidized help options available for low-income households. Advertisement Advertisement You can get child care at a discount, depending on your needs, from a variety of options available to help qualifying families defer the cost of tuition, from county-issued subsidies to free pre-K programs. One of the options available for Florida families is the Florida Department of Education's School Readiness Program, which offers assistance to low-income families for child care. You can find eligibility requirements and apply for the program by visiting your countys early learning coalition website. Florida also has a free, voluntary pre-K program and was one of the first states to offer it. To qualify, children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1 of the upcoming school year. Advertisement Advertisement Applications to Floridas voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program are accessible on the states Division of Early Learning website. There are also federally-funded programs that qualifying low-income families can use to sign up for free child care: Head Start and Early Head Start. Depending on where you live and how many programs are available, there may be a waitlist. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida ranks among 15 'worst' states to raise a family. Here's why Jan. 12The trial of a Rock Falls man accused of home invasion, sex assault, and battery was to begin Tuesday in Whiteside County Circuit Court. Instead, a Whiteside County judge assigned to the case last week will announce at 8:30 that morning whether the case against Daniel J. Yanes will proceed to trial or if it will be dismissed on claims that his right to a speedy trial was violated. Yanes, 48, was taken into custody on April 11, 2022, on charges of home invasion and criminal sexual assault in connection with an Illinois State Police investigation into an Oct. 1, 2021, incident in Whiteside County. He demanded a speedy trial and was released from jail after posting bond. Since that time, the charges have been amended three times, once on Oct. 28 when an aggravated battery charge was added, and then on Oct. 30, when an aggravated domestic battery charge was added, then again on Jan. 12 when another aggravated battery charge was added. Advertisement Advertisement At issue over the past month are the defense's claims that Yanes's right to a speedy trial has been violated, problems with minute entries in court documents, and a judge who the defense says should have recused himself when deciding to reject a negotiated plea agreement on Dec. 11, but then went on to preside over and deny a motion to dismiss on Dec. 26. Case history A jury pretrial hearing took place Oct. 30, with the case continued to a pretrial conference and possible plea hearing then set for Dec. 11. No jury trial date was set, according to court documents. Judge James Heuerman turned down the plea agreement on Dec. 11, another jury pretrial conference was set for Dec. 15, and the trial was set to begin Jan. 13 Advertisement Advertisement Defense attorney James Mertes filed a motion to dismiss the case a couple of hours prior to that Dec. 15 pretrial conference. Heuerman at that time set a hearing for Dec. 26, when he denied Mertes's motion to dismiss the case, and the trial date remained set for Jan. 13. At issue at that Dec. 26 hearing was whether too many days had passed since Yanes had made a demand for a speedy trial. According to Mertes's motion to dismiss, under Illinois law, every person on pretrial release or recognizance is to be tried within 160 days from the date a defendant demands trial, unless "the delay is occasioned by the defendant." Mertes's motion to dismiss, filed Dec. 15, claimed Yanes's right to a speedy trial had been violated by six days and included a breakdown of dates and the number of days that had elapsed since April 12, 2022 the date that Yanes demanded the speedy trial. The list covered the dates in which Yanes did not cause the delays, according to the motion, and included the four days that passed from Dec. 11, when Heuerman turned down the plea agreement, through Dec. 15. Over Mertes's objection, Heuerman on Dec. 15 set the hearing for 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, to address the motion to dismiss. At that Dec. 26 hearing, Whiteside County State's Attorney Colleen Buckwalter went through the timeline of the case, disagreeing with Mertes's evaluation of when the state's actions caused the trial to be delayed. There are no court transcripts for some of the hearings that were part of the record, she noted. Advertisement Advertisement Heuerman said he also did not agree with Mertes's computation, which Mertes said was sitting at 177 days on Dec. 26 saying that in his own review of the case, Heuerman had determined the case was instead sitting at 156 days. Heuerman pointed to an earlier court date that included action in regard to another case Yanes was involved in, as well as action at the Oct. 30 court date, in which an open-ended continuance was set and did not include a jury trial date, as the reasons his day count came in lower than Mertes's. Heuerman denied the motion to dismiss and reiterated that Yanes's trial would begin Jan. 13. With that date approaching, Mertes filed a "motion to vacate the court's void denial of defendant's first amended motion to dismiss" on Thursday, Jan. 8. Advertisement Advertisement The motion maintains Heuerman should have recused himself from the case on Dec. 11 after rejecting the plea, which means that his Dec. 26 decision to deny the motion to dismiss should be vacated, Mertes said. Mertes also filed a statement of facts agreed upon by him and Whiteside County State's Attorney Colleen Buckwalter. During a hearing on Friday, Jan. 9, Buckwalter and Mertes discussed with the court the statement of facts and the most recent motion, which states that during an informal meeting in judges' chambers on Dec. 11 that Heuerman had said he was going to accept the plea agreement. Heuerman ended up denying that agreement on Dec. 11 after hearing a victim impact statement, according to Mertes's motion. During the Jan. 9 hearing, Heuerman said that during the Dec. 11 informal meeting, he had used the phrase that he was "highly likely" to accept the agreement, according to Mertes. Heuerman recused himself from the case on Jan. 9, and Judge Hany Khoury was assigned to it. A second charge of aggravated battery was added to the list of charges on Monday, Jan. 12. During Monday's hearing with Khoury, Mertes continued pressing for dismissal on the grounds that the 160-day speedy deadline threshold had been crossed, that Heuerman's denial of the motion to dismiss should be vacated, and said that it is clear under the law that the case should be dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Mertes on Monday said the court didn't need to resolve Heuerman and the attorneys' different recollections of the Dec. 11 informal meeting. He said he wanted to focus on a window of time from Dec. 11 to Jan. 13, and that no trial date was set during an Oct. 30 pretrial conference, according to the court document minute entries. That becomes important because of how it affects which side caused the delay. "The record does not reflect whether the delay was allocated to the defendant," Mertes said, adding that when the court rejected the plea agreement, "the occasioned delay was not attributable to the defendant." "The defendant did not occasion the delay of Dec. 11 to Jan. 13," Mertes said. He said that Jan. 13 was the 14th day beyond the 160-day speedy trial deadline. Buckwalter disagreed, saying the delay is not attributable to the state because Yanes agreed to go to court Dec. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Khoury said he would take the matter under advisement and would rule at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. If he does not dismiss the case, the trial will begin at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Eighty jurors will be summoned. Mertes said those jurors also are being questioned for another jury trial at the Whiteside County Courthouse this week. He said jurors excused from serving at that trial will be part of the Yanes jury pool and questioned for selection. Home invasion carries a sentence of 6 to 30 years in prison. Criminal sexual assault carries a 4- to 15-year prison sentence. Mississippi has a long, complex history. Three countries ruled the region before it became part of the United States. The state has deep ties with Native American tribes, and there are some towns that are older than America. Do you know how and why Jackson became the capital? Here's a crash course on Mississippi history. When was Mississippi founded? The area now known as the Magnolia State spent time under French, British and Spanish rule before becoming a U.S. territory in 1798. Advertisement Advertisement Rene-Robert, Cavalier de La Salle, first claimed the river basin for France in 1682, calling it Louisiana to honor King Louis XIV. According to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, there were attempts to colonize Mississippi with outposts, including Fort Maurepas near Biloxi. The first private charter was issued in 1712 to Anthony Crozat, who gave it back in 1717. The charter then went to John Law and the Mississippi Company that year. By 1721, the "Mississippi Bubble" as it was called, burst, per MDAH. According to the History Channel, the area was flooded with new settlers after the American Revolution, which slowed during the War of 1812. By 1813, the Mississippi Territory included modern-day Alabama. When did Mississippi become a state? Mississippi became the 20th state on Dec, 10, 1817. When was Jackson, Mississippi, founded? The region was originally a Choctaw town called "Chisa Foka," which means "among the post oaks." Advertisement Advertisement Louis LeFleur was French-Canadian trader who traded with the Choctaw. According to a 1974, Clarion-Ledger article, he married the Chief Pushmataha's niece, who was the daughter of a Frenchman. The area eventually became known for a trading post, and it was called Le Fleurs Bluff. Jackson was founded on the site in 1821. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) noted the location was central to multiple transportation routes, including the Pearl River and Natchez Trace. The city was named after Gen. Andrew Jackson, who later became president of the United States. The early design followed a checkerboard plan designed by Thomas Jefferson, according to Britannica. Every other square originally was a park. The legislature first met in the city on Dec. 23, 1822. Advertisement Advertisement During the Civil War, Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's troops burned the city so severely it became known as "Chimneyville." Other towns were used as the capital briefly during the Civil War, but the legislature came back to Jackson. What were all the state capitals of Mississippi? According to MDAH, the state has had a few capital cities over time. Natchez, Washington, Natchez (again) and Columbia served the state before Jackson was founded. During the Civil War, Macon and Columbus both hosted legislative sessions. Sitting with history: Mississippi senator uses Jefferson Davis' desk in US Congress today What is the oldest city in Mississippi? The oldest continuously inhabited city in Mississippi is Natchez. It was founded in 1716 by French settlers as Fort Rosalie. (The site is in the 500 block of South Canal Street, part of the National Park Service.) Advertisement Advertisement Before that, the area was home to the Natchez, or Nachee, tribe for thousands of years. According to the National Park Service, mound-building cultures were in decline by the time of European settlement. Native Americans fought to keep their territory after the French demanded White Apple Village, a sacred site for ceremonies. According to the MDAH, the tribe killed most of the fort's inhabitants in November 1729. French reinforcements sent to the colony nearly wiped out the tribe by 1731. The city was incorporated on March 10, 1803, per the Natchez government. Today, the city on the bluff is a tourism destination, known for its pre-Civil War homes. Advertisement Advertisement More: Mississippi Department of Archives and History names new director See some of the oldest homes in Mississippi Why isn't Ocean Springs the oldest city? The area now known as Ocean Springs was initially settled by the French in 1699 as Fort Maurepas. But it wasn't continuously inhabited. The settlement moved to Bylocchy, now called Biloxi, to get away from Native American tribes. It was founded in the same year. According to the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, the Ocean Springs area was called Old Biloxi for a while. A village started in the area in 1817 after Mississippi became a state, according to MGCHA. It was incorporated in 1892. Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why is Jackson the state capital? What to know about Mississippi history The University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City is pictured on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) When a legislative audit on the efficiency of the Utah System of Higher Education was first introduced to the public in 2024, it prompted cuts and reallocations for academic programs, but it also pointed to a longstanding frustration for higher education leaders a lack of collaboration between public universities. We have exceptional institutions of higher education, really amazing leaders, amazing faculty, serving the needs of our regions, yet I watch them all competing against each other. And what I see is a lost opportunity, Geoffrey Landward, Utah commissioner of higher education told lawmakers then. Advertisement Advertisement Now, the Utah System of Higher Education is aiming for change, planting the seed to turn the group of institutions into a real unified system, potentially starting during the legislative session that begins Tuesday. There will be potentially legislation this session about it, but it will be a very bare bones bill, Landward said on Monday. The intent would be to essentially just set up the very broad infrastructure. The draft would essentially direct the Utah Board of Higher Education to organize the system into regions with vertical integration, or some streamlined operations. The makeup of those regions and how the institutions would collaborate is still undefined, Landward said. The idea is that the board will work over the next couple of years with all interested parties to start building on that structure. Advertisement Advertisement But, Landward already has a good guess about how the plans could end up looking. He visualizes a set of regions organized geographically. For example, he can see the Wasatch Front divided into three regions, with one encompassing Salt Lake County and Tooele, another grouping northern counties, and a third with institutions in southern counties. Rural areas may see other structures. If we can develop the system in a way where we can get better access to programs and institutions in rural Utah through this, thats the whole point, or at least one of the primary points of doing this kind of reorganization, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Each region would have a technical college, either a regional or research university, and in some cases, also a community college, Landward said. Within the regions, there are opportunities for integrated admissions, or academic advising, and also integrated degree and certificate programming, specifically designed for students to move through the system. Advertisement Advertisement So if youre admitted into Tooele Tech, for example, or Salt Lake Community College, that means that theres automatic admission pathways for you to the University of Utah, and that the advising is done in partnership with the University of Utah, Landward said. There are currently partnerships between schools like Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah that make transfers better, but its not as seamless as it could be, Landward added. The system redesign could, for example, allow a community college to design associate degrees to align with a universitys bachelors degree program. And university students could take general education courses at community colleges at a lower cost. Landward described the current system as a loosely affiliated group of institutions that capture some benefits of being a unified system, but just on the edges. Without change now, the system could face a series of shutdowns and mergers in the coming decades, he said. Advertisement Advertisement I still have institutions trying to be all things to all students, competing for students trying to grow, and thats the way the system operates right now. I dont think thats sustainable, Landward said. I think that we have to make some drastic changes over the next few years, because demographics will shift. Therell be fewer students enrolling and fewer resources to go around, and we have to be more efficient and smart about how were operating. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rebecca Insley said that she didn't get a call from police after her husband, Derrick Manigault, was shot by police officers Saturday evening at a North Carolina convenience store. Instead, she got a call in the early hours of Sunday morning, Jan. 11, from Manigault's aunt, who woke her up to tell her that Manigault had been shot. "She told me what she had heard from the police officer, and in my confusion and having just woken up, I said, 'Well, I hope he's OK. I just heard there was some trouble with the police,' she said, 'No, Rebecca, Derrick's dead.'" Advertisement Advertisement Manigault was shot on Saturday, Jan. 10, shortly before 6 p.m. at Jacob's Food Mart in Gastonia. Derrick Manigault and Rebecca Insley met in 2024 and married three months later. Gastonia police have released little information about what led up to the shooting. The State Bureau of Investigation did not immediately respond to questions from The Gaston Gazette, part of the USA TODAY Network, about the shooting. Insley said that she went to the police department to ask about the shooting on Sunday, and a Gastonia police officer told her that Manigault was armed at the time he was shot. She had never known him to carry a weapon, as he was a convicted felon who couldn't own a gun. Now, Insley is seeking answers. "I don't know where my husband died. I don't know his time of death. I don't know what happened inside that store," she said. Manigault, 43, was convicted in 1999 of first-degree rape. Insley said that he told her that he was 15 when he was falsely accused of rape by an adult white woman who had preyed upon him. Manigault was prosecuted as an adult, and his attorney advised him to plead guilty, Insley said. He did, and he was released in 2023 after spending more than 24 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement "I just feel like he has been failed time and time again at the hands of the criminal justice system and law enforcement. I just feel like he never got a fair shake, and it's heartbreaking," Insley said. "I just want transparency. I understand there is an ongoing investigation, and they're going to be quiet and play everything pretty close-mouthed." Manigault and Insley met at the former Freeman's Pub in Gastonia about six months after Manigault was released from prison. They married three months after they met. Derrick Manigault at times worked as a chef, his wife, Rebecca Insley, said. Manigault was "a gentle giant," Insley said. "He was brilliant. He could speak for hours about whatever the topic was. He was a voracious reader and just had a wealth of knowledge about any and every topic." In October 2025, they separated, although they were in therapy together, Insley said. Advertisement Advertisement "He was my best friend," she said. "The mutual love and respect was always there." Insley hadn't seen Manigault since the beginning of January. Now, she said, she'll never get to say goodbye. "I think it's important that people don't rush to judgement either way. Oftentimes, you hear of an officer-involved shooting and assume there was a bad guy," she said, "My husband wasn't a bad guy. I would just implore everyone to wait until all of the facts come out and not rush to judgement." This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Derrick Manigault shot by police in Gastonia, North Carolina A woman has been arrested in Arizona after she allegedly shot a 4-year-old boy in the face over a breakup she'd had with the young childs uncle. Joanna Chalup Cortez was charged in connection with the shooting of a 4-year-old boy on Tuesday, January 6, at a home in south Phoenix, Arizona, according to a media release from the Phoenix Police Department. The incident reportedly took place over a dispute relating to a breakup, according to family and witness testimonies and court documents viewed by ABC 15 and AZ Family. Phoenix Police said that authorities discovered the child with a gunshot wound after they arrived at the home around 12:19 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Family members said that the bullet passed through the childs cheek and knocked out multiple teeth, according to ABC 15. Additionally, a witness told FOX 10 that the bullet entered the left side of the childs face. The victims family members also confirmed to AZ Family that he is expected to make a full recovery. Police said in the news release that the boy was hospitalized with serious injuries. Chalup Cortez, 29, was in a relationship with the victims uncle and was at the home on January 6 prior to the shooting. After she left the residence, she returned later that day and the shooting took place, according to court records cited by ABC 15 and AZ Family. Texas Woman Charged With Murder After Allegedly Killing Boyfriend on Christmas Eve The victims mother was reportedly with Chalup Cortez and a different woman who was identified as Chalup Cortezs current boyfriends ex-girlfriend before the shooting, according to AZ Family. Chalup Cortez reportedly got into an argument with the two women before she called her boyfriend and kicked him out of her house, per the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Chalup Cortez later grew angry by a social media livestream that involved the victims father, Meishaq Sinclair, and her boyfriend. She then drove back to the home and started honking her car horn and demanding that someone come outside, according to AZ Family. Sinclair told the outlet that Chalup Cortez then pulled out what appeared to be a rifle before she started shooting toward the home. Chalup Cortezs boyfriend was heading to the front door of the home when the gunshots went off, according to ABC 15. The victim was near the door as he tried to follow his uncle outside, according to Meishaq. My son, he thought when my brother was going outside, he thought it was time to go outside and grabbed his scooter," Meishaq told AZ family. Advertisement Advertisement Meishaq told ABC 15 that he was upstairs when he heard the gun go off, and he quickly came downstairs to find his child bleeding so much it was like a movie. Chalup Cortez reportedly threatened the victims mother prior to the shooting, with ABC 15 and AZ Family reporting that she said she would "shoot up the house. After the shooting took place, Chalup Cortez reportedly contacted the childs mom and insisted she didnt know that the victim was near the door. Kansas Mom Accused of Sons Murder Gasps for Air, Clutches Chest During Court Appearance Chalup Cortez turned herself in to law enforcement on Wednesday, January 7. She is now facing multiple charges including aggravated assault and discharging a firearm at a residence, according to the Phoenix Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. However, the department said that detectives do not believe that there are any additional suspects. It is not currently clear if Chalup Cortez has retained legal counsel or entered a plea. NEED TO KNOW On Jan. 7, during an overtime shift, Joshua Hobson of the Bethlehem Police Department responded to a burglary call He encountered an 88-year-old woman whose front door lock had been improperly installed by a handyman Hobson bought the woman a new lock and installed it for her the same day she'd called police and the story has since gone viral but this isn't his first act of kindness Last spring, Joshua Hobson was among the first officers from the Bethlehem Police Department in Pennsylvania to arrive to the scene of a dangerous four-alarm fire. "Send every firetruck you have," he said over his police radio on May 2, 2025, as he pulled up to a burning apartment building. He then climbed each of its five floors to urge residents to flee. Advertisement Advertisement With another officer's help, amid thick smoke and flames, Hobson carried to safety an elderly woman using a wheelchair who had been trapped in her top-floor apartment. The officers' actions earned them commendations as well as a Distinguished Service Award from the city of Bethlehem, one of three Hobson's received in the last two years. But its Hobson's actions more recently, just last week while responding to a report of a potential burglary that have gone viral. During an overtime shift on Wednesday, Jan. 7, Hobson, who typically works on the city's south side, was dispatched to the home of an 88-year-old woman on the north side of Bethlehem who was concerned she had been the victim of a burglary. Advertisement Advertisement Hobson tells PEOPLE he determined that the woman's home had not been burglarized but he does suspect she may have been taken advantage of by a man she'd trusted to do light handiwork, including replacing the lock on her front door. The man, Hobson soon realized, had improperly installed a keyless deadbolt lock. "It was just there for looks and so the deadbolt didn't line up," Hobson says. The woman whose home was otherwise in incredible shape, according to Hobson couldn't lock her door and consequently felt unsafe there. She told Hobson she was on a fixed income and worked a couple of days a week as a house cleaner but that she had canceled her jobs and was sleeping in her living room because she was afraid someone would enter her house. Advertisement Advertisement Hobson, 40, decided he'd fix the problem himself once he got permission from a supervisor to travel outside the city during work. His supervisor later sent a letter to their police chief, who shared an account of the events in a statement on the department's Facebook page that went viral. But Hobson wasn't thinking about any sort of attention. "I'm working overtime, so I'm blessed to have extra hours by no means a millionaire, but clearly I'm not on a fixed income," he says he remembers thinking when confronted with the woman's issue. "So I said, 'I'll just go and I'll just buy you a new doorknob and I'll take care of it for you.' " Advertisement Advertisement And he did, with his supervisor's blessing. 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. "I went to Home Depot, got her a doorknob with a key and I came back and I installed it for the cost of a cup of coffee and a muffin," he tells PEOPLE. "She made me a cup of coffee and a muffin. We had, like, a little breakfast date." Hobson wrote in a police report that he also filled the screw holes that "the unidentified hobbyist put in the door" and advised the woman to be cautious of who she allows in and around her home "as people are not all kind and may take advantage of her." Advertisement Advertisement Emily Schock, a sergeant who is among Hobson's supervisors, tells PEOPLE this is one in a string of examples of Hobson bringing plaudits to their department. He just started his 14th year there, and Schock says she's known him since he first joined. She has nominated him for three awards in recent years, including a letter of commendation for coming to the aid of a suicidal man in August 2024. She plans to nominate him again for his work on the woman's lock. Hobson, who doesn't come from a law enforcement family, says his most recent act of kindness earned him acknowledgment from two of his most valued critics: his 12-year-old son, Bryce, and his daughter, Avery, who is 14. "My kids think it's cool that it's become viral," he says. Read the original article on People The Brief 32-year-old Hani Duglof of Woodbury works as an IT specialist. His brother says Duglof hasn't broken the law while waiting for his asylum case to be decided, but he was still picked up by federal agents over the weekend. WOODBURY, Minn. (FOX 9) - The family of a Woodbury man is worried for his health after he was taken into custody by ICE agents on Saturday because he has a rare genetic skin disorder. Family concerned What we know As an immigrant from Libya seeking asylum in the U.S., Mohamed Duklef says his brother Hani Duglof has done everything right. Advertisement Advertisement But he says the predicament Duglof is in because of the immigration crackdown is wrong. "A lot of people who did everything they can in a legal way, but the system failed them and they've been treated very very unfairly," said Duklef. The backstory Duklef says his brother came to Minnesota on a visitor's visa in 2014 to receive treatment for a rare genetic disorder that causes his skin to blister and peel easily. He also has a narrow esophagus which makes it difficult to swallow solid food, a condition that left him in intensive care for a month a couple of years ago. Even though Duglof's asylum case is still pending, his brother says ICE agents stopped Duglof near New Richmond, Wisconsin over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement He was taken to a detention facility at the Whipple Federal Building where he couldn't eat the food and was at risk of getting an infection. "He said it's okay, but we are all seen like criminals, we have been put on the floor, on concrete floor and there's nothing, it's a crowded place. One bathroom, he said, it so messy, 30 people using it, people laying all over" said Duklef. Duklef says his brother was taken to Fairview Southdale and doctors were able to give him soft food so he can eat. But federal agents want to send him to a detention facility in El Paso, Texas, where they wouldn't know how to care for his condition. Advertisement Advertisement "We've been really pushing to keep him in the hospital because we felt that's the safest place for him, better than the detention center," said Duklef. What they're saying Duklef hopes his brother will be released on bond in Minnesota so he can continue to get the medical attention he needs, because if he is deported to Libya with limited access to health care, it would be a death sentence. "It's a life-threatening situation. And so that's why I'm pushing, advocating for his release and also for his stay in the US to get the best care available," said Duklef. Immigration enforcement in the United States has drifted away from its core purpose. What began as a public safety function focused on serious threats and guided by professional judgment has become something far more volatile: politicized, disconnected from local realities and increasingly dangerous for everyone involved. The recent tragedy in Minnesota should force a reckoning. Not because it is unique, but because it is the inevitable outcome of where we are and where we are headed if we refuse to change course. Ive spent two decades inside the national security and homeland security system. Ive worked alongside agents who take their oath seriously and understand the weight of the authority they carry. We also all know how fragile public trust is, and how quickly it can be shattered when enforcement loses its grounding in common sense and accountability. Advertisement Advertisement What we are witnessing now is not enforcement designed to protect Americans. It is enforcement untethered from public safety, driven by optics, speed, daily arrest quotas and political pressure rather than judgment. And that makes everyone less safe. ICE's tactics are dangerous for public safety and law enforcement How do I know youre a U.S. citizen? After asking a man his legal status, footage showed an ICE agent encountering protesters in Minneapolis. First, this approach is dangerous for law enforcement officers themselves. When federal agents are pushed into fast-moving, high-visibility operations without clear prioritization or coordination with local partners, risk skyrockets, and officers are placed in volatile encounters with little margin for error. Split-second decisions carry life-or-death consequences for both civilians and for agents. Second, this model undermines public safety instead of advancing it. Advertisement Advertisement Public safety is not measured by arrest numbers or viral footage. It is measured by whether communities are safer tomorrow than they were yesterday. When immigration enforcement prioritizes volume over threat, resources are diverted away from the work that actually protects people investigating violent crime, dismantling trafficking networks and disrupting transnational criminal organizations. Every hour spent arresting noncriminal students, workers, parents, older people and decade-long leaders in our communities people chosen for visibility, not threat is an hour stolen from real public safety work. That tradeoff is rarely acknowledged, but it is real. And it compounds quickly. Investigations stall. Intelligence dries up. The system grows weaker even as it looks tougher. Opinion: I'm a surgeon and I've been shot. ICE denying Renee Good aid is inhumane. Third, this approach destroys trust the most critical currency in law enforcement. Trust between federal agencies and local law enforcement. Trust between officers and the communities they serve. Trust that the law is being enforced fairly, rationally and with common sense. You cannot police effectively in an environment of fear When federal enforcement operates without transparency or coordination, local partners pull back. When communities see enforcement as arbitrary or performative, cooperation evaporates. Witnesses stop coming forward. Tips disappear. Fear replaces dialogue. Advertisement Advertisement You cannot police effectively in an environment of fear. You cannot protect communities that do not trust you. And once that trust is broken, rebuilding it takes years if it can be rebuilt at all. Fourth, this moment exposes the cost of leadership failure. Americas immigration system is broken. That is not a controversial statement. What is controversial is pretending that aggressive enforcement alone can fix it. For decades, leaders have avoided the hard work of reform updating laws, creating legal pathways that reflect economic reality, investing in immigration judges and other adjudication capacity and legislating clear enforcement priorities rooted in public safety. Instead, theyve leaned on executive action and enforcement surges as a substitute for governance. Advertisement Advertisement That long-standing avoidance has real consequences. When enforcement becomes a blunt tool for political frustration, agents are left to execute missions that policy never clearly defined. They are placed in situations that stretch beyond their training, authority and resources, increasing risk for officers, agencies and the communities they serve. That is how we arrive at moments like Minnesota not as anomalies, but as symptoms. Protests across the nation Saturday decried a fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent and Trump's military actions in Venezuela. See the nationwide protests, beginning here in New York City near the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in Manhattan during an Ice Out for Good protest in Manhattan Jan. 10, 2026. The Javits Federal Building is where ICE officers have arrested immigrants attending mandatory check-ins. Diane Pittman attends the protest dressed as The Statue of Liberty on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, during the No ICE No War protest at Unity Park in Greenville, South Carolina. A person dressed up as "king Trump" dances as demonstrators gather to protest the recent US operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of the Venezuelan President and against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts on January 10, 2026. Protesters gather in steady rain outside the Henderson County Courthouse in Hendersonville, North Carolina on Jan. 10, 2026. A protester holds a sign during the Power to the People rally on Jan. 10, 2026, at Bandshell Park in Ames, Iowa. Dahlonega Peck joins demonstrators at an antiICE protest organized by the Party for Socialism & Liberation at 13th Street and University Avenue in Gainesville, FL, on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Party members and local residents gathered to condemn ICEs violent actions in several cities and to protest the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota earlier this week. A man holds a sign stating that Silence is compliance. Dont let cruelty win during a rally against ICE at 14th and Erie, Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Sheboygan, Wis. Organizers hang up a photo of Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, during a protest against ICE activity at Evelyn K. Davis Park on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 in Des Moines, Iowa. Diane Pittman attends the protest dressed as The Statue of Liberty on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, during the No ICE No War protest at Unity Park in Greenville, South Carolina. Protester gather near the Federal Building in Eugene against ICE activities in the United States on Jan. 10, 2026. Phyllis Krueger, 79, of Salem writes a Defund ICE sign at the Oregon State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Salem, Ore., in response to the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. A woman holds an umbrella as people protest against increased immigration enforcement, after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, outside the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 10, 2026. A anti-ICE protester shout at ICE agents as they exit the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building parking lot during demonstrations sparked by the fatal shooting of a Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on Jan. 10, 2026. Ivan leads a chant during a protest against ICE and the Trump administration's actions in Venezuela on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Savannah City Hall in Savannah, Ga.. A protester displays a sign during the Power to the People rally on Jan. 10, 2026, at Bandshell Park in Ames, Iowa. Protesters gather at the Federal Building in Eugene Jan. 10, 2026. Savannah Police officers wrestle a protestor to the ground as they arrest them in Bay Street during a protest against ICE and the Trump administration's actions in Venezuela on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Savannah City Hall in Savannah, Ga.. Protesters organized outside the Harding Memorial Jan. 10 to protest the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and President Donald Trump. Demonstrators gather to protest the recent US operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of the Venezuelan President and against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts on January 10, 2026. A woman attends to her dog during the ICE Out For Good protest Jan. 10, 2026, at the John F. Seiberling Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Akron, Ohio. Demonstrators gather to protest the recent US operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of the Venezuelan President and against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts on January 10, 2026. Demonstrators gather to protest the recent US operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of the Venezuelan President and against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts on January 10, 2026. Demonstrators gather to protest the recent US operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of the Venezuelan President and against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts on January 10, 2026. Demonstrators gather to protest the recent US operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of the Venezuelan President and against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts on January 10, 2026. A dozen people turned out on the pedestrian walkway over the Indiana 45/46 Bypass to protest the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good in Bloomington, Ind., Jan. 10, 2026. Several hundred protesters attended an Ice Out for Good protest in Manhattan Jan. 10, 2026. People gather in Petoskey during the ICE Out For Good protest on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. The nationwide demonstrations were coordinated in response to the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 by an ICE agent. Jolie Schwab of Manhattan was among those attending an Ice Out for Good protest in Manhattan Jan. 10, 2026. Protestors hold signs during a protest against ICE and the Trump administration's actions in Venezuela on Saturday at Savannah City Hall in Savannah, Ga. Debra Hyman, left, and Marie Gianelli participate in the IEC Out For Good protest in front of Delta College at Pacific and Yokuts avenues in Stockton, Calif., Jan. 10, 2026. Protesters gather in Dover, New Hampshire, Jan. 10, 2026 for one of many protests held nationally after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minnesota. A person holds a sign at the Oregon State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Salem, Ore., in response to the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. A sign reading No Kings in America rests on rain-soaked grass during a protest outside the Henderson County Courthouse in Hendersonville, North Carolina on Jan. 10, 2026. Protesters display signs during the Power to the People rally on Jan. 10, 2026, at Bandshell Park in Ames, Iowa. People march as they protest against increased immigration enforcement, after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 10, 2026. Demonstrators gather to protest the recent US operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of the Venezuelan President and against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts on January 10, 2026. Demonstrators protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Lafayette Square in Washington, DC on January 10, 2026. Demonstrators protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Lafayette Square in Washington, DC on January 10, 2026. Demonstrators protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Lafayette Square in Washington, DC on January 10, 2026. Tessa Petit, executive director of the Florida Immigration Coalition, calls on protesters to continue to oppose immigration enforcement in the U.S. in suburban Boca Raton, Fla., Jan. 10,. 2026. A dozen people turned out on the pedestrian walkway over the Indiana 45/46 Bypass to protest the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good in Bloomington, Ind., Jan. 10, 2026. A man raises his first in solidarity during an ICE Out For Good protest Jan. 10, 2026, at the John F. Seiberling Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Akron, Ohio. See the scene: ICE shootings, Venezuela strike spark national protests 1 of 42 Protests across the nation Saturday decried a fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent and Trump's military actions in Venezuela. See the nationwide protests, beginning here in New York City near the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in Manhattan during an Ice Out for Good protest in Manhattan Jan. 10, 2026. The Javits Federal Building is where ICE officers have arrested immigrants attending mandatory check-ins. If this trajectory continues, the damage will not be linear. It will be exponential. More dangerous encounters. More mistrust. More disengagement from local partners. More pressure on officers caught between their oath and political demands. More communities are convinced that federal law enforcement is something to fear rather than rely upon. Advertisement Advertisement What we are seeing now is not a tougher or smarter phase of immigration enforcement. It is a failure of focus. The system has shifted away from identifying and neutralizing real criminal threats and toward producing images, metrics and moments that play well on cable news and social media. Enforcement decisions are increasingly shaped by what can be filmed, posted and amplified not by what actually reduces harm or encourages compliance with our law. This is enforcement optimized for narrative, not safety. Opinion: Almost anyone can be an ICE agent now. That's a problem. This is political signaling, not dealing with real risks This moment is being framed as a correction to past failures at the border. But the problems created by a system under strain are not solved by shifting enforcement inward toward people who pose little or no public safety threat. Border breakdowns reflect failures of capacity, coordination and policy. Redirecting enforcement power away from real risks and toward political signaling does not fix those failures it creates new ones, increasing danger for officers, communities and the integrity of the system itself. Advertisement Advertisement Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. For years, the administration claimed it needed sweeping enforcement powers to protect Americans from criminal migrants. That narrative justified extreme rhetoric and broad promises. But it was never supported by the facts. There were not enough serious noncitizen criminals to sustain it. What existed then and still exists now is a broken immigration system. Instead of fixing it, todays strategy relies on quotas and optics to manufacture threat. The result is more dangerous: enforcement untethered from purpose, increased risk on city streets and harm to Americans as well as migrants. A system once strained by volume is now destabilized by design and that is a far greater public safety risk. Minnesota should be understood in that context not as a single failure, but as a warning about what path we are on as a nation. When enforcement is driven by messaging instead of mission, when optics outweigh judgment and when leadership substitutes spectacle for strategy, the risk to officers, civilians and public safety increases exponentially. Advertisement Advertisement This is not inevitable. But reversing it requires leadership willing to reject the performance model and recommit to targeted, disciplined and grounded enforcement. It requires acknowledging that immigration enforcement cannot substitute for a functioning immigration system and that no amount of theater can compensate for the absence of law, accountability and reform. Jason P. Houser is a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief of staff and Customs and Border Protection counterterrorism official. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: I helped run ICE. Trump policies lose sight of the mission | Opinion Travelers may want to factor safety into their 2026 travel plans as tensions and armed conflicts continue to ramp up around the world. In its 2025 Global Peace Index, published in June, the Institute for Economics & Peace said that "global peacefulness continues to decline" and that more countries are militarizing. The report ranks the United States 128th out of 163 countries, with Russia ranked as the least peaceful place on Earth last year. Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 3, the U.S. captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in an armed operation, and Washington is telegraphing the possibility of opening a new front in President Donald Trump's campaign to acquire Greenland. Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war grinds on, and a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seems to be tested all too often. What's one way to feel happier? Go on a trip. According to G Adventures' recently released Happiness List 2026, 89% of the 8,000 adults intending to travel in 2026 across the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand agree that purpose-driven travel contributes to their long-term happiness. Those trips offer a sense of wonder along with a chance to decompress and find connection. Here are 10 travel experiences that G Adventures' travelers said made them feel happiest: Panama's San Blas Islands are ideal for unplugging while enjoying turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. Travelers can stay in Indigenous-owned accommodations, including traditional huts, and explore the archipelago by boat. Witnessing a solar eclipse is one way to experience wonder. G Adventures offers five trips for the Aug. 2027 eclipse, including an exclusive viewing party in Chefchaouen, Morocco. Travelers can dive into Guatemala's history and culture, from learning how to make beloved local dishes to exploring the ancient ruins of Tikal. Exploring the wild, remote landscapes in the Arctic aboard an expedition cruise can leave travelers with a newfound appreciation for Mother Nature. Imagine having a close encounter with Africa's wildlife while also supporting ethical travel and conservation. G Adventures offers a trip to Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, where travelers can see Victoria Falls, track elephants and cruise rivers looking for hippos. Sail down Sri Lanka's South Coast on a seven-day trip on a 54-foot catamaran for the chance to swim at remote beaches, explore fishing villages and more. Ecuador offers much more than being a gateway to the Galapagos. Travelers can go chocolate tasting, learn more about Indigenous culture and explore the wild jungle. Rather than falling into the typical tourist traps, travelers can try to live like a local and go off the beaten path. On G Adventures' East Iceland trip, guests go to a remote hamlet, enjoy geothermal pools and hike coastal trails. The Stans Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan offer a rich history steeped in the Silk Road trade along with stunning nature, like Kaindy Lake's otherworldly sunken forest. Moldova may not be on everyone's radar, but this underrated Eastern European destination is perfect for foodies. Travelers can sip wine, taste local cuisine and visit spots like an eco-friendly cheese factory. 10 destinations where travelers feel happiest 1 of 10 What's one way to feel happier? Go on a trip. According to G Adventures' recently released Happiness List 2026, 89% of the 8,000 adults intending to travel in 2026 across the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand agree that purpose-driven travel contributes to their long-term happiness. Those trips offer a sense of wonder along with a chance to decompress and find connection. Here are 10 travel experiences that G Adventures' travelers said made them feel happiest: Panama's San Blas Islands are ideal for unplugging while enjoying turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. Travelers can stay in Indigenous-owned accommodations, including traditional huts, and explore the archipelago by boat. The index determines a country's rank using 23 factors, including external conflicts fought, deaths from internal conflict, military expenditure and weapons imports. Still, many places rank highly for peace and safety, and some of the countries in the top 10 have improved their peacefulness ratings since 2024, according to the institute. Here's where you might want to consider going for a peaceful getaway. The 10 most peaceful countries of 2025 10. Finland Advertisement Advertisement 9. Slovenia 8. Denmark 7. Portugal 6. Singapore 5. Switzerland 4. Austria 3. New Zealand 2. Ireland 1. Iceland Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where is it safe to travel? Top 10 peaceful countries to visit Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, announced Monday that hes endorsing Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) for retiring Sen. Cynthia Lummiss (R-Wyo.) seat this year. Ive known Harriet Hageman for over 30 years. Shes battled federal overreach in the court room, she holds government and foreign adversaries accountable in Congress nobody delivers results for our country and the people of Wyoming like Harriet, Barrasso says in an ad alongside Hageman. Hageman thanked Barrasso, the senior senator from the Cowboy State, in the ad, saying your friendship and commitment to Wyoming is truly incredible. Advertisement Advertisement The House Republican announced last month that she would be running for Lummiss seat after Lummis announced she would not be seeking another six-year term in the Senate. Army National Guard veteran Jimmy Skovgard has also launched a bid on the Republican side. Republicans have quickly coalesced around Hagemans Senate bid; she has nabbed endorsements from President Trump and the conservative Club for Growth. I know Harriet well, and she is a TOTAL WINNER! Harriet has ALWAYS delivered for Wyoming, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in December. Hageman entered Congress in 2023 after defeating former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) a prominent Trump critic who sat on the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack in the GOP primary with Trumps endorsement. Advertisement Advertisement Given the states Republican leanings, whoever wins the GOP primary is expected to clinch the Senate seat in November. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In the days since the United States captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and seized control of his government, President Trump has threatened to use force in several other countries and territories as well: Greenland, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Iran. But Americans say they would oppose U.S. military intervention in each of these places by wide margins, according to a new Yahoo/YouGov poll. Trump has long speculated, for instance, about acquiring the massive, largely uninhabited Arctic island of Greenland. One way or the other, were going to have Greenland, Trump told reporters Sunday aboard Air Force One. If we dont do it the easy way, were going to do it the hard way, he vowed a few days earlier. Meanwhile, the White House has confirmed that utilizing the U.S. military is always an option there. Advertisement Advertisement Yet military action in the Danish-controlled territory a move that would mean the end of NATO, according to European leaders garners little support among Americans. Just 14% would favor U.S. forces intervening in Greenland; a full 62% say they would oppose it. Even Republicans are more likely to oppose (36%) than favor (32%) taking military action in Greenland. The new Yahoo/YouGov survey of 1,709 U.S. adults was conducted from Jan. 8 to 12, shortly after Maduro and his wife were flown to New York and jailed on drug trafficking charges and just as Trump was turning his attention elsewhere. When asked on Jan. 4 about a potential military operation in Colombia, the president said, "Sounds good to me." The same day, Trump mused that Cuba looks like it is ready to fall, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the countrys Communist leaders that theyre in a lot of trouble. Last Thursday, the president told Fox News he wanted to launch land strikes on drug cartels in Mexico. And he has repeatedly declared that the U.S. military is locked and loaded and ready to attack if the Iranian government doesnt curb its violent crackdown on protesters. Advertisement Advertisement None of these efforts, however, would be popular with the American people. Only 24% would support U.S. military intervention in Colombia. Only 25% would support it in Mexico. And only 26% would support it in Cuba. In contrast, a majority of Americans say they would oppose U.S. military intervention in all three countries: 52% in Cuba, 53% in Colombia and 55% in Mexico. The only country where opposition to military action doesnt clear the 50% threshold is Iran; it falls just short at 48%. But support for using force there is still nearly 20 percentage points lower, at just 29%. Even among Republicans, support for U.S. military intervention in Mexico, Cuba, Colombia and Iran is relatively tepid, with about half saying they would favor it, about a quarter saying they would oppose it and another quarter or so saying theyre not sure. Those numbers reflect wider concerns about U.S. foreign policy that transcend party lines: Advertisement Advertisement Just 30% of Americans including less than half of Republicans (48%) believe that it is generally worth it for the U.S. to intervene abroad because doing so tends to make the world a better place. Far more (47%) say it is generally not worth it for the U.S. to intervene abroad because doing so tends to detract from our priorities at home. Only 12% of Americans including just 25% of Republicans think the U.S. should take control of other countries by force if it serves our interests, as it just did in Venezuela. More than two-thirds of Americans (67%) say the U.S. should not do this. And only 28% of Americans including just about half of Republicans (51%) agree with the worldview recently espoused by top Trump adviser Stephen Miller: "You can talk all you want about international niceties, but we live in a world that is governed by force. The U.S. should use its military to secure our interests unapologetically in our hemisphere." In the end, Trump appears to be moving ahead with his plan to acquire Greenland if not militarily, then diplomatically. On Tuesday, a senior administration official told USA Today to expect meaningful U.S. action related to the Arctic island within "weeks or months. Advertisement Advertisement That's where President Trump wants to move it at high speed, the official said. But even a peaceful effort wouldnt be particularly well-received. In March, Americans told Yahoo and YouGov that they opposed annexing Greenland 49% to 19%. Today, that gap is even bigger: 53% to 20%. __________________ The Yahoo survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,709 U.S. adults interviewed online from Jan. 8 to 12, 2026. The sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, education, 2024 election turnout and presidential vote, party identification and current voter registration status. Demographic weighting targets come from the 2019 American Community Survey. Party identification is weighted to the estimated distribution at the time of the election (31% Democratic, 32% Republican). Respondents were selected from YouGovs opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S. adults. The margin of error is approximately 3.1%. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the day's news. Sign up for our Daily Headlines newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning at 7 a.m. The News in Brief Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Georgia's Revenue Service said a Liberian-flagged vessel delivered crude oil to the Kulevi port from a Russian company without violating international sanctions, stressing that the vessel, its owner, and the cargo were not subject to restrictions.In a January 12 statement, the agency said the tanker Nostos entered Kulevi on January 8 carrying 40,143 tons of crude oil for import customs clearance. The cargo was shipped from a Russian company through a foreign intermediary to a Georgian company. The Revenue Service did not name the firms involved.The agency said sanctions screening carried out with the Maritime Transport Agency confirmed that no international sanctions applied to the vessel, its owner, or the cargo, and that the shipment entered Georgia in full compliance with legal procedures.The Revenue Service said it conducts ongoing, coordinated checks of vessels and owners in relation to international sanctions and bars sanctioned ships from entering Georgian ports or undergoing customs procedures. It added that controls are being tightened to prevent attempts to use Georgia's customs territory to circumvent sanctions.Vessel-tracking data from VesselFinder showed the Nostos in the Black Sea as of January 12, en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk, with an expected arrival on January 13.In a separate case, Georgia's Border Police said on January 10 that it briefly detained a Panamanian-flagged tanker for violating maritime navigation rules. The vessel had previously sailed under a Russian flag.Georgian Dream's Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said criticism surrounding Arab investment in Georgia, including the Eagle Hills Georgia project, amounts to a direct attack on the state and is driven by forces opposed to the country's economic development."There is a direct attack on the state. We know what forces are fighting us, both inside and outside the country," Kaladze told journalists. "These people are not happy that the country is developing economically, that we have progress and reconstruction."Kaladze said large-scale investment projects play a key role in economic growth and job creation, adding that misinformation is being deliberately spread about the Eagle Hills development."It is no coincidence that so many lies and so much filth are being spread around this project," he said.According to the mayor, projects of this scale benefit both the broader economy and local businesses, particularly in the construction sector. He said foreign direct investment supports job creation and contributes to long-term development."I think society itself will assess how important the implementation of projects of this scale is for our country," Kaladze said. "They have a positive impact on economic development and are also important for Georgian companies involved in construction." HungaroMet, the national weather service, has withdrawn its 2nd degree (orange) alerts issued on Tuesday for freezing rain in Budapest and other parts of the country. The weather service, has however, maintained a first-degree alert for some areas in south-eastern Hungary, where further, scattered sleet is expected. Earlier: Hungarian Met Service (HungaroMet) has issued a sleet alert covering much of Transdanubia. Tuesday morning data shows the worst conditions in Gyor-Moson-Sopron County, where a second-level (orange) warning took effect shortly after 9 a.m. across the entire county. The same orange alert is active in Komarom, Kisber, and Tata districts of Komarom-Esztergom County. More than one millimetre of sleet has already fallen in these areas, and further sleet is expected in the coming hours. Freezing rain has already reached the capital, and a warning has been issued there too. A first-level (yellow) alert is in effect across Baranya and Tolna counties, as well as in most parts of Veszprem, Fejer and Somogy counties, and in three districts of Komarom-Esztergom County. A continuous layer of ice has formed on several rivers, however stepping onto river ice is strictly prohibited. Ice may only be used on standing waters where the water authority has measured the ice thickness, confirmed it has reached a safe level of 1012 centimetres, and officially designated the area as suitable for ice sports, emphasised Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Mukics. He also reported that firefighters were called out to 54 locations on Sunday due to the extreme winter weather. Fires broke out in 41 buildings a higher number than usual for this time of year although no rescues from icy waters were required. Police responded to 106 traffic accidents on Sunday. While there were no fatalities, 12 accidents resulted in personal injuries. The Counter-Terrorism Centre (TEK) and the Hungarian Defence Forces have checked on 2,544 elderly people living alone. The National Ambulance Service was called out 3,432 times and treated 595 people for traumatic injuries. National Police Chief Janos Balogh added that, due to the severe winter conditions, police have visited more than 14,000 vulnerable people over the past week and a half, primarily because of the risk of cold exposure. These visits were carried out both independently and in cooperation with civil protection organisations. More than 2,200 inspections were carried out in connection with violations of ice safety regulations. Warnings were issued in 86 cases, while two people were fined on the spot and reported for violations. Where a meteorological alert is in force due to sleet, those who can should stay at home in order to prevent accidents, the official warned. Update: According to the 9 AM hazard alert, a second-degree warning for persistent freezing rain remains in effect until midnight Tuesday in Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Komarom-Esztergom, Fejer, and Pest counties. First-degree (yellow) warnings for light freezing rain are active in Vas, Veszprem, Tolna, Bacs-Kiskun, Csongrad-Csanad, Bekes, and Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok counties. Forecast shows up to 2 cm more snow in northeast Transdanubia until morning, while freezing rain weakens and stops in South Transdanubia. The snow-to-ice transition line shifts east/northeast, replacing snow with freezing or sleet rain across larger areas in eastern North Transdanubiastrongest risk (several mm) in northern Transdanubia. As the precipitation band moves east, snow spreads across eastern Hungary. Central regions may see brief freezing rain (<1 mm) daytime; northeast/east expects steady snow with 4-10 cm accumulation by Tuesday evening. Key Impacts: Budapest/Pest: Second-degree alertdrive cautiously, black ice likely. Lake Balaton/Veszprem: Yellow warning, slippery roads. Eastern counties: Heavy snow (up to 10 cm), travel disruptions possible. Current Road Closures & Impacts Western Hungary (Second-Degree Warnings) Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Komarom-Esztergom, Fejer, Pest: Major highways (M1, M7 towards Budapest) likely slippery; expect delays or closures due to black ice from persistent freezing rain. Check Utinform.hu for real-time updates. Central & Southern Counties (First-Degree) Veszprem (Balaton area), Tolna, Bacs-Kiskun: Rural roads most affected; main routes like 7/E71 may have salting crews active but drive slowly. Eastern Snow Zones Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Bekes, Csongrad-Csanad: Snow accumulation (4-10 cm expected) could close secondary roads by evening; M5 motorway monitoring for drifts. Tips Use Waze/Google Maps for live hazards. Budapest airport (Liszt Ferenc) operational but flights delayedcheck bud.hu. Public transport (BKK buses/trams) running; avoid driving if possible. MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only Source: MTI Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent. Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media. XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com ********************************************************************************************* 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. President Tamas Sulyok has set the date for Hungary's next parliamentary election at April 12, and the presidential office has confirmed it, MTI reports. "Free elections are the basis of representational democracy and an outstanding event expressing the sovereignty of the people, in which each voting age Hungarian citizen can make a free and responsible decision to shape Hungary's future" - his office said in a statement, adding that the date had been set for the earliest possible day under Hungary's constitution and election law. The statement also quoted the president as encouraging all Hungarian citizens to participate in the election. The next parliamentary election will decide the composition of Hungarys 199-seat National Assembly for the coming four-year term and determine the formation of the next government. Under Hungarys constitution, parliamentary elections must be held in April or May of the fourth year following the previous National Assembly election. The exact date is set by the president no later than 72 days before polling day. Political parties are expected to step up campaign activity in the months ahead, including candidate nominations and other preparations in line with electoral law. The official campaign period begins 50 days before election day, which this year would be February 21. According to a recent survey by the Nezopont Institute, voter preferences showed little movement over the Christmas period, with the governing parties slightly extending their lead. If an election were held this Sunday, FideszKDNP would receive 47% of the party-list vote, followed by the Tisza Party on 40% and the Our Homeland Movement (Mi Hazank) on 6%. As indicated by earlier polling, the results point toward a National Assembly made up of three parliamentary parties. Voting possible at record number of foreign missions Hungarian citizens with an address in the country will be able to vote at a record 151 foreign representations if they happen to be abroad on the day of the election, April 12, the National Election Office (NVI) said. Voters will have to register ahead of the elections to be able to vote abroad. Since the 2022 general election, foreign missions were opened in Osaka, Yerevan, Dar-es-Salaam, N'Djamena, Kigali and Kinshasa, the NVI said. Meanwhile, voting is no longer possible in Dakar, and in Ukraine, voters will have to go to Berehove (Beregszasz) rather than Lviv as they did four years ago, the statement said. Why President Sulyok Might Have Delayed Hungarys Elections - via HATC.hu Although April 12 has long been widely expected to be the date of this years parliamentary elections, the decision ultimately lies with President Tamas Sulyok. By law, the election must be called 70-90 days in advance and held on a Sunday in April or May, excluding public holidays, Easter, and Pentecost. The earliest possible date this year is April 12, one week after Easter. If that is to be the date, Sulyok could announce the decision between January 12 and February 1. Presidents traditionally choose the first available Sunday, but political scientist Andrea Szabo has suggested that Sulyok might not opt for the earliest date. She told Telex that Fidesz may want additional time to roll out campaign measures and wait for their impact. An April 12 election would signal confidence within Fidesz, while a later date could indicate a need for more preparation. The latest possible election date under the law is May 31, in which case Sulyok would have until early or late March to call the vote. The official campaign period begins 50 days before election day, marking the start of poster placement and candidate nomination. MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only ********************************************************************************************* 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. India sees the Indo-Pacific as a "seamless interface" of the Indian and Pacific Oceans from the western coast of North America to the eastern shores of Africa. Over 50 per cent of global trade traverses this maritime domain which is also home to over 60% of the worlds population and the global GDP. Shikhar Dhawans engagement to Sophie Shine has become one of the most searched celebrity love stories right now, driven by recency and emotional resonance. The primary keyword Shikhar Dhawan Sophie Shine love story has spiked after Dhawan publicly confirmed their engagement and February 2026 wedding plans. This matters now because fans are seeing a rare, quieter side of the former India opener after retirement and personal upheaval. From a chance meeting in Dubai to a relationship built away from noise, this story explains how timing, healing, and companionship reshaped Dhawans life. The tension between the United States and Cuba began decades ago. Experts said that US policy has focussed on the Western Hemisphere. Cuba maintained strong ties with Russia and China. Washington viewed these links as unacceptable. With the India vs New Zealand ODI series finely poised, Virat Kohli Rajkot ODI record has suddenly become a major talking point. Fresh from a composed 93 in Vadodara, Kohli enters Rajkot carrying form, momentum, and history. This matters now because the Niranjan Shah Stadium has quietly been one of his most reliable ODI venues. As India look to seal the series, Kohlis numbers at Rajkot offer clues about what lies ahead, both for the match result and for individual milestones that could reshape ODI record books. > < 23:53 Rejected lover kills woman, hides body under parked car in Noida Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com The police on Tuesday arrested a man accused of murdering a 27-year-old woman whose body was found under a parked car in Greater Noida's Beta-2 sector, with investigators saying the crime was triggered after she refused to marry him. The accused, Ankit Kumar, was arrested after an encounter... Read more > 23:43 2 more held in Turkman Gate violence; 20 arrested so far File image The Delhi police on Tuesday arrested two more persons in connection with the stone pelting at Turkman Gate last week, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 20, an official said. The police said that efforts are being made to apprehend social media influencers for their roles in... Read more > 23:28 DRI seizes drugs valued at Rs 17.55 cr across Maha and Goa; 10 arrested File image The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence's Mumbai Zonal Unit seized various narcotics with an estimated value of Rs 17.55 crore in separate operations across Maharashtra and Goa over the past three days, leading to the arrest of 10 persons, an official said on Tuesday. The seizures included... Read more > 23:17 Bangladesh summons Myanmar envoy over border shooting Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Myanmar ambassador in Dhaka over recent cross-border firing that critically wounded two Bangladeshis, including a 12-year-old girl, as the junta-run country's civil war between government troops and rebel forces spilled over the frontier.A foreign ministry statement... Read more > 22:42 Vijay has requested CBI to defer further questioning: TVK leader TVK on Tuesday claimed that there were several lapses in the Karur stampede case and said its founder leader Vijay has sought the CBI to defer questioning him further to next week in view of harvest festival Pongal as well as his prior commitments pertaining to screening of his last film Jana... Read more > 22:31 German Chancellor visits Bosch, CeNSE in Bengaluru German Chancellor Friedrich Merz being welcomed at Bengaluru airport on Tuesday./ANI Photo German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday visited the India headquarters of German tech major Bosch at Adugodi and CeNSE in Bengaluru.He is on a two-day official visit to India.Merz was received at the Kempegowda International Airport by Karnataka Minister for Large & Medium Industries M B... Read more > 21:59 Army opens fire on Pak drones along LoC in Rajouri File image Indian Army troops opened fire to take down multiple suspected Pakistani drones that entered Indian territory from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday evening, army officials said in Jammu. However, the drones briefly hovered in the... Read more > 21:26 RTI activist held in Mumbai for attempting to extort Rs 5 cr from Andhra MP An RTI activist was apprehended from Mumbai for allegedly blackmailing an Andhra Pradesh MP and attempting to extort Rs 5 crore from him, police said on Tuesday. The accused, Rushant Jaykumar Wadke, was nabbed from south Mumbai in a joint operation by the Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai police, an... Read more > 21:10 Gig workers body welcomes end to 10-minute delivery promise File image The Gig Workers Association on Tuesday welcomed the decision by quick commerce platforms to roll back the ten-minute delivery promise, saying the move recognises that extreme delivery timelines put unsafe pressure on delivery workers.In a statement, the association said the ten-minute delivery... Read more > 20:36 Haryana bars use of 'Harijan', 'Girijan' in official work Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini The Haryana government has asked all its departments, public and educational institutes and others to strictly avoid using the terms 'Harijan' and 'Girijan' in official communications in respect of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) respectively.The Haryana chief secretary's office... Read more > 20:12 BJP expels 22 workers for anti-party activities in Maha's Nanded The Bharatiya Janata Party has expelled 22 members from its fold for anti-party activities ahead of the civic polls in Maharashtra's Nanded city. The action was taken recently after several aspirants, who were denied party tickets for the January 15 polls, switched allegiance to other... Read more > 19:57 SC adjourns to Jan 29 hearing on wife's plea against Wangchuk detention The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned to January 29 the hearing of a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, the wife of jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, against his detention under the National Security Act. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale deferred the matter. List... Read more > 19:36 Karur stampede: CBI summons TVK chief Vijay again on Jan 19 The CBI has summoned TVK chief and actor Vijay for second round of questioning on January 19 in connection with the Karur stampede case, officials said Tuesday. Vijay, who was questioned at the CBI headquarters here on Monday for more than six hours, was asked to come again on Tuesday but... Read more > 19:34 Rupee declines 4 paise to close at 90.21 against US dollar The rupee declined 4 paise to close at 90.21 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday, weighed down by higher crude oil prices, a firm American currency and incessant outflow of foreign funds. Analysts said geopolitical tensions and weak equity markets also put pressure on the Indian... Read more > 19:33 Shivakumar receives Rahul Gandhi at Mysuru Airport amid power tussle Amid speculation about a leadership change in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at Mysuru airport on Tuesday.The two leaders also held talks before Rahul Gandhi arrived in Mysuru after his visit to Tamil Nadu.The speculated power tussle within the... Read more > 18:51 Jaundice outbreak in Odisha school; medical team rushed to spot Jaundice has been detected among some students of an Odisha government school in Dhenkanal district, a health official said on Tuesday. While parents and guardians of the Odisha Adarsha Vidyalalay (OAV) at Biswanathpur in Gondia block of the district have alleged that more than 10 students... Read more > 18:21 Silver at fresh high of Rs 2.71L/kg; gold tops Rs 1.45 lakh File image Silver prices surged by Rs 6,000 to hit a fresh lifetime high of Rs 2,71,000 per kg in the national capital on Tuesday, and gold climbed to yet another record of Rs 1,45,000 per 10 grams amid sustained buying by the stockists. According to the All India Sarafa Association, the white precious... Read more > 18:13 BSE Sensex top losers today Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Tuesday after a day's breather, as investors pared exposure to index majors Reliance Industries, L&T and Bharti Airtel amid global tariff-related concerns. Market sentiment was also sluggish due to a weak start to the earnings... Read more > 17:53 Maharashtra: Polls to 12 zilla parishads and 125 panchayat samitis on Feb 5 Elections to 12 Zilla Parishads (ZP) and 125 Panchayat Samitis in Maharashtra will be held on February 5, and counting of votes will be taken up on February 7, a senior official said on Tuesday. The schedule was announced a day after the Supreme Court extended the January 31 timeline for... Read more > 17:42 China's claim unacceptable; entire PoK belongs to India: Ladakh LG Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday strongly rejected China's claim over the Shaksgam valley, asserting that the entire region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to India. He also asserted that no expansionist attempt would be tolerated. China on Monday reaffirmed... Read more > 17:27 SC to hear plea for Vijay's film censor certificate on January 19 The Supreme Court is slated to hear on January 19 the plea filed by the producer of Vijay-starrer Tamil film 'Jana Nayagan', challenging an interim order of the Madras high court that stayed a single-judge direction to grant CBFC clearance to the movie. According to the cause list of the... Read more > 17:19 One Indian student dead, two injured in Kazakhstan road accident The Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan on Tuesday said that 11 Indian students from Semey Medical University were involved in a road accident in Oskemen while returning from an excursion to the Altai Mountains in East Kazakhstan. Sharing details in a post on X, the Embassy said, In a tragic... Read more > 16:59 5 more J-K govt employees sacked over terror links Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday terminated the services of five more government employees for suspected terror links. The LG administration has since 2020 sacked 85 government employees after it was found during surveillance that they were working for terrorist... Read more > 16:55 Rahul Gandhi takes part in school event in TN, participates Pongal fete Congress leader Rahul Gandhi talks to a student at a school event in Tamil Nadu./Courtesy X Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took part in the golden jubilee celebrations of a school near Udhagamandalam and also participated in the harvest festival 'Pongal' celebrations held there. On his arrival at the St Thomas English High School, Gandhi was accorded a warm welcome and he... Read more > 16:42 Trump's 25% duty plan for Iran's trade partners unlikely to impact India: FIEO Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff Apex exporters' body FIEO on Tuesday said US President Donald Trump's announcement to impose 25 percent duty on countries doing business with Iran will almost have no impact on India. Trump has announced that any country doing business with Iran will have to pay a 25 percent tariff on its... Read more > 16:36 Aditya Sahu set to become new president of Jharkhand BJP Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu is all set to become the new president of the opposition BJP in Jharkhand as he was the only candidate who filed nomination for the election to the post on Tuesday, a party leader said. The process of nomination began at 12 pm and concluded at 2 pm, he... Read more > 16:13 PhysicsWallah Plans 70 New Offline Centres PhysicsWallah, which recently made its D-Street debut, is accelerating its offline expansion and aims to open nearly 70 physical centres each financial year, targeting a network of about 200 new centres by 2028-29.In an exclusive conversation with Business Standard, the company's Chief... Read more > 15:45 North India shivers under intense cold wave A severe cold wave continued to grip large parts of Uttar Pradesh and north India on Monday morning, with dense fog reducing visibility in several cities even as thousands of devotees braved the freezing conditions to take a holy dip at the Sangam in Prayagraj during the ongoing Magh... Read more > 15:39 Govt asks Blinkit, Swiggy, Zepto to stop 10-minute delivery Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has persuaded major delivery aggregators to remove the mandatory 10-minute delivery deadline, following a series of sustained interventions, sources said Tuesday. A meeting was held with leading platforms including Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy... Read more > 15:21 The 'tiger widows' restoring the big cat's habitat Malati Mondal's husband was killed by a tiger. He was attacked about a decade ago, as he went out fishing on a small raft through the mangroves. Living in the Sundarbans, the planet's largest mangrove forest which straddles West Bengal, in India, and southern Bangladesh, it's a risk... Read more > 15:12 Forever Young At 97: The Enduring World Of Tintin Tintin Stays Timeless. Indeed.From his earliest appearances to the extraordinary stories that followed, Tintin's journey is one of imagination and curiosity. Not to forget daring.As Herge's legendary young reporter marks 97 years, his adventures continue to hold fascination for generation after... Read more > 15:08 Iran unrest hits Indian basmati rice exports, prices fall Civil unrest in Iran has started impacting India's basmati rice exports to the country, leading to a sharp fall in domestic prices, as exporters face payment delays and mounting uncertainties, an industry body said on Tuesday. The Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) urged exporters to... Read more > 14:57 Venezuela developments unlikely to impact oil prices: Crisil Crisil Ratings on Tuesday said that recent developments in Venezuela are not likely to have any material near-term impact on crude oil prices, as the Latin American nation had a relatively small share of global supply. A US military operation in early January resulted in the capture of... Read more > 14:25 No talks on nuclear issue between India, Pak during Op Sindoor: Army chief Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that there were no talks between the Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan about nuclear warfare. Responding to a query raised during a press conference here, he said that the nuclear rhetoric was... Read more > 14:09 SC to stray dog feeders: Why don't you take them home? The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will ask states to pay a heavy compensation for dog-bite incidents as it flagged its concern over the lack of implementation of norms on stray animals for the past five years. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria said that even... Read more > 13:59 Chinese Communist Party leaders meet RSS leader Leaders of China's Communist Party (CCP) on Tuesday met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale at the RSS headquarters. The meeting lasted for approximately half an hour, according to sources. According to the organisation's sources, the meeting was purely a courtesy... Read more > 12:52 Was ready for ground offensive: Army chief on Op Sindoor Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that Operation Sindoor, carried out in response to the ghastly 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, was the best example of tri-service synergy under clear-cut political directive. While addressing the annual press conference in the... Read more > 12:31 Mamdani, wife move in to official residence NYC Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani shares this picture among others on X and writes, Rama and I feel lucky to be starting a new chapter the way so many New Yorkers have, by moving to a new part of the city. We're grateful for the welcome to the UES and humbled to be tenants of Gracie Mansion, a home... Read more > 12:17 Jeetendra, Tusshar sell Mumbai property for Rs 559 cr Actor Jeetendra and his son Tusshar Kapoor have sold a commercial property in suburban Mumbai to an arm of Japan's NTT Group for Rs 559 crore, documents shared by a realty consultant on Tuesday said. NTT Global Data Centres has bought over 30,195 sq m space in Balaji IT park for Rs 559.24... Read more > 11:54 SC delivers split verdict on Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a split verdict on the constitutional validity of a 2018 provision of the anti-graft law which mandates prior sanction before initiating a probe against a government servant in a corruption case.While Justice BV Nagarathna said Section 17A of the Prevention... Read more > 11:29 'Hugs exchanged even as China settles villages in Arunachal' Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Monday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for meeting leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the national capital, saying that while China settles villages in Arunachal Pradesh, hugs were being exchanged here. This photo is of the BJP... Read more > 11:22 Maruti To Set Up New Plant In Gujarat Maruti Suzuki India on Monday said its new car manufacturing plant, the company's fifth, will be located at Khoraj industrial estate in Gujarat's Gandhinagar district.In a notice to the BSE, the company stated that the investment required for this plant will be finalised and approved by its board... Read more > 10:54 Is This Reason For Nirmalaji To Worry? The Centre's net direct tax collections rose 8.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 18.38 trillion as of 11 January 2025-26 (FY26), largely due to a moderation in refunds, according to provisional data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes.The growth is lower than the 12.6 per cent increase... Read more > 10:28 At 3C, Delhi wakes up to coldest January morning in 3 years Delhi recorded its coldest January morning in three years on Tuesday as the minimum temperature dropped to 3 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The capital recorded a low of 1.4 degrees Celsius on January 16, 2023, according to the weather department.... Read more > 09:59 Windsor: India's Bestselling EV In 2025 The Indian electric car market reached a significant turning point in 2025 as total sales climbed to about 200,000 units, a sharp rise from the 110,000 units recorded in 2024.This nearly 82 per cent market expansion was led by the JSW MG Windsor, which emerged as the country's top-selling... Read more > 09:57 China lays claim to Kashmir's Shaksgam Valley Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Monday rejected India's claim to the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. The territory you mentioned belongs to China. It's fully justified for China to conduct infrastructure construction on its own territory, Mao said when asked about... Read more > 09:23 Reconnect Iran to Internet, crown prince asks experts The Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called on specialists in the field of communications to target the state's infrastructure so that the world can establish contact with the protesters. As protests have rolled on to another week, Pahlavi has emerged as a vocal supporter of the... Read more > 08:59 'Uddhav would have retained Sena symbol had he...' Union minister and RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale has said Uddhav Thackeray would have retained the Shiv Sena's 'bow-and-arrow' symbol had he remained a BJP ally after the 2019 assembly elections, instead of joining hands with the Congress. He blamed the political choices of ex-chief... Read more > 08:51 Fadnavis shows old videos of feuding Thackeray cousins, says... Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has slammed recently united Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav and MNS leader Raj Thackeray, saying the January 15 Mumbai civic body poll is a battle of survival for the cousins, and not the Marathi people. Addressing a rally in Mumbai in support of... Read more > 08:32 25% tariff for countries doing business with Iran: Trump United States President Donald Trump announced a sweeping trade measure targeting countries that continue to do business with Iran, imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all their business dealings with the US. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the decision would be immediately in effect... Read more > 08:29 Maruti Signs MoU With Indian Oil To Set Up Service Stations Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) to set up vehicle service facilities at select IOCL fuel retail outlets across the country.Under the partnership, customers will be able to access routine maintenance, minor... Read more > 08:28 Supreme Court: Amalgamation Shares Taxable If They... The Supreme Court has ruled that shares allotted pursuant to a corporate amalgamation may attract tax as business incomein the year of allotment if they replace shares held as stock-in-trade and yield an immediate, commercially realisable benefit.A Bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R... Read more > 08:20 Only Marathi manoos will be at helm of affairs in BMC: Fadnavis 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... Read more > 08:15 'Leave Iran now': US issues advisory for its citizens The United States Virtual Embassy in Iran on Monday (local time) issued an advisory for American citizens to Leave Iran now, warning that protests across the country are escalating and could turn violent, leading to arrests, injuries and severe disruptions to daily life.In its advisory, the... Read more > 08:13 US revoked over 1 lakh visas in 2025 The US Department of State has announced that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas, including thousands of student and specialised visas, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic security and enforce immigration laws.In a post on X, the Department of State said that the revocations... Read more > 01:09 Navi Mumbai international airport will be named after late D B Patil,: Fadnavis The Navi Mumbai International Airport will be named after the people's leader, late D B Patil, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, asserting that the facility will play a key role in the region's economic expansion.Addressing a public meeting in Airoli during the Navi Mumbai... Read more > 00:53 Guardians can be held responsible if minors fly kites using Chinese string: HC File image The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court on Monday directed the state government to strictly enforce the ban on Chinese manja, noting that if a minor is found flying a kite using the banned string, his guardians can be held legally responsible.A bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and... Read more > > < 23:55 Elderly man from Matua community dies in Bengal; family links death to SIR A 70-year-old man belonging to the Matua community died after being hit by a train near a railway station in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, with his family claiming that anxiety over a scheduled SIR hearing drove him to suicide.The deceased, identified as Nikhil Chandra Das, was a... Read more > 23:44 Rats spotted in orthopaedic ward of UP medical college; probe ordered A video showing rats moving freely inside the orthopaedic ward of the Gonda medical college here has surfaced on social media, prompting the district magistrate to order a probe into the incident.The video, reportedly recorded by patients admitted at the autonomous institution and said to be... Read more > 23:31 Three new diarrhoea cases reported in Indore Three new cases of diarrhoea were reported on Wednesday from Bhagirathpura in Indore, India's cleanest city which is battling an outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water, a Madhya Pradesh health department official said. Indore chief medical and health... Read more > 23:10 Rs 21.5-cr scam detected at UP Cooperative Bank in Gonda, 16 booked An alleged fraud of about Rs 21.5 crore has been detected at the Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Bank headquartered in Gonda, following which an FIR has been registered against 16 people, including three former branch managers and a former cashier, the police said on Wednesday. City circle officer... Read more > 22:34 Owaisi urges Jaishankar to evacuate Hyderabad student stranded in Iran AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday requested External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to evacuate a woman student from Hyderabad, who is stranded in Iran amid widespread violence in the Islamic Republic. Owaisi was responding to a request made by the woman's father to him on X,... Read more > 22:20 Kolkata: 2 more nurses with Nipah symptoms hospitalised Representational image Two more nurses were on Wednesday admitted to the Beliaghata ID Hospital in Kolkata after they showed symptoms of the Nipah virus infection, a health department official said.The two were engaged in the treatment of a health worker who tested positive for the Nipah virus at Burdwan Medical... Read more > 21:52 6 women killed, 3 injured in car-truck collision in Rajasthan Six women were killed, while three were seriously injured in a head-on collision between a car and a truck on National Highway 52 in Rajasthan's Sikar district on Wednesday, the police said.The accident occurred in the evening near Harsawa village in Fatehpur sub-division when the car, returning... Read more > 21:29 Nagpur man murders eight-year-old daughter over custody dispute Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com A man allegedly killed his eight-year-old daughter over a dispute over her custody with his estranged wife on Wednesday morning, the police said.The tragic incident took place in Wathoda area of Nagpur.The victim Dhanashree Shendre lived with her father Shekhar Shendre (46) and grandmother Kusum... Read more > 21:25 Iranian FM dials Jaishankar, discusses Tehran situation External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar/File image External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday said he received a telephone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the evolving situation in and around Iran. Received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. We discussed the evolving... Read more > 21:07 Farm labourer dies after kite string cuts throat in Telangana File image A 38-year-old farm labourer from Uttar Pradesh died on Wednesday after a kite string cut his throat in Sangareddy district, the police said.The incident occurred while he was riding a two-wheeler in Fasalwadi village on his way to buy vegetables.Preliminary investigations suggest the kite string... Read more > 20:28 Baby girl sold for Rs 35,000 rescued in Odisha The police in Odisha's Bhadrak district on Wednesday rescued a one-month-old baby girl, who was allegedly sold for Rs 35,000 by her parents due to financial distress, officials said. A team led by Bhandaripokhari police station inspector-in-charge Rajalakshmi Nayak conducted a raid in... Read more > 20:13 Foreign secy Misri meets top leaders of Communist Party of China Foreign secretary Vikram Misri/File image India on Wednesday underlined the need to take positive steps to create the right environment for improving ties with China as foreign secretary Vikram Misri hosted Sun Haiyan, a senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), focusing on initiatives to rebuild the relations. Sun, the... Read more > 20:07 50 fall ill after consuming 'prasad' in Ludhiana; food poisoning suspected File image About 50 people, including women and children, fell ill after consuming 'prasad' distributed at a religious place at a village in Ludhiana on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Wednesday, the police said. According to the police, devotees started vomiting shortly after eating 'gajar ka... Read more > 19:46 Rupee falls 6 paise to close at 90.29 against US dollar The rupee pared initial gains and settled for the day 6 paise lower at 90.29 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday, as the likely central bank intervention was negated by a strong dollar, foreign outflows from capital markets, and elevated crude oil prices. Forex traders said the... Read more > 19:28 Couple killed, one injured in blast in Jharkhand's Hazaribag A couple was killed and another person injured in a blast at Habibinagar area in Jharkhand's Hazaribag on Wednesday, the police said.The reason behind the explosion could not be immediately ascertained, and a forensic team has been rushed to the spot, they said.A husband and wife were killed in... Read more > 19:02 Neighbour arrested for raping 4-year-old girl in Ayodhya Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com A 20-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping a four-year-old girl in a village in Ayodhya, the police said on Wednesday.According to the police, the incident occurred on Tuesday when the girl was playing outside her house. The accused, who is a neighbour of the girl, allegedly... Read more > 18:47 Op Sindoor underway, enemy closely monitored: Army chief Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi/File image Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday said Operation Sindoor is still ongoing and every move of the enemy is being closely monitored. Speaking at the investiture ceremony at the South Western Command in Jaipur, he said the Army, Navy and Air Force jointly engaged nine terrorist... Read more > 18:44 3 scribes detained over content against T'gana woman IAS officer Three journalists of a Telugu TV news channel here were on Wednesday detained for questioning in connection with a case registered for alleged broadcast of defamatory content against a woman IAS officer, the police said. The BRS and BJP hit out at the Congress government in Telangana,... Read more > 18:27 President Murmu on two-day visit of Punjab, Rajasthan from tomorrow President Droupadi Murmu will be on a two-day visit of Punjab and Rajasthan from Thursday, her office has said. The President will grace the 50th annual convocation ceremony of Guru Nanak Dev University at Amritsar on Thursday, it said. On January 16, Murmu will grace the 21st... Read more > 18:17 UP cop duped of Rs 5 lakh by people posing as e-commerce firm staff A case has been lodged against unidentified people who posed as operators of an e-commerce company and allegedly duped an Azamgarh constable of Rs 5.43 lakh by promising high returns on an online investment, the police said on Wednesday. According to the police, the FIR under Section 66D of... Read more > 17:52 Hoax bomb emails trigger searches at court, school in Punjab Security was stepped up, and a thorough search was undertaken at the Ludhiana court complex and a school in Moga on Wednesday after both places received bomb threats through email, which later turned out to be hoaxes, the police said. The police said that after thorough searches, nothing... Read more > 17:34 Influencer Harsha quits Sanatan Dharma promotion Influencer and professional host Harsha Richhariya/Image courtesy Facebook Influencer and professional host Harsha Richhariya, who created a buzz on social media with her appearance at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, on Wednesday said she has decided to stop promoting Sanatan Dharma. Everybody speaks of Hindu Rashtra. But any youngster coming forward to propagate... Read more > 16:53 BSE Sensex top losers today Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined on Wednesday, extending their previous day's losses, due to weakness in IT, consumption, and select banking blue-chip stocks amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Besides, persistent foreign fund outflows and fresh tariff-related... Read more > 16:42 I-PAC raids: Calcutta HC disposes of TMC's petition, adjourns ED plea The Calcutta high court on Wednesday disposed of the Trinamool Congress' petition praying for protection of its data, saying the ED has informed that it has not seized anything from I-PAC director Pratik Jain's office and home during its raids last week. TMC had moved the court seeking an... Read more > 16:20 Bangladesh envoy in India greets Hindus on Makar Sankranti Pithe or the sankranti special sweets posted by the Bangladesh envoy Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi, Riaz Hamidullah, on Wednesday extended Makar Sankranti greetings to all Hindu brothers and sisters in his country and in India, and said may the light of the sun illuminate every life. He posted the greetings -- in Bengali and Hindi -- on his X... Read more > 16:16 Stock markets extend losses for 2nd day Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined on Wednesday, extending their previous day's losses, due to weakness in IT, consumption, and select banking blue-chip stocks amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Besides, persistent foreign fund outflows and fresh tariff-related uncertainties... Read more > 16:07 Leave Iran now: India's 2nd advisory to its citizens A burnt car in Tehran. Pic: IRIB via WANA via Reuters India issues its second advisory for its citizens in Iran.In continuation of the advisory issued by the Government of India on 5 January 2025, and in view of the evolving situation in Iran, Indian nationals who are currently in Iran as students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists are advised... Read more > 15:58 Pak resorting to border mischief to deflect focus from internal issues: Ladakh LG Pakistan is indulging in mischief along the borders, including sending drones, in an attempt to divert attention from its internal problems, particularly its poor financial situation, Ladakh Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta said on Wednesday, asserting that its disintegration is inevitable.Talking to... Read more > 15:20 Never going to need MVA or Uddhav: Fadnavis rules out alliance Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday made it clear that the BJP-led Mahayuti will not seek any future political alignment with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) or Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, asserting that his alliance is fully capable of winning elections on its... Read more > 15:17 Thackeray cousins visit Mumbadevi temple ahead of D-day The Thackeray cousins at Bal Thackeray's memorial A day before the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray visited the iconic Mumbadevi temple here on Wednesday. The cousins visited the temple with their wives and children to offer... Read more > 15:12 Kashmiri separatist Asiya Andrabi convicted in UAPA case A Delhi court on Wednesday convicted Kashmiri separatist and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi in a UAPA case. Additional Sessions Judge Chanderjit Singh ordered their conviction under sections 18 (Punishment for conspiracy) and 38 (Offence relating to membership of a terrorist... Read more > 15:04 Hindutva is our aatma, never flaunted it for votes: Maha CM Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday asserted that his party has never sought votes by flaunting Hindutva, describing the ideology as its very soul.Speaking to ANI, Fadnavis said Hindutva is deeply ingrained in Marathi society and that his party respects the traditions and... Read more > 14:21 No message from Rahul Gandhi as reported in media: DKS Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday clarified that there is no message from Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi as being reported in the media, and that the latter has only asked the state government to continue the good work. Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress... Read more > 14:00 Delhi pollution forced me to withdraw: World #3 Antonsen World No.3 Anders Antonsen on Wednesday said he has withdrawn from the ongoing India Open due to extreme air pollution in the national capital and copped a USD 5,000 fine from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for his decision. A four-time World Championships medallist, Antonsen's remarks... Read more > 13:44 US envoy presents credentials to President Murmu United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday, according to an official statement.Gor, 38, was sworn in as the US Ambassador to India in mid-November last year.The US Senate confirmed his... Read more > 12:49 Support Iran in maintaining stability, says China Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Lin Jian, said on Wednesday that China supports Iran in maintaining its stability, adding that Beijing has always opposed the interference in other countries' internal affairs and the use of force in international relations. Chinese... Read more > 12:11 Will Thackeray brothers wrest control of BMC tomorrow? As Maharashtra heads to the elections on Thursday for 29 municipal corporations, the spotlight is on Mumbai, where the BJP-led Mahayuti is locked in a battle with the united Thackeray front for control of the cash-rich BMC. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has predicted that MNS leader Raj... Read more > 11:42 2,403 protesters killed in Iran Members of the Iranian police in Tehran At least 2,403 protesters have been killed in Iran since anti-government demonstrations began in late December, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).The total includes 12 protesters under the age of 18, HRANA's spokesperson confirmed to CNN. HRANA also reported at... Read more > 11:34 UP To Develop 3,000 Sq Km Alongside Yamuna Expressway To boost industrial growth in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Yogi Adityanath government plans to develop about 3,000 square kilometre (sq km) of land flanking the 165-km Yamuna Expressway in western Uttar Pradesh.The expressway's robust connectivity with Delhi, Agra, and the NCR has... Read more > 11:10 At least 12 killed after crane falls on train in Thailand Pic courtesy: Fire & Rescue Thailand Facebook page A train traveling from Thailand's capital to the country's northeast was derailed on Wednesday after a construction crane fell on top of one of its carriages, killing at least 12 people and injuring at least 30, police said.The accident took place on Wednesday morning in the Sikhio district of... Read more > 10:32 Iran writes to UNSC after Trump asks people to keep protesting Iran has formally appealed to the United Nations Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, accusing the United States of inciting violence, interfering in Iran's internal affairs, and threatening military action, according to an official letter circulated by Iran's Permanent Mission to the... Read more > 10:26 Astronomers now say the moon is eating up molecules from Earth's atmosphere Particles from Earth's atmosphere have been carried into space by solar wind and have been landing on the moon for billions of years, mixing into the lunar soil, according to a new study. Read more here. Read more > 10:00 DEA Creates Rs 17 trn PPP Project Pipeline Representational image The Department of Economic Affairs has created a three-year public-private partnership (PPP) project pipeline announced in the Budget for 2025-2026, comprising 852 projects at a total cost of Rs 17 trillion. 'The pipeline provides early visibility of potential PPP projects to enable... Read more > 09:50 Iran set to hang protester amid anti-regime protest crackdown Iran is set to witness more brutality as the administration has decided to execute its first protester on Wednesday amid mass arrests of anti-regime protesters, New York Post reported, citing human rights groups. 26-year-old Erfan Soltani is allegedly scheduled to be hanged to death after... Read more > 09:48 MF AUM Slowest In 3 Years Mutual funds recorded over 18 per cent growth in assets under management (AUM) in 2025, going by the increase in average AUM between the December quarters of 2024 and 2025.The industry managed an average of Rs 81 trillion during the October-December 2025 period compared to Rs 68.6 trillion in the... Read more > 09:30 BMC elections: Voter ID, 12 other identity proofs valid for polling Electors in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls will be required to present either a voter photo ID card or any one of the 12 alternative identity documents approved by the State Election Commission to cast their vote, officials said. Polling will be held across 227... Read more > 09:26 Maharashtra civic polls: Microphones, large groups barred campaigning The Maharashtra State Election Commission has prohibited civic poll candidates from using microphones and moving in large groups during door-to-door canvassing, citing its decision to allow only limited personal outreach after the end of the public campaign. Opposition parties have... Read more > 09:23 Doctor in Iran talks of streets covered in blood An Iranian doctor has given a rare account to CNN of chaotic scenes in both hospitals and on the streets following the regime's brutal crackdown against protesters, sharing how he treated scores of patients with bullet and pellet wounds over multiple days. Read more here. Read more > 09:09 AI Will Impact IT Deals: TCS CFO Samir Seksaria, chief financial officer at Tata Consultancy Services, believes that artificial intelligence (AI) will eventually impact deal structure.This shift is starting to take shape. Traditionally, information technology services contracts were largely effort-based. However, as AI... Read more > 08:43 Meta, WhatsApp Move SC Against NCLAT Social media conglomerate Meta and instant messaging platform WhatsApp have moved the Supreme Court against the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order that upheld the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta for abuse of dominance under the... Read more > 08:37 Musk's Starlink internet service is now free in Iran Elon Musk's SpaceX is now providing free internet access via its Starlink satellite service to users in Iran as the country's regime continues its bloody crackdown on anti-government protests, according to a tech expert in touch with Iranian Starlink users.Starlink accounts in Iran that... Read more > 08:25 Iran better behave: Trump warns amid unrest Anti Khamenei protests in London As protests continue to rise in Iran, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) warned the country of consequences if it continues violent actions against its own citizens, saying Tehran better behave. Trump said that the United States would review the situation in regard of reports... Read more > 08:15 Going to be big problem for him: Trump rebukes Greenland PM Reacting to remarks by the Premier of Greenland expressing a preference to remain with Denmark over the US, United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) dismissed the statement and warned that it could create a big problem for the latter. Trump's comments come after... Read more > 00:54 Shiv Sena leader alleges cash distribution in Pune wards by rival candidates Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe/ANI Photo Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe on Tuesday said money was distributed in some civic wards in Pune ahead of the January 15 municipal corporation elections and sought the intervention of the State Election Commission. Addressing a press conference after the campaigning for elections concluded.... Read more > 00:16 Uttarakhand: Two held for roaming around at Har Ki Pauri in 'sheikh' attire The police detained two men after a video purportedly showing them, wearing 'sheikh' attire (kandura), roaming around at Har Ki Pauri and bathing at Ganga ghat surfaced online, officials said on Tuesday. The police said that the video of the men roaming around Malviya Ghat and its... Read more > Harold Shipman, the former GP who is believed to have killed more than 200 people, has been found dead in his prison cell. He was found hanging by a bed sheet strung around the bars of his cell at Wakefield Prison at 0620 GMT. Prison staff tried to revive him but he was pronounced dead at 0810 GMT. Shipman, who hanged himself in his cell on the eve of his 58th birthday, was one of 563 inmates at the jail, regarded as one of the UKs best high-security prisons. Prison officials have described his death as an apparent suicide and added he was taken off suicide watch 18 months ago. Shipman was on a standard security watch at the West Yorkshire jail at the time of his death. The Prison Service said Shipman was showing no signs whatsoever of pre-suicidal behaviour at all. The 57-year-old was behaving normally and there was absolutely no indication of the events to come, according to a spokeswoman. Shortly after 1100 GMT, an undertakers van took Shipmans body from Wakefield prison to the Medico Legal Centre in Sheffield for a post-mortem and formal identification. Prisons Minister Paul Goggins said prisons ombudsman Stephen Shaw would carry out an investigation into Shipmans death. A separate police and coroner inquiry will also be carried out. Shipman was jailed for life at Preston Crown Court in January 2000 for murdering 15 patients. The murders took place between 1975 and 1998 with the victims dying from lethal injections administered by the doctor. His oldest victim was a 93-year-old woman and the youngest a 41-year-old man. Dame Janet Smith, who ran the ensuing Shipman inquiry, reported in 2002 that she believed that over a period of 23 years he had killed 215 patients and there was a real suspicion that he had killed another 45. Shipman was serving 15 concurrent life sentences and had been told by the government he would never be allowed parole. He had shown no remorse for nor ever admitted to his crimes, insisting he always delivered appropriate treatment to his patients. He was planning an appeal of the convictions when he died. [] Courtesy BBC News In context An inquest into the death of mass murderer Harold Shipman is due to be held in April 2005. A spokesman for the coroner said the resumed inquest would be at Leeds Crown Court on April 11, and was expected to last two weeks. Two post-mortems have provisionally concluded Shipmans death was consistent with being hanged by a ligature. His body was released for cremation but it has never been retrieved from a mortuary in Sheffield. Shipmans family are understood to have doubts that he took his own life and believe his corpse has unexplained injuries. But a Home Office spokesman said: We cant comment until we receive the results of the coroners inquest and independent investigation into Harold Shipmans death. Like this: Like Loading... The government has reduced the charging fees for electric vehicles (EVs) by approximately 10%, according to an executive order published yesterday in the governments official gazette. In line with the national dual-carbon goal and in response to public opinion and the provisions of the Macau Electric Vehicle Promotion Plan, the government has cut public electric vehicle charging rates by about 10%. The Chief Executive Order takes effect on February 1. In 2024, the government had already proposed changes to fare structures. At the time, the reduction was applied to the energy charge for public electric charging rates, including average-speed and fast charging, during off-peak hours. The government added in a statement that it will continue to improve charging facilities in accordance with the Macau Electric Vehicle Promotion Plan and will timely increase the number of charging facilities at different speeds and standards, as well as battery exchange facilities in public parking lots or neighborhoods that meet the conditions. In addition, the government urged electricity charging concessionaires to optimize their charging management platforms to ensure high-quality service. Recently, during a debate at the Legislative Assembly, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raymond Tam, acknowledged imbalances in charging facilities, noting low usage at some stations and very high demand at others. He said this is primarily due to the charging infrastructure and promised to convert slow-charging stations to fast-charging ones, which he said are more popular among local drivers. He also announced plans to build a new supercharging station in Cotai. According to Tam, the new station will be located on Rua da Patinagem in Cotai, near the Macau East Asian Games Dome, and is expected to be operational by mid-year. Like this: Like Loading... Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to block Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musks xAI, 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 chatbot, which is 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. 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. 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 Saturday. The ministry said the measure was intended to protect women, children and the broader community from fake pornographic content generated using AI. Initial findings showed that 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 separate statement. He said such practices risk violating privacy and image rights when photos are manipulated or shared without consent, causing psychological, social and reputational harm. In Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission ordered a temporary restriction on Grok on Sunday after what it said was repeated misuse of the tool to generate obscene, sexually explicit and non-consensual manipulated images, including content involving women and minors. The regulator said notices issued this month to X Corp. and xAI demanding stronger safeguards drew responses that relied mainly on user reporting mechanisms. 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. Launched in 2023, Grok is free to use on X. Users can ask it questions on the social media platform and tag posts theyve directly created or replies to posts from other users. Last summer the company added an image generator feature, Grok Imagine, that included a so-called spicy mode that can generate adult content. The Southeast Asian restrictions come amid mounting scrutiny of Grok elsewhere, including in the European Union, Britain, India and France. Grok last week limited image generation and editing to paying users following a global backlash over sexualized deepfakes of people, but critics say it did not fully address the problem. EILEEN NG, KUALA LUMPUR, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... U.S. 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 yesterday the death toll in the nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 544. Iran had no immediate reaction to the 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 fiery 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 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, Araghchi said Iran was open to diplomacy. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said 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 yesterday, Iran called for 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. 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! 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 were not 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. 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 Sunday that the U.S. military and Israel would be legitimate targets if America 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 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. Fear pervades Irans capital In Tehran, a witness told the AP that the streets of the capital 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. JON GAMBRELL & JULIA NIKHINSON, DUBAI, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... Wheel Deal Lawmaker warns taxi shortages are worsening for wheelchair users and seniors amid limited accessible vehicles * Healthcare | Migrants turn to local clinic for help amid limited govt support * Automobile | Dealers warn recovery in car market remains out of reach * Amid Macaus AI policy push, a local IT firm is exploring brain-computer interface technologies for healthcare, according to a Times report * Transport: EV charging fares to drop 10% from February * The GCS revoked six publications registrations last year, including All About Macau, which closed citing increased pressure and risks DOWNLOAD PDF Tuesday, January 13, 2026 edition no. 4872 Like this: Like Loading... Akbar Novruz More than 54.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been transported to Europe through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) to date, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said at the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy held in Baku, Azernews reports. According to the minister, cooperation with Italy within the framework of the Southern Gas Corridor plays an important role in strengthening Europes energy security. So far, TAP has supplied 54.3 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe, including 45.4 billion cubic meters to Italy, Shahbazov said. He also highlighted new opportunities emerging from regional green energy corridor initiatives linking Azerbaijan with Central Asia, Turkiye, and Europe. Shahbazov noted that the Italian company CESI is acting as a consulting partner in preparing feasibility studies for the CaspianBlack SeaEurope and Central AsiaAzerbaijan green energy corridor projects. The minister added that Italy could become a key logistics hub for Europe within the framework of the Middle Corridor project. Shahbazov underlined that AzerbaijanItaly relations are developing across a wide range of sectors, including military-technical cooperation, and noted that Italy was among the first countries to participate in projects in Azerbaijans liberated territories. Italian companies, he said, are particularly active in renewable energy projects in these areas. According to the minister, Azerbaijans renewable energy potential extends beyond the Caspian Sea. The liberated territories, including Garabagh and East Zangezur, have a solar and wind energy potential exceeding 10,000 megawatts, he said, adding that these regions have already been declared green energy zones and large-scale projects are underway. He noted that Ansaldo Energia is closely involved in the construction of substations and the restoration of energy infrastructure in the liberated territories. Shahbazov expressed confidence that Azerbaijans transition to green energy would elevate cooperation with Italy to a new level. We will not only remain a supplier of traditional energy resources, but also become an important partner in the green energy of the future, he said. The minister also pointed to significant cooperation potential in agriculture, industry, transport, and logistics, citing Italys advanced technologies and Azerbaijans favorable business environment as key enablers of joint success. Looking ahead, Shahbazov announced that 65 joint events across 18 areas are planned between Azerbaijan and Italy in 20262027, adding that political consultations between the two countries are also taking place. All this shows that relations between Azerbaijan and Italy are at a strategic level, he concluded. Towards the last days of the turbulent year 2025, the Inqalabi Communist Party (Revolutionary Communist Party, RCP) organised a three day Central Communist School (Winter 2025) from 19 to 21 December, and a one day Communist Festival on 18 December in Karachi, Pakistans largest city, in which more than 250 comrades participated. Revolutionary communists from far-flung regions across the country participated in the school and festival along with many young revolutionaries and workers from all parts of Karachi. At present, the masses in Pakistan are facing the worst economic conditions in their history. Living standards are in constant decline. Alongside this, environmental devastation, terrorism, and severe restrictions on fundamental human rights are stripping the working masses of even the most basic necessities of life. Under these conditions, the successful organisation of a three-day communist school, aimed at understanding the fundamental ideas of Marxism, represents a major political achievement. Communist Festival Malir: the caravans of the revolutionaries will rise and move forward! On Thursday, 18 December, over 250 young people and workers came together at the Communist Festival 2025, held in Karachis Malir district. This festival was the biggest open revolutionary and communist gathering in Malir in several decades. It demonstrated that revolutionary politics is not only alive, but is spreading rapidly amongst the new generation. The enthusiastic participation of youth, their strong desire to understand and study Marxism, as well as the revolutionary optimism and ideological clarity that defined the event, transformed the festival into a historic milestone. A range of educational sessions, debates, and discussions were held, covering the global crisis of capitalism and imperialist wars, the core ideas of communism, the local problems of Malir, and the revolutionary alternative. Workers from several factories attended the festival, including General Tyre, Opel Laboratories, Yunus Textile, and other industries. Students from multiple universities also participated, including the University of Karachi, Dow Medical University, Hamdard University, and the Karachi School of Film. One of the most beautiful and distinctive features of the festival was its revolutionary art and culture. Young artists revived the spirit of struggle through revolutionary poetry and music. In preparation for the Communist Festival, the activists of the Revolutionary Communist Party invited young people and workers from across Malir to take part in the festival. They went from Malir Model Colony to Kathore, and from Marvi Goth to Sachal Goth Bhittaiabad, discussing the global and national situation, answering peoples questions, and inviting them along to the festival. At the same time, they put up stickers and posters advertising the festival throughout Malir, held meetings with young people, and sang revolutionary songs at tea stalls. The preparations for the festival also drew the attention of many young people on social media, and a large number of people had registered in the lead-up to the festival. Humaira Habib, who attended the Communist Festival for the first time, said: This was my first experience of the Communist Festival, and it was a wonderful one. The atmosphere was full of energy and excitement. There were red flags and revolutionary posters everywhere, and there was also a book stall that truly delighted the hearts of revolutionaries. When the event started, there was a session of slogans, and that session breathed life into the festival. It was a joy to see the emotions of the people. By listening to what people had to say, feeling their passion, and learning about the ideas of our comrades who had come from far away, I truly learned so many new things. Every moment was interesting, and I am grateful that I had this opportunity. Comrade Anand Prakash opened the festival, welcoming all attendees. The festival began with the session What is Communism? in which comrades Saqib and Jalal Jan highlighted the importance of communist ideas in the present era. This was followed by questions from the audience, which were answered by comrade Aftab Ashraf. After this, a panel discussion began on the topic of The Global Crisis of Capitalism and Revolutionary Movements. The panel included comrade Adam Pal, leader of the Revolutionary Communist Party; comrade Ana Azam, a member of the Revolutionary Communist Party from Canada; Asad ur Rehman, Professor of Sociology at Habib University; and comrade Yasir Irshad, a leader of the RCP and a leader of the Awami Action Committee in Kashmir. The session was moderated by comrade Paras Jan. The session began with the question: what exactly is the crisis of capitalism? Adam Pal gave a detailed response, saying: In reality, this crisis is in its essence a crisis of overproduction. With the advancement of machinery and its growth in productive capacity, capitalism now produces more and more. But because this production is not aimed at meeting human needs and is instead driven by the pursuit of profit, this crisis has become an organic and inherent crisis of capitalism itself. During this session, Shahdad Baloch, who listened this discussion attentively, shared his thoughts, saying: I understood for the first time how rapidly the world is changing and how explosive the era we are living in is. Undoubtedly, an important historical responsibility rests on the shoulders of our generation, and that is the responsibility to overthrow the fortress of capitalism. After that, the third and final session of the festival began, hosted by comrade Waheed Nadan. The title of this session was The Destruction of Malir: Causes, Effects, and their Solutions. The speakers included Hafeez Baloch (leader of the Indigenous Rights Alliance, Malir), Salman Baloch (climate activist), Akbar Wali (political and social leader), and comrade Pars Jan (RCP). In this session, each speaker addressed a different aspect of issues in Malir. Akbar Wali spoke about the ongoing state repression in Malir in recent days (it should be remembered that before this festival, the Master Imam Bakhsh Library hosting this event had also been closed due to state repression). Hafeez Baloch spoke in detail about the land issues of the indigenous people of Malir, explaining how, in the name of development, ancestral lands are being taken away from indigenous communities for real estate development, although Hafeez Baloch rejected the perspective of revolution in his speech. After that, Salman Baloch discussed various aspects of environmental degradation, explaining how Malirs ecology is on the verge of collapse. Finally, comrade Pars Jan explained how the environmental crisis is linked to the crisis of the capitalist system and private property. Noor-ul-Ameer, while giving his opinion on the session, said: On one hand, we are hearing narratives of hopelessness and despair, and on the other, we are hearing of a hopeful and bright future. In this session, it felt as if two opposing ways of thinking and ideologies were colliding. After this, the poetry recital session, or Mushaira, formally began. The recital was presided over by Mr. Mir Ahmed Naveed, while Syed Johar Mehdi performed the duties of the stage secretary. The poets included Daniyal Ismail, Osama Ameer, Pars Jan, Waheed Noor, and Salman Sarwat. All the poets presented their poems and received warm appreciation from the audience. The poetry recital added great charm and beauty to the Communist Festival. After that, the musical evening created a captivating atmosphere at the festival. First, Samad Majeed Baloch enlivened the gathering with Balochi songs and melodies, and everyone could be seen swaying to the rhythm. This was followed by performances by Adnan Hameed and Sohail Khurshid, who also showcased their artistry. Finally, the guest artist from Lahore, Ustad Nasir Khan, presented ghazals and revolutionary songs that were warmly received by the audience. The large turnout at this Communist Festival hosted by the RCP is clear evidence of the participants keen interest in revolutionary theory, showing that the thirst for communist ideas among the younger generation is stronger today than ever before. This is because communism is the only ideology through which the events unfolding across the world, their causes, and solutions to everyday problems can be properly understood and addressed. The Communist Winter School The Central Communist School, held from 19 to 21 December 2025, consisted of five sessions. The first session focused on the world and Pakistani situation. The introduction was given by comrade Arsalan Dani from Lahore, while the session was chaired by comrade Anand Prakash from Karachi. Comrade Arsalan explained that the world is currently undergoing rapid and dramatic transformations. The organic crisis of global capitalism is giving rise to profound economic, social, and political crises. Donald Trumps return to power has shaken the global world order. Following the Russia-Ukraine war, the balance of power in Europe has completely shifted. The Ukraine war, an imperialist proxy war instigated by US imperialism, has resulted in a clear defeat for the American and European ruling classes, while Russia has emerged as a strengthened power in Europe. The alliance between the US and Europe is disintegrating, with the USA increasingly withdrawing all forms of support from Europe. Europes standing in international politics has sharply declined. At the same time, Israeli barbarism in Palestine has shaken global consciousness. Across the world, powerful solidarity movements with Palestine are unfolding against Israeli aggression. Gen Z led revolutionary movements are sweeping across the globe. Only days earlier (in December 2025), Gen Z youth overthrew the government in Bulgaria, following movements that began in Bangladesh in 2024, and then spread to Nepal, Indonesia, and Madagascar the following year. In addition, mass movements in East Timor, Peru, the Philippines, and Morocco have severely shaken the ruling classes. Turning to Pakistan, comrade Arslan stated that the situation here is no different. The decaying capitalist system is expressing itself through multifaceted crises. The ruling class, which has already stripped the people of all basic facilities, is now openly engaged in internal conflicts. There exists deep hatred among the masses towards the ruling elite, whose leadership has historically remained in the hands of military generals. Support for the mainstream ruling parties has collapsed. Even support for Imran Khans PTI does not stem from its political programme, but rather from its current status as a victim and opposition to the establishment. In Balochistan, a powerful movement against national oppression exists around the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, alongside continuous protests by government employees. In Sindh, following the movement against corporate farming and water issues, employees are now mobilising against low wages and other grievances. In Punjab, workers are fighting privatisation and wage cuts. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, thousands are expressing anger through protests and sit-ins against terrorism. In Gilgit-Baltistan and so-called Azad Kashmir, millions are engaged in historic struggles around the Awami Action Committees for basic democratic rights. A Nepal-style revolutionary movement could erupt in Pakistan at any moment, a fact well understood by the ruling class. This is precisely why repression is intensifying. However, repression cannot stop revolutions. Following the introduction, contributions were made by Asif Lashari (DG Khan), Abdul Hai (Gwadar), Sarfaraz (Larkana), Shoaib Akhtar (Lahore), Aqib (Kashmir), and comrade Adam Pal, addressing further aspects of the national and international situation. Summing up the session, comrade Arsalan emphasised that the only way to successfully transform revolutions into socialist revolutions in the present era is the rapid building of the Inqalabi Communist Party. There is no other path. A scientific study of the history of revolutions After lunch, the second session focused on a scientific study of the history of revolutions. The session was chaired by comrade Abdul Hai (Gwadar), with the introduction given by comrade Ali Issa (Hyderabad). Comrade Ali explained that just as the laws of nature operate objectively in every particle of the physical world, so too do objective laws govern the history of society. These laws are not creations of human consciousness, but real processes occurring in material reality. Marx was the first to scientifically uncover these laws, thereby transforming our understanding of history from a collection of individual achievements and accidental events into a science. At the same time, grasping these laws provides the working class with the tools necessary to understand, and therefore consciously change, history. Therefore, it is the duty of communists not only to defend these tools from liberalism, post-colonialism, sectarianism, reformism, and any other of the incorrect theories that exist in the movement, but also to sharpen them further in order to allow us to best intervene in the class struggle, and ultimately to lead the working class to victory. Summing up, Comrade Ali Issa stressed that correct theory is decisive for the success of revolutions. He cited the failures of the German and Italian revolutions due to the absence of revolutionary leadership and contrasted them with the success of the Russian Revolution, made possible by the Bolshevik Party, which was armed with correct Marxist theory. Machinery and modern industry The first session of the second day focused on Chapter 15 of Karl Marxs Capital, Machinery and Modern Industry. The introduction was given by comrade Sanaullah Jalbani (Lahore), and the session was chaired by comrade Obaid Zubair (Kashmir). The session presented a critical analysis of the role of machinery under capitalism and its impact on the working class. Comrade Sanaullah explained that machinery under capitalism does not reduce working hours but extends them. The factory system intensifies labour, physically and mentally breaking workers, while unemployment rises as machines replace human labour. The problem, therefore, is not machinery itself but capitalist relations of production. Under these relations, machines enslave rather than liberate humanity. At the same time, modern industry sharpens class antagonisms and ultimately creates the material basis for the abolition of capitalism. Morality and class struggle After lunch, the second session of the second day focused on morality and class struggle. The session was chaired by comrade Alisha (Lahore), with the introduction delivered by comrade Paras Jan (Karachi). He discussed religious morality and the morality of the Enlightenment, a period in which religious reasoning was challenged, ushering in philosophies such as rationalism, the idea that what is rational is moral. At the end of the eighteenth century, liberal thinkers developed utilitarianism, where the greatest happiness for the greatest number became the sole moral criterion. In essence, whatever produces pleasure is considered moral, an ideological expression of capitalist objectives that reduces morality to money-making and personal satisfaction. This morality has become profoundly inhuman. From a Marxist perspective, comrade Paras explained that historical necessity forms the basis upon which social norms such as the prevailing morals of the day develop. Summing up, it was emphasised that the building of a revolutionary party for the overthrow of capitalism and the victory of socialist revolution is itself a historical necessity, and every step taken towards this goal is therefore moral. The second day concluded with a communist bookstall by Lal Salaam Publications, the publishing house of the Inqalabi Communist Party. Music performances by Ustad Nasir Khan and Tabla player Sharon Khan enriched both evenings of the school. Building the Inqalabi Communist Party The final session on the third day focused on building the Inqalabi Communist Party. The session was chaired by comrade Jalal Jan (Karachi), and the introduction was given by comrade Saqib Ismail (Lahore). Comrade Saqib explained that the present epoch is one of revolutions, counter-revolutions, crises, wars, and civil wars. The movements of 2025 have once again confirmed that the only path to successful revolution is a revolutionary party armed with correct theory. The absence of such parties has prevented the recent uprisings from advancing towards the overthrow of capitalism. Capitalism is in decline, and the new generation has lost all confidence in the system. Parties that defend capitalism, no matter how old, are collapsing, while those advancing more radical programmes are gaining support. In revolutionary periods, the masses closely examine their surroundings, and ask who is responsible for their suffering. The party that presents the most radical and revolutionary programme gains their support. The Inqalabi Communist Party is the only party with a programme for the complete overthrow of capitalism. Therefore, rapidly building it is an urgent task. Comrade Saqib emphasised that, since the launch of the RCP at the end of 2024, over a thousand people, mostly youth, have contacted the party via social media to join. The key task now is to transform this interest into active participation in the party, through the building of a layer of communist cadres, the backbone of any revolutionary party. Following the introduction, representatives from different regions presented reports on their work and targets for the future, including plans for a countrywide recruitment campaign. In the final rally, tying together the main themes of the weekend, comrade Adam Pal congratulated participants on the successful Communist School and Festival, stressing that the real work begins now: to recruit and integrate participants into the party. He also spoke about the rapid construction of the Revolutionary Communist International, of which the RCP in Pakistan is a part, and highlighted the immense revolutionary potential in Pakistan and the rest of the world. The school concluded with the singing of The Internationale, the international anthem of the working class. Since 3 January and US imperialisms criminal assault on Venezuela, comrades of the Revolutionary Communist International have been out on the streets and in the media, emphasising that only the organised resistance of the working class has the power to put an end to imperialism. Comrades have mobilised around the world, both attending and organising emergency protests to put forward the communist position. This message has evidently struck a chord internationally. News outlets have interviewed or reported on our comrades activities in a number of countries, including Britain, Denmark, Hungary, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, and the USA. Attendance at these demonstrations has been variable. The largest mobilisations have been seen across Latin America, most notably in Colombia, where Trumps menacing intentions have been made abundantly clear. The Revolutionary Communist International will continue to attend and organise demonstrations in defence of Venezuela. We share below a number of reports, images and videos from our recent activities internationally. USA Comrades of the Revolutionary Communists of America participated in Hands Off Venezuela protests in 17 different cities: New York; Philadelphia; Washington D.C.; Minneapolis; St. Louis; Columbia; Missouri; Los Angeles; Houston; Dallas; Phoenix; Atlanta; New Orleans; Columbia, South Carolina; San Diego; Raleigh; Portland, Maine; Akron, Ohio; Seattle; and New Brunswick, New Jersey. While the protests were relatively small, those in attendance were in broad agreement with the reactionary role of US imperialism, the hypocrisy of their use of democracy, and that actions such as these will only lead to further crises in Latin America, around the world, and here at home. Our presence was notable in many protests. In Philadelphia, our comrades boldly led the crowds chants, while also taking the time to explain the Bolivarian Revolution and the role of Hugo Chavez. Multiple comrades gave interviews to journalists, including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal. Colombia The demonstrations on 7 January filled the squares of the country's main cities in defence of national sovereignty. The militant atmosphere and broad popular participation expressed a clear willingness to resist, fuelled by the regional situation and the rejection of any attempt at imperialist intervention. Colombia Marxista participated in demonstrations in Bogota, Villavicencio and Bucaramanga, with 13 comrades and about six supporters of the RCI. In Bogota, around 150 flyers were distributed and approximately 90,000 pesos-worth of literature (about US$24) was sold. In addition, comrades met 10 people interested in joining the RCI, and one new member was recruited. Mexico In Mexico, we have been active in more than 10 cities across the country, mobilising more than 70 comrades in various marches and rallies. In Mexico City, we attended the rally held at the US Embassy on Saturday, 3 January, following the bombing of Caracas. We were also present at the march called a day later in the centre of the capital, with around 30 comrades marching through the streets of the city. We have joined the small demonstrations in the rest of the country. In Baja California Sur, comrades appeared in the local media, presenting our political positions. Brazil Comrades of RCI-Brazil participated in demonstrations against Trumps aggression in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Vitoria, Florianopolis and Juiz de Fora. Across the country, comrades attended demonstrations, handed out hundreds of leaflets, and gave bold internationalist speeches condemning the complicity of the Brazilian government in US military operations such as the US Southern Command. One comrades speech in Sao Paulo quickly reached over 15,000 views on social media, showing the appetite for a revolutionary response to US aggression in Latin America. Britain Comrades of the Revolutionary Communist Party in Britain attended demonstrations across the country, including: London, Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Keir Starmer is lying. He is following the interests of British imperialism, which has always supported the US in its relentless pursuit of regime change in Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/cJggDq3MoI Fiona Lali (@fiona_lali) January 6, 2026 Over 100 comrades of the RCP came out in London alone, making us the largest organised group in attendance by far. A number of comrades gave fiery speeches, with many being picked up by local news outlets and proving popular on social media. Canada At short notice, comrades across the Canadian section of the RCI attended protests against US imperialism and in solidarity with Venezuela. Across the section we took part in at least nine protests, and in the cities where we have the largest presence we met 16 people interested in joining, sold 42 papers, and mobilized 63 comrades and supporters. We used our paper's back cover, which states Hands off Latin America, as well as our anti-war banners and our communist flags, to stand out as an organised communist force in the protests. Comrades in Montreal and Victoria had the opportunity to start chants denouncing imperialism and these were well received. Denmark In Denmark, we called demonstrations in Aarhus and Odense, and were the main organisers of the demonstration in Copenhagen. Our comrades were the largest organised force at all of these demonstrations, which were quite small in size, with 45 comrades in Copenhagen, 20 in Aarhus and 13 in Odense. In Copenhagen, a Mexican news outlet took some pictures and reported on our presence. We have also taken the initiative to call demonstrations in all major cities across the country, along with a group of left-wing organisations. Our comrades will play the leading role in organising most of these. Sweden In Gothenburg, we participated in two solidarity demonstrations, one being a combined Palestine/Venezuela demonstration with over a hundred participants. Our comrades were asked to lead the demonstration with their Hands Off Venezuela banner. In Stockholm we organised a rally of 18 people outside the US embassy. The weekly Palestine demonstration in Stockholm has been transformed into a Palestine/Venezuela demonstration, and we will be participating this Saturday. In Umea, the darkness and the freezing cold of -27 degrees Celsius did not stop the Venezuelan solidarity rally of 35 people, where our comrades spoke. As the new semester starts, we are organising solidarity meetings in the universities of Stockholm, Gothenburg, Umea, and more. Italy In Italy, comrades have held a series of meetings across the country, open to both members and those interested in joining the RCI, to discuss the communist position on the USs attack on Venezuela. These meetings were successful, attracting a layer of people interested in our ideas. Comrades quickly produced a four-page flyer opposing imperialist intervention in Venezuela, which has been distributed in schools, universities, workplaces, public areas, and at demonstrations in a number of cities across the country. Austria Comrades of the RCI in Austria participated in demonstrations across the country, including in Vienna, Innsbruck, Bregenz, Graz and Dornbirn. In our public speeches, we demanded the immediate release of kidnapped President Maduro and Cilia Flores. We highlighted the bellicose mood of all the imperialists worldwide and the decisive role of the masses in defeating the warmongers and exploiters. We sold at least 50 papers in these demonstrations and accounted for at least 10 percent of those participating. France The French section of the Revolutionary Communist International participated in rallies organised in support of Venezuela, notably in Paris, where around 1,000 people gathered. Comrades took to the stage to speak, and were very well received when putting forward the communist approach to fighting imperialism. Spain The RCI in the Spanish State mobilised across the country, including in Madrid, the Basque Country, and Catalonia. Comrades emphasised the need for an internationalist response in the face of US aggression. Portugal The RCI in Portugal took the initiative together with other organisations to schedule a demonstration for Sunday, 4 January. The protest was small but still managed to attract some bystanders, and on Monday we attended a larger protest organised by CPPC (Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation), with around 1,500 present. After the end of the main speeches, a new protest began, mainly led by our comrades, with an open mic that began with a speech by one of our comrades. Our radical slogans, linking imperialism to the class struggle, spread like wildfire. Our banner at the centre of the demonstration read Peace between peoples, war between classes. Belgium Hours after the attack against Venezuela, 200 people gathered in front of the Venezuelan embassy in Brussels. Members of the Hands Off Venezuela campaign were present. The next day, some 500 people protested in front of the US embassy. Here again, HOV campaigners and the Revolutionary Communist Organisation the Belgian section of the RCI were present. We have decided to launch a postering campaign and hold open meetings to discuss the way forward in the struggle against imperialism. Netherlands RCI comrades in the Netherlands joined a protest of a few hundred people at the US Consulate in Amsterdam, organised on Sunday, 4 January, by a coalition of anti-imperialist organisations. One comrade carrying a Hands off Venezuela banner was prominent throughout media coverage of the demonstration, and another comrade was interviewed by the SBS6 TV-channel, where he explained the need to oppose US imperialism, especially in countries that are traditionally the closest US allies, like the Netherlands. Ireland The turnout for the protest in Dublin was around a hundred people. We raised slogans like Hands of Venezuela! and Down with US imperialism! which were great for catching people's attention and certainly set us apart as the boldest group there since we were the only ones looking to draw people into the protest. Almost everyone we spoke to was appalled by the USs actions and, because we could clearly explain our perspective that the US is looking to reassert its interests in Latin America, they were very receptive to what we were saying. Poland In Poland, solidarity demonstrations with Venezuela took place in Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocaw and Poznan, and we took part in all of them. We then organised our own demonstration, which attracted several people interested in hearing our perspective. In all of these demonstrations, we managed to sell a number of papers, meet people interested in joining the RCI, and on some occasions, we were able to hold speeches outlining our position. One of our comrades managed to give an interview that was published in local media outlets, emphasising that we oppose the imperialist aggression of the United States against Venezuela and highlighting the hypocrisy of so-called international law. Bulgaria Six comrades attended a small protest called in defence of Maduro and against American imperialism in front of the US embassy. We had a flyer with the RCIs position, distinguishing ourselves from the Stalinist or liberal objections to the US attacks. We met two people interested in the RCI. Hungary In Hungary, there has been one protest in defence of Venezuela so far. It was a very small protest organised by a liberal political figure, with a maximum of 200 people attending, outside the US embassy in Budapest. Seven comrades and one supporter of the RCI in Hungary attended. Our placards and slogans proved popular, and four news outlets interviewed our comrades. After the protest, we met two people who are interested in the RCI, who have been contacted about joining. Finland The RCI in Finland, Vallankumoukselliset Kommunistit, attended an anti-imperialist demonstration in central Helsinki on 6 October. Our ideas gained traction and we sold around 10 papers. We met four people interested in our organisation, who are now in discussions about joining. The six comrades of the Finnish RCI present at this demonstration of hundreds were the only ones to raise slogans connected to the struggle against capitalism and the role of the working class. One comrade very successfully gave the first speech on the open mic, and boldly putting forward communist class struggle positions to the crowd. Greece On Saturday, 3 January, the same afternoon as the attack by US imperialism in Venezuela, a rally was called outside the US embassy by left-wing organisations and the Communist Party, drawing around 5,000 people in Athens. The Greek section of the RCI translated and printed the RCI statement, and intervened energetically in the rally, putting forward our political position. We also issued a statement in the name of the Greek Hands Off Venezuela Campaign, collecting signatures and using it in our interventions in neighborhoods, universities, and schools. Taiwan After Trump ordered the military invasion of Venezuela, the Northern branch of The Spark the RCI in Taiwan immediately began organising an in-person event. We successfully mobilised more than a dozen comrades and supporters, alongside members of Tunghai Engineering Society, to participate in a demonstration outside Taipei Main Station. Passers-by stopped to listen, record videos, and join in chanting slogans. At the conclusion of the event, we sang El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido. Among the onlookers, someone shouted to us, Long live the people! Japan Immediately after the RCI statement on Trump's attack was published, a Japanese translation was produced and shared amongst comrades, supporters and on social media. Four comrades and supporters of the RCI mobilised for a demonstration in Tokyo outside the US embassy, printing fifty leaflets and distributing them at the demonstration itself and at the nearby train station. Another two RCI supporters attended a small demonstration of around ninety people in Osaka, handing out leaflets and joining the other protestors in singing El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido. Pakistan Comrades across Pakistan took to social media to express solidarity and explain the communist approach to ending imperialism in Venezuela and beyond. The African Union has expressed concern following a decision by the United States to halt funding and participation in several United Nations entities, warning that the move could have significant implications for Africa. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said on Monday that while the US has the sovereign right to determine its international engagements, the decision risks far-reaching consequences for the continent. Youssouf echoed remarks by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the importance of a strong, effective and inclusive multilateral system, noting that the world is grappling with multiple crises, including armed conflicts, climate change, economic pressures and public health threats. He stressed that dedicated funding programmes are critical to addressing these challenges. The AU said several of the affected UN entities play key roles in Africas development and peacebuilding efforts, including the UN Economic Commission for Africa, UNCTAD, UN Women, UNFPA, and peacebuilding mechanisms. It warned that reduced funding could undermine development gains, peace consolidation and community resilience, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected states. The African Union Commission expressed hope that continued dialogue between the United States, the United Nations and international partners would help sustain essential multilateral functions. The concerns follow an announcement on January 7 by President Donald Trumps administration that the US would withdraw from 31 UN entities and 35 non-UN organisations as part of austerity measures. 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: As we age, higher DEAF1 levels cause damaged proteins to build up in muscle cells, leading to muscle aging and weakness. Exercise keeps aging muscles healthy by lowering DEAF1 levels and restoring balance in muscle growth and repair. Credit: Duke-NUS Medical School Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School have uncovered how exercise helps aging muscles regain their ability to repair themselves, shedding light on why physical activity remains one of the most effective ways to preserve strength and mobility later in life. Working with collaborators from Singapore General Hospital and Cardiff University, the team found that exercise helps restore a critical balance in muscle cells that is disrupted with age. Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offer new insight into the biological processes that drive muscle aging and may guide future strategies to prevent age-related muscle loss. Strong, healthy muscles are essential for movement, metabolism, and overall vitality. From midlife onward, muscle function gradually declines, increasing the risk of falls and fractures, slowing recovery from illness or injury, and making blood sugar harder to regulate. The effects extend beyond individuals, increasing the burden on caregivers and raising health care costs. In aging societies such as Singapore, maintaining muscle health is key to preserving independence and quality of life. The role of mTORC1 and DEAF1 in aging At the center of muscle health is a growth pathway known as mTORC1, which regulates protein production and muscle tissue maintenance. As muscles age, this pathway can become overactive, prioritizing new proteins building, while slowing the removal of damaged proteins. The accumulation of these damaged proteins places stress on muscle cells, contributing to gradual weakening. Until now, what triggered this imbalance was unclear. The researchers identified a gene called DEAF1 as a key driver of the protein imbalance in aging muscles. They found that rising DEAF1 levels in aging muscles push the growth regulator mTORC1 into overdrive, disrupting normal protein turnover and accelerating muscle decline. DEAF1 is usually kept in check by a group of regulatory proteins called FOXOs. However, FOXO activity declines with age, allowing DEAF1 to rise unchecked. This loss of control appears to tip the balance away from muscle repair and towards deterioration. How exercise restores muscle balance Importantly, the study showed that exercise can reverse this imbalance but only when this regulatory system remains responsive. Assistant Professor Tang Hong-Wen from the Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program at Duke-NUS, the study's lead author, said, "Exercise can reverse this process, correcting the imbalance. Physical activity activates certain proteins which lower DEAF1 levels, bringing the growth pathway back into balance. This allows aging muscles to clear out damaged proteins, rebuild themselves properly, and help them stay stronger and more resilient." However, researchers also found that when DEAF1 levels remain too high or FOXO activity is severely reducedas can happen in older musclesexercise alone may not fully restore muscle repair. This helps explain why some older adults may not see the full benefits of exercise as compared to others, and underscores the importance of understanding muscle biology alongside lifestyle interventions. Experimental validation and broader implications To validate their findings, the team conducted experiments in both fruit flies and older mice. In both models, increasing DEAF1 levels led to rapid muscle weakness, while lowering DEAF1 restored protein balance and muscle strength, highlighting its conserved role across species. The findings also have implications beyond aging. DEAF1 is also known to influence muscle stem cells, which play a crucial role in tissue repair and regeneration. These stem cells naturally decline with age, and when DEAF1 is out of balance, muscle recovery slows even further. The findings also have potential benefits for people recovering from illness, surgery, or chronic conditions such as cancer. Adjusting DEAF1 levels may allow researchers to mimic some of exercise's effects at the molecular level, helping muscles stay strong even with limited physical activity. Priscillia Choy Sze Mun, a research assistant with the Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program at Duke-NUS, and the study's first author, said, "Exercise tells muscles to 'clean up and reset.' Lowering DEAF1 helps older muscles regain strength and balance, almost like hitting the rewind button. With millions of older adults at risk of muscle decline, understanding DEAF1 could lead to new ways to protect muscles and improve quality of life." Professor Patrick Tan, Senior Vice-Dean for Research at Duke-NUS, added, "This study helps explain, at a molecular level, why aging muscles lose their ability to repair themselves and why exercise can restore that balance in some individuals. By identifying DEAF1 as a key regulator in this process, these findings may lead to new ways in which the benefits of exercise can be brought to societies with rapidly aging populations." Publication details Sze Mun Choy et al, Exercise suppresses DEAF1 to normalize mTORC1 activity and reverse muscle aging, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2508893122 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Researchers have identified bradycardiaan abnormally low heart rateas a symptom of xylazine-opioid overdose. This breakthrough finding from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai may help emergency medicine physicians detect whether patients have been exposed to xylazine, a drug that is increasingly found as an additive to the illicit fentanyl supply, particularly in the Northeast. Accurate detection of xylazine overdose could help physicians take the correct steps to save lives following an overdose. The results were published in Addiction. "People using opioids do not intentionally seek out substances like xylazine, but are inadvertently exposed to them, and we still don't know all of the potential health effects that these novel substances might have for patients," says lead researcher Jennifer Love, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "There's also no way to test patients at the bedside for xylazine, so doctors in the emergency department have no way of knowing if a patient has been exposed to this drug in addition to fentanyl or other illicit opioidsthey require a blood test for detection that's sent to a specialized toxicology lab. "Therefore, being able to associate a clinical sign, like a slow heart rate, with xylazine following an overdose can be helpful to doctors in the emergency room. They can provide harm-reduction counseling for patients about adulterants and resources like drug testing strips, which allow patients with substance abuse disorders to test their drugs for these adulterant substances." Xylazine is a powerful animal sedative and pain reliever that is approved strictly for veterinary use. However, 25% of the U.S. fentanyl supply includes xylazine. Xylazine overdose can cause adverse events such as severe skin lesions, sedation, hypothermia, and heart issues. Since it's not authorized for humans, there are knowledge gaps about how xylazine impacts patients. Mount Sinai researchers wanted to better understand the effects that xylazine can have on people who use opioids. They conducted a prospective observational study of 1,289 adult patients with suspected opioid overdose in the emergency departments at 10 health care institutions across the United States between September 2020 and September 2023. Waste blood samples from all sites were de-identified and sent for toxicology testing at a specialized forensic toxicology lab to identify xylazine and other substances. They compared patients with xylazine and an illicit opioid detected in their blood samples to patients with only an illicit opioid detected. Then, they used statistical analysis to determine which vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, were associated with xylazine detection, and if a certain age, race, gender, or area of the country had more xylazine-opioid overdoses. Xylazine was detected in 238 patients. Of those patients, 6% had bradycardia at their arrival to the emergency room, compared to only 2% of patients without xylazine, a statistically significant difference. Patients with xylazine-fentanyl overdose were twice as likely to have bradycardia compared to those without xylazine. "Within this niche subgroup of patients who were exposed to xylazine-adulterated fentanyl and had an overdose, bradycardia is the only significant 'signal' we have found so far of relating blood test results to a clinically meaningful marker for physicians when it comes to symptoms," adds Dr. Love. Additionally, 75% of the patients with xylazine were located in the Northeastern United States. The likelihood of xylazine detection was 60% lower in the Midwest, 70% lower on the West Coast, and 97% lower in the Southeast. "This study demonstrates xylazine's continued predominance in the Northeast and identifies an important association between xylazine exposure and decreased heart rate following overdose," says senior author Alex Manini, MD, MS, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of the Center for Research on Emerging Substances, Poisoning, Overdose, and New Discoveries at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Results of the study help build a foundation for understanding a toxic syndrome, or 'toxidrome,' from xylazine-adulterated fentanyl overdose. Additionally, knowing that a routine clinical measurement, heart rate, is associated with exposure to xylazine in overdose can empower emergency medicine clinicians to improve care for patients at the bedside." Researchers are currently studying xylazine's association with patient outcomes such as length of stay and intensive care unit admission. Additional studies are evaluating the relationship between measured blood concentrations of xylazine and vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure. Publication details Clinical factors linked to xylazine exposure in emergency department patients with illicit opioid overdose, Addiction (2026). Journal information: Addiction Key medical concepts Bradycardia 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: Towfiqu barbhuiya from Pexels Angina pectoris, often shortened to angina, is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart and most commonlybut not alwaysa symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD). The term derives from Latin and Greek, and means "strangling in the chest." CAD is a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart, due to a buildup of plaque in and on the artery walls. The reduced blood/oxygen flow can cause chest pain. Here are four facts about angina: Fact 1: Discomfort can even spread to your teeth An angina episode is often described as pressure, heaviness or tightness in the chest. Health experts say the pain or discomfort can radiate into your left shoulder, arms, and sometimes your upper abdomen, back, neck and even teeth. It typically lasts about two to five minutes and is then known as stable angina. Fact 2: Episodes at rest are a medical emergency While stable angina is typically triggered by stress or exertionsuch as exercise, climbing stairs or other physical activityand is relieved by rest or medications, unstable angina is unpredictable. It occurs at rest or with little exertion and lasts longer. A medical emergency, it can lead to a heart attack. Fact 3: Medications can help stop an angina episode If you experience an angina episode, you should rest. Medications, principally nitrates, can help as well. The most common nitrate used is nitroglycerin, also known as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). Within one to three minutes, it relaxes and widens your blood vessels, helping blood reach your heart. If your doctor has prescribed nitrates, the German Heart Foundation (DHS) advises that you always have them with you in the event of chest pain. To use a GTN spray, you spray a dose under your tongue, the SGW says. You can spray up to three doses but should wait 30 seconds between them. A GTN tablet should be placed under your tongue and allowed to dissolve. Possible side effects of these medications include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and facial redness. The DHS warns that they interact with PDE5 inhibitors used to treat erectile dysfunction, possibly causing a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Fact 4: The pain doesn't go away? It may be a heart attack If the chest pain doesn't go away with rest or angina medications after five to 10 minutes, or is much stronger than usual, doctors advise that you call your local emergency number. You may be having a heart attack. 2026 dpa GmbH. 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: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Results from the Warfighter Brain Fitness Study, which was published in the journal Military Medicine, show that the combination of two brain fitness programs delivered significant improvements across multiple key measures of cognitive resilience, a health and readiness priority of the US military. The study, led by Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) combined the top-down, strategy-based executive function training program SMART (Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training) from the UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth with the bottom-up, adaptive and progressively challenging brain exercises found in BrainHQ from Posit Science. Cognitive resilience has become a critical health and readiness issue for US warfighters. Military life demands peak performance in challenging conditions, such as extreme and prolonged stress, frequent deployments, separation from family, sleep deprivation, exposure to severe trauma, and other stressors, which make warfighters vulnerable to brain health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, brain fog, and PTS). Building cognitive resilience helps servicemembers optimize performance, adapt, and recover from adversity. "This study offers further strong confirmation that just as the right physical training builds physical resilience, the right cognitive training builds cognitive resilience," noted Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, which makes the brain exercise app, BrainHQ. "While our work began with showing our technology could help servicemembers recover from persistent issues following brain injuries, the military is now increasingly deploying this technology to strengthen capabilities and resilience, and to monitor cognitive readiness." "Optimizing brain health is the greatest weapon the military can invest in," observed Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, Founder and Chief Director of the UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth. "Strengthening brain health 'left of boom'ahead of the threathelps build an agile, innovative, problem-solving brain. It also enhances resilience 'right of boom' for a faster return to readiness. Being proactive matters. And cognitive training in the military matters. Brain fitness is as important as physical fitness, arguably more so." "US military leadership is acutely aware of the importance of building warfighters with the resilience to sustain cognitive performance and psychological well-being under extremely demanding conditions," said lead researcher Leanne Young, Ph.D., an ARA subject matter expert and engineering director. "This study provides data to support validated, scalable approaches to equipping warfighters to meet these demands." The researchers enrolled 406 healthy National Guard servicemembers in a multi-arm study with alternating sequences of 90 days of BrainHQ and SMART training, and with waitlist control arms. Training efficacy was evaluated using the BrainHealth Index (BHI), the world's first validated measure of holistic brain health, comprised of 22 multi-domain assessments to provide an indicator of overall brain health that can track changes in brain health over time. Consistent with prior studies, participants benefited from training in either BrainHQ or SMART. Improvements were shown across all measures (including cognitive performance and psychological well-being). Good brain health is now recognized as critical to combat readiness and transition back to civilian life. Early research programs in stress management, mindfulness, and sleep hygiene are now widely deployed across the military. The researchers noted that cognitive training is ready for similar deployment. SMART and BrainHQ are highly scalable solutions usable even in remote locations, supported by rapid growth in data showing efficacy in achieving peak performance, building resilience against injury, and aiding faster and more complete recovery. Their adaptive features permit personalized approaches to cognitive training, much in the way that physical trainers personalize physical training regimens to optimize performance of warfighters and elite athletes. Developed by Center for BrainHealth researchers and tested over two decades, SMART brain training is a neuroscience-based program training cognitive strategies that sharpen focus, reasoning, decision-making, mental flexibility and resilienceto drive real-world benefits like improved strategic thinking and stress management. SMART has demonstrated significant success in more than 30 peer-reviewed studies, including several studies involving first responders, active-duty military personnel and veterans. Results point to enhanced high-level cognitive functions (focus and decision-making), improved psychological health (stress and depression symptoms), engagement in daily life (planning, taking initiative), and ongoing recovery from the effects of chronic PTS and brain injuries. BrainHQ exercises have shown benefits in more than 300 peer-reviewed studies (including eight military studies). Such benefits include gains in cognition (attention, speed, memory, decision-making), in quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, health-related quality of life) and in real-world activities (health outcomes, balance, driving, workplace activities). BrainHQ is used by leading health plans, medical centers, clinics, and communities, and by elite athletes, the military, first responders, and other organizations focused on split-second peak performance and resilience. More information Leanne R Young et al, Cognitive Training to Increase Resilience, Military Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaf292 Consumers can try a BrainHQ exercise for free daily at https://www.brainhq.com Key medical concepts Traumatic Brain Injury 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 abortion pill mifepristone has long been at the center of heated political discussions. But a new review suggests that behind the scenes, the federal agency that regulates the drug usually followed science, not politics, when making key decisions about it. The studypublished in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) handled regulatory decisions about mifepristone between 2011 and 2023. Researchers reviewed thousands of pages of internal FDA documents, including emails and staff memos. In nearly every major decision, they found that FDA leaders accepted recommendations made by the agency's scientists. "We found that FDA staff and scientists were basing the recommendations on the evidence, and that's how it's supposed to be," study co-author Dr. Caleb Alexander, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told The New York Times. The researchers identified one notable departure from that pattern. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, FDA scientists approved allowing mifepristone to be prescribed by telemedicine and mailed to patients. The goal was to reduce in-person visits while people were being told to stay home. But FDA leadership at the time declined to lift the in-person requirement and defended it before the U.S. Supreme Court, despite findings that the drug could be safely used without an in-person office visit. That policy changed in 2021, when the FDA removed the in-person requirement after Democrat Joe Biden became president. The review comes as abortion pills have become a major legal battleground in the wake of the Supreme Court's 2022 decision ending the nationwide right to abortion. Today, medication abortions account for about two-thirds of all abortions in the United States. Several conservative-led states are pushing lawsuits that could sharply limit access to mifepristone or even undo its approval, which dates back 25 years. At the same time, abortion rights groups and Democrat-led states are asking the FDA to loosen restrictions even more. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary have said the agency will again review mifepristone's safety, despite decades of data showing serious complications are rare. Internal FDA reviews examined in the JAMA study show that the agency repeatedly confirmed that mifepristone is safe. One analysis found that among 1.88 million patients who had used the drug in the U.S. by late 2012, 2,740 adverse events were reported. About one in 2,448 patients required hospitalization. Fourteen deaths were reported during that period, but at least three were unrelated to the medication, including one involving a suspected homicide and others linked to drug overdoses. "There were very consistent findings on the safety of mifepristone, and the FDA has continued to monitor this based on many different types of data," Alexander told The Times. In 2016, after another detailed review, the FDA expanded access to mifepristone. It allowed more types of health care providers to prescribe it, extended use from seven weeks of pregnancy to 10, and let patients take the second drug in the regimen at home instead of in a doctor's office. FDA scientists also recommended removing a patient agreement form they felt was "duplicative." That suggestion was rejected by the then-FDA commissioner, who said the form provided extra assurance that patients were informed. 2026 HealthDay. All rights reserved. The Russian ambassador was summoned to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs following statements by propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, who suggested disregarding international law and initiating a so-called free movement across Armenia and Central Asian countries. It is worth noting that Solovyov is a recipient of the Armenian Order of Honor, one of the countrys highest state awards. For many years, Armenian media outlets willingly broadcast his statementsoften critical of Azerbaijanand he was repeatedly welcomed with gifts, honors, and public recognition. This naturally raises an important question: what was the true nature of this relationship? Were such figures genuinely friends of Armenia, oras some have long arguedwere they merely instruments carrying out assigned roles? Experience shows that individuals like Solovyov and others of similar standing are not independent journalists or allies, but rather functionaries who act according to directives. Having toured former Soviet republics, collecting applause, gifts, and public attention, these figures now demonstrate that past recognition carries little weight. When tasked otherwise, they readily turn against those who once welcomed them. This situation serves as a reminder of the realities of modern political media relations. 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 Just outside Salt Lake City sits an old, two-story, brick hotel. It's been given new life as a homeless shelter for seniors. The Medically Vulnerable People shelteror MVP shelter, as it's knownis for people 62 and older or for younger adults with chronic health issues. Residents share rooms designed to be accessible to those with mobility issues. There are also private bathrooms, which are a big deal for seniors struggling with incontinence. Unlike the MVP, most homeless shelters aren't equipped to help seniors, especially those 65 and older. They are the fastest-growing homeless population nationwide, according to Dennis Culhane, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. Not only are people who struggle with chronic homelessness aging, but many seniors are becoming homeless for the first time in their lives. Getting in and out of bunks, managing medications, and making it to a shared bathroom in time are among the major challenges of shelter life for older adults. Staff at traditional shelters sometimes ask seniors to leave if they're unable to care for themselves. The MVP is unusual among shelters because it provides on-site medical care to better serve its residents as they age. Last spring, Jamie Mangum, who is in her 50s and has lung cancer, tripped and fell in her room. To visit an emergency medical technician, she only needed to make it downstairs. Her swollen wrist was quickly wrapped, and she returned to her room. She said that wouldn't have been possible at other shelters she's stayed in. "There, I'd have to wait hours as opposed to come in here, be seen," Mangum said. Mangum said that in other shelters she'd likely have had to find her own way to an urgent care office or get an ambulance ride. Specialized case managers at the MVP have helped her get treatment for lung cancer as well. "We have clients that need memory care. Maybe they were living independently before, but they were unable to maintain that and got evicted due to dementia or different things like that," said Baleigh Dellos, who manages the MVP shelter for The Road Home, a local nonprofit. Specialized medical case managers work at the shelter. Primary care doctors and therapists visit weekly. Residents can even receive physical therapy in private spaces on-site. A path to stability The MVP partnered with the Fourth Street Clinic to offer medical care. The first thing most new residents need help with is medication, said Matt Haroldsen with the Fourth Street Clinic, which provides health services at the shelter. For people living on the streets, just keeping hold of regular medications is a challenge. "Their medications get jacked when they're in their camps," he said. Diabetes patients without homes often bury their insulin to keep it cold. Haroldsen said they might forget where they buried it, or the vials might get too warm and spoil. Helping residents at the shelter get those medications can stabilize their conditions, allowing them to focus on other priorities, such as getting an ID and other documents they need to apply for disability, Social Security, and various programs that can help them secure housing. Nonprofits and local governments have opened similar shelters in Florida, California, and Arizona to meet the needs of older unhoused adults. Having access to specialized shelters can be the difference between life and death, said Caitlin Synovec, assistant director of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. In cold-weather states, denying seniors a bed because of mobility and other health issues can be especially risky. In 2022, a Bozeman, Montana, senior froze to death after he was asked to leave a shelter because of incontinence. Complex medical needs can pose a danger to other residents that most shelters aren't prepared to manage. "A typical shelter doesn't allow somebody on oxygen to come in because that's such a fire hazard and risk," she said. Synovec said giving seniors better access to health care inside shelters is the best way to help them succeed once they get housing. Health issues are a common reason seniors can't afford or maintain housing, she said. A growing model The MVP model is showing promise, both in Utah and elsewhere. "Over 80% of the people who've stayed in our program this past year have moved into stable or permanent housing," said Jacob Torner, vice president of programs for the TaskForce for Ending Homelessness in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The nonprofit runs a shelter called Elder Haven. The MVP shelter near Salt Lake City is also marking success. It was able to permanently house 36 seniors as of late last year. Still, there are more seniors in need of shelter than it can accommodate. Dellos, the shelter's manager, said the MVP's waitlist hovers at around 200 people. She said the shelter prioritizes people based on medical need, not time spent on the waitlist. For residents who do get a room, it's life-changing. Last spring, 62-year-old Jeff Gregg was playing fetch with his dog, Ruffy, just beyond the lawn in front of the MVP. An old back injury forced Gregg to hunch over as he threw the ball. It also fueled a decades-long addiction to opioids. That cycle was hard to escape, he said. "Fighting that, having a job, insurance, then losing the job, not having insurance, going out to the streets and being back in that crap, and I'd be back in the same position," he said. Gregg said sobriety took a back seat to more immediate needs, like finding food and a bed in a shelter. He said the MVP was the first place where he could relax and focus on recovery. "I was able to get clean. It took me a couple months, but I just kept plucking away," he said. He said the experience paved the way for him to get back surgery. He hopes that with less back pain, he can eventually get a job to help him afford an apartment. 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: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Jonna Quinn was initially thrilled when she got her first job after her medical residency, working as an OB-GYN in Mason City, Iowa. It was less than two hours down the road from West Bend, where she grew up on a farm. But the hospital started restricting certain birth control options and fertility treatments based on its affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church, she said. At the same time, her unit was increasingly short-staffed as other obstetricians left and retired. At one point, Quinn said, she was seeing up to 50 patients a day. "That is twice what a normal OB-GYN will see in a day," she said. "I knew I was going to miss something, because there's no way somebody can function at that level." In spring 2024, Quinn decided to leavenot just Mason City, but Iowa entirely. At the time, the state Supreme Court was on the verge of approving a law banning abortion as early as six weeks of pregnancy, with very few exceptions. It was the last straw for Quinn, who got a job in Minnesota and moved her family there. Minnesota has constitutional protections for abortion. "I could either stay and ruin myself and my career and my mental health and my relationship with my children, or I could go and continue to practice OB, which had always been my dream," she said. A few months after Quinn moved away, Iowa's abortion ban went into effect on July 29, 2024. A severe shortage After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, multiple states, including Iowa, enacted abortion bans. Coupled with existing OB-GYN shortages, the laws have put doctors under increasing strain and surveillance, complicating the standard medical treatments for miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, premature membrane rupture, and other pregnancy problems. Some physicians fear these laws could drive these much-needed doctors from certain states and dissuade other OB-GYNs from moving in and establishing a practice. Iowa has the lowest number of OB-GYNs per capita among states, according to a KFF analysis of 2021-22 federal data from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Studies show that insufficient maternity care is linked to low birthweight and increased infant and maternal mortality. Stress on those who remain Rural hospitals in Iowa have been struggling to find more OB-GYNs. The Grinnell Regional Medical Center, a 49-bed hospital in a rural college town, has been trying to recruit an OB-GYN, and a family practice doctor with obstetrical training, for more than a year. The hospital has seen a dramatic jump in deliveries after a neighboring hospital shuttered its labor and delivery unit in 2024. The additional deliveries have been stressful for its two existing obstetrical-unit doctors, said David-Paul Cavazos, an executive with the center. Back when patient volume was lower, it was easier for doctors to be on call over the weekend, he explained. "You just kind of had to hang out at home, be by the phone," he said. But recently, the on-call doctors have been delivering "five babies on Saturday, six babies on Sunday," Cavazos said. "It becomes more stressful." An Iowa law enacted last May increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for maternity care, so OB-GYNs could be paid more for caring for pregnant patients. The new law also directs federal funding toward a project to set up additional medical residency slots, including OB-GYN residency slots, in the state. Medical residents tend to stay and establish practices in states where they complete their residency. These things could help, said Karla Solheim, chair of the Iowa section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. But the state's abortion restrictions are still a red flag for some OB-GYNs when deciding whether to practice in Iowa, she said. "They understandably do not want to put their licenses and their livelihood at risk when it comes to taking care of patients," Solheim said. At her previous job in Quad Cities, Solheim performed an abortion on a patient who had life-threatening complications, she said. It spurred many phone calls from hospital administrators. They peppered her with questions about her decision, Solheim recalled. "Did I have enough evidence? Was her blood count low enough that her life was in danger? Should we have waited until her blood pressure got lower?" Solheim recently stopped delivering babies to focus on gynecology and outpatient care, saying she had become exhausted working in Iowa hospital units that didn't have enough obstetricians. Recent data on residency applications shows that state abortion bans may be influencing the next generation of doctors. Fewer medical students are applying to OB-GYN residency programs in states that restrict or ban abortion, according to a data analysis from the Association of American Medical Colleges. For E., a fourth-year medical student in Iowa, the law weighs heavily on her decision of where to apply for OB-GYN residency, and, ultimately, practice. She worries about how Iowa's law will affect her ability to practice evidence-based care. E. is her middle initialKFF Health News and NPR are identifying her that way to prevent her comments from jeopardizing future job opportunities. " I'm seriously questioning whether Iowa is a state that I want to practice in, in the long term, and it breaks my heart because I know that there is such a need," she said. A mixed picture It's still unclear whether abortion bans are driving doctors out of state. One recent study in Idaho found that two years after the state enacted its highly restrictive abortion law, 35% of the state's 268 OB-GYNs had stopped practicing obstetrics. But another study, analyzing federal data two years after the 2022 Dobbs decision, failed to find significant departures of OB-GYNs from states with abortion bans. "We were surprised, and we cut the data in every possible way that we could," said Becky Staiger, an assistant professor at the University of California-Berkeley's School of Public Health, and the study's lead author. While numbers don't show a systemic exit, it's possible some OB-GYNs are adapting how they practice so they can stay with their patients, she said. "We've heard anecdotally, and through qualitative research, that they're really highly committed to those patients," Staiger said. She said the analysis also doesn't capture how OB-GYNs feel about working in states with abortion restrictions. "What we can't observe is anything about the quality of care that the providers are able to provide, about provider satisfaction with the job, about provider safety," Staiger said. 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: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Today, pediatric experts from Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) announced published research in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry that identifies five classifications of youth who have died by suicide. Using 10 years of national suicide data, Joel Stoddard, MD, MAS, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Children's Colorado, and his team found that nearly half of youth who died by suicide did not have clinical contact or a known risk of suicide. These findings are critical for recommending new and increased suicide interventions for youth. "In order to help kids now, we need to dig into the mountain of data available to us to learn about youth who are at risk of dying by suicide," said Dr. Stoddard, who is also an associate professor of psychiatry with the CU Anschutz School of Medicine. "Not every child who dies by suicide has the same story. This research looks at the whole person and gives primary care providers, caregivers who work with kids and pediatric experts a greater understanding of suicide risks that are specific to youth." Because of the pressing nature of youth suicide, it became imperative to Dr. Stoddard and his team to understand risk factors and contextual characteristics in young people to identify warning signs of suicide and implement new focused prevention efforts. Previous research has focused on analyzing adult populations who have died by suicide. Adult classifications, or profiles based on shared characteristics, improve the identification of suicide risk and prompt tailored intervention strategies for adults based on factors like demographics, psychological conditions, life circumstances, toxicological findings, mental health and substance use comorbidities, physical health issues and alcohol-related crises. These profiles provide insights into the varying pathways that lead adults to suicide, and now experts have a way of understanding those insights for youth. "Youth face a unique set of pressures and vulnerabilities that are not typically seen in adult populations, or that may manifest differently due to developmental and environmental factors," said Dr. Stoddard. "This research underscores the importance of early identification because by knowing how others have passed away, we can work to prevent this harm in the future. We not only want to keep kids from dyingwe want to help them thrive at home, in school, and with their friends and family. Earlier intervention helps connect kids to treatment more quickly so they can grow into adulthood with the foundations they need." Dr. Stoddard and his team identified at least five subgroups of youth who had died by suicide from national data. These classifications group the behaviors or stories of individuals who have died by suicide to reveal risk factors pediatric experts should look for. For example, the Hidden and Surveillance classes represent almost half of suicide decedents, prompting the recommendation for greater universal screening. The classifications are explained below: Class 1, crisis: These young people experienced a standalone acute interpersonal or school-related crisis. They did not present with prior suicidal thoughts or behaviors or med-psych challenges. This group of youth are most familiar to hospital emergency providers, as a crisis could be a common first reason for medical admission. An example crisis would be a young person experiencing a first relationship breakup. Class 2, disclosing: These young people told someone about their suicidal thoughts. When people express distress, it is important for trusted adults to pay attention to their words and take appropriate next steps. Colorado's Safe2Tell program is a model to other states, as its reporting system allows anyone to anonymously report concerns regarding their safety or the safety of others with quick intervention follow-up. This classification reveals a need for improved education around resources and interventions available to youth who disclose thoughts of suicide. Class 3, hidden: These young people do not have any recorded risk factors and have minimal contact with the healthcare system. These youth would often be identified in the healthcare system while presenting for other physical symptoms (such as a broken arm) and their risk of suicide is not obvious. Most of these young people were predominantly male and more likely to use firearms. Class 4, identified: These young people experience chronic crises and familial challenges and/or were frequent utilizers of the mental health system. Most of these young people were female and died by asphyxia or ingestion. Class 5, surveillance: These young people were identified as having died by suicide through the state or local county coroner's reporting, with no other reportable information shared about their death. When there are systematic gaps in reports to the CDC by the state, a youth may be classified in this way. It is important to note: this class number is much lower in Colorado, as Colorado has been a leader in participating in the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDS) for more than 20 years. Colorado's consistent recordkeeping and leadership in creating partnerships with county coroners has allowed for greater understanding of how and why a person died. In September, Children's Colorado announced that The Anschutz Foundation generously committed a challenge donation to the University of Colorado Anschutz, with Children's Colorado receiving funding directed to supporting the mental health of children across the region. At Children's Colorado, the investment will first go toward suicide prevention. These classifications assist public health and education systems in refining strategies for earlier upstream detection of suicidality and intervention beyond traditional mental health care. Below are Children's Colorado's research-driven recommended actions that can be implemented in the community, schools, primary care offices, places of worship, homes and more: Universal suicide risk screening: Many young people who died by suicide lacked prior contact with the mental health system. It is important for screening to exist in health care and community- and school-based settings. Safe firearm storage and counseling: Research shows that having firearms in the home increases the risk of unintentional injuries and deaths, as well as suicide and homicide. It is essential to normalize having conversations about gun safety and access to firearms in your home or the homes of friends and families, especially during periods of crisis or higher risk. Children's Colorado recommends integrating counseling on firearm safety and safe storage of lethal means into routine primary care, given the increased usage of firearms in death across all five classifications of youth suicide. Both the Anschutz Medical Campus and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have safe storage guidance: CDPHE Secure Firearm Storage, Department of Emergency Medicine: Colorado's Safe Storage Laws Crisis-oriented outreach: Colorado has lower rates of crisis-classified deaths, likely due to the state's crisis-oriented outreach interventions. Communities and states can implement interventions like text-based support (e.g. Colorado 988), peer disclosure programs (e.g. Safe2Tell) and rapid crisis counseling (e.g. IMatter or the Second Wind Fund) to urgently assist youth in acute relational or academic crises. Enhanced surveillance and data quality: From a state policy perspective, it would be advantageous to strengthen death scene investigation protocols and reporting standards to reduce missing data on young people who have died by suicide. Data informs research which improves interventions recommended to save kids' lives. Integrated care for high-risk classifications: It is important to follow up with youth who are already in treatment (those who identify with the Disclosing or Interpersonal classification) after they graduate from a treatment program or recommend integrated care models that address both chronic mental health needs and acute stressors. Policy and research innovations: Researchers are looking into how they can utilize artificial intelligence, machine learning and mixed-data approaches to learn which patterns are most likely to lead to a suicide attempt and predict suicide risk in kids. Other policy opportunities could be found in standardizing toxicology testing and reporting to clarify substance use patterns in the Hidden and Surveillance Classifications. "Pediatric suicide rates still remain high, as one young person lost is one too many," said Ron-Li Liaw, MD, Mental Health-in-Chief at Children's Colorado. "I am proud of Children's Colorado for leading the way in translating research and data collection into actionable policy and intervention recommendations that should be implemented across the continuum of mental health care in Colorado, primary care, schools and all mountain west communities. "With youth suicide reporting to be on the decline, we can consider the effectiveness of these interventions already happening in our hospital and across our state. Other states can look to Colorado as a model for recognizing the need for greater investment, time and energy in understanding youth mental health so we can continue improving the prevention of youth suicide." 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: Griffith University A faulty ion channel function is a consistent biological feature of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), providing long-awaited validation for hundreds of thousands of Australians living with the debilitating illness. The new Griffith University research found a crucial cellular structure responsible for calcium transport, the TRPM3 ion channel, was faulty in immune cells from people with ME/CFS. The paper "Large-scale investigation confirms TRPM3 ion channel dysfunction in ME/CFS" has been published in Frontiers in Medicine. Director and senior author, Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik from Griffith's National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED), said the TRPM3 played an essential role in calcium transport into cells, regulating responses properly in the body, immune function, and maintaining normal cellular balance. "When it fails, cells cannot function properly as calcium signaling is essential for healthy immune cell activity," Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said. "Our findings provide clear and definitive scientific evidence that TRPM3 ion channels are not working properly in people with ME/CFS." Key findings and research methods Using a gold-standard technique, the team confirmed a significant and reproducible reduction in TRPM3 activity in ME/CFS patients compared with healthy individuals, regardless of location, laboratory, or operator. Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said reproducing results in another laboratory more than 4,000 kilometers apart showed just how robust this discovery was. Lead author Dr. Etianne Sasso said the discovery strengthened global scientific efforts to understand ME/CFS and validated the lived experiences of patients who had long struggled for recognition. "These results provide further evidence for developing a diagnostic test for ME/CFS, and will also guide us toward new therapeutic targets, which could eventually lead to treatments which improve cellular function and overall quality of life for patients," she said. Dr. Sasso said people with ME/CFS had been facing stigma, disbelief and uncertainty, and the research showed their cells behaved differently in measurable ways. "The faulty ion channels act like 'stuck doors," preventing cells from receiving the calcium they need," she said. Implications for patients and future care Dr. Peter Smith, a clinician who treats ME/CFS patients, said the findings were an important step forward for medical practice. "This research provides concrete biological evidence that supports what patients have been describing for decades," he said. "Knowing there is a measurable cellular dysfunction helps us recognize ME/CFS as a legitimate medical condition and improves confidence in patient care. "This breakthrough brings real hope for future treatment options." ME/CFS symptoms included profound, persistent exhaustion; post-exertional malaise, pain, cognitive difficulties, dizziness, temperature instability and sensory sensitivity, severely restricting day-to-day functioning, education, employment and social participation. The study was conducted across independent laboratory sites on the Gold Coast and in Perth, with participants recruited from South East Queensland, North East New South Wales, and Western Australia. More information Etianne Martini Sasso et al, Large-scale investigation confirms TRPM3 ion channel dysfunction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Frontiers in Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1703924 Key medical concepts Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 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 AI is moving quickly into health care, bringing potential benefits but also possible pitfalls such as bias that drives unequal care and burnout of physicians and other health care workers. It remains undecided how it should be regulated in the U.S. In September, the hospital-accrediting Joint Commission and the Coalition for Health AI issued recommendations for implementing artificial intelligence in medical care, with the burden for compliance falling largely on individual facilities. I. Glenn Cohen, faculty director of Harvard Law School's Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law, Biotechnology, and Bioethics, and colleagues suggest in the Journal of the American Medical Association that the guidelines are a good start, but changes to ease likely regulatory and financial burdensparticularly on small hospital systemsare needed. In this edited conversation, Cohen, the James A. Attwood and Leslie Williams Professor of Law, discussed the difficulty of balancing thoughtful regulation with avoiding unnecessary roadblocks to game-changing innovation amid rapid adoption. Is it clear that AI in health care needs regulation? Whenever medical AI handles anything with medium to high risk, you want regulation: internal self-regulation or external governmental regulation. It's mostly been internal thus far, and there are differences in how each hospital system validates, reviews, and monitors health care AI. When done on a hospital-by-hospital basis like this, costs to do this kind of evaluation and monitoring can be significant, which means some hospitals can do this, and some can't. By contrast, top-down regulation is slowermaybe too slow for some forms of progress in this space. There's also a complicated mix of AI products going into hospitals. Some may assist with things like internal purchasing and review, but many more are clinical or clinically adjacent. Some medical AI products interface directly with consumers, such as chatbots that people might be using for their mental health. For that, we don't even have internal hospital review, and the need for regulation is much clearer. With technology moving so fast, is speed important even in regulation? This is an innovation ecosystem that has a lot of startup energy, which is great. But you're talking about something that can scale extremely quickly, without a lot of internal review. Whenever you enter what I call a "race dynamic," there is a risk that ethics is left behind pretty quickly. Whether the race is to be the first to develop something, a race for a startup against money running out, or a national race between countries trying to develop artificial intelligence, the pressures of time and urgency make it easier to overlook ethical issues. The vast majority of medical AI is never reviewed by a federal regulatorand probably no state regulator. We want to have standards for health care AI and an incentive to adopt standards. But putting everything through the rigorous FDA process for drugs or even the one for medical devices would in many cases be prohibitively expensive and prohibitively slow for those enamored with the rate of development in Silicon Valley. On the flip side, if they perform badly, many of these technologies are a much greater risk to the general populace than the average device on the market. If you take an aspirin or a statin, there are differences in how they work in different people, but to a large extent, we can characterize those differences ahead of time. When medical AI is reading an X-ray or doing something in the mental health space, how it's implemented is key to its performance. You might get very different results in different hospital systems, based on resources, staffing, training, and the experience and age of people using them, so one has to study implementation very carefully. This would create an unusual challenge for an agency like the FDAwhich often says it does not regulate the practice of medicinebecause where the approval of an AI system stops and the practice of medicine begins is complicated. Your study examines a regulatory system suggested by the Joint Commission, a hospital accreditor, and the Coalition for Health AI. Would an accreditor naturally be something that hospitals wouldor would have topay attention to? Exactly. In almost every state, in order to be able to bill Medicare and Medicaid, you need to be accredited by the Joint Commission. This is a huge part of almost every hospital's business. There is a robust process to qualify for accreditation, and every so often you are re-evaluated. It's serious business. The Joint Commission hasn't yet said that these AI rules are going to be part of our next accreditation, but these guidelines are a sign that they may be going in that direction. Do you find some of the recommendations wanting? Some are more demanding than I expected, but I actually think they're pretty good. Requiring thatwhen appropriatepatients should be notified when AI directly impacts their care and thatwhen relevantconsent to use an AI agent should be obtained, is a strong position to take. A lot of scholars and other organizations don't take the position that medical AI should always be disclosed when it directly impacts care, let alone that informed consent should always be sought. The guidelines also require ongoing quality monitoring and continual testing, validation, and monitoring of AI performance. Monitoring frequency would scale to risk levels in patient care. These are good things to do, but difficult and expensive. You'll have to assemble multidisciplinary AI committees and constantly measure for accuracy, errors, adverse events, equity, and bias across populations. If taken seriously, it will probably be infeasible for many hospital systems in the U.S. They will have to make a threshold decision on whether they're going to be AI adopters. You point out in your JAMA article that most hospitals in the U.S. are small community hospitals, and that resources are a major issue. I am told by people in major hospital systems that already do this that to properly vet a complex new algorithm and its implementation can cost $300,000 to half a million dollars. That's simply out of reach for many hospital systems. There are actually going to be things in the implementation that are specific to each hospital, but there are also going to be things that might be valuable to know that are common for many hospital systems. The idea that we'd do the evaluation repeatedly, in multiple places, and not share what's learned seems like a real waste. If the answer is, "If you can't play in the big leagues, you shouldn't step up to bat," that creates a have/have-not distribution in terms of health care access. We already have that as to health care generally in this country, but this would further that dynamic at the hospital level. Your access to AI that helps with medical care would be determined by whether you're in networks of large academic medical centers that proliferate in places like Boston or San Francisco, rather than other parts of the country that don't have that kind of medical infrastructure. The goal, ideally, would be more centralization and more sharing of information, but these recommendations put a lot of the onus on individual hospitals. Doesn't a system where some hospitals can't participate negate the potential benefits from this latest generation of AI, which can assist places that are resource-poor by providing expertise that might be missing or hard to find? It would be a shame if you've got a great AI that's helping people and might do the most benefit in lower-resource settings, and yet those settings are unable to meet the regulatory requirements in order to implement. It would also be a sad reality, as an ethical matter, if it turns out that we're training these models on data from patients across the country, and many of those patients will never get the benefit of these models. If the answer is that the vetting and monitoring of medical AI should be done by a larger entity, is that the government? The Biden administration's idea was to have "assurance labs"private-sector organizations that, in partnership with the government, could vet the algorithms under agreed-upon standards such that health care organizations could rely on them. The Trump administration agrees on the problem but has signaled that they don't like the approach. They have yet to fully indicate what their vision is. It sounds like a complex landscape, as well as a fast-moving one. Complex, but also challenging and interesting. I speak about legal and ethical issues in this space, but I'm an optimist about this. I think that, in 10 years, the world will be significantly better off because of medical artificial intelligence. The diffusion of those technologies to less-resourced settings is very exciting, but only if we align the incentives appropriately. That doesn't happen by accident, and it is important that these distributional concerns be part of any attempt to legislate in the area. Key medical concepts AspirinradiographyStatins Provided by Harvard Gazette This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu. 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 new international study led by researchers from UNSW Sydney's Center for Healthy Brain Aging (CHeBA) has developed the first practical, five-year dementia risk prediction tool for stroke survivorsusing only information that's routinely collected in hospitals and clinics. Published in Neurology, the study analyzed data from over 2,600 stroke survivors across 12 studies in 10 countriesincluding Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe and the USas part of the global Stroke and Cognition Consortium (STROKOG). The team found that a combination of simple factorsincluding age, sex, education, stroke severity, diabetes and history of prior strokecan reliably estimate a person's risk of developing dementia within five years of a stroke. Lead author Jess Lo, Research Associate from CHeBA, said the tool fills a crucial gap in stroke care. "Up to 60% of stroke survivors experience some degree of cognitive impairment within the first year after stroke, and nearly one in three will go on to develop dementia within five years," said Lo. "Despite this, stroke follow-up is still focused mainly on physical recovery. Cognitive changes can be subtle, delayed and easily missedbut they are equally disabling." Unlike previous dementia risk models, which often require expensive brain scans or are limited to short-term prediction, this new model relies only on information that is routinely gathered in clinical care. It has been made available as a simple Excel-based calculator that clinicians can use at the bedside or in follow-up appointments. "This is a simple, practical tool that could help doctors identify which patients are most at risk, so they can prioritize cognitive monitoring, early intervention and support," said Lo. "Early detection is key. If we can identify people at highest risk, we can intervene earlier, adapt care plans and potentially delay progression to dementia." The study showed strong predictive performance across different international cohortsparticularly in European and more recent studiesthough the researchers note that further validation is needed in diverse populations, including Asian and low-income regions. Senior author and Co-Director of CHeBA, Professor Perminder Sachdev, said the tool also has the potential to inform health policy and resource planning. "Screening for cognitive impairment in stroke patients is currently recommended, but it is often not implemented due to limited resources," said Prof. Sachdev. "This tool enables stroke clinicians to quickly estimate a patient's five-year risk of developing dementia. Based on this risk, clinicians can prioritize follow-up for those at higher risk and arrange cognitive assessments. This approach could allow earlier intervention and potentially improve quality of life for stroke survivors and their families." He emphasized that while the tool is promising and represents an important step forward in improving care for stroke survivors, further validation is required before it can be recommended for routine clinical use. "As with all prediction models, we need to confirm its accuracy across different populations to ensure reliability and support integration into clinical practice." Building on this, Professor Sachdev added that dementia after stroke is common. "Previous research suggests that up to a third of stroke survivors develop dementia within five years. Stroke and diabetes are key modifiable risk factors, so managing these remains critical for reducing dementia risk." The researchers hope that other large-scale studies will further test and validate the tool, and they welcome collaborations to advance this important work. Publication details Jessica W. Lo et al, Development of a Prognostic Model for Poststroke Dementia Using Multiple International Cohorts, Neurology (2026). DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000214574 Journal information: Neurology 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: Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels Telemedicine does not lead to increased or lower-quality antibiotic prescribing by general practitioners (GPs), Monash University research involving the University of Melbourne and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has found. Published in the Journal of Health Economics, the study was prompted by the rapid expansion of telemedicine via phone or video conference during the COVID-19 pandemic. It evaluated the effect of telemedicine on antibiotic prescribing in Australian primary care, using Medicare administrative data. Researchers investigated whether telemedicine might compromise antibiotics prescribing quality, given concerns about overprescribing generally and the fact that inappropriate use fuels antimicrobial resistance. Using anonymized administrative GP and patient data, researchers compared prescribing patterns before and after subsidized telemedicine was introduced in 2020. Doctors were classified according to how intensively they used remote consultations once available. GPs who adopted telemedicine more intensively reduced their antibiotic use relative to those who relied less on remote consultations. On average, high telemedicine adopters prescribed around 5% fewer antibiotics per 100 consultations than those who used it less. Low-value antibiotic use, such as the share prescribed for respiratory tract infections or the share of broad-spectrum drugs prescribed, was unchanged between high and low adopters. Study co-author Dr. Johannes Kunz, from Monash Business School's Centre for Health Economics, said that importantly, the reduction in prescriptions did not mean lower prescribing quality. Nor did it see doctors prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics ahead of narrow-spectrum options that were more effective but required more patient analysis. Dr. Kunz said the results suggested telemedicine remained a good option for patients. "This has important implications for governments considering how to fund digital care models, particularly as antimicrobial resistance remains a major global health challenge," he said. Study co-authors included Dr. Maria Wisniewska, who conducted the research while completing her Ph.D. at the Monash Business School and is now at Deakin University Business School, Professor Daniel Avdic from UTS, and Dr. Susan Mendez from the University of Melbourne. Dr. Wisniewska said several potential explanations were ruled out. "The decline in prescriptions is not driven by differences in patient selection, doctor shopping, or changes in consultation intensity," Dr. Wisniewska said. "Instead, the findings are consistent with mechanisms that improve time efficiency and reduce patient pressure in remote environments, allowing GPs to schedule follow-ups rather than prescribe 'just in case.'" Dr. Wisniewska said the evidence suggested that fears of lower quality care in telemedicine were not supported in this context, stating, "Telemedicine may simultaneously expand access, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and maintain prescribing standards." Publication details Daniel Avdic et al, Does telemedicine technology affect prescribing quality in primary care? The case of antibiotics, Journal of Health Economics (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2025.103096 Journal information: Journal of Health Economics Akbar Novruz 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. As Mumbai braces for its long-delayed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, the civic battlefield is throwing up stories far more complex than party manifestos. Few are as emotionally charged as that of Tejasvee Ghosalkara former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator now going door-to-door, folded hands and lotus symbol. Once firmly embedded in the Sena (UBT) ecosystem and a familiar face in R Norths Ward 1, Tejasvee is contesting the 2026 civic polls as a BJP candidate from Ward 2 in Dahisar East. The move marks more than a party switch; it signals a break from a political lineage long associated with the Thackeray camp. Tejasvee is the daughter-in-law of Vinod Ghosalkar, a Sena (UBT) stalwart and former MLA, and the widow of Abhishek Ghosalkar, a former corporator who was shot dead in February 2024 by local political aspirant Maurice Noronha during a Facebook Live broadcast. The killing sent shockwaves through Mumbais political circles, with Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray calling it lawlessness like never before. In the months that followed, Tejasvee emerged as a sympathy figure in Ward 1, where the Ghosalkars had built deep networks over decades. But civic delimitation ahead of the 2026 polls altered the equation. Ward 1 was reserved, effectively shutting her out. What followed was a tougher call: crossing over to the BJP and rebuilding her base in a new ward. Her induction into the BJP was formalised in Mumbai in the presence of senior party leaders. Soon after, Tejasvee acknowledged the decision was fraught. The CID probe into Abhisheks murder is moving very slowly. To expedite the investigation and to ensure development work in the ward, I took this decision, she said, adding that she needed strength and support that stands with me openly and fearlessly. In a reflective social media post, she hinted at deeper personal compulsions, saying balancing public life, politics and family responsibilities had become increasingly difficult. To secure her childrens future and address citizens issues, she said, she had to look at a different path. The switch exposed quiet fault lines within the Ghosalkar household. During the assembly elections, both Tejasvee and her father-in-law were contenders for the Sena (UBT) ticket from Dahisar. Vinod Ghosalkar eventually contested but lost to BJPs Manisha Chaudhary. Today, the family stands politically divided: while Tejasvee is contesting on a BJP ticket, her brother-in-law Saurabh Ghosalkar is in the fray from a neighbouring ward on a Sena (UBT) ticket. On the ground, Tejasvee draws a clear line between family and politics. At home, we are a family. Outside, we are loyal to the party we represent, she said, conceding her father-in-law opposed her switch. What matters now is developmentthe work Abhishek dreamt of. Ward 2, part of R North ward, is no easy pitch. A largely middle-class residential belt, it elected an undivided Shiv Sena corporator in 2017. This time, the contest is triangular, with Sena (UBT)s Dhanashree Vilas Kolge and Congresss Menaka Girish Singh also in the fray. Campaigning from morning to night, Tejasvee moves door-to-door, housing societies by day and slum pockets by evening. Her pitch centres on redevelopment of ageing buildings, revival of public spaces, and completion of stalled civic works. People have already seen the work Abhishek and I did in Ward 1. With the MLA and MP from the same party, I can do more here, she said. She also flags issues aggravated by road concretisationtraffic congestion, dust, pollution, water supply gaps and nullah cleaning. Development brings temporary disruption, but once work is completed, many problems will ease, she said. Tejasvee credits encouragement from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for helping her regain confidence after her husbands death. After Abhishek left, I started from zero and slowly understood the system, she said. Her prachar patra in Ward 2 leans heavily on the BJPs national security narrative and the leadership of Narendra Modi, projecting the civic contest as part of a broader development agenda. For BJP leaders, her induction is part of a push to reclaim the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. For Tejasvee Ghosalkar, however, the election is deeply personal.A new party and a new ward will be challenging, she said. But I accepted it with zest. LAS VEGAS (AP) Jury selection began Tuesday in the Las Vegas trial of Nathan Chasing Horse, the former Dances with Wolves actor accused of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls. Prosecutors allege he used his reputation as a spiritual leader and healer to take advantage of his victims over two decades. Chasing Horse, who was present in the courtroom Tuesday, has pleaded not guilty to 21 charges, including sexual assault, sexual assault with a minor, first degree kidnapping of a minor and the use of a minor in producing pornography. The case sent shock waves across Indian Country when he was arrested and indicted in early 2023. After several delays, the case finally proceeded to trial after prosecutors added allegations that Chasing Horse filmed himself sexually abusing a girl younger than 14. Best known for portraying the character Smiles A Lot in the 1990 movie Dances with Wolves, Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, which is home to the Sicangu Sioux, one of the seven tribes of the Lakota nation. After starring in the Oscar-winning film, according to prosecutors, Chasing Horse proclaimed himself to be a Lakota medicine man while traveling around North America to perform healing ceremonies. Prosecutors say he led a cult called The Circle, and his followers believed he could speak with spirits. His victims went to him for medical help, according to a court transcript from a grand jury hearing. One victim was 14 years old when she approached him, hoping he would heal her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer. Chasing Horse previously had treated the victims breathing issues and her mothers spider bite, according to a court transcript. He allegedly told her the spirits wanted her to give up her virginity in exchange for her mothers health. He allegedly sexually abused her and said her mother would die if she told anyone, according to the victims testimony to the grand jury. The original indictment was dismissed in 2024 after the Nevada Supreme Court ruled prosecutors abused the grand jury process when they provided a definition of grooming as evidence without any expert testimony. The high court, specifying that the dismissal had nothing to do with Chasing Horses innocence or guilt, left open the possibility of charges being refiled. In October 2024, the charges were refiled with the new allegations that he recorded himself sexually abusing one of his accusers. Prosecutors have said the recordings, made in 2010 or 2011, were found on cellphones in a locked safe inside the North Las Vegas home that Chasing Horse is said to have shared with five wives, including the girl in the videos. Jury selection is expected to take multiple days. Judge Jessica Peterson asked potential jurors if they could be fair and impartial having heard the charges. Several spoke up about past experiences of sexual assault and said theyd be biased. The trial could last four weeks, and prosecutors plan to call 18 witnesses. A week before the trial, Chasing Horse attempted to fire his private defense attorney, saying his lawyer hadnt come to visit him. Peterson removed Chasing Horse from the courtroom when he tried to interrupt her, and she denied his request. The case is a reminder that violence also occurs within Native communities and is not just something committed by outsiders, said Crystal Lee, CEO and founder of the organization United Natives, which offers services to victims of sexual abuse. Chasing Horses trial requires hard conversations about Native perpetrators, she said. How do we hold them accountable? she said. How do we start these tough conversations? By JESSICA HILL Associated Press Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) spoke on the Senate floor condemning Donald Trumps tariffs. Schumer was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: As soon as this week, the U.S. Supreme Court may rule on whether or not Donald Trumps chaotic tariff policy is constitutional. Ive long been very clear that the Supreme Court should strike Donald Trumps tariffs down. The Presidents tariffs are an unlawful usurping of Congress authority over trade, and Ive seen firsthand in New York how theyve raised prices for families and shut down so many small businesses. Congress may not have a say on when or how the Supreme Court will rule, but we absolutely have a say on future legislation on the Presidents tariff authority. The Senate has already voted four times, on a bipartisan basis, to reject Trumps illegal trade war. If the Supreme Court strikes down all or some of Donald Trumps tariffs, we know he will come to Congress and demand another blank check. Republicans must be ready to buck up and tell him no. Senate Democrats will not support any legislation that hands the President a free pass to slap tariffs on whoever he likes consequences for our economy be damned in his eyes. No blank checks for an endless trade war. No blank checks for Donald Trump to issue tariffs whenever he likes against whoever he likes, regardless of the consequences, particularly on the American people as it raises, and raises, and raises the cost of living. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) A federal judge ruled Tuesday that a suspect in the vandalism of Vice President JD Vances home in Ohio must remain behind bars while awaiting trial. The decision by Chief Magistrate Judge Stephanie Bowman means that William D. DeFoor, 26, of Cincinnati, will remain in the Hamilton County jail for now. A preliminary hearing in the case was set for Jan. 20 in the federal district court in Cincinnati. DeFoor faces federal charges of damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against property in a restricted area and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers. The first two charges are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Shortly after midnight on Jan. 5, Secret Service officers assigned to Vances home in Cincinnatis upscale East Walnut Hills neighborhood saw someone run along the front fence and breach the property line. The person later identified as DeFoor was armed with a hammer and tried to break out the window of an unmarked Secret Service vehicle on the way up to the driveway before breaking windows in the front of the home and damaging a security system. The Vances were not home at the time. DeFoors defense attorney, Paul Laufman, has said this is purely a mental health issue and not motivated by politics. By JULIE CARR SMYTH Associated Press LONDON (AP) The BBC plans to ask a court to throw out U.S. President Donald Trumps $10 billion lawsuit against the British broadcaster, court papers show. Trump filed a lawsuit in December over the way the BBC edited a speech he gave on Jan. 6, 2021. The claim, filed in a Florida federal court, seeks $5 billion in damages for defamation and $5 billion for unfair trade practices. The speech took place before some of Trumps supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress was poised to certify President-elect Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election that Trump falsely alleged was stolen from him. The BBC had broadcast the documentary titled Trump: A Second Chance? days before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. It spliced together three quotes from two sections of the 2021 speech, delivered almost an hour apart, into what appeared to be one quote in which Trump urged supporters to march with him and fight like hell. Among the parts cut out was a section where Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. The broadcaster has apologized to Trump over the edit of the Jan. 6 speech. But the publicly funded BBC rejects claims it defamed him. The furor triggered the resignations of the BBCs top executive and its head of news. Papers filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Miami say the BBC will file a motion to dismiss the case on March 17 on the basis that the court lacks jurisdiction and Trump failed to state a claim. The broadcasters lawyers will argue that the BBC did not create, produce or broadcast the documentary in Florida and that Trumps claim the documentary was available in the U.S. on streaming service BritBox is not true. It will also argue that Trump has failed to plausibly allege the BBC acted with malice in airing the documentary. Attorney Charles Tobin, for the BBC, said Trump cant prove actual damages because he won reelection by a commanding margin, and carried Florida by 13-point margin, better than his 2016 and 2020 performances. He said the documentary also couldnt have harmed his reputation because it aired after Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury over alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including allegations he directed the crowd in front of him to go to the Capitol. The BBC is asking the court to postpone discovery the pretrial process in which parties must turn over documents and other information pending a decision on the motion to dismiss. The discovery process could require the BBC to hand over reams of emails and other materials related to its coverage of Trump. Engaging in unbounded merits-based discovery while the motion to dismiss is pending will subject defendants to considerable burdens and costs that will be unnecessary if the motion is granted, Tobin wrote. If the case continues, a 2027 trial date has been proposed. As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case, the BBC said Tuesday in a statement. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings. By JILL LAWLESS and BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) In a remarkable rebuke of Republican leadership, the House passed legislation Thursday that would extend expired health care subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act as 17 renegade GOP lawmakers joined every Democrat in support. The tally, 230-196, signified growing political concern over Americans health care costs. Forcing the issue to a vote came about after a handful of Republicans signed on to a so-called discharge petition to unlock debate, bypassing objections from House Speaker Mike Johnson. The bill now goes to the Senate, where pressure is building for a bipartisan compromise. Together, the rare political coalitions are rushing to resolve the standoff over the enhanced tax credits that were put in place during the COVID-19 crisis but expired late last year after no agreement was reached during the government shutdown. The affordability crisis is not a hoax, it is very real despite what Donald Trump has had to say, said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, invoking the presidents remarks. Democrats made clear before the government was shut down that we were in this affordability fight until we win this affordability fight, he said. Today we have an opportunity to take a meaningful step forward. Ahead of voting, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill, which would provide a three-year extension of the subsidy, would increase the nations deficit by about $80.6 billion over the decade. At the same time, it would increase the number of people with health insurance by 100,000 this year, 3 million in 2027, 4 million in 2028 and 1.1 million in 2029, the CBO said. Growing support for extending ACA subsidies Johnson, R-La., worked for months to prevent this situation. His office argued Thursday that the federal health care funding from the COVID-19 era is rife with fraud and urged a no vote. On the floor, Republicans also argued that the lawmakers should be focused on lowering health insurance costs for the broader population, not just those enrolled in ACA plans. Only 7% of the population relies on Obamacare marketplace plans. This chamber should be about helping 100% of Americans, said Rep. Jason Smith, the Republican chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. While the momentum from the vote shows the growing support for the tax breaks that have helped some 22 million Americans have access to health insurance, the Senate would be under no requirement to take up the House bill and has already rejected it once before. Instead, a small group of senators from both parties has been working on an alternative plan that could find support in both chambers and become law. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said that for any plan to find support in his chamber, it will need to have income limits to ensure that the financial aid is focused on those who most need the help. He and other Republicans also want to ensure that beneficiaries would have to at least pay a nominal amount for their coverage. Finally, Thune said there would need to be some expansion of health savings accounts, which allow people to save money and withdraw it tax-free as long as the money is spent on qualified medical expenses. GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio, a leader in the group of about a dozen senators, said they hope to deliver a framework next week. He and others met with House colleagues on options. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who is part of the negotiations, said there is agreement on addressing fraud in health care. We recognize that we have millions of people in this country who are going to lose are losing, have lost their health insurance because they cant afford the premiums, Shaheen said. And so were trying to see if we cant get to some agreement thats going to help, and the sooner we can do that, the better. Trump has pushed Republicans to send money directly to Americans for health savings accounts so they can bypass the federal government and handle insurance on their own. Democrats largely reject this idea as insufficient for covering the high costs of health care. Republicans go around their leaders The action by Republicans to force a vote has been an affront to Johnson and his leadership team, who essentially lost control of what comes to the House floor as the Republican lawmakers joined Democrats for the workaround. After last years government shutdown failed to resolve the issue, Johnson had discussed allowing more politically vulnerable GOP lawmakers a chance to vote on another health care bill that would temporarily extend the subsidies while also adding changes. But after days of discussions, Johnson and the GOP leadership sided with the more conservative wing, which has assailed the subsidies as propping up ACA, which they consider a failed government program. He offered a modest proposal of health care reforms that was approved, but has stalled. It was then that rank-and-file lawmakers took matters into their own hands, as many of their constituents faced soaring health insurance premiums beginning this month. Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie, all from Pennsylvania, and Mike Lawler of New York, signed the Democrats petition, pushing it to the magic number of 218 needed to force a House vote. All four represent key swing districts whose races will help determine which party takes charge of the House next year. Jeffries said in a celebratory press conference afterward that Thune should bring the Democratic bill to the Senate floor for an immediate vote. Trump encourages GOP to take on health care issue What started as a long shot effort by Democrats to offer a discharge petition has become a political vindication of the Democrats government shutdown strategy as they fought to preserve the health care funds. Democrats are making clear that the higher health insurance costs many Americans are facing will be a political centerpiece of their efforts to retake the majority in the House and Senate in the fall elections. Trump, during a lengthy speech this week to House GOP lawmakers, encouraged his party to take control of the health care debate an issue that has stymied Republicans since he tried, and failed, to repeal Obamacare during his first term. ___ Associated Press writers Matt Brown and Steven Sloan contributed to this report. By LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Organizers of Australias largest free literary festival canceled the event Tuesday after more than 180 writers and speakers withdrew over the scrapping of an appearance by an Australian-Palestinian writer and academic. The uproar began when the board of the Adelaide Festival, which runs Adelaide Writers Week, announced on Jan. 8 that they had disinvited Randa Abdel-Fattah from the event given her previous statements and citing cultural sensitivities at this unprecedented time so soon after an antisemitic mass shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach. There was no suggestion that Abdel-Fattah or her writings have any connection with the tragedy, the board members added. The board didnt cite specific statements by the lawyer, academic and writer of fiction and nonfiction, and Abdel-Fattah decried the move as censorship and said the announcement suggested that her mere presence was culturally insensitive. The episode unfolded amid a fraught national debate in Australia about limits on speech following a massacre at a Dec. 14 Hannukah event at which 15 people were shot dead by two gunmen apparently inspired by Islamic State ideology. Adelaide Writers Week was scheduled to run for six days beginning in late February, as part of an annual culture festival. Some 160,000 people attended the literary events 40th iteration in 2025. Its not clear why Abdel-Fattah was disinvited Born in Australia to Palestinian and Egyptian parents, Abdel-Fattah often writes about Islamophobia and had been invited to speak about her novel Discipline, which follows two Muslims, a journalist and a university student, navigating issues of censorship in Sydney. She has been a critic of the Israeli government and an advocate for Palestinians throughout the two-year war in Gaza. Following the Bondi shooting, the Jewish Community Council for South Australia the state where Adelaide is located wrote to the festival to lobby for Abdel-Fattahs exclusion, the groups spokesperson Norman Schueler told The Adelaide Advertiser. State Premier Peter Malinauskus compared her appearance to a far-right Zionist going to Writers Week and speaking hateful rhetoric towards Islamic people following a massacre a at a mosque. Abdel-Fattah posted to social media on Wednesday that she had sent a legal notice to Malinauskus threatening defamation action. She decried his latest comments as a vicious personal assault on me, a private citizen, by the highest public official in South Australia. Australian news outlets also highlighted the writers statements on Israel and Zionism. That included an image she posted after the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on Israel showing a parachute displaying the Palestinian flag. She told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that when she posted the picture, she had no idea about the death toll, I had no idea about what was happening on the ground, the outlet reported. Of course I do not support the killing of civilians, she told the ABC. Detractors also criticized Abdel-Fattah for writing that Zionists had no claim or right to cultural safety. Abdel-Fattah told the ABC that she had never, ever called for Jews to be unsafe. Zadie Smith and Jacinda Ardern withdraw in protest The removal of Abdel-Fattah prompted writers including British novelist Zadie Smith and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to withdraw, as well as some sponsors, over the next few days. The Festivals director Louise Adler quit Tuesday, citing her objections to the disinvitation, and a new board was appointed to run the wider Adelaide Festival on Wednesday after all remaining members resigned Tuesday. Adler, a Jewish Australian, wrote in the Guardian that she could not be party to silencing writers. She said 70% of the events speakers had withdrawn. Later Tuesday, a statement on the Festivals Facebook page said that the Writers Week would not proceed. The statement, which was not attributed to a named individual, offered an apology to Abdel-Fattah for how the decision was represented. Board members wanted to 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, the statement said. Abdel-Fattah rejected the apology in a post on X Tuesday, lambasting the decision to cancel her appearance as a blatant act of anti-Palestinian racism. She said the board had apologized for how her removal was presented but not for the decision itself. Australias leaders are debating hate speech Abdel-Fattahs exclusion came amid proposed or enacted changes to laws covering hate speech, protest and guns after the Bondi massacre. Some Jewish organizations said national and state leaders should have considered such measures earlier, after a wave of antisemitic arson and vandalism attacks targeted Jewish businesses, schools and synagogues in Sydney and Melbourne during 2024 and early 2025. New South Wales state, where the shooting happened, passed a law days later that bans protest gatherings during periods following terrorism declarations. The state is also mulling changes that would criminalize certain chants, including some used at pro-Palestinian rallies. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Tuesday that he would recall the federal parliament in January to vote on his proposed measures to tighten Australias gun controls and lower criminal thresholds for prosecuting hate speech. He has also announced a major national inquiry, called a royal commission, into antisemitism in Australia and the Bondi attack specifically. Albanese said a national day of mourning for those killed would be held on Jan. 22. By CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY Associated Press Nazrin Abdul China has criticised the United States' decision to impose a 25% tariff on all countries engaged in cooperation with Iran. As reported by Azernews, the Chinese Embassy in Washington expressed its stance through a statement by its spokesperson, Liu Pengyu, on the social media platform "X." Liu also emphasised that China would take necessary actions to safeguard its interests, stating: "Tariffs and trade wars do not have winners; coercion and pressure cannot resolve issues. Protectionism harms the interests of all parties. China firmly opposes any unilateral sanctions. The Chinese government will take all necessary measures to defend its legitimate rights and interests." Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had announced that a 25% tariff would be imposed on all countries cooperating with Iran. It is worth noting that Chinas accession to the World Trade Organisation in 2001 marked a turning point, deepening economic ties. Bilateral trade expanded rapidly, making China Americas largest trading partner for many years. However, this economic interdependence also generated tensions, particularly over trade imbalances, intellectual property theft, market access restrictions, and state subsidies to Chinese firms. By the mid-2010s, US policy shifted decisively toward strategic competition. The Trump administration labelled China a strategic competitor, launching a trade war that included tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods. While the Biden administration rolled back some rhetoric, it largely maintained tariffs and reinforced restrictions on advanced technology exports, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. JERUSALEM (AP) Israels recognition of Somaliland has thrust the breakaway territory into the international spotlight, causing an uproar in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East as a surprise new factor in regional power struggles. For Israel, the decision reignites questions about the contentious proposal raised last year by American and Israeli officials for Somaliland to take in Palestinians displaced from Gaza. Israel also could use Somaliland as a base to more closely respond to attacks from Iran-backed Houthis rebels in Yemen, just across the Gulf of Aden. Israel also would get a diplomatic win. Somalilands foreign minister told The Associated Press that it aims to join the Abraham Accords, bilateral agreements between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority countries. It is a mutually beneficial friendship, Abdirahman Dahir Adan said in an interview. In return, Somaliland gains open cooperation with Israel in trade, investment and technology. But the first international recognition of Somaliland as an independent nation also could make it a target. Analysts warn that its ties with Israel could become a rallying cry for Islamic extremists, destabilizing an already volatile region in which Somaliland has prided itself as an oasis of relative calm. Al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabab, based in Somalia and the key challenge to that countrys stability, is already making threats. The group has rarely carried out attacks in Somaliland, which broke away in 1991 as Somalia collapsed into conflict. Members of the movement reject Israels attempt to claim or use parts of our land. We will not accept this, and we will fight against it, al-Shabab spokesperson Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rageal said in an audio message posted on one of the groups sites. Strategic location Somaliland sits along one of the worlds busiest maritime corridors. It has drawn interest from foreign investors and military powers who see it as a potential alternative to neighboring Djibouti, which is home to the premier African bases for the American and Chinese militaries, and those of several other nations. Somaliland lies less than 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Yemen, where the Houthis have been targeting commercial and other ships in response to the Israel-Hamas war. The attacks have upended shipping in the Red Sea, through which about $1 trillion of goods pass annually. The Houthis also fired scores of missiles and drones at Israel during the war in Gaza, triggering long-range strikes by Israels air force. If you are trying to watch, deter or disrupt Houthi maritime activity, a small footprint (in Somaliland) can provide disproportionate utility, said Andreas Krieg, a military analyst at Kings College London. Shortly after Israels recognition, the Houthis threatened Somaliland. No limits to cooperation Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somaliland last week, and Somalilands president is expected to visit Israel soon. This is a natural connection between democratic countries both in challenging regions, Saar said in defending Israels recognition. Israel and Somaliland have said their new ties would include defense cooperation, but officials declined to elaborate. Somalilands foreign minister said that details would follow his presidents visit to Israel. There are no limits as to what areas we can work with, Adan said. He expressed hope that Israels recognition would bestow new legitimacy on Somaliland and prompt others to recognize its sovereignty, even as Somalia has angrily rejected it. Before Israels recognition, we were worried so much that other powers like Turkey and China would squeeze us, Adan said, mentioning two of Somalias top benefactors. Im very hopeful that in the near future there will be many other countries that will follow Israel. But the foreign minister insisted there has been no discussion with Israel about taking in Palestinians from Gaza. U.S. and Israeli officials told the AP last year that Israel had approached Somaliland about the proposal. Warnings of violence Israeli recognition of Somaliland has pushed the region into uncharted waters, said Mahad Wasuge, director of Somali Public Agenda, a think tank. It could increase violence or bring proxy wars, particularly if the Israelis want to have a presence in the port of Berbera to counter threats in the Red Sea, he said, referring to Somalilands largest port. The 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union continental body, have condemned Israels recognition. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said it threatens his countrys sovereignty. He said that Somalis wouldnt accept their nation being used by a foreign power accused of harming civilians meaning Palestinians in Gaza and warned that the establishment of foreign military bases would further destabilize the region. Somali territory cannot be divided by a piece of paper written by Israel and signed by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, Mohamud said in a televised address. Adan dismissed the criticism from Mogadishu, calling Somalia a failed state. Great power rivalries Already, Israels recognition has rocked the balance of powers in a region where rich Gulf countries and others have a growing interest. On Monday, Somalia annulled its security and defense agreements with the United Arab Emirates, a key regional ally of Israel that has long invested in Somalilands Berbera port, saying it was meant to safeguard unity, territorial integrity, and constitutional order. For the UAE, the area is important for its proximity to Sudan, where it has been accused of funding and arming the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in that countrys civil war. And last week, Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of using Somaliland as a transit point to smuggle the leader of a separatist group out of southern Yemen. Asher Lubotzky, an analyst with Israels Institute for National Security Studies, said that Somaliland is one of several examples of the emerging alliance between Israel and the UAE, which have sought to align with U.S. foreign policy and shown a willingness to eschew international norms while countering extremist groups. We know the Israeli interest is with the Houthis, but Somaliland also has an interest in some kind of an external protection, he said. Others put on alert by Israels recognition are Turkey, Somalias largest investor and a rival to Israel, and China, which has long viewed Somaliland with suspicion over its ties with Taiwan. A rare visit to Somalia by Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, set for last week did not occur as the Chinese embassy cited scheduling reasons. Closer to home, landlocked Ethiopia, Africas second-most populous country, sees Somaliland next door as a key route to the sea. It has remained silent on Israels recognition perhaps scrambling, like many other countries, to understand what might come next. ___ Omar Faruk reported from Mogadishu, Somalia. Samy Magdy in Cairo, and Josef Federman in Jerusalem, contributed to this report. ___ This version corrects the name of the Somali Public Agenda think tank. By SAM METZ and OMAR FARUK Associated Press NUUK, Greenland (AP) U.S. President Donald Trump has made an American takeover of Greenland a focus of his second term in the White House, calling it a national security priority while repeating false claims about the strategic Arctic island. In recent comments, he has floated using military force as an option to take control of Greenland. He has said if the U.S. does not acquire the island, which is a self-governing territory of NATO ally Denmark, then it will fall into Chinese or Russian hands. Heres a closer look at the facts. TRUMP, discussing the security situation in the Arctic: We need that because if you take a look outside of Greenland right now, there are Russian destroyers, there are Chinese destroyers and, bigger, there are Russian submarines all over the place. Were not gonna have Russia or China occupy Greenland, and thats what theyre going to do if we dont. THE FACTS: Experts have repeatedly rebuffed Trumps claims of Chinese and Russian military forces lurking off Greenlands coastline. Experts say Russia instead operates in the Barents Sea, off the Scandinavian coast, and both China and Russia have a presence in the Bering Sea south of Alaska. That statement makes no sense in terms of facts, said Andreas sthagen, research director for Arctic and ocean politics at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Oslo, Norway. There are no Russian and Chinese ships all over the place around Greenland. Russia and/or China has no capacity to occupy Greenland or to take control over Greenland. The only Chinese I see is when I go to the fast food market, Lars Vintner, a heating engineer told The Associated Press in Greenlands capital Nuuk. He said he frequently goes sailing and hunting and has never seen Russian or Chinese ships. Another Greenlander, Hans Nrgaard, told AP that Trumps claims are fantasy. Lin Mortensgaard, an expert on the international politics of the Arctic at the Danish Institute for International Studies, said that while there are probably Russian submarines as there are across the vast Arctic region near Greenland, there are no surface vessels. China has research vessels in the Central Arctic Ocean, and while the Chinese and Russian militaries have done joint exercises in the Arctic, they have taken place closer to Alaska, she said. Asked about Trumps claim that there are multiple Chinese and Russian ships and submarines around the island, Greenland business minister Naaja Nathanielsen responded Tuesday: Not that we are aware of. While Russia and China have an interest in the Arctic, we dont detect an actual threat, she said. America is still recognized as quite a big superpower, Nathanielsen added, and I dont see any appetite from Russia or China to destabilize this. __ TRUMP, discussing Denmarks defenses in Greenland: You know what their defense is? Two dog sleds. THE FACTS: The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite Danish naval unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, is stationed in Greenland. Its a key part of the Danish military infrastructure in the inhospitable Arctic terrain, experts say. Remember, transportation of the area is either by sea or by air. There are no highways, said Steven Lamy, an international relations professor and Arctic security expert at the University of Southern California. You cant basically get in a car or a Bradley vehicle or tank or anything and go up there. So they have dog sleds. In addition to these special elite forces, Denmark has several surface patrol ships and surveillance aircraft and the kingdom is moving to further strengthen its military presence around Greenland and in the wider North Atlantic. Last year, the government announced a roughly 14.6 billion-kroner ($2.3 billion) agreement with parties including the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, another self-governing territory of Denmark, to improve capabilities for surveillance and maintaining sovereignty in the region. The plan includes three new Arctic naval vessels, two additional long-range surveillance drones and satellite capacity. Meanwhile, Denmarks Joint Arctic Command is headquartered in Nuuk, the capital, and tasked with the surveillance, assertion of sovereignty and military defense of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, according to its website. It has smaller satellite stations across the island. Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic. The U.S. Department of Defense also operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which was built after the U.S. and Denmark signed the Defense of Greenland Treaty in 1951. It supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations for the U.S. and NATO. __ TRUMP, discussing why Greenland is part of the Danish kingdom: The fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesnt mean that they own the land. Im sure we had lots of boats go there also. THE FACTS: The first humans arrived in northern Greenland circa 2,500 B.C., traveling from what is now Canada after the narrow strait separating the island from North America froze over. The Norse explorer Erik the Red arrived circa A.D. 985 with a fleet of Viking ships, according to the medieval Icelandic sagas. In 1721, Lutheran missionary Hans Egede arrived in Greenland and ultimately began efforts to convert the Indigenous people to Christianity, marking the start of Denmarks modern colonization of Greenland, which formally became a Danish colony in 1814. The U.S. government recognized Denmarks right to the whole of Greenland more than a century later. Its the same logic about the U.S. and sovereignty, right? You have a couple of boats arriving from Europe and now you own the United States of America, said sthagen, of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute. The Indigenous population was there before you guys. In 2009, Greenland became a self-governing country within the Danish kingdom. The island has a right to independence when requested by local voters. International law has developed over the centuries, pivoting from land-grabbing colonial powers to modern-day treaties honoring borders largely developed after World War II. Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher and Arctic security expert at the Danish Institute for International Studies, said postwar it has remained important, especially to the U.S., for countries to refrain from exerting power over other territories. We shouldnt just grab and go to war, he said. Rather, it should be peoples who have their self-determination. __ Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck. __ Dazio reported from Berlin and Zhang reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report. By STEFANIE DAZIO, RIVER ZHANG and EMMA BURROWS Associated Press The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has issued a stern warning to the public, members, and partners not to engage with Ezekiel Mutua, who has no authority within the organization following his dismissal. In a public notice dated January 12, 2026, and published in leading newspapers, MCSKs Board of Directors expressed concern that Mutua has continued to present himself as the societys CEO, creating confusion about his role despite being legally removed. The Music Copyright Society of Kenya Limited (MCSK) Board of Directors raises concern over continued public misinformation by Ezekiel Mutua, who was dismissed as an employee of MCSK by the Board of Directors on 03 April 2025. MCSK Board of Directors notes that despite the dismissal and its subsequent affirmation by two High Court rulings in May 2025 after being challenged, Ezekiel Mutua has persisted in presenting himself to the public as MCSKs Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the notice reads in part. The board cautioned that Mutua no longer holds any position or authority to transact business on behalf of the society. Ezekiel Mutua is no longer an employee of MCSK and does not have any authority to transact any business for and on behalf of MCSK, the board warned. MCSK urged its members, stakeholders, and the general public to remain vigilant and avoid being misled into financial or other commitments with Mutua under the guise of representing the society. MCSK Board of Directors kindly urges MCSK Members, Stakeholders, Partners and the public to remain vigilant and careful so as not to be misled and or misrepresented to enter into commitments and or financial or otherwise with Ezekiel Mutua either as an employee and or representative of MCSK, the notice added. The society also made it clear that it will not be liable for any losses, damages, or injuries arising from transactions conducted with Mutua in the name of MCSK. Disclaimer is hereby issued to MCSK Members, stakeholders, partners and the public that MCSK shall not be held liable for any loss, damage, or injury incurred for transacting with Ezekiel Mutua in the name of MCSK, the notice states. Mutua was appointed MCSK CEO in March 2022 after a competitive recruitment process. Prior to that, he served as CEO of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) until August 2021. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has moved to clarify his controversial comments on the national school placement system, insisting that he was pushing for fairness and equity, not tribalism or regional exclusion. Gachagua said he fully supports students from all parts of Kenya attending schools in the Mt Kenya region, but argued that the placement system must not disadvantage local children who qualify for admission to institutions their parents helped build and sustain. On the issue of school placement, I am not saying that kids from other areas should not come to the Mountain; I am saying that the kids from the Mountain should not be denied opportunities to go to schools their parents built when they have qualified to join those schools, at the expense of other children, Gachagua said. He explained that long-standing concerns about what he described as historical marginalisation and discrimination against learners from the Mt Kenya region shaped his position. According to Gachagua, the placement framework must guarantee that qualified students receive fair treatment, regardless of where they come from. I am calling for equity. The kids from the mountain region have been marginalised and discriminated against. Somebody must speak for them because their leaders are not, he added. The former deputy president also rejected claims that his remarks promoted tribalism. He described the accusations as politically driven, noting that they only gained traction after his political fallout with the Kenya Kwanza administration. Gachagua said that while he worked with President William Ruto, people praised him as a strong political mobiliser. However, once he broke ranks with the government, critics suddenly branded him tribal for raising issues affecting his region. Again, President William Ruto is saying that Im tribal, but when I was helping him, I was a good man and a good mobiliser. Only when we decided we did not want anything to do with him that I became tribal, he said. Gachagua maintained that his stance on school placement seeks to protect fairness within the education system and ensure communities that invested heavily in building schools do not see their children unfairly locked out despite meeting admission requirements. Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed claims by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba that he is forcing her to join his political outfit. Speaking on Monday, January 12, Gachagua said the pressure Wamuchomba is facing has nothing to do with him and everything to do with her constituents, who are demanding political alignment ahead of the 2027 general election. According to Gachagua, voters in Githunguri have already made it clear that any leader who wants their support must associate with DCP. Coerced by who? It is the constituency. If they are telling her she is not DCP, she is gone. What can I do about it? Mine is just to sell DCP. I am not asking her to join; I am saying if you want to be elected, come to DCP. I dont elect leaders; its the citizens who elect. Then the people say yes, what Gachagua is saying is true, if you are not in DCP, you wont be elected, Gachagua stated. The former Deputy President further distanced himself from accusations of intimidation, saying he only sets the political direction in the Mt Kenya region, while voters make their own choices. The constituents are intimidating her, and they are telling her to follow what the leader is saying. Its not me, mine is just to set the tempo. Whether people agree with me or not is not for me to decide. I have not told anybody not to join any other party. I have just told people to join DCP, he added. Wamuchomba accuses Gachagua of threats and intimidation Wamuchomba had accused Gachagua of using threats and insults to force her into the DCP. In a statement issued on January 5, she claimed he employed similar tactics while serving as Deputy President when she opposed the Finance Bill 2023. Now, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is using threats and insults to intimidate me to join DCP Party. When he was DP, he did the same to intimidate me when I voted No for the Finance Bill 2023. God deflated him painfully, she said. The Githunguri lawmaker also questioned Gachaguas authority within the DCP, arguing that official records at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) do not list him as a registered party official. He started a party, which he claims is a mlima party, and all of us must join. Yet from ORPP records, hes not even an official, let alone a party leader, Wamuchomba added. Also Read Ill Never Join the Maskio Party: Wamuchomba Launches Fierce Attack on Gachagua and DCP Fresh election challenge to DCP allies Wamuchomba further accused Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa of being used to attack leaders who refuse to associate with DCP, even though he still holds office under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). She challenged DCP-linked leaders to resign and seek fresh mandates if they believe the party enjoys genuine public support. Hes using Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa to demean those not in the party. Karungo is still a UDA senator screaming about another party. If really this party is strong, why cant Senators Karungo, Methu Muhia, and Joe Nyutu resign first, then we elect them through their new party? she asked. Wamuchomba ended the debate by making it clear she has no plans to defect. Im not joining the DCP Party, and Im in UDA till 2027, she said. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has proposed new legal reforms aimed at strengthening accountability in Kenyas Judiciary by allowing it to discipline judges for minor misconduct, instead of being limited to recommending their removal. Currently, the JSC can only recommend dismissal or exonerate judges, a binary approach critics say undermines judicial oversight. The commission presented its proposals to the National Assemblys Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) as part of ongoing efforts to rid the Judiciary of corrupt or underperforming elements. The commission can only recommend removal of a judge or dismiss petitions and complaints, with no provision for immediate sanctions when minor violations are identified, JSC Vice-Chairperson Isaac Rutto told the CIOC, chaired by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi. Rutto explained that both the Constitution and the Judicial Service Act are silent on reprimanding judges for minor infractions, leaving the commission without intermediate disciplinary measures. This binary approach (dismissal or exoneration) fails to provide proportionate disciplinary responses and undermines the intended purpose of judicial accountability, he added. The High Court has previously limited the commissions effectiveness, ruling that the lack of specific regulations renders many JSC actions legally null and void, even when it attempts to recommend removal of judges. The proposed reforms aim to introduce intermediate sanctions, including procedures for reprimanding judges for minor violations and establishing comprehensive disciplinary regulations. These changes would allow the JSC to address misconduct more proportionately, rather than being forced to choose between dismissal or inaction. Under Article 168 of the Constitution, judges can currently be removed for incapacity, breach of the code of conduct, bankruptcy, incompetence, or gross misconduct. The removal process requires either a JSC recommendation or a petition, followed by a tribunal investigation and, if justified, presidential suspension a framework designed to balance judicial independence with accountability. Rutto highlighted that other countries, such as South Africa and Uganda, have established procedures for judicial reprimands, while Kenyas system lacks mechanisms for minor breaches. The reforms follow high-profile incidents last year, when Supreme Court judges led by Chief Justice Martha Koome obtained High Court orders blocking the JSC from hearing petitions for their removal over alleged misconduct and incompetence. The judges argued that the JSC lacked proper regulations and jurisdiction, prompting the court to temporarily halt proceedings. The JSC now faces the challenge of drafting amendments that would allow proportionate disciplinary action, marking a potential turning point in Kenyas judicial accountability framework. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed speculation thatWiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka could walk away from the United Opposition, arguing that the coalitions growing support in the Mt Kenya region makes any such move politically reckless ahead of the 2027 General Election. Gachagua spoke on K24 TV on Monday, January 12, 2026, just weeks after Kalonzo officially declared his intention to run for president. While political observers have suggested that the Wiper leader may be weighing alternative alliances as the United Opposition delays naming its flag bearer, Gachagua insisted Kalonzo understands the strategic value of Mt Kenyas massive voter base. According to Gachagua, no serious presidential contender would turn their back on a region that commands millions of votes simply to chase smaller political blocs elsewhere. I dont think Kalonzo will be foolish to leave because of a million votes. He will be like Ruto. He left the mountain and went to Luo-Nyanza. He left 5 million votes in search of 1.5 million votes. I dont think Kalonzo is that daft! Gachagua said. Gachaguas remarks come at a time when Kalonzo has moved aggressively to position himself as a leading contender for the presidency. In December 2025, the Wiper leader formally launched his bid, unveiling a broad reform agenda that he says will pull Kenya out of economic distress, corruption, and democratic erosion. In his end-of-year address to the nation on December 30, 2025, Kalonzo framed the United Opposition as a government ready to take over power and steer the country in a new direction. My fellow Kenyans, I want to be very clear this afternoon. The United Opposition is not just a coalition. It is your Government-in-Waiting. We are united not by personal ambition, but by shared values: respect for the Constitution, economic justice, integrity in public office, and the protection of fundamental rights, Kalonzo stated. Kalonzo also confirmed that the opposition coalition will unveil its presidential candidate by the first quarter of 2026, a move that signals its intent to begin full-scale campaigning well ahead of the 2027 polls. The United Opposition brings together several powerful political figures and parties, including Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiangi, who has also declared interest in the presidency. The growing lineup has intensified internal competition, but Gachagua believes Kalonzo will not abandon a coalition that reportedly already enjoys strong grassroots momentum, particularly in vote-rich Mt Kenya. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has come out strongly in defence of the NYOTA youth grant, dismissing claims by some political leaders that the funds are too small to make a meaningful impact on young Kenyans. Speaking at Kabiruini Showground in Nyeri County, Kindiki said the NYOTA programme marks a critical first step in the governments broader plan to economically empower the youth. He challenged critics of the initiative to stop tearing it down and instead mobilise additional resources to support young entrepreneurs. If you think the money is small, we will give what we are able to give now. Go and look for more money and add to what the government is giving the youth, Kindiki said. The Deputy President explained that the current NYOTA allocation does not represent the full extent of government support. He said the State continues to explore new ways to expand youth funding and open more economic opportunities for young people across the country. Addressing beneficiaries directly, Kindiki urged them to treat the grants as a launchpad rather than a final solution. This is just the first step towards your own empowerment, he said, calling on recipients to use the money wisely and strategically. Kindiki also rejected the idea that there is a universal standard for what qualifies as a small or sufficient grant. He argued that success depends less on the amount received and more on how effectively young people invest and grow it. There is no little or enough grant. What matters is how you spend the money and what you are able to build from it, he said. The Deputy President encouraged young Kenyans to view the NYOTA grant as seed capital a foundation upon which they can build lasting businesses and livelihoods. He noted that many of todays successful entrepreneurs started with very limited resources but grew through discipline, innovation and smart financial management. I want to encourage our young people to take whatever they will receive today as the first step towards transforming their lives. It is possible to start small and grow big into a successful business person in the future, Kindiki added. The NYOTA programme forms part of the governments wider youth empowerment agenda aimed at tackling unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship and driving inclusive economic growth. By positioning the grants as startup capital rather than handouts, Kindiki said the government wants to nurture a new generation of self-reliant, wealth-creating young Kenyans. Six Iranian nationals have appeared before the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa after authorities linked them to a massive drug trafficking operation involving narcotics worth an estimated KSh8.2 billion. In a statement released on Monday, January 12, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that all six suspects pleaded guilty when the court formally read out the charges against them. The case centers on the seizure of 1,036.044 kilograms of methamphetamine that Kenyan authorities intercepted in October 2025 during a major maritime security operation in the Indian Ocean. Prosecutors presented the charges after concluding a Miscellaneous Application that had allowed investigators to hold the suspects as they finalized their inquiries. Following the guilty plea, the court ordered that the six Iranian nationals be remanded at Shimo La Tewa GK Prison as they await the reading of facts on January 30, 2026. During that hearing, the prosecution will present detailed evidence before the court moves to the sentencing phase. The dramatic arrests unfolded during a high-stakes multi-agency maritime operation conducted off the Kenyan coast. Security forces intercepted a stateless dhow in the Indian Ocean, where officers found the six suspects onboard. A powerful security team made up of the Kenya Navy, Anti-Narcotics Unit, Kenya Coast Guard, National Intelligence Service (NIS), and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) executed the operation under the code name Bahari Safi. Authorities intercepted the vessel about 630 kilometres east of Mombasa and escorted it to the Port of Mombasa, where officers discovered large sacks containing over 1,024 kilograms of synthetic methamphetamine. Investigators revealed that the international law-enforcement community had already flagged the vessel for its suspected role in global drug trafficking networks before Kenyan authorities successfully seized it. The case now returns to court on January 30, 2026, when prosecutors will present the full facts of the case ahead of sentencing, marking the final phase in one of Kenyas largest maritime drug busts. In an era where Kenyas digital economy is projected to contribute 10% to GDP by 2025, the ability to communicate seamlessly across languages has never been more critical. Whether youre a Nairobi-based startup pitching to German investors, a student applying to French universities, or an NGO worker coordinating with Arabic-speaking partners, language barriers can mean missed opportunities. Now, a groundbreaking AI tool promises to change that game entirely, and its completely free. MachineTranslation.com has just launched the SMART AI translation, a revolutionary feature that harnesses the power of multiple AI engines to deliver what experts are calling the most accurate automated translations available today. For Kenyas growing population of 6.5 million internet users aged 16-64 who regularly engage with global content, this could be transformative. What Makes SMART Different from Other Translation Tools? Unlike Google Translate or DeepL, which rely on a single AI system, SMART takes an entirely different approach. It simultaneously consults multiple independent AI translation engines and identifies where they agree, presenting users with a consensus translation that represents the collective intelligence of several AI systems. When you see independent AI systems lining up behind the same segments, you get one outcome thats genuinely dependable, said Rachelle Garcia, AI Lead at Tomedes, the company behind MachineTranslation.com. Think of it like seeking medical opinions from multiple doctors rather than trusting just one diagnosis. The areas where they all agree are likely the most accurate, while disagreements flag potential problems that need closer attention. According to internal evaluations conducted on business and legal materials, this consensus-driven approach reduced visible AI errors and stylistic inconsistencies by approximately 18-22% compared to relying on a single engine. For Kenyas 250,000+ registered businesses looking to expand internationally, that accuracy boost could mean the difference between securing a contract and losing it to miscommunication. How Does AI Translation Actually Work? For those wondering about the technology behind modern translation tools, AI translation uses large language models (LLMs) trained on billions of text examples in multiple languages. These models learn patterns, grammar rules, and contextual meanings to generate translations. However, individual AI systems have known weaknesses. They can hallucinate, inventing details that werent in the original text, or miss cultural nuances that change meaning. A recent study by Stanford University found that single AI translation systems produced factual errors in approximately 15-20% of business documents. SMART addresses this by comparing outputs from multiple AI engines in real-time. If four out of five systems translate a sentence the same way, that version likely captures the meaning most accurately. If systems disagree, SMART flags it for review. Why Should Kenyans Care About Better Translation? Kenyas position as East Africas economic hub means our professionals, entrepreneurs, and students increasingly operate in multilingual contexts. Consider these scenarios: Remote Work: With 32% of Kenyan professionals now working remotely for international companies, communicating with colleagues in French, Mandarin, or Portuguese is commonplace. Mistranslated emails can derail projects worth thousands of dollars. Cross-Border Trade: Kenya exported goods worth $6.7 billion in 2024, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Accurate translation of contracts, shipping documents, and product specifications is essential for these transactions. Education: Thousands of Kenyan students apply to universities abroad annually. Application essays, recommendation letters, and transcripts often require translation, where errors can mean rejection. Tourism: Kenyas tourism sector, which contributes 10% to national GDP, depends on multilingual communication. Hotels, tour operators, and guides need accurate translations for websites, brochures, and guest communications. One Nairobi entrepreneur shared on Reddits r/Kenya community how a mistranslation nearly cost them a lucrative partnership: I was negotiating with a French distributor and used a standard translation tool for our product specifications. Turns out it translated waterproof as water-resistant, which are completely different standards in French regulations. We almost lost the deal. Can Machine Translation Replace Human Translators? This question frequently appears in online discussions about AI translation tools. The short answer: not entirely, but the gap is narrowing rapidly. Professional linguists who reviewed SMARTs output rated it as the safest entry point for stakeholders who dont speak the target language in 9 out of 10 cases. However, they emphasize that human expertise remains crucial for: Legal documents requiring certified translations Medical materials where errors could endanger lives Marketing content needing cultural adaptation Literary works requiring creative interpretation MachineTranslation.com acknowledges this reality by offering an optional Human Verification service for mission-critical content. Users can generate an AI translation with SMART, then have professional translators review and certify it, combining speed with accuracy. Weve evolved beyond pure comparison into active composition, said Ofer Tirosh, CEO of Tomedes. SMART surfaces the most robust translation, not merely the highest-ranked candidate. For many Kenyans, this hybrid approach offers the best value. Use SMART for everyday communications, business correspondence, and general documents, but invest in human verification for legally binding or high-stakes materials. What Languages Does SMART Support? MachineTranslation.com supports over 270 languages and 100,000+ language pairs, covering virtually every language a Kenyan user might need: Major international languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian Regional African languages: Swahili, Somali, Amharic, Tigrinya Asian business languages: Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Bengali Emerging market languages: Portuguese, Turkish, Indonesian This extensive coverage is particularly valuable for Kenyas diverse immigrant and refugee populations, who often need to translate documents from their home countries for legal or administrative purposes. According to UNHCR data, Kenya hosts over 500,000 refugees and asylum seekers, many requiring translation services for resettlement applications, educational credentials, or employment documents. How Secure Is Your Data on AI Translation Platforms? Data privacy concerns are valid, especially when translating sensitive business or personal information. MachineTranslation.com addresses this with several security features: Secure mode: Encrypted transmission and processing Automatic anonymization: Sensitive fields like names, addresses, and ID numbers can be automatically masked Temporary share links: Files auto-delete after sharing No long-term retention: Content isnt stored permanently on servers For Kenyan businesses handling customer data, these protections align with Kenyas Data Protection Act of 2019, which requires proper safeguards when processing personal information. Still, cybersecurity experts recommend never uploading highly confidential documents, like unreleased intellectual property or classified government materials, to any cloud-based platform without proper authorization. What Are the Main Problems SMART Solves? Based on user feedback and industry research, SMART specifically addresses four critical pain points: Hallucinations : When AI systems invent facts not present in the original text. By following the majority opinion rather than outliers, SMART dramatically reduces fabricated content. Unfamiliar target languages : Most users dont speak the language theyre translating into, making it impossible to spot errors. SMARTs consensus approach provides confidence even when you cant verify the output yourself. Review bottlenecks : Comparing five nearly identical AI outputs manually is time-consuming. SMART automates this comparison, saving hours on large projects. Limited resources : Small businesses and freelancers rarely have budgets for professional translation of every document. SMART provides a reliable, free alternative for routine materials. For Kenyas vibrant tech startup ecosystem, which attracted over $800 million in venture capital between 2020-2024 according to Partech Africa, these efficiencies can accelerate growth significantly. How Do You Actually Use SMART? Getting started with SMART is remarkably straightforward: Visit MachineTranslation.com (no signup required for basic use) Paste your text into the translation box Select your source and target languages Click the SMART button Receive your consensus translation in seconds For users needing to translate entire documents, the platform preserves formatting for PDFs, Word files, and PowerPoint presentations, maintaining layouts, headers, and styling throughout. Mobile apps for Android and iOS bring the same functionality to smartphones, essential for Kenyas mobile-first population, where 87% of internet access happens via mobile devices. An API is also available for developers wanting to integrate SMART into their own applications, potentially useful for Kenyan e-commerce platforms serving multilingual customer bases. Is SMART Really Free? Yes, SMART is genuinely free to use for standard translations. The platform monetizes through: Premium features for enterprise users needing high-volume processing Human Verification services for certified translations API access for commercial applications This freemium model makes cutting-edge AI translation accessible to everyone from university students to multinational corporations, democratizing technology that was previously expensive and complicated. What Does This Mean for Kenyas Future? As Kenya positions itself as a regional technology leader, exemplified by initiatives like Konza Technopolis and the Digital Literacy Programme, tools like SMART remove barriers to global participation. Young Kenyans can now collaborate on international open-source projects, apply for opportunities worldwide, and build businesses that serve global markets, all without language becoming an insurmountable obstacle. The African Unions Agenda 2063 envisions a prosperous, integrated continent where African talent competes globally. Accessible, accurate translation technology is a crucial enabler of that vision. Weve moved from ship and hope to genuine confidence, Garcia explained. When multiple engines converge on the same sentence, the odds of fabricated or invented content drop sharply, helping teams move from draft to delivery much faster. For a nation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers, that confidence could unlock extraordinary possibilities. The Bottom Line SMART by MachineTranslation.com represents a significant leap forward in AI translation technology. By harnessing consensus from multiple AI engines, it delivers accuracy that surpasses single-system tools while remaining completely free for individual users. For Kenyans navigating an increasingly interconnected worldwhether for business, education, travel, or personal growth, this tool removes a significant barrier. It wont replace human translators for specialized work, but for the vast majority of everyday translation needs, it offers unprecedented reliability and convenience. The platform is live now at MachineTranslation.com, supporting 270+ languages and available via web, mobile apps, and API. In a country where language diversity is both heritage and challenge, technologies that bridge communication gaps arent just useful, theyre transformative. Qabil Ashirov Tensions remain high in Iran, following demonstrations that erupted on December 28, 2025, Azernews reports. Although Iranian officials announced that the situation was under control and organized pro-government rallies yesterday, anti-government protesters flooded the streets in Tehran at night. Meanwhile, the Iranian rial dropped sharply, approaching near-zero value against the euro and U.S. dollar. Furthermore, according to Iranian and French media outlets, France withdrew its non-essential diplomatic staff from Iran. Conflicting reports also come over the Pond. Thus, on January 12, U.S. President Donald Trump noted that Iranian leaders had called to negotiate, and a meeting was set up. U.S. media outlets later reported that Irans Foreign Minister had approached Steve Witkoff seeking discussions. Despite all these developments, the world woke up to news that the U.S. had issued a new alert advising its citizens to leave Iran or shelter in place. Donald Trump also wrote on his official Truth Social account that countries conducting business with Iran would be required to pay a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States. The removal of French non-essential diplomatic staff and the issuance of the new alert have raised expectations that tensions will continue to rise. The government has introduced a strict new 10-point evaluation system for investors seeking to acquire or lease public land for commercial projects, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs), in a move aimed at protecting public assets and ensuring every deal delivers real economic value. In Circular No. 09/2025, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi directed all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to apply a weighted scoring matrix before approving any lease of government land. The Treasury said the new framework will end ad-hoc arrangements and ensure that public land supports job creation, export growth and industrial development. The Treasury described public land as a strategic asset critical to Kenyas industrial development agenda, warning that poorly structured leases could expose taxpayers to major financial and legal risks. The reforms come as President William Rutos administration intensifies efforts to attract private investment to expand manufacturing, increase exports and create employment through export-led growth. How the new investor scoring system works Under the new rules, government agencies must evaluate every prospective investor against 10 key criteria, each assigned a specific weight. Officials will score applicants on a scale of one to five for each category, then calculate a final weighted score to determine eligibility. The most heavily weighted areas are financial strength and investment capacity, which carry 15 per cent, and job creation and export potential, which also carry 15 per cent. In these categories, investors must demonstrate strong capitalisation, a credible track record and the ability to create sustainable employment. Investments should contribute significantly to employment creation and human capital development, the circular states. The framework also evaluates alignment with national development strategies such as Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which account for 10 per cent. Innovation and technology, sustainability and environmental responsibility, and long-term commitment each also carry a 10 per cent weighting. Authorities will also assess social impact and integration with local supply chains to ensure that approved projects deliver broad-based economic benefits beyond the immediate investor. An investor who scores above 4.0 will qualify as Highly Suitable, while the government will automatically reject any applicant who scores below 3.0. Tighter rules on using public land as collateral In one of the most far-reaching changes, the Treasury has tightened controls on how investors can use government-leased land as collateral for loans, a practice that has raised concerns about the possible loss of public assets. The circular makes it clear that any investor seeking to use leased land outside SEZs or EPZs to secure financing must obtain approval from both the relevant ministrys board and the Cabinet Secretary. Any land outside SEZ/EPZ will require approval of the Board and the line Ministry Cabinet Secretary to authorise government-leased land to be used as collateral for purposes of raising capital by private parties, the memo states. The Treasury said the new safeguards will strengthen oversight, prevent abuse of public land and ensure that all government-backed investments align with Kenyas long-term industrial and economic priorities. By enforcing the 10-point scoring system, the government aims to attract serious investors while protecting public land from speculative or high-risk deals that fail to deliver tangible benefits to the country. Individuals named Aldys are typically perceived as grounded, traditional, and deeply connected to their roots. They often exhibit a strong sense of responsibility toward family and community, carrying themselves with a quiet dignity that reflects their name's meaning of coming 'from the old house.' These women tend to be practical, reliable, and methodical in their approach to life, valuing stability and continuity above fleeting trends or temporary excitement. Their connection to heritage often makes them excellent custodians of family stories, traditions, and values. Aldys personalities frequently demonstrate remarkable emotional resilience and inner strength, drawing from the metaphorical foundation of their 'old house' to weather life's challenges. They are often the steady anchors in their social circles, providing wisdom and perspective gained from understanding both past and present. While sometimes cautious about change, their thoughtful nature ensures that when they do embrace new directions, their decisions are well-considered and lasting. This combination of traditional values with practical wisdom makes them respected figures in both family and professional settings. Individuals named Amen are often perceived as possessing deep wisdom, spiritual insight, and natural leadership qualities. They tend to be thoughtful, reserved individuals who observe carefully before acting, reflecting the 'hidden' aspect of the deity's nature. There's an air of mystery about them that draws others to seek their counsel and guidance. Their strength lies in their ability to understand complex situations and people's motivations, making them excellent strategists and mediators. They typically exhibit patience and persistence in pursuing their goals, much like the gradual but powerful influence Amun exerted over Egyptian society. While they may appear quiet or introverted initially, those who know them well recognize their profound inner strength and creative potential. They often have a strong sense of tradition and history, yet possess the vision to adapt and evolve when necessary. Their leadership style tends to be more inspirational than authoritarian, guiding others through wisdom rather than force, and they excel in roles that require synthesis of different perspectives into unified vision. Individuals named Buchi are commonly associated with strong-willed, purposeful personalities that reflect the name's spiritual connotations. They often demonstrate remarkable determination and focus in pursuing their goals, coupled with a deep sense of responsibility toward their community. Their inherent leadership qualities are typically balanced by genuine compassion and emotional intelligence, making them effective in both professional and personal relationships. Many Buchi's exhibit a natural grace under pressure and an ability to remain centered during challenges, which others often attribute to their name's connection to divine purpose. They tend to be perceptive individuals who understand human nature well, allowing them to navigate complex social situations with wisdom and tact. This combination of strength and sensitivity makes them valued members of their families and communities, often serving as pillars of support and guidance for others. Individuals named Camdan are often perceived as having a calm, steady nature that mirrors the gradual, persistent flow of a river through a valley. They typically exhibit strong observational skills and strategic thinking, able to navigate complex situations with the same natural ease that water finds its course. Their personality often combines practical wisdom with creative problem-solving, making them excellent mediators and planners who understand that the most direct path isn't always the most effective one. Like the valleys they're named for, Camdans often provide shelter and stability for those around them, creating spaces where others can grow and thrive protected from life's harsher elements. They tend to be patient, resilient individuals who understand that meaningful progress often follows natural rhythms rather than forced timelines. Their strength lies in their adaptability and depth - they can weather storms and changes while maintaining their core character, much like valleys that transform with seasons but retain their essential form across generations. Cultural & Historical Significance Chloe has deep roots in Greek mythology as an epithet for Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fertility, symbolizing the first green shoot of spring. The name gained prominence in French culture during the 18th century through literary works and has maintained a sophisticated, artistic association. In Christian tradition, Chloe appears in the New Testament as a prominent early Christian woman in Corinth, mentioned by Saint Paul, giving the name religious significance. The French adoption of Chloe (often spelled Chloe) reinforced its image as elegant and feminine, making it a staple in French naming traditions while maintaining its classical heritage. Throughout the 20th century, the name became associated with French chic and sophistication, particularly through the fashion house Chloe, founded in 1952, which cemented its status as a name embodying style, creativity, and feminine grace. Cultural & Historical Significance Colene emerged as an Americanized spelling variation of the Irish name Coleen during the 20th century, particularly popular among Irish diaspora communities seeking to maintain cultural connections while adapting to new environments. The name carries the legacy of Irish immigration patterns, where traditional Gaelic names were often anglicized for practicality while preserving their essential Irish character. It represents a bridge between old world traditions and new world assimilation, embodying the resilience of Irish cultural identity across generations. In Irish-American communities, Colene became particularly popular during the mid-20th century as families sought names that honored their heritage while sounding modern and accessible. The name's evolution reflects broader patterns of cultural preservation and adaptation, serving as a testament to how immigrant communities maintain linguistic and cultural ties through naming practices. Its continued use demonstrates the enduring appeal of Irish cultural markers in multicultural societies. Symbolically, Donato represents divine blessing, generosity, and purpose. The name embodies the concept of being 'given' or 'bestowed,' suggesting that individuals carrying this name are seen as gifts to their families and communities. It symbolizes gratitude, spiritual connection, and the idea that each person has a unique purpose or talent to share with the world. Metaphorically, Donato represents the bridge between human achievement and divine inspiration, reflecting how gifts and talents can be channeled to create beauty and meaning. The name also carries connotations of legacy and cultural continuity, serving as a link between past traditions and future generations. In a broader sense, Donato symbolizes the human capacity for generosity and the recognition that our greatest contributions often come from sharing our inherent gifts with others. The name reminds us that every individual brings something valuable to the world, and that true fulfillment comes from using our talents in service of something greater than ourselves. Individuals named Dugald are often perceived as possessing a thoughtful, introspective nature combined with strong determination. The name's meaning of 'dark stranger' suggests someone who may initially appear reserved or mysterious, but who reveals depth and complexity upon closer acquaintance. They tend to be analytical thinkers with a methodical approach to problem-solving, often excelling in fields requiring careful consideration and precision. Historically, bearers of this name have demonstrated intellectual curiosity and a strong sense of tradition, balancing innovation with respect for established knowledge. Their perceived 'stranger' quality might indicate an independent spirit or unconventional perspective that sets them apart while allowing them to bring fresh insights to challenging situations. This combination of depth, intelligence, and quiet strength makes Dugalds natural leaders who earn respect through competence rather than overt charisma. They are often seen as reliable, thoughtful individuals who approach life with careful consideration and maintain strong connections to their heritage and values while being open to new ideas and perspectives. Hosanna is a Hebrew name meaning 'save, we pray' or 'save now,' representing both a cry for help and an expression of praise. As a female name, it carries spiritual significance as a prayerful appeal transformed into joyful worship. Cultural & Historical Significance Hosanna holds profound significance in Judeo-Christian traditions as both a liturgical exclamation and a name. Originating from Hebrew 'hoshia na' meaning 'save, we pray,' it was used during Jewish festivals, particularly Sukkot, where worshippers would wave palm branches while chanting 'Hosanna.' This practice evolved into a messianic greeting during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where crowds shouted 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' cementing its place in Christian liturgy and hymnody. Throughout Christian history, Hosanna has maintained its dual identity as both a prayerful plea for salvation and an exclamation of praise, appearing in numerous hymns, liturgical texts, and religious ceremonies across denominations. The name carries centuries of spiritual heritage, connecting bearers to ancient worship traditions while embodying the timeless human cry for divine intervention and celebration of deliverance. Its continued use in modern religious contexts demonstrates the enduring power of this ancient prayer-turned-name. By Alimat Aliyeva Google is set to begin developing Pixel smartphones in Vietnam later this year. A source familiar with the matter revealed that the Pixel A series will continue to be manufactured in China, while new product introductions (NPI) for other models, including the Pixel, Pixel Pro, and Pixel Fold, will be handled in Vietnam, Azernews reports, citing foreign media. The report notes that Google already assembles some smartphones in Vietnam, but the company has not fully shifted production due to the complexity and difficulty of relocating operations from China. Plans for a major expansion to Vietnam were initially proposed last year but faced delays as the Chinese government restricted the movement of equipment and Chinese workers abroad. Industry analysts suggest that Googles move reflects a broader trend among tech companies to diversify manufacturing outside China, seeking to reduce risk from geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. Vietnams growing infrastructure, skilled workforce, and favorable policies make it an increasingly attractive hub for high-end smartphone production, positioning it as a key player in the global electronics market. Individuals named Ine are typically perceived as strong-willed, authoritative, and principled, reflecting the historical king's legacy as a lawgiver and ruler. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities, combined with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to established principles. Like their namesake, they tend to be strategic thinkers who value order and structure, yet possess the wisdom to know when to step away from power for higher purposes. There's often a blend of practical governance with spiritual depth, creating individuals who balance worldly success with inner reflection. The name suggests someone who builds lasting institutions rather than seeking temporary glory, with a focus on creating systems that endure beyond their personal tenure. This combination of strength and spirituality makes Ine-named individuals particularly suited for roles requiring both decisive action and ethical consideration. They are often seen as traditional yet innovative, respecting established customs while recognizing when change is necessary for progress. The historical association with law-giving also implies a personality that values justice, fairness, and the establishment of clear guidelines for communal living. Individuals named Jaskirit are often characterized by their deep spiritual inclination and expressive nature. They tend to be reflective, thoughtful, and drawn to activities that allow them to connect with higher principles or causes. Their name's meaning often manifests in a personality that finds joy and purpose in celebrating and appreciating the divine, whether through artistic expression, community service, or personal devotion. These individuals typically possess strong communication skills and emotional intelligence, enabling them to inspire and uplift others. They may exhibit natural leadership qualities rooted in spiritual values rather than ambition, and often serve as moral compasses in their communities. Their devotion is not limited to religious contexts but extends to their relationships and commitments, making them reliable, compassionate, and deeply principled individuals who approach life with a sense of purpose and gratitude. Individuals named Jourdan are often perceived as charismatic and adaptable, with a natural flow to their personality that mirrors the name's watery origins. They tend to be excellent communicators who can navigate social situations with ease, possessing a diplomatic nature that helps them bridge differences between people. Jourdans typically exhibit creativity and emotional depth, often drawn to artistic pursuits or careers that allow them to express their imaginative side. They are known for their resilience and ability to adapt to changing circumstances, much like a river that finds its way around obstacles. While generally calm and composed, they can display strong currents of passion and determination when pursuing goals that matter deeply to them. Their French-inspired name often lends them an air of sophistication and cultural appreciation, which may manifest in refined tastes and an interest in the arts, cuisine, and intellectual pursuits. Jourdans tend to be progressive thinkers who value both tradition and innovation, creating a balanced approach to life's challenges. Individuals named Leiloni are often described as having a gentle yet resilient nature, combining the delicate beauty of flowers with inner strength. They typically exhibit creativity, empathy, and a deep appreciation for natural beauty, often pursuing artistic or humanitarian paths. Their 'heavenly child' association suggests they may possess an intuitive or spiritual dimension, with many Leilonis being described as old souls who bring comfort and inspiration to others. They tend to be nurturing figures who create harmony in their relationships and environments, much like flowers that beautify their surroundings. While gentle in demeanor, they often demonstrate remarkable resilience when facing challenges, drawing strength from their deep-rooted values and connections to family and tradition. Their dual nature combines earthly practicality with spiritual depth, making them both grounded and visionary. This balance allows them to navigate life's complexities with grace and purpose, often serving as peacemakers and healers in their communities. Women named Michela are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of strength and grace, reflecting the name's meaning of being 'like God.' They typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with deep empathy and intuition. Michelas are frequently described as determined and principled individuals who approach challenges with both practical wisdom and spiritual insight. Their personality often balances traditional values with progressive thinking, making them effective mediators and community builders. Many Michelas demonstrate natural organizational skills and a strong sense of responsibility, often taking on leadership roles in both professional and personal contexts. They tend to be deeply loyal to family and friends while maintaining a strong sense of independence. The name suggests someone who is both grounded and aspirational, capable of achieving significant goals while remaining connected to their spiritual or ethical foundations. This combination of traits often makes Michelas respected figures in their communities, known for their reliability, wisdom, and compassionate strength that inspires others. The symbolic meaning of Nouf extends far beyond its literal translation, representing profound concepts of spiritual elevation, personal growth, and enduring strength. As the highest point on a mountain, Nouf symbolizes the journey toward self-realization and the achievement of one's fullest potential. This symbolism resonates with Islamic spiritual traditions where ascending mountains represents drawing closer to divine wisdom and gaining broader perspective on life's challenges. The name embodies the concept of being a 'peak' in one's communitysomeone who provides guidance, inspiration, and stability to others. Metaphorically, Nouf represents the ability to weather life's storms while maintaining one's core values and integrity, much like mountains that withstand centuries of environmental changes. It also signifies the balance between ambition and humilityreaching great heights while remaining connected to one's foundations. In psychological terms, the name suggests someone who can see the 'big picture' and provide clarity during confusing times. The symbolic richness of Nouf makes it a name that carries both personal empowerment and cultural continuity, representing the ideal of striving for excellence while honoring one's heritage and values. Women named Oliveria are typically characterized by their warm, affectionate nature and nurturing disposition. They possess a natural ability to create harmony in their relationships and environments, often serving as peacemakers in family and social situations. Their empathetic nature allows them to understand others' perspectives deeply, making them excellent listeners and trusted confidantes. Oliverias tend to be patient and resilient, much like the olive trees their name references, able to withstand challenges while maintaining their gentle spirit. They often exhibit strong intuitive abilities and a practical wisdom that guides their decision-making. While gentle in demeanor, they possess an inner strength that enables them to protect and care for those they love. Their affectionate nature is balanced by a quiet determination, making them both comforting presences and reliable supporters in times of need. Oliverias typically value family connections and traditional relationships, finding fulfillment in creating warm, welcoming environments where others feel valued and understood. This combination of emotional intelligence and steadfast reliability makes them cherished members of their communities. Cultural & Historical Significance Thurston has deep roots in Norse mythology and Christian history, originating as a compound of 'Thor' (the Norse god of thunder) and 'stone.' The name traveled to England with Viking settlers and became established in Christian communities, particularly after the Norman Conquest. Saint Thurstan was an important 12th-century Archbishop of York who played a significant role in English ecclesiastical history, helping to bridge pagan Norse traditions with Christian practices. The name represents a fascinating cultural synthesis where pre-Christian Germanic elements were absorbed into Christian naming conventions, demonstrating how early medieval societies integrated different cultural influences while maintaining continuity with their ancestral traditions. Throughout English history, Thurston has been associated with landed gentry and academic circles, often chosen by families with Scandinavian heritage or those appreciating its historical resonance. The name's journey from pagan Scandinavia to Christian England illustrates the complex cultural exchanges that shaped medieval Europe. Individuals named Welborne are typically perceived as calm, reflective, and deeply intuitive, much like the steady flow of a spring brook. They often possess a natural wisdom and emotional depth that draws others to them for guidance and support. Their personality reflects the name's watery origins - adaptable yet persistent, capable of flowing around obstacles while maintaining their essential character. Welbornes tend to be patient observers who think deeply before acting, exhibiting a quiet strength that becomes apparent in challenging situations. They often demonstrate remarkable resilience, able to recover from setbacks with the same persistence that a brook continues its course despite seasonal changes. Their communication style is typically gentle yet persuasive, and they have a natural ability to understand complex emotional undercurrents in relationships. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their consistent loyalty and the refreshing clarity they bring to difficult situations. This combination of depth, adaptability, and quiet strength makes Welbornes valued friends and reliable partners in both personal and professional contexts. Food was inseparable from religious life at the Black Baptist church Derek Hicks attended as a child in Los Angeles. Each Sunday, there was somebodys house where we would go to eat, says Hicks, a visiting scholar in Candler School of Theologys Sankofa Scholar Program. Well before she would get to church on Sunday mornings, one of the church mothers already prepping and cooking. By 3 p.m. and this is after three services she was serving food. And we would go! This kind of storytelling forms the backbone of Culinary Culture in Black Religious Experiences, a course Hicks developed at Wake Forest University School of Divinity where he is associate professor of religion and culture. He recently taught the course at Emory as an intensive, week-long January term, or J-term, class. Housed in the Black Church Studies program at Candler School of Theology, the class was cross listed in history and sociology. Black Church Studies educates the Candler community about the origins, development and contemporary diversity of the Black church tradition. In concert with that mission, the Sankofa Scholar Program brings one thinker to Candler the first week of each January to teach a J-term class. These are celebrated and emerging Black scholars who complement the robust faculty we have, says Nichole Phillips, associate professor in the practice of religion and society and director of Black Church Studies at Candler. Dr. Hicks really is at the forefront when it comes to the intersection of African American religious experience and food, so we were thrilled to bring him to campus. Evidently, Emory students were hungry for what he was serving up. The classs 27 seats filled quickly. Well, we call it soul food for a reason, Phillips says. Food, in many respects, is comparable to spirituality in that it satiates the soul, the spirit and the body, in many different ways. And I think the students want a piece of that! she adds, laughing. Past Sankofa Scholars include Katie Cannon, a Black Christian social ethicist and liberation theology expert who helped establish womanism, a form of activism rooted in Black womens religious and lived experiences; Stacey Floyd Thomas, a Christian ethicist who earned her masters degree in theological studies from Candler; and Obery Hendricks, a New Testament scholar and public theologian. In the following Q&A, Hicks discusses the intersection of Black American culinary practices and religious life, positing that you cant have one without the other. He also touches on questions of authenticity and place-based traditions spanning generations. What are some examples of how food accompanies Black American religious practices? Theres nothing like the experience of a Black funeral as it relates to this. Once, I took a friend who had not attended a Black church to a funeral in a faith tradition that was Baptist merged with Pentecostal. And as were leaving to go to the cemetery, we are handed containers of food. Its a piece of chicken, some potato salad, maybe a slice of bread and green beans. So, we take those with us to the gravesite, where we eat them. The body is committed. Then I say, Well, now we have the repast, which is a meal. And my friend was like, Wait, we just had a meal. But that container of food was just to hold us over. Repast is full plates and a full celebration to commit our souls to the communal experience of the homegoing. And we do that around food. Examples abound. I recall Friday-night fish fries that would start off as spiritual experiences with the sharing of Bible passages that gave way, later in the evening, to dancing to [the music of] B.B. King and Bobby Blue Bland. That also becomes a part of the spiritual experience of binding the community. What parallels do you see between the ways people think about Black culinary traditions and religion? Religion is about meaning making, identity formation and the binding and cultivation of community. Its also a way of expressing oneself. I started realizing food is doing the same thing. The way I talk about religion, asking, What is authentic? is the same way Black folk talk about food. We have conversations about authenticity in what we call, dare I say, soul food. What is authentic about ones sweet potato pie or ones gumbo? Or, like my aunt, who used to bust through the door on Thanksgiving, yelling out that nobody had better make any red velvet cake, because hers was the authentic red velvet cake. Theres meaning associated with how she prepares it and with the ingredients. And those were data checkpoints to see if authenticity was actually there. Another example is gumbo and debates about the best hot sauce. You know, one or two hot sauces are going into my gumbo, and thats Louisiana Hot Sauce or Crystal. Thats it. There is no debate. But in this region of North Carolina where I currently live, its all about Texas Pete. All of these particulars play a role in this one dish that is, in itself, beautiful, complex and soul-feeding. So, I start seeing that, wow, culinary culture as a cultural production is giving some of the same vibes that Im getting from religion as a cultural production in African American life. And if I overlay those things, what would I get? Thats what brought me here. What roles have religious activity and cooking played in helping people recreate community in new places? You think of the Great Migration, [the 20th-century diaspora of Black people from the American South to northern and western cities]. In 1947, my grandmother migrates to Los Angeles. But all that she knew was Colfax, Louisiana. And so, on her front porch in California, she builds community amongst other migrating Southern Black folks. By the time I'm born, I'm around folks who had migrated from all these places in Louisiana and Mississippi. So, what they talked about, how they worshiped, how they cooked, the type of fish they would have at fish fries with all of this, they were establishing a South in the city. For example, at my grandparents church, they would not seat a senior pastor unless they had plucked him from the South. They were making decisions that allowed them to see their humanity as full and ever present in this new land of Los Angeles. What do you enjoy about teaching this class, especially here at Emory? When I first taught this course, there was less scholarship out there [on this topic]. And now, not only can I assign new scholarship, plus my own work, I can also show several films. I can expose them to farmers and folks who are in the community doing this work. Each student creates an autobiography of their food and faith journey. They choose just one element of their experience where they can recall the culinary and the spiritual converging in that moment because the power of story is important, and necessary, to tell this history. And Im excited that there are so many students who are interested in this class! Im pleased that I get to do this with a group of people coming from different vantage points, whose site of investigation is, for all intents and purposes, Atlanta, Georgia. Nazrin Abdul A protocol marking the outcomes of the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Intergovernmental Commission has been signed, Azernews reports. The signing took place today in Baku during the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy. The document was signed by Azerbaijans Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and Italys Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli. During the event, a two-year Action Plan (20262027) was also adopted, outlining the implementation of 65 measures across 18 sectors aimed at strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. Patrolling Xizang's punishing peaks China Daily) 09:09, January 13, 2026 Two police officers (left and right) from a border station in Pumaqangtang in the Xizang autonomous region help a Tibetan herder change a tire during a rescue in August. Li Hongyan/For China Daily In Pumaqangtang, water boils at 60 C, oxygen is a luxury and the landscape is an almost permanent white sheet of ice. At 5,373 meters above sea level in the Xizang autonomous region on the border with Bhutan, it is home to the highest police border station in China. The brutal, unforgiving conditions in Pumaqangtang have given it the ominous moniker of being a "forbidden zone for life". But for Wu Hui, 27, as she graduated from a police training academy, it was the only place she wanted to be. "Don't you want to push your limits?" she asked her fellow graduates."Don't you think it would be cool to work at the roof of the world?" Her resolve was infectious. In February 2024, Wu convinced two other recent graduates Li Tianjiao, 29, and Li Hongyan, 25 to volunteer for the remote outpost. In doing so, they made history as the first female police officers to serve at the station since its founding in 2012. Wu Hui gives gifts to children at a village kindergarten in July. PHOTO/CHINA DAILY Brutal welcome The reality of their decision hit before they even unpacked. As Li Hongyan stepped out of the patrol car on her arrival at the border station in Pumaqangtang, her chest tightened in the thin air. She looked up to see the station instructor, Nyima Gyaltsen, waiting to greet them. He was gaunt, recovering from a recent illness, his hands shaking with exhaustion as he poured them hot tea. "My initial thoughts were 'This place is truly brutal'," Li said. The statistics back her up: average temperatures stay below 7 C, and oxygen levels are less than 40 percent of those at sea level. For the 20 officers and 6 auxiliary staff stationed there, the price of service is physical. Insomnia is constant. Hair falls out in clumps. Memory becomes "fuzzy" as the brain starves for oxygen. "We joke about going scatterbrained," said Li Tianjiao. "Whenever we take photos, we have to ask the photographer to airbrush a bit more hair onto our heads. It's a quiet reminder of what we leave behind here." Officers harvest vegetables in the border station's greenhouse in August. LI HONGYAN/FOR CHINA DAILY The station oversees 1,500 square kilometers of treacherous borderland, including the "internet-famous" Gangbu Glacier. In March 2024, the trio faced their first real test: a midnight rescue mission for tourists trapped in glacial swampland. Under the guidance of their mentor, Gao Hui, they learned that the glacier hides deadly traps. In winter, the ground is solid; in spring, it becomes a frozen quagmire where one wrong step could be fatal. "I was terrified," Wu said of the mission. "Our headlights were the only sliver of light in the endless darkness. When we found them, they were shivering uncontrollably. One girl just threw her arms around me and cried. I realized then this isn't just a job. It's a race against death." The mission brought back the haunting memory of 2018, when a tourist went missing in 40 C weather. Despite a four-day search led by the then-director Sonam Daje, the individual was found frozen to death in a riverbed. It was a tragedy that ensures the officers never take a rescue call lightly. Police officers from the border station together pull a car out of a bog on the grassland during a rescue on Aug 31. LI TIANJIAO/FOR CHINA DAILY Second home Beyond the high-stakes rescues, the women have woven themselves into the fabric of the local community, serving six villages and a permanent population of 1,156 residents. To them, Pumaqangtang isn't just a workplace; it's a second home. Despite the "swollen face and purple lips" that Wu has to hide from her mother during calls to spare her worry, the women have found a rhythm in the cold. They don't just patrol; they belong. Wu Hui delivers ID cards to remote nomadic camps where she is greeted with steaming butter tea. Li Hongyan spends her free time teaching art at the local school, painting "the summer of her imagination" for children who live in a land where trees cannot grow. To maintain their mental health, they utilize the station's small luxuries: a pool table, a movie room and a karaoke lounge. They tend to a vegetable greenhouse and forage for mushrooms during the fleeting, beautiful summer months. For Li Hongyan, the motivation is simple. Growing up in a border town in Yunnan province, she watched soldiers guard her home. Now, she is the one standing watch. "I want to serve until my body can no longer keep up," she said. "Others were beacons for me. Now, I want to be a beacon for someone else." (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) Qabil Ashirov A joint action plan aimed at strengthening military discipline and preventing legal violations in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces throughout 2026 has been signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Military Prosecutors Office, Azernews reports. The document outlines a series of joint measures to be implemented over the course of the year, specifying their timelines, locations, and responsible officials. Under the action plan, meetings will be organized in 2026 between servicemen and representatives of the Military Prosecutors Office across various branches of the armed forces operating under the Ministry of Defense. These meetings will take place in military units, formations, and associations, as well as in special-purpose military educational institutions. The meetings are designed to enhance the legal awareness of military personnel, reinforce discipline and the rule of law, and implement targeted measures to address existing challenges within the armed forces. PRNewswire Kochi (Kerala) [India], January 13: Orion Innovation ("Orion"), a leading Data and AI-driven software engineering company, announced the expansion of its Kochi operations with a larger, state-of-the-art facility and the launch of its OI Envision Studio, a collaborative innovation hub designed to accelerate AI-driven transformation for global enterprises. - Strengthening India footprint with a state-of-the-art innovation hub to accelerate AI-driven digital transformation for global enterprises. The expanded Kochi office marks a significant milestone in Orion Innovation's growth journey in India and underscores the company's long-term commitment to building advanced capabilities across AI, Data, Cloud and Engineering. The OI Envision Studio will serve as a centerpiece for co-creation, bringing together clients, engineers, designers, and domain experts to ideate, prototype, and deliver real-world digital solutions at speed and scale. Commenting on the launch, Brian Bronson, Chief Executive Officer at Orion Innovation, said, "The OI Envision Studio in Kochi is the latest tangible example of how we can collaborate with our customers to envision what is next for them but build what matters. By investing in AI capabilities, and India's exceptional talent ecosystem, we're building a unified global culture that powers sustainable, AI-driven transformation for our clients." Rajul Rana, Chief Technology Officer at Orion Innovation, said, "Generative AI marks a major inflection point - from building passive tools that support work to active systems that think, reason, and collaborate with humans. The OI Envision Studio in Kochi is purpose-built to industrialize this shift, where AI Agents, foundation models, enterprise data, and our engineering discipline come together to create intelligent, secure, and governable enterprise AI systems. This is where we help clients move beyond pilots to production-grade GenAI that delivers continuous value at scale." "The OI Envision Studio is where bold ideas become reality. It's not just about showcasing innovation; it's about co-creating the future and delivering what truly matters for our clients. Here, imagination meets execution to turn vision into impact." Said, Pradeep Menon, President and COO at Orion Innovation. With the new facility and OI Envision Studio, Kochi will play a strategic role in Orion Innovation's global delivery and innovation ecosystem, supporting clients across North America, Europe, and APAC. The company also continues to collaborate with local academic institutions, startups, and technology communities to foster inclusive growth and strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem. About Orion Innovation Orion Innovation ("Orion") delivers next-generation solutions in Data, AI, Cloud, and Digital Experience, empowering organizations to innovate, scale, and embrace future technologies. With deep software engineering expertise and a strong understanding of industry-specific challenges, we build data-driven products and solutions that enhance customer experiences, accelerate growth, and drive long-term value. Orion's team of over 6,000 associates operates across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. In India, Orion has delivery centers in Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Hyderabad. For more information, visit orioninc.com. Envision what's next. Build what matters. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2195243/5714115/Orion_Innovation_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 13: Innoviti Technologies, India's leading payments-centric retail SaaS platform, has been granted a Certificate of Authorization by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator under the Payments and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. - Enables seamless, compliant payments across digital and in-store channels for enterprises & SMEs The company had earlier received RBI authorization for online payment aggregation in March 2024. With the latest authorization, Innoviti is now permitted to operate as a Payment Aggregator for both online and physical (in-store) payment transactions. Today's consumers increasingly move fluidly across physical and digital environments, expecting brands to recognise them and serve them consistently--whether they are shopping in-store, ordering remotely, or engaging across multiple touchpoints. For merchants, this shift calls for payment systems that are no longer defined by channels, but by the ability to support seamless, sustainable experiences wherever and whenever customers choose to transact. Innoviti's payments-centric SaaS platform has been purpose-built to address this evolution, bringing together online and in-store payment technologies into a reliable and secure framework--without the need to rent payment terminals or undertake complex payment gateway integrations--reflecting how modern commerce works. Innoviti already operates India's largest offline payments platform under the brand name innoviti unipay for marquee enterprise brands such as Reliance, Tanishq, Shoppers Stop and others. innoviti genie is a sales acceleration software that helps more than 10000 local mobile merchants with high agency to sell more with higher margins than ever before. innoviti link is India's highest rated payment links app with 50,000+ downloads and rated at 4.9 star on Play Store and 4.8 star on App Store. Through applications such as innoviti link, SME merchants can design modern, remote-first customer journeys--accepting payments from anywhere in the country without opening additional shops or investing in websites. The company has been known for innovating modern technologies without compromising on cyber security and governance. Innoviti has been continuously enhancing its digital plus physical risk-centric onboarding process to ensure that only bonafide transactions of bonafide merchants are processed. Using a modern domain-driven design methodology integrated with banks and payment Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Link enables fast, seamless, and secure payments for merchants and consumers. Innoviti achieved operating profitability in May 2025 and is adequately capitalized to fuel its growth plan. The company is now bolstering its leadership for a sustained period of profitable hyper-growth. The expanded authorisation does not represent a new line of business for Innoviti, but a regulatory milestone in its journey of bringing together physical and digital commerce experiences. Quotes: Founder and CEO, Rajeev Agrawal, Innoviti said: "Consumers today do not think in terms of online or offline--they simply expect brands to recognise them and serve them seamlessly. Our earlier RBI authorization for online payment aggregation marked an important milestone for Innoviti. The expanded authorization to operate as a Payment Aggregator for both online and physical payments further reinforces the trust placed in our systems, governance, and compliance framework. As India's payments ecosystem evolves across channels, our commitment remains unchanged--to ensure that every payment processed on our platform is safe, secure, and fully compliant." About Innoviti Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India. https://www.innoviti.com Innoviti Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is a payments-centric retail SaaS company enabling enterprises and SMEs to collect payments securely across online and offline channels. Its platforms process over 80,000 crore annually across 2,000+ cities and 50,000+ merchants, supporting digital, in-store, and remote payment use cases within a robust, RBI-regulated framework. Backed by marquee investors such as Bessemer Venture Partners, USA, FMO, Netherlands, Catamaran Ventures (Mr. Narayana Murthy's family office), India, and the Patni Family Office, India, Innoviti is the recipient of RBI's authorization to operate as an online and physical (in-store) payment aggregator. Innoviti's technology edge is visible through the 14 patents awarded, with 11 more in pipeline. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2721692/Innoviti_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) India's ambitious financial inclusion drive has fundamentally transformed the economic landscape for hundreds of millions of citizens, particularly women and rural populations, a senior government official said at the Global Inclusive Finance Summit. M Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, described the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) on August 28, 2014, as "one of the most transformative days in India's history." Speaking at the summit, Nagaraju revealed that the scheme has opened more than 530 million bank accounts, with 72 per cent in rural and semi-urban areas. Women now hold 56 per cent of these accounts, effectively eliminating the gender gap in account ownership. "Apart from the numbers, what has changed in the rural areas is the way women actually started perceiving themselves as equal stakeholders in the economic development of the family," Nagaraju said. "It has given a lot of empowerment to the women." Deposits in PMJDY accounts have surged to Rs 2.29 trillion, making it the country's largest financial inclusion initiative. The program operates through 6 lakhs banking correspondents who travel to villages and neighbourhoods to provide banking services. India now leads the world in digital transactions, accounting for approximately 50 per cent of global real-time payments. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) processed more than 21 billion transactions in December 2024, outpacing card transactions by 101 per cent. The government has leveraged this digital infrastructure to extend credit and insurance coverage to previously underserved populations. Under the Mudra scheme, over 563.2 million loans totalling nearly Rs 38 lakh crore have been sanctioned since April 2015, with 67 per cent going to women entrepreneurs. Despite these achievements, Nagaraju identified several areas requiring improvement. He emphasised the need to update Know Your Customer (KYC) details for accounts opened during the initial phase, strengthen financial literacy programs, and enhance cybersecurity measures. Looking forward, Nagaraju outlined a three-pillar vision: ensuring financial inclusion leads to financial literacy, which in turn creates financial security through credit access, risk coverage, and pension provisions. "If these three are able to be embedded in the financial inclusion agenda, the country is going to be much safer, much strengthened and much confident to march to the next century," he concluded. (ANI) Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has persuaded major delivery aggregators to remove the mandatory 10-minute delivery deadline, following a series of sustained interventions, sources said Tuesday. A meeting was held with leading platforms including Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy among others to address concerns related to delivery timelines. According to sources, Blinkit has already acted on the directive and removed the 10-minute delivery promise from its branding. Other aggregators are expected to follow suit in the coming days. The move is aimed at ensuring greater safety, security and improved working conditions for gig workers. As part of this change, Blinkit has updated its brand messaging, the sources said. The company's principal tagline has been revised from "10,000 plus products delivered in 10 minutes" to "30,000 plus products delivered at your doorstep." There have been widespread debates and discussions in the public domain about gig workers' working conditions over the past weeks. In the recent Parliament session, the AAP Rajya Sabha member spoke about the "pain and misery" of India's gig workers, who work under tremendous pressure and at times in harsh weather conditions. AAP MP Raghav Chadha had demanded regulations for quick commerce and other app-based delivery and service businesses, emphasising the need for social security benefits for gig workers. In his Parliament intervention, the RS MP called for dignity, protection, and fair pay for gig workers. For the first time, the definition of 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' and provisions related to the same have been provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020, which has come into force on November 21, 2025. The Code provides for framing of suitable social security measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. The Code provides for the establishment of a Social Security Fund to finance welfare schemes. The Code also provides for the establishment of a National Social Security Board for the welfare of gig workers and platform workers. Also, the Ministry of Labour and Employment had launched the e-Shram portal on 26.08.2021 for the creation of a Comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers, including platform workers, migrant workers, etc. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], January 13: Uncle Peter's Pancakes, India's leading pancake-focused QSR brand, has reached a landmark milestone with the expansion to 100+ outlets nationwide. With 110 outlets fully operational and 40 more in the final stages of setup, the brand continues its mission to redefine the pancake culture across the country. From One Outlet in Bangalore to a National Presence Founded in December 2019 in Bangalore, Uncle Peter's Pancakes began as a simple idea--to bring international pancake culture to the Indian food scene. Within just a few years, this vision has translated into a thriving network of outlets spread across more than 40 cities in India. Built on the foundation of quality, innovation, and a passion for pancakes, the brand has grown from a cozy cafe to a recognizable name in the casual dining and QSR segment. A Brand That Celebrates Pancakes and More While pancakes are at the heart of its menu, Uncle Peter's Pancakes offers much more. Its diverse offerings include waffles, shakes, specialty coffee, and savory dishes--designed to cater to a wide range of palates and preferences. Every outlet reflects a warm, contemporary aesthetic, creating a space that appeals to students, working professionals, and families alike. Whether for breakfast, an afternoon treat, or a quick bite, the brand provides an all-day dining experience that customers keep coming back to. Rapid Expansion Through a Scalable Model The brand's franchise-led growth model has played a critical role in this milestone. With comprehensive support systems for partners, Uncle Peter's Pancakes has enabled rapid expansion while maintaining consistency in service, design, and quality across all locations. This plug-and-play approach has attracted a wide network of franchise partners, helping the brand scale swiftly without compromising on its standards. Consistency, Creativity, and Customer-Centricity What sets Uncle Peter's Pancakes apart is its unwavering commitment to quality and experience. Each recipe is carefully developed to deliver global flavors with a local touch, ensuring that the brand's identity remains fresh and relatable to Indian consumers. The brand also focuses heavily on training, design uniformity, and customer service--ensuring that whether you visit an outlet in Bangalore or in Kolkata, you receive the same delightful experience. What Lies Ahead With 50 more outlets soon to open, the next phase of growth will see the brand entering new territories and deepening its presence in high-potential markets. Plans are also underway to introduce more tech-integrated experiences, expand the menu further, and strengthen the franchise network. Uncle Peter's Pancakes aims to continue growing in both metro cities and emerging markets, cementing its position as a modern, high-potential brand in India's vibrant F&B landscape. A Milestone That Reflects More Than Numbers Reaching 100 outlets is more than just a business achievement--it reflects a growing customer base that has embraced the concept of a dedicated pancake QSR. Uncle Peter's Pancakes is not just serving food; it's building a culture around comfort, flavor, and innovation. As it looks ahead, the brand remains focused on delivering consistent value and unique experiences to its customers--one pancake at a time. (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 Cabinet was tight-lipped Tuesday on a report saying that the United States had agreed to lower tariffs on goods it imports from Taiwan in exchange for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) building more chip foundries in the US, Focus Taiwan reported. The agreement would lower tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15 per cent, the same as for Japan and South Korea, which reached understandings on trade and investment with the US in 2025, the news report noted, citing a New York Times article. "As part of the deal, TSMC would also commit to building at least five more semiconductor facilities, or fabs, in Arizona," the NYT reported, citing unnamed sources. Responding to the report, Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee said only that Taiwan and the US have already reached "broad consensus" on related issues, and are currently discussing the timing of a wrap-up meeting. Any confirmed arrangements will be announced publicly, she said. "The goals of Taiwan-US tariff negotiations have consistently been to seek reductions in reciprocal tariffs, avoid tariff stacking, and secure preferential treatment under Section 232," Lee reiterated, as per the report. US authorities are reportedly investigating whether semiconductors should be subject to "national security tariffs" under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. TSMC did not comment on the report but will likely address the issue at its investor conference on Thursday, as per the report. The Cabinet also declined to comment when contacted by CNA on whether its negotiators had factored in the Supreme Court's ongoing consideration of the constitutionality of Trump's arbitrary tariffs or how a ruling might affect the negotiations. The court did not issue a ruling on Jan. 9, contrary to some expectations, but has said it could deliver a ruling on Wednesday, according to a Focus Taiwan report. TSMC currently has three fabs in Arizona at various stages of development under a prior USD 65 billion investment commitment. The first began high-volume production in the final quarter of 2024. The second fab's structure was completed in 2025, with volume production targeted for 2028. Ground was broken on a third fab in April 2025, with volume production targeted by the end of the decade, according to TSMC Arizona. Early last year, TSMC pledged an additional USD 100 billion in investment that would include another three fabs, but according to the NYT, the company has pledged as part of the trade talks to build at least five more fabs (instead of the four currently pledged, including the fab on which ground was broken last year). The administration of President Donald Trump currently imposes a 20 per cent tariff on Taiwanese goods, in addition to most-favoured-nation tariffs, but has not levied tariffs on semiconductors exported from Taiwan, pending the Section 232 investigation. The Times cited unnamed Trump administration officials as saying countries that invest in the US would be exempt from Section 232 tariffs, but said that it remained unclear how such a scheme would work. (ANI) PNN New Delhi [India], January 13: The fifth edition of the India Fundraising Conference 2026, a premier convening dedicated to advancing fundraising practice in the social sector, will be held on 5-6 February 2026 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Organised by India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) in collaboration with The Resource Alliance, will bring together fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, donors, philanthropists, CSR practitioners, and ecosystem partners from across India and internationally. Arriving at a critical moment for India's social sector, IFRC 2026 is anchored around the theme Capacity & Capital: Powering Impact. While domestic philanthropy, CSR, and private capital continue to grow, the sector faces a significant funding gap, projected to reach nearly INR 16 lakh crore by FY 2029 (Bain-Dasra Philanthropy Report, 2025). Most nonprofit organisations continue to operate under persistent resource constraints, with limited access to dedicated fundraising capacity and institutional infrastructure. IFRC 2026 responds to this reality by reframing capacity building not as overhead, but as a strategic investment essential to unlocking sustainable capital and long-term impact. Reflecting on the significance of IFRC for the sector, Anu Prasad, Founder-CEO, India Leaders for Social Sector, pointed out, 'Fundraisers play a pivotal role in building strong, resilient organisations, yet their work rarely receives the visibility or recognition it deserves. As it enters its fifth edition in 2026, the IFRC continues to celebrate fundraisers and strengthen the fundraising profession in India.' The conference will explore how sustained investments in people, systems, and organisational capabilities can fundamentally reshape fundraising outcomes. Sector evidence consistently shows that organisations that invest in structured fundraising teams, robust processes, and enabling systems grow faster than the sector average, diversify and retain donor bases more effectively, and build greater financial resilience. IFRC 2026 will translate these insights into practical learning, equipping organisations to move beyond founder-led fundraising towards institutionalised, future-ready models. Underscoring the importance of sustained investment in fundraising capability, Archana Chandra, CEO, Jai Vakeel Foundation and Co-founder, A.T.E. Chandra Foundation, a supporter of IFRC 2026, added, 'If we aspire to create meaningful societal change, we must invest in building fundraising capacity. Fundraising is the fuel without which even the best intentions come to nought.' IFRC 2026 will address fundraising capacity across three interlinked levels--individual practitioners, organisational systems, and the broader ecosystem. Sessions will equip nonprofit founders and fundraising professionals with the skills, tools, and mindsets required to build effective and sustainable fundraising practices. It will also focus on organisational capacity, recognising that effective resource mobilisation cannot function independently of broader institutional systems. IFRC 2026 will convene funders, intermediaries, and sector leaders on more equitable funding practices and aim to shift sector-wide mindsets, encourage partnership-oriented approaches to funding, and create enabling conditions for nonprofit capacity building at scale. Signature platforms such as Pitch Fest will further amplify nonprofit voices, offering organisations visibility, feedback, and opportunities for meaningful engagement with funders and peers. Highlighting the collaborative spirit of the conference, Willeke van Rijn, CEO of The Resource Alliance, partnering at the IFRC for the third time, said, 'IFRC 2026 will bring fundraisers together to align around purpose and what they truly want to achieve collectively. It is about building partnerships grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision, even as each fundraiser continues to play their own vital role.' IFRC 2026 will feature a carefully curated mix of workshops and masterclasses, learning labs, keynote addresses, panel discussions, Pitch Fest, and structured spaces for dialogue and networking. Designed to engage head, hands, and heart, these formats will ensure participants leave with actionable insights, practical tools, and enduring professional connections. At its core, IFRC 2026 reinforces a simple but powerful message: capacity building is not a peripheral cost; it is a strategic enabler. By bringing together diverse voices from across the fundraising ecosystem, the conference aims to contribute to a more resilient, professional, and future-ready social sector in India. Registrations for IFRC 2026 are now open. For more information on speakers, sessions, and registration, visit the official IFRC website. About India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) India Leaders for Social Sector is a pioneering learning and development institution with four Centres of Excellence -- Talent & Leadership, Fundraising, Boards & Governance, and Digital Transformation. ILSS offers a full spectrum of leadership and management capacity-building services through transformative learning and development programs, research and thought leadership, community building, and B2B advisory services, for mission-driven organisations in the social sector to create catalytic impact at scale. About The Resource Alliance The Resource Alliance exists to support and inspire resource mobilisers to develop the knowledge, tools, and connections necessary to fuel their purpose. The organisation supports a highly engaged community through access to the innovative thinking, best practices, and collaborative networks necessary to ensure they are constantly growing in their ability to resource the causes they serve. About the A.T.E. Chandra Foundation The A.T.E. Chandra Foundation (ATECF) was founded in 2013 by Archana Chandra, Amit Chandra, and Anuj Bhagwati. Guided by philosophies such as Guru Nanak's 'Kirat Karo, Vand Chhako' (work with honesty, share generously) and Chuck Feeney's principle of 'Giving While Living', the foundation is dedicated to transforming lives through sustainable, equitable, and scalable solutions. ATECF works in partnership with communities, governments, and the broader ecosystem to address some of India's most pressing challenges. Its core areas of focus include: Water and Agriculture: Building on considerable national impact, ATECF aims over the coming decade to accelerate support to governments for the rejuvenation of water bodies across India's water-stressed districts--ultimately improving water security for more than 200 million rural Indians. In agriculture, ATECF is focused on anchoring efforts to significantly enhance the incomes of 25 million small and marginal farmers. Capacity Building: Strengthening the social sector by investing in leaders, platforms, and the advancement of knowledge. The Foundation also makes select investments in urban research, governance and housing, conservation, and cultural preservation--reflecting a holistic vision for India's urban, ecological, and cultural development. (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.) The Indian exporting community remains watchful yet composed following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on Iran's trading partners, as stakeholders emphasise that current bilateral trade primarily involves humanitarian goods already exempt from existing sanctions. Speaking to ANI, Ajai Sahai, CEO & DG of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said he is not unduly concerned about the statement, as Indian industry and banks deal only with Iran on goods that fall outside the scope of US OFAC sanctions. He noted that India's trade with Iran is centred on humanitarian products, primarily food items and pharmaceuticals. "What we are dealing with Iran are the goods which are humanitarian in nature, primarily food products, as well as the pharmaceuticals. So we are not unduly worried about that," Sahai said. He acknowledged that while the "sweeping statement" put into the media has created uncertainty, further clarity is expected once an official executive order is issued by the US administration. According to Sahai, a more pressing concern for exporters is the rapid depreciation of the Iranian currency, which erodes consumer purchasing power in that market. He explained that many Indian exports currently in the pipeline face risks not necessarily from the US tariff threat, but from the rial's depreciation. Sahai noted that no one anticipated the currency would plummet to such levels, making it difficult for consumers to afford imports and potentially causing buyers to back out of contracts. Akshay Gupta, Head- Bulk Exports, KRBL, the parent company of India Gate rice, said in a statement that "Iran has been a key market for Indian basmati rice from an export perspective. Rice exporters have observed significant consumer demand in this region. When trade with Iran was fully open, KRBL exported approximately 250,000 tonnes of basmati rice. However, over the years, sanctions and increased market restrictions have considerably impacted our business." Gupta added that KRBL's current exposure to the Iranian market is limited to approximately USD 8-10 million and is being managed prudently. He noted that most trade is now conducted through the UAE, where Iranian importers operate locally, an arrangement that has helped mitigate risks. "This arrangement has helped us in mitigating risks. The re-imposition of US tariffs, including the proposed 25% levy under the Trump framework, adds an additional challenge to the Indian basmati rice sector," he said. In the broader diplomatic landscape, Sahai highlighted the significance of recent comments by the new US Ambassador on trade negotiations. He described the ambassador's statement as encouraging, noting that it indicates the US is keen to continue dialogue. Sahai emphasised that constant communication is essential for negotiations to fructify and expressed hope that this engagement will resolve the remaining deadlock and pave the way for the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). As the industry looks toward the upcoming Union Budget, FIEO has urged the government to prioritise Research and Development (R&D) and skilling to bolster India's manufacturing and export capabilities. Sahai suggested that the government should provide fiscal support, possibly through tax reductions, to incentivise R&D, which he characterised as a high-gestation activity with significant uncertainty. "If we want that high and sophisticated technology should find a place in India and become a hub for that, probably we have to invest a lot into R&D. And for that, R&D needs to be incentivised. So I would request the government to provide some kind of fiscal support, maybe in the form of tax reduction, where the entire burden is not on the government, the part burden is taken by the industry, part by the government." He further stressed the need for intensified efforts to reskill and upskill labour, particularly in labour-intensive sectors, to ensure Indian products remain competitive in the global market. (ANI) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday released a discussion paper proposing the possible resumption of licensing for new Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs), ending a pause that has been in place since 2004. The move comes amid significant changes in the regulatory framework and an improvement in the overall financial health of the UCB sector. "Since 2004, licensing for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) had been paused. Considering the positive developments in the sector during the last two decades and in response to the growing demand from the stakeholders, we propose to publish a discussion paper on licensing of new UCBs," RBI said in a statement. In its discussion paper titled "Licensing of Urban Co-operative Banks", the central bank noted that while a large number of UCBs licensed during the liberalised phase of the 1990s later turned financially unsound, the operating environment has since evolved. The RBI has proposed stringent eligibility norms. These include permitting only large and well-run co-operative credit societies to apply, a minimum capital requirement of Rs 300 crore, at least 10 years of active operations, and a sound financial track record over the past five years. Preference may also be given to multi-state co-operative credit societies to ensure wider geographical reach and better risk diversification. "Minimum capital requirement for a co-operative credit society should be Rs 300 crore as on the March 31 of the previous financial year to be eligible to apply," RBI said. According to the RBI, the number of UCBs has declined steadily from over 2,100 in 2003 to 1,457 as of March 31, 2025, largely due to consolidation and the closure of weak entities. At the same time, the sector's financial indicators have improved, with average capital adequacy at 18 per cent and net non-performing assets declining sharply over the past decade. The paper lays out arguments both for and against reopening the licensing window. Proponents cite the role of UCBs in financial inclusion, particularly in small towns and semi-urban areas, and the expected support from the National Urban Co-operative Finance and Development Corporation, which has been operational since February 2024. The RBI has invited public comments on whether it is the right time to resume UCB licensing and on the proposed eligibility criteria. Feedback can be submitted through the central bank's 'Connect to Regulate' platform. Based on the responses, the RBI may issue draft guidelines for public consultation at a later stage. (ANI) Actor Yash starrer 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' has found itself in the middle of a legal controversy, days after the makers unveiled the film's first teaser. Social activist Dinesh Kallahalli has filed a formal complaint with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), objecting to the "obscene, sexually explicit and morally offensive scenes" in the teaser. According to the complaint document addressed to CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi, the social activist asserted that the teaser of 'Toxic' contains "scenes that are grossly obscene, sexually explicit, and vulgar in nature. "The said trailer is being widely circulated on various social media platforms without any effective restriction, thereby exposing the general public, including minors and young persons, to content that is legally impermissible and socially harmful," he said. Claiming that the teaser violates constitutional rights under the freedom of speech and expression, the complaint added, "The content displayed in the trailer of 'TOXIC' clearly exceeds these constitutional limits and therefore does not merit any constitutional protection. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has consistently held that obscenity and sexually explicit material are not protected forms of expression." He also referred to the provisions under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the Certification of Films Rules, and the guidelines issued by the Central Board of Film Certification, adding that films, trailers, and other promotional materials are required to conform to the "standards of decency, morality, and social responsibility." In view of the stated grievances, the complainant urged the CBFC to review the trailer, take necessary steps, including removing the aforementioned scenes, and restrict its circulation. He also sought appropriate legal and regulatory action against the director, producers, and responsible parties associated with the film 'Toxic'. "The present representation deserves urgent consideration, as the issue involved concerns public morality, protection of minors, and the rule of law," the complaint added. The makers are yet to react to the complaint. Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, 'Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups' features Yash in the lead alongside actors like Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria. Produced by Venkat K Narayana and Yash under the banners of KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, 'Toxic' is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, 2026. (ANI) 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) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday suggested to youth to make strides in the field of gaming by taking Ramayana, Mahabharat and other stories to the world, saying it will also export India's culture. Adressing the concluding session of Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, PM Modi urged the youth to give wings to their ideas, saying they should not be averse to risks and the that government is willing to provide the requisite support He noted that gaming is a major market, a major economy in the world. He also said that Lord Hanuman can run the entire world's gaming, evoking smiles and applause from the audience. "In one presentation, there was mention of exporting our culture. Our stories are Ramayan, Mahabharat and many more. Can we take these to the world of gaming? Gaming is a major market, a major economy in the world. We can bring new games based on our mythologies. Lord Hanuman can run the entire world's gaming. Our culture will be exported, and technology will also be used," he said. "You should move forward with your ideas. Don't step back from taking risks. The government is walking with you," he added. PM Modi said that the reforms undertaken by the government have opened several avenues for youth. Noting that India's youth are at the forefront of nation-building with their innovative ideas, energy and purpose, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the country is experiencing remarkable growth in the Orange Economy, rooted in culture, content and creativity. He stated that the strength and capabilities of young Indians will shape India's strength, and their success will elevate the country to new heights. Congratulating participants of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, the Prime Minister underscored the critical role of youth leadership in achieving the vision of a developed India. The Prime Minister emphasized that the period leading up to 2047, when India marks 100 years of independence, is a decisive phase for both the nation and its youth. The Prime Minister noted that the event coincides with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. "Remembering Swami Vivekananda, we celebrate National Youth Day every year on 12 January. Inspired by his ideals, 12 January has been chosen for the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. The life of Swami Vivekananda is a great guiding light for all of us," PM Modi emphasised. Expressing satisfaction over the rapid growth of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, PM Modi described it as a powerful platform enabling direct youth participation in shaping India's development agenda. "The association of crores of young people with this initiative, more than 5 million registrations, over 3 million youths participating in the Viksit Bharat Challenge, and sharing their ideas for the nation's development, such large-scale engagement of youth power is unprecedented," he noted. Appreciating the quality of inputs, the Prime Minister particularly lauded the thoughtful ideas presented on key themes such as Women-Led Development and Youth Participation in Democracy. The Prime Minister also underlined the creativity and innovative spirit of India's Gen Z and congratulated all young participants and members of the Mera Yuva Bharat organization for the successful conduct of the dialogue. (ANI) Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) 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) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has urged people to protest the repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), accusing Prime Minister Modi of depriving farmers and the poor of their rights. Addressing a gathering in Kalaburagi on Monday, Kharge alleged that PM Modi's recent focus on the Somnath Temple is a calculated move to garner votes in the upcoming elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. "Modi government is depriving farmers and the poor of their rights. I urge people to prepare for a fight against the central government and protest against the scrapping of MGNREGA. Modi is taking away the right of gram panchayats to prepare local development plans. PM Modi will one day regret his actions. If people don't unite and teach Modi a lesson, he will destroy the country's laws and constitution...Modi remembers Somnath temple only now to win votes in upcoming elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu," said Kharge. Earlier, 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 schemes in the country. Additionally, Kharge also called for a full audit of the scheme if there is doubt of misuse or the scheme not being effective, saying that the Comptroller and Auditor General's report shows how the rural employment scheme has created assets for the country too. "They are saying that benefits to the poor should be stopped. Whatever explanation they give is not correct. Those who criticise this and say MNREGA should be scrapped have the audit agencies with them--let them conduct audits. According to the CAG report, assets have been created through this scheme," he said. Calling the BJP anti-people, the Congress president added, "If they oppose this, it means the BJP is anti-people. Instead of helping the poor, Modi is moving towards helping corporates. They are attempting to cut funds for MNREGA. I condemn this. This fight will continue till the end. We will not leave this." Earlier, the Parliament passed the VB-G RAM G Bill on December 18, and it received the President's assent on December 21. The law guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, up from the existing 100 days, for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work. The LAW has gone through a full name change from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act. As per Section 22 of the law, 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. Section 6 of the law allows state governments to notify in advance a period aggregating to sixty days in a financial year, covering the peak agricultural seasons of sowing and harvesting. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday slammed West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of committing a crime by intervening in an Enforcement Directorate raid in the state, few days back. Ghosh said the officials who had accompanied Mamata in the incident were equally responsible and asked whether, if she went there as a party leader, why she was accompanied by officers. "What Mamata Banerjee has done during the ED raids is very shameful... Not only has Mamata Banerjee committed a crime, but the police and administrative officers who accompanied her are also equally responsible. If she claims she went there as a party leader and not the CM, then why did all the officers accompany her? Everyone should be chargesheeted," Dilip Ghosh told ANI. Earlier on January 8, the ED had raided the offices of Political consultants IPAC in Kolkata and drama was created after Mamata Banerjee arrived at the venue and accused the agency of taking away her party documents on directives of Centre. The ED has approached the Supreme Court, alleging interference and obstruction by the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government during its search operations, and has sought directions for a CBI probe into the matter. Anticipating the ED's move, the West Bengal government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, requesting that no order be passed without hearing the state. Separately, it has moved the Calcutta High Court, alleging that the ED seized all data and digital records from I-PAC's office. The state government has sought directions to the ED to return all seized materials, including private, sensitive and confidential data, claiming the information belongs to the TMC and relates to its internal party operations. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has questioned the legality of the raids, alleging a conspiracy to "steal" the TMC's election-related data. A day after the searches, she led a street protest in Kolkata, while several TMC MPs demonstrated outside the Union Home Ministry in Delhi. (ANI) King George's Medical University (KGMU) Vice-Chancellor Sonia Nityanand said that the accused student in the alleged religious conversion and sexual harassment case has been found guilty as per the Vishakha Committee report and will not be allowed to continue his course at the university. The incident comes against the backdrop of a December 17 case in which a first-year resident doctor at KGMU alleged harassment by a fellow doctor, who later attempted suicide. The matter is under investigation, with both administrative and police action initiated, officials said. Speaking to ANI on Monday, the Vice-Chancellor said, "We sought time from CM Yogi Adityanath, and he was briefed about the Vishakha Committee report. He was also made aware of the incident that took place here on the 9th. We clarified that, as per the Vishakha Committee report, the accused student has been found guilty, and the KGMU administration has decided that he cannot continue his course here." Meanwhile, KGMU spokesperson KK Singh has said that strict action has been taken against the doctor accused in a case involving serious allegations, including misconduct and an alleged forced religious conversion, with authorities initiating both administrative and police action. Speaking to ANI, KGMU spokesperson KK Singh said the university's Vice-Chancellor had constituted a Vishakha Committee to examine the matter. He said the committee has submitted its report, following which the accused doctor has been suspended and barred from entering the university premises. Highlighting another grave dimension of the case, Singh said there are allegations that the accused doctor had earlier converted a woman to his religion and married her, and was allegedly attempting to influence and convert another woman. "Another aspect that makes this case serious is that the accused had previously converted someone to his religion and married her. Now he was living with this woman and trying to brainwash her and convert her as well," the KGMU spokesperson said. Singh stressed that all aspects of the case would be thoroughly investigated, including the role of others who may have been aware of the alleged acts or helped conceal them. (ANI) Congress MLA Danam Nagender on Tuesday appealed to people to refrain from using Chinese manja, citing serious safety concerns amid the ongoing Makar Sankranti celebrations. Emphasising Telangana's cultural traditions, he said Sankranti symbolises unity and collective celebration. Speaking to ANI in Hyderabad, Nagender said, "I request everyone to please not use the China manja because it's very dangerous... They (people) have described everything about what Telangana culture is and what the Telangana government guarantees on these kites. I would like to congratulate them, and this is our traditional function. Sankranti is not just for a colour, it is a festival of unity and everything." Meanwhile, earlier today President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, asserting that the festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. President Murmu also expressed gratitude to nature and thanked the farmer benefactors. "Heartfelt greetings to all Indians living in the country and abroad on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu. These festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. On this occasion, we also express our gratitude towards nature. Through these festivals, we convey our thanks to the farmer benefactors. My best wishes are that these festivals bring happiness and prosperity into everyone's lives," the 'X' post said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended wishes on Lohri and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the citizens. "Heartfelt greetings on the festival of 'Lohri', a symbol of enthusiasm, zeal, and new energy. May this festival be a means of happiness and prosperity for all," the 'X' post said. Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival of Assam, marks the end of the harvest season in Magh and is celebrated with community feasts. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti, and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways 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) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, sent his 'heartiest' greetings to the citizens of India on the occasion of Lohri, on Tuesday. He also hoped for the festival to bring boundless happiness and prosperity to people's lives. Through his X post, he said, "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the occasion of Lohri.On this auspicious occasion of Lohri, heartfelt congratulations to everyone. May this festival of joy and celebration bring boundless happiness and prosperity into your lives." https://x.com/kharge/status/2010906375816413646 Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday extended greetings to the state's people, especially the Punjabi community, on the occasion 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 hope that this festival brings 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. On the same day, 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 in Assam, marks the end of the Magh harvest season and is celebrated with community feasts. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti, and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways 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) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday extended warm greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Lohri, wishing them happiness, prosperity, good health, and renewed energy. https://x.com/pushkardhami/status/2010887917116551260?s=20 In a post on X, CM Dhami wrote, "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the auspicious festival of Lohri, filled with joy and enthusiasm. May this festival bring happiness, prosperity, good health, and renewed energy into your lives, this is our heartfelt wish." Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, asserting that the festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. "Heartfelt greetings to all Indians living in the country and abroad on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu. These festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. On this occasion, we also express our gratitude towards nature. Through these festivals, we convey our thanks to the farmer benefactors. My best wishes are that these festivals bring happiness and prosperity into everyone's lives," the 'X' post said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended wishes on Lohri and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the citizens. "Heartfelt greetings on the festival of 'Lohri', a symbol of enthusiasm, zeal, and new energy. May this festival be a means of happiness and prosperity for all," the 'X' post said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also extended wishes on Lohri, calling it a festival of joy and celebration that brings boundless happiness and prosperity to citizens. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the occasion of Lohri. On this auspicious occasion of Lohri, heartfelt congratulations to everyone. May this festival of joy and celebration bring boundless happiness and prosperity into your lives," Kharge wrote on 'X'. Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival of Assam, marks the end of the harvest season in Magh and is celebrated with community feasts. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti, and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways 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) With the campaigning for the Maharashtra local body polls set to conclude on Tuesday, Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar has repeated the charge of being large scale corruption in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), decrying how one of the richest corporations is having so much graft, with the basic facilities not reaching the people. Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of Pune district, said that the locals have been facing problems regarding the tanker mafia in their area, which does not allow them to get proper water facilities. Similarly, multiple children are also indulging in criminal activities, Pawar said, while pollution, clean roads, and clean water is not being worked on. The different departments of PCMC have around Rs 4,000 crore worth of total bills pending, and multiple instances of inflated costs have been revealed, including a Rs 70 lakh road being made for Rs 7 crore, and software costs for the corporation being stretched to Rs 120 crore from the original cost of Rs 12 crore. "Since elections have started, I have done press conferences on what all wrong things have happened. Pimpri-Chinchwad was such a rich corporation, but they still had to get bonds, there are around Rs 4,000 crore worth of bills pending of different departments, corruption is increasing. I have given those examples. A bridge worth only Rs 70 lakh was stretched till Rs 7 crore. They looked to fell trees, took Rs 7 crore there also but not one tree was cut. Rs 12 crore worth of softwares were there, it was stretched till Rs 120 crore," the NCP chief told ANI in an exclusive interview. Talking about the problems faced by the people of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pawar said that people are looking for leaders who can deliver on clean roads, clean water, and reduce pollution. He said that the "tanker mafia" in the region has made life difficult, with people not getting proper water lines for themselves. "Even in Pune, people don't have water, so many people in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad don't get water, there is a tanker mafia... But the work which needs to be done, clean water, making city cleaner, increasing pollution, decisions should be taken on those," he said. On the law and order situation, the Deputy CM said that certain minor children also indulge in criminal activities. He however, affirmed that the Central and state government "are providing assistance with everything" and the locals themselves are not paying attention to the work being done. "The minor children do different work, they fight, burn two wheelers, break windows of four wheelers," he said. As guardian minister to Pune, the DCM said that he has provided proper infrastructure to the police, including vehicles, motorcycles, CCTV cameras and more, with work in the Police Commissioner's office also "progressing rapidly." "As the Guardian Minister, every year, I have provided vehicles, whatever infrastructure the police department needs, worth several crores, including vehicles, motorcycles, walkie-talkies, CCTV cameras... We have approved new police stations and police outposts. Currently, the work on both the CP offices in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune is progressing rapidly," he said. Now, with the population increase in Pune, the state government has also sanctioned more police staff in the area. "We have resolved the problem regarding their residences. Now, the population here has increased, so there should be more police staff, and we have given the sanction for that. We have done our work. Both governments, Central and State, are providing assistance for everything, including national highways, ring road, but the local people there are not paying proper attention, that is what I want to say," he said. Ajit Pawar, while being part of the Mahayuti alliance in the state government, has decided to breakaway from his BJP and Shiv Sena partners for the local body polls and contest by allying with Sharad Pawar's NCP, which he had broken away from a few years ago. The polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad, is scheduled for January 15. The vote counting will take place on January 16. (ANI) Two unidentified motorcycle-borne men allegedly fired shots in the air outside a gym in Pashchim Vihar East on Monday night, police said. According to Delhi Police, information regarding the firing incident was received at around 11 pm. Upon reaching the spot, police found that the two motorcycle-borne men had fired two rounds in the air outside RK Fitness, located on the Outer Ring Road in Pashchim Vihar. A case has been registered in connection with the firing, and further investigation is underway. Earlier, on December 11, Delhi Police's team of special cell arrested three shooters of the Himanshu Bhau gang in an attempt to murder case, which occurred in the Bawana area. According to the Delhi Police, the police also recovered various weapons, including a sophisticated pistol and three live cartridges, from each of the accused persons. Additionally, one stolen motorcycle has also been recovered from the accused. Vicky Haddal, a resident of Pooth Khurd, was operating the Himanshu Bhau gang from abroad. Due to personal enmity, Haddal allegedly instructed the arrested accused to fire at Yamin Chandu, a resident of Sultanpur Dabas, to avenge the murder of his uncle, Dharambir, who was earlier killed by Yamin Chandu's nephew, the police stated. On December 8, while Yamin Chandu was travelling towards Sultanpur Dabas, the accused were waiting near a community centre on a motorcycle. They deliberately hit his scooty, causing him to fall, and then opened fire on him. However, Yamin escaped unhurt. Investigations later revealed that the accused had conducted a recce of the area a day before the incident. Subsequently, acting on specific information about the movement of shooters associated with the Himanshu Bhau gang in the Rohini area, police apprehended three gang members, Punit, Aniket and Mohit on January 3. The accused have been arrested in accordance with the law, and further investigation is underway. (ANI) Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Monday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for meeting leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the national capital, saying that while "China settles villages in Arunachal Pradesh", hugs were being exchanged here. "This photo is of the BJP office. A meeting is taking place between BJP leaders and leaders of China's Communist Party," Shrinate posted on X. "In Operation Sindoor, China supported Pakistan. Our brave soldiers were martyred in Galwan. China is sitting there having encroached in Ladakh. It is settling villages in Arunachal. And here, hugs are being exchanged," she added. Shrinate further criticised the media for failing to question the BJP about the meeting with a CCP delegation. "What is this relationship called? Why did the BJP commit treason against the country? What secret agreement was made between the BJP and China?" she asked. https://x.com/SupriyaShrinate/status/2010915464986444008?s=20 This comes after BJP Foreign Affairs Department incharge Vijay Chauthaiwale shared details of a meeting with the CCP delegation led by HE Sun Haiyan, who is the Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee (IDPC). "A delegation of Communist Party of China under the leadership of HE Sun Haiyan, (Vice Minister, IDCPC) visited BJP head office today. During the discussion, a BJP delegation headed by party Gen Sec Arun Singh discussed at length the means to advance inter party communications between BJP and CPC. Chinese Ambassador to India HE Xu Feihong also joined the delegation," Chauthaiwale posted on X. Earlier, in 2020, BJP national President JP Nadda had criticised Congress for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese Communist Party in 2008, which he said led to the then-ruling party "surrendering land to China". "First, Congress signs MoU with Chinese Communist Party. Then, Congress surrenders land to China. During Doklam issue, Rahul Gandhi secretly goes to Chinese embassy. During crucial situations, Rahul Gandhi tries to divide the nation and demoralise armed forces. Effects of MoU?" Nadda posted on X in 2020. (ANI) In another incident of the targeting of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, Shomir Kumar Das a resident of Daganbhuiyan upzilla of Feni district was murdered on January 11. According to Feni Police Superintendent Shafiqul Islam, the victim had left home in his autorickshaw on Sunday night, but later went missing. His body was recovered around 2 am. "Shomir Kumar Das had gone out with his auto-rickshaw after 8 p.m. that night, but after that, there was no trace of him. It was only after 2 a.m. that his body was found", Shafiqul Islam, Police super of Feni, told ANI over the phone. Police officials reached the spot, recovered the body, and completed all necessary legal formalities. A case has been registered regarding the incident, and an investigation is underway. "The police, upon receiving the news, went to the scene, recovered the body, and completed all the necessary legal formalities. A case has also been filed in this regard. However, we haven't been able to uncover any clues about the murder yet, nor have we been able to arrest anyone. But we are continuing our investigation and ongoing inquiries", he added. Citing the incident, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Malviya on Tuesday mounted a strong attack on the Bangladesh interim government over alleged killings of religious minorities, claiming that "minority lives do not matter" in the country. In a post on social media platform X, Malviya accused the interim government of failing to curb attacks on Hindus and other minorities, including Christians and Buddhists, and of not offering any reassurance to the affected communities. "The interim government has made no effort to rein in the tormentors of Hindus and other religious minorities, including Christians and Buddhists. Nor has it offered even a word of solace. Instead, the man at the helm has dismissed these targeted attacks as "fiction." The message is chilling: ," Malviya wrote on 'X'. Highlighting the recent incident, the BJP leader said the assailants also looted Das's autorickshaw, his only means of livelihood, and said the incident reflected what he termed sustained persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh since the advent of what he called the "unelected Yunus regime." "In yet another targeted attack on the Hindu community in Bangladesh, 28-year-old Samir Kumar Das was brutally killed on January 11 at Dagonbhuiyan in Feni. The attackers also looted his autorickshaw, his sole source of livelihood. This murder underscores the relentless persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, who have been pushed to the brink of despair since the advent of the unelected Yunus regime," Malviya said. Malviya also targeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, warning that if she returns to power in the 2026 state elections, the situation for Hindu Bengalis in West Bengal would be "no different, in fact worse." "If Mamata Banerjee ever returns to power in 2026, Hindu Bengalis in West Bengal should harbour no illusions, it will be no different, in fact, it will be worse. The bloodstains of Horgobindo Das and his son Chandan Das have not even dried," the 'X' post said. (ANI) Nationalist Congress Party chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday condemned the Brihanmumbai Municipal Elections (BMC) being given a 'communal angle.' As he reaffirmed that he has 'a secular mindset', he said that in such a diverse country like India, everyone is equally a citizen. "I do not like this at all, I have a secular mindset. The ideology of Ambedkar does not teach us this. I just have to say that our country is so big, and those who stay in this country are all Indians. If someone is committing treason against the country, action should be taken against them, and they should be given the death penalty, a new law should be made," Ajit Pawar told ANI in an exclusive interview. Calling on the ideology of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, Pawar, "Everyone should get the opportunity to show and do their work, Babasaheb Ambedkar told us that only in the Constitution, and others have said the same too." Pawar's statement comes a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asserted that the new BMC mayor will be "from Mahayuti, will be a Hindu, and a Marathi." 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. AIMIM leaders have also replied to the statements, with the party chief Asaddudin Owaisi saying that a hijab-clad daughter will become India's Prime Minister one day. The statement was heavily criticised by BJP leader Nitish Rane, claiming in such a stituation, a "Hindu nation" will become an "Islamic state". "Barking dogs never bite. The attempt to turn the nation into an Islamic state begins with the threat of a burqa-clad Prime Minister. Owaisi is trying to threaten us by suggesting that if a burqa-clad woman can become Prime Minister tomorrow, then everyone will be forcibly converted, and this Hindu nation will be transformed into an Islamic state," Nitish Rane told reporters in Mumbai. On the other hand, 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. Polling for Mumbai's municipal elections will be conducted on January 15, along with polling for more than 20 other municipal corporations. The results will be announced on January 16. While the estranged Thackeray cousins, Raj and Uddhav, have decided to ally for the Mumbai local body elections, another alliance of estranged family members, of Ajit Pawar's party and Sharad Pawar has also been formed to contest the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad local body polls. (ANI) Singh said the large-scale medical camp organised by the Indian Navy reflects the Government of India's commitment to providing quality healthcare to people in remote areas, in line with the vision of 'Swasth Bharat'. In a post on X, the Defence Minister shared a video clip and wrote, "Addressed the inaugural ceremony of the Multi-Speciality Joint Services Medical Camp at Kavaratti in Union Territory of Lakshadweep through video conference. This large-scale medical camp being organised by the Indian Navy highlights the Government of India's commitment to bringing quality healthcare closer to citizens in remote areas, in furtherance of the vision of 'Swasth Bharat'." https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/2010939647829094496?s=20 "The comprehensive screening, early diagnosis, timely medical advice, medical interventions and free distribution of medicines would contribute to long-term health benefits for the island community," the post read. The Indian Navy is organising a Joint Services Multi-Speciality Medical Camp in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep from January 12 to 16. The five-day health camp is aimed at delivering comprehensive medical care to the residents of Lakshadweep through specialist consultations, treatment services and selected surgical interventions, including cataract surgery. This initiative is part of the Indian Navy's continued efforts to support and augment the existing healthcare services in the island territory through regular conduct of camps as part of the Navy Day outreach activities. The medical camps, over the years, included various primary care specialities and dental surgery across most islands of Lakshadweep. With advances in healthcare and continued support of UTL Administration, as well as a highly encouraging response from the local populace, the health camp has been upgraded to a multi-speciality camp. The camp will cover Agatti, Kavaratti, Androth, Amini and Minicoy islands. It will be conducted by a Joint Services Medical Team comprising experienced medical officers and specialists from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The participation of professionals from all three Services will ensure a broad spectrum of clinical expertise, facilitating comprehensive and integrated healthcare delivery during the camp period. (ANI) Delhi Police have launched 'Operation Gang Bust', a 48-hour-long intensive crackdown against gangs and organised criminals across the national capital, resulting in the arrest of more than 500 criminals linked to various gangster networks, according to the police statement on Tuesday. Officials said that the operation was conducted simultaneously across multiple districts of the national capital city with the objective of dismantling active gang modules, curbing violent crime and preventing inter-gang rivalry. During the operation, police teams conducted raids, searches, and targeted operations at identified hotspots and hideouts of gang members and their associates. Several habitual offenders and absconders wanted in cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion, robbery and arms offences were apprehended, according to the police. Senior officers closely monitored the operation, directing district and specialised units to ensure "coordinated" action and "swift" execution. The operation aimed at sending a strong message to gangsters and criminal elements operating in the city, according to the police. Earlier on Saturday, Delhi Police's team of Special Cell arrested three shooters of the Himanshu Bhau gang in an attempt to murder case, which occurred in the Bawana area, officials said. According to the Delhi Police, the police also recovered various weapons, including a sophisticated pistol and three live cartridges, from each of the accused persons. Additionally, one stolen motorcycle has also been recovered from the accused. Vicky Haddal, a resident of Pooth Khurd, was operating the Himanshu Bhau gang from abroad. Due to personal enmity, Haddal allegedly instructed the arrested accused to fire at Yamin Chandu, a resident of Sultanpur Dabas, to avenge the murder of his uncle, Dharambir, who was earlier killed by Yamin Chandu's nephew, the police stated. On December 8, while Yamin Chandu was travelling towards Sultanpur Dabas, the accused were waiting near a community centre on a motorcycle. They deliberately hit his scooty, causing him to fall, and then opened fire on him. However, Yamin escaped unhurt. Investigations later revealed that the accused had conducted a recce of the area a day before the incident. Subsequently, acting on specific information about the movement of shooters associated with the Himanshu Bhau gang in the Rohini area, police apprehended three gang members, Punit, Aniket and Mohit on January 3. The accused have been arrested in accordance with the law, and further investigation is underway. (ANI) Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik on Tuesday criticised state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP leader from Tamil Nadu K Annamalai, alleging that both were indulging in divisive politics ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. He added that Mumbai's true identity lies in its cosmopolitan character and collective contribution of people from all backgrounds. Speaking to the mediapersons on the last day of campaigning, Malik said he was confident of his party's performance in the civic polls. "Today is the last day of election campaigning. I am confident that our candidates will be victorious in many seats in Mumbai," he said to ANI. Malik accused political parties of polarising voters by invoking sensitive issues. "The way religious sentiments are being incited in this election, Lord Ram has been brought into the election, and the burqa has also been brought in. Parties are seeking votes in the names of Bangladeshi infiltrators," the NCP leader alleged. Malik also criticised attempts to divide people on linguistic and regional lines in the name of Marathi identity. "On the other hand, one party is misleading people in the name of language and region, saying that Marathi people should get their rights, demand their rights, but inciting people against North Indians or South Indians is also wrong," the NCP leader said. Emphasising Mumbai's inclusive ethos, the NCP leader said the city had been built by the collective efforts of people from across the country. "We advocate that people of all castes, religions, languages and regions living in Mumbai have shed their blood and sweat in building this city. Everyone who lives in Mumbai has contributed to making Mumbai what it is today. Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city because of everyone who lives here," he said. Taking a swipe at recent remarks made by BJP Tamil Nadu leader K Annamalai and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Malik said unnecessary controversies were being created. "A leader comes from Chennai and says that this is Bombay and not Mumbai. I would tell him to go back and call Chennai as Madras. Why is he trying to incite a new issue here?" he asked, adding that his party does not believe in divisive politics. "Our party doesn't work on divisive politics. We take everyone along, and we believe that the people of Mumbai will stand with those who unite people," Malik added. Malik's remarks come amid a sharp political slugfest ahead of the BMC elections, triggered by comments from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Tamil Nadu, K Annamalai, who had described Mumbai as an "international city" while campaigning in Dharavi and Sion Koliwada. His statement drew strong reactions from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who mocked Annamalai at a joint UBT-MNS rally and pitched strongly for Marathi unity. Raj Thackeray had taken a sharp jibe at the BJP leader, whom he mockingly referred to as 'rasmalai' and asked whether Annamalai has any standing to speak on Mumbai's issue, after the latter allegedly suggested that Mumbai is an "international city." "One rasmalai came from Tamil Nadu...what is your connection to here? Hatao lungi bajao pungi," Raj Thackeray had said, referencing the slogan from the 1960s and 70s of the Shiv Sena that was founded by Raj Thackeray's uncle, Balasaheb Thackeray. Annamalai later hit back, saying attempts to allegedly "abuse" him while adding that those who criticised his previous remarks on Mumbai were "just ignorant". "Who are Aditya Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to threaten me? I am proud to be a farmer's son. They have organised meetings just to abuse me. I don't know whether I have become that important," Annamalai said at a press conference in Chennai. Furthermore, 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. 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) Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday criticised the Centre over the replacement of MGNREGA with the VB G-RAM-G scheme and demanded that Mahatma Gandhi's name be restored. The remarks were made during a protest by the Kerala Pradesh Congress over the new act. Chennithala said the move has hurt poor and marginalised sections who depend on the scheme for their livelihood. Speaking to ANI in Thiruvananthapuram, Chennithala said, "...Today's government has finished this program (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme). The poor, downrooted and marginalised sections of society have been totally marginalised. The sections of society are now in distress because they are only earning through this. Now, by an act of the Government of India, this program is completely finished." "We request that Mahatma Gandhi's name be restored and that the earlier position of this act be restored. That is why we are agitating against this," he said. Congress General Secretary and MP KC Venugopal said the new act was an RSS move to destroy the concept of Grama Swarah "The employment guarantee scheme is the largest employment providing programme the world has ever seen. Through the new amendment, the very right to employment has been taken away. Under the old law, the Centre had to bear 100% of the wage component. As per the new amendment, the Centre will bear only 60%, and the remaining 40% has to be borne by the state. For a small state like Kerala, this will create an additional financial burden. An amount of 2,000 crore will have to be found from the state treasury. This move of the Union government is not just about removing Gandhi's name, but about erasing his ideology. It is an RSS move aimed at destroying the concept of Grama Swaraj," he said. The VB G RAM G 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. The Congress party had announced a nationwide 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' from January 10 to February 25, opposing the VB G RAM G Act. On Monday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urged people to protest the repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), accusing Prime Minister Modi of depriving farmers and the poor of their rights. Addressing a gathering in Kalaburagi, Kharge alleged that PM Modi's recent focus on the Somnath Temple is a calculated move to garner votes in the upcoming elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. "Modi government is depriving farmers and the poor of their rights. I urge people to prepare for a fight against the central government and protest against the scrapping of MGNREGA. Modi is taking away the right of gram panchayats to prepare local development plans. PM Modi will one day regret his actions. If people don't unite and teach Modi a lesson, he will destroy the country's laws and constitution...Modi remembers Somnath temple only now to win votes in upcoming elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu," said Kharge. (ANI) The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday formally launched its paperless e-Cabinet system, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and ministers attending the Cabinet meeting carrying their respective tablets held at the state secretariat in Bhopal. During the previous cabinet meeting held on January 6, tablets were provided to all the ministers with the objective of initiating the e-Cabinet process in the state. Additionally, a detailed presentation of the e-tablet application was also showcased before the Council of Ministers. With this initiative, cabinet agendas and related documents will be shared digitally with ministers through a dedicated tablet application. CM Yadav said the initiative started to promote e-governance in the state, adding that it would help in adopting a paperless work process, saving time and ensuring transparency in government functioning. "Our Prime Minister promotes technology and I am proud that our Chief Minister Mohan Yadav started the e-cabinet initiative. Now, our agenda for the meeting is shared in this tab device. It is a good initiative," said Kailash Vijayvargiya, Urban Development and Housing Minister. Water resources Minister Tulsi Silwat has said that it is an era of science and technology and in the same episode, e-cabinet is a good initiative taken by the Mohan Yadav government. "We are happy that now we have entered into the digitalised era of the 21st century. With the e-cabinet initiative, paperless work will take place and it will also simplify our work. It is a commendable initiative," Minister Krishna Gaur said. Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahald Patel said that the government of India started the initiative long ago and it was a commendable effort of the Madhya Pradesh government to hold a paperless cabinet. He highlighted that the initiative would save time as well as money. Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla said, "Paperless work is done more efficiently and at a fast pace. Therefore, the Madhya Pradesh Government launched the e-cabinet initiative. All the ministers were provided tablets in the previous cabinet and the e-cabinet meeting formally began today." Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Sarang also said that it was a good move and one should join with the technology. The use of technology brings transparency, saves time and adds perfection. Earlier, Chief Secretary Anurag Jain informed that cabinet decisions taken since 1960 were digitised and decisions of the past two years can be accessed with a single click. With the help of tablets, ministers will have access to complete information related to Cabinet proceedings. (ANI) Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay returned to Chennai on Tuesday, a day after being questioned at the CBI headquarters in Delhi in relation to the Karur stampede. As per CBI sources, the TVK chief will be called for questioning once again at a later date. The CBI on Monday, rigorously questioned the actor-turned-politician for over 7 hours at the CBI headquarters. The probe centres on the tragic Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives in September 2025. While Vijay has been granted a temporary reprieve to return home for the Pongal festival, CBI sources have confirmed that his legal journey is far from over. "TVK Chief and actor Vijay will be called for questioning once again at a later date," CBI sources said. During his questioning, fans and supporters of the former actor continued to wait outside the CBI office while the interrogation was in progress. Speaking to ANI, a fan said, "I am from Madurai, but I work here. I left work and came here from my brother (Vijay). Karur stampede wasn't his mistake. Proper security wasn't provided there...I came here at 7 am, and I will be here until he comes out." The CBI conducted a detailed line of questioning of Vijay as part of its probe into the Karur stampede case. The CBI's line of questioning focused heavily on the mechanics of the disaster and the timeline of events. 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 "7-hour" discrepancy: Investigators are probing a massive delay between the scheduled start of the event and Vijay's actual arrival. They are examining if this wait caused the crowd to swell from an expected 10,000 to over 30,000 people, leading to a total 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. Investigators are scrutinising documents related to permissions sought for the event and are seeking clarity on who organised the Karur programme. Within the party, 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 also scrutinising how Vijay's modified campaign vehicle moved through the dense gathering and whether its progress exacerbated the crush. Another focus area is whether Vijay's 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 has also examined the campaign vehicle used by Vijay during the event, and the driver has been questioned as part of the ongoing investigation. 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. Following the notice, Vijay arrived at the CBI office on Monday morning. 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. (ANI) The Thiruvalla Magistrate Court on Tuesday granted three days' police custody of expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in the third rape case. Mamkootathil will remain in custody till January 15, while his bail plea will be considered on January 16. Earlier on January 11, 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. Earlier, 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. The case registered against him includes multiple non-bailable offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These include Section 64 for rape, Section 64(2) for repeatedly committing rape on the same woman, Section 64(f) for rape by a person in a position of trust, Section 64(h) for rape on a woman knowing she is pregnant and Section 64(m) for repeated rape. The case also includes Section 89 of the BNS for causing miscarriage without a woman's consent, Section 316 for criminal breach of trust, and Section 68(e) of the Information Technology Act for transmission of offensive digital content. The offences collectively carry penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. (ANI) In a tragic incident at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), a final-year diploma student was found dead after allegedly hanging herself in her hostel room on Monday morning. The deceased has been identified as Insha Fatima, who was staying at Sarojini Naidu Hall (SN Hall). Professor Mohd Wasim Ali, Proctor of AMU, giving the details of the incident to ANI, said, "Today, around 7:30, information came that she had hung herself in her room. She was immediately taken to the medical college, and the whole team of the medical college tried to save her, but despite their efforts, they were unable to save her and declared her dead," he said. The Proctor called for an investigation into the matter. "This is a matter of investigation. If any complaint or FIR comes, then an investigation will definitely happen, and everything will be revealed about the reason behind what happened," Prof Ali said. He further informed that the room where the incident took place has been sealed immediately. Further investigation is underway. Meanwhile, this incident comes just a few days after a teacher at the same university was shot in the head by unknown miscreants. The Proctor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Professor Mohd. Wasim Ali said that Rao Danish Ali, a teacher at the ABK School of the university, was shot in the head. "Around 9 pm, we received information that there had been a shooting near the library and that a man had been injured and was being taken for medical treatment...We learned that the man who had been shot has been identified as Rao Danish Ali, and he was a teacher at the ABK School of the university. He was shot in the head... He died there at the medical college...," the Proctor told the media. He futher informed that the number of shots fired was still unclear, with some alleging three and others five. Moreover, the police reached the crime scene promptly after receiving the news, and Rao was admitted to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, where he succumbed to his injuries. SSP Neeraj Jadon informed ANI that two unidentified men shot at Rao. The investigation in the case is underway, and the search for the assailants has begun. (ANI) BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan on Tuesday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he supported the Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, calling him a "shameless habitual liar and peddler of fakery." Kesavan accused Gandhi of insulting Tamil culture during the UPA government by opposing Jallikattu. He called this an attempt to distract from the DMK-Congress alliance's internal conflicts ahead of elections. https://x.com/crkesavan/status/2010988925960274097?s=20 In a post on X, Kesavan wrote, "Rahul Gandhi is a shameless habitual liar and peddler of fakery. It was Rahul Gandhi's Congress-led UPA Govt which insulted the sentiment, culture and pride of Tamil people by demeaningly terming the revered Jallikattu as barbaric. The UPA Govt vehemently opposed Jallikattu, closely associated with the Pongal Festival, by issuing a notification, subsequently leading to the ban of Jallikattu. Thanks to PM @narendramodiji's continued support and committed efforts, the ban on Jallikattu was eventually lifted. Rahul Gandhi's comments about a movie that is now sub judice clearly exposes his dubious intent. His statement reveals the Congress party's dangerous and dictatorial emergency mindset which perilously prevails even today, always scheming to suppress and subjugate our independent democratic institutions." Kesavan accused Rahul Gandhi of ignoring censorship under Congress rule, citing bans on Kishore Kumar's songs, films like Aandhi and Kissa Kursi Ka during the Emergency, and the 15-year delay in the release of the Tamil movie Kutrapathrikkai. "Does Rahul Gandhi recall how during the autocratic Emergency of Indira Gandhi, how Shri. Kishore Kumar's songs were banned from All India Radio because he refused to bow down to the diktats of Indira Gandhi's son and that movies like Aandhi and Kissa Kursi Ka were banned. Does Rahul Gandhi remember how a Tamil movie Kutrapathrikkai which dealt about the assassination of a former Prime Minister was completed in 1992 when there was a Congress-led Central Govt, but was not allowed to be released for 15 years till, 2007," the post reads. "Rahul Gandhi is blatantly lying to divert attention from the reality of how the DMK-Congress alliance which is a completely divided house now is completely collapsing under its own contradictions. The people of Tamil Nadu will reject and eject the opportunistic and evil DMK-Congress nexus in the upcoming elections," the post further read. His remarks come after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi came out in support of the Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan and attacked the Centre after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) put the film's certification on hold, calling it an attack on Tamil culture. He said PM Modi would not succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people. In a post on X, the Congress leader wrote, "The I&B Ministry's attempt to block 'Jana Nayagan' is an attack on Tamil culture. Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people." Earlier, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) decided to hold the certification for the Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan on the grounds that certain scenes in the movie could potentially hurt religious sentiments. However, when the makers of the movie approached the High Court, Vijay's starrer initially received a favourable outcome as a single-judge bench directed the censor board to grant the U/A 16+ certification. (ANI) Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday called for developing India into a nation where citizens respect each other's languages, cultures and religion. Addressing the gathering of students and teachers at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the St. Thomas English High School in Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi asked schools to turn information in the age of artificial intelligence into knowledge and wisdom. He said, "We hear about the IT revolution, AI and data every day, and we hear that this is the information age where information is freely available and accessible. But the job of a school like this is to create people who are able to look at information, turn that information into knowledge and even more importantly, behave with wisdom." Further, he emphasised on schools in creating "wise citizens" in the information age. "Because in the information age, if we don't have wisdom and are carried away only by information, the world will become a very unpleasant place. So schools like this have a very important role, because they turn young students into wise citizens," he added. Rahul Gandhi said, "I asked (students) why do you consider Alice ma'am a good teacher? And they immediately answered, she listens to us, she treats us with love and affection, and that is exactly my fight. I want to help develop an India where people are kind to each other, where people listen to each other, respect each other's languages, cultures and religion." The Congress leader asked the students and politicians to have humility. "I asked students here, and they said they want to be doctors or pilots in the air force, but nobody said a politician. In my 20 years (of career), I have concluded that the most important value for a politician, student or teacher is humility," Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi's visit to Tamil Nadu comes in the backdrop of the state assembly elections to be held in 2026. The politics in the state have heated up amid a triangular contest between the ruling DMK-Congress alliance, the BJP-AIADMK-led alliance and the debutant actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Khazhagam (TVK). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also visit Tamil Nadu on January 23. (ANI) Tis Hazari Court on Tuesday reserved the bail pleas of five accused persons arrested in the Turkman Gate stone pelting case. The court will pronounce the order tomorrow at 4 PM. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Sayesha Chaddha reserved the order on the bail pleas of the accused Adnan, Kaif, Kasif, Areeb and Sameer. Advocate M Asad Beig appeared for Kaif, Kasif and Areeb. They argued that the accused persons were apprehended at around 3 AM on January 7, before the FIR was registered at around 9 AM. CCTV footage confirmed that Kaif was at his house from 7 PM until his arrest. The Defence counsel also submitted that Areeb was at Chitli kabar at the time of the incident. This location is approximately 1-2 kilometres from the incident site. They are residents of the same locality near the incident site; therefore, they are in the same area. On behalf of Adnan, it was submitted that he was apprehended from his house around 1.30 AM. He was not visible in the CCTV footage that the police relied on. On the other hand, the Delhi Police opposed the bail pleas. Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Atul Shrivastava, Dr. Tushar Kadyan and Anish appeared for the police. They submitted that the anti-environment drive near the masjid Faizan E Elahi was carried out pursuant to a Delhi High Court order. Before the drive was carried out, the DCP requested peace, and the police issued a prohibitory order. Accused persons were involved in stone pelting and instigating other people. Delhi police relied upon the WhatsApp message and videos. The prosecution said that Adnan's mobile phone contained an inciting message, and he also sent it to several groups. "It was not a simple assault on police persons, it was an attack on the system," they said. In rebuttal arguements, counsel for Adnan submitted that he was not visible in the CCTV footage. Either he can be spreading the message, or he can be at the spot. The offence of attempt to murder is not attracted towards him. During the hearing, two accused, Imran and Adnan, were produced following their fresh arrests. Both the Accused persons broke down in the court and alleged physical assault during police custody. After hearing the allegations, the court examined both the Accused in the chamber and found injury marks on the body of Imran. The court remanded both accused to judicial custody. (ANI) Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said the Line of Actual Control (LAC) requires constant vigilance, as both India and China continue to increase their presence along the border, even as diplomatic and military-level engagements help maintain stability. Speaking on the situation along the LAC, General Dwivedi said, "Regarding the Line of Actual Control, it needs constant vigilance today. This means that both sides are gradually trying to increase their presence." He referred to a series of high-level interactions between the two countries that have contributed to easing tensions. Highlighting recent developments, the Army Chief said, "You know what kind of understanding we reached on October 21, 2024. Before that, the two top leaders met in Kazan. After that, they met in Tianjin, and in between, we have had our SR-level meetings." He added that institutional mechanisms between the two sides have remained active, stating, "Similarly, we have had our WMCC meetings." General Dwivedi also pointed to sustained engagement at the ministerial level, saying, "In addition to all this, our Defence Minister has met with their Defence Minister twice. Our Foreign Minister has met with their Foreign Minister twice." According to the Army Chief, these continuous interactions have helped create a conducive environment for managing the border situation. "As a result, what is happening is that there is a kind of sense of urgency and a sense of acceptance from both sides to keep the borders as calm and quiet as possible," he said. Emphasising the importance of dialogue, General Dwivedi said open communication remains central to the approach adopted by both countries. "And how to go about it? Firstly, to keep the communication open...So now what we have done is that we have various levels of talks. They speak to each other and make sure that the minor issues are resolved at that place and not made into major issues...the aim is to resolve as early as possible, as fast as possible...this has actually drawn the results," the COAS added. (ANI) Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre on Tuesday expressed deep grief over the death of a 40-year-old woman in a wild elephant attack in Mugali village of Sakleshpur taluk of Hassan district. He has instructed senior officials of the wildlife department to immediately rush to the site and take the necessary steps to either return the elephant to the forest or capture it. He has also instructed the Hassan Chief Conservator of Forests and the Deputy Conservator of Forests to immediately go to the site and address the situation. "Every life is precious; a lost life cannot be brought back", Eshwar B Khandre said. Minister Khandre expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death and assured the victim's family that compensation would be provided as per government norms. He has consistently addressed the escalating human-elephant conflict in the region. Ishwar Khandre has also instructed taking all necessary precautionary measures to prevent harm to human life from wild animals, sending a warning message to locals about the movement of elephants, and deploying elephant task force personnel. This incident follows previous elephant attacks in the area, prompting protests by local residents demanding effective measures to manage the wildlife threat. The Minister previously ordered the establishment of an Elephant Task Force (ETF) and the use of technologies such as thermal drones to monitor elephant movements in high-conflict zones. Man-animal conflict in Karnataka is a persistent threat, exacerbated by habitat loss. The scope of human-wildlife conflict in Karnataka has reached alarming proportions, with the state recording over 34,000 incidents between 2019 and 2023. Recent data from the Karnataka Forest Department indicates that 35,580 wildlife conflict incidents occurred in the fiscal year 2024-25 alone. Asian elephants dominate the conflict landscape, accounting for 63 per cent (22,483 cases) of all incidents in 2024-25. The financial implications are equally staggering, with the Karnataka government disbursing approximately Rs 27 crore in compensation to victims between 2019 and 2023. As of 2024, 14,245 cases involving Rs 22.82 crore in compensation remain pending. (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of deleting voters' names from the electoral roll using artificial intelligence on the behest of the BJP. Addressing a press conference in Howrah, Mamata Banerjee held the BJP responsible for the alleged deaths during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of the voter lists in the state. The Chief Minister said, "84 people died till this morning; 4 died by suicide, 17 lost their lives due to brain stroke or heart stroke after getting SIR notice. The Election Commission should take responsibility for all these deaths. BJP should take responsibility for all these deaths; even Duryodhana and Dushasana should take responsibility for these deaths. Names are deleted through AI on the BJP's instructions. As per our knowledge, there is a plan that people from Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha are entering here and voting in Bengal." Further, the TMC leader called the ECI's 'logical discrepancies' claim a "dubious category", forcing 1.36 crore voters to face hearings. "Acting at the behest of the BJP, ECI carried out SIR in Bengal in a reckless and ill-planned manner, resulting in the deletion of nearly 58 lakh names from the electoral rolls. When even this massive purge failed to satisfy the BJP's political objectives, a new and dubious category called 'logical discrepancies' was invented, forcing 1.36 crore voters to face hearings without the Commission even disclosing the complete list of names. Still unsatiated, the BJP has now escalated this assault on democracy by ferrying in people from other states, loading vehicles with thousands of Form 7, and coercively submitting them to engineer the mass deletion of genuine voters," Mamata told reporters. Even in Nobel laureate Amartya Sen's case, the Electoral Roll Officers' Network (ERONET) portal flagged a "logical discrepancy". The West Bengal CEO said that the age difference between Professor Sen, who is a voter in the Bolpur assembly constituency in West Bengal's Birbhum, and his mother, Amita Sen, was less than 15 years. She also termed the SIR a "coordinated conspiracy" to disenfranchise the people of West Bengal. "Micro observers deployed in Bengal are openly pressuring EROs and AEROs to accept these bulk submissions, in violation of the very electoral rules laid down by the Election Commission itself. This is a coordinated conspiracy to disenfranchise Bengal, executed through intimidation, manipulation, and the wholesale abuse of constitutional authority," she said. Meanwhile, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari hit back at CM Mamata Banerjee for using the state office for holding the party's press conference. "The Honourable Chief Minister does not know how to respect the highest administrative chair--that much the entire country's people have already seen. During the ongoing investigation, she disgraced her position as Chief Minister by stealing important investigation documents right in front of everyone and fleeing! She considers himself above all laws and courts, not even abiding by the country's constitution. And now the new addition: During press conferences from the state's administrative office and while broadcasting on his social media, songs of the All India Trinamool Congress are playing," Adhikari said in a post on X. The BJP leader added, "Everyone knows that she engages in political talk from the administrative office or attacks other political parties, and she does so fully aware. But the situation has now reached such a point that it's hard to tell whether it's the state's administrative office or the Trinamool party office." Earlier on Monday, Mamata Banerjee had alleged Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of procedural lapses in the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in the state. CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that the SIR exercise was resulting in undue harassment of citizens, wrongful deletion of eligible voters and their consequent disenfranchisement. The Final electoral roll for West Bengal will be published on February 14, 2026. (ANI) Veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday announced that he will not seek a third term in the Rajya Sabha. His current six-year tenure is set to expire on April 9, 2026. Singh's decision comes after a request from Madhya Pradesh Congress SC Department President Pradeep Ahirwar, who urged him to make way for an SC community representative. Ahirwar, on Tuesday, wrote a letter to Singh requesting that a representative from the Scheduled Caste community be sent to the Rajya Sabha this time. When asked about Ahirwar's letter, Digvijaya Singh told reporters, "It is not in my hands, but I would only like to say that I am vacating my seat (Rajya Sabha)." In his letter, Ahirwar emphasised that this would boost Dalit self-respect and political participation, aligning with social balance and constitutional values. "Placing before you the sentiments and expectations of nearly 17 percent of Madhya Pradesh's Scheduled Caste population, I urge you to ensure representation from the Scheduled Caste community in the Rajya Sabha this time. This will not only be in line with social balance and constitutional values but also will strengthen the self-respect and political participation of the Dalit community," Ahirwar stated in his letter. Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP since 2014, has lost two Lok Sabha elections (2019, 2024) and previously served as Madhya Pradesh's CM (1993-2003). Previously, Digvijaya Singh also served as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for two consecutive terms from 1993 to 1998 and from 1998 to 2003. After the Congress party lost power in 2003 in the state, Singh announced not to contest elections for the next 10 years. Thereafter, he returned to active politics in 2013 and was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2014. (ANI) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday slammed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for extending support to the Vijay-starrer 'Jana Nayagan' while Congress has sought a ban on Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Tamil film 'Parasakthi'. In a press release, Tamilisai Soundararajan said that even the Congress had banned films while in power and had recalled the Emergency, slamming the party for "crushing" freedom of expression. The press release said, "Rahul Gandhi has no moral right to talk on this issue; it was his party that implemented the Emergency during which the total freedom of expression was crushed. His party's rule prevented the release of many films, such as Kuttacharithiram, in Tamil for more than one year. They then didn't think it was an attack on Tamil culture. Rahul Gandhi's party suppressed the voice of the people during the anti-Hindi agitation." "Now Rahul Gandhi can go and watch the movie Parasakthi, which reveals how Congress was anti-Tamils and shot down Tamil students during the anti-Hindi agitation. The Congress-DMK UPA government didn't prevent the killings of Tamil brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. It is ironic that he talks about Tamil culture. On top of everything, the Congress government in Telangana arrested actor Allu Arjun for the unruly crowd of fans who came to watch his movie Pushpa 2. After seeing Rahul Gandhi's tweet, I am reminded of a Tamil proverb that is 'The devil is preaching the scriptures'," the release added. This comes after Rahul Gandhi came out in support of the Vijay-starrer 'Jana Nayagan' and attacked the Centre after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) put the film's certification on hold, calling it an attack on Tamil culture. He said PM Modi would not succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people. In a post on X, the Congress leader wrote, "The I&B Ministry's attempt to block 'Jana Nayagan' is an attack on Tamil culture. Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people." His remarks follow the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) decision to withhold certification for the Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, citing scenes that could hurt religious sentiments. However, when the makers of the movie approached the High Court, Vijay's starrer initially received a favourable outcome as a single-judge bench directed the censor board to grant the U/A 16+ certification. Further, the producers of Jana Nayagan, KVN Productions LLP, have moved the Supreme Court seeking an ex parte interim stay on the Madras High Court's order that stalled the film's certification by the CBFC. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Youth Congress has sought a ban on Sivakarthikeyan starrer Tamil film 'Parasakthi', claiming that the movie deliberately distorts historical facts and maligns the Indian National Congress (INC) and its leaders. (ANI) Rohini Court on Tuesday issued a notice to Delhi Police on Olympic Wrestler Sushil Kumar's application for regular bail in wrestler Sagar Dhankar's murder case. He had moved the application in view of the changed circumstances in the case. It is claimed that all material prosecution witnesses have been examined by the Rohini court. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sushil Kumar issued notice on the bail application and listed the matter for hearing on January 21. Advocate RS Malik appeared for Sushil Kumar, who is an accused in a case registered at the Model Town police station in 2021. Sushil Kumar was granted regular bail by the Delhi High Court in March 2025. However, the Supreme Court cancelled the bail on August 13, 2025, on the grounds that the material witnesses had not yet been examined. Thereafter, he surrendered on August 20, 2025. It was submitted that the circumstances have materially changed inasmuch as all the material public witnesses have been examined, and there remains no possibility of the accused influencing or tampering with the prosecution evidence. 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 also mentioned that there are 222 prosecution witnesses, out of which 42 material public witnesses, including the injured, have already been examined. The case is at the stage of recording of prosecution evidence. It was 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 in 2009, and the Padma Shri in 2011. It is alleged that in the intervening night of 04-05.05.2021, 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) Questioning Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for missing Merz's visit, the BJP leader alleged that they prioritised "high command pleasing" over the state's global standing. R Ashoka further termed their actions as a "missed opportunity" for investment, industry, employment and long-term growth for Karnataka. Highlighting the significance of the German Chancellor's visit, he said, "Any other responsible Chief Minsiter would have personally ensured that such a visit was accorded the seriousness it deserved - as an opportunity for investment, industry, employment and long-term growth for Karnataka." "While the German Chancellor landed in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar chose to be in Mysuru to receive Rahul Gandhi, who was merely transiting to Ooty," he added in a post on X. R Ashoka said that welcoming the head of a country was "relegated to the back seat" for "political loyalty", accusing the top Karnataka leadership of "disregarding" the state's interests. https://x.com/RAshokaBJP/status/2011031601040490522?s=20 "Welcoming the head of state from one of the world's strongest economies was relegated to the back seat." Political loyalty and "high command pleasing" took priority over Karnataka's global standing," he said. "This is not just bad optics - it reflects a deep disregard for the state's interests. Karnataka deserves leadership that puts the state before the party, the state's progress before power politics, and global opportunities before political appeasement," he added. German Chancellor Merz had visited the Indian headquarters of German tech major Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science. On the other hand, DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at Mysuru airport. Shivakumar was also seen talking to Rahul Gandhi alone amid the power tussle for the CM post. Earlier, Congress had raised strong objections when Rahul Gandhi was not invited to a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit. (ANI) The Public Works Department and Urban Development Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Vikramaditya Singh, on Tuesday firmly stood by his controversial social media post targeting the conduct of some All India Services officers, saying his remarks were correct and aimed solely at protecting the interests of the state and its people. On Monday, the minister shared a post on Facebook and other social media platforms expressing agreement with Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri's recent address in Mandi, alleging that some senior IAS and IPS officers from outside states were "undermining Himachaliyat" and had little emotional connection with Himachal Pradesh. "We agree with the Deputy Chief Minister's address in Mandi. Some senior IAS/IPS officers from UP-Bihar are tearing apart Himachaliyat in Himachal. They have little concern for the state. There is a need to deal with them in time, otherwise Himachal's interests will suffer," the post read. In the same post, Singh said that while officers from other states are fully respected, they must learn from Himachali officers and understand local sensitivities. "As long as you are in Himachal, serve the people of Himachal. Do not make the mistake of becoming rulers," he wrote. Speaking to the media on Tuesday and later to ANI, Vikramaditya Singh said he stood by every word of his post and found nothing wrong in it. "I am very clear. For us, the interests of Himachal Pradesh and its 75 lakh people are supreme. Whatever position we are in today is because of the blessings, support and love of the people of Himachal," he said. He underlined that the government respects all officers, whether IAS or IPS and fully understands the constitutional framework. "We know that any officer from any part of the country can serve in any state. We welcome them with respect. But safeguarding Himachal's interests is our paramount duty. If there is any compromise with those interests, we will not tolerate it," Singh said. The minister stressed that the state's resources belong to the people of Himachal Pradesh. "Whether it is central funds or money collected from taxpayers, these resources belong to the 75 lakh people of Himachal. Their distribution must be through elected representatives. If any officer thinks he is no longer a servant but has become a ruler, then he is under a misconception," he said. "Himachaliyat is supreme for us. If any officer harbours intentions contrary to the state's interests, those intentions need to be firmly checked."Emphasising the importance of local ethos, Singh added. Clarifying that his remarks were not directed at any individual, Singh said naming officers publicly was not appropriate at this stage. "This is not about any personal agenda or vendetta. This is about the interests of the people of Himachal Pradesh. Wherever required, we will raise this issue at the highest level. This problem has not emerged today; it has been going on for years. Even the opposition had raised it earlier in the Assembly," he said. He asserted that the issue transcends party politics. "I am not speaking from a political angle. I am speaking above party lines, in the larger interest of Himachal Pradesh. Officers have no right to arbitrarily allocate or divert funds. If such things have happened, we will place the facts at the appropriate forum. This will not be tolerated," Singh said. Reacting to the controversy, Revenue, Tribal Development and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi urged restraint and specificity. "Many officers from outside states are serving in Himachal Pradesh and doing good work. Statements should be specific. General sweeping statements are not helpful and can demoralise officers who are performing well," Negi said. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, during a rally in Mandi marking three years of the Himachal Pradesh government, had earlier warned officers against working against the state's interests, stating such conduct would not be tolerated. Vikramaditya Singh said his current stand was aligned with Agnihotri's remarks, "I support what Mukesh Agnihotri said in his speech that day. If such issues were raised on an official platform, there must have been reasons," he said. When asked by the media, Mukesh Agnihotri said he had not yet seen Vikramaditya Singh's statement in detail. "I have not seen his statement yet. I will speak to Vikramaditya on this matter," the Deputy Chief Minister said. The issue has sparked a broader debate in the state's political and bureaucratic circles, with the government maintaining that while officers from across the country are welcome, any compromise with Himachal Pradesh's interests will not be accepted. (ANI) A meeting between the leaders of China's Communist Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale at the RSS headquarters on Tuesday came as a surprise to the political circles, with the Congress calling it a "change of colours." According to the organisation's sources, the meeting, which lasted about half an hour, was a courtesy call initiated after the Communist Party of China (CPC) delegation expressed interest in meeting with the RSS leadership. No formal agenda was discussed during the interaction, the sources added. Earlier on Monday, the CPC leaders met the BJP's General Secretary Arun Singh and Foreign Affairs Department Convener Vijay Chauthaiwale at the BJP headquarters. That interaction was also described as part of a 'routine exchange'. Vijay Chauthaiwale wrote on X, "A delegation of the Communist Party of China under the leadership of Ms Sun Haiyan, (Vice Minister, IDCPC) visited the BJP head office today. During the discussion, a BJP delegation headed by the party's General Secretary Arun Singh Ji discussed at length the means to advance inter-party communications between the BJP and CPC. Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong also joined the delegation." Sources indicated that both meetings were courtesy interactions and should not be viewed as formal or policy-level engagements. However, Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned the BJP's relationship with China and took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that those who once spoke of showing "red eyes" to China have instead "rolled out a red carpet" for the neighbouring country. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Khera claimed that the BJP has maintained links with the CPC even when it was not in power, alleging that party leaders visited China and that RSS members also travelled there for training. "The BJP has taught even a chameleon how to change its colours. Those who were supposed to show 'red eyes' to China have instead rolled out a 'red carpet' for it. The BJP has held meetings with China's party, the CPC. Even when they were not in power, they used to visit China and hold meetings; RSS members even went there for training," he said. While Khera stated that the party does not object to political parties engaging in dialogue with foreign political entities, but criticised the BJP, alleging "duplicity and hypocrisy." "We have no objection to any political party meeting or engaging in dialogue with a political party from another country. What we object to is the BJP's duplicity, hypocrisy, and deceit. For years, the BJP kept shouting that the Congress had signed an MoU, and now they themselves are holding meetings. Our concern is with the BJP's intentions, because after such closed-door meetings, it is the country that ends up paying the price," he said. Further, the Congress leader also accused Prime Minister Modi of being "afraid of China," questioning what he called contradictions in the Centre's approach. He cited instances where the government discourages the use of Chinese products while allegedly awarding contracts to Chinese companies. "What kind of relationship do you have with China that you tell us not to buy Chinese decorative lights, yet you award contracts to a Chinese company to manufacture meters in Jammu and Kashmir? Why was Mandarin being taught in Gujarat? Prime Minister Modi is afraid of China. A person has become the Prime Minister of this country who gives a clean chit the moment he is slightly intimidated, and if he receives even a little praise, he bows at America's feet. This country will not accept a Prime Minister who bows down," he said. He further questioned whether key issues were raised during meetings with Chinese representatives, including the Shaksgam region and developments during Operation Sindoor. Referring to remarks by a senior Army officer, Khera said China had supported Pakistan with weapons, including PL-15 missiles, and alleged that despite this, Prime Minister Modi undertook travel "on China's terms." "You are in power, and you held meetings at the party office, so we want to know--if not publicly, then at least behind closed doors--did you show the 'red eye'? Did you raise the issue of Shaksgam? Did you raise other issues? What happened during Operation Sindoor? A senior Army officer said that China was helping Pakistan, supplying weapons, and had provided PL-15 missiles. Even then, Modi ji started travelling on China's terms," Khera said. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning rejected India's claim to the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. "The territory you mentioned belongs to China. It's fully justified for China to conduct infrastructure construction on its own territory," Mao said when asked about border issues and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Meanwhile, after US President Donald Trump, Beijing also claimed its role in mediation between India and Pakistan during the four-day conflict between the neighbouring countries in May 2025. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, on Monday, slammed the BJP, saying that while "China settles villages in Arunachal Pradesh", hugs were being exchanged here. "This photo is of the BJP office. A meeting is taking place between BJP leaders and leaders of China's Communist Party," Shrinate posted on X. "In Operation Sindoor, China supported Pakistan. Our brave soldiers were martyred in Galwan. China is sitting there having encroached on Ladakh. It is settling villages in Arunachal. And here, hugs are being exchanged," she added. Shrinate further criticised the media for failing to question the BJP about the meeting with a CPC delegation. "What is this relationship called? Why did the BJP commit treason against the country? What secret agreement was made between the BJP and China?" she asked. Earlier, in 2020, BJP national President JP Nadda had criticised Congress for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese Communist Party in 2008, which he said led to the then-ruling party "surrendering land to China". "First, Congress signs an MoU with the Chinese Communist Party. Then, Congress surrenders land to China. During the Doklam issue, Rahul Gandhi secretly goes to the Chinese embassy. During crucial situations, Rahul Gandhi tries to divide the nation and demoralise the armed forces. Effects of MoU?" Nadda posted on X in 2020. (ANI) Saket District Court on Thursday granted an additional four days' custody of businessman Satya Prakash Bagla to Delhi Police to interrogate him in an alleged case of cheating, etc., with a Kolkata-based investor. He has been arrested by the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police. This case pertains to the alleged syphoning and diversion of funds of Exclusive Capital Ltd (ECL). Duty Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Siddhant Krishan Singh extended the police custody of Satya Prakash Bagla for a further four days after noting the submissions made by the investigation officer (IO). Delhi police moved an application seeking seven days' further custody of the accused for investigation. IO said that the accused is not cooperating in the investigation, and he is to be taken to Lucknow and Mumbai to identify the end user of the Bentley car. Bagla was produced before the court after 3 days of police custody. Now he is to be produced before the court on January 17. While granting bail, the court said, "The investigation is at a nascent stage, and it cannot be said at this juncture that custodial interrogation is not required, as the custody of the accused is, inter alia, required for the recovery of the vehicle at Lucknow to ascertain the end user in Mumbai and for the other reasons mentioned in the remand application." "Therefore, the application seeking police remand of the accused is allowed, and the IO is granted 04 days' police custody of the accused, Satya Prakash Bagla. Medical examination of the accused be conducted every 24 hours," JMFC ordered on January 13. Bagla was arrested in a cheating case lodged in October 2025 on the basis of a senior citizen couple residing in Kolkata. An FIR was registered under sections related to cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy of the IPC.As per FIR, the complainant had alleged cheating worth crores by three persons, including Bagla. Delhi Police earlier had sought custody of Bagla to trace and establish the complete money trail of syphoned funds to identify the ultimate beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime. Advocates Sanjay Abbot, Abhishek Jaiswal, Aharna Iyer, Gaurav Sarkar, Sanchit Aggarwal, and Priyanshu appeared for the accused. On the other hand, senior advocates Manu Sharma, Sidharth Luthra, Vikas Pahwa, Abhyuday Sharma, Anirudh Sharma, DM Balra, Manya and Parth Yadav appeared for the complainant. It was stated earlier that the accused is to be confronted with financial records, forged documents and bank transactions, as the accused persons, while managing the affairs of ECL, have systematically, through sham transactions, diverted substantial funds belonging to ECL to themselves through a web of related party transactions. Police had also said that the accused Satya Prakash Bagla has deliberately concealed material facts, evaded full disclosure during the enquiry/investigation and has not cooperated with the investigation. Crucial information has also to be ascertained, like the end use of siphoned funds, creation of sham loan transactions, fabrication of documents, identification of other accomplices, unearthing the location of missing assets and vehicles. Police also said that the accused needs to be taken to Mumbai to ascertain the business activities, etc., in the name of M/s ECL and his other related company Luxus Retail Pvt. Ltd. and to ascertain the end user of the vehicle (Bentley Bentayga). It was also submitted that custody of the accused is required to recover electronic devices like the mobile phones of the accused and other incriminating material. Police further said that the accused needs to be interrogated to ascertain the role of the co-accused persons, namely Achal Kumar Jindal, who was found to be actively involved as CFO/Director/Shareholder in the said companies. It is alleged that Jindal was assisting the main accused in today's affairs. The accused's role is to be ascertained during further investigation and has to be confronted with the main accused, police said. It was also submitted that during interrogation the accused had stated that one car was given to someone in Lucknow, UP, and he used to recover the said vehicle from there and to identify movable and immovable properties acquired from diverted funds. Suresh Kumar Agarwal, in October 2025, gave a complaint against Satya Prakash Bagla, Achal Kumar Jindal, and Johnson Kallarachal Abraham, directors of Exclusive Capital Limited, having an office near Hauz Khas Metro Station, Sarvapriya Vihar, New Delhi, for cheating, criminal breach of trust, and other offences. Suresh Kumar Agarwala and Kanta Agarwala stated in the complaint that they are senior citizens living permanently in Kolkata. They are holders of 2,34,650 shares in Exclusive Capital Limited (ECL), having a face value of INR 10 for each share, an aggregate value of INR 23,46,500. They also acquired 17.50 crore compulsory convertible preference shares (CCPS) in ECL through Evaan Holdings Private Limited in which we are the majority shareholders, and Kanta Agarwala is a director. The aggregate face value of the CCPS is Rs. 175,00,00,000 (Rupees One Hundred and Seventy Five Crore Only). (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday visited Harshu Enclave on Nagla Tarai Road in his hometown Khatima and participated in a public Lohri celebration at the residence of Sumit Gumber, joining people from the Sikh and other communities who danced joyfully to the beat of the dhol. The Chief Minister also extended warm greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Lohri, wishing them happiness, prosperity, good health, and renewed energy. In a post on X, CM Dhami wrote, "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the auspicious festival of Lohri, filled with joy and enthusiasm. May this festival bring happiness, prosperity, good health, and renewed energy into your lives. This is our heartfelt wish." Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, asserting that the festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. "Heartfelt greetings to all Indians living in the country and abroad on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu. These festivals are symbols of India's rich agricultural traditions and national unity. On this occasion, we also express our gratitude towards nature. Through these festivals, we convey our thanks to the farmer benefactors. My best wishes are that these festivals bring happiness and prosperity into everyone's lives," the President said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended wishes on Lohri and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the citizens. "Heartfelt greetings on the festival of 'Lohri', a symbol of enthusiasm, zeal, and new energy. May this festival be a means of happiness and prosperity for all," Shah posted on X. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also extended wishes on Lohri, calling it a festival of joy and celebration that brings boundless happiness and prosperity to citizens. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the occasion of Lohri. On this auspicious occasion of Lohri, heartfelt congratulations to everyone. May this festival of joy and celebration bring boundless happiness and prosperity into your lives," Kharge wrote on 'X'. Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival of Assam, marks the end of the harvest season in Magh and is celebrated with community feasts. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti, and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways 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) Expressing confidence in winning the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant declared that their party will once again hoist the saffron flag in Mumbai by defeating 'corrupt forces' in the upcoming polls. Sawant emphasised that the party believes in bringing everyone along, noting that Mumbai has always been an inclusive city, which is why people live peacefully. "The atmosphere in Mumbai is all about 'Shiv-Bhagwa', it's about Uddhav and Raj, it's about Aaditya, it's about the 'Mashaal' and the engine. Everyone has decided that by removing corrupt people from here, we will once again hoist the saffron flag. We are the Shiv Sena that takes everyone along... Mumbai has always been inclusive, that's why everyone lives here peacefully. Now, where have these people brought up this issue of caste and community from? It's a municipal corporation election... and that's the issue, talk about that, talk about what you want to give to the people...," Sawant told ANI. The remarks come in the wake of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's statement, which 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. Later, countering Opposition claims over threats to the "Marathi manush, Maharashtra CM Devendra 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. However, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticised Fadnavis, saying the "son of the soil" issue has remained relevant in Maharashtra for 60 years. Raut further stated that no one would have cared about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if it weren't for Bal Thackeray, who boosted the party. Marathi 'manus' is in danger because of the BJP, he asserted. "This issue has been going on for 60 years in Maharashtra. This is not about the Thackeray brothers. He is challenging Hindu Hridya Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray. Balasaheb boosted your party, and you're challenging him? Otherwise, nobody cared for you. You didn't have two people whose posters you could put in Mumbai and Maharashtra. If a Marathi man is in danger, it's because of the BJP. This is why our direct fight is with the BJP," Raut said. This 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 of Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh made a visit to Israel to participate in the Second Global Summit on "Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026, which is being held from January 13 to 15, in Eilat, reinforcing cooperation between India and Israel in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. In a post on X, the Union Minister shared that his delegation visited the National Centre for Mariculture (NCM) in Eilat. During the visit, Singh was briefed on NCM's research programs, including broodstock development, hatchery technologies, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) models, and innovative disease management strategies. "I commenced my official visit to Israel to participate in the Second Global Summit "Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026" being held in Eilat, strengthening India-Israel cooperation in the fisheries and aquaculture sector," said Singh. "During the visit to the National Centre for Mariculture (NCM), Eilat, I was briefed on cutting-edge research and facilities related to broodstock development, hatchery technologies, IMTA models, and innovative disease management practices," said Singh. The Fisheries Minister also held discussions on opportunities for joint research and collaboration between the two nations. These discussions aimed to strengthen knowledge exchange, enhance production efficiency, and introduce advanced mariculture solutions adapted to Indian conditions. "We also held productive discussions on enhancing India-Israel collaboration and joint research to promote knowledge exchange, improve production efficiency, and adapt advanced mariculture solutions to Indian conditions," added Singh. Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, in New Delhi and discussed further strengthening the India-France strategic partnership. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "A pleasure meeting Amb Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France. Exchanged views on further strengthening the India-France strategic partnership." He added that they also discussed "key takeaways" from his recent visit to Paris and Bonne's engagements in Delhi."Also discussed key takeaways from my recent visit to Paris and his engagements in Delhi," Jaishankar said. The meeting came as India and France reiterated their commitment to their strategic partnership during the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to the French President, in New Delhi. The two sides discussed ongoing bilateral initiatives across security, defence, technology, space and civil nuclear cooperation. They also explored opportunities for joint development and collaboration in the spirit of "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat". (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) 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. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115883475463948362 "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. https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2010786642919903255 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) Union Minister for Railway, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting hosted by United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday (local time). Bessent convened a meeting of Finance Ministers at the United States Treasury to discuss solutions to secure and diversify supply chains for critical minerals, especially rare earth elements. In a post on X, the Secretary of the Treasury wrote, "At today's Finance Ministerial hosted by the @USTreasury, I was pleased to hear a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains. I am optimistic that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling and understand well the need for decisive action." https://x.com/secscottbessent/status/2010839224652628360 According to the US Department of Treasury, participants in the Ministerial included Treasurer of Australia, Jim Chalmers; Minister of Finance of Canada, Francois-Philippe Champagne; European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity and Commissioner for Implementation and Simplification, Valdis Dombrovskis; Minister of the Economy, Finance, and Energy of France, Roland Lescure; Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance of Germany, Lars Klingbeil were present. Additionally, Union Minister for Railway, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology of India, Ashwini Vaishnaw; Minister of Economy and Finance of Italy, Giancarlo Giorgetti; Minister of Finance of Japan, Satsuki Katayama; Secretary of Finance and Public Credit of Mexico, Edgar Amador Zamora; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Korea, Yun-Cheol Koo; and Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, Rachel Reeves. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer; President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, John Jovanovic; and JPMorgan Managing Director Jay Horine were also presented on key areas of focus. Throughout the course of discussions, attendees expressed a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains. The United States highlighted actions and investments it has already undertaken, as well as planned steps to create resilient, secure, and diversified critical minerals supply chains, a release said. Secretary Bessent expressed his optimism that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling, and that they understand well the need to remedy current deficiencies in critical minerals supply chains. According to a release, noting that these supply chains have also become highly concentrated and vulnerable to disruption and manipulation, the Secretary urged attendees to increase their supply chain resilience and thanked them for their willingness to both learn from and work quickly with one another toward decisive action and lasting solutions. (ANI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that allegations about Afghan soil being used against Pakistan are grave in nature and must be backed by credible evidence from the federal government, Tolo News reported. Speaking at a meeting, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi pointed out that Afghanistan shares borders with multiple countries, yet none of them have raised complaints similar to those made by Pakistan. He stressed that any claim regarding the use of Afghan territory against Pakistan must be substantiated with proof. "Other countries also share borders with Afghanistan, but they have made no such complaints. If there is a claim that Afghan soil is being used against Pakistan, evidence must be presented. It is the government's responsibility to do so," Sohail Afridi said, as per the Tolo News. The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the ongoing expulsion of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, criticising the manner in which deportations are being carried out. He said that many Afghans who entered Pakistan legally are engaged in work and contributing to the country's economy, yet are being treated harshly. Highlighting what he termed as an inconsistent policy, Afridi said, "Those who came legally, who are working and have created employment opportunities for others, are being forcefully and violently expelled. There is a discriminatory approach here between 'good' and 'bad' Afghans, while policy should be uniform and consistent." Meanwhile, political analysts have warned that Pakistan's repeated accusations have had a negative impact on Kabul-Islamabad ties and have called for dialogue to ease tensions between the two sides, as per the Tolo News. Political analyst Dawood Shiraz said that Afghanistan maintains relations with several neighbouring countries without facing similar issues. He said, "We have connections with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Pakistan, and even China yet we have no issues with any neighboring country. Since the Islamic Emirate took power, security has been maintained, just as Sohail Afridi mentioned. The real issue lies in the lack of negotiations." Another political analyst, Fareedullah Zazai, dismissed allegations against Afghanistan, saying, "The narrative that Afghan soil is being used against Pakistan or that Afghanistan's current government has an anti-Pakistan stance all of these are baseless accusations, mostly driven by political motives." Officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have repeatedly rejected Pakistan's claims, maintaining that Afghan soil will not be allowed to be used against any country, Tolo News reported. (ANI) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said on Tuesday that it recorded the presence of ten sorties of PLA aircraft and five PLAN vessels operating around its territory. The Ministry of National Defence also added that 3 out of 10 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone. In a post on X, the MND wrote, "10 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 out of 10 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2010879471654748344 Earlier on Monday, Taiwan's MND reported the presence of 5 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating in its territorial waters. 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, 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) Amid US President Donald Trump's threats of having to do "something" about Greenland, US Congressman Randy Fine introduced a bill seeking the annexation of the Arctic island and its eventual admission as a US state, as the push to control the strategically located island continues by Trump and his administration. Congressman Fine, who is a lawmaker in the US House of Representatives, in a post on X stated that he had introduced the "Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act", legislation that would authorise the US President to pursue all necessary means to bring Greenland into the American Union. Fine framed the move as essential to counter the growing influence of Russia and China in the Arctic and to safeguard US national security, a claim also made by the US President. The lawmaker further asserted that US adversaries are attempting to establish a foothold in the Arctic and argued that acquiring Greenland would prevent rival powers from controlling the region and would help secure America's northern flank. "Huge News! Today, I am proud to introduce the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, a bill that allows the President to find the means necessary to bring Greenland into the Union. Let me be clear, our adversaries are trying to establish a foothold in the Arctic, and we can't let that happen. By acquiring Greenland, we would prevent our adversaries from controlling the Arctic Region and secure our northern flank from Russia and China," his post read. In an official press release issued by Fine's office, the Florida congressman described Greenland as a "vital national security asset" and warned that control of the island would determine dominance over key Arctic shipping lanes and the broader security architecture protecting the United States. He claimed that years of weak policies had allowed America's strategic position in the Arctic to erode, while China and Russia continued to expand their presence. "Greenland is not a distant outpost we can afford to ignore--it is a vital national security asset. Whoever controls Greenland controls key Arctic shipping lanes and the security architecture protecting the United States. America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security," the Congressman said. The legislation authorises the President to seek negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark to annexe or otherwise acquire Greenland as a US territory. Following any such acquisition, the US President would be required to submit a report to Congress outlining the changes to federal law needed to admit Greenland as a state, contingent on Greenland adopting a constitution deemed republican in form and consistent with the US Constitution. Fine linked the bill to broader Republican assertions about restoring American strength on the global stage, referencing statements by Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the Arctic is rapidly becoming a central arena of global power competition. He also claimed that recent US actions had put adversaries "on their heels," portraying the proposed annexation as part of a more assertive foreign policy posture. Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within Denmark and a NATO partner of the United States. Both Danish and Greenlandic leaders have repeatedly rejected any suggestion that the island could be sold or annexed, emphasising that Greenland's future should be decided by its own people. Earlier on Saturday, Trump reiterated claims of having to do "something" about Greenland, "the easy way" or "the hard way", saying that if the US doesn't take any action, Russia and China would spring in and that Washington does not want to have them as neighbours. "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 neighbour. I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way," Trump said when he was asked about the island. (ANI) The Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called on specialists in the field of communications to target the state's infrastructure so that the world can establish contact with the protesters. As protests have rolled on to another week, Pahlavi has emerged as a vocal supporter of the demonstrators, backing what he describes as a nationwide movement against the Islamic Republic. He compared the protesters to Persian mythological character Kaveh. Kaveh is known for his resistance against Zahak in Iran. Zahaa is a personification of evil in Iranian mythology. In modern times, Kaveh is sometimes invoked for political aims. "My compatriots, greetings to all of you who, like Kaveh, stand against Zahhak and fight. The regime, through severe repression, killing, and cutting off communications, is trying to instill fear and terror in you, and to make you despair of continuing the movement and struggle. But know that because of your steadfastness and fight, thousands of military and security forces have not gone to work so as not to participate in the repression," he said. https://x.com/PahlaviReza/status/2010885526031663430?s=20 "And a special message to specialists in the field of internet and communications: target the regime's information infrastructure so that the connection of our compatriots with the world can be re-established," he added. Earlier in the day, in an interview to CBS News, Pahlavi called on US President Donald Trump to take action in Iran, as protesters continue to throng the streets despite lethal crackdown. Pahlavi said, "We need action to be taken. 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." Pahlavi has lived in exile since his father, the last Shah of Iran, was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution that brought the current clerical regime to power. He said he has communicated with the Trump administration, but did not disclose details from their conversations. He also said the Iran's recent outreach to the administration is an attempt to fizzle out the nationwide protests that threaten the rule of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as per CBS News. (ANI) High Commissioner of India to Kenya Adarsh Swaika met Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia W Mudavadi on Monday, with both sides agreeing to convene the Kenya-India Joint Commission for Cooperation in New Delhi as part of efforts to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. According to a post by the High Commission of India in Nairobi, the meeting focused on recent and upcoming high-level exchanges between India and Kenya, reflecting what it described as the depth and dynamism of the bilateral partnership. The two leaders also exchanged views on expanding cooperation in key areas, including digital public infrastructure, trade and investment, development partnerships, and people-to-people ties, rooted in the historic and enduring relationship between the two countries. "HC Adarsh Swaika called on Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Musalia W Mudavadi. Discussions focused on recent and forthcoming high-level exchanges between India and Kenya, reflecting the depth and dynamism of the bilateral partnership. They also exchanged views on expanding cooperation in key areas including digital public infrastructure, trade and investment, development partnership, and people-to-people ties, anchored in the historic and enduring relationship between India-Kenya," the post read. Mudavadi, in a post on X, said Kenya and India share a century-long bond anchored in brotherhood, shared values, and mutual interests. He noted that his discussions with High Commissioner Swaika aimed to advance the long-term partnership between the two nations, particularly in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. He also said the two sides aligned on India's upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, to which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto. In addition, they discussed the Raisina Dialogue, India's flagship forum shaping global conversations on geopolitics and geoeconomics. Highlighting the decision to convene the Kenya-India Joint Commission for Cooperation in Delhi, Mudavadi said the meeting would set a clear, results-driven agenda to deliver tangible outcomes for both countries. "Kenya and India share a century-long bond anchored in brotherhood, shared values, and mutual interests. I met with H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika, High Commissioner of India to Kenya, to drive forward our long-term partnership in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. We aligned on India's upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited President William Samoei Ruto, as well as the Raisina Dialogue, India's flagship platform shaping global conversations on geopolitics and geoeconomics," the Prime Cabinet Secretary said. "We also agreed to convene the Kenya-India Joint Commission for Cooperation in Delhi, setting a clear, results-driven agenda focused on delivering tangible outcomes for both countries," he added. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Kenya are maritime neighbours, and their modern relationship has developed into a strong and wide-ranging partnership, characterised by frequent high-level engagements, growing trade and investment, and deepening people-to-people connections. (ANI) Minister Singh is on a 3-day official visit to Israel and will be participating in 'Sea The Future' conference in Eilat. In a post on X, the Embassy said, "Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Hon'ble Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Panchayati Raj was received by Ambassador JP Singh in Tel Aviv. He is on a 3-day official visit to Israel and will be participating in 'Sea The Future' conference in Eilat. His visit will strengthen India-Israel cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, livestock & dairy sectors." https://x.com/indemtel/status/2010670313478951295?s=20 Minister Singh said that the visit aims to further strengthen India-Israel cooperation in fisheries. In a post on X, he said, "Warmly received by Ambassador JP Singh upon my arrival in Tel Aviv, Israel. On a 3-day official visit to Israel, I will be participating in the 'Sea The Future' conference in Eilat. This visit will further strengthen India-Israel cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, livestock and dairy sectors through innovation and shared expertise." https://x.com/LalanSingh_1/status/2010674598929633534?s=20 The Red Sea, the sun, and the desert in the Eilat-Eilot area serve as a fertile ground for biotechnology, aquaculture, renewable and sustainable energy R&D as well as for scientific research in the fields of oceanography, limnology, mariculture, and marine biotechnology, addressing issues of national, regional, and global relevance and importance, the official website for the Sea the Future 2026 states. The summit will last from January 13-15. It will bring together global leaders, innovators, and experts for a three-day summit dedicated to advancing sustainable food production in arid, and marine environments. This year's focus: Blue Food Security in a changing climate, with an emphasis on innovation, resilience, collaborations. As per the official website, themes for the event include- Blue Food Security: Enhancing food production in extreme climates, Deep Blue Tech: Breakthrough technologies and practices such as AI, Big Data and Genomic achievements, Sustainable Food Systems: Reducing environmental impact and preserving biodiversity. (ANI) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Monday rejected India''s claim to the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. "The territory you mentioned belongs to China. It''s fully justified for China to conduct infrastructure construction on its own territory," Mao said when asked about border issues and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The spokesperson further said that China and Pakistan had signed a boundary agreement in the 1960s and demarcated borders between the two countries and that the settlement was an exercise of the rights of two sovereign states. According to a Global Times report, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson further said the CPEC is an economic cooperation project intended to promote local economic and social development and improve people''s livelihoods. Mao stressed that the border agreement between China and Pakistan, and the CPEC do not affect China''s position on the Kashmir issue, adding that China''s position on this matter has not changed. The Shaksgam Valley, borders Xinjiang Provinceof the People''s Republic of China (PRC) to the north, the Northern Areas of POJK to the south and west, and the Siachen Glacier region to the east. Earlier on January 9, India firmly rejected China''s infrastructure buildup through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the Shaksgam Valley, terming it "illegal and invalid", while noting that the region is an "integral and inalienable part" of India. During a weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has never recognised the "so-called" China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963 or the "so-called" CPEC. "Shaksgam Valley is an Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963. We have consistently maintained that the agreement is illegal and invalid. We do not recognise the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor either, which passes through Indian territory, which is under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan," Jaiswal said. He reaffirmed that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India, noting that New Delhi has "consistently protested" to the Chinese side on the matter and has further reserved the right to safeguard its interests. "The entire UTs of J&K and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India. This has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese and Pakistani authorities several times. We have consistently protested with the Chinese side for its attempts to alter the ground reality in the Shaksgam Valley. We further reserve the right to take necessary measures to safeguard our interests," the MEA Spokesperson added. (ANI) China was taken by surprise when US forces swooped in to seize Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro on 3 January 2026. An official Chinese delegation had even been meeting with Maduro in his palace just hours before his capture. The loss of Maduro's friendship is a blow to Beijing, as Venezuela is the only Latin American country possessing a high-level strategic partnership with China. However, China's overall reaction has been muted. China's Foreign Ministry issued an immediate rebuke, with spokesman Lin Jian saying, "Cooperation between China and Venezuela is between two sovereign states and under the protection of international law and the laws of the two countries." Lin added, "China's lawful interests in Venezuela will be protected in accordance with the law." China pledged its commitment to the United Nations (UN) Charter and to international justice, Xinhua reported, decreeing that China will "defend the bottom line of international morality, and safeguard international fairness and justice". Adam Ni, Co-Editor of the China Neican newsletter, observed, "Beyond the immediate condemnation, Beijing's response is revealing in how it handles such situations more broadly. Venezuela illustrates how China reacts when US force is applied against a partner in which it has tangible but limited economic interests. In such cases, Beijing relies on diplomatic and normative opposition, while deliberately limiting material involvement, prioritizing risk containment over confrontation." China mouthed slogans such as non-interference and its opposition to hegemonic behavior, but there was no security or military reaction, no immediate punitive actions against the USA, or any Chinese attempt to alter the status quo on the ground in Venezuela. Ni concluded, "Beijing's response has therefore been emphatic in rhetoric, but tightly circumscribed in material terms." Basically, Venezuela is not strategically vital to Beijing. The South American republic has been in a state of decay for years, and China has been forced to repeatedly renegotiate debt repayment terms and oil-for-loan arrangements. Ni concluded, "For Beijing, the priority today is less the preservation of a particular leader or government than the management of downside risk: maintaining access where possible, limiting further losses, and resisting the normalization of externally imposed regime change as a tool of great-power competition." Indeed, direct confrontation with the USA in the Western Hemisphere is not in China's interests. There would be high costs and limited strategic rewards to such a stand. Ni added: "China lacks the capacity to alter outcomes on the ground and has little incentive to test US red lines in a region Washington continues to treat as a core sphere of influence. Beijing has therefore channeled its response through diplomatic protest and institutional forums, including deliberation at the UN Security Council, rather than material countermeasures." However, President Donald Trump's shock military action in Venezuela does give China a signaling opportunity to remind international audiences of how erratic American behavior has become. Ni shared, "By stressing sovereignty and international law, Beijing advances a narrative in which the United States appears coercive and destabilizing, while China presents itself as restrained and order- oriented. In this sense, Venezuela serves as a vehicle through which Beijing restates its opposition to unilateral force and externally imposed political outcomes." Of course, China's own commitment to the UN and international jurisprudence totally depends on whether it helps or hinders China's own strategic purposes. Beijing warns that unilaterally seizing foreign leaders risks hollowing out sovereign protections in the international order, and it is repeating concerns that the USA is normalizing the use of "might is right". Ironically, this is precisely what China does with weaker neighbors like the Philippines and Taiwan, plus it viciously criticized the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 verdict over its behavior in the South China Sea. China is the largest consumer of Venezuelan oil, with the South American nation sitting atop the world's largest oil reserves. Conversely, just 4% of Chinese oil comes from Venezuela, showing how Caracas is more reliant on China than vice versa. However, the volatile situation in Iran will also have China worried, since it imports vast amounts of oil from there too. Cutbacks in Venezuelan and Iranian oil might be a future possibility. Chinese firms have invested in telecommunications, railways and ports too. Caracas also owes China at least USD 10 billion, with some estimating the debt is far greater than this. China is facing the prospect of agreements made by Maduro not being honored now, a painful reality that China suffered when Muammar Gaddafi was ousted in Libya, for example. Although this amount of money is not insignificant, it constitutes only a small proportion of China's global external debt. Ni pointed out there will be economic uncertainties for Beijing. "China has concrete interests at stake in Venezuela, most notably through energy ties, outstanding loans and infrastructure projects. These arrangements, including oil-for-loans mechanisms, have long been politically fraught and financially risky. Renewed instability directly threatens Chinese assets, repayment prospects and the viability of remaining projects." Trump has embellished his reputation as an unpredictable strongman. But does that mean the USA will normalize extrajudicial kidnappings of foreign leaders? And what does this mean for Chinese designs on Taiwan, for example? Some have speculated whether American actions now give China permission to act similarly without any UN mandate. Could it capture the Taiwanese president or singlehandedly invade Taiwan, following the precedent set by Trump? Bonnie Glaser, Managing Director, Indo-Pacific at German Marshall Fund of the United States, addressed the question whether US action will embolden China. She noted: "Washington's military strikes against Venezuela and the capture of its leader, Nicolas Maduro, provide China with an opportunity to portray the US as a global hegemon that bullies smaller countries. This advances Beijing's goal of undermining US legitimacy on the global stage. But China is unlikely to fundamentally alter its strategy toward Taiwan as a result of the American action. Beijing will not see the US disregard for international law as a useful justification for Chinese use of force against Taiwan." Glaser assessed: "China has always viewed Taiwan as an internal affair, and will not draw many parallels with the relationship between Washington and Caracas." However, others believe Trump's administration is gradually eroding the international order. Samuel White, Senior Research Fellow in Peace and Security at the National University of Singapore's Centre for International Law, posited: "The most obvious risk lies in the Indo-Pacific: the same logic could be invoked to justify China detaining a Taiwanese president under the guise of Chinese national security or domestic law enforcement." White continued, "Precedent in this context is rarely created through express endorsement. It emerges through repetition, tolerance and analogy. When a cross-border seizure is framed as justified or legally bounded - and is absorbed without sustained diplomatic or institutional pushback - it becomes a reference point for future conduct." This is precisely the strategy China is already using in the South China Sea and against Taiwan. White acknowledged, "Taiwan occupies a uniquely ambiguous position in international law and politics, existing in a space where sovereignty claims, jurisdictional assertions and security narratives routinely overlap. Actions that blur the line between law enforcement and coercion are especially potent in such an environment." This is why China uses "gray zone" tactics against Taiwan and others. To give an example, Taiwan's National Security Bureau said China conducted more than 4.17 million cyberattack incidents and sent 19,000+ social media comments promoting anti-US, anti-Lai and anti-military sentiments during the two-day Exercise Justice Mission at the end of 2025. China is watching carefully because, some think if the world tolerates American actions in Venezuela, then Beijing may expect to get away with what it claims is crossing a mere "provincial" border between China and Taiwan. White explained, "Of course, big states, including China, will always aim to do what they can get away with. The point is that, if detention operations of heads of state or senior leaders become normalized, China would face lower diplomatic costs in taking such action." As White noted, "If a head-of-state seizure can be plausibly defended as an exercise of domestic law enforcement, under the constitutional authority of executive authority, rather than an act of aggression, then the stabilising function of existing legal categories is weakened. The distinction between political coercion and law enforcement becomes harder to sustain, particularly where status, recognition or jurisdiction are contested." There are accusations that China, Russia and Iran were manipulating Maduro to destabilize the USA, such as sending drugs into the country. In other words, they were conducting "gray zone" tactics in the USA's own backyard. Unsurprisingly, the UN Security Council was never going to support a US request to topple Maduro under the UN Charter, because China and Russia would veto such a move. Glaser is certain that the action against Maduro will not form a blueprint for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) against Taiwan's leadership, however. "Capturing Taiwan President Lai Ching-te would not likely help Beijing achieve reunification. Chinese President Xi Jinping's approach toward Taiwan is based on his own logic and strategy. He's unlikely to be influenced by developments such as the recent US action or Russia's invasion of Ukraine." Yet another question is whether the PLA possesses the military nouse to perform such a surgical operation against Taiwan in any case. Glaser explained: "As the recently released Department of Defense report on China's military power noted, corruption and purges within the PLA are hindering, at least temporarily, China's military capabilities, including the PLA's ability to seize and control Taiwan at an acceptable cost. Beijing is instead relying on a vast toolkit of gray-zone tactics to instil despair among Taiwan's citizens so that they eventually capitulate. The Chinese believe that time is on their side to achieve reunification without sacrificing blood and treasure." Glaser further assessed: "China will do its utmost to protect its economic and commercial interests in Venezuela, but it'll seek to stay out of US President Donald Trump's crosshairs in a region that is geographically distant and not among Beijing's core interests. This is especially so in the run-up to the planned US-China summit in April in Beijing. That is where China will push for US concessions on its own priority list, which likely includes Taiwan." Some other commentators argue that Trump's actions in Venezuela have shattered Chinese ambitions in Latin America or farther afield. Yet such a sentiment is also unwarranted. Ryan Hass, Director of the Brookings Institution's John L Thornton China Center, weighed in, saying, "Many US analysts want to view Venezuela as a blow to China's global ambitions. Maduro's ouster embarrassed and exposed limits to the value of the Venezuela-PRC 'all-weather partnership'. Arguably, though, events in Venezuela haven't derailed or diverted the PRC from its path." Hass said, "Beijing is displeased and will seek to dial up reputational costs for the US, but it's far from being hamstrung by events. While the US has been focused on Latin America, China has been pushing to make gains elsewhere. It recently hosted French, Irish and South Korean leaders. Beijing in the coming period likely will host Canadian, British and Russian leaders. The PRC is also working to ease tensions with India." Instead, Hass pointed out, "Beijing's diplomatic priorities appear to be stabilizing its periphery, keeping markets open for PRC exports, making progress toward self-reliance, deterring further involvement by Japan or others in cross-strait relations, and laying the groundwork for Trump's planned visit." This episode of American intervention reminds us that international law is only relevant insofar that it can be enforced. Countries will continue doing whatever they wish, just as China does in the South China Sea. China does feel some humiliation, and it will want redress. Hass concluded: "In short, Beijing seems to have been caught off guard and frustrated by events in Venezuela. At a geopolitical level, though, Beijing is playing a different game, and Venezuela is not a huge piece of it. PRC leaders aren't burning the midnight oil over Venezuela." (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday attended the launch of the official website and logo of India's BRICS Presidency 2026. Jaishankar said that India's BRICS Chairship will seek to bring about greater global welfare, as it has expanded its scope over the years. He said, "India's BRICS chairship will seek to bring together the potential of BRICS countries for greater global welfare. When India prepares to assume the BRICS chairship in 2026, we do so at an important moment in the grouping's journey. In 2026, BRICS will complete 20 years since its inception, during which it has steadily evolved into a significant platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing economies. Over the years, BRICS has expanded its agenda and membership, responding to changing global realities, while remaining focused on people-centric development, fostering dialogue, and promoting practical cooperation," he said. Jaishankar said that India is approaching the chairship while being inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance while maintaining humanity first approach. "India approaches its chairship with a humanity-first and a people-centric approach, inspired by the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our chairship theme, building for resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, reflects our belief that cooperation among BRICS members can help address shared challenges in a balanced and inclusive manner," he said. At the launch of the BRICS 2026 logo, he said that the theme underscores development for all. Jaishankar said, "The theme underscores the importance of strengthening capacities, promoting innovation, and ensuring sustainable development for the benefit of all. The logo that we unveiled today reflects this approach. It combines elements of tradition and modernity, and the petals incorporate the colours of all BRICS member countries, representing unity and diversity and a strong sense of shared purpose." "The logo conveys the idea that BRICS draws strength from the collective contributions of its members while respecting their distinct identities. The BRICS India website which has also been launched this morning, will serve as a common platform during India's chairship. It will provide information on meetings, initiatives, and outcomes, and will facilitate greater transparency and engagement. It will also help timely dissemination of information throughout," he added. Jaishankar highlighted how the current global environment is laced with uncertainties and complications. He said, "The current global environment presents complex and interlinked challenges, geopolitical uncertainties, complicated economic landscapes, climate-related risks, technological changes, and persistent development gaps continue to affect countries across regions. In this context, BRICS remains an important forum that encourages dialogue and cooperation and practical responses, taking into account national priorities at different stages of development." (ANI) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday launched the official logo and website for BRICS 2026, scheduled to take place this year, with India as the chair of the multilateral forum, which was formed in 2006. The grouping is led by five major economies--Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa--with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia becoming full members of the forum later. The launch is part of India's efforts to strengthen outreach, communication, and collaboration among BRICS member nations ahead of its 2026 leadership of the grouping. The new logo is inspired by the lotus, symbolising deep-rooted heritage and rising resilience. Its petals reflect the colours of the BRICS countries, representing the many voices united under one shared purpose. At the centre of the emblem is the Namaste gesture, signifying respect and a call for collaboration. According to officials, the emblem embodies a people-centric vision, emphasising cooperation, mutual respect, and solidarity as India leads BRICS in 2026, with the tagline accompanying the logo reading, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." The website launch aims to provide a central platform for information on BRICS initiatives, projects, events, and official documents. The EAM, following the launch, stated that the BRICS chairmanship will focus on advancing global welfare as the grouping marks its 20th anniversary in 2026. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, BRICS, the grouping of major emerging economies, has grown into a significant global platform, now bringing together eleven member nations that collectively represent around 49.5 per cent of the world's population, approximately 40 per cent of global GDP, and nearly 26 per cent of global trade. The acronym BRIC was first coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs in their Global Economics Paper, "The World Needs Better Economic BRICs", based on analyses projecting that Brazil, Russia, India, and China would individually and collectively occupy a larger share of the global economy and become among the world's largest economies over the following decades. The grouping took formal shape after a meeting of the leaders of Russia, India, and China in St. Petersburg during the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006, and was further institutionalised during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York later that year. The first BRIC Summit was subsequently held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. In 2010, it was agreed to expand BRIC to BRICS, with South Africa joining at the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011. The grouping expanded further in 2024, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE becoming full members on January 1, 2024. Indonesia joined as a full member in January 2025, while Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan were inducted as partner countries of BRICS. Over the years, BRICS has evolved into a dynamic forum that promotes cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and sustainable development, and provides a platform for dialogue among emerging economies to address global challenges and reform multilateral institutions. With India set to lead BRICS in 2026, the grouping is poised to further strengthen its global footprint and advance cooperation across economic, technological, and geopolitical domains. (ANI) The two leaders discussed the upcoming AI Impact Summit in India and assured of US presence in Delhi next month. In a post on X, Kratsios said, "Today I met with Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Vinay Mohan Kwatra at the White House to discuss the upcoming AI Impact Summit in India. See you next month in Delhi!" https://x.com/mkratsios47/status/2010859076167876700?s=20 Vaishnaw also participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting hosted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. In a post on X, he said, "Participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting hosted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Strengthening critical mineral supply chains is vital to enhancing the resilience of India's manufacturing capabilities and rapidly growing electronics sector." https://x.com/AshwiniVaishnaw/status/2010902713266290826?s=20 Bessent said the countries shared a desire to address vulnerabilities in the minerals supply chains. "At today's Finance Ministerial hosted by the US Treasury Department, I was pleased to hear a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains. I am optimistic that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling and understand well the need for decisive action." Bessent, convened a meeting of Finance Ministers at the United States Treasury to discuss solutions to secure and diversify supply chains for critical minerals, especially rare earth elements, a statement by the Treasury Department said. Throughout the course of discussions, attendees expressed a strong, shared desire to quickly address key vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains. The United States highlighted actions and investments it has already undertaken, as well as planned steps to create resilient, secure, and diversified critical minerals supply chains. Secretary Bessent expressed his optimism that nations will pursue prudent derisking over decoupling, and that they understand well the need to remedy current deficiencies in critical minerals supply chains. Noting that these supply chains have also become highly concentrated and vulnerable to disruption and manipulation, the Secretary urged attendees to increase their supply chain resiliency, and thanked attendees for their willingness to both learn from and work quickly with each other towards decisive action and lasting solutions, as per the statement. (ANI) India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, strongly pushed back against allegations linking the Indian government to the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, sharply questioning the absence of evidence during a televised interview. Responding to a question during CBC News' "Power & Politics" on allegations primarily made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India had interfered in the country's internal affairs by killing Nijjar, Patnaik repeatedly demanded "evidence", saying accusations cannot stand without evidence. "Well, where is the evidence? Every time you keep on saying 'credible information'," the Indian envoy said, rejecting the allegations as unsubstantiated. "We have always said it's preposterous and absurd; it's something we don't do. These are allegations which have not been backed by evidence. There's always easy-to-do acquisitions. Acquisitions are easy," Patnaik added. Patnaik emphasised that the ongoing legal case in Canada does not implicate the Indian state, adding that the accusations stemmed from statements made by a former Canadian prime minister and his team. "You have accused us, but where have we been implicated? The case is going on in court... And the case in court is also against four individuals. Where is the case against a state? It's a talk given by a former prime minister backed by his team at that time, which he had; they had to back it. Where is the evidence on the ground?" he asked. "We can go into who said what. At the end of the day, it's about evidence on the ground," Patnaik said, reiterating India's long-standing position that it is willing to act if credible proof is presented. "We have said very clearly, if there is evidence ever coming out, if you provide us evidence, we will take action ourselves. We don't need you to take action on that. What we need is for you to give us evidence for us to take action," he said In a pointed remark aimed at the framing of the allegations, the Indian envoy said, "When you accuse us, what happens here is my accusations need evidence. Your accusations don't need evidence, right?" He further added, "You have accusations; you have to back it up with evidence. You can't say I accuse you, and you have to now justify yourselves." The remarks come in the context of the strained ties between the two sides in recent years, primarily due to concerns over Canada's perceived leniency towards Khalistani separatist elements and Canada's allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada in 2023. India had strongly rejected the allegations and termed them "politically motivated". (ANI) Ukraine's Ambassador to India Oleksandr Polishchuk said that he expected to have a joint commission meeting with the governments of both the countries. Polishchuk, while talking to ANI, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to visit India soon. "I expected that the agreement which we got when the honorable Prime Minister had been in Kyiv in my capital, he actually met my president Zelenskyy and they agreed that president Zelenskyy will come to India. So I'm looking for that and it will be the great opportunity not only to have the high official visit like the prime minister did it. He was by the way the first prime minister who came in the independent Ukraine since we got the independence in 1991," he said. He added that it was brave of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ukraine during wartime. "We need to take into account that he did it very bravely because it's the war time in Ukraine and he was actually one of the only leaders who decided to come in from the South to come to Ukraine. So we expect that we will have a joint commission meeting. It's an intergovernmental committee. And we will have the opportunity to discuss in a more precise all of the business opportunities, not only tourist, but the pharmacy, industry, port development, a lot of those what you actually have here in Gujarat," he said. Polishchuk further said that he appreciated the beauty of Gujarat. "I actually come here to see as a part of the program which organized by government of the Gujarat and we are very much appreciate what you actually did it for us to show in the beauty of Gujarat and to give them the opportunity to have this the biggest economic forum in the South Asia where we can discuss the all of the bilateral cooperation issue what we have because it's a great opportunity for everybody," he said. "Dwarka is very famous with the temple of Lord Krishna. We really enjoyed the visit to the temple. We pray for the peace in Ukraine because it's very important for us to live in a peaceful country," he added. (ANI) Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe at noon today and expressed deep concern of Bangladesh at the recent incident of gunfire from Myanmar towards Bangladesh near Whykong Union of Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl was severely injured during the cross-border firing, Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Bangladesh reminded that the unprovoked firing towards Bangladesh is a blatant violation of the international law and a hindrance to good neighbourly relationship. Bangladesh asked Myanmar to take full responsibility and requisite measures to stop such cross-border firings in future. Bangladesh also asked to ensure that whatever happens between the Myanmar authorities and the armed groups in Myanmar should not anyway affect lives and livelihoods of the people in Bangladesh. The Myanmar ambassador assured that his government would take measures to stop such incidents and expressed their sincere sympathy to the injured and her family. Bangladesh's 271km (168-mile) eastern border with Myanmar cuts through forests and rivers, much of it unmarked. It is crossed daily by villagers, as their families have done for generations, to collect firewood or carry out small-time trading, as per Al Jazeera. Myanmar is the world's most dangerous country for landmine casualties, according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which has documented the "massive" and growing use of the weapons, banned by many states. The group recorded more than 2,000 casualties in Myanmar in 2024, the latest full year for which statistics are available, double the total reported the year before, as per Al Jazeera. More than a million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar also live in Bangladesh's border regions, caught between the warring military and separatist forces. Bangladesh police say at least 28 people were injured by landmines in 2025. In November that year, a Bangladesh border guard was killed when a landmine tore off both his legs. Bangladesh's border force has put up warning signs and red flags, and carries out regular mine-clearing operations. But villagers say warnings offer little protection when survival depends on entering forests seeded with explosives, leaving communities in Bangladesh vulnerable to the packages that come with wars, as per Al Jazeera. (ANI) Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong on Tuesday reiterated China's readiness to work with other countries to deepen BRICS cooperation, as he reposted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's post on the launch of the BRICS India 2026 website, logo and theme. In a post on X, Xu Feihong wrote, "China stands ready to work with other parties to promote high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and make new contributions to an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization." https://x.com/China_Amb_India/status/2010985687445889305?s=20 The repost was made after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar earlier in the day emphasised the need for more inclusive and representative international institutions and urged BRICS to commit to a reformed multilateral system that reflects current global realities. Speaking at the launch of the BRICS 2026 logo, Jaishankar said the world is navigating multiple complex challenges, making the demand for a reinvigorated, inclusive, and effective multilateral order more urgent than ever. "At a time when the world is also navigating multiple complex challenges, the call for a reinvigorated, inclusive, and effective multilateral order has never been more urgent. BRICS must commit to a reformed multilateralism that reflects contemporary realities, one where institutions like the United Nations, the WTO, IMF, and the World Bank are representative and inclusive," he said. Highlighting the role of BRICS in global economic cooperation, Jaishankar said the New Development Bank (NDB), founded by BRICS countries, has emerged as an important instrument promoting infrastructure development and sustainable growth among its members. He said India remains committed to supporting efforts to further strengthen the bank as a credible, responsible, and financially sustainable institution. Jaishankar also underlined the importance of people-to-people exchanges as a core component of BRICS cooperation, particularly during India's chairship. "India remains committed to supporting activities and efforts to further strengthen the bank as a credible, responsible, and financially sustainable institution. People-to-people exchanges will always remain an essential component of BRICS and especially of our chairship, with continued emphasis on youth, culture, education, sports, tourism, and academic interactions," the EAM stated. Reiterating India's approach to the grouping, Jaishankar said New Delhi views BRICS as a constructive platform for dialogue and development that complements the broader multilateral system. "BRICS is guided by the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, and consensus," he said, adding that India will strive to make its chairship inclusive, practical, people-centred, and outcome-orientated. He expressed confidence in continued cooperation, saying he looked forward to the support of all BRICS member states, partner countries, and other stakeholders as India prepares to assume the BRICS Chairship in 2026. "I look forward to the cooperation and support of all BRICS members, partner countries, and other stakeholders as we work towards and together during India's Chairship," the EAM said. The acronym BRIC was first coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs in their Global Economics Paper, "The World Needs Better Economic BRICs", based on analyses projecting that Brazil, Russia, India, and China would individually and collectively occupy a larger share of the global economy and become among the world's largest economies over the following decades. In 2010, it was agreed to expand BRIC to BRICS, with South Africa joining at the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011. The grouping expanded further in 2024, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE becoming full members on January 1, 2024. Indonesia joined as a full member in January 2025, while Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan were inducted as partner countries of BRICS. (ANI) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday stated he spoke with Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof and briefed him on what he described as intensified Russian drone and missile attacks targeting Ukrainian cities and communities. In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "I spoke with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof @MinPres. I informed him about the intense Russian drone and missile attacks on our cities and communities." https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2011023657070383297?s=20 Pointing to the broader impact of the strikes, Zelenskyy added, "It is evident that the Russians are bent on destroying life rather than on diplomacy. Their target is the energy sector." Stressing the urgency of international assistance, he wrote, "It is very important that there is sufficient support for Ukraine right now. This concerns both our resilience and recovery, as well as sufficient air defense munitions." Zelenskyy underlined immediate priorities, stating, "Missiles for air defence and all the necessary assistance for the energy system are the top priority at the moment." He also noted that the two leaders discussed diplomatic engagement, writing, "We also discussed the course of communication with the American side and possible meetings." Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for Dutch support, stating, "I am grateful for the support and the readiness to help!" His remarks came as he also detailed a major overnight aerial assault by Russia on Ukraine, which he said involved nearly 300 attack drones along with 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles. In another statement posted on X, Zelenskyy said most of the drones used were Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles and that Russia again targeted Ukraine's energy-generation facilities and substations, causing widespread damage to residential and civilian infrastructure across several regions. "Almost 300 attack drones, most of them 'Shaheds', along with 18 ballistic and 7 cruise missiles, were launched by the Russians against Ukraine last night. Once again, the main target of the strike was our energy-generation facilities and substations. Sadly, there has been extensive destruction of residential and civilian infrastructure," Zelenskyy said. He said the Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions came under attack, adding that Russian missiles struck a postal terminal in Korotych in the Kharkiv region, killing four people. "Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions came under attack. With no military purpose whatsoever, Russia lobbed missiles at a postal terminal in Korotych, Kharkiv region, killing 4 people," he said, offering condolences to the victims' families and loved ones. Zelenskyy said the strikes on energy-generation facilities and substations were aimed at depriving households of electricity amid a cold wave gripping the country. He added that the situation in the Kyiv region remains difficult, with several hundred thousand households without electricity following the strikes. He said emergency services are operating on the ground and "Points of Invincibility" have been deployed to support residents affected by outages. "Points of Invincibility have been deployed. As always, wherever Russia tries to destroy, Ukrainians support one another, and internal resilience is what is most needed right now. Every such strike against life is a reminder that support for Ukraine cannot be stopped. Missiles for air defense systems are needed every day, and especially during winter," Zelenskyy said. Renewing his appeal for international support, Zelenskyy stressed that assistance to Ukraine must continue. He said Ukraine expects accelerated deliveries already agreed with the United States and European partners, adding that Russia must learn that "cold will not help it win the war." (ANI) United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Tuesday expressed alarm over the rising violence against protesters across Iran, saying he was "horrified" by the situation. In a post on X, Turk said, "The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop, and the labelling of protesters as 'terrorists' to justify violence against them is unacceptable." He also criticised Iranian authorities for using excessive force against demonstrators, condemning what he described as a decision "to inflict brutal force to repress legitimate demands for change." Turk's remarks come as Iranian voices abroad have also raised fresh allegations of atrocities linked to the ongoing unrest. Prominent Iranian activist and journalist Masih Alinejad alleged that the Iranian regime is committing large-scale atrocities amid the ongoing protests in Iran, urging urgent international action. In a post on X, Alinejad wrote, "Killing more than 12,000 people in just a few days of protests, after cutting off the internet to hide the crime, is a war crime." She further alleged that "terrorists ruling Iran are waging war against unarmed civilians" and said, "We Iranians are heartbroken and outraged, not because we are weak, but because we are desperate to move the free world to act." Targeting Iran's leadership, Alinejad claimed, "The Islamic Republic is ISIS in power.." She added, "The same ISIS that used chemical attacks against schoolgirls. The same ISIS now slaughtering women, men, children, the elderly, entire families in the streets of Iran." Calling for decisive action, she wrote, "Destroy ISIS because if you don't, they will continue butchering people and mass arrests will turn into mass executions." The allegations were made amid reports of heavy casualties linked to the unrest. The Times of Israel, citing Reuters, reported that around 2,000 people have been killed in protests against Iran's regime, quoting an Iranian official who blamed "terrorists" for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. The report said this is the highest official death toll confirmed so far in the unrest that has rocked the Islamic Republic and threatened the country's stability. As demonstrations continue, Iranian authorities have also imposed major restrictions on communication in the country. Iran's top cyberspace authority on Monday announced that access to the global internet will remain restricted in the country until officials are satisfied that full security has been restored, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported. According to Press TV, citing the President of Iran's National Center for Cyberspace, Mohammad Amin Aqamiri, the internet blackout, imposed on January 9 amid widespread unrest in several provinces, will continue for the time being, with the timeline for lifting restrictions to be announced after security assessments are completed. "The time to return to normal conditions will be announced in the future, and authorities must certainly brief us on security considerations," Aqamiri said, as quoted by the IRNA news agency. Aqamiri described the shutdown as necessary to counter "cognitive warfare" carried out by Iran's adversaries in cyberspace, and said the domestic intranet system, the National Information Network (NIN), has been strengthened to maintain essential online services despite limited access to the global internet. "The NIN is a platform through which we can guarantee stable services for the public," Aqamiri said, adding that domestic messaging apps, search engines, and artificial intelligence services will be expanded to minimise disruptions to daily life, Press TV reported. He also confirmed that citizens currently have access to online banking and shopping services through the NIN. The continuing blackout has been monitored by internet governance organisations, which have highlighted the prolonged disruption. According to NetBlocks, a watchdog organisation that monitors cybersecurity and Internet governance, 108 hours have passed since Iran imposed a nationwide internet blackout. "Update: It has been 108 hours since #Iran introduced a nationwide internet shutdown, leaving Iranians isolated from the rest of the world and each other," the organisation said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Iran's Telecom Minister Sattar Hashemi said that all government departments would comply with the decision of top security officials to maintain the internet restrictions while continuing efforts to eventually restore full access, Press TV reported. The developments come as the nationwide protest movement continues to expand. The current protest, in its 16th day, has spread nationwide, with 606 gatherings across 187 cities, according to HRANA. (ANI) On January 12, 2026, at approximately 11:00 PM, a special operation was conducted by the Joint Forces in Jibannagar Upazila of Chuadanga District with the objective of recovering illegal firearms, based on specific intelligence information, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Tuesday. "During the operation, a person named Md Shamsuzzaman alias W (50) was detained from a pharmacy shop located adjacent to the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex on charges of possessing illegal weapons. Subsequently, based on information provided by the detained individual, the patrol team conducted a search of the said pharmacy and recovered one (01) 9mm pistol, one (01) magazine, and four (04) rounds of ammunition," it added. "After the completion of the operation, the detained individual suddenly fell ill and became unconscious. He was immediately taken to the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex, where, at approximately 12:25 AM, the on-duty physician declared him dead," the statement said. "This incident is unintended, unfortunate, and in no way acceptable. In the meantime, the camp commander of the relevant camp and all army personnel involved in the operation have been withdrawn to the cantonment, and a high-level investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the incident. Appropriate legal action will be taken under the Army Act against anyone found guilty following the investigation," ISPR said. In a related development, The Daily Star reported that the camp commander and other army personnel involved in the operation in Chuadanga have been withdrawn to the cantonment following the death of a BNP leader in custody. The Daily Star further reported that Shamsuzzaman Dablu, general secretary of BNP Jibannagar municipal unit in Chuadanga, died in custody, triggering protests by party supporters and local residents. Terming the incident "unexpected and unfortunate", the authorities said it was in no way acceptable. (ANI) In a post on X, PM Modi said the meeting reflected the "strong and trusted India-France Strategic Partnership" and noted that collaboration between the two countries is expanding as they mark the India-France Year of Innovation. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2011097381635572169?s=20 "Delighted to meet Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to President Macron. Reaffirmed the strong and trusted India-France Strategic Partnership, marked by close cooperation across multiple domains," the Prime Minister said. He added that it was "encouraging to see our collaboration expanding into innovation, technology and education," and said the two sides also exchanged views on "key regional and global issues". PM Modi said he looked forward to welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron to India soon. The meeting took place ahead of Macron's visit to India in February 2026, as noted by the French Embassy in India. In a post on X, the French Embassy in India said, "Diplomatic Advisor Emmanuel Bonne called on PM @narendramodi ahead of President @EmmanuelMacron's visit to India in February 2026. Discussions focused on reinforcing the France-India Strategic Partnership in line with the Horizon 2047 Roadmap." https://x.com/FranceinIndia/status/2011113870304428099?s=20 The meeting also came as India and France on Tuesday emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation to address challenges in the global security environment, with a focus on promoting peace and stability. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Emmanuel Bonne co-chaired the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, during which both sides reiterated their commitment to the strategic partnership. The discussions covered ongoing bilateral initiatives in security, defence, technology, space, and civil nuclear cooperation. Both sides also explored opportunities for joint development and collaboration in line with "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat". The evolving geopolitical situation, along with regional and international issues of common concern, was also discussed during the dialogue. The two sides reviewed preparations for French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to India. Bonne also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. (ANI) In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "A pleasure meeting Amb Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France. Exchanged views on further strengthening the India-France strategic partnership." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2011089127740231803?s=20 He added that they also discussed "key takeaways" from his recent visit to Paris and Bonne's engagements in Delhi. "Also discussed key takeaways from my recent visit to Paris and his engagements in Delhi," Jaishankar said. The meeting came as India and France on Tuesday reiterated their commitment to the strategic partnership during the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to the French President, in New Delhi. The two sides discussed ongoing bilateral initiatives across security, defence, technology, space and civil nuclear cooperation. They also explored opportunities for joint development and collaboration in the spirit of "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat". According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the dialogue also covered the evolving geopolitical situation, along with regional and international issues of common concern. The two sides reviewed preparations for the forthcoming visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India. India and France also underscored the importance of closer cooperation to address challenges in the global security environment, with the aim of advancing peace and stability, the MEA said. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said that the country is working "very well" with Venezuelan authorities as Caracas prepares to send millions of barrels of oil to American refineries. Trump asserted that his administration is working closely with Caracas and claimed that large volumes of Venezuelan oil are already entering the United States as part of the engagement. Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump said, "I'm Venezuela's biggest fan. We're working with them. They came down from a very high number to a disaster." The US President informed that Venezuela has begun supplying oil to the United States. Trump said the arrangement would have a direct impact on global energy markets, asserting that increased supply would help lower prices. "We are bringing Venezuela back, and we are going to be great for Venezuela, great for our country. We're taking in millions and millions of barrels of oil, and now they are coming in initially on a daily basis, 50 million, and values of over $5 billion. We will get oil prices down even further," he said. Sharing the success of his military action, Trump added, "It's an incredible feeling. Winning is a good thing." Trump's remarks came after the United States on January 3, launched military action in Venezuela and captured Venezuela's then-president, Nicolas Maduro. Earlier on Sunday, 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." (ANI) NARA, Jan 14 (News On Japan) - Prime Minister Takaichi held a surprise drum session with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung following their bilateral talks, adding an unexpected cultural touch to a day of high-level diplomacy. The performance was a surprise arranged by the Japanese side, with the two leaders taking to the drums together from around 5:30 p.m. after concluding a joint press conference. They played selections including Dynamite by K-pop group BTS and Golden by HUNTR/X, according to officials. Earlier in the summit, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of strategic cooperation between Japan and South Korea and agreed to deepen collaboration in areas such as economic security. They also confirmed their intention to continue so-called shuttle diplomacy, with the next visit set to see Japans prime minister travel to South Korea. Following the talks and the impromptu musical performance, the two leaders attended a dinner meeting, and a joint visit to Horyu-ji temple is scheduled for January 14th. Source: FNN Morocco is unrolling its AI strategy centered around the Jazari institutes across the country hoping AI will add 100 billion dirhams (over $10 bln) to its economy, Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni said. Speaking at a conference unveiling Moroccos flagship plan: AI Made in Morocco: Artificial Intelligence at the Heart of Digital Transformation and Public Services, Seghrouchni highlighted that the initiative builds directly on the National AI Summit held in July 2025 under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI. Those meetings, she recalled, delivered an unambiguous diagnosis, as AI has become a central instrument of economic, institutional and geopolitical power, and technological dependence is no longer an abstract risk but a concrete strategic vulnerability. The AI development strategy would create 50,000 jobs and train 200,000 students, she said. Citing projections from UNCTADs 2025 Technology and Innovation Report, the Minister noted that the global AI market could reach $4.8 trillion by 2033. Yet she warned that the sector is increasingly characterized by a strong concentration of technologies, data and value chains among a limited number of countries and corporations. In this context, she said, Morocco has made a clear strategic choice: not to passively undergo the AI revolution, but to fully master it. Anchored in the principles of the Kingdoms New Development Model, Morocco has adopted a posture of technological non alignment, not as isolation, she stressed, but as a sovereign decision not to outsource its capacity to regulate, innovate or decide to systems designed elsewhere for interests that may not align with its own. Early results are tangible: within one year, Morocco climbed 14 places in the 2025 Government AI Readiness Index, reflecting progress in public strategy, governance and institutional capacity building. But the Minister cautioned that AI is neither neutral nor inherently inclusive. Without deliberate policymaking, it tends to amplify existing social, territorial and international inequalities. For this reason, she argued, states must act urgently by investing in sovereign digital infrastructure, strengthening national skills and establishing public governance of AI grounded in trust, responsibility and security. Moroccos vision, she said, is built around five political pillars: technological sovereignty; citizen trust; large scale capacity development; promotion of endogenous innovation; and territorial equity. The centerpiece of this strategy is the creation of the national network of excellence centers known as the Jazari Institutes, a major structural component of the Morocco Digital 2030 agenda. Designed as a distributed national architecture rooted in local territories, the network will be closely linked to universities, government bodies, startups, SMEs and the wider digital economy. The launch of Jazari Root, the networks coordinating hub, marks a decisive milestone in building Moroccos long term national capability in artificial intelligence for both state and citizen. According to the Minister, the Jazari Institutes are intended to become regional platforms for training, applied research and shared innovation, helping strengthen the institutional and economic capacities not only of Morocco but also of partner countries across Africa and the Arab world. Mondays AI Made in Morocco event is therefore more than a technical showcase; it is a politically significant moment. The agreements to be signed, the Minister said, represent concrete commitments to a sovereign, controlled and inclusive AI ecosystem grounded in territorial fairness. Crucially, the initiative also carries a strong SouthSouth cooperation dimension. In a global landscape where most AI technologies are designed in the Global North and exported to the South with limited transfer of know how, Morocco aims to propose a different model: one based on co construction of trusted, contextualized AI solutions developed withand forthe countries of the Global South, in line with the vision of King Mohammed VI. To reach the targeted goals, a General Directorate for AI & Emerging Technologies will be set up to oversee public policy along with the establishment of an Arab-African regional digital hub in partnership with the UNDP to encourage sustainable digital innovation. The Minister concluded by expressing hope that the launch would generate rich discussion, ambitious ideas and operational perspectives, reinforcing Moroccos determination to shape its digital future on its own terms. Moroccos National Rally of Independents (RNI) is entering a pivotal transition after party president and current head of the government Aziz Akhannouch formally announced he will not seek a new mandate at the head of the ruling party. His decision clears the way for an extraordinary congress scheduled for February 7 in El Jadida, where delegates will elect a new secretary general to lead the political formation. Candidate submissions will be open from January 12 to 28. The announcement aligns with recent public statements confirming his intention not to seek a third term. Presenting the decision as a desire to pass the torch, he has set in motion the first leadership renewal inside the RNI in over a decade. While some analysts do not rule out the possibility of a consensus candidate emerging in his favor, others argue that the appearance of credible challengers would oblige the party to hold a competitive internal election. This disengagement from party leadership comes as Akhannouchs second term as president draws to an end ahead of Moroccos September 2026 legislative elections. His decision therefore formalizes the conclusion of his leadership cycle within the RNI, providing clarity for the partys political roadmap as the end of the current parliamentary term approaches. External reporting has likewise noted that the RNIs statutes cap presidential terms and that Akhannouch rejected proposals to alter them. Morocco and the United States have reiterated their resolve to deepen their strategic partnership, as set out in the 2020-2030 defense cooperation roadmap inked on October 2, 2020, in Rabat. This came during the separate meetings US Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for African Affairs, Bryan J. Ellis, who is visiting Rabat at the head of a high-level delegation, held Monday with Minister Delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, and FAR Inspector General and Commander of the South Zone, Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid. During the meeting between the US official and Loudyi, the two officials praised the excellent long-standing ties binding Morocco and the United States as well as the high level of their military cooperation, a statement from the National Defense Administration said. They also reiterated their shared commitment to deepening the Morocco-USA strategic partnership, as set out in the 2020-2030 defense cooperation roadmap inked on October 2, 2020, in Rabat. Seizing this opportunity, Loudyi praised the U.S. position for its unequivocal and positive support for Moroccos sovereignty over its entire territory, as well as the constructive efforts undertaken in this context, the statement said. He also highlighted the various South-South cooperation and regional integration initiatives launched under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, turning the Kingdom into a key actor for stability and an exporter of peace and security to its neighboring countries. The U.S. official also underlined the role played by the Kingdom, under the Kings leadership and vision, as an important stabilizing force in the face of various challenges and issues affecting regional security, and its willingness to pursue reform strategies and promote Moroccos influence as a pivotal country for stability and peace in its neighborhood. Talks between the US official and Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid focused on the topics and areas of military cooperation that will be examined at the next meeting of the Defense Consultative Committee, to be held in 2026 in Washington. At least 32 people were killed and 86 others injured on Monday in drone strikes attributed to Sudans paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in central and southern parts of the country, according to local and medical sources. In Sinja, Sinnar State, at least 27 people were killed and 73 wounded when an RSF drone struck a military base, reportedly targeting the Sudanese armys 17th Infantry Division headquarters and nearby electricity and water facilities. Sources said the attack coincided with a high-level security meeting attended by regional governors and senior security officials. The Sinnar State government confirmed the strike and acknowledged civilian casualties, noting that army air defenses engaged the drone. The incident marked the most significant security development in Sinja since the army retook the city in November 2024. Separately, in South Kordofan State, volunteer medics said five civilians were killed and 13 injured in a morning drone strike on the Kartala market in the Al-Jibal Al-Sitta area. Witnesses reported the attack occurred during peak trading hours with no military presence. The Sudan Doctors Network condemned the strike as a violation of international humanitarian law and held the RSF responsible. The RSF has not commented on the market attack, though an adviser to the group warned of further escalation following the Sinja strike. Sudan has remained engulfed in conflict since April 15, 2023, with fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced. Libyas Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohammed Al-Huweij, has announced an integrated policy framework aimed at protecting consumers, stabilizing prices and combating currency smuggling, as part of broader efforts to regulate the domestic market. The plan, developed on the instructions of the Prime Minister, also includes the preparation of a guiding import budget to align imports with real market demand. In statements released by the ministry, Al-Huweij said incentives are being offered to compliant traders who support the national economy, while warning that authorities will act decisively against currency-smuggling networks and those exploiting citizens livelihoods, in close coordination with law-enforcement agencies. He stressed that the ministry will continue to enforce the law in partnership with security and oversight bodies to tackle monopolistic practices, confront what he described as entrenched corruption, and assert state authority within the Libyan market. As part of transparency measures, the ministry will regularly publish lists of imported goods alongside indicative prices to enable public monitoring and curb price manipulation. Al-Huweij also urged media organizations to rely on official sources, reaffirming the ministrys openness to public inquiries. The minister said regulatory campaigns will continue until commercial activity is organized and illegal practices are eliminated, describing the current period as a decisive moment for restoring order to Libyas trade and protecting the national economy. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) announced on Monday that it had secured 5 million dollars to support resilience and humanitarian programs for children and families in South Sudan. The funding will target critical interventions in education, child protection, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene. Noala Skinner, UNICEFs representative in South Sudan, said the support will enable the agency to provide immediate relief while investing in sustainable programs to improve health, protection, and education. She emphasized that investing in children is an investment in the countrys future peace and stability and urged stakeholders to ensure unhindered access for implementing lifesaving initiatives. UNICEF highlighted the scale of need in South Sudan, noting that 10 million people, including 5.3 million children, require humanitarian assistance. Over 2.8 million school-age children are out of school, and more than 7 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity by mid-2026, with malnutrition affecting over 2 million children under five. The one-year funding will focus on strengthening systems and programs to withstand the countrys ongoing crises, including conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability, which continue to threaten the well-being of millions in South Sudan. Morocco and the African Development Bank are consolidating their partnership following high-level discussions in Abidjan that showcased significant Moroccan participation. Finance and Economy Minister Nadia Fettah attended the inaugural Strategic Dialogue of the African Development Bank, a premier platform for exchanges among African decision-makers, particularly finance and economy ministers. The first edition focused on domestic resource mobilization, bringing together fifteen African countries to share best practices and ongoing reforms in this strategic domain. Fettah presented Moroccos roadmap for fiscal resource mobilization, initiated by the 2019 National Tax Conference and reinforced through dedicated framework legislation establishing structural guidelines and implementation milestones. The minister highlighted Moroccos progressive reform approach covering major state taxes including income tax, corporate tax, and value-added tax. She emphasized the critical importance of digitalizing fiscal processes and establishing lasting trust between citizens and administration as essential levers for ensuring reform effectiveness and sustainability. Regarding the AfDBs role in promoting best practices for resource mobilization, Fettah stressed its vocation as an aggregator and catalyst for initiatives already launched continentally under African tax and customs administrations supervision. Participants unanimously praised Moroccos advances and expressed interest in benefiting from Moroccan experience in this field. During bilateral meetings with the Bank Group president, discussions addressed strengthening Moroccos positioning within Bank governance and enhancing the impact of AfDB interventions while optimizing financial instruments and consolidating its role as a continental solutions platform serving African states. These talks followed November 2025 meetings in Rabat between Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah, who expressed gratitude for Morocco hosting the Africa Investment Forum and for Moroccos support as the institutions primary partner. Moroccos active project portfolio financed by the AfDB comprises 32 projects with total commitments reaching $3.2 billion. Interventions are framed by the Country Strategy Document (2024-2029), developed in close collaboration with Moroccan authorities, focusing on strengthening inclusive growth through skills development and consolidating resilience through sustainable infrastructure. The Board recently approved a 450 million non-sovereign partial credit guarantee for OCP Group, marking this financing instruments first deployment in Morocco to secure long-term funding for OCPs Green Investment Program 2023-2030. Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif started Monday a three-day working visit to Morocco for talks focusing on bilateral military cooperation. According to press reports, Rabat and Islamabad are working on a cooperation agreement in military manufacturing, exchange of expertise and training between the armed forces of the two countries. Last April, Moroccan and Pakistani Special forces held in Cherat (Northwest Pakistan) their 3rd joint training in counter-terrorism operations to enhance professional skills and tactical capabilities of participating troops. Moroccos defense industry is gaining momentum with the delivery to the Moroccan Army of the first set of WhAP 88 armored vehicles produced locally by Indias Tata Advanced Systems. Emboldened by the success of the combat armored vehicles (Made in Morocco), the North African Kingdom is now looking forward to producing tanks. In the drone industry, Morocco has attracted Turkish Baykar and Israeli BlueBird Aero Systems to produce locally military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These strategic projects help to create job opportunities and support the growth of Moroccan economy. Several defense companies from the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia have shown interests in the huge investment opportunities offered by Morocco which is developing its military industry clusters building on its success in the automotive and aeronautics sectors. MDR Certification Achieved Kuros also announced that MagnetOs Granules and MagnetOs Putty received certification under the European Union Medical Device Regulation (MDR), on December 22, 2025. MDR certification is among the most stringent regulatory frameworks globally and is required to maintain market access in the European Union. System-level approvals reflect confidence not only in a products performance, but in the rigor of the evidence behind it, said John Griffin, Chief Business Officer of Kuros Biosciences. These approvals reduce access barriers and position MagnetOs for broader adoption across major U.S. health systems, which will support the company to achieve its financial targets. Health system approvals are typically granted following comprehensive evaluation by multidisciplinary stakeholders including clinical, supply chain, and value analysis teams. Such evaluations generally assess efficacy, safety, clinical performance, economic considerations, and alignment with system-wide standards of care. These approvals will enable expanded surgeon access to MagnetOs across participating facilities, subject to local hospital approval and clinical implementation processes. Recent U.S. Healthcare System Approvals Kuros announced that all five MagnetOs formulations have recently received approval across multiple large IDN health systems in the U.S., a critical step for access and adoption at scale. These milestones reflect the strength and consistency of our strategy, building durable access through major U.S. health system approvals, achieving one of the most rigorous regulatory certifications globally, and continuing to expand a differentiated evidence portfolio for MagnetOs, said Chris Fair, Chief Executive Officer of Kuros Biosciences. Together, these achievements reinforce our position as an evidence driven biologics company and support the continued global adoption of MagnetOs as we execute on our long-term growth objectives. Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, January 13, 2026 Kuros Biosciences (Kuros or the Company) a leader in innovative biologic technologies, today announced a series of milestones including key IDN (Integrated Delivery Network) health system approvals, significant regulatory approval, and published preclinical evidence supporting the continued adoption and global expansion of MagnetOs, which are going to be presented at the Octavian Seminar 2026 and Baader Bank Swiss Equities Conference 2026. Story Continues Achievement of MDR certification supports the continued commercial availability of MagnetOs in Europe and other international markets and reflects Kuros operational and clinical readiness to meet evolving regulatory standards. MDR certification represents one of the most rigorous regulatory thresholds globally, said Philippe Saudan, Senior Vice President, Quality, Regulatory and Clinical of Kuros Biosciences. We are proud to have achieved MDR certification for MagnetOs, underscoring the strength of our clinical evidence and supporting continued access to this technology for surgeons and patients throughout Europe and other international markets. Publication of Head-to-Head Preclinical Sheep PLF Study Further strengthening the MagnetOs evidence portfolio, a newly published preclinical study in Clinical Spine Surgery evaluated MagnetOs Flex Matrix in a clinically relevant, instrumented sheep posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF) model and compared its performance head-to-head against commercially available synthetic bone grafts, including a synthetic peptide with anorganic bone mineral in a hydrogel carrier, a synthetic silicate-substituted calcium phosphate in a hydrogel carrier, and a synthetic bioglass in a collagen matrix.*1 At 12 weeks, MagnetOs demonstrated significantly higher fusion rates across multiple endpoints including radiography, micro-CT, biomechanics, and histology. Histological analysis showed 100% bilateral fusion in MagnetOs treated segments, while the synthetic peptide achieved fusion in 33% of segments and both the synthetic silicate-substituted calcium phosphate and synthetic bioglass demonstrated 0% bilateral fusion. Histology further confirmed continuous bridging bone formation and mature lamellar bone integrated directly with MagnetOs.*1 This study reinforces the importance of using animal models with robust multi-endpoint analysis to distinguish true bone fusion from residual graft material, particularly in challenging PLF procedures.2 Together with previously published human biopsy findings, these results further differentiate MagnetOs from competing bone graft technologies and support its long-term positioning as an evidence-driven solution for surgeons seeking reliable fusion outcomes.*1,3 Continued Clinical Evidence Expansion These milestones build on Kuros ongoing clinical development efforts, including the recently announced ASTRA study, a global, prospective, randomized, controlled, multi-center Level I clinical trial evaluating MagnetOs compared to autograft (patients own bone) in patients undergoing hindfoot or ankle fusions. ASTRA represents Kuros continued investment in high quality clinical evidence across multiple anatomical applications. Event Calendar January 15, 2026 - Octavian Seminar 2026, Davos January 16, 2026 - Baader Bank Swiss Equities Conference 2026, Bad Ragaz March 10, 2026 - Publication Annual Report 2025 April 14, 2026 - Trading Update Q1-2026 April 15, 2026 - Annual Shareholders General Meeting For further information, please contact: Alexandre Muller Daniel Geiger Investor Relations Chief Financial Officer Tel +41 43 268 32 31 Tel +41 44 733 47 41 IR@kurosbio.com daniel.geiger@kurosbio.com About MagnetOs Growing bone with MagnetOsTM gives surgeons confidence where it matters most delivering predictable fusion outcomes.4 In a Level I human clinical study published in Spine, MagnetOs achieved nearly twice the fusion rate of autograft (79% vs. 47%) in posterolateral fusions (PLFs).4 Among active smokers who made up 1 in 5 patients the fusion difference between MagnetOs and autograft was even more dramatic.4,5 MagnetOs grows bone on its own thanks to NeedleGripTM a proprietary submicron surface technology that harnesses the immune system to stimulate bone growth, without added cells or growth factors.10-14 Ready-to-use, easy to mold, and reliably staying put, MagnetOs carries no intrinsic risk of human tissue-related disease transmission and is FDA cleared for use throughout the spine, including interbody procedures. Additionally, MagnetOs Granules, MagnetOs Putty and MagnetOs Easypack Putty are also cleared for use in the extremities and pelvis.#10-15 Indications Statement Please refer to the instructions for use for your local region for a full list of indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. About Kuros Biosciences Kuros Biosciences is on a mission to discover, develop and deliver innovative biologic technologies. With locations in the U.S., Switzerland and the Netherlands, the company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The companys first commercial product, MagnetOsTM, is a unique advanced bone graft that has already been used across five continents. For more information on the company, its products and pipeline, visit kurosbio.com. Forward Looking Statements This media release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are urged to consider statements that include the words will or expect or the negative of those words or other similar words to be uncertain and forward-looking. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements include scientific, business, economic and financial factors. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility for updating forward-looking statements or adapting them to future events or developments. * Results from in vivo or in vitro laboratory testing may not be predictive of clinical experience in humans. Please refer to the Instructions for Use for a full list of indications, contraindications, precautions, and warnings. 19 of initial 100 patients were active smokers. Radiographic fusion data of the smoker subgroup were not statistically analyzed as a subgroup and were not included in the peer-reviewed publication of the study. Results from in vitro or in vivo laboratory testing may not be predictive of clinical experience in humans. For important safety and intended use information please visit kurosbio.com. MagnetOs is not cleared by the FDA or TGA as an osteoinductive bone graft. # MagnetOs must also be used with an intervertebral body fusion device cleared by FDA for use with a bone void filler. MagnetOs Flex Matrix must be hydrated with BMA and mixed with autograft in posterolateral spine and intervertebral disc space. MagnetOs Granules must be hydrated with blood in the intervertebral disc space. Kucko, et al. Clinical Spine Surgery. 2025;0(0). Yadav S, et al. Journal of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Rehabilitation. 2020;27(2):173-178. Hatfield C, et al. JOJ Case Stud. 2025; 15(2): 555910. DOI: 10.19080/JOJCS.2025.15.555910. Stempels, et al. Spine. 2024;49(19):1323-1331. Van Dijk, LA. 24th SGS Annual Meeting (Swiss Society of Spinal Surgery). Basel, Switzerland. Aug 2024. Data on file. MagnetOs Putty and MagnetOs Easypack Putty. Van Dijk, et al. eCM. 2021;41:756-73. Van Dijk, et al. J Immunol Regen Med. 2023;19:100070. Duan, et al. eCM. 2019; 37:60-73. Instructions for Use (IFU) MagnetOs Granules. Instructions for Use (IFU) MagnetOs Putty. Instructions for Use (IFU) MagnetOs Easypack Putty. Instructions for Use (IFU) MagnetOs Flex Matrix. Instructions for Use (IFU) MagnetOs MIS. Data on file. MagnetOs Putty and MagnetOs Easypack Putty. Attachment For the past year, surging oil production from the Americas led by the United States, Guyana, and Brazil has been a headache for OPEC in its efforts to rebalance the market and seek higher oil prices. OPECs efforts to continue influencing global oil supply and prices could be further undermined by the U.S. intervention in Venezuela and President Donald Trumps idea to control the oil industry of the worlds biggest crude resource holder. OPEC member Venezuela is estimated to hold 303 billion barrels of crude oil, more than each of its fellow OPEC producers, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, or the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The U.S. controlling the Venezuelan reserves, and U.S. companies investing in recovering the struggling oil industry in the South American country could seriously tip the scale of energy market dynamics to U.S. favor. This would undermine OPECs influence on the global oil markets, analysts say. Any meaningful recovery of Venezuelas oil supply, which is currently at less than 1% of global daily demand, would need billions of U.S. dollars, probably upwards of $100 billion, in investments, and years to take hold. And thats considering that there will be solid new legal frameworks and security guarantees that would give assurances to potential investors that they would not face another asset seizure and nationalization. Related: Is Iraq About to Make Its Biggest Geopolitical Pivot in Years? President Trumps plan to have U.S. firms invest in Venezuelas oil sector recovery was not met with enthusiasm by the executives of the top U.S. oil firms at the Friday meeting at the White House. Despite President Trump touting Venezuelas oil as a creator of tremendous wealth for industry and great wealth for the American people, the reception from executives was lukewarm. 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, Exxons CEO Darren Woods told President Trump. If we look at the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela today, its uninvestable. Regardless of how investable Venezuela will be in the future, the U.S. control over its oil industry would change the power balance in the oil markets, giving the U.S. more sway in longer-term supply. This would leave OPEC and the wider OPEC+ group including Russia and Kazakhstan with potentially diminished clout in influencing the oil market balances and prices. This shift could give the U.S. greater influence over oil markets, potentially keeping oil prices within historically lower ranges, enhance energy security, and reshape the balance of power in international energy markets, JPMorgan analysts said in a report carried by The Wall Street Journal. Oil at $50 per barrel, as it has been President Trumps goal since he took office a year ago, would hurt the oil revenues and non-oil investment projects in major OPEC producers, including Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom, the worlds top crude exporter, is betting that a Venezuelan recovery is years and billions of dollars away, sources with knowledge of the Saudi thinking told the Journal. Other Gulf producers bet on expectations that choked off Venezuelan supply to China could raise the share of Middle Eastern crude in Chinas purchases, according to Gulf delegates who spoke to the publication. The new global order, where the U.S. is vying for control of oil resources of a third country, is upending the market and creating additional challenges to OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance. President Trump wants Venezuelan oil flows to further cut oil and energy prices. Lower-for-longer oil prices would hit the oil revenues and economies of all OPEC+ producers, who could be hamstrung in their ability to manage supply and prices by an erratic U.S. President. OPEC+ will now have to weigh another factor in its output policy decisions and figure out how high it could try to push prices without risking angering President Trump. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Last week US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelas interim authorities will turn over up to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, before later declaring his administration will control Venezuela's oil sales indefinitely. Decrying the state of Venezuelas oil sector, including that the South American country now pumps a fraction of what it used to, Trump said, Were going to have our very large United States oil companies the biggest anywhere in the world go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country. While that sounds like a great opportunity for the US oil majors, its one they may want to refuse. Why? Because the oil underneath Venezuela, which has the largest crude reserves in the world, greater even than Saudi Arabia and Iran, is technically challenging to extract and costly. Moreover, its uncertain whether there would a change in the way Venezuela and its oil industry are being run, which presents a huge political risk for companies to return and operate there. Former President Hugo Chavez nationalized the oil industry in the 1990s, and in 2007, he forced Exxon and ConocoPhillips out, after the companies refused to accept new terms that would give the Venezuelan state oil company, PDVSA, a majority share in their projects. ConocoPhillips is still owed about $10 billion. Only Chevron is currently authorized to operate in Venezuela and export crude to the United States. Until Caracas has a new government capable of gaining the confidence of international investors and banks, oil companies will be reluctant to make any major commitments, states a recent Reuters piece. When Trump met with oil executives last Friday, Exxons CEO Darren Woods said, Weve had our assets seized there twice, and so you can imagine to re-enter a third time would require some pretty significant changes. Trump has said the US government is prepared to provide security guarantees but not money for oil projects. How much oil does Venezuela have? A founding member of OPEC, Venezuela has more oil reserves than any OPEC member and top exporters in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. The country is estimated to hold 303 billion barrels in proven reserves, about 17% of the worlds total, and more than five times the United States 55 billion barrels. Most is contained within the Orinoco Belt a vast territory in eastern Venezuela stretching about 600 kilometers from east to west and 70 km from north to south, with an area of roughly 55,314 square kilometers. The belt is divided into four exploration and production areas: Boyaca, Junin, Ayacucho and Carabobo. Most Orinoco Belt operations are controlled by PDVSA (Petroleos de Venezuela, SA), which has faced challenges including aging infrastructure, underinvestment, mismanagement and the effects of sanctions. Venezuela has thus been unable to fully exploit its vast reserves. While it once exported 3.5 million barrels a day, that has been reduced to about 1mbpd. $100 billion investment required According to Francisco Monaldi, the director of Latin American energy policy at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy, returning Venezuelas production to its 1970s peak would require an annual investment by US oil majors of $10 billion for the next decade, or $100 billion in total. Just maintaining Venezuelas oil production at current levels would cost $53 billion over the next 15 years, as per estimates from Rystad Energy, a consulting firm. Raising it above 1.4Mbpd would likely require another $120 billion between now and 2040. Extraction challenges Venezuelas oil is extra-heavy crude, which means it is highly viscous and dense, making it harder and more expensive to extract than conventional crude. Aljazeera notes that Producing oil from this region requires advanced techniques, such as steam injection and blending with lighter crudes to make it marketable. Because of its density and sulphur content, extra-heavy crude usually sells at a discount compared with lighter, sweeter crudes. While US Gulf Coast refineries have been designed to handle heavy crude like Venezuelas and Canadas, the products economic viability at low oil prices is questionable. Reuters states: Breakeven costs for key grades in the Orinoco belt already average more than $80 a barrel, according to estimates by consultancy Wood Mackenzie. That places Venezuelan oil at the higher end of the global cost scale for new production. By comparison, heavy oil produced in Canada has an average breakeven cost of around $55 a barrel. That means at current oil prices of around $60 a barrel, Venezuelan oil is uneconomic. There may also be a significant gap between potential and actual oil production. Consider: Proven reserves are defined as those with a 90% probability of recovery, based on the identified crude, and whether existing technology can extract it while remaining commercially viable. Venezuelas estimates are self-reported, meaning they could be exaggerated. Furthermore, according to another Reuters piece, OPEC declared Venezuelas proven reserves the worlds largest in 2011, when oil was over $100 a barrel. But Orinoco oil is full of impurities like sulfur and nickel, making it expensive to produce and difficult to refine. Price is therefore crucial to its viability. In fact, estimated reserves may remain theoretical unless prices spike, and a more realistic estimate of Venezuelan oil reserves is 60 billion barrels, according to Rystad Energy. The bottom line? Oil prices need to rise at least $20 a barrel to make Venezuelan heavy oil economically extractable. Even if that is enough to entice US oil majors back there, they will need security guarantees from the US government so that their projects wont be expropriated like they were in the past. How committed is the Trump administration to protecting the interests of its oil companies operating in a foreign country with a history of nationalization? Political risk in Venezuela is off the charts right now, making foreign investment challenging to say the least. So dont believe the Trump hype about American companies jumping in to revive the Venezuelan oil industry. As one commentator summed up the situation, The world probably doesnt need a lot more high-cost, dirty oil. The dream of a transformational deluge of Venezuelan crude will probably remain illusory. By Andrew Topf for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Previously, we reported that global upstream operators will cut investment for a second consecutive year in 2026, with capital expenditure expected to fall by at least 2-3% year-on-year, and more than 5% compared to 2024 levels, as the industry navigates sub-$60/bbl oil prices while maintaining focus on long-term resilience. Still, Wood Mackenzie has predicted that operators will continue to add strategic, new growth opportunities in several regions across the globe. To wit, the Middle East and North Africa are slated to add at least 20 billion barrels of oil equivalent through the 2030s through licensing rounds and contract negotiations. Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) launched its first oil exploration bid round in over 17 years in March 2025, with companies expected to submit offers and open bids in February 2026, covering 22 onshore and offshore blocks to boost production and attract foreign investment after years of instability. The move aligns with Libya's goal to reach 2 million barrels per day (bpd) production, a level near pre-2011 crisis output. This initiative is seen as a landmark moment, opening a significant, resource-rich market to international energy companies. Meanwhile, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, and Syria are indeed poised to offer significant new oil drilling opportunities, driven by Iraq and Oman building export pipelines, Kuwait expanding offshore, and Syria opening up after years of conflict for new investment, signaling major developments in the Middle East's upstream sector. These countries are focusing on diversification and revitalizing fields, with Iraq and Oman planning a major Basra-to-Duqm pipeline and Syria attracting new partners for redevelopment. Iraq and Oman have a preliminary agreement to build a crude oil pipeline from Basra to Duqm, diversifying Iraq's export routes beyond the Ceyhan pipeline. Oman's Duqm port will host storage facilities, making it a key export hub, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz chokepoints. Related: Trumps Venezuela Gambit Could Erode OPECs Clout in Oil Markets Kuwait is expanding offshore production and drilling, with major finds like the Nokhetha discovery. This is a major offshore oil and gas find by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) east of Failaka Island, containing estimated reserves of 2.1 billion barrels of light oil and 5.1 trillion cubic feet of gas (about 3.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent). This discovery marked a significant milestone in Kuwait's offshore exploration program, part of a broader strategy to boost national energy security, with subsequent finds like Jaza reinforcing these efforts, noted for high-quality, low-emission resources. ADNOC Drilling is expanding into Kuwait and Oman by acquiring a 70% stake in SLB's (NYSE:SLB) land drilling rig business, securing six rigs in Oman and two in Kuwait, with plans to double that fleet and further grow in the region through new tenders and acquisitions, marking a significant regional expansion. Syria is actively re-opening for energy investments following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024 and the subsequent easing of international sanctions. The new Syrian government is pursuing an investment-driven recovery model and has signed billions of dollars in deals with foreign companies. The US, EU, and UK have eased many economic sanctions, removing a major hurdle for international firms and allowing Syria to reconnect to the SWIFT international payments system. The Syrian government has established a consolidated energy ministry, is planning to construct a new 150,000 bpd oil refinery, and is hosting international oil and gas exhibitions to attract more capital. A consortium of Qatari (UCC Holding), Turkish (Kalyon, Cengiz Energy), and U.S. (Power International) companies signed a landmark $7 billion agreement in May 2025 to develop 5 GW of new power capacity, including gas-fired and solar power plants. Saudi Arabian firms have signed agreements for new oil and gas development, including a 500 MW renewable energy project (solar and wind) and a 1.65 million-barrel crude grant to stabilize supply. UAE-based DP World took over management of the Tartus port, enhancing logistics for energy trade. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern nations are actively diversifying beyond Chinese influence, seeking major IOCs (International Oil Companies) for investment in energy and infrastructure, driven by economic diversification goals (like Saudi Vision 2030) and a desire for broader partnerships, leveraging their low-cost energy resources and growing tech sectors, while also developing new trade routes like the "Middle Corridor" to reduce reliance on traditional paths. European and American companies are stepping in, drawn by opportunities in gas, renewables, and digital transformation, though challenges with complex regulations and governance persist. In essence, the Middle East is leveraging its energy wealth and strategic location to foster a multi-polar partnership model, attracting diverse IOCs to support its ambitious economic diversification and secure new trade routes. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com One of the campaign promises of President Donald Trump was to secure affordable energy for Americans. Even at the time, this promise put him at odds with the oil industry, already suffering from low oil prices. Now, the rift has deepened as the prospect of cheap Venezuelan crude pressures everyone but Big Oil. Thankfully for the industry, geopolitics still plays a role in price-setting. Its good news for oil producers and bad news for consumers. Almost every oil market forecaster predicted prices would go even lower this year than they were in 2025, when the benchmarks shed around a fifth of their value. Brent crude was forecast at an average of below $60, with West Texas Intermediate seen closer to $50, and possibly even falling below that level over the course of the year. Another thing that forecasters agreed on was that such low prices would prompt a production response from non-OPEC countries, notably the United States. Shale drillers, who are responsible for the bulk of U.S. oil output, would find it hard to make ends meet at $50 or less per barrel so they would start curbing production, the argument went. It is a solid argument, based on historical evidence. Yet producers reaction would lead to higher oil prices, and that would go against President Trumps campaign promise to Americans. It was a risky proposition from the start, at least for the independent oil companies in the shale patch and outside it. Big Oil is not called Big Oil for nothing it can survive low oil prices for much longer than independents. But for independents, Trumps promise to jumpstart a revival in oil and gaswhich had never stopped growing, by the wayhas been a mixed bag. Sure, his federal government started making life easier for oil and gas companies from day one, easing the regulatory burden on the industry and opening up new acreage for exploration. But that promise of cheap oil has made it difficult for industry players to enjoy those changes. Related: Iraq About to Make Its Biggest Geopolitical Pivot in Years? It is not just U.S. industry players, by the way. The sustained decline in oil prices last year pushed capital expenditure on exploration and production lower than it had been in 2024. This year, upstream capex is also seen booking a decline on 2025, according to Wood Mackenzie. Notably, the energy consultancy expects a decline in capex in North America and Europe, while spending in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa is set to increase. Mostly, the bearish outlook for oil is based on estimates of oversupply. Record amounts of oil on waterincluding sold cargoes en route to their destinationsare often cited as one reason for that perception. Chinas gap between oil processing rates and imports is another. The International Energy Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration both expect the supply of crude oil to exceed demand by six figures this year. No wonder oil prices are weak, making President Trump happy. Only they are now on the climb yet again as protests in Iran intensify, prompting worry among traders for the security of supply from OPEC, which exports its oil almost exclusively to China. It appears that worry is substantial enough to override the bearish mood following President Trumps declaration that the United States had already started selling Venezuelan oil. Of course, countering that mood were reports that not all Big Oil majors are looking forward to rebuilding Venezuelas oil industry, with Exxon specifically calling the country uninvestable. The statement prompted President Trump to threaten to block the supermajor from working in Venezuela. Trouble in Iran, meanwhile, could spill over, jeopardizing oil transport in the Strait of Hormuzthe hottest chokepoint in global oil markets that everyone immediately thinks about when there is any violence in or around Iran. The current protests are no exception, in the context of threats made by President Trump against the Iranian government. With the Venezuelan incursion taking pretty much everyone by surprise, now everyone seems to expect more military action from the Trump administration, and not just in South America. That expectation by itself is not enough to push oil prices much higher, MST Marquees head of energy research, Saul Kavonic, told Reuters. The market is saying show me the disruption to supply before materially responding, Kavonic said. The market may yet do just that: There have also been calls for workers in the oil industry to down tools amid the protests, ANZ energy analysts said in a note, as quoted in the above Reuters report. The situation puts at least 1.9 million barrels per day of oil exports at risk of disruption, they added. This, and any plans President Trump may have regarding Iran, puts him in a complicated situation. Higher oil prices would help the energy industry, which he has prioritized in his second term in office. But higher prices would interfere with the affordable energy promise. Meanwhile, OPEC might yet reverse its production policy and start cutting output again. It is going to be another interesting year in oil. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Chinas National Petroleum Co. (CNPC) is set to begin work on a sector, dubbed Phase Four, of Turkmenistans massive Galkynysh gas field, according to a Turkmen government report. The sector, once pumping at full capacity, is expected to yield about 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per year. Turkmenistan is providing all the financing for the development of Phase Four. Ashgabat is giving no indication of where it intends to send Phase-Four gas. The government report notes that China is currently the largest buyer of Turkmen gas, purchasing about 40 bcm per year. But it also notes diversification of export routes remains the cornerstone of Turkmenistan's gas policy, and goes on to mention another export option - the trans-Afghan pipeline project known as TAPI, which has a projected annual capacity of 33 bcm. TAPI construction is making slow progress in Afghanistan. Turkmen officials in recent months have additionally expressed interest in building a long-planned trans-Caspian pipeline, raising the possibility of exporting large volumes of gas to the European Union, which collectively consumed about 320 bcm in 2025. The successful phased development of this gigantic field allows Turkmenistan to ensure reliable supplies of natural gas both domestically and to international markets, the media report states. The Galkynysh field is divided into seven developmental sectors, or phases. To date, only Phase One, also developed by CNPC, is operational, producing about 30 bcm per year. Negotiations are continuing with CNPC and Abu Dhabis National Oil Co. on the development of phases two and three. Independent analysts estimate that Galkynysh, along with the nearby Garakol and Yashlar fields, contains 27.4 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, a sufficient volume to enable annual exports of 200 bcm for decades. By Eurasianet More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has come to play a key role in Europes energy security as it has delivered large volumes of natural gas from Azerbaijan to EU member states, Azeri Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said on Tuesday. Early this decade, Azerbaijan started commercial gas supplies to the European Union via TAP, as the region sought to diversify energy supplies away from Russia even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Natural gas pumped from the giant Shah Deniz 2 field in the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan began flowing into Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria on December 31, 2020. The 878-kilometer (545 mile) TAP is a segment of the Southern Gas Corridor, which took more than $30 billion and seven years to build. TAP starts near the Evros area of Kipoi at the Greek-Turkish border, where it is connected to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) that crosses Turkey. So far, TAP has supplied 54.3 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe, including 45.4 billion cubic meters to Italy, Azerbaijans Energy Minister Shahbazov said at an Azerbaijan-Italy economic forum in Baku, as carried by Azernews. At the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy, Shahbazov met with Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, to discuss trade, energy, and economy. Italy is Azerbaijans largest trading partner and received 38% of Azeri gas exports last year, Shahbazov posted on X today. Azerbaijan raised its gas 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, energy ministry 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%. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com rsted can resume work on its Revolution Wind offshore project, a federal judge in Washington DC has ruled, as reported by Reuters. The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by the Danish wind power major against the U.S. federal government for a stop-work order that froze construction at the almost completed facility plus another one led by rsted, dubbed Sunrise Wind. The administration cited national security grounds for its decision to suspend Revolution Wind, Sunrise Wind, and three other offshore wind projects last year. The Reuters report only mentions Revolution Wind as cleared to go on by the Washington DC judge. Revolution Wind, which secured all required federal and state permits in 2023, following extensive reviews, is currently about 87% complete and has already installed all offshore foundations and 58 of 65 wind turbines. Construction of the Sunrise Wind offshore project is also well advanced. Last year, Sunrise Wind said the offshore wind farm was nearly 45% complete, with 44 of 84 monopile foundations already installed along with the offshore converter station. Onshore electrical infrastructure is largely finished, and near-shore export cables have been laid, the rsted subsidiary also said. Before the lease suspension order was issued, Sunrise Wind expected the project to begin generating electricity as early as October 2026. Once fully operational in 2027, the wind farm is contracted to supply power to nearly 600,000 homes under a 25-year agreement with the State of New York. Norways Equinor was also affected by the stop-work orders issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in December, at the Empire Wind 1 facility, which, like rsteds projects, is well advanced, wat 60% completion. The Norwegian company threatened to sue but not made this step yet, instead saying it would have to cancel Empire Wind 1 unless the stop-work order was lifted. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Global oil prices surged on Tuesday as markets reacted to the escalating drone strikes at the Novorossiysk terminal, which handles roughly 2% of the world's daily supply. The disruption to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) infrastructure, a vital artery for Kazakh exports managed by Western majors like Chevron and Shell, raised immediate fears of a prolonged supply squeeze. WTI was at $60.75, up 2.1%... While Brent was trading at $65.13, up 1.9%. Two oil tankers waiting to load crude from some of Kazakhstans biggest oilfields were hit by drones at the marine terminal of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) near Novorossiysk on Russias Black Sea coast, sources told Reuters. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium Marine Terminal, a major oil export facility close to Novorossiysk, handles most of Kazakhstans crude oil exports, as well as some Russian crude supply. The Delta Harmony and the Matilda tankers were waiting to load crude from Tengizchevroil and Karachaganak, respectively, according to Reuters sources. Tengizchevroil, operating the supergiant Tengiz oilfield in Kazakhstan, is managed by a consortium led by U.S. oil and gas supermajor Chevron. Karachaganak, another giant field in Kazakhstan, is operated by a consortium comprising Shell, Chevron, and Italys Eni, among others. Drone attacks at or near the CPC terminal have intensified in recent weeks and have affected the loading and departure schedules of Kazakhstans crude cargoes. Kazakhstans oil output fell sharply at the end of November and early December after damage at the CPC export terminal disrupted flows. Output dropped in the first two days of December after storms and structural damage limited loading capacity at the Black Sea terminal, prompting producers to scale back throughput as storage filled. Kazakhstan relies on the CPC for roughly 80% of its crude exports. The disruption came at a sensitive moment for Kazakhstan, which was attempting to stabilize production following repeated CPC interruptions earlier in 2025. Oil has continued to flow, but at lower rates, while Kazakhstan sought to re-route some exports away from the Black Sea to keep supply relatively steady. CPC operates the pipeline from the Caspian coast in northwest Kazakhstan to the Novorossiysk port, which handles 80% of Kazakhstans crude exports from giant oilfields operated by international oil firms. Affiliates of Chevron and ExxonMobil are also minority shareholders in CPC, with the Russian Federation as its largest shareholder with a 24% stake. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iran appears to have secretly released a Greece-owned oil tanker that it had seized two years ago, data from TankerTrackers.com, Inc showed as tensions between the Islamic Republic and the United States flare up again amidst deadly suppression of mass protests in Iran. Iran captured the tanker St Nikolas in January 2024 in the Gulf of Oman, in retribution for the U.S. seizure of 1 million barrels of Iranian oil the previous year. At the time of the seizure, the vessel was traveling to the Turkish port of Aliaga after loading crude from the Iraqi Basrah Oil Terminal. Now the St Nikolas was last seen north of the Sohar anchorage off the coast of Oman, TankerTrackers.com said this week. The vessels manager is Greece-based Empire Navigation, which didnt immediately respond to Bloombergs queries on the tankers status. The apparent release of the tanker that spent two years to the day in captivity comes as tensions between the United States and Iran are boiling over again. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump said that 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. 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. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former commander of the Revolutionary Guard in Iran, an elite military force, has 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. Late on Monday, President Trump said that Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Russia on Tuesday asserted ownership of all oil assets a state Russian company is developing in Venezuela, following the claims of U.S. President Donald Trump that major American and Western oil firms would help revive Venezuelas oil industry. Russias Roszarubezhneft, a state-owned firm that took over Rosneft assets in 2020 following U.S. sanctions on Rosnefts Venezuelan oil trade, said on Tuesday that all assets of Roszarubezhneft in Venezuela are owned by the Russian state, as they have been bought at market prices and conditions. Roszarubezhneft, owned by a unit of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, was incorporated in 2020. After the U.S. sanctioned two units of Rosneft for trading Venezuelan oil, Roszarubezhneft bought the Venezuelan assets of the Russian state-controlled oil giant Rosneft. "All assets of Roszarubezhneft JSC in Venezuela are the property of the Russian state, having been acquired by the Russian side under market conditions, in full compliance with the legislation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, international law, and interstate agreements between Russia and Venezuela, the Russian company said in a statement carried by Russias news agency TASS. Roszarubezhneft has five oil-producing joint ventures with Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA in Venezuela. Roszarubezhneft plans to further develop its assets in Venezuela, the company said. The company will continue to strictly honor its obligations in close coordination with its international partners, focusing on the sustainable development of joint oil production projects, infrastructure, and an effective response to emerging challenges, the Russian state-owned firm added. Since the beginning of the year, the U.S. has captured Nicolas Maduro and flown him to New York to stand trial on drug-trafficking charges. The U.S. has also seized a Russia-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic after a dramatic pursuit that began near Venezuelan waters in late December. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not commented in public on the shock arrest of Maduro, but the Russian Foreign Ministry strongly urged the American leadership to release Maduro and his wife immediately after their extraction from Venezuela. By Josh Owens for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Fatah says Gaza committee must be led by Palestinian Authority Xinhua) 09:12, January 13, 2026 Displaced Palestinians are pictured at a temporary shelter near a landfill in Gaza City, on Jan. 11, 2026. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) said on Monday that any committee formed to govern the Gaza Strip must be headed by a minister from the Palestinian Authority (PA). Fatah spokesperson Munther al-Hayek said in a statement that the proposed administrative body must derive its legitimacy from the Ramallah-based PA, warning that Hamas's refusal to cooperate could deepen the political and geographic divide between Gaza and the West Bank. "The Palestinian people are facing a dangerous phase that requires a legitimate political system recognised internationally in order to mobilise global support for relief and reconstruction," al-Hayek said. Fatah's demands followed an announcement by Hamas on Saturday that it would dissolve its existing governing bodies in Gaza, describing the move as a step toward forming an independent administrative committee under a broader framework for post-October 2025 ceasefire governance. Hamas said on Monday it had submitted a list of 40 candidates to Egyptian authorities to be considered for a technocratic committee to administer the Gaza Strip. Senior Hamas official Mohammad Nazzal said the proposal had drawn objections from both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and the PA. He accused Netanyahu of seeking to undermine the ceasefire agreement and escalate regional tensions to deflect from domestic political pressures. Hamas, which has controlled Gaza's internal institutions since its 2007 split with Fatah, has urged the PA to pursue "national consensus." While the PA is internationally recognized as the representative of the Palestinian people, its practical influence in Gaza has been minimal for nearly two decades. Under the terms of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, Gaza is to be administered by a transitional committee of Palestinian technocrats overseen by an international "Board of Peace." The agreement stipulates that Hamas must disarm and have no future role in the territory's formal governance. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Crude oil exports from Russia to China last month went up by 23% on the previous month, while exports to India declined by 29% on the month, Finnish Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said in its latest monthly update on Russia energy exports. Oil exports to China in December drove an 11% increase in total Russian exports, CREA noted in its report, adding that China boosted Russian oil purchases the most in December, with purchases of ESPO specifically hitting the highest in four months. India, meanwhile, under threat of more U.S. tariffs, curbed its intake of Russian crude last month, which brought the total to the lowest amount since the G7 imposition of a price cap on Russian oil shipments insured at Western companies. According to a Reuters calculation from mid-December, Russian oil flows to India remained rather resilient, at over 1 million barrels daily, the publication noted in a report at the time. This was, however, a sharp drop from a daily average of 1.77 million barrels for November. Exports of liquefied natural gas, meanwhile, rose to Europe. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Russian LNG purchases by France jumped by 18% in December, and purchases of Russian LNG by Spain went up by an even more robust 27%. All European Union members are bound by new legislation to cut off all imports of Russian LNG by the end of this year. As a result of these substantial hikes, total LNG exports last month booked a 16% on the month to the highest for 2025. Revenues from overall exports of liquefied natural gas from Russia rose by 13% in December, while revenues from crude oil exports fell by 12%, CREA said, noting the latter decline was driven by a 16% in revenues from seaborne exports specifically, on the back of a 12% in seaborne export volumes. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com DeSpain Calls Out Unhinged, Politicized Reactions to Portland, Minneapolis Shootings by Rep. Hoyle, Others for Promoting Anarchy, Interference with Federal Officers By Monique DeSpain campaign Stands With Law Enforcement, Urges Making Communities Safe and Livable Top Priority Eugene, OR This weekend, Oregons 4th Congressional District candidate, retired Air Force Colonel Monique DeSpain, responded to the reactions issued by Congresswoman Val Hoyle and other Oregon politicians to the recent shootings for being reckless and promoting anarchy and interference with federal officers. Recent statements from Congresswoman Val Hoyle, Governor Tina Kotek, and Oregons U.S. Senators reflect a disturbing lack of responsibility at a moment when Oregonians are demanding safety, accountability, and honesty from their leaders, said Monique DeSpain. Instead of waiting for the facts, they rushed to the cameras with unhinged, politicized rhetoric that spread misinformation about events in Minneapolis and Portland, undermined the rule of law, and attacked federal law enforcement for carrying out their sworn duties to protect us. Congresswoman Val Hoyle posted a video statement on Wednesday, accusing law enforcement of murder and lying about it after a protester was shot in Minneapolis during an incident in which the protester allegedly tried to ram an ICE officer with an SUV. Hoyle posted again on Thursday, after ICE officers in Portland shot and wounded two illegal immigrants reportedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang who allegedly attempted to ram officers while being apprehended. Several other Oregon officials made similar statements, including calls for ICE to cease arresting dangerous illegal aliens in Portland. DeSpain cited Hoyles past comments as part of a pattern of undermining law enforcement and public safety in Eugene in her guest column published recently in Lookout Eugene-Springfield. Federal officers have a sworn duty to protect our communities. When they face lethal, intentional vehicle attacks and take known dangerous actors into custody, they should not be condemned for defending themselves and enforcing the law. The reckless statements weve seen from Oregons top officials have done real damagefueling mistrust, promoting anarchy, and inciting unlawful interference that puts officers and the public at greater risk, added DeSpain. Leadership should bring people together around facts, solutions, and the rule of lawnot inflame division or legitimize obstruction. The threats facing Oregon are not abstract or political talking points. Gang violence, drug and human trafficking, weapons trafficking, organized theft, burglary, and repeat offenders are real problems harming families across Oregon and throughout the Fourth District. Oregonians have had enough. Real leadership tells the truth, prioritizes lasting solutions that keep communities safe and livable, and supports law enforcement with both words and action. I stand firmly with local, state, and federal law enforcement. And I am proud to step forward as a clear, consistent voice for law-abiding Oregonians, stated DeSpain. While others refuse to lead, I am willing to stand up, speak plainly, and act with courage. Oregonians deserve leadership that protects its citizensincluding our men and women in uniformand I will not back down from that responsibility. By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com #1. At the Portland ICE building rioters put up name and addresses of ICE agents. AVENGE RENEE GOOD! Antifa and far-left extremists in Portland, Ore. are pasting flyers around the city showing the face, spouse, house, name and home address of a lesbian woman they say is an ICE agent. The flyers urge comrades to be bold in taking direct action to avenge pic.twitter.com/5ebjNQtCEb Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 12, 2026 #2. Portland Police Chief Bob Day cried at unusual moment. He cried at the moment he announced that the suspects who are charged with ramming their car at Border Agents have ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. He wept as he said This information, in no way, is meant to disparage or to condone or support or agree with any of the actions that occurred yesterday, #3. Gang suspect who tried to ram law enforcement vehicles have a long criminal record. KATU-TV reports, First case happened july 7th. The FBI says two men paid Zambrano Contreras to come to their apartment in Washington County for sex. Court records say the men held her against her will. Then she left without her money and belonged. Investigators say Zambrano confirms, went back to that apartment with at least two men who shot at the men in the apartment who hired Zambrano Contreras. Then there was a second shooting on July 11th in Northeast Portland. The victim in that Portland shooting told police the people who shot him were connected to Tren de Aragua. Police collected shell casings at both scenes and say they were fired from the same gun. On august 19th, police detained both Zambrano Contreras and Luis Nino Moncada while serving a search warrant in the prostitute investigation. The Washington County DAs office referred the case to federal law enforcement. That all appears to have led to the immigration enforcement operation last Thursday. The passionate businessman and philanthropist discusses the historic bid, the strategic choice of Sialkot, plans to inject an Australian high-performance culture, and his mission to elevate the league's international profile and much more. In this exclusive interview, Kamil Khan, head of the Oz Consortium and new co-owner of the Sialkot PSL franchise, spoke with Saj and talked about the ambitious vision behind his entry into the Pakistan Super League.The passionate businessman and philanthropist discusses the historic bid, the strategic choice of Sialkot, plans to inject an Australian high-performance culture, and his mission to elevate the league's international profile and much more. By Saj Sadiq (January 13, 2026) Key topics include: Franchise Vision: He spoke about bringing a distinct Australian influence to the Sialkot team to introduce a high-performance culture within the PSL. Why Sialkot? He stated that Sialkot was chosen for its rich sports heritage and business infrastructure, including a private airport and airline, making it a fitting location for a cricket team. The People's Team: He expressed the intention to create a franchise that resonates with the local fans, highlighting the importance of community support. PSL's Growth: He highlighted that the PSL is expanding internationally, marked by foreign ownership and a growing global footprint beyond Pakistan. Winning Ambition: He conveyed a strong desire to compete effectively, aiming for the team to make a mark in the finals during its inaugural season. National Pride: He conveyed that owning and managing the franchise is a meaningful way to serve Pakistan and promote national pride. Watch the full interview with Saj here: https://youtu.be/z-AaDtKoF3Y?si=0d2kKysaRYbBPlJP " " After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, state abortion laws stand alone. Ben Von Klemperer / Shutterstock Abortion-friendly states are where abortion access is protected by law after the Supreme Court overturned Roe. Since the Supreme Courts decision removed federal law protections, abortion laws now depend almost entirely on state law. Some states moved to ban abortion through trigger laws, while others acted quickly to enshrine abortion rights in statutes or state constitutions. 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: Rita Triebskorn and Heinz Kohler working with the AI-based BCFpro program, which theoretically determines the bioconcentration factor (BCF) in relation to chemicals in fish. Credit: H. Kohler/R. Triebskorn The bioconcentration factor shows the concentration of chemical substances in fish as compared to the surrounding water. It is the standard measure for determining the bioaccumulation of chemicals in the environment. Until now, it was assumed that this factor, BCF for short, was a constant for each specific substance. Now, an interdisciplinary research team led by Professor Heinz Kohler from the Institute of Evolution and Ecology at the University of Tubingen has revealed that this is not the case and that the bioconcentration factor varies depending on the particular concentration used in the test. This discovery casts doubt on the bioaccumulation data used for the EU's licensing procedure for more than half of the chemicals that potentially accumulate in fish. Therefore, the research team has developed an artificial intelligence tool that enables researchers to assess the bioaccumulating properties of substances with a very high degree of certainty. This tool is being made available free of charge. The team has published their results in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. The concentration of chemical substances in the food chain is problematic, especially as it also affects humans. "Concentrations can build up massively in the human body. And whether a substance is harmful often only becomes clear after a long time," says Heinz Kohler. The bioconcentration factor in fish is used worldwide as a key benchmark for assessing the risk of chemicals, in order to standardize data on bioaccumulation in animals. "Contrary to what was previously thoughtand practicedthe factor does not provide a criterion that is specific to each chemical," Kohler says. "If the test concentration for the surrounding water body is high, this in almost all cases delivers a lower BCF, and vice versa with a low test concentration. Our team has proven this mathematically and explained it physiologically." This effect had not previously been notedor at least it had not previously been mentioned anywhere in the world in any chemical hazard classification regulations, according to Kohler. The team at the University of Tubingen headed by Heinz Kohler and Professor Rita Triebskorn, also co-author of the study, reached these findings together with their cooperation partners from the German Federal Environment Agency and the Universities of Yale and Athens by evaluating thousands of studies into chemical tests that assessed the bioconcentration factor. Processing complex information efficiently In its next step, the team used deep learning, an AI machine learning method, to develop a program that can predict experimental data on the bioconcentration factor with 90% certainty. Deep learning uses artificial networkssimilar to the networked neurons in a brainto process complex datasets and extract interesting patterns and features from the data. The method is used to process complex information efficiently. "We can also use our tool to describe especially critical values for the chemicals with worst-case scenarios, that is, instances when the chemicals would bioaccumulate particularly severely," says Kohler. The team reached the same result as the old method for substances that are categorized as bioaccumulating in the EU in approx. 90% of cases. "However, when we used our tool to review the chemicals that have until now been categorized as not accumulating dangerously in animals, we reached an alarming result: more than 60% of the substances that should have been identified as bioaccumulating were not categorized as such with the established method." Those test conditions had been selected so that the result reflected a bioconcentration factor that was too low for worst-case conditions. "Our meta-study showed how important it is to conduct the chemical tests on the bioconcentration factor in fish under conditions that are relevant to the environment. This is the only way we can obtain realistic values for risk assessment," says the researcher. In order to ensure standardized and reliable categorization of chemicals, the research team is making the new AI tool, BCFpro, generally available free of charge. Since BCFpro can also very reliably predict how future new chemical developments bioaccumulate, this computer-based method offers a massive potential for reducing animal testing. "Research must also focus on practice, challenge and examine it. That's what this study does. In this way, University of Tubingen researchers are helping to improve ecotoxicological methods and thus promote both environmental safety and animal welfare," says Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. (Doshisha) Karla Pollmann, president of the University of Tubingen. Publication details Heinz-R. Kohler et al, By integrating previously overlooked drivers AI boosts bioaccumulation assessment in fish, Journal of Hazardous Materials (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140648 Journal information: Journal of Hazardous Materials Key concepts bioaccumulation 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: New research shows that diverse populations of organisms can persist in the soil despite harsh and extremely dry conditions. Credit: Jan Voelkel - University of Cologne A new study shows that resilient and remarkably diverse populations of organisms can persist in the soil despite harsh and extremely dry conditions. An international team led by researchers from the University of Cologne, has examined tiny nematodes in the Chilean Atacama Desert. Along with the polar regions, the Atacama Desert is considered one among the most arid regions in the world. Lack of rainfall, high salt content in the soil, and extreme temperature fluctuations make it one of the most hostile places on Earth. The interdisciplinary team with researchers from the fields of zoology, ecology and botany demonstrated the strategies used by different nematodes to survive under these conditions. The study "Geographic distribution of nematodes in the Atacama is associated with elevation, climate gradients and parthenogenesis" was published in Nature Communications and sheds new light on the links between patterns of biodiversity and the environmental parameters that define a landscape. Nematodes are one of the most common soil organisms with a large number of species. They play a central role within the ecosystem because they regulate bacteria populations, contribute to the nutrient cycle, and are important indicators of soil condition. Their versatility is also evident in their ability to adapt: nematodes survive in the deep sea, in Arctic regions, and even in extremely salty soils. "Soils are important for the performance of an ecosystem, for example for carbon storage and nutrient supply. This is why understanding the organisms, i.e. not microbes, but multicellular animals, that live there is so important," says Dr. Philipp Schiffer from the University of Cologne's Institute of Zoology and one of the authors of the study. "Data on soils in extreme ecosystems such as the Atacama Desert is still scarce." Location and ecological context of the Atacama Desert. Credit: Nature Communications (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67117-5 The research team is part of the Collaborative Research Center 1211 EarthEvolution at the Dry Limit, which has been working in the Atacama for many years. For this study, they selected six regions of the Atacama with different conditions for the analysis, including more humid highlands with vegetation, saline regions with high UV radiation, and foggy oases that boast a surprising variety of plants given the prevailing conditions. They took samples from sand dunes, salt lakes, river beds and mountains, and evaluated them in relation to biodiversity, reproduction strategies and the population structure of the nematodes. The results reveal significant differences: at higher altitudes, the soil contains types of nematodes that reproduce asexually. This supports a previously unconfirmed theory that asexuality is advantageous under extreme conditions. The variety in terms of types also correlates to the water profile: as precipitation increases, so does biodiversity. Differences in temperature are also a decisive factor for the composition of the populations. The results of the study show that resilient soil ecosystems can exist despite extreme conditions and in very remote locations. This indicates that biodiversity in other arid regions may be higher than previously assumed. On the other hand, the findings also provide warning signals: "In some of the examined regions, simplified food webs indicate that these ecosystems are already damaged and may therefore be more susceptible to disruptions." "In light of increasing global aridity, which is affecting more and more regions worldwide, these results are becoming increasingly relevant. Understanding how organisms adapt in extreme environments and which environmental parameters cause them to spread can help to improve estimation of the ecological consequences of climate change," says Schiffer. The results suggest that macroecological patterns such as precipitation gradient or the significant role of altitude can be identified in regions with extreme conditions and also at the genetic level. The study thus represents an important step toward better assessing the responses of soil organisms to environmental changes worldwide. Publication details Geographic distribution of nematodes in the Atacama is associated with elevation, climate gradients and parthenogenesis, Nature Communications (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67117-5 Journal information: Nature Communications 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: Head and neck rendering (VGSTUDIO MAX) of the monitor lizard Varanus rosenbergi WAM R95408 with soft tissue present (right) and absent with exposed osteoderms and endoskeleton (left). Note the loose osteoderm arrangement in the skin. Credit: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (2026). DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaf129 Our bones did not begin deep inside the body. They started in the skin, not long after the first complex animals took shape. Ever since, skin bones have remained a recurring motif in evolution. Yet we still know surprisingly little about them. Why do they keep reappearing in groups as varied as turtles, crocodiles, lizards, snakes and even dinosaurs? And was there a single ancestor with skin bones that gave rise to them all? In a new study published in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, we explored this question. We combined fossil evidence with modern computational tools to reconstruct 320 million years of reptile skin bone evolution. What we found concludes a centuries-long debate: Skin bones have indeed independently evolved across multiple lizard lineages. In the process, we also traced a unique evolutionary comeback in one of their most iconic groupsgoannas. When bones were superficial The oldest skin bones in the fossil record may date back 475 million years. At that time, some of the earliest vertebrates evolved an elaborate bony exoskeleton. This may seem counterintuitive, since vertebrates are literally defined by the fact that they have backbones. However, their bony internal skeleton didn't evolve until 50 million years later. Throughout evolutionary history, the skin's ability to form bony tissue has resurfaced again and again. Fish scales are one example. The fossil record reveals a rich diversity of bony armour plates. Credit: Stegosaurus dorsal plate by Tim Evanson (2013) via Wikimedia Commons. CT data provided by Joseph Groenke (2025, UA 8679), Edward Stanley (2024, GRS 51036), Matthew Colbert and Jessie Maisano (2019, TMM 45888-1), and Jessie Maisano and Richard Ketcham (1999, TMM 40635-230), via MorphoSource and DigiMorph Another example is osteodermsthe skin bones of land-dwelling animals. After they left the water in the distant past, osteoderms may have helped animals adapt to terrestrial life. Beyond that, the picture becomes less clear. Osteoderms vanished in most lineages, yet they kept reappearing, especially in reptiles. To understand how this happened, we needed to piece together a complex evolutionary puzzle. A story told by bones Imagine arriving at the scene of a bank robbery long after it happened. There's no perfect witness. You speak to dozens of peopleone saw the getaway car, another noticed the robber's jacket. Someone else heard the alarm. Each story is incomplete, and some even contradict one another. But as you collect more accounts, certain details begin to align. Eventually, a coherent picture emerges. That is how we approached the mystery of skin bones in reptiles. Our witnesses were 643 living and extinct species. Each was related to the others in some way and offered a unique perspective. We kept investigating until their stories began to converge. While skin bone plates are well studied in crocodylians (shown here in a gharial, in purple), their presence in lizards and snakes has long remained poorly understood. Credit: CT data provided by Jaimi Gray (2022, UF 33421) via MorphoSource. We found that most lizards first evolved osteoderms during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, more than 100 million years ago. At that time, some of the most iconic dinosaurs roamed Earth, including the towering Brachiosaurus, the fierce Allosaurus, and the plate-backed Stegosaurus. The climate and ecosystems were changing rapidly, creating new challenges and opportunities. Armor may have helped lizards survive predators, cope with harsh environments, or move into new habitats. After those early bursts of osteoderm evolution, the pace slowed, and most groups have held onto their skin bones ever since, with one major exception. 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 goanna comeback The ancestors of monitor lizards, also known in Australia as goannas, lost osteoderms entirelylikely because their active lifestyle and efficient bodies functioned better without the additional weight. Although they look similar, the shingleback lizard (top) and the beaded lizard (bottom) did not inherit their striking bony skin armour (purple) from a shared ancestor. Credit: CT data provided by Edward Stanley (2018, 2022, UF 87304, UF 153328) via MorphoSource But when their descendants reached Australia about 20 million years ago, something remarkable happened: They grew them back. We can pinpoint this re-evolution to the Miocene period, when Australia's climate was becoming drier. Skin bones may have helped reduce water loss and likely offered protection in open, arid landscapes. Strikingly, goannas are the only known lizard lineage to reacquire osteoderms after losing them. This challenges Dollo's law, which holds that once a complex trait disappears, it cannot re-evolve. Settling a century-old debate Early in the 20th century, researchers assumed lizards inherited osteoderms from a common ancestor. Later, that view gave way to the idea that these bone plates evolved independently between select groups. Debates about the underlying evolutionary mechanisms followed, even at the molecular level, but these discussions raced ahead without anchoring the origin of osteoderms in a clear evolutionary timeline leading to today's reptiles. Including these glass lizards, several distantly related worm lizards have skin bone plates covering their bodies. We now know these evolved independently. Credit: CT data provided by Sydney Decker (2025, CMC 27120, OSUM R685) via MorphoSource Our study provides this foundation, and we're proud that it's been published in the same journal in which Charles Darwin first shared his groundbreaking ideas. In many ways, our work is a synthesis of past and present. Fossil evidence helped us resolve a longstanding question, but only modern computing made it possible to narrow thousands of evolutionary scenarios, each informed by trait data for hundreds of species, into a single, coherent story. The evidence is clear: Osteoderms evolved multiple times, independently, across different lizard lineages over hundreds of millions of years. Now that we know this, scientists will be able to investigate the genetic and developmental mechanisms behind them. Among lizards, goannas stand out as the only lineage known to have lost this armor, only to regain it in a remarkable evolutionary twist. This pattern fits seamlessly among other evolutionary oddities found in Australia, where marsupials reign and mammals lay eggs. It also shows that evolution rarely follows a straight path, instead meandering through the ever-changing conditions on our planet. More information Roy Ebel et al, Lizards in chain mail: reconstructing the enigmatic past of dermal armour in squamate reptiles, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (2026). DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaf129 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: Terahertz emission from tellurium in an external magnetic field. Credit: Nature Physics (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-03145-8 Researchers from The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have reported the first observation of a dynamic magnetochiral instability in a solid-state material. Their findings, published in Nature Physics, bridge ideas from nuclear and high-energy physics with materials science and condensed matter physics to explain how the interplay between symmetry and magnetism can amplify electromagnetic waves. Understanding chirality and nonlinear effects A material's behavior is heavily influenced by its symmetries. One unique symmetry of interest to many physicists is chirality. Chiral materials have non-superimposable mirror images, like a right and left hand. For physicists like Fahad Mahmood, Rafael Fernandes and Jorge Noronha, the nonlinear interaction between chiral materials and light is of particular interest. How do these materials respond when light triggers effects beyond the straightforward, linear response? "If I have a shiny crystal and I put a red laser on it, I'll get red light back; that's a linear response, as the frequenciesor colorsof the incoming and outgoing light are the same," Mahmood said. "You can go a little further and try to excite some frequency so that it sends back a different color: you put red light on something, and it shines back as green, blue or yellow. That's nonlinear response." Experimental discovery in tellurium Physicists have known about nonlinearity for more than a century, but the Illinois Grainger trio is the first to examine this response in chiral materials subjected to an external magnetic field. Using Mahmood's existing setup of terahertz spectroscopy at low temperatures, the team examined tellurium, a known chiral material. To their surprise, ultrafast laser pulses directed at the material revealed amplification at certain frequencies. In other words, the outgoing terahertz signal grew as a function of time. "This result is interesting because the amplification doesn't happen at all frequencies," Fernandes said. "It's like when you sing at a loud enough frequency and the glass starts to vibrate. But this glass is going to sing back to you, and louder. It's a very unusual phenomenon and it only happens when you apply the magnetic field." Explaining the magnetochiral instability Noting that the unique effect resulted from a dynamic interaction between the magnetic fields, light waves, and tellurium's chiral structure, the group then borrowed principles from fundamental physics to explain their observation. "Electrons in a chiral material have a preferred way of movingtheir spin is coupled to their movement," Noronha said. "The magnetic field is reinforcing that movement along a certain direction, and that's what we call this instability: it makes things spin faster. And we saw this not as a fundamental particle property, but as some emergent property in a materialthat the material itself has this handedness that the electron inherits from the (tellurium) crystal." Although similar behavior may have occurred in extreme environments in the early universe, or in the tiny droplets of quark-gluon matter formed during the ultrafast collision of heavy nuclei, this is the first known observation of such an effect in materials, suggesting that fundamental instabilities once thought to exist only in exotic systems can also occur in everyday systems consisting of electrons and atoms. The Illinois scientists believe their findings may eventually be used to develop new methods of controlling light and energy in chiral materials. But most importantly, they view their work as an example of what's possible through collaboration. This research reflects a rare cross-disciplinary effort, combining the expertise of Mahmood in condensed-matter experiments with Fernandes's condensed-matter theory and Noronha's background in nuclear physics theory. "The training, techniques, and language are very different across different branches of physics, and it's not that common for the different branches to talk to each other," Noronha said. "But Illinois has a long history of bringing these disciplines together, and we are very happy to be carrying forward that tradition." Yijing Huang, a former IQUIST postdoctoral fellow, and Nick Abboud, an Illinois Physics graduate student, also contributed significantly to this work. 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 new study into one of the world's most popular tobacco leaf production processes has revealed its particularly damaging harms to the environment and how it impacts farmers' lives in Zimbabwe. Published today, research by the Tobacco Control Research Group, part of the University of Bath's Center for 21st Century Public Health, highlights the outcomes of flue-cured Virginia tobacco production, including the destruction of 60,000 hectares of Miombo woodland each year, and an economic context that prevents farmers from diversifying into less damaging crops or production methods. The study is published in the journal Tobacco Control. A damaging production process Flue-cured Virginia tobacco (FCV) is used in cigarettes and other tobacco products sold worldwide. Harvested leaves are hung in a curing barn, which is heated for several days. This procedure is the endpoint of a production process producing leaves high in sugar and with low levels of nicotine, desirable to the tobacco industry. Lead author of the study, Dr. Rosemary Hiscock, a Research Associate in the University of Bath's Department for Health, says governments and public health organizations should consider measures to restrict the use of FCV, similar to existing restrictions on other tobacco product components such as flavor additives. She says, "Flue-cured Virginia tobacco has several clear negative consequences. Huge areas of Miombo woodland, the world's largest dry tropical forest with a particularly rich ecosystem, are cut down each year to fuel the curing process, contributing to climate change. "Most farmers are smallholders who can only afford to produce tobacco by being contracted to tobacco buying companies. These companies give them loans so they can buy agrochemicals that FCV production relies on, but the contract means they only sell back to the company that they have a contract with. The company therefore controls the prices as there is no competition. "They pay farmers enough to discourage them from attempting to diversify into other crops, but too little for farmers to have the capacity to protect Miombo woodland or even successfully grow replacement seedlings. "Major tobacco companies provide glossy brochures depicting supposed sustainable production. However, on the ground, these activities don't seem to be reaching many of the poorest tobacco farmers." Contextualising tobacco leaf. Credit: Tobacco Control (2026). DOI: 10.1136/tc-2025-059570 Zimbabwe is among the world's top producers of FCVthe product accounted for 99.95% of the nation's tobacco leaf exports. These exports are worth around $1 billion USD, more than 2% of the nation's GDP. Co-author Dr. Michael Bloomfield from the Center of Development Studies explains, "Tobacco companies in countries like the US and China increasingly offshore flue curing to low- and middle-income countries like Zimbabwe, with less strict oversight, effectively outsourcing deforestation." Protecting the environment and farmer diversification are addressed in the international tobacco control treaty (The WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control) under Articles 18 and 19. 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. Dr. Bloomfield adds, "Global support is required for building up alternative crops and markets. A stable market for other crops would help farmers take the risk of switching. Reafforestation efforts should be targeted to compensate for legitimate uses of wood rather than, in effect, supporting the continuation of the production of tobacco products which kill one in two long term users." The researchers suggest interventions to reduce demand for FCV should be considered in line with treaty Articles 9 and 10 which cover tobacco product content. Dr. Hiscock concludes, "People who use tobacco products should be informed of the different leaves and the consequences of their production methods in the products they're buying, and the damage they are doing to the environment." Previous work carried out by the University of Bath investigating tobacco supply includes its award-winning documentary Tobacco Slave. This documentary explores the exploitation of tobacco farmers in Malawi and the connections between present day tobacco farming and harmful colonial practices of the past. The Tobacco Control Research Group also publishes and maintains the Tobacco Supply Chain Database, a tool containing information on the what the tobacco supply chain is, where it is located and who is involved. Publication details Rosemary Hiscock et al, Flue-cured tobacco in Zimbabwe: a particularly harmful commodity requiring the attention of tobacco control, Tobacco Control (2026). DOI: 10.1136/tc-2025-059570 Journal information: Tobacco Control 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 earthquake in Myanmar was among the costliest natural disasters in 2025, according to Munich Re. Natural disaster losses worldwide dropped sharply to $224 billion in 2025, reinsurer Munich Re said Tuesday, but warned of a still "alarming" picture of extreme weather events likely driven by climate change. The figure was down nearly 40% from a year earlier, in part because no hurricane struck the US mainland for the first time in several years. Nevertheless, "the big picture was alarming with regard to floods, severe... storms and wildfires in 2025", said Munich Re, a Germany-based provider of insurance for the insurance industry. The costliest disaster of the year came in the form of Los Angeles wildfires in January, with total losses of $53 billion and insured losses of around $40 billion, Munich Re said in its annual disaster report. It was striking how many extreme events were likely influenced by climate change in 2025 and it was just chance that the world was spared potentially higher losses, according to the group. "The planet has a fever, and as a result we are seeing a cluster of severe and intense weather events," Tobias Grimm, Munich Re's chief climate scientist, told AFP. The Los Angeles wildfires were the costliest natural disasters of 2025, according to Munich Re. Last month Swiss Re, another top player in the reinsurance industry, also reported a hefty drop for 2025, putting total losses at $220 billion. According to Munich Re's report, insured losses for 2025 came in at $108 billion, also sharply down on last year. Around 17,200 lives were lost in natural disasters worldwide, significantly higher than about 11,000 in 2024, but below the 10-year average of 17,800, it said. Grimm said 2025 was a year with "two faces". "The first half of the year was the costliest loss period the insurance industry has ever experienced," he saidbut the second half saw the lowest losses in a decade. LA wildfires, Myanmar quake It is now the cumulative costs of smaller-scale disasterslike local floods and forest firesthat are having the greatest impact. Losses from these events amounted to $166 billion last year, according to Munich Re. After the LA wildfires, the costliest disaster of the year was a devastating earthquake that hit Myanmar in March, which is estimated to have caused $12 billion in losses, only a small share of which was insured. Damaged buildings in Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Tropical cyclones caused around $37 billion in losses. Jamaica was battered by Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest hurricanes ever to make landfall, generating losses of around $9.8 billion. By region, the United States' total losses amounted to $118 billion, $88 billion of which was insuredaround the same as an estimate of $115 billion total losses from US nonprofit Climate Central. The Asia-Pacific region had losses of about $73 billionbut only $9 billion was insured, according to the report. Australia had its second most expensive year in terms of overall losses from natural disasters since 1980 due to a series of severe storms and flooding. Europe saw losses of $11 billion. Natural disasters in Africa led to losses of $3 billion, less than a fifth of which was insured. The report comes at a time when skepticism towards green policies is growing, particularly since the return to power of US President Donald Trump, who derides climate science as a "hoax". But Grimm warned that Earth "continues to warm". "More heat means more humidity, stronger rainfall, and higher wind speedsclimate change is already contributing to extreme weather," he said. Key concepts hazards 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: A screenshot of the SETI@home user interface on a desktop computer in 2009. The software ran on millions of home computers worldwide, analyzing radio data from space in search of signals from extraterrestrial civilizations. Credit: Robert Sanders/UC Berkeley For 21 years, between 1999 and 2020, millions of people worldwide loaned UC Berkeley scientists their computers to search for signs of advanced civilizations in our galaxy. The projectcalled SETI@home, after the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)generated a loyal following eager to participate in one of the most popular crowd-sourced projects in the early days of the internet. They downloaded the SETI@home software to their home computers and allowed it to analyze data recorded at the now-defunct Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico to find unusual radio signals from space. All told, these computations produced 12 billion detections"momentary blips of energy at a particular frequency coming from a particular point in the sky," according to computer scientist and project co-founder David Anderson. After 10 years of work, the SETI@home team has now finished analyzing those detections, winnowing them down to about a million "candidate" signals and then to 100 that are worth a second look. They have been pointing China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope, a radio telescope referred to as FAST, at these targets since July, hoping to see the signals again. Though the FAST data are not yet analyzed, Anderson admits he doesn't expect to find a signal from ET. But the results of the SETI@home projectpresented in two papers published last year in The Astronomical Journalprovide lessons for future searches and point to potential flaws in ongoing searches. "If we don't find ET, what we can say is that we established a new sensitivity level. If there were a signal above a certain power, we would have found it," he said. "Some of our conclusions are that the project didn't completely work the way we thought it was going to. And we have a long list of things that we would have done differently and that future sky survey projects should do differently." According to astronomer and SETI@home project director Eric Korpela, searches like SETI@home will inevitably turn up billions of possible signals. The challenge for researchers is to develop algorithms to cull the spurious signals caused by noise or radio interference without eliminating actual beacons from a distant civilization. Radio frequency interference, or RFI, comes not only from satellites orbiting Earth and scattered throughout the solar system, but from radio and TV broadcasts and even microwave ovens. "There's no way that you can do a full investigation of every possible signal that you detect, because doing that still requires a person and eyeballs," he said. "We have to do a better job of measuring what we're excluding. Are we throwing out the baby with the bath water? I don't think we know about most SETI searches, and that is really a lesson for SETI searches everywhere." Anderson and Korpela addressed that issue by inserting some 3,000 fake signalscalled birdiesinto their data pipeline before combing through it to eliminate the RFI and noise. They blinded themselves to the nature of these fake signals, and calculated their sensitivity based on the signal power of the birdies they were able to detect. 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. Korpela pointed out that nearly all searches today assume a civilization would put lots of power into a narrow frequency band to get the attention of other civilizations, then send information or data through an adjacent broadband frequency. To increase the chances of being detected, the beacon should be around a frequency at which astronomers would be observing the universe, Korpela saidmost likely around the radio wavelength of 21 centimeters, which is used to map hydrogen gas in the galaxy. "This powerful narrow-band beacon would be something that's easy to detect. Then, once someone had detected that, they would dedicate more observing to try and find signals near it in frequency that might be lower power and wider band that contain information," Korpela said. "If we saw an extraterrestrial narrowband signal somewhere, we would probably have every telescope, radio telescope and optical telescope available pointing at that point on the sky, searching in all frequencies for anything else. So far we haven't had that. If we had, I think we would all know about it." Despite its failure to find ET, was SETI@home a success? "I'd say it went way, way, way beyond our initial expectations," Anderson said. "When we were designing SETI@home, we tried to decide whether it was worth doing, whether we'd get enough computing power to actually do new science.Our calculations were based on getting 50,000 volunteers. Pretty quickly, we had a million volunteers. It was kind of cool, and I would like to let that community and the world know that we actually did some science." David Anderson, co-founder of SETI@home, discusses the distributed computing project in 2003. Credit: Robert Sanders/UC Berkeley Distributed computing When Anderson first began working on SETI@home in the mid-1990s, he was teaching computer science at UC Berkeley and conducting research in distributed computingbreaking down large and complex problems into chunks that could be handled by smaller computers. This was a workaround for people who didn't have access to a supercomputer. A UC Berkeley computer science graduate and former student of Anderson's, David Gedye, suggested that the growing network of home computers could be tapped through distributed computing to analyze signals from radio telescopes in search of unusual patterns produced by an advanced civilizationwhat's known today as a technosignature. Anderson subsequently teamed up with Korpela and UC Berkeley electrical engineer and astronomer Dan Werthimer, and together they launched SETI@home in 1999. Within days, 200,000 people from more than 100 countries had downloaded the software. A year later, it had 2 million users. The data came from the 300-meter Arecibo radio telescope. It was recorded passively as other astronomers pointed the radio dishat the time, the world's largestat different regions of the sky for study. This so-called commensal observing turned out to be very effective. Over the course of the project, each area of the sky visible from Puerto Ricoa third of the entire skywas observed 12 or more times, with some areas observed hundreds or even thousands of times. A panoramic view of the Arecibo radio telescope in 2019. At the time the worlds largest radio telescope, it was 1,000 feet across and built into a natural sinkhole near Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Radio signals captured during its astronomical studies were analyzed by millions of volunteers who were part of the SETI@home project. The radio dish was destroyed during a storm in 2020. Credit: Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz/Creative Commons "From Arecibo we covered most of the stars in the Milky Way, which is billions and billions," Anderson said. "We are, without doubt, the most sensitive narrow-band search of large portions of the sky, so we had the best chance of finding something," Korpela added. "So yeah, there's a little disappointment that we didn't see anything." Most current SETI searchesincluding the 10-year-old Breakthrough Listen projectare targeted searches rather than all-sky scans. That is, they look for technosignatures from specific nearby stars or more distant stars that have been found to harbor planets. The radio telescopes used, such as the Greenbank Telescope in West Virginia and the MeerKAT array in South Africa, are still only capable of detecting an Arecibo-sized transmitter relatively nearby, in galactic terms. "In order to probe farther distances, you need bigger telescopes and longer observing times," Korpela said. "It's always best if you are able to control the telescope for your project. We weren't able to control what the telescope was doing." The final analysis The software that Korpela developed for SETI@home took the radio data from Arecibofrequency, intensity, position in the skyand manipulated it mathematically in a process called a discrete Fourier transform, which breaks the frequencies into little bins. Since Earth is moving, as is any likely signal source, the software scanned the observations for frequency shifts, called Doppler drift. "We actually had to look at a whole range of possible drift ratestens of thousandsjust to make sure that we got all possibilities," Anderson said. "That multiplies the amount of computing power we need by 10,000. The fact that we had a million home computers available to us let us do that. No other radio SETI project has been able to do that." The 12 billion interesting signals these home computers identified had to be vetted, however, and Anderson admits that in the early years of SETI@home, they had not thought much about how to do that. "Until about 2016, we didn't really know what we were going to do with these detections that we'd accumulated," Anderson said. "We hadn't figured out how to do the whole second part of the analysis." The winnowing required a computing cluster with a large amount of storage and memory, which was provided by the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics in Hanover, Germany. The supercomputer allowed Anderson and Korpela to eliminate RFI and noise, reducing the billions of detections to a couple of million signal candidates"sets of detections that come from more or less the same place in the sky and at more or less the same frequency but possibly a lot of them spread out over time," Anderson said. Once they had ranked these by likelihood of being real, the top thousand had to be reviewed manually. Korpela and Werthimer worked to review the candidates and narrow the field to about 100. These are being targeted by FAST, each spot on the sky recorded for about 15 minutes. FAST has about eight times the collecting area of Arecibo. The final analysis of these signals is yet to come, Anderson said, but "these two papers are the important conclusions of SETI@home." Is a similar crowdsourced SETI project feasible today? Korpela thinks the answer is yes. The FAST telescope is already conducting a commensal survey. That data could be chunked and distributed to citizen scientists for analysis. Home computers could process this data on a platform for volunteer computing called BOINC, which Anderson created and continues to develop. BOINC is currently used by several crowd-sourced computing projects, including Rosetta@home, which calculates how proteins fold in 3D; Einstein@home, which analyzes data in search of pulsars; and LHC@home, which simulates particle collisions at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. Faster computers and faster internet speeds could allow analysis of much larger chunks of data than could SETI@home, which started during the era of slow, dial-up modems that made it laborious to download large amounts of data. "I think it still captures people's imagination to look for extraterrestrial intelligence," Korpela said. "I think that you could still get significantly more processing power than we used for SETI@home and process more data because of a wider internet bandwidth. The biggest issue with such a project is that it requires personnel, and personnel means salaries. It's not the cheapest way to do SETI." SETI@home was once operated by six people, but Korpela is the only paid staff member now, and he is semi-retired. But he sees crowd-sourced computing as an opportunity to better analyze SETI radio data using lessons from SETI@home. That could include a second look at all the SETI@home data. "In a world where I had the money, I would reanalyze it the right way, meaning I'd fix the mistakes that we made. And we did make some mistakes. These were conscious choices because of how fast computers were in 1999," Korpela said. "There's still the potential that ET is in that data and we missed it just by a hair." Publication details David P. Anderson et al, SETI@home: Data Analysis and Findings, The Astronomical Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/ade5ab E. J. Korpela et al, SETI@home: Data Acquisition and Front-end Processing*, The Astronomical Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/ade5a7 Journal information: Astronomical Journal Key concepts Search for extraterrestrial intelligence 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 On Jan. 9, The Environmental Protection Agency determined Colorado cannot order the closure of coal-fired power plants under the Clean Air Act, and, therefore, the agency will deny the state's plan to reduce the haze that clouds views at Rocky Mountain National Park and other federal lands. The move is part of the Trump administration's push to make sure no federal regulations stand in the way of restoring the coal industry and powering the electric grid with the fossil fuel, which pollutes the air with carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, soot and other chemicals that contribute to climate change and harm human health. Those coal emissions also help create a haze that dims visibility for people experiencing the outdoors, something that is important to Colorado's economy and state identity. Colorado is required to find ways to reduce that haze under the Clean Air Act. To do so, the state had proposed shuttering coal plantsa move that would also help meet its goal to eliminate almost all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The EPA signaled in July that it would at least partially deny Colorado's plan to reduce haze, but on Friday, it kicked the entire strategy back to the state for a rewrite. If Colorado declines to write a new plan, then the EPA could impose one on the state. Cyrus Western, administrator for EPA Region 8, which includes Colorado, said the state cannot shut down coal-fired power plants without consent from the utilities that run them, and, therefore, the mandate does not comply with the Clean Air Act. Because Colorado Springs Utilities wants to exclude its Ray D. Nixon Power Plant in Fountain from the state's closure plans, the EPA rejected Colorado's entire plan, he said. The plants are vital to supplying reliable and affordable electricity, and Colorado can still meet its requirements to reduce haze while keeping them open, Western said. "You do not have to shut these down to ensure the people in Colorado have clean air," he said. Michael Ogletree, senior director of state air quality programs at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said in an emailed statement that the EPA's decision will negatively impact Colorado's environment and the "majestic national parks and wilderness areas the program was designed to safeguard." The state's Air Pollution Control Division will review the EPA's decision and consider its next step, he said, noting that the state had not failed to meet its regional haze requirements. "Regardless of EPA's decision, Colorado will continue to lead," Ogletree said. "Coal plant retirement dates remain in state regulation, and many facilities have already closed or are on track to retire voluntarily because cleaner energy is more affordable and makes economic sense for consumers. Colorado has demonstrated that it is possible to protect public health, reduce pollution, and maintain a reliable energy system at the same time." Environmentalists disagreed with Western's assessment that Colorado can improve its mountain views while continuing to burn coal. 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. Jeremy Nichols, a senior advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, said the EPA is mistaken in its decision because Colorado had submitted a "landmark proposal" that would have benefited the state's open spaces, air quality and residents who need to breathe clean air. He said Western "is going to lie through his teeth and deny science." "It's beyond crooked how brazen they are in doing the bidding of the coal industry," Nichols said. "Obviously, a war has been declared against Colorado by the Trump administration and this is another continuation of it." Most utilities in the state have plans in place to retire their coal-burning plants and to transition to cleaner power sources such as solar, wind, batteries and natural gas. However, Colorado Springs Utilities told the Trump administration earlier this year that it needs to keep the Nixon plant open past its 2029 retirement date because its management is having difficulties finding resources for the transition to renewable energy. Xcel Energy last year received permission from the state to keep one coal-burning plant open longer because it needs to repair another, larger plant that is scheduled to close in 2030. The EPA will assist Colorado in creating a regional haze plan that fulfills all statutory requirements, an EPA news release said. Western said it was Colorado's business if it wants to mandate coal plant closures through state law, but the federal government would not allow the state to use the Clean Air Act as an option for doing so. The Trump administration is intent on keeping the state's coal plants burning through other means. On Dec. 30, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an emergency order to keep an aging coal-fired power plant in Craig operating even though it is broken, out of operation and was scheduled to be retired at the end of 2025. The order left Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association in a bind as it tries to figure out how to comply with the order and restart a broken, 45-year-old plant. Environmentalists and park conservationists oppose the EPA's plan to support the coal industry. Ulla Reeves, the National Park Conservation Association's clean air program director, previously told The Denver Post that the agency is undercutting Colorado's progress to clean its air. "Colorado had one of the strongest plans that we've seen in the entire country," Reeves said. "This is really turning that progress backwards. It's extremely concerning what the EPA is doing here and undercutting the state's authority." Key concepts coal resources 2026 MediaNews Group, Inc. 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new study in the Journal of Economic Geography has revealed that European "due diligence" laws designed to make multinational companies accountable for labor and environmental abuses are beginning to give a voice to some of the world's most vulnerable workers. Focusing on South Africa's wine industry, the researchled by Professor Matthew Alford from The University of Manchester's Alliance Manchester Business School, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Cape Town, University of Wurzburg and TIE Germanyfound that farm workers and local unions are using Germany's Supply Chain Due Diligence Act to push for better working conditions and corporate accountability. The 2023 law requires German companies to ensure human rights are respected throughout their global supply chainsfrom vineyards in the Western Cape, to supermarket shelves in Berlin. The research team discovered that South African trade unions and community organizations have started invoking this legislation to open direct talks with farm owners and European retailers. In one case, the Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU) used the new law to press a local wine farm to address dangerous working conditions. "Workers were suffering back injuries, lacked clean drinking water and were exposed to pesticides," said Dr. Alford. "By referencing the new German law, local organizers were able to secure regular meetings with managementsomething that hadn't happened beforeand win concrete improvements." These changes included safer equipment, better sanitation and running water for workers' homes. According to one union organizer interviewed for the study, "For many of the workers, it is the first time ever that they sat at the table and had a discussion with a white personin the beginning, the workers were a bit shy, but once they saw that the management would actually listen to them and even respond to their demands, they got very confident." The research also highlights how South African campaigners are using the same laws to challenge European chemical companies which export pesticides to the country that are banned in the EU. The Women on Farms Project has joined forces with German partners, including Oxfam Germany, to explore using the legislation to seek compensation and push for stricter oversight. The study demonstrates that the laws are opening up new possibilities for workers thousands of miles away from Europe to hold powerful companies to account, but it also shows how their effectiveness depends on awareness, solidarity and cross-border cooperation. It also warns that while Europe's new regulations hold promise, they are still at an early stage and risk being weakened by political pushback. More information Matthew Alford et al, Promise and pitfalls of mandatory due diligence for enhancing worker power in global value chains: the case of South African wine, Journal of Economic Geography (2026). DOI: 10.1093/jeg/lbaf048 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 from Pexels Happiness and well-being depend on how much volition, choice and control people feel they have over their lifetheir sense of autonomy. Researchers have acknowledged this connection, but there's been disagreement about whether it's universal or simply a reflection of the situation in wealthier, more individualistic countries. Understanding this nuance would help policymakers focus efforts to boost well-being where they matter most. New research from Finland's Aalto University has clarified how well-being is linked with autonomy, national wealth and the level of individualism in a culture. The researchers found that a sense of autonomy in one's life is universally important, but the link with happiness is stronger in wealthier and more individualistic countries. The study is published in the journal Social Indicators Research. "We found that autonomy is connected with well-being no matter what part of the world you look at, but there's also a cultural element," says Frank Martela, a philosopher and psychology researcher at Aalto University known for his expertise on Finland's happiness. "A sense of autonomy in your life matters more for well-being in rich, individualistic countries, like the Nordics, but it might be valued less in poorer countries where other factors are more pressing." Martela explains that the study brings clarity to a long-standing debate. "There have been two views on autonomy. There's a theory that autonomy is a universal human need, so it should be connected to well-being no matter the culture and individual preferences. Others have argued that autonomy is something especially valued in wealthy and individualist countries, while other needs are more important in other contexts. Our study basically shows that both are right." The researchers used per capita GDP (PPP) as the measure of a country's wealth. To measure autonomy and well-being, they used data from the World Values Survey, which interviewed nearly 100,000 people across 66 countries between 2017 and 2023. Well-being was evaluated based on the response to two questions, one about happiness and another about life satisfaction, and autonomy was based on "how much freedom of choice and control you feel you have over the way your life turns out." By analyzing all of these metrics together, the team could study whether national wealth influences the relationship between autonomy and well-being. Determining the level of individualism or collectivism in a country wasn't so simple. Research into the link between individualism and well-being has produced inconsistent results, largely because of issues with the metrics of individualism/collectivism. That's why the team used a recently developed metric called the Global Collectivism Index. "Other metrics include things like good physical working conditions, which at face value have nothing to do with collectivism. The GCI focuses more on behavioral indicators of collectivism that can be objectively measured," explains Martela. For example, the index measure factors like shared transportation or shared households. "It's also not perfectthere's room for even more accurate measuresbut it's the best we've got right now." This new, more nuanced understanding can provide better guidance to help policymakers improve well-being. "Because both autonomy and national wealth seem to be important predictors of well-being, the best advice depends a bit on the state of the country. If a country is very poor, then increasing the national wealth tends to be a good way of increasing well-beingespecially if this gain in wealth is fairly distributed," says Martela. "But the richer a nation becomes, the more it should pay attention to autonomy." Martela points out that people's sense of autonomy isn't just a question of government oppression and legal freedoms. "Even work life can be something where people experience more or less autonomy," he says. "Since we know autonomy is a basic need, we should consider how we can support it on different levels and through different institutions in our societies." Publication details Frank Martela et al, Autonomy is Associated with Well-being Across the World, but more Strongly in Wealthy and Individualistic Countries, Social Indicators Research (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11205-025-03762-z Journal information: Social Indicators Research This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Kleptocratic "ecosystems" should be seen as transnational enterprises and national security threats, with the recovery of assets legally linked not only to the individual criminal acts but to the systemic harm caused to national security and democracy, experts have warned. The paper argues that work should pivot away from just confiscating the wealth of individual actors to focusing on disrupting entire kleptocratic networksa conceptual and legal shift that would allow networks themselves to be treated as illegal entities. Over time, this shift would strengthen the UK's capacity to recover stolen or corruptly acquired assets, hold professional enablers accountable, and demonstrate genuine leadership in global anti-corruption efforts. The study says that despite innovative new legislation, the UK's track record in confiscating wealth derived from kleptocracy remains weak. The country continues to function as a safe haven for stolen wealth, undermining its credibility as a rule-of-law jurisdiction and creating risks for both national and international security. A focus on kleptocratic networks and treating them in the same way as organized crime could encourage intelligence-sharing between UK agencies and international partners to trace asset flows across borders. It could also encourage cooperation with financial institutions and the private sector, who will have unique insight into illicit networks. But it requires investigative capacity and skills, and more robust public-private partnerships and real-time information exchange mechanisms. A formal kleptocratic "impact threshold" akin to the "threat level" system used in counter-terrorism could be developed, shifting the focus from historic criminal acts to the present day societal and security impact of kleptocratic enterprises. The existence of a kleptocratic network, or the identification of "systemic impact" would activate work to recover assets. "The Kleptocratic Enterprise: lessons from organised crime to target transnational corruption and strengthen asset recovery in the UK" is authored by Maria Nizzero, John Heathershaw and Tom Mayne from the University of Exeter, produced under the research project "Identifying Enabler Networks and their Vulnerabilities." This study draws on research conducted under the Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) program hosted by the Center for the Study of Corruption, which generates actionable evidence that policymakers, practitioners and advocates can use to design and implement more effective anti-corruption initiatives. Dr. Nizzero said, "The UK is not powerless in terms of legislation available, but there is a current failure to understand modern kleptocracy. It is systemic, transnational, and networked and operates to all effects as a cross-border enterprise to indulge elites who have used their political access to enrich themselves and maintain political power. "The current model should be reoriented away from individual asset recovery and toward disrupting whole kleptocratic enterprises." Professor Heathershaw said, "Without conceptual changes, it is probable that legal and financial professionals working directly or indirectly for kleptocrats will find new legal ways of hiding, protecting and legitimizing their assets in the UK. The ingenuity of the recent economic crime legislation passed by the previous government and the political capital expended by the current government will be in vain." 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 study argues that legal instruments in the UK, including the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002), the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2000, and the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act (SAMLA) 2018, already contain underused powers, which could be deployed in combination to target kleptocratic networks more effectively. But the UK should also look at international asset recovery best practices to maximize and, eventually, amend its approach to asset recovery of kleptocratic proceeds. Existing civil and criminal recovery powers should be fully deployed, including by potentially revising definitions of "unlawful conduct" to capture assets obtained through political patronage and systemic corruption. Mr. Mayne said, "We are proposing a radical shift, but reform should reduce, not increase, the work of the law enforcement agencies in fighting kleptocracy. After some initial heavy lifting by civil servants and legal experts, criminal conspiracy and money laundering offenses will be easier to investigate and prosecute and will likely have a much greater chance of success. A greater proportion of stolen assets may be recovered. Sanctioning enablers should become easier." In the study, researchers use several real examples of kleptocracy to demonstrate recurring obstacles that prevent effective recovery of kleptocratic assets in the UK, including the use and abuse of complex ownership structures by kleptocrats; the historical origins of criminality; the involvement of professional enablers; uncooperative jurisdictions; reliance on predicate offenses in the current UK asset recovery model and lack of resources. More information Maria Nizzero, et al. The Kleptocratic Enterprise: Lessons from organised crime to target transnational corruption and strengthen asset recovery in the UK. news.exeter.ac.uk/wp-content/u HeathershawMayne.pdf 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: Index plot for an example dataset, showing triplets of indexes normalized by the number of published papers per author. Credit: Nuermaimaiti et al. Researchers propose a new citation index that balances productivity and impact in academic publishing. The h-index of citations was introduced in 2005 by physicist Jorge E. Hirsch. This index is defined simply as the maximum number h of an author's published papers with at least h citations each. For example, h = 3 means that there are three papers with 3 or more citations, but if a fourth paper exists, it has fewer than four citations. The h-index has quickly gained popularity and is now widely used to measure productivity and impact in academic publishing. However, this index overlooks how highly each paper is cited, so to address this issue, Leo Egghe proposed in 2006 another citation index called g, which emphasizes top-cited papers, but at the same time neglects lower-cited ones. In the present work, Leonid Bogachev, Ruheyan Nuermaimaiti, and colleagues introduce a new citation index called "nu" (for the Greek letter ), which, they show mathematically, lies between the h-index and g-index, therefore providing a more balanced assessment of research impact by considering both productivity and citation quality. The authors caution, however, that citation metrics should complement rather than replace expert human evaluation and emphasize the need for a responsible practice in academic assessment. Their work is published in PNAS Nexus. Publication details A citation index bridging Hirsch's h and Egghe's g, PNAS Nexus (2026). academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/art 93/pnasnexus/pgaf368 Journal information: PNAS Nexus Provided by PNAS Nexus 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: Magda Ehlers from Pexels A tiny beetle responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of oak trees in Southern California has reached Ventura County, marking a troubling expansion. This is the farthest north the goldspotted oak borer has been found in the state. Given the less-than-one-half-inch insect's track record of devastating oaks since being first detected in San Diego County in 2008, scientists and land stewards are alarmedand working to contain the outbreak. "We keep seeing these oak groves getting infested and declining, and a lot of oak mortality," said Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann, an ecologist with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, or UCANR. "And as we go north, we have tons of oak woodlands that are very important ecosystems over there. It can even get into the Sierras if we don't stop it. So it is scary." Although officials are only now reporting the arrival, they first found the beetle in Ventura County in the summer of 2024. Julie Clark, a community education specialist for UCANR, recalled getting a call from a local forester who spotted an unhealthy-looking coast live oak while driving in Simi Hills' Box Canyon. "He saw die-back. He saw all the leaves on the crown were brown, which is one of the characteristic signs of a GSOB infestation," Clark said in a blog post published this week, using the acronym for the invasive insect. The forester examined the tree and found D-shaped holesthe calling card of the goldspotted oak borerwhere the beetles had chewed through the tree to emerge from the bark. Foresters debarked and chipped the highly infested tree to kill the beetles inside. Surrounding trees, however, were not afflicted. Still, the beetle continued its march in the county. Last April, another dead, beetle-infested oak was found in Santa Susana, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. A month later, several more dead and injured trees were discovered. The beetle, named for six gold spots that adorn its back, doesn't fly far. It reaches faraway areas by hitching a ride on firewood. Nobua-Behrmann, an urban forestry and natural resources advisor, is among a contingent calling for regulations limiting the movement of firewood. The goal, they say, is to prevent the slaughter of the state's iconic oaks. The beetles lay their eggs on oaks. When the larvae hatch, they bore in to reach the cambium. The cambium is like a tree's blood vessels, carrying water and nutrients up and down. The insect chews through the layer, and eventually the damage is akin to putting a permanent tourniquet on the tree. An infested tree will often display a thinning canopy and red or black stains on the trunk, injured areas where the tree is attempting to force out insects. The "confirming sign" is the roughly eighth-inch exit hole. 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. In the Golden State, the beetles are attacking the coast live oak, canyon live oak and the California black oak. The goldspotted oak borer is native to Arizona, where the ecosystem is adapted to it and it doesn't kill many trees. It's believed that it traveled to San Diego County via firewood. It has since been found in L.A., Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and, according to research by UC Riverside, has killed an estimated 200,000 oak trees. In 2024, the beetle was discovered in several canyons in Santa Clarita, putting it just 14 miles from the roughly 600,000 coast live oaks in the Santa Monica Mountains. Reaching the scenic coastal mountain range was described as "the worst case scenario" for L.A. County in a 2018 report. Researchers, fire officials and land managers, among others, are working to control or slow the beetles' death march. They acknowledge they're unlikely to be eradicated in the areas where they've settled in. Experts advise removing and properly disposing of heavily infested trees, which entails chipping them. (To kill the minute beetle, chips must be three inches in diameter or smaller.) If trees are lightly or not-yet infested, they can be sprayed or injected with insecticides. However, there are drawbacks to the current options. Pesticides may harm nontarget species, like butterflies and moths. And the treatment can be expensive and laborious, making it impractical for vast swaths of forest. There's another nontoxic tactic in play: educating the public to report possible infestations and burn firewood where they buy it. People can also volunteer to survey trees for signs of the dreaded beetle, allowing them to "do something instead of just worrying about it," Nobua-Behrmann said. UCANR, along with the Cal Fire, is hosting a"GSOB Blitz" surveying event (February 2026) in Simi Valley. 2026 Los Angeles Times. 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: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Aboard an aluminum skiff or one of her five kayaks, fourth-generation shrimper and fisherwoman Diane Wilson often plies the coastal bays and streams near her tiny hometown of Seadrift, Texas. But instead of fishing for shrimp, black drum or blue crabs, these days the 77-year-old is an environmental activist looking for "nurdles" tiny plastic pellets that are polluting beaches and waterways in Texas and around the country. The minuscule spheres, typically less than 5 millimeters in diameter, are the basic building blocks of nearly all plastic products. But when they are mishandled during manufacturing or transport, they can slip through storm drains and into waterways, posing a health threat to both wildlife and humans. They are difficult to clean up, and act like sponges for toxins as they progress through the food chain. An estimated 445,970 metric tons of nurdles make their way into the oceans annually. "They're everywhere," said Wilson, who is now executive director of San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeeper, an environmental group focused on protecting Matagorda Bay, on the Texas Gulf Coast. "They're a real threat to human health and the planet, and we're trying to protect the communities and the fishermen and the bays." California enacted a law designed to curb nurdle pollution in 2007. Now the issue is gaining attention elsewhere: In 2025, legislators in Illinois, New Jersey and Virginia introduced bills. But the threat of nurdle pollution is beginning to resonate even beyond such left-leaning states. In Wilson's deeply conservative Texas, a coalition of environmentalists, fishermen, business leaders and local officials is pushing for more nurdle regulation, arguing that the pellets pose an economic threat to coastal communities. State Rep. Erin Zwiener, a Democrat from the Austin-area town of Dripping Springs, said in an interview that even some in the plastics industry "want to see this issue get solved." Zwiener has introduced nurdle bills during the past two legislative sessions and plans to do so again when the legislature reconvenes in 2027. "I think some members of industry know the black eye they're getting on this and would like to see some curtailment of the worst actors," Zwiener said. The plastics industry has long acknowledged that many nurdles leak into the environment. In 1991, it created a voluntary program called Operation Clean Sweep, under which participating nurdle-handling operations commit to certain practices to prevent spills. Charlotte Dreizen, who oversees Operation Clean Sweep for the Plastics Industry Association, said more than two-thirds of U.S. plastics production occurs at a participating facility. But Wilson and other critics say the program doesn't include meaningful reporting requirements, oversight or consequences. "They're just being sloppy, and they can do better, but nobody's making them do it," said Wilson. "They obviously have to be forced into it." In 2019, Wilson was a victorious co-plaintiff in a lawsuit that resulted in a record $50 million settlement against Formosa Plastics, a petrochemical manufacturer that illegally dumped billions of nurdles and other pollutants into Lavaca Bay and other Texas waterways. It was the largest-ever settlement of a Clean Water Act suit filed by private citizens. Instead of being awarded to the plaintiffs, the money went into a fund to pay for projects to reverse pollution in the affected waterways. Now, Wilson is gearing up for another lawsuit: In December, she filed a 60-day legal notice of intent to sue Dow Chemical Company, alleging it has been illegally discharging plastic pellets from its plant near Seadrift. 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. Part of a larger problem Nurdles are a type of microplastic pollution, but not all microplastics are nurdles. Microplastics also include microbeads, which are used as exfoliating agents in cosmetics and toothpaste, and tiny particles from broken-down plastic litter, packaging and synthetic fibers. Some are so small they can't be seen without a microscope. Microplastics have been detected in cities' tap water, in bottled water, in rivers and throughout the Great Lakes. Scientists estimate that adults ingest the equivalent of one credit card per week in microplastics, and studies in animals and human cells suggest they could be connected to cancer, heart attacks, reproductive problems and other harms. Nurdles are larger than many other microplastics. They can be seen with the naked eye, and their uniform shape and size make them easier to identify and collect. This past spring, volunteers scooped up nearly 50,000 plastic pellets over an 11-day period at more than 200 sites across 14 countries, 29 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. Texas sites, mostly on the coast, yielded the highest count: 23,115 nurdles. California (4,167), Michigan (3,681), South Carolina (3,094) and Ohio (2,851) also reported substantial amounts. In the Upper Midwest, environmental advocates are rallying behind pellet-control legislation to protect the five Great Lakes that collectively serve as an economic engine for eight states. "I think there's concern up and down and all around in terms of making sure we can prevent this from having a devastating impact in our regions," said Andrea Densham, senior policy adviser for the Alliance for the Great Lakes. On the West Coast, nurdles washing onto the coast of Oregon from the Pacific Ocean can be so numerous that "it looks like pellets have become part of the sand," said Celeste Meiffren-Swango, director of Environment Oregon. "More and more pellets are ending up in the environment and they're not getting taken out of the environment." A question of economics In Texas, which has at least 36 plastic production plants, Zwiener's billwhich stalled in committeewould have classified nurdles as non-hazardous industrial waste, triggering record-keeping and containment rules. It also would have required plastics facilities to monitor surrounding waters and conduct monthly audits of spills. During a 2025 hearing on the legislation, Logan Harrell of the Texas Chemistry Council told lawmakers that the "industry is already voluntarily addressing the issue," by improving how it responds to spills and doing more to prevent them. The bill "would result in overregulation and likely add complications based on some ambiguous language and other burdensome requirements," Harrell said. Though Zwiener's bill and a companion bill in the state Senate failed to advance, supporters say the mood may be shifting as more plastic pellets show up on Texas beaches. In October, organizations representing recreational fishermen, oyster harvesters, tourism groups and others sent a letter to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, urging him to direct the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to adopt standards to prevent the discharge of nurdles into waterways as part of its scheduled revision of water quality standards. The letter emphasizes the potential economic impact of the pollution, noting that the state's outdoor recreation industry supports nearly 300,000 jobs, $14 billion in salaries and adds $31 billion in total value to the Texas economy. The agency was considering a ban on plastics discharges during its last revision of the rules in 2022, but reportedly backed away amid industry pressure. Abbott's office and the agency declined to comment on the letter. No city in Texas is more dependent on clean beaches than Galveston, a coastal city of more than 53,000 that draws up to 8 million visitors each year. In October, the city council unanimously approved a resolution echoing the letter the fishing and tourism groups sent to the Texas governor. "It's been a problem, long term," said Joanie Steinhaus, ocean program director at the Galveston office of the Turtle Island Restoration Network, a California-based nonprofit that advocates for oceans and marine wildlife. The group sponsors regular nurdle patrols on Galveston beaches, and volunteers have collected more than 17,000 nurdles in the past five years, according to Steinhaus. Recently, the anti-nurdle effort has gotten a boost from J.P. Bryan, a prominent Texas oilman and historic preservationist who founded the Bryan Museum in Galveston. Bryan wrote a widely publicized op-ed in The Dallas Morning News, in which he shared his childhood memories of the beaches of Freeport, Texas, and called for action to curb nurdle pollution. "For Texans who value both economic growth and environmental stewardship, addressing the scourge of plastic nurdles is not only an ecological imperative, but an economic necessity," Bryan wrote. "This problem needs solving, preferably by those causing the problem," Bryan continued, "but if they won't, then good government can and should prevent companies from causing economic and environmental damage through plastic pellet spills." Key concepts microplastic contamination 2026 States Newsroom. 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: Credit: CC0 Public Domain During training cruises and regattas, sailors collect valuable data for climate research at sea. A study appearing in Science Advances showed that this data can help improve estimates of the marine carbon sink. Currently, the ocean absorbs more than a quarter of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Without this significant sink, more CO 2 would remain in the atmosphere, causing climate change to progress more rapidly. Therefore, it is important for climate research to quantify this sink as accurately as possible. Measurements of CO 2 dissolved in the ocean surface, expressed as partial pressure pCO 2 , are essential for this purpose. Researchers have compiled millions of records from ships, buoys, floats, and sail drones in the Surface Ocean CO 2 Atlas (SOCAT). Global estimates of the marine CO 2 sink, which are also included in the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), are based on these data. However, the data points in SOCAT cover only a small part of the ocean. In particular, data is missing from some key regions of the world's oceans, such as those surrounding Antarctica. Can measurements taken on board sailing boats help to fill in the blank spots? At the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI-M), researcher Jacqueline Behncke has investigated this question together with colleagues from the University of Hamburg, the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research in Kiel, and the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in Belgium. Her research is connected to a citizen science initiative by Team Malizia. Led by Hamburg-based skipper Boris Herrmann, the sailors have been collecting valuable data at regattas such as the Vendee Globe since 2018. The initiative is scientifically guided by the MPI-M and GEOMAR and received financial support from the Max Planck Foundation. "Team Malizia's voluntary work supports science and raises awareness around an important topic," said Behncke. "The collaboration has been exciting and productive." Additional data changes estimates of carbon uptake Previously, Behncke and her colleagues had shown that the observational data collected by Team Malizia between 2018 and 2021, which also include one circumnavigation of the globe, has a major impact on estimates of regional carbon uptake, particularly in the Southern Ocean. A second study has investigated the extent to which the sailboat data not only change but also improve estimates of the ocean sink. To accomplish this, the researchers created a global map of pCO 2 with the MPI-OM/HAMOCC ocean model and tested whether certain measurement strategies led to an estimate of the CO 2 sink that was more consistent with the model reality. The estimates were generated using a machine learning algorithm. The result: When the artificial intelligence was trained using only the amount of data equivalent to the current observation network, it underestimated the marine carbon sink. The same was true when the researchers additionally imitated the sampling done by Team Malizia and skipper Fabrice Amedeo's Nexans-Wewise team between 2018 and 2021. However, when the scientists included additional measurements from two more circumnavigations, the CO 2 sink in the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean strengthened, in line with the simulation. This improved agreement also persisted when the researchers factored in plausible measurement uncertainties. A systematic measurement error, on the other hand, led to poorer agreement under certain circumstances. "This means that while the quantity of data can compensate for potentially limited quality to a certain degree, regular calibration and maintenance are essential to avoid measurement bias," said Behncke. Although the sailboat data improve the estimate of the marine carbon sink, the long-term development of CO 2 uptake in the Southern Ocean is not accurately captured even with the additional two circumnavigations, and the trend continues to be overestimated. According to the authors, further observations are urgently needed. Therefore, staying the course may be worthwhile, as sailboat data can help meet this demand. Publication details Jacqueline Behncke et al, Improved air-sea CO 2 flux estimates from sailboat measurements, Science Advances (2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adz1502 Journal information: Science Advances 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 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 Station's 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. 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 the Pacific Ocean after a nearly 11-hour trip home around 3:40 a.m. Thursday. 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. "It's bittersweet," Fincke said. "I wish it were longer, but we have what we have, and it was reallyit 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. The station has been continuously occupied for more than 25 years, and ran with just three-person crews from 20112020 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 has since performed 11 crew rotation missions to the station, so the normal ISS crew complement was seven. 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. SpaceX has opted to bring its Crew Dragon spacecraft home a few times before the relief crew arrives, but normally there's 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 KSC's Launch Pad 39-B. "These would be totally separate campaigns. At this point, as we mentioned before, we're still evaluating what earlier dates would be achievable, if any, for Crew-12. So right now, we're 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. There's no reason to believe at this point in time that there'd be any overlap, that we'd 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. 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: Relative difference with UNFCCC reports. Credit: Salata Institute For years, countries have told the United Nations how much methane they emit using a kind of bottom-up bookkeeping: Count the cows and oil barrels, estimate the volume of trash, and multiply by standard emission factors. Those ledgers can miss the mark, suggest measurements from aircraft and satellites. But the tools to translate that data into national emissions estimates have largely remained the domain of specialists. A team at Harvard is changing that. In a recent Nature Communications paper, the researchers describe Integrated Methane Inversion (IMI), an open-access system designed to let governments, researchers and civil society independently evaluate national methane claims against what satellites detect in the atmosphere, year after year. How IMI reveals methane discrepancies "This is totally open source, totally transparent, and it's user-friendly," said James East, the lead author. "It makes the data much more accessible and reproduciblefor someone without a Ph.D. in the area." The team's first global run of the system, for 2023, found large mismatches between official inventories and what atmospheric observations imply. In about a quarter of the 161 countries examined, emissions appeared more than 50% higher than reported. In Venezuela's oil-and-gas sector, for example, they find emissions 4.8 times higher; in Turkmenistan, 3.8 times higher; and in the United States, the largest absolute emitter, about 1.55 times higher. Venezuela stood out for more than the size of the revision. The researchers estimate that as much as 29% of the gas produced there may be escaping into the atmosphere, a level far higher than average. The figureknown as "methane intensity"is 2.1% in the U.S. and 0.1% in Qatar, a country with modern and concentrated infrastructure to capture gas. "The findings show emissions from the oil-and-gas sector varying by two orders of magnitude between countries," said Daniel Jacob, a co-author. "Some countries are doing emissions abatement right. If others followed suit, then we would really have negligible emissions from the sector." Methane's climate impact and IMI's approach Methane has become a key climate target because cutting it is one of the fastest ways to slow near-term warming. The gas traps far more heat than carbon dioxide in the first few decades after it is released, and it is responsible for roughly 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Methane is the main component of natural gas and a byproduct of oil, gas, and coal extraction; it is also emitted by livestock, rice production, and decomposing organic matter in landfills. IMI is built around a top-down approach that starts with methane measured in the air and works back to the emissions that most likely produced it. The system begins with national estimates reported under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a baseline, adds sources often missing from national accountslike hydroelectric reservoirsand blends observations from multiple satellites that correct one another's biases. It also incorporates high-resolution point-source detections to emphasize known hotspots. Those inputs are then run through an atmospheric transport model that simulates how methane moves and is removed, and the system repeatedly adjusts emissions in different places to see what best matches what satellites observe. Global findings and sector breakdowns In the end, IMI produces updated emissions maps along with country and sector totalsand uncertainty ranges that show how confident the system is in each estimate. The researchers' global 2023 results suggest anthropogenic methane emissions of about 375 million metric tons, roughly 15% higher than official figures. They also report sharp sector-by-sector differences: Global estimates rose for oil and gas (by 32%), livestock (17%), waste (16%) and rice (26%), while coal-mine emissions were revised downward (23%). Hydroelectric reservoirs, often omitted from national inventories, contributed about 6% of global anthropogenic methane. 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. Accountability and future applications East and Jacob argue that the paper's most lasting contribution is not a single year's emissions tally, but a repeatable system for accountability. IMI can flag where national inventories appear too high, too low, or out of dateconsistently, across countries and sectorsgiving governments a way to revisit activity data and emission factors, improve their submissions to the UN, and track whether emissions are moving in the direction promised in their climate plans. The researchers add that the system is meant to keep working even when politics shift: If a country withdraws from the UNFCCC, as the U.S. has just done, the method can still draw on other public bottom-up data and satellite observations to update emissions year after year, supporting independent accounting outside the treaty process. Publication details James D. East et al, Worldwide inference of national methane emissions by inversion of satellite observations with UNFCCC prior estimates, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67122-8 Journal information: Nature Communications Key concepts greenhouse gases 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 paper by the PhenoRob Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn - discusses the formula for a successful vision-driven transformation of agrotechnology, policy and practice. Credit: Volker Lannert / PhenoRob, University of Bonn The agricultural industry may be producing more food than ever before, but it is also damaging the climate, harming the soil and eroding biodiversity. A team of researchers from the PhenoRob Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn has published a paper in the journal Agricultural Systems that explains the key role technological innovations will need to play to make agriculture sustainable in the future and why these will have to be accompanied by shrewd policies and new business models. What the research is about Humanity is now producing more food than at any time in its history. The agriculture sector urgently needs to be made more sustainable, however, because the solutions that have increased its productivity throughout the past few centuries are also causing environmental problems in the form of climate change, biodiversity loss, soil degradation and water pollution. One of the main reasons for this is that people are seeking individual solutions for each problem rather than actually planning the innovation process. The result is that these isolated solutions never produce any new systems in the agriculture sector except under the guiding hand of policymakers. YA vision for a more sustainable agricultural system Instead of numerous individual innovations, we need a unified system of innovation that's geared toward a vision shared by the whole of society. The first thing to do is decide what sustainable agriculture needs to look like, which will determine suitable technologies, business models and policymaking rules. It's important to get all the stakeholders on board and consider both opportunities and risks at an early stage in order to foster areas of potential and avoid negative side effects. In a paper published in the journal Agricultural Systems, researchers indicate how such a rot-and-branch transformation of Europe's agriculture industry can succeed. The biggest challenges facing agrotechnology By far the biggest challenge is to make sustainable agricultural technologies attractive enough for farmers to invest in them. There's a lot that can be done from a purely technical perspective, but there'll never be widespread take-up of new technologies if they're less profitable than existing ones while also being risky to boot. In other words, policymakers need to create the right environment: strengthening environmental regulations that make environmentally harmful technologies less profitable, increasing the agri-environmental payments that create a financial incentive for green entrepreneurship and forming broad coalitionsespecially partnerships with industryto create new markets and leverage synergy effects. How policy guidelines need to change Policy should be made more ambitious but also more straightforward. There's great discontent among farmers, because there's too much micromanagement and red tape. Society wants more sustainability, but not at the expense of affordable food. European countries are currently having to invest large sums in a great many areas, such as defense and the energy transition. So we need policies that are extremely effective while also delivering value for money. And the timing is propitious, because there's now some high-quality underlying data availablefrom satellite measurements, drones and sensors on board agricultural machinerycoupled with advances in machine learning and causal inference. It's never been easier to get a faster and more comprehensive idea of what works, what doesn't and why. 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. Five risks of smart farming explained The first risk is the widespread belief that digital, automated agriculture is automatically more environmentally friendly. Although smart farming offers a lot of opportunities, the innovations it brings can also harm the environment depending on how they're used. The second risk is that power and profits get concentrated in the hands of a few large corporations. New technologies could leave small businesses facing a tougher time and accelerate structural change in the agriculture sector. Third, there's the danger of poor or misguided policymaking. If they're guided mainly by what's easy to measure rather than what's really important, then policy steps might miss the mark. The fourth risk is that new technologies don't work as intended. Innovation needs experience and learning, and mistakes will sometimes happen. Plus, technical systemssuch as AI-powered robotscan also make the wrong decisions. The fifth risk, and one that's particularly important, is that technical solutions squeeze out other necessary changes. New technologies aren't sufficient on their own to solve the major environmental problems facing agriculture. Less attention risks being paid to mindful consumption or other changes to people's behavior, for example, if too much hope is being invested in technology. More information David Wuepper et al, From technological fixes to systemic change: Vision-led innovation for Europe's crop farming systems, Agricultural Systems (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104593 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 Most people in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy clearly endorse military support for Ukraine. They overwhelmingly reject Russia's positions on territorial claims and restrictions on Ukraine's political sovereignty. However, their approval has its limits: In particular, high casualty numbers for Ukraine and the danger of nuclear escalation reduce public backing, while economic burdens are scarcely a factor for the publics. These were the findings of a joint project located at LMU, in which researchers from LMU and the University of Konstanz compared data from a survey of the largest NATO arms exporting countries. This was the first study of its kind and its results have appeared in the journal Nature Communications. The survey was conducted between June and August 2023. Over 10,000 people were surveyed for the study, which was carried out by Junior Professor Lukas Rudolph from the University of Konstanz and Fabian Haggerty and Professor Paul W. Thurner from the Geschwister Scholl Institute of Political Science at LMU Munich. "We investigated whether Western governments can count on stable support from their populations for the support of Ukraine," explains Paul W. Thurner, Chair of Empirical Political Research and Policy Analysis at LMU. A key part of this was ascertaining how citizens weighed up the moral, strategic, and economic costs of support for Ukraine. New study design allows causal inferences Two survey experiments formed the basis of the study. In the first, participants were asked to evaluate war scenarios and their possible consequencessuch as military losses, territorial concessions, and the risk of nuclear escalation. The second experiment concerned the specific consequences of political measures, as participants were asked to evaluate things like the delivery of tanks, fighter jets, and air defense systems and specify what consequences they would expect from the respective form of supportsuch as more human suffering and material destruction in Ukraine or a faster end to the war. "This form of survey experiment allows us to draw causal inferences as you can with lab experiments," says Thurner. "Unlike conventional surveys, we don't just pose the simple question as to agreement or disagreement, but simulate precisely the kind of complex dilemmas that policymakers face, or which we hear discussed in talk shows every day." This enables the researchers to precisely measure how people weight specific political options with respect to abstract war scenariosand what are the strongest influences on their decisions. "The results show that although the majority clearly endorses support for Ukraine," says Rudolph, "the consideration of possible human sufferingespecially high civilian casualties on the Ukrainian sidelimits their approval of certain military strategies." Meanwhile, the risk of nuclear escalation also weighs heavily in the balance. By contrast, financial disadvantages, expressed in terms of gross domestic product, play an "astonishingly" small role, notes Rudolph. 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. Similar patterns in all five countries While the answers of the respondents across the five Western countries exhibit virtually identical patterns in relation to humanitarian costs, economic disadvantages, and risks of escalation, the limits of approval vary sharply on other issues. Respondents in the United Kingdom, Germany, and United States strongly insist on the full sovereignty of Ukraine, whereas respondents in France and Italy are less forceful in their rejection of curtailments to Ukrainian sovereignty. And with regard to possible territorial concessions, Italian citizens in particular have a less critical attitude and differentiate themselves in this way from the publics in the other four countries. "The study also reveals a strong polarization," explains Fabian Haggerty. "Depending on a person's political orientation or worldview, opinions on support for Ukraine diverge sharply." This polarization does not run along classic left-right lines, but according to attitudes toward the West: Thus, around a quarter of respondents with a strongly pro-Western attitude maintain their support even in the face of large risks and costs, whereas a similarly large proportion of respondents with anti-Western (pro-Russian) attitudes view this with skepticism. Divided opinions on tanks and fighter jets This difference becomes particularly apparent in relation to concrete weapons aid. Although the delivery of air defense systems to Ukraine is welcomed in all groups that fundamentally endorse support for the country, opinions on tanks and fighter jets widely diverge. Whereas the pro-Western group associates this with a shortening of the duration of the war, for instance, the anti-Western group sees risks. The sending of Western ground troops, meanwhile, is rejected by almost all respondents. "Our investigation is the first systematic study of how Western populations weigh complex decisions and potential consequences in relation to a highly politicized war," explains Thurner. "The clear public backing for the support of Ukraine on the one hand, and the distinct polarization and red lines for the support within Western society on the other, show that governments must carefully weigh up humanitarian risks and escalation dangers. Only then can they maintain the long-term support of voters." Publication details Lukas Rudolph et al, Examining public support for Ukraine's defense against autocratic aggression, Nature Communications (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67913-z Journal information: Nature Communications A million barrels a day: CEO says Pemex has recovered refining and production capacity Mexico City, Mexico Pemex has recovered its refining capacity, says Pemex CEO Victor Rodriguez Padilla. She made the comment during a recent tour of the modernization of the Tula Refinery. The Tula Refinery is currently processing 270,000 barrels per day, a remarkable improvement considering it shut down completely in 2019 due to years of accumulated damage. The new plants integrated into its modern infrastructure, such as the delayed coking unit and the hydrotreating and hydrogen production units, will improve fuel quality. This facility is entering a new, more modern and efficient operational phase, aligned with national objectives and a long-term vision that strengthens the transformation of the countrys energy industry with concrete results for the benefit of the Mexican people. Pemex now produces a million barrels a day says CEO January 4, 2026. The Tula Refinery has the capacity to produce 270,000 barrels per day and maintains a price of $13 per barrel, reported Pemex CEO Victor Rodriguez Padilla. This year marks the completion of the modernization of the Tula Refinery, a project involving 12,000 workers and generating 35,000 jobs, explained Guadalupe Phillips, director of Grupo ICA, the company heading the modernization project. From Atitalaquia, Hidalgo, Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, oversaw the installation of a naphtha hydrodesulfurization reactor, which is part of the modernization of the Tula refinery. This adds to the investment being made in eight refineries across the country, allowing Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) to recover its refining and production capacity of more than one million barrels per day to achieve national energy sovereignty. Pemex CEO Victor Rodriguez Padilla, center January 4, 2026. This refinery shows that Pemex is recovering its refining capacity. Today, Petroleos Mexicanos has eight refineries: the six historic refineries, including the one in Tula. the Olmeca Refinery in Dos Bocas which, as Guadalupe tells us, is already producing 320,000 barrels of petroleum products per day, and the Deer Park Refinery, which is now wholly owned by Petroleos Mexicanos. These eight refineries together are producing more than one million barrels per day. This hasnt been seen for two decades. And what does this allow us to do? It allows us to recover energy sovereignty, Mexicos capacity to produce the petroleum products it needs, she reported. Sheinbaum recalled that neoliberal governments sought to privatize Pemex and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) to allow the participation of national and foreign companies in oil and electricity production, which led to a drop in crude oil production and increased the oil companys debt. Today we are also happy because having the coker (in Tula) and this equipment allows us to produce gasoline with less sulfur content, which is less harmful to health and the environment, he added. Tula Refinery January 4, 2026. President Sheinbaum said constitutional reforms were approved that restored the status of State Public Enterprise to CFE and PEMEX, in addition to the vertical reintegration of Petroleos Mexicanos, which allowed for greater efficiency, control, productivity and less corruption. Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014 Your official online newspaper Mexicos president Sheinbaum holds call with US president Donald Trump after recent comments Mexico City, Mexico Mexicos president Claudia Sheinbaum said she requested a call with US president Donald Trump after recent comments. On Monday, both sides spoke about trade and security, however, Sheinbaum did not elaborate on the recent comments that prompted the call. President Sheinbaum said Monday that she had a very good telephone conversation with the President of the United States, Donald Trump. Both presidents discussed security with respect for the sovereignty of both countries, the reduction of drug trafficking, trade and investments. We discussed the joint work that has been done on security issues. There are very important results from this collaborative effort, for example, the flow of fentanyl from Mexico into the United States has been reduced by 50 percent. How is that measured? By the fentanyl seizures they make on the other side of the border. So, CBP, which is a United States agency, publishes how much fentanyl they have seized on the other side of the border, and this has been reduced by 50 percent in one year. And also, even fentanyl-related deaths in the United States have been reduced by about 43 percent. I talked a little about the work we have done on security in Mexico, the results of which are public, of the number of laboratories that have been seized, the number of people arrested linked to organized crime, how homicides have decreased by 40 percent, the work that has been carried out jointly, based on understanding, with respect for our sovereignties. President Claudia Sheinbaum holds a call with US president Donald Trump January 12, 2026. And, in the end we said that we are going to continue collaborating, Sheinbaum said Monday. According to President Sheinbaum, the call was requested after recent statements made by Trump to make clear that there is collaboration and coordination within the framework of sovereignty and that they are working together. Therefore, between January 22nd and 23rd, the working groups of the Mexico-United States Security Implementation Group (GIS) will meet in the United States. He kept insisting that if we asked, they could help with other issues. We told him, Well, so far were doing very well, its not necessary. Besides, theres Mexicos sovereignty and territorial integrity. And he understood. It was a very friendly conversation. And we agreed that this committee would continue working together, she explained. Sheinbaum says that security is a joint responsibility of both countries and that an understanding has been established based on four principles: Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, shared and differentiated responsibility, mutual respect and trust and cooperation without subordination. The people of Mexico need to know that first, their President will never negotiate sovereignty or territorial integrity, never. Second, that we seek coordination, without subordination, as equals and third, that this is permanent. She mentioned that during the call they discussed the situation in Venezuela, and that Mexicos position is established in its Political Constitution. President Sheinbaum said that the Monday conversation lasted approximately 15 minutes and that President Trump acknowledged the security measures being taken in Mexico. They also concluded that they would have another conversation to discuss trade issues, as well as the situation of Mexicans living in the United States. Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014 Your official online newspaper National Defense says no U.S. overflights of Mexican territory after Trumps cartel operation comments Mexico City, Mexico The Secretary of National Defense says there have been no unauthorized overflights of Mexican territory by the U.S. or any other foreign country. General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo made the confirmation Monday after local media alluded to reports of sightings over Michoacan, Baja California and Sinaloa. General Trevilla denied that any U.S. or foreign aircraft are flying over Mexican territory. He said regarding recently recorded flights, they are aircraft belonging to the Mexican security cabinet. There have been no overflights of foreign aircraft in national territory [] There is an overflight program in place and there is very strict control, he said. General Trevilla guaranteed that all overflights carried out during the month of January have been controlled by the National Center for Airspace Surveillance and Protection and the Federal Civil Aviation Agency. General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo January 12, 2026. We are closely monitoring the situation. There have been no overflights of foreign aircraft in national territory. Those that flew yesterday belong to an agency that is part of the Security Cabinet, he reiterated, alluding to the warnings made by U.S. President Donald Trump about conducting ground operations in Mexico to combat the cartels. He made the clarification during a security press conference held Monday along with Omar Garcia Harfuch, the Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection (SSPC) who said both Mexico and the U.S. continue to exchange information. According to Harfuch, the exchange of security information with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump continues. He stated that collaboration with the United States government on security matters has increased through information sharing, joint operations, arrests and extraditions. General Trevilla says this air activity is authorized and being monitored by Mexican authorities. January 11, 2026. The press conference was held amid the controversy surrounding U.S. President Donald Trumps statements about a ground attack on Mexican cartels. After his comments, speculation grew regarding the overflight of U.S. aircraft over Mexican territory, something Mexican authorities have ruled out. General Trevilla also commented on the security plan for the troubled seaside state of Michoacan where there are allegations of more criminals than police. He explained that the government has created the Michoacan Plan, a plan for peace and justice implemented by the federal government as well as the Paricutin Operations Plan. He says neither of those plans are short term. Omar Garcia Harfuch speaks at the security press conference January 12, 2026. There is no deadline. Its open and the Army and National Guard units will not be withdrawn from there they will remain for as long as necessary, he said regarding the increased presence of security forces in the state. The Paricutin Operations Plan, he said, is a strategy implemented by National Defense whose goal is to seal off Michoacan so that criminal groups cannot enter or leave the state. The state of Michoacan is home to several cartels including La Familia Michoacana, Carteles Unidos, the Knights Templar and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), all of whom are involved in the large-scale production of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Michoacan territory they control. In February 2025, the U.S. Secretary of State designated Carteles Unidos, a group made up of several other cartels, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. As a form of control, Mexico has implemented Paricutin Operations Plan with the deployment of National Guard to prevent cartel members from entering or leaving the state. President Sheinbaum, center, speaks to U.S. President Donald Trump Monday by phone. January 12, 2026. The security press conference was held Monday after President Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump had a phone conversation that lasted only around 15 minutes. Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014 Your official online newspaper In the popular imagination, at least, the American Revolution has become synonymous with anti-monarchism. Left- and right-wingers seek to drape their ideological causes in patriotic slogans and images that could be taken wholesale from Thomas Paines radical democratic pamphlet Common Sense. According to this conventional wisdom, the American Republic was founded to become a kind of Anti-England, rejecting the Mother Countrys monarchic institutions and supposedly decadent culture. Of late, though, a number of dissenting scholars have challenged this simplistic view of the Revolution. Eric Nelson, for example, argued in The Royalist Revolution that a certain kind of monarchism was an essential element of the American founding and laid the groundwork for the institution of the presidency. Richard Alan Ryersons magisterial John Adamss Republic explores, in part, the ways the second presidents constitutional thought incorporated monarchic insights from ancient and modern politics to counterbalance aristocratic or oligarchic tendencies. It is by no means true that the Founders all rejected their British heritage; indeed, many considered the empire as a model of a good regime to imitate in certain ways as they built their own. The latest contribution to this growing literature is Adam Carrington and Miles Smith IVs brisk new book, That Blessed Liberty: Episcopal Bishops and the Development of the American Republic, 17891860. Through 10 short biographies of the prelates who sought to rebuild the Protestant Episcopal Church in the wake of the Revolution, the authors illustrate how these churchmen and their followers endowed our regime with a certain conservative wisdom that sustained it through turbulent early years. The distinctly Anglican contribution to the life of the American Republic is a vision of ordered liberty we desperately must recover today. Despite its relatively narrow focus, Carrington and Smiths volume ought to interest those outside the Anglican tradition. As debates about Christian nationalism and other forms of religious authoritarianism engross contemporary discourse about the place of faith in public life, looking back at the history of American religion, especially in the years immediately after the founding, can better inform our responses to various proposals. Beyond understanding our national principles, though, That Blessed Liberty can also help Christians understand how to navigate life in republican or liberal regimes more broadly. Anglicans in the Early Republic initially struggled to do just thatand their example has much to teach those with discontents today. Although by no means shared by all Americans, the revolution inspired a virulent Anglophobia that led to the decline of the episcopalian church body formerly associated with the Church of England. Many questioned the loyalty of bishops, fearing that they still felt an allegiance to the king and Parliament the Republic had cast off. But faithful Anglicans understood they could not adopt a reactionary program to restore the old colonial order. The Constitution and American independence, the authors write, were by 1789 an accomplished fact, and Anglican churchmen would have to work within the laws of the United States if they wanted to heal their increasingly moribund church. One of the most important tasks for the bishops of the new Protestant Episcopal Church, then, was its Americanization. They had to take a tradition inextricably bound up with the British monarchy and adapt it to a new republican reality. Carrington and Smith particularly highlight the work of three visionary bishops in this regard: William White, John Henry Hobart, and George Washington Doane. Many of the changes began with liturgy; the Episcopalians had to envision a new kind of common prayer for a republican regime. They also embraced a missionary spirit that led to evangelizing marginalized communities in the Early Republic, such as Native American tribes, and embracing certain kinds of social reform. It helped, of course, that these early bishops hewed closely to orthodoxy. Although the Episcopal Church always had High Church and Calvinistic factionsand later a Tractarian elementit remained squarely within Americas Protestant mainstream throughout the 19th century. These bishops were not attempting to introduce new theological principles, Carrington and Smith argue, but rather work out the meaning of the historic faith (including commitments to a particular model of church government) in new circumstances. Although North American Anglicanism has never been a mass movement by any means, its broad appeal throughout time can be found in its fundamental orthodoxy. This commitment to orthodoxy set the bishops at odds with both revivalism and Roman Catholicism on the frontier. They set out, especially in the Old Northwest, to stand fast against the strange fire of the Second Great Awakenings religious mania for the sake of the historic faith. The bishops feared that the democratization of American religion had bred religious disorder dangerous to the souls of Americans and their society. They therefore built not only parishes but also schools and universities to inspire a more intelligent piety, the orthodoxy of which would be guarded zealously by their episcopal institutions. Meanwhile, they envisioned their efforts to outpace the Roman Catholic Church as a distinctly civilizational mission; by spreading Protestant orthodoxy, they could also further republican principles and oppose interference by foreign empires. Despite this hostility to religious bodies they considered heterodox, all the American bishops of the 19th century were disestablishmentarians. Still, as Carrington and Smith assert, they did not want to banish Christianity from the public squarerather, they believed that as prelates they had a duty to not only speak to the civil order, but do so regularly. For them, Church served as the conscience of Republic. As such, they did not seek to democratize the Episcopal Church, but instead brought the Episcopal Church to the democratic frontier and created an enduring and uniquely American expression of High Church Anglicanism in what became the American Midwest. One of the things that distinguishes Carrington and Smiths bishops from latter-day postliberals and religious nationalists is their ability to think constitutionally. Rather than grasping after power to try to force the Republic to live according to their particular vision of virtue, they sought to build a series of institutions within the existing regime that could supply it with a greater sense of meaning rooted in faith. This is not a neutral or merely procedural liberalism, but rather participation in a wider public deliberation about the nature of the good life. Episcopal bishops, put another way, practiced the virtues of reflection and choice that Publius famously described in Federalist No. 1. They achieved so much over the course of the 19th century precisely because they understood that society is constituted by so much more than political power. In many respects, Carrington and Smiths efforts to recover the Protestant Episcopal Churchs historic political theology resemble conservative luminary Russell Kirks own attempts in one of his final books to articulate Americas British Culture. While the Michigander acknowledged that the majority of Americans did not descend directly from the English-speaking peoples, he maintained that the principal features of the culture within which they have their being are British in origin. From the common law to the unofficial national language, our traditions largely encompass a philosophical notion of freedom first developed on the British Isles. Kirk believed that such a culture is in perennial need of renewal and that it cannot survive and prosper merely by being taken for granted; active defense always is required, and imaginative growth, too. By recovering the almost-lost stories of these bishops of the Early Republic, Carrington and Smith have done much to, borrowing a phrase from Kirk, brighten the cultural corner where we find ourselves. Not only can That Blessed Liberty provide historical resources to help the North American Anglicans of today, but it also gives churchmen of all denominations a better sense of what it means to be faithful in a distinctly republican context. This is a vital contribution to the history of American religion, and its authors deserve much praise for their pious efforts. The refrigerator is the heart of the kitchen. Actually, we'll go even further and say it's the heart of the home. Family meals, delicious snacks, and the best beverages usually start with a trip to the refrigerator, after all. That's why it's all the more heartbreaking when you invest time and money into finding the perfect refrigerator for your home, only to run into problems, like faulty compressors, broken ice makers, and leaky compartments. To help you avoid these problems, we trawled the internet, focusing primarily on review sites and social media, to find the most unreliable refrigerator brands, according to real customer reviews. We've listed our findings below, but spoiler alert: Just because a brand has a long history or sells good-looking appliances doesn't necessarily mean it's going to offer you a great-quality fridge. In plenty of cases (sorry to all those with Smeg on their vision boards right now), the aesthetics just don't match the interior. Let's dive in. Read more: 20 Healthy Choice Frozen Meals, Ranked Worst To Best KitchenAid A mirrored image Kitchenaid French Door fridge in stainless steel on display inside a Costco warehouse - ZikG/Shutterstock KitchenAid is one of the most popular appliance brands in the U.S., but it's arguably best known for its mixers. The brand has been making mixers since 1919, and they're still as iconic as ever. In 1949, the company released its first dishwasher, and in 1986, it launched its first refrigerator. Unfortunately, today, KitchenAid's refrigerators don't seem to be quite as loved as its mixers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many online reviewers have strong feelings about KitchenAid's refrigerators, and on the whole, they're not very positive. One Redditor went as far as to call the KitchenAid appliance "the worst fridge ever," and revealed that they had to have it fixed multiple times in just one year. They also noted that the water dispenser was unreliable, the ice maker was constantly broken, and the freezer would cut off at random intervals. Other Redditors report similar experiences. Many say that while the KitchenAid refrigerators look nice, the quality just doesn't match up to the appearance. On consumer review platform Trustpilot, hundreds have given KitchenAid a one-star review, with many noting that the refrigerator, specifically, is simply not worth the money. Again, many report having to call out maintenance several times shortly after making their purchase. Issues include mold, dripping condensation, faulty icemakers, and a lack of support from KitchenAid. Yikes. Samsung Mirrored image of Samsung refrigerator on display in an electronics store. - 8th.creator/Shutterstock What KitchenAid is to mixers, Samsung is to smartphones. Well, kind of. Maybe if a certain company that rhymes with "schmapple" didn't exist, anyway. But interestingly, this famous Korean tech giant didn't start off in the electronics world. Samsung actually began life back in the 1930s, as a grocery trading store. After stints in various industries, like textiles and insurance, Samsung entered the electronics market in the late 1960s. Of course, the first smartphone from the company didn't arrive until 2009. But, long before that, in the 1970s (perhaps unsurprisingly considering just how many industries Samsung has been involved with), the company launched its first refrigerator. But, despite how long it has been in the refrigerator business, Samsung doesn't have a good reputation in this sector of the appliance market. On Reddit, customers have complained about various issues, with users stating that the refrigerators aren't cold enough, the ice makers don't work, the entire appliance makes a noisy humming sound, and the freezer compartments are leaky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chatter on Reddit about Samsung's refrigerators won't come as a surprise to some. In 2022, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) started officially investigating Samsung refrigerators after revealing it had received more than 600 complaints about the appliances from January 2019 to December 2021. Again, much like on Reddit, the complaints concerned issues like faulty icemakers and incorrect temperatures. In fact, some customers said they had developed food poisoning as a result of food not being kept cold enough. Haier Three freestanding Haier fridges next to plant and TV with Haier written on screen - Grzegorz Czapski/Shutterstock Haier had a difficult start. Back in the 1980s, it was known as the Qingdao Refrigerator Factory, and it was struggling to make enough money to pay its employees, let alone turn a profit. That was until an entrepreneur called Zhang Ruimin came along, changed the name, and turned things around spectacularly. Today, Haier is, quite frankly, massive. And yet, many customers say that the quality of Haier refrigerators doesn't reflect the company's dominant position in the refrigerator market. On Reddit, many people complain about cracked handles, chilled sections that are too cold (to the point where they freeze produce), and a general inability to maintain the correct temperature in the fridge. On Trustpilot, it's a similar story. The company has racked up hundreds of one-star reviews, many of which concern refrigerators. Customer issues include a lack of support from the brand, poor-quality parts that quickly need to be replaced after purchase, and bad smells due to a lack of proper temperature control. Experts are equally baffled by Haier. For example, in 2024, House Digest spoke to the owner of a home remodeling and repair service who stated that, in 25 years of experience, the refrigerator brand he had to repair the most was Haier, citing poor construction as the key issue. GE Appliances A bright kitchen with cherry cabinets, stainless steel GE appliances, black granite countertops, and hardwood floors - Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a lot to thank GE Appliances for when it comes to the way we store food. Back in 1911, one of the company's subsidiaries created the very first hermetically sealed refrigeration system, and in 1925, GE Appliances (then known as General Electric) launched this product to the American market. If you're wondering what being "hermetically sealed" entails, it basically means that the appliance is sealed tight and leak-proof. So yeah, pretty important when it comes to refrigeration. But, just because GE Appliances, which has actually been owned by Haier since 2016, was a pioneer in the refrigeration industry doesn't mean it is immune from criticism. Many people today say that the company's refrigerators just don't hold up. On Reddit, for example, customers have complained about compressor issues, overheating, and a lack of company support with any problems. Some say that these refrigerators are simply not durable enough, with one Reddit user stating that they had been through two of the appliances in the space of 10 years. LG Electronics The top of a modern LG stainless steel refrigerator against wall - Karolis Kavolelis/Shutterstock Similar to GE Appliances in the U.S., LG Electronics had a major impact on Korean society. Back in the 1950s, when LG Electronics was operating under the name Goldstar Co., it launched the first Korean radio. In the 1960s, it was also responsible for the first automatic telephone in the country, the first cumulative electricity meter, and, you guessed it, the first domestic refrigerator. But in the modern day, LG Electronics is far from perfect. Now a global brand, it produces refrigerators for markets all over the world, and, to put it mildly, not all of them work as they are supposed to. On Reddit, numerous customers complain that their LG refrigerators aren't up to scratch. Common issues include bad customer support, a lack of product servicing, and faulty compressors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, multiple people gathered together to sue LG Electronics over compressor issues. The Los Angeles attorney representing the customers said that they had received thousands of complaints about the company's refrigerators (via NBC Washington). The lawsuit maintained that LG was actually defrauding people because the refrigerators don't live up to their promised 20-year durability. Kenmore, another appliance brand, was also named in the lawsuit. Smeg Smeg fridge next to an oven and plants in a kitchen setting - Ruslan Lytvyn/Shutterstock Appliance brand Smeg has been around since the 1940s, but it was in the 1990s, when it launched its iconic, 1950s-style retro-looking fridges that the brand became truly iconic in the refrigerator world. People loved its colorful appliances primarily because of how they looked, and let's be honest, that's still the case today. A Smeg fridge is a social media influencer staple, thanks to its range of aesthetically pleasing shades like Sea Salt Green, Ruby Red, and Pastel Blue. But while there is no doubt that Smeg refrigerators look nice, do they actually, you know, work? Well, according to some, Smeg isn't the most reliable refrigerator to invest your money in. On Reddit, people complain about ice build-up, excessive condensation, and loud noises. Others on the platform say that these refrigerators are simply not durable, and that the actual quality of the product doesn't match up to the aesthetic. In February 2021, leading Australian consumer advocacy group, Choice, claimed that one of Smeg's models, the FAB38RCRAU, was the worst fridge it had tested in decades. "You get a 1950s-style aesthetic from this fridge, but you'll also get '50s performance to match," said expert Ashley Iredale. In December 2025, the same group tested Smeg's FAB32RPB5AU refrigerator model, and claimed it was only marginally better than the FAB38RCRAU. Methodology Someone taking food storage containers out of a refrigerator - Jose Araujo/Getty Images A refrigerator is, arguably, the most important part of any kitchen. When food isn't kept properly chilled, the risk of food poisoning and food waste rises. Refrigerators are also, generally, not cheap and can be expensive to replace, so you want to get it right the first time. That's why we put together this list, to help you avoid making refrigerator purchase mistakes that could be extremely costly in the long run. Advertisement Advertisement To do the list justice, we scanned social media platforms, consumer review sites, news reports, and professional reviews to get a sense of which brands are coming up time and time again in negative customer ratings. We also looked for the refrigerator brands that got the strongest, angriest reactions from former customers. It's important to note that this doesn't mean that every refrigerator from these brands will be faulty. But it does give you a sense of what to look out for before you buy. Because, when it comes to getting the right refrigerator, as these reviews perfectly demonstrate, research is everything. Static Media owns and operates Tasting Table and House Digest. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Tasting Table. China-Arab TV: U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday that any country doing business with Iran will pay a tariff of 25 percent on any and all business being done with the U.S. What is Chinas comment? Mao Ning: Chinas position on the tariffs issue is very clear. Tariff wars have no winners. China will firmly protect its legitimate and lawful rights and interests. CCTV: Foreign Minister Wang Yi just concluded his visit to Africa on the first overseas trip of this year. Could you share more information about this visit with us? Mao Ning: After the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi shared his impression and the outcomes of the trip in detail in an interview with Chinese media. As Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, this is the 36th consecutive year for Chinese foreign minister to kick off the year with a visit to Africa, which reflects Chinese peoples profound friendship with African people and embodies a kind of commitment and spirit. Some people say that Africa is the forgotten continent. But China views Africa as a continent full of hope and takes Africa as the starting point of Chinas diplomatic effort every year. The principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith proposed by President Xi Jinping has always been the guidance for China-Africa cooperation. Sincerity and equality have always been the defining feature of China-Africa exchanges. Africa and China are good partners that can rely on and trust each other. During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi elaborated on the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. He stressed that the recommendations not only draw the blueprint for Chinas future development, but also provide a list of opportunities for all countries including those in Africa. China will continue to be an engine of global economic growth, and is ready to act as a booster for Africas development and revitalization. The term most frequently mentioned by the African side is zero tariff. This measure is a shining hallmark of China-Africa cooperation in the new era and an important step taken by China to voluntarily expand unilateral opening up. It demonstrates Chinas willingness to shoulder more international obligations and its firm commitment to expanding high-standard opening up. Chinas huge market will truly become a great opportunity for Africa. We welcome African countries to board the express train of Chinas development and work together to achieve modernization. Reuters: Also related to President Trumps threat of the 25 percent tariffs on countries that trade with Iran, should President Trump make good on this threat, Chinese exporters could find themselves facing high tariffs at the U.S. border. Would Beijing consider this a return to a tariff war? Mao Ning: As I just said, tariff wars have no winners. China will firmly protect its legitimate and lawful rights and interests. Anadolu Agency: The U.S. warned American citizens to leave Iran immediately. Meanwhile, the White House says military option against the country is on the table. U.S. media has reported that cyber and psychological warfare operations are also considered. What is your comment about recent developments in Iran? Mao Ning: China hopes Iran will maintain stability in the country and supports Iran in doing so. We always oppose interference in other countries internal affairs and oppose the use or threat of force in international relations. We hope all parties will act in ways conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East. Bloomberg: Japans Prime Minister has signaled her intention to call a snap election possibly in February. Would the Ministry like to comment on this? Mao Ning: This is Japans internal affair. I have no comment on this. Bloomberg: Iran has reportedly been asked to withdraw from the BRICS war games off South Africa and accept observer status. Can you confirm this or explain why this might have happened? Mao Ning: Id refer you to competent authorities. AFP: Again on the protests in Iran, according to some reports, several hundreds of people have been killed in these protests. In this context, does China still advise its citizens to travel to Iran for tourism? Mao Ning: We are closely following the developments of the situation in Iran. We will take all measures necessary to protect the safety of Chinese nationals. Nippon TV: South Koreas President today arrived in Japan and the summit meeting has begun today. Does China have a comment on this? Mao Ning: This is the bilateral interaction between the ROK and Japan. Nippon TV: Finance ministers from G7 countries agreed yesterday to accelerate the reduction of rare earth imports from China, since they are relying too much on China. Does China have a comment on this? Mao Ning: 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 do so. On January 7, 2026, President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from a U.S. youth education exchange delegation comprised of teachers and students from the Diamond Minds Transformational Leadership Academy in Miami, Florida, the University of Florida, and Miami-Dade College. Xi Jinping said he was pleased to learn that the teachers and students of the exchange delegation had a pleasant and rewarding journey in China, and felt their strong interest and sincere feelings for Chinese culture. Xi Jinping noted that the hope of China-U.S. relations lies in the people, and its future depends on the youth. Since the launch of the initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over a five-year period (hereinafter referred to as "50,000 in five years"), over 40,000 U.S. youth have actively participated, opening a window for them to understand the real China and building a bridge to carry forward the friendship between the two peoples. This fully demonstrates that friendly exchanges and cooperation are the shared aspiration of the people of both China and the United States. Xi Jinping said he looks forward to more American youth joining the cause of China-U.S. friendship, becoming a new generation of envoys for friendship between the two countries, and making greater contributions to enhancing people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States and promoting the development of bilateral relations. Recently, the teachers and students of the U.S. youth education exchange delegation wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping, reviewing their visit to China in October 2025 and expressing gratitude for the "50,000 in five years" initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, which has provided a valuable opportunity to enhance mutual understanding between the youth of the two countries. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. It was the most unlikely response to the widely expected overturning of Roe v. Wade. In the summer of 2021, a small group of about 12 individuals, including some health care workers, elected officials, and local community activists, in the deep-red state of Wyomingwhich didnt have a single abortion clinic at the timebegan planning to open a new clinic in the college town of Casper. This was at the same time that most abortion clinics in red states, seeing the writing on the wall, had begun planning to close or move to a more hospitable location. But not in Wyoming. And this long-shot gamble paid off. Wellspring Health Access, which provides abortions as well as other services including family planning, general gynecology, and gender affirming care, opened its doors in spring 2023, almost a year after the Supreme Court decided Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Since then, the clinic has faced unending legal challenges from the state. However, at each turn, the clinic has prevailed, culminating in a big win before the Wyoming Supreme Court last week. This ruling, which may have significance for abortion rights beyond Wyoming, struck down the states general abortion ban as well as a specific ban on mifepristone, one of the two drugs used in a medication abortion. How did this implausible turn of events come to pass? Beyond the determination of the community group in Casper, two main factors explain the ultimate success of this venture: Wyomings unique libertarian constitution and the savvy and determination of a woman named Julie Burkhart. In a wonderful instance of karma, the famously libertarian citizens of Wyoming, enraged by the passage of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, in 2010, amended their constitution, stipulating that individuals have the right to make their own health care decisions. This amendment became the heart of the legal strategy used by the would-be clinics lawyers, and this argument ultimately prevailed. But there needed to be someone to use that constitutional provision, and thats where Julie Burkhart came in. Julie is a longtime, well-known figure in abortion-providing circles. She is not a clinician, but rather an abortion access strategist and a skillful clinic operator who has a track record of opening abortion facilities in hostile and underserved areas. It was this reputation that led the Casper group to invite her to work with them even when Roe was about to be overturned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julies involvement with abortion care began in 2001, when she began work with Dr. George Tiller, the Kansas doctor who was assassinated in 2009 in his church by an anti-abortion fanatic. Tillers mentorship was deeply influential for Julie, and she has worked in the abortion field since his death. She purchased his Wichita clinic from his widow and reestablished abortion there, a city that had been left without such care after Tillers death. She also went on to open a clinic in Oklahoma, as well as several other places. As part of a book project on how people in various sectors of the abortion-providing community were preparing for and then responding to the Dobbs, we interviewed Julie three times over the course of 2022. These interviews took place at the very beginning of that year, immediately after the decision was announced in June, and finally at the end of 2022. Advertisement Our first interview with Julie, in January 2022, took place while she and her Casper allies were already actively planning how to move forward with an abortion clinic. A lucky break occurred, she told us, when a wealthy donor purchased a facility from a medical practice that had closed and donated it to the group. This purchase was especially fortuitous as the facility was in an area already zoned to permit a medical clinic. Advertisement Finding a contractor to upgrade the clinic for abortion services was a challenge, though. Abortion providers have long faced difficulties finding people willing to work with them. Even if the individual workers involved are not opposed to abortion, they often have realistic fears of being targeted by anti-abortion forces and being subjected to boycotts. Julie did manage to convince a local contractor to do the necessary work, vaguely telling him the clinic was for a womens health center. The contractor did eventually learn the intended purpose of the facility, but continued to do the work, and tellingly, did not post a sign on the site giving the name of his company, as is normally done. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Sonia Sotomayor Just Vindicated the Rights of the Incarcerated to Seek Appeals Read More Julies fervent hope was to open the clinic about a month before Dobbs was expected to be announced, on the theory that since the clinic would offer a range of services, it could not be shut down, even if providing abortions was no longer legal in the state. As she put it, So if something does happen in Wyoming, we will have that presence. We will have community ties. We will have standing if we have to go to court. But this hope of a pre-Dobbs opening was dashed in May 2022 when Julie awoke to a phone call informing her that the nearly finished clinic had been firebombed. Upon going to the clinic, she learned that most of the building would need to be gutted and rebuilt. The arsonist was eventually caught, but this set the clinics opening back by almost a year. Advertisement Advertisement The summer of 2022 got even worse weeks later with the announcement of the Dobbs decision. When we spoke to her shortly after the Supreme Court ruling, Julie was predictably devastated. I was so angry, so hurt, she said. Julie spent the day after the decision listening to music at very high volumeincluding old feminist anthems from the 1970s. But neither the firebombing, the Dobbs decision, nor the Wyoming Legislatures vote to ban abortion, if the Supreme Court allowed it to do so, broke her and caused her to retreat. As she said to us with more passion in her voice than in previous conversations, I want to tell you, in Wyoming, we are going to litigate; we are going to fight this thing to the end. Advertisement Finding legal representation proved yet another challenge. Several national legal groups who represented abortion clinics, while very supportive of the idea of a new clinic in Wyoming, were reluctant to get involved, feeling that the aspiration was unrealistic and that their limited resources in the face of a hostile U.S. Supreme Court were better spent elsewhere. But Julie and her comrades finally located local lawyers willing to represent them. Together, they promptly seized the above-mentioned constitutional amendment as their core legal argument. Advertisement This strategy quickly paid off. Several lower court victories allowed the clinic to open in 2023, when it began serving not only people in Wyoming but also those from surrounding states which have banned abortion. Julie has since told us there has been both community support and opposition to the clinic. Tellingly in this era of anti-trans sentiment, in some instances, the hostility is as much about the clinics provision of gender-affirming care as about abortion. Advertisement With the resounding victory from the Wyoming Supreme Court last week, Julie was celebratory when we emailed with her. However, nothing is over when it comes to abortion conflicts, especially in a place like Wyoming. In response to the decision, the states governor has called for a ballot measure in the 2026 election to amend the state constitution to ban abortion. These kinds of measures since Dobbs have mostly supported the pro-choice position, even in red states. It is unclear how the vote would go in Wyoming, if indeed it is on the ballot. If the measure is before the voters, it is clear that Julie and the Casper community will be actively helping to defeat it. This piece was originally published on State Court Report , a hub for reporting, analysis, and commentary about state courts and constitutions. State Court Report is a project of the Brennan Center for Justice. Last month, the Florida Supreme Court upheld a law that permits people to be sentenced to death with the votes of only 8 of 12 jurors. Florida has a history of permitting non-unanimous juries to recommend death, but a 2016 state Supreme Court decision halted that practice. After several new justices joined the court, however, it reversed course, and the state Legislature passed the current non-unanimity law in 2023. The states standard allowing one-third of the jury to vote against the death penalty is the lowest threshold in the nation. Alabama is the only other state that permits non-unanimous death recommendations, but at least 10 jurors must concur in the recommendation there. Attorneys for the defendant have indicated they will seek U.S. Supreme Court review of the state high courts decision. The U.S. Supreme Court held in 2020 that a jury must be unanimous in declaring a defendant guilty, but has never weighed in on the constitutionality of a non-unanimous verdict at the penalty phase of a capital case. The Florida Supreme Courts decision in Jackson v. Florida came at the end of a year in which Florida was a national outlier, executing 19 people, nearly four times the number in any other state. The number of individuals with death warrants in Florida, about 250, is second only to California, which has not executed anyone in 20 years. Floridas high death row population is partially a result of permitting death sentences with the agreement of only two-thirds of jurors. As of last year, almost 60 percent of people on Floridas death row had been sentenced to death by non-unanimous juries. Absent the states non-unanimous jury law, deliberations in their cases would have continued until the jurors reached unanimitysome would have almost certainly resulted in a sentence of life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even more troubling, non-unanimous death verdicts may increase the likelihood that an innocent person will be executed. Thirty people on Floridas death row have been exoneratedthe highest number of death row exonerations among all states. Ninety-seven percent of those were sentenced to death non-unanimously by juries. Advertisement Historians say that laws allowing jury verdicts without unanimity were originally passed to exclude Black jurors from meaningfully participating in jury dutya point Justice Brett Kavanaugh highlighted in a concurrence in the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 Ramos v. Louisiana, a decision forbidding convictions unless all jurors agreed. Non-unanimous jury laws have racist origins and can silence the voices of Black jurors, Kavanaugh wrote. The court in Ramos considered only the finding of a guilty verdict. If a person is convicted of a crime that may carry the death penalty, the case moves from the guilt phase to the penalty phase. A person can only be sentenced to death if the jury returns a death verdict at this phase. In 2016 in Hurst v. Florida, the Florida Supreme Court considered a predecessor law that permitted a non-unanimous jury to recommend death. The court ruled that the jury must find unanimously that aggravating circumstances exist to make the defendant eligible for the death penalty. If so, the jury must then recommend whether to impose death. An ultimate death recommendation must also be unanimous, the court held, because it is tantamount to the jurys verdict in the sentencing phase of trial. Advertisement Advertisement After three justices reached mandatory retirement age, however, the state Supreme Court reversed course on that second holding in 2020s State v. Poole. Nothing in the Sixth Amendments right to a jury, the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment, or the Florida Constitution mandates that a juryas opposed to a judgemake an ultimate determination that death should be imposed, much less unanimously, the newly constituted court said. Advertisement Following Poole and a jurys failure to recommend the death sentence for a defendant convicted of killing 17 people in the Parkland school shooting, the Legislature amended state law in 2023 to return to non-unanimity for that recommendation. Related From Slate Sonia Sotomayor Just Vindicated the Rights of the Incarcerated to Seek Appeals Read More Michael James Jackson was convicted in 2007 of killing an elderly couple, James and Carol Sumner, by burying them alive. His original death sentence was vacated after the state high courts decision in Hurst. Because of various delays including the COVID-19 pandemic, however, his resentencing did not occur until a month after the Legislatures enactment of the 2023 law. After two hours of deliberation, the jury recommended death by the minimum allowed 84 vote. Advertisement Jackson and his counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union challenged the 2023 non-unanimity law on multiple grounds. Most simply, Jackson argued that the Sixth Amendment criminal jury right, as understood by the Framers, encompassed a right to unanimity for execution decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Jackson also contended that non-unanimitys impact on Black jurors violated the Equal Protection Clause. Not requiring the agreement of jurors with minority views creates a breeding ground for racial discrimination by operating to negate the participation of jurors of color, he said, highlighting Kavanaughs Ramos concurrence. An amicus brief by Black-led organizations and lawmakers cited empirical data showing a difference in viewpoints concerning the death penalty skews along racial lines. Moreover, the groups argued, comments by Florida lawmakers expressing a desire to target activist jurors made clear the law was meant to exclude the perspectives of jurors less inclined toward death. The effective exclusion of Black jurors, Jackson went on, impacted Black defendants subject to capital sentencing, in violation of the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The law further ran afoul of the Eighth Amendment, he argued, because the abandonment of unanimous death recommendationscompounded by the states retreat from other capital sentencing safeguards, including ending review of such sentences for comparative proportionality across cases and co-defendants and doubling the number of aggravating factors that can make a defendant death eligibleled the death penalty to be applied arbitrarily and without reserve for the most atrocious crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Jackson noted that accidents of time have determined who lives and who dies. Of the approximately 145 defendants who received Hursts sentencing relief, according to a criminal justice group amicus brief, only 85 had their resentencings occur before the Legislature reverted to non-unanimity, with 70 resentenced to life. In a unanimous decision, the Florida Supreme Court rejected each of Jacksons challenges. The Supreme Courts Ramos decision did not render the law unconstitutional, the court wrote, because that case did not address the penalty phase of a capital trial. The court also pointed to precedent finding death could be imposed without a jurys recommendation, including a U.S. Supreme Court case allowing a judge to override a jurys recommendation of a lesser sentence. The court found no validity to Jacksons claim that the disparate impact of Floridas non-unanimity law on Black jurors violated equal protection, declaring he came nowhere close to proving the racially discriminatory intent the claim required. Advertisement With respect to Jacksons contentions about arbitrariness in death penalty sentencing, the court said simply that it had previously rejected claims about the erosion of safeguards against unconstitutional capital sentencing. It also disagreed that imposition of death or life turned on the timing of Hurst resentencings. It noted that Jacksons claim was really about fairness: Those resentenced after the 2023 law were more likely to be sentenced to death. Framing the issue as equal protection rather than cruel and unusual punishment, the court reasoned that Hurst did not create a protected legal entitlement but merely changed the procedures used to determine whether the death penalty applied. Finally, Jacksons suggestion that the court rubber-stamps death sentences, the opinion said, warrants no response other than a strong caution to counsel. The only strand of disagreement came from a concurrence by Justice Jorge Labarga. The courts precedent in Poole and subsequent cases compelled him to join in the result, he said. But he lamented Floridas absolute outlier non-unanimous standard and underscored the states high exoneration rate for people on death row. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The plan was never to become an ICE agent. The plan, when I went to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Career Expo in Texas last August, was to learn what it was like to apply to be an ICE agent. Who wouldnt be curious? The event promised on-the-spot hiring for would-be deportation officers: Walk in unemployed, walk out with a sweet $50k signing bonus, a retirement account, and a license to brutalize the countrys most vulnerable residents without consequenceall while wrapped in the warm glow of patriotism. At first glance, my resume has enough to tantalize a recruiter for Americas Gestapo-in-waiting: I enlisted in the Army straight out of high school and deployed to Afghanistan twice with the 82nd Airborne Division. After I got out, I spent a few years doing civilian analyst work. With a carefully arranged, skills-based resumeone which omitted my current occupationI figured I could maybe get through an initial interview. The catch, however, is that theres only one Laura Jedeed with an internet presence, and it takes about five seconds of Googling to figure out how I feel about ICE, the Trump administration, and the countrys general right-wing project. My social media pops up immediately, usually with a preview of my latest posts condemning Trumps unconstitutional, authoritarian power grab. Scroll down and youll find articles with titles like What I Saw in LA Wasnt an Insurrection; It Was a Police Riot and Inside Mike Johnsons Ties to a Far-Right Movement to Gut the Constitution. Keep going for long enough and you might even find my dossier on AntifaWatch, a right-wing website that lists alleged members of the supposed domestic terror organization. I am, to put it mildly, a less-than-ideal recruit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, I figuredat least back thenthat my military background would be enough to get me in the door for a good look around ICEs application process, and then even the most cursory background check would get me shown that same door with great haste. The ICE expo in the Dallas area, where my application journey began, required attendees to register for a specific time slot, presumably to prevent throngs of eager patriots from flooding the event and overwhelming the recruiters. But when I showed up at 9 a.m., the flood was notably absent: there was no line to check in and no line to go through security. I walked down nearly empty hallways, past a nearly empty drug testing station, and into the event proper, where a man directed me to a line to wait in for an interview. I took my spot at the end; there were only six people ahead of me. Advertisement While I waited, I looked around the ESports Stadium Arlingtonan enormous blacked-out event space optimized for video game tournaments that has a capacity of 2,500. During my visit, there couldnt have been more than 150 people there. Advertisement Hopeful hires stood in tiny groups or found seats in the endless rows of cheap folding chairs that faced a stage ripped straight from Tron. Everything was bright-blue and lit-up and sci-fi-future angular. Above the monolithic platform hung three large monitors. The side monitors displayed static propaganda posters that urged the viewer to DEFEND THE HOMELAND and JOIN ICE TODAY, while the large central monitor played two short videos on loop: about 10 minutes of propaganda footage, again and again and again. After about 15 minutes of waiting, an extraordinarily normal-looking middle-aged woman waved me forward. I sat across the black folding table from her on one of the uncomfortable black chairs. She asked for my name and date of birth, then whether I am over 40 (I am 38). Did I have law enforcement experience? No. Military experience? Yes. Did I retire from the military at 20+ years, or leave once my enlistment was up? The latter, I told her, then repeated my carefully rehearsed, completely true explanation for why the resume Id submitted had a large gap. I had a little bit of a quarter-life crisis. Ended up going to college for part of that time, and since then Ive been kind ofgig economy stuff. She was spectacularly uninterested: OK. And what location is your preference? After some dithering, I settled on my home state of New York. That was the last question; the entire process took less than six minutes. The woman took my resume and placed the form shed been filling out on top. They are prioritizing current law enforcement first. Theyre going to adjudicate your resume, she told me. If my application passed muster, Id receive an email about next steps, which could arrive in the next few hours but would likely take a few days. I left, thanked her for her time, and prepared to hear back never. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expo event was part of ICEs massive recruitment campaign for the foot soldiers it needs to execute the administrations dream of a deportation campaign large enough to shift Americas demographic balance back whiteward. Youve probably seen evidence of it yourself: ICEs Defend the homeland propaganda is ubiquitous enough to be the Uncle Sam I Want You poster of our day, though somewhere in there our nation lost the plot about the correct posture toward Nazis. When Donald Trump took office, ICE numbered approximately 10,000. Despite this events lackluster attendance, their recruitment push is reportedly going well; the agency reported 12,000 new recruits in 2025, which means the agency has more new recruits than old hands. Thats the kind of growth that changes the culture of an agency. Many of ICEs critics worry that the agency is hoovering up pro-Trump thugsJan. 6 insurrectionists, white nationalists, etc.for a domestic security force loyal to the president. The truth, my experience suggests, is perhaps even scarier: ICEs recruitment push is so sloppy that the administration effectively has no idea whos joining the agencys ranks. Were all, collectively, in the dark about whom the state is arming, tasking with the most sensitive of law enforcement work, and then sending into Americas streets. And we are all, collectively, discovering just how deadly of an arrangement that really is. Advertisement At the end of my brief interview, the recruiter mentioned I could talk to a current deportation officer about what the job would be like. There was no line to talk to a deportation officer (did I mention how empty the place was?) and so I walked up, introduced myself to one of them, and asked about day-to-day duties. Advertisement I shouldnt expect to hit the streets right away, the agent told me. Odds were good Id get a support position firstsomething like the Criminal Alien Program office. Lets say a local police officer arrests someone out in the field for a DUI. Extremely common. Or beating their wife or whateverall the typical crimes they commit, he said. (The they here being undocumented immigrants, and while its extremely difficult to measure, evidence suggests that they actually commit crimes at a lower rate than U.S.-born citizens.) Advertisement If the cops suspect theyre dealing with an immigrant who doesnt have permanent legal status, they alert ICE, whose agents conduct interviews and run record checks. If this preliminary investigation suggests that status, the person ends up in the Criminal Alien Program office for processingwhich is where I would come in. What you see on TV, with us arresting people and doing all kinds of crazy things, thats maybe 10 percent. The other 90 percent is essentially doing a bunch of paperwork, the agent said. It takes a lot to remove somebody from the United States. Some people are subject to due process. Advertisement Advertisement The officer ran down other departments I might end up in: Prosecutions, Removal Coordination Unit, or Detention. The point being that I should not expect to be a badass street officer on Day 1. I have so many guys that come over to me, theyre like, Im gonna put cuffs on somebody. Im gonna arrest somebody. Well, you need to master this first and then well see about getting you on the field. Advertisement I told him that I was fine with office workwith my analyst background, it seemed like a better fit for my skill set anyway. His attitude shift was subtle, but instant and unmistakable; this was the wrong attitude and the wrong answer. Just to be upfront, the goal is to put as many guns and badges out in the field as possible, he said. Advertisement The agent then told me a bit about his own background. Like me, he enlisted straight out of high school, then got out and vowed to get as far away from the violence of the military as possible. Like a lot of veterans, he had trouble assimilating into the civilian world. After about six months, I was like, These people arent like me. I want to be around like-minded people. He found his way into law enforcement. That was well over a decade agohes on his way to a very comfortable retirement, and he enjoys the work. I like that instant gratification of Hey, that guy committed this crime, these X, Y, and Z, hes not even supposed to be here, he said. Advertisement Advertisement I do not agree with his framing, but have no trouble understanding the appeal. Hell, its why I enlisted in the first place. Thankfully, Afghanistan beat it out of me. If I believed what he believed, I would surely do the same thing hes doing. I thanked him for the information and time, shook his hand, and took a seat on one of those uncomfortable folding chairs. I had a few hours before my flight back to New York City, and it made more sense to hang out than to flee the building and get good and airport drunk, regardless of how desperately I would have preferred the latter. Instead, I settled in to do what everyone does at the DMV: check my phone and people-watch. The aspiring officers fall broadly into three categories: thick-necked law enforcement types who look like they do steroids but dont know how to work out, bearded spec-ops wannabes who look like they take steroids and do know how to work out, and dorks. Pencil-necked misfits. I couldnt tell whether there were more white or Hispanic people waiting for their email, but it was close. A few Black applicants rounded out the overwhelmingly male group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id been sitting around for about an hour when the video suddenly stopped and a bearded man in a black suit stepped onto the stage. He did not introduce himselfwe were, I gathered, supposed to already know who he wasbut it became clear hes a senior agent of some sort. I figured it would be best if I break up the same video youve been watching for the last four hours, he said, and offered to answer any questions we might have. One person asked about work/life balance, which the agent said is possible but not the route hes chosen. Someone else wanted to know about travel opportunities and he talked about the many places hes gone as part of the job. Every other question during the 45 minutes the agent stood onstage pertained to the hiring process or what we could expect in training. Law enforcement types seemed especially concerned about the painful parts: Would they have to get pepper sprayed again? Would they have to get shot with a taser if theyd already qualified? Yes and probably not, respectively. The agent took the opportunity to gush about ICEs new state-of-the-art semi-automatic tasers and brand-new pepper-ball guns. Its mostly very liberal citiesSan Francisco, Los Angeleswhere groups will come and try to stop ICE officers from arresting somebody. Theyre like, Were going to form a human wall against you, he said. When they do that, you can just pop em up. Let them disperse and cry about it. Advertisement Advertisement When, during a moment of protracted silence, the agent threatened to put the video back on if no one had questions, I asked about harassment and doxing. We will prosecute people to the fullest extent of the law, he assured me, and then people like myself will go on TV and publicly talk about how that person is now in prison to dissuade other people from doing it. Advertisement As empty as the place had been when Id arrived, it was even emptier by the time the senior agent ended the Q&A. Somebody vastly overestimated the number of Americans willing to take a job brutalizing and disappearing hard-working men and womeneven with a potential $50K bonus, even in this economy. That may have something to do with what happened to me next. I completely missed the email when it came. Id kept an eye on my inbox for the next few days, but Id grown lax when nothing came through. But then, on Sept. 3, it popped up. Advertisement Please note that this is a TENTATIVE offer only, therefore do not end your current employment, the email instructed me. It then listed a series of steps Id need to quickly take. I had 48 hours to log onto USAJobs and fill out my Declaration for Federal Employment, then five additional days to return the forms attached to the email. Among these forms: drivers license information, an affidavit that Ive never received a domestic violence conviction, and consent for a background check. And it said: If you are declining the position, it is not necessary to complete the action items listed below. Advertisement Advertisement As I mentioned, Id missed the email, so I did exactly none of these things. And that might have been where this all endedan unread message sinking to the bottom of my inboxif not for an email LabCorp sent three weeks later. Thank you for confirming that you wish to continue with the hiring process, it read. (To be clear, I had confirmed no such thing.) Please complete your required pre-employment drug test. Advertisement The timing was unfortunate. Cannabis is legal in the state of New York, and I had partaken six days before my scheduled test. Then again, I hadnt smoked much; perhaps with hydration I could get to the next stage. Worst-case scenario, Id waste a small piece of ICEs gargantuan budget. I traveled to my local LabCorp, peed in a cup, and waited for a call telling me Id failed. Advertisement Nine days later, impatience got the best of me. For the first time, I logged into USAJobs and checked my application to see if my drug test had come through. What I actually saw was so implausible, so impossible, that at first I did not understand what I was looking at. Advertisement Somehow, despite never submitting any of the paperwork they sent menot the background check or identification info, not the domestic violence affidavit, none of itICE had apparently offered me a job. Advertisement According to the application portal, my pre-employment activities remained pending. And yet, it also showed that I had accepted a final job offer and that my onboarding status was EODEntered On Duty, the start of an enlistment period. I moused over the exclamation mark next to Onboarding and a helpful pop-up appeared. Your EOD has occurred. Welcome to ICE! I clicked through to my application tracking page. Theyd sent my final offer on Sept. 30, it said, and I had allegedly accepted. Welcome to Ice. Your duty location is New York, New York. Your EOD was on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025. By all appearances, I was a deportation officer. Without a single signature on agency paperwork, ICE had officially hired me. Perhaps, if Id accepted, they would have demanded my pre-employment paperwork, done a basic screening, realized their mistake, and fired me immediately. And yet, the pending and upcoming tasks list suggested a very different outcome. My physical fitness test had been initiated on Oct. 6, it said: three days in the future. My medical check had apparently been completed on Oct. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate I Cant Stop Thinking About the Last Thing the ICE Agent Said to Renee Good Read More The portal also listed my background check as completed on Oct. 6. Had I preemptively passed? Was ICE seriously going to let me start training without finding out the first thing about me? I reached out to ICE for an explanation, but never heard back. Advertisement The only thing left for me to do was press the green Accept button on the home page. And maybe I should have. Maybe no one would have ever checked my name and I could have written the story of a lifetime. Or maybe the agency infamous for brutalizing and disappearing people with no regard for the law or basic human rights would have figured out exactly who I am while I was in one of their facilities with no way to escape. Im not actually a domestic terrorist sent straight from Antifa headquarters, but to a paranoid fascist regime increasingly high on their own supply, I sure look like one on paper. Self-preservation won out. Advertisement I hit Decline, closed my browser, and took a long, deep breath. What are we to make of all this? To be clear, I barely applied to ICE. I skipped the steps of the application process that would have clued the agency in on my lack of fitness for the position. I made no effort to hide my public loathing of the agency, what it stands for, and the administration that runs it. And they offered me the job anyway. Advertisement Its possible that Im an aberrationperhaps I experienced some kind of computer glitch that affected my application and no one elses. But given all of the above, it seems far more likely that ICE is running an extremely leaky ship when it comes to recruitment. With no oversight and with ICE concealing its agents identities, itll be extremely difficult for us to know. Theres a temptation to take some comfort in ICEs sloppiness. Theres a real argument here that an agency so inept in its recruitment will also be inept at training people and carrying out its mission. Were seeing some very sloppy police work from ICE, including an inability to do basic things like throw someone down and cuff them. On some level, all of this is a reminder that their takeover is neither total nor inevitable. Advertisement Advertisement But if they missed the fact that I was an anti-ICE journalist who didnt fill out her paperwork, what else might they be missing? How many convicted domestic abusers are being given guns and sent into other peoples homes? How many people with ties to white supremacist organizations are indiscriminately targeting minorities on principle, regardless of immigration status? How many rapists and pedophiles are working in ICE detention centers with direct and unsupervised access to a population that will be neither believed nor missed? How are we to trust ICEs allegedly thorough investigations of the people they detain and deport when they cant even keep their HR paperwork straight? Advertisement Advertisement And if theyre not going to screen me out, what hope is there of figuring out which recruit might one day turn into a trigger-happy agent who would forget that law enforcement officers are trained not to stand in front of vehicles, get jumpy, and shoot a 37-year-old woman to death on the streets of Minneapolis? Thats exactly what happened last week, and why Renee Good will never have a 38th birthday, and why her children will never again be hugged by their mother. Advertisement By all appearances, the only thing ICE is screening for is a desire to work for ICE: a very specific kind of person perfectly suited for the kind of mission creep we are currently seeing. Goods murder is not an isolated incident; the American Civil Liberties Union reports a nationwide trend of ICE pointing guns at, brutalizing, and even detaining citizens who stop to film them. A Minneapolis pastor who protested ICE by chanting We are not afraid was detained at gunpoint by an agent who reportedly asked him: Are you afraid now? I am. We all should be. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseths campaign to punish Sen. Mark Kellya retired Navy captainfor urging members of the armed forces to disobey unlawful orders, is even more outlandish, and legally baseless, than it seems at first glance. This past November, in a 90-second video addressed to service members, Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers who had served in the military or in intelligence agencies stated that the Constitution was under threat from abroad and here at home, and that our laws are clearyou can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. The video failed to mention President Donald Trumps name or any of his policies, but in the wake of military actions and threats he was making at the time, especially toward Venezuela, the message was clear. In response, Trump denounced the video as SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS punishable by DEATH! He added, a bit later, HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD! Hegseth characteristically chimed in with his own denunciations and, last week, issued a formal letter of censure, which could lead to a demotion of Kellys rank, reducing his benefits. Kelly could even be recalled to active duty, then court-martialed, an act that would remove his military status entirely and even land the senator in prison. On Monday, Kelly filed a lawsuit against Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, the Department of Defense, and the Department of the Navy, claiming that they were trying to deny his constitutional rights and requesting a federal judge to block them from carrying out their threats. Kellys case seems to be a slam dunk. Even if the judge allows Hegseth and Phelan to pursue their censure, it is extremely unlikelythough I hesitate to say impossible, because nothing is impossible with this administrationthat the senators persecutors will succeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, and most obviously, the notion that Kelly and his colleagues committed sedition, treason, or any sort of crime with their video is preposterous. They were not encouraging service members to defy specific ordersonly reminding them that they are obligated not to follow unlawful orders. In this, the lawmakers were merely reciting the clear language of military law. Second, even if this were seditious (or even if Kelly had made some truly treasonous remark), retired officers cannot be demoted for things they say or do after they retire. The statutes on this are absolutely clear, Eugene Fidell, a senior scholar specializing in military law at Yale Law School, told me on Tuesday. (Retired officers can be demoted for things they had said or done on active duty, but no one is even pretending that Kellys record as a Navy pilot was anything but salutary.) Third, retired officers can be court-martialed for sedition. If found guilty, they could be stripped of all military rank or even imprisoned. However, a court-martial would require a trial in a military court, with the prosecutors presenting evidence of criminality. Even Hegseth must realize that the more hard-line military court would likely dismiss a case based on a video in which Kelly recites a fundamental plank of military law. Advertisement Could Hegseth just go ahead and sign an order demoting Kelly and docking his retirement pay? Actually, no. According to Fidell, the secretary of defense has the authority to demote only flag officersthat is, generals and admirals. Kellys rank of captain, the highest of the U.S. Navys senior officers, is one notch below rear admiral, the lowest-ranking flag officer. However, Phelan, the secretary of the Navy, could sign such an order. If he did, Fidell told me, Kelly could sue him in federal claims courtand very likely succeed at getting his pay restored and making the Pentagons civilian leaders look appallingly petty. The consequences could be deeply demoralizing, within the Pentagon and at U.S. military bases (not that this possibility has deterred Hegseth from his antics so far). Advertisement Kelly sees whats really going on here. In a statement released while filing his lawsuit, Kelly said that Hegseths 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. He added, Thats not the way things work in the United States of America, and I wont stand for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Actually, this does seem to be the way things work in the United States of America now. I know of a few officers who are hesitant to speak out against Trump or his policies precisely because they fear retributionand lack the access to resources, high profile, and legal protections that Kelly enjoys as a member of Congress. There is also a disposition among many officers, bred in them from their days as cadets, to steer clear of political activity, even if its meant to protest the politicization of the military. Still, there are rumblings of change. Kellys suit is one. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powells video pushback against the Trump Justice Departments criminal investigation is another. The votes of a few (remarkably few, but still a few) Republican lawmakersvoicing new dissent against Trumps war-making powers in Venezuela, his imperial threats against Greenland, and even his desire to kill Obamacaremay be more wavelets in a turning tide. Meanwhile, the crusade against Captain Kelly seems doomed to a proper flameout. Veracruz made his debut for new connections a winning one in the $22,000 co-featured conditioned trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, Jan. 12. Bob McClure wasted little time in getting Veracruz to the top from post six in the $50,000-$60,000 claiming handicap, setting the opening quarter in :28. Uncontested, Veracruz clicked the half in :57.3. Chic Choc Rose (Jody Jamieson) gave heavy chase up the backstretch, briefly sticking a nose in front of Veracruz at the three-quarters in 1:26.4, but Veracruz fought back to trot home to a 1-1/4 length score in 1:55.4. Flashchap (Louis-Philippe Roy) was second with Sunday Shoes (Doug McNair) third. Claimed for $55,000 from his last start on Jan. 5 at Mohawk, the five-year-old gelded son of Father Patrick out of the Andover Hall mare Valdonna is owned by Gestion J Y Blais Inc. of Montreal, Que. and trained by Justin Turcotte. Veracruz moved his lifetime record to 12-10-9 in 65 starts with just $743 shy of $140,000 earned. He paid $4.10 to win as the odds-on favourite. In the co-featured $22,000 conditioned trot, Supersonic Hanover ($15.30) and Devastate ($6.30) finished in a dead heat for the win in 1:56.2. J.R. Plante piloted the Blair Burgess-trained Supersonic Hanover, a four-year-old gelded son of Propulsion-Special Appeal, for owners Burgess Racing 24, Charles Foster, Timothy Mansfield and Stewart McEachern. The triumph was Supersonic Hanover's sixth career win, pushing his career earnings to $70,228. Sharing the win with Supersonic Hanover was Devastate, driven by Travis Henry for trainer Mark Etsell and owners Frank Lamacchia, Tony Miceli, Deanmar Sons Stable and Peter Miskolczi. The five-year-old son of Chapter Seven-Susy won his first race of the year and sixth career victory with $81,119 earned. To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. (Standardbred Canada) In the short time since Food4Kids Halton took home the winning cheque in Woodbine Mohawk Parks Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, the donation has already been put to work. Represented in the Charity Challenge by Team Millar (owner Millar Farms and driver James MacDonald), Food4Kids Halton received a total donation of $95,000. Jennifer Sully-Ferraro, Executive Director of Food4kids Halton, was out of the country for the cheque presentation at the 2025 Breeders Crown in October, but she was following along with excitement. "I literally screamed; I couldn't believe it," said Sully-Ferraro. "For us, as a small grassroots agency, this is huge." Spearheaded by prominent owner Marvin Katz, the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge began in 2019 and has annually raised funds within the racing community for charities in the Breeders Crown host surrounding area. Each of this years four charities partnered with a leading owner and driver, whose performance on the racetrack (in addition to other metrics) helped determine the donation received. In addition to Food4Kids Halton, Kids Help Phone, Milton District Hospital Foundation and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre were also participants. "Ive seen how much money Marvin Katz and this challenge has raised over the past few years," commented George Millar of Millar Farms. "Its substantial and Im sure has helped a lot of people, so kudos to him, and I was pretty happy to be a part of it this year with Food4Kids Halton." Food4Kids Halton partners with local public elementary schools to identify families facing food insecurity, then volunteers discretely provide children with bags of food to take home. In the summers, the organization supports families with grocery gift cards. As Sully-Ferraro shared, the need for this service remains strong. "Our program continues to grow, which is unfortunate, because it means more kids in our community are facing food insecurity," said Sully-Ferraro. "Our big goal is to keep going without a wait list so that every time a school calls us, we can say yes to another child in need." Despite the affluence in the area, an increase in poverty in the Halton Region is noticeable, according to Sully-Ferraro. "Last school year, we saw an 18 per cent increase in the number of kids we were serving from the previous year, and we gave out 46,048 bags of food," said Sully-Ferraro. Looking at the current year and how trends are going, were likely to see a similar increase this year." Food4Kids Halton reminded owner Millar of another charity close to his heart. "My daughter runs a charity in South Africa called the Protea Project that I donate to. It's all to do with feeding children and making sure they get health care and dental work," said Millar. "Ive always supported organizations that help children. I was really surprised, at first, that kids here at home needed a food program." Food4Kids Halton gives families experiencing unexpected circumstances a little extra help. "We find people are on our program for an average of two years," explained Sully-Ferraro. "The majority of people we help would much rather be able to buy their own groceries. We're grateful to be there to support them in their time of need, and then we always celebrate when people exit the program because of financial stability. That's always the best." There are 4,500 children in Ontario in a Food4Kids program, and over 1,200 of them are in Halton, making Food4Kids Halton one of the largest chapters. Funding comes directly from individuals and businesses in the community. "We were just so blown away by all of you folks and the way you brought the community together. It's been a really special experience for all of us," said Sully-Ferraro. The 2025 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge at Mohawk raised a total of $450,000 for local causes. Over $2.4 million has been donated since the initiatives inception in 2019. Katz has recently been recognised with Standardbred Canada's Cam Fella Award, a high industry honour, for his creation and leadership of the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge and its meaningful impact on the communities of Breeders Crown host tracks. (Woodbine) Horsepeople competing at the 2026 winter-spring harness racing meeting at Rosecroft Raceway are advised of the items mentioned in this notice. Racing, Qualifying and Draw Schedules Racing will be conducted on Mondays and Thursdays from Monday, Jan. 19, through and including Thursday, April 30, followed by programs on Saturday, May 2; Thursday, May 7; Thursday, May 14; and Saturday, May 16. Post time is 7:15 p.m. A pre-meet training and qualifying session will take place Thursday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with qualifying races being held at 11 a.m. Once the meet begins, qualifiers will be held on Thursdays beginning at 5:30 p.m. Entries for qualifiers close on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Monday programs will be drawn on the preceding Thursday and Thursday programs will be drawn on Monday. The entry box will close promptly at 9 a.m. with the exception of the draw for Jan. 19, which will close at noon on Thursday, Jan. 15, to accommodate for horses qualifying that morning. Horsepeople are encouraged to utilize the United States Trotting Association's Online Entry platform. Racing Application All horsepeople competing at Rosecroft are required to submit a racing application, either electronically via this link or by completing this form and emailing to [email protected]. Health Certificate Requirement Per a directive from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, every horse shipping onto the backstretch at Rosecroft Raceway will be required to have a certified veterinary inspection health certificate issued within the past 30 days. Horses shipping from a state with an EHV-1 positive will be required to have a certified veterinary inspection health certificate issued within the past five days. The health certificate must state: "The equine(s) listed on this CVI have, during the 21 days prior to the shipment date, not originated from a premises under EHV-1 quarantine, not been exposed to an EHV-1 positive equine, and not attended any event where an EHV-1 positive equine has been confirmed or suspected." Health certificates may also be emailed to [email protected]. Failure to have proper and timely health certificates in hand or on file for horses arriving at the stable gate will result in said horses being scratched. For more information, contact race secretary Peter Hanley at [email protected] or [email protected]. (Rosecroft Raceway) 1 min read Strengthening the long-standing partnership between India and Germany, Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, visited the Bosch campus at Adugodi, Bangalore on January 13, 2026, during his India trip. Guruprasad Mudlapur, President of the Bosch Group in India, and Managing Director, Bosch Limited hosted the delegation at the headquarters spotlighting innovations from the region. Tech News Of The Day We feel honoured to welcome the esteemed Federal Chancellor, Friedrich Merz to the Bosch India campus. His presence not only affirms Boschs enduring legacy but also reinstates Indias position in the world as a hub of technological innovation and economic growth. This is a moment of immense pride for Bosch and a testament to the partnership between our nations. said Guruprasad Mudlapur, President of the Bosch Group in India, and Managing Director, Bosch Limited. The guests experienced Boschs H2ICE demonstrator truck with a fully integrated powertrain and telematics system. Bosch India, along with Bosch Germany, is driving the hydrogen transformation to accelerate zero-emission, sustainable mobility. The delegation was also introduced to a range of Boschs software solutions, including AIShield, a best-in-class, AI security solution that ensures protection and reliability of AI systems. AIShield includes over 150 patents in AI security. This visit underscores the deep economic and technological ties between India and Germany in the areas of mobility, manufacturing and innovation, also highlighting the role of German enterprises in Indias growth story. Over the last century, Bosch has built a strong footprint in India driven by sustained investments, localisation, and a strong focus on talent development, contributing meaningfully to Indias industrial and technological advancement. 5 min read Worldwide semiconductor revenue totaled $793 billion in 2025, an increase of 21% year-over-year (YoY), according to preliminary results by Gartner, a business and technology insights company. Tech News Of The Day AI semiconductors including processors, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and networking components continued to drive unprecedented growth in the semiconductor market, accounting for nearly one-third of total sales in 2025, said Rajeev Rajput, Sr. Principal Analyst at Gartner. This domination is set to rise as AI infrastructure spending is forecast to surpass $1.3 trillion in 2026. NVIDIA Strengthened its Lead While Intel Continued to Lose Share Among the top 10 semiconductor vendors ranking, the positions of five vendors have changed from 2024 (see Table 1). NVIDIA extended its lead over Samsung by $53 billion in 2025. NVIDIA became the first vendor to cross $100 billion semiconductor sales, contributing to over 35% of industry growth in 2025. Samsung Electronics retained the No. 2 spot. Samsungs $73 billion semiconductor revenue was driven by memory (up 13%) , while non-memory revenue dropped 8% YoY. SK Hynix moved into the No. 3 position and totaled $61 billion revenue in 2025. This is an increase of 37% YoY, fueled by strong demand for HBM in AI servers. Intel lost market share, ending the year at 6% market share, half of what it was in 2021. Table 1. Top 10 Semiconductor Vendors by Revenue, Worldwide, 2025 (Millions of U.S. Dollars) 2025 Rank 2024 Rank Vendor 2025 Revenue 2025 Market Share (%) 2024 Revenue 2025-2024 Growth (%) 1 1 NVIDIA 125,703 15.8 76,692 63.9 2 2 Samsung Electronics 72,544 9.1 65,697 10.4 3 4 SK Hynix 60,640 7.6 44,186 37.2 4 3 Intel 47,883 6.0 49,804 -3.9 5 7 Micron Technology 41,487 5.2 27,619 50.2 6 5 Qualcomm 37,046 4.7 32,976 12.3 7 6 Broadcom 34,279 4.3 27,801 23.3 8 8 AMD 32,484 4.1 24,127 34.6 9 9 Apple 24,596 3.1 20,510 19.9 10 10 MediaTek 18,472 2.3 15,934 15.9 Others (outside top 10) 298,315 37.6 270,536 10.3 Total Market 793,449 100.0 655,882 21.0 Source: Gartner (January 2026) The buildout of AI infrastructure is generating high demand for AI processors, HBM and networking chips. In 2025, HBM represented 23% of the DRAM market, surpassing $30 billion in sales while AI processors exceeded $200 billion in sales. AI semiconductors are set to represent over 50% of total semiconductor sales by 2029. 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 As generative artificial intelligence tools rapidly enter classrooms, workplaces, and creative industries, questions about what these systems mean for human creativity have become increasingly urgent. Can AI truly be creative? Does it level the playing field by expanding access to ideas and inspiration? Or does it risk weakening the very skills education is meant to develop? For James C. Kaufman, professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut's Neag School of Education, the answers are complexand cautionary. Recent research co-authored by Kaufman, along with his new edited scholarly volume on generative AI and creativity, suggests that while artificial intelligence can support some aspects of creative work, it does not replace human creativity. Instead, it can amplify existing differences in skill, judgment, and expertiseraising important questions for education, equity, and the future of creative work. The study is published on the psyArxiv preprint server. Unlike many technology enthusiasts, Kaufman approaches AI with skepticism grounded in research rather than fear of the technology itself. "Most creativity researchers tend to fall into two camps, those who are very excited about AI and those who are deeply concerned about it," Kaufman says. "I'm in the second camp." His concern stems largely from how quickly generative AI systems were released and adopted, often without the safeguards, testing, or regulatory frameworks that typically accompany transformative technologies. "AI was being actively used by people before we had time to study it carefully," Kaufman says. "That's especially problematic when we're talking about learning, creativity, and long-term skill development." In a recent two-part study conducted with collaborators from other institutions, Kaufman and his colleagues examined how people engage in creative tasks both independently and with the assistance of large language models (LLMs). Participants completed storytelling tasks either on their own or with AI support. The researchers then assessed creativity, intelligence, and overall performance across both conditions. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed or accepted for publication. "What we found is that creativity and intelligence still matter," Kaufman says. "Participants who were more creative without AI also tended to perform better when collaborating with AI." Rather than flattening differences in creative ability, AI acted as an amplifierbenefiting those who already possessed stronger creative and cognitive skills. "If you already have strengths in a domain, you should be able to use AI more effectively," Kaufman says. "AI doesn't suddenly make everyone equally creative." The reason, he explains, lies in how creativity actually works. Generating ideas is only part of the process. Creativity also requires evaluating ideas, refining them, and deciding which are worth pursuing. "AI is much better at generating ideas than it is at evaluating them," Kaufman says. "Deciding what makes sense, what is original, and what is worth pursuing still requires human judgment." That evaluative stage relies heavily on experience, intelligence, and metacognitionan awareness of one's own strengths, limitations, and goals. "Knowing what kind of help you actually need from AI is a skill in itself," Kaufman says, offering a simple example to illustrate the point. "If you think of AI as producing work at about a B or B-plus level, someone who is already working at an A level can use it selectively and still produce excellent work. But if someone is operating below that level, their ceiling may simply become the AI's output." Implications for learning and equity Nowhere are the implications of these findings more concerning than in education. "The goal of an assignment isn't the final product," Kaufman says. "The goal is learning how to do the work." When students rely heavily on AI to generate essays, stories, or solutions to problems, they may produce acceptable outcomes, but they risk bypassing the cognitive effort required for meaningful learning. Several recent studies suggest that when AI assistance is removed, gains in creativity and learning often disappear. "That suggests students aren't necessarily developing lasting skills," Kaufman says. "They're outsourcing the work." Kaufman also points to evidence from other studies showing that students frequently overestimate how much they collaborate with AI, reporting thoughtful engagement even when usage data show extensive copying and pasting. One of the study's central findings challenges the popular notion that AI "democratizes" creativity. "Creativity is already one of the most democratic human traits we have," he says. "Across gender, culture, and socioeconomic status, there are generally no meaningful differences in creative potential." What AI may introduce instead, he warns, are new inequities. "As paid versions improve and free versions decline in quality, access becomes increasingly important," Kaufman says. "The most powerful tools will be available to those who can afford them." Shifting creative landscapes The consequences extend beyond classrooms into creative industries themselves. Many entry-level creative jobs, such as caption writing, concept art, and freelance digital illustration, are already being displaced by AI systems, according to Kaufman. "These are the kinds of jobs people rely on while they're trying to establish themselves in creative fields," Kaufman says. "When those disappear, entire pipelines of talent are disrupted." He worries this could lead to a polarized creative landscape, with hobbyist creativity on one end and elite, well-funded creative production on the other. These concerns are explored more fully in his new edited volume, "Generative Artificial Intelligence and Creativity: Precautions, Perspectives, and Possibilities," co-edited with Matthew J. Worwood, assistant professor-in-residence in UConn's Department of Digital Media and Design. The book brings together scholars from psychology, education, computer science, philosophy, and related fields to examine AI's impact on creative thinking, teaching, assessment, and ethics. Working across disciplines, Worwood says one of the most surprising aspects of the project was the range of perspectives contributors brought to discussions of generative AI and creativity. "The variety in views of generative AI surprised me," Worwood says. "Rarely are we sharing perspectives within a single context, and that makes conversations fun and insightful, but also challenging." That diversity, Worwood says, reinforces the book's central argument that AI should be treated as a tool rather than a replacement for human creativity, particularly in educational settings. "Responsible, intentional use starts with the teacher and the learning expert," Worwood says. "It begins with learning objectives and taking time to consider how choices in AI use can either support or hinder students in meeting those objectives." Transparency, he adds, is critical, and he cautions against allowing decisions about AI use in education to be driven primarily by technologists. "At the lower grade levels, it has to be the teacher, guided by an administrative team that has consulted with subject-matter experts or scholars in the learning sciences," he says. "Right now, I worry that we're too often defaulting to advice from technologists who may not fully understand how learning works." At more advanced levels of education, Worwood envisions a gradual shift toward student autonomy. "We hope to reach a point where students can determine how and when to use AI to support their learning," he says. "But during that transition, thoughtful guidance will be crucial." Ultimately, Kaufman frames AI as neither inherently good nor inherently bad, but powerful. "Creativity itself is neutral," Kaufman says. "If everyone were more creative, the world would not automatically be a better place. The same is true of intelligence and AI." What matters, he adds, is who controls these tools, how they are used and whether institutions invest in thoughtful oversight. For educators, policymakers, and creative professionals, the challenge is not whether to engage with AI, but how to do so without sacrificing learning, equity, and human judgment. "We're living in interesting times," Kaufman says. "And we're still deciding what kind of future we want these tools to help create." More information: Simone A Luchini et al, Generative AI Does Not Erase Individual Differences in Human Creativity, psyArxiv (2025). DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/jszrn_v1 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 Think, know, understand, remember. These are just a few of the mental verbs we use every day to describe what happens in a person's mind. But when using these same words to talk about artificial intelligence, we can unintentionally make AI sound human. "We use mental verbs all the time in our daily lives, so it makes sense that we might also use them when we talk about machinesit helps us relate to them," said Jo Mackiewicz, professor of English at Iowa State. "But at the same time, when we apply mental verbs to machines, there's also a risk of blurring the line between what humans and AI can do." Mackiewicz and Jeanine Aune, teaching professor of English and director of the advanced communication program at Iowa State, are members of a research team that recently examined how writers use anthropomorphizing languagewords that give human traits to non-human thingswhen writing about AI systems. The findings of their new study, "Anthropomorphizing Artificial Intelligence: A Corpus Study of Mental Verbs Used with AI and ChatGPT," are published in Technical Communication Quarterly. The research team also included Matthew J. Baker, associate professor of linguistics at Brigham Young University, and Jordan Smith, assistant professor of English at the University of Northern Colorado. Both Baker and Smith are graduates of Iowa State University. How mental verbs can be misleading Anthropomorphizing mental verbs can be misleading when used to describe AI because it suggests that machines have humanlike inner lives, Mackiewicz and Aune said. Words like "think," "know," "understand" and "want" suggest beliefs, desires or consciousness. But AI systems don't have any of these; they generate outputs based on patterns, not feelings or intentions. Mackiewicz and Aune also noted that mental verbs can inadvertently exaggerate AI's abilities. For example, writing "AI decided" or "ChatGPT knows" may make the system sound more autonomous or intelligent than it is and distort expectations of what it can safely or reliably do. If we talk about AI as if it has intentions, the two ISU researchers added, it can become easier to overlook the real decision-makers: the people who design, train, deploy and oversee AI systems. "Certain anthropomorphic phrases may even stick in readers' minds and can potentially shape public perception of AI in unhelpful ways," Aune said. Words on words In their research, Mackiewicz, Aune and team used the News on the Web (NOW) corpus, a 20-billion-word-plus dataset that features a constantly updated collection of English-language news articles from 20 countries, to study how often news writers pair anthropomorphizing mental verbslike learns, means and knowswith the terms AI and ChatGPT. The results, Mackiewicz and Aune said, surprised the research team. In their analysis, the team identified three key findings: 1. The terms AI and ChatGPT are infrequently paired with mental verbs in news articles While there isn't a single definitive study of overall anthropomorphism in spoken vs. written language, the research we do have offers us some clues, Mackiewicz said. "Anthropomorphism has been shown to be common in everyday speech, but we found there's far less usage in news writing," she said. In the research team's analysis, "needs" was identified as the mental verb most frequently paired with the term AI, occurring a total of 661 times, while "knows" was the mental verb most frequently paired with the term ChatGPT, occurring just 32 times. Mackiewicz and Aune also noted that Associated Press guidelines to avoid attaching human emotions to capabilities to AI models may have impacted how often news writers used mental verbs with the terms AI and Chat GPT in recent years. 2. When the terms AI and ChatGPT were paired with mental verbs, they weren't necessarily anthropomorphized. The research team's analysis found that writers used the mental verb "needs," for example, in two main ways when discussing AI. In many instances, "needs" simply describes what AI requires to function, such as "AI needs large amounts of data" or "AI needs some human assistance." These uses weren't anthropomorphic because they treated AI the same way we talk about other nonhuman systems"the car needs gas" or "the soup needs salt." Second, writers sometimes used "needs" in a way that suggested an obligation to do or be something"AI needs to be trained" or "AI needs to be implemented." Aune said many of these instances were written in a passive voice, which shifted responsibility back to humans, not AI. 3. Anthropomorphization with mental verbs exists on a spectrum. Mackiewicz and Aune said the research team also discovered there were times the usage of "needs" edged into more humanlike territory. Some sentences"AI needs to understand the real world," for exampleimplied expectations or qualities associated with people, such as fairness, ethics or a personal understanding of the world we live in. "These instances showed that anthropomorphizing isn't allornothing and instead exists on a spectrum," Aune said. Writing the future "Overall, our analysis shows that anthropomorphization of AI in news writing is far less commonand far more nuancedthan we might think," Mackiewicz said. "Even the instances that did anthropomorphize AI varied widely in strength." The study's findings, Mackiewicz and Aune said, underscore the importance of looking beyond surface-level verb counts and considering how meaning comes from context. "For writers, this nuance matters: the language we choose shapes how readers understand AI systems, their capabilities and the humans responsible for them," Mackiewicz said. "Our findings can help technical and professional communication practitioners reflect on how they think about AI technologies as tools in their writing process and how they write about AI," the research team wrote in the published study. As AI technologies continue to evolve, writers will continually need to consider how word choices may frame those technologies, Mackiewicz and Aune said. Future research, the team concluded, "could examine the anthromorphizing impact of different words and their senses" and "look at whether or not infrequent usage has an outsized effect on how people, including news writers and other professional communicators, think about AI." More information: Jeanine Elise Aune et al, Anthropomorphizing Artificial Intelligence: A Corpus Study of Mental Verbs Used withAIandChatGPT, Technical Communication Quarterly (2025). DOI: 10.1080/10572252.2025.2593840 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 illustration shows how ZENN, a new kind of AI model, helps computers make sense of messy, real-world information. The flowing, multicolored surface represents the many possible patterns hiding inside complex data, even when that data comes in very different forms. Images, written text and location datashown by the icons at the bottomare all combined into one shared picture. By bringing these different sources together, ZENN can spot meaningful patterns and make better predictions than traditional models that struggle with inconsistent or imperfect data. Credit: Jennifer M. McCann Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used to analyze medical images, materials data and scientific measurements, but many systems struggle when real-world data do not match ideal conditions. Measurements collected from different instruments, experiments or simulations often vary widely in resolution, noise and reliability. Traditional machine-learning models typically assume those differences are negligiblean assumption that can limit accuracy and trustworthiness. To address this issue, Penn State researchers have developed a new artificial intelligence framework with potential implications for fields ranging from Alzheimer's disease research to advanced materials design. The approach, called ZENN and detailed in a study that was featured as a showcase in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, teaches AI models to recognize and adapt to hidden differences in data quality rather than ignoring them. ZENN, short for Zentropy-Embedded Neural Networks, was developed by Shun Wang, postdoctoral scholar of materials science and engineering; Wenrui Hao, professor of mathematics, Zi-Kui Liu, professor of materials science and engineering, and Shunli Shang, research professor of materials science and engineering. The science behind ZENN's approach Zentropy is Liu's advanced theory of entropy, which posits that systems tend to move towards disorder in the absence of energy to maintain order. This deeper theory of entropy integrates quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics into a cohesive predictive model. The researchers used this approach to develop their framework, embedding principles from thermodynamics directly into neural networksa type of AI that mimics how human brains process information based on scienceand allows models to distinguish meaningful signals from uncertainty and noise. "Most machine-learning methods assume that all data is homogeneous," Hao said. "But real-world data is heterogeneous by nature. If we want AI to be useful for scientific discovery, it must account for that." Conventional neural networks are often trained using a mathematical technique called cross-entropy loss to measure how far a model's predictions are from the correct answers. This approach works well when the training data are clean, reliable and consistent, Hao said. Problems arise when models are asked to integrate heterogeneous data, such as combining precise computer simulations with noisier experimental or sensor measurements. ZENN takes a different approach inspired by thermodynamics by breaking the properties of data down into two parts. One part, called "energy," captures the meaningful patterns or signals in the data. The other part, called "intrinsic entropy," captures the noise, uncertainty or disorder in the measurements. The model also uses a "temperature" parameter that can be tuned, which helps it recognize hidden differences, such as whether the data comes from precise simulations or noisier experiments, between datasets. This allows ZENN to focus on the true signal while accounting for varying data quality. Wang compared the idea to reading imperfect documents. "If you are reading a handwritten note with smudges and stains, you know which marks are meaningful and which are just noise," Wang said. "Traditional AI often treats everything the same. ZENN is designed to tell the difference." Real-world testing and applications In tests, the researchers found that ZENN matched the performance of larger, more complex neural networks while remaining more robust when data quality varied. Just as importantly, the team said, the framework provides insight into why a system behaves in a certain way, not just what outcome to expect. They tested the framework in a materials science case study involving an alloy known as iron-rich iron platinum, which has the rare property of contracting when heated. Using ZENN, the team reconstructed the material's free-energy landscape, revealing the thermodynamic mechanisms behind its unusual negative thermal expansion. "Many AI models act like black boxes," Liu said. "They can make predictions, but they do not explain the physics behind them. ZENN helps reveal the mechanisms driving the behavior." The researchers say the framework could be especially valuable in biomedical research. Diseases such as Alzheimer's disease involve complex, heterogeneous data, including brain imaging, genetic information, molecular markers and other clinical records. ZENN could help integrate those datasets to identify disease subtypes, track progression and potentially pinpoint key transition points in processes, they said. Similar advantages, the team reported, could apply to cryo-electron microscopy studies of amyloids, analysis of fossil pollen grains used in climate research and advanced imaging systems that combine geographic information system data with sensor measurements such as PM2.5 indices, housing price, and mental health. A broad range of collaborations is being established across multiple disciplines at Penn State. Future directions and broader impact In materials science and engineering, ZENN could help bridge the gap between idealized computer simulations and real-world experiments, according to Liu. By learning from both, the framework could guide the design of materials that are not only theoretically promising but also manufacturable, with potential applications ranging from medical implants for bone repair to advanced data platforms such as ULTERA, a system that manages and analyzes large, complex datasets. Liu also noted that the approach may also prove useful in emerging areas such as quantum computing, where uncertainty is a fundamental feature rather than a flaw. Embedding Zentropy-aware reasoning into AI models could offer new tools for interpreting and managing quantum information. While challenges remain, particularly in scaling the method to extremely large or complex systems, Liu said the work reflects a broader shift in how artificial intelligence can support science. "Instead of using AI only to find patterns, we want it to help us understand mechanisms," Liu said. "That is what allows scientific knowledge to move forward." 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: Ivanpah Solar Power Facility from the air 2015.jpg. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Jllm06 Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. The electricity it makes is expensive, its technology has been superseded, and it's incinerating thousands of birds mid-flight each year. The Trump administration wants to see this unusual power plant closed, and in a rare instance of alignment, the Biden administration did, too. But the state of California is insisting the Ivanpah power plant in the Mojave Desert stay open for at least 13 more years. It's an indication of just how much electricity artificial intelligence and data centers are demanding. Ivanpah's owners, which include NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource, had agreed with their main customer, Pacific Gas & Electric, to end their contract and largely close Ivanpah. But in December 2025, the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously rejected that agreement, citing concerns about the reliability of the grid to deliver electricity. The decision will effectively force two of Ivanpah's three units to remain running rather than shutting down this year. PG&E and the federal government had argued that closing would save ratepayers and taxpayers money compared with paying for Ivanpah's electricity until 2039, when the contract expires. But some experts and stakeholders agreed with the state's call, noting that the troubled power plant is still providing electricity at a moment when the state has little to spare. "We're seeing massive electricity demand, especially from the great need for data centers, and we're seeing grid reliability issues, so all in all, I think this was a wise move," said Dan Reicher, a senior scholar at Stanford. "Having said that, I think reasonable people can differ on this oneit's a closer call." Ivanpah was the largest plant of its kind in the world when it opened to great fanfare in 2014. The 386-megawatt facility uses a vast array of about 170,000 mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto towers, creating heat that spins turbines to generate electricity. This is known as solar thermal, because it uses the heat of the sun. But the plant has been plagued by problems nearly from the start. The mirror-and-tower technology that once seemed so promising was outpaced by flat photovoltaic solar panels, which soon proved cheaper and more efficient and became the industry standard. Ivanpah has no on-site battery storage, which means it mainly makes power while the sun is shining, and it relies on natural gas to fire up its boilers each morning. The plant also developed a reputation as a wildlife killer, with a 2016 report from the Los Angeles Times finding about 6,000 birds die each year after colliding with Ivanpah's 40-story towersor from instant incineration when they fly into its concentrated beams of sunlight. Despite these issues, the CPUC determined the facility must stay online to help the state meet "tight electricity conditions" expected in the coming years, including surging demand from data centers and artificial intelligence, building and transportation electrification, and hydrogen production. Ivanpah qualifies as clean energy and California has committed to 100% clean energy by 2045. The state's most recent Integrated Resources Plan, which looks ahead at how it will meet energy needs, "would dictate that Ivanpah should remain online in light of the current uncertainty regarding reliability," the CPUC wrote in its December resolution. The five-member decision came despite PG&E's assertion that ratepayers will save money if it closes, a conclusion generally supported by an independent review. It also came despite support for Ivanpah's closure from both the Biden and Trump administrations, which rarely converge on the issue of energy. Construction of the $2.2 billion plant was backed by a $1.6 billion federal loan guarantee that has not yet been fully repaid. How much remains on that loan has not been made public, but an internal audit reviewed by the Times indicates it may be as much as $780 million. In the final weeks of his term, Biden's Department of Energy helped negotiate terminating the contract between PG&E and Ivanpah's owners. Trump's Department of Energywhich has been adversarial toward renewables such as wind and solarurged California to accept that deal. "Continued operation of the Ivanpah Projects is not in the interest of California or its customers, nor is it in the interest of the United States and its taxpayers," Gregory Beard, a senior adviser with the Energy Department's Office of Energy Dominance Financing, wrote in a Nov. 24 letter to the CPUC. Yet the California agency pointed to Trump's policies among its reasons for keeping Ivanpah open. Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum will increase prices for new energy technologies and could delay the expansion of the nation's energy grid, the agency said. Trump also ended tax credits for solar, wind and other renewable energy projects in a move that could reduce up to 300 gigawatts of nationwide build-out by 2035, the CPUC said. In August, Trump's Interior Department effectively halted wind and solar development on federal land in favor of nuclear, gas and coal. That decision could affect Ivanpah, which sits on nearly 3,500 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management near the California-Nevada border. These "shifting federal priorities" are creating uncertainty in the market, the CPUC noted in its resolution. California ratepayers have already paid in excess of $333 million for grid updates to support the Ivanpah project, and terminating its contracts "risks stranding sunk infrastructure costs," it said. Stanford expert Reicher, who also served at the Energy Department under the Clinton administration and as director of climate change and energy initiatives at Google, said from an energy perspective, the decision is sound. "I lean toward keeping it online, running it well and making improvements, particularly as we face an electricity shortage the likes of which we haven't seen in decades," he said. Reicher noted that while concentrated solar has fallen out of favor in the U.S., it was seen as an attractive investment at the time. Some places are still building concentrated solar facilities, among them China, Mexico and Dubai, and it can have some advantages over photovoltaics, he said. For example, many new concentrated solar facilities have a higher capacity factor, meaning they can generate electricity for more hours of the year. Stakeholders such as Pat Hogan, president of CMB Ivanpah Asset Holdings and an early investor in the plant, also applauded the CPUC decision. While Ivanpah has never operated at its target of 940,000 megawatt-hours of clean energy per year, it is still providing electricity, he said. The plant produced about 726,000 MWh in 2024, the most recent year for which there are data, according to the California Energy Commission. "It doesn't operate at the optimum performance that was originally modeled, but it still generates electricity for 120,000 homes in California," Hogan said. Hogan said terminating the power purchase agreements would leave investors and taxpayers in the dust, benefiting the utility company and the plant owners. The plan would have converted a "partially performing federal loan into a near-total loss event," he wrote in a formal complaint filed with the Energy Department's Office of the Inspector General. Others said solar photovoltaic and battery storage are the best, most cost-effective way to secure California's energy future. The state has invested heavily in both, but Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration and the CPUC should work to ensure more are brought online quickly, said Sean Gallagher, senior vice president of policy at the Solar Energy Industries Association, a national trade group. At the same time, bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., should work to stop the federal solar slowdown, which has placed an estimated 39% of California's planned new capacity for the next five years in "permitting limbo," Gallagher said. "The CPUC's decision highlights the precarious energy position California is in, with electricity prices and electricity demand rising at historically fast rates," he said. But Beard, of the Energy Department, criticized the agency decision as a "continuance of California's bad policies that drive up energy bills." "California's decision to keep this uneconomic and costly resource open is bad for taxpayers and worse for ratepayers," Beard said in a statement to the Times. He declined to say whether the federal government plans to appeal the decision, but said his office "has been working closely with the parties involved to ensure maximum repayment of U.S. taxpayer dollars while driving affordability through customer savings." For its part, PG&E said the company is now evaluating next steps. "Ending these agreements would have saved customers money compared to the cost of keeping them for the remainder of their terms," spokesperson Jennifer Robison said in an email. NRG spokesperson Erik Linden said Ivanpah's ownership has continued to invest in the facility and "remains steadfast in its commitment to providing reliable renewable energy to the state of California." The existing power purchase agreements remain in effect and the plant will operate under their terms for the duration of the agreements, he said. It's not the first time California has delayed the retirement of a power facility over concerns about system reliability. Last month, the California Coastal Commission struck a landmark deal with PG&E that will extend the life of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in San Luis Obispo until at least 2030. It was originally slated to close last year. 2026 Los Angeles Times. 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: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain For an increasing number of Americans, a new kind of co-worker is making their work easier. One in five Americans is now using artificial intelligence in at least part of their work, according to the Pew Research Center. But what does it mean, and what does it take, to collaborate well with AI? Until recently, the answer to that question has been technical literacy skills like prompt engineering, knowing how to get the best response from an AI chatbot like ChatGPT. However, researchers found a different skill might make a bigger difference: empathy. In trying to quantify human-AI synergy, Christoph Riedl, a professor of supply chain and information management at Northeastern University, discovered that the same skills that benefit human teamsempathy and perspective takinghelp humans and AI agents. "There's no special AI skill," Riedl said. "It's just good old-fashioned soft skills." Riedl, who specializes in the study of team synergy and collective intelligence, and his collaborators teased apart how effective human and AI synergy is in different situations. They developed a method for calculating human and AI collaboration, measuring a statistical prediction of how well someone should do on a task with how well they actually do on that task with or without the help of AI. Then, they tested that method on people with a range of different skill levels and two AI chatbots: the "state of the art" ChatGPT-4 and the "reasonably dumb" Meta Llama 3, Riedl said. Participants faced a set of questions that researchers often use as an AI benchmark, which includes math, physics and moral reasoning questions. They would answer a few questions on their own and then answer questions with access to either ChatGPT or Llama. Working on their own, humans got about 56% of the answers right, while ChatGPT and Llama got 71% and 39% right on their own, respectively. However, once humans and AI started working together, the results were immediately noticeable. "That's really interesting because, alone, the Llama model seems to be so dumb it can't really answer these questions, but combined with human intelligence and through their combined collaboration, they create synergy," Riedl said. One of the most pressing questions around AI and its impact on labor is whether the technology will close the gap among workers of different skill levels, Riedl explained. Riedl found that human-AI collaboration definitely benefits lower-skilled people. They have more room to grow, so their performance can increase much more with help from AI. However, while the chatbots in this study also helped higher-skilled people to a much lesser degree, even a smaller boost in performance kept them ahead of the pack. "High-skilled people remain high-skilled with AI," Riedl said. "It helps close the skill gap a little bit, but because it still doesn't close it entirely, it, in a way, amplifies it because the best-skilled people are still the best-skilled people. If your goal is to solve the hardest problems, even the best people will benefit from AI." Companies like IBM have already acknowledged a significant AI skill gap among workers, with some of the inequity being traced to a gap in access to AI training. In research done by multinational recruiter Randstad, around 75% of companies have started adopting AI, but only 35% of employees have actually been trained in how to use the technology. Those gaps are particularly significant between men and women and baby boomers and Gen Z. However, much of the conversation around "AI skilling" has focused on technical skills, whether it's programming or prompt engineering. Riedl's research reveals that something called theory of mind, or social perceptiveness skills like empathy, can be just as important. Some participants in the study would simply start a conversation with their chatbot by writing, "Help me answer this question," without providing the question. These people hadn't taken the time to understand what the chatbot did or didn't know. Others were more understanding. They would even write things like, "I'm not good at math. Help me understand this like I'm 12 years old," to help the chatbot understand more about them. Already a great predictor of human synergy, this kind of perspective-taking had a concrete impact on the quality of AI responses. "Because the AI spits out a better answer, you can then collaborate better and come up with a better answer for the question," Riedl said. "The key driver is that my theory of mind ability is somehow reflected in how I prompt it, and that makes the AI write a better answer." As more and more people interact with AI on a daily basis, Riedl hopes the soft skills don't get lost in the conversation around what it means to collaborate with these technological agents. They might be even more important than ever, he said. "There's just a general thing that makes people collaborate well with others, and it doesn't really matter whether this other is another human or another AI agent," Riedl said. "Soft skills make humans better at working with humans, they make humans better at working with AI, and it turns out it even makes AI better at working with AI." This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu. 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 2008 simulation of wool gabardine. Credit: Cornell University The sheen of satin, the subtle glints of twill, the translucence of sheer silk: Fabric has long been difficult to render digitally because of the myriad ways different yarns can be woven or knitted together. Now, Cornell researchers, in partnership with the technology company NVIDIA, have developed a method for creating digital images of cloth that more accurately captures the texture of textiles. The team's new study, presented at the Association for Computing Machinery's SIGGRAPH Asia 2025 meeting in Hong Kong, models how light interacts with yarnsboth as it passes through and reflects off the fabric. The advance is the latest to emerge from the lab of Steve Marschner, professor of computer science in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, who has worked on this problem for more than two decades. Film industry people always complain about how difficult it is to render fabric, said Marschner, who was on a team that received a 2004 Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for work on rendering translucent materials. "It's just hard to get it to look right. It always looks fake." At its smallest level, fabric is composed of tiny fibers twisted together to make a strand called a ply. Multiple plies are twisted together to form yarn, which is then woven or knitted to create fabric. Unlike materials such as metal or skin, which have a solid, continuous surface, fabric is "just a bunch of fibers floating in space that happen to be held together by friction," Marschner said. The shape of the fibers also varies depending on the material. Cut through a fiber of wool and the end will look almost oval; cotton fibers have a kidney shape and silk looks like three- or four-sided polygons. Early research and modeling challenges "It makes the structure so interesting but so difficult to model," said Yunchen Yu, a doctoral student in the field of computer science and the study's first author. "I think there's never going to be one fabric model that everyone uses." Marschner first began researching methods for rendering fabric when he started as an assistant professor at Cornell in 2002. His first doctoral student, Piti Irawan, Ph.D. '08, developed a simple method that modeled how light reflects differently off fibers at different points on the cloth's surface. A 2011 simulation of velvet. Credit: Shuang Zhao/Provided After realizing that the underlying fiber structure dictates a fabric's appearance, Marschner began modeling fabric in a more comprehensive way. Along with Shuang Zhao, Ph.D. '14, and Kavita Bala, provost and professor of computer science, he used a microCT scanner to image at the scale of the woven fibers. This level of detail allowed them to render fabric more accurately, but scanning was expensive and time-consuming. Eventually, they made the process more efficient, so they didn't need to scan each fabric they rendered. This work turned into a side project with Brooks Hagan, a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design, that enabled interior designers to visualize textiles for the production of custom fabrics. Meanwhile, Marschner's lab had been working with Doug James, then an associate professor of computer science at Cornell, now at Stanford, making physical simulations of how yarns and fibers are arranged in woven and knitted materials, and how that impacts their appearance. The team made advances in rendering patterns in knitted cloth, and predicting how a knit pattern will ultimately look when executed with yarn. New advances in fabric rendering In the new study with Andrea Weidlich, a principal researcher at NVIDIA, Yu went further by considering how light interacts with cloth, both as a ray and a wave. She modeled light rays that bounce off the fiberssimilar to Irawan's initial modeland light waves that bend and diffract as they pass through gaps between fibers. This was the first fabric model to take wave optics into account, and built off her recent work rendering iridescent feathers. Renderings of brocade pillows from 2015. Credit: Shuang Zhao/Provided At first, she tried to model the fabric's appearance entirely using wave optics, but the simulation was too computationally intensive. Then, she discovered that using ray optics, which is about 1,000 times faster, works well for generating the average color of the fabric and look of the highlights. She could then save the slower wave-optics simulations to render the light shining through the fabric from behind, and for the subtle glints, sparkles and imperfections that make the images look especially realistic. With this method, Yu must simulate how light interacts with each new type of fabric she renders. But, ultimately, she hopes to employ artificial intelligence to skip the simulation step, making the model faster and more flexible. Marschner expects that incorporating generative AI techniques will be the key to more efficient fabric modeling for the gaming and animation industry. This will result in higher quality renderings, not just for high-budget animated films, but also for more widespread use, such as in video games. "We have come a long way since 2002," Marschner said. "It's funny to look back at some of the things that we thought looked really good back then." More information: Yunchen Yu et al, Realistic Cloth Rendering with a Ray-Wave Hybrid Shading Model, ACM Transactions on Graphics (2025). DOI: 10.1145/3763359 Journal information: ACM Transactions on Graphics 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 is a visual abstract of the study. Credit: University of Groningen / AFAS How do you know if a chatbot is giving the correct answer? This is an important question for companies that use large language models to communicate with their customers. The Dutch company AFAS was using chatbots to generate answers, which had to be checked by a human employee before being sent to the customer. To speed up this process, they collaborated with a research team from the University of Groningen, developing a framework that verifies AI-generated answers. This system mirrors how human experts currently assess correctness, and relies on internal documentation as its knowledge base. The paper is published in the Journal of Systems and Software. In practice, incorrect answers are often easier to spot than correct ones. So a framework that quickly filters out clear mistakes can significantly speed up the human evaluation process. But the more interesting scientific challenge lies in a different direction: an answer that appears correct may still miss crucial nuances, revealing a gap between apparent correctness and genuine correctness. The researchers spent a day with the AFAS support staff to observe and interactively understand what makes them decide whether a response is correct. They then combined this with domain-specific information in the form of internal documentation. Initial results show strong potential for this approach: for straightforward yes/no and instruction-type queries, it could save up to 15,000 working hours each year. Overview of the proposed workflow for the AFAS customer support desk, using the new AI to check the correctness of chatbot answers. Credit: University of Groningen / AFAS The AI system is able to judge correctness even in situations it was not explicitly trained for. This points to a broader scientific opportunity: building AI evaluators that can generalize their judgment across new tasks by mimicking how human experts reason, rather than relying solely on pattern matching. Furthermore, the results show the importance of contextual, organization-specific knowledge that ultimately determines whether an AI model's decision is accurate and useful. Author Ayushi Rastogi says, "For industry, this means that investing in well-structured internal documentation and domain expertise is just as important as deploying advanced AI models. Without that foundation, even the smartest AI model cannot deliver trustworthy, actionable outcomes." More information: Herman Lassche et al, Is our chatbot telling lies? Assessing correctness of an LLM-based Dutch support chatbot, Journal of Systems and Software (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.112699 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 woman walks by a giant screen with a logo at an event at the Paris Google Lab on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris, on Feb. 9, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Thibault Camus,File Google parent Alphabet Inc. on Monday became the fourth Big Tech powerhouse to be valued at $4 trillion, a once seemingly unfathomable milestone that's become more like a rite of passage amid an artificial intelligence arms race. Alphabet reached the threshold just four months after Google dodged the U.S. government's attempt to break up its internet empire following a ruling last year that branded its ubiquitous search engine an illegal monopoly. In an effort to prevent further abuses, a federal judge overseeing the case ordered a shake-up that investors widely interpreted as a slap on the wrist, resulting in a 57% increase in Alphabet's stock price since then that has created an additional $1.4 trillion in shareholder wealth. The rapid run-up thrust Alphabet into a $4 trillion club that has previously welcomed computer chipmaker Nvidia, which became the first to cross the barrier in July. Both Apple and Microsoft also surpassed market values of $4 trillion last year, but they have fallen back mid worries that the spending spree on AI will turn into a bubble that bursts. Nvidia's market value briefly topped $5 trillion in late October, before backtracking as the AI bubble fears also exacted a toll on its stock price because its chipsets are needed to power the technology. Meanwhile, Amazon is currently valued at $2.6 trillion, in part because of its AI ambitions, and Facebook parent Meta Platforms is valued at $1.6 trillion for some of the same reasons. Electric automaker Tesla also is betting heavily on AI, a gambit that prompted the companynow valued at $1.5 trillionto approve a compensation package t hat would pay CEO Elon Musk $1 trillion if several targets are hit, including reaching a market value of more than $8.5 trillion. Alphabet joined the $4 trillion club on the same day that Apple announced it will rely on Google's AI technology to help smarten up its virtual assistant Siri after coming up short in its own efforts to bring more advanced features to the iPhone. Google is well positioned to become one of the big winners in the AI battle because it is deploying the technology to transform its search engine into more of a conversational answer engine to compete against the likes of OpenAI's ChatGPT and Perplexity. The next generation of the Gemini model underlying Google's AI technology has been winning rave reviews since its recent release, helping to drive up Alphabet's stock price while the shares of other AI-driven companies have dipped with ongoing bubble worries. Google's Cloud division that sells AI tools to corporate customers and government agencies has emerged as Alphabet's fastest growing segment during the past three years while AI technology has enabled its Waymo robotaxi division to dispatch more self-driving vehicles in cities across the U.S. The competitive threats posed by rising AI stars such as OpenAI and Perplexity is one of the reasons that U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta rebuffed the U.S. Justice Department's proposal to force Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser. The judge reasoned the technological advances unleashed by AI already have been forcing significant changes in online search. Alphabet's market value could plunge if investor sentiment about the company's exposure to a potential AI bubble suddenly shift. Even Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai conceded that some market "irrationality" is contributing to the skyrocketing market values of Big Tech companies during a November interview with the BBC. "I think no company is going to be immune, including us," Pichai said if the AI-driven euphoria suddenly evaporates. 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: This image depicts the real-time transfer of a humans motion to a robotic avatar, enabling the latter to perform a dexterous task. Credit: Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI) Despite rapid robotic automation advancements, most systems struggle to adapt their pre-trained movements to dynamic environments with objects of varying stiffness or weight. To tackle this challenge, researchers from Japan have developed an adaptive motion reproduction system using Gaussian process regression. By learning the relationship between human motion and object properties, their method enables robots to accurately replicate human grasping behaviors using small training datasets and manipulate unfamiliar objects with remarkable precision and efficiency. Challenges in robotic adaptability Accelerating progress in robotic automation promises to revolutionize industries and improve our lives by replacing humans in risky, physically demanding, or repetitive tasks. While existing robots already excel in controlled environments such as assembly lines, the ultimate frontier of automation lies in dynamic environments found in tasks, such as cooking, assisting the elderly, and exploration. To realize this goal, one of the key barriers is making robots capable of adapting to touch. Unlike human hands, which intuitively adjust their grip for objects of unknown weight, friction, or stiffness, most robotic systems lack this crucial form of adaptability. Advances in motion reproduction systems To transfer sophisticated human dexterity to machines, researchers have developed various motion reproduction systems (MRSs). These are centered around accurately recording human movements and recreating them in robots via teleoperation. However, MRSs tend to encounter problems if the properties of the object being handled change or do not match those of the recorded movement. This limits the versatility of MRSs and, in turn, the applicability of robots in general. To address this fundamental challenge, a research team from Japan has developed a novel system designed to adaptively model and reproduce complex human motions. The study was led by Master's student Mr. Akira Takakura from the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, and co-authored by Associate Professor Takahiro Nozaki, Department of System Design Engineering; Doctoral student Kazuki Yane; Professor Emeritus Shuichi Adachi, also from Keio University; and Assistant Professor Tomoya Kitamura from Tokyo University of Science, Japan. Their paper is published in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics. How Gaussian process regression improves adaptability The team's core breakthrough was moving past linear modeling strategies and instead using Gaussian process regression (GPR). This is a regression technique that can accurately map complex nonlinear relationships, even with a small amount of training data. By recording human grasping motions for multiple objects, the GPR model was trained to identify the relationship between the object's "environmental stiffness" and the necessary position and force commands issued by the human. In turn, this process effectively reveals the human's underlying motion intention, or "human stiffness"allowing the robot to generate appropriate motion for objects it has never encountered. "Developing the ability to manipulate commonplace objects in robots is essential for enabling them to interact with objects in daily life and respond appropriately to the forces they encounter," explains Dr. Nozaki. Testing and results of the new system To validate their approach, the researchers tested it against conventional MRSs, linear interpolation, and a typical imitation learning model. The proposed GPR system demonstrated significantly enhanced performance in reproducing accurate motion commands for both interpolation and extrapolation. For interpolation, which involves handling objects with a stiffness that falls within the limits of the training set, it reduced the average root-mean-square error (RMSE) by at least 40% for position and 34% for force. Meanwhile, for extrapolation of objects harder or softer than those in the training set, the results were equally robust, exhibiting a 74% reduction in position RMSE. Most importantly, the proposed method based on GPR markedly outperformed all other methods. Implications for industry and future robotics By accurately modeling humanobject interactions with minimal training data, this new take on MRSs will help generate dexterous motion commands for a wide range of objects. This ability to capture and recreate complex human skills will ultimately enable robots to move beyond rigid contexts and toward providing more sophisticated services. "Since this technology works with a small amount of data and lowers the cost of machine learning, it has potential applications across a wide range of industries, including life-support robots, which must adapt their movements to different targets each time, and it can lower the bar for companies that have been unable to adopt machine learning due to the need for large amounts of training data," says Mr. Takakura. More information: Akira Takakura et al, Motion Reproduction System for Environmental Impedance Variation via Data-Driven Identification of Human Stiffness, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics (2025). DOI: 10.1109/tie.2025.3626633 Provided by Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI) 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: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for a classified briefing with senators on the situation in Venezuela, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that Elon Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot Grok will join Google's generative AI engine in operating inside the Pentagon network, as part of a broader push to feed as much of the military's data as possible into the developing technology. "Very soon we will have the world's leading AI models on every unclassified and classified network throughout our department," Hegseth said in a speech at Musk's space flight company, SpaceX, in South Texas. The announcement comes just days after Grokwhich is embedded into X, the social media network owned by Muskdrew global outcry and scrutiny for generating highly sexualized deepfake images of people without their consent. Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked Grok, while the U.K.'s independent online safety watchdog announced an investigation Monday. Grok has limited image generation and editing to paying users. Hegseth said Grok will go live inside the Defense Department later this month and announced that he would "make all appropriate data" from the military's IT systems available for "AI exploitation." He also said data from intelligence databases would be fed into AI systems. 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. Credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File Hegseth's aggressive push to embrace the still-developing technology stands in contrast to the Biden administration, which, while pushing federal agencies to come up with policies and uses for AI, was also wary of misuse. Officials said rules were needed to ensure that the technology, which could be harnessed for mass surveillance, cyberattacks or even lethal autonomous devices, was being used responsibly. The Biden administration enacted a framework in late 2024 that directed national security agencies to expand their use of the most advanced AI systems but prohibited certain uses, such as applications that would violate constitutionally protected civil rights or any system that would automate the deployment of nuclear weapons. It is unclear if those prohibitions are still in place under the Trump administration. During his speech, Hegseth spoke of the need to streamline and speed up technological innovations within the military, saying, "We need innovation to come from anywhere and evolve with speed and purpose." He noted that the Pentagon possesses "combat-proven operational data from two decades of military and intelligence operations." "AI is only as good as the data that it receives, and we're going to make sure that it's there," Hegseth said. The defense secretary said he wants AI systems within the Pentagon to be responsible, though he went on to say he was shrugging off any AI models "that won't allow you to fight wars." Hegseth said his vision for military AI systems means that they operate "without ideological constraints that limit lawful military applications," before adding that the Pentagon's "AI will not be woke." Musk developed and pitched Grok as an alternative to what he called "woke AI" interactions from rival chatbots like Google's Gemini or OpenAI's ChatGPT. In July, Grok also caused controversy after it appeared to make antisemitic comments that praised Adolf Hitler and shared several antisemitic posts. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to questions about the issues with Grok. 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. UOB to join Vietnams International Financial Center: exec By Dinh Duy, Chau Anh Tue, January 13, 2026 | 4:04 pm GMT+7 Singaporean bank UOB said it stands ready to further engage in the development of Vietnams International Financial Center (IFC), not only as a capital provider but also as a strategic partner sharing expertise in bank governance, risk management, capital-market development, and international capital connectivity. At a Monday meeting with visiting Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, UOB deputy chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong said the bank continues to view Vietnam as a strategic market in Southeast Asia. Vietnam has adopted a one center, two destinations model for the IFC, with hubs in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh (right) and UOB deputy chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong at their meeting in Singapore on January 12, 2025. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal. At the meeting, the executive said the bank plans to raise UOB Vietnam's charter capital to VND10 trillion ($380.63 million) and is moving ahead with construction of a new headquarters building for the bank at the HCMC IFC. The capital hike aims to strengthen the banks financial capacity, expand its operation scale, and enhance its ability to provide high-quality financial products and services to corporate and individual clients in Vietnam, particularly in trade finance, corporate banking, capital market, and sustainable finance, he said. In response, Binh suggested UOB continue acting as a bridge between Vietnams financial market and Singapore and the wider region, and play an active role in key components of the IFC, including the development of new financial products, green and sustainable finance, banking services for international investors and cross-border businesses, as well as efforts to attract investors. "The Vietnamese government pledges to establish a stable and transparent legal environment and introduce tailored policy mechanisms for the IFC, creating favorable conditions for reputable global financial institutions such as UOB to expand operations, commit long-term investment, and accompany Vietnam in its new phase of development," he said. UOB established its presence in Vietnam in 1993 with a representative office. In 2019, UOB Vietnam expanded into the northern market with the opening of a branch in Hanoi. With the completion of its acquisition of Citigroups consumer banking business in Vietnam in 2023, UOB Vietnam now has more than 1,500 employees and five branches across HCMC and Hanoi. (TBTCO) - Thi truong chung khoan nam 2025 khep lai voi muc tang manh cua VN-Index, nhung a i len cua thi truong khong lan toa ong eu, khi su phan hoa giua cac nhom co phieu ngay cang ro net. Boi canh nay at ra yeu cau cao hon ve chon loc va quan tri rui ro tren thi truong chung khoan trong giai oan tiep theo. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Despite repeated warnings from medical professionals, staff at the Sangamon County Jail placed 27-year-old Tiffany Rusher who had a long, documented history of suicide attempts and self-harm in an isolated cell for nearly four months, a lawsuit and jail records show. In March 2017, she was found dead with a strip of hand towel wrapped tightly around her neck., according to a lawsuit filed by her family. Doctors had advised jail staff that Rusher should not be held in solitary confinement, noting her dozens of prior attempts to harm herself and her high risk for suicide. Rushers mother, Kelli Andrews, later sued Sangamon County and Advanced Correctional Healthcare, alleging that despite knowing Rusher had attempted to kill herself at least 10 times and had injured herself in 27 other incidents including swallowing pens, toothbrushes and other inedible objects similar to the cloth available to her in jail officials still housed her in conditions medical staff had explicitly warned against. Michael Shmikler, a social worker for ACH, described Tiffany as high-risk due to the known danger that she presented to herself, according to the lawsuit. The defendants also knew, or at the very least should have known, that placing a person with Tiffanys mental state in solitary confinement would only exacerbate her deteriorated mental condition, cause severe psychological trauma, and make it more likely that Tiffany would try to kill herself, the complaint read. The defendants would admit that Rusher was reported to suffer from mental illnesses and was documented to engage in self-harm. However, they would deny that all of her illnesses were known to all defendants that the referenced illnesses were severe at all times during her incarceration. According to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authoritys Death in Custody Report, at least 112 inmates died between 2019-2022 in Illinois county jails. Of those, 24 were reported as suicides. Nationally, between 228 and 369 suicides of local jail detainees were reported annually between 2000 and 2019, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. As the number of state-operated treatment centers and beds for inmates with mental health concerns in Illinois dwindle, the pressure falls on county jails and community-based clinics to provide restorative mental health services. Even private health care contractors hired to provide medical services to detainees dont always provide mental health professionals. County jail administrators and sheriffs across the state say that handling the needs of people experiencing some of the worst mental health conditions has become a burden too heavy for their staff to carry and for the county to fund on its own. We are having a mental health crisis, said Rock Island County Sheriff Darren Hart. It is a challenge in being able to maintain those individuals, because we have only a level of care available to us here locally, where the state may have a higher level of care that they can provide. Advanced Correctional Healthcare (ACH) contracts with about half of the county jails in Illinois and nearly 400 facilities across the country. The company often partners with community-based organizations, like Freedom Behavioral Health, to outsource mental health care. Jessica Young, ACH President and CEO, said some facilities use volunteers because they do not have any funding for a behavioral health program. Suicide is the number one cause of death in jail, so it is important to have qualified mental health staff to assess and treat detainees in crisis and to determine when to place detainees on suicide precautions or release them from precautions, said Young. The nationwide suicide rate has grown by over 16% in the last year. Coles County Sheriff Kent Martin says the nursing and medical professional shortage makes an already difficult situation worse. Coles County also contracts with ACH for medical services and with Freedom Behavioral Health for mental health services. We go through two or three mental health professionals a year, he said. He added that Coles County Jail is better off than most of the agencies in the surrounding area, but that having 24-hour mental health care would be ideal. But as we know, the funding is never there for that, Martin said. Treatment and segregation Rushers suicidal behavior while in the custody of the Logan County Correctional Facility continued after her committal to McFarland, now known as the Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard Mental Health Center. She was then transferred to Sangamon County Jail after being charged with aggravated battery. Illinois County Jail Standards requires jail officers to provide personal observation of inmates at least every 30 minutes. However, jails may require more frequent checks if it's determined that the patient is a risk to themselves or others. Dr. Arun Abraham, a physician at the Sangamon Jail employed by ACH, said during a deposition that under Sangamon County Jails suicide prevention program, a detainee that is identified as trying to harm themselves can be put on high risk status. Inmates with this designation are observed every 15 minutes and spoken to regularly be mental health staff. Sangamon County inmates designated as "mentally unstable" are subject to 10-minute checks whereas inmates designated as "suicidal" are subject to 10-minute checks or 24-hour continuous observation depending on the circumstances. During her detainment in Sangamon, Rusher was deprived of all property, stripped naked and barred from having any undergarments or clothing except for an anti-suicide blanket. Melissa Caldwell, president of behavioral health services for Freedom Behavioral Health, said in a deposition for the Rusher lawsuit that recommendations can be made for an at-risk inmate to not have clothes if they have used clothing to harm themselves. In the months leading up to her death, staff members recorded that Rusher was mentally unstable for 76 days, suicidal for two days in February 2017 and had five instances of needing medical precautions such as health screenings, quarantine and isolation for potential or confirmed illnesses, according to court records. In addition, Abraham assessed Rusher as having bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, which were documented in a medical progress note. Alan Mills, executive director of the Uptown People's Law Center, represented Rusher's estate in the case and said mental health care at the time consisted of isolation and medication. "And that meant (Rusher) was heavily medicated for part of the time and that she was isolated all the time that she was there," Mills said. "Isolation is one of those things that is actually a predictor of suicide and that's true both in the community and in jails." The hope would be that staff should be fixing their procedures as a result of the case, he added. However, there was no requirement to do so in the settlement. Sangamon County Sheriffs Department officials said procedures changed following the incident but declined to comment further about the Rusher case. In some instances, jails rely on the guidelines of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care for the treatment of mentally ill individuals even if they are not accredited by the agency. According to a position statement adopted by the commission in 2016, "isolation for clinical or therapeutic purposes should be allowed only upon the order of a health care professional and for the shortest duration and under the least restrictive conditions possible and should take place in a clinically designated and supervised area." Caldwell said in her deposition that Rusher's housing conditions were not equivalent to the solitary confinement conditions you would see in prisons. And at times, they are necessary to ensure patient safety. "If it was to keep her safe and others safe, then I am comfortable with it," Caldwell said in her deposition. "It is not optimal but it is necessary for safety." She added that an at-risk inmates separation from the general population does not or should not mean unsupervised isolation. Defendants denied that Rusher was confined under conditions of extreme isolation or that she was in solitary confinement for more than 30 days. It should mean that there's a lot of monitoring and eyes professionally happening with that individual in a safer environment, Caldwell said in her deposition. And it should be time limited while we're trying to help the individual stabilize. For many jails, housing of mentally unfit inmates depends on the severity of their condition. In Livingston County, Jail Superintendent Lisa Draper said if the detainee can be placed in housing safely, staff will try to do that to keep them from being isolated. The jails Job Management System typically flags inmates who may pose a suicide risk. However, if we can't we place them on administrative segregation, Draper said. During this time, we still offer recreation and time out of their cell if they choose to do so. Jackie Mathias, director of inmate services for the McLean County Jail, said there are 16 cells in the McLean County Jails special needs and behavioral health unit and there is usually a waiting list. In addition to detainees who are unfit to stand trial, the unit also holds people who may be violent or destructive to property on a repeat basis. Those waiting to be sent to the behavioral health unit who pose a safety threat can be held in the booking area unless they have a serious medical issue, she added. Macon County Jail Superintendent Jamie Belcher said every correctional officer goes through training to identify individuals who may be experiencing a mental health issue. Officers then go through more extensive mental health training as they achieve their certification. However, counselors are able to offer more effective tools and resources to inmates. When somebody gets here they kind of start to lose hope, he said. Theres a lot of anxiety that comes with that. The counselor does a good job of dealing with those folks and helping them with coping mechanisms and journaling. Delayed transfers Although mental health and suicide prevention training is required for correctional officers, many jails are still unequipped to handle the needs of inmates who are unfit to stand trial. And the wait to transfer these inmates to mental health facilities can take much longer than the 60-day deadline imposed by the state. In 2022, Khayla Evans, a 24-year-old woman with an intellectual disability and a history of mental illness, had been in Lake County custody for 170 days and found unfit to stand trial for 67 days before she was found unresponsive in her cell. At the time of her booking for aggravated battery in June 2022, jail staff and members of Wellpath, Lake County Jails medical provider, had knowledge that Evans was on multiple medications for ADHD and Intermittent Explosive Disorder. They were also aware that Evans disability made it difficult for her to advocate for her own care. According to a lawsuit filed by her family, the months leading up to her death consisted of multiple psychiatric episodes with self-harm, severe abdominal pain, refusing meals for consecutive days and leg numbness that left her unable to use the toilet on her own. According to an affidavit from a physician with 40 years of experience in emergency medicine, the defendants failure to assess Evans condition, order appropriate diagnostic testing and imaging and adequately treat her condition contributed to a delay in her diagnosis and treatment, resulting in her untimely death. Christopher Covelli, public information officer for the Lake County Sheriff's Office, said he could not comment specifically about the Evans' passing. The defendants have either denied the allegations or stated that they dont have enough knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief, according to the suit. The Illinois Department of Human Services reported 151 individuals unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity awaiting beds at mental health facilities as of September 2025. At that time, the average wait time to transfer one of these at-risk detainees to a state-operated mental health facility was 74 days. The number of referrals IDHS receives monthly has more than doubled since early 2020, said Rachel Otwell, DHS director of communications. In the wake of this unprecedented increase in the number of referrals since the COVID-19 pandemic began, IDHS is building forensic capacity at our hospitals. Woodford County Chief Deputy Dennis Tipsword, R-Metamora, who also represents the 105th Illinois House District, said their jail was not holding any detainees deemed unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity at the beginning of 2025. But in 2024, the county was holding two of these detainees: one who was waiting 160 days for a transfer and one who was waiting 140 days. And for a jail with a maximum capacity of 88 and limited mental health resources, these warehoused inmates' mental health often deteriorated to a point worse than when they were first booked. "And what typically happens in a situation like that after that much time is (mentally ill detainees) end up in solitary confinement in one of our medical rooms or in our detox room," Tipsword said. "And that is horrible for their mental health to be locked away like that but we just don't have options." Delayed transfers also add to the daily duties of the jail staff, according to Sangamon County Jail Superintendent Larry Beck. This could include more frequent cleanings of their cells, making sure inmates are bathing though they may consistently refuse to do so, ensuring they are taking their medications, and other modifications that can in some cases require 24-hour monitoring. They just really can't function on their own, Beck said. However, suicide watch and other inmate designations dont always mean that an inmate will be isolated or even transferred to a location for specialized care. After months of psychiatric episodes with symptoms ranging from hallucinations to banging her head against her cell door, Evans had been placed on suicide watch in the Lake County Jail, yet she would remain in the general population as opposed to a medical unit or a hospital. The next month, Evans inmate classification was changed to allow closer supervision and the special attention of jail administration due to her risk of self-harm, according to her wrongful death suit. But she would not be transported to a hospital or referred to a physician leading up to this decision. Bed availability As of last year, IDHS currently operates six state hospitals with a total of 822 forensic beds for individuals found unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. Since 2021, more than 200 forensic beds have been added across the state, she added. IDHS is also in the process of rehabilitating the Alton Mental Health Center's Willow building, which would expand forensic service capacity by 100 beds. This $27.9 million capital investment is expected to be completed in 2026. The department also contracts with private psychiatric hospitals to provide additional capacity when clinically appropriate, Otwell said. Scott Block, statewide behavioral health administrator of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts, said when there is a lack of community-based treatment, the thought is that any avenue to get someone treatment will improve outcomes. "What people don't understand is competency restoration services are not the same as what you would expect in psychiatric or mental health care," Block said. "Mental competency restoration services are really meant to restore somebody to a state to where they are able to stay on trial and to litigate and then adjudicate the case." Beck said that once inmates become a ward of the state, IDHS' mental health facilities have the ability to force medication and when that happens, it doesn't take long for these individuals to be restored to a better mental state. "Then what happens after that is when (IDHS) declares that (inmates) are fit, they send them back to me," Beck said. "In a week, some of them will immediately become noncompliant with meds again and it doesn't take long for them to deteriorate." Although McLean County Jail has mental health resources that have managed to restore at least 11 detainees to competency without a DHS referral in the last three years, administering treatment is a difficult process. "And then even if you come here, it's not like we can force medications or we can force treatment on you," Mathias said. Hart said Rock Island County has been lucky to have a partnership with the Robert Young Center, which has provided mental health caseworkers and providers that manage the caseload of the jail. It helps identify individuals that need additional care, said Hart, adding that he believes the services offered through Robert Young Center have played a significant role in decreasing the number of instances of self harm and suicides. The countys 708 Mental Health Board was established in 1976 through the Illinois House Bill 708, which enables the county to collect and allocate revenue for mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities services. The board funds around $200,000-$250,000 worth of mental health services, eliminating that cost for the county. "We're thankful that we received the resources to be able to do that," Hart said. "Because if not, that would add another cost on top of operating the Rock Island County Jail." If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential help 24/7. Eurovision 2026: Semi Final Draws ....plus a belated accolade for 2025's Go-Jo. Australia will compete in the second semi final at this years Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. First Semi-Final (12 May) First Half: Georgia (GPB) Portugal (RTP) Croatia (HRT) Sweden (SVT) Finland (YLE) Moldova (TRM) Greece (ERT) Second Half: Montenegro (RTCH) Estonia (ERR) San Marino (RTV) Poland (TVP) Belgium (RTBF) Lithuania (LRT) Serbia (RTS) Israel (KAN) Second Semi-Final (14 May) First Half: Armenia (AMPTV) Romania (TVR) Switzerland (SRG SSR) Azerbaijan (Ictimai) Luxembourg (RTL) Bulgaria (BNT) Czechia (CT) Second Half: Albania (RTSH) Denmark (DR) Cyprus (CyBC) Norway (NRK) Malta (PBS) Australia (SBS) Ukraine (Suspilne) Latvia (LSM) The precise running order for the two Semi-Finals will be determined by the end of March. For Vienna 2026, both a public vote and a jury vote will determine the Top 10 countries from each Semi-Final. Thats positive news for Australia which has traditionally fared best where juries are involved, rather than public only (the theory being Europeans still begrudge our inclusion and vote accordingly but its all anecdotal). SBS is yet to announce the 2026 act to represent Australia. Host country Austria, alongside the Big 4 (France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom) dont compete in the Semi-Finals, but their audiences watching at home do vote, as do their professional juries. Spain, until recently part of the Big 5, is boycotting this year. The stage design was also recently unveiled for Vienna 2026. At the heart of the stage will be a LED surface in the shape of a curved leaf that forms the centrepiece of the production. A sweeping arc and an elaborate structure complete this spectacular design. The creative spirit of the Viennese Secession lies at the centre of the stage-design concept. And like that art movement once did, ORFs production wants to deliberately break conventions and allow new forms. Its about courage for renewal, openness to radical creativity and a new freedom of design. and lastly Australias very own Go-Jo was voted best Non-Qualifying Show-Stopper 2025 for Milkshake Man by Eurovision fans via the official website. Congrats! Sarah Snook to receive AACTA Trailblazer Award "Australia is where I learned to love storytelling" says Sarah Snook, ahead of honour at AACTAs next month. Sarah Snook will receive the AACTA Trailblazer Award at the 2026 AACTA Awards Ceremony next month. The AACTA Trailblazer Award recognises the achievements of an Australian screen practitioner whose body of work has served as an inspiration to others, and has previously been awarded to Margot Robbie, Chris Hemsworth, Rose Byrne, Simon Baker, and Isla Fisher. Snook said Im so honoured to receive the AACTA Trailblazer Award. Australia is where I learned to love storytelling, and every opportunity Ive had began with the support of this community. Im grateful to the filmmakers, co-stars, crews and audiences who have lifted me up along the way. Its a privilege to represent Australian talent on the world stage, and I hope to keep contributing to the vibrant, world-class industry were building together. She will receive the honour on Friday 6 February at the AACTA Awards at HOTA on the Gold Coast. On Saturday 7 February, Snook will also be joined by Shane Jacobson to present an exclusive In Conversation as part of the AACTA Festival. AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella said: Sarah Snook embodies everything the AACTA Trailblazer Award represents. From her early work in Australian film and television to her extraordinary global success across screen and stage, Sarah has carved a reputation as one of Australias greatest performers. She continues to champion Australian storytelling on the world stage while inspiring the next generation of creatives at home. We are immensely proud to honour Sarah and look forward to hearing more about her journey at this years AACTA Festival. The session sees Snook delve into her journey from early Australian screen roles to her global breakthrough as Shiv Roy in HBOs Succession, which earned her an Emmy, two Golden Globes and widespread critical acclaim. Snook will also discuss her latest projects, including the internationally praised All Her Fault which she just won the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress in a Limited Series in Los Angeles last week, and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in Limited Series. All Her Fault is available to watch now on BINGE in Australia. The conversation will also further explore her award-winning stage triumph The Picture of Dorian Gray, which saw her take home both the Laurence Olivier Award and the Tony Award for Best Actress. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 George Clooney "would be honoured" to work with Paul Dano, Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard. George Clooney has defended his fellow actors The Jay Kelly actor used his acceptance speech at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards at the weekend to defend the three stars after their talents were criticised by director Quentin Tarantino on the Bret Easton Ellis podcast last month. Accepting the Best Actor prize for Jay Kelly, George noted the movie is "about... and made by people who love actors" and said he doesn't "enjoy watching people be cruel to actors." He added: "By the way, Paul Dano, Owen Wilson, and Matthew Lillard? I would be honoured to work with those actors. Honoured! "Were living in a time of cruelty, and we don't need to be adding to it. "I'm very happy to be here. Very happy to see all of you, and thank you for this, and thank you for... It's gonna be a long, tough couple of years, but we'll all get through it together, okay?" Pulp Fiction filmmaker Tarantino had named Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 drama There Will Be Blood as his fifth-favourite movie of the 21st century, but admitted it would have been higher in the list if he hadn't been so unimpressed by Dano's performance alongside Daniel Day-Lewis. Speaking on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, he said: "There Will Be Blood would stand a better chance to be in number one or number two if it didn't have a big giant flaw in it, and the flaw is Paul Dano. "Obviously, it's supposed to be a two-hander, and it's also so drastically obvious that it's not a two-hander. "He is weak sauce, man. He's a weak sister. "Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. [Dano] just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy... "I'm not saying he's giving a terrible performance. "I'm saying he's giving a non-entity [performance]. I don't care for him. I don't care for Owen Wilson, I don't care for Matthew Lillard." George isn't the only star who spoke out to defend the Swiss Army Man star afterwards. Filmmaker Matt Reeves took to social media to describe the star, who he directed in 2022 movie The Batman, as "an incredible actor". Reeves wrote on X: "Paul Dano is an incredible actor, and an incredible person." Hollywood actor Ben Stiller replied to Reeves' message with a Hallelujah emoji, and he also praised Paul, 41, on his own X account. He posted: "Paul Dano is f-ing brilliant (sic)" Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu also praised the Fabelmans actor. He wrote on X: "idk man i think paul dano is an incredible actor (sic)" Ethan Hawke later praised the outpouring of positivity the actor had experienced in the wake of the "hateful" tirade from Tarantino. Speaking on the Joe Rogan podcast, Ethan said: I dont think Paul Dano ever knew that so many people loved him. Hes gotta wake up one morning and find out this directors went off on him and saying these hateful things, but anyone who knows Quentin knows he just talks and talks. "Anyone who knows Paul knows hes a world-class human being. All this love for Paul is coming out. Theres a great lesson in that. You dont have to worry about the negativity people send your way. Illustrative photo by Thach Thao. On behalf of the Politburo, General Secretary To Lam recently signed Resolution No. 80 on the development of Vietnamese culture. The resolution emphasizes that cultural and human development are foundational, intrinsic resources and powerful drivers for rapid and sustainable national progress. Culture is framed as a pillar and regulatory force guiding development across all sectors. The Politburo affirms that cultural values must deeply integrate into all aspects of social life - from politics, economy, and society to environment, national defense, security, and diplomacy - serving as the nations soft power in a new era. The resolution advocates developing culture as a means to perfect the character of the socialist individual and building individuals as a basis for developing culture. It calls for fostering a humane, healthy, civilized, and modern cultural environment, and a comprehensive development of Vietnamese people rooted in national, family, and human values. A minimum of 2% of the state budget allocated annually for culture Among its targets, the Politburo aims for all local governments at two administrative levels, and all armed forces, to be equipped with cultural institutions by 2030, enabling grassroots communities and service members to access and participate in cultural activities. By 2026, 100% of nationally and specially ranked cultural heritage sites are to be digitized, and 90% of grassroots cultural institutions are to operate regularly and effectively. The resolution also calls for all students across the national education system to engage regularly and meaningfully in the arts and cultural heritage education. A minimum of 2% of the annual state budget will be allocated for culture, with increases based on actual needs. The resolution also sets forth a financial mechanism prioritizing three breakthrough areas: training and incentivizing cultural and artistic talents, applying science and technology and advancing digital transformation in the cultural sector, and commissioning high-value creative cultural works that reflect the nations intellectual and artistic stature. Vietnams cultural industries are expected to contribute 7% to the national GDP. Between five and ten national brands in cultural industries will be developed in high-potential areas such as cinema, performing arts, cultural tourism, design, and fashion. Additional goals include developing five international-standard cultural festivals in cinema, music, and visual arts, establishing one to three Vietnamese cultural centers abroad (with priority given to strategic partners), and securing five more UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage listings. Vision to 2045: Culture as the soul of a modern and prosperous Vietnam Looking ahead to 2045, the Politburo envisions a socialist-oriented Vietnamese culture where people are the center, subject, objective, and driving force of development. Cultural values will serve as the foundation and ethical compass, embedded across all spheres of society. Vietnam is expected to become a hub for major regional and global cultural and artistic events and a dynamic center for cultural and creative industries. The cultural and creative economy is targeted to become a pillar of sustainable development, contributing 9% to GDP. Ten international cultural festivals are projected, along with eight to ten new UNESCO cultural heritage listings. Vietnam also aims to rank among the top three ASEAN countries and the top 30 globally on the Soft Power Index, with an emphasis on boosting the export value of national cultural products. Recognition and incentives for cultural practitioners To realize these ambitions, the Politburo outlines seven core tasks and solutions. The first is a radical shift in thinking and a unified approach to developing culture in the new era. The second involves reforming legal frameworks to unlock resources for cultural development. A national cultural index and cultural industry economic contribution index will be developed in accordance with international standards. The resolution also calls for appropriate incentives for artisans and artists, including fostering participation and excellence in prestigious international competitions and exhibitions. Another key task is to build a fully developed Vietnamese citizen and a modern, humane cultural environment. Management of culture must evolve toward a service-oriented model that promotes innovation, digital transformation, and technological application. Within this strategy, November 24 will be celebrated annually as National Culture Day, with full paid leave for workers, enabling greater public access to cultural experiences, inspiring creativity among artists, and fostering a national spirit of cultural appreciation and civilized living. Building a thriving cultural ecosystem and creative economy The Politburo stresses the importance of cultivating a vibrant cultural ecosystem that encourages innovation. In this ecosystem, businesses act as key drivers, and the people are both the center and the agents of cultural development. It calls for identifying and utilizing cultural resources appropriately. The sixth task is to accelerate the development of cultural industries and cultural markets, creating globally recognizable Vietnamese cultural brands aligned with cultural tourism. The resolution recommends piloting high-tech models across the cultural industry value chain - from creation and production to distribution and intellectual property protection. It also calls for building and promoting a national brand on the international stage that authentically reflects the essence of Vietnamese culture and identity. The final task is to mobilize and effectively utilize all available resources, improve infrastructure, and enhance the quality of the cultural workforce to meet the demands of the new era. Vietnam must also actively integrate internationally, sharing its cultural values with the world while absorbing global cultural excellence. In doing so, it will enhance national soft power and contribute to its global cultural footprint. Tran Thuong At an online conference with Vietnamese ambassadors and heads of representative missions abroad to review economic diplomacy in 2025 and outline key tasks for 2026, the Chairman of CMC Corporation proposed that Vietnam should proactively build and promote the image of a New Vietnam on the global stage - one associated with technological capability, ambition, and equal cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence. Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that economic diplomacy had gained clear momentum, helping to change the state and turn the situation around. He summarized its success with the phrase: Proactive and active Markets expanded Quality improved Clear effectiveness Economic growth People benefit. Overview of the online conference with Vietnamese ambassadors and heads of Vietnamese representative missions abroad to review economic diplomacy in 2025 and deploy tasks for 2026. From contract processing to peer-level partnership As the only technology business representative to speak at the event, the Chairman of CMC reported that the company achieved around 30% international market growth in 2025, with profits rising by 34%. CMC is now present in 30 countries and has representative offices in over 10. It has established a company in the United States and is completing procedures to open offices in key states such as Illinois, California, Texas, and Florida, while planning further expansion into other priority markets in 2026. Drawing on direct experience working with global customers and partners, he emphasized: It is time we present to the world a New Vietnam. According to the CMC leader, this New Vietnam must be recognized as a reliable technology partner - not merely a source of low-cost labor or contract manufacturing, but a country that creates products, solutions, and intellectual value, and engages equally in high-tech sectors like AI. He argued that correctly positioning and consistently communicating a national image would enhance global trust in Vietnamese businesses. This trust, in turn, would make it easier to secure partnerships and expand internationally. When international partners believe in Vietnams capabilities and standards, local companies can pursue larger, longer-term contracts and claim more advanced roles in global value chains - instead of remaining in the role of subcontractors. 2025 review and 2026 tasks: building a Go Global ecosystem and prioritizing strategic technologies The Prime Minister called for the early completion of a program to support Vietnamese enterprises in going global (Go Global). He also urged the development of a comprehensive support ecosystem - covering finance, logistics, human resources, and legal services - especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Additionally, the government will accelerate international cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and green transition. Priority will be given to strategic technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers directive remarks at the conference. In alignment with this vision, the CMC Chairman outlined several persistent bottlenecks that Vietnamese technology enterprises face in global expansion. These include barriers related to standards and compliance, a lack of supporting infrastructure (legal, financial, talent, and risk insurance), and - most critically - the absence of a strong national brand in high-tech. These factors, he said, limit the pace of international cooperation, even though Vietnams technical capacity is increasingly aligned with global standards. From his experience accompanying high-level delegations and collaborating with leading tech corporations, he stressed that international cooperation must go beyond training. Instead, Vietnam should focus on technology transfer, joint research, product co-development, and commercialization - so that Vietnamese enterprises can truly stand on the same field with global players in the value chain. Proposing a New Vietnam national identity system to pave the way for technology enterprises The core of the CMC Chairmans presentation was a proposal to develop a national-level program that would present the image of a New Vietnam to the world - not as a marketing slogan, but as a functional identity system that could be operated, measured, and converted into real market opportunities. The CMC Chairman proposes building the image of a New Vietnam for the world. He proposed that this identity system must answer three fundamental questions: Who does Vietnam aspire to be in the technology era? What standards is Vietnam committed to in order to earn global trust? And what models of cooperation is the country prepared to pursue to create new value? To make this program actionable, he suggested several key directions: First, build a consistent national message around Vietnams technological capabilities. Vietnam should be portrayed as dynamic and ambitious, with strong tech competencies, and a trusted global partner in strategic fields like AI. Second, expand training partnerships toward real technology transfer. The government should set clear guidelines and offer incentives to ensure collaboration moves beyond basic workforce training toward co-research, joint development, and the transfer of core technologies - all in service of the Make in Vietnam strategy. Third, strengthen cooperation with strategic global technology partners. The government should take a more active role in connecting Vietnamese companies with global tech leaders like NVIDIA, AWS, and Microsoft, helping to create favorable conditions for local businesses to pursue large-scale international collaborations. Concluding his speech, the CMC Chairman affirmed that the company remains committed to becoming a global player, with a strong focus on AI and AI transformation. He also pledged to work closely with Vietnamese diplomatic missions and international partners to elevate Vietnams standing on the global technology map. PV Apple has confirmed a multiyear deal with Google to use Gemini as the core AI model behind Siri, aiming to leap forward in the generative AI race. Photo: Du Lam In a strategic and potentially game-changing move, Apple and Google have officially announced a multiyear partnership to integrate Googles Gemini artificial intelligence into Siri, Apples digital assistant. The joint statement, released on January 12, confirmed that after extensive internal evaluation, Apple concluded that Googles Gemini AI technology offers the strongest foundation to support its in-house Apple Foundation Models. This collaboration marks a significant step in Apples long-awaited expansion into generative AI, and a rare public partnership between two of Silicon Valleys fiercest rivals. Under the agreement, Apple will adopt Gemini and Google Cloud services to power new AI features, with Gemini set to become the brain behind the next-generation Siri. The deal is expected to accelerate the rollout of Apples AI-powered Siri, a project that has seen repeated delays since it was first teased at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2024. The slow progress had sparked concerns that Apple was falling behind in the competitive AI race dominated by rivals like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. The move also suggests Apple continues to face challenges in building a large-scale, competitive foundation model on its own. By turning to Google, Apple gains access to a battle-tested model while buying time to further develop its internal capabilities. Wall Street responded positively to the announcement. Analysts see the deal as a pragmatic and forward-looking move that could breathe new life into Apples device sales, particularly after several years of uneven iPhone performance. The partnership underscores Apples growing reliance on advanced AI experiences to drive future growth. For Google, the win is equally significant. Securing Apple as a client in the AI foundation model space is a major validation of Geminis capabilities and a strategic triumph in the increasingly crowded generative AI market. Following the news, shares of both Apple and Google posted modest gains. Notably, Googles market capitalization surged past the $4 trillion mark for the first time - making it the fourth U.S. company to reach that milestone, after Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple itself. This is not Apples first AI partnership. The company had previously announced an arrangement with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into select features. However, the new deal positions Gemini at the center of Apples long-term AI strategy, raising questions about the future role of ChatGPT on iPhone devices. Technology analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush called the agreement a long-anticipated move to clarify Apples AI playbook, noting that the deal is a win-win for both companies as they seek to deepen their AI offerings and maintain relevance in a fast-changing tech landscape. Financial details of the arrangement have not been disclosed. However, a Bloomberg report from late 2025 indicated that Apple was preparing to pay Google approximately $1 billion annually for access to Gemini in Siri. Privacy remains a top concern for users, and Apple reaffirmed that the integration of Gemini would adhere to its strict privacy standards. According to the company, features under its Apple Intelligence branding will continue to run either directly on-device or within a secure, encrypted cloud infrastructure to protect personal data. The collaboration signals a new era for Siri, potentially transforming it from a lagging voice assistant into a powerful, AI-driven interface - backed by one of the most advanced language models available today. Du Lam According to the Hanoi Police Departments official portal, these projects play a critical role in enhancing socio-economic development, improving urban planning, and raising living standards in the capital. However, the land clearance process associated with these developments has become the focus of manipulation by hostile forces and politically opportunistic individuals. These elements have been actively disseminating false and misleading information with the intent to twist the nature of the land acquisition process. Their efforts include exaggerating difficulties during project implementation and fabricating claims about compensation and resettlement, with the aim of inciting public frustration, provoking mass complaints, and disrupting public order. A Hanoi Police photo shows manipulated content being shared online, including altered images and videos that falsely represent the clearance process. These materials are designed to sow division between the public and local authorities. In reality, officials affirm that Hanois land clearance procedures are being carried out transparently and in accordance with legal regulations. Compensation and resettlement policies are built on the principle of balancing the interests of the state, developers, and residents. Where challenges arise, local authorities have made efforts to engage with affected citizens through open dialogue and timely resolution within legal frameworks. The Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Division (PA05) of the Hanoi Police Department has urged the public to remain cautious and vigilant. Citizens are advised not to share, comment on, or spread unverified and provocative information online. Residents with legitimate concerns or grievances regarding their rights are encouraged to contact government agencies via official communication channels, avoiding the risk of being misled or manipulated into unlawful behavior. Hanoi Police emphasized that any action exploiting public issues to distort, incite, or defame government policies constitutes a threat to national security and social order. Such acts will be strictly prosecuted in accordance with the law. Hong Khanh A wave of credible leaks has painted a fairly consistent picture of what to expect. While nothing is official until Samsung confirms it, the convergence of information from reliable sources has added weight to the most recent timeline. According to trusted industry insider Evan Blass, Samsungs Unpacked event will take place on February 25 - information he describes as 100% accurate. French tech site Dealabs has also reported that the Galaxy S26 series will go on sale globally on March 11, citing strong internal sources. This means tech fans now have a new date to mark on their calendars. March 11 is expected to be the official release date for the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. As with previous years, Samsung is likely to open pre-orders shortly after the launch event, though exact timing hasnt been confirmed. Based on past trends, pre-orders could begin immediately following the February 25 announcement. The Unpacked event will begin at 7 PM Paris time on February 25. Thats 6 PM in London, 1 PM in New York, 10 AM in Los Angeles, 2 AM on February 26 in China, 1 AM in Vietnam, and 11:30 PM in India. Samsung appears to have timed the event strategically to maximize global viewership. As the worlds largest smartphone manufacturer, every Galaxy S series launch garners millions of online views and widespread attention. Interestingly, both the launch (February 25) and release date (March 11) fall on a Wednesday. Samsung has traditionally released Galaxy S devices on Fridays, but this year, the second Friday after launch would fall on March 13 - a date often seen as unlucky in Western cultures. Choosing March 11 instead may reflect a subtle but calculated marketing decision. No Galaxy S26 Edge - for now Another noteworthy detail from the leaks is the confirmation that only three models - Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra - will be unveiled and released in this cycle. Despite earlier rumors, there will be no Galaxy S26 Edge debuting in March. Reports about the S26 Edge have been murky. Some speculated the model had been scrapped entirely, while others suggest it's still under development and could launch at a later date. If it does arrive, it likely wont resemble the controversial designs previously rumored. Instead, Samsung may refine the design language from the S25 Edge, which struggled to meet sales expectations. Given the underwhelming performance of the S25 Edge, Samsung seems intent on focusing its energy on the core trio of the S26 lineup. These devices are expected to compete directly with Apples upcoming iPhone 17 and iPhone 18, as well as the highly anticipated first-generation iPhone Fold. Will the Galaxy S26 series be a breakout hit? The critical question now is whether the S26 series can achieve blockbuster sales. The odds are promising, but analysts believe the lineup may perform on par with the Galaxy S25 series, rather than breaking new records. Pricing is likely to be the determining factor. If Samsung maintains price parity with last years models, consumer interest should remain high. However, even slight increases - especially in price-sensitive markets - could dampen demand amid growing caution over personal spending. Still, the S26 series has strong momentum heading into launch. With an increasingly clear roadmap and high expectations from Samsung fans, the trio of S26 devices could solidify Samsungs dominance in the premium smartphone arena once again. If there are no last-minute surprises, February 25 and March 11 will become key milestones in the evolution of the Galaxy S line. Hai Phong At the hybrid meeting, connected with all 34 provinces and cities nationwide, the PMs decision to establish the National Steering Committee on Data was announced. The steering committee is an intersectoral coordinating body tasked with making research, consultation and policy recommendations. It is also assigned to assist the Government and the PM in directing and coordinating the implementation of national data-related strategies, mechanisms, and policies. Its mandate covers the development of national and sectoral databases, as well as data integration, synchronisation, storage, sharing, analysis, exploitation, and coordination through the national integrated database. In his opening remarks, PM Chinh stressed that with its role as an inter-sectoral coordinating body to translate data-related policies into action and drive the substantive and sustainable development of the data economy, digital economy and digital society, the steering committee convened its first meeting to align awareness, vision and priorities, and to advance the development of Vietnams databases that are accurate, complete, clean, dynamic, unified, and shared. Noting that intelligence cannot be achieved without data and connectivity, he emphasised that all ministries, sectors, localities, agencies, and units must build and effectively manage their databases. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the first meeting of the National Steering Committee on Data on January 12. (Photo: VNA) He reiterated the Governments goal of achieving growth of 10% or higher in the coming period to create strong momentum for the countrys transition into a new era of prosperity, civilisation, and happiness. To reach this goal, Vietnam cant rely solely on traditional growth drivers, which are nearing their limits, but must quickly embrace new engines like the digital, green, and circular economiesespecially in areas such as data, artificial intelligence (AI), and the data economy, the PM requested. PM Chinh pointed to the Politburos Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science technology development, innovation and digital transformation, which recognises data as a vital production input and urges the swift development of big data, the data industry, and the data economy. The Government leader recognised recent strides in digital transformation and data development, but noted ongoing challenges like incomplete legal frameworks, scattered and poor-quality data, weak connectivity and sharing, underdeveloped data centre infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and cybersecurity concerns. He urged participants to work out breakthrough solutions to ensure data accuracy and sufficiency from the source, encourage effective data sharing, strike a balance between openness and the protection of personal data and national security, create a data market with proper valuation mechanisms, and foster a self-reliant AI ecosystem enriched with Vietnamese identity and knowledge./.VNA AISVN, which offered elementary through high school programs based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, was once regarded as a premier choice for affluent families. But beneath its polished image lay a risky and unsustainable financing model that has now left behind a trail of debt, disrupted lives, and unresolved consequences. The American International School Vietnam, once a prestigious private school for the wealthy, has officially been dissolved following a massive financial scandal and government intervention. Photo: AISVN On January 12, the Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City issued the official decision to dissolve AISVN, formally erasing it from the citys roster of licensed educational institutions. From elite school to financial disaster AISVN was established by Decision No. 432 on January 30, 2019, and received its license to operate under Decision No. 1473 on June 13, 2019, from the citys Department of Education and Training. Located in the Nha Be district, the school was heavily marketed as having modern infrastructure and an international-standard learning environment. Annual tuition ranged from 450 to 725 million VND (approximately USD 18,000 to USD 29,000). The schools legal representative and chairwoman of the board was Nguyen Thi Ut Em. To many parents, AISVN represented a golden ticket for their childrens education. However, behind the scenes, the school was engaging in high-risk fundraising practices that would eventually bring it to its knees. The problems began quietly, years before any public protests. A number of parents had already begun privately pursuing the return of funds they had invested in what was described as an education investment opportunity. Parents say they loaned large sums - ranging from billions to tens of billions of VND - to Ms. Ut Em, in exchange for full tuition waivers for their children. In total, the school is reported to owe parents around 3,000 billion VND (roughly USD 122 million), with total funds raised through various agreements estimated at approximately 3,600 billion VND. According to parents, AISVN offered three types of contracts. In the first, parents paid about 4 billion VND upfront for full tuition from grades 1 to 12, with a promise of full refund upon graduation or transfer. The second model involved a non-refundable package of about 2 billion VND. The third allowed parents to pay tuition according to the academic calendar. As financial pressure mounted, Ut Em pledged to repay the debts, blaming the schools struggles on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She claimed that despite cuts to staff compensation, the school had continued to pay salaries and benefits to both local and foreign teachers, including housing and airfare. She also proposed a five-step financial restructuring plan to stabilize the schools operations and maintain academic quality. But according to parents, these promises were never fulfilled. Collapse amid mass staff departures and student upheaval The crisis peaked when teachers began quitting en masse due to unpaid wages and broken contracts. Many students were left without instructors and reportedly spent school hours unattended in classrooms. Parents, alarmed by the deteriorating situation, filed complaints with the Department of Education and Training, the citys police, and other authorities. They accused Ms. Ut Em of being uncooperative and indifferent to the learning disruptions their children were facing. In response, the Department emphasized that student rights must be protected and clarified that the investment arrangements were civil contracts between parents and the school. An inspection of AISVNs operations and finances was launched. With no clear resolution in sight, many families began transferring their children to other schools. The Department instructed public and international schools to accommodate former AISVN students and smooth their transitions. At the national level, the Prime Minister ordered the Ho Chi Minh City Chairman and the Ministry of Education and Training to urgently ensure students' learning continuity. Temporary fixes and final collapse In an effort to keep the school open until the end of the 20232024 academic year, authorities organized a tripartite meeting between parents, the school, and government representatives. The school sought further parental contributions - between 10 to 20 million VND (USD 400 to USD 800) per month per student - to cover operational costs. A tri-party escrow account was established to collect payments and distribute salaries. However, parents raised only around 30 billion VND - far short of the 125 billion VND needed. As a result, the school closed one month early. While over 70 twelfth-grade students were allowed to complete their studies and take the IB exams, the rest had to find new schools. On July 1, 2024, the Department officially suspended AISVN for 12 months, citing its inability to meet financial and staffing requirements. Nguyen Thi Ut Em was barred from leaving the country. Despite the suspension, the school continued to publicize plans for the upcoming school year, including introducing a new investor, a new head of school, and conducting student surveys - actions the Department immediately ordered to stop. Meanwhile, the district tax office called for the revocation of AISVNs license due to unpaid taxes. In March 2025, shortly before her arrest, Ms. Ut Em led a group of staff and parents to the campus, where they staged a disruptive protest, damaged property, and defied government orders. From high hopes to legal consequences From a modern campus promising top-tier education, AISVN spiraled into a cautionary tale of financial mismanagement. Teachers walked out, students scattered, the school was shut down, and its founder imprisoned. By mid-2025, the schools investors requested a one-year extension to the suspension period, hoping to continue operations beyond June 2026. However, the Department rejected the proposal, citing no progress in resolving the issues that led to the suspension. The extension request, submitted by Ho Quang Trung on behalf of the American International School Education JSC, failed to demonstrate any financial recovery plans or compliance efforts. Authorities confirmed that the school had not reported its workforce, its headquarters remained closed, and it had defaulted on over 31 billion VND in social, health, and unemployment insurance contributions. There is no viable financial plan in place to address the outstanding debts, the Department stated. On that basis, the Department recommended - and the Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City approved - the formal dissolution of AISVN under the Education Law. With that decision, the once-celebrated heaven for the wealthy has vanished from Vietnams education landscape. Le Huyen The meeting was connected online with 34 provinces and cities nationwide. In his opening remarks, the Government leader emphasised that the right to housing is a fundamental right of citizens, and housing is an essential need of every person. Housing development is an important pillar of social welfare policy, while also serving as a driving force for economic growth, labor market stability, and sustainable socio-economic development. In recent times, especially in 2025, the Government and the Prime Minister have issued strong and decisive directions on housing development, particularly social housing. Notably, more than 102,000 social housing units were completed last year, contributing to the goal of completing 1 million social housing units by 2028, he said. Efforts have been made to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses and build houses for people with contributions to the revolution ahead of schedule by 5 years and 4 months; and urgently and swiftly implementing the Quang Trung Campaign to repair and rebuild houses for people affected by recent natural disasters, with completion expected by mid-January, he added. The PM acknowledged and commended the efforts, determination, and seriousness of ministries, sectors, and localities, especially the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, in implementing housing development tasks, particularly social housing. These achievements not only reflect the responsibility and engagement of the entire political system, but also clearly demonstrate the humanitarian values and the superiority of the countrys political system, contributing substantially to social security, stabilising the lives of residents, especially low-income earners and workers, and fostering a safe, healthy, sustainable, and equitable real estate market, he affirmed. According to the cabinet leader, current housing demand is no longer limited to ownership but is shifting strongly toward renting or rent-to-own options to ensure long-term housing stability, in line with affordability, employment characteristics, and labour mobility. Therefore, social housing policies also need to be adjusted toward sustainable housing restructuring, gradually moving away from a mindset focused solely on quantity, while ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access safe housing suited to their conditions and needs. Rental social housing is an important, fundamental, and long-term task, which must not be carried out in a campaign-style or fragmented manner, he stressed. The Prime Minister noted that this meeting is of great importance in unifying thinking, discussing approaches, and identifying solutions for implementing social housing development in the coming period, in line with current realities. He requested delegates to focus on reviewing the implementation of tasks assigned at previous meetings, particularly the situation of housing and the real estate market; credit provision for the real estate sector; and proposals for rental social housing targets for 2026 and subsequent years, especially in localities with large urban areas, industrial zones, and concentrated labour forces. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the 5th meeting of the Central Steering Committee on Housing Policy and the Real Estate Market in Hanoi on January 13, 2026. Photo: VNA Relevant stakeholders must act in the spirit of right role, right task, right authority, especially by accelerating administrative procedure reform, eliminating unnecessary intermediary steps, and placing social housing projects, particularly rental social housing, into green channels and priority lanes, he emphasised. According to the Ministry of Construction - the standing body of the Steering Committee, housing policies and the real estate market have continued to receive attention in recent times, particularly in 2025. The Government submitted one resolution to the National Assembly and issued, within its authority, four decrees on special mechanisms and policies for social housing development, amending and supplementing regulations related to housing and real estate market management. The Prime Minister issued one decision, and the Minister of Construction issued one circular while guiding documents were issued on identifying eligible beneficiaries, conditions, and criteria for preferential loans for social housing development, housing for the peoples armed forces, worker accommodation in industrial zones, and the renovation and reconstruction of apartment buildings. Ministries and sectors have also urgently proposed the establishment of a state-run real estate and land use rights exchange; are finalising a decree amending and supplementing several provisions of decrees in the fields of housing and real estate business. They have submitted to the Government a draft resolution on mechanisms to address difficulties and obstacles arising from legal regulations on social housing development. Ministries and sectors have coordinated with localities to review and promote the establishment of a national housing fund; abolish procedures requiring registration of standard-form contracts and general transaction conditions for the purchase and sale of apartment units that create barriers and difficulties for enterprises. They have also clarified demand for rental housing; propose rental housing development targets for 2026 and subsequent years, including the 2027-2030 period; and consolidate Steering Committees on housing policy and the real estate market at the local level./.VNA On January 12, the Ministry of Health issued an urgent directive to the Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, calling for intensified efforts to prevent and control the spread of dengue fever and hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in the city. The Ministry of Health has issued an emergency directive to Ho Chi Minh City as the number of severe dengue and hand, foot, and mouth disease cases remains high, calling for stronger community hygiene and rapid outbreak response. According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, both diseases remain a public health concern in Ho Chi Minh City. While the number of dengue cases is gradually declining, the rate of severe cases remains alarmingly high. Meanwhile, HFMD continues to spread, with a growing number of patients requiring hospitalization in critical condition. In light of this, the Ministry requested city health authorities to closely monitor disease trends, thoroughly eliminate existing outbreak hotspots, and quickly detect and contain any newly emerging clusters. Surveillance should be heightened in high-risk areas, supported by widespread public health communication campaigns, environmental sanitation drives, and larvicide measures to destroy mosquito breeding grounds. Dengue fever is an acute viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti. In contrast, HFMD spreads from person to person through gastrointestinal and contact transmission routes, caused by viruses from the Enterovirus genus. Both diseases are common in Vietnam and can escalate into life-threatening conditions if not detected and treated promptly. In 2025, Vietnam recorded 190,040 dengue fever cases - a 28.4% increase from 2024 - and 107,249 HFMD cases, up 28.9% year-on-year. In the closing months of 2025 and early 2026, national case numbers have shown a downward trend. However, from December 29, 2025 to January 4, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City still recorded 1,866 dengue infections, down 17.5% compared to the four-week average - but with many patients in serious or critical condition. Treatment remains costly and complex, with a high risk of long-term complications. Officials attribute this largely to delayed hospital visits, as patients often seek care only when symptoms have worsened. The Ministry of Health noted that the persistence of dengue is linked to shifting weather patterns and rapid urbanization, which create breeding sites for mosquitoes in residential neighborhoods, construction zones, boarding houses, and manufacturing areas. In some localities, coordination between the public and relevant agencies in outbreak prevention remains weak. For HFMD, poor personal hygiene, lack of environmental sanitation, and inadequate disinfection of surfaces continue to drive transmission, especially in households and childcare settings. The Ministry emphasized that both diseases are preventable through proper hygiene and proactive community measures. People are advised to cover all water containers, regularly eliminate standing water and mosquito larvae, sleep under mosquito nets, wear long clothing, and seek medical attention immediately when experiencing a fever. Self-treatment at home is discouraged. To prevent HFMD, individuals should adhere to the three cleans principle: clean food and drink, clean living environment, and clean hands. Toys and childrens belongings must be disinfected regularly. Proper handwashing with soap is essential, as is safe disposal of waste. Children showing symptoms - such as fever or blisters on the hands, feet, or mouth - should be kept home and promptly taken to a medical facility to prevent further transmission. The Ministry called on citizens to raise their awareness and actively cooperate with public health efforts to contain the outbreaks and protect community well-being. Phuong Thuy Deputy Prime Minister Binh congratulated Singapore on its impressive socio-economic achievements and expressed appreciation for the countrys strong commitment to advancing bilateral ties. He highlighted the consistent progress of VietnamSingapore cooperation, especially following the elevation of their relationship during Party General Secretary To Lams visit in March 2025. Deputy Prime Minister Gan welcomed his Vietnamese counterparts visit, praising it as a proactive gesture that underscores both countries shared vision. He noted the success of existing bilateral mechanisms, particularly the annual meetings between the two Prime Ministers, and emphasized that economic cooperation remains a standout feature of the relationship. Singapore is currently Vietnams top investor in ASEAN and ranks second globally among 153 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 4,400 valid projects and more than USD 90 billion in registered capital. The VietnamSingapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) model continues to thrive, with 21 parks now operating across 14 provinces and cities in Vietnam, signaling robust collaboration in industrial development. Elevating bilateral cooperation through financial connectivity During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Binh shared that Vietnam had recently established an international financial center (IFC) aimed at attracting high-quality resources, especially financial capital, to support the countrys upcoming development phase. Given Singapores established expertise in this field, Vietnam is eager to study and learn from Singapores experience in building and operating an international financial center. He requested Singapores support in developing organizational models and operational mechanisms, especially regarding financial supervision, systemic security, and innovation-driven financial development. Vietnam also seeks to enhance financial linkages between the two countries financial hubs, proposing practical cooperation between Vietnams new centers - particularly in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang - and Singapores own IFC. This includes joint training programs and strategic development of highly qualified financial regulators and managers. Deputy Prime Minister Binh welcomed news that Singapores UOB Bank will soon break ground on its new headquarters within the international financial center in Ho Chi Minh City. He encouraged more Singaporean banks, investment funds, and financial firms to invest and operate in Vietnams financial ecosystem. Singapore pledges experience-sharing and cooperation Deputy Prime Minister Gan praised Vietnams move to establish an international financial center, calling it a timely and strategic decision. He reaffirmed Singapores readiness to provide technical support, share operational insights, and promote financial connectivity between the two nations. He emphasized key lessons from Singapores journey, such as the central role of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and domestic banks, the importance of building global partnerships with foreign financial institutions, and the need for a robust yet progressive legal and regulatory framework. Gan also stressed the significance of developing a highly skilled financial workforce, drawn from both domestic and international sources, to meet the growing demands of modern finance. The two leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration between their financial centers to complement each others strengths and contribute to regional financial development within ASEAN. Prior to the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Binh visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, where he met with embassy staff and members of the Vietnamese community. He also laid flowers at the Ho Chi Minh Monument at the Asian Civilisations Museum - an emblematic site celebrating VietnamSingapore friendship. Tran Thuong RCEP, CCFTA boost Cambodia's rice export to China: Cambodia rice chief Xinhua) 09:17, January 13, 2026 PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) have given a big boost to Cambodia's milled rice export to China, Lay Chhun Hour, president of the Cambodia Rice Federation, said on Monday. Cambodia exported 231,125 tons of milled rice to China last year, a year-on-year rise of 96 percent. The Southeast Asian country made 138.36 million dollars from exporting the commodity to China last year, up 83 percent. He told Xinhua in an interview that Cambodia has benefited a lot from the RCEP and the CCFTA, as well as the rice quota provided by China to Cambodia. Chhun Hour said the Chinese market has been a crucial high-value destination for Cambodian rice, especially premium fragrant varieties, offering significant revenue and development for the rice sector. "Among all the 75 destination countries and regions that we have exported our milled rice to, China ranks number one," he said. Thong Mengdavid, deputy director of the China-ASEAN Studies Center of the Cambodia University of Technology and Science, said Cambodia has benefited from preferential access under the RCEP and CCFTA, rising Chinese demand for imported rice, and growing confidence in Cambodian rice quality. "China's emphasis on food security and diversification of import sources works in Cambodia's favor, especially for fragrant and premium varieties," he told Xinhua. "The outlook remains positive and expected more growth if Cambodia can maintain quality standards, ensure consistent supply, and manage logistics and pricing competitiveness," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Police have been unable to locate Timothy Busfield after a warrant was issued for his arrest. US Marshals have joined the search for Timothy Busfield The former West Wing actor - who is married to Melissa Gilbert - is under investigation over allegations of child sexual abuse, and now the US Marshals Service has stepped in to help find the 68-year-old star, the Alburquerque Police Department (APD) have confirmed to People magazine. Asked by the outlet if Busfield has been located, detained or arrested at this point, the APD spokesperson replied: "Not that I am aware." The actor-and-director is wanted on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse after it was alleged he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two 11-year-old siblings. An investigation opened on 1 November, 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) alerted police, and the victims' parents told officer Marvin Kirk Brown, who issued the arrest warrant, that the children had met the 68-year-old star on the set of The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield was a director. The children's parents claimed Busfield "grew closer to the boys" when he joined the FOX series, which ran from January 2022 until June last year. The warrant stated: It was reported that Timothy would tell his children to call him Uncle Tim.' " The parents told police that "they both discovered that there were allegations against Timothy of sexual assault against both women and minors. After the father was told there had been multiple rumours that Timothy had been handsy with women, the siblings' mother quizzed her sons as to whether anyone had ever touched them in a manner that made them feel uncomfortable." The warrant continued: "The children allegedly responded by asking, You mean like Uncle Tim? " An attorney advised the couple to take the children to UNMH, where professionals suggested the boys had been "groomed", and while they hadn't disclosed any sexual contact at that time, both claimed Busfield would tickle them on the stomach and legs. It was determined at that time that the case didn't meet their acceptance criteria, but on 3 October, 2025, the mother filed a police report and told Child Protective Services her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024." However, the warrant stated she was told that because physical abuse had not occurred, nothing could be done. Busfield allegedly told police the parents were upset their sons had been replaced by a younger actor and shortly afterwards, he received a call informing him Warner Bros. were investigating a complaint. He also claimed an actress on the show that the mother "wanted revenge". Asked by cops if he had ever picked up or tickled the boys, Busfield allegedly admitted it was highly likely that he would have because he wanted a playful environment. He added of touching on set: "It's not allowed at all. There is no, there's no protocol. I mean, I'm always around people, right? It would be, you know, in front of the parents. Throughout the investigation, a production assistant alleged SL would be unsupervised and his teacher on set wouldn't keep track of him, notably leading to an incident where he rode a skateboard through a live set. The investigating officer wrote in the warrant: I believe Timothy had the opportunity to be alone with SL while he was lying in the bed on the TV set... In my training and experience, paedophiles often infiltrate families under a trusted role, like Timothy, who, as a producer, exploited the hectic film sets to tickle and touch SL on his penis and buttocks, masking it as play. He would invite the family to off-set gatherings, with his wife buying Christmas gifts to foster closeness, making SL feel special and dependent classic grooming to erode boundaries, isolate the victim, and silence suspicions by blending abuse into normalcy. This dual tactic, charming parents while secretly violating the child, builds a web of complicity that is hard to unravel, delaying detection, as families trust the abuser's facade. After nearly three years of stagnation, Vietnams southern real estate market is witnessing a wave of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with several major projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and beyond being quietly transferred - some in deals worth trillions of dong. These movements signal a phase of intense market consolidation. High-value transfers quietly underway Real estate M&A activity in southern Vietnam surged in 2025 as developers restructured and buyers sought long-term investment opportunities. Photo: Anh Phuong The southern property market has recently become more active with a noticeable increase in M&A activity. Many domestic developers are restructuring their portfolios, selling off projects to ease financial pressure. Meanwhile, investors with strong capital are seizing the opportunity to acquire clean land with clear legal status. Among the most notable deals is the recent approval by DIC Group to transfer four subdivisions within its 464.6-hectare Dai Phuoc eco-tourism urban area, located on Ong Con islet in Dong Nai Province. The combined area being sold totals 45 hectares. The buyers - TNT Phu Hoa JSC and EverLand An Giang JSC - are both domestic firms. The deal is expected to bring in nearly VND 3 trillion (around USD 123 million) for DIC Group. In another case, LDG Group has agreed to transfer its LDG Sky project, a residential complex consisting of five towers and nearly 1,700 apartments located in Binh Nguyen New Urban Area, Thu Duc City. While the buyer and sale price have not been disclosed, LDG confirmed the sale is needed to fund ongoing operations. Late 2025 also saw a surprising move when Ngan Hiep Real Estate, a subsidiary of Novaland, became a major shareholder in Seaprodex (SEA) by quickly acquiring more than 30 million SEA shares. This acquisition - estimated to be worth over VND 1 trillion (around USD 41 million) - gives the buyer access to a prime 1,600m golden land plot at 2-4-6 Dong Khoi Street in District 1. The site is zoned for a 20-story complex combining hotel, retail, and office spaces. Another quiet takeover involved the Saigon Broadway project, a large-scale development of 3,200 apartments on Mai Chi Tho Boulevard. Originally owned by Novaland through a subsidiary, shares were gradually sold off starting in 2020. By August 2025, Sun City - the projects registered owner - saw a shift in its shareholder structure. GWC Real Estate, a company linked to Son Kim Land, acquired 25% of the firm. The remaining shares belong to Nippon Co., Ltd., whose shareholders also changed. GWC now owns 20% of Nippon, while other entities linked to Son Kim Land hold the rest. Through these direct and cross-ownership arrangements, Son Kim Land effectively took control of Sun City and, with it, the Saigon Broadway project. Foreign players lose ground to domestic investors The biggest southern M&A deal in 2025 came when CapitaLand Tower acquired over 150 hectares in the Vinhomes Green Paradise project in Can Gio. This includes plots designated for high-rise housing, hotels, and commercial services. The deal was reportedly worth nearly VND 17.5 trillion (approximately USD 717 million). According to real estate research firm Avison Young, compared to the 20212022 boom, the number and value of M&A transactions across sectors declined in 2025. Not only did the overall volume shrink, but the average deal value also dropped in the first 10 months of the year. Nevertheless, real estate remained the most active M&A sector. Negotiations have become lengthier, reflecting a tug-of-war between optimistic expectations and more grounded assessments. The location of assets being acquired points to an investment shift driven by regional infrastructure. Avison Young noted that local firms have overtaken foreign entities as the main buyers in major real estate deals exceeding USD 100 million. Commenting on the trend, David Jackson, CEO of Avison Young, said the market now favors buyers, who are exercising greater caution - particularly in legal due diligence and risk assessment. Successful deals are those that help buyers realign their portfolios and reposition assets for the next growth cycle. Avison Young reported that most announced M&A transactions took place in Ho Chi Minh City (15 deals in the former urban core and one in Binh Duong). Eleven deals were recorded in satellite cities around Hanoi, and one in central Vietnam. This reflects a shift of long-term capital flows toward satellite cities. These areas offer ample room for growth, driven by strong housing demand, decentralization trends, and rapid infrastructure development, the firm concluded. Anh Phuong On behalf of President Luong Cuong, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung on Tuesday presented the Friendship Order to U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper - one of the highest honors the Vietnamese government bestows on foreign individuals and organizations who make significant contributions to fostering friendship, solidarity, and cooperation with Vietnam. Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung presents the Friendship Order to Ambassador Marc Knapper. Photo: MOFA. The award symbolizes the deep appreciation of Vietnams leadership and people for the ambassadors vital role in enhancing and expanding the relationship between Vietnam and the United States throughout his tenure. Ambassador Knapper expressed pride in having contributed to the remarkable growth in bilateral ties, especially the historic upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He emphasized how this milestone has opened new doors for political trust, expanded trade, and improved collaboration across various fields, including defense and security, humanitarian initiatives, war legacy remediation, energy, and science and technology. The ambassador affirmed that no matter his future role, he will remain a steadfast friend of Vietnam and continue to support the development of the U.S.Vietnam relationship. Earlier today, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man received Ambassador Knapper, congratulating him on a successful term in Vietnam and expressing gratitude for his effective, forward-looking contributions to bilateral cooperation. National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man presents a gift to Ambassador Marc Knapper. Photo: National Assembly. Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, affirms that diplomacy has significantly contributed to the nations progress - especially amid global uncertainty and complex geopolitical dynamics. The most important achievement, he says, is that we have preserved a peaceful and stable environment for development. Not only have we developed, but we have done so better than before, earning high praise from the international community. That, to me, is the most vital success. Leaders of the Party and the State meet with leaders of foreign countries and international organizations. Photo: VNA According to the former ambassador, Vietnam has not only strengthened its ties with major partners but also expanded its strategic and comprehensive strategic partnerships. This is not merely the result of diplomatic efforts alone, but the combined work of multiple stakeholders, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Partys external affairs apparatus, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy at the core. He notes that in 2025, Vietnams external affairs were particularly vibrant. High-level diplomatic engagements helped shape political frameworks and strategic visions for international relations, while also promoting the countrys priorities and aligning with Vietnams long-term goals. Vietnam upgraded its relations with 17 countries, bringing the total number of comprehensive partnerships or higher to 42. The quality and effectiveness of high-level visits improved notably, evidenced by nearly 350 cooperation agreements - 2.5 times more than in 2024. Drawing from his experience in the Middle East and Africa, Ambassador Hung observes that Vietnam has made deeper inroads in regions previously overlooked. These areas are becoming large markets, and countries in the region now highly value Vietnams dynamic growth and international image. In a milestone development, the draft documents prepared for the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam have elevated foreign affairs and international integration to the same level of strategic importance as national defense and security. Ambassador Hung sees this as a welcome shift long desired by generations of diplomats. Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Photo: VNA With 40 years in the diplomatic field, this is wonderful news for those of us in foreign affairs, he said. This is not only about the interests of the diplomatic sector but about the close connection between diplomacy, defense, and security - together forming a comprehensive force. This alignment between diplomacy, defense, and security is now conceptualized as a unified strategy to safeguard the nation peacefully, preemptively, and in accordance with international law. It reflects Vietnams modern, flexible, and proactive approach to a rapidly evolving global and regional security environment. Diplomacy must take the lead. Once it is officially considered a regular, vital task, the state will provide resources, funding, human capital, and create mechanisms for close coordination between these three strategic pillars. This will unleash enormous power for the country, he emphasized. A strategic policy of autonomy From the perspective of international friends, Ambassador of Palestine to Vietnam Saadi Salama shared his honor in being invited to the opening of the 14th Party Congress - a meaningful event not only for the Vietnamese people but also for the region and global community. This marks his fifth time attending a Party Congress in Vietnam. At the 5th Congress in 1982, he was a student in Vietnam and part of the invited Palestinian delegation. He continued to attend subsequent congresses in 1991, 2011, 2016, 2021, and now, in 2026, as Ambassador. At every stage in its history, Vietnam has sought ways to realize the aspirations of its people - to build a strong, developed nation and protect its sovereignty. This has been the clear and unwavering platform of the Communist Party of Vietnam, he remarked. Ambassador of Palestine to Vietnam Saadi Salama. With more than 90 years of Party leadership experience, he believes the Congress will issue resolutions that serve the peoples interests, promote cooperation and development, and advance global peace. Ambassador Salama also highlighted Vietnams unique strength in turning adversity into opportunity. The Vietnamese people deeply understand the value of national independence and the importance of development. In Arabic, we have a proverb that says: No one can scratch your back better than yourself. Thats why I believe Vietnams strategy of autonomy, independence, and self-reliance is truly strategic, he stated. He particularly praised Vietnams steadfast commitment to economic growth, ensuring public well-being, maintaining peace and order, and fostering a business-friendly environment for sustainable development - even amid fierce global economic and trade competition. Meanwhile, Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, emphasized the countrys remarkable progress over the past three decades - from lifting millions out of poverty to advancing industrial development and expanding social protection. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam. Photo: UN Vietnam Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of the Au Lac AI Alliance and Chairman of FPT, announces the $1 million Au Lac Grand Prize on January 12. Photo: Du Lam The initiative, spearheaded by the Au Lac AI Alliance in collaboration with tech giant FPT and other strategic partners, seeks to spotlight responsible, impactful, and scalable AI innovations that align with ethical principles and serve Vietnams broader goals of technological sovereignty. In addition to the substantial cash award, the winning project will benefit from mentorship, strategic consulting, and international market access facilitated by the alliances network of partners. According to the organizing committee, the Au Lac Grand Prize will evaluate entries based on a clear framework that considers real-world impact, innovation, scalability, sustainability, and ethical compliance. The competition is open to all Vietnamese citizens, regardless of age, profession, or place of residence. The only requirement is that the submitted AI product or solution must be legally recognized intellectual property that is developed, owned, and operated by a Vietnamese entity or individual under applicable laws. The online registration portal is expected to open in March, with applications accepted through July. Following preliminary and final rounds, the award ceremony will take place in November. AI sovereignty: Vietnams next technological frontier Speaking at the launch event on January 12, Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of the Au Lac AI Alliance and Chairman of FPT Corporation, emphasized Vietnams urgent need for AI sovereignty - a feat currently achieved only by major world powers. We hope the Au Lac Grand Prize will inspire the Vietnamese tech community to embrace responsible AI development, Binh said. More importantly, we want to ignite a spirit of innovation and self-reliance that allows us to solve critical national challenges and position Vietnam alongside the worlds most advanced nations. Binh also shared plans to invite internationally renowned AI experts such as Yann LeCun, Yoshua Bengio, and Andrew Ng to participate in the prizes evaluation process, enhancing the global credibility and rigor of the award. Transparent judging, inclusive impact Nguyen Van Khoa, CEO of FPT and Chairman of the Preliminary Judging Panel, outlined four guiding principles for the evaluation process: transparency, conflict-free participation (excluding FPT employees and judging panel members), multi-stakeholder input from academia and industry, and independent verification. Addressing concerns about the disparity in resources between large corporations and small startups, Khoa cited global success stories like Facebook, Uber, and Grab - each of which began with small, specific ideas that later scaled to global influence. Size doesnt matter. The core of this award is the solutions ability to create real societal impact, he noted. With the right idea, even small teams can shape the world. Empowering Vietnamese startups on the global stage Representing the startup community, Duong Thi Hong Nhung, CEO of N2TP, spoke candidly about the challenges startups face when trying to build core technology for the global supply chain. She praised the Au Lac Grand Prize for offering not only validation but also strategic guidance and professional evaluation - essential elements for navigating the complex path from innovation to market success. This award opens a door that many startups struggle to find, Nhung said. With support from experts and a global platform, we can move in the right direction and make meaningful contributions to the world. Du Lam Vietnam's banking sector recorded a strong performance in 2025, with a string of major institutions reporting robust profits, stable asset growth, and well-controlled non-performing loan (NPL) ratios. However, Sacombank was a notable outlier, delivering only 52% of its planned pre-tax profit due to a significant increase in credit risk provisioning. Banks report healthy profits At VietinBanks annual business review conference, bank executives announced positive outcomes for 2025. Photo: VietinBank. At VietinBanks annual business review conference, bank executives announced positive outcomes for 2025. Total assets increased by approximately 18%, and credit growth reached 16% year-on-year, driven by proactive preferential loan programs aimed at fueling economic demand. Loans to priority sectors made up over 30% of the banks total credit portfolio. Customer deposits grew 12% over the previous year, with a notable surge in low-cost current account savings accounts (CASA), which surpassed 25% of total deposits by the end of 2025 - an impressive feat amid a challenging market. VietinBank also succeeded in diversifying income streams, with non-interest revenue contributing nearly 27% of total operating income. The bank kept its NPL ratio at 1%, aligning with its internal targets. Its standalone pre-tax profit posted solid year-on-year growth and fully met shareholder expectations. Meanwhile, Vietcombank reported a 20% rise in total assets, reaching VND 2.48 quadrillion (approximately USD 101 billion), while credit outstanding grew over 15% to VND 1.66 quadrillion. Customer deposits stood at VND 1.68 quadrillion, up more than 10%. Vietcombank maintained an NPL ratio below 1% - the lowest among Vietnams large-scale financial institutions. BIDV also posted strong results, with consolidated pre-tax profit exceeding VND 36 trillion (about USD 1.47 billion). All major business indicators met or surpassed targets. BIDV now leads the sector in total assets, which rose 20% to over VND 3.25 quadrillion (USD 133 billion). Agribank announced a 14% increase in total assets and a 14.8% rise in credit to the economy. The bank reported an NPL ratio under 1.2% - its best result in years - and pre-tax profit of roughly VND 30 trillion (USD 1.22 billion), exceeding the target set by the State Bank of Vietnam. The bank also invested VND 700 billion (USD 28.4 million) into community welfare and disaster recovery efforts - one of the largest social contributions among Vietnamese banks in a single year. MB Bank disclosed preliminary results showing pre-tax profit for 2025 at around VND 33.7 trillion (USD 1.35 billion), up 17% from 2024. MBs total assets reached nearly VND 1.5 quadrillion (USD 61.2 billion), a 33% increase, far surpassing the years goals. Customer deposits hit VND 1.05 quadrillion (USD 42.8 billion). Sacombank underperforms In stark contrast to these gains, Sacombank reported a consolidated pre-tax profit of only VND 7.63 trillion (USD 311 million), meeting just 52% of its 2025 target. This was a sharp drop from its VND 12.7 trillion (USD 518 million) profit in 2024. According to the bank, the disappointing result was primarily due to a substantial rise in credit risk provisions, which amounted to more than VND 11.3 trillion (USD 460 million) for the year. Despite this setback, Sacombanks total assets grew nearly 23% year-on-year to VND 918 trillion (USD 37.5 billion). Customer deposits rose 24% to VND 837 trillion, while total credit grew 16% to VND 626 trillion. The bank also recovered and resolved outstanding bad debts totaling more than VND 16 trillion (USD 653 million). Outlook for 2026: credit growth and cautious optimism The banking sector has now marked its second consecutive year of improving asset quality, with low bad debt ratios becoming more widespread. Looking forward, analysts expect 2026 to be a year of strong expansion for Vietnamese banks. This optimistic forecast is underpinned by macroeconomic tailwinds, including a targeted GDP growth rate of over 10% for 2026 and a monetary policy stance that remains accommodative. Both corporate and household demand for credit are expected to rise significantly. In preparation for the new year, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued a directive to all credit institutions outlining the principles for allocating 2026 credit growth quotas. The central bank forecasts overall system-wide credit growth of approximately 15%, with room for adjustment depending on market conditions. SBV also stressed the need for tighter controls on credit flows into risk-prone sectors, particularly real estate, and clarified that individual bank quotas would be based on 2024 performance ratings under Circular 52/2018 (as amended), adjusted by a standardized coefficient. As Vietnams financial system prepares for a new phase of accelerated growth, the divergent trajectories of institutions like Sacombank serve as a reminder of the critical importance of prudent risk management - even in a rising market. Tuan Nguyen While the global telecom industry braces for slower growth and restructuring, Vietnams Viettel Group is charting a very different path - posting double-digit growth for the ninth consecutive year and securing the top market share in 7 out of 10 countries where it operates. Among its 10 investment markets, Viettel's mobile network ranks number one in 7 countries. As data services mature and growth plateaus globally, major consulting firms and organizations like GSMA report stagnating revenues, especially in developed markets. A report by PwC at the 2025 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona projected annual global telecom revenue growth of just 2.9%, underscoring the sectors transition into a maturity phase. In contrast, Viettel reported a 23.9% growth rate in its international markets for 2025 - seven times higher than the global industry average. The groups foreign operations generated $3.34 billion in revenue for the year, with Viettel maintaining strong momentum in developing countries where political and economic risks are often higher than average. Viettels international mobile subscriber base reached 90 million in 2025 - officially surpassing its user base in Vietnam. Out of the 10 countries where Viettel has invested, it now holds the number one market position in seven: Unitel (Laos), Metfone (Cambodia), Mytel (Myanmar), Telemor (Timor-Leste), Lumitel (Burundi), Natcom (Haiti), and Movitel (Mozambique). Financial returns from these investments are also showing strong results. In 2025 alone, Viettel repatriated $385.5 million from its overseas markets, marking the fourth consecutive year of remittances nearing the $400 million mark. By the end of 2025, its return on foreign investment had reached 91%, exceeding expectations and arriving ahead of schedule. Even in challenging markets like Peru - where competition is fierce and global telecom giants dominate - Viettel has made remarkable progress. Its local brand Bitel rose to the second-largest operator in the country in 2025, achieving this milestone two years earlier than planned. Beyond traditional telecom services, Viettel has rolled out multiple digital platforms in its international markets. These include mobile wallets, e-government services, and digital solutions for education and healthcare. In several African and Southeast Asian countries, such services have become essential tools to improve digital inclusion, financial access, and access to public services. Lieutenant General Tao Duc Thang, Viettels Chairman and CEO, described 2026 as a pivotal year: This is the year Vietnam enters a new era - transitioning from strategic planning to bold implementation. For Viettel, our 2030 goal to become a global tech corporation is clear. Thats why in 2026, our motto is to act with more initiative, speed, boldness, and efficiency. Effectiveness must be visible in the value we create for our customers, for society, and for the country. That is what drives sustainable growth for Viettel. Thai Khang Tommy Lee Jones is reportedly keeping a "low profile" while he grieves the death of his daughter Victoria Jones. The late Victoria Jones with her dad Tommy Lee Jones The 34-year-old actress was found dead in a hotel room at the Fairmont San Francisco in the early hours of New Years Day (01.01.26) after the San Francisco Fire Department responded to "a report of a medical emergency", and actor Tommy, 79, is staying private amid the family heartbreak. A source told People: "[He] has continued to keep a low profile. He's very private and mostly keeps to himself. He only leaves his ranch occasionally for necessary errands. He's a lifelong Texan at heart. "He's focused on cattle ranching and polo. He still rides, though less frequently. "While his work kept him in the public eye for decades, he was never comfortable with the attention. His life now gives him great privacy." In a statement, the San Francisco Fire Department told Us Weekly following Victoria's death: "Upon arrival, paramedics from the fire department performed an assessment. The person was declared deceased. "SFPD and the medical examiners office were called to the scene. Scene turned over to SFPD and SF Medical Examiners." A 911 call revealed that San Francisco police officers received a call for "code 3 for the overdose". NBC Bay Area reported on Victorias death, citing police sources with direct knowledge of the investigation and added that she was found in a hallway of the hotel early Thursday morning. Authorities do not suspect foul play in relation to her death, and an official cause of her death has not yet been determined. On January 2, Victoria's family released a statement following her passing. They told Us Weekly: "We appreciate all of the kind words, thoughts, and prayers. Please respect our privacy during this difficult time. Thank you." Victoria - whom Tommy had, as well as actor Austin Jones, 43, with his ex-wife, Kimberlea Cloughley - appeared in some of her dad's movies, including 2002's Men in Black II, and 2005's The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, which he directed. In 2006, Tommy revealed he fired her from Melquiades Estrada but later rehired her. He told The New Yorker: "Shes a good actress, has her SAG card, speaks impeccable Spanish. When she was a baby, I told her nurse to speak to her in Spanish, but I fired my daughter [from the movie]. "She had to get up at 5 a.m. for her part. One morning, she wouldnt get out of bed. I said, Honey, this is work. But she wouldnt budge, so I fired her. Then, without telling me, the production staff went over and woke her and rushed her out to the set just in time." A UK employment tribunal has rejected an application for interim relief brought by former developers working on Grand Theft Auto VI, backing Rockstar Games insistence that recent dismissals were justified and unrelated to union activity. A UK employment tribunal has rejected an application for interim relief brought by former developers working on Grand Theft Auto VI, backing Rockstar Games insistence that recent dismissals were justified and unrelated to union activity The Glasgow Employment Tribunal ruled that the high legal threshold for interim relief had not been met, meaning the 34 dismissed staff will not be temporarily reinstated or returned to payroll while they await a full hearing. Responding to the decision, Rockstar said it welcomed the outcome and reiterated its position. The company said in a statement: We regret that we were put in a position where dismissals were necessary, but we stand by our course of action as supported by the outcome of this hearing. The case centres on allegations from the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which claims Rockstar unlawfully targeted union members in late 2025. Rockstar has consistently denied the accusation, arguing that staff in the UK, Canada, India and the U.S. were fired after internal investigations found they had shared highly confidential information about unannounced projects in public or insecure Discord channels. In her ruling, Judge Eccles noted that some dismissed employees were not union members, undermining claims that union activity was a determining factor. The judge also accepted Rockstars argument that sharing confidential material with third parties - including individuals outside the company - constituted a leak, even if the information was not widely published. Rockstar has pointed to a long-standing zero-tolerance approach to leaks, citing previous dismissals in 2023 and 2025 for similar breaches. The company has also warned that such disclosures could materially affect its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, whose market value fell sharply by $3.75 billion after Rockstar confirmed a delay to GTA VI late last year. The IWGB described the ruling as disappointing but stressed it does not prejudge the outcome of the full unfair dismissal tribunal, which is still to come. Japfa Comfeed Vietnam Co., Ltd. was recognised as one of the Top 10 Animal Feed Reputation Award winners for 2025 a ceremony held on January 8. The ranking, compiled by Vietnam Report, is based on criteria covering financial capacity, media credibility, and evaluations from industry stakeholders, highlighting the companys operational strength, sustainable development focus, and standing within the animal feed sector. Tran Van Son, feed business director of Japfa Northern, said, "The award reflects the companys continuous efforts to enhance product quality, operational efficiency, and long-term partnerships with livestock farmers. It also serves as a foundation for Japfa to further pursue its sustainable development strategy in production and business operations." Since entering the Vietnamese market in 1996, Japfa has steadily built a strong operational and governance platform through process standardisation, long-term investment in technology, stringent quality control, and biosecurity management. On this basis, the companys core competitive advantage lies in its fully integrated 'Feed Farm Food' value chain, enabling effective control over raw material sourcing, feed production, livestock farming, and food processing. This model optimises operational efficiency, minimises risks, ensures consistent quality, and delivers comprehensive solutions to livestock producers. Japfa Vietnam was previously recognised by Vietnam Report as one of the Top 10 High-Tech Agriculture Reputation Award winners for 2025, reflecting its progress in digital transformation, biotechnology application, smart agriculture development, and the promotion of circular economy practices. Japfa Vietnam donated chicks and animal feed to farming households in Long Ha commune, Dong Nai province Alongside its production and business activities, Japfa Vietnam actively implements corporate social responsibility schemes closely linked to agriculture and local communities. These initiatives focus on supporting livestock farmers, developing staff, and raising awareness of biosecurity, thereby contributing to the promotion of sustainable production in areas where the company operates. In 2025, Japfa Vietnam donated 80,000 day-old chicks and animal feed to farming households in Long Ha commune, Dong Nai province. After nearly three decades of operations in Vietnam, Japfa continues to strengthen its pioneering position in high-tech agriculture while expanding its role within a sustainable value chain. The 2025 ranking stands as clear evidence of the companys strong operational capabilities and long-term development vision. Japfa among the best companies to work for in Asia Japfa Comfeed Vietnam Co., Ltd. has been named among the 'Best Companies to Work for in Asia' at the 2025 HR Asia Awards, underscoring its commitment to employee engagement and comprehensive talent development. Hundreds of students benefit from Japfa Vietnam scholarships Japfa Vietnam has expanded its long-running education initiative, partnering with local businesses to support disadvantaged students across the north. These bright spots once again underscore the leading role of the state sector in promoting sustainable growth. A notable example is State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC), whose total revenue was estimated at $536.3 million, exceeding the annual plan by 12 per cent and rising 30 per cent compared to 2024. Its net profit also surged strongly to around $448 million, equivalent to 128 per cent of the full-year target. In 2025, SCIC completed divestments from eight enterprises, generating proceeds of approximately $162.8 million. Many state-owned businesses witnessed upbeat business outcomes in 2025 In terms of investment activities, SCIC disbursed about $414.9 million into key portfolios, including around $60 million in BIDV shares; using approximately $310.8 million to purchase additional shares issued by Vietnam Airlines; and spending about $40 million to raise charter capital at SCIC Investment Co., Ltd. SCIC will continue to study opportunities to invest in equities and bonds of major banks such as Vietcombank, BIDV, and several other financial institutions. In the finance-banking sector, state lender BIDV continued to affirm its position as the largest bank in Vietnam by assets, with total assets exceeding $130 billion by the end of 2025, up 20 per cent from 2024. BIDVs business performance recorded consolidated pre-tax profit of around $1.44 billion, up 12.5 per cent on-year, pushing return on equity (ROE) to 19.02 per cent, among the leading levels in the industry. Capital mobilisation and outstanding credit balances also maintained positive growth, touching $96 billion and around $92 billion, respectively, while asset quality was tightly controlled with a non-performing loan ratio of 1.2 per cent. Another bright spot was Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem), with estimated industrial production value of approximately $2.46 billion, up 10.3 per cent on-year. The groups consolidated revenue approximated $2.57 billion, an increase of 8 per cent, while pre-tax profit was estimated at $154.4 million, soaring 73 per cent. Profits at several Vinachem member units saw breakthrough growth, such as up 3.5 times at DAP - Vinachem JSC, up 2.6 times at DAP No.2 JSC, and up 2.5 times at Ninh Binh Phosphate Fertiliser JSC. The parent company Vinachem cleared all accumulated losses, reaching this milestone six months ahead of the 2021-2025 plan. Riding the same positive momentum, Vietnam Railways (VNR) reported consolidated revenue in 2025 of around $428 million, up 10 per cent from 2024. Its consolidated profit approximated $5.6 million, an increase of 5.3 per cent. The parent companys revenue alone amounted to $121.2 million, up 10.2 per cent. Entering 2026, VNR will focus on two strategic tasks: ensuring safe operations of its existing network and preparing resources to receive new railway lines, striving for double-digit growth and beyond. The list of profitable state-owned businesses also included the strong recovery of Vietnam National Cement Corporation (Vicem), with pre-tax profit of around $11.5 million, officially returning to profitability. Vietnam Rubber Group likewise recorded positive results, with estimated pre-tax profit of approximately $277.2 million, up nearly 24 per cent on-year. Earlier, major players such as Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation (Vinacomin), Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), and Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) had also announced upbeat financial figures, further consolidating the strength of the state sector. These achievements vividly demonstrate the spirit of Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW dated January 6, 2026, of the Politburo on the development of the state economy, affirming a renewed vision: state-owned enterprises are not only a key force but also a macroeconomic regulatory instrument, playing a leading and pioneering role for other economic sectors. State-owned enterprises are closely associated with the mission of taking the lead in building strategic infrastructure and ensuring energy and food security. By promoting greater autonomy and clearly separating state management from corporate governance, state-owned enterprises are becoming strong economic groups, contributing to ushering the country into a new era of growth, building an independent and sustainably developing economy. The 2023 tipping point for public investment It is anticipated that public investment will be further encouraged during 2023, signalling a significant advance for both the real estate sector and overall economic growth. Greener investment streams to propel real estate sector A surge in green capital is widely expected to provide a boost to Vietnams real estate market. Nguyen Ly Thanh Luong, lead analyst for Credit Rating Agencies at Vietnam Investors Services, spoke with VIRs Hoang Minh about the sectors potential. Vietnams personal finance market is facing a paradox: the middle class is expanding rapidly, yet wealth management has not developed in proportion, and has even suffered repeated shocks to investor confidence. Financial experts argue that one of the core reasons lies in the shortage of properly licensed professionals and the absence of a clear roadmap for professionalising the financial advisory workforce. According to The Wealth Report 2025 published by Knight Frank last March, Vietnam is home to 5,459 individuals with a net worth exceeding $10 million, ranking sixth in Southeast Asia and accounting for roughly 0.2 per cent of the global ultra-high-net-worth population. The number of ultra-wealthy individuals in Vietnam with assets of $30 million or more rose from 583 to 1,059 between 2017 and 2022, an increase of 82 per cent in just five years. By 2027, this figure will reach 1,300, representing a 22 per cent increase compared to 2022, the report forecasted. Nguyen Vu Long, CEO of Vndirect, expects Vietnams wealth management market to reach $1 trillion by 2027. The next three to five years will be a golden period for the development and professionalisation of personal wealth management in Vietnam, as market conditions, the legal framework, and investor demand are gradually converging, said Long. However, Long also candidly acknowledged that Vietnams wealth management sector continues to face multiple challenges. First is the lack of a comprehensive legal framework and clearly defined standards. Second is limited awareness among both clients and institutions, as many still fail to fully distinguish between simple investing and holistic wealth management, he said. To ensure that this transition unfolds rapidly, deeply, and in line with expectations, strategic and coordinated policy impulses are required, particularly on the legal front, to create sufficiently strong incentives for investors, especially retail investors, to channel capital through professional institutions, he added. One of the most critical policy catalysts, according to Long, is the implementation of meaningful and sufficiently attractive tax incentives. For example, reducing or exempting personal income tax on securities investment income when individuals invest through professionally managed and transparent open-ended or closed-end funds would create a clear financial advantage, thereby encouraging capital flows into institutional investment channels, stated Long. In an interview with VIR, Tran Vinh Quang, CEO of Thien Viet Asset Management, observed that Vietnams wealth management sector today bears similarities to Chinas market in the early 2000s. We are witnessing a rapid accumulation of financial investment assets alongside economic growth. Historical patterns show that once household incomes exceed basic subsistence needs, surplus capital flows strongly into investment. In China between 2000 and 2020, per person personal financial assets grew at an impressive average rate of over 20 per cent per year. I believe Vietnam is entering a similarly accelerated growth cycle, Quang said. A key point Quang noted was the states role as a market architect, as recent policies have strongly promoted transparency and facilitated financial product diversification, laying a solid foundation for market development. However, he also highlighted three major advantages that differentiate Vietnam: technological and AI maturity, increasingly sophisticated investor demands, and the benefits of being a latecomer. Vietnams wealth management industry may have emerged later, but it has done so at exactly the right time. Core technologies and AI today are far more advanced and refined than they were 20 years ago. This allows us to accelerate product development and elevate customer experience from day one, rather than spending years building basic infrastructure as in earlier periods, said Quang. While Chinas first wave of wealth management was largely driven by simple money market funds for idle cash, Vietnamese investors today are far more demanding. They are not merely seeking capital preservation; they require exposure to more complex asset classes such as equities, bonds, fund certificates, and soon, structured products, he added. Ngo Thanh Huan, chairman and CEO of an investment consulting and wealth management company FIDT, further elaborated that wealth management represents a comprehensive approach to personal and family finance, not limited to investing, but encompassing long-term financial planning, portfolio management, retirement preparation, tax and legal optimisation, and inheritance planning to preserve wealth across generations. Citing markets such as Australia, Huan noted that financial advisors are required to adhere to fiduciary standards. This standard allows advisors to charge fees on an hourly basis but holds them legally accountable if their advice is inconsistent with a clients risk profile, he stated. A historical lesson from the US in 1969 shows that when financial leaders recognised the risks arising from inadequate advisory competence, they established the first College for Financial Planning. By contrast, most existing certification programmes in Vietnam focus heavily on product features, with little emphasis on client understanding and professional ethics, leading to sales-driven behaviour at all costs. Even as technology advances rapidly, the human role in personalising experiences and understanding each clients unique context remains irreplaceable, added Huan. Financial management training should start in schools Teaching young people about wealth management while they are still in school would lead to a more financially sound future in Vietnam. A tipping point for digital and hybrid wealth management in Vietnam Vietnam is entering a wealth-accumulation phase similar to other Asian markets such as China, where hybrid wealth management has become essential, driving demand for platforms that are both transparent and accessible while still delivering deep professional expertise. Vietnam establishes management board for crypto asset trading market The State Securities Commission (SSC) on December 10 announced the establishment of a management board for the cryptoasset trading market, following a decision issued by the Ministry of Finance. Lynne Ramsay is working on a new "Hitchcockian thriller" as well as a "period piece" horror. Lynne Ramsay has two new projects lined up after Die My Love The Die My Love filmmaker - who worked with Robert Pattinson and Jennifer Lawrence on her 2025 hit - has been in talks with big names for her next projects, with Julianne Moore long attached to take the lead in the former alongside Sandra Oh, while the latter, her passion project Polaris, is "a film lined up with Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara". She told Collider: "One of them's kind of Hitchcockian, kind of Vertigo type of thriller, but very modern, very much a strong woman character. "And the other one is another strong woman character. "It's a period piece that's the turn of the century, and it's about a woman pioneer who meets the Devil in Alaska." She added: "we'll see which one moves first." Polaris has spent years in limbo, but momentum has started to pick up, with Jonny Greenwood signed on to compare the score. The filmmaker admitted: "That may be first." There is speculation that the other project could be Stone Mattress, which is an adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale author Margaret Atwood's short story of the same name, which Ramsay has been looking to make for a while. The short story follows 60-year-old retired physiotherapist Verna - who will be played by Moore - who has several husbands who have all died of natural causes. She decides to embark on a luxury Arctic cruise, which is filled with upper-class people and retirees, including an unremarkable man called Bob Goreman, and the charming Grace, set to be played by Sandra Oh. Bob doesn't recognise Verna and attempts to flirt with her, but she recalls him from her past as someone who contributed to the wounds she's still struggling with. Ramsay previously told Deadline: I first read Margaret Atwood when I was a teenager, and her work has gripped me ever since. "She is simply one of the most intelligent, prophetic, and engaging writers around and Stone Mattress is another perfect illustration of that. "I was immediately gripped by the way it framed the deeply buried trauma of a post-menopausal woman an age group we hear from all too rarely through the dynamic and multifaceted character of Verna. Senedd Members to vote on major accountability and elections bill Senedd Members will vote on whether a major new Bill aimed at tightening accountability rules and tackling election disinformation should move forward. Today (Tuesday, 13 January), politicians will decide whether the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill should progress to its next stage. The Bill proposes a recall system for Members of the Senedd, changes to the standards regime, and powers that could allow future governments to ban false or misleading statements during Senedd elections. But while its aims are widely supported, committees examining the legislation say the Bill, as written, still has serious flaws. Support for the idea concern over the execution Three Senedd committees have now published reports as the Bill reaches the end of its first stage of scrutiny. Both the Member Accountability Bill Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee said they back the principle of stronger accountability and a recall system. However, both warned that the Bill has been rushed, poorly consulted on and will require major amendment if it is to become law. They said agreeing to the Bills general principles would only be the starting point, not an endorsement of its current wording. Who really decides? A central concern is how much power the Bill gives to the Senedd itself, and how much it locks into law. The Llywydd told the MAB Committee that parts of the Bill risk undermining the principle that a parliament should be able to regulate its own affairs without outside interference. That concern focuses on Part 2 of the Bill, which deals with standards and conduct. Committees said the section is too prescriptive and recommended stripping back most of section 18, leaving only a requirement for a Standards of Conduct Committee and the option to appoint lay members. A criminal offence with no details The sharpest criticism is aimed at plans to create a new criminal offence around false or misleading election statements. Rather than defining the offence in the Bill, section 22 would allow Welsh Ministers to create it later through secondary legislation. The Bill does not say who the offence would apply to, what behaviour would be illegal, or what the penalties might be. The Electoral Commission said that is not international best practice. Legal experts agreed, warning that secondary legislation gets far less scrutiny and cannot be amended. Committees said the Senedd would be left with a simple yes-or-no vote on an offence it had no real chance to shape. The Welsh Government said there was not enough time to consult properly on the offence. Committees described that as disappointing and said the core details should be written into the Bill itself. Recall still years away Even if the Bill passes, recall for Senedd Members will not arrive quickly. Guidance would still need to be written, consulted on and approved. Regulations would need to be drafted. Electoral law must then sit unchanged for six months before it can be used. Committees concluded that recall would not be operational until well into the next Senedd term. What happens next? Senedd Members will debate and vote on the Bills general principles on Tuesday. The Member Accountability Bill Committee did not tell Members how to vote but made one thing clear. If the Bill goes forward, every part of it will need rewriting before it is fit to become law. Wrexham Council strongly opposed Plas yn Rhos asylum dispersal accommodation use twice before and will object again Wrexham Council have said they have been consulted twice before over use of a former care facility for use as part of a Home Office asylum dispersal accommodation and strongly opposed the proposed use and will be objecting once again. The site was on the auction block in October last year via Christies auctioneers (image above), however does not appear to have changed hands since a 350k sale back in 2018. The site is under the spotlight again after Ponciau councillor Paul Pemberton posted on Facebook.com stating he has been notified over recent days that Clear Springs a company used by the government to source asylum seeker accommodation are currently consulting about using Plas y Rhos for approx 70 Asylum seekers. Cllr Pemberton has called a public meeting at the Hafod club main hall on Friday afternoon 4:30PM-6PM to pass on all we know ,to answer questions and to gauge public opinion on the proposal. He later edited his post to add, All we ask at the meeting that everyone is civil and that no racist remarks are made. If someone makes racist remarks they will be asked to leave the room. Earlier today Wrexham.com queried Wrexham Council over the statement, asking about the notification, as well as ownership information. Wrexham Council Leader Mark Pritchard said: As part of the Home Office consultation process for asylum dispersal accommodation, the Council has been contacted regarding the proposed use for the site formally known as Plas yn Rhos. The land where Plas yn Rhos is situated was sold by Clwyd County Council before the local government re-organisation. The property is intended for 35 units for families of up to 2 people per unit. We are planning to submit a response within the timescales provided by the Home Office objecting to the proposal. The Council has been consulted by the Home Office in relation to the property on 2 previous occasions and both times has strongly opposed the proposed use. Wrexham.com also queried the Planning Department for a view on if the site would require a change of use application, something that would take time to come before committee, and if opposed locally could then enter the long appeal process. The council later said Any change in use for the building will be subject to normal planning considerations in due course. On our query over ownership Wrexham Council later told us :The land was sold 28 February 1989 by former Clwyd County Council to Clwyd Alyn Housing Association. Cllr Pemberton has since shared a petition started by Kathryn Humphreys, that in part .demand that both the UK Government and the local council pause these plans and conducts a thorough impact assessment on how this will effect our community. Both the UK government and the local council should also confirm or deny whether existing Wrexham residents facing homelessness have also been considered for the same opportunity and provide substantial reasoning as to why they may have been rejected. Renown says they're seeing flu cases linked to pink eye and ear pain. Doctors now say they're seeing more patients with eye irritation or pink eye and earaches because the ears, eyes and throat are all connected and respiratory illnesses can impact all of them. Renown is encouraging everyone to get a flu shot, wash your hands frequently, clean shared surfaces and beddings and stay home if you're sick. Meanwhile, Northern Nevada Public Health is hosting free flu shot clinic in Reno on Friday. It comes as NNPH reports three additional flu-related deaths this season, all 65 years of age and older. Flu shots will be available at the NNPH main clinic on 1001 E. 9th St., Building B, from 1-4 p.m. The average time to get a flu shot at NNPH is about 5-15 minutes depending on how many people are waiting. Insurance and appointments are not required. NNPH says flu activity remains high. NNPH also has a dashboard that keeps track of respiratory illnesses going around the community, which you can check out by clicking the link here. Meanwhile, the CDC says flu activity remains elevated across the country. RSV activity is elevated in many areas of the country with emergency department visits and hospitalizations increasing among children 0-4 years old. COVID-19 activity is low but increasing nationally. The CDC estimates that there have been at least 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 7,400 deaths from flu so far this season. One type of flu virus, called A H3N2, historically has caused the most hospitalizations and deaths in older people. So far this season, that is the type most frequently reported. Even more concerning, more than 91% of the H3N2 infections analyzed were a new version known as the subclade K variant that differs from the strain in this years flu shots. The last flu season saw the highest overall flu hospitalization rate since the H1N1 flu pandemic 15 years ago. And child flu deaths reached 289, the worst recorded for any U.S. flu season this century including that H1N1 swine flu pandemic of 2009-2010. More than 40 states report high flu activity. (The Associated Press contributed to this report.) A former Nevada man was sentenced for possession of child pornography on Monday. Kurtis Lee Solomon was sentenced by United States District Judge Anne R. Traum. The DOJ says the former Fernley resident repeatedly accessed child pornography websites and viewed child sexual abuse material that included preteens and babies. Officials say Solomon admitted to having child sexual abuse material saved to his internet browser's "favorites." Sigal Chattah, First Assistant United States Attorney, said, "Kurtis Lee Solomon, formerly of Fernley, Nevada, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Anne R. Traum to time served followed by 10 years of supervised release." Solomon had served approximately three days in custody. This comes after Solomon was arrested on April 17, 2022, and remained in custody until April 19, 2022, and was eventually convicted in December 2024. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations with help from the Sparks Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Lyon County Sheriffs Office. JANUARY 12, 2026: Seven students who pleaded guilty to vandalizing Reno High School last year learned their sentences on Monday. A group of students broke into the school last May. Reagan Jaksick was sentenced to diversion and has to pay restitution for damages to the school. They were also sentenced to parole and probation supervision for a year, a $500 fine, can not be on school district property, are subject to random drug and alcohol testing twice a month, once a week counselling for six months, and must be in school or at work while on probation. They were also sentenced to 100 hours of community service, which they have already completed. Isabella Russell was sentenced to all the same things as Jaksick, except for the counselling. Brady Smith was sentenced to 350 days in jail, but that jail time was suspended in favor of a year of probation, except that he will go to jail from tomorrow through Sunday. He got two days' credit for time served. He was also ordered to pay restitution for damage to the school and a $500 fine. The rest of his sentencing is the same as Russell's. Devyn Maaka received the same sentence as Russell, except with 200 hours of community service. Wylder May was sentenced to 360 days in jail, which was suspended in favor of a year of probation. They got 12 days of credit for time served, and must do an inpatient rehab program and 300 hours of community service. The rest of their sentence is the same as Russell's. Owen Ray Shuff was sentenced to 360 days in jail, which was suspended. They got one day of credit for time served and were sentenced to a year of probation. They will be jailed from Tuesday through Sunday, must pay court administrative fees, restitution for damage to the school, and a $500 fine. They need to get approval for Arizona for parole and probation, undergo drug and alcohol testing twice a month, and perform 300 hours of community service. They also have a review hearing set for April. Aral Unlu received the same sentence as Russell. Following the sentencing, Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks said his focus was on accountability. Hicks said the judge's sentences will be different depending on the student, but said his office asked for between 10 and 20 days in jail for what he described as the primary actors. All of them will have a review hearing in mid-April. Twelve other students who broke in but did not damage the school are each completing 40 hours of community service. As for community service, placements were not chosen at random. "They were deliberately selected to address areas of genuine need within our community, with the expectation that those responsible would give back in a tangible and constructive way." Community service is to be completed with Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB), Washoe County Senior Services, or the Regional Public Safety Training Center. In total, the DA's office says this case will result in 1,665 hours of community service returned directly to the community that was harmed. To give that some context, those hours equate to a person working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 42 weeks straight. As of last week, 478 hours of community service have already been completed. * With KTMB, defendants have already spent time cleaning illegal dumpsites located in our open spaces, spreading mulch for weed abatement, planting trees, wrapping trees to protect them from beaver damage, and stenciling storm drains to promote river health. * They also participated in their Christmas Tree Recycling Program. In total these individuals have served 252.5 hours, which has resulted in 300 storm drains stenciled, 7,125 pounds of waste removed, 1,165 plants installed at our local parks, 25 trees protected along our Truckee River, and thousands of Christmas trees recycled. * At the Senior Center, the defendants participated in the Senior Nutrition Program which involved kitchen prep and general kitchen duties, serving lunch to seniors and helping them to their tables, cleaning up the lunchroom, and wiping down tables and chairs. * At the Regional Public Safety Training Center landscape clean up, litter pick up, and bathroom cleaning was completed. District Attorney Chris Hicks says: I made a commitment on behalf of my office: that we would take this case seriously, follow the facts, and hold those responsible accountable in a manner that was fair, transparent, and just, said DA Hicks. This was a difficult chapter for Reno High School and for our community. But I hope this sentencing also marks a turning point. Accountability has been imposed. The legal process has nearly run its course. And now, I hope the entire community students, staff, families, and alumni can move forward from this unfortunate episode, refocused on the values that truly define Reno High: respect for one another, pride in our institutions, and the strength to do the right thing. NOVEMBER 14: The Washoe County District Attorneys Office reports that the final three co-defendants in the May vandalism at Reno High School, Reagan Jaksick, Isabella Russell, and Brady Smith, have pleaded guilty. Unlike the other co-defendants, who are scheduled to be sentenced on December 15, the court has asked the groups to coordinate the sentencing for these three via email, so a date has not yet been set. This marks the latest development in a case that has spanned nearly six months and involved multiple defendants, extensive property damage, and widespread community attention. OCTOBER 28: Another person accused of vandalizing Reno High School earlier this year has pleaded guilty. Aral Unlu is now set to be sentenced in December along with some of the other suspects who have already pleaded guilty. Unlu was accused of lighting a tire on fire and rolling it toward people during the vandalism in May. That's when investigators say a group broke into Reno High School overnight -- causing $6,000+ in damage. OCTOBER 13, 2925 Three of the suspects accused in the May vandalism of Reno High School have pleaded guilty. That group is now set to be sentenced in December. Four other suspects in the case also appeared in court on Monday. They discussed some of the terms if they were to plead guilty, including community service, restitution, and not being allowed on school district grounds. SEPTEMBER 18, 2925 A suspect accused of being involved in vandalism at Reno High School appeared in court on Thursday. A judge ordered Wylder May be released from jail after he was taken into custody earlier this week. As a condition of his release he'll have to avoid alcohol, marijuana and any controlled substances, and submit to random drug tests. He was in court earlier this week along with six other defendants and entered a plea of not guilty. As we've reported investigators say May and others broke into Reno High School overnight at the end of the last school year. May will next appear in court on October 13th for a status hearing. SEPTEMBER 15, 2925 Seven defendants who have been charged in the vandalism of Reno High School in May appeared in court on Monday. One of the defendants, Wylder May, pleaded not guilty to their charges. He was kept in custody until Thursday after testing positive for cocaine, according to a court document obtained by 2 News Nevada. The other defendants in the case will next be in court on October 13 at 11 a.m. for a mandatory status conference and to possibly enter pleas, according to a spokesperson for the Washoe County District Attorney's Office. JULY 28, 2025 Four suspects charged in the May vandalism of Reno High School appeared in court on Monday. Some of the suspects were in court for status hearings, while some entered pleas, according to sources from the courtroom. The suspects appearing in court on Monday included Brady Smith, Isabella Russell, Wylder May, and Reagan Jaksick. So far, all suspects who have entered pleas have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The Washoe County District Attorney's Office also filed an updated indictment in the case on Monday. It includes seven names instead of eight, and comes days after the D.A. and Washoe County School District Police Chief Seana Baker revealed in a joint statement that one of the suspects who was charged as an adult was a juvenile at the time of the crime. JULY 25, 2025 The Washoe County District Attorney's Office has released a statement saying they mistakenly charged a minor as an adult in a case involving vandalism at Reno High School. In a joint statement with Washoe County School District Police Chief Seana Baker, the D.A.'s Office said one of the alleged perpetrators of the vandalism was actually 17 the day it happened, turning 18 the day after. "We are taking immediate steps to correct the record and transfer the matter accordingly," they said in the statement. The person in question will have their case moved to the Juvenile Court. JULY 17, 2025 Six of the eight people indicted for vandalism at Reno High School appeared in court on Thursday. Three of the six people, including Devyn Maaka, Owen Shuff, and Aral Unlu, entered not guilty pleas. Meanwhile, Reagan Jacksick, Isabella Russell, and Brady Smith had their arraignments continued to Monday, July 28, as defense counsel argued they needed more time to review the grand jury transcript. July 28 is the same day that the remaining two people indicted, Korbin Depaepe and Wylder May, will be arraigned. JULY 14, 2025 Eight suspects charged in connection with vandalism at Reno High School this past May are all expected to appear in court together this Thursday. Korbin Depaepe, Reagan Jacksick, Devyn Maaka, Wylder May, Isabella Russell, Owen Shuff, Brady Smith, Aral Unlu are all expected to be formally charged in Second Judicial District Court early Thursday afternoon. Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks encourages the suspects to turn themselves in last Friday or face an arrest warrant. During the same press conference, Hicks announced that a total of 27 people were identified in the vandalism case, but some are minors while others will be cited. The above named eight suspects were indicted by a grand jury. JULY 11, 2025 Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks on Friday announced that they have identified a total of 27 people in the recent Reno High vandalism case. The district attorneys office was joined by with Washoe County School District and WCSD police to discuss the May 22nd incident. DA Hicks announced that the investigation was completed on June 30 totaling 100 pages, 30 hours of video and 27 suspect interviews. Of the 27, eight people were indicted by a grand jury (you can read the document below). Korbin Depaepe Reagan Jacksick Devyn Maaka Wylder May Isabella Russell Owen Shuff Brady Smith Aral Unlu Most of the people were charged with one or multiple counts of obstruction to property for educational purposes. Unlu was charged with one count of willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. This is because he is accused of lighting a tire on fire and rolling towards people. Hicks says they did not have enough sufficient evidence to charge arson. Hicks wants those suspects to turn themselves in with an arraignment to be scheduled later. Suspects are encouraged to turn themselves in or make arrangements to do so with the Washoe County School Police by 5 p.m. on Friday if they can't meet that deadline, they are asked to turn themselves into the Washoe County Jail sometime this weekend. If they don't do that, then a warrant will be issued for an arrest. Hicks says the grand jury proceedings are confidential and couldn't discuss evidence in the proceedings, but in the next 10 days the transcripts will be public record. The DA says they went the grand jury route because Hicks says it benefits the prosecution in a lot of ways with a case with multiple defendants. Without the indictment, arrest warrants would be issued and everything would have to go through the Reno Justice Court first with preliminary hearings before it makes its way to the Second Judicial District Court. "Takes us right to court where we will be handling all the proceedings," Hick said. Once the suspects turn themselves in, arraignments will be schedule and criminal proceedings will begin from there. 12 others who entered the school but did not cause any damage will still be charged and cited with trespassing, and an additional seven juveniles were involved and will be prosecuted through the juvenile justice system. No further information will be released on the underage juveniles due to the confidentiality imposed by Nevada Law. The 12 cited with trespassing are: Skylah Carithers Kai Christensen Fisher Current Amelia Mia Custer Lucas Ford Erica Hooks Sydney Jaksick Elias Jara Bhavisha Bhavi Patil Ariel Perez Flavia Rosi Yoselin Salazar Soto Hicks added that there were three people charged that were not enrolled at Reno High School. He also said that there were still some other potential suspects, but they didn't have enough evidence to charge them. Investigators spent more than 10 hours doing walk-throughs in the school surveying the damage, which totaled $6,000. "I've been a prosecutor in this community for 23 years and I have not seen a case of this breadth in terms of number of defendants and attention drawn by the community," Hicks said on Friday. In regard to the Nazi symbolism, the DA said there's not much they can do about it. "The last thing we ever want to see in our schools, it's disgusting, but there is not a crime we can charge for that," he said. Hicks says the Nevada Revised Statute does not have criminal charges for the way that act was done. However, he says it will definitely be considered at sentencing. The Washoe County School District says they are going to put its foot down on future senior pranks. "Senior pranks will not be tolerated, the senior pranks have gone significantly too far," said Joe Ernst, WCSD Superintendent. "I think people can remember back a time where there might have been something that was far lesser as far as a prank that occurred." Statements have been released from Beth Smith, the President of the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees and Joe Ernset, the Washoe County School District Superintendent. The statement from President Smith reads: "Todays announcement brings a sense of closure to a deeply upsetting event that affected Reno High School, the Washoe County School District, and the entire community. The crimes that occurred werent just property damagethey were an attack on a place that means so much to students, staff, families, and alumni. We are grateful to our WCSD School Police and District leadership for working quickly and thoroughly to identify those responsible. At the Washoe County School District, we believe strongly in accountabilitybut we also believe in growth and learning. Our hope is that those involved will use this as an opportunity to reflect, take responsibility, and ultimately make better choices in the future." Superintendent Joe Ernst had the following to say: "Todays announcement from the District Attorney is an important step. We are glad to see those involved in the incident at Reno High School being held accountable through the legal system. The school district also took disciplinary action based on each individuals level of involvement, and together, were making it clear: this kind of behavior has real consequences. What happened was disturbing and deeply disappointing. Its been hard on students, families, and staffespecially at Reno High. But I want to be clear: this does not represent who we are as a school district, or what we stand for. I am grateful to our WCSD School Police and to DA Chris Hicks and his office for the time and care they put into this investigation and the pursuit of justice. It was not easy work, and it was done right. We will continue doing everything we can to make sure our schools are safe, respectful places where all students can learn and feel safe, supported, and respected. JUNE 6, 2025: More than 30 people have now been identified in the recent Reno High vandalism case. The WCSD says there are two separate but parallel investigations: a criminal investigation by the WCSD School Police Department and an administrative investigation by WCSD. These investigations are extensive and ongoing. The investigations have identified 30+ people connected to the incident. The WCSD says not all of the people are students at Reno High School. The WCSD says as a result of the administrative investigation, disciplinary actions continue to be taken based on each person's level of involvement. Consequences range from suspension from classes for the remainder of the school year to the loss of privileges, including but not limited to the ability to participate in graduation ceremonies. Due to federal privacy laws, the WCSD is not able to share specific numbers or identities of students who have been disciplined. Prior to the incident, the WCSD says hundreds of students were on campus for scheduled senior activities. Most people left when the planned activities concluded; however, a large group later returned, causing the damage. Officers are interviewing witnesses and people involved, reviewing footage from more than 40 surveillance cameras, looking at social media to identify potential witnesses, reviewing cell phone videos, following up on anonymous tips, and analyzing other evidence. MAY 29, 6:20 P.M. UPDATE: An investigation into vandalism at Reno High School has resulted in the identification and disciplining of multiple individuals involved in the acts. In a message to families, Reno High School Principal Mike Nakashima said those students and their families have been notified of disciplinary action, including suspension for the remainder of the school year and a loss of privileges, including the ability to participate in graduation ceremonies. Federal privacy laws prevent the school from revealing the exact number of people who have been disciplined. The actions taken by the school are different from the criminal investigation being conducted by School Police, which is ongoing, the principal said. He also said that people with information that may be helpful can share it via SafeVoice. --- MAY 29, 10:40 A.M. UPDATE: The Washoe County School District has created a webpage to update the community about the ongoing investigation into Reno High's vandalism. Superintendent Joe Ernst says, "WCSD School Police are conducting a comprehensive review of all available evidence. The investigation requires careful examination of multiple witnesses, suspects, and extensive video surveillance, which takes time." Although Reno City councilman Devon Reese previously estimated damage at $100,000+, Ernst says a full assessment and "cost of repairs is still being completed. Any dollar amount that may exist publicly is premature at this time." Once the investigation is complete, those involved could either be disciplined by school officials, or criminally cited or charged, dependent on a review by the Washoe County District Attorney's Office. From there, criminal punishment will be decided by the suspect(s) age. If they are under 18, those involved will be handled by the juvenile justice system - and if they are over 18, they will go through the adult criminal system, which could mean public trials and possible imprisonment. Ernst says the WCSD has received many anonymous tips they continue to follow up on and offer options for people to offer information - Reach out to School Police via phone, email, or in person to provide information (775-348-0285). Call the SafeVoice hotline at 1-833-216-SAFE (7233) to speak with trained professionals available 24/7. You can read more below - May 27, 2025: Reno High School's principal says that counseling and support is now available for students after last week's vandalism. In a message sent to families, Principal Mike Nakashima added that the investigation remains ongoing - after Reno City councilman Devon Reese said that vandals caused $100,000 in damage at the high school last week. "I have full faith and confidence in the investigation being conducted by our Washoe County School District School Police, and those who perpetrated these acts against our school will be held accountable..." He ended his message reminding families of the school's 'core values': respect, honor and strength. "Let us move forward together with clarity, accountability, and compassion. We will take steps to ensure our school remains a place of learning, not of hate. And to those who feel hurt or targetedwe see you, we support you, and we will stand with you. ...This is our RHS community. Let us honor it with our actions." If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900. You can read Principal Nakashima's full message below - May 26. 2025: A Reno City councilman says he's calling for a full investigation after vandals caused $100,000+ in damage at Reno High School last week. On Facebook, Devon Reese (Ward 5) says, "This is not who we are as a city, and it will not be tolerated. I am calling for a full investigation and will support any measures necessary to hold those responsible accountable. Our schools must be places of learning and inclusionnot fear and hate." Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve agreed in her own statement saying that the vandalism involving racial slurs and extreme property damage is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in our city. I want to make it clear: this behavior does not reflect the values of our community. She went on to say that Reno Police is providing resources to the Washoe County School District Police. We will not tolerate acts of hate in our city, and we will send a clear and united message that Reno stands against racism and discrimination in all forms. If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900. May 24, 2025: The Washoe County School District has released a statement regarding the recent vandalism and damage at Reno High School. In the release, Superintendent Joe Ernst and Board President Beth Smith say they are "deeply disturbed and disheartened by the recent vandalism." You can find the full text of the statement below: "The Washoe County School District unequivocally condemns hate speech in all forms within our schools. Our educational institutions must be places where every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or background, feels safe, valued, and respected. Hate speech undermines the very principles of inclusion, respect, and equality that are central to the mission of our schools and our guiding principles. We are deeply disturbed and disheartened by the recent vandalism at Reno High School. Such actions are criminal and are an attack on the values of respect, honor, and strength for which Reno High School stands. The Washoe County School District School Police is continuing its thorough investigation. The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remain our top priority. The district has and will continue to provide support, resources and counseling services to those impacted by these acts." The district is asking anyone who may have information about the break-in or vandalism to contact Washoe County School District Police through Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900. Original Story (5/23/2025, 11:54 a.m.): Reno High School officials canceled the senior assembly scheduled for Friday following an overnight break-in and acts of vandalism on campus. The Washoe County School District notified parents and guardians about the incident in a Connect Ed call, stating that the break-in is under investigation and the school is working with local authorities to identify those responsible. While the damage is being assessed and cleaned up, certain areas of the school will remain closed, the school stated. Classes will continue as scheduled, and officials said they are taking necessary steps to restore full operations. The safety and security of our students and staff remains our top priority, the message continued. School administrators said they understand the significance of senior events and will provide updates on alternative plans for the assembly in the coming days. The president of the Washoe School Board, Beth Smith, recently posted a statement to Facebook regarding the vandalism, saying: "Hate symbolism and racial slurs have no place in our schools. The recent acts of vandalism and destruction at Reno High School are unacceptable and deeply hurtful. I stand united with our community against racism and antisemitism. Parents, please use this as an opportunity to talk openly with your kids so they understand the impact of hate and our shared responsibility to fiercely denounce it in every form." This is a developing story - we will update you with new information as it becomes available. Catalina Adds Copper Exposure via Breakaway Dam and Secures Additional District-Scale Gold Platform Copper Exposure and Additional District-Scale Gold Perth, Jan 13, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Catalina Resources Limited ( ASX:CTN ) announced a strategic portfolio repositioning with Forrestania Resources Limited ( ASX:FRS ), involving the acquisition of the Breakaway Dam Copper Project and the divestment of the Laverton assets. HIGHLIGHTS - Catalina acquires 100% of the Breakaway Dam Copper Project, a drill-ready, copperdominant VMS system with confirmed sulphide mineralisation - Recent diamond drilling at Breakaway Dam intersected broad and higher-grade copper sulphide zones, including 9.2m @ 0.48% Cu (including 0.95m @ 1.18% Cu and 1.7m @ 1.05% Cu), confirming continuity within the VMS horizon - Additional high-grade copper and Cu-Zn intervals were intersected, including 1.47m @ 1.97% Cu, supporting the presence of stacked sulphide zones and a pipeline of followup drill targets - Strong board-level copper experience underpins Catalina's disciplined entry into a scalable copper system - Strategic placement of $0.5 million secured with Newcam Minerals Pty Ltd, strengthening Catalina's balance sheet and supporting near-term exploration activities - Catalina to also acquire 100% of Auric North Pty Ltd, establishing a second districtscale gold growth platform across proven Mid-West gold districts, supported by drillready targets and historical gold intercepts of up to 10m @ 1.43 g/t Au ((incl. 5m @ 2.7 g/t Au) Executive Director, Ross Cotton, commented: "This transaction reflects a disciplined and selective approach to adding copper exposure to Catalina's portfolio. Breakaway Dam stood out as an opportunity with clear exploration momentum, a well-defined pathway for advancement and the potential to grow through a staged, considered approach. Importantly, it complements the Company's existing gold assets and supports a broader strategy focused on building a balanced and scalable exploration portfolio." STRATEGIC RATIONALE The proposed transaction represents a deliberate portfolio optimisation initiative by Catalina, designed to sharpen the Company's strategic focus and improve capital efficiency. As a result, the Company can concentrate capital and management effort on priority growth assets, including the flagship Central Yilgarn and other recent acquisitions, while adding copper exposure aligned with favourable long-term market fundamentals. The Board considers this approach to be well supported by its experience in advancing and financing base metal exploration assets through multiple market cycles. Details of Breakaway Dam Project and the option structure are summarised below. DEAL SUMMARY Under the binding agreement: - Catalina will acquire 100% of the Breakaway Dam Copper Project, providing the Company with ownership of a copper-dominant VMS system with demonstrated exploration momentum. - Catalina will divest its Laverton project portfolio to Forrestania Resources as part of a portfolio rationalisation strategy. - Consideration will be satisfied through the issue of Catalina equity (all subject to shareholder approval), rather than cash, comprising: o 13,831,010 fully paid ordinary shares issued at a deemed price of $0.069 per share; o 6,915,940 options exercisable at $0.115 with an expiry of 22 May 2027; o 9,681,707 options exercisable at $0.23 with an expiry 3 years from date of issue; and o 4,149,303 options exercisable at $0.345 with an expiry 3 years from date of issue. - The Asset Swap is subject to customary terms and conditions, including conditions precedent and regulatory and shareholder approvals for consideration. The transaction structure provides Catalina with a scalable funding pathway through a multi-tranche option framework, with any future capital inflows aligned to progressively higher valuation levels. Forrestania's participation through equity and options aligns its economic outcomes with the creation of shareholder value in Catalina and reflects a counterparty with a demonstrated ability to consolidate assets, advance exploration programs and attract capital support. The absence of cash consideration preserves Catalina's capital position and balance sheet flexibility while limiting near-term dilution. Overall, the Company considers the structure to be cost-effective relative to the scale, quality and technical maturity of the Breakaway Dam Copper Project, enabling Catalina to focus resources on its priority growth assets. LEVERAGE TO A STRUCTURALLY CONSTRAINED COPPER MARKET The proposed acquisition provides Catalina with direct leverage to the copper thematic at a time of increasing global supply constraints and sustained long-term demand drivers. Catalina's exposure to copper is supported by board-level leadership with a proven track record in the sector. Chairman Karl Simich founded Sandfire Resources, which grew from discovery-stage exploration into a leading Australian copper producer following the development of the DeGrussa Copper-Gold Project. Mr Simich's experience in recognising copper systems, securing capital and executing growth strategies is considered highly relevant as Catalina advances a technically advanced copper exploration asset. BREAKAWAY DAM COPPER PROJECT - ASSET OVERVIEW Breakaway Dam is a copper-dominant volcanic massive sulphide (VMS) system with strong technical foundations and demonstrated exploration momentum. Key attributes include: - Copper-bearing sulphide mineralisation confirmed by diamond drilling - A well-defined VMS stratigraphic setting supported by alteration, lithological controls and geophysics - Multiple conductive targets defined by downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys - A clear, staged exploration pathway incorporating follow-up drilling and further EM surveying The Project is considered drill-ready, with a defined pipeline of targets capable of delivering near-term exploration outcomes. RECENT DRILLING RESULTS - BREAKAWAY DAM (FORRESTANIA) Recent diamond drilling completed by Forrestania at the Breakaway Dam VMS Project has confirmed copper-bearing sulphide mineralisation within the targeted stratigraphic and geophysical positions. Drilling highlights: - All completed drillholes intersected copper-bearing sulphides within the interpreted VMS horizon, confirming geological continuity across the target area - Mineralisation occurs as stacked sulphide zones, including broad intervals with internal highergrade copper shoots - DHEM surveys identified additional strong conductors, including partially tested and untested plates, supporting a pipeline of follow-up drill targets along strike and at depth COMPLEMENTARY TO CATALINA'S ACTIVE DRILLING AND EXPLORATION MOMENTUM The proposed transaction is structured to support Catalina's continued focus on Central Yilgarn as its primary gold growth platform, while aligning the Company with a counterparty that is actively consolidating ground in the same broader district (figure 2*). By divesting the non-core Laverton assets, Catalina can redeploy capital and management focus toward Central Yilgarn, where the Company is currently executing an active ~20,000-metre drilling program across the Evanston and Yerilgee project areas. Importantly, Forrestania Resources has recently expanded its footprint in the Central Yilgarn and adjacent greenstone belts through targeted acquisitions and exploration programs. The Board considers Forrestania's increasing regional exposure to be supportive of the geological significance of the Central Yilgarn and complementary to Catalina's district-scale landholding. Forrestania's participation through equity and options aligns its economic interests with Catalina's longer-term share price performance while preserving capital discipline. ACQUISITION OF AURIC NORTH PTY LTD In addition to the acquisition of Breakaway Dam Catalina is also pleased to announce it has executed a binding agreement to acquire 100% of Auric North Pty Ltd ("Auric North"), the holder of a contiguous, district-scale portfolio of gold exploration projects across Western Australia's Mid-West region (figure 3*). Catalina Executive Director, Ross Cotton, commented: "This is a timely and strategic opportunity for Catalina to secure a high-quality second district in Western Australia. Auric North's ground sits in the middle of a proven gold region where operating mills and major shear systems provide clear commercial relevance for any discovery we make. The acquisition is low-cost and gives the Company full flexibility while we continue advancing our 20,000m RC program at Evanston and Yerilgee. As consolidation continues across key WA greenstone belts, Catalina considers opportunities of this scale and location increasingly difficult to secure. This acquisition aligns with our broader multi-district strategy and supports our long-term exploration objectives heading into 2026." The acquisition provides Catalina with an additional major exploration hub broadening the Company's footprint across highly prospective Archean gold systems. With low-cost, low-risk and fully exclusive pathway to materially expand its exploration footprint at a time when high-quality greenstone positions are increasingly scarce across the State. ACQUISITION SUMMARY Under the binding agreement: - Catalina to acquire 100% of Auric North Pty Ltd - The consideration payable at settlement will comprise a payment to the vendors or nominees of $45,000 cash and $75,000 in CTN shares based on a 20 day VWAP. The shares will be issued within the next seven days without the need for shareholder approval, using the Company's existing Listing Rule 7.1 capacity, together with the assumption of existing royalties and a 0.5% NSR on tenements not currently subject to royalty - The Company will also pay a facilitation fee for the transaction of $125,000 in CTN fully paid ordinary shares based on a 20 day VWAP. The shares will be issued within the next seven days without the need for shareholder approval, using the Company's existing Listing Rule 7.1 capacity Catalina considers the overall structure to be cost-effective relative to the size, location and geological setting of the portfolio, while preserving capital and maintaining flexibility during evaluation phase. PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW The Auric North portfolio comprises five exploration licences and one prospecting licence covering approximately 45,000 hectares (~413 km2) within the Mid-West region. The project areas include: - Deflector North - Peak Hill - Big Bell North - Big Bell South - Boodanoo Catalina considers this portfolio to represent a rare opportunity to secure a contiguous land position within an established mining district that hosts: - Multiple operating gold mines and mills - Regionally significant shear systems - Favourable structural and geological settings The acquisition grants Catalina immediate access to undertake technical review, site inspections and data verification across the highly prospective WA portfolio. AURIC NORTH PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS Deflector North Located approximately 6 km from the Deflector Gold Mine, the Deflector North area is considered prospective for near-surface gold mineralisation based on historical drilling results and structural interpretation. Peak Hill Located approximately 150km northwest of Meekatharra the Peak Hill project is drill-ready project adjacent to WestGold's Fortum Operations (figure 4*) which includes their Durack Deposit. In March 2025 Westgold announced that their Durack deposit hosts an Indicated and Inferred Resource of 2.9Mt @ 1.2g/t Au for 111Koz. Auric North's Peak Hill project contains widespread air-core gold anomalism with fresh rock remaining untested. The project provides immediate follow-up targets for RC drilling, subject to a technical review and approvals. Historical results include: - 10m @ 1.43 g/t Au from 65m (incl. 5m @ 2.7 g/t Au) (PHAC0184) - 5m @ 0.25 g/t Au from 75m (PHAC0180) Big Bell North & Big Bell South These tenements form a combined ~14,500-hectare land position along strike from the >5 Moz Big Bell system and include a mapped ~9 km shear-zone extension and to Catalina's knowledge has not been drill tested. The area provides a significant medium-term target corridor for structural and geochemical work. Boodanoo Boodanoo is a large-scale ~26,500-hectare package covering ~40 km of largely untested greenstone belt with early indications of a fertile gold system. The project offers longer-term, frontier-style exploration potential. PLACEMENT The Company has agreed to a placement with NewCam Minerals Pty Ltd to raise $500,000 through the issue of 7,246,376 fully paid ordinary shares at an issue price of $0.069 per share. The shares will be issued within the next seven days without the need for shareholder approval, using the Company's existing Listing Rule 7.1 capacity. The Company considers the participation of Newcam Minerals Pty Ltd in the placement to be strategically significant, reflecting third-party validation of Catalina's acquisition and growth strategy by an experienced, privately held mine operator with a demonstrated track record of progressing projects from development through to production. ABOUT NEWCAM NewCam Minerals Pty Ltd is a privately held mining company with gold and iron ore assets in the MidWest of Western Australia. The Company has advanced the Mt Gould Iron Ore Project from orebody definition through to mining, haulage and export via the Port of Geraldton, and operates as a fully integrated mine operator with in-house drilling, mining and haulage capability and an experienced operational team. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/5PN6ESLN About Catalina Resources Ltd Catalina Resources Ltd (ASX:CTN) is a mineral exploration company focused on discovering and advancing gold and multi-commodity projects in tier-one jurisdictions. Backed by a technically experienced team with deep industry knowledge, Catalina is committed to creating value through focused exploration across highly prospective and underexplored regions in Western Australia. The company's core assets are located in the Central Yilgarn and Laverton regions, two of the most historically productive and geologically endowed gold provinces in the country. Both projects have demonstrated the potential to host significant mineralisation, with early-stage drilling already delivering promising results. Related Companies Managing Director and CEO Commencement Date Perth, Jan 14, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Further to the announcement on 2 December 2025 advising the appointment of Mr Greg Field as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Deep Yellow Limited ( ASX:DYL ) ( JMI:FRA ) ( DYLLF:OTCMKTS ), the Board is pleased to confirm that Mr Field will commence with Deep Yellow on Monday, 2 February 2026. Deep Yellow Executive Chair Mr Chris Salisbury commented: "The Board is pleased to have Greg start earlier in the role. We are looking forward to Greg's considerable experience and his leadership as we move towards critical decisions for our Tumas Project and other developments in our portfolio." "I would also like to thank Mr Craig Barnes who has done an outstanding job as Acting CEO during the leadership transition. Craig will return to his substantive role of CFO once Greg has commenced." About Deep Yellow Limited Deep Yellow Limited (ASX:DYL) (OTCMKTS:DYLLF) is successfully progressing a dual-pillar growth strategy to establish a globally diversified, leading uranium company producing 10+ Mlb pa. The Company's portfolio consists of two advanced projects in Tier-1 uranium mining jurisdictions - flagship Tumas in Namibia and Mulga Rock, Western Australia. Deep Yellow's future growth is underpinned by its highly prospective exploration portfolio - Alligator River, Northern Territory and Omahola, Namibia with ongoing M&A focused on high quality assets should opportunities arise that best fit the Company's strategy. Led by a best-in-class team, who are proven uranium mine builders and operators, the Company is advancing its growth strategy at a time when the need for nuclear energy is becoming the only viable option in the mid-to-long-term to provide baseload power supply and achieve zero emission targets. Importantly, Deep Yellow is on track to becoming a reliable and long-term uranium producer, able to provide production optionality, security of supply and geographic diversity. Related Companies EXCEPTIONAL SURFACE GRADES WITH ASSAY RESULTS INCLUDING UP TO 48.7% ANTIMONY AND 890 G/T SILVER Further Ultra High Grade Antimony and Silver Results Adelaide, Jan 14, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Resolution Minerals Limited ( ASX:RML ) ( NC3:FRA ) ( RLMLF:OTCMKTS ) reports new exceptional high-grade antimony, silver and gold results from the recently completed rock sampling program at the historical Antimony Ridge Mine, located within the Company's Horse Heaven Project in Idaho, USA. The results confirm the presence of widespread, very high-grade antimony mineralisation. Peak results include grab sample 732005: 48.7% Sb and 270 g/t Ag and grab sample 732008: 37.9% Sb and 890 g/t Ag, highlighting Antimony Ridge as a robust, high-grade polymetallic system. Antimony Ridge is located immediately adjacent to Perpetua Resources' Stibnite Gold Project, a large, recently permitted antimony-gold project. HIGHLIGHTS Outstanding antimony and silver grades from five massive stibnite samples (an antimony sulphide mineral) collected in October 2025 from the historical Antimony Ridge Mine were as follows: o Sample 732005: 48.7% Sb, 270 g/t Ag and 0.69 g/t Au; o Sample 732006: 35.5% Sb, 223 g/t Ag and 1.07 g/t Au; o Sample 732007: 42.0% Sb, 200 g/t Ag and 0.85 g/t Au; o Sample 732008: 37.9% Sb, 890 g/t Ag and 0.81 g/t Au; and o Sample 732009: 31.7% Sb, 567 g/t Ag and 1.19 g/t Au. The five rock samples averaged 39.2% Sb and 430 g/t Ag, confirming consistently high-grade antimony mineralisation and strong silver mineralisation. Results support and extend prior rock chip and soil sampling reported in September 2025 (see ASX release dated 24 September 2025), which delineated a broad antimony-gold-silver mineralised footprint at Antimony Ridge. Samples were taken from within the historical open pits and trenches at the Antimony Ridge Mine and form part of a program undertaken to collect ~100kg of representative high-grade stibnite material for metallurgical testing. Results reinforce the potential for Antimony Ridge to host a high-grade strategically significant U.S antimony system. The past producing Antimony Ridge Mine is a main feature of what is known as the Antimony Ridge Target ("Antimony Ridge"), located within the Horse Heaven Gold-Antimony-Tungsten Project in Idaho USA ("Horse Heaven") (Figure 1*). The antimony grades range from 31.7% to 48.7% Sb, confirming the presence of exceptionally high mineralisation. All rock samples, which are significantly larger than rock chip samples and having an average weight of 3.6 kg per sample, also returned significant silver and gold values, consistent with previous sampling and historical production records. The current results confirm prior sampling results and illustrate the potential of very highgrade mineralisation over a significant mineralised footprint. Antimony Ridge has become a large and consistently mineralised area of Sb, Au and Ag, located within the Horse Heaven Antimony-Tungsten-Gold Project located in Idaho, U.S. Craig Lindsay CEO of U.S. Operations, commented: "These results represent a significant validation of the Antimony Ridge Target and further demonstrate the exceptional grade potential of the Horse Heaven Project. Antimony grades of this magnitude are rarely reported globally, particularly exposed at surface, and the consistent association with strong silver and gold values materially enhances the projects overall value proposition. Importantly, Antimony Ridge is emerging as a large, coherent, high-grade system within a strategically critical jurisdiction at a time when sure U.S. antimony supply has become a national priority. With metallurgical test work underway and permitting progressing toward drilling and bulk sampling, we believe Horse Heaven is rapidly advancing toward becoming a highly strategic U.S critical minerals asset." Bulk Sample Metallurgical Test Work Resolution has collected approximately 100kg of representative stibnite-silica vein material from within the historic Antimony Ridge Mine. The samples have been submitted to Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. (Kingston, Ontario, Canada) and Independent Metallurgical Operations Pty Ltd (Perth, WA, Australia) for preliminary metallurgical test work and mineralisation characterisation studies. These results will be reported to the market as they become available. Update on the 2025 Golden Gate Diamond Drilling and RC Drilling Programs Assay results for the final three diamond core holes and three reverse circulation ("RC") holes drilled in the 2025 drilling season have been submitted for multi-element analysis. The final three core holes were drilled at the southern end of the Golden Gate Target and the three RC holes were drilled at the north end of Golden Gate Target. At the time of writing, the assay results for these holes are pending. As soon as the assays reports are available, the Company will inform the market. Next Steps & Near-Term Catalyst Resolution is advancing Antimony Ridge and the broader Horse Heaven Project through a defined staged work program designed to de-risk the project and unlock value for shareholders. Advancing permitting at Antimony Ridge: progress the submitted Plan of Operation to enable drilling at bulk sampling within the historic Antimony Ridge Mine area. The Company will provide updates as permitting milestones are achieved. Commence drilling and bulk sampling at Antimony Ridge: Initial drill program expected to commence, once permits are received, to bulk test the extent of the high-grade grade mineralisation. Deliver metallurgical test work results: Preliminary test work currently underway which represents a key step toward downstream development and commercialisation pathways. Advance Gold Gate drilling program: Finalise the next phase of drilling at the Golden Gate target following a successful maiden drill campaign. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/IGD20HGI About Resolution Minerals Ltd Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX:RML) (OTCMKTS:RLMLF) (FRA:NC3) is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of precious and battery metals - such as antimony, gold, copper, and uranium. Resolution Minerals Ltd Listed on the ASX in 2017 and has a broad portfolio of assets, such as the Drake East Antimony-Gold Project in north-eastern NSW and George Project prospective for silica sand and uranium. Related Companies Each year, CyberCubes experts analyze emerging trends across technology, threat intelligence, insurance market behaviour, and the broader regulatory environment. Their most recent output is a set of predictions for 2026 designed, not only to forecast what lies ahead, but to equip the industry with the insight required to navigate it with confidence. Pascal Millaire, CEO of CyberCube, predicted that AI will reward the disciplined. In 2026, I predict well see a period of AI disillusionment. The enthusiasm of boardrooms and conferences will meet the reality of legacy systems, data silos, and regulatory caution. Bob Petrie, President & CEO of Origami Risk, and CyberCube Board Member, reinforced this theme, predicting that AI will deliver much more radical efficiency gains in the claims handling process. AI will reduce repetitive manual tasks and deliver relevant insights, while humans will make all the critical decisions in a claim. 2026 will transform the way claims shops operate, leading to better claims management and freeing up time for more high-value tasks. At the same time, shifts in regulation, including age-restriction laws, may unintentionally undermine security and privacy for all users. Against this backdrop, insurers and reinsurers are demanding clearer, faster, more actionable insights especially in moments of crisis, when timely intelligence directly influences performance. Brokers, too, face a pivotal moment. The ability to achieve advisory-driven differentiation will increasingly hinge on digital scale, specialization, and quantification, as clients seek partners who can translate complexity into clarity. A copy of CyberCubes Predictions report can be found here Cyber Predictions 2026 Report. CyberCube will host its Cyber Predictions 2026 Webinar on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM GMT (11:00 AM ET). Register here to hear from guests Christopher Jones, CEO of the International Underwriting Association, John M. Huff, President and CEO, Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers (ABIR), and Simon Edwards, Founder and CEO of SE Labs. BJP Flags 'Illegal' Hoardings in Pune, Complains to Election Commission Against NCP, Others 2 The Bharatiya Janata Party has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India against its Mahayuti ally, the Nationalist Congress Party, and other political outfits over the alleged installation of illegal hoardings and flex banners across Pune ahead of the civic body elections. Maharashtra BJP general secretary Rajesh Pande said the unauthorised hoardings violate the Model Code of Conduct and have been put up across several parts of the city in the run-up to the polls scheduled for January 15. We have complained to the Election Commission regarding these illegal flex banners put up by the NCP and other parties, he said. Speaking on the issue on Sunday, Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said he has instructed party workers to strictly avoid putting up illegal hoardings, flex or banners, stressing that such displays deface the citys appearance. Reiterating its stand, the Pune BJP unit on Monday vowed to make the city flex-free. Pande said clear and strict directions have been issued to party workers to refrain from installing hoardings of any kind during the election period. Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including Pune, will be held on January 15. BJP-Sena Certain to Win Nagpur Civic Polls, Opposition Has Nothing to Offer: Fadnavis 2 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday expressed confidence that the BJPShiv Sena alliance will secure a decisive victory in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections, asserting that the Opposition lacks both vision and credibility to govern the city. Fadnavis led a motorcycle roadshow from Bharat Mata Chowk to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Nagpurs Mahal area on the final day of campaigning for the civic polls. Addressing supporters along the route, he said the public response reflected strong faith in the ruling alliance. Looking at the overwhelming response from the people, I have no doubt that under the leadership of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the BJPShiv Sena alliance will break its previous records and hoist the saffron flag at the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, as well as in Mumbai and other civic bodies across Maharashtra, Fadnavis said. He claimed that residents of Nagpur have witnessed tangible development under BJP rule and contrasted this with what he described as the Oppositions reliance on empty talk without concrete proposals for the city. The 151-member Nagpur Municipal Corporation will go to the polls on January 15. The Bharatiya Janata Party is contesting 143 seats, while its ally Shiv Sena has fielded candidates in eight wards. The Indian National Congress is contesting independently in all 151 seats. Election ,Gujarat,Ahmedabad,Gujarat | Image : PTI/Representative Elections to 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis in Maharashtra will be held on February 5, with counting of votes scheduled for February 7, the State Election Commission announced on Tuesday. The poll schedule was declared a day after the Supreme Court of India extended the January 31 deadline for completing the local body election process by two weeks. With the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force across the concerned districts. Addressing a press conference, State Election Commission of Maharashtra Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said polling would be conducted in 12 districts, covering their respective Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis, through around 25,482 polling stations. Voting will take place from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm on February 5. The nomination process will begin on January 16, with papers being accepted till January 18. Scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on January 19, while January 21 has been fixed as the last date for withdrawal. Election symbols will be allotted on January 22, and the final list of candidates will be published the same day. Waghmare said the voter list prepared by the Election Commission of India as on July 1, 2025, will be used for the elections. As per rules, voter lists have already been bifurcated for Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti constituencies, and no additions or deletions can be made at this stage. Electronic Voting Machines, including ballot units and control units, will be deployed extensively to ensure the smooth conduct of polling. The commission has also made special arrangements at polling stations for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and voters with infants, including ramps, wheelchairs, drinking water and toilet facilities. In areas with a high concentration of women voters, all-women polling stations will be set up wherever feasible, the commissioner said. Thousands of election officers and staff have been appointed as part of the administrative arrangements. The State Election Commission has also specified expenditure limits for candidates contesting Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, based on the size of the electoral divisions. Waghmare warned that strict action would be taken against any violation of the Model Code of Conduct and said campaigning would end 48 hours before polling begins. Ferne McCann won't use weight-loss jabs. Ferne McCann won't be using weight-loss jabs The former The Only Way Is Essex star has declared that she "wouldn't even consider" having the injections as she feels they pressurise women to "look a certain way". Speaking to OK! magazine, Ferne said of the jabs: "Personally, I wouldn't even consider it. I feel healthy, strong and full of vitality. I want to go into my forties feeling stronger and healthier than ever. "Yes, there's an outspoken pressure more than ever to look a certain way, that will continue until we buck those unhealthy trends. We shouldn't feel pressure to shrink ourselves we should proudly take up space." Ferne understands that weight-loss jabs are very helpful for some but is concerned that they are being abused by others after an eye-opening experience at a red carpet event. The 35-year-old reality star said: "I want to be very clear, this is not me slamming weight-loss jabs. "But I do worry this new culture of 'thinjections' does put pressure on people to conform to being 'thin' and their widespread use is bringing us further and further away from the body positivity movement and the freedom it afforded us to celebrate ourselves, whatever our size." The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2015 contestant continued: "I strongly believe that women should be enjoyed and celebrated in all shapes and sizes. "What I noticed were a lot of women on that red carpet that used to have boobs and a bum and just really healthy, gorgeous, female bodies. And they've just shrunk down to nothing. "Of course it's their choice, but I definitely feel there's been a shift and it's very much towards being thin again." Ferne has been engaged to her partner Lorri Haines since 2022 but has revealed that the pair are more likely to have another baby before walking down the aisle. Quizzed about a potential wedding, the star who has daughters Sunday, eight, from a previous relationship and Finty, two, with Lorri said: "It's not the plan at the moment, as just don't have the time. "We want to plan the wedding of our dreams, definitely abroad, laid-back island vibes, maybe Spain? "But we're more likely to have another baby first, to be honest." Glyph Matrix Nothing Phone (3) is the most hyped smartphone of the company at the moment. But, there's another more interesting thing about the firm. In fact, the company has teased its plans for its second retail store, marking a major step in its global expansion strategy. Headed by Carl Pei, the London-headquartered company is expected to open its newest store in India. This will serve as Nothing's first international flagship. Strengthening Presence in India Nothing's move highlights its strategic commitment to India, a rapidly expanding hub for consumer electronics and tech innovation. The company recently established its sub-brand CMF as an independent entity headquartered in India, emphasizing its long-term dedication to the market. Nothing aims to directly engage Indian customers while building stronger brand recognition in a highly competitive environment by opening a physical flagship. It's also one way to attract more customers in a fast-growing smartphone market. Fans Can Expect 'Something' From Nothing While the announcement did not reveal the exact location or opening date, Nothing teased a "blade sign" featuring a blue damselfly, continuing its quirky tradition of using insects as playful mascots, per GSM Arena. The flagship is expected to mirror the London store's minimalist design and interactive displays, offering an immersive experience that blends design innovation with hands-on product engagement. Expanding a Global Retail Footprint This Indian store represents Nothing's first major retail presence outside the UK, signaling its ambition to become a global player in consumer electronics. Beyond online sales, the company is focusing on creating in-person experiences that strengthen customer loyalty. With India's growing tech appetite and Nothing's design-centric brand, the flagship store could become a central hub for enthusiasts. That's also the path that Apple took when it first opened its flagship store in India last year. In the meantime, check our previous article about Nothing Headphones (1). Originally published on Tech Times Moments before a session began in Honduras' National Congress, opposition lawmaker Gladys Aurora Lopez was injured in an explosive attack on Jan. 8, collapsing to the floor before being taken to a local hospital in Tegucigalpa. Lopez, a member of the opposition National Party, was speaking with reporters alongside fellow lawmakers minutes before the session, which was set to address the results of the presidential election that declared National Party candidate Nasry Asfura the winner. Este jueves, la congresista derechista Gladys Aurora Lopez fue victima de un intento de asesinato en el Congreso Nacional de Honduras mediante un artefacto explosivo. En ese momento, manifestantes de izquierdas favorables a la presidenta saliente, la narcoterrorista socialista pic.twitter.com/eUDKO6FdHB Vloonk (@vloonk) January 9, 2026 According to images published on social media and witness accounts collected by EFE, Lopez was standing near an elevator and was accompanied by colleagues and police officers when the attack occurred. As she answered questions about media access to Congress, an explosive device detonated nearby, causing injuries to her back and head. Asfura, Honduras' president elect, condemned the incident and told a local television outlet that he hoped Lopez was "in good health." "I do not want to believe this was truly political," Asfura said, according to EFE. "These are things that cannot keep happening. There was a clear election, a new president and a new Congress. We must all respect the law, work in peace and provide answers to the people." Asfura is scheduled to take office Jan. 27. Following the attack, Honduras' National Civil Police and the armed forces increased security inside and outside the Congress building. Police and military personnel were deployed around the perimeter, where a small group of demonstrators identified as supporters of the governing Liberty and Refoundation Party gathered chanting "vote by vote" while calling for a recount and rejecting Asfura's victory. Originally published on Latin Times Its interesting that our liberal friends are all fainting this week because of the death of Renee Nicole Good on January 7 at the hands of an ICE agent during a peaceful protest where she was using her SUV to block ICE operations. Almost exactly five years ago on January 6 our liberal friends had no problem with a Capitol police officer shooting Ashli Babbit as she climbed unarmed through a broken window into the Capitol in an armed insurrection against the United States government. Advertisement What is going on with our liberal friends training divorced mothers of three to engage in protest against ICE agents searching for illegal aliens as prescribed by law? Lets analyze the January 6 and January 7 narratives from the liberal point of view. Advertisement For our liberal friends the violent Capitol riots on January 6 were an existential threat to the System. OMG! What if the Senate had thrown out the official results of the 2020 election and considered alternate slates of Electors! It would have been the end of the world as we know it. Er, no, dear liberal friends. But we might have got a look into the national problem of mail-in voting and ballot harvesting. Advertisement For our liberal friends the peaceful protest against ICE in Minneapolis on January 7 was a noble effort by devoted activists to prevent the deportation, by an authoritarian regime and its ICE thugs, of innocent migrants just trying to make a living. Er, no, dear liberal friends. Peaceful protests have nothing to do with the case. Advertisement The situation in Minnesota is that the electorate is probably slightly Republican. So how do our liberal friends manage to keep Minnesota blue? Perfectly simple. Minnesota goes Democrat because of the monolithic Somali vote, and the monolithic Somali vote is maximized by ballot harvesting. But Somali clan lords dont harvest the Somali vote for Democrats for free. They require just compensation for their heroic service. And thats where the Somali fraud scandal comes in. The Walzes and the Freys need to keep those Somali clan lords well fed with government grants in order to get the Somali vote delivered to the Democrats at each election and so they can continue in power. And so it goes until Steins Law takes effect: If something cannot go on forever, it will stop. Advertisement Or, as Margaret Thatcher taught us: The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money. Hey, its not just socialism. Most regimes eventually run out of other peoples money. Heres why: Advertisement The only thing politicians know is to promise goodies in order to get elected. The only thing dictators know is to license their regime thugs -- street gangs, drug cartels, you name it -- to prey upon the people: nice little business you got here, and so on. But theres a problem. The supporters of the politicians come to take their goodies for granted: they demand more. The regime thugs of the dictator reduce the economy to rubble as they loot the nice little businesses to ruin. Thats why the leaders of all the blue states just keep ramping up their taxes. Right now, Gov. Newsom wants to loot the tech billionaires with his Billionaire Tax Act, a one-time 5% wealth tax on anyone with a net worth over $1 billion. Why? Its because California Democrats need the votes of all the state workers and school employees and NGOs and the whole Fraud Industrial Complex of which youve heard tell, and they need it to win the next election. Thats why the Maduros and the Khameneis come to ruin. If you hand over the oil business to regime thugs they will reduce the oil industry to rubble. They know nothing about creating a vibrant economy: they are just regime thugs who live by thuggery. We conservatives and libertarians and racist-sexist-homophobes live in a bubble. We assume that everyone knows what we know, that the market economy is the best thing humans have invented since patriarchal monogamy. But we are wrong. Sensible economic policy is an accident. Ludwig Erhard and Wilhelm Ropke authored Germanys Wirtschaftwunder in 1948, creating 7-8 percent annual growth through the 1950s, but who remembers them now? Reagan and Thatcher rescued the U.S. and UK from stagflation in the 1980s, but my lefty cousin in England sported a Thatcher the Snatcher yard sign and U.S. liberals sneered about trickle-down economics. President Javier Milei has rescued the economy of Argentina, but everyone just complains. For everyone in politics the only thing that matters is hanging on to power. The only way they know is by looting the economy for their supporters. And, for window dressing, they send out the Protest Industrial Complex to pretend that they care about the poor helpless migrants, not because they need to harvest their votes, but because they care. Meanwhile, Experts question Kristi Noem calling Renee Good a 'domestic terrorist.' Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill blogs at The Commoner Manifesto and runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class. Image: Martin Patrick Many on the left and of course the mainstream media have thrown around the name Hitler applying it repeatedly to President Trump. While this is obviously a gross mischaracterization, a Hitler-esque individual has arisen in American politics, one who holds the same views and has similar intentions as the original regarding people of the Jewish faith. Advertisement The Hitler label clearly did not and does not apply to Trump. But does it correctly apply to Mamdani? What is the evidence? Adolf Hitler published Mein Kampf (My Struggle) in 1925, eight years before he became Chancellor of Germany. After ascending to this powerful position, he began to dismantle all the guardrails of a democratic society, turning Germany into a totalitarian regime adhering to Nazi principles, the same ones he laid out clearly eight years earlier for all to see. Advertisement Most Germans responded positively to his call to restore German pride after the damage done by the War Guilt Clause of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. German Jews also supported him, doubting he was serious with his call to destroy them and all untermenschen (inferior persons). After all, they were Germans! Because of their naivete and blinders, they paid for their willful ignorance with their lives. Other, non-Jewish Germans also turned a blind eye, simply not believing any German would actually do what was written in Mein Kampf. (Never mind that Hitler wasnt German.) Today in New York, we are witnessing a replay of 1930s Germany. Newly-elected New York City Mayor Mamdani has stated positions that emulate Hitler. Mamdanis support of from river to the sea is a call to eradicate Jews as surely as Hitlers showers at Auschwitz and Treblinka werent about cleanliness. Mamdanis day one Executive Orders cancelled existing protections for Jewish religious freedom in NYC. With a stroke of his pen, Mamdani also scrapped the widely accepted definition of antisemitism without replacing it. Advertisement In Democracy in America (1820 and 1825), Alexis de Tocqueville explained the stunning success of the burgeoning U.S. by pointing to the personal freedoms and the can-do spirit of individual Americans. Mamdani said he wants to replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism. Older Americans remember that the population of the U.S.S.R. were called collectives, not individual persons. Mamdani said he will govern as a Democratic Socialist...making no apology for what we believe (anti-capitalist ideology). Hitler led the Nazi party, which stands for national socialism, likely the same as Democratic Socialism. Hitler replaced representative government with totalitarianism; Mamdani intends to do the same, governing boldly and audaciously, i.e., as a tyrant. Advertisement When asked how he intends to pay for free childcare, free bus travel, state-run food centers, etc., he will tax the rich...so they pay their fair share. This is code of wealth redistribution just like the Nazis justification for seizing Jewish properties. Cea Weaver, Mamdanis newly appointed Director of Office of Tenant Protection, is quite clear: she wants to take away property rights, especially from white people, but some others as well, saying their homes are a collective good, not a private one. This is how Hitler exonerated the theft of the homes of Jewish German families. Advertisement In his 1905 book, The Life of Reason, George Santayana wrote, Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. He emphasized that memory of past mistakes prevents repeating them. New York is repeating the error of raising a modern-day Hitler Mamdani to power. Logically, this implies a lack of memory of what the first Hitler did. There are very few of us (this author is one) old enough to have personal experience of Hitler and the Holocaust. Since most voters cant have the memories of Hitlers actions and the consequences, they must depend on non-experiential, indirect knowledge, i.e., education. Interestingly, the largest group supporting Mamdani were young, highly educated individuals. Exit polls suggested 33 percent of NYC Jewish (college educated) voters, along with a large contingent of Columbia students, graduates, faculty and affiliates, all supported Mamdani. Advertisement To explain their willingness, even eagerness, to elect a Hitler-clone, there are two possible conclusions, given the accuracy of Santayanas aphorism. Either the educated never studied World War II and the Nazis, or they were taught a revisionist history that did not tell the full truth of what Hitler did. When the current generation of New Yorkers, especially the young, educated, Jewish, and/or financially successful, experience the warmth of collectivism and lose their freedom and their possessions, one hopes they will be able to escape New York and its New Nazi before they lose their lives. Deane Waldman, M.D., MBA is Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Decision Science; former Director of Center for Healthcare Policy at Texas Public Policy Foundation; former Director of New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange; and author of 14 books; latest is Empower Patients Two Doctors Cure for Healthcare. Follow him on X.com @DrDeaneW or contact him at [email protected]. Image generated by ChatGPT. We have just seen an amazing military operation with Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduros capture. Notably, we are currently celebrating the 250th Anniversary of one of the greatest military feats of the Revolutionary War, namely, The Noble Train of Artillery from December 6, 1775, to January 25, 1776. Advertisement In the winter of 17751776, when the American Revolution was just months old, a young twenty-something bookseller undertook one of the most audacious logistical feats in military history. His name was Henry Knox, and the mission that would define his early lifeand help move forward the Patriot causebecame known as the Noble Train of Artillery. It is a story of youth meeting responsibility, of courage forged by conviction, and of perseverance tested by ice, mountains, and the sheer weight of iron cannon dragged across hundreds of miles of water and wilderness. Advertisement Image created using AI. Born in Boston in 1750, Henry Knox came from liberty-loving Scots-Irish stock. As a teenager, he read voraciously, with a particular appetite for military science. He was completely committed to the Patriot cause. Barely out of boyhood when the Revolution began, he was at the Boston Massacre (1770) (where he attempted to diffuse the situation) and the Boston Tea Party (1773) as a lookout for the Sons of Liberty. Advertisement In June 1775, when the regional militias that eventually became the Continental Army were gathering outside of Boston, Knox was only twenty-four. Despite his age, he had already impressed General George Washington with his intelligence, confidence, and deep knowledge of artilleryknowledge Knox had gained not on battlefields, but by reading extensively while running a bookshop. Washington faced an intractable problem as he entered the Fall of 1775. His militia-army occupied all the surrounding territory outside Boston, but, lacking heavy artillery, he could not compel the British to leave. The British controlled the city and its harbor, and the Americans lacked the firepower to dislodge them. Advertisement The solution lay hundreds of miles to the north at Fort Ticonderoga, which Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold captured in May 1775 without a shot. Ethan Allen purportedly told the Fort Commander to surrender the fort In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress! The fort held a treasure trove of artillerycannon, mortars, and howitzersbut getting them to Boston in winter seemed nearly impossible. Advertisement Enter Henry Knox. Knox proposed moving the guns. He was unhesitatingly confident, although the 300-mile route would require hauling the artillery over (unfrozen) Lake George, snow-covered mountains, frozen rivers, and primitive roads in the dead of winter. Advertisement It was an extraordinary proposal, coming from a man barely old enough to have established a career. Yet Knoxs youth did not diminish his resolve. Instead, it sharpened it. He was eager to prove himself, willing to risk failure, and driven by an unshakable belief in the cause of independence. In November 1775, Knox set out for Ticonderoga after a brief stop in New York City in a fruitless search for useful armaments. He and his brother arrived at Ticonderoga on the afternoon of December 5. In one day, Knox assessed what artillery was operational and useful. The next dayDecember 6thhe began the Noble Train of Artillery. The train included 59 pieces of artillery that together weighed an estimated sixty tons, with some individual cannon weighing over two tons each, or the weight of a Ford 150 pick-up truck. Moving them would require ingenuity, manpower, and relentless determination. Knox organized the transport using sleds, boats, oxen, horses, and sheer human effort. Approximately eighty yokes of oxen were employed at various stages of the journey, along with a smaller number of horses where terrain allowed. Horses struggled in deep snow and icy conditions, including the two feet of snow that fell on Christmas Day. Knox also relied on roughly twenty-five to fifty men at different points along the route, including soldiers, teamsters, and local civilians hired to help haul and guide the loads. The challenges were constant and severe. Cannon broke through ice while crossing some of the less frozen rivers, requiring days of labor to retrieve them. Sleds snapped under the immense weight. Steep mountain passes forced men and animals to strain against gravity itself. At one point, a cannon slid backward down a hill, narrowly missing workers below. Each obstacle threatened to derail the entire mission. Knoxs response to adversity revealed the depth of his determination. He did not complain or retreat. Instead, he adapted. When the ice was too thin, he attempted to pour layers of water over it to thicken it while waiting for colder weather. When roads were impassable, he rerouted. When equipment failed, he improvised repairs. His letters from the journey reflect not despair, but determinationan insistence that the guns would get through, no matter the cost in time or effort. He wrote to his young bride Lucy about his determination, and she encouraged him. What made Knoxs perseverance even more remarkable was his age. Many young men of that era were still apprentices or junior officers. Knox, however, bore responsibility for a mission upon which the fate of the siege of Boston depended. He led older, more experienced men through treacherous conditions, earning their respect not through rank alone, but through example. He worked alongside them, shared their hardships, and remained calm in moments of crisis. On January 25, 1776, after nearly two months, Knox delivered the artillery to Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Noble Train of Artillery had arrived. In February, new wooden carriages were built so that the artillery could then be moved to Dorchester Heights at the proper time. On March 4th, Washington ordered the cannon to be hauled up the hills overlooking Boston Harbor. Under the cover of night, the Continental Army fortified the position. When the British awoke to find heavy artillery aimed directly at their fleet and city, the balance of power had shifted. Thirteen days later, on March 17th, British forces evacuated Boston, marking the first major Patriot victory of the war. Henry Knoxs role in this triumph cannot be overstated. His courage lay not in charging enemy lines, but in confronting the near-impossible and refusing to accept defeat. His bravery was quiet but unwavering, expressed through endurance rather than spectacle. His perseverance turned a desperate gamble into a strategic masterpiece. The Noble Train of Artillery also cemented Knoxs future. Washington promoted him to chief of artillery, a position he would hold throughout the war. Knox went on to play critical roles at battles such as Trenton, Princeton, and Yorktown, eventually becoming one of Washingtons most trusted officers. After the war, he would serve as the first Secretary of War of the United States. Yet it is the winter journey from Ticonderoga to Boston that best captures the essence of Henry Knox. Against snow, ice, distance, and doubt, Knox proved that courage is not measured by age, and that perseverance can move even the heaviest of burdensfifty-nine cannon, sixty tons of iron and brass, drawn by oxen and menwhen guided by belief in a greater cause. Henry Knoxs own words still inspire today: The eyes of all America are upon us, as we play our part in posterity will bless or curse us. It is not easy to conceive the difficulties we have had [to overcome]. We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged. The Noble Train of Artillery stands as a testament to American perseverance and to young adults ability to lead. In this year of our nations 250th anniversary, we need a new generation of young adult leaders who will step up, lead, and persevere. A monument in downtown Ticonderoga captures the essence of the humble and courageous leaders we need today. And here were men co-equal with their fate who did great things unconscious they were great Be that man or woman today! Post Script: I was at Fort Ticonderoga in December and filmed a 30-minute training taking place on location. Fort Ticonderoga was remote during the Revolutionary War and is still remote today. And yet, there are faithful patriots in the region that, through reenactments and interpretations, keep the flame of liberty alive. Image by Craig Seibert. Craig Seibert is the director of www.DeclarationOfIndependence250.org, and www.ChristianCivicsTraining.org, where you will find an abundance of free resources. Craig is also a Coach Mentor for www.PatriotAcademy.com, and www.ServeGodDefendLiberty.com. Learn more about brand new free courses on Rebuilding Liberty Here. The Domino Theory was a strategic concept popular in the 1950s and 1960s, which asserted that once one country succumbed to Communism, its neighbors would soon follow. Because it was widely cited to justify the unpopular U.S. wars in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, it fell out of favor by the 1970s. That didn't mean it wasn't true. Today, I believe we will soon witness an updated version of the Domino Theory. President Trump is calling it the "Donroe Doctrine," but I think it goes way beyond the Western Hemisphere. The takedown of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, and the apparent subservience of his successor, will have far-reaching consequences in Russia, Iran, and Communist China, but also in Europe. Last Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted back-to-back operations to intercept and board two "ghost fleet" oil tankers, one in the North Atlantic and the other in international waters near the Caribbean. Both vessels "were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a tweet. The Bella 1, a supertanker headed for Venezuela from Iran to collect Venezuelan oil, was first intercepted by the Coast Guard off the Venezuelan coast on December 17, but went dark and escaped into the North Atlantic. While fleeing U.S. pursuers, the crew painted over the vessel's name with that of a ship registered to the Russian Federation, the Marinera, but it was intercepted and boarded on January 7 in heavy seas off the coast of Ireland. It was a scene right out of the Nicholas Cage movie, Lord of War. The U.S. ignored Putin's claim of sovereignty over the vessel and has vowed to pursue the 300-vessel ghost fleet used by Russia, Iran, China, and Venezuela to evade U.S. sanctions wherever it sails. Not only is this an America First national security policy, but it also makes for great television, with videos of Coast Guardsmen rappelling down from hovering MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters onto the decks of supertankers in roiling seas. The Chinese had been big allies of Maduro for years, but the regime's slovenly approach toward business convinced Chinese state-run businesses to seek opportunities elsewhere in the western hemisphere, primarily Brazil. China's malign influence in our hemisphere could be the next domino to fall. But the President has said, graciously, that we won't stop them from purchasing Venezuelan oil. In the future, however, the Chinese won't be getting the $20-per-barrel discount Maduro had been giving them. They will pay full freight, and the proceeds will be shared by Venezuela and the U.S. Treasury. The biggest losers regarding Venezuela, beyond the narco-traffickers, are Iran and its ally, Hezb'allah. And that's where the dominoes are going to fall hard and heavy. For decades, the Iranians have been building missile factories in Venezuela, under the guise of tractor production. In 2022, they signed a 20-year cooperation agreement with Maduro that included additional arms sales, defense plants, and oil field technology. The deal gave Iran a logistics hub in the Western hemisphere to evade U.S. sanctions and its ally Hezb'allah a base from which to infiltrate terrorists across our southern border. By 2023, you could see the Iranian presence in Venezuelan military parades. The Venezuelan navy also began to operate Iranian go-fast missile boats (top speed: 54 knots), armed with supersonic sea-skimming cruise missiles. All that will soon be gone. I would not like to be an Iranian leader today. They see that when President Trump says he will do something, he does. And he has told them that if they start to massacre protesters, the U.S. is "locked and loaded" and ready to take them out. That massacre has already begun. Advertisement On Thursday, the regime cut off the internet, just as Iranians across the country responded to a call from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to "make noise" at 8 PM -- in the streets, at home, on the rooftops. From around 45 protest-related deaths until then, the number has skyrocketed, with some estimates putting the death toll at over 2,000 over the past few days. Advertisement As always, the regime likes to kill in the dark. Hence, the importance of shutting down the internet. I happen to believe that the United States has many ways of influencing events inside Iran -- and of making good on the President's threat of a "red line" -- without going into the country guns a'blazing. For starters, the Iranian regime is intensely paranoid. After the 12-day war in June that took out their nuclear plants, they believe 1) that Israeli spies are everywhere, and 2) the United States military is a force to be feared. When Ayatollah Khamenei sees Maduro taken away in handcuffs, he can feel those handcuffs slipping over his wrists in his dreams. How do you keep from engaging in forever wars? By demonstrating the awesome power of the U.S. military, and instilling fear in potential adversaries. There are no U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela, nor any immediate plans to send them there. This president has demonstrated the big stick; now he can speak softly and be obeyed. It's entirely possible that he could take down the mullahs in Iran with words alone. But add to that targeted cyberattacks against the regime's command, control, and communications, and a few drones launched against the foreign thugs the regime is importing from Iraq to kill protesters, and I think the United States can give the Iranian domino a fatal push. The 1979 revolution took a full year to succeed. In our cyber age, this one could happen much more quickly. Advertisement Ken Timmerman is a senior fellow at the America First Policy Institute. His latest book, The Iran House: Tales of Revolution, Persecution, War, and Intrigue, is available from Post Hill Press. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work on Iran. Image: White House Lets say two men engage in a verbal dispute having approached each other from opposite directions on a sidewalk. What subsequently occurred is captured on a residential camera. Advertisement Man A blocks the forward progress of Man B as the discussion continues. B asks A to stop blocking his egress. Man Awith no obvious reasonsuddenly pulls out a gun and raises it towards Man B as if to shoot him. Obviously in a panic to meet the life-ending threat now confronting him, Man B reacts instinctively. Drawing his own weapon, Man B quickly fires three rounds at Man A, killing him. Assuming no other issues are involved and both men had a legal right to carry guns, is Man B guilty of a criminal act? If you were Man B, would you have done anything differently? Advertisement Keeping in mind your responses to the above, would your answers change were it revealed Man B, whom man A knew had just completed a job in the neighborhood, was well aware that others, working in his same capacity in nearby neighborhoods, had experienced similar verbal confrontations with local residentssome of which had ultimately turned violentthus causing Man B to act in a heightened state of live or die consciousness? Let us now alter a few aspects of this scenario to explain what happened in an actual incident involving real players and the reason for the confrontation. Advertisement Man A above is actually 37-year old mother of threeRenee Nicole Good. She was driving a car in a residential area in which she did not live. The only reason she was there was that all morning she had been stalking Man Bwhich actually was a group of ICE agents. She had been waiting for the right moment to confront one of them directly. Why would this mother do so? While it has been alleged she was a paid anti-ICE protester, those close to her claim she was not an activist. However, reports do indicate she had linked up with local ICE watch groups committed to documenting and disrupting that agencys activities. Advertisement This incident occurred on a residential street in southern Minneapolis. The ICE group had completed its enforcement job, but one of their vehicles had become stuck in the snow. As they awaited assistance, a horn blared and a whistle was blown as if intended as a signal. Suddenly, the ICE group found itself surrounded by protesters blocking any further passage by it down the street. The protesters included Good, who had stopped her vehicle diagonally across the middle of that street to assist in the blocking effort. A three-minute video filmed from a nearby home shows Good was approached by agents and told to move her vehicle. It resulted in a short conversation in which it appears she sought verbally to disrupt the departure of ICE agents. In a show of defiance, she suggested they drive around her. It was then demanded that she exit her car. Advertisement As three ICE agents approached Good, still failing to comply with ICE orders, appears to have been egged on by her wife Becca, standing outside the vehicle to video record everything, who shouted Drive, baby, drive! By this time, one agent had his hand on the driver side door and Good, perhaps encouraged by the shouts of Becca, suddenly put her car into reverse. Then, just as suddenly and, who knows, perhaps in an effort to shake the agent on her door off, she shifted gears, appearing to head straight for the agent that was still in front of her. No one will conclusively know whether Good intended to run that second agent over but it is clear he definitely thought so. Jumping out of the way, he simultaneously grabbed his weapon and fired at her. She was struck in the head and later died. Advertisement The mainstream media and leftist politicians immediately put their spin on news of the shooting, suggesting ICE was totally at fault and Good was totally innocent. Unsurprisingly, among such politicians was Democrat governor Tim Walz. He commented: What were seeing is the consequences of governance designed to generate fear, headlines and conflict. Its governing by reality TV, and today that recklessness cost someone their life. Now we hear more political rhetoric. Enough. Enough is enough. Whether seeking to heighten that fear, Walz ordered the states National Guard unit to support local law enforcement without explaining specifically why. Another thing we will not hear Walz mention is that while he criticizes ICE for its action in the shooting, he fails to explain he signed off on a 2020 Minnesota law allowing police officers to use deadly force against a vehicle accelerating towards them. This incident should never have happened. But it was Goods own foolishness in putting herself in a dangerous situation that turned what up to that point in time had been a non-violent and completed ICE enforcement mission into a tragically violent one. As one journalist has observed, When someone accelerates a vehicle toward law enforcement, the calculus changes in an instant. The shooting of Good is not too dissimilar from the scenario presented at the outset of this op-ed. It was her decision alone opting voluntarily to put herself unnecessarily in harms way and to weaponize her car against ICE agents. Just like Man B had every right to defend himself from Man As possible intention to kill when he drew his gun, the ICE agent had every rightas Walzs law acknowledgesto defend himself against an anti-ICE disrupter gone wild. Image generated by ChatGPT. Antifa is feeling underappreciated, and if I were House or Senate Democrats, Id think about upping my security. Thats not to suggest that we on the Right dont have legitimate concerns about them. We do. But we havent pricked their egos, and thats a different kind of dangerous. Advertisement According to a Monday piece published in The Nation, Antifa really does not like how Democrats keep denying their existence, even mocking their existence. Antifa believes they are owed some gratitude, and given that the article itself states they all subscribe to a militant tradition of by any means necessary to get what they want, it might be advisable for congressional Dems to stop worrying so much about MAGA or white Christian nationalists and worry a bit more about the radical leftists, anarchists, and communists who comprise Antifa and appear to have their feelings hurt. Liberals think Antifa isnt real. But it is -- and it knows how to win is a remarkable piece, forcefully defending Antifa and haughtily deriding the Democrats who deny they exist. Whats remarkable about it, aside from nearly every assumption the writer makes about us on the Right being built on lies so obvious or old theyre now cliches, is the casualness with which he glosses over their violence. The entire time I was reading it I kept thinking What if these were Tea Party or MAGA people? Would he be so forgiving? The obvious answer is no. Advertisement With Antifa groups in Oregon, Georgia, California, and elsewhere -- heavy emphasis on elsewhere -- evidently, the first murder is free: Trumps September executive order claiming to declare Antifa a domestic terror organization, is as dangerous as it is absurd The violence Antifa does commit is rare and has been, with one exception, nonfatal. Advertisement Oh, well then. I guess we have nothing to worry about! It was just that one time somebody died. Its not like theyre radical revolutionaries, right? The truth about antifa -- what it actually is, where it comes from, what its accomplished -- is still spectacular. Antifa, a shortening of the word antifascist, refers to a decentralized, underground network of radical leftists dedicated to destroying the far right. Its activists are mostly anarchists, communists, and socialists, and, though they might differ in ideology, they all subscribe to a specific militant tradition of antifascism holding that fascists need to be fought by any means necessary. Advertisement A few had battled the fascists in the streets and had punched a Nazi but most simply hadnt done it -- yet. Though antifa is most often associated in the public imagination with violence, few of the activists I talked with had ever punched a Nazi -- though most would have no moral quandaries in doing so. Advertisement Short fuse. And its a very short drive from ally to enemy who is ungrateful, Democrats. I wouldnt want to be on a Capitol elevator with any of these people. Not in this mood. MAGA is counting on liberals throwing antifa under the bus, so that it can move on to other targets. To protect us all, liberals owe antifa solidarity, not derision. Admitting that antifa exists, that it is real, and that it is worth defending would be a good place to start. Advertisement Lets be real: Democrats know exactly who Antifa is. They know exactly who they are and what they do and they know that their activities are in service of goals the larger Left is aligned with -- they just dont want their hands dirty. Who knows? Maybe they had an arrangement to have it be exactly that way but now that theyve been at it a while and have achieved some notoriety, Antifas egos are getting big. If theres anything weve learned in great detail this past year, its that Democrats have a vast web of networks, NGOs, non-profits, and other assorted goon squads agitating in their service. Maybe the money dried up. Maybe Antifa hasnt been given enough to do to earn their cash. Who knows? But Antifa is restless and cranky and thats both a Democrat and Republican problem, for sure. It could be a long, hot summer Image: The Persian people have been protesting the Iranian mullahs tyranny for some three weeks now. The mullahs began striking back two days ago, slaughtering people in the thousands or even tens of thousands. On January 2, Trump promised that, if the mullahs began to kill people, he would act. After a prolonged and unnerving silence, today, Trump issued a Truth, telling the protesters that HELP IS ON ITS WAY. Advertisement Image created using AI. Advertisement The protests began on December 28 in response to what has been, for the mullahs, a perfect storm of disaster: the Israeli strikes destroying its air defenses and taking out its military leaders, the American strike reducing to rubble its nuclear program, the collapse of its Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi proxies, and its imploding economy (thanks, in insignificant part, to Trumps economic pressure). Additionally, almost as if some divine wrath is aimed at Iran, the nation has been experiencing a devastating drought. Making it worse is the fact that the mullahs, having channeled the nations wealth into generalized terrorism and specific acts of war aimed at Israel, have been helpless to alleviate the suffering. Advertisement So, the people finally said enough. Enough of heavy-handed Islamic tyranny, enough of periodic mass slaughters, enough of a grossly mismanaged economy, and enough of being an international pariah, separated from a nation (that would be America) that, amazingly, many Iranians truly like and respect. And they took to the streets. Advertisement Three days into the protest, on January 2, Trump issued a warning to the mullahs: Advertisement However, two days ago, the mullahs, after hiring mercenaries from the worst terrorist groups in the world, began to slaughter their people. Official reports are that 2,000 have been killed: 2000 protesters killed in Iran. Mullah's form of islamic outreach? President Trump will take action.https://t.co/i21XUTRyrj Bob Larimer (@Larimer1) January 13, 2026 Unofficial reports are that as many as 12,000 have been killed: Advertisement #Breaking news Iran International: at least 12,000 Iranian protesters killed. According to the editorial board of the London based Iran International, the Iranian regime killed at least 12,000 protesters. The killings took place in 2 days: Thursday, January 8, and Friday, January Meir Javedanfar Ph.D.- ' (@MeirJa) January 13, 2026 No matter the number, its too big...and it met the red line that Trump had drawn. As many recall, Obama issued a red-line warning to now-deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad way back in 2012. He explicitly said that, if Assad used chemical weapons against his people, that would be a red line justifying enormous consequences. Then, in 2013, when Assad used chemical weapons, Obama did...nothing. America was a paper tiger. With the slaughter in Iran raging for more than two days now, people have been very worried that Trump, too, is falling into the paper tiger trap. After all, weve already learned from Iraq and Afghanistan that getting sucked into these nations has tar baby potential. However, as Trump has repeatedly shown, he has no interest in nation-building. Instead, he identifies a single target (e.g., killing Soleimani, nuclear weapons plants, corrupt enemy presidents under indictment), conducts a devastating, precise attack, and moves on. Thats what we expect (and hope) will happen in Iran. Fueling that hope, Trump just issued a notice that America will act soon (highlighted emphasis mine): For the brave and beleaguered Persians, soon cannot be soon enough. And for the rest of the world, soon would be good, too. For almost 50 years, Iran has been the source of much of the worlds violence and unrest. Destroying the mullahs will reshape the world in ways that will almost certainly improve life for everyoneprovided, of course, that Trump understands that the communists of the MEK are already working to gain control in Iran. But thats another post for another day. China, Africa usher in new chapter in civilizational dialogue Xinhua) 09:37, January 13, 2026 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Vice President JD Vance is facing intense scrutiny over his political authenticity after a former personal assistant claimed his current hard-right identity is 'completely fabricated in every way'. The whistleblower, who reportedly worked closely with Vance between 2016 and 2017, alleged that the man now positioned as a standard-bearer for conservative cultural values once held deeply sympathetic views toward LGBTQ+ rights. These explosive claims on X by ex-aide suggest that Vance's public evolutionfrom a 'Never Trump' intellectual to a firebrand who labels opponents 'groomers'may be a calculated exercise in political reinvention designed to secure his status as the frontrunner for the 2028 US Presidential Election. My friend was J.D. Vances personal assistant in 2016-2017 era. We texted about Vance in late 2021 & he said Vances entire persona now is completely fabricated in every way. Vance was pro-gay/trans rights back then, as an example. He called Vance a soulless, moralless husk. Spiros Ghost (@AntiToxicPeople) January 8, 2026 Reactions to Claims About Vance's Political Stance Across X, social media users, especially Americans, suggested 'It's likely his whole persona then was completely fabricated as well'. The comment suggests that, in the poster's view, Vance's earlier public identity may have been changed to appeal more to the public, seeing that conservative ideologies were rising back then. One comment summed it up, 'politics is all about reinvention'. But while others sympathised with Vance for being 'forced' to support conservative ideas, several users said it's his 'core' issue, not politics. 'That actually makes him worse. That he is willing to do what he believes is morally wrong just to cling to power'. Meanwhile, some point to the same thing happening among MAGA supporters, saying, 'It's too bad that the people that support them are the exact people to be fooled by this... It's depressing that the world is being ruined by such fools'. JD Vance's Previous vs Current Social Views JD Vance's public views on social issues have changed noticeably over the years. In his earlier life, including around the time Hillbilly Elegy was published, he showed more personal acceptance of LGBTQ people in private interactions. For example, he once wrote in his memoir that as a boy he 'convinced myself that I was gay' and remembered his grandmother reassuring him regardless of his feelings, a moment that some friends said reflected empathy for the people in the community. However, since entering highlevel politics, Vance's public positions have shifted sharply to the right on LGBTQ+ and cultural issues. He now opposes federal protections for samesex marriage and has backed laws that restrict transgender rights, including federal criminal penalties for genderaffirming care for minors and blocking genderneutral passport markers. He also uses language such as 'groomers' to describe opponents of antiLGBTQ measures, a term frequently criticised as harmful by advocacy groups. Vance Was Surprisingly Anti-Trump Political analysts say this change has come as he aligned with US President Donald Trump and mainstream Republican positions. But before he became Trump's running mate, Vance was publicly and privately critical of Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. In interviews that year, he described himself as a 'Never Trump guy' who 'couldn't stomach' the thencandidate-now-President and wrote an oped saying Trump was 'unfit for our nation's highest office'. In a private message to a college roommate, Vance said he went 'back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical a**hole like Nixon... or that he's America's Hitler'. That message was made public later and widely reported. Vance has since acknowledged it, saying his view changed after Trump's first-term presidency. By 2024, however, Vance had become one of Trump's mouthpieces. He even described Trump as someone who had 'earned the trust of the movement he leads', saying "'I'm proud to stand beside him'. What is clear is that the allegation has reopened questions about authenticity at the highest levels of power. As Vance positions himself as a potential future presidential contender, the tension between his past and present may continue to shadow his public life. Originally published on IBTimes UK Illegal immigration has been a defining priority of Trumps second term, with an emphasis on border security and illegal alien removal enforcement. Amid a steady stream of headlines about fraud and program abuse in Minnesota and elsewhere, critics say taxpayers are increasingly questioning whether Americans are being shortchanged while migrant-serving benefits seem to expand. Now a proposed FY2026 appropriations bill would continue substantial federal funding for refugee and migrant assistance which spending opponents say is at odds with the immigration enforcement message voters backed in 2024. Advertisement The measure drawing attention is the Senates draft FY2026 LaborHealth and Human ServicesEducation appropriations measure, S. 2587, which would provide $5.7 billion for the HHS Refugee and Entrant Assistance (REA) account, administered through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families. Notably, when the bill was reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 31, 2025, the committees press release conveniently left out any mention of REA funding. The committee-reported measure is one piece of the larger FY2026 appropriations picture as lawmakers work under a continuing funding deadline. Congress previously enacted a continuing appropriations vehicle (H.R. 5371, Public Law 11937) that funds most agencies through Jan. 30, 2026, while providing full-year appropriations for several areas (including agriculture, the Legislative Branch, and military construction/VA). Advertisement The Committee recorded a vote of 26-3 for the measure Voting Yea were (26) Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, Lindsey Graham, Jerry Moran, John Hoeven, John Boozman, Shelley Moore Capito, John Kennedy, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Katie Britt, Markwayne Mullin, Deb Fischer, Mike Rounds, Patty Murray, Dick Durbin, Jack Reed, Jeanne Shaheen, Jeff Merkley, Chris Coons, Brian Schatz, Tammy Baldwin, Martin Heinrich, Gary Peters, Kirsten Gillibrand, Jon Ossoff. Advertisement Voting Nay were (3) Bill Hagerty, Chris Murphy, Chris Van Hollen. Bill summary Advertisement The bill text states the appropriation supports refugee and entrant assistance authorized under immigration and refugee education authorities and also funds ORR responsibilities for unaccompanied children (UACs), certain anti-trafficking services, and torture victims programs. Below is a breakdown of the bills proposed funding for immigrants and refugees in FY2026: Agency Program / Account Amount What it supports (as described) HHS/ACF Refugee & Entrant Assistance $5,691,033,000 Refugee/entrant assistance & ORR responsibilities HHS/ACF Unaccompanied Children $4,770,077,000 Care/custody system for UACs HHS/ACF Transitional & Medical Services $564,000,000 Cash/medical assistance and related supports HHS/ACF Refugee Support Services $307,201,000 Employment/self-sufficiency supports Education English Language Acquisition $890,000,000 Formula grants tied to LEP & recent immigrant students Education Migrant Education Program $375,626,000 Services for migratory children Labor Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker Programs $97,396,000 Job training/services; housing grants and T/TA Beyond the base REA appropriation, the bill includes an automatic surge mechanism tied to monthly referral volume. If monthly referrals of UACs to HHS exceed 16,000, the bill provides an additional $15,000,000 for every 500 children above that level (including prorated increments), with that surge funding available through September 30, 2027. Oversight and operating provisions affecting UAC care Advertisement S. 2587 also contains several general provisions governing ORRs handling of unaccompanied children, including Private donations authority : HHS may accept private-sector and NGO donations for the care of unaccompanied alien children in ORR custody, including medical goods/services and items such as school supplies and clothing. : HHS may accept private-sector and NGO donations for the care of unaccompanied alien children in ORR custody, including medical goods/services and items such as school supplies and clothing. Limits on unlicensed shelters (with exceptions) : The bill restricts obligating REA funds to house UACs in facilities not state-licensed for UAC care, with an exception for temporary needs due to influx/emergency and specified operational conditions (including certain Flores-related requirements and staffing ratios if the facility operates beyond defined durations). : The bill restricts obligating REA funds to house UACs in facilities not state-licensed for UAC care, with an exception for temporary needs due to influx/emergency and specified operational conditions (including certain Flores-related requirements and staffing ratios if the facility operates beyond defined durations). Congressional notification for influx facilities: Requires notification at least 15 days before operationalizing an unlicensed facility and subsequent reporting on children housed there. Requires notification at least 15 days before operationalizing an unlicensed facility and subsequent reporting on children housed there. Member access: Bars use of funds to prevent Members of Congress from entering UAC facilities for oversight, subject to advance coordination. Bars use of funds to prevent Members of Congress from entering UAC facilities for oversight, subject to advance coordination. Monthly public reporting on separations: Requires monthly public reporting on children separated from parents/guardians by DHS and transferred to ORR as unaccompanied children. In late 2025, the Senate considered a broader appropriations minibus that included the FY2026 measure was delayed. A policy update from the Association of American Medical Colleges on Dec. 19, 2025 reported that the Senate failed to reach agreement to move forward with an initial procedural vote on a five-bill appropriations minibus that included the FY2026 LaborHHSEducation bill. The same update adds that Congress was expected to take up spending legislation ahead of a potential Jan. 30, 2026, shutdown deadline. Advertisement That deadline is consistent with the H.R. 5371. S. 2587 is a separate, regular appropriations bill that would provide continued funding after Jan. 30. As of January 2026, there are two formal minibus bills moving in the House (each combining multiple regular appropriations bills), plus one already enacted C.R. package that funded three bills for the full year and one Senate five-bill minibus plan that has been discussed or negotiated but not enacted, with broad details below: H.R. 6938 3-bill minibus (House-passed on Jan. 8 (397-28 vote), Senate pending). Combines three of the 12 regular FY2026 appropriations bills: CommerceJusticeScience (CJS) Energy & Water Development (E&W) InteriorEnvironment Combines two regular FY2026 appropriations bills: Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) National Security / State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (NSRP / SFOPS) H.R. 5371 / Public Law 11937 CR + full-year funding for 3 bills (already enacted) (see above). Senate 5-bill minibus plan sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins (negotiated/stalled; expected to be revisited in January), not yet enacted. A Senate effort described as a five-bill minibus that would combine Defense (vehicle discussed: H.R. 4016) plus LaborHHSEducation, THUD, InteriorEnvironment, CJS The five-bill minibus was stalled due to reported Republican division over earmarks. The combined bills reportedly include Republican-sponsored earmarks totaling more than $5 billion that some critics argue violate the Republican Conference Rules. Two minibus bills also provide for refugees Of note, two of the active FY2026 minibus packages also include explicit funding or provisions that relate to immigration. H.R. 6938 includes Department of Justice immigration-related funding. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) proposes $804 million for immigration-related activities, including not less than $29 million for the Legal Orientation Program. It allots $202,500,000 to the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), to reimburse state and local jurisdictions for costs of housing certain federal immigration and other detainees, and $83,500,000 for victims of trafficking. H.R. 7006 contains refugee/migration funding, primarily for international operations, of $5,400,000,000 to meet refugee and migration needs with not less than $6,500,000 for refugees resettling in Israel. The bill also provides $100 million for the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund (ERMA). Image: woodleywonderworks via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. Riots are taking place across the country in support of a person who was an inveterate obstructor of law enforcement and a Trump hater. Advertisement Just as massive and violent riots took place after George Floyd, a career criminal, druggie, neer-do-well, and thug died in police custody several years ago after attempting to use a counterfeit bill to purchase a pack of cigarettes. Yet there were no massive protests after 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, was murdered by a career offender while riding in a light rail car in Charlotte, North Carolina. The assailant, Decarlos Brown, had previously been arrested and released 14 times. Advertisement Zarutska, who loved America according to her family, worked at a pizza restaurant and a senior center, and took care of animals in the neighborhood. Maybe if she wasnt white, and had an extensive criminal record, many would have protested her death. In fact, Im certain they would have. Its too bad America didnt love her back. Advertisement But this has become a pattern in the U.S. Law enforcement is reviled and attacked, while criminals are given sanctuary, and are released with little or no time served if they are ever apprehended. And then, if they accost and threaten law enforcement officers and are subsequently killed, they are treated as beloved martyrs, heroic symbols of resistance against the white patriarchy, capitalism, fascism, and xenophobia. Advertisement But it gets worse than that. Competence, personal discipline, success, manners, hygiene, intelligence, logic, the traditional family and traditional mores -- and what used to be considered simple human decency are all mocked, libeled, and slandered as tools of white supremacy. Mostly by white people, especially the truly awful AWFULs. Advertisement Enter pop star Zara Larsson, a Swedish national, who recently used social media, in the form of an Instagram post, to state: I love immigrants. I love criminals. I love trans people. I love abortions. I love queers. I love slutty women. I love contraception. I love welfare. I love socialism. I f****** hate ICE Larsson is a multi-platinum recording artist who boasts nearly 10 million Instagram followers. And she loves everything that destroys individual lives in specific and society in general. There isnt a better definition of evil than that. Advertisement So this sickness afflicts the West in general, though that doesn't make it any easier to watch what has been happening to the (formerly) United States. So it happens that if a mountain lion attacks a human, more GoFundMe money is pledged to the mountain lion than the human, a Christian priest is punished for reciting Bible passages while Muslim call to prayers ring out five times a day in several of our major cities, abortion is called womens health care, people are arrested for silently praying outside of womens health care centers, and Somali Learing Centers dot the landscape. You cant misgender kids, but you must be in favor of mutilating or removing their genitalia. All prior knowledge, wisdom, lived experience, and traditions are wrong. Sloth, crime, entitlement, bitterness, anti-racism racism, lies, and big government are good, everything that has heretofore been considered good is bad. This is, in effect, what so many people across the West are saying and why they are rioting. Choosing crime and chaos over decency-- and overtly choosing evil over good is sick. It is tragic. And it is an immediate and existential danger to our republic and others. Forget NATO. The fate of Western nations and indeed the world -- hinges on this battle between good and evil. A battle that is currently being fought almost entirely by one side. Pray for our deliverance, as only the Lord GOD can save us if we refuse to save ourselves. Image: Screenshot from X video. Everyone saw this coming. In spite of the ceasefire agreed to in October 2025, Hamas refuses to disarm, as theyd promised. Thus, Israel will have to disarm them by force. Hamas has made a token effort to disarm, but it doesnt fulfill the original promise: Advertisement Israel and the U.S. have said Hamas needs to give up its weapons in compliance with the cease-fire agreement. Hamas is open to giving up what is left of its stock of heavy weapons, but wont turn over its small arms, Arab officials said. Israel estimates the group has 60,000 rifles and 20,000 fighters. An Israeli official said Hamas wont be able to shirk its obligation to relinquish its arms. The official said that if the group doesnt willingly give up its weapons, Israel would force it to do so. Advertisement Meanwhile, Hamas provides evidence that they never took the ceasefire seriously. They are rebuilding their military capability, hiring and training more soldiers, restoring the tunnel system that Israel had begun to destroy, and have received an infusion of cash, through intermediary sources, to fund their efforts: Since the cease-fire ended, Hamas has cracked down on opponents and moved to strengthen its grip over Gaza. The group has been appointing new commanders to succeed those who were killed and has started rebuilding some of its damaged tunnel infrastructure, Arab and Israeli officials said. The group is also rebuilding its financial coffers with access to cash it had stored in tunnels, from taxation, and an influx from Iran, the officials said. Advertisement The primary question to be asked is: Did anyone think the ceasefire would bring an end to the war? Clearly Hamas has taken the break as an opportunity to rebuild its forces; Israel may have benefited from the break, since their reserve forces were already overtaxed. But given Hamass reticence about disarming, the efforts theyve made to restore their forces, and the declaration they made in December 2025, they fervently plan to continue the fight indefinitely, or from their viewpoint, until Israel is destroyed: Advertisement The Hamas manifesto released in December 2025 underscores the organizations belief that the outcomes of the war justified its costs. It portrays Hamas as the central pillar of Palestinian society and, as noted by the INSS, characterizes the al-Aqsa Flood as a rebirth of a movement that perceives itself as victorious. Israelis, on the other hand, want the war to be over. Now that they have most of the hostages back, they want to try to lead some semblance of a normal life. They hold onto this hope, while Hamas continues to restore its original fighting locations in tunnels, hospitals, schools and other government facilities. And other countries are unwilling to join an international security force in Gaza, because they dont want to be responsible for shooting Hamas soldiers. Any recovery as a result of the ceasefire is an illusion. It is beyond bizarre that any world leader could believe that peace can be restored by following the current path: Advertisement What comes next for Gaza may be driven by illusory signs of progress, such as Hamas allowing independent Palestinians to manage daily affairs while it governs from the shadows through intimidation. The reality on the ground suggests that this would be more illusion than substance. And it is that reality, not diplomatic theory, that should guide decisions about Gazas future. Advertisement Either both sides should plan on a never-ending war, with all its tragedy and destruction, or realize that Israels only chance now to bring the war to an end is to destroy Hamas. Full stop. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. When Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro blew off subpoenas issued by Nancy Pelosis January 6 committee, refusing to answer questions before a kangaroo court, they received four-month prison sentences, which they both served in their entirety. And, both men suffered serious financial ruin; Navarro revealed that by the end of his trial, he was expecting to spend three-quarters-of-a-million dollars for his defense. Advertisement Now, according to a report from Politico, Bill and Hillary Clinton have followed suit, officially refusing to testify before Congress about their respective relationships with Jeffrey Epstein: The former president and Secretary of State were scheduled to appear on Capitol Hill for closed-door depositions Tuesday and Wednesday. But, in a letter to House Oversight Chair James Comer, attorneys for the Clintons said their clients would not be complying. Advertisement Theyre back in the hot-seat considering that Bill was featured heavily in the Epstein files dump last monthfor additional context, read Epstein files: A near-naked Bill Clinton and lots and lots of underage girls by Monica Showalter. Yet, despite precedent, we live in a two-tiered justice system, so Im predicting that both Bill and Hillary will suffer zero consequences. There will be no financial stress, and there will be no jail time. Advertisement And why do we live under a two-tiered justice system? First, the obvious: because Democrats are thoroughly corrupt, have zero respect for law and order, reject foundational American principles, and operate like Hegelian Marxists with their preeminent ends justify the means axiom. But alsobecause neutered, spineless, and traitorous Republicans allow the injustice. Consider this, from just a few days back: Advertisement REMINDER: Republicans talk tough on welfare fraud in Minnesota, yet all but ONE on the Senate Appropriations Committee backed $5.7 billion more in taxpayer-funded refugee welfare. Heres the list of GOP Senators who voted for $5 billion for refugees: Sens. Collins, McConnell, pic.twitter.com/rFbVYmN4mz Conor Coutts (@ConorCoutts) January 9, 2026 Clearly, the American people have close to zero representation in Washington, because with Republicans holding the House, Senate, and Executive, this is where were at: no arrests, no justice, and funding for foreigners. So, while we wont be getting the jail time for the Clintons that we deserve (and for which we voted), I do expect a strongly worded letter and a whole lot of theatrical outrage! Lets go win the midterms guys! Advertisement Image generated by ChatGPT. Heres a wild one: rumors asserting that Delta Force troops used a sonic weapon against Maduros bodyguard troops while picking him up last week have been confirmed by Karoline Leavitt. Advertisement While sonic weapons such as the LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) and sound cannons have been used for years against targets such as Somalian pirates (what a pleasure it is to write that) and rioters, this weapon appears to operate on an entirely new level of effectiveness. Eyewitness reports of the raid on Caracas describe troops falling to their knees with their noses and mouths spurting blood, a level of impact unheard of in previous such weapons. While the LRAD and sound cannons can cause disorientation and moderately severe pain, physical effects of this sort are new in this kind of weapon. The eyewitness report in question is most likely this one, from one of Maduros security guards. According to this witness, the raid began with all radars shutting down, followed by waves of drones striking the site. These were followed by helicopters only eight, which matches the widely-published videos taken by civilians just before the raid. Troops Only twenty, the eyewitness insisted then descended from the choppers. But despite their small number, these U.S. troops were technologically advanced and unlike any we fought against before. Advertisement It was a massacre, the guard said. We had no chance They were shooting with such precision and speed it seemed like each soldier was firing 300 rounds per minute He then mentions the sonic weapon: At one point they launched something I dont 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. Advertisement While its unclear exactly when the sonic weapon was fired, it seems probable that this occurred as the Delta Force troops were deploying from the helicopters, to prevent any response from the bodyguard units. The guard states that hundreds of Venezuelan troops were killed We could not compete with their technology. Its hard to know what to make of this. On the surface, it sounds pretty Hollywood, a combination of Predator and any given Segal or Van Damme movie. The disorientation this class of weapon is known to cause might well have given rise to a seriously distorted view of events. On the other hand, there have been no U.S. casualties announced apart from a few minor wounds. This is remarkable, considering the circumstances. Twenty men versus hundreds? Has the U.S. actually cracked the code for equipping and training the supersoldier? Advertisement The Venezuelan soldier predicts massive consequences throughout the region and beyond: Im sending a warning to anyone who thinks they can fight the United States. They have no idea what theyre capable of Theyre not be messed with. It certainly appears that the money spent by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) has not gone to waste. Advertisement Image: AT via Magic Studio The Iranian people remember 2009, when, during massive demonstrations in Tehran and elsewhere in the country, the masses cried out, Obama are you with us or with them?, referring to the ayatollahs regime. President Obama ignored the demonstrators and essentially backed the repressive theocracy. Today, in the midst of the current demonstrations, the current president is much more sympathetic to the Iranian demonstrators than Obama was. But although President Trumps verbal support is comforting to the Iranian demonstrators, it is not enough. Advertisement A kinetic operation by the United States or Israel might help bring down the regime, especially if the supreme leader and Islamic Republic leadership are eliminated and there is no damage incurred by the wider population and civil infrastructure. Such a scenario might also unite many more Iranians than those currently mobilized in the streets. Although Iranians generally resent foreign intervention, many cheered the Israeli attack on Iran last June. Clearly, the majority of Iranians want change. Regrettably, the opposition forces who seek to bring down the ayatollahs regime are diffused. The political opposition to the regime in the diaspora is split, and the domestic opposition is largely in prison and harshly repressed. The only effective way to bring down the regime would be to split the security services and have the deserters join the opposition. Such a situation would provide the defenseless demonstrators with potentially armed men. There is also a remote possibility that elements within the Islamic Republic seek change. Advertisement Among the more recognizable opposition leaders is Reza Pahlavi, the crown prince, son of the deposed former shah, who resides in the U.S. Many Iranians look with fondness to life before the 1979 Islamic revolution, when Iranian society was more open and there were closer ties with the Western world, cultural diversity, and economic prosperity. Not all segments of the population, however, enjoyed these aspects. Pahlavi has failed to build an effective political organization and has quarreled with other opposition groups, thus splitting the opposition to the delight of the regime. Yet Pahlavi has the support of many Western governments, especially Israel and the U.S. The Trump administration has yet to endorse him. The current demonstrations in Iran are enjoying wide public support. The rial, Irans currency, has crashed, unemployment is widespread, and a harsh drought has led the regime to ration water. The ayatollahs have not taken responsibility for the dire economic conditions in the country, and there is little likelihood that conditions will improve. The regime is accused of corruption; mismanagement; and wasting money on funding proxies in Lebanon, Gaza, and Sanaa instead of investing in strategies that would benefit the Iranian people. Advertisement For the Iranian people, the situation evokes a sense of deja vu. They recall previous demonstrations and are concerned that what they are witnessing might not change the reality any more than it did in the past. Let us also not forget that the minorities in Iran, which constitute almost half of the population and hate the theocratic regime. The Kurds in western Iran account for approximately 10% of the population, and their long suffering under the ayatollahs has fostered several Kurdish militias. The Kurds have requested American support for many years; none was rendered. The Baluchis, in southeastern Iran, are also in a state of rebellion against the regime, as are the Arabs of Khuzestan in southwestern Iran. Khuzestan, the countrys primary source of oil wealth, was once predominantly Arab. However, in recent decades, the ayatollahs brought Persians and Lors into the province. Azeris, in northwestern Iran, are the largest minority, and they have cultural and linguistic issues with the regime. Advertisement The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seems to be sizing up the protests and even showing relative sympathy in light of the dire economic situation. Will he launch a crackdown? That may depend on whether some Iranian military elements defect and help the protesters. Should Iranian military elements join the protesters, it would constitute a first time since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Recent comments by Donald Trump that he would intervene if Iran started cracking down on the protesters reportedly have some within the regime taking his warning seriously in the wake of his having bombed the Islamic Republic in June 2025 and abducted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro this month. It is questionable whether Trump would use sufficient and sustained U.S. power in the event of a crackdown. All of this makes the coming days critical for the protesters. Either the protests will increase in size, focus, and leadership, and gain some kind of military support, or the regime will start reacting, causing the protests to peter out, as in the past. Advertisement We are still in a wait-and-see moment; the regimes fall is not imminent. The regime may indeed be hated, but without a unifying leader of the opposition and consequential defection from the regimes security services, the protests may be halted. Protests in Tehran and across the country are growing, and as this plays out, dramatic surprises may yet be witnessed. Advertisement Image: Chickenonline via Pixabay, Pixabay License. Apple and Google recently confirmed a huge AI partnership. The Gemini AI models will be the brains behind the upcoming AI-powered Siri upgrade. However, theres someone else whos unhappy with the situation. Elon Musk, never one to back down on X, quickly labeled the Apple and Google deal for a Gemini AI-powered Siri an unreasonable concentration of power. Musks concern centers on the sheer scale of Googles influence. He pointed out that Google already controls Android and the Chrome browser. By becoming the foundational brain for Apple Intelligence, the company could effectively secure a dominant position across the two most important mobile ecosystems on the planet, Musk alleges. Why Elon Musk is sounding the alarm on the Apple-Google AI deal While Musk frames his critique as an antitrust concern, there is a clear strategic element at play. His own AI startup, xAI, operates the Grok model, which competes directly with Googles Gemini. Musk has spent the last year in legal battles with Apple and OpenAI, alleging that their previous partnerships created an unfair environment for rival AI services. From Musks perspective, if Google becomes the default intelligence layer for both iPhone and Android users, smaller competitors like Grok could find themselves boxed out of the mobile market before they even get a chance to scale. Apples defense: Privacy and control Despite the backlash, Apple maintains that the deal was the result of a careful evaluation. They determined that Google offered the most capable foundation for their AI technology. To calm the nerves of privacy-conscious users, Apple has been very vocal about how the integration works. Rather than handing over user data to Google, Apple is using its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure. This means that while Gemini provides the raw silicon brainpower, the actual processing happens within Apples secure environment. In theory, this allows Siri to benefit from Googles advanced 1.2-trillion-parameter model without actually giving Google access to your personal messages or habits. For Google, this deal is a massive win that goes beyond the rumored $1 billion annual licensing fee. It serves as a major validation of Gemini 3, which has recently overtaken several competitors in performance benchmarks. Winning over Apple solidifies its place as the premier provider of foundation models. Its the start of 2026 and you know what that means: Samsungs getting ready to launch its new flagship series of phones. The good news is that things appear to be progressing rather nicely. According to the latest reports from Korea, mass production of the Galaxy S26 will begin this month. Galaxy S26 gears up for production this month According to the report, Samsung is getting ready to put the Galaxy S26 series into production this month. Whats interesting is that Samsung is banking hard on the Ultra model to be its best-seller. So much so that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will make up the majority of initial shipments, with an estimated six times the volume compared to the other models. Also, the report claims that Samsung is putting the Galaxy S26 Plus back into the mix. Earlier rumors claimed that Samsung would replace the Plus model with the Edge model. However, following disappointing sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge, the company has decided to bring back the Plus model, but well get to that later. As to when the phones will launch, you might have to wait just a bit. The latest rumors claim that the phones will go on sale on March 11. This means that the official announcement could take place either at the start of March or towards the end of February. This is slightly later than usual, but its not too late. What about the Edge series? For those hoping to see another Galaxy Edge series, heres where things get a bit confusing. Due to poor battery life and a somewhat hefty price tag, the Galaxy S25 Edge did not sell as well as Samsung would have liked. Initial rumors suggested that Samsung would replace the Plus model with the Edge, but poor sales have forced the company to backtrack on those plans. There was some initial talk about the series being axed completely. However, more recent reports are now saying that Samsung could try their hand at it again. Either way, it still feels like everythings still up in the air at this point in time. But what we do know is that the main lineup is sticking around. So, if youre planning on upgrading your phone, maybe hold off for a couple of months to see what Samsung will be bringing to the table. Google is making a major move with its Pixel smartphone production. According to a new report from Nikkei Asia, the company will begin developing and manufacturing its high-end Pixel devices entirely in Vietnam starting this year. Thats a pretty big deal. This isnt just about final assembly either. Google is moving the entire new product introduction (NPI) process to Vietnam for its flagship Pixel, Pixel Pro, and Pixel Fold devices. NPI is the critical phase where devices are built from scratch, including design testing, component verification, and production line refinement. Its essentially the most important part of getting a new phone ready for mass production. Google Pixel a-series will continue being manufactured in China, for now The budget-friendly Pixel a-series will stay in China for now, but the premium stuff is heading to Vietnam. Google already has a solid foundation in Vietnam. The company mass-produces high-end Pixel phones there and conducts verification processes in the country. So expanding to full development isnt a massive leap, but it is a significant strategic shift away from China. This move mirrors what Apple has been doing with India. Both American tech giants are clearly trying to reduce their dependence on Chinese manufacturing amid ongoing trade tensions and supply chain concerns. Rising labor costs and geopolitical uncertainty have pushed companies to diversify where they build their products. Vietnam has been positioning itself as a major electronics manufacturing hub for years now. Samsung already produces a huge chunk of its smartphones there, and Googles commitment only strengthens the countrys reputation. Google hasnt officially commented on the report yet. But if this pans out, your next Pixel 11 series device could be entirely Vietnamese-made from start to finish. Thats a big win for Vietnam and a clear signal that the global tech supply chain is shifting fast. The Indian government is reportedly facing backlash after claims emerged that it sought access to Apples iOS source code as part of a new suite of security regulations. Some official channels have since denied these reports. However, theres tension amid the growing conflict between national security demands and global privacy standards. Is India really after Apples iOS source code? A recent report by Reuters sparked the global conversation. They claimed that the Indian government was considering 83 new security requirements for smartphone manufacturers. The most controversial item on that list involved a demand for companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google to hand over their proprietary source code for review by government-designated labs. We already know that the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) is available for free on Android. But for a closed firm like Apple, the iOS source code is like its crown jewels. It is the blueprint that keeps the iPhone secure. Giving it to someone else puts your security at great risk. If that code ever got out or was stolen, hackers all over the world would know exactly where all the systems weaknesses are. A swift denial, but Reuters cites confidential documents The reaction from the tech industry was immediate. MAIT, an industry group representing the major smartphone players, came into play. They stated that such a request is simply not possible due to global privacy policies and corporate secrecy. Shortly after the report gained traction, Indias Press Information Bureau (PIB) issued a firm denial. They called the claims false and stated that the Ministry of Information & Technology (MeitY) is not proposing to force companies to share their source code. However, the situation remains murky. While the government refutes the report, Reuters maintains its story is based on a review of confidential government and industry documents. This has led many observers to wonder if the proposal was a trial balloona draft idea that was quickly dismissed once it faced significant public pushback. A pattern of bold requests by Indias government India has done this before with big tech companies. In early 2025, there were reports that the government wanted to require all devices to come with state-backed apps already installed. Like the current source code situation, the private talks became public and were criticized. After that, it seemed like the government changed its mind. The Indian government argues that these measures are about national security and protecting over a billion users who store sensitive financial data on their phones. They want to ensure that no weak security points exist that foreign nations could exploit. But what lines can be crossed for this purpose? For now, the government says it is in a consultation phase. They promise to listen to legitimate concerns with an open mind. While the extreme demand for source code might be off the table for now, other requirementssuch as informing the government before releasing major software updatescould still become reality. Realme appears to have yet another smartphone series in its pipeline, the Neo8 series, which is reportedly due for a China launch later this month. Now, thanks to Chinas TENAA certification website, some of the core specs of the Realme Neo8 have just leaked online. Chinese TENAA listing leaks some of the key specs of the upcoming Realme Neo8 Speaking of the leak first, the TENAA listing suggests that the Realme Neo8 will feature a flat 165Hz 6.78-inch display with a 2772 x 1272 pixels resolution. Realme has also detailed the display of the upcoming smartphone via a post on Weibo. The phone will feature a flagship Samsung M14 OLED panel, officially called Samsung Sky Display. The display will offer up to 1,000 nits of peak manual brightness and up to 6,500 nits of local brightness. Putting it simply, the M14 OLED panel is an upgrade over the M13, which promises improved brightness and better power efficiency. Do note that the upgraded display panel also supports an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Under the hood, the Realme Neo8 could use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC. Thats the same chipset Qualcomm unveiled in November 2025. Speaking of leaked camera specs, the Realme Neo8 features a triple camera setup on the back, with a 50MP primary camera with OIS support. Additionally, youll have the 50MP periscope telephoto camera, with 3.5x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide camera. On the front, the Neo8 features a 16MP selfie camera. Speaking of software, the Realme Neo8 will run Android 16-based Realme UI 7 out of the box. Reports citing a Geekbench listing from last week have also pointed to up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The leaked TENAA listing now suggests that the Realme Neo8 will come in three different variants. Apart from the one mentioned earlier, there are three other variants. The base variant will come with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Whereas the two other models will ship with 12GB/256GB and 16GB/512GB configurations. Leak points at a massive 8,000mAh battery with 80W wired fast charging support As with most China-origin smartphones these days, the Realme Neo8 will also pack a massive battery of 8,000mAh capacity. Itll also come with 80W wired charging support. The leaked details hint that the Neo8 will measure 162 x 77.07 x 8.3mm and weigh 215 grams. Moreover, the device will come with IP68/69 ingress protection. All that said, lets not forget that Realme will return as an OPPO sub-brand under new internal restructuring move. Meta is urging Australian government to reconsider its world-first social media ban for under-16s. The company argues that the blanket ban strategy is already showing significant flaws. Following the removal of over 544,000 accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Threads in the laws first week of enforcement, the tech giant is warning that the move might be doing more harm than good. Meta wants Australia to rethink its social media ban on teens Metas main concern is that cutting off teenagers from mainstream platforms doesnt stop them from going online. The move supposedly just drives them elsewhere. Since the ban took effect on December 10, 2025, there has been a noticeable migration of young users toward other platforms. The latter are smaller, less regulated, and fall outside the scope of the new law. The social media firm describes this as a whack-a-mole effect. In other words, teens flock to alternative apps like Lemon8 or Yope the moment they are blocked from Instagram. Meta argues that these smaller services often lack the robust safety tools, reporting features, and moderation teams that larger platforms have spent years building. As output, they could expose minors to greater risks in darker corners of the internet. A call for app store responsibility Rather than banning specific apps, Meta is urging Australia to shift the burden of age verification to the app store level. Under this proposal, Apple and Google would be responsible for verifying a users ageand obtaining parental consentbefore any app can even be downloaded. Meta suggests this would create a consistent, industry-wide standard that applies to every app a teenager might try to use, not just a selected list of ten. The tech giant believes that incentivizing companies to raise their safety standards and provide age-appropriate experiences is a more effective long-term solution than total prohibition. Youngsters allegedly resorting to VPNs, spoofing the AI, or adult accounts Despite the massive deactivations, the ban has proven surprisingly easy for determined teens to bypass. Many are reportedly using VPNs to pretend they are in another country. Meanwhile, others have successfully tricked AI age-estimation tools using clever lighting or makeup to appear older. Beyond the technical tricks, some teens have simply moved to accounts owned by their parents. This makes it even difficult for platforms to distinguish between adult and minor usage. The situation has fueled Metas argument that the current law lacks a clear, industry-wide standard for determining age online. Basically, its making reasonable compliance a moving target. Given this situation, Meta Australias request to rethink the social media ban gains some weight. What lies ahead? The Australian government, which faces fines of up to $49.5 million AUD for non-compliant platforms, remains firm in its stance that the ban is about protecting youth mental health. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has characterized the move as a way to let kids be kids away from addictive algorithms. However, as other nations like the UK and France consider similar legislation, Meta pushes for a more nuanced approach. They aim to focus on parental controls and app store oversight. Whether one approach is better than the other is likely to remain at the center of the global debate. For now, the multi-layered process of deactivating accounts continues. Motorola has really been knocking it out of the park with phones these past few years, and although I cant confidently say every single device theyve made in that time is a winner, the ones I have personally tested have all turned out to be a shining example of Motorolas efforts to produce good quality phones again. One of the brands latest devices is the Moto G Power 2026, a third iteration of the Moto G that, based on the name, youd expect would either be pointing to this phones higher performance or its long-lasting battery. Perhaps both. Either way, its a phone that you can be assured is going to be there for you at the end of a long day, with battery life to spare. That being said, is it that much better than the Moto G 2026 or the Moto G Play 2026 to warrant the extra amount in price? Were talking about a jump of about $100-$120. If youre already shopping for phones at this low of a price, then an extra $100 is no small amount. Did Motorola do enough to make this phone worth $299.99? There are certainly some upgrades, so youre not spending more money for nothing. With all this in mind, lets take a deeper look at this review and see if the Motorola Moto G Power 2026 is worth your hard-earned money. Motorola Moto G Power 2026 Rating star star star star star_empty $299.99 Pros & Cons Pros Long-lasting battery Pretty good camera for around $300 Very stylish design Affordable price tag Lightning-fast fingerprint sensor Double the RAM and storage of the Play model Cons Gaming performance is still a little laggy Rapid Charging wont work witout Motorolas charger Disclaimer Motorola sent out a review unit of the Moto G Power 2026 for us to review. Weve been using it for a couple of weeks before writing this review. This is not a sponsored review and Motorola did not see this review before it was published. Buy from Motorola Buy from Motorola Moto G Power 2026 Specs Motorola Moto G Power 2026 Specs Display 6.8 2388 1080 LCD 120H Processor MediaTek Dimensity 6300 RAM/Storage 8GB/128GB Cameras 50MP f/1.8 primary, 8MP f/2.2 Battery 5,200mAh Charging 30W wired (Motorola TurboCharging 33W adapter required for Rapid Charging) Colors PANTONE Pure Cashmere, PANTONE Evening Blue View Device Specs Motorola Moto G Power 2026 Review: Design and Build Quality Just like with the Motorola Moto G Play 2026, the Moto G Power 2026 is a solidly-built device that really comes through when you look at it, but more so when you hold the phone and feel it in your hands. The phones sleek design with its textured vegan leather feels almost woven into the back of the device like fabric. And Motorolas usual fun selection of PANTONE colors rounds things out and continues to make Motorolas phones some of the best-looking devices on the market today. From a design and build quality standpoint, it really shouldnt be surprising that this device is well-made. Motorola has consistently been putting out phones of this caliber in these respective lineups for at least a few years now. It hasnt broken stride yet, and it seems unlikely to do so anytime soon. Even if there was very little else about the phone that was good, Motorola has been consistent in this area, so Im always happy to see that things havent changed in this regard. If I had one gripe at all when it comes to the build quality, its that the phones lack of heft in terms of weight can make it feel a little less high-quality than it is. Really, though, that isnt the case. The Moto G Power 2026 is definitely high-quality, and at $299.99, I think Motorola has done a very good job in these two areas. Notable hardware that time forgot One of the best things that Motorola has kept going on its phones is the inclusion of hardware that feels just as high-quality as the rest of the device, but more importantly, something that most other phone manufacturers seem to have forgotten exists at this point in time. Of course, Im referring to the 3.5mm headphone jack. What was once a common feature of just about every phone has been nearly wiped from existence, it feels like. As the industry moved toward USB-C only, Motorola is one of the brands that has refused to take this feature away from its modern phones. Although I still personally prefer Bluetooth most of the time, its nice that I have had the option to plug in some headphones if I ever wanted to conserve battery life. The headphone jack can be found on the bottom of the device, to the left of the USB-C port and the bottom-firing speaker. On the right side of the device, theres the power button, and the volume up and down buttons. Then on the left, theres the SIM card tray. The frame is also finished in a nice muted gold that matches the PANTONE Pure Cashmere color of the back. Overall, great design, great build quality. Thumbs up to Motorola once again here. Motorola Moto G Power 2026 Review: Display The display on a phone is something that is a hit or miss thing for me. Some users want the highest clarity possible that phones have to offer. Personally, I dont mind having something lower resolution. After all, Im not playing a lot of games or watching a lot of videos on my phone as I used to several years ago. That being said, I do like to have a standard that the phone is capable of meeting. Im happy to report that the Moto G Power 2026 meets this standard. Whats the standard? At least Full HD or Full HD+. It doesnt have to be a 2K or 3K screen. On a phone, I just dont think this is necessary, but everyone has their preferences. For my part, the display on the Moto G Power 2026 is quite crisp, and its noticeably better than the display on the Moto G Play 2026. In fact, Im actually surprised at how much better it is. It really does make a big difference. The leap from the resolution on the Moto G Play 2026 to the resolution on the Moto G Power 2026 is certainly substantial. I think this is the sweet spot for me. If a display is at least as good as what the Moto G Power 2026 offers, Im personally a happy user. I would not be disappointed with having spent money on this phone if this is the display I was greeted with when turning it on for the first time. I think the display has pretty decent color output, and it gets bright enough for my needs, as I never really had to deal with glare issues or anything like that. Its not exactly the best weather at this point in the year where I am, but I was afforded a day or two where there was a little sun for a couple of hours, so I was able to see what using this outside was like, and I didnt have much of an issue in direct sunlight either. The High Brightness Mode goes up to 1,000 nits, so thats probably going to be plenty for most people. Its also a 120Hz refresh rate display panel, so if you do happen to play games that support 60fps or 120fps, like Fortnite, youll enjoy this displays capability to deliver smoother visuals. Motorola Moto G Power 2026 Review: Performance This is where the phone starts to show some cracks, as performance wont be amazing if youre trying to do things like play high-end games with demanding graphics. You can still play those games, but you will have to adjust the graphics down to lower settings for the phone to hit a good frame rate target. This is just the nature of things with a chipset and RAM like this phone offers. Its the same MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset thats offered by the Moto G Play 2026. So performance isnt going to be wildly different. However, this phone does have double the RAM, so thats going to make an impact a little bit. I did notice that it was slightly better at managing optimal performance in games like Genshin Impact than the Moto G Play 2026 was, but not enough to really set it apart. In other words, its noticeable, but it would probably be hard for the average user to tell the difference. In non-gaming scenarios, the phones performance was just fine. It was quite snappy in regular usage of the apps and browsing through menus, with what is once again an incredibly fast fingerprint sensor for unlocking this phone. This is still one of the most mind-boggling things to me about the 2026 Moto G series. For around the same price, Motorolas latest G phones have fingerprint sensors that are so much faster than some of the competitors. I hope this never changes, and I hope it forces other brands to catch up. Benchmarks In addition to just regular old real-world testing, we also put the phones we review through benchmarks to see how they stack up on paper against other devices in a similar price range. Weve done that here, testing the Moto G Power in apps like Geekbench 6, AnTuTu, and 3DMark to see how the scores came out. While I do think performance is fine when it comes to real-world performance, especially if you go into things knowing what youre getting, let me set the expectations that the numbers in the Moto G Power 2026s tests arent anything to write home about. The scores are low, but its important to remember that the scores dont always reflect how the device will truly perform on a day-to-day basis. With that said, lets dive in. To kick things off, we ran the Moto G Power 2026 through Geekbench 6, and we put it through both the CPU and GPU tests, so that we can get the single-core and multi-core scores for the CPU, and then the GPU test for the GPU score. You can view those scores below. Interestingly, this phone actually scored lower on the single-core score, but higher in the multi-core and GPU segments than the Moto G Play 2026. Device Geekbench Single-Core Geekbench Multi-Core Geekbench GPU Motorola Moto G Power 2026 788 2,101 1,471 Motorola Moto G Play 2026 797 2,048 1,450 Motorola Moto G 2026 696 1,991 1,448 Samsung Galaxy A36 5G 849 1,931 1,143 For the 3DMark Wildlife Extreme Stress Test, the results werent stellar, but given the price of the phone, thats understandable and acceptable, really. When running the Moto G Power 2026 through the test, its best loop was 382, while its lowest loop was 379, and its stability was 99.2%. Across the board, this is slightly lower than the Moto G Play 2026, which scored 384, 382, and 99.5%, respectively. Its worth keeping in mind that these phones have the same chip, and the Moto G Power 2026 has more RAM. So, the larger and higher resolution display must be impacting the score a little. Lastly, we put the phone through AnTuTu 3D Benchmark, and its score was about what I expected. Its in the realm of the other Moto G devices, but higher than the Moto G Play 2026, with a score of 567,466, compared to 548,738. Motorola Moto G Power 2026 Review: Battery Life and Charging With a name like Moto G Power, I would expect the phone to have pretty good battery life. Motorola really isnt disappointing on this front; however, I was surprised that it lasted a little less time than the Moto G Play 2026. Then again, maybe I shouldnt be, since it has a higher resolution display thats also slightly larger, and it has the exact same battery capacity. So youre not getting a larger battery, but you are getting a phone that will end up draining that battery a little faster. Still, the Moto G Power 2026 lasted longer than plenty of more expensive phones Ive tested in the past. Throughout my time with the phone, I was ending up with about 6 hours of screen-on time by the end of the day and still having about 48% battery left. Its almost as long-lasting as the Moto G Play 2026, but again, the screen being higher resolution seems to be a tad more draining. The resolution is FHD+, which is 2,388 x 1,080 for this phone, with the display being 6.8 inches in size. I also keep the screen brightness up to a pretty high level when I use any phone. With that in mind, youre likely to get better battery life than I did if you adjust the brightness. As always, your mileage may vary and likely will considerably since we probably dont use phones the same way. But this is what people can generally expect. Benchmarks Just like with the performance testing, we like to put our phones through a battery life benchmark test. To do this, we bring up a 24-hour video on YouTube, and we let the video play until the battery in the phone reaches 1%. Then we make a note of the time. For the Moto G Power 2026, I was able to let the video play for 22 hours, 35 minutes, and 30 seconds. This isnt that much lower than the Moto G Play 2026, and at this stage, I dont think the extra hour and 19 minutes is going to make a huge difference for most users. In terms of charging, the Moto G Power took 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 24 seconds to get back up to 100%. This is just a couple of minutes faster than the Moto G Play 2026. Its worth noting that the Moto G Power 2026 will support Rapid Charging up to a maximum of 30W. However, you need the Motorola TurboCharging 33W adapter for those speeds, and we did not have one of those. So the phone charged more slowly. If you go for this phone over one of the others, the faster charger is highly recommended. Unfortunately, it doesnt come with the phone. Motorola Moto G Power 2026 Review: Software Software is once again one of the strong points here for this device, but theres no surprise there as its the same software that youll find in the Moto G Play 2026. The software is mostly a stock Android experience. Its not quite as close to stock as ASUS provided, but its like right behind it. And thats one of the best things about the software experience on Motorola devices. You arent forced to sit through a lot of extra bloatware and unnecessary software design choices. This also means the phone is a little more snappy because Motorola isnt shoving a bunch of extra features in your face with this device. It might not be like that for every Motorola device, but for the ones Ive tested recently, the experience has been pleasant. The only thing with the software that I wish Motorola would change is what apps are pre-installed when you turn the phone on for the first time. I dont personally need apps like Booking.com, Adobe Scan, Copilot, or Perplexity on my phone. You can uninstall these if you dont want them installed on the device. So theres that at least. But I still wish Motorola would save me the trouble and just leave them off the phone to begin with. Outside of these apps that I feel like didnt need to be there in the first place, the software on the phone is pretty solid. I only ever ended up with the occasional slowness, but for the most part didnt really see any issues. Overall, I think most people would be happy with how the software looks and reacts on this device. Motorola Moto G Power 2026 Review: Camera Whether you use the camera a lot or not, you likely want at least a halfway decent camera so you can take pictures that dont look like theyre from 2010. Thankfully, camera hardware and technology for phones have progressed so much in the past 20 years that a lot of phones these days can take pictures that look good enough to replace a digital camera for a lot of people. I wouldnt go so far as to say this could easily be a replacement for a digital camera, but its not far off. If given the choice, I would 100% take my Pixel 10 Pro camera with me places over the camera in this phone. However, if I remove that choice from the equation, the picture quality on this phone isnt too bad. The pictures come out with relatively good detail and color for a phone that costs $300. Several years ago, if I wanted good quality photos for this much money, I would have been dreaming. Because I knew it wouldnt be possible. That is no longer the case with todays hardware, and its so refreshing to see that even entry-level phones with lower price tags will end up with cameras that are fine. You get what looks like the same amount of camera features and options as the Moto G Play 2026, but the quality does jump up. The portrait mode photos look nicer, and the overall image quality looks a little nicer, too. Not by leaps and bounds, of course. It does a little better in low-light situations, so that was nice to see as well. At $300, no one should be expecting this phone to have a world-class camera, but you will probably be pleasantly surprised with the results if youre looking at phones around this price for other reasons. Should you buy the Motorola Moto G Power 2026? As with every phone review we do here, I think whether or not you should buy this phone depends on what you want out of a phone. Having said that, if youre reading this review, or if youre looking at reviews for this type of device, then chances are good youre already looking at phones that wont cost a lot. In that case, I think this phone is certainly worth considering. I think its worth weighing out whether or not you want a slightly bigger display, with a better resolution, and a slightly better camera. If those things dont really matter to you, then I think the Moto G Play 2026 or the Moto G 2026 is a better value. You save at minimum $100, and youll get a similar experience. However, those who want a better display, more RAM, and a better camera should go for this device. I think its worth the extra money to get these things. Motorola has proven its more than capable of making a really good high-end phone. But with the Moto G Power 2026, it does a great job at proving its still one of the best manufacturers for phones at the low end. You should buy the Motorola Moto G Power 2026 if: Youre looking for a phone with a good camera at a low price You want good battery life Youre on a smaller budget You shouldnt buy the Motorola Moto G Power 2026 if: The final episode of Stranger Things went live on Netflix on New Years Eve, effectively winding up the popular series that first released back in June 2016. The series has fans hooked through all five seasons. You can imagine the craze by the fact that fans are still hoping for an end, with wild theories going around online. Well, it seems Samsung is looking to cash in on that craze by partnering with Netflix to promote its Galaxy Store by offering free Stranger Things-themed wallpapers and themes. Samsung and Netflix partner to offer free Stranger Things themes and wallpapers While the craze around the series has settled down a bit, Netflix is looking to reignite it with freebies. Samsung and Netflix, in a joint announcement, added that the Stranger Things wallpapers and themes are available via the Samsung Galaxy Store app. Do note that the theme pack is available for free to those who download or launch the Netflix app. More importantly, there is a limited window to grab the free Stranger Things themes and wallpapers. So you need to act fast. The download period started yesterday, January 12, and runs through February 22, 2026. This isnt the first time Samsung has worked with Netflix to bring exclusive themes and wallpapers to the Galaxy Store. But if you are a longtime fan of Stranger Things cast, Samsung has offered the best chance to celebrate them. From the image added at the end, you can get an idea of what to expect. There appear to be at least five wallpapers in total, with different themes in each. Dont forget that some of the themes look simple, featuring other characters from the series. There are a few things to consider Samsung adds that the special Stranger Things theme package is available for download on Galaxy smartphones running Android versions 15-16. However, the company warns that these themes may not be supported on certain models. Meanwhile, wallpapers are available for download on Galaxy smartphones running Android version 8 or later. Having barely recovered from the heart-pounding experience of 28 Years Later, its time for the next instalment. After waiting over two decades since 28 Days Later (28 Weeks Later isnt canon), two zombie apocalypse updates come at once. Were not complaining. For 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Danny Boyle has handed over the directorial reins to Nia DaCosta, the buzzy director currently garnering Oscars contender status for Hedda. DaCosta Boyle remains as producer, with the script once again written by Alex Garland. Whereas 28 Years Later wrestled with ideas about British nationalism, isolationism, and patriarchy, DaCostas Bone Temple is an even darker, gore-slicked thing that slithers around in your skull. Humanity, and the depravity to which it can stoop when religion is perverted, cults flourish in isolation, and children are groomed for violence, are the central themes here. The Rage Virus is firmly a B-plot, and humans prove far sicker in their impulses than the infected. Jack O'Connor as Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (Sony Pictures) We start right where the last film left off on the quarantined English mainland, with our boy hero Spike (Alfie Allen) in the clutches of Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack OConnell) and his gang of feral children. Decked out blonde wigs and shell suits, Jimmy and his mini-me acolytes are frozen in the remnants of 90s youth culture. In this timeline, Jimmy Savilles horrific crimes never came to light, making the concept of grown man leading children in a dress-up game where the Teletubbies are gospel hideously perverse to a contemporary audience. Jimmy only has a set number of followers at any time (he calls them, creepily, his fingers), so to survive Spike must kill or be killed by one of the existing Jimmies (each youth takes a version of the name, in classic cult brainwashing tactics). Its a brutal knife-fight in an abandoned water park, with a childish game of pantsing ending in gory arterial spray. Spike survives and gets his own gross wig to wear as reward, but his journey into hell is only just beginning. The gang roams the land, easily dispatching infected they come across as they inflict home invasion nightmares on unsuspecting survivors holed up in rural compounds. Jimmy, orphaned son of the deranged priest from the cold open of 28 Years Later, has got some pretty messed up ideas about charity and mercy in his sermons, delivered with scenery-chewing aplomb by OConnell. Chi Lewis-Parry as Samson and Ralph Fiennes as Dr Kelson (Sony Pictures) These religious principals form the basis of a positively medieval torture ritual for their victims, selected as a treat by a little Jimmy. Set in a Texas Chainsaw Massacre-style barn, extended ultra-violent scenes certainly earn the films 18 rating. You need a strong stomach to watch, if not an appetite for grindhouse as a genre. In the aftermath, Spike builds rapport with Jimmy Ink (Erin Kellyman), a teen girl who has begun to question her leaders outlandish stories about Old Nick, aka Satan himself. Their strange mission brings them back into the orbit of Dr Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), the gentle doctor from the first film who maintains the titular Bone Temple and lives a monastic life in its bowels. Hes still pottering about coated in luminous iodine, scouring flesh from the bones of the dead human and infected alike to add to his fantastical ossery, a vast Memento Mori. As the last bastion of the NHS, hes expanded his community care work by attempting to connect with Samson (Chi Lewis-Perry), the titanic Alpha infected we first met ripping heads from bodies in the last film. Samson is still hungry for brains, but Dr Kelsons efforts to sedate him with morphine-laced blowdarts have allowed them a strange communion. The scenes where they, essentially, get high together and dance or simply sit in nature are a wonderful balm to the splatterpunk violence elsewhere in the film. Chi Lewis-Parry as Samson (Sony Pictures) Dr Kelson is working out a theory that the Rage Virus may be treatable that the slavering fury may be in fact be some kind of psychosis that transforms normal human faces into hideous demons. But time is running out. His drug stash is dwindling, Samson isnt regaining language, and the Jimmies are closing in. With his red-dyed skin and lair of skulls, Dr Kelson looks awfully like the devil himself to the cult-brained teens. But can Sir Lord Jimmy Crystals ideology survive contact with Satan incarnate? Its a bonkers set-up that I wont spoil, but suffice to say Fiennes absolutely commits to some wild theatrics with a banging soundtrack (thankfully his record player survived the apocalypse). By then finale, tantalising potential for the untitled third film is all set up. Bone Temple is a curious beast, a bridge to something yet to be written. At first I feared DaCosta had been shortchanged, given a script and a set-up that re-treads the same characters and places we met in the previous movie. Allen is woefully under-used, his once-bold Spike reduced to a silent witness to the horrors for most of the run time. A boy raised to hunt infected to proove his manhood, forced to murder his fellow man has potential that goes nowhere. Fans hoping for more of Boyles break-neck horde chases, filmed on an experimental rig of 20 iPhone 15s, may leave the cinema chargrined. Jack OConnell on set with director Nia DaCosta (Sony Pictures) But Fiennes Dr Kelson is so compelling that spending more time with the tragic final doctor in the land of the sick and the dead is entirely welcome. Lewis-Parry proves himself a fantastic scene partner as a towering sublime horror stumbling towards humanity. Their sub-plot can be seen as a Dr Frankenstein and his monster, if only the scientist figure had compassion. On further consideration, taking the same cast and sets and placing them in the hands of another director is a fascinating artistic exercise. DaCostas style is completely distinct from Boyles, she has very different ideas to explore and fresh perspective as an American looking in to Britain. Yes, it takes the audience in one big circle, but the wiring of the circuitry is brand new. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is in cinemas 14 January The grandmother, who was also hurt in the dog attack, drove herself and her grandson to the emergency room, where he died (Getty/iStock) A 3yearold Minnesota boy died after being attacked by an American bulldog after climbing into the animals outdoor enclosure at his grandmothers home. Beckett Brown died after being attacked on Sunday afternoon at the property near New York Mills, according to the Otter Tail County Sheriffs Office. The boys grandmother, Kristen Nelson, 51, was also injured while attempting to intervene and stop the attack. Investigators say that she drove her grandson to the Perham Health emergency room, where Brown died. Nelson was transferred to a hospital in Fargo for treatment of her injuries. The dog has since been euthanized, and the sheriffs office said there are no ongoing safety concerns for the surrounding community. The grandmother, who was also hurt in the dog attack, drove herself and her grandson to the emergency room, where he died (Getty/iStock) The incident remains under investigation. Adenovirus isnt as well-known as flu or COVID, but its one of the most common viruses people catch especially in childhood. In fact, most people will have been infected at least once before the age of 10. While cases currently remain within normal seasonal levels, experts say its useful for people to understand what the virus is, how it spreads and when to seek advice ,as cases can peak between now and March. Adenovirus can cause a range of mild illnesses that often look like a cold, but it can also trigger eye infections, tummy bugs and chest infections, particularly in young children. Heres what we know about adenovirus, including symptoms to watch for and how to reduce the risk of catching or passing it on. What is adenovirus and what are the symptoms? Adenoviruses are a group of common viruses that can infect the respiratory tract, eyes, gut and urinary tract. Unlike flu, which tends to peak in winter, adenovirus can circulate all year round but tends to peak from January to March, according to data. While adenovirus infections are most common in babies and young children, people of any age can be affected, and its possible to catch different types more than once over your lifetime. Most adenovirus infections are mild and feel similar to a common cold. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA):) Typical symptoms include: Fever Sore throat Runny or blocked nose Cough However, adenovirus can also cause other illnesses, including: Conjunctivitis (pink eye) Bronchitis or pneumonia Croup (a barking cough, mainly in children) Ear infections Gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea) In people with weakened immune systems such as very young babies, older adults or those undergoing medical treatment symptoms can be more severe. Young children are more likely to catch and spread adenovirus, especially in group settings. (Getty Images) (Harbucks via Getty Images) How does adenovirus spread? Adenovirus is highly contagious, particularly in places where people are in close contact, such as nurseries, schools, hospitals and care homes. It can spread through: Droplets in the air when someone coughs or sneezes Close personal contact, such as shaking hands Touching contaminated surfaces, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes Contact with an infected persons poo (for example during nappy changing) Contaminated water, such as swimming pools or lakes (less common) One reason adenovirus spreads easily is that it can survive on surfaces for a long time, making shared objects a potential source of infection. Symptoms usually appear between two days and two weeks after exposure. People can also continue to shed the virus after they feel better sometimes without symptoms meaning they can still pass it on to others. Are people worried about adenovirus? According to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), interest in adenovirus tends to rise this time of year alongside other winter respiratory infections. Pip Reilly from the UKHSA press office tells Yahoo UK: Its just a normal respiratory virus. So, like all respiratory viruses, it will peak around the winter months January, February, March. People have got symptoms and were seeing theyre searching for it. Cases are still really low, and its not a cause of concern or anything like that. UKHSA monitors adenovirus alongside flu, COVID, RSV and other respiratory viruses through weekly surveillance data. How is adenovirus treated? Theres no specific treatment for adenovirus itself. Most infections clear up on their own with rest and fluids. To manage symptoms at home: Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration Use paracetamol to help with fever or discomfort Try saltwater nose drops or a humidifier for congestion People with vomiting and diarrhoea who cant keep fluids down may need treatment for dehydration. In more serious cases particularly in babies, older adults or those with weakened immune systems hospital treatment may be needed. How long does adenovirus last? Most adenovirus infections last a few days to one or two weeks, though recovery can take longer in more severe cases. Most people recover from adenovirus within one to two weeks with rest and fluids. (Getty Images) (nito100 via Getty Images) How can I avoid catching or spreading adenovirus? Good hygiene is the most effective way to reduce the risk of catching or spreading adenovirus. Health officials advise washing hands regularly with soap and water, cleaning shared surfaces and objects ideally with a bleach-based cleaner and staying at home if you have symptoms. Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, disposing of tissues promptly and washing hands afterwards can also help limit the spread. Has a high fever or one that lasts more than a few days Is struggling to breathe Is under three months old Has a weakened immune system Has red, painful eyes or changes in vision Has severe diarrhoea, vomiting or signs of dehydration While adenovirus infections are usually mild, knowing when to seek help can prevent complications and help protect vulnerable people. Security measures are being stepped up for the conservative populist leader. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Costa Ricas national security chief said Tuesday that authorities are investigating an alleged plan to assassinate President Rodrigo Chaves in the run-up to the countrys presidential and legislative elections. Jorge Torres, head of the Intelligence and National Security Directorate, disclosed the claims to reporters as he moved to submit a formal complaint to the public prosecutors office. What we received is confidential information that I would like to put on record in the complaint. I dont want to go into details, but it concerns the life of the president of the Republic, he told local media. According to Torres, authorities received a call from a woman alleging that a contract had been taken out on Chaves and that a payment had been made to a hitman. He added that security measures were being stepped up for the conservative populist leader, who has cultivated an image as a politician who is tough-on-crime. On Wednesday, Chaves is scheduled to lay the cornerstone of a new mega-prison that Costa Rica plans to build. (AP Photo/Jose Diaz) Torres spoke as El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele, who has gained fame for his controversial security crackdown, was scheduled to visit the country. On Wednesday, Chaves is scheduled to lay the cornerstone of a new mega-prison that Costa Rica plans to build, modeled on a facility built by Bukele. Costa Rica will hold presidential and legislative elections on Feb. 1. While Chaves is ineligible to run for reelection, the ruling partys Laura Fernandez is among the presidential candidates. A portrait of Anne Boleyn held by the National Portrait Gallery may have been painted to show major similarities between Henry VIIIs second wife and their daughter, who became Elizabeth I. Researchers have suggested that the painting, done in 1584, almost five decades after Boleyns execution, was specifically painted with a resemblance to Elizabeth I as a key feature, to help give additional legitimacy to Elizabeth as monarch. This is definitely a portrait of Anne Boleyn, and that is what the artist intended it to be. But its more important than a likeness of her, because it carries political weight, said Dr Owen Emmerson, the co-curator of a new exhibition at Hever Castle the Boleyn familys ancestral home. This is a very deliberate act and not done retrospectively. Its been commissioned like this theres intention here. Its serving a purpose. If you look at the context of when it was created, this is a really pivotal moment in Elizabeths reign. Thats chiefly due to the fact shes under increasing pressure because of the many Catholic plots that are threatening her rule, he told The Independent. Shes been excommunicated, so the popes given licence to her subjects to challenge and overthrow her, and its compounded by the fact that shes no longer of child-bearing age, shes unmarried so she cannot look to the future to promote her legitimacy. He said that at this time, a pattern emerged in several portraits of Anne Boleyn in which she appears to particularly resemble her daughter, which Dr Emmerson suggested was a canny move to promote her legitimacy by looking to the past to try and solidify her claim to the throne. Face lift: Is this painting of Anne Boleyn actually based on the face of her daughter, Elizabeth I? (Getty) This is a clever way of doing that, he said. The reason she needs to look like her ancestors is that her mother was executed for treason and adultery there are widespread rumours [Elizabeth] is not Henry VIIIs daughter, so retrospectively shes made to look like a Tudor. Despite the decades since her mothers death, Elizabeth I was keen to use imagery as a kind of propaganda as she faced mounting concerns about her grip on the throne. This wasnt a carefully orchestrated effort, Dr Emmerson said. Anne Boleyn shouldnt look like a Tudor she married one but thats beside the point. Its a very visual way of showing Elizabeths legitimacy. He said the painting would most likely have been commissioned by one of her courtiers for public display to show allegiance to Elizabeth. This is a very bold way of proclaiming her legitimacy, he said. In the 16th century, literacy rates were low, so society was particularly driven by a visual language a lot of imagery was conveyed through portraiture. Hever Castle, in Kent, the ancestral home of the Boleyn family (Getty/iStock) These werent cheap things to produce; they were quite expensive. The individual artist who painted the 1584 painting has been recognised through their specific way of painting pearls. The art historian Lawrence Hendra, who works for gallerist and TV presenter Philip Mould, identified several paintings done by the same artist, largely due to their paint handling when it came to depicting pearls, and in lieu of a name, they have come to be known as the pearl painter. Mr Hendra drew Dr Emmersons attention to the paintings by this artist, of Anne Boleyn and another of Catherine of Aragon, also held at Hever Castle. This was when Dr Emmerson first spotted the mother-daughter resemblance in the paintings. Dr Emmersons new book, Capturing the Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn, is co-authored with Kate McCaffrey, the assistant curator at Hever Castle. An exhibition of the same name at Hever Castle opens on 11 February 2026, and presents the largest collection of artwork and artefacts associated with Anne Boleyn ever shown in one place. Arrests of illegal workers reach record highs amid immigration crackdown: There is nowhere to hide 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. 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. 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. Australian teen charged over hoax mass-shooting calls that sparked panic in US A teenage boy in Australia has been charged for allegedly making hoax calls to US emergency services to report false mass shootings at major retail and educational institutions. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) alleged the boy from New South Wales caused widespread alarm for thousands of people and businesses in the US with his hoax reports, a practice known as swatting. He was charged on 18 December with 12 counts of telecommunications offences, with the police alleging he was part of a decentralised online crime network that was making swatting calls to trigger an urgent and large-scale emergency response. The offences the teenager is charged with carry a maximum penalty of five years in jail. The police executed a search warrant at the residence where the boy lived late last month and seized a number of electronic devices and a firearm from his possession, triggering another charge of unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm. Police claim to have seized a number of electronic devices and a prohibited firearm from the possession of the juvenile (Australian Federal Police) In this investigation, a young boy from regional NSW allegedly caused widespread alarm and turmoil to thousands of people, businesses and services in the United States, resulting in significant financial implications," Graeme Marshall, AFP acting assistant commissioner, said. He said the purpose of committing such offences by young males aged 11-25 was to achieve status, notoriety, and recognition within their online groups. The police said they launched an investigation into the hoax calls after receiving intelligence from the American agency FBI. FBI International Operations Division assistant director Jason Kaplan said swatting was a dangerous and disruptive crime that endangered lives and drained emergency resources. This case demonstrates that anonymity online is an illusion," he said, and we are committed to working with the AFP, our international partners and private sector partners to identify and hold accountable those who exploit technology to cause harm to communities. Mr Marshall said his forces commitment was to stopping the harm and pain members of this online crime network are inflicting on society, under the mistaken belief they are anonymous. Erika Olson, charge d affaires of the US embassy in Canberra, said they were grateful for the strong partnership between the FBI and AFP that prevented further harm to US citizens. Our agencies have worked side-by-side for decades to keep both our countries safe, and we appreciate our continued cooperation, she said. The teenager was scheduled to appear in a childrens court on Tuesday. The BBC is preparing to challenge the $10bn defamation lawsuit filed by US president Donald Trump, seeking to have the case dismissed, according to newly filed court documents. The legal action stems from a Panorama programme broadcast in 2024, which faced criticism for allegedly giving the impression that Mr Trump had encouraged his supporters to storm the US Capitol building in 2021. The episode featured a clip from Mr Trumps speech on 6 January, 2021, and was edited to show him stating: Were going to walk down to the Capitol and Ill be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell. Mr Trump is pursuing damages of up to $10bn (7.5bn), with his legal team saying that the editing of the speech was false and defamatory. Documents filed late on Monday evening, UK time, indicate that the BBC intends to file a motion for dismissal. Its arguments include that the Florida court lacks personal jurisdiction over the broadcaster, that the court venue is improper, and that Mr Trump has failed to state a claim. Donald Trump filed a $10bn lawsuit against the BBC last year (PA) The corporation will argue that it did not create, produce or broadcast the documentary in Florida and that Mr Trumps claim that the documentary was available in the US on streaming service BritBox, is not true. It will also claim the president has failed to plausibly allege the BBC published the documentary with actual malice, which public officials are required to show when filing suit for defamation in the US. The broadcaster has asked the court to stay all other discovery the pre-trial process in which parties gather information pending the decision on the motion. A 2027 trial date has been proposed should the case continue. The BBC has been approached for comment. The scandal unfolded in 2025 after a leaked memo, written by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee, highlighted concerns about the Panorama episode. The BBC is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed, saying that it did not broadcast the programme in Florida, and challenging Trumps accusations of defamation (PA) Shortly after the leak, Mr Trump threatened a billion-dollar legal action and litigator Alejandro Brito demanded that false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements made about the president must be retracted immediately. BBC chair Samir Shah apologised on behalf of the BBC over an error of judgment and accepted that the editing of the 2024 documentary gave the impression of a direct call for violent action. The fallout from the memo also led to the resignation of both director-general Tim Davie and head of BBC News Deborah Turness. Donald Trump has said the malicious BBC will fail in its attempt to throw out his $10bn (7.4bn) defamation lawsuit. Mr Trumps lawyers accused the broadcaster of maliciously and intentionally defaming him by editing footage of his remarks and said its legal manoeuvres would fall flat in court. The BBC is liable to President Trump for intentionally and maliciously defaming him by distorting and manipulating his speech, a spokesman for the presidents legal team said. No amount of attempted legal manoeuvres can change that fact. President Trump will continue to hold accountable the BBC and all those who traffic in fake news. On Monday night, it was revealed that broadcaster will file a motion to dismiss the case brought by the US president after The Telegraph revealed Panorama had spliced together parts of an address given by Mr Trump on Jan 6 2021. The clip implied Mr Trump had implored supporters to attack the US Capitol building. In fact, the edit omitted his calls for people to march peacefully. Although the corporation apologised and withdrew the report, it made clear that it would not pay Mr Trump any compensation. When the broadcaster refused to pay, Mr Trump told The Telegraph that he would launch legal action for up to $5bn (3.7bn). He accused the BBC of defamation and violating Floridas deceptive and unfair trade practices act, seeking $5bn (3.7bn) in damages for each count. Mr Trumps legal filing claimed the doctored speech, broadcast a week before the 2024 election, was designed to interfere with the vote and is in keeping with the disgraced corporations Leftist political agenda. Rioters clash with police as they storm the Capitol on Jan 6 2021 - AFP The BBCs motion will claim the Florida court, where Mr Trump filed his lawsuit in November, lacks personal jurisdiction over the corporation and that the venue is improper, documents filed late on Monday evening revealed. Lawyers for the corporation will argue that since it did not create, produce or broadcast the documentary in Florida, the case should be thrown out. Mr Trumps claim that the documentary was available to watch in the United States on the streaming service BritBox is not true, the motion will also argue. Documents show the BBC will say that the US president has failed to plausibly allege it published the documentary with actual malice, which public officials are required to prove when filing suits for defamation in the US. The BBC has asked the court to stay all other discovery, meaning that the pre-trial process in which parties gather information would be paused, pending the decision on the motion. A 2027 trial date has been proposed should the case continue. Spliced edit sparked crisis The Telegraphs Panorama revelations prompted a crisis at the BBC, triggering the resignation of two senior executives. Tim Davie, the director-general, and Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News, both resigned. Tim Davie, the BBCs director-general, resigned last year - Getty Images Thank you to The Telegraph for exposing these corrupt journalists. These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a presidential election. On top of everything else, they are from a foreign country, one that many consider our number one ally. What a terrible thing for democracy! the US president wrote on his Truth Social network in November. Legal experts believe that Mr Trump faces an uphill battle to win a defamation case. It is much tougher to win a libel case in the US, where concerns about freedom of speech often outweigh other arguments. Congressional Republicans are threatening to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress after the Democratic former president and presidential candidate refused to testify in a GOP-led House probe into Jeffrey Epstein. A blistering letter from the Clintons to House Oversight Committee chair James Comer states that every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time, they wrote. Comer told reporters Tuesday that the committee intends to hold them in contempt of Congress next week. As chair of the powerful Republican-led committee, Comer has steered focus from an investigation into the sex offender and his alleged connections to a wider trafficking conspiracy implicating powerful figures, including President Donald Trump, and instead drawn attention to prominent Democratic figures who had previously associated with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Bill and Hillary Clinton are refusing to testify in a Republican-led congressional probe into investigations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein (AP) Asked whether he intends to subpoena Trump, Comer said the president has already answered thousands of questions about Jeffrey Epstein. You all ask him questions every day, he said Tuesday. You cant bring in a current president. Comer had set a deadline for the former president to appear before the committee by Tuesday, with the former secretary of state and Trumps one-time Democratic opponent set to appear Wednesday. But in Tuesdays damning letter to the committee, the Clintons condemned the subpoenas as invalid and legally unenforceable and laid out a searing indictment of the Trump administration and the alleged failures of a GOP-dominated Congress to hold it accountable all in an effort to see them imprisoned. Despite everything that needs to be done to help our country, you are on the cusp of bringing Congress to a halt to pursue a rarely used process literally designed to result in our imprisonment, they wrote. This is not the way out of Americas ills, and we will forcefully defend ourselves. Among thousands of undated images released by the Department of Justice are several photographs of former president Bill Clinton with Epstein (Department of Justice) The Clintons also note that they have already supplied Comer with sworn statements that were also supplied to law enforcement officials he had also subpoenaed, but excused from testifying without any of them saying a single word to you, they wrote. Their eight-page letter, which torches the Republican-led governments anti-immigration agenda and threats to healthcare, accuses Comer of working harder to hold them in contempt than pursuing an investigation into Epsteins crimes and the governments alleged failures to hold him and others to account. We have tried to give you the little information we have. Weve done so because Mr. Epstein's crimes were horrific, they wrote. If the government didnt do all it could to investigate and prosecute these crimes, for whatever reason, that should be the focus of your work. House Oversight Committee chair James Comer says he intends to hold the Clintons in contempt of Congress for refusing to appear before his Republican-led committee (AP) The Clintons said they anticipated that House Republicans would continue to release irrelevant, decades-old photos that you hope will embarrass us, after batches of documents released by the Department of Justice include images of the former president with Epstein and others, on which the White House and Trumps allies immediately pounced. The Clintons have never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, and the inclusion of someones name or images in files connected to the cases against him does not imply otherwise. They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isnt about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be, Clintons deputy chief of staff Angel Urena said in a statement last month. There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light, he added. The second group continued relationships with him after. Were in the first. No amount of stalling by people in the second group will change that. The committees long-running investigation into the governments handling of Epstein-related cases is parallel to the ongoing release of the so-called Epstein files by the Justice Department. Following months of public pressure for Trump to sign off on their release, the Justice Department began publishing thousands of images and documents from investigations into Epstein and Maxwell last month. But the Justice Department has blown deadlines set by Congress for the complete release of those materials, drawing warnings from Democratic and some Republican lawmakers that legal action is not off the table. Roughly 12,000 documents containing 125,000 pages have been released, and there are potentially more than 2 million files yet to be released, government lawyers said in a federal court filing last week. The Justice Department has not released any documents since December 23. The deadline was December 19. Initial rounds of long-awaited documents include vast libraries of salacious images and photographs of high-profile figures but have not shed any new light on Epsteins crimes and connections to powerful figures accused of exploiting and abusing young girls. Those disclosures include hundreds of undated photographs as well as heavily redacted images and case files. Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton before the 60th inaugural ceremony on 20 January 2025, at the US Capitol in Washington DC. Photograph: Melina Mara/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Melina Mara/AFP/Getty Images) Bill and Hillary Clinton announced they would not comply with a subpoena demanding congressional testimony about their relationships to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, while launching an extraordinary attack on Republicans and Donald Trump. The Republican-led House oversight committee in August subpoenaed the former president and first lady after its chair, James Comer, announced the panel would review the governments handling of Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by what was determined to be suicide while awaiting trial in 2019. In a letter to Comer dated Monday, attorneys for the Clintons called the subpoenas invalid and legally unenforceable, untethered to a valid legislative purpose, unwarranted because they do not seek pertinent information, and an unprecedented infringement on the separation of powers. Related: Epstein disclosures raise key question: why wasnt he stopped earlier? The demand for testimony runs afoul of the clearly defined limitations on Congress investigative power propounded by the Supreme Court of the United States, they wrote, adding that it is clear the subpoenas themselves and any subsequent attempt to enforce them are nothing more than a ploy to attempt to embarrass political rivals, as President Trump has directed. Bill Clintons subpoena commanded him to appear for testimony by Tuesday, and Hillary Clinton by Wednesday. After the former president did not show up, Comer told reporters at the Capitol that he would move to hold him in contempt next week. I think its important to note that this subpoena was voted on in a bipartisan manner by this committee. This wasnt something that I just issued as chairman of the committee, Comer said. No ones accusing Bill Clinton of anything, any wrongdoing. We just have questions, and thats why the Democrats voted along with Republicans to subpoena Bill Clinton. Clinton was known to be friendly with Epstein in the late 1990s and early 2000s, before the financier pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges of solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of prostitution with a minor in Florida. The former president has denied knowledge of Epsteins crimes and survivors of his abuse have not accused Clinton of wrongdoing. Sara Guerrero, a spokesperson for Democrats on the oversight committee said, Cooperating with Congress is important and the committee should continue working with President Clintons team to obtain any information that might be relevant to our investigation. In a separate statement, the Clintons criticized Comers handling of the inquiry, saying it had prevented progress in discovering the facts about the governments role. They noted that the committee had interviewed only two people as part of its investigation former labor secretary Alexander Acosta and former attorney general William Barr while declining to question seven former top government officials even though they had been issued subpoenas. They went on to attack Republicans acquiescence to the presidents agenda, including their support of hardline immigration enforcement, the recent killing of a US citizen in Minnesota by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and the presidents pardoning of January 6 insurrectionists. Bringing the Republicans cruel agenda to a standstill while you work harder to pass a contempt charge against us than you have done on your investigation this past year would be our contribution to fighting the madness, the Clintons wrote. Controversy over the governments handling of the Epstein case erupted last July, when the justice department released a memo declaring the matter closed, which flew in the face of conspiracy theories that Trump and his top officials had expressed sympathy for while campaigning in 2024. In the months that followed, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers forced a voted on legislation to release all government files related to Epstein, which passed in November over the opposition of Congresss Republican leaders and Trump. Though some documents were redacted, Clinton is shown in several photographs that became public when the justice department began releasing batches of files in December, including one of the former president in a hot tub and swimming in a pool. The department continues to release the Epstein files, even though the legislation required the justice department to release all of the files by 19 December. Last week lawmakers asked a federal judge to appoint a special master to compel the release of all documents related to the late financier. Donald Trumps former National Security Advisor John Bolton says he was always worried the president might take Theodore Roosevelts Nobel Peace Prize from the White House. Trump has publicly obsessed about his inability to secure the prestigious award and campaigned to receive one with inflated claims of ending eight wars around the globe. Bolton made the claim during an appearance on CNN on Monday night ahead of Trumps Thursday White House meeting with the 2025 prize winner, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Trump was recently asked if he would install her as the leader of the country if she gave him her award, which the Norwegian Nobel Institute has reiterated cannot be shared. Well, I have to speak to her, Trump said. Im gonna have to speak to her. She might be involved in some aspect of it. I will have to speak to her. I think its very nice that she wants to come in. And thats what I understand the reason is I cant think of anybody in history that should get the Nobel Prize more than me. And I dont want to be bragging, but nobody else settled wars. 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 (AP) Bolton, who faces 18 separate charges of mishandling classified information in a case brought by Trumps DoJ, told host Erin Burnett that he was always concerned about the fate of Roosevelts prize. Look, its always all about Trump, Bolton said. He cares less about Venezuela than he does the prize. And by the way, she can give him the medallion and still keep the prize, if thats what he wants. Theodore Roosevelts Nobel medallion hangs on the wall of the Roosevelt Room in the White House. Ive always worried Trump would grab that if he cant get another one. She could probably find a replacement somewhere. Roosevelt was awarded the prize in 1906 after he helped end the Russo-Japanese War through the 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth. Andy Burnham has piled pressure on Rachel Reeves to back Britains pubs with an overhaul of business taxes. The Greater Manchester Mayor, tipped as a future Labour leadership contender, said he would like to see more support for landlords hammered by a rise in business rates. In an about-turn, Ms Reeves, the Chancellor, is expected to announce extra support for pubs in the coming days following an outcry over the impact of a large increase in business rates. Her planned pub tax raid was predicted to put more than 500 venues out of business this year. Mr Burnham backed more support for pubs and urged the Chancellor to extend help to the wider hospitality industry. Speaking during a panel discussion at the Institute for Governments annual conference on Tuesday, he said he supported relief for the high street, and particularly pubs. But the Greater Manchester Mayor also urged the Chancellor to reform the tax system, telling delegates: I would support... a rebalancing of taxation so that we help the high street and, if you like, rebalance in terms of taxation, in terms of the online world. What is needed is quite a root-and-branch review of land and property taxes overall. Rachel Reeves is expected to announce extra government support for pubs in the coming days - Haven His suggestions echo demands from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA), which has called for tax reforms to ease the burden on pubs. Last month, SIBA warned that the average pub would see a 76 per cent increase in business rates over the next three years under Labours plans, compared to 16 per cent for warehouses operated by online retailers. Mr Burnham added: I do think the country has come to a point where we do need to review land and property taxation in a more wholesale way. The Labour mayor has expressed support for land value taxation levies based on the estimated worth of a sites land, rather than any buildings or developments on it. In contrast, business rates are linked to the rental value of a property. Proponents argue that calculating tax in this way would better support high street businesses that occupy small plots of land, as they are often disproportionately punished by business rates because of the rental value of their location. Online retailers that rely on large warehouses often take advantage of rural locations with low rateable values. They would probably pay more under a land tax, given the size of their operations. Mr Burnham, who last year laid the groundwork for a potential Labour leadership bid, also accused Sir Keir Starmer over council tax and social care. He said: Who in that room could justify a situation of council tax being left not revalued for three decades? I mean, that is a shameful dereliction of duty. Or a subject close to my heart, social care, being left unreformed. Council tax bands in England and Scotland are based on property values from 1991. The outdated values, combined with rates being set by each local authority, mean there are significant regional disparities. Ms Reeves had asked Treasury officials to assess reforming council tax ahead of her Budget in November, but ultimately settled on introducing a mansion tax an annual surcharge of at least 2,500 a year on homes worth more than 2m. Mr Burnham called for major reform of the elected state, including the removal of the whip system to allow MPs to vote freely. He said: The unelected state Whitehall currently holds too much power. Indeed, in my experience of 16 years in Westminster, the whip system disempowers the elected state, because often MPs are required to rubber-stamp the long-held departmental positions. I personally believe the answer to this, to a more functional Britain, is a major reform of the elected state Westminster to mirror whats being done now in the local state, out in the world that Im in, which is about place-based, mission-oriented delivery, very much focused around growth. He also called for the House of Lords to be replaced with a senate of the nations and regions, and for the country to move to an electoral system of proportional representation. Mr Burnham has long been tipped to stand as an MP so he can take on Sir Keir for the Labour leadership. According to reports, his allies believe they have identified a constituency that will be available in the next few months and that it is one he can win. Warm the rumbledethumps. Season the cullen skink. Steam the haggis and prepare the clootie dumplings. Burns Night, on January 25, is so nearly upon us. Those who do not wish to cook nor address the haggis themselves might visit any one of these London restaurants, all of which are putting on a Scottish dinner in celebration, or are at least serving Scottish or Scottish-inspired fare to pay homage to the great nation. The Connaught (The Connaught Grill) The five-star Mayfair hotel has promised to make the best use of Scotlands bounteous larder with a five-course menu from executive chef Ramiro Lafuente Martinez. Courses include smoked salmon, a traditional glazed haggis, roast Highland venison with mashed potatoes, and cranachan, made with Scottish cream and oats. The menu may be paired with whisky from Aberfeldy Distillery (wines will be available too), and, for those who cant make Burns Night proper, all is available a la carte between January 19-25. 16 Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL, connaught.co.uk Big Penny Social The Walthamstow taproom and events space near Blackhorse Lane puts on regular parties and dances and is to host a huge Burns Night bash in its beer hall. Therell be space for more than 1,000 on each night, with five ceilidhs planned and a dinner on Sunday. Expect a live band, a traditional caller, and Gaelic dances alongside bagpipes, plenty of Scotch whisky and haggis, neeps and tatties. January 21, 22, and 25. 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL, bigpennysocial.co.uk Sussex (Holly Farrier) The Gladwin brothers, who own various restaurants across town, including Sussex in Soho, will be hosting a Burns Night dinner on January 24, bringing whisky cocktails, a two-step Highland fling and a bagpiper to the restaurant. On the menu will be mushroom Marmite eclairs, a Portland crab doughnut, sourdough bread with smoked cods roe, and a lamb and sweetbread Wellington with salt-baked, truffled potatoes. And haggis, which will come with all the classic trimmings, before cranachan with honey and an oat crumble. 6364 Frith Street, W1D 3JW, sussex-restaurant.com The Dorchester The Grill at the Dorchester reopened towards the tail end of last year under the stewardship of executive chef Martyn Nail and head chef Jacob Downs. The menu gets off to a strong start with a cocktail made with Glentrurret whisky, before cullen skink with smoked haddock and soda bread, Scottish beef carpaccio with blackcurrant dressing, or Blackmount goats cheese with beetroot and heather honey. Elsewhere on the menu are the likes of Loch Melfort trout with rumbledethumps (like bubble and squeak) and a crispy hens egg, an Isle of Mull cheddar and potato pie, and venison with haggis, neeps and tatties. January 23-26. 53 Park Lane, W1K 1QA , dorchestercollection.com Julies The west London institution Julies is putting on an evening of Scottish food and drink in its famously plush and storied dining room. Dishes include a lamb belly and haggis Scotch egg, crispy langoustines with black pudding, and a traditional haggis with neeps and tatties. For pudding, therell be a clootie dumpling (a steamed pudding made with dried fruits, suet, sugar, and spices) alongside whisky ice cream. To drink, the restaurant will serve plenty of Scottish whiskies and, for the exceptionally revelrous, an Irn Bru daiquiri. All to the sound of bagpipes and a jolly rendition of Tom o Shanter. January 19-25. 135 Portland Road, W11 4LW , juliesrestaurant.com Wren pubs There are three pubs within the Wren group, the Walmer Castle, the Surprise and the Carpenters Arms. All are putting on a Burns Night show, with cocktails, craft beers and Scottish dishes available a la carte. Expect the likes of cullen skink, haggis, neeps and tatties, and a raspberry cranachan infused with Scotch and honey. Therell be regular bagpipe performances check when you book and every evening will kick off with a traditional address to the haggis. January 19-25. Multiple locations, wrenpubs.co.uk Rias pizza Few Burns Night dinners sound as ridiculous as the one at Rias Pizza, which is putting on a blowout feast at both its Soho and Notting Hill restaurants. The menu begins with haggis pops before moving on to a deliciously filthy haggis, neeps and tatties pizza pie, served in the restaurants Detroit style. And dessert? A deep-fried Mars bar with Irn Bru ice cream from soft serve maker Big Kid. Youll need a whisky cocktail or two to wash it all down, we expect. 35 per head is a January-friendly price for sure. January 19-25. Multiple locations, rias.world A ceilidh The Ceilidh Club The Ceilidh Club runs regular ceilidhs in the capital throughout the year and has been doing so since 1998. And so expect a proper Burns Night celebration with plenty of Scottish folk down in London, with a night of jigs, reels, poetry, haggis, bagpipes and serious trad music. A live caller will guide guests through the evening and it would be imprudent not to sing Auld Lang Syne at the top of your voice at the end of the evening. Throughout January, with the main party on January 25. Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, NW1 7AY , londonceilidhclub.com Dishoom Britains most famous Indian restaurant group is to serve a Scotland-inspired limited edition breakfast special from January 19, in all restaurants and Permit Room cafes. The haggis pau has been created in honour of Burns Night, with richly spiced pork haggis served in buttered pau and layered with fried eggs, bacon, honeyed chilli chutney, cream cheese and coriander. It sounds pretty good for 12.90. Until February 13. Multiple locations, dishoom.com Giaccos and Emily Skimming One of Londons most talked about kitchen spaces, Giaccos, will welcome Morchella pastry chef Emily Skimming for a Burns Night feast, tapping into her Glaswegian heritage. She is to collaborate with current chef-in-residence Josh Dalloway to create a Scottish-Iberian menu, with dishes served family-style. Therell be takes on haggis, neeps and tatties, a Portuguese version of cullen skink, and cock-a-leekie pie before a warming whisky baba. January 25. Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Conflict-related sexual violence in Sri Lanka remains largely unaddressed more than 15 years after the end of the civil war, with survivors still denied justice, recognition and reparations, according to a new report by the UN human rights office, OHCHR, on Tuesday An artists impression of how the new embassy could look Photograph: David Chipperfield Architects (Photograph: David Chipperfield Architects) A vast new Chinese embassy complex in east London is almost certain to be formally approved next week despite renewed worries among Labour MPs about potential security risks and the effect on Hong Kong and Uyghur exiles in the capital. The green light for the super-embassy at Royal Mint Court near Tower Bridge would smooth relations before Keir Starmers visit to China, which is expected to take place at the end of January, but officials insist there has been no political input in the planning process. It would be a controversial move, with a series of Labour MPs expressing concern in the Commons on Tuesday over the plans for the complex, which spans 20,000 sq metres. Answering an urgent question from the shadow Home Office minister, Alicia Kearns, the planning minister, Matthew Pennycook, whose department is responsible for the process, said he could not comment on what was a quasi-judicial process. Kearns secured the question after a report in the Daily Telegraph that unredacted plans for the embassy showed a network of more than 200 subterranean rooms, one of them alongside communication cables taking information to the City of London. Pennycook said any new information would be assessed, but the embassy is expected to be given the go-ahead next week after a final consultation. MI5 is understood not to have any security concerns about the project, as revealed by the Guardian last year. Kearns said the lack of concern was complacent, and that access to the cables underneath the embassy would give the Chinese Communist party a launch pad for economic warfare against our nation. It would be a daily headache for our security services, she said, demanding the Chinese ambassador be called in to explain the plans. Citing Starmers planned visit to China, she asked if approval of the embassy would allow the prime minister to turn up with a gift in hand. Government officials are aware the timing could be useful but say it is coincidental. As one put it: There is no political pressure, but that has crossed our minds. No Labour MPs spoke in favour of approving the plan during the urgent question. Among those who expressed concern was Sarah Champion, who chairs the Commons international development select committee. Multiple government agencies and government departments have raised concerns about this mega-embassy, she said. Our international partners have raised concerns about it. Every security briefing Ive had identifies China as a hostile state to the UK. I am in no doubt this mega-embassy should not be allowed to go ahead. Related: Why are proposals for Chinas super-embassy in London so contentious? Other Labour backbenchers focused primarily on the possible repercussions for residents originally from Hong Kong, Tibet or Xinjiang. Several said Chinese diplomatic missions had been used to target such diaspora populations before. Alex Sobel, the MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, said the embassy could pose a real threat to UK-based Hong Kongers and Uyghurs, the predominantly Muslim population of Xinjiang, the far-western region where China has been accused of abuses including forced labour and arbitrary detention. Rushanara Ali, the MP for Bethnal Green and Stepney, in whose constituency the embassy would be sited, called for the concerns of local people to be taken seriously, saying that the areas large Muslim population meant there was a particular focus on Xinjiang. Another Labour MP, James Naish, who represents Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire, said the debate was not just about a building, but one of national security and the safety to diaspora groups. He asked for assurances that the process had been fair. Pennycook said: The planning process hasnt been compromised. We will make a planning decision on the basis of the relevant propriety guidance. The decision had been delayed because of the detailed nature of the representations that have been provided, and the need to give parties sufficient opportunity to respond, he said. A new London super embassy could allow China to spy on the whole of Europe, an expert has warned, as unreacted plans revealed a secret chamber near sensitive cables. The chamber, part of a network of 208 underground rooms, would sit alongside fibre-optic cables transmitting UK financial and internet data, according to the plans obtained by The Telegraph. Professor Anthony Glees, a professor of intelligence and security at University of Buckingham, said it would be absolutely mad to allow China to build its embassy there. Speaking on LBC Radio he said: You can see from the plans how close rooms run to those cables - they can be tapped very easily. There are also heating systems suitable for large servers. In my view, this would not just spy on the UK, it would become the Chinese intelligence hub for the whole of Europe. The hot-air extraction systems raised alarm bells because they could possible accommodate heat-generating equipment such as advanced computers for potential espionage, The Telegraph reported. Chinas controversial plans to build a mega-embassy at Royal Mint Court, opposite the Tower of London, are expected to be greenlit by ministers later this month after the Home Office and Foreign Office raised no formals objections on security grounds. A government decision on the embassy being built has been delayed several times and is now expected on January 20 before Sir Keir Starmer is due to travel to Beijing at the end of the month. But a group of MPs have sent an urgent letter to the prime minister to reject the development. The government is expected to approve the plans before Sir Keir Starmer is due to travel to Beijing at the end of the month (Reuters/Tower Hamlets Council) The plans are redacted in all publicly available versions, however The Telegraph has revealed the unredacted documents. According to the newspaper, the plans show that China intends to demolish and reconstruct the chambers outer basement wall immediately adjacent to the fibre-optic cables. The findings may reignite fears that Beijing may be attempting to spy on the network, potentially accessing sensitive state and financial information. The Conservatives have urged ministers to block the development while MI5 warned MPs, peers, Government officials, parliamentary staff, economists, think tank employees, and others with links to Westminster that they may be targeted in a huge spying operation by China. The Met Police has also expressed unease about protests that may take place at the site and the impact that would have on policing resources. China has threatened consequences if its new embassy is not approved. Alicia Kearns, the Shadow National Security Minister, warned that approving Chinas new London embassy could give Beijing a launchpad for economic warfare at the heart of the central nervous system of our critical national infrastructure. She added that the unredacted plans reveal a concealed room running immediately alongside the fibre-optic cables critical to the City and Canary Wharf, and questioned why the Labour Government is ignoring the clear security risks. Backbench Labour MPs have also spoken out against the plans. The proposed embassy on the Royal Mint site will be biggest foreign diplomatic outpost in England Sarah Champion, who sits on the influential national security strategy committee, called for Sir Keir to limit Chinese activity in Britain and stand up to bullies on the world stage. On Tuesday Ms Champion said: Multiple government agencies and government departments have raised concerns about the mega-embassy. Our international partners have raised concerns about it. Every security briefing I have had identifies China as a hostile state to the UK. I am in no doubt that this mega-embassy should not be allowed to go ahead. The prime ministers spokesperson told reporters: This is a quasi-judicial process and an independent planning decision will be made by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in due course. Obviously I'm not going to get into detail on security issues and, because of the quasi-judicial process, there is a limit to what I can say. National security is the first duty of any government, it has been the core priority throughout this process. Any potential national security issues associated with this planning application have been considered and addressed. The proposed embassy, located on the historic Royal Mint site, would cover 22,000 sq ft, making it the largest Chinese diplomatic outpost in Europe. The unusual move urging European countries not to grant visas to Taiwanese figures fits with Beijings long-running strategy of using all possible means to deter closer cooperation with Taiwan, an analyst said. Photograph: Jason Lee/Reuters (Photograph: Jason Lee/Reuters) Chinese officials have been pushing legal advice on European countries, saying their own border laws require them to ban entry to Taiwanese politicians, according to more than half a dozen diplomats and officials familiar with the matter. The officials made demarches to European embassies in Beijing, or through local embassies directly to European governments in their capital cities, warning the European countries not to trample on Chinas red lines, according to the European diplomats and ministries who spoke to the Guardian. The manner of the approaches varied some to individual countries and some as groups, some by written note verbale (a semiformal diplomatic communication) and others in person. They occurred in November and December, and were at least partly in response to recent European trips by Taiwanese officials including its current vice-president and foreign minister, and a former president. Related: China threatened to cancel key trade talks after UK ministers Taiwan visit in June Beijing said it respects the sovereignty of the European side in introducing and implementing visa policy, but an institutional loophole had allowed frequent visits by Taiwan politicians, according to one note verbale seen by the Guardian. The Chinese cited multiple EU laws and regulations, including one known as the Schengen Borders Code, which says a condition for entry by non-EU nationals is that they are not considered to be a threat to the international relations of any of the member states. The officials suggestion, the Guardian understands, was that allowing Taiwanese officials to enter a European country would threaten that countrys international relations with China. In some cases they also referred to the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations, or suggested the European countries follow the UNs example and bar all Taiwanese people from government buildings, the Guardian was told. Beijings application and interpretation of this regulation is bold, said Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, assistant professor at Taiwans National Dong Hwa University, when told about the moves. It is Beijings interpretation that EU-Taiwan ties threaten EU-China ties. This is not at all the perception or reality in Europe. Chinas foreign ministry did not respond to questions. But the note verbale said European countries should reject any so-called diplomatic passports issued by Taiwan, and prohibit Taiwanese personnel from entering Europe to seek official contact and exchanges and trample on Chinas red line. China hopes the EU institutions and European countries will, out of the larger interests of China-EU relations and bilateral relations, make the political decision of refusing the entry of Taiwans so-called president or vice president (former ones included), it said, also listing other officials. The note cited visits by the officials to Belgium, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Germany, Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia and Ireland, saying they seriously undermine China-EU relations. The European side even indulged [vice-president] Hsiao Bi-khim to speak at the building of the European parliament and promote Taiwan independence separatist claims, it said, referring to a speech given by Hsiao to the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac) in Brussels. The foreign ministries of Norway and Finland confirmed they were among the nations to receive the advice. They said visa regulations with Taiwan were determined by relevant Schengen bodies. A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office said: Permission to enter the UK is determined solely by our own laws and immigration rules, which apply equally to those travelling from Taiwan. Taiwans foreign ministry said officials visits to Europe were entirely unrelated to China, and China has no right to interfere. On the contrary, Chinas use of various coercive measures against other countries and its threats of force against Taiwan, which undermine global and Indo-Pacific peace and stability and threaten the direct interests of the EU, is the real force damaging European international relations, the spokesperson told the Guardian. Chinas actions should be condemned. Related: What does the US raid in Venezuela mean for Chinas designs on Taiwan? The Guardian understands that Chinas highly specific advice on European border codes that have been in place since 2011 was not seen as legally sound by recipients, but the warning tone was taken particularly seriously by some smaller nations. I see this as another way to generate unease among member states that their relations with the [Peoples Republic of China] might be at risk and Beijing knows well that some EU member states are very keen to attract Chinese investment at present, said Ferenczy. The EU does not take a position on Taiwans status, and while it has formal relations with Beijing it also maintains solid unofficial relations with Taipei through parliamentary diplomacy and trade. Several European countries and the EU have trade offices that act as unofficial embassies in Taipei. However in recent years the bloc has come under increasing pressure from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as a province of China, and intends to annex it by force if necessary. Among its strategies to coerce Taiwan into accepting unification without conflict, Beijing puts intense diplomatic pressure on the international community to isolate Taipei from multilateral engagement. Claus Soong, an analyst at Merics specialising in Chinas global strategy, said the unusual move fitted with Beijings long-running strategy of using all possible means to deter closer cooperation with Taiwan. Beijing is trying as much as they can to say that you should really think a little bit before letting Taiwanese officials in. I wouldnt say its a threat, its more a reminder, although not necessarily gentle. Sir Keir Starmer has scrapped a key plank of his plans for digital ID, rowing back on the requirement to make it mandatory for right-to-work checks in yet another U-turn from the beleaguered Labour government. The prime minister last year said Labour would introduce a digital ID system that would be voluntary in most cases but mandatory for right-to-work checks. But the plans were thrown into confusion on Tuesday night after it was reported that ministers were rowing back on the compulsory element, allowing other digital documents to be used for right-to-work checks. This brings the total number of U-turns made by Labour since the general election up to least nine and by some counts 13 and comes just days after the decision to provide additional support for pubs facing large hikes in business rates. Civil liberties groups opposed the idea, as did Reform UK (Getty) Just hours before the climbdown, health secretary Wes Streeting told a conference in London that ministers should aim to get it right first time. Civil-rights groups as well as Reform UK and the Conservatives had slated the idea of an obligatory ID scheme, which the government announced only four months ago to crack down on illegal migration. Announcing the plan on the eve of last years Labour Party conference, Sir Keir said people will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if they did not have digital ID. But on Tuesday, government officials insisted it had always been the case that details of the digital ID scheme would be set out after a consultation. The change leaves open the possibility that digital right-to-work checks could involve other forms of ID, while the digital ID programme would be entirely voluntary. Asked why the government has changed its mind on this, minister Heidi Alexander told Sky News: We are committed to having mandatory digital right to work checks. Now that might be that someone has the digital ID that the government makes freely available. Its on their phone, they can use that to demonstrate their right to work in the country. Equally, it might be the check of a biometric chip in a passport, which is digitally done. When it was put to her that the government is now on its 13th U-turn, she said: I dont accept that this government has done 13 U-turns. You know, some of those things that people are claiming werent even in our manifesto. Labour peer Lord David Blunkett said he was disappointed but not surprised by the U-turn, which he said is a result failure to be able to annunciate why this policy mattered. Im not surprised because the original announcement was not followed by a narrative or supportive statements or any kind of strategic plan which involves other ministers and those who are committed to this actually making the case, he told the BBCs Today programme. The prime minister last year said Labour would introduce a digital ID system that would be voluntary in most cases but mandatory for right-to-work checks (PA) As a consequence those who are opposed to this scheme for all kinds of nefarious and very different reasons, some of them inexplicable were able to mobilise public opinion to get the online opposition to it up and running. So very sadly, its an indication of failure to be able to annunciate why this policy mattered. To be able to follow through with the detail of how it would work and then to reinforce that by a plan and communication of action. And when you fail to do all of those things, its not surprising in the end that the thing runs into the sand. It comes after a government source told The Times the compulsory element of the scheme had been stopping conversation about what digital IDs could be used for generally. The government has been under pressure to empty migrant hotels and reduce the number of small-boat crossings. The source told The Times: Stepping back from mandatory-use cases will deflate one of the main points of contention. We do not want to risk there being cases of some 65-year-old in a rural area being barred from working because he hasnt installed the ID. A report by Labour Together last year mocked up what the Brit Card could look like on a smartphone (Labour Together) Opposition parties, while welcoming the decision, have already used the U-turn to attack Sir Keir. The Conservatives said Labours only consistent policy is retreat and the Liberal Democrats suggested Downing Street was bulk ordering motion sickness tablets to cope with so many changes of direction. Conservative Party chair Kevin Hollinrake said: Labours only consistent policy is retreat and its the public that are paying the price for a government defined by reversal. Labour entered office without a plan and now lacks the backbone to stand by their own decisions lurching from one U-turn to the next as the consequences of their choices become clear. The country is living with the fallout of that weakness, and many voters will be wishing they could make a U-turn of their own on electing this failing Labour Government. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart MP said: No 10 must be bulk-ordering motion-sickness tablets at this rate to cope with all their U-turns. It was clear right from the start this was a proposal doomed to failure, that would have cost obscene amounts of taxpayers money to deliver absolutely nothing. Support for digital ID collapsed in the wake of Sir Keirs announcement, falling from 53 per cent in June to just 31 per cent in October. A consultation due to start within weeks is expected to explore which verification checks could be used. A government spokesperson said: We are committed to mandatory digital right-to-work checks. We have always been clear that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation which will launch shortly. Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up and effective, while also remaining inclusive. Brexit paperwork has left lorries stranded in Dover and Calais for weeks at a time. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images (Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) British vets have been forced to chase lorries down the motorway on their way to Dover due to the pure hell of Brexit paperwork needed by inspectors in Calais, MPs have been told. Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport told the business and trade committee that Brexit has been a costly and logistic nightmare, and hopes of a reset with the EU represented light at the end of the tunnel. Brandishing a wad of paperwork with 26 stamps compared with one sheet needed before Brexit, Ovens criticised the post-Brexit bureaucracy he faced when shipping lamb and beef to the continent. Ive had vets chasing lorries down the M4 because they have suddenly realised they didnt put the stamp in the right place on a piece of paper. His worst experience was a truck full of frozen meat held in Calais for 27 days due to a paperwork error. He ended up having to charge his customer 16,000 to have drivers sit with the refrigerated truck in Calais for the month. He said trucks were being detained at Calais before Christmas because inspectors would not accept new UK paperwork for BSE clearance. In the end they rerouted one lorry in Chippenham for a meeting with a vet who handed over a bundle of new BSE certificates to take to Calais for the trucks being detained in the port. The first-hand accounts confirm the pre-Brexit warnings of exporters, hauliers and small businesses who could not afford the paperwork. Related: EU wants Farage clause in Brexit reset talks with UK Ovens remarks come as Brussels negotiators prepare for their first meeting over a new veterinary agreement with the EU in London next week, aimed at wiping out Brexit red tape. Liam Byrne, chair of the committee, opened the evidence session by telling witnesses that red tape was costing the UK an extra 8.4bn. Goods trade is down 18% on five years ago, food and drink down 24%, he said. Talks on removing the red tape on goods and drink exports begin in London next week, with a second meeting scheduled for Brussels the following week as both sides try and hammer out a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement. Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers Union, highlighted technical challenges in getting a deal where approaches to farming have already diversified. He said: Oat farmers are currently allowed to use four mycotoxins that are allowed in the UK but not yet in the EU. Does this require a transition agreement? Sean McGuire, director for Europe at the Confederation of British Industry, said the EU has been very very lukewarm on other issues such as mutual recognition of professional qualifications such as architecture. The killing of Renee Good and the Trump administration's surge of agents to Minnesota has Democrats approaching a topic they previously considered a third rail: not supporting additional dollars to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The House of Representatives and the Senate are currently negotiating spending bills to keep the government running until the end of the fiscal year. One of the 12 bills funds the Department of Homeland Security, which houses ICE as well as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and each of the bills needs to clear the 60-vote hurdle known as the filibuster to pass. And Democrats are considering using spending on ICE as leverage. It's obviously natural that Democrats would want to make sure that any money we spend in DHS is being spent lawfully, and right now that department is full of unlawful activity, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee for Homeland Security, told The Independent. Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-CT) said he is not interested in funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement if it continues to run amok of the law. (AFP/Getty) This comes after many Democrats were outraged about the murder of Good by ICE official Jonathan Ross last week, when Ross shot the mom in her SUV in Minneapolis. Murphy said that he did not want to see money go toward additional lawbreaking. I'm just not interested in funding an agency that is operating outside of the law and it's making our communities less safe, Murphy said. We're not going to write a comprehensive immigration enforcement reform bill in the appropriations bill, but in every bill, there's language on how our money is spent, and I want to make sure that our money is spent lawfully. And Murphy is not alone in his opposition to increasing money to ICE. Sen. Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin, another member of the Appropriations Committee, told The Independent that she would not support additional money for ICE. Minnesota Attorney General announced he would file a lawsuit against the Trump administration. (AP) I have to ask my Republican colleagues, who are obviously taking the lead on these, is this what they want to rubber-stamp for residential neighborhoods and cities across this country, thousands of masked, armed agents coming into their communities? Baldwin said. On Monday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that he would sue the Trump administration for its unprecedented crackdown on immigration. Rep. Kelly Morrison and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Min.)along with Rep. Angie Craig attempted to visit the Whipple Building in Minneapolis to see ICE detainees this weekend. They have surged into our state, they are terrorizing our communities, they are not making us more safe, Morrison told The Independent. There needs to be reform at ICE at a minimum, and yes, the funding of ICE has to be put on hold until those reforms are put into place. Omar said she is not surprised that more people are moving toward her direction. I mean, when it comes to DHS and the way that they have been able to allow ICE and border control to act unlawfully, it doesn't surprise me that not only the American public has thrown on them, but also lawmakers here in Congress, she told The Independent. Democrats have limited levers of power given that Republicans control the House and Senate while President Donald Trump occupies the White House. But the appropriations process gives them some negotiating power as they showed last year when they opposed a continuing resolution in an attempt to force a vote to extend expanded tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplace. ICE received a massive increase in its budget in Trumps signature One Big, Beautiful Bill, including $29.9 billion for enforcement operations and hiring up to 10,000 new agents. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) highlighted how cuts to Medicaid paid for the beefing up of ICE. I want everyone to understand, the cuts to your health care are whats paying for this, she told The Independent. Understand how these dots connect. You get screwed over to pay a bunch of thugs in the street that are shooting mothers in the face. During his press conference, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he wanted to see some changes to policies for ICE. Clearly, there are common-sense measures that need to be put in place so that ICE can conduct itself in a manner at least consistent with every other law enforcement agency in the United States of America at the state, local and federal level, Jeffries told reporters. Thats not too much to ask. Conduct yourself like every other law enforcement agency in the country. But not every Democrat is on board with reining in ICE through government funding. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a moderate Democrat, has said We can't get back into their stupid defund ICE, Fetterman told The Independent. Donald Trump and Keir Starmer at Chequers last September. We have seen in so many ways how the Trump administration can react very, very strongly to small things that people say, Bronwen Maddox said. Photograph: Leon Neal/Reuters (Photograph: Leon Neal/Reuters) Donald Trump has ended the western alliance, requiring the UK to adopt a bolder, more independent foreign policy towards the US and China, the director of Britains most prestigious foreign policy thinktank has said. Delivering her analysis in her annual lecture, Bronwen Maddox, the director of Chatham House, said: The risk of staying silent and not standing up for the principles that have underpinned the liberal international order is that those principles do indeed become an article of history and not the foundation of the world we want to live in. She added: The UK has performed a balancing act of some agility but to the point where it is hard to discern the policy. Maddox described Trumps impulsiveness, taste for military action and rejection of international law as amounting to a revolution. She said US allies must now contemplate what was unthinkable: to defend themselves against the US, in both trade and security. It is not grandiose to call this the end of the western alliance, she said, in the sense of countries sharing principles of individual liberty, intellectual and religious freedom, constitutional democracy and free trade at their heart. Maddox said these principles have been the engine of their prosperity as well as the rationale for their global influence. She said in recent months we had seen the rejection of principles of international law that the US helped forge even if it often declined to apply those to itself. Venezuela is the latest example, Maddox said. Trumps intention to acquire Greenland is an offence against the UN charter and the prohibition on taking territory by force. If he did so by using force, as his team has threatened, it would be the end of Nato. In an interview with the Guardian, Maddox said one of the tasks of Chatham House would be to champion the need for new alliances and pacts in which countries stood up for principles that the superpowers were shredding. I understand the UK governments inevitable pragmatism but at some point you have to stand up and say we have these differences over principle, and we are acquiring quite a list, she said. The UK faces a huge dilemma, as does Europe. It wants two big things from America. One is trade and the other is help on defence, including support for Ukraine. The prime minister does not want to jeopardise those two. We have seen in so many ways how the Trump administration, including the president, can react very, very strongly to small things that people say. In seeking to preserve its autonomy and yet maintain the US special relationship, Maddox said the UK had to be willing to differ publicly, urging Keir Starmer to make an explicit stand in the defence of the BBC, for instance. Related: BBC seeks dismissal of $10bn Trump lawsuit over Panorama fight like hell clip Trump has mounted a $10bn defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster, claiming it damaged his reputation by splicing together two sections of his address to a rally on 6 January 2021, which it is alleged gave the impression he encouraged supporters to storm the Capitol building in Washington DC. Maddox said: Sometimes lines have to be drawn. Whatever you think of the BBC, the president of the US is launching a personal lawsuit which at the very least could impoverish and disrupt a citizen-funded national institution, which the prime minister needs explicitly to defend. She added: US efforts to challenge UK laws governing social media appear to equate US interests with those of the US tech giants. She said not enough was made of the monetisation of the presidency, a threat to the reputation of US institutions. Maddox also urged Starmer ahead of his imminent visit to China to take a tougher stance. She did not challenge Chinas plans for a new embassy at Royal Mint close to the City of London a plan that still requires government planning consent but she pressed Starmer to question why China needed such a large diplomatic representation in the UK. She also said the imminent decision on whether to give permission for China to provide technology for UK wind turbines was being underplayed since it would provide China with an off switch and an enormous amount of information about UK energy consumption. She also urged Labour to make decisions about the dependence on Chinese students to finance British universities. Maddox argued that as international law and global order unravelled, there was a need to look for regional blocs to step forward as sources of order. Lots of countries were going to have to spend more in their own self-interest on their defence, and to work out quite quickly where they could find fellow travellers. This is not a recipe for saying the rest of the world can bypass the US. Its about finding lots of coalitions of the willing built around common interests, she said. She warned: China is certain to try to offer to fill the vacuum created by Trump, as well as appropriate the precedent set in Venezuela. It will say we want global governance, the rule of law and for the United Nations to work. It will make a play for the high moral ground, but it does not regard Taiwan as an issue of international law since this is an internal issue. The specialist Justice Department division that usually probes police killings is not investigating the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis mom by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, according to reports. Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot three times by the federal agent on January 7, and its reportedly increasingly unlikely that he will face charges. Such cases would usually involve the DOJs Civil Rights Division but the move to exclude the specialist team has prompted the resignation of four of its top leaders, according to MSNOW. A Justice Department official told The Independent that leadership working in the divisions criminal section had requested early retirement before the shooting in Minnesota. The Trump administration has fiercely stood by the ICE agent and said the officer was justified, despite the FBI investigation being incomplete. The specialist Justice Department division that usually probes police killings is reportedly not investigating the fatal shooting of Minneapolis mom Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent (Facebook) Federal investigators have stopped state investigators from fully scrutinizing the shooting by blocking their access to evidence, according to Minnesota officials, raising further doubts that the killing will be probed fairly. When you put that together with the state authorities being excluded from even access to the evidence like shell casings, the car I dont have any confidence that a use-of-force investigation is actually even happening when it comes to the death of Renee Good, Keith Ellison, the Democratic attorney general of Minnesota, told The Washington Post. While law enforcement officers are rarely charged for using lethal force, the criminal section of the Civil Rights Division is typically involved in such investigations and specializes in probing improper use of force or abuse by federal officers . The division prosecuted the police officers responsible for the killing of George Floyd in 2020, for example. It is currently overseen by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, whose predecessors called out the decision to exclude the division from the investigation into Goods killing. It is highly unusual for the Civil Rights Division not to be involved from the outset with the FBI and U.S. attorneys office, Vanita Gupta, who headed the division during the Obama administration, and was the associate attorney general during the Biden administration, told The Post. Such cases would usually involve the Civil Rights Division but the move to exclude the specialist team has prompted the resignation of four of its top leaders (AP) Investigating officials to determine if they broke the law, defied policy, failed to deescalate, and resorted to deadly force without basis is one of the Civil Rights Divisions most solemn duties, Kristen Clarke, who led the division during the Biden administration, told MSNOW. Prosecutors of the Civil Rights Division have, for decades, been the nations leading experts in this work, Clarke added. Since Dhillon was appointed to the role by Donald Trump, nearly 400 attorneys have left the workforce. We dont want people in the federal government who feel like its their pet project to go persecute police departments based on statistical evidence or persecute people praying outside abortion facilities instead of doing violence, Dhillon said in April last year. The job here is to enforce the federal civil rights laws not woke ideology. Three people have been arrested after a teenager was stabbed to death near a high street in west London. Emergency services were called to Victoria Road, off Felthams high street, at around 5pm on Monday evening to reports of a stabbing. An 18-year-old man was found with stab wounds and rushed to hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he was later pronounced dead. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by police, who have launched a murder investigation. Met Police said two 16-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of an offensive weapon on Monday and Tuesday. They both remain in police custody. The teenager was found with stab wounds in Victoria Road in Feltham (Google Street View) A 19-year-old man also remains in custody having been arrested on January 13 on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. The GBH arrest relates to an allegation of assault on one of the 16-year-old boys arrested, Met Police said. The boy was treated for minor injuries before being arrested. READ MORE: How safe is London really? This is what the data says. Flowers, balloons and messages have been placed on Victoria Road as detectives and forensics experts continue to investigate on Tuesday. A police cordon remained in place at the crime scene close to Feltham Station. One balloon read: forever in our hearts. Detective Chief Inspector Allam Bhangoo, who is leading the investigation, said: Firstly, I would like to share my deepest condolences with the victims friends and family during this hugely difficult time. We understand that this incident has been distressing for the local community. I want to reassure the public that this investigation is a priority for us and I hope it offers some reassurance to know we have made three arrests. Residents may see an increased police presence in the area as we undertake further enquires, however at this time we are confident there is no risk to the local community. Hounslow Council Leader Councillor Shantanu Rajawat said: I am deeply saddened to hear about the shocking stabbing in Feltham yesterday. Our thoughts are with the victims family and friends during this difficult time. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: At around 17:00hrs on Monday, 12 January police responded to reports of a stabbing on Victoria Road, Feltham. Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service and Londons Air Ambulance Service and treated a 18-year-old for stab wounds. He was taken to hospital, where despite the best efforts of medical staff, he was sadly pronounced dead. His next of kin are aware and are being supported by specialist officers. At this early stage no arrests have been made. A crime scene is in place and officers remain in the area while they carry out further enquiries. Anyone with info is asked to contact police on 101 with reference CAD5431/12Jan. Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111. Organizers of Greenlands annual national dog sled race have questioned who invited Donald Trumps U.S. envoy to the event, saying that its presence would be wholly inappropriate amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. On January 8, 2026, KNQK [The Greenland Dog Sledding Association] received an inquiry from an American journalist stating that the US president's recently appointed envoy, Governor Jeff Landry, had been invited to Avannaata Qimussersua, a statement from the associations president, Mikkel Jeremiassen, read. The KNQK Board finds it unacceptable that political pressure is being exerted from outside and therefore considers the participation of foreign political actors in Avannaata Qimussersua to be wholly inappropriate. Jeremiassen added that the associations board was currently working closely with patrons to determine who sent the invitations to foreign actors, adding that once this investigation is complete, the board will provide further information. Organizers of Greenlands annual national dog sled race have questioned who invited Donald Trumps U.S. envoy to the event, saying that its presence would be wholly inappropriate amid ongoing tensions between the two nations (Getty Images) Avannaata Qimussersua is Greenland's annual national sled dog race and brings together approximately 37 mushers and their 444 dogs from across the country. Though the location and distance change every year, the race is always held in west Greenland above the Arctic Circle. Strict rules mean that only Greenland dogs may enter the race, as other breeds are restricted from entering the country north of the Circle. The blocking of Landry and others comes as tensions continue to flare between the U.S., Greenland and Denmark. Denmark controls Greenland through its status as an autonomous territory. Avannaata Qimussersua is Greenland's annual national sled dog race and each year brings together approximately 37 mushers and their 444 dogs from across the country (Getty Images) Trump has been adamant that he needs U.S. control over Greenland right now and claims it is vital for Americas national security, though the comments have caused alarm in NATO countries. As a result, Denmarks foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlands Vivian Moltzfeldt requested a meeting with U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio which vice president JD Vance has now requested to join and will host in Washington D.C. at a date yet to be specified. The vice president and his wife Usha were scheduled to attend the Avannaata Qimussersua last year during a visit to Greenland, though changed their itinerary following angry protests from residents. Though the location and distance change every year, the race is always held in west Greenland above the Arctic Circle. Strict rules mean that only Greenland dogs may enter the race, as other breeds are restricted from entering the country north of the Circle (Getty Images) The couple, who were accompanied by then-national security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, were ultimately kept away from the more populated areas of the island in an attempt to reduce the likelihood that they would encounter demonstrators. Vances inclusion in the talks with Rubio, Rasmussen and Moltzfeldt could prove controversial given his vocal support for the U.S. seizing the territory from Denmark. Last week, he warned Europe that they needed to take Trump seriously on his aspiration to acquire it. What we're asking our European friends to do is to take the security of that land mass more seriously, because if they're not, the United States is going to have to do something about it, he said. Vice president JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance were scheduled to attend the Avannaata Qimussersua last year during a visit to Greenland, though changed their itinerary following angry protests from residents (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) What that is, I'll leave that to the president as we continue to engage in diplomacy with our European friends and everybody on this particular topic. Greenland holds a large and untapped wealth of natural resources, including oil and gas as well as natural earth minerals, zinc, copper, nickel and graphite. Its geographical location, positioned between the North American Arctic and Europe, also makes it appealing to Trump for strategic reasons. The president has had his eyes on the territory since 2019, when he first publicly floated the idea of purchasing it. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Ministers have admitted that the Government may miss its sustainable aviation fuel target which is key to allowing a third runway at Heathrow. They highighted risks to achieving the goal to getting more planes using eco-fuels. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has trumpeted the switch to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as a solution to airport expansion in the UK without breaching legally-binding climate change commitments. Chancellor Rachel Reeves who has backed Heathrow expansion (PA Wire) The Government has specific targets to ensure sustainable aviation fuels form part of the UK jet fuel mix, reaching 22% in 2040. Aviation experts, though, have questioned whether this will be achieved. In reply to the Commons environmental audit committees (EAC) report entitled Airport Expansion and Climate and Nature Targets, ministers have now accepted that the eco-fuel goal may be flunked. The Government recognises there are risks to scaling up SAF production both domestically and globally to the level required to meet the targets set out in the SAF mandate, they said. But they argued: Setting ambitious targets in the SAF mandate is itself a way to promote the supply of SAF from a diverse range of feedstocks. Heathrow airports expansion has moved a step closer after the Government launched a review into how it will consider plans for a third runway (PA Archive) The Government has backed expansion at several airports including Heathrow, a new second runway at Gatwick, as well as more capacity at Luton and City airports. It told the EAC: Airport expansion will help to unlock the growth benefits that a world class aviation sector can provide. The Government is committed to ensuring that these economic benefits of airport expansions are delivered in a way that considers and addresses its environmental and social responsibilities. On the west London airport, it added: Heathrow Airport, as the UKs busiest and only hub airport, plays a critical role in enabling international connectivity for both passengers and freight. Its expansion has the potential to boost the UK economy and could support over 100,000 jobs in the local area. Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband who has stressed Heathrow expansion can only happen within the Governments legally-binding climate change commitments (PA Wire) The Government has chosen Heathrows 33 billion scheme to expand the airport which will increase capacity by more than 50% to 756,000 flights a year, and involve moving the M25 which could create years of disruption for motorists. Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband had stressed that the expansion plans have to be consistent with the Governments legally-binding commitment on net zero by 2050. The Government is now reviewing the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the primary basis for decisions on a Development Consent Order application for a third runway at Heathrow, which is essentially planning consent. Part of the ANPS work is to ensure that a bigger Heathrow meets the Governments four tests on economic growth, air quality, noise and climate change. A plane prepares to land at Heathrow (PA Wire) However, the Government has already backed a third runway even before deciding what the tests should be to ensure that these economic and environmental aims are achieved. In the reply to the EAC, it said: As part of the ANPS review, DfT (Department for Transport) is considering how the Governments four tests for Heathrow expansion, including air quality, should be set. The review will consider changes in legislation, policy and data since the ANPS was designated in 2018 and will consider all key air quality pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The Government added: The mitigations for air quality impacts will be determined as part of the review process, and if any amends are made to the existing ANPS, they will be subject to consultation in summer 2026. Homeless families living in temporary accommodation have accused Lambeth Council of making intimidating unannounced home visits which led them to believe they were going to be evicted from their properties. The families, who are members of the housing group, Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth (HASL) which supports people facing homelessness, overcrowding and poor housing conditions, have demanded an end to the alleged behaviour. They launched a campaign at the end of October last year, and are now highlighting how some tenants feel intimidated when officers turn up unannounced, with others receiving emails out of the blue suggesting they are being relocated miles outside of London. HASL claims Lambeth Council, in its drive to bring down the cost of temporary accommodation, is creating a confusing and stressful environment for those in temporary homes, with poor communication about what is happening to them. Cllr Danny Adilypour, Lambeth Councils Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Investment and New Homes, said the council has been working compassionately to best meet the needs of homeless families, and has a duty to to visit them to inspect the quality of their accommodation, as well as help them find long-term stable housing. Last November, the council announced that most homeless households will have to be placed outside of the borough, and often beyond the South East because of a lack of suitable accommodation locally. This announcement was part of a major review to the councils Placement Policy, which has remained mostly the same for more a decade. Lambeths temporary accommodation crisis is now costing the council more than 100million per year. The council must find 183m in savings over four years so far 99m has been located but the remaining 84m needs to be identified before March 2026. Protesters against Lambeth Council (LDRS) The number of homeless households supported by the council has increased by 50per cent in the last two years, and Lambeth is now providing temporary accommodation for more than 4,600 homeless households every night. Two of these homeless households spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) anonymously about their experiences with Lambeth Council while living in temporary accommodation provided by the local authority. One resident, who has been a HASL member for the past three years, claimed on one occasion the council called her to say she and family must leave their temporary accommodation property and must find a place in the private rented sector. The woman claims her husband was told by the council that a new department had been created and they were in charge of evicting families from temporary accommodation because there arent enough properties to support all of the families. She claims the council told them one of their options was to find a private rental property and they had 56 days to do so which left them feeling stressed and under pressure. Another resident living in temporary accommodation believed she had to leave her property after experiencing intimidating home visits from housing officers. She said: If Elizabeth Wyatt from HASL was not with me, I would be really, really scared, I dont know the law, I dont know anything but because of Liz and the group I dont feel scared like before. Ive been bidding for nearly eight-and-a-half years what is the point in taking me from here to somewhere outside of London? I think thats what they want to do with us. I asked the council why would you want to do that? They told me its very expensive here, its very expensive in London. In October last year, the group staged a protest outside Lambeth Civic Centre, where the councils housing department is based and attempted to hand a letter to the council which outlined their demands to stop making unannounced and intimidating visits to homeless people. However HASL claims the council refused to accept the letter campaigners were trying to deliver. Elizabeth Wyatt from HASL: We were shocked when we heard reports of housing officers making unannounced visits to our members in temporary accommodation. Our members were left believing that they would be imminently evicted. Then suddenly another member received an email saying her family would be sent to Dover, despite having work and school here in Lambeth. She added: The council have also made the disastrous decision to use a policy called private sector discharge where homeless families are given mandatory offers of private housing under threat of destitution. This policy, which Lambeth Council have never used before, creates a cycle of homelessness and undermines vital homeless rights. In response, Cllr Adilypour said: We are doing what we can to build as many new affordable homes as possible on council owned land, and maximise the number of genuinely affordable homes delivered through housing developments. But the scale of the crisis means that is not enough, in large part because of the national failure over the last decades to replace lost social housing and build new homes. This crisis is a tragedy for every family affected and is placing unsustainable pressure on council budgets. Cllr Adilypour went on to say the council was prioritising the small amount of social housing available in Lambeth for those with the greatest needs, but said in most cases the council has to look beyond Lambeth to find homeless families a permanent home. He added: Despite the challenges we are determined to give homeless households the stability and security they desperately need by giving them longer term placements in areas that will meet their family, cultural and community needs. This allows them to plan for the future, knowing they have a safe and secure home. Outrage has erupted in New York City following the arrest of a City Council employee as part of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown. The detention of Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez prompted a protest outside a Manhattan detention center on Tuesday, with city officials expressing fury. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that Rubio Bohorquez had significantly overstayed a tourist visa and had previously been arrested for assault, asserting he had no legal right to be in the United States. However, City Council Speaker Julie Menin challenged this claim. She informed reporters that Rubio Bohorquez, a data analyst for the legislative body, was legally permitted to work in the U.S. until October. Menin, a Democrat, added that the council employee had signed a document confirming no prior arrests and had successfully passed the standard background check required for all applicants. Menin added that the council employee had signed a document confirming no prior arrests and had successfully passed the standard background check required for all applicants. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) The New York Immigration Coalition and New York Legal Assistance Group filed a petition after Rubio Bohorquez's arrest Monday asking a court to order his release, Menin and Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., said in a statement. ICE confirmed Rubio Bohorquezs name. Menin and Goldman referred to him only as a council employee. She said she was doing so to protect his identity. We are doing everything we can to secure his immediate release, Menin said at a Monday evening news conference. She decried the arrest as egregious government overreach. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat, said he was outraged, calling the arrest an assault on our democracy, on our city, and our values. Menin said officials were attempting to reach his family and obtain contact information for his immigration lawyer. Rubio Bohorquez, originally from Venezuela, was detained at an immigration appointment in Bethpage, on Long Island, authorities said. Menin called it a regular check-in that quickly went awry. According to ICE, Rubio Bohorquez entered the U.S. in 2017 on a B2 tourist visa and was required to leave the country by Oct. 22, 2017. He has been employed by the City Council for about a year, Menin said. His position pays about $129,315 per year, according to city payroll data. He had no work authorization, ICE said in a statement confirming Rubio Bohorquezs arrest. The agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security, said that under Secretary Kristi Noem criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States. If you come to our country illegally and break our law, we will find you and we will arrest you. Disputes over an immigrants work authorization have arisen before, in part because many employers rely on a robust but flawed government system called E-Verify. The tool compares information entered by an employer from an employees documents with records available to Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Experts say the system is generally accurate in terms of matching documents, but it doesnt automatically notify an employer if an employees right to work is revoked after it has already been verified. A 2021 Inspector General review concluded that until the government addresses E-Verifys shortcomings, it cannot ensure the system provides accurate employment eligibility results. Nigerian influencer Esther Thomas has suddenly died after undergoing surgery (TikTok/sunshineofficial23) TikTok creator Esther Thomas, known on the platform as Sunshine, has suddenly died. Thomass family announced on social media that the Nigerian influencer died January 9 after undergoing surgery for uterine fibroids. We the family of Esther Thomas (A.K.A. Sunshine) with pain in our heart we regret to announce sudden demise of our beloved sister and daughter, the family wrote in a post shared Saturday. The statement said that Thomas suddenly passed away after the surgery. We are trying to put things in place so we could put her to rest, the family said. Nigerian influencer Esther Thomas has died suddenly after undergoing surgery (TikTok/sunshineofficial23) Thomas had over 600,000 followers across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where she often posted comedy skits with other content creators. After the news of her death was made public, Thomas friend and frequent collaborator Chidera Madu shared a video explaining that the influencer began to have stomach pain around December 28 and was rushed to the hospital after it became worse January 1. Thomas underwent a series of scans before doctors determined that her fibroids had grown. Uterine fibroids, which are more common in Black women, are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause pelvic pain and heavy bleeding. Doctors recommended that Thomas undergo a surgery to remove the fibroid in order to relieve her pain, Madu said. He said the doctors reported the operation was successful, but there were complications that led to her death. Tributes to the social media star poured in under her last posts, with one friend writing: Never in my wildest dream did I even think of typing (RIP) to my closest friend let alone on my birthday of all day, that sunshine my friend cannot sing happy birthday song to me today as usual. My whole day shattered waking up to such news on my day after telling me on Thursday she was getting better when I called, the first time I felt this way was when I lost my mom. Another wrote, Was actually hoping the news was fake. i cant even explain how i feel rn but tbvh this one really touch me. you were such a nice, dedicated and very hardworking person, my deepest condolences to your family during this period and may you find rest and peace in the bosom of the lord my dear sunshine. I am still trying to process this. I still cant believe it, another fan wrote. A young Iranian protester will be be executed on Wednesday in Tehrans crackdown on spiralling dissent against the regime, according to reports. A human rights group said clothes shop owner Erfan Soltani, 26, will be the first protester to be hanged by the Islamic Republic in its brutal response to the uprising. It comes as the number of people who have died in the nationwide protests has reached at least 2,000, activists said. Mr Soltani will only have 10 minutes to say goodbye to his family before he is hanged tomorrow. Erfan Soltani was arrested on Thursday, January 8, for protesting (Hengaw Organization For Human Rights/X) Read more: Everything you need to know about the Iran protests He was arrested at his home in Fardis, Karaj, near Tehran, on Thursday, January 8, and swiftly detained. Iran Human Rights told the New York Post: His family was told that he had been sentenced to death and that the sentence is due to be carried out on 14 January. He is one of 10,700 people who have been arrested since the protests started, Human Rights Activists New Agency said. Arina Moradi, a member of the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, told the Daily Mail: Their son was never a political activist, just part of the younger generation who was protesting the current situation in Iran. Fires are lit as protesters rally on January 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran (Getty Images) He was detained last Thursday, and there was no information about him for days before authorities called the family and said they had arrested their son and he will be executed on Wednesday - meaning tomorrow. Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Shahin Gobadi, told the Daily Mail that the regimes leader Ali Khamenei has explicitly labelled the demonstrators a rioters and enemies of god, which is punishable by death. Erfan Soltani, a resident of Fardis, Karaj, who was arrested during recent protests in the city, is facing the imminent execution of a death sentence following a rapid and opaque judicial process.https://t.co/AavgRh5kFR Hengaw Organization for Human Rights (@Hengaw_English) January 12, 2026 More than 600 protests have taken place across all of Iran's 31 provinces. Iranian state media has provided little information about the demonstrations and online videos offer only brief, shaky glimpses of people in the streets or the sound of gunfire. The regime cut off telephone lines and internet for residents soon after the protests began. Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days on Tuesday after authorities severed communication. But people are worried about what comes next, including the possibility of strikes after US president Donald Trump said he could possibly use the military to defend peaceful protesters. Trump was supposed to meet with Iranian officials today but the meeting was cancelled. Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, he said: I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY." Thousands of Londoners joined a rally in central over the weekend to show their solidarity with Iran. New Zealands former prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, withdrew from Adelaide Writers Week after the board disinvited Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah - DANIEL RAMALHO/AFP Jacinda Ardern has quit Australias largest free literary festival after a Palestinian-Australian author was disinvited. The removal of academic Randa Abdel-Fattah from Adelaide Writers Week prompted a mass boycott by more than 180 high-profile writers, which led to its cancellation. Alongside Ms Ardern, British novelist Zadie Smith, US-Russian journalist Masha Gessen, British-Australian author Kathy Lette, Pulitzer Prize-winner Percival Everett and the former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis withdrew from the festival. The shows director and most of its board also resigned over the boycott. The controversy began on Jan 8 when the Adelaide Festival board announced that Ms Abdel-Fattah would no longer appear at Writers Week. The board cited her past statements about Israel and said her presence would not be culturally sensitive in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack, which saw 15 people killed at a Hanukkah event on Dec 14. Police say the alleged gunmen were inspired by the Islamic State and the incident sparked nationwide calls to tackle antisemitism, as well as prompting state and federal government moves to tighten hate speech laws. The board stressed Ms Abdel-Fattah had no connection to the tragedy. Randa Abdel-Fattah is an author and researcher covering Islamophobia, Palestine and social media activism - Macquarie University Ms Abdel-Fattah, a novelist, lawyer, and academic known for her Palestinian advocacy, rejected the decision. She described it as blatant and shameless anti-Palestinian racism that reduced her to an object onto which others can project their racist fears and smears. She added: The only Palestinians they will tolerate are silent and invisible ones. Ms Abdel-Fattah had previously hosted multiple panels at Adelaide Writers Week and was going to promote her new book, Discipline, a fiction about a journalist and an academic navigating censorship during Israels war on Gaza. The festivals director, Louise Adler, the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivors, resigned in protest of the decision, calling the episode a masterclass in poor governance. Writing in The Guardian, Ms Adler said: The increasingly extreme and repressive efforts of pro-Israel lobbyists to stifle even the mildest criticism has had a chilling effect on free speech and democratic institutions. She argued the cancellation highlighted the dangers of boards with little arts experience bowing to political pressure. The festival board on Tuesday apologised to Ms Abdel-Fattah for how the decision was represented. 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, it added. Ms Abdel-Fattah wrote on social media that she did not accept the apology, saying she had nothing to do with the Bondi attack, nor did any Palestinian. British novelist Zadie Smith was among more than 180 contributors who chose to withdraw from the literary festival - Jeff Gilbert The Adelaide Festival board said on Tuesday its decision last week to disinvite Ms Abdel-Fattah was made 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, the board said in a statement. 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, it continued. Ms Abdel-Fattah has previously faced criticism from politicians, Jewish community groups, and media outlets. In 2024, she was condemned for saying that Zionists have no claim or right to cultural safety and declaring that the goal [is] decolonisation and the end of this murderous Zionist colony. She has defended her statements, stressing that she opposes Zionist ideology but never the unsafety of Jews. Jennifer Mills, chairman of the Australian Society of Authors, described the affair as an object lesson in why representation from artists and writers in leadership positions is essential. Norman Schueler of the Jewish Community Council of South Australia confirmed that his organisation had lobbied the Adelaide Festival board for her removal. It was a very wise move and will help maintain the cohesiveness of the festival, he told the Adelaide Advertiser. On the growing number of writers withdrawals, he said: I think the walkouts are rather pathetic, as they suggest support for Dr Abdel-Fattahs views namely, that Israel should not exist. South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas defended the boards decision. Bren Carlill, director of special projects at the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, said Ms Abdel-Fattahs views were outside the acceptable bounds of public debate and could cause distress to members of the Jewish community. 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. The horrific rise of anti-Jewish hatred in Britain and across the world is utterly intolerable. We must recommit ourselves to rooting out antisemitism wherever it rears its head. pic.twitter.com/DPQwlvmSuT Steve Reed (@SteveReedMP) January 11, 2026 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. Jon Stewart began The Daily Show Monday by mocking the moment President Trump interrupted a meeting with oil company executives to stare at the White Houses beautiful ballroom. Trump convened the meeting on Friday to discuss the U.S.s divvying up of Venezuelas oil supplies after its surprise seizure of President Nicolas Maduro. Lest you worry that Donald Trump is in any way feeling the burden of this moment, the terrifying responsibility of so many lives held in his hands, let me reassure you: hes fine, Stewart said. He then showed a clip of Trump getting up from his chair at the meeting Friday to stare out the window at his new ballroom. Wow! What a view, the president declared. Staring at the camera in disbelief, Stewart reacted, Look at f***ing Rubio and Vance. Jon Stewart lambasted Trumps old man moment on 'The Daily Show' (Comedy Central) Trump appeared to catch Marco Rubio off guard as he read a private note during the meeting (AFP/Getty) Look at the faces on Heckle and Jekyll over there. Just looking and smiling like, Oh, Paw Paw. Hes so cute. You should see him when the ice cream truck goes by. And by the way, Stewart added, if youre getting up and walking to the window and you dont think thats enough of a doddering old man move, old Cankles McGee had one more chewable Tums up his sleeve. Stewart then showed another clip from the same meeting in which Trump appeared to blindside Marco Rubio as he read a private note aloud to the room. Stewart jokingly responded, Does anyone else have a private note theyd like me to read aloud? Anybody? The host went on to skewer Trump for posting a screenshot from Wikipedia to Truth Social over the weekend, declaring himself acting president of Venezuela. Doesnt your oath of office to America have a noncompete?Stewart said. What are we doing? What, are you just trying to pick up a few extra hours? What, the holidays hit you hard? I just need a couple extra bucks until like February, March. That ballrooms not going to pay for itself. Trumps decapitation of the Venezuelan government has drawn condemnation from much of the world and raised concerns in the U.S. about whether it violated U.S. laws. In the wake of Maduros ouster, Trump claimed the U.S. would be taking over sales of Venezuelan crude across the globe and said the government in Caracas was providing Washington with between 30 and 50 million barrels of formerly sanctioned oil to sell. However, the president said Sunday that he is inclined to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after its top executive was skeptical about oil investment efforts in the country after the toppling of former President Nicolas Maduro. I didnt like Exxons response, Trump said to reporters on Air Force One as he departed West Palm Beach, Florida. Theyre playing too cute. Labour MPs have urged the government to reject Chinas controversial plan for a mega-embassy in London, ahead of an impending decision. The move comes amid reports that Sir Keir Starmer is poised to approve the proposal, which was previously delayed until 20 January. Nine MPs raised security concerns in a letter to communities secretary Steve Reed, seen by the BBC. They warned the new embassy could be used to step up intimidation against dissidents. The MPs, including Sarah Champion, who is a member of parliaments Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, said concerns about the proposal are significant and unresolved. They cite the recent track record of Chinese espionage cases, interference activities, and issuing of bounties against UK-based Hong Kongers, as well as the fact that this embassy would sit above sensitive infrastructure critical to both the UKs economic and national security. A group of nine MPs have written to communities secretary Steve Reed (pictured) to highlight their concerns about the proposals (PA) The Times reported that the announcement to approve the embassy would be made ahead of a trip to China the prime minister is widely expected to make. It would be the first by a prime minister since Theresa Mays visit in 2018. MPs from across the political spectrum have urged the government to reject Chinas application for a new embassy on the site of the former Royal Mint, citing security concerns. The Governments proposals attracted criticism from across the political spectrum - Andy Barton/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Labour has abandoned plans for compulsory digital ID for workers. Migrants will no longer be forced to show virtual identity cards to prove their right to work under the proposals. All other parts of the scheme, due to be introduced in 2029, are already set to be voluntary. It represents Labours 11th about turn since entering office, after recently abandoning plans to raise business rates for hospitality firms and watering down his inheritance tax raid on farms. In September, Sir Keir Starmer promised that migrants would not be able to work in the United Kingdom if they did not have digital ID. But ministers will now not make digital ID mandatory for right-to-work checks when the scheme is first introduced, but could instead bring it in further down the line. A source said there would be mandatory digital checks for a right to work, as the current paper-based system was more open to abuse, but that did not necessarily mean bringing in a compulsory digital ID card. A government source told The Times that the compulsory element was stopping conversation about what digital IDs could be used for generally. The source said: Stepping back from mandatory-use cases will deflate one of the main points of contention. We do not want to risk there being cases of some 65-year-old in a rural area being barred from working because he hasnt installed the ID. A government spokesman told The Telegraph that ministers had always been clear that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation, which will launch shortly. Last week, it emerged that ministers had been ordered to find savings in their departments to fund the scheme, which the Office for Budget Responsibility calculated would cost 1.8bn. The Government rejected the estimate. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, did not agree to fund the scheme in her latest spending review, so ministers have been asked to contribute and pay for it out of existing budgets. The proposal to drop the mandatory requirement is a major blow to the Governments promotion of the scheme, which was lauded as a key tool in tackling illegal immigration. It also came hours after Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said the Governments new years resolution should be to get things right first time. When he unveiled the plans, the Prime Minister said: I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this Government is listening and delivering. ID cards, which were first proposed under Sir Tony Blair, have become increasingly unpopular since the latest proposals were unveiled by the Prime Minister last year. Polling showed net support for the policy falling from 35 per cent in the early summer to -14 per cent the weekend after it was announced. An online petition urging the Government not to introduce the scheme garnered almost three million signatures, with critics claiming the cards would threaten civil liberties. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Prime Minister, said on Tuesday that he was positive the scheme would become popular. He told an Institute for Government event: Im confident that this time next year, the polling will be a much better place on digital ID than it is today. But the Conservatives said the scheme was set to become yet another costly, ill-thought-out experiment abandoned at the first sign of pressure from Labours backbenches. Mike Wood, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, added: While we welcome the scrapping of any mandatory identification, this is yet another humiliating U-turn from the Government. Keir Starmers spinelessness is becoming a pattern, not an exception. The Liberal Democrats also welcomed the change, but said No 10 must be bulk ordering motion sickness tablets at this rate to cope with all their U-turns. As well as digital IDs, ministers last year abandoned planned cuts to personal independence payments and the winter fuel allowance. A government spokesman said: We are committed to mandatory digital right-to-work checks. Currently, right-to-work checks include a hodgepodge of paper-based systems, with no record of checks ever taking place. This is open to fraud and abuse. We have always been clear that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation which will launch shortly. Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive. Deal Facilitated by Viking Mergers & Acquisitions AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Beyond Secure, an Austin, Texas-based managed security solutions provider specializing in regulated industries, has been acquired by NuView, a newly-formed managed IT and cybersecurity platform backed by RFE Investment Partners and Mansfield Investment Partners. Beyond Secure has been acquired by Nuview, backed by RFE Investment Partners and Mansfield Investment Partners Founded in 1993 and incorporated in 2002, Beyond Secure has built a reputation for delivering enterprise-grade IT security and compliance services to organizations operating in high-regulation environments. Supported by a loyal client base and experienced team, the company is known for its technical expertise and high-touch service model, earning a 100% customer satisfaction rating. Beyond Secure's ownership prioritized finding a new owner who recognizes the company's value and market opportunity, ensuring it is well-positioned to accelerate growth. The transaction provides Beyond Secure with a strategic partner aligned with its focus on compliance-driven services and expanding demand within niche vertical markets. The company will contribute to NuView's broader platform, which brings together managed IT, cybersecurity, compliance, and advisory services under a unified operating model. "This was about finding the right partner, not just a buyer," said Jackson Payne, Viking M&A Managing Partner. "Beyond Secure has spent decades building trust in regulated industries. NuView offers a platform that respects that foundation while creating meaningful opportunities for expansion. We're proud to have advised on a transition that aligns so clearly with the seller's goals." The transaction was facilitated by Viking M&A's Jackson Payne, Coleman Payne, Ben Omonira, and Matt Gold. Congratulations to Beyond Secure, NuView, and all parties involved on a successful transaction and an exciting next chapter. About Viking Mergers and Acquisitions in Austin, Texas Viking M&A of Austin provides merger and acquisition services to small and middle-market business owners. As part of Viking M&A's multi-state network, the Austin office is backed by one of the largest business brokerage firms in the southeast U.S. Since 1996, Viking has successfully sold over 900 businesses with an 85% close rate, at an average of 96% of the market value. Visit https://www.vikingmergers.com/market/business-brokers-austin-tx/ to request a free confidential business valuation or to get more information. About NuView Founded in 2025 and headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, with an office in Austin, TX, NuView provides managed IT, cybersecurity, and compliance solutions for organizations in regulated sectors. Visit www.nuviewit.com. SOURCE Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Peter Mandelson has apologised unequivocally to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for remaining friends with the paedophile financier after his conviction. The former UK ambassador to the US had declined to apologise to Epsteins victims over the weekend, later explaining he was ignorant of Epsteins crimes. In his first major broadcast interview since he was sacked in September, on BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he only apologised for the system that meant Epsteins victims were not listened to. But he did not apologise for his own association with the sex offender. Epstein had pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution and soliciting a minor, but Lord Mandelson said he believed his excuses and continued to support him. However, in a statement released on Monday evening to the BBCs Newsnight, Lord Mandelson offered a more direct apology. He said: Yesterday, I did not want to be held responsible for his [Epsteins] crimes of which I was ignorant, not indifferent, because of the lies he told me and so many others. I was wrong to believe him following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered. Mandelson, appearing on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, initially only apologised for the system that meant Epsteins victims were not listened to (PA) In the interview aired on Sunday, Lord Mandelson had said it was misplaced loyalty and a most terrible mistake on my part. He had described Epstein as his best pal in what he admitted were toe-curling emails, but sought to distance himself by claiming that he was on the fringes of the financiers life. Emails showed Lord Mandelson told Epstein to fight for early release shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He is also reported to have told Epstein, I think the world of you, the day before the disgraced financier began his jail sentence. Lord Mandelson suggested Epstein excluded him from the sexual side of his life because he was gay. Asked by Ms Kuenssberg whether he wanted to apologise, Lord Mandelson said: 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. Lord Mandelson was dramatically sacked from his role as UK ambassador to the US following mounting pressure over his revealed links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Sir Keir Starmer, who picked the Labour grandee to be the UKs representative in Washington, made the decision to withdraw him after emails showed the peer sent supportive messages even as Epstein faced jail for sex offences. Lord Mandelson said, I deeply regret the circumstances of his departure from the British embassy in Washington. Being ambassador here has been the privilege of my life, he wrote in a letter to embassy staff, reported by the BBC. A major Australian arts festival has been cancelled after days of turmoil that began with the removal of a Palestinian-Australian author and escalated into a mass boycott and a flurry of resignations. The organisers of the 2026 Adelaide Writers Week (AWW) announced on Tuesday that the event a core fixture of Australias cultural calendar would not go ahead, describing the outcome as deeply regrettable and apologising to Randa Abdel-Fattah for how its decision to remove her had been represented. The cancellation came hours after director Louise Adler and multiple other members of the festival board resigned. The crisis was triggered last Thursday when the board withdrew an invitation to Ms Abdel-Fattah, arguing that it would not be culturally sensitive to programme her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi. The board claimed it was not suggesting any connection between the author or her work and the Bondi Beach attack, which targeted a Jewish event. 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. The decision to remove her triggered an immediate backlash from international writers, academics, and commentators, with withdrawals accelerating over the following days. More than 180 invited participants pulled out, including former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, bestselling novelist Zadie Smith, Pulitzer prize-winning writer Percival Everett, Greek economist and politician Yanis Varoufakis, Irish novelist Roisin ODonnell, Australian poet Evelyn Araluen, and Russian-American journalist M Gessen. Adelaide drinks manufacturer Mischief Brew withdrew its sponsorship while former festival leaders signed an open letter urging the board to reinstate Ms Abdel-Fattah. Ms Adler resigned on Tuesday, writing in an opinion piece in The Guardian that the decision to drop Ms Abdel-Fattah had been taken despite her strongest opposition. I cannot be party to silencing writers, so with a heavy heart I am resigning from my role as the director of the AWW, she wrote. Writers and writing matters, even when they are presenting ideas that discomfort and challenge us. Her departure was followed by the resignation of four of the festival boards seven voting members, including the chair, Tracey Whiting, with the remaining board members stepping down soon afterwards. The festival made the decision to bar the Palestinian-Australian writer, but the board later said that this created more division (Mondoweiss) Announcing the cancellation, the board apologised for removing the Palestinian-Australian author, saying the decision was taken to respect a community experiencing the pain from a devastating event, but it instead created more division. Many authors have since announced they will no longer appear at Adelaide Writers Week 2026 and it is the Adelaide Festivals position that the event can no longer go ahead as scheduled for this year. This is a deeply regrettable outcome, it said in a statement. The board apologised to Ms Abdel-Fattah for how the decision was represented and acknowledged the distress caused to artists, audiences, staff, and partners. [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. The statement noted that all remaining board members were stepping down, and the new board would focus on ensuring a successful Adelaide Festival proceeds in a way which safeguards the long and rich cultural legacy of our state but also protects the hardworking staff delivering this important event. Rejecting the boards apology, Ms Abdel-Fattah said in a statement that it felt disingenuous and focused on how the decision had been communicated rather than the decision itself. Because I have too much respect for myself and for my people, for those who have suffered irreparable harm by the Boards conduct, for the brilliant Louise Adler who was forced on principle to resign, I refuse and reject the Boards apology. It is disingenuous. It adds insult to injury, she wrote. She said the boards reference to the national discourse amounted to an assertion that she could not be a part of it. Once again, the Board citing the national discourse for an action that specifically targets me, a Palestinian Australian Muslim woman, is explicitly articulating that I cannot be part of the national discourse, which is insulting and racist in the extreme. Ms Abdel-Fattah also criticised the board for reiterating a link to the Bondi Beach attack, which she had nothing to do with. The Bondi terrorist attack was abhorrent and horrifying, she wrote. The Bondi shooting does not mean I or anyone else has to stop advocating for an end to the illegal occupation and systematic extermination of my people that is an obscene and absurd demand. My response to the statement by Adelaide Festival board. pic.twitter.com/kYgIdrPsNG Randa Abdel-Fattah (@RandaAFattah) January 13, 2026 Please remember that the genocide of Palestinians continues and that all of this is a smokescreen. I am not the story, she added. AWW 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 was scheduled to begin on 28 February. 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. Following the October 7 attacks on Israel, Ms Abdel-Fattah shared an image depicting a person parachuting down with a Palestinian flag. 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. Letter from my lawyers to the Adelaide Festival board sent. pic.twitter.com/qON2WokEOD Randa Abdel-Fattah (@RandaAFattah) January 11, 2026 The boards original decision followed lobbying from the Jewish Community Council for South Australia. Norman Schueler, a representative of the organisation, said last week that it had written to the Adelaide Festival Board calling for Ms Abdel-Fattahs removal. It was a very wise move and it will improve the cohesiveness of the festival by not having her there, Mr Schueler told the Adelaide Advertiser after the invitation was withdrawn. South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas told ABC News he wholeheartedly supported the boards decision to remove Ms Abdel-Fattah and had made his views clear, but that he had not directed the boards actions or threatened funding. Michael Bradley, a lawyer representing Ms Abdel-Fattah, told The Sydney Morning Herald that the moral indefensibility of the Adelaide Festival Boards actions has been amply evidenced by the reaction it provoked. It also trampled on Randas human rights, and the board will have to answer for that, he said. His law firm has issued a legal letter instructing board members to retain all documents, including emails, text messages, and communications on disappearing messaging apps, which may be required for litigation. Protesters in New York against ICE on Sunday. Photograph: Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press/Cover Images (Photograph: Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press/Cover Images) Federal immigration agents detained an employee of the New York City council on Monday, sparking outrage from the citys leaders and renewed rebukes against the Trump administrations immigration actions. This is an assault on our democracy, on our city, and our values, New Yorks mayor, Zohran Mamdani, said in a statement on X. I am calling for his immediate release and will continue to monitor the situation. The employee was taken in during a routine immigration appointment, according to statements from Mamdani and the city council speaker, Julie Menin. The council was made aware he had been detained on Monday afternoon, after the employee called the councils human resources department for help, ABC News reported. Menin did not name the employee, but said he was in the US legally and had authorization to remain in the country through October 2026. She said the council was working to secure his release, and called the action overreach. Related: Minnesota sues Trump administration to end surge of ICE agents in state Across the nation, we have seen aggressive escalations by ICE that raise serious concerns on the use of excessive force and a lack of accountability, she said. As New Yorkers, we will stand up for the rights and dignity of every neighbor. At a press conference on Monday afternoon, Menin told reporters that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had given no basis for the city council employees detainment, and had transferred him to a detention center in Manhattan. Democratic New York congressman Dan Goldman, who also spoke at the briefing, emphasized that the employee was a law-abiding immigrant with work authorization, and said he was of Venezuelan descent. I want to be very clear: there is no indication that theres anything about this individual other than his immigration status that caused him to be arrested, Goldman said. The actions are part of a pattern; federal officers targeted immigration appointments across the country last year, in what appeared to be a coordinated operation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have also been known to haunt mandatory immigration check-ins, a strategy seen by experts as a trap set for those abiding by the laws. Its bad policy, Lindsay Toczylowski, president of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, told the Guardian last May when the trend started to appear more broadly. By putting immigration officers in the courtrooms, theyre discouraging people from following the processes, punishing people for following the rules. Meanwhile, the Trump administration touted a surge in deployments as it ramps up ICE operations. There are plans in place to escalate the agencys actions this year, despite the growing protests to the violent and disruptive tactics used by officers to execute the presidents deportation agenda. Thousands of people across the country have filled the streets this week after the shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good, who was killed by an ICE agent. Minnesotas attorney general, Keith Ellison, also announced a lawsuit against the federal government on Monday, hoping to stem the surge of ICE agents flooding into the state. Ellison said: 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. 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. Follow Trump100 on your podcast app Knives are out for the chair of the central banking system in the United States. The Trump administration wants Jerome Powell out, and they want him indicted, but he's not going anywhere. Who will blink first? Plus, as anti-government protests accelerate in Iran, Donald Trump warns he's considering military intervention. Could the US and Iran be about to lock horns once again? And in Minneapolis, tensions are still high after the death of Renee Nicole Good. As more law enforcement agents flood the city, we have new footage of the moment the 37-year-old died. You can watch all episodes on our YouTube channel. Email us on trump100@sky.uk with your comments and questions. Frances former National Rally leader Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzlement last year after a long investigation (AP) Frances former far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, appeared in court on Tuesday to appeal an embezzlement conviction, a case whose outcome could significantly impact her 2027 presidential ambitions. The 57-year-old is challenging a March ruling that found her guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. That verdict imposed a five-year ban from elected office, two years of house arrest with an electronic tag, an additional two-year suspended sentence, and a 100,000 (87,000) fine. Ms Le Pen remained silent upon her arrival at the courthouse. As the trial began, she stood quietly before the three-judge panel while the court president read out the reasons for the proceedings. The courtroom was reportedly packed with dozens of journalists and members of the public. I hope Ill be able to convince the judges of my innocence, Le Pen told reporters on Monday. Its a new court with new judges. The case will be reset, so to speak. Defiant: Le Pen attends a party press conference in Paris on 12 January 2026 (Getty) Le Pen was seen as the potential frontrunner to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election until last years ruling, which sent shock waves through French politics. She denounced it as a democratic scandal. Her National Rally party has been coming out on top in opinion polls, and Le Pen alleged that the judicial system brought out the nuclear bomb to prevent her from becoming Frances president. Anti-corruption campaigners argue that Le Pens conviction was proof that French democracy works, and that no one is above the law. Advocacy group Transparency France noted that her conviction came after years of investigation and a lengthy trial in which Le Pen and other party members were able to freely defend their positions. The appeal trial, involving Le Pen, 10 other defendants and the National Rally party as a legal entity, is scheduled to last for five weeks. The panel is expected to announce its verdict later, possibly before summer. Several scenarios are possible, from acquittal to another conviction that may bar her from running in 2027. She also could face an even tougher punishment if convicted anew up to 10 years in prison and a 1m fine. Heir apparent: National Rally party president Jordan Bardella (front right) with Le Pen, who may run against Macron in her place (AP) In March, Le Pen and other party officials were convicted of using money intended for EU parliamentary assistants who instead had other duties between 2004 and 2016, in violation of EU rules. Some did work for the party known as the National Front at the time in French domestic politics, the court said. In handing down the sentence, the judge said Le Pen was at the heart of a system set up to siphon off EU parliament funds including to pay for her bodyguard and her chief of staff. All defendants denied wrongdoing, and Le Pen argued the money was used in a legitimate way. The judge said Le Pen and the others did not enrich themselves personally. The legal proceedings initially stemmed from a 2015 alert raised by Martin Schulz, then-president of the European Parliament, to French authorities. The case and its fallout weigh heavily on Le Pens political future after more than a decade spent trying to bring the far right into Frances political mainstream. Since taking over the party from her late father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in 2011, she has sought to shed its reputation for racism and antisemitism, changing its name, expelling her father in 2015, and softening the partys platform and her own public image. True tricolores: supporters rally near the French parliament in support of Le Pen in April 2025 (Associated Press) That strategy has paid dividends. The National Rally is now the largest single political group in Frances lower house of parliament and has built a broad network of elected officials across the country. The National Rally is most well-known for its anti-immigration, nationalist stance, and its rhetoric often targeting Muslims. Le Pen and other party members also have long criticised the EU and its rules and campaigned for more national sovereignty, even while serving in the EU Parliament. Le Pen stepped down as party president in 2021 to focus on the national presidential race, handing the role to Jordan Bardella, now 30. If Le Pen is ultimately prevented from running in 2027, Bardella is widely expected to be her successor. His popularity has surged, particularly among younger voters, though some within the party have questioned his leadership. Le Pens potential conviction would be deeply worrying for (Frances) democracy, Bardella said on Monday in a new year address. Matt Damon reveals his wife Luciana first had a crush on Ben Affleck and got the wrong one Matt Damon has revealed that his wife of 20 years, Luciana Barroso, admitted to having a crush on his best friend before they ever met. A few months into their relationship, Barroso told her now-husband that she initially thought Ben Affleck, who co-starred with Damon in their 1997 film Good Will Hunting, was the cuter of the pair. I met her best friend from high school, and it came out that the two of them went and saw Good Will Hunting together, Damon, 55, said Monday on the Howard Stern Show. Her best friend thought I was the cute one. And she thought Ben was the cute one. He continued, So she admitted to me. Im like, You got the wrong one?! She told me that 23 years ago. Affleck then pointed out that Barroso worked as a producer on the duos new movieThe Rip, saying, Shes a great producer and a really good friend. And yeah, I never got that vibe from her. Matt Damon's wife Luciana Barroso admitted she initially thought Ben Affleck was 'the cute one' after watching 'Good Will Hunting' (Getty) Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso have been married for 20 years and share four daughters (Getty Images) The Gone Girl actor, 53, joked as Stern and Damon laughed: So I think something I did in real life rubbed it off. Stern said it would be devastating if Barroso left Damon to be with Affleck, to which Damon replied: If my two favorite people just exited my life? Yeah, that would suck. Barroso and Damon met in 2003 while the actor was filming his movie Stuck on You in Miami, where Barroso was bartending at the time. The couple got married in 2005 and have four children together: 26-year-old Alexia, Barrosos daughter from a previous relationship, as well as Isabella, 19, Gia, 17, and Stella, 15. Affleck told Stern about his best friends relationship: Its a really gorgeous marriage and friendship and two people who, when theyre apart and independent of one another, are one anothers partner. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck spoke to Howard Stern on his radio show Monday (Getty Images for SiriusXM) He then joked that he should ask for Barrosos high school best friends phone number, but Damon broke the news that she is now married. Affleck playfully responded, Story of my life. Affleck has three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, with whom he was married from 2005 to 2018. He tied the knot with Jennifer Lopez in 2022, but the former on-and-off couple finalized their divorce in 2024. Damon and Affleck have shared everything from bank accounts to Academy Awards throughout their decades-long friendship. They earned their first Oscars for best original screenplay for Good Will Hunting, which also earned late actor Robin Williams his win for best supporting actor. Timothy Busfield has surrendered to police, concluding a four-day hunt for the actor that involved the U.S. Marshals after he was charged with child sexual abuse. Busfield, 68, turned himself in Tuesday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to TMZ. He faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and an open count of child abuse. The actor, best known for his performances on The West Wing and in the 1989 film Field of Dreams, declared his innocence in a video taken before he surrendered to the cops. Im sure most of you know that are watching this that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque, Busfield said in the video obtained by TMZ. Im here now, I got the call Friday night. I had to get a lawyer. Saturday, I got in the car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. He continued, Im going to confront these lies. Theyre horrible. Theyre all lies. I did not do anything to those little boys. And Im going to fight it. Im going to fight it with a great team and Im going to be exonerated. I know I am because this is all so wrong and all lies. So hang in there and hopefully Im out real soon and back to work. Timothy Busfield was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center Tuesday afternoon (Metropolitan Detention Center) Timothy Busfield, pictured in New York in 2020, is facing allegations of child sexual abuse (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images) An arrest warrant was issued Friday in New Mexico after Busfield was accused of touching two juvenile actors inappropriately while working on the now-cancelled Fox crime series The Cleaning Lady (2022-25), on which he served as executive producer and directed several episodes. The alleged abuse took place from November 2022 and spring 2024, according to the criminal complaint. Police documents report that allegations against Busfield also include claims that he kissed a boy on the face while the child was getting a haircut in the hair and makeup trailer. The Albuquerque Police Department began investigating Busfield in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted police to the alleged sexual abuse. Complaints were reported to Warner Bros. in February 2025, launching an independent investigation, but the company was not able to find any evidence supporting the allegations. Busfield told investigators in November that he believed the mother of his alleged victims was trying to get revenge on him because her children were not cast in the final season of the show, according to police documents. The actors representatives did not immediately return The Independents request for comment. After the charges against Busfield were brought last week, NBC pulled an upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU he was slated to guest star on. Busfield is married to actor Melissa Gilbert, who deleted her Instagram after the allegations against her husband surfaced. A statement from her lawyers shared with The Independent said that Gilbert will not comment on the situation at this time, per the request of Busfields lawyers. Injured: Moses Itauma (Getty Images) Moses Itauma's has postponed his fight against Jermaine Franklin after the British heavyweight prospect suffered an injury in training. The unbeaten 21-year-old has shot through the ranks in recent months and was set to face the durable American on January 24 at the Co-op Live in Manchester, but the bout has now been pushed back to March 28 at the same venue. "Unfortunately Moses Itauma has sustained an injury in camp," said his promoters Queensberry in a statement. The exact nature of his injury has not been disclosed. Itauma has won all 13 of his professional contests and most recently stopped compatriot Dillian Whyte, a former world title challenger, inside two minutes in August to underline the growing hype around him. There has even been clamour for him to face Oleksandr Usyk, the WBC, WBA and IBF champion, although the Ukrainian ruled out the possibility last year, claiming Itauma was too young. Itauma has shied away from that fight, though, saying he does not feel he deserves it. "I don't want to call out Usyk because I don't believe I deserve the opportunity, he said after stopping Whyte. But guys that do deserve the opportunity, I want to fight them a lot. The WBA had ordered Kubrat Pulev to defend his 'regular' crown - a secondary title to Usyk - against Itauma, but the Bulgarian instead fought Murat Gassiev last month and lost. Franklin was selected as an opponent in a bid to give Itauma rounds. The 32-year-old took Whyte in 2022 and Anthony Joshua the following year the full 12 rounds and he was outpointed in both bouts. Franklin, though, has rebounded with three successive wins - albeit against unheralded opposition - to take his record to 24 wins from 26 fights in the paid ranks. Additional reporting: Press Association Anti-Iranian regime protesters burn an image of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, January 12 2026 - Henry Nicholls/AFP The former Conservative Foreign Secretary, Douglas Hurd, once said if you want to understand the Iranians, they are like the French. And that is a good starting point. Iranians are proudly nationalistic but they also have that most wonderful French attitude of constantly challenging authority. For example it is illegal in Iran to have a satellite dish, yet everyone has one. Iranians live in parallel societies, and during my visits to Iran as a member of the relevant all-party parliamentary group I saw how many of them seek a free and modern way of life. It wasnt uncommon to see women without the coverings mandated by the regime. Many businesses are run by women. Even in the media, citizens publicly challenge the politicians. Iranians go on strike, they protest and ordinary Iranians never mentioned Israel when I would visit. But then there is a much darker and dangerous side which no Iranian wants to get involved with. This is the side of Iran where once you or your cause is classified as a security threat or a threat to the Revolution you can be tortured, shot or hung from a crane. This is how the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the dreaded IRGC, rule the country packing the elections with hardliners while profiting from smuggling and exporting terror. Nowadays these hardliners of the regime are old men but still they seek to maintain an iron grip. Supported by their pet militia the Basij, the Islamic Revolutionary equivalent of brownshirts they secure the supreme leader in place by evoking a conspiratorial history to frighten the public. Everything is seen as a foreign plot. After Israel, Britain is held up as the sly fox whose Empire robbed Persia of its destiny. We used to joke that if you ever want to feel what it was like to be alive when the British Empire was at its peak, then visit Iran. We Brits are deemed to possess quite breathtaking powers by the Iranian regime. When I visited in 2006 we were blamed for picking the Pope! And I was accused of having led assassination squads as a young Army officer. This paranoia would be comical if it wasnt so dangerous. But time has moved on from the old days in which reformers sometimes got their own way against the Guards and the hardliners. Under leaders like the now deceased Qasem Soleimani commander of the IRGCs elite covert-action Quds Force the Guards and the hardliners grew their power base and started to dominate parliament and the government. One President, Rouhani, in 2013 told the IRGC to stay out of politics. His fate was sealed after that. But, as they say, one should be careful what one wishes for. The hardliners cannot any longer blame others for their disastrous mishandling of the economy, the crushing sanctions brought on by their sponsorship of terrorism and their unaffordable nuclear weapons programme. They now have only themselves to blame. General Soleimanis successors are definitely the B team. The Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran have also burst the propaganda bubble: it is only too clear Iran doesnt have a military capable of resisting modern air forces. The IRGC are good at planting bombs, murdering civilians and targeting dissidents but if it came to a real fight they wouldnt last til tea time. All this means they fear this particular uprising more than ever. Trumps willingness to act, Israels many lethal strikes on IRGC leadership last year and a frustrated and impoverished middle class pose probably the greatest threat to the regime in a generation. What started as a strike against woeful economic management has developed into a protest movement across the country. So the brave citizens of Iran have had enough of the regime, but can they succeed in overthrowing it? The regime is well practised in oppression. From the crushing of the Green Movement in 2009-10 to more recent protests against oppression of women in 2022 we have seen brutal suppression before. Already, in classic style, protestors are being described as agents of the US or anti-Muslims. The IRGC will not give up their grip on the country easily. Already they have detained thousands and killed over six hundred. The Supreme Leader will cast these protests as US backed terrorism and the IRGC will organise counter protesters some of them doubtless paid shills. State media will show only one side. So what should we in the West do? Will we convene the usual talking-shop at the UN, and issue the usual supportive waffle? Or are Europe and the UK going to actually help? I dont mean with boots on the ground but we do have powerful capabilities. We can ensure that information flows. We can use our offensive cyber capabilities to shatter the information shield the mullahs and their lackeys are trying to wrap around the Iranian people. We can cripple the communications of the oppressors. We must also realise that any military strikes by the US or the curiously quiet for the moment Israelis will only have limited success unless they are accompanied by sub-threshold activity. Perhaps it is time we showed the Iranian regime that two can play at that game: they are attacking us daily with information, disinformation and cyber attacks. For too long we have not responded. I worry that yet again we will fail to act effectively. There will be lots of meetings in Whitehall where the opening line will be this is not about regime change even though the current regime is an active adversary to Britain. No doubt Lord Hermer KC will do his utmost to block any idea of offensive cyber or anything actually pro-active at all. But will we really, yet again, stand idly on the sidelines as people fight for the very values we say we cherish? As the Iranian government kills still more of its citizens and brutally crushes yet another popular uprising? Even when they sent assassination teams to the UK when I was security minister, or when they have used innocent British citizens as hostages, we have done little. In this ever more connected and global world we all feel the effects of evil regimes like that of Iran there are no drawbridges to hide behind. Now is the time for Britain to act. Ben Wallace is a former Secretary of State for Defence LAS VEGAS, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BookAI, the pioneer in cross-language Knowledge Computing, announced today the official opening of its Seed Round financing via SAFE notes. The announcement comes immediately after a breakthrough showcase at CES 2026, where BookAI validated its B2B2C model through strategic integrations with AIoT hardware, moving beyond concepts to commercial scalability. From "Concept" to "Contract": The Commercial Moat BookAI validates US market demand at CES 2026: An attendee reads Traditional Chinese content instantly via IntelliBooks. Unlike many early-stage GenAI startups, BookAI demonstrated market-ready infrastructure capable of handling complex copyright compliancea critical demand from global IP holders. "We proved at CES that BookAI is not just a tool, but the 'Intel Inside' for the global knowledge economy," said Kun-Lin Hsieh, Founder and CEO of BookAI. "By embedding our Nabu and Miva engines into third-party deviceslike our new partnership with Korean smart lamp maker CN Inc.we have unlocked a scalable path to transform static content into IntelliBooks and monetize them across borders instantly." Dual-Engine Growth Validation: The Hardware Engine (CES 2026): Confirmed B2B2C traction. BookAI's technology successfully powered the DAL:BIT smart lamp, allowing English speakers to interact with Traditional Chinese content in real-time. This "Knowledge-as-a-Service" model attracted immediate inquiries from Japanese venture capital (focused on IP expansion) and Silicon Valley investors (focused on scalable AI infra). Confirmed B2B2C traction. BookAI's technology successfully powered the smart lamp, allowing English speakers to interact with Traditional Chinese content in real-time. This "Knowledge-as-a-Service" model attracted immediate inquiries from Japanese venture capital (focused on IP expansion) and Silicon Valley investors (focused on scalable AI infra). The Content Engine (Frankfurt Book Fair): Confirmed B2B demand. The Nabu platform was adopted by over 230 publishers from 15 countries, with 62% of traction coming from Western markets, proving a solved pain point in the $600B copyright trading market. Investment Opportunity: The Seed Round To capitalize on this global momentum, BookAI has initiated its Seed Round. The raise is structured via SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) to efficiently onboard strategic partners who align with BookAI's vision of a borderless knowledge ecosystem. About BookAI BookAI is an AI Knowledge Computing Platform transforming how the world accesses information. Backed by Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA), BookAI connects global publishers with AIoT devices, turning static text into IntelliBooksliquid, interactive, and tradable assets. Media & Investor Contact: BookAI PR Team Email: [email protected], LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bookai2024 SOURCE BookAI Many baby animals have a calm and quiet start to life, whether they're born in a warm room, in a pasture, or out in the wild. Animals may stand and walk much faster than human babies, but most of them still enjoy a serene start to life filled with new experiences and lots of milk. One special baby cow on @mrstoombs's Tennessee farm, however, has refused to let anyone have a moment of peace since the day he was born. He may be an adorable brown calf with the most innocent face, but chaos ensues from the moment he opens his mouth! He threw the noisiest tantrum while meeting his human mom for the very first time, but not even 'stranger danger' can stop this brave boy from facing his fears! This little cow has a big attitude! He may not know what's going on or who he's meeting, but he has a lot of feelings about it. As @thestraysheep4 commented, the calf really said, "I don't know you!" "That's how I react to human contact too," joked @specks83. Fair enough! Whatever was going through this baby cow's mind, he definitely had a lot on his plate. Related: Calf's Adorable Protest Over No Longer Being Bottle Fed Is Everything Luckily, @mrstoombs is willing to give him all the time he needsif he'll ever calm down, that is! He was acting out so much that his mama had to intervene, but not even her reassurance convinced the calf that everything was normal. Even though it's hard to say whether he was confused, frightened, or a combination of both, no one can deny that he's oh-so-entertaining, too. Even though his chaotic calf is clearly in his feelings, it's hard to deny how it looks like he's reacting to smelling his human mom's fingers. He even makes a shocked face of disgust! This is a hilarious moment all around, no matter how his temper tantrum may be interpreted. Calves' Tiny Moos This feisty calf has no trouble using his voice, but it can take some baby cows a bit longer to find their moo. Even though this is how calves communicate with their moms and the rest of the herd, every baby is on its own timeline. Typically, a calf's first moo happens within a few hours of birth, and it's a treat for everyone to hear. Some calves are shy about using their voice when others are around, but others, like this sassy boy, aren't afraid to use their moo to get what they want. 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 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Peter Thiel at Fox News Channel Studios in New York City, on 9 August 2019. Photograph: John Lamparski/Getty Images (Photograph: John Lamparski/Getty Images) Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel has donated $3m to a California lobbying group advocating against a proposed wealth tax that would target billionaires in the state. The seven-figure contribution comes as several ultra-wealthy tech moguls have left or threatened to leave California over the tax. Thiel, worth some $26bn, made the donation last month to the California Business Roundtables political action committee, according to a public disclosure filing which was first reported by the New York Times. A representative for Thiel did not respond to requests for comment. The ballot proposal, called the 2026 Billionaire Tax Act, is still in the beginning stages of gathering the 900,000 signatures needed for it to go to voters in November. If voted into law, it would levy a one-time, 5% tax on anyone in the state worth more than $1bn and grant a five-year period for payment. Thiel would owe the state roughly $1.3bn based on his current net worth. Related: Tech titans divided over whether to pay billionaire tax or flee California Thiels contribution to the California Business Roundtable Pac is an early signal of how Californias tech elite may mobilize their immense resources to quash the proposed tax. As the proposal gains prominence, it has already become a fixation for some of the states wealthiest residents, who see an impending threat to their vast fortunes. The proposal has driven opposition from a number of big-name tech billionaires, including Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Both men, worth upwards of $250bn each, have shifted assets to other states in recent months, according to the New York Times, while the Wall Street Journal reported that Page recently spent about $173m to purchase two Miami homes. Other tech billionaires, especially members of the tech-right such as Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, and Palantir co-founder, Joe Lonsdale, have egged on their peers to leave the state. Thiel has also made recent moves to relocate some of his empire from California, with his Thiel Capital private investment firm announcing last year that it had opened a Miami office. His donation to the California Business Roundtable also lists Miami as his location. Thiel has a history of bankrolling conservative causes, including $1m for Donald Trumps first campaign, and has given millions to anti-tax groups and candidates in past years. Advocates for the tax, including the Service Employees International Union, contend that the revenue would prevent the collapse of Californias healthcare system and fund the states public education programs. The tax would only affect approximately 200 people in the state, according to the union. The proposed ballot measure has also proven politically divisive among elected Democrats, with Governor Gavin Newsom vowing to fight it and claiming that it would hurt the states ability to be economically competitive. California representative Ro Khanna, meanwhile, has backed the act. The lobby group involved in fighting the proposal described it as a dangerous wealth tax in a statement to the Guardian, alleging it would force investment out of the state. The California Business Roundtable will continue to be actively engaged in ballot measures that affect the business community and the cost of living for all Californians, Rob Lapsley, president of the Roundtable, said. That includes opposing proposals like a dangerous wealth tax that would undermine our economy, decimate the state budget, drive investment out of the state, and ultimately make everyday life more expensive for working families. While a number of billionaires have spoken out against the tax, Nvidias CEO, Jensen Huang, recently told Bloomberg Television that he had no problem with it. Huang, who is worth around $159bn, argued that he was perfectly fine with the proposal and claimed he hadnt even thought about it once. The waste ground in Middlesborough, Cleveland, where Eton College had planned to build a sixth form college. Now it will remain wasteland - Lorne Campbell/Guzelian Is Bridget Phillipson the most dangerous person in Government? Judging from the Education Secretarys record so far, she may be. Having added VAT to private school fees forcing 65 schools to close, and flooding an already strained state sector with yet more pupils she closed the Latin Excellence programme for state schools, blocked the expansion of free schools (one of the great successes of the last government), and is seeking to take effective control over those that already exist. To this immiserating list we can add a new lowlight. In 2023 the last Government approved plans for Eton College and Star Academies, a multi-academy trust, to open a free sixth form college in the heart of Middlesbrough. The school was expected to enrol 480 of the brightest pupils from deprived backgrounds and offer them a world-class education for free. Ms Phillipson, however, had other ideas the proposal has now been scrapped. What motivates this move? Is it a concern for giving children the best start in life? Or just a pavlovian response to the word Eton, a word conjuring all that Labour deems wrong with Britain: elite achievement, history, success? Labour have consistently and correctly argued that opportunity is too thinly spread in this country, concentrated as it is in London and the South-East. Yet when the party has a chance to actually change that, it sacrifices working-class children on the altar of equality. Rather than raising the lowest, Labour prefers to scythe down the tall poppies. It is a vindictive mindset that hurts us all. Pope Leo XIV says the rights of conscientious objectors or doctors who oppose assisted dying should be respected - Yara Nardi/Reuters Freedom of speech is under attack in the West, the Pope has warned. Pope Leo XIV claimed an Orwellian-style language had taken root in the West and that democracies were becoming increasingly authoritarian by clamping down on freedom of conscience. It marks one of the pontiffs first interventions on the issue, which had also been taken up by his predecessor, Pope Francis. It is painful to see how, especially in the West, the space for genuine freedom of expression is rapidly shrinking, Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff in history, said in an address to the diplomatic corps on Friday. At the same time, a new Orwellian-style language is developing which, in an attempt to be increasingly inclusive, ends up excluding those who do not conform to the ideologies that are fuelling it. He went on to warn that freedom of conscience was under attack and said the rights of conscientious objectors or doctors who oppose assisted dying should be respected. Free society does not impose uniformity At this moment in history, freedom of conscience seems increasingly to be questioned by states, even those that claim to be based on democracy and human rights, the Pope said. He continued: A truly free society does not impose uniformity but protects the diversity of consciences, preventing authoritarian tendencies and promoting an ethical dialogue that enriches the social fabric. This may be the refusal of military service in the name of non-violence, or the refusal on the part of doctors and healthcare professionals to engage in practices such as abortion or euthanasia. The Pope did not single out any specific countries for criticism. Donald Trumps administration has previously claimed freedom of speech is under attack in Britain, singling out the case of a protester prosecuted for praying silently outside an abortion clinic. Pope Leo XIV meets with JD Vance (right), the US vice-president, and Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, in May 2025 - Vatican Pool - Corbis In his final address to the diplomatic corps last year, Pope Francis claimed cancel culture had been used to abolish traditions and shut down debates on issues like abortion. It represents a form of genuine ideological colonisation that attempts, in accordance with carefully planned agendas, to uproot the traditions, history and religious bonds of peoples, said Pope Francis, just a few months before his death. This is a mentality that, by claiming to leave behind what are considered to be the dark pages of history, opens the door to the cancel culture. Pope Leo went on to condemn jihadist violence and called the persecution of Christians one of the most widespread human rights crises today. I would especially call to mind the many victims of violence, including religiously motivated violence in Bangladesh, in the Sahel region and in Nigeria, as well as those of the serious terrorist attack last June on the parish of Saint Elias in Damascus, he said. Nor do I forget the victims of jihadist violence in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. A previous version of the logo, featuring a sword, was rejected in November after being deemed offensive. Photograph: Electoral Commission (Photograph: Electoral Commission) A proposed new Ukip logo likened to the black military cross associated with the German empire and later the Nazis is being considered by electoral authorities. A previous application by Ukip, which was once led by Nigel Farage, was rejected last November after the Electoral Commission deemed it as offensive. That application featured a black cross with a sword and a spear running through it. Ukip, which has increasingly shifted to the far right in recent years, has now submitted a new application, which appears similar but is without the sword. It includes the word Ukip, with The New Right underneath. Sunder Katwala, director of the British Future thinktank, said the new logo appeared to be modelled on the iron cross used by Germany from 1871-1918, and then by Hitlers Nazi regime from 1933 to 45. He added: The intended message may be about being crusaders. Ukip has a strong focus on Britain being a Christian land and specifically are campaigning to scrap the government funding protective security measures for mosques, which have experienced hate crimes and attacks. The party, which continues to use the purple pound sign on a yellow background as its emblem, has focused in recent years on street protests. Activists took part in some of the demonstrations last summer outside hotels housing asylum seekers, although Ukips presence was not always welcomed by others on the same side. Once a significant electoral force, which won 24 seats in the 2014 European parliament elections and 12.6% of the vote at the 2015 general election, the partys electoral representation is now negligible. It has one Kent county councillor, who defected from Reform UK, and a small number of parish and town councillors. The partys website lists Neil Hamilton, the former Conservative MP, as its honorary president. Nick Tenconi, a personal trainer who became Ukips leader last year, has been at the forefront of efforts to steer the party in an explicitly Christian nationalist direction. I will deploy the military in Britain to round up and deport the Islamists, illegals and the communists, Tenconi told a Ukip gathering in October, in a message that continues to be pumped out on Ukip social media channels. He is also the chief operating officer of Turning Point UK, the British offshoot of the conservative pressure group founded by the US activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last year. Turning Point UK has continued to have contact with the Conservative party, with Kemi Badenoch meeting some of its young activists after Kirks death. Hope Not Hate (HNH), the anti-racism campaign group, warned that a green light for Ukips new application could see the symbol appearing on ballot papers. Just a few years ago the idea that a far-right party echoing Nazi-style imagery could end up on ballot papers was unthinkable, yet we know that the far right is growing and attempts are being made every day to normalise its policies, said Joe Mulhall, HNHs director of research. Ukips new logo signifies how the party has radicalised since the days of Farage. While always [a] rightwing party, under Tenconis leadership it has become an altogether more far-right organisation engaged in street politics. The Electoral Commission publishes the names, descriptions and emblems it is assessing. The public can contact the commission and say why they think the name, description or emblem does or does not meet the criteria for registration. Reasons for why emblems cannot be registered include being deemed as offensive, likely to mislead or because they use prohibited words. The Electoral Commission confirmed it has received an application from Ukip to register a new emblem. We will consider any comments received as part of our assessment before reaching a decision, it said. A UKIP spokesperson said the partys new logo features the holy lance, the eucharist and the cross pattee. This was to show what they described as UKIPs commitment to reinstate Christianity into the heart of government. It is outright offensive, ignorant and Christophobic to suggest that the cross pattee is a Nazi symbol, they added. Jessie Buckley in Chloe Zhaos tearjerker, Hamnet (Focus Features) Fancy a good cry and to feel emotionally detoxed? Want a release of oxytocin? To feel lighter? Clearer? Need to breathe again? Just go and see Hamnet, the new screen adaptation of Maggie OFarrells 2020 novel, starring Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley in her Golden Globe-winning role as his wife, Agnes and prepare for a mass sob-fest with some popcorn. Chloe Zhaos award-winning film Hamnet, adapted from the novel of the same name, which imagines the story surrounding the death of Shakespeares only son, has become notorious not just for its outstanding performances, but for the tsunami of sobbing it is triggering in cinemas across the globe. Take tissues and prepare to have your heart ripped out, is a typical comment among the thousands posted since the film came out at the weekend. Its worthy of a whole box of Kleenex, one friend wrote. Another said: It destroyed me. I had to sit in silence until the last person left the cinema to recover. So what is going on? With Hamnet tipped for a full sweep at the Oscars, is this a release in every sense of the word? It certainly feels as though people are queuing to see it not just for Buckleys astonishing performance, but because they are actively anticipating a monumental outpouring of emotion too. The promise of being reduced to a blubbering mess, tears streaming down your face, has become part of the box-office thrill. Hamnet is increasingly being used as a vehicle through which people can connect with feelings that might otherwise take years to access in talking therapy. In a world full of anxiety over what we cannot control, and grief for what we feel we are losing, are we now using the film as a collective bonding exercise in catharsis? Has Hamnet become an epic communal therapy session? Ali MacGraw and Ryan ONeal in the romantic weepie, Love Story (1970) (Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock) Repressing emotions has long been associated with illness and mental health issues so what better place to let it all go than your local Vue? Hamnet is heavy stuff. For any parent, the death of a child is the ultimate nightmare scenario, and a potential trigger for a host of deep-seated fears and emotions. The raw depths of pain expressed over Hamnets death feel like a brutal, unforgiving punch to the soul. Yet bearing witness to such catastrophic loss also gives us permission to cry, and it feels as though many cinema-goers are going in anticipation of the epic meltdown to come. Crying can have an emotional cleansing effect, releasing endorphins and oxytocin and enabling a kind of emotional reset of the brain, says psychotherapist Annette Byford, who admits she felt strangely unmoved by Hamnet, finding it emotionally manipulative. However, she was acutely aware of the fact that everyone around her in the cinema was in floods of tears. It was clear to me that people came into the film expecting to cry and that the film merely provided a vessel for projecting already pre-existing feelings into it, says Byford. Those feelings may have a lot to do with current world events, she adds. The world has become an ugly and irrational place over which we have no control much like the characters in Hamnet have no control over the plague. Not a dry eye: Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic (Paramount) It is this pool of feelings that she believes the film is tapping into so effectively. That is why we seek these experiences in films and music. In Hamnets case, the audience are actively coming for it. Films in the weepie genre often involve powerful stories of love, loss, survival or deep human connection. Epic romances such as Titanic, with its devastating ending in which Leonardo DiCaprios Jack sinks into the icy water so that Rose (Kate Winslet) can survive, are designed to break even the most stoic viewer. Love Story, the 1970s tragedy starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan ONeal as the blissfully happy couple Jenny and Oliver, who then discover she has terminal leukaemia, remains a must-watch for a good cry. Other classic blub-athons include Its a Wonderful Life, Schindlers List, Hachi: A Dogs Tale, The Green Mile and Brokeback Mountain, while Aftersun a devastating portrait of depression and a father-daughter relationship proved the big tearjerker for men in 2022. Recently, I unexpectedly broke down in tears while watching 1982s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, when E.T. goes home and leaves the boy behind. I knew it wasnt really E.T. I was saying goodbye to, but my father, who died in 2024. Another friend returns to Beaches whenever she needs a proper cry, and I defy anyone to sit through Terms of Endearment, starring Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger, without being moved by its raw portrayal of illness, motherhood and grief. Crying, of course, makes us human. It allows us to emotionally defrost and to feel closer to others through vulnerability. Yet it can feel awkward when it happens out of context. Rachel Reeves crying during Prime Ministers Questions last year sparked debate about whether it is appropriate to cry at work. Perhaps the chancellor of the Exchequer should have gone to see a big weepie to get the stress out of her system, rather than choking back tears on the front bench on live television. There can be something call it communal catharsis about jointly sharing pain and loss in a group setting like Hamnet, says psychotherapist Sarah Aldridge. People came into the film expecting to cry... and those feelings may have a lot to do with current world events Annette Byford, psychotherapist It can help to process some unimaginable feelings (in this case, the loss of a child) that might otherwise be hard to express, as well as create a containing and healing space to be in touch with the emotions. As our lives can be increasingly individualistic, that shared emotional experience can be highly restorative and healing, she says. Crying is a huge release, and most of us feel better after a cry, she adds. It can be so hard to be vulnerable, but crying over a film can help us get in touch with something. However, Dr Ad Vingerhoets, professor of emotions and wellbeing at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, and author of 2013s Why Only Humans Weep: Unravelling the Mysteries of Tears and many research studies about crying, disagrees. His 2008 study, When is Crying Cathartic: An International Study, found that only 50 per cent of over 5,000 respondents in 37 countries felt better after crying, while 40 per cent felt no difference, and 10 per cent felt worse. We identified three important factors that determined the reactions to crying, and it appeared that mood improvement was especially found in cases when subjects are in good mental shape, he explains. In other words, people who are depressed or suffer from burnout hardly, if ever, benefit from crying, while they tend to cry more. His research also found that the benefits of crying were linked to how bystanders reacted to it. If they are offered comfort and support, a person will feel better after crying, but if bystanders start ridiculing them, they feel ashamed, and its unlikely they will feel any positive effects of crying. Research carried out by the University of Queensland and led by Leah Sharman of the school of psychology in 2019, suggests that crying may help people self-soothe, while also regulating their heart rate, but in Vingerhoets opinion, the idea that crying in a film makes us feel better is down to us returning to our usual baseline after feeling sad. This is, he says, misinterpreted as mood improvement. Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley in Hamnet (Focus Features) But the idea that crying is helpful persists. A new website, Cry Once a Week, launched in October, has 25 moving clips selected from films designed to make you cry. Its sole aim is to help people relieve stress by releasing their emotions as well as to normalise crying, especially for men. I fully expect Hamnet to be included in its future portfolio of clips. The truth is, Hamnet might be a great film but the weeping is even better. Like with Princess Dianas funeral, the outpouring of grief people are experiencing has become a collective mourning that is validating our own pain. It gives us all permission to let it all out. Going to the cinema and having a sob feels like giving yourself a big hug, and when you consider how 2026 has started, that is needed now more than ever. In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with the Federation Council speaker Valentina Matviyenko in Saint Petersburg on April 28, 2025 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Russian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the deaths of nine babies at a Siberian maternity hospital over the country's New Year holidays, officials said Tuesday. The newborns died at Maternity Hospital No. 1 in the city of Novokuznetsk in southwestern Siberia, Russia's Investigative committee said, confirming that it had opened a case on charges of causing death by negligence. Most of the babies were premature and all were battling severe intrauterine infections passed between mother and baby, the local health ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies. It said that 234 children had been born at the hospital between Dec. 1 and Jan. 11, with 17 babies considered to be in a serious condition in the hospital's intensive care unit. "Of the 17 infants in a critical condition, 16 of them were premature, including those with extremely low birth weight. All 17 had a severe intrauterine infection," the health ministry statement said. "Unfortunately, nine children did not survive." The hospital's head doctor, Vitaly Kheraskov, has been suspended from his post while the investigation is ongoing, Gov. Ilya Seredyuk said Tuesday. The speaker for Russia's upper house of parliament, Valentina Matviyenko, described the infants' deaths as not only an irreparable loss for families, but a "tragedy for the state," which has worked unsuccessfully to boost Russia's falling birth rate in recent years. "All of the right lessons must be taken from this tragedy. Conclusions must be made at a federal level. It must never be repeated," she said in a statement. Scott Adams in 1996. Photograph: Sipa/Shutterstock (Photograph: Sipa/Shutterstock) Scott Adams, the cartoonist behind the satirical comic strip Dilbert and conservative commentator, has died aged 68 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. On Tuesday, Adamss ex-wife Shelly Miles revealed his death in a tearful livestream of his YouTube channel Real Coffee with Scott Adams. In the video, Miles read aloud Adamss farewell message in which he said: Im trying to be strong. If you are reading this, things did not go well for me. My body fell before my brain. I am of sound mind as I write this, January 1, 2026. If I wake up in heaven. I wont need any more convincing than that. I hope Im still qualified for entry with your permission, Id like to explain my life, Adams said before recounting his marriages as well as accomplishments including his books, illustrations and his YouTube channel. Adams revealed in May last year that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Announcing his diagnosis on the same day that former president Joe Biden revealed his own prostate cancer, Adams said: I have the same cancer that Joe Biden has. I also have prostate cancer that has also spread to my bones, but Ive had it longer than hes had it well, longer than hes admitted having it. Born in 1957 in Windham, New York, Adams, who was inspired by Charles Schulzs Peanuts comics, began drawing cartoons at a young age. In 1989, Adams debuted Dilbert, a comic strip which offered a satirical take on corporate culture. The strip gained rapid popularity during the 1990s and was syndicated in more than 400 newspapers by 1994. After leaving his corporate career to pursue cartooning full-time, Adams achieved significant success with his bestselling 1996 book The Dilbert Principle and the National Cartoonists Societys Reuben award, which he won in 1997. His work further expanded into a short animated television series that earned an Emmy nomination. From 2015 onwards, Adams increasingly turned his attention to conservative political commentary, publishing blogposts praising Donald Trump and hosting a daily podcast in which he questioned Covid-19 vaccines and the Holocaust. In February 2023, most US newspapers dropped Dilbert after Adams described Black people as a hate group during a YouTube livestream and urged white people to get the hell away from Black people. Wherever you have to go, just get away. Because theres no fixing this. This cant be fixed. So I dont think it makes any sense as a white citizen of America to try to help Black citizens any more. It doesnt make sense. Theres no longer a rational impulse. So Im going to back off on being helpful to Black America because it doesnt seem like it pays off, Adams said at the time. Adams was married twice first in 2006 to Miles whom he later divorced in 2014. In 2020, he married Kristina Basham and divorced in 2022. He leaves behind no biological children. Its a shambles: Anger grows at South East Water CEO as thousands without water until at least the weekend Calls for the resignation of South East Water chief executive David Hinton have grown from a trickle to a roar as tens of thousands of homes across Kent and Sussex are without water for the fourth day in a row, with no clear end to the crisis in sight. Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to send in the army, and an investigation has been launched, as the failure comes just two weeks after another outage in the area affected 24,000 homes in Tunbridge Wells. Now, many of the same people face further disruption, which may not be rectified until at least the weekend, The Independent understands. South East Water has set up water distribution sites and staff told The Independent that around 1,000 cars an hour were arriving to collect bottled water. Mike Martin, the Lib Dem MP for Tunbridge Wells, who previously called for Mr Hintons resignation, has said the government needs to grow a pair, and call for him to go too. These calls have been backed by the leader of Kent County Council, Reform UKs Linden Kemkaran, who has also written to the board of South East Water calling for Mr Hinton to be fired. Mr Martin told The Independent: Im absolutely livid, along with all my constituents. We had two weeks without drinking water in December, and now weve got it again. Nothing that we learnt the first time round has been picked up this time round. Theres been really poor communication, poor crisis management, and its a shambles. Ive written today to NatWest, which own 25 per cent of South East Water, to ask if they think this is acceptable. Quite simply Dave Hinton needs to go. The company is beset by groupthink and they cant see all of the problems that they face. He said the government should go much further in terms of holding South East Water to account, and said the government needs to grow a pair, and call for him to go. The water is going to be on and off until at least this weekend, Mr Martin told The Independent, adding, just ignore what South East Water are saying they dont know what theyre doing. A sign outside The Bull pub in Tunbridge Wells, which has been forced to close due to the latest water outage (Harry Cockburn/The Independent) Not only is the infrastructure depleted, but the leadership is rubbish and its that double whammy thats causing all these issues. On Tuesday the Commons environment, food and rural affairs committee, to which Mr Hinton gave evidence last week, recalled him to parliament after the committee chair, Alistair Carmichael, said he and his colleagues remained deeply sceptical about the water companys version of events. Mr Martin said Mr Hintons evidence last week amounted to misleading parliament and holding the House of Commons in contempt. Reform UKs Ms Kemkaran said the local situation was really bad and went beyond affecting domestic concerns. This is day number four that people have been without water, she told The Independent. The problem has been moving around. One area would go off, then come back on, then a different area, and another, its been absolutely appalling. And Im afraid the communication from South East Water has been absolutely abysmal. Its not good enough. Its not just, Can I have a shower before I leave for work? Its affecting agriculture too. We have many, many farms here. I was speaking to a dairy farmer who didnt have the water to flush out his milking equipment, so therefore all the milk he took from the cows the next morning had to be thrown away. She added: Hairdressers cant wash the dye out of anyones hair. Restaurants and cafes have all had to shut their doors. The problem stems from South East Water not investing and fixing the infrastructure. Dave Hintons position has become completely untenable. Hes been missing in action too many times now. Hes got to go. Across the area of Tunbridge Wells affected by the current outage, people are furious with the response from South East Water. Despite heavy rain, residents in Tunbridge Wells and other areas of Kent and East Sussex have faced days of water outages, with no end in sight (Harry Cockburn/The Independent) Chrissie Bayley, who runs a beauty salon, said the previous outage had meant shed cancelled some clients, and said the ongoing uncertainty was impacting her business. You cant actually rely on the water. I need to flush the toilet and allow clients to go only for a wee. Ive had to wash peoples faces in Evian. Its crazy. John Oliver, a local resident, told The Independent the current outage was even more frustrating than the last one: Everything is intermittent. We had water today for 45 minutes. Then it went off, and thats it. We had an hour yesterday. He said The buck stops with [Mr Hinton]. His account at the select committee was so inconsistent. Hopefully hell be fired. David Ayre, who said he lives just round the corner, said: We cant wash, and its been going on such a long time, and the guy who runs it all is earning 500,000 a year. Id like to see him [Mr Hinton] fired. Hes got to be held responsible for his actions. Another local resident, Niamh Taylor, said that Mr Martin was really fighting our corner, but that in all honesty we just want to see [Mr Hinton] fired. Weve been thinking of coming together and maybe involving solicitors. Its been disgusting. The Independent has contacted South East Water for further comment. Covert filming via hidden camera is prohibited by most property booking platforms (Getty Images) Choosing to book a holiday home over a hotel has its perks. More independence and privacy means that holidaymakers can fully settle down and relax. Yet stories of travellers discovering hidden cameras in their short-term rentals have raised concerns about safety and security. In May last year, a doctor was jailed over voyeurism offences after recording more than 24 people over the course of three years at his holiday home in Glasgow. One victim became suspicious of two air fresheners facing the toilet and shower and discovered small surveillance devices. A third camera was later found inside a smoke alarm. Similarly, a couple on holiday in Puerto Rico last June found spy cameras hidden throughout their Airbnb which had recorded video and sound of them having sex, plus footage of their two children in the bathroom. Scrolling back through the footage, the guests found videos of the hosts setting up and installing one of the cameras. Airbnb states it does not have any tolerance for hidden cameras and will ban hosts from the website if they are caught secretly filming their guests. The rental platform introduced rules in April 2024 which state that it does not allow hosts to have security cameras or recording devices that monitor indoor spaces in homes, even if these devices are turned off. Hidden cameras have always been prohibited and will continue to be prohibited, its guidance states. Other platforms, such as Vrbo, have similar policies, which rule that surveillance devices should not be used inside a property. While stories such as the above are incredibly rare, they can be alarming for travellers. Luckily, there are quick checks that can be done to provide peace of mind. Jack Charman is the managing director of National Private Investigators, a UK-based team of private detectives that also provides bug sweeping services, detecting covert camera installations alongside other devices. He says he has seen the rise of everyday items, such as Apple AirTags and cameras, be weaponised to invade privacy. Mr Charman and his company regularly conduct sweeps at hotels and rentals for high-profile clients. He shared his tips with The Independent as a guide for everyday holidaymakers. Do your research Before a search, it's important to know exactly what it is youre looking for. Mr Charman says: These devices [such as covert cameras] are available to buy very cheaply, with next-day delivery from Amazon and from online spy shops. Scroll through the types of devices that are available, such as cameras hidden in alarm clocks. Then, if you go into an Airbnb and recognise that alarm clock, you can look into it closer. It may have slots underneath it where a Sim card or an SD card can go. Ninety-nine per cent of the devices that are found are commercially available to everyone. Use your phone torch The torch on a phone is a useful tool for discovering hidden technology. If a device is hidden in the property and is illuminated by the torch, its lens could flare in the light, revealing its location. Mr Charman also suggested looking for pinpoint holes that look out of place on everyday objects, where a camera could be recording through. But buying radio frequency (RF) detectors, usually used to identify transmitting electronics, is often a waste of time, says Mr Charman. RF detectors that you can buy online are just nonsense, because there's RF in the environment everywhere. So many people come to me and say theyve bought this RF detector, but theres intermittent RF in the environment. If youve got wifi in the house, you probably wear a smartwatch, and thats giving off RF, he says. Look for anything out of the ordinary Mr Charman also says that if you are worried about hidden cameras, make sure you check the right places, instead of wasting time sweeping the entire property. There's no point in putting a camera under the stairs, for instance, because it's not going to see anything. A camera is likely going to be positioned up high with a view of the whole room, or if you were to go into a living room area, for example, somewhere around the TV is an ideal place to put a camera, because it's pointing back at the rest of the room. Some devices can also be hidden in a bookshelf quite easily, because there's lots going on there. He also advised checking wifi and Bluetooth connections. Open your phone settings and review nearby connections. Check for names like IP camera, _cam or anything that looks suspicious. It might sound really simple, but youd be surprised, he said. Looking for things which are just a little bit out of place, it could just be that alarm clock in the corner. It might not be positioned centrally. It might be off-centre and pointed at the bath in the corner of the room. Little things like that. What to do if you find a camera The first thing you should do is to start documenting it, Mr Charman said. Get your phone out and video the device in situ. Then report it to the police, as well as the platform or company you booked your holiday let through. If the police can't come out and you have the funds, think about ringing a private company which can assess the situation properly, he added. Read more: A married couple enjoyed an intimate moment at their Airbnb. Then they discovered a hidden camera above the bed LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog wrote Uber's CEO and board of directors to alert them about the need to disclose to shareholders that its top policy executive in the West stands to make millions of dollars for her household if Uber pursues its ballot measure limiting medical recovery and contingency fee representation in auto accident cases. "Why a rich company like Uber would a pick a fight like this against the contingency fee system, which has helped injury victims and families of little means get access to attorneys and civil justice, is a real question. One part of the answer may be the conflict of interest in your executive ranks," wrote Consumer Watchdog president Jamie Court. "Ramona Prieto, Uber's Head of Public Policy and Communications for the Western Region, is the fiance of Juan Rodriguez, a partner at Bearstar Strategies," Court continued. "Rodriguez's firm reportedly has the campaign contract to create media and commercials for the ballot initiative campaign. Whether Prieto is acting in Uber's interests or her own is a question you will have to weigh. Prieto is likely an Uber executive1 for purposes of SEC Regulation S-K, Item 404(a): Related-Party Transactions. Moreover, Rodriguez is likely a 'related person' under Item 404(a)." Read the letter. "What is clear here is Prieto's choice of consultants not only will enrich her household but thrusts Uber into the middle of one of the ugliest chapters in Sacramento history that is now unfolding in federal court," Court wrote in the letter, which was copied to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District Eric Grant. "As a Los Angeles Times investigation recently uncovered2, Prieto met with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, who is the subject of two separate Fair Political Practices Commission ethics investigations, in San Francisco to ask for his support for a legislative plan to reduce uninsured motorist coverage requirements for Uber. Four days before, Uber donated $25,000 at Lara's behest to an aligned organization sponsoring his Global Insurance Forum. Lara did not oppose the legislative plan to lower Uber's liability limits from $1 million to $60,000 despite its impact on consumers." The letter also noted that the company's head of legal compliance, Tony West, has a prior relationship with Rodriquez that could mitigate against giving Uber advice to disclose the executive conflict. West, Kamala Harris' brother-in-law and a top campaign advisor, worked with Rodriquez, who was Harris chief campaign consultant in her first run for president. "I write to alert you to these conflicts with the hope that you will fulfill your fiduciary duty to Uber shareholders to disclose these facts and the significant risks should you choose to pursue this ill-conceived ballot measure," the letter concluded. Court pointed to the draconian nature of the ballot measure proposal. The ballot measure "will have the catastrophic impact of denying seriously injured people and their families access to our civil justice system. Your initiative purports to limit attorney contingency fees to 25%. However, by including payments for expert witnesses and costs in the 25% attorneys can recover, and severely limiting medical recovery, the measure actually results in much less than 25% in most cases, and no attorneys' fees in complex cases. "This initiative will effectively deny the vast majority of motor vehicle injury victims, whether injured in an Uber or not, access to effective legal representation.3" The title and summary, prepared by the Attorney General, sums up the measure: LIMITS AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT VICTIMS' RECOVERY OF MEDICAL EXPENSES AND FEES THEIR ATTORNEYS MAY RECEIVE. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Automobile accident victims often hire an attorney on a contingency basis, meaning the attorney receives an agreed-upon percentage of the victim's monetary recovery if the victim wins. This measure would: limit the fees such attorneys may receive so victims retain at least 75% of their monetary recovery, but does not restrict fee arrangements for defendants' attorneys; for certain medical expenses, increase victims' burden of proof and limit the amounts they may recover; and prohibit certain financial arrangements between attorneys and medical providers. "Californians will not be anxious to give up their rights to medical recovery or legal representation in auto accident cases, unless Uber spends $100 million trying to convince them to do it," said Court. "That's a windfall for Prieto's household of tens of millions of dollars in commissions on advertising. Shareholders have a right to know, particularly because counter initiatives have been filed that will significantly and negatively impact the shareholders and the brand." Read the release with the photo here. [1] 17 CFR 230.501 (f): "Executive officer shall mean the president, any vice president in charge of a principal business unit, division or function (such as sales, administration or finance), any other officer who performs a policy making function, or any other person who performs similar policy making functions for the issuer." [2] Paige St. John, "International Travel. Fancy Meals. Missing Receipts. Who Paid the Tab For This Top Official," Los Angeles Times. December 4, 2025. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-12-04/california-insurance-regulators-travels-who-paid-for-ricardo-laras-trips [3] Nora Freeman Engstrom and Brianne Holland-Stergar, "Uber's fight to lock poor plaintiffs out of the courthouse," Sacramento Bee Opinion, November 18, 2025. Nora Freeman Engstrom is the Ernest W. McFarland Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Deborah L. Rhode Center on the Legal Profession at Stanford University. Brianne Holland-Stergar is Visiting Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Montana School of Law and a former Rhode Center Fellow. Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/article312954687.html#storylink=cpy SOURCE Consumer Watchdog Ireland is working to resolve outstanding issues for quite a number of industries following the EU-US trade agreement last year, the Taoiseach has said. As part of what has become a traditional annual St Patricks Day visit to the White House, Micheal Martin would be expected to meet US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Last year, the two leaders engaged with reporters for 50 minutes on a range of issues including the tariff dispute. In July and August 2025, the EU and the US reached an agreement on trade and further negotiation in the context of Mr Trumps tariff regime on imports into the country. On Tuesday, Mr Martin said dialogue was ongoing on a range of issues. Speaking to reporters before a Cabinet meeting, he said: Last year, the European Union and the United States reached an agreement in respect of tariffs and the trading issue which did stabilise the situation as evidenced by our own economic and fiscal returns. The Trump administration initiated a range of section 232 investigations which examine the impact of imports on national security. These relate to several sectors that are of interest to Ireland including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and commercial aircraft, as well as medical devices, robotics, drones, wind turbines, critical minerals, and timber. The EU has also continued to engage in negotiations for US tariff exemptions on steel and aluminium products, while Irish politicians have argued for a carve out applying to wines and spirits. Mr Martin said: It still is challenging for quite a number of industries, so our focus is on dialogue, continuing to work with United States government to resolve any outstanding issues. Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump (Niall Carson/PA) (Niall Carson) The Taoiseach also cautioned it is early days in relation to planning for the March trip. John OLoughin, a Tax Partner at PwC Ireland, said that it had been anticipated that section 232 investigation on pharmaceuticals would have concluded in 2025 but it has not. He said companies are left to watch with bated breath to see if the US administration will introduce new tariffs and at what rate. Speaking to the Press Association, he said The other thing thats probably ongoing in the background as well is that the European Union and the US did set out a framework agreement around how the tariffs would operate. One of those negotiated points was on the EU side, whereby they agreed that they wouldnt introduce retaliatory tariffs they agreed to that. They also then agreed that they would eliminate tariffs on a wide range of agriculture and industrial products. That list is very much drafted but hasnt come into force yet, so we suspect that thats being negotiated by both sides also. Mr OLoughlin also said there has been increased commentary around tariffs in expectation of a US Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Mr Trumps tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as well as the US president threatening a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran. If that decision which is potentially due on Wednesday is in favour of the US taxpayer rather than the administration, it could see business able to apply for refunds on tariffs paid and examination of investments made in the country on the back of the policy. Mr OLoughlin said commentary suggested this would ultimately be disastrous for the US administration. He said the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling could have impacts on the EU-US negotiations over steel and aluminium tariffs. Certainly if the Supreme Court ruling tomorrow is in favour of the taxpayer, I think a lot of those other legal mechanisms section 232 and the aluminium and steel tariffs they stay in place for a little bit longer, because President Trump and the US administration need to maintain some element of leverage over their policy and what theyre trying to achieve. Mr OLoughlin said that companies struggled to keep on top of the noise during the first few months of regular tariff announcements before things got calmer after last summer. However, he said: Were now coming to a new phase again where I think over the next couple of months it gets a little bit more turbulent as we see the outcome of the IEEPA tariff (decision), and we see the resolution to some of those section 232 investigations. The decision to fire Mr McBride is the latest twist in Mr Trumps effort to punish former FBI director James Comey The Trump administration has fired a justice department lawyer after he declined to prosecute James Comey, the former FBI director, according to reports. Robert McBride, the second in command at the US attorneys office for the Eastern District of Virginia, had been asked to take charge of the Comey case in recent days but told department officials it would be too difficult, according to reports. Mr McBride had worked at the office for just a handful of weeks under Lindsey Halligan, a former personal lawyer to Donald Trump. Former Florida insurance lawyer, Lindsey Halligan, with no prosecutorial experience, has been sworn in as one of Mr Trumps top US attorneys - AFP She was appointed in September with the express purpose of prosecuting the presidents political enemies, including Mr Comey, whom she charged with lying to Congress. However, charges were dropped against him in November after a judge ruled that Ms Halligans appointment was unlawful. Mr Comey led the FBI during its investigation into suspected Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The decision to fire Mr McBride is the latest twist in Mr Trumps effort to punish the former bureau chief. The Trump administration had allegedly wanted Mr McBride to restart the prosecution, but he refused on the grounds that it would be too complicated while also running the prosecutors office, sources told The New York Times. A separate source told the newspaper that he had been fired after Ms Halligan discovered he had been secretly meeting with judges in the district to try to persuade them to appoint him as US attorney instead. It is common practice for leaders of US attorneys offices to meet with district judges, particularly as a court had dismissed the legality of Ms Halligans appointment. In January, a federal judge ordered Ms Halligan to explain why she continues to say in court filings that she is still in the role despite the judgement that her appointment was unconstitutional. The move to remove Ms Halligan centered on the unusual way Donald Trump had appointed her - The Associated Press Senior justice department officials have privately argued that because judge Cameron McGowan Curries ruling did not expressly remove Ms Halligan from office, she could remain in place, the NY Times reported. The decision to disqualify Ms Halligan focused on the unorthodox manner in which she was appointed by Mr Trump. She was picked to serve as interim US attorney after her predecessor, Erik Siebert, declined to pursue criminal charges against Mr Comey or Letitia James, the New York attorney general, citing a lack of evidence. In the wake of Mr Sieberts departure, Mr Trump urged Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, to move against his foes, demanding justice must be served now. Ms Halligan is an insurance lawyer with little experience of criminal law beyond interning in the Miami-Dade County public defenders office. Other Trump-appointed US attorneys have faced similar fates, including Alina Habba, another former personal lawyer, who quit as New Jerseys top prosecutor in December after an appeals court found that she was serving unlawfully. The justice department and Robert McBride were approached for comment. Donald Trump has sent a message to Iranian protesters that help is on its way as nationwide unrest grips the country amid a deadly crackdown on dissent. At least 2,000 people have been killed and thousands more arrested, according to human rights groups, with an impenetrable media blackout still in place. The American leader called for demonstrations, triggered initially by a spiralling economy, to continue and warned Iran would pay a big price for the killings. Follow latest updates on Iran protests here Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! he wrote in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday. He warned that the US would take "very strong action" if the Iranian government started hanging protesters after reports that Tehrans authorities are set to execute protesters. Trump told CBS News in an interview: "I haven't heard about the hanging. If they hang them, you're going to see some things... We will take very strong action if they do such a thing. Mr Trump said all meetings with Iranian officials who had previously suggested they were open to dialogue had been cancelled. Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!! Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday (AFP/Getty) Russia condemned US involvement with a pointed statement by its foreign ministry warning against subversive external interference, adding that the threat of US military strikes was categorically unacceptable. The Islamic Republic will carry out its first execution of a protester accused of taking part in the demonstrations tomorrow, according to the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, an independent NGO based in Norway. Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old resident of Fardis, was arrested at his home six days ago and faces death by hanging on Wednesday. Mr Soltanis shocked and despairing family were told of the decision on Monday and have been refused information about his charges or judicial proceedings, the organisation said. Mr Trump has been unequivocal about using military force in Iran if protesters are killed and was reported to be discussing several options with senior military officials on Tuesday. Millions are reported to have taken part in demonstrations across the country (AP) He announced the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on Irans trading partners effective immediately as experts told The Independent that the policy could have a knock-on effect on supply chains across the world. The proposal is yet to be approved by the Supreme Court, but could lead to political ramifications and instability in the region, they said. Iran has vowed to retaliate and hit US positions in the region if Mr Trump green-lights military action. However, it is unclear how serious a threat that is, as the country remains battered by a 12-day war with Israel and the US last year, which pounded much of its military infrastructure, including air defence systems, its commanders and its nuclear facilities. German chancellor Friedrich Merz said, We are now witnessing the final days and weeks of the present government. Tariffs are to be imposed on Irans trading partners (Reuters) When a regime can only maintain power through violence, then it is effectively at its end. The population is now rising up against this regime, he said. Meanwhile, the European Union is discussing additional sanctions against Iran, according to foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The EU already has sweeping sanctions in place on Iran ... and we are discussing putting additional sanctions, she said. The protests first erupted as the countrys local currency, the rial, spiralled, with costs soaring. But protesters have since called for a complete overthrow of the authoritarian clerical rulers, and in some quarters even a return to Irans monarchy, which was overthrown in the 1979 revolution which heralded in the Islamic State. Irans powerful security forces launched a ferocious crackdown. Disturbing footage smuggled out of the country appeared to show hundreds of bodies littering a morgue in Tehran, as heartbroken families, sobbing, tried to identify missing loved ones among the dead. According to the activists who shared multiple videos of the site, the Kahrizak forensic centre has become the main gathering point for the dead. They said as many as 2,000 bodies some of them burned, others bearing gunshot wounds were bought there in trucks, with some stored in refrigerated containers. With internet and phone lines still cut off, it is impossible to verify the images and to ascertain if rallies are still ongoing. Videos sent via Starlink and shared with trusted Iranian Telegram accounts, apparently showed rallies erupting on Sunday and Monday in the capital, Ahvah in the west and Isfahan in the centre of the country. Tear gas being fired during an anti-government protest in Tehran (AP) Experts told The Independent the current unrest is one of the gravest threats the regime has faced. But there are concerns that unless there is serious direct foreign intervention, nothing will change on the ground. The regime has a monopoly on arms and violence and there is no real no armed resistance, said Negar Mortazavi, host of The Iran Podcast and senior fellow of US-based Center for International Policy. They have been able to crush protests, even the largest protests in 2009, 2019 and 2022 with an iron fist deadly, violent response, she warned. And despite the nationwide rallies, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sought to shore up his support. State TV broadcast footage showing tens of thousands of pro-government supporters marching in the streets on Monday and listening to the parliament speaker rail against the West. Irans supreme leader has insisted that the Islamic Republic would not back down and accused protesters of being saboteurs and terrorist agents working for foreign governments, including the US and Israel. Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi the exiled son of monarch Reza Pahlavi who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic revolution is positioning himself as an interim leader to manage a transition. Claiming he is steward of a national transition to democracy, he has repeatedly called on protesters to keep rallying in the streets and has even said he is preparing to return to Iran in the event of the fall of Khamenei. While its not uncommon for U.S. presidents to have their names on naval vessels, currency, buildings and other institutions, Donald Trump has become the first sitting leader to do so. Since returning to the Oval in January, the president has already seen multiple buildings and federal initiatives named, and renamed, after himself, including Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace, the Trump-class U.S.S. Defiant battleship, prescription drug website TrumpRx, and The Trump Gold Card visa. Perhaps the most controversial has been The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, which has resulted in protests from civilians and performing artists alike. In many instances, Trump has reportedly suggested having his name included on federal buildings himself, despite the honor usually being bestowed in later years by presidential successors. Since returning to the Oval in January, the president has already seen buildings and federal initiatives named and renamed after himself, including the Trump-class U.S.S. Defiant, TrumpRx, The Trump Gold Card, and the The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts which has proved controversial (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Analysis from The New York Times, shows that the quickest turnaround for memorialization of a president previously was for John F Kennedy, following his assassination in November 1963. One year later the Kennedy Center, the Kennedy Space Center and the Kennedy Federal Building all bore his name. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Truman Building, which was named so in 2000, 47 years after the end of Harry S Trumans presidency in 1953. Throughout Western history, the idea of commemorating and adulating yourself has been considered gauche, Jeffrey Engel, a historian at Southern Methodist University, told the Times. While presidents including George H Bush, Lyndon B Johnson and Bill Clinton have buildings named after them, there are currently no plans for any federal institutions to be named after more recent Commanders-in-Chief such as Barack Obama or Joe Biden while Trump has two. The addition of Trumps name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in December last year has caused outrage among the public and resulted in multiple artists cancelling performances (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The addition of Trumps name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in December last year has caused outrage, with multiple artists cancelling performances. In a significant move Saturday, the Washington National Opera also announced it would be leaving the center which has been the companys home since 1971. Some have even suggested that the move which was not approved by Congress is potentially illegal. Similarly, a 2005 law which expanded a series of $1 coins to feature faces of deceased presidents specifically forbade the creation of a new coin until at least two years after a presidents death. Despite this, a semiquincentennial (250 years) $1 coin featuring Trumps face has been proposed and may enter circulation later this year. The Trump Gold Card visa, offers legal status and an eventual pathway to U.S. citizenship for individuals paying $1 million and corporations ponying up twice that per foreign-born employee (AFP/Getty) Administration officials told The Times that the coin is part of a special currency series to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S., which does not have the same legal restrictions. In 1926, a coin featuring sitting president Calvin Coolidge want minted to celebrate the nations 150th anniversary. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment on President Trumps penchant for renaming things after himself. A spokeswoman told The Times that the initiatives named after Trump were historic and would not have been possible without President Trumps bold leadership. Likewise, announcing the change to the name of the Kennedy Center in December, press secretary Karoline Leavitt attributed the change to the "unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation." Protesters fill Whitehall on Sunday calling on the British government to support Iranians in their anti-government protests . Photograph: Martin Pope/Sopa Images/Shutterstock (Photograph: Martin Pope/Sopa Images/Shutterstock) The UK has announced full and further sanctions against Iran amid widespread protests that have resulted in hundreds of deaths and arrests. The sanctions will target finance, energy, transport, software and other significant industries, Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, told MPs. She also said that the Foreign Office had summoned the Iranian ambassador over reports of the countrys violent response to protests against the regime. Her announcement came as Donald Trump urged Iranians to keep protesting, adding that help is on its way. Earlier, Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from any country doing business with Iran, angering China, Irans leading export partner. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said the EU would swiftly propose further sanctions on those responsible for the repression of demonstrations in Iran. Cooper, speaking in the Commons, said: The UK will bring forward legislation to implement full and further sanctions and sectoral measures. The UK has already designated key players in Irans oil, energy, nuclear and financial systems. Further measures will target finance, energy, transport, software and other significant industries which are advancing Iranian nuclear escalation, and we will work further with the EU and other partners to explore what additional measures might now be needed in response to developments. She said she had spoken to the Iranian foreign minister on Monday to set out the UKs total abhorrence of the killings, the violence, and the repression that we are seeing. Cooper said Irans claims that its domestic protests were due to foreign influence and instigation were lies and propaganda. Just as they did in 2022, its absolutely clear the Iranian regime are trying to paint these protests as the result of foreign influence and instigation, she said. We and other governments across the world are determined not to play into the hands of the regime or to allow our words or actions to be twisted to support their lies and propaganda The world is watching Iran, and the UK will continue to confront the regimes lies, to call out its repression and to take the steps necessary to protect the UKs interests. Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, questioned why the Iranian ambassador to the UK was not summoned sooner. She said: Where is the governments resolve to stand up to Iran, back those protesting and work to bring about the end of the cruelty of this regime? As Iranian citizens are sacrificing their lives in the fight for their own liberation, what message of hope and reassurance does the foreign secretary give to those risking their lives on the streets of Iran each day? Earlier on Tuesday, Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, said he believed the Iranian government was in its final days and weeks. He added: If a regime can only keep itself in power by force, then its effectively at the end. The U.K. and the U.S. have condemned Russia's use of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile in Ukraine, calling it a dangerous and inexplicable escalation at an emergency meeting called by the UN Security Council (UNSC). Russia Friday claimed it fired the hypersonic missile at a critical target in Ukraine in response to what it described as an attempted drone strike on one of President Vladimir Putin's residences, a claim refuted by Kyiv. It was the second time that Russia used the intermediate-range Oreshnik, a missile which Putin boasted was impossible to intercept because of its reported velocity of more than 10 times the speed of sound. Follow the latest updates on the Ukraine-Russia blog here. Ukraine and its European allies condemned the Russian missile strike, which they claimed was intended to intimidate the West at a time when European countries offered troops for a potential post-war reassurance force in Ukraine. Tammy Bruce, the U.S.s deputy ambassador to the U.N., said Russias use of the missile constitutes another dangerous and inexplicable escalation of this war, even as the United States is urgently working with Kyiv, other partners and Moscow to end the war through a negotiated settlement". This photo provided by the Ukrainian Security Service on Friday, 9Jan 2026, shows a fragment believed to be a part of a Russian Oreshnik intermediate range hypersonic ballistic missile that hit the Lviv region. (Ukrainian Security Service via AP) (Ukrainian Security Service) We condemn Russias continuing and intensifying attacks on Ukraines energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure, he added. Acting British ambassador James Kariuki called the attack reckless, adding that "it threatens regional and international security and carries significant risk of escalation and miscalculation". He continued: "President Putin claims to want peace, and yet his actions tell a different story." Kariuki warned that if "President Putin think this violence will deter Ukraines partners, he is wrong about that too". "We will continue to ensure that Ukraine gets the military and financial support it needs to defend itself. And we will increase pressure on Russia to de-escalate and engage in meaningful negotiations." Russia's defence ministry Monday said the hypersonic missile struck the Lviv State Aviation Repair Plant in western Ukraine, which was disabled as a result of the attack. "This enterprise carried out repairs and maintenance of Ukrainian armed forces aviation equipment, including F-16 and MiG-29 aircraft transferred by Western countries," the ministry said. "The company also produced long and medium-range attack drones used to strike Russian civilian targets deep within Russian territory." This photo provided by the Ukrainian Security Service on Friday, 9 Jan 2026, shows a fragment believed to be a part of a Russian Oreshnik intermediate range hypersonic ballistic missile that hit the Lviv region. (Ukrainian Security Service via AP) (AP) Kyiv confirmed that the missile was fired on the Lviv region, close to the border with Poland, but did not say whether the plant was struck. The Oreshnik the name meaning Hazel Tree in Russian language is a missile that Russia has fired only once before against Ukraine, in November 2024. At that time, it was equipped only with dummy warheads and therefore caused limited damage, Ukrainian sources said, in what was effectively a test. Experts say the novel feature of the Oreshnik is that it can carry multiple warheads capable of simultaneously striking different targets, usually associated with longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles. The missile is based on the RS-26 Rubezh, which Russia had originally developed as an intercontinental missile. A senior Russian military chief handed to a U.S. military attache on January 2 what he said was part of a Ukrainian drone containing data he said proved that the Ukrainian military had targeted a Russian presidential residence. Moscow accused Kyiv of trying to strike a residence of Putin in Russia's northern Novgorod region with 91 long-range attack drones. It said Russia would review its negotiating position in ongoing talks with the U.S. on ending the Ukraine war. Ukraine and Western countries have disputed Russia's account of the alleged attempted strike. Russia claimed the Oreshnik targeted an aviation repair factory. Ukraine has not confirmed what was hit but said the missile struck during a wider attack using drones and other rockets. The rarely used, multiple warhead Oreshnik missile is thought to be in limited supply Ukraines military and special forces claim to have destroyed at least one of them on the ground in Russia. Observers have rated the two Oreshnik strikes so far on Ukraine as largely political and symbolic, with dummy warheads probably used, and any damage caused by their sonic boom and physical impact rather than live explosives. Analysts have questioned whether the Oreshnik is accurate enough to deliver non-nuclear bombs, which have to be more closely targeted than nuclear warheads to be effective. A protester holds a sign outside the proposed site of the Chinese super-embassy at Royal Mint Court in London - Carlos Jasso/REUTERS The White House is deeply concerned by Labours plan to approve a Chinese super-embassy with a secret basement metres from sensitive cables. A senior Trump administration official raised fears that China could exploit the UKs critical infrastructure after The Telegraph on Monday revealed unredacted drawings showing 208 secret rooms beneath the site of the old Royal Mint in central London. One of the sections reveals an underground chamber measuring up to 40 metres across and two to three metres deep, which will sit alongside fibre-optic cables transmitting data between the City of London and Canary Wharf. Despite the apparent security risk, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to approve the embassy before the Jan 20 deadline. But Labour backbenchers condemned the proposed development on Tuesday, telling Sir Keir not to reward Chinas bullying by signing off the plans. Matthew Pennycook, the planning minister, also declined to answer whether any minister had seen the unredacted plans before they were published by The Telegraph. The hidden room also contains hot-air extraction systems, which could suggest the installation of heat-generating equipment such as advanced computers able to be used for espionage. Plans show that China aims to rebuild the outer basement wall, potentially enabling it to tap the cables. The prospect of Beijing gaining access to US data has triggered alarm bells in Washington amid fears of a growing divide with the UK over issues of national security and freedom of speech. A senior administration official told The Telegraph: The United States remains deeply concerned about adversaries exploiting the critical infrastructure of our closest allies. b' ' The Prime Minister is expected to sign off on the embassy before a visit to China later this month, when he is due to meet Xi Jinping, the Chinese president. A US government source told The Telegraph that Britain risked giving up any bargaining power it had over Beijing by approving the plans before the talks. In a world where leverage with China matters, the UK is giving up all its leverage in the hope of a trade deal, they said. Another US government source claimed British Foreign Office counterparts had downplayed the risk of accessing the cables during their discussions. John Moolenaar, the chairman of the US House of Representatives select committee on China, said he opposed the embassy plans and raised fears that Americans data may be at risk. The CCP is a threat to the UK a Five Eyes intelligence partner and free people everywhere, he said. The proposed embassy covers 22,000 sq m near the Tower of London and would be the largest Chinese diplomatic mission in Europe. Other areas that were obscured by redactions included emergency back-up generators, a sprinkler plant, new lift shafts and communications cabling. b' ' The plans also concealed bathrooms and showers, potentially allowing officials to remain underground for extended periods. In the Commons on Tuesday, Mr Pennycook declined to answer whether any minister had seen the unredacted plans before they were published by The Telegraph. Asked by Alicia Kearns, the shadow Home Office minister, Mr Pennycook said he would not comment on speculation and that the Secretary of State had transparently sought further information on the redacted plans. In August, Angela Rayner, then housing secretary, ordered China to explain why blueprints of the basement in the mega-embassy were redacted. It is not known if any unredacted plans were sent to ministers. The Telegraph understands that government figures were shown some details about the unredacted plans that were not publicly available. Sir Keir is facing a rebellion among Labour backbenchers who warned the Prime Minister not to reward China for its bullying tactics and said that the proposal must not be allowed to go ahead. Chinese authorities have reportedly pressured the UK into approving the plans by switching off the water in the British embassy in Beijing and allowing the building to fall into a state of disrepair. Lindsey Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, alongside opposition politicians, accused the Government of not providing adequate oversight after it failed to send the security minister to answer MPs questions. Labour MPs used an urgent question in Parliament, tabled by Ms Kearns, to voice their concerns about the super-embassy. Sarah Champion, the Labour backbencher, who sits on the influential national security strategy committee, said: Multiple government agencies and government departments have raised concerns about the mega-embassy. Our international partners have raised concerns about it. Every security briefing I have had identifies China as a hostile state to the UK. I am in no doubt that this mega-embassy should not be allowed to go ahead. She added: Internationally, China is terrorising the people of Hong Kong, it is terrorising the democratic people of Taiwan, and it is terrorising some people already in the UK. Speaking on the Daily T podcast, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former leader of the opposition, said the document shows that every denial that the Government has made to us about the usage, the location, and the communications cables is an absolute unmitigated lie. US military used aircraft disguised as civilian plane in first attack on alleged drug boat: report The U.S. military used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane to carry out its first strike against an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean last September, the latest potential violation of the laws of war in the Trump administrations wide-ranging, controversial campaign of air strikes across the region. The craft involved in the attack, officials briefed on the matter told The New York Times, did not carry visible munitions under its wings and wasnt painted with clear military markings. Such tactics, retired Maj. Gen. Steven J. Lepper, former deputy judge advocate general for the U.S Air Force, could constitute the crime of perfidy, which prohibits combatants from pretending to be civilians to trick their enemies, he told the paper. Shielding your identity is an element of perfidy, he said. If the aircraft flying above is not identifiable as a combatant aircraft, it should not be engaged in combatant activity. The U.S. military utilizes a wide array of standard and nonstandard aircraft depending on mission requirements, the Pentagon said in a statement when asked about the report. Prior to the fielding and employment of each aircraft, they go through a rigorous procurement process to ensure compliance with domestic law, department policies and regulations, and applicable international standards, including the law of armed conflict. A U.S. military plane disguised as a civilian aircraft carried out the first strike against an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean last year, officials told The New York Times (Getty) The September 2 strike at issue, which killed 11 people, previously attracted controversy regarding how orders were communicated for the military to take out two survivors of the initial attack who were clinging to wreckage, another choice that critics said violated the laws of war. Administration officials have said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did not directly order the double-tap strike, but rather that a Navy admiral did so under Hegseths general brief for the attack. Hegseth has said he fully supported the choice and wouldve made the same decision himself. Amid controversy over the attack, Hegseth said in December that the Pentagon would not release unedited video of the strike. The administration has also faced criticisms over the legal basis of the entire campaign, with critics arguing that such strikes amount to illegal extrajudicial killings against non-combatants outside the theater of war. The Trump administrations anti-drug campaign in the region has killed at least 123 people across 35 strikes (US Southern Command) The administration insists its attacks against alleged drug boats are valid because the U.S. is in an armed conflict with non-state drug groups. The military has not shared extensive evidence about who is on the boats or how it is known they are tied to drug-trafficking. The campaign, which has killed at least 123 people across 35 strikes, reached a new phase earlier this month, when U.S. forces entered Venezuela and captured its leader, Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. has accused of being in league with drug groups. Lawmakers have said they were not briefed about the operation in advance, and a bipartisan group of senators voted last week to block Trump from further force within or against Venezuela without getting approval from Congress. Erfan Soltanis family has been told he will be executed on Wednesday An Iranian man will be executed on Wednesday after joining anti-regime protests, a human rights group has said. Erfan Soltani, 26, is due to be hanged after being detained on Thursday last week. His family have been given no information about the charges against him or the judicial proceedings. This is the quickest we have seen a case move, Arina Moradi, from the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, told The Telegraph. She said: This is the pattern of the Islamic Republic, for the judiciary to swiftly punish protestors with the death penalty. This will certainly not be a single case. The government is using every tactic they know to suppress people and spread fear, the group added. Donald Trump said the US would take very strong action if the Iranian government started hanging protesters, but did not elaborate. I havent heard about the hanging. If they hang them, youre going to see some things... We will take very strong action if they do such a thing, the US president told CBS News. Mr Soltani, 26, was detained last Thursday and sentenced to death Mr Soltani, a clothes shop owner, is accused of taking part in the protests that have swept Iran on a scale unprecedented in recent years. It is the first known case of an execution being ordered amid the current unrest, although Irans rampant security forces have killed hundreds on the streets. Ms Mordai said her group was very concerned about the fate of other detained protesters following the regimes threats of harsh punishments. Many more executions are expected. A source close to the Soltani family said authorities told them that his death sentence was final and he would only be allowed a brief moment with his relatives before the execution. Mr Soltani was arrested at his home in Karaj, in north-central Iran. Four days later, his family was notified that his execution was scheduled, according to the Hengaw organisation. It said he was given no right to defence or to a proper trial, adding: This case constitutes a clear violation of international human rights law. A pro-government counter-demonstration took place in Tehran on Monday after weeks of unrest - Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Mr Soltani is one of the 10,700 people who have been arrested since protests began late last year, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The Islamic Republic, shaken by the scale of the protests and Mr Trumps threats to intervene, is expected to make an example of some protesters in an effort to quell the unrest. The regimes security forces launched a crackdown on the demonstrations last week after they spread to all of Irans 31 provinces, opening fire on crowds under apparent shoot-to-kill orders. One Iranian official told Reuters that 2,000 people had been killed in the unrest so far, but human rights groups said the real death toll could be far higher. On Tuesday, Mr Trump, who is considering air strikes on the regime, told Iranian protesters that help is on its way. Iranian Patriots, keep protesting take over your institutions! Help is on its way, he wrote on his Truth Social platform, while also warning that the regimes killers and abusers would pay a big price. Truth Social The unrest, which broke out on Dec 28 over economic grievances, quickly grew into a national movement with thousands taking to the streets demanding an end to the regime that has ruled the country since 1979. Information from inside Iran is scarce after the regime imposed an internet blackout, in an apparent attempt to hide reports of security forces opening fire on protesters. Hospitals are overwhelmed with victims, and bodies have piled up outside morgues, according to the footage protesters have managed to send abroad. On Tuesday, the US warned its citizens to leave Iran immediately. Mr Trump also wrote on his social media post that he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops, indicating he was unwilling to engage in diplomacy at this stage. The latest advice by the British Government warns against all travel to Iran. It urges Britons already in the country to carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying. MIAMI, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Silk, a digital agency focused on branding, custom web design, and digital marketing, has published a new analysis examining how organizations source content ideas directly from customer interactions and feedback. The findings are outlined in the article How to Get Content Ideas From Customers. The article reviews commonly referenced customer-led inputs used in content planning, drawing on publicly documented marketing practices and research related to audience engagement and feedback analysis. Seven Customer-Led Content Idea Sources Identified Based on the analysis, the article highlights the following sources frequently referenced when developing content strategies informed by customer behavior and input: Customer Questions and Inquiries Questions submitted through sales, support, or contact channels are often reviewed to identify recurring themes and information gaps. Customer Reviews and Testimonials Reviews are commonly analyzed to surface language, concerns, and priorities expressed directly by customers. Surveys and Feedback Forms Structured feedback tools are frequently used to gather direct insights into customer needs, preferences, and challenges. Sales and Support Team Insights Internal teams interacting regularly with customers often contribute observed patterns that inform content planning. Social Media Interactions Comments, messages, and discussion threads are reviewed to identify topics generating engagement or confusion. Community Forums and User Groups Online communities and discussion platforms are often monitored to understand how customers describe problems and solutions in their own words. Behavioral and Usage Data Website analytics and content performance data are commonly referenced to identify topics attracting sustained attention. Context From the Analysis The article presents customer-led content ideation as a structured research process rather than a reactive approach. The analysis focuses on how customer input is organized and evaluated alongside existing content planning frameworks. "Customer interactions often surface recurring questions and themes that inform content development," said Gabriel Shaoolian, CEO of Digital Silk. "The article outlines commonly referenced ways organizations review customer input when shaping content plans." Access the Full Article The full analysis is available in the Digital Silk article on sourcing content ideas from customers. Organizations reviewing content strategy initiatives can also request a quote for additional information. About Digital Silk Digital Silk is an award-winning Miami Digital Marketing Agency focused on growing brands online. With a team of seasoned experts, Digital Silk creates digital experiences through strategic branding, custom web design, and digital marketing services that aim to support visibility and engagement. Media Contact Jessica Erasmus Marketing Director Email: [email protected] Tel: (800) 206-9413 SOURCE Digital Silk From all-out war with US to the return of an exiled prince: What happens next in Iran? Anger at a spiralling economy and decades of authoritarian rule in Iran has exploded onto the streets of major cities across the country. For two weeks, in massive nationwide rallies, protesters have called for regime change, chanting death to the dictator, and in some quarters even calling for a return to the monarchy that was toppled in the 1979 revolution which ushered in the current Islamic Republic. The Iranian government, still reeling from a disastrous 12-day war with Israeli and US forces last year, has met the protests with a bloody crackdown. An official told Reuters as many as 2,000 people could have been killed. More than 10,000 arrested. And a nationwide communications blackout is still largely in place. Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action and sanctions, and on Tuesday said he cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials, who reached out to negotiate. He urged protesters to keep protesting and take over institutions. Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price, he continued, adding help is on its way. The regime insists it remains in control and has warned it will hit Israeli and US targets in the region hard if attacked. Follow latest updates on Iran protests here For the first time, Iranian experts are saying this is the gravest existential threat to Irans clerical rulers. So what could happen? Footage from Iran on Sunday shows the courtyard of a medical centre in Tehran Province with dozens of bodies in body bags laid out for family members (UGC) The worst-case scenario: A bloodier crackdown and no change The protests have been met with extreme violence. The few eyewitness accounts that civilians have managed to get out via satellite connections describe the authorities opening fire on rallies. Recently, shocking videos have emerged of hundreds of bodies littering a forensic facility in south Tehran. The government blames the death toll on riots and domestic terrorists. The fear is that protests could fizzle out amid a growing crackdown and mass arrests, especially if, despite Trumps promises, there is no external intervention challenging the all-powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other armed wings of the state. As Negar Mortazavi, host of The Iran Podcast and senior fellow of US-based Center for International Policy, points out, while the regime is the underdog right now, especially after last years bombardment by Israel, it still retains a strong central control. Yes, they have a legitimacy crisis. Yes, people come to the streets in protest once every couple of years, but they have never been able to pose an existential crisis to the regime ... The regime has a monopoly on arms, power and violence. The protesters have been largely non-violent. Aside from small armed factions such as Kurdish and Baloch separatist movements, there are no rebel armies in Iran positioned to defeat the establishment, as seen in Syria or Libya. The fear is that the crackdown would continue with further arrests, torture and killings. Missiles fired from Iran are pictured in the night sky over Jerusalem on 14 June 2025 (AFP/Getty) The most uncertain outcome: Trump bombs Iran, his new sanctions bite and then what? Donald Trump has doubled down on threats of military strikes on Iran, after joining Israel in bombing the country last year. He vowed on Tuesday that help is on its way just hours after US citizens were ordered to leave Iran immediately. Trump also announced sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on countries trading with Iran, which will intensify the economic pressure on the regime. That could push countries like the UAE, China, Turkey and India to downgrade economic ties with Tehran at a critical moment. Last years 12-day war with Israel and the US was devastating for Iran, with swathes of military infrastructure including air defences, and nuclear facilities destroyed. The military leadership was also targeted. Although Iran has vowed a swift missile response against Israel and US bases in the region if attacked, it remains unclear how it would do that. Its regional allies, in countries like Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, have also been downgraded by Israels continued operations, and so are less able or willing to come to their aid. Israeli bombing of Iran-backed Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon in 2024 (AFP/Getty) Putting aside the legality of any potential strike and the civilian toll, would this assist protesters or not? As Bilal Y Saab of Chatham House writes, we just dont know. Much depends on the nature of the strike, Trumps appetite to follow through, and his ability to come up with a plan after the strike. The effects could range from disaster to deliverance, he adds. If it were a one-off, largely performative strike, it could harden the regime against protesters, who are already accused of being funded by foreign agents. Even if Trump were to kill supreme leader Ali Khamenei or force him to flee, Irans constitution includes an emergency plan for appointing a successor. As Saab notes, the brutal and organised IRGC could even formally take over. Would Trump, the self-styled peacemaker and champion of America first foreign policy, be willing to go all the way to engineer regime change engaging in a potentially disastrous drawn-out military occupation as they did in Iraq post 2003? His recent intervention in Venezuela suggests he is unwilling to commit to full-scale regime change. That said, protesters have been emboldened by Trumps statements, even holding up signs praising him, explains Gissou Nia, an Iranian-American human rights lawyer who works at the Atlantic Council. The regime would also struggle to simultaneously defend itself militarily and crush escalating nationwide protests. Especially if those strikes weakened all tools of internal repression, including the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force within the IRGCs wider structure. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greeting the crowd during a ceremony in Tehran, Iran, October 2024 (Iranian supreme leader office) The cosmetic solution: The regime negotiates with the US, offers vague reforms, and retains power There is an option where the regime pursues largely performative adjustments for example, limited economic reforms or a shift in rhetoric towards nationalism rather than ideology. That could go hand in hand with direct negotiations with Trump to avoid military strikes and harsher sanctions. Such reforms would fall far short of the demands from the protesters who have explicitly called for the overthrow of the regime. But amid a sweep of arrests and executions, fear could suppress further mobilisation. Any hope of external support against the states armed network would be shattered if Trump is seen negotiating directly with Irans top leadership. The least likely: Exiled prince returns to Iran to oversee a transition to democracy or even federalism? Since protests erupted, the one-time crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in the US for decades, has urged protesters to take to the streets. He has even said he is preparing to return to Iran, despite not having set foot in the country since 1979, when his father, the last Shah of Iran, was overthrown. Pahlavi retains a modest monarchist support base and some protesters have chanted Long live the Shah. He did declare himself the ruler of Iran in a ceremony in Egypt in 1980, just a year after his fathers overthrow, but has since distanced himself from calls to restore Irans Peacock throne. Instead, he has outlined a 100-day transition plan, telling reporters it is not about restoring the past but securing a democratic future for all Iranians. One-time crown prince Reza Pahlavi said he is preparing to return to Iran, despite not having set foot in the country since 1979 (AP) Last year, he told Politico his main aim was to steer Iran through this transition. He has proposed a constitutional conference of Iranian representatives, which would gather to devise a new settlement to be ratified by referendum. Asked whether he wanted the monarchy restored, he said in June: Im not going to be the one to decide that. My role is to make sure no voice is left behind, whether republican or monarchist, left or right. Iran is richly diverse. Ethnic minorities, including Azeris, Kurds, Arabs and Balochis, make up close to half of the population, according to the Atlantic Council. They have long accused the central government of discrimination. Some seek greater autonomy and even independence. Kurdish Iranian opposition figures told The Independent this week they would push for a federal system that grants semi-autonomy to regions such as Kurdistan. They are firmly opposed to Pahlavis return. For most experts, this remains the least likely outcome. The scale of external intervention required to install Pahlavi or radically restructure Iran into a federal system would be enormous. It is unclear how popular either plan is among a population of nearly 90 million. An anti-government protest in Tehran last week. The US president probably has few to no workable military options to help them. Photograph: AP (Photograph: AP) Donald Trump may be unafraid to use military force against Iran, according to the White House, but the reality is the US president has few to no options that could obviously help that countrys protest movement, never mind the fact that the history of US intervention in the region has hardly been a success. Emboldened by the seizure of the erstwhile Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, after an operation that took months of planning, Trump talked up military intervention against the Iranian regime with no military pre-positioning having taken place. In fact, there has been a drawdown in the last few months, reducing military options further. The US has had no aircraft carriers deployed in the Middle East since October, after two years of near continuous deployment following the Hamas attack on Israel, having moved out the USS Gerald R Ford to the Caribbean in the summer and the USS Nimitz to a port on the US west coast in the autumn. It means any air or missile strikes against regime targets, and perhaps at the Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would probably have to come from or involve US and allied airbases in the Middle East. An alternative would be similar to Junes long range B-2 bombing mission against the underground Iranian nuclear site of Fordow, although that sort of attack against an urban site would appear to be dangerous overkill. The US would also have to ask permission to use bases in countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia (perhaps even the UKs Akrotiri base in Cyprus) and protect them and their host countries against retaliation. Even if such assets were not used by the US, Iranian leaders have threatened to strike US bases and ships if the country is attacked. Although Irans military capabilities were badly degraded in the 12-day summer war with Israel, and its air defence systems easily overwhelmed, Tehran has retained a limited missile capability. Key launch sites remain buried in the mountains, and it has been rebuilding. It is estimated that Iran has 2,000 heavy ballistic missiles, capable, if launched in numbers, of evading US and Israeli air defences. A more salient question is: what would the US bomb? It would be possible to identify military and civilian sites used by the Iranian regime, but both the protests and the increasingly bloody regime crackdown are taking place across the country. Targeting is not always accurate, sites can be misidentified and civilian casualties in urban locations would be an evident risk. And it is not obvious this would be effective on the ground. It would also not be difficult for the Iranian regime to try to use any US attacks as a rallying point for what is left of its support, given the long history of US meddling dating back to the 1953 CIA coup. And, however unpopular it may be with ordinary people protesting, the ruling regime does not appear to be brittle or weak, having already survived Israels sustained attack in June. There is a clearly a cohesive government and military and security service in Iran, said Roxane Farmanfarmaian, a senior associate at the Royal United Services Institute thinktank. The government is showing it doesnt have any red lines: it is going to secure its borders and streets, and the extraordinary number of body bags reveals its determination to do so. The US could consider a direct attack on Khamenei. Trying to kill the Iranian leader would be easier militarily than a Maduro-style seizure operation, which would be considerably more complex than in Venezuela because Tehran lies hundreds of miles from the countrys borders. However, killing the leader of another country would be astonishingly escalatory, raise a host of legal concerns, and invite a sustained military response. Nor would it necessarily lead to regime change. During the 12-day war, Khamenei appears to have evaded Israeli detection: the countrys defence minister, Israel Katz, defence minister said afterwards that if he had been in our sights, we would have taken him out. The Iranian leader had also lined up three senior clerics on a shortlist to replace him if he was killed, in an effort to secure a rapid transition. Other experts, such as Farmanfarmaian, argue that the most likely outcome would be a takeover led by Irans Revolutionary Guards. But either way, the Iranian regime remained intact after Israel killed as many as 30 military and security leaders in June. A handful of US demonstration strikes would be unlikely to change that, while US allies, Congress and Trump himself would almost certainly not want a lengthy campaign. Already, the president himself has ruled out boots on the ground. Against such an uncertain backdrop, it is not surprising alternatives have been canvassed. The most notable is a targeted cyber-attack, raising the question of what would be intended. After the seizure of Maduro, Trump claimed that the US had turned off the power in Caracas to help facilitate his capture, but this would only be useful in Iran in conjunction with a military operation. Ciaran Martin, a former head of the UKs National Cyber Security Centre, argues that it is hard to see what could work and that disrupting civilian or even government services such as electricity would probably affect civilians more. A theoretical possibility would be for the US to try restore the internet, largely shut down since last Thursday, though Martin added it would be hard to intervene via cyber to do so. A simpler possibility would be to try and flood the place with Starlink Elon Musks satellite internet service by overcoming Iranian jamming, providing the service for free. But, Martin said, that was not really a cyber-operation and sharing more information about repression may not stop the killing in the streets. What can be achieved by US military intervention may not match up to Trumps promise that help is on its way. This article was amended on 14 January 2026. An earlier version said that Donald Trump may not be unafraid to use military force when it should have said he was unafraid. More than 50,000 people have joined a growing backlash against plans to curtail free travel currently enjoyed by more than a million older Londoners. An online petition opposing potential reductions in the eligibility or scope of the Freedom Pass to limit its soaring cost has been inundated with signatures. It comes after The Standard exclusively revealed that London Councils, the organisation that represents the capitals 33 boroughs, was planning to review the Freedom Pass after its annual cost rose to 372m. Philip Clayton, 71, set up a petition on Change.Org to oppose any moves to effectively turn the Freedom Pass which provides free travel outside the morning peak on all Transport for London services and national rail services within London into merely a free bus pass. He wrote: My only income is the State pension. This means my budget is tight, and every penny counts. The Freedom Pass, as the name suggests, grants me something invaluablefreedom. This pass allows me to access not just buses, but also London's Tube and overground networks. These services enable me to participate fully in the community, visiting friends, attending hospital appointments, and engaging in social activities that keep me vibrant and connected to the world. Recent proposals to limit the Freedom Pass to buses only would be a significant blow, not just to my independence, but to thousands of pensioners and individuals reliant on this essential pass. Restricting access to trains and the tube would confine many of us to our homes, making London's vast and culturally diverse landscape inaccessible. The social isolation that many seniors already battle could deepen, and life's simple joys and necessities could become major logistical challenges, affecting our mental and physical well-being. The Freedom Pass is a cherished entitlement for senior citizens across the city, and any move to curtail its scope jeopardizes the quality of life for those who have contributed so much to society throughout their lives. The Freedom Pass is funded by the 33 London boroughs but its cost is rising to 372m a year from April an 11.8 per cent increase. Last month, London Councils, which administers the Freedom Pass on behalf of the 33 boroughs, agreed to carry out a review of the scheme and gather evidence for the likely impact of potential changes. Options could include increasing the age at which Londoners receive the Freedom Pass, making it means-tested or excluding national rail services within Greater London. A total of 1,210,238 Freedom Passes are currently in use. More than 279m free journeys are expected to be made using the pass in 2026/27, including 221m bus journeys and 44.7m on the Tube. More than 1.2m Londoners enjoy free travel by using a Freedom Pass (Croydon council) John McGeachy, campaigns manager at Age UK London, said there were extremely high levels of concern about possible restrictions to the Freedom Pass and warned London Councils would have a fight on their hands if it tried to make changes. He said: We are not surprised that the petition has reached the levels it has so quickly, and we are sure there will be thousands more signatures added. We have received hundreds of emails from people who are worried about the review all are extremely concerned about how this would change their lives. The clue is in the name, Freedom Pass, and thats what this means for older people. London Councils will have a fight on their hands if they go ahead with this review and we also need to protect affordable travel for the next generation. Many people signing the petition added comments, making clear their anger. Some described the threat as cruel and contrasted it with fare-dodging on the Tube. Michelle from London said: So under these proposals if you are 60-66 using an oyster card you would still qualify for free Tube/train in London, yet when you reach the age of 66 most of these will be taken away, just when you are likely to retire, have less income and no chance of another employment. How can that be justified? Wendy from Chingford said: My husband has to attend Moorfields hospital every month. We are both elderly pensioners and travel on the Tube to get there as I need to accompany him. This will put a huge strain on our resources if we have to pay. Josette from London said: As an 80-year-old woman living alone, seeing friends, going to appointments.. moving around with my Freedom Pass is so essential. Fay from London: I do three days voluntary work a week and will have to give it up. I have paid taxes all my working life and never claimed a penny in benefits. This is one I need. Susan from London: Having worked from the age of 18 and only had four years off when I had my children, I do think that I have paid into this country quite sufficiently. To have free travel at 73 should be one advantage in this country. Like others of my age, I do not travel very often so it is not a huge amount that is involved. How cruel to constantly be attacking the elderly, when I see so many younger than me go through the barriers without paying anything. London Councils estimates that the cost of the scheme could be reduced to 224m a year if the Freedom Pass were restricted to only offering free bus travel bringing it into line with the concessions offered to pensioners outside of London. The Freedom Pass is available to all residents of Greater London on their 66th birthday. It is also provided to disabled Londoners regardless of age. It permits free travel on all Transport for London services including the Tube, Elizabeth line, London Overground and London bus network from 9am on weekdays and at all times during the weekend. National rail services within Greater London are free after 9.30am during the week and at all times during the weekend. Any changes to the Freedom Pass entitlement rules would require Parliament to change the Greater London Authority Act. Under the current rules the Freedom Pass must include all TfL transport modes, including the Tube, London Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR. A London Councils spokesperson said: No changes are currently planned to the Freedom Pass. Any changes would require new legislation from national government. Boroughs are, however, reviewing the rising cost of Freedom Pass provision. Costs are forecast to increase by 12 per cent in 2026-27, from 333m to 372m, primarily driven by the rise in journeys being taken by Freedom Pass holders and fares increases. Forecasts suggest that they could reach 0.5 billion by the end of the decade. The scheme has not been fully funded by government for over a decade. At a time when boroughs face significant financial pressures and must look at all areas of spend, the schemes fast rising costs are a concern. Boroughs want a sustainable future for the scheme alongside sustainable funding for the wider services they run and are reviewing options with partners to help achieve this. In November, TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp sparked an online debate about a benefit that she said was bankrupting our country. The Freedom Pass is separate to the 60+ Oyster, which is provided by TfL to Londoners aged 60-65. TfL forgoes an estimated 80m a year in fares income due to use of the 60+ Oyster. Kamel Bourgass was jailed in 2005 after one of Britains biggest anti-terror operations. - AFP/Manchester Police/AFP Getty An al-Qaeda terrorist who killed a police officer cannot be deported to Algeria because he could be tortured. Kamel Bourgass is serving two jail terms for stabbing a Special Branch detective to death and plotting a major ricin poison attack in Britain. The Algerian can only be deported if he is granted release by a Parole Board or through an early prison removal scheme. However, a Parole Board has now ruled that he is not only too dangerous to release but could also face torture if he were returned to his home country. The 51-year-old was jailed for life for murdering Detective Constable Stephen Oake in a raid linked to the production of the deadly toxin ricin. It was ordered that he should serve a minimum of 22 years. Detective Constable Stephen Oake was murdered while trying to arrest Kamel Bourgass on Jan 14 2003 - Greater Manchester Police/PA The asylum seeker stabbed Det Con Oake eight times with a kitchen knife after he was cornered by police in a Manchester flat. At the time, Bourgass, who had at least four false identities, was on the run after his attempts to make poisons were discovered at a flat in Wood Green, north London, nine days earlier. He knifed three officers during his escape after the property was raided by anti-terrorist police. They all survived. Bourgass, who had strong links to hate preacher Anjem Choudary, was also jailed for 17 years for plotting to spread poison and ricin across the UK. He had discussed various ways of dispersing the substance, including smearing it on car door handles in north London. Now a Parole Board has said his removal had been refused because it would undermine the publics confidence in the criminal justice system. The report identified the lack of risk management controls in Algeria if he was allowed to return to his home country, as there was no system of probation of licence conditions. Risks too high for release Members of the board said they had to consider risk management in Algeria if he was returned to Africa. This was because the Parole Board, in deciding whether a prisoner should be released, must consider the risk to the public anywhere in the world, it said. Mr Bourgass told the panel of his strong desire to return to live in Algeria. The panel directed further evidence be produced and was advised that on arrival in Algeria, Mr Bourgass would likely be detained and questioned. Thereafter, there could be monitoring and control of him. A report before the panel suggested that arrests for online activities were not uncommon and that there had been credible reports of torture and mistreatment. The board also said it had considered the possibility of him living on licence in the UK. Under a plan drawn up by the Probation Service, he would be required to live in designated accommodation under strict limitations. The panel concluded this plan was robust but that it may not be effective due to Mr Bourgasss immigration status. Mr Bourgass would not be entitled to work or access benefits and he would face difficulties in securing longer-term accommodation, the report stated. After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public, whether in the United Kingdom or Algeria. A Parole Board spokesman said: Under current legislation he will be eligible for a further review in due course. The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice. Ayatollah Musk With two words, Elon Musk changed the classic methods of revolution forever. Activate Starlink, he said in a social media post about Iran in 2022, suddenly giving the Islamic Republics 90 million citizens the possibility of accessing the internet in a way that no regime could jam or censor. It was an extraordinary challenge to a system of control painstakingly built by Irans leadership and enforced for decades by a ruthless security state. The regime has routinely sought to hide its bloodsoaked repression of protests and stop opponents from communicating or organising by disrupting the internet. During the current unrest, the authorities have taken the draconian step of disconnecting the entire country from the internet for the first time since 2019. A national blackout has been imposed since last Thursday to dramatic effect, even disrupting phone networks and landline telephones, forcing Iran back into a pre-19th century era of communication and inflicting colossal economic damage. High above, Musks constellation of SpaceX satellites was supposed to give any Iranian with a Starlink terminal a satellite dish about the size of a laptop computer a way of bypassing all restrictions and connecting to the internet. b' ' Up to 50,000 of these terminals are believed to be active inside Iran, defying an official ban, having been smuggled into the country since 2022, when Musk first activated the satellite network overhead. Yet, this time, Musks system seems to have been outmanoeuvred as the state adjusts its tactics in an ever more sophisticated game of technological cat and mouse. The regimes experts have so far deployed two highly effective countermeasures. They cannot jam Starlink internet connections, but they can slow them down so drastically as to make them virtually unusable. Each Starlink terminal uses the global positioning system (GPS) to find the right location for a satellite connection. The security forces are now jamming GPS signals, focusing on the areas of Iran where protests are taking place. The military-grade equipment needed for this purpose was likely supplied by Russia or China, says Mahsa Alimardani, an associate director of Witness, an organisation that uses audiovisual technology to document human rights violations. Both Russia and China have done their best to work out how to blind or disrupt the GPS network, which was invented and installed by America, originally for military purposes. Russia has pursued this task with particular urgency since Ukraine relies on Starlink for battlefield internet connectivity. Irans rulers may now be benefiting from the expertise gained by the two other authoritarian states with whom they have close, if wary, relations. The regimes second countermeasure is to disrupt the connection between Starlink terminals and Musks satellites. That outcome can be achieved by direct interference with the required frequencies. Taken together, these techniques have succeeded in slowing down Starlink connections inside Iran by anything from 30 per cent to over 80 per cent during peak protest hours. Never before has Musks network been disrupted so successfully. As the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia strive to suppress the demonstrations, technology is just as important as batons, bullets and tear gas. During previous outbreaks of unrest most notably during the mass rallies against the rigged presidential election of 2009 the regime was taken by surprise by its youthful, networked and tech-savvy opponents. Judging by their countermeasures against Starlink, Irans rulers may be closing this knowledge gap and, at least for now, pulling ahead in the technological arms race. There is a way for Musk to foil the regimes campaign against Starlink terminals in Iran but not yet. Every smartphone in the world made since 2022 has the technology to connect directly to Musks satellites, without any need for a terminal, and to use the billionaires constellation as a vast and invisible phone tower in the heavens. The regime might be able to make 50,000 terminals unusable, but it would not be able to achieve this outcome with tens of millions of smartphones in the hands of ordinary Iranians. At present, however, there is not enough satellite capacity to provide full internet access via these direct to cell or D2C connections for 90 million Iranians. Whats more, D2C services are currently offered by local operators, not directly by Musks company, SpaceX. So its not just that more satellites would need to be launched a new commercial model would need to be devised to allow Iranians to connect to the internet using a Starlink satellite. As Alimardani explains: D2C satellite connectivity could reach millions of Iranians with the phones they already own. Whats missing is the policy framework, commercial model and political will to deploy it. That day will doubtless arrive, allowing protesters to regain their technological lead, though it could take one or two years to provide full D2C internet coverage for Iran if prioritised. A more basic service, allowing text connectivity, could be made operational more quickly. The only question is whether it will come too late to change the course of events in Irans current turmoil. Research revealed a darker side to Samuel Pepys - Culture Club/Getty Images Pupils at Samuel Pepyss old school have voted to strip his name from one of their houses because of his abusive and exploitative behaviour towards women. Almost 60 per cent of students at Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, voted to cut ties with the 17th-century diarist following a comprehensive consultation. In December, The Telegraph revealed the secondary school was considering renaming Pepys House after research into the writers behaviour revealed actions that were harmful, abusive and exploitative, especially in his relations with women. Femi Solano, an associate principal, and Tom Wheeley, a history teacher, said behaviour found in Pepyss diaries did not align with the values we hold as a school respect, equality, kindness and high standards. The move left critics and parents furious at the attempt to erase history. After a vote put to its own students, the school has announced that Pepys will be stripped as the figurehead of one of its pastoral houses. Of the 1,764 votes cast, 1,054 sought to seek a new namesake for the house. Pepys attended Hinchingbrooke School in the 1640s, when it was called Huntingdon Grammar School The other four houses at the school are named after other famous people connected with the area, including Oliver Cromwell. Pepys, who attended the school when it was Huntingdon Grammar School in around 1644, went on to become an MP and administrator of the Navy. His accounts of major events, including the Great Fire of London and the coronation of Charles II, have made his diaries a valuable source for historians. However, he recorded private activities in a mix of English, French, Latin, Spanish and his own shorthand, meaning some of the more explicit content has only just come to light. A study published by Guy de la Bedoyere last year examined original texts in which Pepys wrote about fantasies of rape and recorded that he had physically assaulted his wife and maidservants. Pepys also wrote about attempting to touch at least one womans mameles (breasts) every day, De la Bedoyere found. It was not until Robert Latham and William Matthewss publication of Pepyss original shorthand text in the 1970s that the controversial parts of his diary came to light, after being left out of Victorian translations although these werent translated upon discovery. However, it was through Bedoyeres analysis of Pepyss scrawlings that the extent of his behaviour was revealed. Pepys wrote of numerous incidents in which he was violent with women, and in one case turned up at the house of a woman where he said he though with a great deal of difficulty, nevertheless in the end I had my will of her. His promiscuous habits appeared to become common knowledge as he recorded one man presenting him with his daughter-in-law, who was willing to sleep with him in return for a guarantee that her husband would not be pressed into naval service. As a result, parents were told in an email that it was right to ask the question: should Pepys House be renamed? The email added: This re-evaluation is not about erasing history. Instead, it is about ensuring that the figures we celebrate as role models reflect the values we want our students to live by. The school said the consultation process had involved assemblies, discussions in form time and a voluntary drop-in debate. It added that during this time a balanced view of Pepyss life and legacy was put forward to pupils against his self-documented personal failings. Andy Hunter, principal of Hinchingbrooke School, said: Recent research highlighting aspects of Samuel Pepyss behaviour towards women, recorded in his own diaries, prompted us to consider whether his name should continue to appear as one of the icons of our house system. Following a period of consultation, the school voted by 1,764 votes to 1,054 to look for a new figurehead for Pepys House. I am proud of the way that the school community conducted itself over the course of this process; the students have been curious, reflective and, above all, respectful throughout. The school said Chip Colquhuon, warden and current tenant of Pepys House in Brampton, attended to moderate the process and said the consultation had been carried out thoroughly and impartially. Mr Hunter continued: It is important to note that there are no plans to rename the Pepys building, nor to change long-established references such as the Pepys Stairs. These aspects were never under consideration. The school maintains a strong and valued historical association with Samuel Pepys and remains proud of that connection. The school will now begin the process of developing a shortlist of potential alternative figureheads for Pepys House. The father of a Hinchingbrooke School pupil said he was disappointed with both the outcome and how the decision had been reached. How very convenient allowing the students to make the decision themselves therefore distancing the school itself from any controversy, he told the Telegraph. Does this mean that the students will now be voting on all the other important issues that affect the school? In a separate email sent to parents, the principal said voting patterns showed as the students grow older, their critical thinking becomes more nuanced. Figures showed that 75 per cent of Year 7s voted to rename the house, whereas more than half (54 per cent) of Year 11s voted to keep it. The parent continued: This, Mr Hunter, is precisely why we do not allow children to vote in this country. So now we have the process of deciding on a new house figurehead, cant the school just concentrate on teaching our children please? Smoke rises from the Solong cargo ship after it collided with the Stena Immaculate in the North Sea last year - Getty Images/Paul Ellis A Russian captain killed a crewman in an entirely avoidable collision with a US oil tanker in the North Sea, a court heard. Capt Vladimir Motin, 59, was on sole watch duty when his container ship collided into the Stena Immaculate, causing the death of Mark Angelo Pernia on March 10 last year. Pernia had allegedly been working at the front of the Solong and died in the collision. Opening his Old Bailey trial on Tuesday, Tom Little KC, prosecuting, said the case involved the entirely avoidable death of the 38-year-old seaman Pernia. He told jurors that the location of the Stena Immaculate would have been visible on the Solongs radar display about 36 minutes before the vessels collided. Mr Little said: Despite an obvious collision course, the defendant did not deviate his vessel from its path and the impending catastrophe that lay ahead. The defendant was responsible for navigating the ship, not only because he was the captain but because he was on sole watch duty at the time and ultimately, he did nothing, absolutely nothing, to avoid the collision. Mark Angelo Pernia was killed when the container ship he worked on hit a tanker Mr Motin, from Primorsky, St Petersburg, is accused of manslaughter, Mr Little telling jurors that Pernia would still be alive if not for the Russians grossly negligent conduct. Solong, which was 130 metres long and weighed 7,852 gross tonnes, had departed Grangemouth in Scotland at 9.05pm on March 9 last year, bound for the port of Rotterdam. The vessel, with a 14-strong crew, was carrying mainly alcoholic spirits and some hazardous substances, including empty but unclean sodium cyanide containers, the court was told. The Stena Immaculate, with a crew of 23, was 183.2 metres long and was transporting more than 220,000 barrels of aviation fuel destined for the US military. Its engine was shut down on the evening of March 9. Restarting it would have taken about 30 to 45 minutes and about 35 minutes to manoeuvre away from an incoming ship, the court heard. The two vessels crashed at about 9.47am on March 10, just over 12 hours after the Solong set off from Grangemouth. The Solong had been travelling at just over 16 knots in the minutes before the collision and was going 15.2 knots on impact with no warning to the Stena Immaculate. Pernias body has never been found. The Solong was on a direct collision course for much longer than a matter of minutes, jurors were told. The collision course was obvious when the tanker became visible to the naked eye and, before that, on computer equipment available to the defendant, Mr Little argued. Capt Vladimir Motin is accused of doing nothing to prevent his ship, the Solong, from colliding with the tanker - CPS Mr Motin had a constellation of information telling him he needed to act but did the opposite and failed to avert the collision, the court heard. There were a number of things the highly trained captain could and should have done, Mr Little said. It is this gross breach of duty to the man he killed, and indeed to his own crew, that led inexorably to a death and to him being on trial before you at the Old Bailey, the prosecutor said. Mr Motin has denied manslaughter and the trial continues. Some waterfalls look edited even when they are not. Their scale, height, and patterns surpass what people expect to see in nature, which makes the photos appear artificial at first glance. In reality, the landscapes are doing the work, not software. These 10 waterfalls often catch visitors off guard because the real view feels more improbable than the image. Iguazu Falls Credit: Getty Images This waterfall system spans approximately 1.7 miles along the border between Argentina and Brazil. Iguazu Falls comprises approximately 275 individual cascades, which is why the sound reaches visitors before the view does. Devils Throat alone drops about 269 feet and produces so much mist that rainbows appear on clear days without effort. Victoria Falls Credit: Getty Images The Zambezi River drops over a basalt cliff at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls measures around 5,604 feet wide and drops 354 feet straight down. During peak flow, more than 264 million gallons of water crash over the edge every minute, which explains why locals named it Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning The Smoke That Thunders. Angel Falls Credit: Getty Images Inside Canaima National Park in Venezuela, Angel Falls drops a staggering 3,212 feet from the top of a flat-topped mountain called a tepuy. The height makes it the tallest permanent waterfall on Earth by a wide margin. The water often turns into mist before reaching the ground. Niagara Falls Credit: Getty Images Between the United States and Canada, Niagara Falls moves more water than any other waterfall in North America. The Horseshoe Falls section averages about 168,000 cubic feet per second during peak flow. Its pop culture reputation includes the 1952 movie Niagara, starring Marilyn Monroe. Gullfoss Credit: Getty Images The sharp angle between the tiers makes the water at Gullfoss look folded, which explains why photos often resemble digital concept art more than a real place. Its located along Icelands Golden Circle and appears to be a river vanishing into the Earth. The Hvita River drops in two stages, first 36 feet and then 69 feet, before disappearing into a rugged canyon. Plitvice Waterfalls Credit: Getty Images This network of waterfalls inside Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia connects 16 lakes through travertine barriers that naturally rebuild themselves over time. Veliki Slap, the tallest cascade in the park, falls 256 feet. The constantly shifting mineral deposits change the waters color from turquoise to emerald, depending on light and season. Yosemite Falls Credit: Getty Images Dropping a total of 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls ranks among the tallest waterfalls in the world and remains the tallest in North America. Its located in Yosemite National Park in the United States and flows strongest during spring snowmelt. Its seasonal nature means that photos taken months apart can appear to have been taken in entirely different locations. Kaieteur Falls Credit: Getty Images Kaieteur Falls width of about 370 feet, combined with its height, creates a near-rectangular curtain of water. It plunges 741 feet in a single drop along the Potaro River in Guyana. The waterfall sits on the ancient Guyana Shield, one of the planet's oldest geological formations. Murchison Falls Credit: Getty Images This waterfall in Uganda forces the Nile River through a narrow gap, only about 23 feet wide, before it drops 141 feet into a canyon. The effect causes the water to shoot forward rather than fan out, which appears unnatural at first glance. Its often described as one of the worlds most powerful waterfalls and creates intense turbulence and vibration. Horsetail Fall Credit: Getty Images For most of the year, Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park looks ordinary by comparison. For about three weeks in February, the sunset hits the water at a precise angle, which turns it bright orange and creates the Firefall effect. The phenomenon lasts roughly 10 minutes per evening and has nothing to do with lava, even though it appears to be molten rock spilling down granite. Andrey Tolkachev / Shutterstock.com (Andrey Tolkachev / Shutterstock.com) Quick Read The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF gained 104% over the past year driven by Samsung and SK Hynix. South Koreas ETF trades at a 19.1x P/E despite momentum. The iShares MSCI Japan ETF rose 31% and trades at 18.9x P/E. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. The case for diversifying internationally was strengthened in 2025 after a number of non-U.S. stock markets outpaced the S&P 500 by a wide margin. Undoubtedly, the U.S. equity market, which has gotten heavier in the big tech names, has been seen as a place to do incredibly well, especially when compared to the global markets. And while diversifying outside of the U.S. may still not be key to S&P-beating gains over the long run, I do think that it is worth considering what else is out there if you seek more diversification, lower price-to-earnings (P/E) multiples, or perhaps even stronger past-year share price momentum. In any case, this piece will look at three international ETFs that have had their way with the S&P 500 in the past year. Whether the relative strength in 2025 leads to more of the same in 2026, though, remains the big question for U.S. investors. Either way, Goldman Sachs Research projects global stocks could be in for a nice 11% gain for the year ahead. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF We're not even half of a month into 2026, yet the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY) is already up close to 8%, adding to the incredible gain it posted last year. In the past 12 months, shares of the South Korean ETF are up just shy of 104%. With the South Korean market in breakout mode, thanks in part to Samsung (up 157% in the past year) and SK Hynix (up 286%), which comprise more than 45% of the ETF, perhaps investors seeking exposure to two of the hottest AI beneficiaries outside of the U.S. might wish to add the South Korean ETF to the watchlist. Of course, the ETF is quite concentrated at the top, but given how tough it can be for many U.S. retail investors to expose themselves to the big South Korean firms, I do find the ETF to offer a lot for the 0.59% expense ratio. It's tough to tell where the South Korean market goes from here, especially now that it's an international momentum play. What's most striking is that the price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of the ETF is still quite muted at 19.1 times, with a price-to-book (P/B) multiple of 1.91 times. Though I'd not be a chaser of the South Korean market, I do think any pullbacks through the year could offer opportunistic investors a great entry point. At the end of the day, Samsung and SK Hynix are great complements to the Mag Seven. And unless you can buy South Korean securities, the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF is a fantastic pick to add to one's exposure. iShares MSCI Japan ETF Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK-B) made some pretty sizeable bets in the Japanese trading companies in recent years. The big Japanese bets have already paid off in a big way. And while time will tell what Berkshire does with their Japanese positions under the leadership of its new CEO, Greg Abel, I still think that there's no denying the relative value to be had with some of the Japanese names. The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ) is outpacing the S&P 500 in the past year, up close to 31%. While the easy money has already been made, there's no denying the relative value that still exists over in Japan. The iShares MSCI Japan ETF has an average P/E multiple of just 18.89 times. With newfound momentum and broad exposure to many Japanese firms that Americans already know and love (think Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Sony), as well as the same Japanese trading companies in Berkshire's public portfolio, I find the Japanese ETF to be very intriguing for investors looking for value outside of the S&P. With less momentum and lower valuations than the South Korean market, I like the Japanese market a bit more for 2026 for investors looking to diversify outside of the U.S. market. 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. Tucked away inside an enormous gated mansion on the outskirts of Los Angeles, a couple was raising nearly two dozen children, most under the age of 3, when their shrouded lives were thrust into public view. Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang drew national interest in July after authorities raided their Arcadia home and took 21 kids, mostly surrogate-born, into custody. The raid came after their 2-month-old son was rushed to the hospital with injuries that medical staff suspected were due to child abuse. His trauma was consistent with "either a traffic accident or the child being shaken and/or dropped," said Arcadia Police Captain Kollin Cieadlo, but "there was no car accident." The unmarried couple remains at the center of a state child abuse investigation and has drawn federal scrutiny. Meanwhile, over the last six months, the couple has had at least five more surrogate-born babies in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Georgia all of whom were also taken into state custody. Xuan and Zhang are fighting for custody of their children across four states and suing some surrogates in the process. Two of those surrogates are now pushing back, seeking custody of the children they carried. Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang are seen in photos released by the Arcadia Police Department in July 2025. / Credit: Arcadia Police Department Some surrogates say they were deceived Surrogates Melissa Epps and Stacy King cut off contact with Zhang, Xuan and their lawyers in the weeks before they gave birth to babies in Virginia last fall. They initially refused to turn over the newborns, per court documents. Xuan and Zhang filed separate suits against the surrogates, claiming breach of contract. They demanded custody of the newborns and $1 million from each woman, who had originally agreed to contracts of $70,000 and $45,000, plus additional pregnancy-related expenses. The couple claims in their lawsuit that they learned of King's delivery five days after it happened, and they say Epps delivered their baby at a different hospital than they agreed to. The babies have since been taken into state custody. The cases add to the mystery of the couple with questions still swirling about why they arranged the births of so many children, and for whom. Epps' attorney described how Zhang and Xuan sought out and persuaded women to carry children for them as hired surrogates with a pitch she said was misleading. "My client was led to believe that this was a couple who had one child and wanted to have one more," said Pamela DeCamp, of the Virginia Legal Aid Society. "She had no idea they wanted dozens of children and would never have wanted to do that if she knew." Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, two more surrogates delivered babies last fall both are in state custody. And in Georgia, surrogate Hallie Weaver told Courthouse News that she gave birth last summer to a baby boy who was taken into state custody. She said she is also formally fighting to adopt him in the courts. The surrogates were recruited through Facebook, communicating with agencies called Mark Surrogacy and Future Spring Surrogacy. They were each told they'd be carrying a baby for a couple who had either one child or no children a far cry from the busload living with Zhang and Xuan. Potential surrogates were never told that the surrogacy businesses they were dealing with were actually registered to the couple's home and office building. A view of the home of Silvia Zhang and Guoiun Xuan on July 16, 2025 in Arcadia, California. / Credit: I RYU/VCG via Getty Images But some surrogates noticed oddities as they went through the process. One surrogate, who asked not to be named due to ongoing litigation, said she never met the couple during the pregnancy. After the surrogate gave birth, Zhang "didn't arrive until the next day." The postpartum surrogate said she was appalled and refused to see Zhang, who left shortly after with the baby. Zhang declined to comment when reached by phone. A woman at the couple's palatial Arcadia home twice refused to speak when approached by reporters outside the property, turning around wordlessly each time and walking back into the mansion. A person at an office building owned by Xuan, where Zhang has worked as a realtor, turned CBS News reporters away. The pair's attorneys in Virginia and California did not respond to requests for comment. Lawyers for the unmarried couple, who immigrated separately to the U.S. from China, have said in court filings that they are interested in building a large family and that they haven't done anything wrong. They claim child abuse allegations and media reports are "over sensationalized and false" and insist the pair are likely to win all their cases, regaining custody of every child taken from their care. The biological parents of some of the children remain unclear, but in the Virginia cases, Xuan claims to be both children's genetic father. The genetic mothers are anonymous egg donors, according to affidavits filed by California Dr. John Wilcox, who wrote that his fertility practice collected sperm from Xuan in 2021. Allegations of violence and abuse: "It didn't look normal" Records show police responded to at least three dozen calls to the couple's mansion in less than four years, including noise complaints related to verbal altercations, an anonymous 2024 call alleging child abuse, and a claim that $400,000 worth of wine had been stolen from their 17,000-square-foot estate. In one call made in 2022, a person said they went to the mansion seeking payment for work and were met with a weapon that looked "like a machine gun." A note in the police report says, "video shows male take a gun from trunk, [unknown] if real." No charges were brought. Neighbor Chuck Trujillo recalled wondering about the home and its residents when he saw children with crew cuts or short hair "like soldiers" in the backyard. He said it "seemed like they were being trained for something." Another neighbor, Lorraine Jimenez, said, "The kids were screaming like someone was killing them. This cry was a cry for help, that's what this was." Cieadlo, the police captain, said staff for the Department of Child and Family Services "had never seen this many kids in one place." "They were all different genders, but had the same general appearance in terms of their hair being close cut, and the clothing was like shorts and t-shirts, so very gender neutral," Cieadlo said. For police and child protective services, the issue became urgent in May, when a 2-month-old was brought to a hospital with severe injuries. CBS News reviewed images of the infant in medical care: a brace encases his tiny head and neck. Zhang told doctors that the baby had fallen off a bed while being cared for by a nanny, according to a police warrant. But his injuries more resembled those of a child who had been shaken, or in a car accident, investigators said. An investigator described a short surveillance video clip that he was provided, which showed the baby "shaking/trembling as if he was seizing" in the home before being brought to the hospital. Photos recovered from Zhang's phone, from two days before the infant was brought to the hospital, show "an apparent head injury," an investigator wrote in the warrant. A nanny, Chunmei Li, has been sought by police in connection with the baby's injury. CBS News was unable to locate or contact Li. Other surveillance video obtained by police from within the home shows eight small children, all with closely cropped hair, sitting in a classroom-like setting. In one image, a child appears to have been placed on a table and spanked by a person described as a "teacher/nanny," one of at least six house staff. Surveillance image included in an Arcadia Police warrant shows an adult described as a In another image, a child who appears to be a toddler does what police describe as "squats," while in the back of the room, a baby in a high chair appears to be hit in the face by another "teacher/nanny." Surveillance image included in an Arcadia Police warrant shows an adult described as a "There was definitely abuse," said Cieadlo, "It was consistent with physical and emotional abuse that would go well beyond what a reasonable person would expect to be normal discipline." Zhang and Xuan "were well aware of what was occurring in that home, and they were allowing it to continue and take place," he added. Lorraine and her husband, Steve Jimenez, said they witnessed an older woman shaking a baby months before the couple's arrest. "I was in the kitchen and then I heard the baby screaming," said Lorraine Jimenez. "When I went outside, she had the baby in her arms and was shaking the heck out of it until I yelled at her, and then she stopped." Jimenez said she called the police, who told her they would do a welfare check. Trujillo said that he saw adults at the home being aggressive towards the children. "It wasn't the way you treat a little kid," Trujillo said. "You didn't see them holding them. It was more like a drill school. It didn't look normal." The neighbors spoke of seeing young children being potty-trained in a single line in the couple's backyard. Trujillo said the kids weren't allowed to stand up until they urinated. "They would grab them, pull their pants down and force them on the little potty chairs," Lorraine Jimenez said. All three neighbors recalled hearing screaming from within the house. Another neighbor said he heard so many kids in the backyard that he "thought it was a kindergarten." The Arcadia Police Department is actively pursuing a child abuse investigation. Sergeant Mario Castro said the police department recently received FBI translations of audio from the home surveillance videos and is "still conducting an examination on the footage." Federal investigators have also taken note. The FBI was notified about the couple's unusual surrogacy setup at least as early as 2023, according to one person who spoke to an agent that year, and its investigation ramped up last year. Four surrogates told CBS News that FBI agents contacted them last year. At least two attorneys spoke to the FBI. A Justice Department source told CBS News that federal prosecutors are tapped into the probe. International surrogacy sparks concerns of child trafficking Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott introduced a bill in November that would ban the use of surrogacy in the U.S. by people from certain foreign countries, including China. Scott's legislation makes a startling accusation about the Arcadia couple. "This presents an acute national security threat, and recent events in Arcadia, California, reveal that surrogacy is even being used to facilitate human trafficking," wrote Scott without elaborating further. Wealthy Chinese nationals have flocked to America to hire surrogates. A 2024 study published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine found that, over a six-year span, about 42% of foreign nationals who traveled to the U.S. to work with surrogates were from China, where surrogacy is illegal. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted Chinese billionaires having dozens of U.S.-born babies through surrogacy. Neither Zhang nor Xuan has been charged, but their legal trouble has continued to mount. In September, the neighboring city of El Monte filed a civil abatement claim targeting one of Xuan's many properties in his real estate and business portfolio. Police records show dozens of calls to the office building between 2022 and 2025. Lawyers for the city wrote in a Sept. 3 court filing that police had uncovered an "illegal casino" and "indicators of an illicit cannabis and psilocybin operation," at the building. They said, "firearms had been previously found in various locations and on various persons relating to illegal gambling and narcotics." The court filing, which was first reported by the Los Angeles Times, claimed Xuan and other defendants, "acting in concert, operated a well-established, sophisticated, and persistent criminal enterprise that has operated over the course of several years and across multiple properties." Court records do not show when Xuan arrived in the United States. Zhang arrived in the U.S. in 2016 after marrying another older man, Henry Tang, in 2014. He was 68 and she was 27 years old. The couple moved to nearby Pomona. By 2021, their marriage ended. Zhang's ex-husband accused her of elder fraud and "trickery" in a lawsuit, claiming she sold their home while he was away in Taiwan. He alleged that she pocketed the money, according to court records. Within months, Zhang and another much older man Xuan, now 66 visited HRC Fertility, one of Southern California's largest fertility chains. It's not clear if their doctor, Wilcox, was aware of the couple's ambitions or if he knew how they convinced women to carry children. A representative of the clinic told CBS News its staff does not talk to the media. Not long after moving to the Arcadia mansion, Xuan and Zhang began steadily filling it with babies, according to neighbors and court records. The connected court cases for 19 of the 21 children seized in California read like the alphabet, an identical case number followed by a letter signifying each child's case: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, and S. We are continuing to investigate this story. Please contact us with any tips via email or Signal: cara.tabachnick@paramount.com (@cara.10) katrina.kaufman@cbsnews.com (katrinakaufman.33) KatesG@cbsnews.com (grahamkates.91) Editor's note: This story has been updated with more details of the surrogates' compensation. New details emerge about how Renee Good died Tape of woman's last words upends husband's account of accidental shooting Inside look at Buffalo Bills' new stadium BARCELONA, Spain and DEERFIELD, Ill., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ESTEVE and TerSera Therapeutics LLC announced today that they have entered into an agreement in which ESTEVE will acquire TerSera's Infusion Specialty Therapies Business Unit (IST). This strategic acquisition enables ESTEVE to expand its U.S. presence, with two highly specialized on-market assets and a dedicated team of sales, marketing and medical professionals. TerSera's IST business unit includes two specialty medications, Prialt (ziconotide intrathecal infusion) and Quzyttir (cetirizine hydrochloride injection). Prialt is the only FDA-approved, non-opioid agent indicated for the management of severe chronic pain in adult patients for whom intrathecal therapy is warranted, and who are intolerant of or refractory to other treatment, such as systemic analgesics, adjunctive therapies, or intrathecal morphine.1 Prialt is currently marketed in Europe by ESTEVE.2 Quzyttir is the first and only injectable second-generation H1 antihistamine approved by the FDA for the treatment of acute urticaria in adults and children six months of age and older.3 With this transaction, ESTEVE will obtain worldwide rights for Quzyttir in all territories (except for China) and consolidates its rights for Prialt worldwide. Staffan Schuberg, ESTEVE's Chief Executive Officer stated: "We are excited to welcome the Infusion Specialty Therapies Business Unit and look forward to welcoming TerSera's talented team to ESTEVE. This acquisition perfectly aligns with our strategic vision of providing highly specialized solutions where there is a significant unmet medical need. By adding Quzyttir to our portfolio and expanding to the US market with Prialt, we not only strengthen our expertise in highly specialized therapies but also accelerate our expansion in the United Statesthe world's largest pharmaceutical market." "ESTEVE has been our long-term partner for Prialt in Europe. Their expertise and core areas of focus make them the ideal future owner for IST." said Edward Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of TerSera. "We believe this transaction provides an excellent home for Prialt and Quzyttir to continue the strong momentum we have established with these medicines, while we sharpen our focus on our core therapeutic areas of oncology and rare disease." This deal reinforces ESTEVE's growth in the United States, a growth that began with the acquisition in 2024 of a business specialized in rare and ultra-rare diseases in the areas of endocrinology and onco-endocrinology. ESTEVE's highly specialized portfolio has been further strengthened by the subsequent expansion in 2025: licensing-in for Ex US a biologic product used to treat children and adolescents from 2 to 18 years-old who suffer from severe primary insulin-like growth factor 1 deficiency4; an adjuvant treatment being investigated in the U.S. and considered standard of care outside of the U.S. where it is approved for high-grade resectable non-metastatic osteosarcoma in patients aged between 2 and 30 years5 ; and a medicine that is used in adults and children above 5 years of age to treat aggressive and symptomatic medullary thyroid cancer.6 The current transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory clearances. Perella Weinberg Partners are the financial advisor to ESTEVE on this transaction, and Arnold & Porter are serving as legal counsel. Leerink Partners acted as the lead financial advisor to TerSera, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel. About ESTEVE ESTEVE (esteve.com) is a global pharmaceutical company with a clear purpose: to improve people's lives. Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Barcelona, ESTEVE has a strong international presence with pharmaceutical affiliates in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, France, the UK, and the USA. ESTEVE is focused on delivering highly specialized treatments that address significant unmet medical needs in several therapeutic areas. In addition, to our innovative pharma business, we offer comprehensive Contract Manufacturing and Development services (CDMO), specializing in the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) through world-class facilities in Spain, Mexico, China and the USA. ESTEVE's strong commitment to its core valuespeople matter, transparency, and accountabilityremains at the heart of everything it does. About TerSera Therapeutics TerSera Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company with a focus on oncology and rare diseases. Founded in 2016, TerSera is building new cornerstones of care through its portfolio of unique therapeutics, amplifying their ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for patients. TerSera has been recognized as a 2025 Top Workplace. For additional information, please visit TerSera.com and follow us on LinkedIn. For more information: Esteve: Irene Simon Head of Global External Communications & ESG +34 934 466 000 [email protected] References PRIALT (ziconotide). Prescribing information. TerSera Therapeutics LLC. www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/021060s012lbl.pdf Prialt- www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/prialt QUZYTTIR (cetirizine hydrochloride injection). Prescribing Information. TerSera Therapeutics LLC. www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/211415s008lbl.pdf Increlex - www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/increlex Mepact - www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/mepact Caprelsa - www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/caprelsa Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859253/ESTEVE_Logo.jpg Paul Carter and his friend David Barnes have been speaking with each other since their days in first grade in Huntsville, Alabama, more than 60 years ago. Yet since Jan. 13, 2022, their conversations over the phone haven't been the same. "It's hard to sit there and hear him just plea, 'Somebody get me home,'" Carter told ABC News in an interview. Moscow court rejects American David Barnes appeal to get out of Russian prison Barnes, a 68-year-old father of two boys, is serving the longest prison sentence of any American who is currently being held in Russia. He was recently relocated to a penal colony hundreds of miles from Moscow. Tuesday marks four years since Barnes was taken into custody. His family says Barnes' arrest came after he traveled from his apartment in The Woodlands, Texas, to Russia at the end of 2021 to try to gain visitation or custody rights to his sons through Moscow's family court system. Barnes' ex-wife, Svetlana Koptyaeva, had taken their children to her native Russia following bitter divorce and child custody proceedings in Montgomery County, Texas. Upon learning of Barnes' arrival in Russia, his family says she contacted law enforcement in Moscow and accused him of having abused the two boys. ABC News - PHOTO: David Barnes, 65, of Texas is seen here walking into court in Moscow, Russia, on Jan. 19, 2023. "[She] did not want him to have access to his children, so she made the worst possible accusation that she could come up with," Margaret Aaron, Barnes' sister, told ABC News. Moscow prosecutors' case against Barnes was unlike any other involving an American jailed in Russia in recent memory, since Barnes was not accused of committing a crime on Russian soil. Instead, Moscow prosecutors alleged that he abused his sons in suburban Houston, even though Texas law enforcement says they had no involvement in the Russian trial and previously found those allegations to not be credible after conducting their own investigation in response to Koptyaeva's claims. "I stand firmly by the allegations against Mr. Barnes," Koptyaeva wrote to ABC News in an email Monday. "They are supported by my sons' testimonies and evidence presented in both U.S. and Russian courts." Barnes was convicted by a judge in Moscow in 2024 and sentenced to more than 21 years in prison. "Was it a fair trial? By no means," Carter said. After spending years in a detention center in the Russian capital, Barnes was recently transferred to the IK-17 penal colony, according to a spokesperson for his family. The facility previously housed other high-profile detainees like American Paul Whelan, who was freed from Russia in 2024 as part of a prisoner swap. Carter and Barnes' siblings have maintained their hope for years that an exchange like the ones involving Whelan, Brittney Griner or Trevor Reed could bring Barnes back. "We can't speak for the other people that are in jail in Russia but we absolutely know without a doubt that David is an innocent guy that's being held on some horrendous charges," Carter said. 'Nothing to justify what happened' While Barnes already stood trial in Moscow, prosecutors more than 6,000 miles away in Texas are hoping that his ex-wife will face a different set of accusations in a courtroom 40 miles north of Houston. The criminal case against Koptyaeva dates back nearly seven years. From 2014 to 2019, Texas court records show that Barnes and Koptyaeva were going through an acrimonious divorce and child custody dispute. "It gradually deteriorated," Carter said. "He married a woman that he loved and brought two children into the world and, through forces that he didn't understand or see, it went downhill." Koptyaeva raised serious accusations against Barnes during this time, accusing him of abusing their children, which he vehemently denied. "I can say that the allegations against Mr. Barnes were investigated and evaluated by law enforcement here in Montgomery County and charges were not brought against him," Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Kelly Blackburn told ABC News on Monday. The custody battle between Barnes and Koptyaeva ultimately resulted in a family law trial. "A jury also heard evidence regarding the allegations during his custody dispute in the family law trial and even after hearing about the allegations, still awarded Mr. Barnes custody of his two children," Blackburn said. "And that is when his ex-wife fled with them to Russia." The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office alleged that despite a judgment giving Barnes partial custody of their children, Koptyaeva "failed to comply with any condition for travel outside of the United States with the children," and left the country with the boys on a Turkish Airlines flight from Houston to Istanbul on March 26, 2019. ABC News - PHOTO: David Barnes appears in court in Russia on Feb. 13, 2024 Interpol published yellow global police notices containing pictures of the children and Koptyaeva was subsequently charged with interference with child custody, a felony crime in Texas. A warrant for Koptyaeva's arrest in connection with this charge is still active, according to Blackburn. "I am not planning to return to the United States," Koptyaeva told ABC News. "However, if I were to do so, I would plead not guilty, as I did nothing wrong. My actions were solely to protect my children from severe abuse, something any parent would do in my situation." A Texas court subsequently designated Barnes as the primary guardian of the children, but since the boys were believed to have ultimately ended up in Russia with Koptyaeva, he was unable to have a relationship with them. Barnes' friends and family maintain that Barnes' desire to legally reunite with his children is what prompted him to travel to Moscow after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Instead, he ended up in a series of Russian detention centers. "There's nothing to justify what happened," Carter said. New Year, new hope? As Barnes begins his fifth year of detention in Russia, for the first time he is being held in a penal colony a long distance away from Moscow "From what we understand, the climate is quite a bit different," Carter said, explaining that while Barnes was often housed in a cell with 14 to 17 other people in Moscow, he has more room to walk around in his new facility. Carter said that the penal colony is a labor camp of sorts, but Barnes' labor has largely been restricted to shoveling show. He is worried about his friend's medical condition though, noting that Barnes has lost around 10 teeth since he has been in custody. Koptyaeva has maintained that Barnes was justifiably charged and convicted, while Barnes' relatives and acquaintances have been advocating for the U.S. government to declare that Russia is wrongfully detaining Barnes. "We commend all efforts to secure Mr. Barnes' release," Rep. Dan Crenshaw, Rep. Dale Strong and Sen. John Cornyn wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio in November. "As the Administration continues negotiations with Russia, we urge you to utilize every tool available to facilitate his return to the United States." David Barnes, American detained in Russia, found guilty by Moscow judge Blackburn, the Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney, said he is not in a position at this time to say whether Barnes' detention in Russia is wrongful, noting, "I don't know what evidence was presented during the trial or anything else about how the proceeding[s] [were] conducted." The State Department has not answered ABC News' questions over whether it considers Barnes' detention to be wrongful. "The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and welfare of American citizens," the agency said in a statement to ABC News. "U.S. Embassy officials continue to provide consular assistance to Mr. Barnes." Carter said that there has been increased advocacy against Barnes' detention recently and that he is hopeful that the Trump administration will be able to bring his friend home -- but fears Barnes being devastated if he is left out of another prisoner exchange. "He's been in some insufferable conditions and it doesn't need to continue," his friend said. ABC News' Tanya Stukalova contributed to this report. An Obamacare sign is displayed outside a Miami insurance agency. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images file) (Joe Raedle) As open enrollment for Affordable Care Act insurance comes to an end, people are moving to cheaper plans or dropping their coverage entirely, according to state and federal data. Last year, Congress failed to extend enhanced tax credits for Obamacare customers. The result was soaring monthly premiums across the U.S. People are saying: I just cant make the math work. I cannot afford this. Im going to just have to roll the dice and hope I dont have any health issues this year, said Audrey Morse Gasteier, executive director of the Massachusetts Health Connector, the states ACA marketplace. NBC News reached out to the 20 states, plus Washington, D.C., that run their own ACA exchanges about changes in sign-ups for 2026. Ten state health officials responded with their latest numbers. In the 30 states that NBC did not ask, people purchase their ACA insurance through HealthCare.gov, run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. On Monday, the agency released data showing that nationally, sign-ups are down more than 800,000 from last year. Fewer new enrollees are signing up and fewer people are renewing their coverage. In three states, Idaho, Massachusetts and Virginia, state health officials say roughly twice as many people have dropped their coverage for 2026 compared with the same point last year. In Pennsylvania, terminations have more than tripled, to above 70,000, officials say, and are still growing. Other states, California, Kentucky and New York, report that new sign-ups are down and that more enrollees are shifting to bronze plans, the lowest-tier option, which come with high deductibles. Three other states, Colorado, Minnesota and New Mexico, say overall sign-ups are flat or higher. State officials and health policy experts caution that the sign-up totals do not necessarily reflect how many people will ultimately have health insurance this year. The open enrollment period ends Jan. 15 in most states, meaning there is still a chance for people to sign up. State data also offers only a partial picture, and final nationwide enrollment figures from the federal government are still likely to be weeks away. Cynthia Cox, director of the program on the ACA at KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research group, said that based on her research, it sounds like national sign-ups are down from last year, but on the surface they dont seem to be down as much as some had expected. Its possible that Congress could still pass a bill to restore the enhanced subsidies. Last week, the House passed a bill to extend the credits three more years, and the Senate is drafting its own separate version. President Donald Trump said Sunday, however, that he might veto the legislation on the three-year extension. Coverage losses to get worse Some people who signed up for 2026 plans may never make their first premium payments, and insurers typically terminate unpaid plans weeks or months later meaning the full scope of coverage losses may not become clear until late spring or summer. Its kind of like the difference between putting something in your shopping cart and paying for it, Cox said. The sign-up data could make it look like more people are enrolled than actually are. State health officials in Virginia said they expect more people to drop their coverage through March when the grace period for people to make their first payments ends and insurers can terminate coverage. The worst is yet to come for the enrollment trend, said Kevin Patchett, the director of Virginias Insurance Marketplace. Its going to be another month or two before we see the impacts. Idaho health officials expect more people to drop coverage through April. Pat Kelly, executive director of Your Health Idaho, the states ACA marketplace, said there is an optional questionnaire when people disenroll. We saw about three times as many consumers citing affordability on that question than we saw over the same period last year, he said. Moving to a cheaper option Sophie-Charlotte Bidet, a contract public defender in Mammoth Lakes, California, said her familys health insurance premium was going to triple to $3,300 a month after the enhanced tax credits expired. Bidet switched from a silver to a bronze plan for 2026, but she still had to pick up two additional jobs to help cover the monthly cost of $2,800. Now, her familys deductible is far higher than before. On Sunday, Bidet said, her 10-year-old daughter, Juliet, hurt her wrist, but Bidet decided to forgo going to the emergency room over fear about the potential high out-of-pocket cost. It feels like a punch in the gut, Bidet said. California officials said that nearly three-quarters of people renewing their ACA coverage moved to bronze plans. More than a third of new enrollees this year have selected bronze plans, compared with 1 in 5 last year. In Kentucky, Beth Fisher, deputy executive director in the public affairs office in the states Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said nearly 15,000 enrollees changed plans, with the majority moving to a more affordable option. Morse Gasteier, of Massachusetts, said officials are seeing more people in the middle class move to less expensive plans. The shift toward cheaper plans or dropping coverage altogether can have ramifications that reverberate through the health care system. When we think about people who are uninsured or who have bogus junk insurance, we know what happens to people, Morse Gasteier said. They put off care. Their health conditions worsen. And its not as if they never end up touching the health care system. They still do show up in the emergency rooms. They still do show up at the doors of hospitals and community health centers. Those patients still need care; hospitals cannot turn away people who cannot pay. Many hospitals, especially in rural areas, will have to reduce services or close, said Larry Gostin, director of the ONeill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University. The failure to extend ACA premium subsidies is going to provoke a national crisis. Iranian demonstrators gather in a street during a protest over the collapse of the currency's value, in Tehran, Iran, January 8, 2026. Stringer/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS By Samia Nakhoul DUBAI, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Despite Iran's nationwide protests and years of external pressure, there are as yet no signs of fracture in the Islamic Republic's security elite that could bring an end to one of the world's most resilient governments. Adding to the stress on Iran's clerical rulers, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action over Tehran's severe crackdown on the protests, which follow an Israeli and U.S. bombing campaign last year against Iran's nuclear program and key officials. Responding to Reuters, a White House official said "all options" were at Trumps disposal to address the situation in Iran. But unless the street unrest and foreign pressure can prompt defections at the top, the establishment, though weakened, will likely hold, two diplomats, two government sources in the Middle East and two analysts told Reuters. Around 2,000 people have been killed in the protests, an Iranian official told Reuters, blaming people he called terrorists for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. Human rights groups had previously tallied around 600 deaths. Iran's layered security architecture, anchored by the Revolutionary Guards and Basij paramilitary force, which together number close to one million people, makes external coercion without internal rupture exceedingly difficult, said Vali Nasr, an Iranian-American academic and expert on regional conflicts and U.S. foreign policy. For this sort of thing to succeed, you have to have crowds in the streets for a much longer period of time. And you have to have a breakup of the state. Some segments of the state, and particularly the security forces, have to defect," he said. Iran's Foreign Ministry declined to comment. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, has survived several past waves of unrest. This is the fifth major uprising since 2009, evidence of resilience and cohesion even as the government confronts a deep, unresolved internal crisis, said Paul Salem of the Middle East Institute. For that to change, protesters would have to generate enough momentum to overcome the states entrenched advantages: powerful institutions, a sizeable constituency loyal to the clerical rule, and the geographic and demographic scale of a country of 90 million people, said Alan Eyre, a former U.S. diplomat and Iran expert. Survival, however, does not equal stability, the analysts said. The Islamic Republic is facing one of its gravest challenges since 1979. Sanctions have strangled the economy with no clear path to recovery. Strategically, it is under pressure from Israel and the United States, its nuclear program degraded, its regional Axis of Resistance proxy armed groups weakened by crippling losses to allies in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. Nasr said that while he didn't think the Islamic Republic had reached the moment of fall," it was "now in a situation of great difficulty going forward." The protests began on December 28 in response to soaring prices, before turning squarely against clerical rule. Politically, the violent crackdown has further eroded what remained of the Islamic Republic's legitimacy. U.S.-based rights group HRANA says it has verified the deaths of 573 people, 503 protesters and 69 security personnel. More than 10,000 have been arrested, the group said. Iran has released no official toll, and Reuters was unable to independently verify the figures. TRUMP WEIGHS OPTIONS AMID IRAN CRACKDOWN What sets this moment apart, and raises the stakes, analysts say, is Trumps explicit warnings that the killing of demonstrators could trigger an American intervention. On Tuesday, Trump urged protesters to take over institutions and said "help is on the way," while saying he was cancelling meetings with Iranian officials. Earlier, he threatened tariffs on countries that trade with Iran. China is Tehran's top trade partner. In a phone call on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of U.S. intervention in Iran, according to an Israeli source present for the conversation. Trumps interest in the protests, the analysts said, is likely tactical rather than ideological, Salem said. The aim could be pliability - weakening the state enough to extract concessions such as curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme, he said. The White House did not respond to a request for comment about Trump's goals in Iran. The White House official said Trump had demonstrated with military operations in Iran and Venezuela last year "that he means what he says." The idea of a Venezuela model has growing appeal in some circles in Washington and Jerusalem, a diplomat and three of the analysts said. It envisions the removal of Iran's top authority while signaling to the remaining state apparatus: stay in place, provided they cooperate, they said. Applied to Iran, however, it collides with formidable obstacles - a security state entrenched for decades, deep institutional cohesion and a much larger and ethnically complex country. Two regional officials and two of the analysts told Reuters foreign military action could fracture Iran along ethnic and sectarian lines, particularly in Kurdish and Sunni Balush regions with histories of resistance. For now, constraints remain. U.S. military assets are stretched elsewhere, though the diplomats said that deployments could shift quickly. David Makovsky at The Washington Institute, a think tank, said that if Trump acts, he expects a swift, high-impact action rather than a prolonged campaign - consistent with the president's preference in recent conflicts for a single decisive action rather than deploying ground troops. "He looks for this one gesture that might be a game changer, but what is it?," said Makovsky. Options range from maritime pressure on Iranian oil shipments to targeted military or cyber strikes, all carrying serious risks. Some measures, all the sources said, could stop short of force, such as restoring internet access via Starlink to help protesters communicate. The White House and State Department did not respond to Reuters questions about what action, if any, Trump might take. Trump sometimes uses threats to delay decisions, sometimes to deter adversaries, and sometimes to signal he is actually preparing to intervene, said Makovsky at The Washington Institute. We just dont know yet which applies here. (Reporting by Samia Nakhoul; editing by Frank Jack Daniel) A new arrest has been made in connection to the notorious 2023 gold heist in which millions of dollars' worth of gold bars were stolen at Toronto Pearson Airport, Canadian police said Monday. Officers arrested and charged 43-year-old Arsalan Chaudhary when he arrived at the Toronto airport Monday on a flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, police said in a news release. Chaudhary is charged with theft, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He was held for a bail hearing in Brampton, in the greater Toronto area, police said. On April 17, 2023, a flight from Zurich, Switzerland, landed at the Toronto airport carrying a cargo shipment that included approximately 400 kilograms (about 880 pounds) of .9999 pure gold bars, worth more than $20 million Canadian (about $14.4 million in U.S. dollars), and $2.5 million Canadian in foreign currency. The shipment was reported missing the following day from the Air Canada warehouse. The police soon found that a suspect who arrived at the warehouse with a truck and a fake airway bill had loaded the gold shipment onto the truck and stolen it. The Peel Regional Police, who are responsible for the airport area, launched an investigation they dubbed "Project 24K." "This investigation demonstrates the dedication and expertise of Peel Regional Police in tackling complex, high-stakes crime," Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said in a statement. "Project 24K is a clear example of how our officers, working alongside national and international partners, can disrupt sophisticated criminal activity and hold those responsible accountable. Let it be known: no matter where you try to run or hide, we will find you." According to police, it was the largest gold heist in Canadian history. To date, 10 people have been charged or are wanted, and two individuals remain outstanding, including one subject to an extradition request who is believed to be in India. One of the suspects, Durante King-Mclean, was arrested in Pennsylvania in 2023, accused of driving the truck. The police have recovered only a small portion of the gold and some cash so far. "We can confirm that investigators have recovered approximately one kilogram of .9999% pure gold, which had been crudely fashioned into bangles," police said in a statement. "In addition, we seized approximately $450,000 CAD, which we believe represents a portion of the profits generated through this illicit activity." They said the investigation indicates the gold was sent overseas from Canada "to markets in India and/or Dubai, where it was melted down and reintroduced into the market for profit." An investigation by CBS News's Canadian partner, CBC News's Fifth Estate, said that based on documents, authorities believe the heist was planned and executed by a highly organised group that mainly relied on an insider. Police told CBC News's investigation that Chaudhary was "the most involved in the planning the theft," described as the "Top Dog." Sneak peek: The Blackout Murder of Livye Lewis Emotional testimony from teacher about Uvalde shooting in trial of former cop Tony Dokoupil's final thoughts from Detroit courtesy of Chanel "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Last month, new Chanel creative director Matthieu Blazy surprised and delighted the fashion world when he presented his first Metiers dart collection in an abandoned New York City subway station. And last night, Ayo Edebiri took one of the show's most elegant gowns out of the MTA and onto the red carpet when she wore it to the 83rd annual Golden Globes. Nominated for the third time for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series (Musical or Comedy) for her work in The Bear, Edibiri wore Look 17an off-the-shoulder, floor-grazing black velvet dress delicately embellished with resin-and-pearl brooches pinned at the shoulders. With her hair perfectly coiffed into a vintage-inspired bob and effortlessly glam makeup courtesy of Ernesto Casillas, the Chanel ambassador presented as the modern version of an Old Hollywood star, calling to mind screen legends such as Diahann Carroll and Dorothy Dandridge. The look was the latest collaboration between Edebiri and star stylist Danielle Goldberg, who together have produced countless memorable red carpet fashion moments over the years. Asked about their partnership, the actor and comedian immediately began joking around. Danielle and I probably share such a strong creative and collaborative spark from the time we went to Greece together and saw an oracle in a cave who put a hex on us. On a more serious note, she added, I think Danielle is an artist making her own way who appreciates the artistry of others, and is both a natural leader and a natural collaborator, which I really identify with. Shes so smart and its so fun getting to make these creative and artistic decisions with her. courtesy of Chanel She has an equally close creative relationship with her makeup artist Casillas, who has been responsible for the fresh-faced glam fans have witnessed throughout her rise to fame. For this year's Globes, Casillas took inspiration from the actress's gown itself and translated its simple sophistication into her beauty look for the night. Its deep, elegant hue created the perfect canvas for the plum and mauve shades in the makeup, while providing a striking contrast to the silver and emerald brooches on each shoulder, Casillas shared. To give Edebiri's skin a look that he described as alive, lifted and effortless," he incorporated Chanel Beauty products including the Sublimage La Creme Texture Supreme Ultimate Cream as a starting base, and tapped the brand's signature eyeshadow quad in Tisse Rivoli to achieve a neutral smokey eye. [It all resulted in] a soft, luminous finish that still looked refined and red-carpet ready. Monica Schipper For Edebiri, the night served as an opportunity to celebrate her work on The Bear, the FX series that turned her into a simultaneous Golden Globe and Emmy winner in 2024 and ultimately changed her life and career. Another nomination this year is the perfect high to ride as she begins production for the beloved series' fifth season in the coming weeks. I genuinely was so shocked to be nominated again this year, I'm just extremely grateful. It really is an honor to be nominated because it means your peers in the industry are seeing and acknowledging the work that youre doing amongst a host of so much incredible work on television each year, Edebiri said. Its such a blessing and Im grateful to get to do what I do period, but an acknowledgement like this feels like extra icing on a pretty well-frosted cake. You Might Also Like Buddhist monks have set off on a trek across the country on foot that has drawn national attention as they travel from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., as a part of a monthslong journey they describe as a spiritual practice. The more than 2,300-mile journey they have named the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Centers Walk for Peace began in late October and is estimated to conclude later this winter in the nations capital. The walk, according to the groups official page, is intended to promote peace, compassion and mindfulness during a time they say the country is marked by division and uncertainty. "This is not a protest," the monks say in public statements. "It is a spiritual practice." At Lancaster Market, I Witnessed An America That Still Works No Politics Required Buddhist monks who are participating in the "Walk For Peace," arrive in Saluda, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Newsroom) The monks are affiliated with a Texas-based Buddhist meditation center. Read On The Fox News App They describe the walk as a moving meditation as they continue to pass through cities, small towns and rural communities across the U.S. They have been greeted by supporters who have gathered along the route, walking short stretches with the group and offering food or simply observing quietly as they pass. The Monks are keeping a blog that tracks their journey in real time. On the blog they say those who "visit the venerable monks along our path, we tie a blessing string around your wrista simple thread that carries profound meaning." According to the blog, the cord is a reminder and every time the wearer sees it, "in a moment of stress, during a difficult conversation, when patience feels impossibleit gently calls you back to the intention you set when you met us: to walk with us in spirit, to nourish peace, mindfulness, loving-kindness, and compassion in your daily life." "It is a connection string between this journey and you, a tangible link that says: you are part of this walk for peace. We are walking together, always," they write. Buddhist monks who are participating in the "Walk For Peace," are seen with their dog, Aloka, on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. Without God, New York's Dream Turns Hollow. My Walk Across America Proves It In addition to the monks, Aloka, a rescue dog the monks refer to as the "Peace Dog," has become an unexpected focal point of the journey. During the journey, photos and videos are being shared online and show Aloka traveling along highways and sidewalks, resting during breaks and greeting supporters. These special moments have helped the monks walk gain traction on social media, where their Facebook following recently surpassed 1 million followers. Millions of supporters are sharing messages of encouragement and reflection in response to the journey. "I am so inspired. Thank you the United States so desperately needs this message," one follower wrote. Another supporter said the walk has had a personal impact on their daily life. Audrie Pearce greets Buddhist monks who are participating in the "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. "Praying for you all each night. You have opened a light within me that makes me want to be a kinder, more peaceful person. I think now before speaking and have become more aware of my breathing," the follower wrote. "Your trip has a lot of people thinking and restoring hope back in our country and peaceful thoughts throughout the day. It is simply wonderful, the journey you are on." Others said the message resonates with them during a turbulent period for the country. "The message of peace is resonating with so many in America during these scary times," another supporter commented. So far, the Buddhist monks have made it across much of the country, prompting online searches and interest in the walk, the monks mission and their destination in Washington. The videos have circulated widely as the group continues eastward. Click Here To Download The Fox News App They continue to emphasize that the walk is non-political and open to people of all backgrounds, describing peace as "not a destination, but a way of living." The monks say their message remains the same: peace begins with individual action one step at a time. Original article source: Buddhist monks walking 2,300 miles from Texas to DC go viral with 1M+ social media followers The California Capitol stands in Sacramento as the legislative session opens, Jan. 5, 2026. Photo: Madeline Shannon / The Center Square (The Center Square) - As the second week begins for the new legislative year, California lawmakers still arent sure what should top their priorities. However, some legislators told The Center Square about key projects they hope to introduce during bills in 2026. Multiple lawmakers want to advance legislation for housing, public transit and wildfire recovery. Overshadowing legislators individual legislative priorities: Californias $18 billion budget deficit, first projected by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office in November. The deficit is the result of funding obligations to K-12 schools and community colleges and funding the states Budget Stabilization Account, often known as the rainy day fund, according to the governors proposed budget released on Friday. The only discussion weve had so far is on the budget, so I cant speak to legislative priorities for the caucus as a whole, Sen. Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, told The Center Square on Monday. The primary concern from an overall standpoint, No. 1, is we have this very unique situation of relatively strong and increasing revenues, and yet we have deficits. That just doesnt happen. Niello added that in budget deficits, usually the economy is weak and revenues fall, resulting in a gap in the budget. This is not a strong economy, but certainly not a recession or a shrinking economy, the longtime senator told The Center Square. Yet we have increasing deficits. Frankly from my standpoint, that is alarming, and it is a big deal for the [Republican] caucus. Despite the states budget woes, some priorities have surfaced for individual lawmakers and their caucuses, legislators told The Center Square on Monday. Rural health care, wildfire recovery, insurance reform and housing bills are some of the priorities, according to members of the Assembly and Senate and their staffs. One bill introduced this year, Assembly Bill 1559, will crack down on aerial imaging of residential properties, said Mike Dayton, chief of staff for Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, D-City of Industry. We found some people lose property insurance, and they dont feel like theyre notified by the insurance carrier in time, Dayton told The Center Square. So this really ensures there is a practice in place that consumers are notified in advance that there is going to be aerial imaging, and they have a chance to have more dialogue with the insurance company. Hazard mitigation spending on wildfire and earthquake recovery are also legislative priorities for Calderon, Dayton said. Production of new housing, ensuring tenant protections and preserving existing housing are major policy priorities for other lawmakers who sit on housing-related committees, a lawmaker told The Center Square. On the production side, looking at how we can continue to address cost drivers that impact the cost of construction, Sen. Jesse Arreguin, D-Oakland and chair of the Senate Housing Committee, told The Center Square. No doubt that tariffs and the price of materials, labor and the time it takes to build housing are impacting economic feasibility and projects throughout California. Pushing for modular housing that help homes get built faster, financing workforce housing and incentivizing the construction of affordable new homes are top of mind, along with creating permanent housing for the states homeless population, Arreguin told The Center Square on Monday. Bills on public transit, advancing homeownership and affordable housing construction are also policy priorities, Arreguin said. In light of all these policy priorities, any bill that catches the attention of the governor stands the best chance of passing and getting signed into law, one lawmaker told The Center Square. Anything that makes sense that will expedite housing, any law that is written well, has a good chance of passing and is definitely going to get the attention of the governor, new Senate Majority Whip Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, told The Center Square on Monday. That means it has a good chance of getting signed by the governor. Shelby County Sheriff's Office/X Driver carjacked, kidnapped by group impersonating police in targeted attack NEED TO KNOW A Tennessee driver was carjacked and kidnapped in a "targeted attack" on Monday, Jan. 12, at around 8:25 p.m. local time The suspects allegedly impersonated police officers by driving a "dark-colored sedan with a law enforcement light inside the vehicle" The victim "successfully escaped" the suspects who the Shelby County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) believe are known to one another later that evening A driver was carjacked and kidnapped in a "targeted attack" by suspects posing as police officers in Tennessee. At around 8:25 p.m. local time on Monday, Jan. 12, deputies responded to reports of a carjacking and kidnapping involving a victim by a dark-colored sedan with a law enforcement light inside the vehicle, on Glen Eden Drive and Tulip Rose Lane in Shelby County, Tennessee, the Shelby County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) announced on X that evening. The victim was pulled over by the sedan "with red and blue lights flashing, after entering his neighborhood and asked to step out of the vehicle, SCSO Chief Deputy Anthony Bucker told KFVS12. Shelby County Sheriff's Office/X Driver carjacked, kidnapped by group impersonating police in targeted attack We believe that he was attacked and then forced back inside his vehicle, and two, out of what we believe to be three, suspects entered his vehicle and drove him back to his house, said Buckner. When the suspects arrived at the victim's house, his alarm system went off, spooking them, and they returned to the vehicle with the victim and drove away, according to Buckner. A police chase then ensued. "Upon arrival, deputies located the victim's vehicle in the area, driving at a high rate of speed, and initiated a pursuit, said the SCSO. During the pursuit, deputies lost sight of the vehicle in the area of Rideway and 385. At approximately 8:25 p.m. this evening, deputies responded to a reported carjacking and kidnapping involving a victim who was stopped by a dark colored sedan with a law enforcement light inside the vehicle, in the area of Glen Eden Drive and Tulip Rose Lane in Southeast Shelby pic.twitter.com/2Ew8z6aC1l ShelbyTNSheriff (@ShelbyTNSheriff) January 12, 2026 The victim successfully escaped from the suspects a short while later and contacted 911 from a local business, said the SCSO. The victim and his vehicle have been found, and he is safe, they confirmed. The police believe that this was a targeted attack and that the suspects knew the victim, per KFVS12, adding that the victim and suspects have not been identified at this time. Detectives are currently attempting to identify and locate the suspects and the vehicle they used to impersonate a law enforcement car, and the investigation is ongoing. 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. PEOPLE has contacted the SCSO for further comment but didn't immediately receive a response. The police are asking anyone with information related to this incident to contact the SCSO at 901-379-7625 or Crimestoppers at 528-CASH. Read the original article on People AP The precision strike against Venezuela that led to the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on criminal charges was without a doubt one of the high points of U.S. military history. And there should be no doubt that the success of the operation redounds to the credit of President Donald J. Trump. No other president in recent memory would have had the guts or imagination to authorize the operation, but Trump has a history of using the military in a surgical manner to take out our enemies (in the case of Qasem Soleimani, the leader of the Iranian Quds Force) or to neutralize global threats (in the case of last years strikes on Irans nuclear facilities). Despite the criticism on the right that such operations are not "America First," there is no doubt that eliminating our adversaries threat potential is indeed putting America First. In a world grown increasingly dangerous, we dont have the luxury of waiting for our enemies to strike at us before responding. Fortunately, there has been little meaningful opposition to Trumps campaign to rid Venezuela of its home-grown narco-terrorist. Yes, Democratic senators took to the airwaves to decry what they considered to be the use of brute force by the U.S. military against a sovereign nation. But who do they think they are kidding? Venezuela was a rogue nation for 30 years, led by oligarchs and treating its own citizens like dirt. As long ago as 2018, the Cato Institute called the collapse of legitimate government in Venezuela "the biggest humanitarian crisis you have never heard of," with millions of people fleeing the failed socialist state. Even if the U.S. didnt have a reason to bring down Maduro for his involvement in drug trafficking, we have a valid stake in stopping the influx of illegal migrants from Venezuela by re-establishing order in their homeland. And Venezuelans understand that too. Almost two-thirds of Venezuelans living abroad support the U.S. military intervention. Fewer make the same claim in Venezuela proper, but for good reason. They have been living in fear of the Maduro regime for years, and U.S. action left many of the same dangerous socialist thugs in power. In short, Trump saw a problem and cleaned it up. So dont even think about criticizing Trump for using military force. And dont trot out the congressional power to declare war as an excuse to paint this as illegal use of force. The United States is not at war with Venezuela, and does not want to be at war, so the antique process of declaring war is irrelevant. But criticism of Trump is not limited to his policies. There is also the matter of the presidents uncanny ability to put his foot in his mouth - a trait which makes no sense for a guy who spent the majority of his life as a salesman. I am talking in particular about the morning-after press conference which saw Trump selling the takeover surrounded by his secretary of state, secretary of war, and the chairman of the joint chiefs. In that setting, Trump said, "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition." Anyone with a degree in marketing could have told Trump that most Americans dont want to run Venezuela, or any other country, especially in light of the disastrous results of trying to impose a free government in Iraq following the U.S. invasion. So by Trump declaring that "were going to run the country," he opened the door to criticism that this was going to be yet another nation-building venture in the failed models of Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan. Trumps initial words on the topic were actually quite anodyne, but in a world built on sound bites, they gave Democrats and legacy media the opening they needed to sow doubt about the future of our mission in Venezuela. Indeed the first four questions asked of Trump during his day-after press conference all sought clarity on what running Venezuela meant. Unfortunately clarity was in short supply. At one point, Trump even waved at the Cabinet secretaries and military leaders standing on the stage with him and said, "The people that are standing right behind me, were going to be running it." Despite the presidents good intentions, it was the wrong thing to say. Fortunately, Secretary of State Rubio was one of the people on stage and over the next 24 hours, he was able to refocus the discussion. Quietly and vigorously, he transformed the presidents message about "running" Venezuela to a much more nuanced take on "leverage." No, the United States did not have ambitions for running Venezuela from afar, or installing some weak democratic government that would be at risk of military coup. Instead, Rubio explained, the United States had enough leverage from controlling the export of oil to ensure that whoever took charge of the nation would do the right thing. In fact, over the next two days, Rubio used the word "leverage" multiple times to explain that the United States would use economic pressure to persuade Venezuelans to course-correct without further military action on the mainland. He told Margaret Brennan on CBS "Face the Nation": "What you're seeing right now is an oil quarantine that allows us to exert tremendous leverage over what happens next." On ABCs "This Week," George Stephanopoulos asked Rubio "under what legal authority" would the U.S. be running Venezuela. But Rubio didnt take the bait. This wasnt an issue of legal authority, but an issue of power wielded on behalf of a beleaguered people: First of all, whats going to happen here is that we have a quarantine on their oil. That means their economy will not be able to move forward until the conditions that are in the national interest of the United States and the interest of the Venezuelan people are met. And thats what we intend to do. So, that leverage remains. That leverage is ongoing. And we expect that its going to lead to results here. On "Meet the Press" with Kristin Welker, Rubio questioned "people fixating" on whos running Venezuela, and pushed back: We are not going to be able to allow in our hemisphere a country that becomes a crossroads for the activities of all of our adversaries around the world. These things are direct threats to the United States, and we intend to use every element of leverage that we have to ensure that that changes. One day later, Venezuelas vice president - Delcy Rodriguez - was sworn in as the new president. Is she the perfect choice? No, but she is the logical choice - and appears to be adapting to her role as the transitional leader who will help guide the country back to normalcy. By mid-week, the Trump administration seemed to have picked up the cue from Rubio and was continuing the leverage theme. Shortly after two oil tankers were seized on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "We obviously have maximum leverage over the interim authorities in Venezuela right now. And the president has made it very clear that this is a country close by the United States that is no longer going to be sending illegal drugs to the United States of America." Period. End of story. Or it should have been. But somebody forgot to tell the president. So later that day, he suggested to The New York Times that he was willing to drag out U.S. control of Venezuela for years. Can anyone say "quagmire"? All of Rubios hard work to turn the discussion away from the misleading concept of the U.S. "running" Venezuela was undone. The question now is whether Rubio or anyone else can clean up the verbal miscues of President Trump when he seems to lack any semblance of "message discipline." Does the administration realize that their most ardent supporters have no interest in foreign adventurism and that their political enemies will happily portray Trump as a reckless swaggering bully? By the end of the week, a wild card was added to the deck when Trump announced that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado would visit the White House in the next few days to present him with the Nobel Peace Prize she had won last year. Its perfect optics for the president to promote the Venezuela operation as a humanitarian mission, but its also the perfect opportunity for Trump to say something so outrageous or insulting or presumptuous that even Rubio wont be able to rescue him. Trump cleaned up Venezuela in a day. Now he has to clean up his own act and stop talking long enough to let it stay that way. Frank Miele, retired editor of the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell, Mont., is a columnist for RealClearPolitics. His book The Media Matrix: What If Everything You Know Is Fake is available from his Amazon author page. Visit him at HeartlandDiaryUSA.com or follow him on Facebook @HeartlandDiaryUSA and on X/Gettr @HeartlandDiary. Blakelee Bartik / Cheapism Better make space in your pantry, as Costco is set to open new stores nationwide and your ZIP code might be on the list. The wholesale juggernaut is opening six new Costco warehouses in the U.S. and one in Canada by spring, according to the companys website. The slated openings are in accordance with Costcos usual expansion strategy of opening 30 new stores every year half of them in the U.S. and half internationally. Costco opened five new stores in November across North America, including three in the United States and two in Canada. As of January 5, 2026, Costco has 639 locations across the country, with West Virginia, Wyoming, and Rhode Island among the states without a warehouse. While no specific opening dates are listed on the Coming Soon page, the bulk retailer is slated to open one warehouse in January, three in March, and three in April, concentrated largely in Texas and Western states. @GoldFoxStudios/Instagram Where Is Costco Opening New Stores? Here are the new Costco locations set to open in the next four months: January 2026 West Roseville, California March 2026 Liberty Hill, Texas Forney, Texas South St. George, Utah April 2026 North Visalia, California New Braunfels, Texas What Other Changes Are Coming to Costco? Beyond opening new warehouses, Costco has a few other changes in the works for 2026. The company has started testing its first stand-alone gas station in California, as well as introducing membership-card scanners at food courts to keep the low-cost menu member-only. More From Cheapism